Prologue
Pineapple soared over the ashen and almost destroyed land that sheltered the kidnappers of his tribe. A mountain at the center bubbled a flaming orange liquid, like the colour of frustration. Everything was black, and the dragons which were guarding the black caves were also black. He swooped to the entrance and stood in front of the NightWing, ensuring his scales were camouflaged well.
The NightWing abruptly looked up, sensing something was wrong, and Pineapple took the chance. With a quick fiddle with his blowgun, he shot the NightWing with a sleeping dart. The NightWing fell to the ground with his eyes closing. Within moments, the NightWing was sprawled on the ground, with wings spread out on either side, then Pineapple changed his scales to match his defeated opponent and grabbed his spear and proceeded inside.
Pineapple gasped; inside was a chained RainWing with grey and dull scales, as if she had never seen the sun. Her face was a mix of dull emotions, as if all her loved ones had dies off and she was the only dragon in the world. Her talons and snout had been chained to the cave ground, and her wings had been tied up too, so she could never fly off, even her mouth was bound. She looked about 5 years old. But what was strange about her was how she looked strikingly similar to Pineapple’s queen: Queen Glory. So that must mean that she was a relative of Jambu
Her head turned towards Pineapple and her grey eyes widened in shock. He studied at her face for a moment; she looked as if she was crying day and night, but her eyes brightened as she looked at him. But her left eye was heavily injured. Three thin lines, like claw marks, were crusted with dried up blood. But due to some miracle, both her eyes were working fine, but she had trouble fully opening her left eye, so she looked like she was half narrowing her eyes at him. at the side of her neck, there were also three lines like claw marks, but it was not light, and the wound looked liked it just stopped flowing with blood.
The RainWing dragonet then lifted her right talon as much as possible, and pointed a thin, weak claw to his spear, and then to her snout binding. Pineapple lifted it and approached closer to the prisoner. He examined the spear tip, and then her snout binding, then inserted the tip into the narrow gap, then turned it, slowly. The binding clicked, and fell to the ground. Then the RainWing lifted her snout up, and inhaled with her mouth open, then coughed, due to the choking air on this island.
“Who are you?” Pineapple asked, opening her other bindings and carefully using his acidic venom on the chains and clawed the wing bindings. She stretched her wings wide, and yellow streaks shot through her scales. Then suddenly, Pineapple remembered Jambu mentioning that he had a younger sister, before Queen Glory came, a much younger one, as old as this dragon. This dragon also looked a bit like Jambu. But he couldn’t remember what her name was.
“I’m,” She said, exhaustion creeping into her voice “I’m Lilac”
Lilac. That was the younger sister’s name. Princess Lilac of the RainWings.
Part 1: The Next Roll of The Scroll
Chapter 1
Lilac looked skeptically at the mountain. She was not looking forward to entering it.
“Come on,” Jambu nudged Lilac cheerfully. His bright pink scales glimmered in the sunlight. Lilac looked back down her own scales, they mimicked the flower she was named after – Lilac. Her scales were a purple slightly mixed with pink, and lavender outlined each scale, giving her a more illuminated look. She was not going to look like a colourful case, like her brother. Nope, Lilac wanted to be more like her sister, Queen Glory. She could control all her emotions and she could make sure the two tribes could co-exist together peacefully, or as peacefully as NightWings and RainWings can.
“Fine,” Lilac said, putting a talon forward, “Do I have to go?”. Other dragons didn’t go well with her, like how papayas and blackberries don’t go well. But Sunny had personally asked her if she could attend Jade Mountain academy. How was she supposed to say no the the sweet dragon, who had stopped the was and was a close friend to Glory? So she accepted, and immediately regretted it when she saw dragons from every tribe swarming the entrance ledge.
“Yes,” Jambu said cheerfully “I know how you hate NightWings so much and other tribes, but before you know it, you’ll love your winglet.” He brushed his wing with Lilac’s.
“Fine, see you soon, I hope” Lilac said displeased. There was no way a group a dragons who keep talking about peace grow on her. Even Jambu – The dragon she had lived with – hadn’t grown on her.
“Write to me soon!” Jambu waved his talon to Lilac as she spread her wings, and took off. She hovered in the air for a moment ‘What if I don’t go to Jade mountain? What if I go strait home right now?’
She shook her head. There was no going back, Glory would be disappointed with her, and Jambu would be… cross with her, but he doesn’t get angry that often.
Despite her mind shouting ‘Go back!’ She landed at the entrance ledge, wings folding gracefully and walked towards the entrance, where she would receive her scrolls. Thankfully, she knew how to read. If her free time, Glory would teach how reading, and writing to Kinkajou and Lilac. Lilac was a fast learner, so she didn’t have to take the extra classes RainWings had to take for reading and writing.
