Magic Song

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Camp Umawe

Corey jumped as a spark crackled from the small campfire. He’d been nodding off again – that long run had tired him out more than he’d expected it to, being a pony now and all. Yawning, the orange unicorn stretched a foreleg and looked around for Laney.

She was next to him, almost leaning into his chest, her little stomach rising and falling in time with her breath. Corey felt that weird tingly feeling he got whenever he was near her starting up again, and he reached up to tug his beanie more firmly over the back of his neck.

Besides him and Laney, Fluttershy, a dozing Applejack, and a snoring Kon were the only ones around the fire. Corey sat up and blinked, letting his eyes get used to the light. “Hey,” he said.

“Oh, good evening Corey,” Fluttershy said. “Um, well, good morning, actually.”

“What time is it?”

“Around two in the morning, I think.” The yellow Pegasus picked up a small stick with her teeth and poked at the fire. “Everypony else is still at the ceremony.”

“Figures,” Corey said. He rubbed at his cheek; it felt like the scarf he’d been using as a pillow had left imprints on the smooth fur.

Fluttershy dropped the stick into the flames and sat back on her hindquarters. Corey tried the position. It felt pretty good.

The Pegasus was silent, so there wasn’t much else for Corey to do but look around. His short nap had energized him some, and he was able to actually look at his surroundings. The zebra camp was pretty large, full of dark wooden huts and animal-pelt tents. None were very tall, and the only light came from the campfires and torches, so the stars were really visible. Corey looked for Orion, but then remembered that he was in another universe, and the constellations probably weren’t the same.

Behind them, the giant Spirit Dance bonfire had been reduced to smoke and ash. They must be done, or almost done, Corey thought. As if to agree with him, a rainbow-hued tail smacked him across the face, brushing the skin where the scarf had left its pattern.

“Ow,” Corey said helpfully, even though it hadn't hurt. He felt Laney's breathing sharpen next to him - she was awake.

“Is anypony here tired? ‘Cause I’m not,” Rainbow Dash announced, dropping onto the ground beside Fluttershy. “In fact, I’m ready to tell a good, old-fashioned ghost story.”

“Shut up, Rainbow,” Applejack said, struggling to her hooves. “Ah’m gonna go in an' hit the straw. ‘Night, y’all.”

Zamale followed her into the hut, presumably to put Zuri to bed, but everyone else sat in a circle around the fire. Rarity looked tired, and Laney had sat up to rub the sleep out of her eyes, but Kin, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Twilight were all wide awake. “You all missed out on a really interesting ceremony,” Twilight said excitedly, turning to Corey and Fluttershy.

“Twilight –” Rainbow began.

“Zebras don’t get their cutie marks like we ponies do. They have this musical ritual they perform to make the cutie mark appear, only they call them spirit marks, and then the shaman of the tribe translates it for them,” the unicorn explained. "The marks are different, too - instead of pictures of their talent, it's more like a design with a certain meaning. Like a heart could mean you'd be a healer, or a caregiver."

"Sounds cool," Laney said, swallowing a yawn.

Kin blurted, “This one colt’s mark looked like a –”

“Okay, okay, enough nerding out,” Rainbow Dash said importantly. “I’ve got an epic story to tell Grojband.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Oh, this is going to be a long night.”

“You think you can scare us? We’ve seen the great Blade Stabbington in action. We’re not going to be afraid of something you cooked up,” Laney scoffed, sitting next to Corey and giving a knowing glance to the rest of the band (except Kon, who was still asleep).

“First of all, I have no idea who that is, so.” Rainbow looked to either side, then grinned evilly. “And secondly, I didn't make this up. I’m pretty sure anypony who’s ever heard the tale of Nightmare Moon has trembled in fear!”

There was a moment of silence. Fluttershy retreated behind her mane.

“Oh…kay,” Laney said awkwardly. “I don’t think that sounds very, well, fear-inducing.”

