Nightshade

Chapter 4

10 seconds later-

Delta was gone. Oh three moons. This is going to make this a lot harder. Nightshade started pacing, still invisible of course. A bit of red did show on her feet though. Maybe I should go look for her. But that would be hard with my injury...

She ended up flying. Every flap hurt, but she made her way to the forest. It took her two days, but she finally saw a small campfire with only a single dragon shape next to it. Invisibility rippled over her scales, and she dived silently to a glade near the campfire. She winced when she landed.

Nightshade slipped through the trees until she could see the glow of the campfire. The RainWing went closer until she could see the MudWing next to the campfire clearly.

An almost-blueish MudWing, with 7 gold and silver earrings. 3 in one ear, and 4 in the other. She had a bronze horn ring, as well as a few silver anklets and bracelets. The MudWing had about 3 or 4 pouches around her neck and arms, and was currently rooting through one on her left ankle. Nightshade watched as the MudWing picked out a small scroll, opened it and began to read it aloud. 

"Princess Delta, we are sad to inform you that while the rest of your siblings, Frog, Gator, Hippo, Doe, and Panther all perished while going to the Kingdom of the Sea. There was a flash flood during the night while they were in a cave. We offer our deepest condolences. 
Apologies, the Kingdom of the Sea Ambassadors to the Mud Kingdom." A tear rolled down Delta's face. "They're dead. All of them! They're dead!" She started sobbing and curled up next to the fire.

A single tear rolled down Nightshade's tear while she listened. Wow. Poor Delta. Wait- I'm crying? What's happening... She let out a small cough as she thought about this, and Delta looked up.

"What was that?" The tears were gone in a instant, princesses were trained to hide all emotions. "Who's there?" She breathed a small plume of fire. "Come out! I am Princess Delta of the Mud Kingdom! I will find whoever you are!"

Nightshade took a step out of the shadows and turned her normal dark blue. "It was me, Your Highness. I wanted to offer my deepest condolences. I heard about the death of your siblings. I- I'm sorry."

Delta stiffened. "Who are you?" She gasped. "A RainWing! Are- Are you here to kill me? Finish the job you probably did with my sibs?" 

Nightshade shook her head. "Well- I am," Delta stood up, put the scroll back, and opened her wings, all in around 3 seconds. "Wait-NO! I don't think it would be right to kill you. Then there would be no more heirs, and... it just seems wrong..." The MudWing relaxed and sat down again. 

"So, you didn't kill my sibs?"

"No, I didn't."

"Well... Maybe... Do you want to come to the Kingdom of the Sea with me? I think, I think that it would help to see my sibs' bodies. And..." She trailed off, looking down at the fire. 

Nightshade dipped her head. "Of course I'll come with you. I think that it would help if you saw them again."

"Thank you- What's your name?" 

"My name is Nightshade, Your Highness." 

"You don't have to call me that. It sounds so... polite!" Delta stuck out her tongue. 

"Oh- ok. I'm just used to calling Queens and princesses that."

"Well here's one princess you don't have to!"

Nightshade nodded, a smile on her face. "Do you want to go to the Kingdom of the Sea now?" Delta's face fell. Nightshade flinched. I shouldn't have said that... 

"Sure, I guess." The words came out as a mumble. Delta spread her wings and prepared to lift off. Nightshade put a talon on Delta's shoulder. 

"You should spend the night here. You don't have to go flying off yet." Delta nodded her head and sat down facing the fire. Nightshade walked over to the opposite side and said, "I can take the first watch." Delta nodded again and closed her eyes. Right before she drifted off, she picked up her head and looked into Nightshade's eyes. 

"You know, my sister, Panther, was about to challenge Mother. Doe was too. Then she sent them, and our brothers on that mission. I only stayed behind because I had a cough so I couldn't fly well. Before they left, she had a new batch of eggs..." Delta put her head back down and dozed off.