Fallen-Song

by Chicago Ted

Book of Surfeit, Canto 2

At this point, Luna well prefer’d to bake
I’ th’ sun before the storm. She could forsake
The blazing heat, so long as winds died down.
As long as they blew, their lives were at stake.

As for the baker, nothing in his town
Compar’d to this calamity. The brown
Scene calm’d his mind each and every day,
So seeing the same blowing made him frown,

Annoy’d. He hopt that the storm would not stay
For long, for who know what sort of delay
It would have caus’d them both, what would accrue
In front o’ th’ two? They would get none, he’d pray.

Be. Sand would start to sink, as winds’d ensue
With waning strength, until they could hear new
Sounds, voices without Luna’s magic spell.
He breath’d a sigh – this peace was well past due.

“So tell me,” Luna said, “did you hear well
The thoughts I sent to you before this fell
In place?” “I did,” he said. “Despite the land’s
Efforts, I heard your regal voice quite well.

Let’s hope this never once again demands
To pass.” “And yonder, there the mountain stands
To taunt us, coming close, yet we’re not there
With us. Can you see just how far ’texpands

Before us?” “Yes, I can – it does not care
For any one of us or others. Where
Did your dear sister get such grand design?”
“I know now.” Luna shook her head. “We fare

With total lack of sight – no chart or sign
Can point to us the way. I’d not resign
So soon; nay, we’ll not err – we’ve come this far;
We’ll not leave with hoov’s empty. I’d decline

Rest’s offer each time. Think of just how far
We’ve come – why, nothing ever us can bar
From our well-earned goal. Now come and see
What things our vim and effort cannot mar.”

He took her words to heart; with newfound glee,
He bounded ’long the sinking ground. This spree
Would last for but a moment, ’fore he saw
A second twinkle, like before. “But she

Had warn’d us of those dangers – but in awe
I find myself – ” She seiz’d him by the jaw,
And brought him to her face. “Do not relent
At such a vital time, mind not the draw

Of such a fascinating light.” She went
Ahead of him, and he, so discontent
With curiosity unsatisfied,
Would grumble and follow her, his vim spent

Before he could expend it. How he tried
To find it in himself, but it’d abide
Him not. Perhaps it was all for the best;
The last thing he would need is t’ go inside

Where other dangers may reside. A guest
He may be, t’ hear their tale, but on this quest
A delay would cost them time they could spare
N’ at all. She would not let him take a rest,

Not after talking to that one law-mare.
He doft his hood, and to the drying air
He let his head be open. Cooler breeze
Would clear his mind, and soon he would not care

About such shiny things he’d find with ease.
From out of nought at all, as if to tease
Them, there was water running ’long the ground,
Afront them, freshly-sprung. “If it would please

My Liege, I think it best t’ stop where we found
This stream, and drink our fill. I see around
Us nary threat, of storm or heat or brute.”
“We shall – I’d rather not want t’ see you drown’d

In your ambition.” He became then mute
As he knelt and drank in the liquid loot.
O how he needed this! It truly beat
The swelt’ring, suff’ring summer absolute.

“I must drink too,” she said. “This horrid heat
Has slow’d me too. I think it quite the feat
That we e’en made it this far.” Sans a word,
She knelt and drank the liquor cool and sweet.

The baker popt his head, which incurr’d
A comment from her. “Think you it absurd
That this land can in fact provide for us?”
Honeycomb shook his head. “Well, I have heard

Of tricks it can play on the others, plus
I had safeguarded – let’s not make a fuss
O’er what ambitions it may have, for they
May be beyond our understanding. Thus,

We’ll take what we may, question not the day
That shin’s eternal. It could block our way
If we doubt what it does.” Thus, Luna said,
“This magic I can’t fathom – who’s to say

It has a power o’er us? In my head
I cannot see at all why we should dread
The curses it can send to me and you.
I think it mad!” This argument soon led

To sandclouds gath’ring up ahead. The view
O’ th’ sun would start to blur into a blue.
Then Luna sigh’d. “Perhaps you may be right,”
She would concede – and soon the storm would, too.

