CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
WHERE A SOUL SLEEPS
It was warm and safe here, the scent of wildflowers tickling his nose with their gentle perfume. Bracken smiled. He never wanted to leave this magical place, not to go back there…no. He was loved here, he was needed; everything was going to be the way it should have always been - no pain, no cruelty…only love.
Bracken rolled over and stretched out in the sunshine, the sky overhead as blue as the sea, the sun warm and gentle. A playful breeze blew, just enough to tickle his ears and make him snuggle all the more into the sea green mare. She was so beautiful, so kind…
“Bracken?”
Her voice was velvety soft, flowing over him and making his muzzle tingle.
“Bracken? Listen to me now, my stallion.”
He wanted to listen, but he just didn’t want to move, to break the moment. But…he didn’t want to upset her…
“Mmm?” he opened one eye and peered up into her lantern yellow eyes. They always took his breath away, always…
“Bracken, you can’t stay here, you have to go home.”
She was stroking his mane, her hooves as soft as cotton wool. He wanted to stay, he wanted to be here forever…with her.
“I am home.” He murmured.
That silken voice returned, “It’s not your time yet,” she said calmly, “your friends need you.”
Bracken shook his head, “I don’t want to, I want to stay here. Please, Pickles, I don’t want to go back there.”
The mare closed her eyes and leaned towards him, kissing him on the forehead,
“They’re coming to send you back, my Bracken, but I’ll be here when you return.” She nuzzled him lovingly, “They say time is different here, and it will seem only as the blink of an eye.”
“But…it could be years!” Bracken said anxiously, “This isn’t fair!”
“No…” Pickles replied wistfully, “No I don’t suppose it is, but then life rarely is.” She nudged him, “Come on now, my black stallion, on your hooves and back to my daughter. Don’t tarry now.”
Reluctantly Bracken pulled himself to his hooves, his body protesting and his mind screaming to him to stay where he was…he didn’t want to go, he didn’t want to leave her! Damn it, he’d just found her again! What was…?
Light burst around him making his shriek at the sudden shock to his senses. Feelings, sounds, memories and smells, everything slammed into him with all the force of a hurricane. He didn’t like it! He wanted Pickles, he wanted to…to…
A large pair of chestnut eyes peered into his, “Bracken? Back with us now? Jolly good!”
Bracken blinked, pulling himself up the mattress and stared around himself at the ponies surrounding the bed: Chalky, Gretel, Doc, Strata and…the Princess? He swallowed, but then…he couldn’t see her. Where was she?
“Where’s Pickles?”
“Pickles?” Celestia asked curiously, looking at the others.
“My…mother,” Gretel said quietly, “She…”
Celestia closed her eyes and nodded solemnly. Gently, she laid a hoof on Bracken’s shoulder,
“Come now, little one, you’ve been through a lot and need to rest. You’re safe now, your friends are here.”
Bracken shook his head in confusion, “But…but Pickles, I…”
The Princess tapped him gently on the nose, “All things in the fullness of time, young pony. Come on now, you don’t want me to tell Pickles you didn’t get enough rest do you?”
“No…”
Celestia leaned down and kissed him on the forehead - the effect almost instantaneous. Within moments, Bracken was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling gently. The Princess tucked the sheets in around him and stood back,
“Sleep well, son of Equestria.” She turned to the Gretel, “Captain, may I speak with you in private?”
Gretel nodded, leaving Chalk to sit with his friend while the others quietly tidied up around the sleeping black stallion. She led the Princess up the stairs, past the milling soldiers on the deck and into her cabin. She knew what was going to be asked here and she really didn’t want to bring it up again, but sooner or later, Bracken would have to know.
“Your mother is with the herd isn’t she?” Celestia asked quietly.
Gretel walked towards the large window and stared out at the clouds below, her heart suddenly heavy despite the joy of witnessing Chalky’s reaction to his friend’s improvement. She shrugged,
“She was murdered by an assassin, one of Nightmare Moon’s thugs.”
“I see…” The Princess closed her eyes and felt a wash of anguish flood through her. Assassination? Luna? Why would she…oh…oh, no…
Suddenly it all seemed so clear now. The images, the sounds, the intensity of emotion, the words of that damnable creature - they all began to come together like pieces of a puzzle.
“You know something, don’t you.” Gretel said quietly.
“Captain…” Celestia began.
“-I’m not a child, Princess, I’ve already buried my mother.” Gretel turned and looked her right in the eyes, “If you know the truth, you can tell me you know.”
Celestia shook her rainbow mane, the colours dancing and sparkling around her as she nodded, “If I knew the truth, Captain, I would tell you. However, I can speculate.” She walked up to the window beside her and gazed out at the beautiful scenery of Equestria far below. It was a world that should never have known war, nor the darkness of the Legion and their monstrous leader, Nightmare Moon. Celestia pictured that grinning creature and the way it had held Bracken, the look in its…’her’ eyes. A word immediately jumped into her mind,
“Jealousy.”
“Jealousy?” Gretel echoed, raising her eyebrows, “I don’t understand.”
Celestia sighed, “When I was linked with Bracken I saw images, scenes that…that I cannot describe. He saw things in the Legion camp, what they were doing there, and what she did to him.” The Princess shuddered, “She…placed a spell within him, one that blocked him from remembering his time there. It was probably intended to prevent him divulging information under interrogation or letting slip details accidentally, but it was far more than that. The spell was also a conduit, allowing Nightmare Moon to see the world through Brackens eye’s and hear through his ears. The bond weakens with distance, but under certain circumstances, it can allow her to act ‘through’ him and control his actions - if only in a limited way.”
“You’re starting to sound like Strata” Gretel muttered.
“Am I?” Celestia chuckled, “A fascinating unicorn to be true.” She sat on her haunches and stretched her wings, “The spell was only part of this though, Captain. May I ask: were Bracken and your mother in love?”
