Glow, revitalized, soared through the bright sky, following close by Frigga and followed by her three fellow apprentices. The SkyWing queen's palace was in sight and as much as Glow was dreading what could happen, she admired the stately glory the palace emanated from the mountains.

       Yet, Glow wasn't worried for her own sake as much as for Kite after that morning. She promised she'd protect him from his mother if she was there and tried to take him away. But something was telling her that she might not be able to keep that promise. I couldn't just tell him "I'll try my best." That's not exactly reassuring. But, then again, neither was making a promise that she wasn't sure she could keep. She felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

       She unconsciously flew closer to him and Evenstar and turned her attention to possible code of conduct when they arrived. "Sooooo, what should we do once we get there, master?" She called from the back. Frigga turned towards her and addressed all of them directly.

       "First of all, don't try and haggle with Queen Scarlet. She's not one to give up her gold or jewels. If she desires to purchase something from you, the price she decides is final." She began. Glow was taking notes. Dying was the last thing she wanted to do, after all. "Second, try not to openly disagree with her. You either stay neutral, or agree with her. She's certainly not a dragon you wish to make enemies with.

       "Third, you must accept whatever she wishes to offer you, though be cautious. She has a habit of poisoning her guests for her entertainment. And finally, simply read my social queues and you'll be alright. If you have any questions while we're there, you may ask. I've dealt with and sold to Queen Scarlet before. She responds well to flattery." She finished explaining. Well, I certainly hope I'm not going to have a hard time remembering any of this.

       Corona turned to Glow and gagged. "Ugh, gross. How much more annoying can Queen Scarlet get?" She held out her talons and started counting them. "Extremely vain, covered in glitter and gold, psychopathic, violent and crazy, has a MASSIVE ego, that's quite the painful list of characteristics." The SandWing said unenthusiastically.

       Glow nodded and swallowed hard. Now she really wasn't looking forward to meeting Scarlet face-to-face. As if seeing her kill Dune in cold blood made me feel good about it before. She thought with a shudder. She felt Corona brush her wing gently and give her a sly smile that she did to cheer Glow up. "Chin up, Glow. It'll be fine–Frigga's gonna make sure that everything goes smoothly, okay?" Corona reassured. She wasn't one to have faith in most dragons, so seeing her put her faith in Frigga and Glow made her feel a lot better. Not completely better, but a lot better.

       About an hour of flying passed before they saw a group of SkyWings on a cliff on the mountainside. Frigga banked towards them and the rest followed behind her. Glow was panicking inside, not sure how to handle the situation. Oh no. These are soldiers! And there are a lot of them! Her head started rushing with scenarios where they're captured and taken to Queen Scarlet or killed...or both. Glow wasn't sure if her teeth were chattering because it was cold, or because she was scared, but she hoped to the moons that it wasn't the latter. That'd be pretty embarrassing. "Hey Glow, relax. You'll be fine." Evenstar's voice chimed in beside her. "This is no different from the other times we've sold things. They're just typical patrons."

       They lighted down on the cliff and the SkyWings turned around quickly to them. Seeing their packs full of merchandise, and the white capes they donned, the SkyWing soldiers put their weapons away and the smoke curling out of their nostrils ceased. "Good morning, good SkyWing patrons." Frigga greeted them. A large muscular dark orange SkyWing with scars across his left cheek and a broken horn stepped forward.

       "Make this quick. We need to be back in time for the queen's hatching day." His voice was gruff and gravelly. A leaner bright yellow-orange SkyWing quickly shot past him towards Evenstar.

       "You've got things to sell? We kind of need some stuff. If you have medical supplies, that would be nice, too!" His voice was sweeter and more high-pitched. The burlier SkyWing scowled at him.

       "Flashover, what did I tell you about SkyWing pride? We don't make ourselves look vulnerable to any of the other tribes." He snapped.

       "But Combustion, if we don't hurry, Charcoal will probably get sick and die. I don't want her wound to get infected!" Flashover pointed towards Glow and Kite. "Besides, those two are SkyWings. They might have what we need." Combustion looked Glow in the eye and had an unconvinced scowl on his face.

       "Still, White Capes or not, we have our pride to protect." He refused stubbornly.

       "Your pride is going to get you killed one day! Don't you want dragonets someday? You love Charcoal, don't you? So stop being so stubborn, you dumb mule." A large female dark orange-red SkyWing bumped him harshly with her wing. He merely shook her off.

