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Chapter 9

It had been almost a year since Watchful arrived in Sanctuary and he started to feel much more comfortable there. He had thought of leaving to visit places further North in Pyrrhia but he'd always postpone it. He knew he still had time and wanted to learn as much as he could from Piteraq. The healer had taken him as his apprentice and let him heal a few willing patients. Of course, it was agreed that he would not approach nor speak to the NightWing ones.

A few times, Piteraq had to intervene between Watchful and a NightWing a bit too nosy for their own good where they'd scrutinize the young dragon and even make remarks about his mind-reader's scale. Watchful had felt the anger grow in him and was about to attack the other when Piteraq interposed himself between the two.

“ kiiiillll" a voice whispered ever so faintly.

The large IceWing stood peacefully between them, his voice as soothing as possible while one of his arm was stuck in Watchful's muzzle bleeding profusely on the carpet as the hybrid's teeth had pierced through his scales. Watchful immediately felt remorseful; never in his wildest dreams he thought he'd be attacking his mentor. Did he fail him as he failed his mother? Will he had to leave and never come back again? No! He wouldn't run away this time, it wasn't his fault if Piteraq got in the way, he should have let him attack the NightWing instead, they deserve to be bleeding, not Piteraq! The IceWing shouldn't have interposed; he shouldn't be treated like a hatchling anymore!

As Watchful stood there rummaging in his thoughts, Piteraq had accompanied the NightWing in another room. He could visually follow them with all the blood the IceWing had lost. Watchful snorted, this hadn't been the first time Piteraq had to bribe another dragon to forget about such incident.

Watchful started pacing frantically in the room:

“ W-why a-a-re N-n-nightW-w-w-in-g-gs so me-a-an to me?"

“ Because that's how they naturally are.", a voice replied coming from somewhere in the room.

He blinked and looked around but he was clearly alone, the sun was shining brightly through the window and there was no possible dark corner for anyone to hide, not even a Scavenger.

“ Wha-t-t d-d-id I-I eve-r d-do to th-th-em to deser-ve-ve t-that?", he resumed.

“ They just hate how powerful you are.", the same voice said softly.

This time he shivered hard, it felt very creepy that someone seemed to talk to him. It didn't even appear to come from inside his head; for one, it didn't stutter as he did, the words flew so perfectly, it almost gave him a hint of jealousy, if it wasn't for the hatred contained in those words. Although, Watchful had to admit that they had a good point about NightWings, at least from his own experience. However, the most scary thing was that the voice sounded exactly like him.

“Wh-who a-a-re y-y-ou?", he asked feverishly

No reply.

Frustration and anger grew again within him. He paused for a second and took a moment to study this new feeling. He had never felt it before, even when he was very young and his mom threw him over the mountain, he only felt incomprehension and terror, and when he read the minds of the other NightWings and he could glimpse at all their mean thoughts, he just wondered why, but never had he felt any anger.

Until now.

Thinking back to before Piteraq interrupted him, he realized how he'd have enjoyed to be able to bite the NightWing and even fight him notwithstanding that he was way bigger than him. He could feel his talons tingling with electricity as he imagined them sinking under that dragon's scales. Piercing the flesh and letting the blood pour as he did with Piteraq.

“ BLEURGH!", he exclaimed, “W-why d-d-did he have to int-tervene?"

He was still pacing the room frantically, deep in his wild dreams where he was tearing the other dragon apart, when Piteraq came back.

The IceWing appeared annoyed for a second but his face immediately decomposed as Watchful turned his gaze to him questioningly.

“What?", Watchful asked impatiently.

Piteraq took longer than usual to reply. The IceWing always knew what to say and when to say it, it was like he had the answer to every single question in the world instantly and without thinking, no matter the subject; it was both amazing and insufferable.

But not this time. The moment seemed to stretch for far too long before he even tried to formulate an answer.

“You will have to learn to control your anger, Watchful.", he paused as if he wanted to add some dramatic moment, but it was clear from his expression he was searching for the correct words to use. “I know it's a new feeling for you and I… I want to apologize, I didn't expect it to manifest that strongly. I'm sorry I didn't take the time to introduced you to it. I didn't realize it would be so powerful..."

“Damn right it is!", Watchful snapped and was immediately taken aback by his own boldness as it felt both really shameful to talk to his Mentor like that but also so very liberating.

“Ah! As if you are the first teen dragon I've seen. I was once a youngling too…", Piteraq replied with a soft but shaky voice.

