Fallen-Song

by Chicago Ted

Book of Surfeit, Canto 4

As good as it to her would feel to cheat,
The lunar princess would not dare repeat
Th’ events that happen’d where the two had found
The fool nam’d Minute Mirth – for there, they’d greet

But just a sodden mare, who sought to ground
Herself in happiness, and never frown’d
At all. O blimey, all this! Yet she knew
She cop’d the best of all. Her mind was sound,

If addl’d with her joy – she’d never stew
In rage or sadness. This method would do
Her well, she reason’d. Yet we must move on;
We’ll dwell not on the faces we accrue

Upon our travels – lest we see it gone,
Our prize, when we both reach the top thereon.
She halted her thoughts, so she’d focus out
Upon their path of water. With a yawn,

The baker show’d his own fatigue, about
Two miles along the current. “’Tis a bout
Of my fatigue, and not much more,” she said
To him. “We’ll rest when we finish our route.”

“I hope you’re right, for both our sakes – my head
Does start to ache me, oddly. If instead
We stop to rest, it might subside.” “But nay,
We’ve not much in the way of time! Ahead

Of us, who knows what we might find? To say
Would be uncertain, e’en for me. To stray
Would be bad, certainly, but beyond that,
What other obstacles might make us stay

Our steps?” The baker had no answer, at
Least, none that’d quench her mind. A caveat
Not spoken told him such was futile, so
He kept his peace. She knew this thing begat

No answer fair or right to her to show.
As they tread on, their pacing grew e’er slow.
“Are we a’ th’ base o’ th’ mountain?” he would ask.
“Nay, I’m afraid not,” answer’d she. “For though

This path does lead up, there beyond, our task
Is not yet done. So I say, do not bask
Yet in success – we’ve got a long way yet.”
The baker grumbl’d, yet he still would mask

His haste so great. Here, with his fur so wet,
And water more to drink, he could not fret
About the heat – but other problems show’d
When he stept in the stream – an unknown threat

From otherwise a gift – a liquid road –
This land could soon extract what debt they ow’d.
He hop’d ’twas little, a thing they both had;
And furthermore, would they find an abode

Again? He praid not. Luna had forbad
Such wand’rings, yet he found it bad
Not t’ listen to what others had to tell,
What tales of life before here – O how sad

He felt so suddenly! As if he fell
In melancholy – just another spell,
Perhaps of Minute Mirth’s. But how could she
Affect him far away? She could not yell

Such distance, nor could he hear, nor could see
(Not since he turn’d the corner). E’en so, he
Could tell that something unknown was not right.
Should he tell her? What might her answer be?

To his surprise, she could tell by his sight
What he might be considering. So bright
His mystified look was, she had t’ inquire
About it. “Why do you fret now? What plight

Have you within your mind? Be not a liar;
I know your tells.” The baker said, “I tire
Still, even now. I fret about what could
Occur ahead of us, what might conspire

When so much happen’d to us so far. Should
I worry quite so much?” “I think it good
To try to see ahead, but not too far;
For things could change at once, as this land would.”

Honeycomb nodded, and pusht on. “On par
Wi’ th’ rest of your deep wisdom. ’Tis bizarre
Indeed to try to counter blocks unknown
To us.” He took a breath to calm. “And are

You certain I have sooth’d?” she askt. “You’re prone
To such thoughts, as I’ve come to know. Alone,
You might not long survive here; you could die,
And thus be lost t’ Equestria.” Luna’s tone

Took colder edge, as though she must not lie
About this situation. “By the sky
Above, I will not lose you – this I swear
To you!” She may have sounded cut and dry,

But she meant ev’ry bit, despite no flair.
She stumbl’d, fell i’ th’ drink. No worse for wear,
She simply took it as a blessing, and
She kept on tramping. He call’d, “Over there!”

And pointed with a hoof. Through clouds of sand
And dust, they saw an iridescent band,
Alight with all the hues we see so clear.
“The light shin’s through the water – ’cross this land

This thing is seen!” cried Luna. “And yet, here,
You’d stop t’ observe? My Liege, I truly fear
You do not take your words yourself.” But too,
He’d stop t’ admire the sight. “We must be near

A waterfall,” said Luna. “To get through,
We may have to embank and walk.” She knew
Such places were most dangerous to those
Who’d not respect them as was fully due.

