“Mmm…I can smell them!” Firleaf nickered, trotting along into the forest. The sun was at its highest point, so it’s light was filtering through the leaves in a mottled pattern, giving everything a spotted glow. Following a well-worn game trail, Starshine followed more slowly, her ears swiveling, ready to catch any sign or sound of predators. She was prepared to tell her sister that they needed to go back, when the sweet smell of the berries hit her nose, they were close! Very close. Looking around, she saw her sister stand triumphantly next to a bush filled with beautiful black berries.
“Blackberries!” Whinnied Starshine, trotting forward and thrusting her nose into the bush, chomping down on the berries. Pulling away, the dark juice dripped down her chin, “Mmmm…delicious…”
“I know, right?” Firleaf exclaimed, wiping some juice away with a wing.
“This is great…thanks, Firleaf.” She nickered.
“No problem, sis! I saw you looked a little…ruffled around the feathers, and knew this would help!” She indicated to the bush with a wing.
Starshine nodded, plucking another mouthful of berries from the bush, her tongue practically singing with joy as the sweet juices hit, “It’s exactly what I needed to get my mind off of…it.”
“Do you want to talk about it now?” Firleaf asked, “I bet it’ll help to get it off your chest.”
“I…I’m not ready. I haven’t even told Eaglefeather about it yet.”
Firleaf’s ears pricked, “Oh? Then whatever it is must’ve scared you a lot if you haven’t even told him yet.”
“Yeah…it’s…kind of scaring me. But enough about that, how are you and Cloudmane?” She asked with a smirk, tilting her head mischievously, “Will there be any little Firleaf’s or Cloudmane’s in the herd come this spring?”
Firleaf flared her yellow wings, her ears pinned back, “I…uh…”
“Don’t worry, Firleaf, I was only kidding.” She said, nudging her sister with her wing.
Firleaf glanced at her sister, a small smile on her lips as she began to chuckle.
“STARSHINE! FIRLEAF!” Bellowed a loud voice from above the trees, making the two sisters flinch. Firleaf, her bay coat shivering in fear, rattled her yellow wings, while Starshine rattled her own dark blue feathers. Crashing through the trees came the leopard appaloosa figure of their Over-Stallion, Leopardwing. Landing on the ground with a sound like thunder, the stallion flared his wings, “What are you two doing?!” He demanded.
The two sisters couldn’t speak for a moment, shock still coursing through their bodies.
“It seems…” Said the silky voice of the Lead Mare as she descended through the hole her mate made. Her silver coat gleaming in the harsh light coming through the hole, “That they were foraging for black berries.” With that statement, she indicated to the dark berry juice on the mares’ chest and wings, as well as the half eaten berry bush behind them.
Leopardwing huffed, “No mare should leave the safety of the Herd.” He growled, pinning his ears back.
The two mares dipped their heads, “Sorry, Leopardwing…” They said in unison.
"Good…” He said, eying the mares with slight interest. Looking back at Windcloud, he huffed, “Escort them home, it is your duty to keep the mares and…foals, safe after all.” With one last look at Firleaf and Starshine, he looked at Windcloud once more before spreading his wings, “We need to talk when you get home.”
With that, he leapt up into the air and winged his way through the hole he made in the trees.
Windcloud sighed, and then turned to her charges, her eyes bright with disgust, “You heard him, let’s get moving.” She said, trotting through the trees.
The two sisters exchanged a worried glance before trotting after their Lead Mare. Firleaf seemed indignant, Starshine knew she was mad that Leopardwing had interrupted their time together. Starshine herself, however, was worried. Why did Leopardwing want to talk to Windcloud? Was it…about her? Did he suspect that she was with foal? She couldn’t be sure, but the fear of that possibility gripped her heart like the claws of a cougar.
OOOOOO! I love the character of Firleaf already! She is such a supportive sister! And Leopardwing is just so evil...it might be interesting to have a chapter from his point of view. why exactly is he going to such lengths? Does he have a fear of Nightwing that stretches deep? It might be interesting if you wanted to explore! :)
Mountain Herd
Over-Stallion: Leopardwing, a gray leopard appaloosa stallion with a black and white mane and tail, amber eyes, and slate gray wings fading to a light blue
Lead Mare: Windcloud, silver mare with a light gray mane and tail, two white hind stockings, and leaf green wings
Under-Stallions:
Eaglefeather: A sooty golden furred stallion with a black mane and tail, black points, dark red wings, and four white socks
Cloudmane: A majestic white stallion with a white mane and tail, and pale blue wings
Mares:
Starshine: Gray Appaloosa Mare with dark blue wings and a wide white blaze
Firleaf: Bay appaloosa mare with pale yellow wings, black mane and tail, black points, a snip on her nose, and four white socks