~Darkstalker
After Fathom left, Darkstalker and Indigo stayed in a silent staring contest. Clearsight tried to stop them, but this would be a personal victory to whoever won.
Finally, Darkstalker looked away, towards Clearsight, who had her eyes closed. "Is something wrong?" He asked her.
Clearsight started to shake her head, to say no, and for a second Darkstalker heard Indigo wonder if she should be worried. Then her thoughts continued to 'Fathom would be disappointed if his friends got hurt when he wasn't here'. So Darkstalker concluded that she only wanted Fathom's favor, which made sense, in a way.
Darkstalker walked closer to Clearsight, wrapping his arms around her. He asked again. "What's wrong, my love?"
"Nothing. Just…nothing." She opened her eyes again, and shook her head. Suddenly, four pairs of talons thumped outside, and Clearsight shivered. Darkstalker knew that she was lying—and that the talons belonged to Queen Vigilance and three guards.
He detached himself from Clearsight, and tried to get to the corner of the cave. Indigo turned around, her thoughts going to how she shouldn't fight anyone, but she didn't want Fathom to come back to dead or injured friends. So, in short; protect what's important to Fathom, ignore the rest.
Vigilance came into the entrance of the cave, and smiled darkly. "Has anything interesting happen, my little seer?" Her gaze shifted to Clearsight.
"No, Your Majesty." Clearsight replied. "I promise. Darkstalker is also doing well; right, Darkstalker?"
Darkstalker nodded, looking at Clearsight rather than the queen. "I've been listening to Clearsight's advice, and await your command." He said.
"Where was your SeaWing friend go?" Vigilance asked.
"Queen Pearl sent him a letter." Indigo said. "I was with him. He should be back in a few weeks."
"Very well, then." Vigilance replied. "Are you conspiring without me? I'm offended."
You're the one conspiring, Darkstalker thought bitterly.
Clearsight turned to Darkstalker, and took off her bracelet. Darkstalker saw a vision, Clearsight's, of the queen taking her. Don't do anything stupid, scavenger-head. She thought. She put her bracelet back on, and he was left to her all the other dragon's thoughts. He blocked them all except for the queen's—just in case she thought anything interesting. Of course, her thoughts were typically guarded, but he knew that sometimes that protective wall fell.
Darkstalker knew what was going to happen next—the same thing Clearsight just showed him. His own foresight gave him his own visions, and he briefly wondered what will happen if he fought them. No…that path was worse. He could tell that now as the guards stepped farther into the cave.
"Seize the seer, leave the rest." Vigilance commanded.
Indigo made a step towards Clearsight, who shook her head. Indigo paused for a moment, as if wondering if she should obey the order or not. Then she sighed and stepped aside, letting the guards take Clearsight. She went with little struggle, and Darkstalker was convinced that he should try to fight them for her. But she showed him her vision for a reason. He shouldn't move, shouldn't attack. Just watch as his love was walked out of the cave, flanked by shoulders on all sides and wings tied together with chains like a prisoner.
Once they left (without flying), Indigo turned to Darkstalker. "Was that supposed to happen?" She asked.
"No, I don't think so." Darkstalker replied. "But we have to save her, somehow."
"That's not a good idea," Indigo pointed out. "She'll be guarded. Trust me, I know a bribe when I see one."
"What would they gain by taking Clearsight? She hasn't done anything wrong. She's always been loyal to the queen."
"One thing she might've done wrong is falling in love with you. They're going to use her to get you there. I've seen this before."
"When have you ever been a part of a bribe?"
"Okay, I lied. I've heard of this before."
"That's useful. How do we get her back?"
"By playing their game, or by waiting. From what I've seen, she's pretty smart. She'll figure something out."
Darkstalker didn't want to wait for Clearsight. He didn't want to wait. He saw two futures—one where he was standing on top of the queen's body, who was dead, and one where Clearsight was in a dimly lit room with the queen making her write down futures, with a mind-reader in the room to make sure she didn't lie. He didn't like any of those. He sighed. "I guess I'll try to think of something."
Indigo lashed her tail, but didn't respond. Darkstalker already wished Fathom were here.
