Camaraderie is Sorcery

by FireOfTheNorth

Chapter 2:19 - The New Druidess

Chapter 2:19 – The New Druidess

Freezing rain pounded down onto the snow-covered farmlands north of White Tail Wood. The spring equinox was only a month and a day away, but winter did not want to release Equestria without a fight this year. Longer-than-usual winters were nothing new, and they always brought out the same crowd. Sorceresses in their ivory towers would debate if the frequent incursions of the White Procession and their weather-changing magic might be altering the climate. Druids would petition their local magistrates to take steps to avert what they called the Great Freeze, when Equus’s climate would cool enough to plunge the globe into an ice age (and they’d be ridiculed for it). Elderly mares and stallions with nothing better to do would jaw on about how they’d seen many winters much colder and fiercer—the stories of which were greatly exaggerated, even if their assertions were generally correct. Life went on as normal, even if with a little more difficulty than in milder years.

For the caravan traveling across the southern reaches of King Hyelliff’s domains, bound for Manehattan, the rain made everything exceedingly miserable. Cloaks had stopped serving their purpose long ago, now soaked through and clinging to the ponies beneath, the cold seeping in no matter what they did to avoid it. Oxen and cartponies slipped and slid in the half-frozen mix of snow, water, and ice coating the path, and the wagons jerked and bounced in the uneven ruts. It was a slow and frustrating way of travelling, but safer than going it alone. When the caravan had left Vanhuv’r, laden with goods from Stygra shipped to the city across the Agate Ocean by daring ice-cutters, it had been composed of only twelve wagons. Over time, other caravans had merged into it and other travelers had joined them. Now, there were nearly forty wagons and over a hundred persons traveling in the caravan.

Among those who’d joined were the Brave Companions, having met the caravan shortly after leaving Comethold. The Awakening that Twilight Sparkle had felt had occurred in the Kingdom of Manehattan, in the steppe that bordered the Hill Kingdoms. They were now headed east, and joining the caravan had seemed the right decision. The Awakened pony’s location had also all but confirmed Twilight Sparkle’s supposition that one soul fragment had gone to each of the Equestrian nations. The only one left out now was Stalliongrad, but she had the feeling that one there would soon come to light as well.

It was the morning of the second day since they’d joined the caravan, and Fluttershy was out purchasing food for the group while the camp was being torn down. Many of the traders had discovered that frozen, desperate ponies were a lucrative market, and sold goods from their wagons before they began moving for the day. Foals ran underhoof as the druidess made her way through the muddy campground, making her apologies as she nearly knocked over a mare with a basket on her head whose contents had to be soaked by now. The goats that surrounded a brightly painted wagon watched her as she passed, and she pulled her cloak tighter against the rain, despite what little good that did. At last, she reached the wagon of a produce trader she’d purchased from the day before.

“Good morning, Master Squint,” she said cheerily.

“Is it? I hadn’t noticed,” the trader said gruffly, “What do you need?”

The druidess perused the crates and sacks stacked up in the wagon behind Squint. Some of the other traders had set up tables in front of their wagons and stretched canvas above them to keep the rain off them and their customers, but Squint had not. As a result, no ponies were lined up to purchase what he was selling. He eyed those canvas awnings jealously, but the only way he’d get one now would be to acquire somepony’s tent.

“Two dozen carrots, please,” Fluttershy said.

“One bit,” Squint stated his price with a face as rigid as a mountainside.

“One bit!” Fluttershy squeaked at the price, “It was four carrots for a shilling and sixpence yesterday, why would the price go up to ten pence a carrot?”

“Look around you,” Squint said with a frown, “Do you see any new carrots growing in the fields? What’s in my wagon is all I have, and every carrot I sell you is one I can’t sell in Manehattan.”

“Okay,” the druidess said meekly, giving in and forking over twelve shillings.

Squint retrieved the carrots she’d purchased, most of them looking pretty pale and shriveled, and Fluttershy tucked them into her saddlebags before trotting away unhappily. She knew she’d been cheated, but what could she do about it? Standing up for herself wasn’t really her strong suit, at least not around ponies she didn’t know. She didn’t want to admit it, but she wasn’t much better around those she did know. The Ponieville druids’ circle had been quite irate the last time she’d announced she was leaving on a quest with the Brave Companions, and she’d said practically nothing in her own defense. This time she hadn’t met with them, Twilight had been so insistent on leaving immediately, but she’d left them a letter. She knew they wouldn’t take that well, and she’d be in for a chewing-out when she returned. She wasn’t quite sure how she was going to face any more of that.

