Many dragons stood around the dead Queen Palm. No one had challenged her, and now she lay in her bed, scales cold, heart still. Brightsting, Thistle and mirage sat vigil by her bedside, yet the sun was rising, and grieving would soon be over.

Thistle put her head up. She was one hundred years older than Mirage and Brightsting, therefore larger than both of them.

"I should be queen. I am the oldest. I would beat you in any sort of contest," Thistle said.

"I am smarter than you, much smarter!" Mirage exclaimed. "And prettier. Everyone would want me as their queen!"

"Don't restart the sandwing war of succession," Brightsting scolded. "None of you would be suitable for the role of queen. Yes you are strong Thistle, but you are too vicious, and dumb as a rock. Yes you are smart and prettier mirage, but you are too soft. I should be queen!"

"You idiots!" Thistle growled. "I should be queen!"

"If you want to go to war over this, we will," Mirage hissed. "Queen Rosewood is my friend. She will fight for me!"

"If you are dumb enough to go to war with me," Thistle growled. "Get out of the palace. The sandwings will support me. They don't want a pathetic queen. Brightsting, that goes for you too, if you want to fight with me."

"I didn't want a second war," Brightsting hissed. "But you leave me no choice. I will fight with you for as long as it takes to keep the kingdom out of your vicious talons."

Moonwatcher had lived for more than two hundred years, yet now her life was getting torn away from her frail, grey body.

But yet, she had strength enough for one more prophecy.

The dragons surrounding her were crying. Some were nightwings, some were not, some were students at jade mountain, some were not.

"Listen to me!" She rasped. "The second sandwing war of succession has come. The sandwings are their venom, only one queen can calm them. Two will rule, one will follow. Two will fade, one will stay bright. Only the dragons of darkness can bring the light.

A mudwing unsib with nothing left,

Unafraid to commit theft.

A sandwing with a stunted tail,

But yet can fly in the strongest gale.

A Skywing burning like a fire

That can burn right through the strongest wire

A seawing of the brightest green,

hidden from the seawing queen.

An icewing warrior lacking a talon,

Yet he is the greatest baron.

A rainwing living without sight,

A nightwing born on the darkest night.

Heroes fighting in every way,

With body and spirit to save the day."

With that last burst of energy, moonwatcher laid still