Morning Song Counselling, Rolling Brook, Four and a Half Years Before the Events of A 14th Century Friar in Celestia’s Court…
“You haven’t been able to get even a single word out of her?” Song asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise. “As in, she hasn’t verbally responded to anything you’ve said, or as in she hasn’t said a word period?”
“Not a single one of my soldiers has heard so much as a single word out of the poor girl’s mouth,” replied Captain Argent Sabre, her voice muted in the confines of Song’s office. “We suspect she was taken from her village in a raid, as that would fit the broader pattern and her accent wasn’t native to where we found her, but we don’t know for sure. The only reason we know her name is ‘Alsahra’ is because she wrote it down for the Legionnaire who found her.”
The magenta-coated unicorn captain looked unusually somber as she sat across the desk from Morning Song, PsyD. The doctor noted that Argent’s armor, the steel barding of the Royal Expeditionary Force, had lost much of its luster. The armor’s red-and-gold trim looked faded, and the red crest of her helm was ragged.
Given that the captain had just come from a warzone, most would not have thought much of it. But Morning Song was a psychologist, and she’d come to know Argent Sabre very well over the last few months. Whatever ferocious combat she saw over the borders, the REF captain’s battle harness was always immaculate by the time she made it back to friendly lines. Rolling Brook, the town where Song practiced, was some thirty miles from the border. Which means that she hasn’t taken the time to polish her barding or fix the crest, reflected Song. That, more than anything else about Argent’s comportment, worried her.
“Well,” earth pony psychologist remarked, leaning forward in her chair and tapping one alabaster hoof against the desk, “it’s not uncommon for trafficking victims to be afraid to talk.” Argent said nothing, but averted her eyes. That’s not a good sign. “But the fact that you travelled back here to tell me personally means there’s something more going on.”
Argent nodded. “Quite so, I’m afraid,” she replied, her customary Trottingham aplomb doing little to hide her discomfort. “You see, Alsahra is skittish and fearful around everypony, as is to be expected, but she still speaks to some, I’ve been told. It’s…” she bit her lip, then pulled off her helmet, letting her silver mane flow freely as she ran a hoof over the helm’s ragged crest. Song waited, knowing that there was no point in rushing her. “…it’s my soldiers she’s afraid of.”
Song’s gaze softened. “Well, I can only imagine how hard that is, having the ponies you’re rescuing being afraid of you.” It’s not the first time it’s happened, but maybe it’s just now getting to her. “Just remember that seeing armed ponies is likely to set most of these victims off, especially the ones that don’t speak Ponish and don’t understand they’re being rescued. Other patients you’ve brought me have—”
“You don’t understand, Song,” Argent snapped, her crimson eyes blazing as her gaze met Song’s. “It’s my soldiers specifically that she’s afraid of.”
Song blinked. “What?”
“Oh, she’s fretful and nervous and largely silent amongst other members of the Task Force,” continued Argent, “but she breaks down sobbing every time she sees Equestrian infantry. I had to pull two Germane Stormtroopers from the field just to escort her back here.” She gave a bitter snort. “The fact that they were less threatening to her than my ponies doesn’t sit right, and that’s not anything against the stormies.” Her eyes narrowed. “She’s terrified of Equestrian soldiers, Song, and I bloody well want to know why.”
Morning Song sat back in her chair and brushed at a golden lock that had slipped free from her predominantly black mane – an unconscious gesture of orderliness that manifested in the face of confusion. Equestrian peacekeeping forces were a welcome sight in most war-torn countries, given Celestia’s millennium of consistently honorable foreign policy. Generally, the only creatures that weren’t happy to see them in such situations were the despots and warlords who provoked their involvement. Thus, while it wasn’t uncommon for victimized ponies like Alsahra to be fearful of armed creatures, they generally calmed down once they discovered those soldiers were Equestrian.
For this to have the opposite effect… Song shuddered at the implications. “I’ll see if I can get her to open up to me,” she said at length. “Remember, though, she may not want to talk about what happened to her, or even where she came from. It could take months, even years to get her to open up. I know you need information but…” she shrugged.
Song knew that the practical part of the captain would hate waiting for intel – after all, her troops depended on it. But Argent was an honorable and compassionate soul who remembered a soldier’s first duty. She would never allow Alsahra to be hurt further by pressing too hard. The captain dipped her head gratefully and said, “Thank you, Song.”
“Thank me when I’ve helped her,” responded the psychologist, rising from her desk. “Take me to her.”
