Storm Rising

Chapter Thirteen- Tempest

The two dragons breathed blue flame at exactly the same moment the FlameWing breathed bright orange flame, causing the three streams to collide in midair.

Their was a blinding flash as the dragons fought to gain the upper hand. Eventually the two StormWings took the advantage and caused the FlameWing to have to duck their flame.

"Into the air!" Called Thunderhead.

As one the StormWings took off, but Thunderhead felt a talon grab his tail and yank back to the ground. The bigger FlameWing and Thunderhead pinned against the ground.

Thunderhead cried out as the other dragon dug his claws into his shoulders. Thunderhead gathered his flame in the back of throat, but Hurricane came out of nowhere and raked his claws across the other dragon's neck, causing the FlameWing to whirl around and roar in anger.

Hurricane circled the dragon, and Thunderhead breathed blue flame onto his neck. Hurricane joined in and the FlameWing cried out in pain as his fire immunity wore off and they managed to burn through his scales.

He fell to the ground dead, and Thunderhead put out the small blue fires that had started during the fight.

"Thank you." Said Thunderhead to Hurricane, who only nodded.

"Don't leave yet." Hissed a voice.

They both turned to see a crimson red dragon facing them.

"The fun isn't over."

The new dragon smiled wickedly, his yellow eyes full of hatred. Thunderhead backed up, the claw marks on his shoulders bleeding badly. Hurricane bared his teeth at the FlameWing, growling low in his throat.

Above them thunder rolled and they looked at each other. The FlameWing didn't show any signs of fear and advanced on them. Thunderhead launched himself into the air, Hurricane following close behind.

They breathed blue flame at the crimson dragon, but he countered it with his own searing flame. Thunderhead dodged it and winced as a nearby tree burst into flame.

Thunderhead followed Hurricane up into the sky, flying through the pine and trees and up into the sky. They heard the FlameWing take off below them, following close on their tales.

The three dragons clawed their way into the sky, grey clouds swirling around them. Thunderhead dodged the flame from the crimson dragon and spread his wings wider, using the gusts of the storm to sail higher.

The FlameWing below them struggled against the gusts, not knowing how to properly navigate a storm's crisscrossing drafts.

Suddenly Thunderhead felt heat scorch his wingtip, burning the grey scales. He hissed in pain and turned on the crimson dragon, breathing his blue flame at him.

The FlameWing let hit him, lashing out with his claws, raking them down Thunderhead's side. He roared in pain, cutting of the stream of fire as the crimson dragon slashed the skin connecting his wing bones.

Thunderhead plunged towards the ground, unable to stay airborne with a torn wing. As he watched from somewhere a spear flew through the air, plunging into the FlameWing's neck.

He shrieked and fell towards the ground, joining Thunderhead in his plunge to the pine trees far below. He watched however as Hurricane pulled into a dive, coming for him.

The other StormWing reached him as the pine trees began to get dangerously close, catching him by the talons.

Hurricane fanned his wings, his claws digging into Thunderhead's wrists. He managed to slow their dissent as they both crashed through the trees, landing hard on the forest floor.

Thunderhead lay their for a moment, his head throbbing, the gash on his side stinging. His torn wing protested when he moved it, but he ignored the pain.

"Hurricane?" He asked, going over to the other dragon.

"Yeah?" He asked, heaving himself to his feet.

"Are you in one piece?"

"I think," he said, checking.

They both looked up when they noticed a shape in the forest. At first Thunderhead thought it was another FlameWing, but then he saw her black scales and the shining steel grey armor the StormWings wore.

It covered her chest, neck, back, legs and the front of her wings, a sleek helmet resting on her head.

This dragon was a warrior.

"Are you two alright?" She asked, coming over to them.

The spear she held in her talon was stained red with FlameWing blood, her eyes a stunning shade of sky blue.

"Yeah," Hurricane answered.

Thunderhead spread his injured wing, looking at the tear. Three ragged claw marks sliced through the grey skin, blood trickling from the gashes.

"I'm not flying anytime soon." Said Thunderhead.

"We can get you to an infirmary." Said the warrior, tilting her head.

"Who are you?" Asked Hurricane.

"Tempest." She answered.

"I lead a battalion of soldiers. Right now we're protecting the last 3,000 or so StormWings that are left."

Thunderhead nodded, tucking his injured wing tight against his body.

"Seeing as you can't fly, we need to get moving." Said Tempest, beckoning them with a wing.

The wind began to howl, whistling through the pine trees. It was a sound Thunderhead hadn't realized he had missed.

It was somehow calming, putting his worried mind at ease.

"Why were you out here alone?" Asked Tempest, looking over her shoulder at them.

"We came from Pyrriah." Answered Thunderhead.

"So you went with the one the prophecy spoke of?" She asked.

"Yes, she is my daughter."

Tempest nodded, looking up at the sky.

"She is a brave dragonet." She said.

"Making that journey must have been hard."

Thunderhead nodded, thinking of how he had left Thunder and Nimbus back on the other continent.

"We came to get the last of the StormWings, RiverWings and ForestWings." He said.

"The FlameWings and their allies are coming to Pyrriah, we need to be ready."

Tempest was silent for a moment, and he could tell the Commander was thinking.

"There has been unusual amounts of movement in the FlameWing kingdom. They were amassing large amounts of soldiers. My guess is they are getting ready to leave."

"We need to beat them to it," said Thunderhead, "it's our only chance."

"I can send a messenger," Tempest said.

"They will reach the Forest and RiverWings in a day's time. Whether that will be enough is the question."

She sighed, and Thunderhead knew she was tired and stressed. Keeping their tribe alive had to be hard, fighting three tribes at once.

"I have a question," Tempest said, stopping.

Thunderhead came up beside her and she looked at him.

"Can Thunder save us?"

Thunderhead locked eyes with the weary Commander, saw the pain and the grief in her eyes, but also saw a faint glimmer of hope in her sky blue eyes. Hope placed in his daughter.

"I have no doubt in my mind." He answered, continuing forward.

"She will save us all."