The Guardian Herd Read Free Page A

is taking the pegasi.”
    Star’s heart lurched. “How do you know that?”
    â€œNightwing told me when I formed the Black Army, before he chose to side only with Petalcloud. But—”
    Frostfire stalled, eyeing Star’s longer, more powerful wingspan. “If I tell you, you’ll leave me behind.”
    Star hesitated. There was some truth to that. Frostfire could never keep up with him because of Star’s powers. Star didn’t need to eat or sleep often, so he could fly for many days without stopping. Frostfire would need rest and food.
    â€œI’m not wrong, am I? You’d leave me?” asked the white stallion.
    Star shrugged. “Why do you want to travel with me anyway? Why should I trust you ?” Star gazed at Frostfire, remembering all the treacheries of their past: the time he yanked Star from Feather Lake and flew him to Mountain Herd’s territory to meet the over-stallion, Rockwing; the time he promised to protect Morningleaf and then kidnapped her instead; and the two times he’d beaten Star’s friend Brackentail to near death.
    Frostfire met his gaze. “I need you, Star.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Frostfire tensed. “Look, I failed to deliver your head to Nightwing, and after you defeated my army, the Destroyer vowed to kill me. It’s why Larksong and I were hiding. We were going to meet at midnight and fly away, probably across the sea. But you have starfire. You can keep me safe from Nightwing, right?”
    Hysteria bubbled from deep within Star. His worst enemy was pleading for his protection .
    â€œPlease,” said Frostfire. “He’ll kill me on sight, and now he has Larksong. I can’t rescue her on my own. If you promise to help me free her, I’ll help you find your friends.”
    Star stared at Frostfire’s curly tail. His mother would want Star to help him. Through a tight jaw, Star reluctantly agreed. “All right, I’ll help you rescue Larksong, and I won’t leave you behind. Now tell me, where is Nightwing taking my friends?”
    â€œI won’t tell you, but I’ll take you there.”
    Star suppressed a wave of anger. “You trust me to protect you from Nightwing, but you don’t trust me to keep my promise? I won’t abandon you, Frostfire.”
    His companion stared at him, saying nothing. Star exhaled, realizing that a lying stallion like Frostfire couldn’t trust anyone. “Fine. Let’s go.”
    â€œIt’s not that simple,” said Frostfire. “Nightwing will visit the territories first, to collect the stray pegasi. He wants all of us, every last pegasus. So if we find him here in Western Anok, maybe you can stop him before he settles the herd. If we can’t find him quickly, then I’ll take you to the lands where he plans to live.”
    Star pinned his ears. “Where to first?”
    â€œI don’t know exactly. Maybe Mountain Herd’s territory,” said Frostfire. Then he narrowed his eyes. “This doesn’t mean I believe in you, Star—that you’re the healer. You can destroy too, just like Nightwing. You’re no different.”
    Star balked, and fresh anger surged through him, but he decided to let Frostfire have his feelings without rebuke. “I hear you,” said Star. And the two stallions flew side by side into the sunrise.

3
CAPTURED
    MORNINGLEAF’S TEARS SOAKED HER CHESTNUT face and dripped off her cheeks, falling hundreds of winglengths to the ground below. She dangled between her mother, Silverlake, and her friend, Redfire. The two steeds did their best to carry her through the clouds without hurting her worse. Her brother, Hazelwind, and two of her best friends, Echofrost and Shadepebble, flew ahead, creating a wake for the steeds, to ease their burden. Echofrost’s brother, Bumblewind, flew behind with Brackentail and Dewberry, whispering about escape.
    Leading their herd was Nightwing