Chickadee’s laughter was infectious as she played a rigorous game of tag with a very baffled, terrified pigeon. Her mother watched from the ground, observing with a small smile. Mother had been so haunted throughout her past, hounded by her mistakes and memories, that Chicka just wanted to see her like this every day. She knew Mother regretted how she had handled her situation with Maverick. But, Chickadee suspected, she didn’t wholly regret lying with Bristow. That act, however foolish, had brought them Snowflake and Calvin. And though both of them had disappeared, she was glad she had known her half-siblings in the times that they had together.
Chicka’s laughs ceased as she and Mother heard the air-chilling call. Achilles was angry. The girl quickly took off on her hawk wings, shooting ahead, leading Mother along. When they arrived - Chickadee a little ahead of her mother - the first thing she saw was pretty Princess Iris, dead in front of Achilles, savaged mercilessly. Her sky pelt had grayed, the tone of death settling over it, darkening Chickadee’s thoughts; the blood had all dried up. But it was still there, an ugly dark shade. Mother gasped behind Chickadee, and an enraged Achilles began to speak.
“Tarben has instigated war. Phobus, their refugee that was supposed to stay in Tarben lands, killed Iris.” Chickadee began to shake. A murder, in Sabertooth borders . . . Phobus had been here?! “At dawn, we will be going to Proving Grounds for war against Tarben.”
After that Chicka was numb to everything. War meant death. Chickadee’s mother, or uncle, or half-siblings could die . . . and Artemis, Remus’ fellow beta. His mate. She and Remus had given Chickadee little cousins, the girls Selene and Tyche and the boys Aegaeon, Lupin, and Lux. Chickadee loved them all. Obviously her cousins weren’t going to war, but members of Sabertooth would definitely die. “Breathe, Chickadee,” a voice commanded Chicka, and she realized it was her mother, as a warm weight leaned close comfortingly.

"SO IF YOU CAN’T FIND ME, LOOK TO THE WESTERN SKY!"