War torn

"Alright, listen up!! Our orders are to either capture the city, or burn it too the ground!! I want all our Black-talons to form ranks and gear up!"

"Raaahhhhh!!!!"

"Red-talons and Green-talons, grab some cloud cover and follow behind the main army, get ready to rain hell on these damn prancers!"

"Hoorah!" "Aye aye!"

"Greyfeathers, you're leading the charge! Don't let any of their cowardly magics past you!"

"Nothing will get past us! För kung och kamrater!!"

"That's what I like to hear, Adrian! Alright, ready up, krigare!!"

++++++

It's been about a day since Twilight came to visit me. Thankfully, she dropped that rather uncomfortable subject almost entirely and has left me to my own devices. Thinking back on yesterday, I can't help but grimace.

Great.

I looked out the window to my room and sigh.

Well, at least I'll be out of here in an hour or so. Gods I need a drink... I'm almost tempted to take Gilda up on that bar visit.

The sound of the door opening snaps me out of my thoughts. Applejack was at the door, an apologetic look on her face (seriously, these ponies are horrible at hiding emotion.)

"Howdy there, Adrian. Ah was just comin by to visit ya." she says with a warm smile. "Hope ya like apples." she lifts the basket she was carrying a little. It was covered, but a little steam could be seen rising from it.

"I do, actually." I say with a smile. Her smile turns into a sly grin.

"Well, have ah got just the thing for ya!" she says, moving to stand at my bedside and hand me the basket. "Ah made it as soon as Ah got ta the farm, so this 'ere's a fresh one!"

When I could finally see into the basket, I could see a steaming pie (no doubt apple) but strangely couldn't smell it.

Must be the antivenom.

"That looks good... but do you expect me to eat all of this?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at her with a grin of my own. She looks a little confused, before it dawns on her what I'm suggesting.

"That's sweet of ya Sugarcube, but this's your pie." she insists. Perfect, I can try this out.

"And I want to share it with you. You did make it."

She looks defiant, then sighs with a grin. "Stubborn one, ain't ya. Alright, why not?" she relents.

Keep going at this rate and you'll need contraceptives, big guy

Dra åt helvete.

She lifts the plate to reveal a plate and fork. Huh, guess she didn't expect to eat with me.

"Well, we can share the plate, but I'm not sure about the fork. Wait..." I lift my paw, extending my claws. They were about two inches in length, but I never extend them past an inch. "This might work."

"... are ya serious?" she asks, sounding rather unamused. "Why not ask a nurse fer one?"

...oh yeah, I forgot.

I wouldn't be surprised if the room next to mine could hear my facepaw. Applejack chuckles at this. "Wait here, Ah'll ask fer one." She says, walking to the door. For the briefest of moments, my eyes were drawn to her well toned flank before I regained my self control.

Not the time for that.

There's ALWAYS time for love!

Knulla dig, damn interloper.

She returned shortly after with another fork and a hospital tray.

"Are ya doing alright, sugarcube?" She asks with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm fine, don't worry. A little hungry though." I answer. She grins and sits down at the bedside before cutting a piece for me, then her.

"Dig in, partner!" she says, taking a bite. I follow suit, although a little slower.

The taste... was indescribable. I just sat there as my brain tried to process what it was I just ate. There's no way this could be an apple pie.

Applejack chuckled. "Family recipe. Ah guess ya approve, sugarcube?"

I could only nod dumbly in response, much to her amusement.

++++++

"I've never seen a Greyfeather fight with such ferocity, Adrian. Most with your circumstances can barely fly, let alone lead the charge."

"I could've done a lot more if the enemy brought a bigger force, sir."

"That's what we need in this army, krigare. If you weren't a Greyfeather, I'd commend you for the Red-talons at the very least."

"Very kind of you, sir."

"Take word to the Greyfeather tents that we march on Coltava at dusk tomorrow. You all need to ready yourselves, this is dangerous."

"Yes sir. You won't catch me falling behind."

"See to it you don't, and you'll come out of this battle with more medals than you can carry. Alright, lights out krigare!"

++++++

After devouring the pie (which turned into a contest of who could eat faster) I lay back and give a content sigh.

"I can never look at apples the same way again." I say, drawing a laugh from her.

"Glad ta hear it!"

"Thanks for coming by, Applejack, even though I'll probably be released in about an hour." I chuckle.

Maybe farfar was right, I think I'm gonna like here. Too bad it took getting stabbed by a manticore stinger to see that.

Ah well.