//------------------------------//
// Revelations 
// Story: Where The Heart Lies 
// by Broman 
//------------------------------//

Hammer gasped for breath, as if he was held underwater for too long. His whole body felt sore and he struggled to move under the heavy blanket. He looked up to see the top of the tent and his own breath in the cold air.
 
Where am I? 
 
He scanned the room around him. His vision blurred, and he shook his head to try and clear it. He then began to lift himself up, pushing the blanket off. He shivered from contact with the cold, the warmth of the blanket quickly receding as he lifted himself up from the cot. His head hurt and he felt dizzy as he leaned up. As his vision began to collect, his eyes narrowed upon a single figure in front of him. He blinked a few times, then his eyes widened as he recognized the mare before him.
 
“Silverwing?” he said, his voice raspy as if he’d been in a desert. 
 
Silverwing stared at him with her eyes open. Her face held an emotion of shock, but also of wonder. He noticed that she had bags under her eyes and her mane looked disheveled. But none of that matter to him knowing that she was here. After what felt like an eternity, she took a nervous step forward.
 
“Silverwing,” he rasped, coughing as his dry mouth protested. Silverwing dashed to his side and grabbed a nearby wineskin.
 
“Here, drink this,” she said. Either excitement or worry had flooded her, but he knew that she was doing the right thing. The wineskin touched his lips and he felt cool water flowing through him. The liquid was soothing, relieving his dry throat. After a few more quick gulps, the wineskin left his lips. He gave a quick cough as some of the water trickled down his mouth. He looked up to see Silverwing, only to be enveloped in a big hug.
 
“You’re alright.” she said, squeezing tighter around his body. He cringed at first from the pain in his shoulder, but he bore through it as she continued to hold him. When he grunted from the extra pressure, Silverwing withdrew from his side.
 
“I’m sorry! I didn’t hurt you, did I?” she asked. A hint of worry was in her voice, but she looked more reassured that he was okay. He shook his head, his mind still foggy. He tried to refocus back on Silverwing, but his shoulder pain persisted and he placed a hoof onto the wound.
 
“How long was I out?” he asked. 
 
Silverwing placed a hoof onto his good shoulder. “You’ve been out for nearly five days. We’ve traversed far since you’ve been asleep,” she explained, “How do you feel? Are you-” 
 
She was interrupted when a loud gurgle came from within Hammer. He blushed as he looked down to his belly.
 
“Well, I’m hungry for one thing,” Hammer said with a sheepish grin. 
 
Silverwing gave a soft chuckle. “Wait here, I’ll fetch you something,” Silverwing said, leaving his side to exit out of the tent.
 
“Wait. Take me with you,” Hammer pleaded. 
 
Silverwing turned to him in surprise. “No, absolutely not. You’ve barely awoken and your strength has not returned.”
 
“I have strength enough for this,” he replied, but his captain would have none of it.
 
“No, you are staying here. That is final,” she said, only to watch as he began to rise. 
 
“Please, let me at least see them,” he said, as he got up off the warm cot and stood up from his position. He struggled for a moment, his legs wobbling and almost giving way from the strain. His captain could only shake her head at him.
 
“You’re a stubborn fool, Hammer,” Silverwing said as she went to his side. Once settled, she waited for Hammer to make his move. He began to hobble, and his wounded shoulder brushed on her side. He winced from the pain, but he bore through it. The real challenge was walking out of the tent. 
 
“C,mon Hammer, one leg at a time,” she said, allowing him to take the first uneasy steps forward. 
 
Each step was agonizing; the cold numbed his legs, making it difficult to walk. After the first few uneasy steps, his body fell into Silverwing. His captain held him up, and he leaned into her as she moved toward the tent entrance. As they drew closer, he felt a warm wing around his midsection, and his body was brought closer to his Captain’s side. 
 
“Hammer, one more thing before we go out,” she said. He looked at her in slight interest. “Is there anything that you remember after the accident? Anything you said or did before you went under?” she asked.  
 
He cocked his head at her. “Well, no actually. All I remember was falling down, slipping between consciousness, and seeing you before I passed out. That’s it, really,” he said. He saw that she looked rather relieved. He gave a puzzled look. “Why do you ask?” 
 
She gave a small smile. “It’s nothing. Let's go and reunite with your friends,” she said as she escorted him out of the tent and into the waiting camp. 
 
The night had already fallen and the campfires were still burning, but they did little to ease his discomfort of the cold. As the two drew closer to one of the central fires, some of the guards took notice and a flicker of hope rose within them.
 
“Hammer! Hammer’s awake!” one of them proclaimed. The news spread like wildfire. Both ponies and Cervines gathered about him, bombarding him with an assortment of questions. He tried to greet them each in turn, but he couldn’t keep up with them all.
 