Gretel gritted her teeth. Goddess damn it, she needed a drink. She bit back the sudden surge of emotions and nodded, “I believe they may have been, in their own way…” she sighed, “Look, Princess, my mother and I, we didn’t talk very much and after dad died, even less. If she loved Bracken, we’ll never know. She only met him fleetingly anyway from what Chalky told me.”
The Princess chuckled despite herself, “It only takes a glance sometimes, Captain, other times a little longer. Nopony knows until it’s too late.”
“But what’s this got to do with Bracken?” Gretel asked, “You said ‘jealousy’, so what, Nightmare Moon was jealous of his feelings for my mother?”
Celestia nodded, “You didn’t see the way she was with him in the clearing. If there was ever a creature I would describe as ‘obsessed’, it would be her.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Gretel rumbled, “you’re saying that Nightmare Moon had my mother assassinated because she had a fling with Bracken? Good Goddess!”
Celestia turned away, “Like I said, I can only speculate.”
“But if that’s true, then…” Gretel span around to face her, “then she’ll be looking for him! Bloody hell, Celestia, he could be like a signal fire drawing her to us!”
The white alicorn shook her head, “No. The spell has been removed, and besides, the focus of her hatred is me. I believe she feels I ‘took’ Bracken from her and for that, I doubt I could ever expect any mercy from her should we meet.” She narrowed her eyes, “When we meet”.
“So what now?” Gretel asked, “If she can’t track him, she’ll still be looking for him.”
“Oh, she most certainly will!” Celestia laughed, “Back where we were. Why do you think I kept Bracken away where he couldn’t see your ship? Nightmare Moon will be looking for us high and low, but won’t think to check the skies.”
“All part of the plan, eh?” Gretel said pouring out a brandy, “And we’re just pawns in the game.”
“We’re all pawns, Captain, even me.” The Princess smiled sadly, “The real players are ones that even I cannot touch.”
Gretel swallowed her brandy, closing her eyes and concentrating on feeling the spirit flowing down her throat and settling in her stomach. Celestia had tricked her; she’d convinced her that Nightmare Moon knew about the sky galleon through her link with Bracken, but it had all been a clever ruse to get what she wanted. Gretel smiled to herself - the Princess was a sharp one alright.
“Princess?”
The white alicorn raised an eyebrow, “Yes, Captain?”
“You don’t have any money do you?”
Celestia sniffed and gave a wry smile, “I did, in my vault at the castle. Whether it is still there or not…I don’t know.”
“But you’d still want me to give you the barrels, wouldn’t you?” Gretel asked.
“Yes.”
“For the sake of Equestria?”
“Partly,” Celestia said honestly, “but also because I know you are a mare who has her own code of honour. I suspect, Captain Gretel, that you want to see the end of Nightmare Moon as much as anypony.”
“Perhaps.” Gretel replied quietly, “But you need to realise something Celestia, and that is my ship and my crew are to me as Equestria is to you. The deck of this vessel is my Equestria, the ship and crew are my family, and I will fight to protect them until my last drop of blood.” She lifted an eyebrow, “I appreciate honesty and truthfulness highly, Princess. I run an open ship, from the lowest deckhoof to the officers of the deck. I don’t appreciate being made a fool of.”
Celestia nodded, “I had no intention of making you feel that way, Captain, but you have to understand as well, that I will do whatever it takes, whatever it takes, to save my home and people. I didn’t lie to you about the mission, nor the reward. You will receive your payment if I have to squeeze it from every noble in the land.”
Gretel laughed, slamming her glass down on the table,
“Now that I’d like to see!”
Celestia smiled. She liked the Captain. She was, in some ways, a mare she would have loved to have been: a free spirit, an adventurer, a mare with a passion for life and for love. Maybe not so much of the hard spirits though, but there must be tea drinking Captains out there somewhere. Ah, dreams…
“Well, if you will excuse me Captain,” The Princess said turning to leave, “I must confer with my officers.”
Gretel bobbed her head, “Of course, we should make good time to Drakestown. I’ll have you informed as soon as we’re near.”
The Princess nodded her head and left the cabin, closing the door with her magic behind her. Gretel cringed, but mentally reprimanded herself for her reaction. There was no need now was there? The cargo was magically shielded and not in any particular danger, and as for the Revenge, Amy had said she actually found the presence of magic on board, ‘stimulating’! In fact the way that enigmatic mare looked at her sometimes…she shuddered. Her two helmsponies, Haggis and Salty, were like colts again, joking and batting at each other playfully. The upbeat feeling wasn’t lost on the rest of the crew either and Gretel had the distinct impression that a lot of it was tied to Amy’s mood. Goddess help them if she ever got upset, but generally, it seemed she was a sensible, if rather raunchy being who had the counterbalance of the Revenge’s soul to even out any ‘excesses’ that she may be inclined towards. At least, that was what Gretel liked to think. In reality, she suspected that there was a lot more than tea, cakes and cricket matches going on when Mister Haggis and his cohort were involved. She snorted to herself. So long as the ship was happy and the job got done, what the crew got up to in their spare time was none of her concern.
Gretel returned to the map table and perused the course she’d laid out. It would take them high over the mountains, across the marshes and down towards the river well before they reached Drakestown. The water there, at least according to the charts, was deep and fed the nearby estuary. It was just as well really too, as the Revenge would be low in the water with all the extra weight and they sure as hell didn’t want to run aground there. Fortunately though, the Revenge herself was the best navigator for those waters and combined with her experienced crew, it shouldn’t prove to be too much of an issue. What was more concerning was what was going to happen once they arrived at Drakestown. Gretel rubbed her eyes; it was getting late, and she’d been up for hours. The day’s business had been quite productive overall but now she needed to get some sleep or she’d be no good for anypony. With a yawn, she checked the time - Cleat would be officer of the deck now and she could finally enjoy a few hours of rest.
There was a quiet knock at the door,
“Gretel? Are you still up?” It was Chalky.
The Captain looked over her shoulder while she turned down the lanterns,
“I am, just. I thought you were staying with Bracken?”
