Silverwing continued to back up as the cloven beast rose higher, stepping forth out of its hoarded pile of food. She drew her blade.The cloven creature was on all fours and nearly thrice the size as her. She had to be extremely careful, or she would be at its mercy. The cloven creature looked down at her, a wicked smile spreading on his face.
“Pony escaped killing. Missed all… pain,” the cloven beast said. He looked to be almost in pleasure of such thoughts. He continued to give that sinister grin as Silverwing continued to back up, ready to make a break for the door. The beast looked at the door then back at her, chuckling all the way.
“Pony want to leave. I show thing or two about pain,” he said, taking a few steps in front of the door. However, Silverwing was already ahead of him. She opened up her wings,and took to the air, aiming for the open hole in the roof. Halfway there, she saw the creature jump at her.
“You can fly!” she called out.
“No, jump good,” he replied as he swung a hoof at her. She dodged, the large limb barely missing her wings. She was forced to go back to the ground, but the creature landed nearby with enough force to shake the entire foundation. She turned to react, but the creature was already charging her. She dodged just in the nick of time; the bull creature went past her and crashed into the mill, shattering the bedrock from its foundation. The monster shook its head, stunned by the destructive hit.
She had a chance.
Drawing her blade, she dashed forward, her blade pointing directly at the monsters hide. Her blade pierced his skin, and the creature roared out. However, she could not push her sword in further, and it was already recovering. Fearing this, she pulled onto the blade, but found that it was embedded deep inside of the beast. She desperately heaved and tugged upon the blade, but it would not budge. She then felt a cloven hoof wrap around the front of her cloak, hoisting her up in the air. She stared right at the beast, and its red eyes stared back at her. It chuckled as he stood higher on its two back legs, and its other cloven hoof pulled back.
“Let me show you how it’s done,” it said, almost letting go of her cloak while sending the other hoof straight at her. The hoof struck her face, the force sending her flying back in the air until she crashed into the barn doors and out into the open. She tumbled on the snow once, then twice, before tumbling herself upright and sliding on all four hooves. She coughed, and blood appeared in her field of vision. Bells rang fiercely in her ears. She shook her head and looked up, seeing her companions rushing to her.
“Silverwing! What happened, what’s wrong!?” she heard Shadow Hunter call out, but his questions were soon answered when the beast barreled through the door. The wooden barn doors burst forth sending its frame scattered everywhere, scaring everypony in its field of view.
“By all the gods, what is that creature!?” Shadow Hunter yelled, brandishing his weapon as he watched the beast stop dead in it’s tracks.
“It appears to be a bull! Let's end it before it does more harm!” Charger yelled, digging his hooves into the dirt and ready to make a move. The creature, overhearing this, fumed with rage.
“I’m no Creature!” it bellowed, thrashing his head about and picking up snow and dirt in its horns.
“I’m no Bull!” it screamed again, stomping its cloven hooves. He then pounded on his chest, emphasizing each word as he made itself known.
“I... AM…. YAAAAAAKKKK!” it screamed at the top of its lungs. It immediately charged straight at them, with little to no care for its own safety. Silverwing heard a twang of a bow and arrows flew at the monster, piercing the hide but not slowing its momentum. She felt a hoof wrapped around her midsection as Shadow Hunter pulled her away. Not a moment later, the ‘yak’ barreled through them, barely missing them before turning on them once again.
Silverwing watched to see the other militia scout, rushing forward with spear in hoof. The spear punctured its side, and the yak howled in pain. Even if it was a beast, it could still feel pain.
However, as soon as the militia scout removed the spear, the yak was already upon him. With one swing of its massive horns, it broke the spear out of the militia's hooves. The militia was stunned for a moment, but that moment of hesitation cost him. The yak quickly lowered its horns and with a single shunt, the horns pierced the militia's belly.
The militia cried out as the horn went deep into his body, but the yak did not stop there. He lifted its massive head, taking the poor militia guard with him. With the horns pointed upward, the militia screamed in agony as his body went deeper into the horn, going clean through to the other side of his body.
