pierce firebringe 2 dark moon

7/31/2019 Pierce Firebringe 2 Dark Moon

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kkDar kMoon

kkkk*MeredithkAnnkPiercekkkk*

#kFirebringerkTrilogy,k#2

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kkkkkk*kDar kMoonkkkkkkkkkkkokBeforekkkkkkkkkkkok1.kkkkkkkkkkkok2.kkkkkkkkkkkok3.kkkkkkkkkkkok4.kkkkkkkkkkkok5.kkkkkkkkkkkok6.kkkkkkkkkkkok7.kkkkkkkkkkkok8.kkkkkkkkkkkok9.kkkkkkkkkkkok10.kkkkkkkkkkkok11.k

kkkkkkkkkkok12.kkkkkkkkkkkok13.kkkkkkkkkkkok14.kkkkkkkkkkkok15.kkkkkkkkkkkok16.kkkkkkkkkkkok17.kkkkkkkkkkkok18.kkkkkkkkkkkok19.kkkkkkkkkkkok20.kkkkkkkkkkkok21.kkkkkkkkkkkok22.kkkkkkkkkkkok23.kkkkkkkkkkkok24.k

kkkkkkkkkkok25.kkkkkkkkkkkok26.kkkkkkkkkkkok27.kkkkkkkkkkkokAfterk

kkDar kMoonkkMeredithkAnnkPierce

kkkk/Before/

kkk/Hekwaskthekyoungestkprincekthekunicornskhadkeverk nown,kandkhiskname

meantkDar kMoon.kAljankson-of-Korrkwaskswartkaskthekwellkofkakweaselseye,ktheknight-dar ksonkofkaknight-dar ksire,kwithk een,kclovenkhoovesandkaklithe,kdancerskframe,kaklongkhornksharperkthankanykthorn,kandkamanekli ekblac kcornsil kblowing.kWhilekstillkcountedkamongkthekcolts,youngkJankhadkwonkhimselfkakplacekinkthekRingkofkWarriors.kUponkthedeathkofkhiskroyalkgrandsire,kJankhadkseenkhiskownkfatherkdeclaredktheingkandkhimselfbarelykhalf-grownmadekbattle-prince./kkk/Duringktimekofkpeace,kKorrkthek ingkwouldkhavekruledkthekherd,kbutbecausekthekunicornskconsideredkthemselveskatkwar,kitkwasktokJan,ktheirprince,kthatkthekLawkgavekleadership.kHiskpeopleskbitterestkenemies,


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thekwyverns,kdweltkfarktoktheknorth,kinksacredkhillskstolenkfromktheunicornskmanykgenerationskpast.kVengefulkgryphonskheldkthekeasternsouth,kbarelykakdayskflightkfromkthekgreatkValekinkwhichkthekexiledherdknowkmadekitskhome.kAndkhostilekgoat-footedkpanskinhabitedkthekdensewoodlandskborderingkthekVale./kkk/Suchkwerekthekuneasyktimeskduringkwhichkthiskyoungkprincekcamektopower.kIkamkhiskchronicler,kandkyesterevekIkspo ekofkhiskwarriorsinitiation,kduringkwhichkthekgoddesskAlmakmar edkhim,ktracingkakslimsilverkcrescentkuponkhiskbrowkandksettingkakwhitekstarkonkonekheelkinto enkthatkonekdaykhekmustkbecomekherkFirebringer,klongkprophesiedktoendkhiskpeopleskexilekandkleadkthemktriumphantkbac ktokthekHallowkHills./kkkTonight,kIkresumekmyktaleklittlekmorekthankakyearkafterkJansaccession:kitkwaskthekafternoonkofkSummerskEve.kThekmorrowkwouldkbeSolsticekDay,kwhenkthrivingkspringkvergedkintoksummer.kJankstoodkonkaloo outk nollkhighkabovekthekVale,krumpktokthekrollingkvalleykbelow,blac keyeskscanningkthekPankWoodskspillingkgreen-dar ktokthekfarhorizon,kbeyondkwhichkthekGryphonkMountainskrose,kflan ingkthekSummerkSea.

kkkk/1./kkkk/Solstice/

kkkCloudlessks yksoaredkoverhead,kbluekasktheksweepkofkakgryphonskwing.Breezeksnuffedkandkgustedkthroughkthekdar kunicornskmane,kwarmkwithkthe

scentkofkcedarsksprawlingkthekslopekbelow.kSunkhungkwestering.kJanshiftedkonekclovenkheelkandksighed.kHekwasknotkonkwatchnoksentriesneededkthisktimekofkyear:kgryphonskneverkraidedkpastkfirstkspring.kButthekherdsklosseskhadkbeenkheavykthatkseasonkinkfillieskandkfoalscarriedkoffkbykformelsthekgreatkbluekgryphonkfemalestokfeedktheirravenousknewlykhatchedkyoung.kkkBrooding,kthekprincekofkthekunicornsksurveyedkthekfoldskofkthekPanWoodskbeforekhim.kItkwasknotktheknumberkofkrecentkraidskwhichktroubledhimkmost,kbutktheirkmanner.kAlwayskinkspringskpast,kwingcatskhadkcomesingly,katkmostkinkmatedkpairs.kThiskyear,kthough,kmanykofkthekraidskhadincludedkmorekthanktwokgryphons.kAkfewkhadkevenkconsistedksolelykoftercelsmalekgryphonsnokfemalekatkall.kJanksnorted:kclearlykatkleastsomekofkthekspringskforayskhadkhadklittlektokdokwithkakformelskneedkto

feedkherkchic s.kkkAlma,kthekyoungkprincekwhispered,kandkthekwindkstolektheknamekofthekgoddesskfromkhiskteeth.kAlma,ktellkmekwhatkIkmustkdoktokdefendkmypeople.kkkOnlyksilencekreplied.kJansks inktwitched.kWithkhisklongkflywhistail,kheklashedkatktheksweatsipperkthatkhadkalightedkonkhiskwithers.Vividkmemorykcamektokhimkofkhow,konlykthekyearkbefore,kthekgoddesskhadmar edkhimkwithkfire,kgrantedkhimkthekbarestkglimpsekofkhiskdestinyandspo enknotkakwordktokhimksince.kStandingkalonekonkthekloo outk noll,khefeltkdoubtkchillkhimktokthekbone.kHekwonderedknowkifkthekvoicekofkAlmaandkherkvisionkhadkbeenknothingkbutkakdream.kkkAktwigksnappedkinkthekundergrowthkbehindkhim.kJankwheeledktokspotkahalf-grownkwarriorkemergingkfromkthektrees.kPalekdustykyellowkwith

dappleskofkgrey,kthekotherkshoo khimself,kheadkup,khornkhigh.kJankbac edandksidled.kLi ekakfiercelykburningkeye,kthekcopperksunkfloatedkclosertokthekdistantkhorizon.kThekotherksnorted,kramped,kthenkwhistledkachallenge,kandkthekprinceksprangktokmeetkhim.kHornskclatteredkinkthestillnesskasktheykfenced.kAkfewkmorekfuriouskstro es,kthenkthekpairkofthemkbro ekoff.kJanktossedkhiskhead.kGrinning,kthekdappledkhalf-grownshoulderedkagainstkhim.kThekprincekeyedkhiskbattle-companionkDagg.kkkPeace!kDaggkpanted.kWhatkbringskyoukbroodingkupkontoktheksteepsksoclosektokdus ?kkkJankshoo khimselfkandknic ered,knotkhappily.


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kkkGryphons.kkkAgainkhiskshoulder-friendksnorted,kaskthoughkthekverykthoughtkofgryphonskstan .kkkBadkweatherktokthem,kDaggkmuttered.kBro enkwingskandkillfortunepraisekAlmakspringskpastknowkandkwerekdonekwithkthemkforanotherkyear.kkkJanknodded,kchamping.kDus kwindkliftedktheklongkforeloc koutkofkhiseyes,kexposingkthekthinksilverkcrescentkuponkhiskbrow.kGloomily,khepic edkatkthekpine-strawkunderhoofkwithkhiskwhite-starredkhindkheel.Besidekhim,kDaggkshifted,kfavoringkonekforeleg.kkkHowskyourkshan ?kJankas edkhim.kkkThekdappledkwarriorkblin edkgreykmanekfromkhiskeyeskandkslappedkatkahummingkgnatkghostingkonekflan .kHekflexedkthekjoint.kkkStiffkyet,kbutkthekbrea skwellk nit.kTe ikthekhealerk nowskhiskcraft.kkkBehindkthem,kthekGryphonkMountainskstoodkmistykwithkdistance.kThereddenedksunkabovekthekPankWoodskhadknearlyktouchedkthekrimkofktheworld.kLightly,kJanknippedkhiskshoulder-friend.kkkCome,khektoldkhim.kSunskfairkdown.kkkDaggkshoo khimkoffkandkfellkinkalongsidekasktheykstartedkthroughktheevergreenskthatkforestedkthekValeskinnerkslopes.kAmberksunlightstreamedkthroughkthekcanopy.kJustkahead,kakpiedkformkmovedkamongkthetreeboles.kJankhalted,kstartled,kfeltkDaggkbesidekhimkhalfkshy.kAkmomentlater,khekrecognizedkthekyoungkwarriorkmarekTe .kHerkoddlykpatternedcoat,kpalekrosekandkblac ,kblendedkintoktheklong,kmany-strandedkshadows.

kkkHo,kprince,kshekcalled,kandkDagg,kma ekhaste!kMoondancekbegins.kkkJankboundedkforwardkwithkakgladkshout,kreachingktoknipkatkthekpiedmaresknec ,kbutklightkaskakdeer,kshekdodgedkaway.kTe knic ered,kshooherkmane,kbac -stepping,klaughingkstill.kThekyoungkprinceksnorted,pawingkthekground.kTheknextkinstant,khekcharged.kThisktime,kthekpiedmarekrearedktokmeetkhim,kandkthektwokofkthemksmotekatkonekanotherkwiththeirkforehooves,kli ekcolts.kTe kwaskaklithe,kstrappingkmare,strong-builtkbutklean,kakyearkJanskseniorthoughkthekyoungkprincekwasatklastkcatchingkupktokhiskmentorkinksize.kTheykwerekofkakcommonkheightandkheftknow,kverykevenlykmatched.kHeklovedkthekquic nesskofkher,kherslee ,kslimkenergykparryingkhiskeveryklungekandkpressingkhimkhard.kWithTe ,khekneedkneverkholdkbac .kkkSo,kprince,kshektaunted,kfeintingkandkthrusting.kThekclashkofktheir

hornskreverberatedkinkthekdus ykstillness.kIskthiskthekbestkmykpupilcankdo?kFenceksoklac adaisicalkthisksummerkbykthekSeakandkyoullkneverwinkakmate!kkkJankloc edkhiskteeth,kredoubledkhiskefforts.kOnkthekmorrow,khek new,he,kTe ,kandkDaggandkallkthekotherkunpairedkyoungkwarriorsmustkdepartuponktheirkyearlyktre ktokthekSummerkshore,ktherektoklazekandkcourtkandsparktillkseasonskturnkatkequinox,kwhenkmostkwouldkpledgektheirkmatesbeforekthekjourneykhome.kkkTe kclippedkandkpric edkhim.kJankglimpsedkDaggkstandingkoff,kabsentlyscrubbingkakflybitekagainstkthekroughkbar kofkakfir,kandkwhistledkhisshoulder-friendktokjoinkinkthekgamebutkjustkthen,kmorekquic kthankJancouldkblin ,kthekyoungkmareklungedktokchampkhiskshoulder,ktauntingkhimwithkherkwildkgreenkeyes.kInkakflash,khekwaskafterkher.kJankheardkDaggs

distant,kstartledkshoutkatkbeingkleftkbehindkaskthekyoungkprincekplungedbrea nec kdownslopekthroughktreeboleskandkshadows.kTheklastkrayskofkredsunlightkfaded.kMomentsklater,khekburstkfromkthektreeskontokthekValesgrassyklowerkslope.kkkThekhourkwasklaterkthankhekhadkrec oned,kthekround-belliedkmoonknotyetkvisiblekbeyondkthekValeskfarksteep,kbutkturningkthekdeepkblueeveningks yktokgleamingkslatekinkthekeast.kOnkthekvalleykfloorkbelow,thekherdkalreadykformedkakrudimentarykcircle.kAheadkofkhim,kthekpiedmarekpitchedkabruptlyktokakhalt.kLoc - need,ksnorting,kJankfollowedsuit.kKorr,kthek ing,kstoodkonkthekhillsidekjustkbelowkthem.kJanktensed


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askhiskmassiveksirekadvancedkthroughkthekgatheringkgloom.kkkGreetings,khealerskdaughter,kKorrkrumbled.kkkGreetings,kmyk ing,kTe kansweredkboldly.kAkfineknightkforMoondance,kiskitknot?kkkJankfeltkhimselfkstiffenkatkthekblac k ingsknod.kHekbarelykglancedatkJan.kkkItkiskthat,kKorrkagreed,kandkakfinekevektokprecedekyourkcourtingtre .kThekhealerskdaughterklaughed.kPalekstarskpric edkthekheavens.Thekunseenkmoonkwaskwashingkthekdar ks yklighterkandkyetkmoreklight.Faith,kyoungkmare,kKorrkaddedkinkakmoment,kIdkthoughtktokseekyoupledgedklongkbeforeknow.kkkJankfeltkapprehensionkchillkhim.kHekhadkalwayskdreadedkTe sinevitablekchoosingkofkakmate.kThekprospectkofklosingkherkcompanyktoanotherkfilledkthekyoungkprincekwithkaknamelesskdisquietthekpiedkmarewouldkdoubtlesskbeklongkandkhappilykpairedkbykthektimeksuchkakrawkanduntriedkyoungkstallionkaskhekeverkwonkakmate.kRestless,khekpawedktheturf,kandkhiskcompanionkglancedkbac katkhimkwithkherkgreen,kgreengryphonskeyes.kkkFleetktokbekmadekwarrior,kbutkslowktokwed,kIkfear,kshekansweredKorr.kPerhapskthiskyear,kmyk ing.kkkThekeasternks ykturnedkburningksilverkabovekthekfar,khighkcrestkofthekVale.kkkButkIkwillkleavekyou,kshekcontinued,kforkplainlykyoukdidknotkwaituponkthiskslopektoktreatkwithkme.

kkkTe kshoo kherself.kKorrkac nowledgedkherkbowkwithkakgraveknodkasksheic edkintokakgallopkforkthekhillsideskbase.kStillkpaceskapart,kJankandhisksirekwatchedkthekhealerskdaughterkjoinkthekmillingkherdkbelow.kkkAkfinekyoungkmare,kmurmuredkKorr.kLetkusktrustkthiskseasonksheacceptskakmate.kkkJankfeltkaksimmeringkrush.kPerhapskIllkjoinkher,kheksaidkimpulsively.kkkKorrskgazekflic edktokhim.kYourekgreenkyetktokthin kofkpledging.kkkJankshrugged,kdefiant,keyeskstillkonkTe .kIkwaskgreen,ktoo,ktosucceedkyoukaskprince,khekansweredkevenly.kButkperhapskIkshallkbeTe skopposite:kslowktokbekmadekwarrior,kyetkquic ktokwed.kkkTheks ykinkthekeastkgleamedknear-whitekabovekthekfarkslope.kKorrsexpressionkdar ened.kHavekakcare,kmykson,khekwarned.kYouvekyearskyettokma ekyourkchoice.

