//------------------------------// // Chapter 32: Arrow in the Hat // Story: Most Daring Pony // by CowgirlVK //------------------------------// Gertrude was stuck. Her thick wool had gotten tangled in the wire, rocks, and foliage that made up the wall.  Arrow groaned as she unsuccessfully tried to untangle a lock of wool from yet another troublesome vine. “How do you get yourself into these messes?” Arrow asked the lamb. “Baa!” Gertrude bleated. “Why do I even try?” Arrow groaned miserably. “Baa!” “Grrr!” Arrow froze. What was that? She glanced around her. Sheep littered the grassy area, however that was unmistakably a dog or a wolf, so it could not have been a sheep. “GRRR!” The sound was coming from behind her. Slowly, she turned around, looking straight into the eyes of an ewe, or what she thought it was a ewe. She’d never heard of ewes who could growl. “Hello?” Arrow said, “Are you a dog? Or are you some weird sheep?”   The creature barked again. “Or are you an bark-a-tron?” asked Arrow, being sarcastic. “BUMP-IN-THE-NIGHT!” Anda called, “Get ‘em boy! Round ‘em up!” The creature paused, sniffed, then turned to obey its master. “Bump-In-The-Night?” Arrow asked Gertrude. “Now exactly how did that name come about?”  Again the lamb bleated. Arrow groaned, trying to figure out how she was expected to get the fuzzy thing unstuck, especially when it wouldn’t stop moving. “That’s not how you do it.” Arrow stopped what she was doing and turned around. Standing before her was a black bat pony mare. Arrow blinked. “What do you mean?” The mare raised an eyebrow. “That is not how you get a lamb unstuck. It won’t move if you are forcing it.” “Who are you?” Arrow demanded. The bat pony smiled. “Sony, Sonydon Song. Who are you, lowlander?” “I’m Sharp Arrow, and what do you mean, lowlander?” Sony gave a simple half-smile. “If you were from around here, you wouldn’t fly so awkwardly. Only lowlanders try to force the wind instead of guiding it.” “So you are a flight expert?” Arrow asked. “No, I’m a bard.” She smiled. “And you have a problem. Gertrude, you really ought to not get stuck like this.” “How do you know this lamb’s name?” Arrow asked, stepping aside as the elder pony moved in beside Gertrude. “Sorry for my rudeness,” Sony said, “I’m one of your captain’s many cousins. Growing up, it was either watch the sheep or pick the fruit. I, lacked the skills needed for work in an orchard, so I picked the fields. Even all grown up, I’m never completely cut off from my life as a shepherd, and neither is Songbird.” “That’s another thing!” Arrow demanded, “How do you know Lilly—or as you guys keep calling her, Songbird—is my captain?” Sonydon paused in her work and gazed into Arrow’s teal eyes. “Child, filly of the lowlands, all you had to do was say your name. We all know who you are.” “How?” Arrow again demanded. “It’s a small family. Secrets, stories, news, it gets around. Now, do you want to learn how to get sheep unstuck from the brambles?” “I don’t plan to be here long, so I don’t think so,” Arrow stated, flopping down in the grass. “Suit yourself,” Sony said, chucking, “So, what got your dipper in a knot?” The brown mare glared. “I hardly know you; I’m not saying. I don’t tell strangers my personal business.”   “Wise,” the bat mare stated. “Good, so you won’t ask any more questions?” demanded Arrow. “No more questions? Child!” Sony looked up, her yellow eyes piercing into Arrow’s. “Life is full of questions. If you don’t question, you have nothing but a dull, dreary, and enslaved life. Proof is when, truth is when, you hear your heart start asking, ‘What’s my motivation?’” She smiled coyly. “A stranger is only a pony you haven’t questioned yet.” She returned to her work on the lamb’s wool, carefully untangling the threads from the brambles. “You make friendship sound like it’s a criminal case,” Arrow stated. “And what would you know about that?” inquired Sony. “My dad was an investigator in Manehattan.” “For a feisty thing, you sure are gullible,” Sony noted. “No matter. Your lamb is loose. Now I need to go talk with Cousin Wisteria. Good luck Arrow, and don’t let Songbird catch you with that hat or let it get in any way damaged. Trust me, when annoyed, Lilly can be your worst nightmare.” Arrow was fuming. “And what would you know about Lilly being a nightmare?” She pouted. Sony again smiled. “Well child, I was her foalsitter, after all.” She then spread her leathery wings, and after a clumsy takeoff, soared gracefully across the valley in the direction of Mrs. Glass. Arrow stood glaring at the now free lamb. “I don’t get it!” she protested, “First you get stuck, then one of those creepy bat ponies shows up and-” She shivered. “Why couldn’t Steady just take me with them?” Gertrude didn’t pay any attention. Now