17 - Can I keep it, Mom?
Extended Holiday
Chapter 17: Can I Keep it, Mom?
Shawn yawned as he strode past the last stretch of the market. Nothing notable had caught his attention, and he didn’t require anything personally. There was, however, something else on his mind that he could attend to, given that he had at least finished translating the first chapter of the book.
His train of thought was cut off, however, by the sound of flapping wings. Looking over his shoulder, he was able to catch Renati flying toward him. After giving a brief chuckle, he tilted his head and ensured Renati had plenty of space to land on his shoulder.
“Enjoying your ability to come and go as you please?” Shawn gave a small grin.
Renati ruffled his feathers and preened himself casually, being careful to avoid eye contact while the human maintained that knowing smile.
“All right, I’ll leave it be.” He chuckled once more as he continued his walk. “If you’ll be joining me, you should be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the library.”
Renati chirped inquiringly.
“It’ll be a shorter visit. Mostly just to drop something off.”
The bird leaned toward the book and papers tucked under his perch’s arm, then looked at Shawn again.
“Translations of a book.”
The pair strode toward the great tree, and Renati gazed intently at the wood while they approached the door.
Shawn sighed as he knocked on the door.
The door pulled open to reveal a familiar purple Dragon with wide green eyes. “Shawn! Hey, good to see you!”
“You as well, Spike. Is Twilight home?”
“Sure is.” The young Dragon grinned and pulled the door open wider. “Come on in! I’ll go get her.” He chuckled. “She might be a little slow this morning. She and Rainbow Dash were up all night reading the latest Daring Do novel.”
“Oh, now?” Shawn hummed questioningly
“Yup,” Spike agreed. Then he noticed the companion riding on Shawn’s shoulder. “Hey, you’ve got a phoenix friend? That’s so cool! Me, too!”
“Yeah. Saw him yesterday and couldn’t help but get him. Though, it was more that he seemed okay around me than his previous caretakers.”
“What’s his name?”
“Renati.”
Spike smiled and waved at the bird. “Hiya, Renati. Nice to meetcha.” He closed the door, then started toward the stairs. “I’ll go get Twilight. Make yourself at home!” he called down as he hopped toward the second floor. It took a few minutes. There was some grumbling and a very familiar whine that drifted down the stairs from a certain blue Pegasus. Then came the flash of light as Twilight Sparkle materialized in the main reading room with Spike next to her. A very sleepy Rainbow Dash soon followed the slower way down the stairs, flapping lazily in the air.
“Morning, Shawn,” the mare murmured, being too tired to let her usual tendencies toward formality get in the way. “What can I do for you?”
“I come by with a delivery,” Shawn replied as he lifted the book in his hand into view.
Twilight blinked tiredly for a few moments, then rubbed her eyes before the adrenaline finally kicked in as she recognized the volume and the papers that he held over it. The Unicorn zoomed to his feet and gazed up with the excitement of a toddler about to dig into the candy jar. “Is that what I think it is?”
Rainbow Dash yawned. “All this fuss over a book?” She groaned and rubbed her eyes.
“A book that was never before translated, and potentially from my world….” Shawn remarked the second half with uncertainty. “It has the same language, but I don’t know how it got here, or when.”
“Sounds like something out of Daring Do and the Lost Manuscript.” Rainbow yawned again. “Turned out to be a secret code that led all the way back to Luna and the Lunar Rebellion.”
“Rainbow, you’re mixing up the books.” Twilight sighed. “That’s Daring Do and the Lunar Star Code. The Lost Manuscript had to do with an ancient book of spellcraft.”
“Is that what that is?” Rainbow asked curiously as she flew to peek over Shawn’s shoulder, heedless of the squawks of protest from the Phoenix at its space being violated.
“I don’t know. I haven’t read it yet,” Twilight pointed out, then looked curiously at Shawn. “Is it?”
“It’s mainly about some field of magic that sounds familiar to me, but they haven’t named it yet in the chapter I’ve translated. It sounds like some kind of mythology from my world.” Shawn frowned as he thought it over. “If it is what I think it is, then this may be a book on thaumaturgy.”
“Thauma-what?” Rainbow scratched her head.
“As mentioned, basically a field of magic, or at least, I think so.” Shawn shrugged.
“So, humans did have magic once?” Rainbow asked. “Ow!” A strong peck from Renati quickly jolted the mare out of her sleepy stupor, and she darted swiftly out of the bird’s reach. “What was that for?”
“He’s been warning you that you’re in his personal space.” Shawn shrugged with his opposite shoulder. “He doesn’t like many individuals. I’m just lucky that he seems to like me.”