Watchful snorted, he hadn't paid any attention to what the IceWing said as it dawned on him that he hadn't stutter a single time when he replied so harshly; wanting to repeat his feat, he murmured:

“c-c-coo-ol"

He spat and his anger grew even higher with the frustration.

He swore he'd heard the voice said: “ welcome it.", but lost his train of thoughts as Piteraq gently put a wing over him.

“Frustration and anger are normal feelings, but they can be very destructive, especially for you. I will help you to control and avoid them so you do not take irrational actions based on them. It will never have good consequences."

Watchful looked up at him.

“Wh-what do y-y-ou mean e-e-esp-p-ecial-l-ly f-for m-me?"

But the IceWing either didn't hear the question or feigned it and pulled him away from the room.

As he looked around, all the traces of blood were gone and Piteraq arm appeared as if nothing ever happened; and for a split second he found himself wondering if Piteraq was actually immortal or if he could die like any other dragon.

The rest of the day went by without any other issue, but since the NightWing was a regular of Piteraq, it was discussed that, for the better of everyone involved, Watchful should not be present when he visits.

Whether he would stayed hidden in his room or going for a stroll didn't matter much as long as he didn't meet said dragon.

“B-b-ut wh-why sh-sh-ould I d-do th-that for h-him?", he had asked bitterly.

“Because he is my patient and he deserves to be treated like all the others.", had replied Piteraq gently.

“We-we-ll, h-he is n-not m-m-ine!", he scolded.

“That's true.", ended Piteraq, and that was that.

So, every day the dragon visited, Watchful made sure he was nowhere to be seen in or around the house; Piteraq trusted him enough that he wasn't on his back reminding him about it every time. His healing schedules were in plain sight for him to check and despite the annoyance, he felt good to be treated like a responsible dragon.

That day, he had wanted to enjoy the sun outside as he felt quite restless all night long for some strange reasons that he couldn't explain. He hadn't heard any voice in his head but still couldn't figure out what prevented him from sleeping. Of course, he was part NightWing and while he used to sleep during the day more than during the night, since he arrived in Sanctuary, he had switched his schedule to meet those of Piteraq and adapted quite well. Although he sometimes had cases when he just couldn't fall asleep. He almost wished he heard the voice those nights, it would at least give him a reason as to why he stayed awake.

As a matter of fact, the voice hadn't come back since the incident, but every time he was reminded of it, he felt a mixed shudder of cold terror and warmth soothing.

He walked outside just as the sun was peaking on the horizon; the NightWing appointment would be much later that day but he thought he could just spend the whole day outside and walk around the city, finding markets if any or just observe dragons and scavengers alike.

As he walked alongside trees bordering the street, he heard a commotion, but didn't want to pay much attention to it so he continued on his way and arrived at one of the market that was already opened. He looked at all the colorful things presented: fruits, vegetables, meat, you name it. All disparate and presented in a fashion that would make any dragon salivate just by watching them, even he, caught himself trying to wipe the corner of his muzzle as he stared. He imagined he could be one of the merchants; the market seemed so peaceful and relaxing, he could spend his days there relaxing and selling all sort of things.

_ Selling…_ That would mean he'd have to interact with other dragons, bleh! No thank you. There's no way he could, at least not if he had to speak. But, what if he didn't have to… Watchful found a corner in the shade and sat in front of the most active part of the market. He started studying the merchants, making mental notes about their behavior with different kind of patrons. Surely, he wouldn't be the only one not wanting to talk to others. He spent half the day there but much to his dismay, all the merchants at one point or another had spoken. Of course, there had been mute customers, sometimes, even Scavengers, which got him even more intrigued and he had scrutinized their exchanges even more closely. But nothing appeared like it would help him settle as a silent merchant. Probably it just wasn't the job for him after all.

As the sun reached its apex, he decided to walk back down the road to Piteraq's house for a cooler place to relax. As he strolled past the same row of trees as this morning, he heard the familiar commotion he had then noticed on his way to the market.

“S-su-r-rely, they c-c-can't be sti-till ar-gu-guing ab-about the s-sa-me thing.", he wondered.

As luck would have it, a well with a basin made of orange bricks separated with grey sealant stood near them and without noticing it, Watchful found himself eavesdropping on the other dragons under the refreshing shade of a palm tree towering over the place.

“…can you say that? I will have you know Piteraq is the most reputable dragon here!", said one voice with irritation.

“Keep your voice down, I don't want others coming around", the other replied.

