Everyday adventures: Woodcutterby a guy with many hatsChaptersMondayTuesdayWednesdayMonday"Dad? Daaad? Dad?!" "...*sigh*....out back!" I could hear her running out the back door, "Hey there you are!" She ran over to me, "What ya doing?" I rubbed my face and gave a quick pull on my beard, "Chopping firewood...." "Can I help?" She asked with a toothy grin. "...no, aint safe," Her face scrunched up, "Come on, I can do it!" "...you cant even pick up a book, how you gonna lift an axe?" I reached over and gave her horn a quick flick, "Gotta keep practicing," She looked flustered, "Oh come on, please?" "....no, but you can stay if you want," I reached over and found a pair of safety glasses, "Here, put these on," She tried to levitate the glasses only managing to pull them from my hand and onto the floor, she looked disappointed while she scooped them off the ground "Don't worry kid, you'll get it down," "Maybe..." "No, you will," I hoisted my axe up and poised it to split the log, "Practice makes perfect," I brought the axe down and the log split in two, "Just keep at it and you'll get better and better," I got ready for another swing. "But dad....." I brought my axe down again making quarters, "No buts...you wanna be good at something it takes practice," I brought the axe up and unbound the bundle, four equal splits fell apart, "Alright...go get ready, gonna take you down to Fluttershy's" I retied the wood and dragged it to the front of my cabin. "But dad...when are you gonna take me to school?" "I want to....but those kids out in the wood's are gonna get themselves killed without me," I tossed the bundle onto the path, "Now hurry up, don't want to be late," She scurried into the cabin and got ready, ".....come on kid," She took about ten minutes to get ready, jumping off the landing and almost slipping on the muddy ground, "Whoa!" "Truffle! Christ! You're gonna get to school all muddy...." "It'll wash off!" I just shook my head, "Come on then...let's get going," I hoisted the firewood onto my shoulder and we started down the path into town. *knock knock knock* "-called me a foal!" "Ok kid....ok," I could hear a soft patter breaking the silence. The door creeped open, "Fluttershy?" "Oh....Duncan....hi," She pushed the door open, "Hello Truffle," "HI!" She ran up to hug her, a bit of mud getting stuck to he back of her mane. "....so here's the firewood," I set it down next to her door, "And thanks again for takin her to school," She noticed the mud on her and gave a quick frown, "...it's no problem," She trotted out and closed her door, "Just be careful out there...I mean...I don't want you to get hurt..." "I don't plan on being anything but careful, alright kid see you later," "Bye Dad!" We went our own ways and I finally had some peace and quite. Gloves....helmet....coat....better hurry up, I hurried back out of my cabin and into the forest, "Damn cold out here," Yet again I was greeted by the sound of a chainsaw, "Duncan hey!" I looked up to see a young man named Lucas hanging off the top of a tree. "Lucas get the hell down before you hurt yourself!" I hurried to the tree and stared him down. "It's fine!" "Lucas get the fuck down!" He looked around and slowly lowered himself down the tree, "You fuckin idiot...takin a chainsaw up there with you!" He got to the floor, "Oh you gotta be shitting me, you don't even have it secured to your belt!?" He walked over to me, "What's the big-" "Get! Go home, come back when you can make some right fuckin decisions!" He looked utterly confused. "Just cause I-" "You took an unsecured chainsaw up a tree, what woulda happened if you dropped that fuckin thing!?" I grabbed the chainsaw from him, "You damn fool, come back tomorrow," "But I-" "Why you still here!? Get!" I kicked at him and he started off back towards town, "Damn idiot," I looked behind me, A small crowd of ponies and men had formed, "Why y'all standin around!? We got work to do!" The crowd quickly dispersed and everyone got back to work, "Ventulan, Birch, get over here!" An older man and a stallion ran over, "Ventulan start some ties and clear some space, were taking this mother down," he nodded and started shouting at the other workers, "Birch get some ponies harnessed up to a sled, we're takin this thing to the mill" "Right!" He hurried off to get his people ready. A few others started tying ropes to the top and middle of the tree. "Alright boss! We're ready!" Alright showtime, I looked at the imposing height. Lucas had started limbing the thing sloppily before felling it, idiot... "Clear out and get ready!" I cut the hinge into the base, "Everybody clear!?" Our safety advisory gave a quick nod, "Alright..." I cut the bored through the center, "Wedge!" A younger stallion ran up and shoved a wedge into the newly formed gap, "Alright...here we go," I found a sledge and got ready to bring it down, "CLEAR OUT!" I brought the sledge to bear against the wedge and the tree started to tip, "THERE IT GOES!" I backed up and watched at the tree slid away and slammed into the ground, "BAM! Ventulan get some boys limbing this thing, Birch that skidder ready!?" "Ready to go!" He popped up next to me as the skidder was set into position. "Great work," I left him to help with the limbing, it was quick concidering how many of us there were, "Alright...looks good, LOAD IT UP!" Everyone that wasnt busy ran over to help us get it under the skidder. Once it was beneath it it was chained up and hoisted a few inches up, "Alright Birch, yours now!" "Right, COME ON BOYS!" He hurried and got his stallions pulling the log down the crude path to the mill. "First cut of the day....Alright boys we got work to do!" I hurried to our next cut while another group started working on the stump. By law we had to remove the entire tree and plant one in it's place once it was no longer in danger of being crushed. The next tree was as routine as the last, "Load it up!" Another team was set up and started off towards the mill, "Alright good work lets keep up the momentum!" "Alright everyone! Let's wrap this one up and get back to the mill!" There was a quick cheer before the last log was tied to a skidder and we all started off to the mill, "If you're not on mill duty you're free to leave!" About a third of the group dissipated, the rest kept on the path towards the mill. "Alright boys good haul for the day!" The last of the logs was set in the yard while my crew worked on bucking, debarking, and seasoning the wood, "Birch you're in charge until the shift is over, here," I gave him a bag of bits, "The Skidding crew drinks on me tonight!" A quick cheer rang out, "Before y'all complain, you boys aint the ones pulling these things half a mile!" There was a few grumbles from the non skidding crews, "Same time tomorrow, eat a good breakfast, we're pulling ten or so down tomorrow!" I started out of the mill, "...kid's gonna get out soon...better hurry," Where is she? "Hey kid...you seen a cream colored filly with a brown mane?" I asked a passing student. "Truffle? She's still inside..." "Ah...thanks kid," I started towards the schoolhouse. I could hear someone on the inside talking, I pushed inside. "-ents think!?" The teacher was scolding Truffle. "Dad!?" She turned to me looking utterly shocked. "....what happened?" I walked over next to her. "Mr. Harper, it's good to see yo again," Cheerilee smile rather kindly before turning back to Truffle, "Truffle said something rather rude to one of her classmates," "She started it!" "What did ya say?" I asked crossing my arms and looking down at her, "How bad was it," "....I-" "She called another student a bitch..." She obviously felt uncomfortable saying that, "I was going to send her home with a letter, but this is even better," "Why would you say that to someone?" I said with a scolding tone. "She made fun of me....called me floppy