My Little Fortress: Dawnpick

by Paaaad

145

In the central tenement, Sarissa’s room was above Falcata & Glaive room which neighbored Amor’s. The mare was puzzled over the axe-pony she meet a little over two weeks ago, who thrashed the elephant sized fire-breathing monster in single combat. Amor’s curiosity of the magic that Sarissa used in fighting the dragon was also getting the best of her. Vision spell of some type, but why did so much magic linger in her eyes? Miscast, short term spell, over enhancement or just poor selected spell? Maybe she used something similar to my nervi-oculus. Although, she was unwilling to push the question and would only thank the mare again.

Before the Militia-pony’s apartment, the mason knocks on the conjured strawberry door with her left fore-hoof and announces. “Sarissa, it is Amor, care if we talk.” The mares shout with her muzzle near the doorsill mindful of the door and moves back.

The military unicorn was sitting on her bed at the time, drawing down plans for a dress with a quill. It was a rather audacious project, requiring a wide variety of materials to construct. It was of a rather macabre design, bringing to mind the elements of war. One could say that this was a dream dress of hers, so it didn’t really matter to her if others liked its form or not. She wondered if she’d ever be able to obtain the expensive cloth and gems needed for it to become reality some day. Her day-dreaming was interrupted by the knock at the door, to which she responded by rolling out of bed. Ponies don’t usually visit her; what could this be about? Cracking the door open, she peered out at her curly-maned visitor, “Yes? What is it?”

Sarissa opens the door and gazes out giving Amor a chill. The mason-pony backs up slightly but collects herself before to cause offense. “Sarissa… I’m not prying too much am in asking how you slayed the dragon? I was one of the last ponies into safety and if you didn’t hold off the monster long enough… Amber and I could have been ash.” The mare said unflinching to the imposing eyes of the militia-pony and adds. “Also to do so off duty, denotes that you went above and beyond your obligations.”

Scratching behind her head a moment, Sarissa finds it unusual, yet intriguing, that Amor wishes to know about this. “Well, no, I don’t see why it would be a problem for me to tell you what I know.” She opens the door more widely, now knowing that her guest wasn’t there for any malign reasons. Although not usually comfortable having other ponies in her room, she felt it was best to be courteous. Sarissa cut her eyes back towards the center of her room, “Umm, did you want to come in or something? Or did you wish to speak elsewhere?”

With the apartment door open Amor gets a decent glimpse of Sarissa’s endeavor. The uncanny similar looking mare to the mason had the basic furnishings to her room and it was well cleaned. Along many of the walls were skulls, badger-pony skulls and the mare fights the twin urges to recoil and vomit. Amor never planned to enter the militia-pony’s room before but now she was sure. Such a macabre collection; never believe such a misguided pony lived here in Dawnpick. Amor thinks as she reclaims composure hopefully before Sarissa take note. “If you desire, maybe somewhere more neutral?” The Mason Unicorn succeeds in not choke on her words.

If the visiting mare had given off a vibe of disgust, Sarissa had not thought much of it. At least not consciously. “I guess I’m not particularly busy at the moment,” she realizes the dress wouldn’t be finished anytime soon, so she can leave the drawing for now. Walking just outside of her room, she shuts the door behind her, “Did you have anywhere in mind? The dining hall? Outdoors? Or just right here?”

Amor is thankful that Sarissa closed the door; she brings a hoof to her muzzle and thinks for a split second. The Meeting Hall usually gets nosy around this time; this corridor barely can fit two ponies; statue garden is too romantic and temple grounds are tolerable. The mare places her hoof flat on the floor. “Would the temple grounds be permissible for a discussion?” Amor shows the Dragon Slayer an understanding look if she rejected.

Sarissa shrugs in response, “I suppose that works.” She almost wanted to go back into her room and retrieve her military garb, but she resisted the urge. Surely she wouldn’t be gone that long, so such measures were likely unnecessary. Besides, she could fight pretty well even without armor. Or at least that’s what she liked to believe. “Leading the way?” Sarissa inquired.

The axe-pony’s apprehension for her armor was barely noted by Amor, being a appropriate observer. She was going to permit the militia-pony to retrieve what ever she wanted but she appears ready to move along. The two Unicorns remain silent until they finish descending the stairs and Amor speaks up. “If you were off duty, how did you get fully armed and armored so fast?

