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Post by Abbster on Jan 20, 2024 8:21:49 GMT -8
“Are we almost done?” Sugar asked. “I’m still tired…I didn’t really have much of a nap” she said
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Post by tenebria on Jan 20, 2024 9:23:59 GMT -8
Galmúr kept up a steady pace for quite some time, as eventually the ground leveled out once again. As Sugar's question broke the silence he suddenly frowned and swiftly glanced around at the trees and the setting sun. And then his eyes widened. "I can't believe I didn't realize it!" he burst out. "We've already done a complete half circle! From the direction the sun is, and our terrain, and how the path is going relatively straight now, I think that the herd has to be right in front of us!" he said, excitement flaring in his eyes. Then he glanced at the sun again, and alarm flashed over his face. "I don't think we have more than half an hour at this point though!" he added, speeding up his trot slightly as he glanced back to the two fillies "If you two think you have enough energy I think we need to really pick up the pace, and I mean like really fast. A sprint is the only way we're going to make it for sure" he said, looking to each filly as he waited for their reaction.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 20, 2024 9:27:38 GMT -8
''I think I can make it,'' Artemis answered, she looked at Sugar for her reaction.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 20, 2024 10:28:41 GMT -8
“Fine” Sugar said. “I need sleep, let’s just get back”
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Post by tenebria on Jan 20, 2024 10:33:11 GMT -8
Galmúr nodded and then swiftly took off, his legs a blur as he sped along the trail, eyes darting back and forth as he watched for any dangers. The sun's evening light was bathing the forest in orange and red, urging him faster. They'd only been running for a few minutes when suddenly a tall thorn hedge loomed in front of them. With a warning whinny, the young buckskin thrust himself over it, hitting the ground running on the other side. "I think we're near the end!" he called back, noticing the addition of more jumps and ditches appearing on the path... the final test.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 20, 2024 10:38:20 GMT -8
Artems took off after Galmúr but made sure to stay near Sugar. She almost didn't notice the thorny hedge, swiftly she gathered herself and sailed over it, nearly losing her footing, but soon regained her stride and continued running hard.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 20, 2024 10:39:23 GMT -8
Sugar followed after her friends, jumping whenever they did, and soaring when ever they did, running whenever they did. “Are we almost there?” She asked, starting to pant, as she saw them getting closer to the herd again.
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Post by tenebria on Jan 20, 2024 12:32:38 GMT -8
Galmúr pressed himself harder as he saw multiple shadows of obstacles rising in their path... a wide ditch, a swift stream, a fallen tree... and soon the jumping grew instinctive, just throwing himself over one hurdle and racing onwards to the next. At Sugar breathless question he managed a glance to the sky and his eyes widened. The sun was just beginning to disappear... and he could see the tip of the moon forebodingly lighting the horizon. "Faster!" he was all he could get out, pushing himself to even greater speed. Far up ahead he could just make out an opening in the trees, beckoning.. and beyond, dark shapes waiting... watching.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 20, 2024 12:42:30 GMT -8
Artemis thew her head flat, adding another burst of speed to her already galloping legs, almost there, she thought to herself, not even hearing Sugar's question even though she was right next to her.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 20, 2024 12:45:23 GMT -8
Sugar could see the herd in front of her. She picked up a faster gallop and completed the last few hurdles that were in their way, bursting through the woods after her friends, panting and flopping on the ground in exhaustion. “We did it” she managed to say before she almost fell asleep.
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Post by tenebria on Jan 20, 2024 13:01:04 GMT -8
Galmúr strained himself to the utmost as the moon rose, seeming deceivingly slow. He flung himself over the last thornbush, ignoring the scratches on his exhausted legs, and put on even more speed as he raced towards the opening, his heart pounding so hard he felt it would burst, his lungs gasping for air. And then suddenly he was through, speeding past the solemn stallion that stood as a sentry at the edge and managing to slide to a halt, his legs shaking, heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Vaguely he was aware that he had stopped running, but he didn't dare look at the sky. It had been so close... had they made it? Had Sugar and Artemis stayed behind him?
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 20, 2024 13:30:38 GMT -8
Artemis rushed past the guard and skidded to a stop beside Galmúr, just as Sugar collapsed. At was all she could do but keep her feet as they shook with exhaustion.
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Post by Abbster on Jan 20, 2024 13:34:17 GMT -8
“We did it!” Sugar said again. “Does this mean we can sleep now?” She asked, hope in her eyes
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Post by tenebria on Jan 20, 2024 14:47:02 GMT -8
Stormflash had moved to front of the herd with his mother as the sun fell from the sky, and the tip of the moon showed. He was already feeling extremely confident that the three yearlings wouldn't make it. After all, there were plenty of grown horses that couldn't do it, and these ones seemed weak. It was with a domineering look that he gazed down the path, waiting for them to appear. He knew that when they did, he would be only too glad to force them on the run again. But then... then he saw them. First the gleam of that flashy golden coat, followed by a glint of silver and black. For a moment he let his guard drop as he watched in amazement. He had never seen yearlings run that fast in his life, as much as he hated to admit it, but it was astonishing and almost even thrilling to see them thundering towards them. And then they flashed past the line, and his gaze immediately swung to the moon. Halfway up. His ears flattened. Great. Now he had a cousin.
Swan was equally surprised, but her reaction was one of amazement and pleasure that they had survived, and even defeated, the test. All of them. Separating herself from the herd, she stepped towards them as the young buckskin raised his exhausted head to meet her gaze, managing a slight dip of respect as his legs shook violently. "Yearlings of no herd, you have done something unexpected. Not many of your age have ever completed the Test. But you... you have. You have defeated the moon" she said, motioning to the shining ball that had just risen in the sky. Her eyes softened when she looked back down to the exhausted young horses. "When the sun has risen, we shall accept you into our herd. For tonight, you will sleep together at the edge of this forest. Shazar will keep an eye on you and make sure none approach while you rest." She said, glancing to the solemn sentry stallion.
Galmúr listened, first with apprehension, then joy and a sense of wonderful accomplishment as he glanced over at Artemis and Sugar. They had done it. Looking back to swan, he dipped his head again "My thanks, lead mare Swan." he said, his voice exhausted. "Go now, rest" She urged them, turning and trotting calmly back to her herd. Before the young buckskin stumbled off to where Shazar was directing them, he looked over once more at the herd, and caught a cold angry glare from the silver yearling that stared at them. Stormflash. And then he crumpled to the ground beside the forest, his eyes closing almost immediately as he hit the ground.
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Post by wingfeather on Jan 20, 2024 14:54:33 GMT -8
Artemis did not even hear the exchange that went between Galmúr and Swan, she felt herself be led somewhere then she collapsed on the floor and knew no more.
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