The Deep Forest lay still in the lingering light of the setting sun. The shadows of the trees had grown tall and what little sky was visible above the dark crowns held a deep blue color. A few stars even dotted the western skies. No birds were chirping though it was too late in the year for them to be active at this hour. They were all cuddled up beside each other, feathers fluffed and beaks tucked to their chests.

It was the coldest day of Orangemoon so far and this morning even a thin, thin layer of frost had covered the ground; clinging to every little straw of grass. The day had been clear with crisp air and as night slowly closed in cold winds began making their way between the trees of the forest.

At the base of a huge tree trunk, under the thick, protective branches of small needles a young cremello pegasus lay on her side. Her big, swan like wings hugged her body and her silky mane and tail lay spread over the ground. The only parts of her that were visible were her four tan hooves sticking out from underneath the ancient fir. Her emerald eyes were hidden behind heavy eyelids, her cheeks striped with tears and her body covered in dried sweat, clay, dust and ashes. The recently burnt skin on her chest, belly and the inside of her legs were sooty, red and pink. It was cracked and small chunks of skin were hanging loose. She was in a bad condition.

The mare’s belly was rising and falling very slowly and every time it rose she grunted faintly as her torn skin was stretched. The fever had started not long ago and in her half-woken state her dreams were filled with bright colors and sharp noises. She was getting weaker by the minute and without help she would be in life threatening danger.

Outside her resting place a clear pool of water glittered in the dying daylight. The bottom of the pond was covered in red stones said to be the blood of those who had died in the forest. Of this the little dove under the fir knew nothing, but if legends were true it would be only a short while before another precious stone would decorate the bottom of the pool. Life was slowly slipping away from the girl and nothing short of a miracle could save her from dying there under the fir.


ooc; @[Lakota] first, then open :)