Rising’s eyelids flickered as she opened her eyes. Her mouth was dry, her limbs were numb and the world was nothing but a blur of colours and blinding lights. Grunting in pain she closed her eyes again and tried to speak “water” she croaked trying to speak with her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. She flicked her ears around listing for anypony around; it was completely quiet, eerily so considering it was supposed to be a village full of ponies. She wanted to open her eyes and look at her surroundings but she didn't trust her other senses, her eyes simply blurred objects and she could feel her one of her legs sweating, the other two shivering and her last one she couldn't feel at all. Mystified but not nearly enough to warrant fear she cautiously opened one eye and tried to look around her. Her vision was blurry at best but at least the light didn't burn her eyes quite as much as before and now she recognised the room she was in, yes it was the same room as when they arrived in Durning’s village. She couldn't remember the place’s name or if it even had one for that matter but her location never mattered to her that much when she didn't know where Shadow was. Her limbs where unresponsive and for that matter she could barely do more than croak and look around the room she was in how did this happen she wondered to herself trying to recall some of the details from the previous day.
Her gaze drifted toward the hard wooden floor her head lay on and the small puddle of drool that was gathered around her mouth lovely she thought rolling her eyes when something else caught her attention. It was just in front of her, a single black coloured nail with six red marks stemming from its centre radiating to at different angles a sun dial she concluded looking at the lines themselves. The closest one where the shadow of the sun was nearly touching was marked with the short-hoof symbol for water she used when making maps for the areas she visited. She feeling a wave of nausea passing over she blinked once and saw shadow jump so close to the line that it was almost touching thirteen minutes, but how? She wondered blinking again to clear her eyes, if she was seeing things hopefully shutting her eyes would clear them up. As she opened her eyes a wooden bowl filled with water had materialised in front of her and the shadow of the day had passed well over the marked line. A coded care schedule and means of telling the time, well done Shadow she though happily, before whining in fear. Every time she shut her eyes she was passing out or falling asleep, she was so delirious and weak she was now becoming delusional, she had her son caring for her every whim and for once she was utterly dependant on him. The words of Riverstone crossed her mind telling her to get up, telling her to not be utterly dependant on her own son. She tried moving her legs again and winced as pain flooded from around her body as the numbness receded. She gave up not even having moved an inch and stared accusingly at the bowl of water in front of her and tried to lick her lips.
Surprisingly her tongue moved without opposition, as did her jaw to some extent. Rather than marvel on how she avoided succumbing to the infamous locked jaw that sometimes came with open wounds she graciously lapped at the water in front of her making sure to not spill a drop and defiantly keeping her eyes open while doing so. The last thing she wanted to do was fall asleep and knock over her only source of sustenance. The shadow moved slowly across the floor and she felt weary again, her thirst out weighed her aching jaw though and she fought to keep her eyes fixated on the water in front of her and keep the tasteless liquid flowing. When she saw none remained she relaxed her muscles and closed one eye leaving the other on the miniature sun dial; tracking the slowly shifting shadow as it moved closer to the next red line with the inscription of ‘flower’ next to it.
Shadow looked at the field of flowers in utter contempt as he picked another group of herbs and placed them into the pouch he carried on his left side to disguise and clear the mud and moss stains he acquired falling down the hill he was collecting flowers from. The forest was a naturally dangerous place and regarded as pure wilderness for the majority of ponies in the village, the guards didn’t bother asking him where he was going through and unsurprisingly not one pony batted an eye as he stepped beyond the tree line. His tears were still fresh from last night and the fact that nopony followed him here was more of a comfort than anything regardless of the countless eyes of animals that watched him with malicious intent.