After another excruciating moment, the yak threw its head back, sending the militia off its horn and crashing onto the ground with a sickening crunch. Silverwing watched Shadow Hunter look over, seeing the militia trooper fallen and not responding. However, he was more focused on tending her.
“Stay here! We’ll handle this!” he said as he placed her near a home. He turned back towards the foe, but the yak was already barreling towards them in reckless abandon. He was only deterred when arrows came from the side and hit its neck, making him turn towards the cervine scout and Strong Oak.
Silverwing watched as Strong Oak drew his blade, which was attached to his hoof, and quickly rush to meet the yak. The yak thrashed his horns about, but Strong Oak merely dodged the attacks while thrusting his blade into the side of the beast. He did this several times, leaving small wounds that made the monster lash at him at every turn. However, with many of these light attacks, it made him more slower as time went on.
She then watched as Charger quickly rushed in, brandishing his spear and ready to thrust into it’s vital point. However, the yak noticed this and quickly backhanded a cloven hoof, striking Charger and sending him back several feet. Strong Oak spotted this, and quickly went to Charger’s side, grabbing him and bounding off before a cloven hoof could stomped on him.
Silverwing then saw Shadow Hunter and the cervine scout ready to strike. But Silverwing could see that there was still fight in the beast.
It was going to fight to its last breath.
She looked around and spotted a round stone, about the size of her hoof, and she quickly seized it. Standing up on her hooves, albeit a bit unsteady and shaky, she quickly aimed at her target. She could see that the yak was covered in a dozen arrows, and the sword in its side. She knew she had to reach it in order to properly help.
Taking a deep, steady breath, she threw the stone at the yak. The rock hit it right on the side of it's head. The yak turned, its red eyes blazing and blood forming at his nose and mouth.
“I’ll kill ya! Kill ya all!” the yak roared, shaking its mane before charging straight at her. She didn’t realize how fast he would respond, and she had to time herself to jump and pull her sword from his body. Her vision was still fuzzy, but she managed to focus on the rampaging bull. She kept thinking her plan of attack, imagining every angle, every possible solution. She made a stance to dodge, but her back legs buckled and she fell back, feeling the earth tremble from the force. She tried to get up, to keep fighting, but as the beast swiftly approached her.
She froze, her mind focused squarely on her brother and Hammer. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t react. Her mind flashed images of them, and they would not stop. Time seemed to slow down for her as the monstrous yak barreled down at her, kicking up dirt and snow in the air behind it.
Her eyes widened, her pupils dilated, and she felt that this was the end. She was never going to see her brother again, nor say what she wanted to say to Hammer.
As her mind processed this, she felt the earth tremble beneath her, shaking her out of her small stupor. She looked up and her eyes widened seeing the beast was right in front of her. As his horns came straight at her, something gleamed out of the corner of her eye.
She looked to the left, and saw a axe flying towards it.
She watched as the axe struck into the neck of the yak. It roared in agony, forcing him to stumble to the side and sending its momentum into the ground.
Silverwing turned, meeting to see who threw the axe. She was surprised as Brutus rushed forward, his fangs bared and his eyes fixated on the yak. He ran past her without a second thought and quickly removed the axe from its foe. The yak, somehow still alive, attacked with its horns, but Brutus was able to parry every blow. Brutus barked and attacked, showing off incredible skill with his battle axe. With every deflected blow, the yak was slowing down, his body taxed to its furthest extent.
As this happened, she could see the sword still sticking outward. Silverwing, feeling the adrenaline still thriving within her, kicked the ground and took to the air. Seeing the opportunity, she spun in an aerial maneuver, heading for the sword and seizing it with her hooves. The blade came out with ease. Blood came from the wound and drew the yak’s attention.
“You will all die!” he yelled, spinning at her and giving out a roar that would be heard for miles. She spun in the air, turning her blade towards the howling beast. Aiming her blade, she doubled her speed and charged straight towards it. With a final flap in her wings, giving her the precious second of speed, she thrusted the blade deep into its chest.