horned...." I looked up at the teacher, "It refers to low magical ability...." I looked back down at her, "Kid I never thought you'd let that get to you, come on....ma'am" I waved to the teacher and walked out with Truffle, "Ha....who'd you call a bitch?" "Some stupid filly....no one likes her anyways..." "Hey, I told you be nice to everyone....if she's a bully tell the teacher, don't call her a bitch...." "I know...it...it just kinda slipped out," I gave a deep sigh, "You do realize you're not watching a movie tonight," "What!? Of come on!" "Oh quite....gotta punish you somehow..." "...fine...." The walk home got real quiet. "Be mad if you want...but if I didn't you'd never take me serious," "....it still sucks...." "Yeah....let's just get home, I'll make something nice," "...hayfries?" "....fine," "Thanks dad...sorry I got in trouble," "Don't bother me....just try not to let others get to ya," I looked down at her, "You need a bath....wait down in the mud room, I aint letting you step on the carpet like that....should apologize to Fluttershy too," "It's not my fault! There's slush on the paths and it's all muddy!" "Where are your boots?!" "....oh yeah....I guess I forgot em," "Jesus kid....aint just your horn that doesn't work....maybe I should get you checked," "Hey!" "I'm kidding....come on, I really need to get you cleaned up," We hurried down the path into town, it was nice even if we didn't talk much. I wish I could do this more often... Tuesday"Dad!" The kid burst into my room. "Oh Jesus..." I rolled out of bed, "How is it you wake up before me?" "Dad come on!" "I'm comin....just...chill out," I pushed into the hall, using the doorway to keep upright, "Ok...whats wrong?" "I'm hungry...." "....your almost thirteen, do you really need me to cook for you still?" "Well....your awake...." "Jesus...." I walked past her into the kitchen, "What do you want?" "Uh....pancakes!" "....Jesus....wakin me up for pancakes...." I found a pan and some mix, "You gotta figure out how to do this for yourself...." "I know how....they just aren't as good..." "Cause ya burn em probably," I poured the batter into the pan. "Hey! It's hard!" "Loggin is hard....pancakes are....cake," Things were quiet for a bit, "When are you gonna take me with you!" "Where?" "Loggin!" She tried to match my accent. "Never...too dangerous," "But-" "No buts....besides I'm workin with some damn idiots....thinkin goin up a tree with a chainsaw's a good idea," "Is that bad?" "See....that's why you aint comin with me....look let's just finish this," I finally got a chance to focus on the pancakes. "....alright kid..." I stood up and cleaned off the table, "how early is it..." "Clock said six," I hurried and found a clock, six forty. "...alright kid go get ready, If ya hurry I can take ya myself today," "Really!?" "Well if ya hurry!" "Yes!" She scampered off into her room, "Finally!" "Jesus kid...I'm gonna be late now," She stepped off the landing avoiding the mud she landed in yesterday. "Not if you hurry!" She trotted off slightly faster than normal, "Come onnnnn!" She darted off ahead of me. "Christ kid...you're like the ferals back in Montana, you wanna stop runnin!?" "But Daaa-" I could see her silhouette stop and fall to the ground. "Dammit kid...." I started running to her, once I caught up I could see truffle almost unconscious on the ground, "Jesus kid....it's a tree....and you wanna come to work with me?" I picked her up and set her upright, "You ok?" "Wha~" "Ya ran into a tree kid..." "What....tree?" "Jesus....come on kid," I scooped her up and over my shoulder. once that was sorted I started back down the road. "Where am I?" "Goin to school..." "Dad?" "Yep..." "Your taking me to school?" She sounded groggy, understandable considering what just happened, "Awesome..." I felt her jaw hit my back again. "You really hit that thing hard...." Part of me was proud to have a kid take a hit so well, the other half of me was utterly flummoxed as to how she could run into a tree like that. "Kid...we're here," "Huh~" "Your pretty early...you gonna be ok?" "What?" She still sounded out of it. "....let me see if your teacher's here," I went up to the door and gave a few quick knocks. "One second!" I heard something heavy hit the ground. The door quickly popped open, "Oh Mr. Harper, how are you?" "Decent...this'n ran right into a tree," "A tree?" "Yeah I know...she ain't always the brightest," I set her on the ground, she was really damn wobbly. "Oh my...is she ok?" "She'll be fine...I just don't really want to leave her waiting outside and I gotta get to work, you mind letting her stay inside?" "Oh, no it perfectly fine," She backed away keeping the door open. "Thank ya," I walked in and looked around, "Which desk is hers?" "Oh...this one," She trotted next to one on the middle left, "If you don't mind me asking...why did you bring her today, usually it's Fluttershy," I set Truffle into her seat. Her head quickly met the desk. "...well she woke me up early, most of the time I have to get to work, I cant be late, when I'm late people get hurt," "I don't understand?" "I work as a logger near the Everfree, I run the entire operation, without me the fools I hire tend to get things mixed up or they fell a tree in the wrong place, just....they're just dumb..." "I see...well I won't keep you," "Yeah....maybe we can talk more later, I just need to go and make sure no one kills themselves," I gave Truffle a quick kiss on the forehead and hurried out. "Sorry boys, caught up with some personal stuff!" The crew got up and ready, "Alright, Miter come here," A chocolate brown pegasus walked over, "Follow me," I lead him to a small area with some boards on the ground and a desk, I pulled a small map out and pointed out some areas, "Take some chalk or something mark these trees, here, here, and...here," I pulled a few tags from the desk, "Here, just hang em on the trees," "Sure boss," he took them and quickly flew off. "Good....alright boys! Three crews, Ash, Lucas, you're leading crews, check your hinges and clear the felling area. Any questions!?" There was a quick roar, "Good, split up and head out, ten men per crew!" There was a quick hustle, Lucas ran by me, I caught him with my arm, "Kid....clean up your act, someone gets hurt out there you're out," "...don't worry man...I got this," He pulled away and ran to gather up a group. "Birch!" The pale yellow pony ran over to me. "Yes sir!" "Get two skidders per crew, we're running double time today!" "Right away!" He hurried off. "Fuckin love that guy....Alright gentlemen, follow me and let's get started!" A gathered up my veterans and we headed out, "Oh down the river~" "Alright Pete! Bring it down!" Pete was a monster, a beast of a man. He smacked the wedge into the tree and it quickly fell and slammed into the ground, "WHOOooo!" "Good work boys," I went over and helped line up the skidder, "Come on, we ain't done yet!" My crew ran over and helped set the thing onto the skidder, "And...it's good, GET THIS SKIDDER GOING!" I could hear the earthponies straining before the wheels turned and off it went, "And that is why they get the big bucks!" *HISS...POP* "Oh shit look!" The skidder stopped and I looked up, sure enough a red flare was slowly falling back to earth. "Aw fuck.....Come on boys! Y'all get the skidder going we ain't on break!" The skidder got started again while everyone else started running to the flare. "Fuck me..." It was a mess, someone being pulled from under a tree, a broken skidded, and a load of pained moans, "Fuck fuck fuck! Miter," The pegasus ran up to me, "Go notify the hospital, we got a lot of injured," He didn't answer, he just took off, "Someone go get some stretchers!" I looked back at my crew, three people had run off, "We're gonna need a lot, GET GOIN" Anther five quickly joined them, "Right Pete see if you can help them