Brothers 'N Antlers

by Elkia Deerling

Rating: teen
Tags: Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Party Favor, Starlight Glimmer, Romance, Adventure, Night Glider, Sugar Belle, Violence, Death
Length: 137150

Every OC deserves a background story, so here is mine. These are the adventures of Elkia and his brother Alces, containing an ancient quest, a tragic demise, a discovery, love, deceit, abduction, and lots of danger.

Every original character has a background story, and you’re about to read mine. For years and years I’ve tried to postpone writing this tale, for fear of diving up traumatic experiences and unpleasant memories. Yet one cold winter day, my brother enters my little cabin in the woods, and soon enough I find myself sitting behind my typewriter writing down what happened to me and him from beginning till end. I still don’t believe how I did that.

Indeed, my story is not a happy fairy tale where everything is bathed in sunshine and unicorns dance on the proverbial rainbows. In the beginning it does look like that, with my brother and I, our mother, the great herd of elks, deer, and reindeer, and the guarding of the Shimmering Eye making up the happiest part of my life. But very soon a game of predator and prey is played on a snowy and dark winter plain. After that, I end up in a very peculiar village, where I discover my true talent thanks to a very special somepony. Then love somehow wriggles itself into my life, followed closely by deceit. Believe me when I say the two go hoof in hoof. Next, I find myself abducted to another village, even stranger than the first, where I am forced to use my talents for a dictator’s regime. And what happens next…? You’ll have to discover that as you read.

Every story has a sliver of the writer’s soul in it, and in this story, I practically poured all of my soul. I hope it will help you to get to know me and my brother better. And if that is not your goal, then I hope it will teach you something. And if that too, is not your goal, then let me and my brother’s (mis)adventures at least entertain you from beginning till end. Read on, and discover a story about brothers and antlers.

Thanks to Caroline Cottrell for prereading. I know I can always count on you!

Published 2019-01-09 16:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-01-09 16:20:01 UTC

Prologue: armed with secrets and knowledge

Do you ever wonder how parents name their foals, dear reader?

Let’s take some of the heroes we all love and admire, and try to find that out together. Don’t worry, I will help you with that, and I won’t drown you in genealogical gibberish. But in order to understand the tale I am about to tell you, you have to understand this secret first. Ready? Good.

Rainbow Dash, we all know of her amazing flying skills and capricious, daredevil tricks. Of course her name makes sense. “Rainbow” because of her rainbow mane and tail, and “Dash,” because of her never-satisfied need for speed. The rainbow is logical, yet, how could her parents know that “Dash” was going to be a suitable second part of her name? How could they know that their little filly was going to be one of the fastest and most awesome flyers in Equestria? They couldn’t.

And yet they did.

And what about Twilight Sparkle? I talked with her for a while, and found out that her parents’ names are “Twilight Velvet” and “Night Light.” Of course, looking at her mother’s name, the “Twilight” part fits right in, but where did the “Sparkle” come from?

Her parents could have decided that name when they saw their foal was a unicorn, as unicorns use magic. But it could also have been that, as she grew up, Twilight Sparkle’s magic would have been bad or average, like the thousands of unicorns who only know a simple levitation spell. Trust me, dear reader, there are lots of lazy unicorns in Equestria. If Princess Twilight’s magical abilities would have been mediocre at best, a name like “Twilight Sparkle” would forever be a burden to bear, speaking only of parental expectations which would never come true. But her parents saw that their child was going to be extraordinary. They were obviously very proud of their child’s future magical talent, and wanted to give her a name that honored her abilities. Hay, now that I think about it, they might even have found out about her future ascension to princess-hood.

That leaves one key question unanswered: how did they know?

I know how they knew.

Twilight’s brother is named “Shining Armor,” and—as you may or may not know—is the captain of the royal guard. As you can see, the name “Shining Armor” fits perfectly with his important job. But how could his parents know that their son, who was just a little colt, would one day be walking around in a glimmering set of armor, with a plumed helmet on his head?

Believe me, they could.

Our last example is Rarity. I didn’t have the chance to talk with her about her parents, as she is a very busy fashion designer. She simply didn’t have time to pause her life’s passion to do silly and unnecessary things—unlike us writers. By sheer luck, however, I ran into her parents at the Ponyville market. They were nice ponies and—lucky for me—they were very talkative. They told me exactly how they knew that their beautiful daughter would one day become a famous and successful fashion designer with a crush on pretty gems which are a rarity just like her name. They visited the Shimmering Eye too.

These four ponies, these four names, all came from the same place: the Shimmering Eye. I know that—unless you happen to wear antlers—you probably have never heard of this name before. “The Shimmering Eye…” It sounds quite ominous, doesn’t it? Yet, the Shimmering Eye is the most beautiful thing I can remember of my childhood. It is a landmark so pretty and powerful, it will make you want to bring out a spyglass—even though you’re standing right in front of it—to watch it better. You would want to take in every single detail, every reflection of light, every ripple, every fish, every wave, every water plant, every leaf floating on the mirror-like water. When you would look into it, your reflection would stare back at you with blissful eyes, bearing a smile which will be glued to your face the rest of the day. Just looking into the water will make you feel at peace with yourself, with those around you, and with the world. Just looking into the water will make you feel its enormous powers.

The Shimmering Eye, in all its glory, is impossible to describe, and yet there are a million different words with which to tell you, dear reader. But if I really, really have to pick out a word, one single word, with which to describe the Shimmering Eye, it would be a lake.

The Shimmering Eye is an enormous lake. Enormously long, enormously wide, and enormously deep. The banks of it are steep, and only on the northern side is a place where you can wade a few yards into the lake. No one goes for a casual swim into the water of the Eye, even though elks are always in love with water, and always long for some refreshment. No, no one is allowed into the lake without permission. And those that get permission to enter the lake, will experience something they will never forget.

I have bathed in the Shimmering Eye. Every elk, deer, and reindeer has bathed in the Shimmering Eye. We all know what it is, how it feels, and why we must live and die to protect it. We all know it is our legacy, our mission, our goal, and our treasure.

The Shimmering Eye is a bit of a half-mystery. Some creatures know of it, and some don’t. The ponies that live up north, like inhabitants of the Yaket Range or the mysterious village called Manehattan sometimes venture into the Bugbear Territory. Usually it is the brave, stout-hearted ponies that enter these strange, wild, and sometimes dangerous parts. Most of them are skeptical, and don’t believe in magical powers hidden deeply in that strange part of Equestria that we call home. Ha! I always love seeing their faces after they visited the Shimmering Eye. But sometimes there are other kinds of ponies who find us—or rather, we find them. Sometimes ponies enter the forest by mistake, get lost and scared, and need to be rescued. We often follow them around for a while, look at their behavior, and determine if it is safe to let them in on the secret or not. We always help those ponies, though we not always reveal the Shimmering Eye to them.

And if we really, really trust the ponies that reach us, we let them feel the power of the Shimmering Eye. They take their foals towards the Eye, and then Aeltha, our seer, performs one of the most sacred rituals: a naming ceremony.

Chapter one: an (un)expected guest

Wham!

My hooves flew off the typewriter and into the air. The sound of the slamming door caught me off-guard, as did the someone who was wriggling his way inside. Of course I expected him to arrive any day now, as the weather was becoming worse and worse, and winter was in full swing, painting the landscape white. But I still jumped. I swear I tapped the roof with the tip of my antlers.

‘Greetings, brother.’

While Alces huffed and puffed as he shuffled inside, I patted my chest in a futile attempt to calm my heart down and slowly turned around. ‘Hey there, Alces.’

Alces Roameling, my brother, dragged himself inside, knocking over a few of my many piles of books with his heavy knapsack. He decided that a bed made of the books that had fallen down was a suitable spot, and flung his pack right on top of that.

‘Would you please watch out, Alces?’ I said, ‘those are vintage.’

Alces snorted. ‘Vintage? Those are heavy, useless and unnecessary, and will only slow you down on your travels.’

‘Then you can be glad you’re not a reader, and I can be glad I’m not a traveler,’ I said.

A cold gust of wind punched through my doorway, carpeting my floor with an extra layer of snow. The cold hit me right in the face. Instantly, despite my winter coat and my sweater, I shivered. ‘Could you please close the door?’

Alces turned around and waved his head at the general direction of the door. He was obviously trying to slam it shut very loudly with his antlers, but he had already shed his, very recently, I guessed. When he realized that too, he bucked and kicked the door shut—loudly, of course.

After I flinched, I decided to bid him welcome with a fine tradition of Elkish hospitality. No matter how loudly he slammed doors, he was still my brother, and a visitor in my house. ‘Would you like a cup of tea, brother? You must have been freezing trying to get here. It looks so cold outside.’

Alces shook himself, flinging half-molten snow in every direction. I bit my lip as I saw some of my books getting bombarded with the many droplets. ‘You call that cold?’ he said, ‘plowing your way through the walls of snow in the Bugbear Territory is cold. You haven’t seen cold until you’ve tried that out for yourself—which we have.’

I stood up from my desk, and headed towards the fireplace, where a kettle hung over a crackling little fire. While I turned around, I looked into my brother’s eyes. The same fire that burned in my hearth burned into his eyes too. The cold hadn’t extinguished it. ‘I know we have,’ I said, ‘but you know I don’t like to talk about that. Let’s keep everything positive in my little cabin, ok?’

Once again, Alces snorted. He turned around himself, grabbed a chair, and sat down at the table. When I put two porcelain cups with flowers on them on the table, Alces turned them around in his hooves many times while I poured the tea. ‘Do you like them?’

Alces nodded.

‘I got them from Miss Rarity Belle, after I helped her with a slogan for her boutique in Ponyville. It goes like this: “Carousel Boutique: fashion to admire. You’ll find your heart’s desire.”’

Looking at me as if I just said a very, very bad word, Alces said, ‘Please don’t tell me you’re still meeting ponies? After everything that happened? After everything we have been through? After everything—’

I slammed the teapot on the table. ‘I said, no bad memories in my house, brother. If you want to talk about our past, then I know an excellent psychiatrist who can help you figure things out.’

‘Let me guess, a pony?’ Alces growled.

‘Well… yes, but a very nice gentlecolt, who will surely give you a—’

Alces took his cup. ‘Never mind.’

‘Very well.’ I grabbed mine, and took a sip.

Even though Alces tried to keep his face neutral (and, in my opinion, very angry and unwelcome), I saw he was enjoying the tea. ‘It’s good, isn’t it? I managed to brew together that same flavor we always enjoyed on those cozy nights at the Shimmering Eye. It took me a while to find the right combination of herbs, as they don’t have Glitterleaf in Ponyville. But judging from your face, I can see that I accomplished my mission.’

A few swigs later, Alces finished his tea. Eyeing the cup as if it did something wrong, he said, ‘It was good. Almost like the old times, the carefree times.’

Somehow, I knew he was going to talk about the past, which would inevitably result in talking about the nasty things that happened. I decided to change subject quickly. I poured some new tea in an attempt to keep my brother distracted, and then asked him what was on my mind. ‘Speaking of missions, how is yours going? Have you found the—’

Alces shook his head. ‘I traveled close to the mountains this time. Hay, I could practically see the Dark Lands on the other side of the mountains! But I kept my distance as I combed out the area. No tracks, no marks, no scat, no signs of fires, snow huts, nothing. It’s like the whole herd, every elk, deer, and reindeer fled into the Dark Lands themselves.’

I let my gaze fall. ‘I’m very sorry to hear that, Alces. You would almost think that they did just that, but you know they would never do that. Maybe… maybe they don’t want you to find them.’

‘Of course they don’t,’ Alces said. ‘You and I both know about the curse, and you and I both know that I defy that curse. Still I wonder if the herd knew I was on them. If they really did, then they did a damn good job at covering their tracks.’

‘Well, we are creatures of the wilderness…’

Alces paused. In one swig, he finished his tea. I saw how he looked around at the interior of my cabin. Surely he took the time to watch the books everywhere. I’ll admit, it was—and is—quite a mess. It looked as if every single object in my cabin had been used as a bookshelf—not just the many bookshelves. But besides books, there were many other objects too. Things like paintings of beautiful landscapes, statues with their abstract shapes, a telescope for staring infinitely at the stars, a big checkers table to play games with the occasional visitor, cabinets with clothes, food and drinks, an ornately carved bed to dream the night away, and a piano I had absolutely no talent for. All those and many more objects created the chaotic but homely feeling I always adored. Only my two tables were book-free. One was the drawing table, and the other my writing table, where I did what I like to do: writing.

‘At least I am a creature of the wilderness,’ Alces said after a long silence.

I frowned. ‘Hey! I still am.’

Turning his spirit-filled gaze towards me, Alces said, ‘When was the last time you left your cabin?’

I smiled, as I thought the answer came to me. Then I realized it didn’t came to me. Then I realized I didn’t even know the answer. Then I realized I hadn’t been out of my cabin for at least a week… or maybe two?

Obviously, Alces noticed my hesitation. He crossed his forelegs. ‘Just as I thought.’

My eyes were all over the place, searching for an excuse. ‘Well, eh… you know I never really liked to travel much.’

Alces rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah, sure Elkia.’ Then he looked around the messy living room again, judging and judging and judging. ‘Where did you even get all this stuff?’

I waved my hoof. ‘You know, a bit of this, a bit of that. Most of it I got as presents for helping other ponies. I helped quite a few.’

‘Yes, I can see that,’ Alces said. For a third time, he eyed the many objects, but this time, his gaze stopped at my little writing corner. ‘What are you doing here in this place anyway? It must be boring to spend all your time locked up in this wooden blockhouse.’

I stood up abruptly. ‘This is my little wooden blockhouse, Alces. I can entertain myself here just fine. Not everypony needs to be a traveler, you know?’

Standing up too, Alces met my gaze. ‘Then what is it you do here?’

‘I write, and I help other ponies with their writing-related problems.’

‘You still write…’

‘Yes, I still write. It is still my passion and my talent, and whatever happened is not going to stop me from having fun with the hobby—the job—I like most.’

‘Writing?’ Alces said.

‘Writing.’ I said.

We were not fighting. My brother and I fought only rarely, unless we practiced dueling with our antlers, something that I didn’t even like to do. We were different, yes, very different even. But I tried to keep the peace as often as I could. Yet, now there was some tension in the air. Tension means stress and negativity, and I didn’t want that. The tea was all gone, so I had to do something else. Turning around, I walked over to my writing corner, and sat myself down on the cushioned chair. I quickly changed the stub of candle with a fresh, straight one, and then turned towards Alces again. ‘Come, Alces, then I can show you what I have made.’

With obvious revulsion, Alces shoved his chair next to me and stared at the typewriter on my desk.

I was not going to wait for him to ask, because he would never do that. ‘I’m writing a memoir,’ I said. ‘In fact, I’ve just started.’

‘What’s a memoir?’ Alces asked. ‘Does it have something to do with memory?’

‘It does.’ I grabbed my glasses and put them on my muzzle. ‘A memoir is a collection of stories about things that have happened in your past. Memoirs are made to prevent the writer from forgetting very important things, or to pass on knowledge and life experience from one elk to the other.’

‘So you’re writing about what happened to us?’ Alces said.

I shook my head. ‘I’m just going to write a short bit about my—our—childhood. The positive memories, in particular. You can help me if you want, then we can have two main characters,’ I said with a chuckle.

Something seemed to change within my brother. He stroked his beard for a few seconds, then looked at me and said, ‘Very well. I will help you with your “memoirs.” How far did you get?’

I swiveled my ears. Was I hearing this right? Alces wanted to do something creative? I guessed his latest journey had somehow changed him, even though he hadn’t shown it when he barged into my cottage like that. Didn’t matter. I shook my head a bit, and then let my eyes go over the letters. ‘I have just tried to explain a bit about the Shimmering Eye, but it’s just so difficult to explain it to—’

Alces recoiled, then shot to his hooves. His chair toppled over. ‘What?! You’re going to tell about the Shimmering Eye?!’

Raising my hooves, I tried to calm my brother down. ‘Don’t worry, Alces. I’m not going to give the precise location or something like that. Besides, the ponies that had taken part in all of the naming ceremonies took the magical oath. The secret will remain safe.’

But Alces still stood aghast. ‘Then why are you writing about it in the first place?’

I stood up, picked up the fallen chair, and put it back on its four legs. ‘I just feel it is necessary for the reader to know about the Shimmering Eye and what it can do. The next chapter will be about our naming ceremony, where we got a taste of the magic ourselves. Writing about the naming ceremony is a perfect way to demonstrate the Eye’s powers. And besides, our naming ceremony is one of my most precious memories.’

Alces slowly walked back towards the chair and sat down. I sat down on my chair too. ‘Well… maybe we can edit it out, or use another name,’ I said. ‘There’s always the second draft.’

I could see Alces weighing those words in his mind. ‘There’s always the second draft,’ he whispered. He knew I liked to say that. Shaking his head, he took a decision. ‘Very well. We’ll edit it out. I… I can see why you chose that particular time to start your story. The naming ceremony truly was something beyond description.’

I chuckled. The tension was out of the air. ‘Do you see now what a titan’s task I face? How in Equestria am I going to describe something so extraordinary?’

Alces licked his lips, and then looked me in the eyes. ‘I think I have some words for you.’

Chapter two: names and trials

‘Come on, Elkia! Hurry up! Faster!’

Between panting breaths, Elkia looked up to where his brother stood farther uphill, impatiently looking over his shoulder. Elkia was grateful Alces stopped to check how far he had come. Grateful so he could take a little pause.

‘Why are you stopping, Elkia?’ Alces said, tapping his hoof on the frozen ground.

But Elkia didn’t end his pause yet. ‘Why must we go so fast? It isn’t a race.’

Alces rolled his eyes. ‘I know it isn’t, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be the fastest twin yet. Come on, brother, we can write history here!’

A wisp of cold vapors escaped through Elkia’s nostrils, as he sighed. ‘Alright. You can go on ahead if you want, then I’ll be right behind you.’ Elkia knew he would never be able to catch up with his brother, especially with the heaps of snow lying everywhere. Even though Elkia had the longest legs, Alces had an advantage. Where Elkia had already lost his antlers, the beautiful, razor-sharp crown that adorned his brother’s head was still there. Alces used it to plow the snow aside and create a path, but despite all the extra effort, he was still faster than Elkia.

When Alces saw that his brother was picking up the pace again, he bent down and stood firm, plowing himself a way to the top of the hill.

While his brother rushed on ahead, Elkia took the time to enjoy his surroundings. The forest of the Bugbear Territory looked cold, with snow-covered pines and white hills making up the landscape. The Bugbear Territory was a bit of a misleading name, and the elks, deer, and reindeer often called the lands where they lived by different names. The Winterlands, the White Forest, or Needle Region, are some examples. Ponies called it “Bugbear Territory,” but the lands housed many more animals than just Bugbears. In fact, there weren’t even that many Bugbears left, which was a good thing, and meant that the forest was a lot safer for the creatures that lived there.

A snowy owl, as white as the land, fluttered away, and when Elkia looked closer, he spotted a little arctic fox running right past him. Elkia smiled. Nature sure was beautiful, even in the inhospitable winter. At least it wasn’t snowing.

Gazing around, daydreaming, and taking in all the details of winter life, Elkia didn’t notice that he had reached the top of the hill already. He bumped into his brother’s haunches, startled, and lost his footing. He felt himself falling backwards, and would undoubtedly have rolled right off the side of the mountain, had his brother not intervened.

With two jumps of Alces’s muscled legs, he was under Elkia. Bracing himself, Alces thrust his antlers forwards, caught his brother, and with one big shove, made him fly right back onto the top of the hill, where he landed with a smack.

Elkia saw a few stars, but when he saw his brother’s antlers in his face, he bit, and Alces hoisted him up. ‘You’re welcome,’ Alces said.

‘Eh… thanks?’ Elkia shook his head, shedding off some snow.

But Alces had already disappeared among the trees that crowned the top of the hill. After giving himself a quick brush, Elkia jumped after him. The truth was, he was very excited too.

The only thing he had to do was follow his brother’s trail. It zigzagged around the snowy white trees, turning this way and that. Thanks to the trunks everywhere, Elkia couldn’t see his brother anymore, but he also knew they should be close.

He was right, because suddenly, Alces’s rough voice shouted, ‘Elkia! Elkia! Come look, it’s still there!’

Once again Elkia let out a sigh, but this time it was a sigh of relief. It would have been terrible if Alces and he climbed all the way to the top of the hill without finding the tree. Even though the seer predicted its bloom, one can never know for certain with the strange and wild magic of the forest of the Bugbear Territory.

Trudging on, Elkia soon saw his brother’s tail. He was standing in a clearing which looked strange, as if it were artificially created. But Elkia and Alces both knew that there was nothing artificial about the place at all. It wasn’t artificial—it was magical. Elkia made a few more large steps, which brought him next to his brother. He tried to say something to him, but then saw that Alces was entranced, his eyes fixed upon that which they had been seeking. Elkia followed his brother’s gaze.

‘Wow!’

Before the two elk brothers stood a very special tree, an apple tree.

It was the only apple tree in the entire Bugbear Territory forest. How it managed to bloom all year round, even in the bitter cold of the long and dark winters, was a mystery few elks understood. And those who did, were sure to keep its magical powers a secret. Yes, even this far north, in the freezing winter temperatures, the tree looked as healthy as the spry little elks gazing at it. It was enormously high, even for an apple tree, and it bore shiny red apples, gleaming in the bright light of the sun.

It surely was a strange sight, and even the elk brothers didn’t know how exactly the tree could be there, bearing fruit. They only knew two things: the tree and the clearing had hidden magical powers, and they had to get two apples from it. One for each of them.

‘How are we going to get up there?’ Elkia said. The closest apple hung much higher than they could reach. In his mind, Elkia was already trying to concoct a plan, the best angle of approach.

Elkia’s voice brought Alces out of his bliss. He had a job to do. Only by gaining an apple from the magical tree and taking it back to the valley could they complete the first part of their naming ceremony. The rest would be all up to the seer. He exchanged a glance with Elkia. ‘Do you think what I’m thinking?’

‘Certainly,’ Elkia said. ‘We should find a subtle and clever way to get the apples down from the tree. I think the key will be to make sure the apples stay safe and unharmed. Who knows what might happen if we don’t do everything correctly. We should—’

‘You’re overthinking things, Elkia,’ Alces said. He did a few steps back, scraped his hoof on the ground like a bull, and then charged antlers-first into the tree.

‘No! What are you doing?!’

‘Using my head,’ Alces said. The impact hadn’t made him dizzy at all, but the tree showed quite a few scars from where the antlers had pummeled it. But, as the two brothers watched, the bark started to glow. An eyeblink later, there was nothing left of the marks.

Elkia wiped some cold sweat off his brow. ‘Phew! At least we didn’t knock it over.’ Then he looked at his brother. ‘What did you even want to accomplish with that?’

‘Wait for it…’

‘Wait for what?’

The vibrations from the impact still travelled through the enormous apple tree. The green and golden leaves rustled. The apples banged against each other. Down below, Alces got in position. ‘I didn’t expect it to work right away. We’re not dealing with an ordinary tree, after all.’

Elkia wanted to object, but before he could, two apples fell out of the tree, right onto Alces’s antlers. ‘Got it,’ Alces said.

‘Argh!’ Elkia moaned. ‘Now the apples have holes in them.’

‘Nah, they’ll be fine,’ Alces said.

‘No they won’t. Look!’

And when Alces followed his brother’s hoof, he saw that the apples were actually impaled on two branches of his antlers. He let out a nervous chuckle. ‘Hehe, oops.’

Elkia threw his hooves into the air. ‘So what do we do now?’

‘Let’s just try again,’ Alces said, and got back into bull-position. Before Elkia could do another attempt at objecting, Alces rammed his antlers into the tree. It did shake again, but the tree kept a firm grip on its apples this time. Perhaps it had prepared itself for another violent assault.

‘Darn! Another time!’ Alces stood firm, charged, and slammed against the tree trunk.

BANG!

CRACK!

The crack came not from the tree, but from Alces’s antlers. As he drew his head back, his two antlers dropped to the ground.

‘Oh, wow,’ Elkia said.

Alces shrugged. ‘Never mind. That was bound to happen someday soon.’ Yet while he said that, he slowly reached up and patted his head, where just seconds ago his beautiful crown had been. He already missed the antlers, although he would never admit that. He shook his head, feeling the absence of the heavy antlers, and literally feeling light-headed. Turning towards his fallen crown, he grabbed one of the apples with his mouth, pulled it off the bars, and tossed it over to Elkia. ‘At least we got the apples.’

‘We found some things and we lost some things,’ Elkia said, after tossing his apple into the basket at his side.

On their way back to the valley, the two elks were filled with ecstasy, for they kind of knew what to look forward to. They were both running again, Alces up front, and Elkia trotting behind.

‘I hope we’ll get our cutie marks too,’ said Alces, who had slowed down a little to be able to voice his thoughts to his brother.

Between panting breaths, Elkia said, ‘Maybe. Who knows?’

‘I’ve heard that many elks, deer, and reindeer get their cutie mark during the naming ceremony, if they complete the test.’

‘That’s nice.’ Elkia wasn’t uninterested. It was just that it was hard to breathe when you’re out of breath.

‘”That’s nice?” You mean “that’s great!”’ Alces said, emphasizing his words. ‘Are you not excited about that?’

‘I am, I am.’

‘Really, Elkia? I believe we should be double as excited and double as cheerful, if we get both things, our names and our cutie marks.’

Elkia slowed down a bit so he could talk better. ‘I am excited—double as excited, I mean. It’s just that I think cutie marks come when they come. They are a nice bonus, but the thing I really want to do and complete is the naming ritual. That’s the most sacred and important of things.’

Alces frowned. ‘I still don’t get what you mean.’

‘You can earn a cutie mark on any random day,’ Elkia said. ‘But today is not at all a random day. You and I know that well enough.’

Once, they had spied on a naming ceremony, where two ponies had visited the Shimmering Eye and the seer, asking her to perform her amazing magic. The two elk brothers had stood aghast watching the rite. Using her beautiful, sleek antlers, the seer had made the lake glow like a million colored fireflies for a couple of seconds. Steam and strangely-colored vapors emanated from the Eye, drifting slowly into the air. After that, the visitors placed the apple on the seer’s antlers. The seer waded further and further into the flashing lake, which obscured more and more of her body. When at last the tips of her antlers completely disappeared into the water, she resurfaced and walked out of the Shimmering Eye again, still bearing the apple on her antlers. Elkia and Alces had to watch very closely to see what happened next, but Alces, with his keen eyes, had been able to spot the next stage in the ceremony. Both the seer and the foal took a bit off the apple, after which the seer didn’t stop looking into the child’s eyes. She talked or whispered many things, which the elks couldn’t hear, and after a couple more minutes it was all over. The lake stopped acting as if it were possessed, and the seer turned her head away from the foal. Obviously quite shaken, the ponies had bowed, took the basket with their foal, and retreated back the way they came.

So that was what it looked like, but how did it feel? That was a question to which both elk brothers would get an answer soon, very soon.

* *

‘We got them, mother! We got the apples!’ Elkia and Alces shouted in unison.

‘And I didn’t doubt you for a second,’ the seer answered.

Now that the elks had returned to the valley, they saw a whole throng of elks, deer, and reindeer gathered around the Shimmering Eye. ‘Wow! That’s quite a crowd,’ Elkia said, gazing at them all, yet not looking into anyone’s eyes.

‘I wanted everyone to be present at the naming ceremony,’ the seer said. ‘Everyone should get a chance to rejoice in the festivities.’ The seer lowered her head and winked. ‘Besides, it isn’t everyday one gets to name one’s own sons.’

Aeltha the seer, Elkia’s and Alces’s mother, was a formidable sight. She was the only elk who had a completely white coat. Her white antlers—which shimmered even in darkness—more closely resembled crystals than bone, and were never shed. Her striking blue eyes looked hazy, but of course, Aeltha was far from blind. Everyone revered Aeltha for her magical powers, but many were scared too. In no other elk had the power of the essences manifested itself so clearly and thoroughly. Wherever Aeltha walked, the snow melted, and wherever she went, strange things happened. No, no one could deny her powers, and they were called upon very frequently—if one dared to ask her.

The only elk who managed to talk with Aeltha as if she were his equal was Moussa, the leader of the herd. He stood a little behind her, at the front of the dozens and dozens other elks, deer, and reindeer. He wore a crown of moss, heather, and crystal-clear splinters of ice upon his head, and regarded the whole procession as if he were counting heads. Moussa and Aeltha exchanged a glance, nodded in unison, and then both of them looked at the elk brothers.

Now that everyone was laying his or her eyes on Elkia—including the king of the elks—and now that the ritual was truly going to begin, Elkia’s demeanor changed. He suddenly felt anxiety and nervousness. Maybe he wasn’t as ready as he thought? The actual ritual had seemed so far away when he and his brother were gone getting the apples. Yet now, with literally everyone present, it was as close as a puff of breath in front of your muzzle.

‘A-a-are we going to start now, or s-s-should we wait? What’s the best thing to do?’ Elkia said, stuttering a little as he talked.

Aeltha raised a hoof, and lifted her son’s chin. Instantly, Elkia felt his nerves seep away while she talked. ‘We will start right now, little Elkia. Everyone is ready to witness the spectacle.’

‘Of course we’re ready,’ Alces said. ‘Shall we begin now?’

Aeltha nodded, and stood up straight. ‘Let’s begin.’

Drums started playing. Elkia started, and searched for the source of the noise. A few elks, who still had their antlers, were hitting hollowed-out trunks, while a few elderly elks bellowed a strange, deep-throated hymn. The bombastic sounds did nothing to diminish Elkia’s nerves. He looked at his mother.

‘Relax, Elkia,’ she said. ‘The sounds will help you through the ceremony. Focus on them. Hear the drone and embrace it. Let the tones calm you down.’

Looking at his brother, Elkia saw that Alces had a much easier time with the music. His eyes were closed, and he swayed back and forth on the mysterious tones. He was entranced. Elkia was not sure Alces would even see what was going to happen.

Closing his eyes and swiveling his ears, Elkia tried to do the same, but his fear kept him on a leash, preventing him from entering the trance. His mind was still as clear as the water of the Shimmering Eye. He remembered something. Reaching back, he opened his wicker basket, pulled the two apples out by the stalk, and looked at Aeltha.

‘I knew you wouldn’t forget,’ she said, as she smiled and eyed the apples. She noticed the holes instantly. ‘Oh my! How did that happen?’

‘I’m so sorry, mother,’ Elkia said. ‘We weren’t careful enough, and—’

‘It is not your fault, little Elkia. They will be enough, don’t worry.’ Bending down, Aeltha offered her son her antlers. Elkia was just able to reach them, and placed one apple on every antler. Aeltha nodded, and walked towards the edge of the lake.

Once again, Elkia felt a pang of fear, as he saw his mother slowly disappear into the lake. Everyone watched with their breaths held. One calf was on the edge of crying, as he thought the seer was gone. The tips of the seer’s antlers went under, as she took a few more slow, graceful steps.

And then she was gone. The ripples in the water widened and widened, until every trace of the magical elk vanished. It looked as if the lake swallowed her whole.

The drumming paused. Elkia looked at Alces. He had regained his wits, and trotted until he stood next to him. ‘Elkia, where did she go? Is she in the lake? How long has she been under?’

‘I… I don’t know,’ Elkia answered. He looked at Moussa, who still bore his haughty, leader’s expression. If he was concerned, he didn’t show it. Every elk, deer, and reindeer’s eyes were glued to the lake. Then, they all received a startle.

The lake crackled and fizzled as if someone lit a thousand firecrackers which floated on the surface. The blue became deeper, darker, blacker. But the other half of the lake became lighter, whiter. Black and white circled around each other, leaving trails of crackling essence. Strange vapors started flowing out of the Shimmering Eye. They floated slowly between the hooves of the other animals. It didn’t become thicker, and it didn’t obscure one’s view. It stayed low, spreading fingers of mist everywhere around the lake.

Now Elkia was really afraid. Not only because of what he saw, but also because of what he felt. Even though he had never performed miracles himself, Elkia felt that something was happening. He knew that the feeling that crept into his body now, was essence. It was nothing compared to the essences which housed in his mother’s body and mind, but he knew it was a strong sliver of those primal powers nonetheless. It felt as if someone emptied a bucket of warm water over his head. The warmth crept into his ears, his head, his heart, his hooves. It enveloped him, gave him a sense of being alive. He really felt alive during that moment, and he would never experience something like that ever after.

Alces, on the other hand, didn’t feel fear at all. He felt pride. He was proud to be a part of this ceremony. He was proud the essence had found a way into his heart too. For him, the power was cold, sharp, and fresh. The cold felt different from the cold winter gusts that blew through the winter forest. This cold literally made his bones shiver. Alces had expected that there would be at least some kind of pain during the ritual, so he had steeled himself against it. Even though the cold was unpleasant, he could handle it easily. Instead of resisting, he let the cold blow through his body, rattling his bones and leaving his heart fresh and frosted.

Rustles went through the crowd. The drums sounded again, as Aeltha the seer slowly reappeared from the waters. She shooed away the light and the dark with the ripples in the water. The essences made way for Aeltha, the Elkish seer, and step by step, more of her body became revealed. The water seemed to have let her alone, for she wasn’t dripping or anything—she wasn’t wet at all.

Once she reached the elk brothers, the feeling of the essences—for Elkia living warmth, for Alces crisp cold—grew less in strength. Both elks saw that something had happened to the apples. Once again, Aeltha bent through her knees and offered the apples to her sons.

‘Nice! Me first,’ Alces said. With one jump, he appeared before his brother. With a second jump, he stood muzzle to muzzle with his mother.

‘Take the apple,’ she said, ‘then bite. Do not let it touch the ground.’

Elkia didn’t like the sound of his mother’s voice. It had changed in a strange way. It sounded both foreign and familiar at the same time, as if some friend from far away had traded voices with Aeltha. It was not even possible to determine whether the voice was male or female. It was just there.

But Alces paid little attention to that. Slowly, he grabbed the apple in his mouth. He could see that the apple looked very different. Not only did it glow, its surface was like a mirror, and he could see his own reflection clearly. But there was something wrong; his reflection seemed off. The elk that looked back at him looked angry, grim, ready for battle and determined. It looked as if it wanted something, and wasn’t afraid to do whatever it took to get it. Alces blinked. His reflection was still there, and he wasn’t sure if the picture was a good or a bad thing. He decided it was a good thing. He was here at his own naming ceremony, which was, after all, something festive and cheerful. There should be nothing scary about it.

Aeltha slowly raised her head, but still had to bend down to be able to look into her son’s eyes. She paused and looked Alces over. She whispered, ‘Alces, listen closely to what I say. I’ll hold the apple in my mouth. When I tap your hoof, we bite at the same moment, then let the apple fall to the ground. Whatever you do, don’t drop it before we both have taken a bite. Do you understand, my son?’

Alces almost dropped the apple, when he wanted to speak. But he held on to it, and nodded instead.

‘Good.’ Aeltha took the apple in her mouth. Three seconds later, she tapped Alces’s hoof.

Then they bit.

After the characteristic sound of a bite from an apple, the fruit fell to the ground. Elkia watched it go with astonishment. Before the apple touched the ground, it froze over in the blink of an eye. With the sound of broken glass, the apple shattered on a rock which protruded from the snow. Nothing remained of the strange fruit.

Alces and Aeltha looked into each other’s eyes. Alces found himself unable to look away. He became lost in the eyes of the seer. It was as if he looked straight into his very own soul. He felt connected to his mother like never before. However different they sometimes were, at this moment they were one. Alces felt the cold again, and it seemed to affect his mother too. Out of the corner of his eyes, Alces saw her trembling. A tear, frozen and shining, fell from the corner of her eyes. Nevertheless, she kept her gaze on him. Once again, Alces became lost in the blue eyes, in the black of her pupils. Aeltha’s pupils widened and widened, until everything he looked at was pure darkness. Now Alces too, felt a shiver over his body. It made him blink. As soon as he opened his eyes, everything was different.

* *

He was standing on a rocky outcropping, which gave him a bird’s-eye view of the valley below. But Alces wasn’t paying attention to the valley or whatever lay in its lap. He looked around with hazy eyes, confused to the bone.

‘Mother? Where are you? Where is everyone?’

Everything was so strange. It was as if he had teleported out of the forest. Alces felt strange too. He felt strange, as if he were dreaming and awake at the same time. He thought he was awake, yet everything seemed so blurry, the colors amplified a thousand fold. Alces took a moment to let his mind adjust to this situation. Then he looked into the valley, and was amazed by what he saw.

Down in the valley, at the edge of a large, green forest, was a village. It consisted of many wooden cabins, large halls, workshops, and even a mill or two. And there were elks. They were all busy doing their thing, walking, working, chatting. It all looked so picturesque and cheerful, especially considering the time of the year.

‘Wow! It’s summer!’

The sun shone brightly; Alces knew for sure that the pleasant, glowing feeling was the summer sun upon his hide. It was very hot, unusually hot. Thanks to the sweat upon his brow and the summer going strong, he knew for sure that this whole new land was not real. When he looked to the east, he could see snow on the other mountainside, and a little lake even farther away. Summer and snow, ice and water—this whole landscape made zero sense. No, this was definitely not real. But Alces wanted it to be real. Once again he looked at the funny little village in the valley, and asked himself questions, in the hope that his mother—because he reckoned she was still somewhere near—could clarify things.

‘Why are we there? Did we move? Did we settle there in the valley? Does this mean we won’t be travelling anymore?’ And then came the biggest question. ‘Is this… the future?!’

Alces didn’t get any answers to his questions, much to his annoyance. He shook his head, noticing that his antlers had grown back. He decided to get some answers himself, and looked for an easy way down from the outcropping where he stood.

Hopping, skipping, jumping, Alces made his way down the hill and into the valley. It wasn’t long before he encountered some oaks, chestnuts, and maple trees—deciduous trees that could never survive in the Bugbear Territory. Colorful red flowers grew here and there, sprouting between the rocks. When Alces followed the different shades of red with his eyes, he noticed that there was a faint glow on the horizon. Was it the sun? No, when Alces looked up, he saw the sun right above him, signaling midday. Yet, out in the distance, it looked as if the sun went down, or as if a second sun would soon rise. Alces stopped. He was just a mile away from the village, but still high enough on the slope to be able to watch the mysterious light. Dark clouds seemed to accompany the light, hovering over it as though night would soon fall.

With the sixth sense that many animals have, Alces sensed something was wrong. Then he smelt that something was wrong. He smelled a campfire somewhere, but he wasn’t even in the valley yet.

Then he realized he wasn’t smelling a campfire—he was smelling a forest fire.

When he strained his eyes, he could see red ribbons shooting into the skies. Flames danced underneath the blanket of smoke, and he could even hear the crackles and pops that a big fire produced. As he looked and looked, he saw that the fire formed a giant blazing ring, enveloping the whole patch of forest. There was no doubt about it. Nearby was a forest fire, and it headed straight for the village. Alces knew the villagers didn’t stand a chance. The fire would turn the whole village to ashes—everything was made out of wood! He had to do something. He had to warn them.

Twice as fast as before, Alces jumped and slid off the side of the valley. With every yard, the stench of burning wood grew more intense. The fire galloped forwards, and Alces galloped forwards. They were bound to meet in the middle, at the village. A final grassy plain stood between Alces and the village. He crossed it quickly with rapid hoofsteps.

‘Everyone, listen! There’s a big fire coming towards the village!’

Alces was standing roughly in the middle of the village, on a grassy square. Behind him was a large wooden tower, that probably functioned as town hall.

One elk, pulling a wagon, paused to look at Alces. ‘What are you talking about? It is a beautiful summer day. There is no cloud in the sky to be seen.’

‘What?!’ Alces yelled. ‘Can’t you smell the bloody fire? Even a mule with the flu would be able to smell it. Stick your nose in the air, for forest’s sake!’

The elk did so. He sniffed three times, and then waved a hoof. ‘I don’t smell anything. It must be in your head, you poor creature. The doctor is quite close, maybe we can run towards him quickly, and then I can continue—’

Alces reared and threw his hooves in the air. ‘We shouldn’t run! You should run. This entire village should run, before the fire catches up and destroys not only the village, but your lives too!’

The elk didn’t like the looks of that yelling Alces. He rolled his eyes and moved on.

But Alces didn’t give up. He ran towards some deer, tried to convince them, and failed miserably. The smell was intensifying at an alarming speed. Alces galloped around town square, trying to warn as many elks, deer, and reindeer as he could, but everything was to no avail. If he didn’t know better, Alces would think that this entire village was filled with elks deprived of any senses. And then he realized that could be entirely true, for this was not a normal situation, after all.

For the fourth time Alces tried to get the villagers into action. It just didn’t work. Alces found himself sweating. The heat became much worse. He reckoned he didn’t have much time left.

A yell came from somewhere. A group of little hinds came galloping through the streets, screaming, jumping, fleeing.

Alces frowned. ‘I bloody told you all. There’s a huge forest fire coming! You all should run like them, and leave everything behind.’

The villagers didn’t seem to listen to Alces’s words, yet when they saw the hinds fleeing in panic, they quickly understood what was going on. More elks, deer, and reindeer ran away.

Already, Alces could see the flames towering over the trees. Slowly and yet surprisingly fast, the fire closed in on the poor wooden village.

‘RUN! Everyone run! The fire is here!’

A burst of flame came from somewhere at the edge of the village. Alces galloped towards where the flames were. When he arrived, he saw that the roof of one of the houses was ablaze. Then Alces gazed right into a wall of fire, his eyes hurt from the smoke and the ash. An enormous mountain of fire stood right before him, ready to embrace him in a flaming hug.

A stray cinder touched down on Alces’s foreleg. Immediately, his thick winter fur caught fire. Alces smelled it, and then felt the pain blow through his body, with his foreleg as the epicenter.

‘OUCH! OUCH!’ Alces shouted. He jumped away from the forest fire and began rolling on the ground. But when he did, the bone-dry grass caught fire too. Alces left a trail of fire in his wake. The pain kept burning like the fire.

‘No! Ouch! STOP’ Alces jumped up and down, as if that would extinguish the flames. He flung his head around. ‘Just go away, flames!’

The moment he spoke those words and flung his head, the flames left his fur alone. They sprang off of him, and then settled on the wooden wall of one of the cottages.

Smoke was still trailing off his coat, and the pain was still there, but the pesky little dancing flames were all gone. Alces looked at the charred fur in bewilderment. ‘Wait, how did I just do that?’

Sizzling, crackling, the fire came ever closer. Already three houses were burning, and the fire had laid its hot, greedy eyes upon a sawmill. The village was going to burn.

In his bewilderment, Alces once again realized that this was all not real. It didn’t matter that the whole village would burn down. It was just imaginary, it was just in his head, and it was just part of the naming ceremony. Yet if that were true, then why did the flames hurt so much? To Alces, that felt real enough. But when he chased away the flames, that was also real… Alces thought for a split second. His bewilderment made way for the feeling of discovering a pleasant surprise. Alces wasn’t dumb. He knew what had just happened, how fire was an essence too. And in the end, he was the son of the seer…

Alces turned around, looked at one of the smoldering buildings, and repeated what he had said. ‘Just go away, flames!’

The house kept burning. The roof sagged, and a cloud of cinders flew into the air.

Could he or couldn’t he? Alces didn’t give up. ‘Just go away, flames!’

The flames didn’t go away.

‘Just go away, flames,’ Alces said again, this time staring intently at the licking red tongues.

Nothing happened.

Alces stomped his hoof onto the ground. ‘Darn!’ He shook his head in frustration. ‘Just go away, flames!’

This time the flames did as they were told. They jumped from the smoldering building to a fresh new cottage. It was not entirely what Alces wanted, but at least he had figured out the secret.

He had to point with his antlers.

Suddenly, the roar of the flames became louder. It sounded as if a dozen bears gave out a terrifying roar at the same time. Alces frowned and backed away. Something was happening.

It looked as if the fire took shape. Slowly, the flames rose or fell, merged with one another, solidified. They grew four long legs, a powerful body with a humped back, a tiny tail, a strong neck, furious eyes, and a pair of antlers so large and shimmering and bursting with raw fire, it made the seer’s antlers look like shiny little toothpicks. It looked like an elk from hell.

‘You have found out the secret,’ the fire elk said. His words were furious, and were carried upon blazing hot breaths. ‘No one is ever allowed to learn the secret of commanding the essence. Now you must burn!’

Alces had taken a few more steps back. At once, the fire elk bent down and swept his burning antlers towards Alces. But Alces was ready. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he dove into a backwards roll. The antlers hit three other houses instead, which instantly ignited.

Steadying himself again, Alces snorted. ‘Is that all you got?’ He galloped not away from the flames, but towards them. As soon as he reached the wall of fire, he jumped right in it, shouting, ‘Do what I think you should do, flames!’ and waving his antlers about.

Instantly, he felt the heat around him. The flames draped over his charred fur like a mantle, lifting him up and making him much bigger than he was. The flames formed a framework around himself, and soon Alces became the core of another giant fire elk, controlling it with his thoughts, just as he wanted.

‘You defile the power of nature!’ the fiery elk shouted. He had stood idly by while Alces transformed, yet now he was filled up with rage. He bent his head down, braced himself, and then charged antlers-first into giant fire Alces.

The fiery form was slow to react and felt quite bulky and big. Alces couldn’t dodge. The blazing antlers connected with his side, almost skewering him. Alces tried to steady himself, but tripped. The giant fire Alces fell down upon town square, destroying half a dozen houses and the pretty little town hall.

But Alces was undaunted. The giant fiery elk was just like any other elk, and any elk can be beaten in a duel. As quick as he could, Alces stood up, and so did his fiery shadow. He turned towards his opponent, who was ready for another charge. Alces ducked, raised his antlers, and galloped.

The two fire elks crashed into one another. The force of the two fiery antlers made cinders and sparks fly. The cloud of cinders touched down upon the other mill. A few minutes later, it was burned to the ground.

‘You cannot best me. I am the force of fire!’ the fiery elk roared. He pushed and he pushed, trying to knock Alces over.

‘And I am Alces,’ Alces said, pushing just as hard as his opponent. ‘I am Alces, son of Aeltha, and I am about to get my name!’ Suddenly, Alces shifted his weight and sidestepped. The giant elk went along. Then, Alces twirled around, stuck out his hoof, and made the giant fire elk trip. The beast fell down, incinerating a smithy, and then it rolled a few hundred yards further, setting numerous other workshops and houses ablaze. By now, there wasn’t much of the village left, but Alces was too absorbed in the fight to notice that. He stepped forward, leaving giant burning hoofprints in the main street. Slowly, he walked towards his fallen opponent. Before he could rise up again, he received a hoof of Alces pounding against his side, pinning him down on the ground.

‘You will not rise, elk,’ Alces said. He snorted, and gouts of fire escaped his nostrils. ‘I will make you fall, and you will never harm this village ever again.’

Beneath Alces’s hoof, the giant fire elk snorted too. ‘Ha! You have already accomplished the task I intended to do myself. Look!’

Making sure his hoof was still keeping the elk on the ground, Alces looked around. All of the buildings were on fire now, and those that weren’t had already burned to the ground. The village lay in ruins. Alces had tried so hard to save the village, yet it was demolished now. Silently, Alces hoped that no one had died, but at the same time he thought it unlikely that everyone had escaped unscathed. He had tried his best, and he wasn’t rewarded for his efforts at all. Rage built inside Alces’s heart. The fiery elk he commanded grew larger. The fires grew hotter. After mere seconds, just his hoof was as big as the fire elk he held. Alces gritted his teeth, as he looked down upon the pitiful dwarf fire elk. ‘Any last words?’

The fire elk let out a burst of laughter, clutching his stomach and rocking his shoulders. ‘Har har har! The only thing I want to say to you, Alces son of Aeltha, is thank you!’

‘RAAAAAGH!’ Alces jumped up, and then brought his burning hoof down upon the fire elk below, snuffing his candle out with a wave of fire. When he turned around, he saw that the wave pounded the last remaining buildings, making them completely fall apart.

With a flick of his head, Alces dispelled his mighty form. Instantly, he shrunk in size, until he was just a normal elk again. When he looked at the street, he saw that it was covered in smoking wood and ashes. Alces met not a single living soul. There was only blackness everywhere. A slight breeze began to blow, stirring the ashes and making some buildings sag down. Alces had to cover his muzzle against the black dust in the air. The dust kept coming and coming, obscuring his view. It twirled all around him, carried by the unusual gust. Alces could see nothing but blackness. He made a quick attempt to command the ashes, but unlike the fire, they didn’t listen. One more time he tried to see through the black cloud, and that was when he saw her.

They were no longer in the village now, and Alces wasn’t even sure he was in the same world anymore. There was only black, with occasional silvery spots here and there, twinkling away in the distance. The shape of Aeltha took form from the ashes, which turned white and soft. She walked over to her son, her face bearing only the slightest hint of an expression.

‘That was quite impressive,’ Aeltha said. ‘You found out about the fire very quickly.’

Alces nodded, but then frowned. ‘Yes, I had to, otherwise I would have burned alive. Tell me, mother, if I had died in that fire, would I have died in the real world?’

Although she tried to hide it, Alces spotted how her snowy-white eyebrows stirred. ‘Perhaps, perhaps not. It depends on the strength of your spirit. Know that I would never throw you in harm’s way, but also know that I had to present you with a challenge.’

Alces was not at all satisfied with that answer. He decided it wasn’t important. ‘So do I get my name now? I succeeded, didn’t I?’

‘That depends on your point of view,’ Aeltha said.

‘But I did it! I destroyed the fiery elk.’

Aeltha laid a hoof on Alces’s shoulder. ‘That you did, son. You have proven to be smart and deadly, a true warrior. Yet, look.’

When Alces followed his mother’s hoof, he saw that in the blackness, one speckle of light disappeared, then grew larger until it was like a mirror. Through it, Alces saw the demolished village, something he hadn’t forgotten. ‘Yes, yes, I know, but I destroyed the fire. Those other elks just have to rebuild their own village, no big deal.’

With a wave of her antlers, Aeltha dispelled the star-mirror. ‘For the inhabitants of the village, it will be quite difficult to rebuild their village from the ground up, and don’t forget about their everlasting fear for fire, which is instilled in their hearts. I am very certain they will travel far away towards some other place where they can rebuild. And the journey will be hard for them, very hard. I have seen it.’

‘Seen it? But it wasn’t real, right? It was only an illusion.’

An icy cold sigh escaped through Aeltha’s nostrils. ‘That it was, but think, Alces. Just think about these poor creatures. Think about how you defeated the fire elk. You fought fire with fire.’

‘So?’

‘There are numerous other ways you could have bested the fire. Think about the snow on the mountaintop, or the lake in the distance.’

Alces looked deep into his mother’s eyes. ‘Could I have done that?’

‘But of course,’ Aeltha said. ‘In the vision, you were able to control essence. Not just fire, but also water, snow, air, ice, and earth. You could have made an avalanche, and bury the fire underneath the snow. Or you could have created a wild running river from the lake to smother all the flames. You could have made sure that the villagers and the village would have remained safe and sound.’

‘Hey, wait a minute!’ Alces did a step back, so his mother’s hoof hung in the air. ‘I didn’t know I was able to use the other elements as well. You are cheating! You could have told me!’

‘Hush, Alces. You yourself could have found out by trying and experimenting. You could have thought out of the box. You could have stopped and think about the best angle of approach, instead of charging antlers-first into the fire.’

Alces pouted his lips. ‘But still it’s cheating.’

Once again, Aeltha sighed. ‘Your mind is sturdy but stiff. If you keep thinking like that, you will forever be roaming on the same paths, trying to find what you lost. You will roam and roam both in your mind as well as in the physical world, for I have seen it.’

‘Whatever.’ Alces shook his head. ‘Did I earn my name?’

Aeltha closed her eyes. She took a deep breath. Alces saw how concentrated she was, and reckoned she must be looking into the future now. One by one, the little lights went out, until the only two lights of her own eyes, which she opened, sparkled brightly.

‘Your name shall be: “Roameling.”’

‘Huh? What does it mean?’

‘It means: “the roamer of the herd.”’

‘Roamer of the herd,’ Alces repeated. He was just going to ask Aeltha about that, when something new and extraordinary caught his attention. There was light in the darkness. Alces looked around, trying to find the source of the light, but he couldn’t find it. That’s when he realized that he himself was the source.

The light completely enveloped him, and it was so intense that even Aeltha, used as she was to magic, did a few steps back. The magic of cutie marks was really something to behold.

Alces felt himself being lifted off the ground. At first he tried to resist the levitation, but then he saw that it was of no use, and he gave in to the mystical power, letting it take possession of his body. He hovered for exactly three seconds, and then the power lowered him again. As soon as his hooves touched the ground (if there was really something that could be called “ground” in this black nothingness) Alces turned around and looked at his flank.

‘YES!’ he shouted. ‘YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!’ I got my cutie mark!’

Aeltha stepped closer to him to be able to look. A proud smile was etched on her face. ‘Indeed you do, and what an impressive one it is.’

‘My very own cutie mark,’ Alces said. He blinked twice, and then regarded his flank.

Permanently resting upon his flank were two antlers, bearing spiky bars as thick as large thorns. They were crossed, and all around them was a gout of flame in the shape of a circle. The antlers were both black, and the flames were crimson and orange, giving the whole picture a truly impressive, intimidating, and tough look. Any other elk would certainly think twice before challenging Alces to a duel, if he would spot his cutie mark.

‘I love it,’ Alces said, his voice still loud and filled with ecstasy. He didn’t take his eyes off his new cutie mark. ‘I absolutely love it.’

‘Impressive,’ said Aeltha.

‘I know I’ve never drawn anything more than stick figures, but trust me when I say it looks exactly as I expected it to look.’

‘Of course,’ said Aeltha. ‘It’s very impressive.’

Alces frowned at his mother. ‘That’s the third time you said “impressive.” What is so impressive about it? Is my cutie mark a nice one? Is it a good one? The best one maybe?’

Aeltha nodded. ‘It is the most suitable one. I have seen the picture in my dreams, alive and shimmering. I stood in a burning forest, where burnt, black branches reached up to the sky and flames engulfed both them and me on all sides. At first I thought it was a nightmare, and I couldn’t find the symbolism behind it, couldn’t grasp the meaning. But now it all makes sense thanks to you, Alces Roameling, my son.’

‘This day couldn’t have gone better!’ Alces said, ready to jump in joy any second now. He didn’t jump or dance yet, however, as something still troubled him. ‘I earned both my cutie mark and my name. But, to be honest, the cutie mark is better than the name. “Roameling” still sounds so weird. What does it really mean?’

Suddenly, a little breeze began to blow. Aeltha slowly dissolved into white ashes. She did a step forward, and bent down to talk into her son’s ear.

‘That is something you must find out for yourself, dear Alces. I will give you one hint. Both the fire elk and the flames in your cutie mark are a projection of your own battle fury. Know that fury will only get you so far in life. Sometimes, compassion is needed, and you must think of others too. There will come a time where you think you’re doing the right thing, but also bear in mind that sometimes, another approach will be better and friendlier. Take the time to think. That is the only lesson I want to teach you for now. The rest you can find out in the real world.’

‘No, wait, no!’ Alces shouted, as Aeltha kept disappearing. ‘I still have questions. I still don’t understand.’

But the seer was gone. A bell rang. The sound of drums grew louder and louder. Slowly, Alces returned to the Shimmering Eye, back home.

* *

‘Alces! Are you okay?’

Alces rocked back and forth, and seemed to be losing his balance. Elkia jumped towards him and offered support. But Alces pushed him away. ‘I am perfectly fine.’ The two brothers’ eyes met. Elkia quickly let go of Alces, as he stared into his blazing eyes. ‘Oops, eh… sorry. Are you sure you’re okay?’

‘I am sure!’ Alces snapped. ‘I need time to think stuff over for a change.’ He searched for the eyes of his mother, then glared angrily into them. ‘Expect some questions later, mother.’

‘Of course,’ said Aeltha, and made a small bow as her son took his leave.

‘W-w-was it that bad? W-w-was it scary?’ Elkia said, trembling a little as he looked at Aeltha.

‘Don’t worry, Elkia. Your brother is just a little grumpy. You know how he can be. You don’t have to be afraid of the vision. Nothing will happen that you cannot resolve with your inner strengths. That’s a promise.’ And Aeltha stuck out her hoof, gently touching Elkia’s. Instantly, Elkia felt better.

Aeltha bent down. ‘Now it is your turn. We both bite the apple, and then the journey begins.’

Nodding, Elkia reached for the apple as his mother bent down. He forced his teeth not to chatter, and grabbed the fruit at the tiny, hair-thin stalk.

Aeltha heard the sound, and glanced upwards. ‘Keep it steady, Elkia. Whatever you do, don’t—’

And then it happened. Elkia squeezed his eyes shut. He shivered with tension and pure stress. His nerves stretched and stretched, ready to break.

And so did the apple stalk. SNAP!

‘No!’ Aeltha yelled.

It was as if the apple fell in slow motion, and now that he thought about it, Elkia was sure his mother tried to slow time somehow. Was she that powerful? The apple fell down, down, down. Until it touched the grass. Instantly, a black spot appeared on the shiny fruit, as if it were rotting. Then another one appeared. And another one.

Elkia looked at his mother. ‘I-I-I’m sorry, mother, I-I-I s-s-should have—’

Aeltha made the decision. ‘Bite, Elkia, bite! Maybe it is not too late.’

There was such urgency in her voice, it scared Elkia even more. His eyes shot at the rotting fruit. It didn’t look that delicious anymore. The mirror-like surface was cloudy. It smoked too. Yet, Elkia did as he was told. He knelt down and tried to bite, but the moment he did so, Aeltha tried to do the same. They ended up in an awkward headbutt. But they did it. Both animals took a bite.

And not a moment too soon. The last thing Elkia saw before he slipped away from Equestria was the apple, which was now completely black, and fell apart on the snowy grass. It left nothing but a black stain behind.

* *

It became very busy in Elkia’s mind. There were many different voices sounding from everywhere at once. Some were even shouting. Elkia flinched. But then he realized they weren’t shouts of pain or something like that. They were shouts of joy, shouts of children. He recognized these sounds. Homely sounds of a cheerful hubbub of elks. Elkia wondered why it was so dark. Then he opened his eyes, and regained his sight in a not-so-magical way.

He stood right in the middle of a small town. There were wooden cottages here and there, and there were elks everywhere. Some kind of market was going on, as stalls made of sturdy tree trunks were standing in a circle. Music resounded. Elkia tried to find the source of it, and ended up at a fiddle player, playing his instrument with a wide smile on his face. The whole atmosphere was noisy and cheery. The sun shone, signaling a beautiful early morning.

‘Wow!’ Elkia said, ‘this actually seems… very nice.’

A few other elks bumped into him. ‘Oops, sorry, mister. Oops, sorry madam.’ Elkia decided to go with the flow, so as not to be a nuisance to every elk. That, and he was very curious.

He ended up looking at the stalls, gazing at the jewelry, the clothing, the toys, the tools, the food, and everything else that was being sold. Sometimes he stopped, closed his eyes, and enjoyed all the sounds and the cozy throng of elks and deer and reindeer. Yes, Elkia certainly felt like home. He already started calling himself a drama-elk for being so afraid for the ritual. The ritual wasn’t scary at all.

‘Maybe the purpose of the ritual is to relax and feel at ease,’ Elkia said, talking and thinking to himself. ‘Maybe it’s all about discovering oneself, or finding a place where one belongs, or maybe—’

FWOOMPH!

His thoughts were cut short by a cold, wet snowball landing right into his face. Elkia rocked back and forth for a few seconds. Then he shook his head, flinging off the snow, and looked for a suspect. He just had to follow the sound of laughter.

In a small alley, there were some calves looking at him. One of them couldn’t contain himself any longer and laughed out loud. Yet when they saw that Elkia had discovered them, they turned around and galloped away.

‘Haha! I don’t think so!’ Elkia said with a smile. He reared on his hind legs, and then bolted after them. He followed the children through a few more alleys and a few more squares. The festivities were only going on around the main street, as the rest of the village was mostly empty. It didn’t take long to get to the edge of town, and Elkia reckoned that it was just a small village. The elk children jumped over a frozen stream into some fields, where there was snow enough for them to throw.

Elkia kept his eyes on the little rascals. Once he stood in the field as well, be bent down and gathered up some snow between his hooves as quickly as he could. But not quick enough.

FWOOMPH! Another icy surprise right into his face.

‘Wow, you’re good,’ Elkia said. He was quite startled at the force behind the shot. ‘Yes, you’re good, but I’m not giving up so easi—’

Another snowball hit home. Elkia had to be quicker. Shaking off the snow, Elkia kept his eyes on the children. He was ready to dodge their next attack.

One of the children looked at the ground. A heap of snow flew into the air, as if it were attached to an invisible strand of silk. It transformed into a perfect round ball, twirling around and around. The little calf bent his head, and then the snowball shot forwards, once again right towards the target’s face.

Elkia was too startled to dodge, and the snowball hit home. After flinching, his eyes were wide open. ‘Wait, how did you do that?’

‘We can all do it, mister,’ the calf said. ‘Come on, everyone! Let’s show him.’

Now all the elks performed the same trick. Snow hovered all around. Soon enough, every one of them had a snowball locked and loaded, levitating in the air by their side. Elkia stared in disbelief.

‘Wait, but how’—FWOOMPH—‘do you guys’—FWOOMPH—‘make the’—FWOOMPH—‘snowballs’—FWOOMPH—‘so’—FWOOMPH—‘quickly?’

‘It’s easy, sir,’ one of them said.

‘Shush! Don’t tell him the secret, Ada!’

But Ada didn’t listen to her friend’s words. ‘You just look at the snow, wobble your head, and think of something round, look!’ And she started to make another snowball.

Elkia followed the little calf’s every movement. ‘Ah!’ he said, ‘now I finally understand how to—’ FWOOMPH.

Ada and the rest giggled and laughed and jumped up and down.

Focusing on the snow, Elkia thought of something round, an acorn. Sure enough, the snow moved off his face, collected beside him, and formed a ball. Elkia had no idea what he just saw. ‘But, how does it work? I mean, normally the snow doesn’t behave the way I want it to. Is it magic? I thought only unicorns can use magic. Do you know how it—’

A snowball to the face was the only answer he got to his question. He lost focus. The snow he levitated fell to the ground. Smiling and furrowing his snow-covered brow, Elkia focused on the elk children. ‘Alright, time for questions later. Now it’s time for payback!’

They all had great fun, creating snowballs and bombarding one another with them. Elkia tried his best to hit them as softly as he could, but that was a hard thing to do. Whatever magic was at work, it was very potent. He only had to give the snow a gentle nudge with his mind to make it fly fast. After a bit of practicing, he had no trouble creating many snowballs himself. But even armed like that, he still had trouble winning the fight. Hitting four little running, rolling, dodging calves was a lot harder than hitting one tall, clumsy elk. He had obviously neglected his snowball-fight-skills, so the calves gained the upper hoof. He didn’t stand a chance. Yet, in the end, Elkia got a superb idea. Instead of thinking about acorns, he thought of home, about the little snow huts he and his family and friends made, when the winter weather got too bad. As soon as the picture entered his mind, a heap of snow in front of him changed into the familiar, round shape of a snow hut, with its entrance facing him. ‘Hey! Not fair!’ Ada called out, but it was too late. Elkia jumped right through the hole in the front, and used his fortification well.

Elkia and the calves played on for what must have been hours. With all of them together, and with a little effort, they managed to break down Elkia’s snowy bunker. Then the barrage continued twice as heavy as before. The calves had so much energy, Elkia thought they would never stop. But lucky for him, the fight came to an abrupt end. Suddenly, Ada dropped her snowballs, and looked up. ‘Oh no! We should have been back before the sun sets,’ she said. ‘Now mommy is going to be so mad.’

The rest of the children looked up and dropped their snowballs too. Upon seeing the darkened sky, they all gathered together. Elkia looked from the sky to the children and back.

‘I’m sorry, mister, but we have to go,’ Ada said.

Elkia nodded. ‘That’s quite alright, children. We had a lot of fun together. I hope I—’ But then Elkia realized he was still someplace imaginary, as far as he knew. Instead of saying what he wanted to say, he waved his hoof. ‘Goodbye!’

The children jumped and ran back towards the town, which was now covered in the half-darkness too, leaving Elkia alone in the snow-covered field. He followed the children until they disappeared into the gloom. It became quite hard to see. Elkia shrugged. ‘Did we really play for that long?’ When he had first noticed the sun, it had signaled but a young day; an early morning at the most. Yet now it seemed as if the sun had completely forsaken everything. Looking up, Elkia tried to find the sun somewhere at the horizon. But it wasn’t there. Then he tried to find the moon, and thought he had found it. A heavy, black cloud moved aside to reveal a bright yellow orb. But that was the sun.

Now Elkia knew for certain. It wasn’t evening; there were just so many clouds. He looked at the sky again. The clouds only grew darker as they collided, gathered, melted together to create even meaner-looking clouds. The sun was gone. A strong wind appeared. Elkia blinked when he saw lightning flash in the distance. The thunderclap came after it very quickly, signaling the approach of the growing storm, because that is what it was.

‘Oh my! Oh my, oh my, oh my!’ Elkia said to himself. His nerves tightened again, and he could literally feel the storm brewing. What should he do? He had to go to the village, warn everyone. Everyone should prepare, get someplace safe. But were there even safe places to be when the wind and lightning laid waste to the town?

Elkia jumped at yet another thunderclap. This one was really close. In the distance, there was a lonely tree ablaze. After that, flakes of snow fell out of the clouds, and In a matter of minutes, whatever dry part of Elkia had remained became drenched nonetheless. But he didn’t care. He bolted for the town, galloping and jumping on his long legs. He almost slipped as he made a turn. A few alleys later, he was at the town square. Then, just like his brother, Elkia became the herald of danger.

‘Everyone! There’s a storm coming! You should, eh… find someplace safe!’

But the villagers weren’t stupid. They had noticed the weather going bad, and the few elks that were still there were the stallholders, who were busy closing their stalls and making sure to stash their merchandise somewhere safe.

‘Oi, I think you should go someplace safe,’ one of them said.

Elkia’s ears flattened. If the winds hadn’t been so cold and the snow so wet, his blush could have been seen a mile away. ‘Oh, eh… of course. I think, eh… I think you’ll be alright. Or will you? You need… need any help with that?’

The stallholder flicked his head in a direction. ‘Why don’t you go to the pub, lad? I think that’ll be the safest place for you.’

After thanking the elk, Elkia galloped in the direction the stallholder had pointed, to find a little pub. He shook himself and went in. It was quite busy inside. Not only were there the regular pub-folk, but some families had taken refuge there too. Elks were sitting and drinking, while the calves were playing card games and board games. The ambiance felt merrily enough.

But Elkia found himself unable to calm down. He was about to go for a drink, but then a violent thunderclap made him jump and bump his head. No, he was still not at ease at all. The wind was still howling, and Elkia swore he felt the whole tavern shake. He saw that only oil lamps were lit, as all the candles had been blown out by the draught. Rubbing his head, he eventually reached the bar.

‘What can I get for ya?’ the barman said.

Elkia gestured with his hooves. ‘Aren’t you all very worried for the storm? I know I am.’

‘I can see that,’ said the barman, pointing with a glass pitcher to Elkia’s wobbling knees. Then he shrugged. ‘Don’t worry, lad. Just relax, have a drink, gamble away some money. Everything will be just fine.’

Elkia had to strain his ears as he listened to the barman, because the winds were no longer howling—they were shrieking. Some glasses rattled on the bar. Elkia felt the vibrations going through the wood. An elk cursed because his glass fell and shattered on the floor, but Elkia reckoned that there were much bigger problems going to arrive.

And he was right. The door swung open, and the wind rushed in. At the same time, two windows shattered, as somethings flew through them. Elks yelled and jolted. The thing that came in clattered to the ground, where it came to a halt in front of Elkia’s hooves. It was a piece of broken and splintered wood, tortured by the wind.

Elkia knew enough. ‘Oh no! Oh no, oh no, oh no!’ One of the main support beams let out a long and painful creak. It bent and bent, until it snapped like a toothpick. Everyone yelled now, including Elkia. The elks and deer and reindeer got up and moved to the door as quickly as they could. Some even jumped through the windows to flee the inn. In a matter of seconds, only the barman and Elkia were left, both frozen in fear. Despite the raging winds, the gusts of snow, the creaking and croaking wood, and the clattering door, Elkia and the barman exchanged a silent look full of fear and panic. The barman moved his mouth. Elkia didn’t need to guess at what he said. ‘Run!’

The barman jumped over the bar. Another support beam fell down. The wind bashed against the walls of the inn just as elks bashed their antlers together. The roof let out a dangerous creak. Tables and glasses and chairs all fell down, and so did the barman. He tripped.

Despite his fears, Elkia looked back. ‘No!’ He jumped back, grabbed the barman, and, with a wee bit of effort, tossed him onto his back. Pieces of the roof were falling down. Wood splintered. Elkia yelled as he made for the door. He tried his best to jump over fallen chairs and tables like an obstacle runner. He made it to the door, just in time. As he looked back, he felt a rumble go through the ground, as the roof collapsed.

The storm had entered the village, and was busy demolishing it. Already a few houses and buildings had collapsed. The icy winds flung the debris like missiles through the streets. Elks, deer, and reindeer were scattered about, desperately trying to find some structure sturdy enough to protect them. And in the middle of all this hubbub was Elkia.

Elkia had once been in a snowstorm before, and he knew of the terrible winds, which let trees bow and made snow fly everywhere. Once again, he looked back at the sagged inn, beside which the barman was crying. A picture flashed into Elkia’s mind. What would have happened if there had been elks inside? The sound of splintering wood reached his ears. There were definitely more buildings with elks inside. Elkia realized they were about to be buried alive. But what could he do against such unbridled force of nature? What could he do against the thrashing winds, the obscuring snow, the lightning bolts, thunderclaps, and heavy clouds? Elkia knew the answer was nothing.

So instead, his mind went to the poor inhabitants of the village. How could he save them? If only they had someplace safe to go to… Elkia thought about the safest place he knew: home. It was then, that an idea shot through his consciousness, taking the front seat in Elkia’s mind. He had a plan.

With a few big jumps, he found himself back on the marketplace, where there was a lot of snow. There were elks, deer, and reindeer there, trying to dodge the flying debris and get inside somewhere. Elkia had to act now. He pictured his home in his mind, the forest, the people, the Shimmering Eye… and the snow huts.

Elkia stood in the middle, guiding the snow with his hooves and his head. It looked as if the snow was alive, and moving all by itself. It gathered like the dark storm clouds above, pressed itself together to create a solid wall. The wall circled around Elkia like a white ribbon. Then the snow stretched out, folded, until a dome-shaped roof crowned the structure. It was much bigger than the little bunker he had made for himself during the snowball fight. It was exactly how Elkia wanted it: big, sturdy, and solid.

No sooner had the roof appeared, than a couple of elks entered the structure, slowly, carefully, as if it were a trap.

‘Come in, come in!’ Elkia said. ‘Bring in as many as you can! This snow hut is your best chance.’

More and more elks, deer, and reindeer entered the snow hut. Some were wounded by the storm and the swirling debris. They had broken bones or had got many splinters or bleeding wounds. But they were safe, and that was the most important thing. As more of them came in, Elkia still stood in the middle, balancing on his hind legs, with his forelegs outstretched. He had the feeling the snow hut would collapse if he were to let his focus slip, or if he put his forelegs down. The storm was still going strong outside, and Elkia could feel that. Every time something heavy collided with the walls of the hut, Elkia flinched. It was as if he were balancing on a pole, and others were throwing things at him, in an attempt to make him lose his balance and fall down. Elkia wasn’t sure he could hold on like this for much longer.

The elks shrieked, as something tore open the roof of the hut. The house standing next to it collapsed, and its full weight came down onto the roof of the hut. Elkia felt as if someone charged right into him with the antlers. He wobbled on his hooves. For a split-second, the debris became visible, but Elkia’s mind proved to be stronger. His tongue hung out of his mouth as he pushed with all his might. The snow became solid again, cutting off the bits of wood that had pierced the roof. It clattered to the ground.

It all became too much. Filled up with exhaustion, Elkia bent through his knees. His forelegs trembled. Some others tried to support him, but they had a hard time keeping their hero upright. It was at that moment that Elkia realized he could not do this alone.

‘Mister, shall we help you?’

It was Ada, one of the calves. With visible effort, Elkia opened his eyes to look at her. ‘I-i-i-f you could, t-t-that would be marvelous,’ he managed to say.

And then Ada did as she promised. She gathered up her friends, and together they took the same pose as Elkia: hind legs steady, forelegs outstretched. It helped! With the strain lessened, Elkia was able to scramble up to his own hooves again. The swirling snow steadied itself and grew solid. The walls and the roof held.

Elkia looked around. All eyes were on himself and the children, who together were fighting the storm outside.

‘That’s… that’s quite something there, lad,’ one of villagers said. It was the stallholder who had directed Elkia to the pub. Hearing that voice, Elkia got a second idea. ‘Maybe you can do it too,’ he said through gritted teeth. Then he addressed the rest. ‘Maybe you can all do it. Can you try, please? We can work together. Ada will show you how, it’s simple!’

He nodded to Ada, who jumped into the crow of elks, and started to instruct them. The villagers picked it up pretty quickly. One by one, they stood erect, using the strength of their minds and bodies to uphold the snow hut.

But then they had a practical problem. As more and more elks, deer, and reindeer entered the snow hut, it became really crowded. Some of them had abandoned their homes and had rushed towards the snowy safety of the hut. Now, there simply wasn’t enough room left for everyone anymore. Of course, that didn’t mean that Elkia was going to forsake those that couldn’t come in.

After a few panting breaths, Elkia said, ‘Everyone! We’re going to make the hut larger. On three, we’ll reach out with our minds and push the snow away from us. At the same time, we’ll gather more snow to reinforce the walls and the roof. Everyone ready?’

‘Yes!’ they all shouted.

‘On three! One… two… three!’

The villagers tried their best. Like a bubble, the snow hut extended. But it lost strength. Pieces of debris, wood, stones, broke through the thinning surface of the snow. One piece flew towards Elkia, knocking him over. The snow hut flickered without its cornerstone. Dizzy from the impact, Elkia couldn’t find the strength to raise himself. The others had to do something now. He called, ‘Grab some new snow, everyone! The walls are too thin!’

Another beam flew through the roof of the snow hut, and the villagers got what he meant. Together, they gritted their teeth, looked with their minds for more snow to add to the pile, and did their best to reinforce the hut.

And it worked!

Elkia saw how the walls and the roof grew more solid. He felt them becoming thicker by the second. They were doing it. They were actually doing it, and he didn’t even need to help.

But that didn’t mean that the work was done. Elkia scrambled up and jumped towards the entrance of the hut.

‘Are you going to leave us?’ Ada said.

‘Yes, but I’ll be back soon. Keep holding up the snow hut. You’re all doing great!’ Elkia managed a quick but tired smile and then disappeared outside.

It was chaos! The winds howled and tore at the wooden buildings. Elkia saw that a few more had sagged in and collapsed. He was not going to let anyone get hurt like that.

‘Hello? Anyone here?’ Elkia shouted through the doorway of one of the houses.

‘Yes, here!’ someone shouted back. A mother, father, and a calf had taken refuge underneath a large table. Their faces showed nothing but fear.

‘It’s not safe here!’ Elkia shouted. ‘There’s a giant snow hut at the marketplace. Make for it as fast as you can!’

They didn’t need to be told twice. The father took the calf on his back, helped the mother on her hooves, and together they bolted out the door. Elkia let out a sigh, which seemed puny in comparison with the heavy winds.

Jumping, galloping, dodging debris, rushing through the streets, Elkia went from house to house, calling and shouting against the winds. Most of them were empty, but there were a few houses—some dangerously close to falling down—where some elks were holed up. Elkia quickly got them out and pointed them towards the snow hut. He had no idea how many he saved like that. He went on and on and on, working systematically and in a widening circle.

‘There shouldn’t be that many more,’ he said to himself, although he couldn’t hear himself speak. He had almost come to the end of a long street. Just one last house remaining. He entered, and found it empty. When Elkia got outside again and looked to his left, he saw the snow-covered fields, marking the edge of the village. He had done it! He had finished checking on every single house in the village. Everyone was safe!

With one last sigh, Elkia slumped down on the ground. He looked up towards the sky, and saw something that lightened up his heart. The floating black sea of clouds came to an end. Some miles away in the distance, the sun broke through, and the storm clouds were all gone, almost as if some artist had drawn a perfectly straight line, separating storm from calm weather. It was a strange sight.

Elkia knew everything would be over soon. He closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths.

‘Mission accomplished.’

A few more minutes passed, during which Elkia did nothing but lie down and look at the sky, which looked better and better with every passing second, as if the sky were healing itself. Elkia bore a smile on his muzzle as he thought of all the elks, deer, and reindeer he had pointed to safety. And when his train of thought finally brought himself to them, he blinked and was about to scramble to his hooves, to go back to the market square and check on everyone, when a new voice resounded.

‘Very well done. I truly am proud of you.’

Had Elkia forgotten someone? Had he skipped a house? No, of course not. To the voice of his mother, Elkia opened his eyes wide. She stood right before him, sitting on her graceful white knees to watch him better. ‘Of course! This is all not real,’ he said. ‘I completely forgot about the fact that this is not real at all. I was so busy—’

‘Saving every single one,’ Aeltha finished for him. ‘Yes, I have seen that, Elkia, and whether this is real or not, you have accomplished a great thing today.’

Elkia blushed. He tried to get up, but he found his knees still too shaky, as the adrenaline left his nerves alone. Just the voice of his mother close to his ears was enough to calm him down. ‘Thank you very much, mother. I can’t say it was easy—far from it. I had to really… how does Alces always say it? Put my antlers into it. Yes, that’s it.’ Elkia wiggled his antlerless head. ‘Well, I mean not literally.’

Laughing, Aeltha said, ‘I understand, my son. No, this was not at all a trial of strength, although it may have looked like that. It was a trial of the mind, of creativity, resourcefulness, and inventiveness.’

Elkia nodded. The words of his mother were filled with so much comfort, that he actually felt himself relaxing. But then his face grew worried, as he thought about something. ‘But… but you promised that the vision wasn’t going to be scary. I found this quite scary, actually.’

Aeltha placed a hoof on her son’s shoulder. They stood up together, carefully. ‘It wasn’t supposed to be, my dear Elkia. Please forgive me. When the apple fell, I should have called the ritual to a halt, but instead, I chose to continue, and you saw what happened. No, my dear Elkia, your naming ceremony wasn’t supposed to be such an adrenaline-filled and dangerous adventure. It was meant to be something… calmer, much calmer. Can you forgive me for my mistake?’

‘Of course, Mother,’ Elkia said. He hugged her close. ‘It was scary, but I did it. I saved everyone.’

They stood like that for a moment. Aeltha brushed her son’s fur, while Elkia embraced her. He even shed a small tear or two. When he finally let go, he turned around. The village—or what was left of it—was still there. When Elkia looked over his shoulder and towards the horizon, he saw the fair weather approaching. But something strange was going on. It didn’t look like the real thing anymore—it looked like a painting. Indeed, when he once again looked forward at the edge of the weather-torn village, he could see the colors as if they were pen strokes, as if this whole world was created by an unknown artist.

‘It is not a pretty painting, is it?’ Aeltha said.

Elkia’s shoulders slumped. ‘It’s not, not at all. I just wish there was a way of saving the village too.’

‘There was,’ Aeltha said.

‘There was?!’

Slowly, Aeltha nodded. ‘As you commanded the essence, you—just like your brother—were able to steer the elements. You used snow and water and ice to make your weatherproof hut. Yet you could also have used air to blow the clouds away, or to calm down the violent winds. You could perhaps have used fire to steer away the lightning bolts. Or perhaps you could have used the power of the sun to break through the clouds and command the fair weather to hasten itself.’

‘Oh my!’ Elkia said. He was just about to slump back down, but his mother kept him upright.

‘Indeed it is true that you could have saved the village, but, just like your brother, I understand your actions—and not only because I have foreseen them, but also because I am your mother, and I know of your natures. You chose to save the villagers, at the cost of the village. You chose the right thing in your own way, as did your brother. It is by your own actions that I can give you the name, Deerling.’

Elkia’s mouth opened wide. ‘Wow! Deerling! It sounds so nice. But… what does it mean?’

Aeltha once again looked straight into her son’s eyes. ‘It means: “part of the herd,” because, as you know, “ling” means “herd” in Elkish. Even if we are miles apart, even if we are in the same world or not, even if you travel to strange and dangerous places, you will always be a part of the herd, Elkia. You belong with us, and we will think of you, just as you think of us. Keep your faith, not just in nature, but also in others. That is the advice I will give you and which will do you good, for I have foreseen it.’

FLASH!

Elkia let out a yell. A sudden blue light, like the aurora, popped up all around him. The light was so intense he had to close his eyes. He only felt more disoriented when whatever happened tilted him off the ground with such force as if someone grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. Elkia felt his breath quicken and his limbs tense with stress. He thrashed his long legs about, trying to find some solid ground. So he hung in the air for three seconds which felt like three hours. Then, as quickly as the invisible hand had appeared, it disappeared, and Elkia flopped to the ground.

He lay still for a couple of minutes, recovering from the shock. When finally he looked up, he saw his mother’s outstretched hoof. ‘It seems this day is double as special to both of my sons,’ she said as she took Elkia’s hoof and helped him back on his hooves again.

‘What was that?’ said Elkia. ‘Was it some part of the naming ceremony?

Aeltha shook her head with a smile on her face. ‘Not exactly. It is—’

‘Was it a new challenge I had to conquer?’

Aeltha’s smile only widened. ‘No, my little Elkia, just look—’

‘Or a new fear I had to face?’

Now Aeltha’s perfect white teeth could be seen through her smile. ‘Well, it might have been a bit scary, but actually—’

‘Did I pass this new test?’

