Chapter 3 – Peril

With a flourish, what had seemed to be a shadow, unsheathed its dagger. It was Peril, one of the generals of the claws of power. Her body was covered in a strange armour that had green crystals coming out of her breast plate. Her face was covered in a mask, which was garnished with pitch black obsidian stripes and two shards of green crystal next to her eyes. In her hands, the sword’s obsidian, serrated point was held to the first badger’s throat. The other badger guard blew a horn and the streets filled with foxes and badgers. 

When the blood bath had stopped, there were too many bodies to count in the blood spattered street, but no sign of Peril anywhere. Cautiously, Amber Scale crept back to the cottage, badly shaken by what he had just witnessed. A cold, horrible dread slithered down his spine and began strangling his heart. He was sure Peril had followed their tracks, and come for them!

By sunrise, Amber Scale, Arcen Claw, and Feather Swift had left the fortress far behind and were trekking up the claws of the clouds mountain range. The journey took almost a day and so by nightfall, they found themselves huddled up in a cave, close to the red hot tip of the mountain called “fire” in the claws of the clouds mountain range.

Outside the cave, the warm wind whistles and churned, inside the cave, he siblings were starting a fire and preparing to cross dry scale desert. Warily, Amber Scale unwrapped the last thing his father had given him before being turned into a soldier for the claws of power. It was a small dagger, that glowed gold in the dim light, warning him that there was danger nearby. The handle was engraved with words, Gold Dragon. 

The walls of the cave seemed to grow veins of green pulsing light and exploded, revealing Peril, and millions of wolves and foxes, clad in the same armour as Peril. Cold, hard metal surrounded him, and he was trapped. Realising he needed to keep Gold Dragon safe, he tucked the dagger into his cloak.

Peril laughed and said “Going somewhere?,” ”Going nowhere I think!” She snapped her fingers and 4 guards stepped forward, they cornered Arcen Claw, and Feather Swift tried to make a run for it, but was stopped when a guard used the flat of his blade to knock her out. Both of them were thrown into the cage with Amber Scale and the guards began to push the cage deeper into the tunnels.

The Claws Of Power were in their thousands, sharpening weapons and stabbing training dummies. WIth a sudden jolt, Amber Scale realised they were waiting, waiting to attack the very place they thought was safe – the indestructible tree fort!

The sun had just began to shine down on the great gathering oak when Arcen Claw shook Amber Scale awake, standing in the entrance of their hiding place, was Red Tail. “The claws of power are coming, they saw you leaving.” Amber Scale nodded his thanks.

“And what about the burrow?” Arcen Claw asked

“Destroyed,” Red Tail spat “They set the ring of trees on fire and smashed in the burrow.” 

The siblings gasped and Red Tail shook her head, before dashing off into the shadows. Amber Scale pulled out the map to trace their route, and soon they had packed up all their belongings, and had erased all traces of their fire.

The plains were silent, not a badger, mouse, or mole in sight. Everything was silent, until a distant howl cut through the air like a knife, sending shivers along Amber Scales back, and they started running. Frost clung to the ground like a parasite, and the few trees that remained were coated in a thick layer of snow. The freezing wind bit into Amber scale’s paws, making him shiver. He hoped with all his might that the claws of power wouldn’t find them, but he knew they would be able to track the siblings’ pawprints in the snow. By midday, Amber Scale was able to see the outline of the claws and daggers fortress. They would be safe there, for at least a while. 

Several hours later, the exhausted band found themselves creeping around the spiked walls of the fortress, the searching eyes of badgers and foxes he didn’t recognise seemed to be able to see his very soul. “We’ll find another way in,” Arcen Claw whispered to Feather Swift “Right, Amber Scale?” She shot him a look that said, “you better.” As Arcen claw leaned onto the wall, she fell through a hidden hole, covered in leaves and dirt. She let out a yelp before being swallowed by the darkness. “Arcen claw!” Amber Scale shouted. He grabbed Feather Swift’s paw and dove in after her. 

The inky blackness of the tunnel enveloped them as they fell, the walls pressing in closer and closer, until Amber Scale could barely breathe. Then finally, they hit the ground with a thud, and Arcen Claw grabbed them and pulled them into an alley.

