I am back with more. I know my story sucks but I am trying.
Clover, a handsome white horse with golden streaks and a sandy brown mane and tail, let Valeraina, or Rain, lash at his side with her whip. Rain was a very stubborn trainer, and now thin red rivers trickled down his pelt. He had lost his best friend, Shuttle, when the gray dappled horse collapsed in a thunderstorm. A sudden surge of rage entered him, flowing through the blood that ran down his pelt. This Twoleg had killed his best friend, and now his secret love. His eyes flashing, he reared up and Rain toppled backwards. But Rain was an expert on horses and was ready. She rolled backwards on the grass and kneeling, and tightened her grip on the whip. She lashed out, but only managed to strike the air. Clover was gone, and a frustrated Rain started to the Stables.
Clover arrived in a golden green meadow, with a tint of purple flowers here and there. "Tangy? Tangy! Where did you go?" It felt good to shout out her name. It sounded so peaceful. But instead of Tangy, he was greeted by four horses.
"Hi there. I'm Stoneripple, this is a border patrol from MeadowHerd. This here is Breezefire, Dustwood, and Mousehoof. Are you alone?" Stoneripple's eyes glinted with friendliness and Clover overlooked the patrol curiously.
"I'm alone, looking for a gal." Breezefire's eyes seemed to lose it's luster for a moment.
"Well," Stoneripple said calmly, not taking his eyes off of Clover, "Why are we standing here? Rustlewind probably is waiting. A Gathering is tonight, with Rustlewind, Fallenwind, Goldenwind, and Petalwind. Let's try to make it in time." As the group trotted off toward the camp, Breezefire slowed her pace to match Clover's.
"Don't worry about Stoneripple, he's being loyal to the Herd. Just a little suspicious, he's been appointed warrior for one and a half moons now, though I'm only half a moon. Here, I'll tell you about the Herds." Clover learned as fast as Tangy.
. .
"Lightstorm. Lightstorm!" Breezefire whispered into Clover's ear. "Gathering time!"
"Oh," he mumbled. He looked up at the sky. It was dark blue, with a few streaks of pink still striping across it. He had gotten used to being called Lightstorm immediately.
"I see you're looking at Silvermane." Breezefire's soft voice gave a hint of teasing.
"Jealous?" Clover joked. Breezefire grew silent.
"Come on," she murmured, "Let's go to the Gathering, don't want to miss it."
. .
Nighthoof escorted Tangy to a circle of trees. "Over here," he called, and they laid down together. "Songhoof, I can remember my first Gathering, long ago. You know, Goldenwind said I should be made a warrior soon." Tangy thought she saw a flash of golden tinted white. Stop thinking about Clover! she scolded herself.
"Clover?" Nighthoof asked. Tangy looked startled.
"Did I just say that aloud?" she asked.
"Yes..." Nighthoof looked puzzled, "Wait no. I can't tell!"
"How can you not tell?" Tangy inquired. Nighthoof turned red, then a bit pale.
"Gathering," he grinned nervously. He nodded towards a cluster of tree stumps, each touching the one next to it, each cut down to the same height. Goldenwind had set herself comfortably lie down on some of them. Three other horses lay down on the others.
"Horses of all Herds," one started. Silence spread over the Herds. "MeadowHerd has a new member. His name is Lightstorm. He will be a new warrior, though he looks less than half a moon older than an apprentice. He will serve as an apprentice, and have a mentor, for he does not know enough about our ways. Gradually, he should adapt his new surroundings, and he seems comfortable in our Herd. Otherwise, all is well in MeadowHerd." Another horse stood.
"I, Fallenwind, myself, do not highly trust newcomers, Rustlewind, but if what information he provides you with tells you he is fine, I am well with it. In LostHerd, Springtrack and Rockthorn have given birth to two foals, Saplingfoal and Featherfoal. LostHerd is doing good."
Now Goldenwind stood. "Rustlewind, like you, I have a newcomer. She is now known as Songhoof, and I have found her a fast learner and a horse of great speed. She believes deeply in SacredHerd and I am sure she will make a great warrior when the time comes. Petalwind?" A pretty cream mare stood.
"Thank you, Goldenwind. Lionmane, my deputy, reported that his patrol saw an eagle nest on a high ledge above TideHerd. We will have to face the ferocity of these mountain birds, for they are known for their sharp beaks. Overall, TideHerd is fair. Now may the Herds speak." A few tails raised.
"Yes, Highwater." Highwater, a tall Arabian stood.
"As an elder of TideHerd, I have lived and seen before most of us here. I was originally the medicine horse, but that is passed on to Amberoak." Amberoak smiled shyly, and Highwater continued. "I am glad that there are so many new members in the other Herds, so young foals and horses can see the future. I have seen a new prophecy, and what I saw I will tell you, before I leave my Herd." A gasp arose among the Herds. "I will be joining SacredHerd soon, and this is the last Gathering I will be attending. I saw a small sapling rest on a riverbed and float down it, unwilling to sink. A feather joined it soon, but it wobbled a little before it held steady. I saw a black star shoot towards where the river ended in a waterfall, and a harsh wind blow by. Then I saw a flash of light, and I heard a song.
"Hold steady, hold steady,
The birds sing forward the season
Trot alongside the stream
And follow the night
Meet the light beam
Find the secret in the first
Step in the prints of the seer
Be ready, be ready."
So, how do you like it? Maybe you can figure out the prophecy. Anyone who gets the puzzle together gets a character in the story. But anyone can donate a character. Please include name, gender, description, age, and (optional) past. Thanks!