The Somewhere Cycle
Volume 1: "Wander and Green Brier"
Written by The Descendant
Chapter 5
Wander:
As far as balls go, that one weren't the worst I'd ever had to sit through. I've never been much at social functions. Sam wasn't either. He hated them so. I guess that rubbed off on me.
This one started off fine, with the main square of Ponyville covered in bunting, and with a pretty healthy lookin' spread set out for us along the long rows of tables.
It's funny, I feel lighter without mah' armor, almost free of an encumbrance, as it were. As I try to eat I notice more than a few eyes on me, and I become self-conscious. Damn it all.
There are very good reasons why I wear my uniform loose, why I keep wearing my original junior officer's uniform, as rusted and weather-worn as it is. I don't want to look like I'm trying to be important. I've struggled all mah' life to earn everything, or to rise to what I've been put to…I don't want to seem cocky about it.
So, as the evening grows, I keep food in my mouth un' keep silent. I watch as Trot, Start, and my other officers try to mingle…I'd never learned how.
Green Brier:
As far as social events go, this one was not the most reserved I'd attended, but it was quite pleasant.
The food was ample, and I do my best to satiate myself without appearing a glutton.
It is good to be without my armor, I think. I do enjoy wearing my formal uniform, I must admit, and I have had no occasion to do so in recent years. It lies across me so loosely. I wish I had thought of that, how thin I'd become over the years of fighting…
…like Bobby as the war slowly ended.
I bring myself back to conscious thought. Bobby had experienced a heart attack; the animal I was could smell it, even as he hid it from the other humans. I'd not done so badly.
Yes, I like my uniform, though I try not to be proud. It is the symbol of the faith that my nation, my superiors, and My Lady have placed in me. I look proudly upon my officers, especially the younger ones as they are fawned over by a variety of fetching young mares that bat their eyes at them and ask about medals and stripes.
They are gentlecolts, and they know what I expect of them.
Wander:
As the dinner wore down and we began to make our way to the city for a dance…I hate dances…I find myself being called upon. My head drops in despair until I recognize the voice of General Hat. I make my way through the throngs to where he stands.
As I do I see that he is motioning to somepony else as well, and I see Brier politely making his way through the crowd.
Green Brier:
As we were processing towards the city hall I suddenly hear the familiar voice of General Hat calling to me over the crowd. I look up to see him motioning to me, and as I begin to state "Excuse me" and "Pardon me" to the throngs I see that Rod is already with him, and that Wander is making his way over as well.
Something, I feel, is ahoof.
Wander:
We gather to Black Hat and when we, his three division commanders, are with him we he nods to us and turns down a path alongside the river that runs through Ponyville.
Brier, Pad, and I look to each other in confusion and then follow after him.
He takes us down to where a stream turns into a mill trace, and soon we stand alongside a big old mill buildin' as the water wheel slaps around and around in the gathering twilight.
He waited as an older pony with a crumpled hat and white beard went across the bridge, pulling a cart behind, before he spoke.
Green Brier:
"Lads," said the gallant old unicorn, "I've got news…"
He looked across his shoulders; as though he was worried that somepony may be listening in on us. As he did he noticed something, and he trotted on farther as we followed.
He stopped, looked up to a tree…a sycamore tree, the symbol of our corps. He levitated a leaf to each of us with that amazing magic. We stuck them behind the bands of our rank stripes as he continued.
"I was let in on a piece of intelligence, and they asked my opinion. I just want you each to know that I told them all of your merits, each of you, and that I thought that you each would do a fine job…"
Oh, my.
Wander:
My eyes went a little wide, I admit.
"Tomorrow morning two of you will be called to come down to the city hall, and there one of you will be informed that you're the new corps commander," he said, looking to the ground, "The senior Major General, as it were."
We looked to one another in silence, waitin' on the general to lift his head.