“Out of my way,” a loud voice called out from the tight pack. He recognized the voice. “Where is he? When I find him, I’m going to kill him!” Several ponies parted, and Hammer saw Anvil come up and stop right in front of him. Anvil had an astonished look on his face, but he was definitely happy.
 
“You are, the luckiest, craftiest, most reckless pony I have ever known,” Anvil said, bearing a large grin as he came forward and hugged his old friend. “Goddess bless you,” he said, his arms tightening around Hammer, who grunted in discomfort.
 
“It’s good to see you too Anvil, but my shoulder…”
 
Anvil took the message and quickly let go. “Sorry about that,” Anvil said. He stared back at his friend and shook his head. “You had us worried. All of us.” 
 
Heavy Blitz and Crimson Wing came forward. Hammer looked at his three friends, a large smile on his face. Before he could say anything, his stomach growled in protest once again. Those around him chortled as he beamed up at them.
 
“It’s good to be back.”
 

***

 
Morning came too quickly for Quicksilver. He woke up with a slight headache, but it was the least of his worries. He rose from his makeshift bed, settling the blanket to the side. He looked over to see that Gretchen was gone once again, getting food or whatever she needed. 
 
He moved his blanket to see if the stone remained. It did.
 
“Fletchling, are you awake?” Gretchen’s voice came from outside the tent, and he quickly covered the stone with the blanket.
 
“I’m awake, Gretchen,” he said, sounding groggy as if he just woke up. Gretchen entered inside, bringing in a large bowl of what appeared to be some kind of gruel or soup. She quickly settled the bowl down, and left just as fast as she came in.
 
“What’s the rush?” he asked.
 
“Just eat, Fletchling. Today is going to be hard for both of us, especially you,” she said from outside the tent. “Be sure to eat quick. You're going to be working full time this day,” she called out as she left.
 
That can’t be good, he thought as he went to his meal. It was quite hot, almost scalding. However, the warmth was able to heat his body from the cold morning and he quickly finished the bowl and set it aside. Taking a breath to calm his nerves, he lifted himself off the ground and went outside. 
 
He immediately bumped straight into his silent guard.
 
“Do you ever give a warning?” Quicksilver asked as Warden stared down at him. He gave a another grunt, the only reply he would ever give, and gestured down towards the encampment. Quicksilver nodded and took a step forward. 
 
“You know, you could at least say where we’re going,” he said, only to receive the end of the halberd.
 
“Alright, I got it,” he said as he traversed down the hill. As he moved toward the center of the camp, he noticed that the gryphons were more active than the day before. He watched as small patrols moved to their designation positions, or a number of them moved toward the center of camp. He even saw a number going toward the open area near the encampment, the same area he was told to dig up nearly a week prior. He wondered what he was doing until he soon found himself near the edge of the camp and his eyes widened.
 
All the bat ponies were also here as well.
 
He looked and saw them all gathered together, both young and old, standing in front of a large platform. There were several guards on either side, standing over the gathered group and armed with halberds and short swords. 
 
A sudden surge of anxiety coursed through him. The platform looked recently built, but it didn’t have any look of refined craftsmanship or smoothed out. He wondered what the platform was for, but he soon noticed a single gryphon already on top of it. 
 
His heart clenched in his chest.
 
Colonel Sharp Beak, he thought as he observed the Colonel overlooking the crowd of Thestrals. As Quicksilver pressed forward, he wondered if the Nomad Gryphon was still upset over yesterday’s events. Was he going to lash his anger out onto the thestrals? Was he going to take one of them and make an example of them, just to raise his own warriors’ spirits? 
 
The questions raged in his mind like a tempest in the ocean as he drew closer to the platform. But before he could get anywhere, he was grabbed from behind by Warden and pulled back.
 
The force was enough to refocus him on the present and he looked up to see his guard eyeing him with a serious look.
 
“What did I do this time?” Quicksilver asked, only to be replied by a simple gesture towards the other thestrals. He was then pushed towards them, as Warden stayed in his position, holding his halberd across his armor as if it was a sigil of honor.
 
“I took the hint, Warden,” Quicksilver said casually as he made his way towards the other thestrals. When he drew close, the thestrals eyed him warningly. They followed his movement as he stood in the midst of them. Everywhere he looked he could see them eyeing him with unease. It was as if he was but a predator amongst a herd of prey, even though he himself was a victim amongst them. Quicksilver tried to give a small smile wherever he looked, but it still didn’t reassure them. He could only wonder if they still had apprehension of him from before, or if they could be remorseful for what they had done to him. Whatever the case, he knew he would need to break the ice with them somehow.
 
“Listen up you primitive savages!” Sharp Beak called out, making the thestrals turn to him. Quiksilver saw that many had concerned looks, and he took notice that a few of the mothers were shielding their children from him. Although, he also saw a few of them cast hateful gazes towards Sharp Beak. Bitter resentment was all that they could give at this point. Sharp Beak began to move back and forth on the platform, acting like the shameless gryphon he was.
 