The yak was like a wall as her body slammed against it, unmoved from her force. Yet she remained, pushing the blade until it reached whatever black heart it carried. As she pushed the blade to its furthest extent, the yak ceased its bellowing cry. A moment later, she saw its legs begin to buckle, and she swiftly withdrew her blade from its body. Blood followed from the wound, staining the snow around her. The yak then toppled to the side, the last of its breath escaping him.
Silverwing soon fell to the earth, her breath shaky and her mind buzzing with questions. One was what manner of creature did they face, how many more were out there, and why did Brutus come here. Although, she couldn’t complain about him. For what it's worth, she was alive because of him.
That is... until she heard a warcry from the Diamond Dog. She looked up and was spooked when she saw Brutus rush forward and slam his axe straight into the yak’s neck, making the same gash even deeper. He then let go and relentlessly kicked the dead corpse.
“Die, you rancid Bastard!” he screamed, kicking the lifeless body again and again in his vengeance. Silverwing could see the hate-filled rage within Brutus. It’s anger and rage is what saved her; if he hadn’t intervened, then the yak would surely would have impaled her upon its horns.
She had to be grateful for that.
“Brutus,” she called out as he gave one final kick to the corpse, his leg bloodied up from his exertion. Brutus looked to the sky, giving out a long out howl into the air. It was a long, pure note, and it was one of grief, but also solace. She could guess a number of things, she assumed it brought solace to his pack, just a small measure of peace in this forsaken war. As he finished his howl, he lowered his head and took a deep breath. Silverwing cleared her throat and wanted nothing more than to thank him for saving her life
“Brutus, you saved me. Thank you,” she said, taking steady breaths and trying to return her breathing to normal. Brutus remained where he was, unresponsive at first as he tried to get his bearings. He then looked at Silverwing, and she noticed that he had a long stare. He was looking towards her, but not at her, and she couldn’t tell what was on his mind. After a few uneasy moments, he turned and took his battle axe. A sickening crunch came as he removed it from the dead yak. He looked around, spotting the mound of bodies by the villagers. He then pulled out his beads and began to move them together in his paw, speaking just low enough for her to hear.
“Oh den mother, please give these souls peace as they return into their ancestors,” he said as he turned away to give his prayer.
Silverwing soon got up, her face feeling a twinge of pain as she staggered to get her surroundings. Strong Oak and the other Cervine were observing the dead yak, while Charger was getting up from his tussle earlier. Shadow Hunter was already next to the body of his scout, and from the look of things, it was not good.
Silverwing rubbed a hoof on her face and muzzle, feeling a numbing sensation all around her face. She seethed a little, not knowing the full extent of the damage. She removed her hoof and saw some blood from her muzzle. She placed it back again, making sure no more blood was coming from her nose.
“Captain.” She heard Charger nearby and she turned to see him moving towards her. “Are you alright?” he asked once he was at her side.
“My face is stinging like hell. How bad does it look?” she asked as she lowered her hoof. Charger examined her for a moment and gave a small smile.
“You don’t look worse for wear. You got a big bruise right there under your right cheek. Might also get a nice shiner once the swelling goes down, but you should be good after a few days,” he said as Silverwing nodded. Charger was always blunt, but he never dampened her spirits when he told it how it was.
She turned to face Shadow Hunter, who was already closing his scout’s eyes with his hoof. His ears were lowered with a bit of sadness. He stood and turned to her, speaking softly and with much sadness in his voice.
“He died on impact, though it was probably worse when he was impaled,” he said, looking back at his companion.
“I’m sorry, Shadow Hunter. He will receive a proper burial and will be noted for his service in arms,” she said, hoping to ease his concerns in any way. He looked at her with a small hopeful smile, but he shook his head.
“I thank you for the gesture, but with us being so far from civilization, and knowing what dangers lie ahead of us, it’d be best not to bury him here, and to burn the bodies,” he said, surprising her. She never once thought he would go to such lengths.