"Rod," he said in a sad whisper, "I'm sorry. I told them that any of the three of my lads would do well…that they're the best I've ever had the pleasure to command, and I mean it. You're an excellent general, Rod, and I'd trust you with my life, but when they pressed me…"
Green Brier:
My heart flew out to Golden Rod.
Wander:
Poor Rod!
Green Brier:
"…I had to go with either Green Brier or Wander as my two choices."
We looked to Golden Rod as his head fell down, then back up in a forced smile. He nodded, said he'd do whatever he was commanded, follow either of us gladly.
He is an excellent soldier. He's proven his worth. His soldiers like him. What he lacked is creativity, but he's made up for it in dedication and introspection. But, sadly, a general who is not an artist is not suffering enough, and I knew why Wander and I were Hat's choices.
My Bobby was a clever general. During one battle where he was outnumbered he sent half of his army around the blue soldiers on a day's march led by a general named Stone Wall (the closet thing to a Equestrian name I remember the humans having in that forgotten world). His horse was named Little Sorrel. They attacked around 'bout the outside and nearly won Bobby that war.
Nearly.
But at that moment I wasn't pondering Bobby, I was wondering…was it Wander, or I?
Wander:
Rod began to salute us each, but we gathered him up in an embrace.
Rod is a good stallion, and I knew that he would not to seek promotion above what he's good for. He is a capable division commander, and I know Brier or I will rely on him.
I knew another general like that once, one who refused to go higher than he knew he could go, where he fit perfectly. His name was Winny, or that was what his friends called him. He was one of Sam's best. He was good, very good. But, it seems, he refused to be promoted…he knew where he was best needed, best used.
I found myself ponderin' that as we walked back up towards the city hall. Upon which one of us would that new responsibility lie? Is it Brier? Is it I?
"Now, colts," speaks Black Hat, looking to us each, "keep it a secret between us, and act surprised."
That I certainly would.
Green Brier:
The city hall was alive with light, and as the four of us entered a cheer went up. Next to the door is General Rolling Log, our brigadier artillery chief, the best one I've ever worked with. As we enter he introduces each of us in turn as new ovation thunders out from the hooves of the finely dressed denizens of Ponyville.
My name was called after Rod's, and I stepped forward into the great rotunda of the city hall, and My Lady is standing there, her Sister Sovereign at her side.
Wander:
We bowed before the alicorns, the assembly with us, and we're begged to stand, and once again we were applauded.
I'm becoming flustered, and it doesn't get any better as Princess Celestia goes on and on about our achievements.
Green Brier:
I bask in the attention of My Lady.
Soon she called Black Hat forward, and the valiant old unicorn received from my deathless sovereign a kiss for his long years in her service. I could only beg that one day…well, let's not make assumptions.
Black Hat made a brief speech…
Wander:
Old Hat, he's made his mark by being quick and decisive. His little speech is a thing o' beauty, and it ends with us all standing quietly…
Green Brier:
…remembering those who were left up in the mountains, who sleep in sod now once again part of Equestria.
Before long the music started and we watched as Black Hat wheels and dips across the dance floor with his wife Golden Flicker. I see in Black Hat many of the great aspects of what it means to be a general, a stallion of worth, and as he stared into the eyes of his mare the well-earned wrinkles played out as he smiled.
Wander:
His fits had become better, but not cured, as we had come out of the hills. Black Hat has served this nation well, and in his new function in Canterlot I know he will work fer' the betterment of the army and our benefit…wear out the last few years before he retires to his manor alongside the Whitetail Woods.
Green Brier:
He's earned it all…and I can't help but wonder if we'll rise to what he's done.
"Gentlecolts," says a somewhat familiar voice, and I wheeled about to see that the Minister of War has interjected himself between Wander and I. We give him a slight bow as he continues. "You see, fellows, that decorum demands that you be the ones to ask …"
My mind flies back to our manor house, growing up as a colt. Decorum? I follow the gaze of the minister to the dais. There I see Golden Rod asking the mayor of Ponyvile for a dance…leaving my sovereigns at a loss…
Wander:
Brier and I fling a single glance between us, and then make our way to where the princesses sat awaiting. I bump Brier a bit to switch positions, so that he can approach Celestia. His little crush on the elder princess hasn't ever been much o' a secret.
