Author's Note

Added Silver's Description!

Off for a Stride

Chapter Two: Off for a Stride…

I awoke in a darkened, moist hole, filled with humid air. As I tried to move I realized that I was shackled to the floor.
“What is this place?” I wondered. “The ground seems to pulse, as if it, LIVES!
“OHH!” came a moan. Silver Stride casually walked forward from the shadows and began to stretch. He had the same coat color and freckles, but his eyes were a pale orange, and his mane was swept back with a silver stripe in the middle.
“Dear Celestia, our body is in even worse condition than I previously anticipated!” he said in-between yawns. “But I‘ll manage.”
“Well enjoy your stay, Timid, you’ll be here for a while, maybe even, FOREVER!”
He strutted away cackling manically as I tried to shout back at him. Both his voice and body faded deeper into the darkness until it was no longer distinguishable.

“So much lunacy…” I thought to myself wearily before succumbing to the darkness.
“Ah,” Silver sighed, “Finally back in control, now, time to fix this horrible existence.” He finished as he rose wobbly to his hooves. Silver strode over to the desk that was heavily burdened with stacks of yellowing and fading parchments and began to organize them.

“I can’t possibly hope to live in such condition.” Silver said as he entered a state of hysteria. Silver had finished cleansing the entire underground dwelling, the desks nice and tidy, the contents of the cabinet were expertly organized, and the bed well-made.
“Now for the most important task, food!” he said aloud to himself. He made for the ladder and ascended to the surface world. As he replaced the rug hiding the entrance, a light rain began to fall. The breeze had died down as the night had passed and the morning sun began to rise, giving off faint glows of red and orange while pressing the night sky back with a purplish hue. Birds and other small woodland creatures began their chimes and morning routines as Silver left the desolate cottage.
“Let’s have a look at the list then,” Silver neighed as he stretched from being stuck in the small undercroft he called home. He brought out a browned parchment with a list of edible foodstuffs out of a newly crafted leather tote. He gazed at the list, subconsciously muttering to himself about how to maintain a well-stocked food store. He then slid the list back into his tote and began to trot off to the Everfree forest.

“Oh where could these dragon tails be?” Silver muttered as he snuffed around the tall grasses of the floor of the forest. Just at the end of his thoughts nine tribal ponies came crashing through the trees shouting and ranting blood-curdling death cries.
“Raaargh!” shouted the first one. The others mimicked his cries. They were covered with white and red painted stripes and clothed by grass weave and leather hides of fallen foes and creatures. Their manes were cut short and in unique styles of which Silver had never seen. They galloped straight at him with their eyes filled with a savage bloodlust. They pulled out what appeared to be tribal weapons as they drew closer. Silver was too shocked to move his hooves, and stood paralyzed in fear of his death drawing closer.
Just as they reached a few meters away, they forced themselves to a halt as they began to trot around Silver, encircling him. Their eyes locked immediately on his tote and greed began to fill their already devilish expressions. They began beating their hooves against the ground as the leader-by the look of him-came to face Silver in the center. He was the most decorated of the raiders, with small skulls and other grizzly trophies and ornaments hanging from his dress. He grunted aggressively as he motioned for Silver to relinquish his tote to him. Silver reluctantly slid off his tote and placed it gingerly on the ground. As the raider moved in to take the bag, Silver saw a flash fly through the tree line and ducked. The flash was an arrow that lodged itself into the neck of the leader’s throat.

“Gah!” was all he could get out as he collapsed and began writhing in pain. Blood spurted from the wound effortlessly as the flesh around the wound began to melt away, revealing the darkened tissue underneath while smoke slowly began to rise from it. Silver watched as the life slowly faded from the pained colt’s eyes. The other raiders turned to the tree-line and began to survey for the source of the attack. Several arrows came crashing through the tree lines, all piercing a new target. They all collapsed as similar effects took their toll on their bodies.

Silver finally regained control of his limbs and bolted for the opposite direction. He began to panic as he heard several hoovesteps smashing through the delicate underbrush behind him. He felt the air around him wiz as several darts flew past him. He began to pant raggedly as he began to lose his breath and his legs became fatigued. He tried to continue his escape, but his hoof slipped into an inconveniently located pothole, causing him to lose his stance and come crashing brutally into the earth.
Silver pulled himself up from the blood-splattered grass he landed in. He felt his face and discovered a deep gash had opened up, with torrents of blood flowing out.

