Limbs were numb as I laid on the cold stone. The words having finally stopped leaving all encompassing silence in it's wake. Maddening silence.
The sound of drums made their way to my ears. Aided by my ragged breaths through the bindings of my mouth, a strangely melodic song was born.
Three beats, breath in, four beats, breath out.
My strange song continued as I stared at the ceiling, forcing wakefulness. Sleep once brought happiness, contentment... love? Yes even the ever elusive emotion. But now... A feeling of emptiness only remained.
'No, the dreams are meant to hurt me.' I thought, finding a piece of stonework above me especially interesting.
Designs popped out from the random indents and patterns of the stone ceiling. Part of me voiced it's wish to draw the designs, to put them onto paper or metal. A small, quiet part.
The beat of the song increased as my mind wandered to fighting. Sword and axe play. The use of pole arms having been overlooked I wished it hadn't. Curiosity at how my fight would've gone had my spear or a poleaxe been available.
'Well there were a lot of trees, it prob-'
Pain, it echoed throughout my body from my head. Clutching my skull, hands strained as they tried to peel away the skin and bone to release the pressure.
Concentration was lost and the pain followed not long after leaving me lying on the floor, lucid thought far from me.
'Perhaps a nap would help'
My numb limbs ached as I curled up on the stone, attempting at what little comfort that I could afford in my barren cell. Joints popped sending dull pain from the offending appendages.
The beat of the music continued though breaths slowed significantly. A faint creaking was heard as consciousness faded, along with the almost familiar sharp feeling that came to rest on my head. Brightness filled my lidded eyes, a bright sun burned away at the delicate organs prompting a hand to rise in a futile attempt at shade. Salty air blew around me as my stomach turned from the sight of the large amount of water. “Are you alright Bret? You look a little green around the gills” an older man said as we looked down at the Pacific. “Yea fine, just never been to the ocean before” I replied a shiver running up my spine as my gaze returned to the water. Green flooded the ocean replacing the blue entirely. A breeze blew by as I looked out over the field of green that swayed gently in the breeze. Leaning forward, I looked out over the stone to find a small river running at it's base. An urge to jump was felt in my mind, but I turned laughing returning to the large white vehicle.
Colors swirled again before blackness took over where they had been. Curiosity sounded in my mind as I tried to look around in the blackness only to feel an impact on my arm. Lids lifted from my eyes and my head jolted violently as light made itself and the world around me known. Looking around many people sat around me in pews before a well dressed man. He was holding up a book, something in me knew what the book was as he talked into the microphone.
“Bret you can't be falling asleep. What kind of example would that be setting for the children?” An even more familiar voice sounded next to me that seemed to fill me with happiness.
A sigh sounded as I rubbed my eyes. “I know Julia, but you know I had to work late last night” I whispered back to the red headed woman.
Sympathy was written on the young woman's face as she patted my shoulder lightly. I chuckled quietly before sticking my tongue out at her, familiar with the game.
“You might want to stay up though, your Mom has been giving you the death stare since your head drooped” A motion with her eyes towards the woman in question signaled in fact that she was glaring at me.
'Well crap' with a quick shake of my head I looked back up at the well dressed man.
Melodious laughter echoed through the house as we walked in the door. “Man your Mom chewed you out! Why was she so mad at you for falling asleep?” Julia asked putting down her purse and sitting down on the couch.
Significantly more awake after the verbal lashing I rubbed my eyes. “It was a bad habit I picked up as a kid. I would lay my head on her lap and sleep through the majority of the sermons. When I got older she'd get angry with me for it, and well since I still do it as an adult...”
A shrug only made my wife laugh harder. “Geeze good to know you were just as lazy when you were a kid”
Flopping down on the couch next to her I rested my head in her lap, pushing off the nice shoes letting them tumble to the floor. “So what now?”
A questioning look passed over the young woman's face as the lightly started stroking my hair. “Oh don't tell me you don't remember honey.”
My eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of her nails lightly scratching my scalp. “Remember what?” I halfheartedly asked.
Another sigh sounded before she pushed me from her lap before she rose, now standing before the couch with her hands on her hips. “Oh don't even tell me your forgot! You promised you'd take me camping this week since you're off!”
I blinked confused for a moment. “I thought I was off next week?” Flopping down on the floor with a dull thud and a quiet “Ow” I got to my feet. “You know for Memorial day?” Walking over to the calendar I heard the woman behind me snort with laughter.
