The Book Of Dragons

Chapter 9 Part 2: Cinder of the skyclaws (and tags!)

We flew across the starlit sky, high above in the frigid air. I couldn't understand. Why wouldn't he understand? How could my own father fail to support my views? Even if he doesn't agree with me, could he at least understand that I have my own life? I have my own views and opinions?
Questions flew around my head as we soared.

Eventually I realised that we were headed towards Spike's burnt-out safe house, reduced to fragile charcoal walls by the flames he had used to escape the dragonhunters. I wasn't surprised, it was obviously a special place to him. We u-turned, like the last time, and landed softly.

Are... Are you ok, after that, Aoife? Spike asked all of a sudden.
I answered with silence at first, before sighing. "Yeah," I replied, "I'm fine. Although I do hate when people ask me if I'm ok."
Sorry.

We stood there for a few minutes, until I noticed how cold I was. I only had the thin clothes I had been using as pyjamas recently. Spike seemed to notice my small shiver, so he quickly got some small branches from nearby and created a blazing fire with a single breath.
"I wish I could do that." I said as I sat down next to the warmth of the flames.
Heh... Most dragonwhisperers do.
Pause.
"So... What do we do now?"
We find a way. We find a way to fight back against the hunters and the Dragon League.
"But... What can we possibly do? No human in their right minds will believe what I say, and the League commanders won't either! How in the world can we do it?"
Another pause. Spike was deep in thought, until-

~*I have a way.*~

A dragon's voice, one that I didn't recognize, but that spoke volumes of authority and wisdom. A female voice, with a certain strength to it. A pale purple dragon flew into the clearing, performing an excellent swoop before landing. Spike looked at her for a second before sinking into a bow.

Commandress Cinder.
~*Rise, my friend. I bring news that you must hear.*~

I looked at the violet scaled dragon again, and realized she was a Skyclaw. Spike had called her Commandress Cinder, so she must be the one leading the Resistance dragons. Cinder of the Skyclaws.

Spike stood and Cinder nodded.
~*I received a report saying that Death was spotted near to the Resistance base. I did a check as soon as I could, but I was too late.*~
Wh-what happened?
~*Commander Drake. He was poisoned... And he didn't make it. I'm sorry.*~

Spike seemed shocked. D- Drake?... He fell to the ground, staring at the flames burning in front of him. He glanced at me for a second through the fire, and I saw the look of utter loss in his eyes.