Hard Steel

As the thousand-stallion army lined up in preparation for the battle that was about to begin, the general galloped back and forth across the front line. “All right men, we’ve all worked hard to get here!” The general shouted proudly. Amongst the crowded rows of soldiers there stood Steel Skin, listening intently and with enthusiasm to the general speech. “We’ve all poured our blood sweat and tears into getting ready for this day!” The general roared, his strong voice being followed by the shouts of the motivated troops, Steel Skin stomping on the ground with his front legs and shouting with the other troops. “Today is the day we make history, our names will forever be remembered in the proud, long halls of history and a thousand years from now when ponies remember this day they will know that each and every single one of us fought with all our heart and with all of our guts!” “YAAHH!!!” the thunder of the soldier’s voices rolled across the field. A black wave rose across the hills and the distance. “The enemy approaches!” The general said calmly but still loud enough to be heard by the whole army. “Now get out there….and…WAKE UP BOY!!” “Huh, what?”

Steel Skin snapped back into consciousness from the shout. “I said WAKE UP! Your darn daydreaming is gunna put you behind on your work again boy!” Steel Skin’s uncle Heavy Hoof, a tall broad masculine stallion with a brown coat and a black mane, was collecting the crops in the row next to Steel Skin. “I’m sorry uncle, sometimes I just can’t help it.” Steel skin explained, pulling out a carrot by its root, and placing it in his basket. “I understand Steel, but we have a lot of work to do, winter is just around the corner and we can’t afford to fall behind. So please Steel, just stay focus for the rest of the day, and then you can dream all you want tonight when you’re asleep ok?” Heavy Hoof said softly with a beckoning look, and a carrot in his mouth. “Ok uncle, I will.” Steel Skin Said with an honest face.” “That’s a good boy now lets finish this up so we can get supper ready.”

Steel Skin was a seven-year-old horse with a shiny silver coat and a dark gray short mane who lived his uncle in a barn on a small ten-acre plot of land outside of New Canterton. Steel skin sometimes daydreamed while working before but recently his mind has been drifting into fantasy more frequently and for longer periods of time, making focusing on his work nearly impossible. Steel Skin’s mind stayed in reality long enough to finish harvesting the carrots and potatoes and as he made his way to bring them inside when he suddenly spots a group of five royal guards steadily trotting towards the gate at the entrance of the farm.

“What are royal guards doing all the way out here, at our farm?” he quietly said to himself. As the guards entered the gate Steel Skin shouted for his uncle who was just coming out of the barn. Heavy Hoof had seen them coming at the same time Steel Skin did. He had hoped that they were just going to pass them by, but deep inside he knew why they were here.

The five lightly armored guards stopped right in front of Steel Skin. They were all staring him down as if sizing him up, little did Steel Skin know that’s exactly what they were doing. The Stallion in the center, the captain from the looks of him, brought his head down to face Steel Skin’s.

“What’s your name young one?” he asked with a stern voice. Steel Skin immediately noticed that he had full legionnaire armor instead of just a breast and back plates like the rest of the guards. Another thing that Steel Skin noticed was his long red cape. He liked it and imagined himself in such attire.

“His name is Steel Skin, and I am Heavy Hoof. What is it you want?” Heavy Hoof stated while he walked up next to Steel Skin. The Captain raised his head from Steel Skin’s to face Heavy Hoof.
“You sir, pleasure to meet you. My name is Captain White Mane, and I am looking for young and talented colts for recruiting.”

“My nephew is a bit older then a cold but, recruiting for what exactly, might I ask?” Heavy Hoof asked quickly but calmly, his eyes locked with White Mane’s.

Captain White Mane, giving Heavy Hoof the same amount of attention, said “I cannot disclose much information, but atop Mt. Snow Point there is a training facility that specializes in turning talented youth into the most elite warriors in all of Equestria. We start when they are young and train them until they are old enough to be assigned certain duties. Mind you that this is for many years, and he may not leave the grounds without permission”

“Well that kind of decision isn’t made right away I’m sure you understand. And we have a lot of work to do so….” Heavy Hoof was interrupted by one of the guards behind White Mane.

“We haven’t got all day, either he’s coming or not!” White Mane quickly turned around and stared down the guard with a scolding look, then turned back to face Heavy Hoof.

“My apologies Heavy Hoof, my grandson Reign is usually not so rude.” The guard looked no older then ten years old. He obviously was not an official guard but must be high ranking to be assigned armor and a weapon. White Mane looked at Steel Skin and asked “What is your opinion on this young one?”

Steel skin turned towards his uncle who gave him a look that said it’s up to you, then back at the tall stallion in front of him and said “I wish to go, but first I must have time to help my uncle finish our harvest before winter comes.
White Mane stated “I am sorry but we leave for Snow Point the day after tomorrow, we cannot wait any longer. Do not fear I will assign some men to help your uncle finish before we leave. You may have the rest of the day to spend saying your good byes, and by seven a.m. tomorrow you must report to our camp on the other side of New Canterton.”

Heavy Hoof exclaimed, “That’s five miles.” Steel Skin gave his uncle a look of confidence, but knew it was not going to be easy.

“Well then you had better get up early “new blood”.” White Mane’s grandson said with a smirk.
Steel Skin glared at Reign as if accepting his challenge then looked back at White Mane.

"I'll be there and thank you for helping my uncle, I already feel bad enough I'm leaving him." Steel Skin turned to see his uncle's slightly sad face.

"Is this alright with you Heavy Hoof?" White Mane asked with an expectant look.

"If it is what the boy choses then I cannot disagree. Yes, he can go." Heavy Hoof said solemnly.

"It's settled then, I shall see you tomorrow young one. Enjoy your last hours with your uncle for a while." White Mane turned around and began to leave, he signaled for the others to do the same.

"I will," said Steel Skin quietly to himself "I will".