Together we bow, and the take hold of their hooves as they come down the steps, and soon we are wheeling the seemingly ageless and apparently divine sisters through the hall as the denizens of Ponyville look on with misty eyes.
Luna is so frail, almost fragile…
Green Brier:
My mind wonders at it as I try to keep my composure. She's taller than me, of course, nearly three hands taller, but yet she is so light. Celestia, oh…My Sovereign…lets herself be led so lightly…
I wonder how many ponies in my situation she's danced with before…how many victorious generals have felt this. I wonder if she remembers all of them…if, in a millennia, she'll remember me…
Wander:
As the first dance ends we suddenly find our services in demand. My card is filled with those whom I met in the hotel. Miss Fluttershy is demure, and like Miss Dash she is so light…the pegasi are so light.
Miss Rarity is the best dancer of the group, even better than myself. As we float along she actually rests her head across my shoulders and sighs. I sense she's wanted to dance with somepony for a great long while…poor thing, and I break decorum for one instant and take her along for a second song.
Green Brier:
I find that My Lady hands me off to Miss Applejack, and though my heart breaks at the end of My Sovereigns touch I soon try to rise to the occasion that presented itself. There aren't many stallions here apart from our officers…as in all our cities many are off in the mountains or along the sea defending our borders, so, we dance.
Miss Applejack blushes the whole time, trying to keep up with me. Miss Twilight has the startled look on her face of someone who has read a book about dancing but has never actually done it. She soon learns, and we wheel about.
I am caught off guard when Ms. Pie grabs me up and leads me in something more akin to one of Hat's seizures than a dance.
Soon enough I am standing by the door to the hall, announcing how much I enjoyed it all, thanking the assembly…letting all know that I am soon to leave. Soon Wander and Rod are nearby, doing the same…
Wander:
…givin' our married officers a chance to beat us back to the hotel.
As the ponies give us an adieu our officers with families bow and salute and move out the door, knowing what we expect of them.
Things happen when an army corps goes on leave in a city…things that have been happening since the first mare batted her eyes at the first stallion. It's part of nature ah' assume, and the next generation of ponies has to come from somewhere.
But those of them who have made promises, promises to love and cherish, are to keep them…
Both:
…and they know I'll not have a liar on my staff.
Green Brier:
I return to my suite to find Jeroh already asleep in his bassinet. Silently I washed and prepared for bed. I settled my self down, wishing to have a good night's sleep.
Wander:
Tucker was already snoring loudly by the time I returned. I picked him up and put him in the tub so I could close the door and keep the noise to a minimum. I wasn't wantin' to listen to that all night long. I felt mah eyes get heavy, felt myself drift off into blessed sleep.
Green Brier:
I shot straight up in bed, soaked with sweat. I gave a gasp.
Wander:
I awoke with a scream. My invective was so loud I heard Tucker jump out of his rest and fall over the edge of the tub…
Both:
Something had gone wrong with the visions…something that had never happened before.
Green Brier:
The visions have always returned to me in order, as though I were living that life, the life of the horse, over and over in a repeating cycle. It…it had allowed myself to prepare for the things that animal had seen…even the worst of them…
Wander:
They go along in order, you see, the visions…the living dreams. I can always expect which one is next…get ready for it, even the worst ones, like the battles.
Except something had gone wrong…horribly wrong. Or, maybe, just different…I don't know…all I know is that it skipped ahead a few…
Green Brier:
Instead of the one I expected, it was a later one…one where the war was over…
My Bobby had lost the war.
