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// 19 - Lodgings// Story: Ponyfinder: Roots of Stone// by David Silver//------------------------------//

As evening settled over the city, many of the tall lantern posts around Tree began to light themselves up. The flame appeared with a soft click, banishing the dimming light of day in a brilliant display of wealth. The entire city seemed to be well-lit and ready to weather the evening without so much as a bit of shadow bothering them. Even Canterlot had less complete coverage in artificial light, from what Tree Hugger could recall. "Far out..."

She looked around slowly as people seemed to become more active, rather than less, as the evening hours set in. The flow of the city felt alien to her, but the sounds and smells... Some of them drew at her, and she began to wander. Bright gave a soft caw and tapped at her back. "What is it, little dude?" He could only caw and stare at her. Surely he meant something by it, and she frowned that she didn't comprehend what it might be.

"We have to teach you how to talk, little dude. That'd be wicked."

She felt the presence of another approaching and turned to see a man in green tunic and pants approaching. He had a wild mane and beard, though seemed well-enough cared for every other way. He was moving directly for her, his brown eyes set on her. "Tree singer, hold there."

Tree tilted her head. "That's Tree Hugger, but that's pretty close for never having met before. What's up?"

He seemed surprised at that. "I meant that as more of a generic moniker, miss." He knelt down to more of her level. "Are you speaking to your companion?"

She looked over her shoulder at Bright, then back at the man. "Trying to. Why, are you a translator?"

A smile showed through his beard. "Of a sort. We are kin, you and I. Nature itself is our mother, and the challenge of survival, our father."

Tree Hugger gave a slow nod. "Radical. Can you hear the song of the trees then?"

He stroked that thick beard. "I can, and the chatter of the animals, the flow of the earth, and so many other parts of nature's grand symphony. It was perhaps fate that drew us here. I hadn't intended to stay longer than the day when the siege descended and made travel precarious. I would also see what destruction this brings and seek to minimize it. Such is our duty, after all."

Tree tilted her head slowly. "Is it?"

He seemed surprised at her response, and spoke a word in a dialect she didn't comprehend. When she just stared at him further, a frown spread over his features. "Who introduced you to these circles?"

She shook her head placidly. "Like, no one, man. I learned the song of the trees when I was young. They felt so... alive and righteous. Other ponies just saw trees, but I saw more. I saw friends. All the animals and plants have their place in the weave of life, even ponies." She smiled up at him. "Or humans."

He gave a single nod. "You speak truly, but your training is worryingly sparse. Your heart is in the right place, and your mind, clearly ready, but you know nothing of the druidic traditions. I confess, I wouldn't think someone so ill-learned could get as far as you clearly have." He gestured gently at Bright Feathers. "Your companion is a mark of your power. He has grown strong and powerful compared to others of his kind in thanks to his bond to you."

Bright gave a soft caw and spread his wings wide as if displaying them to the man. He laughed at it. "Yes, I can see. You were surely powerful before you met her, or she would not have selected you for the honor." Bright seemed mollified by his answer and ruffled his feathers.

Tree's ears danced between the two. "Woah, you can talk to him? Wicked!"

He nodded as he rose back to his full height. "I can. He understands you. A clever bird, he may even learn how to speak back in time. I've become so distracted, I haven't even introduced myself." He bowed to her deeply. "A pleasure to meet you, Tree Hugger. I am Harold of the Oak, initiate of the seventh circle. And I would take you aside, if you allow. There are so many little things you must learn if you are to be a druid."

She tapped her chin. "I was already a total 'tree singer' before I got here. Why would I need to do extra things just for a title?"

"With understanding, comprehension. You walk the path, but know not its purpose or measure. I will not turn you from it. Nature itself forbid it. We are kin, as I said." He put a hand to his chest. "Two or four legs matters little. I've spent a fair amount of time on four myself. If nothing else, you should know how to greet your comrades, and to converse in a way that preserves our secrets. Not every song of nature is meant to be passed on."

She seemed to consider this a moment. "Alright, Harold. I like the vibes I'm getting from you. Lead the way. Like, I need a place to stay the night too."

He snapped his fingers in a uniquely humanoid sound. "Then we'll take care of two things at one. Come, there are things to learn." He turned and began leading the way. "'Tis unfortunately rare that I come across ponies. They are a kind species, and usually gentler to nature than others that would build cities. Not without their rough edges, of course. No people that can claim to be 'civilized' can avoid it entirely."

