4. Into the Eyes of Veterans

BerylDusk went out of his tent to see the dawn crest over the artificial horizon created by the mountains, therefore it was actually later in the morning than what it appeared to be.  The other soldiers were stirring as well, stretching their sore joints and backs or taking taste of the grasses they slept upon during the night, bare and open to the environment.  BerylDusk shivered at the thought.  He knew that he just could not sleep with the open sky above him with the constant gaze of the stars and moon on him.  Perhaps it was just that he was used to the life of being in the castle during his youth, with the secure stone walls protecting him from the elements.

"But I'm not a monarch right now.  I'm a commander," he reminded himself, "It's just the sacrifice that has to be made for peace."

A few of the awaken soldiers were in a line behind a cart loaded with barrels, trying to get their morning ration of water as early as possible.  Standing nearby that cart was BranchedSky who was talking another earth pony that was sitting at the front of the cart, who's forearm was in a tight bandage with a slight brown stain in the middle center.  It clearly appeared as if BranchedSky was giving him advice on how to minister his new job.  BranchedSky used to be the Chief of Supply and Provisions for the Army of Everfree, an important position and responsibility that was the true lifeline for the Army, or how he would put it, "It's easier to march with a half-full belly than an empty one."  While not as glorious as being a commander, it was just as or even more important.  Throughout the escalation of recent conflicts and the growing sizes of armed forces, the procuring of war material and provisions needed to expand as well.  When the army was encamped, the soldiers could graze and forage for food around them, though when on the march to prevent halting and assembling camps every day, food and water was transported along with the army to be distributed throughout the march.  This was in truth the key to Argent's earlier success in the Free Territories north of Everfree and west of Saddle Lake, as he was able to scatter his enemy's army and defeat them in detail by being so mobile and not directly tied to large sources of water.  BranchedSky's knowledge of the merchant trades and transportation made him perfect for the organization of this extensive system that he and Argent developed.

BranchedSky noticed BerylDusk and gave him a respected nod with his head at him that Beryl returned.

Beryl could already smell the scents of the army drifting through the air.  It was largely the smell of the accumulation of dirt and sweat of pony odor, mixed in with touch of refuse despite the soldiers' efforts to relieve themselves in places out of the way.  It was a general problem when the army was grouped together like this, but for now it was only just a slight discomfort.  He continued to examine his troops as they began their awaking routines.  He could already see there were some of the wounded already returned to their units, as their white bandages made a sharp contrast against their darker colored coats.  It was the interesting phenomenon of the different regions of Equestria that there was generally a stereotype of coat colors.  The ponies of Everfree and Hayseed were generally darker coated, while the northern ponies were all delicate pastel colors.  Saddle Lake was generally a mixture of the two while the pegasi were generally in flashier colors.

BerylDusk then saw DappledMoss herself up and about, with her green mane still clashing slightly with her rusted orange coat which was speckled with small splotches of a slightly lighter orange.

"Good morning Beryl," she called in her deep voice.  She gave a slight cough, but it did not sound nearly as severe as it was during the night.

"Good morning to you as well.  I presume that you went to the hospital last night?"

"Yeah, I did that.  They gave me some sort of tea or something.  I'm sharing it with the others as well.  Do you want some?"

Having tea with DappledMoss was certainly not on a list of things Beryl ever wanted to do...

"Ah, well no, but that is good you're getting better.  Is everypony else up?"

"Everypony but IronQuill, but he always oversleeps which is no surprise to anypony now."

Beryl chuckled, "No it's not.  Can you make sure that he is up soon though?  I don't know how soon Argent is wanting for that inspection..."

"That I'll do."  She walked off a few steps, then turned back around. "Oh, in case you are looking for her, ShimmeringAgate went off into the forest over there," raising her hoof to the small woods that were on the right flank.

"Oh, why thank you."

She then nodded and spoke again, "Yeah, she's been acting kinda strange lately.  Best be that you'll check on her..."

"Yes, I'll do that.  Thank you again."

"No problem!" she responded over her shoulder as she departed.

"Now what is the problem with ShimmeringAgate?" Beryl began to wonder to himself.  ShimmeringAgate has always been reasonably strong and loyal.  He knew that yesterday was her first battle ever and it was one was certainly a rough one for a first, but she was confident in her command throughout.