“So now we know for sure this land can fight
Us if it chooses to, or even smite
Us. Let us not dwell on this gloomy thought.”
Resolved so, the princess of the night

Would pick herself back up, just as she ought,
And orient herself back where she wrought
Their path before. And soon Honeycomb would
Rejoin her, having had his fill. She sought

The blessings of the land, some change of good
Instead of bad, as was before. It should
Have heard, but it decided not t’ avail
What they would want – perhaps their cloak and hood

Not falling into pieces in the hail
Was all it’d muster. So along the trail
They’d have to make do with what they could get
From Providence – but they knew they’d prevail

Within due time. Before she could forget,
She hoped that it would incur no debt
To seek such favors from the cursed land.
But she could not see such signs – so why fret

About the things she can control not, and
Invite more trouble, hind’ring them, to stand
Them still? A slight sound, like the call of bird,
They notic’d overhead. Across this band

They did expect no life, and yet they heard
Its sign. A single hawk was what had stirr’d
The silence, just to show them on their way
Upon their quest, or so it seem’d – forward.

They both would take its heed. “We must not stay
For long here,” said she. “This eternal day
Shall not grow short, not now, not e’er at all.”
Then he would take the lead, without delay,

And she for once would trail behind. Its call
Show’d them where they need to go. There stood tall
The walls o’ a vale to their right. “There, perhaps,
We could save us some time, unless we fall

Into some complex trap,” he said. “A lapse
Severe like that must mean your mind’s collapse.
I see it’s safe, as to its structure. Come;
It will not fall upon us.” “Many maps

Have chang’d from such collapses of stone; some
Are weary still of taking troublesome
Routes like these. I am not amongst those fools,
To bear in mind.” “Quite well,” said Luna. Numb

Her hooves had grown beneath the sand; such tools
So strong for walking now show’d where their rules
Would stop. He, too, with his strength, here
May falter sans a word. None of them were mules,

Meant to bear longer journeys, heavy gear
Upon their backs. “Don’t tell me that your fear
Will hold you back from there,” Honeycomb said.
“’Tis not,” said Luna. “It’s just that the sheer

Endurance we display may make us shed
Unneeded blood from our hooves as we tread
Sans end.” The baker had to laugh. “Of course!
You can take to the sky, if you have need

To save your precious legs from such a coarse
Fate.” Well, she never thought, as flying horse,
She could avoid all this from high i’ th’ sky.
“But then,” she said, “you cannot find recourse

From me if I were t’ spread my wings to fly.
So I’ll stay here, upon the ground, and try
To suffer though the pain together – yes?”
He said, “I hope you did not tell a lie

Just now.” “Of course not!” Luna said, “unless
You wish to leave you be – I must confess,
I also find your talk and sight quite nice,
So leaving you to fend alone would stress

Me to no end.” “As you insist; don’t tell me twice –
Our home, of course, needs not your sacrifice.”
“O soft! my guide, there’s nary any need
For drama outside th’ theater.” This advice

Would stay his tongue, and force him on to lead
Her through the desert-vale at fullest speed.
He said t’ himself, “I pray I do not find
A second hazard on my way.” “Indeed,”

Said she, “I find myself in that same bind
As well, so do not fret. This land in kind
May clear your path – you’ve seen it happen, too!
So keep these blessings clear within your mind,

And we’ll survive.” As they tread on, a few
Rocks tumbl’d down fro’ th’ top o’ th’ cliffs – a clue
To him of things to come, things he’d not like.
Still, Luna would save him if such were due.

Although, as he went right along this hike,
He found all four of his hooves hurt alike.
He praid for rest, as he once had before.
Then suddenly, he thought he felt a spike

Drive through his leg. He gave a shout, too sure
He wounded himself. Then he lookt – no more
Was it there; it was all within his brain.
The princess shook her head – she could ignore

Such cramps like his. “I think I have a sprain,”
He said, however. “I’d hate to complain,
But I cannot move forward on this limb.
O Princess Mine, shall you relieve my pain?”

