Fallen-Song

by Chicago Ted

Book of Surfeit, Canto 5

The trip went faster on the raft – a prime
Cause for the stop back there. But then, the climb
Up th’ mountain may prove time-consuming, so
They’d need all th’ time they’d get. At any time,

Their goal might disappear – but then, they’d know
That noöne us’d before them; it would show!
But on these awful thoughts they should not dwell;
They’d make it there, no matter what the foe.

They had both speed and luxury as well,
Which others might well lack – what luck befell
These two, in such a far-off cursed waste?
As though fro’ th’ blue, the princess gave a yell

Of sudden fright as she lean’d it with haste
To starboard, dodging sharpen’d rocks, which trac’d
Along the ancient boards. “Are you all right?”
He askt her once it settl’d. She effac’d

The incident: “’Twas not a thing I might
Not overcome.” The Princess of the Night
Must not show her doubt, not in such a state.
“Come now,” he said, “forsooth, that was a fright

Indeed.” But Luna shook her head – too late
For her to speak of it. They would sail straight
Along the creek, sans him to press her on
About such folly then. At any rate,

It seem’d mere reflex that’d she yell – then gone
Was th’ problem, ’fore he realiz’d; th’ denouement
Would never come. He dipt his hoof into
The stream, to feel the rushing. With a yawn,

He’d pull it out again in boredom true.
This stream would stretch forever on; his view
Was blocked by the fog that laid ahead.
“Shall we arrive soon?” askt he – yet he knew

The answer would be “Nay” – and yet, she fed
His curiosity: “Not yet.” His head
Would swim with other talk, to break the calm,
Yet he would dare not shatter. In its stead,

He laid upon the boards to rest; no qualm
Would come to mind. She laid too; coming from
A life of chaos in the court, she’d use
Whatever chance to rest, as though a balm

Upon her weary soul she’d not refuse.
No matter how good it felt, she’d not snooze –
Not that she could; she found herself awake
At ev’ry time of day – such was the ruse

Of day eternal; they would have to make
Do with their lack of slumber, to forsake
Their nightly rest. “What is that?” asked he.
She did not hear him – this was a mistake.

Again, “Look on the bank – what’s this I see?”
She glanc’d upon the sandbank – terribly,
There was a skull, belong to a pony too.
She praid it was not someone she knew. She

Would cast her magic, bringing the skull through
The air to them. “I cannot tell it true,”
She said, “if this thing hail’d from near this stream.”
She held it up to look – and in her view,

A glimmer faint of piercing light would seem
To penetrate her eyes. As though a dream,
She shook her head, and lookt at it again.
But nay, it was still shining there! She’d deem

This odd, but she could sense a rather plain
Sensation in her gut – ’twas one of pain,
But much supprest, as though she could well bear
The tribulations she withstood. It’d wane

In but a moment. “Princess Mine, why stare
At such a thing?” he’d ask. “Why do you care
About this random skull?” But she’d not hear
His words for quite some time – they were just air

With noise to her. She felt it thinking – near
The shore, it found a slowness, then a veer
Into the rushing water, there to drown.
This thing was still alive, it would appear,

But how could she revive the dead? Right down
To th’ core within its bone – she felt a frown
Appear upon her face, but she would not
Abandon this so soon. Before her crown,

Her horn would light, and she would probe it. Fraught
With anguish, yet a thing would make it nought –
She took her magic off of it. The glow
Would not subside for just a moment. Ought

There be some more to this? What would it know?
What tales could be found? What more could it show?
Who did it once belong to? And more, where
Did it originate? So many thoughts, e’en though

She barely had the answer. Then he’d snare
Her focus once again. “If you would care
To hear me,” askt the baker, “Tell me why
You think the way you do. Why do you stare

At such unnerving artifacts? By sky
Above, I cannot help but wonder why
You would find morbid int’rest in the dead.”
But she’d reply with nought – instead, she’d try

To probe again within the head-case. Said
The baker, “I don’t think you can. Instead,
I say, just leave that back upon the bank,
And keep on sailing, as you’ve always pled