The voices made themselves much more quieter but Watchful could still hear them over the water flowing in the basin.

“Do you know how long Piteraq has been here?", the second voice continued.

“Well, he's been here since Sanctuary exists, I think, but I don't see your point."

“And where was he last year?"

“Well, I heard he was in Possibility or something, so what?"

“While the plague hit us all over Pyrrhia.", the voice was stern.

Watchful realized the dragon mentioning this was an IceWing.

“But didn't Mayfly help with it?"

“Mayfly yes, but have you heard of an IceWing doctor helping?"

“I fail to see your point"

“I find it weird that he wasn't there while his tribe was being decimated. Like he could have helped."

“Maybe he did and you don't know it."

“Doubt it, if he had, everyone would have known, his power are not natural, I tell you!"

“Again with the animus? I thought we settled it."

“It was never settled. I say he is an animus and he somehow managed to keep his powers and he is hiding it and he never saved his tribe and Queen when he could."

The other dragon sighed and started walking away.

“C'mon, let's have a drink, it's getting hot and arguing with you makes my tongue dry."

Watchful stood there as the talonsteps faded away. He wasn't sure if what he heard was true but if it was then Piteraq would have some explaining to do. Why did he acted like such a coward? He wouldn't imagine any dragon letting someone from their tribe die, even less their Queen. He found the idea disgusting.

He wished he could go confront him immediately but he had agreed with Piteraq that he wouldn't be there when the NightWing was present, even if deep inside he wished again he could face him, one-to-one, eye-to-eye, ready to jump at him and slash at his neck, feeling the thick blood tainting his black and white talons as life slowly drained from the impudent NightWing who dared berate him in his own house… well, in Piteraq's house which he was currently inhabiting. He would certainly get a slow and painful, well-deserved death right in front of his eyes. Watchful could feel the pool of blood growing and reaching between his claws one after another and seep up into his body as if sucking the soul out of the other dragon.

His eyes snapped opened. His heart was racing, his breath shallow and fast as he frantically looked around but he was still alone by the basin. His front talons tightly clenched and almost painful. He slowly opened them and looked down at his palms. One black, almost disgusting and one white, shiny and quite attractive. His body shivered hard as he recalled the flash of memory that just happened, but it wasn't a shiver of fear or terror, it was just a wave of adrenaline rushing under his scale as if what he did actually happened and he felt great about it.

It had raised a question in his mind though and as he walked toward a group of dragons, he started staring at each of them intently. First, he looked at the IceWing and he could feel admiration and awe at the amazing spikes and the regal posture that the whole tribe seemed to have. Next, he turned his gaze to the SandWing and he didn't feel much about them, neither admiration nor resentment, as if they were just plain boring to him. Finally, he fixated on the NightWing and all of a sudden, he could feel his arteries pumping his blood faster in his system, his IceWing side grew colder and colder to the point that he was sure he was emitting cold smoke as if his whole side had reached sub-zero temperatures. His other side remained at a less extreme level but he could still feel his dark talons tingling with the envy to sink into a NightWing. His breath became short and ragged again, a long wave of pleasure ran from the top of the spikes on his head to the very tip of his tail and he had to sit down.

“I c-c-could k-kill…", he murmured to himself.

“ And it would feel awesome.", the familiar voice said.

Watchful didn't feel like acknowledging it this time but he felt glad it came back.

“ Not now, not here though, you will attract attention, but this female NightWing is a perfect subject, she has the scales."

Watchful blinked as he hadn't noticed the shiny silver scale behind the NightWing's eye and he wondered again who the voice was since it could see something he obviously missed. The black dragon turned her eyes to him and for an eternity, their sights crossed. He looked away first and dove behind the well. He held his breath and listened for the dragons' minds but both the SandWing and the IceWing felt blank while he couldn't find anything in the NightWing mind that let him know she heard his thoughts.

He waited there for a while until he felt they had left and then rushed away.

“ I w-will ha-ave to b-b-e m-m-more ca-car-reful n-n-ext t-t-ime…", he muttered to himself.

As the day drew to an end, he slowly walked back towards Piteraq's house. The streets were calm with few dragons here and there. Nobody really paid attention to him and that's what he liked about this city. The sun was making the buildings shadows elongate on the ground, soon it wouldn't be visible unless one stood between two houses. The wind that rose was chillier than usual.