that she was free, she shook herself and broke into a brisk trot in the direction of the gate. Arrow followed closely behind. As they reached the gate, Anda finally returned, landing beside Arrow. “I’m see you finally got her free.” “Of course!” Arrow stated, smirking, “I’m not all hooves, ya’ know.” Anda frowned. “You don’t have to lie,” she said. Freezing, Arrow turned around to look at the green filly. “What-?” “I saw Cousin Sony help you. You don’t have to act all-knowing or like you have it all together all the time, Arrow. You can be vulnerable.” “As if you know what it’s like,” Arrow grumbled. “I thought you wanted to be here? I thought you wanted to be my friend?” Arrow glared, but then she paused. “Sorry, It’s just... I do, but I don’t, but I do... Alright? Happy?” Anda smiled, then nodded. “Yeah. Come on, Mom’s assigned us to watch the yearling ewes.” “Yearling yous?” “Ewes, female sheep, remember?” Arrow nearly facehoofed. “Right, so, why are we watching just them?” “Well,” Anda said, rounding up the group of about fifty, including Gertrude, “They aren’t exactly a year old yet. Spring lambs is actually the correct term. Very simply, we always keep them separate from the rest of the herd till they are two.” “Why?” Arrow asked. “It has to do with health,” Anda Glass stated. “You see, if we let them too near the rams, then the rams will... do monkey business with them. We could lose the young ewes to lambing. They aren’t mature enough until then to handle a lamb. Glitter lost her ewe, or so I’m told, to that occurrence. Salty got loose and the ram found her. Both her and her lamb died that next winter. Lilly still kicks herself over that one.” “Lilly?” Arrow asked. Anda nodded. “She and Sony were in charge of this group at the time.” “Sony, as in that bat mare over there?” Arrow asked. Anda nodded. “Not a mare you normally see out and about at this time of day, but since she had the night shift—” “If she had the night shift, why did Gertrude have her head stuck?” “If you were to ask me,” Anda giggled, “Gertrude had only just done that. It only takes half a second. They see something they want and reach for it. By the time the lamb realizes they have a problem, they are already stuck.” “Really?” Anda nodded. “Sad, but true fate. It takes four seconds of being distracted for a lamb to kill themselves with their own stupidity. The larger the flock, the harder it is not to lose one. Right now,” she glanced around her, “We pretty much have a good group. If we can keep Gertrude and that black one, Murky, curbed, we won’t have a problem with any of the rest of them.” “Good to know,” Arrow said, “So, I’ve got nothing to fear.” Anda frowned. “Did you listen to any of that? Just because inward struggles will be minimal, two troublemakers in a group of 100 can lead to a group of zero in four seconds flat. That, and there are wolves out there. City girl, you just walked into the wild. All of the rules have just changed.” ----------------- For the most part, Arrow had almost zero problems. They had taken the heard of spring ewes to a nearby valley that was lush with early summer grass. The air was warming up with Celestia’s sun marching quickly to the center of the sky. The two fillies were at the front of the herd. The lambs were split into three groups: the ones in the front trying to trip Arrow and Anda, the lambs in the center who didn’t care either way, and finally, the ones in the back that Bump, the dog from earlier, had to continually remind to keep up. “OOF!” Arrow complained, “Are they always like this?” She frowned as another of the lambs ran beneath her barrel, nearly tripping her up. Anda laughed. “These ones, yes. They were bottle fed, so they associate ponies as ‘safe.’ Every lamb is different. Some, like Gertrude, would rather be all the way at the back, the sheep-dog punishing it every step of the way. Others want to be in the middle, unnoticed. Others want to stay as close to the shepherd as possible. If you ask me, I’d rather have a flock of trippers than a flock of laggers.” Arrow shrugged, rolling her eyes. “I don’t care. I just want to be able to move!” With a shake of her head and a smile, Anda helped Arrow brush away a lamb who had taken a huge bite out of the hat. “Ouch! I don’t think Lil’ will like this,” she said, examining the damage. Arrow frowned, checking the hat quickly. “It’s not the end of the world. Besides, not like I can just go change. We are too far away.” The green filly nodded. “You’re right. Still, you should have listened and not brought it along. Lilly will notice that.” “You can sew right?” Anda looked uneasy. “Yes, I do.” “Then it can be fixed.” “Fixed, yes. Fixed so it passes rodeo inspection, no.” Arrow rolled her eyes. “I have never seen my captain participate in a rodeo or heard of her doing so before coming here. