//------------------------------// // Chapter 61: Mending // Story: The Centurion Project // by TheEighthDayofNight //------------------------------// Elias coughed wetly as Book Binder applied another wet towel to his forehead. His armor largely sat in a bloody heap beside him, ignored as soon as it had unveiled the true extent of damage his body had taken. A dozen small wounds threatened to bleed him dry, and his adiutors had spared no time in getting him medical attention, especially with his continued coughing. He felt too hot, and his short bath in the water barrel Book Binder had stopped him at had only mildly helped. She had insisted he shouldn’t even try for the river in his state, and with how much support he needed, he hadn’t argued at the time, nor had he argued when she had led him to his current seat. So he was sat in the command tent, his upper half bare as Kind Heart stitched his worst cuts shut with her teeth. Like the other healers, her magic had long been exhausted treating the worst cases. Something she continued to admonish him for. “I mean look at this bruising!” Kind Heart snapped. “Along with the coughing, the bloody vomit; General, I can’t do anything for internal damage right now! I won’t be able to do anything for days! You should have had this treated immediately, but your stupid pride made you say something stupid like-” “I’ll survive,” Elias cut in. “I can last a couple days, besides, it’s not too b-” He hissed as Kind Heart pressed on the bruised half of his ribcage. Kind Heart dipped her muzzle into the warm bucket of water beside his chair, rinsing out her mouth. “Yeah, you’ll survive,” she growled as Book Binder readied more stitching thread. “But somepony is going to have to force you to take it easy. You have at minimum two broken ribs, but I can’t tell what else until my magic recharges.” She gently took the needle from Book Binder’s gloved hooves. Snowball braced Elias’ ribs, forcing the human to lean forward so that Kind Heart had easy access to his back. The pink unicorn braced the still-oozing arrow wound with her hooves and got to work, expertly stitching the wound closed with her teeth. She finished quickly, and spat out the bloody needle before returning to the bucket, again rinsing out her mouth. Book Binder began to reach out with a bandage, but Elias waved her away. “Save it, we may need it l-” “Put it on,” Kind Heart growled. “It’s one of the ones we already boiled, so this is already its second use.” She slipped under Elias’ face and snarled at him. “One more word out of you about treatment, and I strap you to a bed and let anypony who wants one get a cuddle, got it? The healing power of cuddles is medically recognized, and I can and will prescribe it as treatment.” Elias opened his mouth to make a snappy reply involving a court martial, only to hiss as Book Binder pressed the bandage against the wound before wrapping it tight. With entry wound already stitched and bandaged, the green unicorn let him sit up, and apologetic look on her face as he lightly massaged his aching shoulder. Kind Heart let out a sigh and pulled the gloves from her hooves, her eyes already looking down. “Alright, we’ll wrap the ribs last. Lose the underwear and shoes. No injury is too small to escape my attention…” “General!” Granite called, bolting into the tent. He paused momentarily to offer a slight bow to Celestia, who reclined on the pillow throne, alone save for a cup of tea and her snoozing “assistant”; the wounded Solar Guard, Wood Cutter. The earth pony cradled her treasured axe in her hooves as she slept, her hind leg twitching whenever the wound on her thigh itched. “What?” Elias grumbled as Kind Heart sensed he wasn’t about to remove his clothes. She began wrapping his ribs tight with torn linen as Granite spoke. “Three minotaurs approached our front gate. Their leader believes he’s here to retrieve our prisoner.” “That’s not technically untrue,” Elias noted. “If by “he” Stone Hoof means his guards. Still, once Healer Kind Heart is finished we’ll go strip him of weapons and let his lackeys take Stone Horn off our hands. It’ll save us some medical supplies if nothing else.” Celestia cleared her throat. “Actually General, I believe I was to be the one who greeted Elder Stone Hoof.” She smiled kindly at him, but was met with his usual frown. “And you will,” Elias said. “Once he’s been isolated from his warriors. I won’t have you exposed to danger for a moment, otherwise all of this suffering has been pointless.” “I believe I am more than capable of walking through a well guarded camp,” Celestia said, rising to her hooves. Wood Cutter snorted awake, rolling to her feet with her axe in her teeth. Finding no danger, the earth pony plopped onto her rump and yawned, blinking sleepily at everyone. Having no trust in the guardspony to follow his orders, Elias looked to Granite. “If Princess Celestia leaves the tent, it is only in full armor and with four guards minimum. She doesn’t