Dawn

A mist of fine snowflakes was curling and flowing about the patch of buildings huddled on the underpopulated land called Ponyville, under a gray, patchy sky. The day was young, a mere 10 minutes after Celestia’s sun peeked over the distant surrounding mountains. The light covered the land with many dim rays, which contrasted greatly with the grim weather. Most of the ponies in town were still asleep in their warm abodes, however the town’s protective swordsponies were bustling about, ensuring that everything was orderly and protected. In spite of the time, the village's guardians were not the only ponies stirring.

        On this casual sunday morning in the farmhouse of the Freehold family, the fire was ablaze in the brick fireplace, with a steady flow of smoke rising through the chimney to meet with the brittle morning air outside. The one and only colt, Dexious, was fast asleep in his excluded bedroom which was located to the left of the open entrance to the kitchen, while everypony else was scattered about the house. Mama—who was called Millicent— was cooking breakfast, and engaging in light conversation with Grandpa—going by the name of Brom—as he told stories of his experiences as a soldier during Equestria’s first war in 1893. Everypony was waiting and preparing for the return of Millicent’s husband—Florin, who has been away on a dangerous adventure to lead his platoon to explore the far side of the Everfree Forest.

        “Ah, yes, my child. We did, indeed, learn a lot about each other. We were forced to stick as close together as possible! We trekked through every inch of the Everfree that we could,” Brom said to Millicent, as he weedily adjusted his position in front of the warm fire, “until we reached unbearable weather or rough terrain. We kept hidden behind large trees and in drained riverbeds. We did anything we could to stay as discreet as possible!”

        Millicent carefully raised the heavy cast-iron lid from the large cooking pot and set it aside. From the old shelf to her left, she picked up a wooden spoon in her mouth and began to stir the contents of the pot in a fluid, clockwise motion. The juices sizzled audibly around the pot’s contents. Millicent blew the flame from below the kettle.

Dexious awoke with a loud yawn and hobbled out of his bedroom, eyes squinting from the dim morning light, and his snout raised high at the scent of Millicent’s wonderful cooking.

“Mornin’, Mama. Mornin’, Grandpa. When is father going to come home?” Dexious questioned, trotting over to Brom’s side.

“Mornin’, handsome,” Mama joked. “Florin will be home very soon. Come get some breakfast!”

Dexious eagerly ran to his mother, who had already prepared a plate of food. The young colt snatched the plate quickly in his mouth and ran back over to the zeal fire. Brom was tossing another log into the fire as it created a passionate blaze that filled the room with light and warmth. Brom jokingly snatched a small portion of Dexious’ food and giggled, sticking his tongue out at his grandson. Dexious hopped up and tackled his grandfather in a joking manner, pushing him to the ground. Dexious rolled onto his stomach and stood, laughing, as Brom did the same. A familiar creaking noise came from behind the ponies. Millicent, Brom, and Dexious turned in synchronization, locking eyes at the opening door at the front of the room.

“I’m home!” Floris said, as he entered the home. Dexious ran to his father, pouncing on him with an affectionate hug, similar to how he tackled his grandfather moments prior. Floris laughed. “I missed you too, Dexious.”

“Hey, dad.” Floris said to his father-in-law, while shaking Dexious off of his neck.

“Howdy.”

Floris walked through the living area to Millicent and put a hoof around her neck, and pulled her into a hug.

“I missed you the most.” he whispered softly into her ear.

“I missed you too, Flor. I love you.”

“I love you too, Millie.”

“How was it?” Millicent asked, tilting her head. Floris was usually full of stories after his long adventures out of the home village. He usually craved the lust in everypony’s eyes while he told his tales in a kind of a zealous drama. But today he was not the same Floris that Millicent knew. Something was wrong, and she knew it.

“How was what?” Floris replied. Floris loved to be sarcastic with the family, it was his way of adding humor to his life due to their annoyed reactions. Millicent looked at Floris in a near-frustrated grin, as she always did. “Heh. It wasn’t bad, but we need to be careful.”

        “Well, aren’t you glad you’re back?” Millicent asked, shoveling Floris a large plate of food. She had told him that breakfast would be special made for his return, so he shouldn’t eat beforehand. He didn’t eat a meal, but on the walk back he did stop for a brew and a warm snack despite what he said.

        “I’m not. I’ll have to head back out soon. That’s what I was saying to you. We have to be careful.” Floris replied, gulping down a large hoof-full of his meal. “They’re coming for us, the godmother’s army. We’ll have to keep a close watch and keep everypony inside for a while. If she captured us, what would that do for the rest of Equestria? We’re the center of organized military. Matilda’s army is purely retired militia. Equestria needs us.”

        “Oh dear. Well, what should we do if they infiltrate us? What will they do to us?” Millicent asked, her voice cracking through her slight tears of worry.

        “That’s what we don’t want to find out. I have to keep them out. I don’t want to know what they could do to you, and they only way they will get to you is if I’m dead. Anything could go wrong, unless I stop it first.” Floris explained. Brom waddled to his father's side, frowning through a tear-filled face, imagining the worst.

        “Oh, Brom, It’ll be fine. I promise.” Floris said, picking up the colt and grasping him in a loving hug. Brom sniffled and stopped crying, and through a cracking voice tried to speak.

        “I... I just don’t want... I don’t want to lose anyone again.”

        “Don’t worry. I’ll be in control of it. It’s going to be okay, I promise.”