Journey of an Assassin

Chapters

Job offer
Crossing boundries
Voodoo, who do, you do?
Into the hive
The test
Dreams and the cold north

Job offer

The man who lay slumped over the oaken desk was just like most men in this city. Powerful, wealthy with enough influence to sway royalty if it were within his grasp. The cold steel eyes of his were already starting to fade in color. His life essence stained the parchments upon his work station, seeping over the edge to puddle upon the expensive rug that adorned the floor of his study. The rest soaked into his silk shirt and vest, the comfy chair he sat in will have absorbed the rest ruining the intricate design the maker had slaved away so hard over. The fireplace on the wall opposite from him crackled as the log within snapped in two, sending sparks across the polished wooden floor. Firelight cast shadows over the study, the walls to the left and behind the individual were crammed with tomes and books, covering subjects ranging from the agricultural to military drills. A well informed man indeed. Pity for all the knowledge he knew of the city it did little to comfort him upon the hour of his abrupt departure from this world.

Too close my contractor said. He was getting too close to the royal family. While that may not sound all that worth my time, it was his intentions that drew my benefactor and his colleagues concern. Lord Adrian sought one simple wish: Power. He had plenty of it. He wielded it like a sword to his rivals, relished when it cut down the lesser folk and drank it up like the fine wines he consumed during his evening meals. And there lies the problem. Adrian wanted more. Not satisfied with being a lord, Adrian was working hard to get in good graces with the King and Queen. They had a son and daughter, a prince and princess both destined for great things. It was those steel eyes fancying the princess that sealed his end. Like those before him and would come after, Adrian craved more power. What better way then to maneuver oneself into the blood line via marriage.

So what was his folly that ended his presence on this earth? The princess's brother of course. The next in line for the throne, he would not sit idly and allow such a being attempt to usurp what was rightfully his. And so here I stand, wiping the blade that delivered the coup de' grace. I care not for the power struggles that occur between royal families, the lords and duchesses in this kingdom. Politics make my skull hurt more then an arrow ricocheting off the bone. The maid will find Adrian's body come morning. By then he'll be as cold and stiff as the other corpses already buried in the graveyard to the east. By the time news of his death have spread, the prince will have made a statement condemning Adrian and tarnishing his name for generations. Like my line of work some royal members can be so devious when it suits them. Must be those crowns and tiaras they wear in public. Too tight or metal poisoning being absorbed through the skin.

A light flickers in the window drawing my attention. A few minutes later the sound of thunder rumbles outside. Sheathing the blade within the scabbard under my cloak I make for the same way I entered. It happened to be up through the attic out a small window. Quietly opening the door that shows the entrance of the study to the main hallway, a quick glance reveals that all is quiet this night. Slipping in the shadows I pass by other rooms where maids, butlers and a few family members sleep soundly. Unaware of the grim discovery they will encounter come morning. Up the ladder I go, pulling it with me before locking the overhead door shut. The sound of rain drums on the roof over my head while the sound of gushing water can be heard as it pours from the storm drains to the cobbled streets below. I tighten my cloak and adjust the hood before exiting the window I pried open earlier this evening.

The town is almost vacant with many a denizen already in bed for the night. Only the night watch and lamp lighter make their rounds this wet and dismal night. Lightly treading, I leap from one roof top to the next being mindful of the wet shingles Rain makes it more challenging to keep my balance and the risk of falling from a slip up is all the more greater. Something I am used to having been in the southern region during the fall monsoons. Always wet and soaked to the bone when taking a job there. Makes the fire place that more comforting when the work is done. Farewell city of Azur.

To the east of Azur lay a forest that grew wild and untamed over the years. People have attempted to stake a foot hold in its outer borders, only to be thwarted by how resilient and aggressive nature can be. If its not the wild life the resides within the trees, its the plant life itself. One of the few reasons it makes for a stealthy escape should a common thief or criminal wish to avoid the guards. But its the same wild life that makes it that more dangerous. Rumors of wild magic unchecked was one of the reason why attempts to control the forest's growth was in vain. Others claim its the presence of the wild life within the influence the forest's expansion across the lands. Night is when they are most active and any poor fool caught inside are doomed to never be seen or heard from again. So why was it that yours truly was entering the forest if he knew well the dangers lurking on the other side?

I had followers tailing me. I'd noticed them the moment I had slipped past the East Gate of Azur. To someone of my occupation a citizen or guard would think twice, nay never even consider wishing to stalk me day or night. Mostly at night. Whoever these lackeys were, they were either future employment or future animal feed and plant food. The ground is covered in a layer of dead and dying leaves fallen from the mighty trees that act like gates, barring mankind from the outside. Broken branches and twigs litter the carpeted forest floor adding to the danger of unwittingly announcing oneself to the wild creatures in the wood that an early dinner bell had been rung. Until tonight. The storm above is showing no signs of letting up. The constant pitter patter of rain droplets upon leaves, shrubs and branches add to the growing sounds of the evening noise already present by the nocturnal residents. Therefore it was safe to say that stepping in puddles besides snapping twigs will not give my or rather our location to potential hungry predators hunting this night.