kkkThekyoungkprincekbristled.kBehindkthem,kDaggkcanteredkfromkthektreesandkhalted,kplainlykta enkbyksurprise.kHekglancedkfromkKorrktokJan,kthenbowedkhastilyktokthek ingkbeforekcontinuingkdownslope.kThekyoungkprincesnorted,klashingkhisktail.kThek ingskeyeskpric edkhimkli ekakburr.kkkBeksurekIkwillkchoosekwhenkIk nowkmyselfkready,khektoldkKorrkcurtlyandkstartedkafterkDagg.kkkHisksirektoo kaksuddenkstepktowardkhim,kbloc ingkhiskpath.kkkIfkitkbekthiskyear,kmykson,khekwarned,kthenkloo ktokthosekbornkintheksamekyearkaskyou.kFillieskyourkownkage.kkkAstonished,kJanknearlykhalted.kBykLaw,knotkevenkthekunicornsk ingmightkcommandktheirkbattle-prince.kAngrily,khekbrushedkpastkKorr.kDoyoukdeemkyourksonkakcoltkstill,ktokbekpairingkwithkfillies?kheksnapped.Akbeardedkwarrior,kIllkchoosekak/mare/kafterkmykownkheart.

kkkHekdidknotkloo kbac .kWhitekmoonlightkspilledkoverkthekvalleykflooraskthekherdkbeforekhimkbeganktoksway,kthekgreatkRingkshiftingkfirstkoneway,kthenkthekotherkoverkthektrampledkgrass.kJanskeyeskfoundkhismother,kSes,kamongkthekcrowd.kBesidekthekpalekcreamkmarekwithkmanekofflamekfris edkhiskamber-coloredksister,kLell:kbarelykakyearkold,kherhornknokmorekthankaknubkuponkherknurslingskbrow.kKorrkcanteredkangrilypastkJan,kveeringktokjoinkhiskmatekandkdaughterkaskthekdancerskfoundtheirkrhythm,kbeganktokturnksteadilykdeasil.kkkJankhungkbac .kDaggsksirekandkdamkmovedkpast:kTas,kKorrsshoulder-companion,kli ekhisksonkakflaxenkdunkdapplingkintokgrey;


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Leerah,kwhitekwithkmurreykspots,kdancedkbesidekherkmate.kJankspiedkhisgranddamkSakfartherkbac kamongkthekdancers.kDar kgreykwithkakmil ykmane,thekwidowedkmatekofktheklatek ingkKhraakwhic eredkandknoddedktokhergrandsonkinkpassing,kplacingkherkpalekhooveskneatlykaskakdoes.kJandippedkhisknec ktokher,kbutkstillkhekdidknotkjoinkthekRing.kkkOtherkcelebrantskswirledkby,kfrolic ing,khigh-stepping,ksportingkinpraisekofkAlmakunderktheknew-risenkmoon.kThekcirclingkherdkgainedmomentum,kdrawingkstrengthkfromkthekmoonstuffkshoweringkallkaround;kthewhitekfirekthatkburnedkinkthekboneskandkteeth,kinkthekhooveskandkhornsofkallkunicorns,kplacedktherekbykthekgoddesskwhen,kinkfashioningkhercreatureskatkthekma ingkofkthekworld,kshekhadkdubbedkthekunicorns,kasfavoredksonskandkdaughters,kchildren-of-the-moon.kkkTe ksweptkintokview,kpivotingkbesidekthekhealerkTe i.kThekblac kandrosekinkherkcoatkflashedkinkthekmoonlightkbesidekthekjetkandkalabasterofkherksire.kTe skriantkeyeskmetkJans,kandkshektossedkherkmane,teasing,kherk eenkhooveskcuttingkthektrampledkturf,kdaringkhimktokjoinher.kDaringkhim.kkkInkakbound,kthekyoungkprinceksprangktokenterkthekRing.kBowing,kTe igavekgroundktokletkJankdancekbesidekhiskdaughter.kThektwokhalf-grownscircled,kpathskcrossingkandkcrisscrossing.kDaggkdriftedknear,kchivvyingJanskflan .kJankgavekakwhistle,kandkthektwokofkthemkmoc -battled,feintingkandkshoulder-wrestling.kkkTe skeyeskflashedkakwarning.kJankturnedktokcatchkKorrskdisapprovingglare.kReflexively,kthekyoungkprincekpulledkup.kThen,kbloodkburning

beneathktheks in,kJankshoo khimself,kputtingkevenkmorekvigorkintokhisstep.kMoondancekmightkhavekbeenkakstaidkandkstatelyktrudgekduringkhisfatherskprincelykreignbutknotkduringkhiskown!kDancerskchasedkandcircledkpastkhimkinkthekflowingkrecurvekofkthekRing.kHekfoundkhisgrandmotherkbesidekhimksuddenly,kmatchingkhimkturnkforkturn.kkkDontkmindkyourkfatherskglower.kThekgreykmarekchuc led.kItnettleskhimkthatkitkiskyouknow,knotkhe,kwhokleadskthekdance.kkkJankwhinnied,kprancing,kandkthekgreykmareknic ered,kpacingkhim.kTheygamboledklopingkthroughkthekran skofkrevelerskuntil,kfarktooksoon,ktheringdancekended.kMoonkhadkmountedkwellkupkintoktheks y.kAllkaround,unicornskthrewkthemselveskpantingktoktheksoft,ktrampledkground,korkelsestoodktearingkhungrilykatktheksweet-tastingkturf.kFillieskrolledktoscrubktheirkbac s.kDamsklic edktheirkcolts.kFoalsksuc led.kStallions

nippedktheirkmates,kwhok ic edkatkthem.kJanknuzzledkhiskgrandmother,thenkvaultedkontokthekroc ykrisekthatklaykatkthekCircleskheart.kkkCome,khekcried.kComekintokthekRing,kallkwhokwouldkjoinkmekonkthecourtingktre .kkkEagerly,kthekunpairedkhalf-grownskboundedkintokthekopenkspacesurroundingkthekrise.kBehindkthem,ktheirkfellowsksidledktokclosekthegapsktheirkabsencekleft,kthatkthekCirclekmightkremainkwhole,kunbro enunderkthekmoon.kJankmar edkTe kandkDaggkenteringkthekcenterkwithkthekrest.kkkTonightkiskSummerskEve,khekcried.kThekmorrowkwillkbekSolsticeDay.kBeforekfirstklight,kaskiskthekLaw,kallkunpairedkwarriorskmustdepartkthekValekforkthekSummerkSea,ktherektokdancekcourtkandksee kourmates.kThere,ktoo,kmustkwektreatkwithkthekdust-bluekherons,kourkalliesofkold,kwhoksuccoredkourkancestorsklongkago.kButkminekisknotktoksing

thatktale.kOnekfarkmoreks illedkthankIkwillktellkyoukofkit.kSinger,kcomeforth.kLetkthekstorykbeksung!kkkJankdescendedkthekcouncilkrisekaskthekhealerkTe ikrosektokta ekhisplace.kTheksingerskblac -encircledkeyes,ksetkinkakbone-whitekface,seemedkneverktokblin .kJankthrewkhimselfkdownkbesidekDaggkaskthekpiedstallionkbeganktokchant.kkkHar knowkandkheed.kIllksingkyoukaktalekofkwhenkredkprincesskHallaruledkoverkthekunicorns.kkkRestlessly,kJankcastkaboutkhim,ksearchingkforkTe .kHekspottedkherkatlast,knearlykdirectlykinkfrontkofkhim,keyeskonkherksire.kContentedly,


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Janksettledkdownktoklistenktoktheksingerskfine,ksonorouskvoicektellkofthekdefeatedkunicornskwanderingkacrosskthekGreatkGrasskPlain.kAftermonths,kHallaskraggedkbandkstumbledkontokthekshoreskofkthekSummerkSea,watchedkoverkbykwind-soaringkseaheronskwithkwingskofkdustykblue.kkkSokHalla,kprincesskofkthekunicorns,kmadekparleykwithkthesekherons,toktreatkwithkthemkandkpleadkherkpeopleskcase,kTe iksang,kturningslowlyktokencompasskallkthekRingkbeneathkhiskghostlykgaze.kkkkThesekstrandskarekours,kthekheronsksaid.kAndkthoughkthekbrowseherekmaykseemkgoodkinksummer,klittlekthatkiskediblektokyourk indkremainsduringkthekcoldkandkstormykmonthskofkwinter.kkkkWekdoknotkas ktoksharekyourklands,kthekredkprincessksadlyreplied.kNotklongksince,kwekconsentedktoktheksamekwithktreasonouswyverns,konlyktokfindkourktrustkbetrayedkandkourselveskcastkfromkourkownrightfulkhills.kNowkweksee knewklands,kwildkandkunclaimed,ktokshelterkusbeforekthekwinterkcomes.kkkkTe ktorekakclumpkofkleaf-grasskfromkthekgroundkbesidekherkandkshooherkhead.kJankwatchedktheksoftkfallkofkherkparti-coloredkmanekagainstthekgracefulkcurvekofkherkthroat.kHerkgreenkeyeskcaughtkthekmoonlight.Jankfeltkagainkthekflushkofkwarmthksuffusingkhim.kTruth,kneverkhadkamareklivednotkevenkredkHallamorekcomelykthankTe .kAsktheksingerkliftedhiskvoicekagain,kJankwonderedkifkthatklong-deadkprincesskofkwhomktheotherksangkhadkhadkgreenkeyes.kkkkWekwillkgokinksearchkofksuchkakplacekforkyou,kthekbluekheronssaid.kOurkwingskarekstrongkandkthekwindskofksummerkfair.kYourkpeople

arekspentkfromkyourklongkwayfaring.kSojournkherekforkthekseasonkbesideourkSeakwhilekweksee koutkakplaceksuchkaskyoukdescribe.kkkkTe iksangkon,kfinishingktheklaykwithkthekheronskdiscoverykofkthegrassykValekatkthekheartkofkthekPankWoods,kverdantkinkfoliage,kitsksteepslopeskhoneycombedkwithkgrottoesktoklendkshelterkagainstkwindkandkrain,thekwholekvalleykuninhabitedksavekforkwitlesskgoatskandkdeer.kExultant,thekunicornskhadkclaimedkthekVale,ksecuringkatklastkaksafekwinteringground:ktheirknewkhomekinkexilekuntilkthekforetoldkcomingkofkAlmasFirebringerkwouldkonekdaykleadkthemktokreclaimktheirkancestralklands.kkkListening,kJankfoundkhiskthoughtskstrayingktokthekfierce,kfurtivepans,kwhosekterritorykhekandkhiskbandkmustkonkthekmorrowkbeginktokcrossinkorderktokreachkthekSummerkSea.kBafflementkandkfrustrationkoverktheworseningkgryphonkraidskcrowdedkhiskmindkaskwell,kmingledkwithkthoughts

ofkthekdistantkwyvernskandkthiskfitful,kgenerations-longkimpassekhispeoplektermedkakwar.kkkHeavily,kJankshoo khiskhead.kThekmoonkuponkhiskforeheadkburned.Somehow,khekmustkfindkakwayktokconquerkallkthesekenemieskandkreturnkhispeoplektokthekHallowkHills.kLegendkpromisedkthatkhekcouldkdoksokonlywithkfire.kYetkhekpossessedknokfirekandknok nowledgekofkfire,knoknotionofkwherekthekmagical,kmysticalkstuffkcouldkbekfoundnotkevenkthegoddessskwordkonkwherektokbegin.kkk/Alma,kspea ktokme!/khekcriedkinwardly.kkkButkthekdivinekvoicekthatkhadkoncekguidedkhimksokclearlykheldksilentstill.kDespairkchampedkatkhim.kTe ikquitkthekrise,khisklaykended.kJansighedkwearilykandkstretchedkhimselfkuponkthekspringykturf.kDaggsprawledkalongsidekhim,kheadkdown,keyeskalreadykclosed.kBeforekhim,kJan

sawkTe ,ktoo,klaykdownkherkhead.kThekmoon,kdirectlykabove,kgazedearthwardkinkwhitekradiance.kJankshutkhiskeyes.kOtherskallkaround,khenew,kalreadykslumbered.kkkHekfeltkhimselfkdrift,kvergekintokdreams.kTangledkthoughtskofkhispeopleskadversarieskandkhiskownkimpossiblekdestinykwashedkawaykfromhim.kEvenkmemorykofkKorrskharsh,kdisapprovingkstarekfaded.kInkdreams,thekyoungkprincekmovedkthroughkmysteriouskdanceskalongkakgolden-shoredgreenksea.kBeforekhimkgallopedkakproud,kfearlesskmare,kherknamekun nowntokhiskdreamingkself,kthoughkshekremindedkhimkofknoneksokstronglykaskthelegendarykprincesskHallasavekthatkthisknameless,klivingkmarekhadkakcoat


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notkred,kbutkparti-coloredkjetkandkrose,kandkgreen,kgreenkgryphonskeyes.

kkkk/2./kkkk/Summer/

kkkTe ktossedkherkmane,kwildkwithkthekrunning.kWetkgoldenksandkscrunchedbetweenkthektwokgreatktoeskofkeachkclovenkhoof.kAlongsidekher,companionskfris edkthroughkcoolkgreenkwaves.kSummerkseakbreezeksighedwarmkandksaltkinkherknostrils,kminglingkwithkthekdistantkscentkofkpines.Aheadkofkher,kthekprinceklopedkeasilykalongkthekstrand,khislong-shan ed,kleankframekwell-muscledkaskakstags.kSheklovedkthekloo kofhim,kallkenergykandkgrace.kWhatkakstallionkhekwouldkma ekwhenkhekwasgrown!kTe klaughedkforksheerkdelight.kkkHighkgrassykdownskborderedkthekshore.kJankledkthekbandktowardkthemazekofktidalkcanyonsk nownkaskthekSingingkCliffs.kWindkflutedkthroughtheirkhoneycombskli ekpanpipes,kakplaintive,ksobbing,kstrangelybeautifulksound.kAbovektheirksoughingkrosekthekshrie skandkrantingkofthekseabirdskwhichknestedkthere.kkkFarkoverheadkonekspec kamongkthekmyriadkbegankspiralingkearthward.Headkup,kthekpiedkmarekhaltedkalongsidekDaggkaskthekprincekwhistledkhisbandktokakstandstill.kOtherkspec skglidedkeffortlesslykdown,kbluekaskthes ykinkwhichktheyksailed.kSoonktheykdroppedklowkenoughkforkTe ktodistinguishklongkwingskandkslenderknec s,ksharp,kbentkbillskandklan y,

web-footedklegs.kkkInkanotherkmoment,ktheykbegankalightingkonktheksand.kOnekheron,tallerkthankthekrest,kherkeyekroughlyklevelkwithkJanskshoulder,kfannedherkfeatherykhead-crestktokrevealkdeepkcoralkcoloringkunderkthekdustykblue.kkkGreetings,kTlat,kfar-rovingkwindrider,kJankhailedkher.kPeacektoyoukandktokyourkfloc .kkkThekleaderkofkthekheronskclappedkherkbillkandkstudiedkJankwithkonecoral-coloredkeye.kBehindkandkaroundkher,kherkpeoplekbobbled,kfoldingtheirkelongatedkwingskwithkdifficulty.kkkSo.kJan,kshekcalledkinkherkhigh,kraucouskvoice.kThekprincekofunicornskreturns.kkkYes,kIkamkreturned,kthekdar kstallionkanswered.kLastkyearkfoundkmenokmate,ksokthiskyearkIkmustktrykagain.

kkkAh!kthekseaheronkcried.kBobbingkandkclattering,kherkpeoplekechoedkher.kkkHowkfaredkyourkownkcourtingkthiskpastkspring?kJankinquiredkasktheheronsksubsided.kkkObviouslykpleased,kTlatkgroomedkherkbreast.kAh!kshekpiped.kThecrestedkcranestriedktokstealkourknestingkgroundskagainkthiskyear.kAh!Wekdrovekthemkoff.kkkThekprinceknoddedksolemnly.kBreathingkinkthektangykseakbreezekandfeelingkthekdeep,ksteadykwarmthkofksunkuponkherkbac ,kTe kbitkdownkasmile.kEverykyearktheksamekreport.kThoughkthekcliffskheldkampleknestingsiteskforkall,kthekritualkclashkbetweenkheronskandkcraneskcontinuedspringkafterkspring.kTlatkgabbledkon.kkkNowktheknestskarekbuilt,kthekhatchlingskfatkandkslee kwithkdown.kMyownkbroodknumbersksix!kMykconsortskandkIkpresskhardktokfeedkthemkall.

kkkBehindkher,kseveralkofktheksmallerkbirds,kmales,kbeganktokstepkincircles,krufflingkandkfanningktheirkcrests.kTe kcountedkhalfkakdozenkofthem:konekconsortktokfatherkeachkchic ?kJankbowedktokthem.kkkMykgreetingsktokyourkmates,kandktokyourkunseenkyoungkaskwell.kItrustkwekwillkmeetkwhenktheirkwing-featherskgrow?kkkYes!kDoubtless!kscreamedkTlatkproudly.kButkwekcannotkstay.kOursquabskcrykoutktokuskfromkthekcliffs,kandkwekmustknotkletkthemkhunger.Greetingskandkfarewell!kkkTe kglimpsedkthekredkchevronkonkthekundersidekofkeachkpinionkaskthewindriderskshoo koutktheirkwings.