“How further much is it?” he askt. “Who knows?”
She would reply. “This fog would not disclose
Where it might be. But we can rightly guess
That th’ mountain-base draws near.” “And so it goes,”

He told himself, and upped again. “Unless
She has a better plan, I should not stress
About the stream.” And suddenly he slipt
Upon a loosen’d rock. She heard distress

Erupt from his lips, turn’d to look – she skipt
A beat within her heart. She quickly ript
Him from the water in her magic, saw
That he was fine. He said, “I merely tript,

But thank you for your watchful eye. By law,
I’m in your debt.” But Luna just said, “Pshaw!
What I have done would warrant none. Now come –
If you’re quite done watching that thing in awe,

As I am, we’ve not much to waste.” How glum
I must have sounded, thought she. With a hum
So soft he couldn’t hear, she took the way
Upstream, upon extremities so numb.

She glanced up to see if there would play
The water off th’ edge of a cliff. But nay,
There was apparently none – just as well;
The mountain was still quite far off away.

Such theory ran too wild; she had t’ dispel
It from her mind. She watcht the water swell
Around her legs, conforming to her stride
As she went on with him. To speak of – well,

His mood was sour, that much he could not hide.
Apparently that rainbow, to her guide,
Might well have been a thing he’d not seen ’fore,
And likely not e’er since. Thus, Luna’s pride

Took quite a hit. She wisht she could not bore
Him on the trip, but thus far, on this shore
Without a sea, they’ve seen so many that
They’ve lost uncountable time. Any more

And they could fail! Her hoof came down hard. Splat!
The baker fin’lly notic’d her mood. “What begat
Your anger?” askt he. “’Tis nought,” she’d reply.
“I only thought to keep you focust at

Our most important task.” “I don’t see why
We can’t admire the scenery on by,”
He said. “I’m sure you’ve seen that color’d band,
But that to me was new.” She gave a sigh –

Just as I fear’d, she thought. “Perhaps the sand
Might yield surprises much more precious, and
Should we see, we’ll stop to enjoy the sight.”
The baker gave a smile. She thought, How grand!

I’ve fixt his sight on th’ goal again. The height
Could well distract him from it, so I might
Need to take flight with him upon my back,
As had before. The Princess of the Night

Was powerful, but not all so. She’d lack
The tem’rament a mage might have, the knack
The wizard has as well. But just as she
Would more assess herself, his voice would wrack

Her mind. “Look yonder there – such sight to see!”
He pointed with a soaking hoof, and she
Was most amaz’d. There was a wooden craft,
Decay’d so much from disuse far from sea.

“Should we investigate?” “’Tis not a raft
We can bring eas’ly,” Luna said. A draft
Of wind came from the right, which chill’d her skin
And made her shiver. The same came from aft.

“I should think not, but we can build, begin
To sail upstream. I have this banner in
My grasp; we can use th’ wind and not be chill’d.”
She would admit, “I do suppose we’d win

A simpler way, but even if we build
A raft to take us, I am not so skill’d
In navigation nautical. Are you?”
“I might not be,” he said, “but I’d be thrill’d

To try it anyway.” The princess blue
Could see that this might not end well. Who knew
How well his craft was, if it could hold tight,
What hazards he’d by error run into?

But she would sigh, and let him go. He might
Surprise her, this was true, but she’d be quite
Delusional if she’d ignore the thought
That it might never sail beyond her sight

Where she stood then. She noted that the rot
Along its beams was all throughout, and frought
With useless curves from sand adrift i’ th’ wind.
If he could manage, how would it be wrought?

Which said nought of where it stood. It was pinn’d
In banks of sand – so far away, it sinn’d
By simply not being right on the bank.
If they should push, it would have greatly thinn’d

I’ th’ sand before they reach the water, sank
As soon as it would enter. To be frank,
This soon became a most atrocious aim;
So bad it was, in fact, she’d bet her flank

That it would not survive the trip, a game
She knew she’d win. And even though he’d claim
To sail with glee, she wasn’t sure if he
Was competent enough. And much the same

Thoughts enter’d in her head, but she could see
That he was most determin’d. Maybe he
Was right, that this could absolutely work,
But she still had her reservations. “We

Are unsure rather,” said she, “what may lurk
Within the wreck.” An afterthought, a quirk
For sure, but one that held its water still,
Regardless of the water’s source or murk.

