The last group landed. A dark brown pinto flew out of it and began checking up on the pegasi.

“That’s Rosepuddle,” Nightfire explained, “She’s the medicine mare.”

“Why doesn’t her name end in root?” Stormlake asked him.

“She isn’t actually a proper medicine mare. We couldn’t get the Mountain Herd medicine mare in, it would look suspicious. Rosepuddle is the daughter of a deceased medicine mare, so she still knows a bit.”

Wait, they aren't under Rockwing’s orders? Stormlake was shocked and confused. “What do you mean, suspicious? This isn’t-”

“No, we aren’t under Rockwing’s orders. Come on, we’re taking off.”

The herd rose together into the air, their wingbeats synchronised. Stormlake looked around the group. There would be no more than twenty steeds there. They flew all day.

Pinewing’s voice came from the front of the group. “Land.” They touched down. Stormlake’s wings collapsed at her sides.

She caught a glance of the white filly again. Stormlake looked at the sky. It was sunset. She decided to talk to the yearling. Stormlake walked over to her.

“Um, hi,” she said.

The white filly turned around. Her light blue eyes sparkled at her. “Hi,” she nickered happily, “what’s your name?”

"Stormlake,” Stormlake answered her, “what’s your name?”

“Moonmist,” the white filly nickered.

Stormlake took in her white pelt, pale blue wings, sparkling eyes, and upbeat tone. “It suits you,” she complimented. It really does.

Moonmist blushed happily. “Do you want to be friends?”

Stormlake answered automatically. “Yes.” And she meant it.

“Okay, let's play!” Moonmist touched Stormlake with her nose. “Tip.” She raced across the grass, and Stormlake chased after her.

Moonmist was a fast runner, but she was faster. Stormlake soon caught up to her and touched her nose on her white pelt. “Tip.”

Stormlake was suddenly dragged back by her mane. “Ow, ow, ow!” It felt like her mane was being pulled out.

The pulling suddenly stopped, and Stormlake’s head hit the ground, hard. Tears welled in her eyes, but she pushed them back and stood up to find a dark brown mare standing in front of Moonmist.

The mare glared at her with stone hard eyes. If looks could kill, Stormlake would be dead.

“Stay away from my filly,” she hissed. “You understand?”

“Y-y-yes,” Stormlake stuttered. She slowly backed away from the mare, ears back and eyes wide. Her heart hammered in her chest. Thoughts swirled around her head.

Why is she so defensive about Moonmist? Stormlake wondered. It’s probably because I’m a Sun Herd steed. But- there’s more to it than that. What is it?

Valley Herd

Over-Stallion

Pinewing- bay stallion with yellowish green feathers, bay mane and tail, two hind white socks

Lead Mare

Elmcloud- chestnut mare with light green feathers, white mane and tail, four white socks

Stallions

Nightfire- Captain. Large piebald stallion with white feathers tipped in black, black mane and tail

Mares

Rosepuddle- dark brown pinto with dark pink feathers, dark brown mane and tail

Yearlings

Moonmist- white filly with pale blue feathers, white mane and tail, light blue eyes

Sun Herd

Over-Stallion

Thunderwing- dark bay stallion with vibrant crimson feathers, black mane and tail, two hind white socks

Lead Mare

Silvercloud- light gray mare with silver feathers, white mane and tail, four white socks

Medicine Mare

Sweetroot- old chestnut pinto with dark pink feathers, chestnut mane and tail, white star on forehead

Stallions

Redheart- large dark gray stallion with dark red feathers, black mane and tail. Stormlake’s sire. Deceased

Mares

Goldsun- palomino mare with gold feathers, two hind white socks. Stormlake’s dam

Sunpetal- white mare with yellow feathers, flaxen mane and tail

Yearlings

Mintleaf- bay filly with green feathers, bay mane and tail, pale scar on chest, green eyes

Ashfeather- bay filly with maroon feathers, bay mane and tail

Thunderblaze- gray colt with vibrant orange feathers, gray mane and tail

Weanlings

Starbeam- palomino filly with silver feathers, four white socks. Stormlake’s sister

Constructive criticism welcome.