“Fuck me…” he slurred as he hopelessly continued his desperate escape. He was limping due to the pothole tearing his tendons in his left front hoof. Blood had begun a steady flow from his hoof while his blindly staggered through the darkening forest.
After what seemed like hours, Silver lost his stance again and began to crawl slowly through the forest. His face was stained with re-dried blood and tear marks while his coat was covered with scratches and abrasions. He struggled with each breath he took, for he knew they may be his last. Slowly the world became darker and blurry as the blood-loss began to put Silver into shock.
“No…not no……” Silver barely managed to croak. As he slipped into unconsciousness, the pursuers gathered around him.

“Wow, this one sure didn’t want to get caught,” came a feminine voice.
“Yes, it seems that there is still a bit of life left in him, poor wretch,” came a masculine voice.
“Let’s see here…” said another masculine voice as the dark colt lifted Silver’s mane, “Well, well, an alicorn no less, he would make a wonder addition, wouldn’t you agree, Greymane?”
Greymane, a large Pegasus, walked up to examine the body. “Hmm, can you fix him, Mayday?” he simply asked.
“Well, if he hasn’t lost too much blood, I can keep him alive.”
“Good then, let’s wrap him up then, Terastrike, get to it.”
“Yes sir!” she called. She pulled out a bandage roll, some compresses, and bindings and carefully applied them to Silver’s wounds.

I felt my mind come back as I opened my eyes to see that I had switched places with Silver Stride. He lay there with his head lolling while he was unconscious. From the looks of his grizzly wounds, I could see why.
“Oh what trouble did you land us in?” I spoke aloud softly as I drifted back to my own body.

I awoke in a dingy cell that smelled, ‘natural’. I groaned softly as I tried to raise my hooves. I gave my body a quick examination: Bandaged head and hoof, cleaned and treated coat, and my mane was actually kempt for once.
“Well, at least somepony gives two fucks about me,” I thought as I surveyed the room. The cell seemed to be isolated, for the only sounds I heard were that of nature. It was dark, musty, and made of stone. The pile of putrid of hay served as the only bed as far as I could tell. A rusted iron pail lay in the back left corner and obviously served as the restroom. The door was made of a metallic alloy, possibly to block the use of my horn.

“Oh if they only knew…” I thought comically to myself as I licked my parched lips, “My horn is the least dangerous thing on my body.” As I finished this thought, I heard hoofsteps outside and I backed into the shadows of the cell, anxiously anticipating my captors to reveal themselves.

“No need to hide in the shadows, alicorn, I see you just as clear as if it were day,” came a gruff yet relaxed voice.

“What do you want with me?” I timidly rasped out.

“No need to worry about that now, besides, I’ve been sent to collect you. You won’t try to run again will you? It was such a ‘drag’ to get you back here, and I don’t look forward to playing nursemaid again anytime soon. Nah,” he snorted in humor, “I kid, my name’s Saps,” he smiled as he finished. He was a dark colt with a cloak covering most of his body. His eyes were a deep, ruby red and his muzzle was sharp and he had a small but muscular build. His teeth resembled fangs.

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Alright then, come along!” he said deeply while unlocking the cell door and beckoned with his hoof to the outside world. I bashfully stepped out onto the tree darkened path as he slowly closed the door behind me.

“This way to our castle, it’s subterranean, just a heads-up if you’re afraid of the dark,” he stated as he took the lead. “It was a fine structure once, it stood on the highest peak of the Everfree forest for millenniums," he went on, "But after the Grand Quake, it now lies at one of the lowest points of the forest,” he informed me. We walked for a while in silence. “Don’t talk much do you?” he asked comically.

“No,” I gained the nerve to say.

“Oh, well, you’ll get along fine I’m sure,” he said reassuringly as we reached a cliff overlooking a steep ravine. I looked down to find that there was a gently rolling slope that led into the cavern of the ravine. We walked into the dark ravine that had the silhouette of a grand-looking castle that had a gothic feel about it. As we entered the cavern I lost my sight and stopped in place.

“Why’d you stop? Oh, almost forgot, your kind can’t see in the dark,” he said as he brought out a torch. He struck it against the cavern wall and it immediately lit. The insides of the cavern became clearer as the torchlight danced lazily against the walls.

“Better?” he asked. I nodded my approval. He nodded back and we continued on our path to the castle. The way was a well-worn path with stalagmites guiding our path. As we traveled through the interior of the cavern I heard water dripping and a faint spring bubbling in the distance. We then came up to the darkened shape of the castle as faint lights crept through the darkness. As we neared the drawbridge to the castle, the new lights grew faintly brighter as the light of the outside world slowly faded behind us.

