New chapter up. Enjoy. Thanks for reading.

Several days later and Kia hadn't heard anything from her father. There seemed to be no news of any kind from the eastern kingdom, other than demon attacks had increased to almost a daily event for both the Horde and the Alliance. Vera reported the Horde leaders had all been summoned away, much like the Alliance leaders.

Something big was going on and Kia found it beyond frustrating not know what. Her bad feeling was getting steadily worse and it was driving her crazy. The summoning of the leaders and the demon attacks had to be related. The timing could not be a coincidence.

It was late afternoon and Kia was preparing to take her evening ride with Lantash, when a druid in stormcrow form landed almost on top of Lantash in the clearing. Fortunately, the dragon had gotten used to having druids flying around him, so he didn't overreact to the intrusion.

"Lady Stormrage, you're needed in the main reception building right away. There's news from the Archdruid." The young night elf said, trying his best to remain calm. He was one of the younger, more excitable druids who had not yet learned how to keep his emotions in check. He seemed almost nervous to be speaking with the Archdruid's daughter. Most of her fellow druids called her Kia, knowing she hated formality.

"Stay here, I'll be right back." Kia said to Lantash, before turning into a stormcrow herself and following the younger druid to the building in question. When they arrived, Kendra, Moonglade's main custodian, was waiting, holding a paper transcript. She looked pale, which was odd for the normally dark blue skinned night elf. Something was terribly wrong.

"You have news from my father?' Kia asked. Kendra handed her the transcript.

Kia read the message quickly, then read it again, before she sank into one of the chairs in the room. For a moment, Kia's heart stopped. Before anything could be said, Vera rushed into the room.

"Lantash very nearly ran into me on my way to the waterfall. He pointed me in this direction. What's happening?" She asked.

"Varian Wrynn is dead." Kia said with a shaky voice, almost a whisper.

"What? How?" Vera asked.

"According to my father, the leaders of both the Horde and the Alliance were sent to lead the charge against the burning legion."

"The burning legion? Here? So they were responsible for the demon attacks?"

Kia nodded. "Apparently. The battle didn't go as planned and both sides were forced to retreat. Varian didn't survive. He sacrificed himself for his men."

All were quiet for several minutes. Vera was obviously thinking about her cousin, who must have also been at the battle. Kia didn't really know what to think. She was numb. Varian had been almost like a father to her over the years. She saw him as family. Suddenly, a thought came to her and she stood.

"Anduin." She said, looking to Kendra. "I need to go to Stormwind immediately."

"But Kia, your father told me to…" Kendra began.

"I don't care what my father told you! I need to go, Kendra. The high king is dead, which means Anduin will be ascending the throne. He needs me."

Kendra seemed to mull it over for a few seconds. The Archdruid had asked her to keep an eye on Kia and make sure she didn't leave Moonglade, but she knew Kia and the crown prince had been friends for years. How could she deny her request?

She sighed, but nodded. "I'll have a portal prepared and send word of your arrival to Stormwind. I'm sure your father will be eager to see you."

"Thank you, Kendra. Give me a few minutes to talk to Quinn and Lantash, then I'll leave at once." She turned to Vera. "Can you do me a favor and send Quinn and Lantash through to Stormwind in a few days. I'll have Quinn come to you when they're ready. I just need to go now. Alone."

Vera nodded. "Of course."

Kia turned into a stormcrow and flew towards her room, where she knew Quinn would be napping. She always took a nap during Kia's flights with Lantash. She had opened up her mind while she was talking to Kendra, so the dragon knew what was happening.

"Quinn and I will give you a few days alone before coming through. You go do what you must." Lantash said in her mind, his usual jovial mood replaced with a much more somber one.

"Thank you, my friend." She replied back.

Kia landed in her room, starling Quinn. "What's wrong?" She growled. The sabercat was very good a reading her friend's emotional state. She could almost smell the worry.

"I'm leaving for Stormwind, Quinn. The king has been killed."

Quinn bowed her head. "That is tragic news. Do you want me to come with you?"

"No. Can you and Lantash wait a few days? I don't want to crowd Anduin."

"Of course." Quinn jumped down and allowed Kia to hug her. "Go. Be with Anduin. We'll see you in a few days."

Kia held onto her furry friend for a few more seconds, then let go and shifted back into a stormcrow. She didn't bother getting any of her things, since she still maintained a chamber and belongings at the castle in Stormwind. Beside, she really didn't care about that, at the moment. She just needed to get to her friend.

To Be Continued...