The Quest for Fire - Touch the Sky - Chapter Seven

Shiraku and Emerald were alive. What had they told the Wind Talon Queen? What had she done with them? Were they okay. What did this mean for him and Felistia?

These and a million other thoughts flashed through Zoltar’s mind in the split second it took to register what the Queen had just said.

For a moment his head spun like a whirlwind. Then in the blink of an eye it all settled into one thought, “Yes. I am Zoltar and that Wisp Talon and Sea Talon are the reason I am here.”

He stared defiantly at the Queen, somehow his courage restored. Shiraku and Emerald were alive somewhere in the palace and he needed to be brave and fight for their freedom.

“Hmm, is that so?” The Queen said, the corners of her mouth curve upwards in a slightly amused manner, “Well, I’m sure I can arrange for you to meet them. It would be nice to have someone to distract the Sea Talon. The prison guards tell me she has quite the loud mouth.”

Zoltar blinked, slightly confused. This Queen wasn’t what he’d expected. On one paw she was stern and intimidating, but on the other she seemed kind and understanding. Inwardly, he stamped down on his bewilderment. So what if she was more lenient than Shiler. It didn’t mean he could trust her, not yet.

“What about Felistia?” Zoltar asked, determined to hold his ground, “Where is she?”

“The Ice Talon?” The Lightning Talon’s face darkened, “She’s in a separate prison from the palace. That’s where we keep her kind. Don’t worry though. She’s perfectly healthy. Her guard reported to me this morning.”

“But what about the Lightning Diamond. Doesn’t that prove that we are here to help and aren’t your enemies?”

“It certainly does help in the matter, but one can never be too careful when in our situation. I will debate your little proposal,” The Queen said, seating herself back on her throne, her tail draped over the edge like a sleeping snake, “You’ll hear from me soon.”

With that she roared, “Delareth.”

The door to the throne room open and the Wind Talon scurried in.

“Yes, your Majesty?” he said with a graceful dip.

“Take Zoltar to a more … accommodating living space and be sure to arrange a meeting between him and the Wisp Talon and Sea Talon prisoners.”

Delareth nodded and bowed again.

Zoltar felt panic begin to rise in his chest as Delareth ushered him towards the door way. What about Felistia? When would he see her again?

“Oh and Zoltar, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to keep these.”

Zoltar looked over his shoulder to see the Queen grasping both the Ice Diamond and the Lightning Diamond before the throne room doors closed behind him with defending bang.

…

Back to square one. That was the thought perforating Zoltar’s mind as he was led by Delareth down the main palace hallway. The Queen had both the diamonds and Emerald had her scale. He had nothing to show for the risk and hard work carried out over the last few weeks. He was in almost the exact same position he’d been in before leaving the Shadow Lands.

Zoltar’s mind was still dwelling on these thoughts when Delareth stopped in front of another wooden door not far from the Queen’s throne room. Two guards were stationed outside, brandishing spears in their forepaws.

They dipped their heads upon Delareth's arrival.

“Sir?” one asked, gesturing to Zoltar with the tip of his spear.

“The prisoner? The Queen wanted him to be moved to this section. Please take him to his quarters,” Delareth instructed, handing the soldier a key that had been hanging from around his neck.

“Yes Sir,” the guard nodded, taking the key and motioning for Zoltar to follow him.

Zoltar watched Delareth stride away as the wooden doors were opened to reveal a corridor leading to another closed door.

Sighing, Zoltar followed the guard. It was another prison. The Queen must have wanted him transferred here because it was closer. No doubt so she could interrogate him whenever she wanted, without the hustle of having to drag him out of the prison below.

The soldier, using one of the keys hanging from his own neck, unlocked the door with a hollow click.

Zoltar noted that he put it back around his neck. Getting those keys would be a number one priority if he ever got a chance to escape,

“Hold still for a moment.”

Zoltar almost took an involuntary step back when he saw the guard lean down and begin to unlock the chains around his paws. Then he started unlocking the wires wrapped around his wings, freeing them.

“There,” he said, reaching out to open the door, “Someone will bring you food in few hours, until then make yourself at home.”

With that he opened the door.

Sunlight flooded the passage, bathing Zoltar in its welcoming light. With a deep sigh, he spread his wings as he walked into the room. The warmth was so good on his still frost bitten scales that he almost didn’t notice the guard locking the door behind him.

Taking a moment to bask in the sun’s fiery heat, he looked around the room. There were three windows spaced across the far wall, all barred, but still letting in life giving sunlight. A rock platform was positioned to his left, a thin fur pelt draped over it. To his right, two a small shelves carved from the wall.

Zoltar realized with a brush of relief that this must be a guest room for other dragon tribes, not another prison, at least not in the same way. The Queen didn’t trust him yet, but she must have believed some of his story to have him moved here.

Folding his wings in, he walked over to one of the windows and stared out at the valley below. It was still relatively early morning and the streets in the village below were alive with dragons bustling to and fro.

Dragonets stood in wide open courtyards, striking, trusting and wiping their tails at invisible enemies, before evading away in a tucked roll. Adults circled the skies above them, lunging and tussling with other Wind Talons, each in turn trying to throw their opponent to the ground.

Around the village, savanna spread for miles in great rolling carpets of gold. Herds of zebra and antelope streamed over the grassland, sticking close the many winding rivers splayed out over the landscape.

He didn’t know how long he’d been staring out when the sound of talons and the growl of an angry dragon broke through his thoughts.

“Unhand me,” a sharp voice shrieked from the passage.

Zoltar couldn’t help, but grin. He knew that voice.