Chapter 1

                “Commander Kat, we need you on the high deck.”

                I woke up with an armed archer standing over my bed. I blinked stupidly a few times, and then sat up.

                “Err, give me a few, then I’ll be right up. Tell whoever sent you that I was busy.” The messenger nodded and ran off. I swung my legs around the bed and reached for my dagger on my nightstand. It had only been a month since Norbert had vanished, and I had taken his place, since I had been his personal assistant.

                I grabbed my helmet off the edge of the bed and went to my storage room. I only had a few different outfits and armor choices, but I didn’t say anything when they gave it to me. I went to the far wall, where I kept my best armor. I easily slid the first one I saw on and dashed to get my sword. I kept it in the regular storeroom, but nobody could use it. I made sure of that.

                I found the emerald-encrusted blade on its stand tucked away in a corner. I pulled it out and slid it onto the scabbard on my belt. Without stopping, I ran all the way to the roof of the Owl Castle. When I got there, there was a long rectangular table set up, and the chair at the end on the table was empty. It was my seat.

                I took my seat with my head held high. Everyone was watching me. I sat up a bit straighter and cleared my throat.

                “Well, why the heck are we here?”

                There was some muffled laughter, but most of everyone didn’t react.  One of the people halfway down the table spoke up.

                “We need to regain control of the island. The Bears have it, but how do we win it?”

                There was some murmuring, but nobody said anything out loud. I had an idea, but I wasn’t about to speak first. After a few minutes went by with silence, I gave up on waiting.

                “We take out the higher positions. They’ll have no order, and they’ll fall easily.”

                Everyone looked at me. I shrugged. “What? I get a good idea sometimes. If that’s it, I’ll be out on border patrol.” I got up and started to leave.

                “Kath,” one of the teens called. I turned but said nothing. A girl with short red hair stood up. “Be careful.” I nodded and ran down the stairs. I promptly ran into a small statue.  I fell back onto the step.

                Looking over, I realized that the statue was actually a small, armored person. He was in shock still, staring at me wide-eyed. I got up and offered my hand. He only stared back.

                “Kid, I’m not going to hurt you!” I laughed. He was trying to say something, but he only mouthed the words. I shook my head. “Just get up already!” He nodded and stood up straight. “I don’t want all that ‘High and Mighty’ crap.” He hesitated, then relaxed. “And tell me your name. I’m not going to let you slip my mind.”

                He whispered something I couldn’t make out, and then said, “Antonio diNocio. I’m in the Hall Servantry.”

                I nodded in interest. “Glad to know that even the lowers are getting around. Walk with me, Antonio. I want you to go with me on Border Patrol.” The boy nodded and walked alongside me to the main hall. It was crowded, which meant that another scouting troop had just gotten back.

                “Hunter Fargray!” I called. The crowd silenced and a tall blond boy with light green eyes came forward.

                “Yes, Kat?” His accent was strongly English.

                “You’re coming with me. Border patrol again. The Weasels have been giving us trouble near the creek, leaving snares and pits for us.”

                He nodded. “We found several near the coast. A big lot were fairly well hidden, so they’re out to get us. What gets me is that they should be after the Bears, since they have the control.” He came with me and Antonio, who had remained silent, outside.

                We headed out towards the south, where the Owl territory ran along the coast. We were staying within eyesight of the creek that fed the Silver Lake. The lake was the meeting place for each of the leaders who gathered when the moon vanished every month. They shared deaths of fighters, any useful information on how to live easier, and, quite secretly, and new leads on how to escape the island.

                I let out a wolf’s call. It was returned by a distant voice, maybe on the other side of the island. I looked over at Hunter. “Meeting tonight, can you cover for me?” He nodded.

                The leaders have their own form of communication. We howl to ask about a meeting, and a response depends on the length of the reply. A long howl means there is; a short means that there is not, or that it has been cancelled.

                “Katherine!” I heard Antonio call out a few yards ahead of me. I dashed through the foliage to see what he had found. He was looking at a clump of thick ferns. I pulled my sword out and held it pointed towards the bush.

                “Antonio, go get a rock, and throw it at the plant.” He nodded and picked up a fairly large stone. Just as he was going for the throw, a small voice cried out.

                “Please, don’t hurt me!”

                I was surprised at the voice. It was from a young girl, maybe twelve or thirteen years old. I looked over at Antonio, who dropped the rock.

                “Who are you?” I called back. A small girl with red hair and green eyes slowly climbed out of the ferns. She was wearing a simple brown dress with a darker brown piece of cloth tied around the middle.

                “I’m Casey,” she whispered. I sheathed my sword again and held out my hand.

                “Casey, I’m Katherine. Welcome to the Owl Territory.”

“Awoooooooooooooooooooh!”

                I heard the cry from my post in the silver oak. My eyes went to the sky as the sun slowly sank behind the treeline. In a few minute’s time, I would be off towards the lake. I threw my head back and let out a long, mournful howl. The sound reverberated long after I finished. Two other howls came up, and I joined them. They came from the direction of Badger and Weasel. That only left Bear unaccounted for. I paused to listen, and their cry, harsh and powerful, came up from the east. I joined it with my light and swift call, Badger with their looping howl, and Weasel with their own weak cry.

                The sun sank, and the world fell into darkness. I cut my cry short, then fell silently off of the thick branch. My feet made no sound as I made my way along the creek. The only noises were those of small game and the creek’s swiftly flowing waters. Most of the people called it the Boundary Creek, but its true name was the Creek of Woe. More people had died within feet of the banks than any other creek or lake, other than the ocean that surrounded the island.

                The water was growing swifter and the banks further apart the closer I got to the Silver Lake. I knew that I was exposed to any night attacks that happened. Sometimes Bear would kill unsuspecting sentries during the night, just to weaken the others. I didn’t worry, though; nobody dared to attack the four leaders. We are powerful, but we’re and clever. We don’t need protectors, or even someone to watch our backs.

                “Hello, Kat of the Owl,” a deep voice called out. A boy with jet-black hair and light grey eyes was standing on the other side of the creek. He was wearing a black-and-white striped cloak. A golden, triangular belt inlaid with onyx and diamonds sat around his thin waist. There was a black crown upon his head, which also had onyx and diamonds.

                “And a hello to you, Connor of the Badger. All is well?” My reply was serene and cool, much like the night.

                “Yes, no deaths this month and Bear has yet to lay a good trap. Weasel isn’t a bother, and you have no reason to attack.”

                I laughed. “Owls do not affect the normal cycle unless it is to restore order. We’re much in the same tree: no deaths, Bear isn’t winning against us, and Weasel’s only a neighbor.”

                Connor jumped across the creek easily. “You’re not wearing you meeting robes?”

                I shook my head. “With all of the night attacks, I find it easier to go without. Bear forgets almost half the time, so it will not make a difference.” Connor tilted his head in thought, but did not reply. His spear, which was painted black and white, rustled the dead leaves dappling the ground.

                “Until next month, let the animals run wild.”

                I nodded from my post on a moonlit pine. Bear looked at us each in turn, then lifted her dark brown eyes to the sky. She let loose a howl that ended in all four of us baying like wolves at the full moon. My eyelids were heavy, and I was slowing down.

                I snuck out into the woods, the howls still ringing out in the clearing. I knew the way back to the castle, even if I was barely awake. As I made my way back, I could feel myself grow heavier and heavier. I only managed to get to the main door of the castle before I collapsed on the ground.

                “Katherine!” A voice shouted. With that, the world turned black as I fell into a deep sleep.