Chapter 1 - Beginnings
Chapter 1 - Beginnings
Red sat on the side of the street in the poor district of Westmane, the capital of Mapan. His appearance was similar to many of the other poverty stricken ponies that were begging for food and money. He kept himself alert as possible on the cobbled roadway; the scent of dust and sizzling foods filled his nostrils from down the street. Drool slowly crept its way from his lips at the tantalizing smells from the sweet fragrance of orange chicken and veggie egg rolls as they wafted on the downwind. That was how hungry he was, the smell of flesh cooking was delicious, surprising since he was an herbivore, well, that’s what he thinks at least. His body seemed to be telling him otherwise with each breath of the cooking flesh. As he was lost in his daydreaming of mowing down a large fish he was snapped from his lucid thoughts by a painful belly ache as it grumbled, informing him of what he already knew. He was hungry.
His belly ached painfully as it grumbled audibly, with one look at him you could tell he was malnourished, ribs visible through the skin as well as his hips and thigh bones showing on his hind-quarters. If some dared to look closer they would see his mangy dull black mane with split ends thinning and its lost luster of those of higher class. A visible dreariness clung to his entire being as clumps of fur were bundled up at the skin. His tail hairs falling out and sharing the same fate as his mane in it’s lackluster black. His coat a dull crimson instead of it’s glorious statement of blood, blood of his Earth-Pony lineage, which seemed to be a lie he was becoming painfully aware of. For if one were to give the time to look into the face of this pitiful looking pony they would see one traitorous statement over him, golden sun-fire-orange slitted eyes that tainted his being, betraying his pure lineage.
As he sat calling out to ponies with a weak voice to those who clearly had enough to survive and then some, he would ponder his situation. Pffsh look at all those fancy pants. They get to have three meals a day, money to spare on anything they desire and you'd think they'd have the kindness to help those less fortunate. No, instead they'd rather blame us for our outcome... I may only be nine but I sure know that it's not my fault the laws are so messed up! Let alone if you try to leave the city without proper paper stuff you could end up killed... pffsh, or worse.. in the dungeons. After all, everyone is an enemy who wishes to leave to another city or kingdom. At that moment Red's thoughts were broken as some noble seemed to be talking to him. It didn't even register with him until he was poked with a hoof to drop him of his trance like stupor that he hadn't realized he entered.
"Did you hear me?" Stated the well-aged stallion with a bit of annoyance tinged in his voice.
Red looked up at this pony and realized... He... he looks so cool! Red's thoughts blanked and his eyes widened as he took in the stallions' stature. His mane flowed like a white river down his left side out of his eyes and behind his ear, his coat a beautiful shaded tan, fit for royalty. His eyes a glorious and bright sea blue, like gems hidden amongst the dirt-path. His height easily being twice the size of a normal pony and a broad body with no speck of fat, just lean muscle. His tail seemed to glimmer as it flowed in the wind, a glorious black like that of an eternal night sky. Prying his eyes away Red took notice of the stallions hooves, a beautiful black sheen covered them, not even a speck of dirt on this earth pony's hooves. All of the attentions to his appearance made Red think immediately that this pony was a noble, even without attire they were typically easy to spot. Well-groomed and healthier looking than any other being in this run-downed lot they call a city. To Red, this place felt like a birdcage and he was one of the many birds.
Remembering himself a bit and the situation at hoof, Red chose not to speak forth right, he knew better than to speak to the nobles and passersby that traveled these stone ways in an equal tone. So he adopted a servant attitude, one he had developed over the last three years through observation. "I beg your pardon my Liege, how may I help you?" Red stated in a weak higher pitched tone as he averted his gaze down at the ground. He couldn't help but chuckle in his mind at his ironic statement. Hahaha, yeah, help you... right, like you need help from a starving commoner like me.
The stallion inhaled calmly as he looked down at the prostrated pony before him and replied in a gentle and flowing stern voice. "What is thy name, Colt?"
Red took a moment to register what was said, it wasn't every day that a noble looked at a commoner let alone talked to one. His reply was a bit shaky and meek sounding. "R-red, m-my Liege."
"Red, ye' say?" The stallion responded flatly.
"Ye-yes." Red's shakiness was now visible over his body, he had not realized how scared and weak he was to actually be talking, let alone to 'A Noble' that actually asked his name. With his thoughts on overdrive a single thought crossed his mind. Wait, how do I know he is a Noble? He has not stated so, or overturned it yet... but he does look and sound the part... maybe best I just keep assuming, maybe it'll get me a good meal or coin. Red thought enthusiastically as he moistened his lips with a lick. The sizzling food still lingered.
