Starpebble fell asleep that night easily, and in her deepest sleep, Star came to her, his eyes shining. “You are doing very well, Starpebble,” was all he said, and then he was gone.

She woke suddenly the next morning hearing whispered voices from across the clearing. Hoperiver had gone back to the herd the previous evening, going back to her life. Starpebble realized she would probably never see her again. Cedarwing had gone to check on his herd but now he was back and talking quietly with Spark, whose wings were half open. She stood and watched them, and as Cedarwing turned away Spark flared his bug wings in preparation for flight.

Starpebble walked slowly toward him and when he saw her he stopped and folded his wings, smiling softly. “Starpebble,” he said, and the sound of her name on his voice sent shivers up her spine. “Were you going to let me leave without saying goodbye?”

She stepped up to him and he put his wings around her. “I’ll miss you,” she murmured.

Spark pressed his forehead against hers and stepped back. “I’ll miss you too. But it won’t be for too long.”

Starpebble sighed and watched as he spread his wings and lifted off with one last backward glance.

Ember watched from where he lay, legs tucked under him, as his brother and Starpebble said goodbye, and a smouldering fire of resentment began to burn in his gut along with his starfire. Spark flew away and Starpebble turned and saw him. She smiled, and Ember smiled back.

Starpebble walked over to him and lay down next to him, tucking her wings gracefully on her back. Summersong stirred a little bit away, and Ember gathered himself.

He started slowly. “Starpebble….”

She turned her head and smiled at him. “Yeah?”

“Um… I just wanted to ask you… is there anything going on between you and Spark?”

She tilted her head and looked at him. In her eyes he saw what she couldn’t put into words and the resentment flared and burned brighter.

“I don’t know yet,” she said hesitantly. “We’re still all only yearlings, Ember. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”

Ember looked away and shrugged his wings.

Starpebble put her wing on his shoulder. “Ember, please, wait until we’re older! I promise I will not agree to anything until I am at least two.” She turned his head toward her. “Understand?”

He nodded.

Spark wheeled far above the ground, searching for a jet stream, his thoughts full of Starpebble and her goodbye. He shook his head.

It’s too soon, he told himself. We’re too young. He filled his head with wind, found the jet stream, and shot away.

Thanks for reading! Constructive criticism welcome, PLEASE inform me of ANY mistakes, including spelling and inconsistencies. Sorry this was so late!

Mountain Herd:

Cedarwing~ (over-stallion) agile bay stallion with blue feathers, black mane and tail, thin white blaze

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

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

Summersong~ (yearling) brownish-gold filly with pale pink feathers, light brown mane and tail