“Wait till I get started.” Rainbow Dash spread her wings and assumed what Corey decided to call Creepy Storyteller Position. “Never before in the land of Equestria –”

It was at this opportune moment that Zamale came out of his hut and sat next to Twilight, nodding respectfully at them all.

“Rainbow, I’m sorry to stop you,” Twilight said suddenly, “but I had some questions Zamale said he’d answer after the ceremony, and…”

Rainbow gave the violet unicorn a ‘Really?’ look, then sat back next to Fluttershy with a “humph.” It was all Corey could do to stifle a giggle, and judging by Laney’s reaction, it was all she could do, too.

“Zamale, let me tell you again how grateful we are for your tribe’s hospitality,” Twilight said.

“It is my pleasure, Twilight Sparkle,” the zebra replied in his silvery accent, bowing slightly. “Ask me any question, and if it is within my power, I will answer it.”

“Okay. Okay.” Twilight took a deep breath. Corey could tell that she was extremely excited. It reminded him of a time when he’d taken Laney to an AC/DC concert and she’d practically died from excitement during the meet and greet after the show. “Silly question first. After watching the Spirit Dance, I just have to ask. What does your cutie – sorry, spirit mark mean?”

Zamale looked at his flank. The image on it looked like a stylized flame, drawn in black ink, or maybe really dark pencil. “My mark symbolizes the fire of battle. It means that I am a proud and honorable warrior.”

“Cool beans!” Pinkie Pie said, flopping onto her back. Corey had to agree; such a destiny was impressive.

“Okay. Next question. What happened with Zecora back there?”

The night noises – the wind whistling through the camp, the hiss of the fire, some snoring from a nearby hut – suddenly sounded very loud. Corey coughed to make the moment less awkward.

“Normally,” Zamale finally said, “this would be a question no one asks or answers. But since you are not Umawe…and since you are all friends of my sister’s…I think you should know." He paused again, his face clouded with thought. "When Zecora still lived among us, she was in training to take over as the shaman of our tribe.”

Laney raised a hoof. It grazed Corey’s face on the way up, and he felt a blush starting to creep down his neck again, but luckily the smaller unicorn didn’t seem to notice. “What’s a shaman?”

“The shaman is the spiritual leader of a tribe. Right now, Zahan – my father – is shaman.”

“What sort of spiritual things do you believe?” Rarity asked drowsily.

“I will let Zahan explain when you meet with him tomorrow.” Zamale adjusted one of the gold bangles that hung from his ear. “Zecora was good at the training, but her heart was not in her work. She wanted to be trained as an ambassador to other cultures, traveling the world rather than staying with the tribe. It led to many arguments with our father.”

“Was it his choice to make her the next shaman?” Twilight asked, her face half shadowed by the flickering fire.

Zamale hesitated. “Yes and no. It was also written in her spirit mark, the sun, that she was destined to be a great leader, with much knowledge that would benefit our tribe. By denying it, she was denying fate."

"Oh," Twilight said. "I see. So what happened after that?"

"After a year of apprenticeship, Zecora ran away. She left a note to explain her departure, and a glass necklace that I have since given to Zuri.” Sighing, the zebra stared into the flickering yellow-orange flames. “I thought I would never see her again.”

“Why’s that?” Fluttershy asked softly.

“She left dishonorably,” Zamale said. “She was not meant to leave. It was her future to lead the tribe.”

Corey was more than a little confused. “Excuse me. I don’t totally understand cutie marks and stuff, but where we come from –” he indicated the members of Grojband “– a person can choose what they want to do. If leaving the tribe made her happy, why stop her?”

“Because it was not her destiny,” Zamale said. He bowed his head, and a stick in the fire cracked apart, sending a flurry of sparks into the air.

Twilight laid a hoof on Zamale’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “It’s a good thing that she’s come home, then.”

Zamale smiled. “And for that I have you to thank.” He stood, giving a slight bow. “If you will excuse me. I must check on my daughter.”

