The Quest for Fire - Frozen Past - Chapter Eleven

Soon a scarlet evening spread over the land and the golden sun disappeared below the far off mountain peaks, shedding its last dying rays over the shimmering ice. The sky slowly faded from a brilliant pink to a frozen violet and early stars started to twinkle into view like pearls against the deep blue sea. The silver moon rose up the cobalt night sky, casting a square rod of gleaming light across Zoltar's snout as he cast a sorrowful glance out the window.

Shadows shrouded Felistia’s hunched over figure as she sat with her head to the wall. Every once in a while she’d gingerly lick her injuries, but she hadn’t said a word in hours.

Zoltar’s heart went out to her, but he didn’t say anything.

A tornado of questions swirled through his head, but he kept them to himself. If Felistia hadn’t wanted to talk about her past before coming to the Ice Kingdom, she’d definitely not want to talk about it now. He’d have to respect her privacy and try to resist the urge to ask questions. He knew enough to comfort her if she needed it, he didn’t need to know more. He’d just have to wait for her to tell him in her own time.

If this was anything like what he’d experienced back when he’d lost his brother, she wouldn’t want to talk. He’d stayed in his cave for days before he’d wanted to talk to someone.

Felistia didn’t have the luxury of days, but he could leave her be for a few hours longer before talking to her about escape.

In the meantime his mind had been at work.

Now that his muzzle was off he could use his fire. He’d still be able to use it for a day or two more before it became too weak.

He’d examined the case rendering his tail barb useless. At the moment it was wrapped around his barb so tightly that he couldn’t excrete the poison without burning off his tail. If he could melt it enough to get his barb free, he’d be able to use the corrosive poison to burn through the rest of their restraints safely.

If he could do that, at least they’d have a chance at escape.

One thought worried him though. After burning through their restraints and the door lock, Zoltar’s poison would be majorly depleted and his fire was far from reliable at this point. He wouldn’t much to disable the guards with and with Felistia still wounded, she wouldn’t be able to function as well as usual.

Zoltar gritted his teeth. Escape was a long shot. They’d need to get through the guards inside and outside the palace as well as make it out the Ice Talon Kingdom without being caught, but it was better than waiting to die in this cell.

The sound of rough voices outside the cell broke through Zoltar's thoughts. The guards must be changing shifts again.

There was the rattle of a key turning in a lock as the cell door opened with a heavy creak. A blade of bright silver light cut through the dark room, illuminating the fine crystal tendrils creeping over the stone walls.

The same young Ice Talon guard from before stepped through the door and tossed a plate of meat onto the floor, the metal clanging as it hit the frozen floor.

Zoltar could see another guard standing by the door, scowling up the winding tunnel to the heart of the palace.

"There's your food, Shadow Talon," the young Ice Talon growled, glancing back at the other guard, "Hope you enjoy it. It's one of the last meals you'll ever get."

His voice was harsh, but his eyes didn’t carry the same note of cruelty. Then he mouthed something.

Zoltar was taken aback for a moment. What was the guard doing? He raised his eye crests.

The guard motioned for Zoltar to be silent, then mouthed it again. This time Zoltar recognized the words. “Be back tonight. Be ready.”

“Shriken?” Zoltar looked behind him to see Felistia standing up, her face filled with relief.

The guard nodded, flashing a quick smile at her. Reaching behind his wings, he tossed a small bag to her, before he turned to leave, slamming the door behind him. The key clicked heavily in the lock and the clacking of Shriken's footsteps faded into the distance.

Zoltar was speechless for a moment. What had just happened?

“I knew he couldn’t be on her side,” Felistia whispered, her voice ringing with excitement. She clutched the bag, opening it to reveal dried leaves.

Zoltar turned to her. He could only imagine the look of confusion on his face as he asked, “What in suffering serpents name was that?”

Felistia looked up, broken from her moment of glee, “That was my brother. He must have managed to get assigned as our guard. I can’t believe it. I thought he’d forgotten about me.”

“Wait. Slow down a moment. That was your brother? How come you never told me he was a guard?”