She was going to reply when he lifted a hoof to her, “I know what you're thinking. Drastic as it may be, it would rather be wise that our company not have to go through another half day’s work in burying bodies,” he said as he turned to observe the yak before him.
Silverwing was lost in thought, unsure of what to make of her companion's words. There could have been a number of things that could be said, anything that might have been used to deter his opinion. But the more she thought about it, the more she believed his advice was sound. He had more experience out here then she did, and had suffered much more hardship under the griffon’s rule.
She looked down at the yak, its body unmoving and blood forming around its body. There was also a pungent odor that surrounded it. She was still amazed at the number of arrows and cuts that the yak received. It was a fierce warrior, yet she could not imagine facing more of their kind at once. She then watched Strong Oak lean forward, observing with keen eyes the wounds around the neck and chest of the beast.
“Silverwing,” he said as he continued to examine the body. “You should go back to the main company and seek Swift Leaf to see to that wound,” he suggested, his gaze never once going to her. She nodded, knowing full well she felt like Tartarus and she would need time to recover.
“Also,” he added, “Keep watch over our ‘friend’. He may need company. And see if you can gather a wagon and some volunteers to gather the supplies here. We will need for the long road ahead.” He turned to his scout and the two began to discuss in their own language.
“I’d be damned for taking from the dead,” Shadow Hunter said with a tired expression. “But after what we faced today, if we are to survive, we have no choice. I’ll go and make the arrangements,” Shadow Hunter said as he headed off. Silverwing followed suit, leaving the Cervines to continue their study of the dead corpse, knowing they wanted to study the body for weaknesses. They would need all the information they can get.
She saw Brutus up ahead, the ‘friend’ that Strong Oak had kindly mentioned. He was still praying and moving the beads in his paw, the beads clacking together between each index of his fingers. As she moved away from the body, she noticed Charger had remained.
“Charger, we going back. Come along,” she said. Charger turned to her with a solemn expression. “Forgive me, Captain, but, with your permission, can I at least bury the filly?” he said, moving to the side to reveal the small child remaining on the ground. “It would be a disservice if we burned a darling like her,” he said, ready to commit to the task.
“You have my permission, Charger. Just be sure to help with the others when they arrive,” she said. Charger gave a knowing nod and scooped up the small child. Her heart ached to see such a innocent filly caught up in this war. She could only hope and pray that this conflict would end soon and no more innocence would be taken from it. As she left them to do their duties, she went up to Brutus, who had finished with his prayer.
“Brutus, let's head back,” she said as Brutus continued to beseech to whatever god he was speaking to.
“Den mother, thank thee for giving courage and strength to Brutus this day. Give thy blessing of peace during these trying times,” he said, finishing his prayer and lowering his axe.
Taking a breath, she headed out for her company. She was still shaken from the events and her mind was aflame with questions. She knew there were a number things that needed to take priority and what must be done. But what took current priority: she needed to prepare everypony for what lied ahead.
As she and Brutus headed out of the village, his words continued to echo in her mind. She didn’t know what to make of it, but for now, she can only take his remarks as a simple phrase.
You’re welcome.
***
Quicksilver stretched his sore muscles from the long laborious work. He and the thestrals brought large amount of lumber to the site, ready to help cut it up and build the foundation of this new building. He was grateful to get a few breaks, provided that Ebon was overlooking him and that Colonel Sharp Beak was not around to rough him up. At the end of it all and after bringing the rest of what they needed to bring, they called it the day and allowed everypony to rest. It was still late in the day, roughly an hour or so before he was supposed to be in his quarters, but he still had time to meet with Nightshade Moon. He had spent some time working with him and working alongside the other thestrals. They were hard workers, there was no doubt, but he also could see a sense of unity when they work together. As he observed, and as long as there was nothing interrupting what they do, they could accomplish anything that is set before them.
After he finished his meal for the night, he was looking forward to speaking with them.