“There is going to some changes to your caretaker,“ he explained, his eyes scanning the crowd of thestrals as if he were looking for an excuse to cause trouble. “Recent events has made it clear that we will need to take drastic measures.” 
 
Saving your own feathers more like it, Quicksilver thought as the Colonel continued his speech.
 
“With our supplies dwindling, most of our resources will be diverted elsewhere. However, since you are staying in our care, you will have to earn your keep,” he said, stopping in the center of the platform. He unfurled his wings to look menacing to his prisoners. “You are to build for us what we desire, and that you will be the culmination of our great triumph,” he said, directing towards the open space behind them. “Every one of you primitives will be given your meal once a certain point has been reached in the day. It will be then, and only then, when food can be given out.”
 
“What is going on here? I did not authorize this!” Ebon’s voice called out as he and his close-following retinue of guards approached the platform. Quiksilver saw General Quill among them as well, and he looked as displeased as his nephew. 
 
When he got onto the platform, Ebon flared his wings at Sharp Beak. “Why do you have the prisoners out here?” he demanded. 
 
Sharp Back chuckled in response.
 
“Is it not obvious? Our forces have been dealt a blow yesterday, and those that we can spare are forced to tend to the wounded. The prisoners are more than ‘adequate’ to help build barracks that this place needs.”
 
“The barracks were planned to be built next week, when the scouts have returned with the survivors of Prancy. You're just doing this so that you can punish the prisoners further,” Ebon proclaimed. 
 
Sharp Beak shook his head. “That is where you are wrong, Captain Ebon. We are Nomads. My warriors are builders, and we can survive even in treacherous times. However, most of them have been killed or wounded since yesterday’s attack. These primitives can provide the muscle needed to help build this supposed fort,” he said, casting his gaze around the camp. 
 
Quicksilver followed his gaze as well. The camp was steadily expanding as more and more gryphons came in, but there was little to no buildings. In fact, there wasn’t anything that could be considered a building at all, just an assortment of tents in this cave. Quicksilver looked back at the colonel, wondering if he was truly mad into thinking that he could outlast this war. 
 
“This ‘fort’ stood long before you were even born, Sharp Beak.” General Quill came forward, his deep commanding voice rumbling in the air. “This place has outlasted many atrocities, long before we even got into this gods-forsaken war.” He took another step to stand before the colonel. The two locked eyes as if they were both wolves. “This fort needs improvements, yes, but it should not be forced onto the backs of our enemies.”
 
“Our enemies will not be waiting around as we stand idle. We must prepare ourselves if this incursion persists. You should trust me, General Quill. I’m the one making sense,” he said. 
 
Quicksilver narrowed his eyes at him. That is an outright lie, he thought as General Quill shook his head.
 
“You expect me to believe this? Let me answer you in complete candor. What you intend to do is put hardship onto these thestrals. They were never a part of this war, yet here they are, brought against their will to do your bidding. That is not something that gryphons, of any tribe, should do. Especially against ones who are helpless.”
 
“That is none of your concern. These beasts were hunting our game, so all of them should pay the consequence,” Sharp Beak said. An arrogant smile rested on his face, yet it also held a veiled anger.
 
“At the cost of your honor? You squandered it the moment you took them in,” General Quill said. His eyes scanned the crowd of thestrals, all watching him as if he was a burning fire against a great tempest. “It’s high time you take responsibility for your actions.”
 
“My accomplishments!” Sharp Beak snapped. It was clear the general was getting under his skin. “Despite the interference and constant failures like you!” he said, flaring his wings to the highest extent. General Quill glared at him, his eyes piercing him as if he was challenged. Ebon readied a claw on his blade, but General Quill lifted a claw up and stopped his nephew.
 
“Careful, boy. You are far too young to think that you can make changes for the many. If you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself, or respect for me, then you should tread cautiously on this road you take. You would do well to banish these thoughts from your mind,” he said, folding his wings and taking a step towards Sharp Back. The latter became dumbfounded as the general spoke, his deep voice carrying his strong words into the wind. “Never communicate seditious thoughts or subversive tricks to those you think your above yourself or to any one else. For the laws of our kind still reach out here, and you’d do well to remember that sentiment,” he said, standing before the colonel and staring him dead in the eye. 
 
Sharp Beak remained unmoved, but his eyes, as far as Quicksilver could see, looked troubled. For a moment he said nothing, only staring at the general with contempt, but sure enough he backed away. He turned his head, looking at the thestrals with contempt, but he looked defeated before them. General Quill nodded in approval and turned away.
 
“My gryphons will be watching the prisoners as they work, but they will go as far as they will go and you will not push them beyond their limits. Am I clear, Colonel Sharp Beak?” General Quill said, turning his head to see if the colonel got his message. Sharp Beak looked in his direction, a hateful leer going at him.
 
