How to Find Your Fire

(WoF) Chapter 5: Stranger

By TidalClaws (thedragonshifter)

They are going to kill me! Like, right now unless i do something! I have to do something to save myself. Im smart and clever.... and also very pathetic and weak. He looked up at their towering brown faces and barely mustered to not shiver and whimper in fear. Look at that pathetic piece of dirt! He's so scared and its HILARIOUS! he really thinks we'll skin him and sell it at the Scorpion den? HOW DUMB CAN HE BE?!?

The dragons minds laughed hysterically at him and anger just barely bubbled up inside him. He wanted to explode in their faces about hiw to treat other dragons, but he was waaay to afraid to do that. Instead, knowing they wouldn't really do anything to him, he darted between Frog's dark brown legs and shot into the air without looking back. He could tell he wasn't being followed because no wing beats followed him and the sound of their thoughts faded away.

TidalClaws growled to himself. I was right! Those lazy fat lumps won't even bother chasing after me! Those dumb bullies, trying to scare me like that! He pumped his wings harder and flew until the Mudwings melted into the marsh like ice in water. He then headed further west, towards the center of Pyrrhia. There he would rest for once in two days and hopefully have no dragon disturb him.

TidalClaws finally planted his talons lightly on the grassy area near the rain forest but still well clear of it. The Rainwings are a peaceful tribe. And the Nightwings are probably bound to their part of the rainforest so I should be safe. He thought with satisfaction as he tread cautiously towards a low rocky outcrop. The top of it was shaded in vines that hung low in front of the entrance and there was a shallow dip just big enough for a small dragon like him to fit in. If only I could cast a spell to make my glowing Seawing scales disappear. All they're going to do is give me away!

He was about to perform the spell before a flash of fear hit him. No! I can't! My soul will be gone, I can't use my magic! He snapped at himself inside his head as he curled into a ball in the shadow of the rock.

TidalClaws sat in a ball for what seemed like hours, shivering like he was in the Ice kingdom. He couldn't fall asleep because everytime his eyes seemed to close, a flap of wings or the snapping of twigs made him leap out of the hole in fear, his chest heaving and his eyes bulging out of his face. He really wasn't good at this "living on his own" thing. Though he would be to terrified to live by another dragon and probably end up not trusting it. My life is a miserable mess. He sighed and settled back down again. If only I were brave enough to use my magic..

He awoke feeling his bones ache all over from the cramped and stuffy space around him. At first, Tidalclaws couldn't tell where he was, and then memories from yesterday flooded back in. He stuck his head out from under the rock and gasped in fear and immediately retracted his head back in when he saw a purplish-black dragon standing almost directly in front of his hiding spot. A Nightwing! But they were supposed to be in the forest with Queen Glory!

He tilted his head and was well aware of the finned spines on his back rattling. Who is he? Why is he hiding in a hole? The dragon's thoughts were curious, not dangerous or suspicious at all. But he still hesitated. You can't judge that a dragon is good from just a few mere thoughts. He whimpered in his head as he remembered his mother. She used to think such good things about me, and then she changed. She would've killed me if i hadn't have run away.

He listened closely to the thoughts racing in the Nightwing's head. Should I go in? It's only a small dragonet. What could he do to me? I'm going in, he wouldn't even be able to touch a scale on my snout if I were attacked.

"Uhhhh.... hi?" Tidalclaws nearly leapt out of his scales with a yelp as the black head swished in between the vines. "Wow, sheesh. Didn't mean to scare you!" The dragon gave him a toothy grin. Even though the dragon seemed happy, he could detect hints of sadness nobody else could detect in her thoughts. He was silent, just staring awkwardly at the dragon as her thoughts raced through his head.

"Well, uh, sorry to bother you.. I should uhh... I should go.." she said as she began to back out of the tunnel. "Um, wait, errruhhmmm..." he half called half whispered after her. The dragon stuck her head back into the tunnel and he couldn't help but stare at her bright blue eyes. What does she think about my eyes? He wondered.

TidalClaws never liked the color of his eyes. They were a dull brown edged with a creepy lime green and bordered by light grey. He always thought that they looked like vomit. He looked away quickly before the beautiful nightwing could notice them, suddenly self conscious. "Why don't you come out and we can meet more formally." The dragon offered.

TidalClaws nodded hesitantly and slowly creeped out of the darkness. What if she doesn't like that I'm a hybrid? What if she thinks I'm ugly? He fretted as he stared down at his blue and black glowing talons. He couldn't meet the dragon's eyes, he would probably instead end up running away screaming. "Are you gonna introduce yourself or-Tidalclaws, my name's Tidalclaws" he interrupted and suddenly felt ashamed of how he had just barged in. Though a little hint of annoyance showed in her eyes they soon sparkled with amusement,"well, my name's Starscale." She said cheerfully as she spread her wings.

Tidalclaws' eyes widened in amazement. Her wings were covered in beautiful blue star-like scales that shined when they hit the light. As he studied her from head to tail tip, one though raced through his head. She is destined for something great. There is no doubt about that. Though he could never shake away the aura of sadness that seemed to glow around this cheerful dragon, and for once in his life, he felt sorry for her, a dragon he just met but felt like he had known for ages.