A Trios Journey (private rp with wingfeather and tenebria)

[tenebria]

Galmúr was relieved to find that his memory was on point with most of his landmarks, and he only got mildly confused by one that looked similar to another, which did cost them a few minutes, but he was hoping his mentor hadn't noticed the slip up. The terrain suddenly changed as his hoofbeats faded to a thundering beat in the prairie grass, he picking up his feet higher as he galloped through the tall vegetation, keeping an ear out for the slither of snakes, or growl of coyotes.

[wingfeather]

Artemis gave him a defiant look, something she would never have done had she been doing anything but racing. Treth snorted and seemingly effortlessly pushed his body faster, he would show her! Artemis tossed her mane in response and began to try and match his speed, her hooves kicking up clods of earth as she gained on her mentor. She felt as if she could run for ever and soon they were neck and neck then her nose just passed his! Artemis's elation in this fact caused her to run even faster... just what Treth was hoping would happen.

[Abbster]

Cinnamon looked at Sugar. "Sugar" she said, nudging her lightly. "SUGAR!" She said again. Sugar whipped her head up and looked over at Cinnamon. "Hi" She said to her mentor. "Hi." Cinnamon said. "Where have you been?" she asked. "Me? I....uh....I was patrolling with Stormflash, he said he needed help counting the apples at the apple orchard again, so I agreed to help him" Sugar said. Please believe me. Sugar begged. "I see" Cinnamon said. "Well, good for you" she said

[tenebria]

Galmúr plunged through the tall prairie grass, wincing as some of the taller blades whipped against his neck, but forging onwards faster. His entire neck was beginning to throb with each straining movement, and he gritted his teeth, knowing it was fully his fault. And still, ever steady, pounded behind him the hoofbeats of his mentor. Unrelenting. But not unseeing. The Gray stallion could see the ripples of his apprentices muscles each time the grass hit his wounds, and a feeling of pride swept through him. As young as the buckskin was, he was making not a sound, and instead exerting himself more with the pain. A new seriousness seemed to have fallen over him as well, as his ears flicked back and forth, listening to the sounds around him. The lesson had been taught well. A hard lesson to be sure, but necessary.

[wingfeather]

They were nearing the end of the patrol now. Artemis's neck was stretched out ahead of Treth's, she could not believe she was actually beating him! But even now in her excitement she felt she was beginning to tire, it didn't matter, she was too far to be worried about this, she... just... had... to ...make ...it. Just a few yards more, suddenly the pounding of hooves became louder in her ears and Treth had pulled up even to her, ''did you really think you could outrun me,'' he yelled over their running hooves. Artemis was too tired to answer, but she wouldn't give up yet.

[Abbster]

Sugar nodded. "Yep!" She said. "And I listened to everything he told me" Sugar said. That was complete lie, he hadn't told her anything. Sugar smiled at Cinnamon. "Sugar" Cinnamon said. "What's going on?" She asked. "Nothing!" Sugar said, giggling nervously. Where were her friends? She smiled again. "Is there anything I need to do?" Sugar asked. "Actually, I was hoping you could keep an eye on things for me. I need to go into the forest to get some more cobweb. Oddly enough, we're running out of our cobweb quite fast now" She said. "Sure." Sugar said. "I can do that" She said with a nod. "Perfect, I will be back in a little while" She said, trotting away. Sugar's smile faded. Keeping this secret of what Stormflash had done, was torturing her.

[tenebria]

Galmúr almost leapt out of the prairie grass with a sigh of relief, his hooves thudding into the hard dirt trail ahead of him. The last stretch. A sudden rush of adrenaline shot through him, chasing away the stinging pain in his neck, and he raced forward, his legs extending out far in front of him and he charged forwards, neck flattening as the wind whistled by. His nostrils flared as the excitement raced through him, the feel of an open path, the feeling as though he could run forever. His young muscles rippled under his golden coat as it glinted in the sunlight, his tail whipping behind him like a banner. Lorcán felt an emotion not often felt. Surprise. As his apprentice leapt forward in a sudden burst of unforseen energy, he was actually startled for a moment. How on earth did the young stallion still have such an energy reserve? With a powerful snort the gray stallion reared and plunged forwards, his large hooves pounding the earth, the distance between him and his apprentice lessening. But slowly. The younger stallion had gotten a good head start, and he had much adrenaline racing through his veins, letting him fly like a golden eagle over the ground, his hooves a blur, not seeming to touch the ground

[wingfeather]

Within the next few passing seconds Artemis knew the race was lost to her. They both thundered into the scouts area, Artemis a whole horse length behind Treth. ''That is why no one dares race me,'' Treth said once both had caught their breaths. Artemis smiled ruefully then said, ''I'll beat you some day.'' Treth nodded suddenly grown serious, ''yes you will,'' he said nodding his head, ''when this dark brown coat of mine turns grey.'' Artemis looked at him then couldn't help but laugh, ''I suppose that wont be too long away.'' Now it was Treth's turn to give her a look then shook his head, ''maybe you'd be faster if you legs were as quick as your wit,'' he countered. Artemis just shook her head and hid a smile.

