Chapter 7: Fear

Skysun thrashed in anger as the two steeds carried her farther away from her home, and family. She knew that her father, once he came back from his mission, would search for her. But she knew that wouldn’t be soon, Snow Herd Territory was a long way away, even with the Jet Streams, and since the Mountain Herd Army would join her father, it would take even longer. Skysun barely noticed the other Jungle Herd steeds carrying four of her Herdmates. After a while, the Jungle Herd steeds landed in the vein between Sun Herd and Mountain Herd, landing on the coast of the Sea of Rain. One Jungle Herd steed looked to the sky, his dappled brown hide slick with sweat, his jade green feathers ruffled slightly, obviously agitated.

“We should keep moving…who knows…”

“Quiet, Grassrain!” Snapped a large bay stallion, his oak brown wings flaring menacingly. “Desert Herd was sorely beaten, they won’t want to try anything soon. Besides, our attack force is taking a different route, cutting straight across Mountain Herd, and then flying south to our territory.”

“Yeah, but those Desert Steeds can fly higher and faster than us…what if they catch up…”

“Then we hide the weanlings and attack. There shouldn’t be more than a few of them to try and get them back. Most of the Desert Herd Army is off fighting Snow Herd. This mission will not fail, do you understand?” He asked.

Grassrain lowered his head slightly, “I understand Oakfire…” He muttered.

“Now, watch these weanlings while I scout ahead, we’ll continue when I return.” The large bay kicked off into the air, flying west towards the direction of the Great Sea. The other steeds corralled the foals into a small circle, creating a perimeter around the foals, keeping a watchful eye on the group in the center. Skysun watched their captors warily, her eyes narrowed in silent suspicion. She knew well the dangers of foreign pegasai, and now understood why her father was so mad at her for going to the cactus patch.

‘I cannot trust these steeds…’ She thought, ‘They captured me and these foals…’ Glancing around she looked at who was captured. Rainheart, a young buckskin filly, Redfeather, a chestnut colt with blood red wings, and…oh NO…Sandfeather…he stood not too far away, his wings drooping dejectedly and his eyes wide with fear. She snorted, going back to glaring angrily at the steeds who were ‘protecting’ them.

“I wonder what’s going to happen to us…” Rainheart whispered to Skysun.

The chestnut filly just shrugged, “I…don’t know…” She said.

“Hey! Be quiet!” Called out a Jungle Herd steed, “No talking!”

“What if I don’t?!” Skysun demanded, pinning her ears back. The Jungle Herd steed froze momentarily, her eyes hardening in rage as she stalked forward. When she stood in front of Skysun, she slapped her with her green wing, sending Skysun sprawling into the grass.

“Do NOT talk back to me!” She hissed angrily, retreating back to the perimeter.

Skysun just laid there, shocked. She was right, she COULDN’T trust the steeds…and she had to escape. But how was she going to do that?