Burning Flames

Chapter 2

Umber's mind swirled as he looked up at his brother, Reed, in surprise. Did he just say that... he could go to Jade Mountain Academy, while he took care of Sora? He looked at Sora, who was looking down at her talons with nervousness, like she always did. Sora had been covered by Queen Moorhen, but she had to stay in the Mud Kingdom for the rest of her life as punishment. Part of him didn't want ton leave her, but another part was that he wanted to go to Jade Mountain Academy. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to. 

Umber had gotten an invitation to the academy a few days ago, surprisingly, and Reed saw it and said he should go. 'It'd be good for you,' was his exact words that he said just a moment ago after he saw it. 

"R-really?" Umber asked, gawking at Reed. 

Reed nodded, putting a wing around Sora. "Don't worry, we'll take care of Sora. I just think it'd be best for you, and for Marsh." He told him. 

Umber knew that his other brother, Marsh, was still in the academy even though he and Sora had left a few months ago. He still couldn't believe that Sora almost killed 2 dragons, Carnelian and Bigtail, in revenge for his sister who died in the war, Icicle. He didn't feel angry that Crane died, he just felt sad... beyond sad. But not enough to kill a dragon. 

"Alright..." Umber took a deep breath. "I'll go." 

Reed nodded, smiling, "I know it'll be good for you. Take care of Marsh. Please." 

"I will." Umber promised, looking into his brother's eyes. 

"Good. Pack your things. You're leaving tomorrow." 

"Wait, but don't you have to tell Clay?" 

"All covered. I set a messenger as soon as soon as I saw the letter." Reed responded, and he took Umber's talons. "So get ready, all right?" 

Umber nodded, looking at Sora and then smiling at her. "Alright. I'll get ready." He said. 

-

Going into the academy made Umber very happy, and it actually let go of his worries. The academy looked way different, with paintings on the wall made from students and lots of lanterns of all different colors. There was a desk with a NightWing in it... he guessed this was Fatespeaker, the NightWing that was friends with the dragonets of destiny. 

"Hey, Umber!" Fatespeaker said brightly, tapping a talon on her desk. Umber walked over, excitement filling him. He wondered if Qibli was here... well, no. He heard about him and Moon, so only Kinkajou and Turtle and Carnelian were the only ones in Jade Mountain still. He wondered how Carnelian was doing... and with a stab of quilt remembered when Clay hauled her, Tamarin, and Bigtail off to the lake. 

"Hello." Umber smiled, lashing his tail. "Am I going in the Jade Winglet again?" 

"Yep!" Fatespeaker said brightly. "There is a new IceWing, NightWing, and SandWing though. I think they're nice. You'll like them." 

Umber nodded, and he was in his own room, since there was no clawmates for him since he just got to the academy. He sighed, and then he saw the healer wing. He hesitated, knowing that Carnelian would be in there. He hugged his stuff and walked into the quiet room, a slight breeze in the room. Then, with a jolt, he saw Carnelian. 

He couldn't believe she was like this. 

She almost looked like an NightWing, since her scales were so charred. Her wings were useless, all black with holes in them. She had bandages on her, with hints of dried blood on them. She was looking at him with her orange eyes narrowed, hissing. 

Oh, no. He thought. Did someone tell her that my sister hurt her like this? 

Umber looked around the room, and saw Bigtail also lying on a bed, looking worse than Carnelian. He sighed, and turned back to Carnelian. 

"Hello..." Umber said hesitantly, smiling. 

Umber saw her tail twitch, and she started hissing louder, her chest heaving. He saw tears in her eyes, only for a second, but then they were gone so he thought he was mistaken by seeing them. Carnelian tried to sit up but she fell back down, closing her eyes for a second. 

"Fuck. Off." Carnelian hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Now. I hate you. And your stupid little sister." 

Umber stared at her. "Wait... but I..."  

Carnelian turned away, her talons twitching. He hurried out of there, his heart pounded. 

Now she hates me. Great.