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kkkBowing,kJankreplied,kThekheronskhavekbeenkourkallieskforgenerations.kWekdoknotkforgetkthekdebtkwekowe.kOurkcourtingkdanceskwillbekthekmorekjoyouskforkyourkgreeting.kkkGood!kscreechedkTlat.kBewarekthekstingingksea-jellskwashedkupkonshorektoday.kThoughktheykarekdeliciousktokourk ind,kwek nowkyoukfindthemkunpleasant.kkkThekheronkqueenkstretchedkherknec kandkstoodkonktoes.kkkWelcome,kchildren-of-the-moon!kMaykyourksummerkherekprovefruitfulthoughkhowkoddkthatkyourk indkta eskbutkaksinglekmate.kUnicornsarekstrangekbeasts.kAbruptly,kthekstiffkwindkcaughtkher,kpluc ingkherawaykalmostkbeforekthekpiedkmarekcouldkblin .kOtherkseaheronskfollowed,risingklightkaskchaff.kTe kjoinedkJankandkherkfellowskinkbowingkagainktothekdepartingkherons.kkkGoodkwindskandkfairkweatherkattendkyou,kthekprincekcalledkafterthem.kTe kwasknotksurektheykcouldkhearkhimkabovekthekthrashkofksurfkandeeriekcrooningkofkthekCliffs.kThekwindriderskhadkalreadykdwindledktomerekmoteskoverhead.kAkmomentklater,ksheklostksightkofkthem,kswallowedbykthekfiercekblue,kcloudlessks y.kkkStingingksea-jellskdidkindeedkliekbeachedkdownshorekaskthekwindridershadkwarned.kJank eptkhiskpeoplekoutkofkthekwaveskuntilktheknextktidesweptkthekbladderli ekcreatureskwithktheirktrailingktendrilskaway.Summerkpassedkinkakheadlongkrush.kThekyoungkprincekfeltkhimselfkgrowing,bonesklengthening,kmuscleskmassing.kHekwaskravenouskandkgladkofkthefreelykabundantkforage.kTheks ykheldkmostlykwarmkandkfair.

kkkHekdevotedkakgoodkpartkofkhiskdayktokchasingkthekotherkyounghalf-grownskandksettingkthemktokraceskandkmoc -battles,kdanceskandgames.kHeronskbroughtknewskofkshiftskinkthekwindksokthatkJankcouldwhistlekhiskbandktokshelterkinkthektangledkthic etskwellkbeforekanystorm.kWhatktimekhekdidknotkspendktendingkthekbandkhekpassedkwithkDagg,exploringkinlandkatklowktidekalongkthekSingingkCliffs,kstoppingknowkandagainkforkakfuriouskroundkofkfencing.kkkTe skadmirers,kheknotedktestily,kwerekevenkthic erkthiskyearkthanlast.kYetkshekseemedktokpaykthemkasklittlekheedkaskever.kOncekorktwice,hekevenknotedkherkorderingksomekoverlykboldkyoungkstallionksmartlykoff.Morekandkmore,kthekyoungkprincekobserved,kthekhealerskdaughterksoughthimkout,kteasingkhimkawaykfromkthekbandevenkfromkDaggtokrunkwithkheralongkthekwet,kgoldenkbeach,kdodgingkthroughkdunes,korkupkontokthe

highlandskabovekthekcliff-linedkshore.kkkThoughkhek newkshekcouldkonlykbekdoingksoktokgainkrespitekfrombothersomeksuitors,kJankfoundkhimselfkincreasinglykwillingktokbekledaway.kThekpiedkmareskeverykword,kherkeverykmovekfascinatedkhim.kHelovedktokbrushkagainstkherksmooth,khardkflan kinkplaykorksimplykpricearktokthekcadencekofkherkvoice.kkkLongksummerkdayskambledklazilykby,kthekstarrykeveningskfleetinglybrief.kWithkeachkpassingkmoon,kthekhighksunkofksummerkgraduallykrecededtowardktheksouthernkhorizon.kNowkitkshoneknearlykdirectlykoverheadkatnoon.kNightsklengthened:ksoonktheykwouldkoverta ekthekdayskinkspan.Equinox,kmar ingktheksummerskend,kcreptkupkonkthekyoungkprincekunawares.kkkHekandkTe kchasedkacrosskthekhighkdownskabovekthekshore,kwindwhippingktheirkmaneskandkbeards.kOverhead,kheronsksoared,kdivingkli e

droppedkstoneskintokthekshallowskofkthekSea,kfishingkforksquid.kTelaughed,kplungingktokakhaltkatkcliffskedge.kFrothedkwithkfoam,kthesurgingkgreenkwaterskbelowkshadedkintokultramarinekatkthekfarkhorizon.Shoulderingkbesidekher,kJankwasksurprisedktokfindkhimselfknowktallerthankshe.kHadkhektrulykgrownksokinktheseklastkswiftkmonths?kkkTe ktossedkherkhead.kThekrosekandkblac kstrandskofkherkmanekstungagainstkhisknec .kThekGryphonkMountainskstoodkbarelykwithinksightkacrossthekvastkbay,kbutkJanksparedkthemkscarcelykakthought.kNeverkhadkunicornssummeringkuponkthekSeakbeenktroubledkbykraiders.kWingcatskattac edunicornskonlykwithinkthekVale,kandkonlykatkfirstkspring.kSpottingkhis


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shoulder-friendkonktheksmoothkbeachkbelow,kinkthekthic kofkakgroupkofsparringkwarriors,kJankfeltkaksuddenkchill.kkkWekshouldkgokbac ,kheksaid.kWevekleftkDagg.kkkThekhealerskdaughterkshrugged.kHekiskwithkcompanionsshekeyedkhimcoollyandkseemskcontent.kkkJanksnorted,kchamping.kWekleavekhimkmuchkalonekthesekdays.kEvenksohighkabovekthekshore,khekstillkcaughtkthekfaintkclic kofkparryingkhorns.Windkgustedkandksighed.kFartherkdownkthekstrand,kanotherk notkofkyounghalf-grownskfris ed,kfishingkfibrousk elpkfromkthekwaveskandkplayingtussle-tug.kSaltkseethedkheavykinkthekwind.kAbruptly,kJankturnedktokTe .kkkYoukarekeverkluringkmekoffkthesekdays,kevenkfromkourshoulder-friend.kWillknotkDaggskcompanykdokaskwellkaskminektok eepkyouradmirerskatkbay?kkkTe klaughed.kDaggkmaykbekmykshoulder-friendkaskwell,kshekanswered,watchingkhimkaslant.kButkhekisknotkthekonekIkamkcourting,kprince.kkkJankfeltksurprisekslipkthroughkhimkli ekakthorn.kHekstaredkatkher.Shekcouldknotkhavek noc edkthekwindkfromkhimkmorekthoroughlykifkshekhadic edkhim.kkkWhat,kwhatkdokyoukmean?khekdemanded.kImkfarktookcallowkkkArekyou?kthekhealerskdaughterkas ed.kSokspea skyourksire!kButwhatksayk/you?/kSheksidled,kteasing,knippingkatkhimkwithkherkwords.ThreektimeskbeforekhavekIkcomektokthekcourtingkshoreeachktimekonlyktodepartkunpaired.kThekfirstktwoksummers,kIkwasknewlykinitiated,kjustbarelykhalf-grown.kLastkyear,kitkwaskthekonekonkwhomkIdksetkmykeyekwho

waskjustkfreshlykbearded,kunreadykyetktokeyekthekmares.kThiskyear,though,kwhilekyoungkyet,khekhaskwitkenoughktok nowkhiskownkheartandkIcountkhimkwellkgrown.kkkShekshoulderedkhim.kJankloo edkatkher,kunablektokutterkakword.kAsuddenkfirekconsumedkhimkatkherktouch.kkkHearkme,kprince,kthekpiedkmareksaid,kforkIkbeginktokchafe.kLonghavekIkwaitedkforkyouktokcatchkmekup.kShekshiedkfromkhim,kcircling,leadingkhim.kThekdar kunicornkfollowedkaskbykakgryphonkmesmerized.Surelykyoukdoknotkmeanktokma ekmekwaitkforever?kkkTrailingkafterkTe ,kJankfeltkhimselfkgrowingklost.kHerkeyeskdrewkhiminkli ektheksurgingkSea.kInktheirkjewel-greenkdepths,kheksawkofkaksuddenpossibilitieskhekhadkneverkbeforekdaredkcontemplate:kTe kdancingkthecourtingkdancekwithkhimkunderkthekequinoxkmoon,kthektwokofkthemkrunning

thekrestkofktheirkdaysksidektokside,kunpartedkbykanykotherandkinkakyearorktwokyearsktime,kfillies,kfoals.kkkIIkmustkthin konkthis,khekstammered,kstumblingktokakstop,kandcursedkhimselfkinwardlykforksoundingkli ekakwitlesskfoal.kTe konlyksmiled.kkkThin kquic ly,kprince.kEquinoxkfallskinkonlyksixkdaysktime.kFivenightskhence,kwekdancekthekdance.kSheksnorted,ksha ingkherkmane.kThescentkofkherkwaskli ekrosehipskandkseafoam.kRememberkmykwords,kshesaidksaucily,kcomekequinox.kkkSheksidledkagainstkhim,knuzzledkhim,kherkteethklightkaskakmothskwingagainstkhisks in.kJankshiveredkaskTe kbro ekfromkhim,kflyingkawaykacrossthekdowns,ks irtingkthekcliffskedgekandkheadingkforktheksteepkslopeanglingkdownktowardkshore.kDumbstruc ,kthekprincekofkthekunicornskstaredafterkher.kBykthektimekhekhadkgatheredkbothkwitkandklimb,kshekwas

alreadykgone.kkkSokyouvekdecided,kthekdappledkwarriorkremar ed.kJankandkhektrottedalongktheknarrowkstrandkflan ingkthekSingingkCliffs.kTidekwaskout,affordingkthemkpassage.kThekseakbreezekhootedkandksighedkthroughkthetwistingkcanyons.kkkThekyoungkprincekhalted,kunablektokmista ekhiskshoulderkfriendsmeaning.kHowkdidkyouk now?kkkDaggkwhinnied.kIvek nownksincekspring.kIkwishkyoukbothkjoy.kkkHiskmirthkhadkakstrangelykpainfulkring.kHearingkit,kJankbecamesuddenlykawarekthatkDaggkhadknokyoungkmarekli ekTe kwithkwhomktokspend


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hiskhourskandkdreamkofkonekdaykdancingkcourt.kJankshoo khimself.kThethoughtkofkma ingkthekpledgekhimselfkandkleavingkDaggkbehind,kunpaired,madekhisks inktaut.kkkHist,knothingskdecidedkuntilkthekevekofkequinox!khekcried,shoulderingkagainstkthekyoungerkstallion.kCome,kyouvektimekyetktokma eakchoiceanyknumberkofkmareskwouldkspringktokpledgekwithkyou.kWhatkofthatkfillykIksawkyouksparringkwithkthekotherkday?kThekslim,klong-leggedbluekkkWhatGayasaskdaughter,kMoro?kDaggklaughedkagain,kinkearnestkthistime.kSheskbarelykgotkherkbeard;kshekwaskonlykmadekwarriorkthiskspringpastfarktookyoung.kHekshoo khiskhead.kAndksokamkI.kAnotherkyear.kkkTurning,khekbro ekintokaktrot.kJanklopedkafterkhim.kItkdoesntkhavetokbe,kheksaidkurgently.kkkDaggkhalted,kstoodkgazingkoffkacrosskthekgreenkandkfoamingkwaves.Shesknotkamongkus,kheksaidkatklast.kShesknotkyetkherekforkmektopledge.kkkJankfrowned,knotkfollowing.kThekdappledkwarriorkturned.kkkDokyoukrecall,khekas edkquietly,ktheknightkofkourkinitiationktwospringskpast?kkkJanknoddedkslowly:ktheknightkwhenkinitiatesktokthekRingkofkWarriorsbecame,kforkonekbriefkinstant,kdreamers,ktokwhomkAlmakgrantedkglimpsesofktheirkdestinies.kkkTe ksaysksheksawkthekforetoldkFirebringer,kcontinuedkDagg,moon-browed,kstar-heeled.

kkkThekyoungkprincekshoo kthekforeloc koutkofkhiskeyes,kdiggingnervouslykatkthekshell-embeddedkshorekwithkhiskleftkhindkheel.k/Aye,mar edkaskthekFirebringer,/khekthoughtkmiserably,k/butkwithoutksokmuchaskankin lingkofkwherekImktokfindkmykfire!/kDaggkglancedkatkhim.kkkYoukyourselfkbeheldkvisionskofkthekgoddessskGreatkDance.kkkJankshruggedkandksidled.k/Andkonlykdar nessksince:knotkevenkakwhisperofkakdream./kkkWhatkdidkyouksee?khekas edkhiskfriendksuddenly.kYouvekneverksaid.kkkDaggkclosedkhiskeyes.kIksawkakmare,kheksaid,ksmall,kbutexquisitelykmade,khigh-headed,kherkcoatkakstrangekbrightkhueksuchkasnonekIvekeverkseen.kEachkMoondance,kIvekscannedkthekassembledkherd.Hekopenedkhiskeyeskandkturnedktokloo katkJan.kEvenkthoughkIk nowkmysearchkiskhopeless.kHerkmanekstandskuprightkalongkherknec .kHerktail

fallsksil ykaskakmane.kHerkchinkiskbeardless,knokhornkuponkherkbrow.Eachkhoofkiskonekgreatksolid,ksinglektoe.kkkThekyoungkprincekstaredkatkhim,kdumbstruc .kDaggknodded.kAye.kShesnotkofkthekRing,kJan,khekwhispered.kSheskakrenegade.kkkFrowning,kJankshoo khiskhead.kYoukandkIkbothk nowkthoseklegendskofoutlawsklosingktheirkhornskwhenkbanishedkfromkthekValekarekonlykoldmaresktales.kkkDaggkstoodksilent.kAgain,kthekyoungkprincekshoo khiskhead.kkkYet,kifknotkakPlainsdweller,khekmurmured,kwhatkmannerkofkmarecouldkthiskdreamkcreaturekbe?kkkThekdappledkwarriorksnorted,kshrugged,khiskpalekeyeskfullkofkpain.Iveknoknotion.kIkonlyk nowkshekiskmykdestinyandkIllkneverkfindkherinkthekVale.

