A Trios Journey (private rp with wingfeather and tenebria)

[Abbster]

Sugar continued pacing nervously. "Maybe...I'll go play with Hazel to pass the time" Sugar said. "I think she'd like that" Cinnamon said. "Come back when the herd returns" She said. Sugar nodded, and cantered through the herd until she found Oreo and Hazel. "Hi Oreo" Sugar said. "Feeling sad you can't join the hunting party, huh?" Oreo asked. "how'd you know?" Sugar asked. "because when I was pregnant with Hazel, I felt the same way" she said. Sugar smiled. "well, I'm here to play with her" She said. Oreo smiled. "I think she'd really like that" Oreo said

[tenebria]

Galmúr kept his gaze sweeping over the area in front and beside him, his ears pricked as he tried to hear any sounds above the thundering of hoofbeats. Suddenly another crackle sounded in the brush, the young buckskin glared forwards, trying to see through the brush, when suddenly a blur of dark gray shot from the brush. With a surprised whinny he reared instinctively, striking out with a hoof. It connected with the creature with a thud, and the wolf fell to the ground, landing on its side before swiftly springing up, it's amber gaze locked on the young buckskin. Galmúr's heart was pounding with adrenaline as the wolf began circling him, he turning to keep his gaze on the predator. There was no time to think, no time to call for help, and he realized anyway that he couldn't call for help. This was his responsibility. If he didn't stop this wolf, it could get to the herd and kill an innocent foal. Suddenly the wolf snarled from where it crouched, then leapt forwards, jaws widened for his throat. With a swift reflex he didn't even know he had, he spun and thrust his back hooves upwards. With a crack they hit the wolf, sending him flying against a nearby tree with a thud. Without even a yelp he fell to the ground, and the young buckskin stood for a moment, eyes wide as triumph flooded through him. He'd done it. Then he spun, and leapt forward, his hooves thundering against the forest undergrowth as he raced back to the line. The fight had felt like hours, but in reality, it had been only a minute or two. In a few moments he caught up and settled into the rhythm of the slower canter, and it was only then he realized, he hadn't even been wounded. Not one claw had scratched his coat. A thrill of pride rushed through him. He was a warrior. An offbeat caught his attention and he looked over to see his mentor slam his hooves down hard, then leap over something to continue forwards, his gaze forwards. So they had found the pack.

[wingfeather]

Artemis glanced nervously around, not wanting to be caught be surprise. Suddenly two gleaming eyes glared at her menacingly from underneath a bush. Then it leaped, grazing her exposed side with its razor claws, Artemis held in a hard to conceal neigh of pain, she head-butted it hard, then stomped on it. She looked around quickly looking around for the rest of the horses before catching up. Wincing slightly at her bleeding side, but it was not a heavy flow so she continued.

[Abbster]

Sugar began playing tag with Hazel...she could hear a few neighs ringing out, but she had to keep the filly distracted. "come home soon" she whispered when Hazel was running away from her. Sugar took off towards her. "I'M GONNA GET YOU!" She said. Hazel ran up to her father, Creampuff looked down. "Sugar, take her back into the herd" he said. "now" he added. Hazel looked at her father. "why dada?" she asked. "Because darling..." was all he could say before Oreo came up. "are you hungry Hazel?" she asked. Hazel's eyes glowed, and she nodded, trotting back with her mother. "any sign of the herd?" Sugar asked Creampuff. Creampuff shook his head, and Sugar flattened her ears as she trotted back with Oreo and Hazel

[tenebria]

Galmúr thundered onwards, the adrenaline of battle rushing through his veins. No longer was the the beat totally rhythmical, but offbeats were heard all down the line, yelps and howls amongst the hooves. And ahead of them, crashing and crackling of the underbrush, indicating the more cowardly of the pack was running, just as they had planned. The young buckskin's gaze swept the terrain before him, searching, scenting. Suddenly a howl sounded from in front of him and a blur of gray shot past him, trying to escape. With a angered whinny, he spun and charged after it, bearing down swiftly. The wolf turned and desperately leapt for his leg. Galmúr whinnied and reared just as the wolf's fang's grazed his leg, and then he slammed his hooves down, once, twice, thrice... then paused for a moment, breathing hard as he made sure he'd completed his job before spinning and racing back to his place in line, a fiery strength burning in his gaze.

