Heart of the Wood

Day One

The morning sun makes me squint as I step off the train, yawning. I hold a hoof up to shade my eyes and look around Ponyville for the first time. "Not too much different than Hoofington," I murmur, watching ponies come and go.

There's no sign of where I want to go. I step over to the ticket booth and wave to get the attention of the pony inside. "Hello? Can you help me?"

He puts down his breakfast and steps over. His brow raises when he spots the axe strapped to my saddlebags. "Yes? Do you need tickets?"

I spot his look and smile comfortingly (I hope.) "Work tools," I explain. "And no, I just arrived from Hoofington. Can you point me to Top Timber's Exotic Woods?"

He gives a slight nod at the explanation. "Sure. They're on the edge of town, next to the Everfree Forest. Just follow that road east."

"Thank you so much," I say and give him a wave, turning and trotting to the road. "He seems friendly enough," I say quietly.

The road winds around the edge of town, leaving much of it a mystery for now. I catch the scent of fresh apples as I pass an outdoor market, and my belly rumbles in response. I almost turn in to find that apple stand, then I stop myself. "Can't get distracted," I remind myself. "Plenty of time for breakfast after I get the job. I've still got some of Willow's snacks, anyway."

Before long I see a small building next to a large yard filled with stacks of logs of many varieties. The sign is next to the door simply reads "Office" with no sign of the business name.

"This has to be the place," I say. I walk up to the building, quietly talking myself up. "You can do this," I murmur. "Cutting trees is your special talent. They will see how lucky they are to hire you." In the back of my mind I hear Dad yelling and Mom trying to talk us down. Sappy's sad eyes appear in my thoughts.

I close my eyes and take a breath, willing the memories away. "You've got this," I say, opening my eyes, and approach the building.

I knock on the office door, then take a step back and smile. Instead of somepony opening the door, I hear a gruff voice call, “Yeah? Come in!”

Opening the door I step inside the small room. “Excuse me, I was told to ask for Top Timber.”

From behind a large wooden desk, an earth pony stallion with a brown coat nods his head without looking up from the scroll in his hooves. “You found him," he says, distracted, and picks up another page, looking between the two. "What do you want?” I can’t see his eyes behind the paper, only his gray mane cut in a sharp flattop.

“I’m looking for work, and I heard you have an opening.”

He looks up from the scroll for only a second, sizing me up. I see myself as he must see me: a short, slight-framed mare with a yellow coat and a light brown mane, smiling hopefully. He turns his eyes to his paperwork again, waving me off with his free hoof. “Sorry, kid. I don’t have any sales positions open and I don’t need a secretary.”

“I wouldn’t waste your time with that, Mr. Timber. I heard you need a logger, and I’m the mare for the job.”

His brow raises and he lowers the scroll. “Is that so? You ever cut trees before, Ms.—”

“Heart Wood” I answer. I step up closer to the desk. “And only since I could lift an axe. My family’s business is selling firewood, and everypony helps.”

“Yeah? Why aren’t you working there, then? Have some kind of falling out?”

I laugh softly. “No, no. It's just between my big sister and my three brothers, the family business is well in hoof, so I’m branching out to see what I can make of myself.”

For the first time since I entered the office, Top Timber smiles. “Alright. You heard right, I’m short a logger on my best crew. One of my ponies got mauled by a timberwolf and needed medical attention. It’s slowing the rest down to the point that they might not fill all the orders we have.” He stands, walking around the desk. “Normally I’d have my crew chief interview you first, but that will have to happen in the field.”

My eyes grow wide. “You mean I have the job?”

He looks me right in the eyes, towering over me in the small space. “I like your ambition. I’ll give you a chance, but Clear Cut runs that crew and in the field, it’s his word that matters. You tell him that I sent you and he’ll decide if he’s going to use you.” He opens the door. “Come around back and I’ll introduce you to Strong Hoof, one of my teamsters. She’s about to head out to Clear Cut’s crew with supplies and to collect the logs they have ready. You can walk out with her.”

I follow along, trotting fast to keep up. “I didn’t think you’d start me right away.”

Top Timber snorts. “You wanted to branch out, kid. That means grabbing opportunities when they come. Do you still want the job, or is it moving too fast for you?”

“Oh, I want it!” I say eagerly, falling into step beside him.

"You know, Strong Hoof, you're a really great listener," I say as the tents of the logging camp come into view through the dense underbrush. Glancing at her, I catch the end of her eye roll and blush. "Sorry if I talked your ear off. I'm just a little bit nervous about this job."

"I never would have guessed," Strong Hoof says dryly. She pulls the wagon up beside a pile of logs with grey bark. The cut ends contrast the bark with rings of vivid rainbow colors. Seeing my stare, she says, "Zap apple wood," as if it explains everything.