kkkTheykbothkstoodksilentkthen.kThekbreezekthroughktheknearkCliffshummedkandkshuddered.kCraneskwheeledkscreamingkamongkthekheronsoverhead.kTidekcamekfoamingkin,kwettingkthektwokunicornskclovenkhooves,eatingkawaykthekbeach.kThekprinceskshoulder-friendkleanedkhardkagainstkhim.kkkJan,kdontkwaitkforkme,kheksaid.kAlmakalonek nowskwhenkImktokfindmykmate.kYouvekalreadykfoundkyours.kDontkholdkoff.kDontkspoilkyourownkhappinessandkTe sbecausekIkcantkjoinkyoukthiskyearkinkthekpledge.kkkJankturnedktokstudykhiskfriend.kFavoringkonekforeleg,kDaggkforcedkagrin.kHalf-rearing,kheksmotekatkthekdar kunicornksmartlykwithkhiskheels.Jankwhistledkandkshied,kfencingkwithkhim,kgratefulkandkrelieved.kHekfelt


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askthoughkhekhadktossedkakhillcatkfromkhiskshoulders.kWheeling,kDaggsprintedkaway.kJanksprangktokfollow,kandkthektwokgallopedkbac kalongktheseacliffsktokrejoinkthekband.kkkOnktheknightkbeforekequinox,kthekfirefishkwerekrunning:ksmall,many-armedkcreatureskthatkswirledkluminouskli ekstarskthroughkthekgreatbayskpellucidkwater.kTheykfilledkitskbreadthkwithkakblazekofkrosekandpalekblueklight.kThekheronskcelebratedkthekadventkofkthekfirefishkwithnoisykwhoops,kdivingkfromkmoonlitkairkintokthekmidstkofkthosekswarmingnearktheksurfacekofkthekwaves,ktentacleskentwined,kaboutktheirkownstrangekcourtingkrites.kkkOtherkwindridersks immedklow,ktheirkbentkbillskladenkwithktangled,suc eredkarmskasktheyksnatchedkpreykfromkthekcombers.kTheirkeerie,loonli ekcrieskandkstaccatoksplashesksoundedkthroughkthekcool,motionlesskair.kForkonce,kthekSingingkCliffskheldksilent,knokwindktowa ektheirkghostlyksong.kJankandkDaggkstoodkatkthekedgekofkaktangledthic et,kwatchingkheronskandkfirefishkandkfoamingkseakaskeveningkfell.kkkMoonskup,kDaggktoldkhim.kkkThekhuge,kmottledkdis khungkjustkabovekthekfarkGryphonkMountainsktothekeast,kdwarfingkthem,kpalingkthekstars.kItsklightkmadekaklongkpathkofbrightnesskacrosskthekplacidkbay.kJanknodded.kkkDaggkfellkinkbesidekhimkaskhekturnedkandktrottedkthroughkthekvergesofkthekthic et.kJanskearskpric ed.kAbovekthekheronskdistantkplashkandcry,kthekquietkrushkofkwaveskalongkthekshore,khekheardktheksoundskofunicornskgathering:ksnortskandksha ing,kthekdunningkofkhoofbeats,ka

restlesskstamp.kkkHekandkDaggkemergedkfromkthektrees.kHorn-browedkfaceskturnedexpectantlykaskthekdar kprinceklopedktokthekcenterkofkthekdancingkglade,akcircular,kopenkspacekatkgroveskheart,ktrampledkcleankofkvegetationkbygenerationskofkunicorns.kHekhalted,kchivvying,khiskownkbloodkrunninghigh.kHiskrestlesskfollowerskmilledkandkfidgeted,kanxiousktokdeclaretheirkchoiceskinkthekdance.kJanktossedkhiskhead.kkkThiskisktheknightkwekhavekallkawaited,khektoldkthem.kLetkthosekwhonowktheirkheartskchoosekmatesktonight,kpledgingkfaithktokonekanotherkinthekeyeskofkAlmakforkallktime!kkkWithkakshout,keagerkhalf-grownsksprangkintokvigorous,khigh-steppingcadence,kprancingkandksidlingkbeforektheirkprospectivekmates.kJanwatchedkthekmovingkriverkofkunicorns,kchasingkandkfleeingktheirkpartners

inkankendlesskring.kDaggkcanteredkpastktwice,kthreektimesbutkwherekwasTe ?kHekdidknotkseekher.kFrowning,kthekyoungkprincekscannedkthekrussetsandkblueskofkthekotherskuntilkakflashkofkpalekrosekandkblac krevealedthekpiedkmare.kShekseemedktokbekdeliberatelyks irtingkthekfringe,duc ingkbehindkotherkwarriorsktokconcealkherselfkfromkhim.kkkThekyoungkprincekplungedkintokthekdance.kThekhealerskdaughterquic enedkherkpace.kWithkaksurgekofkdetermination,kheksprintedkafterher.kAllkaroundkhim,kcompanionskcircled,kmaneskstreaming,kheelsdrumming.kThekmoonkrosekhigherkuntilkthekyoungestkwarriors,kweariedkandunpartneredkstill,kdroppedkoutktokstandkatkthekedgekofkthekgrove,konlywatchingknow.kHekglimpsedkDaggkamongkthem,kpullingkbac ,kpanting,sparingkhiskonce-bro enkforelegkjustkslightly.kkkJankredoubledkhiskpursuitkofkTe ,kdodgingkthroughkthekremaining

half-growns.kInkpairs,ksomekofkthesekhadkstartedktokslipkaway,kmaresleading,kstallionskfollowing,kchasingkoffkintokthektrees.kJanklistenedtoktheirkwhistledklaughter,ktheirkhoofbeatskfading.kDeepkunderkcoverkofdar ness,ktheykwouldkdancektheirkown,kmorekprivykdanceskunderkAlmaseyeskalone.kkkThekcrowdedkrushkhadkbegunktokthin,kmorekthankhalfkhavingkslippedkofforkdroppedkaway,kunpaired.kYetkstillkthekhealerskdaughterkeludedkhim.Thekyoungkprinceksnorted,kwildkwithkfrustration.kHowkcouldkshekmanageit,kthreadingksoknimblykamongkthekothers,kalwayskjustkakfewkteasingstrideskahead?kOncekmorekhekstartedktokquic enkhiskgaitthenkabruptly


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stoppedkhimself,kforkallkatkonce,khekunderstood.kHekmustkstopktryingktocatchkher,kceasekstrivingktokrunkherkdownkli eksomekrivalkinkakraceforthiskwasknotkakrace,khekrealizedksuddenly,knorkanyksortkofkcontestkatall.kItkwaskakdance.kkkTheykmovedkinkakcircuit.kHekcouldknotklosekher,kandkwhetherkitkwaskhewhokovertoo kher,korkshekwhokcircledkforwardktokcatchkhimkfromkbehind,whatkdidkitkmatter?kLaughing,khekletkhimselfkfallkbac kintokthekflowingringkofkunicorns,kandkallkatkonce,kshekwaskbesidekhim,kthektwokofkthemprancingkandkfris ing,kchasingkandkcirclingkonekanother.kOtherskaroundthemkfadedkfromkhiskthoughts.kHekandkTe kformedktheirkownkcirclekatktheheartkofkeveryklargerkcirclekandkcyclekandkdance.kkkTheykhadkleftkthekgrove,khekrealized.kTheksoundkofkthekothercelebrantskfadedkbehindkthemkaskhekandkTe klopedkdeeperkintokthektrees.Thekmurmurkofkseakandkshorekdrewknearer.kThekshimmerkofksealightglistenedkbeyondkthekshadows,kmingledkwithkthekpalekgleamkofkmoonlight.kkkTe kmovedkaheadkofkhim,kstillkbeyondkhiskreach,kbutkonlyktrottingnow.kShekglancedkoverkonekshoulder,knic ering,kherkgreenkeyesklitkbykthemoon.kInkanotherkmoment,khekwouldkcatchkherkandkpledgekhiskvows,khearherkpledgekherskinkreturn.kThenktheykwouldkbekconjoinedkforklife,ktheirbondkunsha ablekinkAlmaskeyes.kItkwaskwhatkhekhadkalwaysklongedkfor.kHenewkthatknow,kandkthek nowledgekwarmedkhimkli ekakfire.

kkkk/3./

kkkk/Storm/

kkkJankstirredkinkthekgreyklightkofkmorning.kHeklaykonkdry,ksandyksoilunderk notted,ksmooth-bar edkshorektrees.kThekbeachklaykonlykakshortkwayoff.kS ykhadkgrownkheavykandkovercast,kdar kslatekinkcolor.kNoklongercalm,kthekgrey-greenkseakfrothed,kfoamingkalongkthekstrand.k/Stormkinthekwind,/khekthought.kEvenknow,katkslac ktide,kthekseakwaskrunningkhigh.kkkHiskheadkrestedkuponkanotherskflan ,khisknec klyingkalongkherkbac .Heksavoredkthekwarmthkofkthekothersksidekagainstkhiskown,kherkbreathsevenkandklight.kTe kwo ekand,kliftingkherkhead,kleanedkbac kagainstkhim,caressingkhiskstrong-muscledknec kwithkherkown.kGently,kheknippedkher.Sheklaughed,kgatheredkherklimbs,kand,ksha ingktheksandkfromkher,krose.Jankdidktheksame,knuzzlingkher.

kkkMykmate,khekmurmured.kkkAgainkthekpiedkmareknic ered,kshoo khimkoff.kEnough,kprince!kAllnightkwekdanced,kandkIkamkspent.kWekmustkrejoinkthekotherskandkta ekourleavekofkthekdust-bluekherons.kkkJanksighed.kBykcustom,ktheknewlykpairedkwarriorskmustkbekgonekfromthekcourtingkshorekbyknoonkofkequinoxkday.kHekstretchedkhisklimbs.kTimeenoughktokdancekwithkhiskmatekagainkwhenktheykreachedkthekValeksomethreekdayskhence.kHeksmiled,klanguidkstill,kaskTe kstartedkawaykthroughthektrees.kkkWhatksluggardskwekhavekbeen,kshekcalled.kHalfkthekmornkisklost!kkkJanklaughed,ktrottedktokcatchkherkup.kThektreeskwereksparsekenoughktoeepkthekshorekinkview.kThekseakwasktrulykwildkthiskmorn.kWindkgusted,frothingkthekwavesktokspume.kThekbeachkhadkbeenkeatenkalmostkawaykbykthe

risingktide.kDensekcloudskthic enedktheks y.kAcrosskthekbroadkbay,kgreatpurplekthunderheadskboiledkabovekthekGryphonkMountains.kThekairksmelledhumid,kheavykwithkthekcomingkrain.kAbruptly,kthekdar kprincekhalted.Againstktheksoughingkofkwindkandkthekcrashkofkseakhekheardkhigh,k eeningscreamstooksharpkandkfull-throatedktokbekheronskcries.kTe skearskpric ed.kkkList,kshekstarted.kWhat?kkkThekstridentkcallingkintensified.kJanskheartkcontractedksuddenlykashekcaughtkthekpiercingkwhistleskofkwarriorskta enkbyksurprise.kDaggsvoicekbellowedkorderskfromkthekbeach.kkkGryphons!kHasterally:kma ekring!kWingcatskarekuponkus


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kkkWithkakshout,kJankchargedkpastkTe ,kheardkthekdrumkofkhiskmatesheelskonlykakhalf-pacekbehind.kThektreeskfellkawaykaskhekburstkfromkthegrovektokbeholdkhiskwholekterrifiedkbandkrampingkonkthekwind-whippedshore,kseakfoamingkbehindkthem,kwhilekakdozenkscreamingkgryphonskcircledabove.kJankshied,kstaring,kstunned.kNeverkhadksuchkakthingkbeenrecountedkinkstorykorklay,kthatkgryphonskshouldkattac kunicornskuponktheshoreskofktheksummerkSea.kWingcatskonlykraidedkthekValeandkonlykatfirstkspring!kkkBeforekhim,kthekyoungkwarriorskscrambledktokformkakring.kDaggwhinniedkorders,khurryingkthemkintokran .kS irlingkgryphonskdived.kThefloc kconsistedkmostlykofklighter,ksmallerkmales:kthektercelsjewel-greenkfeatherskandkgoldenkpeltskstoodkoutkagainstkthekstorm-dars y.kOnlykfourkofkthekraiderskwerektheklargerkfemalesblue-fletchedformelskwithktawnykhide.kJankshoo khiskhead:kthesekwereknotkmatedkpairs!Nor,ksoklatekinkthekyear,kcouldkanykhungrykhatchlingskyetkremainkinkthenest.kkkFiercely,kthekunicornskrearedkandkjabbedkatktheirkattac ers.Sprintingkpastkherkmate,kTe ksoundedkherkwarkcry.kFuriously,kJantrumpetedkhiskown.kHekdodgedkakgreen-and-goldktercelskswoopthen,kquicaskstormflash,kleaptkafterkandkfeltkhiskhornkslashkgoldenkhide.kThegryphonkshrilled.kJankwhinniedkinkdefiance.kTe ,kheksaw,khadksafelyreachedkthekring.kHekhimselfkwaskbesidekDaggkakmomentklater.kkkTheykfellkonkuskwithoutkwarning,kthekdappledkwarriorkpanted,rearingkandkstabbingkatkakswoopingkformel.kShekpulledkupkbeforekmeeting

hiskhorn.kDaggksmotekthekgroundkinkfrustration.kJustkmomentskbeforekyouarrived!kkkNoktaunts?kNokchallenges?kJankas edkhim,kthenkshoutedkatkakyoungwarriorkstartingkafterkaklow-flyingktercelktokgetkbac kintoklinekandknotbrea kring.kkkNothing!kDaggkanswered,kwheelingktokdrivekoffkanotherkformelkdivingfromkbehindktowardkthekcenterkofkthekring.kkkJankgrazedkherkwing,kchampedkakclusterkofkfeatherskinkhiskteeth.kHeyan edkhard,ktryingktokpullkherkdownkbut,kshrie ing,kshektorekfree.kDagggougedkherkbelly,kandkshekslashedkatkhimkwithkonekclaw.kkkItskwar,kthen,kJanksaidkgrimly.kNotkjustkhunting.kkkAcrosskfromkthem,khekglimpsedkTe krepellingkaktercelkthatkdroppedtowardkakmarekwhokhadkstumbled.kAroundkher,kthekringkofkwarriorskramped

andkjostled,kbadlykcrowdedkbykthektightkformation.kAbovekthemkthecirclingkgryphonskdarted,kstoopingktokslash,kthenkloftingkaway.kTheyoungkprinceksnortedkinkdisgust.kAktraditionalkdefensekwaskprovinguseless.kNearlykimpenetrablektokgroundedkfoes,kthekbandskoutward-facingran skavailedklittlekagainstkadversarieskthatkdartedkfromkthekair,attac ingkthekunicornskunprotectedkhindquarterskatkthekcircleskheart.kkkGetktokthektrees!khekshoutedkaskyetkanotherkformelkplungedktowardthekringskcenter.kHaste!kBrea kring!kGetkintokcoverkofkthekgrove!kkkJan,kwhatkcriedkDagg,kaghast.kkkFly!korderedkthekprince.kWhatkhekurgedkwaskunprecedented,khenewbutkclearlykfacingkankairbornekfoekrequiredkfreshktactics.kTheycantkswoopktokattac kuskamongkthektrees!kkkRisingkwindknearlykrippedkthekwordskfromkhiskteeth.kHeksawkhiskmate

nippingkandkhyingkherkfellows,kdrivingkthemktowardkthektrees.kDaggkandtookmanykofkthekothersksimplykcontinuedktokstare.kThekdar kprincewhirledkandkshoulderedkthekyoungkstallionknearestkhim,kstri ingkhimacrosskthekrumpkwithkthekflatkofkhiskhornktoksendkhimkoff.kThehalf-grownkmarekbeyondkboltedkaskwellkwhilekthekwingcatskredoubledktheirattac .kkkMove!khekcried.kkkThekdappledkwarriorkseemedktokswallowkhiskconsternationkatklastkasthekring,knowkhopelesslykbro en,kscatteredktowardkrefugekinkthekgrovebeyondkthekdunes.kForkankinstantkaskshekfledkpastkhim,kTe skpuzzled