Chalk yawned, “I was, but he’s sleeping soundly now. Doc said I should get some sleep and that he’d end up standing on me if I didn’t get out from under his hooves.”
“Aye, that sounds like him.” Gretel stretched her legs and neck, letting out a long sigh, “Come on then, make sure you’ve cleaned your hooves first though, I won’t have muck in the bed.”
Chalk lifted his hooves for inspection, “Do I pass muster, Cap’n?”
Leaning forward, Gretel kissed him on the forehead, “You do, only just though.” She chuckled, “But no misbehaving tonight, love, I’m absolutely worn out.”
“I know what you mean,” Chalk replied, “All that business with Bracken frightened the life out of me. I thought back then that…well, you know.”
Gretel folded back the covers and slipped in, the cool sheets pleasantly tingling against her hide. She turned to face the wall, smiling as the warm stallion carefully got in beside her. Chalk laid he muzzle across her neck,
“He doesn’t know about Pickles yet does he?” he said quiety, “Do you want me to tell him?”
The Captain let out a soft sigh, “No, leave it to me. It really should come from her daughter.”
There was a pause before Chalk spoke, “Gretel?”
“Hmm?”
“I missed you.”
Gretel lifted her head just enough to peek back at him, “I know, I missed you too love.”
Chalk let out a content sigh, “I know it’s probably not the best time, but you remember you wanted to say something to me before all that…you know, ‘stuff’ happened in Spurs Anvil. What was it?”
Gretel turned over until she was virtually nose to nose with him - not an easy feat in such a small bed, “To tell you, Mister Chalk, that I would like you to join my crew. You have a home here, if you want. But there’ll be no slacking mind you. In fact, I have a particular job in mind for you.”
“Oh?” he replied raising his eyebrows curiously.
The Captain smiled, “How are you with wind?”
Chalk scratched his muzzle, “Wind? Not bad really, beans don’t affect me all that much.”
“I meant wind as in what makes the wind go you twit!” Gretel bopped him on the nose, “Magical manipulation of wind, or something. I don’t know, Strata’s told me about it.”
“I’m not that good at magic, Gretel,” Chalk said looking down shyly, “I’m…”
The red mare leaned forward and kissed his muzzle, “Strata said he’d teach you, if you’d like.”
Chalk faltered. He’d never been especially good with magic, other than for the usual unicorn basics of object manipulation, light spells, a few combat spells he’d learned in the army, and being able to heat air enough to start a fire - none of which came anywhere near the complexities of element manipulation. Then there was that whole ‘magic going out of control thing’, which in all probability was the biggest stumbling block he had, and something he wanted to leave well alone. Being home schooled had hampered his magical development, but he was no better nor worse than most unicorns he knew. ‘Magic’…he took it for granted, but sometimes he wondered what it would be like to be without it, to be like Bracken. Chalk closed his eyes and pondered what life would have been like as an earth pony – to have all that strength, but also having to do everything with your mouth or hooves? No, not easy. What about a pegasus? Flying would be so cool! Sleeping could be a bit awkward though with those wings.
A warm nuzzle caught his attention, “Oh!” he squeaked, “Um, yes, yes I’ll see him in the morning.”
“Mmm, that’s my stallion.” Gretel kissed him on the lips gently, “Oh, and speaking of what I was going to tell you… there was something else…”
Chalk’s heart leaped. He wanted to close his eyes, frightened about what she was going to say, but he just could look away from the large shining eyes of hers, the way her smile made them sparkle all the more. He loved her so much…Goddesses he would do anything for her, but…but she was going to tell him something now…what if this was it? What if he was just a…a plaything for her? He suddenly wanted to run, to get away as far as possible, but if he did that there’d be no going back. Chalk took a breath and tried to take charge of his emotions as Gretel moved into him.
“You know,” she said with a glint in her eye, “i’d had this whole speech in mind for you, about how I felt, about my past and…” she shook her head, “now I can’t remember any of it. I guess it was pretty pointless anyway.”
Chalk smiled, “I’d like to hear more about your life Gretel, when you’re ready.”
“Oh, stop being so bloody sensible!” she teased nipping his ear.
“Ow! Hey!”
“Well, you deserved it.” She huffed, “It’s all your bloody fault anyway, making me feel like this all the time: you with your white coat, green eyes and soft flanks.”
“I do not have soft flanks!” Chalk protested with a huff, “It’s muscular…” he reached down and gave himself an experimental prod, “Um, mostly anyway. I’m not an earth pony you know.”
“Mmm, funnily enough, i’d noticed.” Gretel smirked, “Anyway we’re going off the subject.” She blinked and took a breath, “Chalky, we’ve not known each other very long have we?”
“No…” Chalk said, suddenly feeling deflated.
“But…” she tapped him on the nose, “I think we know enough about each other to…you know…something…”
“’Something?’” Chalk suddenly barked a laugh.
“Stop it!” Gretel frowned, pushing the unicorn away slightly, “Don’t make fun of me! It’s not easy this you know!”
Chalk smiled, his green eyes looking into hers, “Gretel, you don’t need to tell me, I already know.”
Gretel’s heart skipped a beat. Goddess in her heaven, she needed this stallion more than any bloody gold in Celestia’s damned castle, and she would have him. He was hers! Her breathing was coming heavy now, and hard, despite her tiredness. How Chalk had that effect upon her she’d never know…
“You’ve been calling me ‘love’ all day” Chalk said raising an eyebrow, “did you realise?”
“Huh?” Gretels train of thought completely derailed, “Have I?” she couldn’t remember, but…oh, Goddess…she had hadn’t she? “Chalky?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you used magic on me?”
“No!” he laughed, “I wouldn’t know how!”
Chalk squeaked in surprise as a hoof glided down his side towards his cutie mark. He closed his eyes, feeling Gretel’s lips brush his,
“I think you do,” she purred, “and you want to know something else?” Chalk groaned under her touch as Gretel squeezed, making the white unicorn shudder, “I love you Chalky…” she kissed him, softly on the lips, “my soft flanks.”
