October Story Contest

Water Wanders Part 1
by microphone & Black Mist age 12

Black Mist, Silver Mist, Moonstriker, Zarah, Black Moon, Flower and Starlit made up the Water Wanders herd. They lived near a lake, in peace and quiet, until wolves started attacking their meadow. Flower was the only foal, and she had to swim like all the others across the great lake to where a black mare showed them the way to paradise, where they met a mare called Shiloh, who had been living as an outcast for a while, and as they begin to settle into their new home, a fire strikes their former meadow.

The Start

Black was affectionately grooming Silver and Flower was playing around with Black Moon and Zarah. Moonstriker was cropping grass. “You have a troublesome foal Silver,” “You mean we, right Blacky?” “Yes, of course!” Starlit was expecting a foal, and Black was waiting impatiently. Black Moon, who was on watch (she was a guard) sounded the wolf alert. “Flower, get in the middle of the circle!” Black Mist whinnied. Flower shot through the mare’s legs into the center of the circle of mares. Everyone faced out. Black Mist charged the wolves, biting at their tails. “And stay away! You’re not eating my mares!” Cheers erupted from the mares and the filly as Black Mist returned from the woods. Black suddenly noticed a beautiful mare swimming in the lake, coming towards them. She was a coal black Arabian with a white star. She reached shore and shook herself off. Black told Silver to keep the mares together and went to greet the mare. “Hello, I’m Black Mist. Do you want to join my herd?” The mare shook her head no. “I’m Belle. I do not want any part in your herd. At least not here. I can show you to paradise.”

            Black stood shocked. “There is no paradise here,” he said. “There is, and if you want me to show it to you…”  Black thought for a moment. “Silver?” “Yes Black?” “Can you stay here with the others or do you want to come with?” “I’ll stay, Flower needs me anyway.” Silver said. “Okay, I’m just going across the lake. Belle wants to show me something.” “Be careful Black,” Silver said. Black then plunged into the lake and swam across, following Belle. When Belle reached the other side, she shook herself, then waited for Black. When the small, 15hand stallion reached the shore, he was breathing heavily. He trotted towards Belle, who was trotting towards some bushes. She picked up speed and launched herself over the barrier. Black Mist had some difficulty, but managed to jump over as well. He gazed into a beautiful clearing. Birds twittered in the trees above, bees buzzed over the many purple and pink flowers. Two rabbits were eating grass near the opposite bush.

Paradise

            Black Mist couldn’t believe his eyes. “So no one lives here?” He asked Belle. “No one but me,” Black hurried to the bush and jumped it, telling Belle he was going to bring the other mares with him. He leaped into the lake, calling to the others to swim towards him. Everyone jumped in – even brave little Flower. She struggled to keep up, and when the horses met halfway, Black hurried to her side and helped her the rest of the way towards the place Belle had shown him. They reached shore. Black let the mares eat some refreshing grass before cantering towards the bush and leaping over it. He found an opening for Flower. All the mares jumped the hedge and looked around, as astonished as Black had been to see paradise had been so close. But then Starlit suddenly groaned. “Erg, ah! My foal’s coming!” She laid down and began to shake. “Silver, help Starlit, its her first foal! I’ll keep watch.”

            An hour later, a gorgeous palomino filly was lying next to Starlit, the black mare. “Congratulations Starlit! You are wonderful! Have you named her?” “Her name is Buttercup.”

Fire Across the Lake

            After only a week at the Paradise Meadow, a vicious storm blew in from across the lake. Lightning struck and as the horses watched their home, it burst into flames. Buttercup hid behind Starlit, but Flower stayed out and watched the scene like the other horses. It was a terrifyingly beautiful sights  -one that transfixes you and yet terrifies you. They watched in awe as their former home burnt. The fire eventually curled into ashes and the smoke was blown away by the wind. The burnt meadow and part of the forest lay black and charred. Gone forever.

Shiloh

            Only two days after watching their former home getting ravaged by fire, another mare joined their herd. Black heard rustling in the bushes bordering the meadow. “Who’s there? Show yourself!” A straggly mare pushed her way through the bushes. She was plain brown, or maybe it was just the dirt. Burrs stuck in her mane and tail. “Who are you?” Black insisted. “I’m Shiloh. I’ve been watching you. I wanted to join you.” “Of course you can. You need food and grooming. Let her drink from Clear Stream. And let her eat from Grass Place.” Black nudged Zarah and Moonstriker towards Shiloh to help her.

Peace, or not?

            After a month of recuperation, Shiloh was back to normal. She was black, and have a stripe running down her gorgeous face. She soon learnt the rules of the herd and that Silver was Black’s leadmare. But all was not peaceful. One day, Black discovered that a mare from Seabiscuit’s herd was spying on them. Sokki was her name. But she ran away. “Erg! Sea must want either my mares or my land. All mares join me for a herd meeting!” Black called to his mares. “Everyone, my brother, Seabiscuit, is either after you or this meadow. You must be on guard. Flower, Buttercup, no playing near the bushes. Listen for anything out-of the ordinary. Everybody got it?” Weeks went by without another spy. But then Sokki returned. Black chased her off to Sea’s territory with vicious snarls not to come back.

This is where we leave Black Mist and the Water Wanders herd. The question of peace remains. Will Black’s brother face him in a one-on-one battle for mares? Who will win? Can they settle it like brothers, or warriors? All this will be answered in Water Wanders, Part 2!

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Thanks for reading. I enjoyed writing this. It is based on our first club meeting, where only Silver Mist and Belle came (who I’m not sure is joining) and then Shiloh came on. I’m very pleased with my herd, but would like some more members, preferably foals. Please W-Mail me, microphone, or chelsea2 for more details. Thanks!
mic