The deeper I head into the forest, the thicker the air and trees seem to feel. Like an invisible rope is closing around my windpipe making difficult to breath at times. An odd feeling, one I've yet to encounter at the hands of an executioner. My trailers no doubt must be experiencing the same feeling due to their slowing of pace. Did I also mention it was growing darker, the deeper we traversed? My sight may be keen for the night, but I'm no cat or feline predator. The darkness is closing in around me much like the noose around my neck. Inky, thick, black nothingness that even the greatest sword of the finest steel can not cut through. The untamed magic. Some one or thing does not like our presence here. Go figure.

So en wrapped in these bizarre sensations, I nearly knock myself senseless on a cold stone wall. Stubbing my toe on a protruding rock is to be thanked for. One hand darts out on instinct and I am saved from ringing my head upon the surface. Strange. For all the tales and stories about the forest there was no mention of anyone succeeding on building anything this deep in the woods. I pause and gather my current surroundings. Trees with massive branches hanging overhead seem to halt just outside the wall's perimeter. Curious. Ignoring the fact that I am still being pursued, I follow along the stone wall until a broken section along the side reveals a dimly visibly floor to the inside. Slipping inside I am rewarded with the sound of water drip dripping onto the crumbled pillars that lay along what looks to be a hallway. The ceiling is partially caved in allowing much of the rain water to seep inside and further erode this already ancient structure. On my left is a broken archway where I'm guessing huge oak doors once stood. Much of the wood is rotted away, reclaimed by the very earth this place was built upon. To my right the main pathway continues, a small staircase can be seen leading up to an empty dais. A throne room? The chairs are all but missing and its too dark to make out the torn tapestries hanging from the back wall. Just what what is this place? Some sort of cathedral? I notice that whatever was constricting me in the forest was suddenly gone. A sort of safe haven against the forest perhaps?

The sound of someone grunting followed by a loud slap! against the wall near the self made entrance has informed me, my pursuers have finally caught up. I slip among the shadows, sliding the straps away from my twin blades mounted on my back preparing for the worst. A flicker of lightning quickly illuminates the interior from the hole in the ceiling. I see my followers fumbling around as they enter, cautious as they can be. Definitely strange. Thunder rumbles overhead, one of them whipping out a curved dagger in fright.

"Put that away!" Growled one of them, smacking the youngest of the three over his hand. He yelps and nearly drops the dagger, fumbling for it as it tumbles from his wet grasp.

"Are ye sure he went in here?" The taller of the three muttered, trying to make a torch out of what materials laying around in this structure. Good luck. Everything is soaked, so unless he brought dry cloth with kerosine for fuel its not going to improve his chances of light.

"I'm sure of it. The footprints lead inside here." The leader of the group replied.

"What are we even doing out here?" The youthful one anxiously asked as he sheathed his dagger.

"We're here because we were paid to be here, that's why." The leader growled again. While his answer seems gruff, no doubt just like the youngster he had no desire to be here anymore than his colleagues. The tallest grumbled and cursed before tossing aside the wet branch he snapped from some of the trees they traversed by.

"T'aint no good. Wood is too damp to make a decent torch. Unless you want to stumble in the dark, we got no choice. We need the lamp."

The leader spoke again,"We ain't using no lamp! Give our position away and we'll be dead before you know it."

"I still don't know why you took the job from that thing. You know what a Reaper is. This one happens to be the nastiest of them all."

"All the more reason to end him. Bring back his head to the guard and presto! We're set for life."

Future employment they were not. So some unknown employer hired them to eliminate me, then offer my head on a silver platter as proof for a hefty reward from the guard. Never a dull moment I suppose. I plot my next course. I could just exit and leave these fools to meander and stumble about these ruins. Course then what kind of assassin would I be if I let them live? Harsh you must be thinking to slay them here. Hey I never said my occupation was glamorous. Besides these cutthroats want to get into a scuffle with me. It's time to reinforce the reason why we Reapers are well respected and feared. As the trio make their way around one of the columns that lay across the path, I make my way around them silent as can be. The youngest is my first target. Nervous, nearly scared out of his wits. The least troubling of the group and the easiest to remove. The leader and the tall one pause to gaze up at the stairwell to the dais, leaving the young man vulnerable.

I slip behind him one gloved hand grasping over his nose and mouth firmly. My other arm wraps around his waist and I yank hard while simultaneously close off his means of exhaling. His cries are muffled and his ability to fight back are thwarted by the wet carpet we stand on. His flailing arms try to pull mine away, but my grip is like a coiling serpent. By the time his fellow lackeys turn around, we've both vanished into the shadows.

"Jerry?" Their leader called out, shocked that their dear young friend had simply vanished. Well he hasn't vanished. Not magically anyway.

