The Dark Mother. A Wings Of Fire Fanfiction.

Patch the Sandwing

Part One: A New Kingdom

Present Day, shortly after the War of Sandwing Succession.

Continuing life as a soldier in the Sandwing army felt right to Patch. It was how he wanted to spend his life. At least, that was what he told himself. He had built several strong bonds with other dragons. They were the ones that kept him going, and they were the ones he would gladly risk his life for. They were like an extended family. They had been through the War Sandwing of Sandwing Succession, and nothing would dissuade them from their duties now.

Patch held his ground as though an order was given to do so. He held his spear confidently and held his head high. He made sure his stance was battleline worthy and his gaze unflinching. At least he hoped that was how he looked. He had to be vigilante after what had just happened. The desert was quiet after the encounter.

"Three moons, Patch." The dragon beside him laughed. "You look like your trying to impress an Icewing general."

"Stuff a cactus in it, Dustdevil." Patch responded to his oldest friend. His harsh words meeting a chuckle of approval. Dustdevil always used humor to ease the tension in his team. Always the joker, but serious when it came to business.

They were both Sandwing soldiers, and had known each other since dragonethood. They had always been there to watch each others tail.

"Sure are feisty today." Dustdevil responded. He braced his spear too, but in a more relaxed pose. Still, there was a look of concern in his eyes.

Patch figured he was tensing too much. He started to ease his bodies muscles and calm himself. He watched the blood on the tip of his spear drip into the sand. The wound wasn't lethal enough, but with a wounded dragon, the rebels wouldn't make it far. "Just uneasy with what happened "

"Do you have anymore wine, Dustdevil. I think my vision is fading again." A voice from behind him hollard over dramatically.

"Quit your belly aching, Sandstorm. You only got stabbed in the claw." Dustdevil looked over at Patch and they both rolled their eyes.

"Aaagh!" The dragon flailed his wings out from where he stood guard, watching their rear. "The end is coming for me!"

"Snakebite went to get reinforcements, then you can cry to them." Patch barked back. They loved Sandstorm but he was a big blubbering drama queen. Still though, he had proven his loyalty and worth early in their lives. When he had lost his spear in the thick of battle and grabbed a fallen tree, despite his size he managed to swing it like an over sized club and sent a Seawing crashing into a boulder.

There was respect among them. Including Snakebite, but she was currently getting reinforcements.

Some time had passed with no sight of the rebels. It seemed they were in the clear. Then Sandstorm called out. "Oh finally. Reinforcements. Now we can go home, unless they order us to pursue. I hope they don't order us to pursue." Sandstorm shifted his bulky body, brushing his wing against Patch's to signal him. His right claw was bandaged in blood soaked cloth as he gripped his weighted spear in the other claw.

Patch noticed several soldiers and what looked to be some important dragons in the front.

Command must have sent some officers to question our report.

He turned around and was expecting one of Prince Smolder's lieutenants.

Instead a group of dragons led by the deserter, and the false queen landed behind them.

Patch felt his blood run cold despite the blazing heat of the desert around him. He had met her only once. Shortly after her coronation when she spoke to all the soldiers. Patch followed instinct as she approached. Standing at attention and saluting her despite his mind screaming its confusion. "Queen Thorn, we were not expecting you. Your Majesty."

(I actually had this written before the prologue, so it was all ready to go. Sorry it's not as long as the previous. Sometimes a short chapter is best to build up. Hope you guys like Patch and his small winglet group, but wait, there's one more to be introduced. Stay tuned for more, I hope to post in a couple of days.)