Young Writers Society

The gentle drip, drip of water trickling down the cave walls was all that broke the heavy silence hanging in the air. Sunlight streamed through the sea weed cloaked entrance and yet, it did nothing to bring Zoltar warmth.

He sat with his head pressed against the back wall, his amethyst horns slick with water droplets. He was alone. All alone again.

He knew he’d done the right thing. Felistia and Shiraku would be safe now.

He also knew that he shouldn’t be this shook up about them leaving. He’d only known them a few days after all, not to mention that one of them was a Sea Talon. He should be happy to have them out the way. It wouldn’t be complicated any more. He could come and go from the cave whenever he wanted. No more lies or cover ups. He should be relieved.

He groaned. Then why did it hurt so much?

He glanced down at his talons, his claws grasping the stone in a vice like grip. He had to get a hold of himself. Sidious could be here any moment, now that he didn’t have to hide anymore. Zoltar couldn’t let him see him like this. It was already going to bad enough.

He should be thinking of something to say, a good comeback or a plan of some sort. Not mope because some dragons he’d just met, left.

He shook his head and sucked in a deep breathe. It would be fine. He’d have had to leave them anyway once he’d gotten the gem. Maybe this was easier. Now he could focus on the mission, instead of splashing about the ocean without a clue in the world.

Zoltar stared at the cave wall, studying the millions of tiny cracks scuttling along its surface as he tried to focus his mind. The first thing he had to do was find the Wisp Talon village. Once he’d done that, he’d be able to make a better plan. He couldn’t do anything until then.

He should start scouting the island. Maybe even creep around on paw for a little bit, get the lay of the land. He hadn’t been to the east side of the island yet. He hadn’t really been much further than the lake. He should start there.

He was about to get to his paws when a sudden rush of wing beats broke the silence.

‘Felistia!’ Zoltar thought excitedly, whipping around. She must have come back. Maybe she was going to forgive him?

He stopped short, his smile disappearing when he saw the dragoness. Perched on the ledge leading out the cave was Emerald, the sea weed draped over her cloud grey scales. She shuffled nervously on her talons as she kept looking from him to back behind her.

“Emerald? What are you doing here?” Zoltar asked, bewildered. He was disappointed that it wasn’t Felistia, but he was still somewhat pleasantly surprised by her appearance. It was better that Sidious.

She smiled sheepishly, “I…um…I saw the other two leave earlier. They flew off further along the coast. The blue one was hissing insults. I thought I’d…um… come see if everything was alright?”

She flicked her ears back as she rubbed her talons nervously.

Zoltar stifled a small smile. She was sweet. Sure, she was a Wisp Talon and he had to be careful, but still.

“Yah. We kinda had a fight. We decided to split up.” He kept it short, not wanting to go into the details.

“Oh,” a guilty look crossed Emeralds snout as she whispered in a small voice, “I take it you told them about me then?”

He nodded slowly, “They didn’t take it very well.”

“Sorry about that,” Emerald looked away for a moment as she rubbed a paw over her shoulder, “I guess you don’t really want me around anymore then?”

“No…no. Don’t go,” Zoltar said, stepping forward before he knew what he was doing, “Its fine. I had to tell them some other…things… as well. It’s not like that was the only reason they left.”

‘What are you doing?’ His mind screamed, ‘Stop being so friendly. You can’t be friends with her. This is what got you in trouble with the others in the first place.’

Emerald smiled, her ears pricking up, “You sure? You seemed rather upset when you found out I’d been following you last night.”

“Well…it was quite a bit to take in,” Zoltar said, shifting nervously, “and you have to admit that it’s quite a strange situation. What you’re doing isn’t really normal.”

“Well, I guess that makes two of us,” Emerald flicked her tail, a mischievous grin flashing over her snout, “You’re not at all like I thought you’d be either.”

Zoltar blushed, dropping his gaze quickly. What was he doing?

‘You’re digging yourself another hole, that’s what you’re doing,’ he thought. This couldn’t last… could it?

No! Definitely not. This was a really stupid idea. He just gone through the pain of parting with the other two. Why was he doing this? He knew it wouldn’t last. At least with Felistia, there wasn’t the risk that she’d sic her tribe on him. Not to mention that he’d have to leave Emerald in a few days anyway. The full moon sacrifice wasn’t all that far off and she’d give him up eventually. This strange curiosity she had for him would have to run out sooner or later.

But still a small voice argued against this. He had a few days before he had to worry. He should make the most of it.

He could use some company now that Felistia and Shiraku were gone, not to mention that he might be able to get some information out of Emerald. She could make finding the Wisp Talon village and the gem much easier.

“Say,” Emerald started slowly, her talons rubbing the scales along the tip of her tail anxiously, “Since you don’t look like you’re doing anything…would you… maybe… like me to show you around the island a little?”

She gave him a sideways smile as she looked at him hopefully.

Zoltar scratched behind his horns as he thought about her offer. It couldn’t hurt…right? She seemed friendly enough. It couldn’t be a trap. If she wanted to capture him, all she’d had to do was show up here with a few of her fellow Wisp Talons this morning. Why go through all the trouble of becoming friends with him, only lead him into a trap?

“Sure,” he said finally as he threw caution to the wind, “Why not?”

Emerald gave him another playful grin as if she were debating answering the question.

Instead, she spread her wings and bonded out of the entrance.

“Come on then,” she cried as she flew out over the beach. As soon as the sunlight hit her pebble grey scales, the dull hue washed away, leaving them a blazing mix of violet and gold.

Zoltar leapt out after her, his heart thumping with excited anticipation as he soared out over the now familiar evergreen forest. He was taking a chance following her, but what did he really have to lose?