A Delicate Tree

[phoenix]

As graceful as any mare, an unblemished stag roamed the lands with his crown held high to survey his home. His thin pillars moved swiftly and silently kicked up sands at a handsome three beat. Soft sands kicked up behind him, glowing orange in the setting sun's humid rays. He smiled into the sun and tossed his dial playfully, trying to act as if he wasn't bored and knew exactly what he was doing. But, in all honesty, he hadn't a clue. He wished for orders... for some act of loyalty to do to show the lord he served that he was a faithful servant. But, alas, he had not even been introduced to the lead stallion's family. Well, other than Storm's fair maiden.

He sighed and came to a stop in front of the sea. Only having been there for a short time, he was still in awe of the great body of water. How it flowed and how the tides ebbed back and forth on the shore. It warmed his heart to see it, and reminded him he was but a small equine in a much bigger picture. A small part in a much bigger plan. He smiled and raised his cranium to the ocean breeze, maw pointed toward the darkening sky. His gentle, ivory tassels swirled behind him. By just looking at him from far away, he may be mistaken for a mare. But, this didn't matter to him. He was built the way he was meant to be, there was no point in arguing the card mother nature had dealt you.

Oak rather wished for company, but the silence was also good. It gave him a chance to think about the mistake he had made earlier. Thinking that the lead mare was someone new coming to these land. It still embarrassed him to think about it. He wished he could meet all who lived in these lands, so that he would not make the same mess up again. He was very hard on himself when he made a mistake. It made him feel so inferior... so stupid. Such horrible mistakes made him feel like a moron, though even small mishaps could do that. Smelling the salty, ocean air, he shuddered slightly as he the cool breezes as a light fog rolled in.

His soft pelt held the last bit of light from the sun, and as the stars began to shine in the royal blue sky he seemed to glow with them. The moon showed its bright face and shined down upon him, enhancing the fluorescent effect. He closed his eyes and let the world spin beneath him as the cool autumn night slowly surrounded him. The sounds of the constant foaming waves and the chirping sounds of darkness whispered in his auds and calmed him. Peace dwelled around and within him. It was a good night. A beautiful end of the day. He listened to the wondrous sounds that surround him, amazed at how it could be so similar to his old home, and yet also refreshingly different.

The memory of his father touched him in his susceptible state. Suddenly the peace broke away from him, and he tensed and stood at an alert stance. All of those lessons returned to him as the vision of his father filled him.

3 Years Ago

"Stand up straight, Oak. How do you expect to get respect with the way you are always holding your head down?" Oak quickly straightened as the strong, muscular frame of his father paced back in forth in front of him. He looked straight ahead, trying his best to remember all of the things his father had taught him. Something was bothering his father, he could tell. His father had a tone of sorrow in his lyrics, this bothered him. It was never something good when his father used that voice.

"Yes, sir. Why did you request and audience with me, sir?" The young Oak asked in a respectable tone, trying his best to not say something to upset his already upset father.

"I-... You-... His father tripped over his words, trying to say the right thing. But, there is never an easy way to tell someone they let you down, especially if you love that person. "You no longer need to come to training."

"Sir, I... are you sure I'm -ready-?" Oak timidly asked. He had not done very good in his father's tests, and was not exactly excited about ruling a herd. After all, it was a major responsibility, and he wasn't yet strong enough to demand respect from anyone.

"No, Oak! You're not ready! It's just... I don't think you ever will be." Young Oak almost stepped out of line in shame, but quickly regained his composure. His father had given up. His father was letting go of the only dream he had for his son.

Present

Oak sighed and shook his head in shame. It was all his father ever wanted, a strong son to take over the herd. But, he let him down. The look in his father's dark pools when he had given up on him never left Oak's mind. It tore at his soul. Why couldn't he be the son his father wanted? Why couldn't he just be his father's son?