lift the tree off him, Bakers cut them out of the skidder," I handed him my knife, "Hurry up boys we ain't got time for this!" I hurried to check on the boys in the skidder. "Jesus christ..." I groaned pulling the skidder bindings taut for Bakers to cut. "I can't belive you let that kid run this crew..." Bakers groaned cutting one of the stallions free, "That kids a fuckin idiot," "I shoulda fuck sent Ventulan..." The stallion was freed, "Get him out!" Two men went and pulled him free. I set the skidder back down and we moved to the next in line, "Shit...Get some others cuttin em free!" There was no way we could cut seven stallions free quick enough, "COME ON YOU RETARDS!" The last crew showed up, "You take over!" I pulled a man over and he assumed my position. I could hear Lucas yelling, "Lift it up dumbass!" I ran over to the pinned man near the crown of the tree. "Kid get the fuck outta here! Duncan get this dipshit outta here!" Pete yelled shoving Lucas into me. "Lucas leave! Don't you dare fuckin come back!" "But I-" "FUCK OFF!" I pushed him, tripping him over the branches, "YOU'RE FUCKIN OUTTA HERE!" I went back to the man under the tree, it looked like one of the branches was imbedded in the back of his leg, "Jesus...someone get me a chainsaw!" A man ran over and handed me a saw, "Pete once the branch is cut it's gonna fall...you gotta keep him from getting crushed, you two!" A unicorn and a man ran over, "Once I cut this you pull him free! You got twenty seconds...make it count!" They got poised, "Three...two....one!" I brought the chainsaw down and cut the branch free. The duo pulled him free as Pete let the branch fall, "Sir we got the stretchers and the first aid gear!" Someone ran over to me and set the gear down. "Pete go help the boys with the skidder, MEDIC!" A man ran over, "Here, I'm gonna pull this out, you patch him up," "Sir I don-" "Give him the morphine and get ready!" He hesitantly injected the man and got ready, "Ok....three....two....ONE!" It took two quick pulls but the branch was pulled free, "Son of a bitch," Blood started pouring out from his leg, quickly the medic wrapped the wound and yelled at me to keep pressure. "Fucking hell....we need to get him to the hospital quick..." "Fuck me....you, over there, help me out!" I got him to take my place, "Help me get him onto a stretcher!" It took a some strange maneuvering but he was safely on the stretcher, "Medic stay on him, someone take the other side!" Someone quickly took it up and we started back into town. We passed the skidder, everyone was freed and headed out, "Ventulan! Dismiss everyone once the injured are gone!" "Right," We just hurried into town. "Get them inside!" I ran up to the doctor, "Dear Luna this is terrible," The medic looked up, "He needs to get into surgery now! If not he's gonna lose this leg!" "Fine! This way!" We ran into the front of the hospital, a load of men and ponies were sitting in the lobby or lined up on the ground. The doctor lead us to a hall with a marked ER, "Set him down and we can take care of it!" We complied and quickly walked out. I found Birch in the lobby, "Celestia....this is bad....this is really bad...." "Fucking Lucas....I shoulda fired that kid, I thought if I kept him in a position without tools he'd be fine..." I said as we walked outside, "Fucking shit!" "We're down a skidder...down a crew....are..are we still gonna cut tomorrow," "..We have to....got deadlines....do me a favor...go check the site, make sure everyone is accounted for or dismissed," "Sure..." He trotted off. "Dammit...." It was late my now, "Oh shit...the kid!" I started off towards the school. "Kid!?" I burst into the school house. "Daddy!" She ran over to me and wrapped her hooves around my neck. "We heard about what happened, are you alright?!" The teacher walked over, "You're covered in blood!" "Dear god...kid I'm sorry...." I wrapped my hand around the back of her head, "I'm fine....blood ain't mine," "But-" "A tree skewered one of my workers....we got him to the hospital," I lifted the kid up, keeping her supported my by hands, "Sorry if I don't tell ya about it, I need to get her home," I started out the door. "Of course....stay safe!" "Easy kid," I set her down into her bed, "Just take a quick nap..." "But..." "No buts...you don't look too good," "I thought you left me alone again," "Never kid....I'd never do that," "I know...I just..." I tucked her in, "Just relax kid...I need to go talk with somebody...stay here, you get hungry theirs cereal on the table, thirsty theirs juice," "Dad...please...." She grabbed my pantleg, "Please don't go," "Sorry kid...I wont be long I promise," I pulled her hoof off and set it back next to her, "I just need to....make sure about somethings," "....just hurry....please...." She watched me as I left, "Bye daddy...." *Bang Bang* "Fluttershy!" "Duncan!?" I heard hooves on ground, "Duncan...I saw the ponies...are you ok?" "Fine...listen I need to ask you a favor...can I come in?" "Oh...of course," I walked in and stopped in the entry, "I need to ask you two favors...one...should something like this happen again...can you pick up the kid from school?" "Of course," "And second....if....if I end up....gone...find my family, I'll give you their number, their dress, just...just promise that if I'm gone you'll get the kid to my family, I don't want her to go back to being....without a family," "Oh....I-" "Please, I don't plan on letting it happen...but I just want to be sure, the kid's lost a lot...I don't want to take away what I gave her," "....yes...I'll do it," I gave a deep exhale, "...thanks...really, I know that was kinda heavy...." "You're....being realistic..." "I know...and I'm sorry for asking this, but you know her better than most," "I understand...you should probably get back to her...." "Yeah...I just wanted to...figure things out," "It's fine...be safe," "Kid?" "Dad!?" She ran from the kitchen and wrapped herself around my leg, "You're back!" "I just took care so some things....you like Fluttershy right?" "Yeah...why," "....no reason," "You're not gonna be her special somepony are you?" "What? No...." "ok....just wondering," "Kid shouldn't you be in bed?" I said scooping her up again. "But it's so early..." "You woke up early...tell ya what...I'll read ya to sleep," "Really?" "Why would I lie?" "....well you said you'd be safe..." "I was safe...I had to save others....the guy who was in charge did something stupid, got a lot of people hurt. He's not coming back...." "Did you kill him?" "No...nothing like that...be better if he just left this place though..." I set her down in her bed, "Anyways....how about Daring Doo?" "Yeah..." I grabbed one of her books and pulled it open. "Daring Doo and the lost kingdom..." Wednesday*Knock knock* "Kid," I shifted side to side in front of her door, "Time to get up," No answer, "Kid, I'm comin in," I slowly pushed the door open, "Kid? Kid!?" She was nowhere to be seen, "Jesus...KID!?" I turned and went into the hall, "Truffle where the hell are ya!?" "Dad!?" "Jesus.....Kid where the hell are ya!" "Outside!" "Man...." I made my way out the back door, there she was, boots hastily tied and a saddled skewed on her back, "Kid why the hell are you outside!?" "I woke up early...are you mad at me?" She said flinching away from me. "...no...I'm not mad...ya shoulda told me you were going out....scared the hell outta me," I stepped out into the slush that was quickly turned to mud underfoot, "What are you doing out here?" "Practicing my magic, I've been throwing rocks into the woods....so you're really not mad," She trotted over to me. "No I'm not mad....so....how it coming along," She gave a quick grin and turned towards the woods, A stone glowed faintly before being hurled into the woods. "Ive got force down, now I just need endurance and precision!" She threw