Before I can ask, a booming voice calls from the largest tent. "Strong Hoof! Just in time. Log Jam spilled the last of the coffee." Out of the tent steps the largest stallion I've ever seen, his brown coat and green mane making him almost look like the trees all around us. He stops smiling when he sees me, eyeing me up for a moment before he turns back to Strong Hoof. "What's this kid doing here?" He asks

I step forward, speaking before Strong Hoof can answer. "I'm Heart Wood. Are you Clear Cut? Top Timber said he would give me a chance as a logger to fill out your crew, if you approve." I smile in the face of the stallion's scowl, trying to keep my nerves from showing.

He glances at Strong Hoof, who nods and starts unloading the wagon without a word. "Did he, now? Timber thought you could keep us on schedule and not slow us down?" He steps around me, looking me over more closely as several other stallions and a single mare emerge from the large tent to watch. "Can you even lift an axe? We don't have any foal-sized ones." He laughs, echoed by the rest of the crew.

My smile falters, but I keep my head high. I step to the wagon and pull out my axe, hefting it over my shoulder with ease. The sharp edge gleams in the sun. "Need some firewood?" I ask, trying to sound casually confident.

The crew falls silent and the stallion stares at me hard. "Alright, yeah, I'm Clear Cut. Show me what you've got." He points to a thriving elm next to the path. "Cut us some fuel."

I look the tree over top to bottom as I approach, frowning. "Are you sure you want this one?" I ask.

"Why? Too much work for you?" He answers, smirking.

I shrug. "No, that's not it. This one is just really green and won't burn well. Plus that beehive," I point with the axe, "will make it really uncomfortable to be around here when it comes down."

There's a murmur from the crew, and he nods. "Which one would you choose, then?"

I take a moment to look at the surrounding trees, making a show of considering them, before stepping up to an older oak, twice as thick as the elm. "This one."

"Why?" he asks curtly.

I smile again. "This one is a lot older, so the wood will be drier. Only the sapwood will be wet, and it will burn away faster. Also, about a third of the tree looks dead, but there's no sign of animals nesting there. That wood will be dry and ready for a fast fire. If you don't need the whole tree, I can cut the dead limbs for plenty of firewood for one night."

The stallion chews on his lip, glancing at Strong Hoof, who shrugs in response. "Alright, that one. Bring it down."

I nod and step up, assessing the tree. I line up my axe, looking back at where the tree will fall. I hear some laughs from the crew and try to ignore them, focusing on the tree.

Just when Clear Cut clears his throat, I swing the axe hard. The blade carves deep into the bark and wood, and I pull back, swinging just as hard in an angle towards the first cut. A few swings later a wedge of wood falls away. I swing again and again, cutting into the thinnest point, then abruptly step back and bring the blade into the opposite side of the trunk. Two swings later, the tree groans with snapping wood and starts to lean. "Heads up!" I shout, watching the tree fall over the path. Once it's down, I put my axe over my shoulder and turn back to the crew.

The ponies all stare at me, their laughter silent. The big stallion speaks first. "Alright, that was quick, but how is Strong Hoof going to get her wagon past with a load of lumber now?"

I step up to the fallen oak. "By the time she's loaded, it won't be here."

He chews his lip again. "Okay, you're on. You get that path clear before the wagon is loaded and you've got the job."

I nod, grinning, and set into sectioning the oak immediately. It doesn't take long to separate dead wood from live, then to cut them short enough to stack beside the path. I pull the last branch from the path, leaving only leaves, then look at the wagon in time to see Strong Hoof and one of the loggers hoisting the last log onto the loaded wagon.

Clear Cut shakes his head, smiling for the first time since he first saw me. "Alright, rookie, you got your shot. Welcome to the crew." The other ponies whistle and stomp, cheering. "Now come in and get some lunch."

He and the others pick up the supply crates, carrying them into the tent. Grinning wide, I gather some firewood and haul it into the tent on my back.

Day 2

I lie on the cot in my tent with my blanket held up over my head. The deep and steady breathing of my tent mate, Buzzcut, fills my ears, but it isn't the reason I'm awake. The soft glow of my firefly lantern fills the space under the blanket while I look at Sap Wood's painting.

For the hundredth time since I left my thoughts return to that last night. The pleading, the yelling, Sappy's sad eyes, it all plays out, over and over. I sniff back some tears, feeling my brother's tight hug. "I did the right thing," I whisper, trying to convince myself.

A warm yellow glow surrounds my cot. "Need some more light?" Buzzcut asks quietly.