After a deep breath, Aeltha moved closer to her son. ‘Well, it wasn’t exactly—'

‘Or did I fail?’ Elkia’s ears drooped down. ‘Oh, I knew I should have kept my eyes open to see what was happening.’

Aeltha wrapped her hoof around her son and turned him towards the village. Guiding him, she walked towards one of the little wooden houses. Once they were both facing the outer wall, she concentrated, and then flicked her antlered head to the side. In an instant, a pile of snow became water, then splashed against the wall. The moment the water touched the wood, it froze over and crystallized, until nothing less than a full length mirror faced them. Then Elkia finally saw it.

‘My cutie mark!’ he exclaimed. Then he said it again. ‘My cutie mark! Yay!’ He started bouncing up and down in the snow, and twirled around as if he wanted to show his flank to the world. ‘I have my cutie mark! I can’t believe it.’

‘Yet it is so,’ said Aeltha. She stroked her son’s fur and regarded the symbol on his flank. A small tear of joy glistened like the magical mirror, fell down to the ground and shattered. A few more followed. ‘I truly am proud of you, Elkia, just as proud as with Alces.’

‘Oh, I can’t wait to show it to him,’ said Elkia. He was ready to jump around some more and do some silly dances, when his mother once more put her hoof on his shoulder, pausing his joyful outbursts.

‘Look into the mirror, Elkia.’

Elkia did so, and watched the symbol that was now permanently part of him.

‘Do you know what it means?’ said Aeltha.

‘I do,’ said Elkia. During the few seconds he had experienced the cutie mark magic, a fresh wind of insight had made him understand everything about it. He pointed to his flank, and traced the lines of the symbol, blue like a cloudless, crisp winter day, with his hooves. ‘E… D… They are my initials, “Elkia Deerling.”’

‘And together they form the symbol of the elk.’ Aeltha traced the three diamonds on the cutie mark. Two diamonds made up the elk’s two ears, and a third, the biggest one, was the head. The letters E and D, flowing like a calligrapher’s signature, crowned the stylized and abstract symbol, forming the antlers of the elk.

‘It’s so beautiful,’ Elkia said. ‘I could never have wished for a better cutie mark.’

‘It is as I thought,’ said Aeltha. ‘You truly are Deerling, member of the herd. Just as the cutie mark will forever be bound to you, so the herd will forever be a part of you too, Elkia. Remember what I said before. We will never be apart. Even if we’re not physically together, we will always be joined in spirit. You will never be lonely, Elkia. Remember that well and draw strength from that in troubled times.’

Elkia looked his mother straight in the eyes. He felt like he was making a sacred vow. ‘I will, Mother.’

And then, right after those words left Elkia’s mouth, Aeltha started to disappear. Her white colors drooped as if an artist tried to erase her from the canvas.

The moment of bliss transformed into a moment of sudden panic. ‘Mother! What’s happening?’ Elkia said.

‘Don’t be afraid, son. My last advice is this: always remember to be strong, and sometimes be stronger than you think.’ Aeltha was almost gone. Only the tips of her antlers remained. When at last those were erased too, Elkia knew for certain that his naming ceremony was over.

* *

Chapter three: a duel of words

‘I can’t believe that happened to you, Alces.’ I stood up and looked wide-eyed at my brother. ‘I mean, the fire, the fight, the giant-fiery-elk-things. It was a titan’s fight! Why did you never tell me about your ceremony?’

‘Because it was confusing, that’s why,’ Alces grumbled. He turned his head away from me and towards the teapot. ‘More tea?’

‘More tea,’ I said. ‘Writing a story is hard work, isn’t it?’

As I was busy heating the water, Alces, surprisingly enough, continued speaking. ‘I think your ceremony was also quite something. To be honest, I would never have thought that you can be so brave.’

‘Wow, thanks,’ I said, and I don’t need to write here that I was highly ironic.

‘No I mean it, Elkia. Well done. Your display was not only very heroic, I think it is worthy of a warrior.’

The water cooked. I took the kettle and my tea box and put them down on the table. ‘It’s just a shame Mother didn’t name me “Ironhide,” “Antlercrusher,” or “Hero of the Wilds,” right?’

Alces took a sip. When he put his cup down, I saw he was smiling. But on second thought, that might also have been because of the tea. ‘Yes… mother…’ he said.

I took my cup too. ‘Mother is prancing on the Eternal Plain, Alces. She is in a better world now, a world where there is harmony between predator and prey.’

But Alces didn’t seem to listen. ‘The naming ceremony… after everything that happened, it is the ultimate proof that Mother could really look into the future and see what would become of us.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’

‘Suppose? I am right. The power of the essence is strong, and Aeltha was the strongest. I mean, look at us. Here I am, Alces Roameling, the elk who roams, searching for his lost herd. Heh, I’d say you can write a nice story about that.’

I couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘you might be surprised what strange ideas can be turned into stories…’ I blushed as one particular story (you know which one I mean, my faithful followers), bubbled up into my mind.

‘It’s just strange she named you “Deerling.”’

‘I beg your pardon?’

Alces looked me in the eyes. ‘I am the one who roams around looking for the herd, our herd, our family. And here you are, sitting here, writing stories and socializing with ponies…’

‘Hey, there’s nothing wrong with ponies,’ I said, ‘they are very pleasant folk.’

‘Whatever,’ Alces said. ‘But why do you not wish to travel with me to the Bugbear Territory and see if we can find our herd together? I ask you every single year, and every single year your answer is no.’

‘Every year my answer is no, and every year my substantiation is the same.’ I cleared my throat. ‘We’re old, Alces. The friends we once had have probably already perished and are trotting on the Eternal Plain. You know how tough life in the Bugbear Territory can be. There will be no one who even remembers who we are.’

‘Besides Moussa,’ Alces said, smiling as he spoke. He thought he had made a good point. ‘And besides that, don’t you think Moussa, with his power of dark essence, could have made every single elk, deer, and reindeer immortal?’

I frowned, not sure what to think of that. ‘Perhaps… perhaps not… But then again, do you truly want to see Moussa again, Alces? He wasn’t the most pleasant leader to be around, in my opinion.’

Alces flinched as if he were in pain. ‘But still…’

‘No, Alces, my answer is still no. Our mother is gone, our father is gone, there is no one whom I expect to meet in the herd—if it still exists. I will hope together with you that the herd still exists, but I’m not going to chase ghosts with you. Finding the herd will not bring back the good times. You said it yourself, the herd doesn’t want to be found.’

‘But I am the one who wants to find them,’ Alces said. ‘Just imagine, brother, we can cover so much more ground if we work together, and—'

‘I’m really sorry, Alces, but I am staying right here, where I can write my stories, help others, and live a useful and worthwhile life.’

‘Writing?’ Alces said.

‘Writing,’ I said.

Alces sighed. ‘Very well.’

There was a pause. Each of us took that pause to drink up the remaining tea, which had gone cold. I am very certain that both of us, at that moment, thought of home. Alces no doubt thought about the reunion he was searching for, for so many years, and I was thinking about the days gone by, about the ceremonies, the friends I had, and Aeltha. Aeltha was always there for me. I knew that. She had said it herself.

‘I will see them again on the Eternal Plain,’ I said to Alces, ‘and so will you.’

‘Not good enough for me,’ Alces said.

‘I know.’

Once again none of us spoke. I took the opportunity to make some more tea, when I realized that that might not even be necessary, for I knew how my brother was. ‘Oh, Alces, I presume you will leave again as soon as you can?’

‘Not this time, brother.’

I jolted, and bumped my head against the mantelpiece. I turned around and looked at him. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said I’m staying for a while, if you don’t mind.’

Returning with more tea, I said, ‘Of course not. I always like visitors, even when they are my brother.’

‘Haha, very funny.’ Alces gave me a stomp which was probably meant to be teasing. It was more painful, to be honest. ‘I am serious. I will stay. I mean, we still have a masterpiece to write, and if you’re going to write about you and I, I want to be with you when you do that.’

A smile played on my lips. ‘So you want to help me create the story?’

‘Sure.’

I clopped my hooves together. ‘That’s wonderful! Come, we’ll continue right away.’ And with that, I sat down behind my typewriter. Alces joined me. He grabbed a piece of paper from the pile which was going to be our story. Narrowing his eyes, he got a good look at it, letting his eyes bounce over the horseshoes and the stars. He blinked a few times, and then shook his head. ‘How did you even write all of this?’ he asked. ‘Is it some kind of other language?’

I smiled, took the paper, and held it out before us. ‘It is no Elkish, of course, because ponies can’t read that.’

Then Alces looked at my typewriter, and even went as far as sniffing at it. I grinned as he regarded the machine, which might as well have come from outer space. ‘How can you write a whole story if you only have three buttons?’ he said.

Indeed, there were three buttons on my typewriter. One on which was printed a horseshoe, the other a star, and the third one was a space bar. I began to explain. ‘Our hooves aren’t that accurate, as you know. But even the clumsiest hooves are able to press down the three large buttons. To answer your question, I’m writing in horse code.’

‘Horse code?’

‘Yes, horse code. Every combination of horseshoes and stars represents a different letter, and I use the space bar to separate those combinations.’

Alces nodded. ‘Ah, I see.’ He bent over and started randomly pressing some buttons. ‘So if I want to put something on paper I just—‘

‘No! Stop!’ I grabbed his hooves and flung them off the typewriter.

Snorting, Alces said, ‘What? What’s wrong?’

I facehoofed and let out a sigh. ‘Once you write something in ink, it is impossible to remove. Every typo is permanent. And that was the last page of our story! Now I have to redo it.’

‘Sorry,’ Alces said with a frown.

I began to rewrite the last page. My brother watched in fascination as I pressed the buttons and wrote the last part in horse code faster than the eye could follow. I got the typewriter from a pony named Doctor Whooves, who had invented it for me to be able to write much faster than with my mouth. I had given him some instructions to model the typewriter after the one I used in Scribblers’ City. The metallic sound of clicking buttons and the occasional PING! When I reached the end of the line filled up my little cottage. It is a good thing I can write while I listen, because Alces wanted to take the word again. ‘So, what happens next?’

I talked back while I typed. ‘Well, let’s see what we have. We have a prologue, which is usually a bit relaxed and informative, but shouldn’t be boring. Then we have the two different naming ceremonies, which are quite suspenseful and full of action. So now we need something laid-back again, like a dialogue. It will be a tiny break in the story, and it might also be used to reveal some backstory of the characters.’

‘You and I.’

‘Exactly.’

‘So, how do we do that?’ Alces asked.

‘Well, we could perhaps write a dialogue like this one we’ve just had. And if we still want to spice things up, we can have an argument or a difference of opinion or two.’

‘I like it,’ Alces said. ‘But when are we going to write about the Scribblers and the attack?’

I stopped typing. The cabin returned to silence, an uneasy, sudden silence. I turned around and looked at my brother. ‘Alces, I have told you before that I will not write about such terrible things. They are personal, and the reader will probably have no interests in such dark happenings.’

Alces furrowed his brows. ‘But you can’t deny those things, Elkia. Those things shaped us. It is the truth and it must be told.’

Now I furrowed my brows too. ‘But the truth isn’t always nice.’

‘So you want to lie?’ Alces said. I could see fire in his eyes.

‘Not necessarily.’

‘Leave it out then?’

‘Probably.’

‘Then this is all pointless, and I might as well go,’ Alces said, flinging his hooves in the air.

‘What? No! Why?’

He actually stood up and turned around, knocking over a pile of books. He was searching for his knapsack. ‘I thought the point of writing a memoir is to remember things, also bad things.’

‘But I hate the bad things,’ I said. My voice had gained a strange volume, something I wasn’t used to.

‘Yes, but you can’t run away from everything and hide in your cozy little cabin in the woods!’ Alces yelled. The whole cabin shook with the sound of his voice. ‘This stuff all happened, and whether the reader wants it or not, it must be told. Everyone has a legacy, and so do we. And if the reader didn’t expect the bad things that he reads about, then it is either part of your “suspense,” a “plot twist,” or the reader has to find another book. YOU WILL WRITE THIS!’

I didn’t want him to go, but I also didn’t want to argue any longer. It’s always nice to have some company, and it’s always fun to be creating things together. Not only that, but Alces was also a source of inspiration. He knew things I didn’t know, and together we were the third-person omniscient perspective. If he would go, I had to completely change the perspective of the story, because I wouldn’t have all the knowledge he had stored in his head. In a sense, this memoir was as much a product of my memories as a product of his.

‘No, wait,’ I said.

Alces stopped collecting his stuff. With eyes full of fury, he looked at me. ‘What?’

I swallowed something away. Did the tea leave a strange aftertaste? My shoulders slumped down and I sighed loudly. ‘Alright, Alces. I will perhaps give teeny, tiny clues about what happened.’

‘No, you will write it loudly and clearly.’

‘You can’t write loudly—’

‘I don’t care.’

I sighed again. ‘Alright, I will mention it in a footnote at the bottom of the—’

Alces stabbed a hoof at me. ‘You will either write it all down, or you will teach me horse code and typing and I will write it down myself.’

I wasn’t sure he was being funny or earnest. I managed a nervous smile. ‘Alces, that will take years.’

‘Then there is only one option remaining, isn’t there, Deerling?’

I had no choice, and I realized that. I was this close to abandoning the whole memoir idea and go write something different, something more cheerful and maybe even something a bit weird. But I didn’t, because I had a strange feeling. It was the feeling as if a part inside of me clicked together with another one. Maybe those stern and loud words were needed to help me see. Maybe my brother was right. Maybe I should write about the nasty things too, so that the reader will get a better picture of how we are. Just our youthful years weren’t enough. The job of a writer is to tell the truth, and a writer should never lie to his reader. Yet, is keeping information hidden also considered lying? Well, if you put it that way…

‘Alright.’

Alces turned his ears in my direction. After his shouts, my voice was like a zephyr breeze. ‘What did you say?’

I stepped towards Alces. He crouched as if I were going to attack him. Instead, I flung a foreleg over his shoulder, and smiled. ‘I said that it’s alright, my dear brother. We will write about everything that happened, together.’

I felt his tensed shoulders relax. I could tell he hadn’t expected me to change my mind. ‘So you’re going to write the whole story down, for everyone to read, yes?’

My third sigh was the loudest. ‘Yes, I will. As I told you, every letter I type is permanently captured on the page. Whoever gets hold of the manuscript will know exactly who we are and what happened to us.’

With a twirl probably part of a dueling maneuver, Alces flung away my hoof. He grinned. Alces always loved to win, and now he had won this battle of words—from a writer! Now that’s saying something. ‘Very well, brother. We will create this story together.’

I smiled and gestured to my writing table. ‘Shall we?’

Throwing away his pack (once again on top of a pile of literary classics), Alces joined me behind the typewriter. I searched for his eyes. ‘I will write about our dire adventures on one condition.’

‘And that is?’

I was already busy typing. ‘First some more happy stuff!’

Chapter four: the unfortunate and dramatic events my brother asked me to write down

In the prologue I told you about the Shimmering Eye, and I have hopefully shown you what great magical power it possesses with the two naming ceremonies. Indeed, the Shimmering Eye is extremely powerful. Alces and I have often asked Mother about it, and she was always keen on explaining everything about the magical lake. Now, I am no seer, but I am also not stupid.

According to Mother, every part of Equestria has its own focal point of essence. Some of you unicorns might think it is the same as magic, but it is not. If magic is a wooden cabin, then essence is the wood. essence is, in essence, the primal energy present in every living thing. In order to harness its powers, one must know about the elements: water, snow, ice, wood, metal, earth, wind, and fire. essence is categorized like that, and only the seer has the full corporal and psychological strength to steer the essence and utilize it in spells, rituals, and incantations.

This paragraph will be great news to you, my dear unicorns. You are born a seer, but that doesn’t mean that the power of the essence is beyond your reach. Some elks, deer, and reindeer are sensitive to essence, and the seer will often take them under her antlers—Elkish for “under her wing”—and teach them how to control their powers. The gatherings at the Shimmering Eye are always the highlights of their seasons, for they are given more lessons from the seer, our mother, and grow more powerful every time.

Now that you know about essence, the Shimmering Eye, the seer and her pupils, you understand that the Shimmering Eye is of great value to us. Indeed, every elk, deer, and reindeer is born with a task, and that task is to keep the Shimmering Eye out of enemy hooves. Who are our enemies? Let’s put it this way; our enemies are all the creatures that want to have us for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. In other words: predators. As the name suggests, the Bugbear Territory is full of Bugbears, who are territorial brutes of monsters which are very difficult to defeat. Sometimes groups of elks have occasional fights with them, which are always gruesome and terrible. Those that have fought those horrible monsters are always welcomed home as heroes. Those that have perished in such battles are remembered as heroes.

Of course there are also normal bears, Ursa Minors and Majors, bobcats, giant foxes, giant wolverines, and jackals, but those are all mere simpletons. No, the most dangerous enemies are those that are composed of magic themselves, those that know of essence, those that have a primordial sense to hunt and destroy, those that are dangerously sharp-witted and intelligent. They might be able to not only take the Shimmering Eye away from us, but use its hidden powers to do harm, instead of good. I am not going to name those monsters, because I don’t believe those sub-creatures even deserve a name. For now just know that these creatures have thrown everything and everyone into complete discord—and they themselves won’t care a bit.

But, as I said in the previous chapter, I much more like to write about the happy things that happened. That’s why I will write about the gatherings. Four times a year, once every winter, spring, summer, and autumn, a great assembly was held, with all the elks, deer, and reindeer forming our community. Some had to travel long, some had to travel short, but always they came, for an assembly was the most important social gathering. For every generation the assemblies meant a different thing. For the youngest of the calves, it meant playtime with friends. For the older ones, it meant meeting old friends and learning all kinds of useful skills. For the adult animals, however, an assembly had a more serious purpose. Moussa, our leader, would visit every single one of them, and gather up stories, inquiries, questions and answers about the different areas they guarded. The deer usually pranced around the southern borders, where it was warmer, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. The center of the Bugbear Territory was patrolled by the reindeer. They had the most ground to cover, but they always lived in the largest packs, so they always got the job done. We elks, most suited to the barren winter conditions with our long legs and thick fur, were to guard the northernmost parts of the Bugbear Territory. Although we traveled in small groups—usually a mother and her one or two calves—we had just enough time every year to cover all ground.

Back to the assemblies. Moussa gathered all words of importance, remembered them, and then told them to the public on the speaking stone. Nothing magical about that, dear reader, for it was just an elevated platform. While the calves listened in puzzlement, perhaps not even knowing what important role they would play in their adult years, the adult elks, deer, and reindeer listened carefully, trying to memorize those things that might help them on their travels.

I have so many beautiful positive memories about the assemblies, and Alces too. For us, the assemblies were always a joy to go to. We met old friends, exchanged stories, experiences, and jokes. My favorite thing was to grab a stick or use my antlers to write things in the snow. My, oh my, I have written so incredibly many things during those times. Mostly stories, of course, but sometimes also poetry. Little did I know that those language skills would save my life later on.

But the adults had a lot of spare time too. The oldest of them all usually offered their knowledge to us, and we could visit their huts to learn things. Those things were usually about the history and culture of us elks. My brother and I always tried to listen to as many of those teachings as we could, and especially Alces always seemed so absorbed in the ancient tales. He laughed with the victories, and cried over the losses, always completely engaged with the tales, as if he were playing a part in them.

Some of the adults even organized activities for us. Alces always went for the sports activities, trying to beat the other bucks and hinds in swimming, running, tree-stripping, snowball fights, snow-rolling, ice skating, tree-felling, dueling, log-swim-racing, and bellowing. He not only liked to prove himself, he also liked to impress the ladies, although he would never admit that. But, until he learns how to read horse code, I am safe to tell you that little secret.

So what did I like to do? For me, the creative activities were always the most challenging and relaxing events of them all. I always loved theater. Together with a group of elks, deer, and reindeer, we would make up scenes, memorize a script, and rehearse our play to perfection. Then, when we showed our work to the other calves and the adults and received the applause… Yes, I remember the applause more vividly than many other things. It is impossible for me to describe exactly how applause felt to me. It was pure bliss.

As you can read, dear reader, the assemblies were never so serious to us. Time and time again, we had a lot of fun playing, while the adults, Moussa, and Aeltha, worried themselves with keeping the Shimmering Eye safe. Although we sometimes asked, we got only a glimpse of the threats against the Eye, and sometimes the adults didn’t tell us anything at all, so our imaginations could run wild with theories. We never expected that there was trouble brewing.

Which brings me to our mother, Aeltha. Aeltha had other, equally important duties. Of course she not only trained those gifted with the power of essence, she also did important divinations. As the seer, she was gifted with foresight, and could use the power of the essences to look into the future and see what was to come. That too, was something Moussa listened to and memorized intently, and often used in his speech. Mother never revealed to us what she had seen, for she thought it was sometimes better for elks when the future remained a mystery. No matter how much Alces and I asked, we never got so much as a tiny glimpse of the things that were going to happen. Aeltha always made sure to keep the future hidden from us.

Yet, there was one day, during our last winter assembly, where she seemed to have changed her mind. After she had done her divinations together with Moussa and returned home, I noticed how she walked stiffly, and how she was unusually silent. I know for certain that she had seen what was going to happen, in every gruesome detail. How she managed to keep it hidden for us is a feat neither of us will ever be able to perform. When she spoke with us that evening, however, I’m sure she wanted to give us a warning—and say goodbye—while telling the oldest story known to us elks, deer, and reindeer: the creation myth.

* *

Elkia let out an enormous yawn, stretching his back and his legs after his mouth shut. ‘Wow, I’m tired. I think it would be best if I went off to bed.’

Aeltha stopped putting away the empty ice bowls and leftovers from dinner. She turned around, and Elkia saw how quickly she did that. ‘No, not yet, my dear Elkia,’ she said. Her tone was strict and abrupt. It wasn’t a suggestion—it most closely resembled an order.

Looking into his mother’s eyes, Elkia said, ‘Why not?’

‘Because I have something important—something fun to tell you both. Something fun and important.’

‘Oh! Are you going to tell a story?’ Alces said. He quickly jumped towards one of the couches, sculpted out of the snow, and sat down. There he did nothing but rub his hooves together, already looking forward to the astounding tale that would soon follow.

Elkia, however, noticed the hesitation in his mother’s voice. Aeltha the seer never hesitated to say what she wanted to say. ‘Mother,’ Elkia said, looking up to her, ‘is something wrong?’

‘No, nothing is wrong, my dear Elkia,’ she answered, stroking Elkia’s head. ‘It is just… you should really listen to this story, because I think you will need it during the time to come.’

Another hesitation. Despite his mother’s healing energy that flowed through her hooves into his body, Elkia couldn’t relax yet. Nevertheless, he sat down in another snow chair, while his mother took the couch opposite of them.

‘Is it the story of Rudolph the Great?’ Alces guessed, ‘the reindeer who pulls the sled of—’

‘Not this time, Alces,’ Aeltha said. She waved her hooves in the air slowly, gracefully, as if she needed to capture the story out of the air around her. ‘Tonight, I will tell you the story of how and why everything is as it is. It will be the story about why lightning strikes, why clouds drift, why we live and why we…’ She swallowed ‘…die.’

‘Yay! The creation!’ Alces yelled, ‘that’s my favorite!’

Elkia smiled as well. ‘It is a great tale.’

‘Of all the stories, legends, and myths, this is the one that is most important,’ Aeltha said. ‘This is the one worth remembering, and one which must never be forgotten, no matter what happens.’ She looked at her two sons in turn. Elkia felt something as he looked into her eyes. He felt something strange, but he couldn’t put his hoof on it. Alces thought the look meant for him to be quiet, so he shut his mouth, although the grin didn’t disappear from his face. ‘Tell us, Mother. Don’t wait.’

And so the seer cleared her throat gently, and began.

‘Good and evil are the oldest forces in the universe. They are, they have always been, and they will always be. You can see it for yourselves, my sons, although I do believe you are too young to have seen true evil. Yet, always keep in mind that wherever the sun shines, shadows are cast. Only your reflection in water will be a pure reflection of your soul. How do you look in the water? Is it what you expected?’ She looked at both her sons once more, but a bit longer at Alces than at Elkia. ‘Remember, when you change, so does your reflection.’

‘Not necessary,’ Alces said. ‘I know who I am.’

A cloud of vapor exited her mouth as Aeltha sighed. The sound was almost musical to the ear. ‘You might find out that the knowledge about yourself contains gaps, which might only be able to fill itself with dark and unwanted things.’

‘Go on, Mother, I want to hear more.’

Once again Aeltha sighed, and resumed her story.

‘As I told you, good and evil are two forces always at work. The power of good takes the form of the Light Elk, while the power of darkness’—she paused—’the Dark Elk. Both of the one-eyed elks fight together in the great nothingness, but they are not alone. There is a third elk, whom we know very well, for our world balances on his great antlers. He is known as the Grey Elk. The Grey Elk is always right in the middle of the fight, and desperately tries to keep his two other brothers from fighting, however difficult this titan’s task is. Incredible as this may be, all elks, deer, and reindeer know that the legend is true. And how do we know that?’

‘The elements!’ Elkia and Alces said at the same time.

Aeltha nodded. ‘Very good. We can see it because of the wind, which is nothing more than the panting of the two great beasts, as they push themselves to the limit to defeat one another. We can hear it in the thunder, because of which the world shakes as the two elks smash their antlers together. They fight with such force, that they sometimes cry. The Light Elk cries because he wants only peace with his brother, and those tears fall on the world as rain. But the tears of the Dark Elk, who cries because he wants to win so badly, are cold and shroud the land in the coldness. Those tears are the snowflakes we see in winter.

‘But there is another way to witness the two great elks. While we can never see the face of the Grey Elk, it is perfectly possible for us to witness the Light and Dark Elks in the sky. The sun is the never blinking eye of the Light Elk, whose light and warmth are pleasant to us. The eye of the Dark Elk is of course the moon, which doesn’t give warmth, but can help us see in the dark. It is the only good power the Dark Elk possesses.’

‘But there’s more light in the night sky, isn’t there?’ Alces said. ‘What about the stars?’

‘The stars are the slivers which have broken off the antlers of the two, cast into the great nothingness to twinkle and shimmer forever. The slivers from the Light Elk have a fixed place in the sky, and we can use those helpful stars to navigate through the wilds. Yet there are also stars which serve no function. Those are the slivers of the Dark Elk’s antlers.

‘But there is more light. What about the lightning? Those flashing bolts of light too, are products of the elks’ eternal fight. As their antlers crash together, sometimes sparks fall upon our world. Lightning.

‘But there are still questions remaining, questions to which I have an answer. Why is it sometimes day and sometimes night? Why are there different seasons, some pleasant, others a strive? Listen closely, my children, for I will tell you.

‘The Grey Elk forever tries to make peace between the Light Elk and the Dark Elk. The Grey Elk faces the Light Elk by day, talking to him, trying to find a solution for his fight with the Dark Elk. We can pray and send our hopes and dreams towards the sun, the eye of the Light Elk, so that we may help him and he may help us. At night, the Grey Elk talks with the Dark Elk, saying all kinds of nice things to calm his temper. We can help him by thinking positively, even in the dark of the darkest and longest night, and keep calm and rest.’

‘Now the seasons, Mother! The seasons!’ Alces said.

‘The seasons… Ah, there is a great deal to tell about those. As you both know, a fight here in this world is never eternal. Sometimes it all becomes too much, and we need to rest before we can fight another day. So it is with the Grey Elk. Sometimes, it all becomes too much for him, and he has to rest and allow himself a brief pause from all the peacemaking. That is when the Dark Elk strikes. Seeing how the resistance has waned, he takes the opportunity, advances, and kills the Light Elk. We can feel how the weather changes, how plants die, how the wind gets cold and unpleasant, how the water and the earth becomes frozen and hard. Autumn goes over in winter, the coldest and harshest of the seasons. During winter the Dark Elk stands on top of the Light Elk’s corpse, and laughs.

‘But you both know that that is not the end. Gods cannot die, so the Light Elk is reborn. He stands up, pushes the Dark Elk off of him, and bashes him dead with his very own antlers. With the death of the Dark Elk, the season changes. The sun becomes warm, the winds refreshing. The snow and the ice melts, and the flowers bloom again. The work of the Dark Elk is made undone, and beautiful flowers remind us of the victory of the Light Elk, temporarily though, as it is. As I said, gods can’t die. Eventually the Dark Elk rises again, and the fight continues in autumn.

‘So now you know about the world as it is, but I know there is one question remaining. What about us? What about all the sentient creatures, elks, deer, reindeer, ponies, and many more creatures? Where did we come from, and where are we going? Alas, our future is not for us to foresee, but our past lies behind us very clearly.

‘All sentient creatures come forth from life. It was the Light Elk who first toyed around with it. He created life, sentient creatures, elks, deer, reindeer, ponies, and put them on his antlers to live a happy life with everlasting summers. But very soon, the Dark Elk became jealous, and wanted to create life too. Trying though as he did, he didn’t manage to create the complicated and beautiful thing called life. He just couldn’t create his own creatures out of flesh and blood. Instead, he only created the basic raw materials: essence. You can compare it with building. A baby can break the sticks, yet only an adult has the knowledge and expertise to build a house.

‘When the two elks once again tried to destroy each other, and butted heads with the Grey Elk trying to keep them apart, both essences from both elks, light and dark, landed on the antlers of the Grey Elk, mixing them together. The Grey Elk looked at both essences, which swirled and flashed around each other in wild torrents and whirlwinds. He saw the wild energy, and added his own, Grey essence to it, in an attempt to calm everything down. The mixture of the three essences, light, dark, and grey, created what we know as nature. And as everyone knows, we sentient creatures are nothing more than products of nature. No matter who we are or what we do, we will forever be a part of nature. Every single one of us has the three essences inside him or herself. Some have more light essence, others more dark, and all of us have grey essence.’

Aeltha paused her story. She bent forwards, and looked both her children deep into their eyes. Maybe she was looking at something neither Alces nor Elkia could see for themselves. Or maybe she just wanted one last look at her children.

‘So now we have returned to the here and now, to us, the elks, deer, and reindeer. We are special, for we know the secret, the origin of everything, as I have told you. It is our important task of resembling the Light Elk as closely as we can. We have to take care of ourselves, and of others. We have to protect, serve, be selfless, and, above all, stay away from dark essence, for it is here.’ Aeltha paused. Her graceful white shoulders slumped down for a moment. ‘It is here, however we might want do deny it, or lock it away in the deepest vaults of our minds, there is dark essence around us. There are creatures which have more dark than light essence inside of themselves. Those are creatures who cannot live without killing. They cannot live for themselves without destroying other creatures. They are called: predators.’

‘They live over the mountains? Don’t they?’ Alces said. ‘Now comes my favorite part! The dangerous part… hahaha!’

Aeltha looked at Alces sternly. ‘The Dark Lands are no laughing matter, my son. They are dangerous. They are the lands across the northernmost mountains, where the predators live. We elks, deer, and reindeer will not stand a day in that place. That is why we must never go there, and never speak of it.’

‘And when you go far enough into the Dark Lands, you will end up at the edge of the world, and meet the Dark Elk himself,’ Alces said.

Aeltha once again threw a stern gaze at her son. ‘Hush now, Alces. No more talking about the Dark Lands.’

‘But the Dark Lands aren’t only bad, you know?’ Alces said. ‘And the Dark Elk isn’t necessarily evil.’

‘Really?’ Elkia said, turning his head to his brother.

Before Aeltha could intervene, Alces continued. ‘Yes, really. Old Cervidus says that the Dark Elk isn’t evil. We want to think that, but the truth is that he is just misunderstood. Like you and I, Elkia. We fight sometimes—and I always win—but we always misunderstand each other.’

Snorting, Aeltha said, ‘You shouldn’t listen too much to old Cervidus, my son. He is bitter and has a cold and rusted heart, and however much he remembers, he forgets many things too. If he were here, I myself would have told him the creation myth, for it would do him good to hear it.’

‘Nevertheless…’ Alces said, continuing as if his mother hadn’t spoken, ‘the Dark Elk is misunderstood. Not only that, but he has the power to defeat the Light Elk. He can win easily. You see, the Dark Elk is always searching the Neutral Elk’s antlers, looking for soldiers, brave young elks who will fight for him.’

‘And those soldiers will have more dark essence in them than light,’ Aeltha said, shaking her head slowly.

But Alces was undaunted. ‘Indeed. In return for letting dark essence into your heart, and fight for the Dark Elk, he will give you whatever you want, and promise you infinite strength and—’

‘Enough!’ Aeltha yelled.

‘And Cervidus said that I would make a fine warrior for the Dark—’

‘Enough!’ Aeltha yelled again. ‘No more blasphemy. We have hardly the time for that. I need to tell you both one last thing, and unfortunately it is about the Dark Lands. Remember to never cross the mountains and go there, and always remember what foul creatures come from there. Creatures made of dark essence itself. Creatures like Ursa Major and Minor, and of course, our prime enemies, the—’

AROOOOOOO! A terrible howl cut through the air, interrupting Aeltha’s singsong voice. Immediately, the howl was followed by a scream—a death scream. Although Aeltha knew exactly what was going to happen, a panicked voice from outside told her all she needed to know.

‘TIMBERWOLVES!’

Elkia jumped and shivered. Alces bolted up on his hooves and looked left and right, as if the terrible predators were already in the house. Aeltha stood up slowly. She turned towards the opening of the snow hut, and whispered something as she passed Elkia.

‘It has begun.’

‘Mother, wh-wh-what should we do?’ Elkia said, his voice shaking as hard as his legs. ‘Is there something we can do?’

Without turning around, Aeltha said, ‘Today we must all face our destinies. That is the only thing we can do.’

‘Stop talking like that, Mother. We need battle strategies now,’ Alces said.

Now Aeltha turned around. She bent through her knees and spoke loudly and clearly to her children. ‘Listen, both of you. I have to go to the Shimmering Eye. We must protect it whatever the cost. But I’m not going to let the protection of the Eye make me cost you two. Timberwolves will soon be swarming the field and searching every hut. If I leave you here, you may both… die.’

Aeltha paused before she said that word. Elkia had never heard her saying that word so frequently. In fact, he couldn’t even remember his mother speaking out “death” or “die.” It was at that moment that he realized they were prey tonight, and that only the strong survived, and the weak died.

‘You will follow me and stay by my side at all times,’ Aeltha said. ‘The wolves will probably spot my hallowed white fur easily in the night, but I will fight them back. Together, we make for the Shimmering Eye.’

‘B-b-but shouldn’t we also try to—’

Alces stomped his brother. ‘Don’t be such a coward, Elkia. Tonight, we fight, and it is courage we need.’ Then he continued, softly so his mother couldn’t hear it, ‘That’s what Cervidus would say…’

Another scream cut through the air. Aeltha hesitated, and then stepped outside, followed by her two sons.

Chaos reigned supreme in the otherwise so peaceful valley. There were almost no elks, deer, and reindeer to be seen, and those that had gotten the message too late, already lay dead on the ground. To his horror, Elkia could see the body of one of the elders, to which he had been listening the previous day.

Aeltha saw it too. ‘I’m sorry you have to see this, my children. The timber wolves haven’t even fed on her. They must be after the Shimmering Eye.’

But the timber wolves weren’t stupid. They had left behind guards. Elkia spotted glowing green eyes here and there in the surrounding foliage. He hear the howls, and smelled the nasty, rotting smell that the timber wolves were famous for.

‘Elkia! Behind you!’

One of the timber wolves, who had been waiting on the roof of their hut, made a move. He jumped towards the elk family, ready to tear the stray animals apart.

But Alces was quicker. He stood his ground, waited for the animal to fly within reach, and bucked.

The force of the buck wasn’t enough to make the wolf fall apart, but it was enough to knock him away. After a whimper and a growl, the wolf disappeared into the foliage.

It was time to move. Aeltha checked on her children, and then galloped away. She made sure not to go too fast, and never let her two children out of sight. Elkia looked back. He saw how some of the green lights went out. He didn’t dare to look forwards, for he knew that the wolves were chasing them. The cold sweat gleamed on his fur in the moonlight, despite the freezing temperatures. He kept telling himself this was all only a nightmare, or a very realistic theater play, or maybe even one of the old legends. In those legends the hero always faced dangerous and dark enemies, but in the real world that shouldn’t happen.

Alces kept an eye out for his brother too. He occasionally glanced backwards. He knew the wolves liked to gnaw at the hind legs of their prey, and he was not going to let that happen to himself or Elkia or Aeltha. Brows furrowed in concentration, eyes taking in the surroundings, he kept running.

They quickly crossed the first field. There were a couple of fields where snow huts stood. Aeltha and her family lived far from the others, for Aeltha needed a secluded spacious place to do her divinations and rituals. She wished she lived closer now.

‘Behind us, Mother!’ Alces yelled. Three wolves tried to close their formation, and sprinted hard to catch their prey. They ran faster and faster. Alces could hear, then feel their rotten breaths behind him.

Aeltha dug her heels in the snow and came to a halt. She turned around, facing the bewildered animals, who must have been thinking she gave up. They couldn’t have been farther from the truth. Aeltha concentrated. Her antlers started to glow a deep purple. She lowered her head slowly. Then, in one fluent movement, she thrust her head upwards. Immediately, a wave of snow washed over the two timber wolves, as she commanded the essence. Elkia looked, and saw the light of the wolves’ eyes go out. Despite the fact that they were the enemies, Elkia shivered at the cold death the beasts had died.

‘Way to go, Mother!’ Alces cheered.

‘Do not celebrate death, my son,’ Aeltha said, turning around and picking up the pace. ‘We should get moving!’

The elk family rushed on. They tried to cut corners by jumping through the pine forest, but it did them no good. They only became accompanied by more and more green, hungry wolf-eyes. Jumping from bush to bush, they eventually made it to the second residential fields. Elkia would never forget what he saw there.

Red blood stained the snow here and there. Death hung in the air. Here too, green eyes shimmered in the foliage, but there was more going on. Apparently, the wolves weren’t in a hurry—or they were very hungry. They had gathered up their prey, stacking the elks, deer, and reindeer on top of each other in piles, scattered throughout the field. Groups of timber wolves were eating from the piles. Some of them took one or two elks, and dragged them away into the shadow of the pines, no doubt to be eaten in private.

But there were still elks alive! At the far end of the fields, green dots flashed through the landscape. Cries of help resounded in the air. When Elkia strained his eyes, he could see someone running for his life, while three wolves were in close pursuit. The elk had nowhere to go. To the south were more wolves, and northwards were only the mountains. The elk was as good as dead.

‘Mother, Alces, we have got to help!’ Elkia said, nudging his mother’s leg.

Aeltha stopped and turned her pale blue eyes towards the source of the sound. She stood still.

‘Mother! Why aren’t we doing anything?’ Elkia said, his voice hoarse with tears.

Alces bumped his brother. ‘Can’t you see, nuthead? He will never make it.’

‘B-but… but…’

‘I’m afraid your brother is right, Elkia,’ Aeltha said. ‘He will soon be trotting on the Eternal Plains, instead of this snowy hellscape.’

‘But there must be something we can do!’

Once again, Alces bumped Elkia. ‘Do you want to cross this wolf-infested field?’

Elkia looked at the eating wolves. They were distracted now, but once they got closer the wolves would undoubtedly turn their attention to them, the next meal. Elkia realized his brother was right. One last look he threw towards the desperate scene. He searched for the elk, but couldn’t find the shape in the moonlight anymore.

‘He’s gone, Elkia. Let’s go!’ Aeltha said. With eyes full of tears, Elkia turned away from the plains, and followed his mother and his brother through the forest, resuming their very own death-race.

Cries and howls came from the direction of the last field, growing more and more intense as Aeltha and her sons neared. Elkia promised himself he wouldn’t look at the next slaughter scene, while his imagination ran wild with whatever was going on out there. He wished it was all over.

‘Elkia, look at that!’

Despite the promise to himself, Elkia looked at the scene. It wasn’t a slaughter scene; it was a chase scene. A whole throng of elks, deer, and reindeer ran over the snow-covered fields, with a string of green eyes following behind. Elkia’s eyes flashed over the elks, trying to distinguish individual shapes in the clot of shadows running for their lives. He wasn’t sure to be joyful or scared, as he recognized friends and their parents, and even some of the elderly elks he always listened to. There were so many he knew by name! A cold shiver came with the realization that he was about to witness their horrible deaths. He knew he could never cope with that. He knew that, if he did nothing, the echo of their death-screams would forever resound through his dreams, and he would never dream happily again. It was not fueled by courage, nor a well thought-out plan, but some strange force he couldn’t explain, that he sprang into action. Suddenly, without any warning, Elkia bolted off towards the running herd.

‘Elkia, no!’ Alces yelled, and was about to follow suit, but a white leg of his mother prevented him. ‘No, Alces.’

Elkia was already halfway, galloping as fast as his long legs allowed him. With this head start, not even Alces could catch up with him. Aeltha knew that. She was strangely passive, as if she waited for Elkia to reach a certain distance. She turned towards Alces. ‘Listen closely, Alces. You must go to the Shimmering Eye without me.’

‘But, what about—’

‘I will look after Elkia, but you must go. Go and announce my presence if you can, but if my fears are proven reality and the Eye has been taken over, then hide.’ She paused to look him straight into the eyes. ‘Don’t be a hero, Alces. There is no cowardice in hiding and staying alive. Sometimes it is survival of the quietest, not the strongest.’

Alces nodded. Aeltha turned her head towards Elkia, who had almost reached the fleeing herd. ‘Goodbye, my son,’ she said, and then bolted off.

Elkia had reached the herd already, and noticed how he had made a grievous mistake, for now he too, was running for his life from the wolves. The only difference was that he wasn’t alone now. He saw the panic and terror in the eyes of the others, and heard their collective panting. When he looked back, he only saw green eyes ablaze, ready to feed and destroy. Suddenly, above the chorus of yells and screams, someone called something.

‘The seer! The seer is with us!’

When he looked to the left, Elkia saw how his mother joined the running herd. Just a few seconds later, Aeltha yelled, ‘STOP!’ her voice amplified by steering the essence of the air, making it sound as if the Light Elk himself shouted the command from the heavens.

Elkia had just enough time to think how stupid that was, when the whole herd came to a halt. If they stopped, the wolves could catch up and devour them. Yet, that wasn’t what happened at all. Immediately, when everyone was standing still, the wolves split up, fanned out, and surrounded them on all sides.

‘Everyone! Make a circle!’ Aeltha yelled. ‘The young and the wounded in the middle. The ones with antlers on the outer ring! Remember what we practiced!’

The elks did as they were told. Elkia got shoved away into the middle, while the strong bulls took their positions, their antlered heads facing the wolves. In a matter of seconds, it looked as if they had formed an island in a sea of wolves.

‘Go away, you terrible beasts!’ Aeltha yelled. ‘You will have no easy prey tonight. We will fight to the death if we have to.’

The wolves all let out a terrible howl, as if they were laughing at the herd and Aeltha’s words. As he watched between the legs of the elks, Elkia saw no end to the wolf-ranks. They were horribly outnumbered. Elkia had no idea how they were going to break out of the formation. For all he knew, they were as stuck as a tree in the earth. He looked back to the other elks in the middle of the circle, and briefly wondered if they were as mortally frightened as he. Some were shaking, some were crying, some were holding hooves; all were expecting death.

The wolves did a step forward, all at the same time, as if they were one enormous beast. Elkia swore he could feel their rotting breaths stroking his fur like a clawed hand.

‘One step closer and you will face the wrath of the seers,’ Aeltha said. She already dug her heels in the ground, ready to do something.

Seers…? Plural…? Elkia thought. He looked once more at the strong bulls, whose muscles were tense and whose antlers were raised like spears. Now Elkia understood what his mother meant. He recognized five, fifteen, maybe two dozen pupils of his mother. Those were elks gifted with the power of the essence. At that moment, Elkia carefully nourished the hope that they might win. They weren’t completely at the mercy of the wolves. They had firepower.

Elkia heard a snarl and a scream. One of the wolves tried to break through the lines and nip at a little calf. That was his fatal mistake. One of the elks turned around and bucked hard, sending the wolf flying over the herd and right into the sea of his brothers. That was the signal.

‘Attack!’

The antlers of all the pupils glowed, each one a different color. The wolves were not intimidated by mere flashing lights, and advanced. There was a strange, whooshing sound in the air. The pupils of Aeltha moved their heads, and immediately, howls and growls could be heard. Snow flew everywhere, as the pupils used the essence to bury the wolves underneath the icy blanket. The snow washed over the wolves, rolling, flowing, battering them to pieces. The circle broke. Some wolves tried to dodge, but then the snow stretched out into a wall, and overwhelmed them nonetheless. The wolves hadn’t expected such strange but deadly attack at all.

Unfortunately, the pupils couldn’t perform this amazing feat for long. Their flight from the hungry jaws had sapped their strength, so the attack stopped almost as abruptly as it had begun. Elkia hoped they got all of them, but, however effective the attack was, they hadn’t wiped all of the wolves out. The wounded ones quickly reassembled themselves—literally. A faint, unholy glow surrounded the heaps of wolves as they steered the dark essence in their bodies. The sticks, branches, twigs, and leaves that made up their teeth and eyes and claws hovered back into position. The wolves looked at their fallen brethren, and quickly regrouped, so that a new circle was created. They were still not afraid of the elks. If anything, they became infuriated by the slaughter. This time they didn’t wait for a signal, but closed in simultaneously.

‘Ready for another attack?’ Aeltha yelled.

The elks said ‘Aye,’ but the truth was that they were all panting. Elkia’s hope dwindled away like a snowflake. He was already busy creating a plan of escape for himself, but the best thing he could come up with was play dead.

This time, the elks used other essence: wood. They focused all their energy towards one big tree to their right. The bottom started to glow. With their combined strength, they tried to uproot the enormous tree… and it worked! Some of the elks put their heads together, as they all concentrated and tried not to pass out from the strain. Slowly, the tree came loose from the ground.

But was it too late? The wolves saw that something else was going to happen, and they attacked. The front row of them advanced, and tried to bite at the legs and hooves of the elks. Stomping and bucking and kicking, the elks did what they could to get the wolves away from them. One of them couldn’t handle the physical and psychological pain any longer. He bent down. The wolves seized their chance, and grabbed the face of the elk with their deadly teeth. With the antlers out of the way, other wolves quickly joined in too. Alas, with heartbreaking cries of pain, the elk was bitten dead.

‘This is not working, seer,’ one of the elks said through clenched teeth. ‘Did you see what—’

‘I heard what happened, and that is enough for me to know,’ Aeltha said. ‘Stand your ground and trust in the essence.’

It was as if the tree groaned with pain, just like the elks. Slowly, the roots retreated. It looked almost as if the tree gained a life of its own, and decided to stand up and use its roots as legs. For a moment it hovered above the ground, with dirt raining down from the roots.

‘Let go!’ Aeltha yelled.

SLAM! Down went the tree. Although the wolves fanned out and scattered, some were not as quick-witted, and got flattened by the massive tree trunk. Some elks bent through their knees, sweating, trying to find their breaths. Yet Aeltha knew this was no time for rest. Behind them were only mountains, which were too steep to climb. So the only way for them to go was…

‘Forwards!’ Aeltha yelled, ‘push the log forwards, everyone!’

Elkia and the calves were as smart as to check on everybody. Elkia saw just how extremely fatigued they all were. As he reached a deer hind, he saw she was crying. ‘Why? Why all of this? We’ll be torn to pieces! We will all die. I can’t. I just… can’t.’

‘Yes you can,’ Elkia said. ‘We can all get out of this alive. We’re not some dumb prey. We’ve got Aeltha the seer!’ And after these quick words of comfort, Elkia pushed against her and helped her on her hooves again. ‘Thanks,’ the hind said to Elkia. ‘If I’ll make it, it will be because of you.’

‘Everyone, stay vigilant!’ Aeltha said, pointing at the log. A couple of wolves had already scaled it, and braced themselves to jump into the group of elks. ‘There is no more time. Forwards!’

Once again the elks combined their magic. There was movement in the massive log, and it rolled forwards. The circle broke, and the elks all marched. Even those without magic helped, pushing with their antlers or their shoulders against the log. The wolves balancing themselves on the log were unsure what to do now. If they jumped back, they might get crushed. So instead, they jumped forwards, right into the elk herd.

The calves screamed and yelled. Some of the elks stopped pushing the log and rushed towards the children. Too late. One of the wolves immediately pounced upon a young elk, sinking its teeth in the soft, tender flesh. The elk had brothers and sisters, who tried to chase the wolf away. They poked their little hooves at the beast, and one of them even pulled at the beast’s tail. It was all for nothing. The poor little thing didn’t even scream as the blood flowed and stained the winter snow red. Once the wolf was done with its kill, it turned its head towards the next victim.

Elkia’s eyes met the wolf’s. He swore he saw the beast smile, as it slowly approached its next prey. Elkia backed away, his bones as chilled as the snow he walked on. ‘No, no, no. Please don’t kill me, Mister Wolf. I’m not… eh… not tasty at all.’

The wolf didn’t stop. Now the two others joined in as well. Elkia was the biggest of the children, after all, so the one might need help with its kill.

The cold rock of the mountain poked against Elkia’s back. He had nowhere to go. ‘No, please eh… gentlewolves, I will only give you stomachache. I mean… I’m frozen solid. See? Brrrrr. Cold. It will be like swallowing an ice cube, you know?’

Either the wolves didn’t understand Elkia, or they had no intention of listening to pathetic whining. In the distance, Elkia could see three big elks running towards them. They had already reached the other calves. Only Elkia remained.

His mind worked in overload. He knew these thoughts might be the last thoughts he’d ever think. He thought about his mother and his family. Alces… he thought, what would Alces do? No doubt his brother would grab a weapon, or use his bare hooves and his arsenal of dueling maneuvers to best the wolves. Elkia looked around. There was a large branch on the ground. He picked it up with his teeth. Now he had a weapon, but he had no battle tactics. What did Alces always say? Go for the high ground.

Elkia did so. Thanks to his long legs, he was able to jump on a rocky ledge. But the wolves could climb too. One of them stayed on the ground, while the other two began scaling the slope. They were careful to stay left and right, so their prey had nowhere to go.

In the distance, one of the elks shouted something. Elkia turned his ears towards him.

‘…jump. Whatever you… jump…’

He couldn’t hear everything, but he thought he got the message. Elkia jumped.

The wolf down below couldn’t have been happier. It opened its maw wide, so the pathetic little elk would jump right into it. That was exactly what happened.

Elkia still had the stick between his teeth. As he landed right into the mouth of the wolf, the stick got wedged between the beast’s jaws. Elkia was literally in the maws of the beast, but the animal just couldn’t close its mouth. A horrid stench of a thousand devoured prey and sticky green saliva surrounded Elkia on all sides. When he looked down into the stomach he saw nothing but black emptiness. Up ahead was freedom, closed in between shimmering teeth. Elkia had no idea how long he was stuck in this awkward position, but he did know that this was an experience that would traumatize him forever.

The big elks came. Elkia felt how one of them bashed his antlers against the wolf he was in. Together with the wolf, he tumbled over the ground, then rolled right out of the wolf’s maw like a sticky ball of fur.

‘Elkia! Thank the Light One you’re alive!’ one of the elks said.

Elkia recognized the voice. As he stood up and shook the slime out of his fur, he turned towards his savior. ‘Oakheart! It’s you!’

Oakheart helped Elkia back on his hooves. Immediately, they looked back. The little calves were now all together sitting on the snow, looking around themselves with fearful eyes. Way back, the elks were still busy rolling the log, with the wolves fighting back. They were not paying attention to the children now.

‘You should go,’ Elkia said.

Oakheart’s eyes went wide. ‘Go?! But we shouldn’t just leave the seer to—’

‘Think about the children,’ Elkia said. ‘They are scared out of their wits. One of them actually died. They will be traumatized for life now. We can’t possibly send them back into this savage fight. The wolves are not here now, so you can run away and escape this madness. You should go and take the calves with you and never return.’

‘But, Elkia…’

‘Just go!’ After all the horrible experiences, Elkia didn’t even jump in surprise or fear of his shouting voice. He needed to be resolute. Without turning around, he galloped back towards the fight. Scared though as he was, he was not going to leave his mother behind.

The wolves were still flabbergasted by the sudden log-attack. As the elks and deer and reindeer pushed it forwards, the sound of snapping twigs and breaking branches echoed across the plain. Elkia had to dodge a wolf or two, but he was quick, and he made it back to the rest. What he saw worried him. He saw only trembling legs, quivering muscles, sweat, gritted teeth, and narrowed eyes. The elks were gone to the point of exhaustion. Elkia thought that if they continued rolling this enormous thing, they might just drop dead! He wedged himself between two elks to speak with Aeltha. ‘Mother, they are all so tired.’

‘We’re almost there, Elkia,’ Aeltha said back, looking forward and directing the magic of essence towards the log.

‘We’re almost where?’

‘The lake, Elkia.’

‘The lake?’

Aeltha stopped for a moment, turned to Elkia, and managed a grim smile. ‘We’re going to drown the bastards!’

* *

Meanwhile, Alces Roameling ran. He crossed another residential field, where another slaughter had taken place. He only had to cross a few yards of forested land and then he’d reach the Shimmering Eye. Peering between the tree trunks and the shrubs of heather, he had discovered that he was relatively safe. Although the howls still resounded all around him, he didn’t see one single green eye watching through the foliage. He reasoned that perhaps the wolves weren’t interested in chasing one single elk child. Or perhaps they were busy with something else…

Alces stayed on course. He didn’t let himself get distracted by whatever was going on. He knew that elks, deer, and reindeer were being eaten alive. He knew that they’d never stand a chance. But he didn’t care. His mother had given him a mission, and he carried out that mission—simple as that.

Alces was close. The land tilted slightly upwards, and Alces followed suit. Always take the high ground. Once he reached the top of the hill, he chose a few good bushes and hid in them. He had a very good view of everything that was going on at the Shimmering Eye, and there sure was a lot going on.

The Shimmering Eye lay in the moonlight, reflecting the stars and moon like a perfect mirror. A whole ring of elks, deer, and reindeer stood around the lake, with their heads towards the forest, and towards the enemy.

Just as with Elkia, the wolves had chosen the tactics of surrounding their prey. For each elk there were at least ten timber wolves. Sometimes the wolves snarled and nipped at the legs, but the elks stood firm. Alces saw they were the biggest and strongest of all the elks; the soldiers.

But if they are all soldiers, then their leader…

Indeed, when Alces squinted, he could see the royal figure of Moussa standing right at the spot where he and his brother had their naming ceremonies years ago. The king of the elks stood proud and erect, like a lone king on a board of chess. There was no one standing beside him. Everyone stood back, yet he didn’t even look afraid.

But there was more going on. There was a wolf, a big one, who was separated from the rest. He and Moussa stood close together, and Alces saw their mouths moving. They were talking! Alces had no idea the wolves could actually talk—or actually wanted to talk. To him, they were just savage beasts, driven by nothing but dark essence and a killer instinct. Apparently, he was wrong.

Now he had a choice to make. He could do the obvious and run away like a coward and never come back to the Shimmering Eye again. That idea, obvious though as it was, didn’t even enter Alces’s head until he thought of the other options. It was not done.

Option two was to stand by Moussa’s side, and fight till the death to protect the Shimmering Eye. But Alces was not stupid. He knew the odds were definitely against him. There were hundreds of wolves down there! These two impulses, fight or flight, filled Alces’s heart like two fighting wolves. He hated sitting still—he wanted to do something. In his mind, he created option number three himself: investigate further.

Although he didn’t like to sneak at all, he had played a lot of games of hide-and-seek, so he knew how to. As careful as a prowling lion, Alces moved through the bushes closer to the Shimmering Eye. He had no idea how many guards the wolves had appointed. If the wolves really were more intelligent than he thought, there could be many guards about to protect the rear and the flanks. But on the other hoof, Alces knew that an overwhelming number of forces could make one cocky. Maybe the wolves didn’t even appoint one guard, sure as they were about their victory.

‘Oh… oh… ooooooh!’

A growl came from Alces’s right. He jolted, and then froze. Was there still a wolf he hadn’t spotted through the foliage? But he had been so careful! He did a careful step forwards, readying himself for a fight.

‘Oh… ooooh!’ the growl sounded again, but this time, there was a wet cough afterwards. Alces cocked his head. That didn’t sound like a wolf at all. He moved closer to the source of the sound, but didn’t drop his guard. He only dropped his guard when he found who was making the noise.

‘Somebody… please…’

‘Old Cervidus!’

Alces hadn’t spotted whoever was making that noise, because the old elk was lying on the ground, in a bush, hidden from view. Alces crouched besides the elderly elk, and immediately noticed the pool of blood he was lying in. Old Cervidus coughed again. Blood gushed out of a bite-wound in his neck. Alces knew he would never make it. That’s why he listened closely to the old elk’s last words.

‘Alces, it is you…’

‘Yes it is me, Cervidus,’ Alces said, trying to stack some piles of pine needles underneath the old elk’s head to make him more comfortable. ‘I’ve found you, Cervidus.’

‘Indeed… indeed you have.’ Cervidus’s words came growling out of his raspy, bloodstained throat.

‘Say what you have to say, old Cervidus,’ Alces said, ‘for you and I both know it will be the last thing you’ll ever say.’

Old Cervidus tried to laugh, but only managed to cough again. With some effort, he slowly moved his head closer to his pupil. ‘At least you’re… you’re not wasting my time with hopeful, foolish nonsense…’

Alces managed a grin too. ‘You know I like to get to the point.’

‘Very good. Very… good. Now, I shall speak my final words to you, my dear Alces. I will… I… will…’ Cervidus’s eyes closed. Alces felt the strength disappear out of his body. There was no need to check the pulse. Alces thought Cervidus was dead.

If anything, old Cervidus’s legacy was a good eavesdropping-spot. When Alces left him alone and moved through the heather and the bushes, he could hear Moussa’s signature, haughty voice flow right into his ears. He dared to go even closer, and was rewarded with a view of both the wolf and the elk. The wolf really was talking! It spoke Elkish in a nasty, tongue-twisting dialect, with the occasional guttural sound or growl mixed in. Nevertheless, Alces could hear what the wolf was saying.

‘The lake is ours, you foolish elk. It is ours and we can do what we want with it.’

‘We shall do what we can to stop you,’ Moussa said, ‘even if the odds are not in our favor.’

‘Then you are a bigger fool than I thought,’ said the wolf. ‘The dark essence is stronger than light. We are made of dark essence. Dark essence can create us, give us life. Can you say the same?’

‘Speak not of light essence, for you know nothing about that,’ Moussa said. He was not at all intimidated, and kept his royal pose. ‘We have guarded the Shimmering Eye for generations, while you yourself have lived but a few years in the Dark Lands, those foul regions you call home.’

The wolf let out a growl. ‘Now you speak of something you know nothing about. You wouldn’t last a day in the Dark Lands, while we’—he gestured with his head around him—‘we are conquerors. We have come from the other side of the mountains to your lands, invaded it, and gained your biggest treasure. I say that makes predator far superior to prey.’

Moussa stomped his hoof on the snowy ground. ‘Enough! We will prove our worth to the Light Elk when we will emerge victorious from this battle.’

‘Not today, not ever,’ said the wolf. ‘CHARGE!’

What followed was a terrible battle. The wolves overwhelmed the elks completely. Howls, growls, and snarls filled the nightly air, followed by death-screams of desperate elks. The elks stood firm, digging their heels in the ground and trying to headbutt the wolves away. But as more and more of them got eaten alive, their ranks were breached. Sure enough, one of the wolves jumped into the Shimmering Eye, defiling it with its nasty, mangy body. Blood flew everywhere, staining the snow red.

At the front, Moussa fought for all he was worth. He had taken down five wolves already, which lay in pieces here and there. Now he was in combat with the alpha wolf. Moussa tried to kick and buck at the foul beast. Every time the wolf managed to dodge or roll away. It kept attacking and retreating, trying to take a bite out of the vital parts of the body. At last, when Moussa twirled around and gave another mighty buck, the wolf dodged and bore its teeth in the long hind leg of Moussa. Moussa screamed, a strange sound coming out of his mouth. He bent through his knees, as the wolf took him down.

Alces had to do something. He was just about to jump into the fray and help Moussa, when a familiar sound stopped him.

‘Alces! Alces, where are you?’

It was Cervidus. He wasn’t dead after all! Alces moved back and into the brush, until he stood next to him.

‘Alces, it is you.’ Cervidus tried to lift a hoof, and managed that with lots of pain and effort. He slowly stroked Alces’s fur. Swallowing, Cervidus prepared to say something—perhaps his final words. ‘Alces Roameling… you always were my favorite student. I think you of all my pupils were the one who really got what I was telling. You were the one who really listened.’

Alces stood up and made a small bow. ‘Thank you, Cervidus.’ Then he sat down beside the old elk again. ‘Cervidus, they are fighting. Everyone is dying. Even Moussa is not going to make it. I have to do something, or they will all die.’

‘Don’t,’ Cervidus rasped.

‘Wait, what did you say?’

‘I said don’t. Don’t do anything.’

‘But why not?’

‘Because they don’t stand a chance.’ Cervidus smiled a grim, bloody smile. ‘I have seen the ranks of wolves marching towards me. They killed the young, the sick, and the old first, not even paying attention to their victims. It was almost as if they were behaving like nature intended.’

‘But… but they did,’ Alces said. ‘They do behave like nature. It’s the age-old game of predator versus prey, isn’t it?’

Cervidus managed to move his head. He probably wanted to shake it, but the gesture wasn’t quite as powerful as he wanted it to be. ‘Ha! This is not nature, my dear Alces. There is nothing natural about what they are doing. After the battle they will misuse the Shimmering Eye for certain. No, these beasts are made of pure dark essence, and what they do goes against their every nature.’

‘But… you always said dark essence isn’t necessarily bad. You said—’

‘Dark essence isn’t bad. It’s all about power. These wolves have got power, which they abuse. Look at it, Alces, just look.’

Alces turned his head away from Cervidus. Moussa was lying on the ground, and the alpha wolf still had his neck in his mouth. Alces had no idea if the king was still alive or not.

‘This is power, Alces. This is power they have gained from the Dark Elk, but which they misuse completely. Look at this closely, and remember it forever. This is what power can do, if you let dark essence into your heart. I know you can. You can let the dark essence into your heart, and let it give you power. Yet, what you are going to do with that power is all up to you.’

Alces wanted to say something back, but a violent burst of coughing from Cervidus prevented that. More blood gushed out of the neck wound. He was not going to last much longer.

‘Alces, listen to me, for these are my final words. I say run, don’t fight. Run and try to learn something from today. Try to teach yourself about the dark essence, about the Dark Elk, and try to use the power however you see fit. That is the core of it… Use the power of dark essence to accomplish whatever goal you want, and whatever you do…’ Another fit of coughing sent blood splattering on Alces’s fur. Alces bent close towards Cervidus’s muzzle to hear his final words. They came in ragged gurgles, with more blood than words. ‘Whatever you do…

‘Whatever what, old Cervidus?’ Alces said.

‘Whatever you do…

‘Never…

‘Back…

‘Down…’

And so old Cervidus left this world behind, with these valuable words to his young pupil. Alces let the head rest on the pillow of needles. He closed the old elk’s eyes, and stroked his head. ‘I will never forget what you told me, and for that, I thank you.’

Then Alces turned his attention to the lost battle. However much Cervidus had told him to run, Alces wanted to see where this was going—if only to learn more about dark essence and the power it gives, and which the wolves abused so thoroughly.

The alpha wolf had laid Moussa down on the ground. The elk’s chest was still moving up and down. Was Moussa still alive? The other wolves were standing around the Shimmering Eye, with a bunch of dead elks in front of them.

‘Everyone! Grab one of those pathetic prey,’ the alpha wolf said.

The wolves did as they were told. All of them grabbed an elk by the neck, and held him or her in their maws.

The alpha wolf rasped its throat, a rotten sound, before he proceeded with that he wanted to do. ‘Now let them bleed! Hahaha!’

All the wolves bit hard in the necks of their prey. The blood flowed between their teeth, around their paws, and right into the Shimmering Eye. One elk let out a muffled scream, as he was apparently still alive. There were a few wolves who enjoyed this ritual a little too much, and bit off the heads of the elks to let the blood gush out of the creatures like a red fountain.

‘You are… defiling… our most sacred place…’ Moussa said, his voice just loud enough for Alces to hear it.

‘Yes we are,’ said the alpha wolf, who stepped closer to his fallen foe.

‘Why?’

The wolf came even closer. ‘Because that is what power enables us to do. But, to be honest, it’s mainly to see you all suffer, because we predators love toying with our prey.’

It’s just as Cervidus said, Alces thought, power is everything…

‘I hope you will burn in whatever hell you came from,’ Moussa said.

‘Let’s do that after the ritual, shall we?’ And with that, the alpha wolf turned his attention to the pack again.

The blood flowed into the Shimmering Eye from every corner. It didn’t take long for the lake to become completely red. The ground began to shake, and ripples formed on the otherwise still water. The red blood seemed to change color. It became darker and darker, until the Shimmering Eye was completely black, like a closed eyelid. Alces felt the hairs of his fur stand on end. He felt that something changed. The night seemed to grow darker, but the moon brighter. The stars seemed to disappear. He knew at that moment that they had lost. They had lost the Shimmering Eye. It was no use looking at it any longer. Alces turned away from the once sacred place, and disappeared between the trunks of the pine trees.

* *

‘Push, everyone, push!’

But the elks couldn’t take it anymore. A great many of them fell to the ground, sapped and dead-tired. The log stopped moving, and in no time, the wolves had them surrounded once again. They only needed a few seconds to pick out the weakened animals, and pounced upon them. Screams of pain and torture came from all around Elkia, as his friends and relatives got eaten alive. Some bulls, shaken to their bones, used an adrenaline spurt to attack some wolves. Although they managed to save an elk or two, lots of them lay dead on the ground in the blink of an eye.

Aeltha the seer looked at her people for a few seconds, and then shook her head. Puffs of breath came out of her mouth, as exhaustion gripped her too. Elkia looked at her, and wondered if she even had enough energy left to perform her final tricks.

Bending down, Aeltha dug her antlers into the snow. In one fluent motion, she flung it aside, to reveal what lay underneath.

‘Ice!’

They had made it! They had made it to the river! Aeltha once more looked around at the elks, and silently and quickly counted heads. She hoped there were enough of her pupils left standing to perform the magic. ‘Everyone!’ she shouted above the chorus of howls and screams. ‘I need you all one last time. Focus on the ice and try to give as much raw force as you can muster. I will focus the energy. Together, we will destroy the wolves with the might of the river.’

Elkia knew that wolves were good swimmers, and a little water was not going to stop them. If anything, it would only hinder them. But elks were even better swimmers than wolves, and always lived near water. Elkia realized that his mother probably had a few more tricks up her sleeve. He was absolutely sure she could find a way to command the essence of the water. Maybe she could even conjure up waves to break apart the wolves, or create a swirling maelstrom to drown them in the river. The breaking of the ice granted her many opportunities to attack.

But first they had to break it.

‘Everyone! Steady!’ Aeltha yelled, turning towards the single dozen pupils that were left, and aiming her antlers at the center of the circle.

Suddenly, Elkia felt a shiver going through his body. Was it really that cold? It wasn’t much colder than usual. He thought it was wolf eyes staring at him from somewhere. He looked at the sea of beasts around him, but saw that no wolf in particular was paying much attention to him. Then Elkia looked up, trying to spot wolves that had maybe climbed the log and were peering down from above. No, nothing. But Elkia did spot something strange.

‘The stars! The stars are all gone!’

But Aeltha wasn’t paying much attention to her son. She reared on her hind hooves, antlers glowing and ready to strike. She counted down. ‘On three we break!’

‘One…’

Elkia felt that something was wrong. It was the nagging feeling that he had lost something valuable, but was unable to retrieve it.

‘Two…’

The feeling stayed with Elkia. He couldn’t put his hoof on it. As far as he knew, the only thing that mattered now was his life.

‘Three!’

The seer brought her antlers down upon the ice. Sparks and cinders flew off of them, followed by a massive explosion. The shockwave sent a lot of the elks flying into the wolf sea. The elks without magic jumped in shock and fear. Some of them couldn’t suppress their flight instinct and ran straight into the horde of wolves. They only made it a few yards. The wolves were a lot less scared of the magic of the essence than their prey, and they used the discord to launch another attack. Everywhere, elks, deer, and reindeer were captured, bitten, choked, scratched, and eaten alive.

Aeltha got hit by the explosion too. The force made her fly backwards, almost in reach of the wolves. Her pupils galloped towards her, standing by her side and preventing the wolves from attacking her.

Something was definitely wrong. Elkia looked from his mother to the ice. There was a hole in the ice, with a few cracks here and there, but it didn’t look like much. If the intention had been to break all the ice and let the river flow freely, the elks had horribly failed.

There was no hope anymore. One last circle was created around the seer, but every elk, deer, or reindeer who was outside of it got slaughtered. ‘The seer has fallen, the seer has fallen!’ some of them yelled, although there weren’t that many elks alive who could hear their cries.

‘No!’ Elkia scrambled to his hooves, and ran towards the circle of elks. A wolf jumped towards him, but he rolled in the snow, avoiding the deadly claws. Once he reached the circle, he forced himself through the legs of the elks. He brought forth a cry of horrid surprise, as he saw the state his mother was in.

‘Mother! Your antlers!’

Aeltha lay curled in the snow, her two antlers a yard away. When Elkia looked at them, he saw how they were cracked and broken. They looked worn and old. Slowly, the white antlers fell apart, until even the tiniest branch turned to sand and got swept away by the frozen winds.

‘Elkia, my son!’ The seer’s blue eyes flashed around, until they settled on her son. The eyes didn’t look as pretty anymore. They had lost their shine, and looked dim and distant.

‘Mother, I’m here!’ Elkia said through eyes full of tears. He just couldn’t witness his mother like that. He had always seen her strong and confident, not lying on the ground like this. ‘Mother, everyone is fighting. Make them stop! Make them stop!’

‘I can’t, my dear Elkia. Something… something is wrong. The Eye… the Shimmering Eye. Something happened to the Eye.’

Elkia wanted to say something back, but his words were cut short by a cry of pain. He watched his right, and saw how one of Aeltha’s pupils got dragged away by a wolf. The elk was clawing at the snow, but couldn’t find anything to grab. He disappeared between the wooden claws and vicious eyes, and wasn’t seen again.

One by one, the rest of Aeltha’s pupils got overpowered by the wolves. They tried to resist, and swung their antlered heads here and there, but it was in vain.

‘Mother, they have no power anymore. We are… we are going to die!’ And Elkia’s words became accompanied by desperate sobs.

Aeltha reached out, and stroked Elkia’s fur. Yet, the healing and calming magic that normally emanated from her was gone. Instead, Elkia felt cold go through his body, and realized that the cold came from his mother’s hoof. ‘Don’t be afraid, Elkia. At least we’ll die together. We will reunite on the Eternal Plains, and hope that a new generation will be able to protect the Shimmering Eye better than we did.’

The fact that she wasn’t even denying it frightened Elkia like a howling wolf. ‘But I don’t want to die. I want to live in peace and harmony with you and Alces and everyone else. You know, I want this to end like every good story ends, however dark the tale. “They lived happily ever after…”’

Another strong elk fell down to the ground. A wolf was soon upon him, and bit his throat. A few seconds later, the elk was as lifeless as a ragdoll.

To his horror, Elkia noticed that there was no one left standing. He and his mother were the last ones. He looked around, and an ocean of green, hungry eyes stared back. Elkia had no idea why the wolves hadn’t attacked them yet. He expected savage bites, raking claws, and terrible mouths upon him any second now. He expected a painful death. Elkia closed his watery eyes, laid his muzzle upon his mother’s fur, and cried. It was all he could do.

The wolves stood still. It was not because they were afraid, or because they were merciful, but because their leader approached. A particularly growly voice made some noises. The noises came closer and closer. When Elkia dared to look over his shoulder, he gazed right into the eyes of the alpha wolf.

One wolf barked something at the alpha. The alpha’s wooden snout twisted into a cruel grin. He looked upon his last two victims. ‘A special one, you say?’

Elkia blinked his tears away. He spread his legs, trying to shield his mother from the alpha wolf.

But the Alpha had seen enough. ‘You poor little thing!’ he said. But the way he pronounced the Elkish words, together with the timbre of his voice, could not conceal the mocking.

Elkia closed his eyes again. ‘Please go away, please go away, please go away,’ he repeated over and over again, shivering as he talked.

‘I’m afraid I can’t do that,’ said the alpha wolf. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Elkia’s every sob. ‘You see, we are here to teach you something, something very important and worth remembering.’

Elkia wasn’t curious about that at all. He just wanted them all to fall apart into harmless little twigs and branches.

And that was exactly what happened.

After a swift command form the alpha wolf, the timber wolves, one by one, fell apart with little puffs of green smoke. The outer ring of them all disappeared like that, while the rest of the dozens of wolves stood their ground. Soon, the ground became littered by branches and sticks and leaves which had made up their bodies.

Elkia blinked once, twice. Did that just happen? Thanks to the disappearance of the outer herd, he got a brief view of the valley and the tree line ahead. Maybe it was coincidence, or maybe it was luck, or maybe there was still some power of essence that hadn’t dwindled away. Elkia saw someone. Far, far away, there was a single shape popping out of the foliage, and then disappearing again. Elkia wasn’t sure if his eyes betrayed him. Did someone get away?

He didn’t have time to think about that, however, as his nightmares became reality. Slowly, every little stick and branch rolled towards one another in glows of pure, green, dark essence. They clicked together like a large puzzle, creating shapes that looked like massive claws, an enormous wooden body, a strong neck and a giant maw with wooden teeth as thick as trees. The pieces floated together in the magical haze, creating one giant wolf. It was so big, it could swallow an elk, deer, or reindeer whole—easily. Only when the shadow fell upon poor little Elkia did he dare to look up, right into the maw of the beast. He knew at that moment that his time had come.

But instead of gobbling up the trembling little elk, the beast talked. It was the same terrible voice as the alpha wolf, but lower, rumbling as he formed words in Elkish. ‘As I said, I’m going to teach you something. It’s time for you to learn about nature, and about the relationship between predator and prey.’

‘Don’t… don’t listen to him,’ Aeltha said. Her voice was as weak as a piece of glass artwork, ready to fall and shatter if it were disturbed. Elkia forgot about the giant wolf looming over him for a few seconds, and turned his attention instead to his mother.

‘Elkia, you must not listen to him. You are… you are so innocent and kind. Don’t let these two beautiful traits be destroyed by that foul beast’s words.’

‘Listen up!’ the giant beast roared. But still Elkia’s ears were aimed at his mother. ‘Mother, I’m so afraid!’

‘Of course you are, but it’s alright. Everyone has a part to play in this giant theater play that is called life. I have fulfilled my destiny.’

‘But… but…’ Elkia’s voice became cracked, as a new set of tears came in. ‘If this is your destiny, then… have you foreseen this all?’

‘I have, Elkia. That’s why it couldn’t be avoided. The essences have shown me the future of us all. I know what was going to happen, whether I liked it or not. We cannot change the future, Elkia, but our decisions can alter it. You just need to have a strong will.’ Aeltha coughed a few times. Icy vapors escaped through her nostrils. ‘Your brother has an enormously strong will, you know that as good as I do. Find your brother, Elkia. Together, you are complete.’

‘Alces!’ Elkia jolted. ‘He’s alive? How? Where is—’

A terrible howl shredded Elkia’s words apart. The wolf was becoming inpatient. ‘Listen up, young prey. Today, we teach you about us, the predators, and you, the pathetic little prey.’ It bore its eyes into Elkia until he looked up. ‘Today you have witnessed something beautiful. You have witnessed the “balance of nature.” You see, the balance of nature dictates that we, the top of the food chain, eat you, the bottom of the food chain. It’s how nature works.’

Slowly, Elkia’s ears turned towards his mother, looking if the alpha wolf allowed him to listen. ‘Mother, is he right?’

Aeltha swallowed. She closed her eyes and didn’t open them. ‘Predators, however savage, are a part of nature. But the timber wolves are—’

‘Right,’ the alpha barked. ‘We aren’t stupid, you know. We know how nature works. Life isn’t always pretty, and the ones that live are usually rotten to the core too.’

‘No, it’s not true,’ Aeltha said. ‘Elkia, listen to me.’

Elkia was just about to turn his head, when the wolf snarled loud. ‘No, listen to me. If you want to learn something from today, you listen to me.’

Reaching up, Elkia covered his head with his hooves. He had never been as confused as today. Somehow, he had the feeling that both his mother and the alpha were right. However much he wanted to shield his ears from everything that murdering animal had to say, he had the feeling that in some way he spoke of a cold reality. This evening was all the proof he needed.

‘Don’t trust anyone,’ the wolf said. ‘The ones who share your kill will turn their backs on you someday, claiming they are the new alpha. Everything, everyone desires nothing but power, and will do whatever it takes to get that power. Power corrupts, and will make you do evil things.’

‘No… there is good in everyone. What he says is untrue,’ Aeltha said.

‘Then what is true?’ Elkia said.

The wolf smashed his claw on the ground. ‘I am the truth! I am the cold, hard product of reality. I am as much a child of nature as your mother.’ He paused, and stroked his chin with his claw. ‘Or… perhaps your mother is right. Perhaps there is good in me too. You know what? I can see that you are having a very bad day. Tell you what, if you will listen to me, remember everything I say, and spread the word, I will let you live.’

Elkia wasn’t sure what to say. He bit back the urge to be polite and say thank you. Instead, he said nothing.

Crouching down, the wolf brought his nose inches away from Elkia’s. ‘We are made of dark essence, and, as you can see, we are stronger than you, creatures of light essence. There is dark essence in everyone, and it is just waiting to bubble up to the surface and nestle into your soul. It is strong… so strong… Take my word for it, little elk. There’s dark essence in everyone, and everyone is a sawn log waiting to crash down to the ground—preferably on you.’

Elkia heard his mother wheeze. He turned one ear towards her, and tried his best not to lose eye contact with the wolf.

‘Elkia, I have a few last things to tell you.’

‘No!’ growled the wolf.

Elkia broke eye contact. ‘Mother, if we listen he will let us live.’

‘Ha! This one learns quickly,’ said the wolf. ‘You were right, everyone. He is a special one.’

Aeltha ignored the wolf. She knew what would happen. ‘My last words are these. My son, however difficult times will be, never lose your faith. Don’t lose your faith in others, in the essence, or in nature, however cruel it might be. There is also light essence in every single one of us. You have seen how we lived in harmony and friendship. Keep that picture in mind, wherever you go. Even if you go into the Dark Lands themselves, never lose yourself. You are, and will always be, Deerling—a member of the herd.’

‘Now I’ve had enough of it!’ The wolf bent over Elkia, and, before he could do anything, grabbed Elkia’s mother between his teeth.

‘No! Mother!’

Aeltha let out cries of pain, as the wolf held her between his splintery teeth. They bore into her stomach, leaving blood dripping on the ground.

‘It’s time to let go of the ones you love, for she too, has dark essence, and she too, might betray you,’ said the wolf. As he spoke, his jaws moved, and Aeltha groaned as the pressure shifted.

The wolf bowed forward once again, with the seer in his mouth. ‘Say goodbye now.’

Once more, tears clouded Elkia’s vision. He tried to blink them away, to have one last glimpse of his mother, but new tears kept coming. ‘Mother… I don’t know what to do…’

Aeltha the seer managed to wriggle free one hoof. She kissed it, and gently stroked Elkia’s muzzle, an Elkish greeting. ‘The power of the essence loves us. And I…’ Now the seer shed tears as well. ‘And I… love you.’

With one flick of its tree-thick neck, the alpha wolf tossed Aeltha in the air. Then he caught her, and with a few bone-breaking crunches, the seer disappeared between the massive wooden maws.

‘No!’ Elkia yelled. ‘No! You can’t just… just… You promised to let us live!’ He wished he had closed his eyes when the wolf ate her. Now, the picture of what happened would forever stay with him, plaguing him like blood-sucking insects.

‘I promised I let you live. With you I meant you, “Elkia,” is it? I promised to let you live because I know you are smart and listen to my council.’ The wolf brushed his bloodstained teeth against the snow below, wiping them off. When he looked at Elkia again he saw nothing but a crying ball of fur. His voice became gentler, although there was still the occasional growl. ‘I think that is enough council and ancient wisdom for one evening, isn’t it?’

Elkia said nothing. He hugged himself and lay in the snow, reaching out, trying to find his mother’s soft fur as if they were lying in the same bed. Warm, cozy, safe… But no more.

‘Isn’t it?’ the wolf repeated, louder this time.

Slowly, Elkia nodded.

‘Very good,’ the wolf said with a grin. He let out a burp in satisfaction. ‘Now go, young elk. Go and spread the word of Garm the Merciful. Be quick, because teaching always makes me hungry, and I might just decide that “the merciful” already gets boring.’ He nudged Elkia with his snout. Elkia swore he could smell his mother’s soft white fur in the wolf’s breath. Reaching inside himself, gathering up the last bit of adrenaline and powering up with sheer fear, he got to his hooves and ran away. Away, away, away, as if he wanted to run through time and space and prevent this whole slaughter from happening.

No wolves chased him. Apparently, all were loyal to the giant alpha wolf. As soon as Elkia left the murder scene and the wolves disappeared, he tried to see where he was going through tear-struck eyes. Some part of his mind hadn’t shut down with sorrow, fear, guilt, or danger, and that part told him to run towards the rim of the forest, where he had spotted that lone figure.

It was a good thing he did, because that lone figure, was Alces Roameling.

Chapter five: encounters

And so the elk brothers found each other again after these dreadful events. It took Alces a long time to get Elkia into doing something. When Elkia reached the bush, he just lied down, refusing to get back on his hooves again. He was utterly broken by the trauma. Yet, after some slaps in the face, Alces managed to bring Elkia to the terrible here and now. They were still only a few hundred yards away from the wolves, and if the foul beasts wanted, they could pick up their scents easily and pursue them.