As he made his way to their small encampment, he could see the regular gryphons patrolling about the grounds. Along the path he spotted a triage nearby, a few gryphons tending to the wounded. He could see others come in and out from time to time, bringing in fresh medical supplies or a fresh blanket for one of the patients. Occasionally, he would hear a plea for help or listen to a gryphon softly cry out for his family.They had it rough these past few days, and he could only imagine how much pain and horror they experienced days ago.
As he made his way past the medical wing of the encampment, he soon found himself close to where the thestrals were camped. He moved at a leisurely pace, making sure that he would not spook the other thestrals. Even though he had contact with Nightshade Moon, he was uncertain about the rest of them, so he had to be careful.
As he got closer, he spotted a few thestrals staring at him, their ears pointed back as he continued to walk forward. When he was close enough, he noticed that they didn’t back away or turn their gaze away from him. In a way, it was rather strange for them to do this, but now, as far as he could tell, they looked to have a more curious nature about them.
At least they're not running away, he thought as he continued to move in their encampment. As he drew towards their main camp fire, he could see a number of them already finishing their meat and going straight to their tents. The small families were huddled together, trying to stay warm around the fire. He could see the mothers next to their children, keeping them warm with the blankets they could provide, while others wrapped their wings around them for extra protection against the cold. He wished he could do something to help them, but wishing was all could do at this point.
As he neared the fire, the other Thestrals around the fire soon spotted him and kept their gaze on him. It still made him uneasy, feeling as if he was a prey among predators, but he was the one making them nervous. What also was unsettling was their slitted eyes. They looked more different from afar, but since he got in closer contact, he noticed how their eyes were more animal then equines. Or gryphons, for that matter. He tried to give a uneasy smile, yet the thestrals remained stalwart and kept their gaze upon him.
“Ah, Quicksilver. Come,” he heard Nightshade Moon’s voice nearby, speaking in the same Prench that he heard before. He saw him come forward, and he offered a seat next to him near the fire. Feeling that he was allowed to proceed, he moved to him. As he did this, he noticed that the stares and uneasy eyes that were on him had lessened, and the thestrals returned back to what they did before as if nothing happened.
It was strange experience for him to witness.
He made his way towards Nightshade and he sat down next to the thestral leader.
“Forgive my people. It’s not often that we find one we can trust,” he said, continuing to speak in Prench. Quicksilver cleared his throat and returned speaking Prench back to him.
“It is perfectly fine,” he replied. “Also, I don’t hold you at fault over what happened a few days ago,” he added.
Nightshade nodded. “I still feel ashamed that we were forced to beat you until you clinged to consciousness,” Nightshade said as he looked down in shame. “I just wish things didn’t turn out the way they did,” he said as Quicksilver nodded. He could only imagine if the situation was turned, if there was one of his kind and a bunch of prisoners that were all different from him. As he pondered for a moment, trying to think of anything that would start a good conversation, Nightshade stirred once more.
“So, what do you wish to know? We are free from unwanted ears,” he said as he gave a genuine smile. Quicksilver looked to him. He knew all along what he wanted to say.
“I have many things I wish to ask, but many that may be too tall to answer,” he said honestly. “However, if there is one thing I wish to ask, it is how you ended up here?”
Nightshade nodded to his question. “That is a tall tale. I hope you’re willing to learn a bit of history,” he said.
Quicksilver nodded. “Yes. I only heard of tales and rumors, but never the full truth,” he replied.
Nightshade gave a small smile. “Then you will be intrigued by what I have to say,” he said as he cleared his throat.
“Many years ago, back during the founding of Equestria, our people lived within the confines of the Everfree forest. My people had long been solitary in our environment, not once caring about the outside world. The world was cold and bitter, and the forest still had its abundance to give. Then, your people came to the land, the ones that you consider your founders. Chancellor Puddinghead of the Earth Tribe, Princess Platinum of the Unicorn Tribe, and Commander Hurricane of the Pegasus Tribe,” he explained.
Quicksilver blinked in surprise. He never would imagine that the thestrals had known about the founders of Equestria, but to name each leader of the tribes is what really caught him off guard.