“Under most circumstances, I always wear my armor when I spend time outdoors. It’s a precautionary measure, since nopony can tell when trouble will show its ugly face. I like being well-prepared,” she answered as she kept a relaxed pace, “It seems that it payed off for once.” Sarissa looked in the direction of the bridge, reenacting the battle with the dragon in her mind. That really was an invigorating feeling.

“It seems so, but if we had the drawbridge up we would have been better prepared.” Amor appears to still employ her indoor voice as the two Unicorns trot past the cooing love ponies of the statue garden. The curly haired pony even with the ability to multitask, her instruction of etiquette keeps her silent. They arrive between the crossroads to the two temples and the mason-pony lays down under an earthenware statue of ponies in worship. “Also the impression is that the village caught more of the dragon fire then you did, was magic utilized?” The mare probes with a light voice.

“Magic?” Sarissa parrots, “Yeah, to some degree. However, I only used the basic telekinetic spell common to all of us unicorns when actually protecting myself. I just held my shield in place and hid myself behind it when I saw the dragon’s mouth open. Most of the blast was deflected around me, although I could certainly feel the heat. I later found that some of my fur was lightly singed.” She rubbed the tip of an ear as she recalled having seen blackened hairs there when looking into a mirror later on during that eventful day. “I suppose I’m fortunate that it chose to burn me instead of stomping me; I wouldn’t have been able to hold my ground against a blow from a creature of such size.”

The dragon-slayer continued, “Well, there was one other spell I used. It didn’t actually help, though. I kind of developed it myself after doing a bit of research on the magical arts. Admittedly, it still has weaknesses that I’m trying to fix.” As Sarissa sits on her haunches, she waves a hoof towards her eyes, “It’s a vision spell. Um, how can I describe this? It’s not really X-ray vision, although it does have similarities.” She eyes a small group of other ponies walking past the pair of temples for just a moment before elaborating, “It allows me to see blood. Well, mainly blood while it’s still inside of living things. With it, I can see the architecture of the circulatory system, including the overall shape and location of internal organs. The heart is particularly easy to pick out. Thus, I gave it the obvious name of ‘Vitalsight’, since it lets me see the vital organs. My original intention with the spell was to target those very organs in order to score more effective blows against my enemies, especially unconventional ones that we know little about.”

Rubbing the side of her head, Sarissa sighs, “Oh, but as I said before, it didn’t work on the dragon. I’ve found out that I’m only able to see the blood content of mammals. So far, I haven’t been able to figure out what I’ve been doing wrong. It would also seem that I can’t detect old, dried bloodstains either. Although I haven’t tested it, I’m also pretty sure that a magical force field would be able to hide a living creature from Vitalsight as well.” The messy-haired unicorn realizes that she had been rambling, something that she almost never did unless it was about a subject of particular interest to her, “Um, I apologize. That was probably a bit more than you wanted to know.”

Amor listened intently and never thought the martial pony would be so open about a spell let alone one of her own compose, even if unoriginal. It took her a better part of a year until her Old Master taught how to increases basic telekinesis. A part of Amor wanted to assist Sarissa in adjusting her spell for non-mammals but that would expose the former spy. Also the cost to animal life was something she also did not want on her conscience. “No need to apologize, Sarissa. I asked, and you delivered. The reason I did so was that I never been ‘good’ at magic and you could understand my curiosity.” The mason-pony said gleefully before smiling at the messy mane pony and adds. “I would advice you sharing that magic with wool and maybe the two of you can trade a spell or two. How best to know how to destroy a body then to learn about it from a doctor who heals it.” Amor thought it best to give her some manner of guidance.

Sarissa nods, “I’m not very good with specialized spells myself, so it took me quite a while to work out how to create Vitalsight. That was true even after reading up on techniques for spell crafting.” She puts a hoof to her chin in thought. It would be nice to be able to aid in the treatment of her fellow Dawnpickers, “I do suppose that you have a point. The ability to see internal bleeding could be useful for any of the ponies working in the hospital. I’ll consider speaking to him, as you’ve suggested.” The soldier knew little about Amor, but at least the impression she had gotten of her so far was positive. She was respectful and patient. Sarissa was still a bit a bit apprehensive about digging deeper, not knowing if there may be unwholesome habits in this pony’s life. Jaxler was a drunkard. Stiletto was ‘loose’. Amor could be hiding something as well.

