Glow was flying with Condor and Corona underneath their companions, Ore, Combustion, Charcoal, and Flashover. Avalanche was just underneath them and One-Eye, or Flint (she'd have to ask him what name he preferred after they rescued Kite), in the lead. Corona and Glow left behind their white capes, for once, so they could keep a low profile when there were thousands of soldiers in the air searching the sky. Glow found it ironic in this situation that she felt safer without it, because it was supposed to be a signal to other dragons not to attack them. Not anymore. She thought regretfully. Not here.

       Except right now, she wasn't out to steal a bargain. She was out to rescue her friend and little brother.

      As the high-peaked mountains were disappearing behind them, the jagged talons of apprehension gripped her very core and sunk in deep, not letting go. As Glow was preparing herself mentally to battle against Cinnabar and at least a dozen other SkyWing soldiers, the memory of the silver-winged SkyWing holding her into the sand blazed in her mind's eye. This wasn't going to be like the battle with the NightWings when they retreated because they had neither the time nor the resources to spend on a petty squabble (even though they started it).

       This also wasn't going to be like when Scarlet stopped Burn from killing her (she didn't like to admit that her evil mother saved her life). Cinnabar would do whatever it took to keep Kite and never let him go. That meant she was probably ready to kill Glow and Corona, but she wasn't sure what she would do to her former friends, or her former commanding officer. Would she kill them, or imprison them? Did she even still care about them? And what's she going to do when Condor faces her?

       Glow didn't want to lie to herself when she thought about what she was going to do. She was going to do whatever it took to save Kite and bring him back home. The problem was that she didn't know if she was ready to kill Cinnabar or any of her soldiers just doing what they were ordered. How was Kite going to view her if she did kill them? Would he be happy that they saved him? Or would he be disappointed in her, or worse, afraid of her. In fact, could she even kill Cinnabar.

       That was probably her biggest concern.

       A part of her hoped that he would be happy if Glow killed Cinnabar to save him, but the rest of her conscience knew that he wouldn't. No matter how horrible or abusive Cinnabar was to Kite, and how terrified he was of her, she was still his mother. He wouldn't be happy with her dead. But what if Cinnabar didn't give Glow a choice?

       It wasn't an easy decision to make. There are no simple solutions. No matter what, there was no morally pleasing ending and that nuance was difficult to stomach.

       "Condor! You're banking too far left!" Avalanche's shout pulled Glow out of her thoughts and she noticed the black-winged SkyWing almost get blown off course.

       "Sorry, my eyesight hasn't been faring well for the past few years." Condor admitted shyly. "How long until we reach the cave, father?" He asked anxiously.

      "Fifteen minutes." One-Eye said dryly.

       Glow noticed that Corona was struggling to keep up with the brisk SkyWings. While she remained by Glow's side, she could tell that Corona was beginning to tire.

       "Do you want to hold onto my tail?" Glow offered.

       Corona scoffed. "No, I'm alright. I can keep up with you SkyWings. All this time spent racing you is going to be worth it." She refused.

       Glow wasn't fooled.

       "Corona, it's okay." The SandWing wore a rather disgruntled expression. "Besides, you'll need your strength for when we fight the SkyWings. I have a feeling this will be tough."

       "Tougher than the NightWings?" Corona said, grabbing Glow's tail.

       "Somehow, yes." She answered.

       "But my son will be alright, won't he?" Condor asked worriedly.

       Glow wasn't sure how to answer. She couldn't even promise him that Kite would be alright after they save him, if at all. In fact, she could argue that he already wasn't "alright." But we'll at least try. That's all that we can do.

       "We'll rescue him. I'm not going to let anyone hurt the little guy. He means too much to us." Corona answered for her.

       Condor smiled, his hazel eyes twinkling with admiration. "It seems that he's found himself in good care in my absence." He complimented. "When and where did you find him?" He asked.

       Glow veered right, following One-Eye's lead. "Well, Evenstar was the first to find him." She began. "He called for us to come help bring him back to our forge. I carried him, shielding him from the rain while Corona kept him warm with her scales. Frigga brought supplies to help with his injuries. He was only a few months old. Since we found him, he's been living with us and learning how to craft and sell. Evenstar's his best friend and he's like a brother to the rest of us."

