Healing Arc
“Good, Orni… Now I’m going to let go,” Dechaa took her magical support away from the Knollwing.
Essenta and her friends watched as Orni took a few tentative steps. She was as wobbly as a newborn foal, but she managed to walk from Dechaa across the cabin’s yard to Loress on the other side. Orni made it but stumbled at the very end.
Loress easily caught her, “That’s the best you’ve done, yet. Rest a moment and then try to go back to Dechaa.”
Orni panted, sweating with exertion, “I’ll try. Oh! Am I tired!”
Loress chuckled, ruffling her mane, “I know you want to sit down, but it’ll just be harder for you to start again.”
Essenta smiled at Orni’s progress; it had been a week since Ama and Noach rejoined them after their journey into Zyra’s mind. Wilka wasn’t doing quite as well but was improving. Both had the will to get their legs back under them. The diet, potions, and exercise Noach had prescribed were visibly helping and the girls grew stronger by the day. If they were unable to leave Silas in another week, they’d be able to soon after.
The princess and her friends still didn’t know just what went on between Zyra and Ama. Zyra wasn’t keen on sharing and Ama honored that. But Zyra at least seemed at peace, pulled out of her catatonic state. Still not her "usual", laidback self, she no longer spent all her time in bed. She happened to be watching the progress of Wilka and Orni, but more often sat in the woods, thinking.
What the company did know, was Ama and Noach spent six weeks in Zyra’s memory. To the company, in the waking world, the two had been gone an entire afternoon. Essenta wouldn’t say the ordeal changed Ama, but Zyra seemed much closer to Ama and vice versa. Ama had never been an anxious mare, but she now had an indescribable calm about her. Noach had explained one thing: Ama had learned to center herself. It was the only thing that kept her sane, really.
The girls realized just what going into Zyra’s memories would have entailed… and Noach was correct in his thinking. Ama was the only one of them that could handle what had been in there.
Pulled from her thoughts by loud giggling, Essenta came to her senses and saw Orni happily hugging Dechaa as the rest of the girls expressed their congratulations. Orni had made another full length of the yard. Now she was able to sit down and flumped to the ground with a sigh.
“Somepony stick a fork in me; I’m done…” Orni lamented to the amusement of her friends.
Loress, having followed her across the yard in case she fell, again ruffled Orni’s mane, “Very good, Orni. Wilka! Think you’re up for a try?”
Wilka tried sitting up straight; she’d not been able yet to make a length of yard by herself, “I’ll try.”
With bated breath, the company watched. She made it more than halfway across the yard before she had to sit.
“That’s… all I have.”
Dechaa assisted her back to the rest, “It’s okay. A couple days ago, you couldn’t even get in three steps. You’re doing fine.”
It was lunchtime on Saturday. The fall weather was definitely there to be felt. Taking advantage of the waning pleasant weather, they picnicked outside. Loress had made apple pie, which was as welcome as anything for dessert.
The company had decided to take Saturdays and Sundays off for the rest of their time in Silas. And when they weren’t working, they spent time with each other at the cabin. They just needed the comradery more than ever. It had been a rough week, as they continued licking their wounds.
Upon finishing lunch, Zyra and Ama went for a walk in the woods. The rest of the company tried to quell their curiosity about what the two discussed. Ama now shared a bond with Zyra unlike anything else, and the girls chose to respect that. Spending a month-and-a-half searching around somepony’s memories was no small thing.
And if Zyra was never ready to talk about things, they’d have to accept that. What mattered was Zyra was better. They were all alive and the young ones were improving. Essenta had kicked the bottle, again, and was working as Dechaa, Ama, and Loress did, as a milk delivery pony. And nopony other than Noach knew who they were.
While Zyra and Ama were on their walk, Essenta and Loress decided to go on one of their own. Leaving Dechaa with Wilka and Orni, they headed into town.
Since the night of the attack, Essenta had been relying on Loress more and more, she’d found. Ama may have found greater clarity and Dechaa was still her very best friend, but Loress had become her advisor. And Essenta wasn’t even aware of it; Loress had some idea… Noach had told her, after all.
“I’m just not sure of myself, so much, Loress. I know I keep griping about it, but I’m starting to think more and more this stupid quest is more trouble than it’s worth.”
