A Chance Arrangement

AN: This takes place in between chapters 18 and 19 in the main story.

Edited: (5/30/21)

Disclaimer: I do not own Wings of Fire. My OCs Flint and Faredir belong to me.

Hailstorm:

The nervousness had entirely disappeared to be replaced by an anger that surprised him at its intensity. He glared silently at his younger brother, ignoring the odd looks he was receiving from the others as he did so.

It was Flint that broke the icy silence, "I feel like I'm missing something here."

Winter glanced over at the Mudwing, but Hailstorm's glare never faltered or moved from its target. "It's…a long story," the younger Icewing began.

However, to everyone's surprise, it was Moon that enlightened the group, "Pyrite is Hailstorm." He turned his surprised gaze over to the Nightwing and confusion quickly followed when he saw the look of understanding in her expression.

"Exactly how is that possible?" Cataclysm asked.

"Animus magic. How else?" Moon replied. She returned her attention to him again, "It was an enchanted necklace used by Scarlet to keep him as a hidden bargaining chip against the Icewing royal family."

Hailstorm noticed that Winter had an odd expression as he kept glancing between him and Moon. I wonder what that's about? It didn't matter that Moon knew. He was upset that she was telling everybody something that she had no right telling them. Winter may understand, but that was because they were brothers.

She shook her head, "I understand, too." It came out as a whisper. Hailstorm was stunned by her sincerity, and then something happened that he never would have expected. She hugged him gently, and he tensed. "Come talk to me later," she whispered into his ear before quickly rushing away. He watched her go with a befuddled expression.

"Okay…what was that?" Blaze asked. Hailstorm shook his head. He had no idea either.

Whatever it was, though, it couldn't hurt to talk to her like she had asked.

Everyone was staring at him now after Moon's explanation and then her inexplicable hug. He sneered at the group before turning away and storming off—his anger having resurfaced. He vaguely heard a set of claw-steps following him but paid no attention to it. Up the stairs he travelled then turned left into his room and proceeded to slam the door in the face of whoever was following him.

Truth be told, he knew who it was, he just wanted to prove how pissed he was at the moment. An indignant, "Hey!" sounded from the other side of the door. Hailstorm had closed the distance to the box that held his necklace, opened it, and grabbed the precious item just as the door reopened and his brother stood there looking less than pleased with him. "Was that really necessary?"

An annoyed snort was his answer.

"If you don't want to do it, fine. Someone else can—"

Hailstorm swung around with a vicious growl. Winter flinched back in surprise at the intensity of it. "No one touches my necklace!"

Winter was silent for a moment before he directed a glare at the older Icewing. "Then get over yourself. We're at war, Hailstorm. You said you wanted to help—you signed up for this. Pyrite is the only one who can get into the city without arousing suspicion. I'm sorry that I had to reveal your secret, but we have no other choice."

"There is always another choice!" was Hailstorm's immediate counter. Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say as Winter's eyes flashed with anger.

"YOU THINK I HAD A CHOICE WHEN I WAS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE! I was dead! The only reason I am alive right now is because Aurora thinks that—somehow—I can help them win this war!" Winter was beyond livid. He could see the blazing fury in his eyes and Hailstorm looked down in shame. "I have no choice, Hailstorm. I have never had a choice. Not now and not then." He sighed, his anger having dissipated already.

Hailstorm, however, had latched onto one particular phrase. "Not then?" he asked quietly as he turned his softened gaze to his brother. Winter wouldn't meet his gaze anymore, but he answered with a soft-spoken reply. And it was one that left him with a heavy heart and a lump in his throat.

"The diamond trials," he whispered. "Mother and father had no qualms throwing me away… Now this." He chuckled humorlessly, "Let's face it: I've been expendable since the moment I hatched."

Hailstorm wasn't a naïve dragonet anymore. He was well aware of the cruelty present in this world—he himself being the victim of his fair share. However, no amount of preparation or past experiences with such horrific cruelty could have prepared him for the shear amount of horror he felt at hearing those words.