I can sense it, see it in the way the world has changed…or, in reality, returned. The soldiers are gone, there's crops again, and we are living in a building…well, the horse I am in that world is in a stall, but Bobby is in a building.
I can smell from the air that we are very close to where I was born, where the animal I am in that world first walked the sweet grasses. To my utter surprise Lucy is here! In our new pasture she stands with me and other horses as well.
Bobby's family comes up as well…his family is here, mostly girls. They tend to me, and are kind to me. Yet, it seems, my Bobby is not the human he was even just a few years ago. He is very tired…almost used up, as it were.
It matters little…I don't care. All I want is for him to come and ride me, to go out into the paths beyond these groups of buildings, up the streams and across the green ridges.
Here, here in the clean air where there are no others but he and I we gallop, and for the first time since I met him we are able to go on and on and on without the shrieks of the wounded and dying, without the smell of the acidic smoke and blood in the air.
I'm very interested in the place where we have come after the war. It seems to be a place dedicated to learning…a university. Here my Bobby seems to have been put in charge.
That is amazing to me to think about. My Bobby lead soldiers in a vast and terrible war, but when it ended he's not imprisoned, not punished. These creatures, these humans, seem to have (or had, if they still exist) an almost Equestrian capability for forgiveness. I bless them for that, for letting my Bobby go, let him spend time up here in the clean air, with me.
The boys at the university…they adore me. I eat more apples and sugar cubes in a year than I have in all of my previous life. It comes at a price though…they like to pluck out the hairs of my tail and send them home as souvenirs. At one point Bobby said I appeared as "a plucked chicken".
I'm not thrilled by their acts, but I endure it.
One day, we go up into the hills on a ride, my Bobby and I.
As we are going along we come into a clearing, and there's a group of men standing there. They have those weapons, the horrible ones that snap and hiss with the puff of rancid smoke, and at the sight of them I rear. Bobby calms me, and when the men see him they lift their hats, and some salute…
…as if they were soldiers.
Bobby canters me up to them, and they speak with him, quietly at first, then with growing enthusiasm. They lower something long, take the cover off of it…
…and that red flag with the blue bars across it flutters before them. They want Bobby to lead them again…to start the war again.
Bobby wipes his hands across his face, speaks to them slowly. I can feel the age in his voice…he is so tired. Why won't they leave my Bobby alone…he's so tired…
Bobby speaks to them, admonishes them gently, I can feel it. Soon they are dropping their eyes, seemingly ashamed. He begs them to seek justice, to honor the promise of peace they have made. He holds out his hand, gathers their flag and I see that it is an old one, torn. Though I cannot read the human writing I know the words across it are names of battles we have fought, places where men of both the blue and grey fought and died. He presses his lips to it, rolls it back within its cover, and returns it to them.
Slowly they depart, in groups, more than a few shaking my Bobby's hands or even embracing him before they leave, weeping.
After the last one is gone we stand there, in the meadow, as the bells of the city where the university lies ring out beneath us. He climbs into the saddle once more, and we head down the hill.
Wander:
I…I wasn't expecting the vision that came, wasn't ready for it. But, I expected the order to be the same…
Instead I awake as the army is crying, as men in blue stand around wailing. They call the name "Abram'" over and over and over, some rocking in sobs as though the world has ended. Even Sam simply stands there, the thin tape of the telegram in hand, his face pale, the tears starting.
Abram' is dead…poor gentle Abram'. I can sense that it wasn't right, that he'd been…killed. Who could kill such a kind gentle…lanky odd lookin' duck…so sad, it's so sad…I cry when I think on it in my Equestrian body sometime…such gentle eyes…
Time moves forward, in the vision we move into the city where everybody gets so excited all the time. We even move into the same big old white house where Abram' lived. At first I thought that we were going to visit him…but then I remembered…
Anywho, before we moved there I went back with Sam to a smaller city way out west. There I met his family again, and boy were they glad to see me! I also meet Sam's other horses. Yes, Sam owned other horses. I try not to be jealous that I don't have Sam all to myself…but the big animal that I am in that life is possessive. It takes me time to realize that the creamy colored one named Kangaroo was the horse he had ridden in the war before he got me…he had seen just as much as I had.
