Not Yet Lost

by HeadPaige

Chapter 1: Give My Regards To Bridleway

The Port of Hobucken was a bit of a dreary place at the best of times, with rusting equipment and aging brick buildings giving it a certain atmosphere of age and decay. With an overcast sky, a drizzling rain that had lasted all day and a strong wind pushing rough waves against the harbor wall it certainly wasn't the kind of place one would want to spend their day. Only dock workers and the crews of the few ships that moored in the harbor made sense to be there, going about their duties with seasoned familiarity to adverse weather.

However, one pony stands out of place with the rest, standing patiently at an empty pier with only a blue rain jacket to protect them from the elements. The stallion's gaze switches constantly between a pocket watch clasped in a light blue magical hue and the rough waters, as if expecting a ship to materialize at any second. He wears a pair of saddlebags and has a small suitcase laying on his back. If he's a sailor waiting to join a ship's crew, he certainly doesn't look cut out for life at sea. If he's a passenger, there's no one else going with him and there's no one to see him off.

A lot of preparation has gone into this trip. His work informed of his resignation with only a week's notice, with the excuse of a 'sudden need of a long-term leave of absence.' The officers' school in Canterlot he planned on attending told he can't make it to the next year's class due to an 'onset of severe health issues.’ His parents know he's going to Zebrica, going to the warzone that is the Kingdom of Warzena, but under the guise he's going there as a journalist and an aid worker. His mother doesn't know of the rifle leaned against his side, wrapped in leather and well taken care. His father has no knowledge of the helmet and gas mask he brought home from Griffonia almost a year ago that are packed away in his saddlebags. A letter postmarked for a week later would reveal the truth, as he couldn't bear to see them worry and cry or try and convince him not to go. Not like they did last time.

With his rent paid a month in advance as a kindness, his belongings given away or stored for safekeeping and the letter bearing the royal seal of Warzena tucked safely in the breast pocket of his shirt, there's no baggage or distractions to keep him from leaving Equestria.

"Now if only the damned ship would get here already…"

That thought dominated his mind, as the ship was already an hour behind schedule. He couldn't even be sure that it had made it to the Celestial Ocean. News reports from Aris made it clear civilian shipping of any flag was at risk of attack from submarines, and that the Hippogriffian Royal Navy was stretched too thin to escort non-vital shipping. The idea of drowning before even setting hoof on Zebrica was an… unsettling one.

To keep his mind off that, he pulled the royal letter out of his pocket and read over it for what had to be the dozenth time.

"By decree of Warzena's highest and his Royal Government, the bearer of this letter is hereby authorized to enlist, completely and entirely of their free will and upon their personal request, in the Warzenian International Legion for the minimum service duration of three months and up until the end of hostilities with Chiropterra…" he mumbled the first paragraph, silently scanning the rest of the letter.

The rest was mostly the type of jargon governments used between themselves to cover their flanks from each other and a list of reasons why the holder may be barred from enlistment and how their time and travel would not be reimbursed. That amused him. Even in the most desperate times, disclaimers were needed in documentation.

At the very bottom, was the physical description and personal information that had been required to send to the Warzenan embassy in Canterlot. Probably some attempt to keep track of the foreign volunteers, and for cataloging in case of the worst happening.

Name: Page Inkwell Turner
Sex: Male
Species/Tribe: Pony/Unicorn
Eye Color: Brown
Coat/Plumage Color: White
Mane/Hair Color: Black
Date Of Birth: 04/17/986
Nationality: Equestrian

The sound of a ship's horn caught his attention, causing him to look up from the letter and place it back as he saw a ship steaming into harbor with smoke billowing from both of its smoke funnels. Even in the rocky seas and for how speedy the little ship was, he could read the name 'Storm Runner' engraved boldly on the side. Finally, the chariot to his Zebrican adventure had arrived. He stepped back as the ship slid into dock, examining the ship as the crew cast mooring lines and dock workers approached to do their part of the work. In typical Hippogriff fashion, the ship looked built for speed with a design that, well, reminded him of a fish. It looked small and on the older side and despite its clear origins from the shipyards of Aris, was crewed by zebras and ponies. Fluttering in the breeze was the naval ensign of Warzena, a flowing blue line on a light brownish background with the royal seal imposed on the center.

He let the sailors work, remaining out of their way even as the gangplank came down. This was a cargo ship first and foremost, which was made clear as sealed wooden crates were ferried down to the dock, full of who knew what. Finding any ship headed for a warzone hadn't been easy, especially when trying to arrive as quickly as possible. This little steamboat had been the only option.

