Chapter Five

“You’re a *what*?” Chiara spluttered. “You’re kidding!”

          Ruyi sighed. “I’m afraid not. Ever wonder why I had no family in Leothra except for Caoimhe, who wasn’t even related to me? It’s because I’m a spy. My father and mother are spies as well. They sent me when I was nearly one year old to the edges of Leothra territory where Caoimhe found me, before the Leothra took back the Northern Forest.”

          Chiara listened, her eyes wide. She could not believe what she was hearing. A chill went down her back and it was not from the snow that encased it. It dawned on her that her story did make sense. *If she is telling the truth, which I don’t see why she would lie about this, then that would explain how small she is and her oversized wings and paws. It would also explain why she looks like she is melting, the color being drained from her into a rosy pink puddle beneath her.*

          “Don’t you get it?” Ruyi asked. Something about her voice made Chiara feel as if she was desperate. “I’m a traitor! All my life I have lived with you all just to spy! None of it was real! None of it!” Chiara could only blink as Ruyi’s voice hitched.

          She looked up at Ruyi-er, Casus. “Why?” she managed to speak. Chiara’s head was swarming with questions and confusion. Despite that, that was the only thing-the most important thing-she could ask.

          Casus sighed and lowered her head. “Leothren can’t trust the Leothra. They sent me to take note of when you border the Northern Forest so to help Leothren take it back. Along with them wanting me to learn anything and everything in general about your leap. Chief Danian knows about the dragons attacking, although she doesn’t know why. She knows who is of the high guard and who of the Leothra cannot be trusted. I had hoped to make friends amongst the Leothra. I really did. But you cannot befriend someone based on lies or else it will all come crashing down. I’m sorry,” Casus said.

          “So you’ve lied about everything?” Chiara croaked. “Every moment? How do I know you aren’t lying right now?”

          Casus looked pained. *It serves her right for what she did!* “Because I have no reason to lie. Look-I’m sorry. I really truly am. You have to believe me. I know you’re better than the Leothra.”

          Chiara tried to hide her puzzled expression but was unsuccessful. “What?”

          “You aren’t like the other Leothra,” Casus said. “You aren’t thickheaded and stubborn like them. You aren’t always trying to be the bravest or the most noble. You make decisions based on what is right, not what will make you seem stronger. You are more like Leothren than you think, Chiara. I can see it in your eyes. Come and live with Leothren, with me, where you will belong.”

          Chiara tried to heave Casus off of her. “You know nothing about me! I am Leothra through and through!” she growled. *Is that true? Or is Casus just guessing? No. I’m Leothra and I can’t let anyone think that I’m not.* “Get off of me! I won’t turn you in, *Casus*, but I will never go with you or anyone of your stupid leap! I am much better than that. If you thought that I, a *Leothra*, would go with you, a *Leothren*, then you are completely wrong and the worst spy ever to be made in history!”

          Chiara knew she had gone too far and winced at the guilt she felt when she saw the hurt in Casus’s eyes. Casus stumbled off of her and said nothing for a moment. She growled, “Then go.” Her face was serene, hiding whatever Casus must be feeling. She looked at Chiara with a cold expression, waiting for her to leave.

          Chiara turned and stalked away as dignified as she could. She fell into a deep mound of snow and got up, shaking it off of her. She growled and beat her wings to lift off into the air and back to the Leothra. She forced herself not to look back. *I’m sorry,* she thought.

          Chiara landed amongst the Leothra. She had never felt like she didn’t belong more than then. Chiara edged through the crowd as they got ready to leave. *To where? Back home perhaps? Surely the fire would’ve died down by now and then I can go and find Cephas. I know he is alive, I just have to find him.* She stretched her wings, anticipating the journey back. She couldn’t wait to see Cephas again.

          Chiara saw green feathers and red fur and headed towards it, which was her father. Chief Warrick was ordering the Leothra around in a busy manner. “...go do it now. Hurry, we are leaving before the sun sets,” he said to a Leothra who had pale yellow wings that tinted pink at the ends.

          Chiara looked up to see that it was late in the afternoon, so they must be leaving soon. She walked closer and asked, “Where are we going?”

          Chief Warrick looked at her. “I am leading us to the Pegasi’s territory. I can’t risk us going home to find that the Dragons are still there and hunting for Leothra. When we arrive at the territory I will send a patrol out to see if the Dragons are gone from our territory and if the fire has burnt out. I would send one now but it wouldn’t be wise to schedule one that would most likely have them arriving back while we travel and them not knowing a set place to meet the rest of Leothra later.”

          “What about Cephas?” Chiara demanded. “If the dragons are still there then that means he is in danger! We have to go save him now.”

          Chief Warrick gazed at her with pity. “We can’t make any rash decisions. Don’t get your hopes up. He, along with many other Leothra that never returned, is most likely dead. If he *is* alive then we will find him eventually. Whether you like it or not, you are the next heir to chief and you need to learn what it takes to be a good leader and the things you need to think about when it comes to making decisions. I can’t risk thousands of lives to possibly save one life.”

          Chiara glared at the chief. Her eyes burned and she whipped around, her tail lashing. She lifted her wings to hide her face, her eyes threatening to tear up. *I will* not *cry.*

          She could feel Chief Warrick watching her as she fled, stomping, to the edges of the leap. She wanted to be alone so no one would see her shed tears.

          Chiara, who was out of hearing distance of the Leothra, looked up at the sky as her eyes brimmed with tears. “Why? Why did this all have to happen?” she yelled to no one. “Why me?” Nothing responded. She didn’t expect anyone to but it made her feel more alone than ever. *I don’t belong to the Leothra. Cephas is gone. Our lives are in danger and we have been forced to fly for our lives. What next?*