Loress chose to act as a sounding board; the princess was thinking aloud, more than anything. Loress knew as well and maybe even better than the princess… Hell, they all knew it: they couldn’t just tuck tail and head to the Dale. Essenta, Dechaa, and Zyra would be in for a rough time if they went home with nothing to show for it. And all the events of the last three weeks hadn’t taken the wind out of their sails… yet anyway. They could keep moving.
Loress had been half-listening; Essenta was now thinking of her family… and her father.
“My brothers should be fine, but I’m worried about Calleha, now. It’ll be another couple years before she’s marriageable, but if Father can’t find a ‘buyer’ for me, he may break decorum and sell her off instead of me…”
There was little need to mention the fact King Dale had probably sent the “Fire Breathers” to capture Essenta and kill the rest of them.
Loress finally had something to say, “First off, Princess, stop talking like you’re going to let your father sell you. I know you won’t let that happen… and we can talk about your sister later. There’s something else more worrisome for the moment.
“This is Noach talking, and not me… but remember: your father probably knows the attack failed. We have no real idea if anypony else is tailing us now, but we’ve seen no evidence since that night. But that may not be an issue. Now, it is more important than ever for your father to hold to decorum. He’ll have to watch himself for a time. You know what would happen if your subjects found out what we’re all but sure he did.”
Casually, Essenta stated, paddling alongside her friend, “They’d try to kill him, probably. At the very least there’d be a riot. That… that can’t happen!”
“No point in worrying about ‘can’t’, Princess. Unfortunately, Zyra all but left a signature stating we know the ‘Fire Breathers’ were the ones that did it. If your father indeed has ties to them, he might know they were the ones that destroyed Zyra’s hometown. We shouldn’t assume he had anything to do with it, just that he may know about it… and if he didn’t know, he’d know by now.
“This isn’t all bad… well, no, it’s all very bad, but we may have an advantage here. I don’t like using the term ‘game’, but it’s become a game. If he thinks we know, it really limits his choices. If you even cast suspicion upon him… that might be unrecoverable for him. He may be counting on the idea we choose to keep quiet about it. It would be bad for him, but if you accused him, it wouldn’t do us any good as we are. So… he may do nothing. He would benefit from doing nothing; it would be easier for him to cover his ass if something comes to take a bite of it.”
Essenta had been listening carefully, “The logic makes sense. But you don’t know my father… he’s foolish. And knowing him, I doubt anypony beyond those that are completely loyal to him have any idea we were attacked. But there’s no telling if word has gotten north about the bounty. All it would take is a rumor of a bounty on my head and I don’t even know what would happen back home.”
Loress considered, “We can speculate he’ll keep any of that quiet, but it depends on his reach… in the light and dark parts of the world. If he knows somepony worse, he may try again. But it’s unlikely he knows anypony worse. To sum things up, we’re probably free to continue. It’s unlikely your father will attempt to come after us again. We must be watchful, but I doubt we’re in any real danger. I trust Noach’s judgement on the matter: considering we obliterated and… tortured… ‘Fire Breathers’, the most feared assassins on the continent, most criminals and bounty hunters able to learn a thing about it will steer clear.”
Essenta looked like death, “We must remember ‘most’… So, what? Now we have to watch out for whole armies and things even worse?”
“As was said, we might be safe. Don’t fret over it… you’ll start to lose your mane.”
The princess gawked, “Not worry?”
Loress looked ahead, “Yup. Don’t worry… Princess, we’re stuck here another week-and-a-half… maybe two weeks. I have a feeling that things will become clearer before then. Until then, we keep our heads low and act like the travelers we kind of are.”
“So… what next?”
“Well, Princess, I know you want to go home again, don’t you?”
Essenta waxed, “Yes! I want to go home! It’s… my home.”
The Terran stopped a moment, pleased with Essenta’s occasional resolve, “Well, then no change for now. We keep moving south… make a name for ourselves… and go to the Dale as heroes.”
Essenta moaned, “You make it sound simple.”
Loress smiled, “It really is… it’s the details that might kill us. That aside, have you given any thought as to what you’ll do when we get to the Dale?”
“Not an everfucking thing, Loress…” Essenta practically whined.
Resuming their walk, Loress smirked, “I have a few ideas.”