“My guide,” she said, “there’s no need to be grim.”
And with her magic, she grabb’d and plac’d him
Upon her back. “In fact, I have a plan!”
She spread her wings, as though like seraphim,

And took to skies above. How far the span
Would reach amaz’d him greatly. They both ran
Across the wasteland, when in point of fact
She could have carri’d him aloft! “I can

Not do this all the time,” she said. “The act
Of lifting so much ballast is in fact
A burden I wish not on another.”
“E’en so,” Honeycomb shouted, “you have pact

A great deal of strength. In fact, as it were,
You make the distance pass by in a blur.
We’ll set my ankle once we’re on the ground –
I’m in your debt, as your guide forever!”

And as she carri’d through the sky, she found
He weigh’d not quite as much, which would astound
Her just a bit. Still, she’d adjust her load
Upon her back whist she was onward-bound

To unknown place beyond her sight. Th’ air flow’d
So gently ’round her wings – and then she slow’d,
To seek out where she’d land to help him heal,
And came across – what she thought – an abode.

“Shall we touch down right there?” she askt. “I feel
It would be best,” Honeycomb said, “t’ appeal
With who may live there first, see if he would
Help us, and if all goes well, strike a deal.”

“A sound idea,” Luna said. “We could
Seek out a place to rest there, for this hood
Does itch me even now. Do we agree?”
The baker said, “I think it rather good

As well, so let us now descend and see
If our luck changes for the better.” She
Soon started their descent, gliding in loop
To slow herself down, making safe for he.

Forthwith when she landed, her wings would droop
And fold away to their sides; down she’d stoop
To let a hurt Honeycomb off her back.
Painstakingly, with magic she would scoop

His ankle, twisting it just so. A crack!
And he could stand again. Taken aback
By his relief tremendous, he thankt her
And pointed out. “We’ll see to yonder shack

And pray that better luck lies there for sure.”
She nodded so – the wind had clean’d their fur,
So they would look presentable for which
May live there. Luna then said, “On the spur

O’ th’ moment – I hope we would not bewitch
The resident.” “I’m glad I have no itch
Of sand, at least.” He started forward, and
He peer’d inside a doorless entry, which

Perplext him so. “Good day!” he call’d – the sand
Would only answer his words – he’d demand
A verbal cue, but gave a chance to hear
What th’ other may tell him. But there he’d stand

Unsatisfied. The princess said, “O dear;
I hope this place is not abandon’d.” Sheer
Luck would grant them an answer: “Good day there.
I see you try to find, but do not fear

Where this voice echoes.” There stood a plain mare,
Her patter matching th’ walls of her home. “Where
Do you hail from?” Her words did not come out
From her mouth. “I see you have found my lair.

Do come inside; it’s very lonely hereäbout.”
The princess took her offer. “’Tis about
Time we would found respite from drouth,” she said.
Despite her mood, she found it hard to shout

Amid her presence. She said, “Go ahead,
Find yourself a seat.” “Why’s it in my head?”
The baker fin’lly askt. “Is it not right?”
The mare would tilt her head. “I could instead

Speak aloud, but it would prove to be quite
Unbearable.” The princess of the night
Objected, “This is not so; speak your mind,
And we shall judge you if ’tis dull or bright.”

“But I will not,” she thought. “’Tis much malign’d –
As sun does shine, I will have you both find
Me inoffensive.” “O I must inquire:
What things about you may offend in kind?”

“A great amount of things,” she thought. Much shyer
She turn’d then, keeping her eyes by the fire
O’ th’ sun. Her coat would shift with ev’ry move,
Which made her nigh invisible. “No liar

She is, I reckon,” said Honeycomb. “Prove
You meant your words at least.” “It would behoove
You,” Luna said, “to heed his sound advice.”
“But nay,” she thought, “I sooner would remove

Myself from this place.” “Soft! ’tis really nice
To hear you speak aloud, if you entice
With your mind-voice.” Her head she shook.
She said, “My reasoning is most precise.”

“Another tale, I see?” he askt. “O look,
Now you’ve made him curious! A book
We’d fill with stories, yet he thirsts for more.”
“You’d find mine int’resting,” she thought. She took

A seat in front of them upon the floor
Of sand, unblinking eyes that surely swore
Some unknown, secret, surreptitious deed.
She thought, “You may have seen my lack of door;

This too is why. A silent life I’d lead
Before I came to this land – not of greed
Or vice, but keeping books for public use.
My name is Codex; now shall you take heed?”

