Dark Snow

13

     The SandWings herded her around the oasis to the opposite side, where another SandWing met them. She was small, wiry, and her scales where darkish brown, with a paler underbelly. Around her talons wrapped curious bandages, the color of bright gold. She wore no other jewelry except a small golden cuff at the very base of her tail, wrapped close around the barb, and a golden chain around her neck. Fennec rushed to meet her, spreading her wings lightly to block her from view. The SandWing nodded quickly after a moment, stepping back and rushing to a large tent a little way up the bank of the lake. After she had disappeared between the flaps, Fennec motioned to one of the SandWings, whispered in his ear, then led the way up to the tent. Blackice looked around one last time, trying to see if there was a way she could escape but seeing the grim faces of her guards, she thought better of it. They pushed her toward the entrance, where they were stopped by two SandWings, guarding the entrance to the tent. One guard slipped inside the tent and came out a moment later, motioning them in. Blackice took a deep breath as the SandWings marched her in. When they entered the tent, the SandWings split off and sat along one side of the tent. Coyote and Fennec sat on the other side, wrapping their tails around their claws. Opposite the opening, there was a sort of raised area, with pillows and rugs draped cross it. Another rug lay on the ground at the platform's base. Blackice stood awkwardly at the entrance, trying not to attract attention to herself, which was next to impossible. She hunched her shoulders and pulled her white wings in close to her body, and ducked her head. Everyone in the tent was waiting for something, but Blackice had no idea what. What seemed like an eternity passed. A flap next to the platform came swishing open, and out came two SandWings. The first one was quite tall, with strange dark tan markings on her scales. Her eyes were strange, dark brown with a black ring around the iris. The second was short, pale yellow, and wore several gold bracelets and rings on her talons and claws. A pouch was secured around her throat, and a dagger was sheathed at her ankle. When Blackice looked closer, she seemed quite young, but carried herself with an air of authority. The first SandWing went and sat with Coyote and Fennec, while the second climbed up onto the platform. Every dragon in the tent had stood up when she entered, and once she had settled herself on the rugs, everyone sat back down. She looked around the tent for a moment, before resting her gaze on Blackice. Blackice felt as if tiny needles were stabbing between her scales, so unsettling was her glare. "Coyote," said the SandWing. "Explain what you dragged home this time." Coyote stood, lifting his head defiantly. Blackice realized that they were close in size, perhaps even the same age. "Obsidian, this is Blackice, a NightWing-IceWing hybrid. I was out with the Tsuyoi leader on a patrol of the northwestern desert, when we bumped into her. Jujube convinced her to join the Tsuyoi, and she accepted. During the raid, she caught me in the marketplace with my patrol, and attacked us alone. We overpowered her, and brought her here for you to decide what to do with her." Coyote finished speaking and sat back down. Obsidian scrutinized her, noting Blackice's armband. She turned toward the first SandWing that had entered with her. "Sahara, what happened to the dragonets the raid was supposed to obtain?" She inquired. "Only two were brought back, the third escaped when she charged Coyote," Sahara responded, flicking her tail at Blackice. Obsidian stared at Blackice a bit more. "I would like to talk to her privately," she finally said, addressing the rest of the SandWings. "Go do your patrols and whatever else you have assigned for today. For the next few weeks, there won't be any more raid on the Tsuyoi camp until I give the go-ahead." Obsidian stood up, and went back through the entrance she had went through earlier. Fennec followed her, seeming to be arguing with her. Blackice waited until everyone had left the tent, then moved to a corner and tented her wings over her head. What has happened to my life? She screamed at herself. I was doing just fine, living by myself and surviving, but then I was stupid and wanted some adventure. Now I'm certainly getting one. Her thought train was interrupted by someone poking her shoulder. It was Coyote. "What do you want?" She asked, turning her head away. "I'm sorry about my sisters," he said, ducking his head. Blackice whipped around, her eyes wide with surprise. "Sahara and Obsidian are your sisters?" She exclaimed in astonishment. He nodded, adding, "And Fennec." "What else did you not tell me?" She asked, now furious. "Cause I really think I need to know about who your family is." He frowned. "Maybe...." He looked like he was about to burst and tell her everything, but then he snapped his mouth shut, and looked at the floor again, clutching his horns in frustration. He finally looked up after a moment, looking like he was about to cry. "Obsidian will tell you," he said in a choked voice, before moving past her and to the tent exit. "I wish things were different. I wish I could tell you," he whispered, more to himself than Blackice. He pulled aside the flap, and left the tent. Just as his tail swished out of sight, the SandWing with the gold bandages on her talons pulled aside the curtain next to the platform. She looked nervous as she spoke to Blackice. "Obsidian will speak with you now."

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Wooooo! Successfully published unlucky 13 without any problems. Is it too early to say that? Um....

Oh well, I hope you enjoyed the last few chapters, please vote and comment, and make sure to look out for 14!