Renati flared his wings again and let out another call as embers scattered briefly from his wings. Then he regained his composure, having made his point heard and casually returned to his usual aloof behavior.
“If this really is a book on practical application of a system of magic from your world, it could open the way for an entirely new field of magic to study here in Equestria, not to mention help us to gain a greater understanding and insight into a history in your world that you’ve never known before!” Twilight’s eyes, well … they sparkled as she brought up the possibility. “Oh, this is so exciting!”
Shawn chuckled. “It’s just an introduction for now. I’ve got plenty to translate still, but I figured you’d appreciate a chapter by chapter update.”
“You bet!” She gazed lustily at the papers. “Can I…?”
Spike sighed and shook his head. “Hoboy. Here we go. I’ll go get the pancakes.”
Rainbow perked up. “Dibs on the first one!” Her mane trailed a tiny rainbow behind her as she zipped toward the kitchen.
“I leave this in your care,” Shawn said as he handed it off to Twilight. “Drop it off at the Tavern when you’re done. Do keep in mind it isn’t long. Until then, I’m off for more work.”
Twilight’s grin was as disturbing as it was adorable as she levitated the papers and began to read. “You’re okay if I take notes, right?”
“Try not to put too much down. We don’t exactly know what’s contained in this book.”
Twilight’s eyes were already darting over the first page as she nodded. “Right. Yeah. Understood….”
Shawn smiled and shook his head as he left out the front door. He was confident he would be seeing the mare again soon.
“All right, we’ve fulfilled the mission, set up camp, stayed the night, got a good idea of the opposition we’ll have to face, and you got to explore your haunted castle,” Rook said as he finished rolling up his bed roll. “Anything we’re missing before we head out?”
“Not really,” Taze said. “Besides planning our trail home more carefully.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.” Rook chuckled. “Just have to make sure we can keep our wooden friends at bay.”
“Still, let's take things a bit more carefully this time,” Taze said. “Keep your weapon somewhere easy to get ahold of at all times.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Rook assured him. The duo finished packing the cart, and Rook nodded as the pair hitched him up to the wagon again. “All set?”
Taze checked his flintlock one last time, making sure the powder was dry. “Yup.”
“Then let’s get going.” The duo set out together and made their way toward the rope bridge. Once more, the air was quiet. There was no sign of birdsong or other wildlife, only the cold and the frost as they tread over frozen ground. As the two crossed over the bridge itself and the castle shrank from sight beyond the gorge, a loud metallic clang rang and reverberated through the air, causing Rook to rear in surprise. “What in blue blazes…?”
“There is no way those chains should have broken,” Taze said.
“What about the locking mechanism? Could it have failed?”
“Not likely,” he said.
“Then we’ll have to report that to Lord Shawn.”
“Yeah, let's get moving. This place is giving me the creeps.”
“Now you know why nopony likes setting hoof in here,” Rook said with a smirk.
“Maybe, but we'll be back. I hope you're ready,” Taze said.
“You do realize that you pay me to do that, right?”
“No, Equestria pays you. They just pay you to listen to us.” Taze laughed. “Which is weird, given we’re foreigners.”
“And heroes. Don’t forget the heroes.”
“We failed, Rook,” Taze said. “Shawn’s the hero.”
“Put up a good fight, though,” Rook pointed out. “I’m a failure, too, according to the higher-ups at Canterlot. Don’t mean I am. You may not have done what you wanted, but you did what was right. That makes you hero enough in my book.”
“No one worthy of being a hero called themselves that,” Taze said.
Rook chuckled. “Fair enough. So, do I call you Sissy, then, Sir?”
“No, you just call me Taze,” Taze laughed. “Come on. We’ve got a ways to go.”
Matthew smacked his lips and shook his head bitterly as he descended the stairs to the main floor of the Punch Bowl. The brew the doctors had prepared to substitute for his pills was a foul concoction, but it seemed to yield the proper results. “Morning, Berry,” he greeted the mare as he approached the counter.
Berry Punch raised a brow. “What happened to you? You look like somepony shoved a stink blossom in your tea.”
“They might as well have.” He resisted the urge to spit out of courtesy to the mare. “Got anything to get rid of a bad aftertaste? That medicine’s got to be some of the worst I’ve ever taken.”
Berry smiled and shook her head. “Keeps most folks from overdosing on meds. ‘If it doesn’t taste bad, it’s not working.’” She passed him an apple. “Take a few bites of this, and you’ll be good to go,” she promised.
“What is it?”
“An apple. What else did you think it was?”
“Not a zap apple?”
Berry shook her head. “Those things disappear too quickly. You’re lucky if you can get one to try, and they kick harder than Applejack bucking.”
