The Guardian Herd by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

Author:Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

13

SNOW HERD

“I WONDER WHERE STAR IS AND WHAT HE’S doing?” Morningleaf said to Bumblewind and Grasswing. It was late afternoon in Anok. Thousands of sparrows chattered in the oak trees, and insects buzzed from flower to flower in Sky Meadow. Morningleaf, Bumblewind, and Grasswing were grazing quietly together.

“I think he’s in the Vein,” said Bumblewind.

“Let’s not speak of where we think he is or what he might be doing,” Grasswing said, lashing his tail at Bumblewind. “The meadow has ears.”

Morningleaf wished her father were more like Grasswing. The palomino stallion was stern but kind.

“What do you think Echofrost is doing right now?” asked Bumblewind.

“No doubt she’s more miserable and more frightened than we are,” Morningleaf said.

Across Sky Meadow, Thunderwing prepared the stallions for war, even the yearlings. He drilled them from sunrise to sunset. If the over-stallions of the other herds found out he’d lost track of the black foal, he could be executed, and Thunderwing wasn’t going to let that happen without a fight.

A shadow of wings crossed over the field, and a Sun Herd stallion let out a sharp peal of alarm. Morningleaf tucked her tail and galloped to the weeping willow tree for cover. She peeked through the branches and saw an envoy of pegasi from Snow Herd. Bumblewind charged into her, breathing hard, and halted. The two friends watched the strange pegasi approach.

Their massive shoulders powered wide-set wings that carried their thick bodies through the air. Their hides were white, light gray, or cream colored, with pale feathers. Morningleaf didn’t think they were raiders; there were too few of them for that.

Besides, the envoy consisted of mares, stallions, and even a weanling. The presence of the young colt was their proof they meant no harm. They circled Sky Meadow until Thunderwing signaled his permission for them to land.

“That’s Icewing,” whispered Dawnfir. She and the others had joined the weanlings under the tree. Grasswing nodded in affirmation.

Morningleaf studied the over-stallion of Snow Herd. Since Icewing was Lightfeather’s sire, that meant he was Star’s grandsire. He was a stunning dark-silver pegasus with a white mane and a shimmering tail. It fell in loose ringlets like Star’s tail. His feathers were powder blue and so were his eyes. He was thick and hairy, but his muzzle was refined for a steed his size. The large white star on his forehead was in the same shape as Star’s.

As was customary for dignitaries from other herds, the envoy was given rest and led to water before Thunderwing demanded the reason for their visit. Standing next to Icewing, Morningleaf saw her father in a new light. Maybe he was so tough because his enemies were so tough. Both stallions were designed for battle, with heavy muscles, rock-hard hooves, and powerful jaws. Thunderwing was taller than the Snow Herd over-stallion but leaner.

Her father’s warriors could dispatch of the envoy in a few bloody minutes, but Icewing had taken quite a risk to come here himself, and her father would hear him out. Once

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