Glow awoke to the prodding of warm talons. A voice whispered to her in the darkness of their dorm. "Wake up, Glow – your friend is here to see you." Corona whispered calmly.

       The red SkyWing turned her head toward the doorway. Sure enough – Peril was standing there, calmly waiting for Glow to stand. The whole group began to stir as well; they seemed rather buzzed. Maybe they're excited about meeting Peril. She thought wistfully. It made sense to Glow, considering they all decided they would take her in.

       Frigga was the first to rise. The calming chill of her scales left Glow's body and her face flopped to the floor harshly. She quickly fumbled to her feet and the rest of her group stood tall after her. Peril and Frigga both looked apprehensive as they locked eyes, blazing azure and the blue of an midday's snowy sky – two very different dragons.

       Peril cautiously stepped inside, bowing her head respectfully to the pale blue IceWing. Corona intercepted her, inspecting her top to bottom. Despite Peril's scrawny gait, Corona still looked small in comparison, although the SandWing had more muscle to her. Corona's black eyes scanned Peril's coppery steaming body carefully. She then sat politely (probably after she was done suspiciously inspecting her) and addressed her formally. "Hi, I'm Corona. I'm Glow's best friend and one of the newer apprentices to Frigga. I'm assuming you're the SkyWing named Peril we've heard about." Corona introduced.

       Peril awkwardly sat and looked away. "Yep. That's me, the queen's arena champion – and Glow's friend." She smiled dopily at the word friend. Corona looked unconvinced, but remained polite. Glow wasn't sure why, but the atmosphere between them was making her feel really funny. She felt fluttery and uncomfortable. She felt like she wanted to take off and scream her confusing feelings into her pillow at home. But why? They're both my friends, why is this making me feel so weird?

       "Nice to meet you, Peril. I hope we'll get to know you better." Corona finished. She got up and sat next to Glow, protectively swinging her covered tail around Glow.

       Peril eyed Evenstar curiously. Evenstar looked bewildered, as if something wasn't going as expected. "So. You're Evenstar, right? I've heard a lot about you. You seem like a smart dragon." Evenstar merely dipped his head in a bow respectfully. "It's nice to meet you." Peril added.

       Kite stepped forward. He seemed rather unsure, but he looked optimistic, as usual. "Wow, you're really warm." He said, marveling at the heat emitting from Peril's scales. She shifted uncomfortably, fully aware of herself. "I like it."

       Peril's eyes lit up brightly in surprise. "R-really?" She asked in shock. Glow was equally shocked. I thought he was afraid that she'd burn him.

       "Yeah!" He confirmed. "It feels like being next to the burning coals at home when Frigga and Corona are welding or smithing." Kite explained. He started to get closer to her. Glow could feel everyone tense up in discomfort and worry.

       Peril backed away in fear, waving her talons in front of her quickly. "Don't get any closer to me – I don't want to accidentally burn you." She explained quickly, trying to protect him.

        Kite had an injured look in his hazel eyes, but he returned to the group with a smile. "I still like how warm you are." He affirmed.

        Peril strode up to Frigga. Her expression was...complicated. Her brows were furrowed and her eyes squinted. She had a look of...shame? Or was it anxiety? Glow couldn't really tell, honestly. Peril hung her head low, refusing to look the IceWing in the eye. Yep, definitely shame. "I'm sorry, Frigga. I'm sorry about Horizon." She started. The whole room waited for the IceWing's response. "I didn't know he was someone important to you, and I'm sorry that I –"

        "That's enough." Frigga said sharply, waving a talon for Peril to stop. Peril looked taken aback, and she stepped back a bit. Peril looked fearful, like the IceWing was going to list all the things wrong with the copper fire dragon in front of everyone. Instead, Frigga dipped her head curtly to Peril. Glow felt apprehensive. She didn't know what her master's response was going to be. Even though she agreed to take Peril in, she was now facing the dragon who killed her mate – the SandWing she loved and had a son with and the SandWing she had to leave behind to escape the war. Only to be pulled right back into...because of me. Glow thought guiltily. She wasn't sure how Frigga was going to react. Was she going to change her mind? Was she going to ostracize Peril now that she was face-to-face with the queen's champion?

