Meadow

There are some things you can only learn in a storm .

Cearuno had been wandering somewhat aimlessly for almost a full season now. He had decided that he wanted to experience the world more. After all, he had spent his life so far in hiding. His time at the Ridge had shown him a glimpse of what was out there. Sure he had lived in the forests for the first few years of his life, but it hadn't really been living. He had simply been a husk, a moving shell of a horse relying on instinct to keep him alive.

He took a tentative glance at the sky, being careful to not make eye-contact with the still glowing sun. It was bright out, but it wouldn't be light for much longer. He looked around, trying to figure out where he was. He had vowed to wander without a destination until something else came his way. The trees waved softly in the breeze, and he couldn't smell anything unusual in the wind. Maybe rain. He was still struggling to come to peace with the scars adorning his face and chest. Though he almost never had the nightmares anymore, it was still difficult for him to see past his own ugliness. The was that the pale, raised skin decorated him like a permanent mask made it difficult for him to look at himself. Like a colt avoiding his fears, he still tried to close his eyes while drinking from a still puddle. The last thing he wanted to see was himself.

This isn't to say that he hadn't made some progress. He was more confident now, most self-assured. He knew that he would never win any beauty contests, but he tried to remind himself to focus on the things that he could change. He wanted to help others, to care for them. His soft heart had gotten him in trouble a few times, but overall he would say that it would have been a positive experience.

On days like these, he liked to stare at the clouds floating by, reminiscing of the horses he had met and the friends he had made, wondering where his adventure would take him next. But today was different. As he started to angle himself towards the stream to drink, he caught a noise in the wind. Just a sliver of a call, a wisp of noise. But enough to make his ears prick in the direction. It was lost as soon as it had come, but curiosity started to stir within him.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but night was starting to fall. The sun had disappeared from his sight, but the rays still cast long shadows across the land. He spun around, somewhat defensive as he heard the pounding of hooves in the distance. Just one set, and it wasn't coming for him. He saw the silouhette in the distance, but it was gone before he could comprehend what was happening.

He turned and started in the direction the figure had come from, ears pricked cautiously. He started to piick up a second pair of hoofbeats, but a loud noise behind him startled him. He turned again, unintentionally turning his back to the approaching mare. By the time he had turned around again, it was too late for him to step out of the way. She hit him straight on, knocking the air from his lungs. He stumbled a few steps to the side as he struggled to keep his balance. She had been going quite quickly, and he knew he would have the bruises on his ribs for the next few days. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts before quickly dipping his head to check on the mare.

The memory of his similar trip resurfaced. His first night at the Peak had led to a similar result. The storm had caused him to have a night terror, and he had almost barreled off the edge of the cliff in his panic to avoid the fire and warn the herd. Please don't worry about it. Are you alright? He gently exhaled, ruffling her mane as he inspected her for injuries. The most important test would be to see if she could stand. He hadn't heard anything break, and he hoped that she was alright. Trying to distract her from the accident, he continued with an introduction. My name is Cerauno. Let me help you up.

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