another stone. "You sure know a lot about this stuff," I took a seat on my porch, "Good to see you actually practicing," A strange thought ran through my head, "....kid how you feel about going to work with me today?" She was caught off guard and lauched a rock extremely high. "Really!? But you said-" "I know...I decided to stop the logging until I figure out what happened, figure that'll give the boys a chance to put in some time at the mill and wait until we get a new skidder," She just smile, "...you have no idea what I'm talkin about do ya?" "Not really but it sounds pretty cool!" I set my hand on my head and cradled my face in my arm. "...Christ kid.....if anyone at school asks, you were sick....and come here, your clothes are all bunched up," She trotted over and I quickly fixed her saddle and double knotted her boots, "Next thing you gotta learn is how to tie a knot...." "Atleast I can...I mean...like ear-" "With the hooves yeah I get it," I stood up and stepped off my porch, "Well...come on...Stay close!" "Alright....geez," We started off down the path to the logging camp. "Hey boss...what's with the kid?" A man yelled from atop a log. "Ok boys...after some dileberation I decided to stop logging for the day," There was a quick volly of groans and questions, "Listen! Yall can head down the the mill if ya still need to get some work done, Ventulan you're in charge. Miter, Birch I'm gonna need yall to stick around," There was a quick bustle before people started filing out, Miter and Birch quickly met me, "Ok...Miter I need a full report on what you saw yesterday, get that to my by tomorrow, Birch I need you do two things: set an order for a new skidder and get a crew to salvage the old one, got it?" "Yes sir," "Yep!" "Good...enjoy the day off," I hurried off towards the site of yesterdays problems. "Who were they," Truffle ran up next to me. "The brown one's our lookout, names Miter. The other one runs the skidder crews they move the logs once their cut," "What's a skidder?" "....I- actually...there's still the broken one out there..." I said sidestepping a puddle. "Then lets hurry," She started to run only for me to catch her by the saddle. "Kid don't be runnin, you could trip or fall on something you really don't want to fall on..." I set her down next to me. "Like what?" "Like an axe....these dumb asses tend to forget their tools out here," She looked slightly confused. "How do you forget an axe?" "...a very good question...I don't know," "oh...." "Yep...so just watch your step," He kept on down the barely carved path. "Boss! Hey boss!" That was Miter. "Miter? Whats going on?" He quickly glided down to me. "Almost forgot...letter came in for you," He handed me a sealed letter, "Kinda important....thats all," He quickly took off again. "Wow...he could be a wonderbolt!" Truffle gawked as I looked the letter over. "What the hell's winter wrap up....doesn't matter, I'll read it later," I stuffed the note in my pocket, "Come on" "Wow....their so tall..." She said looking at the canopy. "Kid watch your step..." She quickly looked back down, "Whelp....here we are," A stump, a log, and a broken skidder, "Go look at the skidder if you want, just stay in the area," "Sure," She quickly trotted over to look at the device while I went to examine the stump. "Let's see...." I knelt down to look at the hinge, I could tell immediately it was a horrid angle. The cut was sloppy as well. I looked over at he skidder, laying under the center of the tree, "Musta...." I line my arm up with where the cut was meant to go and slowly lowered it to where it was, "Yep......cut shifted and the entire thing went way off course....no safety lines.....that fuckin fool," "Hey dad what is this?" Truffle ran over levitating a small piece of metal, "I found it next to the thing." I took it from her, it was part of the tags I gave Miter, "Ah....this here is how we mark which trees to cut, it's a little metal tag with a chain," I pocketed it, "Good eyes kid," She gave a wide smile and looked at the stump. "It's not supposed to look like that is it?" She pointed to the extremely frayed side. "Nope....sure aint," I stood up, "So how's the skidder look?" "Broken," "Really? I had no idea," She scrunched her muzzle up in agitation, "easy kid, I'm just pushing yer buttons," We walked over to the skidder, the limbers had sunken into the mud and the right wheel had caved outward, "....damn..." "There were ponies in this weren't there?" "Yep.....all along the limbers....." I pointed up and down the limbers. "Are they ok?" "Yeah....got em all to the hospital," "...you were...blood...yesterday," I looked over towards the now cut branches. "Yeah.....one a my boys caught a branch through his leg....he should be fine though....I hope," I stood up, "You don't want details...come on, lets get back...ain't much to say about this..." "So...what now?" "Well...you're supposed to be at school...you wanna learn something?" She nodded frantically, "follow me," I hurried back to the logging camp. "Ok.....first we survey the area, make sure theirs room for the tree to fall," I lead her around the site, "See anything wrong," She looked around. "What about that thing?" She pointed to a large boulder thirty feet away. "Right, so we cut away from it...next step, I make the boys tie lines to the top of the tree, not required but if things go bad it gives people time to get clear," I set my tools down and got ready to climb up. A few minutes later their was two lines tied towards the cut. "So....if it falls....like that," She pointed to the left of the ropes, "It...catches it?" "Yeah, it doesn't last long but it's enough time to realize things are wrong and get away safe, next...we make our first cut," I pulled my chainsaw over, "Get nice and clear kid," Once she was a safe distance I cut the hinge out. Once I shut the saw down she trotted cautiously over. "You wanna get the right angle, and make it strait, you do it right it'll fall perfectly strait." She ran her hoof along the cut, "Next we cut a bore out," She cleared out again and I cut the main bore through it. I quickly found a wedge and jammed it between the tree and the stump, "Kid this is it, one more quick cut and it'll fall," She looked over the gap and tapped the wedge, "careful kid, you knock that hard enough the thing could fall early," She jerked her hoof back. "So...this is it?" "Almost....get far back, real far," She galloped off hiding next to he boulder. I started up the saw and cut the final bit of the bore. The tree slowly fell forward landing right between the tied lines. I looked back to see her eyes wide, watching the tree slam into the ground. "Whoa..." She ran over once the tree was at full stop, "That was cool!" She ran her hoof along the cut, "When can I do that!?" "When you can use a chainsaw," I hoisted the rest of my tools, "Come on....lets get lunch," "Bucky's?" "....eh...why not Bucky's sounds good," We started off back to town. Bucky's was a decent if slightly greasy fast food place. It would be a nice change from sitting out in the cold. "Greasy....." Truffle moaned in delight, "Hay fries are sooo good," I rolled my eyes and dug my hand into my pocket. I unfolded the letter from earlier, "To the owner of Harper woodwork's.....assistance is requested.....replanting on sweetapple acers...." "Wait....for Winter Wrap Up!?" "...looks like it..." "Oh you're taking me with you for that!" "What is it?" "This big thing were they clean up winter and wake up all the animals!" "Alright...it says they'll explain it when we get there....wait..." I looked at the date, "Oh god dammit....it's tomorrow, this letters a week late!" "Awesome...two day's off school in a row..." "Christ.....I need to post a bulletin," I stood from the table, "Let's get back home," "But-" "Finish your food quick," I cleared the table except for her food, "I need to move some stuff around..."