        "It wasn't your fault." Frigga finally said, sympathetically. Peril's eyes flickered with confusion. "I doubt Scarlet would have allowed you to spare him. As he died, I knew that there was no hope for him." She paused. Glow could see tears threatening to leak from her darkening eyes. "In Queen Scarlet's arena, it's kill or be killed." She reminded. Peril looked away, nodding in understanding. Frigga shook her head and locked eyes with Peril again. "Don't blame yourself, and don't worry about me. I'll be alright." Her eyes darkened again, even though she was smiling. "I simply need time to accept that he's gone." Frigga whispered sadly, as if trying to convince herself of that reality. The reality that she would never see Horizon again.

        Even though Glow could tell Frigga was trying to make Peril feel better, she now looked guiltier than before. Frigga looked out their window at the moons in the night sky. "You two should probably get going if you want to go see Clay, again." Frigga suggested. Glow turned towards her in shock. Frigga merely smiled affectionately at her. "Go on, SkyWing of destiny. This is your calling, after all." She cooed. Peril led the way out of the cave when Frigga called after her. "It was nice to meet you, Peril." She turned around and smiled weakly at the IceWing.

        "It was nice to meet you all, too." She called back. Glow followed her down the hallway, sneaking around the palace to where they exited last time. The wind was making it rather hard to get to Clay's tower. It was strong and cold, and although Peril wasn't having any trouble, she intentionally slowed to match Glow's pace so that the red SkyWing could keep up with the fiery one. She appreciated her courtesy and tried even harder. Suddenly, Peril decided to spark a little conversation. "So, what's with that SandWing? Corona, was it?" Peril asked.

        Glow looked at her confused. "What do you mean?" She asked.

        "I mean, she's really cautious and suspicious. Not to mention how protective she is of you." Peril elaborated.

        Glow shook her head dismissively. "She's always been like that." Glow defended. "She grew up as an orphan in the Scorpion Den, stealing and thieving in order to survive. So, she kind of has trust issues – which I don't blame her for, don't get me wrong." Glow assured. She paused. "But when it comes to the ones she does trust, she can be a little overprotective. She acts all tough and like nothing gets to her, but she's just a big softie. She cares about us more than anything." Glow paused. Even...herself.

       Glow was looking around for Corona. The small SandWing had flown off in a huff after they had an argument about the Scorpion Den. I need to remember that that's a really sensitive topic for her...Glow glided around the mountain, noting that the peaks' snows of winter were beginning to melt, and that Corona wouldn't like being out in such cold weather. Something's wrong with her...where is she? As if the universe had answered her question, there she was.

       All alone and slumped over. And the snow beneath her talons was stained...red? Glow was gripped with terror at the thought that her best friend had gotten herself hurt, until she lighted down next to her.

       Corona was sitting there, tears sliding smoothly down her broad face, and onto the snow. She was gripping what looked like a small rectangular blade covered in blood.

       Her wrists were streaming with blood.

       Glow felt sick. She knew that Corona didn't exactly like who she was, but...she had no idea that it was to this extent. She had no idea how much Corona hated herself.

        Glow had no idea that Corona hated herself to the point where she felt better purposefully inflicting pain on herself and drawing blood.

        Given how tightly Corona coiled around herself upon Glow's landing, she wasn't proud of it either. Her tear-stained face recoiled in shame and the talon holding the blade was visibly trembling.

        Glow didn't say anything. She didn't want to make Corona upset or make her feel worse when she was already unstable. She figured out fairly early in their friendship that words weren't always the best way to deal with Corona, and that they would only stick after she's calmed down.

        The red SkyWing pulled a cloth out of her satchel and walked closer to the wounded SandWing. Corona flinched, and Glow gently twined her tail with the SandWing's. "Is it okay for me to do this?" She asked, quietly.

        Corona looked uncertain, but nodded. She shakily held out her wrist for Glow to see and dropped the bloodied blade into the snow. Glow could now properly see, much to her extreme discomfort and distress, the wounds that Corona inflicted on herself – the cuts she made with the blade. They weren't in any particular pattern. They were mostly in a single row, one after another, but sometimes criss-crossed each other. Thin and fine and clean, but the blood trickled out of the cuts in warm sticky beads onto the slowly reddening snow.

        Despite how uneasy and uncomfortable Glow felt seeing Corona like this, she needed to be keep her composure. Corona didn't need Glow to appear repulsed or ashamed of her. She needed her friend to support her and make certain that she was safe. She took the cloth and used the snow to wetten it. Once it was wet enough to apply to the wounds, she began cleaning them.