*****************************
Bracken sat up in bed, his headache completely gone and felling surprisingly fresh and alert. He felt, truth be told, better than he had in absolutely ages! He rolled off the bed and landed squarely on his hooves. They were a little unsteady at first and his legs a touch wobbly, but a quick stretch and a shake, and he was good to go. He looked around, but there was nopony in sick bay other than him - they were probably all up on deck. He could hear the rumbling of hooves above him, together with a constant background buzz of chatter. With a loud neigh, that surprised even himself, Bracken headed for the door and nearly collided with Doc as he walked in,
“Hey! What are you doing out of bed, Mister?” the blue stallion lifted a hoof stopping Bracken’s progress, “Come on, back you go.”
“Bugger that!” Bracken huffed, “I want some fresh air. Come on Doc, I feel fine.”
“I’ll be the judge of that, young stallion,” Doc replied in his no-nonsense manner, “now do as you’re bloody well told – back to bed!”
Groaning, Bracken did as he was told and slumped down on the mattress, waiting for the doctor to bring round his medical gear.
“Right then,” the blue earth pony said levelly, “Let give you the once over before you go anywhere. I won’t have a patient of mine keeling over on the deck, understood?”
“Sure, Doc.” Bracken rolled his eyes.
The doctor began prodding and poking him, listening to his chest, looking in his eyes, until eventually, thankfully, he nodded and sat back,
“Right, that does it.” Doc said, “So far as I can tell, Bracken, you’re fine and dandy. But listen, you’ve had a particularly nasty spell pulled from you and you may find some of your memories appear somewhat disjointed, or just plain strange. Strata and Celestia said they’ll settle down with time, but it may still be a little unsettling for you for a while yet. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Doc. I think so.” Bracken took a deep breath, “I think I’d like some fresh air now.”
Doc watched him go and shook his head sadly. Bracken was a good pony, but some stallions just drew misfortune like a lightning rod. He’d seen it before, mercifully rarely, but they were out there alright; ‘Fate’s Fools’ they used to call them. Hopefully, pulling that damnable spell from him may go some way to helping him to a better future, but first, some poor sod had to break the news to him about Pickles. Doc sighed and turned back to wiping down the bench, thanking the Goddesses, rather guiltily, that it wasn’t him.
Up on deck Bracken blinked in the bright sunshine. How long had he been down there in the lamp lit gloom? Hours? Days? He leaned on the ship’s railing and took long deep breaths, staring down at the land far below. By the Goddess, how could anypony get used to this?! He didn’t feel any motion sickness, but the height! No, he definitely wasn’t good with heights. Fortunately, the constant movement around the deck was distracting him: soldiers, lots of them. They were everywhere, trying to keep out of the way of the sailors but they were all here, even Cookie and that misery Fan. What in Equestria was going on? He groaned an rubbed his face with a foreleg - bloody hell, what a mess his head was in! He’d lost days by the looks of things. The last thing he remembered was…the Princess? No…well, actually yes, she had been there, but somepony else…with a darker coat, those azure eyes so deep and drawing him in…
“Ahoy Bracken!”
Bracken jumped in surprise, spinning round to see a brown and cream stallion standing before him,
“Good ter see yer lad. Ye be Chalky’s pal ain’t yer?”
“Er…aye, I am…sir.” Bracken stammered.
The pony rolled his eyes, “’Salty’, young fella, just Salty. Now, get yerself up ter the Capn’s cabin, quick as ye like.”
Bracken nodded, casting a curious glance back at the peculiar pony. He reminded him of somepony…one who…that was it! The other one who spoke just like him in the Fighting Cocks - what was his name now? Weasel? Weevil! Bloody hell, all that ‘Aargh’ stuff! Maybe Chalky had a point after all. He picked up his pace and hurried to the Captain’s cabin, keen to get away from the strange fellows oddly knowing grin. Years aboard this thing must have had a peculiar effect on the crew; they all seemed a bit eccentric to say the least. The sooner they got down to the ground the better - the sky was definitely not a place for earth ponies!
He took a breath and knocked on the door.
“Come in”
Bracken pushed open the ancient wooden door and peered in. There was the Captain, brushing her mane, and behind her a very familiar looking white unicorn who appeared to be the new ships maid. He raised an eyebrow - Chalky…making the bed! Bracken couldn’t help but sniff back a laugh. Back in the barracks Chalky barely found the time, or inclination, to tidy up anything after himself and was always getting in trouble for it. Now he looked…well, ‘at home’ somehow. Strange indeed…
“Captain Gretel?” he said politely, “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes Bracken,” she indicated to a chair by the table, “are you feeling any better?”
“Er…yes, thanks Captain, I am.” Bracken cast a glance at Chalk who smiled at him sadly. “Is something the matter?” he asked curiously.
The red coated mare pulled up her own chair, “Chalky, can you get us a brandy each?”
Once they sitting comfortably, the Captain stared down at her hooves for a moment and took a deep breath before she began to speak, “Bracken, you knew my mother didn’t you?”
Bracken furrowed his brow, “Your mother?”
Gretel nodded slowly, “Pickles.”
“Your mother! I…” Bracken’s eyes flew open, his attention now fully on the Captain, “Yes…I mean, a little…I mean…”
Gretel looked up at him, “Bracken, I’m sorry, but…my mother…died recently. We held the funeral a few days ago.”
Bracken’s heart felt as if it had frozen solid in his chest, his stomach as heavy as lead. He stared at the Captain unsure how to react, then looked down at the table, his ears flopping involuntarily. He’d seen her, he’d held her, in that place…that wonderful place…
“I know” he said quietly, “I…I saw her, in a dream…one that wasn’t really a dream.”
Gretel looked at Chalk who shrugged helplessly, “Bracken, I know you had only just met her, but she wanted me to give you this…” she reached into the drawer by the table and produced a small scroll, “Do you want to take it away to read it?”