He then remembered her asking about ArgentHeart yesterday.  Her eyes seemed to be similar to times when he would see a pony fall in fancy with another when he was back in the court in Everfree.

"But ArgentHeart?"  He laughed, "What a silly thought."  

Beryl remembered asking him about CelestialSky once on what he thought of her complexion as she has been widely declared as the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria.  His response: "She's pretty, I guess."  It's literally the joke of the army now.

"Argent has his phalanxes and formations to dream up of, certainly there is no thought of love in his mind..."

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"BrushedFlame, have you seen anything up there?" asked ArgentHeart.

"Yes, a dark blue earth pony with a brown mane and tail who's going to start glaring at me with his green eyes two seconds from now."

"You're totally asking for it..." Argent said as he glared directly into the face of the jokester flying directly overhead.

"Oh lighten up a bit.  The route you selected is perfectly safe, I've already sent several detachments of scouts to examine it for you.  It even has a good place to rest after the first day of marching.  And most importantly, it avoids those bogs we, or at least all of you grounded ponies had to march through," he said with a smirk.

Earlier for an entire week they were trapped in a valley of bogs.  The enemy probably went in there thinking that they could lose us, but they became trapped in there too.  There were a few brief skirmishes, but most of the time was spent trying to find a path through the sticky, stinking ground while going after the enemy.  The water was foul and there was no firewood, forcing the soldiers to carry their own waste in sacks for it to dry, then burn it so that they could boil the water to prevent them from getting ill.  It took forever to get out of that mess, and it was certainly a place no pony in the army ever wished to go back through.  Argent sighed, "You don't even have the foggiest idea how difficult that was..."

"However, I am still warning you that we won't be able to leave until tomorrow morning," BrushedFlame added, "As it will still take a bit for my scouting parties to check for all the details you ordered them to check."

"I'm aware, yet I better start the inspection soon.  I just need to see what our condition is and then decide when we are going to get back to Canterlot."

"What about Radience?  Are you going to lecture it into him due to his incompetence yesterday?"

"Not right this instant."

"Today?"

"Most likely not.  Why?"

"Because I would certainly like to see his reaction when you start to drill on him like how you do on myself."

Argent quite suddenly became serious, "That is not necessary.  When we do talk, it will be on an individual basis.  Please don't ask again."

"ArgentHeart, I have just one more question, and I promise is not related to the last one."

"What is it?" Argent stated, still with a bit of ice in his voice.

"Why are you so eager to end this campaign?  We had our hard fought victory, but we're not getting anything out of it.  Shouldn't we just keep on pressing westward and capture a citadel or demand for a truce?  I mean, after all of this, 'we're not bearing any fruit' as many of the earth ponies would say."

Argent turned and looked westward, "The lands we have to cross to get to the western coast line are largely unknown and untracked.  Where were are now is just lands for the nomads, with no cities, the land is uncontrollable.  So basically, if I march over there I will not have any reinforcements.  While I could just sue for peace, it probably won't do anything as they will go back to their ways as soon as the Army left to go back home.  No, if we are going to do something with the Western Confederation, it will have to be in large-scale."

"Then why did we go West?" BrushedFlame asked with his expression perplexed.

"Orders..." Argent rolled his eyes, "In truth, the Canterlot Council thought the Western Confederation were going to merge with forces of the Crystal Kingdoms as both of their declarations of war arrived within two days of each other.  I thought it was unlikely that it would be anything large scale as there would be more clues.  Besides, the geography is not in either's favor to combine forces like so here, being so far from settled civilization...  The Army of Everfree was supposed to be, as the council wrote it, 'like the delicate touch of a hoof to a bath' to the area."  Argent clearly over exemplified the quotation and gave an outward breath of slight annoyance to the flowery language.  " Clearly they don't know much about military matters... and speaking of a bath, it is certainly something that I am looking forward to..." as he scratched his left front leg with his right.

"All I've got to do is fly through a cloud and I come back out all wet, then fly around some more until I'm dry."

Argent gave him another glare jokingly, "Don't make me get even more jealous than I am already of you pegasi."

"A bit too late don't you think?"

