Raziel

Raziel

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Art by Silverins

Ironically, Raziel found Euryale. Curious and independent, the little Ridgeback struck out from her nest, hunting small animals and fish to survive. Fortunately, she ran into Euryale's pack before she took on something too big for her size. The ridgeback has become one of the matriarch's favored adoptees. Raziel is battle-friends with Mirinae, and most know that Raziel, Mirinae, Iuriel and Abbadon (fondly referred to as the Demon Sisters) are inseparable. Raziel has taken to patrolling the borders with Euryale. Though she can cover much more ground than her adopted mother can, she needs the stretch, the pull of fighting something, since she can't tunnel like she could at home. She's already begun "borrowing" from the neighbors, stealing resources, hunting in their land. Her size has prevented a number of their neighbors from complaining too much, though she has had to give some things back. Now that Euryale spends more time managing the clan's outside affairs, the smaller Zariel has joined her as an early warning system on her "borrowing" missions. They're both feral creatures, always straining against even the bare civility that Euryale enforces, and their friendship has deepened into an oddly romantic relationship. With the addition of morbid Enishi, they roam the outskirts of their territory as a borderguard. They're not the friendliest of dragons, but they are dedicated to what they do and if you leave the clan borderstones alone, they'll leave you alone.

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The border guard are the first to spot Shirubake returning with Raziel's body and Zariel's shriek of fury and sadness is heard through the entire grounds. Enishi flies off and by the time the Ridgeback is brought within clan borders, Time is already there with Ulcifet. The mirror does not shed much blood though; there is more than enough pouring from the ridgeback that the duo can return to its place. She is laid to rest in the tunnels with the rest of the wounded. It takes nearly a day, but her eyes eventually open to Zariel's mask staring her in the face. The skydancer is huddled next to her chin. He rumbles, full of emotion she does not have the mind to disentangle,
"Don't ever do this again."

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She doesn't feel stronger after her training with Abbadon and Shirubake. Sure, she still limps from the maiming she took during the Shadow assault that left her leg misshapen. But she moves faster than her mate or Enishi, still fresh by the end of the day when the boys sometimes lag.
"You should do it as well, dear." She chides gently and Zariel grumbles. "It won't happen to me again, but now I'm the one worried about you. I'm sure Mirinae and Xinashumii could use a mage to help them."
"Dearest, do you really think I would be a mage?"
"Fair."