I pull back the blanket, finding him lying on his cot, propped up on one leg with his horn glowing. I wipe my eyes and tuck the painting under the blanket. "Oh, hey," I say, setting the lantern aside. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

He smirks and shakes his head. "Naw, this is almost when I usually get up. It's not long until dawn." He nods towards the blanket. "What's keeping you up? If you don't mind me asking."

I hesitate, then sigh and hold out the painting. The yellow glow surrounds it and carefully lifts it from my hoof. Buzzcut looks it over, nodding. "That's a good likeness. Self-portrait?"

I snort a laugh. "I can barely draw stick ponies," I say. "No, my little brother Sap Wood painted that, the night I left."

He smiles and floats the paper back to me. "He's really good. Almost as good as you are with your axe. It's pretty clear he loves you a lot, from how he drew you."

I reach up and wipe the corner of my eye, then take the picture back. "Yeah. He's always been closest to me out of all of us."

He raises a brow. "Big family?"

"I guess so," I say. "I'm the fourth of five kids. There's my sister Willow Leaf who's oldest, then the twins, Ash Wood and Oak Wood. Sappy is the youngest, still a school pony."

"I'm sensing a theme," he says with a smirk.

I chuckle. "Yeah, Dad is really big on tradition, from names to the family firewood business. Mom supports him, even if her real passion is flowers."

He nods. "Sounds like you're a little homesick."

"Maybe a little," I say with a sigh. Sap Wood's face lingers in my mind.

"At least they support you, going out on your own," he says.

I never want to see your ungrateful hide again! Dad's last words to me echo through my thoughts. I force a smile back to my lips. "What about you? Got a lot of siblings back home?"

Buzzcut laughs. "Nope, only child. It's just my parents and me. They weren't too excited about me heading out in the woods to work, but they still support me."

I chuckle lightly. "After naming you Buzzcut I would think they had something like this in mind "

A grin spreads over his face. "Actually, they're both mane stylists. They were hoping I'd follow in their hoofsteps, but when it became clear my special talent was working with power tools they relented. Can't really trim a pony's mane with a chainsaw." He winks.

I laugh, laying back on the cot. He laughs along with me.

"Quiet down!" Clear Cut bellows from three tents over.

We both stifle our laughs, looking at each other. "Come on," Buzzcut says quietly, pulling off his blanket and standing up. "Let's go get breakfast started. The boss will be in a better mood if we get an early start."

I nod and carefully tuck the painting back into my saddlebag. "Lead the way, Buzzcut," I say.

"Call me Buzz," he says and opens the tent flap.

"Ok, Buzz," I answer. "You can call me Heart."

With that we duck out and trot over to the mess tent.

I follow Buzzcut, Aspen, and Log Jam through the dark forest, pulling the wagon along behind them. The trees press close on all sides. "What are we after today?" I ask, trying to pick a path wide enough.

"More zap apple trees," Aspen answers.

I wait for more, but all three stay quiet, looking around as we move deeper into the dark. "Do you usually send this many ponies to harvest them?"

Buzz smirks. "Nope. Usually the whole crew goes. Plum Blossom and the boss will be along when they finish changing the wheel on the second wagon."

I frown, glancing at the trees around us. It's dark and spooky, but it doesn't seem much worse than the deeper parts of Whitetail Woods. "Wouldn't we get more done in smaller teams?"

"Not in the Everfree," Aspen says.

"What's so special about it?" I ask. "Apart from having apple trees with rainbow wood."

Log Jam breaks his silence. "This place ain't natural. The plants, the animals, even the weather, they all get along without any pony taking care of them." He shakes his head. "And there's creatures here you don't want to meet."

I nod. "Oh, yeah. Top Timber mentioned some kind of wolf."

The three exchange a look, their mood growing darker. "Timberwolves," says Buzzcut after a minute. "Vicious beasts made of magic and wood in the shape of wolves, twice the size of a pony. And worse, they travel in packs." He looks back at me over his shoulder. "If you see one, you drop everything and run the other way."

I look at him, trying to read his expression. "You all are joking with me," I say, somewhat uncertainly.

"Not about timberwolves," Aspen says firmly. "They're the reason Green Seed isn't with us."

"Was he the pony that got hurt?" I ask.

They all nod. "He wasn't paying attention and a pack surrounded him," Log Jam explains. "We scared them off with magic and burning branches." He sighs. "But not before they took one of his legs."

I gasp, stopping for a moment. They all stop and look back at me. "That's terrible," I'm finally able to say.

Buzzcut nods. "That's why we don't go into the Everfree alone," he says.

I nod. Suddenly the dark forest seems much more threatening, and I pay more attention to the surrounding trees than the path. "How much further to the zap apple trees?" I ask.