The tall one pulls out the lamp and proceeds to use kerosine to fill it. Despite how tough he is, the trembling hands spill much of the oil on the floor. Shaking still, he fumbles with the flint and after a few misfires lights the lamp. A pale yellow glow washes over the ruins giving a dim illumination of the place. Most of the walls are seeped with rainwater tricking from the cracks in the ceiling. There are hardly any dry spots, so if any poor soul managed to find shelter here they can forget it on rainy nights.

"Jerry?" The leader calls again, louder. He slides a hand to his side and pulls out a sword, grasping the hilt tightly while his taller companion continues to search where poor Jerry last stood.

"The hell he go? I swear if that cowardly bastard turned tail and ran, those damn monsters in the forest will be the LEAST of his problems!"

A dull thump on the stairwell draws their attention, courtesy of yours truly. Jerry tumbles down the steps and comes to a rest at the bottom, three needles jutting from his neck. His eyes are glazed over and hes not even breathing. Poison. Nature's silent killer and a favorite among assassins every where. His colleagues prod him lightly, but there is no response.

"By the gods..." The leader whispers,"Took him like that then just upped and offed him." Say a prayer for poor Jerry. You'll both will be seeing him soon in the afterlife.

"You devil!" He shouted, swinging his sword about,"Come out and face us coward. A real man would face his end face to face, not hide in the shadows like a whimpering bitch!"

The light in the tall one's grasp goes out with a gust of wind. He drops it with a gasp and their source of light shatters upon the floor, sending shards of broken glass around them.

"Dammit Ford!" The leader bellowed. Ford, as the tall one was named reached into his coat and pulled out another lamp. Well he came prepared at least. He lights the wick inside and once again, a pale yellow light was cast over the interior. As dear Ford turned to see his leader, his eyes fell upon the back of a cloaked figure standing between him and his boss. I give him no time to react. A thrusting back kick finds the heel of my boot planting firmly in his gut, knocking the air from him and sending the man to tumble backwards. The leader snarls and brings his sword down in a overhead blow, intent on cleaving me in two. I swing upwards, my kris blade singing as it rings against his blade. I push forward forcing him back while my other arm whips around, my other kris lashing out in a mid section sweep aiming to disembowel him.

He stumbles and scrambles out of my reach, only to trip over the body of dear departed Jerry. Its all I need to quickly close the gap between us, even before he draws his sword up in a defensive position. My blade buries itself in his right side puncturing flesh, muscle and scrapes against bone as a lung collapses. I see his eyes widen as they stare into my own cold blue ones. Then they soften as the life fades from them. Drawing one leg up, I extract my blade from the collapsing body. Instinct tells me to duck and I oblige just in time to hear the whistling sound of a sword nearly give me a sudden height reduction. Ford caught his breath rather quickly. Then again not only was he tall, but rather large. I turn to face him only to see a broad sword bear down upon me. I roll to the side as the blade rings against the floor, the torn carpet taking the brunt of the force.

"I'll gut you, ya filthy bastard." Ford snarled as he moved in on me,"I'll carve their names into your bloody torso once I sever every one of your damn limbs!"

Promises, promises. I sheath one kris and hold out the other, the tip poised at Ford. I place both my index and middle finger against the base of the sword, muttering an incantation. In doing so, I slide my fingers from base to tip while the metal turns a pale blue as magic whispers within the runes appearing on one side. The sword stirs and awakens to its owner's call. Ford looks a little uneasy. His once brash and bold posture shifts to one of uncertainty and hesitation. I say nothing but keep my eyes upon him, letting him see my stare from beneath my cloak's hood. I dart in my sword singing in my grasp. Ford brings up his sword to counter each of my swinging blows. Steel rings against magical metal as kris and broad sword meet blow for blow. With each blow, Ford notices that his sword is starting to feel heavier and heavier. It makes his effort to swing it much more difficult. After the sixth blow, the weight of his own sword brings it crashing down, shattering as it strikes the ground. Shards of broken metal, encrusted in ice litter the floor, leaving him nothing but the guard, pommel and hilt.

He looks up, just in time to feel the blade slide into his chest. He inhales with a sharp gasp as a bitter cold envelops his body. Teeth chattering, Ford looks down to find my kris buried deep within him. There are no words, just a shocked expression that slowly fades into a neutral visage. I tap my sword whispering another incantation and the runes fade. I withdraw my kris letting Ford's lifeless and semi frozen corpse fall to join his fallen companions. Three novice thugs who were paid to track down a Reaper and attempt to collect a reward for his head? This trio was not playing with a full deck. Whomever sent them after me was either misinformed or unstable in terms of mental condition.

As I ponder the sad fate of these three, I ignore the sound of thunder rumbling overhead. This snuffs the sound of more footsteps entering the cathedral.

"Impresssssive." A voice hissed not to far behind me.