       "I don't need any medicine; I just need to get her to the Sky Kingdom!" He exploded.

       "W-wait, I actually do have supplies for you!" Frigga piped up. Everyone else, including Glow and the others, looked in her direction appalled.

       "You do?" The apprentices all said in unison. Frigga was going through her bag while the large SkyWing was laughing uproariously.

       "Told you we'd get help! Charcoal's going to be alright, rust-for-brains." She said, locking Combustion in a headlock and rubbing his head with a clenched fist.

       "What are you, five?" He exclaimed in displeasure.

       "Tch! What are you, fifty?!" She retorted sarcastically. Frigga pulled out a leaf bundle that Willow left behind. 

       Corona held her talon close to her chest. "Well, I never! Five-year-olds can be very insightful, I'll have you know." The SandWing said with her mock offended voice, earning a harsh elbow from Glow. Mouthing off to SkyWing soldiers?! I thought you were the smart one!

       Frigga presented the bundle to them and addressed Combustion directly. "This should help your friend. Where is she right now?" She asked them, Flashover already motioning with his claw inside a cave in the cliff side.

       "In here! She's really badly hurt." Frigga followed him inside, much to Combustion's dismay. "Thank you so much, misssssss...?"

       "Frigga. My name is Frigga. These are my apprentices; Kite, Evenstar, Corona, and Glow." She said, pointing to each of her apprentices. The female SkyWing looked at Kite in confusion.

       "I know that name." Kite perked his ears up curiously. "Wasn't that the name of Cinnabar and Condor's son?" She asked Combustion.

       "You knew my parents?" Kite exclaimed. Flashover answered him.

       "Well, yeah. We all know Cinnabar and Condor. Nastiest SkyWing who ever lived that one, and the most loyal, caring SkyWing to ever live." He admitted.

       "Shhhhh! Flashover, Cinnabar would burn you alive if she caught you talking about her like that." Combustion snapped.

       "Relax, ironhead. She's not gonna find out here. We're in a cave." The female SkyWing responded. They stopped at the figure of a deep red SkyWing with darker red ripples through her scales and black wings. She was a beautiful SkyWing, but the deep gash in her shoulder looked like it cut deep.

       "What happened to her?" Glow asked. Combustion answered her, curling up next to Charcoal.

       "Well, we were patrolling the territory when we ran into a strong current." He explained.

       "She got blown into the cliff and smashed her shoulder into a rock that was jutting out. She was unconscious for a few hours and she's barely awake." The female SkyWing added.

       "She's in a lot of pain and she can't fly. Can you help her?" Flashover asked Frigga worriedly. She simply smiled at him and opened the bundle which had honey, herbs, poultice, and a pack of bandages.

       "Don't worry – Charcoal will be fine after this. Are you by chance returning to the Sky Kingdom after this?" Frigga asked. The female SkyWing answered her bitterly.

       "Well, we would, but Charcoal can't fly and we don't want to accidentally hurt her." Frigga began working on the SkyWing's wound and Glow and Kite began conversing with Flashover and the female SkyWing.

       "So, if you guys knew my parents, where are they now?" Kite asked quietly. The SkyWing looked at them thoughtfully.

       "Condor– he's Charcoal's brother. He always looked out for us and made sure we were alright, so we never figured out what he saw in someone like Cinnabar, who only ever bullies and abuses her own soldiers." She answered.

       "Yeah. We take orders from her now since Condor disappeared. She's the captain now, and she's literally horrible!" Flashover added. Kite looked at them sadly. Glow felt a pang of sympathy for the small SkyWing. At least these dragons are the closest he's ever gotten to his family safely. Glow wasn't sure why, but she felt a kinship with these gruff and tough SkyWings. Maybe it's because we're in the same tribe. Maybe SkyWings are just naturally tough and aggressive. They're not mean or anything, though. They're actually kind of fun!

       "Well, what he means is that she either doesn't care at all about us, or she just dishes everything out on us. And the worst part is we can never tell which one it'll be when it happens." The SkyWing continued. Glow noticed something about the way they spoke about Condor.

       "What do you mean he 'disappeared?' Where is he now?" Glow asked, curious.

       "No one knows. He left a few weeks after Kite ran away. He was so distraught." Flashover answered. Kite suddenly looked like someone just ripped his heart apart right in front of him.

