Princess Essenta

by Pone_Heap


Chapter 6: The Princess and the Brawler

Southward to New Friends Arc

Essenta stood in front of the mare, knees knocking. This mare was a head taller than her, powerfully built, but with a distinct litheness about her. Even with her size, there was no way a pony could be that strong. Not only could she lift the enormous sword now leaning against her shoulder, she could swing it with enough force to more than just bisect a full-grown stallion. She felled a tree as if it was a broomstick.

The strange mare wasn’t glaring, but her piercing eyes investigated her. Essenta felt a little sick; she could taste the iron in the air. Looking around the clearing, the mare’s would-be attackers might as well have been blown apart by cannon fire.

Be that as it may, the tall mare’s face softened, her yellow eyes still flaring; she couldn’t really help how her eyes looked.

“Please, young mare, tell me your name.”

Essenta wasn’t more unsure of anything in her life, but she also knew lying or attempting any deceit would end in her death and probably… certainly… the death of her friends.

She looked up as evenly as she could, her voice shaking ever so slightly, “My name is Essenta. I’m… the First Princess of the Kingdom of the Dale. My full title would be Princess Essenta Dale.”

The large mare showed no visible reaction to this news. Essenta went on.

“These are my companions… my friends… Dechaa Beiran and Zyra Argon. We’re on a journey to the south on behalf of my father, the king of the Dale.”

The mare replied, “Essenta… May I call you Essenta?”

Essenta squeaked back, “Yes.”

“I mean you no offense, Essenta, but I only recognize one princess. My name is Ama, of the Clan Waterfall. My title would be Ama Waterfall, but please… call me Ama, if you so desire.”

Essenta looked up at Ama, feeling more at ease, “Yes, Ama.”

Glancing around, Ama looked at the mess she caused, “Please, Essenta, I require your assistance. If you would set your companions to the side of the clearing…”

Unsure, but not about to argue, she did just that. Ama was about the clearing, retrieving what she could.

“I know the task is distasteful, but food seems to be scarce in this part of the world. It must not be wasted. I will gladly split it with you and your friends. Help me gather what is salvageable.”

Trying not to vomit, Essenta set about the grisly task. Between the two of them, they recovered two bags of apples and pears, a few loaves of bread, and a wheel of strong cheese. Essenta had little stomach for food, but knew the supplies were needed.

Once they finished, Ama spoke up, “Thank you, Essenta.”

Essenta nodded, trying not to look at the scene.

"Essenta," Ama began. "There is a small stream a short distance to your left. Let us briefly wash. We must not appear as we are when your friends come to their senses."

Essenta hadn't noticed, but now realized she had been hit by the blood-spray. Ama herself, was a little worse off... But wash they did. Essenta once again felt sick, seeing the water around her redden. Quickly staggering out, she found Ama, holding out a towel.

"Thanks," Essenta toweled her face and mane.

Ama’s face, having softened, became akin to sympathetic, “Forgive me, Essenta, but is this your first time seeing death? Is it the first time your friends have seen death?”

Essenta found herself answering, her voice unlike herself to her ears, “I’ve never seen anypony killed before today… I’ve seen death… but peaceful… a welcome, well-deserved rest fit for somepony who’d done so much good.”

Looking to her companions, “This is the first time Dechaa has seen death, to my knowledge. But Zyra… she was orphaned by war… She refuses to tell anypony much about it, but she has seen horrors I can scarce imagine. Even now, she dreams about it. I see her crying in her sleep sometimes…”

Ama bowed her head, speaking with sincerity, “I am sorry you and your friends came across this. It is… a horrible thing to see. But know this: they intended to kill me. Had they succeeded, I doubt you, Dechaa, and Zyra would have been able to escape if they cast their eyes upon the three of you. They had been harassing me for a full day, in spite of my best efforts to evade them.”

Essenta nodded, numbly.