Everyone except princess Anemone looked like stranger to her. They were briefly introduced to each other after the war, during a queen’s council to accept Queen Thorn. As far as she knew, Anemone only cared about herself (maybe that had something to do with how Queen Coral treated her.), and she was really bossy. Lilac would eat a panda if Anemone didn’t try to boss around her winglet. Next to the SeaWing princess, there was Queen Coral, and Auklet tied to her. Lilac suppressed a growl as she looked at them. She looked at her wrists, which were a bit black and the scales were half broken and chipped off.
Next to the pair, there was a sea green and blue SeaWing, likely a prince. He held the ground as if the rock below him might fall off. He frowned at Anemone, then fixed it as soon as Tsunami came and greeted the group.
A talon pulled at her right shoulder, and Lilac turned around.
“HI LILAC! I AM SOO EXCITED! WE’RE FINALLY HERE!” Kinkajou almost yelled at Lilac.
“Waoh! Chill down Kinks” Lilac said, “At this rate, you might close the entrance with an avalanche”
“I. Am. So. Happy” Kinkajou squeaked, taking a few deep breaths, however, her yellow scales still flashed blindingly. “I am going to make a lot of friends!”
“I’m sure you will, rainbow” Lilac patted Kinkajou’s head reassuringly. Rainbow was her nickname for Kinkajou from a long time back. They both had been friends during the-
She didn’t want to think about it, or else she was as good as a depressed butterfly. She flicked her tail and started towards the entrance.
“You’ll make friends too,” Kinkajou said in a sappy way that made Lilac want to throw her off the cliff.
“I guess” Lilac replied instead. She looked back, Kinkajou was busy tracking a butterfly with her eyes. Lilac walked towards the cave.
“If they think I’m worth making friends” She muttered.
“Oh, there you are! Another student!” A cheerful voice snapped Lilac out of her thoughts. A NightWing who looked like she was seven came bounding over to Lilac. Oh no, this was the dragon she needed least right now. This was Fatespeaker. Anger boiled in Lilac as she saw the black scales every NightWing had, she deeply loathed NightWings, even cheerful ones who don’t know what was going on.
“From the way you are glaring at me right now, I’d guess you are Lilac. Hi Lilac, nice to meet you!” Fatespeaker grinned. Lilac blinked, She didn’t notice that she was glaring at the NightWing, even her ruffs had turned a deep shade of orange. Lilac adjusted her ruffs to the pink-purple theme.
“Just tell me where my sleeping cave is and which winglet I’m in” Lilac snarled, which came out ruder than she intended. Fatespeaker jumped, the fiddled with the scroll she was holding.
“Lilac, Lilac” She muttered “Ah, there you are! Third tunnel to the right, second cave to the left” She held out two scrolls, like she was frightened if the dragon might jump on her and kill her. Lilac snatched the scroll and went off in the direction Fatespeaker has told her.
Lilac entered the cave. There were three sleeping areas. The first one was a small pool with seashells decorated around the sides. That was definitely not for her. The second was a bed of sand which was filled in a hole so that the sand won’t spill over. The third option was a hammock made out of a huge green leaf.
Now that’s my kind, she thought to herself.
After placing her scrolls in a handy scroll rack, Lilac decided to go to the prey center. Maybe Kinkajou will be there, she thought positively.
She made to go out of the cave, but as soon as she approached the cave exit, she came face-to-face with a SeaWing who had pale blue scales.
“Oh hello,” Anemone said, waving a talon at me, “looks like we’re clawmates”
And in the same winglet, Lilac thought
Anemone entered the cave and set herself near the small pool. Then two more SeaWings came with a treasure chest, then bowed to Anemone, and left the cave. Lilac looked at her own luggage; a black coloured satchel with a purple coloured strap with minimal items in there. Lilac opened the flap and checked out all her items, a box of dried mango strips, a few scrolls, few chakrams, and claw extensions in case she ever got into a fight. Then there was a mini pouch full of coins, just in case.
A SeaWing – Queen Coral – entered the cave, and hugged Anemone.
“I hope you enjoy academy, write to me soon, okay?” Coral said after releasing Anemone
“I’ll be fine” Anemone sighed, exasperation filling her voice.
“Alright, see you later then,” Coral said, then turn back and exited the cave. Next second, a small SandWing entered the cave. The SandWing looked happy and excited.
“Hi,” Lilac introduced herself. Somehow, this SandWing reminded her of Kinkajou, but less hyperactive. I should introduce Kinks to her someday. “I’m Lilac. What’s your name?”
“And I’m Anemone, Princess Anemone” Anemone slipped up beside Lilac, “And she’s a princess too.” She flicked her tail towards Lilac.
