Wings of Fire • Dragon of Warriors [3]

Prologue

Quick note, please read "Dragon of Storms" first and "Dragons of Secrets" second for deeper information on the tribes. Plus, it may help with timeline stuff. Cause this is the sequel to the sequel.

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Fourteen years ago...

Waves gently lapped at the base of a tall cliff, making their way along the rocky barrier until they reached an open section. This was a cave, hollowed out by centuries of such treatment from water.

     Said cave was illuminated by the soft reflection of moonlight. The display shimmered across the surface of the stone, outlining a messy bed composed of elk hides, a cold fire pit, and strings of hanging herbs, bottles and the like, as well as a silver-patterned dragoness in the corner.

     Stratusstream hummed to herself as she tucked herbs into their respective cubbies in the wall. She was storing them for later use, in case the infirmary ran out or she noticed a dragon on the walkways that needed help. Of course, most dragons avoided the approach of a 'loony old dragoness' so her efforts were often for naught.

     The steady rhythm of the waves was joined by wingbeats. Stratusstream pricked her ears. They were too low to be a dragon fishing – there was no splash of water to signal entry or exit – and SwiftScales rarely flew low to the water.

     Turning left, she looked at the entrance to her hidden cave. Stratusstream searched the patch of sky to see if any dragon would come inside. Perhaps she would need to explain to them why an old crone like herself was squatting at the base of the infirmary.

     Two familiar shapes came into view, blocking out the moonlight – her two friends, who just so happened to be mates and respected members of the new King's growing army.

     Stratusstream nodded to them politely, turning back to the wall to look for mixes of herbs they might be interested in.

     "Hello," she cooed, "It's been some time since you visited – did you forget about me?-"

     "Sorry to interrupt, but you need to help us, Stratusstream," the female started, grunting as she adjusted something.

     Stratusstream looked over, craning her neck to see what was in the dragon's arms. The pair drew closer and she saw that it was a dragonet.

     "What did you bring Cloudstreak here for?" she chuckled. They were not the type of parents to lug around their dragonet around.

     The father looked worried and proud at the same time. "We were given a mission from King Rapidwings to scout out a section of Pyrrhia," he said, "Last time we found a swamp and he wants us to continue. We don't know how long we'll be gone or if we will even return... safely."

     "We trust that you will look after our son while we are gone?" his partner asked. She clutched the dragonet to her chest as she spoke, eyes fixed intensely on Stratusstream's.

     Strange, they had never come to her with a request like this before.

     "I'm quite old..." she mused to herself, "And I've never had dragonets."

     The spies both visibly deflated, the female shrinking back. "Oh," she mumbled, "We can ask someone else..." she said, her voice trailing off. The father looked to his son in worry.

     "Are you trying to guilt-trip me?" Stratusstream asked, tilting her head with a grin. Her friend shrugged.

     "We need you. We trust you enough to give you our only son. We can't take him with us. Please, just care for him."