Nax is a changeling who left all he knew to start a life in Ponyville. But this new life will be filled with peril and Nax will have to make a difficult choice. Will he be a harbinger of war or a paragon of peace? A Story in the Equestrian Cycle.
CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REWRITING NOT UP TO DATE WITH THE CURRENT PRODUCTION OF THE EQUESTRIAN CYCLE Nax was a simple Changeling soldier, born and bred for war. But when left broken and alone in the wake of the Battle of Canterlot, Nax unwittingly finds himself cast into a role he could never have imagined and set on a path that will lead him not only to a new life in Ponyville, but to the rediscovery of a secret that could shift the balance of power in Equus forever.
But as Nax relishes in his newfound peace, forces in Equestria and beyond conspire for power, glory, and blood. And when both Nax’s old world and new worlds come to a crossroad of prejudice and hate, he’ll be forced to make a perilous choice. A choice that could lead all his friends, both pony and changeling alike, down a dangerous new road.
Will he be a harbinger of war, or a paragon of peace?
Rated Teen for Language, Violence, Brief scenes of torture and/or war
It had been nearly two weeks since Nax had first entered the Everfree Forest and it did not look like he would be leaving it any time soon. He was hungry, dirty, tired, and frankly beginning to become delirious. As Nax’s mind began to wander on his current circumstances he realized that this feeling of hunger was completely understandable, as he had not fed since before the battle and a changeling needed to keep up their strength. True, he had found things to fill his stomach in these woods, random fruits and the occasional vegetable, but such things could do nothing to quench his natural stockish need to feed; and even if he had wanted to, there was no one who willingly lived in the Everfree Forest to feed upon.
As far as rest was concerned, he was, again, in the Everfree Forest. What was easily one of the most dangerous places in all of Equestria. Just about everything in here wanted to eat him (or at the very least kill him). Thinking on such things, there was admittedly a part of him that wished he had just followed his orders and stayed with his regiment, but Nax knew that that was now impossible as the resolve to his own self-imposed exile would make any argument for return quite futile, among other things.
No, his best bet at this point was to just keep walking and pray to the Dark One that he would not be found...by anything dangerous at the very least.
So busy was he thinking that Nax was completely oblivious to the fact that he had foolishly wandered straight into the heart of a nest. Ignoring the broken shells and tracks sprawled all around him, Nax continued his little internal discussion unabated.
Suddenly Nax’s senses were drawn to a feeling of unmistakable rage emanating from behind him. On instinct, he quickly summoned a reserve of his precious strength to evade and turn to his would-be assailant; only to be rewarded with an enormous, angry manticore leering at him. It had attempted to swipe at his head with its massive yellow paw, but Nax’s quick reflexes had managed to knock the beast off balance with its own monstrous weight at the miss. With a little time to spare due to his adversary’s clumsiness, Nax promptly gauged his surroundings with renewed focus, and immediately realized his rather ignorant mistake.
Recovering from its missed attack, the manitcore again attempted to protect its young and eviscerate the small ugly creature that had so rudely invaded its territory. Now able to see the manticore even if only vaguely, Nax hastily moved out of the way of the monster’s paw. But the dizziness of fatigue overtook him once again as Nax was unable to see that by evading his opponent’s latest strike, he had unintentionally placed himself directly into the path of the creature’s stinger. With a swift and vicious swing, it brought the great weapon directly down upon its intended target.
As the stinger pierced Nax’s flesh, a fiery searing pain began to overtake him. He could feel the beast’s venom entering his body as it lifted him off the ground. Old battle pains swiftly returned as the effects of the poison began to take hold, forcing his body to begin seizing up on him.
Thinking frantically, Nax quickly bucked his legs against the manticore’s tail, pushing himself not only off the stinger but a decent distance away from his assailant.
While the burning pain of the manitcore’s venom still plagued him, Nax was at the very least free.
He began to run as fast as he could away from the predator, fighting off the effects of the venom. He heard behind him that the manticore was quickly on his heels. At this particular juncture, Nax truthfully did not care for his specific destination. Rather his attention was focusing on the hope that his attacker would tire before he did. His feeble attempts at flying were for naught, as fatigue had made him too tired to even lift himself off the ground - let alone take flight.
As Nax continued his breakneck retreat, his vision began to blur and the sharp distinct shapes of the forest around him began to merge into muddy browns and greens. The venom was quickening its assault upon his body. If he didn't escape this accursed forest soon…Nax’s mind quickly expelled such thoughts as he continued his ceaseless vacation.
Then as if the Dark One himself had willed it, the muddy browns and greens of the Everfree Forest gave way to a distinct, blinding, and sudden white followed by much the brighter green of a pasture and the seamless blue of a cloudless sky.
Nax had found his way out at last.
Knowing that the manticore would not follow him out of the darkness of the forest, Nax unbegrudgingly collapsed onto the soft green grass beneath his feet. Between his fatigue and his hunger, and the venom of the manticore; Nax’s energy had been all but sapped.
But his work was not yet done. He needed a disguise before he could rest. If someone unfriendly found him as he was now, they would likely kill him while he slept (if he even woke up at all). In disguise, even when unconscious, he could at least keep his shape; though that could only last so long without feeding. Nax quickly poured through possible looks. Hundreds of colors, shapes, and builds passed by his mind’s eye; bodies tall and small, fat and skinny, ones with long hair and short hair. He looked over each choice quickly and decisively before moving on to its successor. He needed to be very picky and very careful as he knew he could potentially be in the form for a very long time.
As his mind finally began to fade and grow dark, Nax's mind, now reeling between memories, dreams, and figments, at last decided on a choice and with the last of his strength changed into his new form. He had not the time to check his handiwork as the transformation had finally sapped him beyond measure and Nax eyes surrendered to his fatigue.
As the world began to dim however, his eyes caught sight of a enormous white blur, a creature in his face making a most peculiar squeaking noise. Behind the white blur, there was a smaller yellow one which was approaching him almost hesitantly. Before he could get a clearer view however, his eyes finally closed in unconsciousness and Nax’s mind was at last allowed to wander.
Back to the day when this strange journey of his had begun.
Their kingdom is cold, dark, and possesses very little in the way of resources. Because of this, the populace lives in constant fear of famine, plague, and attack; not only from enemy nations, of which there is a prodigious quantity, but from the many fell beasts which resided in the forests of the region.
The weak and old die, and for the strong – survival is a ceaseless struggle. That is the way of the Stock.
If that were not enough, the Stock have few great cities or settlements. Only a couple of monuments built by their own hoof, possessing mostly what they had taken through duress or adapted to their need.
Growing up in such a harsh world demands that one virtue be learned quickly in order to survive.
Obedience.
Obedience to your family and clan to be sure, but also obedience to the Maesters, those select few chosen to interpret the will of the Dark One.
But even more important than obedience to family or faith, is obedience and loyalty to the Queen, whom the Dark One himself had saw fit to bless them with. She was the mother of their country; perhaps not by blood, but in all that mattered.
She would provide for them, protect them, and ensure that the will of their creator was fulfilled.
All Her Majesty asked in return was dutiful, faithful service and unquestioned loyalty.
It was this world that Nax was born into. Youngest son of the Thesik Clan, a clan of high regard that had given many fine soldiers to the kingdom. His father, Craster, had died leading a raid when Nax was very young and his eldest brother, Thane, was a dedicated and noble soldier in his own right. So it was no wonder or surprise that when he reached maturity, Nax wholeheartedly volunteered for service.
After all, it was an honor to serve.
***
“Oh you poor thing. It’s so good I…”
***
Though basic training had been hard and brutal, Nax’s optimism had rewarded him with his choice of placement (or so he had been told at the time). In truth, Thane had finagled a way to have his baby brother transferred to his squad. In such a way, Nax was able to find his place in the army and it was here that he met his comrades in arms.
