Young Writers Society

Zoltar shook, his throat burning hot with the urge to finish the job his first fire ball had failed to complete. He glared at the dragon standing just outside, oblivious to the turmoil surging through him. If it weren’t for these infernal vines, he’d be at Solar’s throat right now. That dragon didn’t deserve to breathe the same air she had. So what if he died, at least then he would have avenged Nira and Scorpus.

He clinched his paws. If it weren’t for the vines wrapped around them, he was sure he would have pierced his own scales with how hard his grip was. He couldn’t take this. He couldn’t just lie here, with that murder outside. Murderers.

Eclipse was just as guilty. Sure, he hadn’t done the actual deed, but he’d played a talon in it. They were both guilty. They were both killers. He didn’t care what he did. As far as he was concerned, he was prepared to burn down the whole village with him in it.

Smoke poured from his snout, small tongues of flame licking at the back of his throat as his entire chest burned with supressed fire. They would all burn.

Eclipse snarled and got to his paws, the roof creaking under his weight, “Whatever, I’ll deal with Nova later. I’ve got more pressing matters at the moment.”

Solar tilted his head, his blood red horns flickering in the moonlight.

“We still have to deal with that Wisp Talon.”

“I thought you said that Emerald wasn’t a problem.”

Zoltar stiffened, the mention of her name shooting through his thoughts like an icy shard.

“She’s started talking again. She’s causing unrest among the other dragons. I thought this would die out once the Shadow Talon captured, but…” He sucked in a deep breath, “Apparently this is more than just her sister’s words doing. She’s become a threat.”

Zoltar’s blood ran cold. Emerald was in danger. How? How had Eclipse found out about them? Had they been followed? His head spun with the thought. All that time he thought the cave had been safe. Eclipse must have been watching the whole time.

A chilling thought entered his mind. Had that been why Sidious had disappeared? Had the Ghost Talon sensed the Wisp Talons presence?

A low growl rumbled through his chest. Of course the Ghost Talon had left at the first hint of danger. After all he was only interested in saving his own scales. Why had he ever thought that the dragon would be helpful?

“So what do you want to do?” Solar asked, though his eyes betrayed that he already knew the answer.

Eclipse exhaled, “We’ll get rid of the Shadow Talon first. The tribe will question it if we don’t. Next full moon, we’ll take care of her.”

Solar nodded, his eyes darting to the floor, before he drew in a quick breath, “Alright.”

Eclipse hummed, satisfied, “Keep an eye on Nova when he gets back. I don’t want any more accidents.”

A few stray twigs cluttered to the floor as the Wisp Talon launched off of the hut, his wings pounding the air as he took flight.

Solar’s gaze trailed him as Eclipse flew off into the night. He sucked in a ragged breath, shaking himself before leaning back against the door frame. He muttered to himself quietly as he fussed with his talons.

Zoltar strained to hear what he was saying, but the words were carried away be the light evening breeze sweeping through the forest.

Frustrated, he settled back down. Well that changed a few things.

As much as he wanted to rip out Solar’s throat, he couldn’t exactly set the whole forest ablaze. No, this wasn’t all about him. There were other lives involved. Emerald and Jasper were good dragons and they probably weren’t the only ones. If he burned the forest down, not only would it kill all the Wisp Talons, including Emerald, but it would also make the island uninhabitable for the Shadow Talons.

No, he needed to think this through a little, before turning to blind fury. There was a reason why this was the first thing young soldiers learned. Fire was a last resort and was to be used sparingly.

He snorted softly, the tip of his snout smarting and not just from Solar’s talon wound. He narrowed his eyes, studying the creepers wrapped along his snout. The ones closest to his nostrils were smoking slightly, blackened patches darkening the once green vines.

He smiled. Well, no one ever said that he couldn’t use his flames at all. He sighed contentedly, laying his head over his paws. At least now he had the beginnings of an escape plan.

He wouldn’t act tonight. No, not until Nova was back. He’d have the best chance at escape with that dragon guarding. Revenge would have to wait for now. At the moment he just needed to lay low and try not to draw attention to himself. If he was lucky, they’d forget to give him more herbs or find it unnecessary.

He grinned again, flexing his claws as best he could. He wouldn’t hold back this time. He would get out of here or die trying.