Fields Ablaze
A semi-prologue thing, I just felt like writing. This focuses on Viperblood when he was fairly young and an apprentice. This is rushed and probably has a lot of spelling or grammar errors
Smoke trickled up and into Viper’s nose. His flank heaved as he coughed and sneezed from the ash flowing about and around him. Slowly peering out, all he could see was that dark grey cloud of smoke. The Sacred Willow was still ablaze in the distance. His ears narrowed and pinned back as he closed his eyes and his body shook with coughs once more. The screaming and howling of cats was heard below. His own friends and family were down there… fighting amongst the ash and burning bushes.
“Open your eyes Viper.” A deep growl was heard from his father.
Viper flinched bit slowly his eye lids opened it as he peered up at the dark flank of his father.
“All of the other Kingdoms will remember this day. We strike down those who oppose us, giving them a chance to stand at the same level of our kingdom is a sign of weakness. The Kingdom of Vulture’s Bones will forever stand above the rest. I’ve shown the Kingdom of Roaming Spirits our strength and put them back in their place. We are the highest authority here, not their ghost friends.” He scowled and his long blood stained claws dug into the earth. He froze for a moment before looking down to Viper. “When you have the rank of king I trust that you’ll reign over all, and keep all the other kingdoms in their place beneath us.”
Viper stared at him for a moment, before quickly shaking his small pelt, trying to get the ash off. He didn’t reply to his father and could still feel his burning gaze on him, as hot as the fire itself. He could never admit to him, but if this was what being the highest King meant, burning down the sacred traditions of other kingdoms, murdering innocent cats and raiding them, then he wanted no part in it.