His ears pricked as he heard the sound of a twig cracking and nonchalantly turned his head toward the disturbance and saw the filly Red Thread looking at him with eyes wide in surprise. He turned back to picking the flowers from the field ignoring her and the rest of the forest’s sounds entirely. While he would normally fear for his life in such a situation right now he felt empty and depressed as he had the entire way through the woods and small town. Ever since he woke up and began tending to his unconscious mother he felt nothing but emptiness stalk him, ponies treated him as a ghost when he walked around them occasionally bumping into him. Few would have the courage to berate him knowing he was now an ‘imminent orphan’ or so he told himself. As he picked flowers Red walked over to him trying to think of something to say to make him feel better, she found no words though as she saw him carefully choosing flowers as if for a grave.
A minute of deliberation and him continuously picking a mix of herbs and flowers she finally settled on something she could tell him “I came here to apologise for my sisters”. He nodded placing another plant into his small bag “I forgive you” he said walking away to find more poppies “no they were really being mean and they just met you, they really shouldn't do that to ponies you just came into town” she followed him trying to push her fears of the forest away as she walked behind him. But the countless tales of poisonous plants and evil animals cashing her farther from his early flax fields kept returning to mind as she trudged along timidly looking around “you did nothing to me you need not apologise on their behalf”. Her usual smile had long since gone after seeing Shadow walk off in a huff after her sisters made their usual fun of her then immediately went to him, her smile disappeared entirely to a frown when she saw him running though the town centre literally crying for help to almost no avail “is your mom okay” she asked nervously letting her fear of the forest get the better of her.
Rather than answer Shadow stopped in his tracks momentarily and stared at the forest before him, his brain was avoiding the question all morning, even when he visited her to deliver water or change her bedding “I don’t know” he said letting a tear run down his face. Red wordlessly for once hugged him letting the colt drop his head in defeat, she couldn't imagine how she could cope if her family suddenly disappeared no matter how badly some of them treated her sometimes. Shadow didn't bother tensing or moving as he felt her fore hooves grab his neck, he was beyond caring about anything at his point except trying to keep Rising Dawn alive. He slowly shook his head letting the tear land among the foliage “there is no use crying about things you can fix he” he said gently pushing her off him “Rising Dawn will not die because I stood around crying”. Red felt her heart skip a beat; his mom wasn't dead! He was not collecting flowers for a grave he was doing some strange ritual to make her better. She was about to speak when another voice caught her attention “I” the low male voice spoke “I could help”. They both turned to see Grinding Stone walk out from a nearby bush, not daring to make eye contact with either one of them.
“What are you doing here” Red Thread snarled at the purple colt as he approached. She had heard of the dispute when Grinding stone and three other older colts beat Shadow to a pulp yesterday from another filly who was watching the entire event. She was going to tell the guards what transpired only to find that responsible colts had already been confronted by the prior victim and a band of heavily armed and angry scavengers. They each slept sorely after being beaten by the Shadow himself or their fathers when they found a large group of ponies demanding they punish them for theft. Grinding Stone was the only one who left untouched and after encountering Shadow and allegedly being let off free. As the colt entered Shadow’s striking range Red seriously doubted that he would leave this forest without new bruises after attacking her friend, the question in her mind was who would hit him first.
“I came here to help Shadow” he said looking apologetically at the dark colt “why should we believe you” she inquired causing the colt to cower slightly but still somehow remain standing “we heard what happened to your mom” the colt started “whose we, do you have some pony else with you?” Shadow looked around after hearing Red’s accusation, scanning the area for any movement “I came here alone I swear” the colt raised his fore hooves to defend himself hoping that Red Thread would stay as one of the few ponies in town who hadn't hit him “my dad was the one who ran into the woods to get find some plants that were supposed to help her”. Shadow’s eyes shot back from a nearby tree into meet Stone's “your farther came out here” he said venomously “y-yes” the other colt stammered meeting Shadow’s gaze nervously. For a solid minute Shadow neither blinked nor spoke as Stone slowly shrunk under his stare, he should by every honour code he knew return the beating given to him at the hooves of the small colt “I forgive you”.
