Daring Do -in- Rain or Shine

Part 1: Play of Colour

Chapter 3: Silver Tongue

“Sterling Silver?” Rayner hissed, looking to Daring for an answer. “That's not a griffon name.”

“I know, I know.” She tried to keep him quiet. “We need to get out of here. We can talk about this later.” She looked about for a way to get across the town square. “It's no good. How are we going to get across?” They ducked down and waited as one of the slime creatures slurped past.

“I have no idea. I don't usually have to cross the street through– ” he gulped, “– an army of monsters.”

Daring peered around the alleyway for some ideas. Clothes left out to dry, an old bathtub, a refuse pile, several barrels... She wondered what could be in the barrels. Lifting the lid, she peered in to it. “Blegh; spinach.” She fished out a glob of the green slop. “Why do they keep it in brine like this? It's bad enough fresh.”

Rayner grimaced. “It looks like...” His face lit up. “I have an idea.” Daring looked him up and down with a confused expression that morphed to a look of shock as Rayner shoved his head beneath her chest.

“Rayner!” she hissed, “What are you doing?” Before he could answer, he toppled the hapless explorer against the barrel. It collapsed as she fell to the ground, splattering the soggy spinach all over. She tried not to scream as he began spreading the slimy leaves around, covering her head to hoof. “Rayner!” she growled, “I am going to kick you so-” She fell silent again as another foul creature slithered by.

They lay perfectly still until the horror was out of earshot. It was then that Daring took her chance, lashing out with a back leg and knocking Rayner away. The hapless clerk stumbled back, giving her space. “What do you think you are doing?” Daring snapped.

“I... uh... you look... like them.” He nodded to the marketplace. The slowly amassing army of slime creatures was gradually filling up the cobbles, ready to do their master's bidding.

“What? That's a horrible thing to...” The penny dropped. “... I do look like them, don't I?” She groped around for a sizeable chunk of the wet spinach and tossed it at Rayner's face. It splattered across snout, leaving green ooze hanging from his chin. His shocked yelp would have given the game away, if it weren't for another crack of thunder at just the right moment. The look on his face was definitely worth it. “Don't just stand there; we've got a show to put on, and you still need a costume.”

It didn't take long for them to become shambling, formless horrors, not with the amount of spinach they dredged up. “We need to go now, before the crowd gets too dense.” Daring took a deep breath, “are you ready?”

“When my life is on the line, I am ready for anything.” Rayner gulped, adjusting a particularly long spinach stem as it slipped from his ear. “I just wish my stomach was up to it.”

Butterflies. Always with the butterflies. Daring forgot just how nervous she had been the first time she had attempted something completely stupid. She was always one for the great outdoors and adventures, but Rayner was just a city pony. He spent so long avoiding fresh air, she wondered if he was allergic to it.

Daring silently nodded, then stepped out in to the open. She matched the pace of the horde as they lined up. She took a moment just to ensure Rayner was following close behind, peering over her shoulder. The clerk was shaking visibly, but staying close; he most certainly didn't want to get lost.

There it was; the road to the gate. No more than fifty yards stood between them and their freedom, if the horrors ended outside the town palisade at least. They hadn't been spotted at all and they were closing the gap. Forty-five yards, forty yards, thirty-five yards. A mass of the glistening monsters slurped in to view from a neighbouring street. They filled the road towards the gate and lurched towards the marketplace. If Daring didn't think fast, they'd be trapped in the crowd.

Rayner quietly whimpered, pulling up alongside Daring. “What do we do?” The pegasus tried not to panic as she took everything in. She moved slowly to avoid arousing any suspicion.

“Follow me.” She ducked behind a partly wrecked market stall, hiding behind the windswept canvas that fluttered in the strong breeze. “We wait til they pass, then we slip by when none are watching.” She put a hoof to Rayner's mouth as the clerk tried to speak. “No sound.”

There was a bright green flicker. Another crash of thunder rattled through their bones, followed by the gut-wrenching sound of falling masonry as a wall on the far side of the square collapsed. Daring watched from their hiding place as a third column of Sterling's army filed through the gap, soaking up some of the rubble as they passed. It slowly surfaced under a thick film of olive-coloured sludge, now as much a part of them as the stench. She hid herself, waiting for the passing mob to present a gap.