leave this tent otherwise.” Gray Granite looked slightly nervous at the order, but he gave Elias a silent nod. Celestia’s happy look turned into a careful frown. “General, this is not-” “You ceded complete control to the generals of this army, and that means me, and me alone,” Elias said, interrupting the alicorn. “At least until someone else turns up at least. Fingers crossed Nightshade is busy getting healed up. I haven’t checked on her yet…” He frowned, his eyes flicking to Book Binder. “Remind me to visit the wounded. Strategist Shield and General Nightshade in particular.” Book Binder gave him a nod, moving to her saddlebags to make a note. Elias let out a hiss as Kind Heart gave his wrap a yank before tying the wrap around his ribs off. The unicorn felt over the bandages with a frown. “That should hold until we can get some dedicated scanning, and healing time. Just try to take it easy, alright?” “Fat chance of that,” Elias said, rocking to his feet. “But thank you for your help Healer.” “Yeah yeah, all part of the title,” she said, watching him carefully for any signs that he was about to collapse. His first step was unsteady, but the second, and then the third held some strength. As he walked from the tent, Elias shrugged his tunic back on, and Snowball, pinned to his side once more, passed him his sword belt. Book Binder was quick to pin herself to his other side, and Granite brought up the rear. They escorted him from the tent, but as the flaps fell away behind him, Elias nudged the pair away. Eyes were already on him, and bandages were enough of a visible weakness. He didn’t know if ponies could see the sweat beginning to stain the portions of his tunic tinted darker red by blood, nor could he tell if their flicking ears could hear his light panting. Elias clutched his sword belt in his left hand, unwilling to stretch his chest to strap the belt on. His other hand supported his broken ribs. A grimace hid the rest of his pain away, and with long, even steps, he merely looked like a man on a mission, with just the slightest evidence of injury. That’s what he hoped anyway. The quartet approached the front gate quickly, and Elias was happy to note that it, along with the main thoroughfare was finally lit with lanterns. It certainly made the camp look more cohesive from the outside. The pair of legionaries stepped to the side at his approach, parting their pila to show Stone Hoof waiting silently with two armored minotaurs at his back. The old bull couldn’t seem to help but sneer ever so slightly, and he crossed his arms. “So the mighty General Bright is not so invincible.” “Neither is Warchief Stone Horn,” Elias responded, letting out a sneer of his own while Stone Hoof’s fell. “I can see where he gets his arrogance from. Let’s see if you’re also stupid enough to talk bigger than you bite.” “I-…” What little energy Stone Hoof had fled and he bowed his head, clasping his hands before him. “Please forgive me General. You are right, arrogance has no place here, especially when your army is the victor.” He swallowed dryly and his eyes raised. “Is my son alive?” “He is,” Gray Granite answered. “A healer wrapped his wounds and left some spare bedding in his cell. He wasn’t using it last time I checked.” “And none of your warriors seek vengeance upon him?” Stone Hoof asked Elias. The human shrugged, suppressing a grunt as his shoulder pulled. “I’m not sure anyone knows that he’s here. A touch of good news to come from today is that he finally shut up after you surrendered.” Stone Hoof’s shoulders sagged. “I see. He is ashamed of me then. I understand.” The minotuar took a long breath and then straightened. “It doesn’t matter. I am Elder Stone Hoof of the Stone Crusher tribe, and I am here to fulfill my oath of yield.” He knelt, then spread his hands, palms up. His muzzle faced the ground as he continued. “I am your prisoner General Elias Bright of the Eagle. I am at your mercy, and ask only that you return my son to these warriors, that he may be healed by a shaman of a different tribe.” “And after that?” Elias asked. “Am I to expect another attack, or perhaps more insults to the princess we are all sworn to keep safe? What assurances am I to have that your word will be kept while you’re in my captivity?” “My son cannot challenge the orders I have given now that he has lost a battle in such a way,” Stone Hoof said, glancing up. “Your… strategies were most effective General Bright, and the scavengers snatched away most of our wounded bulls. The rest will remain with the families as protection, especially given the excuse of an order from a clan elder. Already the army separates, the tribes moving back to their roaming lands to recover. You can trust my word when I say that no further attacks will come from my son’s army. He has no army left.” Elias looked at the pair of armored bulls, who both looked sufficiently disheartened. Enough so to back Stone Hoof’s words at least. “And where will he go once he’s