A Zebra's Pen

As Dawn sat upon her golden throne, she illuminated a group of four great wolves and their burdens. The wolves were loping along the field, each stride bringing them closer to the walled camp that stood before them.

Arriving at the goblin settlement bruised, battered and sore Zecora stared up at the huge gate before her. The group had travelled through the night and dark circles had formed under the goblins eyes. With a wave of his hand Earless spoke up, “Open the gates!”

The shadow of a sentry rose over the wall. Peering down at the group he said, “State your purpose Rider”

“We’re a hunting party sent out a few weeks ago to capture the Zebra who had crossed the border.”

“Wait there.” The sentry said, as he disappeared behind the wall. Moments later the gates opened, creaking as they swung out. “Take the Zebra straight to The White. He has been kept waiting long enough.”

With a wave of acknowledgement Earless led his group into the settlement and down the main street. The land behind the gate was an open area of grassland with a building placed either side of it. In the distance there were other groups of wolf riders leading charges against one another and taking part in mock battles.

Earless was riding with his eyes closed and arms stretched out. “It’s so damn good to be back” he said to the other two, who grunted their agreement. Earless looked back at them and chuckled before turning his eyes onto Zecora. “You know, I think the only downside to these two is that they never seem to speak.” The Zebra looked up at him, confusion evident on her face. “You want to know why they don’t speak?” A wicked grin split his cheek. “It’s because they angered The White”

As Earless said this, his two silent companions growled, their wolves responding in kind. Zecora shivered, and a cold sweat covered her body.

“Quiet!” Earless snapped at them, “You are the ones at fault and not him.”

They followed his orders almost immediately making no other noise but failing to remove their scowls. Calming their wolves by gently patting their necks, they continued on, closing in on the town ahead.

As the Wolves strolled in through the town’s edge, all traffic on the street moved aside, and each and every goblin bowed. The only exception being other riders who simply nodded their heads in greeting. Zecora stared wide eyed as each of the goblins showed their respects to the wolves and their masters. The only time she had ever seen such devotion was in her own village when the royal guard would march through the streets with the high priestess atop her carriage.

After the riders had moved past each of the pedestrians they rose back up and continued on with their previous tasks. Despite the settlement’s streets being crowded, there would always be a route for the riders to head down unimpeded.

They reached their destination before the sun had fully risen over the walls. Dismounting Earless and his muted followers led their wolves to the side of the building and hitched their reigns onto a hooked post. They then lifted Zecora from her mount and dumped her onto the floor before untying her legs. Grabbing the rope Earless dragged Zecora into the large building.

The door opened into a huge hall complete with a fire pit and a two semi-circular tables placed around it. At the far end of the hall on a granite throne sat The White, his huge white wolf sitting by his side as he looked at his visitors. “Welcome,” he said. His soft voice bouncing off the walls and easily reaching them. “Bring the Zebra to me.”

“Of course,” Earless replied as he walked Zecora up to the throne. When she didn’t bow Earless moved his hand above her head, ready to force it onto the floor.

“That won’t be necessary, Grimko.”

When he heard The White’s voice, Grimko froze and pulled his hand away, “I apologise my lord.”

“That is fine.” He directed a sharp look towards Zecora, “We need not force her into bowing to me, she will soon find her place herself”

Grimko chuckled. “Of course My Lord.”

The White continued to stare at Zecora, her striped coat beginning to darken with nervous sweat. He raised his clawed hand and brushed her cheek, which she shrugged off with a shake of her head, snorting her indignation. “Very well,” he said. “I suppose we should get down to business.”

Reaching down, The White pulled a scroll from beside his wolf and unfurled it. Looking at the Zebra he said, “I have reason to believe that your name is Zecora...”

The long pause made the zebra’s eyes shrink and she began to slowly shake. The goblins next word was drenched with venom as he hissed, “Priestess.”

Her breathing had become heavy. The stories she had been told of how goblins treated Zebra’s, while highly embellished, but were still no less terrifying than when she was a child. The tales of their misdeeds only grew when Priestesses were concerned.

How or when he found out didn’t matter. He did know and Zecora could do nothing but pray the tales were false.

“I have a great hate for priestesses. When I learned of your past, you ignited a burning desire within me for a retribution long since overdue.” He stood off his throne and grabbed Zecora’s muzzle, forcing her to look up into his dull eyes. “When you first crossed Our borders to reach your new home in Equestria you came with your brother and using him as a shield you plowed your way through our checkpoints. So many that it looks like you purposefully aimed for them. Each one you visited had every soldier and wolf rider slaughtered in such a speed that it prevented them for calling for help.”

The goblins arms bulged with power as he flung the zebra across the room. She landed headfirst into the center of the fire pit and under a cloud of ash. She collapsed, unconscious. The white sat back onto his Throne.

“It has taken me a great deal of time to find you Priestess. And now that I have I will break you.” He looked towards Grimko who was watching the scene unfold with glee. “Throw her into the swamp and leave her in there as preparation for the pit. I want her ready for the festivities in a week today.”

“Gladly” The earless goblin said as he dragged Zecora out by the long rope, leading her towards her sentence.

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