The God of Sleep Has Made His House

I could feel the warmth of the fire before me, its orange light flickering across the small campsite that I resided in with my two Equine guests. They lay on the opposite side of me, relishing in the warm light, empty plates in front of them.

They were hungry couple of ponies, especially the little one.

I didn't eat, though. I lost my appetite. For some reason, the image of the two Equines I buried back at the fort would't leave my mind. Their charred flesh, their pained expressions, just the fact that they were Equestrian ponies, one of the most innocent of species in this world, bothered me to no end.

I can already tell I'm going to lose sleep over this.

At least the two next to me were safe.

That's all that mattered at the moment.

I buried the two Equines as quickly as I could, while the rain poured everywhere and all around.

Almost as if the sky was crying for those two.

They didn't die quick deaths.

I buried them as quickly as I could, while Willow and Dash waited for me under a ramp by the gate,

I was surprised that they didn't take off when they had chance.

From what I could concur, Dash was affiliated with this part of the Kingdom (we are only off the Great Southern Road by a few miles), and the fact that I killed a shit load of griffins, not to mention one right in front of her, didn't help my cause.  She also had the little filly to think about. Having a young one around a cold blooded killer, to me, doesn't seem like a good idea, no matter if I saved them or not. Yet she still stayed, waiting patiently, while I honored the corpses of two fallen innocents.

She truly is the Element of Loyalty.

I left the bandits strewn about where they lay, in puddles of their own blood and feces. Rabid animals don't deserve final rites.

May the devil, Mzelchevks himself, take their god forsaken souls.

Once all was done, I led the two over rock and twig to my camp, which lay about half a mile into the forest surrounding the fort. Dash seemed fine, but Willow grew tired quite quickly, so I picked her up and placed her on my shoulders again (much to her delight), while he continued to the mouth of a small cave within an outstretch of rock.

In the cave lay assorted supplies that I had brought with me for the mission, namely: food, extra clothes, assorted weapons (small ones, anyway), ammunition for my gun (which are expensive to make, by the way), sleeping supplies, and a map of the area.

Before this night, I had been tracking Abinchova for about two weeks now, much to the concern of my family, who thought that this was a job for the Royal Guard, or even the Legion, not one of the Red Sparrows.

My mother, especially. She worries her beak off to much, in my opinion.

I keep telling her that she's gonna get heart problems if she doesn't relax every once in awhile.

My little sis was especially worried. Being just a chick (she just turned 6 last month), I've been around her whole life so far, guarding her and the others, and have always been the one to play with her when off duty, to hold her and rock her to sleep when mom and dad are working late, and especially to bandage her scrapes when she practices flying. I've always been near, and now that I've been gone for about a fortnight now, she must be worrying her little beak off like mom. It's cute, actually.

She's a good kid, though, and I love her all the more her worries.

My dad wasn't concerned. He felt proud that I was chosen to kill one of his enemies from the war. My fiance wasn't concerned, either. She knew my job and it's expectations she she agreed to marry me. Hell, she's known me my whole life in this world, so far, going back to when I was first brought to the Capital's palace when I was seven. Her love and support has always seen me through most of these....unpleasant assignments, and the fact that she would consider marrying not only a creature outside her species, but a fucking monster of creature (or so I think, at least)

Gilda. Man, I can't wait to get home to see her. She and the others are probably pissed that I haven't sent word out since I left. I'm probably going to be in for in it when I get home.

Anyway, (I apologize for going on and on up there. I just love my family) the trek to my camp was quiet, save for the sounds of the woods around us. There was a lot to talk about, but I preferred that we didn't speak so much so openly. Abinchova's bandits were dead, that's for sure, but since the Dominion's collapse from the Civil War, there are many other Bandit tribes out there, stalking the Wilds. As soon as we had reached my little "home away from home" and had started a fire and eaten, I felt that it was necessary to begin first.

"Now that you two are nice and fed, would you care to tell me how you came to be here, Miss Dash and Willow?"

Dash looked towards Willow, whose content look had shifted into one of sadness. I could only imagine what that little filly has been through.

"If it's alright with you, Lucifer, Willow here doesn't really want to talk about whats happened."

I turned my gaze to the filly, tears apparent in her eyes. Big brother mode activated.

"It's alright, little one," I said in a sympathetic manner,"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. Just know that I'm here for you."

The little filly hiccuped a sob, before nodding her head.

"Thank you, Mister Lucifer."

"You can call me Lou, or Louie if you want. It's what my little sister calls me."

The little filly smiled, giggling at the nickname, while I wiped away stray tears from her eyes.

