Eternal Ebony

Chapter 9

Ebon was planning. Frostbite, Oblivion's new private guard, had insisted on reuniting him with his family, and she had had to keep her thoughts from him all day. He said he could read minds, but he couldn't scrounge, and that was what had saved her. She was sitting in her office in the palace, working with several of her best dragons, including Echo and Frostbite. They were crouched over a large wooden desk, whispering to each other, when they heard a small, polite knock on the door. Ebon lifted her head.

"Enter!" she barked. The door hinged open, and Abalone stood alone in the doorway, rubbing her talons together. The three whipped around.

"Mommy?" Abalone asked quietly. "Daddy wants to see you in your room."

Ebon sighed. She smiled and took Abalone under her wing as she, Frostbite, and Echo walked down the halls. Court members bowed and nodded respectfully. Reaching their room, Ebon rapped sharply on the door. Oblivion opened it. Ebon smiled nervously, because he did not look happy. Oblivion backed up to let her in, not leaving her eyes, and slammed the door behind her using his magic. He flared his wings abruptly, and Ebon cringed from the rage.

"What. Did. You. Do?" he growled menacingly. He stepped just close enough. "I got several reports of my parents flying in this morning. What are you planning? What little party are you scheming behind my back?" Ebon cleared her throat and stood up straight, and she felt Oblivion's hate dim.

"I was planning to reunite you with your parents. You met mine. It's only fair. You haven't seen them in years, and I know you miss them. Don't blame me. I even consulted my best dragons and they agreed it was a good plan." She felt Oblivion's fear and hopes and sadness engulf her again.

"I kind of regret giving you telepathy," he said to himself. He rolled his eyes and smiled a little. "Fine. This better be good. When is it?"

"Today."

Oblivion's mask dropped for a moment, and Ebon saw his fear shine through. But he brought his guard up again. "As in a few hours, a few minutes? When exactly? Did you plan that far ahead?" He squinted at her. Then he dropped his head and his wings folded against his side again. "Very well. Let's leave now, shall we? Do they know where to go? Let me guess.."

Ebon smiled. "The pavilion, yes. They're already there. Abalone, come along." Abalone had covered her ears and stood in the corner, even though she could hear their mental emotions as well. It had actually taken a while, but Ebon realized that she had also inherited Oblivion's smug personality and silver eye scales, as well as the silver patterns of Ebon. Clambering onto her back, Abalone held on as Ebon launched. She glided quietly through the air, listening to the wind buffet her wings. She heard Oblivion's thoughts assessing the kingdom below. He was trying to keep the event off his mind, but it wasn't working. Ebon could see the dragons sitting in the pavilion. Their head swiveled, assessing the area. She landed with a thud, and eyed the company. The male was a big, scary, scarred specimen. But he looked content, and his scales winked in the sun, with dark eyes. Ebon noticed they were ringed with silver scales. The female was sleek and thin, with glossy scales like a seal. Her eyes were an orangey gold color, like a goldfish. She spotted the two landing and smiled. I'm assuming you don't get your looks from your father, she thought enthusiastically at Oblivion. He snorted. He waved his talons at his parents.

"Petrichor," he said, gesturing at the male. He waved at the female. "And Aether." Petrichor nodded respectfully. Abalone slid off of Ebon's back and waved.

"I am Ebon," Ebon said. "And this is our little Abalone." Abalone bounced a few times. Aether examined the two, and looked at Oblivion. "And why did you bring these two with you?" she asked politely. She had a pleasant, creamy voice that flowed beautifully. Oblivion edged over to Ebon and squeezed her with his wing, smiling delightfully. Ebon blushed.