As night fell, Amber Scale spotted the perfect hiding place, an old abandoned cottage, as they stepped inside, a bat shrieked and flew over their heads, making Feather Swift scream. 5 bats later, they were upstairs and had a fire going. Feather Swift dozed off quite quickly, and Arcen claw and Amber Scale were talking quietly about what they would do next, when Amber Scale’s tummy rumbled  so loudly, he was afraid the whole city had heard him. Giving a sheepish laugh, Amber Scale blushed and Arcen Claw rolled her eyes and grinned, before shoving him out the door to get food.

Slipping out of the alley and onto the main road, Amber Scale smelled roasting chestnuts, and looked over to see a badger frying a cockroach and dipping it in a chesnut and caramel blend, retching, Amber Scale headed in the other direction. Spotting a stall set up with cheese and milk, he grinned. He walked over, and brushing the milk glasses with his tail, they fell onto the ground, knocking over 5 of the cheese wheels as they fell. Amber Scale slipped 3 of the milk glasses under his cloak and 1 cheese wheel as well. Apologising, he picked the rest up and walked away, smiling to himself.

As he walked down the grimy street, keeping to the shadows, Amber Scale froze when he saw a vixen’s head poke out the pub window, her face was bright red and had a long scar running down her eye to her neck, she was holding a bottle of cherry “oy, what are you doin?” she slurred. Amber Scale’s heart went thump thump in his chest, thinking the vixen had seen him, he was about to step out of the shadow, but he caught himself. Surrounded by shadows, something was approaching, its orange eyes seemed to glow in the dim light, and he could hear jagged claws scraping against the flagstones.

A couple of badger guards who had been talking on the other side of the road unsheathed their swords and made their way towards the shadows…

Finally, they were ready to leave.

As the sun began to set, Red Tail, a messenger, burst into the the burrow, she dropped a scroll and ran off. The claws of power had been spotted a few miles away and heading in the direction of fox claw burrow, someone read aloud.  If the ring of trees was set fire, the foxes would get smoked out, and taken prisoner.

So it was that the three fox siblings, Amber Scale, Arcen Claw, and Feather Swift, left home. Their journey would take at least 4 weeks, but before they could reach their destination, they would have to pass through Magenta Cliffs, Claws of the Clouds mountains, and Dry Scale desert, until they reached the indestructible tree fort. The claws of power could not set fire, or enter the indestructible tree fort, its great walls protected by the magic of the great wizard Green Horn. Once the foxes reached their destination, they would be safe. Other foxes from their burrow were traveling to River weed village, and sea swift outpost. But Amber Scale’s mother had gone to river weed village, leaving them only a map to find their way.

Holding the map close, the group of brave young foxes stealthily crept through the grass towards River Siren, padding across the bridge, Feather Swift slipped on the wet surface and nearly fell into the river, but Amber Scale managed to catch him just in time. Panting hard, they entered the clearing of the great gathering oak, collapsing, Amber Scale realised it was getting late, and scanned the area for a shelter. Spotting a hole in 0ne of the boulders, he beckoned for the others.

As they climbed inside, amber scale opened his satchel and took out two lukewarm loaves of bread and some soft goat cheese. Sighing in delight, they all took a bite from the bread and goat cheese. Surprisingly, Feather swift lit a fire even though Amber Scale had told him not too.

Soon they were snuggled up, Feather Swift and Arcen Claw fast asleep. Amber Scale was wondering when the claws if power would find them, and if they would every make it to the indestructible tree fort.

Finally getting his mind to settle, Amber Scale tugged his cloak closer and curled up next to Feather Swift and Arcen Claw, peacefully closing his eyes and drifting of into a long sleep.

How to care for a Beetle wing dragon

Have you ever wanted a companion for life? Well now you can, you may be thinking that Beetle wings are quite docile, but they can shoot poisonous spores from there mouths, so be warned. But, following these simple steps, you will know how to care for one, and be able to keep one as a pet!

You will need: A wide area with lots of trees or woodland, lots of tropical fruit, a very big fluffy towel, honey, a hair dryer, soap, a shower, a greenhouse dome, and some crystal honey drops (can be ordered online)

Preparing a space for the Beetle wing

1.  First, find a large area, the trees the better. Then place the dome over the area. (Make sure there is a way in and out.)
2.  Next, fill it with leaves and hidden fruit, as Beetle wing dragonets (baby beetle wings) like to explore and learn new things.
3.  Set up sprinklers on the trees, so that it will feel more like the rainforest, were Beetle wings come from.

