Chapter 5

Sticking the hoe into the dirt, Summer wiped the sweat from her brow. As she did, her eyes scanned the backyard, once more, for intruders. Readjusting the strap to her rifle, she worked the mechanism, until content, then went back to digging.

It had been several weeks since she had left the ETA and though it had been rough, she had found a small sense of peace within herself. The memories she carried still weighed on her, but now she was lighter on her hooves and much more motivated to tackle the woes facing her. What was even more amazing was the return of her full and happy smiled. She may never allow her mane to become curly again, but the battle to resurrect something of her old self against the monster, had been raging well.

The hoe struck a rock and she easily negotiated it elsewhere.

Life these days was still tough, if not even rougher, and more unforgiving, but the stresses of keeping the facade up were gone. If the bank wanted the house so badly they could come and take it. Until then, she was staying put. She needed to figure out what her next move would be. In the mean time, expanding her garden had helped ease her mind and body by giving her something to do. That and without any bits, all she could do now was garden for her food. She wasn’t going to tempt scavenging, not with everypony doing it already. Nor was she even gonna try the grocer. Best not tempt trouble.

The big issue was her next move. She couldn’t stay here forever, but the problem hung over her like a defiant rain cloud refusing to move elsewhere. The cities might have more opportunities, but they had more ponies to compete with. She also, didn’t want to drift until something turned up either. As much as she liked the idea of following her father around like a tumbleweed in the wind, being one on her own was not an appealing idea. Well perhaps not alone, technically.

All in all, Equestria as a whole seemed like a bad choice. Obsidian also had agreed to this. However, when she had told him her idea about travelling to the Crystal Empire, Obsidian had been quite adamant about not returning to the place where he had contributed to one of the crystal ponies great misfortunes. She couldn’t argue with that.

What she did argue was Obsidian’s plan of traveling to the Wild Lands west of the Barren Wastes. The idea of being turned into a meal was not as appealing as freezing in the north and she, herself, was quite adamant about that point.

Leaning against the hoe, she gazed over her work and smiled. All she had to do now was finish up the last row for this part and she could start working on the next group. At this pace she’d have enough to get through winter, if push came to shove.

Taking a break from her work, she hooked her water jug and poured some of the cool contents over herself. The water mixed with the hot sweat as her skin began to feel refreshed. Lifting the jug to her muzzle, her eye caught something  strange in the distance. Taking a quick swig, she focused her attention on the cluster of spots. Whatever they were, they were big, and moving fast through the sky towards her. Swiftly, she made her way around to the front of the house where Obsidian sat staring out onto the vast prairie.

“Hey, you paying attention! Got something moving fast on this side!” Summer yelled as she had her rifle at the ready.

When Obsidian’s eyes reached to where she was pointing above the house, the spots passed over.

As the creatures soared over the house, Summer felt the true icy fear that every pony new all too well.

“Oro’s,” she cried, terrified of the majestic orange and purple birds, and dashed back to the house, smashing her way through the door. She watched helplessly as the massive birds slowed. They might not have been as big as a dragon, but there was no mistaking them or the implication that came with their arrival.

Summer’s rifle pointed upward through the crack in the door, but in the end, it was useless against the creatures should they attack.

Obsidian on the other hoof remained watching as the Oro’s continued unhindered, picking up their speed, and flew over the Everfree and beyond.

Summer’s heart eased as she left the psuedo safety of the house. Whatever had their attention, she was glad it wasn’t on her.

“Interesting,” was all that Obsidian said, then went back to watching the land.

Interesting indeed, Summer thought. The damn birds slowed down enough to take notice. They might even come back! “Could have taken a moment to warn me! Jack ass!”

“There wasn’t any danger and they’re not coming back,” he yelled back to her.

“You’re still a jack ass!” she said, heading back around to the back of the house.

The sight had unnerved her enough, that she was content with the work she had done for the day and went back to gather up her tools.

Again, she let her sight glide from one corner to the next making sure all was well with her surroundings. Oro’s were strange birds of prey, since their actions tended to haved their own sense of logic. From a distance they easily looked like giant phoenix's, but their purple tops betrayed them quite wel,l but that did not stop them from attacking. Summer kept glancing to the sky. Even though Obsidian had said otherwise, she was not going to let her caution waver, considering the Agent of Fears attention was focused elsewhere these days. There was always the chance they would circle back

When she hooked the hoe, she noticed a shadow moving rapidly towards her. Fearing the Oro’s had returned, she spun, her rifle futilely snapped-to, pointing skyward. A silhouette of a large winged creature glided down towards her, but it wasn’t an Oro’s silhouette. She couldn’t see what creature it was from the sun blinding her, but either way, her rifle was gonna talk for her as she began to bite down on the trigger.

Before she could, the rifle was pushed down and away from the target.

“Hey!” Summer yelled as Obsidian held on. “Let go!”

Obsidian released his hold and the claws returned to a hoof. “Almost lost that one,” he murmured. She looked at him curiously then focused on the creature that was landing.

When the creature made contact with the ground, its shilluette explained everything and immediately she felt bad about what she had attempted to do.

The creature looked like a pony, at least his silhouette did. Covered under the layers of cloth he could have easily been mistaken for a mummified pony. He had gone so far as to hide his tail. Of course, he was no pony, she knew that very well.

The creature quickly hid his wings and trotted over to them. “Hail Lady Stars. Lord Obsidian.”

“He’s all yours,” Obsidian stated, as he began to leave.

“No, you owe me an…” she started, trying to stop him with her hoof, but he was just ever so slightly faster, and continued anyway.

“Aloof as always I see,” The cloaked creature said as it stopped next to her.

He was about the same size as her, with all the layers. She could smell the ‘pony’ scent on him from the cloth. Her instincts however, were not so convinced. There was something dangerous hiding under the disguise, something that feed on pony. Still, she pressed the instincts aside. She knew the creature well enough from his visits over the years and the princess he served, that no harm would come to her. Like Obsidian, Torn adhered to his oaths.

“More so these past few weeks,” she said watching as Obsidian bent around the house. “If you remember, I told you about it, during your last visit.”

“I vaguely remember.” Torn squinted his very non-pony purple eyes in concentration as if visualizing the memory. “Wait! Yes, I recall the conversation. The presence that had been bound to Haystersburg.”

“Well, it isn’t now. For whatever reason it’s moved out this way and has been - toying with him if you can believe it.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Seems only to be interested in Sid.”

“That is good,” he said, getting a sideways glance from Summer. “I mean that it hasn’t taken an interest in harassing others. Still, for the Agent of Fear to have such trouble with something so simple, is a concern.”

“Same thing has been running through my mind. I don’t know what it means on the grand scale, but I doubt it’s a good thing. He’s been putting all his time and effort into tracking it down.”

Torn looked about, scanning the world as he said, “When I return to Canterlot, I will add this into my report. We don’t need a surprise the scale of Terik or Discord as we are. The armies of Equestria shall be ready this time.”

“We still have the Harmony Ponies and Sid…” His look did not comfort her. “What’s wrong?”

He leaned in closer to her. “I’d rather be inside discussing these things - please.”

“And with it being such a fine day,” she said playfully, grabbing her jug. “I can’t vouch that Sid will do the same.”

He stood straight and proud. “I believe the message I carry this time will compel him.”

Summer rolled her eyes. “I doubt Luna’s love letters will ever convince him.”

Hurt filled Torns strange eyes.

“Sorry,” Summer said flinching from his reaction. “Sorry. I didn’t… Let’s grab Sid.”

She took Torn around to the front, where Obsidian sat staring out into the vast rolling hills and fields, his back to them.

“For almost three weeks now, he’s sat there, staring at who knows what,” she said pointing to Obsidian. “Never moves, just stares. What surprised me was that he moved at all today when those Oro’s flew by. By the way, how did you manage that?”

“A clever trick,” he said in a flat tone.

“I said I was sorry,” she said punching him in the shoulder, which did nothing to the creature. Instead she shook her hoof from the pain. “You’re all overly sensitive and I don’t mean because it’s your job.”

Torn’s looked at her with a flat stare. “Do you blame us with our history.”

“I’d be a fool, if I did,” she said returning the stare.

Torn grunted. His eyes became warm again. “Should ever you get Lord Obsidian to Canterlot, I shall tell you.”

Summer dismissed the offer with a wave of her hoof. “You can keep it. The price is too high considering I can’t get him to do anything beyond sitting like a statue.”

“A lone guardian standing watch,” stated Torn.

“Yeah, well, it’s pissing me off ‘cause I’m the only one doing all the chores around here!” she said loudly.