Argent stuck his tongue out at him.  "Anyway, I must gather the other commanders.  Can you please notify BerylDusk for me?"

BrushedFlame saluted, "As you wish!"

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BerylDusk noticed the slight astonishment ShimmrtingAgate had upon her expression when she noticed Beryl as she exited the woods.

"ShimmeringAgate, what are you doing here?  Inspection is going to begin shortly and I need you with your brigade."

"My apologies Beryl.  I was not expecting for it to be this early in the morning."

"Argent has not been at ease very well recently, so he's probably over calculating and worried."

"Perhaps," she stated lightly, "but personally myself feel as if there is something wrong.  No news from Canterlot for two weeks?  That is certainly something fishy..."

"Or it could mean that the war could be over and they have been too excited to tell us."

"Yes, that would be nice," replying to Beryl's optimism as they started to head back, "but have you seen the last message yet?"

"No, which is unusual.  Argent never hides orders or anything after he reads them.  It might be a personal letter."

"Yes, it might be.." Beryl noticed the slight air of disappointment around her when she spoke that, yet it might of just been his imagination.  The odds of Argent receiving a personal letter was pretty far fetched anyway.  He's about the most unsocial pony he knew.

From overhead Beryl heard his name.  He searched skywards to see BrushedFlame hovering in the air.  He was in his typical informal attitude.  The only time he has ever seen him serious is when he is in front of his own troops in battle, but even then he whoops and hollers as soon he begins the charge.

"So anyway, this blue earth pony has demanded for me to order you to come to him.  Do I have permission to spank him for his insubordination?"

"Very funny..." Beryl said flatly though ShimmeringAgate was able to put on a slight smile. "Tell him that I will report to him shortly."  Then turning to ShimmeringAgate, "You better be off to your brigade."

She acknowledged and then trotted off towards the location of the first Everfree Division.

"Well, she's a catch," BrushedFlame mentioned after watching her trot off.

"Don't you have better things to do?" Beryl asked with a spike of annoyance.

"Well that was certainly not a conversation starter..."

Beryl rolled his eyes, "I want this campaign to be over with, and you're not making it any better right now..."

"Oh, well then I got some news for you -- Argent is planning on moving back the army to Canterlot."

Finally Beryl could perk up his ears.  "Oh really?"

"Yes, my scouts have already observed most of the routes to get there.  We're definitively not taking the same route that we got here though."

"Praises upon that.  I certainly don't like the feeling of the ground moving under our hooves..."

"Yep, I'm fortunate enough," BrushedFlame gave an extra flap of his wings for extra effect.

"Well is there any more news from him?"

"Yeah, he wants to take a bath."

"Of importance..." giving him an extra sigh.  The only real reason that he is able to tolerate BrushedFlame was that he could find out information and gossip much easier and sooner than any other pony in the army.

"Not much, though I think he might have a personal conversation with Radiance."

"Oh probably due to his failure to get on the battlefield on time yesterday."

"Yeah, but he seems somewhat secretive about it."

"Odd.  It must be pretty severe lashing he is going to give him..."

"I guess, but he generally just complains to me right on the spot where anypony can hear it..."

"Yes, I know."

By this time, the both of them were close to the starting point for the inspection, and the other commanders were there as well.

EmeraldCrest of Northern Hayseed was standing idly by with an expression of being bored and uninterested.  His green mane did match with his beige coat and horn well, but his personality never benefitted him.  He always had some sort of sour aroma around him that never invited conversation thus making him to appear very gruff and bitter to anyone, even to the point that BrushedFlame avoided him.  He also reportedly has a quick temper.  ArgentHeart did not want him in his army, but neither did the Grand Coalition Army in Canterlot and therefore he was thrust into ArgentHeart's hooves.  At first he was tolerable, but as the campaign wore on, both his competence in command and mood worsened.

