Scarab the Fierce

Chapter Sixteen

This was Scarab and Deathbringer's plan:

The only place that could be used as a prison in the RainWing village was the nursery. That was probably where Arid, Qibli, and the Dragonets of Destiny were being kept. Deathbringer would go first and scout around because his scales will keep him hidden. He'll come back with information about where the NightWings are, what they're doing, and who to avoid. Then, they'd both sneak up on the nursery and help everyone escape.

Scarab was aware that it was a very optimistic plan. But she was willing to do anything at this point.

Scarab fidgeted impatiently as she waited for Deathbringer to return. It was getting really dark now. She hadn't thought about how much moonlight the trees would block in the forest. The forest floor was an inky mass of foliage that was indistinguishable from the forest around it. And Scarab stuck out like a sore thumb. 

She tried hiding among the highest leaves to cover her scales, but she wasn't used to tree climbing and lost her balance easily. Curses, Saguaro, why didn't you teach me to climb? 

In all fairness, Saguaro probably didn't know how to climb either. 

Scarab wobbled on the branch and she threw her wings out instinctively to balance herself. This would have been an excellent way of steadying herself had she not been in a tree canopy. Her wing smacked against the branch above her and she was thrown off of her talons. With a flurry of curses and scraped scales, she fell from twenty feet in the tree and landed heavily on a thick bush. 

Great moons. She groaned.

"Did you hear that?" Scarab froze. The sound of two dragons hurrying towards her reached Scarab's ears as she struggled to her feet. "Over here!" Thorns scratched against her talons and tangled her wings, stopping her escape. In the darkness, she felt a sharp claw press against her throat. "Don't move." The shadows spoke to her and she shivered. She couldn't even see them. 

Suddenly, the darkness rippled into patterns of muted green. "Hey! You're Scarab, right?"

"Dude, you really should have confirmed that when she still thought you were a NightWing."

"Well, it's only my first time impersonating another tribe in an undercover situation, okay?"

"Liana?" Scarab's voice was hoarse as she tried to grasp the situation she was in. 

"You took a hard fall out of that tree, eh?" Liana's voice was quiet but clear in the night. She smirked. "You're lucky we aren't actually NightWings."

"Yeah, I guess so. Hold on, how did you guys get out? We thought everyone was locked up?" Scarab asked in bewilderment.

"Most of the NightWings left their post after the other SandWings were taken away. We snuck out." The other RainWing that Scarab didn't recognize explained. Liana elbowed him sharply. "What? She asked!"

"The other SandWings? They're alive? Where were they taken?" Scarab asked immediately. 

Liana sighed. "We were going to tell her gently and helpfully, remember? They're her friends."

The other RainWing looked sheepish. "Sorry,"

"Don't mind Pineapple. Yes, the SandWings looked very alive last time we saw them and they put up a good fight too." Liana addressed Scarab. "But they were taken away from the rest of the RainWing prisoners by the evil looking SandWing with the tattoos."

"How was that any more gentle than how I said it?" Pineapple asked in annoyance.

"Vulture took them?" Scarab panicked. "Why on Phyrria-He better not try to kill Qibli again, I will murder him."