Bracken’s voice was quiet, but steady, “No…I’ll read it here if I may.” He glanced up at Chalk, “Sorry, Chalky…”
“Don’t be sorry, you daft bugger,” Chalk said trotting over and giving him a tight hug, “you’re my best pal. I’m right here for you.”
Gretel stood up and pushed her chair back under the table, “I’ll leave you two in peace.”
Bracken didn’t even notice she’d gone as he stared at the scroll. It was strangely ominous and yet, delicate, even smelling of her. He lifted it to his muzzle and took in her scent, the scent of the first mare that he’d ever felt anything for, the first one that had ever felt anything for him - even if it had been little more than a fleeting encounter. Some pony’s may find it strange, nonsensical even, that he could have lost his heart so quickly to a mare he’d only just met, and maybe they were right. Perhaps he really was nothing more than a simple, foolish earth pony, but damn them…what did they know? WHAT DID THEY KNOW? He choked down a breath, his eyes burning. Grabbing his brandy, he downed it in one swallow and carefully slid off the small red ribbon that encircled it and slipped it into his pocket,
Dearest Bracken,
I hope this message finds you safe and in good health.
Firstly, I beg that you forgive the presumption of this message. I understand that you may well have moved on since we first met and if indeed you have, as I feel most assuredly that you should, then I wish you most wholeheartedly my fondest wishes.
I told you when I first met you that I was a mare who knew what she wanted, and should I have lived to see you again, I truly believe that I could have provided you with a home filled with kindness and love.
As I write this, it grieves me to know that my time here in this world is short and that it is unlikely I shall see you again before I pass to the goddesses embrace in the eternal herd. I will pray for your safety, for that of your friends and a long happy life for you and your loved ones.
Bracken, you are a wonderful stallion with a kind soul. I knew it the moment I saw you and can only hope that you take heart in knowing that you touched the heart of a mare that so few have ever come close to before.
May the goddesses bless you and hold you safe, always,
Yours,
Pickles
Bracken placed the scroll on the table and leaned back, closing his eyes as Chalk passed him a full glass of brandy. He couldn’t even remember drinking the last one.
“Brack? You okay dude?” Chalk asked, a note of concern in his voice.
“I hardly knew her.” Bracken said quietly, “So how can I feel anything for her? That’s what ponies would say, right?”
Chalk sat and said nothing. He hadn’t known Gretel that long either really, and yet, both friends had fallen for a mother and daughter. It sounded like some sort of plot you’d find a lewd five bit novel, but the pain in Bracken’s voice spoke volumes all of its own.
“Yeah…” Bracken snorted, “…how can I…”
Chalk watched a solitary tear roll down his friend’s face, before it disappeared, soaking into his fur. He didn’t know what to say, or what to do. His friend had lost somepony, somepony who had touched him and left an imprint on his heart that would never fade. The memories may diminish over time, the pain dull, but the love, if indeed that was what it was, would never quite go away. It would be waiting for him on dark, cold nights when he was alone…reminding him of her, the sea green mare, the one whom he would never be able to hold again…never…
“I’ll see her again,” Bracken said suddenly, wiping his muzzle. He jumped down from the chair, “some day, I will see her again.” He looked at Chalk, his eyes bloodshot and wet with tears, “What happened to her, Chalky? You know don’t you?”
Chalk nodded,
“Legion. We think so anyway. Pickles killed the assassin, but he’d already…you know…”
Bracken snorted, his eyes narrowing, “Why, Chalky? Why would the Legion do that? What could they possibly gain from murdering Pickles?”
Chalk shook his head, “I don’t know, Brack, really I don’t. If I did, I’d tell you.” he sighed, “We don’t know what she was doing before we met her. I suppose it could have been for any number of reasons.”
The black stallion knocked back his brandy,
“Aye.” Gritting his teeth he walked to the door, “Chalky?”
“Yeah?”
Bracken closed his eyes for a moment before looking back over his shoulder at his friend,
“Thanks.”
*************************
Gretel stood on the quarterdeck, looking out at the clouds below them as they slipped by. Bracken had just come out of the cabin and gone forward towards the bow without a word, probably looking for some quiet thinking time. She noticed the way his shoulders slumped and his head hung down, realising that maybe, just maybe, there really had been something between him and her mother. Perhaps given time and without this damned war, that tiny spark, that seed of love could have grown into something more. She gave her mane a shake and sighed. Initially, she’d wanted to see the scroll that contained the last written words from her mother, but the more she’d thought about it, the less she did. They were private words, one’s intended for Bracken and, she suspected, him alone. She grimaced. How many more ponies, how many loved ones would be sacrificed for the sake of a sisters spat? Bloody ‘royalty’, they were all the same.
“Captain!” Haggis’ voice carried up to her over the hustle and bustle of the main deck, “We’re about to start our approach to Drakestown.”
Gretel nodded, “Thank you Mister Haggis.” She quickly spotted the large form of the Master at Arms, “Mister Cleat!”
“Aye, Captain?”
The Captain tapped her hoof on the balustrade, “Get these soldiers below and make ready for water landing. Have somepony inform the Princess, if you please.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
Gretel watched the flurry of activity around her: the way the soldiers were herded down the stairs to allow the crew to do their work unhampered as the ships bow began to dip almost imperceptibly. Moments later, the first whisps of cloud began to whip across the deck, quickly engulfing the small figure of the black stallion standing like a statue on the forecastle. Part of Gretel wanted to go to him and pull him away, to take him away from the painful memories he was having, but she knew that really this was something he needed to reconcile himself. Bracken’s friends were all here, ready to comfort him when he needed them. She shook her head sadly. By the time Celestia’s plans had been brought to fruition, the chances were there would be a lot more ponies wondering why their lives had seemingly come to an abrupt halt when they found a loved one had simply…gone; a hell of a lot more.
