The Sapphire of War

Chapter 2

Gale and Daybreak were sitting in Gale's cabin sipping a hot, strong tea out of crystal cups. On the way to the cabin, Gale had explained that she had always been suspicious of the prophecy, but had never said anything to the other MistWings because they all seemed to strongly believe in it. "So," said Gale, setting her cup down on the table, "what exactly is you plan?"

Daybreak considered telling Gale about Paradise and Foliage, but she decided that it would be better to wait until the last minute to tell her. Instead, she said, "We can start by talking to Downpour about this."

Gale wrinkled her snout. "Downpour?  If you ask me, he works too closely with the queen to be the least bit trustworthy."

"Maybe, but he doesn't seem to trust Monsoon very much," Daybreak reasoned. "I think it's worth a try."

Gale merely shrugged her shoulders, but nevertheless she agreed to accompany Daybreak to the Storm Palace. The two of them flew up to the palace and slipped in through an open window.

The palace was both awe-inspiring and frightening to Daybreak, who had spent almost her entire life on the run with Paradise. The walls were pearl-white and flecked with tiny diamonds; and the windows, decorated with blue and purple stained glass, offered a view of the many courtyards outside. As Daybreak and Gale were creeping through the hall, they heard someone yelling from inside a nearby room. "That's Queen Monsoon! We must be near the throne room!" Gale whispered.

"...and for moons' sake, stop asking about the war so much!" yelled the queen. The diamond-shaped doors flew open, and a dragon -- Downpour, Daybreak realized -- stormed out. He looked up at Daybreak and Gale and asked, "Who are you?"

"Um I'm Droplet, and this is Gale," Daybreak quickly explained. "We're guards- we work just outside the village of Waterfall." She looked up at Downpour and blurted, "Why did the queen throw you out? Aren't you her advisor?"

Downpour began to fidget uncomfortably, glancing down at the palace floor. "I was...um...demoted a few days ago. For -- for continually suggesting that we end the war with the WoodWings. Monsoon didn't like that." He was staring intensely into the floor now, and his voice was beginning to rise. "But I was telling the truth. The war should end. I know that firsthand. My brother was a soldier -- one of the highest-ranked soldiers in the MistWing army, and proud of it. He was killed in the battle against the WoodWings right before we captured Pinecone. Monsoon always talks about what a great victory that day held, but all I can remember is the great loss." 

He looked up at Daybreak and Gale, looking slightly embarrassed. "Sorry."

Daybreak was speechless, but Gale simply stepped forward. "So you're interested in ending the war."