Wings of Fire: Greed and Glory

Chapter 10

"We need a distraction," Scorch whispered to Magma. She nodded in response, then started sneaking away back down the hallway. "Where are you going?" Scorch said a little louder than he intended to, "Without you, they'll surly find me!"
"Just trust me. Stand right there and act like you know what you're doing."

Then she slipped down the hallway, out of sight. He stood up with the black spear in his front talons. What seemed like only seconds later, there was an explosion outside the castle that made the roof crumble from above. He tried to grip the floor tighter for balance, but it was no use against the smooth stone floor.

Screams emerged from the circular room around the corner. He peaked his head around and he could see the guards rounding up all the HeatWing citizens and escorting them out of the room. They all passed him without even acknowledging his presence. Well, except one guard. A large, bulky HeatWing with an orange flame symbol on his chest plate slowed down and stopped in front of Scorch, towering over him. Scorch's heartbeat was like a hummingbird's, pounding loud in his ears. The guard stared down at him with his copper brown eyes. He knows I'm a fake. He knows I'm a fake. He knows I'm a fake, Scorch thought in a panic.

"You," the guard rumbled.
"M-me?"
"Yes. Go over there and guard the throne room. You should know how urgent this is to keep under wraps."
"Yes, I understand c-completely." Scorched answered, nodding his head vigorously then skidded over to the large doors. He was the only dragon there and had full access to overhear the Queen.

He lightly pressed his ear against the large doors and tuned in on the voices.
"We need to attack now! We've already waited too long," boomed the queen's voice from the other side.
"I-I still don't think it's a good idea," said another, female voice,"Do you really want to risk everything just to be the most powerful dragon on Skardaska?"
"Of course! I mean, it's in the Kingdom of Heat's best interest. My name, Queen Volcanic, will go down in history for being the greatest queen in all Skardaska history."
"I c-can't let you do this! This isn't right! You're going to destroy hundreds of innocent lives!"
"Silence!" The Queen snarled," We'll set out to attack the Ring of Wings tonight, that's final. And just so you're not stuck here in the castle, you'll be joining me with leading the HeatWing army."

Scorch rubbed his forehead, unable to comprehend what was going on yet. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He took a deep breath and continued listening.
"Then who will watch over the kingdom while we're gone?" the other voice growled back.
"I'll just have the head guardsmen, Ignite, watch over while we're gone. He probably knows this place better then I do."
"...I'll go notify the army that we're leaving tonight," mumbled the other voice.
"Oh! And while we're out and about, after burning the Ring of Wings to the ground, we should head over to the Cloud Kingdom and take over. That way the word can't spread of what we're doing." Queen Volcanic chuckled.

Scorch felt like his head was going to explode. Sulfur! Sulfur was going to attack the Ring of Wings?! She wouldn't do that, right?

Scorch put that thought aside for now. First things first. He had to get to the Ring of Wings before the army got there. He had to warn everyone and tell them to evacuate the town.

He was so busy planning all of the things he had to do that he almost didn't hear footsteps coming towards the door from the inside. He quickly moved to the side, stood up straight, held his spear vertically, and tried to act like he knew what he was doing.
The doors opened slower that he expected. A female HeatWing, somewhat bigger than him and with a ruby chain spiraling up her horns walked out of the Throne Room. She looked defeated. They made brief eye contact as she passed by before she headed down the hallway. Could that have been Ash? Ash the sister of Volcanic?

He peaked his head around the large door next to him, just to find himself looking straight at Queen Volcanic. She was sitting on her black and gold throne, staring right back at him with her piercing orange eyes. His eyes widened in shock and froze in place.

"Ahem.." She cleared her throat in a rude manner then hissed, "Close the doors already!"
"Ah, uh, right!" Scorch closed the doors as fast as he could then leaned against them, catching his breath. He didn't think his heart could handle anymore of these surprises.

He fixed his helmet so it wasn't crooked as he tried to remember the way out of the castle.

So many things to do in so little time.