Watchful pushed the door slowly and made sure that that NightWing was not present anymore before he slipped into his room. His mentor was still busy with a last patient and he didn't feel like disturbing any of them as he sometimes would if the case looked interesting to him or just to watch Piteraq work.

It wouldn't take very long for the last dragon to leave and soon the IceWing called him for dinner. He seemed relaxed and smiled a bit when he joined.

“I hope you had a pleasant day outside.", he offered.

Watchful didn't feel like replying and just initiated a quick nod. Piteraq hummed softly to himself as he served them both and went to sit in front of him.

They ate without uttering a word but the air felt warm and relaxed. Somehow Watchful still sensed a lingering uneasiness as his eyes kept looking left and right.

Eventually Piteraq noticed it and asked:

“Something wrong, Watchful?"

The IceWing voice was soft and low, but it felt like it rubbed him the wrong way. He felt the anger once again rose in his blood.

“I-is it-t-t t-true?", he asked in his breath.

Piteraq didn't answer, either he didn't understand or worse, he did but he didn't want to admit it, he said he could not read mind but he probably lied about that too.

Watchful raised his eyes and looked straight at him. Piteraq eyes were a bright electric blue with an almond-shaped pupil, darker than the darkness night, when neither of the moons shone in the sky, his gaze shifted as his face grew serious.

“What rumors have you heard?", he asked with a soft but blank voice. It felt like it wasn't the first time he had been confronted with an inquisitive dragon.

“Y-y-ou l-l-et yo-ur tr-t-t-tri-b-be d-die."

Piteraq grew sour and his wings droop some.

“Come Watchful. I need a smoke.", he said before grabbing his pipe and moving to the room they usually went when they relaxed in the evening. The IceWing lowered the curtains and turned on a lamp before lighting his pipe. He settled down on an old chair lined with green fabric.

“That's partially true, unfortunately.", he eventually said.

Watchful's anger and disbelief grew higher, he scoffed at the IceWing.

“I… wanted to protect myself before anything else…", he paused longly between each sentence as if he had a hard time admitting guilt but couldn't hide the truth anymore. “My reasons were that I would be more useful here to protect others. Furthermore, I didn't know if I could stop a magical plague."

“B-but you c-could have t-tried!"

“I could have… yes. Yes, I could.", he said sheepishly. “But I was afraid I guess… At the time, I didn't know if my powers were strong enough against DarkStalker and if he could circumvent my spells. I was afraid he would find me and expose me to the others…"

“Y-you we-re a c-c-coward!"

For the first time since Piteraq had taken Watchful in, the IceWing could not look at him straight, he was staring down at his talons, shaking a bit.

“Watchful… you're young and you have many years before you. Don't waste them hating an old IceWing who just tried to help in his own way. Hate will never do you any good."

“ But hate is good, we like hating!", said a voice with intentional malice.

Watchful looked around but didn't see anyone, the voice though had seemed to come from within the room yet Piteraq hadn't reacted.

“D-did y-ou h-h-ear t—that?", he asked

“Hear what?", the IceWing looked at him worryingly.

Watchful wanted to explain about the voice he had been hearing recently but decided against it.

“ Everything I say, I say only to you, vengeance is good, hate is nourishing and this one is in your way!"

He immediately knew the voice talked about Piteraq and he stared at him again with hatred.

Piteraq looked back, he seemed defeated, as if he knew what was to come and that he had no escape. Time has run out.

“I will never pardon myself for all the IceWing deaths nonetheless I will never regret what did; I have saved countless lives over the years and that's still invaluable to me and to those who have survived thanks to me."

He paused and pulled on his pipe and then exhaled a large billow of smoke just above his head.

“Life is about making choices, some matters more than others, some you will regret all your live but you'd still do them again because in the grand scheme of things, you know they were the better choice."

He looked down straight at Watchful.

“I hope that you will never have to feel the same regrets, Watchful."

His voice was calm and posed and while he knew somewhere deep inside that the IceWing didn't say it condescendingly, he couldn't fight the rage boiling in him as tears flew on his face. His spine shivered hard as he lost control of himself and stood an hair away from Piteraq's nose.

“G-go im-pa-pale y-y-ourself!", he stormed, the words spewing like red-hot daggers, slicing the air right above his tongue, as he tried to spit them without stuttering but miserably failed.

A strange and sudden feeling of darkness engulfed him as soon as he finished uttering his threat, like he was drained of all his energy in an instant and the last thing he remembered seeing was Piteraq freezing straight in front of him with his eyes wide-opened, right before he fell into a deep slumber.