Lightdrop awoke, and looked around. The sun just starting to peek up above the horizon. It was so peaceful that, for a moment, Lightdrop forgot about what had happened the day before, but when he didn't see Oakblaze among the wrest of the patrol, it all came rushing back to him.

On an impulse, Lightdrop trotted over to the barrier that he had watched Ravenstrike attack his sire from, hoping that maybe everything would have gone back to normal overnight. But when he poked his head through, he saw that nothing had changed, Stone Herd was still a grayish mesh of a color.

As he gazed through the bushes Lightdrop recalled what he had seen in his dream, and the dream he had the morning before. Both seemed so real, and it did seem odd timing for them. I need a second opinion, he through, and trotted back to the patrol, who were all still sleeping, and went up to Twilightdawn. Lightdrop nudged her with his hoof and her eyes fluttered open instantly.

"What do you want?" snapped the chestnut mare, who was always grouchy when she was woken up.

"Listen, this is important." whispered Lightdrop, then he told her about his dreams. First the one in witch Maplespark had been engulphed in silver starfire, and then the one with Luckywish. When he had finished, Twilightdawn stared at him for a long time.

"Lightdrop," she said, "I don't think those were dreams."

"What do you mean?" asked Lightdrop, "If they aren't dreams, then what are they?"

Twilightdawn gave Lightdrop a mysterious look, then she said, "I think those were visions Lightdrop."

Lightdrop stared at her, he had heard of visions from some of the walkers tales, usually they only came to steeds that had gotten special tasks from the ancestors. There that word was again 'special', Luckywish had told him he was special, but Lightdrop didn't feel special. It was quite the contrary, he had just lost his herd, he had lost his promised mate, and he had just watched his father be defeated. That doesn't sound like I'm special, it sounds like I'm cursed.

"What do I do with these visions?" Lightdrop asked Twilightdawn.

The chestnut mare shook her head, "I have no idea, but I think that until we do, you better not say anything. The others might take the news differentily."

Lightdrop nodded, but he still had one more question, "Can I ask you about something?"

"Sure." she said.

"Yesterday," said Lightdrop, "When my father was facing off with Ravenstrike, it sounded like they knew each other. What was that about?"

Twilightdawn smiled, "Your pretty perceptive. You are correct, your father did know Ravenstrike at one time."

"How did they know each other?" Lightdrop asked, now very curious.

"Many, many moons ago," said Twilightdawn, who never passed up on telling a story, "When your father was a colt, he and Ravenstrike were close friends. In fact, Oakblaze was the black foal's only friend. Well as the two colt grew, they both fell in love with a filly named Spottedecho."

Lightdrop gasped at the mention of his mother's name, "Ravenstrike was in love with my mother?" he asked.

Twilightdawn nodded, "Yes he was," she answered, "And as you well know, if a colt wants to be with a particular filly, he must prove himself to Stone Herd's council." Twilightdawn paused, and Lightdrop remembered he had to do to prove himself. The council had tasked him with retrieving an egg from an eagle's nest. Lightdrop had succeeded, but he still couldn't look at the birds with remembering their talons digging into his pelt.

"Both Ravenstrike and Oakblaze set out on quests to do so." continued Twilightdawn, "Your sire was the first to return to Stone Herd having failed to complete his quest, but then Ravenstrike returned, his quest complete success. When the council met to congratulate, they both colts were fully expecting that Ravenstrike would end up promised to Spottedecho, but to their surprise, Oakblaze was chosen instead. Ravenstrike was understandably furious, and questioned the council about their decision, he was told that they had picked Oakblaze merely because they didn't want Ravenstrike's bloodline in Stone Herd. Upon hearing the unfair treatment of his friend, Oakblaze tried to give Spottedecho to Ravenstrike, but the council had forbad it. Humiliated, Ravenstrike ran from Stone Herd vowing revenge. And I believe you know the wrest."

Lightdrop sat in silence for a few moments, to let it all sink in. He had heard the story of Ravenstrike a few times, but had never heard this part of the story. It was all so shocking, but it also made a lot of sense. No wonder Ravenstrike had been asking about Spottedecho.