#vanlith

Rthyin stood as tall as he could, but Vanlith snorted. Imperials might be long, but Guardians and Ridgebacks both stood taller than them.

“What are you doing here, Rthyin?” Vanlith asked, glaring.

Rthyin had pushed his wolf pelt off his head so it rested on his shoulders. For once, his pale eyes had a serious gleam to them. He twitched his tail up towards Vanlith and Favnir’s den. “I heard,” he said.

Vanlith growled. “That’s none of your business,” he said, rolling his shoulders back and flexing his claws.

“You weren’t exactly quiet,” Rthyin said. Vanlith snorted in disgust and pushed passed him.

Rthyin followed at his shoulder. “Vanlith, I get that you don’t like me, but that’s no reason to try to deny me and those who support me a chance at a Fragment.”

“It is when I believe you are not the right dragon to run such a Fragment, and when I believe a Fragment like the one you’ve put forward should not exist in the first place.”

“Senka thinks it’s a fine idea!”

“Senka is your mate.”

“Oh, I invite you to tell her to her face that you think her personal feelings would get in the way of protecting the clan. Please, let me watch.”

Vanlith rounded on him then, teeth barred. “This is my problem,” he snarled. “You don’t take anything seriously!”

Rthyin glared back at him. “You hardly know me. You have no right to decide what I take seriously and what I do not.” He turned and pushed his wolf pelt back atop his head. “Favnir will decide,” he said and stalked away.

Vanlith watched him go, resigned to his anger. He heard a sigh from just behind him. He turned.

“You are being too hard on him,” Kalira said softly, her large legs tucked under her body. Her helmet was discarded and her sword lay by her side.

Vanlith shook his head, laying down beside her to watching the clearing. “He is dangerous.”

“Oh Vanlith,” Kalira said, laughing lightly. “All who join the Fragments are already dangerous, and will only grow to be more so. It is loyalty to Favnir and the desire to protect those less dangerous,” she nodded to Saphira and Alya as the Spiral berated the Guardian about her schedule while Faillon waited just behind them, “that binds us together and makes us protectors.”

Vanlith watched the bickering three and put his head down on his feet. “I—I know. But… I cannot just support Rthyin.”

Kalira stood and strapped her sword to her side once more. “Then do not. But do not interfere with the decision Favnir makes.”

With what could only be called a pout, Vanlith nodded. Kalira shook her head fondly at him. “Favnir will make the right descision.”