       Condor's smile was bright and appreciative. "I'm so happy that you found him. I looked in the mountains for days to find him." He added. "Cinnabar wasn't happy when we couldn't find him and blamed me. I left and never looked back, thinking that my son was dead. I found Avalanche and I joined the Talons of Peace after I met her." He looked over at the SkyWing in question and sighed. "And she's been a good friend to me since."

       Avalanche looked up and smiled at him. Condor than turned his attention back to the two dragonets talking to him. "So, what is he like? How has he grown up?" He asked curiously.

       "Well, he's excitable and outgoing, always getting up early to get ready for another day." Glow started. "Evenstar and him are total opposites. Evenstar's more mellow and quiet, but he kind of serves as Kite's impulse control. He's always wanting to get into crazy schemes and adventures, and Evenstar is there to kindly tone him down a tad. But Kite's had a positive impact on Evenstar, too. Evenstar used to be so nervous and shy, but after being friends with Kite he's become more vocal and confident, always offering to help everyone like Kite does. They almost never leave each other's side."

       "But Kite's not completely happy-go-lucky all the time." Corona continued. "His um...situation left him with some problems. Sometimes when Frigga's doing something, and she drops something or curses at her work when it's not going like she planned, he gets really anxious. And then it just builds and builds until he can't take it anymore, and he just completely breaks down and shuts down for a while. The smallest things can trigger him, but we've learned how to deal with it and calm him down." Corona explained, much to Condor's crestfallen expression.

       "But he usually goes to Glow when it happens." The SandWing continued. "He goes to either Frigga or Evenstar sometimes, but it's usually Glow. Frigga knows what it's like to be in a situation like that and Evenstar usually knows exactly what to say. He's usually the one who gives us advice when we need it most. Most of the time, Kite doesn't want sympathy or a solution – he just wants comfort which is why he goes to Glow. She holds him while he cries it all out, and reminds him that we're always there for him." Her black eyes glittered with admiration for her SkyWing friend. "She's like his big sister."

       Glow was surprised. Kite considered her first? She knew that he cared about her a lot and that he went to her whenever he would have his episodes, but she didn't realize that she was his first choice. And the fact that Corona knew this like it was a completely normal occurrence struck her by surprise, too. She could give Evenstar a run for his money. I'm wondering why Corona doesn't trust him completely. There have been many times when Corona suspected that there was something he wasn't telling the rest of the group – a NightWing secret. But Glow reassured her (unsuccessfully) that if Evenstar did have something that important, he would have told them by now.

       She didn't believe her, but Glow was more than happy to bet ten gold pieces on it. She was still waiting to reap the profit.

       "What about you?" Condor asked. "What's your relationship with him like?"

       Corona pondered for a moment. "Well, we joke around and stuff. I like having his attitude around. It makes me feel like things aren't so bad. That's just the kind of dragon he is. He sees the best in others and makes you believe in the good things in life. But whenever he has his episodes, I don't really know how to approach the situation. I'm not really all that touchy-feely At least Glow knows what to do when it does happen." She explained.

       Condor dipped his head at them in response. "I am so happy to hear that. He's incredibly lucky to have you dragons." He thanked.

       "Don't sell yourself short, sir." Corona said.

       "Please, just call me Condor, SandWing." He corrected.

       Corona smiled. "My name's Corona." She responded. "Anyways, don't sell yourself short. Kite misses you a lot. He's wondered where you've been since he found out you've been gone that whole time."

       "Condor's missed Kite, too." Avalanche piped up. "You see, my own son is a part of a project the Talons of Peace are conducting. I don't see him often and it hurts. Condor spoke of Kite often; he wanted desperately to see him again." Her eyes were sad. "It was hard to watch sometimes."

       "Let's hope that we see him soon." Condor said flatly.