“Oh wow, I’m Ostrich” The SandWing – Ostrich – said. “I’m no princess, but I’m happy to meet you guys”
“Same, we three will be in the same winglet” Lilac smiled at her. This seemed like a new possibility for a new friendship. Ostrich beamed. Anemone sniffed, then went to her treasure chest.
“I have an idea,” Ostrich started, “Why don’t we visit the prey center?”
“Sounds excellent” Lilac said, “I could use some berries”
“Okay I guess,” Anemone sniffed, “I could have something, I haven’t eating since we left Queen Moorhen’s palace”
“Let’s go then” Lilac said, readjusting her satchel. She could roll her eyes at how self-absorbed Anemone could be, but she wasn’t going to let it show. Lilac made sure her scales we’re still the same colour, and left the cave, with Anemone – fitting a few pearl bracelet on both of her talons – and Ostrich.
The prey center was… there was no word to describe how chaotic this place was. Hens ran everywhere, with dragon pursuers knocking everyone else aside. The only calm place was the fruit pile, where Kinkajou was talking to two dragons. One, a RainWing named Coconut, and the other – Lilac inhaled sharply, that was a NightWing! Of all dragons in this school right now, Kinkajou had to talk with a NightWing. She was also-
Lilac exhaled. This was not the time to get mad at anyone. I’ll talk to Kinkajou later about this, get her to remember that this place is not safe as it seems
Lilac looked around; Anemone was sitting with the SeaWing she had seen at the entrance with and another SeaWing, looking really irritated, Ostrich was sitting with another SandWing. Lilac approached the fruit pile without Kinkajou noticing, and took a couple of blueberries, and flew off to the highest ledge.
Lilac stuffed two of them into her satchel, and threw the rest into her mouth. She let her self savor the fruit before gulping them down, and her gaze landed on Kinkajou again.
I will not get mad, I will not get mad. She thought about life in the rainforest, calm, peaceful, but it didn’t work
A growl escaped her throat. The NightWing looked up, with fear in her eyes. She looked hurt, then looked at her eyes again, and flinched. Kinkajou called the NightWing, and she looked away.
Weird, Lilac mused, but then again, NightWings did try to pretend that they could read minds, even if it’s false. They’re too proud
A small shape ran into the prey center. Lilac squinted at the creature. What is it called again? Yea, It looked like a scavenger. Lilac remembered how Clay had described the scavenger he had first seen. Lilac also recalled a time where a small creature like this one had come to the rainforest. All the dragonets in the nursery had treated it like a pet, but it had escaped overnight.
All the other dragons dropped their prey and started chasing the scavenger. The scavenger pitifully squeaked, and ran around the cave, then blundered into the NightWing sitting next to Kinkajou. The NightWing scooped it into her talons protectively.
An IceWing entered the cave, closely followed by a SandWing wit ha guilty expression. The IceWing glittered in the sunlight that fell into the prey center. He walked towards the NightWing, and snarled.
“You nave ten seconds to give me back my scavenger, before I slice your face off” The IceWing snarled
The NightWing stood frozen on the ground. Lilac enjoyed the fact that the NightWing was scared.
“Five seconds,” The IceWing harshly reminded
“No,” The NightWing blurted
“That is my scavenger,” The IceWing hissed, frostbreath seeping out of his jaws, “My idiot clawmate let it out, but it is mine and I did not bring it all the way here to see it eaten by a lying, smoke-breathing NightWing.” He took a step closer “I could freeze you one part at a time — first your horns, then snap them off. Then your tail — freeze it and snap it off. Then your claws, and your wings … Should I go on?”
The NightWing closed her talons around the scavenger and brought her wings closer.
“Hey, calm down, all right,” The SandWing shoved himself between the NightWing and the IceWing
“No one is getting sliced up or frozen and snapped apart,” he said to the IceWing. “What is wrong with you? Did you even try just asking nicely?” He turned to the NightWing. “Hey. I’m the idiot clawmate, although most dragons call me Qibli. My intimidating acquaintance here is Winter. What’s your name?”. Lilac peered at the SandWing – Qibli – more closely; He had an amber hoop earring in one ear, and his scales reminded Lilac of a yellow flower she had seen once in the rainforest long ago. He had a scar on his nose. His tail was coiled safely, but it kept twitching towards the IceWing, Winter.
“Moon” She whispered after a few tense moments
“Moon what?” The IceWing – Winter – snapped
The NightWing crouched lower, and she looked petrified to the spot, her face filled with fear.
“Moon what?” Winter shouted, “Come on, NightWing. We know your names are all lies. So what’s yours? Moondestroyer? Mooneater? Mooncrusher?”
“Winter, you need to seriously cool down!” Qibli yelled. He shot a grin at Moon. “Get it? Because he’s an IceWing? I know, I’m hilarious.”