"You're in luck," Log Jam says, pointing ahead. There, along the edge of a clearing, is a large stand of grey trees. The branches are twisted and barren with no sign of leaves.

"They don't look like much," I say, pulling the wagon into the clearing and unhooking the harness.

Buzz grins. "They'll fool you. When their fruit comes in they look like a whole different tree."

The four of us unload our tools, always with an eye on the surrounding forest. "Why don't you start on the first one, Heart?" says Aspen, pointing at a particularly large tree. "It's your first time, after all."

I glance at their faces, finding earnest expressions. "Alright then," I say and line up with the tree. I roll my shoulders, then pull back and take my swing.

The axe head strikes the bark and stops dead. A nimbus of energy surrounds the trunk, runs up to the branches, then shoots back to my axe, all in a heartbeat. My body lights up with the shock and I'm thrown across the clearing.

I groan, muscles twitching as I push myself up off the ground. All three of them are laughing loudly. Log Jam clutches his belly, looking like he might fall over. I frown, rubbing my sore forelegs.

Aspen walks over with a huge grin on his face. "I'm sorry," he says, offering a hoof. "Did I forget to tell you they're magic trees?" That draws more laughs from Buzzcut and Log Jam.

Giving him a dirty look, I accept his hoof and he helps me back up. "Very funny," I say. Despite my wounded pride, I can't help but smile a little in the face of their laughter. "So, how are we supposed to fell trees that do that?"

Buzzcut gets himself under control, still chuckling a bit. "No offense, Heart. That's happened to all of us. As far as chopping down the trees, that's one of the reasons there's a unicorn on the crew." He taps his horn, then turns to the tree. Moments later his horn and the tree trunk both glow yellow. "Try it now," he says.

I raise a brow, but retrieve my axe and step up to the tree again. With a glance at the others, I take a breath and swing. I'm surprised to feel the blade carving deep into the trunk.

I'm just pulling back my axe for a second swing when a low growl rumbles from between the trees. I turn my head and look right into a pair of glowing green eyes moving towards us through the shadows. I stumble back toward the others.

"Back to camp!" Log Jam shouts and turns back to the trail, followed quickly by Aspen and Buzzcut, running. I start after them, forgetting to drop my axe as I run. The others quickly pull ahead.

Buzzcut looks back and yells, "Heart, drop that! We'll come back for it."

I drop my axe, looking back and seeing the timberwolf loping after me. Another leaps from the treeline, throwing it's head back and howling. I look ahead just as another of the creatures howls right in front of me, stepping from the trees. I skid to a halt almost too late, ending up muzzle to muzzle with it. Sour, rotten breath blows over me. The timberwolf's jaws open wide.

I scramble backwards as the jaws close where my head was. "Heart!" I hear Buzzcut yell behind me as I run hard, looking over my shoulder at the timberwolf starting to chase me. I look where I'm going and yelp, the first wolf standing and waiting with jaws open.

I drop to the ground, sliding right under the timberwolf's belly. I hear the jaws closing with a wooden thunk. I clear its hind legs and roll to my hooves, running hard. The third timberwolf looms before me, blocking the path entirely. I stop, looking back at the two chasing behind.

There's a loud sound like none I've heard before, and one of the timberwolves shatters into kindling. Buzzcut charges forward, horn glowing, yelling a challenge. The other one behind me turns and faces him with a growl. There's another blast and the legs come off it as it jumps at him. It falls and breaks apart.

I hear the third growl and turn to see it jump. I yelp and drop, rolling forward under it's leap, coming to rest against my axe. "Buzz! Look out!" I yell.

He shoots more magic, but the timberwolf lands and jumps again, over Buzzcut's blast. His eyes go wide and he tries to dodge the massive creature, but it knocks him down before landing and turning back. He aims his horn, but the yellow glow fades. He backs up towards me, the timberwolf stalking forward.

I grab my axe and run at him full-gallop. I shout, "Buzz! Duck!" and swing as hard as I can. Buzzcut drops to the ground as the wolf leaps at him. Its eyes grow wide when its prey disappears to be replaced with a gleaming axe head swinging towards it's head.

Swing. Chop. The impact knocks me off my hooves, but the timberwolf collapses into a pile of wood.

I look around wildly for more timberwolves. The forest is silent except for my labored breath and my racing heart. I step over and offer a hoof to Buzz, helping him up.

He looks at the remains of the creatures, panting for breath, then turns to me. "You saved me," he says, sounding impressed.

I nod. "Yeah, but you saved me first," I say, trying to slow my breathing. "Let's call it even."