So they ran. Together, they ran through the night, and didn’t stop until the morning sun shone over the pine trees. Alces tried to keep track of the route they galloped, but soon even he had to give up. Both of them had no idea where they were running to. The farther away from the roaming wolfpack, the better.

As they fled, Alces asked Elkia many questions. ‘What happened there? Where’s mother?’

The truth was that Elkia was both too tired and too traumatized to answer his brother’s questions. He just wanted to go. He wanted to take these black memories, put them into some magical cauldron, and make them pretty again. But of course, he knew that couldn’t be done. So he kept silent and focused on running.

Elkia was the first who lost his breath. Alces tried his best to spur him on, and run another extra mile, but in the end, Elkia kept stumbling and pausing, so they stopped. Immediately, once they reached a small clearing, Elkia slumped down into the snow. Alces sat by his side. He saw that his brother was having a hard time, as he kept crying and crying. But unfortunately, Alces did not know how to comfort his brother. In the past, when Elkia got bullied by someone, and Alces saw that he felt hurt, he would always march towards the bully, challenge him to a duel, and win gloriously. Sometimes Elkia even watched those duels, although he found them nasty and violent. Yet, they always did the trick. Alces was proud of himself, and Elkia was bullied no more.

But Elkia couldn’t cry forever. At one point, he felt as if he had cried out all the water in his body. Slowly, he stood up, and looked around at the clearing they were in. Then he saw his brother, and spoke to him. ‘Oh, Alces! Oh, oh Alces.’

When Alces saw his brother was once more going down, he was there for him. He caught Elkia, and they ended up in a warm, brotherly embrace. Alces had seen his mother embrace Elkia thousands of times, so at least he knew how to.

Alces too, felt bad. Although he was able to cope with the terrible fight much better than Elkia, he felt sad too. But in his mind, anger took the front seats. Why wasn’t he able to stop the attack? Why did his mother not stop the attack, if she was really clairvoyant? After the embrace, he walked around, bucking trees or demolishing bushes. He just felt so powerless. Maybe, if he had listened to old Cervidus longer, he could actually have done something, using the dark essence. Who knows…

Elkia stayed silent. He literally didn’t say a thing. However much Alces tried to find out what happened after he and his brother split up, Elkia couldn’t tell him one thing. He had the feeling he would never talk again. Alces knew for sure that his brother would never be the happy, carefree, and cheerful child again. And neither would he.

* *

For many weeks they tramped through the forest. It almost looked as if they were patrolling their own lands. The only difference was that they were just two. Even though their mother had shown them survival tricks—how to stay out of reach of predators like bears and wolves, how to forage for food, even when it was scarce—they were having trouble surviving. They had always been too giddy to pay attention, looking forwards to the next gathering, where they could do whatever they liked, however different that was.

The weather was only getting colder, as winter became worse. Both Alces and Elkia were always trembling, as not even their winter coats could keep them warm. Always, their stomachs were grumbling, demanding some better food than the occasional bark or shrub of heather they ate, both of which were equally tasteless and not very nutritious. They were very, very hungry, and felt weaker every day.

Both of them were largely silent. Elkia still didn’t speak, and Alces too, kept his muzzle shut. Elkia thought of almost nothing. The only things that went around in his mind were his grievous loss, the screams, the blood, and the pain on that fateful evening. He had put his body on the automatic pilot, and let himself be led by nothing but the craving of food and his survival instincts.

Where Elkia thought almost nothing, Alces was busy planning. He was thinking of a great many things, and was yearning to share his thoughts and plans with his brother. He hated sitting still and doing nothing. He wasn’t content with just trying to stay alive in the barren conditions. He needed a purpose again, a goal worth fighting for.

Alces became edgier and grumpier as his hunger increased. At last, he just couldn’t contain himself any longer. According to him, Elkia had had enough time to process his loss and recover from the trauma. Now it was time for action. On one bitter cold winter day, when they reached another clearing and were already looking for some tree to gnaw on, Alces spoke to his brother.

‘I have an idea, Elkia.’

Elkia said nothing.

‘Hey, are you listening?’

Still, Elkia said nothing.

Alces grabbed his brother by the shoulders and shook him hard. ‘Elkia, listen to me!’ and he repeated that a few times.

Every time Alces said that, a painful flashback stabbed Elkia’s mind like a dagger, because that was what the giant alpha wolf said too, before he… Elkia just wanted his brother to stop saying those words. In the end, he gave in. ‘What is your plan?’ he said, with a voice as meek as the distant light of a star.

Hearing his brother’s voice was something which took Alces a second or two to get used to. He hadn’t heard that sound in weeks. Shaking off his brief bafflement, he continued. ‘We have to go back.’

‘Go back?’ Elkia said, his tone still emotionless and flat. ‘Why?’

‘Wolves are roaming creatures,’ Alces answered. ‘I’m sure they are long gone by now. If we try, I’m sure we can find a way back to the Shimmering Eye.’

‘Why?’ Elkia said again.

But Alces was undaunted. He continued to explain his plan, with as much enthusiasm and strength as he could summon. ‘Because there may be other elks, deer, and reindeer who will do the same. Imagine that! We can go back and live the life we lost, together with the other survivors. We can rebuild our snow huts, cleanse the Shimmering Eye, and reunite. But of course, we will learn from our mistake, and build ramparts, walls, towers, and other fortifications to repel a second attack.’

Elkia showed no sign of listening. Alces thought he saw him nodding, but that could also have been a shiver from the cold. Still not giving up on convincing his brother, Alces tried his best to sound positive, although he felt irritation building with his brother’s stoic behavior. ‘But perhaps it won’t even come to that, Elkia. Maybe there won’t even be a second attack, because the wolves might think they have wiped out every single one of us. Maybe they are not interested in us or the Shimmering Eye anymore. Do you realize what that means, Elkia? That means we can live our lives in freedom, and never need to worry about the timber wolves again!’

Elkia moved his head away from his brother. He believed he saw a suitable—and hopefully not too tough—tree a few feet away.

Catching up with him, Alces shook him again, and slapped him on the back. ‘I’m sure Mother will be there too. Hay, I bet she’s already practicing the magic of the essence to foresee a new attack, if it will come. She is probably already giving out orders, rebuilding our great culture and society. Hay, maybe she has already taken her place as the queen of the elks.’

Slowly, Elkia moved towards the tree and began gnawing on it. If he really listened, he didn’t show it.

Now Alces lost his patience. He stomped his hooves on the ground, and snorted. ‘Doesn’t that look nice to you? Here I am trying to make all kinds of future plans, and you are just accepting everything as it is. Do you want to roam this blasted forest forever, Elkia? For forest’s sake, mother is waiting for us!’

‘Mother is dead!’

There was silence. Snowflakes fell down upon the trees and the ground and the elk brothers. Elkia was no longer biting on bark, but was now facing his brother, although he wasn’t looking him in the eyes. He didn’t dare to do that.

Alces’s voice was low, threatening, just like the alpha wolf’s. ‘What did you say?’

Warm tears appeared on Elkia’s cheeks, turning cold and icy in the gusts of wind. ‘Mother is dead, Alces. Mother… is dead, and there is nothing for us to return to. Everyone, everything is gone. For all I know… For all I know, we are the last surviving elks.’

Once again silence. Alces felt himself growing cold. Not on the outside, but on the inside. He felt as if the color drained away from the world around him. Slowly, growing clearer with every heartbeat, a red haze spread across his vision. His muscles quivered. At last, he couldn’t stand it anymore. ‘No…’ he said. ‘NO!’ he shouted. ‘NOOOOOOOOOOO!’

He turned his back on Elkia, and ran around the clearing. No tree was safe for his bucking hind hooves and punching front hooves. ‘You can’t say that! It isn’t true! Mother is alive. She is the seer, for essence’s sake!’ He stopped at a particularly large tree. With every punch and headbutt, more bark flew off the trunk, like brown flakes of snow. He kept punching and punching, venting his anger and trying to find some reason why. At last, he suddenly stopped assaulting the tree. With two powerful, rage-filled jumps, he reached his brother. He grabbed Elkia’s muzzle with his hooves, forcing him to watch the fire in his eyes.

‘I am… I am so sorry, Alces,’ Elkia said.

At first he said nothing, Alces just snorted once, twice. He grinded his teeth together loud enough for Elkia to hear. His dark brows hung heavily over red, furious eyes. At last he said something. Once again slowly, darkly, he said, ‘Why?’

Trembling, seeing more wolfish traits in his brother than ever before, Elkia didn’t know what to say. He swallowed. Despite the cold, he was sweating. ‘Wh-what do you—’

‘You were with her when we got separated! You should have looked after her. You saw what happened to her. Now you owe me the story of our mother’s death!’

Elkia backed away. He had never before seen his brother so angry. He fumbled to find suitable words. In his mind, a dictionary opened, but the pages were all blank. ‘Eh… eh…’

‘Eh… eh… WHAT?!’ Alces shouted. ‘What? Are you at a loss for words, Elkia Deerling. You always knew the right thing to say during those theater plays. You always knew how to capture feelings in poems and stories, yet now you can’t even tell me what happened? By the Dark Elk, you are such a baby!’

There was nothing of Elkia left. He felt so powerless against this wall of rage. His mother was right. He had to be tougher, and Alces had to be softer. Together, they were one elk. But now it seemed that the difference between them had never been bigger. ‘I… I…’

‘YOU were the one who ran away to “help” that group of fleeing elks. YOU were foolish enough to think that there was something you could do for them. And in that moment of foolishness, YOU dragged mother away with you, following you towards her end.’ Alces foamed at the mouth as he spoke, and he shouted more and more words at the top of his lungs.

‘I… I am so sorry, Alces,’ Elkia thought his tears had run dry, but now he discovered he had a few more of them. Elkia knew his brother was right. He fully accepted the fact that he himself was responsible for Aeltha’s death.

But Alces wasn’t done yet. ‘And you know what I hate even more about that? I hate the fact that mother KNEW she was going to die. You and I both know that she had seen all of this coming. Yet, for the sake of YOU she followed, and stepped right into her own grave.’

Accusations, accusations… Elkia couldn’t say something sharp or mean back. He just couldn’t deal with his brother’s rage.

‘Dumbstruck again, eh?’ Alces said. ‘Well, you don’t even have to tell me anything. I can picture the image in my head well enough. Back there, at the rim of the forest, I saw how those wolves had you surrounded. I saw how this giant timber wolf thing came out of nowhere. I can picture the fear in her eyes, and how she got torn apart by those terrible beasts.’

‘I… I…’

Alces let out a mocking little hint of laughter. ‘You know, I was actually wondering and guessing if the group I spotted was the same group you ran after with mother. I hoped I had found you both. I hoped YOU were safe too.’

One more time Elkia tried to say something, but one more time he failed.

‘And there you were, running right out of the fray. Hay, now that I think of it, I found it mighty suspicious that only you came to me.’ Alces’s nose touched Elkia’s. Electro bolts shot out of Alces’s eyes. ‘Did you make some kind of deal with that wolf, eh? Did the wolf have to choose between you and her? Were you such a coward that you didn’t even sacrifice yourself? I’d almost wish… No, I do wish that wolf ate YOU instead of our mother!’

Between sobs, Elkia finally managed to say something. ‘But… why do you say such a terrible thing?’

Alces withdrew his head with a jerk and bared his teeth. ‘Maybe because I mean it! And here are some more things I mean. I am ashamed to be your brother! I am ashamed to have such a spineless coward as my kin. I wish Mother were alive, but maybe even more than that, I wish you were dead!’

‘Alces… no!’

‘Yes!’ Alces shouted. ‘I don’t want to hear anything from you anymore. I am going away, and I’m going to find the herd. You better make sure you’re going in the other direction, or else I might just use the power of dark essence inside myself, and eat you like a predator!’

Hearing his brother’s painful words, Elkia couldn’t even begin retorting. Dark essence? He had no idea what to make of that. Instead, he turned his gaze to the ground, and hung his head low. ‘I can only say the oldest cliché in theater and stories that ever existed.’

‘And that is?’ Alces grumbled.

‘I’m sorry.’

But Alces wasn’t listening anymore. He had turned his back to his brother, and jumped through the shrubs. In the blink of an eye, he was gone. Elkia knew it was for good.

* *

What could Elkia do now? He didn’t even want to do anything anymore. A thick, black cloak of guilt covered him from head to hoof. He had lost the herd, his mother, and now his brother too. What was left of him anymore? Even he himself had no idea.

He sat in the snow at the clearing, and sat there for a long time, thinking about nothing at all. Soon, the snow piled up beside his hooves, higher and higher. When at last the terrible claws of cold raked over his back and made his bones rattle together, Elkia stood up, and moved away. He walked alone through the forest, his head low, his shoulders slumped. He sometimes stopped to nibble at some bark, but despite his biting hunger, he soon lost the will to eat too.

The loneliness totally overwhelmed him wherever he went. Even on the most barren and challenging treks through the most inhospitable weather, Elkia always talked with his brother or his mother. Not being able to say anything to anyone just felt… wrong. If he had a shoulder to cry on, he would cry for hours. If he had some ears that listened to him, he would talk about his grief forever. But he had no one, no one at all.

Yet, the silence gave him time to think. Elkia mulled and mulled over everything that happened. He said to himself that he just had to find the words with which he could express his feelings. Secretly, he nourished the hope that he would run into Alces, and when that happened, Elkia wanted to say something. He didn’t want to be dumbstruck any longer. He wanted to say exactly what happened to his mother, however painful it would be to speak about that.

Elkia had always been creative; it was in his nature to make things. Now, he wanted to build a solid house made of excuses and resentment. He knew he had to find the right words to say what he wanted to say. He thought and he thought, scratching his head and raking his mind, trying to come up with something—anything. He went over it step-by-step, and looked at his house like an architect. First, he needed a framework, a mold he could use to pour his ideas in. A long story was impossible. Judging by his rumbling stomach and his wobbly steps, Elkia reckoned he wouldn’t live long enough to finish a long tale. With a sniff and a small tear he realized that theater too, couldn’t be done. He had no one to play a role, as everyone was… dead.

So, if not a theater play or a story, then what was left?

Poetry!

And right at that moment, as if on cue, the snow stopped falling. Although the winds were still icy cold, the clouds held on to their white payload. It seemed even the weather wanted to help Elkia in his artistic attempt. Elkia looked up at the dark clouds. Now that there wasn’t any snow, he could write things down on the snowy ground without the falling white flakes filling up the words and letters and wiping out his creation. Elkia knew he had to take this chance.

He walked towards a tree, and snapped off a branch. That was his pencil. Fueled by at least a little bit of purpose, Elkia walked on, until he came by a little clearing. Luck was with him, because a stream ran right around it. Elkia wanted to drink. With his tongue hanging out of his mouth, he approached the stream, ready to quench his thirst. Unfortunately, his luck soon ran out. Trying his best, he wasn’t able to smash through the ice with his hooves. He punched and stomped, but it didn’t work. An unhealthy cocktail of starvation, dehydration, and hypothermia had made him too weak to break the ice. He sat down on the ice, panting hard. No matter, he thought. Weakened as he was, he was still able to write.

It was a foolish thing to see. An elk with a stick in his mouth, with trembling legs, was writing down words in the snow. Elkia Deerling was using his last energy and will to live to make a poem. His mind was set on it. He didn’t even think about how he was going to show it to his brother. Hay, he knew he couldn’t even find his way back to it if he eventually did find his brother. It was a silly thing to do, and yet he did it, simply because it had to be done. And if anything, it might be his epitaph.

Has the world gone mad, has everything gone wrong?
Am I slowly losing my wit?
The robin, loudly, sings a song
Yet I cannot enjoy it

My mantel of sorrow, I wear tight
Drawn over my cloak of shame
What have I done, in my moment of fright?
I am the only one to blame

My mother is dead, my father is gone
To a pretty afterlife, who knows?
Is it right, or is it wrong?
Reality hits me with vicious blows

What could I have done better?
In moments of chaos and discord
Cold hard loneliness holds me in fetters
Tortures me word for word

That was poem number one. Elkia dropped the stick and read over it. He furrowed his brows in thought, thinking up more words. He made some corrections, wiping out a few words with his hooves or adding some words where he thought necessary. Then he stepped back, and read over everything one last time. It wasn’t his best work, and it couldn’t even begin describing the mad wild water rapids that were his emotions. But, it was better than wandering around aimlessly. However terrible the memories that the words conjured up were, deep down inside, Elkia actually felt a tiny bit better. He had something to do now, something that wasn’t even useful—but it was useful to him.

He thought again for a while, and then wrote at the top of the poem: Feelings.

Now that he had the poem done, what next? Elkia stood up again. Although his long legs felt as if they were made out of butter, he managed to stand upright. His stomach turned into a knot, which sharp, clawed fingers tried to loosen, yet, he still managed to think, and drive away the feelings of hunger and loneliness, however temporarily. There was space enough on the snowy ground, and there was still no snowfall. Elkia could make another poem. He grabbed his stick, thought for a moment, and then set to work once more.

On predator and prey

Prey and predator, predator and prey
Is there really no other way?
Are they laws, or merely songs?
Does anyone know where he belongs?

The poor prey run for their lives
Fathers with their children and wives
Forever pursued by vicious beasts
Who do nothing but long for feasts

The predator, with rotten heart
Full of dark essence, every part
Needs to kill to survive
And gladly takes another life

This vicious cycle goes on and on
Beneath the moon or under the sun
Everyone is on the run
Only predators are having fun

As he wrote about the sun, Elkia looked up in the sky. He had worked all day on his poems, and now the sun was setting. Elkia blinked. At first he thought he was crying, but then he realized that his sight was getting blurrier and blurrier by itself, and he had to squint to be able to read the words over. He put the title above the poem, when a particularly nasty shiver sent his teeth clattering and made the stick fall out of his mouth. It promised to be a cold night.

Elkia had no survival plan whatsoever. He knew this cold night was going to be his last night. If he could manage to fall asleep without awakening himself with his shivers, he knew he wouldn’t open his eyes again. With every step he took, he leaned heavily on the stick, and found that he couldn’t walk without it anymore. He saw things, things that couldn’t be true. His mother stood before him, reaching out to support her dead-tired son. Elkia smiled. He dropped the stick and hobbled towards her, ready to be comfortable, safe, and loved again. Alas, it was just an illusion, created by the chain of fatigue and the stomach-twisting hunger. When at last Elkia thought he had reached her, the illusion dissipated, and he fell forwards into the snow.

Instinctively, Elkia stood up again. He had to gather his last strength, his last energy, but he managed to stand up. ‘No,’ he said. ‘No, I’m not done yet.’ He looked at his two poems, the words harder and harder to read in the dusk. There was room for one more. He had to make one more. Not for himself, but for his mother. He hadn’t even had the chance to bury her or remember her properly. Yet, with the last light in his eyes, he found that he should make her epitaph, right here, right now. His knees bent, and he fell down again. Using the stick, he balanced himself as well as he could. Then, painfully slow, slowly and painful, he walked towards the empty space, the snow as white as a piece of parchment.

I will never forget you
You were the shining white light
Of a faithful star in the night
It’s cliché, but it’s true

You guided my way
Taught me right and wrong
Gave me the herd to which I belong
Walked with me every day

Our bond was as strong
As the antlers of the Light One
We were a family, we had fun
Playing and singing a song

I can’t do without
Your wisdom and cheer
Right now, I shed a tear
Accompanied by doubt

And to finish it off, Elkia wrote the name of his mother on top: Aeltha.

That was it. He had done what he wanted to do, and now he could die a relatively peaceful death, although he still felt pained inside. He turned his back to his creations, and sat on his haunches right on top of a snowy bush of long-dead heather. It was hardly a comfortable bed, but he didn’t care. Soon, he would be done with the cold, with the loneliness, with the sorrow and guilt. He had no idea how right he was, but not in the way he thought.

Who knows? Maybe there will be a beautiful afterlife after all? If that were true, he could reunite with his mother. But unfortunately, the family would still be incomplete. Alces was still out there somewhere. Oh, how Elkia longed to see his brother, show him the poems, and tell him he was sorry a million times. But he just didn’t have the strength, energy, spunk, and will to live anymore. It was over.

Elkia opened his eyes one last time. The colors all seemed to fade, as the darkness set in. He had no idea if the colors were actually fading, or if night was just coming to swallow him whole. He looked back. Someone was approaching. He had no idea who it was, or if there was actually someone there. Against the white snow, it was easy to spot the strange new colors. Elkia blinked. Where first there had been one shape, now there were three—or was it just his imagination? Three creatures, bearing the same, muddy brown, were speeding towards him. Elkia knew they were three timber wolves. Somehow, they must have got lost from the pack, and now they were traveling in a trio, looking for lonely and weakened prey.

What was Elkia to do now? He couldn’t even stand on his own hooves anymore, let alone fight three timber wolves at once. He wanted to turn around, to face death into the eyes, but found that his own body was too heavy for him. Instead, he laid his head down on the ground, crossed his hooves, and hoped for a swift death.

Elkia closed his eyes.

Chapter six: the Scribblers

‘What do you mean stupid? The others and I didn’t drag him all the way back for nothing, you know?’

A voice was talking. It was a high voice, a female voice. Was it Elkia’s mother? Was Elkia in the Eternal Plains? Was he finally reunited?

‘I don’t know. This chance encounter has strange written all over it. You shouldn’t have taken him here. If he is useless to us, he might even pose a danger to the whole operation.’

Slowly, Elkia drifted back to the surface. He focused on the two voices. The other voice was clearly male. He tried to find out who it was that was speaking, turning his ears around. Trying though as he did, he couldn’t pair the voice with one of his friends or relatives. He kept listening.

‘He is not a danger, Char. He is just a little lost, lonely elk. What should I have done? Should I have left him there like that?’

But the other voice, Char, was still not satisfied. ‘Your kindness is unbridled, Strawberry. Be careful, or I might send you back to the desert, where Starlight Glimmer will judge over you.’

‘You wouldn’t…’

‘I have the power, and you know that,’ said Char. He sounded content.

Opening his eyes, Elkia saw something familiar: wood. All around him, there was wood. He licked his lips, and swore he tasted some snow. Where the hay was he, and how long had he been here? Elkia tried to lift his head, but found himself too weak. He almost regretted waking up, because his stomach felt as if it had shrunken to the size of a walnut.

‘You don’t even know it was he who made the poems in the snow, the way you told me,’ said Char.

‘Who else could it be?’ said the female voice, Strawberry.

‘I don’t know. It’s still strange.’ Char paused for dramatic effect. ‘This is your choice, Strawberry. This elk is your responsibility now.’

‘Don’t you worry, Char. I’ll take care of him,’ said Strawberry. ‘And who knows? If he turns out not to be the author of the poems at all, we’ll just put him with the workforce.’

‘The workforce? Have you seen how scrawny and thin he is?’

‘Hush now!’ said Strawberry, ‘it seems our guest is awake.’

Elkia heard a door open. He managed to roll over onto his belly and got a good look at the pony who stepped inside. Instantly, even though they had never met before, Elkia recognized her. She had a creamy, light-brown coat, and a mane which wasn’t quite red and wasn’t quite blond. Once inside, she closed the door carefully, then walked over to Elkia with sure, precise steps. ‘Hello there, little elk? Had a good night’s sleep? Or, well, actually a couple of good night’s and day’s sleep? You have slept for quite some time.’

Indeed, Elkia was lying on a bed. He was wrapped in a checkered woolen blanket, and felt a soft mattress against his belly.

The pony chuckled, hiding her smile behind her hooves. ‘Haha, I always love the look on their faces when they first arrive. It’s gold.’

Elkia felt himself blushing. He must look quite ridiculous, all wrapped up like a present. Still stuck in sheer puzzlement, Elkia said, ‘H-h-hello?’

‘Hello,’ the pony said back, smiling as she talked. Once she reached the bed, she made a small jump, and landed right on top of the soft mattress. She was obviously enjoying this strange atmosphere. Once she shifted her weight a couple of times until she was comfortable, she stuck out her hoof ‘Name’s Strawberry Blonde. What’s your name?’

So that was the color of her mane, Elkia realized. Slowly, he stuck out his own hoof. As they shook, he tried to read her eyes, and kept guessing and guessing at her personality. As far as he could see, she radiated nothing but cheerfulness. He said his own name. ‘Elkia Deerling.’

Strawberry Blonde squeaked. ‘Oh, I love those Elkish names. They always sound so exotic and adorable!’

A question bubbled to the surface of Elkia’s mind. He shook his head to clear it. Nope, still in the same room with the strange pony. ‘What do you mean? Are there other elks here?’

‘Yes, sometimes we encounter one or two of them, but they are rare. You are rare, Elkia Deerling. Doesn’t that make you feel special?’

Elkia reached up, and scratched the back of his head. ‘Eh… well… maybe?’

‘That’s my favorite answer! It’s right between yes and no, so perfect for hazy situations.’ Strawberry Blonde paused for a second. She looked right into Elkia’s eyes, reading him too. There wasn’t much to read, just bafflement. ‘I guess you must feel hazy as well, don’t you?’

Elkia nodded. He was just searching for the right things to say in this hazy situation, when his stomach rumbled.

‘And hungry too,’ said Strawberry. ‘Well, there’s an easy way to fix that!’

She retreated, and just a minute or two later returned with a bowl of soup and a loaf of bread. Elkia took both, thanked Strawberry politely, and then dug in. He would forever remember that first bite of bread. If you have nothing to eat and even rocks look delicious, the taste of bread on a starving stomach is unimaginable.

Elkia felt himself growing stronger with every bite and every spoonful. Once the soup was done, Strawberry asked if he wanted more. And once they sat opposite each other on the bed again with a steaming bowl of soup, they continued their conversation.

‘Where am I?’ said Elkia. ‘What is this strange room and this strange place? Are we inside some hut?’

‘We’re inside the visitor’s center,’ said Strawberry Blonde. ‘This is where we take foundlings and potential new members of our great society and see if they can prove themselves useful to us.’

‘Visitor’s center…? Society…? Useful…?’ the strange pony’s answers only conjured up more questions in Elkia’s mind.

Strawberry Blonde reached out, and gently brushed Elkia’s fur. ‘Aw! You poor little thing. I understand that you are confused, but before I can tell you anything more, I’ll have to get my list. It’s part of the wonderful protocol we call “info-exchange.” You tell us something about yourself, and then we tell you all you want to know about ourselves and our great town.’ She reached back and grabbed a clipboard with a pencil. ‘Alright. Name…? Elkia Deerling. Race…? Elk, duh! Tag number…? I’m sorry, can I check that for a moment?’ She reached out towards Elkia’s head, and then grabbed his ear. The awkwardness went through the roof. After she threw a quick glance, she wrote down, ‘Seventy-seven E. Wow, you’re lucky number seven, Elkia. Isn’t that great?’

‘Eh…’ Now Elkia himself reached towards his ear, and felt something strange. When he bent his ear down, he saw a little yellow tag hanging from it. ‘What…?

‘I said you were lucky, because we usually only give tags to the ones that have been appointed a function,’ Strawberry said. ‘But I had such a good feeling about you that I couldn’t help myself and tagged you right away.’ She let out a chuckle. ‘I thought you lying there unconscious was the perfect, painless moment to put that lovely little tag in your ear.’

‘Eh…’ was all Elkia could say. He still had no idea how to respond to about ninety percent this strange pony uttered.

Strawberry Blonde, however, seemed perfectly in her element. ‘Alright, what’s next? Next up is… backstory!’

‘Backstory?’

‘Everyone has a backstory,’ Strawberry said. She waved her hooves around. ‘You don’t just POOF! Appear out of thin air, now do you? It is essential to know where you come from, so we can direct you to where you are going. And besides that, I am dying to know about your past. It was you who made those poems in the snow, wasn’t it?’

Despite the warmth of the blankets, the tastiness of the soup and the bread, and the cheery nature of his new friend, Elkia felt the sadness creep up to him. He barely remembered the text of the poems, but he clearly remembered why he wrote them. His ears drooped down, and his shoulders slumped.

Strawberry saw how Elkia’s demeanor changed. She reached out and lifted his chin with her hoof. ‘Hey, what is the matter, Elkia?’

The voice of that pony was so sweet and inviting, and her every gesture radiated a soft, warm light inside of him. She reminded him of his mother. Elkia knew that whatever he would tell her, she would listen to what he said, and support and comfort him as much as she could. Elkia knew Strawberry Blonde was his friend.

That’s why he told her—everything. He told her about his happy life in the herd of elks, deer, and reindeer. He told of his friends, his relatives, and his family. Elkia thought Strawberry would listen carefully. Yet, once he mentioned Aeltha the seer and his brother Alces, Strawberry let out a small gasp, which she tried to conceal. ‘I’m sorry. Please excuse me,’ she said. ‘Don’t let me interrupt you. Come on, go on with the story.’

So Elkia continued. The second part hurt him most, and he had trouble telling it. He spoke about the timber wolves, how they destroyed not just his friends, his family, but also his home and the Shimmering Eye. A few tears accompanied his tale, and he started stuttered more and more as the story progressed.

‘Awwwwww… Oh no!’ Strawberry Blonde reached out and wiped Elkia’s tears away with her hooves. ‘No wonder you were so drained when I found you. You poor little elk haven’t eaten in days, maybe even weeks. No wonder you ate your food so quickly. Would you like some more?’

A cup of soup later, Elkia finished his tale. The fight with his brother Alces, his lonely trek through the winter wilderness, and his poems made up the end. Telling everything to her actually made him feel better, something he hadn’t expected at all. He stared at the checkered pattern on the blanket.

‘So that was the person your last poem was about,’ Strawberry said. ‘At first I thought it was about a pretty hind, but it was actually about your mother.’

Elkia nodded. ‘I made her an epitaph, although no one will ever read it.’

‘No, you’re right. There has been some snowfall since you arrived here. The words are long gone by now.’ Strawberry paused, thinking something over. ‘But… I’m sure if I ask nicely enough, they might let you make a shrine or altar or whatever you elks like to make right here, in memory of your mother.’

‘R-r-really?’

‘Of course! We have stone here, so if you can remember the words, you can carve them into stone, and then the poem will last an eternity. And if you don’t know how, I’m sure we can teach you. We have some master sculptors and stonemasons here.’

After everything she offered him, Elkia couldn’t help but stutter. ‘W-w-wow. Thank you… thank you so much.’

‘It’s the least we can do, little Elkia,’ said Strawberry. She turned to her list again. ‘Alright, what’s next. Next up iiiiiiiiiiiiiis… potential asset. Well, that’s easy too. Shall I put “writing” down, or do you prefer “poetry?”’

‘I think… writing?’

‘Writing it is. Alright, the last thing is “cutie mark.” Let’s see…’ Without any warning, she grabbed the blanket and threw it off Elkia. ‘Whoopsie daisy!’ She regarded his cutie mark for a moment ‘And it is… eh… what is it?’

Elkia quickly snatched up the blanket and wrapped it around himself, blushing as he worked. It took him a few seconds to get himself to watch Strawberry again, and he felt quite weird because of that. ‘Eh… It’s my initials, E D, which together form the antlers of a stylized picture of an elk.’

Strawberry acted as normal as earth ponies can. She had perhaps looked at a thousand cutie marks before, so for her, it was all routine. ‘Stylized… elk… Got it! This is not really on the list, but I’m just dying of curiosity. What does it mean?’

This time, Elkia made sure to put his weight on the blanket. ‘It means I am part of the herd. “Ling” is Elkish for “herd.” It means that wherever I am, in this world or the next, I will always be a member of the herd.’

‘Awwww, that’s so sweet,’ Strawberry said. ‘I think your mother loved you very much, giving you that beautiful name. The way you told me about her kindness and her magical powers, I think she was an extraordinary lady.’

‘She is.’ Elkia swallowed hard. His gaze traveled to the ground. ‘She was…’

There was a silence, an uncomfortable, heavy silence. Strawberry Blonde tried to look Elkia in the eyes, but Elkia didn’t look back. He felt guilty for plunging her into this silence. She was so cheerful and nice to him, yet he had nothing to offer her but sad stories and memories of the most terrible events. He had to change the subject. Now! His gaze slowly traveled upwards, and he searched for appropriate words in his head. It was then that he noticed something odd. ‘Where is your cutie mark? Is something wrong with it?’

Strawberry Blonde took the hint, and started talking and smiling again. ‘Haha, no silly. I have been cutie unmarked.’

‘Cutie unmarked?’ Elkia repeated. ‘So those two grey bars didn’t appear when you discovered your destiny?’

‘No, no, no, no,’ Strawberry said. ‘The two bars form an equal sign. It shows, just like your cutie mark, that I am part of something bigger, something fairer, something equal. Starlight Glimmer unmarked me, a magical experience which I will never forget, and gave me a place in her dream: a society where everyone is equal.’

‘That actually sounds… beautiful.’ Having lived in a closely-knit community where everyone knew everyone, Elkia could totally imagine something like that existing for ponies too. He could only imagine what a happy little society this had to be.

‘It is, it is,’ said Strawberry. ‘But I understand that my cutie mark is not the only thing that must puzzle you. Now with the list gone, you can ask me whatever you want. So, what is your first question? Oh, I know, I know. “Where am I?”’

‘Exactly,’ said Elkia.

‘Well, I can tell you all about Scribblers’ City, about who we are and what we do, but why should I tell you if I can show you? That’s what they say in the writing world, right? Show don’t tell.’ She jumped off the bed and already headed to the door. ‘Are you coming?’

Slowly, Elkia tried to get up as well. His hooves still felt a bit wobbly, but he managed. As he walked out the door of his chamber, he saw that Strawberry Blonde was talking to a black earth pony. Elkia reckoned that was the other voice he had heard. As he approached, the conversation stopped, and Strawberry turned to Elkia. ‘Elkia, meet our mayor, Charcoal.’

‘A pleasure to meet you, Mister,’ Elkia said.

Charcoal returned the hoofshake. ‘Strawberry Blonde here was as enthusiastic about you as an elk in the water, if you pardon my pun. I sincerely hope our way of life will appeal to you, and if not… well, we will see…’

Strawberry Blonde grabbed Elkia and turned him around, pushing him towards the door. ‘Haha, you’re always a barrel of laughs, Charcoal. Now, let’s show our new asset here around, before we draw any conclusions, shall we?’

Before Charcoal could say something back, Elkia and Strawberry were already outside, and the door shut behind them. It was day, and the sun was shining. Elkia and Strawberry stood upon a small hill, which offered them a beautiful overview over the town she called “Scribblers’ City.” And my oh my, was there a lot to see.

Elkia got a brief flashback to his naming ceremony, years ago, when he had laid eye on the village that was about to be demolished by the storm. Scribblers’ City looked so much like it. There were wooden buildings everywhere, and ponies were all busy talking to each other, pulling wagons, and doing other chores around their houses. Cheerful little plumes of smoke rose over the chimneys of the cottages. There were a few other buildings which looked much bigger than the others, and a wall like a brown ribbon encircled the whole town. Silently, Elkia wondered how long it had taken the ponies to build a town like that, and how many trees they must have felled. Not enough, apparently, because the forest hugged the settlement tightly, and wherever he looked, there were pines standing tall.

‘It’s pretty from above, isn’t it?’ said Strawberry Blonde. ‘Sometimes I come to the visitor center and climb on top of the roof. I can entertain myself for hours with a piece of parchment and some pencils, drawing—or, well, at least trying—to draw everything that’s going on.’ She sighed. ‘I just wish I was as good as I used to be, before the…’ But then she caught herself. ‘I mean, yeah. It’s nice.’

Elkia looked again at the little wooden town. His attention got drawn towards a strange display of magic. It looked like a sphere cut in half, almost like the round roofs of snow huts, but sizzling with purple magical energy. He also saw a sawmill, and a lot of ponies busy working with it, at the edge of town.

‘Come, let’s go,’ Strawberry said. ‘Shall I… well… hold your hoof so you won’t get lost?’

Shaking his head, Elkia returned to the here and now. ‘Of course,’ he said, took her hoof, and followed her down the hill.

They zigzagged through the streets, where some ponies were busy shoveling the snow aside to make it safer. Cottages lined them on either side, and as Elkia looked, he saw that almost every pony was wearing the same equal sign as a cutie mark. He reckoned they must be very happy ponies.

‘This is the residential district,’ said Strawberry Blonde. ‘Here all of our cheerful community members live when they are not busy working. Many of them have families, and they all live happily together.’

‘They look quite content,’ Elkia said.

‘Of course they are.’ Strawberry Blonde waved her hoof at the houses. ‘Not everyone can say they live a comfortable, useful life in our society, and get a free house.’

Elkia paused. ‘These houses are free? You mean others actually give them these beautiful, big houses to live in?’

Nodding, Strawberry said, ‘Of course. Once someone decides to become a part of our wonderful community, the building crew is tasked with building a new house for that someone. They are so very good at their jobs. You have no idea how quickly they can put one of these lovely houses together and furnish it in style.’

‘I… wow. No, I can’t imagine,’ Elkia said. Of course all of the snow huts in the Elkish community were free, and one could build a new house wherever one wanted, but those scarcely decorated huts were impossible to compare with the big, sturdy cottages that surrounded him on all sides. And they were all free!

‘If you’re already impressed by this, then you will look in awe at what more we have built, all together,’ Strawberry Blonde said. She took Elkia’s hoof, and together they walked on.

They came at a mill. It was slowly turning in the breeze, and many ponies were working, pulling sawn logs with carts.

‘This is where we cut all the wood to make our houses and buildings,’ Strawberry Explained. ‘We only use the best and sturdiest wood to build, and the rest is grinded into pulp.’

‘Impressive,’ Elkia said, looking in awe at the tall contraption, wondering how it worked.

‘But we let nothing go to waste, of course,’ Strawberry said. ‘The pulp we can use to make parchment and paper, and you will later see what we do with that.’

Before Elkia could take a guess, Strawberry had already turned her back to the mill. Leaving the sawmill behind, they walked through a few streets again. These streets were rougher than the others, and Elkia could see heavy wagon trails snaking through it. ‘There is definitely something going on with this road,’ he said, ‘it looks heavily trodden.’

‘It seems we cannot keep a thing hidden for you, you clever little elk,’ Strawberry said. ‘Indeed you’re right. Do you see that gate over there?’

Elkia followed Strawberry’s hoof. There was indeed a wooden gate, operated by a few ponies who were walking in a treadmill. As he looked, the gate opened, and many ponies with wagons streamed inside. They gritted their teeth, and sweat was on their faces. Obviously, they were pulling a heavy load.

‘What are they pulling?’ Elkia asked.

‘They are coming from the mine, Elkia,’ said Strawberry Blonde. ‘They are pulling stone, which will come in handy creating foundations of our houses. Sometimes they also have coal, which we burn to keep ourselves warm, and graphite, which is used to make pencils.’

What could be so important about pencils? Elkia thought. He was just going to ask that, when he saw that Strawberry was already far ahead. Apparently, she didn’t want to spend too much time observing the laboring ponies. ‘Let’s go, Elkia,’ she called. Elkia followed suit.

They walked alongside the wall for a long time, so Elkia could lay eyes on it. Apparently, it was made of two rows of tree trunks, with some dirt in between to make it sturdier. There was a platform between the two parts, on which ponies were walking to and from, watching the forest on the outside, and sometimes the inside too. Elkia watched them go, and couldn’t help but feel watched himself. It was a strange feeling which he didn’t like. He plucked a bit of courage, and then asked his new friend. ‘Strawberry?’

‘Yes?’

‘Why is there a wall surrounding Scribblers’ City?’

Strawberry Blonde looked silently at Elkia for a moment. Her sparkly eyes narrowed for a second, as if she were in thought, but then quickly the sparkle reappeared, and she said, ‘Why, to keep us safe, of course. The wall is perhaps even older than Scribblers’ City itself, as it was built to keep evil eyes away. After you told me about that horrible, horrible timber wolf attack, I think you know as good as I why we have this wall. Imagine a timber wolf upon our very own city! We would be defenseless without the wall.’

Elkia nodded. ‘I understand that, of course. I was just wondering why the guards look at what’s going on inside the walls as well as outside.’

Once again there was a tiny silence, but Strawberry made sure to fill it up quickly. ‘We have to make sure everyone is where he’s supposed to be. We can’t have any bad lazy schmazy ponies in our community, now can we?’

Furrowing his brows, Elkia thought about that for a moment. ‘But to have ponies guard one another so they do their jobs seems a bit… much, doesn’t it?’

Now Strawberry was the one who paused. She waved a hoof in the air, indicating for Elkia to look. ‘Just look at the beautiful community we created, Elkia. We have literally built it from the ground up with our very own hooves. In this town, everypony should live a useful, productive, and happy life. The only way to make sure this way of life stays and expands, we’ll have to make sure that everyone plays his or her part. To us, that rule is as important as… as… breathing, and to me, talking, hihihi.’ And she accompanied her little speech with a funny little giggle.

Elkia was convinced. Now that Strawberry Blonde had clarified things, it made perfect sense to him as to why the guards were acting that way. In a community that not only thrives, but extends and expands, with new jobs and important little chores needing to be done, laziness was really the worst enemy that could house inside the walls, and fester like a disease. Still, there was one last thing he wanted to know. ‘Do you punish a lot of lazy people? Is disciplinary action common?’

Strawberry Blonde let out a loud chuckle. ‘No, of course not. We rarely ever capture ponies lazy on the job.’

‘But if you do?’

‘Oh, nothing scary, just a few words with the forecolt—or mare—and a warning. Things don’t usually get that spectacular.’

But now they were approaching something spectacular. Elkia could already hear the sizzling and tingling sound of unicorn magic before he saw it. The massive, dome-shaped bubble stood before him, radiant in the daylight. Elkia bit back the urge to touch it. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from it. It was a little bit translucent, but not translucent enough to clearly see what was going on on the other side of it. Straining his eyes, Elkia could only see vague shapes moving inside. ‘What is that thing?’

Strawberry didn’t even glance twice at it. A few steps brought her closer to Elkia. She stood between him and the glowing orb. ‘This, my dear Elkia, is how we can survive here. This is where our food comes from.’

‘The food? How?’

‘Think of it as a giant greenhouse. You’ve seen greenhouses before, right?’

‘Eh…’

‘Never mind,’ Strawberry said. ‘I will try to explain it as good as I can. You see, the unicorns have crafted this giant orb, which is stretched out over some farmlands.’

‘Farmlands? Really?’ Elkia had heard of farming before from some earth ponies he encountered who traveled to the Shimmering Eye for a divination. He knew about sowing and harvesting crops, but he had never seen the whole process of farming before. His curiosity levels spiked. ‘Can we go in?’

‘No, no, no, absolutely not,’ Strawberry said with wide-open eyes.

‘Why not?’

‘Because it’s a delicate ecosystem in there.’

‘What’s an ecosystem?’

Strawberry Blonde let out a small sigh. She looked serious. ‘Listen, Elkia. The unicorns have done a tremendous and amazing job at creating this orb. Inside, the temperatures are pleasant and warm, which in turn, enables us to sow and harvest crops. It sounds impressive, but it is not for us to go to. The orb is made of very delicate magics, so only unicorns and the farmers are allowed to go in there. As the unicorns always say, we shouldn’t meddle with magic. Just make sure you don’t touch it.’

‘What will happen when I touch it?’

‘You’ll get an electric shock, and worse: set off the alarm. In a matter of seconds every guard in Scribbers’ City will be watching your embarrassing mistake. We don’t want that to happen now, do we?’

After everything she said, Elkia’s curiosity only increased. He loved a good secret, but he also didn’t want to anger anypony here, and least of all his new friend.

‘Do you promise to never go there?’ Strawberry said.

‘I promise,’ Elkia said, and he meant it.

‘Good.’ She turned around and winked at Elkia. ‘Besides, the final thing I am going to show you will boggle your mind even more, I’m sure of it.’

Such playful enthusiasm radiated from her smile, that Elkia found himself unable not to follow her. They walked between the houses again, but stopped at a large wooden building. Strawberry Blonde opened the door, but then she quickly stepped towards Elkia. ‘Eyes closed,’ she said, and covered his eyes with her hooves. Together, they stepped inside. A few steps later, Strawberry started counting down.

‘Three…

‘Two…

‘One…’

And then the great hall became revealed to Elkia, the hall of creativity.

Everywhere around him, ponies were busy making stuff. Some of them walked around, carrying sculptures made of clay, and stopped at tables to finish their masterpieces. There was a clinking sound. When Elkia looked, he saw how others were busy chipping away at large marble stones, carving out the most beautiful shapes. To the right, there were many tables behind which ponies sat, drawing with their tongues out of their mouths, completely absorbed in their work. On the walls around the working artists hung many paintings and drawings, every one more breathtakingly beautiful than the one before.

‘This is… marvelous,’ Elkia said. He had no idea how to voice his bafflement in a creative way, so that was all that escaped his mouth. ‘Just… marvelous.’

‘It’s great, right?’ said Strawberry Blonde.

‘Yes, but… why? Why this whole building dedicated to the fine arts?’

‘Why not?’ said Strawberry. ‘All the work, all the building and planning and creating this community has to lead up to something, right?’

‘It’s… wow!’

‘This,’ Strawberry said, motioning with her hooves, ‘is our creative hub. It is our goal to create the most beautiful pieces of artwork, for ourselves and others to enjoy. But it is not merely art we make here, for this all has a purpose.’

‘Like what?’ Elkia said.

‘To teach others,’ Strawberry answered. ‘We use our art to convey a message. Remember what I told you about my cutie mark and equality? We are here to pack this beautiful, ideological idea into a fine artform, and then deliver it towards listening ears or watching eyes. There are many ways with which to transfer this idea into the minds of others, and we use every artform there is, be it sculptures, music, drawings, or… books.’

‘Books!’ Elkia had only owned a hoofful of books back at the Shimmering Eye. He had got them from a few ponies who gave them to Aeltha as a thank you for the divinations she had performed. They were heavy and impractical on long journeys, yet Elkia had always kept them safe and protected them from the bad weather. They had been his most prized possessions.

Strawberry saw that that word peaked Elkia’s interest, just as she expected. ‘Follow me.’

Impolite though as it was, Elkia couldn’t resist looking over everypony’s shoulders watch the artwork they were working on. He gazed at the beautiful sculptures, with their abstract or strikingly realistic shapes, and at the drawings with their many colors. A strange, rattling sound reached his ears. When he looked up, he saw the source.

Ponies were busy pressing buttons on strange, large, metal devices. They all were seated behind tables on which the machines stood, together with some note paper and a couple of pencils. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the machines produced horseshoes and stars in black ink on white paper. A small bell resounded when someone reached the end of the page, and the next line was written after pushing against the machine. To Elkia, those writing machines were more magical than the hidden farmlands with the strange, purple orb.

And there were bookcases, bookcases everywhere. Rows upon rows of sturdy wooden bookcases held hundreds of books between the shelves. To Elkia, that sight was like gazing upon an open vault full of golden bits, priceless.

‘Looks good, huh?’ said Strawberry casually, teasing Elkia a bit, for she saw how flabbergasted he was.

At first Elkia couldn’t find a voice with which to answer. He stared transfixed at all the tables, the ponies, the typewriters, and the books. ‘It’s… beautiful. They are… they are all writing, aren’t they?’

‘They are,’ said Strawberry. She walked slowly between the bookcases and the typing ponies, and Elkia followed. ‘They are all writing special books. Literature is the finest way to spread ideas and let others be convinced of the ideology we preach and practice. We always write for a reason here, and every book counts. When I read your poems, I knew you had written them not because you could, but because you had to. There is something, an emotion, a feeling, a memory, which has taken a hold on you, and the only way to remove the burden is to write. That’s what I saw with you.’

Suddenly, Elkia bumped into Strawberry, as she stopped. They had reached an empty table, nestled between some bookcases, and with pen and paper ready for use. Strawberry Blonde shoved back the chair, and motioned for Elkia to sit down. ‘You have to feel this, Elkia.’

Shaking off the confusion, Elkia sat down. Looking at the pencil and the paper, he felt the urge again. He felt the exact same thing he felt when he decided to write those three poems as epitaphs to emotions, predator vs prey, and his mother, Aeltha the seer. That restlessness, that urge too create, to put his emotions to work and let them pour out of his soul and onto the paper, felt like a warm blanket on a cold day.

‘And this is where our tour ends,’ said Strawberry Blonde. She grabbed another chair, sat down opposite of Elkia, and looked into his eyes until he came back to Equestria, which took a good minute or two.

When he realized he had been staring into the blonde pony’s eyes, Elkia felt himself blush. ‘Eh… oops.’

‘It’s okay to feel confused,’ Strawberry Blonde said. ‘You have an important decision to make, after all.’

‘A decision?’ But when that question left Elkia’s lips, he had the feeling he knew where this was going. He looked for a moment at the pencil and the paper, and then back into Strawberry Blonde’s sparkly eyes. ‘For me?’

‘Yes, my lovely little elk,’ Strawberry said. ‘This and more.’

‘I… I don’t know what to say. It’s so… so…’

‘Big? Life changing? Important? Yes, yes, and yes.’ She bent forwards. ‘I’m not only offering you that pencil and paper, Elkia, but a place amongst us. You will be living with us, doing the thing you love most: creating, writing, poetry too if you want. You will make friends, and live that happy, carefree life in a commune which you missed so much after your tragic loss. It’s true that there are but few elks here, but also know that here you are amongst equals. Here you are amongst likeminded ponies. You’re amongst bright minds who love the same thing you love. Right here, Elkia, right here in Scribblers’ City, you are home.’

From the first moment he had entered this marvelous city, Elkia had been blown away, and now, just like that, this pony whom he didn’t even know too well was offering him not only a home, not only a job, not only friends, but also a life? It couldn’t be true. Elkia rubbed his eyes, and felt that he was crying.

‘Why are you crying, Elkia?’ Strawberry said with the sweetest voice. ‘Are you not happy?’

‘I am, of course I am,’ said Elkia with a cracked voice. ‘It’s just… It feels as if I forsake my first life to start a second.’

‘Everypony deserves a second chance.’ She reached out and wiped away his tears. ‘And so does every elk.’

‘But, everyone I used to love, everyone who’s dead. Won’t I be betraying them? Won’t I betray my mother?’

‘Of course not. Your mother and all your friends would want nothing but for you to be happy. And, to be honest, I can’t think of a happier place than Scribblers’ City.’ Strawberry moved her hoof towards Elkia’s heart. ‘And, as you said it yourself, you are not alone. You will always be a member of the herd, even if the herd is far away, it will also be as close as your heart.’

Elkia snorted, and wiped the remaining tears away himself. ‘But… there is still someone I will leave behind.’

‘Who will you leave behind?’

‘Alces, my brother,’ Elkia said. ‘He’s still out there, roaming in the wilderness, trying to find lost members of the herd. He’s out there trying to reclaim and rebuild our society, that’s what he told me. I know he shouted at me, and said such terrible things, but… but I still love him. I can’t leave him to die a frozen death while I sit here in the warmth of this hall writing stories.’

Strawberry Blonde tapped her chin with her hoof. ‘Yes, we should do something about that.’ Then she lighted up, as she apparently had an idea. ‘Why not send out search parties? As you’ve seen before, security is very important to us, and we have a very well-trained guard patrol. I’m sure that, if they search hard enough, they will be able to find your brother and bring him back here.’

Elkia’s eyes went wide. ‘Will you do that?’

‘Of course,’ said Strawberry. She reached out and grabbed Elkia’s hoof. ‘For you.’

That touch was magical. There was something more behind it. As Elkia felt Strawberry’s soft hoof upon his own, he swore he felt the same energy coursing through his body as when he touched his mother’s. Of course Elkia wanted to join the community of Scribblers’ City. Yet why didn’t he say so right away? He was still thinking about his old home, the herd, and about Alces. His memories brought him back to the past, when everything was pretty and cheerful, and no one had to die being eaten alive by vicious predators. Could this life here in Scribblers’ City truly replace his old life? Could this place and these ponies fill up the gap in his heart? Elkia actually reached for his heart, as he felt the gap had never before felt so painful.

Strawberry Blonde retreated her hoof. ‘Elkia, what’s wrong?’

‘I… I… I…’ He didn’t dare to look in Strawberry’s eyes. ‘It’s just… just…’

The big, blue eyes of Strawberry Blonde moved about, trying to read Elkia. She spoke again, her tone as soft as silk. ‘You know, Elkia. You would make all of us really happy if you stayed with us.’ She once more grabbed the doubting elk’s hoof. ‘You would make me very happy if you stayed with us.’

‘I… eh… I just think I have to… think this over.’

‘But why would you?’ said Strawberry. ‘Why not choose us now?’

This time Elkia said nothing, but plunged into his thoughts. Strawberry Blonde saw how Elkia was struggling, yet, she couldn’t find a reason why. She had offered him so much, gave him back everything he had lost, and now… he was scared to take it? Strawberry let go of Elkia, turned her gaze away briefly, and fidgeted around with her hooves. She pouted her lips, and bit back the urge to bite her hooves, something she always did when she was nervous. There must be something more she could say. Suddenly, it came to her. A tear appeared on her smooth, light brown cheeks. It rolled all the way down to her chin, when she looked straight into Elkia’s eyes. ‘Elkia…’

‘What is—oh no! Why are you crying?’

‘I just…’ Now it was Strawberry’s turn to be speechless. ‘I’m just afraid.’

‘Afraid of what?’

‘That you will go, and leave us—leave me—behind.’

Elkia couldn’t bear seeing her cry. This sweet, lovely pony with her beautiful mane and her soft, shining hide, and the loveliest eyes he had ever seen, didn’t deserve sadness of any kind. Did he make her sad? At that moment Elkia was sure that there was more going on. He had seen lots of motherly love when he was little. Yet, all these things—the sweetness of her voice, holding hooves, giving him warmth, food, listening to his tale, caring for him—meant something. And now she was crying because he might leave her? Did she really care that much about him? Yes, Elkia knew there was more behind this mare than meets the eye. Was she… in love?

Soft sobs and more tears made Strawberry Blonde flinch. Her shoulders twitched. She was really crying. Now it was Elkia’s turn to help her. He reached out, grabbed her hooves, and searched for her eyes. ‘I don’t want to make you sad, Strawberry. If me being happy means that you’re happy, and if Scribblers’ City means that I will be happy, then I’ll stay.’

Strawberry opened her eyes and looked at Elkia. ‘Do you… do you mean that?’

‘Of course.’ Elkia swiveled his ears. ‘You kind of already marked me, so…’

She looked at the tag. ‘Oh no! Was I too fast with the tag and all?’

‘No, it’s fine,’ Elkia said. ‘You read me, and you knew that I could be an asset. You said it yourself, and you know what? You’re right. This is where I belong. This is my new herd, and you are my new friend.’

Strawberry Blonde didn’t stop crying, but now Elkia saw that they were tears of joy, and not of sorrow. She stood up and opened her hooves wide. Elkia took the hint, and together they hugged, sealing the deal.

Chapter seven: a new life

Elkia’s new life began. He didn’t yet know how to use the crazy typewriters, so at first he resorted to writing with the pencil in his mouth. After about a month of experimenting himself, he received a very nice teacher, an old earth pony with glasses. He and Elkia got along very well, and Elkia was always thankful for the writing advice he got from him. The teacher himself was amazed by how quickly his newest student picked up the writing craft, and was impressed by Elkia’s poetic pieces. He promised Elkia to write a whole series of books, if he was up for it. Of course, he was.

The teacher also showed Elkia how to use the typewriter. He got lessons in horse code, so he was able to understand what the different combinations of horseshoes and stars represented. Elkia was fascinated by it, and promised himself to study as hard as he could, so that he could write using the typewriter as soon as possible.

When Elkia finally mastered the art of horse code and knew about the inner workings of the typewriter, things went faster and faster. Using the machine, Elkia was able to put his ideas on paper much quicker than if he would use his mouth and a pencil only. Where before he wrote thirty pages a day, now he could write thirty pages an hour—easily.

Yet, useful as these skills were, and easy the writing became, there was a downside. After having written a dozen books and a dozen poetry collections, Elkia’s creative well went dry. Of course it couldn’t be an infinite sea of creativity—no one has such a thing as an infinite sea of creativity. For the very first time, Elkia experienced writer’s block. Writer’s block felt terrible to poor Elkia. It felt as if he was thirsty and yearning for a drink, yet the glass was already empty. There came a day where Elkia sat on his chair, with his typewriter in front of him, and no words appeared in horse code on the paper—nothing at all.

But luckily, Elkia’s teacher knew writer’s block well, and together with his student, he managed to drive it away. The teacher gave Elkia little sentences, suggestions. Things like a character with a certain mindset, a comedic scene or an action scene, or sometimes the moral of the story. He would say things like, ‘Why not write a story about friendships being more important than material goods?’ or, ‘And what about a story, a situation, where being equal is the most precious thing?’ or, ‘You should write about the downside of cutie marks, that is sure to be an interesting drama story.’ And so, using these guidelines, the teacher not only helped Elkia to stand straight and follow the path of his fiction, but he also steered Elkia in a direction that was useful to the Scribblers’ City community.

Of course, Elkia wasn’t stupid. He saw that his teacher intentionally gave him things to write about to put Scribblers’ City and the community in a pretty-colored spotlight… and he loved that. To him, it was a chance to repay the community of Scribblers’ City for everything it had done for him. In return for the love and knowledge he got, Elkia continued to write things that were actually useful to the community. It felt as if he were not only creating art, but something bigger. Elkia felt as if he were the spokespony—or elk—of the Scribblers. It didn’t really matter that his tutor helped him a hoof, because he was still the one who wrote the story down. He was still the one who created characters, scenes, locations, and everything else that a story needs. He was still the captain of a ship, although the ship was not just a small sailboat anymore, but a large ocean steamer, heading to a very important destination.

Elkia lived a useful and productive life, but he kept having nightmares. He still dreamed about the timber wolf attack on his family and friends. Sometimes he even dreamed about an army of giant timber wolves thrashing through Scribblers’ City, eating the innocent little ponies and leaving nothing but ruin and blood in its way. He had made a little shrine to his mother, almost like a tombstone. The process of making it had been hard, both mentally and physically, but now that it was done, Elkia felt at least a little bit of peace inside himself. He went to the shrine often, placed flowers at it, and said his prayers. He hoped that on the Eternal Plains, Aeltha was there, waiting for him, and still receiving the love only a son can give to his mother.

So Elkia still had moments where he wanted to be alone and think about his old friends and family. He really was cheerful most of the time, but there were also times when he just wanted to have no one around, and contemplated about what he had lost, rather than what he had gained.

But Elkia wasn’t alone. Whenever he felt down, his new friend Strawberry Blonde was there for him. She’d hug Elkia, and whisper sweet things in his ears. No matter how down Elkia felt, Strawberry Blonde always managed to make him feel better. Elkia knew she was no unicorn, and didn’t possess the magic of the essences either, yet those warm embraces and comforting words—always at the right place, at the right time—worked wonders, and were almost like the magic Aeltha once possessed. If Elkia wouldn’t know any better, he’d say she was his very own seer.

While the building crew was busy building a brand new cottage for Elkia, the newest member of Scribblers’ City, Elkia needed somewhere to stay. Of course, he decided to live together with Strawberry Blonde—a decision none of them regretted. The two young lovers had so much fun together. Strawberry and Elkia laughed about silly jokes. They cried together when one of them felt sad. They played games together until late in the night. They enjoyed good food together, and had many a romantic dinner. Of course, they also enjoyed the fine arts together, visiting the Scribblers’ City museum and making beautiful things. They were actually busy making a children’s book. Strawberry Blonde provided the pictures, while Elkia wrote the text in simple horse code. The aim was to make an easy horse code book for children to learn from, and after the first was done, they decided to write and draw a whole series together.

Sometimes they even went on romantic walks, although those occasions were very rare. For some reason, Strawberry Blonde didn’t like leaving the busy, walled community behind, and instead enjoy the fresh morning air, or witness the moonlight in the night. So it happened that Elkia was often alone on his walks. He was a little afraid sometimes, especially when the howling of wolves could be heard, so that’s why he never strayed far, and made sure to stay close to the walls of Scribblers’ City.

Love was in the air. Every time Elkia came home from work, tired but content, there were always two soft hooves that were waiting for him. Elkia had never before known much about love, but now that he finally had, not only a special hind, but a special somepony, he enjoyed every single minute of it. Strawberry and he said the sweetest things to one another, cuddled a lot, and sometimes even kissed. It didn’t matter that Strawberry never wanted to share a room or a bed with Elkia, because every day, when he stood up, she was still there. And besides that, Elkia didn’t even know lovers usually sleep in the same room—or even in the same bed. It was Elkish custom for the bull not to stay with the cow for too long, but wander away and let the cow do all the raising herself. It was just how nature dictated things to be. Elkia didn’t know any better, and as far as he knew, things were fine this way.

But Strawberry Blonde wasn’t the only friend he made. In the beginning, Elkia was a little bit shy and alone, still troubling over his loss a bit. Yet, there came a day when somepony actually went up to him in order to make his acquaintance. His name was Syntax, a young stallion with glasses, with whom he had a short talk. It turned out they liked the same books, and were also both interested in poetry. Syntax had been a member of the community for a long time, so Elkia didn’t hesitate to ask him a million questions about the place, the people, the laws, and customs. Syntax was always eager to explain things to his new friend. He had an intimate knowledge about the whole Scribblers’ City community. It seemed as if he knew everypony. Not just the whole writing department, but also the whole arts-and-crafts community. He said he even knew some of the guards and leaders personally. He was a pony with connections, and Elkia realized that his friendship was a very valuable thing. The truth was that Syntax, in turn, was curious about elks and their culture. Together they could sit for hours in a silent corner in a café or bar or pub, and talk endlessly. They never ran out of things to say.

And so things folded out for Elkia Deerling, in a rather positive way. His life was filled with pleasant company and a useful pastime. There was a certain routine that dictated Elkia’s life, and he was very happy living according to it. Every day he woke up, and saw his beautiful Strawberry Blonde. Together they had breakfast, and after that they went their separate ways. Strawberry Blonde headed over to the visitor’s center or some other governmental building or office, while Elkia went to the creative hub. There, he first received some writing tips from his teacher, and then worked by himself for the rest of the afternoon. When the afternoon drew to an end, there was a little writing exchange session. Everypony handed a piece of written work from him or herself to another, and together they read and critiqued their works. Elkia learned a lot from that. When the day was over, he went home, had dinner together with Strawberry Blonde, and did some things together with the love of his life like board games or reading poetry to one another. Elkia always went to bed content and slept soundly, as the nightmares became more and more rare.

At last, the merciless and cold winter came to its end. It was followed up by a pretty little spring, with the scent of fresh grass and beautiful flowers hanging in the air wherever one went. The temperatures became more and more pleasant, and, of course, the thick blanket of snow disappeared. After spring came a beautiful summer. Colored plants grew everywhere, fresh green leaves crowned every proud tree, and life became once again as pleasant as life can be.

Now that the temperatures weren’t freezing cold in the night, Elkia took more time to walk around in the moonshine. In fact, there came a time when he took a stroll every day. Sometimes he passed through the gate and took a long hike in the woods, where other times he stayed within the safe walls of Scribblers’ City and went to a bar or two. Elkia always enjoyed the laidback atmosphere in Scribblers’ City’s bars. The ambiance, together with a glass of gin or two, always helped him to relax after a long day of writing. He sat at a table with a glass of gin in front of him. Caught up in the mildness of the summer night, Elkia put his hooves on the table and leaned back. He thought about everything that now made up his life, and how thankful he was Strawberry Blonde had dragged him to Scribblers’ City on that fateful night. He considered himself—despite his tragic loss—to be a very lucky animal. Now, this is a life worth living, he thought.

His peace was disturbed by a cry, and then another one, and another one. Elkia almost fell down backwards, but managed to steady himself with a clumsy move. Nopony ever shouted so loud in Scribblers’ City. The town was just too peaceful and idyllic for ponies to shout. Elkia knew there was trouble. He quickly emptied his gin, got to his hooves, and galloped towards the source of the noise. He knew it might be dangerous—hay, he had no idea what to expect—but he also knew that perhaps he might be able to help. Maybe someone had fallen down and broken a leg, or maybe there was a thief who had stolen an old mare’s purse. Those were things Elkia could deal with.

As Elkia looked left and right, he saw that a patrol of guards was moving along with him—easily recognizable by their blue uniforms. ‘What’s going on? What’s going on?’ asked Elkia.

One of the agents took the time to answer. ‘Oh nothing special,’ he said. ‘There’s probably a wild animal on the loose.’

‘A wild animal on the loose?!’ Elkia froze in his tracks. Were there timber wolves here too? Did one manage to jump over the wall and enter Scribblers’ City? Was there a wild timber wolf loose on the streets, ready to devour whomever was unfortunate enough to be near? Suddenly, Elkia lost all desire to go and check out himself what was going on. He swallowed, and felt as if he had just swallowed an icicle. Perhaps another time… he thought. Looking from the left to the right, he considered finding a safe place away from the danger, and let the guards handle this. That would probably be for the best… Elkia turned around.

‘STOP! Someone hold that beast!’ a voice shouted. Elkia looked over his shoulder, but it was too late. Something heavy crashed right into him. Elkia bent through his hooves and rolled over the ground, with the animal right on top of him. When they both finally came to a halt, Elkia opened his eyes. He was now face-to-face with the stray animal, which turned out to be an elk. But not just any elk.

‘Alces! It’s you!’

‘Brother!’ was all Alces could say. Shouts came from further down the street. Alces Roameling looked back, and then forward. ‘Brother. We must talk! Find a dark alley and give a whistle.’

‘But… but!’ Elkia couldn’t believe it. Alces was alive, here in the very same town he ended up in! Was such a big coincidence even possible? Such things usually only happened in stories.

Alces jumped to his hooves again. He galloped away. When Elkia looked after him, he saw how his brother sped further down the street like a rocket, and then disappeared into some dark alley, where the shadows and his grey fur melted together.

‘Yes! Gotcha!’

Once again something—or rather, somepony—jumped into Elkia. It took the guard a few seconds of wrestling, before he caught Elkia in a lock. ‘Look, boss, I got him!’ said the guard.

A few seconds later a whole squadron of ponies in blue uniforms stood around the guard and his “catch.”

‘Get off that elk immediately, you idiot,’ said one of them. ‘That’s not the one we’re looking for.’

‘He’s not?’ said the guard.

‘I’m not,’ wheezed Elkia, who didn’t like having the weight of a full-grown stallion on his stomach.

‘No of course not, nuthead,’ said the captain. ‘Unless he pulled open a can of paint and threw it over his head. Is your eyesight truly so poor that you cannot even see the difference between brown and grey?’

‘B-b-but… but it’s dark,’ said the guard in his defense. ‘It’s dark and I couldn’t see…’

Elkia let out another strained wheeze. ‘Sir… if you please…’

‘Get off of the poor gentlecolt—eh… elk,’ the captain said. He kicked his colleague, who flew off Elkia in an arch. The captain helped Elkia on his hooves. ‘I’m really sorry this happened sir.’ Then he gazed further down the street. ‘Did you see where he went, by any chance? We’re looking for an elk, like you but smaller and stockier, and with grey fur.’

‘Eh…’ Elkia pretended to think. Although he didn’t like to lie, he wanted to have that private chat with his brother badly. He had so many things he wanted to tell—and ask—him. And above all he wanted to know what this whole chase was about. Pointing to a darkened alley opposite of the one his brother had jumped into, Elkia said, ‘He went in there. You should look carefully, because he’s hard to spot in the shadows.’

The captain of the guard patted Elkia on the head. ‘Very good citizen, thank you.’ Then he turned towards his squadron. ‘Everyone! In there.’

When Elkia blinked again, the squadron was gone, and he was left alone on the street. He looked carefully around himself. Then, tip-toeing on his hooves, he went into the alley he saw Alces disappear into. He put his hooves to his muzzle, and gave a loud whistle, a very common sound in the summer, but recognizable to his brother.

Elkia didn’t even see him coming. Suddenly, the shape of Alces Roameling appeared out of the shadows. Elkia yelped.

‘Hush! Shut up, Elkia. You don’t want them to find us, now do you?’

Now Elkia was sure to speak in whispers, but was barely able to contain his joy at seeing his brother. ‘Alces! I thought you were still out there, in the cold winter forest. Come here, you.’ And he caught his brother in a warm embrace.

Yet, Alces quickly wiggled himself free. ‘No! We don’t have time for stupid sentiment or feelings.’

‘Oh, ok…’ A bit disappointed, Elkia let him go. ‘But you should still know that I am happy to see you, despite our differences when we, well… parted.’ Tears clouded Elkia’s vision, as he was once more on the hunt for words with which he could express his apology, as he had tried almost a year ago. ‘I… I still have to say—’

‘Whatever you want to say, it has to wait,’ said Alces, bluntly interrupting Elkia’s speech. ‘I have to tell you something important!’

‘What is it?’

‘This place, we have to leave—now,’ Alces said. If he hadn’t been whispering, he would probably have yelled those words.

This conversation had taken a very strange turn. ‘Leave? Why?’ said Elkia. ‘Scribblers’ City is a great place to live. Don’t you think the same?’

Fire sprang from Alces’s red eyes. ‘This place is terrible, Elkia. We’d have done better to die out in the wilds.’

‘What?! How could you say such a thing?’ Elkia said with a gasp.

‘Because it is. This place is a shithole. They make you work and work, with no breaks and little food. Hay, I almost died working the fields.’

‘What… but… huh?’ Elkia didn’t understand. ‘No, that’s not right, Alces. Everyone who lives in Scribblers’ City is honest and nice.’

Alces grabbed Elkia by the shoulders and shook him. ‘No they aren’t! The moment I came here, I have been nothing but their slave, just like the others. There are many more like me, working in the mines or in the fields underneath that damned magical barrier thing. We have to leave, Elkia. This place is evil.’

‘Now hold on for just a second there,’ said Elkia. He didn’t like Alces talking about Scribblers’ City like that. ‘From the moment I woke up here, ponies have treated me with nothing but generosity and kindness. They have given me back everything that I’ve lost, everything but you. And now that I do speak to you, you say the place is terrible. I… I…’ Elkia hesitated, then shook his head. ‘I don’t believe you, Alces. These ponies are great and honest. And why are you on the run anyway? Did you break a law?’

Snorting, Alces let go of Elkia, and stomped his hooves on the ground. He was furious, thinking about what to say to convince his brother. Had he gone mad?! ‘Listen, Elkia,’ he hissed.

‘No! Before you say anything else, I demand you tell me why everyone is after you.’

Alces growled like a wolf. Between clenched teeth, he said, ‘They just want to catch me so that I can work in their damned magical sphere. They want me to work till the death, I’m sure.’

Elkia thought about that for a moment. True, he had no idea what was going on inside that bubble, but everyone had been so nice to him! And besides, Strawberry Blonde had explained to him how laziness was one of the worst crimes in Scribblers’ City. Elkia was still convinced of that. In Scribblers’ City, everyone worked hard. He had seen many ponies sweating over their artworks or drawings or paintings—himself included. He knew that working hard was absolutely normal in Scribblers’ City. And if all the ponies in the creative hub worked hard, then surely the farmers and millworkers and miners had to work hard too, right? It only made sense.

Elkia heard some shouts, and recognized the guard captain’s low voice.

‘Elkia, we don’t have time to be silent and think,’ Alces said, his voice growling and snarling. He almost spit out the words in Elkia’s face. ‘We have to get out of here! We need a plan!’

But Elkia wasn’t done thinking. He looked his brother over. His heavy brows were furrowed over his red eyes. His muscles quivered, and he looked over his shoulder every two seconds. He truly looked like a criminal. Elkia knew that his brother hated to work. Even building a snow hut usually was too much work for him to do. Aeltha and he himself always did that. No, Alces’s interests had always been in sport and dueling, trying to prove that he was the strongest of them all. Working was not his thing. Was Alces just being lazy?

‘I don’t believe you, Alces,’ Elkia said. ‘Honestly, I think working hard will be good for you. Everyone works hard here, so why shouldn’t you?’

‘WHAT?!’ Alces shouted, no longer whispering anymore. ‘You’re insane, Elkia, you should have seen—’

‘No, Alces,’ Elkia said. ‘I know what a hothead you can be. I know how you always like to make rude and sometimes even mean pranks. I’m not convinced.’

Alces jumped towards his brother in rage. He took Elkia down, and pinned him to the ground. ‘Listen, you son of a—’

‘No, you listen,’ said Elkia. He tried to shake his brother off of him, but Alces was a lot stronger than he. Didn’t matter. He still looked straight into Alces’s eyes and continued talking. ‘I’m sure you’ve done something very bad, Alces. Otherwise, why are you on the run?’

‘Because they want me to work, dammit! They want me to work till the—’

‘As I said, we all do that. Maybe you should just adapt to the situation and learn to live with it,’ said Elkia.

‘What? But you can’t—’

‘Building up a life here is easier than it was in the cold of winter, Alces. It’s easy. I, for example, always keep to the law, and look where it got me? I have a job, a home, a marefriend…’

Alces suddenly let go of Elkia, turned around, and punched a wall. ‘WHAT?! Now there is a girl involved? No wonder you don’t want to leave.’ He turned towards Elkia again until they were muzzle-to-muzzle. ‘Love makes you blind, Elkia. You know how much I wanted love too, but—’

‘But you couldn’t get Rosalinda. I know that story, Alces,’ Elkia said.

‘Hey! I think they’re over here!’ a voice shouted from the right.

‘Dammit,’ Alces cursed. ‘Ok, Elkia. One last chance. Do you leave me to die here or do we go? Your choice.’

‘I think you’re overreacting Alces. I can’t just leave everything behind to return to a life roaming through the forest. I’m happy here, and you should be to.’

‘No, no, NO!’ Alces snarled. He dragged Elkia to his hooves and gave him a slap in the face. ‘No, Elkia, we must—’

‘He’s here! Come get him!’ Elkia shouted.

A flame danced in Alces’s eyes. ‘You wouldn’t…’

‘To be honest, I’m quite fed-up with your profanity, drama and physical abuse, Alces. Just learn to grow up.’

‘Aha! Got him!’

Before Alces could say anything back, a rope flew through the air, and around Alces’s legs. When the noose tightened, he fell to the ground. A second later, the bearded face of the guard captain emerged from the shadows. He gave a quick order, and his guards set about tying up their catch as good as they could. Once he reached Elkia, the captain once again stroked his head. ‘You’ve done Scribblers’ City a great service, young elk,’ he said. ‘I hope he didn’t pose any danger to you.’

‘Thank you sir,’ Elkia said. ‘Actually, you came at the right moment.’

The other ponies had put a rope around Alces, and were dragging him away. Alces tried to say something, but managed only a muffled shout. Yet, Elkia swore he could hear the word “traitor” in there.

‘If there’s anything I can do for you, citizen, you need only ask,’ said the guard captain.

‘Thank you sir,’ Elkia said again. He looked over the guard’s shoulder, but couldn’t see Alces anymore. Elkia felt a bit weird. Was it the gin? ‘I must be on my way, again, sir, if you’d excuse me.’

‘I understand, young elk. Meeting a true criminal in real life is a shocking experience.’ The guard captain saluted, and then Elkia turned around.

He walked back to the main street, and followed it for a while, not really knowing where he was going. The weird feeling didn’t leave Elkia alone. The conversation with his brother had been very strange and intense. Elkia took the time to think it over. The way Alces had looked at him was unusual even for him. He truly looked like a criminal, yet, the only crime he had committed was laziness. Wincing, Elkia realized he could have asked the guard captain about what was really going on. A missed chance.

No matter how many streets and avenues Elkia crossed, the whole façade was constantly on his mind. There was something… off. Why did he himself settle nicely in Scribblers’ City, while his brother had so much trouble adapting? Of course, it could also be because he just wanted to roam the wilds again to search for the lost elk herd, something Elkia knew was very unrealistic. The herd and everyone else was gone. The only thing that was real was Elkia’s life in Scribblers’ City.

Then, Elkia got an idea. He promised himself to visit Alces at home. Hopefully his temper tantrum would have died down once Elkia knocked on his door. Surely he must have his own home here in Scribblers’ City as well, and if not, then Elkia was sure they must be building it right now. That train of thought took him somewhere else. How long had Alces been here in Scribbler’s City? As far as Elkia knew, he could have arrived this very morning. Yet, if Alces had arrived earlier, then why hadn’t Strawberry Blonde known about him? Strawberry had told Elkia herself that she works with all the new members of the community, talking to them and appointing fitting roles to them, so they could be of maximum use to the Scribblers’ City community. And Elkia had told her about his missing brother, how much he wanted him to be here as well. A shiver went through Elkia’s body, even though it wasn’t cold at all. Had Strawberry Blonde been keeping this a secret?

Elkia snorted, and burst into chuckles. ‘Of course not, you silly elk,’ he said to himself. Strawberry Blonde was the most genuine, honest pony he knew. She would never keep such a big thing a secret, now would she? And if she had, which was too ridiculous to think about, then why in Equestria would she do that?

As Elkia’s laughter subsided, he felt a droplet of rain upon his muzzle. And then another one, and another one. Elkia looked at the sky. Dark clouds had shrouded the moon, and he could see the weather was going to change soon. Now he had a choice to make. He didn’t like to stand around in the rain, running from house to house in the hopes of finding his brother’s place, yet he was still curious. When more and more droplets fell out of the sky, Elkia stopped. He had reached Strawberry Blonde’s house. That was option number three: to talk with Strawberry about what he’d discovered. That was a very tempting idea. He was in the mood for some answers, a hot cup of tea, and a talk with the love of his life. Elkia made a decision. He fiddled for the keys, and then went in.

The living room and the kitchen were empty. When Elkia went upstairs, he saw that Strawberry’s bedroom door was closed. But she always kept it open. Knocking twice, Elkia opened the door.

‘Oh, hey, Elkia,’ said Strawberry Blonde. She was lying on her bed with her night gown on.

‘Hey Strawberry,’ said Elkia. He tilted his head. Why was she lying on her bed? Was she tired? Did she cry? ‘Are you alright? I saw the door was closed.’

‘Oh, yes. I’m quite alright,’ said Strawberry. ‘I just didn’t expect you to be back so soon. Normally you walk around until late in the night, come snowfall or rain.’

Elkia got inside and closed the door behind him. ‘Yes, I know I normally do, but something strange happened.’

‘Really?’ Strawberry Blonde got up from her bed. ‘You should tell me all about it in the kitchen, with a cup of tea. How about that?’

But Elkia couldn’t contain himself. He was bursting with enthusiasm. ‘I found Alces today, Strawberry. Isn’t that great?’

Strawberry Blonde froze in her movement. She kept standing still next to her bed. ‘You found who?’

‘Alces! You know? My brother. He was on the run from the guards. I don’t know exactly what he did, but he looked quite the fugitive. I concluded that he must have been lazy and ran away from whatever job he was supposed to do. That seems only logical, for I know how he can be.’ Elkia jumped up and down. ‘isn’t that great? He’s here, with me! Now we can all live happily ever after.’

Yet Strawberry Blonde didn’t immediately join Elkia in his cheerfulness. Was she hesitating? At last, a smile appeared on her face. ‘That’s wonderful, Elkia. Yes, wonderful news.’

‘So it’s new to you too?’ Elkia said. ‘I thought you always meet every pony or elk that comes in here. Did he slip past your attention by any chance?’

Strawberry grinned. ‘I guess he did. Strange, isn’t it? He should have been at the top of the list, at “A”.’

Elkia waved his hoof. ‘Well, it doesn’t matter. Even the best make mistakes sometimes, right?’

‘Right.’

They both still smiled at each other. Despite the angry conversation, Elkia was glad his brother had finally returned to him. ‘I think he’ll see the light soon. I mean, how can you not love a place like Scribblers’ City? He’s just being his grumpy old self. But no matter. Give him a few months and he’ll change.’

‘I hope he will,’ said Strawberry.

‘I’m sure he will,’ said Elkia. ‘You know, I think I’ll pay him a visit tonight. Maybe he’s already done with the job he needed to do, and if not, I can always slip a note through the mailbox. Sounds like a good idea, right?’

Strawberry giggled again. ‘Yes, that sounds like a good idea.’

Elkia walked towards the closet. ‘I just need to grab my raincoat, because I’m sure it will be beastly weather soon.’

‘ELKIA, no! That’s not your clos—’ Strawberry shouted, but it was too late. Elkia opened the closet.

Something fluffy and blue rolled out of it. When it came to a halt, before the bed, it got up and rubbed its head. It was a pony.

Elkia looked at him with wide open eyes, then back at the closet, then back at the pony again. ‘Eh, Strawberry, why do you have a stallion in your closet?’

‘Eh…’ Strawberry was speechless. That was not supposed to happen.

‘Hey, what is that elk doing here?’ said the blue stallion. ‘Does he… live here with you? But… but I thought I was your friend. The “one and only,” remember?’

Strawberry Blonde shot the blue pony an angry look. ‘Shut up, Blue Moon. I just…’ she looked from the blue pony to Elkia and back. Words didn’t come to her. How in Equestria could she explain this in a way both Elkia and the stallion would be at peace? She couldn’t. At last, she threw her hooves in the air, giving up. ‘I’ll just… AGH!’

‘Strawberry, who is this stallion?’ Elkia asked. He too, had no idea what just happened.

Grinding her teeth, Strawberry pointed at the door. ‘This here is Blue Moon, and he was just leaving, weren’t you, Blue?’

Blue Moon got up and shook his head in confusion. ‘Huh? But I wanna know—’

‘Weren’t you?’ Strawberry said. From the tone of her voice, Elkia reckoned something very nasty was about to happen if the blue pony didn’t oblige.

Blue Moon snorted. ‘Alright, alright. But I expect a very detailed explanation from you later on.’

‘That’s fine, Blue. Just go!’

Once again the blue pony snorted, swished his tail, and left the room.

When Blue Moon was gone and the door shut, Strawberry Blonde let out a long, drawn-out sigh. She rubbed her temples and sat down on her bed. ‘Elkia, could you please close the closet?’ But then she realized her mistake. ‘I mean DON’T! Don’t close the closet, elk—’

Too late once more. When Elkia turned around and looked into the closet, he saw something that confused him even more.

