Wings of Fire - Court of Lies

16 - "Oh, you poor princess..."

<< Come on Scarlie, I can search for another animus to give you, why can't I have this little present? >>

The SkyWing queen almost let out a growl at the insistence of Princess Burn, especially when the SandWing started to carress her chin with the tail in a way that was too intimate to be comfortable.

<< Do you feel it too, Moorhen? >>
<< The sexual tension? >>
<< Yep. >>
<< No, it's just you Chameleon. >>

The MudWing and the RainWing were both staring in annoyance at the display before them, luckily Princess Burn decided to stop asking for Chameleon to end up in her museum, at least for the moment.

<< Sorry Burn, but Chameleon has been a really important dragon in my plans and has done so much for me, I owe him many things. >>
<< Alright... >>

Sighed the SandWing, still looking at the green dragon with an eye before smiling in a fake sweet way.

<< I could wait until he dies in this war or when age gets him, I'll expose him in the best way to honor his precious help and our alliance and friendship. >>

Scarlet just nodded distractingly, not wanting to go on with all that arguing as she knew that Burn could have continued for more that a single night, so she decided to agree for that moment.

<< Well, now that this interesting conversation is done, I'll show you two your rooms. Chameleon? >>
<< Yes, Scarlet? >>
<< Go keep an eye on the NightWings' Tribe. >>
<< Sure! >>

~~~~

"Fuck me..."
Chameleon enjoyed using his other forms, he liked his masks more that his real self, but he was surely hating having to listen to Queen Battlewinner's tantrums.
Especially since Shapeshifter, his current "mask", didn't have enough power to talk back to her.
Sure it was normal for the dragoness to be furious and worried, knowing that Morrowseer was in danger, yet he saw nothing more than a queen exaggerating. After all an assassin and advisor could have been easily replaced and even if ge was the one taking care of the fake prophecy, the Talons of Peace didn't need him specifically to go on and the Tribe had many dragons to take care of the RainWings situation.
"Does she like him? I could use this against her."

<< Shapeshifter! >>

The queen's voice almost made him jump.

<< Yes, Your Majesty? >>
<< I need you to go and find Morrowseer! Take who you want, I don't care. If he trust your abilities so much, than I guess you should be able to find where they keep him. >>

"Perfect!"
Grinning internally, the NightWing bowed his head, he knew who he was going to take with him.

<< May I suggest you something? >>

Asked Princess Blister as she stared at her allies with a concerned look.
She only talked to Morrowseer all that time, while Battlewinner looked strong and fierce just like she immagined, she knew the NightWing wasn't resting in that cauldron full of lava for comfort, she could see the icy-blue light glowing in her eyes and under her scales, like a snowstorm trying to erupt from her, like she was freezing inside.
"Is this... an IceWing's opera?"
Blister asked herself as a chill ran down her spine.
"What if she gets out of there?"
She didn't want to try it on her own for sure.

<< Tell me, Blister. >>
<< You should send your daughter as a distraction, she could talk with Burn and Scarlet while Shapeshifter and his team search for Morrowseer. >>

The NightWing queen laughed at that suggestion as her daughter lowered her head like she was ashamed for something.

<< That weakling? She would be caught in no time! >>

Chameleon got closer to the princess, whispering at her ear: << I know you can do it. The entire Tribe has more faith in you than your mother, show her you can do it and I'll help you >> and repeating it enough time to make the dragoness snap and get in front of her mother.

<< I can do it! >>

Growled Greatness, her determination almost disappearing as her mother glared at her with surprise, like she couldn't believe that her daughter was really raising her voice in the same room as her.

<< What?! >>
<< I... I me-mean... >>

Greatness almost became smaller under that gaze, but quickly stood up and tried to keep her voice still, reassured by Chameleon's promises of help.

<< I want to do it! I can do it and I will show you! >>

Repeated the princess as she imitated her mother fierce pose.
Battlewinner didn't look impressed, yet she quickly exchanged a look with Blister and then turned back at her daughter.

<< If you screw this up, you better hope the SkyWings will kill rapidly, 'cause I won't be as merciful if you ruin the plan and come back. >>

The coldness in her voice wasn't from the ice trying to freeze her entirely, it was from her and her only and Greatness felt herself on the verge of crying from her mother's cruel words, but she managed to held back the tears and gestured for Chameleon to follow her outside.

<< Come, let's take some soldiers. >>
<< Alright princess. >>

Battlewinner looked back at Blister, the SandWing princess didn't look disgusted by her words, nor she looked impressed.

<< I hope your daughter will succed. >>
<< I hope that too, for the Tribe... >>

Started the queen, adding with a growl: << ... and for her own good >>.

---

<< Princess, you shouldn't let your mother treat you like that. >>
<< She's not wrong. I don't even want to become queen and I'm her only daughtet, what kind of princess am I? >>

Chameleon managed to hide a grin.
"This will be easy."
He thought.
He could already see her becoming another puppet for his and his allies' plan, insecure and sad dragonets were easy to manipulate after all.

<< Oh, you poor princess... >>

Said the dragon as he put a wing on her shoulder.

<< ... she'll see what a good dragoness you are, we're going to succed in this mission and we're going to do it in the most perfect way. >>

He told her as he put an arm around her waist to hold her close to him.
Greatness smiled gently, happy to hear that someone actually believed in her abilities.
"He's right..."
She thought.
"... I'm gonna do it!"