Starpebble looked up as she heard hoofbeats nearing the clearing. A bay stallion was approaching, and slightly to the side and behind him was --

“Rainshine!” Starpebble neighed, rearing up to see over the backs of her guards. Rainshine broke into a trot and stopped just short of the guards. The bay stallion nodded to them and they parted to let her through. She rushed in and hugged Starpebble, smiling. Starpebble squeezed her tight, then stepped back, looking Rainshine over. She was slightly thinner than she had been, and her smile was sadder than before.

“Are you all right?” asked Rainshine. Starpebble shrugged her wings.

“As well as can be expected.”

Rainshine grimaced. Then she whispered, “I’ll try and help you escape when you’re ready, and when you have a plan, if you don’t already.”

Starpebble rolled her eyes. “It’s only been like a day, Rainshine.”

Rainshine shrugged. “You never know with you.”

“Then, no.”

The bay stallion behind Rainshine cleared his throat and came up beside her. Starpebble backed away, wary. “Maybe it would be better if you discussed this later?

Starpebble tried to keep her surprise from showing. This stallion is on our side? Who is he?

“Who is he?” she whispered to Rainshine. Rainshine looked at him for a moment, an indiscernible expression on her face.

“Cedarfire,” she said, still looking at him. Cedarfire turned away, flicking his tail, and crossed to the nearest guard. He said something to him, and the guard nodded, turned, and trotted away.

Rainshine frowned. “He’s Flintwing’s top captain, and I don’t know exactly why he’s helping us.”

“Can we trust him?”

Rainshine gazed at Starpebble, feeling more relaxed than she ever had, which was kind of weird. “Can we trust him?” she repeated.

“Can we trust him,” Starpebble confirmed.

Rainshine stared across the clearing at Cedarfire. “Yes,” she murmured. “Yes, I think we can.”

She turned to the other pegasi held captive with Stapebble. There was another weanling and a handsome stallion with violet feathers. “And who are you?” she asked them, feeling suddenly very shy again.

The weanling stepped forward. “I’m Summersong, and this is Sunfire. You?”

“Rainshine. I was one of the pegasi stolen from Snow Herd.” Summersong winced, and Rainshine could tell she was very sorry for her. For some reason this made her annoyed. She didn’t need Summersong’s pity.

Hope you enjoyed! A little boring, but eh, you've got to have some not-heart-pounding action sometimes! Mild criticism welcome, and PLEASE inform me of ANY mistakes at ALL. Including spelling and inconsistencies. Thank you!

Mountain Herd:

Flintwing~ (over-stallion) dark gray stallion with slate-blue feathers, black mane and tail

Cedarfire~ (captain) agile bay stallion with blue feathers, black mane and tail, thin white blaze

Snowstone~ (under-stallion) white stallion with mint feathers, white mane and tail. Deceased

Stormrain~ (yearling) dark gray filly with dark green feathers, black mane and tail

Hoperiver~ (single/widowed mare) pure white mare with sparkling blue feathers flecked with amber, white mane and tail

Snow Herd:

Mistwing~ (over-stallion) white stallion with misty blue and white feathers, silver mane and tail

Ashcloud~ (lead mare) smoky gray mare with smoky purple feathers, black mane and tail, large diamond-shaped star on forehead

Frostroot~ (medicine mare) light gray appaloosa mare with pale yellow feathers, light gray mane and tail

Fogfire~ (captain) gray stallion with navy feathers, black mane and tail. Deceased

Moonfrost~ (mated mare) dark silver mare with dark purple feathers, black mane and tail, Deceased

Echoflower~ (single/widowed mare, elder) white mare with pink feathers, white mane and tail

Rainshine~ (weanling) dark silver dapple filly with silver feathers, black mane and tail

Desert Herd:

Cobrawing~ (over-stallion) bay pinto stallion with green feathers, mixed brown-and-white mane and tail

Dustcloud~ (lead mare) palomino mare with pale green feathers, white mane and tail, wide white blaze

Sunfire~ (captain) gold dun stallion with violet feathers, gold mane and tail, thin white blaze

Starpebble~ (weanling) silver filly with pale blue feathers, white mane and tail, deep blue eyes

Ember~ (black foal) solid black colt with black feathers, black mane and tail

Spark~ (black foal) solid black colt with black feathers, black mane and tail, four white socks

Brightsky~ (mated mare) bright palomino mare with mixed blue and purple feathers, white mane and tail

Sunlight~ (single/widowed mare) palomino pinto mare with pink feathers, white mane and tail. Ember and Spark’s dam. Deceased

Summersong~ (weanling) brownish-gold filly with pale pink feathers, light brown mane and tail