The Sands of Time

Prologue

Heatwave flew, pushed back by winds as strong as a sandstorm. It was raining hard, and he could barely see. His wing was torn, and he had scars all over his body. He was barely alive. I've got to hide this. It's too dangerous to be in anyone's hands. He looked down at the small artifact and tears filled his eyes. It was solely because of this he lost everything. His mate, his son, and his daughter. He was alone in this world, and he was going to hide this if it was the last thing he would do. His stomach lurched. For all I know, it could be. He clenched his jaw and flew harder. It wasn't long before he heard wingbeats. He was so close. "Stop right there, Sandwing!" he heard a voice growl. He was almost at the rainforest. Those lazy Rainwings wouldn't bother looking for it. And no one would go to the rainforest. He shuddered just thinking about it. It's so humid in the rainforest. What tribe would go there? The wingbeats became louder, and a blast of fire shot past him, nearly burning him. His heart raced faster. The voice hissed, "Are you deaf, Sandwing? We said STOP!" And this time, a blast of frostbreath hit his back leg. No...I almost made it. I'm almost there. I need to keep going...for everyone's sake. The freezing pain felt hot and cold at the same time, and he screamed in agony. He tried to right himself, but he was falling, falling fast. Adrenaline rushed through his veins, and in a moment of impulsivity, he threw the hourglass as hard as he could. It landed in the thick of the rainforest, surrounded by tall trees and impossible to get through. There...I did it. I can die in peace. "No! You moon-blasted camel-blasted blob of frog spit!" the voice roared. Then the ground got closer, and his life flashed before his eyes. He squeezed his eyes shut, but when he didn't hit the ground, he blinked them open. "W-why am I s-still alive?" he shivered. The smell of decaying meat hit his nostrils and he gagged. "Because," said an unpleasant voice, "I wanted to kill you myself, traitor." He felt a stab of pain near his heart. He gasped. Then everything went black.