Ack, Three Chapters in Four Days? Who are you and what have you done with the real Runereader?
But in all reality guys, I've taken a week to figure out where my life is going and I'm pleased to admit it may contain a lot more chapters in the foreseeable future. OR this could just me saying this again and then never posting. WELL, whatever it is, I'm glad y'all are enjoying my story and I hope to keep it up!
Morrowseer looked around in the dark room and whispered to Runereader, "Take off the bracelet, quickly!"
Runereader's eyes widened shocked, He wants me to spy on the Queen! But he dutifully removed the bracelet and hid it in his hand.
Thoughts flooded into his mind, Morrowseer's, the guards' that were sitting outside, and another dragon who seemed to be in the room despite the empty appearance. They filled his mind until he could hardly hear. It took a few moments to wrestle them into place. They were still there, still yelling at him, but they were more bearable and quieter.
As he focused again he saw some of the magma seemed to be rising… Three moons, he thought to himself, There is a dragon under there! Morrowseer seemed equally shocked and backed up a few paces as the face and neck of a dragon became visible.
Runereader could tell they were battled worn by the number of scars on their face alone. Slowly the dragon opened their mouth to speak, Rune shivered uncomfortably as they began.
"I hear," she said slowly "That you, and your son, are responsible for the... plan for a new home?" she said addressing Morrowseer only.
"That is correct" Morrowseer answered curtly and politely.
"Then explain it once more to me," she said this almost scornfully, but most nightwings were like that so he couldn't be sure it meant anything.
Rune frowned and slowly opened his mind up to the Queen's thoughts as Morrowseer explained their plan. Rune sucked in a breath, her thoughts were so malevolent and cold, it was like no mind Rune had ever heard before! She was thinking about killing every icewing, scratch that now she was thinking about murdering half the tribes, and now even how to kill Morrowseer and Rune! It was like she hardly cared about anything but killing. In that ball of spite, he almost didn't catch the amount of pain she was in, cold but burning pain filling her insides.
Rune didn't understand how one dragon could hurt that much, but when he saw her open their mouth again he understood. The inside of her throat was blue and black with frost. An Icewing must have gotten her when she was going to breathe fire! That's why she needs the lava! This revelation hardly changed Rune's opinion of the Queen however, he saw her as what she was, a damaged manipulative, Queen who would see her tribe destroyed if it meant revenge. Rune clenched his jaw leaving their thoughts again. But the ball of rage was hard to forget, it stuck in his head painfully.
Morrowseer was finishing now, "You see your majesty, this plan could save the tribe"
The Queen nodded however reluctantly, even she understood that without a tribe she couldn't destroy the icewings. "Fine, you have my permission to enact the plan. I want you to be in charge of it and make sure it goes smoothly."
Morrowseer frowned, "I don't have that kind of authority-"
"You do now, you are now Cheif Advisor, you report to and obey only me."
Runereader felt the delight and pride fill Morrowseer, and Rune felt it too in himself. It worked! The plan was already half successful!
"Now" The Queen turned to Runereader, "Why was your son so important to the plan? Did he help come up with the idea or something else?" She said this with hardly concealed contempt.
Morrowseer froze and said slowly as if to hide his anger, "My son helped me quite a bit with the prophecy, he excels at making the fake prophecies and his skill at that is almost outdone by his ability to think outside the box"
The Queen was nodding slowly, "Good, good, we need dragonets like him, they are the future of our tribe." The Queen's emotions changed so fast Runereader almost couldn't follow them. Disappointment. Annoyance. And even a bit of humor.
"I want him to help you, he has permission to leave the island and go with you to the mainland as long as you go with him, I want him to get some real-world experience so he can do more."
Runereader was shocked. The Mainland? I'm only seven years old! Dragons aren't normally allowed to the mainland until they are at least ten!
Morrowseer looked as shocked as Rune felt. But he didn't argue, just dipped his head and said "As you wish"
Morrowseer turned and walked out the door after it was opened by the guards. Rune followed him, his mind whirling. Once they were alone Morrowseer began quickly.
