Wings of Fire: A Ruined Dream (Book 4)

Chapter 7

The leaders, were not very keen on letting nine dragons just go out and go gallivanting across the continent to the Floating City.

But after a lot of convincing, threatening, and pleading, they said that they could go.

"Please be careful," Carmine had said, brushing her wing against Jeweldreamer before leaning against him.

They had agreed, and they had each received a bag with a sharpened hunting knife, a roll of cloth, an empty canteen, and a pack of dried fruit and jerky. It wasn't much, but it would help them with their journey.

Stratus had never been west to the desert. He grew up exclusively in his coastal village, surrounded by trees- the same trees his entire life.

That was until he lost his mother, fled southwest and ran into a bundle of dragons, who immediatly started killing eachother apon his arrival, once again dragging him halfway across the continent, now for him to leave it entirely.

The desert was incredibly expansive, and flat, completely devoid of any life or variety.

Look left, absolutely nothing. Right, nothing. In front of, behind, up and down, nothing. Just flat sand and burning bright sun.

There was no snow out here. The desert was too hot for it to stick. That didn't stop random snowflakes materializing from the empty sky, just to land on Stratus's burning hot nose.

Beige look like he was in heaven. Usually, the SandWing moved slowly and meaningfully, but he looked forty years younger as he somersaulted through the sky.

"He's only, like twenty-four." Jeweldreamer said, switching to an air currant next to Stratus.

"He doesn't look it," Stratus said. "But yeah."

"Something as traumatic as the Last Day can probably mature a lot quicker. He was only teenager when it happened." Jeweldreamer said.

"I was around the same age you guys are now. So a young adult, thank you very much." Beige called.

Jeweldreamer and Stratus exchanged a snort.

"How miserable do you think Cloudy is up there?" Stratus asked, nodding towards the IceWing. They were doing an excellent job of keeping up with the group, succeeding Stratus and Jeweldreamer, but their wingbeats were forceful, and their head hung low.

"Oh, they feel awful right now. Cloudy hates flying long distances as it is, and the desert heat doesn't help." Jeweldreamer said.

"Thank you so much for your concern!" Cloudy snapped grumpily.

"Sassy," Jeweldreamer joked, making a goofy face at Stratus. He laughed.

The ocean wasn't even visible on the horizon by mid day. Nor were the mountains from which they were staying. Literally, in every direction, was sand.

What's that?

"Beige," Stratus said, floating up beside him. "What's that?"

Stratus pointed to a blurry shape to the north, sitting in a sprawl on the sand.

Beige squinted, then nodded. "I think that's the Scorpian Den. It was a city in the Sand Kingdom, built around an oasis a long time ago. It used to be riddled with crime and poverty, but when Queen Thorn came into power, she slowly got it really cleaned up."

"How do you know all that?" Stratus said.

Beige cocked an eyebrow. "I'm a SandWing. Why wouldn't I?"

"I'm a SkyWing and I don't know a lot of things about SkyWing politics." Stratus said.

"Well, you also grew up with no SkyWing politics other than your neighbors. I was born and grew up in the palace. My parents were servants." Beige said.