“Like what?”
“We can talk about it later,” Loress said coyly. “For now, my sweet tooth demands more. Let’s go see if the crepe stand is open.
Having had some wild berry crepes and ice cream, Essenta and Loress made their way back to the cabin. Just a moment later, they spotted Zyra and Ama trotting back as well.
Zyra was… smiling and giggling; Ama was doing the same. It was an odd thing, seeing two mares, one twice the size of the other, giggling like little fillies. Seeing this warmed Essenta’s heart. She hadn’t seen Zyra smile in almost three weeks.
Another pleasant surprise was in store: Noach walked out of the cabin alongside Dechaa, the two of them chatting happily.
Essenta waved to him, “Hello, Noach!”
He smiled, “Hello, Princess. I’m sorry to stop by unannounced, but things were slow at the pub. Thought I’d come check on the girls. They’re doing quite well. It won’t be a week, but they should be able to travel again before two.”
This was good news.
Zyra and Ama made their way to them; Ama grinned, “Good day, Noach!”
“Ama,” he replied, then looked to Zyra. “And how are you today, Zyra?”
Zyra marshaled a pleasant look, “I’m… feeling okay. It’s nice to walk around… look at the woods.”
Noting the melancholy Zyra radiated, he was not discouraged; she was doing much better. These girls were really fortunate to have each other.
Noach considered Zyra, “Zyra… I know you just got back from your walk, but I’d like to talk with you. Would you please come with me? Just to my pub for a little while. You’ll be back for supper.”
Zyra cast a slightly fearful look Ama’s way; Ama smiled and gave an encouraging nod. The other girls seemed to reassure her too.
Zyra relented, “Very well…”
Loress hoofed Zyra, “We’ll see you later, Zyra. And don’t worry about the cooking. I’ll take your place tonight and you can have tomorrow morning. I’ll get to sleep in a little.”
Zyra allowed a little chuckle at that, “Sure. I’ll get some eggs in town. I’ve been wanting an egg bake.”
Egg bake sounded heavenly to all of them. They had vegetables aplenty, so it would make a fine breakfast.
Seeing Zyra off, the girls retired to the cabin to start on the potato dumpling soup recipe Loress had been raving over.
Noach noticed Zyra wasn’t exactly receptive on the walk to his pub, but it didn’t worry him. She was having a pleasant time, at least, enjoying the nice fall weather. He himself noticed. Ponies around them were harvesting their crops and tending to their land. This must have been why the pub was so quiet; ponies had other things to do than drink all day Saturday. He was sure the place would liven up later. Noach and Zyra had the pub to themselves for a time.
Zyra had decided to stay away from alcohol for a while; unlike Essenta, she never really enjoyed it much to begin with, so staying away from it was no chore. She didn’t need anything else clouding her mind. Watching Noach tend to his matters and washing glassware, she sipped on the lemonade he’d made for her; its tartness was quite agreeable.
“Noach… isn’t it about time you said what you were gonna? This is nice and all, but I didn’t come here to sit.”
He looked over, seeing the little mage with her hooves up on the corner of the bar. She had a bored look about her.
“Little mage,” Noach said. “I brought you here because there’s something you wish to talk about.”
She sighed, “Yup… you got me. You and your head magic…”
He tried not to smirk at the comment, “I hadn’t planned on asking you here, but… after your walk with Ama, I saw you. Well, I ‘read’ you, if that means anything. There’s something you want to say… you need to say.”
Zyra hadn’t expected to tear up, but she couldn’t help herself; she’d been constantly close to tears for a few days. She sniffled into her tunic, lowering herself into her chair further.
Noach offered her a clean towel for her face, which she accepted without comment.
“You really do have the very best of friends, Zyra,” the old healer mused. “Your friendship with Ama is particularly strong; nothing else could have seen her through our time in your memory. No amount of focus or resolve can alone sustain a pony in such a place. What you and Ama speak of when you’re alone is not my business. It’s between the two of you. But you have something on your mind… something your friends may be unable to answer, despite their willingness to consider it. You may have thought to ask Orni, but… Orni is still a child in most ways… She just… is.”
