The Heros Of Canterealm

Phoenix Eye crept across the forest floor stomach pressed low with the green leafy shrubs masking her body from the eye's of the Maple Timberwolf before her. She kept her movements slow and quiet her breaths long and low, she had to be calm, poised and pick the perfect time to strike unless she wanted to have her legs torn off by the creature she was hunting. Staying calm was not hard for her she had killed Timberwolves before and she had other advantages besides her skill.

Her clothing was woven from vines and the inner strips of bark from Pine, Birch and Oak trees that grew in her home of Golden Green Forest. Her mane was dark brown akin to the color of wet soil and though her golden brown coat would otherwise have stood out she had smeared dirt into it so it would blend with the ground. Even her Cutie Mark had been covered it's image the Eye of a Phoenix within a flaming head. It not only showed her talent but even matched her namesake given to her at birth for her golden eye's reminiscent of the fiery bird she could bond with.

"It's almost time to strike. Sunshine goddess of the Summer land make my aim true and swift and let this beast I am about to slay pass well to the Summer lands and find peace."

She sprang from her cover quickly using her Unicorn magic to bring her Warhawk from her belt. Using the front bladed end in the shape of a Phoenix's head she swung at the creature's front leg and grappled it between the blade and handle. Quickly she pulled with strength tripping the creature making its jaw hit the ground. Now sure she had it's attention she bolted. Her mark had been hit and the chase was on.

Snarling the beast bolted after her charging through the green underbrush and leaping over the log she had jumped after her. Phoenix Eye Galloped weaving between rocks, trees and brush. She had to keep her pace or the Timberwolf would catch her. Leaping over a particularly large fallen tree she released a cry between a squawk and a whistling chirp. Within seconds Philomena Swooped from the branches and grabbed the wolf's tail in her talons giving a sharp tug much to the creatures annoyance.

Whistling cheekily the bird tore through the air after her Soul Sister. She had bought her precious seconds of distance while still keeping their prey on course. The hunt was going as planned. As the bird caught up with Phoenix Eye the mare gave a quick sharp smile at her Soul Sister they had good as done their part and the pony could see the clearing up ahead.

Using her Warhawk to part the branches between her and the open patch in the trees she lept over a large patch of ground landing halfway across the clearing. Seconds later the Timberwolf followed but did not jump instead one of his legs fell into one of the deep holes partly concealed by the grass and he tripped forward.

As the beast attempted to stand and pull its leg from the hole it gave a short yelp realizing it's paw was trapped being held in place by sharp wooden Oak stakes pointing downward within the side of the hole. Before it could think of a way out a short spear flew from a nearby bush and struck it's neck. With a brief whimper the creature collapsed Amber sap dripping from the wound.

The mare breathed heavily. She had just run through the woods and even though the chase had lasted no more than three minutes the speed she had to go had tired her out. Still she smiled, her part of the task was done now she could catch her breath. Glancing towards the shrubs on the edge of the clearing she saw them start to shake from movement. From within the bushes came two stallions one old and one young.

The older was a Unicorn like his daughter. He wore similar clothing to the mare covering his dark blue coat, his dark brown mane had grown a bit long and was partially covering his left eye grey and calm but capable of a piercing stare when their owner was angered. Slung across his back was a bow and quiver of arrows, on his side a Halberd but with a point made of a flint spear head rather than pointed steel or iron. Last his cutie mark a basket of foraged herbs.

The younger Stallion to his left did not bear the family resemblance of the other two. He had no horn or wings but a scruffy black beard and short mane matching the color. His coat was dark green and his Tail was trimmed short with eye's of light blue. The only thing he bore in common with his Clan mates was his garb made of the leaves, vines and bark. Across his back was a small bag with short spears similar to Jarrids matching the one sticking out of the wolves neck. This covered the side of his left flank hiding one of his marks a hoe tilling earth. Last aside from the dagger on his left was a steel sword held in a scabbard on his right side.

The younger one stepped toward the fallen beast bowing his head before it. Quietly in a voice only it's spirit could hear he spoke in his

adopted Clans tongue of the Spring goddess Beltine a language composed of the calls of all animals in the Golden Green each sentence ended with a click of the tongue as punctuation.

"Fallerious father of the Autumn winds that carries the souls of the dead. See that this beast has a swift and pleasant trip to your wife Sunshine who watches the Summerlands. He has passed so we may go on and let him know his sacrifice does not go unappreciated."

As he pulled the dagger from its sheath on his side the green gem in his wood carved circulate about his forehead glowed the dagger floating in a faint green light not as strong as a Unicorns spell but still sufficient for his task. Raising his blade he drove the tip into the dead creature's neck and with a quick jerking motion he cracked the wood. Amber resin began to flow from the beast but was caught in a clay jar held in a grey glow from the older stallion.

Still Slightly tired Phoenix Eye smiled. She had succeeded in her task and they would have enough of the resin for trade and medicine both after this kill. With the bird perched on her back she breathed out a quick sigh of relief before speaking again in the tongue of her forebears.

"That was a good throw Green Leaf. Quick and clean just as one should always make death."

The younger stallion looked up with a soft smile.

"He who causes suffering be it intentional or accidental must live with equal pain.” He quoted.

Glancing at her he continued.

“That is a burden I don't wish to bare. Still I could not have done my part without your training or your efforts just now."

"You were a fast learner and a willing pupil. Teaching is much easier when the student is competent."