“Transparently,” he said simply, but through barred teeth. Sharp Beak turned and went off the platform, but only giving a quick glance over the crowd. Quiksilver saw that he looked upon him. No doubt there was a deep contempt brewing within him and Sharp Beak would gladly take it out on him, given the chance. After a moment of silence, he departed off the platform and into the camp. 
 
“Alright now,” General Quill said, turning to face Ebon. “If they are to work, then make sure they are not overburdened. I’ll leave this charge to you,” he said, before departing off the platform. Ebon then turned to the thestrals before him and outstretched a claw to them.
 
“All of you follow us near the cave entrance. You’ll be given your assignments there,” he said. He began moving towards the cave entrance. The thestrals followed, but with the guards watching their every movement. Quicksilver found himself in the middle of the pack. He cast his gaze from left to right, and saw that none of them were paying attention to him. He decided to focus his attention to Ebon, who was moving ever closer to the entrance. He didn’t know what the captain had in mind for their work, but at least it wasn't Sharp Beak leading them through a death march.
 
After a few minutes of walking, Quicksilver found himself at the front entrance of the cave. He took notice of a large abundance of wood stacked near the entrance, with several gryphons guarding it. The majority of logs were six meters in length and at least half a meter thick, although he did see logs that were over twice that as well. Coming out of the entrance, he saw many minotaurs carrying the heavy loads. They all settled the wood into large stacks, piling them up until they stood taller than the the tallest Gryphon. They soon went back into the entrance, most likely gaining more lumber.
 
“Half of you will be carrying the heavy loads to the designated area, but the ones who are weaker will be used for other means,” Ebon said, having several of his gryphons bring out what appeared to be harnesses. “All males are to pull the loads. The females and elderly will help even and sand the wood. Now let's get started. Get done with your work early, then you will all be given a warm meal,” he said as pairs of thestrals were brought forward and the given the harnesses. Ebon soon began to shout orders, and more gryphons from nearby began to help secure the loads of wood to the harnesses. Quicksilver could only watch as the work began, until he felt a bump next to him. He turned to see a Royal Gryphon staring at him and holding a harness.
 
“We’re one short of a puller. You go with him.” He pointed toward a thestral who was already hooked up to a load. Quicksilver nodded, not wanting to speak out to the Royal Gryphon, and began to hook himself into the harness. After a minute passed, he was already hooked up, the harness feeling tight but comfortable for him. He then was escorted to the heavy load, and the rope was tightened onto the heavy load. As The Royal Gryphon did this, Quicksilver was able to get a good look of the thestral standing next to him.
 
The Thestral was large in stature, easily standing a head taller than him. He had a dark blue coat, and the mane was a lighter shade of blue. His eyes were a deep red, similar to the other thestrals he had seen. Quicksilver saw his cutiemark bearing a flower and a crescent moon. Thinking he had stared long enough, he started to look away. He took notice, however, that the thestal was not as nervous as the others. He was more curious than scared. After the Royal Gryphon hooked the last of the ropes to the bundle of wood, he gave the call.
 
“Move out to the open area. There will be others waiting for you,” he said before he went off on his own way. Both Quicksilver and the thestral began moving, their hooves digging deep into the snow. Quicksilver felt the harness tug on him as he moved, and he pulled with all of his strength to move the lumber. Slowly but surely, they began to press onward and the two continued to march toward their destination. As the two continued to march, Quicksilver kept looking back at the thestral. The thestral would occasionally look at him, and it ate at him in wondering why the thestrals were still nervous of him. He guessed he had to put up with it as they moved along.



As the two kept a steady pace toward their destination, he kept remembering the night when the young thestral that gave him the stone. He was able to remember the word that little one had spoken. The word was so simple, so plain, yet it meant a lot to the younger thestral. He closed his eyes, remembering the words, and muttered them under his breath.
 
“Nuit Ami (Night Friend),” he muttered the Prench words. This caused the thestral next to him to stir.
 
“You... you speak the Prench language?” the thestral asked. Quicksilver stared up at him in surprise. 
 
“Yes… yes I know the language. Do you know Equestrian?” Quicksilver asked in the same language, excitement in his voice.
 
“A little. Only words and phrases, but not much for a conversation,” the thestral said as he looked away for a moment. 
 
Quicksilver nodded. It was possible that they were still shy with him.
 
After a moment passed between them the thestral turned back to him. “I’m sorry for earlier. You know, beating you. I ask forgiveness for what I and my people have done,” he said. His ears drooped down and Quicksilver shook his head.
 
“There is nothing to forgive, my friend. It was Colonel Sharp Beak who instigated it,” Quicksilver said as the thestral sighed.
 
“Ah, yes. The bastard of this rotting hell,” he said. Quicksilver blinked in surprise. He never took the thestral to be the cussing type.
 