The wind suddenly fell silent, leaving behind the faint bubbling, slurping sound of the animated rabble. Daring risked another glance to check for an opening. She quickly returned, looking to Rayner with wide eyes.

“What? Are we good to go?” Rayner followed suit, checking to see if the coast was clear. “Nope.” he squeaked, shrinking back in to the stall.

“Aw c'mon you guys; don't look so shocked!” the voice of Sterling Silver echoed around the town. “Just because they're under my control, it doesn't make them completely brainless.” The griffon laughed, flying overhead and perching on the roof of a nearby shop. He looked down on the spinach-coated ponies with a glint in his eye and an evil smirk tugging at one corner of his wicked beak. “Leafy greens? Really? You really thought you could get away from me that easily?” He puffed out his chest and gave another hearty chuckle. “Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Sterling Silver, and this town belongs to me.” He leant forward and put a front foot up to his mouth, talking in a loud whisper. “That means you, too.”

“Run.” Daring commanded, not waiting for Rayner as she leapt up and sprinted away. She was quickly intercepted by a wall of loose bricks. It seemingly came out of nowhere, held up in tendrils of goo. It was the wall from across the marketplace; Sterling must have known they were there the whole time.

“Oh that's cute. You know what? I like you; you're resourceful and determined. You'd make a great general, you know; I could give you that position, if you wanted it.” He snapped his claws and a green light shimmered around the spinach on Daring's head. It took on a life of its own and folded itself in to the shape of a helmet, displacing her hat. “Or an advisor.” The helmet gave way to a turban, knocking the hat to the floor. Daring swiped at her head, flicking the soppy greens away. She perched her hat back on top, glaring at the cocky villain with as much hostility as she could muster.

“Well, my first advice to you would be: leave this town while you have the chance.” She had barely finished her sentence when Sterling began howling with laughter.

“Excuse me, but was that a threat? Ha! A real, genuine, bonafide threat?”

“I wouldn't want to hang around long enough to find out, if I were you.” Daring knew it was a poor move, but she was out of options; nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, no way to fight. “Leave this city and never come back, or you will be-” Green sparks enveloped her legs and before she could finish her sentence, flipping her over. Landing hard, she yelped, feeling a splitting pain through her head.

“Sorry?” Sterling laughed again; he hadn't had this much fun in a long time. “Normally ponies just run away, but I really like your audacity; you've really brightened my day.” His compliments were so barbed that they could well have been roses. “Tell ya what; I've got a very special plan for you, miss. You and your myopic pal can be my court jesters: a comedy duo!”

“Oh no.” Rayner murmured, shrinking back further.

“You won't get away with this!” Daring shouted, her voice strained by the pressure in her head.

“I already have.” Sterling clicked his claws yet again, encompassing the two helpless ponies in a lime-green bubble. “Come along now.”

It took just a moment to reach Hoofcastle; Sterling carried them high up over the fortress walls and paraded them through the streets of the enormous city, letting the dark storm clouds roll over after them. Ponies fled left and right as the army of slithering horrors barrelled through their homes. “I do love the sound of screaming in the afternoon; don't you?” the griffon asked. He got no reply. “What's the matter grumpy-pants?” He put on a voice that brought Daring back to her childhood, and she hated him for it. She had given up her struggle, deciding to bide her time until she could put a stop to this nonsense once and for all. Still, that didn't stop her from having a few sarcastic pot-shots.

“Just sad that you're having such a nice time.” she jabbed. “I mean, I have so many friends already that I don't need to make some soulless nightmares to keep me company. Still, it looks like fun.”

“Droll.” Sterling rolled his eyes, flipping the two captive equines over in the process; the sudden lurch was sickening, shutting Daring up instantly. “You need to work on your material; a court jester needs a good routine and a sharp wit, but I'm afraid you don't quite tick those boxes.”

He let them stew in their helplessness for a while, watching and cackling as the last few ponies fled, or at least attempted to flee before being engulfed in a tidal wave of aggressive sludge. It was obvious to Daring that this griffon was far-gone; something wasn't right at all, not least the colour of his coat and his feathers.

