Stifled laughter trailed Oak as he entered the tower. After the initial moments of sympathy had passed, Remedy found the situation highly amusing, hiding his smirk behind a hoof. When Oak finally recuperated, pulling himself to his hooves, he scowled at the doctor’s obvious suppressed hilarity.
“Hardy har har,” Oak muttered darkly, barely managing a stiff-legged gait. “Laugh it up.”
Wiping away tears of mirth, Remedy tried to sober up, failing miserably. “Oh come now,” he said, repressing a smile, “you cannot say that was entirely without reason.”
The earth pony grumbled, conceding the point begrudgingly. Featherlight was not a pony to joke around with, certainly not at her expense. She tolerated annoyances to the same degree as a sleep deprived mother: very little.
“What crawled up her ass and died?” Oak said to himself.
“Pardon me?” Remedy asked.
“Oh, nothing. Just thinking aloud,” he fibbed.
Oak took a moment to marvel at the expansive hall, revealed as the gates swung open. Soaring marble arches, supported by pristine pillars, offered elegance to the surreal decor. Intricate carvings lined the doorframes, each minute detail etched with exacting clarity. The building itself was a masterpiece and sacred relic, the hallowed halls echoing back to the very founding of the Royal Guard.
Despite her recent aggression, Featherlight had spoken the truth. Just off the main entrance, located inside a small room, registration took place. Behind the desk, garbed in a set of polished golden armour, minus a helmet, a grey unicorn sat examining various papers. He was slouched in a relaxed position, almost foreign for the normally disciplined guard.
Looking up as they approached, the stallion raised an eyebrow. “You’re in the wrong place if you are looking for a hospital. If you don’t know where it is, I can get somepony to lead you there.”
“There is no need for that,” Remedy replied. “My patient here is looking to join the guard.”
The raised eyebrow nearly disappeared into his mane. “He wants to join like that?” he asked incredulously. “Sorry, but there is no way he is getting in.”
“Surely there–”
“Not a chance,” the guard reiterated. “He’ll have to wait until spring. Maybe...”
He trailed off as a black sprig of magic, stemming from Doctor Remedy, danced across Oak’s body, cutting through plaster and cloth. The lion’s share of Oak’s dressings fell to the floor, leaving only the bulky bandages around his middle.
“Would this be enough?” Remedy asked.
The grey unicorn pursed his lips, examining Oak thoroughly. “What about that?” he asked, indicating the remaining set.
“For the time being, those need to remain in place; Oak Leaf’s wings have yet to fully heal.”
“What’s wrong with them?”
“They are more bindings then bandages,” Remedy explained. “When he was injured, several muscles in his wings were torn. As it stands, he is able to fly, however, he would run an astronomical risk of injuring, perhaps even crippling himself, if he overexerted those areas. They are to prevent further injury, not aid in recovery.”
“Then why not wait? I mean, we’ll still be here come next year.”
“I wish this to remain between us,” Remedy said in a quiet undertone, “but Oak is not from a particularly well-off family. Were he to return home, the considerable distance it is, it would be some time before they could set aside the money for him to travel once more. I do understand your doubts, but I must insist that Oak is fully capable to participate in the training. Furthermore, we also have the recommendation and approval of Lieutenant Sky.”
Those final words broke through the remaining resistance. “Alright,” he declared, holding out a set of forms. “I’ll still have to check with him, but you can fill these out.”
“Many thanks.”
Leading Oak to a cluster of tables, Doctor Remedy elegantly flourished the provided quill. Dipping it into the ink, he scratched down a few notes before looking to the earth pony.
“Try to answer these as best you can,” Remedy instructed. “I know you may not remember , but if you can recall anything, it would help immensely.”
“Alright, I guess,” Oak replied hesitantly.
“Very well, let’s begin with where you are from. I’d advise you to turn your thoughts to the North.”
“Whitehorse,” he replied instinctively.
Remedy jotted the location down. “Family? “
“My parents, three sisters and a brother,” he replied after a moment.
“Do you remember their names by any chance?”
“Uhh...” he stammered, collecting his thoughts. “ Rose Petal, my mother, Ash Leaf, my father, Maple Leaf, Iris Petal, Poppy Petal and Wisteria Petal... What?” Oak asked, baffled by the sidelong glance he received from Remedy.