Then there was Radiance "the Prince in Saddle Lake".  He was standing resolutely with his posture perfect with all of his hooves forming the corners of a perfect rectangle underneath his body.  His own coat was an elegant white, though not completely snow colored it was certainly the whitest in the army currently.  He also had an golden mane and tail that would glimmer if the light hit it properly.  Beryl had known him for a long time, though when the conflicts began before the formation of the Canterlot Coalition, they were close to becoming enemies due to the disputes over whom would be the protectors of the Free Pony Cities that edged on both of their borders.  Radiance was not the ruler of the Saddle Lake Kingdom, just a heir, though he has been expected since birth to be the leader of Saddle Lake.  This was different than how it was in Everfree, where the nobility elect a single pony to be the leader until their death or resignation.  In truth, this would make the Saddle Lake Kingdom the largest area directly ruled by one pony in the Canterlot Coalition, making Radiance a very powerful figure for the future of the Coalition.

Finally there was ArgentHeart who appeared to be more discomforted than normal; avoiding to look at either of the other two unicorns.  He however seemed instantly relieved at the sight of both Beryl and BrushedFlame arriving.

"Ah, you have arrived BerylDusk!"

Beryl looked around, "Where is WoodenDale?"

"In his tent, he got knocked in the ribs pretty bad yesterday so I'm letting him rest a bit.  I visited him last night.  He should however be better soon."

"Oh, I was not aware of that..."

"He's still fit enough for command I assure you, but the Sisters of Generosity basically had to force him to not attend.  I'll see him later and tell him about the situation."  He looked around at the small group.  "I presume we wish to get this inspection over with as quickly as possible, and BrushedFlame, I would kindly ask you to land on the ground and walk like the rest of us.  It looks a bit more formal."

BrushedFlame landed with a small huff with Argent giving him a sly smile.

Argent then continued, "So that it is known to you all, the reports from the prisoners of yesterday's battle confirms that there are no other forces of the Western Confederation in this area.  Their objective was to link up with the Crystal Kingdoms of the North, though they were the only force tasked to do so.  It is unlikely the West will be mobilized soon as they expect the Northern Kingdoms to be victorious therefore they provided very little to them.  I am betting that I will not have to worry about the West until next Spring, and by then I hope that we will have some peace or truce agreement with the North.  I am currently worried that we may of overextended the army from friendly territory by chasing this enemy force for so long, therefore, I am planning on marching back to Canterlot to reunite with the Grand Coalition Army.  I've still have not heard a word from Canterlot after crossing the range, therefore I wish to be cautious.  We are taking a more direct path on the northern side of the mountains, however this also means that we will be marching in unprotected territory.  Therefore, we must still remain in fighting condition.  Is that understood?"

Radiance then spoke up, "So how long do you estimate it will take us to get there with this northern route?'

"It depends on the condition of how we are, which is why I am having this inspection."

The group seemed satisfied with the answer, though EmeraldCrest seemed to have a bit more annoyance yet he did not say anything.

"I assume that we will begin now.  EmeraldCrest, your division is first.  Do you have any comments you wish to share about them?" Beryl could see that Argent was trying to look at EmeraldCrest in a friendly manner yet all that he received back was a guff huff.

"No."

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ShimmeringAgate came outside of her own tent.  She was dressed back into her armor, which was largely lacking in protection in comparison to her own brigade, just a breastplate and iron shoes that really only protected the front of her pasterns and cannons.  They were also painted in a solid lighter blue.  There was also a helmet, yet she did not wear it as it truthfully did not take in account to her mane.  The entire set was designed as decoration rather than for actual armor; in battle she would wear it but with also an addition of a dense cloth blanket to cover her back.  She knew that she had time as there were two more divisions before the First Everfree, the Northern Hayseed and the Saddle Lake Royals, yet she felt anxious.  She walked out in front of the location were her brigade was and stood and waited.  In front of her was a brigade of the Saddle Lake Royals, though they were idle.

"This means that they are still inspecting the Northern Hayseed," she deducted.  To her right about several lengths away was the hospital.  There were many tents arrayed over there, however she could still see that several ponies were laying on the ground outside with some on stretchers and the others on the grass.  It was largely quiet over there though she could see a few of the Sisters of Generosity wondering among the laying bodies.  A group of them were gathered around one, then picked up his stretcher and carried him behind the tents.  Behind there would be a garden where he would become a seed, a seed that would never spout again.

She looked away.  The price of life was so high to her personally, but in the army it was so cheap, so worthless.  So many ponies just give their lives away, their dreams, their hopes.  Why do they wish to pay that price?