He smiles and gives me a hug, which I return gratefully.

"Rookie!" Clear Cut yells as he and the rest of the crew run towards us. I turn to greet them with a smile, but it fades under his scowl. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I… I was… Buzz was in danger," I stammer in the face of his anger. "I couldn't let him get hurt."

He steps right up to me, glaring down at me. "He was only in danger because he was saving your flank, rookie! Didn't they tell you to run if you see timberwolves?"

I look around for support but the rest of the crew are silent. "I mean, yes, they did, but it happened so fast."

"I don't want excuses!" he shouts. "That was a damned fool thing to do. If it happens again, you run, got it?"

"I, ah, I mean, yes, boss," I say, ears drooping and lowering my head.

Clear Cut nods once. "Alright, then. Everypony grab the gear. We'll come back when the pack moves on."

"Yes, boss," the rest say and hurry to load up the wagon.

I furrow my brow. "But they're all beaten," I say.

He turns and looks at me hard. "Timberwolves can reform themselves after they break. We only have a few minutes."

My eyes grow wide. "Yes, boss," I say and run back to help load the gear.

Day 5

"Heads up!" I yell as the tall hoofleaf tree starts to sway, then falls with a crash alongside two others waiting to be cleaned and hauled away.

Clear Cut shouts from further down the trail we've cut. "Outstanding, rookie! Take a break."

I wipe the sweat from my brow. "I can keep going, boss," I call back.

I see him shake his head and walk back toward the wagon.

Stepping up to the next marked tree, I look over how it leans and where we need it to fall. I take aim and start swinging.

The tree seems to resist the axe blade. Each swing takes more and more effort while cutting into the wood less and less. Before long sweat is pouring over my face and my forelegs ache

I let out a frustrated grunt and kick the tree trunk. Even with what's cut from the base, it stays tall and unmoving. "Gah! Why won't it drop?"

"You need to sharpen your axe," comes a voice behind me. I spin around to see Plum Blossom, the only other mare in the crew, approaching along the line of tree stumps. Despite her name, she stands almost a head taller than me with muscles any stallion would envy.

"What?" I ask, panting to catch my breath.

She points to the cut. "Look at the edges. Are they smooth or rough? Is the cut coming to an angle or is it mashed down?"

I look down at the cut, already knowing she's right. "It's rough and mashed down," I admit, taking a breath to push down the growing sheepish feeling in my gut.

She nods and gestures for me to lift my axe. I do, wincing a bit at the sight of the blunted edge. She only looks for a moment then asks, "When did you sharpen this last?"

I feel my cheeks growing hot and can't quite look her in the eyes. "This morning," I reluctantly admit.

Plum looks up at the afternoon sun. "That's what I thought," she says, turning back toward the wagon. "C'mon, let's get this sharpened up while you get some water." She doesn't wait.

I follow behind with my axe on my shoulder, taking a strong interest in the forest floor. I hear the others walking by, joking with each other, but I can't quite look at them. Soon we arrive at the wagon.

Plum Blossom holds out a hoof, and I reluctantly hand over my axe. "Get some water," she says, stepping to the grindstone.

"I can do that," I say, watching as she spins up the the circular stone and looks over the edge carefully.

A nod, and she answers, "I know you can. This is a nice axe: good quality, well maintained." She shrugs. "Well, except for today. And it's not everyone who puts their cutie mark on their tools."

I can't help but smile a little. "My dad did that when he gave it to me." She starts moving the blade steadily over the spinning stone. I sip some water then add, "He was so proud when I got my mark for cutting trees. He gave me that for my birthday last year, after I wore out the first one."

She nods, carefully working the blade. "Clearly he taught you how to care for it. I'm surprised you left."

I shake my head, thoughts filling with Dad shouting. "I needed to see Equestria. There's nothing wrong with selling firewood, but it didn't feel like my purpose in life. I'm going to make my own path and make him proud."

She looks over the blade and let's the wheel spin down. Handing it back she says, "Clearly it means a lot to you."

I take it and inspect the axe head. It's a perfect sharp edge. "Well, we're only as good as our tools, right?"

She smiles softly. "I meant your dad's respect."

I can't respond, feeling like a whole free just fell on my gut. I open my mouth, but no words come and I close it

Plum continues before I gather my thoughts. "There's nothing wrong with wanting somepony's respect. Your parents, your friends… the boss. It just makes for a bad reason for pushing yourself." She nods her head towards the tree I was trying to cut. "The boss knows we're only as good as our tools, and like our tools we've got to take some time to sharpen ourselves back up. He doesn't think any less of you for it."

