Prologue

Based on the World and Characters created by Tui T. Sutherland

Prologue: Krona

Krona knew she wasn't safe traveling alone in SkyWing territory, not to mention in the dangerous mountains where dragons weren't the only thing you had to worry about. Falling boulders, rockslides, and cliffs too narrow to spread your own wings in, despite all the dangers she had to press on.

Krona stopped, looking up to the night sky through the narrow opening above her. 'Three moons…if I die in here, please make it a quick death.'

She quickly shook that thought away and continued forward through a tight crevice. When she emerged on the other side she saw them. Both dragons were SandWings, one looked around her age and the other full grown. Both SandWings wore dark cloaks and a lot of gold jewelry. The older of the two had a bent russet crest, tan sandy scales and a noticeable scar down his left brow. He was wearing a roughly crafted nose ring on his left nostril and strapped on short gold horn covers. He also wore two rings on the main claw of his left wing.

The younger of the two had no piercings, but a noticeable scar on his forehead. He also wore a distracting golden crest cover along with strapped on horn covers like his father's, but it was clear to see his horns were still whole. His body seemed to be completely covered in dark cloth, except for his head which was a light sandy tan.

Hesitantly, Krona approached. 'That must be Adenium and his son Jackelot.'

The adult stepped forward and spoke. "Krona, so glad you found us." He said with friendly grin. His voice seemed very smooth and calming. "I am Adenium, the leader of the Peacewings and this is my son Jackelot." He continued and motioned his wing toward the young dragonet. "Believe it or not we have actually met before, Krona. You were much younger then…I'd say only a year old at most."

Krona nodded. "I think I remember you and I think I remember playing with your son." She could feel herself relaxing finally. 'That's right Krona, just be calm and cool. They aren't going to attack you.'

Jackelot lowered his head and rolled his eyes looking away from the IceWing, seeming almost embarrassed.

Adenium chuckled. "Yes Yes, You both loved to tussle. Your Father and I used to have to physically pull you two away from each other." He fondly recalled.

Krona giggled then looked down at her claws. 'I wish I had more time with you, Father.' Adenium sighed heavily. "Yes…I heard what happened to your Father. I also heard about the creature that killed him…it was Alter's boy yes?"

Krona nodded her head. "Yes, his name was Eranomous and he wasn't a beast, he was my friend." The memories of what transpired in the Ice Kingdom sent shivers through her body. "He was just a dragonet being torn apart by a curse...A curse my Mother placed on him before her death."

Adenium and his Son's eyes widened. "So she truly did curse his egg. How ..." Adenium paused seeming to select his words carefully. "Interesting. Tell me Krona, what became of this cursed dragonet?"

"Oh, you don't know? I just assumed your group heard everything." Krona seemed surprised. 'Wow they really have been hiding in fear.'

Jackelot growled and took a step forward. "Listen here you..." Before he could finish Adenium shot a look at his son and lifted a claw to silence him. "Hush my Son..." He hissed. The young SandWing glared and looked away. Adenium looked back to Krona. "We have heard many rumors of his death..." He paused." But some say he still walks our war stricken lands."

Krona shook her head and sighed, "Let me put an end to the rumors, Eranomous is dead." Both Adenium and Jackelot looked intently at Krona, eagerly waiting for some sort of proof. Krona closed her eyes and lowered her head. "...I killed him."

Adenium's jaw dropped. "YOU, personally killed him!?"

Krona raised a brow. Was the thought of her killing this so called beast really that unbelievable? 'Wow he seems genuinely shocked.' "It wasn't grand... I just pushed him."

"Ah, yes! I see."Adenium shook the surprise off of himself and grinned again. "It is a relief to hear that he cannot cause anymore harm."

Jackelot looked at Krona narrowly and stepped forward, sliding his claws against the ground. Krona could only assume he was trying to be intimidating.

"You got a problem, Golden Crest?" Krona mocked. 'I'm not scared of you creeper.'

"I don't believe you!" He hissed.

Adenium attempted to stop him with his wing, but Jackelot pushed passed. "Jack!" He roared losing his kind composure.

"Shut up!" Jackelot snapped closing in on the IceWing until he was mere inches from her snout. "You have no proof Witch!" He growled, sending spit onto Krona's face.

Krona pushed him back with all her strength, causing him to trip over his own tail and fall awkwardly onto his back. "Back off, Snake! I got plenty of proof!"

Before Jackelot could pounce on her, Adenium grabbed his cloak tightly and hissed violently in his ear. Jackelot stayed down, looking away from Krona in utter rage.

Adenium snorted, composed himself, and looked back at Krona. "I apologize for my son...I obviously failed somewhere with him." His voice was sincere. Jackelot tried to pull himself free again, but to no avail. "Now dear child of The Tribe Leader Norse and The Vehement Gailra, what is this proof you have?"

Krona wiped the spit off her muzzle in annoyance. "I might not possess all the powers of a Vehement dragon, due to what happened in the past," Krona rubbed the deep scar on her neck. This was a constant reminder of how fragile life was, "...But I do still have one power." She paused. "When dragons I have made contact with die… I gain all of their memories."

Adenium gasped. "You have the sight of the dead!?" There was something in his eye, a glint of something unsettling. Krona couldn't make out what she felt from it though.

"Prove it Witch!" Jackelot barked, still squirming under his Father's claw. "Tell us of Eranomous then!"

"Quiet you..." Adenium pushed down on his son, keeping his gaze on the young IceWing. "But I do agree with my boy, tell me of Eranomous' Awakening."

Krona nodded. 'If this is what it takes, then I'll tell them the whole story.' "Alright... let me see..."

She softly breathed out and closed her eyes, 'Eranomous'

When her eyes opened again, they where glowing orange, like the fire deep in Eranomous' own core. Then Krona began to speak.

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