The morn began with a mission. As both a youthful colt and an adventurer, Fig Mint always was alert for these kinds of quests. He had descended from the pleasant housings he found himself occupying for a good few nights, when he noticed a missive posted upon the local eatery's message board. The lady of the lodge had a request for one such as he, to return an ancient tome to it's proper resting place. Naturally he accepted, for adventures such as these had often come by his way, and he had racked up an impressive sting of successes. Assuring the lady of his swift return, and receiving both a token handkerchief and an advance upon the reward, Fig made to ready his supplies.
Looking from the window of his room, Fig considered what equipment to bring. 'Twas a cool day. Autumn had seen the foliage change colors, but none of the leaves had yet detached from their trees, leaving a spectrum upon the branches. Still, it was not his way to simply appreciate the view. The cold was taken into consideration, and a warmer armor was donned. Despite his hardened earth pony body, and youthful vigor, Fig had been cautioned time and again about the danger of going adventuring unprotected. He was not about to chance his life, should he be able to help it. Another adventurer might scoff, but experience and wisdom saw him through several similar situations, and their jibes would turn against them once poorer conditions befell them.
For armament, he looked through the storage chest he kept at the hoof of his bed. All the tools of his trade lay within, but somehow, he felt their presence would hinder him, rather than aid. With a sigh, an innocuous dagger was tucked into a sheath about his waist. He had spent many long hours of practice with the weapon, and knew it intimately. It's weight assured him of victory.
The morning stretched on, and some shifting of the shadows in his room alerted him to the passage of time. A few calculations were made, and he came to the conclusion that his destination was near enough to reach within the day, provided he hurried. That in mind, he departed.
He began the journey at a casual pace, hardly more than a walk, but his excitement surged quickly. The tome, at rest upon his back was weighty, but the adrenaline coursing through his frame gave him the strength to begin trotting faster and faster, soon breaking into a full gallop. Such excitement hadn't been had in several moons, for this was not a simple trip. Nay, this mission had complexities that he alone could navigate. Namely, the guardians of the tomes. Two protectors of the area he must enter.
Said guardians would take all of his cunning to defeat, though he had a plan for the weaker of the two. That was the sorceress. As a sorceress, she had many enchantments, and strong magical defenses. Fig lacked fear of her having dealt with many of her kind before. Rumors had been bandied about that she, while cunning and protected by ensorcellments aplenty, had a heart weak against a show of strength such as his. A problem quickly overcome.
What in fact worried Fig, was the other. The beast. Standing, it towered over Fig's height. It was vicious, unflinching, and only left his post at night, when he slumbered. Sadly, the path was barred during the later hours, or Fig might have availed himself of that fact. The beast was that terrifying. Neigh invulnerable, savage, and greedy for the treasure that adventurers brought with them. Claws that could rend, and a maw of teeth that could chew through Fig like butter. Fig wouldn't stand a chance in a straightforwards fight, even with his vaunted weapon skills. For that encounter, he would need guile.
Stopping for a moment at a suspicious building, he entered. While here, he knew to be careful with his bits, lest some, or all of them, disappear, leaving him a pauper as surely as the beast would. Advice was what he sought, and the strange mare who harbored herself within the compound was going to give it to him.
It took some interrogation, for she was quite mad, her mind revealing many wonders of the world one moment, and inane impossibilities the next, but when he was done, afternoon had come, and a secret weapon against the beast had been procured. It was barely more than a distraction for it, but a distraction that the beast could not resist, and the momentary lull in it's defenses would allow Fig to sneak past unharmed, and with his treasure intact.
Fig's energy had diminished a bit, but when the goal lay in sight his muscles tensed. He looked over the multistory keep that housed the guardians, examining it for the best entry point. Finding one that looked promising, devoid of a portcullis or moat, he advanced, still cautious. It wouldn't do to be caught unawares or careless. He was fortunate, for he was able to breach to the inner keep without detection, but there, moments from his goal, his guard was dropped. Behind him, the superior laughter of the sorceress sounded, and Fig whirled around to find both guardians side by side. Strong words flashed through his mind, but remained unspoken as he desperately tried to recall his plans. Fig felt moments away from a grisly fate.
“Hi, Miss Twilight. Hi, Spike. I brought the book back. It was really good, and I got caught up in reading it. That's why I missed the return date. Umm, I don't suppose there is any way to let me off the hook? Please? Please please please? Oh, and Pinkie had me deliver this gem covered cupcake for you.”
“Wow, thanks!” said the beast.
“Aww, that's fine, Fig. Say hi to your mom for me,” said the sorceress.
He nodded his assent, and left the keep, headed back to his lodgings, one thought echoing in his mind.
“Today was pretty boring, but at least I got to keep the late fee!”