The Unicorns set there for a bit in silence as a winter wind passes the two by and Amor speaks up. “I desire that you were not dragged away from anything important for a spot of small talk, did you have other obligations?” Amor was worried that Sarissa had other things she had to attend to. “You satisfied my curiosity and if you have any questions, I’m willing to tell.”

“I was only designing a dress when you showed up. It’ll probably be some time before I can afford to purchase the materials I need to make it, so you haven’t pulled me from anything really important,” she shrugged in response. She admitted to herself that she probably would have preferred to be back in her room continuing her plans, but Sarissa did not wish to be disrespectful. Questions? She might as well try to learn something more about her company, even if she was concerned about opening a proverbial can of worms, “Well...I suppose...what have you been doing whilst here? What is your job description?”

The mason-pony enjoyed the idea of answering the question. “I been working with the earth much my life, clay and stone mostly. I suppose that the reason the nickname Kiln stuck to me was that I suggested one to be built and some misunderstand took root. Never thought to clear it up because much of my life as a mason I journeyed around and never plan to settle here. But this may be my home from now on.” The mare stops a bit for a breather and questions: “So besides a member of the militia you desire dresses?”

“Masonry? That’s certainly a useful profession here. We seem to use stone for the majority of our constructions. I presume that you helped in the rebuilding of the bridge to some extent?” Once again, Sarissa looks to the drawbridge, which is raised for the moment. A smart move, after the dragon incident. She turned her attention to the next question. “Sewing, weaving, knitting, all of that has been a hobby of mine ever since I was a filly. If it hadn’t been for a certain event long ago involving a wolf and my mother, I imagine that my cutie mark would have reflected that talent today and I wouldn’t be here at Dawnpick speaking with you right now. Anyway, I don’t really have time to make clothing as I would like. My militia duties take precedence over that. Not that I mind that much, seeing as how I live for the rush of combat.”

Amor’s ears lay beside her head upon hearing the axe-pony’s comments on the drive for adrenaline and a story about a conflict between Sarissa’s mother and a wolf. The Unicorn thought best to avoid those subjects. “It is swell that you are able to still practice your hobby, keeps your magic dexterity up too. Although as for my work I’m no builder. The stone blocks and a few statues here are my work but beyond that others have our gratitude.”

Sarissa nods in agreement, “My life has turned out pretty well, all things considered. I’ve certainly seen darker days, but at least I love this place I call home now.” She yawns and stretches, “Perhaps so, but by providing those blocks to work with, I suppose you form a critical part of the chain required to keep Dawnpick in working order, right?”

The mason-pony struggles to keep from yawning too, but fails. “Glad that your life is in order, I enjoy Dawnpick too and plan to stay long as you will have me.” Amor said lethargically but shifts herself to keep from nodding off with her light-chatterer. “But sometimes blocks can get lackluster and some ponies such as myself strive to do more, though I am well aware of the dangers of overproduction.”

“I hear you,” Sarissa replies as she lays back and places her hooves behind her head, “I often get bored on duty, since we don’t get attacked all that often. If I’m having a slow day, I often spend time practicing my aim or day-dreaming. If your job becomes monotonous, have you considered looking for other activities to get involved in?” The pony was getting more heavily involved in conversation with Amor than she had predicted. Yet, she actually enjoyed it somewhat.

Amor shovels her fore-hooves slightly in the dirt as she lays there and thinks a moment before speaking. “Events lately have been engaging but not entirely right to feel good about. Remember that young mare with me when we met after you slay that dragon? Amber was involved in the accident of a part of the pier falling… she lost her horn and I am helping her adjust to living without it. Also it seems she is now my apprentice and from the trouble I gave mine, it is a full time job.”

“Oh yeah, I did hear about that. That truly is a shame. I can’t really imagine the effect such a burden would have on a unicorn. She has my condolences,” the axe-pony answers. Even though earth ponies seemed to get by just fine without so much as a sprinkle of magic, having had it one’s entire life and then losing it so suddenly would doubtlessly be traumatic.

The curly mane pony thanks Sarissa for the sympathy on behalf of Ambler and Cross Stitch. The two ponies talk more on the subject of how Amor was incorrect on the difficult it would be in adjusting for Cross Stitch. After a while they converse at lengths of their careers and hobbies for an hour or more. Not soon after the two Unicorns must part ways again. The mason pony was jovial that despite Sarissa’s imprudent trophies, the Dragon-slayer appeared to be a worthy member of Dawnpick.