They made their way through the clinic to the patient’s room. Sure enough, a hulking white stallion in the distinctive black armor of the Germane Sturmtruppen Korps stood guard at the entrance. While they were still several yards away, Argent stopped. “This is as far as I go,” she announced, staring at the door. “I… I don’t want to risk upsetting her if she catches a glimpse of me.” There was a tremor in her voice as she spoke. Song put a comforting hoof over her friend’s withers. Argent didn’t seem to notice. “Celestia, what happened to her?” she whispered.
“I’ll do my best to find out,” Song assured her as gently as she could. Argent gave her a sad smile of gratitude and departed.
Once Argent had gone, Song took a deep breath and approached the door. The Stormtrooper was a fearsome specimen, bearing many scars. A wicked-looking Zweihänder was slung at his side while an arming sword rested nearby against the doorframe; he looked eminently capable of wielding both. But his smile was genial as he greeted her, “Guten tag, Ärztin Song. Here to see Alsahra?” His accent was thick, but hardly indecipherable.
Song nodded. “Please.”
He knocked gently on the door. “Oberleutnant Klinge. Die ärztin ist hier.” A smattering of Germane was heard in response. “She says you go in, Doctor. I remain here.” His eyes were sad as he added, “Alsahra not do so good with stallions. Oberleutnant Klinge better for calming her.”
“Thank you, Trooper,” Song replied, pushing her way inside.
Oberleutnant Klinge, a pale-grey pegasus mare with black mane and violet eyes, was seated on the floor in the corner of the room. She’d dispensed with her armor and stacked it on the far side of the room. There was no weapon in evidence, and Song guessed that the arming sword leaning against the wall outside was hers. Klinge’s wing was laid over the back of a tiny brown mare with blue hair, who had huddled fully into the corner. The little mare was trembling, emitting a sound too weak to be a whimper, but too fearful to be mere breathing.
In the last months, Song had become more familiar with that sound than she ever thought possible.
Morning Song exchanged a silent greeting with Klinge, then stepped deeper into the room, making her hoofsteps as obvious and non-threatening as possible. “Alsahra?” she called out, her voice bright and gentle. The young mare froze in terror, and Song’s heart bled. “<My name is Morning Song,>” she said in Alsahra’s native Somarelian. “<May I come in?>”
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Klinge’s wing shifted, and from beneath it poked Alsahra’s head. The instant Song saw her face, tears threatened to consume the psychologist. It wasn’t the scars, nor the eye swelled shut by a beating, nor the emaciation, nor even the brand on Alsahra’s cheek. Song had seen all those things before and, horrible as they were, she’d become somewhat accustomed to the horror. No, what set Song off was that Alsahra wasn’t a mare at all.
She was a filly.
A filly who was old enough that she might be mistaken for a small, young mare, yes, but a filly nonetheless. Sweet Celestia, those animals stole this poor filly—
Song chopped off the selfish thought. Agonizing over what had happened to the girl would appease her own outrage, or at least seem to, but it wouldn’t help Alsahra. So, she swallowed her tears, put on the sunny smile of one greeting an old friend, and said, “<Hi, Alsahra. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’d like to talk to you, please, if that’s okay.>”
Alsahra stared at her for what felt like an eternity, searching Morning Song’s face for any sort of deception or malice. Song bore the scrutiny patiently. She’d wait all day if she had to. Alsahra looked over at Klinge, who smiled encouragingly. Finally, the filly gave a timid nod.
Song’s grin broadened as her heart broke. “<Thank you, Alsahra,>” she said, stepping softly over to sit on the floor in front of her, taking care to keep her head at the filly’s level. Alsahra tried to dip her head in greeting, but the movement ended in a frantic jerk as she blinked tears from her good eye. No monster will ever hurt you again, Alsahra. I’ll find out who made you afraid, and they’ll never hurt anycreature again. “<Thank you very much.>”
Somebody's gonna die.
10117513
Well, best case scenario, somepony managed to steal some Equestrian armor and used it as a disguise. The story said it itself:
What better disguise could you ask for? It's like taking the identity of a police officer, but worse. You could assure the filly and even their guardians, "Oh, does she need medical treatment or food? Don't worry, I'll take her to our outpost over there, we'll be right back. Oh, you want to come with? I wouldn't recommend it, the less ponies to protect in an ambush the better."
Easy as pie for anypony with charisma.
Worst case scenario...
It was a real member of the Equestrian forces who took her. Now, I consider this to be unlikely, but the odds aren't zero. If this is the case, then the abductors would have had an even easier time taking the filly away, because they're trained professionals.