And yet, in her sight, all upon this hill
Was silent, never moving. Was this real?
She ponder’d. There, upon a wooden beam
That’d broken off, she found what would instill

Some curiosity in her. It’d seem
This place was still inhabited – a scheme
She could have seen quite easily, but said
Not anything. This necklace would still teem

With magic not known to her. She would tread
So lightly o’er to it – and with a shred
Of magic, she pluckt it from resting place
And lookt it over. It was shining red,

With pearly chain that wrapt around with grace
In patterns not unlike delicate lace.
Askt she, “Why is this here? What is it for?
Who does it belong to? What be the case?”

These questions four would yield no answer, nor
Would any voice invite itself before
Her. She was met with silence. Then he’d call
To her, “I found this statue. What a bore!”

She went to where his voice came, saw it all:
A statue of pure white, which stood so tall
As t’ tower over even her. She saw
A gap along its neck – ’twas rather small,

But did match th’ necklace that she found. In awe
She held it up, and saw it true. Her jaw
Swang open, but would shut itself soon aft.
It seem’d too right; there had to be a law

In logic that forbade her – yet she laught
At such prospective. Then she plac’d the craft
Around its neck, and watcht it glow so bright.
Some magic tendrils came out, which would waft

Through th’ air, before they wrapt themselves tight
Around the statue. In the crimson light,
The stone – or bone? – would crumble, giving way
To something she would not expect. It might

Still be alive! she realiz’d. She would stay
In front of it, enraptur’d by th’ display.
Then suddenly, it shatter’d, leaving what
She had not seen before or since that day.

She tried to speak up, but her mouth staid shut.
She tried t’ explain the sight – inadequate!
And then it lifted up its head, to see
The alicorn in front of the thing – But

It made no further movement. Instead, she
Would back away, before it spake: “From sea
To arid land – I know not why I’d not
Shift sooner to appropriate form. Me,

I do belong to th’ ocean-sea. You brought
My magic back to me. In fact, I ought
T’ reward you, but I’ve nary to my name
As ’tis.” She lookt her o’er. “You must have fought

The elements to get here.” “This became
The case, ’tis true,” spake Luna – then’d exclaim,
“But I’ve not seen your kind before! What are
You? Who are you?” She rais’d a fin. “The blame

Is mine – my true appearance seems bizarre,
For one who knows no Hippogryphs. From far
Away, we’ve not seen you before so soon.
So speak a name, and let us cause no war.”

“My name is Luna, Princess of the Moon –
I’ve rul’d Equestria with my sister, hewn
Our powers from the sky, as well as that
We call Harmony.” “A, is that your tune?

They call me Whale-Road. As a caveat,
My greater name extends to such point that
You’d pass out ’fore I’m done. In any case,
I keep the seas safe for the ships, so flat

And uneventful, leaving not a trace
Of danger them to fear. I know the place
As well as you the moon, it seems. Pray tell,
When last did you lose sailors to the chase

O’ th’ storm?” “Our pegasi maintain that well – ”
“But what of the sea? Can you not dispel
What dangers lie beneath? Do you e’en know
What might harm them?” She took a breath. “I dwell

Amongst these hazards – I could freely show
You just what may imperil them – although
We’re far from any sea, so do not mind.
In any case, I keep the status quo,

So you need not do this yourself. You’d find
The task to be quite difficult, inclin’d
To fighting you along the way. But I
Gave all myself to such a task, resign’d

To keeping all who sail safe. By the sky
Above, which you worship – ” she gave a sigh –
“The sea conjures tricks that you’ve not heard
Before, so please, consider me as your ally.”

“Quite well, then,” Luna said. “Another word –
What make you of this banner?” Thus, the third,
Who kept so silent, show’d what he had found –
And Whale-Road drew a breath. “’Tis quite absurd

That you’ve recover’d!” she exclaim’d. “On th’ ground,
No less,” Honeycomb said. “It was still sound,
Admittedly, and did me well t’ secure
The waters of the river.” To this, she frown’d.