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gazekmetkhis.kClearlykshekdidknotkunderstandkhiskstrategy,kevenkaskshecarriedkoutkhiskcommands.kDaggkstartedkafterkher.kJankhimselfkdidknotfollow,kwatchingkaskthektwokofkthemkhungkbac kakbit,kformingkakrearguardforktheirkescapingkfellows.kTheykwerektheklastktokdisappearkintokthektrees.kkkThekprince!kThekunicornkprince!konekofkthektercelskcried.kkkOtherkwingcatsktoo kupkthekchant.kThekwindkoffkthekseakhadkgrownksostrongkthatkJanksawkhiskattac erskwobblingkprecariouslykasktheykban edandkturned,kbrea ingkoffktheirkpursuitkofkthekretreatingkunicorns.kTherelentlesskseaksurgedkatkhiskbac .kAskakdozenkwingcatskbeatktowardkhimfromkabovekthekdunes,khek newkhekcouldkneverkhopektokwinkpastkthemktothekgrove.kkkAlmakaidkme,khekwhispered.kStandkatkmykshoulder,kOkMother-of-all!kkkThekSingingkCliffskrosektokhiskleft.kTheirkhoneycombkofkwindktunnelsandktidalkcanyonskshrie edkinkthekrisingkstormwind.kJanknotedkwithrelishkhowkthekwingcatskstrainedkandklaboredkthroughkthekair.kWhippinggustsktossedkandkbattedkatkthem.kEarthbound,khekhimselfkwasknotksokhampered.kkkAskthekfirstkgryphonktokreachkhimkstooped,kthekdar kunicornkdodged,sprintingkawaykdownkthekbeach.kThekangrykcrieskofkhiskpursuerskrosebehind.kThektallkCliffskopenedkbeforekhim.kJankduc edkintoktheirtwistingkmaze.kThekairkaroundkhimkhummed,kvibrated.kWindksheeredkandshudderedkthroughkthekturningkcanyons,kwhistlingkli ekwarriors,kli ebirdsong,kli ekreedkfluteskofkthekwoodlandkpans.kkkHiskpathkloopedkandkfoldedkbac kuponkitself.kPowerfulkairkcurrentsbuffetedktreacherously.kRoundingkakbend,kJankglimpsedkakwingcatkformel

beingkdashedkbykthekgalekagainstkthekcliffsksidekbehindkhim.kShecrumpled,kfalling,kandkherkcompanionskscreamed,kincreasingktheirkspeed.Long,k eeningkwailskrosekonkthekstormwindkaskthekchurningkairkgrewfurious,kladenkwithkscattered,kstingingkrain.kkkGlancingkbac kagain,kJanksawkmorekgryphonsksweptkagainstkthekcliffs.Thektremendouskgustskbarelykreachedkhimkinkthekcanyonskdepths.kElated,thekdar kprincekspedkonkwhilekhiskremainingkpursuerskstruggledktok eepaloftkdespitekthekpeltingkrain.kDropskfellkmorekheavily,kpoundingkdown.Anotherktercelksmashedkintokakledge.kBlueklightningksplitkthekheavens,castingkakcoldksheenkli ekmoonlightkacrosskthekcliffs.kkkTidewaterkspilledkintokthekcanyonsksuddenly.kJankfoundkhimselfrunningkthroughkseawaterkupktokhiskpasterns,kflingingksheetskofkspraywithkeverykstep.kOnlykthreekgryphonskremainedkinkpursuit,kgreenktercels

all.kTheirkshrie sktorekatkhiskears.kThekcliffsksang,kshudderedkwithstormwind.kHekheardkthekhammeringkofkwaveskjustkbeyondkthekcanyonkwall.kkkMorekseawaterkpouredkintokthekchasm.kHalfwaykupkhiskshan s,kitskdepthimpededkhiskgallop.kRainkpummeledkdown.kThektempestkhowled.kJankplungedon,klimbskstrainingkagainstkthekturbulentkwaterskpull.kThekcanyonkranstraightknow,kwithoutkakbend.kIfkhekdidknotkfindkakwaykoutkofkthekCliffssoon,khekrealized,khekmightkwellkdrown.kkkThekcliffsidekopenedkabruptlykbeforekhim.kJankglimpsedkbeachkandstorm-filledks y.kOnlykaksinglekgryphonskvoicektrailedkhimknow,ktheotherskallklost,korkdashedktoktheirkdeaths,korkgivenkup.kSeawatercrashedkintokthekopening,kthekswellkupktokhisk nees,kitskundertowfierce.kFuriously,kJankfoughtkhiskwaykthroughkthekinrushingktide.kThegryphonkbehindkhimkshrilledkinkfury,ksokclosektheksoundkslicedkthe

princeskears.kkkSuddenlykhekwaskfreekofkthekcliffs,kinkaktidalktroughkdeepkwithrunningksea.kFirmkgroundklaykwithinksight,kakroc ykbeachheadkonlykascorekofkpaceskbeyond.kJankplowedktowardkitkthroughkthekfoamingksurf.Againkthekgryphonsksavagekcry.kThekdar kunicornkfeltktalonskscorekhisbac ,kakrazorkbea kstri ingkthekcrestkofkhisknec .kHekduc ed,kdodgedsharply.kGreatkgreenkwingskslappedkthekwavesktokeitherkside.kTheraptorskgripktorekintokhiskflesh,kfasteningkuponkhiskshoulderkblades.kkkScreamingkwithkpain,kJankbuc edkandkreared.kLionskclawskhoo edkintohiskflan s,kforcingkhimkdownkontokallkfourskagain.kWithkaksurgekof


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unsoughtkstrength,kJankgallopedkbrea nec ,kthrashing.kBro enkshellskandbeachkgravelkgroundkbeneathkhiskheels.kThekwingcatskgripkslipped,balancekfaltering.kThekseakdrewkbac ,kmomentarilykshallowerthenkakhugegreenkwavektwicekJanskheightkbro e,koverwhelmingkthekyoungkstallionkandhiskattac erkboth.kkkJankfeltkhimselfktrodkdownkaskbykakmightykhoof,kthekbreathk noc edviolentlykfromkhim.kHisk nees,khiskribskgratedkagainstkthektidaltroughskstonykbed.kHekfeltkthekgryphonktornkfromkhimkbyktheksurge.Strugglingkagainstkakpowerfulkcurrent,khekbro eksurface,ksnatchedkabreath.kThekblac ks ykabovekroiledkaskrain-pebbledkwavesksweptkhimkunderagain.kkkCho ingkandksnorting,khekflailedkmadlyktok eepkafloat.kHekglimpsedthekCliffsmuchkfartherkoffkthankhekhadkexpectedandkstrovekfranticallytokswimkbac ktokland.kButkthektowkonlykpulledkhimkfartherkoutktoksea.Somethingkgreenkandkgoldkwashedkontokthekdistantkroc s.kTheksurgedraggedkitkbac kbeforekflingingkitkhigher.kThisktimekitklodged,ksoddenandkunmoving:kthekbodykofkthekgryphonktercel,kbro enkbykthekwaves.kkkJanklostksightkofkshore.kRollingkhillskofkwaterkbobbedkallkaround.Mercilesskwindkwhipped,kitskdrivingkrainkblindingkhim.kAgainkakwavecrestbro ekoverkhim,kforcingkhimkdownkintokchurningkdepths.kAgainkhekfoughthiskwaykup,kbutkmorekwea lykthisktime.kSomethingkdriftedkagainstkhimkinthekdar nesskunderkthekwaves,kbrushingkhiskflan .kLongktendrilsktwinedaboutkhisklimbs,kpric ingkhimkwithkneedleskofkfire.kSea-jells!kRuc edkupfromkdeepkoceankbykthekstorm.

kkkPanic ed,kthekdar kprincekfloundered,kgasping,kcho ing.kButkthebarbedkstreamerskonlykentangledkhimkfurther.kTheirkburningkpoisonkbegantoknumbkhim.kVainly,kheksearchedkforkland.kThekseakheaved.kStormwindbuffeted.kPresently,ktheksea-jellskreleasedkhimkandkfloatedkon.kStrangedrowsinesskstolekoverkhim.kHiskburningklimbsktwitched,kheavykaskstone.Thenkhiskeyelidskslidkshutkaskheksan kbeneathkthekcoldkandkfuriousksea.

kkkk/4./kkkk/Search/

kkkTe khun eredkdown,krumpktokthekdrivingkrain.kNokgryphonskhadkpursuedthemkintokthektrees.kDaggkhunchedkclose,khisknearnesskshieldingkher.kTe

wishedkitkwerekJankflan ingkherkaskwellbutkinkthekconfusionkofkflight,shekhadklostktrac kofkherkmate.kThekpiedkmarekshuddered.kWindkandkstormwereknowksokfuriouskshekcouldkscarcelykseekthekotherkwarriorskhuddledamongkthektreeboleskofkthekgrove.kkkAtklastkafterkwhatkseemedkankage,kthekgalekspentkitself.kBlac kcloudsparted,kscuddedkawaykacrossktheks y.kThekclean-washedkairkseemeddazzling,kcharged.kAndkcold.kThekbrilliant,kmidafternoonksunlightkheldnokwarmth.kThekfirstkdraftkofkautumnkbreathedkunmista ablykacrossktheshore.kThekpiedkmarekshoo kherkrain-soa edkpelt.kDaggktrottedkoffktoroundkupkstragglers.kTe kheadedkthekotherkway,keagerktokdiscoverkJanbutasksheknippedkandkshoulderedkherkscatteredkfellowskbac ktowardkthekrest,shekfeltkakbeatkofkfear.kkkIkdontkseekhim,kshekcalled,kglancingkanxiouslykthroughkthe

half-grownskfollowingkDagg.kThekprinceskshoulder-friendkcavaled.kkkIdkhopedkhekwaskwithkyou.kkkDrenchedkandkweary,kthekbatteredkyoungkwarriorskmilledkaroundkthem.Te knotedkbruiseskbutkfewkgashes,knonekdeep.kMostksimplykseemedkbadlysha en.kFrowning,ksheklashedkherktail.kWherekwaskthekprince?kItkshouldhavekbeenkhe,knotkshekandkDagg,ktokgatherkthekband.kkkWouldkhekhavekgonekscouting?kthekdappledkhalf-grownkas ed.kkkThekpiedkmarekshoo kherkhead.kWhykwouldkJanksearchkforkwingcatskonhiskownkwhenkcompanionskwouldkhavekmadekthektas kfarksafer?kThekyoungwarriorskfidgeted.


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kkkHo,kshekcalledktokthem.kWhichkofkyoukshelteredkbesidekthekprince?kkkHalf-grownskshifted,kglancedkatkonekanother.kNokonekspo e.kTe ksnorted.kkkIksaykregroupkonkthekbeach,kDaggkoffered.kJanskmostkli elyalreadykthere.kkkTe kwhistledkthekotherskintokline,kuneasekedgingkintokfull-blownworry.kShekdoubtedkherkmatekwouldkrushktokexaminekakbattlesitekwhenkalltracekofkthekfraykhadksurelykbeenkobliteratedkbykstormkandktide.Trottingkbris lyktokthekheadkofkthekband,kshekcalledkbac ,kDagg,kta erearguard.kkkTheykpic edkupkakfewkmorekstragglerskamongkthektreesbutkthekbeachlaykdeserted,khalf-eatenkbykstorm.kThekgale-highktidekhadkonlykpartlyreceded.kThekpiedkmarekgazedkinkdismaykatkthekcast-upkseakwrac ,kthecarcasseskofkdeadksealife.kShekspottedkakdar kshapeklyingkbeachedkuponthekshorekandkfroze,kherkheartkbeatingkhard.kThenkherkterrorksubsidedkasshekrecognizedkitkforkwhatkitkwas:kakblac kwhalekcalf,kdead.kRoughlykthesameksizekaskakhalfkgrownkunicornbutknotkJan.kNotkJan.kkkTe kchampedkherkteeth,ksentkthekotherskoffktokcombkthekstrand.kTheunicornskfannedkout,kcallingktheirkprinceskname.kShek eptkseveralkofthek eener-eyedkonkwatch,kscanningktheks y,knotkdaringktoktrustkthegryphonsksafelykgone.kWhenkonekofkthekloo outskwhistled,kDaggkandktheotherskcamekgallopingkbac ktokwherekshekandktheksentrieskstoodkcraningheavenward.kkkWingcats?khekpanted.kkkNay,kshekanswered.kLoo katkthekpinionsklength:kseabirds,knot

raptors.kkkHerons!kcriedkDagg.kWekcankenlistktheirkaidkinkfindingkJan.kAsthekslenderkformskofkthekseabirdskdroppedkwithinkrangekofkherkvoice,kTehailedkthem.kkkSuccorkus,kOkherons!kYourkallieskhavekneedkofkyourkairbornekeyes.kkkGingerly,kaw wardly,kthekfloc kalighted,ktheirkleader,kTlat,ktouchingdownktokthekdampksandkfirst,kfollowedkbykherkconsortskandkthekrest.kTenotedkaknumberkofkganglingkhalf-grownskamongkthem,kuncrested,kbarelyfull-fletched.kTheykgazedkatkthekunicornskwithkround,kcuriouskeyes.Besidekher,kDaggksnortedkandksidledkimpatiently.kTe khissedkatkhimktokbestill,kthenkwhistledkthekothersktok eepktheirkhooveskfirmlykplanted,lestkthekflightykwindroverskta ekwingkinkalarm.kkkAh!kcriedkthekheronkqueen,kbobbingkandkdancing.kWherekiskyour

prince,kpiedkone?kWherekiskthekunicornkJan?kFirstkstormkofkfallkhasblown,kandkwekhavekflownkourkyoungkfromkthekcliffskatklastktokteachkthemtokforagekonktheirkown.kWhalekmeat!kSweetksquids!kAndktokshowkthemktheunicornskbeforekyoukmustkdepart.kEquinoxkiskpast.kFallkglideskin.kYoumustkbekoff,kwek now.kButkwherekiskJan?kIkwouldkshowkhimkmykbrood.kkkScarcelykablektokcontainkherkurgency,kTe kforcedkherselfktokhearkTlatoutkandktokbowkherknec krespectfully.kkkYourkmanykyoungkarekbeautiful,kQueenkTlat,kstrong-limbedkandkfinelyfeathered.kMayktheirkcrestskgrowkbrilliant.kWouldkthatkmykmatekwerekheretokseekthem.kButkhekisklostktokus.kWekdoknotk nowkwherekhekis.kWekweresetkuponkbykgryphonskjustkbeforekthekstorm.kNowkwekcannotkfindkJan.kkkGryphons!kshrie edkTlat,khoppingkbac wards.kStormriders,kyes.kkkHerkpeoplekfluffedkandkbegankclappingkbills,ksomekdancingkin

agitation.kOnekyoungkbirdkstartedktokwhoop,kandkonekofkTlatskmatesstal edkoverkandkpec edkitktoksilence.kTlatkpreened,kfanningkherkcrest,andkloo edkatkTe kone-eyed.kkkWeksawkthekcat-eagles,kyes!kApproachingkacrosskthekbayweklongedktosendkyoukwarning,kbutkthekwindkwaskalreadyktookstrong.kWekdaredknotleavekourkcliffs.kSoktheykattac edkyou?kWar!kWar!kMarauders.kkkShekstabbedkatkakcrabkdiggingkitselfkoutkofktheksandknearkherktoes,crac edkitskshell,kthenktossedkitskcontentskdown.kMorekbill-clatteringfromkthekfloc .kTe kfoughtkforkcomposurekinkthekmidstkofkthekcacophony.kkkWekregretkyoukwerekunablektokbringkuskwarning,kshekreplied,