Matthew whistled. “Really?” he asked, then took a bite. The flavor of the fruit was tart, but the texture helped to scrape against his tongue and mouth to clean his taste buds. A few bites later, he was back to normal. “Wow, that really works.”
Berry smirked. “How else do you think I fix my mouth after a bender?”
Matthew winced. “That … might be a little more than I needed to know.”
Berry shrugged. “A drink’s a drink. S’not like I make it anyone else’s problem.” She turned aside and clopped onto the floor of the bar. “So, what’s it going to be for breakfast this morning?”
“Got any eggs?”
Berry nodded. “I’ll see what I can rustle up.”
Shawn frowned as he continued to scan over the market stalls. While the market had plenty of curious things to supply him and occupy his time previously, now it was devoid of anything he wanted to investigate, much to the sellers’ dismay.
He sighed as he continued walking along the path and eventually passed beyond the town, lost in his thoughts. It wasn’t until a sharp peck from Renati drew his attention away from his musings that he noticed how the dim winter light was now latticed by shadowy branches. Gnarled tree trunks clutched at the sky with clawing branches, and a cold that was not entirely of the weather sent a shudder through him as he gazed into the depths of the Everfree Forest.
“Yeah, … it’s definitely not time for this,” he remarked, tracing his steps back before following along the edge of the forest. “Not yet. Thank you, Renati.”
Renati puffed out his chest and chirped proudly. The two continued to walk around the bounds of the town and beyond until they reached what appeared to be a friendlier patch of the forbidding woods that was equally bare of leaves but far more inviting in its appearance. A small hill in the distance rose, with a wooden fence to guard against the edge as it became higher. A frozen stream flowed beneath a natural bridge on its way up to the slope to where a lush cottage resided. There were no monsters here in this place, but given its proximity to the woods, it seemed odd that any Pony would want to build there. All they would have would be the wildlife … for … company….
“Um, h-hello, Lord Shawn,” a soft voice murmured just barely above a whisper. “Did you need something from me?”
“Oh. Hello, Fluttershy,” Shawn responded after taking the time to process what she’d said. “No, I’m just wandering around at the moment.”
“So, you like to take walks?”
“Occasionally, yes. Though it’s mostly when I’m lost in thought.”
A flutter of wings rushed in Shawn’s ears as Renati took flight and soared around the pair, then darted through the boughs of the trees to exercise himself.
“He’s very handsome,” Fluttershy complimented. “They’re not exactly a rare bird, but Phoenixes don’t normally bond with partners. They prefer to be wild and free, like their element. Where did you find him?” With the focus shifted to an animal, the mare was almost like a normal Pony again, her curiosity having overridden her usual timidity.
“Found him in the market alongside plenty of other creatures up for trade. He just seemed to take to me more so than his previous caretakers.”
“Phoenixes are great familiars to have for magic, and they’re very protective. Once they bond with somepony, they stay with them until their partner dies.”
“Interesting.” Shawn hummed as he glanced after Renati. “Now it’s just a matter of curiosity as for why.”
“He might tell you one day after you get to know him better.” She smiled kindly. “But you must be feeling cold, and it’s a long walk back to town. Would you like to join me for some tea?”
“I wouldn’t want to impose.” Shawn gave a gentle smile.
“Y-you wouldn’t be. Oh, but I don’t want you to think I’m pushing you to either,” she said hastily.
Shawn’s smile widened slightly. “If you’ll have my company, and you’re sure of it, I wouldn’t mind joining you. So long as you don’t mind Renati.” He gestured briefly toward the forest. The phoenix flew back and perched on his shoulder again, having taken sufficient time to stretch its wings.
“Oh, we won’t mind,” Fluttershy assured him. “It should be a calm day today. Most of my animal friends are hibernating.”
“Then I would be delighted to.”
Renati cocked his head curiously as he gazed at Fluttershy and found, to his surprise, that the mare stared back not with intensity, but with the gentle warmth that embodied her element. He let out a chirp, then flew toward the cottage beyond and circled above the door.
Fluttershy smiled. “I guess Renati is looking forward to it, too.”
“How you doing there, big guy?” Taze asked as he observed the darkening horizon.
Rook smirked at his companion as the wagon’s wheels jostled along the root-covered trail. As an added precaution, the two had decided to plot a route that avoided the main path, so that they might hopefully evade any timberwolves in larger numbers. “Not too bad. Not encountering any more timberwolves helps.”
“Honestly slightly worried about that,” Taze noted.
“Well, you did pick the way with the least room for movement. Maybe they don’t like that either.”