“Seems you are making more progress than you realize,” he commented, writing down the names. “Even five hours ago, I do not believe you would have been able to tell me that. It is wonderful to see.”
“I know,” Oak sighed, “but it’s still so frustrating. They’re my memories, so why should I have to wait for them?”
“Patience is a virtue, Oak Leaf, and the age of that particular saying doesn’t tarnish its truth. Try to focus on what is happening around you, and let them come back to you at their own pace,” he advised. “Now, let us continue.”
The truth behind Remedy’s words became clear, as Oak continued to answer any and every question asked. It did not serve to curb his irritation in any manner, however. If anything, the sudden outpouring only spurred the generation of additional questions. With no clear answers, Oak dropped the matter, taking the opportunity to brush his mane from his eyes. The length of the strands only reminded Oak of his unique request to have his mane and coat cut.
“And I believe that is everything,” Remedy finished, returning the quill to the inkwell and scanning the paper once more. Approaching the guard lounging behind the table, Remedy passed over his forms.
“Hm...” the guard hummed, scanning the form “Alright, everything seems to be in order. I’ll just make a few notes, but other than that, you’re good to go. Training begins tomorrow. Do you have a place to stay?” he asked Oak.
The earth pony shook his head.
“You can stay here with the other potential recruits. To get to the mess, go down the hall, take your first left and it is the third door on your right. The stallions’ barracks is four beyond that. I’m afraid you’ll have to seek accommodation elsewhere, doctor.”
Oak turned to bid Remedy farewell, but the beige unicorn tossed his head towards a quiet corner away from prying ears.
“What is it doc?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“Oak Leaf, in three days’ time, provided your injuries have healed, you are to stop taking the medicine I gave you.”
“Of course,” Oak replied, “Why wouldn’t I?”
The beige unicorn sighed, rubbing his eyes. “On the last leg of the train ride here, I reviewed the components of the substance, and the effect it had on your injuries. I suspect it increases cellular growth by an incredible degree. However, I fear that this same feat almost certainly makes it carcinogenic.”
“What?”
Remedy sighed. “Carcinogenic means that it is directly involved in causing cancer.”
“Then why did you give it to me!?” Oak demanded.
“Oak, please understand... By everything I have learned, from all my years of study, you should be dead right now. I’m not trying to make a joke; you should not be alive. I had been meaning to test the substance after my return from Canterlot, but when you were brought in, I had to forgo that notion. Nothing I’ve learned could have saved you, and because of that, it leaves me wary that this substance could, where all else failed.”
“So I’ll just stop taking it then.”
Remedy shook his head mournfully. “I only wish it were that easy. Remember I mentioned that I reviewed the components on the train ride here? Well, I believe one, if not several, are highly addictive.”
“O-Oh...” Oak stammered.
“If needs be, dispose of what I gave to you. It is not worth worrying about the cost of replacing it. Do not hesitate to contact me if you need aid or assistance. If I am correct, your health will rapidly deteriorate if you continue to consume the medicine.”
Remedy’s tone was an ultimatum, a forerunner to certainty. Words escaped Oak as he searched Doctor Remedy’s gaze, looking for an indication of something that was simply absent: a lie.
“Alright, Doc,” Oak replied, sighing in resignation. “I’ll see you around... I guess.”
Remedy nodded goodbye, suddenly seizing up, slapping a hoof to his forehead. “Listen to me. I tell you to contact me, but I fail to provide any manner for you to do so. If you need me, ask around for The Cracked Mug, the bar my daughter runs. Till then, farewell.”
Oak followed Remedy into the hall, watching the stout figure until he vanished into the crowd. With the guard’s instructions fresh in his mind, Oak started down the hallway, his pace slow as he lost himself in the marvels of the architecture. Entirely engrossed with the sights, Oak blundered past the turn, only noticing a few seconds after. Determined not to repeat the mistake he focused on the hallway, counting off the doors. Bunks lined the expansive room, beyond the designated portal, calling lovingly to him. Although Oak had been convinced by the doctor that his injuries would not be bothering him, nagging sensations of doubt persisting at the edge of his mind.