“What” replied both Stone and Red almost simultaneously as Shadow simply undid the strap holding his bag and threw it around Stone’s neck “if you want to help carry this and follow me” the colt blinked in confusion but trudged along after Shadow as he walked to a nearby tree. Red stood her ground with her mouth hanging open, more surprised than upset at his reaction, Shadow the lean mean and antisocial Shadow she talked with yesterday scratch that talked to she thought, just let Grinding stone get away with causing him so much pain. As she followed Shadow to a nearby tree she never took her eyes off the Indigo colt carrying his saddlebag, he may have gotten forgiveness from him but if somepony hurt her friends she would be keeping an eye on him. Shadow stopped at the base of the tree looking up at the fruit hanging there, typically plants grown nearby earth ponies tended to have thinner limbs and larger fruit than average plants which made collecting the fruit far easier if you could simply kick the tree and gather the fallen fruit.
Wild trees like this one however where huge with thick branches and small fruit that was almost impossible to harvest by bucking it, the fruit however where roughly the same size as crab apples that grew where he lived for a while and due to the thin trunks the farmers had invented a new way to harvest the fruit without damaging the tree. He looked around the high branches and made some rough estimates "wait here and get ready to catch would you" he said as he coiled his hind legs and offered a quick prayer to prevent injury and if need be have one of his companions break his fall. Red walked beside the colt as he bent his back legs and fixated his gaze on the lowest of branches “you’re not thinking of-” he leapt toward the lowest limb he could find and sunk he teeth into it. Without hesitating he let go and hooked both of his fore-hooves over the tree and dangled in mid-air as the branch creaked under his weight “get ready to catch me” he said anxiously hanging three feet from the ground trying to pull himself to up and onto the branch.
Once he was safely suspended over the ground he turned back to his two slack jawed companions “is there a problem” he said jovially unable to keep a straight face at their reaction. Red recovered faster than Stone did and punched him “ow, what was that for” he whined rubbing his side “just making sure I'm not dreaming” she replied smugly “don’t fight” Shadow hissed suppressing the urge to shout at them “why” Red challenged “for starters we’re in a forest full of hungry predators” Red closed her mouth and nervously looked around for the aforementioned pony eating monsters. Satisfied that they wouldn't attract any attention while he was safely in a tree the colt began to cautiously walk over the branches of the tree looking for fruit to pass down to the awaiting collectors.
"Where did you learn to climb trees" Red asked trying to occupy her mind on something other than thinking how they were going to be ambushed "experience" he replied smiling slightly "I can't run very fast but not many beasts look up when they rely on their noses so much so you can hide from them as long as you can disguise your scent". She watched him as he elegantly walked to the very end of his tree branch and carefully dropped a hanging piece of fruit onto Stone's head "sorry" he muttered as he continued looking for fruit. Stone rubbed his head and put the offending apple into his bag without a word "is that why you're up there now" she asked still looking around nervously "there is enough room up here for all of us and this is the fastest way I know to get fruit" he replied dropping another apple down to Stone's waiting hooves "wouldn't it just be easier to buck the apples down" Red inquired looking at the thickness of the tree's trunk "even with us all kicking barely any would fall and even if some did the ripe ones would get damaged, this way I can pick the best fruit and pull you two up if we anything bad comes along".
Hearing no more questions Shadow returned to his work dropping several more apples down to Stone. He was making good time and if he kept going at this rate he could probably find some oranges before having to return home as long as he kept focused "um Shadow if you don't mind me asking what is it like living on the road". He tapped his chin in thought before answering Stone "scenic as long as you know what you should be looking at" he replied cryptically releasing another apple directly over Grinding's head "but what about the beasties" he asked deftly catching the fruit while timidly looking at Red who just rolled her eyes "you learn to deal with them" he replied. Red looked up at the colt in the tree, he was happier here in his seemingly natural element, normally she could barely get a word out of him but somehow up a tree he was actually answering questions from the traitors colt. Shadow was one cautious step from another branch when a high pitched wail swept though the forest, he fell but by sheer serendipity he tumbled toward another branch grabbing it firmly with one hoof "get up here" he whispered sternly grabbing hold of the branch with another hoof. Red tried to jump up, just missing the branch "grab my hoof" Shadow whispered nervously jumping to the lowest branch and extending a hind leg. Pulling Red Thread reluctantly into the tree Shadow saw Stone try to jump and barely leave the ground "leave the bag and jump up, come on" he whispered gritting his teeth as Rising's best and perhaps last chance was carefully placed at the base of the tree.