The group was silent for another moment after Zamale went inside. Then, Rainbow Dash stood.

“Can I tell my story now?”

The next morning, Corey was awoken by Laney’s vigorous yanking at his beanie. “Get up, get up, get up,” she mubmbled through a mouthful of cloth. “We have a meeting with an all-important zebra shaman.”

Corey sat up blearily, shaking his head to dislodge his friend. “Let go of my hat and maybe I’ll get up faster.”

“It’s a stupid hat. I’ve always said so.”

“Hey!” Corey slapped at her indignantly with his hoof, even though he knew she was only joking. “No one insults the beanie.” The unicorn struggled to his feet. It almost felt like one of the sleepovers the band used to have back home in Peaceville, except they were ponies. And Kin and Kon were already awake - something that barely ever happened.

Sunlight streamed in from around the cracks in the door fabric, illuminating the interior of the hut. It was full of stuff similar to what Zecora kept in her tree home; bottles of unfamiliar liquid, jars of herbs, ceremonial and decorative masks shaped like colorful zebra heads. A large number of blankets and mats were strewn around the floor from the evening before, when everyone had finally come inside to sleep. It was actually very homey.

But Corey didn’t get to enjoy it for long, because Laney pushed him outside faster than he’d thought was possible. The little mare was really very strong for her size.

“Hello, Corey darling! Good morning, Elaine,” Rarity said, beaming and batting her eyelashes. She’d tied a large blue sun hat onto her head, but it covered about half of her body. Corey wasn't sure how the thing had fit into her saddlebags. “Have you eaten yet? Zamale prepared some sort of delicious herbal concoction for us.”

“No thanks,” Laney said. “Vegan food messes me up. I’ll just have some bread or something.”

“I’ll try it,” Corey said, grinning crookedly at the white mare. “How long do we have before we meet with the shaman?”

Pinkie bounced by, a spoon stuck into her unruly hair. “Better hurry! Twilight says we’re leaving soon!”

“There’s your answer, darling.” Rarity winked. “Let me get you a bowl.”

As Corey swallowed his generous serving of the soup, everyone gathered around the remains of the campfire and prepared for the visit with Zahan. Applejack dusted off her Stetson, while Fluttershy sat alone taking deep breaths to calm her nerves, and Twilight ran through zebra language trivia with Zamale.

“And to say hello?”

“We say ‘hujambo.’ And the reply is ‘sijambo.’”

“Sijambo.”

“Your pronunciation is very good.”

The little zebra filly was sitting between her father and Corey, humming to herself and braiding a few strands of grass together. Laney smiled at her. “You’re good at that.”

The filly looked up. “Thank you.”

“You speak English? Uh, Equestrian?” Corey said, shocked.

The filly gave them a gap-toothed grin. “I am in training to be the next shaman,” she said. “and expected to be well versed in languages.”

“That’s cool,” Laney said. “Like your auntie Zecora.”

“Yes.” The filly tied off her grass braid and shyly gave it to Laney. “For you.”

“Oh…thanks.” Laney turned it over in her hooves. “Like I said, it’s really good.”

The filly hid behind her father’s tail, but Corey could see her smile.

Suddenly, a zebra warrior holding a good-sized spear materialized next to Rarity. “Goodness,” the unicorn gasped. “You gave me a fright!”

“Mgama bo shaman uwe’e sasi,” the zebra said, directing his words to Zamale.

“The shaman will see us now,” Zamale translated, standing. “We must go.”

It took only a few minutes for the group to travel to the center of the camp, where the giant bonfire (and apparently Zahan’s hut) was located. Corey felt eyes watching him from all sides; the zebras had gathered outside to watch the Equestrians. We're a novelty, Corey thought. How interesting.

Zahan was waiting for them outside. “Hujambo,” he said, bowing his head.

“Sijambo,” Twilight replied, mimicking him.