She wandered her way back to where the Brave Companions had set up their camp the night before. Ream and Baldavin, already prepared to go, watched their surroundings intently while the others packed up. Tents were taken down, rolled up, and would soon be piled on everypony’s backs for the next leg of their journey. The only reason they were able to be rolled up nicely was because of Twilight’s magic temporarily drying and thawing them. It was a waste of her power to keep them so throughout the day’s journey, however, so they’d soon be soaked through, frozen, and heavy, until she thawed them out again to set up when they came to a halt that night.

“Ooh, breakfast!” Pinkamena exclaimed, bounding up to Fluttershy as she spotted the druidess.

Fluttershy passed out the carrots she’d purchased, and everypony paused in packing up to break their fast.

“Oh my,” Rarity said as she examined her knotty carrot critically, “I hope you didn’t pay too much for these, darling.”

“Just one bit,” Fluttershy said softly, thinking nopony could hear her.

“A ‘ole bit for two dozen carrots?” Applejack said with spite, and Fluttershy eeped in embarrassment, “That’s criminal.”

“What scoundrel sold you these at that price?” Rarity asked, and Fluttershy didn’t respond, “Did you try to negotiate?”

“Well … um … no,” Fluttershy admitted.

“Well, that settles it,” Rarity said, baffling the druidess, “Later, when I go to purchase our luncheon, you will come with me.”

“Oh, Rarity, I-” Fluttershy started to object.

“No excuses, darling,” Rarity said firmly, “I’ll show you how to deal with these hoodlums.”

Fluttershy groaned quietly. She would’ve far preferred to stay with the rest of the Brave Companions and never venture out again.

***

Later that day, Fluttershy reluctantly followed Rarity up the column of wagons and ponies. Pinkamena came along too, though for what reason Fluttershy couldn’t say. Maybe she just wanted to see more of the caravan. In any case, the trio got plenty of looks. Those who knew the Brave Companions were traveling among them could identify them and relate tales they’d heard, and the others were just curious what a bard, a druidess, and a unicorn in a beautiful cloak made from less-than-stellar material were doing together.

“Now, darling, watch how I do it,” Rarity told the druidess before approaching a merchant atop an ox-drawn dragon, “Pardon me, kind sir, but could I buy some oats from you?”

“I suppose,” the merchant said, scratching his beard with a hoof, “How much do you need?”

“Nine feedbags worth,” Rarity replied.

“Hm, I can sell you that for fourteen shillings,” the merchant said with a crooked grin.

“Oh my,” Rarity said demurely as she climbed up onto the wagon’s seat next to him, “That’s quite a bit of money, don’t you think? I’m sure a nice stallion like yourself would have it in his heart to lower the price a little, wouldn’t you?”

“Oh … well,” the merchant said as he looked Rarity up and down, and Fluttershy pulled her cloak’s hood tighter so her friends wouldn’t see her face coloring.

“Say, seven shillings for the lot?” Rarity asked.

“Well, I can’t go that low, but for a pretty mare like you, let’s say ten shillings.”

“That’s still a lot,” Rarity pouted, “How about seven and sixpence?”

“Well … I suppose,” the merchant said, “You’ve got a deal.”

“Oh, thank you,” Rarity said as she hopped down from the wagon, continuing to gaze at the merchant until he disappeared into the wagon and then returning to normal, “You see, Fluttershy, there’s nothing to it.”

“Mm-hmm,” Fluttershy mumbled quietly, keeping her hood pulled forward.

“Now, what else do we need?” Rarity asked after the merchant returned with their oats and she flirted a little more as a farewell.

“Oh! Oh! Pinkamena exclaimed, “Twilight needs more lamp oil and ink!”

“Well, we ought to be able to find both of those here somewhere,” Rarity said, looking down the long line of wagons.

They found one with jars of lamp oil in the back, and Pinkamena hurried forward to speak to the pony hauling the wagon.

Hey there!” the bard greeted her in her own zany way, “We need lamp oil. You’ve got lamp oil. What’ll it cost for a pint?”

“Two bits,” the trader replied as she eyed Pinkamena’s mane, somehow still incredibly poofy even in the freezing rain.

“Two bits? That’s ridiculous, and believe me, I know ridiculous,” Pinkamena said, and the trader’s eyebrows rose in confusion, “I’ll pay you one bit and not a penny more.”

“Two bits and not a penny less,” the trader stood firm.

“One bit,” Pinkamena shot back.

“Two bits,” the trader replied firmly.

“One bit.”

“Two bits.”

“One bit!”

“Two bits!”

“One bit!”

“Two bits!”

“Two bits!” Pinkamena switched things up.

“One bit!” the trader exclaimed, not realizing her slip-up.

