Cedarfire galloped toward the source of the commotion, Flintwing right behind him, his breath hot on Cedarfire’s flank. Cedarfire pushed himself harder and leaped into the sky, soaring toward the noise.

Suddenly someone screamed, a heartbroken, desperate scream, and Cedarfire instinctively knew it was Starpebble. Who else had lost as much as she had? Cedarfire had known Snowstone for a little bit and Snowstone had shared his sister’s tragic story with him. Cedarfire knew this was a gesture of trust, one that was hard to make, seeing as Cedarfire was Flintwing’s top captain.

Flintwing dove past Cedarfire and down, landing next to the still body of Ember. He reared over it, braying the over-stallion’s call. Instantly everyone quieted down and the warriors made a wide circle around Flintwing and the Desert Herd steeds.

Cedarfire was still in the sky and suddenly his anger, so often concealed, bubbling softly beneath his calm exterior, boiled over. He raised his head and neighed the over-stallion’s call to his herd.

Then he dove at Flintwing.

Hoperiver grazed sadly, tears falling from her brown eyes.

Snowstone was gone.

She had loved him, and he had loved her. They had made young lovers’ plans. He would challenge Flintwing and rid Mountain Herd of the cruel stallion, and she would become his lead mare.

But all that was over.

She raised her head and started walking away.

Just away. Away from everything she’d ever known.

She just wanted to be left alone.

As she walked into the forest, she became aware of voices coming from a clearing ahead and to her right. She sped up and emerged into a horrifying scene.

A black foal was lying still on the ground, while a filly stood over him, her eyes wide with terror and Flintwind stood menacingly, one hoof on the fallen black foal’s neck. The other black foal was standing, petrified, across from him, encased in a golden shield.

She looked up and saw with shock, Cedarfire, plummeting toward Flintwing, his face twisted in rage, his sharpened hooves ready. Hoperiver inadvertently gave a cry of surprise.

Flintwing looked up and had less than a second’s warning before Cedarfire smashed into his, his hooves slicing into Flintwing’s neck. Flintwing gave a cry of pain and rage and lashed out, throwing valiant Cedarfire from him. He reared and trotted toward the bay stallion, who quickly picked himself up and took flight, circling.

Hoperiver heard a noise across the clearing and saw a dark dapple silver filly staring at her, eyes wide. Hoperiver could tell what she was thinking,

What in the name of the Ancestors is going on here?

And Hoperiver had no clue.

Thanks for reading! Mild criticism welcome, PLEASE inform me of ANY mistakes, including spelling and inconsistencies.

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