To me.” “Nay,” Luna said, “I must be frank:
I saw a thing I can’t describe. I’ th’ flank
I feel it now, there’s something more to this,
And when I find it, I’m sure you would thank

Me for th’ discovery; I’d be remiss
If I did not investigate.” “Princess,
With ev’ry bit of due respect, I plead,
Do not chase such a folly – we would miss

Our prize! There’s nothing more that we would need
Along our quest.” But he would not succeed
To sway her judgment – rather, she was lost
In peering deep within once more. Indeed,

She did not think he spake to her. She tost
Attention to th’ wind blowing, at the cost
Of angering the baker that much more.
“O Princess mine,” he said, “I’d hate t’ accost

You as such, but I verily implore – ”
His voice exploded – “why fix on this bore?”
She grabb’d the skull within her magic, held
It up to him, and show’d him where before

She saw the glint. And he saw too, which quell’d
His temper. “I do wonder what had fell’d
This pony,” said he. “I see not a wound
So far,” said Luna, “but I cannot meld

A spell to it – at least, I think.” Attun’d
With newfound int’rest, he found himself swoon’d
To solving this enigma. He would find
It lact a lower jaw; it had been prun’d

So long ago, he would not know I’ th’ mind
How to discover it. Perhaps he’d have to grind
A new one out of stone. Ask he, “If I
Fish something from the bed, perhaps you’d bind

It with your magic.” “What plan you to try?”
He pointed thusly, “Look where you apply
Your hoof to hold it up. Can you not see
He lacks a jawbone?” “Yes, but I ask, why

Do you care?” “If he has to talk, then we
Need grant him just the needed tool to free
His voice.” He lookt along the moving stream,
To try to find the proper piece. Then she

Would spot it first, and ’fore he made the scream,
She grabb’d it with her magic. It would seem
She made the proper call; this sandy stone
Was perfect for the job. And so, the team

Of two would carve away to make their own
Solution. They car’d not for just how prone
They were to error; long as th’ shape was right,
It’d work, he felt – and once the shape was shown

All over, he would fit it where the white
Met sandy dun. It was not sans a fight,
But just a touch of force would bring about
The skull completed. When the fit was tight,

To them, it clearly would provide no doubt
That this belong’d below the skull. Its snout
Was weather’d ’long the water, but it would
Not make a diff’rence, not when she would sprout

The spark and flame of life within. He could
Imagine going wrong – not that it should,
He hop’d. As she lit up her horn, he praid
That she would cast well, that her spell was good.

The bones would shift with sand, and sans the aid
Of Luna’s magic – why, her horn displaid
No flick’ring light, and she lookt mystified
As well as he. And yet, there they still staid,

To watch in awe as something unseen tried
To piece the stone and bone together, pried
Them back apart when they did not fit. Quite
A big surprise indeed, to her and guide!

And when the pieces fell in place just right,
The skull stood sturdy, bone and stone and might.
The baker lookt to th’ Princess of the Moon,
Who simply star’d right back, sans e’en a slight

Hint of a clue. He could not find a rune
Carv’d in the bone; nothing it had was hewn
From Luna’s magic. Plus, it did not shift
Once it was done adjusting itself. Soon,

A light would shine from out its eyes, adrift
I’ th’ wind, perhaps to prove its life. No rift
Would open on the deck, the baker saw;
Perhaps all that was needed was that gift

That Luna gave to it, against that law
Of magic bringing forth a life. The jaw
Swung open, yet no voice emerg’d, no sound
Was heard – and it would shut again. The raw

Meat in a pony’s mouth, to which was bound
His speech, had long decaid away – it found
This out eventually. Nor it could hoist
Itself, nor move about so eas’ly ’round

The deck, nor sign them speech – it’d not rejoic’d
At this. So close, yet he could not be voic’d!
“I see your panic and grief so great,” said
The princess. “Forgive us if we would foist

A life of magic borne.” And yet, instead,
It’d rock about the raft, as if it’d pled
For just this sort of thing. It further show’d,
He wanted back his voice. “Well, go ahead,”

The baker said. “Let’s hear, I say, the load
He’s borne upon himself.” And it would goad
Her ever on, with movements seemingly
So frantic that she’d have t’ give in. She sew’d

