The queens followed Beiphuth back into the castle, Glacier out in front of the group, her talons scrapped at the stone floor under her paws, Battlewinner and the other queens followed suit as Beiphuth and her son turned into the dining room, Glacier stopped dead in her tracks, half inside of the entrance to the dining room.
Glaciers eyes flicked around the room, she wearily stepped into the far more expansive dining area her long white-blue tail flicked behind her, she eyed the dining table, it was now not only a different size, but was of another colour, the dark purple that ran down each of the legs barely reflected the light, dragon carvings curled and spiraled around the wood as her fellow friends entered after her, Battlewinner was next, her form larger then that of Glaciers, and yet made sure to keep herself in check; her own blue eyes eyed over the paintings that hung from the walls as she took a seat beside Glacier.
Coral emerged from around the entrance to the dining room, her blue form lit up from the countless candles and fireplace, as she entered she looked up, her ocean blue eyes flicked up to focus on a large chandelier that hung over the main table, it was made out of a giant clawed paw, made from glass, each of the talons had five candles that sprouted from them; the candles burned with a brilliant red as the glass was that of an electrifying blue, the red light streamed through the blue glass, leaving an erie purple hue, the flames danced about from the wicks of the candles.
Coral felt an uneasiness bubble within her, her large pair of blue wings furled up against her back, her bioluminescent lights flicked on and off, dancing around her body before she took her seat beside Glacier.
Queen Ruby poked her head in, her amber eyes flashed as she noticed the sheer expanse of the room, it was far larger then that of the dining room they left before and decorated entirely differently; far more lavish, she reared her head back, speaking with confusion.[Have we made a wrong turn?]she says to herself quizzically.
Tilting her head to the side slightly as Glory, who was by far the smallest Queen here, let out a small gasp of shock as her eyes flashed around the room.
Beiphuth was at a large black cauldron, stiring a large metallic spoon around, keeping the soup nice and hot.
Ruby focused her sight on Krystal, seeing him pad in with a few bowls in his forepaw, he himself eyed Ruby before he placed the bowls down beside his mother
"Oh no darling, i assure you this is the right room, I just ...mmm, changed it to be better,"
Beiphuth spoke, looking back to her guests with soft eyes as they flicked from one to another. She kept on stiring as she looked over to her son."Krystal darling, take these bowls to our guests"
the sound of each bowl being filled with soup filled the surrounding room, Krystal carried a tray of bowls over, the tray appeared to levitate, using as little magic as he could, he placed the tray down upon the table, scooping a bowl up within his talons, he turned only to nearly crash into Blaze, the Sandwing Princess seemed startled, Glaciers voice being heard.
"Blaze, do mind where you step, my apologies for my friend"
she eyed Blaze with a cold stare, causing the Sandwing to lower her head as she took her place beside Glory.
Krystal grinned as Blaze apologised before sitting down, he bowed to her slightly, showing her a level of respect before he started to place the bowls of soup down in front of the females, upon getting to the last bowl, he scooped it up and made his way to Blaze, placing it down in front of the yellow female only for her to give him a cheeky peck.
"thank you"
she whispered to him, earning her a stare from his eye, after a few seconds of the two staring at each other, krystal raised his head and turned around. Unbeknown to them, Glacier had seen the whole thing, she looked back at her soup, her eyes widened slightly as she noticed her talons had dug themselves into the table, letting out a sigh, with her icy breath, the Icewing queen relaxed herself, ruffling her wings lightly, she raised a forepaw and gripped onto the spoon that laid before her.
"So, you have met my husband, and now it seems that one of you have already...taken a liking to my son."
the words from his mother made Krystal choke on his soup, Glacier froze, her spoon touching her white lips as the words from Beiphuth rang within her mind, she flicked her eyes to focus on Beiphuth, eyes narrowing slightly as she focused back onto her spoon, sliding it between her lips, her eyes relaxed as the flavour of the soup washed over her tongue, taste exploding within her mind, her eyes closed as she scooped up another spoon full of soup, all beit in a royal manner as to impress Beiphuth and Krystal.
"Enjoying that, darling?"
came the voice of Beiphuth, Glacier opened her eyes before flicking them to eye the brown and white female, long tail curling around herself, her eyes widen then contract to their normal size, the dark blue colour of her eyes met the emerald and red eyes of Beiphuth.
