Ashes

Ash and I stepped up to the edge of the tower. From here, we could see down the staircase leading down to the main part of the bridge. A little further than that,we saw the end of the bridge, where it connected to the broken landmass beyond.

Below, on the bridge itself, I could see overturned carriages and the half-rotted bodies of a dozen hollows. Some knelt with their arms stretched skyward. Others were shuffling mindlessly through the carnage. One of them was leaned up against the gate that led off the bridge, his arms tangled through the metal grate.

“There are a lot of them down there,” I said, drumming my finger on my spear. “Think we can fight our way through?”

Ash put an arm out in front of me. “We might not have to. Take a look.”

With the sound of grinding metal, the gate crept open. The hollow leaning against it stumbled backwards, tripping over the small flight of stairs and landing hard on his back.

“What’s going—”

A hair-raising howl echoed through the empty sky. A four-legged figure came bounding out from beneath the gate. At first, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. From this height, all I could see was greasy, matted gray fur. It dawned on me soon enough that I must have been looking at a dog of some sort. A very poorly kept dog, if the tangled fur and bald patches were anything to go by.

I watched as the dog pinned the fallen hollow to the floor. Even from here, I could hear the snarling, gargling, and ripping flesh. It didn’t take long before the hollow went limp and the blood pooled around him. Two more equally monstrous looking dogs charged out through the gate before it started to close.

We watched as the few hollows still capable of rational thought tried to flee, only to be ripped apart as soon as they turned their backs. Not that they could have made it too far anyway, based on the destruction I’d seen flying in.

“Are we just going to stand here and watch?” I asked.

“What would you suggest instead?”

I frowned. “I don’t know. Rescue them? Anything aside from just stand here and watch them get slaughtered?”

“Then turn around. Don’t watch.”

I smacked him on the shoulder. “Why don’t we help?”

Ash shrugged. “There wouldn’t be any point.” He turned away from the bloodbath below. I guess he didn’t really want to see it either. “Those hollows down there are already gone. When that happens, when they just shut down, then they’re too far gone. They might as well have just sicced their dogs on a graveyard for all the good it’ll do.”

“I still don’t like looking at it.”

“Then don’t.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Then by all means, Sunset, go down there and help.” His voice was barely a whisper, but the force behind it still made me hesitate.

“Fine, what do you suggest?” I tried my beast to ignore the sounds of carnage.

Ash sighed as he sat down on a broken section of the wall. “We wait until the hounds move on or until their master calls them back. Then we’ll see if we can slip through without drawing too much attention.” He patted the space beside him.

“I’ll stand, thanks,” I said.

“Suit yourself.”

I walked over to the wall opposite him. It was still intact enough to lean against. I rested my spear on the wall beside me. Closing my eyes, I tried not to think about what was happening just a few feet away. It wasn’t very successful. Without the scenery to occupy my mind, the noises took center stage.

I heard tearing and barking.

But the breaking point was when I heard a voice. My breath caught in my throat. It was faint, almost imperceptible . . . but it was there. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but he sounded terrified.

“Did you hear that?” I blurted out, straightening up.

“No.”

“A voice—“

“No,” he repeated, more forcefully.

Careful not to fall, I leaned over the wall beside Ash. Below, hiding behind one of the overturned carts, I saw a hollow. He was huddled in a ball, making noises that almost sounded like weeping.

“Ash, one of them is—”

“He’s not.”

I looked at Ash, then back down at the man. One of the dogs was sniffing around on the other side of the cart, painting the ground red with the blood and bits hanging off his muzzle. Up closer now, I could see the sharp teeth.

“Fine. Guess I’ll do it.” I bit my tongue. With one swift motion, I snatched my spear and took a running jump over the ledge. My sudden flight snagged as Ash caught my arm.

“Are you insane?” He asked flatly.

“I’m here to help. That includes them, too.” I nodded toward the hollow below.

Ash sighed. Without another word, he released his grip, dropping me. I slid down the wall’s slight incline until I hit a ledge, then jumped. The overturned carriage rattled as I landed on top. The noise got the nearest dog’s attention.

Under normal circumstances, I could never imagine hurting a dog. But this monster, this thing, was no normal dog. Insects and strange growths were tangled in its fur. What I originally thought were bald spots, we open wounds, revealing the animal’s bloody innards. If I’d eaten anything recently, the sight alone would have been enough to make me sick, let alone the smell.

The beast swiped at the carriage, its viscous-looking claws carving deep gouges into the wood. My spear wasn’t long enough to reach from here, meaning I’d have to drop down to fight the dog on equal footing. The other two dogs were still busy feasting near the gate. It would be now or never.

Taking a deep breath, I threw myself from the top of the carriage. I hit the ground and rolled to try and break my fall. I stopped sharp, using my footing to twist back and swing, catching a set of rotten jaws on the spear handle. It gnawed on the wood in an attempt to reach me.

With a heft, I knocked the beast aside, breaking our stalemate and forcing it away. It sped off, out of reach of my weapon, and made a wide turn before charging head-first back at me. I dropped low and tightened my grip. It took a running leap at me, just as it had the first hollow.

Perfect.