“Two bits!” Pinkamena exclaimed, suppressing a grin.

“One bit! Take it or find somepony else to do business with!” the trader said, tiring of the back and forth.

“Fine, have it your way,” Pinkamena said, flipping her the gold coin and grabbing a pint of lamp oil off the back of the wagon.

“Hey, wait a minute,” the trader said as she looked at her bit, then stopped to replay the conversation in her head.

By the time she’d figured out what had happened, the trio of ponies were already well away from her wagon.

“See, Fluttershy, it’s not that hard,” Pinkamena said as she bounded through the snow and ice somehow without falling on her face.

“This wagon seems promising,” Rarity said as she spotted one stacked with well-protected books and scrolls, “Fluttershy, why don’t you give it a try?”

“Well, okay,” the druidess said, trotting forward nervously.

As the wagon bumped along, its owner sat in the back reading a book. He looked over his spectacles as Fluttershy approached and set the book down.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Oh, yes, I need a well of ink,” Fluttershy said, “Do you have one to sell?”

“Sure. Eight shillings,” the merchant said.

Fluttershy thought back to what Rarity had done, trying to keep herself from blushing as she did so. If it’ll help me get what I need, though.

“Oh, that’s a lot of money. I bet a handsome stallion like you could lower the price for a mare like me,” Fluttershy attempted, even pulling back her hood to shake her mane out and instantly regretting it when the icy rain soaked into her scalp.

“Well …” the merchant said.

It looked like despite her clumsy attempt (compared to Rarity), he might actually lower the price for her. All chance of that ended when the merchant was reminded of his wife by her tapping her hoof in the wagon and staring back at him.

“No. Eight shillings and not a penny less,” the merchant said firmly.

“Um …” Fluttershy said, and thought back to what Pinkamena had done, “Eight shillings is a ridiculous price. I insist on paying … ten shillings!”

“Ten?” the merchant asked in surprise. Never before had he had somepony negotiate upwards when buying from him. Well, except for some incredibly pretentious nobles who felt that paying more would somehow make what he was selling actually worth more.

“No, I mean, two shillings,” Fluttershy fumbled.

“Two?” the merchant asked skeptically.

“No, wait!” Fluttershy said, growing more and more confused with the more offers she made, “Two bits!”

“Now just a moment. I think you’re confused,” he said.

“Two bits and not a penny less or I take my business elsewhere!” Fluttershy exclaimed, intent on asserting herself now no matter what.

“Okay, okay,” the merchant surrendered, reaching back into the wagon for an inkwell.

“Don’t give him your money!” Pinkamena yelled as she interceded, “It’s not worth two whole bits!”

“Terribly sorry about that,” Rarity said as she gave the confused merchant eight shillings and took the inkwell. “What were you thinking?” she asked Fluttershy as they left.

“I was just trying to do what you two did,” the druidess replied meekly.

“Well, I’m glad you tried, but perhaps you need a little more practice before entering negotiations again,” Rarity said.

“Oh, I’ll never get it!” Fluttershy exclaimed as she broke away and ran off, dodging through the line of wagons.

Rarity and Pinkamena followed for a bit, but it was obvious that the druidess wanted to be alone right now, whether that was a good idea or not. If they continued to chase her, she could always just fly away and disappear, and then it would be truly difficult to find her. At least for now they knew she was still with the caravan.

Fluttershy wandered along the carts, not really paying much attention to her surroundings. This included not noticing that a goat had been following her ever since her failed negotiations over the inkwell. I’ll never understand what to do. I’ll never manage to assert myself. Can’t anypony see that? I can! If only it didn’t have to be this way.

“Pardon me, ma’a’a’a’adam,” the goat who’d been following her bleated as she stopped on the side of the road, allowing him to catch up, and the druidess jumped into the air in shock.

“H-hello,” Fluttershy said as she fluttered back to the ground, “Who are you?”

“Tyrio Quingla,” he introduced himself, making a bow in the traditional goat manner where his horns touched the ground, even though that caused the end of his scarf to fall into icy slush, “It seems to me that you could use some he’elp.”

“Help? With what?” Fluttershy asked.

“Are you a pushover? A coward? One born with a meek spirit?” Tyrio asked.

“Well, I …” Fluttershy said sheepishly.

“Tonight, be at Iron Wi’ill’s wagon. You know the one. Bri’ightly painted and surrounded by goats like myself,” Tyrio said.

“But, I-” Fluttershy objected.

“Be there,” Tyrio ordered before stepping away.