He'd been wounded though, terribly, and was rather weak. There was another horse named Jeff Davis, a terrible name for a horse and apparently a joke of some such manner, who was a bit disagreeable at times.
The horse in whom I shared the most qualities and spend the most time though were' a big old fellah nearly as tall as me. He was named Egypt.
When we live in the excitable city it is Egypt and I who pull the carriage Sam rides in. Sam never loses his love of going fast, and once as we two are pulling him he is made to stop by a policeman! The officer begins to write him a ticket, but tries to stop when he realizes who Sam is. Sam, being an honorable soul, makes him write the ticket anywho.
I don't know why Sam was in such a hurry to move to this city. All I know is that everybody here cheers a lot and is all in a frenzy all the time. We have to go down the street to a big white building with a dome all the time, and people are always coming to our big white house, shaking his hand, and asking for favors.
It drives Sam mad, and often he simply runs out to the stall, saddles me up, and we pelt through city streets before dawn, Sam puffing those horrible weeds into a cloud.
He does it so much more…I had hoped he would stop when the war ended…
Once as we are racing along one of those horrible butcher wagons passes us. The humans eat meat, it seems. Though I'm not troubled by eating fish or eggs, the idea of eating animals is a hard one for an Equestrian, but I stomach it when I see it in that world. I can't judge the humans…if they can produce a creature like Sam then they're beyond my right to judge.
Anywho, we get passed by this here butcher wagon. We pass 'em back. Then he passes us!
Next day Sam goes out and buys the horse pullin' the wagon. His name is Butcher Boy.
I guess Sam didn't like that noisy unhappy city much…I know I didn't…because after eight years we just pack everything and up and leave.
Green Brier:
After I had awoken with a start. I sat there, wondering why the visions had come out of order.
I laid my head back down on the pillow, preparing to go back to sleep, knowing which one would follow if they came in the correct order. Usually I'd spend most of the day preparing for this one…but tonight, of all nights, I had not that option.
One day as Bobby is putting me away in the stall I smell something on him, the way the blood is moving in his body. I extend my nose to him…my concern evident.
He rubs his head, looks up to me. He takes the brush and moves it slowly across my shoulders. I can remember it still, in my present body, how little energy he had as he did so.
He hangs up the brush and turns to me, moving beneath my neck, letting my head fall across his shoulder.
With that he turned away, rubbing his hands through his white hair. I watched as he went up the stone path, how his decreasing frame is highlighted by the growing autumn colors of the trees. He turns the corner and disappears from my view.
He doesn't come for me the next day. He comes not the day after. For two long weeks the stable boys speak in whispered tones, and around the university the students are hushed as they come near the house.
One morning I awake to weeping coming from the house. It's Bobby's daughters.
Oh no…no, no…Bobby…my Bobby…
Before long boys dressed in black lead me out of the stall. My saddle is placed on me, and I'm given a fleeting moment of false hope. Soon they are draping me with black crepe, and I am lead out to meet a procession.
I follow a long stream of mourners. Pete is there, other humans I remember as well.
I am stationed behind something unusual on a caisson, like the ones the artillery used in that war. Upon it is a box.
One whiff tells me what is within. As the red and orange leaves fall from the trees in that lost world I see it still, the long box.
I will go with you Bobby, follow along, go with you. I am your good horse Bobby…I will always be your good horse, and I will come to you as soon as I can follow…
I am your good horse Bobby, forever.
We go up to the chapel, and they lift the box within, taking his body away from me.
So, I am alone. Yet, not entirely. Lucy is with me, and I spend long days in the fields with her foals.
Winter comes soon, and it disagrees with me. They are still wearing black, his daughters, and I try to comfort them. They can't ride me…no one can, it seems. They…they're treating me like an artifact…like a treasure.