You sounded like Deadeye, Quicksilver thought as he chuckled at the insult. The thestral gave a smile, revealing a toothy grin. Quicksilver was little unraveled by that. The thestral was still a pony, but a pony with sharp fangs does tend to unnerve a pony if they're not prepared. Thinking on what else to say, he tried to stir the conversation to his favor.
 
“So, can you tell me how you ended up here?” Quicksilver asked. He looked away for a split second to see if there was anyone watching.
 
“When we're done and once I ease my people’s fears, I can explain to you all that I know and what had become of us. There is much to discuss and I would rather not speak to unwelcome ears,” he said, gesturing to a pair of Nomad gryphons who were watching them. Quicksilver nodded, knowing all too well that a slip of the tongue may lead to trouble. As the two carried on to their destination, another thought crossed his mind and he turned to thestral.
 
“My name is Quicksilver. What is your name?” he asked. The thestral turned to him with a small smile.
 
“My name is Nightshade Moon, and I am the leader of my people.”
 

***

 
Silverwing awoke to the sound of busy ponies nearby. She rose her head from the warm pillow and listened with care. As she adjusted herself, she could hear the guards chatting away, and the smell of breakfast hung in the air. She could smell fresh barley being made, and she found a strong scent of honey as well, most likely a item brought by the Cervine’s. 
 
She sighed; she was probably too jumpy. She returned her head to her pillow, trying to take in its warmth once again. As she settled once again, she saw that her gaze had drifted to Hammer. He was sleeping on the other cot next to her, his mouth open and a soft snore coming out. She breathed a deep sigh as he slept. 
 
The night before, he was able to get a good meal, chat with friends, and get up to speed on the current events. Seeing him relax and being among his companions did ease his spirits, but it did tucker him out that night. Before he was settled to bed, Cottontail and Swift Leaf did a quick check up on him and found that he was healthy, but still healing. It was a good sign for her, as she would need all the help she could get as they continued to cross the plains. She tried to get back to sleep, trying to relish whatever sleep she could gain, but her stomach growled in protest. Sighing in defeat, she decided it was best to get up. 
 
She lifted the blanket off of her and went to grab her cloak. She tighten the fabric around her neck, but stopped to see the small scars that were all across her body. She gave a tired sigh; those scars were merely reminders of the close encounters she had to been through. Ignoring the scars and memories of the past, she quickly wrapped the cloak around her body and exited the tent. 
 
The smell of fresh eggs hung in the air and she saw a pot filled with steaming broth nearby. She was certain the cooks had worked hard to make the food good, and she could already see a line forming to get a taste of the soup. As she continued observe the camp, she noticed both Strong Oak and Shadow Hunter were discussing to themselves, chatting of possible strategies or even discuss of what they do as they head out. Silverwing also looked and beheld the Diamond Dog, Brutus, sitting by a nearby fire and chewing on something that appeared to be meat. There were no other pony or Cervine going near him. She continued to look at her surroundings when she noticed sompony on the eastern outskirts of the camp, and approaching fast. She saw a pair of antlers from the incoming figure, and immediately knew it was a cervine. 
 
He’s coming awfully fast, she thought as the large buck was almost upon the camp. Her eyes widened slightly, realizing from the night before that she had ordered the scouts to scout ahead and the way he was moving suggested something terrible has happened. She moved forward, but at a reasonable pace, not wanting to attract attention to everypony else. As she moved, she spotted both Strong Oak and Shadow Hunter seeing her and they looked in the direction she was looking and spotted the scout. Sensing the urgency, they quickly moved towards the direction near the end of the camp. However, to their chagrin, the scout was much quicker and was already in the camp before they get to him first.
 
“Captain Silverwing! Captain Silverwing!” the scout called out, alerting everypony within ear shot. Everypony was staring out to see the noise and Silverwing quickly went to the scouts side.
 
“I’m here, what did you-” 
 
“You must come, immediately,” the scout interrupted her, his breath coming out heavily but smoothly. The other guards around them began to murmur and Silverwing had to recover the situation.
 
“Please, explain. What is it that you see?”
 
“The village ahead of our path is destroyed!” he said, causing the air to escape from her. 
 
Everypony around them went silent. The cheerful talk mere moments ago was now gone, replaced with this grim reality. Silverwing turned to Strong Oak and Shadow Hunter, and they both had a look of surprise in their eyes. She quickly scanned the ground and saw that everypony was unsure how to proceed. Taking a quick breath, she raised her voice so that everypony could hear.
 
“Everypony listen up! Quickly eat up and break camp! I want you all ready to move out within thirty minutes! Hop to it!” she ordered. Within moments, the camp was in a flurry of activity. Guards, Militia, and Cervines were all quickly eating whatever they had and already breaking down their tents. Silverwing turned and gave her next order. 
 
“Anvil,” she called as the guard quickly approached her. “Get Hammer into the wagon and make sure he secure. Then when everypony is ready, continue your trek east,” she said as he gave a quick salute.
 
