Wings of Fire: Beyond the Horizon

Chapter 14

Piedmont    701 CT

Rain battered Piedmont’s scales as he walked through the forest. The map had been drenched long ago, but before he left, he had carved a replica of the map into a slate. It was hard to make out on the map, but the location that was being pointed at was apparently this forest. Piedmont wasn’t exactly sure where to find a “taupe flow,” whatever that meant. But if there was a way to resist the SunWings, he wanted to help in any way possible.

“How much longer do we have to stay out in the rain?” Hollow complained from behind him. She had been sluggish ever since the rain started. Piedmont didn’t mind the rain, but Hollow despised it. And she seemed to think it was necessary to let him know all about it every fifteen minutes or so.

“Until we find what we’re looking for,” Piedmont said. “Which, judging by the fact that there isn’t any running water out here, it may be awhile.” Listening for any sort of water rushing would be nearly impossible, considering how hard it was raining. It sounded like they were right over the edge of a waterfall at all times.

“Which is what, exactly?” Hollow asked. “How are we supposed to find some kind of brown water? Is that even possible?”

“It’s our best bet,” Piedmont said. “We have to try, if nothing else. Besides, you agreed to come with me.”

Hollow sighed. “Yes, I know. But if I hadn’t came with you, I’d be a terrible friend. Also, I’d probably be dead.”

“What will the rest of our tribe do?” Piedmont asked. “We can’t defend against the SunWings. Their army is far too large! Their only real option is to retreat somewhere.”

“Maybe they’ll go to Concordia,” Hollow said. “Then, they’ll have a fighting chance!”

“But we don’t know if they’ll welcome us back,” Piedmont said.

“Well, it’s worth a shot, isn’t it? For the survival of the tribe.” Hollow said.

“Maybe it is, as long as they’re willing to ally with us again,” Piedmont said.

After several more complaints about the rain, and about an hour of walking later, the rain had let up a little. However, it didn’t really change the frequency of Hollow’s complaints.

“Ugh, will this rain ever stop?!” Hollow shouted at the sky. Rain landed in her nose, and she snorted, trying to blow it out.

“Will you ever stop complaining about it?” Piedmont asked. “You’re seriously going to make me claw my own face off.”

“Are you telling me to shut up? Because I think you’re telling me to-” Hollow protested before Piedmont covered her mouth.

“Shhh. Do you hear that? That’s the sound of your mouth not running. Isn’t it beautiful?” Piedmont teased. While Hollow’s complaining wasn’t exactly pleasant to listen to, he couldn’t waste the opportunity to pick on Hollow.

“Mml, mmy mm mmph mmbl mmr!” Hollow protested.

After some more walking, Piedmont finally heard the sound of rushing water. It was barely audible over the rain, but he turned to walk in its direction. There seemed to be a small clearing in the trees, and sure enough, there was flowing water. It appeared to be brown due to the shade of the rocks beneath it. They found the “taupe flow” that the note spoke of.

Suddenly, something thudded behind Piedmont. When he was about to turn around, something sharp was at his throat. Hollow gasped.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now!” A voice behind him demanded. This isn’t an arm blade. There’s two of them...that must mean-