Monday"Dad? Daaad? Dad?!" "...*sigh*....out back!" I could hear her running out the back door, "Hey there you are!" She ran over to me, "What ya doing?" I rubbed my face and gave a quick pull on my beard, "Chopping firewood...." "Can I help?" She asked with a toothy grin. "...no, aint safe," Her face scrunched up, "Come on, I can do it!" "...you cant even pick up a book, how you gonna lift an axe?" I reached over and gave her horn a quick flick, "Gotta keep practicing," She looked flustered, "Oh come on, please?" "....no, but you can stay if you want," I reached over and found a pair of safety glasses, "Here, put these on," She tried to levitate the glasses only managing to pull them from my hand and onto the floor, she looked disappointed while she scooped them off the ground "Don't worry kid, you'll get it down," "Maybe..." "No, you will," I hoisted my axe up and poised it to split the log, "Practice makes perfect," I brought the axe down and the log split in two, "Just keep at it and you'll get better and better," I got ready for another swing. "But dad....." I brought my axe down again making quarters, "No buts...you wanna be good at something it takes practice," I brought the axe up and unbound the bundle, four equal splits fell apart, "Alright...go get ready, gonna take you down to Fluttershy's" I retied the wood and dragged it to the front of my cabin. "But dad...when are you gonna take me to school?" "I want to....but those kids out in the wood's are gonna get themselves killed without me," I tossed the bundle onto the path, "Now hurry up, don't want to be late," She scurried into the cabin and got ready, ".....come on kid," She took about ten minutes to get ready, jumping off the landing and almost slipping on the muddy ground, "Whoa!" "Truffle! Christ! You're gonna get to school all muddy...." "It'll wash off!" I just shook my head, "Come on then...let's get going," I hoisted the firewood onto my shoulder and we started down the path into town. *knock knock knock* "-called me a foal!" "Ok kid....ok," I could hear a soft patter breaking the silence. The door creeped open, "Fluttershy?" "Oh....Duncan....hi," She pushed the door open, "Hello Truffle," "HI!" She ran up to hug her, a bit of mud getting stuck to he back of her mane. "....so here's the firewood," I set it down next to her door, "And thanks again for takin her to school," She noticed the mud on her and gave a quick frown, "...it's no problem," She trotted out and closed her door, "Just be careful out there...I mean...I don't want you to get hurt..." "I don't plan on being anything but careful, alright kid see you later," "Bye Dad!" We went our own ways and I finally had some peace and quite. Gloves....helmet....coat....better hurry up, I hurried back out of my cabin and into the forest, "Damn cold out here," Yet again I was greeted by the sound of a chainsaw, "Duncan hey!" I looked up to see a young man named Lucas hanging off the top of a tree. "Lucas get the hell down before you hurt yourself!" I hurried to the tree and stared him down. "It's fine!" "Lucas get the fuck down!" He looked around and slowly lowered himself down the tree, "You fuckin idiot...takin a chainsaw up there with you!" He got to the floor, "Oh you gotta be shitting me, you don't even have it secured to your belt!?" He walked over to me, "What's the big-" "Get! Go home, come back when you can make some right fuckin decisions!" He looked utterly confused. "Just cause I-" "You took an unsecured chainsaw up a tree, what woulda happened if you dropped that fuckin thing!?" I grabbed the chainsaw from him, "You damn fool, come back tomorrow," "But I-" "Why you still here!? Get!" I kicked at him and he started off back towards town, "Damn idiot," I looked behind me, A small crowd of ponies and men had formed, "Why y'all standin around!? We got work to do!" The crowd quickly dispersed and everyone got back to work, "Ventulan, Birch, get over here!" An older man and a stallion ran over, "Ventulan start some ties and clear some space, were taking this mother down," he nodded and started shouting at the other workers, "Birch get some ponies harnessed up to a sled, we're takin this thing to the mill" "Right!" He hurried off to get his people ready. A few others started tying ropes to the top and middle of the tree. "Alright boss! We're ready!" Alright showtime, I looked at the imposing height. Lucas had started limbing the thing sloppily before felling it, idiot... "Clear out and get ready!" I cut the hinge into the base, "Everybody clear!?" Our safety advisory gave a quick nod, "Alright..." I cut the bored through the center, "Wedge!" A younger stallion ran up and shoved a wedge into the newly formed gap, "Alright...here we go," I found a sledge and got ready to bring it down, "CLEAR OUT!" I brought the sledge to bear against the wedge and the tree started to tip, "THERE IT GOES!" I backed up and watched at the tree slid away and slammed into the ground, "BAM! Ventulan get some boys limbing this thing, Birch that skidder ready!?" "Ready to go!" He popped up next to me as the skidder was set into position. "Great work," I left him to help with the limbing, it was quick concidering how many of us there were, "Alright...looks good, LOAD IT UP!" Everyone that wasnt busy ran over to help us get it under the skidder. Once it was beneath it it was chained up and hoisted a few inches up, "Alright Birch, yours now!" "Right, COME ON BOYS!" He hurried and got his stallions pulling the log down the crude path to the mill. "First cut of the day....Alright boys we got work to do!" I hurried to our next cut while another group started working on the stump. By law we had to remove the entire tree and plant one in it's place once it was no longer in danger of being crushed. The next tree was as routine as the last, "Load it up!" Another team was set up and started off towards the mill, "Alright good work lets keep up the momentum!" "Alright everyone! Let's wrap this one up and get back to the mill!" There was a quick cheer before the last log was tied to a skidder and we all started off to the mill, "If you're not on mill duty you're free to leave!" About a third of the group dissipated, the rest kept on the path towards the mill. "Alright boys good haul for the day!" The last of the logs was set in the yard while my crew worked on bucking, debarking, and seasoning the wood, "Birch you're in charge until the shift is over, here," I gave him a bag of bits, "The Skidding crew drinks on me tonight!" A quick cheer rang out, "Before y'all complain, you boys aint the ones pulling these things half a mile!" There was a few grumbles from the non skidding crews, "Same time tomorrow, eat a good breakfast, we're pulling ten or so down tomorrow!" I started out of the mill, "...kid's gonna get out soon...better hurry," Where is she? "Hey kid...you seen a cream colored filly with a brown mane?" I asked a passing student. "Truffle? She's still inside..." "Ah...thanks kid," I started towards the schoolhouse. I could hear someone on the inside talking, I pushed inside. "-ents think!?" The teacher was scolding Truffle. "Dad!?" She turned to me looking utterly shocked. "....what happened?" I walked over next to her. "Mr. Harper, it's good to see yo again," Cheerilee smile rather kindly before turning back to Truffle, "Truffle said something rather rude to one of her classmates," "She started it!" "What did ya say?" I asked crossing my arms and looking down at her, "How bad was it," "....I-" "She called another student a bitch..." She obviously felt uncomfortable saying that, "I was going to send her home with a letter, but this is even better," "Why would you say that to someone?" I said with a scolding tone. "She made fun of me....called me floppy horned...." I looked up at the teacher, "It refers