Chapter Three

As the Leothra flew out of the jungle, all was silent. No one spoke and all of the adults were on the lookout for the first hint of danger. Chiara, like the rest, had said nothing. She felt safe amongst the Leothra again so she had time to worry about what had happened to Cephas.

*Where is he? He isn’t with us-we* can’t *leave him! What if when we come back we find that he’s dead? What if ... what if he is already dead?* Chiara couldn’t bear to think about that last part. She despised leaving Cephas behind but she wasn’t about to disobey her father and leader to go on a perilous mission to save him. It was too dangerous. She knew that in a heartbeat Cephas would risk his life for her but she could never risk her life for him.

          Chiara decided to not think about that for a while. She could see from where she flew amongst the leap that they were reaching the end of the jungle. The air had begun to cool and the humidity lessened. Chiara saw that she didn’t recognize most if not all of the trees surrounding them. They were smaller than the trees of her home and their leaves weren’t as big or bright.

          Chiara had never seen such a place like it before. She wondered why fledglings weren’t taught of the land beyond Leothra territory. If this forest was in their territory they would know everything about it from what type of trees grow there to where the best spots for hunting are.

          Chiara shut her eyes as she entered a large sunlight filled clearing. She reopened them cautiously, everything being so bright. Chiara was amazed to see that the ground was covered in shiny white stuff. The light from the sun reflected off of it and into her eyes so she avoided looking at it. *What is that? It looks like it would be soft and fluffy!*

          Chiara decided that it would be safe to talk since they were out of the jungle and away from the dragons. Ignoring the tundra, she flew as fast as she could to try to catch up to where Chief Warrick flew. He flew ahead of everyone else. Anyone who would see the Leothra would be able to tell that he was their chief.

          Chiara, out of breath, found herself gliding next to her father. “Um, Chief Warrick ...?”

          Chief Warrick turned to look at her. “Yes?” he asked. Chiara thought he sounded annoyed, or perhaps that was just him busy planning what to do next.

          Chiara dipped her head. “Cephas is gone. He-he never found our group. Do you think-?”

          Chief Warrick looked outward, his gaze firm. “I know he isn’t with us. If he is dead then he is dead. If he is alive then he is alive and he will find us eventually. Don’t worry, Chiara. He’s strong and clever. But, in the meantime you are the next heir to become chief. Because of that I suppose I must teach you the perils and wonders of leading such a large leap.”

          Chiara gulped. *I hadn’t thought of that. No, I can’t be chief! I’m in no way a fit leader and I don’t think I would be able to take the pressure of all of the Leothra waiting and depending on me to lead them and keep them safe. No way!* Chiara didn’t dare say aloud her thoughts.

          “Oh.” Chiara said. She didn’t tell anything other than that, not wanting to risk her father discovering how cowardly she was.

          If Chief Warrick had noticed her disappointed tone, he had ignored it. He breathed out a cloud of frosty breath. Chiara was momentarily mesmerized by it, having seen nothing of the sort happen before. She let out a gust of air herself and could see it as well. *Must be the cold. Oh, how cold it is here! Why would the Leothren ever choose to stay here? It’s horrible!*

          “We can start now if you’d like. I could teach you how to settle disputes while not showing what you think of it. Or how to get the best out of trade offers.” Chief Warrick continued.

          “Oh, no thank you, that’s fine,” Chiara said quickly. “I’m okay.”

          Chief Warrick eyed her for an eternity. “Fine. But I’ll have to go over the fundamentals of what exactly you have to watch and keep track of every day. It’s one of the most important things you should know as chief. I regretted not knowing when I first started. I did not have the best day when I found out that I had forgotten to send out patrols to hunt for food.” He gave out a hearty laugh. “Well, I’ll tell you about it when we get to Leothren territory if you wish. I know you must still be grieving for the loss of Cephas.”