Two throwing daggers send the speaker scurrying for cover behind one the fallen columns. The blades ricochet off the stone, clattering away in the darkness. I leap towards where the hidden adversary lay, hearing it shriek in terror as my kris misses its head by a few inches. The blade trembles as it strikes stone while my eyes follow a cloaked figure scrambling for more cover. Pulling out a thin long chain, I whirl it around a few times before letting it soar. The end with a weight attached wraps around a leg and I give a hearty yank. The being squeaks... squeaks? in shock as it tumbles. I'm upon it as it rolls on its back, both blades poised on each side of its neck ready to add to my body count.

"I yield! Hear me out Reaper, ssstay thy bladess!" it hissed in fright.

I grunt to let it acknowledge that I heard it. That doesn't mean I'm letting it up. Three thugs tried to kill me and failed miserably at it, now this creature. And the night isn't even over yet.

"I was the one who hired those three whom now lay cold upon the floor behind uss." It gulps and squirms as my swords begin to close around its neck,"Wait, wait, wait! I only did it to see if the rumors were true about you Reapersss! I see my doubts have vanished!"

"There are two reasons why a person who seek a Reaper out. One for hiring. Or two because they are idiotic enough to send a couple of goons in, then foolishly admit their part in it knowing full well the fatal consequences of their actions to begin with. Which one are you?"

The creature shivered beneath its cloak,"A bit of both, leaning towardss the first?"

"Talk." I replied, gruffly.

"My queen wishess to hire you for your skillss Reaper. The pay will be most rewarding, enough that one of your reputation could retire and live a quiet life perhapss."

I nod slightly. The creature continues,"Of course I wasn't sseeking just any Reaper for this task. No, no you were the most worthy of the choice whose reputation precedes that was deemed the most worthy in the line of work my queen hass for you."

"And what exactly about my reputation that your queen deems worthy?"

Buzzing. By the gods and deities, I swore I heard faint buzzing like insect wings rustling beneath the creature's cloak.

"You're the only one of the Reapers to have killed an immortal."

Immortal.

That word had my stomach churning and twisting in ways that would make even the most complex puzzle seem simple. This was brought up by some rather troubling images. Images I tried my damnest to bury back into the deepest crevices of my brain. I let up and stumble backwards, sitting hard on another column ignoring the dampness of the rain above. The creature rises to its feet and cautiously approaches. I swore I heard four hooves tapping the stone floor muffled by the carpeting. Some rustling in the folds of one's cloak and a bag lands at my feet part of its contents spilling onto the ground. Reaching down, I feel smooth stones against my glove. Grasping a few I pull them up to see what they were. A flash of lightning provides the briefest of light and a few gems glitter in my palm. A couple of rubies, a few sapphires and even some jade.

"Just a sample of what my queen is offering." The creature buzzed in my ear,"Should you accept, more will await you when the job is finished. Come back here tomorrow so that we can discuss your contract."

The thing takes to the air. Yes, you read it. To the air. The buzzing of wings from underneath its cloak has it airborne with a few flaps. It chitters oddly to itself and departs, leaving me with the bodies of three goons and terrible memories. Memories I wish I could rip from my brain and burn them in the hottest fires of the underworld just to rid them for good.

Author's Note

Checked, double checked, triple checked, quad checked and even then more checking. Course that still does not mean I've handled any possible mistakes that may lurk here. @.@

This story came to mind while another story was coming to a close. I hope those who read this likes it and of course, anything grammar and word wise that I dun goofed on is appreciated.

Crossing boundries

Immortality can be a bitch.

Strange of me to say. Who wouldn't want to be immortal? Life everlasting. The Angel of Death unable to take one's soul because the sands of time no longer effect that individual. A King could rule over his kingdom for eons, never worrying about his throne being threatened by common folk or devious dukes. I say immortality can burn from what ever fires it came from. Nothing ever good came from becoming an immortal. This coming from an assassin who brings death where ever he goes. Oh sure one can live forever. But at what cost? To see loved ones and family grow up, grow old, wither and finally die in your hands. Or struck down by disease, famine or worse me. Can one imagine how that would effect the mind?

I'm trailing a little off topic here. What does killing an immortal being on my resume have to do with all of this? Well, no one is really born an immortal. At least not from what I've read or heard of during my travels. There was one human being who became an immortal through a series of events. Unfortunately it was short lived, just like his coup against the world.

King Markus. Also known as Markus the Mad. A tragic tale really and I am involved in history of his downfall.

Where do I start?

To the far north deep within the cold mountains, there was once a kingdom. The kingdom of Stone Hammer. It was ruled by a benevolent king. King Markus. Otherwise known as Markus the Magnificent, Markus the Just, and Markus of the Hammer. All these titles spoke the truth. He was grand in his own way, fair in judgement when applying the laws and master at wielding a great hammer that was said to shatter the very mountain his castle stood upon. He had a beautiful queen, Queen Tarnia of the Snow, known for her pale white skin. He had a son and daughter as well, Prince Kyle and Princess Serene. The king and his family were as one would say a fairy tale come true. Even though the cold north challenged his people, they were a hardy sturdy group much like what little vegetation that grew in the mild summers in defiance of the cold.