At the careful guidance of Haggis, the Revenge slid through the clouds and continued her descent towards the wide green-blue ribbon of the river below. It was quite majestic really, peaceful even. The idyllic landscape of farmsteads, river, forests, hills and lush green fields was so typically Equestrian, Gretel half expected it to appear on a tin of biscuits. In fact, it probably already was. She grinned to herself and returned to her cabin to collect her gear. Chalk was inside, already his attired with his basic gear and that odd sword of his. Whenever she saw it, it made her think of Amy, the way she sparkled, as indeed they all must have back when the Empire was still ‘here’. By the Goddess, she hoped he would be safe, she hoped they’d all be safe.
“How was he?” she asked Chalk as she shrugged into her heavy shore coat.
He smiled sadly, “He’ll be okay. He’s quite a resilient sort of fellow.” Chalk passed Gretel her sword, “How about you?”
“Me?” She paused a moment, thinking, then shook her mane, “Okay, just a little melancholy I suppose. It’ll pass.” Gretel looked up right into the large green eyes of her white stallion. Chalk looked so mature all of a sudden it made her heart leap,
“It will,” he said gently, “and I’ll be here for you when you need me.”
The red mare blinked slowly, kissing the unicorn before her softly on the muzzle and pulled him into her as she closed her eyes breathlessly,
“You’d better be.”
***********************
Standing on the quarterdeck, Gretel could sense eagerness from the Revenge. The ship was readying to enter the water, her bow lifting as she prepared herself for the connection. Mister Haggis’s attention was fully focussed and Gretel could sense the answering concentration from the ship following his guidance.
“Brace for water landing!” Salty called out, and moments later the ship kissed the waters surface, quickly losing forward momentum as the water sucked at her hull. It was a strange feeling - the sudden transition from…’nothing’, to the pull of the world below. Gretel smiled to herself; it had a kind of magic all of its own. She listened to the water rolling past the hull, the sound of birds and the smell of the land carried to her on the breeze. The Revenge was happy here, she liked birdsong and the calm waters of the river. It was relaxed her and, by association, her Captain. Gretel smiled to herself but kept her senses keen; she couldn’t allow herself to feel too relaxed - Drakestown could be a hotbed of Legion troops for all she knew. For now at least, they’d play the part of regular traders and see what was what.
An hour of idyllic landscape slipped past until the first signs of life were seen: chimney smoke, rising lazily from outlying farmsteads in the distance, and a few ponies tending to their fields. Looking through her telescope, Gretel scanned the area for any sign of threat, but everything seemed quite normal, “You know this place, don’t you Chalky?”
“Aye,” the white unicorn replied, “Bracken and I met some damned good ponies the last time we were here.”
“Any trouble?” she asked.
Chalk laughed, “Ha! Yeah, when the Legion stuck a poster up there was a riot. We decided to get the hell out of there before we became mixed up in it.”
“Looks quiet now.” Gretel said, lowering the telescope, “I can’t see any sign of any property damage.”
Chalk shrugged, “Very civilised rioters I suspect,” he chuckled, “they probably sent apology letters and tidied up after themselves.”
Gretel gave him a playful shove, “I can imagine you doing that somehow.”
“Huh! You didn’t see us in the Full Moon”
“Just as bloody well!” The red mare said irritably, “If I’d been there I would have knocked your bloody heads together.” She leaned over the balustrade, “Take us into dock, Mister Haggis. Mister Salty, when we’re tied up, I want a shore party readied.”
The brown and cream stallion, touched a hoof to his forelock,
“Aye, aye, Cap’n.”
Gretel turned suddenly, “What was that?”
Chalky looked up innocently, “Hmm?”
“You said something, sounded like…’Argh’.”
“Did I?” he replied wide eyed, “Nah, must have been the wind.”
Gretel clucked her tongue, “Mmm! I’m sure it was!”
The dock was larger than expected, apparently designed for ocean going vessels and a group of ponies quickly appeared calling instructions up to the deck crew as the lines were thrown out and the ship made secure at the dockside. Chalk could see Bracken on the forecastle, he was shouting down to somepony on the dock, although with all the other noise and bustle on deck he couldn’t hear what was being said. From below, the General appeared wearing a simple travelling cloak along with another mare, the red coated Major Wild. Chalk had a double take, staring at her, then to Gretel, then back again.
“What?” Gretel asked.
Chalk smiled nervously, “Um…nothing.”
Gretel leaned in, her voice a bare whisper, “I know what you’re thinking, mister, and she looks nothing like me.”
“Can’t mess with a classic, eh?” Chalk whispered back cheekily.
Gretel winked at him, “Not if you don’t want your arse tanned later, no.”
Chalk’s huge grin received a look of exasperation from the Captain as she trotted down to join the officers by the gangplank.
General Dray stretched his legs and gave his mane a good shake before waving down to a familiar bronze pony on the dock who waved enthusiastically back.
“Hey!” Chalk shouted excitedly, “It’s Gal!”
Bracken walked over, a grin across his face, “Guess we’d better get him that drink this time then.”
“You two know him?” Dray asked curiously.
Chalk nodded happily, “Yeah, him and his boys saved my life after I’d been half eaten by pixies.”
“By WHAT?!” Dray asked in surprise. He looked at Bracken who shrugged and nodded,
“Believe or not, aye, it’s true.”
Dray stared at Chalk who grinned at him expansively, “What can I say? I’m just so delicious.”
The General snorted a laugh and gestured to the Captain,
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to Captain, but you’d be most welcome.”
“Thank you Dray,” Gretel smiled, “I’ll take you up on that. I’ve never been here before, so if nothing else, it will help broaden my horizons.” She looked behind her, “No Celestia?”
“No.” Dray said quietly, “As far as anypony is concerned, we don’t want her seen or talked about. There could be Legion here, maybe spies or agents - we just don’t know.”
“The proverbial rabbit is staying in the hat then, eh?” Gretel replied.
The General nodded, “Exactly.”
On the dockside, the bronze stallion, Galliard, or ‘Gal’ as he preferred, was overjoyed to see not only Dray, but Chalk and Bracken. The four of them were soon walking along chatting like old friends, with Gretel and Wild bringing up the rear.
