The New Light of Hope: Books I to VI.

Chapter III: Returning to the Divisions.

Sadie:

Me and Amethyst went back to the Stream Echoes Division, which is the Division Aurora had assigned us when we first entered the forest. When we reached the river, we could see that it looked very dry and had very little water to give as well, so we had no sort of problem getting across when we did so.

When we got to the camp, we could see that everything looked to be a bit dry and gloomy as far as the eye could see by this point. We both ran to the Leaders Den to see if Chief TimberHeart was inside, but when we checked, we did not see him inside, all that was inside was an unoccupied bedding of moss covered by the shadows of darkness that covered the inside of the den. But before we turned around to try and find him we heard very familiar voice asking: "Amethyst? Sadie? Is that really you?" We quickly turned around to see that it was in fact Chief TimberHeart's voice we heard and standing next to him was his co-leader, RowanFoot. "It sure is." Amethyst told him. "We told y'all we'd meet again someday."

Chief TimberHeart: "We know that for sure, but why exactly did you and your friends return back to the forest?"

Sadie: "Let's just say that Chief ArrowHeart, MoonStone, Eagle, Compass, and Leopard told us that the forest is doomed and y'all are too and y'all would be if we didn't come back."

Chief TimberHeart: "It's not like we've already been doomed now that there is little to no food nor water for any of us. We've been struggling for over three months now. At this point, the Spirit Runners have completely abandoned us and left us to our own devices, I have lost faith in them anyway!"

Amethyst: "Woah, now, your ancestors haven't abandoned y'all at all! God has never abandoned not a single person that I know of and he most certainly hasn't abandoned you or the forest at all! So, I'd say you outta be careful with what you're saying 'cause it ain't true!"

Chief TimberHeart: "Are you talking back to me?!"

Amethyst: "I'm correcting you for something that ain't true."

Chief TimberHeart: "I'm the leader of this Division; a leader doesn't need correction."

Sadie: "Umm, yes, they do! And what Amethyst said is true, too!"

Before Chief TimberHeart could say anything, RowanFoot stepped in front of him. "RowanFoot, step down and let me handle this!" He snarled scornfully. "No, Chief TimberHeart." He replied. "RowanFoot, I'm not asking you, I'm ordering you to back down and let me take care of this!"

RowanFoot: "Sir, there's no point in arguing with Amethyst and Sadie over something Amethyst addressed with you. And they're right; even leader's must be corrected for the mistakes they've made and the Spirit Runners haven't abandoned us at all."

Chief TimberHeart met his co-leader's gaze and then gave a look of defeat, as if he knew that fighting over something so simple was completely pointless after all. "I guess you're right." Chief TimberHeart sighed. "I apologize for my actions, Amethyst and Sadie; it has been really hard for all of us especially with of drought and a shortage of prey in the forest."

"We understand." Amethyst calmly replied. "It's quite a stressful situation especially when you're the leader and there's so many mouths to feed."

Chief TimberHeart: "Very stressful. But we still somehow manage to keep everything together in one piece."

Amethyst: "Well, that's why we're here to help."

"You can count on us." I added with sympathy. "We never doubted it for a second." Chief TimberHeart agreed.
…
Milly: