Quoted By:
The wind whistled across the rock-strewn farmland. It carried with it the smell of dust, ash, and the sterile scent of sun-baked stone. Marble felt the warm wind blow through her mane and stared across the farm at the rising plume of smoke.
The fire wasn’t large, but Pa and Limestone had been fighting it alongside the neighbors since early morning, and it was taking an unexpectedly long time to stop it. To help in the efforts, Marble had been left with her Ma, Cloudy Quartz, at the farmhouse to prepare supplies and deliver them as needed. Things like food, water, and sandbags to assist in stopping the spreading blaze.
The brushland around the rock farm wasn’t used for anything, but the fire spread smoke and ash, and it drove wild animals into their living space. After one fire a few years ago, a wild cat made its home in the quarry and they had to drive it out. Since then they decided it would be best to smother fires as quickly as possible.
Today’s fire was of middling ferocity. They had caught it early and already had it cut off from further sources of fuel. All that was left was to watch it burn itself out and snuff the embers. Marble was waiting for Ma to finish making some sandwiches, then she would deliver the food to everypony stuck out watching the fire. It wasn’t glamorous, but she wasn’t as brave in the face of danger as Limestone.
“Marble! Come here, please,” Ma called from the house.
Marble turned away from the rising smoke and went inside. Ma had finished the sandwiches and had them all packed up in saddlebags for the trip. Marble turned and let her mother cinch them on her back. Ma patted her on the withers and gave a smile.
“Do not keep them waiting, dear child. It’s been a very busy day for everypony,” Ma said. Marble nodded and stepped outside, then broke into a trot toward the smoke.
