Zebrican Life

Chapter 2

The Shaman and the Prince stared into each other’s eyes for what felt like eons. Aquamarine meeting vibrant purple as their very breaths were stolen from them. It wasn’t until the older Shaman spoke that they realized their position.

“It seems that our presence isn’t required now. Everyone, please, let’s move from here to avoid standing like a cow,” Zecora’s mother said, unable to contain the humor and joy in her voice. The rest didn’t protest and obeyed the order of the wise Shaman, leaving Zecora and Zhamir alone.

“May… may I come in?” Zhamir asked after a minute of silence.

Zecora nodded, a knot tied in her throat prevented her from speaking but she stepped aside, giving him access to her parent’s home. He quickly made his way inside and sat on one of the comfortable leather couches.

“So the rumors were true… you’re back, Zecora,” Zhamir said, not wishing to beat around the bush. “When I heard the gossip about a certain Shaman returning, one who wasn’t bald of head or tail nor exposed, I knew it had to be you.”

“Many moons have passed since our parting eleven years ago, Zha--My Prince. I am curious that you are here and not in the capital, where you’ve dwelled ever-since,” Zecora asked, sitting in front of him.

“Royal business, actually. Nothing more than a happy coincidence, I assure you,” he smiled widely, unwilling and unable to contain his merriment. “Or maybe a sign of the Spirits and Fate itself?”

“The work of the Spirits it is not, for I do not hear their song. Of Fate, the shrewd mistress, there’s no telling if it right or wrong. With things as there are and strife as it were, what brings you to this, my childhood home? I’m sure there are more important subjects requiring your attention unless you are now free to roam?”

“In a sense. I’m in no rush for the throne and I’d rather let any of my brothers take it from my hooves. But they all think I’m the best suited for it. I’d rather live comfortably and marry a beautiful mare whom I can fill with many beautiful foals,” he admitted.

“A charmer as always, I see. Do not joke or lie for my sake, my Prince, a handsome stud like yourself, unwed? I’d spill my tea!,” Zecora joked, despite ow much it hurt her heart to say those words, she had to face reality.

He grinned and blushed at the same time, trying to look imposing, strong, confident, but ended up looking cute, disheveled, and a bit shy. Clearing his throat, he stammered the first few words that came out of his mouth. “W-Well, f-funny you s-should mention that, yes. Ehem, Zecora… I’ve been waiting for you, just like I promised.”

“...Pardon?”

“I’ve been waiting for your return, my love,” he admitted. “It has been a rough and difficult wait, but finally, you’re here. You’ve returned to me, to us, to Zebrica,” his smile threatened to tear his face in half, but the sheer joy reflected on his eyes told the truth. “I see you still wear my memento,” he pointed at her neck-rings. “Pray tell, is that a sign that you have also waited for me, my love?”

“...You are foolish and childish, Zhamir, to have waited for me, not knowing if I would return? What can I offer you now that I’m past my years of abundant fertility have passed and I cannot provide the family you yearn?” Zecora asked, shocked, angry, surprised, happy, and flustered all at the same time.

“Perhaps. You wouldn’t believe how many mares have presented their stinky nethers to me. One time, the daughter of a high noble shaved her head right in front of me to express her love. It was a very touching moment and it broke my heart to reject it. But there is only one in my heart, and that one is you, Zecora,” leaning back, he relaxed. “But enough about me. Tell me, are you okay? Have you finished your training?”

Zecora, through a massive blush, nodded. She fought against her feelings for a few moments eventually managing to get a hold of herself. “Remember when we first met? We were young and full of energy, you were the first I knew that at your side I’d fear no fret. Little more than foals we were at the time, yet our parents never sought to pull us apart. A noble Prince and heir to the throne, the daughter of a renowned and respected Shaman whose fame was set in stone.”

Zhamir laughed. “I love your family and I deeply respect your mother, Zecora. She’s an extremely powerful Shaman and a close friend of my father,” he shook his head. “Those were the times without having to worry about the lives of our nation, the burdens of royalty, or so much politics! We were just foals and the best of friends,” he looked at her, intently. “You’d be a fantastic Head Shaman.”