“I’ve always wonder’d what became for sure
Of that rag,” Whale-Road spake. “It could assure
The water where ’tis needed, but not more
Than that. The symbol means nought, t’ reassure –

You may keep it yourself.” “I’m sure in store
You have a story why that is.” So sore
The alicorn’s head turn’d – but hey, why not?
They came out all this way, so why a roar

Of her frustration? It would be for nought.
“Indeed,” replied the hippogryph, “I’ve wrought
A tale of undivided loyalty.
Perhaps you’ll hear?” He shook his head. “I thought

As much myself,” she said, “so let me see – ”
She paus’d herself, to let her thoughts flow free.
“It started long ago, before I came
Into this desolation. You’ll agree

Quite readily that any sailor’s aim
Is t’ cross the ocean-sea. He’d pray it tame
To make the trip less perilous. But nay,
It does not always end as such. This game

Of cat-and-mouse continu’s through the day
And night. And thus, we Hippogryphs would sway
Conditions such that they can pass with calm.
You’ve known us never, that much I can say.

In any case, we workt to quell the qualm
That sailors often have, and let them come
Into port without drama. I now recount
A tale particular, of that ship from

Equestria. She was, by ev’ry account,
A ship I envi’d so. ’Twas paramount
I lead it to the gryphon’s land, their stone.
I’ve kept it safe as such, and by my count

Five storms, twelve waves rogue, and one alone
Iceberg would dare oppose. I kept a zone
Twelve hundred paces ’round the merchant ship,
Who I learn’d was Serenity. Her own

Crew kept in mind her sails, but not the slip
Of water ’neath their hoov’s. I gave this tip:
Mind both the sky and sea, as they both are
Important to them, lest they lose their grip

Upon control of their ship. There, the star,
Polaris, keeps them pointed staright, so far
As they concern’d, but what could truly steer
Them off the course? Serenity would mar

The sea, and it would mar her – in their fear,
They’d not consider letting it guide near
The shore, along the currents we would fare.
So many others, gone – ” She shed a tear

A’ th’ thought. “Regardless, none of them would care
When seas were calm, as though a simple prayer
Suffic’d t’ appease the water currents. Well,
The trip to Gryphonstone was sans fanfare –

’Twas coming home that trouble was. I’ll tell
You more, but heed this warning: if you fell
Within a maelstrom, you would know not to
Swim to the surface, lest you tire and spell

Your doom.” You fool! thought Luna. Why did you
Not realize what you’ve done? Had you a clue
As to escaping certain death? At least you can
Reflect here, ’live and well. “I’d travel through

The vortex, plucking out those who began
To slip beneath the water’s surface, ran
Them back to the Serenity, and once
They catch their air, they’d thank the ones who’d plan

Calamity for sparing them. What dunce
Would notice not the ones like me? Th’ absence
Would be felt instantly – but, anyway,
The whirlpool clear’d, as they crost the distance,

But then a lightning storm appear’d! By day
I’m sure the pegasi can clear without delay,
But this was night, and hard to see without
The intermittent flashes. Not a ray

Of hope remain’d for th’ crew; without a doubt
I’d have to stay with them, and see them out
Of danger’s way. I’d rock Serenity
Just so, to let the lookout fall sans shout.

And not a moment too soon – they would see
The lighting strike the mainmast. They would flee,
Of course, but I knew th’ lookout was secure.
Her sails were drawn within, and she was free

To float without direction. To be sure,
I knew the way back to port, which was mere
Days from the place. But I forgot that by
The bay was coral, strong and sharp. T’ ensure

Serenity did not e’en touch it, she’d to fly
Above, for steering meant she’d not come nigh
The bay, or to the storm. So I would lift
With all my strength, and then, with magic, try

To manage her whilst in the air. Her drift
Was stronger still, so I had to be swift
In moving her. And when I set her down,
I thought for sure the path was clear – a gift

To troubl’d ponies of the sea. The town
Was in clear sight, its lights a golden brown
To signal home. And yet, in wisdom’s lack,
Serenity had ran aground. A frown