“I do suppose,” she said. “We’ve no excuse
To back out now – to do so is a ruse
Beneath us.” Then the mare would start her tale:
“I pray I do not prove to be obtuse:

Once long ago, a place nam’d Piny Shale
Was where I liv’d. The folk there I would hail
With ev’ry passing moment, yet they’d not
Return in kind my gesture. Such a veil

So thin of mere civility was wrought
From keeping to themselv’s, but I had ought
To keep my courage up. Yet day and day
Went by, and still those problematic lot

Would cause me only endless trouble. – Nay,
I would not give up, ’fore you ask me. They,
It seem’d, just needed kinder temp’rament.
And so, my attitude could never stay –

Instead, you’ll find I sought to be pleasant,
In ev’ry part of my life – my accent
Would become neutral, as you now may find;
My gestures wholly absent, my vim spent,

And too my pattern’d fur would be align’d
Wi’ th’ background where I stood. I was confin’d
Most days within my library, to seek
Whatever information they would mind.

One day, a solider waltzed in, to peek
And see what I was doing. I was meek
E’en then, and he soon left me to stew there.
‘I’d bother not,’ he told. ‘She’s very weak,

N’ at all a threat.’ I could not stand to bear
His testimony, but I would not dare
To set my progress back, not quite so soon.
Of my weakness I was all too aware,

But I maskt that with altruism, hewn
From deep within my heart. I’d change my tune
If it prov’d necessary, and e’en then
I’d further ease myself into a tune

Of inoffensiveness, as though a wren
Aflight away fro’ th’ nest. I counted ten
Such instances where I’d myself adjust.
Each time, it prov’d effective. One day, when

I heard my door creak open on the rust,
There stood a pony I’ve not seen nor trust.
He introduc’d himself as Bolt-from-Blue,
And askt if I had records ’neath the dust

On Piny Shale’s weather. He told me, “You
Have well maintain’d this library, for few
Are willing t’ do your duties quite the same.
Ifever these documents are to view,

I trust you’ve kept them all pristine.” This game
He plaid I did not know. And yet, his name
Suggested weather-duties, so I went
And got him what he wanted. He became

Irate at once – apparently he spent
Several months to study such event.
He chew’d me out for my apparent fault;
For such anomaly, he would resent

The messenger. I never saw th’ assault
To come – I was surpris’d that he would halt
When th’ guard would come to see again.
With nought more, he was thrown into the vault.

And yet, he brought me unbearable pain –
Were it not for him, I would have been slain
In th’ place where I workt – I was grateful so!
But soon I learn’d that I had nought to gain

From this deed he did for me – although
He sav’d my life, it turn’d out I’d not show
To him – I faded in the ambience.
He merely heard the shouting from the snow

Outside, and what he saw he took offense.
I askt him if he truly was that dense;
He answer’d not – as though I did not ask
At all. And fin’lly I dropt all pretense

Of silence and politeness – for my task
Was to be kind, but this workt not? The mask
Of false-wrought hospitality flew out
In but a moment, as though a tight cask

Imprisoning me fell with just a shout.
It left him with a heavy-ling’ring doubt
As to my character – was I too kind?
I doubt I was, but it left him without

His sanity at such a time. Combin’d
With my own reputation, I would find
That some measure of firmness was needed
If one were to assert himself. My bind,

However, was I had no vim, which led
To further grievance. But I would instead
Contain my feelings further. So it went –
Carefully, then, across the ground I tread,

And I spoke ever quiet more. I spent
My hours alone, but this would not repent
For what I’ve done back then. I’d speak my words
For those who car’d to hear, but never vent

My angst and grief. It seems to you backwards,
But I know this as virtue true, as birds
Would sing i’ th’ sky above both you and I.
And more than that, it helpt me stand the herds

Of ponies in my town – O how they’d lie
And cheat and steal without a reason why,
It seem’d to me. I never would follow
There foul example; I would ne’er apply

Their teachings to my life. I’d sooner go
To Tartarus! Besides that, who would know
What other temptations I’d encounter,
How else I’d fail myself, if I did so?”