"Thanks, Louie." Man, she had to pick THAT nickname? Well, whatever makes the kid happy.

"I'll stick with calling you Lucifer, dude. Sounds cooler, even though it's a weird name," Dash stated from her spot next to Willow.

I Chuckled. If she only knew where and who I got that name from.

"It's your call, Miss Dash."

A pout sprung from her face at the mention of the word "Miss".

"Don't start that 'Miss' crap, bro. To frou-frou for me. Dash or Rainbow is just fine."

"I'll keep that in mind, Dash," I said with a nod my head, causing her nod in return.

"Now, are you up for explanation, than?"

She seemed to hesitate, before releasing of sigh of pent up nervousness.

"Yeah, I can talk about it. Minus a few punches and death threats they didn't do much to me before you showed up."

Behind the brave front and relaxed manner she was trying to put up, I could clearly tell she was still shooken up about what had happened. I had to commend her bravery.

"Than please, continue," I said, before filling up her cup with some fresh tea that I had boiling over the fire.

She took a sip, before starting her tale.

"I was flying up ahead over the Great Southern Road, on my way to the Capital, when I saw these griffins attacking a bunch carts or something filled with other griffins. So, I thought that I should go down there and help, you know? So I flew down there and I punched and kicked as hard as I could. But there were just too many of them for my awesomeness to handle, so I was finally overwhelmed and knocked out. I woke up tied and gagged in a cage with Willow here in what I'm pretty sure was a dungeon or something."

"Were there other's in this room?" I asked. Dash shook her head from side to side.

"No, it was just me and Willow. But I remember hearing screaming, and than a smelling a very funny smell, like hayburgers or something, before passing out again. Next thing I know, me and Willow are being dragged up to the room that you saved us from where this griffin was...h-he....o-oh my...g-g-gosh...."

Dash trailed off as she began to choke up again. She began to sob slightly as she looked to the ground, tears dripping from her face, forming a puddle by her fore hooves. I knew what that griffin was going to do. He was going to rape her. Her and Willow. Fucking Christ. No wonder why the little one didn't want to talk about it.

I pulled Dash and Willow into another hug, both of them sobbing again, while I stroked both their manes, trying my best to calm them down.

I'm not usually one for hugs from strangers, but these....shit, they needed them.

"Don't worry, he's gone, their gone, no one is going to touch you two. You're both safe and sound."

We were all silent for a few moments, allowing them enough time to calm down once more.

I released the two from my embrace, while they sniffled and wiped their eyes and noses.

"Better?" I asked, calmly.

"Y-yeah. T-thanks, Lou. I-I'm sorry for being all mushy and stuff, I just-"

"Dash, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry or ashamed of."

She looked at me with a sad smile.

"Thank you. Thank so much."

I nodded my head, returning the smile.

"If I can ask one more question, why were you on your way to Monolith (the Capital), anyway?"

Dash look towards the fire, it's flickering light dancing across her eyes.

"I'm going there to make amends with a friend. That's all I'll say on that."

"Fair enough," I replied with a nod of my head "And I guess you two have earned some questions. So, ask away, than."

Not even a moment had passed before Willow's hoof shot up into the air.

Goddamn, that little filly is adorable.

"Go on, sweetie. What do wanna know?"

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, Louie, what are you? I've never seen a creature like you before."

An understandable question. She deserved an honest answer. Willow looked at me with childlike curiosity, eyes sparkling with anticipation. Dash tried to appear nonchalant about it, but I could that she was also interested in my explanation.

"I'm a human, Willow. And before you ask what a human is, I can't really tell you much about them."

"Awwwwwwwwwww, why not, Louie?" she asked with a befuddled frown. I swear, her adorableness is going to kill me before a bandit sword will.

"Because, when I first came here, I was very young. Only about seven years old, to say the least. I didn't get to learn much about my species before than."

"You mean there's no humans in Equestria?"

"There's no humans at all, sweetie. I'm the only one."

I've thought about that before, you know? Being the only one of my kind. I've thought about it quite a few times, actually. But, I never really felt it hit home until I saw the sad look on that filly's face when I said that. I felt alone for a brief minute, casting my glance to the floor, while being serenaded by the melodies of crickets and nocturnal animals in the woods and all around.

I felt a tiny pair of hooves wrap around my booted leg, as I looked to meet the teal of eyes of Willow.

"I'm sorry that you're all alone, Louie," she said in the sweetest, yet saddest voice I've ever heard. I felt her little muzzle brush against my leg, as if try to console me.