Ama went on, “I do not hold it against you, Essenta of Dale, but their purpose was to hunt you and your friends. I do not know how long you had been in the vicinity before they assaulted me, but you may have realized they were after your bounty. I did not mean to delude you, but I know who you are and the things that have brought you here. They offered a share of the reward for my assistance in your capture.”

Essenta began to back up slowly, her face betraying fear. She knew she had no chance against Ama, especially with her friends out of sorts.

“Be at peace, Essenta. I have no such desire. I did not know who you were until I asked your name. Had I made this clear earlier, I felt you may have fled. But you appear to value your friends… I can see you would not abandon them.”

Essenta breathed a sigh of relief.

Ama inhaled and sighed deeply, “I… did not wish to kill them, Essenta. I truly wish they had abandoned their attempt to recruit me. They made their decision. I… could not afford any of those stallions escaping. They were skilled in battle and knew this land, for it was theirs. In this forest, I would not have made it out alive if any one of them sought justice for his comrades.”

Essenta did a take at this. Justice?

Ama recognized her confusion, "Yes, Essenta… justice. They were wrong to attack me, but a life is a life. Therefore…”

To Essenta’s great discomfort, Ama’s knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, tears forming in her intense eyes.

“Ama!”

“You may not understand, Essenta, one such as myself, broken over this. That… was the first time I have seen death… It was… the first time I have killed. I did not want to do it…”

Ama began to weep. She looked… smaller in Essenta’s eyes. Essenta sat beside her, putting a gentle hoof on Ama’s shoulder. Rather than Ama jerking away or attempting to rebuff Essenta’s gesture, Ama’s own hoof appeared atop Essenta’s, gripping firmly. Ama sniffled and a few tears squeezed out of her closed eyes.

Essenta wasn’t about to say, “it’s alright”. Nothing about any of this was alright. Essenta didn’t blame herself, but part of this was the result of her actions. But as Ama said, the stallions had made their decision. It was Ama’s misfortune to cross paths with them.

After a time, Ama settled down. She released Essenta’s hoof and slowly stood up. Her eyes were sad but had a peace about them.

“Thank you, Essenta.”

“You’re most welcome, Ama.”

Ama considered the path ahead, “I would understand if you desired not my presence, but we are going the same direction. May I accompany you for a time?”

Essenta hadn’t even considered this, once, since laying eyes on Ama. But she had an answer.

“I would be glad to have you with us.”

Gathering the supplies, the two of them went to Essenta’s friends. Dechaa was still out cold. Zyra looked shell-shocked.

“Please, Essenta, help Dechaa onto my back. I will spirit her and some of the cargo. It is an easy thing for me.”

So Essenta did that, lashing Dechaa’s share of the cargo to Ama’s saddlebags. Gathering up the rest of their supplies, Essenta found it easy to carry even Zyra’s load. Essenta was worried about Zyra. She’d never seen this but knew what it was. She’d heard of it in the old soldiers of the Dale, still suffering from the horror of battle in past times, and it broke her heart her dear friend suffered the same way.

Resolving to make their way through as much of the forest as possible, they set off, continuing south. They barely spoke. Both had plenty to think about.


After a few hours, the sun began to dip towards the west. Dechaa woke with a start and was helped down by Essenta. She was quite upset and more than a little surprised by their new traveling companion.

“Dechaa Beiran… My name is Ama. I am sorry for the pain I have caused you. I cannot ask for your forgiveness, but I will accompany the three of you for a time. I will serve you and your friends as I am able for this kindness.”

Dechaa was taken aback but stuck her hoof out in greeting. Looking at her with some surprise, Ama noticed a few tears in Dechaa’s eyes. Ama gladly shook the offered hoof, wiping a few tears from her own eyes. Essenta was glad for this. Dechaa and Ama would be alright. Zyra, though…

They decided to make camp. While it wasn’t her forte, Dechaa managed to set up their normal safety spells around their spot. Essenta was still too spooked by their surroundings to risk a fire and Ama, having spent a few days in the area, concurred. They had no reason to cook anyway. Electing not to tell Dechaa where the extra food came from, Essenta told her it was Ama’s.