Zyra looked to him, ready to spill, “I think I can learn to live with what I did to that stallion that night… It was a lot more than that had me… retreat into myself. We’ve fought… and a few of us have killed in our seven weeks on the road. I think we’ll be able to make peace with that… maybe. We’d likely be dead if we’d done anything different.
“But… you’re right. There’s something… You say you’re just some old army healer, but that’s not all. You lost family to the ‘Fire Breathers’… I know. Dechaa may have the gift of empathy, but most unicorns at least have a vision of it. It’s why I want to ask you… How do I go on living after that? I dream about it… that fiery unicorn and my town… every night. I see… I see them burn.
“I don’t know how I was able to shut things off all those years and try to be happy, but that’s gone! Whatever was keeping this… fury in check disappeared when I saw those stallions try to murder my friends. I don’t know what you’ve seen, but… how did you get on with your life, Noach?”
The old unicorn eyed the weeping teenager for several moments before he was able to answer; sighing, he looked back down to the glass he was washing, “I never did, Zyra… I never let go. All I did was run away. I buried my family and I ran away from Joeh. I ran away from the army. And… I was too afraid to kill myself… I set up this pub and tried to live quietly.
“But my gift… my curse… I cannot shut out the pain of others and I can’t escape it either. Unless I holed up somewhere, where nopony had ever set hoof… there’s no escaping the pain of others. And there’s no escaping my own. The only reason I see to live is… I know I can be of help to others… If I can alleviate their pain, it’s worth it. That’s why I’m still here. It’s all I know to do.
“So… you’re asking the wrong pony. I’ve never confronted my own pain. I don’t even know how I’d start. And forgiveness? Forgive that? Fuck forgiveness. I’m too weak to fight and I’m too weak to forgive. I just ran away.”
Zyra sat rapt, taking in all his words. He seemed a much younger stallion as he laid this out before her. The pain in his eyes was there, but it was dull as if he’d given up long ago. He’d simply learned to live with it.
She didn’t have her answer, but she had an idea and that wasn’t nothing. Feeling… better, she sat up and sucked down the rest of her lemonade.
“Thank you, Noach… Will you be by in a couple days to look in on the girls?”
He managed a pleasant look, “I will be. Make sure you push Wilka. She was more sensitive to the poison than Orni, being a normal Pegasus, but she should be able to make two stretches of the yard by then.”
Zyra nodded, “We’ll put her through her paces. I’m off to buy some eggs for breakfast tomorrow.”
Watching the little mare paddle out of the bar, he called after, “Take care, Miss! And tell ‘Sen’ to not be such a stranger! I’m sure she’ll like the lemonade too. I kinda miss her.”
Zyra chuckled and made her way to the market. Maybe she’d visit the dairy barn, too; they didn’t have Essenta’s work allotment as she took the day off. And what egg bake was complete without cheese?
Over the next few days, Wilka and Orni improved. The rest of the girls worked and tried to blend in. And Essenta did visit Noach, if only to give the old stallion a little company.
And so, two weeks passed, pleasantly, if uneventfully.
Zyra and Ama were taking an afternoon walk. It was Monday, and the company had spent a month in Silas. The leaves had fallen, and the world had changed. Zyra reflected the Dale would already be done with its harvest. A couple weeks and they’d see the autumn rains… and then the snow.
It had been just over two months since Essenta, Dechaa, and Zyra had set out from their home.
Ama looked around at the now bare trees, “I saw this last year. Deciduous trees are certainly a delight. Mazan is… what your folk call a rainforest. I must confess… I do not miss the humidity.”
Zyra watched with a little smile as Ama flopped into a pile of leaves on the path, gathering them up and throwing hooffuls into the air. She remembered playing in leaves when she was a filly. Ama never had the luxury, and among friends, saw no harm in enjoying herself as a mare.
Zyra laughed aloud when Ama got a snootful of leaf litter and began to sneeze repeatedly. Ama looked up at her and playfully tossed some in Zyra’s face. So, Zyra responded by magicking a wall of leaves and burying her friend.
Ama emerged, shaking herself and laughing, “You win, little mage… Well… enough frolicking. We must go pack. We are finally ready to leave this lovely place… I will miss it, but we have been away from the quest for too long.”
Ama began walking back towards the cabin when Zyra spoke, “Ama…”
She turned, “Yes, Zyra… what is it?”
