//------------------------------// // 9 Buffalo // Story: Going with the Grain // by Bronyxy //------------------------------// The long journey had been punctuated by stops at towns and cities along her route where the charioteers had been replaced. Each time, she had stayed long enough to capitalise upon the opportunity of meeting with numbers of her subjects who rarely got to see her, and had met with local dignitaries, sharing a space in her Royal chariot for them to parade through the streets with her in front of cheering crowds. After days of travel, Celestia arrived at the official boundary of Equestrian territory. There was no sign, no fence or anything else to mark the transition of sovereignty into this new space. Had this been the Dragon Lands, then she would have had to have been careful of eagerly patrolled no-fly zones, but to the best of her knowledge, Buffalo had yet to master the air. However, she was aware that she was now the visitor, or even trespasser into lands where her rank and seniority as Princess held little sway. Finding the buffalo had not been easy. She had ordered the charioteers to fly higher than usual in order to cover more ground, but it was only on the second day that they had finally caught sight of a plume of dust in the distance and gone to investigate. Sure enough, a large herd had been stampeding and kicking up clouds of dust visible for miles. Celestia directed her charioteers to shadow and observe until the majestic animals came to a halt by a large buffalo wallow, where they stopped to catch their breath. The chariot put down a safe distance away and teh Princess got out, wings furled to her back, specifically trying to avoid creating an imposing image. She looked about her at the massive animals, her sense of smell telling her very clearly that they had been running for some time and could most certainly all benefit from a good wash, but doubted that the wallow would go far towards achieving that aim. However, she was the interloper and knew she must play her hoof by their customs and traditions. Celestia looked around for the most dominant of the buffalo and settled upon a particularly large member of the herd, wearing three eagle feathers in his war bonnet. He eyed her suspiciously as she approached and gave a warning cry alerting the others who all stopped and turned their attention to the latest arrival, even though those furthest away could not see her due to their bad eyesight. “Excuse me, Sir” Celestia began, recounting her knowledge of Buffalo traditions, and bowing deeply, “I am Princess Celestia of Equestria, and I recognise that by your wearing three eagle feathers, I am addressing a most courageous buffalo, perhaps the leader of this fine herd?” He stared back at her, sizing her up. “No, that would be me. Hummphh” came the voice of another even bigger animal emerging dripping wet from the wallow. Is it really you, Princess Celestia?” “Yes, yes it is” she smiled broadly, “Can it truly be that I am in the presence of Chief Thundercharge, the legendary buffalo who led his herd on the only stampede that ever made the earth move?” “Hummphh, yes” he replied with a smile, and then added conspiratorially so only she could hear, “Although, between you and me, I think that earthquake happening at the same time helped build my reputation!” They both chuckled and Chief Thundercharge called to the fiercest braves who had come forward to gather around their Chief, ready to defend him if needed: “Stand down! This is a friend. You may go about your business and enjoy the wallow while the Princess and I catch up on old times. We will camp here tonight. Hummphh!” The braves went back to relay the message to the rest of the herd and some Buffalo came forward to enjoy the wallow, whilst others set about raising their tepees. Some of the younger ones, under the watchful eye of a pair of braves, went over to see the charioteers and offer them water. Celestia and Chief Thundercharge discussed family for hours as was buffalo tradition. He reeled off names of all the bulls and cows he had sired, recounting all of their individual strengths, be that courage in battle or accolades in buffalo performing arts. “And you, Princess Celestia, how many stallions and mares have you brought forth?” There was a silence, a brief pause while she reflected sadly on what would never be, before recovering to say, “I look after all off the little ponies in Equestria. Whilst I may not be their direct biological mother, I think of myself as spiritual mother to them all.” “Hummphh” he agreed, “Good answer.” “Now, Chief Thundercharge, the day is drawing to its close. Perhaps you would like to share with me a very special moment?” “It is not yet dark” he commented, “How then do you say that the day is drawing to a close?” “It is time for the sun to get some rest and the moon to look over us, wouldn’t you say?” Intrigued, he stood as Celestia rose to her hooves and pointed her horn towards the sun, drawing it down to the horizon. He walked softly up alongside her, keen not to break the magic unfolding before him. Now the sun was down, he could see clearly the yellow glow from his guest’s horn as it reached out to summon the moon and place it in the sky. Celestia powered down her magic and turned to her host, catching the look of awe that appeared to be frozen on his face. “You do this every night?” he asked. “Yes” she replied simply, “And every morning too.” “For the many moons we have known each other, I have never seen that.” “Few have. I only share it with those I consider the closest of friends.” There was silence for a moment before he asked, “You will be eating with us tonight, I trust?” “Yes” she replied, “If that pleases you. However, I bring you gifts from Equestria that you may like, if you will excuse me?” Chief Thundercharge nodded and Celestia walked slowly towards the little enclave where her four charioteers were entertaining the young buffalo, and those older ones who pretended to be guarding the young ones, but who were in practice just as keen to find out more about these ponies. Immediately, they all rose to their hooves in attention, but Celestia quickly stood them down. “Would one of you please fetch my valises from the chariot and bring them over to me with the Chief? Thank you.” All four prepared to run the errand, but the most senior pulled rank and stood his team down while he went to the chariot himself, returning with the large bags as requested and depositing them with the Princess. Celestia opened one and presented the contents to her host. The smell of fragrant herbs invaded his nostrils eliciting a pleasant gasp of surprise. “It is a mixture of special types of herbaceous grasses we know as blue gramma, sand dropseed and little bluestem” she explained, “I think you'll find they taste even better than they smell. Care to try?” “I … I have never smelled anything so tasty” he gasped, “May I?” “Of course. I brought them for you.” He took a tentative nibble, and his taste buds performed all manner of exotic dances in their delight, then he helped himself to some more, making the most gratifying sounds in his gastronomic enchantment. “Princess Celestia!” he exclaimed, “You must tell me where we can find such wonderful food!” “Well …” she began, knowing she was reeling him in, “We can’t grow much in Equestria because the land isn’t good enough, but it just so happens that the land here on the great plains is perfect. However, the plants will need constant attention from pony farmers to make then grow.” She was exaggerating just a bit, but considered such a gambit to be fair in negotiations where the future of her ponies was at stake. “We would be happy to grow them for you, but recognise that this is your land, so would need some kind of treaty to allow us to farm here. And whilst our farmers were here, we would like to grow food for our ponies too. Would such an arrangement be acceptable?” “Hummphh” he snorted, “Do you happen to have any more of those herbs with you?” “Yes, I do. I was wondering whether you might like to invite some of your family or other members of the tribe along to try them too?” “They are so good; it would not be honourable to withhold such treats from them.” Chief Thundercharge summoned his braves and arranged for the whole herd to come past and sample the delightful new herbs brought by the pony Princess. In response, Celestia opened her second, larger valise ready for the buffalo to try. Celestia and Chief Thundercharge stood back and watched the buffalo file past in turn, each trying a small sample as they went. The result was euphoric; all of them displaying the same ecstatic delight as they smelled and then tasted the herbs. “You have made treaties with my father, my father’s father and my father’s father’s father, and many before them too” said Chief Thundercharge, “I believe we can come to an honourable agreement.” “Some land in exchange for a regular tithe of herbs perhaps?” prompted Celestia, "Maybe in time we could come to sow some of the herbs across your land, if that is what you choose?" “I believe we can come to an honourable agreement” he repeated with a smile, “Now, do you happen to have any more herbs with you …?”