Read Online The Guardian Herd: Stormbound by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez - Free Book Online Page B

much time to get Shadepebble back.”
    Frostfire pricked his ears. Rockwing had taken the mightiest warriors after conquering Sun Herd. His army was stronger than ever. They could attack in force and rescue Shadepebble. “I’ll gather my division of the army,” said Frostfire, his pulse thumping at the thought. “I’ll have her back in three days, maybe five.”
    â€œNo, that won’t do.” Rockwing tossed his mane, his eyes hard and black. “A messenger mare arrived last night and is already on her way to Desert Herd. She said thatplague has struck Snow Herd. They call it Blue Tongue, and it’s why they’re stealing yearlings in the first place. They’re trying to replenish the herd. I can’t risk exposing your division. We need to send a smaller group.”
    â€œA plague?” Birchcloud’s wings dropped to her sides, and she stared up at the sky. “Please protect Shadepebble,” she whinnied to the Ancestors, her voice rasping. “Leave me one foal.”
    Rockwing waited for her to calm down, and then he said, “Please leave us to talk, Birchcloud, and don’t wail. You know I’ll get her back.”
    Frostfire saw her body relax, but her eyes sharpen as she stared at her mate. “Don’t return without her,” she said.
    Rockwing huffed and pointed at Frostfire. “I’m not going. He is.”
    Birchcloud turned to him, and her eyes softened. She’d raised Frostfire from a weanling. “May the Ancestors be with you.” Birchcloud flew away without looking back.
    â€œWhen do I leave?” asked Frostfire, looking at Rockwing.
    â€œYou’ll select a team and leave in the morning. Get in and get out. Avoid the sick pegasi, and that shouldn’t be too hard. Twistwing will keep Shadepebble guarded by herself, to keep her healthy.”
    Frostfire didn’t like the idea of leading a small team into Snow Herd’s territory, but he understood why it had to be so.
    Rockwing drew closer to Frostfire and lowered his voice. “This is only half of your mission.”
    Frostfire’s heart trilled, and he leaned close to Rockwing, eager to hear the other half.
    â€œI was going to send you this summer,” said Rockwing, “but now is the perfect opportunity. You’re going to kidnap that blue-winged filly Morningleaf from River Herd.”
    Frostfire gaped. “The one Star brought back to life?”
    â€œYes. You’re going to hide her from him.”
    â€œWhy?” asked Frostfire.
    â€œFor land!” said Rockwing, his chest swelling. “I’m going to take Sun Herd’s territory before Star decides to claim it.”
    Frostfire nodded. It seemed all of Anok was on hold, waiting for the black foal to make a move. It was difficult for a pegasus, let alone a warrior pegasus, to believe Star would remain content without a territory.
    A gust of wind ruffled Rockwing’s mane. “I have the most powerful army in Anok, but the black foal, by himself, can destroy us all. I don’t think he’ll stand back and let me take his birth land and the territory of hismother’s grave when he has the power to stop me.” Rockwing glowered at Frostfire, shaking his head. “No. This black foal hasn’t even begun to use his starfire. I know the legends of Nightwing. I know what black foals are capable of. Star’s herd is homeless; he’s going to have to make a move for territory, and soon. But I also know his greatest weakness—and it’s that pesky filly.”
    Frostfire agreed, but stealing Morningleaf meant taking a huge risk. Still, Frostfire often dreamed of the lush, green meadows Mountain Herd needed so desperately. While most mares in Anok birthed only several foals in their lifetime, Mountain Herd mares birthed a foal each year. It was a matter of extreme pride for the mares, and it was a custom that made Birchcloud’s failures that