Part Three: A Betrayer for a Sister
I found that the dragon blood worked well, and quickly quelled the odd stirrings in my heart. By the time I came home, my mind was nowhere else except the hate for the Equinoxians and my love for my family.
Everything was as it should be.
I trotted back to the cave, where Whisperspring was waiting for me. Her eyes immediately turned to me when my hoofsteps echoed against the rock. “You okay, Dad? You looked pretty upset?”
I smiled. “I’m fine. I think I just need to get some sleep. It’s been a very long day.”
Whisperspring nodded. “Do you think that we can train tomorrow?”
“You can count on it.” I nickered. “Good night, Whisperspring.”
“Night, Dad.” Whisperspring nuzzled my cheek.
***
I dreamt a strange dream.
I was standing in the smoky field from the battle earlier. Flakes of ashes fell from the sky like gray, desolate snow.
Why am I back here? I wondered. I’m supposed to be back in my cave.
It was a dream. I knew that.
But it was unlike any dream I’d ever had before.
I looked out across the field and caught sight of a white lump. It lay on the ground, unmoving, a large, black spike raising from its chest.
I walked forward, curious. I was only a few paces away when I could see the white thing for what it was.
It was a white lion, pure in color and shade. His side had been pierced by what seemed to be a great black spine, perhaps from a dragon. His paws had been stabbed and crimson blood coated the pure white pelt.
But what drew me most were his eyes. They were open, a clear turquoise color faintly shaded with the gray glaze of death. But not an ounce of hate or fear was in his eyes. Instead it was filled with a love so intense I skittered backwards, fear pulsing in my veins though I knew not why.
What kind of a dream was this?
I heard soft padding beside me and turned my head, only to see the exact same lion. He stared at me with his dark turquoise eyes, never saying a word.
“Wait… but you’re…” I turned back, only to find the lion carcass gone.
I backed away from the lion, feeling confused. “Who are you?”
The lion didn’t blink. “Why do you run from me?”
I jumped at that. Since when did lions talk?
“I am pretty sure that most of the time lions try to eat me.” I growled.
The lion swished his great white tail from side to side. “I do not hunt for your flesh.”
“What is your name?” I asked. “And why do you seek me?”
The lion blinked. “I have many names. You may call me El-Roi, for I am the One who Sees.”
An involuntary shiver rattled my spine. Suddenly everything became clear as day– well, as clear as the day could be with all of this smoke in the air.
“You’re the King.” I said. “But how? You are dead.”
“And that is the dragon’s blood speaking.” El-Roi growled. “I am alive as my enemy Abaddon is.”
I couldn’t help but flare my wings. “Why have you come here?”
He raised his head, not looking threatened one bit. “I have come for you.”
Me?
“Yes, you.” El-Roi said, as if reading my thoughts. “I want to know why you run. Why you drink the blood of the dragon when I come to give you pure water that quenches all thirsts?”
I shook my head. “I detest riddles.”
“Then let me make myself clear.” Abaddon grunted, seeming to grow larger so his eyes were locked with my own. “You will not find what you are looking for with Abaddon, Stormblaze.”
“How do you know my name?” I asked.
“I created you. I know your heart. I know that when your heart was drawn toward my light that my servant Sparrowhawk tried to share, you quenched it with Abaddon’s poison because you feared losing what you love. But deep down, beneath the poison, you are still drawn to the light.”
I switched my tail. “I should be leaving now.”
“Abaddon’s way only leads down a path of destruction.” El-Roi growled. “Fear it, Stormblaze. It will tear away what you love with a far greater pain.”
“Leave me alone.” I growled. “You are dead. The only King is Abaddon. And if Smokewing knew I was having these dreams…” Fire entered my mind and I shuddered.
El-Roi narrowed his eyes. “I will not force you, Stormblaze. The choice is yours. But Abaddon takes without giving, and never stops. Don’t forget that.”
I wanted to close my ears. “I want to wake up now!” I shouted.
The lion nodded. “And wake up you shall.”
In that moment, my eyes opened to darkness… and an unfamiliar pegasus at the cave door.
“Commander Stormblaze!” A bay stallion with orange wings shouted. “I have been directed to take you to Commander General Smokewing!”
“Under what orders?” I growled as I rose to my feet. Whisperspring and Autumnflight stepped forward. “What’s going on?” Autumnflight whispered.
“You are to be brought for questioning.” The stallion’s eyes flickered. “For rebellious thoughts against Abaddon.”
This is soooooo cool! There will be more snippets, right?
Yes, there will!