Chapter 14
The Claws of the
Clouds Mountains
It took them a couple hours to reach the Sky Kingdom again. Nightshade was on high alert the entire trip. However, he was not the only one who was looking for Skywing scouts, Inferno was on high alert as well.
It was sunset by the time that magic stick changed its course.
"It seems to be leading us towards this mountain," called Slipstream looking at his magic stick.
"Follow it," said Oleander diving down with Slipstream towards the mountain followed by the others of her company.
The group followed Slipstream down to the ground, were the stick contained to pull.
"This way," said Slipstream rounding the mountain and walking strait into a Skywing guard.
"Hey! There are more dragons here." yelled the guard grabbing Slipstream by the neck slamming him to the ground.
The fight that followed was harsh but short. The seven dragonets put up a good fight, but they were greatly outnumbered and tired after flying, while the Skywings were fresh and well trained.
"Who are these?" hissed a commanding voice.
"We found them sneaking around the cave mouth," replied one guard
"Well, well, if it isn't the runaway cleaning dragon," said Queen Scarlet, putting her claw under Inferno's chin and lifting his head to look him in the eyes.
"Who are you?" asked Oleander angrily from where she was pinned under a Skywing.
"Another Rainwing," Queen Scarlet trilled, "and yet another set of dragonets who doesn't know who I am. I really need to get out more, don't I ?"
"And another Nightwing," said one of the guards
"Well this day just gets better," said Queen Scarlet, "no one sees a Nightwing for years and now I have two for my arena."
"There is also a Mudwing, Icewing, Seawing, and another weird looking Sandwing," said the same guard
"Really," said Queen Scarlet, "let me see the Sandwing and Mudwing."
The Guards dragged Sandstar and Crane forward.
"Well aren't you a weird one," said Queen Scarlet looking at Sandstar, "Burn will be so happy to have two of you weird Sandwings."
"Two?" asked Sandstar puzzled
"Yes," answered Queen Scarlet, "I only just found another dragon just like you, only without black scales. In fact, I have never seen a Sandwing with that many black scales."
"Really?" said Sandstar eagerly, ignoring the comment about her scales.
"Yes," said Queen Scarlet, "and you get to meet her too, when I give you both to Burn to stuff."
"To Burn?" said Sandstar a tremble in her voice
"To stuff?" said Slipstream horrified
"Yes, she loves to stuff weird dragons like your friend," said Queen Scarlet to Slipstream
"What about the rest of us?" asked Oleander still struggling under the Skywing.
"Oh, you and the other Rainwing will be kept at my palace since you are very pretty dragons. As for your other friends, well, they will fight in my arena, wouldn't that be thrilling?" asked Queen Scarlet
"That is uncivilized and barbaric," Frostbite stated, baring his teeth at Scarlet.
"Oh well," said Queen Scarlet not at all disappointed, "you don't really have a choice. Guards put them with the others and return to the palace."
The seven dragonets were dragged away towards the other prisoners. Surprisingly, the other prisoners were a Nightwing, a Rainwing, a strange Sandwing, a blue Seawing, a Mudwing, and an adult Skywing.
The stick that Slipstream had managed to pick up again suddenly pulled itself out of his claws and flew straight at the group of dragonets and hit the Mudwing square on the head before going inanimate and falling to the ground.
"Ouch," the strange Mudwing complained, "why are you throwing sticks at me?"
"You are the Dragonets of Destiny!" cried Sandstar and Slipstream at the same time.
"Um, yes?" said the Mudwing, "I am Clay."
"We were looking for you!" exclaimed Sandstar
"Wait there are seven of you, seven friends remember," cried the Nightwing excitedly
"Quiet, the lot of you," barked a guard as the lifted them into the sky