“You have learned well.” The shaman turned, his bangles clinking together as he moved. “Come inside. I have nothing here to hide.”

They all followed him through another fabric door. Zahan’s hut was larger than Zamale’s, probably because he was the shaman, but the decoration was much the same. The old zebra motioned for them to sit, then took a place at the front of the room. “I wish to know of why you need the help of the zebras that you plead,” he said, looking Twilight in the eyes.

Twilight glanced at Applejack. “A few days ago, four ponies appeared in my friend Fluttershy’s backyard,” the unicorn said. “They claimed to be from another world. We became friends with them, and now we want to get them home.”

“I see.” Zahan rubbed his chin with a hoof. “Tell me, which might they be?”

Corey raised a hoof. So did Laney, Kin, and Kon.

“Zecora said you might be able to help us get them home,” Applejack said. “But Ah have a question. How’re ya gonna do that? There’s no way they can go back without somepony on th’ other side to help with th’ magic, if I understand it right.”

Zahan smiled mysteriously. “You know little of zebra lore,” he said. “Zuri, suma, please tell them more.”

The filly – that was her name, Zuri – stood, as if to recite a poem in English class. “The spirits are one with us, and connect us to many different worlds,” she said. “With their help, our elders may return to nature at the end of their lives, and, with their help, foals are born. We can communicate with them, like we can with each other.”

“We have our ways to talk with gods,” Zamale said, “just as you speak to your princess, Celestia.”

Corey could see Twilight cringe at the mention of her teacher’s name. “So you can help them then?” she asked.

“It will take time to prepare the spell. The ceremony will not work well if not prepared appropriately. Will you help, little Zuri?” Zahan turned to his granddaughter.

“Yes, Iba.”

“If Ngela helps us too, you will be home when the week is through.” Zahan said softly to Grojband.

Kin smiled widely. “Oh yeah!” he crowed, giving Kon a hoof bump. “Magic powers rock!”

“Hear that, Lanes? We’ll be home before we know it.” Corey gave his friend a hug. “We’ll be able to play our instruments again.”

“I know!” Laney squealed. “It’s been days since I got my hands on a bass, not counting the wubs at the Hothoof.”

Kon’s eyes watered. “I think I’m gonna cry.”

“Where’s Zecora, anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking around. “I thought she’d be here.”

“She is still being returned to the clan. After many years, she will be Umawe again,” Zahan said.

Twilight's eyes widened. "So she is alright! I knew it!"

"She is merely being re-initiated into the tribe," Zamale reassured her. "Surely I mentioned this last night? When Zecora left, her status as an Umawe was...compromised. To establish it again, she must be purified in a sacred place, and undergo a ritual only known by full members of the tribe."

Applejack let out a breath she seemed to have been holding since yesterday, though Corey knew that was ridiculous. "Thank goodness. Ah'm glad she's fit as a fiddle, and not in any danger."

“Well, this is all going swimmingly, but it’s rather hot in here and I can practically feel my hair frizzing up.” Rarity primped at her mane with a foreleg. “Is it just me, or does anypony else notice the temperature rising as we speak?”

"It does seem warmer in here than usual," Zamale said, stroking his chin. "I wonder -"

“Fire!” Zuri screamed, pointing a tiny hoof at the air above Twilight’s shoulder.

Corey looked. The filly was right – a small tongue of green flame was flickering just to the right of the unicorn’s head, causing her to jump back. “Careful, everypony!” she said, activating her horn. “It could be dangerous.” Corey activated his own horn, with some difficulty. It wouldn’t hurt to try and help.

Luckily, the flame quickly solidified into a neatly tied scroll of parchment and dropped casually to the ground. Twilight cautiously probed it with her magic, picked it up, unrolled it, and scanned it…then promptly dropped it again.

“What is it, darling?” Rarity said, rushing forward to fan Twilight with the brim of her giant hat. "What's wrong?"

Twilight inhaled hugely, then gasped. “I don't believe it...It’s from Spike!”