The Guardian Herd: Stormbound by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez Page B

want to live?”
    Morningleaf grimaced. “That was fear.”
    â€œFear of what? Survival?” Dewberry folded her wings around her body.
    â€œThat was stupidity,” said Bumblewind.
    Dewberry nodded. “They deserve to die.”
    Bumblewind nickered, “For once I agree with you.”
    Dewberry snorted. “For once! You always agree with me.”
    â€œI do not,” he whinnied.
    â€œDo too.”
    Star watched over his friends as they bickered with each other before falling asleep. What good was his power if the pegasi of Anok wouldn’t accept it? Feeling useless, he focused on what he could do: protect his friends on this cold night and attempt to sharpen his hooves. He found a flat rock and imitated the motions of the warriors. He’d watched them do it a hundred times, but after many long minutes of rubbing his hooves on the rock, they were smoother, not sharper. He would have to learn the secret when he returned to River Herd.
    The sky was clear, and he could see his breath blowing from his nostrils and rising toward the stars. The utter silence of the north amplified the smaller noises: the sharp chortles from the animals, the snapping of twigs, and thesudden dumping of snow off overburdened branches. Star’s ears flicked as he listened to the sounds and kept watch.
    In the morning, Star and his group flew several more hours until they spotted River Herd resting at the base of the Hoofbeat Mountains in the northernmost lands of Anok. Their hides were dusted with fresh white powder, and their coats had thickened in just the few days since they’d arrived. Star landed, and the steeds greeted him with joy. In this foreign, icy land Star relaxed, for with River Herd he was home.

8
CAPTURE
    AS RIVER HERD SCROUNGED FOR FOOD IN THE ICE Lands, Mountain Herd faced starvation. They had overgrown their territory, and the extra steeds Rockwing had brought into the herd after the battle in Sky Meadow had made matters worse.
    Since Star received his power, Mountain Herd was on edge, wondering what his next move would be. Surely the black foal would not be content leading a tiny homeless herd. Rockwing was sure Star would reclaim Sun Herd’s territory, or worse, all of Anok. The worried over-stallion increased his patrols of the land and sky and waited, working on a plan to gain control of the black foal so he could take Sun Herd’s land and feed Mountain Herd.
    Presently, Rockwing’s grandson, Frostfire, was standing by Circle Lake thinking and preening his feathers, watching for intruders. It was late winter in the eastern mountains of his territory, and the low sun sparkled on the fresh snow, turning the top layer to slush. The pine needles dripped melted ice that would freeze again during the night, and the rocky creek was frozen dry.
    Frostfire startled when a sudden fluttering of feathers in the nearby woods caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes and saw a pegasus watching him from the trees. Frostfire flexed his wings while his mind raced. He’d left his platoon grazing in the lower valley after their ambush drills. Now here he was, alone and possibly being ambushed himself.
    Frostfire swiveled his ears, detecting the shifting of many hooves. The pegasus in the forest was not alone. Frostfire was sure the group of steeds had already spotted him. Circle Lake was located in an area void of trees, so he was standing in the open with no protection. He huffed in frustration. He knew better than to leave himself exposed like this. With that thought, Frostfire made up his mind to confront the intruders rather than seek help and admit he’d been caught with his wings down.
    â€œYou there!” he whinnied. “Show yourself.” Frostfirekicked off and flew toward the woods. As he approached the band of pegasi, they retreated. He quickly realized they were hiding from him, not stalking him. Feeling bold, he landed and arched his neck. “I said, show