Zyra shuffled her hooves, “There’s… something I wish to ask you… but I’m afraid to.”
Ama went to her friend and sat her on a fallen log; she sat down next to her, “Zyra. You are my friend. You are… my best friend. Please ask me anything.”
Zyra couldn’t help but giggle at Ama jostling her, despite the severity of her question; she loved when Ama jostled her, “How much did you see… when you were in my mind?”
Ama exhaled; that was a heavy question, “Zyra… I experienced those six weeks alongside Noach. I saw your waking moments from the day you ran from your father and uncle, to the day your master picked you up and took you with him. I saw… your uncle’s mind. And I saw the leader of the ‘Fire Breathers’, his true face… and that which they did.”
Zyra tucked up her back legs, peering between her hooves, “I see…”
Ama moved to make eye contact, “I am no seer, but that is not what you want to know. What is it you wish to ask me?”
The little unicorn fidgeted and choked, “Do you think I’m a monster?”
Ama was a little surprised at that; Zyra had blurted it out. But she knew what Zyra was referring to… that tremendous energy she’d been unable to replicate… and what she’d done with it. Ama surely saw that, but they’d never gotten past simply acknowledging it.
Ama’s answer was stout, “Never. You are no monster. You are our friend… our little mage. Cast such thinking aside.”
Feeling as if yet another weight had lifted, Zyra stood up, “I feel… better now. I don’t know why I was worried about such a thing.”
Ama considered, “Do not trap things within you. When you have a concern… let us know. And we will see it through with you.”
With new spirit, Zyra took off down the path, Ama alongside her.
The girls spent one last night in the cabin, making sure their refuge was ready for whatever other weary travelers made their way to Silas. Sleeping well, they greeted a new day.
“We can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us, Noach,” Loress held his hooves, unable to keep from choking up a bit.
Essenta smiled, “Yes… Thanks for… Thanks for everything.”
Noach grinned, “And thank you for keeping an old stallion company… all of you. I hope you come through again, under happier circumstances. Remember… the weakness won’t be fully gone for another week or so, so don’t overdo it. You hear me, Wilka, Orni?”
The young ones nodded. They were back to normal, other than their endurance; resilience would come with time.
“And Zyra,” Noach continued. “Be strong. Be a stronger pony than this old fool.”
Zyra could only nod at the sage advice. Nopony else knew just what that meant, but let it go.
As the girls began to walk, they looked back to Noach.
“You girls be careful. And pleasant journey!”
They waved to the old barkeep, and made their way south.
Noach made his way back to his pub. Normally he’d open for lunch on a Tuesday but there was a pressing matter that needed attending, now that the princess was gone. Noach went to the back room, where he kept a small study. Casting aside a sheet on his desk, he revealed a crystal ball. Sitting down in his chair, he tapped on it.
After a few moments, a rather young-looking Earth pony stallion within the ball gave a pleasant grin, “Noach! Hello… my old friend.”
“It’s been some time, Drausus,” Noach smiled back sadly.
Drausus sighed, “I’d like to be glad to see your face, but judging by your appearance, I know this is something of significance. What do you have to say?”
“It involves Aodh Radulf.”
Drausus took on a most ferocious look, “What do you know?”
Noach sat back in his chair, “I will tell you shortly, but I must explain a few things first. A few weeks back, I met a most interesting party of young mares… heading to the jungles of the south.”
Drausus brought his face close, “You’ve met Princess Essenta, the daughter of Dale?”
“Indeed. And I met her friends… It’s true, what we’ve heard: the daughter of Argon is with her. It was their misfortune… and our chance … that they ran into some trouble on their way to Silas. They were accosted by the ‘Fire Breathers’. Two of the mares were overcome by their methods… it was just the last few days they were back to normal. The rest of them not only managed to fight the assassins, but they slaughtered them.”
Drausus hissed, “Enough storytelling, Noach! Tell me what you know.”
“I am telling you,” Noach calmly replied. “Princess Essenta has gathered some powerful friends. The attack left Zyra Argon more than a little out of sorts. She was closed off from herself for 10 days. One of Essenta’s friends accompanied me into her mindscape… we spent six whole weeks in there. But Ama of the clan Waterfall was able to get through to her.”
