Mama had already been made aware of the travelers beyond that ridge, and she gave it no thought.

"They're much too young, you know? Lots of em are just travelers that need a place to stay. If they mean trouble they'll get more than they bargained for."

"Mama, I'm not asking for much. I just think we should get a few of your colts over on that ridge just to see what they find. If they're really travelers they probably would've left some kind of track behind. Travelers don't watch their backs."

"Yea well in this day they do. Steel hot on their hinds sometimes."

She had a point.

"Look Mama, I'm not asking for much. They'll just trot up that way and be right back down the hill in time for dinner."

This didn't seem to convince her very much, she'd drawn her hoofs up to her face. She was visibly upset by the proposal. She'd sat there and took three or so deep breaths, just her face in her hoofs. I was never a father, let alone a mother. I'd cut her some slack.

"Here, I got a deal for you if you're welling to at least lend a hand."

"Yea what've you got in mind?"

"If you give me and Bell one of those unused shacks to stay in until we are gone, I'll search the area myself. If I run into any trouble you'll hear it."

Her head shot up and stared me down, joy filling her eyes. She'd been crying silently.

"I'll take it as a yes. I'll check it out in a few."

The walk wasn't too far, but the hill had divot after divot dug into the side, so I had to watch my step rather carefully to not twist a hoof. The grass had started to turn a brown color, fall had started and the leaves had created a crimson canvas on the ground. It may fill in these holes with them, but at least it was a gorgeous sight. Its at times like these that I almost forget I'm carrying a weapon. I just want to sit down and look out upon nature's own watercolor painting. I want to take it in.

I don't want to have to take a life again.

Bellona seemed to feel the same way, I could see her cradling her rifle loosely against her chest, gazing down from atop the hill. I made it up to her, and saw exactly what she did. Letting this image seep into my mind like a fine wine, or a good song.

The whole mountain had turned red and orange, like a waving ocean of fire. The grass leading to it created a beautiful foreground of a mixed green, yellow, brown, and red splotches all the way to it's base. Halfway there was a river, which forked towards the swamp we'd come from. The swamp was, from this view, a dark mess, like a black ink stain upon a perfect painting. Looking opposite from it was a lake, it was small, almost like an oasis amongst a desert of red and brown. Looking down upon this was almost like a brick road, leading straight to Canterlot.

"Looks like nopony's here." I'd broken the precious silence, which was as fragile as a wine glass.

"Looks like it alright." Bellona quietly muttered, she'd knelt to the ground, water pooling in her eyes.

"You know, when I was a kid, I remember places like this. I used to pick up a leaf and crinkle it in my hoofs. My father was a soldier, not like one of those mercenaries you've been fighting, I don't remember him much but he promised he'd be home by fall. I remember when we got the news, my father wouldn't be coming home."

"Yes, I know what that's like. Ponies like me can't keep those promises all the time. God wants us back and he'll take us back if he pleases."

"My Dad though, he had so much to do, left so much behind. Why would God take him?"

A tear welled in right eye, and passed it's way to the left. A glistening stream making across my face.

"I don't know your Dad, but soon enough I might know God. Before he sends me to hell I'll ask."

Author's Notes:

I think it's important to see what happens between war. War may be a living, breathing, and bleeding battlefield, but the world turn anyway, almost without a second thought to the people who inhabit it. I wanted to capture how this world can stay so beautiful, even in a time where people are struggling to survive. This isn't a real chapter, but I'm getting back into writing.

I'm working on a novel right now, I'm toying with the idea of people learning to love their captors, that and the human nature behind war. Obviously it's not pony related, but that's because I've kinda moved ahead of horsewords.

I promise I'll keep you guys in the know, whenever I upload something I'll put a note.