released?” Elias asked. “Home, or to the other warchief to bring a second army to bear?” Stone Hoof remained quiet for a moment too long, and Elias sneered down at him. “I guess that’s answer enough.” Stone Hoof let out a sigh. “I know that his mission will fail General Bright. His brother will not turn from his task, even hearing word of this army’s defeat. You do not need to fear another attack.” “It isn’t about fear. I just don’t want more pointless death,” Elias said. He felt a twinge of disgust at seeing the old bull still on his knees. “Get up.” When Stone Hoof hesitated, Elias reached over and yanked him up by his arm. “Up!” “It is tradition for the loser to-” “I don’t like people bowing to me, in any way,” Elias cut in as the bull stood. “There are few I’d like to see kneeling in the dirt and you aren’t one of them.” “And my son?” Elias snorted, a dark grin spreading across his face. “Best left unsaid what I’d like done to him.” Stone Hoof paled and took a step back from Elias, who’s smile slipped away. He hadn’t said anything that sinister, had he? “General?” Granite whispered. Elias looked to the pony to find him recoiling back in horror. Book Binder and Snowball were in a similar way, recoiling to either side of him. Warmth creeping down his face partially clued him in to why, and a cough that sent a healthy splatter of blood outward confirmed it. At some point, his nose had begun dripping a river of blood, and wiping at his cheek found his good eye performing the same trick. He imagined it was quite a horrifying sight, one red eye, the other a glowing blue. “I know a minor healing spell if you need aid General,” Stone Hoof offered. Elias snorted and tried wiping away the blood from his nose. The only result was painting his palm a lovely crimson. “I’m fine. In case anyone is forgetting, we just fought a battle. A little blood is perfectly normal.” He snorted again and smiled, spraying red down his tunic. “Scalpel probably just forgot to check for concussions since we were in a…” he paused, staring at his bloodied hand as his ears caught up with his tongue. “...rush.” His hand tightened into a fist, clenching away the anger felt at his stupid mistake. He banished all thoughts of the traitorous unicorn, and instead turned toward the camp. “Let’s get this over with Elder. I have too much to do tonight without standing around and gossiping like a pack of old hens.” His metaphor was weak, but he was beginning to sweat, and the blood dripping from his nose wasn’t exactly stopping. Still, his even paces away from the camp entrance brooked no argument, and Stone Hoof, as well as escort of ponies fell in around him. Each looked like they wanted to voice concern for his well-being, even the minotaur, but his scowl forced their worrying into silence. As they made their way through the castra, eyes followed one of two things; the tall minotaur that towered over even the resident taller-than-most-ponies human, or said human, who’s face was leaving a bloody trail through the camp. Gray Granite was forced more than once to ward ponies off, with two of the times forcing him to use a light measure of force to keep ponies from dragging Elias to the healing tent. As soon as the stockade came into view, Stone Hoof rushed forward, alarming the pair of legionaries stationed there. Elias waved them off as Stone Hoof peered between the hastily constructed wood slats of the “cell”. “Stone Horn?” he called. “Are you still alive?” The blanket covered lump that was Stone Horn rolled over just as Elias and the ponies caught up. The younger bull glared at his father. “I wish I wasn’t,” he rasped. “You stole my death from me.” “And gave you a life to live,” Stone Hoof replied. “Now get up. There are two warriors waiting to escort you to camp. Elder Curved Horn is waiting to treat your-” “I can’t walk you stupid cow!” Stone Horn spat. “That filthy coward rat human took my leg!” Elias grinned as the minotaur crawled into the torchlight, showing off the bloody wrappings keeping his stump closed. His snickers drew Stone Horn’s fury, and spittle flew. “You’ll die screaming, begging for a mercy I won’t show! I’ll make today look like the happiest day of your life! I’ll-” Elias glanced at Stone Hoof as the crippled minotaur continued to rant. “I’m sure you’re so proud.” Stone Hoof closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “I was. I hope to be again. Perhaps his brother will mellow him during our parting.” Stone Hoof’s horns glowed, and a blue light settled on Stone Horn. “Sleep,” the elder bull commanded. Stone Horn’s eyes glowed with the spell, and though he tried to resist with a few more mumbled words, he fell silent, drifting away to sleep in the dirt. Stone Hoof let out another sigh as his horns powered down. “Allow me to retrieve my warriors, so that they may carry him away.” “We’ll see about getting you a spare cot,” Elias said as a soft snore filled the air. “Centurion Granite?” “Yes General?” “Escort Elder