The Guardian Herd: Stormbound (15 page)

THE NEXT DAY THE RIVER HERD COUNCIL MET.
Since Nightwing was a problem that belonged to all of Anok, Frostfire, Shadepebble, and every River Herd steed was invited to attend the meeting. The members stood in a circle and discussed their options regarding Nightwing's return, their breaths coming out as puffs of steam against the hazy glow of the sun.

Frostfire wanted to speak to his sire, Iceriver, but hadn't had the opportunity. Now here they were, facing each other, still not free to speak. His memories of his sire were few. Iceriver had avoided Frostfire when he was a foal. Perhaps because he knew he couldn't keep his colt. Years later, after Petalcloud had traded him to Rockwing,
Frostfire heard that Iceriver had sired a filly named Lightfeather with another mare. Petalcloud had driven that foal from Snow Herd too, and Frostfire didn't know what had happened to Lightfeather after that.

Frostfire caught his sire's eye across the circle. Iceriver seemed to want to speak to him too, but then he looked away. Frostfire chewed his lip. They were from enemy herds—and that complicated things.

Bumblewind interrupted the discussion. “Why don't we gather an army to fight Nightwing?”

“Because
I
will fight Nightwing,” Star reminded him.

Frostfire studied the young black stallion, remembering when Star was a foal and Frostfire had snatched him from Feather Lake. Star had just been beaten up and almost drowned by two colts. He wasn't much of a fighter then.

Looking at him now, Frostfire saw Star was thoughtful, and in close quarters he was also intimidating. He was built like a warrior, but controlled his temper. His voice was quiet and deep, but rumbled like thunder. His eyes were large and soft, but deep inside they flickered, like he was about to catch fire. A steady hum of starfire crackled inside his body, and Frostfire had no doubt Star could execute all of Mountain Herd as easily as he breathed. Perhaps he really could fight the Destroyer on his own.

Frostfire wondered if it was wise of Rockwing to provoke Star by kidnapping Morningleaf. He didn't think so, but he understood that Rockwing wouldn't claim Sun Herd's territory any other way. Everything had changed now that Star had his power, and the Sun Herd territory was Star's birthland, the home of his mother's grave, and Star was no longer a powerless colt. But Star's fierce attachment to Morningleaf had been made clear to all on his birthday, and she was his only known weakness. Frostfire glanced at the little chestnut filly. He needed to get her and Shadepebble, and get out. Fast.

Star continued speaking, his words breaking into Frostfire's thoughts. “I think the herds should hide from Nightwing in the Trap.” Star shifted from hoof to hoof, and Frostfire glimpsed his uncertainty. “I almost ran away there once, when I was a weanling. It's perfect.”

“The Trap?” Silverlake whinnied. “Nightwing could set it on fire.”

“True,” said Star, “but he won't know pegasi are hiding there. You won't be visible from the sky or from the ground. The forest ceiling is too thick with branches, and the trees are so close together that visibility disappears after several winglengths. The Trap is large enough to hide every steed in Anok. And if he sets it on fire, you
aren't stuck in it like you would be in a cave or canyon. You can run out any side of it.”

“It's not a bad idea,” nickered Sweetroot.

“We can suggest it to the other herds when we warn them about Nightwing,” said Silverlake. “We should send messengers today.”

“What if the other herds don't want to hide?” asked Bumblewind.

Star shrugged his wings. “Then at least we tried to help them.”

Frostfire listened to the exchanges between the council. Discussing plans was no way to lead a herd, especially a frightened one. But he agreed with Star: hiding in the Trap was a good idea.

Silverlake spoke. “I'll prepare the messengers. The rest of us can wait here, at the edge of the Trap. We'll greet and settle the herds when they arrive, and organize them into camps to prevent fighting.”

“But what about Snow Herd?” asked Bumblewind. “They're still affected by the plague.”

Heavy silence fell on the council. “He's right,” said Thundersky. “Inviting Snow Herd would lead to mass infection, especially with all of us living so close together.”

Frostfire cringed, wondering if his team was carrying
and spreading the plague. Then he looked at Star. Could the black foal heal plagues? He probably could; he'd healed Brackentail's ruined wing. Frostfire's thoughts drifted to his sick warrior. What if Star could heal him? Frostfire chewed his lip. No. He would never ask Star for help, and by now his stallion had to be dead, killed by the ice tiger or some other predator, or frozen to death. Frostfire returned his attention to the council meeting.

“Are you suggesting we don't warn them?” Silverlake asked, wrapping her wings tightly around her chest.

