Chapter 2

Asha

Dragons flew overhead through the small towns streets. A silver dragon did her best to stay hidden in the alleyways and shadows. She stopped when a dragon exited one of the buildings close to her. She watched as the dragon looked around and started walking for the main street in the town.

She was looking the other way when a dragon came up behind her. "What are you doing?" He whispered.

She Jumped around to look at the dragon. "Sorry."

"We need to keep you hidden, Asha. If someone finds you they would turn you in." he started walking back the way he came. "Come on. I found a place for us to hide for a day or two."

Asha followed him through the back allies as they twisted and turned. Asha could see several dragons and they could see her. But that didn't matter. They wouldn't tell anyone. They too were hiding in the town. The town she was in was one of the smaller towns near the River of Memories called Colithiant. It was a known spot for fugitives to hide because of all the allies and such.

"In here," the dragon leading her said. He had led her to a small building that was joined by two others. As she walked inside she could see the others hiding with her.

"Nightshade," Asha said to the dragon who led her there. "How long can we hide from him?"

"I don't know," Nightshade turned to one of the two others. "Ghost I need you to keep an eye out while I'm gone."

The silver dragon nodded. "Of course."

"Where are you going?" Asha asked Nightshade.

"We need more supplies." he walked closer to her. "Don't worry. I'll be alright."

"I know you will." she rubbed her head against his neck. "Be safe anyway."

Nightshade moved to the door making sure everything was safe. He took a look back making eye contact with Asha one last time before slipping out.

"You should rest." Ghost said from behind.

Asha nodded. "Thanks you two. Without you I wouldn't have made it this far." Asha got up and moved to a bed in the back of the room. She layed down and closed her eyes.

A crash outside made Asha jolt awake. Dragons cursed at each other as they picked up their wares outside. Someone growled and the shopkeepers shut their mouths.

"Gather all the townsfolk and meet at the town center. If you do not precede this, you will be sentenced to death by the King himself." the strange dragon growled and turned away. The dragons in town fiddled with their talons for a second before scurrying off to gather the others.

"Guys, we need to leave." Asha said when she turned to look at them.

"Nightshade told us to stay here." Ghost whispered.

"It's not safe." Asha looked around. "If he's here it's only a matter of time before he finds me."

"What about Nightshade?" Mystery asked. "We can't leave without him."

"He's probably in the crowd. We'll find him there and get out of here." Asha grabbed all the things in the room. "We need to go."

"Alright," Ghost headed for the door looking out the shaded windows. "It looks clear."

"He wouldn't have guards searching the streets. He thinks everyone will behead his every command."

"Well he knows right," Mystery snorted.

"They don't want to listen to him," Asha came next to the two. "He forces them."

"Enough of this," Ghost groaned. "We have to go."

Ghost looked out the door and slipped out silently. Asha followed, Mystery behind her. Ghost led the way to the center plaza where all the dragons would be. Asha could no longer see the others that were hiding here in the back allies. As they came closer to the center she could hear dragon voices wondering what was happening. They moved around a corner with a full view of the plaza. Dragonets played with each other as if they had no cares in the world.

One dragon, a Silverwing with deep red talons, stood at the head of the plaza. His black eyes scanned the crowd as he waited for them to quiet. On his head a twisted silver crown with sapphires inlaid in it stood tall.

"Dragons," his voice was sickly sweet. "I know how inconvenient this is for you but I must have your attention."

"Listen to the king!" A guard snarled from behind. The crowd quieted.

"I am looking for a fugitive." He continued. "She was spotted landing here just a day ago. If you know the whereabouts of Asha the Silverwing, tell us now."

"And what if we don't?" One of the dragons in the crowd roared.

The King gave an evil smile. "You will be killed."

Asha gasped. He would kill all these dragons just to find her. Why was he doing this? She was no longer a threat to him.

"Kill all of us if you want." Another yelled. "We won't give her up."

"Yeah." A few others yelled.

"She is the rightful heir to the throne." One said loudly over the others.

"We will fight for her no matter what you do."

A few of the dragons in the crowd started running towards the king and his guards. "Long live Asha!" they yelled before they were all killed by the king. His talons gouged their throats covering his claws in red blood. His scales weren't red. They were stained red.

"Tell me where she is," he slithered through the crowd. "Or this will be your fate."

"Never!" Several of them yelled. Soon after that most of the dragons had charged the king.

"What are you guys doing out here?" Nightshade came up behind them.

Asha didn't turn to face him. She watched as the king and his guards killed them all. Dragonet went to the bodies of their families only to be taken by the ones running away from the fight.

"Asha!" Nightshade shook her. "Asha lets go!"

She turned to him, tears in her eyes. "This is my fault."

"No it's not. This is his." he led her through the town out of sight. "He never should have taken the throne."

"He's killed everyone who's protected me. My mother. My father. Everyone." She cried softly.

"He won't get to you," Ghost came up next to her. "Alistar won't stand a chance against you."