       The female gruff SkyWing noticed Kite, and lowered her voice. "He looked everywhere for you, and when he couldn't find you, he thought you were dead. After he couldn't find you, he left Cinnabar, and us, and nobody's seen him since." The SkyWing added. "If he could see you now, he'd be so proud of you. You're alive, and that's what he would have wanted. And look what you have here." She said pointing to Frigga, Corona, and Evenstar. "You have a real family to call your own." She finished.

       "You're in a better place than you were with your parents." Flashover quipped. Kite smiled, he looked like he really enjoyed the company of these SkyWings. His hazel eyes were filled with wonder and camaraderie. "You've even got his eyes and his wings. You look so much like your dad." He added. Kite smiled at him.

       "So, who are you guys, exactly?" Kite asked. The large female SkyWing laughed bombastically.

       "I'm the oldest outta these yahoos! I'm Ore, Flashover's big sis!" She answered. "This little rascal is Flashover, he might look soft, but he can kick your sorry rump in a second." Flashover awkwardly smiled and waved at Glow with a nervous laugh. "The big guy over there's Combustion. He's the biggest out of all of us, but he's actually a year younger than Flashover." She said, pointing to him who was still worriedly crouched beside Charcoal while Frigga was bandaging her. "And Charcoal is your aunt, Kite. She's also Combustion's mate. That's how we found out that the knucklehead has a soft spot. Ain't that right big, dark, and scary!" She called over teasingly. Glow laughed along with Ore. I love these guys!

       Kite looked like he was enjoying himself too. It wasn't too long before Glow heard Frigga's voice from the other side of the cave. "Alright, I'm done treating her. Hello, can you hear me Charcoal?" Her red head stirred and she looked up at her IceWing caretaker. She simply nodded and smiled, her yellow eyes filled with gratitude. "Can you walk?" Her voice was barely audible, but strong enough that Glow could hear her whisper.

       "Y-yes...I...I think I can..." She struggled to get up, almost completely standing on her full weight before collapsing on Frigga and Combustion's shoulders. Her voice was quiet, but it was clear that she was regaining her strength. She's probably lost a lot of blood. It's a wonder that she's pulled through this whole time. Frigga took most of her weight and led her towards the mouth of the cave. She still won't be able to fly though...

       Then, an idea popped into her head. "Hey master, do you think we can travel to the Sky Kingdom with them?" Ore and Flashover looked shocked while Kite looked worried.

       "Really? You scamps wanna come to the Sky Kingdom with us?" Ore asked. Corona and Evenstar got up and made their way towards them.

       "Well, we were heading there anyways, and it looks like you might need some help." Evenstar answered. Combustion looked back at them.

       "Well, we can manage on our own. But, if you want to come with us, you can." He answered. Frigga turned towards him.

       "I can carry Charcoal along with my supplies, if you'd like." She offered. Combustion shook his head.

       "No, if you're carrying her, then I'll carry your supplies until we get there. It's the least I can do after what you've done for us." He paused. "And for me." Frigga looked at him graciously.

       "Thank you so much, SkyWing. I appreciate it." She simply answered. Ore got up and let out a big yawn and stretched her wings.

       "Weeeeeell, we'd best be on our way then. Don't wanna get back too late, after all." Flashover sprung up quickly and followed behind her.

       "W-wait, um..." Kite piped up. Ore looked back at him concerned. "W-what about my mom? What if she finds me and tries to take me back?" Kite asked. Ore smiled at him and stroked his head.

       "Don't worry, small timer. We're not gonna let her lay a claw on you, and if she tries–" Ore said.

       "We'll fight her to the death to keep you safe, Kite!" Flashover finished.

       "In fact." Ore motioned for Kite to come closer. "If Flashover carries your things on his back, I can carry you, and that way no one will see you or try to take you. He'll carry your NightWing friend the same way, too." Flashover looked at her in shock.

       "I didn't say I'd do any of that!" He protested. Ore glared at him. "But it doesn't mean I don't want to! Come on, little guy!" He called to Evenstar. Glow was very confused to their addressing of Evenstar, like he's just any other dragon.

       "How come you're so accepting of Evenstar? I mean, aren't you at least a little shocked that you just met a real life NightWing?" Glow asked them. Ore simply laughed.

       "Oh, we are! We just don't think NightWings are that impressive at all." She looked back at Evenstar who Flashover was holding tightly. "Uh, no offense, starshine." She quickly apologized.

       "None taken, I don't even have any powers to brag about, anyways." Evenstar replied calmly.

