Wings Of Fire | WinterWatcher | Fanfiction | Book 1

Chapter 1

Winter's serrated talons clicked as he walked on the smooth icy floor of the palace. Maybe she's still mad that Hailstorm didn't kill me Winter wondered, going over the list of things he could've done, in his mind, to annoy the IceWing Queen. Too many scavengers. Not doing anything for the family. No, probably still gonna go with the first one he thought.

He turned a corner, checking his claws. He had made sure to sharpen them that morning incase things got messy. Hailstorm had spared his life once, but Winter couldn't bet his life he'd do it again. After all, it wasn't the IceWing way. He slowed down as he approached large ice doors, guarded by two strong looking IceWing's. Winter didn't see any necklace chains to identify their rank, to address them properly. Then again, the Great Ice Wall, that had been one of the IceWing's best and most useful Animus gifts, was gone. When it stood, it would shoot deadly sharp ice spears at any dragon that tried to fly into IceWing territory, who wasn't an IceWing.

To Winter's surprise, the guards bowed their heads. "Prince Winter". Winter wasn't quite sure how to act. No one had called him by his royal status in what felt like ages. But almost by instinct, he raised his head and addressed the guards. "The Queen has requested your presence immediately" one of the guards said. They opened the double doors. Winter walked inside, and the guards closed the doors behind him.

The first thing he noticed, was his brother, Hailstorm. He stood as a guard beside a few other tough looking IceWing's. And then Queen Snowfall. Winter bowed his head. Something moved from the corner of his eye, but he couldn't make out what it was. What would Snowfall be hiding behind so many guards he wondered. "Winter". Winter snapped back to attention and looked up. Standing beside Queen Snowfall was Queen Glory Of The RainWings and the NightWings.

He stood back up. "Prince Winter" Glory bowed politely. Beside her, stood her bodyguard. A NightWing named Deathbringer.

Glory stepped forward. "We sent some dragons to the Lost Continent, as I'm sure your aware" she said, addressing Winter. "Some dragons, whom of which you know; and in this case, I thought you might be able to provide more information". Winter looked at them in confusion. Then Snowfall stepped to the side. A small black NightWing lay unconscious on the ice bed. One wing looked fractured, and her back was cut up. "Our doctors worked all night to stop the bleeding". Underneath her eyes were small silver teardrop scales. Moon. Winter's heart fluttered in his chest. And for a moment he forgot to breathe.

"Winter" Queen Glory said. He turned to look at her. Snowfall flicked her tail, and the IceWing guards moved out of the way. To reveal a HiveWing.

"You were one of the last dragons who talked to Moon and the Pantalan dragons, did she tell you anything". Glory asked him, changing to a serious tone. "Anything to help us identify what he was injecting Moon with". The Breath Of Evil? The Pantalan dragons had talked about it. It gave the HiveWings the power to control other dragons. They had to get injected two different times to be able to do mind control.

But Winter didn't say any of that to Snowfall or Glory. Instead, he turned back to look at Moon, who lay unconscious. "Winter!". Oh no. That voice was all too familiar. Winter turned around to see a small dragon, bouncing up and down. She was the color of a banana with hints of rosy pink, creeping across her scales. She was making no effort to clamp down on the color of her scales.

"Oh my gosh it is freezing!" Kinkajou said, bouncing up and down. "Kinkajou, what did I tell you" Queen Glory said shaking her head. Snowfall looked amused. Kinkajou tried to give Winter a hug, but he shrugged her off. Even though he hated to admit it, he was a little glad to see her again too; but he sure wouldn't be splashing his emotions all over his scales. "Your freezing too!" Kinkajou yelped jumping back.

"I'll send for Queen Ruby and Queen Thorn immediately" Snowfall said, turning to Glory. "They'll be able to send a message to Queen Moorhen and Queen Coral, to meet at Sanctuary". "I'll also send for Jerboa, and have her meet us there".

Winter went over dragon history in his head. Ruby was the SkyWing Queen and Thorn was the Queen Of The SandWings. Moorhen, was the Queen Of The MudWings, and Queen Coral was the ruler of the SeaWings.

"You and your two dragons can stay in my palace, at least until your NightWing is awake and strong enough to fly". Queen Glory bowed her head and thanked her. "You too, Winter" Snowfall said. Winter sat with his tail over his talons. And then something started to scream...