He was stunned beyond words and the lump in his throat was making it difficult to form words anyways. The necklace slid from his talons and impacted the floor with a clearly audible thud, but he didn't care. Because with the way he was feeling right now, he had realized much too late that the most precious thing in his life wasn't some magically enchanted necklace. The most precious thing in his life was standing before him…

And he had just indirectly said that he regretted being hatched.

Hailstorm rushed forward in a sort of daze. He was trying so hard not to cry but soon came to the conclusion that that was exactly what Winter needed to see right now. He needed to see the pain he caused with his confession.

It had the desired effect. After seeing Hailstorm's horrified expression and the first of his tears, the younger Icewing realized the full implications of what he had just said. His own expression morphed into one of horror as well.

He wrapped the younger Icewing in a tight embrace, yet Winter was too stunned by his own words to react. "Is that—Is that what you think!?"

He felt Winter shudder against him, "I…I don't know." His voice seemed dull—lost almost. "Did I really say that?"

Hailstorm pulled back far enough to look his brother in the eyes and nodded his head, "Was that your emotions getting the better of you…or did you mean it?" His voice was soft and subdued. Winter glanced at him with his lost expression before understanding finally filled his eyes, and he look away once more.

Hailstorm's breath hitched. He did…Sun, moons, and stars above, my little brother wishes he was never hatched! "Winter, listen to me," he began firmly. Winter's gaze shifted back up to him, shame evident in his entire posture. "Don't you ever say that again! You are not expendable! You are my little brother, and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me, but I just got you back. I will not allow anyone to split us apart so soon. Not now…Not when I just realized that you are the most important thing in my life." Winter's eyes began misting up at the sincere care in Hailstorm's words and voice, yet he wasn't done. "I don't need some fancy necklace to make me happy. Not anymore…"

Hailstorm pulled him into another tight embrace as the first of Winter's tears began falling. "Because I love you," he whispered. The two brothers stayed in that embrace for a long time. Neither of them wanted to separate because they both took comfort in the other. When the heavy, depressing silence became too thick, Hailstorm decided to try and lighten the mood. "I have been adopted by a Mudwing for less than a day, and I already have enough sap to compete with the best of them."

It had the desired effect. Winter let out a short chuckle and a small smile as he finally released his hold on Hailstorm. "That's okay. I kind of like the sap." His smile fell, "It lets me know how much I actually am…loved." He looked away once more. "Sometimes, it's easy for me to forget."

"Then I won't let you forget," he replied with conviction. "I love you, Winter."

He smiled—this time genuinely, "I love you, too, Hailstorm. And for the record…I don't want us to be split up either. I want—No, I need—you to stay with me. I may love Flint like a brother, too, but he isn't my real brother. You are…and everything means more when you say it."

Hailstorm smiled. I guess I'm not such a bad brother, after all. "Don't worry. I don't plan on going anywhere." They shared another hug—this one much quicker—before Hailstorm ushered him towards the bed—the sun having gone down already, "Why don't you get some rest. Pyrite likes to get up early, remember?"

Winter smiled at him, "Does that mean you'll do it?"

Hailstorm nodded as he retrieved the necklace from the floor, "Get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." With that, he shut the door and made his way downstairs where everyone besides Cliff and Moon were waiting.

"Is he okay? Are you okay? We heard yelling earlier," Flint asked, concerned.

He nodded, "Yeah, we're okay. He's asleep, and I need to talk to Moon. Where is she?" Cataclysm pointed out the front door, and he left without another word. He absently noted Flint's still-worried expression. It only made him respect the Mudwing more, knowing that he wasn't the only one who cared deeply for Winter.

It was quite easy to find Moon since her form was highlighted by the moonlight. She was sitting at the edge of the cliff watching the moons just like her name implied. She seemed to be at peace, smiling up at the celestial bodies watching her back. "Why are you so fascinated by them?" he asked as he approached.

Her smile fell and she sighed before looking at him, "My mother hid me in the rainforest before I hatched, and she visited me only rarely." She looked back up to the night sky, "They were the only things to keep me company in those first few years."

