DECISIONS

A full moon had passed since the monument was finished and Morningleaf was grazing with Dawn Herd in the vein between Snow Herd and Sun Herd's old territories. The plants at Crabwing's Bay were too few to sustain all twelve thousand steeds, so all the pegasi started moving out, spilling out of the beach into the heart of Anok where the grass was more plentiful.

As she munched the grass, moving her jaw side to side whilst deep in though, a dark gray mare with gold feathers trotted to her side, her silver mane and tail flowing in the soft breeze, and wide blaze shining in the light of the bright sun.

Morningleaf lifted her head. "Hello Darkpebble," she said. She and Darkpebble met on the journey from the flatlands and have become friends.

The mare dipped her head. "Greetings, Morningleaf. I have a question that is on several minds including mine." Darkpebble used to be a sky herder in Mountain Herd before she chose to follow Star. Since then, she has shown herself trustworthy accomplishing many important things using her incredible talents and sharp mind. So Morningleaf didn't hesitate saying "sure, anything! What's on your mind?"

Darkpebble sighed. "Well, some other mares and I were just wondering if we are going to settle anywhere anytime soon?"

Morningleaf nodded. "Yes, the council was just going to discuss that in tonight's meeting. I'm sure we'll know by tomorrow morning."

Since the last of the twelve thousand stones were placed, Star and Morningleaf formed a new council consisting of twelve mares, twelve stallions, and a lead stallion and mare. Instead of choosing the council members themselves, they left it up to Dawn Herd to choose who got the role. Many mares and stallion stepped up to run, and Dawn Herd voted who they wanted. Much to their surprise, Star and Morningleaf were voted as lead council mare and stallion.

"That's great. Thank you, Morningleaf." Darkpebble dipped her head again and trotted back to a group of mares to gossip.

Morningleaf went back to grazing, this te wondering where the council will decide to move Dawn Herd. Snow Herd's old territory would be too cold for most of the pegasi, and Desert Herd's old territory would be too hot. Sun Herd's old territory was still mostly habitable except for Sky Meadow ever since the battle between Rockwing and Grasswing. Mountain Herd's territory will be too hard to move for some, and Jungle Herd's too dangerous for those without camouflage. It was a tough predicament, and Morningleaf was glad she'll have help from the council.

"There you are!" She looked up just as Star touched down next to her. He edged closer and Frank in her scent. "Why are you grazing all by yourself?"

"I was just thinking." She touched muzzels with him and started grooming his mane. "How was you flight? Did you see any predators?"

Star shook his head. "No, just horses."

"I bet they looked just like both of you," a voice said behind them. They both turned to see Brackentail trotted towards them. "Everytime I see a land horse, I mistake it for either one of you guys."

As he settled by Morningleaf's right side, she bumped him with her hip. "Oh stop it, Brackentail. You're just as bad as you were when we were foals."

"That's what I was going for!" He smacked her rear with his tail and she smacked him back. Then, she looked back at Star and saw him watching them. Something flashed in his eyes, but it was gone before she could decipher what it meant. He fluffed his feathers and started to preen them. "Actually, I wouldn't mind being a land horse. They have a certain grace and beauty we cloud lovers dont have."

Morningleaf tilted her head. "I seem to recall Grasswing saying a similar thing."

Brackentail lowered his head. "Grasswing was a wise stallion," he mumbled.

"He was." Star sighed and lowered his head, too.

Morningleaf watched the two stallions deflate. Star, because Grasswing was one of his biggest supporters, and Brackentail, because he felt that Grasswing's deaths was his fault. "He was wise," she said, trying to make them feel better. "But I think he is happy now. He is finally able to fly, see his mate Brightflower, and his colt Graythorn."

Brackentail looked at the sky. "Yes, and Thundersky and Silverlake."

Star joined in. "And Mossberry, Iceriver, Lightfeather, and Dawnfir."

Morningleaf nodded. "And dont forget Summerwind, Ashrain, and Bumblewind"

When she said Bumblewind's name, everyone quieted for a moment of silence for those who have died for all of Anok, and to remember all they have done, until finally, Star broke the silence.

"Speaking of Bumblewind, how do you think Echofrost, Hazelwind, and Dewberry are doing?"

" I've been thinking that too," Brackentail said. I hope they made it to the Southern Continent."

"I think they did and settled the herd already," Star said.

Morningleaf nodded, a dreamy look on her face. "I think they made it to the land in the south, and met the descendants of the ancient steeds of Lake Herd. Some say that when Nightwing became the destroyer, Lake Herd fled to the Southern Continent across the Dark Water to escape his fury. No one know what happened to them after that. Some may say they blew away in the strong crosswinds, some may say they were killed and swallowed up by the sharks and high waves as they rested in the water, but I think they safely made it to the Southern Continent, starved, but saved by their mighty over-stallion's great idea, and are now living peacefully on the mysteries of the land south of Anok."

When Morningleaf finished, she saw Star and Brackentail staring at her like she just gre a horn out of her forehead. Then Star nickered. "The foals are over at the Drink if you want to tell stories." He nudged her with his hip, and everyone nickered.