Her voice stopt coming, as if in a blur
Her mind was clouded. Neither one would stir
In case she’d think again. Then Luna spake,
“Pray tell, why stay in the town where your fur

Was sight not welcome? Why did you not make
Your way to better home? Make no mistake,
I know a journey like this is no game –
But if such chance presented, would you take?”

“I surely wouldn’t,” Codex said. “The same
Could be said where I would have went. Don’t blame
Yourself for coming to that logic’s end –
I would have done that too. Why, just my name

Is boring enough. Changing it would rend
Me something else, a thing I’d not intend.
I’m sure you could see truth within my speech.”
“I must say,” Luna said, “I must commend

You – keeping kindness up, and not to preach
It loudly ev’ry day for all and each
To hear. But still, to take it t’ such extreme
Is rather toxic to you. I beseech,

Why did you take it so far?” “It would seem
That kindness had no limits – its esteem
Would carry me for all my life, protect
Me from the dangers of the world – a dream

I wish you could have seen; alas, respect
Is never born of kindness mine unchect.
I see that now, exil’d from my home
Beyond this land. I would not dare reject

What brought the treasur’d peace amid the tome.
But here I am, alone in this land t’ roam
For all of time, it seems. I am quite pleas’d
To see you here – ” “Your words are nought but foam,”

Said Luna. “They before may have appeas’d
The townsfolk, but I’ve heard the same words breez’d
Through my ears in my court. How can you shift
My judgment if you can’t – ” And Codex sneez’d.

The voice she made was rough and coarse; a rift
So wide between her head and throat. A gift
She once may have had, but has since been lost.
She lookt up at the princess. “You seem mift,”

She thought. “What seems to bother you?” “Accost
Us not,” she answer’d. “You would just exhaust
Yourself, as you had quite well done before.
Your temper’s true, but this came at the cost

Of boldness – quite the opposite, a chore
To you, hence so long, but ’tmeans so much more
Than I describe.” “How so?” “It would appear
That, when the ponies of your town you’d bore,

The last thing you should do is deny cheer.
And yet, that’s just the thing you did. Now here,
You learn that ugly truth. Learn this to heart:
That kindness solves not all – is this clear?”

“I do suppose,” said Codex. “’Tis an art
I’ve studied all my life, and yet ’tis smart
Not t’ practice all the time. I wish I saw
That sooner.” Codex droopt her head. “My part

Has failed me, I see. That was the flaw
That kept me from the ponies.” “Yet no law
Can punish you,” said Luna. “And so thus
You have t’ amend this by yourself. A raw

Deal it may be; this is alone yours. Plus,
We cannot stay for very long.” A fuss
She would have caus’d, but Luna stopt her first.
“Soft,” she told her, “you may have caus’d a muss,

But this fault, to me, is far from the worst
I’ve ever seen. I have high hope for th’ curst
Of this land – that includ’s you. Now stand tall
And sound your voice, instead of thoughts in burst.”

She nodded. “Yes, I speak again.” Her call
Was hoarse, as they’d expect, but that was all
They should fear from her. “I am in your debt,
Somehow.” “Speak not of that,” he said. “’Tis small

What we have done, compar’d to what you’ve let
Occur yourself. Be proud that you don’t fret
O’er ev’ry little detail as before
Under a most imaginary threat.”

“And yet,” spake Codex, her voice growing more
Clear by the moment, “you find it a chore
To travel through this land, I would believe.
’Tis not as quick as ’twas in days of yore.

To aid you, I must ask – where do you leave?
And when you get there, what will you achieve?”
“A simple task,” said Luna. “There beyond – ”
She pointed thus – “we both plan to receive

A chance to save ourselv’s.” And then it dawn’d
Upon the other mare. She would respond,
“I must know more about your noble quest!
Need you a guide? A chart? I’m rather fond

Of mapping out th’ unknown myself!” Imprest
She was sans remedy. “I’d not have guest
Another way! I so desire the same
Myself, but I can be your humble guest

As well! So tell me more, what is your aim,
And methods too? I vow you not to shame
Along the way!” But Luna wav’d a limb
To stop her newfound speech. “I cannot claim

We’d bring you with us. I’m content with him
To guide me through this cursed land – his vim
Had kept my spirits up this time entire.”
Upon these words did Codex grow e’er grim.

