Chance’s Wings, An Equinox Novelette: Part Ten

Hooray! We are at the end of yet another Equinox story. This chapter is super short, and I would love to hear your comments about the story below.

***

 “Chance!” Thornbrook nudged his shoulder, rousing him awake.

         “Hmmph?” Chance opened his sleep-bleary eyes, shaking his head, trying to remember where he was. The sound of the roar still echoed in his head, and memories flooded his vision.

 “What’s going on?” He struggled to get the words out.

         “I want to show you something.” A wide smile was spread over Thornbrook’s face, so it couldn’t be something bad. 

Chance got to his feet. “What about Willowlake and Fox?”

         “In a minute.” Thornbrook said. “Down the tunnel.”

         Chance shrugged and followed him into the darkness. His mind was still replaying last night’s amazing event, and he felt slightly in shock.

         He had seen the King.

         “Thornbrook,” He asked softly. “Have you ever seen the King?”

         “I wish.” The Alicorn said longingly. “But He doesn’t appear as much as He used to, except to a few.”

         Behind his back, out of view, Chance smiled quietly to himself.

         “Down here.” Thornbrook took him into a cave branching off the tunnel. There was light inside, and it only took Chance a second to recognize Goldstream, standing above a sleeping newborn foal with a gold coat and sooty gray socks, spotted with white. “Oh.” Chance whispered, staring. “Oh my.”

         Goldstream smiled. “Her name is Silverbreeze.”

         “She is beautiful.” He whispered. “Congratulations.”

         Thornbrook stepped over to Goldstream and nuzzled her mane, pride shining in his eyes.

Pain stabbed at his heart. This was how it was supposed to be for me and Sunrise. Chance thought. It was supposed to be a happy time. Not grief. Not pain. Not anger and hate.

Sunrise’s voice twinged in his conscience. You know what you need to do now.

         “The snow has stopped, and it’s not nearly as deep as we originally thought.” Thornbrook said. “We should be able to reach the Northlands by sun-high.”

         “Actually…” He began, shifting his black feathers. “I’ve changed my mind.”

         “Oh?”

         “I’m going home. To Snowfire, and my father. My daughter needs me. I can’t run away from my problems.” He squared his chest, exhaling. “Thank you, for everything.”

         “I will miss you.” Goldstream said. “We all will. But it’s the right choice to make.”

         “Although you better say farewell to Willowlake and Fox first. They might never forgive you otherwise.” Thornbrook said.

         “I hate goodbyes.” Chance sighed. “But you’re right.”

***

Willowlake cried a little when he announced he was going back and explained why, but she was proud of him. “You will be a good father.” She whispered, nuzzling his mane.

Fox looked rather forlorn. “Cheer up.” Chance said, begrudgingly slapping his back with a wing. “I’ll be sure to visit sometime.” He still didn’t like the wimpy little land horse, but he had to admit he would miss even him.

“Oh I know.” Fox said. “It’s just… you were the first stallion that didn’t beat me up when I came in. You accepted me. You don’t meet older stallions like that in the Territory.” He smiled. “I admire you greatly, Chance, and I wish you the best of luck with your daughter.”

A little more respect needled its way into his heart.

“Bring her here when she is big enough.” Goldstream said. “Perhaps during the summer, when everything is green.”

“Will you be okay?” Chance asked. “You won’t get into any more run-ins with beasts?”

“We’ll be fine.” Thornbrook said. He clapped Chance on the back with his heavy spotted wing. “May the King grant you speed, my friend.”

Chance nodded, stepping out into the sunshine for the first time in days. He opened his wings and flew up into the blue sky, southwards toward home. He only glanced back once to see his new friends walking towards the green fields, little Silverbreeze trotting behind. “Goodbye.” He whispered.

For a brief second, he saw Sunrise flying next to him, smiling at him before she faded away on the wind, leaving him to begin the next chapter of his life without her.

Then he turned again and set to the southern wind, heading toward home and his daughter.