Stone Hoof to Princess Celestia once his son is gone. Handling the diplomacy will keep her from meddling, or from seeing something horrifying.” Book Binder snorted. “You seem to forget General, she’s thousands of years old. She’s probably seen plenty.” “Evidently not enough,” Elias muttered. “It doesn’t matter. She’s waiting for a diplomatic event, and she’ll get one. I want a report on what’s said. Take care of it Centurion.” Granite gave Elias a nod before trotting toward the main gate, while Stone Hoof gave him a confused look. “I do not understand. You are who I surrendered to. It is with you, and only with you that I will treaty. That is how peace is conducted, between the warriors.” “And we can talk plenty once Celestia has her fill,” Elias said, wiping a bloody tear from his cheek. At least that was beginning to slow. “I’m not a big fan of the political process, but I won’t be some power hungry tyrant, usurping others just because I believe a different way works. The princesses have kept Equestria save for centuries, and will likely still do so after I’m dust. I won the moment, they win the game. Like them, hate them, doesn’t matter. They rule, I’m some alien that’s really good at killing. I’d probably collapse if we switched places.” Elias waved his hand dismissively. “Now go. You’ll probably like her terms far better than you’ll like any from me.” Stone Hoof continued to stare at him in disbelief. “But… it is the way.” “And so is charging headlong into battle like a pack of idiots,” Elias said, rolling his eyes. “So is raiding crappy little caravans for a handful of bits. My gryphon friend told me that gryphon blacksmithing is only rivaled by minotaurs, yet you sell your weapons to the lowest bidder and use them for stupid little squabbles when you could build a kingdom of your own right here.” His tone sharpened, while Stone Hoof’s confusion deepened. “We have no representative from the Keepers. What kingdom could we form against the alicorns, or the gryphon king?” “Whatever kingdom you’d be smart enough to build,” Elias spat. “It doesn’t need to be large, and it doesn’t need to conquer the world. It just needs to be self-sufficient, and strong enough to protect itself.” “General, it’s okay,” Snowball said. “It isn’t!” Elias snapped, turning on the loveling. “If these thick-headed cows had tried thinking things through, we wouldn’t even be here!” Elias motioned at the dark trees all around them. “These woods alone could build you a lumber empire that would make more bits in a year than anyone could raid in a lifetime. It’s not glorious, but neither is acting like glorified thugs, robbing everything with a pulse! I mean really, have the bulls could set up farms, while the other half chop down and replant trees. Boom, you have massive cities funded by selling the excess lumber to Equestria, or the zebra tribes, or whoever else.” His eyes flicked to Stone Hoof. “Suddenly the kingdom you want handed to you on a silver platter is built, and all you need to do is pick a way to rule it. Hell, use the same council you used to go to war. Tribes can still live separately, but meet up whenever a big decision needs to be made.” “It’s so stupidly easy!” Elias shouted. “If anyone just used the piece of meat between their ears…” He trailed off, his energy fading under a new burst of coughing. He rocked back on his heels, only remaining upright because Book Binder slipped behind him to provide balance. When the fit subsided, Elias was beyond tired, and he just shook his head, his thoughts floating about like a thick fog. He fought through the haze, staring at a very shaken looking Stone Hoof. “It doesn’t matter. Talk to Princess Celestia. She likes making plans, maybe she can fix you. I don’t care. I… I need to go visit...” “The wounded,” Snowball finished. “What a great idea. Centurion Granite is back anyway, so let’s go General.” The loveling began to herd him away as Gray Granite approached with the pair of disarmed minotaurs in tow. Elias didn’t fight the loveling’s pull, but after a few steps, he altered their direction. Snowball began to whine in protest, but Elias managed to grunt out; “One more place. Then you can fret over me all you like.” “Let’s make it quick then,” Snowball said. “Where are we going?” “To check on what remains of the Royal Guard,” Elias said. “Might as well deliver the worst of the news tonight so they can focus better tomorrow.” Snowball led him on without further word, letting the human save his breath. Finding the Royal Guard was easy, if not for the standard nature of the castra, then definitely by the sad nature of their block of tents. Fewer than a dozen were set up at odd intervals, and those were draped with bloody piles of armor and crimson-stained cleaning rags. Outside each were visually exhausted clumps of ponies. They were all silent, their eyes downcast, and it was painfully obvious why. Elias counted a little more than forty ponies, all bearing some minor wound or