“How did you know of the founders’ names?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Nightshade nodded. “Osiris Dusk, the brother to King Solaris, may they find peace, was the one who helped teach us about your founders,” he explained. Quicksilver was amazed as he continued to listen to him, “Osiris was a very intelligent individual, and clever with his use of magic. He found us while exploring the deep forest of the Everfree and he had came to learn of us. Throughout this time, as we had observed you from afar, he always came to us and shared with us the ways and teaching of all of the tribes. Soon afterward, he offered to help give us a proper home from the dangers of the Everfree in exchange for helping him,” he said.
“Helping him with what?” he asked.
Nightshade cleared his throat and gave assuring smile. “Lets just say that there are a few gaps in your history when your nation was founded,” he said.
Quicksilver could only fathom as to what that meant. He knew about the thestrals helping them during the war, but there were no references as to what became of them soon after.
Nightshade continued on with his tale. “As for us, we were given a new home in a place only known as the Hollow Shade Forest. We’ve resided there ever since that time, and Osiris has been in regular contact with us since,” he explained, allowing the words to settle on Quicksilver’s mind. It was hard to imagine how the leader of Equestria would have a hoof in a civilization’s affairs, but he could only wonder as to what else the past leader had done.
Was he trying to make some sort of Alliance? he thought, wondering how the thestrals had some connection to their nation's founding. He had to leave that thought aside as a more pressing question came forward.
“So how is it that you came to be out here?” he asked, causing Nightshade’s composure to change. His ears fell back and he turned away as if ashamed. He knew that he was poking at a touchy subject, but he just had to know. After a moment of uneasy silence, Nightshade stirred and his words were soft spoken.
“We were bringing our people home,” he said.
Quicksilver turned his head in confusion.
Seeing this, Nightshade continued. “Years ago, before the Contact War had started, our people continued to thrive within the confines of the Hollow Shade. Yet, as we prospered, our people continued to grow and expand. We feared that as we continued to grow and expanded our hunting grounds, we might have to go outside the forest, and feared of being seen by the tribes. So we had decided amongst ourselves to send a thousand volunteers of our kind to seek a new home for their own. A colony, if you will.”
Quiksilver continued to listen attentively. The more Quicksilver learned, the more fascinating the thestrals became to him.
“As we sent them out to these lands, we learned that they had settled well, and were building a new home within the mountains of High Talon. However, it was only after the war began that we saw some difficulty. For years, we had runners going to and from the mountains to our home in Hollow Shade. We kept in regular contact, but we still feared that one day that they would be discovered. It was only a year ago when we lost contact with our brethren that we feared the worst. We’ve sent a hundred of our own, including myself, to see what has transpired. It was a arduous journey, but we were all determined to see it through.”
He paused, his ears lowering and he bore a saddened expression. This made Quicksilver worried about what he had to say, but still he had to ask him.
“What happened?” he asked, as Nightshade stirred once again.
“By the time we had found our people, the colonists rounded only to about a hundred and fifty souls,” he said.
Quicksilver stiffened and his eyes widened in shock.
“We sent a thousand of our people out to search for a new home, and less than a fourth have survived. What we found was the horrors of the land that they tried to claim as their own,” he said.
Quicksilver looked at him curiously. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“These monstrous creatures, known as warbands by the gryphons,” he said.
There’s that word again, Quicksilver thought. The word warband was mentioned by the guards, and there was no doubt in his mind that this warband was the same ones Nightshade was describing. As he let the thoughts sink in, a tired sigh escaped from Nightshade.
“I’ve only seen them once, when we were with our own. As we had finished gathering the survivors and prepared to make the trip back, that was when they struck. They had numbered in the dozens, but even then they sounded in more than a hundred. The colonists that were there were startled and fled into every direction. I could hear them screaming that the devils were upon them. They charged at us, screaming a tongue that we did not understand, their horns glistening in the pale face of the moon. We scattered the moment they neared and took off after our people who fled into the mountains,” he said, his voice shuddering as he uttered the last line.
“Let me tell you, hearing their screams of war chilled me to the bone. It was as if a horde of beasts had charged through the Huntress’s door and laid waste to all that was sacred.”