"That i am, thank you, though i must ask. Where did your ma-i mean husband go?"
her head tilting to the side slightly as she spoke, Beiphuth looked down, narrowing her eyes before raising her head and shouting out.
"Gromeontunth!"
a few seconds later, the father slipped through a portal, he had shrunk greatly in size, he eyed over the guests, his black scarred form seemingly shimmering in the candle light as he made his way to his wife, his purple eyes had that same glow to them, Glacier focused her eyes on Gromeontunth, she had to admit he had the body of a king, the four horns that sprouted from his head, two main horns that formed a sort of crown upon his head, followed by two smaller horns, she eyed the couple with wise eyes, the realisation that this family must be the last of some sort of ancient kingdom of dragons
"Yes, my darling Emerald"
his voice still incredibly powerful and unimaginably deep yet loving and gentle, he glanced over to the queens who ate with a level of royalty, something suddenly brushed up against Glaciers mind, causing her to twitch, her tail whipped around, her eyes narrow from the feeling, her odd behaviour caught the attention of Battlewinner, her voice full of rare concern.
"Glacier, my friend, what is it?"
Glacier turned her head towards Battlewinner, opening her lips to speak, her tail twitched on the ground behind her, Battlewinner knew all too well that it meant a sign of distress in an Icewing, Glacier had always been the glue that held the queens together, as so no more wars broke out; taking in a deep breath, she got up onto her paws, turning her head towards Beiphuth and Gromeontunth, bowing towards them slightly.
"My deepest apologies, but i must grab some fresh air."
she then in a somewhat quickened pace left the room, slowly it turned into an allout sprint towards the entrance of the castle, bursting through the double doors, she nearly collapsed as she panted, the cool air rushed into her lungs, her fore legs spread, tail swished at a quickened pace behind her while her eyes darted around, her thoughts a mess as she struggled to collect them.
[What is wrong with me]
she spoke in her mind in an alarmed manner. While the Icewing queen was preoccupied with her thoughts, Krystal, who had asked his mother to be dismissed, walked up behind the struggling female.
(Are you okay ma'am?)
she heard a male voice within her mind, causing her to let out a soft yelp of shock, backing back into Krystal, her tail slapping him in the snout, she then turned to face him, her eyes narrowing into slits as she cursed to herself.
[Nice going Glacier]
Krystal eyed the smaller female with concern, unlike his father who had been through wars, and had his very soul sculpted into what it was now, Krystal was just an innocent dragon, she looked down, and thought hard about that, her talons flexed, scraping against the rocky ground, a soft breeze blew against her body, making her shiver, she then looked back up at the larger male, seeing the most adorable face, he had by now tilted his head, the most innocent look in his eyes, yet flashes of concern danced around within his beautiful eyes...wait, did she just say his eyes were beautiful?.
[What is wrong with me?]
she said within her mind, confusion and worry rattle throughout her mind as her eyes dart downwards, eyeing a bit of greenery that covered the cracked stone under her paws, her wings felt heavy on her back, calming her mind slowly, she slipped back into her normal self, which took time, after what seemed like forever, she looked back up at Krystal feeling that same brushing feel at her mind once again, a soft voice with a calming energy filled her mind as she sat down, tucking her tail around her paws.
(Relax Glacier, it is only i, Krystal!)
spoke the male in front of her, she remained as her stubbon self, yet when she went to pass the male after getting up, the feeling of a paw upon her back caused her to stop dead in her tracks, her talons flexed as she looked to her right, seeing those same pair of red eyes looking at her, the feeling that she somehow knew he was the one who spoke in her mind clouded her head, she remained quiet for a few seconds, licking her dry lips before she spoke.
"So... you really are a mind reader"
she concluded it was him as there was no one else around, just her and Krystal, it was confirmed when he gave her a nod, she once again sat down, her long tail curling around her paws as the sound of waves steadily crashing against the rocks filled their ears.
she went to speak, though decided against it, her tail twitched, scales on scales, the wings upon her back drooped slighty, as if a weight had been applied to them, she raised her head to look at the larger male with her dark blue eyes, about to speak when a voice came from the entrance to the castle.
"Glacier!"
came the voice of Thorn, the Sandwing slowed into a trot before slowing and sitting beside her royal friend, she seemed to want to ask something though it seemed whatever she wanted to ask kept on getting stuck in her throat, Thorn had seemingly ignored Krystal as if the larger male wasn't there.