That’d break her spirit crost my face – my knack
Of steering clear of danger had such slack
As to be ineffective! I would fail
Within my purpose! And so, on my back,

Where once before Serenity would sail,
I now would carry off her crew. The nail
Within her coffin was that her crew would
Regard these waters safely. On a shale

Rock I deposited them, yet they could
Not find their way to shore from there. I should
Have done more for them, but they might accuse
Me of their plight. To leave them there was good

Enough for me, but not them. I’d use
The tricks I knew to point, but they’d refuse
T’ abandon th’ safety of that well-found stone.
I shudder even now, t’ deliver news

Of ponies lost at sea, so close, alone
Without so much as raft. The winds had blown
All night, and too the storm would pass on through.
They hid from blinding rain and howling wind,

Though not too well. And then, I thought of you,
And how your moon controls the tides! So few
Have e’en consider’d the idea, yet
To me, ’twas worth a shot. The moon was new,

Which worked out splendidly (I’m in your debt
To this day)! I’d allow the storm to let
The waters whip up in a frenzy, and
To carry th’ ponies far away fro’ th’ threat.

Then they would be deposited on sand,
To see the storm brew in the moonlight. Grand
My tactics were, but in the process, they
Could see me as I was. But they’d not stand

A ‘monster of the sea’ like I! They’d pay
All kinds of misery to me; by day
I barely knew the difference, it and night.
And night came not long after. I’d not stay

Upon that beach for long – this sun, so bright,
Eventually woke me up here. I might
Still be upon that beach, but over here,
You see Serenity – O what a sight

For sore eyes she’d become! I’d curl up near
Where I now call’d my humble home. The sheer
Clime made it difficult for me t’ displace,
With scorching sun to see and wind to hear

And dry me out. I’ve seen others, to chase
Some folly that might please, at such a pace
As to make me think – why, in all this time,
Had they not broken free? What sort of grace

Had they to their names? Then one day – the clime
Makes it hard t’ tell – the last bit of my grime
Along my skin would dissipate, and thus
I turn’d to stone – a solid thing of lime

In shape of mine, to safeguard me here. Plus,
I seem’d to blend in from the sky; they’d muss
Me not at all. And yet, my shifting charm
Was lost from on my neck – O what a fuss

That was, if I could not return! No harm
Could come to me – no wind nor sandy swarm
Eroded ’way my form. I kept this way
For such long time – but you would raise alarm

When you came passing by! I would display
A flash of lightning in the fog, to say
To you and other that I’m here – ‘help, please!’
But you two would come, after some delay

Over some talk I could not hear with ease.”
“If you must know,” said Luna, “it was these:
We’re on our way upstream to th’ mountain-top,
And furthermore – ” and there she stopt to sneeze,

Turning her head away – but Whale-Road’d stop
Her train of thought. “That place there is no hop
From base to peak. I would think that you need
My help. And I’ll provide!” The gem would swap

Her fins for claws, and she could stand indeed.
She tore some beams loose, and with newfound speed
The hippogryph assembl’d them a raft.
“I pray it serv’s you well,” she said. “Agreed,”

Spake Luna, “but how shall we make it waft
Through water?” Whale-Road said to th’ baker, “Craft
A sail from that old banner that you’ve found.
It will be good to carry both.” A shaft

Was found nearby, deep in the sandy ground.
With Luna’s help, he fasten’d it quite sound
I’ th’ center of the raft. “And how shall we
Bring it to th’ river?” “I think you’ll surround

Yourself in the solution, no? You see
The sand here? See how you are slipping free?”
Well, Whale-Road had a point. She gave a shove,
And found it eas’ly slid. “So, we would ski

It to the bank, and go from there – I love
Such elegance.” He said, “By skies above,
I knew you’d not regret to come to here.
This answer you see fits us like a glove!

We can push it to th’ bank – ’tis just a mere
Few hundred yards from this!” Indeed, so clear
Her vision was, as th’ fog would dissipate
Before her eyes. She wonder’d how to steer,

But figur’d that the stream would not await
A tributary. Well, at any rate,
They had to be along their way. She bade
The two fair winds, and that the path was straight.

