Overruled

Chapter 3: River Boarder

Judith knew that slipping out of class early was wrong, but she didn't mind. Jr. on the other talon, didn't like the idea, but he still followed her. She didn't know why he was so nervous. It wasn't like this was the first time they went to the river.

"You know I don't like going to the river without an adult. It's against the rules." stated Jr. As if Judith needed to be reminded of that fact.

"I know it is. But you can't stay in the palace all your life. You need to start your own life at some point. Plus mother isn't always going to be there to protect you." Jr. looked at the ground sadly. They had both heard the story of how their parents were injured when David was younger.

"You still with us Raspberry?" Judith had not heard anything from the rainwing since they left. It worried her a bit.

"Yes. I'm still here. I stayed quiet because I didn't want to interrupt your conversation." While Judith couldn't see her due to her walking behind them, she could guess that she had her head bowed and looked ashamed. A look over her shoulder confirmed her suspension. She acted just like her father sometimes. They acted like they were servants to the royal members of the clan. It didn't make sense considering they were respected and treated like royalty too.

"Your not in trouble. I just wanted to make sure that you were still here. I don't want you to get hurt." Raspberry looked up and smiled.

They got to the river about the same time they should be getting out of class. It wasn't very big, about the size of an adult Skywing's wingspan. Scattered around it were little groves and caves, the perfect place for dragonets to play. The river was also the boundary between their clan and the enemy's. How Icewings lived in the outskirts of the kingdom of sand, Judith didn't know.

The three dragonets walked to the bank on their side. Raspberry went and drank the river's cool, refreshing water then went to rest under the shade of the trees. Jr. waded in the shallows. Judith layed down on one of the nearby rocks, head resting on her talons, tail curled up by her side.

Judith looked across the river to the other bank and spotted a female Icewing. A marked female Icewing. Green, the color of fear started to appear in her scales. Jr. saw this, got out of the water and walked up to his sister.

"What's wrong?" He asked. Judith just stared straight at the Icewing. Jr. followed her gaze and when he spotted the Icewing, his eyes lit up and he smiled.

"Snowdrift! Snowdrift over here!" he called. The Icewing's head shot up and she looked around, looking for whoever called her name. "Across the river Snowdrift!" yelled Jr. yet again. Snowdrift looked right at Jr., then Judith, then Raspberry. Judith stood up and started slowly backing away towards the palace. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Raspberry doing the same. Jr. stayed at the bank, watching as Snowdrift flew across to the other side, their side, of the river.

"She's dead the moment she touches the ground." thought Judith, "Doesn't she know that?" then it occurred to her. She, Judith, the most outgoing of Bladerunner's dragonets was terrified of this stranger. Jr., the shyest out of all of the clan's members, didn't seem bothered by Snowdrift's presence. He actually seemed happy at the fact she was there.

Jr. and Snowdrift were talking now. Snowdrift looked entirely like an icewing, except for a row of midnight black scales on the lower edge of her wing. Her claws were the same color black. She also had the "cats eye" mark on her shoulder, saying that she was an Icewing loyal to the enemy clan. Judith cautiously walked up and pulled her brother aside.

"Something wrong sis?" he asked. Judith leaned back on her haunches and grabbed his shoulders with her talons.

"How do you know her?"

"She's my girlfriend!" he replied happily.

Before Judith could react, her and Jr. were thrown to the ground, and a pained roar rang out.