“Welcome to Castle Everfree, it’s a lovely little slice of heaven,” he announced as we approached at a leisurely pace. The drawbridge was made up of old and worn oak planks and rusty iron fittings and supports. The stonework was chipped and worn, but still well-standing. Two large hearths burned merrily at both sides of the bridge on what appeared to be defense towers. The twin large oak doors that were the entrance, looked as if they were new. As we began to cross, I saw stone statues of possible past inhabitants, they appeared as royalty yet, just as gloomy as the pony that guided me.

“This statue is of Lord Redwene Everfree, founder of this fine forest,” stated Saps.
As I examined the statue further, I took hold of his distinguishable features: His jaw was chiseled and his eyes were elegant and filled with merriment. His mane was short and wavy, as was his tail. He wore a cloak like Saps’s but his was different due to the magnificent pendant. It was round with six gems circling a large star shaped gem in the center.

“He took interest in you when he learned you were an alicorn, and wishes to speak with you.”

“Wait, he’s still alive?” I asked.

“Oh, silly me, I forgot, but uh never-you-mind that, he’s right through this door, and is anxious to meet you,” he said as he motioned for me to go inside.

I was still pondering what to do, make a run for it and risk getting lost and dying, or enter the castle and see what is being offered. In the end I decided to enter the castle and meet this Lord Everfree.

“Ah, now before you enter, please treat my lord with respect, address him as milord, speak only with spoken to, and don’t do anything that you may think to upset the court,” he said as he began to open the door.

“Milord? The Alicorn is here to see you,” Saps called as he entered and bowed.

As I entered the throne room, I also bowed, as to not condemn myself to an early demise.

“You may raise, Saps, and newcomer.” King Everfree’s voice sang out. As we rose I raised my eyes to him as he sat on his throne. He was a well-built unicorn and resembled his subject Saps, only his mane was a light brown. The pendant that hung around his neck was silver and consisted of precious gemstones, a ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, garnet, and amethyst. In the center was a large diamond that cast a rainbow-like glow. The gems inside the pendant were reflecting through the diamond.

“So, you are the alicorn that fled away from my loyal subjects? My, my, you gave us quite the exercise with how fast you moved!” he announced cheerfully. “No matter, you’re here now and that’s all that matters! So, what’s your name?”

“Timid Dawn, milord,” I spoke softly.

“Quiet one aren’t you?” he asked humorously. “Don’t worry Timid, we don’t bite, much.”

I forced an uncomfortable smile as I asked, “Milord, what brings you down here?”

“Oh, just an earthquake, nothing too serious, I mean we all survived and still have our home so no need to complain,” he replied disregarding it as nothing as he looked at his hoof.

“Ah, I see, milord.” I said in response.

“Well, Timid, I’m sure you’re curious as to why I dragged you here, if I’m not mistaken,” he said.

“Yes, milord.” I said in reply.

“I’m was keenly interested in the fact that you were an alicorn, and well, I was hoping if you’d be willing to strike a bargain,” he stated. “Though my offer my may seem a little extreme, I genuinely hope you take it into serious consideration.”

“Yes, milord?” I asked wearily, for I saw that a steep price came with the boon.

“Well, encase you still haven’t figured it out, we’re vampires, and we owe our existence to it,” he said in all seriousness. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to exchange gifts, I become an alicorn, and you become a true immortal of nocturne!” he said with a hint of excitement.

I was shocked by this offer, but nevertheless intrigued. I’d never have to forage for food or worry about disease ever again. But on the other hoof, I’d gain weakness to the sun and fire, as well as lose my existence as a living creature. As I stood pondering it, King Everfree stared at me, waiting for my response. After a few minutes passed by, King Everfree spoke.

“If you need more time to ponder and consider, I can offer you your own quarters for the night, and have Saps bring you meals as you see fit.”

“That would be wonderful, milord,” I replied.

“Excellent, Terastrike!” King Everfree called as he clopped his hooves, “Show our esteemed guest to his room!” A female Pegasus came and gripped my hoof as she led me to the room that I would be staying in for the night. She was a lighter shade of grey and had a longer, thicker mane. She had calming eyes and a small snout, and with it an equally small and beautiful smile.
“Here you go, Timid, have a wonderful sleep,” she said to me soothingly. “I hope you enjoy your stay.” She then flew away to where I thought her quarters lie.

The door to my room was made of recently refurbished wood and iron fittings, and as I swung it open, I found that the room was medium-sized room fit for a small-time lord. The bed was made of fine silk and the frame of sturdy oak. The rest of the room was a table set with a meal and candles, a wardrobe, rugs, and a separated area for relieving one’s self.
I crawled into the bed and thought to myself, “What have I gotten myself into?”