to low magical ability...." I looked back down at her, "Kid I never thought you'd let that get to you, come on....ma'am" I waved to the teacher and walked out with Truffle, "Ha....who'd you call a bitch?" "Some stupid filly....no one likes her anyways..." "Hey, I told you be nice to everyone....if she's a bully tell the teacher, don't call her a bitch...." "I know...it...it just kinda slipped out," I gave a deep sigh, "You do realize you're not watching a movie tonight," "What!? Of come on!" "Oh quite....gotta punish you somehow..." "...fine...." The walk home got real quiet. "Be mad if you want...but if I didn't you'd never take me serious," "....it still sucks...." "Yeah....let's just get home, I'll make something nice," "...hayfries?" "....fine," "Thanks dad...sorry I got in trouble," "Don't bother me....just try not to let others get to ya," I looked down at her, "You need a bath....wait down in the mud room, I aint letting you step on the carpet like that....should apologize to Fluttershy too," "It's not my fault! There's slush on the paths and it's all muddy!" "Where are your boots?!" "....oh yeah....I guess I forgot em," "Jesus kid....aint just your horn that doesn't work....maybe I should get you checked," "Hey!" "I'm kidding....come on, I really need to get you cleaned up," We hurried down the path into town, it was nice even if we didn't talk much. I wish I could do this more often...
Tuesday"Dad!" The kid burst into my room. "Oh Jesus..." I rolled out of bed, "How is it you wake up before me?" "Dad come on!" "I'm comin....just...chill out," I pushed into the hall, using the doorway to keep upright, "Ok...whats wrong?" "I'm hungry...." "....your almost thirteen, do you really need me to cook for you still?" "Well....your awake...." "Jesus...." I walked past her into the kitchen, "What do you want?" "Uh....pancakes!" "....Jesus....wakin me up for pancakes...." I found a pan and some mix, "You gotta figure out how to do this for yourself...." "I know how....they just aren't as good..." "Cause ya burn em probably," I poured the batter into the pan. "Hey! It's hard!" "Loggin is hard....pancakes are....cake," Things were quiet for a bit, "When are you gonna take me with you!" "Where?" "Loggin!" She tried to match my accent. "Never...too dangerous," "But-" "No buts....besides I'm workin with some damn idiots....thinkin goin up a tree with a chainsaw's a good idea," "Is that bad?" "See....that's why you aint comin with me....look let's just finish this," I finally got a chance to focus on the pancakes. "....alright kid..." I stood up and cleaned off the table, "how early is it..." "Clock said six," I hurried and found a clock, six forty. "...alright kid go get ready, If ya hurry I can take ya myself today," "Really!?" "Well if ya hurry!" "Yes!" She scampered off into her room, "Finally!" "Jesus kid...I'm gonna be late now," She stepped off the landing avoiding the mud she landed in yesterday. "Not if you hurry!" She trotted off slightly faster than normal, "Come onnnnn!" She darted off ahead of me. "Christ kid...you're like the ferals back in Montana, you wanna stop runnin!?" "But Daaa-" I could see her silhouette stop and fall to the ground. "Dammit kid...." I started running to her, once I caught up I could see truffle almost unconscious on the ground, "Jesus kid....it's a tree....and you wanna come to work with me?" I picked her up and set her upright, "You ok?" "Wha~" "Ya ran into a tree kid..." "What....tree?" "Jesus....come on kid," I scooped her up and over my shoulder. once that was sorted I started back down the road. "Where am I?" "Goin to school..." "Dad?" "Yep..." "Your taking me to school?" She sounded groggy, understandable considering what just happened, "Awesome..." I felt her jaw hit my back again. "You really hit that thing hard...." Part of me was proud to have a kid take a hit so well, the other half of me was utterly flummoxed as to how she could run into a tree like that. "Kid...we're here," "Huh~" "Your pretty early...you gonna be ok?" "What?" She still sounded out of it. "....let me see if your teacher's here," I went up to the door and gave a few quick knocks. "One second!" I heard something heavy hit the ground. The door quickly popped open, "Oh Mr. Harper, how are you?" "Decent...this'n ran right into a tree," "A tree?" "Yeah I know...she ain't always the brightest," I set her on the ground, she was really damn wobbly. "Oh my...is she ok?" "She'll be fine...I just don't really want to leave her waiting outside and I gotta get to work, you mind letting her stay inside?" "Oh, no it perfectly fine," She backed away keeping the door open. "Thank ya," I walked in and looked around, "Which desk is hers?" "Oh...this one," She trotted next to one on the middle left, "If you don't mind me asking...why did you bring her today, usually it's Fluttershy," I set Truffle into her seat. Her head quickly met the desk. "...well she woke me up early, most of the time I have to get to work, I cant be late, when I'm late people get hurt," "I don't understand?" "I work as a logger near the Everfree, I run the entire operation, without me the fools I hire tend to get things mixed up or they fell a tree in the wrong place, just....they're just dumb..." "I see...well I won't keep you," "Yeah....maybe we can talk more later, I just need to go and make sure no one kills themselves," I gave Truffle a quick kiss on the forehead and hurried out. "Sorry boys, caught up with some personal stuff!" The crew got up and ready, "Alright, Miter come here," A chocolate brown pegasus walked over, "Follow me," I lead him to a small area with some boards on the ground and a desk, I pulled a small map out and pointed out some areas, "Take some chalk or something mark these trees, here, here, and...here," I pulled a few tags from the desk, "Here, just hang em on the trees," "Sure boss," he took them and quickly flew off. "Good....alright boys! Three crews, Ash, Lucas, you're leading crews, check your hinges and clear the felling area. Any questions!?" There was a quick roar, "Good, split up and head out, ten men per crew!" There was a quick hustle, Lucas ran by me, I caught him with my arm, "Kid....clean up your act, someone gets hurt out there you're out," "...don't worry man...I got this," He pulled away and ran to gather up a group. "Birch!" The pale yellow pony ran over to me. "Yes sir!" "Get two skidders per crew, we're running double time today!" "Right away!" He hurried off. "Fuckin love that guy....Alright gentlemen, follow me and let's get started!" A gathered up my veterans and we headed out, "Oh down the river~" "Alright Pete! Bring it down!" Pete was a monster, a beast of a man. He smacked the wedge into the tree and it quickly fell and slammed into the ground, "WHOOooo!" "Good work boys," I went over and helped line up the skidder, "Come on, we ain't done yet!" My crew ran over and helped set the thing onto the skidder, "And...it's good, GET THIS SKIDDER GOING!" I could hear the earthponies straining before the wheels turned and off it went, "And that is why they get the big bucks!" *HISS...POP* "Oh shit look!" The skidder stopped and I looked up, sure enough a red flare was slowly falling back to earth. "Aw fuck.....Come on boys! Y'all get the skidder going we ain't on break!" The skidder got started again while everyone else started running to the flare. "Fuck me..." It was a mess, someone being pulled from under a tree, a broken skidded, and a load of pained moans, "Fuck fuck fuck! Miter," The pegasus ran up to me, "Go notify the hospital, we got a lot of injured," He didn't answer, he just took off, "Someone go get some stretchers!" I looked back at my crew, three people had run off, "We're gonna need a lot, GET GOIN" Anther five quickly joined them, "Right Pete see if you can help them lift the tree off him, Bakers cut them