Sweetroot slumped. “We can't leave them to fend for themselves.”

“It's their own doing,” Dewberry reminded everyone. “I was there. They could have let Star heal them.”

Frostfire pricked his ears. Star had tried to heal Snow Herd? Was the black foal looking to make a pact, to save Snow Herd so they'd volunteer their own enslavement to him? Frostfire's heart tripped forward, skipping beats. Star was more dangerous than anyone suspected, perhaps even more cunning than Nightwing. He eyed the young black stallion warily.

Star flung his heavy mane to the other side of his neck. “Snow Herd refused my help out of fear of me, Thundersky; please don't punish them for that. The Trap is big
enough for us to spread out. They can take the southwestern corner and quarantine themselves there. Will that keep us safe, Sweetroot?”

“I think so,” she said, her eyes softening.

Frostfire wanted to bray at them all.
Didn't they see how Star had poisoned their minds?
The black foal had them all convinced he was good, but Frostfire saw how they lived—homeless, leaderless, half-starved, and vulnerable to predators—and Star's herd accepted these miserable conditions. They were delusional—living under Star's control—and even Shadepebble had succumbed to it. Frostfire was anxious to leave, to get his team away from the black foal before his evil influence turned them all into slaves.

The council nodded to one another, and Star called the vote. The decision to hide in the Trap and send messengers to all the herds was unanimous.

“There is one more matter to consider,” said Star, taking a breath so deep his ribs rattled. He looked at the blue-winged filly and winced as he spoke. “You're not safe. I need a volunteer to hide you from me.”

Morningleaf threw her head up. “What? Why?”

“I believe Nightwing will use you against me,” said Star.

Frostfire exhaled slowly, hiding his excitement. This was his opportunity! If they separated Morningleaf from Star, he could snatch her.

“No,” said Morningleaf, flaring her wings. “I won't go.”

“For once I think we're safer apart,” said Star.

Morningleaf narrowed her eyes and lashed her tail. Frostfire watched her, noticing that the black foal had upset her.

“Nightwing saw your face in one of Star's visions,” Silverlake explained to her filly, trying to calm her. “Star and I are worried about you.”

“Then I'll hide in the Trap with everyone else.”

Star interrupted. “No. I can't know where you are. Not as long as Nightwing and I are connected. He'll find you through me.”

“I'll hide her,” said Thundersky.

Morningleaf stomped the snow. “No. If you want me to leave, I'll hide myself.” She glared at Star. “But I don't agree with it.”

“You can't travel alone,” said Star.

“I'll go with her,” said Frostfire, trying not to appear eager.

Every steed stared at him as though they'd forgotten he was standing there, but they listened, their ears swiveling nervously.

Frostfire explained. “You saved Shadepebble's life, and Rockwing ordered me not to return without his filly. If Star hadn't saved her and healed her, I would be banished for life. I will escort your filly in exchange for that.” Frostfire dared not look at his team, who stood nearby and knew he was lying. “Besides, I know the perfect place where she can hide. It's not big enough for all the herds, but it will work for her, and I can promise you that Nightwing won't find her there.”

The council considered his offer. “It's in Frostfire's best interest to help us,” said Sweetroot. “And we can't risk Nightwing getting hold of Morningleaf. We all know how Star feels about her. If Frostfire can take her to this secret place, she'll be safe from whatever comes next.”

Frostfire watched Star react to that. He appeared surprised and embarrassed at the medicine mare's words, but he didn't deny them, and that was good.

“Who's in favor?” asked Silverlake.

Morningleaf raised her wing. “Please, Mama, don't vote about this,” she said. “If I stay or go, it's my decision, not yours.” She turned to Frostfire, glaring at him as if she had her own starfire and would blast him with it. “You can show me this hiding place, but I want my own team.”

Thundersky turned to his filly. “I'll help you choose the
best warriors.” He threw a menacing glance at Frostfire.

She nodded, and Frostfire was amazed this herd functioned at all. Where was the leadership? Rockwing would never allow a yearling to make decisions.

It was agreed that Frostfire's and Morningleaf's teams would leave that very afternoon.

SILVERLAKE CHOSE FOUR STEEDS TO WARN DESERT
Herd, Jungle Herd, Snow Herd, and Mountain Herd about Nightwing's eminent return. She also selected a messenger to find Hazelwind and his followers. They left immediately.