Red glanced up from his humiliating stance to quickly survey the stallion and his surroundings. Just as he did, three metal armored ponies came approaching the possible Noble.
"My Lord..." One of the armor decorated stallions stated as Red's eyes quickly fell back towards the ground, his view filled with cobblestone and hooves once more as his thoughts moved about. Well that confirms his nobility in my view, no-pony that is armored goes up and calls any pony his lord... wait, what!? His eyes widend and his ears splayed outwards at the realization of the word, lord. Lord is not just a Noble, that is one of THE nobles... oh crap. Just breathe, just breathe, don't do anything to anger him Red... and you might live? Came his slightly fear invoked thoughts.
The new pony did a quick salute as he continued his conversation, his voice sounding trained and informative. "There is a summons for you, from Lord Iron Mind, he sent this parchment for your eyes only and you were to receive it immediately, my Liege." He extended his hoof with said parchment towards his Lord, his head slightly bowed.
The stallion inhaled and exhaled audibly, sounding his frustration with this new information, a tic that you would pick up on if you knew him well enough. As he took the sealed parchment he stated to the Guard like pony. "Thank thee for thou haste in delivering this unto me, Swift Leg." He then turned his attention back to the visibly shaken and famished colt before him. "Red, thou shall, as of this day of our Emperor Night Lock, year 45 (795 A.E.), shall be in service to thee, Lord Black Tail. Now, rise and follow me, I have much to do today." He stated in an authoritative manner, one that lead no room for questioning.
Red sat with his jaw agape, realizing the gravity of the words that were spoke to him, his mind tearing itself to pieces saying he was an idiot, that it was only a dream and that he would wake back up to the nightmare of his life as a passed out pony begging for food and coin. As well as stealing what he would need to survive the coming day, yet never getting enough.
When Lord Black Tail realized the pony was still wasting time staring ahead with his mouth gaping, he turned and headed over to his pony-drawn carriage. He glanced back at Red after he settled himself inside the lavish carriage. It was an open body, easy to get in and out of with room for four ponies. A pearl white paint coated it; a light blue covered the trim around the entire edge. On the back was the Lord's family house seal, engraved and colored in a glossy black. The wheel spokes were an alternating of pearl white and gold, the wheels themselves were a solid black metal ring. The carriages overall height was around five feet.
After Red realized he was not in a dream and that this was indeed happening. He slipped out of his emotional shock that he had not realized he entered. Noticing this only after Lord Black Tail sat himself and looked at him. With a mystical pull he had already begun moving towards the carriage. His legs shook and trembled as he approached the lavishly decorated carriage. To Red though, it was an extravagant work of art; one he never thought he'd ever be allowed to come close to. With unsteady steps and hunger chewing at him he made his way to his newly given proprietor and savior. When he reached the carriage he realized how small he was in comparison to it all, only standing at three feet tall says a lot. He considered this mentally for a moment as he looked up into the carriage as he attempted to make the two-and-half foot step into it. Needless to say, Red found himself short on even getting his hoof up, his legs feeling too weak to support his light weight to mount it. Granted he was not about to let this opportunity give way by asking for more help than what was being graciously offered. As well as the fear of this all being lie still trickling in the back of his mind.
Black Tail continued to watch the struggling colt he'd learned to know as Red. Each movement was painfully slow and time consuming, but this did not really bother Black Tail, after-all he had no one but the Emperor to truly answer to. Ponies would gladly wait around for hours to have an audience with him. Years of combat had taught him not to rush things when you have the time to think... which is exactly what he had today, time.
Red, hmm... no last name was given. So, suppose it is safe to suspect no last name at all... maybe once he is stronger and begins training I can test him to see if he is worthy of my name. I know many will dislike it since his eyes bear the mark of Lord Slyther. He was a great and powerful pony, indeed, great in power yet horrifying with it. His thoughts were interrupted as he noticed Red's fore-hooves make contact with the carriage floor, attempting to hoist himself up. Determination is something thou are going to need a lot of, Red. This is a fight for life, one I have seen many a times. Heh, your struggles will make thee stronger, as will I. Although, I don't want you passing out just yet... hmm, is Swift Leg still around? With a practice ease Black Tail shifted his head just ever so slightly to give Swift Leg a glance.
Swift Leg noticed his Lord's gaze fall upon him, without word he moved to assist the struggling colt into the carriage. With one hefty fore-leg he shoved the colt up into the carriage. Swift couldn't help but notice how light this colt was. It made him cringe to think how easy he could break him and how thankful he was that he'd never been as unfortunate as those in the slums.