The Huntress? Is she a religious figure? That is a question I’ll have to ask later, Quicksilver thought as he cleared his voice to speak.
“So was it soon after that you were captured?” he asked.
Nightshade shook his head.
“Not exactly. After we scattered from the attack, I sent my own troops to find our people. We needed to find them first above all else, and return them to their homeland. A dozen warriors, including myself, set out to find the stragglers while our initial force went to find the vast majority. We spent days searching for our people, hoping and praying that there were no further casualties. We ended up finding only a hooful of stragglers, and found ourselves lost in the unfamiliar terrain. It was only soon after that we were lost that the gryphons found us. We tried to resist, but ultimately we became their prisoners. We soon began the grueling march, traveling across the mountain pass and avoiding the sheer cliffs on our sides. What’s worse, the colonel was brutal in his display of power. He threatened to break our wings and push us off the cliff while our children watched. His mind is twisted, his wit an enigma. He is a black devil, whose only solace in this life is the pain and suffering of others.”
He paused, his body shivering at whatever dreadful thought that came into his mind. Quicksilver remained where he was, attentive but shaken at the prospect that Nightshade Moon had went through.
“We met another party, where more of my people were rounded up and soon after we ended up here. The rest, as you know, is history.”
Nightshade finished, and took a deep and tired sigh. Quicksilver could only imagine the amount of pain and hardship. He could not think of the weight that bears on his shoulders. There was more of his kind out there, and yet nothing could be done to save them. Quicksilver could only feel sympathy to him.
“I’m sorry to hear that. It must be painful not knowing what has become to the rest of your people,” Quicksilver said.
Nightshade cast his gaze to the fire, the embers burning a cherry red as he soon tossed another log into the blaze.
“Yes, it is. However, in my heart. I know they are alive and waiting for us to return,” he replied back, keeping his gaze on the fire.
Quicksilver noticed the burning reflection within his eyes. He may be beaten and bruised, but he was a fighter, willing to do anything for his people.
Quicksilver respected that kind of fortitude.
As the two settled, letting the words settle in the air, Nightshade stirred once again and gave a small smile.
“You have the look of who has experienced what we had endured. Would you mind sharing your story?” he asked, to which Quicksilver blinked in surprise.
“You want to hear my story?” Quicksilver asked.
“Yes, I’m certain that you have some fond memories with your family or friends. Maybe sharing can help cheer this mood in the air,” he said.
Quicksilver looked away. “I’m not sure. Most of my life, I’ve had much trouble and suffering, probably the same as you. My story would be miniscule compared to yours,” he said.
Nightshade gave a small chuckle. “Quicksilver, everything in life has a purpose. Your story maybe the same as thousands of other souls who have perished, not knowing what their full potential truly was.”
Quicksilver looked at him, wondering what he might say next. A moment later, Nightshade turned and smiled, revealing his fangs that he kept behind.
“Quicksilver, we believe that every soul has a purpose and that each one is gifted in affecting others, whether for ill or for good. You may not believe yourself worthy at a task, but even if you can’t find the path, the Huntress, as we believe, already has a plan for you, and you are always guided to the right course,” he said.
Quicksilver thought long and hard from this new revelation. He never would have thought of that different perspective, or how life would have turned out if he didn’t set his own course. He then recalled the time when Silverwing wanted to serve in this fight and to defend all they held dear. The thoughts warmed his heart, and he turned Nightshade with a content expression.
“Thank you, Nightshade. I never considered that,” he said.
Nightshade nodded in kind. “You are most welcome, Nuit Ami.(night friend),” he replied with a knowing gaze. Quicksilver nodded and he cleared his throat to speak and began his tale.
“Well, for starters, I grew up on a farm near the capital of Equestria, where my parents and my sister Silverwing lived. I can tell you this much, I loved being with them more then anything else growing up,” he said, fully appreciating the fact that he was not telling his story because he was sorrowful of what happened in his youth.
He was telling his story for how much joy he had with his family.