He blinked in surprise, "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

She shook her head, "It's okay. I need to ask a favor of you."

He raised an eye ridge at the guilty-sounding undertones in her voice. "Such as?" he asked.

She sighed, "I know you will anyways, but I want you to promise me that you'll look out for Winter. He needs dragons that support him right now—especially you and Flint."

He nodded. He had already vowed to himself that he would do what she asked. Although, he was curious, "What brought this up?"

She didn't answer for a moment, instead looking back up to the sky. He didn't rush her, though. She would answer when she was ready. "Because I need to tell him something that…he won't want to hear. It'll hurt him, and I just want to know you'll be there for him."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Then why tell him?" he challenged. "Haven't you caused him enough pain?"

He saw her expression shift to one of hurt, and she looked down in shame, "Because despite everything—or maybe because of everything…I still love him." She had whispered the last part so quietly that he had struggled to hear it. But hear it he did. "I drove him away with the choices I made, and now…now he loves another." She paused, and he thought that the end of it until, "It's time I tried to fix my mistakes." She looked to him with a sad smile before walking back to the house.

Hailstorm watched her leave—not really sure how he should feel. He was concerned about what she had to say that would apparently cause Winter pain. Therefore, he was concerned with how Winter would take it. Also, regardless of what his brother said or who he was with, he knew Winter still had feelings for the Nightwing. Maybe what she had to say would cause him pain for a while, but maybe it would mend their relationship in the long term. Then again, it could damage it beyond repair.

He sighed heavily. With what Winter said earlier and Moon's vague portents of doom, he was beyond worried for his little brother. He looked up to the moons looking for the same comfort that Moonwatcher said they provided.

He didn't find it.

It didn't stop him from saying a prayer. He wasn't a religious dragon by any means—most Icewings weren't—but he needed…something. "I know I don't do this very often—or ever—but please…whoever is listening, grant me strength. I wasn't the brother Winter needed before, but I'd do anything for him now. Just please…give me strength."

The only answer he received was the whistling of the wind through the mountains. He sighed, "Of course no one answered. Why would they?" He glanced down at the necklace still held in his talons.

Suddenly, he became conflicted. Before, he had taken every chance to wear it. Now, though…letting Pyrite take control meant he wouldn't be there for Winter if he needed him. There was no other way, though. It had to be done. He closed his eyes and placed the pendant around his neck…

I looked around at my surroundings in confusion. How did I get outside? Why was it so late? The last thing I remembered, I was with Winter up in my room and it was only sunset. A moment passed before I shrugged. "It's probably not important anyway," I said to myself dismissively.

I skipped back to the house in a pleasant mood despite the late hour. It had been forever since I had seen Winter last! It had been kind of lonely here without him. I knew he would come back eventually, but I had almost given up hope. Now he was here, though, and it didn't matter!

When I entered the house, I saw a few of Winter's friends that he said were staying the night. Most of them looked at me a bit oddly. The Nightwing didn't. She seemed nice. I gave them all a friendly smile, "Hi." I waved at them and a few of them returned it before going about their earlier conversations.

The Mudwing, though, approached me. "Hi," he greeted kindly in a warm, deep voice. "I'm Flint. We met earlier in the kitchen." I nodded and tilted my to the side in curiosity. Did he want something from me? "I just wanted to say that I'm glad to meet you. I adopted Winter as my sib about…eight years ago now," he finished with a smile.

I looked at him in confusion, "So Winter is your brother?"

"Adopted brother," he nodded with a smile.

A smile threatened to break out on my face that I tried to stamp down. "Does that mean that you're my brother, too?"

His gaze was filled with warmth and his smile grew. "If you want—Oof!" He grunted as I lunged at him with a full hug. Flint seemed nice, and if Winter cared about him, then I wanted to, too. That way the three of us could be one, big, happy family. I felt his arms wrap around me as he returned the hug, gently. I took a moment to marvel how a dragon so large could simultaneously be so gentle, fully aware that he could easily crush me. It was a comforting notion. He was intimidating in stature, but Flint was a good dragon. I could tell. "I'll take that as a yes," he chuckled.