Realizing what he was doing, he once again took a respectable stance, only his banner and tassels floating softly in the wind. It wasn't right to show sadness, not even when one is alone. You should never feel sorry for yourself, he thought to himself. This repeated in his mind again and again until he convinced himself not to be. Oh, if he only had some company. Someone that he could talk to, to take his mind of his problems. But, alas, so far he had met no one, and he would not want to bother the lord he served now, since he was busy currently.

As Oak turned an orange glow melted in the dark horizon. What was this? Grey smoke rose up and darkened the sky in the silhouette of the mountains. Fire... he had seen this before. His father made sure of that. During his training his father taught him what to do in case of fire, and what the warning signs were. This blaze seemed far off, and the wind wasn't blowing it toward this direction. But, winds can change quickly. It could quickly expand to cover the entire shores. Now, he needed to warn Storm.

With a loud, tenor bugle, he trumpeted a distress cry Flamed Storm as he galloped through the lands in search of him. They needed to get the equines to a safe spot, if not evacuate them completely to a new land. In an instant the terra could go up in flames. Perhaps he was just unexperienced, but his father taught him to not mess around or get cocky when fire was involved. It could do a lot of damage, and he did not want his new home and his lord's family to be injured or lost.

||Edited it for the fire plot that Crow posted.||

[Hazel]

Head hung low, tassels masking the tranquil ebon face of the king, the beast barely moved as he grazed on the few flecks of grass that peered out to wards him from the dusty terrain. He snorted, air billowing out to meek the sands, brushing them away to reveal more nutrients to build Storms strength. Blinking away the few particles that had escaped to wards his pools, Storm lifted his head. The air smelt different, something he had never experienced before. Which was strange - Flamed Storm had lived through more than most other equines during his stay at the Sandy Shores. He looked up and around his realm, but saw nothing except a faint orange aurora. Something about its menacing glow told him to back of, and he did, whinnying for his friends and family at the same time. But he still didn't know what was causing the hue to appear over the rocks where Lord Denizen once set foot, taunting his father.

Becoming the headstrong colt of old, he began to canter to wards the flames, curious to what caused the mists in the skies, great billowing chords of smoke. As his three beat carried him easily over his lands, his gaze was drawn down wards to make speed easier, and so he spotted a stag upon his lands, running to wards him. Storm slowed, was this a challenge?

He stopped, snorting and tossing back a well groomed mane, his hind quarters bunching up and for legs lifting into a great hight. As he reared, he finally saw what had been bothering him and the rest of his beach. Fire. Great sweeping flamed of fire were spreading down the edge of the beach. Of course, fire couldn't travel across the sands, but the greenery around the beach could. And soon, the horses would be trapped inside with no food and little fresh water. Storms twisted about his dial and ran besides the other stallion, glancing just slightly over his medium bodice, not strong, but not weak either. His own cross breed bodice was elegant and strong, for both parents had been muscular beast, his mother more than his father it seemed. Talons ripped apart the beach at its seemed as the pair galloped to safety, if they could make it. But the flamed seemed to be eating more grass and getting quicker by the second, and the two horses couldn't keep up with the rushing flames that ate up the kings homelands. Storm realized this with fear, were his mares safe and sound? He ripped himself from the question, he had to save himself and the stranger before it was too late.

Storm whinnied to wards the other, his barrel swerving from safety to to wards the fire, his pillars thundering to wards the mass of heat and light. He lept, he knew his home well and the ground was even on the other side of the flamed that were destroying the beautiful sands and the terrain that surrounded it. His bodice soured, but the usual feeling of freedom and happiness had been replaced by fear and determination. He landed, his sides, chest and legs badly brunt by the fire, but he had to keep moving. He didn't even know if the other had followed. He slowed to a canter until he was a small distance from the blazing remains of his home. He collapsed, rolling on his broad back to rid himself of the few flames that attacked his tassels. Then, he was still, chest heaving and bodice weak from pain. But he was safe. The burns would heal, but scars would remain. But at least Flamed Storm was still alive.

But was the other stag as lucky?

