Wings of Power: The Rising Tribe [SERIES CLOSED]

Chapter 1

Five years later . . .

Vein trekked across his camp, doing his daily routine.

He was tired and dreary from walking around, banned from flying. Queen Magma had told everybody that if they saw Vein fly even once, they were allowed to kill him on the spot. Vein thought that was completely unfair because every BloodWing needed to fly to get it's energy back. 

And it even wasn't his fault! Or at least he thought so. According to witnesses, Vein threw the rock at his sister Gory. But those were false. Vein would never kill his older sister---that could be punishable by slow, grisly deaths. But because Vein was only two at the time (or so he was told) Queen Magma had been merciful---and sentenced him to no-flying duty until he was ten.

It really sucked. But Vein forced himself to think that he was lucky. Most dragons who failed to do what Queen Magma ordered would either get his or her throat slit, decapitated, or strangled to death. She even dumped one BloodWing into lava. Even though it didn't kill the dragon, she slit its throat and left its body in the steaming liquid. Queen Magma came just now with the latest news: she slit a dragon named Granite of the TimeWings. It didn't seem very surprising to the tribe, but two dragons accompanied by her died. Vein didn't know their name, but they were given an honorable burial. Because unlike what the "stupid" TimeWings wrote in their scrolls, BloodWings were most definitely not heartless. Sure, against enemies---but for comrades, no. Even Queen Magma mourned the death of her two comrades.

But Queen Magma was really mad now. It's because of the fact that a "stupid" TimeWing named Marble had killed her comrades. She sent out a search party only recently, to look for Marble. They haven't returned yet, so now the dragons think they're dead.

But Vein thought that no matter what happened, Vein would still be here, walking through the steamy landscape, filling the warrior's bowls, who only sneered at him for killing one of their warriors. 

He was still taught how to fight, though. Every BloodWing had to, no matter what. Every skill would help them later in their lives, in case a war happened. He was pushed harder by his teacher, Razor, more than his classmates. Razor did not let him have a break when the others did. He made him stay in longer, but Razor wasn't angry or mean. In fact, he was quite caring. He didn't keep him in out of cruelty, but because he needed to practice.

"You must go as hard as you can," Razor had said to Vein. "You have disappointed the queen, and so you will have to watch your back every second of the day. You need to be skilled, and most importantly: DO NOT trust ANY dragon FROM ANY TRIBE except ours. You hear?"

And Vein would nod.

"Not to scare you, Vein," Razor said during his last class. "But you have to be careful---be smart. TimeWings---whom the Queen wrongly thinks as weak---are stronger than you think. If one dares attacks you, blast fire at it on first sight."

Razor wasn't dead, though, or even executed for speaking against the queen. Vein realized that it was because that Razor didn't tell anybody else that.

Now, as Vein went to feed the queen, he decided to stop and sit. He was so tired that he didn't know if he could walk. He wanted to stay there for the rest of the day, but then a guard came and poked his back.

Vein shot up from his spot, and whirled to face his attacker---and was surprised to see Razor.

"Razor?" Vein asked, not sure if he was hallucinating over being really tired.

"Yep, that's me!" He said, grinning. Then he noticed the huge tray he was escorting. He frowned, though you could still see his smile lines. "You had better get that food to Queen Magma fast because she doesn't like it when her food is late."

"Aw, really? I'm super tired. I haven't flown even once in the last four years!"

Razor's eyes widen. "Four years? That's quite extreme. Tell ya what, maybe I could help you get there?"

"No, Razor! Don't!" Vein said. "Her Majesty is already angry at me because of what seemed to happen between me and Gory! If I go into the court with you, she'll execute me and you! Just like she did with Granite!"

Razor scowled. "Granite was a TimeWing who had the name of a StoneWing. And he also deserved it, because the TimeWings stole our treasure!"

"Oh." Vein said. Then he hefted himself up, carefully, so that he didn't drop the platter of steaming buffalo. "Well, I better get going. I don't want to be late!"

"Wait!" Razor cried. "I have an idea to get into the palace. After all, we're smart, and not easily outwitted."

"Whoever said that?" Vein asked.

"The other TimeWings. There old scroll. It said that we're 'easily outwitted', meaning dumb. That's one reason why we so hate TimeWings." Razor growled, making Vein jump.

"Well, actually, Razor, you can't come with me. Something will go wrong. In fact, someone might be spying on us so that they can report to the Queen." Vein protested.

"Ah, so you truly are smart! I thought you'd agree, but now you clearly know how to survive. Congrats!" Razor grinned yet again. "Well, you go feed the Queen. Come back for class later on! And good luck!" That comment seemed silly, as most BloodWings don't say that. 

Little did he know how bad it would be.