“Yes, Captain,” he said as he went off towards the wagons. Turning to StrongOak and Shadow Hunter, she quickly gave her next order.
 
“I want you two to follow me. We leave in one minute for the village,” she ordered as she quickly took off for her tent, not giving her companions a chance to reply. She dodged a few ponies before entering her tent and searching for her sword. After a few seconds of searching, she picked up her sword and quickly tied the buckle around her waist. As she did this, she could hear Hammer stirring behind her.
 
“Captain Silverwing? What’s going on?” he asked as he shook the last bit of sleep from his eyes.
 
“”A nearby village has been attacked. I’m going to investigate. Anvil is coming to get you after he gets the wagons ready for departure. Be prepared when he arrives,” she briskly said as she finished tying the sword belt and began heading outside.
 
“But-” he tried to say, but Silverwing turned and gave a quick glare of authority.
 
“Do as I say, Hammer!” she snapped and headed outside, leaving the stallion where he was. As she moved, she felt a little guilt build inside her. But her mind was more focused on the task at hoof: getting to the village and assessing the extent of the damage. As she neared her destination, she felt a pair of eyes watching her. Despite the hussle and bussle of her troops around her, she could still sense someponies gaze.
 
She merely took a glance to the side and noticed Brutus was already standing up, looking at her with an intensity she could not describe. She also noticed that he was gripping the edge of his axe, his paws holding tightly to the pommel. His attention was surely seized when the scout called out his findings. 
 
She quickly cast a glance forward and saw that both Strong Oak and Shadow Hunter were ready to leave. She nodded to both of them, studying their features and expressions. Shadow Hunter had a look of worry, concern for his own troops perhaps, but it could also be the village itself. The scout didn’t give that much details, but the look on his face was a cause for concern. Strong Oak stood tall and collected, yet he also had a look of uncertainty. Taking in the moment and preparing herself for what’s to come, she settled her sights to the east, where the snow covered plains laid ahead of them.
 
“Stay close, and keep up!” she called as the three took off in the direction of the village.
 
***
 
Ten minutes passed since the three had took off in the direction of the village. Their hooves pounded the snow, kicking it up into the air behind them as they continued on their path.
 
“My scout informed me that the village was at least a few miles from our campsite. We should be getting close soon,” Strong Oak stated as he kept his pace with her. Silverwing nodded briefly, still focusing on the path in front of her. They kept their pace until they spotted what looked like a windmill and a steady stream of smoke lingered over head. 
 
“There it is!” Silverwing said, and the three quickened their pace. However, with each step taken, it filled her with dread as to what lied before them. As soon as they neared the windmill, they came to a complete halt, their hooves digging into the snow and dirt. Silverwing cast her gaze around them, and her eyes widened in horror.
 
The village was utterly destroyed.
 
Small hovels and buildings were in shambles, pieces of roof were scattered upon the ground, and graffiti was everywhere. Small fires still blazed in some of the homes, but posed no threat to them. Symbols of strange origin were splattered upon the walls and streets, none of which made sense to her.  As she observed her surroundings, she kept searching where the other scouts, but her mind was also focused on something else, something that was missing the moment she entered the village.
 
Where is everypony? she thought, her eyes still searching for any signs of life.
 
“Captain!” a voice came from nearby, alerting the three. Silverwing turned and she spotted one of her guards next to a corner of a house, waving at them. She recognized the guard as Charger, known for his fiery red mane, a distinguished scar on his right cheek, and his blunt demeanor. She couldn’t have asked for a better scout. They quickly closed the distance to him, but he raised a hoof to stop them.
 
“Before you go any further, know it's a bloody mess,” Charger said, before turning to face what lied ahead. Silverwing, bracing herself for what was to follow, moved to see what was there.
 
“By the Regal sisters,” she said as she saw what the guard warned. 
 
She knew now where the villagers were. They were all piled up on in the middle of the village. Young, old, nopony was spared. 
 
She turned her gaze away for a second, trying to get the image out, but she looked back and knew it was real. Innocents butchered, killed in this bloody war, caught in the middle of this conflict. Silverwing couldn’t help but think that they did nothing to prevent it. Small fires lingered around them, casting a dreary look upon the scene before them. 
 
It was overwhelming, to say the least.
 
As she looked about, she noticed the other scouts that were sent. One was a Cervine, with a long golden mane. A bow was strapped onto his back, ready to take it out at a moment of danger. The other was a militia member, who sat on his haunches and was crying softly to himself. She could assume a number of things, but there was no doubt that he had a connection here. Shadow Hunter was already with him, asking him what happened, but he could not say much but a few mumbled words. 
 
Silverwing shook her head and cast her gaze back at the pile of bodies. The way they were thrown about, the gashes, the gored bodies. It was similar to the Diamond Dogs they came across in the pass. However, she remembered there was no graffiti or strange runes back in the pass. Yet here, they were everywhere.
 