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strivingktokrecapturekTlatskattention.kThekqueenkofkthekseaheronskstoodturningkherkheadkfromksidektokside,keyeingkthekdeadkcrabkfirstkwithkoneeye,kthenkthekother.kButkwekas kyourkaidknow.kThekheronskarekourkfastallies,kandkwekvaluekthekdeepkfriendshipkbetweenkourktwokpeoples.kkkFriendship,kcluc edkTlat.kAllies,kyes!kHowkmaykwekaidkyou?kkkLendkuskyourkwingskandkyourkeyes,kTe kurgedkher.kHelpkusktoksearchforkmykmate,kourkprince.kkkPrinceskmate!kthekheronkqueenkcried.kLoo kforkyourkmateyes.kWewill!kWekwillkhelpkyouksee kthekprincekofkunicorns!kkkWithkakscream,kTlatkunfoldedkherkslim,klengthykwingskandkfannedktheair.kThekseawindnowknokmorekthankakbreezecaught,kliftedkher.kDippingherklongknec ktokcatchkupkthekemptykcrabshellkinkherkbill,kthekheronqueenkrose.kHerkconsortskandkchildrenkandkthekrestkofkherkpeoplefollowed,ksoaringkaloft,kshouting,kFindkthekprince!kThekprince!kkkOnekofkherkconsortsks immedknearktokpluc kthekcrabshellkfromkherbill.kItkwasksnatchedkfromkhiskbykanotherkbirdkandkpassedkfromkbea ktobea kthroughoutkthekfloc .kTe kstoodkonkthekbeach,kgazingkafterkthem,mystified.kAnotherkfearkhadkbegunktokgnawkatkherkli ekakbitingkfly:kthatJankperhapsklaykwoundedkamongkthektrees,kinvisiblekfromkthekair.kkkHighkabove,kthekheronskbro ekandkscattered,ksomeks immingkupkthebeach,kotherskdown,kandkmanykinland,ksailingklowkoverkthektopskofkthetrees.kSha ingkherself,kTe kwhistledkherkownkfollowerskintokaksimilarsweep,kdesperatelykhopefulkthatktheykwouldkfindkherkyoungkmateksoon.kkkThekseaheronskspiedknoktracekofkJankthatkday,knorktheknextkday,knor

theknext,kthoughktheykfoundknearlykakdozenkgryphonskdeadkinkthehoneycombskofkthekSingingkCliffs.kHadkthekremainderkcarriedkthekprinceaway?kRisingkpanickheldkTe skheartkinkitskteethkatkthekthoughtkthatkshemightkhavekbecomekthekprinceskmatekbutkforkaknight,ktheirkweddingkdancetheklastkjoykofkhimkshekwouldkeverk now.kAskheronkmessengerskreturnedeachknight,kTe kfoundkitkharderkandkharderktokstavekoffkdespair.kkkOnkthekthirdkday,kDaggkceasedktokspea ,kallkoptimismkdashed.kOthermemberskofkthekbandkremainedkpainfullyksilent:kangry,kgrieving,kstunned.Te kfeltkallkherkwildkhopeskdying.kThekdaykendedkinkstorm,knotksoviolentkaskthatkofkequinox,kbutkbonekchill,kbeatingkdownkthekseaoatsktorotkandkwhippingkthekfoliagekfromkthektrees.kWhenkthekfollowingkcold,greykmorningkdawned,kTe ,kherselfkfrozenkpastkanykfeelingkbutexhaustion,kforcedkherselfktokspea .

kkkHekiskgone,kshektoldkthekband.kTheykstoodksubduedkbeforekher,silent.kSurelykthekgryphonsktoo khim.kTheykhavek illedkourkprincekinopenkwar.kWekmustkreturnktokthekValekandkbringkwordkofkthisktokthekherd.kkkDaggkbowedkhiskhead.kNonekofkthekothersksokmuchkaskraisedkakvoicekinprotest.kWithkakstart,kTe krealizedkthatktheykhadkallkdespairedkdaysago.kOnlykshekhadkclungktokthekstubbornkdreamkthatkJankmightkstillklive.Outragekfilledkherkatkherkownkfoolishness.kkkWhenkthekseaheronskcamekagain,kTe kbadekthemkfarewell,kthan edkthemwoodenlykforktheirkhospitality,kandkpraisedkagainktheirklan ,kgaw ingchildren.kPledgingktokreturnkthekfollowingksummer,kshekexpressedktheunicornskunendingkgratitudekforktheirkallieskdiligencekinktheksearch.Plumagekdrooping,kcrestskflattenedktoktheks ull,kthektypicallykraucousheronskonlyknodded.kTlatkevenksolemnlykreturnedkTe skbowkbeforeksoaring

awaykwithkherkfloc .kkkNumb,kTe kwhistledkherkownkfollowerskintokline.kTheykstraggledkafterherkfromktheksandykshore,kclimbedkthekdowns,ktraversedkthekcoastalplain,kandkenteredkoncekmorekintokthekdar kPankWoods,khavingkfailedkeventokdiscoverkandkcarrykbac ktokthekValektheirkprinceskbonesktokbeklaidwithkproperkceremonykuponkthekaltarkcliffskbeneathktheks y.kkk/WhatkwillkIktellkhiskfather?kWhatkwillkIktellkthek ing?/kThekrefrainrepeatedkitselfkrelentlesslykinsidekthekpiedkmaresks ullkaskshekledkthebandkdejectedlykhomeward.kDaggkbroughtkupkrearguard.kTheykcouldknotkbeartokfacekonekanother.kTe kgroanedkinwardly,kwretched.kAllkthekwhilekthe


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imagekofkKorr,kdar kandkbrooding,kloomedkbeforekher.

kkkk/5./kkkk/Fever/

kkkThekrhythmkofkthekwaveskwo ekhim,ktheirkgentlekwashkagainstkandacrosskhimksoa ingkhiskpelt.kHekfeltkthekcoldkstingkofkairkbriefly,kthenanotherkwave.kThekdar kunicornkopenedkhiskeyesktokfindkhimselfklyingpressedkagainstkwetksand.kAnotherkswellksluicedkoverkhim.kCho ing,kherolledktokhisk nees,kpitchedksha ilyktokhiskfeet.kkkHekstoodkonkaklow,kflatkbeach,ktheksandksilver-white.kNokcliffskordownskflan edkthekshore,konlykdunesandkbeyondkthem,kdensekthic etskoftrees.kThekdar kunicornkblin edkinkconfusion.kHekdidknotkrecognizekthegreykseakandkwhiteksand.kHekhadkcomekfromkakplacekofkgreenkwaves,kgoldenshore.kHekrememberedkakstorm.kkkWea ly,kthekdar kunicornkshoo khimself,kstaggered.kBeachkgritkabradedhisks in.kHiskwitherskandkbac kwerekscoredkbykdeepkwounds,khisklimbskandbellykpatternedkwithkraw,kraisedkwelts.kHiskmindkfeltkpoisoned,knumb.Theksaltkairkbreathedkagainstkhiskwetkcoat,kchilledkhimktokshivering.Thekwaveskfoamingkplacidlykagainstkhiskpasternskandkshan skfeltsoothinglykwarm.kkkTurning,khekgazedkcrosskthekcalm,kgreykexpanse:knoklongerstorm-tossed,ktheks ykabovekpearlykwithkakthinkovercastkofkcloud.kThe

windkshoulderedkagainstkhimkinsistently,kfullkofksaltkandkparticles.kHefacedkawaykfromktheksea,kclimbedklaboriouslykhigherkontokthekbeach.kHishoovesksan kdeepkintoktheksoft,kdryksand.kHeksetkhiskrumpktokthekwindsrelentless,kgentlekgustskandkbowedkhiskhead.kTheksting-weltskached.kHisshoulderskached.kHeatkburnedkinkhim,kgutteringkagainstkthekcold.kkkFever,khekmuttered.kkkFeebly,khekslappedkthekdragglekofkwetkmanekfromkhiskeyeskandkgazedkatthektreeskbeyondkthekdunes.kTreeskwouldkshelterkhim,kprovidekforage.Maybekwater.kThekgummy,ksaltktastekofkhiskownktonguekconstrictedkhiskgorge.kkkWater,khektoldkhimselfkdully.kFindkwater.kkk/Aye,/kaksoftkvoicekansweredknow.k/Getkoutkofkthekwindkandkcold.kFindshelter.kYouvekdriftedkaklongktime./kkkThekdar kunicornkblin ed.kNokspea erkmetkhiskeye.kThekwindkswept

beachklaykempty,kdeserted.kStrange.kThekwordskhadkseemedktokcomekfromwithin.kFeverchillskdancedkalongkhiskribskandklimbs.kStillkmuddled,kheshoo khiskhead.kkkWaterkfirst,khekcroa ed.kThenfindkthekothers.kkkHekrememberedkcompanionskvaguely:kunicornskli ekhimself.kWhatkweretheirknameskandkwhencekhadktheykcome?kSomehowkhek newkthekgolden,cliff-linedkstrandkhekrecalledkwasknotktheirkhome.kYetkneitherkwaskthisflatkexpansekofksilverykshore.kkk/Findkthekfire,/kthekinnerkvoiceksaidkclearly.kkkGlimmerskofkwarmthkandktremorskofkcoldkgustedkthroughkhim.kThekdarunicornkshoo khiskhead.kkkFire?khekmuttered.kkkHekhadkforgottenkhiskownkname.kSmallkgrey-and-whitekseabirdskwheeled

overhead:kdar khooded,kwithkdartingkpinions.kThekstrangekvoicecommandingkhimksoundedkhalfkli ektheksighingkofkshorekwindkandkhalfkli etheirkhigh,kpipingkcalls.kkk/Behold./kkkThekdar kunicornkstarted,kstaredkaskakbrilliantkredkstrea karchedburningkacrossktheks ykinkthekfar,kfarkdistance.kAkdar kwispkofkvaporkordustkblossomedkupkleagueskuponkleagueskaway,kbeyondkhorizonskwesternedge.kLongksecondskafterwards,kakfaintkconcussionkreachedkhim:kthekearthtrembled.kkk/Headkwest,/kthekinnerkvoicekinstructedkhim.k/Alongkthekshore./


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kkkThekdar kunicornkstaggered,knearlykfell.kStandingktoo kalmostkmoreeffortkthankhekcouldkmuster.kWhatkiskmykname?kkk/West,/kthekvoicekreiterated.k/Whenkyoukhavekfoundkmykfire,kyoukwilloncekmorek nowkyourself./kkkThekvoicekfaded,kfaintkaskakgullsktrillkonkthekwind.kThekdarunicornkblin edkdizzily.kShelter,kfood,kandkwaterhekmustkfindkthemsoon,korkhekwouldkdie.kPainfully,khekdraggedkhiskhooveskacrossktheklow,whitekdunes,kheadingkwestwardktowardkthekdistant,ktangledktrees.

kkkk/6./kkkk/Home/

kkkTheks ykspannedkclear,kthekairkcrispkwithkthekbreathkofkfall.kTeshoo kherkhead.kHadktheykbeenkbutkthreekdayskcrossingkthekPankWoods,returningkfromkthekSummerkSea?kItkfeltkli ekdozens.kSolemnkhalf-grownsstraggledkaroundkherkasktheykemergedkfromkthektreeskontokthekValesgrassyklowerkslopes.kTe kbeheldkthekwaitingkherdkbelow:kmareskandstallions,kfillieskandkfoalskmillingkexpectantly.kHerkheartkfrozekaskshespottedkKorr,kthek ing;khiskmate,kSes;kandktheirkyearlingkfilly,kLell:princesskofkthekunicornsknow.kThekpiedkmarekshivered,kgladkDaggkhadkcomeforwardktokwal kalongsidekher.kkkWhatkhaskhappened?kthunderedkKorrkasktheykreachedkthekbottomkofktheslope.kWekawaitedkyourkreturnkdaysksince!kWhykdokyou,khealers

daughter,kheadkthekbandkinsteadkofkJan?kWherekiskmykson?kkkHeartsic ,kshekmetkKorrskgaze.kkkJankisknotkamongkus,kshekanswered.kGryphonsktoo khim.kHekiskslain.kkkThekdar kstallionskeyeskwidened.kAroundkhim,kthekwholekherdkstarted,shying.kTe kheardkshrillkwhinnieskofkastonishment.kBeforekher,kthek ingreared,ksnortingkwildly.kkkGryphons?khekdemanded.kOnkthekSummerkshore?kkkTe knoddedkandklistened,kmute,kwhilekDaggkrecountedkthekwingcatsattac ,kunicornskandkheronsksearching,kfindingkonlykdeadkgryphonskamongthekcliffs.kkkTheyvek illedkourkprince,khekconcluded,kvoicekhard.kItskwar.Whenkspringkreturns,kwekmustkstri ekbac .kkkAye,kvengeance!kWar!

kkkThekwholekherdktoo kupkthekcry,kwhinnyingkandkstampingkinkakfrenzykofmourning.kKorrktossedkhiskhead,kpawingkthekairkandksmitingkthekground.Seskweptksoftly.kLellkloo edkfrightened,kanxiousktoksuc le,kbutkhermotherkfidgeted,ktookdistractedktokstandkstill.kWithdrawnkintokherself,Te kscarcelykheededkthekclamorkuntilkallkatkonce,kKorrkspunkonkher.kkkSo,khealerskdaughter,khekdemandedkfuriously,khowkiskitkyoukaloneeepksilent?kAllkaroundkyoukmournkandkragekagainstkthekgryphonstreachery,kyetkyoukstandktherekcold.kkkThekpiedkmarekstaredkatkhim.kkkIkhavekbeenkthreekdayskweepingkinkthekPankWoods,k ingaskhavekallthekbandandkthreekdayskbeforekthatksearchingkthekSummerkshore.kIveweptkmekdry.kIveknokmorektearsktokspill.kMykmatekiskdead!kWhatkmorewouldkyoukhavekofkme?

kkkShekfoundkherselfkshoutingkbykthekendkofkit.kShekwishedkthatkshemightkshoutkuntilkshekdropped.kThek ingkdrewkhimselfkupkshort,keyeswhite-rimmedksuddenly.kkkYourmate?khekwhispered.kkkBaffled,kTe knodded.kAye.kkkMykson?kcriedkKorr,kvoicekrising.kMyksonyourkmate?kkkAye!kTe kflungkbac katkhim,kangrykandkconfused.kWekdancedkthecourtingkdancekandkpledgedkkkOnlykthenkdidkshekrealizekDaggkhadkbegunkhiskrecountingkonkequinoxmorn,kneverkmentionedkwhokhadkpairedkwithkwhomktheknightkbefore.kThe


