Title Page

Dedication

For Ben,

My greatest support and

inspiration.

Map

Prologue

Prologue

I pledge my life to the Hunting Lodge.

I vow to serve all seven clans as my own,

To protect them from what lies beyond.

I forsake all blood ties and blood feuds,

To offer up my name and my past.

The Hunters are my family now and always.

I swear before them that I will never lower my weapons

In the face of darkness,

Nor allow tyranny to rise.

Chapter

One

The sky over the Hunting Lodge was ominously dark and the air smelled of snow. Twelve gazed up at the scudding clouds with storm-gray eyes and huddled deeper into her furs, stamping her feet to stay warm. Her classmates’ chatter steamed in the air around her and Twelve watched them moodily, trying to swallow her impatience.

“For goodness’ sake!” shouted Weaponsmaster Victory, her eyes sweeping the group. “If you can’t even lift it, how on earth are you going to swing it? Anyone who can’t raise their weapons over their head, return them to the armory for something lighter at once!”

Several students scurried away and Twelve’s scowl deepened. Losing her temper in battle class never paid off though. Victory was more likely than any of the other Hunters to punish students with night watches or the dreaded dungeons. Plus, the lesson looked interesting if they could get to it: upright wooden stumps covered the snow-dusted training ground, promising something out of the ordinary.

“By the frost!” cried Victory as the students trickled back. “If you can’t move faster than that, every creature from here to the Frozen Forest will make an easy meal of you.”

A nervous silence fell over the assembled class.

“The brighter among you might have identified today’s aim,” Victory continued, her disbelief obvious as she spoke. “You’ll be sparring in pairs while standing on the stumps to improve your balance and footwork. I don’t want to see any feet on the ground.”

Twelve almost smiled as anticipation fizzed through her. This would be a challenge.

“If you haven’t mastered last week’s exercises, then you’re going to struggle,” Victory said, her eyes lingering on a few of the younger students who were looking distinctly anxious. “Now, form up in pairs and begin yesterday’s attack sequence. Remember: constant vigilance!”