        Corona refused to look Glow in the eye, but the SkyWing didn't take notice. Corona would need a bit to be comfortable with Glow seeing her like this. Once she was done cleaning her wrist, she bound it with a dry cloth and wound it tightly. The bleeding clearly slowed, but still stained through the bandage, much to Glow's silent and internal dismay.

        Once she tended to Corona's wound, she sat down next to her and wrapped a protective wing around her. Corona pressed her face into Glow's chest and she held the SandWing's warm body tighter. Her scales weren't emitting the heat a typical SandWing's scales normally would, which raised the question of how long Corona's been out there. It worried Glow, nonetheless.

        "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" Glow asked. Corona looked up, her black eyes uncertain and lifeless. Corona said nothing, and her eyes merely glistened darkly. "It's alright if you don't. I just want to help you." Glow assured.

        After a long sigh, Corona wiped her eyes and tried to talk. "I...I thought I was better." She began. Glow listened intently, as if Corona was the only dragon in the world – as if Corona was the most important dragon in the world. "I thought that being with you guys would make me happier, but I'm not. Every time I do anything to try to be happy, I just hear Tarantula telling me how useless and pathetic I am." Corona paused. "I thought that starting a new life meant getting away from her. I thought it meant I'd be happy, but no. And the worst part is...I miss her. I miss her and Dust." Glow nodded, taking in every detail. "Even though she was horrible and she hurt me a lot, she was still my friend, and she still stuck by us. We were still there for each other. She was so mad at me when I decided to leave, but I thought this was the right thing to do." She paused again, more tears falling from her drooping eyes. "Maybe she was always right about me. I'll never anything to anyo –"

        Glow cut her off when she gripped the SandWing's good talon. She fixed the small dragon with a you know that isn't true look. Corona stopped, and let herself cry into Glow's arms. Glow just sat there and let Corona sob. The small dragon clutched Glow so tightly, like a frightened dragonet afraid of the nightmares in her sleep. That's probably been happening, too. Glow thought helplessly. Glow wrapped her large wings around her, shielding her from the harsh, cold mountain winds. Grow started crying a little, too – if there was one thing Glow realized while being raised with Frigga, it was that life was cruel.

        Moments of tearful weeping went by until Corona seemed to calm down. Glow finally decided to use her words to help her. "It's okay – you've had a hard life." Glow finally said. Corona tilted her head up, acknowledging that Glow was speaking to her. "When your whole life is someone hurting you, it can be hard to move on. Especially when you've depended on that dragon for all that time." Glow sympathized. "But you've only been alive for a few years. It feels like your life won't be anything else because you haven't lived long enough to see the years ahead, after you've left that life behind." Glow could feel Corona nodding against her chest. "We love you, and we're so happy to have you with us. We're here to help you have a happy future and we'll always be here for you." Glow sympathized. Corona stared at Glow, looking a little better than earlier. 

       "Tarantula isn't right about you." Glow said sharply. "She hurt you and make you feel like less of a dragon. She didn't even care about what you felt when you left." She said, trying to maintain her composure, but she was getting angrier at Tarantula. When I find her, I'll make her regret everything she ever said to Corona. "Dust just wanted you to be happy – we're like Dust. We want you to be happy and we care about you. We want what's best for you, and we're here to help you. We love you." Glow finished. Corona smiled a weak smile and wiped her cheeks. "Don't you ever forget that." Glow added, bumping her snout against Corona's.

        Corona simply nodded and stretched. "Okay. I'll try." She murmured.

        "Good." Glow murmured. The SkyWing carefully and delicately traced Corona's palm, circling her thumb reassuringly. "Is it okay if I ask about...what just happened?" Glow asked carefully.

        Corona sighed and nodded, nuzzling deeper into Glow's shoulder.

        Glow thought carefully about how to phrase her question. She didn't want to make Corona upset again, or feel any worse than she did earlier. "Is this the first time?" She began. "Or were there...other times before I c –" She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "Before I found you?" She finished carefully.

        Corona took a good deal of time before answering. "No, there were times before." She answered. "The first time was after...well, just after that." Corona continued.

        Glow raised a cautious eyebrow. "After what?" She inquired tentatively.

        Corona shook her head and clutched it tightly, starting to cry again. "I-I don't w-want to talk ab-b-bout that." She stammered shakily.