***

Fluttershy didn’t exactly know what she was doing, but she excused herself from the Brave Companions’ tents that night to seek out Iron Will’s wagon. When the caravan had pulled to a halt, she’d taken notice of where it’d parked. Last night, it had been nearer to the center of camp, but tonight it was parked near the outskirts. As she approached, she almost turned back. A crowd had gathered around the wagon; she hadn’t expected a crowd, nor had any desire to be near so many ponies. She was resolved to find out what this was about, though, so she joined the ponies, goats, and gryphons already there.

There were quite a few goats around the wagon, the same group that followed it around all day. Fluttershy wondered if Iron Will were a goat as well, though his name didn’t sound very goat-ish. Goats weren’t exactly an uncommon sight in Equestria, but it was odd to see so many gathered together, and so prominently. Goats seemed to just blend into the background of pony society, always there but never in any positions of importance or power. So far as anypony could recall, it had always been this way, and it was the same across the Shimmering Sea in the Zebrikaanian Empire, or across the Agate and Blazing Oceans in Stygra. Goats didn’t build or run civilizations, they just resided in them, and they seemed to have no problem with that.

According to the Church of One, goats had once had their own civilization, but had surrendered it immediately after the unicorns had departed the Valley of Uinor to join with them. The story went that the goats had guarded the approaches to the valley for centuries against dragons to allow the unicorns a measure of safety, and they gladly welcomed them upon their exodus from the hidden land. Goats had made up a quarter of the population of the Holy Maenean Empire at its height, and it was their language that had merged with that of the unicorns to form the Language of the Horns, so named for the distinctive features each race possessed. They were subjects of all and masters of none, and the goats seemed perfectly content with their lot in life, as strange as that seemed to ponies.

There was a disturbance in the front of the crowd as the goats tried to quiet ponies. One side of the wagon had been lowered down and propped up with legs that swung with it to form a stage of sorts. A curtain divided the interior of the wagon off from the stage, and it rippled and parted as Iron Will stepped out. Fluttershy hovered up above the ponies ahead of her to get a peek, then dropped back down as quickly as she could upon spying that he was a minotaur.

Minotaurs, like earth ponies, gryphons, and monsters, had entered the world during the Conjunction. Though satyrs shared a similar body shape with them, they claimed no kinship to these bullish bipeds (even if their temperaments were also alike). They were everything goats were not—unpredictable, hot-headed malcontents—yet some goats seemed drawn to them, like the ones here. Minotaurs were also a rare sight in Equestria, at least this far north. They only seemed to really be happy as warlords, with their own little despotate to run. This made them fairly successful in the pirate kingdoms to the south, but not terribly popular here, where kings and queens would rather not have them about raising private armies and causing trouble. Well, other than Prince Bann the Terrible, whose support for them doing just that within his realm had caused no end of trouble for his brother Braid, the current Prince of Stalliongrad, when he took the throne.

Iron Will was an imposing figure, easily twice as tall as any pony. His horns would put an ox to shame. Clouds of steam seemed to pour from his nostrils when he snorted. A kilt was wrapped around his waist, and a sash of the same material was draped over his heavily muscled shoulder, a large medallion with a stylized version of Iron Will’s head pinned to it. He paced back and forth on the stage (which only took him a few steps), looking out over the crowd.

“Are you happy where you are?” the minotaur demanded without ceasing his pacing, and some of the ponies in the crowd wondered aloud what he was talking about, “Happy being ground into the dirt by ponies with crowns on their heads or gold in their purses? You want to stand against them, but you don’t! How could you? How could you not?”

Most of the crowd were groups that’d joined the caravan later, Fluttershy noticed. The few merchants who’d been here left as Iron Will called down the monied. She considered leaving herself, but the opportunity was gone before she could make up her mind. Tyrio whispered into Iron Will’s ear as he reached the edge of the stage and the minotaur straightened, striding back to the center.

“You, the druidess in the back!” Iron Will bellowed, and the crowd parted to leave Fluttershy exposed, “Get up here!”

“Oh, well, I don’t really want to …” Fluttershy tried to make excuses, though her voice was so quiet she was unsure if Iron Will could even hear her.

“Now!” the minotaur yelled.

Fluttershy jumped in terror, but instead of running away, she found herself trotting toward the front of the crowd. She nearly made it there when one of the goats from the crowd bounded out in front of her.

“Oh, pardon me,” she said softly, and tried to walk around, but the goat stepped in front of her again.

“I said to get up here now!” Iron Will yelled.

“I’m trying, but …” Fluttershy trained off.

“He’s in your way?” Iron Will bellowed, “Then do something about it!”

“Um, I need to get past, so if you could just …” Fluttershy said, trying to go around the goat only for him to move in the way again, and this continued several times, “… move … out of … my path or … let … me … by.”

