Spark stared up at the sky, wondering when his brother would be strong enough to fly and go home. His starfire pulsed through his veins, warming him, giving him a feeling of invincibility. Like nothing could ever hurt him or his friends.

He glanced over at Rainshine and Summersong, sitting next to Ember, now sleeping, regaining his strength for the journey home.

Cedarwing turned to Spark and Starpebble, flaring his wings. “I’ll be back in a little bit. I have to go tell the herd what’s happened.”

Spark dipped his head. Across the clearing, the white mare stood uncertainly, nibbling a bit of grass. Spark trotted over, Starpebble following, as Cedarwing took flight.

“Hi,” he said, shaking and folding his wings. “I’m Spark, and this is Starpeble Who are you?”

She smiled and arched her neck. “I’m Hoperiver.” Then her smile dimmed and she added softly, “Snowstone was going to be my mate.”

Spark was shocked. He could only imagine what Hoperiver must be going through, to lose her love to her over-stallion.

Or, former over-stallion.

He was at a loss as to what to say, so in the end he just went with, “I’m very sorry.” Starpebble leaned against him, understanding his lack of words, and he relaxed a little bit.

She nodded, looking a little tearful, and Spark wondered nervously if she was the emotional type. Apparently she wasn’t, and he breathed an inner sigh of relief when she collected herself.

“So… Hoperiver… what are you going to do when we leave?” he asked uncertainly. She gazed at him in surprise.

“I don’t know. I never thought Flintwing would die. I guess I’ll just stay here.”

Spark was about to reply, but Cedarwing appeared in the sky with ten steeds behind him, circling. Cedarwing jerked his head toward the clearing where Flintwing’s body lay and descended. Spark glanced at Hoperiver. “Let’s go see what’s going on.”

She nodded and trotted toward the clearing, Spark and Starpebble following close behind.

Rainshine tensed under Summersong’s sympathetic gaze. “Yes, I was stolen from Snow Herd, but there’s no need to think about it all the time!” she blurted.

Summersong looked surprised and hurt, but quickly covered it up. “How did you know I was thinking about that?” she asked.

“It was all over your face.”

“Well, sorry.”

“Thank you.”

Summersong arched her neck to peer over Rainshine and saw Spark and the white mare walking into the forest, ears pricked. She tilted her head. “Wonder what’s going on.”

Rainshine stood. “Well, let’s not just sit here, let’s go find out!”

Summersong glanced at Ember. “Shouldn’t someone stay here with him?”

Rainshine snorted. “You go ahead and stay, but I’m leaving.”

Stiffening, Summersong rose. “I’m not leaving him.”

“Have it your way.” Rainshine turned and trotted away.

Thanks for reading! Constructive 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. Deceased

Cedarwing~ (over-stallion) 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~ (yearling) 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~ (yearling) silver filly with pale blue feathers, white mane and tail, deep blue eyes

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

Spark~ (black foal, yearling) 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~ (yearling) brownish-gold filly with pale pink feathers, light brown mane and tail