"Night and Ice Do Not Mix" *Winterwatcher*

Chapter 17

Winter could see the glittering ice in the distance.

Home. Home sweet home. Not. Winter sighed as the ice advanced on him. Winter flew over the ice, his mind blank as the clear glaciers beneath him.

Winter soon landed in front of the Ice Palace. It was ginormous with ice spiking the top. Winter took a deep breath and went in.

"Follow me." A voice called behind him.

Winter turned around to see Queen Glacier, who was walking away from him. Winter scrambled to follow the IceWing. They entered a pair of crystal doors.

He turned toward the IceWing queen. "You needed me your majesty?"

She nodded, sitting regally on her throne. "I understand that you are supposed to be at school with Icicle?"

Winter froze, then nodded slowly.

"Do you know where she is?" Glacier asked, her voice cold.

"I-I," Winter stuttered.

"Speak up!" She roared.

"She's dead!" Winter shouted, then realizing he shouted at the queen, shut his mouth.

"WHAT!" She shouted. "How did this happen?" She said once she calmed down.

"A NightWing named Deathbringer was protecting Queen Glory." Winter gulped.

"Polar!" She shouted. "In here! Now!"

A white IceWing with hints of blue came in scurrying through the doors, ducking his head.

"You called your majesty?" Polar's voice was hoarse, as if he yelled too much.

"Prepare troops now," she ordered. "We go as soon as possible."

"Yes your majesty." Polar turned and left, his wings shaking.

Queen Glacier stood up and strode past Winter, heading toward the double doors.

Winter chased after her, curious. They ended up at a big field of snow. This is where the they train the army! What is she doing here? Then he realized.

"No!" Winter called out. "You can't go attack the NightWings! They have done nothing wrong!"

The massive IceWing hurled around and glared at him. "Your right," she growled.

I am? Winter was confused.

"It isn't their fault. It's yours." She continued harshly.

"Polar!" She shouted. "We attack the NightWings. Now."

"No!" Winter yelled, panicking. "You can't!"

"I can do whatever I want," the IceWing hissed. "And you can't stop me."

She's right. I can't. What am I going to do? I need to warn them. But how?

"Stag out of my way," She hissed at Winter. "Or you'll regret it." With that, she took of, her massive wings hurling her into the dark night skies, until she was nothing but a speck.

Winter turned to see the IceWing army, taking off, following their queen and general.

I'm going to warn them. I guess I finally betrayed my tribe now. I have one week to get back. Five days now. 4 days if you count the day going back. Winter beat his wings, until he was high enough to see the entire IceWing Palace. I'm never coming back again. Bye Hailstorm, where ever you may be.

Winter flew toward the opposite direction of the IceWing army, heading toward the animus tunnel, not stopping at all. He flew through the night, retracing his steps, all the way to the tunnel.