“For that sacrifice our dear friend is still alive,” Obsidian stated. “Whatever your reason for being here, dahrmare, must be compelling to ride with Oro’s - let alone falling to your death. Amuse me.”

“Yes, my lord -” Torn started.

Obsidian turned quickly a glowing eye directed at the creature. “Torn - stop it,” Obsidian warned.

Torn, took a step forward. “The seriousness of my orders requires I give the respect that is due - Lord Commander of the -”

Obsidian went from a complete prone position to a full out stride as Torn bowed only to get snatched by Obsidians clawed grip, pulling the creature into the house swiftly and without effort.

Summer had to race to keep up with the two. When she entered and closed the door, Torn was already below the bridge, finding his footing.

“Fool - we are being watched!” said Obsidian with a controlled tone.

“Wait, what?” Summer said, then got a gesture by Obsidian to hold any further conversation.

Obsidian looked about their surroundings then focused on one of the walls. “We are alone now.” He turned to Summer. “Whatever is challenging me used the air currents to push Torn just enough to get you to fire on him. That wasn’t its plan however. It wanted me to notice.” Obsidian looked down on Torn. “As for you young dahrmare, I am very busy, so speak!”

Torn dusted himself off with his strange reactable fingers that protrude from his hooves. “Commander Deringer seeks your counsel.”

“I have told your commander, my time has passed,” Obsidian said angrily. “He must make his own council!”

“With all due respect, sir,” said the dahrmare as he climbed on to the bridge. “I am just the messenger.”

“Then go back and tell him I didn’t want to hear about whatever he wants.” Obsidian went for the door.

“I have been ordered to remain until you view the message and respond,” said Torn, pulling a scroll from his disguise. “However long it may be - sir.”

Obsidian made a sound which Summer could only describe as a demonic growl. Whatever it was, it was a horrible sound and one she did not want repeated.

When Obsidian finally stopped, his eyes faded back into the shadows. “As you wish!” Obsidian said lowly, then pointed to the kitchen.

The three of them traversed the bridge. Torn held out the scroll with his retractable fingers. Obsidian took it with his claw and ripped free the sealed insignia of the Lunar Guard and began to read.

As he did, Summer tapped Torn on the shoulder and motioned him to follow.

The dahrmare stood firm. “I must remain and confirm that he is reading it.”

“Well you can stand over there and do the same,” she said pulling him. He resisted only once, then fell into line.

“I told you he’d find it compelling,” said the dahrmare proudly.

“I think you mean ‘I got him to read it,’” she corrected.

His eyes seemed playful. “Beggars cannot be choosers,” Torn said.

Summer snorted and left it there. “So, that shady get-up of yours - is that standard uniform or you like being suspicious.”

The dahrmare looked over himself, then laughed. “Yes, the disguise is quite silly. I look like some travelling merchant of the Saddle Arabian dessert than a soldier.”

“Ya, think?” she said with a smile.

“You appear to be in a humor I have never seen. How has life faired you?” Torn asked her.

Summer went into detail about about the past few weeks leaving out some details and tweaking others. “I am concerned about my friend, Cherry. She should have already sought me out.” That she should have. Whatever was holding the firecracker up had to be more serious than following up on a threat.

“If she is as you describe, then whatever predicament she has found herself in, she will triumph over it in due time. I am concerned more so by this Mug fellow. You think he might be attempting something more than a mere security firm?” Summer nodded carefully. “If such is the case, he is not the first to try. That’s all that seems to transpire in Canterlot these days. Such is the world we live in.”

Summer gestured toward the water pitcher on the table.

“I would cherish such,” said Torn. “Especially, with the smell of pony blood lingering about. Instincts need to be feed.”

Well, she knew what planks she was gonna use for firewood next go around.

“How’s the capital been?” Summer asked, as she hooked a dusty mug and began to clean it.

“Better than the other cities, but it has been showing more so of late. Manehattan is under martial law and so is Las Pegasus,” he said taking the filled mug with his fingers. “Thank you kindly.”

Summer took a swig from her jug, then said, “Sorry about the dust and everything. About the only thing I can repair worth doing are the guns.”

The dahrmare pulled up a bit of the cloth hidding his face and let the contents find his throat. “I know of many ponies that would kill for even a dirty glass of water. A life saver in any case,” he said, pulling the cloth back down and handed her the empty mug. ”We’ve almost lost Baltimare a few times with all the riots and Fillydelphia hasn’t fared any better. Yet once again...”