“I didn’t want you to get your hopes up. I saw him before, when we were led up to the Throne Room. I hoped for a moment that he’d help us, but he didn’t seem to recognize me. I thought he’d forgotten about me after all this time or that he’d sided with Shiler and her pack of wolves, but now he’s here and he’s going to come back tonight,” Felistia was practically beaming with joy, “He’ll be able to help us escape now.”

Zoltar was silent, his brain processing the hurricane of information just thrown at him. Felistia’s brother was going to help them? He couldn’t believe their luck. With his help, their escape would be almost definite. He might even be able to get the jewel.

“That’s great Felistia. I must say I’m a little lost for words,” Zoltar smiled. For the first time in a long while, hope filled his veins. They could get out of here alive.

“I know, but we must be patient.” Felistia said composing herself after her moment of excitement, “He’ll probably come back next time the guards change shifts, which shouldn’t be long. In the mean time we must act like normal. I don’t think the other guard heard us, but he might check in if we carry on talking.”

Zoltar nodded. He looked at the bag she was still clasping close to her chest, “Are those herbs?”

“Yes,” she dipped her paw into the bag, grabbing some of the herbs and gingerly applying them to her wounds, “He must have seen my wounds before. With these, I should be alright in a few days.”

Zoltar breathed a quiet sigh of relief. With Felistia healed and with Shriken’s help, escape would be much easier.

He looked at the plate of meat on the floor a few feet from him. It wouldn’t hurt to eat while they waited for Shriken to come back.

“Here, we should eat,” Zoltar said, slicing the meat off the bone. He passed a piece to Felistia who devoured it with gusto. It had been a few days since their last meal.

After finished their meal, Felistia curled up near the window. Zoltar sat just a wings length away from her, his chain forbidding him from getting closer.

“I hope Shiraku and Emerald are get on okay without us,” Felistia sighed, her eyes seeming to penetrate through the night as she stared out into the darkness.

“Yah, I hope so too,” Zoltar breathed. It had only been two days since they left them, but if felt like an eternity. It would be good to be back with them, that is if they ever got out of here?

…

The next few hours were torture for Zoltar as he waited for Shriken’s visit. What if the Ice Talon didn’t show up? Felistia seemed to trust him, but Zoltar couldn’t shake the feeling of doubt clouding his mind.

Finally Zoltar heard the scrape of talons coming down the stone walk way to the prison. There was a brief conversation between Shriken and the current guard before the later left, leaving Shriken alone.

“Psst, you guys awake,” Shriken hissed through the door, giving it a light tap with his talon.

Felistia hurried over as close as she could, “Yes, we’re awake. Is it all clear?”

“Yah, there won’t be another shift change for another four hours or so. We’re all clear,” Shriken said as he hurried to unlock the door.

Felistia practically leapt at her brother as he walked in, embracing him as best she could with her shackled wings, “I can’t believe you’re here. I thought you’d forgotten about me.”

“How could I forget about you Felistia? It’s been hell here ever since you were exiled,” Shriken licked Felistia lightly on the snout before stepping back and closing the door, “Do you know how hard it was for me to take you up to that throne room? I was so worried someone would notice my paws trembling.”

Felistia smiled, her eyes glossy with emotion.

“Anyway, I heard what Shiler said. We need to get you out of here,” Shriken said, glancing over at Zoltar questioningly.

Felistia noticed and cleared her throat as she stepped over to Zoltar.

“Shriken, this is my friend, Zoltar. You can trust him.” She said a sternly with a he’s-coming-and-you-can’t-change-it look.

Shriken stared at Felistia for a moment, considering what she’d said, before saying, “Very well then. Good to have you with us Zoltar.”

Zoltar nodded, glad that Felistia had stepped in for him like that. He’d been worried for a moment that he might have to convince Shriken to take him with. He might have accepted dragons from other tribes as friends, but for most dragons the idea was unheard of and frowned upon.

“So what’s the plan?” Felistia asked, sitting beside her brother.

“Well,” Shriken began, “Here’s how it’s going to play out.”