Flight For Peace - On Hold

Chapter 5

The sound of voices greets me as I wake up. They float on top of the song of nature, mixing in with the soft crinkling of leaves and the whistling wind.

    "Do you think Tidal will let her stay?"

    "It depends what the youngling has to offer. If she can hunt and fight, there will be no reason for Tidal to deny her entry to our flight."

    "But... Don't you think she will take too much of our resources to recover? We already have wounded dragons and sick elders! We don't need another weak mouth to feed!"

    As the voices begin to argue, I stir. My wings stretch out as I allow my eyes to flutter open. Before me stand two dragons. One is ivory black with piercing silver eyes. His body is sharp and lithe. The other is moss green with sharp red eyes. Her body is bulky and broad. As soon as they notice my alertness, they turn and the black dragon addresses me. "Indra is talking to Tidal at this moment. Hopefully, we will soon know if you have been accepted into our flight or not."

    My voice cracks as my soul jerks in panic, "I can be rejected?" They nod their heads and I cry out, "But I spent so long searching for a flo-- flight of my own!"

    The female seems to be annoyed with my panic as she retorts, "As long as you aren't going to be useless to our flight, you'll most likely stay. You can fight, can't you?"

    I have never fought in my life, besides hunting prey. But I can't be rejected from this place that my soul wants to call home so I nod my head. Because I can learn how if it means acceptance.

    And as soon as I agreed, there is a loud cry that startles me to the bone. My wings flap frantically and the other two dragons can't help but laugh. "Tidal has called a meeting." And with those words from the male dragon, I was rushed out of the den I was residing in into the clearing.

    My eyes travel around in wonder. There are so many dragons. Big and small, but none look as young as me. My eyes travel to the large rock in the center of the clearing. There, standing tall and proud was a dragon I could only assume was Tidal. Her scales are littered in scars and burns. Her navy blue color is splashed with colors that remind me of my coral reef at Living Cove. Her eyes appear to be a canary yellow.

    As soon as I look into her eyes I realize that she is staring down at me. My body trembles under her gaze. This is a dragon I know I don't want to cross.

    Her voice was deep and sharp as she addressed the flight and me, "As many of you know, a youngling has once more found our flight. At this time of war, we had to make a decision if we could accept her or not. After much debate, my mate, daughter, and I have decided that she will be useful in our flight." Her gaze sweeps over me as she looks at Indra and a male dragon that resembles the smaller female. "And we have also decided who will mentor her." Now her eyes sweep over to the ivory black male that I had already met. "Altair, we have decided you fit to mentor this youngling. We hope that you teach her well."

    It was clear that Altair had no choice in the matter. He glowered at her before turning to me with a neutral expression. "Sure, sure. Can do Tidal."

    The leader let out a rumbling growl, "Do not speak to me like that. You know what happens to dragons that disrespect me." Her eyes narrowed as Altair's scales paled ever so slightly.

    "I am ever so sorry, Tidal. I will do as you please." He whispered.

    She smirked at the black dragon, "That's better. Much better" He held back a scowl until she turned away from us.

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    "Couldn't we have waited until I recovered to do this?" I whine, my eyes drooping with exhaustion and my body aching.