Cinderknight

”3 gems you said?” the low grumble of a male dragon’s voice rang out through the busy cave. Thousands of dragons mulled about chattering and making deals but the male’s voice still echoed clearly. The newborn imperial poked his head from underneath his mother’s wing so he could look at her. “Four.” Her voice was just barely loud enough to reach the hatchling’s ears but the coldness in her voice was unmistakable. The male dragon huffed and the hatchling turned to watch him push four gems towards the hatchling’s mother.

The hatchling was startled by the size of the dragon before him, shrinking back into his mother and flattening his ears but she shoved him forward, causing him to stumble onto the male’s feet. The hatchling attempted to run back to his mother but the male stomped on the hatchling’s tail, effectively trapping him. The hatchling turned his head to watch his mother walk off without him and whimpered. “She’s not coming back,” the male growled, picking the hatchling up by his scruff and carrying him away from the crowds. “Where are we going?” The hatchling squeaked, closing his eyes to avoid getting dizzy. He wasn’t used to being carried like this, his father always let him ride on his back. “Away.” Came the male dragon’s reply, muffled by the hatchling’s mane.

The hatchling felt the male dragon’s teeth release his scruff and the hatchling dropped to the ground with a thud. The hatchling opened his eyes and realized they were now in a clearing just outside of the cave. A few other dragons were scattered around the clearing, chatting with their new clanmates but the area the male dragon had dropped him in was occupied only by a sleeping Skydancer. The Skydancer lifted her head and blinked at the hatchling, “Ava, who is this?”

The male dragon, Ava, looked down at the hatchling. “This is” Ava paused for a moment as if trying to remember, “Cinderknight.” He finished. Cinderknight crinkled his nose, that wasn’t what his father called him. Was that his name now? The Skydancer tilted her head down so she was eye to eye with him, “Hello Cinderknight, I’m Pearl.” She greeted fondly. Her voice was soft like silk, almost as soothing as his father’s. Cinderheart blinked, “Where are we going?” He asked again. Pearl opened her mouth to answer but Ava interrupted, placing a paw on Cinderknight’s head. “We’re leaving now.” He growled picking Cinderknight up by his scruff again and taking off into the air. Pearl flapped her wings a few times before settling in the air beside Ava. Cinderknight kept his eyes closed for the whole journey.