        Glow clutched her talon again and pressed her forehead against the SandWing's temple firmly. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to talk about it." She whispered soothingly. Corona's rapid breathing and nearing of a breakdown began to cease with Glow's repeated physical reassurance. Corona wiped the leaked tears from her eyes again and sighed a heavy sigh. "Do you still want to keep talking about...the cuts? Or do you just want to go home?" Glow asked out of consideration, still circling her thumb gently.

        Corona shook her head. "N-no, I'm okay. I can still talk about that." She responded.

        Glow leaned in closer to Corona, a small space between their snouts. "Are you sure?" She asked again.

        Corona nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure." She affirmed. Glow nodded and willed Corona to continue. "Anyway," she continued. "After that, I cut myself the first time. I felt like I deserved to be in pain, I deserved to suffer that. Tarantula said it was weak and cowardly. She told me I was pathetic and it was all my fault and that I deserved to suffer. Dust just held me while I cried." She explained. "She's done that every time..."

        Glow nodded and leaned into the small dragon. When Corona returned the hug, she noticed that the SandWing was warmer than she was earlier. Maybe that means she's feeling better. "I'm glad you told me." She said. Glow felt something cold drop on the tip of her snout and looked up at the sky. Snow started to fall from the sky again, and Glow shuddered at the thought of getting lost in a snowstorm "You want to head back, now? Maybe turn in early so you can get some rest?" Glow suggested.

        Corona nodded. "Sure." She agreed.

        Glow helped Corona up, her legs trembled uncontrollably under her weakened form. As they lifted into the sky, Glow matched her pace to Corona's out of consideration. "You should tell Frigga about this." Glow suggested. "I know you probably don't want to share anything like that with anyone else but me right now, but I think at least she should know." Glow paused. "She's the closest thing to a mother either of us have." Corona looked extremely uneasy at the prospect. "It doesn't have to be now. Just...whenever you're ready, okay? I'll even be with you when you tell her, if you feel more comfortable that way."

        Glow knew Corona didn't like the idea, but she knew she couldn't argue with the SkyWing – at the very least, Frigga deserved to know. "Okay." Corona quietly promised.

        While Glow was lost in her memories, Peril had the biggest smirk on her face – and Glow found it inexplicably irritating. "Looks like she's especially fond of you." Peril teased. Glow didn't want to let Peril know that she was thinking about that upsetting memory, and decided to feign stability.

        Besides, Peril's knowing remark made Glow a tad embarrassed and flustered. "I-I'm not sure what you m-mean. I mean, I g-guess she is –"

        "I mean, don't you think she kind of likes you?" Peril asked blatantly.

        Glow wasn't really sure how to take that and began to respond defensively. "She's just a friend, and I'm pretty sure she feels the same way. Besides, I don't really like her that way." Glow answered, although it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself rather than Peril, especially with how uneasy the thought made her feel.

        Peril looked unconvinced. "Why? Because you have a thing for that other SandWing? The weird-looking one?" She pressed.

        "She's not weird-looking! She's beautiful and nice and sweet and optimistic and believes in the best of dragons!" Peril's expression returned to one of smugness. When Glow realized her blunder, she looked away, not wanting to give Peril the satisfaction of teasing her. "Can we please just find Clay's tower?" Glow said begrudgingly.

        Peril shrugged. "Whatever you say, Glow." She said, giving up. Glow felt uneasy and uncertain. Her mind began to swim with thoughts of Sunny grasping Glow's talons after being freed. Her mind danced with images of Sunny and Glow flying together, but were then intruded by Corona's sarcastic wit and her dry sense of humour, as well as all the other times, laughs, and memories they shared. Glow shook her head. I like Sunny. Corona's just a friend. She turned her head back towards the palace where the SandWing was most likely now slumbering, waiting for Glow to return to her. Right?

        Her emotionally confused thoughts were interrupted by Peril banking down to land next to Clay on his tower. Glow followed close, feeling calmer the closer she got to the mellow MudWing. His energy and personality just made her feel so much more at peace; she could see why Peril liked spending time with him.

        They landed to find that Clay was still asleep, although he awoke once they both landed by his side. He smiled, recognizing his new SkyWing friends, and waved. "Hey, Peril. Hi, Glow." He said sleepily, yawning and stretching into wakefulness.

