Wings of Fire - Court of Lies

9 - The Message

"Why he's not coming back?"
Queen Battlewinner rolled uncomfortably in her lava cauldron, hanging her head out like she had to talk with someone, but nobody was there to listen.
It was terribly calm that day, Morrowseer never came back from that trip to visit the dragonets and no matter how distant they were, her loyal advisor was never late, something was telling her that things went wrong and she didn't have any vision about it. For a moment, she was tempted to get out and ask her guards to go and search for him, but she knew she had to wait for someone to go to her, as getting out of the lava was certain death.
"When is Mastermind's lava armor going to be ready? I'm tired of beeing this weak!"

<< Mother, I took something to eat for you. >>

Greatness, her daughter, entered the room with a chest full of fruits that she clearly took in the Rainforest, on their island the food was all gone except for a few preys after all.

<< Have you seen Morrowseer? >>
<< No, mother, he's still not back. >>

The queen's eyes narrowed and a cracking growl erupted from her throat.

<< He's a strong dragon, if he's still out there, there's probably a good reason. But I'm sure he is fine. >>
<< I know he's strong, I don't need you to state the obvious. >>

Was the cold reply and Greatness lowered her gaze on the ground.
She wanted to tell something to make her mother feel better, but she knew it was better to stay quiet when she was in that mood, especially if the one's to talk was her "disappointment" of a daughter.
"I don't get what does she see in him..."
She thought, she had no real proof that her mother had a "certain" interest in Morrowseer¹, but the more she thought about the freedom the queen conceded him in actions and how close they were, she was suspicious.

<< Your Highness! Your Highness! >>

Mastermind's voice echoed trough the cave, the NightWing rapidly getting to them with a scroll in his paw, he was breathing heavily and it looked like something really worried him.

<< What's happening Mastermind? Why couldn't our messenger deliver that? >>

Asked Battlewinner suspiciously, something clearly wasn't right and that feeling got worse when Mastermind answered: << It's an emergency, he said only you should read, it's from the Sky Kingdom >> and gave her the scroll.
The queen rapidly read and, even if Greatness couldn't see what was written on the scroll, she could see in her mother's eyes that it wasn't a good thing, especially when Battlewinner roared in pure rage, her voice an high pitch scream that was painful to hear, like someone was scratching ice with it's claws and, for a moment, the young dragonets feared to see mother's throat explode with the strenght needed to create a still-respectful roar.

<< What does it say? >>

Asked Greatness cautiously.

<< Call princess Blister... >>

Growled the queen.

<< ... her sister's allies went too far. >>
<< What do you mean? >>
<< I mean that we're going to destroy the SkyWings! >>

~~~~

<< How couldn't you see in Chameleon and Scarlet's minds what their plan was? >>
<< I sense the emotions! I can't read thoughts! >>
<< What a failure of a NightWing you are... >>
<< Stop that you two! >>

Morrowseer was about to lose his mind.
His "dear" neighbors of cell, Squid and Fatespeeker, were costantly arguing, that dark place was oppressive and filled with the essence of death and despair and he was still under Chameleon's control like a marionette.
He spent years manipulating the Talons of Peace and the thought of the puppeteer becoming a puppet was as disgusting as the fact that he had been defeated by a useless RainWing and a pompous SkyWing, plus he knew he was more useful alive for them, he wasn't going to die with honour in a fight or to be executed, he would have been used against his own Tribe.

<< It is true? >>

Asked Webs's weak voice, even if he was still getting water and food, he looked like he gave up and was just letting himself become the "ghost" of a dragon.

<< What? >>
<< Is it true that you were using us and the dragonets? >>
<< Does it matter now? >>

Morrowseer wasn't in the mood to talk.

<< It does! We're here because of you! >>
<< Well, the goal of the Talons of Peace was to steal eggs and force dragonets to stop a war for them, you were using them just like me. >>

Growled the NightWing.

<< The only difference is that I was looking after my Tribe. >>

Webs looked disgusted by his apparent lack of care for the situation, but he remained silent.

<< Good, stop annoying me, I need to think. >>
<< About what? Our imminent demise? >>
<< Some of us are of a better use alive. >>
<< Oh and what use could you have? Scarlet has an animus, he could take your place to keep the NightWings under control and you'll be useless. >>
<< Now that's a great idea. >>

Only a few prisoners noticed Chameleon's presence, the RainWing looked amused by the arguing going on.

<< I'm sorry to interrupt your chat, but the queen requires Kestrel for an important meeting, so you better make yourself presentable before the guards come. >>

The SkyWing bared her teeth at him.

<< I won't take orders from a stupid RainWing! >>
<< Well, excuse me missy, but this RainWing... >>

The "mask" of Soar took the place of the green dragon, quickly leaving Kestrel speechless.

<< ... is the father of your dragonets, I'd be more respectful towards my mate if I was in you. But I can kinda understand that you're nervous, I mean, you found out that your daughter is still alive and your mate is a "stupid RainWing" so I'll pass this time. >>

Giggled Chameleon before turning to Morrowseer's cell.

<< Anyway, I came here to see if my puppet is doing fine. >>
<< You take this spell off me and I'll show you... >>

Morrowseer's tone lacked of aggressiveness, he was almost like a dragonets annoyed at his parent.

<< Oh, when you won't be useful anymore, I will, but for now enjoy your new den and life, soon they'll get worse. >>

Chameleon turned around, whispering to the NightWing with a fakely friendly voice: << But first, time for your Tribe to fall in the trap we prepared~ >>.

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Author's Notes: (¹)= while I think of those two bastards as perfect for each other, there was no hint of them being romantically involved in the books, not even in their Wiki pages, except for a line in Morrowseer's one where they say: "He was also more than just an advisor to Queen Battlewinner", so I don't know how canon they can be as a couple, especially since Morrowseer had Moonwatcher with Secretkeeper and even if Secretkeeper kept her daughter a secret, there was no hint of them not being involved romantically at least at some point (especially considering Morrowseer's reaction when Mastermind reminded him of he and his mate's lack of dragonets).
Consider Greatness's thoughts as someone who's fantasizing a bit.

- LaraEndlight