Many of the bunks had already been claimed, the odd stallion lounging about here and there, but many more stood vacant. It was more Oak’s desire for specific traits that made one hard to find. He wanted one out of the way and cozy, but not distant from the door. In the third row, against the wall, Oak found what he was looking for, kicking open the trunk at the foot of the bunk. Carefully setting his saddlebags down, as not to break any of the vials, Oak closed the lid a moment later, unceremoniously flopping onto the mattress.
As Oak nestled beneath the covers, nothing short of exhaustion described how he felt. Regardless of the progress made, all the medical tests passed, he had spent the better part of two weeks confined to a bed, all but lifeless. Today had been the longest he had remained awake in the same period of time, and it clearly showed. Deciding upon a short doze before supper, Oak set his head down and closed eyes. Sleep came quickly for the injured pony, the world carrying on without him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn is a much debated topic among all races. For some, it was a chance to sleep in, for others it was a chance to get an early start on the day. Oak was one such pony that fit into the second group.
The dim light of the room greeted Oak as he woke, blinking sleep from his eyes. Groaning to himself, he realized he had slept right past dinner and through to the next day. The reason he awoke became apparent a moment later, his stomach hungrily clawing for food.
One undesirable task stood between him and breakfast though, the medicine, if he could even call it that. The doctor’s words weighed heavily on his mind as he uncorked the vial, swirling the green sludge in disgust. Whatever this was put his life at risk, yet at the same time had saved it. Bracing himself, he tossed his head back, downing the contents in a swift gulp.
Many ponies say that trying something a second time is easier than the first. Not here though, not even close. With the other stallions in the room still sleeping, Oak stuffed a hoof in his mouth to keep from crying out. After another few seconds, the sickness settled and a feeling of warmth began to spread throughout Oak’s body, banishing the chills. It was quite pleasant now that Oak took a moment to recognize it. Noiselessly, he exited the room, easing the door gently shut. Feeling rather stiff, he leaned forward, stretching in a manner similar to a cat. Unfortunately, the display did not go unnoticed.
“Take it you slept well then?” Lieutenant Sky asked, trotting up, looking surprisingly awake for the time.
Blushing in embarrassment, Oak gave a little chuckle. “I suppose you could say that. What are you doing?”
Sky lifted a wing, displaying a bugle tucked beneath. “Seems the guard has yet to discover the alarm clock, so we make do with this instead. Head on to the mess and grab something to eat; training begins in twenty minutes.”
Oak was halfway down the hall when the fanfare began; yelps and groans followed moments later. Chuckling to himself, Oak continued on to the mess, passing by a pair of unicorns, dressed in dark navy blue armour, just coming off the night shift. One of the unicorns glanced at Oak, sharing a snide comment with his companion. The two, dressed in navy blue armour with a white plume topping the helmet, snickered in unison. Ignoring them, Oak paused to scratch his mane, once more cursing the length of his mane. The blasted thing was in his eyes, the unkept strands nearly tickling his cheeks.
Entering the mess, Oak saw it was nothing more than a table set up with a few basic breakfast foods. There were a few different kinds of muffins and a small bowl of various fruits and pastries. Foregoing the fatty treats, Oak settled on a pair of blueberry muffins, along with a McIntosh apple. However, his stomach wasn’t satisfied with his meagre selection, growling hungrily, prompting the earth pony to snatch an additional apple before finding a seat. With his momentary head start, Oak finished his first muffin just as other ponies began to trickle in.
True to his word, twenty minutes later Lieutenant Sky trotted in. “Everypony up!” he shouted. “General Candlelight would like a word with all of you before we begin!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oak shifted idly, fidgeting with his bandages, waiting for the general to show. Around him, various ponies conversed amongst each other, something Oak had no inclination to try. The knowledge of the guard’s discriminatory nature hung over his head, keeping him somewhat paranoid somepony would find out. The dull murmur of noise ceased with the sharp retort of metal on metal, as Sergeant Featherlight snapped her hooves together, standing to attention.