[phoenix]

||Lol, okay. But he had met Storm when he requested entrance to the herd. Anyway... back to IC||

Oak caught sight of Storm and whinnied in worried lyrics. Though, by the surprised gleam in the lead's pools, he was sure that he already knew what was happening. With a nod, he galloped beside the stallion and a frenzied chase began. The fire approached fast, flames dancing like tempting, deadly beauties. He nickered and snorted slightly and picked up the pace, keeping up with the other stallion. His lord he would follow.

As Storm turned to run toward the flames, at first Oak whinnied fearfully at the brave stag. How could the brave, yet beautiful lead gain height over the fire? They were growing with every passing moment. And it was a terrifying height to reach. But, in a graceful leap, the lead overtook the wall of flames. Determined to be there for the one he pledged his allegiance to, he fearfully galloped toward the fire and followed. He winced as the flames licked at his thin, ivory bodice, catching his banner and tassels on fire. Stopping where Storm had, he rolled as well to rid himself of the flames.

Hide felt like it was boiling. His glistening, spotless plush was singed and browned from the heat. It felt like he needed to dip himself into a cool lake, but he could not stop now. His lead's family was at stake, and they needed to save the herd. With inner strength, he wearily raised himself from the dirt and sand and looked at Storm with a brave face. "M'lord... are you all right?"

He asked softly, his voice betraying some of the pain he felt. It was not him that mattered, it was the herd. One equine was never better than his herd. He dipped his crown low in greeting, and waited for the lead to speak. They needed to keep going in this time of dire need, and there were others that needed to be saved. Oak hated staying in the same spot for too long. But, Storm may need time to heal, so he would wait as long as necessary.

[Hazel]

<sup>Snorting, Storm allowed his bodice to rest, eyes wide, ringed slightly by a misty white. He turned, rolling onto the other side with a great intake of breath. The other was fine. Squinting through the bright lights, the face of Oak came into view. The king smiled and lifted his crest, heaving his scolded bdoice up. He stood for a moment in silence, happy that the stag was not a challanger, but also a member of his hierem. The last few flamed within his tassles died out as strands of ember hued mane flickered from his scalp. He nickered softly, then nodded.

"I am fine, my friend. And you?"

He asked his question politly, yet his audes twitched this way and that, making sure that no howls of dying crys came forth into the terrain. His heart thudded fearfully, but not for himself. He was scared for his family. His sisters, friends and mate were not yet safe, were they? It was worse being in doubt and unknowing than being sure of anything. His ebon chest heaved, shaking slightly. He looked away briefly from Oaks ivory face, his features so much alike Curse's. But would Curse have simply followed Storm, or would he have stayed to act the hero? It was foolish, but somehow Storm knew his friend would have done that, and it showed that he and Oak were not foolish.

The fire was spreading, almost completly surrounding the beach. There was a little space at one end, the rocky edge that led to the cliff side, that was completly free of fire. There was no vegitation there, but at least it was an exit from the burning ruins of the Shores. Where would the herd go now? To the island perhapsw to seek refuge with Windagos herd? The brave ebon stag had once helped Storm after stupidly slipping from the cliff itself, though it was his own fault. Shaking away the memories, Flamed Stroms gaze began to drift behind him to the trail leading to the lush fields. Fire. It surrounded the fields and was closing in. Smoke was already irritating his lungs, his coughs were hoarse and grave. Without waiting for an answer, Storm decided it was time to flee. They could not wait for the pthers any longer, they have to get to safety.

"Quick, we have to get the the island!"</sup>

[flame]

<sup>Her sadness showed in every feature, her child was gone and she needed to find her love. Her heart raced as she thought of the horrible things that are happening to her daughter. She looked around and smiled. Everything was quite...to quite. Her heart soon slowed down as she looked around the sandy shores that were bestowed upon this territory. Her minds raced back to the birth of her daughter, the pain still haunts her memories. That pain was the worst, and she felt it now, that was baby was gone. She remembered her first steps, the faces, the sweetness in that foal's heart. The burning in her eyes...where was she?

