Banished

“Prince Frostwing?” Frostwing glanced up from his work, a little startled, but mostly annoyed. A silvery-white dragon had her head poked out from around the corner of the door frame, smiling at him, probably waiting for him to greet her “What do you want?” Frostwing barked instead. The messenger looked mildly disappointed, making Frostwing realize that he should have remembered her name. “Queen Crystal has-” “Oh no!” Frostwing cried out. “I didn’t realize that it was today! I need a couple more hours to complete it!” The messenger looked confused but also amused. “You didn’t remember that the meeting with the seabreaths was today?” “Umm… I really thought you were talking about the gift ceremony.” Frostwing admitted. “Wait, there’s a meeting with the seabreaths!?  Today!?” The messenger laughed lightly. “The gift ceremony is next week,” she said. “And yes, Queen Crystal has sent me to retrieve you for the meeting with the seabreath’s, which is happening in about twenty minutes.” Frostwing sighed. He never had to go to those meetings, and from what he’d heard about them, they were extraordinarily boring.  “Shouldn’t I be working on my gift for next week?” The messenger shrugged helplessly, trying to decide whether to listen to a prince who outranks her or a queen who outranks everyone. Frostwing sighed again, not believing he was doing this and walked over to the messenger, who thought of herself as more important than any other dragon. “All right, all right.” Frostwing smiled. “I’m coming. Just wait for me outside of the door.” The messenger took a step back in relief, and Frostwing finally noticed her earring with the number three on it. He racked his brain, trying to remember her name, even though he sucked at remembering names. Mostly the first to twentieth ranked dragons lived in either Frostwings palace or Queen Crystals. No, it can’t be…  “Icicle?” He tried anyway, and Icicle nodded her head. Now Frostwing felt really stupid. Not only was this dragon ranked third in the tribe, but she was also the one that he ‘chose’ in the choosing ceremony, although Queen Crystal actually told him who he needed to choose. She was pretty in that boring way, the way Queen Crystal liked, but she hardly ever talked to him, and when he tried talking to her, it was like talking to a wall. “So, have you ever seen a seabreath?” Frostwing asked, and Icicle looked at him surprised. “You're telling me that you’ve never seen a seabreath!?” she asked. “Umm… No. I am hardly ever invited to meetings, but when I am, it’s just with the council, and to be honest, those meetings are really boring.”  Icicle let out a soft laugh. “Okay. Well, usually they’re aquamarine, but some of them are blue and green. They have webbed feet, and big tails that can make big waves.” “Do you like them at all?”  Icicle just shrugged, and Frostwing knew it was the end of that conversation. Gosh, a gift that made dragons more inclined to talk would be great. Then I could have better conversations. Of course, his mother would say Don’t waste your gift on useless junk. Months of planning, blah blah blah. So that was basically a no go for him. Then he realized that would be a good conversation topic. Umm…” He said, and Icicle glanced at him for a second. “What would you do as a gift, I mean, if you were a creator.” Icicle frowned, then shrugged. “I… I don’t actually know.” She admitted. “Okay. Just think about it, and get back to me.” Icicle looked confused, but she nodded and kept walking. So far all Frostwing could think of was a weird statue that protects the palaces. He was sure Queen Crystal hated her gift, which was a giant dome for visitors from other tribes. It was heated inside, but on the outside, it looked like a messy blob just waiting to be destroyed. They made their way through the long hallway, and outside. Frostwing let the cold from the air seep in through his scales. “I still can’t think of anything.” Icicle finally said. “Sorry.” Frostwing couldn’t help the irritation that flashed across his face. “I meant to get back to me in a day or two.” He said “Not today.” Frostwing was surprised when almost as much irritation that he had flashed across Icicles face. “Can you not think of a gift yourself?!” She snapped. “Or do you need someone who isn’t a creator to help you.” Frostwing snorted. “Of course I have my own gift already.” Which wasn’t a total lie, since he didn’t know if he was going to be doing his weird statue idea. “Oh really. What is it then?” “Oh, umm…” He didn’t want to really want to tell anyone his idea yet, but he had to prove Icicle wrong. “It’s a…” Then a great idea hit him like a baseball in the head, other than it didn’t hurt. “It’s a gigantic wall of ice” He explained. “ It allows Icebreath’s to fly over it, but dragons from other tribes have to be wearing a special bracelet to pass over, and that’s only if necessary, like a meeting.” He could tell Icicle was trying to hide her surprise and amazement, but she was doing a terrible at it. “Interesting.” She said plainly. She swooped towards the blobby dome. Frostwing didn’t like to go into there, even though a friend gave him an armband with moonstones that made him feel the perfect temperature. He didn’t like to go in, because it made him feel abnormal. He took a deep breath and prepared to go in. Then a dragon rushed out, almost knocking him over in the progress. