The moon and stars shown brightly overhead, illuminating a lush mountain valley, and a herd of colorful winged pegasi within. On one of the cliff faces stood a leopard appaloosa stallion, his gray and blue wings shining like icy silver in the moon’s light. Looking up at the stars, the stallion pinned his ears back, his eyes unfocused, as if he were deep in thought. He only drew his gaze away from the sparkling specks of light in the sky when a flurry of wingbeats disturbed him. Snorting, the stallion turned on the intruder, it’s form too shadowy to make out in the shadows cast by a rocky overhang, which the intruder had positioned their self under. Spreading his wings, the stallion pawed the ground and arched his neck.
“Relax, Leopardwing…” Came the silky tone of a Pegasus mare, “It’s only me.”
The stallion, Leopardwing, rolled his eyes, “If it’s only you, why are you skulking in the shadows?” He challenged, pinning his ears back.
The mare chuckled softly, stepping out into the light, her hide and mane glowing silver in the rays of the moon, “It’s more fun this way.” She nickered with a slight tilt of her head.
The stallion regarded the mare for a moment longer before turning to look at the stars once more, his eyes dark with worry. When the mare had stepped up beside him, he spoke, “Have you spoken with Wrenroot?” He asked.
She nodded, “Yes, she and I both believe that the star you noticed the night before is, in fact, the Hundred Year Star…” She nickered, turning her gaze to the sky, “It is hard to imagine how you noticed a new star in the sky among the millions of others…”
Leopardwing shrugged, “I have a lot of time on my wings.” He nickered, “I fill my time looking at the stars while I watch the herd.”
The mare nodded, “I see…a worthy pastime…as you noticed the Hundred Year Star.” She said, flicking her forelock out of her face, “I only wish it didn’t come this season…”
The Over-Stallion regarded the mare in shock, “And why not?” He asked, his eyes narrowing, “Windcloud, is there something you’re not telling me?” He asked, his ears pinning back slowly.
The mare, Windcloud, regarded her mate for a moment before sighing, “Leopardwing…” She murmured, “Wrenroot just told me I was with foal, and…”
“And you think it might be the black foal!?” He asked, his voice tone turning more and more icy with every word.
“No!” Windcloud nickered, taking a step away from her mate, “I’m almost sure that this foal is NOT the black foal.” She snorted, “Besides, most of the mares who have mates are pregnant this season as well. The odds are quite slim that MY foal is the ONE black foal of the Century.”
“But…”
“AND,” Windcloud nickered, interrupting her mate’s thought, “You must also take into account the fact that there ARE other Herds that have mares as well. Any ONE of them could have the black foal.”
“So…there HAVEN’T been any…unusual pregnancies?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.
Windcloud shook her head, “No, at least not according to Wrenroot, not yet anyway.” She said
Leopardwing looked at the his mate for a moment before speaking again, “We need to control the black foal…” He said.
“I agree.” His mate replied with a nod, “IF the black foal were our enemy…then that could be…problematic for us…”
“Exactly!” He said, “Which is why we must control the black foal…from BIRTH.”
Windcloud’s eyes widened, “What…do you mean?” “You’ll see.” He said, “First, I MUST have your word that you will stand with me…no MATTER what I decide.”
“Leopardwing…” She nickered.
“Promise me, Windcloud!” He nickered, his eyes dark.
The Lead Mare regarded her mate for a few moments, her eyes narrowed and her ears pinned back. After a few moments of tense silence, she dipped her head, “Of course, Leopardwing, I will stand with you.”
“Good…” He nickered, looking out across the Herd, “I promise you, Windcloud…this herd…and our reign…will be secure.” He said, draping his wing over his mate’s back and drawing her closer to his side.
Cool! Excited to read the rest!
@Skysun Btw, this was your 200th post!
ughegubuysgfi still don't like Leopardwing, that creep...... but GAH I LOVE ITTT
also: “If it’s only you, why are you skulking in the shadows?” He challenged, pinning his ears back.
The mare chuckled softly, stepping out into the light, her hide and mane glowing silver in the rays of the moon, “It’s more fun this way.” She nickered with a slight tilt of her head.
that reminds me so much of scene from a different book series, but I actually like the person in Leopardwing's position in that one XDD
WOw! Im hooked already! Great job!
I like it a lot!! I miss the other mare though, the one who was the original main character's sister?
I can see the similarities to the old story! I think that Windcloud is pregnant with the black foal. Still don't like Leopardwing much...his plan of controlling the black foal from birth seems suspicious.