A Herd United - Chapter Five

Instructions

Byrrd was trotting along, happily going on a walk, when she heard two “oof”s. She flopped backward, falling. She shook her head and stood up. “Sorry!” she exclaimed. River Rock, a Forest Fire Herd colt Byrrd’s age, shook his head and stood up. “It’s okay,” he replied calmly. Byrrd flattened her ears, hot with embarrassment. She looked up again when she felt a soft muzzle lift her head. “It’s okay,” repeated River Rock. “I’m not hurt. Don’t take it personally; it’s not your fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” “Thanks,” Byrrd muttered shyly. [[That Night]] Byrrd didn’t have the same reaction as before when she saw Echo. “You two seem like a fine pair,” said Echo cheerfully. “Who, River Rock and I?” she scoffed. “No.” “Don’t deny it; follow the path written for you.” “The path written for me isn’t with him!” “Oh, yes, it is. Either keep being a stubborn little filly, or give in and allow him to help you through this. He’s been having his eye on you for a while.” “He barely sees me!” “He’s been there, even if you didn’t notice him.” “My path isn’t…” “Face it, Byrrd!” interrupted Echo. “He’s the colt for you. Either push him forward to let him get you two together or I’ll push you forward!” “Fine,” replied Byrrd. “I’ll push him.” “Actually, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll push him for you.” [[Later, River Rock’s view]] River rock gasped as he felt something invisible shove him forward. He landed almost on top of Byrrd, but being shoved made him off-balance, and he flopped right on top of her. “Sorry!” he said. “I got shoved by… something.” “It’s okay.” River Rock brightened up at Byrrd’s kindness. He knew that if he had fallen onto his big brother, Shady Boulder, he would’ve gotten smacked roughly. [[Later]] River Rock ended up bumping into Byrrd again. “Want to go on a walk?” he asked. “Sure,” replied Byrrd. River Rock started sprinting over toward Snoutain. “Meet you on the Ground!” he called over his shoulder. “Ok!” called Byrrd in response. River Rock skidded to a halt as he saw the tip of the mountain poking above the clouds. He stopped to catch a breath, panting from the long run. Once he had his breath back, River Rock began galloping down the worn-down path until his hooves reached grass. He breathed in the familiar forest smell he was used to, gazing around at his beloved home as he trotted on. He skidded to a halt at a bush. “I know this bush,” he muttered aloud. Brambles were wrapped around him, and as he looked, he remembered playing there when he was younger. He reached down and stared, awestruck, at a small hole he remembered squeezing through with Shady Boulder. He shook his head and continued trotting to where he guessed Byrrd would be. Once he saw her, he called to her and changed pace to a run. Once they got to each other, they slowly walked, waiting for their energy to build up again before changing pace. “I know this place like the back of my hoof,” said River Rock. “You want to see Highwater River? It’s famous, you know; our ancestors used it to put out the fire that killed Littlecloud and Mousestar.” “I know,” replied Byrrd excitedly. “Is it really in Forest Fire territory?” “Oh yes,” said River Rock. “Come on, I’ll show you!” River Rock began galloping across the soft grass and leaves, his hooves pounding the earth. He leaped over a log and swerved to avoid a rose bush. He slowed down to a trot when he began hearing water rushing in the distance. Byrrd slowed down too, panting. She put her wing on his back, steadying him as he tripped. “Careful,” she chuckled. River Rock started laughing. “Maybe I should’ve watched my step; what if that was an entire log?” he laughed. “I don’t doubt it!” joked Byrrd. [[Exactly ten minutes later]] Byrrd gazed awestruck at the river. River Rock felt happy to be back here, especially with a friend. Suddenly, he plunged his neck under, and yanked it back up, splashing the shore. In his jaws he held a small pebble, and he set it down. “This is special to me,” he explained to Byrrd. “It’s where I got my name. I call it a River Rocky, but I think it’s actually called a Birth Stone.” River Rock chuckled. “I think I was named after this exact one because”— He turned it over, revealing a shape that looked like River Rock’s head—“of that.” “Wow,” breathed Byrrd. Suddenly, a vicious snarling broke out. River Rock spun around and saw a fox. “Quick, into the bushes! I’ll…” River Rock stopped speaking as the fox leaped. River Rock spun around and tried to buck it, but he missed. There was a snap, a terrified yelp from Byrrd, and then the fox was right on top of River Rock. He shoved it off, then bucked it so hard that it ran away and hopefully would never come back. “That was a close one,” panted Byrrd. River Rock, staring in the direction of which way the fox went, thought for a moment before replying. “That doesn’t matter. What does is wether we’re hurt or not.” River Rock turned to look at Byrrd. “Are y…” his voice trailed off. He stood, [c]