//------------------------------// // Threats From Winter // Story: Where The Heart Lies // by Broman //------------------------------// Quicksilver felt groggy as he opened his eyes, feeling pain upon his face and body. He noticed the roof of Gretchen’s tent above him, still the same shabby color as always. His eyes closed once again, his mind still reeling from the pain that coursed through him. Whenever he flinched or twisted any part of his body, he felt drained, and it was a struggle to even move. Half the time, he felt he didn’t have any feeling in parts of his face. After a few moments of struggle, he simply stayed where he was, exhaustion overcoming him. It was then that he felt something cold and damp placed on his cheek. The cold substance stayed there for a moment, then was removed from his skin. A second later, it was placed down again in the same spot. The cold feeling was pressed again and again, moving from one spot of his face over to the other. It was soft, soothing, and above all, gentle. As he felt the cold mysterious object being removed over and over, he heard the sounds of water nearby and something being squeezed next to him. He sighed softly, his face feeling relaxed as the cloth rubbed ever so gently over his wounds and cuts. He opened his eyes slightly again, this time seeing a claw above his vision and a wet cloth held within. He followed the claw up the arm and saw its owner. “Gretchen?” he half-muttered, still feeling dazed. “Ah, good. You're awake, fletching,” she said in a calm manner, lifting her claw up next to his forehead. “Well, yes… I’m awake now...wait, what are…” He was interrupted when she flicked one of her talons directly on his forehead. Quicksilver’s hooves shot straight up and held his head. He was not expecting that smack, but it was enough to get his senses up and his body feeling the pain from before. He seethed and cursed softly, still holding his head as the pain remained. His movements also caused pain to course throughout his body, making him feel like he was in a furnace from the muscles exerting themselves. After what felt like minutes, the pain from the talon had resided and he turned to see Gretchen, her face narrowed and having an irritable look. “You’re a bloody fool, fletching,” she said as she placed the cloth in a small bowl and began wringing out another wet cloth. Quicksilver noticed the small amount of blood that dripped out, most likely from his wounds. “For what? For defending a colt from being harmed?” he asked annoyingly, as Gretchen placed the cloth on his head and applied a bit more pressure on his wounds, this time being a bit firmer than previously. “No, it’s what you did with striking Black Talon,” she said in a calm yet firm manner, applying more pressure once more. “For striking against the Nomads, you have caused more tension between our soldiers and endangered the Thestrals. You almost cost the lives of all of us, all because you got in the way,” she said, her voice rising a little, as well as her irritation. Quicksilver grunted as the damp cloth was rubbed against him. The more he felt it, the more he thought he was being rubbed by rawhide. It felt relieving and unbearable at the same time. “However...” she added, pausing her rough treatment. Quicksilver eyed her; her irritation was gone and replaced with a more softened expression. “I must admit, what you did next astounded the rest of us, including my brother.” She began to apply pressure back with the wet cloth, this time a bit more gentler on his face. “I don’t understand. I just volunteered to be beaten up. They had their way and I just went with it,” he replied, slightly confused by her change in tone. “That’s just it. When the tension was at its highest, you came forward and sacrificed yourself to save the Thestrals. I always thought you ponies would only look out for your own, never once caring for other races. But…” She paused, taking a breath. “...but I was wrong. You helped the Thestrals by risking your life. That was something we royals respect.” She paused again, continuing to rub the cloth over his wounds. “What made me more shocked was that you continued to stand, even after being beaten down. Why would you do that when your life would have been forfeit?” she asked, stopping her work as she looked at him. He looked at her for a moment, unsure as to how to respond. He looked to the side for a moment, before turning to her with a unsure expression. “I really don’t know. I just felt… I just don’t like seeing innocents getting harmed. You and the others were helping them and caring for them, while that overweight gryphon was just stealing their things for his own use. I don’t like seeing other being harmed over one’s greed. Besides, I had to put on a strong face against Sharp Beak. He would have killed me, yes, but at least I showed him that he couldn’t put me down,” he said, unsure if his answer was enough for the hen. He looked up and she was silent for the moment. After another minute, she took the wet cloth and began her tasks once more. “At least that is something we can agree on,” she said, patching the damp cloth on his wounds before taking a dry cloth to clear the wet blood. “However,” she added, her voice lowered and with a hint of concern. “You must tread cautiously from now on. Your actions may have prevented bloodshed between our clans, but you have put more pressure on the Thestrals, and they will be under more hardships than before. Know this: From here on out, things will only get worse for you and the Thestrals