There was a brief pause before the mare spoke again this time wearing a cheeky smile.

"Though with that said it would have been easier if you had a better grip on your temper when your patients failed."

The old Stallion to the young ones right gave a hard smile. Endearing but somewhat forced all the same. Phoenix Eye's happy smile turned grim.

"I wish you would speak at least once more father. I've not heard your voice for so many years I can't even remember it's tone!"

Her face returning to a neutral expression the mare looked to the sky visible through the gap in the canopy the clearing provided. The sun was getting close to the horizon. Assuming that Green Leaf could collect the sap swiftly they could use the remains to start a fire before dark. Her mind drifted to nights spent lying next to her father Fallen Oak by a campfire as he taught her the native language of their folk.

"Why could you speak long enough to teach me but not find the strength now? Mother was dear to you but if you had the strength then why not now?"

She let out a hard breath she hadn't known she was holding. Fallen Oak had been her only parent and other being in her life for many years aside from the fillies and colts she met when they went into towns to trade with the locals for things they couldn't forage for. For the longest time he had been the only one to teach her and he did but once he was done he had stopped speaking.

She was sixteen now a filly no more but a mare by her clan's standards. Seven years without hearing her own flesh and blood's voice and no change in that seen coming soon if ever. At least she had Green Leaf to talk to. Two years after her father had stopped talking they had found him Hiding in the woods. Once a Serf to one of the Unicorn nobles he had run away and avoided capture for a year and a day. As was law and custom he was now a Freecolt but his former master had thrown him off his land there after and he was without food, water or shelter.

Liberty was the virtue her clan was chosen to protect and guard by White Fall the God of winter and husband to Beltine. The vision that showed this had been assigned to them and passed down from priest to priestess of the old ways. The only way to become a Priest or Priestess of The old ways was to be chosen by the gods themselves. Fallen Oak had not received the dream but she had. Phoenix Eye the last Priestess of the last clan in the realm.

Since it was their duty to preserve liberty and this colt had lost everything in the name of it they took him in. Within a few months they were learning from each other. Phoenix taught him the clans tongue and ways while he helped her improve the modest understanding she had of the common tongue of Canterealm learned from her father’s meager knowledge of it. Within three years he was sworn into the Clan and had been the closest thing she had to a brother ever since.

She was pulled from her memories by the sound of Green Leaf clearing his throat. She had gone off into her own world as she was want to do again and he could tell. Smiling he spoke up.

"We should make camp here tonight. If you get the fire going I'll prepare our food while father gets the bed rolls ready."

Phoenix nodded and chirped to Philomena that she needed to get off her back. There was work to do before nightfall. She began to gather kindling, dried grass, leaves and twigs. When she was satisfied with the amount she began to take her Warhawk to dead trees and branches for bigger pieces of firewood. The remains of the Timber wolf would be used later. Glancing around the clearing she saw Fallen Oak rolling out the mats and Green Leaf pouring brook water into a clay cook pot with foraged plants.

"Dandelion root and wild Beet stew tonight then? Could be worse but what I wouldn't give for some Sugar Milk Mushrooms or roasted Parasprites."

A spot chosen for safety of the forest as well as convenience she began pulling up the grass to make a bare patch of soil to build a fire on. This done she placed the kindling then branches in it before producing a piece of flint and a steel horseshoe they had acquired last time they were at a village. five minutes of striking and a bit of effort later a small flame grow into a fire big enough to cook on.

Fallen Oak was already on his bedroll eye's closed but Phoenix couldn't tell if he was asleep yet. Gazing back into the fire she levitated a stick and pushed a log further into it with the other end. Sparks sizzled upwards towards the sky where the first stars were becoming visible. There were still a few clouds in the sky darker now with the lack of sun but on the horizon towards the north west where the Whitecap mountains were barely visible was a small bit of red, the last of the sun's rays. The mare found herself asking a question for no reason other than to give the answer she long ago decided to be true.

"If I could change the way I live would I? ...Not the slightest chance."

"Stews ready sister." came the voice of Green Leaf pushing a crude wooden bowl filled with the steaming contents towards her.

Taking the bowl in her hooves she sipped the broth testing it's temperature. She was surprised not only to find it cool enough to drink but better tasting then she had thought it would be. Taking a whiff of the stew she realized the Green Leaf must have added something to enhance the flavor.

"What did you put in this? It's better than usual!"

"I added the last bit of pepper I had left. We'll be trading again soon so I thought it safe to use the last tonight."

The mare smiled appreciatively before sipping from the bowl again. Between the spice in the stew and the warmth of the vegetable broth she felt her insides starting to relax and her mind grow closer to being ready to sleep. setting the bowl down she let out a yawn before looking over at her father still lying down on his bedroll.

"He's not feeling right again. I do wish sometimes I could see in his head if only to know what to say to help him."

Standing up she stepped over to her bedding grabbed her blanket and placed it on top of the ageing stallion. For a colt of fifty eight he was in good health physically. "It's his mind that troubles him. That and his heart." From his slow rhythmic breathing she could tell he was asleep leaning forward she placed a light kiss on his forehead. "Sleep well father and sweet dreams."

With that she stepped back over to her bowl and the fire adding a log with her magic as she passed by. She could spend one night without a blanket if it meant she could rest knowing her father would be that much warmer. Besides somepony had to keep the fire going to keep the beasts at bay.