A tongue aetheral in his jaw, to see
If that’d suffice – and it would blissfully
Accept her help again. An ancient tone
Would rumble from a place unseen, and she

Was most surpris’d to see it work. “Alone
I have been for so long, I’d not have known
How else to speak, or even move,” it spake,
A voice quite like Honeycomb’s. “If you’ve shown

Me generosity, then let me take
The same and show you tenfold.” “A mistake,”
She said, “it’d be for us t’ accept the bid.”
A bony clack! would silence her. “Forsake

Humility – I must give something to you. Did
You find trouble? I can help you be hid.
Are you lost merely? I can help there too;
I know where this stream leads – ” But Luna rid

Him of his offer kind. “If you only knew
Who I was, Risen, you would know how true
My resolution is.” He seem’d to blink,
A flicker in his light. “A, so it’s you,

O Princess Mine!” He seem’d better – I think
He saw me once, she thought – and with a ‘wink’
He told, “I once saw to your treasury.
Amazing – you’ve not ag’d at all!” The link

Would snap in place at last. “O, Rich Rags!” “See?
I knew you’d know me by my role!” Yet she
Was mystified. “What happen’d t’ you?” she’d ask
When she got the chance, sans a bit of glee

T’ her voice. “My Liege, I have to doff my mask –
Th’ events that would transpire around me bask
In fortune less than detriment. I pray,
You do not wish to hear.” “Upon this task

In this land, I’ve heard far worse than you’d say.”
“I’m quite unsure if that is true. The way
It’s gone is most unfavorable. How
Would you accept it?” “Just as I’d this day

Eternal.” Said he, “Well, if you’ll allow,
You might see also selflessness. And now – ”
He clear’d his throat, or tried to – he had none,
Of course, having rotted so long since. “My vow

As your aid was so simple, as was spun
By you when you took me on. How ’twas done
Was by your whim; for I was just a tool
That you could wield on your behalf. What fun

Indeed!” The princess roll’d her eyes. “My rule
Was calm and just, was it not? Was I cruel?”
“O skies above, nay!” said he. “I would not
Consider such! In fact, I’d say that you’ll

Be pleas’d to know that ev’rything you’ve wrought
Was well and fine! The errors that I’ve caught
Were numerous, yet all was sorted well
Eventually. Your worries should be nought.”

“I hope you’re right about that,” Luna’d tell
The skeleton. “Because I should not dwell
On other possibilities.” “I must
Be frank, O Princess Mine – I rather smell

Some trickery about him.” “How so?” The dust
Was settl’d calmly. Said the baker, “Just
How well did you do your job? I ask, why
Would you do something like this.” All nonplust,

The skull said, “Baker, we might not see eye
To eye on ev’rything, but I would not try
Betraying her trust. Questions quite absurd –
I fire back with one: what do you imply?”

Then Luna stept in. “Pray, mind not his word
About the subject. Furthermore, we’ve heard
So many things, all worse, from many more.
Perhaps you’ll entertain his thoughts?” A bird

Flew down fro’ th’ sky, and percht upon the poor
Skeleton’s skull. It did n’ at all abhor
The other two, and he did not detect
The perching. “I’ve work’d with her for a score

Of years, before you came to be.” “I’ve chect
His records – he was fine, with all respect
Unlike that gryphon we had met.” “O dear!
What did he steal from you? I shall protect!”

But Luna laught. “Don’t worry, he’s not here –
And we still have all we have brought. Your fear
Is quite unfounded.” He sigh’d in relief –
Then said, “I worri’d that he might be near.

But still,” he would continue, “I’ll be brief,
As brief as I can be. I was no thief,
If that was what you earlier askt. In fact,
You might find me the opposite.” Belief

Went out the window at this thought. Their tact
Was useless here. “This has to be an act,”
The baker said. “How can you claim as much?”
“But sit,” the skull commanded him. “So pact

With much awareness my words are. As such,
You’ll learn things certain. – I’ve not lost my touch,
Have I?” “You’ve not,” said Luna. “Tell us so.”
“My skills at counting are great – insomuch

That I could tell immediately to go
To you or sister when fraud is. I’d show
Exactly how much, and from where, and you
Would do the rest, and for all that, I owe

So much, for all the things that you’ve been through.”
“O soft!” said Luna, “flatter not. I knew
You perfect for the job, in any case.
“But even so, all that I’ve said is true!