Food for Beetle wings

1. Beetle wings can’t live without honey, so make sure there is a source or some nearby.
2. Beetle wings also enjoy tropical fruit such as mangos, pineapple, kiwi, and passion fruit.

Caring for your Beetle wing

1. If your beetle wing ever gets sick, you must order some crystal honey drops from your local jewel store, which should sell them for £10.
2. when you get the honey drops, ground them up in a china bowl until they turn into a gold powder
3. add cold water and it should be smooth and like cake batter, if it is hard to stir, add milk.
4. feed it to your Beetle wing, and in a few hours it should be at full health.

Bathing your Beetle wing

When you think that your Beetle wing has gotten too dirty, you know it’s time to give it a wash.                      1. First, get your beetle wing into the shower, and start stroking it gently.

2.  Set the temperature as hot as it can go, and start the water.

3. When you have finished, immediately dry its wings, before anything else, because Beetle wing wings disintegrate if they come out of water without being dried.

Finally

With these easy steps, you have just learned how to take care of a Beetle wing, and it will now protect you and love you for as long as you live. (Beetle wings live for 111 years)

How to care for a Beetle wing dragon

Have you ever wanted a companion for life? Well now you can, you may be thinking that Beetle wings are quite docile, but they can shoot poisonous spores from there mouths, so be warned. But, following these simple steps, you will know how to care for one, and be able to keep one as a pet!

You will need: A wide area with lots of trees or woodland, lots of tropical fruit, a very big fluffy towel, honey, a hair dryer, soap, a shower, a greenhouse dome, and some crystal honey drops (can be ordered online)

Preparing a space for the Beetle wing

1.  First, find a large area, the trees the better. Then place the dome over the area. (Make sure there is a way in and out.)
2.  Next, fill it with leaves and hidden fruit, as Beetle wing dragonets (baby beetle wings) like to explore and learn new things.
3.  Set up sprinklers on the trees, so that it will feel more like the rainforest, were Beetle wings come from.

Food for Beetle wings

1. Beetle wings can’t live without honey, so make sure there is a source or some nearby.
2. Beetle wings also enjoy tropical fruit such as mangos, pineapple, kiwi, and passion fruit.

Caring for your Beetle wing

1. If your beetle wing ever gets sick, you must order some crystal honey drops from your local jewel store, which should sell them for £10.
2. when you get the honey drops, ground them up in a china bowl until they turn into a gold powder
3. add cold water and it should be smooth and like cake batter, if it is hard to stir, add milk.
4. feed it to your Beetle wing, and in a few hours it should be at full health.

Bathing your Beetle wing

When you think that your Beetle wing has gotten too dirty, you know it’s time to give it a wash.                      1. First, get your beetle wing into the shower, and start stroking it gently.

2.  Set the temperature as hot as it can go, and start the water.

3. When you have finished, immediately dry its wings, before anything else, because Beetle wing wings disintegrate if they come out of water without being dried.

Finally

With these easy steps, you have just learned how to take care of a Beetle wing, and it will now protect you and love you for as long as you live. (Beetle wings live for 111 years)

I have never…

I’ve never been swept away in rapids, 

but I have swam in a lazy river.

I’ve never heard a dinosaur,

 but I have seen my little sister have a terrible  tantrum.

I’ve never flown with birds, 

but I have been whirled around in the air by my dad.

I’ve never written an award winning novel, 

but I have made up a story for my sister in her scarlet bed.

I’ve never seen a constellation, 

but I have seen the flickers of light in my sister’s sequin dress, like a midnight sky lit up by fireflies.

I’ve never touched or seen a ruby,

but I have seen juicy red tomatoes glistening in the sun.

I’ve never gone deep sea diving, 

but I have been drowned by toys.

I’ve never eaten the most delicious pizza ever created, 

but I have eaten al parco pizza.

I’ve never climbed everest to go sledding, 

but I have hiked up kite hill and wizzed down it again on a sled,

Into a tree and through some people.

I want to paint

An emerald dragon, as swift as the whistling wind. An unsuspecting eagle, circling the water and looking for fish, when really the eagle was the one being hunted. A cut, polished mexican fire opal, glistening in the warm light. An imperial topaz coloured fox darted from bush to bush, stalking a lost child through the cold, unforgiving night. 

An ammolite glistened warily in an earring, worn by a dragon smiling evilly down at the bravest knight in the land, who was quaking in his boots as he looked up at her.