Ama understood the reasoning and simply offered it as hers. Dechaa wasn’t keen on eating, but once she started, she found she had been famished. Essenta and Ama didn’t eat much themselves. Everypony had a lot to reflect on, considering the misery from earlier in the day.

Essenta practically force-fed Zyra, just so Zyra would have some strength later. Both she and Dechaa knew it was going to be a rough night for Zyra. Soon after they finished dinner, Zyra fell asleep while the others sat quietly, wishing they could have a fire for warmth, if nothing else.


A couple hours later, Zyra woke in a panic. This in turn, woke up the rest of the mares. Essenta knew just by looking at her she was having a flashback. She thrashed and screamed, sobbing uncontrollably. Dechaa rushed to her side, holding her friend and sharing with her the calming, healing magic she was so very adept at.

Ama stood to the side, horrified at what she was seeing. Trying hard not to blame herself, she couldn’t bear to watch and had to turn away. Essenta had been trying to keep Zyra silent, but Dechaa’s soothing touch was beginning to calm her down. Seeing Ama step away, she went after her.

“Ama!”

Ama turned to her, tears streaming down her face, “Oh, Essenta… I… I…”

Essenta embraced her, “Shh… shh…”

Ama sat down, embracing Essenta. Still, she looked grimly over Essenta’s shoulder at Zyra, still having it out. But she became quieter. A few moments later, she was sobbing into Dechaa’s cloak, which served both as a pillow for Zyra, and to muffle the sound. Dechaa continued to sooth her friend, humming what sounded like a lullaby.

Essenta knew there were things Dechaa knew about Zyra she didn’t. This didn’t bother her… It was Zyra’s way. The princess found more and more, she was thinking about the consequences of her decisions long after committing to them. She hadn’t expected this all to happen.

Her intentions weren’t… exactly pure, but she never intended her friends to suffer. Or their new friend, Ama. But her intentions, good or bad, couldn’t explain away any of it. Part of her wished she’d just stayed in the Dale, whatever may have happened.


Everypony woke up the next morning feeling more rested than one may expect, given the rough night they had. Zyra may have had an experience the night before, but she didn’t let it dampen her generally happy spirit. She was glad to meet their new companion, now that she was in her right mind.

As they sat and took breakfast, all of them ate heartily. Since the sun was up, they decided to have a fire. It wasn’t large but gave them some warmth. Ama had a sack of oats, so with the pot supplied by Zyra’s master, they were able to make porridge. Essenta never thought she’d be so happy to eat porridge, given it had been her primary means of sustenance, for a long while, until less than a week earlier. Digging through their bags, they came across some honey, improving their meal. Just eating something warm was welcome.

Zyra was worldly and had a few questions for their new friend.

“Ama, forgive me if I’m being rude, but you’re a Terran, aren’t you?”

Essenta and Dechaa’s ears perked up. A Terran? It would certainly explain why she was so strong. None of them had ever met one.

Ama laughed, “It is no rudeness, Zyra. You are partly correct. My father was a Terran. I am one of the Mazans.”

Zyra’s eyes lit up, “Wow. I’ve never heard of a Mazan making her way this far northwest. But if you’re on the continent, I suppose…”

Ama waved a hoof, “You can say it, friend. I am here for a birth journey. When a Mazan reaches the age of 18, she goes across the sea to the continent. I am here to find a stallion, worthy of my seed. I admit, I have been here much longer than I had anticipated. Your continent is… most interesting. I simply wished to see it. I celebrated the 19th year of my birth last week.”

This didn’t need much explanation. The Mazans were known to seek out stallions of great intelligence, strength, and virtue. Considering how powerful Ama was, it stood to reason she sought out a stallion that was… not ordinary. It was their way.

“I may be three or four times as strong as the average Mazan, but a Terran is stronger by far. I have met several in my travels, much earlier. It might surprise you, if you do not know, their strength is 20 times that of an Earth pony. It is a sight to behold.”

The company could only nod at this. They’d heard the tales.

