Wof: Under a Scarlet Banner

(Edited) Chapter 4

I am very pleased to say that I was given some better accommodations to my dingy cell. One of the Skywing guards gave me some fur pelts and skins so I could finally have a somewhat comfortable place to sleep.

I was also given some food this morning. A cut of charred meat and several large fruits: two pears, a peach, five strawberries, and an apple, all massive compared to the ones back home. I was already given a small basin of water. The guard refilled it as he passed me my food. I began to cut the meat with the knife I still had with me. It was very tough on the inside, and the charred skin wasn't helping. This was the most well-done piece of meat I've had. Saltless, unseasoned, and burnt with Scarlet's love...delicious.

I'm pretty sure this was all Scarlet's way of rewarding me for my compliance, or at least I hope it is. I'm not sure what Peril told Scarlet, but apparently, things did go well. This could mean that I could possibly gain the freedom to walk around the castle unsupervised.

You know, in my dreams.

I guess the only logical move is to look like I actually am helping Scarlet, and the more benefits I can get, the more likely I'll be getting out of this place. If I do get the right to roam as I please, my chances of escaping increase exponentially. I'd do anything to leave this place.

It's kind of funny. There are a lot of people who would kill to be in Pyrrhia. Now I am dropped here (no clue how that even happened), and I'm in prison. I guess it could be worse, but it's still bad. I'm just lucky I know where the heck I am, I can talk to dragons, and now I convinced Scarlet to keep me alive. And maybe if I last a bit longer and, I might see the end of this.

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Later in the afternoon, I heard the sound of claws dragging along the stone floor. I got up from my new pelt bed and looked down the corridor. A couple of guards were approaching my cell. I was getting more than a little nervous. I don't know exactly what Peril told Scarlet, and I don't know if Scarlet is already tired of waiting for the Dragonets to fall into her lap. My heart began to pound in my chest as one of the guards stopped and unlocked my cell door.

"Scavenger, the queen wishes to see you. Come with us."

I nodded and cautiously approached the Skywing. It was pointless to resist. I didn't even bother to speak to the giants. Obviously, I didn't want to do anything that could set them off.

He carefully picked me up and followed his fellow guard towards the throne room. At least they were being far more gentle than they were when I was first brought in.

When we got into the throne room, I expected Scarlet to be sitting on the throne, sentencing a dragon to be executed, but instead, she was standing on the balcony overlooking the arena. I could hear the roaring of a hundred dragons from that direction. Scarlet was obviously preparing for today's games, but why should that concern me? Is...she not inviting me to watch...is she?

She turned her head to address the guards who escorted me. With a flick of her talons, the guards set me on the floor and stepped behind me.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't our special seer. You may approach your Queen." She said as she motioned a claw, beckoning me to approach the demon Queen. As I arrived at her side, she slithered her tail behind me, separating me from any chance of escaping.

Scarlet looked proudly at the dragons cheering in the stands. She smirked slightly and revealed her sharp, white teeth as she smiled, "You will be pleased to hear that I haven't quite decided what to do with you, but for now, I've granted you the privilege of witnessing the arena. Consider it a gift."

I swallowed hard, taking it the severity of the situation, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I appreciate the opportunity to... witness the entertainment."

She got a little closer to my level, " Oh, it's much more than just mere entertainment. It's a display of power, strength, and survival. And perhaps it will serve as a reminder to you of your place in this world." She slowly grazed my neck with one of her claws as she spoke.

I was now nervously shifting in place. Incredibly uncomfortable and very, very afraid. "Of course your...your majesty. I will obey and assist, in any way I can."

She stood there, studying me with an amused glint in her eyes, "It's quite adorable that you think you have any power here. You are here because I allow it. These prisoners are here because my subjects and I crave blood in the arena. Maybe you do have some special fortune-telling ability, but you haven't yet convinced me, and until then, know that you are nothing but a little scavenger."

Just then, another guard entered the throne room and approached the Queen. He bowed as he came close by bending his forelegs down and arching his neck downward.

Scarlet turned to him and spoke, "Yes, are you all ready to begin?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The...," He paused for a moment and snarled as he glanced over towards me. "...combatants are ready. We will begin at your command."

Scarlet smiled knowingly as she watched her guard's face. I was getting more worried about what she was planning. With me here and the obvious signs that she had picked fighters personally, I was very concerned about what I would see in the arena.

Scarlet nodded, "Of course. If you're ready, I want the games to start now. I believe our lovely audience has waited long enough." With that, the guard walked away and left the throne room.

Not long after, a red Skywing cried from a small podium on the opposite side of our balcony.

"Skywings and esteemed guests. We have a stunning display of carnage in store for all of you today!"

His words set the entire arena in a frenzy. As he spoke, a Sandwing was lowered from one of the towers.

"Here we have one of many Sandwings captured during the war, courtesy of Blister."

There was a Skywing guard on the opposite side of the arena holding a spear in one claw and a small cage in the other. When, the Sandwing was lowered, the guard unlocked the cage, and five humans scurried out of it.

"And here we have some lovely Scavengers, freshly plucked from our borders. As you can all see, we feed our prisoners very well."

My heart sank faster than the Titanic. I now know what Scarlet was getting at. She wanted to scare me into complete submission. I looked at her, and her face was filled with satisfaction as she looked back at me.

Scarlet smirked as she unveiled her horrifying surprise, "Enjoy the show. Your own fate will be decided soon enough."