A/N: Hello again! I don't really have to much to say, although I'm really sorry this took like forever! I took a small break from writing, along with two weeks of a) vacation and b) a weird summer thing
JaguartheRavenclawRainwing: (I hope I spelled your name right) Thanks! I'm definitely thinking about diving deeper into the Leafwings, as when I read the book that was what interested me the most!
KnightLawn: Thanks!
Maple's POV
Maple hid deep within the Web. No guards knew about Lady Tsetse's death as of yet, which if she had been Lady of the Hive, every single one of those guards would've been replaced. No matter, it worked out beautifully for her.
Of the many gawking Silkwings over her battle with Tsetse, two had offered to weave a cocoon for the Hivewing and fly it far away to the area where they buried the dead. They'd told the guards that the cocoon was a dead Silkwing, which they'd bought easily.
A kind, gentle Silkwing had later come up to Maple and treated her with varying herbs of the savannah. The pain from the nick on her neck hadn't faded, however the herbs quickly soothed the pain. With a nod in thanks, Maple rested her head on her front talons, closing her eyes to get some much needed sleep before sundown.
When her eyes slowly opened, Maple saw the sun sinking below the horizon. And all around her small sleeping room, hundreds of Silkwings. Her heart skipped a beat- she hadn't been expecting this. Not in the slightest.
Trying to regain her composure from sleeping, Maple stood, gave her wings a shake and turned to face her audience.
"Well, I'm assuming you guys are helping me?" Maple asked.
"We've thought about what you said…. And I do miss the days of flying freely over the forests from when I was just a dragonet with new wings," one of the elder Silkwings exclaimed. Others nodded in agreement.
"My friend was taken away not long ago for a small skirmish among the Hivewings, but he didn't do anything. Despite what they say, I know they killed him," a younger Silkwing whispered quietly. More stories went around the dragons, all small stories of how the Hivewings had taken loved ones, or forced them into their filthy work or anything under the rainbow. Maple was surprised to feel a small burst of pride at these dragons, who she'd so greatly doubted and despised.
"Well…. Here's the plan. They've lost their head of command, which works for our favor. I need to take a small squad with me to take out the commanding officers, whoever's the best fighters. When we take out everyone who could keep order, we'll strike the guards who'll be in shambles. Watch for claws or teeth with a slight green tinge, and if any have the barbs on their tails- shoot silk to keep it from stinging anyone. When we're done with the guards, we'll round up every Hivewing in the main hall, and any who oppose your freedom, dispose of them. Any who willingly accept your freedom, they may live to take over the Hive," Maple explained. She hoped that wasn't to complicated for their simple brains.
"Wait…. How's this any different then when they killed most of the Leafwings, chasing them out of their homes?" a large, well built blue and green Silkwing asked. Maple was taken aback by the actually relevant question. She thought about it for a minute before replying.
"When they chased the Leafwings out of their homes, no matter if we begged for mercy did they spare us. All because we valued our freedom, and for that they feared us. They burned down our forests with their flamesilk, killing mercilessly. In this situation, we are weeding out the bad Hivewings who refuse to live equally. We are leaving their precious Hive intact, and most importantly- we are giving them the choice of freedom." Nods came from the audience.
With a flick of her tail, they separated, allowing her to walk through the gathering of dragons without having to shove them out of her way. A small group of Silkwings followed behind her, lining up as neatly as Silkwings could in front of her.
"Have any of you ever fought before?" Maple asked. All of them nodded.
"I probably ought to test you folks first, but we are on a tight schedule. Remember what I said about fighting the Hivewings! Everyone else, as soon as you get the signal- move out! And remember, be efficient for trees sake!" Maple turned around, opened her wings and dove down to the guard platform.
There was little trouble getting to the guard's armory where she was told the high rankings stayed, issuing orders. Just a few dead guards here and there, along with a few mysterious cases of hallucination. Nothing that bad.
Maple was proud of the Silkwings who'd followed her- together they'd managed to help take out two guards, and even avoid getting poisoned to badly, although a few had small scratches, causing them to wince in pain.
Shuffling through her pouches, Maple produced a small light pink flower. Leaning over their wounds, she squeezed the flower gently and a few white milky droplets soaked into their wounds, and their pain eased from their expressions. Maple was worried she wouldn't have enough of those flowers. They were painkillers, they wouldn't get rid of the pain forever but it lasted a few hours, at least.
The flowers had been a small gift from Willow, who was known for being an extraordinary healer. Maple remembered parting from her.
Maple slowly padded through the forest floor, pushing away a hanging vine with berries that glowed like the stars. She entered a moonlit clearing, and in the middle stood a beautiful Leafwing. Willow.
