Wings of Fire • Dragon of Warriors [3]

Chapter Twenty-one

It took all day to pack all of the supplies they could use, and even then there was too much to carry in one trip. Quickclaws had been helping mindlessly, ferrying extra packages to stow in the Council Chamber until they could send more dragons back to collect them.

     He stayed quiet and revered after Stratusstream's revelations, deciding that it was best to soak up all the information and deal with it later. Lightningtail tried to cheer him up by hanging around and joking with him. Now, several hours later during nightfall, Quickclaws fidgeted in the nest.

     Rainwind came up with the idea to sleep in the bay, and everyone settled into their old caves. Some, like Brisktail, Speedscar, and Quickclaws didn't have places to stay so, in the end, the three of them plus Lightningtail and Thunderclap crammed themselves into Rainwind's home.

     Quickclaws tried to settle down. That was hard, considering he was fidgety enough to keep himself awake for a while. He tried not to think about anything and just sleep.

     The dragon beside you isn't your father, nagged a tiny voice in his mind.

     Opening his eyes with a soft sigh, Quickclaws took a shallow breath and turned.

     His eyes fell on his mentor's face. Relaxed with sleep, chest rising and falling slowly. He had never admitted it or thought it, but he was the dragon he had come to recognize as his father his entire life. There was no one else like him. He knew that they weren't related deep down but he never thought of it seriously until now.

     Stratusstream had told him that that was a lie. He was a lie. Quickclaws knew he must have had other parents before that but he never questioned his past. This life was all he had, and Quickclaws knew that he was all Speedscar had. There was no time to waste moping about who he used to be.

     He was always a good dad, Quickclaws thought as Speedscar stirred slightly. Always there, so happy and proud of every accomplishment I made. Quickclaws smiled to himself, remembering how easily he and Speedscar got along. They had respect and trust for each other, counting on one another. He knew how to be a father, Quickclaws realized. It came so naturally. He knew how to teach me, discipline me, and lead me. I've never thought about it... but... what if...

     Just then, Speedscar inhaled sharply. A twig from the nest tapped against his nose and he sneezed, blinking awake. He looked to Quickclaws, seemingly sensing his gaze.

     "What's up, kiddo? Got something on your mind?"

     Quickclaws realized he felt scared. He had never dared ask anything about Speedscar's past, or how he had come into his care, or what family Speedscar had. He never mentioned any and Quickclaws never thought more.

     "Um... I was just thinking..." his voice wavered, and Speedscar picked up on the hesitation.

     "I know," his mentor said, rolling over to his side and resting his head to see him better. Speedscar smiled in the darkness and pulled a wing around Quickclaws, covering their heads just like he used to when he was a dragonet and still scared of thunderstorms. "Better?"

     "Much," Quickclaws smiled, leaning forward filling the space between them. He felt Speedscar wrap his arms around him too, his head leaning in to encompass Quickclaws' horns.

     Just like that, any doubts and worries melted away. Similar to when he was three, Quickclaws smiled, burrowed his snout into Speedscar's chest, and fell asleep.

- ❈ -

And of course, his peaceful slumber had to be ruined.

     He opened his eyes to see a light gray chest, not unlike the comforting darkness he had closed his eyes to. He panicked, trying to wiggle out of the dragon's hold but their talons tightened into a death-grip. Quickclaws cried out in mixed pain and desperation, beating his back talons against his opponent's stomach. Or, trying to, and getting kicked back in the process.