"You ran off, we were worried about you"
the Sandwing queen spoke with a hint of royalty mingled within her words, Glacier looked to her right, eyeing Thorn before she exhaled a huff of icy air, all the while Krystal had returned to the castle, and was making his way back to his mother, Battlewinner ran her right wing against his, with her giving him a rather irritated look, krystal looked at her with a puzzled expression, his tail waved behind him as the rest of the queens past him.
(Krystal darling, come and help me clean up)
came his mothers voice in his head, he shook slightly before responding to her, his talons clicked against the stone floor while he made his way towards the dining room.
Ruby, Coral and Battlewinner all made their way outside, night was closing in, the three moons which were only half lit rose slowly into the darkening sky while the sun disappeared below the horizon, Glacier breathed in, the Queens all sat side by side, in a soothing silence, Battlewinner was the first to speak.
"I don't like this one bit, yes I have been acting... kinder then normal, though that doesn't excuse the fact that first, this land just pops out of nowhere, then as we are flying south, a storm of unimaginable power comes out of nowhere, forcing us to seek shelter at this castle!"
the rest of the queens looked at the Nightwing queen as she spoke, Coral let out a snort, knowing that Battlewinner was right she let out a huff, saying.
"I have to agree with Battlewinner, we need to keep vigilant and remain aware who knows what could happen next!"
the Seawing Queen said, all the while eyeing each queen, seeing of their reactions to what they were discussing, Queen Ruby, Thorn and Glory all gave a nod, agreeing to it while Glacier thought on.
"what...what if they are a past that has been until now hidden, we Must know more, and to see if they are friend or foe"
Glacier looked back down at her forepaws, pupils narrowing as she thought for a second, the spikes along his back stood on end before she raised her head to eye the Rainwing Queen.
"Glory, I have a special assignment for you"
the Rainwing's colour change as she looks up from the cliff to Glacier, ripples of orange flowed through her scales as she stared at the Icewing queen.
"what shall it be, it better not be going back to look after that half minded sand-snorter"
Glory spoke with an irritated tone, Glacier narrowed her eyes slightly at her, as if telling her to do as she was told, with a rather loud snort, the female Rainwing shook her head, padding back into the entrance of the castle.
Once she was sure that Glory was out of sight, Glacier turned back to the group of queens, inhaling sharply before she exhaled, she looked at each queen individually as she brought her mind back on track, she then spoke.
"I myself believe that we need to figure out what they are doing here, because it would seem that there is potentially something more going on here than we were led to believe with the story that we were once told from long ago".
Battlewinner let out another snort, smoke billowing from her nostrils as she dug her talons into the ground ripping up some of the cobblestone; before she flicked some of it into the ocean, expressing her frustration and anger before fluttering her wings only for Ruby to intervene
"if I may ask Glacier, why did you leave so suddenly with such haste?"
"believe me when I say, this is not the time to discuss such a topic, come, we Must return before our host starts a search for us and please try to not say too much regarding our kingdoms at this stage, please."
she commented before getting up and making her way up the cobblestone steps and into the castle, making their way down the corridor towards the dining room where a rather displeased Glory stood, her scales a colour of black which showed her displeasure.
"And where have you been!"
she spoke quietly so as not to let the family or Blaze hear.
"Watching the sunset, my darling, it sure was splendid, feeling the warm rays of light upon our scales"
Coral said as she and the other queens past the now furious Rainwing queen, her scales changed from a lime green, which showed disbelief to a vibrant red, which was the cour of anger.
"Are you joking me, I missed out on that to look after THAT!!"
Glory practically whispered her annoyance and more than being just a little disgruntled, huffed loudly.
Battlewinner found it amusing as she basically barged her way past Glory, the Rainwing Queen let out a snort, her talons all beit smaller then the older queens, were still sharp as they racked at the stone floor.
"Ah, you are back, we were getting worried about you,"
Beiphuth spoke, her long tail swished behind her, Gromeontunth stood behind his wife, along with his son as Krystal glanced over at Glacier, their eyes once again meeting only this time the Icewing queens eyes only showed a cold stare making the drainwing male shiver, only his mother could stare at him like that.