You do remember when I set my pace
In counting, yes? Then you gave me my place
Amongst the court!” He paus’d. “A yes, the tale:
I do suppose that I will start there, when Her Grace

Would summon me to th’ castle. Rather stale
The air would hang around me, which did pale
To how the records were kept when I first
Saw them. How could they do this? It’d avail

Itself to endless debt – by far, the worst
That I have see was that the clerk was curst
With such demands so endless. I took o’er
The count at her command. The very first

Thing that I did was grab the records, pour
Through them as best I could, and note the score
Of loss and profit. Then I whipt to shape
The others in the court, in making sure

This setback happen’d not again. Agape
Her mouth hung, when I lifted up the drape
Of debt in three week’s time. She thought it’d take
More years than I would have, but they’d escape

A fate so bad – they must make no mistake;
’Tis just unbearable, with much at stake!
But anyway, all that was sorted out
Within due course, and Luna soon would make

Me permanent addition thenabout.
The treasury would blossom soon; the drought
That once was there was lifted soon enough.
Then one day, I would come down with a bout

Of unknown ill; the princess knew ’twas rough,
And gave me th’ time away to let the stuff
Be sorted out. A moon had past, and soon
I could rise sans a headache. It was rough!

I came back to court that day, right at noon,
When Luna’s sister took her break. A boon
It was for her, but not for me; I’d wait
For sev’ral minutes ’fore her time was hewn

Fro’ th’ schedule. She told me that such a weight
Took quite the toll on me; that I’d come t’ hate
The job. But I did not! I told her so!
She did not seem convinc’d, but she’d debate

Me not. And later on, her sister’d show
Her generosity.” “’Tis not a throe
To me,” would Luna interrupt the clerk.
“We could quite well afford it – you would know!”

The skull would nod – or try. “Of course – you’d lurk
Through the sheets whilst the treasury would work.
You must have found yourself quite pleas’d by how
Prosperous that Equestria was.” A smirk,

And he continued, “Thus, you would allow
The benefits be spread across the land – my vow
Should still be kept, and I have done my best
To that end. Still, y’ insisted to endow

A bit of that on me. I had my rest
For just a moon, and that was enough – lest
Another thing came up, but I’d not bet
Upon it. But you’d not leave it unaddrest,

Would you?” She shook her head. “Indeed, such debt
Has to be paid some way, or you would let
It be forgotten. Truly, I’d refuse,
But I should not, or you would be upset!

And so it went – you’d offer for my use
Another benefit, and I’d deduce
That you would want to see your debt be paid.
Instead of turning down, I’d introduce

A better answer – I would have it made
To ’nother pony, one who would have praid
For something like it. Soon I would be known
As the court’s best – and yet, I was afraid

You’d find out, then I would be turn’d to stone!”
But she laught. “Same old Rich Rags, all alone
In his conspiracy. I knew it all
Along, and simply let you use the throne

That way.” If he had cheeks still, he’d appall
At her words – yet he stood, so firm and tall.
“In any case, my generosity
Became well-known throughout the castle hall.

I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers, that with glee
I’d give away the favors of the princess. She
Would never know – or, truly, would permit –
But why stop there? I askt myself. I’d see

The smiles appear upon their faces – ” It
Had better not be ’nother fool – it’d spit
In ev’rything I’ve learn’d from Minute Mirth,
She thought – “so all was worth the while. To wit,

That raise in pay I past to Down-to-Earth.
The two-moon leave? Well, Nocturne just gave birth;
She needed it. No matter what you gave
To me, My Liege, I never had a dearth.