I truly felt touched by this. I didn't cry, though. Not one tear. I wanted to. I wanted sob and weep for some strange reason. But I couldn't. Too many tears were shed so far. No more tears.

I picked the filly up and brought her into an embrace; tender, warm, and safe.

"I'm not alone, Willow," I said with as much care as I could muster, "I have friends and family waiting for me in Monolith as well. As long as they love me, than I'm never truly alone."

The little filly looked up at me with her glossy eyes, a look of hesitation on her face.

"C-can I be your friend, too, Louie?" she asked.

One tear. That's the universe was getting out of me tonight. Just one stray tear that fell down the side of my cheek.

"Yes, Willow, you can be my friend," I managed to choke out. She raised her little hoof to wipe the stray tear off my cheek, before nuzzling the side of my face.

I placed her back on the ground and turned to Dash, that same smile upon her face,

"You're a big softy behind all that grit, huh?"

I chuckled at her comment.

"That's what everyone tells me. I can be big and scary one minute, than a big teddy bear, the next."

"Can I ask you something, now?" Dash asked.

"Go right ahead, Dash."

"I think I heard about you a long time ago, but I want to hear it from your mouth. Who are you, really?"

Once again, another understandable question, and one that deserved an honest answer.

I stood up to my full height, took off the cloak that enshrouded my body, revealing my armor and sword in their full glory and I said with reverence:

"I am Lucifer, foster son of King Braig and Queen Ysolda, Lieutenant to the Order of the Red Sparrows, and Un-Prince of the griffin Kingdom of Allerseen, at your service."

I dipped my head with a bow, to show my respect to my peers.

Willow and Dash looked at me with awe, their jaws practically hanging to the floor.

"Y-you're a Prince?"

"An Un-Prince, but in theory, I guess you can say I am."

"Well don't leave us hanging! Tell us more! What's an Un-Prince?! Why and how did the king and queen adopt you?! What are Red Sparrows?! How di-"

I rose my hands to stop the barrage of questions.

"Girls, please, please settle down. I would love to sit down and answer your questions. I said that I would. But the hour is growing late and you two need your sleep."

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!" Dash and Willow cried out in annoyance.

"You can't tell me that you both aren't the least bit tired?"

"No!" Willow exclaimed, before a tiny yawn escaped her muzzle,"Well....maybe a little."

"Come on," I said, picking the filly up again "Bed time for the little princess."

I looked over towards my rainbow named companion.

"You two, Dash."

She grumbled to herself before a large yawn escaped her muzzle as well.

Hah, called it.

"Alright, alright," Dash mumbled,"But in the morning, you are finishing your that explanation of yours."

I chuckled quietly. "It's a deal, Dash. Come on, you and Willow can share my sleeping bag. Don't worry, it's washed and everything."

"What about you, Louie," Willow asked, sleepily.

"I promised that I'll keep you two safe, so I'll keep watch for tonight."

I felt a sleepy nuzzle against my cheek.

"Thanks, Louie."

"Your welcome, little one."

I brought the sleepy filly further into the cave, Dash already making herself comfortable in the sleeping bag, placing her under the covers and tucking her in as best as I could.

I began to turn around to sit at the cave entrance before a sweet little voice called out to me again.

"Louie, can you sing me a song to help me sleep?"

"I-I'm not that great a singer, sweetie," I said, shyly.

"It's okay, Louie, I don't mind,"she said in a tired mumble.

I shook my head, smiling softly.

"Okay, I'll sing you a song my mom used to sing to me when I was young."

I sat down on the floor next to Willow, her eyes half closed from exhaustion, but still so full of life and curiosity.

I cleared my throat before singing in a calm, sad tune:

"In a strange land

the God of Sleep has made His house

Of marvelous design.

Under a hill, there is a cave

which of the son may nothing have

so that no griffin may no aright,

the point between the day

and the night

so that inward

there is no light

and so to speak of that without

there stands no great tree about

where upon might

crow or magpie alight

to call or to cry

there is no cock  to crow the day

neither creature which might noise make

Upon the hill and all around

there is growing on the ground

poppy which bears the seed of sleep

a still water

all the time

is running over the small stones

and it gives great desire

too sleep

too sleep...."

The little filly was snoring softly, her tiny chest rising and falling calmly. Dash's fore legs found the filly pulling her into an embrace as they both slept calmly; safely.

I smiled before turning to the cave entrance and taking my place by the fire.

I looked up to the night sky, the stars twinkling like fires; the nocturnal breeze against my flesh felt soothing.

"and thus full of delight

sleep has his house....."