A bulletin board shaped like a heart hung on the back wall of the closet. Pinned up on it were a lot of different photos. On every photo, Strawberry Blonde could be seen, together with many other ponies. Some big, some small, some bearing cheerful colors, others more natural colors. Strawberry Blonde was smiling on every picture, holding hooves or looking into the eyes of the other ponies. Elkia knew that look, for it was the look of somepony who was hopelessly in love. A few photos were locked in a heart-shaped display, bearing kisses in red lipstick. Sometimes there were even names written on the photos, or little remarks. The big are full of passion, or A clever pony with a lot of love, or The shy ones are the cutest.

‘Wh-wh-what?’ Elkia recoiled from the closet, which still stood open. He took a few steps backwards, then stumbled and fell down upon the bed. With one jump, he was back on his hooves, and faced the pony he loved most in life. ‘Strawberry, what is this all about?’

Strawberry Blonde tossed her mane, closed her eyes and sighed. She wished everyone would disappear and leave her at peace, forgetting about everything they had seen this evening. When she opened her eyes again, she said, ‘I’m sorry you had to see that, Elkia.’

‘B-b-but this stallion, and those photos… I thought you loved me the most. I thought we were friends. No… maybe even more than that. You and I both know it’s more than that. You do, right?’

Looking carefully at Elkia, Strawberry tried to spot signs of anger or dangerous behavior in Elkia’s eyes. But she soon stopped, as the looks of horrid surprise and disappointment almost made her own eyes water. ‘I… I can explain.’

‘But do I want to hear that?’ Elkia said.

‘M-m-maybe…?’ Strawberry hesitated to speak. She never hesitated to speak. Elkia realized something was very wrong. But Elkia wasn’t stupid either. ‘I… I’m not the first one, am I?’

‘Oh, you’re so clever, Elkia,’ Strawberry said, even though she knew that no flattery or honeyed words were going to get her out of this mess. ‘I can’t hide anything from you. If you want, I’ll give you the truth.’

‘Then give me the truth,’ Elkia said, ‘but not if it hurts me.’

‘Alright then.’ Strawberry Blonde patted her mattress next to her, but Elkia didn’t sit down. She nodded in apprehension. She took a deep breath, and then said what was the best thing to say. ‘The truth is that I work with many ponies. The bulletin board you saw was just my wall of… successes.’

‘Successes?’

‘Yes. Every pony you saw on the photos has been given a nice place in our very own society,’ she said. ‘I helped them all, every single one of them. I helped them like I helped you.’

‘But that’s not all,’ Elkia said.

‘No, it’s not all,’ Strawberry said with a sigh. ‘Elkia, I have been living in this city for a long while now, and sometimes you have the need for… well… company. I mean, you saw what happened between you and me, right?’

Elkia sniffed. He promised himself not to cry. ‘I understand that you have given your heart to other ponies before me, but… so many?!’

Strawberry Blonde said nothing but nodded.

‘But what about that stallion, this “Blue Moon?” Is he your love as well?’

‘I’m afraid so,’ said Strawberry.

‘And you’re seeing him, even if you have me too?’

‘Yes.’

Elkia was silent for a while, and thought. ‘Well, I know not much about pony customs, but I’d say if you are committed to someone, you don’t love someone else. Please correct me if I’m wrong.’

‘You’re not, Elkia,’ said Strawberry. ‘But this is also very different, you should know.’

A tear appeared on Elkia’s cheeks. He blinked hard. ‘How so?’

Strawberry Blonde let out one of her nervous laughs. ‘Well, look at us.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, you are an elk, and I’m a pony. There are some things we just can’t do. But I still crave those things. That’s why I’m doing the things I can’t do with you with somepony else. Am I making sense?’

‘I’m afraid not.’

‘AGH!’ Strawberry facehoofed. ‘You are so innocent, Elkia. You don’t belong in a love drama like this. You’re in way over your antlers. I just hope this innocence will never backfire on you in some way or the other.’

Elkia let out a few sobs. This evening had turned him upside down. ‘I don’t want to lose you, Strawberry. Yet, if you are so frequently in love, if you prefer it all to me, then my love, you go down the longest road to nowhere. And if you really want to go that way, then…’ More sobs came. Elkia didn’t try to hide them now. He let her see just how devastated he felt. ‘Then I’m afraid I can’t follow you.’

‘I understand. I… no, I understand.’

‘I don’t,’ Elkia said. ‘I thought I did, but I don’t understand love, and I don’t understand you. Hay, I’m not even sure I understand myself.’ Tears were flooding down his cheeks. ‘I wish it didn’t have to be this way.’

‘Me neither,’ said Strawberry. ‘But if it makes you feel any better, I’ll say this: I love you very, very much, Elkia. You will forever have a place in my heart.’

‘No,’ Elkia said. He was already turning around and heading for the doorway. ‘I will have a place on your bulletin board.’ And with those words, he left Strawberry Blonde behind.

He didn’t even bother grabbing his raincoat. Elkia stepped through the doorway and turned right, to the residential cottages. The weather was bad now, and rain drenched everyone and everything. Within minutes, Elkia was soaked to the bone, but he didn’t care. At least the rain hid the tears that were still falling down his muzzle. He forced his mind not to think of Strawberry Blonde, but of Alces, his brother. Gritting his teeth, Elkia realized he could have asked Strawberry about him again. He knew she had already told him she didn’t know, but after seeing how she treated the “loves of her life,” Elkia wasn’t sure he could believe just a single word that came out of her mouth. What was the truth, and what was a lie? No, he was better off investigating this all on his own, and that was exactly what he was going to do.

Scribblers’ City didn’t look that beautiful anymore. As Elkia walked past the cottages left and right, he looked at them, and wondered if behind those closed doors there were also strange things going on. He wondered if every little cottage had a dramatic theater play going on inside those four walls. Elkia kept fantasizing and thinking and philosophizing. He hoped there was still something that even closely resembled a perfect relationship out there, somewhere in the world. He thought about a relationship where both the mare and the stallion were equally devoted, loved each other till eternity, and did everything together—maybe even sleeping. And of course, he mourned about all relationships that had run aground. For a moment, he was with everyone and anyone who had the feeling as if someone punctured his or her heart with a sharp branch of an antler. He was with everyone suffering from severe heartache, and the terrible, terrible depression that followed.

But depression had to wait. Elkia reached the newer neighborhoods. He had heard from Syntax that the building crew changed their schematics for basic cottages after some time, so the old and the new cottages could be clearly distinguished. Elkia left the old cottages behind, and moved from door to door of the new cottages, trying to find out where Alces’s home was. Sometimes there was a plaque which showed the name of the family living in that particular cottage, so Elkia could quickly sweep past those. His shock about his terrible love drama made him forget about his shyness, and sometimes he knocked on the doors to find out who ever lived in the cottages without plaques. He just wanted to see his brother and tell him what was pressing on his heart. He was sure that would make everything a lot better.

Every time he asked, however, he came up empty. No, no one had any idea in which house Alces Roameling lived. Elkia found that strange. Surely an elk, a rare sight in this pony community, would be easy to spot. Surely somepony would have seen Alces step through his front door and head over to whatever job he had?

And yet Elkia came up empty. As he moved from house to house, he worked his way to the open field, where no houses stood yet, but which was reserved for future houses to be built. At last, he reached the final cottage, knocked on the door, and got the same answer.

‘No, I’m sorry, I don’t know where this elk lives,’ said a mare, standing in the doorway.

‘Alright, thanks anyway,’ said Elkia. As he turned around, his shoulders slumped, he searched for the next house. There was one more, which looked brand new. Indeed, the building crew was standing around it, looking it over to see if they missed something as they completed their construction work. Elkia approached them.

‘Hey there, Mister Deerling,’ said one of them. ‘We’ve been looking for you, in fact.’

Elkia gasped. ‘Is this where my brother lives? He’s an elk, grey, about this high, with huge antlers. Is this the house of Alces Roameling?’

The construction worker let out a burst of laughter, overpowering the splattering rain in volume. ‘Ha! No, silly. This is your house.’

Elkia’s enthusiasm evaporated, as if the rain washed it away. ‘Oh.’

‘What? Aren’t you excited?’ said the construction pony. ‘We were almost done when this here rain decided to pour down from the sky, but we figured we might as well finish it. Sudden rainfall ain’t no match for Scribblers’ City’s very own construction crew, now is it, boys?’

The other ponies grumbled something back. They clearly disagreed.

The construction pony fumbled around in his pockets. He took Elkia’s hoof, and smacked the key into it. ‘It’s yours now, Mister Deerling. From now on, you’re one of our many proud residents.’

But right now, Elkia didn’t feel so proud. The search in the drenching rain had left him dead tired. And besides that, it was already late in the night. ‘Thanks,’ he said, and shuffled to his doorstep. He promised himself to check the old cottages tomorrow, although he knew his brother wouldn’t be in one of them. He knew even before he looked. His gut told him so. No, Elkia was sure he wasn’t going to find answers in Scribblers’ City itself. He had to go underground.

He stepped through his living room, cold, bare, empty. There was no pretty mare waiting for him, but then again, Elkia figured she was now snuggling together with that blue pony under a warm blanket. He couldn’t even remember his name. Walking through the kitchen, just as empty as the rest of the house, he entered the bedroom. Elkia didn’t even shake himself dry. He just slumped down in bed, and had uneasy dreams.

The nightmares returned.

Chapter eight: a daring idea

‘Syntax, I need to go through the bubble.’

Syntax coughed loudly, nearly choking on his coffee.

‘Shush, be quiet Syntax,’ said Elkia. ‘This is a bit of a, well, secret mission.’

Elkia and Syntax were sitting in the lunchroom of the creative hub. So far, the ambiance had been relaxed and laid-back, until Elkia’s remark. They had an opportunity to talk now, and with the cheerful hubbub going strong around them, as the lunchroom was full of other talking ponies, Elkia was not going to let this chance slip through his hooves.

Syntax reached for a napkin, and wiped his muzzle. ‘Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would you like to go there?’

‘Because, well… I just want to see,’ Elkia said. ‘Just a quick peek would be enough. Remember I told you about my brother, and how I met him yesterday?’

Syntax nodded.

‘He said he worked underneath that magical bubble.’

‘So?’

‘He was quite distressed when I talked to him. He was even speaking with me about’—Elkia looked left and right, then whispered, ‘leaving.’

‘Yes, but you told me yourself you just suspected him of being lazy. Whatever is going on underneath that bubble, it’s hard work. We all know that. But we work hard ourselves in the creative department, you know?’

‘I know,’ said Elkia. ‘That’s what I said. But after tonight, something… happened. I don’t know, I just feel weird. I feel as if I can’t trust anyone anymore. The only way to truly find out stuff is by seeing it with my own eyes, and not rely on someone else who tells me what I want to know.’

Syntax made a funny face. ‘Wow, someone is being bitter here. “Can’t trust anyone.” Did something happen between you and Strawberry?’

Recoiling, Elkia stuttered. ‘Wh-what? Eh… well…’

‘You’re an open book, Elkia,’ Syntax said, ‘and terribly naïve.’

Elkia shook his head, and brought the conversation back on topic. ‘Anyway, I need to go and see for myself what’s going on there. You know a lot about this place, Syntax, have you ever been underneath that thing?’

‘Nope. But to be honest, I would actually like to check it out myself.’ Syntax paused to rub his hooves together. ‘I know of the wildest conspiracy theories about that place. Did you know that some ponies believe they are building a superweapon there? They think the workers there are building a cannon that can destroy the sun. Not sure why they’d do that, though. Why kill the sun in the summer? It doesn’t make sense.’

‘Syntax, I’m being serious here,’ said Elkia.

‘Yes, yes, of course,’ said Syntax. ‘Not everything can be an interesting story, right? It’s probably just a farm or so. A big one, though.’

Once again Elkia looked over his shoulder. Nopony was paying attention to them. ‘I need to go there, and talk to my brother if I can. Do you know a way in?’

Syntax looked up at the grandfather clock in the corner. He estimated the time, and then spoke quickly. He decided to help his best friend out. ‘From what I’ve seen, the only ones going into that magical sphere are either unicorns, guards, or laborers with carts, hauling the fresh harvests away.’

‘So I need a disguise,’ Elkia said.

Syntax winked. ‘Righto. Of course, we can’t dress you up as a unicorn, with the antlers and all. And besides that, if you would look like a unicorn, and the guards and the other unicorns saw that you can’t use magical powers to help a hoof, you would be discovered in no time.’

‘Then disguise me as a laborer.’

Taking the time to look Elkia over, Syntax narrowed his eyes, then shook his head. ‘No, that won’t do. The laborers are usually earth ponies, as they are strong and hardy, while you are tall and lanky and very awkward.’

‘Hey!’

Syntax held up his hooves. ‘Just making some honest observations here.’ he cleared his throat. ‘Besides that, the laborers might also recognize you.’

‘Recognize me?’

‘Yes of course, silly elk. Your children stories are a hit! Al the proles and honest working folks in Scribblers’ City have copies of your books, and they are all reading them to their children. Those books you and Strawberry made are a slam success. Didn’t you know?’

‘I… well… I didn’t,’ Elkia said. ‘I’m never really looking for fame or anything like that.’

Syntax facehoofed. ‘Oh my! If I’d drop you in a lake you would still have no idea where to find yourself a drink.’

‘Hey, that’s not true! I used to live close to a lake—a magical lake, nonetheless.’

Sighing, Syntax said, ‘That’s not what I meant, Elkia. It’s a proverb, an expression.’

For a moment, Elkia was quiet. ‘It’s just a shame there won’t be any more children’s books…’

‘Whatever,’ said Syntax. He threw one more glance at the clock. ‘Disguising yourself as a laborer is not a good idea. You’re not built for it, you might be recognized, and you have a job to do. When you’d deviate to search for your elk brother, you’d be forced back into the ranks and do whatever the guards think you should be doing: pulling wagons. No, Elkia. I think plan C will work best for you.’

Elkia’s eyes went wide, as he realized what Syntax meant. ‘You mean…’

‘Uh-huh. You have to dress up like a guard.’

‘But won’t they recognize me?’ Elkia said.

‘I don’t think so,’ said Syntax. ‘I mean, how many times have you interacted with one of the guards? Look at us, Elkia, we are two law-abiding citizens of Scribblers’ City. We have never been bad, and we have no record. We are invisible to the guards. No, Elkia. I’m pretty sure they don’t know you.’

Elkia didn’t really like the “pretty sure.” ‘But won’t it be strange for them to see an elk guard instead of a pony guard?’

Syntax narrowed his brows, then he seemed to remember something. ‘I think not. There are actually some deer guards, a couple of reindeer, and two pretty little caribou officers I know personally, very personally… An elk is practically the same. Isn’t it?’

‘No, it’s not,’ Elkia objected. ‘We’re different animals.’

Syntax shrugged. ‘Just a minor detail.’ He saw that Elkia was going to say something, but he cut him off, continuing his explanation. ‘As a guard, you’ll have a lot more freedom of movement. You can walk everywhere, pretending to look around for trouble. Hay, you might even be able to speak to your brother real quick, if you’re strategic enough.’

‘But I don’t look like a guard,’ said Elkia.

‘That’s where the disguise comes in,’ said Syntax. ‘I know a couple of very lovely seamstresses who can be trusted. They owe me a favor, so I can definitely get them into making a guard’s outfit for you.’

‘Is that all?’

‘No.’ Syntax reached out and tapped Elkia’s ear. ‘You need a red tag, not a yellow one, but that’s simple enough. Just borrow a bottle of red pain from the art department and you’re set.’

‘Right, got it.’ Despite discussing their plans in so much detail, Elkia still felt a bit unsure. There were so many things that could go wrong. ‘Do you really think this will work?’ he said.

Syntax bit his lip. ‘Eh… I hope so.’ Then he bent forwards, and looked Elkia straight into his eyes. ‘But if something goes wrong, remember that I had played no part in this façade.’

Elkia swallowed. Syntax’s voice sounded a bit too ominous for his liking. ‘Alright… But, Syntax. Just between me and you, what will they do if they discover that I’m a fake guard?’

‘Eh… are you sure you want to hear that, Elkia?’

‘I… think so?’

But before Syntax could explain further, the grandfather clock stroke three. Immediately, The old pony who was Elkia’s mentor stepped into the lunchroom. ‘Alright, everypony! It’s time to create and be amazing again!’

There was no more time. Elkia managed to throw one last, worried gaze at his friend, before they had to go their separate ways. Elkia sat down at his typewriter, but he didn’t manage to produce anything. His nerves didn’t allow him.

The rest of the afternoon was the slowest afternoon Elkia had ever experienced. In his head, he was calculating thousands of things which could go wrong, if he went through with his plan. Yet, he saw no other way. He simply had to see what was going on inside that bubble himself. Syntax didn’t know, and he couldn’t trust Strawberry Blonde anymore. He had the feeling there was more going on beneath that bubble than he thought.

At the end of the working day, he met up with Syntax. The pony jammed a package into Elkia’s hooves and then promptly walked away from him. Elkia understood why. Syntax too, had everything he wanted here in Scribblers’ City, and he didn’t want his name to be besmirched. Yet, what about Elkia himself?

Elkia went home and tried on the guard’s costume. It was a blue shirt, a blue jacket with yellow stripes, and a tie. It fitted Elkia perfectly. Looking in the mirror, he tried his most serious guard-expression, while putting the hat on his head. Even the hat fitted perfectly over Elkia’s ears and between his antlers. He quickly dipped his tag in a can of red paint and then he was done. He wasn’t ready, but he was as ready as he’d ever be. With a trembling voice, he said to his reflection, ‘O-o-okay, let’s… let’s do this.’

When the sun was down and the moon shone in the sky, signaling the ripening of the evening, Elkia trotted through the streets. He tried not to look into anypony’s eyes. This was his first test, he knew. As soon as anypony discovered who he was, he would turn around, abandon the whole guard-disguise-idea, and think up something more clever and safe together with Syntax. He was afraid, very afraid. Even though Syntax hadn’t been able to tell him what happened to traitors, Elkia knew that it wouldn’t be nice. A burning feeling grew in his stomach, and his nerves turned to ice. But besides fear, there was also guilt mixed in. This whole plan told him that he didn’t trust Scribblers’ City anymore. The dream of the beautiful utopia was gone, and it was replaced by cold hard suspicion. It was a bit sad.

Nopony recognized him. As he reached the end of the street, he saw the bubble of pink and purple, magical energy right in front of him. Looking at it, Elkia noticed there were pillars, which encircled the whole bubble. On every pillar he could see the contours of a unicorn, holding up the barrier with magic from his or her horn. There was a stone archway which served as an entrance. Elkia swallowed, and stepped towards it.

There were a few other guards standing by. Elkia saluted them in what he hoped was a guard-salutation. ‘Hello, fellow guards. Any… eh… disturbances this evening?’ Elkia even made some effort to make his voice sound deeper and—what he hoped—more authoritative.

‘Not yet,’ one of the guards said back. ‘So far it has been a peaceful evening.’

Elkia nodded. ‘Very well. I’d like to proceed and… scan the perimeter.’ Elkia felt as if he were playing in a theater play, and kept repeating this in his head. It’s only a play, it’s only a play, it’s only a play.

‘Certainly,’ the guard said. He motioned with his hoof towards the magical sphere. ‘Go ahead.’

Swallowing again, Elkia stepped forwards. His hoof just touched the magical sphere, when a harsh, deep voice forced him to halt.

‘HEY! Wait a minute…’

Elkia flinched. He knew this was the end of the plan. He had failed. Slowly, he turned his head to the speaker, another guard, and forced his face to look normal.

‘Yes, you,’ said the guard. ‘I recognize you…’

‘I’m afraid not,’ Elkia said, doing another step forward.

‘No, I do recognize you,’ said the guard. Elkia was forced to look at him, and his heart skipped a beat, as he saw the bushy beard on the guard’s face.

‘You were the elk who helped us capture that other elk,’ said the guard. The guard was right. He was the exact same, bearded guard whom Elkia had interacted with when Alces had been on the run. Elkia closed his eyes, expecting to be unmasked and arrested. Neither of that happened.

“Well, I’m sorry I insulted you back there,’ the bearded guard said. He stepped towards Elkia and patted him on the head.

‘Insulted me…?’ Elkia said.

‘Yes of course. I called you “civilian,” but I didn’t know you were a guard yourself.’

Elkia had no idea where this was going. Could he still save the mission? ‘Eh.. me neither?’

‘What do you mean?’ the guard said. He tilted his head and squinted his eyes. But then, suddenly, they opened wide. ‘Oh, I know what you mean. You’re in training, aren’t you?’

‘Yes,’ Elkia said, forcing his long legs not to tremble.

‘Well that’s great! Good for you,’ said the guard. ‘Yes, I can see it now. You were obviously impressed by our heroic capture of that other elk, and wanted to become a member of the Scribblers’ City guard force yourself. It all makes sense.’

‘It… it does?’ Elkia said.

The bearded guard turned to the one at the archway. ‘Commander, let me guide this young elk here and show him the way we do things. Is that alright?’

‘As long as you’re back before the debriefing, it’s fine,’ said the other guard. ‘Something really special is supposed to happen this evening.’

‘Sure, sure. Tell me all about that when we return, ok?’

‘Roger that.’

The two guards saluted each other, and then the bearded one motioned for Elkia to follow him. Together, they stepped through the magical bubble. Elkia closed his eyes, as he had never stepped through magical bubbles before and didn’t know if he was supposed to close his eyes or not. When the tingling sound receded, he opened them again, and looked at the gardens inside.

It was hot, terribly hot. Elkia felt as if he walked into a bakery where a thousand furnaces were busy baking delicious bread. He instantly started to sweat. Yet, Elkia wasn’t paying attention to that much, as he looked at what was going on in here. There were many, many patches of farmland scattered through the bubble. Narrow paths separated the different patches from each other. Elkia saw many different kinds of crops, although he couldn’t identify them by himself. Ponies were busy working the fields. They were all covered in sweat, and panted hard. They looked utterly exhausted.

‘Are they still at work?’ Elkia asked the guard.

‘Of course they are,’ the guard replied.

Elkia tried to look at the moon, but of course he could only see the purple roof of the magical bubble. ‘But it’s so late.’

‘So what?’ said the guard. ‘They all make long days here, at least fifteen hours. And we do too, by the way. Get used to it.’

‘So, this is all normal?’

‘Sure is,’ said the guard. He walked towards a little wooden path that snaked past all of the plots of farmland. ‘Are you coming?’

Elkia swallowed, and followed.

They walked past even more fields, and also large troughs filled with dirt, in which more plants grew. Elkia couldn’t tear his eyes away form the working ponies. They were sweaty, dirty, and looked dead-tired. One mare stood close to the path, and when Elkia looked into her eyes, he could see the torture and tiredness emanating from them. Now that he was so close, he noticed to his shock that he could see her ribs. She was so skinny!

‘Do you give them enough food?’ said Elkia.

‘Maybe,’ said the guard. ‘I don’t know. I’m not responsible for feeding them. I believe they get some bread at the end of the day. Hmm… now that you mention it, I haven’t even seen them eat anything else.’

Elkia’s eyes went wide. Just some bread!? That was definitely not enough to keep ponies healthy, especially if they had to work under such circumstances, doing this hard physical labor in this blistering heat. Elkia wanted to say something more, but kept his mouth shut, as he still had a cover not to blow.

The bearded pony stopped. ‘This is where all our food comes from. It is our job as guards to make sure the ponies working here don’t flee or run off, and keep working at their maximum speed. Of course, we don’t want them to become lazy now, do we?’

Elkia shook his head, yet he didn’t agree. He understood that laziness was the biggest enemy of Scribblers’ City, but these ponies weren’t lazy—they were tired! After looking into that mare’s eyes, Elkia sincerely doubted whether the ponies were here of their own free will. They didn’t look happy at all.

Suddenly, a pony, a mare, who was plowing the fields, fell to the ground. Her eyes were closed, and Elkia wondered if she’d fallen asleep right there and then.

‘Get up and work, you,’ said the guard. Reaching back, he grabbed something that looked like a rope. After slinging it through the air, he brought it down upon the pony. A loud crack sounded, rebounding from the walls of the magical bubble. Elkia flinched. When he looked again at the mare, he saw that she was still lying on the ground.

The guard glanced at Elkia for a moment. ‘Come on, join me! This is the fun part.’ He let his whip crack another time, dangerously close to the mare’s back.

Elkia couldn’t believe what he saw. Instead of helping the poor pony, he was scaring her?! He bit back the urge to rush over to her and help her.

‘Why aren’t you joining in?’ said the guard. Elkia said nothing. ‘Oh, now I see,’ the guard said, ‘you don’t have a whip yet. No matter. We’ll get you one at the barracks.’

The guard brandished his whip and cracked it once more. The mare, however, didn’t respond.

Now Elkia had enough of this. He jumped over the fence and onto the farmland. He grabbed the hoof of the pony, and tried to talk to her. Together, they managed to stand up. The mare, noticing Elkia’s helping hooves, scowled, retreated her hoof, and resumed her work with gritted teeth. For a moment Elkia was confused, but then he realized he was still dressed up as a guard.

‘Hey, what are you doing?’ shouted the bearded pony.

‘Helping,’ said Elkia, as he jumped back over the fence.

‘Are you sure you want to be a guard, Mister Elk?’ The guard scrutinized Elkia’s face. Elkia hoped the guard couldn’t see the heartbreaking tears. ‘You seem to be a little on the soft side.’

‘I… eh… I just…’

‘We guards have to be tough, you know. We don’t want an uprising, right? The only way to make sure they keep themselves at the other side of the fence is if we are hard on them. You saw what happened with that other elk. He escaped because the guard watching over him went soft.’

Elkia blinked hard and swallowed. He couldn’t keep his voice deep anymore. ‘I’m… I’m sorry, Mister. I’ll be hard as rock next time.’

‘Ha! That’s what I wanna see.’ The guard patted Elkia on the head. ‘Now, shall we continue our tour?’

Elkia wanted to say no, but he knew he had to. He wasn’t sure he could witness any more of this.

The path went around some wooden buildings. They looked like cottages, but longer, much longer. ‘These are the barracks where all the workers sleep,’ said the guard. ‘You can look inside if you want, but there isn’t much to see.’

‘I still want to look,’ Elkia said. If he was going to judge this place properly, nothing should be hidden from him.

‘Alrighty then,’ said the guard. He walked over to a set of double doors. There was a chain wrapped around them. The guard got the key, and removed the chain. When the doors opened and Elkia watched inside, he once more got shocked.

There was nothing, absolutely nothing. No beds, no mattresses, no pillows, and no blankets. There weren’t even candles or any sort of light! ‘This is where they sleep?’ Elkia asked.

‘That’s what I told you, remember. Jeez, you’re a slow one,’ said the guard. ‘We just put them in here, and then they pick a spot, curl up and fall asleep. They don’t need any light, because they’re sleeping anyway.’ The guard chuckled. ‘There’s no sleepless nights here in the bubble, Mister Elk. The work will make sure everyone is nice and tired at the end of the day.’

‘That’s… that’s…’ A stench was coming from the barracks. Elkia now realized why he hadn’t been able to find Alces’s house. Instead of owning a lovely little cottage for himself, he had to sleep crowded together with maybe three dozen other workers in these “barracks?” It looked more like a garden shed to Elkia.

While Elkia silently thought, the bearded guard was busy closing the barracks again. When he was done he kept following the path, with Elkia behind him. They were climbing a low hill now, as the path went steadily upwards. Looking left and right, Elkia saw that the hill was divided into terraces, level plots of ground on which ponies toiled and worked the land. They went up, up, up, until they came upon another longhouse. This one looked in much better state than the workers’ barracks, and even had windows and a little garden.

‘This is the guardhouse,’ said the guard. ‘Here we can go, have lunch, and relax after a hard day’s work. There’s a particularly cozy coffee corner. Shall we get inside?’

Elkia was unsure how to answer. He turned around, and found to his surprise that he had a marvelous view of the terraces and the plots of land far below. He could see every little plant, every sweating pony, every arched back, and every guard. But that was not all he saw. There, on one terrace, his brother was busy working. Elkia’s heart made a little jump as he discovered him, despite seeing the state his brother was in. Instead of his muscular, stocky appearance, he looked thin and worn-out. The fire in his eyes had been reduced to smoldering coals. His antlers looked as thin as birch branches. Seeing his brother like that pained Elkia to the core of his heart. The once proud heir of Aeltha the seer had been reduced to a working slave. Realization slapped Elkia in the face. His brother had been right—right about everything! Guilt followed quickly, like the pain after a blow. Elkia hadn’t believed Alces, yet here he was, seeing everything with his own eyes, seeing the truth for what it was—and the truth wasn’t pretty. Both feelings manifested into a silent, ‘Why…?’ which slipped between his lips.

‘I beg your pardon?’

To Tartarus with his mission, to Tartarus with his disguise. Elkia threw it all away. ‘Why?’ he said again.

‘Because the temperature is much better inside,’ answered the guard. ‘There’s pegasi who make sure only cool winds flow through the guardhouse. Trust me, the only thing that’s hot is the coffee.’

‘No, that’s not what I meant,’ said Elkia. ‘I mean why are you treating everyone so badly. They are ponies, just like you!’

The guard’s moustache twitched. Elkia knew he might just have revealed himself with his “why,” but he didn’t care. The only thing he cared about were the poor workers. The guard walked towards Elkia until they stood side by side, and watched over the farmlands in the magical bubble. ‘They deserve it, you know? Just look at them and tell me what you see. You know Scribblers’ City. You know why it is here, right?’

‘I…’ Actually, Elkia had not the faintest idea. He had lived here for so long, and he knew almost nothing about the town’s purpose and history.

‘Wow, they did an awful job at your briefing, Mister Elk,’ said the guard. ‘Let me explain it to you nice and slowly, so you understand everything correctly.’

Elkia didn’t like the tone of the guard. Had he given himself away?

‘There’s certain ponies who are of use to us, and there are ponies who are of no use to us. You know about them creative folks, right? They get the best jobs, the best food, and the best houses because they are useful. They create all kinds of beautiful trinkets and baubles to spread the idea of equality in a cutie-mark-less society, blah, blah, blah. But what about the other folks? They end up here. These ponies are the scumbags that have no creative talent or challenge our laws and customs with their temper or their behavior. We can’t use them in our society to create propaganda, but we can’t just send them on their way, or else they will tell others about our beautiful Scribblers’ City.’

Elkia was silent and listened, but his eyes were not meeting the guard’s; they were looking at Alces.

‘And what then? Then our community will be threatened. Perhaps others would like to conquer it, burn it down and then build something they like on the ashes. Or perhaps the princesses will take a look themselves and track down the beautiful town of our great leader. Then not only Scribblers’ City will be threatened, but also Starlight’s village!’

Nodding, Elkia pretended to be interested.

The guard didn’t seem to notice the lack of eye contact, and continued talking. ‘If we let these degenerates go, we might lose Scribblers’ City. So that’s why they’re here. Right here, they are of use to us, working in the fields and stuff, and they don’t run away to expose our delicate operation. It’s a win-win situation, you see?’

Elkia didn’t see, yet he was as smart as to keep his mouth shut.

‘And that’s why we’re here, to guard them, get them to work, and make sure they stay underneath the magical sphere. We don’t want them to mingle with our proper citizens, now do we? What in Equestria would our good citizens think of these half-starved ruffians? I don’t even want to know. Hay, I can hardly imagine, can you?’

‘I can,’ Elkia said, soft enough so the guard wouldn’t hear it.

‘And that’s enough philosophizing for one evening,’ said the guard. ‘The rest you’ll have to figure out yourself. Shall we get that cup of coffee?’

‘Yes, certainly,’ said Elkia, his voice faint and distant. ‘Go make some coffee. I will join you later.’

‘I see,’ said the guard. ‘Spellbound by these terraces, eh? Yeah, so was I the first time on the top of the hill. No matter, coffee will clear your mind.’ The guard turned around. ‘Just make sure you’re inside before the sprinklers open up. You don’t want to get soaked to the bone, do you?’ And with that, the guard disappeared from sight.

Elkia didn’t even cast one single glance at the guardhouse, but jumped right over the fence. A few more strides on his long legs brought him close to his brother. Alces didn’t even hear him, yet when finally Elkia came into view, some of the fire returned to his eyes. ‘Elkia! You’re here.’

‘I am, brother, I am.’ Elkia hugged Alces tightly. ‘Now I know the horrible truth, Alces. Now I know what you meant, and that you didn’t exaggerate at all. This place is terrible. If I’d known this, I’d left much, much sooner. There’s nothing worse than slavery.’

Alces obviously wanted to end the embrace, but found himself too weak. Yet the fire in his eyes rekindled to a blaze. ‘I told you, Elkia. I told you.’

‘Oh, can you ever forgive me?’ Elkia said, his eyes full of tears.

Alces made a crooked smile, or was he grinding his teeth? Elkia wasn’t sure. ‘I’ll only forgive you if you get us out of here.’

‘Ah, yes, of course.’ Elkia ended the embrace.

‘I don’t suppose you have another set of guard’s clothing?’ Alces said.

Elkia shook his head.

‘Well, whatever,’ Alces said. ‘It’s not as if they’re going to believe the guard has two elks now. How were they even stupid enough to let you in?’

An awkward smile appeared on Elkia’s face. ‘Eh… let’s just say I had connections. And luck. Much, much luck.’

‘Very well…’ Alces closed his eyes, and Elkia wasn’t sure whether he’d fallen asleep or whether he was thinking.

‘We need a plan, Elkia,’ Alces said after a while. ‘We need a plan fast, because I don’t know how long I’ll last in here.’ Alces sat down on his haunches, as his strength left him alone. ‘They’ve been mistreating me ever since I saw an opportunity to escape. Heh, I’ll be sure not to run into you during my next breakout.’

‘No matter, Alces. We are together, and we have the truth. There’s nopony stopping us now.’

‘I hope not,’ said Alces. He blinked. ‘There’s been rumors about tonight. Somepony very important is supposed to visit this cursed city. The guard patrols have been doubled, and they were very cruel to us today.’

‘It seems my luck is running out then,’ said Elkia.

‘We don’t need luck, we need a plan,’ said Alces. ‘Whose plan was it to dress you up like that anyway?’

‘Not my idea,’ said Elkia. ‘It was an idea from Syntax, a friend of mine. He’s the one who—'

A strange sound reached Elkia’s ears, making him stop talking. It was the sound as if somepony opened a valve to let the water flow. ‘What is that?’

‘Sprinklers to water the crops,’ Alces said.

Indeed. Elkia noticed a metal tube with holes next to him. Seconds later, fine streams of water jumped out of the holes. In a matter of minutes the elks were totally wet.

‘Don’t focus on the water. Focus on the plan,’ Alces said. ‘Now, I myself am feeling very weak. Maybe, if you could come back and smuggle in some food, and you’ll do that every day, then maybe I’ll be up for some more action. When I have my strength back, we could—’

‘I’d love to hear more, but I think the time to end this is now,’ the deep voice of the bearded guardpony said. Elkia’s heart froze over in the heat. His head snapped around. The guardpony was standing behind him, his horn charged with magical energy.

Alces ignored the guard, sighed, and looked at his brother. ‘You did check your rear, didn’t you?’

‘I was so enthusiastic…’ Elkia said.

The guard cleared his throat. ‘I had the feeling you two were friends, and I knew the moment I saw you, Mister Elk, that you came for him. A good thing I stayed hidden in the bushes, otherwise I’d missed the warm friendship talk. And now I have proof of your spying.’

Proof? Proof? Elkia’s mind was in overdrive. Adrenaline rushed through his body. Then he got what the guard meant, swung his ear around, and looked at the tag.

Yellow. The water had washed off the paint.

‘That’s right, elk. Now I know for sure that you were not supposed to be here,’ said the guard. ‘Now come with me very slowly, and this adventure might get a happy ending. Might.’

‘Run,’ Alces whispered. ‘I’m too weak. Save yourself.’

Elkia tried to think, but the stress was killing him. He tried to find the best solution in the adrenaline-pumped tangle that was his mind. He couldn’t find any. Tears clouded his vision, as he whispered to his brother, ‘I’ll come back. I promise.’

Winking, Alces stroked his brother’s fur one last time. ‘No, of course not. I will come to you.’

With some hidden burst of strength, Alces got up on his hooves. He jumped once, twice, and slammed with his antlers into the guardpony. The guard released his magic, which flew away. When Elkia followed the bolt of lightning fast magic, he saw how it hit home against the wall of the bubble.

‘Run, you fool!’ Alces yelled.

Elkia looked from the bubble to Alces. More tears ran over his cheeks. ‘I’m sorry, brother,’ he said, and then jumped over the fence. He galloped down the slope of the hill. There was a guard who had heard the shouts and was running uphill. He charged a magical bolt, but before he could fire, Elkia jumped. He sailed through the air, and landed right behind the guard. He gave a buck, and the guard flew away. More guards appeared at the bottom of the hill. A duo of them waited patiently for Elkia to run towards them. A glow spread over their horns, as they prepared to shoot magic at the fake elk guard. There was nothing Elkia could do. To the left and right of him were nothing but fields and poor workponies. Elkia didn’t want to take the fight to them. Instead, he lowered his antlers and closed his eyes, while the guards fired their spells.

They hit their target.

Elkia expected electricity flowing through his body, paralyzing him and making him curl up in pain. None of that happened. The bolts hit Elkia’s antlers. Antlers are made of solid bone, so none of the spell power managed to pierce through. The beams ricocheted off the antlers, straight back towards the guards. Elkia only had to jump over their spasming bodies to reach the hole.

The charge of the bearded guard had made a hole in the membrane, but the membrane was restoring itself, and the hole grew smaller and smaller. Elkia galloped and estimated, he estimated and galloped. Was he going to fit through the gap or not?

Elkia heard more shouts. A quick backwards glance revealed more and more guards. There were a dozen behind him now. If he wasn’t quickly enough, he’d have a bubble full or guards to fight through. He had only one chance, and he needed to take it.

The hole came closer and closer. At last, Elkia reached the hole.

And slammed into the barrier.

The hole was too narrow! Elkia tried it again and again, awkwardly trying to fit his antlered head through the hole. It just didn’t work.

A whole squadron of guards was now only a few yards away from him. Elkia had to come up with something. For the first time in many months, Elkia felt angry. His brother had sacrificed himself, throwing himself at the guard so he could run. And now it was all for nothing. Elkia felt like stomping his hooves on the ground or bashing something with his antlers…

And then he got an idea.

Elkia ignored the guards, and proceeded to bash against the magical bubble with his antlers. But he wasn’t trying to make the hole bigger; he was trying to make his head smaller. He felt the root of the antler crack and tear. One last bash, and his right antler fell to the ground.

‘Do something!’ one of the guards yelled. ‘Stun him!’

A barrage of flashing magical energy lances flew towards Elkia. He turned to face the guards, and lowered his remaining antler. If only he could catch some of that force… Yes! The impact of the bolts felt like another elk headbutting him. The magic pounded and pounded against his antlers.

And then the other one broke.

The guards had reached Elkia. They formed a circle around him, and kept their horns ready. ‘Now come with us, little elk, and we will find a way to settle this.’

Elkia knew this was the time to say something badass. This was the time to show some spunk and some bravery. His mind worked, but it was hard to get inspiration under these circumstances. Elkia narrowed his eyes and estimated the distances. Then he said, ‘I will be the one settling this.’ A bit long for a one-liner, but it had to do.

The unicorn guards released their magic, but Elkia was quicker. He jumped aside on his long legs, right over a fence, and into the field behind it. The guards were unsure what to do, and, before they realized what was going on, Elkia appeared on the other side of the road, having cut off a corner. Elkia charged.

‘Shoot him now!’

But is was too late. Elkia jumped over the guard patrol, held his breath, and squeezed himself right through the hole in the magical bubble. Only when he felt the cobblestone street underneath his hooves did he dare to open his eyes and look back. A very angry-faced guard patrol was staring at him from the other side of the bubble. The hole had closed.

‘I did it,’ Elkia said. ‘I actually did it!’ Elkia couldn’t believe it himself. He was never an action hero, yet this daring escape had somehow worked out in his favor. ‘Iyiahoo!’ he shouted in Elkish, prancing around. But when he looked back at the bubble and saw that the guards had disappeared, he knew it was only a matter of time before they themselves reached the exit. Elkia glanced around, finding his bearings, and then galloped through main street.

At first he set off towards his own home, but soon realized how stupid that was. As long as he was inside Scribblers’ City, he wasn’t safe. Instead, he headed down another street. He knew this one led to the marketplace, and then straight out of the western gate. He only hoped the guards there hadn’t heard about his great escape yet. Can unicorns use magical telepathy? Elkia hoped they couldn’t.

Finally, the marketplace came into view. It looked very busy, as a wall of ponies stood before him. They weren’t guards, though, and their backs were turned to Elkia, so he was happy. The marketplace was always busy, and that was good. Now he had a crowd to blend into, and with his antlers gone, it would be much harder to spot him in the multicolored throng of ponies. He only had to bend down a little, as he was still much taller than a pony.

He reached the crowd. Now it was time to blend in. Elkia elbowed his way through the crowd, and said many a ‘Sorry, oops, excuse me.’ The downside of the crowd was that he didn’t really see where he was going, but as long as he had a vague sense of direction, he knew which course to take. After all, the western gate was in the west.

Elkia found it strange that all the ponies in the crowd had their backs turned towards him. Were they all staring at the same stall? Elkia tried to find out what it was they were all looking at. He looked back over his shoulder, watching the crowd. Suddenly, the crowd opened up before him. With the resistance gone, Elkia stumbled on his long legs, trying to regain his footing. He stumbled a bit more, looked in front of him, and then fell down to the ground.

‘I know I’m a rare and impressive sight, but I hadn’t realized ponies would actually drop down and bow before me.’

Upon hearing the voice, Elkia stood up and looked. A pink unicorn with a violet mane stood before him. There was a blue streak through her mane, which complemented her eyes. They were stern eyes, the eyes of someone who is used to giving orders. Her stare was so powerful, Elkia found himself unable to look away.

‘Oh my, look at that! It isn’t even a pony but a… deer?’

‘An elk, to be exact,’ Elkia said awkwardly. He closed his eyes, and found this was the only way to avoid that pony’s striking gaze. When he opened them again and looked behind him, he saw there was nopony behind him at all. The crowd stood in a wide circle around him, and it took Elkia two seconds to realize whom the ponies were encircling.

‘You’re tall,’ said the pink pony with the violet mane. She slowly paced in a circle around Elkia, as if she were studying a new kind of animal.

There was only silence. As Elkia looked at the crowd, he saw that everypony’s eyes were big, and their mouths were open in a silent gasp. Had he done something wrong?

‘I’m confused,’ pink pony said, stopping her pacing around. ‘You look like a guard, but I can see from the look in your eyes that you’re on the run yourself. You are so hasty. Are you a traitor, a spy, a double-crosser?’

Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded from the throng of silent ponies. An old earth pony with glasses wriggled himself through the crowd. It was Elkia’s writing mentor. Once he reached the outer ring, he stood before the pink pony and bowed. ‘Please excuse him, s-s-supreme leader. He is one of my students, and he is m-m-my responsibility.’

‘Hm… I see,’ said the pink pony. She narrowed her eyes towards the mentor, and then watched Elkia again with undying interest. ‘So you’re a creative mind then? Don’t say anything. Let me guess, you look like a… writer.’

‘That’s eh… right?’ said Elkia. He craned his neck and looked to the west. The circle of ponies was too broad to jump over, and besides that, Elkia had the feeling that fleeing now, from this pink and purple pony, was a decision he would regret very soon.

Pink pony nodded. ‘Is he good?’ she asked the mentor, her voice as cold as ice.

‘H-h-he’s my most promising student,’ the mentor said. He had risen, but his knees were shaking. ‘H-h-he wrote a very popular children’s book. E-e-everyone has a copy. It’s… it’s very good.’

‘Hmm… I see,’ the pink pony said again. She turned her eyes from the mentor to Elkia and back.

So they stood for a while, in silence, trading only glares and thoughts. The silence seemed endless, until it was finally broken by another familiar voice, a low, heavy voice.

‘He must be here somewhere! Get through this crowd, everypony,’ said the guard with the beard. ‘He mustn’t disturb Starlight Glimmer’s visit to the city.’ Then he shouted, ‘Everyone, stand aside, by order of the guard!’

It took only a few silent seconds for the guard to reach the front of the crowd. He appeared with three comrades, and he spotted Elkia immediately. ‘There you are, you renegade!’

‘Uh-oh,’ said the pink pony, whose name Elkia guessed to be Starlight Glimmer. She talked as if she were speaking to a child. ‘It seems our master writer is in trouble now. Have you done anything naughty, Mister Elk?’

Elkia couldn’t find words with which to speak, but luckily Starlight Glimmer wasn’t waiting for him to talk anyway. She had made up her mind. ‘I want this elk kept somewhere close to the zeppelin, and I want to have a private talk with this pony here.’ She pointed to the mentor.

‘B-b-but great leader,’ said the bearded guard, ‘this elk has spied on us, and he needs to be detained in the bubble and—’

‘I gave you a command, guard captain,’ said the pink pony. Her voice indicated that any objection was a no-go. ‘Carry it out!’

The guard captain bowed. ‘Yes, great leader Glimmer.’ With wide steps he strode towards Elkia. As soon as he reached him, he put his horn to his forehead, and whispered in his ear, ‘I don’t know what our leader will do with you, but I hope it is slow and painful.’ Then he released his spell, and Elkia’s world flowed away in a slumber.

* *

SPLASH!

Elkia’s eyes opened. Was it raining? It was dark, wherever he was, and he was soaking wet. But, thanks to the water, he didn’t feel too drowsy. He felt clear and fresh. He blinked once, twice, then stood up.

‘Ouch!’ The cage was apparently not made for elks. Elkia bumped his antlerless head. He fell to his haunches, and rubbed the sore spot between his ears. He took a few seconds to look around. Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the dark, and he could make out the contours of a pony.

‘Elkia! Are you okay?’

Elkia recognized the voice, and he was not sure to feel happy or sad or both at the same time. He was just as confused as during that strange evening. ‘Strawberry Blonde?’

‘Yes, it’s me, Elkia. I’m sorry I used up all of your water, but I have to be fast. I have no idea when they are going to deal with you.’

‘Deal with me? But… but…’ Elkia could now see that he was surrounded by iron bars. He was in a cage, and opposite of it, the familiar pony with the almost blond, almost red mane was whispering to him.

‘Shush! Be quiet,’ said Strawberry.

‘But where am I?’

‘In a tent close to the zeppelin.’

‘Wait, what’s a zeppelin?’

Strawberry Blonde sighed. She looked back, but no one was behind her. ‘Sometimes, on very rare occasions, our great leader Starlight Glimmer visits Scribblers’ City. There’s a Zeppelin which flies from Griffonstone, bearing supplies to here. In return, they take the art and books we make, and takes those to Starlight’s village, somewhere in the desert. Apparently, Starlight decided to hop along and do us the honor of paying us a visit.’

‘Alright, too much information,’ said Elkia. ‘But what has this to do with me? Why am I here, in a cage? Did the guards capture me?’

‘They did,’ said Strawberry. ‘I arrived later on, but I heard the news from somepony else.’

Scared though as Elkia was, more questions bubbled to the surface in his mind. ‘But… why are you here anyway?’

‘Because…’ Strawberry Blonde paused. Elkia wished he could see her face more clearly. ‘Because I don’t know if this will be the last time I see you.’

Whoa, whoa, wait. Now she did love him? That answer only made Elkia more confused. He was confused, in the dark, in a cage, with a pony who loved him after all? ‘I… I don’t know if I should believe you,’ said Elkia. He wasn’t angry. His voice wasn’t even cold or harsh. Just as during that evening, he was only surprised and confused.

‘You should, Elkia. And I should have told you the truth. I do love you. I love you unlike any other stallion I ever had. There’s a reason there’s no picture with you and I on my bulletin board. I thought I had found the one.’

Elkia thought about that. ‘But if you really thought that, then what was up with that blue stallion?’

Strawberry stomped her hoof on the ground. ‘That was just a shallow relationship, a relationship only handy at some moments. Friends with benefits, do you understand?’

‘No,’ said Elkia.

‘Then I’ll make you understand.’ Strawberry Blonde did one step towards the cage, reached through the bars, and grabbed Elkia’s cheeks. Before he realized what happened, Strawberry Blonde gave him a kiss. He felt the warmth of her lips upon his muzzle, and little puffs of a quickening breath. The kiss seemed to last forever. When at last their lips parted, Elkia stared at her in amazement.

And so they stared at each other in silence. Strawberry was close enough so Elkia could see what her face looked like. She had tears, even though they had shared such a loving moment. Was it a hopeless kiss, signaling a hopeless love? Did Strawberry Blonde care about him or not?

She seemed to have read his thoughts. ‘Listen, Elkia. You have no idea how much I risk coming here to see you. If the kiss wasn’t enough proof, then consider that. If somepony comes in here and sees us, I’ll be next to you in a cage soon.’

‘At least you’ll be with me,’ said Elkia.

Strawberry sighed. ‘Why are you making this so hard for me, you naïve little thing? Isn’t it plain to you that I don’t want to lose you? I…’ She searched for words to say, but the appropriate ones didn’t come to her. Instead, she repeated what she said, slowly, placing emphasis on every word. ‘I don’t want to lose you.’

Elkia saw how her shoulders shocked up and down. Was she crying? Elkia had never, ever seen her cry. She was such a strong and capable young mare, and now she was crying in the dark? Those tears were almost enough proof for Elkia. ‘You keep saying that you’ll lose me… Have you any idea what they will do to me?’

Strawberry wiped her eyes dry with her hoof, yet Elkia saw that new tears came. ‘I… I don’t know. Sometimes Starlight Glimmer takes other ponies away with her zeppelin, but they are never seen again. I… I can only guess what horrible things they will do to you.’

That was not an answer that satisfied Elkia the way the kiss had done. He swallowed, trying to push the fear away. He stopped thinking about his own fate, which was apparently balancing on the tip of a knife, and thought about his brother. ‘Alces,’ he said.

‘What?’

‘My plan was to free Alces, that’s why I was dressed up as a guard and had to run. The mission failed, and he’s still underneath that magical bubble. But with me gone… I wish I could only imagine what horrible things they could do to him, but the truth is that I have seen enough horrid things during my visit to the bubble.’

Suddenly, Strawberry Blonde once again reached through the cage. She held Elkia’s hooves in her own. ‘Then I’ll try to save him.’

‘You… but I still don’t know if—’

‘Consider it a token of our trust, you strange little elk,’ Strawberry Blonde said. Her voice was now no longer cracked, but strong and confident, as if the mission was already accomplished. But then she dropped Elkia’s hooves again, and looked at the ground. ‘I mean… I would want to help him, if only I knew what to do.’

If this was a trap or a lie, Elkia was falling for it completely. But he didn’t care. They were talking about his brother now. For two seconds Elkia thought, and then explained his plan, which was far from a real plan—it was more of a suggestion. ‘He’s very weak through lack of food, so he can’t do anything on his own. Go and see Syntax. Green writing pony with an enormous set of glasses. He has connections. Surely he will know what to do.’

‘Syntax, green pony, glasses, got it,’ said Strawberry. Her voice had gained some more strength. ‘Anything else I should know?’

‘You should know,’ Elkia said, ‘that if you manage to get him out, I’ll be able to forgive you, and maybe even understand you better. And maybe, just maybe, if the Light Elk smiles upon us and we may somehow meet again, we might be able to share our love with each other, and live like we used to, happily ever after, with just the two of us. There’s only one more thing I want to know to seal our newfound trust.’

‘What is it?’

Elkia’s voice was stern. ‘Did, or did you not, know that my brother was here?’

‘I…’ She paused for a second, perhaps thinking whether she should tell the truth or a lie. In the end, she chose the truth. ‘He arrived before you, Elkia. A guard patrol captured him. He was roaming close to Scribblers’ City, and the guards didn’t think it was safe to let him walk free.’

‘So they actually captured him, against his will?’

Strawberry nodded. ‘He didn’t want to come at all. He was really angry and violent. I knew from the very first minute I saw him where he would end up. I guess… I guess I have to say sorry to him, if I find an opportunity to do that.’

Elkia shook his head. ‘But why? Why keep it a secret to your beloved? To me?’

Strawberry started poking the dirt with her hoof. ‘I was scared that you would find out the truth. Of course you wouldn’t like me anymore, but that’s not all. If I had told you, and you would have shown any resistance, or come up with some kind of escape plan, you might end up… well…’

‘Locked up in a cage in the dark?’

‘Exactly.’ A last tear glistened on her cheek. ‘Even then, I was scared to lose you. When you told me about your brother I had to keep it a secret. For you and me both.’

‘I understand,’ said Elkia.

Strawberry lightened up. ‘You do?’

‘I understand, but I’m still not sure I forgive you. Only when you—’

Another voice sounded. Both Elkia and Strawberry heard hoofsteps coming closer.

‘I promise to help your brother,’ said Strawberry, looking left and right.

‘I hope you can deliver,’ said Elkia back. He found it hard now to be angry at her. Perhaps this was the last moment they would see each other. He couldn’t control himself anymore. He grabbed Strawberry Blonde, and they kissed again, as long as time allowed them.

The tent flap opened, casting a ray of light inside the tent. There was just enough time for Strawberry to jump behind some crates, as the two guards walked in, and stopped in front of Elkia’s cage. ‘Well, well. If it isn’t the deer.’

‘Elk,’ said Elkia.

‘Whatever. You need to go back to sleep, buddy. We’re not done packing yet. How did you wake up anyway?’

‘Eh…’ Elkia looked over the guard’s shoulders at Strawberry. He caught one last glimpse of her, before she snuck around and disappeared behind the tent flap. Elkia swore she winked at him before she vanished, but that could also have been a trick of the light.

‘Lost your tongue, elk?’ said guard number two.

‘Eh… I just… I’m a light sleeper,’ Elkia said.

The guards didn’t seem to care. ‘Whatever. Just hold still while I perform the sleep spell.’

‘Oh no! Not again!’ Elkia scooted back, until his back was against the other end of the cage.

‘Ow, come on, elk. Don’t make this so hard for us,’ said guard number two. ‘We have a job to do here too, you know, and you’re not making it any easier for us.’

Now that Elkia was some distance away, he couldn’t clearly see guard number one. Suddenly, he felt something sharp against the back of his head. The last thing he thought before he once more went to sleep was the advice his brother had given him.

Always check your rear.

Chapter nine: a strange place with stranger ponies

Elkia couldn’t stop fantasizing about the horrible place he would end up in, and his fears didn’t let him sleep without worries. In his dreams, he worried about himself, about Alces, and, now that some new rescue operation was promptly created, about Strawberry Blonde and Syntax too.

When he woke up, he reckoned he was in a new place now, perhaps even the final destination, as there was no more total darkness around him. He was still in a cage, but inside somewhere, inside a house. There was some simple wooden furniture in what looked like a living room, tables and chairs and stools. A look through a nearby window showed the sun glaring in the sky. It was hot, very hot. Elkia found himself covered in sweat and panting a little. Slowly, he raised his head, until the shape of a pony filled his vision.

The pink pony with the purple mane and the hard eyes walked towards the cage, holding a half-empty glass of water in her hooves. ‘Ah, you’re finally awake. Good, good. I’ve been dying to get to know you.’

‘Where am I?’ Elkia said.

But the pony ignored him. ‘Your tutor had many things to tell about you. He and I had a long conversation, where he constantly brought up the many stories and poems you created. You’re a busy little writing bee, aren’t you?’

Elkia said nothing.

‘Aw… Come on, it’s okay to feel a little pride. You don’t get to be chosen as my personal propagandist every day, you know? That function is very exclusive and important, and I have only given few the chance to prove their worth to me. I hope you won’t disappoint me.‘ She fixed him with a stare. ‘Will you?’

‘How can I disappoint you if I don’t even know who you are,’ said Elkia. He was a lot less afraid of this pink pony than the guards he had pissed off in the bubble, during his fiction-like escape.

‘Oh,’ the pink pony said. She did a step closer towards the cage and stared her vicious, almost savage stare at Elkia. Suddenly, Elkia reckoned he was wrong. There was some ambiance, some aura radiating from the pony’s cold eyes that seemed more dangerous than a thousand angry guards. After a pause, she continued. ‘My name is Starlight Glimmer, the great leader of a society full of happy ponies, and the founder of Scribblers’ City and the town you’re in now. It is a pleasure to meet you.’

Unwillingly, Elkia scooted further back into the cage. He discovered that he was stuttering now. ‘I-I-I wish I could say the same, but I’m in a cage and you are staring me down.’

Starlight Glimmer shifted the glass of water in her hooves, and took a small sip. It seemed as if she were torturing Elkia, as she took her time drinking. ‘Don’t worry, I will let you out as soon as I can. As soon as you are willing to provide a helping hoof.’

‘Doing what?’ Elkia said.

‘Doing what you were made to do in this world, my dear—oops, pardon the pun—writing, making propaganda for me and the happy inhabitants of my glorious society.’

Starlight Glimmer was talking to Elkia as if she were talking to a little foal, much like Strawberry Blonde had done. But where Strawberry’s words had been soft, gentle, and maybe even a bit teasing, Starlight’s words were cold, calculated, as if she followed a tight script. Silently, Elkia wondered how many propagandists she had had before him. ‘So what exactly do you want me to do?’

‘Very good, very good,’ Starlight said, nodding as she spoke. ‘I see you’re looking forward to a life in my service. I see you are eager to create. Yes, I can see that flame in your eyes, that urge to make something beautiful.’ She cleared her throat, as if she were going to say something official. ‘As my personal propagandist, you will be making all kinds of stories, posters, pamphlets, flyers, and, if you’re up for it, our proud newspaper “The Equalitarian.” You will help spreading the idea of equality in my—or our—cutie-mark-less society.’

Even though he had been essentially doing the same in Scribblers’ City, Elkia felt horrible about what Starlight Glimmer told him. Back in Scribblers’ City it had been different. Back in Scribblers’ City, he wrote for fun. Back in Scribblers’ City, he had Strawberry Blonde, and his happy, carefree life. Here, he was locked up in a cage. He didn’t like this whole appointment one bit. ‘No,’ he blurted out.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Starlight narrowed her eyes, only adding to her stern appearance.

‘I said no. I will not be your personal propagandist. You can go and find someone else.’ And to show he was serious, Elkia plucked up a little bit of courage and turned his back to Starlight.

Elkia couldn’t see Starlight’s grim smile, but he could feel it well enough. ‘Oh my, when your mentor said you were naïve I didn’t believe him at first. Writers are usually chatterboxes, headstrong, and know what they want. They are also clever, but I can tell you that I am a little disappointed in you, Elkia, because apparently you aren’t so smart as you look.’

‘Why does everyone keep telling me I’m naïve?’ said Elkia irritably.

Starlight let out a few small chuckles—small enough to remain serious. ‘Because you are, little elk, and you know what? It’s adorable.’

So now his captor was verbally abusing him? Elkia had no idea what to think of this. He didn’t turn around.

Starlight Glimmer paced around the cage, rattling her glass against the iron bars. ‘You should think before you speak, Elkia. You cannot refuse. If I want, I could leave you in this cage forever, and no one would know or care.’

Suddenly, Elkia jolted, as he felt something on his shoulder. At first he thought it was a big spider or a nasty scorpion, but when he looked he saw it was Starlight’s hoof. His gaze travelled from the hoof to the dictator’s eyes, and slowly, he turned himself around. He couldn’t help it. It was as if Starlight Glimmer could steer the essence of his very soul, as if she were as powerful as a seer. His hairs stood on end.

Pouting her lips, Starlight said, ‘But that’s not what I want to do, my dear Elkia. I haven’t hoof-picked you from all the other writers so I’d let you succumb to hunger and thirst in some rotten cage. I have picked you, because I saw your potential. I know you and I, we can create something powerful together, something that lasts longer than either you or I live. You can take your place in my society, and be a vital piece in the puzzle, or a cog in the machine. Think about that, Elkia. Without you, my regime isn’t complete.’

Elkia realized she was right. How could he have been so dumb as to refuse? She could easily starve him to death. In fact, Elkia was already feeling hungry, and thirsty too. He felt his stomach, traced his tongue over his dry, cracked lips, and then turned his attention to his captor once more. ‘So your society here is like Scribblers’ City?’

Feigning surprise, her eyes big for a second, Starlight said, ‘Yes, exactly. I love to see how quickly you changed your mind. Wise elk. You will be a part of my glorious regime, preaching equality and the denouncing of those vicious things known as cutie marks.’

For a moment, Elkia’s gaze wandered. It traveled downwards, as he searched for something. Yes, he could see it. Starlight Glimmer also had the equal sign as her cutie mark. Elkia blinked. Despite the heat, a shiver went through him, as he remembered what Strawberry Blonde had told him about her own equal sign cutie mark. ‘A-a-are you going to unmark me?’

That question seemed to amuse Starlight. She grinned. ‘Why, of course not. Why would I want to take away your remarkable writing skills? You would be useless to me, and I would have dragged you out of Scribblers’ City for nothing.’

An idea nestled itself in Elkia’s subconscious. Apparently, Starlight didn’t have a cutie mark. He had no idea what a unicorn without a cutie mark could do, but he reckoned that it couldn’t be much. Well, that’s what he hoped. His mind worked and worked. His eyes strayed. Maybe escape was possible after all. If he’d pretend to go and help her, he might gain an opportunity to run away or something.

Starlight’s horn glowed, and she closed her eyes. Her ears moved around, as if she were trying to pick up a faint and distant sound somewhere far away. Yet, that was not the reason why. ‘Don’t think about doing anything funny, Mister Elkia,’ she said, her grin gone, her voice once again icy. ‘Some things are not what they seem.’

‘Wait, how did you kno—’

‘Mind reading spell,’ said Starlight, pride radiating from her voice. ‘It took me a long while to perfect that particular piece of magic, but I have done it. I can read the mind of one or two ponies, if they are close. You have no idea how useful such a spell is to flush out any insubordinates and other-thinkers.’ While she talked, she turned around and disappeared into another room. Splashes of water could be heard. When Starlight returned, she showed Elkia her real cutie mark. ‘Don’t think for a second that I am weak without my cutie mark, because I still have it right here. My magic is stronger than anything you’ve ever seen or will see, and my eyes are sharp. I know what you’re going to do before the foolish thought enters your mind. Don’t mistake me for a fool, Elkia, for I have power, and I am power.’

Gasping, Elkia regarded Starlight Glimmer’s cutie mark. It resembled a double star, one white, and on top of that a purple one. The stars emanated two trails of cold, shimmering vapors, which glimmered in the sunlight. It truly looked like a symbol fit for a leader. A powerful leader.

‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ Starlight said. ‘Sometimes you don’t even need to be strong to have power. You don’t really need to make yourself better than the rest, if you can make the rest weaker. Yet I have done both, and the result is simply stunning, as you can see.’

‘But…’ Elkia’s voice seemed tiny and insignificant next to Starlight’s boasts. Yet, Elkia had already seen the gaps in her theory. ‘But if you want to create a cutie-mark-less society, and you still have your cutie mark, then you will never reach your goal.’

Starlight frowned. Whether it was in anger or thought, Elkia couldn’t say. Maybe a bit of both. ‘I have actually thought and philosophized about that for a long time,’ she said. ‘Yes, I will never reach my goal, and yet I have already reached it. You see, it’s not so much as to actually create a cutie-mark-less society. It’s more like building the illusion and nourishing it.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Glad to see you’re interested in philosophy, Elkia. Maybe you are not as naïve and silly after all.’ Starlight sighed. ‘No, it will not be a cutie-mark-less society. Yet, when every single pony without a cutie mark believes that they are living in a cutie-mark-less society, then the illusion lives. They are not living a lie, because they believe. They believe that everypony—including me—has given up his or her cutie mark. And if they believe that to be the truth, if every single pony—including me—believes that is the truth, then who are you to keep this truth from them? They wake up with the illusion, and they go to bed with the illusion. They are in the illusion at home, at work, at school—everywhere. And, if you give it time, the illusion will become a part of them. They will get used to it so much that they will deny whatever somepony else tells them. They won’t know any better.’

‘Then you’re lying to them,’ Elkia said.

‘I’m keeping the illusion alive, because it creates stability. Imagine if fifty percent of the ponies think cutie marks are good, and fifty percent think they are bad. What have you then? There will be fights, riots, quarrels, skirmishes, and you know why, Elkia?’

‘The illusion is broken.’

‘Exactly,’ Starlight said, jabbing a hoof at the cage. ‘I am here to keep the illusion alive, because the illusion creates order. The illusion creates life. The illusion is life. The illusion consists of what all my humble subjects think, and I determine what my humble subjects think. That is how I nourish the illusion.’

‘Still, it seems unfair.’

Starlight stomped her hoof on the ground. She grabbed the bars of the cage and rattled her hooves against them. ‘Then you are not listening. Sheep need a shepherd, and ponies need leaders, strong leaders. I can’t be the leader they want—the leader they need—without my cutie mark. Think of the chicken and the egg. Which came first? It’s a vicious cycle. I can’t unmark ponies without my magic, so unmarking myself would mean the end of my society. See? I need my cutie mark.’

Elkia scratched his goatee. ‘Do others not need them, then?’

‘Of course they don’t,’ Starlight burst out. She paced around the room, as if she were a teacher trying to teach a stubborn child. ‘Cutie marks are totally unnecessary. The ponies in my village—and the ones that have been unmarked living in Scribblers’ City—live perfectly happy lives without their cutie marks. Cutie marks only mean differences, which cause chaos and strife.’

‘Like how?’

Elkia could actually hear Starlight’s teeth grinding. He was pushing it. ‘I… no, wait, I…’ she was so angry, she had to start over a few times, as the rage left her speechless. ‘I have my own reasons to believe that. Finding your one true talent might be nice for you, but it will only create misery for those around you, those that you leave in the dark because you shine too brightly.’

Elkia opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Starlight shouted, ‘ENOUGH! No more about cutie marks.’

But Elkia wasn’t done yet. Despite the fear for his life, he felt as if he were having a healthy discussion with a friend. Perhaps he could learn something from this discussion, discover a weakness of Starlight for example.

‘I have no weakness,’ Starlight called.

‘You read my mind again, didn’t you?’ said Elkia, putting on the driest expression he could conjure up, if only to mask his fear for a second or two.

‘I did, because I can.’

‘Then you know what I’m going to say now, don’t you?’

‘I do.’

‘Shall I say it anyway?’

Starlight sighed. ‘If you must.’

‘I was just wondering, now that you explained the “cutie-mark-part” of your whole society, where does the “equal” come in?’

‘Explain, elk,’ Starlight hissed. ‘I will find arguments for whatever you have to say.’

Elkia’s fear ebbed away a little. He actually shuffled closer to Starlight Glimmer, and dared to look into her eyes between the bars. ‘Well, you keep telling me that you are powerful, but if you are powerful, and your subjects are powerless, then how is that equal?’

‘As I said, sheep need a shepherd, and I am the shepherd that will guide their lives, so everyone has an equal chance to live happy, fulfilling, and useful lives.’

‘But what about Scribbler’s City? I’ve seen for myself how the poor ponies without creative abilities or with divergent opinions are treated.’

‘That’s different,’ Starlight snapped.

‘How so?’

‘Those ponies are not only useless—they are a threat to the regime. Tell me, Elkia. If you were to create a beautiful society, and you see that there are certain individuals—like timber wolves—who only want to see it fall. What would you do?’

That was below the belt. Elkia gasped, and blinked hard. ‘How did you know that? About the timber wolves?’

‘Wild guess,’ Starlight said. ‘I didn’t even need to do my mind reading spell for that. Everyone knows about the relationship between predators and prey.’

‘There is no relationship,’ Elkia said, swallowing hard. He was not going to cry now. ‘Timber wolves are cruel creatures, made of pure dark essence. They don’t—’

‘They don’t belong in your society?’ Starlight finished for him. ‘Then your society isn’t equal either.’

‘But it’s not fair. Timber wolves don’t want to enter our society.’

‘Have you ever asked?’

‘No, of course not.’

‘So they are the enemy?’

‘Yes.’

‘And there you have your answer,’ Starlight Glimmer said. ‘Timber wolves don’t belong in Elkish society, and criminals and other-thinkers don’t belong in mine.’

‘But… but it’s still different.’

‘Yes, because my regime is better.’

Now it was Elkia’s turn to say, ‘I beg your pardon?’

Starlight managed a small smile. She knew she had won the argument. ‘As you know, everyone first coming in contact with Scribblers’ City is asked if they want to join. This is what happened with you, when that lovely pony—what was her name again? Strawberry Blonde?—showed you around and explained to you what Scribblers’ City could do for you, and what you could do for Scribblers’ City. You could have said no, and if you had, you would have been branded an enemy of the regime, and end up with your brother Alces underneath the magical bubble, working and working and working.’

‘I don’t believe it,’ Elkia said. ‘How do you know all of this? All those names?’

‘I simply asked, darling,’ said Starlight Glimmer. ‘I know everything about you, as I’ve talked not only with your teacher, but also with the guards, and with your friend Strawberry Blonde.’ She smiled a sly smile. ‘It wasn’t hard for me to find out your intimate relationship, actually. You could read it off her face.’

Elkia grabbed the bars and shook them. ‘You will leave Strawberry Blonde alone!’

Starlight waved her hoof, as if she chased away a fly. ‘Don’t worry, Elkia. She is not an enemy of mine. She will continue to live her happy, peaceful life. She’ll move on, even from you.’

‘Strawberry Blonde has showed me nothing but goodness, and yes, love too.’

‘Even when she lied about your brother?’ Starlight said. The smile didn’t leave her face.

‘I… eh… yes. M-m-maybe, no! Yes,’ Elkia stuttered. He ended his awkward answer with, ‘I think so.’

‘You think so, hmm? Well, you know what I think, Elkia Deerling? I think you will come to like my society here. The ponies living here are honest, and don’t keep secrets—not that they can. And you know what the best part is?’

She was obviously waiting for Elkia to say “what?” Instead, Elkia said nothing.

‘The best part is that everyone is the same. You know one of those little towns where everypony knows everypony? Well, here it’s actually true. Thanks to the illusion, they are scared of other-thinkers. Most of the time I don’t even need to talk with them or do a quick mind-reading, for they hand me over the traitors and divergent ones all by themselves.’

‘It sounds horrible.’

Starlight Glimmer still smiled, but Elkia saw how it wavered a bit. ‘It’s lovely, Elkia, believe me. You will like it. In fact, you have no choice.’

That was not an answer that satisfied Elkia. He fidgeted with his hooves.

Starlight finished her water. ‘So now that I made my introduction, and we got to know each other a bit more, it’s time for you to meet the townsfolk. You will see just what I mean, and that everything I told you is true.’ Her smile turned cruel and challenging. ‘But first, I’m going to give you something…’

Elkia didn’t like the tone of Starlight at all. He was already thinking about many horrible things she could mean by that. Was she going to unmark him after all, or brand him on the flank so nopony would see his cutie mark?

‘Stick your neck through the bars, elk,’ Starlight said.

This was it, this was the end. Starlight was going to chop off his head! A burning feeling spread like wildfire through Elkia’s body. Fear played his nerves like a guitar. Suddenly, when the fear in his heart reached the climax, Starlight Glimmer burst out in laughter.

‘Haha! Are you seriously thinking that, Elkia? Oh my, you have a strange but wonderful mindset. I’m only going to give you a gift, not—’ a burst of chuckles forced Starlight to pause—’not cut off your head. Hahaha!’ Still laughing, Starlight retreated. When she returned, she floated something behind her in a magical haze. It looked like a ribbon, and it made a funny sound.

‘What is it?’

Starlight waved the ribbon around in the air. ‘Just a little gadget I made, to make sure you will play by the rules. Come on, stick your neck through the bars.’

Still not entirely comfortable, Elkia did as he was told. He closed his eyes. The ribbon felt like silk, as Starlight slipped it over his head. With a little magical tinkle, it tightened and locked. Elkia opened his eyes. It was over. He shook his head, and a little bell rung.

‘It is tuned to your ears, Elkia,’ said Starlight Glimmer, ‘so only you and I can hear it. In my house, the collar will turn green, as you may say and do whatever you want here. Outside, in my village, the collar will turn yellow. And when you go too far away to my liking, the collar will turn red, and then… Well, why not make it a surprise? If you were ever dumb enough to stray far or run away, you’ll see what happens… with the collar.’

‘Why the bell?’

‘So I can hear where you are, silly,’ Starlight said. She had regained her playful tune, as if she were sharing a beautiful present or a beloved toy.

Starlight’s horn glowed again. The cage opened with a squeaky noise. ‘Now come. There is one last thing we have to do before you can make your grand entrance in public.’ She retreated to another room. Elkia swallowed, and then followed her.

‘Let me reveal to you the secret of my cutie mark,’ she said. They stood in a hallway, probably the front porch. In front of Starlight was a bucket with pink paint, and on a little cupboard there were some brushes and other painting tools, amongst which was a mold in the shape of an equal sign.

‘Are you going to paint your cutie mark?’ Elkia said.

‘Watch and learn.’ With a flash of magic, a brush moved through the air all by itself. It dipped into the bucket with pink paint, and then the brush carefully, with practiced motions, stroked over Starlight’s cutie mark until it was completely covered, as if she were a blank flank. Then, the brush dipped into black paint, the paper mold flew beside her flank, and so Starlight painted the equal sign at precisely the right spot. She looked at Elkia, who had followed everything carefully, and said, ‘Now it’s your turn.’

‘Wait, what?’

Starlight nodded towards another bucket, this one with brown paint, precisely the color of Elkia’s fur. ‘I’m not going to paint your flank, Elkia. Imagine how awkward that would be. You have a long neck, so I’m sure you can do it yourself.’

Elkia frowned, but did as he was told. In the blink of an eye he painted his flank and put the equal sign on it. ‘Done.’

‘Very good.’ Starlight grabbed the handle and opened the door, revealing the outside world, something Elkia had reckoned he’d never see again. He knew Starlight wanted him to go outside, so he made for the doorway. Before he could set a hoof outside, however, Starlight barred him the way. Their heads were inches apart, and it made Elkia very uncomfortable.

‘I will read your mind when you return, Elkia,’ Starlight whispered. ‘Don’t think about doing anything funny, exposing your cutie mark, or tell them I still have mine, or I will make sure your collar becomes red and stays red as long as you’re here. Do we have a deal?’

Despite still not knowing what that meant, Elkia nodded. Together, they walked out the door.

Before them, there was a single street, with small brick houses lining it on either side. And that was it. There was a market going on, and stalls were scattered throughout town. Many ponies were busy buying things, yet, when Starlight Glimmer appeared, they all stopped doing what they were doing—some even dropped whatever they were holding—and turned to face their leader, all at the same time, as if they had practiced it. It was an uncanny thing to see. Slowly, they walked towards Starlight, curious about what she was going to say. Some small fillies and colts noticed Elkia, pointed, and took shelter behind their parents’ hooves. Elkia reckoned it was an odd thing to see, an elk from the boreal forest which now stood in a desert, sweating and panting and dying of heat.

‘Behold, everypony!’ Starlight shouted. She waved her hooves around, and ended her motion at Elkia. ‘I have made a new friend, all the way from Scribblers’ City. Say hello to Elkia Deerling.’

‘Hello, Elkia Deerling,’ said everyone, precisely at the same time.

Blushing, Elkia waved his hoof a little.

‘He will be here to assist me and write all kinds of beautiful things,’ Starlight said. ‘That’s right everypony, learn his name by heart, because you will get to know him very well, when you read his bestseller novels and cute little children’s stories.’

‘Aw…’ said everyone, precisely at the same time.

Once again Elkia blushed, which was not helping to cool him down. He only felt hotter with all the attention drawn to him.

‘Please, give this special creature a warm welcome, and let him have a place in your hearts,’ Starlight continued. Then she turned around to leave.

‘A-a-aren’t you coming too?’ Elkia said.

‘Of course not,’ Starlight said. ‘Being a leader is a full time job. And besides, I think you will get along with everyone just fine. See you later.’

And with that, the door closed, and Elkia was alone with the crowd. He smiled a shy smile, and giggled a bit. ‘H-h-hello.’

As if on cue, the crowd moved towards him, and formed a tight circle. In ten seconds flat, Elkia was surrounded by curious eyes and wondering minds.

‘Wow, you’re so tall!’ one stallion said to him.

‘And fluffy,’ added a little filly, stroking Elkia’s fur.

‘Where did you come from?’ a mare asked.

‘What animal are you anyway?’ said another mare.

‘Aren’t you supposed to have huge antlers?’ asked another.

Elkia got bombarded with questions, and he had no idea which one to answer first, or if he was allowed to answer them in the first place. He tried to avoid the gazes, shy as he was, but found that he was surrounded by eyes. Elkia fell silent and looked around him, taking in the different ponies, the new faces and the diversity of colors. But to his shock, he discovered that they were not so different at all.

Every mare had the same manecut, and so did every stallion. The mares had plain braids or ponytails, while the stallions all had the same neat, short, practical mane. Their eyes and hides were the only features that were different about them, but even those were equal in that they were duller than the pastel colors the ponies of Scribblers’ City had borne (the ones with cutie marks, that is). But the most striking thing was their smiles. Elkia was surrounded by big, happy smiles which everypony, young or old or big or small, wore on his or her face. It was as if a painter, out of inspiration, had copied his same handiwork over and over again, and pasted it on everypony’s face. Elkia saw that everypony was wearing a mask. Surely not every single one of them had to be brimming with excitement, right? Sure, an elk was probably a rare sight, but there must also be ponies who were indifferent or not interested at his appearance. Yet, here they all were, questioning him, looking at him with big eyes, and smiling at him.

‘How did you grow so tall?’

‘What a strange goatee you have.’

‘Why are your ears so large?’

‘Your lip is funny.’

‘Where is your tail? It can’t be that short, right?’

‘Do you know my brother’s friend Emiria? She’s a deer too.’

‘Are you a deer or a moose?’

‘No, you’re a reindeer, right?’

The questions didn’t stop. Elkia squeezed his eyes shut and flinched. He felt as if he were in a nightmare. These ponies, all the same, this village, this dictator—all seemed to belong in a nightmare, or a really strange and scary story. Yet here he was, standing in the middle of the crowd. He had to do something. He had the feeling that every second he spent with the townsponies drove him crazier. But he wasn’t going to shout, of course. At last, he shook his head and raised his hoof in the air, just as he had seen Starlight do. It worked! The ponies fell silent all together at the same time.

‘I’m really sorry, everypony,’ Elkia said, ‘but everything is so… overwhelming. You seem like a friendly bunch, but I really need more time to get used to you all, this town, this weather and… well… my new life.’ He paused to lick his lips. ‘And besides that, I am terribly thirsty.’

Everypony was still quiet, but suddenly, a mare the color of blackberries raised her hoof.

Elkia remained silent and stared at the pony. Was she waiting for him to give permission to speak? Elkia nodded towards her.

‘If you’re thirsty, why not head over to my lemonade bar?’ said the pony. ‘I’m sure I have something that will taste good, even for reindeer.’

‘Elk, actually,’ Elkia said.

‘Oops, pardon me,’ blackberry pony said, producing a strange chuckle. ‘Shall we go?’

Elkia took this as an opportunity to leave the mob behind. The circle opened up, the ponies standing apart like a machine, offering Elkia a straight pathway through. He followed blackberry pony through the pathway. When Elkia reached the end, he turned around, and found that everypony was still staring at him. Elkia didn’t want to be rude. ‘Eh… it was nice meeting you all. Maybe I will get to know you all personally later. But for now, I say goodbye!’

‘Goodbye, Elkia,’ said everyone, precisely at the same time.

Elkia followed his rescuer through town. They headed towards one of the brick houses, which had a sign shaped like berries hanging on a branch. There was a little terrace with wooden chairs and tables and—something Elkia was really grateful for—a parasol which offered some hard-needed shade.

Elkia sat down in the shade, while the blackberry-colored pony stood by his side. ‘What can I get you?’

‘Some lemonade would be fine, if you please,’ Elkia said, sighing and enjoying the shade. ‘Any flavor will do.’

‘Alrighty! Be right back,’ the pony said, and then she disappeared through the door.

A minute later she reappeared with a glass of colorful juice. She put it down before Elkia’s nose. He really wanted a sip, but then he realized something. ‘Oh no! I don’t have anything to give you in return! No Bits or gems or anything else.’

‘Oh, that’s quite alright,’ the pony said, waving a hoof in the air. ‘A friend of Starlight’s is a friend of everyone, including me. This one is on the house.’

‘Wow, thanks,’ Elkia said. He tried to keep a hold of himself, but thirst took over. He grabbed the glass with both hooves, put it at his mouth, and emptied it in one big gulp. That was a mistake.

The juice tasted horrible. It almost tasted like muddy water—and it didn’t even have the color of muddy water. Elkia flinched, and it took him quite some effort to paint a smile on his face, a smile similar to all the other ponies: fake. But he had to, for he didn’t want to be rude. ‘Eh… that was… good?’

‘I have some more if you want,’ said the pony.

Now Elkia faced a tough dilemma. He was terribly thirsty, yes, but he wasn’t sure he could stand another one of those lemonades. He thought he found a solution. ‘Do you have another flavor, perhaps?’

‘But of course,’ said the pony, who kept smiling. Elkia was sure she could hear his revulsion, but she kept her face the same, smiling and perhaps a tad curiosity mixed in. She disappeared again. While the pony was gone, Elkia wondered how in Equestria somepony could mess up lemonade. It was only water with a bit of flavor! He was tempted to ask for the recipe, but decided it would perhaps be better not to know. The pony returned, with a red liquid this time. Elkia nodded, grabbed the glass, and emptied it.

He had no idea lemonade could taste so sour! And what was wrong with it? It was as if someone had tried to make lemonade with the pits and seeds of the berries still in it. This was insane.

