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The sky, normally clear, churned with clouds, and Raemos could see – in the distance – dark clouds coming fast like a dreadful tide. It was the rains, and the ranch would soon be swamped.

Rain was infrequent in the desert, but when it came, it came with a vengeance, and all members of Raemo's family – excepting Vona of course – and the guests staying on Raemos's behalf were all working to ensure that the animals were not in danger; His mother and father were taking care of the Kargoths. Selza, Talon, and the other Guardians with them were handling the Sheron. And Raemos... he was in charge of the Kugel, the most obstinate of the lot.

They milled around, chittering and churring at the sky. They did not like the rain, or water, and so it was Raemos's job to get them to shelter. “All right.” he said, holding out a treat at arms length, “Come on.”

He liked kugel. They were independent, smart, and entertaining to watch. Though difficult to train, they were his favorite animals on the ranch, and he knew how to handle them.

Always inclined to follow food, the pack began to follow him and it was then, in the darknening desert he saw another humanoid shape. He frowned – no one else was supposed to be here. “Hallo” he called out to them, “Best find shelter, friend...” his voice trailed off as he took in the horns, the face, and the tail. “Ordon!” he exclaimed, scrambling for his weapon.

But the kugel.

“Food! There!” he shouted, tossing the treat towards their shelter. Usually, they got the idea at that point.

The Ordon watched him warily, and brought its hands into a very familiar stance.

It was casting a spell.

The realization hit Raemos just in time to see him out of danger as the earth cracked under the Ordon's magic and a spire of earth nearly struck Raemos as it burst from the ground near his feet. The Ordon sent another spell of earth at the kugel, cutting off part of their pack.

Raemo called on his magic, letting it swirl out around him in a viscous mass. In the darkening day, it seeped easily over the sand towards the Ordon. But the Ordon was no defenseless beast. Its magic met Rae's, the force of the earth and the force of darkness, duelling in the sands in a mage's battle.

Despite Ordon being inferior species, beloved of no god, Raemos felt his muscles tense, and then chill as the first drops of rain began to fall. He closed with his sword, only to find it met with the Ordon's quarterstave.

They duelled, mind and body, as the drops of rain became a downpour, the air around Raemos becoming very nearly completely water as they fought. Finally, Raemos scored a hit, slashing the Ordon across the torso and shoving it back... right into the tides of a flash flood.

As the creature was carried away, Raemos turned and – blinded by the driving rain – herded the kugel into their shelter. And there, breathless, surrounded on all sides by warm animals and rain, he waited.

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