Wings of Fire: Chameleon Shifting

Chapter 25

A/N: Another two chapters! Yay!

And even better, they're REALLY LONG!

:D

Two days later...

Chameleon dropped down onto a sand dune and flopped his tail over his snout, panting and dreary. He needed water- if he wasn't able to drink anything soon, he was pretty sure he'd die of dehydration.

As if the thought summoned it, the silhouette of a small structure appeared in the distance.

Chameleon blinked rapidly. Was it there before?

Is it a mirage?

Am I finally losing it?

Chameleon pushed himself back up from the ground with a grunt and flapped closer to examine the shape. The figure grew taller and more solid. Its borders were no longer blurry and distant.

It was a hut alright.

Chameleon dropped to the ground and studied it. It was a mahogany brown color, a dried sort of brown. The palm fronded roof twitched slightly in the warm breeze. He checked his map again. He saw there was an oasis very close by from where he was standing, but he didn't want to anger whoever was inside the hut by stealing their water.

Then he glanced over and realized the glittering, deep blue ocean was right next to the coast. As thirsty as he was, Chameleon knew he shouldn't drink sea water- it would only make him thirstier.

Please let there be someone inside, Chameleon prayed as he rapped on the door sharply three times.

The door opened.

Standing in the doorway was a long-necked, graceful looking SandWing with a brown triangle pattern on her wings.

"Hello," the SandWing said calmly. "Are you a LeafWing?"

Chameleon opened his mouth. Nothing came out. He tried again. "A what?" he barked.

"A LeafWing."

He narrowed his eyes. "What's a LeafWing?" Is it an insult that I have yet to know about?

The SandWing eyed him up and down again. "Never mind," said the SandWing with a dismissive wave of a talon. "I've been expecting you. Come on in."

Chameleon let out a breath of relief that he hadn't even realized he had been holding. He stepped inside cautiously and sighed happily as the cool air inside the hut greeted him.

"Sit," instructed the SandWing, gesturing to a bed beside her that was matted with palm fronds as well. She closed her eyes and exhaled. "My name is Jerboa. What name do you go by?"

"I- Chameleon," he answered slowly.

"And you came to learn how to read," said Jerboa, still with her eyes closed.

"I- what- yes," stammered Chameleon. "What- how-"

"Hush," said the older SandWing, pressing a talon to his snout. "I'll answer your questions later. You look thirsty. Do you need some water?"

"Yes, please," said Chameleon, clearly relieved.

Jerboa disappeared outside for a short while, then came back in, holding a camelskin pouch filled to the brim with water from the oasis. Chameleon slowly took a sip. It was slightly warmer than he would've liked, but right now he didn't care. He was thirsty.

When he finished, he handed the pouch back to Jerboa. By now he had some of his questions in order. "Who are you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Jerboa. You should know that already."

"Yes, cleverclaws, because you JUST TOLD ME." Chameleon flicked his tail back and forth irritably. "I am asking, who are you exactly? A refugee? An outcast? A royal?" He held his talons out.

"Goodness, dear me, a royal? Absolutely not!" Jerboa snapped herself upright and glared at Chameleon.

Chameleon found her reaction fascinating. "You have some history with royals," he mused, mostly to himself.

"Yes, I do," Jerboa admitted dryly.

Chameleon looked up slowly. "If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what kind of history you have with them exactly?"

Jerboa regarded him for a moment. Finally, she snorted. "Very well. But you may want to sit down for this."