Dragon Wing

Chapter Three

    The sun had long since set when Magnali returned, looking troubled.

    I was reading a book I had bought from a village 10 miles north of the cave. Fern was snoring peacefully next to me, all attempts to stay up failing. Galeah lay next to us, examining her claws. I looked up. "What's up?"

    Magnali just shook her head. "Nothing you need to trouble yourself with. Now child, why are you still up?"

    "We were waiting for you." Galeah said, dipping her head. "I told her she could stay up. Sorry mom."

    Fern lifted his head, blinking drowsily. "Huh...? MOMMA! YOU'RE HOME!" He flung into her talons, instantly awake. I bit back a sigh. I had never been able to call Magnali mom, or anything related to that. It wasn't because I was adopted. It was because I was human. I wasn't one of them.

    But I smiled. If everything went according to plan, I would be one of them.

    "Momma?" Fern asked, doing the cute head-tilt he always did when curious.

    "Yes, Fern?"

    "You look sad," Fern said. "Why are you sad?"

    Magnali smiled, "I'm not sad. Just tired." But I could see other emotions swimming in her blue eyes. Wait. Now that I think about it, my eyes-and the eyes of the girl in The Legend of the Half-Blood-are a lot like Magnali's.

    "Now. Fern, Kaylie, off to bed," Magnali commanded. Me and Fern scampered to our rooms.

    Later that night, when I couldn't sleep, I walked towards the main cavern. But before I got there, I heard the voices of Magnali and Galeah. I stopped short, listening.

    "Something's wrong, mom. Spill." I heard Galeah say, clearly annoyed.

    Magnali sighed, and lowered her voice. I shuffled closer. "Fine. This wasn't just a regular meeting. It was strictly between the Four."

    Galeah gasped, and I almost did before I slapped my hand over my mouth. The Four were the four great dragons if each element; fire, water, earth, and air. I only knew Magnali, the identities of the others were a mystery to me.

    "What could be so serious that this was needed?" Galeah asked, her voice full of worry.

    "Apparently, groups of dragons have suddenly turned rogue and started to attack others. It's a time of war and chaos." Magnali continued grimly, "But that's not all; these dragons are full of Black Magic. And they weren't born with it."

   Galeah just stared. "Only one dragon knows black magic...but they killed him, didn't they?! The old four killed him!!!" Magnali just gazed sadly. Her daughter looked insane. "TELL ME THEY KILLED DEKRA!!!" She roared

   Something in my brain clicked. It was probably just your ears dying, I scoffed to myself. I cast the thought away and ran to my room before I went deaf. Dekra...I swear I've heard it before...

    Darkness haunted my dreams that night, but was cast away by light towards morning. I awoke feeling like I got no sleep whatsoever.

    That's when something caught my eye. A really old book was lying in the floor. I thought I put all of my books away... As I bent down to put it back, I glanced at the cover. Two dragons danced upon the front, twirling and intertwining. Their names were...

..."Dekra and Illumra"...

    I stared, gaping, as once again a book predicted my FREAKING LIFE. I turned the cover, and read the legend. Apparently, Dekra and Illumra were the dragons of darkness and light, and led the dragonfolk alongside the Four. One fateful day, Dekra attacked the others with an army if dark dragons, wanting ultimate control. After 20 long years if fighting, the forces of light won, although the book never said how.

    I kept reading about the war, and all the travesties, until I slammed the book  shut. If this "Dekra" fellow comes back we're screwed...I hope he doesn't, but if he does...I won't stand around and do nothing. I looked up, and said to no one in particular,

   "I'll fight for my family."