        "Oh, hi" Peril said in a rush. "You were amazing today. Although I have no idea what you did. I was looking at the prisoners, and then suddenly – well, yikes. That was scarier than me. I mean, I'm pretty scary. But, wow. How did you do that? You don't have to tell me. I mean, you might have to do it to me. You probably will. Which is the scariest thing ever. It was like – I never thought what it might be like, sitting up there watching me kill other dragons. And then I'm the one watching, and thinking, that's what's going to happen to me. So. But still amazing. Can you tell me? You don't have to tell me."

        "Stop." Clay said. Glow looked at Peril's excitedly flustered face with a wide grin – to which she responded with an indignant one. Well, it looks like you're not exactly the best at hiding your feelings, either. And I thought I was obvious. Clay's voice interrupted their "face-off" nervously. "Peril, it wasn't me. I didn't do – that – to Fjord."

        Peril exhaled a small shot of fire out of her nose. "It's all right. I didn't think you'd tell me. I'd keep it secret, too." She said.

        Glow interjected to give her input. "I'm pretty sure he's telling the truth, Peril. MudWings don't have any natural weapons like that." Peril and Clay turned their attention towards Glow. Glow shifted in place, trying to be seated in a more comfortable position. "MudWings don't have venom, and SandWing venom can't be shot like that. Clay can't even be a special case among MudWings because it's not possible for them to have venom as a weapon anyways. It's physiologically impossible unless he's part SandWing, which if you take one look at him, you'll see he's clearly not." Glow explained, glowering to herself at how smart she sounded. Guess studying dragon biology and physiognomy with Whitecap and Evenstar was a good idea after all. "And he couldn't have brought in his own weapon – the guards would have confiscated it. And even if they hadn't, he wouldn't have been able to hide it on his body anywhere without it being noticed by someone." Glow finished.

        Peril raised a talon to her chin in thought. "Wow. You really think things through, don't you?" She said.

        Glow giggled. "You would think so, but I'm actually kind of impulsive." She admitted.

        "That sounds like someone else I know." Clay said with a chuckle. "But you sounded exactly like Starflight."

        Glow shrugged. "Well, that's what studying with Whitecap and Evenstar will do to you. Being smart doesn't mean I make the best decisions though." She said.

        Clay then returned to the topic at hand. "I think it was Queen Scarlet." He accused. "She wanted me to win. She must have done something while everyone else was distracted."

        Glow pondered for a moment, replaying earlier in the day in her head. Scarlet was pretty sneaky, and she didn't seem like the type to play fair to Glow. Glow was just as distracted by Tsunami as the rest of the arena, so Scarlet might have cheated while everyone was paying attention to the powerful SeaWing. "You might be right." Glow agreed. "I wasn't exactly paying attention to her in the scuffle, so it's very possible she might have."

        "I've never seen her do anything like that before, but I guess she might." Peril said, looking skeptical. "She definitely doesn't have a problem with cheating." Well, I was right about that, so she's definitely our prime suspect. Peril opened and closed her palms, as if she was pointing to herself as an example. "I guess she might have found the poison in her treasury somewhere."

        "Have you seen my friend Sunny?" Clay asked suddenly. Glow was worried too, fearing for her safety.

        "Oh! Yes." She looked at him slyly with her flame-blue eyes from the side. Glow couldn't help it, but she had to admit that Peril looked pretty cute when she looked at him like that. "That's why I came." Glow rolled her eyes. Yeah, right. "I'll tell you where she is, but I need you to do something for me. And if you won't do it, I won't tell you." The copper dragon bargained.

        Clay moved his amber wings, but Glow could tell how much the fight with Fjord had worn on him. Dried blood caked his scales, especially on his back and spines, and Glow winced in simple empathy, feeling her own spine crawl. "You don't have to do that, Peril. I'd help you anyway." Glow smiled at the soft-spoken dragon. He really does have a heart of gold, doesn't he? Glow thought appreciatively.

        "Sure" She said, looking unconvinced. Glow wondered why she didn't believe him. Was she never allowed to have anything unless she gave something back in return? Was her whole life just a circus of bargaining?  "Well. We'll see. It's not an easy thing, and you might get in trouble. I'd definitely get in trouble if Her Majesty found out." Peril scratched at the ground beneath her.

        "I don't mind. I'm in enough trouble anyway." Clay reasoned. "Is Sunny all right?" He asked again.