The squad in question was a band of six troublemakers and rabble-rousers that their regiment officer had taken to calling the “Kitchen Club”; due to the fact that their antics often found them there as punishment. But each of the six had a unique trait and skill that made them easily the most respected and experienced company in the army, despite their flaws.
Sergeant Thane, the commander, was a natural leader and skilled tactician. While Nax had to admit to himself that Thane was a bit of a hard-ass, he was without a doubt the most experienced of all of them, having been on several successful raids that had garnered him his well-deserved reputation. But he was also the most distant of the group, often shying away from the groups many discussions and antics (of which he had little skill). Despite his outwardly cold nature, no one could deny that he loved his company like brothers and often got them out of the trouble their shenanigans almost always brought them into.
Then there were the twins, Oodo and Paarn, sons of Kayn, of the Ulmen Clan. Oodo was very much the follower - most certainly not the brightest and almost always agreeing and/or acting on whatever his brother told him. But he was not stupid, being incredibly skilled in the art of hoof-to-hoof combat. He was easily the best brawler in the regiment and could fight his way out of a problem just as easily as his brother could talk his way out. His brother Paarn , consequently, was known for his theatrics. His ability to weave stories and complex lies, along with his skill with voices and accents, had gotten the Kitchen Club both in and out of trouble many a time.
Often that trouble was started by the "comedian" of the company, Faris, son of Milo, of the Eldith Clan. He had rightfully obtained a reputation amongst his fellow soldiers for possessing a vicious pranking streak, almost bordering on cruel, which usually got him into far more trouble than he was ever prepared to deal with. If it were not for Thane’s influence, Nax was sure that Faris would have been discharged long before the Battle of Canterlot. Thane put up with Faris's antics primarily because he was easily one of the smartest changelings in the army - and he knew it. Many of Thane’s best strategies had been birthed in the often scattered mind of Faris.
Now if Faris was the brains, then Dural,son of Duryn, of the Yijek Clan was the soul. The squad's resident medic, Dural had come from a comparatively well-off family and also being the only soldier in a clan of Maesters, he was both well versed and well-read, and consequently possessed a spectacular way with words. He could use them masterfully and without mercy. He was incredibly philosophical and often very wise. But he was also known for driving many an officer mad with his often complicated drivel, which was usually his plan.
Finally of course, there was Nax himself - the Rookie. Though he personally felt that he had no strong quality about him (at least nothing that made him stand out amongst such a unique team), Nax did possess an almost unnatural ability to inspire confidence and loyalty in others. His uncanny inborn ability to sense the mood of the company in an instant (A gift Maester Oryk had referred to as an empathiser in Nax's youth) and capability to keep his fellow soldier's under control had come in handy on many a mission. Thane had placed Nax in his company because of the rookie's optimism, his natural gift at raising troop morale, and the need to keep an eye on his younger brother.
So Nax found himself quickly able to integrate into the dynamic of the Kitchen Club. The six soldiers became very close very quickly. In the two years since his assignment to the company, it had been given a many scouting and reconnaissance missions in the Dragon Confederacy, Griffonia, and countless Legionnaire city-states; each more successful than the last. And with each, Nax showed himself to be an exemplar soldier, performing all that was expected of him as a loyal soldier to his queen and country.
Yet for all his success, Nax had never been given an opportunity to show his true mettle. In the Stockish Army, you weren't a true soldier of Stockland until you had bested an Equestrian in combat. In the Kitchen Club, only Thane had had that honor. And it seemed unlikely that Nax would ever get an opportunity to best one of his nation's mortal enemies. After all, Equestria and Stockland hadn't been in a true all-out war since before the Solar Princesses reign.
That is until Her Majesty announced the invasion plan.
***
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you see him yet. The book said he needs to rest. Manticore venom can be very…”
***
The plan was simple. Her Majesty would sneak into the heart of Equestria’s capital and would impersonate one of the royal family members. From within, she could weaken the defenses of the city, divide the Elements of Harmony, and allow the army to sweep in, taking the crown jewel of the Equestrian empire.
It was foolproof.
The weeks leading up to the invasion were filled with moments of unease. The armies had been divided into many small regiments, passing silently from place to place. Travelling by night in the barns and abandoned homes along the Equestrian countryside.
It was only when all the regiments had converged, that the truth that the element of surprise had been lost was revealed. Some regiments had been less than stealthy in their movements and rumors of invaders had reached the ears of the enemy.
But the Queen was not so easily halted and used the now heightened security of Canterlot as an opportunity. She managed to continue her work within the city as the army stayed hidden nearby – awaiting their opportunity to strike.
The night before the invasion, Thane and the rest of the gang had regaled each other with many stories. There were stories of past missions and glorious ancestors to be sure, but mainly they told stories about Equestrians. Faris told a horrifying story he had heard of how Equestrians made rainbows by grinding up orphans. Oodo and Paarn told a story at the same time, somehow managing to confuse both the squad and each other; as neither could agree on the story's finer details. Dural told several stories and made many witty quips, but the line that got the biggest ruckus was the line of how Equestrians controlled the weather because they were not tough enough to let nature handle its own way.
It was a great time, one of the happiest moments Nax could remember in a long time. But of all the stories told that night, It was Thane’s that was perhaps the most engaging, as he was the only one among their company that had actually had personal experience with Equestrians.
“There I was, on what was supposed to be only a small scouting mission.” The young commander began. “We were supposed to look for possible ways to enter inconspicuously into the small settlement of Appleloosa. When my team got into the town however, we found ourselves in the middle of a land skirmish between Equestrian settlers and some of the native bison… over some misplaced apple trees.” The thought of something so petty causing a fight riled the gang up pretty quick and had begun to gather a rather sizable crowd around the fire.
“But that was not even the worst part. The Elements of Harmony showed up as well.” That got a loud boo from some of the more hecklish members of the growing audience which now listened to the story with baited breath. “They were enticing the bison and the Equestrians into fighting with this weird song and dance routine that was absolutely painful to behold. Eventually it got so bad that both sides just started fighting each other…WITH THE APPLE PIES!!”
That got an absolutely livid reaction from the now massive crowd which had grown to include nearly half the regiment. Their families were starving back home and Equestrians literally had enough food to fight with it. To Nax as well as many others in the regiment, Thane’s story only proved what most of the soldiers had been told in not only basic training but by the Maesters since birth about Equestrians. How Equestrians wasted their gifts and felt no emotion beyond superiority over the other races of the world, forcing others to worship their princesses as gods and attacking the stock whenever possible and without mercy.
By the time Thane’s story was finished, Nax was sure that there would have been a riot on their hands had the regiment’s Maester not entered the scene and began to tell the story of the Dark One. He spoke of how the Dark One had created the stock to populate the world, and how the Dark One was betrayed by Chaos and driven into deep exile. He spoke of how after the Dark One’s fall, the Equestrians came from their kingdom in the north and drove the Fallen into the shadows. And of course, he spoke of how the Dark One would return again to overthrow the Equestrian heathens and their false goddesses and return the stock to their rightful place in the world.
Honestly Nax did not pay much attention to the Maester’s story as stock were required by law to learn the story as fetchlings. However a Maester deserved the respect owed his wisdom and status, so each and every soldier was quiet and reverent to the wise ones words. When he finished the tale, he began beckoning the soldiers off to bed.