“Still, you’d think there’d be some evidence of them tracking us.”
“Maybe they’re eating or sleeping?”
“I mean, that's not impossible, but just unlikely,” Taze noted.
Rook shrugged. “Figure it’s like that pink mare. Just don’t question it.”
“Maybe,” Taze said as they moved. “Just is un—”
The sight ahead of them was anything but pleasant. What first looked more like a small bundle of sticks stacked in a loose pile slowly took on the grim appearance of bleached bone that had been gnawed, chewed on, and finally cast aside by some predator of the forest. Sticky green sap dripped mournfully from the cuts and edges of the sticks while the bundle shuddered in place on the ground. The barest hints of rasping could be heard mingled with quiet whines that were almost completely muted.
“Rook, get me a blanket,” Taze said as he approached the creature, getting on his knees to get a closer look.
“You do know what that thing is, right?” Rook tensed as he eyed the brush and trunks surrounding them, keeping a wary eye out for any other timberwolves that might still be nearby.
“Yes, an injured lifeform,” Taze said. “Looks like it’s still an infant, really, or very close. Must have been abandoned for its coloring.”
“Wood is wood, Taze. I doubt color has anything to do with why this one got hurt.” Rook shook his head. “And its pack might come back for it later, when we’re not in such a sheltered stretch of road.”
“Not likely. Wolves aren't quite that good of parents,” Taze said. “Now, that blanket, please?”
Rook gave a reluctant sigh and reached back to snatch a blanket from their supplies, then tossed it to Taze. “I get the feeling this isn’t going to end well. Better to kill it and be done with it.”
“You know where dogs come from, Rook?” Taze asked as he worked to carefully wrap the pup securely.
“Timberwolves aren’t dogs.”
“Neither are wolves.”
“And your point is?”
“Dogs developed because of domesticated wolves,” Taze said. “At least on our world. And all because someone bothered to try taming them. I see no reason why this pup couldn’t be the start of greater things.”
“Assuming you can get Lord Shawn to agree.”
“I’m certain I can,” Taze said gently, setting the pup in the wagon. “He’d probably see the value himself.”
Rook sighed and shook his head. “Ready to start out again, Sir?”
“Yeah, let's double time it. The sooner we can get to Fluttershy, the better.”
Rook nodded, though the mirth they had shared before had dimmed significantly. “Yes, Sir.” Once more, the cart went into motion, and the pair were on their way.
Matthew frowned as he looked over his supplies from his attaché case. What papers he had brought with him would prove a limited resource, as would any parchment that he might be able to get ahold of. And yet, while he could speak and read to an extent in the Equestrian language, he still hadn’t fully grasped the art of writing. If he was going to achieve that properly, then he would need the means to do so without having to waste money on purchasing more ink, quills, and parchment, all of which would likely prove to be extremely expensive.
“If only I had a whiteboard,” he murmured to himself. “Or maybe….” His furrowed brow softened, and his mouth widened into a triumphant smile. “A chalkboard.” He gazed toward the sun to check the time, then nodded. There was enough daylight still. If he hurried, he could reach the camp and start practicing on the chalkboard in the classroom.
Matthew quickly rushed to grab his clothes and mittens.
“Where are you going?” Mutatio asked curiously.
“To study.” Matthew grinned. “I’ll see you and Me-Me in a few hours, Mutatio, if Moonshade asks where I’ve gone, just tell her I’m at the training grounds.” With that said, he strode quickly out of the room and raced down the stairs. He tore open the door just as a familiar magenta mare was reaching to push it open, causing her to spill into the human and knocking the both of them over.
“Oh, sweet Celestia,” Cheerilee groaned as she pulled herself away from Matthew. “Just what I need.”
“Sorry, Miss….” Matthew began.
“Cheerilee,” the mare said curtly, then sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry. Normally, I’m not so grouchy, but today’s been a trying day. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Matthew nodded as he drew himself back to his feet and slowly guided the door shut again. “I can relate. You’re Ponyville’s teacher, aren’t you?”
Cheerilee nodded. “Yes, I am.”
Matthew smiled wryly. “Then we both have some experience dealing with difficult students. At least yours have the excuse of still being young.” He extended a hand in greeting. “Matthew Connor. I help teach tactics and free thinking over at the camp.”
“Free thinking?”
“That’s what I call it, anyway. It seems that some Ponies come with certain preconceptions that aren’t suitable for a proper soldier and leader. Respecting command is one thing, but one can hardly earn respect if one isn’t willing to offer it in the first place, if you catch my drift.”