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.” “I still think you need to be more cautious,” replied Anda. “Wrong choices have a tendency to come back around and bite you.” Arrow huffed, turning away to go sit on a rock, other lambs still trying to stay close to her. However, as she moved away from Anda, the ewes became less and less interested in her and more interested in Anda. “And that goes to prove the old saying,” Anda noted. Arrow glanced up. “And what would that be?” “Only the butcher herds the sheep. The shepherd leads them.” “I don’t see how,” Arrow said. Anda smiled. “Try calling to the sheep. Try calling Gertrude over there.” Arrow raised an eyebrow, but did as she was told. She was not in the least surprised when the little troublemaker didn’t even flick an ear in her direction. Then, Anda called to little Gertrude. The lamb immediately stopped what she was doing and looked in Anda’s direction. When Anda called again, the lamb obediently broke into a lope and made her way to her shepherd. “She might not always obey when you aren’t looking, but she knows my voice, and when I call, she obeys.” Arrow brushed it off, not wanting to seem interested. Instinctively, her eyes went to the sky, watching the clouds as they blocked her view from the distant mountains. And covered the tops of closer ones. Suddenly, a big ice-blue pegasus appeared from out of the mids of the clouds, before vanishing back into the white cotton. “Who was that?” Arrow said, standing up. Anda’s eyes shot to the sky. “I didn’t see it.” “Big, blue, mare—maybe a white mane and tail.” “OH!” Anda rose to her hooves, her eyes continuing to be watchful of the sky and the sheep. “That’s Wiliwaw.” “Who?” Arrow asked, “I’m not from around here, remember.” “Well, duh,” Anda stated, “Williwaw Winter, one of Lilly’s... friends? I’m not sure you could put that title on her. They’ve known each other for forever. Williwaw, or Captain Williwaw as she prefers to be called, is the leader of the Midnight Flyers. I’m hoping she is only here to  check the weather, but she is one of those phantoms who’s... well...” She looked afraid. “Even Lilly would tell you she is not safe. I’m told Williwaw used to be a tyrant in this area, but that was long before I was born.” “What happened?” Arrow asked, “Is she still?” “A threat, no. I’m not sure exactly what happened. Sony sings of a battle Lilly fought with her, knife against claw. Ya’ see, Williwaw attempted to make off with one of the lambs. Since at that time all she knew was the life of a wolf, she ate that type of thing.” “You mean sheep?” Arrow asked, her brown fur taking on a hint of green. Anda looked equally sick. “Yep. Ponies too, if she could catch them. The story goes that Lilly, despite Sony’s warning, took off after Williwaw, fought for a long time, then somehow managed to get the upper hoof. So as was tradition, since Williwaw was obviously not going to permit Lilly to leave alive, Lilly cut her ear, binding the mare to her service. My cousin is the only pony alive who can keep that mare purely in check, that I know of. Everypony else, we have to stay on our guard. She might be able to speak our language now, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t still prefer the wolfish ways.” Arrow shivered. “Why doesn’t she get put in jail?” “Jail? What jail?” Anda asked, “No, it’s the law of the jungle out here. We have come a long way since the Zombie Wars, but we still are a lot different than the lowlands. Death and the fear of death is part of life. Williwaw isn’t what you’d call ideal, but she’s an excellent military leader. She learned how to track, how to hunt, and how to fight from the best fighters in Equestria: the wolves. And she knows how to obey the Alpha. Just know, she is our fastest flyer in the mountains. If she goes after you as a target...” Anda didn’t finish, her face taking on a deeper hue of green. “You don’t want that.” “Are all the pegasi like her?” Anda shrugged. “I’ve not met many. Lowlanders I know are much different as you know, but since there are not many phantoms, we either are like me, a coward, or like her, an Amazon.” “Amazon?” Arrow asked, confused. “The Amazon were a group of mares who had no need of stallions, cutting off their udders and living wild and savage lifestyles.” “All this is very interesting, but-” Just then, Captain Williwaw Winter appeared from out of the clouds, pointed, then dove towards a nearby mini-cliff. Both fillies’ hearts leapt to their throats as the dashed to the spot. As they neared, the spied the sneaky Gertrude standing at the very edge. Williwaw had dove past her farther away from the rock. Up close, Williwaw could only strike fear into