New Flames

Chapter 20

Flame was still thinking about Buzzard's warning as he walked away from Treen's office. The RainWing had tried to convince him to stay and rest for a bit more, but the SkyWing couldn't help but feel nervous.

He didn't want to lay prone for any more time if he could avoid it.

"Someone tried to get me imprisoned by the Queen for something I didn't do... sounds awfully familiar," he thought, as he walked. "But I know it was someone who knew me and Rail's names. Someone who knew us well enough to report me with such confidence. That narrows the lists of suspects down."

He didn't know where he was heading, but he knew he wanted to talk to someone. Someone whose brain moved faster than their talons. The only dragon he was certain he could trust.

"Rail."

He weaved around a few healers, still clumsy from the sleeping dart, and tried to make his way to the place where all dragons seemed to gather: the dining hall.

It took him a bit to navigate the corridors of Summit Central, but he didn't want to ask for help. He was done with that. He needed answers.

Flame reached the dining hall, but soon realized it was early. Too early in the afternoon for anyone to be gathered. The hall was empty, except for some sleepy-looking SkyWings who were resting at a table and a MudWing who was cleaning a counter.

Before thinking too much about it, Flame spread his wings and, after a few attempts, he managed to take off, propelling himself to a small nook of stone on the wall opposite the entry. He was sure that from there, no one would be able to spot him unless he glided down.

And so, he waited. Like a predator stalking his prey, he waited. The hours that passed felt like minutes.

As evening approached, the hall filled with life as both patients and staff gathered to dine. Flame had to narrow his eyes to look through the bustling crowd, but he was sure the dragons he was looking for had now arrived.

Russet. Amber. Yellow. Indigo.

Flame thought about each of them. Before Summit Central, he would have leaped down immediately and demanded the answers he was looking for from them. But now, he was thinking instead. He couldn't help but feel like one of those three was behind it all.

"Ire hates me," Flame thought, looking at her as the bulky SkyWing headed to grab a large piece of meat from the counter, as other dragons moved out of her way. "But she doesn't seem like the sort of dragon to report me. She would have faced me head-on. And she wouldn't have been around in the morning. She works with the cable car, and couldn't have seen me or Rail leave." He clenched his talons. Even the dragon that seemed the most suspicious was, regretfully, innocent. For now.

Ardor bounced next to Ire, whispering something funny to her. Flame guessed it was funny, as he saw the bigger SkyWing do something with her snout that appeared to be laughing. "Ardor is Buzzard's daughter. She knows how the system works. She could have easily written a report, making sure her father found it. However, I'm missing a motive here. Why would she have wanted to frame me? And why place a report, instead of just telling Buzzard, or go after me with security herself?"

Placoid was alone, picking out some equally sad-looking food. The SeaWing seemed to be lost in his thoughts. "Placoid is... weird. We did talk, and I think we're on fine terms, but I know that he hides a darker story. Maybe he still holds a grudge against me. But would he have gone through it? Would he know how to place a report, as a transfer student? He's probably been too busy with studying to find out how. Or maybe... maybe he wouldn't believe other dragons would listen to him. Hm."