This is only a teaser it is not the first chapter nor is it the whole of any chapter. Enjoy what is to come.
When I woke up this morning I was up before anyone else but only a little early. I made the bed and cleaned up my area a little then waited for Shining to call roll.
“Alright everyone up and at'em-” Shining said. His mouth hung open when he saw me like he was going to say another word but couldn't. He closed his mouth and went back to his chambers for a few minutes.
“Breakfast is in the dining hall. Shadow in my office now.” I looked at the others and everyone had the same ‘what did I do?’ face. I entered his office.
“You're not in trouble.” Shining said as I walked in.
“That's good to know.” I replied.
“I have to send in a quarterly report to Luna. I've done this the last 3 years and all of yours have been spotless. So much so that I had to bring Luna down here a few times to prove I wasn't tampering with the reports. In 3 years you've proven to be a great candidate for promotion to a Captain.”
“Well not to be rude but it would make sense that I'm a great candidate for captain since I once was one.”
“You were?”
“I captained a group before the fall out. I was on my way to being what you are today.”
“I'm sorry it all fell out.”
“It's ok, it allowed you to take the place later on and you do a good job.”
“Thanks. I'm putting you in as a candidate you're likely going to get the promotion. I've already talked to Luna about this but we're going to push out a small changeling encampment tomorrow just inside the forest. I want you to direct the whole thing.”
“I won't let you down.”
“You won't let me down but I do want one thing.”
“What's that?”
“Most every captain in their first battle proves themselves. Prove yourself to be the best there can be.”
“You aren't ready for tomorrow then.”
“That's what I want to hear.” We shook hooves then he let me go get breakfast.
“What was that about?” Plains asked me.
“A promotion.” I replied.
“Already! I've been here 5 years and never been given that option!”
“Well I've done this before so I have experience you don't have. If I were to put all the years together it would be around 15 years of experience.”
“Well I guess it makes sense then.” Plains was the only one in the group I really talked to. We had similar interests and wills. The rest of the day went by rather quickly since there was no work. However before we hit the deck for the night Shining told everyone tomorrow's plan.
“Alright tomorrow is different from the usual. Your captain tomorrow is Shadow. Any questions you have tomorrow should be asked to him. He will have the same decision making power as me. What he says goes no dilly dallying understood?” A simultaneous yes came from everyone.
“Good. Now good night.” The morning came quickly. I was up before shining as usual.
“Alright everyone up! I see you're ready as per usual Shadow.” Shining said
“Of course.” I replied.
“Well you're in charge now.”
“What do you act as today, Shining, one of them or an observant?”
“Both.”
“Ok then.” I roused everyone again.
“Eat quickly, we’re on a time crunch.” We got a move on eating quickly then getting out there.
“There's at least 8 more of them than there are of us.” Plains whispered.
“Its alright, use your surroundings.”
“I don't know if I'm comfortable with these odds.”
“We’ll be alright.”
“The camp is too open we’ll be seen as soon as we leave cover.”
“That's fine, we are trained fighters, they're not.”
“On your word then.”
“Go!” We tore out of cover like a bat out of hell. We surprised them but they still out numbered us. Everyone in the group managed to kill one just on surprise. Then we were in full fisticuffs.
“Help!” It was Plains he had been bombarded with 4 changelings. I ran over taking out one with my blade and the other with my hoof.
“Are there more coming from the forest!” Ratchet yelled. I looked over and he was right a good sized hoard was running over.
“Shadow I think it's time to go!” Shining yelled.
“Take cover!” The hoard was too large for us to take on and too close to run now. I took flight and cast multiple spells in quick succession. Shaking the ground beneath there feet I caused them to fall I then sent a shockwave which sent all of them flying backwards.
“Are we clear?” I yelled.
“Yes but we have wounded” Ratchet yelled.
“What?” I yelled as I turned to the group and rapidly descended. It was Plains he had been stabbed, it appeared.
“I yelled for help too late.” Plains said.
“We need to move him now.” I said.
“Let's walk, I'll get him bandaged up.” Shining said. I carried Plains while Shining worked to get him patched up.
“I can't get the bandages to stick to themselves.” Shining grunted.
“tie them off!” I yelled back.
“They can't tie off, the ends are rigid!”
“Stop pulling it so tight!” Plains yelled.
“I'll hold them there!” I yelled.
“It's too far you won't be able to hold them that long with your magic.” Shining replied.
“I don't care how you do it, just don't have it so tight!” Plains yelled.
“It has to be!” I yelled back to him. It was 30 minutes back but at 20 minutes in Plains wasn't looking good.
“How's he holding up?” I asked.
“He’s out cold and real pale.” Shining said. I tightened my magic’s grip on the bandages. This caused Plains to grunt in pain.
“you're not looking too good either, Shadow , you're draining yourself trying to hold those bandages.” Shining said.
“That's not our only issue. Plains is bleeding out of his mouth.” Ratchet said.
“We don't have time for this.” I said.
“Shadow, we'll make it back. Fly him back to doc.” Ratchet said.
“I'm leaving Shining in Charge.” I took off I turned the 10 minutes left to 5.
“Doc, I need help!”
“What's happened?” he replied as he walked out of a room.
“Follow me quickly.” He said as he caught a glimpse of Plains. I followed him into another room and laid him down.
“The bandages weren't even stuck!” He yelled at me.
“They wouldn't stick. I had to hold them the whole time.”
“That's because they were faulty.” He pulled out a new bandage and used that.
“How long has he been bleeding like this?” Doc asked checking for a pulse.
“Twenty to twenty five minutes.”
“Alright, get out, I need space.” I left the room and waited. It wasn't even 3 minutes before doc came back out.