Arrow. The power of her wings, the size of her body, her mulled, and scared face and wings radiated danger. And like Anda had said, she had her left ear horribly disfigured, nearly half of it gone. Closer to the lamb, Williwaw pulled up and appeared directly in front of the lamb. Both fillies screamed, rushing to the lamb, but the lamb jumped and started falling. Again Williwaw dove, faster and faster, catching the lamb in her forelegs. Arrow watched with bated breath as the lamb she had slowly grown attached to was being carried away by a pony who would probably eat the rebellious thing. Turning, Williwaw landed right in front of Arrow and Anda, depositing the bawling lamb on the ground. Without any hesitation, she reached forward, snapping Gertrude’s front leg. “Anda is ashamed!” Williwaw spoke. “If Williwaw had been wolf, Williwaw could have Anda’s lamb for lunch, and Anda would not have been able to stop Williwaw!” She bared her teeth at the two. “Williwaw can excuse Sharp Arrow of the Phantoms, but Anda, daughter of the wolves, knows better. Williwaw has caught Gertrude lamb three times in the last seven suns! It is Persimmon Tradition to break leg of lamb who runs. So Williwaw has followed law. Now, Anda needs to teach Gertrude Lamb to depend, or Williwaw won’t be nice next time. Anda will feel Williwaw’s wrath. Williwaw is captain of Mountain Phantom. Anda is pegasus and will know Williwaw’s wrath.” The large blue mare then spread her wings and took off for the sky, once more disappearing into the clouds. Neither filly moved as long as she had been standing there before them. “Are all of your ponies hit and misses?” Arrow asked shakily. Anda nodded. “Arrow, I think we need to go tell mom. She’ll know what to do.” “Your Mom! And admit we were talking more than working?!” “Do you have a better idea?” Anda asked, “The Phantoms’ most dangerous mare just fell out of the sky and yelled at us! Mom will at least be able to fix Gertrude’s leg!” Arrow bit her lip. “But she’ll be completely unable to take care of that… thing if she decided to return!” “Arrow!” Arrow, however, paid no mind. Regathering herself, she removed her cloak and carefully scooped the lamb up on her back. Then, after turning the long thing into a makeshift sling, she tied the lamb in place. “You watch the sheep. I’m taking Gertrude to Lilly.” “But the hat!” Anda exclaimed, fear flooding her eyes. “My captain will know if I tell her now or later. We have no choice.” “Arrow!” Anda yelled after her, “You are making a mistake!” Arrow, being a very rapid flyer herself, was gone from view. ------------------------ Arrow tried to keep her nose pointed in the direction of the rising sun, but the glare was blinding, and the winds fierce. She flew higher, hoping to avoid the effects, but unfortunately, she now had to contend with the ever-increasing amount of clouds. She shivered as she fought for control as a strong crosswind hit her. Lilly had once told her that flying during the day was dangerous, but Arrow had dismissed it. Her captain wasn’t the strongest flyer. Arrow couldn’t count how many times she’d be knocked for a loop by another flyer because she just didn’t have the brute strength to hold steady in tough spot. Arrow, however, prided herself in being strong no matter what was going on. She, on a dare when she was younger, had flown straight through a Type 3 twister. The brown mare smiled sadly as she remembered her mother’s reaction back then. Mrs. Arrow hadn’t allowed her daughter out of her sight afterwards for nearly a month, but it had been worth it. More than worth it. Gertrude wiggled within her wrappings, bleating pitifully in pain. Readjusting herself, Arrow strived to make sure that the lamb’s journey was as comfortable as possible. She had just underestimated how far away it was. On a hunch, Arrow thought about detouring out of the mountains and flying just south of them over the top of the Everfree Forest that edged it. It would be faster to take that route, but she was unsure if it’d be safe. Whoosh With a cold wind, Williwaw Winter suddenly appeared and started flying directly below her. Perhaps it was just the cold wind that came with the Phantom’s presence that made Arrow’s blood run cold, but she suspected it was more out of fear. “Land, Arrow need rest. Now,” the blue mare ordered. “Williwaw not let Arrow break law become tired!” Arrow contemplated disobedience, though not for long—Williwaw had other ideas. The moment defiance crossed the brown mare’s face, she collected her and dove towards the ground, Arrow helpless in the scarred mare’s grasp. Landing on a rocky cliff, Williwaw ushered Arrow inside a large, dark cave. At first, she was hesitant. “Child, you are of the order of the Phantom,” Williwaw