Dear Constellation,

Thank you for the carvings. They're absolutely beautiful! I like how the dragons look like they're going to fly. Did you use onyx or obsidian for the black one? and marble for the white one? Please write back soon. I miss you. I hope I can see you at High Stone soon with your sisters. Daybreak says hello!

Regards, Nebula

Nebula looked at the letter, satisfied. She rolled the scroll up and left it on her desk so she could send it later. She put it beside the carvings of the two dragons. Nebula picked up the black dragon, stroking the smooth, cold surface.

The dragon was poised with wings spread out and tail lashing in the air. Constellation was so good at carving and drawing. The only thing Nebula was good at? Debating, or rather, manipulating others. Nebula stroked the drawing Constellation had sent to her a month ago.

She stood up and left the airy room, heading towards Daybreak's room. Right now, she needed some of his "positivity". Nebula suddenly shivered as a cold draft blew through the arch open the side of the wall.

Nebula frowned. This year seemed colder than all the others. A guard nodded to her as she passed.

Yet another guard stood at Daybreak's room. Why were there so many guards? The guard nodded to Nebula and stepped aside. Nebula entered Daybreak's room, ready for the color to blind her. Paintings of sunsets and the night sky were hung in the room. Daybreak was always Constellation's favorite cousin.

"Daybreak?" Nebula called gingerly. If he was making his "poetry"... Nebula shuddered. Daybreak's poetry could kill.

"What!? I know Mother, I'm going to battle training!"

"Daybreak, do you not recognize my voice?!" Nebula roared. "You've known for five years!"

"Ok, ok, sorry." Daybreak's head popped out between an arch. He grinned. I'm going to have to report you from being abusing me, you know."

"Daybreak, do not wear down my patience before the day is over, or else about a million of your poems will be burned."

"Gee, I'm so scared," he said, with mock fright. "If my memory serves, I have about every poem memorized."

"Hey, I just thought of a riddle! You want to hear it?"

Nebula growled. "No, I do not. In fact, you should go to battle training." Dragging Daybreak by the wing, she pulled him to an arch and poked him. "Let's go."

Daybreak turned serious. "If that's what you want." He burst out laughing. "According to you, my poetry can kill, so I don't need training or practice." He took a look at Nebula's face and backed away. "Okay, sorry."

Daybreak was actually quite good at fighting, as long as you could get him to do it. Nebula poked him again. "Hurry up."

Daybreak sighed. "Fine." He then swooped through the arch down to the courtyard. All the dragons turned to look at Daybreak as he descended to the stone-paved ground. The SkyWings all cleared out as soon as Daybreak landed, bowing.

Daybreak was of direct descent of the ThunderWings, meaning he was directly Highborn whereas Nebula's blood was distantly Highborn. As always, no one paid attention to her. Queen Peregrine tolerated her, like a friend's pet that you didn't like, but she only kept her in High Stone for the sake of honor.

The dragons left the area, but they all stayed to watch. Daybreak anxiously glanced around, looking at the faces watching. "Umm.."

"Daybreak-" Suddenly Daybreak leaped at her and buried his fangs in her neck and pinned her to the ground with a muffled thud. Nebula felt for the soft flesh of his stomach and kicked it hard. Daybreak flinched but didn't relinquish his hold on her. Please don't let him win. Nebula knew it was selfish of her to wish that, but if she lost, all would scorn her. If Nebula won, they would go on worshipping Daybreak.

Nebula felt her vision blur for moments, but then it cleared. For a second, Daybreak faltered, and Nebula took the chance to throw him off and grappled with him, throwing him to the ground. Then, it was over.

She had won, but why did she feel so faint? How come Daybreak faltered?