But before they could go to sleep, another tradition needed to be performed. One that been born in the fires of the War of the Birthright. A song sundered in the shadows of ancient Uther's reign and King Ferzu's bloody first years. It was incredibly lucky that they had been able to smuggle the cave-pipes with them on the invasion. In truth, it was a simple psalm of an elder time. An ancient prayer of the army that was sung before every battle against the Stock's ancient foe. A hymn to the countless fallen heroes who had sung it before them. To those fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters lost long ago and to those who would never be seen by tomorrows end. A song that began simply enough, but the voices and humming of the soldiers rose through the valleys and hills above Canterlot as the song began properly - in the poignant, passionate, and practical grace of the stock's native tongue. To the outside ear, it would sound alien and even a little harsh, but the words - to those who spoke them - spoke of a higher purpose. A noble purpose granted by their god.
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I'll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me
Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to Equestrians
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Where before many more have gone
As the song petered out to its end, the soldiers one-by-one left until only one was left, playing a single silver not on his cave-pipes. Only when he was completely alone did the note, and the song, at last come to an end.
Nax silently sauntered off to his quarters when he was suddenly struck with both anticipation and fear. While he had heard the song sung many time (the elder soldiers were more than happy to sing if given the chance), never before had he participated in the song himself. He did not know if he had the strength or courage to face such a foe. Nax’s mind lapsed through such thoughts over and over until sheer anxiety finally drove him to sleep, the lyrics still ringing ceaseless through his ear.
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I'll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
***
“Oh…why won’t you eat anything? You won’t get any better unless…”
***
However apprehension does not make the best sleeping draught and even with the song, Nax was soon up again. Truthfully as a dreamseerer, Nax had never been a good sleeper and knowing that his nerves would not let him rest any longer, Nax instead decided to take this opportunity to walk around the camp. Normally curfew would be rigidly enforced, but Nax knew that Colonel Strax was more lenient than others on the issue. As long as Nax stayed in camp, there would not be a problem.
The walk, in truth, was fairly uneventful. He made several laps around the encampment before finally stopping to get a good long view of their target. He did not know how long he had stood there gawking at the sight, but he could have spent much longer. The city of Canterlot was a splendid sight. He had heard stories as a fetchling of its magnificence and splendor, but these stories paled in comparison to the sight he now beheld with his own eyes. Its high walls were an absolute marvel and the moon which shined brightly against the marble towers of the castle was perhaps the most splendid sight Nax had ever been graced with (though coming from the changeling kingdom, there had truthfully not been many sights to be graced with). He was sure that its beauty could have rivaled Old Canterlot itself.
“It is quite the sight. Almost a shame that we have to convert it.”
Nax turned to see Thane standing behind him. He had a haggard appearance about him, and yet maintained the calm and noble stature that was his signature. While the thought of such a magnificent place being converted did set him at unease, Nax outwardly hoped to lighten the situation in front of his brother and commanding officer.
“Almost”, Nax stated with a false face of jest.
Thane smiled at the quip before continuing, “You a little nervous about tomorrow?”
“Yeah. It's just so different from what I imagined a real battle to be. It's seems so quiet. Peacful, even.”
“It’s the deep breath before the plunge.” As Thane looked to his little brother’s face which was clearly restless, he tried to comfort him further. “Don’t worry. The more times you swim, the easier it becomes to swim.”
“But I've rarely ever even a SEEN an Equestrian, let alone fought one! These are the ponies that grind up orphans and fight with food and worship their princesses as if they were gods. These are creatures that would kill us on the spot without a second thought.”
Thane’s face, which was once warm and comforting, suddenly grew stoic. “Those stories Dural and the rest were telling are a lot of hokum. Equestrians don’t grind up orphans and most don’t worship Celestia as a god.”
He continued, “It is true, they are selfish and wasteful. They don’t appreciate their gifts and talents and have a deep hatred for us. But, they are also ponies…just like us, albeit a bit uglier.”
For just a moment, Thane's words confused Nax. If they were ponies just like we were, why did we fight them? As if he could read Nax’s mind, Thane retorted, “They are ponies like us, but they are also our sworn enemy. It is our duty…”
Nax finished the statement for him, as it had been drilled into him since birth, “It is our duty to the Dark One. It is an honor to serve.”
“Exactly.”
As they finished their discussion, the sun began to rise behind them. The sun was to be the signal to get the regiments in formation.
Upon looking behind him, Thane turned to his brother. “You better get going. Just stick close to me and the boys and don’t do anything too stupid. You’ll be fine. You're not a rookie anymore.”
Nax obeyed his brother’s orders and got in formation. He surveyed around to his comrades to see how they were doing. Faris honestly looked somewhat bored while Oodo and Paarn were busy joking with each other about how many Equestrians they would catch and feed upon. In contrast to both Faris's ambivalence and the twins' levity, Dural seemed quiet and very reflective, a stark contrast from his normal demeanor. Nax knew them all well enough to know each was extremely nervous.
Suddenly the dull roar of a horn blew across the mountain; the signal to move the regiments out. The roar of the horn was soon joined by the buzzing chorus of hundreds of stock lifting off the ground as their flight towards the city began.
The closer the city got, the more nervous Nax became. As if to calm his nerves, Thane's voice just kept ringing through his mind as if on repeat, saying the same thing.
In the Stockish army, you are taught that three rules are necessary for success and survival in battle. Three rules that are enforced with an iron grip.
Rule 1: The primary goal of combat is capture, only feed in combat when met with resistance - resistance must be dealt with swiftly and harshly.
This rule was logical and there was never question or criticism to its purpose. Capture ensured that there would be enough emotion to feed upon for the civilians back home. If every stock fed on every possible target in battle, there would never be enough to go around.
As for the second part, resistance meant conflict. While that might not be a problem against a pony or zebra, a griffon or dragon was an entirely different matter. So if resistance was met with prejudice in all cases where it proved necessary, then maybe others would be compelled against the notion.
Rule 2: If you are captured, show your enemy no kindness as they will show you none.
Equestrians hated the stock. They despised them with every fiber of their being. The Maesters said so. Any Equestrian would never hesitate to slay a stock if given the chance. So why would you give the most sacred gift a stock could grant, a kindness, to someone would not show you the same?
The final rule was the newest rule, having been enacted shortly after Nax’s birth. And yet, out of all the rules, this was the rule that was most strictly enforced. No one dared question it, as it existed because a stock had once performed it; and the traitor had paid the price for his defiance.
Rule 3: In combat, NEVER go out on your own.
Nax had followed these rules with stubborn obedience. They were there to protect him after all. They had never led anyone astray, never been proven wrong. What did he or any other soldier have to gain from defying them?
Then the Battle of Canterlot happened.
***
"I don't know Twilight. He is still very weak. I don't feel right leaving..."
***
As he gazed across the city now consumed in war, Nax could remember speaking with some of the old veterans when he was younger. He had asked them for stories of dragons and griffons, battles and wars, Equestrians and kings long dead.
Of dragons and griffons, they spoke of their great strength and might. Of kings, they spoke highly of their intellect and valor; and of Equestrians, they naturally spoke of their cowardice and greed.
As far as battle and war was concerned, all were unanimous - it was like being trapped in Tartarus.
When he was younger, Nax had always assumed these were old ponies simply too cowardly to not enjoy battle, how else did they manage to survive to retirement. After all, it was an honor to serve.
But now that he witness war with his own eyes, he knew they were telling the truth.
It was absolute chaos. The splendor of the city, which was still visible, had become masked with fear, anger, and anguish. Many of the magnificent alabaster statues that lined the streets now lied shattered against the ground as the cities cobblestone streets were awash with hundreds of ponies running wildly about trying to evade their changeling assailants - almost all were unsuccessful.