Tree Hugger nodded politely, even if the meaning of some of it went over head head. "Like, sure. Are there other ponies around here?"

"Within the city? I know of one. He works as a guard." Harold glanced over his shoulder. "Hardly work fitting a pony, but it allows him to survive, and he does it well. That is nature's way."

A little frown came over Tree Hugger. "Just one? He must be lonely."

"He found a companion." He pushed open the door to some kind of tavern or inn. There were a few huddles of people around tables, and another behind a bar, but Harold moved past them with scarcely a look. As he stepped onto the stairs, a sharp whistle called out.

"Bagged yourself a damn horse? Druids got exotic tastes." One of the patrons jeered at Harold, wagging his brows in quite the suggestive fashion.

Harold ignored him, and ascended the stairs. Tree Hugger looked over at the man with some confusion before trotting up behind Harold a moment later. "Some people can be so gnarly at times," she grumbled softly.

He waved a hand towards her. "Pay them no mind. They cannot even hear the song of their own heart, let alone that of nature itself. Here we are." He produced a key and soon had a door open, leading into a simply-appointed room with a bed, washing bin, mirror, and little else. It was a place to sleep, and it had some privacy. "Welcome."

She stepped inside and softly kicked the door behind herself. Bright Feathers took flight and perched on top of the mirror easily, looking down at them. He cawed and flapped his wings loudly before folding them back up and cawing again.

Tree Hugger tilted her head at her companion. "What is it, little guy? Are you hungry?" She hadn't fed him since lunch, so she produced a mouthful of seed for him to peck at. "Now then, lay it on me, Harold."

Harold sank onto the edge of the bed. "A curious turn of phrase, but fitting. The language of nature itself, or so we prefer to think. Druids know the language, and to tell anyone else is to forsake being a druid. Can you keep this entirely to yourself?"

Tree felt a stirring in her. The green pulsed through her body, urging her gently towards this. "Like, I think the trees want me to. Lay it on me," she repeated with a little smile. "And thanks."

The evening passed with words far too secret to be written here. Their time was short, so he stuck to the most important phrases, while slipping in little tidbits of the path druids must walk. "It is not enough to hear nature. We must champion its message. We are her paladins, as sure as any crusader."

Tree tilted her head. "But nature is, like, everything, man. It loves you, and will eat you. It forgives, and punishes."

He held up a finger. "True, and this is why we must hold balance in ourselves. Wild zealotry does not befit us, save to keep the dance continuing. The song must be sung, be it a gentle lullaby or a raging fury. Even its worst storms have a purpose, so, even if you gain the power, don't turn them aside easily. You may do more harm than you understand. Learn, comprehend, and keep the song going."

She clopped her forehooves together as she curled her lower legs, assuming a meditative pose. "I can totally dig that, man. That's how this whole far out adventure began."

He looked at her quizzically, so she continued, "I was called to move a tree. This totally sweet oak was parked where it shouldn't have been. It was in pain, er, he. He preferred he." She smiled at the memory. "I was going to move him, and shook something loose beneath him, and it took me and my friend here, to this place."

"Where is your friend now?"

Tree sighed gently. "She's stuck outside the city. It's a total drag, but this war is really stressing us out. I got a lot of supplies for them and I need to get it back to them."

He raised a brow high. "Why don't you bring it to them now? You clearly have a way inside the city."

She nodded quickly. "Well, yeah man, but it's too heavy for me to carry as a bird like Bright Feathers."

He reached under his bed and pulled out a staff that he used to prop himself up quickly. "Nature has done you quite a turn this evening. Come, we'll get your supplies to your friend, and I can continue my journey."

Tree Hugger turned for the window, to the dark of the sky beyond, even if the city was illuminated. "I'm getting tired, man..."

He spoke words in that odd nature's tongue and tapped her on the snout. The sleepiness lifted from her abruptly. "Woah."

"Woah indeed." He smiled. "I remember the first time I felt that. Come. There's business to tend to. I'll take your excess weight." He reached for the backpacks arrayed beside her and hefted them up onto his own back.

Tree hugger gave a stiff nod. "Well, alright, but I can't go all bird again. I don't feel the energy."

"Worry not." Harold rolled his shoulders. "Let's get outside. I'll carry you all, if you can show me the way to go."