Hello again, my friends!

This winglet's purpose is to answer a few questions that I have been skirting around in both the Winglets and Finding Peace, while also laying the foundations for something major in the future.

I hope everyone is safe, and that this Winglet is enjoyable for people in these trying times. As always, reviews are appreciated but not needed!

Now, without further wait, let's take flight!

Finding Peace: Winglets

The Cursed One

It had been a short, but bloody, skirmish. Both the IceWings and SandWings had wounded during the fight. But the group of bandits Qibli and Hailstorm had ambushed suffered near-absolute casualties, with the few survivors fleeing from the battle while Qibli and Hailstorm's dragons locking down the area. All of the dragons from both the IceWings and SandWings tribes would recover from their injuries. Ultimately: Qibli found this battle to be a victory.

Especially when Hailstorm had managed to capture a bandit, a SandWing, alive and taken in for interrogation in the SandWing base camp.

It had been Hailstorm's intention to keep the bandit alive for interrogation and to learn more about the bandit clan their groups were dealing with.

At first, however, Qibli hated the idea of taking a prisoner. Not after what they had done. But, ultimately, Hailstorm had convinced him, which was odd since it was normally the other way around.

"The more we know about this clan, the sooner we can plot a final strike…and bring an end to all of this."

Hailstorm had made sense. Hours later, Qibli even fully agreed. The more they knew, the better they could plot their next attack.

And, with luck, Qibli could get an answer to this one question: Why?

As Qibli walked through the base camp, he struggled to focus on the present as his mind attempted to wander through his memories. He needed to keep calm during the interrogation. If he didn't focus, and lost control, then he would be a hindrance to everyone.

Making his way to a tent that had been set up as a place for the interrogation, Qibli nodded to the two IceWings who were stationed by the entrance. Stepping through, Qibli was met with the sight of the SandWing bandit crumbled to the ground. His wings were bound together, feet locked in chain links that prevented him from moving. The poisonous barb was also weighed down. The only defense he would have was his fire…but even then: It would do little good when he was in a tent that would come crashing in on him as well.

He was defenseless, at the mercy of two dragons…that would very much like him dead.

Qibli struggled to hold back his loathing for the pitiful SandWing before him, whose black eyes gazed up at him without fear…Seeing that the dragon had no fear almost made Qibli want to lash out at him.

But it was the expression of Hailstorm that kept Qibli calm: The IceWing held an expressionless gaze towards the SandWing. His deep blue eyes looked very tempted to bring an end to the SandWing's life. Yet he showed great restraint.

Given everything that had happened, what these bandits had done to Hailstorm, personally, Qibli kept his rage contained. For now, at least.

"Now that my counterpart is here," Hailstorm's voice spoke lowly, trying to sound calm and diplomatic. "We can start."

"About time," The bandit spat. "Thought you were going to make me die of boredom."

One thing was certain, this bandit was not afraid of them. The idea he was so close to death, all he would need to do was to give Hailstorm and Qibli a reason, was clear to him. Yet he seemed unfazed about this.

This wanted to make Qibli angry, but it made him confused even more so. Most bandits would try to barter for their lives and freedoms. That was what life was like in the Scorpion's den back when Qibli was a dragonet.

His mother, grandfather, and siblings were all cruel and ruthless. Yet, what defined them, he realized, was one thing: Fear. Fear for their freedom and lives. This fear drove them into viewing the entire world as a threat.

This bandit seemed to lack that fear, making him unlike other bandits…it was for that reason Qibli knew his personal grudge needed to be put aside.

"Why the border?" Qibli asked, pacing to the side of the SandWing, eyeing him carefully. "Of all the places you could raid?"

The bandit's gaze turned to him, tilting his head as he looked into Qibli's eyes. It was at that moment he realized: The bandit was reading him…the same way Qibli analyzed everyone around him.

Slowly, a grin crossed the SandWing's lips.

"Why not?" The bandit asked. "There's been lots of border crossings in the last few years. Plenty of IceWings traveling south."

"That would make sense for your SandWings," Hailstorm interjected. "Yet, your IceWings could just as easily attack in the far north, in the tundra. Why are they this far south?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" The bandit said, gazing at Hailstorm…giving the IceWing a wink.