here.” She finished drying away the rest of the water and blood on his face, all the while Quicksilver was left to his thoughts. She was right. He had caused much contention between the two tribes. Although, he also knew that if he was going to survive, he would need to keep his head cleared when dealing with the rest of the Nomad gryphons that resent him. He didn’t know what the future might hold for him, but he knew that he would need to be extra cautious around them. As he thought this, he felt the cloth lifted from his head and saw Gretchen holding something in her talons. “Here, eat this,” she said, offering whatever it was to him. It looked red and cooked, nothing green. “What is it?” he asked, as he looked at the food with uncertainty. “It’s meat from a mountain boar. It has nutrients that can can help your body heal,” she explained. Quicksilver shook his head. “Much as I appreciate your offer, I don’t eat mea-” He suddenly felt a claw around his neck and he began to gag, allowing Gretchen to calmly place the meat inside of his mouth. “And I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer,” she said, closing his mouth shut and forcing him to chew on the meat. He withered and cringed as the meat sloshed about in his mouth. His teeth chewed on the flesh, the sensation alien and different, and he felt like gagging up the foreign food. Gretchen noticed this and narrowed her eyes at him. “You’ve been out for half a day, fletching. If you don’t eat, then it will be the cold that will be the death of you.” Gretchen explained, making Quicksilver stare at her with both annoyance and revulsion. He hadn't realized how long he was out, but he was not desperate enough to eat from an animal. “You need the energy,” she added, her tone softened a little. “The nights are getting longer and colder with each passing day, and you will need to eat and sustain yourself. Otherwise, without that energy inside, you’ll be a frozen pony by morning.” Quicksilver eyed her with apprehension, all the while feeling the meat spread about in his mouth, making him squirm and shudder as it moved about inside. But as he listened to her and knowing that winter would be coming down harder, he began to agree with her. Taking a steady, yet nauseating breath, he finished chewing on the boar meat. Swallowing the flesh, the substance slithered down his neck with ease like warm cider on a holiday, only more vile. He shuddered again, his body shivering at the uncomfortable feeling. He noticed Gretchen nodding her head and lifted herself off, taking the bowl of water away and setting them to the side of the tent. “Sleep well, fletching,” she said, and promptly went to bed on her hay. Quicksilver shuddered again and wrapped the blanket around his body as close as possible. His body was drained from the day's events, his muscles and joints feeling like dead weights from the work and the beatings. He could only hope things would be different. But he was only fooling himself. Just as he was about to go to bed, he felt the bandages on his left wing. He turned and saw it wrapped up in new wrappings, more clean than before. He eyed Gretchen and saw that she was already asleep. He could only imagine that it was her doing, but he also wondered if she did it only by orders. Whatever the case, he gave her a small nod and turned to the side, sleep welcoming him like an old friend. **** “Lets keep moving, everypony. One more mile, and then we can set up camp,” Silverwing called out from above her company of soldiers. They had traveled the past few days with much hindrance from the weather, but she was determined to gain a few more miles out to make up time. Luckily, they had made good time on the laden path and the storm had lessened somewhat, making it a light day and allowing them to move without any encumbrance. She scanned the horizon just as the sun was setting in the west and the whole of the land was a golden red. If she flew higher, she would’ve been able to tell that they were nearing the plains separating them and the road to High Talon Peak, which loomed in the far distance. She sighed deeply and wondered how the storm might hinder them once they moved through the open plains, if they could get past the rolling hills first. No matter what the case may be, everyday they were getting closer, and soon, with great hope in her heart, she would be reunited with her brother. Believing she had enough sight-seeing, she descended down and joined the rest of her company. She slowed her descent and hovered over the ground, observing her soldiers as they marched. Their spirits were high at least, and that was fruitful. The addition of the cervine had also kept their morale up, as they told fun stories and played wonderful music during their journey. Strong Oak was also a good singer, singing songs and keeping everypony happy with tales of his people. The ponies walked along in a column, moving down with the cervines and chatting amongst themselves. Some talked about the war, most of them talked about their families and friends that they wanted to return to. Traveling behind them were the supply wagons, keeping good pace with the soldiers and moving through the windy roads of the hills. She also took notice of Hammer and Anvil among the group, talking to each other as they moved. Hovering over them, curiosity overcoming her, she listened intently to what they had to say. “So how goes your book?” Hammer said to Anvil, who waved him off with his hoof. “It’s going well. Already written about a dozen pages so far. Mostly