Snowfox waited, head held high. Gradually, the IceWings of the main palace gathered around her. The time had come: she would now battle Queen Diamond for the throne.

Snowfox noticed the cool weight of the stolen, enchanted necklace she wore. With this for protection, she could win against anyone – even an animus.

Surely all of the IceWings had gathered by now. Still Snowfox waited.

And waited.

The crowd of well-disciplined first- and second-circle IceWings began to show signs of restlessness. Murmured conversation. Small movements.

Night fell, and they were still waiting.

"General Squall," Snowfox called. The bluish-silver dragon approached. Snowfox asked quietly, "What happens if the queen doesn't appear for her challenge?"

"If the queen were ill, she should have sent a messenger. If she has fled the contest, she forfeits. The challenger will become queen by default." He gave Snowfox a small bow.

"Do you suppose that she has fled?" Snowfox asked.

"I can reach no other conclusion, Your Highness," General Squall responded. Snowfox gave a small nod.

"Where is the crown?"

"I shall search for it, Your Majesty."

General Squall left, and still, they waited. At last, he returned with the large, gaudy crown.

"She left it in her chambers, as if waiting for you to find it, Your Highness."

Snowfox stepped forward.

"My very patient fellow IceWings!" she called. "Queen Diamond has forfeited the contest. In her absence…" she glanced at General Squall. He was sympathetic to her cause. He stepped forward.

"Behold – Queen Snowfox of the IceWings!" he announced. He placed the huge crown on her head.

"We will end this war, once and for all!" Snowfox bellowed immediately.

The IceWings cheered.

—-

Snowfox retired that night to the queen's chambers. Diamond was gone. She paused when she saw some blue IceWing blood on the floor. What had happened?

Oh well. It didn't matter. Snowfox as rightfully the queen now. She would have to clean the blood up herself, so as not to alert anyone to look for Diamond or rouse suspicions. What if Diamond were found and attempted to reclaim the throne? Or what if someone thought that Snowfox disposed of the Queen Diamond in an unfair attack instead of the proper public contest?

But first. Queen Snowfox pressed a spot at the bottom of the beautifully-carved ice block bed. A secret door appeared in the floor and opened wide for the new queen. Snowfox stared hungrily into the opening. The queen's private store of animus gifts was kept here. The most powerful gifts.

Oh, yes. This war would end promptly indeed. Along with all the NightWings waging it.

And all the other NightWings, for good measure.