"me and my fellow queen's should be getting ba-"
before Glacier could finish her sentence, a flash of lightning, followed by a clap of thunder, caused the party to look out of one of the large windows.
"oh three moons, you better not fly in that storm dear, it is far too dangerous"
Beiphuth spoke, earning a stare from Glacier, her dark blue eyes flashing between all three family members, her spines along her back slowly stood on end, the chilling feeling that something was amiss filled her mind.
"I believe that we should give you a place to rest, yes?"
the mother spoke with a soft motherly tone towards the queens, slowly Glacier gave a nod, as Beiphuth and her son made their way down, what appeared to be another corridor, Blaze jumped onto Krystal.
"Got you hehe!"
Glory held her paws up to her snout, shaking her head while Coral let out a chuckle, Battlewinner growled, her tail swishing around, though soon calmed back down when Glacier gave her a stone cold glare.upon making their way down another long corridor, they all noticed that the door to the first room was of a dark blue.
Blaze placed her forepaw upon the icy cold door.
"Three moons, it's cold!"
she yelped in her normal childish manner, Ruby rolled her eyes as Glacier opened the door, finding a rather beautiful interior, a royal bedroom along with a cover of polar bear fur that covered the bed.
Glacier didn't seem that bothered by the unnervingly accurate room; everything Glacier would need was there, Battlewinner noticed Glacier's rather calm demeanour, her eyes narrowing but decided not to say anything and left her to enter the room; one after another the queens were shown to their rooms that all fitted exactly to each queens needs and taste.
Glacier sat in a crouched position upon her bed, tucking her paws under herself as an uneasiness filled her mind, she had to admit she was rather surprised that the family knew exactly what she liked and disliked, looking around the frosty room, she eyed a blue cup, gently reaching out to it as it sat upon a night stand next to her bed, she clasped the item in her sharp talons, feeling over the smooth icy mug.
Battlewinner on the other talon hadn't taken things as well as Glacier, storming out of her room, the dark scaled female knocked on Glacier's bedroom door.
"Glacier, we need to chat... Now!"
The Nightwing queen was furious as the Icewing queen opened her blue door, her normal stern look upon her face as she allowed the slightly larger female to enter, closing the door, Battlewinner quickly spun around, practically roaring out as she pointed a talon at Glacier.
"You know something, Something we don't know, Spill it Now!"
Glacier didn't like her friends attitude nor tone of her voice. She let out a snort, with a heavy thump sat down onto the icy floor below them as she then explained.
"when we were eating at the table, i felt... something brush against my mind, which caused a rather intense panic and uneasiness to flood through my entire body and soul, I just had to get out of there, though when i was outside, and Krystal came out, he spoke to me... in my mind"
Battlewinner by now was seething, a deep growl left from between her lips as her tail slapped against the floor.
"Well, Now I know, and the others need to know!"
Glacier narrowed her eyes as she turned to look at Battlewinner with a concerned gaze as she added with a heightened sense of caution.
"we still need to be cautious around this family, they may be listening to our conversation right now, and we wouldn't know it... though I have a feeling that their son isn't as skilled with his magic as they are... yet"
Glacier finished as her tail curled around her body, her eyes and facial features relaxing slightly as Battlewinner slowly calmed down, she too sat down as the lightning flickered outside, at times it lit up the room as they sat motionless.
Another knock came from the door to Glaciers room, the Nightwing and Icewing queens both looked up, Glacier got up and made her way towards the door placing a forepaw upon the handle, and opened it cautiously, and as she did so icy particles came off the door as it opened, exposing the perplexed expressions of Coral,Thorn and Ruby.
"I must say it was rather... disturbing to find my bed that of the same colour as the one back at my castle, not only that, but I noticed that the bed frame was encrusted with gems, it's erie to say the least"
Glacier let the queens in, she then poked her head out of the door, scanning the corridor before turning back and asking with a heightened, anxious voice "Where's Ruby and Blaze?"
"Ah, I believe they both are asleep, we can tell Glory everything in the morning"
Coral reassured her Icewing friend, placing a large forepaw upon Glaciers shoulder, Battlewinner had by now curled up next to a stream that ran through part of the bedroom floor, it was an odd addition to Glaciers room, dipping her dark talons into the stream, the feeling of the freezing cold water made Battlewinner shiver slightly.
