Ice Veins

Odahviing stretched his muscles out and grimaced a bit as some of his bones audibly cracked. He had slept well, despite having to curl up and sleep in a farmer’s field rather than the preferable mountain top. The large Dovah looked about; he felt as if he were being watched, and it was a feeling that he did not enjoy.

“Laas! Ya Niir!” hissed Odahviing.

Odahviing’s vision darkened briefly before returning to normal save for three small red auras in a nearby bush. The large red dragon focused his hearing and smiled at the three little ones hiding in the bushes.

“Wow, that’s a really big dragon!” whispered one of them.

“We really shouldn’t be here, mah sis’ll have our heads if she catches us!” whispered another.

“I’m with Applebloom on this one Scootaloo, Applejack told us to stay out of this field.” said the third.

Odahviing couldn’t help but smile at their antics. He knew that some of his fellow Dov considered him a real sucker for children, but none of them dare say so to his face for fear that he would annihilate them on the spot: he was bigger than most of the dragons on Tamriel, and stronger too. He decided that the little fillies’ hiding had gone on long enough and cleared his throat.

“Come out little ones, I mean you no harm and I already know that you are hiding in the bushes in front of me.” he said; a small smile appearing on his scaly face. Cautiously, the three little ones walked out of the bushes stopped.

The one in the middle was a Unicorn with a bright white coat and pink and purple mane. To her right stood a yellow pony with a red mane and a big pink bow in it. The third was an orange Pegasus with a purple mane and tail.

“You may approach, I will not hurt you. I give my word as a Dovah, or Dragon in your language.” he boomed.

Once more, the three fillies walked cautiously forward and stopped a few yards in front of the large dragon.

“There, now I can properly see you. I am Odahviing, what are your names little ponies?” he asked politely. One by one, the little fillies introduced themselves.

“I’m Sweetie Bell.” said the Unicorn.

“Ahm Apple Bloom.” replied the little yellow pony. The last one to introduce herself was the orange pegasus filly.

“I’m Scootaloo, and together we’re …” The three fillies suddenly all yelled at once with such volume that for a split second Odahviing thought that they were using the Thu’um.

“THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!”

“I see… what is it that you are crusading for?” asked Odahviing.

“Our Cutie Marks of course!” said Sweetie Bell.

“What are these… marks you speak of?” he asked.

“A cutie mark shows us what our special talent will be, they appear suddenly on a pony’s flank when they discover what they're good at!” explained Scootaloo.

“I see, and you wish to earn this heraldry of sorts by doing what exactly?” boomed the large drake.

“All kinds o’ stuff! We never know what we could be good at!”  said Apple Bloom.

“So little ones, why have you come out to the field after your elder has told you not to? Did you think that it would earn you your heraldry?” asked Odahviing raising a scaly eyebrow.

“Well, sis told us that there was a dragon sleeping’ here and we’ve never really seen a full grown dragon before. We wanted ta see one up close, and try ta git our Cutie Marks in Dragon Observin’.” explained Apple Bloom sheepishly.

“Curiosity is not a bad thing, but too much of it can be little pony: you shouldn’t have disobeyed your sister. You are very fortunate that I am a civil Dovah, as some of my kind would have made a meal out of you without a second thought. Besides, a Dovah like myself can hear you from miles away, and I was able to find you relatively quick, was I not?” he asked again.

“Yeah, you did find us really fast.” agreed Scootaloo.

“Speaking of, we have company; it would appear that your sister and a few others are on their way out here. You should leave before you get yourselves in trouble. Worry not, I will not tell them that you were here.” he said with a small smile (If one could call a dragon’s smile small).

“Thanks!” They all said before galloping in the opposite direction, and Odahviing laughed quietly as the three little fillies fled over a hill.

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Applejack and Steel Shod led Rurik and Twilight to the field where Odahviing was staying. She was still rather unhappy about having to house a dragon in one of her fields, but she had little choice on the matter. Rurik and Twilight had run into her and Steel Shod as they were about to go for lunch.

“Thank you for housing him in your field Miss Apple, I am quite sure that he is just as unhappy about it as you are. Dragons usually prefer a mountain top or a higher elevation rather than a field. It makes them feel more secure.” explained Rurik.