draft work, but it's something. I’m also going to try and add Fluer into story as well. That little filly did leave a good impression on us, after all,” Anvil replied, feeling a little proud in his work. “That’s good to know. It would be nice to visit her when things have settled down...You think you can get more done before the end of this war?” Hammer inquired. Anvil nodded. “I can get to write at least four, maybe five pages a day. It’s not much, but if I was in a cozy bed, having a roasting fire nearby and a quiet serene atmosphere, then I could get my work done with at least a fortnight.” “Particularly with a mare, no doubt,” Hammer added, causing his friend to laugh. “Yeah, especially with a mare.” Anvil paused in his mirth then gave a sly smile to Hammer. “And I know a perfect mare for the likes of you.” It was then Hammer began to blush furiously. “Hey wait a minute, I thought you said you’d stop teasing me about that,” he said back. Anvil only laughed, patting him on his good shoulder and adding, “Oh, don’t worry. Your secret with her is safe with me,” he said, chuckling all the while as Hammer rolled his eyes at him. “And what secret might that be?” Silverwing asked, hovering just above them. The two jumped and looked at their commander, who could only laugh at their expense. She lowered herself to the ground, looking at the two, who could only look away. She looked at Anvil first, watching him mutter under his breath and trying to look at the snow around them. She then turned her gaze back to Hammer, who was trying everything possible to try and avoid her eyes, only glancing at her from time to time. She chuckled at this, and the two of them stared at her. “I guess you two have plans for when this war is over?” She asked, making the two look at each other with perplexed expressions, then both nodding. It was funny to see their emotions change; it was what made these two so unique among the other soldiers, and that is what made her connect with them. She lifted her wings and placed them on either side of the two guards. “I’m sure that your dreams will be fulfilled, Anvil. And I wish you all the best in finding the right mare, Hammer.” she said, causing both of them to stare at her in surprise. “Well…uh…thank you, Captain. I hope to achieve my story one of these days. Hopefully, that is,” Anvil said as he rubbed the back of his head. Hammer, on the other hoof, lowered his ears and looked the other way, almost as if he felt disappointed or let down. Silverwing, noticing his concern, asked in a softer tone, “Hammer? Are you alright?” Hammer looked at her and breathed a heavy sigh, one she thought he was letting go. He swallowed the lump in his throat and began to speak. “Well, Captain. I…” “Captain Silverwing!” Strong Oak’s voice broke through the ranks, making her turn to him and seeing him waving at her. Separating from her guards, she quickly went to the cervine’s side. “What is it, Strong Oak? What’s wrong?” she asked. She then heard a small bird whistle coming from up ahead. She looked up toward the trees and saw one of the cervine scout’s pointing toward the path ahead, the path leading past a bend in the road. At the edge of the road, she noticed crows and other small birds descending down the path. She was unsure what was going on, but she drew her blade to be on watch. “Swift Leaf has discovered something just ahead, and from what she is describing from her position.... Well, let us say that we must be cautious. For death looms before us,” Strong Oak said, whistling the same tune to Swift Leaf, who soon descended down from the trees and joined their ranks. “Alright everypony, listen up! Ready your weapons. Be prepared for anything,” Silverwing called out as many of the guards and militia readied their weapons for battle. She moved at the head of the column with several of her guard, among whom both Hammer and Anvil were in. The convoy stopped just around the bend, and Silverwing smelled something foul in the air. The sensation was rotten and her senses heightened. Whatever was around the bend, there was certainly something to be worried about. Calming her mind and readying for the task, she cautiously moved forward, her guard following close behind her. She looked back at her guards, gazing at each one as they were prepared to follow. She nodded to them and quickly turned around the bend. What she saw next made her blood froze. Strong Oak went to her side, and his eyes widened in revulsion. “Their… their Diamond Dogs.” “Yes,” Silverwing said. “Dead ones.” Silverwing took an uneasy step forward as she observed the carnage around her. Dozens upon dozens of Diamond Dog bodies lay scattered and bloodied across the path, their bodies mutilated and bearing many punctured wounds across their chests and bodies. Blood painted the walls on either side of the two hills, and the dead kept on coming from several hundred meters away. As they moved ever forward, the carrion birds surrounded the bodies of the diamond dogs, picking up flesh and flying away whenever the group got close, crying out at them for interrupting their meal. Silverwing observed every detail. “These Diamond Dogs. We have not seen them since they called for peace months ago. Why are they so far out east?” Silverwing pondered, taking in the sight of one of the Dogs being pinned to the wall by two spears in its chest. “I don’t know,” Strong Oak admitted. “Your guess is as good as mine.” His lead scout, Swift Leaf joined his side. Silverwing noted that she had a deep coat of brown and an orange like