09 - Tumble Weeds
The heat of the volcanic craters lessened as they plodded wearily through the night, and the darkness was too thick for any of the dragons to find them. No ponies spoke as they cantered uneasily through the dusty oblivion of the Badlands. The stone pressed back up through their hooves and the ache off too much action throbbed every muscle and hung in every joint. Forward, was the mantra. Forward, to whatever was ahead of them. Forward, to escape the dangers of the previous day. Forward, until they came to an inlet that was not quite a full cave.
A chilling wind began to slide through them and the soldiers set up their perimeter, draping blankets over the entrance to block out the worst of the cold. A gathering of stones were placed in a circle and the green unicorn focused his magic, causing a deep glow in the lifeless stones, shifting and altering their molecules until they caught fire. Relief settled as a comfortable heat filled the chamber.
"Good job, River," the lieutenant spoke with quiet authority. "Bed down, everypony. I'll take first watch." The order released much of the tension which they had all shared until that moment. Packs and armor fell in disorganized heaps to the ground and a shuffle of movement later saw the green, red, and orange unicorns following the example. The shadowy grey unicorn set his gear down carefully and then let his eyes scan around, for a time, before exchanging a nod with his leader and then letting his body go lax.
The great white stallion removed a few of the heavier pieces of his armor, exposing the Blue Shield and white, five-pointed star of his cutie-mark. Then he placed his back to the fire and settled into a relaxed but alert position upon the stone. The gold circlet that framed his head and horn contained three blue gemstones which seemed to glow lightly when he concentrated. Then his stormy blue eyes met the mare's pools of forest green, and her breath drew in sharply. The flutter of her heart sped and the breath she took did not release itself for several seconds. She sat there, frozen, until he inclined his head.
"You should come over here by the fire," he spoke softly, and there was a quality to the sound which told her that he was not going to let anything bad happen. A glance to the shadow in the corner told her that they were being observed and so she moved awkwardly into the circle and was careful to give the warrior his space. It occurred to her that she should say something, but the others had been too frightened, or cautious, to talk since they had departed the crater and she found she could not break the silence until one of the others did so first. "My name is Blue Shield."
The words caused her to jump a little but she managed to do little more than flinch and blink quickly. "Honeycrisp," she whispered, and she was surprised at how horse her voice sounded.
"If anything happens," Blue Shield told her as if she were a frightened animal, "just stay close to me and I will protect you with my shield magic."
"C-c-close?" Honeycrisp managed as she felt her whole body shiver as if she were freezing. A sturdy mantra began spinning through her mind and it repeated itself in a steady cadence. It said, _OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! _
"Yeah, real close," the orange member of the Tick-Tock twins muttered.
"Not too close," the green soldier muttered in an annoyed fashion, "she might give ya pony-pox."
"Only colts can get pony-pox," the red Tick-Tock twin snorted, "for full blown stallions the condition's way worse."
"Symptoms include distraction, moodiness, simpering melancholy, and pure madness," the orange Tick-Tock twin echoed in the tone of a lecturing professor.
Honeycrisp flushed crimson until she was certain the whole of her yellow complexion looked splotched with orange.
"Looks like she's a carrier," the green unicorn nickered with a knowing leer. "The dull mud-brain looks like she's going to crumble into clay any second."
The fire in Honeycrisp's skin turned sharply at the unicorn's words and a different type of heat flared to life. Terms of earth and stone were powerful to her kind ... and they carried power when used to compliment of annoy. Racism often carried these kinds of uncouth comparisons and it was considered incredibly bad taste to do so in most circles. A dozen hateful remarks brewed in the mare's mind as she glared daggers at the offender but it was her rescuer who came to her aid once more.
"Corporal Green River," Blue Shield spoke sternly and the subordinate stood in reflex and brought his legs together in a rigid posture.
"Sir!"
"Your behavior is unacceptable," the officer scolded. "Normally I grant you leeway in such matters, but we have a guest present and you will extend her the proper courtesies of a gentle-colt or I will make certain you dig every latrine we employ from here back to Canterlot."
