//------------------------------//
// Chapter the Tenth: Going Home 
// Story: Not Out Of The Woods Yet 
// by Kiernan 
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After a short nap for the boys, backup arrived, and the trio began making their way out of the forest. Hanzal carried with him some extra food, as it would be a long trek back to town. Not as long as the boys had been out here, but still decent in length. He also packed a waterproof tent, as it was supposed to rain tonight, and a camping stove to keep them warm. He wanted the trip back to be easy enough for the boys to handle.

Over the afternoon, Venny regaled Hanzal with the events that had transpired since their capture, to the best of his knowledge. From the prison to the river, from the waterfall to the wolf, and from the raft to the ranger station. 

"It sounds like you two have had a rough time out here," Hanzal replied, shaking his head. "I'm sure your parents are very worried."

"I'm sure they are," agreed Venny. "Perry and I think our dad might be out here looking for us. Mom's probably at home, waiting for us to come back."

"I'll be sure to send them a message when we come to town. Do you know your parents' names and address?"

Venny thought for a moment. "I don't know the address exactly, but it's on the outskirts of Ponyville, near the Everfree Forest."

"And their names?"

"Our dad's name is Kai. I think there's more to it, but I forgot. If you send the letter to Princess Luna, I'm sure she can tell him right away."

Hanzal stopped and looked back at Venny. "Princess Luna? I thought if you were going to ask me to contact one of the princesses, it would be Celestia. Why do you think Luna would be a better choice?"

"Because he works directly with Princess Luna," Venny shrugged. "He told me that if I was ever in need of help, I should ask Princess Luna, so that's who I want to ask."

Hanzal nodded and continued on. "He doesn't have bat wings, does he?"

Venny shook his head. "No, his wings are made of metal. Our uncle has bat wings, though."

It was about this time that the temperature took a sharp drop, meaning it was about to rain. Hanzal ushered the boys on a bit, wanting to reach a clearing quickly so they could set up their tent and pile inside for the night. They only just made it with enough time to set up their tent and bring in some larger logs for their stove. It was late in the day, and it was supposed to rain all night, so the environment was only going to grow colder. 

Hanzal shoved a few pieces of wood into the stove. "Don't worry, boys, I'll have this tent heated up in no time." He opened up his tinderbox, only just now realizing that he'd forgotten to make more charcloth. It was too damp now to go out and collect dried grass and leaves, so he had no tinder. He was about to mention this when Perry put his lips to the stove and ignited the wood inside with little effort. Hanzal had forgotten about Perry being able to do that, having only seen him sneeze the one time earlier that morning. "Oh, uh... Thanks for your help with that, Perry."

Before long, the fire was crackling nicely, and the tent was heating up. It was at this moment that Hanzal reached into his pack and produced a pint of pickled peppers. Popping the protective packaging, he split the contents with the boys. At first, they worried that these might be too spicy for them, but the peppers turned out to be very sweet, and quite tasty. When they were done, they curled up near the stove and went to sleep.





The next morning, they tore down their camp, emptying out the stove and putting everything away. It was freezing outside, so Hanzal let Venny ride on his shoulders to keep his hooves out of the frigid mud. Perry had been offered the same, but he refused. He had his own internal heater, and didn't need to be off the ground. Besides, he didn't want to impose any more than was necessary.

It was early afternoon when they finally reached the edge of the woods. As the trees gave way to a beautiful field of daffodils and dandelions, the boys looked up into the sky. While most ponies would be a bit miffed by the grey sky, Venny and Perry were glad to be out in the open again. In the distance, they could see a small town just across the river. The meager decorations on the rather plain buildings were a very welcoming sight.

By late afternoon, they were inside an actual building; a guard barracks to be precise. Hanzal sat with the boys while a physician looked them over for injuries. Perry was fine, but Venny would need to go on antibiotics. When Perry had inspected Venny for injuries after the slip into the waterfall, he'd missed one, and it had become infected. It was minor now, but it could be much worse if left untreated.

Hanzal had kept his word, sending a letter directly to Princess Luna, who responded immediately that their father was being redirected to their position. He returned to the boys, to find that some of the other off-duty guards had coaxed them into a card game. The name of the game was five card stud, and Perry seemed to be doing well. He'd picked the game up exceptionally quickly and was making quite a name for himself. Looking over his comrades' shoulders, Hanzal could tell that they weren't going easy on him, either. 

Late in the evening, just when Hanzal was about to put the boys to bed, A large, steel-blue unicorn stallion walked in. He had a black and white mane and tail, large metal wings, and sapphire blue eyes. As he tucked away his wings under his midnight blue cloak, it fell, revealing a large eye embroidered on the side in silver thread. Rather than an iris and pupil, inside the eye was a large Y. 

Hanzal approached the stallion, who was shaking the rain from his mane. "Is there something you needed, sir? The royal guards are here to help."

"I'm looking for Private Hanzal. I was told he would be here?"

Hanzal nodded. "I am Private Hanzal. How may I assist you?"

The stallion pulled out his identification. "Lieutenant Akaitora, Equestrian Royal Navy. I'm here to pick up my sons."