another. Seeing as they had begun the march with at least eight-hundred Royal Guards, the remnants were a sorry sight. The ponies didn’t acknowledge his presence as Snowball helped him limp to the center of their block. Gritting his teeth, Elias braced his ribs and did his best to straighten up as he spoke. “Who’s in charge here?” he asked. The directed words broke the ponies out of their stupor, and they looked among themselves. After a few moments of silence, a familiar stallion rose, his taller-than-usual frame seeing shrunken. He offered a faint grin to Elias. “I guess that’s me General. Lucky Swing is my junior. Also she seems… occupied.”” Elias nodded slowly. “Yeah, there’s a lot of that going around. I’m sure you all have heard…?” “About Chase? Yeah.” Storm Chaser rubbed at his eyes. “Heard you tried to get him out but he dove right back in. Nopony can blame him for that, and if there’s a way we have to go… that was the best ponies like us can hope for. The Royal Guard is for life after all.” Storm Chaser gave a single sniffle before rolling his shoulders and straightening. “But we’re not out General, and we can still fight.” His hoof shot up in a salute. “Captain Storm Chaser, at your-” Elias waved the stallion down. “None of that. We’re all too tired for formality, and you’re not going to be happy saluting me after I say what I have to.” He looked around at the other Royal Guards, who were watching him intently. Elias let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead. “Look, you all performed better than anyone could have expected, but I don’t need the formal counts to know that there aren’t enough of you to fill a full guard detail. Maybe once more of your ponies get out of the healing tent, but for now…” His hand dropped to his side and he looked Storm Chaser in the eye. “You all fought well. You did the right thing, you didn’t run, you fought and bled, and plenty of you died, but now your short of leadership, and quite simply, of bodies. What I am about to order, and yes, this is an order from the only remaining general in the whole army, is going to feel like a stain on your pride as a unit, and as individuals.” Storm Chaser’s eyes narrowed. “But…” “But,” Elias continued, “I’m folding you into my legion. Ours already had the lowest numbers aside from you, and we didn’t lose any officers. We can get you trained up in our style of fighting quickly. I already have to wrangle the Solar and Lunar guards. I need you in a place where you can do the most good under ponies I trust.” He scuffed the dirt with his foot. “I apologize if it feels like I’m demoting you; I know how prestigious it is to be in the Royal Guard, but I assure you-” “Stop,” Storm Chaser interrupted. Perhaps it was because he was tired, but Elias did pause without irritation, prepared to be berated for impugning on their honor. When he met Storm Chaser’s eyes, however, all he found was a smile. The pegasus chuckled at him. “Sweet Celestia General, you were going to give me a heart-attack for a second there. I thought you were benching us.” The other Royal Guards let out a collective chuckle, and they all slowly got to their hooves. Some moved toward their armor while Storm Chaser continued. “Let’s not beat around the bush General Bright. Before we got hammered by those dumb cows, we could see what your ponies were up to, and buck me was that scary.” “I’ll say,” one mare said, slipping her armor over her head. “You guys must’ve taken out a hundred bulls before they even left the trees, and when they got close and you threw those spears…” she shuddered and met Elias’ eye. “Remind me to never pick a fight with you.” “And besides, I’m gonna take a wild guess and assume that you were going to throw us under Ice Blossom?” Storm Chaser asked. Elias gave the pegasus a nod, and his smile brightened a hair. “Then we definitely don’t have any problems. I heard Chase’s little sister joined up with us before she joined up with you. It’s like moving from one Royal Guard to the next.” One of the now fully armored guards tapped Storm Chaser's shoulder, and the pegasus turned. With the mare’s help, he slid on his armor in a second, then turned back to Elias as he plopped on his helmet. “So respectfully General, quit bad mouthing your legion before we join up, ‘cause if you don’t, we’re going to have to beat some more sense into you.” He winked. “Or cuddle it in.” The Royal Guards shared another chuckle as Elias felt a touch of blush on his cheeks. “Quiet,” he grumbled. “Talk like that won’t be tolerated in my command.” Storm Chaser grinned. “Then I guess we’d better shape up, huh General?” He tapped his chest plate, and Elias watched as the black parts of the armor became silver. The other Royal Guardsponies mirrored the action, and within a few seconds, they all bore silver and red. Though the accents were different than standard legion armor, and though the Royal Guardsponies still all had plumes, Elias quite liked the look on them. He smiled