This dragon truly has a death wish, Qibli realized. Not a death wish, in the sense that he was arrogant…but it was like he was asking him and Hailstorm to slit his throat open with their talons. Qibli would not fall for this dragon's schemes.

"Your attacks were minimal about a year ago," Qibli said, pacing in front of the SandWing. "Your band always scared off dragons, taking the loot you could get. But you never killed…until a few months ago."

A few months ago, when the bandits had murdered an IceWing.

Not just any IceWing.

At this, the bandit's eyes brightened with realization…and he laughed…loudly, full heartily.

"Is that was this is about?" The bandit muttered. "You're angry that we killed that dragon? What was her name again…?" Slowly his lips curved into a toothy grin. "Ah yes…Lynx…The Cursed One."

Hearing the name of Winter's mate, used in such away…after this piece of scum's group murdered her! He would not tolerate this!

A loud SLAP sounded through the air of the tent as the back of Hailstorm's talons made contact with the face of the bandit, knocking his head and neck into the ground. Qibli looked up at Winter's brother, and saw that the prince's light blue eyes showed a sign of rage at what the bandit had just said.

"Do not say that about her, ever again." Hailstorm muttered as he regained composure

"Well, my apologies," The bandit replied as a red ribbon of blood dripped down his cheek. Staring at Hailstorm, his black eyes had a glint of interest "You must be Prince Hailstorm…So…our intelligence was correct, regardless…"

"Excuse me?" Qibli said, his voice low as he walked dangerously close. "Intelligence? What are you talking about?"

"That she had married the exile…Prince Hailstorm's brother, which would explain why he is here." Slowly, the bandit's eyes grew dark, the smirk shifting to a frown. "She…had an egg, didn't she?"

Hearing this, Qibli struggled to keep his eyes from widening in shock. How…how did the bandits know about Bobcat?

"Oh well, my brothers and sisters will kill the dragonet later once they find out."

Qibli snapped, lunging forward, he wrapped his talons around the bandit's throat. The tips of his claws threatening to slice open the bandit's throat.

"Go ahead! Do it!" The bandit spat, his expression shifting to anger, his eyes almost begging Qibli to end his life.

"I'll make you pay first!" Qibli hissed, bringing the bandit's muzzle close to Qibli's. "I'll make you wish you were never hatched!"

"Go on!" The bandit goaded him. "You think that you have seen the true embodiment of fear?" Slowly, the bandit edged close to Qibli, so they were nose to nose. "Kill me now… Death will be a welcome alternative after everything I've seen…"

This, made Qibli stop. His eyes blinked as he gazed into the unafraid expression of the bandit in front of him. As he spoke, the bandit let his confident mask slip…and in doing so, Qibli was able to see that, indeed, the bandit was afraid. But the thing was: He wasn't afraid of Qibli.

Realizing this, Qibli felt his talons reluctantly pull away from the bandit. Not out of pity, but out of the realization that if there was something that could endanger every dragon under his and Hailstorm's command, then he needed to know.

Especially after what occurred with the blue mist.

"What are you talking about?" Hailstorm asked, walking up beside Qibli, likely feeling curious as well.

The bandit's smirk did not return to his lips, instead, he just glared at the two.

"You think: After Darkstalker…after the Pantalan menace…that you both have seen evil?" The bandit's body shuddered. "None of you know what evil looks like."

Qibli could not help but feel his Animus touched earring grow heavy when he heard Darkstalker's name mentioned by the bandit. Part of him wanted to reach up and touch it, but he refused to take his attention away from the bandit. Not when Qibli could barely read this dragon.

"What are you talking about?" Hailstorm pressed.

Then, just as quickly as his mood shifted previously, the bandit's expression became confident as he grinned up at the two, his teeth bared. He could not help but feel a familiar shiver run down his spine.

"It will take your queens…" The bandit whispered, hearing those words made Qibli's eyes widen as he remembered similar words.

We will take your queens.

"What 'it'?!" Qibli demanded, resisting the shiver of fear running down his spine. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not afraid of you, Qibli." The bandit spat. "I'd rather die now, and put an end to this."

