Wings of Fire - Court of Lies

27 - Interrogation

<< Here they are... >>

Queen Scarlet grinned with satisfaction, looking at her prisoners with cruel kindness.

<< ... the Talons of Peace's powerful guardians. Three useless prisoners. >>

Dune, Kestrel and Webs were laying down on the floor, their paws, wings and tails were binded togheter with heavy chains, their mouths were muzzled and guards were keeping them on a leash with long and equally strong chains.
Only Morrowseer wasn't being held like that and was sitting right next to them, still as a statue and silently obeying "Soar"'s order to be a good "dog".

<< This will be quick and painless if you cooperate. >>

Said the queen and gestured for the guards to remove Webs' muzzle, after all he was the only prisoner unable to breathe fire in their faces.

<< Tell us where did you get the dragonets' eggs. >>
<< Why do you care? >>

Hissed the SeaWing, earning a slap with the tail from Morrowseer.

<< I don't get why you insist on helping them... >>

Said "Soar" shaking his head.

<< You lost your home and your family for a fake prophecy made up by a tribe that's thirsting for the blood of innocents. You lived and worked with a traitor who destroyed his best friend's family and a cruel dragoness who abused dragonets and was ready to kill one and still tries to hide behind her past suffering like it's some kind of shield that will make her actions right and her a victim to be forgiven. >>
<< Not to mention that our guards didn't exactly report a pleasant behavior from them towards you. Why would you still be loyal to them? >>

Webs looked at Kestrel and Dune for a moment, quickly staring back at the queen and baring his fangs.

<< Like you are any better! You watch dragons killing each others for fun, you made Kestrel's daughter into a monster and forced innocents dragons in the dungeon for your sick games! >>

The SkyWing queen grinned only.

<< Yet, right now, I'm your best option. >>

She said while getting comfortable in her throne.

<< We have more allies on our side, so, more Tribes that will benefit from victory. Our plan comprehends saving the RainWings from the NightWings and searching for a peaceful option and, if Burn becomes queen, the war will stop, we'll have no need for any more fight. >>

The dragoness rose from her throne, walking to the chained SeaWing and lifting his chin with two claws.

<< You wanted to bring peace, right? You sacrificed everything for it... >>
<< Yes I did, I want to stop all this madness and the pain and the deaths. This is what Talons of Peace wanted! >>

"Well, before Nautilus became the leader at least..."
Thought Chameleon.
He met the other SeaWing and he knew that wasn't the best dragon out there the rule their organization.

<< I stand for our group's goal, I won't betray them! >>

For once, Webs could see pride in his partners' eyes as they nodded and looked at him.
Scarlet didn't react.

<< So you do have some balls... >>

She said walking in a circle in front of the four prisoners.

<< And you really believe in bringing peace to Pyrrhia. Then if the ultimate goal is that important, you must accept the fact that we're bringing peace as well, our methods are different yes, but as I said: many tribes will benefit from our plan and by choosing a queen, this war will stop. >>

The SkyWing got closer to Webs.

<< If you want peace, then you must choose the right path to bring peace, even if you don't like it. >>

The SeaWing lowered his gaze.
While he knew better than trusting Queen Scarlet, he knew that she was making a good point as well.
If they were really going to help the RainWings and the NightWings find a peaceful solution, then there was a chance for five Tribes on seven to benefit from Burn winning the war and once a queen was choosen and the other princesses were gone, the war would have stopped.

<< You might be right... >>

Said the chained dragon, before baring his fangs at the queen again.

<< But you could be lying as well and I'm not a traitor. >>

Webs spat on Scarlet's face, causing some loud gasps from the other dragons in the room.
Scarlet cleaned her cheek with a furious glare, slapping the SeaWing hard enough to make his head slam on the floor.

<< Guards, take the dragonets we sent in the dungeon, we'll play with them soone- >>
<< NO! >>

Holding back her laugh, Scarlet turned to look at Webs again.

<< Yes? Don't you want Fatespeaker, Squid and Princess Greatness to play? >>

Webs lowered his eyes again, his heart running with fear for the young dragons.

<< I'll... I'll talk. Just don't hurt them or my friends. >>

Some guards laughed and joked with each other about his cowardice, all while Scarlet kept her composure in a hateful, fake smile as she went back on her throne.

<< Did your friends tell you where they found their eggs? >>
<< Yes. Except for Starflight's egg, Morrowseer brought him to us. >>
<< Don't worry about him, just tell us the rest. For now we just know Tsunami is Queen Coral's daughter, as both Burn and Moorhen confirmed that the royal pattern is there. Can you confirm it as well? >>
<< Yes. I took her from the royal hatchery myself. I took Glory's egg as well, but- >>
<< It was with all the Tribe's eggs and there was no way of telling which parents were hers. >>

Said "Soar" with an annoyed growl at the thought.

<< Go on. >>

Trying hard to ignore Kestrel and Dune's hard expressions, Webs thought back to what they had told him about the other's eggs.

<< Dune said Sunny's egg belonged to a SandWing named Thorn and Asha, the MudWing that was with us, said the blood-red egg she was carrying belonged to her sister, Cattail. >>
<< Good, now we have more names, wasn't it easy? >>

Webs lowered his head and let the guards muzzle him again, trying to hide his shame.

<< Morrowseer, what about Starflight? >>
<< He's the son of Mastermind, our greatest scientist. His mother was Farsight and she's dead. >>
<< Perfect! Just one family to find and the rest is fine. >>

Said Scarlet while gesturing for her guards to take the prisoners away, all except Morrowseer.
Webs tried to scream something behind the muzzle, but the dragoness paid him little attention.

<< If you're worried about the other five dragonets, don't worry. Flame already found his mother, it was pretty easy to find which one of us lost an egg and when it happened considering the dragonet's age. If Burn and Moorhen need help with Viper and Ochre's family, we'll gladly help them. The others... you can play the father role for as long as you'll live. >>
<< Better start now then~ >>

The SeaWing was pulled away, leaving Morrowseer the only remaining prisoner.

<< Now, I order you to tell us of every single member of the Talon of Peace and every hideout, everything you know. We want to know everything. >>

A little part inside of the queen was in pain at the lost chance of torturing the prisoners.
But she knew the right occasion would soon come to her.