Instead, I found their joy would further pave
A better life. I’m glad that you forgave
Me, for I am about to tell of more.
Some might say I was little more than slave,

But I would relish in it. ’Twas no chore
At all – beyond, of course, what I did for
My work. And when they askt for things I’d not,
How could I turn them down? I’d have the cure

Conjured from myself. Indeed, I’ve wrought
My further reputation from the rot
Of my estate. I’m sure you’d understand!”
But Luna seemed unconvinc’d. She ought

To reprimand, but she was puzzl’d, and
She wanted answers. What had Rich Rags plann’d?
She soon found out: “I wisht to spread my joy
Throughout the land, ’til I seem’d nought but sand

And spirit. Still, I kept my word – t’ destroy
What I had workt for seem’d wrong. I’d employ
No other method to my plan, and so in time,
My things the other ponies would enjoy,

But this left me without, as ’twould be th’ rhyme
Of charity. They once were mine; no crime
Was made in court, as you can fully tell.
Whatever, I was old, and past my prime;

What use would I have for those items? Well,
Not much at all. And then one night, I fell
Asleep, and woke up in this solitude.
I could not find another soul; no spell

Could well detect at all. My giving mood
Was yet unsatisfied; this land I view’d
As punishment for not enough. Who knew
How wide this place was? Misery ensu’d

For long as I remember e’er since, through
The endless days and years. Yet all too true,
I could resist not th’ call that beckons me
To give to others what I have. A new

Behavior came from this: I’d soon see
That nothing came of it, as you’d agree;
The spark of joy that came before was gone.
I striv’d to bring it back, however – ” “We

Can eas’ly tell,” said Luna, “ev’ry one
Of those just used you for a simple pawn,
A means t’ an end. Pray tell, why did you buy
Into their lies? And what became o’ th’ con?”

The skull sent forth a sigh. “I’ll tell no lie –
One day, my hide would catch a dragon’s eye.
He stript it from my back, which hurt like fire,
And with it, he took off into the sky,

And I would not see him again. The ire
Replac’d my joy – why must the drake desire
What I cannot give ’way? And so the rot
Would set in through the rest of my entire

Form. Nary longer would I give; I sought
Instead protection from the heat, which ought
To dry me out, and rend me invalid.
And then one day, I happen’d by this plot

Of wet and fertile land. I slipt amid
The water-stream, in a desperate bid
To wash away whatever might prove ill
To my health. Yet the waters here would rid

Me of my life – or so I thought. I will
Determine somehow how much time would spill
Before you woke me up, for I did not sense
Its passage in my sleep. Your magic skill

May prove t’ be helpful.” “I should take offense
At your entitlement,” said Luna. “Hence
I may revoke your second wind.” “Nay! Wait!
If I tell you of dangers that I’d sense

Within my sleep, perhaps you’d bear the weight
Of calculating such a time.” “I’d hate
To disappoint, but I have not a spell
That can do what you plead.” “At any rate,

I’ll tell you anyway!” “O very well,
Speak what you know.” And he began to tell
About a waterfall that rose up to the cloud
That hid the mountain from its base – it fell

For so far, pegasi, e’en with how proud
They were, could not ascend up through the shroud.
And furthermore, they could not stand to stand
Nearby the base, for th’ water was so loud

They’d deafen instantaneously. “O, and
It dries up on a whim,” he’d add. “The sand
Has such a way of doing so. You’ll run
Out of its water, without warning.” “Grand,”

She said. “And just when we were having fun.”
“And one thing more!” he spake. “If you’re not done
With me, I ask, may I attend? I’ll turn
The two to three – these eyes, immune to th’ sun,

Can see out clearer than yours can! I’ll earn
My keep, one way or ’nother! And I’ll learn
The skills to make myself whole once again!”
“But Rich Rags,” Luna said, “I must be stern:

We two must go alone; we cannot gain
A third, or fourth, or even more. The strain
Would be too much, for even you; I plead,
Set down your duties – they are all in vain

For something quite like this.” And indeed,
The clerk was most dejected. “I shall heed
Your words, O Princess Mine,” he said so faint.
“I hope you ne’er forget me, or my deed

For th’ crown.” Without her prompt, without complaint,
The stone and bone would split; its own restrant
Had faded fast. It would not stir without
Her magic. “Why, I’ve never met a saint

Quite like him,” said the baker. “There’s no doubt
That our home lacks a hero now. He’d spout
With charity, and have the gall to back
It up. But now, we’ll go back to our route

Sans him.” He sigh’d. “Let’s go, My Liege. No plaque
Can bring him with us.” Then he heard a crack
As th’ bone would shatter from its gravity.
“I can’t bring him back anyway – he’d lack

The necessary spirit.” “This I see.”
She swept the skull o’erboard, to set it free
From obligation. “Why we burden him
Is yonder me – We’ll not so so, and we

Shall venture ever on.” Her voice grew grim,
But he would comment nought. She saw his vim
Dissolve before her eyes, and she did not
Wish t’ tamper memory, which still grew dim.