        Peril answered with a scowl. "Yes, she's fine. Not a scratch on her. Eating like a queen. Making friends with all the guards. It's a little nauseating, if you want to know the truth." She grumbled.

        "That's Sunny." Clay said, sighing with relief. Glow hit Peril with a confident smirk, which the copper SkyWing returned with an annoyed scowl. Um, jealous-much? Then a thought struck her and she addressed Peril directly in piqued curiosity.

        "Wait, what did the guards look like?" Glow asked.

        Peril looked bewildered, but answered anyway. "Flashover, Ore, Combustion, and Charcoal. We met them at the tavern."

       Glow jumped happily in recognition. "I know them! They're my friends, and Charcoal is Kite's aunt!"

       Peril's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" She said. "Who are his parents? Do you know?" She asked curiously.

       Glow's smile turned into a solemn frown. "Yeah. Cinnabar and Condor."

       Peril recoiled. "Does Cinnabar know he's here?"

       Glow shook her head. "No, thank Pyrrhia."

       Peril sighed. "Good. Captain 'Do-Everything-I-Say-Or-I'll-Claw-Your-Face-Off' wouldn't let him go for a second." She paused. "I don't know Condor, though."

       "He used to be captain before Cinnabar. Before Kite ran away and he disappeared." Glow explained.

       The coppery SkyWing gasped. "Oh! I remember him now! Yeah, he was always nice to me." She said excitedly. Peril's expression shifted to melancholy and she stretched a wing to put on Glow's shoulder, but pulled away guiltily. "I'm sorry to hear that." She said sympathetically.

       Glow shook herself. "It's alright. We're his family now, and we couldn't be happier to have him." Peril smiled a genuine smile and returned her attention to Clay.

       "So, what do you want me to do?" Clay asked Peril.

       "She told me I wasn't allowed to watch!" Peril burst. "I'm the only dragon in the whole Sky Kingdom who's supposed to stay away from the arena tomorrow. It's not fair!" Glow jumped a bit at her sudden dismay.

       "Why? What's happening?" Clay asked, his facial expression reflecting dread.

       "I don't even know!" Peril flared. "It's some kind of trial! Doesn't that sound boring? Why would she keep me away from that? I wouldn't have cared until she told me not to go. Listening to dragons talk about laws is about as exciting as picking sheep fluff out of your teeth. Plus it always ends the same way anyhow. Queen Scarlet just likes the drama of trials and formal executions. Nobody's ever innocent."

       Glow's face twisted into disgust. "Well, that's kind of stupid. How vain can a dragon possibly get?" Glow scowled.

       "Kestrel." Clay said. Glow remembered the rust-coloured SkyWing that abused the dragonets of destiny in the mountain. "It must be Kestrel's trial. Queen Scarlet said something about that."

       "Well, whoever she is, I want to watch." Peril exclaimed stubbornly. "So I thought if I hid up here, behind you..."

       Glow and Clay looked over at the IceWing next to him. She looked asleep, but Glow saw that the eye facing them was slightly open. She gestured with her tail to come closer and Glow suddenly remembered. I forgot to talk to her the other night! She must have had something important to tell me. She made a mental note to not forget to talk to her after they were done with Clay.

       Clay opened his wings and winced. It was clear that Fjord had done real damage to Clay's tough MudWing scales, and Glow found it rather difficult to watch him struggle. "I'm too sore." He admitted to Peril. "I mean, I'll try. But I can't really open my wings right now, do I don't know if I can hide you."

       Peril frowned and pointed to his back. "Let me see." He hunched his back to her, and both SkyWings winced and drew in a sharp breath in response.

       "That sounds bad." Clay said, trying to see.

       Glow couldn't hide it from him. "Yep, it's...pretty bad." She admitted, scratching her neck in discomfort.

       "It can't be that bad. Kestrel believes that pain teaches you stuff, so trust me, I've been clawed before." Clay said defensively.

       "Not by an IceWing, I bet." Peril said. "They have ridged claws so they can grip the ice as they walk. It's like getting clawed four times with each claw instead of once. Can you picture that?"

       "Um, sort of." Clay said.

       "That sounds about right." Glow added.

       "It feels better with you near it." Clay suggested.

       "It does?" Peril said.

       "Like, the heat, I mean." He said. He looked embarrassed, and Glow couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm. Awww, what a cute couple. "It's better than the wind."