I smiled to myself. I was glad that Winter brought these dragons here. I really wanted to meet the rest of them, but it was already much later than I liked to stay up, so I should really go get some sleep. I pulled back slightly, and he released me. "I should go get some sleep," I said sheepishly.

He nodded, "I think we should all get some sleep." He gave me a gentle nudge up the stairs. "Go on, we'll be right behind you. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night!" I called as I walked up the stairs towards my room. I received a wide range of replies as I opened the door to the left of the stairs. The first thing I saw was Winter sleeping fitfully atop the bed. I was torn between being annoyed that he stole my bed in my room or being worried. He was obviously having a nightmare or something.

I walked in and shut the door quietly before making my way closer to my sleeping brother. His face was scrunched up—in pain or fear, I didn't know. His talons were restless and he kept making quiet whimpering noises. Suddenly, my earlier happiness at seeing my big brother again was overshadowed by worry.

This wasn't the dragon I remembered from a few hours ago. Was he just covering it all up? How long had he been suffering nightmares? And more importantly, what was so bad that it affected him like this? I placed a paw on his shoulder and shook him, "Winter?" I whispered. He tensed but didn't wake. I shook him a bit harder and called louder, "Win—AHH!"

It happened so fast that I didn't really know what it was that happened. All of a sudden I was pinned on the ground between a snarling Icewing, his claws poised to strike. His eyes were unfocused but were starting to gain clarity as I just stared at him in fear.

He blinked a few times and then shook his head. He looked at me in confusion, "Pyrite?" I nodded slowly. The tension in his muscles slowly relaxed, and he stepped back. "What happened?" he asked uncertainly.

I stared at him in shock. He didn't…he didn't know what had happened. It was pure instinct that had guided his actions. He was fighting off an enemy in his nightmare and had reacted when she disturbed him. "N-nothing," I finally stuttered out. "I think I startled you, is all." I didn't want him to feel bad for what happened.

He sighed before shuddering. "I'm sorry I attacked you," he whispered. "I haven't slept alone in a while because I have nightmares." He shook his head, "I know it's childish."

I got up off the floor and walked over to him. Now that I got a good look at him, he just seemed…sad. It's almost like… I shook my head. Those weren't particularly nice memories that I wanted to think about. "It's not childish," I admonished him. He looked at me slightly taken aback at my tone. I continued in a much gentler voice, "An enemy of the mind is still an enemy. It just happens to be one you can't run from, hide from, or attack."

"Gee, that makes me feel better," he said sarcastically.

"It should," I said with conviction. "Because you can still defend against it."

He tilted his head—much like I do. It caused me to smile slightly at the sight. "How so?" he asked.

"You have to talk about it." He didn't look convinced so I explained. "If you keep it to yourself, then you'll always lose. This kind of enemy requires back-up. It stands no chance against two dragons." He looked away before moving back up to the bed and laying down.

"Easier said than done," he said with a yawn. He settled back down and got comfortable. "But it'll take more than simple nightmares to keep me awake. I'm stubborn like that." He closed his eyes before I had a chance to do anything.

I watched him for a moment before I felt as if I had to say something. I don't know why I decided to offer this, but I did. "If you want, I could stay in here with you." He cracked open an eye and looked at me for a minute before raising a wing.

I smiled and settled down next to him. Our sides were touching, and I shivered at how cold his scales were. It was an interesting feeling, for sure, but I found that I didn't mind it. "I'm not even going to try and argue. I'm just glad for the company," he sighed in contentment as his wing draped over me and held me even tighter against his side. He twined our tails together and tucked his head right next to mine.

I was speechless. Despite the…intimacy of our position, I didn't try to stop him or pull away. I had offered, after all. This may have just been his way of assuring himself that he had someone with him—the constant contact helping to remind him that he wasn't alone. Or maybe he was just a cuddler. If I was a betting dragon, I would bet that it was a combination of both.

