Wings of Fire • Dragon of Warriors [3]

Chapter Fourteen

Silence stunned Quickclaws for a moment, then worry overtook him and he shook his head at Brisktail's proposal.

     "No, we can't! Your soul is in danger!" he protested, to which Lightningtail bonked him over the head. Quickclaws mouthed a hurt "Ow," until he realized why she had clocked him: two SwiftScales were passing by and one was looking over his shoulder at Quickclaws.

     "Keep it down!" Brisktail hissed, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside. Lightningtail, Thunderclap, and Rainwind followed.

     "Why do you insist on protecting me?" Brisktail continued, rather angrily. His golden eyes glared at Quickclaws.

     "Because I'm worried about you!" Quickclaws whisper-yelled, "And I don't want to lose you!"

     It seemed that Brisktail didn't know what to respond with. His glare softened as he calmed down. He flicked his eyes towards Rainwind and he quieted fully.

     "Why don't we solve your problem then?" Thunderclap suggested. All eyes turned to him. He lowered his voice and continued. "Why don't you enchant a pebble or something to follow your commands? You could make it so that you could make all of us invisible and able to see each other and such. Then you won't have to make enchantments every time."

     Brisktail shook his head. "No, you're right, maybe I shouldn't use my magic anymore... but..." His eyes flicked to the ground. He picked up a pebble and before Quickclaws could say anything, he whispered a few words.

     "What did you do?" Rainwind asked. She looked worried.

     Brisktail hid the pebble in his pouch and flicked his tail for them to follow. "We're all invisible now. I can turn it on and off whenever I like."

     Seeing the cold indifference Brisktail responded with, Quickclaws realized it really would be best he stopped using the magic. Best save that argument for another time. For now, they needed to focus.

     Following Brisktail through the resting SwiftScales, they snaked their way towards the front of the group. The Queen and King were waiting with Bloodworm, Fast-talon, Speedscar, and Falconeye. Spreading his wings to stop Thunderclap and Lightningtail, then tapping Rainwind's and Brisktail's tails, Quickclaws watched and waited for the Monarch's next move.

     Queen Swansong and King Rapidwings talked to Bloodworm for a while, until the three of them nodded to Fast-talon and the others, turning away. Falconeye jumped into the air and noisily dodged stalactites as she flew over the SwiftScales. Fast-talon stayed, while Speedscar walked back to the group. Quickclaws began moving forward, walking as silently as he could. He followed Bloodworm as he led the Monarchs to a huge cavern.

     The echoes in this space multiplied tenfold. It was a massive gorge, bigger than the one they just crossed. The ravine snaked off to the horizon in both directions, stalactites hanging from the ceiling like jagged teeth. A gentle red glow emanated from the depths of the abyss and looking down, Quickclaws was surprised to see lava. This ravine felt warmer than the other caves. All along the walls were caves. High above, perched on the ceiling, groups of CaveWings hung like bats. It was an odd, yet enchanting sight.

     Bloodworm spread his wings. "We refer to this place as the Heart of the Underground. It's from this place that all the other caves and ravines lead to. We will fly from here to the Mother's Cave. You cannot bring light, so you will have to follow the sound of my voice and wings."

     With that, their guide to the caverns glided off into the gloom.

     Swansong and Rapidwings jumped after him, their gentler flaps quieter than Bloodworm's sporadic beatings. The three seemed to be heading for a huge black scar in the side of the ravine. Quickclaws followed Brisktail's lead as he glided after the trio silently. The drafts from the lava far below aided in keeping them afloat.