A Brighter Future Ahead
AN: I know everyone is waiting patiently for the next Perspectives chapter and therefore waiting for the next Dragons Change chapter, so I just wanted to say that I am working on it. It turned out way longer than I expected, but I'm about halfway through with it. I'm hoping it'll be done by next weekend, and the third Perspectives I have planned will be pushed to after a new Dragons Change chapter. I realize this is taking a while, but college comes first for me. I hope everyone can understand that and can continue to be patient as I work things through.
Disclaimer: I do not own Wings of Fire. My OCs Trench and Cobra belong to me.
Cobra:
Trench was summoned to stand by Queen Pearl's side, yet she was allowed to observe from off to the side. She didn't mind at all. She had no wish to take part in these negotiations, and she doubted Trench even wanted her here. Scratch that…
He definitely didn't want her here.
The Commander didn't really like her. That was obvious to anyone who saw the two of them together. She didn't mind that, either, though she did wish he would lighten up every now and again. She liked teasing him to see what kind of reaction she would get out of him, but it did have its risk. The mango incident was evidence of that.
With all that said, she knew that this was important, and Trench would flay her alive if she embarrassed him or the Queen while the negotiations were underway. That was why she was on her best behavior. She was sitting quietly and attentive despite her wish to be anywhere else. No sense in incensing Trench more than necessary.
"I would like to know how you knew of the letters we sent out," Queen Pearl stated. "No one has even seen the Nightwing tribe for almost three months, yet you appear to know more than you should."
Vigilance gazed upon the much younger Queen as if she was inferior to her. "I can assure you that our information network is quite extensive. Nothing happens on Pyrrhia without me hearing about it."
"Everything?" Trench challenged.
The Nightwing Queen shifted her imperious glare over to him. "I know about the letter you sent to the Icewings and that their representative will be here tomorrow, if that's what you mean," she explained. "I don't care that you've asked the Icewings for help. I don't even care that you planned to keep that information from me, initially. I came to offer my assistance in this little war of yours."
Both Pearl's and Trench's eyes narrowed at the derisive tone and word choice of the Nightwing Queen. However, the Commander was no fool as to think she offered it without strings attached. "For what price?" he asked.
Vigilance smirked. It was a malicious smirk that sent shivers down her spine with the promise of pain and suffering it conveyed. "I just want my advisor back. Do what you will with Darkstalker, but I want Clearsight alive."
"I have no arguments with that," Pearl agreed.
Trench clearly disagreed, but he was smart enough to not say anything. She doubted Pearl knew about Clearsight's abilities since that information was hardly common knowledge outside of the Nightwings, and the only reason she did was through her mother. Anaconda had considered using her in much the same way as Vigilance did, but she ultimately decided that Darkstalker was a much better tool to use.
The Nightwings weren't the only tribe with an extensive spy network. The Rainwings had one, too, which is how Anaconda became so feared in such a short time. In many cases, she would know about events in other tribes days or even weeks in advance and could plan accordingly.
"Good. Then you have Nightwing support," Vigilance declared. "To be perfectly clear, if you try to double cross me and keep Clearsight for yourself or she is killed, I will personally wipe your tribe off the face of Pyrrhia."
Pearl's eyes narrowed. "I don't take well to threats."
Vigilance turned away and began walking out—not bothering to wait for formal permission. On her way out, she said one last thing. "As long as we understand one another, that threat won't become reality."
The doors closed with a resounding bang behind her, as if to punctuate her statement. There was a short span of silence as everyone digested what had just happened. Cobra just stared at the door as if she could still see the Nightwing Queen beyond it. "Bitch," she observed.
Trench barked out a laugh before silencing himself at Pearl's glare. "Did the replies come in yet?" she asked.
Trench gave a curt nod. "The Sandwings and Mudwings have agreed, but the Icewings are undecided as of yet. Their representative will be here tomorrow to further discuss the situation."
"Excellent," Pearl praised. "How much did you have to promise to make the Sandwings agree? I won't have to empty my entire treasury, will I?"
Now it was Trench's turn to smirk. "I gave them full rights to everything in the Skywing vaults. We didn't have to give them anything."
Pearl nodded. "Good thinking, Commander. You've more than proven yourself as my second," she continued with her praise. "We are now at war, Commander!" she declared. "Which is why I'm giving you full command of the military."
It seemed that Trench didn't quite expect that, as his expression was one of stunned surprise. Cobra was absolutely mind-blown as well. If that phrase meant the same as it did in the Rainwing Kingdom, then Trench no longer needed permission from the Queen before commencing with any war-related decisions. Pearl would still handle anything related to the civilian population and the general goings-on of the Kingdom, but Trench would do the same with any military-relation problems. In a quite literal sense, he was basically an honorary King now.
Trench bowed deeply. That act alone took her by surprise, as he wasn't the sort of dragon that struck her as very humble. "You honor me, My Queen," he declared. He rose up and met her eyes. "I won't let you down."
She smiled at him like one would smile at their best friend. "I know. You're dismissed, Commander. Do what you have to, though my final order to you is thus: keep her close. While I doubt she could tell us more than she has already, her usefulness isn't quite through with."
Both of them looked over at her. Trench didn't look too enthused about the idea but didn't argue. Cobra, however, was ecstatic. After all, who else was she going to drive up the wall with her teasing?
AN: Before I go, I just want to remind everyone of the poll on my profile. If you can take the time to answer it, it'll be a big help. I know I said it was for my own curiosity, but in reality it's for a new story I'm planning on eventually writing. I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the matter before getting to far into it. Thanks in advance.
Until Next Time
AdmiralCole22