"Oh, that reminds me," Brackentail said. Shadepebble wanted me to go with her to tell the foals and yearlings some of my adventures, and she sent me here to get Star to join us."

"Why not me?" Asked Morningleaf.

Brackentail shrugged his bright orange feathers. "She said since you went yesterday and the day before that, we should give the foals a break with your 'legend obsession.'"

Morningleaf chuckled. "I guess she has a point there! Anyway, go ahead. Dont leave the foals waiting."

The two stallions nuzzled her, Star first, Brackentail second, then turned and trotted side by side to the Drink. As Morningleaf watched them trot away, she suddenly felt confused. She didnt exactly know why. Maybe beacsus both stallions were so alike, yet so different. Yes, that's probably why, she thought, then went back to grazing. But, deep down, she knew that someday she would choose one of those stallions to spend her life with, and she was confused because she didnt know who.

"Tonight, we are gathered as a council, representing Dawn Herd, to decide where our herd is meant to settle." Morningleaf spoke loudly, addressing to all twenty four council meets and stallions. They were gathered under a large sycamore tree under the bright light of the full moon. "We need a territory large enough to sustain all twelve thousand steeds, and lukewarm enough for every pegasus to feel comfortable." She looked at each council member chosen for their wisdom and leadership experience. "Does any member of the council of Dawn Herd have any suggestions they wish to express?"

A young Snow Herd mare stepped forward. "We could settle in the Snow, Mountain, and Sun Herd territories? That should be big enough for everyone."

"Big enough, yes, but too cold for us Desert Herd steeds," Redsun, a dark bay with yellow-tipped red feathers said. "I suggest the southern halls of Western Anok. More pegasi would feel more comfortable and we wouldn't have to feel the burden of snow under our hoofs."

"Some of us like the snow," said a gray stallion named Iceflame.

"And some of us like the heat," a Desert Herd mare named Morninglake pointed out. "But that doesnt mean everyone else has to live where the snow or heat is."

A bay mare with violet feathers stepped forward. "I say we move back to the interior of Anok."

"And live where Nightwing ruled?" Jetflame asked. Morningleaf recognized him as a former warrior in the Sun Herd army. He stamped his front hoof. "Never! Never again will I fly in those lands!"

"We can't move away from Bumblewind's monument so soon after building it," Brackentail reminded everyone. "That would mean we dont respect those who died to free us all."

"Ok," Skyfeather, a former Sun Herd flight instructor, began. "Why dont we stick to the edge of Anok, by the Great Sea?"

"If we do that, we'll have to rename ourselves Sea Herd." Stormriver folded his agua-green feathers neatly onto his back. The older Sun Herd warrior looked at the rest of the council, and everyone quieted. This pegasus was the oldest out of them all, and was known for his quiet and humble wisdom. His bright-green eyes held a spark in them as he said, "we need to find a place where we can still have the monument in out sights, and where every pegasus of Anok can be happy." He turned his battle scarred face towards Star. "I can see an idea forming in this young stallion's mind. I think I may know what it is, but I will let out Lead Council Stallion, Star explain it."

Morningleaf saw Star's eyes widen at the mention of his name, but he dipped his head toward Stormriver and said "thank you. And yes, I do have an idea." He hesitated as if he wasnt sure if the council would agree, but then raised his voice for the entirety of the council to hear. "Every pegasus wants to be able to go to their old territory, and be able to see the places in Western Anok that they haven't seen before. And since all the pegasi are now United, Anok has no territorial borders. So I am saying that all of Western Anok should be Dawn Herd's territory. In the winter, we can migrate to the warmer southern half of Anok, and during the hot summers, we can migrate to the cooler Northern half of Anok. That way, all of Anok is ours to see, and none of us has to split up.

When he finished, the pegasi started talking excitedly amongst themselves.

"All of Anok!"

"That's a great idea!

"That way, everyone is happy!"

Morningleaf smiled, and Stormriver nodded to Star.

"All in favor for Star's idea of all of Western Anok as out territory, raise a wing and say 'aye'" Morningleaf said.

It was unanimous. Every council member agreed to Star's plan.

Later, everyone left, leaving Morningleaf, Star, Brackentail, and Shadepebble alone.

"That was a great idea, Star!" Shadepebble exclaimed.

Brackentail nodded. "The best. No one else could have thought of it."

Star lowered his head, embarrassed. "It was the only logical solution."

"I couldn't have said it better myself." Morningleaf pressed her cheek against his. "You're getting to be as wise as Grasswing. Maybe even wiser."

Star nickered. "I'll never be as wise as Grasswing. That stallion knew his stuff."

The four friends left to rest for the night. Tomorrow, Morningleaf will share the council's decision to the rest of Dawn Herd with Star by her side. Yes, things just keep getting better.

~~☆~~

Oh my gosh this took forever to write! I really hope you guys like it! Sorry it took so long to publish it for you guys. I'll give you guys a character list as soon as I can.

-Thunderblaze⚡