I sigh, nodding slowly. "I know. It's just that since the thing with the timberwolves I can't seem to do anything right. The boss yells at me for every little mistake. He's never even used my name."

Plum smirks. "He calls you 'rookie' because you're the newest member of the crew. No matter how well you work, he'll decide when to stop and not a moment before. But if you wear yourself out like that axe head, eventually you'll get somepony hurt and he'll call you fired. Understand?"

I nod and step toward her for a hug. She immediately steps back, wagging a hoof between us. "Nope. I'm not a hugger. Now are you feeling better enough to get back to work?"

A smile crosses my lips and I nod. "Yep. Feeling sharp as an axe," I say. She chuckles and we both walk back to the work site.

Day 9

"Watch it, rookie!" Clear Cut shouts. I look up in time to dive out of the way of the falling sugarpine tree. The furthest tips of the branches scratch my flank as it comes to rest.

He stomps over, scowling. "I thought you said you cut trees before, rookie!" He shouts as I get back on my hooves. "Don't you know better than to walk next to a tree being felled?"

I shrink back from the question, ears folding back. "I have!" I answer. "It just looked like from the lean of the tree and where you were chopping it would fall over there." I point to a more open area where Log Jam and Buzzcut stand watching.

Clear Cut glares at me, jaw clenched. "No matter where it looked like it was going, rookie, you keep your head up when a tree's coming down. I don't want to lose any more crew to injuries." With a snort, he turns and walks towards the next marked trees. "Rookie, you and Buzzcut clean that log. Log Jam, get back to work!"

"Yes, boss," I say dejectedly. I hoist my axe as Buzzcut trots over, floating his chainsaw in a field of yellow magic. I line up one of the smaller branches and cut it away in one chop.

"The boss has really taken a liking to you, Heart," the unicorn says with a grin as he approaches the thicker branches. He floats his eye protection into place.

I snort out a laugh, cutting more limbs off the log. "How do you figure that, Buzz? All he's done since I joined the crew is shout at me about every little mistake."

"Exactly," Buzzcut says. "He usually lets us take a hit and learn from the mistake that way. Looks like he wants to protect you."

"That's true," calls a voice behind me. I turn to see Plum Blossom walking up ahead of Aspen and the wagon. "When I started I tripped on a root and nearly fell into a ravine. Clear Cut just laughed and told me to take the path next time."

I wrinkle my brow, chopping away more branches. "Why would he treat me any different?" I ask, looking between them.

All three shrug, glancing at each other. "Maybe you remind him of somepony," offers Aspen as he rolls the wagon into position.

I look his way. "You know who that is?"

Aspen shrugs. "Might need to ask him, if you're brave enough."

There's two loud crashes as more trees come down. "Less chatter and more work!" Clear Cut shouts from the treeline.

"Yes, boss!" we all respond, and Buzzcut starts up the chainsaw. I don't have much time to ponder the question in my head as I trot over to the next tree to start cleaning away branches.

Day 14

"So, Heart, did you ask him yet?" Aspen asks, flashing me a mischievous grin.

I roll my eyes as I walk along beside him, pulling the wagon along the narrow track of open space left behind by our crew. "You know that I haven't," I say. "You would have heard Clear Cut shouting at me if I had."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "You don't know that," he says, clearly enjoying teasing me. "He could just be waiting for you to ask so he can explain himself."

I snort a laugh. "You know that if he wanted to say something he would. Clear Cut is a lot of things, but he's not afraid to speak his mind. You and everypony else in the crew just like watching me squirm while I figure out if I'm going to ask at all."

Aspen shrugs. "It has been pretty entertaining. Nothing like new blood to keep things interesting." He flashes a smile. "Nothing personal, Heart."

"I can handle it," I say lightly. "You don't grow up with four siblings and not learn how to endure a little teasing."

Aspen laughs as we round the last bend in the trail. The ground slopes down from there to the edge of a small swamp surrounded by thick trees. Soon we see the crew waiting for us by several trees marked for cutting. I bring the wagon close enough to easily load the logs we're about to cut, unhitching myself from the yoke.

I glance over the rest of the crew, leaning on their axes while a green earth pony strolls through the patch of marked trees. She keeps lifting her heavy-lidded gaze up to the highest branches of the whinnywood trees, brushing her tight red locks out of the way. When I hear her say, "Groovy," and wander on to the next tree I roll my eyes and trot over to the forepony.

"Hey, boss, what's with that mare over there? I thought these trees were marked and ready."

Clear Cut snorts, shaking his head. "She's from the Equestrian Society For the Preservation of Rare Creatures," he answers, disdain in his voice. "Turns out some protected critters live in this swamp, so she has to make sure none of them are nesting in the trees we're taking. Like anypony would miss one less hive of flash bees."