“What do you make of this?” she heard Strong Oak speak to her. She turned to him and saw that he had a concerned look on his face, but still kept his composure.
 
“I don’t know what to think of this….this slaughter,” she said as she looked about her. “First it was the Diamond Dogs, and now this village,” she said as dared herself to look back at the mass of villagers piled, all frozen over from the winter’s chill. “The bodies. They share the same wounds. These are not griffon works,” she said, still trying to comprehend it all. Strong Oak took a step forward and observed with her.
 
“I also noticed there are no cross bolts or arrow marks,” he added, and she turned to him to continue his inquiry. “A griffon would always carry such prizes fit for the skies. Yet I see no indication on the snow. There are also no claw marks on the roofs or stone. It would be noticeable if they took off or landed,” he said as he observed the few remaining homes that still remained in stable condition, albeit in a ransacked state. 
 
Silverwing nodded and looked down at the snow, spotting the large cloven prints upon the surface. She bended down, pressing a hoof against the larger print. She gave a small shudder, but she took it as just the cold. 
 
“Prints. Same as the ones that we saw near the Diamond Dog massacre,” she said, as Strong Oak bended down to see the prints and gave a small grunt.
 
“Well, it seems our ‘Brutish’ friend was telling the truth,” he said, as he looked about the village. “The question that remains is what we do from here.” He stood up to cast his gaze back at the other scouts. As he did this, Silverwing kept her gaze on the prints before standing up as well.
 
“I guess the best option now is to ensure we keep a cool mind and stick together for the long run,” she said. She turned to Strong Oak, but noticed that he was not staring at her. “Strong Oak, are you-?” she asked, but Strong Oak lifted a hoof. His ears were moving about, and his eyes were wide. Silverwing didn’t know what he was doing, but she quickly looked at his scout for answers. He too was alert, and his ears were constantly moving, waiting for a noise. 
 
“Captain, I think we should-” Charger began to say when Silverwing raised a hoof at him. He went silent, and the others did as well. Silverwing looked back at Strong Oak, his eyes looking about slowly and his ears searching for the source of what they heard. She heard the cervine scout bring out his bow, slowly placing the end on the ground and ready to cock a arrow. Silverwing kept looking around, hoping to figure out what they heard, but didn’t know what was out there. She then placed a hoof on her sword, ready to draw it from its scabbard at a moment's notice. 
 
Something snapped.
 
Silverwing whirled her head to the side and saw a rope going in the air. Several pots and pans fell to the ground, clanging and breaking upon the ground. The noise alerted everypony, but nothing else happened. Silverwing could feel her heartbeat rise slightly, and her hoof wrapped around the sword pommel. She cast a quick glance to Strong Oak. He was staring off at the pots, but his ears were still moving. She focused her attention on those ears, wondering and waiting, where they would turn to next. Then, as the ears slowly turned back, Strong Oak whirled around and Silverwing followed suit. She looked at a building, the same where the cervine scout was, and he had whirled his bow and nocked an arrow on the string, ready to launch right then and there. 
However, he hesitated. 
 
And Silverwing saw why.
 
“By the goddess,” she said as a little unicorn filly came out of the building. 
 
“A child,” Strong Oak whispered. His sword-like weapon on his leg was ready, but he immediately retracted the weapon. Silverwing released her hoof around her sword and took a step forward as the filly slowly came forward. She was a tiny little thing, barely looked to be a few years old. Her body was covered in dust and the only thing that seemed to shine was her blue eyes. She looked about her, spotting the cervine scout and the bow he had. Ignoring him, she kept walking, moving ever so slowly to them. Silverwing heard Shadow Hunter and the militia member coming behind her, as Charger came forward with a shocked expression. 
 
The tiny filly stopped in her tracks, seeing all of them standing in line. Silverwing noticed that she looked dazed, barely acknowledging that they were there, until her eyes focused on her. The filly gave a weak smile, as she slowly came forward. Feeling a deep instinct within her, Silverwing took a step foward, looking down at the filly that slowly came to her.
 
“Ma-Maman,” the filly said in Prench, her voice weak. Silverwing gasped slightly and stopped in her tracks, seeing the filly keeping her pace. She was calling her mother.
 
“Maman,” she repeated, ignoring the destruction and horror that surrounded her.
 
Silverwing was breathing slightly, a deep feeling coursing through her veins and making her shudder all over. The filly reminded her of the child back in Prancy, and seeing her like this made her tremble. As soon as the filly was standing before her, the filly fell forward, too weak to stand. Silverwing immediately swooped her up in her hooves, sitting on her haunches as he held the tiny pony in her arms.Once she had her, she moved the head until she was facing toward her. The filly opened her eyes, staring up at her like she recognized her.
 
“Maman, I’ve found you,” the filly said, speaking in Prench, “It’s…. It's quiet now,” she said, as Silverwing continued to hold her.
 