The wince that flickered over Cheerilee’s face was all Matthew needed to know she understood perfectly. “I try to remind my students of that every day.” She sighed. “Unfortunately, some Ponies don’t always have the best role models.”
Matthew smiled wryly. “Tale as old as time, ma’am.” He offered a formal military bow. “My apologies. I’d love to stay and talk longer, but there are some studies I must attend to before my next shift with the troops. I may understand how to read your language now, but the writing is still taking some getting used to. I look forward to meeting with you again under happier circumstances, Miss Cheerilee. And in the meantime, I hope you enjoy whatever Miss Punch has to offer.”
“As long as it doesn’t have anything to do with syrup or sap.” Cheerilee shuddered.
Matthew chuckled as he pulled the door open, offering a casual salute to the mare by way of farewell before closing the door behind him. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why the mare was so reticent. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders strike again.”
Out on the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac was just finishing checking over the last patch of trees for the day when a voice emanated over the stretch of land between the orchard and the Everfree. The stallion froze for a moment, then turned and puffed out his chest in an effort to make himself as imposing as possible. Most of the time, the monsters of the forest left him and their land alone, but he’d seen his share of battle with timberwolves before, and sometimes worse. He narrowed his gaze, even as the voice grew more distinct.
“... Poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed….” The brush rustled. Branches snapped and cracked. Then, from out of the dark wood, a creaking wagon emerged, being led by the familiar sight of a certain hunter and a black Earth Pony. The human continued to sing gleefully as they walked, letting the bars hang in the air until they were almost on top of the stallion. “... Then one day he was shootin’ at some foooo—Oh! Hello, Big Mac.”
Big Mac stared at them, his mouth agape in an expression of simultaneous disbelief and inquiry.
“Uh, hey, can you point us in the fastest way to Fluttershy's cottage?” Taze asked.
Big Mac stared at the pair for a few more seconds, shook his head back into sensibility, and finally answered with an affirmative, “Eeeeyup.” The stallion pointed with a hoof along the tree line, then tapped his hoof a few times on the ground.
“He says we just have to follow the treeline a ways, no more than a few miles,” Rook translated.
“Thanks, Mac. I really appreciate it!” Taze said.
As the two walked away, Big Mac noticed two glowing orbs glowing from under a blanket in the cart. He shook his head immediately and turned around toward the farm. “Nnnope. Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope.”
The journey to Fluttershy’s cottage was uneventful, now that they were on the Pony side of the Everfree. Taze couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the familiar building. While he was still upset with the mare for her actions, he had to admit she had chosen an optimal location where she could best make use of her talents. It didn’t take long to reach the door and knock.
“Yes?” Fluttershy asked as she peered through the door. A cute white rabbit peered more intently with ears flopped back and eyes narrowed with suspicion. His nose twitched as he sniffed at the air, and he bared his buck teeth menacingly.
“Hi, Fluttershy,” Taze said. “Uh, important question. You help all kinds of animals, right?”
“Yes,” Fluttershy replied. “Is something wrong? Are one of the animals in Ponyville feeling sick?”
“Wait here,” Taze said. He walked to the cart and wrapped something in a bundle of cloth, then returned holding it carefully so that only the timberwolf pup’s head was showing while the rest remained restrained as he carried it back. “I found this one abandoned in the forest.”
Fluttershy stared at the puppy in a mixture of fear and curiosity. “I’ve never heard of a timberwolf being white before. Most are made from dark brown wood, and they have terrible breath. How did you catch it?”
“I found it broken and bleeding in the path,” Taze said.
“Then the first thing we can do is try to tend its wounds.” Fluttershy frowned. “I’m not sure my way will be the best way to take care of him, though. Timberwolves aren’t like most animals. They’re magical. I may need to ask Twilight for some help, especially if we need to build a cage for him.”
“Can I leave it here?” Taze asked. “I’ll go for the book.”
“I-if your friend can stay here to help keep the cub calm, it should be all right, I suppose,” Fluttershy said quietly as her mane began to hide her face.
“Sir?” Rook asked inquiringly of his superior.
“Just stay and follow orders until I get back. Should be nothing new, right?” Taze asked.
“Except for handling a dangerous magical creature.” Rook smirked. “I knew you were going to push us to our limits, but this is more than I expected.” He chuckled. “Get moving, Sir. I’ll hold down the fort,” he promised.
“Thank you, Rook,” Taze said before turning to Fluttershy. “Name of the book?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know any that deal with timberwolves directly. Most of the bestiaries about them are how to avoid them or kill them. Twilight should have an idea of what to look for once you explain the situation to her, though. Let’s get that cub inside where it’s warm. Once we have a pen set up, you can go see Twilight.”