I look back at the mare. She hums softly, seemingly oblivious to the impatient stares of the logging crew watching her. "Think she's going to take long?"

Clear Cut rolls his eyes. "You got somewhere to be, rookie? You'd best hope she finishes fast. We aren't paid by the hour here." Still, he turns his attention to the green mare, who is starting a second circuit around the stand of trees. "How's it looking there, Miss Tree Hugger? Any sign of those critters we need to avoid?"

She turns back to him, a relaxed smile on her lips. "It's all good news, Mr. Clear Cut. I don't see any sign of any of the three-tailed kitsune living in these trees. You can, like, continue anytime you want. I just need to watch in case anything turns up."

I share the crew's relief, stretching and getting my axe ready. Tree Hugger moves back as we approach the trees. "Alright, you heard the pony," Clear Cut calls. "This bloodwood is the last order we need to fill. We get these trees cleared before sundown and the cider's on me tonight."

The rest of the crew cheers, but I furrow my brow. "I thought these were whinnywood trees, boss," I say, implying the question.

The crew all laugh, and the foreman laughs loudest. "That's just what the sales sheets call it, rookie. Every logger knows it's really called bloodwood."

I look over the tree, from its plain gray-brown bark to its drooping deep-green leaves to the tightly-closed blue and orange flower buds. "Why do they call it that?" I ask.

Clear Cut smirks, then nods toward one of the other stallions close to the first tree. "Show her, Log Jam."

Log Jam grins. "Sure thing, boss." He raises his axe high, taking a mighty swing and burying the sharp blade deep in the tree's trunk. A whispy sound like a distant whinny rises through the swamp. When Log Jam pulls his axe free of the cut; the edge is stained crimson, and a thick red sap oozes from the wound in the side of the tree.

"Get it now, rookie?" Clear Cut asks with a smirk. "Now get to work. Rookie, start on the next tree, and stay clear of those flowers when they fall. Buzzcut, you're on flower clean-up. Make sure you magic away every last one."

"Yes, boss," I say, trotting over to the next marked tree while Log Jam continues chopping into the thick trunk. The strange whinny-like noise keeps echoing across the swamp with each stroke of his axe, and flowers rain down from the tree limbs.

I pass by Buzzcut while his horn glows bright. A yellow aura surrounds each flower as it falls and then it bursts into flame, reduced to ash in moments. "What's with the flowers, Buzz?" I ask. "They look kinda pretty."

"The pollen will make you really sick if it gets on you," he says quietly, focused on his magic. "Just stay clear of them and let me handle it."

I shrug and step up to the next tree, looking for the best place to start my cut. I'm just raising my axe when I hear someone calling out

"Whoa, dude!" Tree Hugger shouts. I turn to see her running towards Clear Cut, her eyes wide. "You have to stop! You have to stop them right now!"

Clear Cut turns to face her, scowling. "What is it? You see one of those three-tailed whatsathings you were worried about?"

She shakes her head, looking more and more manic with each breath. "No, not that. The trees-"

Clear Cut holds up a hoof, cutting her off. "You're here to look out for your rare creatures. We'll worry about the trees."

"No, dude, you don't understand!" Tree Hugger pleads. "The trees are-"

He slams his hoof down. I swear I feel the ground shake. "The trees are the reason we're here, lady! Now step back and let us work." He looks at me, still scowling. "Get back to work, rookie!" he shouts.

I turn quickly back to the tree, calling out, "Yes, boss!" I take a moment to line up my cut again and pull my axe back for a strong swing.

"No! Stop!" I hear Tree Hugger shout. I take a breath, tensing my muscles for the blow.

"Hey! What are you- Get back here!" I hear Clear Cut shouting. I start my swing.

There's a flash of green and red in front of my target on the tree trunk, and Tree Hugger is there, holding her forelegs out wide over the face of the tree. "Stop! It's -"

Everything seems to slow down. I'm committed to the axe swing, my muscles moving in their well-established pattern. I couldn't stop if I tried, and the mare's sudden appearance doesn't give me a moment to consider it. I see the axe head glinting in the sun, feel the momentum driving it forward, then the hard jolt of impact. Our eyes meet, shock shared between us. Blood splatters up over my face and hooves.

I drop the axe and the world speeds up again. Tree Hugger falls to the ground, axe still planted deep in her barrel. Blood seeps out around the axe head. I kneel beside her, cradling her head. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" I say, my vision growing blurry with tears.

Tree Hugger looks at me, breathing shallow and eyes wide. She reaches up and pulls my head down close to her muzzle. "Alive…" she whispers, then falls limp.