       "I don't know how to fix it." Peril said frustrated. She sounded helpless, and Glow felt pretty bad for her. Trust me, I know how that feels a lot of the time. She remembered the panic attacks Kite kept having since he arrived here; how terrified he was of running into his mother again. "I guess I could stand here, if that helps." Peril's voice snapped Glow out of her thoughts.

       Clay looked thoughtful, trying to think of something. His eyes then suddenly lit up. Glow could see the idea literally pop into his head. "There is one thing. If it's not asking too much – I think putting mud on the scratches might help." Clay asked hesitantly.

       "Oh my gosh, of course! That's it! I can get you mud! Wait here." She cried, sprung off, and flew away.

       Clay turned to Glow with a laugh in his eyes. "'Wait here.' Because I was going to go where? For a walk?" He joked. Glow couldn't help but chuckle at his light-hearted attitude in the face of such a terrible situation.

       "Maybe she didn't want you falling off the tower?" Glow said unsure. Clay shook his head and waited for Peril's return.

       Clay was clearly shivering and wincing from the pain of his wounds. Glow curled up around him, trying to shelter him with her giant wings and keep his scratches shielded from the wind. She decided to make some small talk until Peril returned. "So, I guess you're warming up to her." Glow said, taking a line out of Corona's scroll. If she heard me making a pun, I'd never hear the end of it.

       Clay scoffed at her obvious joke. "Well, I mean, it's like you said. She's not a bad dragon, just a lonely dragon who wants a friend." Glow smiled. She was glad that Peril and Clay were getting more comfortable with each other. "You know, she's lucky." He said suddenly.

       Glow looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked.

       "She's lucky to have a friend like you who cares so much. Any dragon would be lucky to have you as a friend, I'd think." Glow smiled, embarrassed. Somehow hearing that from Clay, the kind and mellow MudWing she could have grown up with, made her feel so much calmer.

       "Thanks, Clay. That means a lot. And you too." Glow responded.

       Clay looked unconvinced. "Really? Me? I'm not that special. I'm not the heroic dragon that my friends or the prophecy deserves." He shrugged off.

       Glow shoved him harshly. "That's not true! You've seen how that SeaWing tried to protect you, and she looks like someone with as many trust issues as Corona. Your friends care about you for a reason, and they care about you a lot. Peril and I care about you a lot." Glow responded. Glow settled more on Clay's back, trying to make his wounds hurt less. "And you are brave. Heroism isn't strength or power, but it's doing what's right despite how afraid you are or want anyone tells you. It's putting aside your shortcomings for the dragons you care about. And more importantly, it's putting the needs of others before your own. You put your friends' lives before yours just a few hours earlier." She looked into Clay's doubtful chestnut eyes. "If that's not the type of heroic dragon a prophecy deserves, then I don't know what is." She finished.

       Clay was quiet for a long time. Peril was bound to return soon. The silence was broken by a soft voice. "Thank you. I needed to hear that after everything that's happened." Clay whispered.

       Glow smiled calmly. "No problem. That's what friends are for." They suddenly saw a copper dragon spiraling up towards them. Glow lifted herself off of Clay and made room for Peril to land.

       Peril was carrying a stone cauldron full of thick brown mud. "Where'd you get that?" Clay asked.

       Peril nodded towards a distant waterfall at one of the walls of the queen's palace. "The Diamond Spray River starts at the bottom of that wall. It leads all the way to the sea. At least, that's what I hear. I've never left the Sky Kingdom." She started swirling the mud with her talons and it started bubbling and boiling.

       Glow pounded a fist into her talon in realization. "Of course! Willow always used warm mud on her talons after she went mining to make them heal faster! Why didn't I think of that?" Glow said frustrated.

       Peril shrugged and laughed. "Well, even smart dragons can't think of everything."

       Glow laughed light-heartedly. "I suppose not." She admitted.

       "So, why haven't you left, Peril? You must be one of the most powerful dragons here. Why don't you just come and go as you please?" Clay asked.

       Peril seemed shocked. "I would never disobey Her Majesty! That's how my mother got killed." Glow didn't buy that for a second. Aren't you disobeying her right now? She decided to leave that question unasked, not wanting to cause trouble. "Besides, I have to eat the black rocks every day, or I'll die. The queen makes sure there are always enough for me."

       "Black rocks?" Clay asked, puzzled

       Glow tried to think about what that could mean. "You mean coal?" Glow suggested.

