03 Thorn!

CHAPTER 3 THORN! Tag and Blaze returned to camp as night fell. "We should take turns keeping watch," Skyla said. "I'll go first," Tag replied. He set his sack down and peered through a small gap in the branches. There was no sign of Thorn's spies, but Tag knew they would show up sooner or later. They always did.

Tag looked at the sack. It held his dagger, the map, and their piece of the Ember Stone. It was his job to keep the sack—and his friends—safe. Blaze and Skyla snored quietly. The branches of the willow tree kept them hidden, but an icy wind blew through the leaves. Tag shivered as the night grew colder. He wished Blaze was awake so she could light up her feathers to keep them warm. The hours passed. Tag felt tired, but he knew he needed to stay awake. Suddenly, he noticed a black cloud creeping toward the lake.

The Shadow! Tag thought, jumping up. Flashes of lightning filled the sky. Slowly, the leaves of the willow tree began to turn brown. They crumbled to the ground like dust... A large, crooked vulture stood before him! THORN!

Tag squeaked. He knew he needed to grab the sack, but he couldn't move. His feathers shook with fear. "We meet at last," Thorn hissed. An evil grin spread across the vulture's face as he reached his sharp claws toward the sack. "I think you have something that belongs to me." Just in time, Tag snatched the sack out of Thorn's reach. Thorn snarled. Tag pulled out his dagger, holding it with a shaky wing. "Thorn!" Tag yelled to his friends. In an instant, Blaze and Skyla awoke.

Skyla aimed her slingshot at Thorn's wrinkled face. "Don't move!" she shouted bravely, although her paw trembled. Blaze spread her wings. Her feathers lit up all at once. The flames glowed red and orange in the darkness. But Thorn did not seem afraid. "Your powers are stronger than I realized," he said. "Think how powerful we could be if we worked together." "Never!" Blaze cried.

Quick as a flash, Thorn took another swipe at Tag's sack. His sharp claws ripped it open and the Ember Stone fell out. "No!" Tag yelled. Thorn scooped up the stone in his sharp claws. Then he took off—flying over the water, toward The Shadowlands. Skyla shot acorns from shore, while Tag and Blaze chased after the vulture by air.