Wings of Fire • Path to Ascension [Book 3]

scene xiv.

With his heart in his throat, Ghost peeked over the edge to watch the Supermajors' descent. They had no problem climbing the massive rock pillars that held up the Heart, as it was only a few steps for them until they reached the bottom. Their vertical descent was the most vulnerable position for the SilkWings, but Ghost couldn't see them from this angle and especially not when they were standing on the ground. He heard General Rhino's speech come to a halt as Eight began screaming.

     She'd begun the moment the Mess Hall door had been removed, but only when they were actually in the Hall did the General hear her:

     "... LET ME GO! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, THEY'RE USING US, THEY JUST WANT -"

     "SILENCE!" bellowed the General. By now, the Supermajors had left their circle of view, cut off by the rock opening. Ghost itched to fly down and look, but that would blow their cover and ruin the element of surprise. All around him, the dragons shivered with anticipation.

     Eight ignored the order. "THEY JUST TAKE AND TAKE AND TAKE! I'VE BEEN TO THE JUNGLE, I'VE BEEN TO THE GROVE, AND THERE ARE NO ANTWINGS!"

     "She's delusional. A-1, get her out of my sight," he heard the General mutter, loud enough so it could carry to the Workers. Unfortunately, Ghost had caught a glimpse of the Mess Hall during his and Atta's original escape and knew that the Workers couldn't hear. The Supermajors definitely could, however, and they were their target.

     "THE QUEEN IS DEAD!" Eight shouted, "SHE WOULD HAVE STOPPED THE WAR, EXCEPT SHE WAS KI -"

     "CEASE!" exploded the General, "DON'T SPEAK OF THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW!" Then, to the Supermajors: "What did you bring her here for, to show me you captured her!? Just throw her in a holding cell! A-1, what are you waiting for!?"

     "FIFTY YEARS!" Eight screamed, but her voice wasn't as loud as the General's and was quickly being drowned out. "THE WAR IS FIFTY YEARS TOO LONG! LADY ATTA WOULD STOP IT IF SHE COULD BUT SHE'S BEEN -"

     "I TOLD YOU TO BE QUIET!" Then a thud sounded, followed by a squeal of pain and the General's call of, "CAPTURE HER!" It was nearly lost under the sound of the shields being thrown.

     "Now!" Hawker hissed, flicking his wings at Ghost.

     He lit his tail as bright as it could go, turning the tip of his tail almost white and swooping into the Mess Hall.

     The first things he saw were high-sloped backs and gleaming tusks. He swerved out of the way, heading for a cloud of colourful wings rising from the shields' impact zone. He could see all of this thanks to the light of a few scattered FlashWings sitting on high balconies, likely present for the benefit of the antenna-less Supermajors. They didn't join the fray but rather moved to the balconies closest to the General and brightened their lights.

     Yes! Help them see who she really is!

     General Rhino was standing in one of the aisles, in a section of the Hall where the rows of Supermajors ended and Workers began. She'd likely been addressing the concerned Workers there before their interruption.

     Now, she was spinning in frustration as the SilkWings surrounded her. Their beating wings blocked her view, but also Ghost's, and he couldn't tell if they were succeeding. He couldn't see Eight.

     He could see, however, the Mess Hall guards don their shields again and ram into Supermajors attempting to aid their General. Only three had tried to intervene, and one extra was already fighting on their side. Most were staring at the fight or sharing stunned looks. Were Eight's words getting to them? Could they even hear her? Where was Eight!?