Taze nodded and followed her in with Rook and a very disgruntled white bunny following suit.
Twilight had just ignited her horn and begun to levitate the many volumes in the library from their shelves for their regularly scheduled cleaning and reorganizing. The tomes began to wobble, and the mare smiled in anticipation of the events to come when the door slammed open, sending a frigid draft all over the room. Twilight jumped in surprise and let out a startled squeak as her concentration snapped. And with it went her hold on the books.Some few of them toppled from the shelves and were barely saved in time by the mare’s quick thinking. She pouted, then turned to face the intruder, ready to chide with a few choice words when her gaze locked on a familiar pair of legs. Her eyes went up, and up, and up to see a gasping human with twin swords on his back panting like mad. She hadn’t seen Taze this worked up since….
“What’s happening?” she asked quickly. “Are we under attack? Is it a monster? Changelings?” The books were quickly and gently laid on the library’s main table, and she directed her full attention to the human as the door shut behind him.
Taze held up a finger as he took several deep breaths. “Fluttershy needs a bestiary on how to aid a timberwolf.”
Twilight blinked in surprise and shook her head. “I’m sorry, run that by me again? I thought you just said aid a timberwolf.”
“I did,” he said bluntly.
“Oh. I see. Why would Fluttershy want to help a timberwolf?” The mare practically shouted the inquiry as the sheer ludicracy of the idea flooded through her. They were merciless predators that constantly prowled the forest in search of prey and territory. The very idea of bringing one even to the edge of Ponyville was tantamount to asking for a pack to invade!
“Probably because I asked her to look after an injured pup I found in the everfree.”
“Do you have any idea the kind of danger you just put her in by doing that?” Twilight hissed. “And she actually said yes? I know she’s the element of kindness, but this could be disastrous for Ponyville if the pack comes looking for it!”
“It’s a child, Twilight,” Taze said. “I don’t care what you think. You know that's all that really matters. Now, are you going to help us or not?”
Twilight groaned and shook her head. “Give me a minute. If you’re going to shelter it, we’re going to need to come up with a way to mask its scent and mana traces to keep its pack from following it till its wounds are healed, assuming they even can be. Depending on the damage, it may need to find new materials to integrate into its body.” The mare raced through the shelves, picking up a few choice volumes before galloping up the stairs to her room and returning moments later with several more books. Finally, she raced down to the basement and returned hauling a leather-bound tome that looked more like a dictionary or an almanac than a spellbook. “Grimm Skull’s bestiary, A Treatise on the Impacts and Side Effects of Wild Magic, herbology textbooks, botany, Magical Analysis for Artificial Lifeforms….” After a swift catalogue of her inventory, she finally sighed. “If I had more time, I would have made a more thorough list, but I suppose this will have to do. Let’s go, Taze. We don’t have much time to lose.”
“We?” Taze lifted an eyebrow.
“Technically, timberwolves aren’t flesh and blood. They’re an amalgamation of magic, not unlike a golem, though based around plantlife instead. Fluttershy may be able to tend to some of its hurts, but you’ll probably need a magic expert to really get it back on its paws again.” She levitated a pair of saddlebags around her barrel, then loaded them with the books. “Spike,” she called, “I’m heading over to Fluttershy’s cottage! I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?”
“Okay!” Spike shouted back from upstairs.
Twilight nodded. “Okay, Taze, let’s go.”
An owl swooped overhead and hooted as it settled onto a perch. Twilight nodded. “I’ll tell Fluttershy you say hi, Owlowiscious,” she promised.
“Who,” Owlowiscious replied and nodded his head, following the pair as they made their way out the door.
The journey to Fluttershy’s cottage was swift and, fortunately for the pair, unimpeded. However, that did not make them immune to notice, and certainly not to pursuit as a certain blue figure followed their trail at a distance.
The air was calm as Twilight and Fluttershy conferred over the sight of the pup. The makeup of its bark was unusually smooth once Twilight had the chance to work on its wounds. A few spells to hasten healing and regeneration in plantlife left the albino with silvery scars that only seemed to accentuate its appearance. The canid’s sticks rattled and shook as it laid on the floor and went through the motion of breathing.
“He’s stable for now,” Fluttershy said quietly as she looked between the young timberwolf and Taze. “I’m going to have to do some research on what we can feed him, though. We don’t want the poor thing to starve, and we can’t have him trying to eat anypony here either.”
“Do they even eat people they’ve killed?” Taze asked. “I mean, they’re made of wood. Seems like they’d need similar types of nutrients.”