Secure in the tree Shadow hugged both of them and put his back against the tree to keep balance. His ears flicked back and forth trying to find the source of the screech, he knew that they would have little hope if the airborne predator was nearby and listening for the sound of wings only made him jumpy, but there was little else to distract him aside from the pounding in his chest. Tense minutes passed hours until Shadow delicately moved away from the quaking pair and looked around, hiding he could handle in any situation other than today, he could wait hours maybe even more than a day in a fruit tree such as this. Time was not a luxury he could afford though with his mother sick, he felt something grab him from behind sending a jolt of fear run though his entire body. Fighting the urge to lash out he whipped his head around to see the wide eyes of Red Thread slowly shaking her head, he shoved her hoof off his head and put his own over his lips uttering a near silent "shh" as he climbed up and silently looked around the skies, he would not risk Rising's desperately needed meal of crushed fruits.
And at the same time he could not bring himself to leave the two ponies who followed him here alone in the woods, he knew Rising was in very mortal danger, he knew that she was his only family left alive and he knew that the contents of the bag where her best and last chance. And yet he didn't want to just bolt and leave them behind "I'm sure other children do this a lot" muttered to himself as he climbed to the very top of the tree and peaked out at the clear skies above seeing nothing but forest and blue skies below and above. He let go of the breath he held and just as quickly filled his lungs “we should be clear now” he called “are you sure” Red called back “trust me you can let go of the tree now” he smirked making taking a last look at the sky to make sure neither of them suspected that he could see them huddled together though rows of leaves and branches. He was about to climb down when his thoughts caught up with him. He was relieved. He was used to feeling calm when it came to forests even without his mother there to protect him he knew the animals there like the back of his hoof and not even the deadliest of animals scared him when there was a safe place to hide any more. His mother was hurt though and he just sacrificed some of his precious picking fruit time to keep a pair of ponies he despised only yesterday safe. And he was glad they were safe when Rising Dawn wasn't. That scared him. Or more accurately it should, he couldn't hear his heart pounding in his chest or the creeping feeling of failure in the back of his mind, he felt calm “you alright Shadow” Stone shouted.
“I am fine Stone” he answered putting one hoof in front of the other while still confused about his feelings. Thankfully Stone caught on to his defeated tone and stayed quiet as the colt lowered them to them both to the ground “Shadow” Red asked poking his side “yes”. She took a deep breath before answering “what in the name of all that is holy was that” she exclaimed “not so loud” Stone said looking nervously around for the gryphon that cried out to them minutes ago “shut it Grinding”.
“Please don’t argue” Shadow said softly “No, no way. First you let this, this meanie here of the hook and then you lead us all up a tree and leave us there while you go looking for a gryphon” he looked at her with pleading eyes as she paused to catch her breath “what is the matter with you Shadow do you really hate us so much that you drag us out here to scare us that bad, I apologised for my sisters you should be mad at this bastard for beating you up”.
“Shut up” he said gritting his teeth at her “I don’t Stone because he didn't have a choice at all yesterday, when you have been beaten a hundred times and then some pony offers a chance to end it all how quickly would you jump” he shouted prodding her “you sure as Tuataras didn't just bring me to your sisters to say hello you wanted to brag to your elders” Red looked at him fearfully as he stood head fast in front of her “ I'm right aren't I” she looked away unable to answer.
