Lost

**Tribe of Swift Soaring**

**Leader-** Taryz- F

Underling- Averyl- F

**Lieutenant-** Zephyr- M

Underling- Skarlax- M

**Healer-** Virgil- M

**Soldiers-**

Krin- M

Raek- F

Narith- F

Crynon- M

Aeryz- F

Vallath- F

Dalys- M

Desryu- F

Archion-M

Belnyr- M

Taurak- M

Aureys- F

Kulkodar

**Elders-**

Appallax- M

Zyion- M

Rinkue- F

## Prologue

Virgil's dream wasn't the only one. He'd had many, many over the years- but this one was different. Special. Virgil didn't know what was going on, but it was bad. He shuddered, his wings blooming behind him like a flower in Warm-light. His dark green eyes flicked from side to side and he exited the Healer's Cave. The camp was silent and dark with the faint light of dawn reaching the trees around them.

Virgil headed straight for Valeabal's cave. The leader's cave. He had to fly up the quarry wall before landing on the overhang that signaled the entrance. He quietly peeked in, and what he saw was not expected-

A pool of blood was spreading across the ground, Valeabal in the middle of it. Her neck was magled and her scales were matted with drying blood.

"Valeabal!" he gasped, rushing forward. He knelt by the leader's head and checked her over. Dead. Definitely. Virgil made a wounded noise, his head falling into his talons.

*No,* his mind cried, *no!*

"Don't worry, Valeabal," he murmured, "I will keep our tribe safe."

Lieutenant Taryz would take Valeabal's place, but she was a danger to the tribe. She would lead them into war, which Valeabal had managed to avoid all those years. *All those years.* Virgil closed his eyes in grief, pain thrumming deep into his soul.

*Who killed her?* Virgil asked himself, *Who would do such a despicable deed?*

He listed off the suspects in his head, *Taryz, Dalys, Narith.*

Virgil's breathing was ragged, knowing some dragon had betrayed the tribe. Their own tribe.

*I can't believe this. No.*

He spread his wings and grasped Valeabal's body in his talons. It was a heavy, messy job but he managed to get her out onto the Ledge. He stood up straight and faced the clearing, a stony expression on his face.

"Dragons of the Tribe of Swift Soaring!" he roared, "Gather here now!"

Dragons began coming out of the caves, yawning and grumbling. Virgil waited until they were all assembled.

"Leader Valeabal is dead!" he roared.

Gasps of shock, anger and dismay filled the air.

"Who did it?" Taryz called out, an emotion he couldn't quite place tinging her voice.

"I don't know," Virgil spoke calmly, not betraying anything, "But I do know Taryz is our new leader!"

Taryz stepped forward, eyes gleaming, and stood under the Ledge.

"Come now," he told her. She soared up, landing beside him.

"Taryz Soaring," he announced, "I pass on the blessings of the Afterworld!"

"I accept," she bowed, "And name Zephyr as my successor and Averyl as my underling."

"Good luck."

## Chapter One - Averyl

Averyl spiraled down the cliff-face, looking for a potential meal. She spied a mountain goat that was grazing on a plateau of grass. It let out a braying sound as Averyl swooped in, catching the goat in her talons. She killed it with a quick thump to the spine before lifting up and glancing around for her Hunting Cluster. She saw Raek, Krin and Dalys coming from the North. She held up her catch. Raek nodded, holding up her own which was two rabbits. Who knows where she'd found them!

"Where's Vallath?" she called.

Dalys shrugged, "Eh. I think she's off by the waterfall. Somewhere near Fishing Site B?"

"We should find her then," Averyl muttered , "Taryz won't be happy if we're late for the feast."

Krin gave her a look, "Like we want to go anyway," he growled, "She had a feast for *Moyn's death?!"*

"True, true," Averyl conceded, "Anyway, if we don't want our scales flayed we'd better go."

"I suppose," Raek sighed, stretching her joints.

"Seriously," Averyl growled, "We need to go."

Krin groaned, "Okay..."

The Cluster headed for Fishing Site B, where they saw Vallath by the pond.

"C'mon, Val!" Averyl called.

Vallath looked up, concerned, "Is it time to go?"

"Yes," Averyl nodded. Val picked up her fishes and joined them in the air.

Her Hunting Cluster began to wing back to the Camp.

"Averyl!" Leader Taryz barked, head snapping up and eyes on fire, "You're late!"

Averyl glanced at the sky, seeing that she was a bit late, "I'm sorry, Leader. It will not happen again."

Taryz's glare was white-hot, scorching Averyl's bent neck.

"Get up!" she barked, "Get me the best prey-food you can find!"

"Yes, Commander," Averyl muttered.

She flew across camp and landed beside the prey-pile, picking through the day's offerings and finding a plump, big, mountain goat. She dragged it out of the pile and plonked it in front of her leader.

"Here," Averyl offered.

"Good enough," Even Taryz couldn't find fault in this goat.

"May I go now?" Averyl asked politely, but through gritted teeth.

"Sure, but be ready for the feast," Taryz yawned, her red scales flashing as she devoured the goat. Averyl backed away in disgust, her eyes glinting. She hurried over to the Underling Cave, where Skarlax was already gnawing on a hare.

"Hello," he said plainly.

"Hi," she sighed, and jumped up to her assortment of soft cloths and plant buds that made up her sleeping place. She curled up, her black tail resting over her snout.

*Taryz will ruin us.*

## Chapter Two - Aureys

I woke up just in time for the feast. Taurak was gone (the suck-up) already, and I needed to get there *quick.* I unfurled my wings and shot out of the cave, my light scales reflecting the light like broken rainbows. I sailed across the near-empty camp and landed outside the Feast Hall, which was really just a hollow in the earth with several boulders shoved up against the dip. It's loud and terrible. Vallath and Archion motioned for me to join them at a Circle. I sat down quickly beside Archion and smiled. Vallath shot me a grin, her snout wrinkling up.

"Got it?" My friend asked.

"Yep," My smile spread across my face.

"Good," Archion nodded happily, "Taryz wouldn't have liked it if you'd have not come. You know she likes full attendance."

My eyes widened in mock disbelief, "I would never dream of being late!"

Vallath laughed, "Sure. That's why you were late last time."

We went quiet. *Last time.* Taryz had punished me severely. A scar on my wings reminded me of it. Leader taryz had forced her underling, Averyl, to do it. I don't blame her. But I can't look her in the eyes.

"Sorry," Vallath broke the silence, her voice small, 'I didn't mean too."

"It's fine," I said quickly, "Let's try and enjoy this."

Archion nodded, but his sharp eyes didn't miss the glance we shared.