//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Wounds // Story: The Fallen Kingdom Chronicles. // by Dawnforge //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Wounds Zeal sat on the wooden wall, staring at Restful Hill sadly, in between his front hooves on the wall’s walkway, laid an open locket, inside was a picture, though in black and white. It was of a unicorn mare, and two fillies and one colt. He frowned, as a few memories flooded to his mind. The smell of blood and ash. He knelt by the bodies of three ponies, one mare, two young children, one male one female. He took the mare’s head in his hoofs, stroking her mane. He had been too late. Too slow. Too stupid. It was all his fault. ‘Foal, you are a foal and not worthy of Celestia’s blessing! Or the gift of Light magic! You could've saved them if you had not rushed in head strong!’ Silent tears fell from his eyes, his sobs the only thing aside from the crackle of flames and the falling of the timber of the now burnt manor behind him. ‘Celestia and the Divine Light… Why didn’t I take their place?’ A voice cut through the memories, sweeping them aside and jerking Zeal back to reality. “You know, I always wonder why you come here every chance you get, Zeal.” With a quick movement, Zeal swept up the locket, replacing it around his neck and tucking it under his chestplate. “I come here to see if anything has changed at Restful Hill, so that maybe we can take it.” Faith smiled, she walked up to sit down beside the male unicorn, she pushed her brown mane behind an ear, and her tail of the same color swishing to curl around one of her hind-legs. She wore a simple white robe with gold trim, covering most of her chestnut coat. “Zeal, we’ve been through too much together for either of us to get a half thought up lie past the other.” He frowned, turning to stare at Restful Hill. “You know I don’t want to talk about it, Faith.” “But, you need to. And I know part of you wants to.” She gently placed a hoof on his armored shoulder. He looked out of Restful Hill and sighed before shrugging off the hoof. “No, Faith. I do not wish to speak about it.” He stood and started to walk off before he felt a magical grip envelope him, pulling him back to his spot. He sighed in defeat. “I do not give up so easily, Zeal. You know this.” She looked to him with a frown. “You do not have to tell me details, but I want to hear it… We have fought side by side since you joined and we’re friends, you stubborn colt.” “Why is this so important to you?” He looked to her with an inquisitive expression. “Because, Zeal… I see a look in your eyes that worries me. I see the reason you really joined the Solarium.” She frowned, broaching a subject she knew would ring friction between them. He looked to her, his eyes becoming hard as he raised an eyebrow, more in amused anger then genuine curiosity. “You joined us to fight the undead, until you die. None of us here have risen as fast, nor fight with the fury you do. There is no self-preservation in you. You have always acted as if you are a pony on death row, waiting for his turn on the gallows; or as a gladiator slave in the griffon’s arenas, fighting only so that his death is a glorious one.” She placed a hoof again on his armored shoulder, allowing her frown to remain, though her eyes shone with the amount she genuinely cared about him. “And… I don’t want to lose my Captain and best friend.” Zeal felt like someone had just pried a secret from his mind against his will, and the emotion in the eyes, stung him to his core. “I…” He sighed and shook his head. “I…. No, Faith… Please, it hurts to much to speak of it…” Faith frowned and wrapped her fore-hooves around the armored pony, nuzzling his neck. “Zeal…“ Zeal reluctantly returned the hug, but cut her off in the middle of speaking. “Just… I wish not to talk about it further.” He drew back from the hug, giving a small smile. “Besides, you will have a sermon to deliver soon. You need not worry about me. Whatever my motivations, I will live to see our duty done. I promise.” Faith looked up at the paladin and smiled reluctantly. “R-right. And, that is suppose to be fine? Till our duty is done?” She place her muzzle up against his, and ran a hoof gently across his cheek. “Sometimes, Zeal... Completing one's duty is not enough to satisfy the heart.” She place a gentle kiss upon his cheek before turning from him to hide the tears in her eyes. “Valor Fist wanted to see you, better get back to your duty, Captain.” She walked away without another word, leaving him alone again upon the battlements. Zeal watch her go, before getting to his