Mystery of the Jungle

Chapter 02

A warm lump crashes into my back, nearly knocking me over. I laugh at the frustrated warbles coming from my sloth I've named Honey after her blond fur.

"It's alright Honey. I'm back now, let's go get you some berries."

A gleeful purr soothes over the annoyed sounds coming from Honey as she snuggles into the crook where my wing meets my back. She always goes there, other sloths usually hang from their dragons neck or perch on their head, but not Honey. I've learned that she hates heights, which is why I love her the most. Instead of hanging high up in trees all day, she likes spending her free time with me.

Gliding past sleeping RainWings, I land softly on the edge of the nearest fruit platform as to not startle them. I spot the narrow selection of fruits clumped together off to the side. The village must have already eaten their breakfast early and left anyone else the smaller fruits.

"Blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry?"

Honey warbles an agreement towards the raspberry and I stick it onto her two claws with a smile. She is an adorable, young two toed sloth after all.

After collecting a dozen strawberries and some more raspberries for Honey, I turn and fly towards a tree branch to sit and eat.

Nervous chatter escapes from Honey when she sees where we're going to eat. To distract her, I prod her small snort with another raspberry. Everyone's weakness is food in the rainforest. By the time she's finished eating it, she's reaching for another. When I'm settled with Honey scooped up in my talons snacking in berries, my mind begins to wander.

"So little has happened since the war ended." Flashes of the NightWings old volcanic fortress creep back to me. Constantly having these memories as a reminder has brought on new levels of anxiety for me. Few even recognize when I'm struggling.

"Thank goodness I have you and Chameleon."

"What about me?" My best friend Blossom cuts in. Looking up to her voice, I nearly fall out of the tree when I see her right at the end of my snout.

"Don't scare me like that!" Swatting her snout away, she scrunches her brow and looks around.

"Who do you think did it? Stole the Queens egg I mean."

The look in Deathbringer's eyes when he was searching for his unhatched dragonet pierces into my thoughts and an involuntary shiver rushes from my wings to tail.

"I don't know, but her mate might."

Blossom drops down to sit on the branch across from mine, her scales shimmering a curious green.

"They have a sus-"

"No, no, no!" I stop her, looking around, frantic to see if anyone heard. "We should go somewhere else to talk."

Realization washes over her scales, dying them light blue. "Right. I actually came to tell you about the invitations to Jade Mountain Academy."

Eyeing my best friend wearily, I pop a couple blueberries into my mouth. Honey climbs into the crook of my side and lets out a sleepy, airy sigh as I re-adjust to listen to Blossom.

"Did the six get chosen?"

A big goofy smile grows on her face and her scales fill with bright yellows and pinks. 

"I've been put into the ruby winglet!" She squeals in excitement.

Sadness fills me to the brim, but I make sure to keep it out of my scales and force a smile, genuinely happy for her.

"That's great! When are you due to go? Surely you have to pack som food for the trip."

She smiles at me with a worrying cheeky vibe hidden beneath her blue eyes. "I'm not going anywhere without my bestest friend."