As Nax gauged his great enemy up close, he noticed that they were both very similar and very different to his expectations. He had expected violent monsters, ones that were spoiled, greedy, and could kill you without a second thought. In truth most were as frightened children. True beneath their anxiety and ire, Nax could still sense in many a pride and stubbornness; a boorish sophistication that earnestly set Nax’s fangs on edge. Their appearance was strange as well. Most of the mare’s manes were exceptionally gaudy and unnecessarily complex, very impractical for any useful endeavor. As for the stallions, most were in peculiar elaborate suits ill-suited for combat. Not the style most expected for a society of warriors, as cowardly as they were.
Nax was continuing his surveillance of the battle when a voice behind sundered his train of thought.
“Enjoying the view there, Nax?” Faris spoke with a drip of sarcasm that most had come to expect.
“The city is quite beautiful.” Nax replied with a flustered chuckle.
“Well, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble…” the stallion said with strain in his voice “…could you stop your sightseeing and help me with this rather heavy dude”. He gestured to the pony that he was struggling to place in a cart for transport. The 'Kitchen Club' had just succeeded in capturing a small platoon of Equestrian Guards before Nax’s mind had been drawn inward, as it often did when he was worried.
Nax quickly ran to his compatriot and assisted in lifting the cargo. With an extra pair of hooves, the job became much quicker. When their prize had been loaded, Faris turned to his easily-distracted friend and asked quizzically.
“So what were you really thinking about?”
“I was just noticing how unsoldierly they all are.”
Two voices in unison suddenly interjected with alarm, “You’re upset that Equestrians aren’t more of a challenge!?”
Nax turned to see Oodo and Paarn rounding up the few stray guards to pass on to Faris. Beside them was Dural, checking to make their soon-to-be prisoners were still healthy. Nax was sure that those ponies that were still conscious wished they weren’t, as he heard Dural senseless barrage of wordage. In the center of it all stood Thane, who was naturally “managing” the operation. Truthfully, Nax could tell he was actually keeping an eye out for dangers.
Dural intruded upon the conversation as well with his own quip, “I’m pretty sure that Canterlot ponies aren’t a fair index of Equestrians overall. These guys seem really weak.”
Nax agreed with a nod before turning to their commander. Nax had learned a while back that if every member of the squad spoke in a conversation, then Thane would almost always insert information of some sort to the dialogue as well.
He had been very dependable so far.
Sure enough, the ten eyes that now stared at him in anticipation for the inevitable were vindicated with a simple, cold statement.
“I think we should all just be glad we are not in 4th Regiment.”
The mention of 4th Regiment sent a shiver up every present soldier’s spine. 4th Regiment had had the “luck” to come face-to-face with the Elements of Harmony. While there had been no casualties, the nature and the amount of injuries had been absolutely mind-boggling as word of it circulated around the army. The Elements of Harmony’s reputation and renown as warriors was legendary and without question. They had single-handedly bested both The Betrayer and the bringer of Nightmares, two foes not to be taken lightly. All on their own no less. No stock, no matter how brave, would have wanted to face them in combat.
Nax’s inner thoughts were again driven from him as a hoof suddenly found itself on his shoulder. He turned to discover its own owner, to find Thane smiling at him.
“How are you holding up?” the commander spoke with earnest worry.
“Still a little nervous, to be honest.”
“Well you’re doing great for all that its worth. I didn't realize you had gotten that good at hoof-to-hoof combat. I don’t think that one fellow will be resisting for a while.”
Nax laughed as he reminisced about the move in question. He had performed a rather impressive buck-chokehold combination that had proven devastatingly effective against a rather unruly Equestrian officer. Nax didn’t question for a second at its potentially lethal capability. Hopefully he would never need to use it for that.
A smug looking Oodo sauntered up to the two brothers, “Well he did learn from the best.”
Thane’s response was uncharacteristically quick and sharp compared to his usually grim and no-nonsense demeanor.
“Go blow it out your flank, Oodo. That was all Nax right there, I can tell.”
Nax’s commander suddenly turned to his brother and, with a mutual smile between them, whispered, “It shouldn’t be too much longer and you’ll have made it through your very first battle. I am very proud and I know father would be too.”
The two brothers’ grins were suddenly interrupted by a sharp howl from the eldest. As he slumped over in pain, Nax saw a bolt from a crossbow lodged in his brother’s back. His brother’s blood began to trickle from its wound as the rest of the company came to their commander’s aid.
Staring at his commander, now reeling in pain as Dural worked furiously to remove the bolt, Nax’s eyes were drawn towards the direction of the shot. There he saw the attacker - the pony that dared to strike his brother. He was tall and well-built pegasus, clearly a soldier, with a grey coat and a deep blue mane. On his face was plastered the biggest manure eating grin Nax had ever beheld. The stock continued his visual assault upon the combatant, the chaos of the battle grew silent as Nax’s mind began to fill with anger and rage, the sound of rushing blood in his ears signaled the rage building within - blinding him to all save for that lone stallion.
It was here that Nax broke the 3rd rule of combat; and everything changed.
As Nax barreled towards his enemy with vengeance on his mind, a voice hidden beneath the rage was heard roared behind him as he sped beyond even its range.
“Don't go out on your own, you idiot!!” Faris bellowed with his terror clearly present in his voice.
But Nax was now deaf to all sounds but the blood rushing to his ears - blind to all but the pony that had harmed his brother who now slithered down an alleyway, contentment smeared across his arrogant face for a job well done.
Nax followed his target with frightening determination. The pony turned down alleyway after alleyway attempting to evade his pursuer. But Nax would have none of it. Every path the pony took, the stock took in response. For how long this went on, Nax could not be sure.
After a while, Nax turned a rather swift corner, only to be greeted with a violent buck to the face that sent him crashing into a wall with a crack before falling to the ground like a rag doll. The pain was immeasurable as Nax weakly raised his head to meet his assailant, he was greeted with not one but five ponies that had succeeded in surrounding him – preventing any attempt at escape.
They had set a trap, and Nax had walked right into it.
Nax’s attacker jested towards his confidants as they all steadily approached the Stockish soldier still struggling to lift himself.
“See? I told you that would work.” The stallion’s voice clearly indicated youth, but behind it laid a malice and cruelty that chilled Nax’s blood. Every rumor ever spoken about Equestrians now seemed to ring true as Nax stared helplessly at the pony who continued his approach. “I knew we could get at least one of these stupid…things…to follow us with the right motivation.”
As chuckles rose throughout the group, their leader suddenly stopped as Nax raised his eyes to see the ponies now had their hooves lifted, prepared to strike. With a final sickening chuckle, the lead stallion whispered his orders.
“Now to make him pay for attacking our home.”
***
Each strike of his enemies hooves was as a thunderbolt against Nax’s flesh, stinging with a merciless pain. The crazed and howling laughter of his aggressors worked to only enhance the feeling of dread, fear, and helplessness that was beginning to well up inside of him. As the assault continued, the pain seemed to almost fade, if only because each blow had begun to bleed into the next, numbing the Stockish soldier to too much further suffering. A natural mercy of sorts.
But any notion of mercy was stifled by the fact that for all the pain being dealt against him, Nax could feel the strength behind the attacks were being tempered - they were holding back.
For how long this assault went on Nax could not be sure, but cease his attackers finally did. Struggling to maintain consciousness for fear that he would not wake, Nax eyed his assailant’s struggling with their own battle for breath. They had beaten him till their own fatigue had overtaken them.
With his foes continuing their war for further strength, Nax seized his opportunity to attempt escape. However futile, he had to try. Perhaps if he failed his enemy would be swifter in his execution. The alternative was filled with so much pain that that potential had earnestly become an ideal outcome.
So with a quick morph to his claws, Nax began his tortuous crawl from the soldiers. Hissing in pain with each movement, he dug at the ground, furiously trying to pull his broken body away with all possible speed. He prayed to the Dark One to save him from his suffering.