‘Better?’ the pony asked.

Elkia gulped up the last of the strange liquid. ‘Better,’ he managed to cram out of his mouth. He swore himself he wouldn’t take a third glass. Maybe the next flavor would be even worse!

‘I’m so glad there’s someone new in town,’ said the pony. ‘My name is Blackberry Mélange, by the way.’

‘Elkia Deerling,’ Elkia said, when the last of the “lemonade” swirled through his throat. Then, he looked behind himself at Starlight’s home, as if he knew she was spying on him. Should he ask that what he wanted to ask? Yes, he had to. He couldn’t resist, however dicey the question was. He swallowed, feeling a faint and horrid aftertaste of the lemonade, and then spoke. ‘Why is everyone so…’

‘Happy? Content? Cheerful?’ Blackberry filled in for him. ‘Well, isn’t there any reason not to be? We live in a beautiful village, governed by a leader with a heart of gold. And on top of that, we always have sunny weather!’

‘Yes… great,’ Elkia said, although he didn’t agree entirely. ‘But are you never sad to see how things go here in town? Are you never discontent? I mean, giving up your cutie mark must have been a hard decision to make.’

‘It was the price of admission,’ the pony said, ‘a rite of passage. Sure, it might have seemed a bit… well… extreme, but until now, only good things have come from it.’

‘Like what?’ Elkia said.

The smile disappeared for just a second or two. ‘Eh… well…’ But then Blackberry found the right, politically correct words. ‘Like, look at us all? We all gave up our cutie marks, and we never suffer from that. The bakers still bake bread, the smiths still make horseshoes, the tailor still makes clothes, and the juicers still make lemonade.’

Elkia took a good look at Blackberry’s face, but he couldn’t spot anything that would unmask this seemingly happy pony. For all he knew, she genuinely seemed happy to have given up her cutie mark. Elkia blinked and furrowed his brows. He was not going to get an honest answer out of this pony. Perhaps she had been living in this town for too long.

‘And I mean, who needs a cutie mark to make tasty lemonade, right?’

Should Elkia be honest and tell her the truth? Two elks fought in his heart, a gentleman and a cold rationalist. ‘It sure was… well… something.’

The gentleman won.

‘And there you have your proof, Mister Deerling,’ the pony said. ‘We can live perfectly happy and content lives without our cutie marks. Sure, maybe it feels strange at the beginning, but… well…’ Then she pointed to Elkia’s flank. ‘Can I be honest with you, Mister Deer?’

‘Yes, please,’ Elkia said. At least there was someone being honest.

Once again the smile faded for a second, but then sprung right back onto the cheery pony’s face. ‘I myself found it very difficult in the beginning, and I know you feel so too. I guess you have been unmarked very recently too, am I right?’

No. ‘Yes,’ said Elkia.

Blackberry sat down opposite of Elkia and looked into his eyes. ‘In the beginning, I asked a lot of questions too. I too, felt uncertain of that big, huge, giant decision. And I may have even’—she looked over her shoulder—‘I may have even wondered if it was the right decision after all.’

Now Elkia was getting at the juicy stuff. This was what he wanted to hear. ‘Please, continue. I’m listening.’

‘I just wanted to give you this piece of advice, Mister Deer. In the beginning, it might feel as if you lost something, but in the end, you will realize that you have gained something that is worth much more than just a symbol on your flank.’

‘And what is that?’ Elkia said.

‘Why, a loving, caring family of course,’ said Blackberry, more enthusiastic than ever.

‘Really?’ said Elkia.

‘Certainly,’ said Blackberry. ‘Everyone who lives in town has been there. Everyone made the same beautiful yet difficult decision to give up his or her cutie mark. But I say it makes us stronger together. It is as if we’re not just a community, but a family who cares about each other, laughs with you about funny things, and cries with you about sad things.’

‘Ah, now I see,’ said Elkia, although his face and his tone betrayed disappointment.

But Blackberry wasn’t done with her grand speech. ‘In a sense, we are all one, unified in equality and sameness. Trust me, Elkia, you will love it here.’

Elkia nodded, but in reality, he was deep in thought. Although he still had that faint feeling that the smiles were all a fake, he couldn’t help but feel at least a little bit moved by this random pony’s speech. Was she talking about the illusion now, or did she genuinely mean what she said? Or maybe it was a bit of both. Maybe this pony had accepted the illusion as the truth, and couldn’t distinguish between the two anymore. Yet, the pony seemed honest enough. Maybe she truly was happy after all, even if she lived in the illusion. Elkia wasn’t sure if he should laugh or give an applause on the spot.

‘I know you’re flabbergasted, but you’ll see that if you ask somepony else your striking but strange questions, he or she will give you the same answer.’

Elkia didn’t doubt that for a second. ‘I suppose you’re right.’

She stood up and took Elkia’s glass. ‘More lemonade.’

Wide-eyed, Elkia shook his head. ‘NO! I mean, no thank you. I’m not thirsty anymore.’

‘Okay then,’ said Blackberry. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to go and organize some things around the bar, but you’re welcome to stay and relax, of course.’

‘Madam, please wait,’ Elkia said. ‘Just one final question, and then I’ll be on my way.’

‘Sure, go ahead.’

Once again, Elkia looked at Starlight’s house, but he couldn’t even see the shape of her behind the windows. Elkia swallowed. He knew he was pushing it, and was already wondering how he’d cover up this last question with other thoughts when Starlight would read his mind. Yet, he asked what he wanted to ask.

‘Do you never want something to change around here? I mean, equality and sameness seem jolly, but wouldn’t you like to see some… well… change?’

Blackberry had to think for a while, but soon the happy smile reappeared on her face again. ‘Well, today something changed, right? You came today. Isn’t that something to be cheerful of?’

‘But you don’t even know me. You gave me free lemonade—twice—and you don’t even know me or anything.’

‘I don’t need to know you to see that you will fit in perfectly well in our little slice of heaven,’ said Blackberry. ‘And besides, who says you can’t change anything for us?’

For a second, just a tenth of a second, Blackberry nodded, and winked at Elkia. It was just the barest hint of an expression, but Elkia saw it. Did she mean something with that last sentence? Surely that was not orthodox to say, and yet she had said it.

That last sentence didn’t leave Elkia alone as he walked back through the main street towards Starlight’s home. He reckoned he had seen enough of the town. Everything was the same anyway. He tried not to mull too much over Blackberry’s words, and pushed them out of his mind as he entered the house.

Who says you can’t change anything for us?

Chapter ten: a new plan

Another day in paradise…

Alces wasn’t sure which of the two was better: being in the hot, tropical heat of the magical bubble, or inside in the cool, climate-controlled basement of the guardhouse. He rubbed his face with his hoof, felt the odd shapes of bruises that shouldn’t be there, and winced.

The guards had been hardy and ruthless. As soon as Elkia had disappeared through the hole in the magical barrier, the guards’ attention shifted towards the other elk, him. That bearded guard had been the worst. As soon as Elkia had disappeared, the guard platoon had gone after him. But once they came back, the madhouse slowly calming down, the bearded guard kept pointing and pointing at him, as if it had been all his fault.

Sure, he had knocked over the bearded guard and threw off his aim, but that was all he had done. Alces hoped it had been enough. He hoped that his brother had escaped this horrible place and was somewhere in the woods, far, far away from this slave-pen.

But apparently, just that one little shove had been enough to almost condemn him to death. It had been enough to allow the guards to interrogate him. The interrogation had consisted of fifty percent shouting, and fifty percent bucks in the face. Every time the guards asked him a question, even if he answered truthfully and without swearing, the answer was always followed by a beating. Especially that bearded guard seemed to have enjoyed that a lot. He had been the lucky one leading the interrogation, and directed the punches and kicks to the parts of Alces’s body where they hurt most.

Alces had no idea what the best thing to say was. It had just been one silly, tiny, hastily crafted and improvised escape attempt. He had knocked over the guard, and Elkia had run—that was all there was to tell about it. Yet, the guards kept beating him and slapping him in the face, forcing him to think up strange answers that weren’t even his own. Even now, with most of the bruises already fairly healed, he couldn’t exactly recall what he had said. After every “refreshment” of his memory, his head felt less like a body part and more like a punching bag. Yet, he had done the best he could, crafting such an unbelievable story the guards simply had to be satisfied with.

Apparently, Elkia’s escape had been a large operation, skillfully crafted by a secret society which had its headquarters in the basements of some houses. Everyone was involved. Some citizens, a large section of the guard patrol, and even some ponies who had renounced the regime. Now that he thought of it, Alces was actually happy at blurting out all of this nonsense.

Let them hunt each other for a change, he thought.

He had no idea how long he had been inside that basement. There had been no sun or moon to be seen, and even if there had been a window, Alces was sure he wouldn’t even have been able to see anything with all the bruises and blood covering up his vision. He had tried to count the number of beatings, but lost track after the twelfth one or so.

He hadn’t even been given a chance to sleep. As soon as he lost consciousness every single time, some nasty pegasus would chuck an awfully-tasting potion in his throat, and he would feel clearer and stronger—but not too strong to be able to resist and bite. No, the alchemist made sure to balance his potion out, unfortunately for Alces.

They hadn’t even given him one of the potions before he was put back to work. No, he went straight from the basement to the farm. But at least he had been able to sleep during the nights, so if anything, he had some time to heal and recharge, however short the nights were.

And now, a few days later, he was in the fields again, working his ass off for the citizens of Scribblers’ City. Or at least for the guards, so they wouldn’t take their frustration out on him once more. Despite the few nights sleep he had got, he felt terrible. He had to do the hardest work today: plowing. Normally this wasn’t too hard, but beside the lack of food and water and sleep, he had his injuries to deal with.

‘Come on, elk! Pull it!’ The stallion behind the plow said. ‘Pull it or we’ll both get in trouble.’

Alces raised his head. A patrol of guards was slowly but steadily heading his way. The pony was right. If he didn’t do anything now, they would surely notice.

‘Come on!’ the pony shouted.

‘Just let me gather my damn breath,’ Alces shouted back. He had to concentrate now. ‘Alright! Push!’

The guards were there, and they were definitely looking at them. Alces felt the harness cut into his shoulders, but he had to push on. He gritted his teeth, focusing all the strength that was somewhere in his body to pull the plow, while the pony at the back pushed it forwards. Slowly, the heavy iron instrument moved. It grinded over the soil, plowing the earth so that it was ready for new crops to be sown later on. It went terribly slow, but somehow it went.

‘Come on! Put your back into it, humpback!’ a voice shouted. Alces immediately recognized the bearded guard’s heavy voice, and knew that this was not going to be good.

And things got worse. Alces’s bruised and battered knees couldn’t handle the extreme stress anymore, and buckled. Alces bent through his forehooves. He went down.

‘What are you doing?!’ the pony behind the plow shouted. His voice sounded high and terrified. ‘Get up, elk! Get up and pull! Come on! Move!’

But Alces couldn’t. He tasted bile in his mouth when he tried to get up. The effort was too big, and he fell down again.

‘Hey, what’s that now?’ shouted the guard. ‘Is humpback getting lazy on the job?’

‘Oh no, oh no, oh no!’ Wh-wh-what are you doing!’ The pony hissed. ‘They’re c-c-coming towards us!’

Indeed, the guard with the beard had jumped over the fence and was moving towards the plow. ‘Don’t worry, wimp, you can go,’ he said to the pony. ‘I have a little score to settle with this here elk.’

‘Th-th-thank you, chief,’ the pony said. As fast as his legs allowed him, he jumped off the plow and galloped away.

The guard reached the spot where Alces lay. He bent down, so that Alces could see his face. ‘Do you see this face, elk?’

Alces said nothing.

‘This face here is not happy with your productivity,’ the guard said. He talked slowly, every word a threat in its own way. ‘And, to be honest, this face is also not happy with your face.’

Alces used the muscles in his neck to lift his head a bit. He gurgled, and then a gobbet of spittle landed almost on the guardpony’s face. ‘That’s what I think of you,’ Alces said.

A few other voices said, ‘Oh!’ Those were the rest of the group of guards.

‘Not your smartest move, elk,’ the guard said. Then he stood up. ‘Everypony, I think it’s time to utilize this pathetic creature’s full potential.’

‘What do you mean, Brawn?’ some other guard replied.

‘I think there must be a more efficient way to let this humpback pony do its job,’ the bearded guard said. He walked towards the plow. ‘And I think… yes, I think I have an idea how.’

Alces felt how the ropes that made up the harness got yanked off his shoulders. A burning pain spread through them. At last, with the harness gone, some feeling returned in Alces’s legs. He stood up slowly.

‘No, no, no, you’re missing the point, humpback,’ said Brawn, the bearded guardpony. ‘You should remain exactly where you are. That means, head DOWN!’

Alces felt a strange force jerk his head down upon the earth. He heard the tingling sound that was a trademark of unicorn magic. Alces almost swallowed some dirt, as he attempted to lift his head again. He couldn’t get it done.

‘What are you gonna do, Brawn?’ one of the other guards called.

‘Oh, nothing special,’ said Brawn. ‘I’m just gonna do the job this humped, pathetic excuse for a deer is too lazy to do. I’m gonna plow the fields.’

Suddenly, the magic shifted. Alces felt himself being pulled up, while his head remained close to the ground. Then, after a loud burst of laughter from Brawn, he got shoved forwards, while his antlers remained on the ground. He was a living plow.

The other guards saw what was happening, and couldn’t contain their laughter. They reached for their stomachs as Brawn shoved Alces over the ground, his antlers doing the plow work. It had been a long time since they had seen something hilariously creative as this.

Alces felt as if his head was going to fall off. His antlers grinded over the earth, sending dirt spraying all over the place. He had to close his eyes to prevent the earth from blinding him. The rest of his body was stiffened by the unicorn magic, and pushed forwards with savage energy. He couldn’t prevent himself from swallowing some earth, as he had to breathe too. However much he wanted to breathe, there was always earth in the way. Black spots danced in front of his eyes, as the lack of oxygen slowly began to shut it down.

Finally, Brawn stopped his handiwork. Alces’s body went limp and he coughed loudly, taking this opportunity to breathe in and out properly. He had just enough time to take two or three breaths, when the whole façade continued once more.

‘Come on, humpback. Plow, plow, plow!’ Brawn yelled, as he shoved Alces forwards with his unicorn magic. He had trouble concentrating on the animal, as bursts of laughter occasionally sent him gasping for breath. ‘Hahaha! Oh my… This is so hilarious. You should… hahaha! You should see your face, humpback!’

Poor little humpback plowing through the earth
We get to laugh, and you get what you deserve
For laziness and tardiness will not be tolerated
We’ll continue our game until our humor is sated

A clever little pun
Will make you wanna run
But there’s nowhere you can go
So take another blow

Don’t fall down; we’ll get you up
Pain is served in a cup
Right into your face
That’s the best place
Where pain belongs
We’ll punish you for your wrongs

You pathetic little pony fake
We’ll plow with you for humor’s sake
Not because we must, but because we can
Nopony will help you, nopony gives a damn

So Brawn sung a little song he made up. He sung falsely, and some of the stanzas barely rhymed, but that did nothing to diminish the joy he got from shoving Alces through the earth. At last, when he felt that the elk would once more go limp with lack of air, he let his body drop to the ground and allowed him a breather.

Alces panted hard. But once his rapid breaths calmed down, and he had still some time left, he tried to look up at Brawn, the bearded guard. ‘You’re a coward, unicorn,’ he said through gritted teeth and earth. ‘You wouldn’t dare face me when I’d have my full strengths back.’

Brawn jumped back from Alces, as if he had transformed into a deadly, venomous snake. ‘Haha! I guess we’ll never find that out, elk. I am strong and you are weak, and it is up to the strong to show how weak the weak can be.’

‘That doesn’t even make sense,’ Alces said. He put his front legs back in front of him. He wanted to stand up and look his enemy in the eyes, so he could insult him properly. Unfortunately, that’s not what Brawn had in mind.

‘Nope,’ he said with a smile on his face. ‘There we go again. YEEHAW!’

And once more Brawn mopped the earth with Alces Roameling. Alces’s whole body trembled as the force dragged him over the soil. He had almost reached the edge of the field. Alces thought that Brawn would be done with him then, but that was not the case. The force of the magic shifted, and they made a turn. The pain in his neck was intense, and Alces had the feeling it was wrung like a washcloth.

‘YEEHAW! We’re going for another round, humpback,’ Brawn shouted.

There were many rocks in the earth, which bounced off Alces’s scalp. His antlers truly trembled now, and for a moment, Alces actually felt afraid. He was not going to bear this longer. He knew his neck might just break. He knew Brawn was going to kill him.

CRACK!

‘What’s that now?’ Brawn said.

‘You did it brawn, you killed him,’ shouted one of the guards from the bystanders. ‘You cracked his neck like a twig.’

‘Really?’ Brawn said. ‘That would be a shame. We were just having fun.’ The guardpony let Alces flop down, and walked over to his “plow,” who lay limply on the ground.

Alces hadn’t yet lost consciousness. He saw the big hooves of Brawn next to him. Brawn ducked to grab something.

‘It seems our instrument is broken,’ yelled Brawn, holding one of Alces’s antlers in the air. ‘I thought his teeth would be the first things to break, but apparently it is his fork that yielded to the strain.’

With the weight of one antler gone, Alces was able to lift his head. Despite the pain in his head and the wooziness that came with it, he felt how the weight was asymmetrical. It felt strange, but it wasn’t the only thing that was on his mind. Alces always took great care of his antlers, always making sure they were in fighting condition, as one could never know when a pretty hind would show herself. He had always sharpened them, and trained them by slamming into trees and pretending those trees were contesters. But now, he had only one left, thanks to Brawn. Anger drove the pain away. The anger was so big and strong, it dominated Alces’s mind completely, sending pain, wooziness, and other emotions and feelings fleeing to some dark corner of his subconsciousness. The fire in his eyes flared up. Alces’s vision became smeared with red, yet it wasn’t blood. It was rage, pure rage. The anger flowed through his body, delivering an adrenaline payload to his muscles. Slowly but steadily, Alces stood up, turned around, and faced his enemy.

Brawn still stood with the one antler in his hooves. But only when Alces, taller than he was, was back on his hooves again, did his attention shift to the elk.

‘You shit-witted bastard!’ Alces yelled. ‘There’s just one single thing you cannot do, and that’s stealing another elk’s antlers. Are you really such a savage nut-head that you don’t even respect the unwritten laws of nature? Is there really not a single code of honor you live by? You really disgust me!’ And as Alces shouted those last words, he spit on the ground, accidentally taking a tooth or two with the gobbet of spit. But Alces didn’t care. This was a matter of honor now.

Brawn’s horn glowed. If he was scared by the rage-filled beast who was even taller than he was, he didn’t show it. ‘Aw! Did I hurt your feelings now, little elk?’

‘I’m a head taller than you, half-wit!’

‘Hush now,’ Brawn said. ‘I didn’t know you’d be so upset by a piece of bone breaking off.’

‘Those antlers are a symbol of honor and pride,’ Alces said, ‘and unfit to be held in filthy pony hooves.’

Brawn toyed with the antler in his hooves, looking at it in the light of the magical bubble. ‘Oh, really,’ he said, mocking interest. ‘Who would have known I’d learn something new today…’ Then, in one swift motion, he kept a tight grip on the antler, zipped towards Alces, and swept his hooves out from underneath him using the antler as a club. No matter how strong Alces’s mind was, his body was still weak. Alces lost his footing, and once more fell to the ground.

‘I don’t like your tone of voice, humpback,’ said Brawn. He kept his hoof on Alces’s head, pinning him to the ground. ‘I didn’t realize I hurt your pride, but you should learn not to vent your anger on your superiors.’

Alces wanted to say something mean back, but his voice was lost in a grunt.

‘But you know what? I guess I’ll do you a favor.’ Brawn nodded to his comrades. ‘Saw. Now. We’re going to help our little humpback here. Having just one antler must be very uncomfortable, and as we don’t have a magical glue that could restore this “symbol of honor” on your head, I say we take your other one instead.’

‘You wouldn’t…’ Alces growled.

‘I will, because I can,’ said Brawn. ‘Everyone, help me to keep him down. We don’t want to accidentally cut off his head, now do we?’

A minute or two later, Alces was surrounded by guardponies. Brawn kept his hoof on his neck, and three or four others held Alces down. They rested his head upon a log, as if they were really going to cut through his neck. But Alces knew they wouldn’t do that. He knew they were too cowardly to actually take a life.

‘One, two, three! Go!’

Alces’s neck got stretched from the left to the right, as the massive saw did its work. He closed his eyes, not wanting to look into the dirty eyes of his torturers. To them, this was only funny, but to Alces, this was pure humiliation. Alces swore that if he’d live through today, and he had the opportunity, he’d take down Brawn the bearded guardpony. And when his fantasies went even further, he imagined cutting off the tail of that stupid pony, and see how he would like that.

‘Hehe! There we go!’ A collective cheer erupted from the guards, as Brawn now held the other antler in his hooves. He pranced around and held them on his head, as if he had transformed into an elk himself. ‘Look at me, everyone! I’m a humpback pony. I like to prance around in the grass and eat the bark of the trees!’

Alces’s head got thrown off the block, but he managed to crane his neck and watch the guardpony’s ridiculous behavior. ‘You will never be fit to wear those antlers,’ he said, his voice growling. ‘You’ll never have the honor of calling yourself an elk.’

Suddenly, Brawn stopped his silly prancing, and walked over to Alces. ‘What did you say there, elk?’

‘You will never be proud to be an elk,’ Alces said. ‘You don’t have the spirit to be one of us.’

The two antlers fell to the ground. ‘Now would you look at that, everyone.’ Brawn motioned for every other guard to listen. ‘We have done this elk a favor, removing the excess weight off its clumsy head, and now it is insulting us? Such an ungrateful bark-eating beast.’

‘I’d rather eat bark than listen to your awful voice, you cutie-mark less scum!’ Alces retorted.

Brawn feigned surprise, acting as if Alces had hit him or so. ‘Ouch, that is below the belt. Hahaha! No, literally. Our cutie marks are below our belts.’ He looked at his comrades, waiting for them to laugh. When they finally did, he continued. ‘I’m right, am I not?’

‘You gave up your cutie marks,’ Alces said, ‘for no reason whatsoever. You’d rather all hide behind that equal sign thing than show your true colors, your true passion. That, to me, is the pinnacle of spinelessness. But you know what I think?’

‘Spit it out, elk.’

‘I think I don’t even want to know what your special talent is. I wonder what a cutie mark for torturing looks like…’

One step brought Brawn next to Alces. He turned around, and kicked him hard in the stomach, sending Alces curling up in pain. ‘That was not very nice…’ Then he turned around and focused his attention on Alces’s flank. ‘And what do we have here, then? What does your cutie mark even mean? I see here two antlers with a flame in the middle. That’s not very accurate, is it? You don’t have your antlers anymore, now do you?’

Alces coughed a few times. When he finally caught his breath, he said, ‘That’s a symbol of pride and independence, something you will never understand.’

‘So our little elk is not only proud of his antlers, but also of his cutie mark, hmm…? There was a strange tone in Brawn’s voice, as if he were thinking of something. ‘I wonder what remains of that pride if we take that from you too.’

‘Haha!’ Alces said, although he didn’t sound very happy at all. ‘You can’t, scum. Even if you’re the head guard of the sickening head guards, even you can’t do something like that, powerless as you are.’

Brawn moved back towards Alces’s head. He bent down, jerked at the elk’s ear, and said, ‘Humpback, you have no idea what we can and can’t do.’ Then, after a quick pull, he let go of Alces’s ear, and directed his attention to his companions. ‘Everyone, to the smithy! We’re gonna teach this elk a lesson.’

Together, the guards lifted Alces off the ground, and carried him away. They walked over a few gangways, and through a few farmlands, until they reached the smithy. Smoke from the fire hung in the air, and almost made Alces choke.

‘Hello there, Brawn,’ somepony said. It was a new voice, one almost as deep as Brawn’s, but with a calm and stout undertone. ‘What can I do for you? Does this elk need horseshoes?’

‘Not exactly,’ said Brawn. ‘We need a plank over the furnace.’

‘Huh, but why would you want that?’

‘Because I say so. Sparks, bring the plank.’

‘Well, okay then.’

Alces heard the sound of wood. Then, the ponies slowly carried him to the furnace. The glowing coals were red hot, and Alces sweated and panted in the smoke and heat-filled smithy. The heat burnt his belly, as they turned him around on the plank.

‘Hold him steady, boys. Don’t let him wriggle loose.’

But even if Alces would wriggle himself loose, the only thing he could do was roll aside, right into the fire of the furnace. He was as pinned to the board as a tree in the ground. He wasn’t afraid, but he still had no idea what they were about to do. Were they going to put the coals on his fur? Were they going to let him suffocate in this hellish place?

The smith, a big earth pony, as red as the glowing coals in his workshop, looked at Brawn and his bully boys in puzzlement. ‘Are you going to shod this elk yourself? You don’t know how to do that.’

Brawn was searching for something. At last, he pulled out two iron bars, and put them between the glowing coals. ‘Heat this up, Sparks. We’re going to show this elk that we are powerful enough to take his cutie mark.’

Sparks the smith looked at the two iron rods, noticed how they ended, and then shook his head. ‘You can’t seriously be thinking about…’

‘Exactly,’ said Brawn. ‘We’re going to do this humpback pony the honor of making him one of us.’

‘What?! But that’s insane, even for you, Brawn,’ Sparks said.

But Brawn paid no heed. He reached the bellows and pushed them down. With every push, the infernal heat of the fireplace crept closer to Alces. He thought his fur would catch fire there and then. He realized perfectly well what was going to happen. He tried to wriggle a bit, but the other ponies held him fast. There was nothing he could do.

‘Brawn, I can’t allow such behavior here in my workplace,’ said Sparks. ‘How in Equestria am I going to tell the chief guard about this?’

‘Shut up, softy,’ said Brawn. He was still working the bellows without hesitating or slowing down. ‘If questions will be asked, I will answer for them.’ He grinned. ‘And I won’t have any problem taking full responsibility.’

‘Jeez, Brawn, you really hate this elk, don’t you?’

‘I have my reasons,’ said Brawn. ‘He’s my favorite toy, and it is time to introduce a new game.’

Sparks thought for a moment, but then shook his head. ‘I won’t let this act of violence or this strange sentence be carried out in my workplace. If anything, the whole place will smell like burnt fur for at least a week.’ He stepped towards Brawn. ‘I won’t let you do this.’

‘Oh, really,’ said Brawn.

‘Really,’ said Sparks.

Brawn sighed. ‘I always figured you were a clever one, but now I see you have completely forgotten about the pecking order. You answer to us, Sparky, and if your answer doesn’t satisfy us, we have means to turn you from a smith into a slave, no matter how skilled you are.’

Sparks stepped back and took a deep breath, as if the smoke and cinders in the air helped him to clear his mind. He said nothing anymore, but he didn’t even need to.

‘Are they hot enough?’ Brawn said.

Sparks nodded.

‘Flash, come over here. You’ll have the honor of taking his left side.’

One of the guardponies marched towards his leader, took one of the bars, and placed himself into position.

Brawn grabbed one as well, and held it towards Alces’s face too, so he could see it. The iron bar ended in a white hot, glowing equal sign, smoking a bit. Alces tried to show no fear, but mentally prepared himself for what was about to happen. Brawn disappeared from view, and then they began counting.

‘Everyone ready?’

Everyone but Alces and maybe Sparks weren’t ready.

‘Steady?’

They were sure to keep a steady hold on the elk, as the pain could send him splaying his limbs around.

‘Go!’

The guard and Brawn thrusted the ends of the bars onto Alces’s sides. A hissing sound and smoke emanated from the wounds, and the stench of burned hairs filled the smithy instantly.

Alces had promised himself not to scream, but broke it. It felt as if two elks with razor-sharp antlers thrusted their weapons into his sides, severing skin and muscle and bone. The pain was so terrible, so intense, that his muscles spasmed and his eyes watered. He couldn’t think about anything anymore, not even rage filled his mind. There was only pain, pain in every part of his body, centered around his behind.

‘That’s enough, Brawn!’ Sparks said. Through the cloud of pain, Alces barely heard it.

‘No, just a little while longer,’ said Brawn. He was laughing and still holding the hot metal upon the elk’s tortured skin. ‘We wanna make him bleed.’

‘RAAAAAAAGH!’ Alces shouted again. It just didn’t end. It felt as if a thousand needles streamed through his veins, delivering pain to every organ they reached. He wished he was still being interrogated, or lashed to a plow, or whatever else. Anything was better than this inhuman torture.

The sizzling sound grew softer in volume, yet Brawn kept his branding iron on Alces.

‘No! enough!’ Sparks yelled. He grabbed the iron and yanked it away from Brawn. Then he sidestepped towards the other pony, punched him in the face, and tossed his iron away as well.

But with the irons gone, the pain didn’t disappear. Alces couldn’t feel his own behind anymore. He closed his eyes, cloudy with tears of shame.

‘What are you doing, Sparky?’ said Brawn, ‘I thought I told you about—’

‘OUT! EVERYPONY OUT!’ Sparks yelled. ‘Get out of my workshop, NOW! This is a smithy, not a torture room. You can blabber away with your superiors about me, I don’t care. You all disappear, NOW!’

Sparks had such an intimidating, booming voice that the guards found themselves complying. The last one to exit the smithy was Brawn, who shot a nasty glare at the blacksmith before he too, retreated.

Playtime was over.

* *

Only when he regained consciousness did Alces realize that he had fainted. He wished he could have stayed out a little longer. He was inside somewhere, lying on his belly on a straw mattress. Strangely enough, the pain was gone. If he didn’t know better, he’d say that he had lost the lower half of his body. He wanted to turn around and look, but a heavy hoof turned his gaze away.

‘Don’t look at it, elk. First you have to recover from the shock.’

At first Alces thought it was Brawn speaking, but then realized how silly that was. Brawn would probably give him a kick or a punch, and not talk in such a soothing, low voice. Instead of looking at his behind, he focused his gaze on the pony next to him. ‘Who are you?’

‘I’m the smith. My name is Sparks,’ Sparks said. ‘I’m really sorry you had to go through all of that. I didn’t even know I still had those two branding irons.’ He cursed. ‘I should have stopped Brawn from his preposterous behavior. I know how angry and wild his temper tantrums are.’

Alces squinted his eyes. Opposite of him was a huge pony with a hide that seemed to glow red hot in the firelight. Instead of a beard, he had a goatee, which gave him a wise appearance, even if he was just a simple craftspony. ‘Yes, you should have done something,’ Alces said with a frown. ‘That hurt like… like… I don’t even know how to put this into words, but my brother might.’

‘But he’s gone,’ said Sparks. ‘My friends told me Starlight Glimmer took him away on the zeppelin. I don’t know what has become of him, but I know he isn’t here anymore. I’d say that escape of yours was a success, more or less.’

Alces shook his head. The pain left a fog of dizziness and confusion in his head, a steaming, hot fog. ‘Wait, how do you know all of that?’

‘I saw your escape,’ Sparks said. ‘I saw how that other elk managed to escape from Brawn. Your brother, right? It was… it was a sight to see. Never before have I seen such a strange and daring thing.’

‘It was foolish,’ Alces said through gritted teeth. ‘It didn’t make any sense.’

‘But it struck a chord in me,’ Sparks said.

‘What do you mean?’

‘That day, I saw the vulnerability of the guards, the bubble, and everything else. Imagine if two, maybe three forced laborers would escape, and show the rest of Scribblers’ City how cruel we really are… That would change things for sure.’

‘You have good dreams, pony, but they’re useless,’ Alces said. ‘This place is strong, fortified, and cruel, as you have witnessed today.’

Sparks nodded. ‘And after I witnessed this horrifying spectacle, I know for sure that I made the right decision.’

Once again, Alces said, ‘What do you mean?’

A grin appeared on Sparks’s face. ‘It may seem that you were treated cruelly, but fate smiled upon you today, friend.’

Alces tried once more to turn around. ‘How so?’ he said. But then he saw his flank, and the sight of it knocked all the words out of his voice. Both cutie marks were completely gone, replaced by two grisly wounds. On both flanks was now a hideous, distorted image of the equal sign cutie mark, covered in blisters and bald, red skin. Filled up with furious feelings, the anger returning a thousand fold, Alces grabbed the face of the smith. Snorting, spitting while he spoke, he shouted, ‘You call THAT fortunate? My cutie mark, my proud sign of who I am and where I belong is gone. GONE!’

Sparks slowly grabbed Alces’s hooves in his own, moving them aside. ‘Listen to what I have to say, and your rage might calm down.’

‘Is there any way I could get it back?’

Slowly, Sparks shook his big head. ‘I can make sure that the wounds will be less painful and that they will heal, but I’m afraid you will never see your cutie mark again. I’m sorry, elk.’

Once more Alces looked at his deformed flank, but couldn’t bear to watch it for three seconds. His antlers would grow back, but his cutie mark wouldn’t. He grinded his teeth, anger flowing from the tempered wound through his body. ‘GRAAAAAAH!’

‘Shush! Quiet, elk. We don’t want to—’

But Alces screamed again. He roared at the top of his lungs, as if he could scream away the pain and the rage he felt. ‘GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!’ He spasmed and jerked around. He wanted to punch something, anything. He felt as if a part of him had died, and that the only solution was to ruin a life himself, preferably the life of that horrible guard pony with the beard. ‘GRAAAAAH!’

Sparks looked behind himself, yet nopony came through the door of his hut. When he saw that Alces was going to scream and thrash about again, he laid a big hoof on his mouth. ‘Be silent, elk! I have something important to say to you.’

Alces didn’t care. The only thing he cared about was a way to grab that filthy guardpony Brawn and wring his neck like a towel. Only revenge was on Alces’s mind. He snorted wildly, yet he didn’t utter howls or screams anymore. When Sparks saw the elk calmed down a bit, he removed his hoof.

After a quick glance at the door, he came very close to Alces’s ear. ‘I told you that you were fortunate, because I am with your friend.’

Biting his lip, Alces drove back the rage, barely containing it with fetters as thin as hairs. ‘What the hay are you mumbling about? I don’t have any friends. All my friends are dead. I only have Elkia, my brother, who might be dead too.’

‘Let’s just hope he’s not,’ said Sparks. He paused for a second or two to ready his speech. ‘No, I don’t know what became of your brother, yet I do know a friend of his—who used to be a friend of mine too—whom has been tasked with getting you out of here.’

‘Wait, what?! Did Elkia tell him or her to get me out?’

‘Hush…!’ Sparks said. ‘Keep your voice down. The walls can be very thin around these parts. You never know who might be listening. The fact that I sent Brawn and his goons away doesn’t mean he won’t be back with reinforcements.’

Alces swallowed. He forced his voice to be soft, yet he couldn’t chase the grunts away from it. ‘Alright, alright, I get that. So Elkia told his friend to get me out of here?’

Sparks nodded.

Alces furrowed his brows. ‘Is that true? Can I trust you?’

‘Eh…’ Sparks made a strange face. ‘I hoped treating your wounds and telling you that I too, desire freedom would bring you around. I’m afraid there is nothing you can do but trust me.’

Without even noticing it himself, a switch flipped in Alces’s mind. Still Brawn and the “cutie-unmarking” were on his mind, but now they had to share the space with battle tactics. ‘Alright, let’s just pretend you’re not double-crossing. What’s the plan?’

Sparks placed his hoof on his heart. ‘Please, just believe me. I wanted to get in contact with you sooner, but there were always guards around you, and you were always busy working—and so was I—so I never got the opportunity.’

‘I wasn’t asking for excuses,’ Alces said, ‘I was asking for the plan.’

Sparks cleared his throat. ‘Alright then.’ He swallowed, as if some distant memory tortured his heart for a second. ‘Somepony whom I used to love very much explained the plan in detail to me. I know she can be trusted, although she is a bit of a… lovermare, so to speak. She gave me this.’ Sparks rummaged through a box next to him, and pulled out a shiny object. Alces recognized it. It looked like one of the vials of regeneration potion the unicorns gave him when he was being interrogated.

‘I know that stuff.’

‘I hope you do, because I don’t,’ said Sparks. ‘This is supposed to make you feel better, but I wanted to wait to give it to you until you woke up.’

Alces frowned. ‘Wait, that’s the plan? Just mending me?’

‘No, there’s more.’ Sparks placed the vial on a table. ‘She gave me a schedule which lists the times the guards are changed. According to her, you should be able to figure out a gap and see if you can slip away unnoticed.’

‘Stealth was never my strong suit,’ Alces said, biting away a curse. ‘And how did she even get to such a schedule if she’s not a guard herself?’

‘I’m not sure. I asked her the same thing, and she said she got it from another pony.’ Sparks swallowed something away. Was there a tear in the corner of his eye? ‘I don’t know who it is, but I guess he must be her newest plaything, so to speak.’

Alces used to fight for love. He could easily guess what Sparks insinuated. Yet, that wasn’t important right now, so he just said, ‘Continue.’

‘Once you’re out on the streets, under the cover of night, you should head on over to the residential district, all the while keeping clear of the walls. She told me that was the only weak spot of the plan. As soon as you’re discovered, you’re toast.’

Alces glanced at his burned behind and back. ‘Love the metaphor,’ he said mockingly. ‘Is there more?’

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Sparks said. ‘And yes, there is more. You should go to a house with green curtains, and knock on it like this.’ Sparks rapped his hoof on the edge of the wooden bed. ‘Three short knocks, three long ones, and then three short ones again.’

‘But how do I know it is the right house? Surely there must be more houses with green curtains than just the one. And if I’d knock on the wrong door and somepony sees me, an elk, standing on his doorstep, I’ll be exposed anyway.’ Alces snorted. ‘I don’t like this plan at all. It’s overly complicated. Only my brother and his friends would be able to concoct up something like that.’

Sparks raised his hooves in the air. ‘Hey, don’t look at me. I’m just the messenger.’

‘Yeah, right.’ Alces shifted his weight. He placed his forehooves on the ground, and moved his hind hooves as well. Sparks wanted to help him stand up, but Alces shrugged his hoof away. ‘If I can’t even stand up, what’s the use of a plan?’ It took him some effort, but he finally managed to stand on his own hooves.

‘Great! We’re making progress,’ Sparks said.

‘But I still don’t know about this plan,’ Alces said. He was entirely focused on staying upright, and didn’t look at the smith. ‘In fact, the only part I like about it is the vial.’ He nudged with his head towards the potion. ‘Give it to me.’

Sparks grabbed the vial and wanted to hand it to Alces.

‘Does it look as if I have a free hoof?’ Alces snapped. ‘Uncork it and put it in my mouth.’

‘But that is not according to the instructions.’

‘What?!’ Alces’s fiery eyes met the smith’s gentle eyes.

‘Strawberry Bl—eh… I mean the pony who gave it to me said that it is very powerful. I should give you a few drops every day, so you can recover steadily and—’

‘Just give me the damn vial,’ Alces said, his voice vicious and dangerous. ‘I’ll decide what’s good for me.’

‘But, are you sure you—’

With remarkable speed, Alces snatched the vial out of the blacksmith’s hooves. He swayed a bit, but managed to stay upright. Then, he took the cork off the bottle, spit it out, and drank the contents of the vial with one big swig.

Sparks said nothing, but took the empty vial once Alces was done with it. He had no idea how to react. For all he knew, Alces might have spoiled the whole operation.

At first Alces felt nothing, just a nasty taste in his mouth. But then the potion started to work. A soft glow, not the painful heat of the smoldering coals, but more of a gentle sunrise, emanated from his stomach. It began to spread through his whole body. His head felt clearer, the colors and smells more vivid. Alces swore he could hear his very own heartbeats. The stumps where the dull sawblade had violently cut off the antlers got overgrown with a sensitive skin layer—a healthy sight for an elk. Then, the mysterious potion reached his forelegs. It felt as if his tired and worn-out muscles got replaced by a pair of new ones. He didn’t have much trouble staying upright now, and his hooves felt stronger and more powerful. His stomach was next. Where before he had suffered continuous hunger and there was always a knot in it, the potion acted like a good dinner—multiple good and nutritious dinners. The hunger dissipated, and he discovered that he wasn’t even thirsty at all. When the potion reached his hind hooves, replenishing the muscles and hardening the hooves, Alces looked at his cutie mark. Yes, the red skin turned into a more natural color. Yes, the blisters disappeared one by one. Yes, the pain and numbness vanished. Yet, his cutie mark didn’t reappear. However good the workings of the potion felt, the double equal sign scars held their place onto Alces’s flanks. Alces snorted. Some things were just too good to be true.

He grinded his teeth. Alces wanted to test himself. Feeling renewed energy coursing through his veins, Alces jumped up and down, ran a few circles around the fireplace in the hut, knocked over one or two things with his bucks, and ignored the calls of Sparks. He felt good. He felt as if he had aged a couple of years in that single moment, and grown into a stronger and more mature bull. At last he stood still, shook his head on his powerful neck, and said to Sparks, ‘At least the potion isn’t some poison. I guess you can be trusted after all.’

Sparks stood open-mouthed and regarded the beast that stood in front of him now. From the sickly, tortured soul was nothing left. Now there was a tall, powerful elk in front of him, looking down upon him with an almost regal stature. ‘In all my years of treating burns, I have never seen anything heal somepony quite like that… And in all my years of strengthening metal, I have never seen a thing grow that strong that fast.’ He glanced back at the bottle on the table. ‘I wish you’d left something for me.’

‘Too bad,’ said Alces. ‘But I will remember you, and find a way to get you out of here as well.’ Soothing as his words were, something very familiar suddenly reappeared inside of him. Alces felt the rage. It was easy turning his newfound energy into anger. He just had to think of the right things… or ponies. ‘I will do more than that,’ he said, growling as he spoke. ‘I will make sure this place will be taken down permanently. I will personally trample any guard unlucky enough to find himself in front of me, and I know very well where to start.’ The image of Brawn floated back into his mind. That one second where he had shown the branding iron to Alces and smiled that sickly, smooth smile resurfaced and dominated his mind completely.

Sparks cleared his throat. He felt quite uncomfortable with Alces’s dark words. In fact, he felt so small now that he found himself stuttering. ‘W-w-well I don’t know about that, but I do know that you are in tiptop condition for an escape mission. Let’s take a look at the guards’ timetables my friend—eh, acquaintance gave me.’ He turned around and opened a few dressers. ‘I’m sure I hid it here somewhere…’

But Alces had other ideas. ‘You’re a blacksmith, right? Do you also have swords or spears?’

Sparks stopped searching and gazed at Alces. ‘Swords or spears? I’m a blacksmith, not a weapon smith.’ But then he realized what Alces was thinking. ‘Oh no. Oh no, no, no.’

‘Yes,’ Alces said. ‘my antlers are gone, and I need a weapon. Give me anything with a tip and I will make it work for me.’

‘But… But what about the plan?’

‘To the Dark Elk with the plan!’ Alces said through clenched teeth. The rage had completely filled every limb he had, and he could feel how his eyes were ablaze. ‘I make my own plan, and it involves a sweet little revenge.’

‘But that’s insane,’ Sparks said. ‘The very reason I gave you that potion was for you to run, not to shed more blood. Don’t you think you’ve had your fill of violence for the night?’

Alces shrugged his new, powerful shoulders. ‘Okay, forget it then. You’ve shown your usefulness, but now it’s time to take the matter between my own antlers.’ He looked up at his disarmed head. ‘I’ll find my own weapons. I’ll just take… this!’ He reached out and grabbed a brand new hoe between his teeth.

‘No, that was a rush order!’ said Sparks. ‘I helped you, and now you’re gonna steal from me too?’

For a second, just a tiny second, Alces tempered his rage. He let the hoe fall. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I am very thankful for what you did. I will find a way to repay you, but this is hardly the time. Revenge first, repaying later. For now, I can only say, thank you.’

‘You’re… welcome?’ Sparks said.

Alces grabbed the hoe between his teeth and opened the door. ‘Farewell, smith,’ he said, and then disappeared outside.

It was still night, but the sizzling light of the magical bubble did nothing to reveal that. Alces took two seconds too orient himself, and then galloped towards the hill. If Brawn would be anywhere, it would be in the guardhouse. It felt strange galloping with speed to the place where he barely escaped from with his life many days ago, but Alces knew it had to be done. There was a raging beast inside himself, and the only way to calm it down was by the defeat of that guardpony. And taking down his friends would be a nice bonus too.

Alces zigzagged through the fields, galloping with strong jumps over the boardwalks. In every field he passed, pony slaves quit their work for a second to watch the enormous speeding animal. They said nothing, but silently rooted for Alces, even though they knew it would make no difference for them.

Apparently, there weren’t many guards around. Alces reckoned there must be fewer guards on patrol at night. Good riddance. He was almost on the top of the hill, and could already see the wooden building that was the guardhouse. Just a few more bounds and he was there. Just a few more jumps and he could smack his hoe against a guard or two. He was already looking forward to it.

He reached the top of the hill, and then he came to a halt.

Before him, there were only ponies in blue uniforms. There were so many of them, Alces didn’t even have enough time to estimate how many. Maybe a hundred. They all stood together in orderly ranks. Their gazes were aimed at one guard standing on a stage, apparently giving a speech. Alces had three seconds to guess what they were doing before they spotted him. Were they listening to a leader? Were they training? Were they celebrating something?

‘What the hay is THAT?!’ the pony on the stage said, pointing in front of him. In one motion, all the guards turned around, and gazed at the lonely elk with the hoe in his mouth.

But he saw him! Alces could see how a big unicorn with a beard stood in the middle of them all, pointing ahead and calling out to his compadres. The rage in his heart came to a boiling point. But then the ranks of guards closed, and his enemy was visible no more. One hundred ponies stood between him and his enemy. No matter how much rage he felt, no matter how strong and powerful he felt and whatever energy coursed through his veins, he was not going to win this battle. Alces would never forget how he felt at that moment. He felt like the dumbest elk in all of Equestria. He realized his tactical mistake, and it was a big one.

The horns of the front ranks of guards glowed. They did a step forward, and took aim.

With a shake of his head, Alces recovered his wits. He turned around and flew down the hill. The ground flashed away underneath his hooves, as he ran for his life. They were not going to capture him again. No way. He’d rather die.

Luckily, even Alces, who was short for his kind, had longer and more agile legs than ponies. He managed to keep in front of the others as he raced along. Once again he jumped over fences and through fields with flabbergasted workers looking after him.

Further down below, there was something going on. A whole throng of forced laborers was being guided into the sleeping barracks. There were a few guards too, who oversaw them. They heard frantic, galloping hooves coming their way, looked up, and spotted Alces Roameling. The first two guards took aim, focused, and fired their magic. One of the bolts missed, but the other hit Alces in the shoulder. For a second, Alces lost his footing, and he fell down. Yet he quickly scrambled up again, shrugging off the pain. It felt as if a whole swarm of flyders had stung him with paralyzing poison, but Alces just ignored it. He shook his legs, and moved on.

That was something the guards hadn’t expected. Normally, whenever they shot something, it went down. They were too stunned to do anything, and both of them paid for that moment of distraction with a hoe in the face.

Alces grinned as he heard their teeth break against the wood. Before him was still a ribbon of workers with some guards behind it, but Alces didn’t care. He took a few steps back, made a circle, and jumped over all of their heads. Both the guards as well as the workponies looked in awe at the enormous jump. But as soon as Alces landed again, rays of magic flashed and came down left and right of him. Behind him, the guards were shooting. Alces got an idea. He breathed in deep, and then shouted, ‘If you have any value for bravery and freedom, then help me!’

It worked. The workponies and slaves gathered themselves together. In large groups, they stood in front of the guards, blocking their field of view. A group of stallions even went as far as attacking the guards, who were outnumbered. Shouts and yells and punches and the sound of hoofsteps and magical spells resounded. Alces was tempted to look back, but decided to move on and spend his time in a more useful way.

He knew there should be an entrance or exit close by. Alces saw no way of breaching a hole in the magical bubble like his brother had done, so escape should come in the form of one of the guarded entrances. He only hoped there wouldn’t be that many guards actually guarding the entrances. It was late, so maybe he was in luck…?

He had reached the bottom of the hill. It wasn’t far now. Many stone pillars flanked him on either side, and on every pillar stood a unicorn, busy upholding the bubble with his or her magic. Alces was glad they were so concentrated and focused on their task. If they looked down, they would have an ideal spot on high ground to launch magical spells and stun rays towards him. But they didn’t. One long jump brought him in a field, and another out of it, over the fence. He was galloping on a stone walkway now, one of the big roads—a big road hopefully ending at one of the guarded entrances. Apple trees left and right obscured Alces’s vision for a moment, and only when he reached the end of the orchard did he see what lay in front of him: the way out.

A platoon of guards, easily thirty of them, stood in front of the entrance, heels braced, horns towards him. With a screech, Alces came to a halt. He froze. That was not going to work. He quickly glanced left and right, but there were only more stone pillars and apple trees. He wondered for a second why the guards weren’t shooting at him yet, but then he got his answer when he looked back. Ponies in blue uniforms raced through the apple orchard, came to a halt behind Alces, and took the same waiting position. Alces snorted and bowed his head down, as if he were fighting another bull. How in Equestria did they gather up so quickly?

Suddenly, a very familiar voice answered him. ‘Minor telepathy, humpback.’ When Alces looked closely, he saw how Brawn with his beard elbowed himself a way to the front of the platoon. ‘We learned from your pathetic rescue attempt, but I can’t say the same from you.’

‘I came to teach you a lesson!’ Alces shouted, ‘and I am still planning to fulfill that promise.’

‘Good luck with that, humpback,’ Brawn said. As they spoke, more ponies arrived and joined the platoons on either side. Alces was trapped between the jaws of a blue-uniformed beast.

‘Sir, shall we fire?’ one of the other guards asked Brawn.

‘No,’ Brawn said. ‘First I want to see to it that he surrenders. I love the sound of a good surrender in the evening air. It would make my day.’

‘I’m not going back. You know that!’ said Alces.

‘We’ll see about that,’ said Brawn. ‘As soon as we have you, you’re mine again. As soon as we have you, you’ll be back where you belong, living a life of shame and torture. I’ll come visit you every day and who knows? We might become friends?’

As he talked, Alces scanned the surroundings. Trees. Stone pillars. Guards. A blocked entry. It didn’t seem he had many options left. He had no time left either, as Brawn started speaking again.

‘Fire at will on my command!’ he called. The front rank of ponies bent down, so that the rank behind it could fire over the shoulders of the front. Both the platoon in the orchard as the platoon at the entrance performed this maneuver. Alces almost had to shield his eyes from all the lightened horns.

‘Three!’

But there must be somewhere to go.

‘Two!’

Only his flanks were exposed.

‘One!’

What to do?

‘Fire!’

Alces made a decision. He braced himself, and jumped. Magical missiles sailed past him and over him, and he could hear some shouts from the guard platoons. The idiots had accidentally aimed at each other. Alces wanted to laugh about that, but one of the bolts hit him in the side. He had to shake the pain away, but then he moved on. He was now in the apple orchard. He reckoned now that there were some obstacles between himself and the guards, he might have a chance to come up with some clever idea.

‘No, you idiots!’ Brawn shouted. ‘Stay together and move in a line. He has nowhere to go!’

Alces zigzagged between the apple trees. Occasionally a bolt of magic whizzed past his ear and buried itself in the tree or the ground. Left and right, left and right. Alces tried to make himself as hard a target as he could, and it worked, because he didn’t get hit again. He looked over his shoulder. There was blue between the green of the trees.

That was a mistake. Alces slammed at full speed against a wall. But he didn’t have time, shook himself, and got up. He had reached the end of the apple orchard. Before him was only a wall of pink, sizzling energy, upheld by the unicorns on the stone pillars.

‘A dead end, humpback! Now you come with me!’

Brawn and about a dozen other guards had reached Alces too. This time they didn’t wait, but shot immediately.

Alces jumped, avoiding the bolts. As soon as he landed, he looked back at the shimmering membrane. Alas, no holes.

‘We upgraded our spells so we won’t fall for the same trick again, as you can see,’ said Brawn. He and his guards were not in a hurry, now that their prey was cornered. They leisurely walked closer, step by step, horns glowing. ‘We’re not as dumb as deer.’

Alces didn’t want to be dumb. He wanted to be clever. He wanted to have a creative solution now. He wanted his brother to be here, and whisper some plan in his ear that hadn’t even crossed his mind. Alces winced, as he realized that was exactly what had happened in the hut of the blacksmith. Only he had been so dumb as to ignore it completely. He blinked. Was there still a way to save the plan? Was there still a way to save himself?

‘Gotcha!’ Brawn fired a sizzling bolt of magic at Alces. Like a limbo dancer he ducked, so the bolt hit the membrane. It ricocheted off the magical sphere, and hit an apple tree right in front of Alces, leaving a stain on the brown wood.

Alces followed the bolt, the tree, and his gaze went up. Then he realized what to do.

‘He’s moving! Fire!’

But Alces ignored the magic flying around him. He tossed the hoe in his mouth, and made for the apple tree. With one jump, he was in it.

‘Whoa!’

He’d always loved climbing hills and mountains, but trees were a whole different thing. The branches bent under his weight, and the tree swayed a bit. But it held.

‘What the hay is he doing?’ Brawn said. He and his guards galloped towards the tree as well. ‘Fire!’

Looking up, Alces picked out the next branch. He jumped, grabbed it, and pulled himself up. This branch was even thinner than the first, but Alces knew he had someway to go still. He tried to concentrate with the sizzling magic all around him. One more branch. He focused, bent through his knees, and jumped.

‘This is insane! Elks don’t climb trees!’ Brawn yelled. ‘Go on, after him!’

Some of the guards broke formation and tried to get up the tree as well, but their legs and their backs were too short to reach the first branches. They soon gave up, and instead fired straight upwards into the tree.

‘Ouch!’ Alces couldn’t help but yell and curse. One of the bastards hit him in the flank, right on the spot where he now bore the equal sign scars. His hooves slipped. Alces screamed. ‘GRAAAH!’ He forced his body to cooperate. Just one more jump and he’d be up.

On top of the pillar.

Brawn realized that too now. ‘He’s going for the pillar!’

The apple tree and the stone pillar were almost at the same height. Alces reckoned he could make it with one final jump, if he did it correctly. There was a pink unicorn on top of the pillar. Her eyes were closed, and her horn glowed. She was busy as a bee, and hadn’t even noticed the fight going on down below.

‘Shoot him! Shoot him!’ Brawn yelled. But he sounded more scared than amused now. Was he going to lose his favorite toy?

Alces looked at the unicorn. He shifted the hoe in his mouth, until it was comfortable. Then he concentrated on the edge of the stone. One more jump. He stretched his legs, shaking the rest of the paralyzing magic out of them. This has to go right. His muscles tensed, he braced himself, and jumped.

Almost.

His forehooves managed to grab the stone platform that made up the top of the pillar. His body slammed into the side, almost making him drop the hoe. Alces gritted his teeth. His hind hooves swung in the air, but he had to make them work. He scrambled against the side of the pillar, and, focusing all his strength and rage and energy into his revitalized forelegs, pulled himself up.

Magical bolts slammed into the stone of the pillar. ‘He’s there! He’s on top of the pillar!’ Brawn yelled in disbelief. ‘Bring down the pillar. Everyone, focus on the pillar!’

‘But what about the unicorn on top?’ said one guard.

‘I don’t care about him—or her. I want that elk. NOW!’

‘You can’t be serious?!’ the guard said. ‘There is a living pony on top of that, and you want us to let her tumble down?’

‘Yes!’

While the guards were bickering amongst themselves, Alces took his chance. ‘Catch!’ he shouted down, as he took the hoe, curled it around the unicorn’s hooves, and jerked her off the platform. She screamed and yelled as her concentration was broken and she tumbled down. There was a thud, but whether the guards had been able to catch her or not, Alces couldn’t care less. With the unicorn gone, the shield started dissolving right in front of the pillar.

Break one link, and the chain is useless, Alces thought by himself.

But the hole wasn’t big. It didn’t reach all the way down. Also, Alces had no idea if there would be leaves or something else to break his fall on the other side, the side of freedom. This was the dicey part of his panic-woven plan. He had to take the leap of faith.

‘He’s not gonna jump,’ Brawn said, although he uttered the words with the intonation of a question, and not a confirmation. ‘He’s not gonna jump. No way. He can’t be that crazy. He’s not gonna jump. Oh no.’

Alces jumped. It all went in slow motion. He could see the guards beneath, bathed in light from the magical bubble. Then he saw the edge of the bubble. Then he saw nothing, as he entered the nightly darkness and his eyes needed time to adjust.

WHAM! Alces hit something. Something soft and stringy tickled his fur like fresh summer grass, and then he sacked through the stuff. He slammed belly-first onto the floor of the house. The room was dimly lit by a fire, and three ponies sat at a table, being rudely interrupted from their supper. They gasped as they looked upon the intruder.

‘What is that creature?’

‘I think it’s a… stallion?’

‘What the hay are you doing here?’

Alces saw stars, but he didn’t have time. He snorted, grunted, and shook his head to chase the stars away. His belly hurt, and he knew he had strained his legs, but even for pain he had no time. He only used two seconds to look up and spot the hole in the straw roof. Then he looked for his weapon, grabbed it in his mouth, and headed towards the door. Leaving the flabbergasted family to judge for themselves, he entered the streets of Scribbler’s City.

Chapter eleven: underground

In the weeks that passed, Elkia didn’t sit still.

Well, in a literal sense of the word he did sit still. Immediately after his brief visit to the town, Starlight Glimmer put him to work. He was chained to a table which was fixed to the ground, sat on a chair, and had his typewriter in front of him all the time.

And he worked. What else could he do? Starlight Glimmer gave him various writing jobs to complete. Elkia wrote posters which soon hung all around the town, preaching the promise of equality and sameness on every street corner. He also wrote speeches for Starlight Glimmer, so that she could have motivational talks with her subjects every single day, reinforcing her reign with words of iron. But there was time to write creative works as well. Under the watchful eyes of Starlight Glimmer, he wrote a couple of books, children’s books too, about how beautiful life in the village was, and how awful and chaotic the world outside was supposed to be.

Yet, Elkia didn’t feel happy about it. Starlight Glimmer had given the builders the order to make an extra house, and until that time Elkia slept in his cage in Starlight’s place. But that was not why he was unhappy. He was forced to write things he didn’t agree with, things that went against everything he was told as a child, and everything he had learned of the world after that fateful night almost a year ago. But that too, was something he could live with. Elkia just shook his head, furrowed his brows, and did what Starlight Glimmer asked him to do: write stuff. The thing he was most unhappy about was his brother. Not a day went by when he wasn’t thinking about him. Elkia knew he’d never see him again. Hay, after the escape attempt, Elkia reckoned his brother might have been murdered for that. Elkia had no idea if Alces was alive or dead, and that thought tortured him every day.

Starlight Glimmer treated Elkia well. She gave him enough food, prepared by her personal chef who also still had his cutie mark, and made sure not to put too much pressure on the shoulders of the elk. In fact, after the first week, she removed Elkia’s leg irons, saying he was no longer a prisoner, but a member of the community. Even though Elkia didn’t feel like that at all, he was welcome.

The daily mind readings soon turned into something done once every two days, then three, up until the point Elkia couldn’t remember when Starlight last read his mind. The dictator slowly gave him more and more personal space and alone time. She was happy with what Elkia produced. Whatever it was, if it came from Elkia’s hooves, he made sure to make something beautiful out of it. That was the spark, the artist’s spark Starlight Glimmer had suspected housed in Elkia’s body and mind. Of course, she had been very right. Although they barely spoke to one another, Starlight showed her apprehension by the little freedoms she gave back to the elk.

Despite the leg irons gone and the mind readings growing more and more rare, Elkia was cautious. He never thought about diverging things when he was around Starlight Glimmer. He tried to keep his mind as hidden from her as he could, pretending to embrace the philosophy of her town, however hard it was. Yet he often went on walks around town, visiting the different shops and stores and bars and cafés, trying out horrible recipe after horrible recipe. But of course, he didn’t just go outside to clear his mind and try the local delicacies. He was still thinking about some way out.

Elkia knew he was in the middle of the desert, and he also knew he had no idea where exactly he was, but he also reckoned there must be some way out. There always was. In every good story, there was a way to escape. He looked at the distant mountains, fantasizing a secret tunnel which led back to civilization—real civilization, not the plastic one created here. He looked at the sand and imagined a spirit or ghost popping up from the dunes and guiding him towards another place. However strange and fantastical these thoughts were, they did pave the way for a more realistic idea popping up in his mind.

The dry and arid desert was a bad place for farming. The sand was not that fertile, and the small farms that tried to grow fruits and cactus juice could barely sustain the pony population. And where did they even get the soil needed to grow stuff? Elkia walked past the gardens and pondered over that question. The tiny little gardens, the recipes and ingredients, and the clothing the ponies wore indicated that some things were imported.

And right at the same day, Elkia’s theory proved to be reality. Something strange floated high in the sky, right over the village. At first Elkia thought it was a flock of vultures or other black and nasty birds like crows, but he was wrong. When Elkia returned to Starlight Glimmer, she immediately asked him to get pen and paper and make an inventory list.

‘An inventory list?’ Elkia said. ‘Like a delivery?’

‘You’re smart, Elkia, and you’re right,’ Starlight Glimmer said. ‘Right now, as we speak, ponies are busy unloading the zeppelin in a hidden cave, dropping off much-needed supplies. When a grey pony with a blue mane returns to me, he will tell me exactly what is in the boxes, and you will write that down.’

‘But, do you mean—’

‘No more questions,’ Starlight Glimmer said. ‘You must be desperate to go and see for yourself if you can use the zeppelin to get out of here.’

‘How did you know—’

‘If you’re caged and doing forced labor,’ Starlight said with a cold smile, ‘you would be an idiot not to think about some means of escape. I don’t have to read your mind for that.’

‘I… I understand,’ Elkia said, his gaze to the floor in shame.

Starlight took Elkia’s chin with her hoof and lifted it. ‘I just don’t want you to get yourself hurt trying to do silly things,’ she said in a tone that hinted at compassion. ‘That hidden place in the mountains is far away from the village, and it will make your collar turn the darkest shade of red. Trust me, Elkia. There is no way of escape there.’

And so Elkia’s plans of escape were dashed, momentarily. The whole thing with the zeppelin delivery didn’t leave his mind, and questions swirled around the big, black shape. Where was the zeppelin coming from? And, a question that interested Elkia much more than the first one: how did Starlight Glimmer signal the captain what she needed?

Today was yet another sun-glaring, hot, and dusty day. Elkia was walking outside, strolling over the main street (and only street) that cut through the village. The villagers were quite used to him now, and knew what he was doing. Everyday they saw the posters he made, and every night they read their colts and fillies from the books dripping with propaganda which Elkia had written. Elkia never had to pay for anything, and the villagers always wished him a good day and smiled towards him. If Elkia didn’t know better, he’d say that he was actually getting famous and loved. But then again, Elkia never knew if the smiles were genuine, or just a mask painted on the face.

Yes, despite Elkia living in the illusion Starlight Glimmer created, he was still looking for genuine ponies. He was still looking for ponies that were willing to talk with him in an honest way, and not say the same thing everypony said. ‘The village is nice, and Starlight Glimmer is nice, and being equal is nice, and having no cutie mark is nice.’ Nice, nice, nice, everything was nice, according to them. Elkia silently wondered how many were lying and how many were telling the truth. He rarely managed a smile himself, as the very thought of this fake community made him sad.

Suddenly, Elkia noticed something was different. When you walk the same street every day and watch the same houses every day, differences are easy to spot. There was a new shop in town. How long had it been here? The clay and limestone of the house were just as weatherworn as the rest of the houses, so the building itself wasn’t new, but the freshly painted sign shaped like a cupcake rocking gently in the wind surely was.

‘Do you like it? Made it myself.’

‘Whoa!’ Elkia hadn’t noticed the pony standing by his side, looking at the sign as well. Her hide was a very, very light pink—more grey than pink, actually—and her purple mane was tied up in a neat bun, just like many others of Starlight Glimmer’s village. Her eyes were a deep turquoise, and she looked curiously at Elkia.

Elkia regained his composure, and scratched the back of his head. ‘Oops. I’m sorry, I’m a bit jumpy. Must have something to do with the weather or so…’ He glanced once more at the pony, rubbing his goatee. ‘Have I met you before?’

The pony giggled. ‘I have seen you walking around town a couple of times. We don’t get that many elks in town, and with “not that many” I mean zero.’

‘Oh, okay.’ Elkia stuck out his hoof. ‘Pleased to meet you. The name is Elkia Deerling, and I am’—he bit his lip and forced the words out of his mouth—‘I am Starlight Glimmer’s personal writer.’

The pink pony took the hoofshake, looking as cheerful as the other villagers. Nothing special there. ‘Name’s Sugar Belle. I didn’t even know Starlight Glimmer had a personal writer.’

‘Well, she does, and it’s… me,’ Elkia said. ‘Weren’t you at my big “initiation?”’

‘I don’t think so. I must have missed it,’ said Sugar Belle.

There was a very awkward silence, broken only by the breeze and the rocking of the cupcake-shaped sign. Elkia poked at the sand with his hoof, unsure what to say. The only thing he thought about was how strange it was that Sugar Belle had missed that awkward moment where he met everyone in town. Apparently, it hadn’t really been everyone.

Luckily, Sugar Belle helped him out. ‘I have actually been living in the village for a very long time, but I finally decided to take the step and open a bakery for myself just a few days ago. Would you care for a muffin?’

Elkia found himself nodding, but before he could say something back to Sugar Belle, she already headed to her door. ‘Just take a seat anywhere and I’ll be right back, Elkia.’

‘Oh, yes, thanks…’ Elkia searched for a shaded spot and sat down. He should never have said yes to Sugar Belle’s offer. However sweet and cheerful she looked, Elkia wasn’t in the mood to have his stomach twisted by an awful feat of bakery. No, if anything, he wanted to be alone and think, think about the zeppelin and how he could use it to get out of here.

The table he had chosen stood opposite of Starlight Glimmer’s house. Elkia could see her moving around in the living room through the window. Her horn glowed. Was she writing something? Elkia had never before seen Starlight Glimmer write something down. Usually, she would dictate something and he himself would write it down. However small and unimportant this little discovery seemed, Elkia kept eyeing his master through the window.

Starlight was done. She floated the pencil away and read her note over. Elkia noticed that she was holding just a small piece of paper. He reckoned that whatever she was writing, it wasn’t important. Perhaps it was a list of groceries?

Starlight Glimmer moved towards one of the other windows. Elkia could barely spot her now. Only her purple and blue tail could be seen. She opened the window, and then something truly curious happened. Suddenly, a big, black bird landed on the veranda. It cawed once, twice, and then Starlight let the bird in. Just a few seconds later, it flew out of the window again, and disappeared into the distance.

Elkia’s eyes were wide. By sheer luck, he had found out how Starlight sent her messages. He felt his breath quicken, and fidgeted with his hooves. He was already thinking ahead, thinking about something he could think to cover up his discovery. He knew something that Starlight Glimmer tried to keep a secret!

‘Elkia, are you okay?’

Elkia jolted. Once again, Sugar Belle stood next to him, bearing a platter with a muffin, and once again, he hadn’t heard her coming. ‘Yes, yes, I’m fine,’ he said, rubbing his temples. ‘I was just… deep in thought.’

‘So, you’re the thinking kind, huh?’ Sugar Belle said. She put the platter down in front of Elkia. ‘It’s good to think a lot, I do that sometimes too. But now I won’t disturb you further. Bon appétit!’

Sugar Belle disappeared. For a brief moment, Elkia regarded the muffin. It looked drab and grey, just like the houses in Starlight’s village. This was not going to taste good. But Elkia knew he wasn’t here for the muffins anymore. He sat still and observed Starlight’s house, all the while taking small bites and trying not to let the awful taste of the muffin interrupt his musings. How was he going to catch one of those birds? How was he going to write a message in secret? And how was he going to make the bird head on over to Scribblers’ City and deliver the message to the right ponies? No matter how much he stroked his goatee or nibbled his muffin, he couldn’t come up with a plan.

A while later, Sugar Belle reappeared. She took the empty plate and regarded Elkia. ‘Was it good?’

‘The best,’ Elkia said, not even half aware of his lie.

‘Would you like another one?’

Actually, Elkia wouldn’t even want a muffin if Sugar Belle paid him for it. Yet he still wanted to sit here and look at Starlight Glimmer’s house. Maybe she was going to write another message? ‘Yes,’ he said, but then he caught himself, remembering something from Scribblers’ City. ‘Wait! Do you have lemon muffins too? Those were my favorite from the city.’

After a five second silence, Sugar Belle grabbed the empty plate and retreated into her bakery. ‘Coming right up.’

Elkia waited and waited, all the while looking at Starlight Glimmer’s window. But, much to his disappointment, she couldn’t be seen again. Perhaps she was reciting her new speech in the writing room. Silently, Elkia hoped she still had a message to send, or maybe the bird would return with the answer.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

Someone tapped on the window. Not starlight’s window, but Sugar Belle’s. Elkia raised his eyebrows and looked through the window on his right.

TAP, TAP, TAP, the sound came again.

Did Sugar Belle want him to pay inside? But… Elkia looked down at the table. His lemon muffin had never arrived.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

‘Alright, I’m coming,’ Elkia said. He stood up and entered the bakery.

‘Shush! Be silent,’ Sugar Belle hissed to him once he was inside.

Elkia cocked his head. She didn’t sound so friendly anymore. Her smile had disappeared, and now her eyes looked left and right and left again, as if she were waiting for someone.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Elkia said.

Sugar Belle moved past him, closed the door of the bakery, locked it, and turned the “open” sign to “closed.” ‘Follow me.’ Sugar Belle retreated further into the bakery, and motioned for Elkia to follow. Perhaps the cash register was somewhere in the back?

They entered a hallway. Sugar Belle suddenly leaned down, rolled up a piece of the carpet, and exposed a cellar door underneath it. Without a word, she opened it. Warm candlelight flickered down below. Once again, Sugar Belle motioned for Elkia to go ahead.

‘Wait, in there?’ Elkia had no idea what was going on now, but he was certainly not going to walk into a trap.

‘It’s our hideout,’ Sugar Belle hissed. ‘Just go in there and I’ll explain everything later on.’

Elkia took a moment to look into the pink pony’s eyes. Her brows were furrowed, and her whole expression looked dead serious. She bit her lip, and glanced backwards, but there was nopony to be seen. ‘Hurry!’

‘You go first,’ Elkia said, warily as he was.

‘Ah, I understand. You’re a cautious creature, aren’t you?’ Sugar Belle said. She stepped in front of Elkia and down the stairs into her cellar. ‘Just make sure to cover it up behind you.’

Elkia shook his head. What the hay was going on?! Sugar Belle hadn’t looked evil when she served him, yet her whole poise radiated something new now. Something strange and uncomfortable and sketchy, almost like Starlight Glimmer. Hesitating, Elkia did a few steps into the cellar. He did as she asked, reached back, and covered up the hidden door with the carpet as well as he could. Then he went down.

‘Party Favor, Night Glider, this here is Elkia Deerling, our newest asset.’

It took Elkia a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim light of the cellar, but when he finally could see something, he saw two hooves reaching out to him. Out of reflex, he shook them.

‘Glad to see more recruits are eager to fight for the good cause,’ one of them said. He was a light blue unicorn with a darker blue, curly mane. As he talked, the corners of his mouth went upwards, so it looked as if he were smiling as he talked.

‘Yes, glad to see that even a celebrity like you is on our side. And by the way, what did you think about the lemon muffin thing?’ the other pony, a pegasus dark as the night with a white mane said as she shook Elkia’s hoof. ‘I thought that up myself. Nopony is going to get in here without my ingenious passphrase.’

Elkia looked at them all, and then glanced around the cellar. There were about two dozen other ponies in there. There was a bar with a stallion behind it, serving food and drinks to whoever wanted some. There were some tables and barrels to sit on, and a huge blackboard covered the side of the room, well-lit by chandeliers with many candles. The whole place had an aura of secrecy around it, drifting in the dusty air. It was the same aura Sugar Belle wore.

But Elkia was quite tired of this secret thing. He wanted some answers. ‘Well, I don’t know what to think about the lemon muffin, because I didn’t even get any,’ he said. ‘The only thing I got was a tour to this strange place, and I must say I am terribly confused. Can somepony please tell me what’s going on here?’

A few ponies, sitting and talking around a table, ceased their conversation. Elkia felt gazes glare at him from everywhere.

‘You mean you were actually ordering lemon muffins?’ Night Glider said slowly, stressing every word as if speaking to a hard-hearing old stallion.

‘And you are not with the others?’ Party favor said.

Only Sugar Belle was silent, but gasped with wide open eyes, as she realized her mistake.

‘Which others?’ Elkia said. He still didn’t get his answer.

‘”O-t-h-e-r-s,”’ Party favor spelled out. ‘Other-thinkers.’

‘Well, I do think a lot myself, and yes, I do have certain opinions of this place, but—’ and then it dawned to Elkia. This secrecy, this underground place, this ominous name… He jumped up, bumped his head against the roof, and spoke rapidly. ‘Y-y-you mean you’re all… Is this some kind of resistance? A secret group?’

Night Glider and Party favor shared a glance with Sugar Belle, an angry one. ‘Sugar Belle, you had one job,’ Night Glider said. ‘To recruit new other-thinkers if they know the passphrase. And now you let him in? Don’t you know who he is, Sugar Belle? He’s Elkia Deerling, the personal writer of Starlight Glimmer. I thought it was strange for him to be here with us, and now my suspicions are correct. He’s not with us! In fact, I know for certain that as soon as he walks out of this room, he’ll tell Starlight all about us. We’re doomed!’

Sugar Belle bowed her head in shame. ‘I’m sorry, everyone. I… I thought he knew the passphrase.’

‘Whatever,’ said Party Favor. He looked over to Elkia. ‘We can’t let him leave this place. Glider, fetch a rope. I’ll tie him up.’

Once again Elkia jolted, bumped his head, and backed away. His long legs got caught in one of the barrels. He stumbled and fell, but quickly got up again and threw his hooves in the air. ‘Please, no! No need for that! I… I am an other-thinker too.’

But Party Favor already had a rope in his hooves, and advanced on Elkia. ‘We can’t be sure, Mister Deerling. We can’t take any risks.’

Looking at the table and what was on it, Elkia got an idea. He snatched up a jug of water from the table, and splashed it over his cutie mark. Immediately, the equal sign melted away, revealing his very own, unique cutie mark: his initials, which formed the antlers of a stylized elk. “Deerling”—member of the herd forever.

Everypony in the room gasped. Party Favor dropped the rope.

‘If I didn’t have my cutie mark, I wouldn’t be such an able writer,’ said Elkia, his voice sounding strange in the silence. ‘Starlight wouldn’t have any use for me.’

Suddenly, all hell broke loose. Ponies got up from their seats and walked over to Elkia. They threw their hooves in the air and shouted salutes. Many stuck out their hooves, and Elkia returned every hoofshake. He recognized some of the faces, ponies he had talked to or to whom he had sold a book. They knew him, and now that they knew he was on their side, they were quite happy about that.

‘Deerling! Deerling!’ they shouted. Some burly stallions grabbed Elkia and carried him out of the crowd. Elkia ended his crowd surfing session next to Sugar Belle, Party Favor, and Night Glider. Who all looked down and smiled.

Party Favor helped Elkia back on his hooves. ‘It seems we have gained a powerful ally today,’ he said.

‘And all thanks to Sugar Belle,’ Night Glider said, patting her on the back.

‘Oh, please, enough about my silly mistake,’ she said with a grin. ‘Why don’t we show our newest member around? I’m sure he is as flabbergasted as us right now.’

‘Even more so,’ Elkia said. He was smiling too now, as he knew it was definitely no trap he had walked into. ‘Lead the way.’

They moved through the underground café, where everypony was once again doing what they were doing. ‘This isn’t just some ordinary secret society,’ said Party Favor. ‘This is also a place of recreation. Right here, in Sugar Belle’s basement, ponies of the other-thinkers have a chance to be themselves again. They don’t have to smile all day long, and they can happily discuss things and talk to one another without the fear of someone turning him or her in to Starlight Glimmer.’

‘I see,’ Elkia said. At every table there was a conversation going on, and Elkia was sure that every conversation would be about Starlight Glimmer and her regime. The ponies here were talking with earnest faces, yet the atmosphere was also laid back and sometimes even cheerful. Some stallions were laughing away, smiling real, genuine smiles. Somepony must have told a funny joke, a genuine funny joke. ‘I see what you mean. Ponies can relax and get a break from everything.’

‘Exactly,’ said Party Favor. ‘We all are not happy about Starlight’s reign. Most of us are quite new here in town. These are ponies who soon realized that with their cutie unmarking, they didn’t just lose their cutie marks, but also a piece of their soul, and their freedom. The ones that have been living here for a very long time, the old ones, have unfortunately been thoroughly brainwashed and indoctrinated.’ He elbowed Sugar Belle. ‘Except for our very own recruiter here.’

Sugar Belle blushed. ‘Oh, please.’

Party favor resumed his tale. ‘We might be able to win the old ones over eventually, but that’s just a future dream.’

Elkia nodded. They reached a room, and opened the door, revealing a strange machine inside.

‘I know what that is,’ Elkia said. ‘I used to gaze all day long at the printing presses in Scribblers’ City. This looks like an older model.’

‘It is,’ said Sugar Belle. ‘It was already standing here when I took over the house, with paper and ink and everything else ready to be used. You’d almost think the previous owners left it on purpose…’

‘The previous owners?’ Elkia said.

‘Don’t ask,’ Night Glider said, when she saw Sugar Belle wasn’t going to answer. ‘They disappeared without a trace, as sometimes happens around here.’

The way Night Glider said the word “disappear” made Elkia shiver. He didn’t ask for more details.

‘Unfortunately, we don’t know how to use it,’ Sugar Belle said after a short silence. ‘We do have a pony who used to be a reporter. He got stuck here when he was sent to investigate rumors of our town in the desert. But unfortunately he has been unmarked, so he can’t use his special talent to operate the machine.’

‘I…’ Elkia looked the machine over another time. ‘I think I can make it work.’

Night Glider and Party Favor exchanged a hoof bump. Elkia noticed it and smiled. ‘So that’s why you are all so happy with me. You want to use me for something.’

‘Well… if you don’t mind,’ Sugar Belle said.

‘Let’s go back to the drawing board!’ Night Glider announced. They walked out of the printing room and back into the underground café. Soon they became bathed in light, and stared at the blackboard. ‘This is our board of ideas,’ Night Glider said. ‘Here we can write whatever we like.’ She pointed to a corner. ‘In here we have information, anything and everything that can be used against Starlight Glimmer is written right there.’

When Elkia let his eyes wander over the sentences, he saw one caption that caught his eye:

Still has her cutie mark?!

Elkia walked up to that line and rubbed it out with his fur. ‘No need for that,’ he said, ‘for I can tell you right here right now that that is true.’

Night Glider and Party favor exchanged a mildly startled glance. ‘He’s good…’ Party Favor said with a grin.

‘And what’s this side all about?’ Elkia said, motioning to the right side of the blackboard.

‘Those are our actual ideas,’ Night Glider said. ‘Boycotts, strikes, raids, revolutions, and other acts of civil disobedience. Basically, everything that would make Starlight’s regime fall.’

‘That seems quite… drastic,’ Elkia said. ‘Have you guys ever actually done this?’

Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor shook their heads. ‘No, we’ve never tried one of those plans,’ Night Glider said.

‘I understand why,’ said Elkia.

‘You do?’

Elkia nodded. ‘You have built yourselves a solid community with real friendship. I know that having a community of your own is valuable, and needs to be protected.’ Elkia’s mind wandered off to Scribblers’ City. ‘If necessary with a wall and guards.’

‘You’re not stupid, Elkia,’ Night Glider said. ‘You know what we think. Of course we would want to do such things, but we don’t want to miss this’—she motioned with her hoof around the cellar—‘or each other.’

‘If such an operation failed, the society of other-thinkers would be wiped clean, and we would all be reformed one by one,’ Sugar Belle said.

‘Reformed…?’ Elkia said.

Everypony was silent for a few seconds, and shivered. ‘Please, just… just don’t ask,’ said Sugar Belle.

‘Very well,’ said Elkia. ‘But… how can I help you with my writing skills when you are next to powerless against Starlight’s regime?’

Night Glider shook her head. ‘We’re just too few. If we had maybe a few dozen more ponies, we could easily execute one of these plans, and make a difference. All of us want our cutie marks, our identity, and our freedom back. Everyone is willing to fight for that. We simply need more ponies. But reaching out to potential members of the other-thinkers is so difficult. It’s just so hard to know who can be trusted, and once we do find somepony not completely corrupted by the regime, we are having so much trouble communicating. The passwords, code phrases and quick messages’—she rubbed her face with her hooves—‘it’s just so hard!’

‘Yes,’ Party Favor said. ‘We’re sure that if more ponies knew of our existence, more would join. And if more would join, we can build an army, or at least an angry mob. That’s sure to frighten Starlight, and make her see her wrongs. Hay, if we have ponies enough, we might even be able to overthrow her.’

‘Imagine that,’ Sugar Belle added, ‘a whole new village, with a democracy where everypony gets to vote, and everypony gets to share his or her opinion. And of course, a new village where everypony is free to use his or her special talent, and build a brand new society—together. That is our ultimate goal. Doesn’t that sound nice?’

‘It does,’ Elkia said. ‘It does…’

Night Glider swooped down and poked Elkia on his belly. ‘And that’s where you come in, Deerling. With your writing skills, you are able to make flyers, or books with coded messages or maybe even a newspaper for us to hand out. We know who can be trusted, so about the distribution you don’t have to worry. Just think up some nice lines with inspirational texts, and we’ll make sure they end up at the right ponies.’

Party Favor nodded. ‘With a bit of careful advertising, we’ll be sure to win the hearts of more freedom-loving and other-thinking ponies.’