mane that descended down from the side of her head. She had a bow and arrow strapped to her saddle, and wore red armor underneath her cloak. “Lord Strong Oak. The snow and mud of these dogs have flesh blood. It may appear that they have been killed only recently, or at least a day. There are tracks everywhere, some of which I don’t recognize,” she said. Strong Oak to mumbled to himself and turned to Silverwing with an uncertain expression. “It appears there is more danger in these lands than we may know of,” Strong Oak said, taking in his surroundings. Silverwing nodded and continued to move along. As she moved, her company followed behind them. Some took in what they saw and were shocked by the sight. Others, who didn’t have the stomach, began to heave on the side of the path. The militia leader, Shadow Hunter, went up to Silverwings side and looked at the Diamond Dogs before him. “Captain. These Diamond Dogs... I believe we knew of this pack in this region, but never knew where their hideouts and hovels were. Also, what bothers me is that Diamond Dogs normally don’t go above ground except for war. These Diamond Dogs...” He gestured toward the dead around him. “Most of them weren’t carrying weapons, meaning that they had another reason for being up here.” Silverwing nodded, looking back at the Diamond Dogs strewn before them. As she continued to take everything in, she could hear the soft whispers coming from her guards behind her. “Look at their eyes,” she heard Hammer say. “They are open, like they weren't expecting to die.” “I know,” Anvil added. “This is very strange. Even worse, some of these dogs are women and pups. ” True to his word, Silvering saw a small number of dogs that were distinctly female, being noticeable by the cloth around their large chests, and small pups laid scattered around their mothers. It was a horrendous and a sickening sight. Heavy Blitz spoke next. “Look at the wounds. They are too large for normal blades. It looks more like they were gored.” “Wait, everypony!” Crimson Wing said in a loud hushed voice, stopping the group in their tracks. Silverwing turned to him as he continued. “Do you hear that?” he said, his ears flicking in the air. Everypony and cervine had their ears up, listening to whatever noise that Crimson Wing heard. Silverwing then heard a faint voice up ahead, and she and the few guards readied themselves and slowly advanced. As she drew closer, the voice growing a little louder, she could distinctly hear the creature coming around the other side of a rock formation. “It sounds like a chant,” Silvering listened. “No,” Strong Oak interjected. “It sounds more like a prayer.” On the surface of the ground, there was a blood trail, most likely a dead body that was dragged. The group slowly readied their spears and swords, pointed just around the edge of the formation. Silverwing then looked at her guards, ready to face whatever was on the other side. She slowly stepped forward and looked upon a Diamond Dog, alive. The Diamond Dog was hunched in a crouched position, almost sitting down. Its body hugged inward, large arms held closer and its paws clasped together. Next to the Diamond Dog was a dead body of another Dog, its eyes closed and its body had gored holes in it’s chest. Next to the Diamond Dog was a large battleaxe, sitting at angle next to the wall, along with pieces of armor that Silverwing didn’t recognize. The Diamond Dog kept moving back and forth, its voice heard in a softened prayer, not taking even the slightest notice of the ponies and cervine that approached him. “Oh den mother, I have failed thee. Forgive me for my weakness...” the Diamond Dog continued to say, speaking fast yet audible, swaying back and forth. Silverwing flicked her ears when she heard the sound of clacking and she noticed something dangling in the dog's paws. She looked and saw that they were beads, and in between them were small diamonds. Short, beautiful diamonds that stood out amongst the death that surrounded them. Silverwing looked at her companions and they were unsure what to make of the scene. Deciding against her better judgment, she sheathed her sword and approached the Diamond Dog. “Silverwing, what are you doing?” she heard Hammer say. Yet she did not reply, only waving a hoof at him and continuing to get closer. The Diamond Dog continued to pray, the beads moving back in forth in his paws. The more it prayed, the more scared it sounded. Even though the dogs were their former enemy, she couldn’t help but feel some pity, especially when it was surrounded by its dead kin. Taking a leap of faith, she raised her voice to speak to it. “Are you alright?” she asked, hoping that the Diamond Dog would listen. The Diamond Dog paused its prayer, its body freezing and the beads stopping. Its ears pointed straight up and towards her. It lifted its left paw toward its polearm, seizing it slowly in his grasp. Silverwing tensed up, hearing the sounds of her companions ready to strike if need be, but she didn’t drew her own. She only waited to see what the Diamond Dog would do. Soon the dog looked up, revealing its green yet reddened eyes, tears continuing to steam down its cheeks. “Have you come to kill me?” the Diamond Dog asked, its voice rough yet understandable. Silverwing eyed his weapon, seeing it grip the battleaxe tighter and expecting for a response. Taking a calm breath, albeit a little sweat coming from her brow, she shook her head at the Dog. “No, I’m not going to kill you. I want to know what happened here. Can you tell me?” she