“I was wondering why you weren't more energetic! You're usually so happy when you manage to get a week off!” She said, a smile replacing the look of scorn that had adorned her face not moments before.
Black marker marked out a whole seven blocks of the grid. “CAMPING TRIP!!!” was written in the blank in huge lettering. 'Well I'll be damned' I thought before turning to the woman. “Well I guess we better get packing th- Omph!”
An impact threatened to knock me over the small coffee table that stood just under the calendar. After a moment of adjustment I looked down to see a large green duffle bag in my arms. “Beat ya too it~!” A singsong voice came from the garage before sounds of rummaging started. “Mine's already in my car, which we'll be taking since your truck looooves to guzzle gas.”
Julia walked through the doorway, a familiar bag draped over her shoulder. “C'mon slowpoke. I know I'm pretty, but we need to get outta here before some idiot shows up and takes the spot!”
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Fair enough hun, though there's no rush, nobody uses my campgrounds”
Curiosity took her face once more as she looked at me, “and why might that be?”
A chuckle ran through me as I tossed the bag on the couch before starting to change out of my nice clothes. “Well number one being the land belongs to my family, which we use all the time for little get togethers and whatnot.” Losing the suit, I hung it on a hanger before tucking it away in the closet. “Number two” I started pulling up a pair of black jeans and throwing a T-shirt over the muscle shirt beneath. “There are 'Beware of Bears' signs all over the place up there”
Tightening my belt as I walked out of our room, I looked over to see a look of worry on the young woman's face. “Are there actually any bears?”
Grabbing the blue duffle bag from the couch I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “The closest bears are miles from the campsite, nothing to worry about hun. Plus if worst comes to worst.” I patted the knife I kept tucked on my belt. “I think we could outrun a bear” I said as the worry deepened in her face.
Annoyance replaced worry before she pushed the tent's bag into my chest before marching to our room. A simple “You're a butt” was uttered before the door closed.
“Love you too babe!” I said chuckling under my breath as I started out to the car.
Sundance threw foliage left and right with her magic, the flora having overgrown the small site where the zebra had reported the abduction. A faded glowing magical outline marked the place where one of the changelings had fallen, a large stab wound from the eye having taken it. Bloodstains, both red and the changeling's unique green, was splashed liberally around certain areas her and her squad had determined the majority of the fighting took place. Originally it had been a great worry to her, as well as the princess, but the amount gave no indication that he bled out or would anytime soon.
“Sargent Sundance!” The call sounded through the trees making the armored unicorn turn to see one of her many guards saluting which she quickly returned.
“What is it Private? Do you have something for me?” She asked, her tone giving only a little of her frustration away.
The slight difference in tone was not lost on the guard who faltered a moment. “Well Ma'm we've been out here for some weeks and some of the others are wondering if we should give up for now. Head through the town and make sure it's safe, and that there are no changelings hiding in it. Not only are the Elements of Harmony with Princess Twilight Sparkle searching, but Princess Celestia is taking time from her duties to help as well.”
Sundance let out a sigh. 'He's not wrong, that should've been my first priority' A hoof came up to rub between her eyes. “Very well, fetch the other guards who had those concerns if you would and bring them here”
The Private saluted, slight fear showing in his eyes though his face was true to his title. The armored mare looked back over the crime scene, or what was left of it. 'I hope he's alright' she thought as she scanned the area again with her magic, hoping to find some trace of where they dragged her friend. Magic or no, the area seemed blank of any traces of the changeling's whereabouts.
“Sargent?” The question rang out shocking the unicorn mare from her thoughts. Turning, the majority of her squad stood behind the original private who had posed the question. A mental sigh racked her mind. “I gathered all that I could Ma'm, a few others were helping the Elements of Harmony search through the ruins”
Sundance nodded, “Well Private, you're in charge of the group. Head down to Ponyville and search the town for remaining changelings”
Shock formed on a few of the guard's faces, but none worse than on the private in question's. “M-Ma'm are you sure about that?”
The Sargent allowed irritation to show on her face, “Are you questioning my authority Private? You've been through the drills just as your peers, I have faith you won't buck this up. Even if you do, there are a hooffull of longer served guards who can take your position.” The words seemed to calm a twitch the guard had formed in his ear though the fear still showed in his eyes. “Now, you have your orders Private, get to them and report back to me when you're finished”
The Private in question saluted as did the group behind him. A nod from her sent the group off in time to miss her sigh. 'Of course Bright was concerned with the town, just had to lose one of my best scouts.' Sundance shook her head turning back to one of the larger, now brown, bloodstains.