“It’s a small world alright,” the Major said absently, “you could walk halfway across Equestria, maybe even across the ocean, and still bump into some bugger you know.”
Gretel sniffed, “You got that right.”
“Can I ask you something?” Wild asked quietly.
“Depends what it is,” The Captain shrugged, “but go ahead. I will if I can.”
Wild smiled, “Don’t you think it’s a bit funny, you know…with a unicorn?” She scratched her ear before continuing, “They seem a bit fragile to me. I’d be afraid of breaking him.”
Gretel laughed, “I thought so too at first, but they’re a lot more resilient than you might think.”
“Hmm,” Wild pondered, “think I’ll stick with earth ponies. I like them a bit meatier, myself.”
“What about a pegasus?”
Wild barked out a laugh, “Now one of them I would definitely break!”
“Wild?” Gretel asked.
“’Heather’, please.”
The Captain nodded, “Sure, Heather, are you and, um, Dray…you know…dating?”
“Ha! Dating?” Wild suddenly flushed, “No, I don’t think he’d ever do something like that.” She shook her head, “Shame really, he’s a good looking stallion.”
“Have you thought of making a move on him?” Gretel asked, casting a quick glance at the grey stallion up front.
“Me?!” Wild snorted, “No…well, I may have ‘thought’ about it, but he is, or rather was, married.”
“Was?”
The Major kept her voice down as she spoke, “His whole family were murdered by Lord Ochre’s ponies. He came home and found them just after it had happened. It was only by the grace of the Goddesses he wasn’t there himself.”
Gretel heart skipped a beat, “Oh goddess…”
“Yeah…” Wild said quietly, “I don’t think he’ll ever get over what he saw. It…changed him, inside.”
“Bloody hell, it’s no wonder. That would change anypony.” Gretel breathed.
Up ahead, the party had turned a corner and were heading towards a warehouse along the waterfront. Gretel instinctively checked her sword was free in its scabbard, noting that the Major too, wasn’t taking anything for granted as her ears perked up and her eyes looked around for any signs of danger.
Other than the shaft of daylight spilling in through the open doorway, the rest of the interior of the warehouse was in near complete darkness. The bronze pony trotted off into the gloom while the rest of them waited. Gretel could feel her blood rushing in her ears, her hoof twitching towards her sword while she kept half an eye on the doorway in case they needed to make a quick getaway. Up ahead, the bronze fellow, ‘Gal’, was already returning and was soon muttering something to the General. The grey stallion nodded in reply and then trotted off, leaving the rest of them waiting. Gretel glanced at Wild but she was completely focussed on Dray. A few minutes later, the floor began to rumble as dozens of shadows seemed to detach themselves from the back of the warehouse, moving steadily towards them. Quickly stepped back, the Captain checked to see where Chalk was - he was close. The white unicorn had pulled his friend back to flank the open door, no doubt checking to see if there was somepony outside waiting to slam the door and lock them in. She narrowed her eyes, steadying herself.
“Gretel…” It was Wild, “It’s alright, they’re friends.”
The Captain didn’t share her confidence. She’d been ambushed before - those scum from Aeon’s crew on the island for one, but she trusted Heather and allowed herself to relax slightly. There was a discussion going on nearby, one that included the bronze pony as well as Dray and…somepony in silver armour - an officer?
Gretel tossed her mane; the tension in here was unbearable! Good Goddess, why had she agreed to come along? She should have gone straight to the tavern and had scout about for any good trading deals, but no, here she was in a dark warehouse with a bunch of armed ponies…days just didn’t get better than this…
Dray clopped his hooves together, drawing everponies attention,
“Everypony, this is Colonel Golden Spoon, she’ll be joining us.”
The Captain gasped. The mare striding towards them was…incredible! She was tall, elegant almost and with the most magnificent armour of burnished gold and silver. Her alabaster coat, deep blue mane and tail, not to mention those striking turquoise eyes, would likely turn many a pony’s knees to jelly. Gretel couldn’t help but feel a shock of jealousy burn its way through her and she glanced back at Chalk, but he was too busy watching the road outside to notice…thankfully.
“Ah, Wild, good to see you again girl.” The Colonel shook hooves with the Major, smiling broadly, “And who else to we have here?”
Gretel suddenly realised the middle aged mare was looking at her,
“I’m…um…Gretel, Captain of the King Sombra’s Revenge, ma’am.”
“HA!” the mare laughed, “I like the name! I like it a lot!” she leaned forward and lifted an eyebrow, smiling, “And its either ‘Colonel’ or ‘Golden’, no ‘ma’am’…” she chuckled, “Makes me feel old y’know.”
The rather eccentric sounding mare flicked her mane and went around introducing herself, although for the most part it was clear she knew Dray and his ponies already.
Colonel Spoon stomped a hoof, a broad smile on her face, “Well, I don’t know about you boys and girls, but my merry band and I are ready when you are.”
Dray turned to the bronze stallion, “Gal?”
“We’re ready, Dray,” he nodded to the General, “my boys have blocked off the route down to my riverboat and we’re losing the light, so we should be good to go anytime now.”
Gretel looked outside. The fellow was right; the sun was indeed beginning to dip already. By the Goddess, this time of year was bloody miserable. Sure, it had a certain charm of its own, but standing on deck in the biting cold and having to navigate in darkness, was something she would be glad to see the back of. She pondered that coat again, the one the peculiar trader had tried to sell her…one hundred percent genuine yak…
Time passed by surprisingly quickly. The Colonel was spending most of her time discussing matters with General Dray and Major Wild, while there was the occasional cursory nod to Gretel but little more. She was beginning to form the distinct impression that the ‘guards’ pony as she’d heard one of them call Golden Spoon, was a bit of high flier in pony circles, and that made her feel a little…well, ‘course’ really. Golden lived in a very different world from her own, probably one full of china cups, cream teas and jolly hockey sticks - the sort of place that Amy would fit right into. ‘High bloody society snobs’, Gretel fumed inwardly, muttering under her breath. It wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t been so damned attractive! But thank the Goddess that Chalk didn’t seem particularly bothered by it. Still, she was sure she’d caught him steeling the odd glance…she’d have to find out…
“Chalky?”
