Barbarians, part 4


                                            1.
                                            
                                                Previous part: https://ponepaste.org/9738

                                            2.

                                            3.
                                            
                                                > "[Back for more?]" Willow said. He laughed at his own attempt at a joke and turned to the female sitting beside him. His arm was around her and he pressed her closer as he added: "[You know, Thistle practically begged me to beat her.]"

                                            4.
                                            
                                                > His tone was a mix between boasting and humor, and Thistle's first instinct was to scowl and tell him to get lost. Except *she* had come to *him*, and she needed his support. Faking this particular smile was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do.

                                            5.
                                            
                                                > The girl with him was vaguely familiar, one of those background faces from an inconsequential family. It took her a moment to put a name to the face. Inju. Her mother was one of Kantuta's lackeys, and her family produced most of the raw leather Darkhan used to make his tools.

                                            6.
                                            
                                                > She peered at how the two were sitting, at the casual familiarity with which she leaned against Willow. The way she kept one hand on his shoulder, and how she looked at him. There was something deeper going on there, and Thistle could almost put her hoof on it. Maybe if Willow wasn't trying to rile her on purpose.

                                            7.
                                            
                                                "[Can you stop being a donkey's ass for a single evening? We should talk.]"

                                            8.
                                            
                                                > Her insult just made the man laugh harder, and even Inju gave a small chuckle at the comedy. She fell silent when Willow pulled his arm back and told her: "[Go and see if your grandfather needs something. It looks like our little pony has something serious to say.]"

                                            9.
                                            
                                                > Her suspicion was confirmed when Thistle watched Inju plant a quick kiss on Willow's cheek, right before she stood and left the circle of the fire. The kiss wasn't that surprising, and many young lovers exchanged such gestures. What had caught her eye was the way Inju had touched her own belly as she stood up. Willow was left alone with the mare, who sat down to his side, although not close enough to touch.

                                            10.
                                            
                                                > She didn't want to be quite across the fire from the man. Sitting a little closer made their conversation much more personal. More intimate. It was why she had had two chairs and a coffee table in her office back in Ponyville. For some ponies, a more personal touch worked better than a more official one.

                                            11.
                                            
                                                > "[What is it?]" he asked casually. To her surprise he did not sound particularly annoyed that she'd interrupted his evening with the girl.

                                            12.
                                            
                                                "[I've talked to Salki. He agrees we should go to Equestria.]"

                                            13.
                                            
                                                > "[That is your magical land of talking ponies, right?]"

                                            14.
                                            
                                                "[Yes. I think life would be better there for nomads.]"

                                            15.
                                            
                                                > Willow gave this some though, then picked up a stick and prodded at the embers of the fire. A fountain of sparks shot up, some of them landing on him, others settling on Thistle's coat. She'd gotten used to it and didn't even look twice.

                                            16.
                                            
                                                > At length, the nomad spoke: "[Life is not too bad here.]"

                                            17.
                                            
                                                "[Have you already forgotten Adilet and the Ruslans? How many of the camp people died last summer? We have had a peaceful year, but before that it was near constant fighting. How long until some new clan tries to take our lands, and we have to fight again?]"

                                            18.
                                            
                                                > The man gave her a nonchalant shrug and pointed the stick at her. "[This is what we do. We fight over land. It keeps us strong, it keeps our children tough, and it keeps our skills sharp. What will we do in the pony land?]"

                                            19.
                                            
                                                > On some level she knew that his world-view was bad. Violence only got them more violence. She'd seen it first-hand. The Equestrian way was *better*! Yet... having lived the life of a nomad, and having fought beside them, she could also see how his argument made a lot of sense. They certainly were a strong and independent people.

                                            20.
                                            
                                                > Everyone in the clan, even the young, was tough and stoic, a trait which had allowed them to survive - even thrive - in this harsh land. What would the safety of Equestria do to their culture? What would they turn into, if they lived lives of luxury and peace?

                                            21.
                                            
                                                > Then again, their culture was also full of pain, and loss, and cruelty, and slavery. Was it really worth preserving?

                                            22.
                                            
                                                > She firmly shook her head, but still lowered her ears and bowed a little in respect at Willow's well-made point.

                                            23.
                                            
                                                "[There is some wisdom in what you say, but think of the hunger and the hardship we faced in the mountains. Think of the Ruslans rising up from the dark and striking at our old, and our young. Do you want your son to grow up in such danger?]"

                                            24.
                                            
                                                > Willow leaned back in surprise and clutched his smoldering stick with both hands, as if holding a spear against her. "[My what?! What are you talking about?]"

                                            25.
                                            
                                                > His confusion was palpable, and Thistle suddenly realized he hadn't known. Perhaps Inju hadn't told him yet? Maybe the girl herself did not yet understand. Could her gestures have been completely subconscious?

                                            26.
                                            
                                                "[I didn't mean to break this news to you like this. I think Inju is with child.]"

                                            27.
                                            
                                                > "[No, she can't- Inju?]" Willow said, staring in the direction she'd left.

                                            28.
                                            
                                                "[I am very sure. Um, congratulations?]"

