Chapter 11
Kestrel's the traitor? I heard Dune saying something about her being in the army, but what did she do to rebel? I guess I'm going to find out now… "Vermillion, as per usual, you will be the accuser. Osprey, where are you? You know you're the defender! Come here now!" An old SkyWing came out of one of the arena entrances as the furious, rust-colored dragon Scorch grew up under was thrown at the same spot.
Osprey yelped and jumped out of the way, flapping his wings while Kestrel crashed into the sandy floor. He didn't go far, and that was when Scorch realized that he had a broken tail. He also thumped on the ground and shook the sand from his body.
"Now, Vermillion, state your case." This will be interesting. "Thank you, my queen. The dragon in question has specifically disobeyed your laws. She was entered in the breeding program, and produced a defective egg. She was ordered to destroy it, and yet she proceeded to take it with her to escape. She then abandoned the egg when confronted." Scarlet then addressed the other sky dragon, "Osprey?"
"Your Highness, I would like to state that this dragon was only trying to defend her egg, and we are not for certain sure that the egg was deformed, it was just assumed it was because the dragonet had breathed fire a little early."
"Every egg that's melted is deformed," Vermillion muttered. Osprey was about to start up again, but Queen Scarlet shushed him.
"I have the final decision. And I approve of the charge. For punishment, you will fight in the arena. If you live, you will be kicked out of the kingdom. Any resistance will result in immediate execution." If she wins, she's practically free…that's too easy. There has to be something behind that malicious smile. Apparently Kestrel thought the same from the confused look plastered on her face. Even Burn, who was not paying attention earlier looked like she was startled by her ally.
"Now, Vermillion, get to the spot where you will announce. Osprey, go back to your home. Guards, bring my excuse of a granddaughter to the arena," She snarled. Granddaughter? What looked like Princess Ruby, came out and started screeching, "No, not her mother! I won't let you!" She must be the mother…
"Go back to your cave now, or guards will personally escort you," Scarlet threatened. Ruby leapt at Scarlet, hissing, but was tackled by soldiers and dragged back into the castle, where Scorch could hear the screams of protest. She was bigger than those guards, yet she could not fight off for her own daughter? Scorch cut off the thought before he finished it
He felt pity welling up in him, although he could do nothing about it but watch as a small, pale, off-white SkyWing barely one or two years older than him being thrown in with the older, burlier Kestrel. He knew she was about to be slaughtered for freedom.
Along with the wrong feeling of seeing dragon being slaughtered by dragon, he felt some underlying dagger stabbing at his heart within at seeing this cruelty, almost a small portion of what he felt when his mother left his cage.
Then it felt like puzzle pieces crashed into place, sending him into an understanding that he never could have imagined.
Finally, this chapter is done! With a cliffhanger, too!