At the front of the room, a low platform had been constructed, allowing whoever stood upon it to be seen by everypony in the room. Forgoing a flashy entrance, a unicorn entered through the main doors, methodically making his way to the front of the room. General Candlelight’s armor was unique, a symbol of his station. Instead of the gleaming golds and regal blues of the Solar Guard, the general’s armor was a sterling silver, complete with a vibrant red plume. Unlike the other unicorns, Candlelight did not possess the customary grey coat, but rather a pure untainted white. With hawk-like eyes, the slender unicorn surveyed the room as he took center stage. A tremor surged through the crowd, as his gaze worked over the ponies before him, each flinching at the utter obedience his spirit demanded.
Waiting till the last murmurs of conversation cut off, Candlelight began his piece. “You are all here today because you seek one thing: to join the Royal Guard, yet none of you will succeed. It will not be because you fall short of our physical requirements, or utterly fail a test. No,” he uttered, “you will fail because those of you who we accept are already one of us.”
General Candlelight broke from his position and began to pace across the stage. “Ever since the very of founding of Equestria, there have been ponies who are willing to stand and fight for what they believe in. It may be a loved one, or perhaps tradition, but common to all was a desire to protect and maintain peace and freedom for others. That was the virtue we were founded upon those many years ago. It cannot be taught, nor can it be given. However, if you possess the will and determination, you’ll find what you are looking for. And without a doubt, I can assure you, nothing will ever match what you discover.
“Now,” he said, returning to his position at the center of the stage. “This year, training will be conducted by Lieutenant Sky, Sergeant Featherlight and Commander Cherry Blossom.” At the final introduction a Lunar Guard emerged from the shadows, stepping forward to take her place alongside the General. The unnatural appearance lent by her batlike wings and slitted eyes did nothing to soften her stern expression. “You are expected to follow their every command to the letter. If they say jump, you jump. The chain of command is something you will learn, and are expected to follow.”
“Now one final thing of note. This year, the Royal Guard has been lucky enough to acquire the assistance of a Talon, a gryphon warrior for those unfamiliar with the term. He may not be an officer of the guard, but you are expected to show him the same respect and compliance you would any of us..” The General raised a hoof in a salute, holding it steady as he spoke. “I expect the very best from all of you, and I am certain you will not disappoint.” He dropped his hoof, stamping the floor sharply. “Dismissed!”
“Everypony follow me!” shouted Featherlight, barging her way through the crowd.
Oak turned to follow, but stopped when Sky caught his eye, shaking his head. Compliant, Oak took a seat, fidgeting under the gaze of the officers. Cherry Blossom leaned to whisper something into Candlelight’s ear, the unicorn’s eyes quickly shifting to view Oak Leaf in a new light. From his distance, Oak couldn’t make out the whispered response.
“So you’re Oak Leaf,” the general finally said, addressing the disguised earth pony.
Swallowing nervously, Oak bobbed his head. “Yes sir.”
“You must be quite something for both Caldor and Lieutenant Sky to recommend you, am I correct?”
“I hope so, sir,” he replied, not enjoying the tone the general took.
“Well it certainly seems you have a firm head upon your shoulders, so hopefully you’ll be able to decipher this.
I’ve gone out of my way to accommodate you, so I expect you to go out of your way for me.” He paused to stare at the pony before him. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes sir,” Oak repeated.
“Very good. Dismissed.”
Lieutenant Sky led Oak out of the hall, and after the rest of the group. He waited till they were out of earshot before speaking.
“Sorry about that,” he apologized. “Candlelight can be a little heavy-hoofed when dealing with things he doesn’t like. He’s never really been a fan of changing protocol.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Oak replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
“Oh come now,” the guard chided, “he’s hardly as bad as you’re making him out to be. Sure you’ll have to work harder, but he’ll be sure to notice your efforts.” The guard held a hoof out, stopping Oak from opening the doors. “Oak, one thing before we go out there, and it is very important. If your injuries start to bother you, don’t push yourself. You can always try out for the guard another time, but a crippled wing will stay with you the rest of the life.”
Touched by his concern, despite its ill-founded origins, Oak smiled and nodded his appreciation. “Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind. Somehow, though, I doubt I’ll be following your advice.”
“Huh...” Sky grunted thoughtfully. “You’re just like Caldor said.”