But the Dark One would not answer.
Escape was slow and noisy work and Nax had gotten no more than ten feet away before his efforts were thwarted by a devilish chuckle. The leader of the pony soldiers eyed his prey’s foolish attempt at evasion. In response, he gestured to one of his unicorn compatriots whose horn began to glow with a lifeless grey which signaled the collapse of a large pile of wooden boxes, burying their victim beneath the oppressive weight.
With that, any possibility of escape had been thoroughly quelled. Nax struggled with what little strength was left trying to free himself from the weight of his prison. But the pain was beginning to make his world grow dark around him as the chuckle grew stronger with the leader’s approach.
When they met eye-to-eye, Nax gazed into the face of his foe. The pegasus in question was probably not much older than Nax himself. But there was a malice and hate in those fiery orange eyes that sent a shiver down the stock's spine. Here before him was a soldier that enjoyed war, who relished in the possibility to cause pain and misery. One who would enjoy Nax’s death with a sickening joy.
Accepting his end was near as the leader lifted his hoof to finish the job, Nax closed his eyes and turned his mind back to what was really important.
He thought of Faris, sitting alone with that journal of his, going over amazing prank after amazing prank to a crowd of empty air.
He thought of the twins and how the three of them would never be able to steal B Company’s pig and dress it up like they had planned. It likely wouldn’t have worked and the punishment would’ve most likely been severe, but that was part of the fun wasn’t it?
He thought of Dural and the great debates that would never happen again. Never again could they discuss the nature of life, the inevitability of death, and whether or not moss really did grow only on the north sides of trees. That last mystery had always interested Nax as to whether or not it was true.
But most of all he imagined Thane, standing at the family altar begging their father for forgiveness. He imagined his brother all alone as the last representative of a once great clan.
Thane, the last of the Thesik Clan.
These memories brought pain to Nax’s heart, but a song whispered through his mind that steeled against his sorrow.
When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I'll not be afraid
Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
It had been an honor to serve. To protect and provide for his friends, family, and fellow stock. If he was going to die, he would go as a hero of his people.
As his thoughts turned to his death, something happened that nopony could have expected.
***
It started as a simple roar, echoing through the streets and alleyways of Canterlot. But then it quickly grew to a deafening blast which shook the very foundations of the buildings. At first, many thought it was an earthquake. But the shaking soon gave way to a massive wall of magical energy which spread through the air like a wave through the ocean. As it went through the city, it picked up stock after stock sending them flying beyond the Appleoosian Mountains and out of sight.
In one fell swoop it effectively ended the entire invasion.
But when the blast reached Nax, rather than going after the broken stock, it instead attacked the gang of ponies, sending them careening off in different directions. Some were only sent back a few feet into a wall and knocked out. Others, like the leader of the little band, were sent completely out of sight. Not as far as the other stock but well enough away from his broken victim.
Nax lied there in awe at what had transpired. He had been saved for the moment. But how and why were unknown to him as the shock and pain of his wounds forced the stock to slip into unconsciousness.
By some miracle, Nax had managed to evade death at the hands of his Equestrian attackers. But the shock of his injuries and the relief of his unexpected salvation had fatigued the changeling into unconsciousness.
And there he lied in a darkness that seemed to last for an age. His mind neither wandering nor dreaming. He was consumed by the shadows, unaware of the world around him. For so long was he like this, that Nax soon began to fear that he would never wake again.
But that fear was unfounded as Nax’s mind eventually did return from teetering on the brink of the world beyond. His world was illuminated once again as his senses, made virgin by disuse, were wonderfully drowned in the information of the outside world.
Nax had returned to the world of the living.
As he struggled to open his eyes, he could tell he was not where he had once been. The memories of Canterlot returning to him, Nax gambled that he must have been captured as a prisoner of war. But by who? If he truly had been taken, escape would have to be his primary objective.
Nax labored to lift himself, but the nature of his injuries left him incapable of moving anything beyond his head. Even breathing was a struggle that Nax found difficult to wage.
In spite of the pain, Nax knew he needed to discover the condition of his wounds and the nature of his surroundings if he had any hope of chancing freedom.
The fact that his breathing was difficult clearly indicated broken ribs. By how many times he had been bucked, Nax was honestly not surprised. He could feel pain in his legs and side, so his back and neck were thankfully intact. That meant his paralysis must have been the healing rest, a temporary natural changeling condition. Lastly, he analyzed his carapace and fur for any cracks or scars, only to find his body was roughly and loosely covered in bandages and gauze. His captors had taken the time, energy, and resources to try to patch him up. Perhaps they needed him for questioning?
Perhaps they wanted to torture him more?
Tossing such an unnerving thought from his mind, Nax chose instead to turn his senses towards his cell. The floors and walls were made of simple wood. A few of the boards were loose with rot or covered in rusty nails. Despite the high ceiling that the cell possessed, the room was dark save for a few slivers of light from a high glassless window. All across the room, there were random boxes and tools. Instruments of torture, perhaps? Beneath his feet, he could feel…straw? Nax’s ears were also assaulted by the sound of animals outside, the incessant crowing of roosters and squeals of pigs was murder on the broken changeling’s ears. Meanwhile his noses was beset by the smell of rotting foliage and manure.
Then it hit him.
Those were not instruments of torture and this was no prison. Nax had somehow been relocated to a farmer’s barn. It was like many the army had hid in on their way to the rendezvous point.
But that only got Nax wondering as to how and why had he been moved from the middle of Canterlot to a barn, clearly out in the country based on the noises and smells?
Just then, a shrill shout derailed Nax’s train of thought.
“Daddy! He’s up!”
Nax turned to see a little earth pony staring at him with a big toothy smile plastered over her face. Had she been there the whole time? She was young, possessing no cutie mark upon her flank. Her autumn red coat and the design of her pink and white striped mane seemed to scream simplicity – quite unlike the mares he had seen in Canterlot. The filly’s smile initially made Nax uneasy, as memories of his last Equestrian smile came to mind. But as Nax continued to study the child, he could sense some stark differences. Where his attacker’s smile had been filled with hostility and rancor, this filly’s was the epitome of innocence.
The two just waited there staring at each other, a changeling and a filly, saying nothing as a second Earth pony entered behind the younger to join them in their silence. He was much older, with a green coat and a short well-kept mane of a slightly lighter shade of the same. Nax could tell by the stallion's pride and sense of utter surety that he was a soldier, a fact further supported by a spear cutie mark across the elder pony's flank.
Finding himself outnumbered by the appearance of a second Equestrian, Nax quickly bared his teeth and did his best attempt at an arching back. He was their prisoner but maybe if he appeared strong and imposing, they would be wary around him.
Rather than backing off at the obvious show of aggression however, the elder simply turned to the child and quietly spoke.
“Thank you for telling me Peppermint,” the older pony said to the younger before turning to his 'guest'.
“How are you feeling?”
The question immediately unhinged Nax’s attempted deception by its unexpectedness. How was he feeling? What kind of a question was that? Why would this pony care how a stock felt? Unless he meant to gauge Nax’s capability to interrogated. Not wishing to reveal any form of weakness to his captor, Nax recomposed himself with silence as his warden continued.
“You’re probably confused as to how you got here.” The older pony began.
Once again, silence was the retort.
“You see my daughter and I were selling our wares in Canterlot for the wedding when the invasion started. We were hiding when we saw you get attacked. We also saw what happened when Princess Cadence’s spell hit.”
Was that the wave of energy that had saved Nax’s life? But why would an Equestrian spell save a stock?
The father continued, “We managed to smuggle you out of the city, with great difficulty I might add, and brought you back to our farm. You’ve been unconscious for almost two whole weeks. I was actually beginning to think you wouldn’t wake up.”