tiredly. “That’ll do Guardsponies. We’ll get you back to black and red once more of yours are healed up, but for now… Get your site and selves cleaned up, then get something to eat. Tell Centurion Ice Blossom you fall under her command, but that I want half of every princess guarding detail made up of some of yours. Also tell her to send a few of you to guard and help around the healing tent. Let’s get ponies better, yeah?” The guardsponies snapped to and saluted. “Yes General!” they called. Elias smiled, then hissed as pain lanced through his ribs. Storm Chaser was at his side within a second, helping Snowball keep him upright. The tall blue pegasus smiled and he shepherded the human away as the Royal Guards began cleaning up their area. “Let’s start with you General.” Too tired to fight, Elias nodded and rasped; “Let’s do that.” ***** “There he goes,” Lionheart muttered, his eyes and horn glowing. He watched the slimy human and his false-changeling crony slip into the healing tent, no doubt to inspire more insurrection among the commoners. Already the Royal Guards had shamed themselves, with their remaining captain already dressed in the human’s colors as he trotted away. Lionheart knew why the princesses had sided with the beast of course, they were powerless, and he hadn’t been careful to assure that the human had fallen. So they were stuck behind the monster, kept prisoners by the savagery that had helped him survive the day. It was an abhorrent, unnatural thing, and he wouldn’t stand for it. “What are you doing?” Shattered Shield hissed. “You’re going to get us in more trouble!” Lionheart ignored the unicorn behind him, focused harder on his spell so that he could pierce the walls of the medical tent as well. Rows of bloodied ponies slowly came into view, and he tracked the human as he was walked past them. Blood fell from his mouth, and he saw one of the healers begin setting up an IV bag. Interesting… He hissed as Shattered Shield shoved him from his bed. His spell sputtered away as he rolled over and faced off against the unicorn. “What are you doing?” he growled. “I said stop!” Shattered Shield spat. “We’re already going to be disgraced when we get back to Canterlot because we listened to your stupid plan! Now you want to make it worse? The guards said no magic!” “I don’t care what those low-born rats say,” Lionheart said. “And I won’t let that filthy monkey drag my name through the dirt.” His horn crackled with deadly light as he stomped closer to Shattered Shield, forcing the pony to cower away. “Nor will I let you get in my way from fixing things. Are we clear?” “T-they sided with him…” Shattered Shield whimpered. “They are surrounded by the monkey and the idiot soldiers under his command,” Lionheart said, pressing his horn in Shattered Shield’s face. “Now, are we clear?” The unicorn whimpered as sparks danced across his fur, and he nodded. “Y-yes Duke Lionheart. We’re clear.” Lionheart powered down his horn and smiled, patting the unicorn on the head. “Good. Stay beside me Shattered Shield. I will not allow us to fall into the dark because of a murderous little monkey. You’d do well to remember that I am our only hope out of this mess.” He turned, leaving the other sniffling unicorn on the floor of their tent. ***** Elias flopped into the chair at Scarlet’s bedside, and immediately felt his eyes begin to drift closed. A hoof slapped his cheek lightly. “Uh uh,” Kind Heart said softly. “Eyes open General. You’re not allowed to pass out until we get some fluids in you.” Elias moaned softly, but opened his eyes, glaring at his first target, which was unfortunately a rather sweet scene. Bloody Bandage sat at Scarlet’s bedside, rubbing one of the few feathery patches left on his broken wing with one hoof, while the other held up a book in the shielded lamplight. The unicorn’s horn sputtered slightly as she looked the human’s way, offering him a tired smile. “You can join us if you’d like General. Strategist Shield here was showing signs of a concussion, so he’s not allowed to sleep tonight.” Scarlet rolled ever so slightly, and he smiled at Elias. “Back again? I’ve got room in my bed if you want.” Elias waved him down before the pegasus could begin scooting over. “I’m fine Strategist. I don’t intend to be here long-” He choked as Kind Heart touched her hooves to his ribs. His lungs clenched up, and blackness consumed his vision for a few moments. Eventually he was able to gasp in some air again, prompting a blood-filled hacking fit. “It’s clearly internal damage, but I can’t do anything without my magic,” Kind Heart said with a sigh. “What do you think Healer? I say give him as much fluids as he can take until somepony with a working horn can give us an actual diagnosis.” Bloody Bandage nodded slowly. “That’s really all we can do right now. Try to avoid giving him blood right now though. Just because he didn’t die from receiving pony blood infusions before doesn’t mean we need to test our