I pushed forward, bringing the sharpened tip of my spear up and straight through the beast’s belly. It yelped as the spear-tip slipped through its ribs and out the back. I held it aloft for a few seconds, until it stopped moving completely. Only when I was sure it was dead, I tossed the body aside and wrenched my spear free.

I didn’t have time to relax, though.

My little show had caught some unwanted attention and now the last two dogs were running towards me. I flicked the blood off my spear and readied for round two. As if sensing my intentions, both animals skidded to a stop.

For a long while, we stood, staring at one another. They snarled and barked, but kept out of my range. For my part, I kept my spear steady, watching and waiting for the slightest hint of an advance.

Their next move caught me off guard.

Without getting any closer, the dogs split up and started walking opposite directions. One left, one right.

They were trying to flank me.

Good to know they were still smart enough to do that.

I tried to back away without breaking my defensive stance. I needed to keep them at a distance, at least until I had a plan to put them down. Of course, that window closed immediately when I heard another growl behind me.

I turned to look at the new sound.

It was an instinct, driven purely by a moment of panic. It didn’t occur to me how bad of an idea it was until I’d already done it. The instant they were out of sight, the hounds charged.

Alright, cadets, listen up! Today, we’re going to learn a very important lesson!

Time seemed to slow. I recognized the voice of the memory immediately. One of the guard captains responsible for training new recruits back in Equestria.

Some of you have been asking about the spears. Well, today, I’m going to show you. All of you, come at me.

I remember asking the same question. That sparring session served as a better lesson than any classroom could hope to teach. I felt my muscles tighten and my senses sharpen as the memory replayed.

I twirled my spear through the air, whipping the blunt end around like a club to catch the first dog in the chest and sent it sprawling into the dust face-first.

And that is why the Royal Guard carries spears.

As the second dog lunged, I swung through, carrying the momentum of my first strike through while lifting the weapon over my head in a pirouette. The pointed tip carried that momentum straight down, smashing the second dog’s skull flat against the floor while splitting it open from the top.

In a situation like that, there is no better weapon.

I glanced over my shoulder to see the third dog coming at me. I pushed down on the weapon’s shaft and yanked it free. I pulled with more than enough force to rip the weapon free, using it to slam the butt of the spear into the third dog. I couldn’t see it, but I could feel bones break against the blunt strike.

A sword is great, a fine weapon . . .

The first dog had recovered and was making for me in a straight line. I side-stepped its lunge and plunged my spear into its side, carving open the scars along its flank.

But master the spear . . .

It was back to a one-on-one fight. The dog that tried to sneak up on me was now limping around me in a circle. I sensed hesitation from it. Good. That meant it was my turn now.

I took a step forward, only for the dog to turn tail and flee.

Not on my watch.

With a running start, I pulled back and launched my spear as hard as I could. It sailed through the air before landing in the dog’s back with a sickening squelch. The beast fell limp on its side.

To master the spear is to master the battlefield itself.

I doubled over, hands on my knees and a smile on my face as I panted. If I ever made it back home, I would have to thank the instructors. And heck, maybe I’d even attend a few lessons, polish up on my skills.

The hair on the back of my neck stood as a sound interrupted my reminiscing.

The patter of paws on the stone behind me. I grabbed at my dagger and twirled around to face the new challenger. It was already in the air. I raised my knife, ready to defend myself.

Then something struck my assailant, and it dropped harmlessly to the ground.

I recognized the bolt in its neck as one of the ones Ash had purchased back at the shrine. I glanced up at him to see him loading another bolt. Once the weapon was reset, he slipped it onto his back and climbed down the same way I had.

“I had it under control,” I said, wiping a loose strand of hair out of my face.

“I know you did.” He motioned toward my spear. “That was an impressive display.”

“What can I say?” I shrugged. “I had good instructors.”

“Clearly.” Ash nodded. “Training like that isn’t something a normal soldier receives. Who taught you?”

“I had a few different teachers.”

Ash crossed his arms. “You don’t strike me as much of a soldier. An aristocrat, maybe? I understand that sometimes they’re trained as a sort of hobby.”

“Sort of.” I shook my head. “I was a . . . student.”

“A student?”

“Yeah.”

“What kind?”

I retrieved my spear, then paused. A student of Celestia. It wasn’t difficult to say. I remembered Celestia. But then, why did it sound so wrong?

“For Celestia.”

Ash crossed his arms. “Celestia?”

I nodded. “My mother. She was the leader of our kingdom back home.”

“So you’re a princess?” Ash asked.

I froze. I . . . I wasn’t a princess. Had I . . . Why did I say that?

Ash put a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you alright? You’re looking a bit distressed there.”

I shook my head. “Just a bit homesick.”

It wasn’t completely a lie.

“Right, we can save the talking for later. Right now we need to keep moving.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “First things first, let’s go check on that Hollow, make sure he isn’t hurt.” Ash shook his head, but motioned for me to lead the way. I did so. But as I walked, my mind and heart raced. I could picture the regal alicorn in my mind’s eye, but I was missing a crucial piece of information.

Was she my mother? No, that didn’t feel right. A caretaker, maybe? Possibly just a close friend? What was my relationship with Celestia?

The answer was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t shake it loose.

I couldn’t remember.

Well, shit.