Zecora shivered at the praise. Regardless of her actual role, the Queen had the honorary title of Head Shaman even if she wasn’t a Shaman herself. But it was part of the Queen’s duty to know all of their rituals to fulfill that job. The praise and unspoken implications of it did not elude her, though she doubted her beloved was trying to be subtle about it. “You were never one for subtly if my memory serves right. I’m glad that under that handsome exterior the same mischievous Zhamir remains bright.”

Reaching for two empty cups of tea, she smiled at Zhamir getting his attention. With a wave of her hoof, the cups were filled with hot, steaming tea. Zhamir nearly leaped from his seat at the demonstration.

“T-That shouldn’t be!” He stammered. “Spirits, Zecora, just how powerful have you become?” He asked, not in fear, but in awe.

Zecora closed her eyes, remembering all of her pleasant experiences in Equestria, all that she learned, and the friends she had made. “Extremely powerful the Spirits of Magic, Natura, Life, Death, and Harmony are in Equestria, my communion with them in that land was deep, ethereal. Many secrets I uncovered and many more are left to be seen, but my time in that land has come to a retreat, immaterial. What I have learned must be taught and passed in our land. Not to reject our past or knowledge, but further them with that which lies afar; to run, not stand.”

Zhamir jumped to his hooves, smiling widely. “I’m so happy to hear that! Zebrica is wonderful and I want the rest of the world to see its beauty and for Zebrica to see the wonderful beauty of the world as you have Zecora!”

She nodded. “I agree with your words, my charming Prince. I have heard rumors of your exploits, but what you want to achieve, your father, the King, you must convince.”

He sighed. “My father is wise and one of the greatest Kings Zebrica has had the joy to be ruled over by since Zhaka the Ambitious. But he is too hold up on traditions and fearful of the outside world. There are dangers to be sure, but the wonders are so much more beautiful!”

“Ah,” she began, knowing where he was heading. “I understand what your intentions are. You wish for me to come to him and show him my power, to share my knowledge and let him see me like a shining star?”

“My love, you should know by now that no star could ever shine brighter than you,” he said in a flirtatious tone, smiling sheepishly at her.

Zecora blushed so hard she nearly fainted but after drinking her tea, she calmed down enough to continue. “Let’s say I agree with your plan and I travel with you to the capital to see the King, your father. What could I, a Shaman that left her homeland and has rejected our traditions to slake her ambition, offer him to make our land prosper?”

“Just be yourself, my love. Then, after you convince him, maybe… maybe you’ll allow me to court you?” He asked, for the first time losing his suave tone and charming attitude.

Zecora looked at Zhamir, her old flame, for long seconds. Gone was the charming prince; replaced by the stubborn, humble, and easy-going colt she fell in love with, her friend, and the stallion that had assaulted her dreams on countless nights. “...Perhaps… I can allow such a thing if we are to succeed? The fact remains, I am a mare, and thus must make a great deed.”

Zhamir nodded. “Father may be traditionalist, but he’s quite open-minded,” Zhamir went silent for a moment as he sat down again and leaned back taking a sip out of his tea. “I wonder how awful Zebrica would be now without Zhaka the Ambitious and his rise to power. We’d be little better than animals,” he scoffed, angrily, before swaying his head slowly in a sorry way. “Hard to believe it happened almost a thousand years ago, right? The record-keeping of those time was pathetic, but from what I’ve been able to piece together, Zhaka did it because he truly wanted things to change, not just out of fear that Celestia, Sun Goddess made Flesh, would strike Zebrica down as she had done with Nightmare Moon like most historians claim.”

“Those were dark times for mares and stallions alike, it must be said. Life was much harder, periful, dangerous to ours today, a challenge a day just to be fed. I’m sure they viewed their actions as logical, how could they not without knowledge of what we know today to be ethnological?” Zecora offered, not excusing the past but seeing through their position.

“Perhaps… but treating mares, the very pillar of our society and the stability of every home as little more than property and slaves? Barbaric! Praise be to Shaka the Ambitious! For he denoted the changes and the movements Zebrica needed to shine bright and stand proudly today!”