       Peril looked resigned. "I'm not sure. It's part of the curse of having too much fire. I'm lucky the queen takes so much care of me to keep me alive." She said with a shrug. Something about that didn't seem right. Coal doesn't hold any nutritional value or any benefits when eaten. Even for a dragon with too much fire, it doesn't seem like something that a dragon like that would need to depend on. Fire is created in a reservoir, so it doesn't make sense for coal to be necessary to survival. Then again, she didn't know anything about SkyWings that were born with too much fire, so she really couldn't say if that was actually true. Judging by how SkyWings deal with dragons like that, I guess there wouldn't be any record on it. They probably just want to forget they even exist. Glow thought bitterly.

       "Have you tried not eating them?" Clay asked.

       "Once, when I was a lot younger." Peril said, shifting her talons uncomfortably. "I got mad at Her Majesty because she wouldn't tell me anything about my mother. I wanted to run away. So I stopped eating the rocks to see what would happen, and I got really sick. Like, almost dying sick."

       "Oh." Clay said. Glow's scales began to prickle with suspicion. Something about her story didn't add up. It seemed far too convenient for Peril to be trapped with Scarlet.

       Except she wasn't. If Scarlet was feeding her coals to survive, then she could survive with Glow as a part of their family without any problems. "Is that also why you don't challenge her for the throne? Because I'd bet you could beat her in a fight." Clay suggested.

       Glow had to admit, she did want to see that. "He does have a point, you know."

       Peril gave an outraged squawk and nearly hit them with her tail. Glow almost fell off the tower and had to reposition herself. "I don't want to be queen! What an awful thought! Stop saying treasonous things and turn around."

       Clay exposed his back to her, opening his wings as wide as possible. Peril suddenly flung the entire contents of the cauldron onto his scales. Clay nearly yelled, and Glow could tell how hot the mud was on his back and clenched her jaw in response. But Clay began to relax and sigh in relief.

       "Much better." Peril said with a satisfactory grin.

       Clay was rolling his shoulders curiously. "Wow. Does that work for all MudWings?" Clay asked, turning to face her.

       "Yup!" Glow confirmed. "Willow does it all the time."

       "How could you not know that?" Peril said.

       "What about other dragons?" Clay asked.

       "I don't think so. I'm not sure anyone's tried. Because that would be weird. Like, what kind of SkyWing would let you put mud on her scales? Yuck." Peril responded.

       "Well, Willow tried it on me once, and I have to agree. It does not feel pleasant for SkyWings at all." Glow said with a laugh.

       "It's the greatest feeling in the world." Clay said. "Well, maybe after flying. And eating. Gosh, I'm hungry."

       "I'll just fetch and carry for you all night, shall I?" Peril offered.

       "Oh, no, you don't have to –" But she was already gone. Clay curled up with his tail around his snout. Glow remembered her business with the IceWing next to him and decided to cut this night short for herself, as much as she enjoyed both of their company. Besides, she thought Peril and Clay deserved some alone time.

       "I have to go, Clay. Tell Peril that I said goodnight, okay?" She bid him.

       Clay merely waved and said goodnight in response. Glow hopped off and flew towards the IceWing on the tower next to Clay. It was kind of awkward. She landed delicately next to her to find that she had been expecting her.

       "You missed me last time, young SkyWing." The IceWing said calmly. Her scales were snow white, tinted with a muted pale pastel blue. Her eyes were a bright sky blue and reflected patience and serene grace.

       Glow had a feeling this was an IceWing she was meant to respect, and dipped her head to her. "Sorry, I completely forgot." She apologized. "But I'm here now. What did you want to talk about with me? It seemed important."

       "It is." The IceWing said simply. In the blue evening glow, she saw the faint scars all over her toned muscular body. She was definitely a soldier from what Glow could see. "You are an affiliate with that IceWing earlier today, correct? The one on the balcony?" The IceWing asked, snapping Glow out of her thoughts.

       "Y-yes?" She answered, unsure.

       The IceWing merely smiled and nodded. "Good. Then you are a friend of mine, as well. I have some information to relay to her." She said plainly.

       Glow was beginning to feel a little suspicious. "And why is that, IceWing?" She asked.

       The IceWing let out a long sigh and looked directly into Glow's expectant amber eyes. "Because that dragon that you follow is my young sister."