"Don't do him any favors," Honeycrisp heard herself saying before anypony else could think to respond. "I don't think your Little River would care if he got a little mud on his hooves. Now if you really want to make him suffer ... you can let him help me at work for a day ... without any magic."
The earth pony felt all of the eyes in the little camp turn on her and she felt the pressure of their curious gazes. "If we may ask, Ms. Crisp," the red Tick-Tock brother ventured, "what is it that you do for a living?"
In answer the green mare stood and thrust her flank toward them all so that the group could clearly see the yellow and black striped honeybee she had earned as a cutie-mark "I stay very busy," she informed them dryly, "buzzing here and there with friends who pollinate and sting. If you decide to visit ... I think I have just the job for you!"
The unicorn's eyes went wide with understanding and the Tick-Tock bothers burst into fits of laughter that caused them to lean against each other. Blue Shield's gaze had been murderous but the laughter contaminated his steel, and soon, he too found his war face fracturing with heavy chuckles. Even the shadowy wisp in the corner shook with silent mirth and he finally spoke for the first time.
"Hey boss ... I like her."
"Me too," Blue Shield said with a smile. "Corporal, when we reach our destination, I want you to meet with this young filly's friends. Your attitude will determine how much safety gear you get to wear during the introductions.
The laughter caused Honeycrisp's limbs to tingle as the tension around them broke and she felt her own anger fade away. The soldiers and their jokes continued for the better part of an hour and she understood the need for it in such a terrifying place. It was almost sad when the Tick-Tock brothers finally announced that they were spent and leaned back-to-back in the darkness.
It was only then that Honeycrisp noticed how their cutie-marks made a complete set. The red Tick had a clock face with only a minute hand and his orange brother had a clock with only an hour hand. Green River's cutie mark was a pair of splashing green rivers over a field of mostly white stars. Shade had some lighter grey wisps over his darker grey self and she wondered what that was supposed to symbolize.
Blue Shield eventually caught her staring at his cutie mark, the simple blue shield with a white, five-pointed star in its center. His reaction was contemplative and she could tell he was studying her. Once again his attention caused her cheeks to heat and she took a deep breath to shake off the sensation. With an effort of will, she tore her eyes from his, laid her head upon her crossed legs, and tried to clear her mind of distractions. Once his presence was pushed aside the fear of her adventure fell in upon her. Exhaustion followed and she faded off into unconscious slumber.
*****
The unforgiving bleakness of the Badlands pressed in upon the small group of travelers. Honeycrisp slept a long time and discovered that the stress and panic of the previous day had left her whole body wracked in agony. Dragging herself out into the open was a major effort and moving along the sandblasted stone was even harder.
Green River gnashed his teeth the whole time. Honeycrisp could tell that the colt wanted to run as fast as he could and that a military pace was much faster than what they were currently doing, but she was scared, hurt, and not like them. The light yellow mare was a workhorse who could haul, plow and plant with great efficiency. While this gave her the muscle needed to lift, run, and fight, it did not grant her the endurance needed to march steadily across harsh terrain for a week. The going was slow, the looks were harsh, and she felt a great burden to the rest of the team.
Each night an oppressive tension seemed to glower upon her. She was never asked to keep a watch and the inside jokes of the other stallions left her an outsider with no idea how to join in. Worst of all was the silence. None of them spoke, during the march, and Blue Shield had made it very clear to her that noise might attract the dragons to their position. The thought frightened the voice right out of her and a steady, seething, paranoia began telling her that her hooves fell to hard and her breathing was too loud. At night she feared she might snore and her dreams were filled with the snarling fire of swooping dragons who killed her escorts and then tied her to a stake.
The edible mushrooms and a strangely nutritional scraggle-grass, which the Midnight Horns had gathered around the dragon's gathering place, had run out on the third day of their journey. A full day of no food and heavily rationed egg-water had taken their toll on her in a big way. The others all made a big show of the situation not bothering them but she could see the elements wearing on them. Each of the stallions were sagging with the effort of staying alert and ready and there were deepening shadows under their eyes.