After a while of patiently waiting, a zebra approached him, stopping to give him a look over before speaking.

"You must be our passenger," the zebra spoke in accented Equuish "I am the Storm Runner’s First Mate. Captain Zarmal apologizes for the delay."

"Oh, no need to apologize. I'm just one pony after all. I'm sure there were more important matters," Page responded with a little shrug. "Everything is always late around here anyway."

The zebra nodded and motioned towards the gangplank, "We will be leaving shortly. Please follow me to your quarters."

The zebra turned, then paused and chuckled to himself, muttering something along the lines of '"if one can call them quarters" before continuing. While not instilled with great confidence, Page hefted up his rifles and followed the Zebra. Onboard, the ship was restless, swaying back and forth in the waves and pulling at its moorings. By Celestia's Mercy, Page's sea legs let him follow the First Mate below deck without dropping anything or knocking into anypony. Once down in the hull of the small ship, that cramped feeling only got worse but at least things were warmer and drier than standing in the rain. It only got warmer the further into the ship they went.

Finally, his guide stopped and opened a door at the end of an offshoot hallway, which Page could see over his shoulder led to a small room with a simple bed in the middle and not much else.

"This is where you will stay. It used to be where the ship's coal shovelers slept, before her engines were updated. Very cramped place, near the boilers. Lucky for you, this isn't a ship made for beings like you and me. Much more spacious for us."

Page nodded and shimmied past the zebra, stepping into the room and looking around

"I imagine it is a lot smaller when you have a pair of wings and stand tall as two ponies on top of each other."

The First Mate nodded, "We leave soon. Make yourself comfortable as you can. The trip will be, with the Gods blessing, over soon."

With that, the zebra walked away and Page was left to his devices. He set his suitcase down in the corner, pilling both saddlebags on top of it and pulling off his rain jacket which he unceremoniously tossed somewhere on the floor. He trotted over to the bed, little more than a mattress on a wooden slab with sheets fitted on, and pressed down. He'd been expecting a rock, instead it felt like the thing was ready to split apart at the seams. Maybe this ship was more used to carrying passengers than he thought.

He sat down at the end of the bed, and picked up his rifle, pulling aside the leather it was wrapped in and was happy to see that it seemed that none of the rain had gotten onto it. Not that the MS-36 was a delicate rifle, but better safe than sorry. With the rifle rewrapped, he placed it on top of the pile in the corner and lay back. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, before closing his eyes and letting the world become just noise.

He lay like that for a while, taking in the world around him: the sound of the water splashing against the hull of the ship, the sound of the ships idling engines, the conversations of the crew and behind all of it the unending din of urban life. Even here, in the bowels of a ship sitting in the waters of a small rusty port, the City That Never Sleeps made it clear she continued on. It was a wonderful trance, one he often found himself right before he would fade into sleep.

However, just as his muscles relaxed and he was ready to sleep the trip away, the ship's horn sounded a short call and he slowly rose, knowing that meant departure was soon. He quickly stood and stepped out of his little corner room, making his way to the top deck just as the mooring lines were being cast off. Three short blasts of the horn, and the ship began to move astern.

Page walked over to the railing and rested his front hooves against it, watching the land grow further away. But more and more of the city came into view, with its skyscrapers and blocks upon blocks of apartments, department stores and factories. The jewel of Equus, of the world even, shined brightly with uncountable lights that cut through the gloomy rain. He could see the very top of the Crystaller Building even through the storm. The final sight of the city he'd called home his entire life was the torch grasped by the Statue of Friendship, lit brightly.

None of it was quite as poetic as it'd been the first time he'd left, but he still wished he'd thought to bring a camera to capture the moment.

"Well," he thought, slowly turning away from the railing in order to return to his room "it doesn't particularly matter now, does it? Always time for touching pictures later."

Comments

[Bronycommander]

interesting, did that expect activity from you. no offense of course

[HeadPaige]

11488035 Oh don't worry! I don't expect it out of myself at this point!

[Bronycommander]

11488036
okay then. Though I admit, the story description woke A few memories

[SirCarrot]

Looks like a good start! Warzena has not been touched on much so it’ll be good to see some action.

[HeadPaige]

11488065
thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it

[shining paladin]

awesome

[Prince of Cavia]

I re-read this story. It looks like it will be an interesting one. Page seems like a good character, and I'm wondering how he will handle combat. I am also waiting for him to meet other volunteers that are ready to defend Harmony in Zebrica. It will be interesting.

I am waiting for the next chapter. Good luck in writing.