Rain and Night - A Glorybringer Story

Chapter 30

Deathbringer had grown to know Fierceteeth and her friends. Silvermind was the smartest one, always whispering new plans in Fierceteeth's ear and making suggestions during meetings. She was ... not that amazing, but unique in a way, being one of the healthier NightWings. Bloodwatcher was brutal, strong, ready for battle. She didn't have much of a personality. Sharpstrike was much like her, but also radiating the need for revenge against Glory, after she killed Strongwings. Jewelhunter was greedy and often forgetful, but devoted to the NightWings. Nebula was best friends with Silvermind, and extremely cruel. 

Today, he was guarding Fierceteeth while she attended a meeting with her top generals, Storm-Eye, Quietpool, Nebula, Silvermind and Bloodwatcher. They were in the newly-constructed meeting hut, a round room made out of wood, not the waterproof leaves of the other huts. In the middle of the room was an ornate table with a detailed, huge map of the rainforest. 

"So," Fierceteeth began. "We need to train our small population how to properly fight. Right now, the plan is to start constructing a training area, and trade for weapons with the other tribes. The SandWings from the Scorpion Den are working on that. Does anyone have any ideas to make the process faster?"

"We don't have enough territory to build a training area," Nebula pointed out. She traced along the 'border' inside of the rainforest, dividing the RainWings from the NightWings. "We've used up way too much space making the fruit orchards."

Bloodwatcher yawned. "What if we attacked the RainWings and took part of their territory? A part with a lot of resources? And as far as I know, they don't exactly guard their territory or patrol their borders."

Fierceteeth nodded. "That's a good idea, Bloodwatcher. Any other suggestions?"

"I have one," Silvermind said. "Since battle can lead to too many casualties and we can't train our soldiers otherwise, I propose we secretly train at night, when all the RainWings are sleeping. We can cover up our tracks and use a part of their territory to train, and go back before dawn. This way we won't have to fight." I see. She really is smart. Dangerous. But dedicated to helping the NightWings, so Fierceteeth trusts her.

"I still think we'll have to fight someday," Fierceteeth replied. "But that's an excellent suggestion, Silvermind. Okay, you are dismissed. Storm-Eye, go tell the NightWings to go to bed early and meet at the pavilion at midnight."

Deathbringer followed Fierceteeth closely as they left, making sure there were no threats. All the time now, he felt uncomfortable. Like there was a memory at the edge of his mind that just won't surface. What was it? 

"Oh, you mean that you can live without me?"

Finally, he remembered. Someone had said that to him, in a smug, teasing, proud sort of tone. Wait ... didn't he say that? Or ... wait ... who did he say that to? Fierceteeth? No, he hardly talked to Fierceteeth, since she was so busy. He was hit with extreme confusion, but he continued to guard Fierceteeth, trying to shake off that uncomfortable feeling. 

At midnight, all of the NightWings in the NightWing village met up at the NightWing Pavilion. Fierceteeth stood atop the throne, with Deathbringer sitting right behind her. All of the NightWings standing in the clearing below seemed excited and eager to start their training. 

"Tonight," Fierceteeth said. "We are going to secretly enter RainWing territory to train for battle. We need more territory if we are to keep growing in number, and to get more territory we need to train, and then fight. Are we all ready?" The crowd murmured their agreeement. "Let's go."

Fierceteeth led the dragons to the heart of the rainforest, just inside RainWing territory. 

Bloodwatcher stepped up to give instructions. "Get into pairs and practice your battle moves, but don't actually hurt each other. If you have little to no experience, then come to me and I'll have a lesson with you on fighting."

Naturally, Deathbringer didn't need to be taught. He had more experience than he needed. He paired up with a nervous but skillful dragon named Slashingclaws and they began to train. 

Deathbringer didn't hesitate. He bolted forward, dodged right at the last second and struck him from behind as gently as he could. He didn't do any real damage, of course, since he wasn't trying to. Slashingclaws turned around and tried to kick him, but Deathbringer jumped up and flew right over his head, tripped him over, and pinned him to the ground. 

"You're good at this," Slashingclaws said breathlessly, standing back up. Deathbringer shrugged. 

"I used to be an assassin," he said. I guess no one trained him to fight back at the volcano, but I suppose he might have picked up a thing or two about combat. 

Tentatively, the young NightWing began to keep on fighting, and they trained until the sun rose in the morning, and Fierceteeth led them back to the village.