NightStars

Chapter Two

Malveillant whispered to Hilare in a dark corner. Hilare’s eyes grew wide with amazement as she listened to Malveillant’s words. She whispered something back, and Malveillant nodded. His claw drew a pattern in the dirt, and Hilare studied it. She added her own small shape and Malveillant’s eyebrows raised. It was clear that he was impressed with her idea. He then said something firmly to her, then flew back to his place on the shelf. Hilare glided to hers, and Terreo walked over. “What was that all about?” He asked. Hilare could feel Malveillant’s eyes on her back, and she answered a bit nervously, “Nothing.” Terreo narrowed his eyes, but said no more. Hilare was glad. Malveillant had made her promise to tell no one as of now of the plans. She couldn’t believe that Liza had planned on keeping the dragons confined in small glass containers. Display cases, Malveillant had called them. She knew that they had to keep their connection with the other dragons, and she was willing to do anything to keep it. Malveillant’s plan sounded best and simplest.

Malveillant fought to keep a smile off his face as he watched Hilare deny that anything important had been said between the two of them. Of course, what had been said was critical to the dragons. Not that it was true. Oh no, it was most definitely not true. He had known he would have to lie, but that was the easy part. He was an expert liar. And Hilare’s idea made everything so much easier, he couldn’t believe that he hadn’t thought of it before. He only needed to have Hilare tell Ferinse The Liza Scenario, and all the dragons would know within an hour. And, of course, He needed one other dragon in on his plan. Maybe Reussi, The Successful. Or Martiale, The Strong. No, he’d best go with Xeres. He had often seen Xeres in the shadows, with that glint in his eye that Malveillant knew too well.

He stared at Xeres until he had his attention. They held their gaze until Xeres stood up. Malveillant gave a half-smile. Xeres knew what he wanted. He tossed his head, indicating Xeres to follow, and walked back over to his drawing.

Xeres knew Malveillant too well. Days of watching and observing brought great knowledge to oneself. he also knew why Malveillant had been talking to Hilare, The Innocent. She would be a perfect subject of the lies in a plan. He swooped over the other sixteen dragons and landed neatly in front of the drawing, folding his royal blue wings back. “So,” he said flatly, disguising his excitement well. “What do you want me to do?”

Malveillant was yet again impressed. Xeres knew exactly why he was called, to be part of the plan. He once again outlined the same lies he had fed Hilare. He was very surprised when Xeres responded with the word “Bullcrap.”

“Excuse me?” Malveillant said.

“Bullcrap. You know that it is. So who is Hilare going to tell Ferinse told her all of that?”

Malveillant was shocked. Not only had Xeres known he was lying, he had guessed a major part of the plan. He had no choice but to tell the whole plan to Xeres.

When he had finished, Xeres nodded and said, “Good. I say you tell her to tell Fice that I told her that crap. Fice is more likely to believe that than if she says you told her.”

“Very true.” With a short nod, Malveillant sent Xeres for Hilare. And after a few minutes, he sent Hilare off. Again, he watched with satisfaction as the white dragon spoke Xeres’s name instead of his. His perfect plan was almost complete. Soon all the dragons would be helping him return to power, all because they were frantic about getting out before they were put into display cases. Display cases! Ha! If any of them had an ounce of sense they would realize that they were all capable of breaking the thin glass easily.
But this was better, because soon, he would be Malveillant the Malicious again! He would make Liza realize that she was taking life out of real dragons and putting it into small clay figurines. She was taking whatever powers they had and giving it to something small and without any authority over anything. Gone were their acquaintances, gone their reputations. He would change that, once and for all. He would go back to his happy life of friendly terrorizing and little stealing. It would all be good.

And across the room, Xeres stood, watching, thinking of his old life and what he would give to have it back.