The days were getting shorter and the sun was slowly beginng to be set at a earlier time. She wondered where her family was? She moved through the land and saw a ghosty fugure. Her mom......nope! Her guardian angel that was around her when she was scared. It spoke to her, but then soon vanished. She didn't hear it, but it was in the shape of the black dove that shared the same genes as her. She sighed and continued to move across the beach. She closed her eyes, and even though it was Winter...it was HOT!

She opened her eyes and saw the flames surrounding her. She saw them dancing, mocking her and laughing as they started to spread and trap her in the land. She saw the ring of fire slowly closing, and she turned around and looked for an exit, she saw one and reared, and ran to it, as it slowly closed, she went faster and faster, her life flashing before her eyes, and she moved to the exit. She was out, but the fire was still following her. She ran to safety, and began to move to the two figrues. She smiled as she began to race the flames.

She ran closer and closer to the figures, she saw a black figure and another horse. Storm and Oak. She soon drew closer, but the flame blocked her path. She turned before she hit the flames and then went around them, she was 10 feet away from her love! She then reached over to her love and nuzzled him

Tis everyone ok? Feather? Magic? Driftwood?.

She was nervous for this herd, it was her family. She loved everyone in this herd, she reared and called to anyone that wasn't here to do the same. Suddenly a thought ran through her mind ..Sienna. Had the fire gotten to her? Was she safe? Was she dead, burned, hungrey? WHAT!?. Dream could here her heartbeat in her stomach and sighed, it soon slowed down as she nuzzled her love, feeling safer and safer....watching the flames from afar..wondering..what will happen to the land?

She then saw her love, the pain that her was in. Was he ok? She laid down next to him and smiled, she didn't want to lost the one thing that made her life good. Nuzzling him again and again. She looked at his burns, she had a burn on her leg, but that was ok. She would be fine, she needed to care for her love, no matter what...she would always love him..she nickered sweet lyrics to him and said

M'love...are you ok?

Now she was scared, what would happen to Storm? She couldn't lose him, not now..not ever. She looked at her love and sighed, looking at him and not knowing what to do, she had never seen anyone this badly burned. THis land would die on this land, she hoped. Dreams would die for this land. She looked at him and smiled and nickered "I love you so much" into his audtive...</sup>[/sup]

[Hazel]

<sup>He was about to turn, to run towards the cliffs were the lands of his fathers old friend would be near in sight, where safety would just a be an oceon away, but the words of a familiar equine came towards him, drifting through the flames. He turned, smiling towards his mate, Broken Dream. He nickered to her, nuzzling her soft, grey mug gently, audes laid lower than usual, but the white rings evapourated from his orbs. If he was to die, he would truly die a happy stallion, and that, he knew, was true. But what, where was his daughter, Sierra Glory? He snborted through the ask, perhaps the soot was just getting to him, that her tiny figure would appear from the flames in due time. He waited, but her form never came. He sighed, his chest filling with the smoke. It was hard to breath, hard to speak, yet he somehow was able to gain the strength, to mutter last words to his femme, if they were destined to die soon. He felt they were going to burn, but he didnt care. He just had to save his herd, his family was all that mattered to him. His own life was just one to help others, a sacrifice to save thier skins.

"I havn't seen them m'love, and I am fine."

He was worried for them, even Driftwood though he didnt know much about him. But something about the way his sister Magic looked when she saw him, it made Storm think that they had something more than friendship, more than the painted mare even had for Curse. Curse, where was the brave, white horse? Was his best friend smoldering in the ashes? He reared, gazing outwards at his home, but the fire was too thick. His legs were shaking, like he was going to fall, and so he was forced back upon all four talons. He heard his mates faint words and it made him smile, even through the terror and the madness, he was happy again.

"And I love you too Dream, and forever will."