“This particular species is unique. They don’t necessarily have to kill their food, but they do it to absorb as much of the energy from their victims as they can. They feed on power and magic, any source they can get it from,” Twilight noted. “Trees, plants, and when that isn’t enough, the creatures that encroach on their territory. But like most wolves, they’ll only go after something they know they can hunt. Beat them enough times and they’ll back off or die if you manage to exhaust the magic that holds them together. In theory, as a puppy, this timberwolf may be able to be weaned off of feeding on Ponies and other creatures, assuming it hasn’t already been fed too much from that source. Better still if it hasn’t been introduced to that source at all. But we won’t know for sure until we can prepare some options to try.”
“Wow. You’re just full of hysteria, aren't you?” Taze asked as he carefully approached the pup and examined its mouth.
“Facts, Taze. I’m just telling you what my research showed,” Twilight said. “I’m doing this because you asked me to as a friend. Believe me, if I were hysterical, you’d know.”
Taze rolled his eyes as he pulled something from between the cub’s teeth and held it up. “Teeth aren't even fully developed. Canines are two small, and the main cutting teeth don’t have an edge predators use for cutting flesh.” He shook a small string of bark. “Evidence says this is what it was fed.”
“That does fit with what Twilight said about them eating wood and plantlife,” Fluttershy noted. “If that’s their primary food source, then if we can get some wood and plants rich enough in magic to match his diet, it should help him to recover.”
“Good,” Taze said. “And I’ll work on whatever forms I need to take him in.”
“You want to what?” Twilight shrieked as Taze walked toward the cottage door.
“Did I stutter?” Taze asked. “Who knows? This may be the start of a new branch of tameable animals.”
As the door pulled open, the familiar sight of a blank-faced human appeared before them. Shawn’s arms were crossed expectantly as he gazed at his friend, then peered farther into the building to see Twilight, Fluttershy, and finally the resting cub. “Surprise,” Shawn said calmly. “Though I’m not sure whether for you or for me….”
“Hey Shawn,” Taze said. “Found something on my way back.”
“I can see that. Any trouble on the way?”
“We ran into a pack of timber wolves on the way there, but we managed to get away. I’ll give a full report on the fortress later.”
“Is that going to be a problem for the town?”
“I doubt it,” Taze said. “Though some may object.”
“It’s going to be your responsibility.”
Taze laughed. “Yeah, kinda figured it would be.”
“Going somewhere?”
“Not currently. Why?”
Shawn shrugged. “Figured we’d hang out. You’re not the only one to find an unusual companion.”
“Oh?” Taze asked.
Shawn nodded. “Twilight, Fluttershy, we’ll talk later,” he promised, then shut the door. As the two friends walked away, Shawn raised an arm and waited patiently. In a matter of moments, Renati flew silently and gracefully from the trees to perch on his partner. “Taze, meet Renati. Renati, Taze.”
Taze gave the bird a nod, but thought better at poking at it.
Renati returned the human’s scrutiny with a cool gaze.
“He’ll be staying with us for as long as he wants. Don’t know whether he’ll warm up to you or not, but I think he’ll at least tolerate you after a while,” Shawn said.
“That's fair. Birds are kinda tricky,” Taze said.
Shawn smirked. “So, I hope you’re ready to answer some questions.”
“Sure. I imagine you’ll have a lot of them.” Taze smirked in return.
“Oh, I don’t know about a lot. Let’s start with just three.”
“Oh?”
Shawn’s voice shifted into a raspy cackle as he squinted at his friend. “What is your name?”
Taze cracked up.
Shawn chuckled as he righted himself. “And I didn’t even get to finish the bit.”
“I mean, seemed pretty obvious,” Taze laughed
Shawn shrugged. “You looked like you could use a good laugh.”
“Well, it is the best medicine,” Taze replied. “Though speaking of….”
“Yes?”
“Have you noticed we’ve been healing faster?”
“We’re in the middle of a magical world that pulled me back from the brink of death. I’m not so sure a little faster healing qualifies as unusual on its own. Care to elaborate?”
Taze held up his arm, which looked normal. “I got clawed by a timberwolf yesterday, and now you can’t even see it.”
Shawn raised a brow. “Did Fluttershy or Rook help you tend it?”
“Rook did, but nothing that would have healed it this soon.”
Shawn narrowed his gaze as he peered at the arm more intently. “How deep were the cuts?”
“Pretty damned deep,” Taze said.
“I’m told timberwolves have a sap of sorts that they produce, both lifeblood and spittle. Is it possible that sap may have gotten into your wounds to cause this?” Shawn asked as they continued along the path.
“No.” Taze shook his head. “Not likely at all.”