                                            29.
                                            
                                                > He turned back to stare at her, eyes narrow in suspicion. "[How do you know? Did Inju tell you this? Are you two conspiring behind my back?]"

                                            30.
                                            
                                                "[I haven't spoken with Inju in a long time. I merely watched her. I may be a pony, but I am a female, too. We notice.]"

                                            31.
                                            
                                                > She thought back to the bits and pieces she'd learned from Xuan, and asked in her best shaman-mare voice:

                                            32.
                                            
                                                "[Was Inju sick some mornings? Do you know? Were her breasts sore? Did she have pain in her belly?]"

                                            33.
                                            
                                                > The hunter looked less angry, frowning in thought instead. "[She had to run from the tent one morning some days ago. Surely it was only the beer we drank the night before?]"

                                            34.
                                            
                                                "[Maybe, but I don't think so. Look, maybe she doesn't even know herself yet. In either case, even if it's not true, you will marry Inju soon, no?]"

                                            35.
                                            
                                                > All Willow did was nod in reply. With Thistle's earlier statement and his reaction to it, this wasn't much of a stretch.

                                            36.
                                            
                                                "[So what does it matter? It will be a happy occasion.]"

                                            37.
                                            
                                                > "[Why are you telling me this?]"

                                            38.
                                            
                                                > She took the opportunity while the man was shaken and unsure of himself. He was treading new ground, and didn't know what to expect, or how to respond, really. She scooted closer and placed a careful hoof on his knee.

                                            39.
                                            
                                                "[Every parent want their children to do well. In Equestria, they will have opportunities they cannot have here. Blacksmithing is common there, and there are more wonderful things. Most importantly, I promise every nomad who goes with me will be safe, and will have enough to eat every day.]"

                                            40.
                                            
                                                > Willow jerked his head to one side and stared at her in surprise. His stick had slipped from his hands and now he crossed them over his belly. He had a distant look in his eyes, not seeing the mare or even their immediate surroundings. Perhaps he was imagining a child he might have someday?

                                            41.
                                            
                                                > It was clear he hadn't been expecting that promise, but he didn't question Thistle's word. She'd repeated pretty much the same thing more than once when she'd talked about Equestria, so it was nothing new. The novelty was in the way this promised land would affect him now. Him and his new family.

                                            42.
                                            
                                                > Her conscience flared up a little when Thistle considered how she was using this world-alerting news to influence his decision, but she needed his support. Willow on her side would go a long way toward convincing Intor, and through her Kantuta and Darkhan. After those, and with Salki at her side, not even Darga could object.

                                            43.
                                            
                                                > She remembered Willow's other friend.

                                            44.
                                            
                                                "[Think of Hisein. We have- um- powerful shamans in Equestria. They could give him his leg back.]"

                                            45.
                                            
                                                > This wasn't an absolute certainty, but a skilled alchemist, perhaps that Zebra in the Everfree forest, might have some trick up their sleeve, even if outright magic couldn't help. Thistle was fairly sure something could be done, even if that something was merely a very advanced prosthesis.

                                            46.
                                            
                                                > "[You really want this, don't you? Why do you want all of us to follow you? Why don't you just go alone?]"

                                            47.
                                            
                                                > The question came out of nowhere and it made the mare step back in turn. That had been razor-sharp, and she stared at Willow in slack-jawed shock. She blurted out the first thing which came to mind:

                                            48.
                                            
                                                "[I can't go up the mountain on my own. It's dangerous, and there are wild animals.]"

                                            49.
                                            
                                                > Willow harrumphed in disdain. "[So? Ask some people to go with you. You have friends. Some hunters - Buygra, and those kids - Zaur and Temir - would go with you. They could even bring back some game for the camp, so it's not a complete waste of time.]"

                                            50.
                                            
                                                > He was right, she *could* do that. If it came to that, she *would*. If no one agreed, she would even make the trip alone, dangerous or not. So why was she pushing so hard for the entire tribe to come with her?

                                            51.
                                            
                                                > The name he'd dropped - Buygra - brought on a memory of Xuan's mischievous smile. She remembered how their daughter was named in Thistle's honor. Mare-friend.

                                            52.
                                            
                                                > She remembered the tender moments she'd shared with Salki on that long trip out West and back. She remembered how Hisein had taught her the way to navigate in the land, and how Janus had tried to teach her fighting with a blade. He'd even made a knife she could strap around her hoof.

                                            53.
                                            
                                                > It had turned out useless, because she needed all four legs for walking, but the thought had been there. He'd taken the time and effort to try and make her a little safer in this dangerous land.

                                            54.
                                            
                                                > A lot of people had shown her kindness, even while she was technically a slave.

                                            55.
                                            
                                                > She also thought about Fen Ko and Ning, and about Gol, and poor Tashi, who was finally beginning to smile again after her ordeal in the Ruslan camp.

                                            56.
                                            
                                                > Saule had gone after Tashi with the men, since she was the most skilled with a bow. They'd been friends back then, before there was this horrible jealousy between them.

                                            57.
                                            
                                                > Maybe if Thistle got herself a stallion husband, Saule would finally let go of her suspicions?