Landing safely on his belly, Red hazard a weary glance towards his Lord and then stumbled to his legs and sat across from him. Averting his gaze from his new hopeful savior and employer; he couldn’t help but have some fears. With such Red’s heart was starting throb in his ears as he hoped that this was not some sick twisted joke by a noble. He'd heard of them doing things like this and witnessed it only once. They would promise a place of stay and food in return for duties performed. Some would get the 'victim' to their carriage, then as they went to climb in they'd kick them down off and laugh it off as they rode off, cursing and spatting on them at times. Others, as he had seen, would get the 'victim' to their establishment and then call the guards to remove the 'vermin' from their property. Needless to say, the Guards were never gentle with trespassers. With no real alternative though, Red had come to the thought that he would have to take the chance with this or die of hunger eventually, probably within the week. With that thought and his fear evident he continued to play his role as a lesser, with only speaking when spoken to, or asked to. If this was real he did not wish to screw it up.
After a couple of blocks went by the slums and stores gave way to good standing citizens in the market district; Lord Black Tail decided to start the conversation to learn more about Red. Adopting an inquisitive yet fatherly tone as he spoke. "Red, tell thee about thy family life and how thee survived day-to-day within these walls." He spoke as he subtly gestured to the surrounding area.
The words were slow to Red as he had to give them thought; he had not realized how long it had been since he had a family nor a decent meal. "My mother, Dew Mane, passed away during childbirth of me... my brother Swallow Step and my sister Pura Mane raised me until I was eight years old. They... they died, my brother shortly after my eighth birthday. He was executed for assaulting a Guard... and my sister died eleven months after that, before my ninth birthday from childbirth... uhm... I know not of my father, my Lord." Red looked up and side to side in a slight panic, his ears twitching and flattening during his explanation. This told the older stallion how much these things scarred his mind. The nervous tics were evident to Black Tail and he made a mental note that family may be a touchy subject, yet a strong one.
"So, tell me how old thou are and how thou survived day-to-day." Black Tail stated coolly.
Swallowing the lump that had formed in his mouth and lack of saliva to assist, Red carried on. "We-well my Lord, I..." Red looked around, knowing that if he confessed how he survived he could very well ruin his chances. Especially about being a thief of the night, granted the last year had been rather difficult for him.
Black Tail noticed the lie Red was about to make and wanted to eradicate that mentality immediately before it became a harder habit to break. With his voice stern and quick it easily caught the young Colt's attention. "I would choose thou's words truthfully young one. I am not so young to be fooled nor am I so old to be easily forgiving. Know this; there are two things that anger me in this world. One is dishonesty, I would rather a pony be truthful with me and themselves. Tell me the truth to my face rather than make it a farce. Two, gambling... anyone who can waste riches on chance deserves to lose all chance of riches. Nothing ever good comes of the two... do I make myself clear?"
Red's knot came back in his throat as his eyes widened and just nodded, realizing he was caught before he even put forth a sentence. "Y-ye-yes, my lord... Well... U-Uhm, after my sister died I ended up begging most of the time... at least by late evening when the nobles would cross into the market district. By night I would... uhm...” A slight nervous tension entered his voice again as he spoke. “I would steal what I needed from ponies or eat from the garbage." Red spoke and looked away in shame of admitting his short-comings and way of life.
Lord Black Tail sat stoically, observing Red's slightest movements and pondering all that was spoke to him. Looking directly at the young colt Black Tail’s voice flowed forth. “And where did thee sleep, surely thou had a place thy called home.” His eyes focused on the youngster as he awaited his reaction to a simple word, home. He had to make sure the child was not too far gone in his mental stability; although he was impressed with the child’s linguistic skills. The thought of him being schooled slightly had not slipped past the wise stallion.
With eyes of pain that could be spotted by a fool, Red let out a breath of air shakily before speaking. “I - - don’t have a home. Not that I never did… I just… don’t now. It, it was raided by the guards last year and they said a lot of things about some law. Just that I couldn’t live there or really anywhere… so I was forced to sleep in the open or in areas with cover. The good spots tended to be crowded and overall not safe.” With a deep exhale Red could feel a small bit of weight lifted from him as he had brought forth his courage to speak on a simple yet emotional subject.
Nodding to himself and closing his eyes Black Tail spoke again. “Doth’ thee know how to read and write?”