As they reached the castle on an embankment in the middle of the city, they encountered an obstacle. The military was out in force, forming columns up every approaching street. The stallions and mares stood their ground, scowling from under their plume-adorned helmets. Sergeants and captains paced up and down the ranks, barking last-minute orders to prepare their soldiers for the worst. The unicorns were armed with spears and shields; earth ponies bore blades, bound to their forelegs, and in some cases their hind legs, by reinforced sleeves. Pegasi hovered in place, ready to scatter spike-traps and darts to stop the advancing mob, but the look of uncertain terror on their face told of their apprehension. They knew, as the hostile army approached, that they were most certainly not solid and that their weapons would be useless.

The general stood at the front on the main street. He called up to the fast-closing griffon, “Halt; stay where you are and call off your minions!” He glared angrily, hoping that intimidation would work at such a distance.

“Did you hear that? Sounds like he said 'let me meet all of your minions.'” Sterling flapped his wings to steady himself, halting just as the general had ordered.

“Please, you don't have to do this.” Rayner cut in. Daring watched in horror, knowing that the guards would not stand a chance.

“Actually, you're right, my faithful colt; I really don't have to do this, but ya see... I just really, really, really want to.” Sterling's nonchalant attitude made them both sick to their stomachs; the way he enjoyed bringing so much chaos and misery in to ponies' lives was disgraceful. Worse still, there was nothing they could do about it.

Sterling gave the signal, sending wave after wave of his goons in to the steadfast army. They scattered ponies left and right, making some break rank to retreat. The ones who stayed were quickly swallowed up in the mass, disappearing from the face of the planet. The commanding officers yelled and screamed, trying to keep their troops in order, but a few of the smarter sergeants knew it was all too late. They fled, taking their remaining troops with them, but Sterling Silver's army was too fast for them, cutting them off at cross-roads and mopping up the remaining victims.

Rayner tried to break through the green bubble that surrounded them; he shouted for Sterling to stop, to call them off, but it was useless. “No; you monster!” He was terrified, absolutely dumbstruck by the griffon's ruthlessness.

Sterling didn't look back, replying as he orchestrated his attack. “But I'm just like you; if that makes me a monster then-”

“You are nothing like us!” Daring butted in. “You're not even a pony for a start!” This struck a nerve; the mass stopped moving as Sterling broke his concentration.

“Don't... tell me what I am!” his anger peaked dramatically as he pressed his beak up against their glowing prison. “You don't get to tell me who I am, because I know exactly who and what I am! Got that?”

Daring didn't answer; she was too distracted by the quickly approaching rainbow streak. Before Sterling realised what she was looking at, he was struck hard in the ribs. “Take that!” the sky-blue pegasus barked as she slammed her helmet-clad head in to the griffon's chest. Sterling flailed as he tried to stay airborne, losing his focus for just long enough. Daring kicked at the force field as hard as she could, sending a humming ripple across the surface. The green ball flickered before she kicked it again, punching a hole straight through. The sphere shattered like glass, sparkling and fizzling out of existence.

“Daring!” Rayner squealed as he plummeted towards the hard ground.

“I gotcha!” she shouted as she grabbed him around the stomach. She beat her wings hard, bringing them gently to earth. There was no time to thank their saviour; with Sterling still winded and his entire army at their backs, they chanced their escape. “Now, run!”

They bolted down the main street towards Hoofcastle's main gate, flying by wrecked shop-fronts and stripped trees as they pounded across the stones. They didn't dare to look behind as they pushed forward. Daring guessed that Sterling would be too pre-occupied with retaliation to bother capturing them again, but she wasn't going to hang around to find out.

“Why is this happening to me?” Rayner bleated, terrified and exhausted.

“Because you didn't get swallowed by that weird gunk!” Daring called over her shoulder, checking to make sure he was keeping up. Rayner didn't complain any further, accepting his current situation as a lesser of two evils; it definitely sounded better to be alive and running than to be dead, or worse.

They kept up the pace for as long as they could, but their energy soon ran short. “Daring, I need to rest.” Rayner limped up to the adventurer as she slowed down, eventually collapsing in to a heap on the Saddleton cobbles.

