The Marrow of the Spirit Book One: Ashes Against the Grain

Agalloch was hardened warrior, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of his enemies, braved the Wild and it's many horrors, and traveled all the way from Sanfaran, crossed the whole of Arkon, which was currently being attacked and it's people massacred, and made it as far south as Equestria, all within the matter of two months, with a small filly, no less. Yet out of all the horrifying things he's seen and done, nothing seemed to strike more terror into him than the thought of...public speaking. He never thought he would have to go through something like that. The most he had done was give a short speech to some soldiers under his command, soldiers who had known him for a long time and trusted him with their lives, and even that was terrifying. But here he stood, behind a stage, in the middle of a town full of peace loving and harmonious ponies who have never seen anything like the likes of him before, and had to address him. He felt like a swarm of butterflies was in his stomach, and continued to pace back and forth.

The only with him behind the stage was Cherry, who looked nonchalant. It was easier for her, she didn't have to do any of the talking. Yet still, he understood why the Mayor wanted him to do this, and why he should do it as well. Agalloch was hoping to build a new life here, to start from scratch. He had no money, no friends, and no job, but he had determination. He looked down to the blade he had strapped to his waist. He Knew the Mayor advised against bringing this instrument of death to the meeting, but he couldn't leave it behind, not with all that has gone on. This sword was one of the last reminders of home he had, of his family, of his order. He hoped that some Rangers had made it out of the war. Actually, it was very plausible that some had. The Prince was most likely alive and in the Griffin Empire, and his personal guard was always lead by a Ranger of the rank of Throne. Thrones where nothing to mess with it. The Rangers were the best of the best. Thrones were better. And if they made it out, than who better train the next batch of Rangers, and in turn, prepare for glorious revenge against the Minotauri?

Not Agalloch. He had a new life to lead, and a young one to raise and provide for. He would barely be seeing his twentieth year in a couple of months, barely being considered an adult by Arkonian law. He was to young to lead, to teach and was tired of fighting. For Cherry, he would put down the sword, and work like an honest man.

Agalloch's thoughts were cut off when he heard Mayor Mare, who was currently telling the town it's weekly announcements, begin to introduce him and Cherry.

"And that is the news for today. But if you will all stay a moment, I would like to introduce somepon...er, someone new to our beloved town. Now, he is not a pony, but he is a friend, as is his sister, who is pony. Please hold all questions until he has finished speaking his piece. Now please, give a warm welcome to Agalloch, and his sister, Cherry."

There was no applause, just uncomfortable science. Well, thought Agalloch, this is it.

He looked to Cherry, who looked up at him and gave him a reassuring smile. Well thought Agalloch this is it. And, with a sigh, ascended the back stairs and onto the stage, with Cherry close behind.

Agalloch was at his full height, towering over the audience. There was audible gasp from the crowd, and some ponies at the front of the stage began to back up. Agalloch looked to Mayor Mare for reassurance, who smiled nervously, and with her hoof, motioned for Agalloch to speak. He saw the crowd nervously murmur among their selves, and more than a few that looked like they were about to leave any minute. He knew it was now or never, so just as a pair of ponies were about to leave, he steeled his nerves and called out to them:

"Please, don't go."

The sheer amount of sadness in his voice caused the crowd to silence, and the ponies that were in the process of leaving to stop and look back.  They all stared at the strange creature, dressed in black tattered clothing and carrying a big sword, waiting for him to continue. Even a certain rainbow maned pegasus, who looked ready to pounce at the strange, armed creature, sat back down, with avid curiosity. It looked menacing to Rainbow, and without a doubt, must be dangerous, but it's tone of voice is what caught her attention. For being a creature so tall, it's voice was soft and calm, but it's tone was riddled with sadness, and sounded very worn out, almost defeated. She settled next to her friends, who looked among each other, faces brimming with concern and curiosity, and with them, gave her attention to the creature.

"Please, I know how I look, how I'm dressed...what I am...but please, just let me talk."

He received no objection from the crowd, so taking it as a sign, he continued.

"My name is Agalloch Alcest Ja' Kruil Steel, and the filly beside me is my little sister, Cherry Pop. We are from a kingdom from the Far North, a kingdom that no longer exist. I know I'm not a pony, I don't even know what species I am, but i was adopted when I was an infant by a loving pony family. There was my father, Bright Steel, my mother Spring Dew, My big sister Summer Isle, and my big brother Birch Black. They are all dead."

The crowd gasped again, with rapt attention upon the two in the center of stage. Agalloch felt horrible once again, thinking of his loving, yet indisputably dead, family. The tears were coming back. He could feel their tingle as the descended from his eyes and moved down his cheeks, only to drip from his face and mingle with frost at his feet. He found it harder to not avoid the subject of his home's current state, but he felt that what must be said should be said. He wouldn't mention what had happened throughout the kingdom though. He didn't want to scare his audience to bad. He just wanted to speak his mind and tell the truth, but he found it harder to continue his tale.