“It’s Moonwatcher,” said Kinkajou, coming up behind the NightWing, Moon. She twined her tail around Moon’s. Lilac flicked her tail irritated. NightWing don’t deserve anyone to stand up for them, even seemingly harmless NightWings.
Was that Lilac’s imagination? Or did Moon flinch as soon as Lilac had that thought?
“Moonwatcher,” Winter muttered, taking a step back.
“Listen,” Qibli said. “This is my fault. I wanted a closer look, so I opened the cage, and that thing was halfway down the tunnel before we could even sneeze. But I promise you the scavenger does belong to Winter, so we’re asking you nicely: Please don’t eat it.”
“Get your teeth anywhere near Bandit and you will lose them,” Winter snarled.
“You are not at all clear on the concept of ‘asking nicely,’ are you?” Qibli said to him.
“Bandit?” Moon repeated
“Indeed,” Qibli said. “The scavenger with the silly name is Winter’s pet. Nobody told me we could bring pets here, but I guess the nephew of the IceWing queen gets some special privileges. And if you didn’t know he was Queen Glacier’s nephew, don’t worry, he’d have told you sometime in the next five minutes.”
“I only mentioned it,” Winter said irately, “because it seems entirely obvious to me that the niece and nephew of the IceWing queen should each be given a private cave, so I wanted you to know we wouldn’t have to be clawmates for very long, as there has clearly been some kind of mistake.”
“Here’s hoping,” Qibli said. “So? Moon? Can we catch you a sheep or something instead?”
“I wasn’t going to eat him,” she blurted quickly, before she could get lost again in all the tracks of thoughts around her. “I didn’t want anyone to eat him. Nobody can eat him, not ever.”
Wait… what? A NightWing saving prey? Were toucans speaking dragon? Because NightWings are murderers, and if they wouldn’t give a second thought about killing dragons, why would they give a second thought about killing prey?
“That’s… exactly how I feel about it too” Winter tilted his head curiously at her
Go on, give it to him, Lilac thought, You can at least try to amend for your mistakes, not that you can ever amend them
Moon hesitated at first, but then dropped the scavenger into Winter’s talons
“Eww… You got him all sticky” Winter grumbled
“Sorry,” Moon said softly. “I just …”
“She was just saving him,” Kinkajou pointed out. “You could actually say thank you.”
“Hmmm…” Winter said, then he shoved the scavenger into the river, holding it at the tip.
He’s hungry,” Moon blurted out
Winter looked at Moon skeptically, “No he isn’t. I gave him desert rat on the way here and a piece of walrus the day before. In fact, he hasn’t eaten anything for 4 days, when I caught him.” He replied, “I gather that scavengers eat fairly infrequently.”
“Maybe he hates you and is trying to starve itself to death,” Qibli offered
“Scavenger don’t do that” Winter replied, “He drinks water when I give it to him”
Have you… umm,” Moon started
“Have I what ?” Winter snarled
“Hello,” Sunny came hurryingly between the two dragons, “What’s all the excitement about?”
Lilac spread her wings and leaped off the ledge, and followed the dragons out of the prey cave, as Clay had started ushering all the dragons out of the cave. She headed towards her sleeping cave and stayed there for the rest of the day.
Lilac opened the flap of her satchel and took out her claw extensions and began polishing them with a cloth that she always carried since she couldn’t think of anything better to do.
After a while, Anemone and Ostrich had entered the cave and settled themselves in their respective sleeping ledges.
“Tomorrow we’re going to meet our winglet!” Ostrich squealed, and with a frown from Anemone, Ostrich settled herself in the pile of sand and soon fell asleep. Lilac put away her extendable claws and put her satchel. She hopped into the hammock and lay there, thinking of the prospect of meeting her new winglet. She has to meet a NightWing, a NightWing.
She lay there thinking of all the scenarios that can go wrong, but soon sleep claimed her.
Chapter 2
Smoke filled the air around her cave. She coughed once, then twice. She twisted her neck behind her, where there was a crook that was too narrow for anyone to enter. She looked in front of her; an eerie faint glow made the sky look a bit orange. Black dots roamed around the sky.
She looked at the dragon in front of her, who was trashing about on the ground, then stopped, and remained still as a leaf. She laid a talon on the dragon, then proceeded forward
She had never seen such a wild place. There were trees all around, and rain drops pelted the muddy ground. Birds cocked their heads at her, and flew away.
Lilac woke up with a start. Her scales were a pale green and small swirls of white roamed around her scales. She looked around; both of her clawmate’s sleeping place were empty, it was almost time for class. She had to meet her winglet now. She had to meet other tribes.
Lilac heaved a sigh and changed her scales to a deep violet with gold dotting her scales. Lilac swung on her satchel so it hung sideways, and walked away from the cave. She found Anemone in the distance with Ostrich following her, and decided to head the same way as her clawmates.
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