       They all got ready and walked out of the cave entrance. Charcoal was clearly more awake and conscious right now as she was resting on Frigga's back. "You're...a lot colder than I thought you'd be." She said quietly to the IceWing carrying her.

       Frigga chuckled. "Well, I am an IceWing, after all."

       "I know, but I just didn't expect them to be so cold to the touch. It's literally like touching ice." Charcoal paused and wrapped her forearms around Frigga's neck. "Thank you, for what you've done for me." She whispered.

       Frigga merely shrugged. "It was nothing; I was just doing what needed to be done." She answered matter-of-factly.

       "Are we ready to head off?" Combustion asked. Frigga smiled as she answered him.

       "Yes. Off to the Sky Kingdom!" She called. With that, the group lifted into the sky off towards the palace.

       Within only an hour, they had reached the Sky Kingdom and Queen Scarlet's Palace. Ore and Flashover led them all through Queen Scarlet's Palace, which was laced and decorated with veins of gold. Ore's eyes widened and she shoved Kite behind Combustion's big burly body.

       "Make sure he's out of sight!" She quickly whispered. Combustion saw a bright red SkyWing with a silver underbelly and wings followed by some other gruff and more aggressive looking SkyWing soldiers.

       "What are you worthless slackers doing back here?!" She snapped. Glow glanced over at Kite who was cowering and forcing his jaws to be kept shut. He was trembling and his eyes were spilling tears. Suddenly, a feeling of dread clawed at her gut. That must be his mother! She took a good long look at her. Her eyes were a deep orange colour with yellow specks in them. They reflected bitter hatred and anger. This was not a dragon to be made enemies with. Her face seemed to be contorted into a permanent sneer, smoke constantly curling out of her menacing snout. Cinnabar. She even looks as horrible as these dragons said she is!

       "We had an accident and Charcoal was badly injured." Combustion answered. Cinnabar hissed at him.

       "And what are these things you brought into the queen's palace? Surely you're not bringing in traitors, are you, filthy maggots?" She said, rearing close to his snout. He was larger than her, but Cinnabar's voice dripped and slithered with venom and fury that she sounded twice his size.

       "Captain, they're the White Capes. They have no allegiance; they just sell merchandise and weapons to other dragons." Ore answered. Cinnabar turned her piercing gaze towards her and snarled.

       "Any advantage given to a dragon not on our side must be eliminated." She growled. "Figures, you all would betray Her Majesty. You're all just like Condor, the coward." Glow growled and curled her lip into a sneer. How dare she!? Cinnabar turned to her SkyWing soldiers and swung her tail towards them. "Lock them all up in Queen Scarlet's prison! I'm certain she'll find  good use for them." She ordered. Ore, Combustion, and Frigga instinctively formed a circle to defend the others, Corona unsheathed her tail from her attachment and Glow readied her iron claws for attack.

       The SkyWings readied for attack when they heard a familiar voice calling to them.

       "Frigga! How thrilling. My hatching day celebration just keeps getting better and better!" Queen Scarlet herself, donned in her golden chainmail and studded rubies, strode in and signaled for the soldiers to stand down. "Relax, Captain Cinnabar. They aren't intruders– they are guests. And just in time, too!" She looked at Frigga and Glow felt her scales crawl. "I do hope you have some thrilling things to sell and trade to me, my IceWing friend." She said, emphasizing IceWing as if to remind her that she was on the opposite side of the war just by existing. She flicked her talons to dismiss the soldiers.

       Cinnabar turned to the SkyWings protecting the White Capes. "You got lucky this time." She sneered. She cast a withering scowl at Charcoal. "She had better be ready for duty tomorrow morning." She ordered before storming off.

       Once she had left, Scarlet waved a claw to invite them in. "And since you three have been so kind to bring them here, I'll let you watch the next thrilling gladiator tournament on the balcony with us as guests." She offered to the SkyWings. They nodded, not wanting to argue with her.

       As Glow was walking up staircases, her mind was whirling. So many things just happened. These SkyWing friends of Kite protected them and befriended them, his mother Cinnabar just tried to have them imprisoned, and Queen Scarlet just invited them all to be honoured guests. The main thing that was settling in Glow's mind was that she had made it with her friends there safely and Kite was calming down. We finally made it! We're here!

       At the top of the staircase, Scarlet waved her talons towards the balcony overlooking the arena and the rest of the palace. "Welcome to the Sky Kingdom, White Capes."