Peril [A WoF Perspective]

Chapter 1

4 Years Later...

Peril sat in the empty cave, fiddling with a black stone.

She was nervous today, for she had just turned 4, and Mother Scarlet had promised a surprise. She was anxious to know what it was. She wanted to know not later, but now.

She tapped the stone floor. All she could do was wait. The dimly lit cave seemed to get more boring everyday she spent in it. She wished she could decorate it, or- OoH! Invite someone over, like Mother Scarlet! Then again, Mother Scarlet came in almost everyday to give her more black rocks.

Speaking of black rocks... she hadn't really been in the mood for them, today, so she had begun to make a pyramid out of them. She hoped Mother Scarlet would like it... she hadn't spent too long on it, but she enjoyed making it.

Peril pondered on what Mother Scarlet might like. Perhaps gems? She could make her a black rock gem! She pondered more. Then again, she wasn't allowed to have any materials, so how would she make a necklace? Maybe instead of a necklace, she could make...

'A black rock bracelet!'

She had accidentally said aloud cheerfully. The guards looked at her like she was insane, and rolled their eyes.

'Don't get too crazy.'

One said in her cracked, dry and dusty voice.

'Maybe you could make yourself a coal muzzle.'

The other snarled. Hurricane was always snippity in the mornings.

'Snippity snappity!'

Peril chuckled playfully. Hurricane growled once more. Peril sighed. She wondered what would happen if she tried to get out- although she would never do that. Perhaps she would get her present early?

Excitement built up inside her. Maybe she would be able to get more than a present! If she did do it, she'd have to do it soon, for Mother Scarlet usually came around this time. Peril stared at the only entrance and exit, a small and curved opening. The guards sat in position, looking forward defensively.

She pondered for a moment. She could just brush out... but that would hurt the guards. She winced. The only person she had ever hurt was Mother Scarlet, but that was so long ago.

She tapped on the floor intensely.

'Would you keep it down?!'

Hurricane groaned with annoyance. Peril halted. Hmm... keep it down... she had an idea. She continued to tap, louder and louder each time.

'GRRaAAh- Stop!'

Hurricane whipped around. The other guard tried to calm him, but it was ineffective. He stomped up to Peril,

'Just stop it!!'

He roared. Peril looked up with baby doll eyes. She did that every time Hurricane yelled at her. He snarled, padding out. Peril didn't know why, but she could guess it was to get something as an offer of peace to Peril.

Hopefully it's Mother!

Peril thought happily. Smiling, she looked at the other guard.

'No can do.'

The old dragon had already known what she was thinking, as if she was a NightWing. She frowned.

'Can I at least go for a swim?'

She stared at the guard thoughtfully. The guard shook her head.

'Why not?'

The guard narrowed her eyes.

'Last time you took a swim you washed up on shore, a steaming ball of flame.'

She chuckled.

'I remember when her Majesty had picked you up, and she screamed, I was there with her...'

The guard continued her story.

'Thanks Yew!'

She called, putting her paw in the water. bBBbrrrr... Even if she was a burning ball of flaming, hot scales, it was a bit cold to her. Yew closed her eyes,

'Speaking of which, have I ever told you about how I earned my name?'

Peril's body was now halfway into the stream.

'Nope!' She giggled.

'Well, I was born to an assassin and a thief, so you can expect I was named something deadly, but...'

The weak storyteller continued. Peril hadn't heard anymore but small muffles. Steam rose from where she swam. The cool water seeped in between her scales. She felt like a SeaWing, except for the fact that- Peril swam up to inhale more air.

'There-!'

was all she heard. She had to hurry! She used her wings and legs to propel herself through the stream. The current helped her as well, but it also helped the guard behind her! Yew was catching up! She rose up, catching a breath from the small space between the ceiling and the water. Swiftly, she dove down into the depths of the river. It was super dark. She really wished she had SeaWing night vision right about now! She swam sluggishly and blindly, bubbles rising to the top as if she was drowning. Well... currently... she was.

Peril flailed her limbs around hopelessly. She couldn't breathe! Quickly, she bumped to the top. No... she realized she was trapped. The current brought her closer and closer to her doom. No no no! She tried struggled to fight the riptide. Bubbles rose rapidly as she slowly began to go unconscious. Her eyes shut, and she prepared to see the afterlife...