Nova Peak driftmark

He found a great joy in the land he had been shown.

His first task he set upon was testing himself on the trails that led up. He had, of course, not made it near the top yet but that was the point! This task could become a thing of training that strengthened him.

If raiders came to their door, he would be sure he was strong enough to defend the spine of the dragon with a ferociousness befitting their name.

If they needed someone to bring down a beast for a hunt, he wanted to know he might be picked for such a grand task.

It was why he raced his way up the mountainside even as his lungs begged for a break. His legs desperate to know each step over the trails until they were no stranger to him than himself.

Soon he might go to see if Raider was not too tired from her little kickers to hunt with him.

Masque informed him of their new recruit, and in Riley awoke a new purpose. As of late he’d been hovering — suffocatingly so — but now with new blood to their ranks, he could expend more energy along the hills.

He found the young male going pell-mell up an incline. Riley was far too old (and still nursing a sore hip) to waste his energy so playfully, but he followed after at a steady clip, wondering what had gotten into the yearling.

When he turned, it was with green eyes set upon...him.

A stranger? Riley? Another recently recruited?

Dagur was not positive and it showed in the way he halted himself. Curiously stiff in his posture as he watched the man. His nose tested the air as if it might whisper a reply to him.

Hesitantly he allowed his tail to very lightly wiggle behind him.

The stranger slowed, posture unsure as he scented the air between them. Riley’s tail responded with a neutral wag.

I’m Riley, he mentioned, giving the stranger the floor to make his own introduction. Masque had let him know that she’d found a new recruit, and Riley assumed he was looking right at him.

Well, no one seemed to want to maul the other and that was all that mattered to Dagur.

Raider mention you. It was good to see the man and know another face he might hunt along. There was nearly a want to move right into work, but this was important too.

Dagur of Dragonspine.

They both were! He felt good to say it aloud though, proud to have finally fallen on his feet instead of his face.

Raider; Riley’s mouth twitched, amused. He liked the new nickname — although it was really an extension of her existing name. It fit perfectly, and he was pleased to learn she’d introduced herself as such to someone else.

Riley’s heart fluttered to hear Dragonspine on the lips of someone else. Like Dagur it evinced a sense of pride. They had worked so hard — and traveled so many miles — and now, their dream was a reality they could share with strangers like Dagur, who he hoped would become as cemented to the Spine as the proud rocks that held its back.

He dipped his head in return, gaze sweeping uphill. What were you doing?

Exploring, Declared with the pride of any young man. Learning land.

His eyes left Riley's features briefly, to look over the expanse of Dragonspine. Without too many hungry mouths on it, the land seemed full of potential. Not mowed down to nothing. He wondered if any herds might still pass through here with only the few of them.

You know best places?

A mischievous little grin of glee on his face.

Exploring, Dagur said. To this, Riley grinned. He was older, but not so old he forgot the sweet taste of discovery.

Oh, this place is steeped in best places. Riley said with a proud lash of his tail. It’s why we picked it. You like good vistas? He didn’t just mean looking at his mate — there was a perfect promontory a mile’s hike from here that looked over the stormy grey of the ocean.

Riley waited for Dagur to answer, but he shifted and began moving at a slight limp towards the path that took them to the overlook.