Stormflash was racing along halfway down the line from his cousin, his gaze was focused as he raced beside his mentor. Suddenly a growl sounded from almost beside him and he slid to a halt, eyes wide as he tried to pinpoint the danger source. Suddenly a gray streak shot from the bushes, and he reared in fright, a whinny splitting from his muzzle as the wolf's claws sliced his skin, it's jaws just barely missing his throat as he tossed his head in pain. Desperately, the silver yearling slammed his hooves down. A yelp sounded then silence. Shaking, the silver yearling snorted, wincing with pain at the claw marks on his shoulder, and glancing down at the wolf. He'd hit him squarely in the side, his hoofprints still very visible. With a satisfied nod he turned and galloped after the line, resuming his place, wincing, in a few moments.

The sounds of the hoofbeats faded from the clearing where the wolf lay still. Suddenly, his ear twitched. A few moments later, he whined in pain, pulling himself to his paws and shaking himself off. A glint flashed in his eyes, an evil glint, one of revenge. He knew he was the only one to have survived the deathly line of hooves.... and he would not waste his packmates lives in vain. One would die. Just one. With a vengeful growl, he limped into the brush, his pace growing surer with every step as he headed back towards the herd.

[wingfeather]

Nacho saw a wolf in front of him, breaking ranks, he charged ahead and hit the thing hard with his head before wiring around and kicking it hard with his back hooves. Grimly the donkey returned to his place.

Treth let out a quiet snort of annoyance when he saw the donkey rush ahead. It always frustrated him when the other horses did not stay in line or follow to the plan. But he knew Nacho was a free spirit and a valuable asset to the herd. He looked back at Artemis, not noticing her wounds for they were on her other side. He was very proud of her, she was holding up very well. These thoughts were shaken away as a dark coated creature leapt in a desperate attack, from his hiding place. The battle didn't last long, Treth continued searching.

Artemis's side was irritating her greatly, it started bleeding more than before, and her limp was becoming harder to hide. She hoped this battle would end soon, but even if it didn't, she would not turn back.

[Abbster]

Sugar continued to play with Hazel, but Hazels on got tired and she had lay down beside Oreo and fell asleep. Sugar sighed and waited until her friends returned…but she still never saw them coming through the trees.

[tenebria]

Lorcán crashed through the undergrowth, his steely eyes sweeping the ground below him for any signs of the canines. To his right a white wolf suddenly leapt from the brush, claws outstretched. Adira neatly sidestepped the wolf and reared, plunging downwards as she pushed herself forwards without even a flinch. One of his best, he thought fleetingly, then turned his gaze back to his own path, just as another desperate shape flung itself towards his throat. Swiftly he slammed his head against the wolf, throwing it to the side, and almost into his apprentice's path. Galmúr jumped slightly as a wolf suddenly rolled across his path, instinctively causing him to rear. Realizing it had come from his mentor's direction, he swiftly crashed down with his hooves, slamming hard then racing forwards again. Lorcán had mildly slowed his pace to observe his apprentice's actions, and a slightly impressed look flashed in his eyes. The young stallion was keeping quite the cool head during all this, and, as far as he himself could tell, the young buckskin didn't seem to have any wounds on him. A sign of a real warrior. A howl down the line turned his attention back to the task at hoof, and he charged forwards, leaping over a log as they sped through the forest. The ravine was drawing ever nearer, in fact he could already glimpse the glimmering of light through the trees. Soon it would be over.

The lone wolf slunk through the forest, his pace moved to a swift loping trot as he slipped through the shadows. Reaching the edge of the wood, he gazed across the plains, eyes narrowing as he saw the shapes of the large creatures that had destroyed his pack. He would taste their blood before he died. Using the tall prairie grass as cover, he began moving towards the unsuspecting herd. To his left he could see a large white stallion, seemingly standing guard, but he was sure he could slip past him. 

[wingfeather]

Artemis was falling behind, the pain on her side building by the minute, she no longer tried to hide her limp, but gritting her teeth she pushed onwards, keeping up with the rest of the horses as best she could. 

Treth took down another large wolf before glancing back at his apprentice. It was then that he noticed her wounded state. He looked ahead, seeing that they were nearing the end, she will have to hold on a little longer he told himself, looking at Artemis with sympathetic eyes.