“Well, it’s alright. The North field never really produced anything much, it’s full o’ rocks anyway.” said Applejack with a shrug.

“Well, I could be of help with that problem if you wish. I am an engineer after all and I did more than just combat engineering, I was also a civil engineer.” said Rurik.

“Ah may just take ya up on yer offer sugar cube. Just so ya know though, Ah don’t make much in the way o’ money.” replied the farmer.

“I’m not asking for any.” said Rurik with a kind smile beneath his mask.

“Wow… Thank ya!” said Applejack taken aback by the man’s kind offer.

As they entered the gate to the northern field, Steel Shod suddenly tripped and fell on his face. He promptly stood and brushed himself off.

“I’m okay! I’m okay!” said the rather embarrassed Unicorn blushing beat red as he dusted himself off.

Applejack looked down, and saw what Steel had caught his foot on. She reached over with her hoof, and much to Rurik’s disbelief, picked up a good sized chunk of pitch black rock. How had she been able to grip it?! He simply pushed the thought aside to ponder later.

“Consarnit! These are the rocks Ah’m talkin’ about!” she huffed, holding the chunk of rock up for all to see. “They call the stuff Blackstone, and it’s the most common type o’ rock in all Equestria accordin’ ta Pinkie Pie and that filly knows her rocks. Comes with growin’ up on a rock farm.”

“May I see that rock?” asked Rurik removing his mask.

“Sure, ya can have the rotten thing if ya lahk.” she said handing it to him.

Rurik brought the ‘rock’ up to his face and sniffed it. His eyes went suddenly wide and his mouth dropped open in shock as he recognized the smell at once: it was one that he had experienced before on multiple occasions during his trips to the Orc stronghold of Narzulbr's Gloombound Mine.

“Applejack, you said this was the most common rock in Equestria correct?!” he asked in a very serious tone.

“Yeah, the things are damn worthless,” she replied with confusion written on her face, “Why?”

“Because this is Ebony. Where I am from, it is one of the rarest and strongest metals known to us and when forged into a solid form such as a sword or suit of armor, it becomes nearly indestructible. It is harder than even dragon scales!” exclaimed Rurik, his eyes wide in awe. Applejack soon shared the same shocked look on her face.

“So yer sayin’ that Ah’m sittin’ on a possible gold mine!?” asked the farmer.

“Pretty much; the problem though is that on Nirn, the world of my origin, there are few who can smith the stuff. It is very difficult to work with, but the results of doing so are very rewarding. It is stronger than steel that was used to make my blade, and stronger than the Dwemerethium that my armor is forged from.” said Rurik.

“This field is plum full o’ the stuff! If we could find a smith ta actually make the arms and armor we could probably sell it ta the royal guard and make tons o’ bits from a royal contract!” she explained. Twilight was furiously scribbling notes down while Steel had a look on his face that was a combination of awe and disbelief.

“The problem is that most individuals who can smith the stuff would charge you half of the income from the contract. Such people are very rare, and usually master smiths. You would also have to put in a smelter, forge, and items for improving the weapons and armor; such as a grindstone and perhaps a workbench along with an arcane enchanting table to make the more master crafted items. Even then you may need to find someone good at enchanting.” said Rurik deep in thought.

“Luckily we have a smelter, forge, workbench, an’ grindstone. We need that stuff ta make repairs ta the plows and other farm equipment, all Ah know how ta do though is repair plows with iron. It saves us bits in the long run. As fer the enchanter table, we don’t have one o’ them.” said Applejack.

“Well, my mother is one of the finest smiths in my homeland of Skyrim: She taught me how to smith all sorts of metals, and Ebony was one of them. I can teach you to forge the stuff.” said Rurik.

“Really? Ya’d do that?” asked Applejack.

“Yes, all ask for in payment is that you lodge Odahviing and allow me to keep some of the Ebony, not a large amount of it, just a little bit. If you do that I will even provide the necessary materials to build or procure an Arcane Enchanter.” offered Rurik.

“Ya got yerself a deal pardner!” said Applejack offering a hoof, which Rurik accepted.

“Alright, sounds good. Now let’s go check on Odahviing, he’s probably getting a tad lonely.” said Rurik.