       The conversation between them all ceased and Glow was alone with her thoughts again. Condor was so kind. It was obvious who Kite took after. He'll be so happy to see his father again. What kind of mother would treat her family this way? Glow thought bitterly of Cinnabar and how her behaviour's affected Kite. Frigga has been a better mother to him for most of his life, and now that SkyWing has the audacity to take him away from them? It disgusted her.

       And yet, she couldn't hate her. No matter how Glow tried, she couldn't hate her. She didn't even know why. Scarlet was an evil dragon, a violent queen, and a horrible mother. Burn is...well, Burn. And Cinnabar is a bigoted dragon and a terrible mother. It didn't make sense. Maybe it was because she was Kite's mother, and she didn't know whether it would make him unhappy for Glow to hate Cinnabar along those same lines. Yet, there was still a lump of fury whenever she thought of Cinnabar. I would never treat my dragonets that way.

       Then she started to think of Frigga. Her only dragonet is missing, and most likely dead. Her mate killed right before her eyes before they could even reunite. Her mother was killed by a fellow IceWing right before her eyes, and her father was killed by Morrowseer after a failed effort to make peace with their tribes. Her older siblings killed in the SkyWing arena, Snowstorm murdered while bound and helpless by Morrowseer again in front of Frigga. And Hvitur was killed by Burn, trying to save Glow before she even hatched.

       Frigga lost everyone she ever loved and cared about, and yet she still found it in her heart to love and care for a group of misfit dragonets and raised them like they were her own. She gave them all a place and a home and a mother, even though seeing them everyday must have hurt her inside. It made Glow wonder...if she would ever recover now. War takes everything from dragons...doesn't it? She thought of Sunny and her fellow dragonets of destiny, and hoped to the moons that they would be able to end the war soon. The thought of finding the dead bodies of her friends began flashing through her mind and she pushed them away, feeling dread creep into her.

       She tried to distract herself by wondering if she would be a good mother. She never really thought about it, at least often. She had a good example from Frigga, and knew that it would influence her. But she wasn't entirely sure if she wanted dragonets. Considering she never felt anything for male dragons, having dragonets in the first place would be difficult. Then again, it wouldn't be difficult to adopt. There are probably going to be a lot of orphaned dragonets after this war ends. She thought grimly. If she adopted, she wouldn't really care what tribe said dragonet would be. She would love them and care about them just the same, no matter what.

       Glow had more than enough time to decide. Maybe in that time, Sunny will get to know Glow and they could become mothers. Or maybe Glow will meet someone else and they can have a family. Or perhaps Glow will just raise a family on her own. Or maybe she'll just be happy as she is, with the family she already has. Only time will tell at this point.

       "We're here." She heard One-Eye call. He banked hard towards the right, veering around a short, stocky mountain ahead of them. She followed suit and the others banked hard as well. Avalanche had to make sure that Condor was going the right way before they landed in a pine forest around the cave. There were two SkyWing guards posted outside. One was red and the other was orange.

       They stood there huddling in the cover, when One-Eye addressed them. "Before we go in, I need to know your resolves. I don't know how many soldiers are in there, or if any of us will know any of them." He said. "I need to know if you're willing to die or kill to rescue Kite, knowing that."

       The others remained silent until Flashover spoke first. "I don't care what I have to do. We're doing this for Kite, so I'll do whatever it takes." He answered.

       "My brother's right. That little dragonet needs us, and I ain't about to sit by and let him suffer while Cinnabar has him in her claws. I'm willing to do anything." Ore added.

       "Kite's a good kid. I hate thinking of what'll happen to him under Cinnabar's watch. I'll help, too." Combustion joined.

       "Condor is my brother, and Kite is my nephew. They're my family. I'll do what I can." Charcoal added.

       One-Eye nodded and looked over towards Condor and Avalanche. "And you two?" He asked.

       Condor stepped forward. "Father, Kite is my son. I haven't seen him in almost two years. I've been aching, dying to see him again." He said. "I don't care what I have to do, I need my son back."

       One-Eye turned to Avalanche. "Condor's my friend. If it were my son, I would do the same. I'll do whatever I can to help." She added.

       One-Eye nodded. "If we're all in agreement, then let's start planning on how exactly we're going to rescue Kite." He instructed. "Any ideas?"