“Everything is alright. You’re safe little one,” Silverwing replied back in Prench, hoping to soothe the little child. The filly looked up. Her eyes almost looked as if they were fading.
 
“They came, Maman. They came like beasts from the blackness,” she said, her head bobbing slightly, trying to stay awake. Silverwing felt her heart strings pulled, and she kept coaxing the little filly trying to stay responsive.
 
“Be strong, little one. You can make it. I’ll help you.” she said, as the tiny filly nuzzled her head closer to her chest.
 
“I’m scared, Maman. With cloven hooves, and shouting, they came for them. Everypony…. except me,” she said, softer this time, almost sounded like a whimper. Her breathing was slowing down, and Silverwing took notice. 
 
The filly was dying. 
 
She could make it, if she took flight and got back to the camp. She might make it. 
 
She unfurled her wings, spreading them out into the air. Before she could take off, she gasped when she felt a tiny hoof press against her chest. She looked down at the filly, her eyes like pinpricks as the little filly gave a little smile.
 
“An angel,” the filly said with a smile on her face. “A pretty angel. Just like you…. promised…. maman,” the filly said, as her eyes grew dimmer and the light in her eyes faded away. She slowly closed her eyes and her breath escaped from her. 
 
Silverwing froze on the spot, her eyes fixated on the filly she held in her hooves. For a few moments, she did nothing, looking at the filly before her. She hoped she would stir, anything for the little child to awaken. However, after another moment of silence, the filly would not move. She leaned her head down, placing an ear over the fillies chest. She could hear no heartbeat.
 
The filly was gone.
 
She lifted her head back, expressing remorse and feeling emotional at the loss. She gently placed the child on the snow laden ground, the filly still having a smile on her face. She felt tears building up, ready to break the dam that she has put up. Ready to tear down the staunch steadfastness on her countenance. She got up and turned, looking at one of the buildings nearby that was still intact. She made her way towards it, ignoring her companions around her and keeping her head low so that they wouldn’t see.
 
“Captain Silverwing, I-” Shadow Hunter went to say, but she ignored him, keeping her pace until she was at the building and opened its barn doors. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she allowed her emotions to be free. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks and she continued to shudder. As she continued to cry, she felt the need to panic and it was growing quickly. She stopped herself by lifting up her right leg and sinking her teeth into it. She winced slightly, but the pain was a distraction from the memory. She kept herself like that, trying to focus other things, but no matter what she could think up, the filly was on the forefront of her mind.
 
She’d been able to compose herself when she was in battle. She was able to calm her mind when she was in Prancy and the horrors that awaited. She was even able to keep herself focused when they were at the Diamond Dog massacre. She could only imagine as to why she was she was having these feelings now. As her mind wandered back to those events, she kept thinking about her duty of service, to be there when the time comes to serve. She kept reminding herself why she was out here, why the mission mattered, and why she need to focus.
 
Think, Silver, what is important to you. What do you care for the most. Your Brother, your company, Hammer, and... She paused, reminded of the time that she had thought of those feelings for him. It was all she could think about, why she cared for him and her brother. The warm thoughts of being with them calmed her mind, and the tears soon ceased. She removed her teeth from her leg, feeling a numbing pain afterward. She took several deep breaths, feeling more and more serene as time went by.  She didn't know how long she remained where she was, but the time alone helped calm her down. As soon as she calmed, silence returned to the room.
 
That is, until she heard somepony take a heavy breath and she became alert.
 
“Who’s there?” she called out, looking around the room to see where she was in. The first thing that caught her sight was a large mill in the center of the room. A harness dangled off on the yoke of the mill, and granary was all over the floor. She looked up and saw a hole in the roof, and much of the timber was scattered off onto the side. She looked around a bit further, and realized it was both a mill and storehouse. She noticed many more packaged food nearby, not even touched by the chaos that was outside. The only exception was the mill before her and a large pile placed haphazardly. Curiosity got the best of her, and she called out once again.
 
“Is somepony alive? Show yourself, please,” she said, hoping to coax whoever was there to come out. She took a step forward when a pile of the food began to stir, and piles of the granary fell from their stacks. She looked at the pile, seeing more and more of the stack foods coming down. A figure appeared underneath, full of what appeared to be hair. 
 
“Are…. are you alright?” she asked, unsure as to what to expect as the large figure began to stir. A loud grunt came out, and large horns rose up behind the boxes, revealing strange round piercings around each horn. It’s mane was much longer, stretching down past its face. The creature turned, the brown-like mane covering the front of its body. The only exception was a large snout in the front. A round cloven hoof rose up from the pile, pushing past the hair in front of its face. Her eyes widened and she took a nervous step back, seeing a red eye staring right back at her. The creature then gave a wide grin, and a deep menacing laugh emanated from it.
 
“Hmmm. Fresh meat.”