#favnir

So this turned out quite well. I bought the filigree rapier for Favnir (first Guardian) a long time ago, but then I overhauled her apparel and gave her that accent. Then I bought the katana for Mina (second Guardian) before the white katana that matches the set I’m giving her came out. Sabathiel (the Spiral) was always on my list to get the Filigree Rapier, but since I do my apparel and gene projects in order from least expensive to most expensive, she was pretty far down the list.

When the white katana came out I got one for Mina so I just had that katana lying around. Just today I realized it would look a lot better with Favnir’s new, sleeker, darker look than the rapier so I gave it to her and the rapier got shifted to Sabathiel.

Vanlith knows his duty, and he loves it.

Innocence settled on Favnir’s horn, her chilly dark green gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd of dragons. The tiny Fae’s presence was easily as intimidating as the much larger Guardian’s.

To Favnir’s right, Vanlith strode forward, his muscles rippling. Rthyin and Senka both appeared to Favnir’s left, pale blue and red eyes respectively gazing down menacingly. Siva and Adelaide appeared just behind Favnir, Siva’s body tense and Adelaide’s expression disapproving.

All of them cut an imitating figure atop the hillside. Mutters filled the clan below and several dragons shot curious and suspicious glances up at them. Favnir let out a tiny sigh. Her own Inner Circle was divided on this, she couldn’t imagine how the entire clan would react.

Still, she could not stall. “We have an announcement,” Favnir said. She felt the tips of Innocence’s wings brush across her horn as the Fae shuffled slightly. “The Inner Circle has decided to in force a rule that demands all dragons in Clan Opus will learn combat arts.”

Favnir could see Raisa’s eyes widen in horror, watched the Scholars look straight at Siva with shock in their eyes, witnessed how Apollyon’s head snapped up and his pink eyes narrow at her.

A rumble something spread through the dragons below. When she saw Orpheus tremble, Favnir began to worry. They wouldn’t face a revolt here and now, would they?

“Good!” Azara yelled, meeting the Inner Circle’s gaze proudly. She had abandoned her helmet for this meeting, and they could all see her blazing pink eyes.

Valnire immediately spoke up, glaring at Azara for a moment before staring up at his mother and father. “About time,” he rumbled, digging his claws into the ground.

“I,” Ornella said, tossing her tiny head proudly, “agree. It’ll be good for all of you.”

“Good?” Raisa said, her blue eyes blazing with anger. “Think of all the injuries! Dragons without a lick of training forced to fight—”

Veselin snorted from across the clearing. “Didn’t you hear?” he said tilting his head down to stare at her. “They’ll be taught. What, you think our fighters aren’t up to the task?”

Raisa whipped her head around to glare at him. “Of course you’d be in favor for this, you blood thirsty—”

“Olive thinks it’s a good plan,” Viridian said loudly. Olive nodded behind him. He tilted his feathered head to the right. “I’m indifferent.”

“Indifferent?” Xala asked, tearing up the ground with her claws. Her entire body radiated bloodlust. “This is an excellent idea.”

Nao stepped forward and everyone fell silent. Favnir held her breath. She knew how well respected Nao was. What she said could make or break this plan.

“Won’t this invite more war?” Nao asked quietly. She did not need to speak loudly. Her voice carried over the backs of silent dragons, buoyed by kindness. Favnir was, all at once, envious.

“This is a defensive tactic,” Favnir said. “It’s meant to protect us, to keep all of us safe.”

Nao looked doubtful. No, dammit. Favnir wouldn’t let her ruin this, she had to understand.

Before any argument could beginning between them, Flavio spoke up, spreading his wings as wide as they went.

“What say you, Mother,” he asked, his voice twisting with scorn. Never before had Favnir been so grateful for the annoying twit and his one sided rivalry with his mother.

Once again, Innocence’s eyes swept over the crowd. Favnir knew from much experience how it felt to have that gaze focused on you. She couldn’t imagine it was much different than staring into the eyes of the gods.

Like Nao, Innocence did not need to speak loudly. She spoke firmly, her words carried not by kindness, but by power. Why was it that Favnir led this clan when those like Nao and Innocence existed? Surely they were better fit to lead than she.

“This rule,” Innocence said, and once again it was like the entire clan was holding their breath, “is fair.”

“No.” Apollyon stood suddenly, dislodging the smaller Cithyl from where she lay at his side. She glared at him, momentarily disgruntled. Apollyon didn’t spare her a speck of attention. His ice cold gaze was solely for the Inner Circle.

Vanlith spread his wings and stepped forward until he was shoulder to shoulder with Favnir. Rthyin growled underneath his wolf pelt. Senka’s eyes narrowed. Favnir hoped no one saw how she tensed and dug her claws into the ground.

Threat. Danger, instincts whispered to them. Though Siva and Adelaide were both skilled for non combatants, they were not fighters. They couldn’t feel the same warning as she had, as Vanlith, Rthyin, and Senka had.

Innocence had. Favnir could tell. Her posture had not changed in the slightest, but the aura and air around her both did. Pure power seeped from the little Fae’s body. She was ready to strike.

“This is a mistake,” Apollyon said, and though he continued to glare, the immediate threat that had felt so strong disappeared as if it had never even been there at all.

But none of the fighters of the Inner Circle were so easily fooled.

“You are attempting to turn this clan into your own personal army!” Apollyon said, his voice rising with every word.”

Favnir glared. “I am not,” she said, her tail sweeping across the ground. “The Guard, Warriors, Rogues and Mages are more than enough of a fighting front line.”

“Then why do this at all?” Apollyon asked.

“Because there is more than just a front line,” Favnir said. “In the heat of battle, of war, all of our fighters will be busy. Perhaps even those we leave behind to protect the lair, yes. This is to keep as many safe as possible. This clan does not need any more front line fighters, but it does need to protect itself.”

Apollyon shook his head. Suddenly, he seemed tired, weary and so, so angry.

“This is a mistake,” he said.

His huge wings unfurled and Nocturnes, Spirals and Faes were sent tumbling by the great gusts of wind they left in their wake as they spread and began to flap. Friends and mates grabbed ahold of the smaller dragons as Apollyon began rise into the air.

Danger, Favnir’s instincts hissed at her, and she looked up only to lock eyes with Apollyon. He stared down at her as her instincts beat a familiar tune in her mind. Danger, threat, danger, threat, danger.

@karimuffin drew this awesome art of my progen Favnir, or at least what she’ll look like fully gened!