"Get out of the way, rookie!" Clear Cut shouts right behind me before roughly pulling me away. Aspen and Buzzcut take my place, moving to apply pressure to the wound with hooves and magic. "Plum, get the first aid!" She's already moving, running to the wagon, by the time he says the words.

"Is she gonna be alright?" I sob, trying to step closer.

Clear Cut shoves me back. "Stay clear, rookie! You've done enough." He grabs the first aid bag from Plum Blossom as she returns, pulling out bandages and handing them to Aspen.

I keep moving backward, one hoof over my mouth and tears streaming over my cheeks. "I'm sorry," I keep saying, over and over. One of my hooves splashes in the water as I reach the edge of the swamp.

Clear Cut finally looks up from the injured mare, turning to find me. He opens his mouth to speak, but stops when his eyes dart over towards the water and grow wide. "Rookie!" he yells, pointing at the water beside me. "Look out for the flower!"

I turn to look, seeing a pretty blue and orange flower bud drifting up to my leg on a floating leaf. Before I can blink the flower opens. My vision goes dark as a thick cloud of orange pollen puffs out around me. I close my eyes tight, coughing while it dissipates.

Once it clears I open my eyes again. I feel light-headed, blinking fast to get the pollen out of my eyes. I look over at Clear Cut.

The entire crew stares at me, their mouths hanging open. Aspen raises a hoof over his mouth. "Sweet Celestia's slippers!" I hear him say.

"What? What's wrong?" I say, taking a shaky step forward. Dizziness hits me and I sway on my hooves.

"Rookie, stay right where you are!" Clear Cut yells.

I stagger forward a little. It's getting hard to focus. "What do you mean, boss?"

Clear Cut grabs my axe up from the ground at his hooves, brandishing it at me. Tree Hugger's blood drips from the cutting edge. "I said stay there," he shouts. "Don't take another step!"

My mind snaps back to attention at the sight of the massive stallion threatening me with my bloody axe. I backpedal away from him with wide eyes until I trip and land on my rump. "I'm staying!" I squeak, eyes fixed on the blade.

He follows my gaze to the bloody axe in his grip and sighs. "You're covered in pollen right now, rookie," he says, lowering the axe. "You've got to stay back or you'll get somepony else sick." He looks back at Aspen. "You got her bandaged up yet?"

"Almost, boss," Aspen answers, quickly turning back to his work with Tree Hugger. "She lost a lot of blood. We need to get her to the hospital right away."

"Yeah, that makes two of them," Clear Cut says. He rubs his forehead, sighing. He points at me. "Alright. Buzz, get the bucket from the wagon and get her washed up. You and Plum will run them to the hospital in the wagon when she's ready." He turns back to me. "Buzz is gonna float water over to you. Wash off every inch of yourself and we'll get going."

"What's going on?" I ask. Nopony answers as a bucket floats to the swamp, scoops up some water, then moves to me. I turn to Buzzcut standing by the rest "Buzz, what did that flower give me?"

Buzzcut glances at Clear Cut. They don't say a word to each other and Buzzcut returns his attention to me. "This is going to be cold, Heart. We'll get you cleaned up and over to the hospital. Maybe you got lucky." He dumps the water over me, already getting more. "Scrub hard, Heart."

I gasp as the cold water pours over me. I start scrubbing at my fur, still watching Buzzcut and the mournful expression on his face. "Buzz, you're scaring me," I say, my voice cracking. Another bucketful splashes over me, soaking me head to tail. "What's going to happen to me?"

He doesn't answer and continues dousing me with water, looking anywhere but in my eyes. After a thorough soaking he says, "Stand still." His magic surrounds me and I feel a rush of warmth.

I gasp, picturing the falling flowers bursting into flame. I hold my breath, but no fire comes, only warm air on my coat until I'm dry.

"She's ready, boss," Buzzcut calls.

Clear Cut nods, looking over the bandages on Tree Hugger. A growing spot of blood already shows through. "Alright, float this one to the front of the wagon and the rookie in the back. Keep them separated on the way."

"Yes, boss," Buzzcut answers, already floating Tree Hugger into the wagon. Plum Blossom straps herself into the harness. Moments later the air around me glows yellow and I lift off the ground. Buzz settles me into the back of the cart, then stows the first aid bag up front.

"As fast as you can, Plum," Clear Cut orders. He looks me in the eye. "Hang in there, Heart Wood."

As the wagon speeds off, Buzzcut galloping alongside Plum, I swear my heart stops beating. My eyes grow wide, and I feel tears on my cheeks. I watch Clear Cut as we speed away over the rough trail. "He used my name," I whisper as fear rises up to engulf me like the cold swamp water.