Shadowsong stifled a yawn, shifting from his bed to the windowsill.

Though he hadn't been through much, he knew how to be independent.

That's all he knew growing up.

Shadowsong stumbled out of his room. "Mother?" He called out quietly.

Normally, his mother, Nightseeker, had made the excuse that she had to see the queen for something. So everyday when Shadowsong woke up, she was gone.

It wasn't very believable, simply because Shadowsong had seen his mother's mind. Literally.

It was a nightmare, truely a horror show. All she constantly worried about was Shadowsong and how she failed him as a dragonet and how things would be different if his father was there.

But today seemed to be different. Nightseeker waited by the front door, clutching a scroll tightly.

"Shadowsong, hello." His mother avoided her son's gaze as he walked forwards. She always did that.

"Aren't you supposed to be...with the queen?" Shadowsong asked, his voice rough and tired.

"Not today. She asked if you would be willing to go to Jade Mountain."

Shadowsong's gaze widened. "With lots of other dragonets? Really? You think I'm ready?"

Nightseeker's gaze flashed with worry before she looked her son in the eye. "You are."

Shadowsong's wings dropped. He was excited for Jade Mountain, of course, but this was probably another scheme to get rid of him for more time.

"I hear Queen Glory is letting anyone join now." Nightseeker taunted. "Even dragons like you."

Shadowsong was quiet. "Dragons like me? You think I'm too different to go to Jade Mountain, don't you?"

Nightseeker curled her tail around her front talons, her wings twitching nervously. Her gaze flitted from side to side as if she wanted to fly away and leave her son to die alone to not worry about him anymore.

"Your...abilities  are unique, yes, but you are very capable of going there." Nightseeker spoke slowly.

Shadowsong's gaze hardened.

"When does it start?"