“We can't hang around forever, Rayner; we should keep going.”

“Sterling isn't following us; he's back in the city.” The mail pony pointed skyward. “Look, that cloud is following him; the skies are a little clearer over the town.” They could make out faint green flickers of lightning reflected from the dark cumulus that boiled overhead. “I bet he's held up with the soldiers.”

“I hope you're right, Rayner, but I hate to think what's happening to those poor ponies right now.” She hadn't made any thought as to what happened to those caught by the slime monsters, but the many possibilities made her squirm with unease. She assessed the situation, wanting to help as many of the citizens as she could; she couldn't help but think that this was partly her fault somehow. “Maybe... maybe we should check for, uhm... survivors.” She paused before choosing the last word, unsure if it was a good assumption. “Maybe there are ponies here that we can help?”

“Maybe we shouldn't hang around too long, after all.” Rayner started to feel as though leaving was indeed the best option; the concept of locating survivors, only to be caught by the power-mad griffon once more brought his fears to the surface again.

“No, you are right; we're not being followed. We need to look for survivors; it's the right thing to do!”

Daring headed out towards the marketplace, all but forcing the helpless stallion to follow her. There were a few ponies in the street, trying to salvage their stalls. Some were calling out the names of their loved ones, and others were weeping inconsolably. “This is terrible.” Rayner murmured. “These poor ponies; they've lost everything.” He removed his cap as a mark of respect, bowing his head to a crying mare as she feverishly searched for her son.

“Where is everypony else? If any of them didn't make it,” Daring lowered her voice. “then where are the bodies?”

“I don't know, but do you suppose the slime things ate them?”

“I don't think they need to eat, or do much of anything else either.” Daring sighed, walking to the fountain. It was bone-dry, scattered with specks of foul-smelling grease. “How can we-”

“Howay pet!” a familiar voice caught her attention. “Is it deed yee?” She whipped around to see Joy Hawking galloping across the square. “It is ye, pet; oh ha' happy Ah am tuh see ye!” She threw her forelegs around Daring and Rayner, pulling them both close together in a tight hug. “Ah wes see worreed; Ah thowt Ah'd nivvor git out iv there alive.” She was quite visibly shaken; her hair was matted with the horrid grunge of Sterling's army, and grazes covered her legs.

“Joy, it's so great to see that you're okay!” Rayner chimed.

“You two know each other?” Daring found the coincidence to be quite odd.

“Well, we do live in the same town.”

“Aye, Saddleton ma be a muckle toon, but it feels mare leek a village; wuh all knar each other aroond here.”

“Oh I see...” Daring didn't quite see, but she caught the gist of what Joy was saying.

“Anyway, are you hurt?” Rayner looked over her bruises and scrapes, trying to fathom the extent of her injuries.

“Ah'm anny fair grazed, but...” she trailed off, holding back her sorrow with a choked sob. She was in shock and all of the positive mental attitude in the world wouldn't wash away the bitterness. “... tuh tell ye the truth, ah am devastated, pet; the' teuk everypony: me friends, me family, me husband! This is a nightmare; ah winnet ivvor forgive that evil griffon!” She turned towards the roiling clouds that billowed above Hoofcastle, shouting as loud as she could. “D'ya heor wor y'evil son uvva bit? Ye'll git what's comin' t'ya; mark me words!” Her anger was plain to see, but it was mired in pain and worry. Her voice fell as she was overcome with a wave of sadness. “Ah'll git ye, ye buckin'...” She didn't even finish her sentence before collapsing.

“Joy!” Rayner quickly set to helping her up again, supporting her on his shoulder and heaving with all his might. Daring jumped to his aid, lifting her back up on to her feet. The unicorn swayed on the spot, trying to find her balance as she broke down in a flood of tears.

They guided her over to a nearby market stall, gently placing her down on some discarded sacks of flour. Daring was beyond angry, determination welling up inside. “Joy, I promise, he won't get away with this for long; I'm going to make sure of that.” Rayner nodded in agreement.

“Sterling Silver is dangerous and vile, but somepony needs to stop him. If anyone can do it, I believe Daring can.” She was slightly shocked by his trust; she knew she had saved his life on more than one occasion already, but she was unsure if it warranted such faith in her abilities. Sterling was a powerful, magical psychopath; she was no match for him, at least not yet.