The sun was high on the fifth day when the first tufts of green grass were spotted and it was a battle not to knock each other down in an effort to claim it. Blue Shield nearly smote Green River with a blast from his horn and let the first meal go to Honeycrisp. The guilt nearly spoiled her appetite but hunger was too good a seasoning for her not to enjoy it. Less than an hour later, the Tick-Tock twins were able to find a bite to eat, and the others found their own meals shortly after.
By the time the sun was setting they had come across an actual gathering of tall grasses and a small pond. It was torture to show any caution in such a predicament but they all knew they would be sick if they gorged themselves. Also, it would be difficult to fight or flee on a full stomach. Still ... they had food in their bellies, and that night Honeycrisp slept better than she had since the dragons had swept her off into this adventure.
*****
"I think we're clear," Green River finally spoke on the morning of the sixth day. His watch had been last and so he had spent the morning mixing some plants which he had scavenged into a strange but highly edible mash.
"Temp fate, why don't ya," Tock grunted sourly.
"Not that fate really needs an excuse to smack us around," Tick echoed.
"The dragons are all over there and we're over here," Green River said dryly. "Besides ... we've got the damsel out of distress, so, according to stories, we're supposed to take her home and then she'll get married to the hero and live happily ever after." Honeycrisp felt her whole body boil into the type of blush that could cause butter to melt.
"So you think you're going to marry our fare mare?" Tock snorted and then he and his brother burst into simultaneous laughter.
"That would be cosmic justice for ya!" Tick roared as he gasped for breath.
"No," Green River sputtered as his eyes bulged, "I-"
"All hail Green Hero!" the twins exploded into synchronized insult slinging.
"He's got the complexion for it!" Tock announced.
"And the chip on his shoulder to go with it!" Tick agreed.
"And, his commanding officer is present so he could perform the ceremony on the spot!" Tock nodded vigorously with the momentum of his excitement.
"NO!" Honeycrisp finally shrieked in a tone that caused the stallions to jump and go silent. "_He's_not the hero of this story and I'd not have him even if he was! Blue Shield's the one who saved me and so don't you go shoving that rude, elitist, bit-spitter at me!" The eyes of the unicorns went wide at her words and Honeycrisp's blush reached critical mass, causing her vision to tunnel a little. The silence lingered until Blue Shield cleared his throat.
"The road to Dodge Junction is a few miles that way," he motioned with a flick of his head. The magic of his horn slid his armor into place and the last three straps latched themselves firmly. "If we hustle, we might make it by dinner. Does anypony else want some fresh food and a hot bath tonight?"
A round of silent agreement passed around the circle and Honeycrisp's vision finally returned to normal. The six of them set out before anything further could happen and they found the road much more quickly than the earth pony had expected. Once there the group lined up and began a steady traveling pace which carried them along the rest of the way.
Honeycrisp was desperate to stop, by the time the sun began sinking, but she her humiliation had burned like a hot coal in her belly. Every time she felt the need to rest she glanced once at Blue Shield, glared over at Green River, and then pushed her head forward with extra determination. The path blurred before her as the sand and dust raised up to mark their passing. Then, a giant tumbleweed rolled into the road, gathered up the Tick-Tock twins, and stole them away.
For the briefest of moments, Honeycrisp's mind seemed to have fractured. _What ... just happened? _ Twin howls of fear and excitement rose and then fell as the massive bramble continued its journey without pause. Honeycrisp's gaze unconsciously followed the drama and so she ran into Green River, who had reduced his speed to gawk or turn. They crashed to the sand in a tangle of limbs, which left them both in a particularly compromising position, but the others had already adjusted their course to intercept the danger.
The sand settled over Honeycrisp's sweat-drenched skin and instantly clung to every uncomfortable surface she could imagine. The invasive presence of Green River was different from what she had been expecting. His muzzle was inches from hers and the firm flexing of his muscles and the salty tang of his musk nearly overwhelmed all of her senses. The fracture in her mind opened into a full fissure and she could not gather enough thoughts together to determine a proper course of action. Then, Green River twisted carefully away from her, mumbled an apology, and then sprinted off to join the others.
A moment later, Honeycrisp found herself alone on the path. The others had all set off to chase down their tumble-napped comrades and there was little she could do to help them. The strain of the journey and the agony of the day's run caught up to her all at once and she was not certain she could go another step.