Dechaa had to ask, “Your sword… how did you come to possess such a weapon?”

Ama put a hoof on the greatsword, “The queen of Mazan gifted it to me for the duration of my journey. Its name is… Dragonsquarter. No other Mazan could wield it. It was a ceremonial piece gifted to the queen from the Terran capitol. She believed the sword should be with me and I have the great honor to carry it for her. I… only wish I had not profaned the blade in the way I did.”

As it turned out, Zyra put a comforting hoof on Ama’s shoulder. Essenta and Dechaa were both glad to see this. Considering the sword, the name made sense. Ama probably could slay a dragon with that thing. She might not even need the sword, given what they’d seen.

Essenta had been piecing together a few things in her head, "Ama... in the last couple nights... did you... set a bunch of Timberwolves on fire, tear them apart, and throw them into the sky?"

The Mazan gawked at her and broke down laughing, "Oh, my! What a thing to say! You must be joking!"

Essenta looked at her, seriously, "No. We saw it the other night."

Dechaa and Zyra nodded.

Ama looked thoughtful, "Really... I have seen some of these creatures... Canines made of wood. They are easy enough to evade; I would not want to fight one. What you describe is possible, but not for a pony..."

The three looked to her. Ama looked... a little scared.

Ama twiddled her hooves, "It was a dragon... a full-grown dragon."

Dechaa just about crapped herself again, "A d-d-d-d- dragon?!"

Zyra looked pale, "A dragon... it crossed my mind, but... nopony's seen a dragon in this part of the continent for 500 years."

Essenta sat quietly. This was... scary...

Ama couldn't help but nervously chuckle, "I have spent more time in this forest than I wish to have. It will be a great relief when we leave it behind us. There are things far worse than dragons out here..."

The company could tell Ama was serious. And they could believe it. Forbidden Forest...

A heavy feeling of despair threatened to engulf them, and the four mares shook in their fear. After, only the crackling fire could be heard. The new arrival among them broke this up, desperate for anything else to talk about.

Ama looked to the princess, “Essenta… tell me of your… 'fool’s errand'."

It was hard for Ama to keep a straight face. Essenta chuckled into her porridge.

“My father was angry- is angry- at me. Ever since I was a filly, I’ve done… nothing but disobey him. I know I should honor my father, but there’s little to honor about him. About five weeks ago, a prince visited… as a suitor. Our fathers intended us to be married. We… decided to break decorum. We got drunk and caused a little trouble in town.”

Ama, to their surprise was positively giddy over this, “Oh, that sounds so naughty. But that is all that occurred?”

Essenta twiddled her hooves, “Well… we almost kissed… but we were caught before it happened."

Dechaa’s jaw dropped, “When were you gonna tell me about this?! How could you keep this from me?!”

Zyra and Ama laughed at this. Dechaa may have tried to hide it, but she had a serious love of romance.

Essenta blushed, “I was embarrassed! Anyway, Ama, he locked me in my room for a month as punishment… Then he and his inner circle came up with this plan to ‘scare me straight’. He told me I was to retrieve some artifact that probably doesn’t exist from the jungles to the south.”

Ama gawked, “That is asinine!”

Zyra guffawed over the dregs of her porridge, “That’s pretty much what I said. Anyway, Essenta’s dad had no intention of letting her go; he thought she’d beg for his forgiveness or something. We don’t know exactly what happened, but they came after us. If we’d waited until morning, Essenta might have been sent off somewhere with a dowry. She knew he was up to something, so we skipped town the same afternoon. We’ve been on the run for almost a week.”

Ama chuckled heartily, “I see… So, Essenta, what is it you plan to do?”

Essenta said evenly, “I’m going south. Whether the trinket exists or not, I’m going to find out. Father made the mistake of letting me loose and I’m going to turn the world upside down. I’m going to achieve fame not even he can smother!”

Dechaa and Zyra shied away. That was some statement. Ama considered the princess. She was serious.

Ama smiled enthusiastically, “Sounds interesting… Need some help?”