Blaze had been trekking through the desert for what felt like hours before she finally chanced upon a landmark. This particular trace of civilization came in the form of a small cluster of tents surrounded by some low dunes. The regimented organization of the tents and the matching pennants fluttering in the wind hinted to Blaze that it was an army camp.
Thorn's army, Blaze thought. Perhaps I can ask them for directions, the ones given by Dust weren't very thorough. She walked in, only to be stopped by a guard.
"State your business and identity," the SandWing guard said, flaring his wings to look intimidating. Blaze wasn't impressed-she had seen Burn do it enough to Blister during their mock battles as dragonets.
"Princess Blaze, soldier," she replied. "If you would be so kind as to point me in the direction of the palace, I would be more than happy to relieve you of my presence."
"Princess," the soldier gasped. But he didn't bow like Dust had. Strange. But Blaze let it slide. She'd said she would earn their respect and she intended to live up to that promise. After a moment's hesitation he said, "Come with me, I'll take you to the commander."
"Lead the way."
The soldier brought her past the rows of tents and they came to the largest one. The soldier showed her in. Blaze realised it wasn't one large tent but rather two separate ones joined together.
The soldier poked his head through to the second tent where Blaze heard angry voices arguing.
"Uhh, Commander?" he called.
"What the hell do you want?" came a snarling voice. "Can't you see I'm busy? Come back and bother me later!"
The chastised soldier withdrew quickly, looking flustered. Blaze felt s twang of pity in her heart. If all SandWings were like this, she couldn't blame them for being so angsty all the time.
"He sounds angry, is he always like this?" Blaze asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah," the soldier replied in a hushed voice. "Though I'd rather he didn't hear me say that."
"Don't worry, I can keep a secret," Blaze said.
"Just wait here, the commander will see you shortly." The soldier quickly lefty he tent.
Well, that's nice of him, Blaze thought. Leave me all alone with the mad SandWing. She could hear snatches of the argument going on from the other side of the tent wall.
Something about a strike. And the stronghold. What in Pyrrhia? They were talking about attacking Thorn's stronghold. Blaze listened closer, wondering if she was hearing this right.
"I'm telling you we should attack now," came the commander's harsh voice.
"No!" boomed another voice. "We wait. Thorn's scheduled to go visit Queen Coral soon. We'll strike then when the palace will be less defended."
"Every moment we wait is another moment we risk being discovered!" the commander protested. "Someone's bound to find us sooner or later!"
"And you would have us go ahead with the attack and botch the only chance we've got?" the other voice demanded. "No, our new benefactor will not tolerate failure. He wants the Lazulite Dragon and we're going to get it. He's already promised us everything else on the treasury. Do you understand me, Commander Arid?"
"Yes, General Cobra," the commander, Arid, said sullenly.
Blaze froze. General Cobra? She'd heard that name before. He was one of Blister's generals during the war! A suspicion began to dawn on her. She poked her head out of the tent and glanced at the pennants.
Sure enough, embroidered upon them was a large black diamond, Blister's mark. So the rumours she'd heard earlier were true; some of Blister's forces had survived the war! And they were hiding here, plotting to attack Thorn!
She had to get out of here and warn Thorn! She left the tent, trying her best not to draw suspicion. As soon as she was away, she took flight.
Meanwhile, back in the tent, Commander Arid stalked out, fuming. What did the soldier want just now? Suddenly he heard a shout. He turned to look.
"Over there!" a sentry shouted. "It's Blaze! She's getting away!"
So that's what the soldier had wanted to tell him, Arid realised with a shock. Why hadn't the soldier restrained her? He was going to kill him! If Blaze gave away their position, everything they'd been preparing for would end in failure!
"After her!" he bellowed at the other troops. "Don't let her get away!"
Blaze heard shouting and the beating of wings behind her and she knew that they were after her. She flew as fast as she could. I need to find Dust, she thought. He'd know how to get back. With that, she fled back in the direction she came.