hooves. “Sometimes, Faith... the mind is stronger then the heart.” He sighed and went to meet with Valor Fist. Valor Fist was gathered around the map table in the large Command Pavilion, muttering and scribbling with a quill here and there, sifting through the mess of maps, scouting reports and supply lists. His grey coat covered in splotches of black ink and his black mane looking as if it had been neglected for days. Though, somehow his cutie mark of a fist enclosed over a lightning bolt, had remained ink-free. Without glancing up, he spoke to the stallion who entered the tent. “Ah, Zeal, good to see you showed up. I’ve been running a check on the plan you devised to shift this defense, to an offense.” Zeal nodded as he closed the tent flap, his horn lit up as he cast a spell that sound proofed the room. He may be a Paladin, but he had picked up on a few spells of the non-holy nature, for the undead armies would spy on command staff meetings, and many a commander and his men have died to these spies. “And? Do we have everything we need?” Valor Fist levitated a map from the bottom of the stack of papers onto the top of the table, frowning as he shook his head. “Your plan is not the best. While it would buy us enough time to send for aid from Princess Luna, and possibly Lady Sparkle in Theramare, we would need resources to clear the road to Stratmane or rebuild the bridge to Restful Hill. We can’t attack the undead on two fronts, it is suicidal, even with an army or three at our back.” Zeal nodded and moved to the table, overlooking the map detailing the plan. “Well, We can always remove placing explosives in the mountains alongside the Stratmane road, but we MUST blow the bridge to graveyard if we wish to retake Celestia’s Shrine and Restful Hill. The reinforcements won’t be armies, and they won’t be experienced in the type of fighting we do.” Valor Fist nodded. “I know, but, if we used the remaining explosives to rig traps along the Stratmane road, we would be able to stop them from sending anything to Restful Hill before we can secure it.” Zeal rubbed his hoof under his chin thoughtfully. “Hrm… We need a few catapults built, though. That will take a week at least, longer if we hide the constructions from the eyes of the Damned.” Valor thought for a moment. “We can send diplomats while preparations are made…” The black unicorn looked at Zeal with a raised eyebrow. “Did you-?” Zeal nodded. “Aye, I sound proofed the tent.” “Right… Can we expect any more Templars playing the role of the ordinary Paladin?” Valor asked cautiously, as the topic of discussion was not one easily broached. “No… Doubtful, I have not received any word. The Order is stretched thin right now, we are the only Templars here, though, whichever one of us leads the assault into the Necromancer’s Tomb in Restful Hill, will most likely be able to flex our full powers.” Zeal spoke softly, frowning apologetically at Valor. Valor sighed. “Well, a pity we cannot show the whole of Equis our full power.” Zeal frowned, this time it was one of unamusement. “You know that if the Damned knew how much of a threat the Argentum was, we would have their full weight against us. And you know the Order will not give permission to anyone until Celestia is found.” “I know… I know.” Valor looked away, sighing. “Well… who shall we send?” Zeal smirked for a moment. “You won’t like my suggestion, Valor.” “Oh?” The other unicorn raised an eyebrow curiously. “Why not?” “Because, Faith and I are going to go.” The red-manned one spoke firmly. “Zeal! I have to object, you are the Brother-Captain, you cannot sim-“ A held up hoof silenced him, more out of respect for Zeal, than any demand of rank. “I know, Valor. But, the Solarium does not work that way. Our officers are more vulnerable than any in a normal situation. Others of the Argentum must be tested to take up the mantle of Command and excel past their previous commander. Not only that, but we must not allow the Scourge to fix on us having one singular leader and on any officer of any position. Paladins are an exception, as many of the former who are now of the Damned understand ,that a paladin that leads in battle line, or shines the brightest is not always the one in charge or making the plans.” Valor Fist sighed, conceding defeat. “Fine, fine… But, I swear. You two better not lollygag or worry about stolen sweet rolls.” The white coated pony chuckled. “What? I love sweet rolls!” He received a chuckle from his comrade in return, before both settled down to discuss the details of the trip and who would be in charge while they were gone among other things.