“Is that good?”
Realizing he had spoken aloud words meant for the privacy of his mind, the lieutenant quickly shrugged off the question, pushing past the doors. A few ponies glanced back at the noise, but the remainder were focused intently on Featherlight as the gruff mare issued harsh instructions.
“Explained everything already, Featherlight?” Sky interrupted, trotting through a gap in the crowd.
“Yes,” she replied with a scowl at the interruption. Her annoyance quickly disappeared, smothered by cruel amusement. “Since you are so eager to get started, why don’t you take the lead today?”
“Fair enough I suppose,” he chuckled. “Alright, everypony behind me: we’re going for a little run. I don’t want to catch any pegasi flying, or you’ll be running the loop twice.”
“What loop?” a voice asked.
“Oh its not much; only a few times around the castle.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Technicalities could be a bitch, Oak realized as he stumbled on a loose stone. True to the lieutenant’s word, they ran a few times around the castle, but the radius of their rough circle was massive. Instead of taking a route just outside the stout castle walls, they headed into the city, nearly tripling the run’s length. But it wasn’t the run itself that bothered Oak, however; it was the heat. Celestia’s sun occupied a place high in the sky, obliterating any hope of shade.
Despite the sweat plastering his long coat to his body, Oak managed to keep up with Sky, breathing heavily. With each step, he was nothing less than astounded with his injuries, or lack thereof. His muscles rippled healthily with each stride, functioning in unison with the joints throughout his body. That medicine might have hurt in the long run, but by Celestia was it ever eerie and unsettling how fast it had healed him.
The peak of the tower came into sight, declaring itself as the finishing point of their ten kilometer run. The small pack who had managed to keep up with the lieutenant, either through fitness or sheer stubbornness, gratefully came to a stop, flopping down on the ground. Sighting the cups of water set out, however, Oak had other plans. Four paper cups fell to the ground, the contents thrown over his head, another one raised to his lips as he greedily consumed the cool liquid. Only then did he lay down on the ground.
“Hot?” someone asked.
“You have no idea,” Oak replied with a half hearted grin, looking up.
The steel-blue unicorn offered a hoof to Oak, tugging the earth pony up off the ground and offering him another cup of water. “Name’s Alexandrite Lavaliere.”
“Oak Leaf,” the overheated pony provided.
“You certainly don’t seem to be from around here.”
“No,” Oak agreed, “I’m from up North—Whitehorse to be specific. You?”
“Here in Canterlot actually,” Alexandrite answered. “Live just a few blocks away from the castle.”
Connecting the dots his mind, Oak realized that this would put Alexandrite living in the rows of mansions. There certainly wasn’t anything else around the castle. For some reason, this fact bothered Oak.
“So why did you join the guard?” Oak asked, shifting his own course of thoughts.
“Family tradition I suppose,” the unicorn sighed. “For six generations the eldest stallion in my family has joined the Royal Guard.”
“So your father was part of the guard Alexa...” Oak hesitated, struggling over the Unicorn’s name. “Can I call you Ale—”
“No you may not,” Alexandrite interrupted, indignantly. “If you cannot remember my name, then refrain from addressing me by a silly nickname.”
“Hey!” Oak exclaimed. “I didn't mean it like that...”
“Then what did you mean? My given name has a distinct history, one which I request be respected.” Alexandrite announced forcefully.
“I was just wondering if you prefered to be called something else!”
“Sure didn’t seem that way to me,” he muttered. “Certainly you wouldn’t want me calling you Oakie, now would you?”
“No—”
“Then why would you insist on calling me Alex?”
Lieutenant Sky had been watching the exchange from across the yard, with detached interest. Barely a feather was out of place on the pegasus from the carefree jog, while he pretended to polish his helmet, listening in all the while. He peeked over his shoulder, waiting for the appropriate time to intervene.
“I was asking you if—”
“Hey Oak and... Alex is it?” Lieutenant Sky interrupted, deliberately looking to Oak for confirmation. “Round up the others and head on to the infirmary. General Candlelight wants all of you to get bloodwork done. Commander Cherry Blossom will take it from there once you’re all done. Just a heads up, always address her by her rank, or by ma’am; she’s not as lenient as I am.”