Red sat for a moment as he looked up at the Noble with a bit of curiosity and intrigue showing on his face. “I… know a little bit. My brother and sister helped me. They knew all this stuff from our mother… and they would say that she would have wanted me to know how to...” The threat of tears began to emerge from Red as he spoke. His words choked off by his own emotions of remembering his brother and sister.
Noting the emotions brewing in Red, Black Tail pushed the question forth. “Tell me Red, how did thy sister die? Thou said birthing… so there was a pony she was with?”
Red’s emotional state came and went just like a candle being snuffed in the dark, it was lit and now out. “Yes, she died during childbirth.” Was the simple and suddenly cold emotion from the colt’s eyes, a clear and deep seeded hatred could be seen by the war veteran.
Black Tail was no slouch when it came to observations of others, years of politics had helped hone his keen sense of physical and physiological features. That sense was telling him that Red was holding something back about the subject. With ease he could clearly see the young colt had already set forth who he felt his enemies were. “So, thou brother was executed for assaulting a guard, why did he assault the guard?” He felt a change of questions may lead him to an answer, although he was already formulating the answer in his mind.
He waited for an answer from the colt, but silence was all that greeted him. The answer that he felt was correct was starting to feel more as truth. Though he possibly knew the answer, he did not want to leave it to chance. If he could not get the answer from the colt who needed it more than him, then he knew of another way to get the answer… and it was not very nice.
Drawing a breath in as he readied himself to speak a lie, one that he knew was essential to spur the youngster’s fiery spirit out. “Thous brother was executed for assaulting a guard, he deserved his punishment if he had no reason.” The words were hollow; he felt no truth leave him. Granted, the colt with his emotional state and hunger would not be able to see that.
Just like fishing the colt’s anger and feelings sparked forth without thought.
“HE DID NOT! HE WAS JUST PROTECTING US! TAKE IT BACK!” Shouted the young colt, his eyes were filled with anger and something more as he stood facing the accuser.
Black Tail could feel the emotions brewing from the child. Is that blood-lust I feel; thought Black Tail. A smile crept its way onto the Noble’s face. “Yes, he did. He was a fool to fight for something so simple and stupid; to protect thee? That is what the guard is for.” Holding his head high he awaited for the young colt to make his move. Thinking with an eager giddiness the stallion realized how he could use this. This was the first test of this colt’s moral grounds. Would this Red stand his grounds even against someone who would feed him? Show me your character, young Red… SHOW ME YOUR STRENGTH! Black Tail’s thoughts concluded as he heard the colt’s reply with a low yet peeved tone.
“Stop, the cart.”
“What was that?” Stated the haughty looking Noble with some dissatisfaction seeping forth.
“I SAID STOP THE CART!” Screamed the colt, who’s energy reserves were obviously being depleted.
“Ha! Ordering me around? You think I will feed—“ Red chose this moment to cut off the Noble.
“I don’t need your kindness or your lies! My brother protected us and I don’t care about your stupid offer! I’d rather die than have my brother dishonored by the likes of YOU!” Red’s word had carried more wisdom with them than a commoner and this had only solidified Black Tails suspicions of what occurred. Although, before Black Tail could respond he noticed the colt getting ready to leap from the carriage. With an ease, that was no surprise to his guard’s, Black Tail grabbed the young colt and faced him. The colt attempted to struggle free of the grip but his attempts were feeble at best.
“Whoa, hold on there young Red.” A smile crept on to the stallion face as he seen how irate the colt was. The first words to leave his mouth were pure and simple and filled with truth from his soul. “I’m sorry.” His eyes held a bit of moisture and softness as the colt peered into his soul.
“I apologize for getting thou riled up like that, Red. I had to see who thee are, thou brother’s death, do not make it be in vain and come with me.” The hopeful smile held its place on the Noble’s face while gazing into the colt.
With confusion and anger still evident on his face Red managed to see that Black Tail was indeed being truthful. There was just something in his eyes that told him he could trust what he was saying. With a sigh and his body relaxing he gave a weak nod.
Black Tail had hoped he found a treasure amongst the rocks, although now he felt he found ‘the’ treasure. This colt held so many similar characteristics to himself. To his surprise the young colt’s eyes flipped back as he fell limp in the stallion’s hold. Chuckling lightly to himself he positioned the colt next to him. He could not get over how light the child was right now… but the bone structure signified that he would grow larger and become very strong. As long as someone helped nurture and guide him he would grow very strong.
As he stroke the colt's mane Black Tail gave the order to return home after he stopped off and grabbed some bread and preserved meats. When the child woke he would be hungry after all and they had a few days to get home to his village.