An evil smirk crossed Summers face. “Let me guess…”

“Cloudsdale prevails,” they said in unison.

“The council has been battling to lay a tariff on imports to the floating city, but the pegasi opposition has been strong. Some of the burden could be eased if the pegasi let the bits flow out of Cloudsdale,” stated the dahrmare.

Summer nodded her head. “I hear a ‘but’ in there.”

“The military being mostly pegasi has also complicated the issue.” Torn extended his long batwings and stretched. His fingers extend a good reach past his hooves then returned to their home as he flapped his wings gently. “A long and stiff flight that I am glad to be done with. In any case, with the army and airforce spread thin already, the Wonder Bolts have been deployed to the more troubled regions. If the tariff passes most of the military, including the Wonder Bolts will return to Cloudsdale. It might go as far as the floating city drawing battle lines.”

Summer frowned. “That’s a bit extreme.”

Torn’s eyes indicated he was amused. “Would you say keeping all the currency of the land in their own home isn’t?”

Summer shrugged. “Politics isn’t my thing.”

The dahrmare waved his hoof around dismissively. “Well, both sides still prefer maintaining order to a civil war. Though, it is a very fragile understanding, with a clever sabatour at the ready.”

The idea of a civil war made her probelms appear very small and insunificate in comparision. Changing subjects, Summer asked, “How has our favorite princess been handling?”

Torn looked away. “I cannot say,” he said with a sadden tone. “She’s been distant of late.”

Summer knew by the dahrmares voice, that there was trouble on the home front. Not for just Torn, but all the dahrmares under Luna's care. Out of the fire and into the frying pan, she mused. “How so?”

The dahrmare remained silent as if picking his words carefully, then said, “Her tribunal seems to finally be at an end.”

Summer pushed the topic carefully. “Well - that’s good - right?”

Torn’s voice lowered as he checked on Obsidian who seemed to ignoring them. “I fear - that it will not.” As he turned to Summer, she could see the worry in his eyes. “The Lunar Guard has been having it's own issues and I fear she will not have the support she needs waiting for her. We, the dahrmares, of course will remain, but it has been hard on most. She rarely get’s to see most of us and their have been whispers.”

Summer understood what the dahrmare was talking about, from what she understood of their culture. “Never a dull moment,” she said, sympathetically.

“Agreed,” Torn said. “I believe once the princess is sentenced the Lunar Guard will be no more.”

“If that happens, you gonna go back to Dahrmare?” There was a hint of concern in her voice but not enough to invoke a reaction.

“That will depend on the princess, Torn said. “Your country is nice, but I do not believe we could all live in a dungon.” He shook his head. “Without the princess’s leadership and protection - I doubt even the best of us will be able to resist the inevitable temptation that is so readily available.”

So much for the change in topics, Summer thought. “So - any happy news?”

“That depends.” Torn thought for a moment then shook his head. “Your question from before. The Crystal Empire is sending funds to help stabilize Equestria.”

Summer frowned, confused by the contradiction. “That’s very generous of them - but how does that not constitute...”

“The Powers of Harmony were sold to the Crystal Empire,” Torn said quickly and sourly.

Summer tried to vocalize her words but only noise escaped her throat. Finally, “You gotta be shitting me!”

The outburst caught a glance from Obsidian, whom immediately returned to writing on the parchment.

“What is Celestia thinking! Tartarus! What is princess Twilight thinking?” Summer raged, trying to throw the jug which got stuck to her shoe.

“The funds were desperately needed,” Torn said as she freed the jug from the shoe. “The only reason the powers were sold was due to princess Cadence’s allegiance to Equestria.” With a snarky tone, Torn added, “”The Harmony powers are always at our disposal’ but -  they might as well be on the moon.”

Summer was absolutely frazzled by the idea that the Powers of Harmony were sold! If the country was on the verge of a civil war, as Torn believed, why sell off the one thing that could help prevent it! And those poor ponies. By the Elysium Fields, what did they do to those poor ponies!

“How did they even take the powers from the ponies or -  are they trapped up north?” Summer asked.