Nax’s struggled to respond, partly due to pain, but mostly due to the most peculiar situation he found himself in. The ponies seemed almost sad at the prospect of Nax dying. Nax knew that his captors could easily just be pulling a charade to lull Nax into compliance. But he could sense in his host an honesty and integrity.
They truly cared, no subversion intended.
But two weeks in the willing care of the enemy was a reality too difficult to comprehend. He shouldn't even be alive to speak. The Maesters swore on the Dark One himself that an Equestrian would sooner slay than shelter, but here stood a living contradiction.
As the weight of his situation began to sink in, Nax shifted his hoof into a claw; bringing the appendage to his head in hope of bringing relief to his racing thought. Rubbing his head, his eyes quickly widened in shock as he finally felt something he hadn't been expecting. Spotting a little mirror nearby, the stock confirmed his suspensions.
He must have been asleep for a while, because there, growing on his head, was a short even patch of his own natural red hair. It was the kind of red that made Nax look as though he had placed the crown of his head in the heart of a furnace for kicks. In the army, your head was always shaved bald to make you completely indistinguishable from any other soldier; though Nax had kept his head shaven even before he joined the army, as his easily distinguishable hair - especially in the years following The Great Traitor's death - carried a terrible reputation among many of his peers. Phrases like "traitor's blood" and "kissed by the sun" had become quite familiar to Nax and stung even in adulthood.
Nax's own surprise at his gingered locks must have been exceedingly noticeable as it seemed to bring a boisterous chuckle to the older pony's face. "I'm was just as shocked as you." The stallion said, his teeth sparkling in good humor. "In all my years, it never would've occurred to me that changeling's grew hair. I must say it's a pretty good look for you."
The pony's earnest humor only served to confuse Nax more, who finally managed to let his guard down just enough to say the singular thought on his mind, “Why did ye' save me?”
That broke the smile as Peppermint’s father seemed caught off-guard by Nax’s statement. Whether that was by the cold bluntness of the question or the questioner's ability to speak perfectly intelligible, if heavily accented, Equestrian, Nax could not immediately be sure.
Instead of answering the question, the older pony turned to his daughter and shooed her away to do some chores. She seemed disappointed at first but obeyed, skipping out of the room.
When Peppermint had left earshot, her father seemed to change. His proud soldier’s demeanor seemed to warp into a more simple, pragmatic pose. He had been puffing himself up to intimidate the stock. Now, his farce revealed, the pony seemed to wish to mark him as an equal. A sentiment which his next statement proved.
“My name is Spearmint. What is yours?”
At first, Nax was willing to simply return to his silence. Familiarity, after all, was the first step to interrogation. But as Nax studied his jailor, he could tell that Spearmint was actually genuine. A fake smile was easy to spot, particularly by those trained to search for them. But no such smile could be found on Spearmint’s face. His civility was genuine and his concern earnest. The fact that Nax could read his emotions didn't hurt his sincerity either.
With some difficulty, Nax managed to speak his full name. “Nax, son o' Craster, o' the Thesik Clan.”
Spearmint smiled before explaining himself, “Well Nax, a few years ago I was a member of the Equestrian Guard. They taught us the way you’re supposed to treat another soldier, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.”
The smile soon faded as he seemed to recall Nax’s muggers jeering at the stock’s pain and suffering, “A soldier should die with dignity, not be butchered like some animal.”
“Then why nae kill me now?”
Nax’s blunt expectation for his own death seemed to leave Spearmint stunned. As if the possibility that such a thought could cross somepony’s mind, even a changeling’s, was an inconceivable idea to him.
“Because,” he continued fighting to recompose, “ I believe everything happens for a reason. The Princess’ spell spared you and only you. Your companions were all sent away…”
Nax said nothing as he considered Spearmint’s implication.
“…because I believe the spirits must still have use for you. Nax, son of Craster.”
A long silence passed as neither side was willing to continue conversation. Even the animals outside seemed to have surrendered to the tension in the room. It was eerie, but eventually Spearmint was able to start once again.
“You are still weak and I imagine it’ll take time for you to fully heal. In the meantime, my daughter has volunteered to watch over you.”
Spearmint then approached Nax and whispered a chilling threat. “I am putting my trust in you as a fellow soldier. But if you hurt her, I can promise you I will finish what others started.”
With that he turned and left Nax alone in the quiet hall, with only the sound of farm animals penetrating the silence. Nax just lied there thinking on his strange circumstances. Spearmint’s belief in honor among soldiers was not only admirable, it was a staple of Stock society. But only Stock society. The Maesters said that Equestrian’s possessed no such expectations and those ponies he had fought in Canterlot seemed to imply truth to the belief.
No. The Maesters could never be wrong about something so important to a soldier as honor. Ejecting such a treasonous thought from his mind, Nax realized that if he truly was trapped here he should at least make the most of it. Guessing that his caretaker probably wouldn’t arrive for a while, Nax took an opportunity to rest and gather his strength.
***
Nax was awoken again by the sound of childish laughter. When he opened his eyes, he realized that he must have slept for at least a few hours as the windows above his quarters had since grown black with night.
The stock stared at them for only a moment before his eyes were drawn to some nearby candlelight. In its glow there sat a little filly staring happily into a book, mouthing words silently to herself as she read.
When she saw Nax had awoken, she flashed that smile again and closed the text.
“Hello!”
Unsure quite how to respond to her innocence, Nax decided to simply nod in acknowledgment. She seem to take it as she hurriedly passed a plate of food his way.
“I made you waffles!”
Nax stared at the stuff beneath his nostrils. It was unlike anything he had ever seen served as food. It was circular and golden brown, and looked as though it was covered in tree sap. As its aroma filled the soldier’s nostrils, he was drawn to the fact that it had to be incredibly sweet.
Perhaps it was poisoned? If it was, it would certainly be extremely unexpected of Spearmint and Peppermint, who had previously given no prior indication that they were willing or even capable of such a violent action without predicated cause.
Realizing his host was expecting him to eat, Nax hesitantly lifted one of the waffle slices and bit into it. When the slice reached his taste buds, Nax was thrown for a loop. It was the most delicious thing he had ever discovered. The hard, crunchy outer layer suddenly gave to a smooth, warm, puffy inside. The tree sap, or what was later explained to him to be syrup, was delectably sweet. Having finished his first bite, Nax quickly scarfed down the rest of the waffles as if someone was going to steal it from him.
Happy that her guest was now eating eagerly, Peppermint slowly waddled up to Nax and offered her book up to him.
“Would you like me to read you a story?”
Nax could not read himself. Reading tended to instill a treasonous mind in those unprepared for it. Only Maesters were considered pious enough to be allowed to read (although often they would teach their children anyway). The thought of being subjected to Equestrian propaganda seemed rather foolish; but the thought of being driven mad by boredom seemed even worse. So staring at the child anxiously awaiting his reply, Nax begrudgingly accepted. Peppermint then sat next to him and began to read “The Legend of Nightmare Moon”.
Nax wanted to groan. He had heard this so many times before it was second nature. But it was a great insult to interrupt a storyteller, so Nax kept quiet. As he listened to the filly weave her tale, Nax was struck by an unexpected and interesting realization.
The Equestrians told the story completely differently.
Almost every creature in the world knew that Celestia and her sister, Luna, were the princesses of the legend. But in the Equestrian version, Luna fell victim to circumstance. She was not the victim of her sister’s magic, as the Maesters told it. The Bringer of Nightmares was meant as a weapon to be used against Celestia’s enemies, that was the truth behind the legend.
Wasn’t it?
