Moss Moon and the Lunar Spring, Part 25

>You wake from dreamless sleep.
>The blanket slides from your shoulders as you try to sit up, only to be laid low by a vicious pain in your side.
>"Whoa there, maiden," says a voice.  "Looks like you cracked some ribs.  You'd better take it easy."
>Wincing, you lie back on the pillows, looking up at the roof of the tent.
>Eventually the speaker walks into view - an old unicorn stallion, vaguely familiar, but you can't quite place him.
>"I have to admit, my grasp of medicine is not especially broad," he says.  "I patched you up the best I could.  You'll probably want to have someone professional look you over, once you're back in civilization."
"Where am I?"
>"Hunter Killer's new camp.  We've set up here for the time being, while we go about rebuilding the Stronghold."
>You blink a few times, trying to clear the grogginess from your eyes.  The unicorn pushes a bowl of water toward you.
"How long was I out?" you ask, after sating your thirst.
>"A few days.  Not much has happened while you were sleeping.  Buried our dead.  Licked our wounds."
"Have you - seen any humans?"  You clasp your hoof to your forehead, fighting back a wave of pain and nausea.  "Ugh."
>"Not a one.  It seems they all perished in the explosion.  There aren't even any bones to pick.  Rather disappointing, really."
>Your legs are shaking as you push yourself into a standing position
>You notice the various bandages affixed to your body, especially the broad one wrapped around your midsection, bracing your ribs
>Your bag is nowhere to be seen
>"Be careful now," the old unicorn cautions.  "No use heading off in this condition."
"I'm fine," you say, as you stagger toward the tent's exit.  "Thank - thank you."  The words seem unnatural on your tongue.
>"It is the least I can do for you," the unicorn calls after you.  "You did save him, after all."
>Out under the harsh sunlight, you see that the camp appears surprisingly ordered.
>Tents are set up in neat rows, equipment has been set up in hastily-constructed racks, and ponies are milling about in various states of dress, either going about orders or resting under canvas pavilions.
>You can feel many eyes alighting upon you as you stagger toward the biggest tent, the one that must obviously house Hunter Killer
>Your intuition proves correct when you approach the guards stationed outside
>"Halt, witch," a stallion says flatly, thumping his spear on the ground.   "The Captain is at his exercises.  He is not to be disturbed."
"I don't care what he's doing, I want to talk to him."
>The guard begins to protest, when a familiar grating voice sounds from within the tent.
>"Oh, just let her in, Holtz.   I want her to see me in all my glory."
>You brush past the guard, even as he steps aside in deference
>The tent's interior is dim, lit only by brass oil lanterns imported from across the eastern sea, air smelling of sweet incense
>Hunter Killer reclines exuberantly on the floor, leaning into a pillow with his limbs splayed
>In the corner by his desk sits Anja, watching him with a faintly smug expression
>"Ahhh," sighs the Captain.  "Nothing like a good stretch in the morning, yes?"
>He pauses briefly to dramatically run a hoof across the massive scar now sported by his stomach.
>"Behold," he says.  "A warrior's wound, from which I have fully recovered.  Thanks to you, of course."
"You're welcome."
>He rolls over onto his stomach, looking up at you with his bright yellow eyes, filled with almost child-like curiosity
>"I have to ask the obvious question - Why?"
>You glance over at Anja, who is now staring at you, just as expectant as Hunter Killer.
"I could say that I want your revolution to succeed, but…"
>He nods excitedly, waiting
"…I don't really care about that."
>Hunter Killer lets out a snort.  "Then why?"
"Let's just say that I was was moved by your soldiers' love for you."
>His snort turns into a full belly laugh.  "Really?  Oh that's just absurd.  But I can't deny it, they do love me.  Especially after our great victory.  Perhaps you, too, were just so impressed by my tactical genius that you could not allow me to pass from this mortal coil."
"Maybe so."
>"Very good."  Hunter Killer leaps suddenly to his hooves, and makes his way over to his desk.  "Listen up.  Because of your service,  I want to offer you a position.  Battalion apothecary.  Gerard has many talents, but he is a terrible doctor.  I need someone who knows what they're doing.  You would be patching up the soldiers, healing the sick, doing whatever it is that you do.  You'll be able to serve with dignity, despite your… status."
>You consider it, for just a moment.
>"Well? Take it or leave it, this offer isn't going to come again."
"No thank you," you reply.  "I have others I'm responsible for.  Ponies I have to take care of."
>Hunter Killer squints at you in obvious irritation.  "You know, it's bad luck to let a bound go free."
>Anja clears her throat.
>"But," he continues hurriedly, "I've already had enough bad luck to last a lifetime.  How could I possibly have any more?"
>The Captain rummages in his desk, and pulls out a sealed roll of parchment.
>"Take this," he says, handing it over.  "It's a writ of passage.  It'll see you safely through our lands.  I don't know how long it will last you, so my advice would be to take it and get as far away from the Asperi Dominion as you possibly can."
>You can't keep the surprise off your face as you accept his gift
>Perhaps the Captain is a stallion of honor after all
>You wince when a moment later your bag collides with your face
>"Great catch," says Hunter Killer.  "There's some food and water in there for you.  It should last you a few days."
"I take it you didn't find anything interesting when you were looking through my things?"
>"Not at all, really.  Just a very large gemstone.  Quite beautiful, actually."
"You have no right to take that," you fume.  "That belongs to… to me."
>"Yes, well, our war chest is rather spare after this venture.  I'm afraid I had to requisition it."  Seeing the anger on your face, he continues.  "Consider it hush money, in good faith.  I won't ask you where you got it.  Nor will I ask you the location of the Spring."
>You grit your teeth, but silently you accept the deal.  At this point, you just want to get out of here as quickly as possible.
>"It was lovely to encounter you again, Moss Moon," Hunter Killer says.  "I'm glad we could reach a mutual understanding, even a mutual benefit.  Now let us go our separate ways."   He points his hoof toward the tent flap.  "I don't want to ever see you again."
>You nod to him, and to Anja, who returns the gesture, and then you are gone, stepping back outside into the harsh sunlight.