“Great, now he thinks my name is Alex,” Alexandrite growled bitterly to Oak, as the officer trotted off. “Thanks.”
“Then just tell him!”
“You don’t get it,” he retorted, splitting off towards a cluster of ponies recovering from the run.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Oak watched Alexandrite trot over the to group, passing along the instructions. Shrugging to himself, Oak headed to the other side of the yard, gathering some of the ponies who had returned from the run. The whole name mess made no sense to him. Oak really wouldn’t mind if someone just called him something else, so what was it that made Alexandrite so unique in that regard? It was probably just some snotty upper class thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once more, Oak stood alone, waiting his turn in the line outside the infirmary. Raising a hoof to his mouth, he covered a yawn inspired by the tedious wait, and shifted from hoof to hoof. Oak wasn’t bored, rather he was worried, terribly so. Whoever was in there might take one look at his bindings, and demand he take them off, exposing the gross inconsistencies in his forms.
“Next!” came the call from the infirmary, snapping Oak from his thoughts.
Crossing the threshold warily, Oak was surprised to see a young, light wine-red unicorn reading over a clipboard, a set of glasses perched on his muzzle. A pristine white lab coat sat loosely on his shoulders, contrasting sharply with his well-groomed copper mane. Standing at the nearby counter, an older grey mare stood, the nurse making use of her wings to quickly sift through medical files. A few strands of her fandango-hued mane stood loose from its tight bun, evidence of a grueling day’s work.
“Name?” the doctor questioned without looking up from his form.
“Oak Leaf,” the green stallion replied.
“Just take a seat, I’ll be with you in a moment,” he said, gesturing to the empty bed.
Oak sat down, watching the doctor scribble down a few notes. Peering around him, Oak watched the nurse pick up a swab, carefully handling it with her wing’s primaries. Turning around, she stopped in bafflement, seeing Oak for the first time.
“Um, Cobbler?” she asked hesitantly.
“What?” the unicorn asked, looking up from his work. “Oh,” he uttered, upon seeing Oak for the first time.
Fearing the inevitable question, Oak tensed up, racing through ideas, solutions and bluffs, hoping he would find a way out. What the doctor said next dismissed those fears just as quickly.
“Oh,” Cobbler repeated, “I see. Oak, I hope you don’t mind, but we're going to have to cut a bit of your coat; otherwise, we won’t be able to locate a vein.”
“Alright,” Oak blurted, nodding his head viciously.
“Pearl, do you remember where I put that razor? I’m sure I left in the cupboards.”
The nurse shook her head. “It broke a month ago, don’t you remember?”
“Right,” Cobbler answered, frowning. “Locating another one may be difficult, definitely in the castle anyway.”
“Or, perhaps we could do this the old fashion way,” Pearl suggested.
“What do you–” he began, turning to see the nurse offering a pair of scissors. “Err... Right.”
Acting swiftly, the doctor cut loose a patch of hair, then exchanged the scissors in favor of a needle. A simple command to hold still was all he offered Oak, before he pricked his skin, drawing forth a small sample. While Cobbler dealt with the needle, Pearl placed a bandage over the bead of blood forming.
“There we go; all done,” Cobbler commented. “You’re free to go.”
“That’s it?” Oak questioned. “What about my injuries?” he continued, gesturing to his middle.
“Well if you would like me to take a look at them I could, but I imagine you’ve already seen another doctor. Far be it from me to second guess his or her work.”
Struggling not to let his relief show, Oak bobbed his head in thanks, and left the room, accompanied by the doctor’s shout, “Next!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The muscles in Oak’s legs twitched as he struggled to maintain the position. He could have handled another run. He could have withstood a grueling obstacle course, anything in fact, except this. It was a sentiment echoed by everypony there.
Cherry Blossom strode up and down the row, leering at the trainees standing in the motionless pose. After they had all arrived, she had given a few simple instructions: “Line up, shut up, and don’t move unless I order you to!” The first pony to have the misfortune of lifting a leg to scratch his mane had nearly had his head taken off by verbal abuse. Ever since then, not a single pony had been willing to risk it.
That had been two hours ago.