As with all fairy tales there can not be one without a villain right? The villain was no plotting advisor or decorated war hero robbed his just dues. This villain came in the form of an illness. An illness that to this day had no explanation of how it arrived. It started late that spring. The villages surrounding the kingdom had made harvest for that year. The supply loads were made ready for the journey to the storage vaults back in the castle, the extra stored away for emergency rations in case winter was harsh that coming year. Some where along the path between the villages and the storage vaults, the grains were tainted. By rats or some disease common among grains it was never verified. What followed was a series of sudden sickness befalling the citizens. They would come under a horrible cough, followed by wracking body aches and a high fever. Despite the medics and physicians living in Storm Hammer, those taken ill would die after a few weeks while growing weaker over the course.

King Markus was troubled by these turn of events and in seeking aide from his council, sent out for the best mages and wizards in hopes of combating this growing epidemic. While word was sent out, prince Kyle volunteered along with a few strong men to travel to the nearest town on the outskirts of the kingdom for more supplies. Supplies that were dwindling as the people continued to collapse where they stand or in their beds where they would eventually succumb. Thus the first of tragedies struck. Four days had passed and not word of Kyle's progress was ever brought to Markus. There was no forecast that horrible weather was on the way, so why was there no word on the supply run? News would not come until late that night and it was ill news indeed.

Kyle and the party whom he went with were ambushed on the road out of the blue. Bandits it was said attacked and there were no survivors. Kyle's body was retrieved at the scene, a grisly one where rumors made mention it looked more of a gruesome mauling by the frost bears then an ambush of bandits. Either way Markus was devastated at the news of his son's death. The heir to the throne cut down before his time. Kyle was buried with his fore fathers and ancestors in the crypts below. Yet still no word of the mages and wizards coming to help. Markus started to grow angry and impatient. His kingdom was being eaten from the inside by this sickness and no word. More messages were sent out demanding help.

Then the worst. Queen Tarnia of the Snow had taken ill. Barely three weeks after the burial of their son, Tarnia was bed ridden with the illness showing no signs of improving. Markus could not bear the thought of losing his beloved wife and tried everything within his power in hopes that she would recover. Alas like the grim touch of Death, Tarnia succumbed two weeks later. King Markus was distraught at the queen's funeral procession. The people of Stone Hammer watched as their once beloved king descend into depression and grief. First prince Kyle to an ambush and now Tarnia to the illness.

The final straw was a message that finally made it to the king's hands. It was not what Markus wanted to read. Mage and wizard alike it had read, deemed that due to the unknown nature of the sickness in his kingdom, no aid would come. Stone Hammer was put under strict quarantine. No one was allowed to leave or enter under penalty of death. The world had condemned Stone Hammer. It was said that Markus flew into a furious rage and ran down the halls screaming the names of those he knew, damning them for not coming to help when he needed it most. In his blind fury he never took notice that princess Serene had fallen ill like her mother.

Just like that, King Markus's mind broke under the strain. As the people in and around the kingdom died to the sickness, Markus shut himself away in his studies. The council could not reach him, his advisors were lost. All the while the world around them continued a blind eye to their plight. It was in his study room that the king found texts supposedly describing bringing loved ones back from beyond.

King Markus turned to necromancy that very night. Around the dying kingdom with the aide of his own few mages who had managed to escape the sickness now turned to necromancers. With the new dark magic his casters learned, he raised the dead to do his work. The work was simple: To lash out and make the rest of the world suffer the loss he had suffered. To extend his anguish and torment across the lands so that the other kingdoms would feel as he felt. Helplessness. Word spread like fire among the other kingdoms. The once dead roamed the lands attacking nearby villages, slaughtering peasant and villager alike. Dragging their dead bodies back to Stone Hammer where more would emerge a short time later. The strange illness that broke the kingdom mysteriously faded. But it had been replaced by a different sickness: Madness. Markus the Mad now stretched his hand forth and sought to cover the world in ash.

Azur and the kingdom of Theldane to the west took the brunt of Markus' hatred. Soldiers, troops, airships and platoons were sent to end the reign of the mad king. It was said Stone Hammer was re-named Gravestone since only the dead resided there. The living and the undead clashed over the cold battlefield that fall beneath the harsh bleak snows. It seemed the troops of Azur and Theldane might succeed. And they almost did. Until the stone golems were sent out. Knowing what the kingdoms had in store, Markus the Mad had a few mages set aside to study in bringing stone constructs to life. These golems became active sentries that would protect Gravestone from any threat. Protect they did as they smashed through the formations, decimating ranks of knights and soldiers alike. Those not slain on the battle ground were dragged screaming to their deaths and eventual eternal servitude to the Mad King.The airships were useless when winter fell that year. Nor could they fly near the walls of Gravestone without being shattered by catapults manned by those same golems.

