Rain and Night - A Glorybringer Story

Chapter 45

It was before long that Glory received alarming news about the NightWings. Or rather, something alarming happened. 

It was early morning. The dragonets and their parents were playing on the Royal Pavilion when suddenly Jambu, Papaya and Heliconia flew up to them, looking serious but excited. They were flanking a nervous, sick-looking NightWing, who couldn't quite meet Glory's gaze. The NightWing had a scar on his wing and razor-sharp claws, and dull green eyes. He was around six. Who is this NightWing?

"Your Majesty," Papaya reported. "We found this NightWing near the banyan tree. He said he wanted help."

Glory was confused. She could hear Deathbringer let out a small snort of disbelief. "Help? From us?"

"Yep, that's what he said," Jambu confirmed with a shrug. The NightWing stepped forward slightly and spoke, his voice slightly raspy and weak. Glory was even more curious now. What had happened to make this dragon, who probably hated her, come to her village for assistance. 

"My name is Slashingclaws. I wanted to come to you for help," he said, with a few hacking coughs. "Because there's a sickness in the NightWing village. Everyone's been getting dangerously sick. But Fierceteeth still forces us to train every day, and every night. No one knows the cure."

Deathbringer tilted his head. Glory tapped the floorboards with her claws. 

"Maybe one of the healers might know," Glory suggested. The NightWing's face lit up with hope. They must be desperate. Have any NightWings died to the sickness? She flicked her tail at Deathbringer. "Let's take you to the healer's hut, Slashingclaws."

"Just stay here," Deathbringer told the dragonets quietly, and they nodded. 

Slashingclaws nodded weakly and was supported by Jambu and Heliconia as they soared through the trees. Eventually, they reached the large hut nestled in the treetops. The bright red berries were eye-catching, so it was hard to miss. They steered themselves then landed. A healer trotted over, surprised to find that the patient was a NightWing. The healer in question was Midnight, one of the few NightWings who had chosen to remain loyal to Glory. 

"Slashingclaws?" Midnight asked, confused. "Why are you here?"

"There's sickness in the NightWing village," Slashingclaws replied. "I came here for help."

"What sickness is it?" He asked. 

"I don't know. No one knows. I thought maybe the RainWings knew a cure," he answered wtih a few more coughs. He briefly described the symptoms, while Midnight gathered the RainWing healers."

"Oh!" Bullfrog said, his eyes sparkling. "I know what it is! It's a sickness that appears every so often, and the cure is in the rainforest. It's a type of plant that grows near the village. I think we have a  jar of it in the healer's hut." He hurried away and came back with a jar full of soft, succulent-like leaves. He held them out to the NightWing. "Eat these."

Glory watched wonderingly as the NightWing grimaced but obediently ate the leaves. 

"They're bitter," Slashingclaws commented, frowning.

"Go rest, Slashingclaws," Midnight said calmly. "In around a week you'll be fine." The NightWing nodded and then went to lie down on one of the hut beds.

"Basically the whole NightWing village is sick, based off of what I've heard," Glory said to Midnight. Deathbringer seemed pretty unconcerned about the fact that all his fellow tribemates were ill.

Midnight thought for a moment. "Maybe we can send them more of the cure," he suggested slowly. 

Glory flinched in surprise. "Send them more of the cure?" She asked. Why would I want to help them? "Wouldn't that just strengthen them so that they can attack us?"

"But we might not have to defeat them if we manage to make peace," Midnight explained. Deathbringer seemed to be intrigued by the idea. Glory hadn't realized that peace was an option. "The other NightWings don't have any personal problems with you. They were just told by Fierceteeth that you were trying to kill them. If you show them kindness now, maybe they'll calm down for long enough for you to talk to them and convince them that you didn't. Or, at the very least, they'll be courteous enough to stop attacking the border patrols."

Glory considered it. A good idea. We can't afford any more injuries, in case they're planning to attack. And they'll be grateful for the cure, that's for certain.

"Fine, then. If you can, go with the other healers later and collect more of the cure. I'll come here tomorrow so I can deliver it to the NightWings personally," Glory said with a dip of her head. She flicked her tail at Deathbringer. "Let's go back to the Pavilion." He nodded and they flew away. 

As they glided through the trees, Deathbringer asked, "Are you sure that was a good idea? The NightWings ... they don't exactly adore you at the moment. If you go there in person, Fierceteeth might just order them to attack."

"Heh. Like you'd let them get anywhere near me," Glory retorted, and he chuckled. 

After a moment, he continued. "Okay, okay, let's be serious for a while," Deathbringer turned for a moment to look at her. "Even if you show them kindness, Fierceteeth is still their leader. They must be acting on orders, too. How will sending them a bit of medicine help us make peace?"

"Maybe I'll talk to them," Glory answered. A new idea was forming in her mind. "Maybe, if they are grateful for the cure, they'll listen, and I can explain that Fierceteeth was lying."

Deathbringer smiled at her. "Nice. Sounds like a good way to take her down for good."