Star folded his wings and watched Frostfire gather his team, joined by Morningleaf. She and Thundersky had selected Iceriver and three River Herd stallions to accompany her to the hiding place. The afternoon was crisp and calm, the bright sun reflected off the melting ice, and the heavily trampled snow around them had turned to slush. Morningleaf preened her feathers, taking delicate care with the ends, and Star caught her gaze across the backs
of a dozen steeds. She pricked her ears. To him, she'd never looked so small, or so brave.

Star closed his eyes, remembering the day her sire broke her neck by mistake. Star had cringed as he saw Morningleaf's body topple off the plateau. She'd landed in a crumpled heap on the grass, her head facing the wrong way. The memories caused his heart to pound, and his feelings threatened to choke him.

No pegasus in Anok meant more to him than Morningleaf, and her devotion to him was absolute, like Lightfeather's had been. He searched his heart for the reason, comparing her to every pegasus he knew, and he quickly found his answer: Morningleaf
believed
he was the healer; the rest of them just
hoped
he was. The difference meant everything to Star, and he thrived off her unwavering faith in him. Besides that, he believed in her too. Morningleaf was free of doubt or fear. She cared about the steeds of Anok, every single one, down to their last feather. He couldn't say the same about anyone else, not even himself.

Star heard the echo of Grasswing's voice in his mind.
We have nothing to lose for gaining you, Star
, he'd said. Misery and grief squeezed his heart at the memory. Star had looked up to Grasswing like a sire. He missed his
presence, his wise words that were always comforting. Star had not forgiven Rockwing for killing the old palomino stallion, and the bitterness of it was powerful. Star knew he should turn from his anger; but anger made his starfire destructive, and anger was what he needed to defeat Nightwing.

Star opened his eyes. Morningleaf had flown across the snow and was standing right in front of him, studying his face. “Soaking up the sun?” she asked, her eyes warm and twinkling.

“Sure,” he said.

She knocked him in the shoulder with her wing. “We both know you were worrying.”

“No, I—”
Could she read his thoughts?

“Thanks a lot for shuffling me off with that toad,” she said, pointing her wing at Frostfire.

“You agreed to go,” he reminded her.

She huffed. “Not really. I would rather stay with you.”

“You understand why that's not a good idea, right?”

She smirked. “Let me guess; you don't want a repeat of last time—when I had to save your life.”

“I think I saved
your
life,” Star teased back.

“I saved yours first.”

“We're even then.”

“Nope,” she nickered. “I want the last life saving.”

He bumped her hip with his. “You're so competitive.”

She gazed at him, her eyes blazing. “No one here understands you like I do. You're going to be all alone.”

“I know.” He dropped his muzzle to hers. They both knew it was the same for Morningleaf. No one understood her like he did. She would be alone too, even surrounded by her team.

Silverlake and Thundersky interrupted them. “It's time to go,” Silverlake said to her filly.

The joy on Morningleaf's face evaporated.

Thundersky wrapped his bloodred wings around her, and the sight gave Star a chill. “Stay close to Iceriver,” he said. “I don't trust Frostfire.”

Morningleaf scowled. “You shouldn't!”

Silverlake tried to placate her filly and her mate. “Iceriver will protect you, and Frostfire owes Star for saving Shadepebble's life. He won't harm you.”

Morningleaf nodded. “I know. I'm not afraid of him.”

Star watched his best friend prepare to leave, and a fresh feeling of doom descended on him like the crushing blow of a hoof. “Maybe we should reconsider,” he said, trying to squash his sudden panic.

“We're out of time, Star,” nickered Silverlake. “They
need to go. She'll be safe with Iceriver and the three stallions I chose.” Iceriver was the most experienced warrior in Anok, and still mightily powerful.

But the terrible feeling still clutched at Star's heart, not letting go. Star vibrated his wings and was shocked when black feathers dropped from them and stuck in the snow. He'd never shed feathers before! But with Nightwing getting closer to Anok each day and Morningleaf leaving him, his flesh tingled like it was crawling with sand bugs. He had a crazy idea. “We should send one more steed with her,” he said. “Brackentail.”

“Brackentail?” whinnied Morningleaf, her eyes widening. “Why?”

Star flipped his long forelock out of his eyes, knowing his request didn't make sense. He tried to explain. “Of all the steeds in Anok, none will keep a closer eye on you than Brackentail.” Star looked around as the truth of his words settled on Morningleaf's parents.

“He's right,” said Thundersky to his filly. “Every stupid thing that colt has done has been for you.”

