A Trios Journey (private rp with wingfeather and tenebria)

[Abbster]

Sugar slowed when she came up to Swan. She dipped her head politely, taking a few deep breaths before she spoke. "Cinnamon and I were out getting ginger, and I saw a tree that had a bunch of claw marks on it, with blood mixed in" She said. "It looked like wolf claw marks, but I'm not sure." She said. "I told Cinnamon, and she told me to come right back to you to tell you" Sugar said, as she was still a little breathless from the run she had done.

[tenebria]

Galmúr let out a breath of relief as he plunged through the last patch of prairie grass, the path shifting through a copse of trees and back out onto the open, flatter, ground. The sun wasn't too high in the sky, which meant that they had traveled faster than the day before. The thought brought pride to the young buckskin and he quickened his pace even more, his young muscles straining as he thundered along the path, the hoofbeats of his mentor thudding behind him. They were coming closer to the herd now, and as he glanced over, Galmúr seemed to make out two stallions cantering their way. Thinking nothing of it, he continued as his swift pace, until a whinny echoed over the plains. Behind him, Lorcán suddenly became doubly alert, stiffening his muscles and sliding to an abrupt halt. "HALT, Galmúr!" his mentor whinnied after him, and the young buckskin swiftly responded with a sliding stop as well, turning and trotting back to his mentor, glancing over instinctively at the other two horses which were much closer. One seemed slightly familiar, but he couldn't remember why. "That whinny is an alerting call, and seeing as it is coming from two of our scouts, I would surmise they have observed something at our borders" his mentor explained in a slightly impatient tone, waiting for the two scouts to race up to them. "Treth, Danger" he said with the slightest inclination of his head "I assume you have an issue to report?" he questioned slightly. As the latter spoke, his eyes hardened, his body stilling as he listened with utmost concentration. Once he had swiftly spoken, he thought for a moment, then began questioning him swiftly "Which trail was this on? If it is a large pack then we must take all the precautions, double the guards, and keep a watch on the younglings." he then frowned slightly "Have either of you alerted Lead Mare Swan?" he asked, glancing to the herd in the distance.

Galmúr's eyes flashed with excitement as he nodded, storing the information for the future, and awaiting the two scouts eagerly. When his mentor spoke the first one's name, he remembered why he recognized him. That was Artemis's mentor! His ears pricked even more at this and he listened intently as the second stallion began speaking. His eyes widened. A wolf pack? A large one? He shifted slightly, automatically scenting the wind, then looking back to his mentor as he firmly and calmly began firing questions at the two scouts.


Swan's eyes widened in alarm at the young fillies words, and she took a moment of silence to think before nodding abruptly. "Well done for keeping your head. Now return to your mentor, and make sure she knows that I do not want either of you in the forest without an escort until further knowledge is obtained." She turned to her son, who had quickly come to attention as he listened, and he stepped forward. "Stormflash, go with Equinox and make sure the entire herd is accounted for, besides scouts and warriors. Make sure all parents know to keep their young ones close to the center of the herd, and everyone must not stray beyond the main patrol path" she said sternly. Stormflash gave an abrupt nod and swiftly spun, trotting to his apprentice who spoke to him briefly, then they split, each going opposite directions as they sped into the herd, spreading the warning of danger as swiftly as they could.

[wingfeather]

Danger stepped forward, ''the far north section of Bloodrock, the lead mare has not yet been alerted, but I will go immediately if those are your orders.''

[Abbster]

Sugar nodded and she whirled around, galloping back to where she had left her mentor, just as Cinnamon was immerging from the woods. "what did Lead Mare Swan say?" Cinnamon asked. Sugar took a deep breath. "She doesn't want either of us to go into the forest without an escort" she said. Cinnamon nodded. "good job, Sugar" she said. Sugar smiled. "thank you" she said, trotting back to their spot with Cinnamon. "did you get the ginger?" Sugar asked. Cinnamon nodded. "yep" Cinnamon said. Sugar smiled again.

[tenebria]

Lorcán nodded, staying silent for a few more moments as he thought of where that was, then he nodded. "Yes, she must be alerted swiftly to the danger." he agreed, then turned to Treth. "I would like to gather all the scouts and warriors at this spot as swiftly as possible. Danger, join us once you have alerted the lead mare, of course she is welcome to join us if she so wishes." he added quickly before the stallion departed. Galmúr shifted slightly beside him, his eyes bright with excitement as he followed along with the stallion's conversation. The gray stallion observed him for a moment, looking thoughtful, then turning back to the Head Scout. "Include all the apprentices with the other scouts as well, this will be a good learning experience for them" he said, almost reluctant to include them, but knowing that if he didn't call for it, Lead Mare Swan certainly would if she joined them. Especially considering her son was an apprentice.