IfWhen they're caught, the righteous fury of Argent and Song and just about every other peacekeeper there would fall on them, a fury so bright as to match Celestia's sun. While it wouldn't be much different with the former case – someone using an identity you're proud of to do something so heinous wouldn't exactly instill gentle feelings – this time they're dealing with an oathbreaker. Somepony who swore to use their power and station to protect innocents, and yet turned on that oath to do things to a filly that nopony should ever have to experience.10117642
Cursed oathbreakers your honor's in pawn,
And worthless the vows you have made!
Justice shall see you where others have gone,
Delivered to those you betrayed !
10117513 Very slowly & very unpleasantly at the hooves of both Morning Song & Argent. I have no sympathy for whomever had hurt that filly & hope that their death hurts...A LOT.
10117763
As much as some may hope that, Argent and Song have their own oaths. Maybe they can give them some lessons – it all depends on their view of the rule of law – but in the end they're there to uphold justice in accordance with the system, and that means either a trial or court-martial.
10117808 What I'm saying is that as soldiers, Morning Song & Argent take their oath very seriously, so anyone who breaks the oath is going to not only be brought to trial & court-martialed, but is going to be in world of pain from their fellow soldiers, as well as the Prinesses for betraying their oath to protect Equestria & its citizens.
10117808
Indeed, a vigilante is little better than a thug. 'tis better that grim law take hold, that the headman's axe deliver justice, protect the innocent, and terrify the wicked.
10117642
This is definitely not out of the realm of possibility. For instance there have been some notable cases where drug contraband got seized by local authorities, and then cartel agents posed as DEA agents to walk off with it.
10117972
Yeah, but they can’t take it too far: as Venerable Ro said, vigilante justice can only do so much. I implied that while they may or may not do some “teaching” – some harsh treatment during arrest is the most I’d bet on – I believe they won’t take it far at all: they wouldn’t want to stoop to their level. The real punishment is up to the courts.
We must remember, as Antiquarian said himself, this world is still set in MLP, and fair treatment and due process is more likely to be respected. I feel that the peacekeepers will be the type that won’t take much pleasure in such violence, and would rather take their grim pleasure from the perpetrators being dealt their due by the courts for all to see, shunned forevermore...
Others have analyzed the ramifications of the situation quite thoroughly. The only thing I have to add is wondering what Sunset Shimmer thought of the REF's color scheme.
Well, that and noting you hit the balance of implied darkness and setting-appropriate tone quite well.
10118198 you're right they wouldn't want to stoop to the level of the whomever is causing all these problems.
/\ /\
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10118016
An interesting discussion. Thanks to you, whenever I get around to doing A 14th Century Supplement, I think just war (and justified killing in general) and where the moral lines are will to be the first topic, or at least one of the first topics.
10118234
Okay, this isn't canon because the timing wouldn't line up, but it would be kind of interesting if Celestia had made the REF's colors what they were to keep a reminder of Sunset in front of her.
And thank you. I'm glad to hear you think I balanced that right.
10118554 You're welcome, pone. *Boop*
10117513
Yeah, I want to know who it was too and how it was dealt with.. Even if it's only loosely referred to in a later part of the main story, or here.
Personally, I'm for Morning Song staving their head in with one of her hoofblades. That poor baby.
10117677
Outta my head. I was just listening to that.
I'd also like to know who it was, how the situation was dealt with, and hopefully how is Alsahra doing four and a half years later... at least as a passing mention here or there. It'd be cool.
Like others have said, you hit the balance between a MLP-friendly tone and the darker, far somber, implications pretty well. To be fair, you've done so throughout the entire main fic; it's not just this one chapter.
Thanks for the insight into Morning Song's early military career (ish), and definitely looking forward to more of this fantastic story*!
*The main one, I mean, though I'm also looking forward to new chapters in this supplement :D
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If nothing else, the outcome will be referenced later on.
10118234
10118554
You're welcome, I think.
Oh, and FanOfMostEverything's and others' comments remind me: Yes, I do think you hit the appropriate tone. In fact, it was so immersive that I forgot to mention it in the first place. Kudos on that.
Been going through the comments, and...
Where's the Friar vs. the Dazzlings?
*whew*. Excellent work with this chapter, it really got across the intended darkness without going overboard or feeling inappropriate to the setting.
Would it still be a Zweihänder when you don't have hands? Maybe it's a loanword from a bipedal species, or an artifact of translation for human consumption.
Also, it would be "Die Ärztin", since you're using the (nominative) feminine form of Ärzt.
Minor quibbles over Germane aside, this was a good chapter that hit hard. I hope the perpetrators are brought to justice, and that the honor of the guard can be restored.
