Wings of Fire • Path to Ascension [Book 3]

scene ix.

SO GLAD TO BE BACK! 

(sorry for the late post, it's technically still the fourth...)

How are you all? My portfolio is finally done and I'm praying that it's good enough to be accepted. If it is I'll share it as a YouTube video in my art book! I might make my 3D stuff the last section of it since I barely update and it's a whole new genre. I would like to try a different drawing project, if I have time.....

I had fun with this chapter, especially the end! I hope you all like it!!! The plot is plotting and I'm excited to see your reactions to the chapters to come >:)

Next update will be on March 25th!

ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!!

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"This is a mistake," growled General Viceroy as Ghost landed with Demi, Hawker, and Taproot in tow. He'd flown over the border to find the group huddling in a ditch between two acacia trees. He guided them back in the dark with a strand of silk Damjanti had woven for him.

     "No it isn't," said Queen Monarch from her place next to the General. Once they'd settled, she straightened and appraised the DartWings. "Hello, I've heard a lot about you. I'm Queen Monarch."

     Instantly, the DartWings spread their wings in a bow. Even though Ghost would call Hawker's wings ugly on a normal day, here in the light of the flamesilk it was impossible not to notice how his clear membranes glittered with an iridescent shimmer. The display still wasn't as impressive as Demi's blue-and-purple wings, which looked like a swathe of sky had descended and attached itself permanently to her back. "We're honoured to meet you, Your Majesty," they said in unison.

     "Oh," said Queen Monarch as they straightened, "you're so thin!"

     The General glowered at the DartWings. "That just proves the AntWing wasn't lying. They're still from the Northern Alliance!"

     "Actually," Hawker interrupted, causing the General to scowl and Demi to elbow him. The DartWing dipped his head in a submissive display. "We count ourselves as part of Atta's Alliance, now." Demi nodded along, but reluctantly as she looked unhappy to have interrupted the SilkWing.

     "And how recent is your change of heart!?" spat Viceroy. "A few days old!?" He couldn't have known, but Hawker still flinched and it was telling enough. The General turned to his sister with anger in his eyes but Queen Monarch calmly took control.

     "We should be grateful they had a change of heart at all. I am interested to hear what they have to say for themselves." Then she further dismissed Viceroy's concern by turning to Taproot. "Hello."

     "Hi!" Taproot said eloquently. "You're better than my Queen if you agreed to help so quickly." Ghost didn't bother to hide his snort of amusement. Typical Taproot. He hoped the SilkWings wouldn't reconsider helping them.

     "Don't be too hard on Queen Sequoia," chided Queen Monarch. "She witnessed a massacre when the Northern Alliance attacked her kingdom on Scorpion Lake. I'm sure she's only concerned with keeping you safe."

     "But she won't let us fight!" Taproot said. "We want to! We're tired of border skirmishes! They say that because Kudu had faith in the Colony, we did too, but after he died things became more apparent. All I've known is a tribe waiting to fight."

     Queen Monarch sighed. "It has been much the same here. In the early years, we thought it wouldn't be long before the AntWings made Queen Wasp surrender, but as it dragged on we became less and less sure. Now..."