Wof: Under a Scarlet Banner

Chapter 7

I had the best sleep since I was first brought into the Skywing kingdom. Man, I don't know how much I needed to have a good sleep after everything that's been happening lately. I stretched my arms and looked around. There was no one in the throne room yet, aside from Glory. I could see the sun rising from the balcony, shining into the throne room. It had been a while since I was actually able to see the sun rise. My cell had a small, barred window that was way to high for me to reach. I could see the stone spires of the Skywing kingdom and the pillars that held the prisoners. It was a bittersweet moment for me. The sunshine only reminded me that I was in captivity. It may change, it may not. I'm still not sure my plan would work. When I read the books I at least had the assurance that everything would work out fine, but I'm in the books now. There's no telling what might change and I have no idea what stuff I screwed up by simply existing. I groaned while rubbing my face. This whole "seer" business was starting to take a toll on my psyche.

As I was figuratively rolling in despair, I noticed a bright orange Skywing circling over one of the pillars. I knew that had to be Peril, but I couldn't tell which one of the prisoners she was talking to.

"Wait a minute, that has to be Clay she's talking to!"

My heart leapt for joy. I knew just what this meant. This was the start of Clay and Peril's relationship. The first couple in the series and the signal that the events leading to our escape were underway...and maybe...

...maybe I had a part in it.

Maybe my existence was actually going to help save the world. The world was going fine without me, but now...now I actually have a part in the story.

Glory was shuffling on her tree trying to find a more comfortable position, though I don't think one could be found.

I decided to make the most of my time and crack a couple of jokes before Scarlet walks in, "Hey, I'll trade with you if you want."

"I don't know what will be worse, sitting on this thing or sitting over there, kissing Scarlet's talons."

"Yeah, that's gonna change, don't you worry."

"Right, so what's going to happen today, oh great seer."

"Pssh, oh stop. You flatter me. Well, Peril is supposed to be fighting today. Not much else."

"Ok, and who's Peril?"

"That's her.", I said as I pointed at the two dragons talking.

"That's Scarlet's champion or rather her incinerator."

"What?"

"You'll see. There's good reason as to why Peril hasn't lost a match yet."

As I finished speaking, a few dragons began to fly into the arena seats. I quickly hushed up and waited for the Queen to arrive. I made a zip motion with my lips to Glory. Glory gave me that look that said "I have no freaking clue what you are trying to say". I face palmed myself and just told her to be quiet to which she retorted, "No kidding".

Scarlet waltzed in the throne room with her royal Skywing regalia and entourage of guards. "Good morning little seer, enjoying the view?"

"Yes, your majesty. It's quite beautiful, I must say."

"Indeed, and with your help in capturing the Dragonets, it will be far more beautiful with me and Burn in charge."

Glory glared at me with suspicion in her eyes. I knew Scarlet would say something like this or force me to help her in some maniacal scheme. I hope Glory still believes that I am actually helping her and the rest of the Dragonets.

Scarlet was still talking about how easy it was for her and her guard to bring the legendary Dragonets of Destiny captive, "...and this Rainwing is such a delightful bonus. Were they really so desperate for a "wings of sky" that they took a pathetic fruit-eater? Tell me seer, what do you think of her?"

"Oh no, what I'm going to say now is one hundred percent going to bite me back later. Please, please, please, don't hold a grudge against me Glory."

"I...I wouldn't think much of any Rainwing, your majesty. They are all the same aren't they, lazy and oblivious to the world around them?"

Despite Glory's stoic, sleepy expression, I could feel her glare penetrating my soul.

"Oh, yeah. I'm gonna get it. I am totally going to die until I'm dead."

Scarlet returned to her throne, pleased with my answer, and unhooked me from her royal seat. Taking the chain in her talons, she walked over towards the balcony tugging the chain like she was walking a dog. Except I am the dog in this case.

The crowd was once again filled with cheering dragons crying out for some entertainment, this time, there were a large number of Sandwings in the stands now. I had seen Sandwing nobles sprinkled in the seats before, but with Scarlet's hatchday so close, many were gathering to see what she had planned for them this year. With that kind of expectation, I could see why Scarlet was so upset about the turnout of the fights she had laid out for the next few days.

Scarlet stood on the balcony, wings outstretched and speaking loudly to the audience, "Greetings my loyal subjects and Sandwing visitors. We have prepared a marvelous fight for all of you, but first...," Scarlet pointed a claw towards Glory and sneered, "Well, what do you all think of my new art?"

"Ouch, at least I was lying."

"Bring out the combatants!"

A few guards were lowering a Sandwing down from one of the pillars, this one was more resistant than the other prisoners were. Presumably that's Horizon, the Sandwing that Peril fights in the arena. This is actually the first arena fight in the series. Once again, I could see that the events of the books are going as they should, though for Horizon's sake, I wish that this didn't have to happen.

Peril walked into the arena as Horizon was unchained. You could see the fear in his eyes. There was no chance of survival.

That red Skywing was announcing the fight again, "After having won four times in the arena, Horizon has now been challenged to a duel with the queen's champion, Peril!"

"Claws up! Talons ready! Fight!"

Horizon immediately dashed towards one of the gates that the guards and other dragons come through. I guess he would have a better chance fighting a couple of guards than fight Peril. He didn't get that chance however. Peril easily overtook him y flying over him and blocking his path. Not only was Peril practically invincible, she couldn't wear the wing clamps that the prisoners had on. She was completely free to fly circles around her opponent. Horizon tried to knock Peril over using his tail. I don't know if it was habit or if he was desperate enough to escape. Obviously, Peril's firescales burnt his tail to a crisp. Horizon screamed in agony. He crawled over to the wall, clutching his still smoking tail. Peril slowly stepped towards him and brushed his claws along his wing, if Horizon couldn't fight, then Peril was obligated to torture the Sandwing.

It was horrible to watch any of Peril's fights. There was always that look of dread in the opponent's eyes and their cries of pain mixing with the sizzling of flesh was a bone chilling combination. Horizon figured that he couldn't go on like that and tossed himself onto Peril. His body was incinerated almost instantly. Peril got up quickly to fight Horizon properly like she was supposed to, but Horizon was already a pile of ashes when she faced him.

The crowd didn't give as much as a "woohoo" or a enthusiastic "yeah". The audience sat in their seats with either deadpan expressions or disappointment. Scarlet was especially unimpressed, "Well, that was boring. I hope tomorrow someone will try to amuse me. All games for today are over!"

She turned around and walked to her throne. She reattached the chain to the hook, but then she came to me and unhooked my collar from the chain. She then picked me up and began to walk towards her chambers.

"Oh no, she really meant it when she said I'll see see you again."