//------------------------------// // Rest // Story: The Young Warrior // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Thorax saw the throne room materialize after the flash. He reached and pulled Pharynx into his hooves, the injured changeling now shivering even harder as his body struggled to adapt to the sudden change in temperature. Thorax looked up and saw the two unicorns from before waiting with the royal baby. “Thorax?” Cadence approached “Let me take Pharynx, we’ll get him to a guest room so he can rest.” “A-A guest room? Are you sure? I know we’d be okay in a servant’s room…” “No. You’re staying in a guest room while your brother recovers. We’ll discuss future arrangements after that.” Cadence replied firmly, lighting her horn and lifting Pharynx. “Ph-Pharynx!” Apex cried, and Thorax held him back. “It’s alright, they’re going to help him.” Thorax explained. “Come on then.” Shining said “Alright… come on, Apex-discipulus.” Thorax said, and the little nymph followed him obediently. “Apex-what?” Twilight asked, noticing the addition to his name. “It is his rank. We use words from the ancient changeling tongue to signify rank. Apex is Apex-discipulus, an apprentice. Pharynx is Pharynx-dominus, because he used to be the head warrior drone.” “But if you’re no longer living among the other changelings, why use the ranks?” They were walking down a hall now, the unicorns following with the baby. Thorax picked up Apex to carry him and make sure he didn’t wander off. “Pharynx insisted on continuing Apex’s training, when we thought we’d be living in the wild. And when you call someone of lower rank by their full title, they must listen to you. Calling someone of higher rank by their full title is a sign of respect. It’s also a way of calling their attention to you, emergency or not.” Thorax explained Twilight nodded in understanding. Thorax kept talking, realizing that everyone was listening. “Though… I think since leaving the Hive, that Pharynx himself has only used Apex’s rank once or twice, when he used to call him by it all the time. We’ve all been leaving behind parts of what we learned was natural… like stealing love.” Thorax sighed. “I don’t think any of us have had proper love meals since we left. A good thing, obviously, but I wasn’t sure how long we’d last.” They entered a room with lavish furnishings, including a luxurious bed, a far cry from the nest Thorax had shared with Pharynx back in the Hive. Cadence laid Pharynx wound-up on the bed, pulling back the covers to half-cover him. “I’ll call for one of our more sensible doctors to come look at him. We don’t want a panic starting when they arrive and see him.” Shining remarked, giving a half smile to show he was trying to lighten the mood. As Shining left, Twilight looked over at Thorax, who had a foreleg around Apex to keep him from trying to get to Pharynx. “So… what’s your rank?” she asked suddenly. Thorax grew silent. “...I don’t have one.” “But you said you were Pharynx’s advisor.” “In a sense. But it’s not an official position. I was most widely known as ‘The Rankless One’. Many changelings used to say that he only made me his advisor simply because he felt sorry for his weakling brother. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some truth to it…” “Nu-uh Pater-Thorax. Pharynx loves you, he sai’ so. He sai’ he thinks you’re a cap’ble warrior an’ a good brother.” Apex spoke “He was delirious at the time Apex…” “Bu’ he sai’ i’ ‘gain. When you were gone, he was talking in his sleep an’ he sai’ tha’ stuff.” Thorax didn’t respond to this, instead going to his brother and standing beside him. Cadence trotted over, Apex following behind the alicorn. “I’m sorry there’s only one bed. The couch in the room is just as comfortable…” “It’s alright. Pharynx and I shared a nest back in the Hive, and one night, Apex joined us. We also would usually sleep close to each other while traveling, for protection and warmth. We’ll be comfortable sharing this bed.” Thorax explained. “Alright then.” “Wait a minute. Apex called you Pater-Thorax before. I thought you said you didn’t have a rank.” the unicorn stallion said suddenly, adjusting his glasses. “I don’t. Apex is the only one who calls me that, a proper title usually has the rank as the second part of the name. I helped him come up with that nickname.” “I fel’ bad Pater-Thorax didn’ have a name so he s’gested Pater. He sai’ i’ means friend.” Thorax visibly winced, and Twilight noticed this. “Thorax?” Twilight asked, and he looked away from them. “Y-Yeah… ‘Pater’ means friend…” Cadence took note of his hesitation, as well as the nymph’s trusting gaze. It was clear she wouldn’t let this slide for long. She glanced at Twilight and the unicorns. “I’m sure you three would like to talk to Thorax about his home, but let’s allow him to rest for a while.” “But we need to head back to Ponyville soon.” Thorax’s head jerked up. “You live there?” “Yes…?” “Is the fighting still going on?” “No, it ended in a stalemate shortly after the summit in Canterlot twelve months ago.” “Then… Pharynx must have left with us a few days before at most.” Twilight processed this new information, before turning back to Cadence. She opened her mouth to speak, but Cadence preempted her. “I know you’re curious, Twilight, but give them some time.” “Well… if you could maybe send me letters containing the information they tell you?” “Of course.” Cadence smiled, then beckoned with her wing for them to leave. “Why don’t you and Starlight spend some time with Sunburst? You do have to leave soon.” They all nodded before heading out of the room. Cadence took Flurry Heart, the royal foal, from the stallion before they left. She then turned to Thorax and Apex. “Now, I assume you’re hungry?” “Mhm!” Apex jumped a little Cadence giggled and reached, nuzzling him. “Well, I’ll go down to the kitchens, okay? I’ll see if I can get some food you two would like.” “Thank you… the love you’d share by doing so would also help…” Thorax added shyly, picking up Apex. “Changelings can eat regular food, but we also must fill our love reserves to gain more energy and strength.” “I see. Well, I’ll have you three well-fed in no time. Why don’t you rest for now?” Cadence suggested Thorax nodded and laid down beside Pharynx. Apex jumped up onto the bed and crawled over, laying between Thorax and Pharynx. Cadence watched as Thorax pulled Apex closer and pressed against Pharynx. She smiled and cradled her daughter, watching them for a moment before leaving to find the promised food.