Star closed his eyes, remembering how true that was. When Brackentail tried to kill him in the canyon run, he'd said he was doing it for Morningleaf. Star hadn't understood at the time, but Brackentail had been trying
to protect her. He'd been protecting her since they were foals. Star opened his eyes and glanced at Morningleaf, understanding that Brackentail's devotion to her matched his own.

Morningleaf fluttered her wings, looking upset for the first time. “Star?” she said, questioning him, her amber eyes confused. “Do you really want me traveling with Brackentail?” Her question was loaded with unspoken feelings and memories.

Yes and no,
thought Star, conflicted. What he wanted was for Morningleaf and him to stay together, but since that wasn't possible, he wanted a steed with her who loved Morningleaf as much as he did. He wished it could be himself, but it would have to be Brackentail. “Brackentail will do anything for you . . . like I would,” Star answered. “Please take him with you.”

Morningleaf trotted to Star and buried her nose in his mane. “If you want me to, I will,” she whispered.

And Star was glad she trusted him. He curled his neck around hers. “When all this is over, meet me where the birds don't fly.” It was their secret code for the little beach at Crabwing's Bay.

Morningleaf nodded. “I will,” she said, her voice wavering as tears dampened her cheeks. She didn't ask what he
meant by
over
, and Star was glad, because he didn't know.

Morningleaf said her final good-byes, and they all tried not to cry, even Dewberry. Morningleaf gathered her team and they left. Star held his breath as he watched his best friend lift into the sky, flapping her perfectly formed wings. Her chestnut body gleamed bright, reflecting the sun, and her flaxen tail streamed behind her like golden stems of wheat. Iceriver, Brackentail, her three guardian stallions, and Frostfire's team joined her, forming a large V, flying south. Morningleaf didn't look back.

Star noticed that Frostfire did not look pleased at the reinforcements, especially the addition of his sire, Iceriver. But Star felt suddenly relieved, his terrible dread soothed. He let out his breath. Morningleaf would survive whatever happened next.

But Star felt empty.

Thundersky faced him, looking equally heartbroken. “How will you prepare for Nightwing?” he asked Star.

“I'm going to fly to the Hoofbeat Mountains and practice using my starfire. I won't be able to hurt anyone up on the peaks, by myself.”

“I'll stay with you,” said Thundersky. “I'm not afraid.”

Star appraised the bay stallion who'd once been Star's worst enemy. There was no trace of the old days in
Thundersky now. “No offense, but you can't help me.”

Thundersky was silent for a long time. Star grew uneasy; worried he'd offended him. Finally the stallion spoke. His voice was rough, his eyes full of pain. “I'm sorry . . . for everything,” he said.

Star's head flew up so fast he felt dizzy. In the history of Anok, he doubted any over-stallion had ever apologized for anything. Star didn't know what to say.

Thundersky took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then he trotted away to join Silverlake and the others who were staking out a home in the Trap. After a few steps he turned and bowed his head to Star, ever so slightly, then he kicked off, coasting over the icy snow, his crimson feathers swirling behind him like petals off an old rose.

Star's mind and heart raced while his hooves stood rooted in the snow. This day was the strangest in many moons. He gazed at his loyal friends. They had left the security of their herds to follow him, and protect him, but now their lives were in his wings alone. The weight of it both anchored and uplifted him at the same time. He watched their earnest faces and saw them each as weanlings—fragile, innocent, vulnerable. Star would do whatever he could to keep them safe.

With the world padded in snow and the wind calm,
Star swiveled his ears. The silence was absolute—no bugs, no swishing of grass, no birds, no breathing but his own.
Was he so small, or was Anok so large?

Star galloped as fast as he could, expelling his stress, racing like he was a foal again. His legs blurred and his neck rocked to the rhythm of his hoofbeats, and then he pushed off and lifted into the blue heights. His gut trilled as he rose higher and higher, until the horizon bowed and he was far above the clouds. In the distance he could see the flying bodies of Frostfire and Morningleaf as they departed the Ice Lands.

Star landed on the highest peak and faced west. The fierce and chilly wind battered him, and the air here was thin and dry. In the distance, black smoke drifted across the ocean. Somewhere on the Great Sea, maybe on an island, a fire raged. Star pricked his ears forward. The dark force of Nightwing yanked at his thoughts, growing stronger. Star turned toward a large boulder on his left and let his anger loose, and formed a silver fireball. He hurled it at the rock, exploding it to ash. Satisfied, he curled into a pocket of snow to sleep. He would practice with the destructive fire, and when Nightwing arrived, he would be ready.