Listen, And The Stars Shall Speak

Discussions, Discussions

Ember left the room quickly, noting that this was probably a more private conversation. Apple and Rainkeeper stared at each other for a moment, unsure of what to say; or more accurately, where to begin.

"Why did you leave?" Apple asked finally. Rainkeeper stared down at the desk, unwilling to see hurt in her eyes.

"I thought that it would protect you and your mother." he admitted.

"Well, clearly you thought wrong." Rainkeeper looked up at her and instantly regretted it. She looked so hurt and angry and sad at the same time. He nearly winced at it.

"Apple, I never meant for this to hurt you-"

"Well it did! You were just up and gone like that! You didn't tell us, you didn't leave a note or anything! Mother thought someone had kidnapped and killed you!" 

"I didn't tell anyone because if the Icewings started questioning I didn't want it to get out and I didn't leave a note because it was nothing more than evidence they could've found. I'm sorry Apple; Three moons, I've never been more sorry about anything in my entire life! But I can't go back and change what I did, now can I?" The anger in Apple's face slowly faded.

"You could come back," she offered. "We could go back to the rainforest right now and forget this ever happened." 

"Somehow I doubt Pear will agree to that." He sighed. "I came here to protect you. Going back would just be putting you in danger again."

"I'm already in danger!" Apple exclaimed. "That's the whole reason why I'm even here! Icewings found me out and they were going to kill me but I killed one of them instead and then Ember found me and brought me here!" There was a pause as Rainkeeper stared at her in shock.

"You killed an Icewing?" he repeated. She nodded.

"I didn't mean to." she whispered. "But he was going to hurt me and I got scared and then there was venom melting his eyes out."

"Oh Apple...." Rainkeeper's eyes widened as he suddenly realized something. "Wait. So, your mother is all alone in the rainforest and has no idea where either of us are?"

"Yes." Apple frowned. She'd never seen her dad looked scared like this before.

"Then, yea, we should probably go back to the rainforest."

*~*~*~*~*

"Ah, I see they sent you." Coral remarked. Joy glared at the Seawing queen, but still tried to keep her cool. Attacking the Queen would only make things worse. She was meeting with the Queen on an island not far from the rainforest. This was meant to be a civil conversation, a simple trade if you will. But Joy doubt it would end very civil. It was for this reason that both of them had guards on hand. Joy's were in camouflage, making it appear that she had come alone. 

"Yes. They sent me." Joy repeated.

"And what exactly are we discussing today?"

"We are negotiating. You have some prisoners we would like back." Coral smirked.

"You mean you want your husband back." Joy's face remained emotionless. "Well, sorry to disappoint, but he's mine now and the only thing you'll ever see of him again is a pile of bones I'll be kind enough to let you bury." 

"How pleasant." Joy remarked. "Surely there must be something you desire enough to give him up for." Coral thought to herself, an evil grin growing on her face as an idea formed in her head.

"Very well. I will release Kelp and give him back to you on one condition."

"Name it." Joy didn't show it, but she was willing to do just about anything to get Kelp back. He was all she needed. She hadn't told Shore and the girls what had happened, but she suspected that Ander and Shore knew. Shore had gotten a bit more protective of them, as if he was trying to fill the gap that Kelp's absence was leaving. Joy could've sighed. Shore took care of too many dragons. Right now he was somehow holding her, Ander, Rin, Pear, Glory, Deathbringer, and Shadow together. It was actually pretty impressive. 

Coral's wicked grin widened and Joy grew a bit uneasy. But surely whatever price she named wouldn't be that hard to deliver on. Right?

Wrong.

"I want you to kill your dragonets and bring me their bodies as proof. Then, and only then, will I release Kelp."