||THE WAY OF THE WIND||

CHAPTER 6 - DEATH

"Come in," Breeze groaned. Wind opened the door of the tiny study that has been passed down through generations of Ladies, the first one being the founder of the Sky Kingdom, none other than Lady Sky. "What is it that you need, Wind?"

Breeze sighed. Being Lady was nothing she expected. First of all, there were a bunch of letters about politics and improving the tribe which were frankly super boring, so dull that Breeze nearly fell asleep once.. Seeing fear in Wind's eyes, Breeze finally snapped to attention.

"What is it?" she hissed, claws sliding out. She didn't plan to hurt Wind, but what sort of assistant doesn't tell their Lady the news immediately?

"Elder Moon is sick. She caught a bad cough and fever this morning. She asked for you. She's in the hosp-"

Breeze barged past Wind. She didn't have time to listen to his stammering!

Breeze leapt into the sky and flew a short flight to the hospital. Immediately she saw Elder Moon in the centre of the hospital, all sorts of medic stuff surrounding her. Crying in despair, Breeze charged to the old dragoncat. "Elder Moon," she sobbed.

Another elder came up to Breeze, patting her back. "She's nearly gone," the elder croaked. "Just like I will be."

Breeze looked up to see who it was. It was Avalanche, an old General under the rule of Elder Moon when she was Lady. Avalanche had retired early due to having broken her foot in battle.

"Elder Avalanche," Breeze gulped her tears down.

"She's going to be alright. She'll recover... right?"

At that moment, Elder Moon's eyes fluttered open.

"Lady Breeze. Just the dragoncat I wanted to see." Elder Moon wheezed. "I'm glad I chose you to be Lady. I'm glad I left you with Gust. Too many dragoncats wanted to eliminate possible true heirs for the job of Lady. Any non-heir dragoncats will not pose a threat to them. Our bloodline is tainted with true leadership."

"What are you saying?" Breeze half gasped half sobbed.

"I'm saying, little daughter, I'm glad you finally got to be Lady, where you belong. I'll be waiting for you in the afterlife, along with my dear Gust."

With that, Elder Moon took one, last, rasping breath then fell still.

"What- no!" Breeze roared.

"No! This- that- no!" she spluttered.

Breeze jumped from the platform of the hospital, soaring over the Sky Kingdom, ignoring Elder Avalanche's surprised looks. Her thoughts didn't make sense; didn't register. I know one dragoncat who will help me, even though he murdered my father. Ember, I'm coming.

When Breeze arrived at the hotel, the administrator Finch looked a bit confused but shook herself.

"Hello, Lady Breeze. What brings you to visit the Sky Hotel? I'm sorry I wasn't here last time. I was helping my father."

Even though Breeze was not in the mood for chit-chat, she politely claimed that she was visiting Ember, which was true.

"Oh, do you need someone to show you the way?" Finch asked.

Breeze hissed to herself. Of course not! She was Lady, of all things! Plus, she's visited Ember before, she didn't need this annoying Sky Element to follow her around.

"No, thank you." Breeze respectfully declined Finch's offer. "Of course. Enjoy your visit, Lady Breeze." Breeze whisked past Finch and padded to Ember's room.

"Ember!" she yowled. In seconds, Ember creaked open the door, blinking.

"Come in," he invited. "What brings you here?"

"... so yeah." Breeze looked at Ember for a reaction, only to see his stare blank with no emotion. "What." he said. "What. Whatwhatwhatwhatwhat."

Breeze rolled her eyes. "Well, do you think I'm lying? This is the truth."

At that moment, Finch burst into Ember's room. "I am sorry, your Lady, but one of Queen Pendant's soldiers just arrived here asking for you."

Breeze stalked in annoyance – about her conversation with Ember disrupted – out of the Sky Hotel to see the heavily armed soldier sent by Queen Pendant. He bowed somehow, still hovering, his grey wings beating the air around him. He cleared his throat.

"Lady Breeze of the Sky Kingdom, I am Jabez, the Spike General. Her Wondrous Majesty has requested for you to meet her at her palace, with the rest of the Element leaders at the Royal Palace. Now."

"Very well," Breeze hissed. "You." She nodded to a nearby Sky Element. "Tell Ember that I'm going to go meet Queen Pendant-" "Her Wondrous Majesty!" Jabez snapped.

"Yes, yes, Her Wondrous Majesty," Breeze rolled her eyes. "Also tell General Cloud he's in charge of the kingdom for now."

After Breeze had ascended to the position of Lady, General Cloud had become her most trusted general, taking Breeze's original place. "Yes, my Lady."

The Sky Element bowed then flew off.