Misted Deceit

Only a Matter of Trust

Orchid stared, steely-eyed, at the back of Autumn's head.  She'd put up with much in her life, but this was something else.  It was one thing to be betrayed by, say, a hydra or even a phoenix, but not a fellow dragon.  This was one thing she would not stand for, especially after how Autumn had gone through the trouble to befriend her and Talon. 

Talon. 

She hoped he was safe.  The sound of the Terminator frightened her.  However, as much as it did, the prospect of facing the king and queen was even more terrifying.  She needed to figure out a way to gain their trust so that they might go free.  But how?  There was no way she could go before them like she was now.  To them, she'd be just another war prisoner.  No way would she be able to do anything in her position now, but if she changed it...

"Autumn, do you really believe the cage is necessary?" she called suddenly.

Glancing over her shoulder, the dragon snorted, "Of course.  Do you really think that I would just let you out?  What a disaster that would cause.  And you'd probably end up with poor Forrest.  He's most likely a pile of bones right now, thanks to the layer of acid coating the Terminator.  He got what he deserved, don't you think?"

Orchid stared at her in horror; he couldn't be dead!  "Y-yes, I do," she forced out, an inkling of a plan forming in her mind.

"Really?" Autumn replied, surprised.  "I thought you cared for him."

"I do.  Well, I did.  But after seeing how he treated the hydras...  I mean, they are just like you and me.  They have families and friends.  And now that I think about it, perhaps you are right about that."

"About what?"

"Trusting the hydras, believing in them, whatever.  You know the old proverb: Love your enemy as much as your friend.  Maybe it's time we actually listen to it."

Autumn nodded in agreement, "Maybe.  However, what is it that you want out of this?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Obviously you have some sort of motivation.  What do you plan on getting out of it?"

"Trust," Orchid replied simply.

"Trust, huh?  Very well.  Let's see how badly you want it.  Guard!" Autumn called, "Unlock the cage."

"But, my lady!"

"Do it!"

"Yes," he said meekly.

Orchid watched him in surprise.  She didn't believe her plan would actually work.  With the cage unlocked, she stepped out, glad to be free.  Standing next to Autumn, they continued walking.

"So, if you are to go before Waccamut and Katiyhari, you will want to know about our customs, which I know are nothing like the dragons'.  For starters, no bowing; it's a way to show your strength and defiance.  Instead, you shoot venom up to the ceiling.  But since you can't do that, just breath fire."

"Wait, so you can spit venom, too?  How?" Orchid asked, amazed.

"When the king and queen took me in, they had a physician shoot venom into me to get it in my system.  Of course, I had water infection for weeks after.  However, I can now spit venom like any other hydra."

"Water infection?"

"It's when you consume too much venom and it, ah, sort of corrodes your throat.  It heals, though, given enough time."

"Sounds painful."

"It is.  That's beside the point, though.  What you should probably know is this..."

And for several hours, Autumn explained how the government system worked, giving Orchid a better understanding of the hydras' life, and, more importantly, how to successfully carry out her plan.

But first, she must meet the king and queen.