[Abbster]

Sugar was pacing once more. “Sugar” Oreo said. “Calm yourself” she said. “How are you clam knowing Gus is out there?” Sugar asked. “Because I know this is what Gus is meant to do, and his mentor will keep him safe” she said. Sugar sighed. “I’m going to take a nap beside Hazel, wake me up when they get back please” she said. Oreo nodded as sugar settled down with Hazel

[tenebria]

Galmúr dodged a large rock and surged forwards once again, scanning the ground ahead of him as the trees began to thin out, the underbrush replaced with rock slabs. Suddenly a movement up ahead caught his attention, a streak of gray running from them, slipping through the trees, desperately racing away. Suddenly, Lorcán let out a powerful neigh, one that his apprentice had not heard of yet. It was a call for a battle maneuver, a flanking move. In response to his call, the warrior at the end of the line on his right swiftly sped up, the other's following his example, shortening the line as they moved forwards into a U shape, trapping the wolves in the middle of them. And then suddenly the tree line was behind them, the ravine ahead of them. Galmúr's eyes widened slightly as he heard a yelp and a long howl, and two large thuds of hooves, and then Lorcán let out a trumpeting call, and they all slid to a halt just before the edge of the precipice. Galmúr slammed his hooves down on the rock, his hooves scraping against the stone as he slid to a halt, his breathing hard and fast, adrenaline still flooding his veins as he tossed his mane, eyes alight with the fire of victory. They had done it. The hunt was over! Lorcán stood tall as his gaze shifted from the ravine to the horses who were gathering beside him, his faithful warriors and the trusted scouts. Many had new wounds slashed over their coats, but they had not lost one horse, not even any apprentice. His thoughts turned his gaze to his apprentice who had shifted closer to him and the slightest smile slipped over his muzzle. The young buckskin had proved his mettle, his battle tactics were rough, to say the least, but he had good instincts and swift reaction to movements. He would make a magnificent warrior, Lorcán predicted, a feeling of pride as he hadn't felt in years flashing through him. Galmúr tossed his mane again as the energy thrummed through him, glancing up at his mentor, his eyes still glinting with fire. The gray stallion swiftly masked his emotions and gave the yearling an abrupt nod, then turned his gaze over to the Head Scout. They needed to take a count of how many wolves had been encountered, only then would they know they were finished.

The lone wolf crouched in the tall prairie grass, his amber gaze watching the horses. Suddenly they locked on a small brown and white horse. There. It was weak. It was young. Without a glance to the white stallion, the wolf began slinking over the ground, moving with the breezes that brushed the grasses, closer and ever closer.

[wingfeather]

Treth walked over to his apprentice, intending to congratulate her. But then he saw her wounded side, she was loosing blood and energy, ''hang in there Artemis, I'll get help. Swiftly he trotted over to Lorcán, ''my apprentice has been wounded, she needs medical attention immediately, my I take her back to the herd?''

[Abbster]

Creampuff was keeping watch when suddenly he saw a wolf slinking closer and closer to his filly. He let out a shriek, which alerted Oreo and woke Sugar. Oreo stood in front of her filly and Sugar stood up as Creampuff raced over. He let out an alarm call to the herd….saying his filly was under attack. Sugar wanted to stay, but she could see the herd making their way back so she bolted to Cinnamon. Gus flicked his ears. “Hazel!!” He shrieked. “She’s under attack!” He bolted forward and raced towards his little sister.

[tenebria]

Lorcán swiftly nodded, a slight frown of concern showing on his face. "Of course, we shall return immediately, a kill count can be done later" he said quickly, neighing for his warriors to form up with the scouts. Galmúr looked up as the Head scout trotted over, then his eyes widened, heart beginning to pound slightly with fear. "Can I walk with her and help her get back?" He asked, worry in his tone and eyes as he looked from his mentor to the scout, hoping to be given permission. The gray stallion hesitated, glancing to Treth. He could see the worry that was overtaking his apprentices mind, and he had heard of the close bond the three yearlings seemed to have. He gave a slight tilt of his head to Treth, indicating he would allow it if he agreed as well.

Swan's head shot up as she heard the stallion's alarm call, swiftly pivoting and racing into her herd, her legs a blur as she raced to the call. The unthinkable had happened. The warriors and scouts had let a wolf slip through. She could only hope the white warrior could get there before damage was done.

The lone wolf growled in anger and surprise as the stallion suddenly let out a cry and charged towards him. His cover blown, he leapt to his paws and began racing for the filly, revenge and desperation in his eyes. He would sink his fangs into one horse before he died, his crazed eyes were wide as he attempted to outrun the warrior.

[wingfeather]

Treth nodded briefly to the golden buckskin before swiftly trotting back to his apprentice, supporting her on her unwounded side.

Artemis felt her consciousness slipping away from her. She could feel another horse helping her walk, and that was about all she could do, place one hoof before the other.