There was a small silence. Elkia knew that now he was supposed to say something. He rubbed his chin. ‘I don’t know. It sounds awfully dangerous. What if those papers end up in the wrong hooves?’

‘That’s a risk we have to take,’ said Night Glider. ‘But remember what I told you. We know who to trust and who not to trust. And if we all get caught, we’ll make sure to keep our mouths quiet. Nopony is going to betray you, and certainly not after everything you did for us.’

‘No guts, no glory,’ Party favor added, smiling as he said it.

Sugar Belle softly stroked Elkia’s fur. ‘This might be the only chance we’ll ever get. It’s all in or nothing, and I’m sure all of these ponies will be dying to do something about that pretty little princess in her pretty little castle.’

‘I’m not going to sow hate,’ Elkia said. ‘I’m just going to tell everypony the truth.’

‘So you’ll do it?’ Night Glider said.

‘To tell you the truth, I’m really not up for more secrecy,’ Elkia said. ‘I have had my belly full of secrecy the first day I arrived here.’

The others’ hopeful smiles turned upside down into grim disappointment. Yet, they understood Elkia’s choice. They did know that they asked quite a lot from him. Was it too much?

‘But…’ Elkia continued, ‘I myself am also dying to spread the truth. I have used my writing skills only in favor of the regime, both in Scribblers’ City as well as here. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to put my talent to good use—to honest use.’

After Elkia’s words, there was total silence. Conversations died down around them. It was as if everypony felt that an important decision was being made, and everypony was eager to hear the outcome.

Once again Elkia thought about everything and everypony he had encountered during this strange afternoon. This whole operation did sound dicey, but if he could pull it off it would make him feel good. Hay, even if he’d get caught making secret pamphlets or newspapers he would feel good. In any way, he would feel as if he genuinely helped somepony, and was once again part of something bigger than him alone. Elkia made his decision.

‘So yes,’ Elkia said, ‘I’ll do it.’

Once again, all hell broke loose, and the crowd around them transformed into a cheerful mob—a mob ready for another chance.

Elkia stayed for a few more minutes to lay out the plan, but then he returned to the surface again. On his way to Starlight’s home, he looked at the sun, and estimated how long he had been inside the headquarters of the other-thinkers. He hoped it hadn’t been too long, and that Starlight Glimmer hadn’t noticed. He reached the front door, opened it, and went inside.

‘That was quite a long break you took, Elkia,’ said Starlight Glimmer. Her tone of voice betrayed her suspicion all too clearly, and it made Elkia’s neck hairs stand on end.

‘I was visiting a new shop in town,’ Elkia said. He didn’t need to stutter or hesitate, for he told nothing but the truth. ‘They sold muffins there.’

‘I see…’

Elkia headed over to the writing room, as he knew that’s where Starlight Glimmer wanted him to be. He sat down and shoved his typewriter closer to him. He was just about to type the first few words of his next project, when Starlight’s hoof barred him the way.

‘Mind reading. Now.’

A flame lit up in Elkia’s stomach. He felt as if somepony caught him stealing. He had a lot of trouble forcing his hooves not to tremble. He licked his lips, and slowly moved his head to look in the dictator’s eyes. ‘Really? I thought, eh… I thought you trusted me. I thought we were partners. I thought I was a part of your beautiful society. I thought—’

Starlight’s horn flashed with pale blue, shimmering light. Her eyes flared up, as she concentrated on the elk before her. ‘How was the cupcake?’

‘Great!’ Elkia said. Panic gripped his heart and dominated his mind, so he hadn’t noticed his mistake.

‘Liar,’ Starlight said. ‘You said you were having muffins, not cupcakes. And right now, I can see how much you disliked it. You actually thought sand would be better to swallow than the dough of that “treat.”’

Elkia swallowed. He wanted to back away, but found that he couldn’t get up from his chair. Starlight had him cornered, both physically as well as mentally.

The cold tip of Starlight’s horn touched Elkia’s forehead. Starlight’s eyes narrowed, as she browsed through the pictures in his mind. She smiled. She always loved using her powers. ‘Oh, look at that,’ she said. ‘It seems you found out about my secret air express mail.’

Elkia could see his own thoughts and memories flipping by his subconscious eye like the pages of a book. There was no denying it. Starlight Glimmer could see everything. He wanted to bow his head in shame, but he was locked into position.

More glimmers of magic emanated from Starlight’s horn. ‘Well, don’t worry about that, Elkia. I knew you were going to find that out sooner or later. But don’t think about using it yourself. My birds are trained to head over to the leaders who are my puppets in my play. And besides that, I keep a magical lock on both my bedroom door and the cage with crows. You’re not going to use them.’

‘I’m not going to use them,’ Elkia said, repeating Starlight’s words with a dull, emotionless voice. He felt as if he had lost complete control of his body.

‘Let’s see what else is there…’

No! The next scene would be the secret meeting with Sugar Belle, Night Glider, and Party Favor. She was not supposed to see that. Elkia focused his willpower in his head. He had to shake the imaginary fetters loose, if only for a moment. He had to cover up the thought.

‘You are struggling,’ Starlight said, her voice cold and harsh.

Indeed he was. Elkia tried to overload his subconscious with images of things that had nothing to do with what he had experienced today. At first, he thought about something that had been on his mind for a long time today. He thought about the children’s book he was working on. He wondered how he should write the climax, what to write and what not to write, and which characters to include.

Foxy and mousy and little piggy too. Perhaps they discover the secret Mousy has been keeping. Yes, that would make for an interesting plot twist. I should totally do that.

‘Stop it, Elkia,’ said Starlight Glimmer. Her eyes flared up with blue magical light. ‘I know you can’t be thinking about your projects all day long. There must be more.’

More, more, more! Elkia tried to think of more things, anything at all. Reaching back into dark corners of his mind, he went back to Scribblers’ City. He wanted to remember happy things, and thought about a special somepony he had left behind. He thought about the light brown mare with the mane that wasn’t quite blond and wasn’t quite red. He thought about her lovely smile, and how she always talked to him as if he were a little foal. He liked that. It made him feel loved and cared for. Yes, Strawberry Blonde had been like a mother to him, the mother he had lost. She had comforted him, kissed him, loved him.

‘That mare?!’ Starlight said. She sounded genuinely angry now. ‘Get her out of my sight, Elkia. I want to see more. Why are you even thinking about her so much anyway?’

Elkia thought about her because he was still not sure if he’d forgive her. They had been together until that strange and awkward night. And yet, for a moment they actually had been together after that. When she visited Elkia in his cage, right before he was shipped off, she had tried to show she still loved him. Elkia realized that she probably didn’t even know where he was. He realized that she was perhaps home, sitting on her bed, softly crying and wishing for that one special somepony—that one special some-elk—to be back with her. To be back with her and be his funny, silly, naïve self. To be back and enjoy many more lovely and cozy moments together. To be back and cuddle, kiss, and create beautiful stories, just him and her.

‘You’ve been lucky, Elkia,’ said Starlight Glimmer. Her anger was shoved to the background, and only lesser irritation remained. But there was more. ‘You’ve been lucky to see true friendship and camaraderie, maybe even love. That is how friendship should be.’

Elkia blinked. Somehow, he found himself talking back. He was regaining control of his own self. ‘Did you never have that, Starlight?’

That was a bad mistake. Starlight Glimmer gritted her teeth and frowned. Her magic turned from blue to red. The beam of energy became a lightning bolt, striking in Elkia’s mind and burrowing aggressively for information. ‘Just let… me… see… the… rest!’ she shouted.

Grimacing against the pain, Strawberry Blonde got dismissed from Elkia’s mind. It wasn’t enough. What else could he think about? While the lightning bolt dug deeper, darker thoughts and worries surfaced in Elkia’s subconscious, with his greatest worry on top.

‘Alces!’

There he was, the strong, battle-ready and gruff brother. He was hard to see, covered in shadows. Where was he? Was he alive? Was he still in Scribblers’ City? Elkia tried to see, but the picture didn’t reveal anything else to him. The only thing he could see was how Alces waited in the shadows, his eyes full of fire, brooding on something. But at least he was alive. Or wasn’t he? Was this just a memory of his brother, or was this something more? Could he somehow see through all the miles that separated them, and check on his brother this way? Questions flooded his mind, and he knew, however much he wanted answers and not questions, that this was good.

‘AARGH!’ Starlight Glimmer grunted. She reared on her hind hooves, and doubled the assault on Elkia’s mind.

Now Elkia grunted too, as the magic flowed through his head and the rest of his body. It tickled and stung him at the same time. It sought out every corner of his mind, every weak spot, to break through the door that held the secrets. Elkia tried to resist, even though new thoughts didn’t appear in his mind. He thought his head was going to explode soon, or that steam would drift out of his ears.

Suddenly, it all stopped.

Elkia flew off his chair, and fell down upon the ground. When he got up, he watched Starlight Glimmer intently. Had it worked? Had he kept his thoughts hidden from her?

Starlight Glimmer blinked slowly. She shook her head, and her breathing calmed down. ‘Now, that was quite… interesting,’ she said.

Elkia saw a faint trace of a grin on his master’s face. He knew that couldn’t be good.

But Starlight was not going to reveal anything more to Elkia. She turned around. ‘Go back to work, Elkia. We’re almost done for today. I only need to write one little message and then we’ll review your work together.’ Without another word, she turned around and headed for her bedroom door.

Elkia watched until the door shut with a click.

Chapter twelve: honor

Alces was one with the shadows. He made sure to stay clear of the lantern-lit main streets, and instead moved between the houses in narrow alleys. His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, and his mind was constantly busy trying to remember the squares and districts and make a mental map. He hadn’t seen much of the city when he’d arrived, and that lack of information was biting him in the tail now. He had reckoned that Scribblers’ City was big, but he realized now it was far bigger than he’d expected.

He had snuck past something that looked like a marketplace, with a main road heading in southern direction. Alces was now following that road, using smaller, darker streets that ran parallel to the big road. He was not going to look for a house with green curtains. However much he wanted some answers, he was not going to find one house amidst the many wooden buildings in this terribly big city. Alces bit his lip. If only he had listened to Sparks the smith some more, he could have known what he was getting himself into and where exactly he was. He was sure that if, by sheer coincidence, he’d find that damn house, he would maybe even learn some more about his brother’s whereabouts.

Of course Alces hadn’t forgotten his brother. In fact, just a few minutes ago, he had felt something strange. He had felt as if he was connected with Elkia Deerling on a spiritual level. It had seemed as if Elkia was right beside him somewhere, but he couldn’t see him and only felt his presence. The moment lasted for just a few seconds, but, thanks to that strange little experience, Alces knew—he just knew—that Elkia was alive. But where he was, he didn’t know.

Yet he found out where he himself was. Looking ahead, Alces saw a big gate. It was closed now, and some guards—three of them—hung around the place. They didn’t look very alert. They looked quite bored, in fact. That made Alces feel good. Brawn had spoken about minor telepathy, but apparently the telepathy wasn’t strong enough to reach this part of town. Maybe it was too far away from the bubble, or maybe Brawn had been lying about it and only wanted to make Alces feel dumb. But Alces didn’t care. The only thing he cared about now was leaving Scribblers’ City behind, and after that find a way to get to his brother.

Somehow…

The gate was made of iron-bound wood, and looked sturdy and impenetrable. Two chains led through some pulleys, and ended at two large reels connected to two enormous treadmills. After a few seconds of peering and studying, Alces reckoned he knew how to open the gate. He only needed to get the treadmills moving, and the gate would open itself.

The only thing was that he was but one elk, and the gate needed at least two ponies to work. That was a problem.

Alces wanted to wait and think and try to come up with a plan, but he knew he was exposed. It would only take one pony to accidentally enter the alley and spot him, and all hell would break loose. Then he would once more be on the run, and Alces was tired of running. If anything, he would enjoy a good fight over flight.

The sound of hoofsteps could be heard. Turning around, Alces saw the source of it. A whole platoon of guards—at least a dozen of them in single file—wearing their blue uniforms and looking stern-faced, was marching on the main road, heading towards the gate. Alces bit his lip. If those ponies were here to reinforce the gate, his chances of escape would become very slim. There was no way he was going to get past all of them.

But apparently, news of his escape hadn’t yet reached this patrol either. They made a curve, saluted the guards that were standing at the gate, and marched on. Alces pressed himself against the wall, but the guards didn’t even cast one single glance at the darkened alley he was in. They all looked forwards, frowns on their faces, dead serious.

They were almost past Alces, when he got an idea. He needed something, a weapon of some sorts, to threaten the guards at the door with. He still had the hoe, but that wasn’t enough. He needed a ranged weapon to threaten the guards at a distance, and make them cooperate. Alces glanced from the hoe in his hooves to the guard patrol. The only thing a hoe was good for was either smashing, or hooking…

Alces shuffled closer to the main street, being careful enough to blend in with the shadows. The guards were almost past him. He looked at the back of the platoon, judging the distance. Then, when the last pony walked past Alces’s hideout, Alces reached out with the hoe, snagged the pony by the collar of his uniform, and jerked him into the shadows.

At least those stupid uniforms are useful for something, Alces thought, as he reeled in his catch like a fisher.

The guard was too surprised to do anything. Before he knew what happened, firm, strong hooves wrapped around his neck and his head. He tried to say something. ‘By order of the guard, I—’

‘Shut up or you’ll be sorry very soon,’ Alces hissed. He shifted his hooves to clamp around the guard’s neck more firmly, reinforcing his threat. He had picked a nice victim. The pony wasn’t heavy, and had a slim chicken-like neck. The perfect victim.

Alces wasted no time. ‘I’m going to ask you a question, and the only thing you’re gonna say is yes or no. If you so much as move too much, I’ll wring you out like a wet tablecloth. Understood?’

The guard tried to nod, but found his head pinned. ‘Yes,’ he said.

‘Good.’ Alces relaxed his grip a little. He wanted the pony to speak, and not suffocate—yet. ‘Do you know how to cast a stun ray?’

‘Y-y-yes, w-w-we all know that sp—’

Alces tightened his grip. ‘I said, yes or no. No stories.’

Wheezing, the guard tried to say something. Alces took that as a yes, and loosened his grip again. ‘Now, do you know magic more powerful? Do you know spells that not only can stun, but also hurt?’

‘Yes,’ wheezed the guard.

‘And kill?’

‘Only elite guards know such—’

‘Dammit!’ Alces cursed, and squeezed the pony in his hooves. He had picked the wrong pony. This one was useless. So what to do now? He couldn’t just let him walk free and warn his friends about the elk in the shadows. Alces sighed. He had never killed before, but he thought he knew how to. Squashy little ponies weren’t hard to kill. Yet, he felt a little weird about it. This wasn’t a fair duel where both contenders matched their strengths. This was an assassination, a cowardly attack in the shadows. Alces sighed once more, and made a decision. ‘I’m sorry.’

The guard felt Alces’s muscles tighten. He couldn’t feel his neck anymore, and could barely breathe. Slowly, Alces squeezed harder, and then the pony realized he was fighting for his life, a fight he couldn’t win. ‘Wait,’ he wheezed.

‘I can’t,’ Alces snapped, ‘but I said I was sorry, so no complaining.’

‘I know how to cast killing magic.’

Was he speaking the truth, or was he just saying that to save his hide? Alces kept his grip tight. ‘Really?’

The pony’s hind hooves spasmed around. With a half-voice laden with panic, he said, ‘I study magic, all kinds of magic. I know how to do it.’

‘Really?’

The pony’s limbs stopped moving around. ‘Pl-pl-please. Whatever you need me to do, I’ll…’ and then he was out of air, and couldn’t finish his sentence.

Alces considered what the pony said. He loosened his grip once again. ‘If you’re lying, then…’

‘Yes, I know,’ said the pony. ‘Pl-pl-please don’t kill me. I have a wife and children.’

‘And I have a brother,’ said Alces. ‘And I made him the promise of coming back for him. But for now, I need to get out of here, and I need a living cannon. Are you going to be my living cannon?’

‘Y-y-yes. Please, anything.’

Alces relaxed his muscles. The pony flopped down on the ground, gasping for air. Alces looked at the scrawny little creature, sneered, and said, ‘Go catch your breath. Show begins in five minutes.’

‘Th-th-thank you,’ the pony said, but Alces wasn’t looking at him anymore. He was watching the gate.

* *

‘Everypony, put your hooves in the air!’ Alces yelled. He jumped out of the shadows, holding the unfortunate guard in his hooves. His one hoof was wrapped around his neck, and his other held him by the waist, carrying him like a living cannon.

The three ponies froze. Two of them stood by the treadmill, while a third one was on the walls. Alces noticed how the third one’s horn began to glow. ‘Extinguish your horn, fella. No magic, or I’ll shoot you all dead!’

‘With what?’ said the third guard. He slowly climbed down the wall, frowning and with his horn still glowing.

Alces squeezed his guard’s neck. ‘Showtime, friend. Do your trick or I’ll make sure you go down first. Maybe a pony shield is more important after all.’

‘N-n-no, please!’

‘Do it!’

The horn of his living cannon glowed too. But where the guard’s horn glowed a glimmering blue, his guard’s horn glowed red.

‘Whoa there, what are you doing?’ Upon seeing the red light, the guard suddenly froze. His eyes went wide. The glow of his horn disappeared. Alces looked from his weapon to the guard and smiled. ‘This is your lucky day,’ he said to his weapon.

The guards who stood close to the treadmills also saw the red glow. They too looked suddenly very pale. They backed off.

Alces didn’t need to get more proof that his plan worked. He got down to business immediately. Pointing his living cannon at the guards at the treadmill, he said, ‘One of you, or two, I don’t care. Run in the treadmill and open the gate.’

They stood still for a moment, and exchanged a glance with the third guard, who was apparently their leader. ‘Do it, for Glimmer’s sake,’ he said. ‘Don’t you see what he’s got in his hooves there? He could kill us all.’

‘I could, I can, and I will,’ said Alces. He took a moment to grin. This felt good. It felt good to have some power back. Briefly, his thoughts went to old Cervidus, who had told him on his dying bed what power can do. He was right. ‘Two of you in the left treadmill and you in the right one, “boss,”’ he said. ‘And if any of you slow down I might decide that only two of you will do the job just fine too.’

The guards did as they were told. Alces glanced from them to his weapon and then back down the street. It was late at night, and no one was going for a nightly stroll and was walking towards the gate. Good. Alces heard the chain pulling, wished that chains were more silent, and then turned his head back to the guards. The gate was already open.

Step by step, Alces neared the open gate. He could smell the fresh air with a hint of pine needles coming from the forest. He didn’t need to go far. While he walked, he kept his living cannon aimed at the guards, but Alces could read the fear from their faces. Apparently, these guards weren’t that brave after all. He went through the gate, and reached the edge of the forest. Then, he abruptly turned around, threw away his “cannon,” and gave him a violent buck for good measure. The pony almost flew all the way back through the gate and into town. The guards charged their horns and shot some magic after Alces, but he had already disappeared between the trees.

Alces didn’t look back, but raced through the forest. His tactic was to put as many miles between him and Scribblers’ City as he could. He didn’t feel tired at all, and the strength had remained in his new legs. Grinning, Alces reckoned he could run for hours, far longer than any of those cowardly guards could. Yes, Alces knew that this time, he was really free.

As he galloped and jumped over the earth covered in pine needles, smelling the sweet, nightly air, Alces’s mind went to his brother. Now that he was free, it was time to think about freeing Elkia. While this plan had gone smoothly—with some minor panic-made improvisations here and there—now it was time to make a new plan. Now it was time to try and find his brother and get him out of trouble. Little did Alces know that many miles of forests, mountains, and sand separated him from his kin. But even if he had known that, Alces would surely not have given up. If anything, it would only have made him more determined.

How long had he been running? It wasn’t that long, but Alces had the feeling that he had put quite some distance between him and the city. At least a couple of miles. He looked back, but saw nothing except trees. That was a mistake.

Pine needles rustled. Alces’s legs got caught in something, and it made him trip. A moment later, he felt himself being lifted off the ground. He cursed and growled as he hung in mid-air, caught in a skillfully crafted net.

‘I don’t think so,’ Alces said. He shook the surprise off, grabbed a piece of rope, and moved his head towards it.

Only then did he realize that he had lost his antlers.

Biting it was. Alces gnawed on the rope until it snapped. He grabbed another strand and bit into it, muttering curses under his breath as he worked. He was so busy freeing himself, that he didn’t notice how he slowly became surrounded. Only when there were creatures all around him did Alces pause. He froze, screwed up his eyes, and met the gaze of someone he’d never thought to see again.

‘Moussa!’

The king of the elks, deer, and reindeer stood before Alces, but he could hardly recognize him. Green energy sprouted from him, draping like a cloak around the elk’s shoulders. The green fire held together his limbs, which were made partly of flesh, and partly of wood. A crown of green flames was upon his head, and his eyes looked dangerous and wise at the same time. ‘Can someone please get him down?’ he said. Even his voice was warped. It still had the haughty timbre of a king, but there was a strange and uncanny undertone to it. It was as if there were two elks speaking at the same time.

As Alces looked around, he saw many other elks, deer, and reindeer all around him. Some looked normal, but the vast majority of them was composed of the same mystical forces as Moussa. Some of them looked more wood than elk, and bore antlers flaming with green fire. Alces felt the rope jerking back and forth. Then suddenly it snapped, and he fell to the ground with a thud.

In a split-second, he was back on his hooves, facing Moussa. But Moussa wasn’t looking at him. He stood with his back to Alces, and observed his subjects. ‘I expected to catch a pony in there, but alas,’ he said.

Growling, Alces cocked his head and snorted. ‘Is that how you treat someone of your own kin?’

‘That is how we treat those that can perhaps not be trusted,’ Moussa said.

‘Can’t be trusted? How?’ Alces said, his voice high with anger and confusion mixed in.

‘Because I know for certain that you didn’t stay and defend the Shimmering Eye with the rest of us. Otherwise I would have found your body in the woods. And instead I find you here. A strange coincidence.’

Alces shook himself to get the pine needles out of his fur. ‘I saw how you fell, Moussa. I saw how all of you fell during that terrible night. Hay, I even know Aeltha fell.’

‘We all lost someone that night,’ Moussa said. ‘But I found something too.’

Before Alces could ask what, Moussa turned around. His cloak changed from green to red fire, his crown became twice as big, and his eyes glared. ‘I am Moussa, regenerated! Bow before your new leader, your new seer, your new master of the essence and the savior of the tribe!’

Despite his anger, Alces felt himself falling to his knees. Before this new, great and terrible king, he felt but small—a feeling he hadn’t often felt, and a feeling which he didn’t like at all. ‘What the hay happened to you all?’ he whispered.

Moussa’s appearance changed back to his normal, green-flamed self. ‘A just question, Alces Roameling, son of the seer. Listen closely to what I say, so you understand everything your king wants you to hear.’

‘I will. Just… just tell me why you’re all alive and why you’re here, of all places.’

Moussa snorted. His eyes and mind drifted off, back to that dramatic night nearly a year ago. ‘The timber wolves thought they had defeated me, but they were sadly mistaken. Little did they know that I too, was a student of Aeltha the seer. During our many divination sessions, she had been busy teaching me about the essence, saying that a day of judgement would come when a mightier king was needed. A mightier king with a mightier soul, yet in the same body.’

Alces had never understood his mother’s magical talks, yet he listened attentively to the king’s words.

‘When I lay on the ground, bleeding to death, I reached out for the power of the essence. The essence listened to me, and I managed to come to a deal with it. The end of it was that I got resurrected into a newer, more powerful form, bearing the same power the timber wolves used.’

‘But…’ Alces thought he understood what Moussa said. ‘But the timber wolves are made of dark essence. Do you mean you used—’

‘I had to,’ Moussa said, eyes twinkling. ‘There was no other way. I needed a powerful force to get me back on my hooves again, and only dark essence was at hand. Yes, I admit it. I made a deal with the Dark Elk. But remember that I wasn’t selfish, for I shared my power with everyone here.’ He waved his wooden hoof around, offering Alces yet another glance at his new people. They stood, half-wood half-flesh, listening to their king and looking at Alces in the middle.

‘So did you kill the timber wolves?’

Moussa snorted. Steam came from his nostrils. ‘The wolves were long gone before I managed to stand on my own hooves again. But once I stood up and looked around me, I saw that I was alone. Everyone had succumbed to those horrible creatures. That’s when I started sharing my power.’ Moussa reared. His voice grew in volume. ‘Every elk, deer, and reindeer that was still in one piece, I was able to resurrect. I shared my power with many that night, and managed to recruit many strong souls to the new herd.’

Alces gasped. ‘Did you manage to save Aeltha? Did you manage to save my mother?’

‘I searched for her, Alces Roameling. Don’t think that I left her alone. I searched many days and many nights, but I was unable to find her lifeless body anywhere. I concluded that the wolves had probably devoured her.’

‘But she could be alive, right?’ For a moment, Alces pushed the fact that Elkia had said Aeltha was dead aside. He saw now that death was apparently cheatable. He had the faint hope that perhaps…

‘Aeltha is dead, Alces Roameling,’ Moussa said. ‘I don’t want you to believe in “maybe” or “perhaps.” Aeltha the seer knew that death would come for her that evening. She had seen how everything ended, and had revealed part of the outcome of the battle to me. Grieve when you are ready, little elk, because your mother is dead.’

Alces snorted. His knees felt weak. He started jumping and yelling, fighting to regain control of himself. ‘No! No! It cannot be true,’ he shouted with rage in his voice.

‘Enough!’ Moussa roared. He slammed his wooden hoof on the ground, and a circle of green fire erupted around it.

‘No, not enough!’ Alces shouted back. ‘I still don’t know what happened that night, or why and how you’re even here. It just doesn’t make sense!’

‘Then be quiet and listen, if you want to know the truth,’ Moussa said sternly, as if he were talking to an impatient young calf. ‘After I regenerated everyone that could be saved, the new herd and I spent many days and nights hunting down the wolves. And yes, once we finally found them, we destroyed every single one of them.’

‘Good,’ Alces said.

‘Necessary,’ Moussa said. ‘The Shimmering Eye was ours once more, and we once more got a chance to guard it with our lives, wiser we all are now. Why we are here is another story. I had often heard from ponies that there was a mysterious settlement somewhere in the Bugbear Territory. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to search for it myself. But now that we are twice as powerful as before—three times even, I dared to leave some of my kin behind, and venture far into the woods with this faithful platoon at my side.’

‘So, you’re just here to check on rumors?’ Alces said.

‘You don’t see the big picture, Roameling, for which you can be excused. You are no leader, after all. After the timber wolf attack I realized that we were not alone in this forest after all. I knew I had to remap the place in my mind, and the rumors were my guide. Eventually, we did reach this place. We’ve been here for nearly a day now, scouting it out, walking around and around it. They truly have mighty walls, which will be hard to conquer. But then I realized something else. Why not forge an alliance, and make this a diplomatic mission? If we can get in contact with these ponies, perhaps we can come to some arrangement, and perhaps we might learn to build walls ourselves. It may even be—’

‘Don’t go there,’ Alces said. His eyes searched for Moussa’s, but became lost in the fire.

‘How dare you interrupt your king like that?’ Moussa said with his terrible new voice.

Alces tried not to wince. ‘I’ve been in there as a prisoner. They reduced me to a slave. They made me work hard in the fields and gave me little food and water. It is terrible, absolutely terrible. And there are more. There are many more ponies living in slavery and misery. There’s no talking with the ponies of Scribblers’ City.’ He paused and looked around at the other elks, deer, and reindeer, before his gaze once more settled on Moussa. ‘These ponies are evil. I know they have dark essence in them. Believe me, King Moussa. These ponies are our enemies.’

Even though he didn’t show it, Moussa was apparently listening to Alces, as he remained silent for a while. His wooden hoof reached up and stroked his flame-bound goatee. ‘If it is true what you say then we should tread carefully. Yet, I cannot simply abandon my perfect and glorious plans for the future based on one child’s accusation.’

The word “child” set Alces’s heart in flames. ‘Do you want some more proof? Why not look at this! Look what they gave me as a souvenir!’ Alces turned around, and showed the scars of his flank to Moussa.

Moussa did a step back. ‘Once again you’re insulting me, young elk. How dare you turn your back on your king? I wish I could give you the punishment you deserve, but I have more important things to do. Go away and leave us to our plans.’

‘What?! But… but…’

Turning around, Moussa was going to walk away, but, upon hearing Alces’s voice once more, he seemed to remember something. ‘Alces Roameling, would you still serve the herd?’

That was an easy question. ‘Of course, King Moussa. I belong to the herd.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ Moussa said. ‘Instead of punishment, I give you a test.’

‘Anything,’ Alces said.

‘You claim to have been in this settlement, and if that’s true, then you might be an asset to us after all. Perhaps you can still be of use to us.’

‘Of course I’m useful,’ Alces said with a snort. ‘What’s the plan anyway?’

‘Our first plan was to catch somepony with our traps and interrogate him or her.’ Moussa shook his head. ‘But our traps—other than the one you foolishly galloped into—have been empty all along. Apparently these ponies do not often leave the safety of their walls behind. I can’t blame them.’

‘So what’s up next?’ Alces was dying for some action, and ready to reclaim his place in the herd. Maybe they could even help him search for Elkia, or maybe he’d have a chance to discover the house with the green curtains after all. However much he disliked going into Scribblers’ City again, with Moussa and this new, essence-infused army of elks, deer, and reindeer at his side, he wasn’t afraid.

‘”Up next” is a plan I have constructed myself. I want to speak with the leader of these ponies, and have a talk leader-to-leader. My plan is but simple. I want to appear at the gate with the herd behind my back, and ask for a meeting with the leader of this settlement.’

‘And? That can’t be everything, right?’

‘No, there is more,’ Moussa said. ‘My scouts have discovered that this settlement has two gates, one in the north and one in the south. I myself will appear at the north gate, but I will need a platoon of warriors at the ready at the south gate, so that they won’t have the opportunity of a surprise attack. I still don’t believe they are hostile, but I’m not going to let the safety of my people be ignored.’

Alces was silent for two seconds, thinking about the plan. He didn’t like the plan at all, and not just because there wasn’t enough action in it. Revenge still crossed his mind. ‘But they are hostile,’ he said. ‘They will definitely attack you if you’re not careful. We should be the one to attack first. We have to strike them down and be merciless, and—’

‘Enough!’ shouted Moussa. ‘I will not have some calf tell me what to do and what not to do. As long as they haven’t shot or stabbed or bit me, I consider them safe to talk to. Go live your fantasy somewhere else.’

Alces gritted his teeth. He stabbed at the ground with his hoof. ‘But—’

‘No more buts,’ said King Moussa. ‘You will be with the group that keeps watch. You know about their fortifications, where they are and how far they can see. Make yourself useful and go with the watch. Leave the talking to the leaders.’

Wanting to say something back, Alces drew in a breath. But then he realized to whom he was talking. He was talking to King Moussa, the strongest and stubbornest of the elks, deer, and reindeer. Whatever he was going to say, it was not going to work. The king would have it his way, however much he’d try to convince him. Alces sighed and said, ‘Very well, King Moussa.’

‘Why the sigh? You’re going to be a part of a glorious plan, crafted by the king himself.’

‘Where’s the group?’ Alces said, not answering his king’s question. Insulting him was not going to get him back into the herd.

King Moussa proceeded to dividing his herd in two. After a few minutes, they started to move. Alces felt much better once his group passed Moussa’s and headed for the south gate. The other elks, deer, and reindeer followed Alces dutifully, and Alces felt a little bit better. He felt like a general, leading his troops into glorious battle. The only thing was that there would be no battle, and that the soldiers were loyal to Moussa first, and him second. Alces couldn’t blame them. If Moussa hadn’t exaggerated and had really resurrected them all from the dead, then they had a solid reason to be loyal to him.

Alces knew they were getting close. The trees became scarcer and scarcer. Soon enough, Alces could see torches burning in the distance. The gate was just a few yards away. Alces stopped, and so did the herd.

‘We’re going to stay hidden in the edge of the forest, so they won’t see us,’ he said. ‘Especially with all the, well, glowy things.’

Some elks looked at themselves and at the others, as if they noticed the flames and the swirling green magical energy coursing through their reanimated bodies for the first time. They shuffled on their hooves, but not because they were afraid. They made way for a moose, big, but bent double, as old age got into his bones. He had a long, grey goatee, and wooden tiles covered his neck like a piece of armor. He strode slowly towards his favorite pupil, who looked at him almost as shocked as when he saw Moussa the first time.

‘Old Cervidus!’

‘Indeed,’ said the old elk with a smile. Once he reached Alces, he caught him in an embrace. ‘Sorry for the sentimental feeling, Alces, but I lost all my children and grandchildren that night, and they couldn’t be revived. You are the closest thing to a grandson I have.’

‘I don’t mind,’ said Alces, and he really didn’t. He wasn’t the hug-loving kind of elk, but some affection, even a little bit, after everything he had gone through was more than welcome at that moment.

‘Oh my! By the Dark Elk! What has happened with your cutie mark?!’

Alces turned around and showed his scarred flank to Cervidus. ‘They did it.’

Cervidus stepped closer and regarded Alces’s terrible wounds with his fading eyes. ‘I thought my eyes betrayed me when I saw you talking to Moussa, but indeed, it is worse than I thought.’

‘It doesn’t hurt anymore,’ said Alces.

‘Of course it does,’ said Cervidus. ‘It must hurt you here.’ He tapped Alces’s chest with his split hoof.

A few seconds of awful memories from Scribblers’ City was enough to make Alces growl. ‘If you mean it like that, then yes. It hurts a lot.’

It was as if Cervidus read his mind. ‘Then you must want revenge on whomever did this to you. No, you don’t want revenge, you deserve revenge.’

‘Yes,’ Alces said. ‘I do. But I don’t think I’ll get much revenge with Moussa’s “plan.”’

Cervidus shook his head. His neck creaked. ‘I’m not a big fan of Moussa and his “plans” either.’

‘Huh?’ Alces cocked his head. ‘But didn’t he raise you all from the dead?’

Old Cervidus wrapped a hoof around Alces, and pushed him away from the rest of the elks, deer, and reindeer. In a hushed voice, he said, ‘Don’t be fooled. It may seem that Moussa gave us something, but I can feel, deep down inside, that he took something too. It may seem that we got a second chance at life, but it will be a life without much freedom.’

‘What do you mean?’ said Alces, also whispering now.

‘I think he took a little slice of our souls, and keeps them safe underneath that wood-bound chest of his. He owns us, Alces. He truly is an absolute king now. I’m not sure, but I think he might be able to bend us to his will somehow.’

‘That’s… interesting,’ Alces said.

‘Oh, I know that look on your face,’ said Cervidus, grinning as he spoke. ‘You’re thinking of your own woes as you listen to the woes of others.’

‘I’m sorry about that,’ Alces said, a bit embarrassed.

‘No. I’m sure you have been through a lot inside those damn walls,’ said Cervidus. ‘And I also have the feeling that what you told Moussa was just the tip of the pine tree, wasn’t it?’

‘It was,’ said Alces.

‘Then why not tell me all about your misadventures while we wait. You and I both know there will be no action tonight, for ponies are cowards.’

Now Alces grinned too. ‘You are old and wise, Cervidus.’

An so they waited. Every elk, deer, and reindeer stood his or her ground and fanned out, keeping the wall in their sights. They saw how the guards walked to and from on the wall, doing their nightly rounds, and occasionally looked at the forest. There were quite a few of them around, mostly unicorns in blue uniforms, and they were definitely alert. Little did the other elks, deer, and reindeer know that Alces had broken out of that gate just a few hours ago.

Only Cervidus soon found out that Alces had done just that. He listened with undying interest at the escape of Elkia. He scowled and grunted as he heard how the guards tortured Alces until he was broken and battered and damaged beyond repair. Then he almost cheered out loud when Alces told him about his escape with the help of Sparks the blacksmith.

‘Looks like you’ve been to the Dark Lands and back,’ Cervidus said, when Alces concluded his tale.

‘More or less,’ said Alces.

‘But in the end, you didn’t get your revenge. That’s a shame, isn’t it?’

‘It is, Cervidus. It is…’

Together they sat in silence for a while, also observing the wall. Alces tried to estimate how long they had been sitting there like that, doing absolutely nothing. He thought it must surely be an hour or two. Then he thought about Moussa, and if he’d been able to gain an audience at the leader of Scribblers’ City. No matter how long they sat and waited, nothing happened. Alces became restless, and shuffled on his hooves. Cervidus took note of that, and nodded, as if he’d made a decision. And in reality, he certainly had.

Suddenly, the old elk stood up and walked towards the rest. ‘Gather round, everyone. I have something to say.’

Some elks moved closer to him, but most of them held their grounds and didn’t do anything.

‘He said listen, wood-heads!’ Alces barked to the elks. Technically, Moussa had appointed Alces to be the scoutmaster, so this time the elks, deer, and reindeer did as they were told, and scooted closer.

Cervidus winked at Alces, and Alces winked back. ‘It’s all about the right words,’ Cervidus whispered. Then, he took the time to look at everyone in turn, scanning their reformed heads and the green light of their eyes. After a brief pause, he said, ‘Have we forgotten what honor is?’

No one answered.

Cervidus pointed at the elks. His voice rose in strength. ‘Yes, sure, pretend that you think your honor is secure, or perhaps you think we are honorable creatures after all. For a minute, I thought we actually were honorable enough, as we chased away, hunted down, and killed the timber wolves who defiled our most holy sanctuary. Yes, we did reclaim our honor that way.’

A few murmurs went through the crowd. Some nodded their heads.

‘So, thanks to this amazing feat of strength and brutality, we reclaimed our honor through revenge. Doesn’t that feel sweet? Doesn’t that feel absolutely satisfying?

‘Yes,’ said some elks.

Cervidus tapped his chest with his hoof. ‘Honor is important for us, and we would rather die than be dishonored in some way, wouldn’t we?’

Alces saw what Cervidus was doing. He stood by his side.

A large deer separated himself from the rest of the herd. ‘What are you trying to say, old Cervidus?’

Cervidus licked his lips. ‘I’m just stating a fact, a tradition nestled deeply in our great culture. I want you all to be aware of ourselves. We live and breathe honor.’

‘Yes, we know that,’ said the deer. ‘Why are you bothering to tell us and grab our attention when we should actually focus ourselves on the gate?’

‘Because…’ Cervidus paused for dramatic effect. ‘Because I have here someone who has lost his honor, and I keep wondering if you and I and everyone else actually want to help him.’

‘Whom are you talking about?’

Suddenly, without any warning, Cervidus picked up Alces from the ground. The old elk proved to be stronger than he looked, as he held Alces in his hooves. ‘This poor creature has something to show and to tell. Look at this!’ he flipped Alces around, so that his scarred cutie mark was visible to everyone. Cervidus could look in Alces’s eyes, and he winked.

In the ghostly green light which emanated from the elks, Alces’s scars were clearly visible. A loud gasp went through the crowd, traveling from the middle of the group all the way to the end. The silent recon squad became not so silent anymore. The elks, deer, and reindeer craned their necks, wanting to see if it was really as bad as it looked. They all got a horrifying view of Alces’s lost cutie mark, which seemed to throb and pulse in the shifting light and shadow.

‘Oh my! That’s terrible!’

‘Does it hurt?’

‘Where is your cutie mark?’

‘Will you ever get the cutie mark back?’

‘Those scars… horrible!’

‘How did this happen?’

‘Who did this?’

And many more questions were asked. The elks barely remembered to be silent, caught up in this moment of misery.

‘I believe it is time to let Alces take the word,’ Cervidus said. He put Alces down and stepped aside.

Alces remained silent and turned around. He made sure to look in all the elk, deer, and reindeer eyes. He could feel the compassion flowing from creature to creature, and he knew he now had to play his crowd like a drum; not too hard, but powerful enough to leave a lasting expression.

‘In answer to your questions, I got the scars from in there.’ He pointed behind him at the wall.

‘But why?’ said a deer.

‘Because… because… I was an elk!’ Alces blurted out.

Another string of gasps went through the crowd. Some stomped their hooves. Alces saw that and smiled. He had to get them angry, that was the key which unlocked the door to his revenge… maybe.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ he said. ‘They sawed off my antlers and made my cutie mark disappear in a pool of boiling skin and a heap of blisters only because I was an elk. Now, this puts question marks at Moussa’s plan, doesn’t it? Do we really want to ally ourselves with ponies—beasts—who treat elks like this?’

Murmurs. Some elks, deer, and reindeer spoke silently to one another. Alces could swear the green lights of their eyes grew in intensity. That was what he wanted.

‘A plan has grown inside my head, and I’m willing to share it with you all.’ Alces used his voice as if he were telling the crowd a very sensitive thing. With a small smirk he reckoned Elkia would be proud of him for his theater play and speech. ‘We can stay here, doing nothing, while King Moussa, on behalf of the whole herd, tries to befriend these ponies who would never even deserve to be called friends of the herd, a plan which I highly doubt will even be possible.’

Alces paused until the crowd was silent. ‘Or…?’ an elk said.

‘Or we charge!’ Alces slammed his hoof on the ground. ‘We charge and take matters into our own hooves. It might be hard for you all to believe, but horrible things are going on behind this wall. Behind this wall, ponies are being treated as slaves, as was I. We should put an end to the horrible things that happen in this horrible “city.” We should fight. Who’s with me!’

The crowd rustled. Many hooves went into the air, as many elks, deer, and reindeer got inflamed by Alces’s speech. Alces looked at the others who hadn’t yet raised their hooves. One deer stepped forward. ‘But what about Moussa? Shouldn’t we be loyal to him and do what he said we should do? Surely he had the right intentions.’

‘You’re missing the point!’ old Cervidus suddenly shouted. He shoved Alces aside to face the deer. ‘Yes, Moussa is a great leader. Yes, he gave us our lives back. But he didn’t turn us into mindless slaves. We have information. Alces Roameling knows what horrible things are going on in this city, and Moussa doesn’t. The fact that Moussa doesn’t want to listen to what Alces Roameling, son of Aeltha the seer, has to say doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t.’ Cervidus took the time to collect his breath and shaped his words into powerful tools. ‘In fact, we have already heard what Alces said, and I think he has explained everything clear enough. These ponies are elk-haters. These ponies are our enemies.’

‘How so?’

‘The fact that these monsters scorched away Alces’s cutie mark already proves that they are our enemies. If you won’t charge for yourself, then charge for Alces. They have taken away his pride and his honor. Alces deserves to have his honor restored, and these ponies deserve to know what happens with those that stand against us.’

The crowd produced some growls and moans. More hooves got raised into the air. But still, there were some who held back. Including the deer.

Cervidus noticed that. ‘What can we do to prove this?’ he said. ‘How can we prove we are speaking the truth?’

‘Show it to me,’ the deer said.

‘I beg your pardon?’

The deer planted his hooves firmly on the ground. ‘I still don’t know if we should ignore what Moussa ordered us to do.’ He looked down at Alces. ‘I challenge you, Alces. Walk out of the forest and towards the wall.’

‘And then what?’ Cervidus said. ‘I think his scars are proof enough.’

But the deer shook his head. ‘Walk towards the gate and then we’ll see what happens. If they talk, we talk. But if they attack, then’—he looked behind himself at the army of elks, deer, and reindeer—‘then we charge. Does that sound like a deal?’

The others backed the deer up.

‘Yes!’

‘Good idea!’

‘Let’s do that!’

‘It’s a deal!’

‘Go Alces!’

Alces exchanged a glance with Cervidus as the crowd answered. He expected Cervidus to say something witty, something that would turn the tide. But Cervidus’s gaze was as blank at Alces’s. Apparently, they had reached an ultimatum.

‘Fine!’ Alces growled. He breathed in deep, turned around, and walked with powerful, sure steps towards the gate.

Behind him, the group of elks, deer, and reindeer watched as Alces moved forwards. He had reached the end of the tree line already.

Slowly but steadily, Alces moved closer to the gate. He could already see some blue uniforms. The only thing the guards had to do was look down, and they would spot him.

And that was exactly what happened.

One guard glanced down, and saw him. Then the guard glanced again, not believing his eyes. He shouted, ‘Everyone! It’s the elk!’

‘Fire at will!’ a voice shouted from somewhere.

Alces swallowed, and braced himself for the pain.

A bolt of magical energy flew through the air and hit its mark. The magic sizzled and sparked as it entered Alces’s body, traveling at lightning speed and releasing pain in his nerves. Alces rocked once, twice, and then fell down on the ground. He couldn’t even twitch his ears anymore.

‘I got him! I got him!’ the guard yelled. ‘Open the gate, then we’ll haul him in.’

‘Roger that.’

Despite his numbness and the pain, Alces couldn’t resist smiling. They were opening the gate, and couldn’t have chosen to do anything stupider. If Cervidus hadn’t sit still and had put them all into position, ready for the charge, then—

With a thud, the gate opened. A small platoon of four guards marched towards him, completely oblivious of the approaching army.

‘ATTACK!’

Alces heard how the elks, deer, and reindeer charged from the forest. He felt their thundering hooves upon the ground, a sweet sound to his ears. The four guardponies looked in front of them. Then their eyes became as big as saucers, they forgot about Alces, and they turned around to run back at the gate.

‘Close the gate! Close it!’

But it was too late. Already some swift deer had reached the entrance to Scribblers’ City. They were busy chasing the guards away, and waited by the gate so it stayed open.

Something cold and spikey touched down on Alces. A strange vibration went through his body, activating his muscles and almost forcing himself to stand up.

Cervidus stood next to him, smiling. ‘A little gift from the Dark Elk. Let the dark essence flow through your body, and use it well. Use it for revenge.’

When Alces looked back, he saw how the rest of the herd followed suit. He wasted no time. ‘Elks up front! Elks up front! Try to block the magic with your antlers!’ he shouted. To his satisfaction, the position of the animals changed, until the big, strong elks with their wide, broad antlers took the lead. Alces smiled. Tonight was going to be a good night.

He chose to gallop up front, with Cervidus next to him. After they all ran through the gate, Alces kept giving orders. With him in the lead, they veered off towards the magical bubble.

‘To the bubble! That’s the source of the misery!’ Alces shouted.

There were a few guards out and about, who had at first walked casually through town, knowing that nothing extraordinary would happen. But now, they realized how wrong they were. They tried to shoot magical missiles, but those easily rebounded on the antlers of the stormtroopers at the front. Then they executed a wiser strategy—the one where they ran.

The horde reached the magical bubble. The elks, deer, and reindeer overpowered the guards, and squeezed themselves through the entrance. Once inside, Alces took a small moment to regroup, see if everyone was present, and give orders.

‘Attack the ponies in blue uniforms. Trample right over them if you want. I don’t care. Get them running and steer them towards some marketplace or a central square. I want to have them all there nicely packed together.’ Alces paused to look the plantations over, and spotted the buildings. ‘And if you find yourself without anything to do, then just demolish somethings or set fire to whatever wooden structure you can find. It’s all improvisation from here.’

As an answer, a roaring battle cry came from the elks, deer, and reindeer who made up the crowd, which promptly got turned into an army by Alces. After a shouted ‘GO!’ they did as they were ordered.

Alces joined the army as it traveled uphill towards the guard barracks. They encountered a guard or two, who got completely overrun and fled down towards the entrance. Alces took the time to look into their eyes, and saw the fear and terror. Unfortunately, he didn’t find the one face he was looking for.

At the top of the hill, the guardhouse came into view. Some guards stood at the entrance but, watching the elks storm on, hunkered down inside.

Not for long.

After a quick command, the elks who had been the pupils of Aeltha the seer made their magic work. They commanded the destructive forces of nature, focused the essence into their antlers, and set fire to the building,

One by one, coughing and covering their eyes against the smoke, the guards trickled out of the building. They immediately surrendered when they saw how painfully surrounded they were. Not even bothering to shoot, knowing it would only anger the insane horde in front of them, they let themselves be steered down the hill and out of the bubble by a group of elks which detached itself from the main horde.

When all the guards were out of the guardhouse, Alces and his army made one final sweep through the plantations. There were a few guards who were hiding, but the army soon got them moving. As Alces and the army headed towards the exit of the bubble, Alces paused at a very familiar house. He bashed in the door and stepped inside. Sparks was home, watching the chaos through his window.

‘What the hay is going on out there?’ he said.

In the flickering candlelight, Alces’s smile looked all but demonic. ‘Revenge, my friend. Revenge and salvation.’

‘You are mad!’ said Sparks. ‘How did you even find that many elks and deer and whatever antlered monsters you have there?’

‘Luck—or bad luck, perhaps,’ Alces said. ‘Doesn’t matter. What matters now is that you’re free.’

Sparks left the window alone and walked to Alces. He stuck out a hoof, which Alces shook. ‘I honestly would have preferred a less violent method.’

‘Freedom is freedom,’ Alces said.

‘That’s true.’ Sparks managed a tense smile. ‘I guess I’d better go check with the workers, to see if they’re okay.’

‘Yes, you should do that,’ said Alces. ‘Lead them if you must. Saves me the trouble of rescuing them one by one.’

‘Of course… I’ll do that.’

Alces turned around and was going to step outside, when Sparks called his name. ‘Alces.’

Alces paused, but didn’t turn around.

‘Good luck.’

‘Tonight has nothing to do with luck,’ said Alces.

‘With what then?’ asked Sparks.

‘With strength, strength in numbers.’

And with those words hanging in the air, Alces left the blacksmith’s house.

He was almost the only one left. Quickly, Alces sprinted towards the gate, now devoid of any blue-uniformed ponies, and entered the city once more. It only took him a few seconds to locate the rest of his army. He galloped back to the front, where he got to see something truly satisfying. Running, fleeing, a whole platoon of guards galloped in front of them, herded like sheep dogs. Alces had them exactly where he wanted them to have.

The sounds of yells and screams were in the air. When Alces followed them, he saw exactly why. Six or seven small groups of Aeltha’s pupils had separated themselves from the main herd. They were busy sowing flames and making the buildings burn. They were smart enough to start their fires upwind, and in no time, several buildings were burning in the night. Hay, they had almost lain a whole district into ashes. Alces grinned as he saw the grisly spectacle before his eyes. Honestly, he didn’t mind a bit of collateral damage.

But still there was no square or marketplace. Alces saw that they were now galloping through a residential district. The few ponies that were out and about quickly retreated into small alleys or inside houses, trying to shield themselves from the thundering horde. Children cried, mares wailed, and stallions shouted. The sound was music to Alces’s ears. For a moment, he truly felt like a conqueror. He wanted them all to scream and see that their pretty little village was not as safe as it seemed. He wanted them all to scream his name in pure terror.

‘ALCES!’

‘ALCES!’

‘ALCES!’

For a moment Alces was confused. Did his daydream come true already? He tried to find the source of the shouts, to find whoever called him. After a bit of glancing around, he discovered something truly interesting.

There was a mare, standing in the doorway of her house. She didn’t look afraid at all. Instead, she waved at him and called out his name through the rumble of the hooves, the roaring of the flames and the crying of children. Alces could have ignored her easily, but he didn’t, because he saw something he had kind of been looking for.

Green curtains.

‘Cervidus, you take the lead for a while,’ said Alces to his mentor. ‘Do as I said, and drive those sadistic guardponies towards some kind of market square. I’ll join you soon.’

Cervidus nodded. ‘What are you going to do, then?’

‘Something I should have done in the first place.’ And with that, Alces left the army alone, and headed for the door.

The pony retreated inside as soon as she saw Alces was coming too. When Alces entered the house and shut the door, the pony was standing opposite of him, watching him as if he were a stray cat that had found its way home after many years. ‘It really is you,’ she said. ‘I can see that the potion did the trick.’

Alces narrowed his eyes. In front of him stood a pony with a light brown hide, and with a mane that wasn’t quite blond and wasn’t quite red. ‘Wait, I know you…’

‘Yes,’ Strawberry Blonde said. ‘We had a brief talk when we took you in, and before I became off put by your… well… verbal abuse.’

Two long strides brought Alces close to the pony. ‘It’s strange isn’t it? Back then I might even have been angry after your guards caught me and knocked me out.’

‘Haha, this is no time for sarcasm, Alces,’ said Strawberry. She kept her poise, and refused to be intimidated by the elk who was at least a head taller than her. ‘Your brother and I knew each other well, and—’

‘So you were the one he fell in love with?!’ Alces said. ‘You were the one who clouded his vision and kept this whole slavery thing a secret? Were you the one who thought of that ridiculous guard-disguise plan too?’

Strawberry took a deep breath, staying calm in front of the snorting and flaring elk, a furry ball of anger. ‘Yes, he and I shared our moments together. Yes, I kept everything a secret—something I still regret—and no, I didn’t come up with that plan. Syntax did, another friend of Elkia’s.’

‘Tell me where he is and I’ll make sure he regrets that insane, idiotic, and stupid plan of his,’ said Alces, growling as he spoke.

‘I won’t,’ said Strawberry. ‘Instead, I’ll tell you something that might help you. I talked with Elkia before he disappeared and he told me to craft a plan together with Syntax to get you out of that magical bubble.’

‘I’m not gonna thank you,’ said Alces.

‘You don’t have to,’ Strawberry retorted. She paused, walked towards her window, and looked outside. ‘From the looks of it you have given your own twist to the plan.’

‘I stumbled upon an army. Might as well use it,’ said Alces.

But Strawberry wasn’t listening. She sniffed the air, and then opened the window. ‘Is that… smoke? Fire?’

‘Yes,’ said Alces with a smile. ‘With a little luck and favorable winds, we’ll burn this place to the ground.’

‘WHAT?!’ Now Strawberry Blonde was the one who turned around and jumped towards Alces. ‘You can’t do that! You can’t—’

‘DON’T tell me what I CAN and CANNOT do, Missy.’ Alces shouted. He towered over her. ‘I have an army, and you don’t!’

‘But there are ponies living here. Innocent ponies who have done nothing wrong!’ Strawberry said. She had done a step back at the sudden shout, but she kept her balance. ‘These are ponies who also didn’t even know there were… bad things happening underneath that bubble. You can’t just—I mean, it would be evil to burn their houses down.’

‘I didn’t come here to be scrutinized by some sugarplum schoolteacher,’ Alces said, ‘I came here for Elkia.’

There was a small silence. Strawberry Blonde adjusted her pose, thinking something over.

‘If you have nothing more to say, I’ll leave you and this stupid plan of yours behind. There is revenge to be done,’ Alces said. He turned around and headed for the door.

‘Wait!’ Strawberry shouted. ‘I have information that will help you track down Elkia.’

In one fluent motion, Alces turned around and retook his position opposite the pony, staring her down. ‘Tell me.’

‘I’ll only tell you if you stop your army from burning down the town,’ Strawberry said. She forced her voice to be strong, which didn’t even take her that much effort.

‘Tell me!’ Alces repeated.

‘No. First you stop the house burnings.’

‘TELL ME!’ Alces shouted, right into Strawberry’s face.

‘No.’

‘TELL ME NOW!’ Alces jumped up, and punched the ground with his hoof. As Strawberry followed the movement, she saw how Alces’s powerful blow created a large dent and a crack in the wooden floor. She swallowed, but didn’t budge. She knew that she had to be strong.

‘My offer still stands.’

‘RAAAGH!’ Alces turned away from the pony. He bucked around the room in frustration, knocking over some chairs and destroying Strawberry’s cabinet with her glass figurines. Although it pained her to see them get trampled, she kept silent.

Alces thrashed about for a minute or two, venting his anger on anything that came into view, before he finally found some kind of calmness and stopped.

‘Better now?’ Strawberry purred.

Alces’s blood boiled and sizzled for a moment longer after Strawberry’s words. Then, with a jerk, he moved towards the door. Opening it, he looked outside and called for the nearest elk he could find. He exchanged some quick words in Elkish and then closed the door once more. Turning around, his eyes met Strawberry’s. ‘There. Done. No more fire. Now tell me what you know.’

‘You’re such an angry animal,’ Strawberry said, more to herself than to Alces. ‘And that language sounds terrifying. I didn’t even know there was something like a language for the elks. Elkia never told me…’

‘Quit your blabbering and tell me what you know.’

‘Very well.’ Stepping over the shattered glass figurines, Strawberry walked towards a closet. There she got out a map and a pencil. Heading over to her table, she unrolled the map, and motioned for Alces to come closer, which he grudgingly did.

Strawberry cleared her throat. ‘Very well. After a quick talk with Syntax, the pony from the guard-dress-up-plan, I figured out that Elkia is probably here.’ She pointed at a symbol on the map, two horizontal bars against a sandy white background.

‘Where is there?’

‘It is the village of our great leader Starlight Glimmer. Once every few months, an airship from Griffonstone makes a circle.’ And to illustrate her words, she drew a circle on the map. ‘They fly from Griffonstone to Scribblers’ City, pick up books and art, and deliver them, together with some other supplies, at Starlight’s village. Then they stop at Manehattan, do some trading, and head back home to Griffonstone.’

‘So they took Elkia to Starglim’s village with the airship?’

‘Starlight Glimmer, and yes.’ Strawberry Blonde reached for her heart, and swallowed hard. ‘That’s where he is. You see, Syntax told me that sometimes our great leader Starlight Glimmer chooses from among us ponies of incredible talent, and takes them to the village to supervise their training or use them for certain purposes…’ Once again, Strawberry swallowed hard, and blinked. ‘So, whatever your worries are, know that Elkia is in good hooves.’

‘I don’t care how good the hooves are,’ Alces grumbled. ‘He’s still with the enemy, and I’m gonna get him out of there. I promised him.’

For a moment, just a tiny moment, Strawberry Blonde looked at Alces as if she just met him. ‘I can see that you really are brothers and friends, however different you are.’

‘Yes… We are brothers, friends maybe too,’ Alces said. Then he blinked, and his face contorted into his warrior’s frown again. ‘No sentimental nonsense now. How do I get to him?’

‘You have to go to Griffonstone,’ said Strawberry, pointing to a strange tree on a rock. ‘I have no idea when the next zeppelin will fly to Scribblers’ City, but I’m sure you can find many different zeppelins which will at least fly over Starlight Glimmer’s village.’

‘Where are we now?’ asked Alces.

‘We are now here.’ Strawberry Blonde drew a circle on the map, somewhere inside the Bugbear Territory. ‘You’ll have to travel south from here, cross the Guto River, and go through the forest until you reach Griffonstone.’

Alces scrutinized the map. His frown deepened. ‘I never liked cartography or navigating by the stars. But I suppose you’re coming along, right?’

Stepping back from the map and the table, Strawberry Blonde sighed, and her ears drooped down. ‘I… I wish I could, but—’

‘We’re gonna save the love of your life and you are not even coming along?’ Alces said, although he had trouble speaking out the words “love of your life.”

She knew she had to be strong, but even Strawberry Blonde, skillful as she was at steeling her face and hiding her emotions, let a tear fall. ‘I… I can’t.’

‘Why? Give me one good reason.’

‘The ponies here, they are scared.’ She paused and threw a hard look at Alces. ‘They are scared and they need somepony to turn to. I occupy a very high function in Scribblers’ City’s government. These ponies are my responsibility, and my home is here in Scribblers’ City. I can calm them down, say things that will make them feel better in these strange times. Maybe… hay, maybe I could even try and abolish the whole forced labor thing.’

‘I hope you can,’ Alces said, ‘or else my efforts have been for next to nothing, although the revenge will taste sweet in my mouth.’

Ignoring him, Strawberry continued her monologue. ‘However much…’ She had to start over again. ‘However much I want to see Elkia again, I know that my place is here. The only thing I wanted is for Elkia to be here with me, so I have my home, my people, and my love all in one place. But sadly, it is not meant to be…’

‘So you choose these pathetic ponies over my brother? What, isn’t he good enough for you?’

Now Strawberry was the one who got angry. She stomped on the ground. Then, with tear-struck eyes, she grabbed the map, rolled it up quickly and messily, and threw it at Alces. ‘Here’s your map and here’s your plan. The rest you’ll have to figure out on your own. Now go.’

Alces took the map and put it away. When he looked at Strawberry Blonde he saw that she had turned her back on him. Her shoulders shocked a bit, and he could hear her sobs. Yet, his heart didn’t melt. She was just a pony, a pony who had been unfair and who had kept things hidden. She was no better than the slave drivers. Turning around, Alces walked back to the door. Yet, he couldn’t walk out like that. Even though he knew it meant nothing to him or to Strawberry Blonde, he said, ‘Thank you.’

Strawberry said nothing back, so Alces left her be.

Back outside, Alces took a moment to orient himself. There were barely any elks or deer or reindeer around, but Alces could see where they went by the gigantic collection of hoofprints on the ground. He shook a strange feeling away from him, a souvenir from his visit to Strawberry Blonde, and followed the tracks. They took him through some streets which grew broader by the yard. Then he could see his army, standing with their backs towards him. Alces cleared his throat and snorted. The deer noticed him and let him through. When Alces finally reached the front of the crowd, he saw something truly beautiful.

All the guards were there, more than a hundred, on their knees on the ground like a giant blue cloud. A ring of elks with their big antlers stood around them, blocking the way with their half-wood and half-flesh bodies. Behind those the rest of the army stood, observing the guards with heavy frowns on their faces. They hadn’t forgotten Alces’s speech.

Alces saw him. In the middle of the group was one guard, big and burly, with a beard on his muzzle. His eyes flashed around, and Alces wondered if he was afraid or if he was observing his enemy, looking for a way out. He truly hoped it was case number one. He wanted him to be afraid. He wanted him to feel overwhelmed and powerless. And on top of it all, he wanted him to cry and scream, preferably in pain and shame.

Scanning the crowd, Alces picked out Cervidus. ‘You see that guard with the beard over there?’

Cervidus looked. ‘Is he the one?’

‘He’s the one.’

‘Very well.’ Cervidus disappeared between the other elks, deer, and reindeer. He marched all around them, giving specific orders. The formation changed. Like a spear tip, Alces’s army sliced through the group of guards, chasing them this way and that. They moved with surgical precision, and made sure that the bearded guard soon found himself alone. The rest of the guards were pinned to the side, and a second ring was formed like an arena. That was exactly what Alces wanted.

When the guards once again sat down on the ground, pinned down by elks more than a head taller than they, everyone turned his or her attention to the inner circle.

Alces stepped forwards and into the battle arena. His eyes locked Brawn’s. Brawn’s expression was unreadable. ‘So, you brought some friends, hmm? I guess you feel pretty tough now that mommy and daddy and all your little forest-crawling brothers got your back.’

‘They don’t,’ Alces said. He paced around Brawn, making a large circle around his prey, shooting as many nasty glares at him as he could. ‘In the circle of honor, it is just you and me and no one else.’

The rest of the elks, deer, and reindeer got their cue. Slowly, al together, they hummed a few words. ‘The circle of honor. The circle of honor. The circle of honor.’ Over and over again in a deep, droning sound. It was a shame they didn’t have any drums to accompany themselves, but they tried to get the same effect by stomping their hooves on the ground.

However much he tried to hide it, Alces saw Brawn swallowing something away. He smiled a cold, vengeful smile.

‘So this is it then?’ Brawn said. ‘It’s a shame we can’t be friends. I mean, forgiveness is magic, right?’

‘Not in my culture,’ Alces hissed.

‘Very well.’ Brawn shook his head, and planted his hooves firmly on the ground. ‘Let’s do this.’

‘Wait!’ someone shouted. Alces turned around.

It was old Cervidus, but not quite. His head was bald now, as he carried his antlers in his hooves, offering them to his favorite pupil. ‘No duel should be fought without weapons. It is the elken way.’

Alces looked from the antlers to his mentor. ‘But… your antlers?’

‘Antlers grow back,’ Cervidus said, ‘but right now you need them more than I do.’ He turned towards the army. ‘Rope!’

In a matter of minutes, Cervidus’s big, half-wood half-bone antlers were attached to Alces’s head. They were a lot bigger than his usual antlers, and heavy, but nothing Alces couldn’t handle. He swung his head from side to side, testing the weight and the balance. Then he looked at Brawn. ‘Yes, yes this will work.’

‘Whoa there, friend,’ Brawn said, gazing at the enormous antlers, big and strong and sharp as blades. Suddenly, his voice lost some of its tone, growing higher. ‘But what about me? I should get a weapon too, you know, or else this fight is unfair, and we want to do this traditionally, of course.’ He threw a desperate glance at the army around him. ‘I know how much you all like tradition, apparently…’

‘Very well, pony scum,’ Cervidus said. ‘You can have this!’

Something long landed near Brawn’s hooves. He took it and looked at the tip. ‘A hoe? A hoe is no weapon.’

Alces couldn’t help but chuckle, but a second later, his face grew hard again. ‘A true duelist can use everything as a weapon. Take it or leave it.’

Brawn too, tested his weapon, and turned it around in his hooves. He frowned, gritted his teeth, and hissed, ‘Fine.’

‘The ceremonial duel of honor shall begin!’ Cervidus shouted. As one, the crowd threw their hooves in the air and shouted along. ‘Honor! Honor! Honor!’

Alces brought his head down low. Slowly, he circled around Brawn, who held the hoe in his hooves, looking lost. The tension rose. Brawn kept his eyes on the menacing antlers in front of him, and Alces waited for the best moment to strike. This moment was as good as any moment. He scraped his hooves on the ground like a bull, aimed for the guardpony, and charged.

WHAM! Bone met wood. At the last moment Brawn had put his hoe in the air, trying desperately to block Alces’s attack. The force of it made him stumble backwards. His hooves grated over the soil as Alces pushed him farther and farther away. Finally, he couldn’t go any further, and bounced against the pointy antlers of an elk from the army. Brawn felt the branches of the antler stab him in the back and yelled in pain. A nasty scrape marked his back, accompanied by trickling drops of blood.

Alces drew his antlers back and turned his back to his enemy. He threw his hooves in the air, and so did the rest of his herd. They all shouted his name. ‘Alces Roameling! Alces Roameling! Alces Roameling!’

Brawn got shoved back in the middle of the arena. Alces still had his back turned toward him. Cowardly though, as it was, Brawn pressed the attack. He charged towards Alces, with the tip of the hoe shimmering in the light.

But Alces was faster. He whirled around and caught the hoe in mid-air. With a flick of his head, he jerked the tool out of the pony’s hooves. Flabbergasted, Brawn hesitated for a second. That was a big mistake. Alces kept spinning around, and delivered a wicked buck right into the guardpony’s stomach, sending him flying back.

Once more a cheer came from the audience. Brawn had a little trouble getting up as dust found its way into his wound. But he did it. He stood up. When he watched Alces again he saw how he threw him the hoe. It fell on the ground with a thud. Alces waited until his enemy had picked up his weapon before he went for another charge.

Brawn did manage to block it, and now he knew what to expect. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he threw his full weight into the battle. He got shoved backwards slower and slower, until he stood still. Both animals pushed against one another, trying to win this round. Yet, Alces opened his eyes wide for a second, as he discovered that now he was the one who got shoved away.

The pony used his weight and his muscles to deliver a powerful feat of strength. Alces had to back down. With a shift of his weight and a nudge of his head, he sidestepped the pony. Brawn kept pushing, but found there was no one to push. He tripped and fell into the crowd.

The crowd threw jeers and insults at him, and promptly tossed him back into the ring. He still clutched the hoe. It was all he could do.

‘Enough toying around, Alces,’ Cervidus shouted from the crowd. ‘Do what you want to do and do it quick!’

‘Very well,’ said Alces. He was already in position. He didn’t go for a charge this time, but walked slowly towards Brawn.

Brawn didn’t like that one bit. His ears rang with the silent threats and insults Alces threw at him. He knew things were getting serious this time. Life or death serious. With the last drop of self-respect he had, he moved towards his enemy too.

‘We have traded blows the elken way,’ said Alces, growling low and nostrils flaring. ‘And now it is time to fight my way.’

Help! Please no! Brawn thought. ‘Do your worst,’ Brawn said.

They reached the middle of the circle simultaneously. Alces went for the kill. He swung his head and his new antlers towards his enemy. Brawn blocked with the hoe, but that was what Alces had expected. Nudging his head, Alces directed the hoe out of his way, creating a hole in his enemy’s defense. He reared on his hind legs and punched with both front legs at the pony. The blow connected with his belly, and Alces swore he could hear the satisfying sound of something breaking.

Brawn let out a scream, and fell to the side. Using the hoe, he managed to stand up, and reached for his stomach. He wheezed and gasped, trying to catch his breath. When he got it at last, he forced his mind into battle modus. He couldn’t let the elk hit him. Not again. Standing up, he swung the hoe in front of him and slowly advanced. ‘You’re not going to get me like that!’

But in the flurry of wood and steel, Elkia saw an opening. He jabbed with his antlers, and caught the hoe. Brawn tried to swing the other way, but he was stuck. With an easy flick of his head, Alces broke the head off the hoe.

Brawn, weaponless and out of ideas, backed off.

‘Don’t worry,’ said Alces, as he closed in on the pony. ‘I’m not going to skewer you on my antlers. That would be too merciful. Let’s fight the earth pony way, stallion to stallion. Put them up!’

So he did. The two animals met each other on the battlefield once more. Brawn tried to jab at Alces, but he evaded. Then he tried to turn around and buck, but Alces caught his swinging hooves in the air and blocked the blow. Brawn was a bully, but not a duelist. Not like Alces.

‘Now it’s my turn!’

Alces twirled around and swiped the big pony’s hooves from under him. Taken by surprise, Brawn fell to the ground, but quickly stood up, ready to receive another blow. He staggered back, while Alces kept punching him. Face, belly, hooves, legs, face again. Wherever it hurt most. Alces smashed and smashed, screaming as he attacked. All the rage flowed freely through his body, powering his muscles to deliver deadly blows. All the frustration, shame, and vengeful thoughts coalesced into his mind, throwing a red filter over his vision.

Suddenly, Alces stopped and stepped back, eyeing his handiwork.

Red bruises and blood stained the blue suit of Brawn. His left eye was swollen and closed, some teeth were missing, and his jaw sat at a strange angle. A couple of broken bones tried desperately to keep the pony upright, shaking and rattling as he moved. But, despite his injuries, he still managed to stand up—if only barely. That was not what Alces wanted. Readying his antlers, he charged a third time.

Brawn was too weak to even begin countering the attack. He screamed as the pointy tips of the antlers cut through his hooves, through his belly, and through his hind legs. At one point, he felt himself being lifted off the ground and carried somewhere. Hard wood smashed into his back, as Alces skewered the pony with his antlers, and left him hanging from a tree.

‘Oops, I guess I changed my mind,’ Alces said.

Wheezing, Brawn spit a gobbet of red onto the ground. ‘But now you’re stuck with your antlers in the tree. You are as stuck as me.’

‘Not exactly.’

Alces twisted, the ropes snapped, and the crown of antlers came loose. Bearing a smile on his lips, Alces walked away and looked at the piece of violent art he had created: a visual representation of pain.

Twisting and turning, Brawn tried to get himself loose, but discovered the hard way that the more he moved, the more the antlers dug into his flesh. He could do nothing but watch.

Alces Roameling walked towards where the head of the hoe had fallen off. There was still a bit of wood attached to the metal head. He took it in his mouth and walked back towards the pony. Searching, he found a pupil of his mother, and motioned for him to come along.

As the two elks advanced, Brawn grew genuinely desperate. He knew he had lost the fight, and he could only guess at what the elks were going to do to him now.

‘Fire,’ Alces said.

The elk that accompanied him lowered his antlers. Between them, a ball of swirling green fire sprouted like a flower. Alces held the head of the hoe into the fire. ‘So it seems we have some time to talk before this gadget of mine reaches the right temperature.’

‘What… what do you want to talk about then?’ said Brawn, struggling to talk with his missing teeth and the taste of blood in his mouth.

‘About revenge,’ Alces said. ‘I want every single one of you to see that whoever has power can do what he or she wants. Whoever has power can think that he or she is better than anyone else.’

‘That’s the way power works,’ said Brawn. The antlers creaked as he shifted his position. Blood flowed freely from his wounds. He grew a bit pale. ‘But I liked our friendship better when I stood with many and you were alone.’

Alces watched his hoe. It was almost done. ‘Strength sometimes comes in numbers, and with strength comes power.’

‘And we can do with power what we want,’ said Brawn.

‘Exactly,’ said Alces. He took the hoe, red-hot and glowing, from the flame, and waved it in front of Brawn’s eyes. ‘The Dark Elk granted me this power, and now I will bend this power to my will.’

‘Do what you want to do,’ Brawn spat.

Shaking his head, Alces said, ‘No. I will do what I need to do.’

‘Revenge?’

‘Revenge,’ Alces said, narrowing his eyes.

‘I hope you’ll choke on it, if you get your fill,’ Brawn said.

‘Oh, I’ll get my fill, and you’ll get what you deserve. Now… by the Dark Elk, it is time for some sweet, scalding REVENGE!’

And with that, Alces thrust the glowing metal head of the hoe against Brawn’s flank. Brawn squealed and shouted as the pain overwhelmed him. Alces just laughed like a maniac, bathing in every single second he got to play executioner. The hoe sizzled as the skin underneath it turned to crisp, and a fine ring of blisters exploded like volcanoes around it. Smoke curled around the grievous wound. When at last Alces thought the hoe had cooled down too much, he jerked it back. A piece of skin stuck to it, and Alces tore a big, bleeding wound in Brawn’s side. Lucky for him, Brawn had already fainted, as some higher power apparently got merciful. As the blood flowed and boiled, Alces just watched, and dropped the hoe on the ground.

When the smoke receded, it revealed a third bar on Brawns flank, a diagonal line through the equal sign cutie mark. Alces had turned the equal sign into an unequal sign.

But he wasn’t done yet. Alces demanded another flame, and started heating up the hoe a second time. A pony had two cutie marks, after all. This time he had nopony to talk to, but he didn’t care. Every single second of anticipation grew into the sweetest candy he had ever tasted. Looking around, Alces could see that all the other elks, deer, and reindeer were watching him. Yet, their expressions weren’t the same as Alces’s mask of horror. They looked quite blank. Alces knew he had lost some of their support. Had he gone too far?

No. Alces shook his head. Just one more “correction” and then he would be done. Just once more that sweetly sickening sound of roasted flesh and then he had his fill. The hoe had reached proper temperature again. Alces looked up at the elk whose fire he’d borrowed. ‘Can you cast a spell to revive the pony? I want him to see and feel the last part of my verdict.’

‘Stand aside and let us through!’

That wasn’t Brawn’s voice, but a voice much deeper, a voice bearing much more weight and responsibility than any other elk, deer, or reindeer could ever bear. As if on cue, the ranks of elks, deer, and reindeer split, creating a path for their king. Moussa walked slowly into the arena, with a stallion, black as the night with a white mane and tail, next to him, barely able to keep up with the king’s mighty strides.

‘What is going on here, Alces Roameling?’ King Moussa said. His voice was strict and stark and demanding. He gazed from the skewered pony to Alces, to the hoe and to the crowd, and then back at Alces. ‘I think you have a lot to explain, so you might as well start now.’

It was too late to hide anything. But then again, what was there to hide? Alces didn’t feel like he got caught in some criminal act at all. His voice didn’t waver, and his stance didn’t shrink. ‘It was a battle of honor, King Moussa.’ He tried but failed to hide his smirk. ‘A battle I’ve won.’

‘A battle of honor?’ Moussa said, almost choking with bridled fury. ‘A battle of honor?! Your only task was to wait at the southern gate, yet here you are, with your part of my army, in the middle of the city, fighting a battle of honor?!’

Alces bit his lip, as he realized he had, in fact, gone against a direct order from his king. Yet, he tried to make it right. ‘Yes, my king. Yet, as I told you, I had an unsettled debt of honor with this pony, where I was the one stripped of honor. I merely supplemented your original plan with my own battle tactics, making it greater and better than it was before. This was just a little detail of the plan, a dual fought the elken way.’

‘The elken way?!’ Moussa stepped forwards. The flames in his crown pulsed and danced and grew larger by the minute. He gestured towards the skewered guardpony. ‘Do you call this the elken way? We are proud creatures, fierce in battle and wise and hardened survivors. We aren’t torturers!’ He grabbed both antlers in his mouth, jerked them loose, and threw them away in one single, powerful motion. Brawn slid to the ground, still unconscious and still bleeding.

‘By our sweet Starlight, what has happened with you?!’ said the dark pony. He trotted over to Brawn, yet stepped back as a pool of blood grew in front of his hooves. He shuffled over to Brawn’s head, but saw that his eyes were closed. When he reckoned he was not going to get answers from the guardpony himself, he looked at Alces and Moussa in turn. ‘Do you call yourself fierce and wise and survivors? Looking at this poor stallion here, I’d say you are nothing but foul beasts, not worthy of being in my city! I knew this was a bad plan the moment you walked through my gate, Moussa. I never liked you, and now I see my gut feeling was right.’

Moussa let out a loud snort. His piercing green eyes glared at Alces. ‘And there goes my plan for peaceful coexistence.’

Alces shook his head. ‘Wait, that actually worked? I thought you would be unsuccessful. I thought the gates would remain closed. I thought—’

‘You’d have done better to think more before you acted,’ Moussa retorted, his voice full of wrath. ‘And you should think before insulting your king and his grandiose plans like that. I met with this Charcoal pony, and everything went nicely. He even invited me for tea. Only once we received news from a guard who managed to run away from your “one-elk war” and learned of your deeds did our peace negotiations get disturbed. And now, thanks to you, they are completely SHATTERED!’

Charcoal, the black pony, still stood and gazed open-mouthed at the prone body of Brawn. Yet, something else demanded his attention. He craned his neck and sniffed the air. ‘Is that… fire I’m smelling?’

‘We started burning down your village and you didn’t even notice?’ Alces said. That was not the smartest thing to say.

‘Why of course not,’ Charcoal said. ‘I live in the northern quarters, far away from the commoners. I hardly noticed.’ Despite his black coat, a red blush of anger appeared visibly on his cheeks. ‘This is absolutely outrageous! Here I am having tea with the self-proclaimed “king of the elks,” and in the meantime his soldiers set fire to my home and torture my guards! I… I have no words for this.’

But somepony else had. Suddenly, Brawn opened his eyes, so suddenly it startled Charcoal and made him jump. Brawn tried to sit up, but his broken body wouldn’t let him. Then he tried to say something, but only a garbled sound came from his mouth. His eyes flashed around taking in his surroundings, and he coughed a few times. Yet, when at last Alces appeared in his vision, he moved. ‘Get back from him! Back from him!’ he shouted, biting through the pain and forcing his body to crawl away from Alces. ‘He’s a monster! A monster! That’s no elk you’re talking to. He’s a demon! A demon from the lowest depths of Mount Tartarus!’

‘Oh, so now you’re playing the drama queen?’ Alces said, rolling his eyes at Brawn’s display.

‘That’s it! I’ve seen enough!’ Charcoal said. Ignoring Brawn, he turned on his heels and flashed a stare at Alces, and finally at King Moussa. ‘A king who has this little control over his subjects, who offers peace but delivers war has lost my interest entirely.’ He talked through gritted teeth, so that each word was a growl. ‘I will not have peace with a race of creatures that has already declared open hostility. King Moussa, from this day forth we are enemies. I demand you release my guards and make your way back into the deep, dark forest from whence you came. And if you or any other of your race ever shows himself at my front gates, then expect no warning shot.’

Moussa had no words left. He knew he had failed in his mission. The only thing he could do now was to make his retreat at least somewhat dignified. ‘Elks, deer, reindeer, let go of the guards.’

As one, the elks all did a step back, offering the guards a way out. Like beaten puppies, the entire Scribblers’ City guard force shuffled on their hooves, until they created something that at least looked like a formation behind their mayor Charcoal.

Charcoal turned to Moussa one last time. ‘We will retreat now and leave you here. After exactly one hour we will return and open fire at any elk, deer, moose, reindeer, and whatever more snake-breed creatures you have in your army. This, at least, is an understanding I can live with. Do you accept it?’

Moussa’s crown of antlers and fire shrunk in size, until the flames were but a hoof long. ‘I accept your judgement, unfortunately.’

‘Unfortunately for you, not for us,’ Charcoal said. ‘Guards, grab your wounded stallion and reassemble yourselves orderly at your stations. Triple the guard on the walls, and enlist as many new recruits as you can’—Charcoal had already turned around, but didn’t give Moussa the honor of a goodbye hoofshake—‘because we will need them in the future.’

And so Charcoal disappeared, followed by the army of guards, and the elks, deer, and reindeer were left alone. Immediately, Moussa turned to Alces, crown and flames crackling with rage. ‘Alces Roameling. I could never have predicted the trouble and disaster you would bring upon us when I discovered you in that net. I should have left you hanging and ignore you. You have disobeyed my order, the order of your king, and declared war, all by yourself, on these ponies, completely overthrowing the peace negotiations which could and should have been a reality.’

Alces stared at the ground. He knew he was in deep trouble now. The fire of revenge was gone in his heart, but he didn’t feel resentment. He was still content with that he had achieved. Now, however, his victory over Brawn the guardpony and the restoration of his honor felt unimportant in the face of his angry and terrifying king. He could only say, ‘Yes, my king.’

King Moussa snorted. Flames and smoke escaped his nostrils. ‘For your first sin alone you should have received the death penalty, according to the ancient ways…’

Suddenly, a new actor jumped onstage. It was Cervidus, who saw where this was going. ‘No, my king. It was not entirely Alces’s idea.’

‘Explain yourself!’ roared the king.

‘I helped nourishing the flame of revenge in Alces Roameling’s heart. Don’t impose your judgement upon the little one, however just it may be,’ Cervidus said, keeping his head down and his gaze to the ground. ‘Instead, take this old elk’s flesh and bones, and satisfy yourself by killing me instead.’

‘WHAT?!’ King Moussa reared on his hind legs. ‘You truly insult me thinking I would impose the old ways on Alces Roameling, old Cervidus. The old ways are in the past, buried with far too many of our kindred. I am the new king, you all are my new servants, an advanced breed of elks, deer, and reindeer. With a new king comes new rules.’

Both Cervidus and Alces remained silent, daring not to speak to their enraged monarch.