She lean’d into the makeshift craft, and made
Her way so slowly to the river, paid
No mind to obstacles that’d hinder her.
He’d join as well in pushing. “I’m afraid

This might not hold us both,” he confest. “Were
It any stronger, I might well further
Add any cargo we might find.” But this
Was useless folly, something they’d after

Abandon with it. She would hear the hiss
Of scrapwood on the sand, and would dismiss
Th’ assessment earlier about its strength.
If they had drifted, she would be remiss –

Since roaring river-water of such length
Was hard t’ avoid. It took th’ amount of strength
To get this from Serenity to where
They could continue further. O the wrength

She had when ’tenter’d water! It was rare
That she could confidently stand, yet there
She could, upon a makeshift board with sail.
Honeycomb came aboard as well. “I’d swear

It’d break apart,” spake Luna. “It would fail
Before it started on our way!” “The trail
Will speedily pass us,” the baker said.
“So worry not – let me not hear a wail

From you.” The sail was then unfurl’d, led
By cordage salvag’d from the ship. Instead
Of snapping, it held fast, and soon it would
Be sent forth blowing in the wind ahead.

She tapt her hoof upon the shoddy wood,
And found it sturdy, holding well as should.
She felt the wind behind her back, and saw
That she could leave her troubles back – for good,

She hop’d. She felt a groove, as though a claw
Had scratcht it earlier. She rubb’d it raw
With her hoof, and it soon would chip away.
She’d not let it be – as a natural law,

A loose bit like that e’en might display
A threat to her and him, so it’d not stay
Intact, not on her watch. She would say nought
On th’ matter to him, lest he lose the way

Again. The downhill current would have wrought
The other way, but the raft’s sail had taught
It otherwise, so the two could relax,
Admire the passing view, as the cloth caught

The wind within its folds – although it’d tax
The ropes of tensile strength, it was no axe
To them. “O why did we not do this ’fore?”
He askt. “’Tis simpler true, without drawbacks,

To sail along the river!” “What a chore
It was to bring it here,” she wanted more
To speak, but spake instead, “Indeed – by sky
Above, the trip now seems so grand!” The shore

Without a sea would well have to comply
With logic such as this. But it’d not shy
To add an obstacle, such as a rock
Amid the creek. The two would happen by

The difficulty in due time. It’d mock
Their progress, keeping out the ones who’d balk
At navigating water. “Do not fight
Me,” it seemed to say. “Get off and walk

Around me!” But the Princess of the Night
Had yet another thought – and with her might
She hoisted up the raft, as Whale-Road did,
And set it down again, without a slight

To th’ craft. Said she, “We found ourselv’s amid
A sudden uncertainty – now we’re rid
Of it. So let’s continue through the creek.”
Without another word, the two would bid

Farewell to curses thrown at them. The peak
Would wait, with patience without end, to seek
Their ultimate prize, long before it’d find
Its way into another’s hoov’s. She’d speak

No words, but he would understand the bind
They both were in. They travel’d upstream, blind
To what awaited them, whatever things
Might stop them once again. She hop’d they’d grind

Not on the riverbed, that these old strings
That fastly held the sail became not slings
Assailing her face. Still, there would come time
When that’d be so – although she had her wings.

“How further is the goal?” the baker’d chime.
“Well, with this raft,” she would reply, “the rhyme
Should be that that delay be worth the strain.
It’s still quite far away, but in the prime

Of wind, we’ll last long ’gainst the flow.” Her mane
Would be affected by the wind – it’d deign
To lose its magic lack of gravity.
But this was far from the first time – again,

The sandy winds had done a number; she
Would know the sand grains in her mane – and he
Would likely have the same. But then, he could
Rinse it out in the stream. And then with glee,

She punkt her head beneath the water. Good
It felt, upon her head. “I think you should
Not try that trick again,” he would oppose.
“O nonsense, baker – you look like you could

Use washing well yourself!” And in the throes
Beneath the wooden craft, she heard no woes
Of pain or shock – a moment later, they
Were back aboard the raft. His face flusht rose

Fro’ th’ sudden lack of heat. Without delay,
The two returned to the journey. Nay,
They would not stop at all – it’d be a crime –
Not when they had so much ahead to say.

Comments

[BellChime]

Canticle, a hymn or song.

Interesting.