ashait was no warrior, of course. it was difficult to be so without the muscle of a true mazoi- gemsbok and wolf alike, with the horns and claws and teeth to battle for hours without growing exhausted. but she was Ra's eye, and it would not do for a protector of Pharaoh, of the little Goddess, of the Divine, to turn away.

but she could not sing, and she could not shatter chains with the force of her jaws, if indeed they were to be shattered. she did not know whether that was the Gods' will.

what she knew was that it was the will of Ra that she would defend, and that she would do so. it was within her to stand as unsheathed blade against the forces of chaos, as she had done in the service of Pharaohs since she had hatched.

the glowing portal opened up into dark and snow- but for once the chill did not sink through her scales and turn her sluggish and tired. no. she was awake, and when the pale shadow-shapes glided past her to sink claws and teeth into the vibrant tree the Gods had ordered her to defend- and as a wall of fur and fang struck back- ashait coiled and lunged, and felt only fierce satisfaction as her venom sunk in.