Wings of Fire • Dragon of Warriors [3]

Chapter Five

He had completely forgotten.

     Then again, who could remember something so trivial when there were attacks on the bay and a friend to be found? Quickclaws was surprised he hadn't forgotten more than that, to be honest.

     Sleeping was now a problem. The sudden realization that he was going to graduate tomorrow with barely any time to prep was preventing Quickclaws from sleeping. Worry filled him and he twitched his talons nervously.

     I remember what to say, right? Yes, yes I do. Speedscar and Keeneye had Brisktail and I memorize it. He could always remember it better than me though...

     Quickclaws sighed as he remembered Brisktail. Oh, Brisktail. I can't graduate without you, can I? Quickclaws was already awake without all of the thinking so he let himself spiral. Then what? Do I delay the entire graduation until I find him? Spoil it for all of the other dragons who deserve it? I can't do that... Can I?

     Shifting the elk hide to better cover his back, Quickclaws got an idea. He could just not graduate. He would tell Speedscar that he wouldn't feel right moving on without his best friend and he knew that his mentor would respect that.

     His worry about the ceremony tomorrow eased slightly and Quickclaws found himself growing tired. He yawned, his eyes closing slowly. His worrying had kept him up for the better part of the night and he was finally tired enough to fall asleep. A final blink and his mind went blank.

- ❈ -

Quickclaws reared up, grappling with his opponent. The dragon's featureless face growled at him without moving. The sight unsettled Quickclaws and his grip on the dragon's shoulders faltered.

     His opponent took the opportunity to push him over and in the moment that he was down, he reached for something placed on the table they were fighting near. A flash of metal followed as the dragon raised a long dagger.

     Rearing and opening his jaws, Quickclaws breathed fire, blinding the dragon and buying enough time for him to overpower him. He pounced on him and rolled him over, struggling to keep the dragon from breaking free.

     Unfortunately, his opponent was much larger and much stronger than he was. Quickclaws was thrown aside and into the wall where he crumpled.

     He barely had enough time to look up and throw his talons into a defensive hold as the dagger came flashing down.

- ❈ -

Awakening with a scream, Quickclaws gripped onto the structure of the nest like a vice. His heart was racing a mile a minute and he felt as if he had just fallen from a great height. Quickclaws felt a jolt at his side and he winced, sitting up slowly and stretching his sore limbs. A groan sounded beside him in the darkness, then the dragon lit a torch.

     "Sorry, Speedscar," Quickclaws said.

     "I can't catch more than an hour of sleep with you now. You nearly burned the nest down this time! You need to get a hold of yourself or you'll need to make a new bed until this blows over," the older dragon chided, sitting up too, by the sounds of it. Quickclaws felt his stare linger on him and he hung his head in shame.

     The worst part was that Quickclaws couldn't remember why had woken up in such a panic in the first place.

     Feeling a wing wrap around him, he looked up to find Speedscar trying to console him. "Look, is something bothering you? More than Brisktail or... anything else?"