‘No more will the blood of elks, deer, or reindeer be shed. No more shall our kindred die before our own eyes. The death penalty is gone, and, after today, so is the debt of honor. You understand now how much it pains me to see the old traditions turning on me and biting me in the tail.’

‘I understand, King Moussa,’ said Cervidus, although he still had no idea what the verdict would be.

‘And besides that,’ the king continued, ‘you are far too valuable to me, old Cervidus. You know of the dark essence, the very energy that keeps us standing. No, I need you and your teachings. It is Alces Roameling, son of Aeltha the seer, whom I should get rid of.’

Cervidus did one last attempt to have Alces’s back. ‘But, my King—’

‘Too late, old Cervidus, for I have made up my mind.’ King Moussa’s flaming eyes turned towards Alces. ‘Alces Roameling, from now on you are no longer a member of the herd. From now on we will cast you out. You will live without a herd, all by yourself, and fight your own battles without the strength of the herd helping you. No one will care about you and no one will be looking for you. And if you are looking for us, you will never find one single member of the herd. Such is the curse you’ll have to bear until your coat turns grey and your antlers brittle. Such is the curse you’ll have to bear until your eyes turn cloudy and your legs stiff and worn. Such is the curse you’ll have to bear until your dying day.’

Now the taste of sweet revenge left Alces’s mouth completely. Instead, a bitter aftertaste filled his mouth like bile upon hearing King Moussa’s words. As soon as the words left the king’s muzzle, Alces already felt alone. He already felt the stares of every elk, deer, and reindeer in his back, judging him silently. The curse took effect, and it felt absolutely horrible. Alces felt exactly the same as during that merciless winter, a year ago, when Elkia had told him their mother was dead. He felt alone, abandoned, as if everyone he knew and cared about was dead, while in reality they were alive; they had just turned their backs on him.

And that was exactly what happened. Moussa barked a few commands in Elkish, and strode away. The herd silently followed, as he headed in the direction of the northern gateway. ‘Come,’ Moussa said, ‘let’s leave this lost soul behind. I will have a word in private with every single elk, deer, and reindeer who took part in this affair, but for now, I just want to get to the forest and rethink my plans. Go everyone. Go, follow me, and no one else.’

Alces was alone. Even old Cervidus wasn’t able to stay with him, bound as he was by Moussa’s magic. Cervidus was the last one to follow, and stroked Alces’s fur as he walked past him. ‘Find us, Alces. Prove the curse has no effect. Prove that Moussa isn’t as powerful as he thinks he is. Find us.’ And with that, Cervidus melted into the rest of the herd, and soon he couldn’t be seen anymore.

Alces kept staring at the herd, retreating farther and farther away, until he couldn’t spot a single elk, deer, or reindeer anymore. Then he looked at the tree, at the blood on the ground, and at the hoe. Had it all been worth it? He kept musing on that single question, as he walked away towards the southern gate. Crossing the arena, he found old Cervidus’s antlers on the ground. He picked them up, intending to take them with him. Yet, as soon as he held the two weapons in his hooves, they dissolved into a fine cloud of ash and soot, which immediately scattered in the wind.

The curse had already taken effect.

Chapter thirteen: grand plans with good intentions

He glanced at the door one last time, and turned his ears in every direction.

No. She was gone. But he knew that, as he had seen her leave. This whole village—and especially this whole new assignment—was slowly making him paranoid.

Elkia shoved his work aside and opened the drawer of his desk. Once, when Starlight had been gone for a whole day, overseeing the new arrival of goods by zeppelin, he had taken the thing to a pony whose special talent used to be carpentry. It had taken him a whole afternoon and many clumsily broken nails and split wood—as he still had to work without his cutie mark—but in the end he had managed to create a secret compartment in Elkia’s drawer. It wasn’t exactly waterproof or airtight, but it was a challenge to spot with the naked eye. It had to do.

Elkia took the latest edition of the secret newspaper out of the drawer and put it on his desk. He always liked going over some of his old work before he began a new project. That way, he could set his mind in the right mode. Elkia glanced over the logo of the newspaper, a cactus with long, flat, disc-like arms bearing strange-shaped fruit coated in prickly pits. Party Favor had come up with the logo and the name, and Elkia found it good, almost funny. He began to read.

The Proud Prickly Press

By Party Favor. Edited by Elkia Deerling.

The Proud Prickly Press is our voice, and it will become your voice as well. It is a voice with which we can speak freely and without censure about whatever we like. We called the newspaper “proud” because we are proud that we finally have the means and methods to write what we want to write and convey our message of freedom to listening ears and understanding minds. We are proud to exist, to be a beacon of light in the fog and mist of confusion, fear, false equality, and oppression we—unfortunately—have to live with every single day. And of course, we are proud to have you, dear reader, as one of our many soldiers in this silent war against our oppressor, Starlight Glimmer.

We called ourselves “prickly” because that is what we are. Everyone knows what the prickly pear fruit is, the sweet little treat which has to be handled very carefully, if one wants to prevent injury. That’s what we are. With our secret society the other-thinkers, we have created a merry bunch, talking and joking away in our underground cellar. We have a relationship with each other as sweet as the prickly pear fruit. Right now we might seem innocent and harmless, but don’t forget about our prickly coat. There are plans on the table, which are almost ready to execute. Together, we will show Starlight Glimmer our prickly spikes, sooner or later, and reveal our true intentions. She will have to wear very thick horseshoes if she wants to handle our prickly spines.

Needless to say, the “press” part is obvious. Thanks to one very special friend, we are here, in your hooves, spreading words of hope and helping you. We will tell you every truth you need to know, give you tips and tricks on how to live in freedom in this regime, and show you how you can help us and become part of something greater. Together, we help each other, stay secret, and have each other’s back.

We are the Proud Prickly Press.

‘Risky, risky, risky,’ Elkia whispered. If this newspaper fell into the wrong hooves, the disaster would be complete. Yet, Party favor had really insisted that they begin each edition of the Proud Prickly Press with a little explanation on what the paper exactly is, so that even the newest members of the other-thinkers could be filled in in no time, and know who’s who and what’s what. Party Favor had been so enthusiastic Elkia found himself unable to scrap the article. But he had really insisted on knowing who should get the paper and who shouldn’t, and Party Favor had told him he knew what he was doing.

Join us!

By Party Favor. Edited by Elkia Deerling.

Now that you have this newspaper between your hooves, and keep it secret as best as you can, you have proven to us that you are other-thinker material. Thanks to you and all the others, our secret society lives and breathes. Together we are strong, and together we raise our hooves in defiance to our oppressor, Starlight Glimmer.

Don’t let her appearance fool you. Starlight Glimmer is not the leader we want to have. She claims to create a cutie mark-less society, but, believe it or not, she still has her own cutie mark! This fact has been verified by Elkia Deerling, our chief editor. He is Starlight’s personal writer, and saw how she fakes an equal sign cutie mark every single day. But now that I mention it, we might have been able to draw that conclusion all by ourselves. How else could Starlight Glimmer be able to steal our cutie marks and store them in the cutie mark vault? She uses magic, and how could she even be able to use such powerful magic if she had an equal sign cutie mark like the rest of us? Don’t give me the talk about the magical staff, because I know for sure it is fake. I’ve held the thing once, when I was already a member of the other-thinkers. I am a unicorn, and I should be able to detect magic using my horn. Yet when I held this piece of wood which she calls a “staff,” I felt nothing, nothing at all. Not the slightest buzz of magical power. But when Starlight Glimmer took it, she used it freely to strip the cutie mark off one of our poor friends.

And what about equality? If Starlight Glimmer really wanted equality, then why is she not living like us? Why is she constantly holding public speeches and talks to us as if she is our leader? It’s obvious that she wants to be our leader, but don’t forget that in a society with true equality, nopony stands above anypony. Take a moment to think about that. If we really are an equal society, then why is Starlight Glimmer ruling us?

As you can see, Starlight Glimmer has given us nothing but lies, confusion, and tyranny suitable for a drama story. This is why we need you, reader. This is why we should assemble, grow in numbers and grow strong. With your help, we can stand against Starlight’s rule. It doesn’t even matter what you do, because everything you do can help us. You can help spread the Proud Prickly Press, you can gather stories and gossips and submit them to us, you can help create plans to take action against Starlight Glimmer, you can try to spot other ponies with diverging ideas and maybe even recruit them as new members. The more members we have, the stronger we stand against Starlight.

Elkia read the last few lines of this article a couple more times and then nodded. Thanks to the Proud Prickly Press the number of other-thinkers had risen dramatically. In the first week alone there had been a dozen new volunteers wanting to join the underground resistance. And every time a new issue of the Proud Prickly Press appeared, new ponies stood on the proverbial doorstep, eager to join the cause. Elkia reckoned that the Proud Prickly Press was a slam success.

Hidden rations of food and more

By Sugar Belle. Edited by Elkia Deerling.

Thanks to our inside-pony in the unloading crew, some rations of food, drinks, and other things long thought extinct are available to the public. A specialized squad of other-thinkers has made sure to hide the chests as best as they could. Register yourself at our underground headquarters and then we’ll distribute the different items as fairly as we can. Of course, if you’re a baker you will get a priority on baking-related items, and if you’re a carpenter you will get a priority on tools, etcetera. Just make sure to use your new items as inconspicuously as you can. Needless to say, but important enough for us to say it anyway, Starlight Glimmer must not find out that some of her supplies have gone missing.

It was with those little things that the other-thinkers created some kind of resistance against Starlight Glimmer. Sometimes it’s the little things that count. These little things enabled the pony population of Starlight’s village to feel they were making a difference. Plus, who would say no to an extra ration of chocolate? Elkia chuckled and read the next article. There were a few small ones left.

Thank you, Elkia!

By Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor.

‘Oh my, not again,’ Elkia said. Of course he wasn’t angry or sad. He was just being his modest self. He knew exactly what followed in the next paragraphs. He didn’t actually need to read it, but still, every time he read it he felt warm and fuzzy inside. Reaching for his heart and with a smile on his face, he read on.

We understand that putting a name on paper in the Proud Prickly Press might be risky, but we think that everything our special friend is doing is a big thing, which means a lot to us and requires a big “thank you.” And besides, our friend knows that he is risking everything by helping us, and he knows that if the Proud Prickly Press is discovered he will be the first to become exposed, next to us three, of course. You see, it doesn’t really matter if we put his name in the Press or not, but it matters to us to let him know just how much his work is appreciated.

We’re talking about Elkia Deerling of course. Thanks to him and him alone did the Proud Prickly Press come to existence. He showed us how to use the printing press, how to collect stories, how to make a nice layout, how to create vivid and catchy titles. Even though his appearance in our secret society was a bit of an accident (it’s actually a really funny story, which we might publish later on—with Sugar Belle’s approval), we could never have made a better accident.

So without further ado, we would like to say a big “thank you” on behalf of all the other-thinkers and the founders. Elkia, you have more than earned your place amongst the ponies who started it all, your friends Night Glider, Party Favor, and Sugar Belle.

Tears came to his eyes as Elkia read the last sentence. He could never have hoped for a better friendship than this one, however secret it was. Actually, Elkia found that he had to say “thank you” to them as well. Never before had he felt this useful to anypony. He was able to do what he liked to do: to write. And now, he was truly making a difference with his work, writing directly for the other-thinkers’ underground resistance movement. But not only that, he had also taught them how to write, how to operate the printing press, and how to create the Proud Prickly Press by themselves. Elkia thought he hadn’t earned that much honor, as the ponies did their bests too. Wiping away two stray tears, he read the rest of this edition of the Proud Prickly Press.

More public speeches

By Night Glider. Edited by Elkia Deerling.

Has anypony noticed that Starlight’s public speeches are increasing? Think about it. Where first Starlight only gave a speech once a week and on special occasions or when there was something important to tell, now she gives one speech almost every day. Our inside antlered agent, Elkia Deerling, can confirm this as well. He said that Starlight Glimmer definitely keeps him busy writing speeches for her, which she then rehearses quickly and recites to us, the public. And not only that, the speeches are growing more the same every day. Starlight always talks about unity, how we should stay together in her “cutie mark-less” and “equal” society, and how important it is to flush out any traitors. But of course, we must ignore her words the same way we avoid rattlesnakes, as we always do.

So why this article? I just want to point out that I think Starlight Glimmer is up to something. She wants to make sure her grip on us is still iron-bound and powerful. I think she is trying to reinforce her authoritative position as a leader, and maybe even wants to make us scared, or the contrary, to give us a false sense of security. Whatever the reason is, I and the rest of the other-thinkers think she’s up to something.

There was one last article remaining. It was a short one, but Elkia found this one the most interesting of all.

The secret surprise!

By Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor.

That’s right, everypony, things are about to get serious. Over the past weeks, we have grown steadily in number, to the point where our little cellar is almost too small to harbor us all. The Proud Prickly Press works like a charm recruiting new members. Now, we think we are enough. We’ve gathered resources and horsepower, and now it is time for action.

We can’t tell you much about what we’re going to do, but don’t be afraid. We’ll give you a heads-up, and even if you miss our hints, you’ll know it when it happens. As early as the founding of the other-thinkers we have brooded on big plans, plans that will make a difference, if they are executed well enough. These plans will make sure to crack open Starlight’s illusion and deliver a crushing blow against her regime. More information will follow soon.

The words were ominous, predicting something even Elkia didn’t know anything about. Night Glider had told him that something was about to happen, but there hadn’t been enough time to talk about it. Didn’t matter. Elkia promised himself to bring up the topic next time he was at the headquarters in Sugar Belle’s cellar again.

But then he realized that maybe he didn’t even have to wait that long. Elkia laid the last issue of the Proud Prickly Press aside and started digging in his hidden drawer again. Pulling out different small scraps of paper, he arranged them on his desk. These were the new articles for the next issue of the Proud Prickly Press. His job was to determine which went where and how the layout would be, then he would give them back to the printing team, who then printed the next issue of the underground newspaper. Elkia’s eyes scanned the articles one by one, until he thought he found what he was looking for.

Revolution!

By Night Glider.

The time for waiting is over. It’s time to make a stand against Starlight’s regime—literally. We are with so many now, and we know that if we unite and fight, Starlight Glimmer will not stand a chance. I bet even her magic cannot help her against the power of our collective society.

Over the past few months I, and the rest of the founders, have discussed the topic of revolution. In secret, we talked about a new way of government, a way where everypony gets the right to vote and can participate in ruling over the town. The plans for this new government are all ready, so the only thing that remains is to get rid of the old government. Starlight Glimmer will fall.

Our plan is simple. Together, we will march towards her house, and surround it on all sides. We have no idea how she will react, so bring everything you can use as a weapon or shield. Pitchforks, rakes, rolling pins, mallets, hammers, wood, tools—whatever you can get your hooves on. After surrounding the house, she will hopefully see that there is nowhere she can go. We will then tie her up and exile her, and I, together with Party Favor, Sugar Belle, and Elkia Deerling, will occupy the house.

As you can see, our plan is solid, simple, and practical. Join us and help us, because we need every soldier we can get. We are not exactly sure just how many ponies in this town are still loyal to Starlight Glimmer, so, once again a warning: be armed and be dangerous.

Together we stand strong!

Together, we will fight for our freedom!

Together, we will transform Starlight Glimmer into a falling star!

The article then continued to tell exactly when and where this revolution would take place, but at that point Elkia had already put the article down, revealing his wide-open eyes and his chattering teeth. Were they serious? Were they actually going to do this? Elkia knew there were plans for big boycotts or things like this, but having a plan and bringing a plan into practice were to entirely different things. It was like the vague practice of daydreaming stuff or actually doing stuff in real life.

‘This can’t happen!’ Elkia said, discovering that he voiced his thoughts immediately. ‘This… this is dangerous! Somepony might get hurt!’

Just the thought of somepony getting into a fight because of this article sent shivers through his body. His words and intentions were never to hurt, but to heal. He wanted to heal this village. Was fighting really necessary to change this village for the better? Elkia thought it wasn’t.

As fast as a sneaky snake, Elkia grabbed the last issue of the Proud Prickly Press and the articles and put them in his drawer. He folded up the article about the revolution and took it with him, as he left the house.

Looking twice over his shoulder, Elkia made his way to Sugar Belle’s shop. He said the password, told Sugar Belle he had something to talk about, and together they disappeared into the cellar.

It was truly busy inside. A whole group of ponies were gathered in front of the chalkboard as Night Glider was explaining something. The explanation had to wait, however, for Elkia wanted to talk to her too. In a matter of seconds, Sugar Belle, Night Glider, and Party Favor were gathered together with Elkia in the printing room, the printing press being their only witness.

‘What’s all this about?’ Night Glider said quite irritably. ‘I was just explaining some crucial details of the revolution to our soldiers.’

‘Yes, and that’s exactly what I want to talk about,’ said Elkia. ‘We have to abort it.’

Odd glances came from the three ponies. ‘Cancel it? You’re talking nonsense,’ said Night Glider.

But Sugar Belle interrupted her friend with a wave of her hoof. ‘I think I know what Elkia means, because I feel the same.’ She looked up at Elkia. ‘Elkia, I know you think we shouldn’t do such drastic things, where ponies could even get hurt. Believe it or not, but I thought the same thing when I heard of this plan.’

Sugar Belle guessed Elkia’s thoughts right. He nodded.

‘Yeah, I think violence is bad too,’ said Party Favor. ‘But Night Glider and some of our most trusted members convinced me to go through with the plan.’

‘But why?’ said Elkia. ‘Is violence really necessary to get what you want? Won’t ponies look very strangely upon this new government if it’s built on a hostile takeover?’

‘They’ll accept it,’ said Sugar Belle. ‘As part of our democratic ideas, we put together a vote. Almost everypony voted for the revolution.’

‘But—’

Night Glider swooped down and grabbed Elkia’s head, forcing him to look into her eyes. ‘Listen Elkia, these ponies are prepared to die for our cause. They don’t mind a little violence. These ponies are sick and tired of living their lives in lies and discord, not being able to do anything. Right now they’re glad, because they know we are going to make a difference.’

Night Glider let go of Elkia, who suddenly found himself at a loss for words. Slowly, with a weak voice, he said, ‘Did almost everypony vote for the revolution?’

The three ponies nodded. ‘Really,’ said Party Favor. ‘You can’t argue with the cold, hard truth. This is the situation, and we have to bend it to our will.’

Sugar Belle walked over to Elkia and put a hoof on his shoulder. ‘We know you didn’t want your words to be used in this way—’

‘They weren’t even his words. I wrote the article,’ Night Glider said.

Ignoring Night Glider, Sugar Belle continued. ‘But we have to do something. Elkia, these plans have been on our table longer than you’ve been a member of our secret society. You have no idea how frustrating it is to watch those plans gather dust in your drawer. It is not only all the ponies, but we too, want something to change.’

‘With violence?’ Elkia said.

‘Elkia listen,’ Party Favor said. ‘We’re not some kind of monsters. The fact that we’re prepared to use a little violence doesn’t mean we’ll actually be using it. Maybe it will all go peaceful, the ponies loyal to Starlight Glimmer will see things our way or will discover that they are hopelessly outnumbered and let us through. Maybe Starlight Glimmer will give up or flee. That’s secretly what I’m thinking about all the time. Imagine this whole mob of angry ponies on your doorstep. Scary, isn’t it? Would you flee? I would definitely flee.’

‘If you think Starlight Glimmer will flee,’ Elkia said, ‘then you don’t know her as well as you think.’

‘Oh, Elkia,’ said Sugar Belle, stroking Elkia’s fur. ‘There will most likely not even be violence. Our tools and makeshift weapons will only be for show. I mean, what is a mob without torches and pitchforks, right?’

‘Good joke,’ said Party Favor.

But Elkia wasn’t in the mood to laugh. He silently thought about everything that had been said, biting his tongue and looking at nothing in particular.

Night Glider saw that, and she didn’t like it. ‘But you will still help us, right? Now’s not the time to be a chicken.’

‘Night Glider!’ said Sugar Belle, throwing her friend an angry stare.

‘No, she’s right, Sugar Belle,’ Elkia said, quitting his musings and looking at his friends one by one. ‘I still don’t support this plan, but…’

‘It’s difficult for you, we know that,’ Party Favor said, ‘we know about your nature.’

Elkia sighed. ‘I made a promise to you, and I will not break it.’

Night Glider jumped up and hung in mid-air. ‘So you will fight with us?’

‘I’m not sure,’ said Elkia, looking at the ground as if the answer lay there, up for grabs. ‘I have to think about this. But in the meantime, I will help you to edit this version of the Proud Prickly Press, even though I’m not looking forwards to the distribution of it. You know how I think about the revolution, and I know how you think about it.’

There was a small silence. It seemed that even the conversations in the main hall were dying out.

‘But I will not wield a weapon,’ Elkia continued. ‘Only if you can give me a full guarantee that this overthrow will be non-violent, will I stand with you, leading the mob.’

‘You know we can’t give you that,’ said Night Glider.

Elkia nodded solemnly. ‘Then you know where to find me.’

‘And where’s that?’ said Party Favor.

‘At the writing table of course.’

Sugar Belle jumped back from Elkia. ‘But Elkia, I don’t think being inside Starlight Glimmer’s house is the safest place to be when the revolution starts.’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Elkia. ‘Nopony will be safe if you use violence.’

Maybe Sugar Belle, Night Glider, and Party Favor wanted to do another attempt at changing Elkia’s mind, but Elkia wouldn’t have it. After that horrible night more than a year ago, he was not in the mood for any more violence, no matter the cause or how important it was. And besides that, he didn’t think he had much time left.

So he excused himself, left the cellar, and went back to Starlight’s house. His heart raced and fear found a way into his mind, as he hoped Starlight Glimmer wasn’t yet home and hadn’t noticed him going into town by himself. He bit his lip, and stepped inside.

‘Welcome back, my faithful assistant,’ Starlight said.

Elkia’s heart sank.

‘Why, you look a bit pale. I’m sure it’s not that cold outside. We’re in a desert, after all,’ Starlight said, toying with him as a predator would toy with his prey.

Elkia said nothing. He just froze in the doorway, unable to hide his secrets with his facial expression any longer.

‘Mindreading time!’

Elkia’s heart sank deeper.

His hooves trembling, Elkia closed the door behind him. He stepped into the living room, where Starlight was already waiting for him, the tip of her horn glowing. ‘Why a mindreading?’ he managed to cram out of his mouth. ‘Why now?’

‘I think you can answer that question better than I,’ Starlight said. ‘But as for my reason… I just feel lucky today.’

Elkia sighed and steeled his mind. He tried to perform the same trick he had done before, where he thought of other things to shield his real memories and thoughts from Starlight’s prying eyes. But, other than the last time, this mindreading went quite smoothly, and Starlight soon withdrew her watchful gaze out of Elkia’s thoughts, once again leaving him to wonder if his defiance had helped or not.

* *

The herd had to wait. First, there was an elk to be saved.

Alces Roameling left Scribblers’ City behind. Once outside, he made sure to gallop away fast, putting as many miles between him and the city as he could. The last thing he wanted was to be caught again. Then the whole story would start over again.

When he was satisfied, he grabbed his map and laid it out on the ground. Now that he looked at it again, he was briefly amazed by the amount of detail written on it. Every forest was clearly indicated in green, and the water was unmistakably blue, following the exact lined drawn by a steady hoof (or perhaps a horn) on the map. There were even coordinates on it in a grid pattern. Alces looked up, seeing stars twinkle faintly above the leaf-crowns of the trees, almost extinguished by the grey of dawn. With a little effort he determined where south was, and then went on his way once more.

Every day was a fixed rhythm. He got up in the morning, foraged some food to still the worst of his hunger, galloped all day long, then foraged some more during the evening, and slept a little at night. It was a good thing he still felt fit and strong thanks to the strange potion he had drunk in Scribblers’ City, for it enabled him to go on and on and on. Yet, there was always the biting hunger in his stomach, as he was never that well-fed in the city. But he ignored the hunger, satisfying himself only with a few ferns and other plants, and then moved on. He didn’t sleep that long either, and felt fatigue laying a load upon his shoulders which grew heavier with every day of traveling. But he didn’t care about that either. His whole mind was focused on Elkia. He had done everything he wanted to do—find the herd and settle his debt of honor—and now it was time to save his brother. The opportunity had come, and now he had a plan.

After a few days, the forest began to change. The trees were no longer confined to the simple evergreen pines, but grew more lush and green, and richer in diversity. The very same day Alces encountered something strange. An unusual trail made of two metal bars made a large curve and continued in southern direction, cutting through the forest like a knife. Alces was unable to compare it with anything he knew, and couldn’t even begin to imagine the amazing beasts that used it. He didn’t know it, but he had found the train tracks leading from the Equestrian mainland to Griffonstone Station. But it didn’t matter he didn’t know what it was and what purpose the track served. He could now follow the flat, open terrain along the tracks in southern direction, moving twice as fast as before.

Another day later Alces could practically throw the map away, as he discovered a path. It was ancient and not well-maintained, but it was a path to the south nonetheless—exactly what Alces needed. He crossed the Guto River, as Strawberry Blonde had shown him, and after that, the terrain once again began to change. Trees became less and less common, to the point where only rare, hardened trees managed to keep themselves upright on the rocky soil. The road wound upwards into the mountains, climbing higher and higher. Alces knew he was going the right way. If he were a creature which could fly, he would definitely build his capital city on a mountain. That’s why it wasn’t much of a surprise that Alces finally found what he was looking for, and soon found himself standing at the gate of Griffonstone, capital of the Griffon Kingdom.

‘Seriously, is this it?’

A massive grey tree grew upon the mountain, with its branches outstretched in every direction. On every branch there were a few houses, but they looked quite miserable. More often than not the straw roofs were sacked in, and the stone walls were crumbling and had holes in them. The only interesting thing about the city were the griffons, creatures Alces had never seen before. They moved about doing their daily business, looking grumpy and inhospitable. They didn’t even greet each other on the streets. No, the city of Griffonstone and its inhabitants were totally different from the warm and caring society Alces used to live in.

Alces shrugged. Well, whatever. He wasn’t here to go sightseeing. He was here on a mission.

Leaving the gate behind, ignoring the strange stares of the griffons who were definitely not used to Elkish visitors, he walked to the center of town. Once there was a proud statue of some king, but that too, was crumbling with age and neglect. Alces looked around, trying to spot something that looked like a zeppelin. He had no idea what a zeppelin looked like, but he had the feeling he’d know when he saw one. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to look over all of the little houses, so he climbed the statue to have a better point of view. Peering in the distance, he searched and searched, but suddenly found that the machine he was looking for was closer than he thought.

‘Whoa!’

A shadow hovered over him, blocking the light. He had never before seen such a marvelous machine, and lacked the imagination to dream up such a strange vehicle. Briefly he remembered the stories his mother used to tell about sailors braving the waters of the open sea in boats made of wood. He had never been able to conjure a vivid picture of a boat with its crew in his mind, but with the zeppelin above him, he didn’t need to, because the picture was right in front of him.

A wooden hull was carried by an enormous round balloon, painted in dabbling greys and browns. Alces couldn’t see the crew very well, but his attention was drawn to the machine on the back of the vehicle. It was an enormous metal fan which spun faster than the eye could follow. It could twist and turn, and made sure that the zeppelin stayed on course towards the zeppelin harbor. Alces kept his eyes on the zeppelin until it was completely out of sight, landing somewhere further in town.

A minute later, Alces stood watching the zeppelins at the zeppelin harbor. One enormous branch of the tree that made up Griffonstone was strewn with planks to create a boardwalk, and smaller branches stuck out into the open air, creating docks where the zeppelins could be tied on to. There were a couple of zeppelins moored at the docks, and Alces could now see the crews of the different ships hauling barrels and chests with trade goods towards town, or filling their zeppelins with items ready to trade off at new destinations. Alces had the feeling he could watch them for hours if he wanted.

The only thing he had to do now was find out which one went to Glimglom’s village, if Alces remembered the name correctly. He walked up and down the boardwalk, looking at the zeppelins, their cargo and their crew, but could find no hint at all to where they would go.

Couldn’t they just write it on their hulls? Alces asked himself. Alas, it wasn’t that simple. There was nothing left to do but just ask it to someone.

‘Greetings, griffon,’ he said to a griffon who didn’t look very busy, and was hopefully in the mood to talk. ‘Do you know which zeppelin goes to Glimglam’s village?’

The griffon spit on the ground, but didn’t make eye contact with Alces. His voice was gruff and unpleasant to listen to. ‘Glimglam? Oh, you mean Starlight Glimmer’s village?’

‘Yes, that.’

‘I could tell you…’ Now the griffon turned to Alces, claw outstretched. ‘…If you have some Bits for me.’

Alces had seen how guards used to gamble away their money in Scribblers’ City, so he knew what the griffon was talking about. ‘I don’t have any Bits.’

‘What a shame,’ the griffon said, although he didn’t sound like he meant it. He turned away from Alces and unfolded his wings, ready to leave this awkward conversation behind.

‘Hey, wait a minute!’ Alces planted his hooves on the griffon’s tail. Just as the griffon was about to soar into the sky, he was jerked back by his own momentum. ‘What the—’

‘I asked you a question,’ Alces said, ‘and I asked politely. Now, following the rules of etiquette, you should answer me.’

The griffon pulled his tail loose and stared down on Alces. ‘The rules of etiquette don’t apply here. Only the rules of money do.’

Slowly, Alces was growing sick of this griffon’s attitude. ‘It’s just a small question. Answer me now!’

Standing on his hind legs, the griffon was easily a head taller than Alces. ‘Are you threatening me?’

But Alces was undaunted. ‘Maybe I am.’

‘Then you’re lucky I’m not in a bloodthirsty mood today, or I’ll—’

Where the griffon had made himself taller, Alces had crouched down into dueling position. He jumped up, grabbed the griffon’s head, and held it in a lock. ‘I love threatening foreigners, because they never expect you to fight.’

‘Arg!’ was the only thing the griffon could say, sounding like a scrawny seagull.

‘Now listen closely, griffon,’ Alces said, talking slowly as if the unlucky griffon between his hooves had trouble hearing. ‘You tell me which ship goes to Glamour’s village or else I’ll smack you so hard your beak will be attached to the back of your head, instead of the front.’

The griffon tried to flap his wings, but Alces only adjusted his stance so he could use his body weight to keep the griffon grounded. ‘Well…?’

‘The Grover’s Talon,’ said the griffon through garbles and other choking sounds. ‘The Grover’s Talon goes to Starlight Glimmer’s village.’

Immediately, Alces let go of his victim. The griffon did his best to stand upright again and preened his ruffled feathers. When he was done, he threw a stink eye to Alces.

‘Thank you,’ Alces said.

‘Don’t feel too confident,’ said the griffon, after clearing his throat. ‘You’re glad I won’t sue you for what you just did, knowing there are no Bits for me to gain from you. It’s a shame, for I’d love to see you rot in our dungeons. We don’t see elks here often, and you should know that we are not really that kind towards strangers. If anything, we are extra gruff.’

‘I noticed that, alright,’ said Alces. Then, with a mocking smile, ‘I hope that advice is free of charge.’

The griffon let out a growl and took to the air. That was the last Alces saw of him.

He walked up and down the boardwalks once more, and soon found what he was looking for. It turned out the very airship he had seen drifting overhead was the Grover’s Talon. It lay there, moored in the docks, with a few members of its crew busy working.

So what was next? Even though Alces had mocked that one griffon, he did take his words seriously. He was definitely not going to get locked up once more, so he decided he had to be more careful next time, and maybe even restrain himself a bit—just a little bit. Looking at the Grover’s Talon, he saw one big griffon standing on the deck of the ship. He was clad in black garments and a cloak, with a sword in his belt and a hat with a skull on his head, waving around his arms and giving orders to his men. His voice was growly and mean, as he cursed his crew whenever he could, probably to provide motivation. No, this griffon definitely didn’t look like the talking kind. Walking up to him and asking, “Hey, I’m Alces Roameling. Can I join your crew?” was definitely a no-go. But what else was Alces to do then? He decided to come a bit closer, and inspect the ship mare carefully.

It was then, walking on the docks and spying on the ship, that Alces discovered something. The ship’s anchor lied flat on the boardwalk, and the chain leading from the anchor to the zeppelin went through a hole in its hull. Alces was sure he’d fit through that hole, if he climbed the chain. Growling and letting out a snort, Alces once more decided it was time to play it sneaky, and, as mentioned before, he—

‘Darn. I hate sneaking.’

Throughout the day he kept an eye on the zeppelin, but saw nothing more that was of interest. He had hoped to find some other way of getting aboard. There wasn’t. Alces went through his plan time and again, but it really was the best he could come up with. He knew that if he’d get caught he risked ending up in the dungeons of Griffonstone. Griffons were faster than he himself, so they could swoop down and capture him as easy as a bald eagle snatching up a fish from the water. Sneaking is always a risky business—not to mention breaking and entering.

Better not get caught then.

As the daylight diminished and the night took over, the captain and his crew retreated in the ship and lit some candles and chandeliers. Fortunately, the back of the ship wasn’t that well-lit, and the anchor chain kept hanging low in the shadows. The only thing Alces needed to do now was hop aboard and find some hiding spot.

But that wasn’t as simple as it looked.

Between the hull of the zeppelin and the dock was quite a length of chain, and beneath it nothing but empty air and a pretty view of the side of the mountain, a hundred yards below. But now was not the time to chicken out. Alces stood on the boardwalk. He breathed in, breathed out, and then rubbed his hooves together.

‘Here we go…’

Slowly, he sidled over the anchor chain. Hoof by hoof, he tried to stay upright and keep his balance. Alces made good progress, and soon he reached the halfway point. It was at that moment he felt something strange and slippery at his hooves.

Apparently, the chain was well-oiled.

But he had to go on. Twice as slow as before, Alces moved further up the chain. He ignored the grease, and focused on keeping the chain between his hooves. Slowly, slowly, he—

‘Whoa!’

His hind hooves slipped, leaving Alces dangling on the chain. Despite the scare, his front hooves kept their grip on the oily metal. So he hung for five very long seconds, kicking empty air beneath him. But he didn’t go down yet. Furrowing his brow, Alces began to sway back and forth, until he could wrap his hind hooves around the chain once more. It wasn’t ideal, but it was something. He was now upside down, and continued his way carefully, but also quickly now. He felt fatigue envelop him in a heavy blanket, and his muscles trembled, making the chain rattle a bit.

He had never felt as relieved as when he got enveloped in shadows, going through the hole in the hull. He let himself fall to the wooden boards, and lay on the floor like that for a couple of minutes, catching his breath and wiping the damned grease off his hooves.

There’s a reason I have antlers, and not wings, he thought to himself. If a griffon would see that he’d laugh.

Standing up, Alces tried to see something. It was completely dark in this section of the zeppelin. Yet, in the distance, there was the flickering of oil lamps, illuminating whatever was out there. Alces, as quietly as he could, sneaked towards the light. When he reached it, he saw he was in a bigger section of the ship now. Boxes and barrels and other containers stood everywhere, tightly bound together with rope to prevent them from sliding everywhere.

‘Perfect.’

The only thing he had to do now was to find a suitable spot to hide in, and wait. The zeppelin would then fly all the way to Starlight Glimmer’s village, land, and then Alces would jump right out again, as quickly and quietly as he could.

But not across the chain next time.

He grabbed an oil lamp from the wall and inspected the crates. On every crate was written the contents, and they were all sealed with iron nails. That was a problem.

Alces wanted to hide inside one of the crates. If he hid behind them, he would eventually be discovered when the crew started unloading the ship. He simply had to get inside of something, and then the crew would haul him out of the ship, and he could escape when he wanted once he was on solid ground again.

He looked around, trying to find a crowbar or a hammer of some sorts, but couldn’t find anything. He briefly considered exploring some more rooms, but then he might run the risk of galloping into someone. No, he had to solve this problem by himself. Alces cursed. It would have been easy prying open one of the crates when he would still have his antlers. But he hadn’t, so he had to find another solution.

As his search took him to the back of the storage room, he discovered a new chest he hadn’t seen at first glance. It had no letters or words on it, but it was filled with branches and twigs.

Alces decided that that was as good as it was going to get. He shoved some of the twigs and branches aside and hopped inside. It was a bit small, and the two stumps that had once been his antlers stuck out of the box. But he reckoned it didn’t matter. Those stumps looked like branches as well, so as long as he covered himself with twigs and sticks as best as he could, he would still be invisible. So he did.

And now he played the waiting game. But he soon discovered he was not only battling time, but also a whole new enemy: fatigue. His eyelids became heavy, and the movements of the zeppelin cradled him softly like his mother’s caring hooves when he was just a little calf. The creaking of wood became his lullaby. Once more he checked if he was invisible amongst the twigs and sticks and branches in the chest. Once he was satisfied, he drifted off to a peaceful, well-earned sleep.

* *

Elkia couldn’t sleep that night. He lay awake in his bed inside the cage, trying to summon slumbers by lying first on one shoulder, and then the next. But the movement only made him restless. He felt his muscles unable to relax, and his eyes kept popping open instead of staying closed. Even his breath was strained.

He gave up. Elkia swiped away the blankets and got up out of bed. There was a small window he could reach through the bars, so that’s where he went. Opening the window, he let the cool, summery desert air inside. His neck was long enough to peek his head through the window. Immediately, he looked up at the moon.

He used to look at the moon so many times. The silvery light and the pattern of the craters had always fascinated him. He and his mother had spent hours watching the glowing orb, trying to see when the eye of the Dark Elk would blink behind a pocket of drifting clouds.

But right now even the moon couldn’t calm Elkia down. Staring at it however he wanted, he couldn’t chase his fears away. Tomorrow would be D-day. Tomorrow was the day of the revolution. He had no idea how it was going to turn out, but at the same time he didn’t dare to guess. Everything would be up to the ponies of Starlight’s village and Starlight Glimmer herself. They were the players on the field, and he hoped to stand at the sideline and pray and support them mentally. He had no place in a rebellion. But then again, neither had he in a murder tragedy, nor in a love drama, nor in an escape mission. Yet he had already played his parts in those theater shows.

Was he going to play a part in this revolution too?

Once again he looked at the moon, thinking about those whom he had lost. From all those dearest to him, Alces Roameling was the name that was on his mind. His brother. Watching the skies, Elkia imagined him fly like a pegasus through the chilly night air, obscuring the moon for a second and then swooping through the chimney, ramming open the cage door with his mighty antlers, and then rescuing him.

Elkia had no idea how accurate his thoughts were.

* *

‘Huh?! This is no firewood?’

Never before had Alces been as rudely pulled out of his sleep as right now. Or maybe that one time, when Elkia had jumped up and down on his bed, waking him for his own birthday.

But the griffon who held him fast by the stumps of his antlers was not going to celebrate his birthday. Both Alces and the griffon bore the same stupid expression of bafflement on their faces, as their eyes were level.

In one second, Alces’s action-ready mind bucked away the fog of sleep. In two seconds, he jabbed his hoof at the throat of the griffon, who let go of him. In three seconds, he jumped out of the crate onto the floor, and noticed the other griffon, standing next to his coughing comrade with a naked sword. In four seconds, Alces saw an opening and sprinted away.

Once he reached the exit of the room, he looked back. Now both griffons had drawn their swords and headed towards him. Perhaps he could have taken them on if he still had his antlers, but right now it wasn’t rocket science. They had two weapons; Alces had two stumps on his head. He ran.

Leaving the cargo hold behind him, he galloped through a long hallway full of doors. The flames of the oil lamps were gone, and instead bright morning light shone through the portholes in the hull of the ship. Alces cursed. He was not going to be able to hide in some dark corner now. Alces picked his way through the hallway, making a turn. He had to get off this ship and then out of Griffonstone. Maybe the mean, armed griffons would leave him be once he abandoned ship. In any case, his plan was blown, and Alces kept cursing himself as he ran. I hate, hate, HATE sneaking!

The hallway was a dead end. But behind him, he heard the footsteps of the griffons. He made a split-second decision. Backtracking, Alces flung open the first door he could find and entered the room. As swiftly and silently as he could, he closed the door behind him, hoping the griffons hadn’t spotted him. When he stood with his back against the door, he looked into the room he was in.

Oh-la-la!

Spears, halberds, axes, swords, bows, arrows, shields, and even a pair of cannons were in the room with him. He must have hit the armory. For a brief moment, Alces forgot about his stupidity and let his eyes feast on the many different weapons, most of which he didn’t even know the name of. He didn’t see a new pair of antlers, but reckoned that one of the other weapons would do for now.

The footsteps of the griffons neared. Alces bit his lip. His muscles tensed. Then he let go of his breath and relaxed a bit, as the footsteps died away. Good. That left him time to arm himself.

He looked for something useful and not too heavy. A spear? No, too long. An axe? No, too heavy. A shield? He needed some offense—no defense. At last, when his eyes almost glittered, tired with all the steel in the room, he saw something that piqued his interest. On the far wall hung two crossed swords. Even from a distance Alces could see the gleaming metal of the blades and the shiny stones embedded in the hilts. One of those was going to be his weapon.

Unfortunately, they hung very high. No matter. Alces spotted a few nearby chests and began climbing. He hopped from chest to chest, ever higher towards his goal. The chests were fastened to each other with ropes, and they were closed, so he had an easy time climbing like a mountain goat.

Until he realized not all of them were tightly closed after all.

Perhaps one of the crewmembers had gotten lazy, or perhaps he had left the chest open, intending to close it later. Whatever the case, when Alces jumped off it, the lid flew open and banged to the floor. Fortunately, Alces was already on the chest above that one. Unfortunately, the chest he had thrown down was filled with swords. The metal rattled and clinked as the chest went down. It bounced down from the pile, sending swords flying everywhere, until it slammed into the floor.

And, like a true action story cliché, the griffons heard it loud and clear.

But Alces had only one more chest to go. He jumped, reached up, and grabbed one of the ornamental swords in his mouth just as the door opened.

‘So he’s a stowaway and a thief now?’ one of the griffons said, throwing a glance at the elk.

‘More reasons to make him pay for ruining my singing voice,’ the other griffon said.

Alces jumped down from the crates. He shifted the sword in his mouth, until he had a tight grip. Head low, he advanced on the two griffons. ‘I don’t think so.’

The griffons crouched low and readied their swords, standing right next to each other. One of them advanced on Alces, swinging his sword at him. It was at that moment that Alces realized that despite him being a duelist, he knew nothing of swordplay.

Ducking low, he avoided the slash of the one griffon, only to be attacked by the second. He stabbed through an opening at Alces, but Alces was faster. He swung his sword and deflected the blow. Now he had a nice little hole. Stepping aside, he slashed with his sword at the first griffon, trying to hit at least something. A loud squawk indicated he had succeeded at that.

‘My tail! How dare you!’ And indeed, a few tufts of hair fell off Alces’s blade and fluttered to the ground. It wasn’t exactly a deadly strike, but it was a good start.

While the tailless griffon kept staring at his clipped behind, the other went for a second attack. He performed a wide slash again, aiming at Alces’s neck to slice it through. Alces ducked at the last moment, and fell upon his back. The griffon stepped forwards, stabbing at Alces time and again, while Alces shuffled further back. Finally, when the griffon raised his arms for a swing, Alces rolled back and kicked his hind hooves in front of him, sending the griffon flying into the crates.

‘Now I’ll make you pay!’ The tailless griffon said. He charged forwards, sword in hand, ready to skewer Alces to the wall. But thanks to Alces’s swift moves, the only thing the griffon skewered to the wall was his own sword. The force of his attack drove the blade deep into the wood. The griffon jerked, trying to loosen it, but found himself stuck.

Alces didn’t hesitate. He swung his own blade in the air, and slammed it into the sword of the griffon, breaking the blade just above the handguard. With a loud clinking sound, the griffon found himself without a sword.

But unfortunately, there was a whole pile of swords lying on the ground. The griffon stepped back and dodged Alces’s thrusts and stabs, crouched down, and found himself a new blade. In the meantime the other griffon had recovered from his tumbling, and now the three duelists stood opposite each other once more.

The griffon with tail (and without singing voice) slashed at Alces. Once again, Alces cocked his head and blocked the blow. Swift as lightning, he grabbed the griffon’s sword hand and held it fast. Alces’s sword traveled all the way towards the griffon’s face. The griffon let out a squawk and opened his wings in a reflex. Startled by the sudden movement, Alces let go of the griffon’s hand, and instead ended his attack with a wide slash to the side, straight through the griffon’s wing.

Feathers and bits of feathers rained down on the ground. No blood. Yet. The griffon’s sword fell to the ground as he looked at his damaged wing. ‘My primary feathers! Those will take months to grow back. Months to grow and months of awkward flying!’ The griffon narrowed his eyes as he shot a glance full of red-hot sword tips towards the elk. ‘Enough with the dueling. Now you’re going down!’

Picking up his sword, the clipped griffon pumped his wings and charged right at Alces. In a reflex movement, Alces managed to keep the sword away from his face, but couldn’t do anything against the force of the charge. The two animals flew backwards, interlocked in an awkward embrace, trying to wriggle their swords free and strike somehow. Alces expected himself to slam back-first into the wall, but instead he slammed back-first into the door. The door gave way, and they continued their fight in the hallway.

Steel swung this way and that, as the clipped griffon kept applying pressure to the elk. Alces dodged, rolled, and even blocked a few strikes, but soon found that he was losing ground. Trading blows, the two animals walked further and further into the hallway, the griffon stepping forwards, and Alces stepping backwards. Alces had no way of knowing how much hallway he had left. He knew that if he let his attention slip for just a second, the enraged half-bird-half-lion would run him through. Apparently, griffons were quite attached to their feathers.

They passed another door, Alces noticed. Distracted. A loose nail made him trip backwards. A second later, he slammed onto the floor, the sword slipping away from his teeth. The griffon paused, looking at his helpless victim, now disarmed on the ground.

‘I’ve never beaten an elk before in a duel, but you know what they say: there’s a first time for everything…’ The griffon stepped closer, grabbed his sword with two hands, and raised it high above his head. Alces flinched. The sword went down.

BLAM!

Alces thought it was the sound of the sword slicing through his bones. But if that were true, then how could he be thinking that? Opening his eyes, he looked straight at a new griffon, draped in black.

‘Well, well, well, what’s all the fuss about?’ he said. He stood in the doorway, looking around himself. When he closed the door behind him, Alces noticed how the clipped griffon went along with it, flattened against the wood, his sword still raised.

The other griffon caught up with his comrade, and faced the griffon in black. ‘We found this elk in the cargo hold and he attacked us, Captain. We wanted to chase him off the ship but then he started fighting back and then Garrod wanted to cut him down.’

The griffon in black looked from Alces on the ground to his clipped crewmember, trying to dislodge his beak from the door, and to his other crewmember, tailless griffon, pointing at Alces. ‘Well, if you were going to cut him down, then why isn’t he cut down?’

Finally, with a comedic sloshy sound, the clipped griffon managed to free himself from the door, leaving a griffon-shaped dent behind. His eyes rolled for a few seconds, but after a shake of the head he cleared his mind again. Turning to his captain, he said, ‘Don’t worry, Captain Gaffer. We will dispose of him as quickly as we can, now that he’s disarmed.’

But the captain had other ideas. He raised his arms. ‘Whoa, whoa wait a minute. This story sounds interesting.’ He walked over to Alces and grabbed the sword from the ground. Eyeing his crew, he twirled the thing around in his claws as if it were a toy. ‘So you’re saying he fought back?’

‘Yes sir,’ said tailless griffon.

‘But he’s an elk,’ said the captain. ‘Hay, he can’t even hold a sword in his hooves. How did he fight back then? By holding the sword in his mouth?’

‘Eh… yes sir,’ said tailless griffon again.

‘So you’re telling me that some random stowaway elk grabbed a sword and started dueling with my crew’—he looked at Alces, who still lay on the ground—'and actually presented a challenge?’

‘Eh…’ This time tailless griffon forgot to say either “yes” or “sir,” but the captain knew enough.

Now they all stood still. They all eyed each other. Alces wondered how fast he could escape this awkward moment and rush out of the ship. Yet, both griffons held their swords in their hands, and Alces still had no idea which way was out. He could only wait.

The captain let out a loud snort, followed by a rain of chuckles. He reached for his stomach and bent through his knees, as laughter overcame him. ‘HAHAHAHA! You can’t be serious, he’s, he’s, and you… BWAHAHAHA!’

‘With all due respect, Captain, but you shouldn’t laugh,’ said the clipped griffon. ‘He ruined my singing voice with his pounding hooves and he sliced away almost all of my primary feathers. Do you have any idea how humiliating it will be once I try to fly again?’

Naturally, the captain couldn’t stop laughing. ‘HAHAHA! He ruined your… your… singing voice?’

‘Yes, and he sliced my tail,’ said tailless griffon, waving his tuft-less tail for the captain to see.

Still the captain wasn’t able yet to fully form sentences, as chuckles and bursts of laughter kept interrupting him. Only minutes later, awkward minutes during which no one made a move, the captain blinked the tears out of his eye and stood up straight again. He looked not at his wounded crew, but at the elk on the ground. His gaze was still half-soft with hidden laughter, and he didn’t even look that angry. ‘This elk must be a very special one if he manages to wield a sword against my trained crewmembers. What’s your name, calf?’

Alces wasn’t sure if answering was the wisest thing to do, yet, the strangeness of the situation perhaps overcame him too. ‘I’m Alces Roameling,’ he said.

‘And how did you get your amazing sword skills, Alces Roameling?’ said the captain. He bent forwards to cast his one good eye upon the creature on the floor.

‘I’ve never wielded a sword in my life,’ Alces said, ‘but I’m a duelist by nature.’

Letting out a snort, the captain barely managed to contain his laughter this time. ‘I see…’

‘Why don’t you let us teach him a lesson?’ said clipped griffon.

The captain jerked his head back, until he ended his movement in a headbutt right into the belly of clipped griffon. As he doubled over, the captain grabbed his arm, and threw the much larger griffon to the ground in an impressive shoulder throw.

‘Wow,’ Alces couldn’t help but say.

While the clipped griffon lay squirming on the ground, the captain continued his tale. ‘We are mercenaries, Mister Elk, born fighters. We are always looking for two things. Number one is treasure and gold, and number two is new and able fighters to expand our crew.’ He jabbed a finger at the clipped griffon. ‘That’s why I want to talk with you instead of throwing you overboard like these milk mouths say I should do.’ He turned his attention to Alces again. ‘If it is true what you say, then you are either a skilled duelist, or my crew is composed of milky-faced wimps.’

As the captain glanced at tailless griffon behind him, tailless griffon did a step back and sheathed his sword. A wise decision, considering the fate of his friend.

Alces hated the vagueness of this strange situation. ‘So are you going to throw me overboard or not?’

‘Actually, I’d love to see you fight with my own eyes, with that sword in your mouth.’ The captain reached out, opened Alces’s mouth with his claws, and rammed the hilt of the sword into it. ‘I’ve always wondered how you hoofed animals fight without claws or hands to hold your weapon upright. But honestly, I’m not in the mood for any more violence or humiliation.’

Alces spit out the sword and let it clatter to the ground. ‘So that means…’

‘Ah, right to the point, I see. No loose ends, no vagueness or hesitation. I like that attitude,’ said the captain.

Why was he constantly giving compliments to him? The hairs on the back of Alces’s head stood on end. He knew this was do or die time. If the mercenaries turned him in, he was going to the dungeons. That meant even more stealthy escape tactics—if he could get out at all. But what was the alternative?

The captain pretended to hear something. He listened to the nothingness, nodded, and then said, ‘Do you hear that sound, Alces Roameling?’

‘No.’

‘That’s the sound of opportunity, the sound of a new life, and the sound of adventure. Do you embrace the call of duty, or do you let it slip through your hooves?’

‘Do you really want me to join your crew?’

The captain frowned. ‘That’s a simpler and more bland way to say it, but if that’s your style then who am I to judge. But yes, that’s what I’m saying. You have proven today that you are a skilled warrior already. And if you have a wife or children, then consider this a welcome vacation. Children can be so annoying sometimes.’ The captain shook his head. ‘Anyway, do you accept my offer?’

Alces couldn’t believe it. All this sneaking and fighting, and he could have just asked in the first place! He raised his hoof to slap himself in the face, but as it traveled, the captain snagged it and pulled Alces back to his hooves. ‘I see you accept. That’s great. Together, we will forge you into a formidable weapon. I’m sure you’ll be best friends with the rest of the crew in no time.’

‘Whoa, whoa, just a second,’ said Alces. ‘I didn’t say anything yet.’

‘We could also turn you in and throw you into the dungeons,’ said the captain as blandly and gruffly as Alces voiced his words.

‘First I need to ask you three questions,’ said Alces.

Opening his arms, the captain said, ‘Shoot, but don’t stab please.’

Alces ignored the joke. ‘First, are you going to Starbright Glamour’s village?’

‘No, we’re flying to Starlight Glimmer’s village,’ the captain said with a smile. ‘But you’re right, the name is a bit confusing on the tongue.’

‘Second, will your crew stop killing me if I join you?’

The captain glanced at both griffons, irritation etched on his face. ‘I’ll make sure they do. Third question?’

‘Can I keep the sword?’

Once again, the captain snorted and let out a few chuckles. When he managed to calm himself down a bit, he reached out a claw. ‘My name is Captain Gaffer, and I welcome you aboard, Alces Roameling.’

* *

This was perhaps the fifth time in a minute that Elkia looked out of the window. Through the glass, he could spot Sugar Belle’s bakery shop, basking in the glaring midday sun. Yet, there was nopony to be seen.

Elkia sat behind his writing table, pretending to work on some new assignment Starlight Glimmer had given him. He pretended, because he couldn’t possibly work under these circumstances. His stomach kept feeling queasy, and his heart thumped and bumped in his chest. Any moment now he expected a gigantic mob of angry ponies to surround the house. He knew it shouldn’t be long now.

Over the course of the last hour he had seen them, the revolutionaries. They went towards Sugar Belle’s bakery in twos and threes, with a few minutes in between each group, to keep themselves as inconspicuous as they could. Yet, Elkia hadn’t seen one single pony leave. He reckoned the cellar must be very crowded now, if all the ponies were inside, planning, arming up and readying themselves for the revolution of a lifetime.

Suddenly, his attention got ripped away from the window and towards his master. Starlight Glimmer walked past his desk and snatched up the piece of paper he had been trying to work on. Before Elkia could cover it up or grab it back, Starlight started reading everything that was written on it.

‘The ponies of this town.’

Elkia felt himself blush. His head flopped down upon the desk. If Starlight hadn’t already suspected something, she surely did now. Elkia Deerling, her personal writer, was never at a loss for words.

Starlight Glimmer grabbed Elkia’s head by the small, velveted antlers and pulled it back until he was upright again. She laid the piece of paper on the desk, and looked Elkia in the eyes. ‘Yes, I know how you feel. Today is going to be a big day, isn’t it?’

Elkia’s back stiffened. ‘W-w-what do you m-m-mean? It’s just a n-n-normal Saturday. You know, a normal Saturday where I write and you govern your village.’

Scanning, scanning, Starlight’s eyes shifted, taking in every single detail of Elkia’s face, as if she saw straight through him. ‘Not exactly, Elkia. You and me know that both.’

Making one last desperate attempt to conceal everything he thought, Elkia said, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’

Then, Starlight Glimmer couldn’t contain herself any longer. She let out a sharp, heartless, evil-villain laugh. It echoed through the living room, upstairs, through the whole house, and Elkia reckoned that if somepony had been outside, he or she could have heard it too. Starlight Glimmer clutched her belly, laughing and chuckling as if she wanted to laugh away the tension in the air. Of course, that terrible laugh only put Elkia more on edge.

That was the moment Elkia knew she knew. Neither he nor Starlight Glimmer needed to say anything. There were no more secrets in this house. Elkia didn’t dare to speak again, not until Starlight Glimmer’s evil laugh changed into chuckles, and then into a broad, cold smile on her face. When finally there was silence again, Elkia said, ‘You know what’s going to happen, don’t you?’

Starlight’s smile only grew broader. ‘I not only know what’s going to happen, my dear Elkia. I also know exactly what has already happened, and how it’s going to end. Spoiler alert! Not very well.’

Those words made Elkia’s winter-hardened heart freeze over. He had done well to just shut up, but something inside himself demanded to know more. No more secrets. No more lies. It was time to put everything on the table. Right… now! ‘How did you know?’

Starlight had to let out a few chuckles before she was able to answer Elkia’s question. ‘Your mind is an open book, Elkia. And no matter how vague the mouth-writing is, or how much you try to mess up the pages with splotches of ink, I can always read it. Although I must say that one time you actually made it a bit more difficult for me to read, thinking about your loved one and your brother. But there is nothing that stays hidden from me for long. Not in my town.’

‘S-s-so you saw everything? You saw everything through my mind?’ Elkia’s voice was almost a whisper, so very weak it was. He felt like a traitor. Thanks to his mind…

‘I saw everything,’ Starlight said, with more than a little pride in her voice. ‘I saw everything you did, and everypony you talked to. You have been a very naughty elk, Elkia, stumbling into the “resistance” and agreeing to make that sloppy little newspaper for them. What was it called again?
The “Powerless Pathetic Ponies?” Anyway, I suppose I must thank you too. Your mind was an excellent spyglass through which I was able to watch the “other-thinkers.”’

Elkia’s ears drooped down, and he stared at the floor. ‘I’m sorry everypony,’ he said, even though Starlight was the only pony in the room with him.

‘HAHAHAHA!’ Starlight laughed again. ‘It was actually quite interesting and more than a little adorable to see the resistance form. I had the feeling that something was going on in my town for a long time, but seeing just how many ponies are involved, it actually’—she flung away imaginary tears—‘breaks my heart.’

Elkia gritted his teeth. Even in this delicate and dangerous situation, he had to be strong. He had to be strong if he still wanted his answers. He raised his head and looked at the dictator pony in front of him. ‘But… if you knew about the other-thinkers from the start, why didn’t you just gather some followers and barge into our hidden cellar?’

‘Two reasons,’ Starlight said. ‘Number one, I found it interesting to see how these “other-thinkers” unified themselves and created these ingenious plans, these brilliant tactics, and these superb ideas. I’ve read books about revolutions, and if there’s one thing I learned from them, it is that in every dictatorship, no matter how hard you try, there will always be a few rotten apples in the basket. Different ideas will spread the rot around, until all the apples are spoiled. Then, the spoiled apples will unite and fight, trying to poison the very heart of the pony who created her utopian dictatorship all by herself. That is what we call a revolution.’

‘And the second reason?’

Starlight seemed to look a bit cross. ‘Actually—and it pains me to say this, but it’s true—I think there are now more ponies against me than for me in this town—my town. I simply didn’t have enough horsepower to break into the cellar and embrace the insurgents in my loving hooves, making them ready for some thorough brainwashing.’

‘So that means…’

‘Don’t get any funny ideas, Elkia. That doesn’t mean that my regime has failed. Remember that after every revolution there will be a new era. Only this new era will have the same ruler: me.’

Throwing a glance outside, seeing two new ponies head towards Sugar Belle’s bakery shop, Elkia said, ‘But then what are you going to do once they attack your place?’

Starlight rubbed her hooves together. ‘That will be a pretty little surprise…’

Her words were ominous, and bore such power that Elkia shivered despite the heat. ‘So you will simply wipe them out?’

‘Not necessarily,’ said Starlight. ‘I think you and I share the same revulsion for violence and bloodshed. No, if opportunity allows me, I’d rather not have any of my flock killed, no matter how rotten they are.’

‘So what are you going to do with them?’

‘Catch them alive and re-educate them,’ said Starlight.

Elkia didn’t like the way Starlight said the word “re-educate.” That ominous word only sent more shivers through his body.

‘And besides, I think I only need to capture the four main leaders,’ Starlight said. ‘I only need Sugar Belle, Party Favor, and Night Glider and give them a proper re-education. You know, using them to set an example. I’m pretty sure that if I manage to convert those ponies, the rest will lose all interest in strange revolutionary ideas, and their motivation will be crushed.’

‘Eh…’ Elkia raised his hoof as if he were a little calf in class. ‘You said four main leaders, but you mentioned only three.’

‘Oh yes, how could I forget,’ Starlight said, twirling her hoof around. ‘The fourth leader is sitting right opposite of me. I mean you, Elkia.’

‘EEK!’ Elkia got startled and nearly fell off his chair.

A cruel smile played on Starlight’s lips. ‘Oh yes, you will be very useful brainwashing material, Elkia. You are soft like clay, ready to be molded into the form of my choosing. I don’t even think it will take that long to shape your mind. It’s a shame I’ll lose my personal writer, though. You really had some talent with your independent mind. Oh, well, I guess I’ll have to schedule another trip to Scribblers’ City then.’

Elkia’s hooves trembled and fidgeted with the pencil on his table. He didn’t dare to look into Starlight Glimmer’s brutal eyes.

But he didn’t even have to. Starlight drew her own conclusion all by herself. ‘As you can see, Elkia, there is nothing hidden from me. I am in complete control of the situation, from beginning till end. This revolution will go down in the history books as the pathetic attempt at battling a god. The only glorious victory will be mine and mine alone. Thanks to this feeble insurgence, my rule will last a lifetime, and longer if necessary. You have no power here. Nopony has any power here but me!’

Elkia turned his ears away from the cackling laughter that shredded the air once more. He looked outside. Behind the windows of Sugar Belle’s bakery, he could see shadows moving.

* *

Alces Roameling stood at the prow of the Grover’s Talon. The wind waved through his coat. It was fresh and a little chilly at this altitude, exactly how elks like it. But he wasn’t there to feel the wind. No, it was far more interesting to gaze down, to marvel at the incredible height and speed with which the zeppelin rode the winds. For a moment, Alces felt as if he were the Light Elk himself, gazing down upon the world with his one unblinking eye.

‘It must be quite something to see the world like that,’ said Captain Gaffer. He walked over to Alces and stopped right next to him, sharing this awesome moment.

‘I feel like a god,’ said Alces, ‘and I wish I was.’

‘Yes,’ said Gaffer. ‘If we were gods we could do what we want, bend reality to our will, to favor those we want to favor and to smite our enemies with holy fire.’

Shaking his head, Alces took his gaze away from the swirling waters below and looked at Captain Gaffer, only to discover that the black-clad, one-eyed griffon was watching him.

‘We haven’t talked much, you and I, and the journey is almost over,’ said the captain. ‘We’ll fly over the Celestial Sea towards some mountains, and behind those lies Starlight Glimmer’s village.’

‘Good,’ Alces said. He narrowed his eyes so tightly Captain Gaffer thought he might get skewered by Alces’s gaze.

‘Gee, you look like a maniac,’ said Gaffer, raising his hands as if he wanted to protect himself. ‘Are all elks that bloodthirsty?’

‘Only if you mess with the elk’s family.’

‘Sooooooooo…’ Gaffer stretched the “o” as far as he could, wanting to get some of the tension out of the thin air. ‘I guess you have family in Starlight’s village?’

‘Yes.’ In the brief pause that followed, Gaffer wanted to slice a new—and hopefully easier—subject, but Alces continued on his own. ‘He’s there, imprisoned by this pony, this “Starlight Glimmer,” if I finally get that damn name right. She took him from a vile town called Scribblers’ City. Apparently she wanted to have him for his skill at writing, if I should believe a single word of the treacherous pony who gave me that knowledge.’

‘If what you say is true,’ said Gaffer, ‘then you probably will have to face Starlight yourself.’ He sighed. ‘I’ve known Starlight for some years now. She’s a really powerful unicorn, both physically as well as mentally as well as magically. I hope you’re up for the fight of your life, because Starlight Glimmer hates it when things don’t go according to plan—her plan, I mean.’

Alces nodded silently, as his thoughts traveled to Elkia. ‘I can only imagine how scared he must be. He’s nothing like me, my brother. We’re like snow and fire. But even though we have our differences, and sometimes even get angry and argue, we love each other a lot. He tried to save me from that horrible town—twice.First by himself with a ridiculous plan he messed up, and then through his friends with a ridiculous plan I messed up. He was there for me, and now it’s time for me to be there for him.’

‘Wow, I can only imagine what you mean by that,’ said Gaffer. But when he received another angry stare from Alces he added, ‘No worries, I won’t ask.’

‘Good.’

Another silence descended upon them. In the distance, Alces spotted the vague shapes of the mountains Gaffer had talked about, rising from the clouds like celestial islands. Yet he couldn’t completely take his thoughts to where he wanted them to be. ‘Gaffer, now I want to ask you something.’

‘Sure, go ahead. It’s not as if I have important captain-duties to attend to.’ His voice betrayed the joke. ‘No seriously, I don’t. Being a captain can be a lazy job sometimes.’

Alces stroked his goatee. ‘It’s not as if I would normally care about that, but why did you burst into laughter when we first met? If I were a captain I’d kill any rats hiding on my ship immediately and without mercy. There must be more to our strange alliance.’

Gaffer listened closely to Alces. He sighed with a smile on his face, as a memory floated by like a cloud. ‘It felt like the least I could do to return a favor I got a long time ago.’

‘What do you mean?’

Captain Gaffer cleared his throat. ‘Believe it or not, but my mother brought me to that magical lake you elks, deer, and reindeer guard, when I was but a little griffon baby, just hatched from the egg. She offered me to the seer, who did some kind of magical incantation, and then spoke about my future and told them my name.’

‘Really?’ Alces said, suddenly very interested in what the captain had to tell him. ‘What did the seer say?’

‘Hahaha! According to my mother, she said trouble would always find me, and that a fight would never be far away from me. She couldn’t have been more right, because here I am, leading a band of mercenaries and pirates to their glory!’

‘Ah, I see,’ Alces said.

The captain’s face grew serious again. ‘So having mercy on an elk seemed like the right thing to do. However, I wasn’t lying when I talked about a future of adventure and treasure for you as a member of my crew, if you want to have it. But I have the feeling you have other plans, don’t you?’

‘I just want my brother back,’ Alces said through clenched teeth. ‘And I’m gonna get him back.’

Captain Gaffer clapped Alces on the shoulder. ‘Good! You do that boy. Follow your head, heart, and your guts, as I always say.’

Alces saw how the mountains drifted closer and closer, their peaks topped with snow.

‘I’d better go and see my helmsman at the wheel,’ said Captain Gaffer. ‘We must make one tiny adjustment to our course to catch the most favorable winds.’

Alces nodded, but then motioned for Gaffer to wait. ‘Just one moment. It might not be very important, but I was just wondering, why are you and your crew heading towards Starlight Glimmer’s village yourselves?’

‘Oh, it’s nothing big,’ said Gaffer. ‘Just a little peace-keeping operation.’

‘Oh, okay.’ Alces turned his head to watch the nearing mountains and the remnants of the sea again, while Captain Gaffer disappeared behind him, ready to give the final orders.

* *

Starlight’s village was just the one street, so Elkia could clearly see them coming. The door to Sugar Belle’s bakery opened, and ponies streamed out. There were so many of them! Just when Elkia thought that all ponies were outside, more and more trickled through the doorway. From this distance, Elkia could see that many carried something, but he couldn’t exactly see what.

He swallowed, and then looked behind him at Starlight Glimmer, who was walking in circles. ‘They’re coming.’

‘What?!’ Starlight stiffened. Elkia could see how her eyes wavered about and how she bit her lip. Was she… scared?

‘I thought you had complete control of the situation,’ Elkia said. He could have teased Starlight a bit, but didn’t think that was a wise thing to do.

Starlight Glimmer stopped pacing around and instead pressed her head to the window. ‘Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.’

Elkia stood up and walked to the next window. The mob outside had gathered themselves together, and the ponies were now marching towards the house. There were at least a hundred of them, or maybe even more.

Recoiling from the window, Starlight looked at the grandfather clock, and kept staring at it. ‘No, no, no. Too soon. Too soon!’

‘What are you talking about, Starlight,’ said Elkia.

Starlight took a second to flash a murderous glance at Elkia, before she resumed studying the arms of the clock, her eyes narrowed.

The sound of a large group—voices, shouts, hoofsteps, crunching sand—could be heard. When Elkia once more looked out of the window, he saw a whole row of ponies. Walking towards another window, one opposite of where he sat, he did the same and saw the same. ‘Eh… Starlight,’ he said hesitantly, ‘I think they’ve surrounded the house.’

‘ARGH!’ Starlight growled like a wild beast, a wild beast cornered and scared but also ready to fight till the death. She once more paced around the living room, glancing through every window as if Elkia had told her a lie. ‘What to do, what to do?’

Then, just when Elkia thought Starlight was going to explode with tension and stress, one voice made itself clearly heard over the hubbub outside. It was Night Glider’s voice. ‘Starlight Glimmer! We have surrounded your house. There’s nowhere for you to go, and there’s nothing you can do. We are the ponies of the revolution, and we’re here to dethrone you. We outnumber you a hundred to one. Just calmly open the door and walk outside. And Elkia? If you’re there, go follow behind Starlight Glimmer and make sure she doesn’t do any magic. Starlight, if you perform any magical spells, we will attack you immediately.’

In the silence that followed, Starlight paced twice as fast. Sweat pearled off her forehead, and her eyes darted all about the room.

Elkia walked towards the door. ‘Shall I open it?’

‘NO!’ In a flash of magic, Elkia got shoved aside. With another flash, every lock on the door (there were no less than seven of them) clicked shut.

The ponies outside must have heard the door clicking shut as well, as a mumbling wave of comments traveled through the mob. A few seconds later, Night Glider’s voice could be heard again. ‘Starlight Glimmer, if you don’t come out of your house we will force the door open and drag you out. It’s your choice if you want to leave by yourself or if we will make you leave.’

Starlight narrowed her eyes and grunted. She opened her mouth to speak, but at that exact moment something heavy banged against the door, something heavy enough to silence the dictator. Then it banged against the door again, and again, and again.

‘As you hear, we have a battering ram,’ said Night Glider, ‘and we have no shortage of ponies to operate it. Come out now. Our threats are very real!’

‘No, no, no,’ Starlight said, but too soft for Night Glider to hear it. ‘I need more time, more time, more time…’

BANG! The battering ram slammed into the door. BANG! Another hit. BANG! And another one.

Elkia couldn’t believe his ears and eyes. The revolution was working! His eyes went from the tortured door to Starlight Glimmer, desperate and utterly worried. One of the locks flew off the door and clattered to the ground. It shouldn’t take long to break open the door. ‘Starlight,’ Elkia said, looking at the troubled dictator, ‘I think you… you have lost.’

‘No I haven’t,’ said Starlight, fire shooting through her eyes. ‘Just wait and see.’

‘But there is no more time to wait. This door will fly open and they’ll come for you. Why don’t you end your reign in a dignified way? As soon as the door gives way it will be far more humiliating to be dragged outside, don’t you think?’

‘Shut up, you!’ Starlight spat. ‘Don’t be so annoying, and—’ Starlight’s eyes went wide, and she didn’t finish the sentence. Then her eyes narrowed again, looking at Elkia as if she saw him for the first time. ‘Of course…’

Elkia didn’t like that look one bit. ‘Eh… what do you mean?’

‘You’re once again going to prove very useful to me,’ Starlight said. Before Elkia could ask for more explanation, he felt himself being lifted off the ground, captured in a cloud of purple magical energy. ‘You’re coming with me,’ Starlight said, as she climbed the stairs to the second floor. She went to a bedroom and opened the window, then levitated Elkia outside. Elkia flew higher and higher into the air, until he hovered even higher than the roof of Starlight’s house.

‘Wh-whoa, wait, what are you doing?!’ Elkia whimpered as he looked down at the drop below.

‘I’m not doing anything,’ Starlight said. ‘You, on the other hoof, are now buying me more time.’

Down below, the ponies stood in a ring around Starlight’s house. Elkia could see that they were all armed. They wielded rolling pins, broomsticks, planks of wood, torches, pitchforks, hammers, and many more makeshift weapons in their hooves. Many of them also seemed to be holding shields, made of anything wooden they could find like crates, barrels and planks. They not only looked like an angry mob—they also looked like an army, ready to attack and complete the mission.

The sound of the door being struck by the battering ram ceased. Everypony looked up at Starlight on the second floor and Elkia much higher.

‘If you so much as lean against my door once again, it will be the end of your beloved Elkia,’ she called. ‘And if any pegasus so much as tries to swoop up to Elkia, I will unleash all the magic I have—both on the pegasus as well as on Elkia…’

As Night Glider spoke, Elkia spotted her together with Party Favor and Sugar Belle at the front of the crowd. ‘You’re insane, Starlight! Lower him down on the ground, slowly.’

‘And lose what leverage I have?’ Starlight said. ‘I don’t think so.’

They were at an impasse. Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor put their heads together, trying to find a solution and get out of this sticky situation. ‘Starlight, if you lower Elkia to the ground, we will—’

‘Quit the revolution, go home, walk into my hooves and brainwash yourselves?’ Starlight let out a nervous laugh. ‘Only if you can promise me that will I let Elkia go, otherwise…’

‘Otherwise what?’ said Night Glider.

‘Otherwise we’ll wait a bit longer, so you’ll have the time to think if you really want to have freedom at the cost of this creature’s life.’

Calls and shouts erupted from the crowd below. ‘You’re a coward, Starlight Glimmer!’ said Sugar Belle through the megaphone.

‘What did you say?’ said Starlight, her face growing dark.

‘You’re a coward!’

‘Whoops.’ The levitation field dissolved, and Elkia fell down. He closed his eyes and yelled as he went, felt and heard the gasps from the revolutionaries below. Yet once he reached the second floor window, Starlight cast her spell again, and he traveled upwards. ‘I can play with my yoyo for hours, if I want. Both you and I have the power of life and death, only I know how to use it.’

‘H-h-how long are y-y-you keeping me l-l-like this?’ Elkia said, stuttering with true terror.

‘As long as I need,’ Starlight said. ‘As long as—’

A shadow hovered over the village. Everypony, Starlight Glimmer, and Elkia looked up at the strange shape that came closer and closer, like a shark stalking in the waters. It looked like a ship, albeit borne by a giant balloon, patched together with grey and brown fabrics. Everyone knew what it looked like. It looked like a supply zeppelin. But even though everyone recognized the shape for what it was, they also had the gut-wrenching feeling that this zeppelin didn’t come to trade supplies.

The tension and stress flowed away from Starlight’s face like a gentle stream, and a careful smile danced on her lips. ‘Finally here,’ she said.

* *

‘Finally here,’ Captain Gaffer said. He stood on deck, facing his crew. He had already given them careful instructions on how to handle things. ‘And don’t forget, they’ll be more afraid of us then we are of them. Even though they’re with more, wait until my command, and only then attack!’

‘Aye, aye,’ the crew shouted.

‘Now go you miserable doofuses!’ Gaffer shouted, drawing his sword and turning around. ‘Go and let them see what happens when Starlight Glimmer calls for reinforcements.’

Under a chorus of squawks, battle cries, screeches, and everything in between, the griffons jumped off the ship and dived towards the crowd below. As they soared through the sky, the ponies below looked at them with open mouths, not knowing what to think of this but definitely knowing that they were facing a new enemy now. They jumped aside and scattered when the griffons landed. In no time, as the rest of Captain Gaffer’s crew made landfall, the situation was totally different. The griffons positioned themselves between the house and the ponies, so that they stood with their backs to the house and faced the revolutionaries. The ponies, seeing the swords, axes, halberds and other steel-forged weapons in their claws, made sure to keep their distance, so that there was a little bit of “no man’s land” between them.

‘And now it’s our turn,’ said Gaffer. Alces jumped on his back and the captain flew down. Gaffer made sure not to fly too fast, but Alces wasn’t afraid. He took a good look at the battlefield from this high up, switching his mind into battle mode. ‘I know it looks ugly down there,’ Gaffer said, ‘but don’t you worry. We got this.’

‘This is not my fight,’ Alces said back. ‘I don’t care about who wins and who loses. I just want to get my brother back.’

‘Aye,’ said Gaffer. They had almost reached the ground, and Gaffer slowed down. ‘If your brother is really captured by Starlight Glimmer, he’ll probably be in the house… But that’s also where Starlight Glimmer is.’

They landed amidst the rest of the mercenaries. ‘I’m not afraid,’ said Alces, as he stepped off the captain’s back.

‘A little fear keeps you alive, boy,’ Gaffer said back. He went for a handshake. ‘Maybe I’ll see you again and maybe not, but whatever the case may be, I wish you good luck.’

‘Thanks,’ Alces said. ‘Good luck with the fight.’

‘If there will be one,’ Gaffer said back. They shook hands and hooves, and then they both turned around. Captain Gaffer to his army of mercenaries, and Alces to Starlight Glimmer’s house.

* *

The moment Starlight had spotted the shadow overhead, she had reeled in Elkia, so that Gaffer didn’t have to see the nasty hostage situation. She still had a reputation to uphold, a reputation of being a strict but just dictator. Now both Elkia and Starlight looked out of the window, watching the griffon army of Captain Gaffer take its positions. Elkia almost forgot to breathe, as he gazed upon the griffons. All of them were armed to the teeth with swords and pikes and nasty spears. Some were even wearing chain link armor, as if they were really ready for war, and waved their weapons in the air in a million silent threats. The griffons narrowed their eyes and looked at the ponies before them, sizing them up. The gleam of battle was in their eyes.

‘This is your surprise?’ Elkia said.

‘Yes. You didn’t expect that, now did you? It’s a plot twist worthy of a novel, I’d say,’ said Starlight.

‘B-b-but you can’t do this. Those griffons have weapons! They might just attack your own villagers. Perhaps they’re ready to kill!’

Starlight nodded. ‘They are probably ready to kill, if their captain gives the command.’

‘But you said you weren’t in for bloodshed and violence!’

‘If I can’t make a fist, then how am I going to threaten everypony?’ said Starlight. She pointed outside. ‘Look at them. Even though the revolutionaries have the numbers, the griffons made quite the impression on them. Look! They are getting scared, I just know it. That’s what I want. I want them to shiver in their horseshoes and tremble and maybe even cry.’

As the gasps and confusion died down a bit, and the ponies had stepped back from the mean-looking griffons, Night Glider took the word again. Her voice didn’t waver or hesitate as she spoke. ‘If you think you’ve scared us, Starlight, then think again! We’re not afraid. We outnumber these griffons two to one, and we haven’t armed ourselves without a reason.’

‘So what do you want to say?’ said Starlight Glimmer.

‘Our offer still stands,’ Night Glider said. ‘If you dismiss your griffon army and walk out the door, we’ll not harm either you or the griffons.’

A wave of laughter went through the griffon mercenaries. Some of them did a step forward and raised their weapons.

‘This is n-n-not good,’ Elkia said. ‘They will fight!’

‘Let them,’ said Starlight.

‘No!’ Elkia stepped back from the window and headed towards the staircase. ‘I’m not going to let them kill each other. Not if I have anything to say about it.’

‘Oh no you don’t.’ Starlight concentrated, quickly cast a magical spell, and fired at Elkia. A moment later, Elkia’s world was purple. A ball of purple magic enveloped him. He looked dazed at Starlight.

‘Now you’re too big to descend the staircase,’ Starlight hissed. ‘A simple spell, but it works. Oh, and don’t worry, there are airholes in it.’

But Elkia was not going to let some pesky spell stop him. The bedroom had another window. Struggling, he walked like a hamster in a ball towards the second window, positioned the airholes so that they faced outside, and spoke.

‘Everyone! Stop!’ Elkia shouted, hoping his voice was as steady and loud as he wanted it to be.

Everypony and every griffon heard him loud and clear. ‘Elkia! Are you okay?’ Sugar Belle called.

‘I am, but you won’t be if I do nothing,’ he said. ‘Just look at you all! This whole town looks like it’s on the brink of war.’

‘It is,’ Sugar Belle called. Then Night Glider grabbed the megaphone. ‘We’ll do whatever it takes to get our freedom and our cutie marks back!’

‘But not like this,’ said Elkia. ‘Not with the loss of so many lives. Look, I have seen that you are determined and maybe even a bit ruthless, but you do really want to fight? Do you really think your freedom and cutie marks are worth dying for and killing for? Look at your enemies. They look like trained professionals, and what about their weapons? A rolling pin is not going to stop a blow from one of those crazy axes.’

The crowd of ponies mumbled and shuffled on their hooves. The griffons took this opportunity to take a collective step forwards. ‘So what are you saying, Elkia?’ said Night Glider.

‘I… I am saying…’ Even this far away, Elkia didn’t dare to tell them what was on his mind. But he had to. He had to play a role in this insane theater play if he wanted to avoid bloodshed. So he said it. ‘I… I am saying that you should give up.’

A collective gasp went through the crowd. ‘How can you say such a thing?’ said Party Favor, who held the megaphone now. ‘I thought we were friends. Have you… turned on us?’

‘We are friends,’ said Elkia, ‘and I haven’t turned on anyone. I just think this has gone far enough. I don’t want anypony to die or get wounded.’ He pointed to the right. ‘And believe it or not, but even Starlight Glimmer doesn’t want any bloodshed. She told me that personally.’

Suddenly, Starlight took the word from the other window. ‘He’s right. Even if you think I’ve stolen your individuality and your freedom, I only know what’s best for you all. Right now, war is definitely not good for anyone. In fact, war is never good for anyone. Why don’t you listen to your friend and give up. He’s wiser than you, I’d say.’

There was a moment of silence between the parties gathered on the battlefield. Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor put their heads together and congregated silently. The griffons all looked at one another, and then all their gazes were aimed at one big griffon, draped in black. They were waiting for the kill command.

Suddenly, Night Glider shouted something through the megaphone. ‘Present shields!’

Immediately, the ponies wearing all kinds of makeshift wooden shields stepped forwards and put their shields down.

Oh no, Elkia thought. ‘No! What are you doing?!’

The three founders of the other-thinkers passed the megaphone to one another, as though hesitant to speak to Elkia. At last, it was bold Night Glider who took the word. ‘I’m sorry to hear all this from you, Elkia. We all do, in fact. We’re sorry to see that Starlight Glimmer has brainwashed you, and made you give that speech to discourage us from fighting. But we know we can win. We have the numbers, and we’re not afraid. We’re not afraid to fight for freedom, and give our lives for it if we have to.’