Yet they are still pulling out the hair of my tail. I'm a bit saddened, disappointed, and lonely.
Oh, I'm still brushed, feed in abundance, taken for long walks…but, but I'm…alone. No more flying across green fields…
It's a nail, of all things, that kills me.
I know which stable boy left Lucy's old nail lay there for days, until the rust covered it. I knew who forgot about it until I absentmindedly stepped on it, driving it deep into the soft of my hoof, until it hobbles me and I fall to the ground with a wild animal sound.
He never confessed, he was too afraid, but I don't blame him. As death spreads through my body over the next few days he comes often, tries to give me water, tries to massage my stiffening joints. He's even crying as he does so.
I don't blame him. In fact, I think he did me, that animal I was, a kindness. As the sickness spreads to my jaw it clamps shut, and I can no longer open my mouth for food or water. I was left to wonder how long it would take the humans to do the honorable thing…
The girls each give me a kiss, the animal, and then turn away as the stable manager puts the weapon to my head.
I'm not mad, nor am I saddened. As he, the big man with the weapon, starts to sob I just think of my Bobby. I'm following you, Bobby, your good horse…now I'm going to see my Bobby. I think of him, and how soon wherever he is I too will be there, and together we shall fly together across green fields.
I don't even hear the weapon fire.
Wander:
I had wanted a good night's sleep, but that was denied me. I listen on as Tucker pulls himself back over the edge of the tub. Soon he is snoring again.
I lay down once more. If the visions went back to the way they are supposed to be, in the proper order, than the hardest one is coming next. I'd usually rest up, prepare mahself for this one…but I have not the opportunity, so, dammit all, here I must go again…
We leave the big city where everyone is in a frenzy at all hours and insanity appears to be treated as a virtue. As soon as we are in the country I feel myself coming alive again…so ready to just run, and breath clean air and be with Sam and his foals…errr, kids. Hatchlings?
Anywho, we come up to a great big farm. To my surprise Sam is greeted by his old friend, the one who I decided must have saved his life at one point. Even the horse I am in that life can see the currents that shift around them, how appreciative Sam is of this fellow.
In any case, Sam and his family stay here on this farm with this friend for a long while, until the winter ends and into the next spring. It is a wonderful time, much like the time I hoped fer' during the war.
It ends, as all things do.
Sam was going on a trip, his mare…errr, wife, was going with him. He was quite excited about it.
So, as the spring turns to summer Sam takes me for rides through the fields and along a creek bottom near the farm. I am so happy for it. When the day comes for him to leave on his trip he gives me a good long pat and then turns to leave. "I'll be back for you!" he says, my ears catching the words, and then he was gone.
I didn't know it then, of course, when I was the horse…but now I know that was the last time I'd ever see my Sam.
Life on the farm is fine. Sam's other horses are here too…were just sitting around getting fat and waitin' on Sam to come back from his trip.
One day I am crossing the field, chasing after Egypt as we play at the inane little games of the horses of that world, the mindless ones of an animal.
At once there is a sound, and I can't breathe.
I go to the ground fighting for breath.
I fight for each one…gulping at them. Pull it in as Sam's other horses whiny in alarm…let it out as a boy comes running up to me. I pull another in as he runs off screaming for help.
I breathe hard…I, I just want to hold on until Sam can come…he, he said he'd be back…I…breathe, pull…please…out, I…Sam…
…in, out…no, I, please…Sam…
…Sam…
Both:
My mind flies across time, space, crosses the sheets of hundreds of realities. I am a luminous being. Ages are nothing to me. I am light, and I hear the call of a distant sun.
I answer it, and there beneath that sun I hear a voice calling on a world that floats in its light.
I dive, wheel into that world, feel myself change.
I awake in my mother's forelegs, my Equestrian mother, in an Equestrian building. As she smiles down at me my life begins again.