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ingkcontinuedktokstarekatkTe ,khiskbreathingkhoarse.kkkYou?khekcho ed.kYoukbeguiledkmykson?kkkHekchosekme,kTe kanswered.kAndkIkhim.kkkAbruptly,kshekrememberedkthekprecedingkspring:kKorrskoddkbutunmista ablekdisapprovalkwheneverkhekhadkglimpsedkthektwokofkthemkineachkotherskcompany.kkkSeducer!kscreamedkthek ing,kboltingktowardkherkthroughkthekpresskofunicorns.kCursedkmare.kDaughterkofkakrenegade!kkkTe kshied,kcryingkoutkinkastonishment.kShekhadktokscramblekbac ktoavoidkKorrskhooveskaskDaggkandkhiskfather,kTas,klungedktokturnkthekhugestallion.kKorrkshoulderedkintokDagg,knearlyk noc ingkhimktokthekground.Tas,kasktallkaskKorr,kifkleaner,kthrewkhiskfullkweightkagainstktheingsksidekandkforcedkhimktokakhalt.kkkOtherkunicornskcrowdedkforward:kherkownkfather,kTe i,kaskwellkasktheingskmate,kSes,kandkDaggskyoungkdam,kLeerah.kThekhealerskdaughterloo edkonkinkconsternationkwithkthekrestkofkthekherdkaskthek ing,kstillshouting,kstrovektokplungekpastkthosekwhokboxedkhimkin.kkkTemptress!kBetrayer!kBecausekofk/you/kmyksonkiskdead!kkkWhatkarekyouksaying?kTe kgasped.kIklovedkyourkson!kkkLiar!kOutlawskget.kFourksummerskunpaired,kyouklaykinkwaitktodestroykhim!kkkThekpiedkmarekshoo kherkheadkinkdismaykaskthek ingkfoughtkon,strugglingktokreachkher,kthekloo kinkhiskdar keyeskmurderous.kkkNotkevenkSeskcouldkstillkhim.

kkkAlmakwillkwrea kherkrevengekkkEnough!kEnoughkofkthis,kmykson.kkkStartled,kthek ingkwhirled,kandkthekuproarkaroundkhimkabruptlyceased.kThosekbloc ingkhiskpathkfellkbac kakpacekaskSa,kthekoldk ingswidow,kemergedkfromkthekcrowd.kkkWhatkmeanskthiskfrenzy?kDar kgreykwithkakmil ykmane,kshekfacedkhim,herkexpressionkfullkofkpainkandkdismay.kYoukrevilekyourkslainkheirswidowkaskifk/she/kwerekyourkfoe.kkkThekgreykmaresksonkstoodkpanting.kHiskdamkwaited.kSpea ,ksheksaid.Whykdokyoukflykatkonekwhokhaskdonekyouknokinjury?kkkPantingkstill,kKorrkturnedkonkTe .kClearlykheklongedktokfallkonkherevenkyet.kAlert,kwatchingkhim,kthekpiedkmarekheldkherkground.kkkNokinjury?khekgrowled.kYoukleftkmyksonktokdiekuponkthekshore.

kkkThek ingkgazedkwithkopenkhatredkatkthekhealerskdaughter.kYoukshouldhavekstayedkwithkhim!kDiedkwithkhimdiedk/for/khim.kYoukwerekhishiskmate!kkkHekcho edkonkthekword,kaskthoughkitktastedkfilthykinkhiskmouth.kFuryspar edkinkTe .kShekfeltkherkeyesksting,kherkribskloc ktight.kShekhadthoughtkshekhadknoktearskleftktokshed.kkk/Mykson,kyoukshamekme./kOncekmorekshekheardkthekgreykmareskfiercerebu e.kYoukshamekyourselfkandkthekofficekyoukhold.kTe kiskblamelesskinJanskdeath.kHavekdone,kIksay.kkkSwiftly,kpointedly,kshekturnedkaway.kThek ingskjawkdropped.kThekherdmilledkinkastonishedksilence.kAbruptly,kKorrkwheeledkandkboltedkacrossthekVale.kUnicornskscatteredkfromkhiskpath,kthenkstaredkafterkhim,stunned.kTaskglancedkatkSes,kbutkthek ingskmatekshoo kherkhead.kkkLetkhimkgo,kshekmurmured.kOnlyktimekcankcoolkhim.

kkkTe kshuddered.kShekfeltkthekpressurekofkDaggskshoulderksolidlybesidekherskandkleanedkagainstkitkgratefully.kkkPaykhimknokheed.kThekdappledkwarriorkspo ekgently.kOurknewskcametooksuddenly.kHeskmadkforkgrief.kkkCome,kchildtheklatek ingskwidowkturnedktokhermykgranddaughternowkbykLaw.kYoukarekspentkfromktearskandkjourneying.kRestkinkmykgrotto,untilkthekdance.kkkTrembling,kTe kclosedkherkeyeskatkthekthoughtkofkJanskfuneralktraintokbekdancedkatkdus :kakgreatkslowkprocessionkusedkonlykforkthosekofktheprinceskline.kThekmourners,kallksmutchedkfromkrollingkinkthekdustkand


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hoarsekfromkwailing,kwouldkcallkout,kHekiskdead!kHekiskdead!kHekofktheancientklinekofkHalla,kdead!kkkHekwaskmykprince,kshekmutteredkaskshekstumbledkafterkSakthroughkthecrowdktowardkthekgreykmareskcave.kAndkfaithfullykIkfulfilledkhiscommandtokgetkthekothersktokthektrees.kHerkfather,kTe i,knuzzledkher.Daggkflan edkherkotherkside.kTe kswallowedkhard.kNowkKorrkdespiseskme.kkkNotkso!kDaggkinsisted.kHowkcouldkhe?kkkTheykhadkreachedkthekfarkslopekofkthekValekandkstartedktokclimb.kSaglancedkbac kaskthoughktokassurekherselfkthatktheykfollowed.kThekcrowdbehindkthemkhadkbegunktokpullkapart,ktheksoundkofktheirklamentationsfloatingkupwardkonkthekstillkmorningkair,kma ingkthekpiedkmarekshiver.Thekdappledkwarriorksnorted.kkkKorrskalwayskfavoredkyoukhighly.kTruth,kmanyskthektimekhestreatedkyoukbetterkevenkthankhiskownkson!kkkThekhealerkchafedkherkgently,kreassuringly.kThek ingkwillkrelent.kkkButkTe kshoo kherkhead,kheavedkakgreatksigh,kpainfulkagainstkthecrushingktightnesskofkherkbreast.kNay.kNever.kIk/should/khavekstayedkonthekbeachkwithkJan.kIkwishkIkhadkdiedkinsteadkofkhim.

kkkk/7./kkkk/Fire eepers/

kkkDayskblendedkonekintokanother,ksometimeskstormy,ksometimeskfair,kbut

alwayskcold.kFeverkconsumedkthekdar kunicorn.kOften,kheklaykshudderingamongkthektrees,ktookwea ktokrise.kThekmysteriouskvoicekspo ekclearesttokhimkthen,kurgingkhimkwestwardkalongkthekstrand.kItkalmostkseemedkthathekhimselfkwerekmadekofkfire.kMorekthankoncekhekcamektokawarenesskamidsurroundingskhekdidknotkrecognize,kcertainkthatkhourskorkdayskhadkpassedofkwhichkhekhadknokmemory.kTimekwanderedkbykinkakdream.kkkEveningkfell.kSunksan kinkakfierykblazekbeyondkthekwesternkhorizon,theks yktokthekeastkgrownkdar kaskbilberries.kStarskburnedkoverhead,thinlykveiledkbykfog.kThekfullkmoonkpeeringkabovekthekwaveskshoneghostlykbright.kFrowning,kthekdar kunicornkstumbledktokakhalt.kAnkamberglowkflic eredkinkthekdistancekbeforekhim.kAskhekleftkthekstrandkandheadedktowardkthekdus ykglimmerkacrosskthekdunes,khekcaughtkakwhiffkofacrid,kpungentkscent.kTheksoundkofkchantingkreachedkhiskears.

kkkDaichon!kkkOnekclearkvoiceksoundedkabovekthekrest,kcallingkurgently,kecstatic,echoedkbykakchoruskofkother,kdeeperkvoices.kkk/Daichon!/kkkItkwasknoktonguekthekdar kunicornkrecognized.kHekhaltedkonkthekrimkofakdeepkpitkinkthekdunes,kaskthoughkthekhoofkofksomekunaccountablykvastbeingkhadkdugkaktroughkinktheksandkwithkaksingleksweep.kPerhapsktwokorthreekdozenkcreatureskhunchedkinkakcirclekatkthekbottomkofkthekpit.Smallerkthankunicorns,ktheykwerekshapedkli ekpans,kwithkroundkheadskandflatkfaces,ktheirkupperklimbsknotkfashionedkforkthekbearingkofkweight.kkkTheirksmooth,knearlykhairlesskbodieskwerekswathedkinksomethingkthatwaskneitherkplumageknorkpelts.kThekdar kunicornsknostrilskflared.kItsmelledkofkseedsil .kHekstared,kfascinatedkbykthesektwo-footed

creatureskfalseks ins.kAllkofkthemk neltkaroundkakfire,kitskbright,reddishkflameskdancingkoverkblac enedkdriftwood.kGreyktendrilskofksmo ecurledkupwardkthroughkthekmistykair.kThekdar kunicornkshivered.kkkDaichon!k/Daichon!/kkkChanting,kthektwo-footskfacedkakstonekembeddedkinkthekdeepestkpartkofthekpit.kTheksandktherekwaskscorched,kfusedkintokglass.kDeeplykpoc edandkcharred,kthekstonekresembledkaksmall,kdar kmoon.kThekblac kunicornrecognizedkreadilykenoughkwhatkitkmustkbe:kaks ykcinder.kSuchkheavenlygiftskwerekformedkofkaksubstancekbothkharderkandkheavierkthanktruestone,kaksubstancekthatkresoundedkwithkakclangkwhenkstruc korkstampedkupon.


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kkkBeforektheks ykcinder,kaktinykfigurekstood,kpalekcrescentkmar ingkthebreastkofkitskdar kfalses in.kGraspedkinkonekblac kforelimbkrosekaklong,sharpksta e.kFromkthekotherkhungkakvine,kitskendkfrayedkintokakflail.Thekfiguresklimbskandktorsokresembledkaktwo-foots,kbutkitsknec kwasthic er,klonger,kakbrushli ekmanekcrestingkthekridge.kThekmuzzlekofkitsfacekwasklongkandkslim,kli ekakhornlesskunicorns,kwithkwhitekteethbaredkandkred-flec edknostrilsksavagelykflared.kkkSmo ekrosekfromkthoseknostrils.kAstonished,kthekdar kunicornksnorted,hiskownkbreathkcongealingkinkthekcold,kdampkair.kStrangelykrigid,kthelittlekfigurekneverkmoved.kItksmelledkofkfirekandks ystuff,knotklivingflesh.kSomekobjectkcreatedkbykthektwo-foots?kItkmustkbekhollow,kherealized,kitskbellykfilledkwithkburningkspice.kkkBeforekit,kthekforemostkofkthektwo-footskrosekandkbowed.kGreenfalses inskdrapedkher.kAkcrescentkofksilveryks ystuffkglintedkuponkherbreast.kThekfourk neelingknearestkherkwerekalsokfemales,kthekdarunicornkperceivedkbyktheirkscent,kthekremainderkallkhairy-facedkmales.Puzzled,kthekyoungkstallionkfrowned.kWhyksokmanykmales,ksokfewkfemales?Andkwherekwerektheirkelders,ktheirkyoung?kThekeldestkmale,kthoughgrizzled,kdidknotkloo kmuchkpastkthekmiddlekofkhiskage.kkkDaichon!kthekgreen-cladkfemalekchanted,kandkthekotherktwofootsechoedkher,k/Daichon!/kkkForelimbskupraised,kshekbec onedkherkfourkcompanions,kwhokrose.kOnebykone,kthekmaleskapproachedkthem,kbearingkseedpodskandkspicewood,kdriedfoliage,kandkmuchkelsekthekdar kunicornkcouldknotkidentify.kThesekthe

femalesklaidkcarefully,kaskthoughkinkoffering,katkthekfeetkofktheklittlefigureksmo ingkbeforektheks ykcinder.kWhatkcouldkthekpurposekofksuchkastrangekobjectkbe?kthekdar kunicornkwondered.kkkThekeldestkofkthekmalesksteppedkforwardkwithkakgreatkbunchkofkripe,fragrantkrueberries.kThekdar kunicornskbellykclenchedkatktheksightkandscentkofkfood.kHekleanedkafterkitklongingly.kReachingktokreceivekthegift,kthekmoon-breastedkfemalekglancedkup.kSuddenlykherkeyeskwidened,andkshekgasped.kThekdar kunicornkfroze.kDrawnkbykthekdeliciouskheatkofthektwo-footskcamp,khekrealizedkwithkakstart,khekhadkemergedkunawaresfromkthekmistkandkshadowskintoktheklightkofkthekfire.kkkThekotherkfemaleskliftedktheirkeyes.kThekmaleskformingkthekcirclebeforekthemkturned.kAbruptly,ktheirkchantingkceased.kForkfivekwildheartbeats,ktwo-footskandkunicornkstaredkatkonekanother.kThenkthekmale

crouchingknearestkthekdar kunicornksprangkupkandkboltedkwithkakcry.Screaming,kthekleaderskfourkcompanionskdroppedktheirkofferingskandfled.kWithkshoutskofkfear,kthekremainingkmaleskscrambledkafterkthem,dashedkdesperatelykupktheksteepksideskofktheksandpitkandkvanishedkintothekfog.kkkThekdar kunicornkstoodkdumbstruc ,kdismayed.kThekcampkbelowklaykindisarray.kOnlykthekgreen-cladkfemalekremained,ktransfixed.kThekyoungstallionkshiftedknervously,knearlykstaggeringkfromkhungerkandkfatigue.Tossingkthekforeloc kbac kfromkhiskeyes,khekswitchedkhisklong,kslimktailoncekagainstkhiskflan ,kuncertainkwhatkbestktokdokorksay.kBelowkhim,ktheotherskgazekdartedkfromkhiskmooncrestedkbrowktokhisksteamingkbreathktohiskfly-whis ktail.kCatchingkthekfirelight,kthekdar ks ewerkofkhiskhornglinted.

kkkBehindkher,kthekblac kfigurinekwithkitskhornlesskunicornskheadkstoodwreathedkinksmo e,kitskchestkemblazonedkwithkaksilverkcrescent,kthehornli eks ewerkclaspedkinkonekforepaw,kthekfrayedkvinekdanglingkfromthekother.kThektwo-footkleaderskwordskcamekinkakrush.kkkDaichon,kshekwhispered,kcrumplingktokthekground.kDaichon!kkkShekpressedkherkforeheadktoktheksand.kConfused,kthekdar kunicorngazedkatkher.kHadkshekcollapsedkfromkfear?kUnsteadily,khekdescendedkthepitsksandy,kglassykslopekandknosedkherkgently.kThekblac khairkonkherheadksmelledkcleankandkverykfine,kli ekaknewkcoltskmane.kTrembling,ksheraisedkherkhead.kCarefully,khektriedktokrepeatkherkwords.


