Of Fire and Ice

We walked on in silence. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence however, but a companionable one. While we walked, I contemplated the fact that I was in a new world. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I stopped, looked around, and realized this was not my world. In all likelihood, I would never see anyone I knew again. I felt my hands ignite, so I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I was distracted by these depressing thoughts by a rustling in the bushes. I motioned for Cold to stop, and I looked toward the bushes. I had had some experience with muggings back on Earth, and I figured that on a world that was perpetually stuck in the middle ages would probably have highwaymen. My guess was proven correct when out from the bushes jumped the strangest pair of creatures I had ever seen (since earlier this morning that is). The tallest one was obviously a Minotaur. It stood over me by at least a foot, with curly ram horns seated on his head. The shorter one seemed to be some sort of dog, but it was bipedal. They were both looking intently at Cold, who was cowering behind me.

“Gib me yur valuables miss, an yew an yur pet won be harmed.” The dog said in broken English. He whipped out a rusty dagger, pointing it at me. I could see where this was going, so I decided to act accordingly.

“No, I don’t think that’s going to happen.” I said, igniting my hands and stepping forward, “For one, I am NOT a pet. Secondly, I’m not particularly happy that you just threatened my friend here. So, I recommend you step back and leave while you are still able.” I finished, probably looking quite smug. The Minotaur and the dog just looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. Laughing that promptly stopped when I sent the dog into a tree with a blast of fire.

“Now you’re gonna get it!” I heard a gravelly voice say, before being punched by a creature with muscles bigger than my head. Now on the ground clutching my stomach in pain, I saw him walking slowly toward Cold Snap with a predatory glint in his eyes. This glint changed to fear when a bolt of solid ice speared through his gut. He promptly fell over dead.

“N-nice shot, Freezie.” I wheezed, still trying to get back my breath. She looked back at me, tears welling up in her eyes. I quickly realized why. Killing things, even in self-defense, is quite bad for the psyche in the long run. I moved to comfort her, as I had a hunch this would not be the last time she killed, and my time would be soon coming. “It’s alright, you had to or he would have killed you. You did what you had to.” I soothed, slowly petting her mane. She looked up at me with her big, tearful eyes.

“B-but I k-k-killed h-him. He hurt you, t-than started toward me and I was s-scared. I just a-acted.” She said, her voice cracking more than once. I continued petting her mane.

“You saved my life, and your own. You only acted on instinct, and no one can blame you for that. Chin up Freezie, on the bright side you’re now my personal hero! You did save my life after all.” I said softly, smiling in what I hoped was a comforting manner before wiping her tears away. I got up, and moved toward the bodies of the Minotaur and the unconscious dog.

“What are you doing?” She called to me as I neared the bodies.

“I’m going to take the weapons so that when the dog wakes up, he can’t keep mugging travelers as easy.” I replied, picking up the dagger coated in what I now realized was blood, not rust. I then walked toward the dog, opening his bag to look for his weapons. Inside the bag I found a small coin pouch and a cube. The cube was rather small, fitting perfectly in the palm of my hand. It glowed faintly with what I assumed was magical power, and small runes were inscribed on its glossy black surface. I pocketed the coins and the cube and walked back to Cold Snap. “Alright, let’s get moving. I’m sure there is some sort on police or something we can report this to when we get to Maresden.” I said, walking down the road. She trotted next to me, looking right at my crotch area. “See something you like?” I asked dryly, looking at her. Her normally white coat turned red as she realized where she was looking.

“W-what, no! How could you even think that, that’s bestiality! No, I could just detect a faint magical signature in your pocket is all!” She all but shouted, looking away but obviously still blushing. I laughed at her reaction. I pulled the cube from my pocket.

“I found this when I was looking for weapons, and figured it might do something. That, and it was glowing. My simple mind just couldn’t think to leave a shiny thing behind.” I said with a smirk. “Anyway, you know what this thing is?” I asked, noticing her staring at the cube.

“That is a keystone.” She said in quiet awe.

“A what?” I replied eloquently replied.

“A keystone. It was used to unlock the massive front doors in old unicorn tribal ruins that date from before the unification.” I looked at her blankly, not knowing what this unification was. “They are obscenely rare artefacts, because the corresponding ruin could only be opened by the corresponding key. That guarantees that whatever treasure that lays inside is still there!” She said, obviously quite excited by the prospect of treasure.

“Sounds very Skyrim” I muttered, before turning toward her. “Neat. I could do with some magical treasure.” I said with a smile, before turning to head toward the town. “I bet if the key is here, the ruins might be close. We could probably ask around town for it too. Who knows, it might even have a way for me to get home in it!” I finished, as excited about this little treasure hunt as her. As we climbed the hill in front of us, I could only stop mouth agape. Smoke billowed up through the trees and the cries for help could be heard from here. Maresden was on fire.