His mind suddenly turned from the story, to the child now reading giddily from her book. Nax’s urge to feed was rising and she was a simple target. He could sense so much happiness, joy, and innocence; more than enough to sustain himself. Even Spearmint’s threat against him seemed small potatoes to the prospect of such an easy meal.
Preparing himself to feed, Nax suddenly sensed something else within the child. A level of sadness that Nax could never have predicted. For all her bubbliness, a great pain stirred within her. The thought of such a young one filled with so much pain, set Nax’s hunger ill.
She needed those happy moments far more than he did.
“I wish I could meet her.”
Nax was startled by the statement directed towards him. Peppermint, who had finished the story while Nax was thinking, was expecting a retort from her listener. When she seemed to realize the stock had none to give, she clarified.
“I wish I could meet Princess Luna. I’ve always loved the night.”
Nax couldn’t believe what he had heard. A child who wished to meet the Bringer of Nightmares. What a truly strange place Equestria was.
Having finished her story, Peppermint prepared to leave for the night. Before leaving, she turned to Nax.
“I can bring another story tomorrow if you would like?”
Nax thought for a second. He did enjoy a good story and a part of him wondered how many other stories were different when the Equestrians told them. At last he responded in his thickly accented Equestrian, “Ah would like as very much.”
“Alright. Good night then, Mr. Monster!”, Then with a giggle, she was gone.
Monster!? That word seemed to sting more than it really should have. Nax wasn’t a monster…was he? A monster was a creature that meant to cause pain and suffering in others, a vicious beast that lived on basic instincts. He was neither.
Peppermint was clearly confused by the meaning of the word. Best he just go to sleep on his newly filled stomach, though the need to feed as well as the filly’s words still lingered in the back of his mind eating away at his thoughts.
***
The next week was incredibly and wonderfully peculiar. Every morning, Spearmint and Peppermint would check up on him before she headed off to someplace called “Skool”. Then Spearmint would come in around lunchtime and they would share soldier stories. These were fun, but it was night time that Nax had really grown to enjoy. For night time was when Peppermint would come in with more waffles and stories. The waffles were always great, and Nax was excited to see what new stories she would bring in. They read “The King that was Promised” and “The Dragon War”, stories that Nax was familiar with; all told with an Equestrian twist. It was incredibly exciting to see different and, as Nax soon began to realize, accurate accounts of legend. The days passed so quickly that he hardly noticed that he was now beginning to move around and talk quite easily. Soon he would be healed entirely. Even the notion of escape seemed to have left his mind.
He was honestly enjoying himself.
One night, Nax was listening to Peppermint tell the story of “The Ugly Duckling”, a story he had never heard before, when she asked an unexpected question.
“Where is your family?”
Nax was shaken by her inquiry. Not by the fact that she had asked a question, as they would often ask and answer each other’s questions (Nax had quickly realized that neither Spearmint or Peppermint seemed particularly interested in matters of Stockish military intelligence). In truth, it was more the content of the question that set him off edge as Nax hadn’t really thought of his family since the battle.
“My father an' mother died a long time ago. Ah dinnae ken what happened to my brother.” The thought of his brother’s unknown fate stung at Nax’s heart as a feeling of homesickness washed over.
Much to his surprise, Peppermint seemed to share in his sadness. The same sadness that Nax had sensed that first night hidden deep within her had been completely let loose.
“My mommy went away a long time ago too. She got really really sick so she went away to a place that would make her feel all better. That’s what Daddy always told me.”
Nax stared at the child as she told her story, knowing she was far too smart to fall for such an obvious deception.
There they lied, wallowing in their mournful memories, when Peppermint was suddenly struck by a joyful thought and began to chuckle.
“I remember a song my mother used to sing to me when she tucked me in bed every night. She had a really pretty singing voice. Would you like to hear it?”
Nax nodded in anticipation as the little filly started the sweet and somber tune.
Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love for the road that you go
Nax recognized the tune immediately. The same lullaby littered the memories of his own mother. When he would have his many restless nights, she would sing to him and his nights were always comforted. As Peppermint prepared for the second verse, Nax involuntarily interrupted as the words from his childhood suddenly came rushing back.
May ye sail fair ta the far fields o' fortune
With diamonds an' pearls at yer head and yer feet
An' may ye need never ta banish misfortune
May ye find kindness in all that ye meet
May there always be angels ta watch o'er ye
Ta guide ye each step o' the way
Ta guard ye an' keep ye safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Peppermint listened intently as Nax continued singing. The stock’s baritone voice was beginning to make the filly’s eyes grow heavy with sleep. As the song continued, she just couldn’t fight it anymore. Surrendering to the lullaby’s trance, she leaned against the changeling who now quietly finished his memory.
May ye bring love an' may ye bring happiness
Be loved in return ta the end o' yer days
Now fall off ta sleep, A'm nae meanin' ta keep ye
A'll just sit for a while an' sing loo-li, lai-lay
May there always be angels ta watch o'er ye
Ta guide ye each step o' the way
Ta guard ye an' keep ye safe from all harm
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay
Loo-li, lai-lay.
With the song finished, Nax stared at Peppermint and chuckled to himself once again at the truly strange situation he found himself. An Equestrian child sleeping soundly on the shoulder of a Stockish soldier. He would love to see how Thane and the others would have reacted.
Just then, a strange awareness suddenly overtook him. Peppermint was an Equestrian, his mortal enemy. And here they stood, members of two warring races, united in the mutual memory of a song.
Maybe Equestrians weren’t as horrible as he was lead to believe.
That was a blasphemous thought. The Maesters could have him executed for thinking such a thing. War with the Equestrians was mandated by the Dark One himself, an absolute necessity.
But why?
He lied there staring at the filly sleeping soundly and remembered all the kindness she had shown him. A kindness the Maesters swore was impossible for Equestrians to give. If they were wrong about that, what else were they wrong about?
An Equestrian soldier’s lack of honor? Wrong.
Tales of Equestrian history? Wrong.
Equestrian’s inability to show kindness to any creature unlike themselves?
Peppermint had shown him a great kindness. A kindness he was truly undeserving of. Nax continued to harp on this fact, because of what it meant. She had shown him great kindness.
By the laws of his race, he was honor-bound to owe her the same.
***
“Oh my! He seems to be having a nightmare!”
***
Nax slept soundly as the light of Celestia’s new day began to shine upon Equestria. He had thought long and hard the previous night and had come to several interesting conclusions, each more blasphemous than the next. He had thought for so long in fact that he had been forced into sleep through fatigue.
As the morning light crept into the barn, Nax was startled awake by the senseless barrage of frightened farm animals. Something had spooked them. As he rose to see what was the matter, he heard another familiar sound.
The buzzing sound of stock wings.
Quickly he woke Peppermint, covering her mouth to guarantee her silence, and relocated the both of them to a more secluded part of the barn.
Just as Nax and Peppermint had settled themselves, two changelings entered the barn. Their battle armor clearly revealed them to be of the soldier class. One, who Nax knew had to be the leader by his stature and armor color, was a giant. A good two heads taller than his companion, he was the living description of a bloodseeker. Bloodseekers were a class of soldiers whose lust for battle had given them a legendary status amongst their fellow soldiers.
The smaller of the two appeared to be the definition of an average soldier. Turning to his commander, he pondered their objective.
“Thenu, why is it that when the Queen sent second regiment ta infiltrate Ponyville, we get stuck doing a simple pillage mission?”
Thenu said nothing. He just stood there, surveying his surroundings, hoping to catch the slightest glimpse of potential prey. Finding none, Thenu turned to his subordinate and spoke, “Ah imagine the Queen dinnae want ta use all 'er cards in one play. Be thankful though, Reegen. Raiding may not be as glorious as battle, but the rewards can be much sweeter.”
