Wings of Fire - Court of Lies

12 - A Queen's Duty

<< Are you sure of what you're doing, Your Majesty? >>
<< Yes, this could be a trap. >>

Queen Coral ignored her soldiers' voices, staring at the blue sky in search of the pale silhouette of Princess Burn.
Her messenger informed her right after she shouted to all the kingdom that she was going to get her daughter back, the SandWing princess was going to meet the SeaWing queen on the beach, he wasn't able to deliver the message all in one since he almost lost his snout thanks to the queen slamming the door on him, luckily for him, Anemone and Turtle heard his words (and his moan of pain) and reported the to their mother.

<< This is a complete waste of ti- >>

Moray's words were cut short by Coral's glare.

<< I suggest you to hold your tongue, if you want to keep it... >>
<< Forgive me, Your Majesty. >>

Coral turned to the sky again.
Finally the dragoness she wanted to see came in sight and landed before her.
The size of the SandWing and the victorious grin she was wearing made a few soldier back down a few step, Queen Coral stood her ground and stared at the princess like she was no more than one of her subjects, ready to scratch that grin out of her snout with her own claws if she needed too.

<< Hope I'm not late. >>

Said Burn with fake concern.

<< No, but we're not here to chat like dragonets, I want to know if it's true that you and Scarlet have my daughter. >>

Princess Burn nodded as she searched in her sack for the proof she collected for the queen.

~~~~

<< Why you need our scales? >>

Asked a confused Sunny as Scarlet just said to them that they needed to collect the fallen scales during the shed and to hand them over to her.

<< Princess Burn needs them, in case someone questions the fact that you're here, this... >>

The SkyWing held a single black scale between two of her claws.

<< ... is enough to showe that we're saying the truth. >>
<< How? >>
<< We go to the Tribes that have an animus and they can use their powers to see if these are really from the Dragonets of Destiny or not. That will surely get their attention and help us get the higher ground in negotiations. >>

~~~~

The dragonets didn't ask questions that time, as Princess Burn recalled the memories of what Scarlet had said that morning, she found strange that they weren't curious about the plan like other younglings.
"Oh well, no annoying question."
She thought showing the scales of Tsunami to queen Coral.
The queen took them and stared at Princess Burn like she would stare at a jester.

<< And these should be a proof? >>
<< You SeaWings have an animus, right? Ask them to verify my words. >>
<< Our animus is in no condition to co- >>
<< I'm here. >>

Anemone came out from the water, much to her mother disbelief, for the queen had hoped that her daughter would have been clever enough to not show herself to the enemy and especially to not tell she was their animus and throw away the surprise effect of their secret weapon.
Before the queen could ask her what she was doing, Anemone went to her and took one of the scales, silently inspecting it and keeping it in her paw while ordering: << I command to glow if the answers to my questions are both positive. Are you from the missing princess? ... Is she really a Desgonet of Destiny? >>. The scale glowed like a flame, one time after the first question and a second one after Anemone asked again, clearing every doubt Queen Coral was having about trusting or not Burn and leaving in that place the sorrow that was coming thanks to one single thought: "Now what?".

<< What do you want from me? >>

Asked Coral, she could hear her heart pleading her to save her daughter and her brain scolding it and repeating that she was the queen and she shouldn't risk to put her kingdom's safety in danger for the only hope to see her again.
It was a queen's duty after all, to take very difficult decisions.

<< I want the SeaWings to fight by my side in this war. >>

Burn's answer wasn't unexpected, but it still surprised the SeaWing's queen, she was almost expecting something more then what the princess asked for.

<< After all what's good in a war for you? I just want my throne and nothing else, I have a bigger army and I saved your daughter from her kidnappers, this should be enough to show you wich side is going to really reward you. >>

Coral remained silent, the voices in her screaming as loud as the sea when it was "angry" and lunged at the coast and the reef like it wanted to crush them untill they were no more.

<< I'll let you think about it, but I expect an answer for the next month. I'll take her there and, to show you how much our alliance means to me, you can have Webs. >>
<< The traitor? >>

Asked Whirlpool near the soldiers, beside him, a young cerulean SeaWing went pale with worry at the mention of the most hated SeaWing in the kingdom, the father that indirectly caused everyone to look down at him, since his blood carried the genes of a traitor.

<< Yes, you can have him alive and avenge your daughter's kidnapping. >>
<< Then I'll wait for them, my guards will wait here for the package. >>

Just said the queen, then she turned her back on the princess, silently telling her that the meeting was over.
She needed to think about the offer and what should have been her next move (and to ground Anemone for disobeying her and putting herself in danger).
Princess Burn just grinned and, after a' "Goodbye, Your Majesty" that lacked of actual respect, flew away.
"This is not a war anymore, this is a game and I'm gonna win!"