[wingfeather]

Danger bowed and swiftly galloped off toward Lead Mare Swan. Quickly he hound her, and bowed low, ''Lead Mare Swan, I have come to report a wolf sighting on the north trail. Warrior Lorcán has been alerted and the other warriors and scouts are being gathered as we speak. Lorcán invites you to join if you so wish it,'' he bowed again ad waited her answer.

Treth too bowed and departed just after Danger, in search of the other scouts. Artemis and Myth had just returned from their very boring patrol. Treth stood in the midst of of his scouts, most of whom were there, ''there has been a sighting of wolves, all available scouts, and apprentices,'' he threw a glance in Artemis's direction, ''please follow me.'' He turned and cantered off the other scouts in formation behind him, Artemis at his side, prancing excitedly at the prospect of adventure.

[Abbster]

Sugar sighed. "I wish there was something we could do to help" she said, laying down. Cinnamon looked down at Sugar. "I know Sugar" she said. "but as herd healers....our job is to take care of the herd" she said. "yea, I know" Sugar said. "You feel sad that your friends get to go on this mission and you have to stay behind, don't you?" she asked. Sugar looked up and nodded. "I know herbs are my passion...but seeing what my friends get to do" she said. "and tonight, they're going to be talking about it non stop" Sugar said, standing to her hooves, as warriors and scouts have begun gathering.

Gus looked up from light grazing, he looked over at Applejack, who nodded. "your father is staying behind to protect your mother and sister" Applejack said as they made their way over to join the other scouts and warriors. Gus let out a breath of relief. "ok good" he said, as he gathered with the rest of the group. He caught a glimpse of Sugar...looking sad and left out. He sighed. If only she could join them.

[tenebria]

Lorcán swiftly turned as the two scouts galloped away. "Come, we must gather the warriors swiftly" he said, a focused serious look on his face as he plunged forward, heading for the herd. Galmúr quickly charged after him, excitement pounding through his veins, a sudden feeling of importance surging through him. He now had a job, a purpose.. he was a warrior. The gray stallion ahead of him weaved through the herd, most of the horses moving from his path swiftly as he thundered by, finally sliding to a halt in front of a few strong looking horses, who all looked up, ears pricked as they dipped their heads slightly. Galmúr's eyes brightened as he saw the warriors move towards them, having not met them as of yet, but his gaze narrowed with annoyance as he saw a certain silver coated yearling step out of the warriors, his gaze slightly arrogant, but excited nevertheless. "Warriors" Lorcán whinnied loudly, calling them all to him "Wolves have been scouted near our herd. Any who are not occupied in guarding or patroling at this time, follow me" he paused, remembering "Apprentices as well" he said quickly, then spun and began racing back, skirting around the herd this time. Galmúr was caught slightly off guard as his mentor pivoted and galloped off, quickly following his example and speeding after him, his heart thrilled by the thunder of confident hooves that followed behind them. Once he glanced behind him, his eyes flaming with the fire he felt as he saw the stern gazed horses following his mentor's lead.

A few moments later, Lorcán let out another neigh, then planted himself in a sliding halt, skidding with perfect precision right on top of the patrol path, the other warriors slamming their hooves into the ground almost in unison... except for the young buckskin, who was not aware it had been a command to halt, and almost sat down in his haste to stop. A dust cloud billowed around them as the many warriors shook themselves and gathered around the gray stallion who stood at their head.

Swan was worriedly gazing out to the forest edge, when the sound of swift hoofbeats caught her ear and she turned, dipping her head to the scout that bowed before her, then she frowned. "I feared so" she said with a sigh, then shook her head at the questioning look "I shall reveal why when we arrive. I will certainly attend the meeting" she said with a frown, waiting for the scout to lead the way.

[wingfeather]

Danger bowed and spun around and swiftly galloped back to where he knew the warriors and scouts, checking back toward the Lead Mare every so often.

Treth led his scouts quickly toward Lorcán stopping just before him, his scouts fanning out behind him. Artemis noticed Galmúr and smiled eagerly at him, knowing he was as excited as she was.

