Moonshadow looked up when he heard the sound of wings flapping. He saw Talonswipe and Windblaze returning back from the oak woods, they both carried some prey; two mice, a vole and a shrew. Nearby, there were a couple of young Snowies practicing some battle moves. Talonswipe and Windblaze dropped their prey in a pile, then Talonswipe hooted to the young Snowies. "Take the prey to the other owls and share it, then we'll take you on a border patrol."

The young Snowies stopped practicing and they headed over towards Talonswipe and picked up the prey in their beaks and took it to the other owls.

"Are those apprentices?" Dawnwing asked.

"Yes, they're training to become fighters like us." Windblaze answered.

"We teach them how to hunt and fight. Sometimes if they're interested, we teach them how to treat injuries and wounds." Talonswipe added. He looked at the darkening sky as the sun was setting over the horizon, the sun was burning bright red.

"It's sunset, me and Windblaze will accompany you to the border if you want." Talonswipe offered.

"Oh sure, you could tell us more about life as a Snowie," Moonshadow told him.

"Alright, let's go," Windblaze flapped her wings and flew off. Talonswipe, Moonshadow and Dawnwing flew after her whilst Stardust and Robintail ran after them. Talonswipe and Windblaze flew north to the border and the others followed.

"What's it like to be a Snowie apprentice?" Stardust mewed as she pelted after them.

"Well as an apprentice, you have to work hard, try your best and learn how to hunt and fight to protect the Snowies." Talonswipe answered. "Apprentices have mentors and if the mentor thinks that his or her apprentice is ready to graduate and become a fighter, then the mentor will tell the Snowie leader and if both of them agree, the apprentice gets a graduation ceremony and becomes a fighter."

"Cool," Stardust purred.

"Us Snowies are a big clan; we look after each other and fight to keep what's ours," Windblaze hooted. "We're increasing border patrols at the moment because the scarred wolf thinks that his wolves can just stroll onto our land and steal our prey. It's a tiring job but after that wolf stole two of our owlets, we're determined to keep up the hard work to defend our clan."

"If the scarred wolf sets one paw over our border, I'll make sure to give it another scar," Talonswipe growled.

"I'm sure you'll give it more than just a scar," Windblaze told him, "and if you need help, I'll always be there at your side, Talon."

"I'm sure I can manage by myself Windy, I'll also be fighting beside you whenever you need help," Talonswipe replied warmly.

They crossed a small stream and arrived at the edge of the oak forest. There were distant mountains up ahead, standing tall like stone sentinels with snowy white tips. The air around them started to feel cooler and Moonshadow shivered.

"This is the end of our territory," Talonswipe told them. "Go carefully; there are cougars and bears who live around here and the occasional scarred wolf patrol."

"Thanks for the warning and for allowing us to stay at your camp, please tell Ember that I'm still sorry." Moonshadow dipped his head in gratitude.

"No problem at all and don't worry about Ember, he'll get over it. We hope to see you all again soon, good luck and farewell." Windblaze and Talonswipe hooted.

"Bye! Thanks again," Stardust and Dawnwing called as the two Snowies headed back to their territory.

Moonshadow stared after them. We hope to see you soon Talonswipe and Windblaze, he thought. Then he, Dawnwing, Stardust and Robintail headed towards the mountains.

***

"Icefeather."

"Yes, great wolf?" Icefeather dipped her head in respect. She stood before the scarred white wolf and waited for his command. There were no other wolves around them to hear what the scarred wolf had to say to her. Only tall dark pines surrounded them, their long bristling branches blocked out the daylight and there was only darkness.

"Those fugitives cannot reach the Twilight Mountains; there is a prophecy." The wolf growled softly.

"A prophecy?" Icefeather hooted.

"A Star and a Moon will vanquish us," the scarred wolf replied. "Two of the fugitives are powerful, they must be destroyed or all of us will fall."

"Do you mean the Half-Snowie and the fox?" Icefeather asked. "The fox is capable of killing and is strong but it is also foolish."

"Not the fox. The cat." The scarred wolf hissed.

"The cat? But it's harmless and weak," Icefeather answered in confusion.

"Do not fall for it's lack of strength; the cat is intelligent and powerful in a different way. Remember how Darkmoon's body was found broken and pierced with a sharp stone?"

"The Half-Snowie killed him." Icefeather replied calmly.

"No. You are wrong again. The cat killed him; she threw the stone."

"But-" Icefeather tried to protest but thought better of it. "Then I'll gather a patrol of eight wolves and hunt them down, I'll start right now if you wish." She told him.

"Bring ten wolves, eight isn't enough. The cat and the grey owl are powerful." The scarred wolf growled. "Icefeather, you are a great fighter and your loyalty to me is strong. You can be one of my lieutenants; go and work with Flintscar and Hawkclaw."

"Scarface!" A black wolf barked, he slowly walked towards the scarred wolf. Icefeather saw that he was injured and trying not limp. There were scratches on the black wolf's flank and a deep gash on his shoulder was still bleeding.

"Flintscar, have you only come to report some bad news? If yes, you're not going to be a lieutenant anymore," Scarface growled.

Flintscar's tail drooped and bowed his head in shame. "My patrol... tried to capture the fox." He reported quietly.

Scarface bristled and growled, then quick as a flash he lashed at Flintscar's face. Flintscar howled in pain and his nose began to bleed. The ground was spattered crimson with Flintscar's blood and there was a cold silence that filled around them. Scarface sat down, his white fur flattened but his yellow eyes still burned with fury. Icefeather gulped.

"You better get something done right or else," Scarface growled.

"Scarface," Another voice spoke. A dark brown wolf padded towards them, his fur looked almost black in the darkness.

"What is it Hawkclaw?" Scarface hissed.

"My patrol spotted the fugitives; all four of them are heading towards the Twilight Mountains," Hawkclaw reported, a sneer edged his voice.

"Well done Hawkclaw, you're making good progress. Soon perhaps, we may be equals one day." Scarface rumbled.

Flintscar glared furiously at Hawkclaw, his ice blue eyes showed pain and jealousy. Those two never get along, Icefeather thought, if Flintscar wants to remain as one of Scarface's lieutenants, he'll have to work harder. I hope those two don't get in my way or else.

"Hawkclaw, Icefeather is now my other lieutenant, she will lead a patrol of ten wolves to capture the four fugitives your patrol spotted earlier. She will be in charge and you can assess her progress." Scarface ordered.

"But what about me?" Flintscar protested.

"Fine, you can join their patrol but you will follow Icefeather's orders." Scarface growled at him, "and this time, do it right."