A human in Wings of Fire

24 - unexpected meet-up

Ow, that hurts.

It looks like you dislodged your wing. The adult Seawing flashed his scales back at Turtle.

The Seawing prince was wobbling in the water, disoriented by the crash with the large squid. He blinked a few times, slowly sinking down on the sea floor. His feet touched the stony reefs and he stood there momentarily, getting his balance back.

In front of his snout, a lifeless squid white carcass fell onto the sand in slow motion with a small cloud of ink. Behind it, he saw his two brothers come back toward him.

Are you ok ? Cerulan blinked with his scales.

I knew it wasn't a good idea to do that here. Turtle responded.

Oh come on, you can't be so 'careful' all the time, where's the fun in that ? Octopus flashed.

Well, at least you aren't dead. Cerulan added.

So comforting. Turtle flinched, his shoulder hurting him. He felt the bones not being lodged right, cringing at each other with any movement, even the slightest.

Prince Turtle.

He turned to the guard.

Can you still swim ? He asked.

Not with my wings. Turtle answered.

The guard swam a little closer to him to inspect his wing. Where he had crashed with the squid, a bruise was starting to grow, and where its tentacles had struck him, his scales were beginning to look a little pink.

Seems like it's one of those poisonous squids again, we're starting to see a worryingly increased amount of them around the kingdom.

Turtle didn't worry much it's been a few weeks since they started to see those squids around, they said they were poisonous but in reality, it was nothing dangerous, it would hurt for a moment then eventually fade away even if not treated. Of course, smaller dragonets were a little more fragile and had to be dealt with quickly in case they came in contact with those. Turtle was big enough, but it was still better to get it treated.

I'll see what I can do about your shoulder, but you should go to the infirmary afterwards, the Summer Palace isn't far away. The guard blinked.

I know. Turtle flashed back.

The guard signalled him to stay still, he approached and put his talons on Turtle's shoulder. Then, in a muffled 'POC' noise, the guard snapped his limb expertly back in place.

The injured prince flinched, and the guard let go of him, letting him wave his wing around to feel it. His previously stiff shoulder felt a little weak, he would have to rest it for a day or two before being sure it would be back at full capacity. He didn't want to get hurt just because he was too harsh on his muscles.

I could probably... 'heal' it myself. He thought. He looked at the guard. No, they will probably report the accident. That would easily be suspicious.

He shuddered at the idea of anyone getting even close to guessing his secret. It's not like I had much planned anyway.

So what now ? Cerulan asked.

I'll be going I guess. Turtle flashed his scales back at him. His brother made a disappointed face.

Well, if we're not doing it, I will search for food for my squid then. Octopus flashed, he turned away and dived toward a crevasse nearby. Cerulan shrugged at Turtle and twisted himself to follow his brother.