With that, the four of them continued their walk into the pasture to see how the big dragon was doing. Needless to say, it took little time to find the large dragon.

“Dremyollok, greetings to you all.” said Odahviing.

“Good morning old friend, did you sleep well?” asked Rurik.

“Yes, I did indeed. Just visiting Rurik?” replied the dragon.

“For the most part, and checking up on you.” answered Rurik.

“How kind of Fahdon, it was very nice of the farmer to lend the field so I could rest, but I am growing a bit bored.” said Odahviing with a sigh.

“Worry not my friend, in a few days we will be headed to Canterlot, and I am sure that the princesses will allow you to perch upon the mountain and fly about.” said Rurik.

“That would be excellent,” replied Odahviing rearing up slowly on his hind legs and stretching his massive wings. The three ponies stood mouths agape at the impressive wingspan. Several loud pops sounded from the dragon’s back, making him sigh in relief, “Because I am feeling a bit stiff.”

Before the conversation could continue, a rainbow blur ripped through the air before stopping, revealing a very worried Rainbow Dash who quickly landed right in between Rurik and Odahviing.

“Rainbow, what’s wrong, you look all stressed out?” asked Twilight with concern.

“It’s Ditzy!” said Dash breathing heavily.

“What’s happened?” asked Steel Shod.

“Her Ex-Husband is in town again, and her husband is out of town! He caught us at the restraunt with a bunch of his scumbag friends and they took Ditzy and Dinky with them!” said Dash with worry.

“Oh No!” said Twilight and Applejack simultaneously.

“What’s all this then?” asked Rurik.

“Ditzy, the pegasus that you met this morning, was married to this higher class jerk about seven years back. He’s a noble with a lot of friends in the Royal Guards. When they were married he beat her a lot, and if her current husband’s not home, her ex shows up and gives her trouble. She and her husband have complained to the guard a lot but they never do anything, and everyone is afraid to touch him because of his connections!” explained Dash. Steel suddenly fumed with anger.

“Where were they headed?” asked Rurik.

“They were headed towards Crystal Cuisine, the really fancy restraunt in town!” said Dash.

“What’s he look like?” inquired the Nord.

“He’s a sniveling royal purple unicorn with a wand for his Cutie Mark, his name’s Viscount Bright Wand!” panted Dash, still tired from her panicked and hurried flight.

“I know that jackass: I arrested him in Canterlot a few years back for raping a mare. The bastard got off scot free after my own superior ordered me to release him, the mare ended up in a mental institution.” growled Steel with an angry stomp.

“That was before Shiny took over the guard, I am surprised that he isn’t in jail if he’s been harassing her!” said Twilight.

“ ‘Royal Guard’ is a broad term as there are actually several branches. Shining is the commander of Princess Celestia’s Solar Guards, not the entire Royal Guard. That would be Captain-General Bergmane, a pompous plot kisser with no sense of honor or dignity who values his political connections over doing his job. They have no power over each other.” fumed Steel.

“Uh, where’s Rurik?” asked Applejack suddenly, turning to where the man had been standing.

“He went that way.” said Odahviing pointing a wing back towards Ponyville.

“Oh buck!” said everypony at the same time before galloping off towards the town.

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Ditzy and Dinky sat across from Ditzy’s ex husband. The Dark Purple noble may not have been physically imposing but he was doing a fine job of intimidating the mare before him and making his little daughter feel very uncomfortable. The restraunt was empty, save for Ditzy, Dinky, Bright Wand, and his four thugs. She knew full well what this was about: her ex husband and the father of her daughter wanted to stop paying Dinky’s Foal Support; money that went to help Ditzy pay for the things that her little muffin needed, and more that went into a College fund. Furthermore, Bright was forced to pay for any damage that poor Ditzy caused because it was his fault that she was so clumsy after striking her repeatedly in the head in one of their fights during their miserable two year marriage. He also had to pay the medical bills for both Derpy and Dinky. Not even the best lawyers in Canterlot were able to save him from the wrath of Princess Celestia when she oversaw the divorce case in her court. It was not that he couldn’t afford it with his massive fortune, he just felt that he should not have to pay for his former wife and that little Dinky was her responsibility.