“It might take some time, but all I ask is that you stay safe; don't try anything reckless, please. It won't be worth it to face him on your own, or even with an army at your back.” Daring put a hoof on Joy's shoulder, prompting her to look up; her bloodshot eyes shimmered with tears.

“Git 'im, ye brave lass, ye.” Joy urged. “Myek 'im pay fo' what he did; show 'im us ponies're neet pushovers!” The usual friendly sound of the Draughtie accent gave way to a spite that chilled them both to the core. Daring nodded.

“I have to leave town for a while; I need to find somepony who can help me. Sterling is far too powerful for any of us to fight, but he must have some kind of weakness.”

“Wait, what can Ah do?” Joy stood again; they both backed off to give her some space. Daring smiled, giving tremendous respect to her resolve. “Ah wanna help any wa' Ah gan.”

“Try to round up the rest of the ponies in Saddleton and lead them away from here, or find them a place where they will be safe elsewhere in the town. Nopony should have to suffer any more than they have already.”

“Ah dunno if Ah'm the pony ye need fer tha'.” She shied away, but Rayner tried to encourage her.

“You are exactly the pony we need for that, Joy; you are confident and approachable. I think you would make an amazing leader.” The unicorn was flattered, blushing as she looked away.

“That's right; you helped me when I was down on my luck, and the way you work the market stall is excellent! You can easily lead them.” Daring gently pulled her head back up, looking her in the eyes. “Now, are you going to take action?”

“Aye. Aye! Wor neet gonna take this lyin' doon!” She clapped a hoof on the explorer's shoulder. “Thank ye, pet; thanks fer believin' in me.” Daring nodded once more, stepping out of Joy's way as she galloped away. “Good luck findin' help!” she called behind, disappearing down the main street.

Daring silently headed for the main gate, looking forward to being in the meadow once again. As she stepped past the palisade walls, she was aware of somepony following her. It was Rayner.

“So where are we going?” he asked.

“We? Is that a royal 'We'?” Daring was a little confused. “I'm going to get help; you should stay here and get the other ponies together.”

“I'd rather not.” Rayner pulled up next to her. “I have confidence in Joy's abilities.”

“You don't want to help them?” Daring frowned.

“Oh... oh no; I don't mean it like that!” He mentally kicked himself as he realised how selfish he sounded. “I just want to help them, but by helping you. I'm coming with you.”

“You're not coming with me, Rayner; I work on my own, and besides, it's too dangerous out there.” She knew he was going to be a burden; he belonged in the town, looking after the rest of the citizens.

“But I can hold my own!”

“Have you ever seen a manticore, Rayner?”

“No.”

“Or a cockatrice?”

“No, but-”

“Have you ever jumped across a spike pit, supporting yourself on pillars no wider than a hoof?”

“...No. I got a paper cut once, but-”

“Well, what makes you think you can survive out in the wilderness? I know where I have to go, but it involves travelling through the forest. The forest is very dangerous, especially for a city pony like you!”

“But I just want to help.”

“Then help! Go back, help Joy round the others up, then take them to the nearest village; stick to the road, stay together and don't look back.”

“But-”

“No buts; get!” Daring didn't have time for this hold-up; she needed to get airborne. The stallion reluctantly turned, walking back through the gates.

“I suppose I'll see you around?”

Daring huffed in frustration and took off. The sudden blast of air kicked up some dust from the road, forcing Rayner to shield his eyes. He watched the mare fly until she was out of sight before he cantered back down the street. He was going to need supplies.

Author's Note

So, after some delays, here is chapter 3 of Play of Colour. I really, really enjoy writing for Sterling Silver, but we probably won't see him again for a chapter or two.

Daring heads off for the forest, hoping to find someone to help in liberating Hoofcastle and Saddleton from the evil griffon. His little outburst continues to play on her mind. What is he hiding? What are his reasons for this conquest?

Only time will tell.

Another chapter should follow this one, but I'm in two minds as to whether I should work on part two of Purple Prose. Which one would you like to see next? Leave a comment if you want: Slice of Life or Adventure?

-Sy