Talvi

One day, Talvi is going to be the leader of the clan.
He was born to be rule over others - he has the ruthlessness of a rabid dog and the ambition of a cold-blooded monarch. He doesn't trust anyone, save for his bodyguard Orapihlaja. It's a mutually beneficial bond, seeing how they are the best warriors in the clan.
He has a fondness for swords and never leaves the lair without his trusted broadsword.

***

"Keep your balance!" Orapihlaja roared as Talvi struck the target. The wooden stump was hardly a difficult opponent but he still lashed out with all of his strenght. He stepped back, only to have his sword to yank itself out of his grip.
He lost his balance, falling to the ground. Orapihlaja sighed.
"You don't need to split the enemy in two, you know?" he asked. "A simple wound will work just fine." Talvi nodded and hauled himself back up. He gripped his sword - now stuck in the tree trunk - and pulled it back to his hands.
"You hit a real opponent that hard and your blade will get stuck in his spine." The ridgeback looked bemused. "And then you will die."
Talvi bared his teeth in a crooked, humourless grin. "Yeah, I know. But that's why I train, ain't it?"
There was a ghost of a smile in Orapihlaja's eyes. "Good. Again!" he roared, and Talvi went for a target.

***

"You are a disgrace!" his mother screamed. Talvi was standing on the sidelines, watching his brother get assaulted by the older mirror. There was no way he was going to get involved - he still needed his mother's favour - but it still made him angry. It was such a waste. Talvi knew what his brother could do for the clan. For him too, actually. His obedient nature, his eagerness to please and most of all his unique talents. He would have made a fine companion. More so than his impatient mother, cowardly uncle or demented grandfather.
Still, it couldn't be helped. He watched from the shadows as his brother left the clan.