Wings of Fire: The Forgotten World

chapter 25

By CamsterDragon
Hemlock's POV

Hemlock didn't like Fig. Of course, that was true for pretty much every dragon he met, but Fig was even more distasteful than others. His look itself was like a typical Spiralwing. He was a slightly light blue with an even lighter turquoise scales underneath. Brown eyes looked at them suspiciously as they exited the cave and entered the forest, and pink and blue spots along his body looked like flowers carefully arrayed in an intricate design that only the maker could decipher.

But, as Hemlock scrutinized Fig, he began to notice other things as well. Like the expensive-looking earring on his ear that almost seemed to glow with radiance. Or the occasional gem in his curved horns that were misfits to the rest. Or the confidence in his shoulders from years of practice. Or the strange aura that seemed to emanate from him. And, finally, though he observed them, he didn't look the least bit worried. Even when Pleiades's tail brushed up against a bush and it shriveled up and even when Velocity raced around them in a blur. Either he was stupid, brave, or knew something they didn't. I'd bet almost everything I have that it isn't the first two.

To be fair, Sunnyheart didn't look too nervous either. She was dark blue with deep green, slightly blue scales on her underbelly. Light pink and blue spots neatly went down both sides of her neck and along her body and bluish pinkish spines ran along her back. Only her green eyes showed her caution at the dragons alongside her, and Hemlock was sure he heard her shriek when Velocity zipped by her.

Besides that one shriek though, Sunnyheart almost never stopped talking. She talked about their queen Iguana, how nice she was, their position as the children of the head guard, their job of surveilling the outskirts of their territory...

"But it's really not too bad," she explained. "People praise us everywhere we go since we're the only ones adventurous enough to not lay down all day..." she started speaking wistfully. "With the sun's warmth seeping into your muscles and your eyelids drooping as you fall asleep." She sighed. Then, quickly, she shook her head as if to clear her thoughts and continued on rambling.

She was cut off from her endless stream of words when Fig loudly announced, "We're here." Apparently, even he could get tired of his sister's talking.

"Where is here?" asked Pleiades suspiciously.

Hemlock observed his surroundings closely. "We appear to be at a hut of some sorts. It has a roof of leaves." He glanced curiously at them. "The biggest leaves I've ever seen. And the walls are a type of jungle wood and..." He was momentarily distracted when two brightly colored birds landed above them in the tall, jungle trees.

"Who are they?" chirped one of them. He had more colors on his body than Hemlock had ever seen in his life. Reds, blues, greens, yellows, you name it. The female next to him was much the same, but with a greyer and duller look to her feathers. She was still more vibrant than any animal Hemlock had ever encountered.

"That one looks furry. He looks like a sloth." the female sang back.

"Well, that one is dripping liquid fire all over the place."

"Well, that one is faster than a cheetah."

"Well, that one is as dull as a stone.." Soon, it became a competition to see who could point out the weirdest things about each of the new dragons. Hemlock couldn't help but be entranced by their constant bickering and lively chatter.

"Uh, Hemlock?" He blinked and looked back at the group. They were all, even Pleiades, staring at him. Velocity and Pleiades with concern and Sunnyheart and Fig with confusion. "You were saying?" continued Pleiades.

"I'm sorry, what?" Hemlock questioned, momentarily caught off his guard.

"You were describing the surrounding area," she clarified. "And then you cut off."

"Oh.. it was just.. the birds..." They all tilted their head in confusion in an almost synchronized motion. They don't know Cloudwings can speak any language. Hemlock made the revelation with a start. He paused, collecting his thoughts and trying to ignore the conversation just above his head.

"Do you want me to scare them away?" asked Fig.

Hemlock hurriedly shook his head. "No! Just.. pretend nothing happened." Fig raised an eyebrow but nodded all the same. "Now, where was I?"

"The walls?" Velocity reminded me.

"Right! Uh.. so the walls are made of jungle wood and there's a hole in the middle with a leaf over it serving as a door and..." He wasn't able to finish for at that very moment, an older Spiralwing stepped through the said door and stopped abruptly in his tracks. He looked to his fellow Spiralwings and then to the band of misfits and then back again.

"Who did you bring in this time?" he asked gruffly. The moment he spoke, Hemlock recognized him. His eyes darting back to and fro from him and the siblings, he knew his theory to be true. He had the same blue-green underbelly and the same colored blue spots going down his back and the same blue color along the rest of his spines.

"General Agapanthus!" Hemlock exclaimed, standing a little straighter. He had seen pictures of him in history textbooks. While, like most Spiralwings, he was a bit lazy, he was still known for being one of the best strategists of their tribe.

The General snorted. "Not surprised a Cloudwing knows my name." He spat out the name almost like a curse, and Hemlock flinched back. I've heard that to be the best strategian in Tarliin, he would only have to outstrategize one Cloudwing in order to discover their weaknesses, and then he could beat them all. Hemlock was proud of at least that one achievement for his tribe. Agapanthus had never beaten a Cloudwing in a game of wits.

"Hey! General or no General, that was rude!" protested Pleiades. Hemlock's heart nearly stopped. Pleiades was defending him? Why was he so happy about it?

"You're in no position to talk back," he reminded her calmly. "How about you all come into my underground house to discuss why you're here? I have cookies."

Hemlock's stomach growled with anticipation, but all he really wanted to do was sit down. Plus, as the General had said, they were in no position to try to convince him otherwise. They had entered the Spiralwing forest in a time of war, so Hemlock hoped they were as nice as the books said they were...