Small flowers woven into vines were draped over the Leafwings wings, a small reminder of who she was. The lost Princess. Maple always had to admit that Willow was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. Even without small flowers which glowed in the dark draped on her.
"Maple! I thought you would've left without saying goodbye," Willow exclaimed happily, turning to face her. Maple ducked her head in a polite bow.
"I would not leave with saying farewell to you, my Princess," Maple replied calmly.
"Please- call me Willow. I've told you this many times, you should know this," Willow laughed. Maple lifted her head with a smile. Willow took a few steps closer, lifting a small embroidered pouch off of her neck, holding it out to Maple.
"Here, take this. My parting gift. I know you will use it well- rosebell's, the flowers are called. They are a soothing flower, easily dulling the pain of the worst poisons," Willow whispered. Maple's eyes shone as she accepted the gift, wrapping the string around the bottom of her neck.
"Thank you, my Princ- Willow. Your kindness exceeds the highest expectations," Maple thanked her.
"Maple? Come back. I need you to come back," Willow called out as Maple turned to leave. With a glance back, Maple nodded. She would come back for Willow. Then, she opened her wings and flew swiftly out of the forest.
A small tear snaked down from Maple's eye, and she hurriedly brushed it away. She missed Willow so, so much. Shaking her head, she slammed the door into the armory open. Maple was met with the shocked gazes of twenty Hivewings, all gawking at her. Growling at her stupidity to not listen for how many dragons were in the room, Maple charged them.
With a moment's hesitation, the other Silkwings followed suit. Ripping her claws through wings, throats and underbellies, Maple fought like a hurricane. Three Hivewings fell to her fury before they could so much as bat an eye. The Silkwings focused on attacking three of them, which was a humorous idea to Maple.
Seven Silkwings fighting three Hivewings, one Leafwing fighting thirteen Hivewings. Totally makes sense. Maple winced with pain as talons raked across her side. She whirled around, tackling him and smashing her tail into another Hivewing who got to close. Snapping the first dragon's neck swiftly, Maple flipped open a pouch and threw it's contents onto the floor.
Vine's grew quickly from the seeds spread out on the floor, and with a bit of concentration from Maple, wrapped around the necks of five Hivewings, strangling them. One of the Hivewings smashed into her shoulder, sending her tumbling across the room. Snarling, she reached around to bite him, elbowing him hard before shoving him off of her.
It took only a few moments until every HiveWing was dead. She lowered her head in grievance for the two SilkWings now reduced to lifeless corpses. One of the SilkWings which were currently alive turned to face her, his expression that of a grieving dragon.
"I thought we were giving them an option," he mumbled, gesturing towards the dead dragons.
"The rest we are. Although being a pathetic SilkWing, I wouldn't expect for you to understand that certain dragons have it drilled into their heads to keep everything as it should be, and obey their Queen," Maple replied with a huff. She turned to leave the room, however she was stopped by a wave of HiveWings clustered outside the door, their eyes a milky white, their posture and formation perfect. Hissing, she fingered (taloned?) one of her pouches. Slowly, she backed up, spreading her wings slightly and angling them forwards, arching her neck and lashing her tail. Anything to try and deter these seemingly mindless dragons from attacking her.
Seconds ticked by as Maple wracked her brain for why on earth were these dragons once teeming with life reduced to mindless zombies. Then she remembered a tale long ago, one that spoke of HiveWing Queens being able to control their entire tribe with a mere thought.
"Listen, Queen Wasp, and I know you're listening. Surprised to see a LeafWing breaking into your precious Hive? Not my fault your guards are all incompetent. Anyways, if you don't allow every single SilkWing to fly free from your talons from right now, they will tear your dragons to shreds. And when word reaches the other Hives, it will be the same story. So think very carefully," Maple threatened. Stalling- her best weapon until she figured out how to escape this alive.
As though she had an itch, Maple reached for one of her heavier pouches. Using one talon to 'get rid of an itch' she used the other to casually reach inside the pouch and hook her talon on the object within.
Within a blink of the eye, Maple whirled the small spiky ball towards the wall behind her, which she knew lead to the outside of the Hive, and smashed her bleeding tail into it. The wall crumbled, and before the HiveWings could so much as react, she tossed herself out the gaping hole and into the bright sky, her wings caressing the strong wind.
She kept on flying without looking back, even when the wingbeats behind her finally halted. For Maple had no time to look over her shoulder- not when she had a Queen to kill.
A/N: Hi guys! I hope that was ok, and I'm not sure what else to say so I hope you guys have a nice day or night or whatever! See ya :)