Beating Wings (EDITING)

2 : The Dragon Queen

     "Enter." The guard stationed at the Queen's door commanded to me.

    I swallowed a nervous breath and stepped inside, my claws softly tapping on the polished floors. The white throne sat there, encrusted with rubies and intricate gold details. She sat atop it, tail coiled around her - like a snake preparing to strike, and watched me come in with sharp eyes.

    Queen Hyla was younger than most rulers; in her early 30 thousands. She had a flawless silvery-white scale tone and was thin and serpent-like, with frills the shade of violet venom. She wore a crown that lay flat on her head and draped on her forehead. It was just gold chain, with a center pearl.

    I cautiously continued forward, my wobbling legs making it difficult.

    "Welcome, young Zepth..." She flashed a quick grin that I barely saw, with razor sharp teeth that glinted the light.

    "Your highness, I personally wanted to apologize for my tardiness in getting evaluated..." I confessed with embarrassment and fear.

    "I see..." The Queen smirked a little more, then clapped her talons together. "That shall be taken care of soon enough, I'll see to it. You are pardoned, hatchling."

    She gestured towards the pillow in front of me. After a moment of hesitation, I sat down. The Queen began clicking her claw impatiently on the armrest of the golden chair, the mood in the throne room shifting.

    "Do you know how this throne I sit upon came to be?" She sounded bored, like giving a history lesson to a hatchling. I shook my head, wanting to remains silent.

    My mother taught me a little about our kingdom's history. I definitely wouldn't say I know much, but I know tiny details. For instance, Queen Hyla is the first female ruler in Sulona.

    "The goblin kingdom that lived here before us had it it their possession. However, this throne was not crafted by them." Now she sounded amused. "Goblins are clumsy yet they pass as architects. They do not care for design, only security. They use plain methods and never stray from a design more simple. They are lazy, to be frank."

    "Highness, I'm not sure I understand."

    "Elves however pride themselves in detail and exquisite taste. It was a nearby Elven kingdom that crafted this throne. They made it huge to support the god they worship. The goblins stole it, Zepth."

    "But why? I thought goblins avoided elves, at least that is what was written in the record scrolls." Confusion swirled around my head like an annoying wind. I was asking more than why goblins stole a throne; I was asking how this was relevant.

    "Because this used to be a kingdom of lies. The scroll was written by a past Dragon King here, I forget his name." She chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Many many years ago. The point is, Zepth, I need you to see through the lies that the Kings planted in my kingdom."

    I thought for a moment. So this had nothing to do with me. I quietly let out a sigh of relief.

    "I need you to help me, Zepth." The Queen locked her cold stare onto the dragon who sat before her, which unfortunately was me. "I need you to stay on my side. You are aware the reasons behind the declaration for war, yes?"

    "Yes, your highness."

    "Then you understand my problem. One, anyways." She looked away, as if talking to herself.

    "Do you have another problem, highness?"

    The Queen looked around to make sure no one else was nearby. Then, she leaned in slightly and whispered, "Dark Dragons."

    "Dark... Dragons...? Is there such a thing, highness?" I cocked my head at the unfamiliar term.

    "Indeed. They roam everywhere outside of my kingdom. They threaten our very existence." She sighed, deeply troubled. "Dark Dragons are what we call multi-element dragons, and all of them are marked with a red symbol, of course it varies how it looks with each one..."

    I sat upright, and tightened my stomach muscles. My blood ran cold and one thought raced through me: Why had my mother never mentioned this?

    "H-highness, I d-doubt such a thing exists..." I stammered.

    "You are not the first to doubt me, that's why I took over the... oh, never mind." She dismissed it, then looked back over to me. "By the way, has your brother been evaluated yet, Zepth?"

    "N-no your highness..."

    "Hm... Then I shall send Master Grilop to your den to evlatuate you both at sunrise.." The Queen grinned a wicked smile before returning to a serious stare. "If you see anything like what I just described, I need you to report it to me immediately. Surely you want your family to be safe from these unholy beasts, hm?"

    "Of c-course. Is that all you required my presence for your highness?" I quickly got up from the pillow.

    "Yes..." She started out her window, observing the land outside. "By the way, that's an interesting birth mark you have there, Zepth. It's beautiful to be gifted with such a unique appearance."

    I whipped my head towards the reflective floor, horrified. The mud has dried off partly, giving away the corner of my scar. I quickly made my way out of the castle and flew back home, too terrified to look back.