He wonder’d if his memory would rot
Away as well. It’d have to – it was wrought
In destiny that soon he would become
Forgotten – he was not a pony sought

For talents much outside the village. Some
Might treasure him – his family the sum
Primary. And of course, the ones who came
To buy the things he crafted daily. “Come

Again!” he called after – just the same,
A few would do exactly that. His name
Was on their lips as they stept in the door.
And too, his wife and colt would be the flame

That lit his early morning long before
Celestia rais’d the sun. It was no chore
To tend to th’ doughs, so long as he could glance
Them coming in. That’s why, along this tour,

He swore himself to her – so he’d a chance
T’ return to them. He would help her advance
The two upon the journey; in exchange,
He sought protection with her sturdy stance.

Well, so he thought, I find it rather strange
To keep my shoes on. He would soon arrange
Them off his hooves, and let all four air
In open sun. The shoes had such a range

As t’ stay upon the deck, so he’d not care
About them anymore. Instead, he’d stare
Ahead the raft, to search out what the clerk
Said of the falling water that he’d swear

Existed. Luna, on the other hoof, would jerk
Her head from side to side, so nothing’d lurk
To pounce upon the two. She, too, would wish
For freedom, even if it took some work.

She wonder’d if she could become a fish
Swimming within the creek – with just a swish,
She’d overcome the blocks this land would place
To halt her pony form. But then, no dish

For gryphons would be right sans meat, so grace
Would stop temptation. She would turn her face
Ahead as well, but saw no danger bearing down
Upon the raft, as the duo would race

At breakneck pace upstream. The wind would drown
The sail with force enough to blow her crown
From off the top of her head. She would doff
It thusly, train’d her magic, so she’d frown

Not if she lost it; th’ wind was just a cough
To magic hers – in fact, she’d rightly scoff
At such an effort. Soon the creek would clog
Before her crown be lost! She too took off

Her cloak – in magic, folded neatly. Fog
Would soon approach, and she felt like a jog
Had happen’d – cooler air she ought to feel
Upon her hide once more. This sodden log

They rode upon did wonders, but she’d peel
Some focus from her other task. Too real
The nearby dangers were; she’d rightly know
When such approacht the raft, and then with zeal

She would dispatch the hazard, even though
She to need fix her eyes upon the show.
She squinted straight ahead, to try to find
The waterfall that Rich Rags mention’d so.

And yet, ’twas so far, she thought herself blind.
How could she never spot it? There it shin’d,
The light off ripples in the flowing creek,
But not a place so high and great? Her mind

Fail’d t’ understand. But still, they had to seek
The path, and never deviate fro’ th’ peak
O’ th’ mountain, which was still so far away.
But suddenly, she heard the piercing shriek

Of metal crossing sodden wood beams. “Hey!”
He cried. “What happen’d to my shoes?” “I say,”
She said, “they must have fallen when we hit
That gust of wind. Just leave them.” “But I – ” “Stay

Your words; we’ll forge you new ones once we quit.”
He lookt behind, and shook his head; his kit
Was not worth searching for, when she could give
Him newer shoes. O what a benefit!

Her words would prove to be a great motive –
Such promise gave him greater drive to live!
He cut his sudden losses, since he’d chose
To get a full four set as incentive.

On th’ other hoof, she kept a look for clues
As to another path to th’ goal, and she’d refuse
A lack as answer; there was always more
Than one, far as she knew. She would amuse

Whatever thing might come by her way, or
She’ll seek it out herself. As this day wore
On, even if it’d never end, she’d strive
To see this through, no matter what the chore.