A Change of Tone

by Ibexan


(Prologue)

My wings convulsed at my sides but I could not fly. My legs were at odd angles against the grass and my head throbbed. I took big gasps of air and the trauma all came rushing back. Our Queen had failed us. It seemed impossible, but it was true. She had been beaten by love. She had been foolish. I jolted in shock and lowered my head, ready for a searing pain of punishment to hit me,but none came. The Queen hears all our thoughts. If she heard a nasty one, we got punished. If she didn't hear my disrespectful thought, could she not hear the rest of my thoughts? She let her guard down and payed the price for it, she ruined our chances at taking over. I paused. Nothing happened. I smiled, I seemed to be free to think what I wanted. I sat up and winced. Then I realized I was alone.

I looked around desperately for more of my kind, but I seemed to be the only one. I slowly propped myself up and slunk behind a nearby tree. I had to think it over, better than the Queen had done. I trailed my mind backwards, remembering the events of the day before. I remembered a huge blast of power and suddenly I was thrown backwards, but not far. I remembered crashing to the ground and just before darkness took over, I saw the queen and everyone I knew thrown out of the sky and to somewhere far away. Who knows where. Maybe they didn't even make it. That must of happened. The Queen didn't make it. She died and mostly everyone else died because her plan had failed. But it wasn't her fault. It was their fault. The masters of the power that threw her and everyone else and killed them. I lifted my head, new determination glinting in my eye. They must pay.

The moon shone invintingly. I smirked and looked around. They obviously didn't like to be around at night, but I had been walking around at dark since I was born.I leaped up and had to use all my will power not to yelp. Biting the inside of my mouth, I moved forwards at a brisk walk. It was only a few minutes later when I glanced to the left and it was all I could do not to gasp in awe. A humongous, magnificent palace loomed over me. I just had to get in. It looked grand, so it must be full of things of importance. Which was just what I wanted. I leaped upwards and hovered slightly above the ground. Grimacing in pain I flew over the wall and plopped onto the ground. It seemed easy, too easy but I didn't want to stick around figuring things out. I looked up and spotted an open window in one of the turrets. I snorted and lurched myself up to it. My chest heaving, I dropped myself into the room.

Slowly and cautiously I made my way down the stairs. As I arrived at a corridor, all I could see were magnificent tapestries and pieces of art. Woah. I gingerly took a step forwards, but no guards came. There seemed to be no one.They obviously think all the trouble is over now that they think they've got rid of us. But they hadn't. I slowly creeped forwards and easily found a door. I put my eye to the door and then pulled away again. Stamping the ground in delight, I burst the doors open. Who needs to be subtle with the plan I have? A pair of shocked eyes looked at me, then they narrowed. Their horn glowed and I felt myself being pushed away. No. My mind repelled the spell for a few seconds. That was all I needed. I felt power seeping into me and I grew. With my own new magnificent horn, I saw the creature look around desperatley as they faded. Then they disappeared competely, nothing left of them.

I'm doing this for you, my Queen.