Nico shifted closer to Piper, shying away slightly from the group of dragonets that had come from the Academy.

The group had gathered on the royal pavilion located between the Rainwing village and the Nightwing settlement. It was a vast wooden structure situated midway between the muddy and overgrown ground and the canopy.

Interesting design choice. Nico remarked with a slight snort.

A middle ground. Piper thought, remembering the Rainwing village was located in the canopy.

The roof was composed of large, translucent leaves layered in a staggered pattern that kept the rain out but let the sunlight flood through to form a delicate mosaic on the wooden floor. Additionally, there were no walls, just twisting wooden columns that opened the pavilion to the air. On top of these basic elements, morning glory flowers hung like bells, peppering the intricate brown swirls and green patches with purple and blue; orchids grew in crevices to create little pockets of white or pink. It was truly a sight to behold.

After a short and more formal introduction from Glory and her pet sloth, Nico watched in amusement as Qibli and Winter bickered over a simple sarcastic remark. He also noted from Glory's chiding of Kinkajou and Moonwatcher that Glory was certainly more than she let on. He was snapped from his thoughts by a very sharp remark from Winter.

"Yes. I. Can," Winter hissed.

Nico was about to ask something but held it back after seeing conflict flit across Winter's face. Nico's proficiency at reading emotions told him strange messages. He saw sadness and pain when Moonwatcher looked at Winter, and he looked back.

Piper read that interaction like a book. Certainly fascinating, though confusing, the way these two carry themselves.

"Well, here comes the guard," Glory said, oblivious to the tension.

Nico turned to watch in fascination as the air rippled and shimmered as several dragons seemingly manifested themselves out of thin air.

I can definitely see how Queen Glory has an 'invisible' guard.

Nico glanced back at Winter. He was glaring in disappointment at the line of guards.

"I called you in to ask if any of you have seen an Icewing recently," Queen Glory said. "For those of you who don't know, those are white or blue dragons with spiked tails and a cold aura."

A Rainwing leaned towards the queen and hissed softly, "Your majesty, I believe there is one of them right behind you."

The line of Rainwings completely fell apart.

"Three moons is that what they look like!?"

"Why's it pointy all over?"

"Look at its tail! It really is spiky!"

"Woah, so weird."

A dragon reached towards Winter's wing, another for his tail. Nico chuckled, the scene reminding him of the story where blind men felt an elephant, but couldn't tell what it was. It was amusing how clueless these dragons were.

Glory sighed, slowly. "This is our guest, Prince Winter. Have you seen any dragons that look even remotely similar to him?"

"No," they all replied in unison.

"I would have noticed. Look at how sparkly he is!" A dragon added.

Others nodded in agreement and added their own comments about Winter's appearance.

"Permission to check on the Nightwing guards?" Deathbringer asked.

"Yes, yes. Do make sure if they see that Icewing that they do not engage, especially if they are on their own," Glory ordered.

Deathbringer bowed, then flew away, giving a glance to Nico. After a harsh reprimanding by the queen, both dropped their hostilities towards each other.

"That includes you, fool! Keep your claws to yourself!" Glory yelled at him as he flew off.

"Can't hear you!"

Piper fought the urge to laugh, but a small smile grew on her face.

"Um, your majesty, can I ask-" Moon timidly said, before promptly being cut off by Glory.

"Yes? Speak up."

"Even if they didn't see an Icewing, did they at least see something suspicious, like frozen or frosted over..." Moon blurted before trailing off.

"Well, there was this weird spot I saw earlier, under the oldest giant banyan tree. It was all shriveled up. All the plants in a circle were dead, sort of crusty and whit-ish, and everything was hard as rocks. It was cold too. Is this important?" A scout mused.

Winter flared his wings and reared up slightly.

"I know where this tree is. We can be there in a few minutes. You guys, stay here." Glory stated.

"Can't I come? I can be useful! I-" Moon stopped, struggling for words, visibly.

Nico was intrigued by this, as was Piper.

"Do you think she is hiding something?" he whispered to Piper. Piper was silent, but she nodded.

"Me too! I want to come!" Kinkajou squeaked, puffing out her chest and flaring her ruff.

"No. I'm ordering you guys to stay here," Glory said firmly.

Winter wished he could go by himself, but he probably needed someone to go with him. He probably couldn't beat Icicle. To be honest, someone who could sense Icicle's mind would probably be really handy too. He didn't want to admit it.

"Moon can come," Winter said after a mental defeat. "Not Kinkajou though. She's too loud. Far too loud."

"I am not! This is so unfair!" Kinkajou protested.

"Kinkajou, you wanted me to be queen, and now you have to listen to me. You have to understand I'm doing this to keep you safe. I'm going to be very mad if you get killed by an Icewing." Glory said with concern. Having quelled Kinkajou's flame of curiosity, she turned back to Winter and Moon with confusion.

"Yes, Moon, you can come along, as per Winter's request."

"I'm assuming our presence is to be assumed, then," Nico interjected.

"Perhaps," Glory said, looking at Winter.

"Yes, they can come too," Winter said.

Soon enough, they were flying through the forest, on the way to the site of mystery the Rainwing guard mentioned.

Piper was happy that something was moving along. Winter was complaining about getting caught up in vines, spiderwebs, just anything, really.

Moon could sense Qibli's mind behind hers, though said nothing.

However, Glory noticed.

"Alright, that level of noisy makes me think you aren't even trying to be stealthy, Qibli. You can come out," Glory said.

Qibli sheepishly emerged from behind a tree with huge leaves.

"Give me some credit. Blame all the things that get in my way!" Qibli protested. Winter agreed wholeheartedly.

"What did I say about staying put?" Glory asked.

"With all due respect, you are not my queen. Besides, Winter wants me along, don't you? You just can't admit it," Qibli replied.

"I don't. You can leave for all I care," Winter said.

"He loves me," Qibli sing-songed.

"Alright, enough arguing. Let's go. We don't have all day," Glory ordered.

Qibli and Winter both showed significant difficulty in navigating the environment. Piper and Nico were flailing around miserably. They decided to run on the ground, neither of them was comfortable enough to fly in the open, much less in this environment. Glory was more adept, but even she occasionally hit things. Moon navigated perfectly, however, like a seal twirling through the water.

Moon couldn't read anything from Nico, but he seemed to be getting more anxious. Piper wasn't thinking anything of significance. As they approached the large bulbous tree, the spot the Rainwing scout mentioned became obvious.

Death.

Nico shivered.

It wasn't a neat circle. Patches of green marred the circle of dead undergrowth.

Something or someone was blocking Icicle's frostbreath. Winter realized with horror.

Nico could sense the body. The soul was unfortunate. Most souls were content, passing peacefully. This one was in agony. There was no need to search.

"Everyone, here," Nico said, pulling away the layer of leaves and dirt to reveal a dead, broken body, throat brutally slashed, and body frozen.

"She was here."