out of the skidder," I handed him my knife, "Hurry up boys we ain't got time for this!" I hurried to check on the boys in the skidder. "Jesus christ..." I groaned pulling the skidder bindings taut for Bakers to cut. "I can't belive you let that kid run this crew..." Bakers groaned cutting one of the stallions free, "That kids a fuckin idiot," "I shoulda fuck sent Ventulan..." The stallion was freed, "Get him out!" Two men went and pulled him free. I set the skidder back down and we moved to the next in line, "Shit...Get some others cuttin em free!" There was no way we could cut seven stallions free quick enough, "COME ON YOU RETARDS!" The last crew showed up, "You take over!" I pulled a man over and he assumed my position. I could hear Lucas yelling, "Lift it up dumbass!" I ran over to the pinned man near the crown of the tree. "Kid get the fuck outta here! Duncan get this dipshit outta here!" Pete yelled shoving Lucas into me. "Lucas leave! Don't you dare fuckin come back!" "But I-" "FUCK OFF!" I pushed him, tripping him over the branches, "YOU'RE FUCKIN OUTTA HERE!" I went back to the man under the tree, it looked like one of the branches was imbedded in the back of his leg, "Jesus...someone get me a chainsaw!" A man ran over and handed me a saw, "Pete once the branch is cut it's gonna fall...you gotta keep him from getting crushed, you two!" A unicorn and a man ran over, "Once I cut this you pull him free! You got twenty seconds...make it count!" They got poised, "Three...two....one!" I brought the chainsaw down and cut the branch free. The duo pulled him free as Pete let the branch fall, "Sir we got the stretchers and the first aid gear!" Someone ran over to me and set the gear down. "Pete go help the boys with the skidder, MEDIC!" A man ran over, "Here, I'm gonna pull this out, you patch him up," "Sir I don-" "Give him the morphine and get ready!" He hesitantly injected the man and got ready, "Ok....three....two....ONE!" It took two quick pulls but the branch was pulled free, "Son of a bitch," Blood started pouring out from his leg, quickly the medic wrapped the wound and yelled at me to keep pressure. "Fucking hell....we need to get him to the hospital quick..." "Fuck me....you, over there, help me out!" I got him to take my place, "Help me get him onto a stretcher!" It took a some strange maneuvering but he was safely on the stretcher, "Medic stay on him, someone take the other side!" Someone quickly took it up and we started back into town. We passed the skidder, everyone was freed and headed out, "Ventulan! Dismiss everyone once the injured are gone!" "Right," We just hurried into town. "Get them inside!" I ran up to the doctor, "Dear Luna this is terrible," The medic looked up, "He needs to get into surgery now! If not he's gonna lose this leg!" "Fine! This way!" We ran into the front of the hospital, a load of men and ponies were sitting in the lobby or lined up on the ground. The doctor lead us to a hall with a marked ER, "Set him down and we can take care of it!" We complied and quickly walked out. I found Birch in the lobby, "Celestia....this is bad....this is really bad...." "Fucking Lucas....I shoulda fired that kid, I thought if I kept him in a position without tools he'd be fine..." I said as we walked outside, "Fucking shit!" "We're down a skidder...down a crew....are..are we still gonna cut tomorrow," "..We have to....got deadlines....do me a favor...go check the site, make sure everyone is accounted for or dismissed," "Sure..." He trotted off. "Dammit...." It was late my now, "Oh shit...the kid!" I started off towards the school. "Kid!?" I burst into the school house. "Daddy!" She ran over to me and wrapped her hooves around my neck. "We heard about what happened, are you alright?!" The teacher walked over, "You're covered in blood!" "Dear god...kid I'm sorry...." I wrapped my hand around the back of her head, "I'm fine....blood ain't mine," "But-" "A tree skewered one of my workers....we got him to the hospital," I lifted the kid up, keeping her supported my by hands, "Sorry if I don't tell ya about it, I need to get her home," I started out the door. "Of course....stay safe!" "Easy kid," I set her down into her bed, "Just take a quick nap..." "But..." "No buts...you don't look too good," "I thought you left me alone again," "Never kid....I'd never do that," "I know...I just..." I tucked her in, "Just relax kid...I need to go talk with somebody...stay here, you get hungry theirs cereal on the table, thirsty theirs juice," "Dad...please...." She grabbed my pantleg, "Please don't go," "Sorry kid...I wont be long I promise," I pulled her hoof off and set it back next to her, "I just need to....make sure about somethings," "....just hurry....please...." She watched me as I left, "Bye daddy...." *Bang Bang* "Fluttershy!" "Duncan!?" I heard hooves on ground, "Duncan...I saw the ponies...are you ok?" "Fine...listen I need to ask you a favor...can I come in?" "Oh...of course," I walked in and stopped in the entry, "I need to ask you two favors...one...should something like this happen again...can you pick up the kid from school?" "Of course," "And second....if....if I end up....gone...find my family, I'll give you their number, their dress, just...just promise that if I'm gone you'll get the kid to my family, I don't want her to go back to being....without a family," "Oh....I-" "Please, I don't plan on letting it happen...but I just want to be sure, the kid's lost a lot...I don't want to take away what I gave her," "....yes...I'll do it," I gave a deep exhale, "...thanks...really, I know that was kinda heavy...." "You're....being realistic..." "I know...and I'm sorry for asking this, but you know her better than most," "I understand...you should probably get back to her...." "Yeah...I just wanted to...figure things out," "It's fine...be safe," "Kid?" "Dad!?" She ran from the kitchen and wrapped herself around my leg, "You're back!" "I just took care so some things....you like Fluttershy right?" "Yeah...why," "....no reason," "You're not gonna be her special somepony are you?" "What? No...." "ok....just wondering," "Kid shouldn't you be in bed?" I said scooping her up again. "But it's so early..." "You woke up early...tell ya what...I'll read ya to sleep," "Really?" "Why would I lie?" "....well you said you'd be safe..." "I was safe...I had to save others....the guy who was in charge did something stupid, got a lot of people hurt. He's not coming back...." "Did you kill him?" "No...nothing like that...be better if he just left this place though..." I set her down in her bed, "Anyways....how about Daring Doo?" "Yeah..." I grabbed one of her books and pulled it open. "Daring Doo and the lost kingdom..."