“I hopt for passage out – for my desire
To join familiars kept me rooted. Dire
My sudden circumstances now become.
But I’ll let you leave now, lest you grow ire

And chances of escape become a crumb.”
She never spoke again, a dismal sum
Of Princess Luna’s teachings impromptu.
But they’d respect her words, however dumb

They may have sounded, and they’d leave her to
Her own devices. As they slipt right through
The doorway, Luna turn’d to th’ baker, said
“I hope that was the worst,” but she well knew

The worst was yet to come – and in his head,
Honeycomb saw as much, which gave him dread.
And thus she would resolve herself to lead
Him to the mountain top. No tear they’d shed

For those they’ve lost along the way; they’d heed
Her sister’s warning – that they’d sorely need
To head off dangers all around them. They
Would have to fix, until they may be freed,

Attention past the others. “There!” Away
From them, the baker pointed out a stray
White cloth. “Was that before there?” she would ask.
“I do not know,” he said. “But if we may,

I think it useful for our lofty task.”
He walkt to it, and caught. The cloth would mask
On th’ other side a symbol they’ve not seen
Before or since: a hippo-gryph would bask

Against aquatic backdrop, with a sheen
Of silver. “I know not what that would mean,”
Confest the princess. “But if none demand
It for himself, no reason for this scene,

I say we keep it for ourselv’s. The sand
And heat are merciless against us, and
We’ll need whatever fortune we can get.”
The baker nodded. “But we have not plann’d

For this, have we? We’ll take it without debt.
Imagine if this tapestry got wet –
We’d travel cooler that way, don’t you see?”
But Luna had no words; she would not let

This land to spoil her new-found luck, for she
Had had enough disasters to last three
Lives. Yet he made her see the brighter side
Of what may come to them – unbridl’d glee

To match misfortune, Luna’s steadfast guide
Would never be defeated – this land tried
Whatever trick it could imagine, quite as well!
Be they on hoof, or even as she flied

Through skies so open, she could clearly tell
Determination wins o’er all – t’ excel
Is simple, e’en in th’ face of awful chance.
– If only she knew this before she fell.

Well, no time better than now, so her stance
Was. She knew coming trouble at a glance,
Where he did not – she hopt for such a lack,
For she had not much magic happenstance.

The baker tied the banner on his back
T’ secure it firmly for the trip. A crack
Along his spine again, and they were off
To where they ought to go. Outside her shack,

Besides the mountain, there was nought. To scoff
Would be in reason, but they would not doff
Their plan so soon, regardless of how rough
The journey would get for them. She would cough

Sans warning. “Methinks she was dull enough
To dry me out,” she told him. “’Twas quite rough
On me as we,” replied he. “Never thought
It’d be so literal. I’d call the bluff,

But thus far, we’ve encounter’d stranger, wrought
By magic we detect or e’en know not.
But even so, we’ll see this journey through.
Now come!” He indicated th’ way. They fought

The storms of sand, and sights that were not true,
As well as dragon, gryphon, changeling too.
What other dangers lie here i’ th’ land? We
Would see soon ’nough, she thought. And so the two

Would wander through unknown lands, to see
A thing that possibly might not well be.
They’d still refuse t’ abandon hope, in face
Of mounting odds that drifted ever wee.

To their relief, they’ve only met one race
Once they left Sark’e in her rightful place.
Instead, they found the manifestations
Of things we hold in value great, embrace

As our way of life. These gallant actions
Were forth propell’d by notion, by the tons
Of ponies who relied nightly upon the moon.
She’d never met them, but she knew those ones

Existed somewhere in Equestria. Soon
They’d be back there with them, their comfort hewn
From that familiar place. For now, howe’er,
They need to focus here, and note the dune

That came upon their path. But this time, there
Was a solution – Luna took to th’ air
With him upon her back, as had before.
She let it crash down, for she did not care –

It would not hinder them at all. A chore
The flight was, so she then set down once more
Once it was clear’d. The baker thankt her well,
For he could not have liv’d through that, he swore.