10121402
Thanks for the correction. Yeah, we're going to assume the sword name is borrowed because I didn't want to bastardize the sword name.
As for justice... yup. The people have demanded it and now I'll have to work it in somewhere along the line.
A brilliantly grim but nevertheless heartfelt chapter I agree that you have been doing a great job of keeping a measure on the darkness you ascribe to Equestria. Perhaps your story would seem darker if I hadn't read darker stories to compare it to (FoE for instance). Anyway, I hope the little one is given peace of mind and the perps get their just desserts. I also wanted to say that I think you (and numerous other pony word makers) are even better than Brian Jacques, I read several of the Redwall novels but one thing that came to bother me was how black and white his world was the mice and other woodland animals were always the heroes and the foxes, stoats, etc. were invariably the villains. In worlds such as yours yes ponies do get a lion's share of the limelight but they are hardly the practically perfect in every way heroes of Redwall's lore, they are flawed and imperfect and even the heroes themselves flub things up from time to time. Equestria has become one of my favorite escapism locales but despite its fictional nature through the myriad stories I've read I've learned about myself, the wider world around me, not to mention countless trivia topics like farrier work, dabbles of astrophysics, history, culture, etc.*
(* admittedly what little I can remember at any one time anyway).
10122643
Well, thank you. In Redwall's defense, there are a number of heroic characters who come from amongst the vermin ranks (Romsca in Pearls of Lutra most notably, but also several wildcats, rats, etc.) and some scoundrels and villains who come from amongst the woodlanders. Brian Jacques was deliberate in having things be mostly black and white because it's important that kids learn first about evil in simple terms (the obvious evils) before moving into discussing evil and good in subtle terms (people who are charming, attractive, charastmatic, and perhaps even 'on your side' but who turn out to be scum, whereas some people who serve the enemy might be inclined towards goodness and simply need the knowledge of how to be good - again, like Romsca the Ferret). Having read his non-Redwall books from Castaways of the Flying Dutchman, I'm confident that Brian Jacques believed that all people of all origins have equal capacity for good and evil, and that the woodlanders/vermin divide was done as a literary device to reach young readers and nothing more. (To be clear, if Redwall just isn't your cup of tea, I don't have a problem with that. I'm just offering my perspective).
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No worries, I will still say that it might not be my absolute favorite series, but perhaps it might be worth a reread with this new perspective in mind. And it wasn't exactly the whole series nor a particular book in the series, more like a negative impression based upon what I saw at the time as an over-repeated plot device, I think perhaps it may be something akin to using the adage of familiarity breeds contempt. But as you say, I might have forgotten that I was never meant to be the target audience, by all rights (as far as my age is concerned) I should probably be passing my time reading law books or novels by Stephen King not stories about talking animals or possibly prepubescent perplexingly polychromatic ponies.
10123004
I think age has actually improved my appreciation of Redwall. Partially because we all need the simple at times. Partially because I now know a lot more of what Brian Jacques put in his books. He grew up in WWII and wove many themes of the war into his books - the hares are like the RAF pilots, the otters like the sailors, the shrews like dock workers, and so on. The villains represent no particular group, but instead are meant to be tyranny in general - the force against the good must always be vigilant, even if they prefer peace. Some of the books actually end on incredibly grim notes. Salamandastron has such a fierce slaughter that it ends with one of the soldiers weeping and begging to go outside, just to see the sun; Long Patrol ends on a similar note; Martin the Warrior is full-blown a tragedy, even though we know it ultimately ends well for Martin. All of these were informed by Brian Jacques growing up at a time when a lot of young men and women went to war (some fearfully) and never came back, or came back scarred, or came back prematurely old. But, in the same breath, he always showed the beauty and love for which they fought, thus making a point about both the cost of war and the value of that which is won.
In short, I believe that just because something is simple doesn't mean it's not worthwhile or mature. Sometimes the most important things in life are simple. Again, maybe you reread them and still don't like it (they can be repetitive, I fully admit), but that is why I still enjoy them. In fact, I might pick one up on my lunch because of this conversation.You also might try Castaways. It's a very different tone and theme, and is a rather unique trilogy - I've never seen immortality handled the way he handles it in Castaways. I think you'd enjoy it.
10123018
I might just do that, and you are right, that end bit of my previous comment was meant to be an air-quotes snark. But it might do me some good to take a short break from pony words (just a small one).
10123018
I just checked out your suggestion as well as a couple by the pen-author Erin Hunter.
I have rather enjoyed Jacques's work, started back in high-school with me, even collected a fair few of the books, watched the show, and even joined the fan club for a time