He snorted in disgust “do you know the first thing I did when I found Grinding? I grabbed his neck and threw him away just after he apologised”. Red looked back at the colt and saw his expression change completely “It’s not difficult to see he had history with those colts and only a fool would miss the signs that he didn't want to be the victim for the millionth time. And no normal pony would beat a puppet on strings” he turned away from both Red and Grinding and began to walk to his backpack
“After I crawled back home all I could think about was getting revenge, and when my mother was in trouble all I did was run through the door on some foolish revenge quest” he collapsed in front of his small bag cradling it “I could have helped her and all I did was hunt down three colts for petty vengeance”. He wiped a tear from his muzzle letting the droplet fall to the ground “When I finally got home everything became a blur, momma needed me and I had left her, the anger inside me had left me and then ponies started to leave us, the only one that tried to help was your dad” Red looked toward Stone who was trying standing statue still absorbing every word that Shadow said. He decided to hide for the rest of the evening and the weight of choosing to attack Shadow had tripled “I don’t want to be angry, being mad just makes things worse. So I’m sorry I left you two alone in that tree but I promised nopony else would die because of me and I need to keep that promise” he quickly hauled the saddlebag onto his back and turned to around to face Red.
“Hate me if you want to or help me if you can but don’t take it out on anypony else when it’s my fault” his eyes were still red as evidence of crying accompanied by fresh tears stains down his face “I have to help Rising now and I do not have long please follow me back”. Red felt her chest ache; she often heard sad stories from the children of merchants that she quickly befriended that would often tell tales of entire villages flooded because they refused to pay tribute to the Pegasus clan or sometimes weeks on the road looking for a home. And as if to add insult to injury she called him a bastard. She slowly stood up and looked at Grinding Stone who was making his own way to them.Shadow waited until she was standing and checked to see Stone following him, he shot him a weak grin and headed off with both of them in tow “I believe I owe you an apology Red whispered in Stone’s ear “do you think she’s going to make it” Stone asked with a quivering lip “if I hadn't gone near him do you think that…” she swatted his side with her tail without breaking stride “oh no if somepony is to blame for this its those bullies”.
“But still if I said no do you think Shadow would not hate me” Red sighed walking closer toward the distraught colt “you two would be the best of friends” she said honestly as the sight of the palisade wall came into sight. As Shadow walked toward the inn he felt a hoof tap his shoulder “I have to have a talk with Stone here will you be alright” he nodded once and she immediately turned away “thank you for listening” he called “come around later if you still need a help” she called back “same goes for me” Stone added surprising both of them. Shadow allowed himself a small smile at the colt’s tiny outburst, he didn't seem like pony who yelled much and raising his voice wouldn't be a bad thing for his confidence.
He walked back home trying to push the feeling of loneliness away to the corners of his mind, despite the feeling of worrying for Rising’s life he doubted that either one of the ponies that followed him to the forest would want to speak to him again. “Maybe this is how Rising feels” he muttered aloud, ponies followed her all the time and dangerous routes usually led her up trees and off cliff faces all the time, she rarely received thanks for it even when she was returning lost luggage. He scowled at all the times he remembered scolding her for doing such dangerous things as a mother. He would try to think up safer paths or beg her to leave the pony’s things behind, and she would always reply with “there was no choice to be made at all” infuriating him to no end. And yet even when she was in danger he couldn't help but delay his return for the sake of two ponies. He himself didn’t know the reason why, he knew the facts and he knew the risks but the only thought that ran through his head was how they could all make it from the forest. He sighed in contempt and kept walking, if he started to act like Rising he was bound to suffer like her, and if he didn't find a way to heal her then he would die like Rising Dawn “alone” he spat breaking into a canter.
He was nearing the market place when the crowd of ponies made it impossible to run though, ducking and weaving with his precious cargo he noticed a familiar scent. Vinegar. He followed the bitter-sweet smell to a large stall that had been set up selling barrels full of pleasant smelling liquid “come on and all” the merchant cried standing on one of the barrels to the crowd shouting various details about the taste. Shadow ignored him focusing on the quickly vanishing stores the vendor was selling and the various objects going back and forth the merchants's guards and the various ponies, he would not have enough to buy any of the liquid itself and he didn't have anything to carry it in. Quickly battling his way through the crowd he found a stall the carved wooden bowls.
