Mysteries Beyond (Dragons RTTE Fanfic - Sequel to Deception)

Chapter 23

Viggo paced over to Sclera, who was now sitting up and leaning on his haunches. Clearly, he had taken quite a powerful blast from Vulcan and was still recovering.

"Viggo..." you called after him, crossing your arms. He didn't turn around, as you reached Sclera, putting his left hand to his snout. "You know he's in no condition to fly." you continued. "You'll have to stay here." You said. You were confident in your predictions. Even from this distance, you could tell that Scerla wouldn't have had the strength to fly away even if he'd wanted to.

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Vulcan interjected in a forceful tone. You turned to him quickly.

"Scerla can't fly!" you repeated. "This isn't your choice to make." Vulcan snapped his mouth shut at your response, his teeth gritted, as if no one had dared question him before. He held you in his icy gaze for a moment before replying.

"Only until your that Skrill has healed sufficiently to leave." he said reluctantly, coming to terms with the fact that this was an argument he couldn't win. "I'll not have the safety of this island compromised at the expense of the sentimental value you hold for this man." he added, nodding towards Viggo. Viggo's face twitched slightly at this comment, as he turned towards the trees with Sclera following slowly behind.

"Where are you going?"

"As far away from him as this island will allow." Viggo answered, disappearing into the trees, you assumed back towards the beach.

Vulcan stood at the opposite end of the clearing, in a defensive stance, his head held high.

"What was all that about?" you asked, once Viggo was out of earshot. Amethyst shot from your side into the bushes after Scerla and Viggo.

"Amethyst!" but it was too late - you could hear her bounding through the undergrowth after Scerla.  One thing was for sure: once that dragon had made up her mind, there was no changing it.

"Uncanny..." Vulcan muttered, his eyes filled with confusion, as he peered at the leaves that had just settled after Amethyst had bustled through them. He then averted his gaze back to you.

"I told you before - we don't welcome Skrills on this island."

"I think it's time you rethought your prejudices." you countered.

"I want that Skrill off this island by dusk tomorrow!" Vulcan asserted, his eyes harsh, as he began turning away, back in the direction of the Changewing nests.

"Then I'm going too." you answered adamantly. You knew there was something he wanted from you, something he needed to tell you at least. You were sure he knew something about the quest. Whatever it was, you knew he needed you on this island.

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

"It's very possible." you answered calmly. "You want Viggo and Sclera to leave this island? Fine, then Amethyst and I are going with them." It hurt you to have to say this to your brother - you wanted to stay here and find out the answers to the questions that had tormented you for so long, but not at the expense of Viggo. The memory of the argument the morning you'd left still made you grimace, but he'd come looking for you - that had to count for something.

Vulcan curled his lip. "You'd choose them over family?"

"I shouldn't have to choose. If you were decent you'd let them stay. I've told you, they're friends to dragons and have remained loyal to me through thick and thin. And I don't care about this Skrill thing - Amethyst and Scerla get on fine. In fact, more that fine!" you couldn't help blurting out. Vulcan was slightly taken aback.

"I'm being serious, (Y/n)."

"So am I, brother." you added with weight.

"You always were different..." he muttered.