“Hmm?” He didn’t look up.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just keeping a look out.” He said quietly, keeping his eyes on the road, “Major Wild said they’ve got pegasi watching the area for any Legion but I’d rather be sure, you know?”
Gretel sighed, “Yeah.”
Chalk looked back at her, “Are you alright? You seem…distracted.”
“No!” Gretel squeaked, clearing her throat noisily, “No…I’m fine…really…”
“Hmm…” Chalk moved closer, making her take a step back as she nearly jumped. “Gretel, what’s up? Something’s bothering you, I can tell.”
“I…No, honestly Chalky, I’m just being silly.” The red mare lowered her head and tried to peek surreptitiously at Colonel Spoon, but it was hard to do it without making it obvious. “Um…have you ever met the Colonel?” Gretel said suddenly, “She seem’s…nice.”
“Uh-huh.” Chalk shrugged, “I’ve seen her before, but not to speak to. Royal Guard, especially officers, don’t mix with the rankers like me and Brack.”
“Oh…” Gretel hated herself for this, but it really starting to bother her, “Chalky, you…you don’t think I’m…a bit ‘common’, do you?”
Chalk’s eyes went wide, “You’re…what?” he suddenly laughed, “You’re kidding me, right?”
“Shhh!” Gretel waved her hoof urgently, “Shut up! I don’t….look, oh…forget it!”
A hoof reached out and caught her round the neck,
“Upper class twits don’t hold a candle to my beautiful adventurous Captain.” Chalk smiled, “I know who I’d choose everytime…Cap’n”
Gretel chuckled and whispered in his ear,
“Arrrgh.”
“I knew it! I bloody well knew it!” Chalk made a sound like he was trying to shout and whisper all at the same time, the resulting strangled noise had the nearby Bracken rolling his eyes in despair.
Gretel turned to walk away but Chalk gave her a quick nudge,
“Cap’n?”
“Yeah?”
Chalk’s grin was infectious, “I’d definitely go with the plaits.”
Shaking her head, Gretel walked back to the others with the ghost of a smile on her face. So, she hadn’t been dreaming that after all eh? Right…
“Captain Gretel, this is Galliard,” Dray held out a hoof, indicating the bronze stallion she’d seen earlier, “he’s the owner of the riverboat I mentioned and dock master now I believe?”
The bronze pony laughed, “Only because everypony else has buggered off.” He extended a hoof, “Call me Gal, Captain Gretel. I believe you are well acquainted with the two miscreants by the door?”
Gretel snorted, “Unfortunately…” She shook Galliard’s hoof, “Pleasure to meet you Gal.”
Dray nodded, “Captain, as agreed, we’ll need the Revenge up front and Gal’s riverboat, the Fairlady, will follow towing the barges.”
“We’ll be ready General,” Gretel replied, “just have your ponies do what they do best.”
He nodded and turned to face Colonel Spoon who had walked up,
“We’ll set off as soon as you’re ready, Colonel”
“My boys and girls are always ready, Dray.” The enigmatic white mare smiled.
Gretel stared in wonder at the huge number of ponies behind the Colonel. Most of them were earth ponies and unicorns, but there were a few pegasi too. All of them were muscular, lean creatures who up until a few minutes ago had…hang on…was she imagining things? She stared at them, turning to Major Wild, her voice low so only she could hear her,
“Heather?”
“Hmm?”
“Those soldiers, they were white a while ago weren’t they? The earth ponies that is. The unicorns were all grey too.” Gretel shook her head in puzzlement, “Please tell me I’m not going mad here.”
Wild chuckled to her herself, “You didn’t know? Royal Guard armour’s enchanted to make them all look ‘uniform’.”
“Ha! I bloody knew it!” Gretel sniffed loudly, “Bloody posers!”
“They’re all battle hardened troops actually.” Wild replied, “But, yeah, I see where you’re coming from. They were only ever meant to be ceremonial but the Colonel’s kept them training, and thank the Goddesses she did. They certainly saved our sorry hides at River Valley.”
“Oh…” Gretel facehoofed, “Well I feel great now…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Heather said clopping her on the shoulder, “they had a lot of us fooled too, not to mention the Legion.”
“Glad they’re on our side though.” Gretel said watching them checking each others kit and packs were secured.
Apparently the idea was that the soldiers would move to the ship, riverboat, and barges, posing as refugees - if by chance anypony asked. The fact they all looked like regular ponies, albeit muscular ones, would certainly be a lot less conspicuous than a formation of all white and grey armoured warriors. Last to take her armour off was Colonel Spoon herself. Gretel watched with a sly smirk on her face, waiting for the eccentric mare to reveal her less than flattering colours.
Piece by piece, the Colonel quickly divested herself of the gold and silver filigree plates and stowed them with the help of her aide de camp. The Captain waited, watching…
“Any second now…”
“Er, Gretel?” Wild whispered.
“What?”
“What are you expecting to happen?”
The Captain nodded towards the middle aged mare who was insisting on carrying her own armour and weapons. Her cutie mark, a small golden runcible spoon on her flank was quite striking against her white fur,
“I want to see what happens when she changes too.”
The white mare trotted past her, her blue mane bouncing as she headed towards the door, “Off we go you lot, come along.” She turned to Gretel, “All set, Captain Gretel? Anchors away as you seafaring types would say, eh?”
Her pristine white teeth flashing with her broad smile and her turquoise eyes sparkling, the Colonel trotted out of the door with some of the others. Gretel watched intently.
“Um, Gretel?” Wild said quietly, “You do know that’s the Colonel’s natural colour, don’t you?”
“Wh…what?!” Gretel squeaked, “It can’t be! She’s…she’s…”
“Beautiful?” Heather took a deep breath, watching the senior guards officer chivvying her ponies out, “I know…believe me Gretel, I know.”