Zecora nodded in understanding. Thanks to her mother being a fairly powerful Shaman and also happened to be a friend of the Queen meant she was well known and respected in the court and, of course, often employed by the Royal Family for rituals of all sorts. She remembered bitterly for a moment when Zhamir had to leave for his pilgrimage, a rite of passage for all males to take; it was one of the motives why she found the strength to leave her home behind and go fulfill her dream of furthering the knowledge of being a Shaman. If he had not… maybe she would’ve stayed and, despite opposing the traditions, she would’ve gone through with them just for him, her love.

Shaking her head at the route her thoughts had diverged, she focused again on what he had said. And, again, thanks to her mother’s position within the Court, she was able to study many things, including history. She was appalled at how males used to treat mares almost a thousand years ago. Things to breed warriors, obey the males, and serve them as they saw fit. The very concept of marriage was alien to them as at any time a male could simply take any female he wished, impregnate her, and be done with it.

It was the great Zhaka the Ambitious, the ancestor of her beloved Zhamir, that had put an end to that after uniting all the tribes under a single banner and under his rule and created the nation of Zebrica. Or rather, the dream of the nation that one day would become Zebrica. He was remembered for many things, but his greatest achievement was when he outright made it illegal to treat mares and females badly.

And not only that, he implemented sweeping changes to the societal structure of tribes in one fell swoop. Now united and having to deal with minimal in-fighting, he gave out his reason and it was so simple but true no one could deny it. ‘Mares are the ones keeping the house standing, every stallion must give them the respect they deserve’. And thus, everything changed. Of course, there was opposition at first, but most supported their First King.

Slowly but surely things began to change over the years, decades, and centuries. Mares went from being slaves, to domestic caretakers, to household guardians, and finally to the pillars of society. ‘A happy home has a happy mare’ became the norm. Mares gained the freedom to wear what they wanted and in time even own and buy things that they wanted. Then came branching their occupation options outside mere housekeeping and gathering.

Some began to join the hunters as spotters, others took tanning, smelting, crafting, until, eventually, they could practically do any job they wanted in the current day. There were mares that served as soldiers and held official rankings, some tribes were ruled by mares, and other more stallion-dominated jobs. But the vast majority preferred roles that kept them close to their household, like helping their husband with whatever was their job by taking the menial tasks such as accounting, cleaning, balancing, secretary, and such. Other jobs became almost the sole domain of mares, such as nursing, education, and simple crafting.

Compared to the sheer levels of ignorance and limited existence mares had endured before Zhaka, it was a blessing they couldn’t be grateful enough for. But even so, nearly every mare, no matter their job (if they had one) almost universally leaned towards a more simple lifestyle of being a housewife, devoting themselves to help their husbands, get fucked, get pregnant, raise children, and contribute that way to society.

And unlike those horrid times, they weren’t forced to do it, as they simply enjoyed it. Perhaps it was due to the fact that marriage became a common practice, stallions stopped seeing mares universally as playthings and instead saw them as equals and lusted only after their chosen mate. But there was one role that not even before the times of Zhaka had changed, and that was being a Shaman. Once the only way for any apt enough mare to gain power and recognition was now a source of pride in which mares had a complete monopoly over, and not because there weren’t stallions that had tried to become Shamans, but it simply never worked, the Spirits never conveyed to them their secrets and communing was next to impossible for some unexplained reason.

But it didn’t matter as their once barbaric society had found itself in a near-perfect balance after almost a millennia since The Great Unification. Males occupied themselves with the heavier and most difficult aspects of society at all levels, occupying positions of leadership, manual labor, economy, and engineering. Females tended to the household, helped their husbands, took most positions of assistance, diplomacy, schooling, and, of course, spirituality.

“If it must be done, then I shall go with you to visit the King. But not now and not for some time; long my journey has been and I wish to spend time with my kin; give me some days to enjoy their company and I shall aid you in your quest and all the changes it may bring,” she replied.

“And after that… if we are successful, may I have permission to court you, my love?” Zhamir asked with a smile.

Zecora sighed and looked away, blushing fiercely. “I promise not what the future may be between us. All I can say is that… I do not oppose that that prospect can be a plus.”

Chapter 2 End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!