          Chiara didn’t respond. *I’m not grieving! He’s still alive and out there. Leothra grieve when someone has died, not when they are missing.* She banked slightly away and fell behind Chief Warrick. She didn’t want to continue the conversation. *Not yet. Besides-doesn’t he miss Cephas? How could he not? Maybe he does but he is just hiding it.*

          Chiara knew that the Leothra didn’t show if they didn’t feel well or were hurt or sad. Instead they hid, knowing everyone has their own problems. It wasn’t the Leothra way to ask for help or to ask if others needed help. Asking was a sign of weakness. Asking if someone needed it was offensive. It was as if you were trying to imply that you are better than them so much so that you have the right to give them help. Of course, no one ever mentioned it out loud. It was an unspoken rule the Leothra had.

**...**

          Chiara was grateful when Chief Warrick motioned for them to land. She was tired from flying so long and her wings ached. Chiara glided to the ground and landed, stumbling forwards a few paces as the momentum tried to force her to land on her face. The ground shocked Chiara with how cold it was. Her limbs, which were already shivering, were now freezing as soon as she made contact with the white stuff.

          Chiara growled, shaking off bits of it from her forelegs. She felt like she was being watched and looked over her shoulder. Chiara saw nothing. She flicked her tail, not knowing if she should worry or not.

          The Leothra quietly murmured amongst themselves. Chiara could pick up whispers wondering what they were doing here. She heard some questioning what the white stuff was and why it was so cold. *At least I’m not the only one who doesn’t know.*

          Chief Warrick did not speak. He surveyed the frozen wasteland, as if he were searching for something. *For what? Leothren? Why would they stay out here? There is virtually no prey to catch anywhere in sight!*

          When Chiara had begun to think that Chief Warrick had lost his marbles, a Leothren jumped out of the snow and gracefully leaped over to where he stood. The Leothren, a female, lowered her head and growled. Two more appeared behind her, a male and another female. “What are you doing here on our territory?” she barked.

          Chiara took a step closer to her father, comforted by his large presence compared to the Leothren. Chief Warrick spread his wings in a non threatening manner. “I mean no harm and we Leothra have taken none of your food. The dragons came and attacked my leap. We had to flee and I request an audience with Chief Danian.”

          The male Leothren scoffed. Chiara was close enough to hear him mutter, “Well that’s a first.”

          Chief Warrick glared at him but didn’t reprimand him. Chiara assumed that was because he did not rule over Leothren and they were there at their mercy.

          The lead Leothren looked at Chief Warrick. From her expression, Chiara would’ve guessed she was trying to read his mind to find the true reason they came. “Fine,” she gave in at last. “We will lead you, Chief Warrick, to Chief Danian, but not the whole of Leothra. You may take five individuals to come with you.” She flicked her tail and the female Leothren spun off towards a tree line in the distance. “I am Eserla, commander of the North Section.”

          Chief Warrick nodded. He turned in a quick movement to call out in a clear and steady voice, “Gurani, Kanu, Rano, Kilopa, and Princess Chiara come forward.” He spoke with no hesitation as he chose four of his strongest guard and his daughter.

          Chiara was a little surprised that he had chosen her. She never got to go on important missions or meetings. Chief Warrick almost never had time for her so she would hang out with Cephas all of the time instead. *It’s probably because I’m now the next in line to become chief, the last heir,* she thought ruefully.

          She stepped forwards and stood next to Rano and Kilopa, a few paces behind her father. Chiara waited for a while, watching as the sun lowered in the sky at a slow and steady pace. The Leothren that had flown off returned with around 20 other Leothren. Chiara didn’t actually count them-she wasn’t great at math-but that was the general number of them.

          Eserla, who had been standing the whole time, shook off the white stuff that had collected on her wings. “Alright, let’s head out.” She led the way, Chief Warrick and the rest who were chosen following. Chiara as she trudged forwards through the white stuff noticed that one of the Leothren was staying. *Probably to make sure our entire leop comes,* she thought, somewhat amused by the idea.

          Chiara lifted her head as she glanced at the Leothren and kept walking. She tried to make herself look strong and brave like the Leothra guard and Chief Warrick as she awaited to find out if Chief Danian would accept their presence or not.