"What did you hear? Do you know why you're coming with me? Does she mean for harm to come to us?"
Rune began slowly, "As far as I can tell she doesn't mean to harm us, but she hates the icewings and would sacrifice this tribe to kill that one"
Morrowseer nodded, "That makes sense, but you're sure she doesn't want to harm you? Or me?"
Rune shrugged, "Like I said I can't be sure, she might but she didn't think about it so I doubt it"
Morrowseer sighed in relief, "That's a relief, I was worried she might harm you. It's not every day a dragonet gets her attention…" he froze. "Great now I'm going to have to tell your mother that you're coming to the mainland." Rune began to put back on his bracelet, but Morrowseer waved it away.
"You'd better get used to not wearing it, on the mainland you won't be wearing it. We might as well use your powers there since we won't have other nightwings with us. It will be a good chance for us to learn how to control them better too."
Rune looked at him shocked. "But-" Rune's argument faded, Why do I think I should wear it? It is limiting me… "But what about the- the focusing issues?"
Morrowseer smiled softly, "I hope we will figure out a way to fix that while we're out there. The dragons on the continent are a lot more spread out and you can go days flying without coming across one, so don't be too worried"
Rune still was unnerved at the prospect of not wearing the bracelet for most of the time. "As long as you think its alright…"
Morrowseer nodded like all the problems were solved. Rune sighed, that was the one problem Morrowseer had, he just couldn't seem to understand a logical solution doesn't always count for the illogical.
"What do you mean he's going with you! He's only seven!" Rune winced at his mother's tone. It was probably, even more, a shock for nearby dragons due to Secretkeeper's reputation for being a calm quiet dragon.
"Secretkeeper-" Morrowseer was once again interrupted.
"Why didn't you argue? Couldn't you have gotten him off the mission! The mainland is dangerous!"
Morrowseer said in a low voice, "It was the Queen's decision, who am I to question her?"
"The new chief advisor," answered Secretkeeper dryly.
Rune hated when they argued, it didn't happen often, but when it did it was always something about him. He decided to put an end to it early.
"Mom, it's alright, I can handle it," but added wryly "And if I can't I'm sure Morrowseer will rush me right out and forget the consequences"
Morrowseer nodded vigorously as if agreeing, but Rune knew he might have exaggerated exactly what Morrowseer would do, even if it was to help Rune, which there was no doubt Morrowseer would do.
Secretkeeper sighed, accepting defeat. "Fine, if you'll be careful"
Rune could hardly think with the number of worried thoughts pouring off both his parents. But he nodded despite this.
Morrowseer smiled somewhat, "This always was my dream, to show my son the continent for the first time…"
Rune smiled right back, "If its better than this island then sign me up"
Morrowseer responded in kind "Oh, its soo much better than here! For one the air- actually I'll let you decided what you think of it"
Rune smiled appreciating Morrowseer's attempt to let Rune have a surprise but Rune could help point out he had seen countless memories of it by tapping the side of his head.
Morrowseer snorted, "Sorry forgot! Honestly you never comment on it, if I didn't know better I would think it didn't bother you, but I know you get headaches from this many dragons. Don't worry we'll be off the island soon, away from all the other nightwings"
Rune was surprised by Morrowseer's wistfulness. "You really like it there don't you?"
Morrowseer nodded, "Its quiet and dragons are less uptight. Even when talking to a nightwing they aren't as smug as another nightwing would be."
That did sound good. Dragons on the volcano constantly looked at each other like they stole their prey. Even if they were related. Rune was glad his own parents weren't like that.
Rune gestured to the cave exit with an excited sweep if his wings. "Then what are we waiting for? We have to leave today anyway so it might as well be now"
Morrowseer laughed, "You're right, of course. Let's go." He turned to look back at Secretkeeper, "Don't worry, we'll be back before you know it"
With that parting comment, they walked out of the cave, father and son. And as Rune put it: Ready for anything.