The Royals suddenly forming into attention in front of her broke her thoughts.  "We're next."  She then looked over her shoulder gave out her orders, "Ponies of the First Hoof Guards of Everfree fall in!"

With that command, the ponies began to form their ranks.  This unit was distinctive from the other Everfree brigades mainly due to the presence of unicorns in the unit.  These were generally minor family members who wished for a faster gain in promotion than taking the safer civic occupations, though there were a few who were there to show their support for the Canterlot Coalition's mission.  There were also earth ponies within the brigade as well.  These were the strongest and most loyal of the earth ponies who were hoof-picked from the other Everfree units.  For them, this was the highest honor they could receive, and they seemed to accept their responsibilities and duties much better than most of the other unicorns.

She looked at their faces.  All of them were veterans, some more experienced than others.  She then realized that she herself now can be considered a veteran, having seen and commanded during the fighting the other day.  Yet it was not something that she took pride in, she was doing what she was told to do.  The only reason she was here at the command of the First Hoof was that her national leader, BerylDusk, requested for her to do so.  She never had military education or planning, and even to this day she was still trying to understand certain military terminology.  But she learned.  Perhaps that was he selected her rather than some other veteran.

A few minutes later, the ponies in front were then dismissed from formation, and they began milling around once again contenting their boredom until the next order was shouted out at them.

She looked down to the left at the line of ponies, only interrupted between them with the tents for the individual commanders.  The line was around five hundred ponies long, then stacked behind them three more rows making each column four ponies deep.  Just the raw numbers of ponies was impressive enough, yet it was barely a fourth of the entire army.  She could then see the small cluster of the commanders at the end of the line.  She could be begin hearing the commands being passed down the line.

"Ponies of the Forth Hoof of Everfree at Attention!"

"Third Hoof of Everfree at Attention!"

"Second Hoof of Everfree form Attention!"

She could see the sea of movement of the ponies straitening their lines and raising their heads, and the sound of armor clinking and the slight movement of hooves multiplied by the hundreds began to crescendo as it neared her position.

"Ponies of the First Hoof Guards at Attention!"

They formed the final crest of the wave, then all became silent in the First Division of Everfree.

The commanders began to move forward at their walking pace examining the troops.  The other captains were standing in front of their units as well accompanied with their officers which assisted in leading the separate companies.  They were the members of regiment that helped with the command of the skirmishers, archers, pikes or swords.  ShimmeringAgate then remembered that she had forgotten to create a new lead officer as the other one was wounded in the fighting yesterday.  She cursed at herself as she meant to do it first thing this morning, but that was too late now.

The commanders were then about halfway down the line and she could then look at them distinctively.  Beryl was making comments to ArgentHeart who seemed to nod his head just slightly every now and then, though was not looking at Beryl.  She could then start to see the details of Argent's eyes, green and serious.  There also seemed to be this mysterious depth in his eyes as he gazed at the faces of the ponies as he passed, causing her to shiver just slightly making her look away.  There was always that mystery that hung around him which just kept on edging her curiosity.

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ArgentHeart kept his even pace while BerylDusk was giving his comments about his division.  In truth, Argent was not really listening to what he was saying, he was more concentrated at looking at the soldiers, with particular attention to their eyes.  He cared little about their posture or polish of armor.  He wanted to know their strength or weakness, their will to keep on, their spirit and morale.  All it took was a glance into their eyes.  The people with intelligence and experience would generally have sharper contrast in their eyes with a light bit of pain but would look back at you.  The cowards would look downwards to avoid, while the frightened ones would jerk their eyes away quicker.  The uninspired would look up and away and the faithful would soften a bit.  There were many factors that could be found and calculated yet Argent could do it extremely quickly without truthfully thinking about it.  He just quite simply knew.

Finally his eyes then passed into the First Hoof Guards, checking off every single one with a slight nod.  Of all the troops, these were supposed to be the best on the field, if not even the entire Coalition.

His eyes then rested onto ShimmeringAgate's.

He looked away, the only time he broke his gaze through the entire inspection.

Yet he kept going and two steps later he was back to his pace, looking back at the soldiers.  His mind though was clouded and the details that he was trying to see lapsed over his head.  He forced himself to try to not think of what he saw in her eyes, nor of the bloom and panic within his heart.

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