The Cask of Green Apple cider

We approached Maintressor Manor, the Old cracked walls of the outside were stained with bird droppings, and moss.

At this point, everyone has taken their leave. I gave them all specific directions, not to leave the Manor, i will not be back until the morning, so i had known when i had left for the day, everyone would be gone, every single one of them.

We walked Down into the cellar, which then led into the long descent into the Catacombs, I took two ciders from their shelfs, giving one to Coltunato, we went far down, down a spiral staircase, through a mile of the Vacant rooms. We then appeared at the edge of the catacombs, the area being marked by moss, the heavy damp air, and the inhabiting Parasprites.

The Gallop of my friend was uneasy, and unsteady, the bells on his cap Jingled as he trot.

"The pipe," he said.

"It is farther on," I spoke; "but- observe the white web-work which gleams from these catacomb walls."

Turning towards me, he looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs like a fish, that distilled the smell of the cider.

"Para....sprites?" he questioned at length.

"Parasprites," I Replied. " How long have you had that cough?"

He coughed, i was afraid he would have died, he found it hard to reply for many minutes.

"Ugh! ugh! - I.. - ugh!- It's nothing.." he said at last.

"Come, we will go back, you are too sick, and rich. Respected, admired, love. You are happy, as I Was once. You are a Colt to be missed, For me it is no matter, We can go back; you will be dreadfully sick, and i shant be held responsible! Besides... There is Lumazie-"

"Enough!" He interrupted, "These cough's aren't anything, it will not kill me. I Wont die of a cough."

"True, true." I Replied; grinning under my mask."And, yes. I Had no intention of alarming you for no reason, but you should be careful, a terrible thing, that cough..."

"Drink, it will make you feel better." I Said, while giving him a bottle of cider.

He brought the bottle to his lips with a haze, and paused. And nodded to me familiarly, While his cap jingled.

"I Drink," He said." To the buried that decompose around us!"

"And I, to your long life."

After a few moments of him drinking, He took to my side and we continued downwards

"These vaults." he said, breaking the silence, " are extensive."

"The Maintresors were a great and large family." I replied.

"I Forget your Coat."

"A Large hoof d'or, in a feild of azure, The foot is crushing a crazed snake, whose fangs are embedded in the hoof."

"And the Motto?"

" Nemo equo impu."

"Good!

The vines overgrew in the catacombs, i knew we drew closer to the destination, I Gave him a half bottle of cider, and He emptied it in one breath, His eyes flashing with a evil light, He laughed and tossed the bottle upwards and with a gesture that i did not understand.

I Looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement, a grotesque one.

"Don't you understand?" He questioned.

"Not at all.." i answered.

"Then you are not of the Colthood?"

"What?"

"The colthood, of masons?"

"Yes, yes" i said repeating.

"You?! Impossible! A Mason?"

"A Mason, yes."

He seemed utterly confused and a little scared.

" A Sign," He uttered "a sign."

'Well, this!" I Gave him the sign, i drew a trowel from the pockets of my cloak.

"Hah, you make me laugh Maintresor!" he exclaimed, recoiling a few paces. "But.. let us go fowards, the Green Apple Cider."

"Alrighty then." I Said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again. Offering him my side. He leaned upon it heavily as we continued our path, in search of the Green Apple Cider. Us passing a range of low arches, went under and over, through and around pillars. pressing on, then descending yet again. Arriving at a deep crpyt in which the disgusting air caused My horn to emit a dim glow rather then burn brightly.

At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious one, it's walls had been lined with Pony remains, piled to the vault overhead, in a fashion that resembled a puzzel. three sides of the room were still ornamented with the remains. From the fourth side the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the tiled floor, forming at one point a bulge of some large size. Within the wall there exposed by the displacing of the bones, a small recess in the crypt, In depth, about four hoof's. And in width three. In height six or seven. It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use within itself, but. Formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and wasbacked by one of their circumscribing walls of complete solid granite.

It was in vain that Coltunato, uplifting himself endeavored to pry into the depth of the recess. My horn, the termination of the feeble light did not enable us to see.

"Go on," i said;"There is the Green Apple Cider, As for Luchmaize-"

"He is stupid!" He said with a laugh, he trotted unsteadily forward, while i followed immediately at his rear, In the recess, he had found out he had reached the opposing wall, and no Green Apple Cider was seen, He stood hazily, In the granite wall's surface, were four Iron staples, distant from each other about two Hoof's length. From one of these came a short chain, from the other a large Lock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to lock it. He was much too surprised to resist. Withdrawing the key, I Stepped back.