Young Writers Society

The grate of talons against rock splintered through Zoltar’s dreams. His eyes flew open, his heart racing as he leapt to his paws. How could he have let himself fall asleep again?

He quickly scanned the cavern, searching for the intruder when his eyes locked on Emeralds.

Zoltar sucked in a deep breath, “Ohh…Emerald. It’s just you.”

The Wisp Talon was sitting near the cave entrance, her azure tail curled over her trembling talons.

“No,” she said quietly.

“What?”

“No,” she said again, this time a little more forcefully, “I don’t believe it.”

“You were right yesterday. I’ve never really believed Eclipse, but recently…after what happened…”

She gritted her teeth, her grip on the rocks tightening, “I just…I can’t keep lying to myself. I can’t keep pretending like everything’s okay. It’s not!”

Zoltar flattened his ears and took a step back, taken a little off guard by Emerald’s sudden outburst.

“I try not to think about it, but I miss her so much. I thought the pain would go away, but it’s not. It’s still there and there’s nothing I can do about it. Jasper won’t talk to me. He just shuts down as soon as I mention her. I can’t do this on my own. I can’t do it alone.”

Emerald sank to the floor, her wings hiding her face as she wept.

Zoltar watched her for a moment, frozen. What should he do? Half of him wanted to comfort her, but at the same time he wasn’t sure how to approach her.

“I had to watch it,” she choked through the tears, “I had to watch the whole thing. I couldn’t leave. We couldn’t leave.”

“Oh Emerald,” Zoltar whispered, his concern for her taking over, “I’m so sorry.”

Walking over, he sat down next to Emerald, placing a paw on her shoulder in an effort to comfort her. Sobs shook Emerald’s chest as she nestled in closer.

Zoltar squeezed her shoulder and wrapped a wing over her. He could only imagine what she must be feeling, how it must have felt to watch her sister die in front of her and be unable to do a thing. Just like what had happened with Nira and Scorpus. How he’d watched, but had been powerless to help.

“I’m sorry for how I acted yesterday.” He knew it would do little to help the grieving dragoness, but it was the only thing he could think of, “I know you’re risking everything to talk to me. I shouldn’t have shouted at you. It wasn’t fair. I’m sorry.”

There was a long pause.

“It’s okay,” Emerald sniffed after a moment. She wiped her snout, “I know why you shouted. Eclipse…my tribe murdered the dragons you loved. You have a right to be angry.”

Zoltar lowered his gaze, unable to look at Emerald. He was angry, but he didn’t want to be angry at her… not anymore. It wasn’t her fault she was in this situation. She’d lost just as much as him.

“Emerald?” Zoltar started slowly, “Why am I here?”

“Hu?” she looked up through tear streaked eyes.

“What do you need from me? I know what’s happening on the island and that you don’t believe what Eclipse is doing is right, but what does that have to do with me?”

“Oh…” Emerald glanced away, looking a little unsure.

“It’s the same thing Topaz was trying to get out of Idra…wasn’t it?” Zoltar whispered, trying his best to be gentle. He couldn’t leave this any longer. The next full moon was in a matter of days. He needed to get out of here before then.

Sure, Emerald was playing nice at the moment, but if it came down to him or a fellow tribe mate he knew which he’d pick. He had get the gem soon and things with Emerald weren’t moving fast enough for that at the moment. If he didn’t make a major breakthrough in the next day or so, he’d have to resort to plan B; stealing the gem.

“She wasn’t trying to get anything out of him,” Emerald murmured after a few long moments, “She…she was just trying to get off the island. She wasn’t forcing him to do anything. It was his choice to help.”

She turned away from him, clutching her tail protectively against her chest. “I have to find a way off this island. Topaz thought it was possible, but only with the help of others. There’s no way a Wisp Talon can cross the maze on their own. She and Idra were going to try to fly to the mainland, but…well.”

“So you want me to guide you through the maze?”

Emerald nodded, “I know it’s a lot to ask, but…I don’t know what else to do. Maybe once I reach the mainland, I could talk to some of the tribes. Maybe they’d be willing to help us. If enough dragons came, Eclipse wouldn’t be able to do anything. He’d have to listen to reason.”

“Oh Emerald, I’m afraid that would never work. They’d never be willing to help you.”

“But why.”

Zoltar sighed, shaking his head, “It’s just the way things are now. Tribes tend to keep to themselves. Trust me, I know. My tribe also sought help from others. It didn’t work. We were turned away every time.”

“Couldn’t your tribe help? We could help each other. If things worked out, you could live on the island. We don’t need a lot of the land.”

She looked at him hopefully.

Zoltar’s heart raced for a moment as hope filled him, but then reality sank in. They’d still need the Ghost Talons. His tribe was simply not strong enough to take on a tribe of healthy Wisp Talons. They’d be slaughtered.

“No,” He said softly, “Believe me, I wish I could, but my tribe wouldn’t stand a chance. We’re simple not strong enough.”

“Oh,” Emerald hung her head, her scales a dejected grey. She breathed a shaky sigh, “Well, I guess there’s no point then, is there? I’d only be saving myself by escaping. I couldn’t do that. I’ll just have to think of another way.”

Zoltar watched as she got to her paws and headed for the exit, “Thanks anyway I guess. If you want, I can fly you back to the maze.”

Zoltar’s mind spun. He had to do something. This was his chance. If he didn’t take it now, he’d never have a chance.

“Wait, Emerald.”