Cyclone, a Wings of Equinox Short Story, Part One: The Stallion

Focus.
I narrowed my eyes and surveyed the battlefield. My red wings held me aloft, and I raised my hooves, ready to strike as soon as an opponent came.
A swish of feathers. I whirled and struck the approaching Equinoxian stallion in the chest, stopping his heart. He fell to the smoking valley, a shocked look on his face. He didn’t even know what had hit him.
“That’s for attacking a commander.” I snorted, proud to have my new title. Not quite High Commander General, but I was getting there.
My comrade Silvermoon flew up to my side. “The Equinoxians are getting stronger by the minute, Stormblaze.” He growled. “Why must they always be so persistent?”
“They are a pest on this earth.” I agreed. “They haven’t gotten to the Inner Chambers, have they?”
“No.” Silvermoon shook his head. “We’ve made sure of that. The mares and foals would be in grave danger.”
“What about Autumnflight, and my daughter, Whisperspring?” I demanded. “Were they in the Safe Place?”
Silvermoon nodded. “Autumnflight wishes you well. Whisperspring is anxious for the day when she can fight.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, Smokemoon, I needed that.” Sometimes all it took was a reminder of my beloved mate and filly to keep me going when my strength was low and the battle was hard.
Today was one of those days.
“I’ll go make sure that Jaspertwig is holding up.” Silvermoon said, referring to his new apprentice. He flew off, leaving me alone in the skies.
Good.
I searched for an Equinoxian, ready for the next battle. Around me, the death cries and shouts of warriors was beginning to diminish.
It wasn’t looking good for my side.
I heard a swoosh behind me and whirled around, only to have my hooves strike the air in between me and an Equinoxian pegasus hovering in midair. He was a dun pinto with spots on his hide, black-edged slate feathers flapping.
“Hello.” He snorted.
I paused, confusion boiling inside me. The stallion must be a fool. I could kill him right now, he was so close, not even poised to fight.
But for some reason, I didn’t.
“Aren’t you going to fight me?” I spat.
The stallion’s brown eyes sparked. “Why should I?”
I snorted. “If you haven’t noticed, your people are in a battle, and you’re on the verge of death wherever you turn.”
“At least I know where I’m going to die.” He said. “Do you?”
I blinked, eyes widening. “What kind of a question is that?”
“I felt a need to talk to you, Stormblaze.” The stallion told me. “You’re searching for something , even though you don’t know it yet. What you do not know is the King is calling you.”
He was insane. I wasn’t searching for anything. I was perfectly happy where I was.
I gritted my teeth. “The King is dead. Abaddon killed him long ago.”
“And it is those lies that keep you chained.” The stallion whispered.
I felt my muscles tense. “Enough with this! I’m going to kill you here and now, shut up your mouth.”
The stallion peered at me. “But aren’t you curious?”
His question struck my heart, lowering my hooves. “Who are you?” I asked. “How do you know so much about me?”
The stallion didn’t answer. “Follow the call.” He said, before diving down towards another Equinoxian.
I just stared after him, trying to piece apart his words. Call? What call? The King was dead, killed many years ago, everyone knew that.
I stared at the stallion as he dove down to protect a friend being attacked, jumped in between the mare and my comrade’s deathblow fire.
The stallion fell to earth like a dying star, his eyes drawing to me as he burned to ashes.
His mouth formed the words follow the call before he was nothing more than smoke on the wind

***

“I can’t believe we retreated.” Silvermoon growled.

“We did not retreat.” High Commander Smokewing, who also happened to be my sire, looked over the battle warriors. “Both sides retreated. It is how we have fought for years. Today was no different.”

“Why can’t we just whip them all?” One husky-voiced mare asked. “I’m tired of this on and off fighting.”

“We lost too many warriors to risk continuing to fight.” Smokewing snorted. “We will wait again, train, and be stronger next time. Tonight, go home to your caves and families. You will receive further updates soon.”

The warriors dispersed, grumbling amongst themselves. I barely heard it. I was too deep in thought, thinking about that stallion.

What sort of warrior stopped fighting to talk to the enemy? Or jumps in the way of a deathblow?

“Commander Stormblaze!” Smokewing barked at me. My head jerked up. “Yes, sir?”

“Everyone else has left for home.” He said. “Why haven’t you?”

“I was just leaving, High Commander.” I snorted. I cursed myself internally. I couldn’t afford to let the stallion’s words poison my mind. It would mean losing everything I had worked for… losing my family.

“Stormblaze…” Smokewing cocked his head. “If you heard something today… there are some Equinoxians who try to spread their lies, no matter the circumstances.”

I stiffened. How did he know?

”Yes sir.” I snorted.

I turned down a corner, towards my family and my cave, pushing away the swarming thoughts.

I couldn’t afford to have the thoughts in my head.