He had to tell her something, incase his death was nigh. He had to tell his last wishes, incase his kingdom was soon without a lord.

"Dream, promise me that when I die, that Curse shall become king until our daughter is of age. Only when she is four, shall she become queen. I dont want her to have the childhood that I did. Two years isnt enough to be a leader, its too hard. And you, you will be Curses queen, but not his mate, I beg you. And do not weep for me. When I am gone, I will finaly be with my parents, and I will always watch down on you. Please, promise me that you will do this, please...My love."</sup>

[flame]

<sup>((That made me tear up a little....though..Curse I think..quit))


Her heart pounded as she looked at the wounds that laid upon her love's bodice, she wished that she could cry, for Dream would cry a river if she could, she would cry to the ocean. The days were much shorter, and she paryed for something to stop the dancing flames. She loved Storm with all her heart, and soul. Her life was entwined with him and him alone. She would never love again and she would never dream again if she lost the one that she loved with all her heart and soul.

She looked at Oak and smiled, he was a great stallion and she was very happy to be with him, he would not die, for she would die. She heard his first lyrics and fear ran through her viens, she wondered what her mother was doing in heaven, or hell..or if she was even alive? Her soft, grey maw touched the black maw, and to hearts connected once again. She looked at him, and a little rain fell near her eye, and acted as if it were a tear, and the sadness showed within her orbs.

I am glad you are ok m'love....and Thank you Oak

She stood up and nuzzled Oak, and then nickered something to him and smiled, she then walked over to her love once more, and laid down in the warm sand. She snorted as she saw the rain coming from the ocean, and looked at the flames as they slowly went out, she then saw that the rain hard, and hopefully woudl soothe the burn's upon Storm's black shiny pelt. She heard his last lyrics and she shook her head in denile. She looked at him and shook her head as in "no", lyrics poured out of her heart, and out of her kissers..

M'love..Storm, my life, and soul. You won't die....you can't. You are what keeps me together, you are what makes me..me.

She looked at him and smiled and then thought of the worst, what if he died. She nickered to him, sweet lyrics, singing almost. She then looked at him and said

Sienna is gone, I don't know where she is. All the foals are gone....m'love, I could never replace you in my heart, no one could. The minnute that sienna is 4..she will be Queen..I promise.

She looked at him, this was not what she wanted, and Curse had not been seen since Sienna was born, was he still around? She would find him, and full-fill her love's wishes, g-d forbided that he would die...</sup>[/sup]

((I think Curse quit, and this sucks..badly..))

[Hazel]

[ ill post when i return, must get something to eat for dinner, and darn it, okay, ill think of something drift wood or oak perhapse, or dream alone, OH feather, the dearie, i want her to be beta mare *makes mental note to ask her* ]

[phoenix]

Oak sighed and his thin pillars shook underneath his weight. His skin and pelt was scorched. His hide felt like it was melting and crawling. He simply nodded, not feeling like talking at the time. Yes, he would be okay with time. Even if he wasn't now. They had to keep going, keep moving. This place wasn't safe. The herd wasn't safe. They needed to seek refuge somewhere.

Quick, we have to get to the island, Oak nodded in agreement. An island, surely it would be free of the fires, since it was surrounded by water. The idea had never struck him, partially because he had not heard of an island. And there was a herd on this island? He wondered the details softly as the two lovers talked of things he knew not of. Of the herd, of equines he had yet to meet. He felt alone, and out of the circle. Out of the group.

He nickered in reply to the lady of these lands as she greeted him with gratitude. Oak sighed deeply again, for he had done nothing. Storm was the one he had followed. All he did was follow someone. Nothing great he had done, for it didn't take much for even a sheep to follow the herd. He smiled as kindly as he could, taking the greeting as courteously as possible. This was a turning point in this herd, this moment when deaths were talked of as well as other sad things. But, he maintained his composure. He had to stay strong for these leads, they needed a strong follower.

||Sorry about the horrible post. I have no muse. x.x||