inquired, speaking slow and not making any moves that might provoke him. The Diamond Dog observed the other ponies behind her, then looked back at her. “You have many ponies behind you. Maybe one among them can take this wretched life of mine,” he said, causing her companions to murmur and wonder what the Diamond Dog was up to, but more importantly, why it so adamantly wanted death. Silverwing shook her head again and moved closer to the Diamond Dog, although minding her distance so that she was out of range of its weapon. “We won’t harm you. Please, let us know what happened here. What caused this slaughter?” she asked. The dog turned his head slightly at her. “Slaughter? No, massacre, it was. I should have died among them,” he said, lowering his head, his right paw moving the beads together in its big toes and chanting again. Silverwing looked behind her, seeing her companions watch the scene before them, uncertain of how to respond. She lifted a wing toward them and made a downward motion. The guards nodded and lowered their weapons, but still had them at the ready. She turned to the Diamond Dog, where it let go of the polearm and began to rock itself back and forth. She had never once in her life seen a creature so shaken before, with its will diminished and spirit broken. When she had faced the Diamond Dogs before, they were always ferocious in battle, never giving in unless defeat was almost certain. Seeing this dog, cowering and begging for death, she could only imagine what horror they faced. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she approached again until she was standing just a few hooves in front of the dog. “Was it the griffons? Were they responsible for this carnage?” she asked. The dog shook its head. “No. Not birds of the sky. It was something worse, it was. Much worse,” he said, its body shaking and more tears beginning to stream down its face. “They…they came from the blackness. We were ambushed, they came from all sides. Their bloodlust was in the air as they came.” The Diamond Dog shook its head, placing both of its large paws onto either side of it’s head, almost looking like he was in a fetal position. “Pitch black,” he added. “It was pitch black when those beasts came at us. But I saw. Brutus saw everything.” He said his name, almost not acknowledging Silverwing before him, his eyes widening in unspoken horror. “Their war cries…I…I can still hear them in my head. They numbered in the hundreds, too many to count. They butchered everyone, taking our diamonds, our gold, our precious things. Their savagery knows no bounds, their mercy was merciless killings. Not even our dames or our pups survived. It all happened so fast, I thought was a complete and living nightmare.” Brutus lowered his head, his body shivering, and quiet sobs escaped him. Silverwing had her eyes wide, listening to every word that he spoke. Everything she heard sounded absurd, but hearing the Diamond Dog’s claim, she could only shudder at the thought of what monstrosities they faced in these lands. She looked over, seeing a hoof print that was larger and bigger then hers. She only hoped and prayed to the Goddess and the Regal Sisters that they would avoid facing such monsters. “Hammer, Anvil, get him up and take him to the convoy. I think once he calms down, he will have more to say,” she said as both her friends went to Brutus’s side. As they tended to the Diamond Dog, Strong Oak came to her side, giving off a cautious expression. “I cannot fathom as to why you want to bring that mongrel into our camp, but I will digress for the sake of his story. If there are some marauders or some sort of war band that is plaguing this land, then we must tread cautiously. There is no telling as to what will be out there,” he carefully explained. Silverwing nodded at his statement. “Come on now, let's go,” she heard Anvil say, and she turned to see the two moving Brutus forward. He soon stood at his full height, surprisingly standing at least a head taller than her, and maybe even taller than Strong Oak. Brutus seized its polearm, dragging it behind in the snow and blood. Hammer and Anvil kept their guard, making sure he wouldn’t do anything, and Silverwing noticed their bodies tensed whenever the dog moved. After taking a few meters forward, however, Hammer, having his focus on Brutus, neglected to see another body on the ground behind him and the pool of blood that surrounded it. Silverwing reacted too late as Hammer tripped over the body, scrambled for footing and landed hard onto his bad shoulder. He cried out in pain, clutching his wound shoulder, as Brutus suddenly dropped his battleaxe and clamped it’s ear. “The cries! The cries... make its stop!” he called out, hutching it’s body and beginning to howl in fear. “Somepony get this Diamond Dog to the convoy and bring up the medical supplies! Now!” Silverwing ordered, and the guards and militia began moving as ordered, as well as to Hammer’s side. He seethed in pain as he rolled onto the blood covered snow and mud, staining his coat in the process. She quickly but gently moved him over to see his shoulder and her eyes widened to see his pain. Blood began appearing on his bandaged shoulder, leaking out and running down his chest and legs. Acting on instinct, she placed both of her hooves onto his wound to stop the flow. As she held the wound in place, she waited for the medicine and healers to arrive. Strong Oak remained at her side, offering any assistance as he could, as Swift Leaf gave a soft prayer. “Hold on, Hammer. Hold on.”