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stones. “For hundreds of years the Jungle Herd pegasi have left gifts here, as a memorial to Spiderwing. It’s why the nest is so big—they keep adding on to it.”
    â€œSo it’s like a shrine, a tribute?”
    â€œExactly.” Frostfire glanced around in disbelief. “But it’s the only thing that’s burned. Nightwing must have done this.”
    Star tried to remember the legends. “But why? I thought Nightwing liked Spiderwing.”
    Frostfire snorted. “He did, but he was also jealous. When Nightwing conquered the herds four hundred years ago, he killed all the rival over-stallions except one: Spiderwing, the brother of his best friend, Hollyblaze. The two stallions split Anok in half, and Spiderwing’s herd thrived but Nightwing’s did not. Spiderwing’s steeds worshipped him, and still do, as you can see by his nest. Helived a long life and had thirty-two healthy foals. Nightwing had none. No mare would have him, and his herd despised him.”
    Star pricked his ears. He hadn’t known this about the Destroyer. He tried to imagine an over-stallion who was unable to attract a mate, who lacked respect from his herdmates, and he couldn’t. He’d never heard of such a thing. Nightwing must have been humiliated. “But none of that is a reason to come back and hurt us ,” said Star.
    â€œDon’t you get it,” said Frostfire, snorting. “ We’re Spiderwing’s descendants—all of us. Nightwing’s herd reproduced no foals. The mares turned barren. All of us come from Spiderwing’s line, and Nightwing didn’t promise not to kill us. Or you.” He peered at Star. “You’re his new rival, and I doubt he’ll make the same mistake twice. He won’t let you live.”
    Star shuddered. All he’d ever wanted was to be a regular colt. He hadn’t asked for any of this.
    Frostfire and Star hovered closer to the ancient nest. Frostfire spoke. “For Nightwing to see this . . . this monument to his oldest rival—still being tended after four hundred years—I imagine that angered the Destroyer pretty badly.”
    Star lifted his head, feeling overwhelmed by the depthof Nightwing’s hatred. “We’re on his trail, but we keep missing him. Let’s go now, right now, to Desert Herd’s territory. It’s the last place to search. If they aren’t there, then they’ve left Western Anok, and they’re on their way to their new home.”
    Frostfire nodded, and the two stallions surged toward Desert Herd’s lands, flying all night.

11
WATERING HOLE
    FOUR DAYS PASSED FOR MORNINGLEAF AND HER friends in the underground cavern. They’d survived by drinking from the aquifer and grazing on patches of wet moss, but now it was time to go.
    â€œNightwing may have left warriors behind to patrol the river,” said Dewberry.
    â€œAnd in the sky,” said Hazelwind. “We’ll have to travel at night.” He glanced at the yellowish rock walls that leaked water like tears. “If we’re spotted . . . ,” he began, but didn’t finish his thought. They all knew that if an Ice Warrior spotted them, Hazelwind would have to kill the steed before he or she could inform Nightwing about them.
    â€œWe won’t let that happen,” assured Brackentail.
    Morningleaf had felt triumphant the last four days, but not anymore. Exiting the river, tracking Nightwing, and spying on him would be as dangerous and stressful as traveling with him. Besides that, her confrontation with the Ice Warrior in the cavern had reminded her how young and small she was against her enemies. Even fleeing from them would be tough. Morningleaf stared at her ruined feathers, feeling useless.
    Brackentail edged closer. As if reading her mind, he said, “We’ll protect you. That’s what a herd is for.”
    Morningleaf’s crumbling resolve thumped to life at