He hesitated when he reached the stall and looked out at the crowd busy pushing each other aside, there was little left and even if he did manage to buy some it would probably get spoiled as they pushed him aside. And if by some miracle he could carry it to safety he wasn’t depressed enough to venture to the forest for more fruit twice today let alone find any more herbs. He looked at his meagre holdings of fruit and flowers then back at the quickly disappearing barrels and back to himself, he remembered learning about antiseptics when he was injured himself and the lovely liquid could improve a pony’s chances tenfold if they kept the wound clean and sterile with it. It was also a valuable tool for breweries though and tasted much sweeter than fermented fruit when brewed correctly.
He looked at the few remaining barrels and the ponies eagerly hoofing over grapes and other various materials to waste the lifesaving liquid on home-made stills. A familiar anger returned as he pushed his way into the crowd he wanted to scream at the ponies that he needed this more than them but that will not save Rising he thought as he walked closer to the stall. He didn't need to be angry he needed to think. Taking a deep breath he looked around for any unattended barrels. I only need a little, perhaps I could beg a pony for a little of theirs, perhaps the inn keeper will have some, maybe I could trade a little of my fruit for the…his thoughts trailed off as he spotted a tiny barrel of bitter scented vinegar. Nopony was paying any attention to it, the smell was probably an indicator It was too bitter to be drunk, but still perfect candidate for medical usage.
He walked slowly toward the stage glancing at the stallion pulling a huge bag of citruses into a chest he’s not poor he thought staring at the barrel again he would not need this nearly as much as I he found himself checking around for any occupied guards and found nopony paying attention to him “guards don’t care about anything but keeping order” Rising’s words echoed in his mind as he hid beside one of the few remaining barrels. He could just take it, run back home and save his mother from her injuries, no ponies hurt, no livelihoods destroyed and best of all enough food for both of them tonight.
He felt fear bubble inside of him as his hoof inched toward the small barrel, images of him getting caught and put into the stockade flashed though his head withdrawing his hoof, another came of him having the guard prepare to remove his hooves for stealing. He winced as the imaginary blade came down and offending fore hooves twitched as a result, his life teetered on his decision. Get caught and he might as well be killed. If he could escape however he would live in a world with by his mother’s side, a world worth risking everything to live in.
His fore hooves darted toward the barrel and snatched it from its place, he swiftly undid the strap holding his saddlebag closed and put the small container inside. Satisfied the wood didn’t show through bag he jumped down and made his way through the crowd. With every step he took he could hear the crowd roaring for purchases, the stallion selling barrels raising prices, the clopping of hooves in outrage at cost and the all too familiar sound of his heart beating though his chest. Every step he took he expected ponies to lash out and take his belongings, he had seen wild animals fight for meals before and the situation he was in felt all too similar to being in the middle of a pack of wolves.
As he left the crowd the feeling vanished suddenly and like a heavy weight being lifted from his shoulders he relaxed. Walking slowly he turned back to see what must have been the entirety of the small town gathered together, the group had seemed miles thick as he walked though it and in complete disbelief in himself he simply laughed and walked away. He couldn't have stood among those ponies and not suffered a heart attack, he didn't just walk through them and take some of their precious treasure like meat from hungry carnivores. His nerves would break and his legs would give out in such conditions.
And yet the barrel was there in his saddlebag, safely tucked away like the precious treasure it was. As he reached the tavern his smile hadn't faltered as he walked up the stairs, things were starting to look up in the world. With the barrel beside him he could redress his mother’s bandages daily with the stuff, with the fruit in his bag he had enough for himself and her for the day and enough to keep her cared for until she healed.
He looked at the sundial drawn on the floor and the empty bowl of water and felt his spirits reach the sky. She had been drinking and was fast asleep with her chest rising and falling rhythmically, he quietly unpacked his bag and set about unpacking the apples for her dinner when she awoke, and with their equipment safely stored by the innkeeper they were safe, nourished and alive. Which in the life of a traveller was more than they could ever ask.