[Abbster]

Sugar let out a huff. How was it fair that she had to keep a secret?! Sugar was the worst at keeping secrets! She gazed around. She really needed to talk to her friends, now more than ever. Sugar began to pace nervously around as she kept thinking about what Stormflash had said…”if you are even THINKING about telling anyone, you’ll be sorry.” Sugar stopped. Why was he such a bully?

[tenebria]

The faster Galmúr ran, the faster he wanted to go. He strained himself, flattening out over the ground, the grass a blur as he flashed by. His breathing was heavy as he ran, his eyes flashing with fire. Suddenly his moment was shattered as Lorcán pulled up beside him, hardly seeming to even breath at all as he actually settled into the same pace as his apprentice. A bit of fiery annoyance glimmered in the apprentice's eyes, and he gave a snort, charging forward, muscles actually straining visibly as he pushed himself to limits he should not be attempting to reach. Lorcán simply lengthened his stride, enormous hooves pounding the earth, and drew even again, not even glancing at his apprentice. Galmúr dug deep, reaching hopefully for some more reserved energy... but he was fast running out... and running out of breath. Suddenly his neck flared up in pain and he winced, stiffening slightly, and slowing. The mad dash of freedom was over, and now he was breathing very hard, sucking in air as he slowed to an easy canter, not looking at his mentor in embarrasment. The stallion wasn't even sweating or blowing. He slowed when his apprentice did, and the two moved down the trail side by side.

[wingfeather]

After their run Artemis was permitted to rest and graze for a bit, “quite a relaxing day,” she said to herself swishing her tail idly as she ate. Myth had already been gone on a patrol once she returned and so had Raider. She didn’t know where Gus was at this point, probably with Sugar she thought allowing herself a smile. She knew the she and Treth would have to leave again soon so she tried to rest as much as she could. Currently the lead scout was arranging another patrol for Earl, Artemis shook her head, the pony was getting so skinny, she didn’t know how he could service so much work.

[Abbster]

Sugar pawed at the ground as she thought again at what Stormflash said. He had promised to come after her if she told anyone. But it wasn’t like Sugar could just keep a secret like this! It was to much for her. She wanted to tell someone what she had done! But she knew she couldn’t keep this secret for much longer….but she had to.

[tenebria]

Galmúr kept his eyes on the trail, hot embarrasment flooding him. He'd ran without thinking, and now he knew it had been a waste of energy. His legs were trembling slightly from the exertion, as well as the pain coursing through the marks on his neck. In a few moments the two reached the closest point to the herd, and Lorcán slowed to a halt, for the first time not completing a sliding halt. "I have matters to attend to. Get that bite taken care of. When the healer lets you return, come to the warriors grazing grounds" the gray stallion said abruptly. The buckskin winced slightly, but not visibly. He'd disappointed his mentor so much that the gray stallion was letting him go rest, like a weak colt. But the pain searing through his neck pushed away the damaged pride. He swallowed hard then gave a nod. "I will return swiftly" he said firmly, turning and trotting into the herd, trying not to admit the relief he felt that he'd be able to get the painful wound cared for.

[wingfeather]

Treth suddenly came trotting back to Artemis after a twenty minute discussion, or from what Artemis could see and tell, a twenty minuet argument. ''Artemis, you feel you've rested yourself enough?'' Artemis nodded immediately, ''oh yes,'' she answered quickly, lifting her head up, ''you ready for anouther race?'' Treth just laughed, ''no, I was thinking of sending you on a patrol with him.'' Artemis stopped for a moment, patrol with him? She knew that she had wanted to talk to the older horse for a while but she hadn't expected it to be thrust upon her like this, ''s-sure,''  she answered. ''Good, he's ready when you are.''

[Abbster]

Sugar looked up when she saw Galmur. “Galmur!!” Sugar said, gasping, racing towards him. “What happened?” She asked, instantly grabbing all the cobweb she had left. “Come here, now!” Sugar said.