Chapter One

The crowd spoke in hushed, quiet voices as they waited for the procession to begin. From the podium, Snow gazed calmly down at the bears. She looked at her brother, who gave her a thumbs-up and she nodded, then faced the crowd.

    "Thank you for coming here tonight," she said. The moon gleamed on her back. "Thank you for spending your precious time with us. Now, the reason why you have been asked to come here was spoken of only in rumors. And I will attempt to break it." Snow managed a tight smile.

    The crowd began to whisper again. "Silence!" Snow's brother roared, coming onto the stage. Everyone immediately stopped. Snow mouthed a "thank-you" to him.

    "So, as you know, my daughter Blue has been taken to August's kingdom," Snow said. "I do not know if she is coming back. Recently, my nephew Thad has disappeared. I think he has gone to look for Blue. I am asking a favor of you. Please look for Blue and Thad."

    With a sweeping bow, she exited the stage. The whispers turned into conversations, and the conversations turned into

shouting. Then, bears began to get up and leave the auditorium.

    Meanwhile, back at her home, Snow was wondering if she would get to see her again . . . 

Chapter Two

Thad and Blue trudged through the extremely thick snow, Blue holding the Diamond. Moon walked next to them. She was light enough to walk on top of the snow, but she didn't talk at all because she knew they were exhausted.

    Suddenly, Blue gasped and looked up. She spotted light coming from about a mile away. "It must be our village!" she exclaimed.

    That gave everybody some more power, and they walked faster with the new hope.