[Abbster]

Sugar sighed again. “What do we do now?” She asked. “The only thing we can do” Cinnamon said. “Wait” sugar nodded a little. “Ok” she said, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, sugar could see both her friends. She knew they would be excited about this….and then they would be bragging all about it to her. Sugar sighed again. “Can I just stretch my legs?” She asked. “Stay within my sight” cinnamon said.

[tenebria]

Galmúr tossed his mane, trying to contain his excitement as the scouts cantered up, Artemis appearing from the group. He grinned over at her, swishing his tail in greeting, then looking over with pricked ears as another scout cantered up, with the Lead Mare.

Lorcán dipped his head slightly to Treth as he appeared with his scouts, then bowed it lower as his Lead Mare trotted up to them all, her white coat gleaming in the sun. "My Lady" he said courteously "Has Danger briefed you?" he questioned, to which Swan nodded. "He has, but I have news that I am sure none of you have heard yet, well except for you two" she said, glancing over at Equinox and Stormflash, the latter of whom threw a smirk to Galmúr and a flashing smile to Artemis, tossing his dark mane and standing up straighter, pleased to know something they didn't. "Just before Danger came to me, the healer's apprentice alerted me to a claw mark scraped on a tree on the north forest's border. It had blood on it as well" she said, waiting as murmurs swept through the horses. The warriors frowning at this and shifting slightly at this news. Lorcán frowned at this, looking to Treth, opening his mouth, then pausing and looking to Danger once more. Questions could wait, first, to update all the others. "Danger, please tell, in detail, what you discovered and where" he said commandingly.

[wingfeather]

Artemis pretended not to see Stormflash as she focused her attention on Lorcán. Danger stepped forward and bowed to the assembly, ''my apprentice and I were traveling the northern branch of the Bloodrock trail early this morning just before the sun completely passed the horizon, not very far from the wood we spotted wolf prints, and large ones, there seemed to be at least twenty in number, we patrolled further and found they led into the forest. We did not go past that point and returned, with all speed, to Treth,'' Danger bowed again and resumed his place.

[Abbster]

Sugar galloped a round the perimeter of the herd, before galloping back to Cinnamon. "I'm back" she said. Cinnamon smiled and nodded. "I know you want to be with your friends, but if the wolves attack, and they get hurt, we need to be ready" she said.

[tenebria]

Lorcán listened just as intently as the others who had not heard the news yet, once again frowning at the idea of such a large pack invading their territory. "Thank you Danger" he said, inclining his head slightly and stepping forwards as the scout stepped back. "My Lady, with your permission, I will organize the warriors and scouts as I see best to counteract this threat" he said, dipping his head to his Lead Mare. Swan nodded slowly "Please do, Lorcán" she allowed, to which he raised his head and looked to the other horses surrounding him. "We must not wait for this threat to find us, a pack of that size could easily manage to slip through our guard and enter the herd" he said sharply, his gaze sweeping through the assembly "Our best strategy at this time, to my belief, is this. Four guards, scouts and warriors, must be posted at the closest four corners of the herd. The remainder will be lead by myself and Treth as we find and eliminate this threat. A pack of twenty is no easy battle, so we must use wisdom in our movements. If we form a line of scouts and warriors, each ten feet from the other, we can sweep through the forest and flush these canines from their hiding. If we can intimidate them, it shall be easy to influence their direction, and head them for the ravine. I believe that says it all" he said with a glance to Treth. "Is this plan in agreement with you both?" he questioned, glancing to Lead Mare Swan as well. Galmúr listened with excitement as his mentor spoke, the scene swiftly taking root in his mind. The line of strong warriors and scouts bearing down on the wolves and chasing them over the precipice, fighting those that turned on them... it was a thrilling plan.

Swan thought for a few moments, then nodded. "The swifter this plan is put in motion the better for us all. If they have already begun hunting the forest, it will not take them long to discover our herd, and as you say, not many obstacles will stand in their way of slipping through our herd to our young ones" she said, an angry gleam in her eye at the thought. "I support your actions, and leave you two to protect the herd" she said with a slight inclination of her head to the Head Warrior and Head Scout.

[wingfeather]

After the Lead Mare responded, Treth stepped forward and nodded solemnly in agreement, his general carefree attitude long gone, ''That sounds good, Warrior Lorcán, I and my scouts are at your command.''