Two dragons stood side by side. Their tails intertwined, and their wing tips brushing. One was a beautiful, seemingly-polished crystal dragoness. Her scales were a kelidescope; all colors shimmered, and she had two tails. The other dragon seemed more sinister. His scales were a very dark purple, but the air around him only had authority in it, not cruelty. The crystal dragon turned to him, who both were different kinds of jewel dragons. She was holding an egg that seemed to be made of an amethyst with scales.

    "Dark Wings, you know she was right. The camouflage and deep blue-and-green egg have been laid. This is the third. Now we have to wait for the others, and it will start." The crystal dragoness caressed her egg.

    "Azure Star can go elsewhere. This is my offspring; he will not be part of a prophecy as crazy as she destines. They will have to find another purple egg, Rainlight," Dark Wings growled.

    "Dark Wings, you must understand the trouble we went through to get the water dragon egg. We had to steal it from the enemy. Plus, training the human as a spy when she's old enough will help us. Soon, she will be sent to their academy and find out where the castle is and how their recruits' minds work. The beautiful castle," Rainlight trailed off. "My home."

    "The Revak Feykro is your home now, my friend." A new voice came from behind. A young ruby red dragon walked toward the couple. "As it is mine and Dark Wings' home." He glanced at the egg. "Is that one of them?"

    Rainlight nodded to the newcomer. "Indeed. You were able to get the water dragon egg, weren't you?"

    "Of course."

    Dark Wings shot a glance at his wife. "'You were able'? You made it seem it was here already!"

    "Well," the crystal dragoness started. "We did have the egg. But then it was recaptured. I sent Sanguine to retrieve it. Moon's Claw helped him cover up his red scales during that time, so he can go in with Myrkr Mkhoal as he is now. Jewel dragons who are of the ruby subspecies and fire dragons are mostly what their armies are made of, mythically speaking, of course. The Sacred Forest will never fall, for we are planting our seeds of poison in our enemy."

    "That's all well and good, Rainlight, but there are other resistances to be seen," a white-and-black she-cat with one icy eye and one purple eye came forward. "Myrkr has a way to go before she acts as per normal of our enemies' recruits." She watched Rainlight's egg curiously. "I'll bet that's an amethyst dragonet. Those haven't been around for a while, have they? Not even you are one of them, Dark Wings, with your purple scales."

    Dark Wings regarded the she-cat. "Moon's Claw. It won't be too long now. We'll have to send in one of you with Myrkr, either you or Lavender; otherwise the girl will go insane or slip up."

    "Wait, wait, wait," Sanguine interupted. "I thought I was going with Myrkr? We are of the same age, so they'll probably put us in the same part of their academy. I'm sure Myrkr is ready."

    "Very well," the dark dragon said after a pause. "While we train the dragonets and kits, you and Miss Mkhoal will be behind enemy lines. But beware, the water dragonet's father works at the academy. Do not say anything about this place around anyone. Only alone, if you have to. Azure Star will keep in touch in your dreams and relay any and all information back to us."

    Rainlight held up a talon. "Hold up one moment. Those academies have psychics, who they secretly use against their new recruits to make sure they are on the 'right' side. Azure will help you there, but you mustn't let your thoughts wander."

    Sanguine nodded. "Understood, Rainlight."

    "Dismissed." Dark Wings walked away, and Rainlight followed him back to the forest palace.

    Moon's Claw and Sanguine looked at each other. "I suppose it's time you meet Myrkr Mkhoal, Sanguine. You will be working together, so we have to make due in the next year and a half if we want this to work." The she-cat led the way to the lowest part of the palace; even then it went lower. "Myrkr is under here. She is used to everyone here but you. Oh, also, beware. She likes making things out of gemstones. She might mistake your scales as such." A joking smile went across the cat's lips as the ruby dragon entered Myrkr's room.