Young Writers Society

Emerald and Zoltar moved silently through the undergrowth. Strange sounds filled the air as the day wore on. Mist started to float through the forest, twisting and winding around the trees like serpents. The light filtering though the canopy started to fade as the sun sank further and further down the sky. The shadows grow longer, creeping along the ground like the ominous feeling sliding along Zoltar’s scales.

“How far are we from your village?” Zoltar said, looking at Emerald, who was walking next to him. Her ears twitched with every sound and her tail was lashing from side to side ready to whip anything that dared to attack them.

“It's only about half an hours walk away. I'll help you back to your cave tomorrow,” Emerald replied, scanning the forest for signs of movement.

Zoltar swore that he saw slender shapes darting from shadow to shadow, following them as they crept through trees. They never came close enough for him to see what they were, but they were always there, watching and waiting.

“We’re nearly there,” Emerald whispered, scanning the canopy above them.

Zoltar followed Emerald’s gaze and his eyes fell on a long wooden bridge. Green shafts of light shone through the trees leafy branches, lighting up the moss and brightly coloured fungi on the bridge. The walk way was hoisted about nine dragons high in the trees and was two dragons wide. It looked old and had wooden planks missing in parts.

“When we get to the village let me do the talking. Not a word okay. If the Wisp Talon’s catch on that you’re an outsider it’ll be bye, bye, you.” Emerald warned as they carried on under the bridge.

“But how am I going to even get into the village without them noticing me. I can’t change color and I have way more horns than you?” Zoltar’s gut felt like someone was tying it in knots.

“That’s where I come in. I can alter my frill to look like your horns and I’m just going to change my scales to match yours. The Wisp Talons don’t know what Shadow Talons look like. We haven’t be off this island for more than one hundred years. They’ll just think that we’re a…couple,” Emerald scales turned bright red and she ducked her head.

Zoltar smiled in amusement, “Okay then. It seems you have a plan.”

They carried on silently for a few minutes. The sky had faded from turquoise to a dark cobalt and the birds were singing their last song for the day. Their shrill notes echoed through misty air. Crickets were starting play their chorus of squeaks and chirps.

“You know we’re going to have to leave the island as soon as possible after this?” Emerald said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Zoltar nodded. He was still a little worried about entering the Wisp Talon village. What if there were Fangtar’s there? Surely they’d recognize a Shadow Talon?

“Sometime tomorrow morning would be best,” Emerald carried on, “We probably don’t even need to take you back to the cave. We could just fly straight to the maze. It would definitely be safer to do that.”

Suddenly Zoltar remembered Felistia and Shiraku. He couldn’t just leave them like that.

“Wait, Emerald. I would really prefer if we did stop by the cave. I…have to take care of a few issues.”

Emerald looked him slyly, “Oh? And what sort of issues do you have to take care of?”

Zoltar sighed. He should have known she wasn’t going to let him off so easily.

“I have some friends. I met them on the island,” Zoltar wasn’t too sure how much he should let on. It was Felistia’s cave. She might not want Emerald knowing where it was or who was in it.

“Mmm hmm,” Emerald arched the crests above her eyes.

“I was going to ask them if they wanted to come along,” Zoltar looked Emerald optimistically, “You wouldn’t mind if they came along, would you?”

Emerald rolled her eyes and smiled, “Okay, fine. It’s probably better for them to get off the island anyway since the Fangtar will be looking for outsiders more than ever.”

Zoltar beamed, “Thanks Emerald.”