Without another option, I let myself relax and drift off into a nice, deep sleep.

I woke up right after first light like I always do, even though I had stayed up much later. Winter was still asleep—a much more peaceful expression on his face. I was still trapped by his wing and tail, so I couldn't do anything more than wait for him to wake up. Though after enough time for the sunlight to fill the room had passed and Winter still hadn't woken, I decided to go ahead and wake him.

"Psst!" No reply. "Winter!" Still nothing. "Okay, you asked for this." With as much dignity as I could muster, I licked his cheek since my head was now stuck under his.

He groaned, "Did you have to make it weird?" I giggled at his tired glare, but he just rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. "What time is it?"

"Just after dawn," I said. That caught his attention. His eyes flew open about as fast as he got up. With us…tangled together, we both ended up flailing around in a panic and we both ended up falling unceremoniously onto the floor. I blinked a few times as I was suddenly staring at the ceiling.

"Are you okay?" came Winter's slightly strained voice. I turned my head to the side and noticed that I was lying on his stomach.

"Yes," I said. "Luckily I had a soft landing." After that, I rolled off of him and stood up.

"Glad to be of assistance," he said sarcastically.

"So…what's the rush? I mean, don't get me wrong, I did enjoy having such a soft landing," I gave him a cheeky smile.

He chuckled awkwardly for a moment before sighing, "Come on. I have a story to tell you—one that you won't believe at first." He opened the door and motioned for me to follow. We walked downstairs and sat down in front of the cold fireplace. He grabbed a few logs from the pile next to it, and I set it ablaze when he was ready. "Will you wait here a moment while I grab the others?"

I nodded. He walked away with a small smile, so I waited patiently for him to return. I didn't have to wait too long. Within almost no time at all, I heard the group of dragons walking down the stairs. "I suppose you're going to fill her in?" Flint asked with a slight frown.

Winter nodded, "It's the only choice, Flint." The Mudwing nodded in acceptance, even though he clearly wasn't happy. I cocked my head to the side, as concerned as I was confused. Whatever they had to tell me didn't sound very pleasant.

I was right, as it turned out. They filled me in on everything that had happened: the Changewings, the Spirits…everything. I didn't believe them at first, just like Winter had said, but once Cataclysm, the other female Skywing, took off her earring and turned into a completely different dragon—one that I had never seen before—and he introduced me to Aurora, the Spirit that had been living inside of him since he died (still trying to wrap my head around that, by the way), I finally did believe.

It was a terrifying story. After hearing what these Changewings and Faredir were capable of, I was worried. But that was nothing compared to what Winter said next, "And now we need your help to find and free Queen Ruby."

I was caught unprepared for that. When I was finally able to form words, I responded with more than little fear, "W-what? You need my help?"

Winter nodded somberly. "None of us can sneak into the city without being recognized, but they wouldn't know you. You are the only one who can get the information we need."

My mouth kept opening and closing, but this time, I couldn't find the words I needed to tell them that this was a bad idea. Cataclysm came to my defense, "Maybe she doesn't have to go. I might not attract too much attention if I tried."

Winter shook his head, "I can't take that chance." She nodded in acquiescence.

"B-but I can't do this!" I was finally able to whimper. "Y-you're supposed to protect me, Winter, not send me into danger!" Maybe that was a bit too harsh, but I was terrified. Winter's crushed expression made me feel worse, though.

He looked away—trying to sort through his thoughts or emotions, probably. That's when Aurora reappeared. Her ghostly manifestation still made me feel disconcerted. "I understand that you are afraid, and I know that you have never done anything like this before, but I must ask you to try…for all of our sakes."

She placed a claw on my shoulder, and I felt a sense of peace and security wash through me. It was…nice. But also strange. I closed my eyes. Then, with a resigned sigh, I looked back at them with as much determination as I could muster, "When do I leave?"

Winter's expression was still strained and uncertain when he answered, "Right now, if at all possible." I blanched, so he clarified. "We'll all fly together for most of the way, then wait for you outside the city."

