Wings of fire A story of the sands

Chapter 5 Hidden away

He stalked his prey as it slithered up the dunes. It looked up and shot glances around. It was a dragonbite viper. Sandtail wasn't really sure if these were safe to eat. But it had been a whole day since he had eaten. This snake would be a backup plan if he couldn't find other food soon. Sandtail fell against the sand for camouflage as it looked round.

He closed his eyes so the snake couldn't see them. He heard it slowly slither onwards. His eyes fluttered open again. It was nearly on top of the dune. The good thing about the sand was that it didn't make much sound when he quickly trotted up behind the snake. He fell back on his hunkers teeth ready to strike.

Maybe it wouldn't be wise to sink his teeth into its back maybe if his claws struck its head then it wouldn't be able to bite him... But it detected him and swung its head round with a hiss and lunged at his arm.

But Sandtail was faster he slipped out of the way and the vipers fangs dug into the sand. It's head shot up and stared at him with beady eyes ready to strike again. It's tongue flickered in and out. It hissed at him. Sandtail hissed right back.

He circled the snake a few times before striking. The snakes head swerved out of the way. Now his stomach was vulnerable. The snakes mouth opened and darted down to his stomach he rolled out of the way. And darted up to the snake. It was about to lunge at him again but Sandtail flapped up into the air and landed on its head squishing it. He got up. The snake had been flattened. Great now him am I going to eat a snake with all its guts fallen out? Yuck!

There was a small noise in the distance. He listened more to small to be a snake. Maybe a rodent? He saw it scurried along under a rock. A jerboa. Just the food he needed. It obviously was trying to hide under the rock away from him. He flipped it upward and the Jerboa coward in the sand.

Sandtail scooped it up into his mouth. Delicious! Best thing I've had for awhile. Wing beats echoed in the distance. Oh no, don't tell me Blister found me? He whirled round to a purple black dragon. "Starburst?" He said hopefully. "Have you ever seen another Nightwing as purple as me?" He searched his mind. "Nope!" She grinned. "So who else could it be?" He grinned back. Suddenly her wings drooped and tail dropped. "We need to go" she said looking around warily. As if searching for someone or expecting death to fall upon them.

She saw his puzzled and explained. "We'll never be able to meet again if you don't come with me, also Morrowseer is comming to kill you" she said her claws brushing the sand.

Am I going to die? Would Morrowseer actually come kill me? Or was it just a threat? Do I really want to find out? "Alright" he breathed and nudged her snout. "I believe you"  They took off. They flew farther than the oasis. On the way they dropped to the sands to enjoy a meal. The sun was dropping down now. And the moons rose behind them.  The sky was a bright orange mixed with blues,pinks,yellows,reds and blacks.  He dared to ask. "Where are we going"  She looked tense. "I can't tell you...but I can show you" she said as they reached snowy mountain peaks. He wasn't used to this cold weather. It sent cold ripples down his scales. "Stay down" Sandtail said. "Yours and my scales will be easy to spot"

They ran around the rocky jagged peaks and duck behind cliffs. "We should camp out for the night" Sandtail suggested glancing at the two crescent moons and stars in the sky.  "No she said. "We can't risk it what if an Icewing spotted us? And I have to get back..."she past another cliff. "Well at least let's fly wherever we're going" he said agitated now.  "You'd be to   obvious from the sky. Unless if you flew under me" She lifted of and Sandtail under her. He was bigger so his wings showed and tail.

Beneath them was a sandy beach but icy cold. The tide rushed around the rocks and seaweed. Razor shells lay on the sandy floor and seashells seaweed and rocks decorated the floor. Starburst huffed In and out. They drooped down brushing the sea with there wings.  There was a vast nothing for awhile. Just empty sea and the two moons shimmering down on the water. "It's so pretty out here"  Sandtail said.

She hid a smile. Across the water a thin outline came into view.  An island. Not green or lovely warm beaches. No. It was the opposite of that. Black beaches craggy rocks and mountains a giant volcano. It reeked of death and pain. It got warmer as they neared. But not sand warm or sun warmth not the baking desert. It was boiling hot like lava. It made him drowsy. How can they seriously live here? Is this the home of the Nightwings? It's horrible! Starburst suddenly looked quite grim.

She knew this place was awful. But wouldn't admit it. She dove down to a small cave that he could barely fit into. "You'll need to hide in here for now, I'll come see you in the morning I promise" starburst said guilty.

He settled down glumly as she squeezed out the entrance. Sleep wouldn't come fast tonight. He was sure of it.