The Knights of Night

The forests grew dim as the young stallion pointed out the way he'd ran into the forest. Night Reaper flicked her ears with a hint of amusement at him, but refused to show the full emotion.

"Are you sure that you came from this way, princey?" the question wasn't meant in any offense, but it wasn't meant as a joke, either.

Blood Moon nodded, motioning towards a broken bramble of what was once a briar rose bush next to a small ground-cover of Gotu Kola where she'd placed a clawed trap.

'Lucky little bastard...' she raised her ears to listen to the young pegasus, catching the sound of insects as well.

"That's where I crash-landed from flying practice. The thorns kinda' hurt, but not too much. The flowers tasted okay, though"

"Just how clumsy are you, kid?" Night Reaper rolled her eyes, pressing forward to the smell of apples, something that she hadn't caught in the air for a long time, but wouldn't forget. It made her nostalgic, but mainly sick for open space to fly in.

"Hum-mm, hmm mm..." a familiar foreign lullaby's tune rang through the air as though through wooden wind chimes warmly.

"What was that?" Blood Moon tensed out of some emotion, causing her to laugh quietly at him, ceasing as immediately as she began," why did you just laugh at me?"

She gave her answer in a flat glare that was as brief as the laughter. Instead of scolding or harming Blood Moon, she simply flicked the tip of her tail in his face to show a smudge of apathy to the questions.

"She's a good zebra who taught my clan about some plants that weren't poisonous to eat for winter. Especially since zap apples don't grow year round."

"Yeah, well that doesn't tell me who she is!" the pegasus stomped his hoof in an exasperated fit. The air's scent around the couple quickly changed from the and pine-like wilderness of the forest and apples to a variety of medicinal herbs that worked wonders as the wise zebra approached them, followed by another zebra-like being.

"Reaper, this is such a surprise! And who is this young one before our eyes?" Zecora motioned towards the white stallion, who stared in confusion of the rhyme.

"It's nice to see you, too, Zecora," Night Reaper replied happily," he's a royal whose name is Blood Moon, and he landed--"

"Crashed." he corrected her, causing the male 'zebra' to snicker loudly.

"Crashed, my bad," she rolled her eyes and continued," near our trap-sets, then was caught by Altair's ensnaring net before he could go any further."

"Ah, your brother's ensnaring little nets," Zecora sighed," did you put lamb's ear on the wing area yet?"

"Yeah, but a lot of my feathers fell out before she'd found me, though. Who is your friend, Ms. Zecora?"

"Quiggy is what he likes to be called. He's a Quagga, not a Zebra at all." the sandalwood-colored Quagga bowed to the ponies whimsically, right before spotting razor-thin blades of grass, picking it, and placing it in a small burlap bag around his neck.

"Quiggy, as you can see, is much more knowledgeable about harvesting herbs than me," Zecora gave the remark proudly, beaming like a mother whose child had saved the world from disaster.

Night Reaper's ears pricked up suddenly, a metallic smell pervading the air near their location, and began to back up towards the small hut's door with her ears flattened in some sort of defense instinct. That certain smell had always meant death for somepony in the past, and in this case, it would've meant death for her since she'd forgotten her scythe in her shack back in the village.

"Night Reaper, my young filly, friend dear," Zecora's voice was a sword of calm with a sharp edge of resolve," would you please go inside and get the fennel and more lamb's ear?"

"I'll go with her!" Blood Moon added, but was quickly cut off by Zecora and Quiggy, who handed him a blade of the herbal grass he'd picked. Gratefully, Night Reaper nodded at the two, sighing with relief.

"Just wait out here and talk with us. Surely, gathering a few herbs for you won't be too much of a fuss?" Quiggy attempted to enunciate the hidden meaning behind the rhyme, and with a sincere gaze given to him, Blood Moon finally caught on. He'd forgotten that she was afraid of what she considered 'day ponies'. As soon as she was out of earshot, Blood Moon began asking his questions.