"My home village was razed to the ground, and most of it's people killed. There is no life for me or Cherry, there. So we traveled for two months, through the worst of what winter could offer, living off what ever I could forage, to escape the...event...that has happened to not only out village, but our whole kingdom. I know I may look like a freak to you, but...Cherry doesn't deserve this. She deserves a family, friends, and a home, not...tragedy. And...it's so hard...I...I am barely considered an adult, where I'm from, and here I am, miles and miles from home, with a child in my care, no job, no home, but with determination....and love, I could try and give her the best life I possibly can. I don't ask that you trust me, but please...please, at least don't shun us. We've been through enough. Thank you, for hearing me out."

With that Agalloch gave a small bow, and looked over the crowd. There was hardly a dry eye in the audience, all staring at the weeping creature, who bent down to his knees and took his little sister in his arms, and rocking her back and forth. For once, Agalloch didn't mind the stares, the looks, any of it. His sister needed to be comforted, and he would comfort her. Of he was hurting this much, then imagine how bad Cherry was feeling. She was just a child, after all, and no child should ever have to go through the horrors that they endured.

Towards the back of the crowd, not even Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria and Ponyville's toughest pony, could stop tears from flowing from her eyes. The creature could be lying about everything he had just said, could be playing all them for fools, and than devour them for breakfast tomorrow morning for all she knew, but that didn't feel right, not anymore. She didn't know why, but she felt shamed for even thinking it. And with that, she knew what she had to do. With barely a second thought, she floated above her friends, who looked at her with questioning faces, and glided to the stage, landing next to the two siblings. The two looked up from their embrace and at Dash, awaiting her next move. Dash and Agalloch locked eyes with each other, one with eyes willed to the brim with loss, and the other will eyes filled to the brim with compassion. Dash's next move surprised not only each other, but Mayor Mare, her friends, and the rest of the crowd. Dash extended her forelegs as wide as she could, and pulled the two into a comforting hug, one in which Agalloch and Cherry happily returned. And, through all the misery and sadness, the two felt something that they haven't felt in awhile. Hope. And it felt good. Peaceful.

The crowd began to cheer. They actually began to cheer. Agalloch couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. He released Dash and picked up Cherry. He wasn't expecting this kind of reaction, but there they were, stomping their hooves and shouting out many greetings. He turned looked down to the pegasus at his side.

"Thank you" He smiled at her. She smiled back at him.

"It was no problem, dude."

Agalloch extended his hand in greetings, while Dash put her forehoof and shook it.

"I'm Agalloch, miss....?"

"Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria. Nice to meet you Agalloch, and you too Cherry."

Cherry waved at Dash, with a small smile on her lips. She hadn't seen her brother this happy in a very long time, and in turn, that made her happy as well.

Mayor Mare walked up next to Agalloch, and addressed the crowd once more.

"Please welcome Agalloch and Cherry to Ponyville," she said enthusiastically.

The cheering grew tenfold, before slowly dying down when Mayor Mare rose her hoof and began to shush the crowd.

"I'm sure you all have questions that you would like to ask our new friend here, but before all that, I must speak to him in my office first, to sign the proper papers of citizenship so on and so forth. As of now, this meeting is adjourned."

Before Agalloch turned to follow Mayor Mare off the stage, he looked towards the crowd, before they all departed, and addressed them one last time.

"Thank you, all, for being so understanding...and so kind. This is why i brought us to Equestria. Some kingdoms are legendary for their hoards of gold, their tales of valor, or unfathomable cruelty, but Equestria is known throughout the world as a kingdom of the up most kindness, and what better place is that?"

With that said, he turned to follow the Mayor, leaving behind the stage, with a rainbow maned pegasus sitting there, watching him leave. She didn't know why she had done what she did. It just felt...right. Agalloch turned his head and smiled at her, mouthing a thank you. Rainbow returned the smile, and walked back to her group of friends.

"Well, that was mighty unexpected, 'specially comin' from you, RD," Applejack stated, with a smug smile "Ah thought he had to earn yur trust."

Expecting Dash to grumble about it, they were surprised to see her in deep thought.

"Yeah, well, I felt bad for the guy. I knew he wasn't lyin', the truth was in his eyes, and by going on what he said, nopony deserves what happened to those two. I mean really, a whole family...murdered...and a whole kingdom gone. I have a few questions for him."

"As do I," Twilight  mused "I noticed that he never said what kingdom he's from, and what exactly attacked his people. I will have to research it later, but if he goes to the party tonight, than I would really like to ask him about, and why is he came to a meeting armed, fro that matter."

"But, um, I don't think you all should all barrage him with questions...if that's ok with you, I mean," Fluttershy said, quietly "He does have a right to privacy, and would, um, tell ponies about when he's ready."

"I know, Shy," Dash replied "but we just want to know. But maybe you're right, maybe we should just give him some space for awhile." Her friends all looked at her, astonished at what they heard.

"What?" asked Dash, annoyed.

"Who are you, and what have you done to the real Rainbow Dash?" asked Rarity, jokingly.

Dash grumbled. "Shut it, Rarity." And with that, the friends trotted back to Sugarcube Corner, where a party would be held for the towns newest residents, and hopefully, a new set of friends with it.