Those words made a shock go through Elkia’s body. He actually made a small jump, so startled he was. ‘No,’ he whispered. ‘No,’ he said. ‘NO!’ he shouted.

‘Present arms!’ Night Glider shouted

The ponies with makeshift weapons and tools stepped behind the shield-bearers, ready to attack once the first blow would fall.

Elkia’s thoughts went into overdrive. He was searching for words, for anything that could prevent this horrible fight from happening. His creative mind worked and worked, but even that well had apparently run dry. He knew that whatever he’d say, it wouldn’t make a difference. His friends thought he was brainwashed. They wouldn’t believe anything he said. Was there anything he could do?

Night Glider raised a hoof in the air. ‘Pegasi! Take flight.’ And to her words, the pegasi revolutionaries took to the air. Elkia saw how they were all carrying stones in their hooves, and the strong ones had whole baskets full of rocks strapped to their barrels.

Still thinking what to say, Elkia got startled as a gruff voice cut the air like a blade. ‘Griffons! Ready yourselves. On my command, attack!’

‘No! STOP!’ Elkia was sweating all over his body. His voice shrunk to something little louder than a whisper. Panic reigned supreme in his mind. ‘NO! Stop! Don’t fight!’

Too late. Night Glider took a deep breath, raised the megaphone to her lips, and shouted, ‘ATTACK!’

So did the captain of the griffons. He had just enough time to yell ‘ATTACK! Before the rumble of hooves and the battle cries of the griffons overthrew every sound.

Elkia watched in horror as the armies clashed. The shield-bearing ponies held their ground, trying to block the blows of the sharp griffon weapons. Already Elkia heard cries of pain and agony, as the steel cut through the wood. The ponies behind the shield-bearers tried to find an opening to strike their foes with whatever they had in their hooves. In the air, stones rained down on griffons and an aerial dogfight was being fought between the griffons and the pegasi.

Yet somehow, through all the noise and the cries and the sound of steel upon steel, Alces managed to call his brother’s name. ‘ELKIA!’

* *

Alces hugged the wall of Starlight’s house, giving the griffons enough space to fight their battle. Once he reached the door, he saw how damaged it was. Reckoning a good buck would do the trick, he turned around, readied his hooves, and gave a mighty buck to the weakened door. It worked! The door banged open and fell down, as it completely ripped through its hinges.

He didn’t waste a second. Turning left, he went for the staircase, and took the steps three at a time. Once he reached the top, he looked straight into Starlight Glimmer’s eyes.

‘Hello there,’ she said, and then unleashed the magical attack she had prepared.

Alces flew through the air, electricity running through his body and sending needles of pain everywhere. He smacked against the bubble Elkia was in and fell to the ground.

‘Alces, no!’

Starlight Glimmer took the time to watch her foe, as she readied another blast. ‘So this is the brother you waited for? Hmm? This is your knight in shining armor, ready to save you from the clutches of the evil queen?’

Through tear-struck eyes laden with bafflement and awe, Elkia watched as his brother slowly tried to scramble to his hooves. ‘He’s my brother. Please don’t hurt him!’

‘If he stays on the ground, I’ll keep him alive, agreed?’

Sniffing, Elkia said, ‘Haven’t you caused enough bloodshed with your griffon army?’

Starlight raised a hoof. Step by step, she closed in on Alces, who still lay on the ground. ‘Watch your tongue, Elkia. It was they who rebelled against me first. This whole battle going on outside is their own fault. Thanks to their stubbornness they must fight for their lives now. I actually liked your little speech a lot, although it’s a pity they weren’t that moved by it. Well, what do writers say in that case? “Back to the drawing board,” right?’

‘No,’ Elkia said, his face almost as dark as Starlight’s. ‘We say, “there’s always the second draft.”’

Right at the moment Starlight was upon Alces, Elkia charged forwards, taking the magical ball he was in with him. As he collided with Starlight Glimmer, she fell down and let go of her spell. The electric shock bounced from the wall to the ceiling and back, before striking Elkia.

But not quite.

The ball of magical energy disintegrated with a crackle of lightning, and Elkia bounced back, until he made a roll and landed on his hooves right next to his brother. ‘Alces, are you okay?’

‘With a little help, yes.’ Alces said. Together with Elkia, he managed to stand on his hooves again. A little shake of the head and he was back in dueling mode.

‘Aww… isn’t that a nice moment of brotherly love?’ said Starlight. Her horn glowed and pulsed as she readied another attack. She knew the elk brothers could do nothing about it. Their new antlers were too small. They were unarmed. ‘Now that you mention it, you two do look like you’re family. Or maybe all elks just look alike, hahaha!’

Both Elkia and Alces didn’t laugh along. Alces eyed something standing in the room, and whispered quiet words to Elkia.

‘You know what? Starlight said. ‘When I’ve sedated you, I’ll put you both into my re-education program and brainwash you together. That will be a merry time, won’t it? I hope you’re as good a writer as your brother, Alces… wasn’t it? In the end, you will be together! Isn’t that fun? This story might end happily for you after all.’

‘If you think I still want anything to do with you,’ said Elkia, ‘then you’re sadly mistaken.’

‘You have no choice,’ said Starlight.

‘NOW!’ shouted Alces. The two elks jumped towards the table. As one, they put their backs to it and managed to flip the heavy oak table around.

Starlight, shaking off her bafflement at the swiftness of their moves, released her spell.

‘We gotta move forward, Elkia,’ said Alces. ‘Towards the stairs.’

Elkia winced as he felt the magical beam impact the wood, but nodded. ‘Let’s stay together now.’

Both elks placed their heads against the table and moved it closer and closer. Starlight kept casting her spell. Already the energy was eating away at the wood. It smoked, and cinders flowed into the air. The blackened furniture was close to bursting into flames.

‘Alces, the table! It’s burning.’

‘Keep pushing Elkia! We have no other plan!’

Starlight focused, and put even more magic into her beam. ‘You will not get away like this. Elkia is my personal writer. He’s mine, you hear. Mine! He’s my property and I can do what I want with him!’

The wood crumbled to ash around the elks’ ears. Still they pushed on. As long as they didn’t feel the beam of heat searing their furs, the plan went okay.

They were almost at the staircase. Alces felt a flame dance around his ear. ‘No! He’s no one’s property,’ he shouted. ‘He’s my brother, and I’m taking him with me!’

‘He’s mine!’ Starlight shouted.

‘He’s mine!’ Alces returned.

‘Help!’ Elkia wailed, seeing the flames close in and breaking the wood.

Starlight and the elk brothers got very close. The magical beam was maybe just a yard long. They almost bumped into one another. There wasn’t much left of the table anymore. Alces spotted the staircase to his left, and started counting down.

‘Three!’

‘Two!’

‘One!’

And then both elks thrust their shoulders against the wood, giving it one final push in Starlight’s direction. The wood slammed into her face. The magical beam got dispelled, and Starlight Glimmer went down. Only when they heard her fall to the floor did they throw away their makeshift shield, now nothing more than blackened firewood.

‘Oh no! Did we kill her?’ Elkia said.

‘No, look!’ As Alces pointed, Starlight was already getting up, rubbing her horn.

‘W-w-what do we do now?’ Elkia asked.

‘Now, we run.’ Alces said.

‘Wait, what?!’ Elkia said. Did he hear that right? Alces wanted to run from a fight?

‘I’ve learned to pick my battles. Come on. Let’s go!’

The elks galloped down the staircase. The door was still open, and they could look outside at the haze of bodies trading blows. Elkia hesitated, but Alces took his hoof, and charged outside.

The battle was still going strong. Griffons and pegasi flew through the air, chasing one another. On the ground, the griffons and the rest of the unicorns and earth ponies were fighting for their lives. Both Elkia and Alces had no idea who was winning. The two elks looked around themselves, trying to find an opening in the hubbub to flee through. They spotted something lying in the sand. Two shields.

‘I’ll cover the front, you cover the back,’ Alces said, tossing one of the shields to Elkia and keeping the other firmly in his mouth. ‘We go back to back.’

So they did. Using the shields to block the occasional stray blow, the two elks almost dug their way through the mass of fighting animals. Elkia had a lot of trouble seeing wounded ponies and griffons lying on the ground, some unmoving. There was blood here and there, and the cries of pain and suffering were too awful for him to hear. A number of times Alces had to wait until his tear-struck brother caught up. Alces himself kept his emotions in check, focusing only on their escape.

And in the end, they did escape. After one last rank of fighting ponies and griffons, they found themselves out of the crowd, standing on the main street of Starlight’s village.

‘This way!’ Alces said. Together they ran towards a house. Alces wanted to get away from Starlight’s house as fast as he could, and hide if possible. Who knew what that powerful unicorn was still capable of? Once they had rounded the corner, and were sure Starlight couldn’t spot them from her house, they both took a moment to catch their breaths.

‘Alces…’

‘Yes, Elkia.’

‘You came for me.’

‘Of course. I promised you.’

Elkia stepped towards his brother, and caught him in a warm embrace.

A shiver went through Alces’s body and he felt like recoiling, but even though he was not much of a hugger, he wrapped his own hooves around Elkia too. ‘I’m glad to see you too, brother.’

When Elkia let go of his brother and blinked his tears away, he took a moment to look him over. ‘Oh Alces, I thought I’d never see you again. I thought they would kill you in that forced labor camp.’

Alces scoffed. ‘They tried, believe me, but they didn’t quite succeed.’

‘Oh, I’m so glad you got out. Did Strawberry Blonde and Syntax create a good plan?’

‘Better than your plan anyway,’ Alces said with a smile.

Despite the pain both physical as well as mental, Elkia managed a smile too. ‘I tried to escape from here myself. I tried to make plans, but every time I thought of something, Starlight Glimmer was one step ahead. There was just nothing I could do. But I didn’t forget you. I thought about you all the time, and… and…’ And then Elkia spotted Alces’s “souvenir.” ‘Oh my, Alces! What happened to your cutie mark?!’

Alces clapped Elkia on the back, sending a cloud of soot raining from his fur. ‘Don’t worry about me. Now is not the time to dig up memories or compare battle scars. Now is the time to go.’

‘Go? What do you mean?’

Alces tilted his head. ‘Well, I mean getting out of this stupid village and finding a way through the desert towards a place that isn’t full of crazies. And preferably without ponies.’

‘No… no we can’t.’

Despite the beautiful reunion, the fire returned in Alces’s eyes as he gave Elkia a stare. ‘What?!’

Elkia glanced around the corner. From here, he could still see the two armies battling each other, and he could still hear the sounds of war. ‘Alces, we have to stop this onslaught. This battle is terrible.’

But Alces shook his head. ‘Oh no. There’s nothing we can do about this, Elkia. The fire of war has ignited inside their hearts, ponies and griffons alike. I’m not much for metaphors, but I know how the rush of battle feels. You can’t simply raise your voice and expect them to listen.’

‘But… but…’ Elkia threatened to burst into tears once more. ‘But now you are here, and… and I thought we could bundle our strengths and… and…’

Alces stepped towards his brother and grabbed his shoulders. ‘Elkia, I’m a duelist, not a war lord. I can fight and defeat one enemy if I want, two if they are stupid griffons, but I don’t have either the charisma or the knowledge to force two armies to stop fighting each other. I’m no god.’

Elkia nodded shallowly. ‘But we can’t just leave like that! We can’t let them fight out this battle.’

Alces’s voice was growling now, as his impatience grew. ‘This is not our battle, Elkia.’

‘Maybe not yours, but it’s definitely mine. I know the revolutionary ponies. They can be such gentle hearts. I… I’d never thought they would be able to do something like this.’

Snorting, Alces had trouble finding good arguments now. ‘Just listen to me!’ he called, shaking his brother a bit. ‘You have given your heartbreaking speech—I heard it with my own ears. You have done everything you could do. You have played your part. But now your part is over.’

‘I still don’t want to leave…’ Elkia said, shoulders shocking. ‘There must be something—’

‘We… can’t… stay… here,’ Alces said, placing emphasis on every word. ‘We don’t even know who will win this battle, and it’s not safe to wait it out. If the griffons win and Starlight can move freely again, she will search for us. And I don’t know if you noticed, but this tiny village doesn’t have a lot of hiding spots. We will get caught. Is that what you want?’

‘No…’

‘And if the ponies win, then we’ll lose our ride out of here. I came here onboard the zeppelin of the griffon captain, but if all the griffons are defeated, the remaining griffons onboard will turn around as fast as they can and retreat to Griffonstone.’

Elkia nodded shallowly.

Alces let go of his brother and looked behind him at the never-ending desert. ‘On the map your friend Strawberry Blonde gave me, there’s supposed to be something called a “train station” somewhere west of here. Maybe that means there will be a village too! I don’t exactly know how far it is, but it’s the only option we have. If we move immediately and the battle lasts for a while still, there’s a good chance we’ll make it.’

Elkia looked at the ground. Thoughts swirled around in his head, options and decisions alongside them. Going through the desert did sound like the best idea.

But what about the battle?

Elkia knew that if he turned around and fled now, he would never forget the screams and the sounds of that horrible fight. He wished he could just freeze time, walk through the mass of fighting creatures and talk to them. Then, when he’d unfreeze time, they would be calm and rational, and their bloodlust would diminish. They could all be friends again. But Elkia was no seer. He even doubted if his mother would have been powerful enough to do what he thought about.

No, this has to stop! No matter how powerless he might be, Elkia decided he would have to do whatever it took to stop the battle. He turned around and did a few steps towards the fight. ‘I’m sorry Alces, but if I don’t try to at least do something, I’ll never sleep soundly again.’

Alces said nothing. He let out a growl and stamped his hooves, but Elkia couldn’t see his brother’s temper tantrum. Now Alces was the one who was becoming desperate. And whenever he was desperate, he resorted to his strength, the only thing he could really trust. Slowly, making as little sound as he could, he unsheathed his sword, and held it in his hoof. Then he walked towards Elkia and tapped him on the shoulder. ‘Elkia?’

‘Yes?’ Elkia said, turning his head around. The last thing he saw was the brass of the handguard flash into view. He didn’t even feel the pain as his own brother knocked him out cold.

Chapter fourteen: desperate times

The sun stood high in the sky, letting its hot rays fall upon the furry back of Alces Roameling. He carried Elkia on his back, who was still unconscious from the mighty and desperate blow his own brother had given him. Alces trusted in his own strength, using his broad shoulders to carry the heavy load. His coat was soaked in sweat, and every step was more difficult than the last. Stepping through the blazing sand was even more difficult than stepping through the snow. At least Alces was made for snow, and not for desert. He wished he could open a zipper and let his thick elk-coat behind. But he couldn’t.

The battle of Starlight’s village had commenced at dawn. Right now, the afternoon was drawing to an end, the sun on its way to dip beneath the horizon. Alces had only a vague indication how long he had been walking like that. It must have been quite a few hours. His legs felt like rubber and his shoulders sagged. But he didn’t give up. Neither he nor Elkia had any supplies with them—especially water—so the key was to get to the train station as quickly as he could, before he’d dehydrate himself.

Alces licked his bone-dry lips. He’d give a lot for a sip of water right now. Elks always like to live near water, to bathe and to get away from the mosquitos that plagued them in the summer. No, elks were definitely not made to walk in the desert, with their kin on their backs. It was only a matter of time before Alces would succumb.

And yet Alces was glad. He was glad he finally found his brother. He was glad they were finally together once again. Even though they’d once more shared their differences—and Alces knew for sure that once Elkia would wake up they would have a small fight again—Alces had completed his mission. His objective now lay on his back, breathing slowly, unconscious.

There was a large dune before him. Alces looked upon the wall of sand and felt his strength waver. It was just so far! Gritting his teeth and adjusting his load, he climbed the dune as best as he could. The sand was soft, difficult to walk on. For every three steps he made, he slid one step back. When finally he made it to the top of the dune, Alces had to pause. He couldn’t help it. He bent through his knees, and let Elkia slide off his back onto the warm sand. A second later Alces lay on his back, breathing the hot, stale desert air.

‘Aww… My head.’

And on top of all that, Elkia awakened.

Gingerly he ran a hoof over his face, checking if his muzzle was still attached to his head. It took him three seconds to realize he was not in the same place anymore. With a jolt, Elkia jumped to his hooves. He looked all around himself, and ended his search on the ground next to him. ‘Alces, where are we?’

‘We’re in the desert. Can’t you see?’ Alces said back.

‘But… but where in the desert are we?’

‘I don’t know, somewhere west of Starglim’s village,’ said Alces. He gathered up his last bit of strength and scrambled to his hooves as well. ‘Hopefully not far away from the train station.’

‘The train station? But what about Starlight’s village? What about—’

‘Gone,’ said Alces. ‘We left it behind. Well, I left it behind, with you on my back.’

Elkia stared at his brother. His stare was not an angry one—it was a sad one. ‘Oh Alces, how could you…?’

‘It was the smartest thing to do,’ said Alces. He promised himself not to get angry at Elkia’s naivety, and kept his voice as neutral as he could, which wasn’t that difficult when the desert air had made his mouth as dry as cardboard.

‘But it wasn’t the best thing to do…’ Elkia said, his voice trailing off.

‘Believe me, Elkia, you’re gonna thank me later once we’re alive and well and out of this damn baking oven.’

Elkia sighed. ‘Do you know where we’re going?’

‘Sort of,’ said Alces. ‘I know a general direction. But I’m actually content with our progress. At least we’ve left the village of that unicorn witch far behind.’

Once again scanning his surroundings, Elkia realized his brother was right. No matter how much he peered and shielded his eyes from the sun, he couldn’t spot one single house on the horizon. He couldn’t even spot their own hoofsteps, as a soft, warm wind covered them up with sand. Elkia’s head hung low and his ears drooped down as he understood that going back was not an option anymore. The only thing they could do was go forward.

But then, Elkia realized something else. He had worn the thing for so long that he had actually forgotten about it. He had become so used to the silly bell ringing all the time that his ears had accepted the sound, and he hadn’t even heard it the past couple of days. His eyes went down to the collar Starlight Glimmer had given him. Taking the bell in his hooves, he watched the strange ribbon’s color. It was colored the darkest shade of red.

‘Yes, I was going to ask you about that strange thing around your neck,’ said Alces. ‘That stupid bell sound drove me crazy. Shall I get it off your neck?’

‘Eh…’ Elkia said. He was unsure whether to take just a single step farther away from Starlight’s village. Her words of warning echoed through his mind.

‘Boy, am I glad you can walk on your own four hooves again,’ said Alces. ‘That will save me a lot of energy once we hit the road again. Or, well, sand, in this case.’ Alces threw a hoof around Elkia’s neck and nudged him forwards. ‘Come on, let’s go. And in the meantime, we can tell each other all about what happened when we got separated. Maybe we should make a story about it, hmm? I know how much you like—’

One more step was enough. Sound exploded in Elkia’s head. The bell sound had completely returned, and got amplified a thousand times. It felt as if Elkia was standing inside a hall with nothing but bells, clanging and ringing in an unending cacophony. Elkia let out a yell, as the pain of the wall of sound slammed through his ears, through his head, and through his entire body.

‘Whoa, Elkia, what’s going on?’ Alces said. He stared at his brother, who covered his ears with his hooves and trembled from head to hoof. The only thing Alces could see was the bell on his brother’s collar ringing annoyingly.

Elkia couldn’t understand a word of what Alces was saying. The bells got accompanied by shrill whistles, which forced their way into Elkia’s ears and made his bones rattle. He screamed once again, as blood ran down his ears. Jamming his hooves to his ears didn’t help one single bit. The sound was in his mind, scrambling up his brains and echoing through his entire body. There truly was powerful magic at work.

And Alces realized that too. He saw how Elkia fell down and squirmed and rolled in the sand, tears in his eyes and his hooves spasming. Yet, all Alces could hear was one single little bell ringing. Something was definitely wrong, and the collar was the source.

‘Hold still,’ Alces said, as he drew his sword. But Elkia couldn’t do anything but roll around as if he were on fire. Finally, Alces locked Elkia in a tight grip, a dueling maneuver, putting his all his weight upon him to keep him still. He carefully stuck the sword through the collar’s dark red ribbon and moved it up and down. But no matter how much or how quickly he sawed, the collar didn’t show even the slightest hint of a tear. It felt as if Alces was trying to saw through an iron chain.

Once again Elkia let out a horrible scream, as the bells rang in his mind. ‘Alces! Make it stop!’

One particularly wild spasm threw Alces off Elkia’s body. The sword flew out of his hoof. ‘I’m trying. I just don’t know how.’ Alces cursed. Any enemy he could challenge to a duel, but magic was an enemy he knew nothing about. He realized that he hated magic maybe even more than sneaking.

Alces got to his hooves again and reached for his sword. He was about to try again, when Elkia suddenly stopped screaming. That wasn’t good. Turning around, Alces saw his brother’s prone form lying in the sand, trails of blood seeping through his ears.

‘Elkia, no!’ He reached for the collar again and sliced and cut and sawed. The collar didn’t budge. Giving up, Alces put his head upon his brother’s belly and listened. Yes, he was breathing, but his chest barely rose and fell. Alces realized that the situation was critical now.

‘Oh no,’ he said, growling as he spoke. ‘Oh no, oh no, OH NO!’ Standing up, he grabbed Elkia’s prone body and flung it over his shoulders once more. ‘I’m NOT leaving you behind! You’re gonna come with me and you’re gonna LIVE!’ Alces worked himself up in his anger. The anger turned into energy, spreading throughout his whole body like the rejuvenation potion he had drunk in Scribblers’ City. If there was one thing Alces could trust on, it was his strength, and now he needed that strength more than ever.

So he moved on, twice as motivated as before. He didn’t look back, but kept marching through the sand to the west, where hopefully the train station was. He huffed and puffed as he walked, trying to keep his shoulders level so that Elkia wouldn’t slide off. He walked like that for the rest of the day. But even Alces Roameling had limits. When at last darkness fell over the desert, he couldn’t take it anymore. He did one last wobbling step, and then fell down. So he slept through the night, with Elkia by his side, still breathing dangerously shallow.

* *

As soon as the sun woke him up, Alces moved again. He draped his brother over his shoulder and resumed his march. Sleep had overwhelmed him, and he had many disturbing dreams, but he whisked them away with a shake of his head. Dreams were not important now. Elkia was.

A flock of big black birds accompanied him all day as he trudged through the sand. They were carrion birds, waiting for the elks to die to feast on their flesh. Alces cursed them and waved his hoof in the air. ‘Go away! I’m not dead, and neither is the elk on my back!’ But the birds didn’t listen, for they knew better.

Or did they? As the day drew to an end and the light began to dwindle, something strange appeared in the sand, and Alces walked towards it. When he reached it, he saw it was a little drabbled green shrub.

But shrubs needed water

Water.

Water…

Where there’s water there’s life!

Was Alces close? In any case, he nibbled at the shrub’s sinewy stalks to do a pathetic attempt at stilling his hunger or quenching his thirst. Then he continued his trek. Every muscle in his entire body was sore, and his hoofsteps grew smaller and smaller. If the train station was close, Alces knew he was not going to reach it today. Night came, fresh and cool but windy. When at last Alces fell to his knees again, he checked on his brother. He could barely feel the warm puffs of breath escaping between his lips. Alces put a hoof on his chest to feel for a pulse. What color was left drained from his face as he felt that that too, was weakening. But he was even too tired to worry about that for long, because sleep overcame him. He could do nothing but curl up in the sand and fall asleep.

* *

Day number three. Or was it four? To Alces, it felt like the thousandth. With Elkia on his back he resumed his death-march through the desert. He truly hoped that he was close now.

All day long he trudged on. His attention was so focused on his sore hooves that he barely noticed what was in front of him. He didn’t want to pause, for he felt that if he did, he would lose all the motivation he had to move on. And as evening came, he hardly could see anything in front of him, as the light flowed away from the desert.

That’s why he didn’t spot the shrub.

As he was descending a dune, he stumbled into the little green bush, tripped, and tumbled all the way down, losing Elkia and letting him roll alongside him. Alces wanted to curse, but felt his mouth too dry to form nasty words. When he came to a standstill, he walked back, grabbed Elkia, and turned his head to the west again.

Was this a fata morgana? In the distance, shimmering in the hot air, he saw a few brown specks. Alces wanted to be sure of what he saw, and waited a bit. They could be anything from hills to dunes to mountains. Then, when the light was almost gone and replaced by darkness, specks of yellow light began dancing among the specks of brown.

Light meant others creatures.

Other creatures meant civilization.

Civilization meant salvation.

‘Hey!’ Alces shouted, waving his hooves in the air. ‘HEY!’

But of course, he was much too far away.

Alces wanted to shout again, but his parched throat didn’t let him. As quick as he could he scooped up Elkia and walked closer, taking one wobbly step after the other. He needed to watch his footing as he moved, even though he wanted to look ahead instead. Sometimes he did pause and look ahead. And, much to his relief, the brown and yellow specks grew bigger.

By the light of the moon, Alces continued his way. Already the brown and yellow specks were as big as his own hooves. Alces wanted to take another step, but he couldn’t do it. All the energy was almost gone. He fell to his knees. Whatever, then I’ll crawl if I must, he thought. He had come so far, and he was not going to give up before he crossed the finish line of this death-race.

So he shuffled on his knees. Inch by inch, he shuffled closer. Elkia was still unconscious on his back, and his hooves scraped over the sand. Alces was so close. He knew he was so close. Looking up, he strained his eyes to see something in the moonlight. He saw new specks, colored specks, moving around in the light of torches. Alces swallowed.

‘Help!’ he called out. ‘HELP! Anyone!’ He wanted to shout more things, but had to swallow first. His breath rasped through his throat as he shouted as loud as he could. ‘I have a wounded one! For the Light Elk’s sake, just HELP us!’

That was the last of Alces’s energy. His head hung down low, his neck not able to endure the stress anymore. He saw only sand now. Knowing that these may very well be his last words, he let Elkia slide off his back onto the sand.

‘At least we’ll die together.’

But then Alces’s ear twitched, as he heard a sound. It sounded like voices, shouts. He summoned up the energy to raise his head. Through cloudy eyes, he threw one final gaze at the train station up ahead.

The colored shapes were much bigger now. And, to his amazement, they were coming towards him.

Alces knew he had done it. ‘Elkia, we have done it! We’re saved!’

But Elkia said nothing back. He still lay in the sand, unmoving.

Alces could only hope and pray he was not too late.

* *

‘Grab that bed and move it to the middle of the room. I need space to work!’

The doctor was an elderly unicorn pony wearing glasses and a moustache which gave him a smart and intelligent look. But now, his look was more one of controlled stress as he issued the command.

Alces was with him. He would be damned to leave his brother like this. After taking a few gulps of water he felt much better, and was ready to give whatever assistance he could. He grabbed one of the beds and shoved it where the doctor wanted it. Slowly the doctor lowered Elkia on the bed, dispelling his field of levitation magic.

‘Step aside, everyone,’ he said. ‘You, other elk, what can you tell me about this thing around his neck?’

Alces proceeded to tell him everything he knew. ‘I have no idea what it is, but Elkia rolled around, screaming in pain and reaching for his ears. He seemed to hear something that I didn’t. And when I tried to cut it with my sword it didn’t budge.’

The doctor stroked his moustache as he thought. ‘Hmm…’ Concentrating, he let his horn glow and moved closer to Elkia, scanning his entire body. When he reached the collar, his horn glowed a brighter green than before. ‘There’s definitely magic in this collar.’

Why did everything go so slow? Alces growled and snorted. ‘Of course there’s magic in it. Can you take it off?’

‘Hold on…’ The doctor moved the collar until he could see the bell. Another scan with his horn revealed to him what he needed to know. ‘This bell here functions as a magical lock too. It certainly is a powerful piece of magic.’

‘But can you open it?’

‘That’s what I want to know too.’ The doctor spread his hooves. ‘Give me some space. I need to focus.’

Alces reluctantly did a few steps back, but kept his eye on the pony and his brother as if he could help them both just by staring. He wished it was that easy.

Once again the doctor’s horn glowed a bright green as he moved towards the bell. Suddenly, a bright spark connected his horn and the bell, sizzling and popping with energy. Sweat pearled off the doctor’s brow as he tried to reach inside the magical mechanics. Even Alces, standing some distance away, could hear the pony groan with effort. The magical energy grew brighter and louder, illuminating the operation room in a clear, green light. Alces wondered if this was the safest thing to be doing. He was just about to ask the doctor how far he’d gotten when the lightning flashed all around in wild magical spikes. After a blast and a puff of smoke, the doctor yelled and recoiled from the collar to fall right into Alces’s hooves.

Wondering whether or not to let the doctor fall, Alces said, ‘It didn’t work?!’

‘This is quite powerful,’ the doctor said. Scrambling up and wiping the soot from his glasses. ‘I need my students to help me.’

‘Well, then go get them! We’re not gonna leave him like this!’

‘Yes, right.’ The doctor snatched up his coat and went outside. The door slammed shut and Alces was alone with his brother.

Stepping towards him, he stroked Elkia’s dust and sand-covered fur with his hooves. ‘You’re not gonna die, Elkia,’ he whispered, his voice coarse, holding back the emotions. ‘After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve survived… everything we’ve braved together… No, you’re not gonna die. You can’t die. This story needs a happy ending, an ending where both protagonists survive.’ He paused, taking in the silence around him. It was almost too much to handle, but Alces stayed strong. Now he had to—for both his brother and himself. ‘It’s a damn shame now that you need me the most, there’s nothing I can do…’

A few minutes later, the door opened, and this time four ponies stepped inside: the doctor and three other, serious-looking unicorns. They gathered around Elkia, and the doctor positioned himself at his head. ‘Alright everypony, as I said, this lock has four tumblers. I want each of you to concentrate on one tumbler, making your magic as tiny as possible and reach inside the lock. Use force if you need to, but not too much. It’s all about balancing this properly.’ He shook his head and blinked. ‘Try your best everyone. When we’re all inside the lock, we’ll push all tumblers down together.’

The unicorns all bore the same grave expression on their faces. They nodded simultaneously. ‘Let’s do this.’

Once again Alces stepped back, feeling powerless and useless, to let the unicorns do their work. After a collective sigh, the room got illuminated by four different rays of light, all centered around Elkia’s bell collar. Alces still had no idea what they were doing, and could only watch as the four ponies worked together. They all huffed and puffed with strain and effort. Whatever they were doing pushed every single one of them to his or her limit. The light once again grew in intensity with every passing second. Every second was an eternity.

Then, as one, the ponies’ magic disappeared and they all did a few steps back. But there was no explosion this time. Was that good? Alces shoved them aside and looked at their work. ‘Did you do it?’

‘Well, we certainly did something,’ said the doctor.

Even though their magics were gone, the bell kept glowing with a strange and unnerving glimmer. But it was still attached to the collar, and the collar was still attached to Elkia. One by one, Alces threw the unicorns a vicious stare. ‘You couldn’t do it, could you?!’

‘I’m afraid there is one element that eludes us,’ said the doctor, ignoring the elk’s gruff tone. He knew he was desperate, with good reason. ‘We cracked the lock, but there is one final thing needed to dispel the enchantment.’

‘Which is…’ Alces said through clenched teeth.

Sighing, the doctor stroked his moustache. ‘It could be anything. Most unicorns choose something difficult, something very hard to obtain like certain feelings. Or perhaps it’s something physical like a talisman.’

Well, if it was anger, Alces had enough of it. He strode away from the bed, pacing around the room and stomping his hooves. ‘No, no, no!’ It can’t end like this!’

‘I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do,’ said the doctor slowly, not really daring to say such things aloud to the stampeding elk behind him.

‘But it simply CAN’T end like this,’ Alces shouted, once more stepping inside the ring of doctors. ‘You have no idea what we’ve all been through! We’ve survived the worst Equestria can throw at us together. Our story—Elkia’s story—can’t end with some witch’s magical torture tool! Elkia’s LIFE can’t end with a bit of pesky magic!’ He bent over his brother. ‘Look at him, poor Elkia, too good for this world.’ He swallowed hard. ‘Dying…’

‘I’m really sorry, Mister Elk,’ said the doctor, not sure if throwing a hoof around his massive and quivering shoulders seemed like a wise thing to do.

And then, something strange and utterly unique happened. Alces cried.

No matter how hard he fell when he was just a calf, no matter how many duels he’d lost—and borne the shame that came with them—,no matter how many of his friends and family died, and no matter what the cruel world had in store for him, Alces never shed a single tear. Not even once. But now, something was different. The whole situation felt otherworldly, as if Alces wasn’t really there. It felt as if one of the heroic tales he loved so much got to a point where the brave hero died. Alces always wanted a heroic death, yet now that Elkia lay on his back on the bed, eyes closed and hardly breathing, he saw that death was never as heroic as in the stories. Death was just death. Black, cold, and deceiving.

Alces saw the world through a film of water and blinked, letting the tears roll down his cheeks. Crying felt strange. It hurt him physically, as if he had received a blow which rattled his bones. Even with the desert trek just hours in the past, he knew he had never felt this weak, both physically and mentally. He grabbed Elkia’s head and let their foreheads touch each other, a duelist’s sign of respect. ‘Oh, Elkia.’ The feeling of powerlessness no longer made Alces angry. It made him utterly sad. He didn’t care that there were four ponies in the room with him, who could all see him cry. This was his moment.

More tears glistened in the corners of his eyes. They traveled down his cheeks to stain Elkia’s fur. Alces’s shoulders shocked, as sobs overcame his iron will.

The unicorns let Alces have this moment. Perhaps some of them had lost somepony too, and knew how that felt. They turned around in silence, and grouped together at Elkia’s hind hooves. The silence was so absolute, so thick and laden with emotions, that the sound that filled it was so loud that every single one of them could hear it. All ears twitched at the sharp, mechanical sound that sprung into the silence.

CLICK!

Could it be…

Letting go of his brother, Alces’s eyes shot to the collar. It was open. Grabbing the infernal ribbon between his teeth, Alces flung it away. He looked at all the unicorns in turn.

‘Interesting,’ said the doctor. ‘Perhaps the key was sorrow or sadness.’

‘No,’ said Alces. He later scolded himself for his sappiness, but now it was the right thing to say. ‘I think it was something else. I think it was brotherly love, or maybe even friendship.’

The doctor sent his helpers away, and proceeded to treat Elkia’s other injuries. He was dehydrated, and his ears proved to have taken a massive blow. After the doctor was done with Elkia, he said that some good, old-fashioned rest was what he needed now. Alces wanted to stay with his brother during the night, to be with him and talk to him, telling whispered words of kindness in the black of the late night. But the doctor pointed out that Alces too, was in bad shape, something the big elk couldn’t deny. The doctor and his wife prepared a guest bedroom upstairs, but they took their time so that Alces could spend at least one half hour more with his brother. Their kindness knew no bounds, as they even offered a late dinner to this complete stranger. Once Alces had eaten something, he fell asleep and had many strange and uncomfortable dreams, even though he knew that his and Elkia’s ordeals were long over.

Chapter fifteen: reunited

‘Whoa!’

As soon as Alces opened one eye, he jumped up and recoiled from his bed as if the pillow were made out of snakes. Flashing his eyes, turning his head, and after a second or three, he realized again where he was and, some seconds later, what had happened. He saw a bucket with cold water, dipped his sleep-laden head in it, and marveled at the freshness and clarity that came to him through the water. He quickly dried his head with a towel, strapped on his sword, and prepared to go downstairs.

‘…complete strangers. I know you are quick to trust, well, everyone, but…’

Alces halted. This conversation sounded interesting. Even though he wasn’t the sneaky kind, he also knew next to nothing about the ponies who were his hosts. He stood upstairs, listening, without showing himself yet.

‘I know Lily, I know. But I couldn’t just leave them like that. My doctor’s oath says I shall do no harm, and help those in need.’ It was the old voice of the doctor, and the other must be his wife.

A sigh. ‘I know, I know. But at least you could have looked at them and asked some questions. The elk with the collar might have been an escaped criminal, and the other his partner in crime, for that matter. And don’t forget that that one elk was wearing a sword! Did you see that?’

Alces had heard enough. Revealing himself and stepping down the staircase, he said, ‘The fact that I’m wearing a sword doesn’t mean I’m a bloodthirsty maniac.’

‘Oh heavens!’ Both ponies jumped in exactly the same way, utterly startled as if a ghost had appeared.

Letting a smirk play on his lips, Alces resumed his monologue. ‘We elks are certainly wild, but we’re not savages, unless’—and he thought very much about his duel with Brawn as he spoke—‘they’re provoked, or when their honor is damaged.’

Now that Alces was at the bottom of the stairs, he saw that the two ponies were actually holding on to one another. ‘A-a-and I hope we’ve not done that…?’ said the doctor in a wavering voice.

Reaching back, Alces took off his sword, and offered it to the frightened couple. ‘You have saved both me and my brother, for which I am very, very thankful. I don’t have much on me. Actually, this is all I really have. But I’ll give it to you as payment.’

The doctor let go of his wife. ‘A sword? I’m a doctor. What in Celestia’s name would I do with a sword?’

‘Eh… You can keep it,’ said the doctor’s wife. She was an earth pony with fiery red hair, perfectly matching her frightened, wide-open eyes. But she forced her voice not to waver, when she said, ‘I’ve actually made breakfast for all of us. You… you can join if you want.’

To that, Alces smacked his lips. Sleeping always made him hungry. He swung the sword back over his shoulder and nodded. ‘Very well. Your kindness is startling, really.’ He stuck out his hoof. ‘My name is Alces Roameling.’

The doctor cocked his head at such a peculiar name, but took the hoofshake nonetheless. ‘Doctor Mayflower, and this is my wife, Missus Mayflower.’

Once they were seated and eating, Alces asked the first thing that was on his mind. ‘How’s Elkia?’

The doctor wiped his muzzle before he spoke. ‘Doing much better. His breathing is regular and slow, as if he is having peaceful dreams, and even his heartbeats seemed to have increased in power. Taking off that collar certainly did the trick.’

‘Just as I expected, or hoped, really,’ said Alces.

‘Yes… about that, eh…’ Missus Mayflower nudged her husband, who took the hint. ‘Oh, yes,’ he said, doing his best not to sound too nervous. ‘We were just wondering, eh… exactly how did you obtain such a nasty piece of equipment? D-d-don’t get me wrong, but collars and shackles always belong to certain kinds of… well… folk.’

Alces paused mid-bite. His eyes narrowed, but he managed to keep his manners. ‘We’re not criminals, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ he said, voice low. ‘We just made a very powerful enemy, that’s all.’

Both Mayflowers nodded in approval, although that answer only conjured up more questions in their minds. But Alces just continued eating, and the Mayflowers did the same, seeing that no additional explanation came forth from their guest. ‘Anyway,’ Doctor Mayflower said after a while, ‘Your, eh, brother, was it?’

Alces nodded.

‘He’s doing well. I think he will be up on his own hooves this afternoon or maybe in the evening. It shouldn’t take long.’

‘That’s great,’ Alces said. ‘You’re both great too, even though you’re ponies.’

Those words left a very uncomfortable silence hanging in the air. Brave Missus Mayflower tried to dispel it with a simple enough question. ‘Well, Mister Alces, I always thought elks lived way up north, just like deer and reindeer. What does an elk do here in the desert, if I may ask?’

‘It’s a long story, one that Elkia is much better at telling than I,’ Alces said, talking with his mouth full. He couldn’t help it. He was just so hungry.

‘Oh, ok,’ said Missus Mayflower.

Doctor Mayflower decided to give it another go. ‘What we mean is where did you come from. We saw you staggering in from the east, but, as far as we know, there’s nothing there.’

‘There’s a village,’ Alces said. His voice grew harsher as he talked about it. ‘But I don’t know much about the village. The only thing I know is that it’s filled with ponies who were ready to kill and die for some cause—I believe it was freedom. I hitched a ride on a griffon airship, and moments later found myself caught in some battle I had no interest in fighting. But it didn’t matter. What matters is that I got Elkia, and that we got out of there.’

The Mayflowers looked at each other, both wearing the same startled expression. The doctor took the word. ‘You’re describing this village so vividly I’d be a fool not to believe you, but…’

‘But what?’

‘But everyone living here in Dustbowl will tell you that there’s nothing out there. Our village stands right on the frontier. I’ve never heard tale of another village even further to the east.’

‘I see,’ said Alces. ‘Maybe it’s better this way. Trust me, you don’t want to go there.’

‘But a village would explain a whole lot,’ said Missus Mayflower. ‘You see, sometimes we get the occasional explorers or adventurers and we tell them the same thing, that there is nothing further to the east. Yet still they venture further into the desert, and we never see them back here.’

‘We always assumed they met their terrible fate and perished in the sand,’ said Doctor Mayflower.

‘That would be better for them,’ said Alces bluntly. ‘I wouldn’t want to live in that village myself. It’s full of blood-thirsty crazies, that’s why.’

The doctor cleared his throat. ‘Good to know,’ he said, although his tone was so that Alces was still not quite sure whether the doctor believed him. With a shake of his head, Alces decided it didn’t matter. Perhaps it was better for everyone to let the village be a mystery. So long as nopony went there.

After some minutes of chomping down another sandwich, it was Alces who spoke up. ‘You asked me where I was from, and I said the village, but that isn’t entirely true. In return for your help, you deserve a better answer. That, and perhaps you might be able to help me some more.’ Reaching for his belt, Alces grabbed the map he got from Elkia’s marefriend and laid it out on the table. Pointing to the northern forests which made up a field of green in the north-east, he said, ‘That’s where Elkia and I are from, from the Bugbear Territory.’

Both Mayflowers gasped. ‘Oh my! You’ve come a long way,’ said Doctor Mayflower.

‘Where are we now?’ asked Alces.

‘Here,’ Doctor Mayflower said, pointing west of Starlight’s village, still on a blotch of brown that indicated a desert.

Alces whistled. ‘We have come a long way, now that you mention it.’ Then, more to himself than to the two ponies, ‘This adventure has taken long enough.’

‘I suppose you want to go back to where you came from,’ said Doctor Mayflower. ‘No matter how adventurous you two are, a desert is no place for an elk. Biologically, it doesn’t make sense.’

‘And what about your herd?’ Missus Mayflower added. ‘Don’t you elks live in a herd of some kind?’

At the word “herd” Alces remembered the curse he still bore, but tried to ignore that thought and let it pass by. Missus Mayflower saw his shoulders quiver, and involuntarily did a step back. ‘You’re right,’ said Alces. ‘Even though elks are largely solitary when they patrol their areas, we are also part of a whole. I lived—no, I live—in a herd, and I would give a whole lot to see them again. Hay, I’d give a whole lot just to see anyone of my kind, whether elk, deer, or reindeer.’

Doctor Mayflower adjusted his glasses and studied the map. ‘So, if you want to go back to the Bugbear Territory, I think your best choice is by train.’

‘By train?’ Alces said, repeating the foreign and strange word.

‘Yes, by train,’ said the doctor. He pointed at a strange line that went all through the map and even ran through the southern edges of the Bugbear Territory. ‘Unfortunately there’s only one trainline that goes through the Bugbear Territory on its way to Griffonstone.’

Then Alces remembered something. ‘Don’t you guys have something called a “train station” here?’

‘Yes we do,’ said the doctor, ‘but our line is just a supply line. Nopony really travels to Dustbowl, save the occasional fortune seeker or homesteader, seeking calmer places where they can build a new life on the frontier. No, this line goes directly to Ponyville.’

‘Ponyville? I don’t like that name,’ said Alces. ‘But I see a forest. That’s good.’

‘Eh… right,’ said the doctor, not entirely sure what to think of that comment. ‘But in Ponyville you can switch trains to one that goes through the Bugbear Territory. Although… well… it’s a bit of a scenic route, if you catch my drift. The line goes beneath Cloudsdale, through the Frozen North, through the Crystal Empire, and then through Rainbow Falls before reaching the Bugbear Territory.’

Missus Mayflower did a step closer and spoke, although she didn’t yet dare to look into Alces’s eyes. ‘The forest you see lying close to Ponyville is called the Everfree Forest. It’s a wild place, and some say even dangerous. Many strange creatures are supposed to live there. I was just thinking, maybe there are elks too?’

‘Hmm… Maybe,’ said Alces. ‘Perhaps there are other tribes further down south, although I haven’t heard of them, and don’t know much about our doings beyond the Bugbear Territory. But you might be right. Maybe there are deer. Deer always like a little more warmth, so it make sense if there is a tribe there.’

‘Well that’s great,’ said Doctor Mayflower. ‘You can take the train from here to Ponyville, scout out the Everfree Forest, and if you find nothing you just take the next train towards Griffonstone and stop at the Bugbear Territory.’

Alces nodded. Then he nodded again. ‘I like this plan,’ he said. ‘And I’m glad I finally have another plan. It feels good to be working towards something, to have a mission on your mind. I’ll tell Elkia about this once he wakes up.’

‘Would anyone care for some tea?’ Missus Mayflower said. Without waiting for an answer, she retreated towards the kitchen.

‘There’s only one question that’s still in my head,’ said Alces to Doctor Mayflower.

‘Ask it,’ said the doctor. ‘I’m happy to help.’

‘What exactly is a “train?”’

After a quick chuckle from Doctor Mayflower, he proceeded to tell Alces everything he wanted to know and enlightened him with the wonders of modern railway transportation. Alces couldn’t believe his ears when the doctor talked about giant steel machines capable of pulling goods and ponies all across Equestria. He had no idea how to envision it in his mind. Days of traveling compressed in mere hours of sitting still! To Alces, it sounded like magic.

‘Wait until you see it,’ said the doctor. ‘I’m sure you’ll be amazed.’

When the tea came, they talked a bit more. The doctor told Alces some things about Dustbowl, the village he found himself in. At first Alces became quite bored, as he wasn’t that interested in the town at all. For him it was just a hole filled with sand. Yet he perked up when the doctor spoke about a river which ran a little out of town, the life-blood of Dustbowl and a gift from above for the agriculture business.

Elks like water, and water likes elks.

However much he fancied a swim and a welcome refreshment, Alces found himself doubting whether to go. He also wanted to be with his brother and help him in whatever way he could. But then again, how could Alces help him? It was not as if Elkia would awake sooner with Alces’s watchful gaze upon him. Elkia was in good, caring hooves, the hooves of Doctor Mayflower. Alces nodded when he made a decision, as he had to prepare himself for a whole new journey.

‘Send him to the river if he’s fit enough,’ he said. ‘And if he’s not, then let him wait. I’ll return to the house again.’

The doctor nodded, and Alces went outside. He managed to sell his sword to the local blacksmith for quite a number of Bits, thanks to the precious gems and gold embedded in the hilt. At least it’s good for something… Alces thought. With the money he made he went to a general store. He bought two saddlebags without saddles—‘Elks don’t wear saddles!’— and the two biggest water bottles he could find. Dehydration felt absolutely awful, as Alces had experienced first-hoof, and he was not going to let either him or Elkia die from such a terrible enemy—an enemy even Alces couldn’t beat without water. He bought some more things, including a compass, rope, some food, and other equipment he thought necessary for his next journey.

And then he went to the river. It wasn’t much more than a thin strip of water through a clay-covered riverbed, but it was water, and water in the desert is more precious than any treasure. After drinking so many mouthfuls until he felt there was more water than blood in him, Alces jumped into the river with a big splash. He floated on his back and let the sweet, cool stream flow all around him, caressing his fur and stroking it like the gentlest hoof.

Of course Alces wanted to go back to the house and see if Elkia was awake yet, but the river just felt so good. One more minute, he thought, and after that, Two more minutes, and, Three more minutes. To the point where the sun hung low above the horizon, casting rays of light which shimmered on the water. Shadows became longer and things became harder to see. That’s why Alces didn’t see Elkia coming.

‘At least one of us is having a good time.’

‘Elkia!’ Alces swam for the shore, and noticed his brother sitting on flat rock protruding from the clay. ‘I’m so glad you’re alive and, judging by your presence here, well.’

Elkia watched how his brother grabbed his stuff and joined him on the stone, now gently warm against his cooled down behind. When Alces reached him, Elkia saw how he hesitated.

‘You don’t have to hug me if you don’t want to,’ Elkia said with a smile.

Much more at ease, Alces showed a faint smile himself and sat down next to his brother. ‘You scared the living daylight out of me, when that trap around your neck went off.’

Elkia rubbed his neck as if the collar was still there. When Alces looked closer, he could see a faint ring of matted fur around Elkia’s neck. He hoped it wasn’t a scar. ‘To be honest, I totally forgot about that thing too,’ Elkia said. ‘Until it went off. Starlight had said that if I’d venture too far out of town it would turn red and, well, unfortunate things would happen.’

‘Yes, we saw what happened alright,’ said Alces, growling as he spoke.

‘But I’m alive, Alces,’ Elkia said. ‘I’m alive and I’m here with you, and that’s what counts.’

‘That’s what counts,’ Alces said. His voice was now as low as the sun on the horizon. ‘I just felt so powerless when you went down, screaming. I had no idea what to do. And then again with the doctor treating you… I just… I just couldn’t do anything. You know how much I hate losing a duel, but no matter how intense the duel becomes, there are always moves I can make, or tactics I can use. But with this magical thing I could do exactly… nothing.’

‘Let’s just forget about it,’ said Elkia. ‘The doctor said I needed rest and as little psychological and physical strain as possible.’

‘I cried, Elkia.’

Eyes wide, Elkia stared at his brother. He had certainly never seen him cry. It was as rare as water in the desert. ‘You did?’

‘I did,’ said Alces. He sucked in air and let out a long sigh. ‘I cried and I’m not embarrassed by that at all.’

‘That’s good,’ said Elkia. ‘But you didn’t have to tell me that. I know you care about me. Who else would escape a forced labor camp and travel all the way to some Light Elk-forsaken desert to rescue my behind?’

‘Well, if you put it that way,’ Alces said, a smile appearing on his face, ‘it must be someone very caring, or desperate—’

‘Or a bit of both,’ Elkia added.

‘Yeah.’

As the sun sank down lower and lower, with the elk brothers watching it, conversation turned from more recent events to the things that happened to either of them when they got separated. Alces suggested he went first, as to get the sad stories over with. His tale started the moment Elkia had to run away, disguised as a guard to take a peek inside the magical orb. Alces talked in short, choppy sentences, skipping parts he didn’t like and plainly describing the other things. When he spoke about how the guardpony mistreated him, Elkia’s gaze wandered towards Alces’s flank.

‘So that’s how you got the scars,’ he said, his mouth open in a silent gasp. ‘I’m so sorry that happened to you. Does it still hurt?’

Alces turned his head away, as if he were studying the sunset intently. ‘It doesn’t hurt anymore. And nevertheless, I got a sweet portion of revenge in return for those scars.’

But first Alces had to tell Elkia about the herd. Elkia’s gasp became even bigger as Alces revealed the secret of the herd’s resurrection, and Alces reckoned that if he talked more, his brother’s jaw would unhinge and fall into the water, and he would have to dive it back up.

‘They… they were alive?!’ Elkia said, mouth agape, eyes wide.

‘Well, I don’t know if they were alive or actually undead,’ Alces said. ‘But the fact remained that Moussa apparently resurrected as many as he could save. They looked… well… healthy, I suppose? Their forms had merged with pure essence—dark essence—and it looked as if they were ablaze with fury. In any case, I think they were more powerful than before.’

Elkia tried his best to sketch an image in his mind, but found the whole return of the herd too big an item to manifest in his head. There was one thing he wanted to know, one thing that Alces hadn’t told him, but he hoped that he was going to tell him soon. ‘And… Mother?’

A slow shake of the head was all the answer Elkia needed. He shed a tear or two, as he thought about her.

‘Apparently, even dark essence has its limits,’ Alces said, trying to hide his own tears by flicking them away when Elkia wasn’t looking at him.

Next up was the revenge, and at this part Alces really got into the mood of storytelling. He dissolved the lingering sadness by telling, eyes ablaze in fury and with a maniacal smile on his muzzle, about how he rounded up every single guard of Scribblers’ City using the army of elks, deer, and reindeer that Moussa had put him—more or less—in charge of. Then he told of the fight with Brawn, speaking of every move he made in horrifying detail, and painting the picture of Brawn, helpless and skewered to the tree.

Hearing that, Elkia had to swallow hard. ‘That sounds… well… interesting?’

Alces punched his hoof against the rock. ‘I know you don’t like violence and duels, Elkia, but it had to be done. My honor was damaged and needed to be fixed. It simply had… to… be… done, and I did it.’

‘Are you sure you didn’t do it because you wanted to, and not because it was necessary?’ Elkia said, carefully as not to enrage his brother and shatter the brotherly bond.

But the brotherly bond proved to be stronger, and maybe Alces adjusted his viewpoint a little too. His voice was just a soft grumble as he said, ‘Maybe. Anyway, it has taught me that sometimes you need violence, and sometimes the time is, well, let’s say not quite appropriate for a one-elk crusade of vengeance.’

Elkia’s questioning glare was quickly dispelled as Alces told about how he found something he’d lost, and lost something he’d found. Yes, he did manage to reclaim his honor, but also had to bear a curse in return, a curse cast upon him by the king of the elks, deer, and reindeer himself. A curse which had already proven to be real, and not just empty words.

Alces ended his story with Captain Gaffer and his griffons, and both Elkia and Alces had to chuckle about the strange Captain Gaffer, who had offered Alces a place amongst his crew, while he should have tossed Alces’s sneaky ass overboard. Alces said he hoped to one day see the silly captain again, and maybe repay his kindness with service to him as a mercenary. ‘Maybe in the future,’ Alces said.

And now it was Elkia’s turn to tell a story. Much unlike his brother, Elkia spoke in long, flowing sentences, making everything he had encountered sound like it was pure fiction, fit for an exciting story many pages long. He spoke about Starlight Glimmer the dictator, and the village she ruled with an iron hoof. Even Elkia wasn’t entirely sure what drove Starlight into creating a commune of equality and no cutie marks, but he reckoned it had perhaps something to do with her childhood. Starlight never spoke of her childhood, and Elkia knew that the greatest villains in every story had faced something truly traumatic in their lives that made them become evil. Yet what exactly happened to Starlight Glimmer, Elkia couldn’t tell.

‘I just wish I could look into her mind, instead of the other way around,’ Elkia said. ‘Despite her being a steel-hearted dictator and all, she treated me well. Maybe I could have done something for her, and prevented the whole battle before its seeds were even planted in the minds of the revolutionaries.’

‘Elkia, Elkia, Elkia,’ Alces said. ‘You’re once again the goodie-two-horseshoes of the story. Just don’t forget whose side you’re on, okay?’

Alces’s tone was a bit brusque, but Elkia waved his words away with a shrug. Then he continued.

What he could tell was how some brave souls defied Starlight Glimmer’s norms and values, and met in secret inside the basement of a bakery. Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor were there, laying out plans for which they needed more ponies. There were still traces of pride left in Elkia’s voice, as he told about how he made their illegal newspaper, the Proud Prickly Press, possible. He hoped to clarify the reasons the ponies were so worked up and eager to partake in the revolution that had ended so disastrously. Elkia hoped to offer Alces a little insight into their minds, so that he could understand the motives behind their actions better.

‘At least now I understand what they did it all for,’ said Alces. ‘Now that you speak of it, it does sound like a cause to fight and die for, this freedom of the fake equality and, of course, their cutie marks.’

‘Yes…’ Elkia said, his voice trailing off. ‘I just wish I could have known this in advance. Now that I think of it, I shouldn’t be proud of the Proud Prickly Press at all. In fact, I think I should never have partaken in making that newspaper for them. That way, Starlight Glimmer might have moved against them sooner and ground the revolution to a halt.’

‘Elkia, you’re once again rooting for the villain.’

‘No, I mean it,’ Elkia said. ‘If Starlight could have stopped the revolution with her iron hoof before it even started, no ponies or griffons would have gotten wounded—or maybe even killed!’

There was a silence. Both brothers looked at what remained of the sun. Clouds were painted in lush red, pink, and gold, as the sun casted its rays of light as a last goodbye, before it would hunker down below the horizon and let the moon take its place. Both brothers had told their stories, and now both brothers were silent. They both plunged into their thoughts and memories, thinking about everything that had been said, and guessing at what the other was thinking in the silence that followed.

Alces made the first guess. ‘You’re still thinking about that battle, aren’t you?’

After a sigh, Elkia said, ‘I am. I wonder if it’s over yet, and I wonder who has won if it is.’

‘We’ve traveled through the desert a couple of days, and we’ve been here in Dustbowl for a day more. I think it’s safe to say the battle’s over,’ Alces clarified.

Elkia traced circles with his hoof in the sand. ‘If the revolutionaries have won, they have finally gotten what they wanted, but if not…’

‘I understand what you mean,’ said Alces. ‘If not, all the bloodshed has been for nothing.’

After a sad nod, Elkia said, ‘Exactly. Then everything is back the way it was, and Starlight sits on the throne. Not only that, but Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor, my friends, will be suffering daily brainwashing in Starlight’s “re-education program.”’

‘But Captain Gaffer will be alive then,’ Alces said.

Gazing ahead, Elkia took a moment to fantasize, to dream. ‘I just wish… I wish I could help in some way.’

‘But you can’t,’ Alces said, perhaps a little too harshly.

Elkia didn’t answer. His thoughts sent him right back to Starlight Glimmer’s village, thinking about everything he did, everything he said. Could I have done things differently? He thought to himself. Could I have made a difference after all?

Alces saw his brother’s face, and how his eyebrows were narrowed in deep thought. He didn’t like that one bit. ‘Oh no! Oh no you don’t!’ he said, shaking his head.

Those words instantly dispelled Elkia’s musings. ‘What do you mean?’

‘You’re not going back to that village,’ Alces said. ‘Hay, we barely made it out together!’

‘But—’

‘You’re not going there.’

‘But—’

‘No way,’ Alces said, firmly shaking his head, his voice rising in volume. ‘There’s nothing you can do anyway. Do you want to gather a new army and march towards Starlight Glimglom? Then you will have to give a damn impressive speech to convince these ponies into joining you. They are not interested in fighting or getting involved in other ponies’ troubles. By the Light Elk, the ponies here don’t even know there’s a village further east. They don’t even know that insane village is there!’

Elkia was about to object, but Alces’s last words left him speechless. After a brief pause, he said, with a voice soft and weak, ‘Is that… is that true?’

Alces forced his voice to be gentle again. He didn’t want to scare his brother. ‘It’s true. I’ve talked with the doctor and his wife, and they didn’t even believe me when I told them about the battle and the crazy situation in that village. They must have thought I got a sunstroke.’

Elkia’s shoulders slumped, and his ears drooped down. He looked down into the water, which got darker by the minute with the fading light. ‘If that’s true and nopony even knows of Starlight’s village, then…’

Then, Alces did something he’d normally never do. He wrapped his hoof around Elkia, and clapped him on the shoulder. ‘That’s right. There is nothing you can do, but your willingness to stand by your friends’ sides, to think about helping even when you yourself are gravely wounded, speaks of your loyalty. You might not look like it, Elkia, but you’re as tough as any duelist. You’ve proven that to me, to your friends in Starlight’s village, and maybe even to Captain Gaffer too. I certainly noticed the look of bafflement on his face when you gave your little speech about shunning violence. You did what you could, but now it’s time to put the past in the past.’

‘So you want me to simply forget about them?’

Alces retracted his hoof. ‘It’s not about forgetting them, it’s about accepting.’

‘What do you mean?’ Elkia said.

‘It’s about accepting what has happened. The things that happen shape you, and the experience you gain from those things will be useful in your future life, wherever you may go. Some things, no matter how hard you try or how often you try again and again, you just can’t change.’

‘That…’ Elkia had to swallow some sadness away. ‘That sounds very true, Alces. Thank you for saying that. It will be a long time before I can accept what has happened, but I think your words will help to put my mind at rest, so I can still sleep soundly in the night.’

‘Don’t mention it,’ said Alces. ‘I too wish I’d done things differently. Perhaps, back when I decided to rumble into Scribblers’ City to get my revenge, I could have let the herd behind and sneak inside instead.’

‘Alces, you and I both know you don’t sneak,’ Elkia said.

‘No, let me finish.’ Alces traced symbols in the sand as if he were laying out a battle plan. ‘I could have snuck into the city, found that one damn pony, and quickly attack like a stealthy assassin. That way, I would have been happy, the herd would have been happy, and Moussa would have been happy.’

‘Only the pony wouldn’t have been happy,’ Elkia said, silently judging Alces.

‘Don’t worry, he’s probably alive,’ said Alces. Then, at Elkia’s cocked head, he said, ‘The last time I saw him he was conscious, talking, and wriggling away from me like a scared little rabbit. He’s alive and he’s shamed and that makes me feel content.’

‘Alright, if you say so.’ But Elkia’s words implicated that he meant something entirely different.

Once again there was silence. The sun had almost completely gone down, and the town of Dustbowl was made of shadows. When Elkia looked, he could hardly see his brother. Yet, before he wanted to go, there was one more thing he had to ask. ‘And what about you?’

Alces looked directly into his brother’s eyes. ‘Me? I’m going to find the herd.’

Elkia raised an eyebrow. ‘Huh? But how can you do that? You just spoke about the curse, and—’

‘Damn the curse,’ said Alces, venom in his words. ‘I’m gonna prove that Moussa’s magic is not as strong as he thinks it is. I’m going to find the herd, no matter the cost.’

‘But how are you—’

‘The train,’ Alces said. His eyes were ablaze with devotion, and Elkia swore he could see them burning in the darkness. ‘We will take the train out of this town and to Ponyville. There’s supposed to be a forest there, which might be crawling with deer. We’ll do a quick search, but if we find nothing, off we go onto the train towards Griffonstone. Then we’ll reach the Bugbear Territory, and we’re right back where our adventure started. Once we’re back in the Bugbear Territory, it’s just a matter of combing out the forest until we find the herd.’

‘Eh, Alces, you—’

‘And we don’t even have to find the complete herd. Maybe we will find smaller herds of reindeer, or deer, or maybe an elk with her calves. We will ask them where to find the herd, or we can go to the Shimmering Eye itself. There will certainly be some elks there.’

‘But Alces…’

‘Yes, Elkia?’

‘You said “we.”’

Alces narrowed his eyes. ‘Yes, that’s what I said.’

‘But I’m not sure if I want to come along.’

‘What?!’ Alces jumped up and rubbed his ears as if he hadn’t understood what Elkia said.

‘Maybe it’s time for you and me both to let the herd go,’ Elkia said.

Alces shook his head and waved his hooves around. ‘How can you even say such a thing?’

‘Well, you said yourself that the herd cast you out, so they obviously don’t want you to find them.’

‘But that was just Moussa,’ said Alces, fury in his voice. ‘I still have friends who would love to see me again. Old Cervidus asked me himself to try and find the herd.’

‘But what about the curse?’ said Elkia. ‘It sounded like a pretty serious curse—a curse powered by dark essence. How in Equestria are you going to find the herd, if you have to battle this curse too?’

‘I’ll find a way,’ Alces said, snorting hard through his flaring nostrils. ‘But what about you? Don’t you want to see your friends again? Come on, Elkia, I need you for this. The curse was not cast upon you. Maybe you can find them for me.’

‘And what happens then?’ Elkia said. ‘Then I get to be in the herd and you don’t. Alces, we shouldn’t be separated like that. Then one of us will be happy, but the other forever sad.’

Suddenly, Alces jumped to his own hooves. He piled up his newly bought travel gear and threw it on his back. His muscles quivered with rage. ‘I can’t believe you’d not want to see your own friends again, and that you would forsake your duty to guard the Shimmering Eye,’ he spat.

‘Alces, please don’t be mad. You know…’ Elkia had to start over. He knew he might lose his brother there and then, if he said the wrong thing. No, Elkia had to tell him everything that was on his mind. ‘Alces, just come back here and I’ll tell you what you want to know. There is another reason why I want to let the herd go.’

No matter how angry Alces felt, he also received the pang of curiosity his brother’s words conjured up. He froze, dropped the gear, and marched back towards his brother, once more sitting down beside him. ‘Speak.’

But before Elkia did, he sighed heavily. He sighed as if he could sigh away the heavy feeling of something lying on his own shoulders. Searching for Alces’s eyes, he spoke up. ‘I am… tired, Alces.’

‘But the train will be very comfortable and relaxing, according to the doctor,’ Alces said back.

‘No, not that kind of tiredness. I feel mentally tired.’

Alces cocked his head. He didn’t understand.

And Elkia was ready to explain. ‘After everything that happened to us—to me, after all the strain and troubles and sorrows and misadventures, I need a rest. You seem to be up and ready for the next adventure, and I envy you for your strength of mind and character. But I… I think my mind is not as strong as yours. I think my mind might be more vulnerable to bad influences.’

Alces had never thought of things like that. Yes, he was ready for the next adventure, because that seemed to him like the most logical step. He never thought about things much, and maybe that was his strength. He managed to hold back his commentary—only barely—and let Elkia speak.

‘And it’s not only that, Alces. I feel… strange inside. I think it might have something to do with Starlight Glimmer’s mind readings. Those tricks of magic also still weigh heavily on my mind. It feels as if someone has broken into my house and has rummaged through my things. Maybe Starlight left something behind in my head, a negative impression of some sorts. I’m not sure.’

‘Oh, that damn awful witch!’ Alces growled.

Elkia waved his hoof to calm his brother down. When he couldn’t hear Alces’s teeth grinding against each other anymore, he continued his story. ‘But it’s not only my mind. I think my heart has a scar too.’

‘Let me guess: your marefriend?’

Elkia nodded. ‘I thought Strawberry Blonde and I were happy at first, but that was before I realized she was just toying with my heart. Or was she…? She deceived me, but then she pledged her love to me, and then she got you out of Scribblers’ City, and then… and then… Oh Alces! I don’t know what to think of her, and if I try to think of her, the wounds in my heart open. It will take a long time before I definitively make up my mind about that strange mare and heal my heart little by little.’

‘Time we don’t have,’ said Alces.

Elkia blinked hard. This talk was getting very emotional. Yet he hoped he got the point across. ‘So as you see, everything has piled up in my mind and on top of my heart… and I need time to process it all. I need time to psychologically heal, before I can go and hunt down the herd. Or actually, before I can embark on any new adventure, for that matter.’

‘So… what do you want to do?’ Alces’s rage had dissolved like a deflating balloon, now that he saw how difficult it was for Elkia to speak about this. He still didn’t exactly understand what Elkia was talking about, but he did reckon it was something heavy, something big, something that troubled his brother dearly. Now, he didn’t want to convince him anymore. He just wanted to help him if he could.

‘The doctor and I had a long talk when I woke up,’ said Elkia. ‘He turned out to be an expert on the psyche of creatures as well. He understood what I felt, the burden I have to bear. It’s actually quite funny. He recommended me to do two things. Number one is taking some alone time, and number two is writing a book on our adventures. If I’d do that, he said I would heal slowly but nicely, without leaving any scars behind.’

‘So… that means we will be separated again,’ Alces said slowly, trying his best to wrap his hoof around everything Elkia said. ‘Because alone time means being alone.’

‘Yes,’ said Elkia. ‘I myself envisioned it as living—oh, I don’t know—in a cabin in the woods, or something like that. You know, going some place where I can really find rest in some way.’

Alces got up on his hooves again. He walked over to the pile of equipment and hoisted it onto his back once more. ‘But we’ll travel out of this dust hole together, right?’

Elkia got up too. ‘That’s right. I was not planning on staying in this baking oven, however nice the ponies might be in this town. But Alces?’

‘Yes?’ said Alces, turning around.

But before he could completely turn around, Elkia caught him in a warm embrace. Even though he knew that being apart would be hard, he also knew it was the best thing to do for himself. Elkia did realize that this moment was not the final goodbye yet, but he also reckoned this was an important moment, a moment worthy of a hug. Elkia didn’t let go yet, and instead stroked his brother’s fur softly. ‘Remember that no matter how far we’re apart or whatever might happen to us, one thing stands strong, and that is that we’ll always be brothers.’

And for once, Alces let go of the travel gear and hugged back. He didn’t know what to say, so he just repeated Elkia’s words.

‘We’ll always be brothers.’

Chapter sixteen: two quests

The elk brothers traveled together for as long as they could.

Together they stepped onto the train, ready to go to Ponyville. They had the whole train carriage to themselves, which was good. After everything that happened, they never ran out of things to talk about. Many questions became answered, and many mysteries clarified, as the train zipped through the landscape.

Once they reached Ponyville, Elkia became instantly charmed by the funny little town. He liked everything about it: the cozy little wooden houses, the brightly colored ponies, and the general happiness that flowed through the town like an invisible wind. Yes, Elkia promised himself that whenever he would get the chance, this is where he wanted to live.

Alces, on the other hoof, didn’t like the town at all. To him it seemed crowded, and he couldn’t convince himself that everything was cheerful and happy in Ponyville. Because in Scribblers’ City everything had looked so beautiful and happy too, while in reality the town was built onto the broken and bent backs of slave workers. No, every time Alces watched the colorful ponies, he tried to see through them, and think about what dark secrets lay behind those cheery eyes. Elkia tried to talk him out of it, to try and make him see that not all ponies were bad, and that there were places where you could relax and live your life happily. Unfortunately, Alces couldn’t be convinced, and they left the town as soon as they could.

So they headed to the Everfree Forest together. The forest certainly was a wild place, and they encountered many a strange and foreign animal on their trek. Sweeping through the forest from north till south, the elk brothers, no matter how hard they tried, were unable to spot a single deer in the forest. All sorts of reasons could lie behind that fact. Maybe the deer never got this far south, and only stayed in the north where they could guard the Shimmering Eye with the elks and reindeer. Maybe some force had driven the deer back, an ancient enemy now long gone from the deep dark forest. Maybe the deer didn’t like to live in the Everfree Forest, finding it perhaps too dark or too wild. But speculation didn’t matter much. What mattered was that Alces knew where to go next: on the train to Griffonstone.

It may seem that the elk brothers didn’t find anything in the Everfree Forest, but that was untrue. Elkia found the temperature to be nice, and thought he could easily liven the place up a bit with some flowers in the right spots. Yes, that’s right. Elkia didn’t need to look any further. For him, the location was perfect. He could live quietly by himself in the forest, yet he was also close to Ponyville, and could visit the town whenever he wanted. Elkia decided that here, in the Everfree Forest, was where he wanted to live.

And Alces didn’t stop him. They had talked about this in Dustbowl and on the train to Ponyville, so he was ready to accept it. In the end, there were only two things important for him. Number one was finding the herd and the Shimmering Eye in the Bugbear Territory. Number two—something he reckoned to be even more important than his own quest—was to see Elkia happy. He definitely couldn’t see himself living in solitude in the forest, sitting still and writing books, while also being dangerously close to ponies. But he could see how this kind of life appealed to Elkia, so he let the matter lie.

The goodbye took long, and was hard for the both of them. Elkia cried and hugged, while Alces held back his own tears and instead wished his brother the best. Alces promised to come back to the Everfree Forest as often as his quest allowed him, and pay his brother a visit. Elkia made him promise to be careful and stay safe, and not let his rage get him into things he might later regret. And so, the elks parted.

Alces went back to Ponyville, and took the train to the north. He passed many places on the way to his destination, about which he cared little to nothing at all. His whole mind was focused on finding the herd, way up north in the Bugbear Territory. When he finally got there, he began his search.

He searched far and wide, traversing dangerous terrain as he traveled from one corner of the Bugbear Territory to the other. He spoke with many forest animals, but either they all had gotten a case of amnesia, or the curse was still following Alces. None of them was able to tell him about a great herd of elks, deer, and reindeer guarding the Shimmering Eye. But at least they knew about the Eye. That was the only lead he had, so Alces set about navigating to the heart of the Bugbear Territory and find the magical lake.

There it lay, shimmering and glimmering and shining like a mirror in the valley that Alces once called home. But that was everything. He found no trace of elks, deer, or reindeer. No trace of a recent gathering or snow huts that were left behind or fireplaces that had run cold.

He found nothing, nothing at all.

It enraged him. He screamed and yelled and assaulted some lone pine trees with his newly grown antlers. But nothing he did could make the herd magically appear in front of his muzzle, offering him a new place amongst its members. Alces stayed in the Bugbear Territory, combing it out from north till south till east till west, all through the summer and the autumn that followed. Only when the weather became cold and inhospitable, and the all too common snowstorms and blizzards raged through the Bugbear Territory did Alces admit his defeat. He traveled down south again, seeking warmer forests, at least until winter would pass.

He went back to Elkia, checked on him, talked with him, and helped him to erect a fine little cottage in a clearing in the Everfree Forest. But when summer came back around, Alces once more left Elkia be and braved the Bugbear Territory in search of the lost herd. And so this ritual repeated itself every single year. The quest to find the herd called Alces to the Territory, he searched, found nothing, and returned to Elkia. This went on for years and years and years, and Alces Roameling never found rest. He was always roaming. There was always the search, and the search went on.

Elkia, however, did find his rest. He stayed in his cottage, writing stories which he’d later on publish with the help of a purple alicorn by the name of Twilight Sparkle. But he wasn’t a complete hermit. Sometimes he went to Ponyville to buy more writing equipment or some treat for himself. He discovered that many ponies in Ponyville were actually interested in writing stories. That was quite a positive surprise for Elkia. He presented himself as a helpful tutor, ready to aid others in search for their epic stories. This way, he made many friends and received many gifts in return for his writing advice. He found Twilight Sparkle in particular to be fine company, and together they wrote many tales.

Oftentimes, his thoughts did travel towards the events and characters in his past. He thought about Starlight Glimmer and her village, about Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor. And sometimes, on very rare occasions, he thought about Strawberry Blonde too, and wondered what she was up to now. It pained him to know he would probably never see his friends again, but then he also thought about what Alces had said. Letting go and accepting what happened, however, was a lot more easily said than done.

However much he wrote stories for himself and others, Elkia never got around to writing about his own adventures. Truth was, he was actually scared to write about them. He was afraid terrible memories would resurface in his mind, or that nightmares would haunt him for many nights to come. But, one cold day in December, Alces Roameling appeared on his doorstep, and urged Elkia to write it nonetheless. As you can read for yourself, dear reader, together they were able to finally put their tale into words. And however difficult it was for both of them to summon up the story and write it down, they knew they were doing a good job. Not because they thought the story was good in particular, or that it would help them in some way or the other. They knew they were doing a good job, because they were doing it together.

As brothers.

Epilogue: full circle

‘T-H-E (space) E-N-D,’ I said aloud, letting my hooves type in the letters I dictated. Once I was done I read the last paragraphs over, nodded in satisfaction, and hung back in my chair.

‘Now what?’ said Alces.

‘Now nothing,’ I said. ‘The end is the end. Our story has ended, and we’re back where it began, or, well, at the moment you barged into my door.’

Alces was silent for a while, but I could read the awe off his face. ‘So we did it? We wrote down the complete history of our adventures?’

I turned the wheel, letting the last sheet out of my typewriter. ‘That’s what we did,’ I said, as I put the last page on top of the manuscript. That’s when realization washed over me, as I understood what Alces meant. ‘You’re right…’ I said. My eyes must have been as big as the saucers we used to drink tea. ‘We did it!’ I turned around and looked at my brother. ‘We actually did it!’

A smirk played on Alces’s lips. ‘I told you we had to write down the whole story, including the nasty bits.’

‘Yes, you’re right,’ I said, drinking my tea which had long gone cold. ‘I actually feel… better. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be. I think it will make one fine novel.’ I grabbed the manuscript—easily two hundred and fifty pages thick—and put it in my drawer. ‘So, that’s that. We’ll just leave it inside there for about six weeks and then I’ll look it over with a fresh set of eyes. I’ll be able to add clarifying phrases, remove obvious sentences, and correct any misspellings and errors before it goes to my pre-readers.’

Alces recoiled from the drawer as if I revealed a hornets’ nest inside. ‘Whoa, whoa, you’re actually going to publish it?’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Why not? It would make for a nice adventure story. And not only that, but it will also reveal some more about the character of, well, you and I.’

‘Well, okay,’ grumbled Alces. ‘Do whatever you feel like you have to do. I won’t be around answering fan mail or explaining why I did this and why I did that anyway.’

‘Yes, you’re much too busy on your quest,’ I said.

‘Exactly.’

Silence descended upon the cottage. The only sound was the crackling of the hearth fire and the occasional puffs of steam from the kettle hanging over it. Both Alces and I knew what was going to happen now, and I didn’t want to say it.

Alces spoke up. Of course he spoke up—he was always the bravest of us. ‘I should be going,’ he said. ‘There’s a few more supplies I need from Ponyville and then I’ll be returning to the Bugbear Territory.’

‘Of course…’ I said, my voice wavering.

‘But we had a good time, hadn’t we?’ said Alces.

‘An interesting and productive time it was,’ I said back.

Alces stood up and walked towards his pack. I tried to stop him with, ‘Do you want any more tea?’

‘No thanks,’ said Alces. ‘I really… I really should be going.’

‘Oh, right. But it’s so cold outside, do you really think you’re—’

‘After everything we’ve been through, the Bugbear Territory is easy as pie,’ he said. He continued to gather up his stuff and hoist it on his back, while I repeated those words in a whisper.

‘After everything we’ve been through…’

And then I made my decision. ‘Alces, wait.’

He was already reaching for the doorknob. ‘What is it?’

I swallowed something away, and I sighed a small sigh before I told him what was on my mind. ‘You’re right, Alces. We’ve been through so many adventures together and now… well… now you’re going to leave me again. Now you’re once more going on your crusade to find the herd and I will be here in my cottage writing whatever is on my mind.’

‘And?’ Alces didn’t know where this was going.

I shook my head sadly. ‘And we’ll once again be separated. I don’t like that anymore, Alces.’

Alces narrowed his eyes. ‘But you can’t expect me to sit here with you and do nothing. You know I hate doing nothing when there are more than enough important things to do, like finding the herd. Elkia, I just can’t do what you’re doing, finding peace of mind. My mind is always on the move, and my legs are always aching to go someplace. It’s just how I work.’

‘That’s not what I mean,’ I said.

‘It’s… not?’ said Alces.

I stood straighter and steadier as I said, ‘It’s not. The truth is, I want to go with you this time.’

Despite his heavy pack, Alces jumped and bumped his head at the ceiling. ‘Wait, what?! Are you sure that’s a good idea, Elkia? I mean, you’re you and I’m, well… me. Damn, there’s just no good way to explain it, but you know what I mean.’

I nodded. ‘I do. But you should know that I think… No, I know both my mind and my heart has gotten a very long time to heal. And you and I writing our story together proves to me that my mind is fully healed. I think I can do it, Alces. I think I can go with you and—while we may not find the herd—go back to the forest we once called home, to the Bugbear Territory.’

Those words left Alces speechless for a while. He just shook his head and blinked a few times. But when he finally understood what I was saying, his muzzle turned into a smile from ear to ear. ‘If you mean that, then you make me a very happy brother. I’d love traveling with you to the forest—our forest, and spend some time with you once again.’

‘Maybe we’ll come up with another story,’ I said, feeling much better now that I had pushed the matter off my chest. Truth was that I had been thinking about traveling with Alces for a long time, but I just hadn’t felt the courage to take that step. The story made me take that step.

‘Yeah, maybe,’ Alces said. ‘Or maybe something entirely different happens. Who knows?’

‘We’re going on an adventure once more,’ I said. ‘But this time, we’re going together.’

‘And nothing can stop us,’ Alces added.

‘Exactly.’

I felt like a soldier uttering a battle cry. Taking the decision to go with Alces this time made me feel… lighter, more complete already. And maybe, yes. Maybe I actually did feel like facing new challenges during new adventures. As long as I was with Alces, and if he was there to cover my back, I knew I was ready. I was ready! And thanks to the story, I had never felt readier. This was our moment.

The grandfather clock struck four. ‘Oh my!’ I said, ‘we’ll have to hurry if we want to stock up in Ponyville before our journey.’

‘Then let’s go. No time to waste,’ Alces said.

I trotted over towards my coat rack, grabbed a thick horse blanket, a scarf, and some ear warmers, and then walked outside, where Alces was already waiting for me in the snow. But then I remembered something. ‘Wait a minute!’

I went back inside, grabbed some wood and a paintbrush, and got to work. A few minutes later I was content. Going back outside into the winter coldness, I locked the door, and hung my sign around the doorknob.

Am going on an adventure.
Will be back soon with more stories!

Elkia

‘Now I’m ready to go,’ I said.

Alces nodded, and together we marched ahead. When we got surrounded by nothing but the snow-covered trees of the Everfree Forest, I mulled in my head about something I wanted to say, something—somepony—I had given a lot of thought. I knew it was ridiculous, but I said it anyway. ‘Alces, do you think we can pay a visit to Scribblers’ City?’

Alces stopped and gave me a blank stare. ‘To see your marefriend?’

‘Eh… yes?’ I said, my voice a high squeak. ‘I know she must be as old as we are now, and maybe Scribblers’ City doesn’t even exist anymore, but I… I would still like to see her and talk to her. Just… one last time.’

But Alces wasn’t angry. Instead, he started walking again. I saw the smile on his face as he passed me, and I fell in step next to him. ‘We’ll see…’ he said, and with that mysterious answer I had to satisfy myself.

Together we continued our way through the Everfree Forest, towards adventure and maybe even towards danger. But I wasn’t worried. Because I knew now that together, we were stronger than we could ever be apart.

THE END

Author's Note

And so ends the story of Elkia Deerling and Alces Roameling, for now… I tried my best to give my OC an interesting backstory worth reading. A backstory that is 260 pages long! Well, what did you expect from a writer? I create (background)stories for fun, so of course it was going to be long. You should be proud, dear reader. By reading this OC story from beginning till end, you have proven that you are not an OC hater, and for that, both Elkia and Alces and Aeltha and Strawberry Blonde and Moussa and old Cervidus love you dearly. (And maybe Starlight Glimmer too.) Once again, thank you very much for reading. I hope to see your comments down below and your like up next to the title. And of course, I hope to see you in my next story!

P.S. You get bonus points of you discover the Deadmau5 reference. I always love listening to his beats while I write. Hint: it is hidden in chapter seven: ‘a new life,’ in a dialogue. No more hints. Time to search!