Here is where I came in.

Azur and Theldane could not take any more casualties. Both Kings learned that Markus the Mad had stumbled across forbidden magic. Magic that would grant him life eternal. Immortality. To live forever. The thought of a king who went mad from grief, raising armies of dead soldiers to blanket the world in death was most grim. Living until the end of time itself? That was the worst case scenario. It was agreed that it should not come to pass. So I, along with five other Reapers were summoned before the two kingdoms. They begged, pleaded, even threw themselves at our feet in hopes we would take the job and help end this travesty. We did. That night while the remaining troops recovered and Markus was in the middle of the ceremony that would grant him immortality, us Reapers infiltrated Castle Gravestone. The battle with undead knights and soldiers was fierce as were any golems we came across. Failure is not in our vocabulary.

We cleaned house. Our targets were the necromancers and golem mages responsible. In the fiasco, three Reapers were killed in the skirmishes. When we finally found and confronted Markus the Mad in his throne room, it was me Runefang, Iris Eagle Eye and Dovar of the Mountain. I'll never forget the look on his face as we appeared. Eyes wild and unfocused. A menacing grin that made him almost look like a living skeleton. He just laughed and ranted how we were too late. That he had achieved his goal of becoming immortal. About how he would sent his army out and kill every living creature on this world. And how he would rule them all. Myself, Iris and Dovar looked at each other. We made one solid complaint against his campaign. It was shown when we attacked.

I can't remember the full detail of the fight that night. The images are still fuzzy to me. All I remember was Markus was exceptionally strong. Wielding the hammer he was given, he and Dovar traded blow for blow. Dovar was a huge man even by Reaper standards. Hence his nickname "The Mountain." Guy could crush bear skulls in his hands like crumbling stone. Yet here he was being pushed back by a man half his size and weight, swinging a two handed hammer smashing empty suites of armor along with shattering tables and chairs in the progress. Managed to tear down a few sections of the walls in the process too. He also managed to keep Iris out of range with his sweeping swings. As for me, I too was out of luck. It all came down to Dovar.

I remember Dovar going in for a full body check. Markus the Mad took the blow full on as Dovar pinned him against the wall. Or so we thought. Then the mad laugh again. A hand wrapping around Dovar's neck, crushing his throat as he was physically lifted. My attempt to free Dovar only to be caught by a hard backfisted blow. Dizzy and disoriented, I don't even remember being lifted at well. Then the pain. Sheer agonizing pain erupting in my left shoulder. Gazing down to find myself impaled on a dragon lance. Vision shifting from sharp to blurry. Watching as Markus the mad literally tore Dovar in two. Iris's scream of anger blotted out by that horrid laugh again. Blacking out. That laugh that horrid, ugly laugh echoing in my head. Why wont he shut the hell up?! Gripping one of my krises. Uttering an incantation. The pain of removing myself from the lance. The look of shock in one man's face. Followed by a sword engulfed in searing fire. A head severed from the neck bouncing off the stone floor before rolling to a stop. That grin slowly melting into stunned shock and awe. Vision fading once again. Cleaving a body in two. Then darkness.

I awoke to find myself in a seedy inn alone swathed in gauze and bandages. Dovar was no where to be seen. Just a note on a near by night stand from Iris. It was short. It read that she dragged both me and Dovar out of the castle even as Azur and Theldane soldiers took over. Left us at the inn before finishing the job. Azur was given Markus's severed body, Theldane the head. Another note this time from Dovar. It read that he was retiring from Reaper service. Being torn in two, he lacked legs to be able to work efficiently. While he may have found a mage that might create golem legs for him, trying to move with stealth as stones ground against each other was not the best choice. My only guess is Iris went back and rummaged through the golem mage notes on how to create them before the soldiers set fire to the kingdom. I could only hope Dovar's gamble at this would pay off. Along with the notes was a pouch. Payment for our service to Azur and Theldane.

Six Reapers. Skilled assassins. The elite in this world. Six went in to end Markus the Mad. Two and a half emerged victorious. It was a hollow victory. So much death and tragedy. All because of the arrogance of the mages and wizards refusing to help when it was needed most. It would be another four months before I was able to fully use my left arm again. To this day I bear a horrid scar over my left pectoral. A reminder of tangling with an immortal. Barely surviving the encounter and coming away alive. It made for a restless night of sleep. After the incident I swore off ever taking another job from a wizard or mage. My disgust over their judgement of Stone Mountain was forever etched in my mind.

Morning found me emerging from my makeshift tree camp in the forest. The combination of the storm last night and my encounter left me tired. So rather then trudge through damp undergrowth and wet ground, I opted to wait and sleep it out in the forest. The wild untamed forest where no one who entered survived. By the gods, I need to think more clearly then pulling a move like this again. I returned to the cathedral ruins, once again entering through the hole in the wall that would place me in the main room. It was partially cloudy today, the sunlight making a brief appearance from time to time before the clouds swallowed its warmth. The bodies of the three thieves were no where to be found. I recalled seeing what looked to be drag marks in the mud outside. No doubt the night hunters had found food.