"Alright, so if Night Reaper's people hate the Royal Family so much, why didn't she just take me to their village to be butchered like animal."

Zecora's ears flicked down and back up; she could hear the soldiers coming for the white pegasus," Because even if your family has nearly killed her's, she believes peace can still be made without force. Your cousin, Celestia, believes it, as well, but forgot to send a messenger to tell. And in the past, your family has been known mainly for their lust of power."

"But she's as ruthless as Cosmos-"

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong, my friend," Quiggy interjected," Unlike your ancestor, Night Reaper does not want to hurt others, but will if she truly has to."

"She threatened that I'd never be able to move again if I didn't give her the information about how Celestia called off the search."

"But did she, is the question, young one?" Zecora was now the one on the edge of amusement at the idea of Night Reaper threatening a pony of Royal Blood, especially since she, herself had been a knight for them.

"Well, no, but-- but she could've if she wanted to!!"

"But she didn't." Quiggy concluded the debate with finality.

For a petrified moment, Blood Moon stood, surprised that someone had beaten him in an argument, but quickly gave a perplexed look, "So then it was an empty threat?"

"Oh no, young Blood Moon," Zecora shook her head, "When Night Reaper gives orders, if you don't usually follow them it leads to your doom."

"So, then, if I hadn't told her about my lineage and gave her the information, she would've killed me?"

"Not her, but you are very close. However, you were lucky to be hurt when you were found, young man." Quiggy remarked cheerfully.

"I get how Zecora knows so much about Night Reaper," the sea-green maned pegasus began again slowly," but how do you if this is your first visit?"

"Quiggy is a Magician of sorts, and can see many things. Not just those around, but of the past and fickle future. He is blessed and cursed."

"But you're a Quagga, not a Unicorn."

"In our land of birth, even Zebra have powers not of this earth." Quiggy replied calmly just as the small group of white armored pegasi reached the small open area surrounding the hut.

"Prince Blood Moon," the golden-armored captain bowed deeply," we have been searching for you since we heard that you'd crash-landed in Evergreen Forest. I apologize for not being there to protect you."

"It's... not that big of a deal, Sun Burst. Just don't tell my parents or we'll both be in trouble. Especially since I landed in the forest."

There was a pause between the two groups as Night Reaper's smell of day-lilies and violets filled the air once more, causing the young prince to stiffen as the guards sniffed curiously. Captain Sun Burst suddenly looked directly at Quiggy, who stared back at him just as confused. The captain seemed to be observing every detail, but mainly gazing at the small bag around Quiggy's neck. Abruptly, as though identifying the smell that had absorbed each of them, he gave a friendly smile.

"I say... is that lemon grass?" the tension quickly lifted like a cloud after the older stallion asked the question with the spontaneity of a young colt. It was as though he couldn't smell the floral composition of the Night Pony.

"Yes, it works wonders with sick ponies, zebra, and quaggas alike. Tastes good in salads and teas as well, so long as you remove the shell. Would you like some?" the Quagga's cheerful disposition stayed intact; apparently he was nearly immune to anger.

"My young children are sick, so if it's alright with you-"

Before the Captain could finish speaking, Quiggy slipped the small pouch onto his neck, "In the forest, there is plenty to go around, but for now, it will be more needed with your family that lives in town."

"Thank you, kind stranger," Sun Burst attempted not to show the true amount of gratitude he wished to give," young Prince Blood Moon. It's time."

As the flock of pegasi began to walk back to town, Blood Moon heard the fiery swoop of Night Reaper's wings again. Turning back, he spotted a crimson-tipped feather. Quickly, he snatched it, and followed the Castle Guards.

"Well," Zecora spoke calm and relieved once again," that went better than expected. Mayhap Fate wishes to make peace between the Two Halves?"

Quiggy let out a small, light laugh," Something much larger than fate is at hand, my cousin."

"The Magician card gives up ideas, some useful, some creative and advantageous... but when flipped, your insecurity of something may be shown, so beware of who reads your cards, Sister." -- Altair, to Nightshaede, 250