Wisps of wind echoed throughout a valley. The valley stood unwavering, perhaps as old as time itself, with a stream rolling briskly through it, lush grass swaying in the night's wind. A shadow of a large animal appeared, ears flicking as it glanced around. Under the light of the moon, this silhouette was none other than an old grey mare. Her eyes seemed low and faulting as she stepped calmly through the valley.

            Her ears were perked, listening to the wind that whispered unknown words. Her hoofsteps were weary with age as she looked hopefully to he sky, somehow finding reassurance in the glittering stars. The mare's low breathing was with harmony with everything in this valley; she belonged here. The equine's head shot up, the sense of peace gone from her wise eyes.

            A blinding flash of light shot from the sky like a falling star, but the mare seemed to know that this light did not bring hope or reassurance. The lightning struck the ground powerfully, it's burning heat felt on the panicked horse's neck as she reared in a panicked attempt to  save herself. And just like that, the deadly flash was gone.

            A small crack in the earth made sure the land remembered the lightning. The mare's starlit gaze was panicked as she neighed in terror. She turned, racing through the grass, still swaying under the light of the moon.

**************

            "Lightning Cloud," the grey mare neighed, her voice strained and panicked.

            "Are you alright, Shade Swirl?" A large gold stallion turned around to face Shade Swirl, his stern voice hardly showing any care for the horse, only care for what she had to say.

            "I have received an omen that I believe was a generously given warning from the Herd of Starry Paths," she told him, her eyes glancing around nervously, as if something would pounce out of the shadows as she spoke.

Lightning Cloud's ears perked with interest. "Have you deciphered the meaning of this omen?"

"No, not yet..." Shade Swirl's voice trailed off.

"So what do you expect me to do?" Lightning Cloud snapped, his tail flicking irritably.

"I don't know," Shade Swirl said, her voice now unsure. "I- I think we should leave the valley."

At the mare's words, Lightning Cloud snapped his head up, his eyes blazing with anger. "We have lived in peace in this valley for moons! You cannot decipher a supposed omen, so you want us to leave?" Shade Swirl winced at his fierce words, turning and walking away, whinnying softly to herself.

Lightning Cloud turned his attention to the still night sky. "If trouble is to come to my herd..." He hardened his gaze, turning his eyes towards the valley that had nurtured the horses he lead for generations. "Then so be it."

What do you think? This is my first story, so I really hope you like it! ~ NightHooves