Flight For Peace - On Hold

Chapter 6

I have never had a friend before. It was always just me and the other creatures that seemed to be scared of who I am. But now, with Andesite and Granite, I feel like I may have made my first two friends.

    Sure, they can be intimidating at times. When the topic of war comes up a dark gleam shines in their eyes. But they care for me as if I am a little sister. And that's all I could ever ask for.

    "I can't believe you haven't found a name yet. We found ours before we even found this flight." Andesite chuckled.

    "Well, that's probably because there's two of you, and you couldn't just refer to the other as 'the dragon who looks like me'".

    Granite snorted, "Actually it was because Andesite was jealous that we knew the names of other creatures and decided we each needed a name. And since he wanted to be better than them, he made sure ours was not a species name."

    I laugh gleefully as Andesite glowers at his brother. "Honestly, that's kind of pathetic."

    Retorting, the larger dragon responds, "But at least I didn't name our island. Come on, who does that?"

    "I loved that island and I gave it a name to be sentimental. And then I had to name other parts of the island because it just wouldn't be right if I just called everything a beach or a tree."

    "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Little Blue."

    I bare my teeth at him and a gentle growl resonates in my throat. They had taken to calling me Little Blue after my scales since I did not have a name. Apparently, it was better than 'youngling,' but I beg to differ. The name makes me feel like a child and I am definitely not a child.

    Granite buts in, "What's the matter Little Blue, don't--"

    A loud roar that I have become all too familiar with echoes around the camp. Tidal is calling a meeting, and I have come to learn that they are not something to look forward to.

    Together, the three of us move toward the towering rock in the middle of the camp. Standing tall and proud, Tidal gazes around and nods in approval. We sit in silence until she deems it appropriate to start, "The flight east of us have been getting closer and closer." Some dragons tense up in fear and others snarl in anger, "And you all know what that means." There's a sadistic glee in her voice as she finishes, "Battle."

    Ice cold fear flows through my veins and I struggle to contain the icicles that beg to protect my body. My eyes snap toward Altair, who seemed to already be looking at me. His silver eyes are wild with resentment and something I can't decipher.

    "The youngling and the protectors must remain and protect our camp in case of invasion. Everyone else is required to fight."

    There's a roar of disagreement from an elderly fire dragon. Smoke shoots from his nostrils as he proclaims, "Even the sick?"

    "Their flight is larger than most. We all know this." Came Tidal's calm reply. "The sick are needed."

    "But we will die! I can barely fly and poor Kai can't even see! How will we be of any help? We'll be slaughtered right on sight!"

    Tidal remains quiet for a moment, gathering her patience. Then she replies coldly, "Sacrifices are necessary for a war to be won."

    The way she states it is chilling. There is no remorse in her voice, no tremor of pain or loss. Only acceptance and contentedness. Does she not care that they will die? Does she not care that innocents will be corrupted?

    I want to speak out, exclaim how unfair she is being. But Tidal is too strong for me, too influential, too knowledgeable, and too experienced. She would kill me on the spot if I dared to disobey her. So I sit, watching as they take off and head east. I listen to the battle cries and the beating of wings. And I am left behind, with the protectors. And I can't help but wonder if this is what I really wanted.

---

    The flight returns wounded and scarred. But their cries of victory fill the air.

    But what is there to be victorious for? They went out and killed innocent lives. All for what? Getting too close to our camp. A blinding rage sweeps through me and I fight back the urge to act on it. I'm too young, I'm too inexperienced. I am too small to make a difference.

    Andesite and Granite stumble toward me, huge grins covering their snouts. I shiver. Blood stains their teeth and their claws. "Little Blue," Granite exclaims, "You won't believe how many dragons I killed! Go on, guess!"

    I didn't want to. "Three?"

    Andesite snorts as Granite correct me, "Five! I killed five and one was pregnant!" He puffed out his chest in pride, "Maybe Tidal will think about promoting me now."

    Andesite seemed to be looking into my soul as I cowered slightly from his brother. His eyes narrowed in scrutiny as he asks, "You are not scared, are you?"

    My eyes widen as I stutter out, "Of course n-- of course not!" The large dragon doesn't look convinced, but he lets it drop.

    And then the two brothers engage in a conversation about the battle. It's horrifying. Their tones are casual and light. Nothing about the gruesome details seems to affect them. I almost vomit as Granite describes each of his 'kills' in great detail. From slashing one's throat to pulling out a stomach.

    It's too much to handle and I slink away from them. Just as I am about to make it into my den, a voice startles me, "Where are you going, youngling?"

    My wings tremble as I turn around and see Altair. His eyes look hollow and blood glistens on his black scales. I'm about to come up with a lie when he narrows his eyes and gestures me to follow him out of camp. Gulping, I trudge after my mentor and all too soon we are hidden behind a grove of trees.

    "You are distraught." He states it so simply, almost as if he had expected me to react this way all along. I nod feebly and he sighs, "I'm sorry."

    "What?" Why would he apologize? Wasn't he going to scold me for not agreeing with Tidal?

    "You were born into this world at a dark time. War has taken over many dragons and younglings such as you do not deserve to be thrown into it."

    And then I realize that I haven't asked a question that has been on my mind yet, "About that... Why is there war?"

    Altair looks away from me, his body stiffens as he answers, "Stone is the eldest dragon alive, living for over two thousand years. He used to be a gentle giant, allowing younger dragons to seek shelter and resources in his land. But then no one knows what happened. It was as if one second he was peaceful and the next he was full of vengeance. Stone began to take resources and territory away from the dragons he used to help. He instilled the craving for power among many, Tidal included." His head jerks in the direction of camp. "And then war broke out amongst the leaders trying to take the land."

    "So it's all because some old guy decided he was bored of his peaceful life?"

    Altair deadpanned at me as he murmured, "I wouldn't call him that to his face unless you have a death wish. But yes... that does summarize it."

    We sit in silence for a bit. The faint chatter from camp fills the silence between us until I ask, "Will I have to fight?"

    Altair's silver eyes close in distraught as he mutters, "Unless you want to be exiled from our flight, yes. You will have to fight."

    "I'm scared," I whisper. Something I would never have told anyone. But something tells me that Altair already knew.

    "Trust me youngling, we all are."