Redfeather's misty face looked surprised. "You must be...Winter...tail..." he whispered. "I...am...brother..." Redfeather's final sentence trailed off as he faded back into the stars.
A small shadow flickered in the starlight, growing more solid my the second before swooping down. It was a bird who looked like a grown-up version of Sandtail, but with more green in her feathers and tiny black speckles on her chest.
"Sandtail. I've watched you grow, and I'm very proud of you. I didn't trust any of the Flocks when I was alive, but your CloudFlock has been very good to me and your brother, and the FireFlock has raised you well. I am Verdant, your mother. And if I had been alive, my children would have been Flower and Leaf. Alas, Leaf became Redfeather when we died. The CloudFlock named him for me." Verdant smiled sadly.
