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” She cried breathlessly. “I just had to get outside and watch this beautiful sunrise. Great Icicles, it’s cold outside. I mean, I could actually die. But I can’t miss the great sunrise. I Know! I could just move around!” She started jumping up and down, hitting herself with her wings. Frostwing realized that she was a Seabreath. He started examining her, not realizing it might be creepy. This Seabreath was just like Icicle explained. She was a Blueish, green, with a large tail that swept snow everywhere. The only thing that Icicle didn’t explain, were these weird marks all over her wings, snout, and tail. As he reached out and touched one, The seabreath jumped back and yelped. Frostwing realized he’d hurt her with his jagged claws. “I’m so sorry.” He apologized and turned to a patiently waiting Icicle. “You can go on ahead. I’ll be there in a couple minutes” Icicle looked suspiciously at the Seabreath, who was now doing cartwheels in midair. “Don’t worry about me,” Frostwing said, startling Icicle. “Go tell Mother where I am. You don’t want to keep her waiting.” Icicle frowned at him and flew inside without a proper bow. Frostwing sighed at turned back to the seabreath. “I am sorry about hurting you.” He repeated. The seabreath grinned. “It’s okay,” she said. “Wow, you're the first Icebreath I’ve seen. You're a lot shinier than the other.” Frostwing looked at his white- pale blue scales and smiled. “I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or not.” He admitted. The seabreath smiled lightly.  “Oh, trust me. It is.” She looked at the dome, where Icicle had entered. “Who shoved an icicle up her nose.” Frostwing couldn’t help but laugh, earning him a confused look. “What’s so funny?” “It’s just… Icicle is her name.” He said. “I think it was me, though. I couldn’t remember her name for a few minutes.” The seabreath snorted. “Well, I’m sure she forgets names all the time as well.” Frostwing wasn’t sure she did. “Maybe.” He hesitated. “But she’s… she’s the one my mother made me choose for- well you know” This time, the seabreath burst out laughing and had to lean on Frostwing, only to move away quickly.  “Yikes. Your scales are as cold as it is out here.” She laughed. “I actually agree with the other Icebreath. You are the terribilist dragon ever.” “Hey!” Frostwing protested. You don’t even know me! I could be the greatest dragon ever, and you wouldn’t know! Also, Terribilist isn’t even a word!” Great Kingdoms it’s freezing out here.” The seabreath exclaimed, then turned back to Frostwing. “Seriously the worst. You're going to be asking for her name every day. Then she’s finally going to be like my name is Your going to be sleeping in a hole soon, squid brain” “I’m pretty sure I’d be able to remember a name like that.” Frostwing pointed out. “It sticks in my head better than Icicle.” “So, do you have a name?” The seabreath asked sweetly. “Or can I keep calling you Squid brain. Somehow I think that’ll get me killed. Ooh, I guess your name is Frosty.” Frostwing had to snort to cover up his laugh. “Yeah, I have a name. No, it’s not Frosty, but close. It’s actually Frostwing.” He drew his neck up and spread his wings majestically. “Prince Frostwing of the Icebreaths.” Oh, so fancy.” She teased. “I guess I shouldn’t bother telling you my name since you’ll just forget it in five seconds.” “No, I won’t!” Frostwing protested. “I remember the names of dragons that seem are going to change my life.” The seabreath had to think about this for a second, then shook her head. “You must be thinking about another dragon,” she said thoughtfully. “I’m on strict rules to ‘Never talk to any Icebreaths, Sapphire, or I will bite off your head, and put it on a spike in front of our house for everyone to see.” She snapped her mouth shut as if she just realized what that instruction meant. “Oh… Oops.” “Ha, ha.” Frostwing grinned at her. “I have figured out how to make you tell me your name is Sapphire.” “Nah,” Sapphire said. “That’s just how my mother ends every sentence.” Frostwing laughed lightly. Then he saw Sapphire shiver.  “Do you have anything to help me stay warm?” She asked. “Because I really don’t want to go back inside.” Frostwing sighed. “Sorry,” he said. “I have nothing” “Then I guess I’ll have to go back inside anyway.” She started for the entrance to the dome, but Frostwing stopped her.  “Wait.” He didn’t care that a friend gave it to him. He’d give up anything to spend another minute with her. He took off his armband and slipped it onto Sapphire’s arm. His claws lingered for a moment, feeling the warmth on her scales, then he stepped away. Sapphire slowly stopped shivering, and she spread her wings out to test.  “Wow.” She said and turned towards Frostwing “So it’s true. Your tribe does have creator’s.” “Some of them,” He said. “I am one of them, but a friend made this. An Icebreath is only allowed to use their power three times in a lifetime.” He took a daring step closer to her, but she didn’t move. “Why?” she whispered “Ah, all this rumors about losing your heart if you use too much of your power, which is probably not even true.” “No. I mean, why would you give me a gift like this. Also, are you worried about your heart?” He took another step towards her, and he could feel the heat rising from her scales. “Because you deserve it.” He said. “And no, I’m not worried about my heart at all. It’s yours if you will take it.” The snow fell onto her scales lightly, melting right away. Sapphire hesitated, then took his claws in her’s.  This is a terrible Idea. Mother would never approve of this. All the more reason to do this. This is my life, my love, and my power. No one will control my life or what I do again. “I’m about to say something really sappy,” Sapphire warned.  “Sappier than what I said,” Frostwing said. “Good luck.” Sapphire looked in his eyes, and he watched her eyes start gleaming with affection, pain, and hope. “It’s just…” she hesitated. “It’s just I think the world will be the same without you.” Frostwing was startled into looking at her eyes as well. She smiled shyly at him. He returned the smile. The moment was ruined when he realized the meeting was about to start.  “I think we should…” He trailed off. He didn’t want to go to the meeting. He wanted to stay out here with Sapphire. “Yeah, probably should.” She said with hesitation in her voice, making Frostwing feel a leap in his heart. He wasn’t the only one that didn’t want to go to the stupid meeting. They both reluctantly went into the meeting room, though, where Frostwing shuffled his wings in the uncomfortable heat. Queen Crystal looked up at the sound and gave him a quick, small smile. Frostwing returned the smile and sat on her left. Hailstorm, Frostwing’s father sat on her right. Sapphire settled next to another female seabreath, whom Frostwing guessed was her mother. “All right.” Queen Crystal cut through Frostwing’s thoughts. “How do you like the ice kingdom so far, Sapphire and Coral?” “Very, very cold outside.” They both said at the same time, and Frostwing could have sworn he saw a flash of anger in Queen Crystal’s eyes. “Yes, but it’s warm in here.” She said. “Anyway, we’re here to talk about the war.” “Your Majesty,” Sapphire said, earning her a glare from her mother. “I have an Idea, but I’m not sure if it’s very good.” Queen Crystal leaned forward, interested. “Tell me.” She demanded. “Well,” Sapphire started. “It’s hard for other tribes to survive in the Ice Kingdom, so we lure them here, and fight them in the cold while they are weak.” Frostwing blinked in surprise. No other dragon had ever thought of an idea that good, and that included himself. Queen Crystal hissed in delight.  “That is a perfect idea.” She said. “So, how would we lure them here?” “Well, we could-” Coral said, but Queen Crystal silenced her with a flick of her tail.  “I was asking Sapphire, Coral.” She growled. Coral hissed but went silent. “Well,” Sapphire said, thinking hard. “We could fly by their palace, wait till we see a dragon flying towards us, and then fly back to the ice kingdom fast.” “Would that work?” Frostwing asked. “ Remember, They are faster than us, as you get from their name” It wasn’t that it was a bad idea, it just scared Frostwing to fly into Sky kingdom. A lot “Yes, they are fast, but not that much faster than Icebreaths or Seabreaths.” She pointed out. “I think it’s a perfect idea.” Queen Crystal said before Frostwing could argue back. She turned towards Frostwing and gave him a chilling smile. “So, son. When Should we attack?” Frostwing knew the perfect day right away. He took a deep breath. If they want me to sacrifice myself to win a stupid war, that’s just what I’ll do. “In two days at midday.” He said in his know-it-all's voice. “When they are having their little party, that is when we will attack them directly first, then draw them to our kingdom.”