“No! No! No!” Iron Will yelled as he jumped down from the stage to land next to Fluttershy, causing the other ponies to step back, “You know what he’s thinking? He’s thinking, ‘Here’s a pony without a backbone, a pony I can walk all over, and she’ll say nothing about it. And I will walk over her because I can!’ That’s what he’s thinking. So, are you going to prove him right and get walked all over, or are you going to prove him wrong?!”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Fluttershy said indecisively, looking back and forth between the goat and the minotaur.

Iron Will rolled his eyes and gave the druidess a hearty shove forward. With a flap of her wings, she was able to stay on her hooves, but the goat was knocked down into the icy mud.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Fluttershy said, extending a hoof to assist the goat in getting back up.

“Don’t apologize! He was in your way, and he got what he deserved!” Iron Will shouted, “You showed him you’re no pushover! You showed him you’re in charge of what happens to you in life! Now tell him what you think of him!”

“I-” Fluttershy objected.

“Tell him!” Iron Will yelled, his breath throwing back the hood of her cloak.

“You … should have gotten out of the way,” Fluttershy told the goat hesitantly, “If you had, then you wouldn’t be lying in the mud like you are now. Maybe … maybe that’ll teach you not to get in my way! Try again, and you’ll get the same thing!”

“What’d I say, boss?” Tyrio bleated into Iron Will’s ear while the crowd was focused on Fluttershy, “Pe’erfect, isn’t she?”

“Perfect,” Iron Will confirmed, looking at Fluttershy hungrily before striding over and picking her up in one hand to raise her over the crowd, “You see, everypony! This pony was weak! She had a meek spirit! She was a coward! But I showed her the way and she took back control of her life! She stood up for herself! You all can do the same if you follow me!”

The crowd stomped in applause as Fluttershy looked down on them in surprise. She was sure that the applause was for Iron Will, but she squashed that thought. No, I’m done putting myself down. At least some of them are applauding for me. Me! She’d felt bad when she’d knocked that goat down, who was now picking himself off to be toweled clean by his fellow goats, but that feeling had gone away. It’d felt good to get her frustration off her chest, to assert herself. It had felt good, and she wanted more.

***

The rest of the Brave Companions had no idea why the druidess had a new spring in her step the following morning, nor why she’d volunteer to buy breakfast again after her experiences the day before. Rarity and Pinkamena offered to come with her, but she turned down their proposals. If she was going to do this, she had to do it on her own. She would “seize control of her own life,” as Iron Will would say.

She was trotting through the camp when she got a chance to test out her newfound conviction. A nearby wagon had a table that swung down from the side, and as the owner released it, it fell and hit the druidess over the head, knocking her down into the icy slush. The merchant peered out of the hole in the wagon the table had previously covered and spotted Fluttershy.

“Hey, get outta the way!” she yelled, “I got customers comin’!”

Fluttershy started to slink away before stopping in her tracks and putting her hoof down forcefully.

“Excuse me?” Fluttershy asked indignantly, planting her forehooves on the table as the merchant began shoving goods for sale onto it.

“You ‘eard me, unless you’re gonna buy somethin’, get goin’,” the merchant said.

If you let them treat you like dirt once, they’ll treat you like dirt your entire life. Show them you won’t let them in a way they’ll understand. Using her wings to help her, Fluttershy flipped the table back up. The merchant yelped as it slammed against her muzzle and her goods spilled off it. When the table swung back down, she was staring at Fluttershy, but she wasn’t looking down on her anymore.

“Is there something you wanted to say?” the druidess demanded, making sure she kept her face stern (and somewhat scary) as she’d practiced after watching Iron Will.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the merchant said, “Just … I don’t want any trouble.”

“Thank you,” Fluttershy said with a sweet smile, and she trotted on.

It wasn’t until she was out of sight of the wagon that she stopped to squeal in excitement, drawing looks from several foals. She’d really done it! She’d stood up for herself! It wasn’t that hard after all. She felt that she could really pull this off. With little fear left in her, she proceeded on to her true destination.

“Good morning, Master Squint,” she greeted the produce trader as she approached his wagon, “I’d like two dozen carrots today.”

“One bit and sixteen shillings,” Squint demanded.

It was much more than the going rate for carrots, but given how Fluttershy had rolled over and accepted his prices the day before, he figured he could squeeze some extra out of her. He had no idea how wrong he was. This wasn’t the same druidess he’d extorted yesterday.

“No,” Fluttershy said, “I’ll pay you nine shillings and not a penny more. That’s a fair price for carrots; a price you gave me two days ago.”