Ever vigilant, she paced up and down the lines, searching for a victim like a bloodthirsty shark. Oak stiffened as she drew near, then relaxed as she passed, letting his eyes wander for a moment.
“What do you see that’s so interesting?” the Lunar guard said, coming to a stop.
Oak waltzed into the trap about as gracefully as a two week old foal. “Nothing,” he blurted, snapping his vision back to the front. For a moment Oak thought he heard a gasp from the back but he had other things to worry about.
“Nothing what?” Cherry Blossom repeated with all the warmth of a glacier.
“Nothing, ma’am.”
“Good, then perhaps you won’t mind staying an extra half an hour. That shriveled raisin you call a brain could obviously use the time to understand the ruddy point to this whole exercise.”
“Yes, ma’am,” answered Oak, his voice strained.
“The rest of you get out of my sight!” she hollered. “Training ends early today; go get something to eat. Take the time to go over what you learned last year in preschool, for tomorrow, because I guarantee it won’t be that easy.”
All around Oak, ponies filed out, staying clear of the earth pony lest they incur the commander’s wrath. Alexandrite lent Oak a slight smirk as he walked past, leaving the earth pony fuming without a way to vent.
“Eyes front!” Cherry Blossom snapped.
Oak flinched, returning his gaze to the wall ahead and resuming the position. With everypony having left, Cherry Blossom was focusing on him and him alone. Every few minutes she would bark something out such as, “Straighten your spine,” or “Raise your head”. Eventually, though, her complaints dwindled in number as time trickled away. Once again, the urge to scratch his mane struck Oak, but he managed to push it to the back of his mind, unlike earlier.
“How were you injured?” she asked suddenly.
“Sorry?”
“Sorry what?” she demanded, shooting him an ill-tempered glare.
Oak gulped. “Sorry, commander?”
“I asked,” she said withdrawing, “How were you injured?”
“Manticore, ma’am”
“I take it you are seeing a doctor.”
“Yes, ma’am,” answered Oak.
“Tell me,” she said after a moment’s pause, “How are your wings faring?”
“My wings?” stammered Oak, “They’re fine all things considered...”
Commander Cherry Blossom stared inquisitively at Oak in silence. “You are free to go.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A table had been set out with plates of sandwiches, fruit and pasta: common dinner fare. Unfortunately, that was what it had been when it was first set out; half an hour later, only scraps of food remained. Grabbing a tray and a pair of neglected alfalfa and daisy sandwiches, Oak cast his gaze over the room, looking for a place to sit. There was not a single open table, save for a small number in the corner, at one of which an icy white gryphon sat. Unknown to Oak, two pairs of eyes followed his movement across the room, wide in disbelief.
Caldor glanced up gloomily as Oak set his tray upon the counter. “Hey, lad.”
“Something wrong?” Oak asked.
“Seems none of the others have taken a liking to me. Not surprisingly Ah guess… After all, who would trust a gryphon?””
The earth pony was shocked by the bitterness in his friend’s voice. “Caldor...”
The gryphon sighed, “Ah’m sorry, Oak. Ah just can’t help but see this place and grow furious. This place used to be bustling with royal guards, but now... Ach... calling it a ghost of its former self would be generous. Ah’d wager the guard can barely muster a division, yet Ah can remember a time when there were eight. Worse still, the guards aren’t even warriors, just a bunch of overpaid security guards.”
“Hey now!” Oak nearly leapt in fright as Lieutenant Sky appeared besides him. “What about me?”
“Oh alright,” relented Caldor, breaking into a smile, “almost all.”
“You two know each other?’
Sky nodded, setting down his tray on the table. “Me and Caldor go way back.”
“For you at least,” Caldor muttered.
Oak cocked his head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Sky cleared his throat decisively. “Well you see—”
“Now’s not the time or place,” Caldor interrupted, drawing a talon across his throat. “Ah trust Oak, ‘cept we have company.”
Turning to see who, Oak stopped, recognition fluttering through his mind. A yellow pegasus mare, with a golden mane stood before him, tears forming in her eyes.
“...Oak?” she asked hesitantly.
He tried opening his mouth, urging something to come out, but failed to find the words. He lost the chance a second later when she tackled him into a bone-crushing hug.