Lost in a Cloud of Feathers
Part 1
Thowra danced around Strom. He playfully nipped Strom and cried "tug-you-last!" Thowra then quickly danced away from Strom and the herd.
Strom playfully cantered after the dancing cream foal shouting "I'm going to get you Thowra!" Thowra stopped, turned to let Strom catch up and then suddenly pranced out of the bay foal's reach.
Gradually, the two foals cantered and played further away from Yarraman's herd, and Bel Bel and Mirri. Soon, cold, white feathers fell from the blue-black clouds that clogged the winter sky. Thowra felt the cold snow touch his creamy hide and he bucked, nearly kicking Storm.
"Careful!" said Storm, dodging the sudden outburst of Thowra's back legs.
"Sorry, it's so cold, it scared me" said Thowra sheepishly. The two foals looked up at the falling snow. The soft, white feathers had covered the ground quickly and it had covered up the foals' tracks, their only way back to the herd.
Part 2
Bel Bel looked up from grazing. It was snowing and she had only just realised it. She looked around for Thowra, but he was no-where to be seen, nor was Storm. "Mirri, have you seen Storm or Thowra?" Mirri now looked up and around.
"No, did you see where they went?" said Mirri, sounding concerned.
"No, and they won't be able to find their way back to the herd in this snow" Bel Bel said, worried but calm. The two mares trotted silently away from the herd in search for Thowra and Storm. Occasionally, they would call into the cold air, but all they heard were the ringing echoes of their calls.
Bel Bel and Mirri steadily trotted through the snow barely making a sound. One mare, bay, showing up in the flurry of snow; the other, her cream coat invisible in the cold feathers.
After a while, Mirri called for the lost foals. A faint whinny replied. The mares looked at each other and started to canter towards the call. Bel Bel called this time and Thowra replied. The two mares stretched into a gallop. Their stride lengthened and they stretched their long necks, desperate to get to their lost foals.
Part 3
The foals stood in a clearing which was quickly filling up with snow. Both were petrified, until they heard a call from Mirri. Storm looked around franticly and replied. All was silent apart from the chilly winter wind whistling through the trees. Suddenly, there was another call; it was Bel Bel this time and Thowra neighed loudly in reply. All was silent once more.
A dark shape galloped into the clearing and Storm saw that it was his mother, Mirri. "Where is Bel Bel?" asked Thowra, now feeling upset.
"I'm right here" came Bel Bel's calm, gentle voice from next to Mirri.
"Sorry, I couldn't see you" said Thowra happier that his mother had found him.
"Come on, lets get back to the herd" said Mirri, nudging Strom gently towards the direction of the herd.
When they saw the magnificent chestnut stallion, Yarraman standing proudly with his herd, the foals galloped over bucking with joy at seeing the other foals…well, apart from Arrow.