Wednesday*Knock knock* "Kid," I shifted side to side in front of her door, "Time to get up," No answer, "Kid, I'm comin in," I slowly pushed the door open, "Kid? Kid!?" She was nowhere to be seen, "Jesus...KID!?" I turned and went into the hall, "Truffle where the hell are ya!?" "Dad!?" "Jesus.....Kid where the hell are ya!" "Outside!" "Man...." I made my way out the back door, there she was, boots hastily tied and a saddled skewed on her back, "Kid why the hell are you outside!?" "I woke up early...are you mad at me?" She said flinching away from me. "...no...I'm not mad...ya shoulda told me you were going out....scared the hell outta me," I stepped out into the slush that was quickly turned to mud underfoot, "What are you doing out here?" "Practicing my magic, I've been throwing rocks into the woods....so you're really not mad," She trotted over to me. "No I'm not mad....so....how it coming along," She gave a quick grin and turned towards the woods, A stone glowed faintly before being hurled into the woods. "Ive got force down, now I just need endurance and precision!" She threw another stone. "You sure know a lot about this stuff," I took a seat on my porch, "Good to see you actually practicing," A strange thought ran through my head, "....kid how you feel about going to work with me today?" She was caught off guard and lauched a rock extremely high. "Really!? But you said-" "I know...I decided to stop the logging until I figure out what happened, figure that'll give the boys a chance to put in some time at the mill and wait until we get a new skidder," She just smile, "...you have no idea what I'm talkin about do ya?" "Not really but it sounds pretty cool!" I set my hand on my head and cradled my face in my arm. "...Christ kid.....if anyone at school asks, you were sick....and come here, your clothes are all bunched up," She trotted over and I quickly fixed her saddle and double knotted her boots, "Next thing you gotta learn is how to tie a knot...." "Atleast I can...I mean...like ear-" "With the hooves yeah I get it," I stood up and stepped off my porch, "Well...come on...Stay close!" "Alright....geez," We started off down the path to the logging camp. "Hey boss...what's with the kid?" A man yelled from atop a log. "Ok boys...after some dileberation I decided to stop logging for the day," There was a quick volly of groans and questions, "Listen! Yall can head down the the mill if ya still need to get some work done, Ventulan you're in charge. Miter, Birch I'm gonna need yall to stick around," There was a quick bustle before people started filing out, Miter and Birch quickly met me, "Ok...Miter I need a full report on what you saw yesterday, get that to my by tomorrow, Birch I need you do two things: set an order for a new skidder and get a crew to salvage the old one, got it?" "Yes sir," "Yep!" "Good...enjoy the day off," I hurried off towards the site of yesterdays problems. "Who were they," Truffle ran up next to me. "The brown one's our lookout, names Miter. The other one runs the skidder crews they move the logs once their cut," "What's a skidder?" "....I- actually...there's still the broken one out there..." I said sidestepping a puddle. "Then lets hurry," She started to run only for me to catch her by the saddle. "Kid don't be runnin, you could trip or fall on something you really don't want to fall on..." I set her down next to me. "Like what?" "Like an axe....these dumb asses tend to forget their tools out here," She looked slightly confused. "How do you forget an axe?" "...a very good question...I don't know," "oh...." "Yep...so just watch your step," He kept on down the barely carved path. "Boss! Hey boss!" That was Miter. "Miter? Whats going on?" He quickly glided down to me. "Almost forgot...letter came in for you," He handed me a sealed letter, "Kinda important....thats all," He quickly took off again. "Wow...he could be a wonderbolt!" Truffle gawked as I looked the letter over. "What the hell's winter wrap up....doesn't matter, I'll read it later," I stuffed the note in my pocket, "Come on" "Wow....their so tall..." She said looking at the canopy. "Kid watch your step..." She quickly looked back down, "Whelp....here we are," A stump, a log, and a broken skidder, "Go look at the skidder if you want, just stay in the area," "Sure," She quickly trotted over to look at the device while I went to examine the stump. "Let's see...." I knelt down to look at the hinge, I could tell immediately it was a horrid angle. The cut was sloppy as well. I looked over at he skidder, laying under the center of the tree, "Musta...." I line my arm up with where the cut was meant to go and slowly lowered it to where it was, "Yep......cut shifted and the entire thing went way off course....no safety lines.....that fuckin fool," "Hey dad what is this?" Truffle ran over levitating a small piece of metal, "I found it next to the thing." I took it from her, it was part of the tags I gave Miter, "Ah....this here is how we mark which trees to cut, it's a little metal tag with a chain," I pocketed it, "Good eyes kid," She gave a wide smile and looked at the stump. "It's not supposed to look like that is it?" She pointed to the extremely frayed side. "Nope....sure aint," I stood up, "So how's the skidder look?" "Broken," "Really? I had no idea," She scrunched her muzzle up in agitation, "easy kid, I'm just pushing yer buttons," We walked over to the skidder, the limbers had sunken into the mud and the right wheel had caved outward, "....damn..." "There were ponies in this weren't there?" "Yep.....all along the limbers....." I pointed up and down the limbers. "Are they ok?" "Yeah....got em all to the hospital," "...you were...blood...yesterday," I looked over towards the now cut branches. "Yeah.....one a my boys caught a branch through his leg....he should be fine though....I hope," I stood up, "You don't want details...come on, lets get back...ain't much to say about this..." "So...what now?" "Well...you're supposed to be at school...you wanna learn something?" She nodded frantically, "follow me," I hurried back to the logging camp. "Ok.....first we survey the area, make sure theirs room for the tree to fall," I lead her around the site, "See anything wrong," She looked around. "What about that thing?" She pointed to a large boulder thirty feet away. "Right, so we cut away from it...next step, I make the boys tie lines to the top of the tree, not required but if things go bad it gives people time to get clear," I set my tools down and got ready to climb up. A few minutes later their was two lines tied towards the cut. "So....if it falls....like that," She pointed to the left of the ropes, "It...catches it?" "Yeah, it doesn't last long but it's enough time to realize things are wrong and get away safe, next...we make our first cut," I pulled my chainsaw over, "Get nice and clear kid," Once she was a safe distance I cut the hinge out. Once I shut the saw down she trotted cautiously over. "You wanna get the right angle, and make it strait, you do it right it'll fall perfectly strait." She ran her hoof along the cut, "Next we cut a bore out," She cleared out again and I cut the main bore through it. I quickly found a wedge and jammed it between the tree and the stump, "Kid this is it, one more quick cut and it'll fall," She looked over the gap and tapped the wedge, "careful kid, you knock that hard enough the thing could fall early," She jerked her hoof back. "So...this is it?" "Almost....get far back, real far," She galloped off hiding next to he boulder. I started up the saw and cut the final bit of the bore. The tree slowly fell forward landing right between the tied lines. I looked back to see her eyes wide, watching the tree slam into the ground. "Whoa..." She ran over once the tree was at full stop, "That was cool!" She ran her hoof along the cut, "When can I do that!?" "When you can use a chainsaw," I hoisted the rest of my tools, "Come on....lets get lunch," "Bucky's?" "....eh...why not Bucky's sounds good," We started off back to town. Bucky's was a decent if slightly greasy fast food place. It would be a nice change from sitting out in the cold. "Greasy....." Truffle moaned in delight, "Hay fries are sooo good," I rolled my eyes and dug my hand into my pocket. I unfolded the letter from earlier, "To the owner of Harper woodwork's.....assistance is requested.....replanting on sweetapple acers...." "Wait....for Winter Wrap Up!?" "...looks like it..." "Oh you're taking me with you for that!" "What is it?" "This big thing were they clean up winter and wake up all the animals!" "Alright...it says they'll explain it when we get there....wait..." I looked at the date, "Oh god dammit....it's tomorrow, this letters a week late!" "Awesome...two day's off school in a row..." "Christ.....I need to post a bulletin," I stood from the table, "Let's get back home," "But-" "Finish your food quick," I cleared the table except for her food, "I need to move some stuff around..."