The two then shared a chilling, hissing chuckle. A harsh laugh that sent an all too familiar shiver down Nax’s spine. Behind their cold levity, Nax could sense the same callous, calculating salacity for violence as the pegasus who had brought him to this very instance in his life. They had also succeeded in frightening Peppermint, as Nax could hear the hushed whining of the little pony in his grasp.
“Do ye see the child anywhere?”, Reegen said anxiously.
“No, an' 'er father was less than helpful in revealing 'er hidin' place. Children have so much more positive emotions than an adult, but 'is 'ill suffice Ah suppose.”
“Ah still cannae believe the fool was brave enough ta fight. Not that it helped 'im much.”
Another chuckle left Nax dumbstruck by the apathy the two showed at defiance of the Laws of Combat. A stock was only supposed to kill as a last resort, and death-feeding was outright forbidden. Despite that, these two spoke as if murder was a common instance for them. The thought of them death-feeding on Spearmint merely for protecting his daughter was absolutely...
...monstrous.
Suddenly, Peppermint’s name for Nax seemed to sting all the more. The Stockish army had come to this land specifically to attack ponies like Peppermint and her father. To take their happiness, their joy, and their love. Whether it happened in combat or not, it would’ve been inevitable. Such action was acceptable and expected against two that had shown such kindness. A few weeks ago, Nax would’ve been more than happy to assist in such action personally.
He was just as much the monster as Thenu and Reegen.
Nax, so caught up in his epiphany, did not realize his grip upon Peppermint had lessened. The mention of her father had made the filly both frightened and angry. Seizing her chance, she broke free of the stock’s grasp and defiantly approached the two who had hurt her father. Nax desperately tried to restrain her once more but stop just before she revealed herself to the soldiers.
“What did you do to my daddy!?”
At first, the two soldiers just stood there staring at the brazen filly. Awestruck by the courage of one so young. But only for a moment before they began to saunter over to the filly, murder in their eyes.
Nax was terrified. By all the laws of his kind, Nax should help Thenu and Reegen. But the thought of feeding upon Peppermint. She needed her happiness. No one deserved it more. She had given him so much kindness despite his nature.
He was honor-bound to show her the same.
***
Peppermint’s brazen courage seemed to fade as the two monsters began approaching her. They had devilish smiles upon their faces and a opportunistic look in their eyes. They were going to hurt her...and enjoy doing it. Her calls to Mr. Monster stopped in her throat as fear began to eat away at her.
***
Reegen, preparing himself to strike the child, was suddenly sent reeling into the wall of the barn by a powerful kick to the face.
Thenu stared confused at his companions sudden withdrawal before turning back to his target. But where there was once only a filly, there now another stock standing between him and the Equestrian.
“What’s going on 'ere? Get out of the way, ya fetchling!”, Thenu ordered angrily.
“A’ll send ye ta Tartarus before ye touch 'er!”
The sight of a stock defending an Equestrian left Thenu both mystified and bemused. A deserter and heretic was a rare find indeed. Such an unique opportunity left Thenu’s initial mystique only momentary as his bloodeyes returned to him.
“Ah wanted ta kill some ponies today, but a heretic is a fine a prize as any.”
Thenu rushed Nax with powerful punches that Nax struggled to evade. One good strike is all it would take to finish the heretic.
***
The bloodseeker was a bruiser and a brute with the strength and power of a minotaur behind every strike. But Nax had trained to fight minotaurs. While Thenu was strong and tough, Nax was swift and flighty. He used that advantage to keep the bloodseeker at bay, as their fight began to move around the arena.
Eventually Thenu’s fatigue began to leave openings in his nearly flawless defense. Such an opening Nax happily took, dealing a powerful front kick to the face that sent Thenu reeling back into sharp tines of a nearby pitchfork.
The howls of pain were sudden and short as the bloodseeker struggled to release himself. But the prongs of his prison were not so easily removed and the wound soon grew to much for the bloodseeker to handle, his rage and bloodlust making his heart rate and bleeding worse. It only took a few minutes before Thenu finally hunched over dead.
Turning away from the site, Nax began to approach Peppermint when he was driven back by an unexpected forearm grappling him around his neck. Reegen, having watched his commanding officer’s demise, had vaulted over to Nax and begun to strangle the traitor.
Nax found himself struggling to breath. His attempts to release himself were for naught. He could sense his opponents murderous rage and drive to see Nax dead. As his breathing continued to lessen, a whisper quickly drove all other thoughts from his mind.
“Ye're gonna die, heretic.”
Upon hearing this, defiance grew in his mind. Desperate, Nax allowed instinct to take over where reason had once been. He launched himself backwards with a powerful back, slamming Reegen and himself into the nearby wall. The force of the blow loosened Reegen’s grip upon Nax. Recovering quickly, Nax flew around Reegen and grabbed his fellow soldier in a stranglehold of his own.
Nax could feel the blood pumping in his opponents neck as he struggled to release himself, but Nax would have none of it. He tightened his grip on Reegen as he sensed the feelings of rage and vengeance within quickly surrender to fear and desperation.
Reegen’s motions soon grew weaker as his energy ran low and, eventually, ran out. But Nax would still not let go. His desperation to live and protect kept his grip tight and his mind blind to anything other than survival.
Nax only let go when the hushed cry of a little filly broke him of his trance.
His reason returned, Nax let go of Reegen’s lifeless body. Turning to Peppermint, he realized she had disappeared. He ran outside of the barn looking for her. He watched as she desperately ran towards the house to find her father.
Knowing what she would find, Nax quickly needed to act. He knew this incident would not stay isolated to the farm. Others would come. Others less accommodating to a changeling.
He knew what he had to do. Nax quickly grabbed a nearby lantern and tossed it onto a pile of straw inside the barn. Within moments the entire barn was ablaze in a massive wall of orange and red that Nax was sure could be seen for miles.
In the distance, Peppermint’s hopeless cries for her father to wake spooked Nax into a sprint as fast as his legs could carry him. He needed to leave before others arrived. He assured himself that the filly would be found and cared for and forced himself to worry about his own position.
He ran for over three miles, the light of the blazing barn still in sight, before he realized his legs had been carrying him in the wrong direction. He was heading north. Home was the other way.
But maybe his legs knew better than he did as Nax thought about what he had just done. He had slain two soldiers of Stockland in the name of protecting an Equestrian. He was a murderer, a traitor...
...a heretic.
If Nax were to return and the Maesters found out what he had done, death would be a mercy. Peppermint and Spearmint’s sacrifice and kindness would’ve been in vain. It was the last thought that seemed the more unacceptable.
Why was protecting them a crime?
The Maesters were wrong about Equestrians. They weren’t all vicious brutes. They had soldiers with honors. They had kind caregivers, as Peppermint and her father had been. At worst they were nothing more than whimpering cowards, the ponies of Canterlot had shown as much. That one pegasus soldier had been an exception, not a rule. His brother’s words of comfort once again returned to his mind.
“They are ponies just like us.”
The Maesters were wrong.
And if it was wrong to show kindness to those who showed it back, then it would no longer be an honor to serve such a cause.
Self-exile was the only option.
Steeled in his new mission, Nax continued his race. He galloped ceaselessly, even as the passing of days into nights soon became uncountable. Even as his stomach roared with hunger and his eyes grew heavy with fatigue, Nax could and would not stop. He did not know where he was going, only that he needed to go.
As the eyes of the world turned skyward to gaze at the piercing red comet flying overhead; Nax was running across wide open fields of southern Equestria, blind to anything but need to move.
He ran even as the glorious light of the day soon gave way to the endless night of the Everfree Forest.
Only ceasing when the venom of a manticore had driven him lame in the quiets of an unknown field. Into the arms of a mysterious pair of blurs.