“It could've been put a bit more gently, but given the circumstances you handled that rather well” A familiar voice sounded behind the armored unicorn making her turn. With practiced movement, she stooped into a bow. “Now there's no need for that Sundance, we're both just searching for our friend out here.”
Rising back to her hooves she looked up at the alabaster alicorn feeling tired. “I have yet to find any trace of where the changelings could've taken him your majesty.”
Concentration formed on the alicorn's face for a moment as she looked over the younger unicorn's head. “Did you check for any magical residue? Perhaps the changelings used their magic to escape with the Wanderer”
Confusion showed on the younger mare's face as she looked up at the Princess. “I mean no offense Princess Celestia, but from my understanding changelings are unable to use magic as unicorns can. The only magic they have being their ability to shape shift and form a barrier around themselves to attack. Am I mistaken your majesty?”
The look of concentration on the Princess' face deepened as she looked over the scene before her, eyes shooting between the different pools of blood and the glowing outline where the changeling had been when it died. Her horn sparked to life, and before Sundance's eyes the bloodstained scene seemed to brighten. Moments pass before the light fades, quickly followed by the alicorn's horn. “Perhaps they are more capable of magic than we thought...”
What looked like golden and light blue glitter hung in the air leading from the cluster of bloodstains into the trees. Sundance stood shocked next to the princess she swore to protect, a spark of envy lingering in the back of her mind as she looked back.
“While normally I would believe it best to wait for some sort of backup, the trail was old even when we found it, if we're not quick it shall fade before we reach our destination” Celestia said, turning to look at the younger unicorn, concern evident on her face.
Shock was showing freely on the younger unicorn in question. Shaking her head before motioning with a hoof, “Yes Ma'm! I'll inform the guards helping the Elements in their search of the ruins” Not even before she finished, a small notepad and pen were fished from beneath her armor. A quick note was written, and through some concentration the note imploded upon itself disappearing, presumably reappearing before her guard.
“Let us be off then” The elder of the two suggested trotting after the magical trail.
A smile was plastered to my face. The feeling of serenity seeming to permeate me as I lay on the sleeping bag, the admittedly hard earth causing little concern in my mind. Julia on the other hand shifted next to me, causing my eyes to open back up and look at the lumpy silhouette in the darkness.
“Do you want my sleeping bag too? Or do you think that would help?” I whispered. The lumpy form moved again to what I could only imagine her turning to face me.
“Oh hush you. I still don't know how you're even close to comfortable out here. There are bugs everywhere, I'm freezing, and my back is starting to ache.” her voice sounded unhindered.
I put out a hand motioning for her to keep it down. “I understand hun, I've just been out doing this a lot longer than you. Trust me, we have more stuff than my dad and I did when we first went out. If you want, I could let you sleep in the car though it won't be much better besides for the warmth.”
“You could just let me snuggle into your sleeping bag with you. You tend to be warm all the time” The plea in her voice was obvious making me chuckle internally.
“Alright, you might find that sharing a sleeping bag gets a little too warm though” Shuffling sounded from the tent, loud in the near silence of the forest where the only sound was the animals that made it their home.
It was a bit of a tight fit with both of us in my sleeping bag, but we managed to pull it off, after I got told off for wearing my boots to bed. Doubling up the sleeping bags beneath us worked out well enough as well making the cushioning Julia enough she was comfortable.
“Bret?” her whispered voice sounded in the dim prompting a quiet “hmm?” from me. “Thank you for bringing me out here. I know I complain a lot, but I do love spending time with you” Her arms tightened around me for a moment before relaxing prompting a chuckle.
“Well it's a good thing I enjoy spending time with you too, otherwise this relationship would be incredibly one sided”
A scoff sounded from Julia before she tapped her head into my chin. “Go to sleep you turd”
It wasn't long before she fell asleep, her breathing pattern giving at least that much away. Something kept me from joining her in slumber though, for a moment I thought about getting up and going for a walk like I had so many other camping trips when I couldn't sleep, but her attempt at becoming comfortable stopped me before I could start. Our arms were wrapped around each other, getting out of the sleeping bag without waking her would be difficult at best.
I blew out a breath between pursed lips as I rested my head on the pillow. 'Well at least she's asleep' I thought yawning. Silently I wondered what we would do tomorrow. 'Perhaps I could show her something of trap making, or hunting. Then I could get some more stuff done around here to make it... comfortable while she... collects dinner...'