Dark Snow

4

Wlecome back to th fourth chapter! Remeber, Jujube and the Tsuyoi belong to my friend, cakeangel5, as well as Serpant. Coyote belongs to me. Enjoy!

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     Blackice watched in horror as the SandWing's scales shifted and stretched, changing their color to a black, dappled different shades of red. Hold on, thought Blackice, his scales aren't moving. He's creating an illusion to make it look like that. She surveyed the dragon. "I don't think I properly introduced myself," said the dragon. "My name is Jujube, the leader of the Tsuyoi." He held out his right arm, displaying the red armband. Blackice stared at him for a moment, then collapsed to the sand, laughing. "You're a RainWing?" she said, after she had managed to stand back up. He looked offended. "Maybe you've heard about what special ability my tribe has?" Jujube asked, baring his teeth. Blackice's defenses immediately shot back up. She crouched, preparing for an attack. "After what happened to Scarlet, I think everybody knows that RainWings are more dangerous than they seem," she replied, warely testing boundaries. Jujube backed down slightly, but he still looked mildly outraged. "I will choose to keep my end of the deal. I started the Tsuyoi about two years ago. We have grown in organization and numbers very quickly, and we are always looking for more members to recruit." Jujube paused, suddenly looking curious. "You said that you're parents weren't around?" he inquired. Blackice stiffened. Thoughts and memories raced through her head, one after another. I killed them, it's my fault, I'm the reason their dead, I'm an awful dragon. She shook off the voices, then replied to Jujube's question. "I'd rather not talk about it. Besides, I don't like being lured into traps." He looked a little bit impressed for a moment, than quickly hardened. "Did I introduce my accomplices?" he asked, gesturing to the two SandWings. "The elite is Serpent," Jujube explained, gesturing to the SandWing with the grey armband, "And the warrior-in-training is Coyote." Coyote waved the talon that had the blue armband around it. Blackice considered the trio, thinking hard. "What does it take for someone to join the Tsuyoi?" she asked. "Your interested?" Jujube questioned. "Well, I'll have to think about it," she replied. "Well," Jujube said, staring at a spot a little over Blackice's shoulder, "I'll give you a couple days to consider the offer. When two of the moons are completely dark, I'll send Serpent and another elite to come for your answer." He glanced over Blackice once more, then flicked his tail. All three of the dragons snapped open their wings, then lifted off into the sky. "Remember," called back Jujube, "Two days!"

     Blackice spent her two days roaming the Claws of the Clouds mountains. She explored caves, flew through the clouds, and thought about the offer. Every waking moment was filled with the possibilities that could open up for her if she joined up. But she also thought about the cons. Jujube obviously didn't trust her, in fact, he had sent a couple of dragons to follow her around. The very day that Blackice had met Jujube, Serpent, and Coyote was also the day that a pair of MudWings with green armbands had accidentally alerted her to their presence. When Blackice stopped at an oasis to have a drink of water, she had seen one of the MudWings hiding in the muddy sand at the bottom of the pool. And they had followed her everywhere in the Kingdom of Sand, until Blackice had decided to fly home. She had crested the hills, but the two dragons had not followed her any farther than the forest that bordered the Kingdom of Sand. This, she found odd. She decided to question Jujube about it when she next saw him. On the night she was to meet Serpent, Blackice had her answer ready. She swept through her cave, neatly packing her few belongings away. She carefully placed the rest of her food stores into a hole that she had dug on the ledge outside the cave. She scraped dirt over it, then returned to her cave. She neatly folded the furs that she slept on, placing them in the bottom of a leather satchel. She placed some small wooden carvings that her father had made for her on top, then looked around for anything she might've missed. Her eye caught on a glimmer of silver in the corner of the cave. Blackice crept over. It was the dagger that she had taken from her home. Blackice considered it for a moment, then placed it gently into the pouch around her throat. She then glanced once more around her cave, slung her stachel over her shoulders, then stepped onto the ledge outside. She stared out at the gorgeous view that awaited her. The sun was starting to set, and the sky was stained a blood red. A few puffy, pinkish clouds floated across the sky, hiding the tips of the tallest mountains. Several specks flew around in the distance, probably SkyWings out to see the sun set. Blackice paused, watching the sky disappear behind the horizon line, trying to imprint the image in her mind. Her cave wasn't her first home, but it still meant alot to her. Blackice wondered if she'd ever see it again. She spread her wings, launching herself off the cliff top for the last time. 

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Thank you for reading! Please check out catdragonlover123. She's my cousin, and she would love it if you read her story. Thank you, and watch out for chapter five!