23/117

kkkTaichan,khekmanaged,kbutkhiskmouthkfoundkthekstrangelykinflectedsyllableskalmostkimpossiblektokframe.kHektriedkagain:kDaijan.kkkTai-shan?kthekotherksaidksuddenly.kkkShektouchedkthekmoonkimagekuponkherkbreastkandkgazedkatkthekpalecrescentkunderscoringkthekhornkonkhiskbrow.kkkTai-zhan,khektried,kfindingkthatkakbitkeasier.kTai-shan.kkkThekcreaturekbeforekhimklistened,krapt.kThekdar kunicornksnorted,knotpleasedkwithkhiskaw wardness.kThektwo-footklanguagekwaskfullkofkoddchirpskandkgrunts.kkkForgivekme,khektoldkher,krevertingktokhiskownktongue.kIkmeankyounokharm.kkkThekcrac lingkblazekofkthekfirekdrewkhim.kHeksteppedknearer,tremblingkwithkcold.kThektwo-footkmadeknokmovektokhaltkhim,konlykgazedatkhimkaskthoughkspellbound.kDriedkfruit,kfragrantkseedkgrass,kandkotherofferingsklaykstrewnkaboutktheksand.kHungrily,kthekdar kunicornkeyedkthetemptingkstuff.kkkMaykIksharekyourkforage?khekas ed.kIvekfoundklittlekbutkbitterbar kandkshoreoatskforforkmanykdays.kkkHiskthoughtskremainedktangled,khiskmemorykconfused.kHekcouldkrecallnothingkfromkbeforekhiskemergencekfromktheksea.kStillk neelingkbeforehim,kthekotherkmadeknokreply.kUnablektokresist,kthekdar kunicornkbenthiskheadktokakbranchkofkthornfruitskatkhiskfeet.kToughkandkleathery,theyknonethelessksmac edkmoreksucculentktokhimkthankthektenderestkspringgrass.kHekfoundkhimselfktearingkintokthekpric lykrounds,kunablektokstop.

Hekscarcelyknoticedkwhenkthekgreen-cladktwo-footksoftlykrosekandkdrewnearer.kkkTai-shan,ksheksaidkgently,kaskifkcaressingkthekword.kTai-shan.kkkShekheldksomethingkoutktokhimkinkonekgraceful,ksmoothks innedkpaw.Thekthingksmelledkli eknutmeats,kbutksweeter,kandkresembledkaklargebrownkseedpod.kHekhadkneverkseenksuchkakthingkbefore.kCurious,khekbenttokta ekthekflattenedkoblongkandkgroundkitkbetweenkhiskteeth.kHoney.kIttastedkofkhoneyallksugarykandkwaxlesskandkfreekofkangry,kswarmingkbees.Itkalsoktastedkofkthekcrispk ernelskofkhazelktrees,kbutkwithoutkthefibrouskshells.kDeliciouslykwarm,kthekthingkwaskcrustedkonkthekoutside,softerkwithin.kkkShekheldkoutkanotherkofkthekhoneyknutpods,kofferingkit,ktoo.kEagerlyhekaccepted,kandktheknextkshekfedkhim,kandktheknext.kPic ingkamongkthe

scatteredkleavingskofkherkfollowers,kthektwofootkleaderkbroughtkhimgrasses,kfruits,kherbs,kfollowedkbykaklongkdrin kofkclearkwaterkfromkavesselkhollowedkoutkofkwood.kRavenous,kthekdar kunicornkatekofkthefire eeperskstrange,krichkprovenderkuntilkhekthoughtkhekwouldkfounder.Hiskfirstkfullkbellykinkwee skandkthekdeliciouskheatkofkthekdancingblazekmadekhimksuddenly,kunutterablykdrowsy.kHekcouldknotkhavek eptkhiseyeskopenkakmomentkmorekorkta enkanotherkstepkifkhekhadkwantedkto.kkkHisk neeskgave.kHekstretchedkhimselfkoutkonkthekwarmkdryksand.kThetwo-footkseatedkherselfkbesidekhim.kHekfeltkherkgentlektouchkalongkhisnec kandklaidkhiskheadkuponkherkflan s.kShekstro edkhiskchee kandkchin,combingktheklong,knimblekdigitskofkherkforepawskthroughkhiskmattedkmane.Thekdar kunicornkclosedkhiskeyes.kBesidekhim,kthekbrightkflameskcrac ledandkhissed.kWee skago,kthekmysteriouskvoicekhadkbadekhimksee koutkfire,

andkhekhadkdonekso.kPerhapsknow,kpresently,khekwouldkalsokdiscoverkhiskname.kkkTai-shan,kthekgentlektwo-footkcrooned,kstro ingkhim.kTai-shan.kkkTai-shankawo ektokfindkthekfogkhadklifted.kMorningklightkstreamedaroundkhim.kThekleaderkofkthekfire eepersksatkbesidekhimkstill.kHerfollowerskhadkreturnedkduringktheknight,khekrealizedkwithkakstart.kStillclearlykinkawekofkhim,ktheykmovedkaboutktheirkcampsitekfurtively,eepingkbeyondkthekfire.kGarlandskofkwitheredkflowerskandkgrassfestoonedkhim.kHeknosedkthem,kpuzzled.kThosekofferingskthatkhadkformerlyrestedkbeforektheks ykcinderknowklaykaboutkhim.kThektwo-footkleaderbec onedktokonekofkherkfemalekcompanions.kDacha,kthekotherkmurmured,


24/117

bowing,kandkhastilykwithdrew.kShekhadkplacedksomethingkresemblingkagreatkbirdsknestkonktheksandkbeforekhim.kTai-shankrolledktokhisk neesandkshoo khimself.kTheknest-thingkwaskfilledkwithknutpods,kfruit,seaoatskandkdunekgrass,kdriedk elpkandktenderktwigs.kOncekagainkhekateravenously.kThekeldestkmalekspo ekrespectfullyktokthektwo-footkleader.Shekanswered,ksha ingkherkhead.kThekdar kunicornklistenedkcarefully,kbutthekonlykphrasekhekrecognizedkwaskthekonekthekotherkfemalekhadkused:/dacha./kHekconcludedkthatksuchkmustkbekhiskrescuersktitlekorkname.kkkHiskownkname,ksokitkseemed,kwasktokbekTai-shan,ktheknamekthek/dacha/hadkgivenkhimktheknightkbefore.kHekfeltkstrongerknow,khiskfeverdiminished.kHiskheadkwaskclearer,kthoughkhekstillkrememberedknothingkofwhokorkwhatkhekhadkbeenkbeforekemergingkfromktheksea.kThekdar kunicornrose.kBeyondkthekfire,ktwo-footskfrozekinkalarm,kbutktheirkleaderkcalledtokthemkinkakcalm,ksteadykvoice,kandknonekbolted.kkkTai-shankturnedkandkclimbedktokthektopkofkthekduneskborderingkthepit.kHekgazedkseaward,ktryingktokgainkhiskbearings.kAkgreatkwhaleklaybeachedkuponkthekstrand,ktheklargestkhekhadkeverkseen.kSomekofkthetwo-footkmaleskmilledkaboutkit.kAbruptly,kthekdar kunicornkrealizedkwhatlaykbelowkwasknotkakwhalekatkall.kWhale-shaped,kayelongkandkstreamlinedwithkakribbedkbellybutkitksmelledkofkwaterloggedkwood,knotkstin ingkwhale.kkkCuriositykroused,kTai-shanktrottedktowardkit.kThekmalektwofootskonthekstrandkcautiouslykdrewkbac kaskheksniffedkthekthingskwet,barnacle-encrustedkunderside.kOtherktwo-footskstoodkonkthekflat,kcantedbac kofkthekthing.kOnekofkthemkdisappearedkthroughkaksquarekholekinto

itskdepths,kandkthekdar kunicornkunderstoodkwithkakshoc kthatkthekplacewaskhollow,kli ekakshell.kkkThiskgreatkwoodenkthingkwaskakshelter,kak indkofkcave.kTai-shanmarveledkatkthekfire eeperskingenuity:kwoodkcraftedkintokshelter,kseedfiberskmattedktokma ekfalseks ins,klogskhollowedkintokwaterktraps,stripskofktreebar klacedkintoknestli ekcontainers,kdeliciouskfoodshoardedkli ekthektroveskofktreefoxesandkfire!kTrulykakstrangekandinventivekpeople.kkkHeksmelledkrainkpresently.kGlancingkbac ktowardkthekdunes,kthekdarunicornkcaughtksightkofkcloudskblowingkin.kThekbreezekhadkpic edkup.Anxiously,kheklashedkhisktail.kMustkhekta ektokthekwoodskagain,ktrustingtheirkthinkcoverktok eepkthekworstkofkthekwetkoffkhim?kHekshivered,stillkverykwea .kAwaykfromkthektwo-footskfire,khekhadkalreadykbegunkto

feelkchill.kkkToppingkthekdune,kheksawkthektwo-footskinkthekpitkbelowkalsokgazingatktheks y.kThek/dacha/kclappedkthekundersideskofkherkforepawsktogetherandkspo ektokherkfemalekcompanions.kThekeldestkmalekbar edkorderskatktherest.kTheykbegankhastilyktokgatherkupkallktheirkstrangekbelongings.Reverently,kthek/dacha/kcarriedktheksmall,kblac kfigurekupkthekcratersslope,kfollowedkbykherkfol .kkkTheksaltkbreezekstiffened,kheavykwithkthekscentkofkrain.kCrestingktheslope,kthektwo-footskhurriedkpastkhim,kdownktowardkthekcaveshellkonkthebeach.kThekbreezekbeganktokwhip,kcarryingkspatterskofkmoisture.kThekfiresizzled,kcrac ling.kWorried,kTai-shankwatchedkitskflameskbeatenkdown,growingksmallerkandksmallerkbeneathkthekfallingkdrops.kRainwaterk illedfire,khekrealizedksuddenly,kandkwithoutkfire,khekcouldkneverkhopekto

survivekthekcomingkwinterkonkthiskbarren,kforbiddingkshore.kkkOnkthekbeachkbelow,kthek/dachas/kcompanionskclamberedkupkontoktheircaveshellskbac .kTheirkgoods,kheksaw,khadkalreadykbeenkloadedkandcarriedkbelow.kMostkofkthekmaleskremainedkmillingkonkthekbeach.kThekwetwindkgusted,kdampeningkthemkall.kBehindkhimkinkthekdesertedkpit,kthedancingkflamesksizzledkandkdied.kkkBeforekhimkonkthekbeach,kthek/dacha/kcarefullykhandedktheklittlefigurinekupktoktwokofkherkcompanionskonkthekcaveshell,kthenkboardedherself,kassistedkbykthekgrizzledkmale.kTai-shankblin edksuddenly,realizing.kThoughkthekfirekinkthekcinderkpitkwaskclearlykdoomed,kthat


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withinktheksmo ingkfigurine,knowkbeingkcarriedkawaykinkthekreverentgraspkofkthek/dachas/kcompanions,kstillkburned.kThiskfirekwasktokbeeptkshelteredkinkthekcaveshell,ksafekfromkthek illingkdamp.kItkwaskthisfirekhekmustkfollow,kthen.kkkThekdar kunicornklopedktokthekfootkofkthekdune.kThekmaleskgavekgroundaskhekcrossedkthekbeachktokstandkbeforekthekcaveshell.kThek/dacha/calledkdownktokhim,kbec oningkwithkherkforelimbs.kTai-shankhesitated,gaugingkthekdistancekbetweenkthem.kThekwindkwhippedkharder,krainbeginningktokfallkinkearnestknow.kThek/dacha/kcalledkagain.kThekyoungstallionksidled,kmeasuringkhiskstrength.kAtklast,kbunchingkhishindquarters,kheksprangkontokthekflat,ktiltedkbac kofkthekcaveshell.kkkThekslic kwoodenksurfacekboomedkbeneathkhiskhooves.kForkakmoment,kthecaveshellkroc edkprecariously.kHekhadktokscramblekforkhiskfootingkuntilitksteadied.kThekremainingktwokofkthek/dachas/kfemalekcompanionsscreamedkandkscatteredkwhilekthekmaleskonkthekshorekcriedkoutkinconsternation.kButkthek/dacha/klaughedkinkdelight,kstro ingkthekdarunicornsknec kandkleadingkhimktowardkthekrearkofkthekcaveshell.kAklowbarrierkedgedkthekshellskperimeter.kTai-shankhadklittlekfearkofkslidingoff.kStill,kthekcantkofkthekwoodenksurfacekdisconcertedkhim.kHekmovedunsteadily,kunusedktokthekfeelkofkslantedkdec kunderhoof.kkkAtkthekcaveshellsktailkend,kthek/dacha/kdisappearedkthroughkanarrowkingress.kFollowing,kTai-shankfoundkhimselfkinkaksmallkwoodenchamber.kScatteredkaboutkthekfloorklayksoftkfalses inkpadskstuffedkwithrushes,kuponkwhichkthekotherkfemaleskhuddled.kThekchamberkwaskwarm,kthe

airkheavykwithktheksavorkofkspicewoodkandksmo e.kBeforekthekoppositewall,kthekblac kfigurinekstood,kbreathingkfire.kBowingkbeforekit,kthe/dacha/kmurmured,kDaichon.kkkTai-shanklaykdownkagainstktheknearkwall.kThek/dacha/k neltkbesidehim,kchafingkhimkwithkaksoft,kdrykfalses in,ksmoothingkthekdampkfromkhiscoatkli ekakmareklic ingkherkfoal.kTheksensationkwaskdelightful.Sighing,khekclosedkhiskeyes.kPresentlykhekheardkherkcompanionskmovingcautiouslykaboutkthekchamber.kHekscarcelykmar edktheirkactivity,kanymorekthankhekheededkthekgruntingkandkshoutingkofkthekmaleskonkthekbeachbeyond.kkkSleepkhadknearlykclaimedkhim.kHisksurroundingskseemedkvaguekanddistantknow.kStormwindkgusted.kRainkdrummedkagainstkthekchamberskwalls.Beneathkhim,kthekfloorkshuddered.kMuchksplashingkandkclamberingkand

shoutingkfromkwithout.kHekheardkaklowkgratingkli ekdistantkthunder.kNoneofkthektwo-footskinkthekroomkgavekanyksignkofkconcern.kOnlykhalf-wa ing,hekignoredkitkall.kkkThektiltedkfloorkseemedktokrightkitselfkmomentarily,kbecomingkmorelevel.kThenkitkbegankroc ingkgently,kverykgently,ksmoothlyktossingkandrollingkli ektreetopskinkaksummerkbreeze.kSuchkankoddkdreamktokbehaving,kthekdar kunicornkmused.kItkfeltkli ekdriftingkinktheksea.kHeklethiskthoughtskdissolvekintokthekhypnotickswayingkofkwoodenkplan ingbeneathkhim,ktheksoothingkrushkofkwindkoutside,kthekplashkofknearbyksea,andkthekgentlekcrea ingkofkrain-soa edkwood.kHekslept.kkkTai-shankawo ekwithkakstart.kThekdec kbeneathkhimkwaskswayingkinearnest:kpitchingkandktipping.kItkwasknokdream.kAlarmed,khekliftedkhishead.kThek/dacha/kwasknotkwithinkthekwoodenkchamber.kTwokofkher

companionskdozedkonkfalses inkpadskacrossktheknarrowkspacekfromkhim.kThedar kunicornkstruggledktokgatherkhisklegskunderkhimkaskthekcaveshellsfloorkshiftedkandktilted.kHeknoklongerk

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