Dinner was nice but the dice bag sat on the middle of the table. Mirid guessed that Clovermite knew exactly what was in the bag and why. Silence was abundant as the four Hivewings ate, Soapberry was asleep again so that was why only four of the dragons in the house were at the table. Clovermite began talking first "it was a good meal." And that's all he said though he'd only eaten a few bits of it. He didn't get up, he didn't move but stared at the bag on the table. They all sat in silence for a few more minutes.

Boxelder who was already done eating said loudly and obnoxiously yet in a clear 'I don't want to be a part of this' voice "Im done with dinner" and placing his talons on the table stood to leave. "Stay right there. I think your mother has something she wants to tell us all." Clovermite said blankly. "He can go, you can too Longicorn" Mirid said kindly to her sons, getting a glare from her husband.

Both children scurried off. Mirid watched them then began "We both know what's going to happen."
"Oh and what is that?" Clovermite said rolling his eyes.
"A war." Mirid responded.

"Between who? Family members? Ha, you know they'll chose me, I'm the dad and all three of them are boys. They'll have to learn to be strong from somewhere." Clovermight said pompously. Oh he looks so confident in himself Mirid thought, I wish he knew that I don't care as long as the children are ok and I can take care of them.

"I'm not talking about family and before you start saying that I'm doing this because the princess I liked wasn't crowned queen, please remember I don't care about being wrong about that." Mirid paused waiting on Clovermite to say something back, when he didn't Mirid continued in a quieter voice; "there's been killings. Queen Wasp is telling the other queens that they must submit to her rule or die, this isn't right! Queen Monarch gave up her people and now rebellion has built up in Silkwings against Wasps rule. The Leafwings won't surrender, because Wasp won't show them the book, it's going to be a war against the Leafwings."

"And where did you hear this information? Oh from a plate, that's nice." Clovermite said, it was clear now that he was listening but didn't care to believe her. Mirid flicked her ears down hissing at him "Even a 'insane' dragon can see that there's going to be a war."

That caught Clovermite's attention. Just cause I think differently doesn't mean that I'm dumb Mirid thought to herself smugly. Clovermite's face went pale at his folly "W-well." He paused and hit his chest then said more confident again "Well. Why is this war going to happen?"

"The Leafwing's Queen will not listen to Wasp without seeing the book. Wasp won't show her the book because she doesn't trust her. You and I can both agree that Wasp is a fighter not a lover, and will try and force the Leafwings to follow her. Then chaos and war happens." Mirid said.

"So? They'll all die, that's what the book of Clearsight says will happen if they don't submit to Wasp." Clovermite said rolling his eyes once more. Mirid frowned; That isn't what the book says at all, it doesn't even say a thing about Wasp, but I can't say anything about the book, Clovermite won't even try to believe me then. Clovermite then asked "What is there to worry about? We win, big deal, the enemy loses."

"Just because Hivewings win doesn't mean we'll all make it out alive." She said.

"Well-"

"No." Mirid interrupted him "I know you support Wasp but you and I both know that in a war you will stick out in the forest like Clearsight on a sunny day.You're literally the opposite color as the trees! Leafwings can move the trees to hurt you!" Mirid's voice cracked in worry "And Boxelder and Soapberry are no different. Just cause they're dragonets doesn't mean the war will be merciful. You think a tree can tell the difference between a adult and a child when a Leafwing tells it to strangle the Hivewings?"

Clovermite was silent, his ears were down.

"Were you going to say that Well I wouldn't die? Is that it? You know what will happen. We need to leave. All five of us." Mirid said.

"That is what I was going to say yes but I don't think we should leave. We have a nice house an a nice life." Clovermite said smiling, then frowned, he knew his life wasn't the life he wanted, he didn't want to be the oddball, or the one married to the insane one. There was no point in trying to convince him that she cared, Mirid knew that.

"This house is surrounded by trees Clovermite. Surrounded by what the Leafwings can control." She said.

"I think I need to fight though. I need to be strong and set a good example for our sons." He said with eyes that explained how he believed Mirid was to insane to do this.

"Set a good example by dying?" Mirid said.

They sat quiet a few minutes.

"I know someone who can get us somewhere safe." Mirid said breaking the silence.

"Who? Are they a Silkwing or a Hivewing?" Clovermite replied eagerly. Saying this also made Mirid aware how much he didn't trust dragons who were not loyal to the Hive Queen.

"They're a Leafwing. You know them, they helped us take care of the Boxelder when he was a newly hatched." Mirid said.

"You mean Palo? Ha isn't he the one everyone teased you about liking? You have to be kidding me. They're a enemy now Mirid. They're a Leafwing that we barely even knew before all this, let alone know where his loyalty lies." He replied with a smirk.

"The war hasn't started yet, they're no enemy." Mirid snarled. Clovermite looked taken aback, he didn't expect her to snap at him. Mirid had known Palo longer than she'd known Clovermite, she never really had talked to either of them about how she talked to objects. Palo was a distant royal or the son of a general, something Mirid didn't quite remember, but it was part of the upper class so Palo was separated from the seemingly insane Mirid. Clovermite and Mirid on the other hand were put together because they were both outcasts lower down inside their own tribe. Mirid had actually learned to love Clovermite but he never returned that love to her, but they both loved the kids and that kept them together well enough. Even though Clovermite didn't always show his kids he loved them. It was quite a complicated matter.

Mirid sighed lowering her voice again "if you're not coming with us; me and the kids are leaving without you."

"What so you're leaving with some weirdo Leafwing and taking the kids?" Clovermite hissed at her. But she replied calmly,
"What Palo is a weirdo but you're not?"

Clovermite paused for a bit. Thinking then stood up and turned around to head to his room. This was often how their arguments ended, Clovermite leaving without bringing his point to a close. Clovermite refusing to hear what she had to say.

"You're not leaving. Definitely not with some Leafwing. It's dumb. The Hivewings will win the war and kill Palo and all the other stupid dragons who oppose us. But I'm going to fight for my queen like a loyal Hivewing." He said this facing away from her. But then he looked over his shoulder and said one last remark before stopping off to his room alone;
"And if you take the kids and look like you're aiding a Leafwing. You'll be a traitor and die, so will they and when you all die" he growled;

"I won't be sorry."

Clovermite had left the room. Mirid was left alone, sitting at the table, she put her talons on her snout.

She began to cry. Sitting at the table alone she began to cry.

Because she knew it was true. Clovermite meant those words.
She cried because he knew she wasn't the only one that heard it. The walls were thin enough. Her dragonets knew their father didn't love them and would be going to sleep knowing that they may die. This wasn't right.

Yet her last thought before going to bed was at least we have a chance to get out of here tomorrow. Without him.