Free The Guardian Herd by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez Page A

paddling hooves.
    Morningleaf swam on. Her lungs swelled. Sharp cramps seized her gut. Desperate now, she bolted, kicking as hard as she could and wondering if Brackentail was doing the same. Was there no end to this tunnel?
    Her muscles clenched in a spasm.
    Her brain shut down.
    Her mouth opened.
    Then she burst through to the surface. A second later, Brackentail emerged beside her. They pulled hard on the fresh air, sucking at it like starving newborns. “We made it,” she gasped.
    They were floating in a small watering hole nestled deep within a rock basin in the Wastelands. Far away a lone coyote slunk into the shadows, disturbed by their sudden presence. Morningleaf stared up at the sky. The moon was a sliver, casting a pale glow, but she didn’t see any winged patrols flying in the sky.
    Brackentail dragged himself out of the watering hole, sniffed the wind, and flicked his ears. “It’s quiet,” he said.
    Morningleaf also pulled herself out, and she stood, shivering on the shore, dreading the moment of going back into the water. “We’d better return for the others,” she said. “Before they decide we’ve drowned.”
    Brackentail tossed his mane. “Why don’t you keep watch? I’ll get them.”
    â€œBut—”
    He lowered his head. “I’d feel safer if you stayed and protected the area. I don’t want to come back and find a pack of coyotes here.”
    Morningleaf peered at him, knowing he wasn’t afraid of coyotes, but she understood the reasoning behind hisplea: he didn’t think she’d survive that swim a second time. She’d barely had enough air the first time, and now her legs were trembling. Brackentail was larger, and he could hold his breath longer, but he also knew that she wouldn’t stay behind without a reason, and lame as it was, he had given her one: to keep watch for coyotes. Morningleaf studied him, feeling grateful and curious. For the second time he’d said the exact words she needed to hear. “Okay, I’ll keep watch.”
    He nodded and lifted off. “I’m going to get a flying start.” He flew several winglengths in the air, and then he dived like an eagle into the water, splashing down and disappearing into the depths.
    It seemed forever that she waited, but then each of her friends surfaced in the watering hole and swam to shore, breathless but safe.
    â€œSo far the way is clear,” said Morningleaf. “No Nightwing. No Ice Warriors.” She nudged Brackentail fondly with her muzzle. “And no coyotes.”
    Bumblewind climbed out of the water and swept his eyes across the dusty canyon. “The first thing we need to do is find food.” Then quickly, before anyone could harass him for saying it, Bumblewind added, “Tell me you aren’t starving?”
    Morningleaf’s belly had shriveled like an old blackberry, but she hadn’t noticed that until Bumblewind mentioned it. “He’s right,” she said. “We need to rebuild our strength.”
    â€œWe’ll eat soon, but not yet,” said Hazelwind, glancing behind them. “We need to find better cover. I’ll fly a quick patrol, see what I can find.” He lifted off, sweeping a radius around them, watching for Ice Warriors, and then he landed. “There’s nothing here but desert. We’ll have to stick close to the canyon walls and travel until morning. Farther inland there will be trees and plants to eat—the faster we move, the faster we’ll find them.” He cantered off and soon settled into an efficient lope. They traveled by hoof since Morningleaf couldn’t fly and they were all too tired to carry her.
    â€œAnd what about Nightwing?” asked Morningleaf, following her brother.
    â€œWe know he’s heading east to the Flatlands. We’ll follow, keeping our distance. Once he settles the herd, we’ll hide as close as we dare to