They rested until it was night again, then continued. Jackal kept on looking over his shoulder to make sure his parents weren't following them. He wouldn't put it past his mother to get so worried that she'd hire an entire search party with her in the lead. He knew that it might get better if he told them of his powers; but he also knew it might get worse. And that it's better if they didn't know.

It was quiet. None of the four dragons spoke. None of them had anything to talk about. Jackal could probably start a conversation if Spectrum wasn't there. He felt like anything he said she would use against him, although so far the NightWing seemed just as mysterious as the rest of her tribe.

"I don't remember the desert looking like this." Spectrum muttered.

"I've learned that it never looks the same way each week." Jackal replied. He was lucky he could see—instead of being completely blind. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to go on the crazy adventures Mallow would take him on.

"I know that, smarty-dragon." Spectrum retorted. "I was just remarking. I hope my sister is okay."

"I'm sure she is." Caldera said. Jackal honestly thought that Caldera would be more…aggressive, saying that she grew up watching dragons kill each other. Maybe that was just him, though. Stereotypical SkyWing behavior.

"When do you think we'll be at the Mud Kingdom?" Mallow asked. "I need to make sure I'm ready to claw any stupid MudWings' faces off. More specifically, my brother's."

"I can help in a fight, too, you know." Jackal said. "I still have my tail. It won't kill him, but it'll hurt like it's killing him. And we should be there in another day or two."

"That's perfect." Mallow replied. "Vervain treats Flora awfully; she hates me, but not as much as he does. Maybe I can convince her to leave the troop."

"I didn't think MudWings could leave their troops." Caldera said.

"Normally, they can't. They have to wait until all their sibs die. But if you haven't noticed, me and my ex-troop mates aren't exactly normal." Mallow explained. "Besides, under normal circumstances a bigwings wouldn't get kicked out of the troop, either. And the troop wouldn't be forced into battle when they're only two."

"In my opinion, that's the most stupid one." Jackal said. "I mean, I know they hated you but they didn't need to decide to send off your whole troop. And there was only four of you—kill me if you want for me saying this, but soon to be three of you. Less members in a troop and of lower age means under-aged soldiers who aren't strong enough to kill anyone, and if they do then they're scared for life. Then they either die or join the Talons Of Peace."

"Talons Of Peace?" Spectrum echoed.

"It's a 'secret' group of dragons from all seven tribes that oversee the dragonet prophecy." Jackal explained.

"Dragonet prophecy?" Spectrum said. "Moons, what have I missed?"

"Eighteen years of war." Caldera replied. "Which is odd, because you don't look much older than me. How old are you?"

"It depends." Spectrum said. "How long ago was the Scorching?"