“Now see here,” Squint protested, “I can’t sell you carrots for that price. I can’t sell my stock in Trotstagor or Manehattan if you buy it all up, and I need to pay for upkeep on the wagon and transportation and-”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses, and I don’t want to be cheated again,” Fluttershy said, “Honestly, with the amount you overcharged me yesterday, you ought to be paying me for these carrots.”

“I don’t know who you think you are,” Squint said, though he was starting to sweat.

“I’m Fluttershy, druidess of the Poniville circle,” Fluttershy proclaimed loudly and proudly. Let them know who you are; be proud of who you are; make them understand they should fear who you are. “I’ll bet there are plenty of ponies in this caravan who’d be none too happy to learn that you’re overcharging for the food they need to keep on going. Could be dangerous for you, so why don’t you deal with me? And if you still want more after I’m through with you, I know a Cant’r Laht sorceress who I’m sure would like to have a talk with you about your prices, and a Hunter who’d love to rough you up some just for taking advantage of me before. So, what do you say?”

“Okay, okay, nine shillings for the carrots,” Squint surrendered.

Who was this pony, and what had become of the one he’d done business with before? There was something scary in her eyes today, and he had no desire to anger her and see what she’d do. He tried to get her some of the poorer quality produce (if she were going to pay less, she was going to get less), but the druidess cleared her throat and he found himself getting her twenty-four fine, if not perfect, carrots. He was glad to see the backside of her when she left.

Some ponies in the caravan had begun to realize who was traveling with them, and word that the Brave Companions were among them had spread through the camp. When Fluttershy returned with breakfast to where they’d set up camp, they were surrounded by ponies who wanted to speak to them and petition them for help. Fluttershy tried to get through to her friends, but the crowd was too tightly packed.

“Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me,” she said as she tried to get through, with no success, “Get out of the way! I’m coming through!”

Shocked ponies moved to the side to make a path that Fluttershy trotted down as she gave approving nods. Pinkamena and Rarity were just as stunned to see the druidess victoriously making her way through the crowd toward them. They’d half-considered following her around to make sure she didn’t get into any trouble again, but the way she was stepping now, it was obvious that she’d been able to manage herself.

“What happened to you?” Pinkamena asked.

“You’re so bold and confident,” Rarity added, “The way you carry yourself is completely different from before. What changed?”

“Iron Will,” Fluttershy answered between taking the carrots from her saddlebags, “I went to his rally last night.”

“Iron Will? You mean that monster who stays in the colorful wagon?” Pinkamena asked.

“He’s not a monster; he’s just a minotaur,” Fluttershy corrected her, “Listening to and watching him has really made a difference. I feel like a whole new pony.”

“I like this ‘new Fluttershy,’ so long as we don’t need to find a seventh Element of Harmony for her, because that would be difficult,” Pinkamena giggled.

Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed at her friend’s laughter. Those who laugh at you to your face surely do so behind your back as well. They don’t take you seriously and won’t until you silence their laughter. Fail to do that, and they’ll laugh at you forever. Fluttershy turned quickly to leave, her tail slapping Pinkamena across the face, silencing her laughter. Rarity watched the druidess leave with concern, though surely it had just been an accident, right?

“Hello, Mistress Fluttershy,” Ream said as she approached, “Do you want me to carry your gear again today?”

“Think I can’t do it myself?” the druidess overreacted as she took the packs from the guard roughly, “I’ll teach you to underestimate me!”

The crowd parted quickly to let Fluttershy leave while Rarity, Pinkamena, and Ream watched with confusion and some measure of concern.

***

Throughout the day, the druidess was a terror passing through the caravan, become more and more spiteful with every confrontation. She took advantage of the slightest slight to strike back at ponies. In her own mind, she was simply asserting herself and making sure nopony would look down on or take advantage of her, but that wasn’t what the rumors would say. They passed through the caravan just like the news of the Brave Companions, though these rumors were spoken in hushed tones lest the druidess heard them. Soon, everypony did their best to avoid her, though there wasn’t much they could do without leaving the caravan, and nopony wanted to do that, though it did become more strung out during the day.

“Hey!” Fluttershy yelled as a filly dashed past her, splashing mud on her already-stained druidess cloak.

“I-I’m sorry,” the filly apologized, forcing herself to stop and turn to face Fluttershy.

“Sorry? I don’t think so,” Fluttershy said, “You’ll never be sorry until what you’ve done to me has been done to you.”

Here there was a drop on either side of the path, and Fluttershy pushed the filly off one side, sending her tumbling and splashing though half-frozen puddles of mud. Rarity and Pinkamena had been looking for Fluttershy ever since the rumors about the druidess had reached them, and they spotted her just as she pushed the filly over the edge. They hadn’t believed the rumors, but now they began to wonder if they were true after all. The two ponies tried to reach Fluttershy but didn’t manage to catch up to her before she had another opportunity to bare her newfound fangs.