                                            58.
                                            
                                                "[Because-]" she said slowly.

                                            59.
                                            
                                                > She swallowed a lump, and lifted her face to look at Willow, eyes brimming with sudden tears.

                                            60.
                                            
                                                "[Because I have many friends in the camp. I care for many of the nomads, and I want them to have better lives. Even-]"

                                            61.
                                            
                                                > This would be hard to say, and she squeezed her eyes shut. She had to force the words out through her teeth.

                                            62.
                                            
                                                "[Even you, in some way. I thought you were a bastard for the longest time, but-]"

                                            63.
                                            
                                                > He burst out with a chortle at the jab, but didn't Say anything. It was still enough to interrupt her train of thought.

                                            64.
                                            
                                                "[You are. You're a donkey's ass, but you want what's best for the people. You've grown since you became the first hunter.]"

                                            65.
                                            
                                                > Willow reached out his hand to tussle her mane. "[You're an ass, too. I still think I should have beaten you when I first got you until you stopped talking. Things would have been easier.]"

                                            66.
                                            
                                                "[Maybe,]" she agreed, grinning. "[I'd kick you every time you came near me, and I'd bite you every chance I got. You wouldn't have bows, and you wouldn't have horses. No bread, and no path to Equestria.]"

                                            67.
                                            
                                                > "[Maybe,]" Willow said, neither agreeing, not really disagreeing. "[I will consider your proposal to go. I will speak with Inju. We will see.]"

                                            68.
                                            
                                                > The mare groaned and pushed forward, right in front of his face.

                                            69.
                                            
                                                "[Not good enough!]" she growled. "[I'll get a 'yes' from you, or I'm really going to kick you right now.]"

                                            70.
                                            
                                                > "[Try and I'll break your leg!]" Willow grunted in reply, all mirth suddenly gone from his face. His eyebrows drew down and his eyes flashed with anger.

                                            71.
                                            
                                                > She nearly backed down and apologized, but a stubborn streak made her flare her nostrils and blow a lungful of hot air out. It made impressive swirls of fog in the dim light of the fire.

                                            72.
                                            
                                                "[I'm stronger than you, and I'm tougher. The only leg broken would be yours.]"

                                            73.
                                            
                                                > Thistle tensed, ready to spring aside. She visualised herself turning around and bucking at his midriff - carefully so she didn't permanently injure him, but strongly enough to put all thoughts of fighting her out of his mind.

                                            74.
                                            
                                                > For a long second, neither of them moved. Then Willow's face relaxed. "[Good. If this is so important to you, I will support the idea. On one condition.]"

                                            75.
                                            
                                                > She kept glaring at the man for seconds out of pure shock. Surely he wasn't backing down? Maybe *he* was the one having that monthly heat nomads had instead of Inju? She'd seen how erratically the females acted sometimes.

                                            76.
                                            
                                                "[What? Why?!]"

                                            77.
                                            
                                                > Willow shrugged and picked up his stick again. He gave the fire a good poke. "[I wanted to see if you were really determined. You always try to please everyone, I had to know this was something you want, not something someone else told you. I know you want to lead, even if you hide behind Salki. I don't care like my mother does, but our leaders have to be strong. It's why I didn't care that Darga was Chieftain. She is strong.]"

                                            78.
                                            
                                                "[Why are you weirder every time I talk to you?]" Thistle groaned. "[What's the condition?]"

                                            79.
                                            
                                                > "[If we go to your pony place, and it is not as good as you say it is. If you are lying, you will come back with us. I will whip you until you learn your place and obey. You will give us more secrets, like the bow, and I will make sure you don't get distracted. Either way, the clan will have a better life.]"

                                            80.
                                            
                                                > It was a hard thing he was asking for. Could she do it? How sure was she that Equestria would be better for all of them? Could she lie to him now and pretend to promise? Once in Equestria, she could seek sanctuary with the Princesses. They would never let them take her away.

                                            81.
                                            
                                                > The mere thought of such betrayal left a bad taste in her mouth. Besides, she would need to return sooner or later for Rainy Day anyway. She shook her head and lifted a foreleg. She held it out to him.

                                            82.
                                            
                                                "[I swear it.]"

                                            83.
                                            
                                                > After a momentary pause, he grasped her fetlock and they shook.

                                            84.
                                            
                                                "[So that is it?]"

                                            85.
                                            
                                                > "[Yes. I will speak with Mother. I know you only came after me because you need my help to convince her. She has the power in Darga's inner circle, not me.]"

                                            86.
                                            
                                                "[You keep surprising me, Willow.]"

                                            87.
                                            
                                                > He just gave her a smirk, and she responded by sticking out her tongue at him.

                                            88.
                                            
                                                "[Tell me when you are talking with your mother. I will be there.]"

                                            89.
                                            
                                                > "[I will tell you. Now either cook me something to eat, or go away. I'm hungry.]"

                                            90.
                                            
                                                > She opted for the latter and left him in peace.

                                            91.
                                            
                                                > Her head was reeling from the conversation they'd just had.