Wintermist winced again when Dewbreeze moved her left wing gingerly, trying to see where it hurt.

“OW!” Wintermist said suddenly when Dewbreeze forced her wing into a highly painful position.

The onlookers, Flamefrost, Sunshadow, and Wintermist’s parents Winterstorm and Pinemist, looked alarmed when she shouted. Dewbreeze released Wintermist’s wing and delivered her verdict.

“It’s a very bad break, but it isn’t too close to the root of the wing, so she will be able to fly again eventually.”

The onlookers relaxed visibly at her words. “But how long is eventually?” her sire, a blue roan with pale blue wings named Pinemist asked.

“I would keep her on the ground until the moon disappears, which since we aren’t at a full moon yet, will be a while. It’s a half moon now. Once we get to the next half moon before the moon disappears, she can try flapping and moving it around more. But for now, try to keep it still.”

They were interrupted by a groan from Wintermist.

“It has to stay still?” she complained. “I can’t do anything if I can’t move my wing.”

“That’s the point, sorry,” said Dewbreeze. “You aren’t supposed to move until it heals. If you do move before you’re ready, it will really hurt again. You can swim a little to exercise it at the next half moon.”

“Oh, okay. At least I like swimming.” The pain in Wintermist’s wing seemed to have dulled her boldness that bordered on craziness. It looked like she would be more sensible in the future. She got up and walked calmly back to her spot in the meadow with the others.