Rashard/Relationships

These are the extended relationships of Rashard including families, friends, and enemies.

## Kjorn

Kjorn is Rashard's wingbrother. The two share a close bond, as they were raised together as brothers. In *Song of the Summer King*, Kjorn is shown as being deeply loyal to Rashard, as he isn't afraid to lie to see father if it means protecting Shard.

## Sverin

During *Song of the Summer King*, Rashard looks up to Sverin and both respects and fears him. He is deeply loyal to the Red King, and even threatens to kill Catori to prove his loyalty. After he discovers the truth about the Conquering, Rashard still holds some respect, but also anger and hate.

Despite all of this, Rashard does not wish to paint Sverin as a tyrant when it comes to the stories he tells to Embra.

## Brynja

During *Skyfire*, Rashard is very much in love with Brynja, much to the chagrin of Stigr. He eventually gains help from Brynja's wingsister Dagny in an attempt to court her. Brynja, however, was betrothed to Asvander and was unable to mate with him. Despite this, Brynja still liked Shard. During *A Shard of Sun*, Brynja helps Kjorn to find Shard, hoping that she could tell him how she truly feels, and the two of them meet again. Brynja tells Shard that she will become his queen. When the Sunland Dragons refuse to let Shard leave during the events of *Rise of the Dragon Star,* Brynja volenteers to remain in the Sunlands until her mate is allowed to return home.

## Caj

As his nest-father, Rashard often feared him and believed him to be one of the strongest gryfons he knew. Rashard always believed that Caj would distance himself from him because Shard wasn't Caj's true son. However, Shard (having already known his real father's voice) was the one who pushed Caj away instead. Shard looks up to Caj who is his nest-father and mentor and thinks of him as a father-figure (second to only Stigr). During his time as a king, it is implied that Shard takes the advice of Caj very often.

## Stigr

At first, Rashard is wary of Stigr after he meets him, but eventually learns that he can learn great Vanir gifts from him in order to serve his king. He uses Stigr in order to gain these powers, and is dismayed when he learns that he cannot go back to learn from him anymore after Kenna finds out about his nightly excursions. He also feels angry at himself for using Stigr, as Stigr knew what Shard was doing, but still taught him. After his uncle tells him of his true heritage, Rashard grows closer to Stigr, and the black gryfon plays as somewhat of a father-figure towards Shard. Shard is distraught over the fact that his uncle will have to stay in the Winderost, instead of coming back home to help advise him.

## Ragna

At first, Shard was shown to be somewhat wary of Ragna, as she was the queen of the Vanir.

### Thyra

Thyra and Shard have a very close relationship, due to being nest-siblings.

### Catori

When Rashard first meets Catori, he attempts to goad her into attacking him so he could bring her pelt back to the king and Kjorn. However, she instead tells him how to defeat Lapu. Over the course of the first book, Rashard is torn between becoming friends with her, and staying loyal to his king, but eventually becomes very good friends with her. He shares all of his prophetic dreams with her, as the two of them are both seers. Catori often counsels him about his dreams, as shown in *Skyfire* when she advises him about his experience in the White Mountains.

### Ahote

Rashard's relationship with Ahote is mainly hostile. Even when Shard is revealed to be the Vanir prince, Ahote still does not trust Shard's intentions. At the end, when he dies, Ahote seems to forgive Shard.

### Ahanu

Like his older brother, Ahanu's first impression of Shard is a gryfon thief that must be killed. He attacks Shard twice (when Shard tries to find Catori and later when Helaku orders him), but after both his father and brother die, their relationship becomes friendly; Ahanu is Shard's earthbrother, while Shard is Ahanu's windbrother.