Slowly, Bright opened his suitcase and removed some papers, floating them across to Ditzy. The young mare didn’t even need to look at the papers to know that they were bank forms and official documents that would end the foal support and medical/accident payments: something that Ditzy’s Mail mare salary could not cover, nor could her new husband’s clock business.

“I’m not signing the papers Bright.” growled Ditzy.

“Oh come now; do you really think you have a choice in the matter? If you don’t sign it I will see to it that Dinky

comes and lives with me in Canterlot and that you never see her again!” hissed the stallion.

“The Princesses will never let that happen!” yelled Ditzy. The mare felt a sudden jolt of pain shoot through the side of her face as her former husband slapped her with his hoof across the face.

“You know, I came here trying to be reasonable with you and to get you to simply stay out of my life without having to resort to violence; but as usual your tiny, insignificant female brain has forced my hoof. Now sign you stupid mare!” her barked once more shoving the quill and papers at her.

“No.” she said flatly.

The look on Bright Wand’s face was nothing short of enraged. He threw the papers to the side before leaping across the table and tackling Ditzy out of her chair. She felt another painful slap cross her face.

“You stupid mare! You think you can cross me and get away with it!?” he roared slapping her again. “You are nothing but a worthless tramp!”

Dinky was crying her little eyes out. The little foal managed to free herself from the earth pony goon that was holding her back away from the table and ran over pounding on her biological father with her little hooves.

“Leave mommy alone!” she shouted through her tears. The poor little filly only received a hoof to the side of her face hard enough to send her sprawling across the floor.

“DINKY!” cried Ditzy in horror, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Shut up you dolt! I am sick of you and that disgusting little accident you call a daughter!  You are nothing! I am one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria!” spat Bright.

Before the unicorn could continue beating his ex-wife, a sudden powerful force slammed into the side of Bright’s face sending the abusive stallion smashing into a nearby table. The stallion stood back up to see the shape of a tall bipedal creature suddenly appear out of thin air standing between him, Ditzy and Dinky with his fists clenched.

“Ditzy, are you able to walk?” asked Rurik.

“Yeah.” sniffled Ditzy.

“Get Dinky and get out the back. Go to the hospital and get yourself looked at. I will handle these scum.” said Rurik with barely contained rage.

Ditzy wasted no time in getting Dinky and heading out the back door. Rurik faced down the five ponies before him: there was an Earth Pony, two Pegasi and a Unicorn in addition to Bright Wand.

“This did not concern you creature, and it was foolish of you to intervene. You are going to wish for death when I am through with you!” hissed the Unicorn.

“Outside.” growled Rurik.

“Very well, it makes no difference to me wether I mop the floor or the ground with you.” sneered Bright arrogantly. “Come on boys, let’s make this fast; I still have a pair of witless mares to track down and make cooperate.”

The ponies walked out into the streets first, Rurik exited the building behind them. Five ponies against one very pissed off vampire was not good odds for the ponies, even in the broad daylight. The five over confident stallions turned to face Rurik, smug looks were plastered on their faces.

“So, any last words before we begin this one sided fight?” Bright asked arrogantly.

“Yeah, do you know what the guards in my homeland’s capital call pieces of trash like you?” hissed Rurik.

“What?” asked the pompous unicorn arrogantly.

“Suicides.” the man answered darkly.

It was with that word that the fight began. Rurik did not even bother drawing Windshear: he wanted to feel their bones break under the blows from his fists, nor did he wish to kill anyone. The Pegasi attacked first, diving down at breakneck speed towards him. Rurik had predicted this and simply stood patiently, his blue eyes staring out from behind his mask. He knew that directly behind him was the brick wall of the restraunt. Just as the two Pegasis’ hooves touched Rurik’s clothing, the crafty vampire turned into a cloud of mist. The two impetuous stallions slammed into the brick wall, knocking themselves out cold, the mist dissipating. The Earth Pony noticed all too late the shape that had appeared suddenly on the rooftop and leapt down upon him, slamming a gloved fist into the side of the shocked stallion’s head and sending him off to slumber town.