After that, we flew through the mountains towards the city before stopping at a cave that Winter had saved Cliff from his would-be assassin. Winter gave me my final orders before I took flight.

Alone…

Most likely into certain death…

Oh joy…

I landed outside the west gate among the throng of dragons and waited in line for a solid half-hour before it was my turn to enter. The guards stopped me, like they had stopped everyone before and asked the same question, "What is your business in the city?"

Both guards were male Skywings wearing armor and carrying spears. For all I knew, they could both be Changewings. Without a choice, I answered in as steady a voice as I could. "I'm here to visit a friend and do some sight-seeing with her," I told him. It wasn't a full lie. The guard studied me for a few moments before ushering me forward and into the city.

That was one hurdle down.

Now came the hard part. I made my way inconspicuously towards the castle, taking a longer, more indirect route in case I was being watched or followed. I didn't want to appear too suspicious to all of the Changewings marching about, so I stopped at a few merchant stands to look at their wares whenever a column passed. The crowds and patrols made the entire process slow-going, but, at last, I made it before the castle's main gates.

The guards, both Changewings, saw me approach. One of them noticed my necklace and smirked. "Yep, that's her," I heard him say. I froze, and he chuckled as he walked over to me. His weapon was lowered to try and look unthreatening. "If you would please follow me?" he asked with an arm gesturing to the gates.

I looked at him uncertainly, trying to play the ignorant tourist part, "Um…what?"

He narrowed his eyes, his friendly disposition beginning to disappear. "Follow me, Pyrite. Lord Faredir wishes to speak with you."

Oh shit…

How did he know me? How did he know I would be here? With no other choice, I followed. The guard who had intercepted me was in the lead with the other behind me. I was trapped.

Rather than entering the throne room, we went to the east wing of the palace and entered a massive library. The lead guard told me to halt, so I did. The other guard left us for a moment before coming back a few minutes later with a large—and rather handsome—Skywing with stunning red eyes.

"Leave us," he commanded. The two guards bowed and left the room as the large Skywing—who I could only guess was Faredir—beckoned me forward. "Come," he said simply. I followed, not wanting to incur his wrath. He opened a door at the back of the library to reveal a sort of private study. There was a lit fireplace in the back, a desk in front of it, and bookshelves built into the other walls. I walked in as he held the door open for me and sat down in the middle of the room.

I heard the door shut but didn't look around. Instead, the Skywing walked around me and sat next to the fireplace. He merely looked into the fireplace without saying a word, so I decided to make the first attempt at communication. "You wanted to see me…Lord Faredir?" I added that last part after a short hesitation. I didn't want to be rude, did I?

He began laughing before looking at me with a kind smile. "Such nice manners!" he complimented me before shaking his head. "But I am not your Lord, am I, Pyrite?" he asked.

I shook my head after a brief hesitation. There was no point in lying if he already knew who I was and why I was here. In fact, lying would probably just make everything worse. "What do you want from me?" I asked with trepidation.

He looked away, back at the fireplace. "First, take off your necklace. Then, we will talk," he commanded.

I obeyed.

Hailstorm looked at the large Skywing with dread. He had witnessed the entire thing through Pyrite's eyes, though he could control nothing of what she did. The Skywing looked back at the Icewing and sighed in disappointment. "I had hoped you were your brother. I dearly wish to speak with Winter, but…I suppose you will have to do."

"What does that mean? Why do you want Winter?" Hailstorm asked. Though he was terrified on the inside, he would not let his enemy see his fear. "And how did you know I was coming?"

"After I learned where you lived, I decided to send up a spy to keep an eye on you and your group," he said casually, striding up to sit before the smaller Icewing. "I don't really like Rainwings—or Seawings for that matter—but their ability to camouflage is quite useful."

"That's how you knew about our plans at the party…" Hailstorm whispered. Winter had suspected a mole in their group. None of them had ever thought of an enemy spy.