“Waterfall? The Mazans?!”
“Yes, Drausus… she was actually the first to join the three Dale mares.”
“We can discuss the mares later! What is it you have to say?”
Noach grimaced, “I can understand your impatience. Believe me… Joeh was my home, as it was yours. And rest assured… Essenta is nothing like her father. Cast any thoughts of that out of your mind. Ansgar Dale was the one that murdered your wife and filly, not Essenta! I know how much it hurts but cast such thoughts aside.”
Drausus took on a melancholy expression, “I’m sorry, Noach… I… No… you do understand. A father’s sins are not his children’s, I know. I know very well… Now… what did you see in Zyra Argon’s memory?”
“It was the 'Fire Breathers' that destroyed Oswald. And they killed Nestor Argon. Zyra herself has known that since she was 8-years-old. And now we know; other than Zyra and her friends, we’re the only ponies, on Earth, to know that. Radulf himself was there. Zyra’s uncle, Tatius, attempted to betray his family in exchange for wealth and freedom. He meant Radulf to have the Fire Diamond… and Zyra as Radulf’s pawn.”
Drausus was fidgeting; there was one thing he really wanted to know, “And Radulf showed his face, did he?”
“He did. You never saw his face when he swept your town… it’s said he only ever unmasked himself when he planned to leave none alive. But Zyra and her uncle lived. Nopony expected that. And Zyra has the Fire Diamond within her chest. Her uncle didn’t make it through the transfer; the doctor that did it, old Aeolus, if you remember his worthless carcass, died soon after. The details aren’t all that important.”
“So, you saw Radulf’s true face…” Drausus considered. “Is it as we suspect?”
“It is, Drausus,” Noach’s nostrils flared. “That mild-mannered fruit peddler, ‘Lord Phokas’, is Radulf. We have him… We know where he is… And we can kill him.”
The Earth pony was close to tears, “After all this time… how long have you known? And does the princess’s company know?”
Noach couldn’t help but cry in his own relief, “The girls don’t know anything of who Radulf is… only of the ‘Fire Breathers’. I learned of it the first day Ama Waterfall and I were within the little mage’s mind. It took everything I had to maintain my silence. Nine weeks! For nine weeks, in the waking world and out of it, I held my tongue. But now there’s no more need for silence. We can proceed.”
Drausus nodded, a storm rising within him, “I will see justice upon King Ansgar Dale, one day… but Radulf will meet his end first… You… Noach… you were wronged by Radulf infinitely more than I was. Do you want his life for yourself? All you must do is say the word… and he and his backing are yours for the killing.”
With all his heart, Noach shook his head, “I got ahead of myself; I swore off killing years ago… after putting my own family to rest and helping the survivors. And I wouldn’t stand a chance against Radulf and his ‘Fire Breathers’. He’s yours. Do what you will with him and I will consider it justice done. Just don’t involve any innocents. Those orchard keepers have no idea what kind of monster watches over them, so please don’t destroy their land, either.”
Drausus contemplated, “Yes. I will see it done.”
“Yes… See it done.”
Noach’s old friend had another thing to say, “We can discuss further details, but tell me… what direction did Essenta Dale and her friends take?”
Noach blathered, “Tell you that? Do you really think I’d tell you where the princess and her friends are? You’re insane…”
“No, Noach. I’m sane. And I’ve been waiting a decade for this. Radulf will die. And he will suffer the same fate he brought upon so many ponies… Flame…”
The barkeep shook his head wonderingly, “It truly beggars the imagination you succeeded in that. The ‘Fire Breathers’ won’t have a chance once you unleash what you’ve become.”
Drausus allowed himself a very nasty sneer, “I’ll erase them. Still, before all that, I must meet the daughter of Ansgar Dale. I wish to know her and her friends. It’s important to me. And you know I mean her no harm!”
Noach believed him, “Very well. But they’d give even you trouble, as strong as you normally are. And I don’t say that lightly. They were able to kill three of the best assassins in the world… What a fucking nightmare that was… I’ll tell you what I know. Where should I start?”
“First, tell me… what kind of mare is Essenta?” Drausus relaxed.
Noach actually smiled, “There’s a whole Hell of a lot I could say about that. She lived in my pub for almost a week.”