“Hurry up! Get moving!” she yelled at the wagon ahead of her that had come to a standstill half-on and half-off a rickety wooden bridge over a sluggishly-moving river.

“I’m not goin’ across this bridge any faster! M’ oxen’ll fall off!” the pony seated at the head of the wagon yelled back, “Y’ve got wings. Use ‘em if y’re in such’a ‘urry!”

“I’m a pegasus, so you think I’ll just let you block the way?” Fluttershy asked angrily as she began pushing against the back of the wagon, “I don’t think so!”

“Fluttershy!” Rarity yelled as she and Pinkamena galloped up, “What are you doing?”

“Showing him that he can’t just push me around,” Fluttershy said adamantly with a stomp, “He thought he could just take advantage of me!”

“No, he didn’t,” Rarity said with concern, “You’re taking this too far, Fluttershy. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing’s wrong with me,” Fluttershy objected, glaring at the diver of the wagon she’d been leaning against when it pulled forward, even though that’s what she’d wanted, “I’m not the one with the problem. Maybe you have a problem with the new Fluttershy?”

“I dare say I might,” Rarity said indignantly, “Not all the changes you’ve made are for the good. New Fluttershy is seeming more and more like nasty Fluttershy. What about old Fluttershy? Nice, sweet Fluttershy?”

“She was weak; that’s why you like her, because she’d do anything you’d say!” Fluttershy exclaimed, “Oh, I see now. You wish I was back to being meek Fluttershy. Spineless Fluttershy. Pushover Fluttershy. Do-whatever-you-please-to-her-because-she-hasn’t-the-courage-to-object Fluttershy. Well, she’s gone for good!”

“So many Fluttershys!” Pinkamena exclaimed, “How am I supposed to keep them all straight?”

“What’s the matter? Too complex for you, Pinkamena?” Fluttershy mocked, poking her in the forehead with a hoof.

“Hey, now,” Rarity objected, “There’s no need to descend to insults. Pinkamena is far from foolish, and you know it.”

“Oh, and you’re any less foolish?” Fluttershy said maliciously, “You think the ponies of Cant’r Laht will ever accept you? Face the facts! No matter what you do, they’ll never welcome somepony from a backwater like Ponieville with open hooves. Hoity Toity is just using you to move merchandise.”

“Hey, leave her alone!” Pinkamena demanded as Rarity retreated in stunned silence.

“Or what?” Fluttershy asked, “You’ll play me a song? No, bake some bread? Plan a party, maybe? Face it, Pinkamena. You have no idea what you’re doing with your life, so you’re in no position to tell me what to do with mine!”

“I can’t believe what that monster Iron Will has turned you into,” Rarity whimpered as Pinkamena joined her.

“He’s not a monster,” Fluttershy said with gritted teeth, “He’s a minotaur!”

Rarity and Pinkamena fled back toward where the rest of the Brave Companions were in the caravan. Fluttershy looked around, subconsciously searching for next target, but there was nopony near her. As her breathing slowed from her outbursts, she realized that she was all alone. Up the road, the front part of the caravan was trying to put whatever distance it could between her and them, and down the road the rest were keeping their distance and waiting for her to move on before advancing. She trotted up to the bridge and looked down in the river. She didn’t like what she saw reflected in the icy water. Iron Will may not be a monster, but I seem to have become one.

***

“Fluttershy! Where are you?” Rarity called out as she trotted through the woods.

After the confrontation at the bridge, none of the Brave Companions had seen Fluttershy the rest of the day. The next morning, they discovered a letter that the druidess had left for them. In it, she apologized for her behavior and told them how she planned to go away and become a hermit so she wouldn’t hurt any more ponies. Naturally, the Brave Companions couldn’t let her go ahead with that plan, so now they were out searching the surrounding area for her.

“Fluttershy! Come on out!” Pinkamena called as she bounded along.

Rarity nudged the bard as she spotted hoofprints in the crusty snow. Unlike many pegasi, Fluttershy spent most of her time on the ground instead of flying, which meant she actually left tracks, and they were pretty sure they’d found some of them. They led to a hollow under a tree, probably some creature’s den. Most ponies wouldn’t enter such a place, but it was a druidess they were looking for, and it wouldn’t be the first time she’d lived in a hole in the ground.

“Fluttershy, are you in there?” Rarity asked as she called down into the burrow.

“Go away!” the reply came back in Fluttershy’s voice, “I don’t want to hurt you anymore! Leave before nasty Fluttershy shows up again!”