"Indeed," he confirmed. He placed a claw pad-up between them before gesturing with his head to the necklace still clutched in Hailstorm's talons. "May I?" he asked, politely. Hailstorm looked at his necklace for a long moment before hesitantly placing it in the larger dragon's waiting talons. Faredir lifted it up to eye-level and gazed at it curiously. "Our existence has become a mere myth to you Pyrrhians, yet you use animus magic to create jewelry to mimic our innate ability. Fascinating!"

"May I…have it back?" Hailstorm asked quietly.

Faredir studied him for a moment before nodding and giving him back the necklace. The Changewing Lord walked back over and sat before the fireplace. "Do you love your brother?" he asked without warning.

The odd question took Hailstorm by surprise, so he didn't immediately answer. Faredir looked back at him expectantly. "Y-yes. More than anything," he finally answered.

The Changewing nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Does he listen to you? Ask for your council?"

"My council?" he asked, confused.

"Does he ask for your advice on matters or come to you to speak of his troubles?" he clarified.

"Not really," he replied. "I mean, he does sometimes, but mostly he goes to Flint before anyone else…except maybe Aurora."

Faredir glanced at him briefly when he heard the Ice Spirit's name. "Flint is the Mudwing, correct? He wears a bronze wristband that he never takes off." The second sentence was more of a statement than a question. Faredir was silent for a long time before he nodded to himself, coming to some sort of conclusion, no doubt.

Hailstorm was about ready to say something else to keep this conversation going when Faredir finally spoke. "I'm sure you have many questions for me, but I will not answer them for you—not yet. First, I must have my chance to speak with Winter."

"Why is my little brother so important!?" he yelled, his emotions getting the better of him. "First, the Spirits want him. Now you? What did he ever do to warrant the attention of gods!?"

Faredir hummed in thought before answering. "He is…special. I will not say more on the matter. How close has his relationship with Aurora gotten?" he asked, curious, but in a thoughtful way.

Hailstorm explained as best he could about the bond between the two—how they could hear the other's thoughts, feel the other's emotions, how he suspected that they were beginning to fall in love. Faredir laughed boisterously at that. "Love!? She doesn't know the meaning of the word!" he spat venomously. He sighed and shook his head. "This is indeed problematic," he said to himself.

"Why do you hate her so much?" he asked curiously. He didn't understand how a dragoness that seemed so kind could make someone hate her so much.

Faredir narrowed his eyes at the Icewing before looking away. "She murdered my mother simply for falling in love with my father," he sneered. "She claimed that love between the Spirits and mortals was forbidden, but that was only her excuse. The truth she has never dared to mention was that she, herself, was in love with my father. She killed my mother out of jealousy and spite when she learned of their relationship in the vain hope that they could then be together." He looked back at the now-stunned Hailstorm. "That is why I hate her. That is why I must free Winter from her control. She started this war. Now, I am going to end it.

"Fifteen thousand years can change a dragon. I am tired of fighting—of this war. I want the best for my tribe. If that means disobeying my father's wishes then that is what I will do. I will end this diplomatically with Winter's help if I can get his support. If I can't, though, I will do what I must."

He flicked a paw and the door opened. "The Queen is in her bedroom. Hellstorm has orders to guard her, but do not mention that to Winter. This will be his test. If he can kill Hellstorm, then his worth to me will be proven."

"And if he can't," he dared to ask.

"What do you think?" he replied with a cold gaze. "Now go. Return to Winter with the Queen's location. The guards have been ordered not to bother you on your way out." Hailstorm looked between the Skywing and the open door before starting to walk out. "Oh, and as an incentive to get things moving, tell them I'm planning an attack on the Rainforest."

Hailstorm nodded, and the door shut behind him. He walked through the castle and out of the main gates. True to his word, the guards never once tried to stop him. He looked up at the sky, seeing that it was almost noon.

I have to hurry. My time is almost up. He took to the skies once outside and flew as fast as he could to the cave where the others were waiting. He placed the necklace around his neck once he was alone, and Pyrite continued on her way—none the wiser about what happened in the city.

AN: Now that this is done, enjoy chapter 19.

Until Next Time

AdmiralCole22