By now a crowd had gathered, and Steel, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight arrived just in time to witness Bright and his Unicorn thug begin rapid firing magical bolts towards Rurik, throwing up dust and bits of rock. When the dust cleared, all that remained was a scorch mark where Rurik had been.

"NO!" yelled Twilight in despair

“I think we got him bo-Ooof!” cried the unicorn as Rurik delivered an elbow to the back of his head, knocking him out as well. Before Bright could fire another blast, his opponent was gone yet again, a cloud of mist where he had once been standing.

“Where are you, you bastard!?” roared the Bright.

“Right behind you.” said Rurik’s cold voice.

Bright’s eyes widened in terror and he released a shriek of ultimate suffering as a finely crafted boot slammed into his Stallionhood. The Unicorn made a futile attempt to buck Rurik in the guts. The Nord simply moved to the side and caught his hind legs and swiftly took a knee, bringing Bright’s legs down onto the raised leg. A sickening crack made many of the gathered ponies cringe as the stallion’s rear legs broke. A few of them even vomited.

Bright Wand began blubbing like a humiliated child and tried to crawl away. Rurik circled the now pitiful unicorn as he used his front legs to drag his useless back legs along, sobbing with every movement. Rurik then delivered a savage kick to the unicorn’s jaw, making him fall to the ground.

“What’s wrong? You were acting all big and tough when you were whaling on your ex-wife and your little daughter a few minutes ago in the restraunt, and when you were talking about how you were going to beat my ass into the ground! Then I broke your legs!” Rurik snarled at him.

“B-b-b-but-” began Bright, only to be cut off by his opponent yet again.

“Come on! I thought you were a badass! Hit me! Fight me! Give me a hug for Ysmir’s sake!” mocked Rurik.

This suggestion made the rather battered stallion stop blubbing and look up at the masked biped with confusion.

“W-what?!” he asked shakily.

In response, Rurik grabbed the pony by the neck and hauled him off the ground to eye level, and removed the mask, revealing a very serious look on his face.

"You will leave this town with your goons and never return. Furthermore, if you harass Ditzy and Dinky ever again in any way: I'll know. If I have to come after you again, no amount of connections you have will save you. I have plenty of blood on my hands as it is, but I won't lose sleep over a bit more; do you understand me you misogynist piece of Skeever shit!?”

Bright Wand swiftly shook his head up and down with wide eyes.

“Good, now get out of here, I am beginning to feel a bit peckish, and you are looking like a good main course.” said Rurik low enough so that only he and Bright could hear.

To emphasize his point, he allowed his eyes to glow their sinister red before changing back to their disguised blue. He threw the well beaten Unicorn to the ground as most of the ponies in Ponyville looked upon him with awe. Royal Guards under the command of Lieutenant Blood Mane moved forward to arrest Bright Wand and his goons, the Lieutenant himself walked up to Rurik and snapped into a salute. Blood Mane was bright white like most of the Solar Guard look due to the enchantments on their armor, but sported a blood red mane instead of the standard blue and had a rather ugly looking set of scars down the right side of his face.

“We’ll take it from here Sir Rurik, damn fine job handling the situation!” said the lieutenant in a gruff voice, his intense golden eyes showing admiration.

“It was my pleasure lieutenant.” replied Rurik clasping his fist over his heart and inclining his head; the standard salute of the Stormcloak Army.

As soon as he turned around, the town’s ponies began stomping their hooves in applause and cheering. At that moment, Rurik knew that the Ponies would be less inclined to hide from him in terror when he walked down the street. He was soon approached by an older mare with a tan coat and white mane. Her cutie mark was a rolled up scroll with a blue ribbon tied around it, and a set of glasses sat on her aged face.

“That stallion caused us a quite a bit of trouble in the past, as the mayor, you have the thanks of everypony here.” said the mare.

“It was nothing ma’am, I was doing what was needed. Where I come from men who beat women and children usually earn the same fate. I just hope that Mrs. Hooves and little Dinky will be alright.” said Rurik with concern. Before the mayor could answer, Twilight walked up to him.

"She is in the hospital, if you will follow me I will take you to there." said Twilight.

"Thank you Twilight." replied the tall Nord before the two of them walked off together towards Ponyville General Hospital.