"Yes, I too noticed that my room, not only is it the perfect temperature, but also has the right size and make of pillows, the other odd thing is that if I ask for a drink of cactus juice, my yellow cup fills up with it. Glacier, if you know something, please tell us"
The Sandwing queen said with a heightened sense of concern, Coral had remained quiet, looking down at her paws, water had been dripping from her body, Glacier noticed this but remained still.
"if i may say Coral, it appears your room is different as well, seeing how there is water dripping from your scales"
Glacier spoke as she trained her focus onto the larger Seawing queen, her white wings ruffle upon her back as she shifts the crown upon her head, the silver coloured crown having countless blue gems encrusted within it.
Queen Coral straightened herself, sitting with a more royal posture, she overlooked her friends, letting a warm breath to be exhaled from between her lips.
"my room has a bed which is, of course, underwater. This greatly concerns me as if i may speak for all of us, that we never told this family anything"
The blue scaled queen fluttered her wings before furling them back against her back, Glacier glanced downwards once again, flashes came from outside as rain lashed at the windows, the Icewing got up and made her way to one of the windows, she sat down and let out a sigh.
"i miss my little ones"
she spoke, remembering that she had left them at the palace under the protection of the guards, Battlewinner glanced up from the stream, her eyes focusing upon Glacier as she got up, making her way to the Icewings side, she draped a wing over her in a comforting move.
"I know i am not one for being calm and relaxed, but believe me when i say the more we get to know about this place and our host's, and figure out what is going on and more importantly; what we've gotten ourselves into, the sooner we can get back to our kingdoms"
she said, letting a puff of smoke to escape from her nostrils as lightning danced around the dark sky, lighting up the room every few seconds.
Glacier thought about what to do, slowly she turned around, letting out a snort before speaking while her eyes glanced at the icy floor.
"it is best if we go and rest up for the night before continuing this conversation, i have a feeling we are not alone, go back to your rooms now, i shall ask Beiphuth of what she can tell us"
Glacier said, with each of the queens nodding before each one of them went back to their rooms, Ruby was the last to leave, though before she shut the door she looked at Glacier who had by now turned back to the window.
"Glacier, i..i just realised we haven't told them of our titles yet"
the Skywing female said, Glacier turned her head just enough to glance at the red and orange queen with a single blue eye.
"that is an obstacle we will pass soon, though i fear the father already knows"
she let out a breath, her warmer breath mixing with the colder room to make a puff of mist that blew from between her lips, Ruby looked on with worry in her eyes, hesitantly closing the door before returning to her own room.
unbeknown to the group, Krystal had been outside in the pouring rain, though since he could control the storm around the castle, he didnt get wet as he had also made himself blend into his environment, allowing him to listen and watch the queens from Glaciers window, lightning flashed more, the rain came down harder, battering the castle while he watched the queens depart and retire for the night.
he then quietly went back to where his parents were, though not before eyeing over Glacier.
[are all Icewings this gorgeous]
the Drainwing asked himself before he slipped back into the castle through the entrance, making his way down the corridor.
He made the turn into the dining room, Beiphuth and Gromeontunth waiting for him.
"ah, my son, so how are our guests doing?"
she asked him as Krystal gave a light snort, he sat down in a crouched position, looking at his smaller mother before replying to her.
"they are royals, as you well know mother, but they also do not trust us that well which is not surprising"
"we still have no idea what they are doing here, your Mother has gone too far over the top in making them feel at home, and quite literally it would seem!"
as he took a quick look at his wife before turning back to Krystal.
"We cannot allow more questions to be raised than is absolutely necessary"
Gromeontunth huffed out, he too was in a laying position, curled around his wife as he stared at his son, the flames in the fireplace crackling as the son remarked.
"Father, they had already told us why they are here"
Krystal whined. He then glanced to the side, images of Glacier flashed through his mind while the father spoke.
"They are already questioning everything, which didn't help with your intrusion where Queen Glacier is concerned young man, surely you observed that?"
Before an argument could break out, Beiphuth knew she had to say something.
"Maybe it's best if we retire now as quiet a lot has taken place in such a short amount of time, we'll be able to think more clearly in the morning".
The two males look at Beiphuth, the father in an agreement before giving her a nod, the son had once again turned his head to gaze out of it, the mother narrowed her eyes slightly, though retired to bed, leaving the son beside the fireplace as the three moons shone brightly in the night sky.