Being a Sandwing was a great thing. Being able to deal with heat, last long without food or water, good eyesight and being able to blend in the sand was very useful in the desert. Dune just wished he got a more interesting, more safe and overall, better assignment than to stay out in the desert and protect an egg.
He sat back, feeling the sand in his talons. The sun was setting and Dune felt really impatient. Dune would have to wait until the sun was fully set to take the egg and meet with the Talons of Peace and go to their "secret place". He knew Thorn would be furious. She already didn't really like him much and that was why Dune was given this job.
Laughter from above snapped Dune back from his thinking. He ducked and covered himself in sand before placing lots of sand on the egg, just enough so nobody could see it, but enough to help him find it quicker later. Dune heard the flapping of wings switch to a lower current.
"Sunbaked, ignorant lizards," Dune cursed quietly, digging further into the sand. He could hear the dragons above chatting.
"Haha, Burn may burn the Scorpion Den to find them!" A male laughed. Dune shivered.
"I don't agree. If Queen Burn was gonna do that, she would have destroyed it a long time ago.," A sharp, female voice replied. Dune recognised that voice. One of his oldest friends, Spike. She, if Dune remembered right, was gonna have an egg or two soon.
"Yeah, yeah. You're just defence 'cause you loved Dune!" The male chuckled, but yelped in pain, probably from Spike clawing at his face.
"I didn't and don't love him! He was my friend! And then, he deserted us…" Spike trailed off as they flew away. Dune sighed and crawled out of the sand and felt around for the egg. He grabbed it.
The egg was golden and felt warm and smooth. The warmth was normal, but the colour weirded Dune out. Gold wasn't a normal Sandwing colour. Dune realised he never asked about the father of this egg. Thorn probably wouldn't have told Dune anyway. But Six Claws…
Six Claws was Dune's best friend who he went with to the Scorpion for safety. He was busy hanging with his girlfriend, Kindle and helping his good friend, Thorn.
Dune watched the sun slowly set, moving his tail back and forth in the cool sand, trying not to shiver. It was slowly becoming cold.
He knew Thorn was gonna visit him later, so as soon as the sun set, Dune would have to go.
Dune almost fell asleep before he heard flapping wings. He ducked into the sand, but it was too late. A familiar cackle rang into the desert. Dune froze, fear rushing through his veins. He finally turned around and met eyes with her. Covered in scars, an angry, but also smug expression on her face. The smile was too familiar.
"Hello Dune. Long time, no see," Burn said evilly, coiling her tail and stepping towards Dune. He stepped back, fear in his eyes.
"Come on, say something," Burn said, causing the Sandwing followers behind her to chuckle.
"How-how did you f-find me?" Dune asked shakily. Burn laughed, causing Dune to step back, ready to fly. She shook her head and pinned down his tail so he couldn't leave.
"Oh Dune, you seem to have become even dumber than you used to be," Burn sighed, digging her claws in Dune's tail. Dune screamed in shock and pain.
"Tsk, tsk," Burn said, pushing Dune closer to her. Dune tried to pull away, but Burn had a strong grip.
"Help! Someone!" Dune suddenly screamed, his eyes searching around. He spotted a green Seawing and two red Skywings, one probably was Kestrel. Dune also spotted Thorn, who looked terrified, tried to fly to Dune, or probably the egg, but she was getting held back by some Sandwings. Six Claws was also held back. Dune closed his eyes and tried to kick Burn.
"Nuh uh," Burn tsked, pulling Dune towards her. Dune screamed before he felt a sudden, sharp pain. He touched his throat, and saw blood all over his claws and chest. He tried to scream, but the clawing pain and the slashed throat caused him not to be able to.
"Bye bye," Burn said, waving at Dune before she stabbed her tail through Dune's heart. He fell to the sandy ground. Burn and her followers chuckled and flew off. As soon as they disappeared into the sky.
"No!" Thorn screamed, almost barrelled into Dune as she dug at the sand before picking up the egg and wrapping her wings around before sitting next to Dune and placing a talon on his chest.
"Oh Dune," Thorn said softly and closed her eyes. Six Claws landed next to Dune and took one of his talons.
"Oh no, no, no," Six Claws said tearfully. His girlfriend, Kindle, landed next to him and they all fell silent. Dune tried to speak, but couldn't. He closed his eyes and flopped completely, his life slowly fading away.