“Darling, we forgive you,” Rarity said, “We all said things that we regret.”

“I didn’t,” Pinkamena said, and Rarity nudged her in the ribs.

“No, I’m the one who was so mean and unpleasant,” Fluttershy objected, “The two of you were just trying to help. It’s better if I just stay here so that I don’t walk over anypony and they don’t walk over me.”

“Well …” Pinkamena said, trotted back and forth on the ground above the burrow.

“Fluttershy, you can still stand up for yourself without being unpleasant,” Rarity told her.

“I don’t know that I can,” came the reply, “I tried before I came out here, but every time I just ended up being … monstrous! I don’t want that!”

Pinkamena poked Rarity’s shoulder, and she looked up from the hole. Where Pinkamena was pointing, a minotaur and two goats came into view. Iron Will wore a pleased grin on his face as he sauntered through the forest.

“I to’o’old you we could find her by following the’em,” one of the goats said.

“So you did,” Iron Will admitted, “Now, I heard her voice. Where is she?”

“What are you doing here?” Pinkamena asked.

“Your friend Fluttershy has been quite useful to me, but I’m not done with her yet. She’s coming with me,” Iron Will announced as he searched for the druidess.

“Now isn’t really a good time,” Rarity said as she positioned herself in front of the burrow entrance, “Why don’t you come back later? Or, better yet, return to the caravan and we can meet you there?”

“I don’t think so,” Iron Will said with narrowed eyes as he spotted the burrow behind Rarity. With a massive, hairy hand, he picked the unicorn up and deposited her in a nearby leafless bush.

“Fluttershy, come out here!” Iron Will demanded.

When there was no immediate response, he braced himself against the trunk of the tree over the burrow and began to push. Snow and dirt fountained as the tree began to budge, tilting away to widen the burrow entrance. Roots popped out of the ground, and the tree groaned from the force on it.

“What do you think you’re doing to that tree?” Fluttershy demanded as she showed herself, crawling up out of the burrow.

“Hm, there you are,” Iron Will said as he let the poor tree return to its previous position, “Fluttershy, you’ve caused a boom in my following. I want you to continue with me and help me gather more ponies to my cause.”

“No,” Fluttershy said simply.

“Heh heh,” Iron Will laughed disdainfully, “Perhaps I should rephrase that. You will come along with me and help me.”

“No, I won’t,” Fluttershy said again, quite calmly, and Pinkamena and Rarity’s jaws dropped.

“You think you can oppose me? I’m an enemy you wouldn’t want to have!” Iron Will threatened, propping an arm against the tree to shake it again, “Iron Will gets what Iron Will wants, and Iron Will wants you.”

“Well, this time Iron Will won’t get what Iron Will wants,” Fluttershy said with a frown, “I’m not coming with you, no matter what you say. You can threaten me all you want, but my answer is the same. You wouldn’t hurt me, because then you wouldn’t get what you wanted, and even if I did come along, I would never help you anyway. I said no, and I meant it.”

Iron Will fumed, but he realized that pressing the druidess any further would be useless. She had made an argument he couldn’t refuse. If she said she wouldn’t come with him, there was nothing he could do. He’d just have to manage on his own, like before. Snapping his fingers for the goats who’d accompanied him here to rejoin him, he stalked away.

“You did it, Fluttershy!” Pinkamena exclaimed as she rushed to embrace her, “You stood up to Iron Will without overdoing it!”

“Yes, I did,” Fluttershy said with relief, “I lost myself for awhile there, but I’m back now. The same old Fluttershy, though hopefully not one who lets others walk all over her.”

“We believe in you, darling,” Rarity said, “You’ve found your balance, to remain the same sweet Fluttershy as before but also learn how to stand up for yourself. Now, we’d better get back to the caravan before we lose it.”

Comments

[Snowdrifter]

"Two bits and not a penny less,” the trader stood firm.
“One bit,” Pinkamena shot back.
“Two bits,” the trader replied firmly.
“One bit.”
“Two bits.”
“One bit!”
“Two bits!”
“One bit!”
“Two bits!”
“Two bits!” Pinkamena switched things up.
“One bit!” the trader exclaimed, not realizing her slip-up.
“Two bits!” Pinkamena exclaimed, suppressing a grin.
“One bit! Take it or find somepony else to do business with!” the trader said, tiring of the back and forth.
“Fine, have it your way,” Pinkamena said, flipping her the gold coin and grabbing a pint of lamp oil off the back of the wagon.
“Hey, wait a minute,” the trader said as she looked at her bit, then stopped to replay the conversation in her head.