The Travelling Argument

Evening Flash trotted around another bend and made it to the doors of the Prancing Pegasus. She opened the door and walked in, but suddenly stopped, becoming blown away by the sight before her.

"Hey, what's the holdup? They'll come round the corner any minute now!" said Sky Runner harshly.

"It's... beautiful... are all taverns like this?" asked Evening.

Willow was sitting down at a nearby table and looked up at Evening. "Oh, you finally made it. I ordered you drinks, then I drank them. Hope you don't mind."

Sky ducked inside trying her best to remain unseen. Once she was inside she noticed the view. "Oh wow! This IS a nice place! I don't know if I can afford to even stand on this carpet, let alone the drinks!"

"After much deliberation, and a few libations, I decided that I was being harsh to you, rogue," said Willow. "I forgot that the the Sisters strive for a balance of ferocity and compassion. So, as long as you don't "find" my purse again, I will fund the evening." She finished with a big smile.

The two ponies sat down with Willow at her table. "Wow, I don't know what to say," said Evening.

"Yeah, thanks very much for helping me out. You really saved my hide back there," said Sky.

Evening gave her own big smile. "That's what heroes do, right?"

Willow looked down. "I'm no hero. I wear armor for a reason."

"Ah, don't worry about it. I sneak around and run away for a reason. So anyway-" Sky pulled out a map. "-I borrowed this from Shining Armour when he went by just now. He's really generous. So, let's work out how we're going to get up there to those bakers, shall we?"

"I say we make a frontal assault. Charge up the mountain, and ask for the bakers when we get there!" suggested Evening.

"Are you insane? It's a stronghold. Of Griffons!" said Willow. "Sky Runner, talk some sense into her."

"Whoa whoa whoa! Look, you can't just go attacking every stronghold just because it's heavily guarded and imposing! You'll get turned into glue! This has to be done carefully. We need a plan." Sky thought for a moment. "But maybe... we CAN attack the stronghold head-on! You know, create a distraction."

Willow stared at them both angrily. "Sisters... you're both insane. You would need an army, and at least twenty pegasi to even get their attention."

"No, I think I see what she's saying," said Evening. "If we find another wizard, I can make a charge at the gates with him and cause a distraction. Then you and Sky can sneak in and take the bakers. It could work!"

"Maybe, if our wizard's any good at illusion-based magic, we can make the threat appear much larger to get their attention," suggested Sky. "Besides that, well, griffon strongholds are quite well protected, but if this one is anything like that one in the Foal Mountains, I reckon there'll be a vulnerability or two we can exploit. There are sewer grates in the walls. Typical Griffons, they spend so long staring at the skies that they can't see that the real threat's coming from underneath them."

The tavern door suddenly opened and a group of Royal Guards walked in.

"Ponyfeathers! Quick, help me look like somepony else!" Sky whispered harshly at Evening.

Evening hesitated, looking between the guards and Sky, but Willow quickly pulled out a cloak and gave it to Sky. "Put this on, and hurry. They'll just assume you are a traveler not accustomed to the cold yet," she said.

The guards stalked through the tavern, questioning patrons along the way.

The Captain came up to their table and looked at Sky Runner, now hidden beneath the cloak. "Well then, who are you?"

"I'm a big fan of your work, sir!" said Evening, stealing away his attention from Sky. "I hail from the Celestial Monastery, and everypony thinks you're great. Is it true that you routed that assassination plot against the Viceroy with just a dinner plate and a smile?"

The Captain smiled. "Well, it's always nice to meet somepony from the Monastery. And it was two dinner plates, a smile and a wink. I was actually hoping that you three could help us with a missing criminal who's been loose around Canterlot lately. Her name is Sky Runner. Have you heard of her?"

Evening tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Sky Runner? Can't say that I have. Willow, have you heard of anypony named Sky Runner?"

"Do I look like I associate with criminals, Captain? I am a Cleric of the Two Sisters," said Willow. She looked over at Sky. "Oh, and don't bother with her. She took a vow of silence as part of her initiation. Very eager to join the Order, really wants the armor."

"Is that so? Well then, I guess we won't bother you three any further. Be sure to inform one of the Canterlot Guards if you spot her, won't you? We have an anonymous tip-off that she might be in the area. Thank you for your time." The Captain and his guards emptied out of the tavern.

Sky took a deep breath, nearly having passed out. "Wow, thanks guys, I thought my goose was cooked just then. I guess I owe you my eternal loyalty now. Only seems fair, since you've saved my hide three times over by now."

"Shining Armor talked to me!" Evening squeed. "This is amazing."

"Sky Runner, put that coin bag back in my saddlebag," said Willow. "Will you stop 'finding' my things now?"

Sky looked at Willow awkwardly. "Huh? Oh... yeah sure, I'll stop finding things. Your things anyway. So, what are we going to do about this griffon place?"

Willow rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well, you did have a good point about the stronghold's weakness. A small team could easily infiltrate and extract the target. But the distraction team would be at risk the entire time."

"Leave that to me, Willow!" said Evening. "I'm smaller than the stallions of the Monastery, but I was trained to use that. I am not an easy target to hit, even for archers."

"Once we're in, I can take over the distraction from within," said Sky. "I can't really fly, but I can definitely lead them on a wild goose chase while you two find the bakers. They won't be expecting anypony to attack them from behind their own walls."

Evening nodded. "Then it is settled. We strike, and then extract the bakers."

Something began to bother Willow. "Does nopony else find it odd that you were sent to get bakers? I mean, why send an inexperienced warrior at a stronghold for something any town should have?"

"I guess there must be something special about these bakers. Like, maybe they know the secret to creating the perfect cupcake, or maybe Evening is just really hungry today!" suggested Sky. "All I know is that that's a griffon fortress, and where there are fortresses, there's wealth." She looked out the window to see Captain Shining Armor showing a wanted poster with her face on it to a group of ponies outside. "And of course, it might be nice to travel for a bit while the heat dies down."

"I really don't know why I was sent to retrieve them. I didn't even know they were bakers until tonight. I just know that this is my mission, and I must not fail," said Evening.

"And you didn't think to question the mission? Warriors," huffed Willow. "And Sky Runner? Planning on proving your innocence by running away? Brilliant plan."

"But what if she completes a heroic quest? Will that not make all right in the Watch's eye?" asked Evening.

"That's my way of thinking. It's much easier to prove my innocence from outside bars than in. Besides, you guys are my friends and I owe you for helping me out back there," said Sky. "How soon can we head out?"

"Sooner is probably better than later. I say we leave about thirty minutes after the Watch leaves. That way we're less likely to run into them in ambush," suggested Willow.

"I agree. Sky Runner, Willow Leaf, are you two going to need anything for this?" asked Evening. "I was given some money to aid in my quest."

Sky Runner looked at Evening in the eye while slowly and carefully slipping a nearby patron's coin purse into her own saddlebag. "Well, I'm just about ready. Sounds like we have a decent plan in the works. I'll pick up some stuff and meet you guys back here when the time comes. I mean, I guess I can come with you guys if you need to get anything, but it might just be better to lay low until the time comes."

Willow rolled her eyes. "Meaning you don't want two liabilities while you steal from innocent ponies. Got it. But thank you Evening. My Order provides for all eventualities, so I don't need anything. I will wait here until our scout returns."

"Be back in a flash!" said Sky with a chuckle as she quickly and stealthily ran out the tavern's door.

"I am curious about your Order. Would you care to discuss it with me while we wait?" asked Evening.

Willow smiled. "Of course! Always glad to share my faith for my Order."