I whirled at the sound of buzzing and chittering, nearly taking out the strange creature again with a thrown dagger. The thing ducked and nearly crashed were it not able to balance itself and make for a rough landing.

"Mussst you do that?!" it hissed in anger.

We assassins have the right to be on alert. No telling who might be dumb enough to leap out of the shadows and attempt to kill us. I gesture to the fallen columns that would provide as make shift seats and waited for it to approach. The creature muttered and cursed in a language I could not make out before taking a seat near my right. For a while neither of us spoke. The only sounds were that of the insects buzzing about inside, the occasional bird call from the outside. I finally decided to break the ice and made a gesture with my hand, motioning for a scroll or piece of parchment that would contain this contract it spoke about last night.

"Ahh, yess. My mistress wishess to give it to you in perssson."

I grunt slightly annoyed that it did not have it on itself right then and there.

"You are to come with me and meet her at our hive."

"And this hive?" I asked.

The creature hopped off where it sat and motioned for me to follow. Sighing I rose and trailed the thing. Not like I have anything else better to do here. We exit the ruins and follow a broken stone path, where nature was reclaiming it for its own once more. The courtyard or what was left of it came into view as we turned left. An archway in the center stood before us, the empty space revealing the end of the courtyard where great trees now replaced the once stone wall. The thing approached the steps leading to the arch and motioned.

"We shall travel together to sssee her."

"Theldane? Caravos? The southern reaches of the Desert Plains?" I asked.

"None. Where we are going... few of your folk have ever ssset foot on."

Hooo boy, I think I know where this is going,"You want me to break one of the Three Laws?"

The thing stopped and turned. Even beneath its cloak, I could tell it cocked its head to the side, puzzled by my words. An Outsider. How to explain this?

"Your an Outsider not of our world. I guess its only fair to explain what the Three Laws are here."

It nodded, allowing me to continue.

"Law #1: We are not alone. There are countless worlds connected by various methods of travel. We acknowledge their existence and respect the inhabitants way of living."

"Your kind acknowledges uss, yet you were a bit shocked by my presence."

"Stories and rumors, surrounding Law One that I heard as a child growing up. I thought it was the wizards way of cowing us to not do anything stupid or try anything foolish with magic. So you will have to forgive me for realizing the old coots were right."

"If you knew of variousss worldss, then why hesitate?"

Law #2,"Under no circumstances what so ever, is any living human being or individual from various race allowed to attempt to travel and explore said worlds nor be allowed to bring any item, thing or creature back."

"That is a problem how?"

I motioned with my hands,"The wizards and mages were adamant on this law. The worlds out there are at various stages of advancement. Some technological and magically superior then we are. Some that are below us. Imagine having a powerful magical artifact brought back from our world into yours. The devastation unleashed would be catastrophic."

A buzzing snicker,"I think thossse wizards made that up jussst to keep you on a tight leash. Honessstly, you really believe that?"

I grunted again,"My thoughts exactly. Personally I think they do it on purpose, because they're just stuck up, know-it-all withered old assholes."

"Ass...hole?" it buzzed confused again. I pointed to my posterior. If I could see its eyes, they probably would be blinking rapidly.

"A plot hole?" the creature replied.

"Eh?" Now I was the confused one.

The creature waved its appendages covered by the cloak,"Moving on. The Third Law?"

"Law #3: If by un forseen circumstances or powers beyond control and you find yourself in any of these worlds. Don't panic. Keep calm, attempt to contact the mage or wizard whose name you know well and await their response."

"Thatsss it? Wait it out? After what you sssaid about how stuck up thesse wizards are, you are willing to remain sstranded on another world?"

"Fear will keep curious in check."

The creature sputtered and said something I could not make out. Then it straightened itself out and motioned to the archway,"Well, you are not breaking any of the three lawss your silly magic users created. There iss no law that prohibits your kind from being invited by an Outsssider now is there? Besidesss, you are a contracted ssstealthy killer for hire. There are lawsss againssst murder, yet that has not stopped you has it?"

I can't argue with that. Add to my displeasure of working for wizards in the past, this would make for a pleasant trip. A jolly gesture to those robed old men in towers by telling them where they can take their laws and where they can shove it. I could use a bit of change for once too. I checked, double checked, even triple checked my gear and what little belongings I had on me to make sure everything was secure and in place. I followed my new guide to a new world as we both approached the archway. I could feel the light buzzing of magic emanating from the empty space between the stones. Much like a mirror the portal was ready to accept its travelers. The creature went in first, its body disappearing in a rippling wave of nothing. The surface stilled like the face of a lake settling after a stone throw. My turn. I took one last look around me, at the wild forest of my home, place of residence and means of employment. I then took a deep breath and stepped through the portal, exiting my world to enter a completely different and new one.