Confusion washed through her as she wondered what had just happened. The idiot she had run into was the right type to fall for a pony like her. Brash, headstrong, and full of doubts ... treating me life a love-struck foal who teases the filly he likes on the playground because he's too emotionally constipated to know what else to do with himself.
Of the five ... she had hoped she would have caught Blue Shield's attention, but he was so focused on his mission and his troops. True, the lieutenant had done all that he could to watch out for her ... but that was his job. Protecting me is just part of his job ... and Green River's the emotionally immature jock who can't risk looking weak in front of his buddies. Way to go Honeycrisp. _ The thought of a flustered and blushing Green River suddenly invaded her mind's eye and it drew a tiny smile to her lips. She clopped herself in the head as she tried to shake off the feeling. _Dummy! Dummy! Dummy! Don't do that! Just let it go! The image faded slowly as she sat there controlling her breathing and most of her trembling had stopped by the time the others returned to the path.
"Whew! That was fun!" Tick managed with an excited giggle.
"You should definitely try it!" Tock agreed as he too waivered on the edge of hysteria.
"Pass," Honeycrisp spoke gratefully, happy to give her mind something professional to focus upon. "You're going to be picking seedlings out of your mane for weeks."
"Nah," Tick waived his hoof dismissively. "We'll just shave 'em off."
"That'll get all the sand out too," Tock nodded in agreement.
"Not a bad idea," Shade said with a smile. "Perhaps we should smooth ourselves out as part of a team building exercise."
Blue Shield let out a non-committal huff and then turned his attention to the town which lingered at the edge of the horizon. "Eyes open, team," he finally said. "I want to sleep in an actual bed tonight and I can't do that if someone goes tumble-ridding again." A general chuckle of agreement went through the group but Honeycrisp knew it would not last.
"You two need to get the burs out of your feet and legs first," she insisted. The twins glanced at her in annoyance and then looked at each other. Their amused expressions faltered for only a moment but she could see their annoyance.
"I see her point," Tick finally said as he moved closer to his brother and plucked a few burs from hard to reach places.
"She does seem to know a thing or two about this," Tock agreed as he began picking at his brother's burs in return.
Honeycrisp moved over to help them and stole a glance at Green River ... whom she caught staring. He quickly looked away from her and she turned back to face the brothers. Her instruction allowed them to get rid of the worst of their prickly problem but most of the day's light was gone by the time they began moving forward again.
Blue Shield raised a light blue shield bubble over the team as they set out and they took a cantering pace that was slower than before but allowed them to arrive before the moon had found a comfortable spot in the sky. The six of them all stumbled into the saloon together and set upon the stunned bartender with a vengeance of requests for food and drink. Their leader then secured rooms for the night and they all set to the tasks of recovering.
Elixirs from Celestia's well of magic could not have induced the sort of bliss that this simple meal had offered. There was almost no chatter during the small meal but they all set upon it with determination.
"Razor," Blue Shield said when they all finished and Green River twitched as Shade produced a small but sharp blade. "Out back, Colts ... then we'll hit the showers and off to actual beds." A series of professional nods rounded the table and then he turned his attention on Honeycrisp. At once she felt a tingle of warmth under her skin but she set her will against it and refused to show weakness. "Ms. Crisp, I've already paid for a separate room for you and there should be a bath waiting. In the morning we will be leaving, but I have enough coin for another ticket. Where do you need to go?"
_This could be the last time that I see him ... the last time that I see any of them. _ The thought brought with it a sadness which she had not been expecting, and to that end, her words were barely able to reach the surface. "I live in Ponyville."
"I see," Blue Shield nodded, "then it looks like we shall be escorting you all the way home." The weight suddenly lifted off of Honeycrisp's heart as the stallion gave her a polite smile. "We shall see you in the morning, fair mare." The big unicorn turned and swatted Green River, who had not yet left the room. The colt stumbled and then yielded to the direction of his superior, leaving Honeycrisp alone at the table.
I'll see them tomorrow. We'll take the train together. I'll have to get them all something! Yeah! I think I know just the gifts!