Equus' Breath: a Crown of Stars

Chapter 1-Paints

Azalea blinked awake slowly. She stretched out her forelegs, then her hind, and shook out her mane. It was early enough that there was still dew on the tall grass her herd had chosen to sleep in. A few drops lingered on her eyelashes, too, and she blinked them off with a shake of her head. She looked over to her family. Her younger sister, Lark, was still sound asleep, her head resting on their mother’s back. Azalea nudged Lark, then their mother, hoping to wake them up gently.

“Ugh, Lea. It’s barely past sunrise. Just give me a few more minutes.” Lark spoke, then promptly rolled away, falling back asleep almost instantly. Azalea snorted.

“Nope, Lark, up and at ‘em! Come on, look at that pure blue sky! It’ll be a great day to help Florian with the foals.”

“You are disgustingly responsible.”

Despite her protests, Lark had been awake too long to just fall back asleep, so she began to unfold herself to a standing position. Her mother did the same, and nuzzled both of her daughters’ cheeks. Azalea nuzzled back, then began to nudge Lark out into the fields with her.

They trotted past the other members of their herd, each waking up to start their day. Their herd was primarily made up of paint horses, but there were a few wild mustangs as well. It wasn’t uncommon to find a partner and follow them to their own herd, especially if one of you was planning on having foals.

Azalea was great with colts and fillies, which was why she couldn’t wait to get to Florian’s hill. He and his mare had recently had a filly, and they were also looking after his sister’s colt. His sister, Harlow, had been traveling to speak to another herd’s Dzi. Maybe about the rain patterns for the coming summer season?

Either way, she was expected back any day now, and the herd would be thankful for her return. She was a strong fighter, and dedicated to protecting the weakest members of the herd. She would sleep on the outskirts of their field, even in the winters with the coldest winds.

Azalea and Lark trotted past their older cousin, Dahlia. She was in training to be an Herbhoof, so she always had interesting stories about things going on in the herd. This morning, however, she seemed worried. She shifted back and forth on her hooves, with a look on her face like someone had stolen her best grazing spot.

“Dahlia! Good morning!” Lark whinnied. Azalea saw the look on her face and felt a pang of anxiety.

“Is everything alright?” Azalea asked.

Dahlia took a stuttering step toward them, then back. She looked to the side and muttered.

"I don't want to worry you girls."

"Worry us with what?" Azalea leaned towards Dahlia, ready to offer a comforting nuzzle.

"Well, it's not really my place to say-"

Just then, a piercing whinny cut through the air. It was coming from the patch of trees the herd used as their healer's camp. Dahlia winced.

"With that." Dahlia said. "She'll be okay, but it's a serious injury, and I don't want you two seeing it until I've gotten the herbs from the Herbhooves for her." With that said, she ducked around them, dodging any further questions.

As soon as Dahlia was out of earshot, Lark spoke.

"Didn't that sound like Harlow? We have to go figure out what happened!"

Azalea snorted and shook her head.

"No way! That would be disrespectful, and intrusive, and- did you hear how bad off they sounded? I don't want you to see whatever injury it is that horse has."