“No, I hear princess Twilight stripped them from the ponies - and herself.” Summer looked at the dahrmare trying to fathom how that was possible. Being an  earth pony, magic was an obvious foreign concept, but from all the stories and rumors she had heard through the ETA, it didn’t seem possible. Torn nodded his head. “From my understanding it wasn’t a pleasant experience, but she was able to remove them.”

Summer didn’t doubt it.

“I have read and given my council.” Obsidian approached and handed Torn the scroll, which now had a new seal of a strange symbol. “What your commander wishes to do with it, is upon him.”

“Thank you, sir,” Torn said happily, taking the scroll and securing it in his disguise.

Obsidian eyed Summer and with a sly smile said, “Should you seek us out again, know that the next time you visit here, will be to an empty house.”

Torn looked to Summer with curious eyes. “Are you leaving?”

Summer glanced at Obsidian and noticed the smirk on his face. “Yes.”

“May I ask to where, should Luna require me to deliver a message?” asked Torn.

“I was suggesting the Wild Lands, perhaps Dahrmare -” Obsidian began with a playful tone.

“Sid!” Summer yelled as Torn coughed and looked away.

“But she doesn’t want to end up on a spit,” Obsidian finished.

Torn  looked about the home as he said, “I would not advise it, not unless you were thinking of the Crulrop tribe in Dahrmare. They would welcome you in friendship. Most of Luna’s Dahrmares are from there, so it is one of the few places that forbids the consumption of pony.”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll pass,” Summer grumbled as she glared at Obsidian, whom appeared very pleased with himself.

“I have never understood the Crulrop tribe’s strange ways,” Torn said turning back to them. “Then again, here I stand in service as one of Princess Luna’s dahrmares. Who am I to speak of strange.”

“Tell me, with such an elaborate entrance, what exit strategy do you have planned?” asked Obsidian, clearly amused.

“I have given Summer my price for the secret,” said the dahrmare, winking at her.

Obsidian looked to Summer whom causally stated, “The price was too high.”

        “It was good to see the both of you again,” said Torn. The dahrmare bowed. “Lady Stars, Lord Obsidian, when next we met.” With a quick trot to the door, he cracked it open, scanned the world, and was gone.

Summer locked the door. When she turned around Obsidian was smiling a toothy grin ear to ear.

“You are a bastard,” she said passing by him and took a seat in the kitchen. “So, you gonna tell me what’s so important.”

Obsidian followed her over. “The Lunar Guard is having problems as Torn stated. What he doesn’t know is how deep it runs.”

“It’s the dahrmares isn’t it,” she said sadly.

“Not so much, but they are having problems with Luna being under house arrest and with limited visitation. More so, Commander Deringer asked my council concerning the increased apathy of his troops towards Luna and the inevitable disbandment in wake of the tribunal's decision.” A black aura rose from within the water pitcher and within it a ball of water. “Amongst everything else.”

“You’re holding something back,” she said knowing the creature before her.

Obsidian remained silent as she stared at him, hard. For a moment it seemed as though her eye would explode from its socket.

A portion of the aura collapsed and the water drained back into the pitcher. “War,” he finally said.

Some how, the word seemed more a reality coming from him, then from Torns. Summer could feel her body tense at the idea of the whole country being engulfed in flame.

“Cloudsdale might not succeed,” Obsidian continued, “but ponies such as Old Mug are not waiting for the large players to make the first moves. It will take more than economic stability and the punishment of Luna to restore this country.”

“So - it’s inevitable,” she said mumbling more to herself. She played with jug then let it roll away as she pressed her head into the table.

“You still need to leave,” Obsidian said as he headed for the door.

Anger flashed in her eyes as she perked up. “I wasn’t saying such!”

“All the same. The dividing line between peace and war is a shattered wall of glass. Even Haystersburg will become a battleground in time, if not sooner. Nowhere is perpetually safe.”

“Then maybe being a tumbleweed - is a good thing,” she mused. Maybe, being like her father wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Any which way, she could have done without all the drama today. It was such a nice day. Was. “At least we can keep a step ahead of it.”

“Perhaps, but leaving the country is best. Let’s talk about this later,” he said as he stopped before the door. “I must get back to my search. The presence has been making itself mockingly known and I do intend to return its interest.”

“Just make sure you do a better job of keeping watch. All this news, has made me tired,” she said, waving him onward.

When the door closed she continued to stare at the wood only inches from her eyes, until slowly, her eyes closed and the world faded into the blissful welcoming dark.