Cyclone, a Wings of Equinox Short Story, Part Ten: No Better than a Prisoner

(Warning, this chapter is a little dark and intense)

The fields of Prairie Tribe glowed emerald in the late sun as I was escorted into the herd. I couldn’t help but notice the glares aimed in my direction.

“Don’t expect much more.” Mapleberry sighed. “The deaths you caused are… personal here.”

“I can see that.” I muttered. “Where am I staying?”

Rowansun narrowed his eyes. “We’re still deciding.”

Oh boy. This couldn’t be good.

From the corner of my eye I saw a young buckskin mare with pink feathers greet Chance… or Nightleaf… or whatever his name was. His eyes lit up when he stood with her.

“What is it with Chance… or Nightleaf…” I muttered to Mapleberry.

She sighed. “Death changes people in mysterious ways. Hasn’t forgiven his father for getting a new mate three months after his first mare died. Been three years and he’s still holding onto hate, even with the loss of his position as heir. Doesn’t even follow the king any more.”

“Hun.” I wondered if Whisperspring had been alive and Autumnflight had gotten a new mate if she would hate Autumnflight. Not that Whisperspring had much of a say in anything anymore.

One older mare we passed by glared at me and switched her tail. “You.” She hissed, teeth clacking. “May the King erase your name and turn you to dust, you murderer.”

“Silence, Dewfield.” Rowansun snorted. “He has changed his ways.”

“Are you fooled, Chief Rowansun?” She whinnied. “Shakirans never change. He’s killed three of my sons and my mate. As far as I’m concerned you should execute him instead of welcoming him.”

“Thank you for your input.” Rowansun said. He sighed, turning to Eaglefeather. “Perhaps… perhaps we should put him in Thick Grove until we have a chance to explain to the herd what’s going on.”

Mapleberry pinned her ears. Eaglefeather looked cautiously between me and Rowansun. “I’m not sure if that’s wise, Chief.”

“I have to do what’s good for Prairie Tribe. Besides, I don’t have the steeds to post guards and if he’s not protected he’ll end up murdered in his sleep. Especially so soon after a battle.” Rowansun replied curtly.

I flicked my tail. “I am standing right here. What is Thick Grove?”

“It’s a safe place for you until we can explain more to the tribe about your change of heart.” Rowansun ruffled his feathers. “No arguments. My decision is final.”

Eaglefeather sighed. “All right.” He looked at me. “Come on, I’ll show you where it is. It’s not far from here… just out of view.”

“He doesn’t trust me.” I stated.

Eaglefeather nodded. “It’s going to take a lot more than words to prove that you’re true after everything you’ve done.”

“I will bring medicine for those wounds.” Mapleberry nickered. “And I believe you, Storm, even if no one else does.”

I smiled. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

***

It turned out that “the safe place” was more like a prison. It was a spacious area walled in by raspberry hedges. Thick ones with long needles. Eaglefeather really did look sorry as he brought me inside, but clearly he didn’t trust me either.

Not that I blamed him.

It was night now, the silver moonlight darting through the brambles like small birds. I had tried sleeping, but everything was too close for comfort. I wanted to be let out, to run, but I was still locked inside.

That’s when I heard the voices.

“Where are you taking me?” It was Chance’s voice, light, not as grave as I had heard before. I shuffled closer to the thorns, trying to see outside.

“Come on, it’s not much farther.” A female voice giggled. My mind pictured the buckskin mare from earlier.

“Sunrise, come on, stop.” The hoof steps faltered. “Just tell me already.”

I could hear the breathless excitement in her voice. Nervous, yet happy. Familiarity stung my heart. I don’t want to hear this.

“I’m with foal.” She nickered.

There was silence. Then Chance reacted as a stallion should— he reared up, the sound of wings flapping, braying happily. She squealed and the two of them lowered their voices, chattering.

I felt sick, remembering the times that Autumngflight had told me the same thing, first with Whisperspring, then with our unborn foal. How had she taken the news that I was dead, that Whisperspring was dead because of me? What would she tell our foal as they grew up?

I lowered my head, tears leaking down my cheeks. I had ruined it all. Was it worth it, to stay in a hole like this? Chance was estranged from his family, wasn’t an heir anymore, but he still had happiness. Why him and not me?

Angry, I thrusted out my hooves, cracking the briars. The voices stopped. Hoofbeats and wings flapped away, urgent.

“Where are you?” I demanded, looking around for the white lion. “Why would you bring me here to die?”

My demand was answered by silence.

Silence.

I reared up, attacking the brush with all of my strength. Needles and briars ripped through my flesh, but I didn’t care. I needed the punishment. It was all my fault— Whisperspring’s death, my banishment, Autumnflight’s life being torn apart.

One thing came to mind; Autumnflight’s voice.

“You’d rather die and leave us behind than recount it?”

The walls spun. That was it. That was what happened.

Ever since I had heard about the King, bad things happened. First Fireheart. Then Whisperspring. Then my wings. Now this.

Chance had it all because he didn’t follow the King. He was unhappy with his father, yes, but other than that he had it all.

It was the King’s fault that this had happened.

“Storm?” Eaglefeather’s voice shouted. “Are you all right?”

“No, I’m not.” I growled, kicking at the brambles again. “You are traitors, all of you!”

“See what I told you?” Chance hissed. “He’s a Shakiran. They can’t change!”

“Silence, Chance.” Eaglefeather snapped. “Now, Storm, calm down and we can talk about it.”

“Calm down?” I rasped. “I should have known better. You won’t accept me.”

I threw myself against the wall and suddenly, the brambles folded in. Eaglefeather, Chance, and a young gray stallion were standing by the door, eyes wide.

“Enough.” Eaglefeather snorted. “I thought you said you were a changed pegasus.”

I laughed, feeling bitter. “And I thought you were merciful to your enemies. Guess I was wrong about that.”

I barreled forward, slamming into the gray stallion and catching him off guard. He tumbled to the ground, his life ended in seconds. The thrill that shivered up my spine, the power… yes. This was what I was meant to do. The King was a fool. This was my calling.

Eaglefeather narrowed his eyes, rattling his wings. “You will pay for that.”

“Try me.” I galloped past, barreling towards the smell of salt water.

“He’s insane!” Chance shouted.

“Yes, I am!” I cackled, feeling my soul blacken. I outran them, surging towards where I thought the sea would be. Trees slapped my face, stung my flanks.

I skidded to a halt as the trees ended in cliffs. Below the waves slapped at the sides of the black rocks.

I heard hoofbeats behind me. My captors weren’t far.

In a leap of total madness and utter grief, I plunged toward the wild water.