Shawn looked intently at Taze again, then stroked his chin. “I don’t have anything concrete to go on, but I’ll look into it. I may have an idea, but it’s too early to say whether it holds water.” He shook his head. “Other than the timberwolves, what about the rest of the trip? How was the castle?”
Well…” he went into a detailed explanation of everything they’d observed.
Shawn frowned. “And you’re certain someone deliberately sabotaged the portcullis?”
“It was nowhere near ready to break.” Taze nodded.
“Then that means we have squatters. I’ll see about sending a message to the princesses. It may be this is some sort of enchantment or golem or something they put in place to keep the castle safe. Better to make sure before we go in there ourselves.”
“Yeah, that seems safe.” He nodded.
“Let’s head back to the Punch Bowl. You can brief Matthew and Moonshade while we’re at it.”
Taze smiled. “Yeah. It’ll be nice to sleep on a bed again.”
“That is slightly unsettling news,” Moonshade commented after Taze had finished reporting what they had discovered.
“It means we’ll need to be prepared to fight and take prisoners,” Shawn agreed. “The fact that Taze was left unmolested, however, implies that they may be few in number,” he mused. “If we play our cards right, we should be able to manage it. The timberwolves will be troublesome, though.”
“I think we’ll be safe in large groups,” Taze commented. “And Twilight said she might have a few tricks from her bestiaries to help us along the way.”
“If you ask it of us, I or Me-Me would be willing to infiltrate the packs, perhaps lead them astray while the caravan travels,” Mutatio suggested.
Shawn shook his head. “As far as we can tell, you two are unique among most Changelings. I won’t risk losing you needlessly.”
“Is that even the same thing as what you normally do?” Taze asked.
“Infiltration and dissembling is what our species was made for. The intent is to encourage love to consume, but you saw how effective we were before my former queen revealed herself,” Mutatio noted.
“Yes, but sapient beings are generally more easily predicted in society.”
“We also analyze other creatures for potential sources of food. Ponies and other sapient races merely provide stronger sources in greater amounts. However, I believe we can save the finer points for a later conversation, since Shawn has decided this discussion is not a proper use of our time.”
“Agreed,” Matthew said. “We need to get a letter to Princess Luna as soon as possible. After she replies, we can come up with a battle plan.”
“Which brings us to the crux of the matter,” Shawn said. “Our cadets have been training for some time, but are they ready for real combat and field experience?” He looked to the others. “Your thoughts?”
“Not yet,” Taze said. “We’re going to be working for a while to get them in proper fighting shape.”
“They’re beginning to acknowledge authority, but it’s going to take more time before they muster the proper discipline around new faces. The pride in the noble class will be their undoing unless we can cure them of it,” Matthew added.
“Moonshade? You’ve also been observing our progress. What is your opinion as a representative of Luna’s guard?” Shawn asked.
“I would agree they need more time before they’re ready. How long, I’m not sure at this time.”
“We’ll have to take things one step at a time, then,” Shawn agreed. “And when we feel ready to test them properly, we can take them into the forest to face some of the less dangerous creatures. Fluttershy should be able to give us directions, or some of the other locals familiar with the forest’s dangers. Any objections?”
No one spoke.
Shawn nodded. “Very well, then. Let’s call it a night. We’ll carry on as normal for now and plan further once we receive word from the princesses on the status of the castle and any potential guardians or residents that my have been left behind.” He rose and stretched. “I’ve got a project of my own to get back to, anyway.” With that said, the human left the room, leaving the remainder behind.
“I guess I’ll try to get some sleep, then.” Matthew yawned. “It’s been a busy day.”
“It’s been a busy few days on my end.” Matthew’s yawn soon found its way to Taze, and he, too, found himself expressing his fatigue.
“Let's hope things go easier from here on, then,” Moonshade said.
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Holy Grail! They should make a Holy Hand Grenade with a fuse of five seconds. Whoops, I mean three seconds!
I have a question for any who can answer it: What is the average velocity of an unladen swallow?
4695581
What do you mean? An African or European swallow?
Chapter's is progress:
29: 52%
30: 35%
4695847 I don't know... Ahhhh!!! *falls off bridge and down cliff*
4695939
That scene never gets old. Also I am happy to see you caught the reference about weeping in the previous chapter.
4695581
potato
Is the Phoenix healing him
7994733
Maybe, I left it vague on purpose there, but what do you think? Is the Phoenix healing? Or giving special time to a mortal?
That is the question, or maybe it is something totally different. Yes I know that can be an annoying answer, but I like to hear what others think of the story, and thank you for the awesome comments.
Caaaareful here. Almost summoned Twiggie. You do not want to summon Twiggie.