Cedarwing narrowed his eyes at the ten steeds who had insisted on seeing proof of his and Flintwing’s fight, including Flintwing’s daughter, Stormrain. Also Sprucecloud, a bay mare with green feathers who looked shocked and was staring at the body of her mate.

She whirled toward him. “So what are you going to do with me? Kill me too?”

With a start, Cedarwing realized that Sprucecloud only cared for her own position as lead mare and only cared that her mate had died because it stripped her of that position. Gathering himself, Cedarwing arched his neck.

“No, Sprucecloud. You will lose your place as lead mare and your name will be reverted to Sprucefeather, but that’s all.” He noticed Spark, Starpebble, and Hoperiver on the edge of the clearing, looked at them for a minute, then turned back to Sprucefeather.

She took them in and immediately flared up. “Why are there no guards on the black foals? Are you letting them go?!”

Unruffled, he nodded. “Yes.”

“WHAT?! You can’t!”

“As over-stallion, Sprucefeather, it is my decision what and what not to do with them.”

Sprucefeather seemed about to go into an apoplectic fit. Her feathers were rattling, and her breath was blowing. Cedarwing watched her warily. If she attacked him he would be able to defeat her, but if the other nine attacked as well….

I can always have Spark do his cool golden shield, he realized, and grinned to himself.

But she regained control of herself and glared at him, then turned on her hoof and stalked away, saying over her shoulder, “I’m done here. I’m leaving.”

Rainshine entered the clearing, confusion on her face. Cedarwing trotted over and explained.

Sprucefeather disappeared into the trees, her tail flicking angrily, and soon her hoofbeats died away.

Cedarwing stifled his sigh of relief and turned toward the other steeds. “Do you believe me now?”

Eight nodded, even looking even somewhat relieved.

But the ninth was Stormrain, and she arched her neck proudly and followed her mother into the forest.

Ember woke slowly, clearing the dream he’d been having from his head. It had been odd… just a blank white space with a voice resounding in it, saying something about his starfire… and something about a star?

He frowned. A star?

No! he realized. Star! As in Star the Healer!

But he still couldn’t remember anything else.

Summersong, noticing he was awake, nudged his shoulder with her nose. “Hey. Are you strong enough to get up?”

He tried to stand, and she stood next to him, bracing him. He put his wing over her back to help him balance and struggled to his hooves, leaning against Summersong.

Cedarwing emerged from the trees, Rainshine and the others close behind, and Ember’s heart beat a little faster as he saw Starpebble. Spark was walking close beside her, and he felt a pang of jealousy, but just as quickly shook it off. Eight other pegasi flew overhead in the direction of the herd.

Starpebble dashed across the clearing, seeing him wobbling on his hooves, and pressed up against his other side, steadying him. She nuzzled his neck. “Glad to see you’re awake.”

Spark followed a little slower, and then pricked his ears in the direction of the herd. “Anyone else hear that?”

Starpebble stepped away from Ember, swiveling her ears. “It sounds like someone’s coming toward us.” She whirled and Ember saw a chestnut mare walking toward them, branches rustling as she pushed through. She spotted them and pushed into the clearing.

“Hi!” she said. “I heard a whole bunch of stuff going on over here, and thought I’d see what’s going on. Also, I heard Cedarfire killed Flintwing?” She spotted Cedarwing and shivered a tiny little shiver of excitement. “By the way, I’m Stormsun.”

Thanks for reading! Constructive criticism welcome, PLEASE inform me of ANY mistakes, including spelling and inconsistencies. And welcome to Storm!!!

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