stated, “Enter, be warmed.” “But it’s hot outside!” Arrow complained. “Arrow no understand. Arrow need rest. Lamb need care.” “Exactly!” Arrow protested, “I’ve got to get her to Lilly.” Williwaw walked round so she faced the smaller, brown mare. “Arrow young. Much like Williwaw was many moons ago. Trust Williwaw. Williwaw take care of Arrow.” “And who forgot to teach you how to talk?” Arrow grumbled. “Williwaw was left in wild. Big Momma Wolf found baby Williwaw and fed till Williwaw was strong enough to live on own. Williwaw knew not language. Williwaw speak for Arrow’s benefit.” “So who taught you how to talk?” Arrow asked, still skeptical and afraid. “Williwaw was taught by Motivation. After Motivation became Alpha of Williwaw’s pack,” Williwaw stated, untying the cloak with her claws and carefully cradling the lamb. “Motivation,” Arrow said, “That’s Lilly, right? My captain?” “If Motivation is Arrow’s Alpha, why do Arrow not respect Motivation?” “I don’t get it,” Arrow said, annoyed. “How can you say I’m not respecting her?” “Arrow wear Motivation’s special hat. Arrow leave after being told stay. Twice Arrow come after being told stay.” “I’m not a dog!” Arrow protested. “Arrow no respect Motivation.” The brown mare suddenly found herself alone in the dark, Williwaw having moved farther back in the cave. From what Anda had said, Arrow actually expected this mare to be more violent. And while she was a tad off, violence seemed to come after a warning. “So how did you meet my captain?” Arrow asked, hoping to switch the topic. Williwaw walked back into the illuminated section of the cave’s entrance. On her back she carried a box of herbs and long strips of white cloth. “Williwaw was wolf. Williwaw need meat. Williwaw saw sheep. The order of wild is to eat weak sheep. Williwaw found weak sheep and flew off. But Williwaw not expect the shepherd. Williwaw never attacked by shepherd before. Motivation threw knife. Knife hurt Williwaw. Williwaw was feared by mountain ponies. Motivation not fear Williwaw. Motivation was small. Williwaw was not afraid of Motivation. Motivation is like badger. Badgers small, but bite hard. Motivation bite hard. Williwaw lose ear to Motivation. Motivation become Williwaw’s master.” Arrow was now convinced of one thing: she didn’t want to hear this mare tell very many long stories. Her grammar was a nightmare!  “So that’s how it happened.” “Arrow young as Williwaw once was. Arrow bitter about Detective Father death. Arrow afraid because of Flying Mother’s death. Arrow stronger than Arrow know,” Williwaw stated. “How did you know that?” “Williwaw watch Arrow. Arrow not honor Detective Father or Flying Mother. Arrow make ponies hate her.” “I DO NOT!” Arrow protested. “Arrow like lamb. Obey when called, but out of sight jump off cliff. Come, Arrow learn lamb treatment. Williwaw teach Arrow. Lamb treatment hard, Arrow learn do well!” The gigantic mare nodded, smiling. “You are weird,” Arrow said, not knowing how else to respond. ---------------------- Ten minutes and quite a bit more noise later, Gertrude had a makeshift splint on her leg. It wasn’t very well done. They had both done their best, but Arrow quickly found out that the larger mare’s skills were more on the level of having she’d seen it done than being of any actual practical use. Twice Williwaw started yelping and snarling like a dog. The first time Williwaw had explained that ‘wolf’ was still her prefered language, it being the language she’d spoken for nearly the first ten years of her life, and even then she spent more time with her ‘Wolf mama’ as she put it than with ‘Research Mother.’ Finally Williwaw helped retie the lamb to Arrow’s back, this time helping to secure it more firmly to prevent accident. “One last question, Williwaw,” Arrow asked as she stood on the cliff’s shelf. “Arrow may ask Williwaw.” “Do you really eat ponies?” Arrow asked, unnerved. “Williwaw only once eat pony. The foal was left dead near cave. Wolf Daddy said it good. Williwaw said no. Fish, Williwaw like, lamb, but no pony.” Arrow nodded. “That makes me feel better.” “Williwaw scare Arrow?” Again Arrow nodded, this time sheepishly. “That make Williwaw happy.” “You like scaring ponies?” Arrow asked, annoyed. “Williwaw no like company. If Arrow scared, Arrow not find Williwaw to talk. Arrow now rested. Lamb now safe for travel and Motivation’s talent. Williwaw want sleep. Arrow go.” “Alright, I still don’t get it, but I don’t think what we did will last long, so I better get going. I’ll see you later, Williwaw.” “Only if Williwaw want see Arrow.” “Bye,” Arrow said, smiling. Spreading her chocolate-colored wings, she jumped and permitted the wind to catch her, heading now in the direction she’d seen her captain take the previous evening.