luck. Otherwise, just leave him with me. I’ll make sure he stays awake for awhile while we pump him up.” Elias let out a soft groan and stared at the ceiling. “This all really isn’t necessary, I-” Kind Heart began unpackaging a needle, while Snowball dragged over a bucket of water and a towel. After a quick cleaning a needle found its way into his arm, and an IV bag hanged from the stand beside him. Scarlet chuckled and flopped back down, completely facing Bloody Bandage. “Go on, the next part is great!” he whispered. The unicorn sighed and flipped forward a few pages. “Are you sure? This stuff doesn’t seem that entertaining…” “What are you reading?” Elias mumbled, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. Snowball nudged his knee silently, offering a canteen of water. Elias accepted it and sipped as Bloody Bandage answered. “Scarlet Shield’s Drafted History of Human Warfare and Tactics, as Detailed by the Human; Elias Bright.” The unicorn rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “You’d think this would be more action packed, but honestly, it just sounds like lots of talking about supplies and walking.” Elias snorted. “What do you think planning this march was like? If not for all that talking about supplies, we would have run dry of medical supplies far faster than we would have run out of magic.” His eyes shifted toward Scarlet, who was pointedly remaining on his side. “That being said, since when did you start writing a book Scarlet? I thought you were just taking notes for personal use.” “I was!” the pegasus said. “There was just so much that I couldn’t help but start organizing it into an actual book. Can you imagine if I got this published? You’d be known as one of the best strategists ever!” His hooves milled slightly on the bed in excitement. “Especially with the additions I have to put in from today. Now that I’ve seen how some of these formations work in real life, I can describe them properly so that in the future, we can train to make them more efficient! Can you imagine enemies being so afraid of advanced tactics that they never even charge? With all of your advancements in ranged warfare, we’d never lose another pony!” Elias didn’t have it in his heart to tell the crimson pegasus how wrong he was, even if his heart was in the right place. War bred innovation, and even as they improved, so too would those they fought. Bloody Bandage pressed Scarlet’s muzzle with a hoof, and though her words were reprimanding, her smile was anything but. “Quiet you, ponies are trying to sleep.” “Sorry,” Scarlet said with a soft squeak. “There’s just so much possibility! As soon as someone is free, I want to get this stuff written down. There’s so much we can learn from today, and I don’t want any of it wasted.” Elias leaned back and yawned, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. Cracking his bad eye open found Snowball still standing there, an unspoken question in his tail waggle. Elias sighed and re-closed the eye. “If I fall asleep and die because you’re too warm, you’re under orders to inform Adiutor Binder and First Centurion Night Flash personally, so that they can bludgeon you to death.” “Or I disguise myself as you and take your place, playing into their cuddly intentions until the end of my days,” Snowball teased. His body disappeared in a whirl of blue flame… only to appear exactly the same. The loveling looked down at himself and grunted in surprise. “Huh. That’s odd.” “Oh let me guess,” Elias said. “You can’t change into me because I don’t have enough magic for you to mimic?” “Very good General!” Snowball praised. “I had no idea you were so well versed in loveling physiology!” Elias’ bad eye cracked open again and he glared at the loveling. “I’m not, I just thought of the dumbest reason possible and said it. It’s not my fault magic makes no sense.” Snowball scoffed and crawled into the human’s lap, reaching out to drag his good hand onto his head. The loveling purred as Elias began scratching softly between his ears. “Mmm, maybe it just doesn’t make sense from the outside looking in, but trust me, magic works just fine…” Elias sighed and glanced toward Bloody Bandage. “Have anything else to read? Hearing my own lectures repeated back to me is going to put me to sleep faster than anything.” Bloody Bandage pumped her hoof slightly and dropped Scarlet’s book, quickly diving into the saddlebags at her hooves. “Let’s see, Scarlet has a few more Equestrian history books here, or we have Daring Do!” Her head poked back out. “I’ve heard rumor about how much you like Daring Do, General.” “Are you going to do all the voices?” Elias asked. Bloody Bandage cocked her head. “Voices?” “History books it is,” Elias said. “Hopefully Scarlet didn’t pick something boring.” He leaned back and faced away from the unicorn as she drew out a thick history book. The tent was fairly dark, and Snowball was beginning to doze, so it was easy to hide his intentions and fall into a dreamless sleep.