Listen, And The Stars Shall Speak

Fresh Air

JMA....

After the teachers had been informed, Rin had been released from the infirmary, and the Sandwing's bodies had been....dealt with, the group of friends made their way to the entrance of the Academy, only to find a couple dragons waiting for them.

Both groups froze, staring at each other, no one knowsing quite what to say.

On the one side, stood Ember, Apple, Rin, Ander, Ray, Stardust, Permafrost, Willow, and Stream.

The other had Dusk, Haze, Boysen, Cypress and Anaconda. 

The friends just stared at each other, not knowing where to begin. Just taking it all in.

The sling Rin's arm was in. The haunted look in Apple's eyes. The guilty and horrified expression on Permafrost's face, her talons slightly pink, as if something red wouldn't fully come off. Willow's scared face. Stream's wing wrapped protectively over the Mudwing. Ember's face, which looked like he was trying to convince himself of something. Ander's eyes gleaming knowingly.

Dusk's conflicted expression. The utter lack of Shore, Orange, and Dawn's presence. The worry and hurt clouding Cypress's eyes, and the relief in them as she spotted her sister. Haze's betrayed look. Orange's blood still coating most of them, in addition to the blood of other Sandwings and a layer of sand, dust, and dirt.

It occurred to Boysen then that none of them had bothered to clean themselves up after all that had happened. But their friends didn't seem to mind.

"What happened?" Stardust asked, breaking the silence.

"Dawn betrayed us." Haze explained hoarsely. "She's working for the Sting."

"But she might be a spy for them." Dusk said hopefully. "We're not sure."

"Where's Shore?" Rin demanded.

"And Orange?" Apple added.

"Dawn stabbed her." Anaconda said, his voice tired. "She'll be fine though."

"She's with a doctor we can trust." Dusk continued. "Shore stayed with her."

"What happened here?" Boysen questioned.

"Couple Sting members tried to kill us." Ember said casually. 

"We killed two of them, and sent the third back with a message carved across his chest." Ander piped up.

They fell silent again.

"Does anyone remember when we had innocent, carefree lives?" Permafrost asked.

"I want mine back." Willow offered, her voice wavering. Stream's wing wrapped tighter around her. Cypress watched the exchange closely. She'd have to ask Permafrost about that later.

But then the strange tension between them dropped, and the friends practically tackled each other as they hugged, stories flying between them.

Things were a bit back to normal now, they thought.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was time, Dawn decided. Time to bring everything to a close.

"Leader," she started, smiling sweetly at Drought. The Sandwing gave her a sly grin in return. "Might I ask a favor?"

"Of course, darling." Drought insisted. "Anything for you." Dawn fiddled with her talons purposefully, trying to appear innocent.

"Well, it's just that...I've been here for WEEKS, and I haven't left the Headquarters ONCE. I was just hoping, maybe, I go outside for a while? Get some fresh air, let the sun hit my scales?"

It wasn't entirely a lie. Dawn was ready to kill someone to feel real sunlight on her scales. She missed those days she had spent by the river with Dusk, Willow, and the rest of Squelch and Adobe's kids.

Drought looked hesitant, but one look at Dawn's pleading stare, and he caved.

"Alright. You can go outside today." He agreed. "But take somebody with you, just in case. The Scorpion Den is a dangerous place- even for Sting members."

Dawn's face brightened.

"Yes sir," she agreed, nodding and smiling happily.

"But I want you back inside before sundown," He ordered. Dawn nodded. That was reasonable. She just hoped she'd have enough time.

A few minutes later, Dawn and the dragon Drought had assigned to watch her were out in the Den, and Dawn practically sighed in relief as the sun washed over her. 

Then she put her plan into action. 

She slipped into an alley, confusing her guard as he walked after her. Then, using her small size to her advantage, Dawn slipped around him, and sliced at his throat with a short dagger she had stolen earlier that day. Then she calmly left the alley, taking off into the sky. The dagger, she realized, belonged to Haze, judging by the H carved into the handle. Dawn made a note to return it as she kept flying.

It was nearly noon, she guessed, by the time she reached Thorn's palace. 

Time to put everything in place, she declared.