Realizing that they were not getting anywhere with this bandit, Qibli glanced at Hailstorm, whose deep blue eyes stared back at him. As if waiting for permission.

Qibli nodded.

Hailstorm began to circle the bandit, ever so slowly. His tail slithering behind him as his IceWing tail blade scrapped the sandy ground beneath him.

"Do you regret killing Lynx, my sister in law?" Hailstorm asked the bandit, as he continued to circle the bandit.

The bandit nodded in response. Though, Qibli doubted it was sincere.

"I did…" The bandit muttered. "I regret killing her…" The bandit chuckled. "I regret not killing her the right way…I would have killed her and smashed her tainted egg."

"I see," Hailstorm muttered. "Thank you for your honesty."

The sound of claws swiftly slicing through the back of the bandit's neck were heard soon after. The SandWing's body fell onto the ground with a loud thump. No more movement, just silence.

Turning away from the corpse, Qibli stepped out of the tent, with Hailstorm following close behind him. Qibli would make sure that he would burn the bandit's body later, but now he needed to process everything he had heard.

While feeling relieved that one of Lynx's murderers was dealt with.

Hailstorm walked passed Qibli, making his way towards the border of the camp, it looked like he was ready to leave!

"Hailstorm!" Qibli called out to the IceWing prince. "I think you need to tell Queen Snowfall what we learned."

Hailstorm stopped.

"That's my intention," Hailstorm responded. "I'll let her know that we dealt with one of Lynx's murderers…while also requesting an investigation."

At least he was a few steps ahead of Qibli on that. When the bandit mentioned the bandits had "intelligence" on Lynx...he realized that the only way Lynx could've been targeted was if someone within the Ice Kingdom nobility was working with this bandit clan.

"Who would target Lynx?" Qibli asked, more to himself than Hailstorm.

With his back still turned, Hailstorm shook his head, all the while his eyes gazing at the ground.

"I don't know…" Hailstorm admitted. "But whoever it was, will suffer. Especially if they considered Lynx 'cursed.'"

Hearing this, made Qibli's blood boil when he remembered what the bandit had said about Lynx and, by extension, her son: Bobcat.

How was any of them "cursed?" Why would anyone think of Lynx that way, let alone her and Winter's own son?

"If they considered Bobcat 'tainted'…could the bandits have something against Lynx's family?" Qibli inquired to himself out loud. Hailstorm's head turned to the side to look at him briefly before the IceWing made a 'hmm' noise…clearly the question made him think.

"I'll let my second know she's in command until I get back," Hailstorm said, all the while deep in thought. "When I'm home, I'll see what I can find out about Lynx's family…"

Without a glance back, Hailstorm was in the air, flying for the IceWing side of the border. As he did, Qibli stared aimlessly at the Ice Kingdom's border in the distance. He thought about the night he and Winter had arrived on the border, racing desperately to find Lynx after her escort had been scattered.

He had joined this mission to help make the border between the two kingdoms safe for travel…but most importantly: to avenge Lynx, for Winter. While Winter couldn't avenge her, not willing to leave his month old dragonet, that did not stop Qibli from wanting to avenge the death of someone close to his best friend's heart.

Lynx was dead, but so was her immediate killer as well. He wouldn't kill anyone, anymore.

He would write to Winter, informing him that it was done. Hopefully, the bandits would be wiped out in a week or so. Then, he could return home to Possibility.

Home to Moon.

Moon.

The thought of his mate made Qibli close his eyes and press his talons over his eyelids. He recalled the last conversation he'd had with Moon…and how he had left their house that night, without a word. Only to learn that very evening of Lynx's death, and requesting to Thorn that he lead the SandWing side of the offensive against the bandits.

All the while he had left Moon without telling her everything. Just, at the time, he was too frustrated to talk to her. They had exchanged words that he never realized he did not have the courage to say until he spoke them.

When he returned home…he knew there was much to talk about. Much he needed to explain.

But, there was somethings he would not…no…could not take back. He just hoped he would have a better mindset to explain them.

For now, all he could do was focus on the present, and ensure the border was safe for IceWings and SandWings both.