Author's Note

Wizards, mages and golems, oh my! What is the difference between the two? I think of wizards as those old men in robes hats and beards the highest ranking magic users. Mages are lower ranking but still should be respected. Mostly.

Voodoo, who do, you do?

I have never really traveled by magical methods. I've gone by foot, mostly on horse, the occasional airship when the mood suits me and lastly by sea via boat. I don't envy wizards and mages with their way of travel. Portals, mirrors to pose as doorways, the circles with the runes inscribed and the magic dust to give it flair. That is their world that they choose to live, delve and continue to woo the easily impressed masses of the world. I like mine to be a tad more practical. I know what you are going to say. What about my kris swords and the magical incantations used to awaken their powers? I think magic is nice to use from time to time. Be it combat for offensive and defensive purposes or through healing when prayers to the gods and other deities are not enough. I dip my foot into those waters when the call for it is needed, not soak myself to the bone.

So it was a tad hard for me to adjust to the method of exiting one world and entering another. Light was all I could see. Bright with no sight of shape, form or scene unfolding. Then came the issue of spinning, turning, cartwheeling. There was no solid ground to stable oneself on, no gravity as they call it to keep me from flying away. Sounds was next to nothing, which made it eerily unsettling for me. No sound means trouble lurking under the shadows or behind a wall. Being unable to see because of the light mentioned, it only made me even more unnerved.

Just when it felt like I had stumbled into a trap, I barrel out of an archway and land face first on cold stone ground. I'm slow to arise as my senses once warped in every direction imaginable, start to re-arrange themselves in order. The temporary blindness caused by the light dims to reveal a courtyard that look oddly familiar. The archway looked the same as did the wall of the courtyard at the far end. The difference was the weather. Cold, misty and damp. I arise to check my surroundings, only to double over as my stomach launches an all out barrage of complaints. I'm thankful I skipped breakfast today, otherwise I would be sharing my meal with the plant life right now.

Once my stomach settled, I adjusted my mask over my nose and chin. Looking around revealed no sight or sound of my tour guide. I'm beginning to wonder if this was all some joke, that I never really left home to begin with. I take the path that lead me here, following the broken stone path until I reach the hole in the wall. That's when things start to look different. Aside from being cold, misty and damp, there is no sign of any drag marks from the bodies last night. Only damp earth. Another thing was the double doors. Instead of being rotted away, they remained as a whole and in place closed to the outside. The interior while still in ruins showed signs of an attempt to clean up and tidy the cathedral. A huge effort if I may add considering how massive it was compared to the one on my world. The doors draw my attention. Intricate designs are woven into the stone surface while at the center two sigils stand out clear: A sun emblazoned on one door, a crescent moon on the other. Curious, I take hold of the heavy door ring and with some effort pull. I am rewarded with a groaning creak and a small opening. I slip my way through the entrance and continue to explore.

The path trails from the fallen castle as I have now dubbed it to a rope bridge stretching over a gaping chasm. Peering over the edge reveals nothing but mists swirling below. A long and possibly painful drop if one was careless. Examination of the wooden bridge reveals it had been repaired recently. Scraps of rotting wood and rope fibers are strewn by the heavy oak stakes that act as its support. Strange. Why go through all the effort of cleaning up an abandoned castle and replace a rotting bridge if no one lives here? Another question. Do I just idle about and wait for my buzzing, hissing guide to return or throw caution to the wind and explore? A unsettling growl below my rib cage makes a decision for me. Option three: Find food.

A couple hours later and I can't help but wonder if I am now lost. Attempts to find out which way I am going is thwarted by the leafy canopy of the trees around me. The only space just happened to be back at the castle ruins. Here in this forest, I have no way of telling what time it is nor which direction I'm heading. Finding food is also proving to be just as fruitless. Shrubs, wild bushes, thick vines, fallen leaves blanketing the forest floor. All reveal next to nothing. I found some wild berries earlier, yet instinct warned me thus I avoided them. Another part of the forest to avoid were these vast patches of blue orchids that grew in abundance. The color was bright and vivid, but I'm no fool. Bright colors on such plants is a clear warning that they're poisonous. Not knowing how the poison may affect me, I opted to avoid these patches completely.

Just when hope seemed lost and thought of eating a boot started to come to mind (along with cursing myself for not bringing any rations or dry jerky!) a smell wafted in the air. The scent caught my nose and the stomach snarled with untamed hunger. Ducking under low branches, twisting around gnarled tree roots, the way started to become thicker before it began to opening up into a clearing. The sight before me was.. well it was impressive.

A hut as best as it can be described sat against a backdrop of trees. What made the hut unique was that it was a tree. Or, well using the tree roots that burrowed into the ground. Green moss decorated the few low branches while a warm glow of light flickered from one of the windows. A few clay pots and jars sat near the wooden door and the smell from earlier was stronger here. The source and perhaps a chance of food. As I carefully drew closer, I could hear the sound of a woman's voice chanting inside. A native? Local resident? Merchant perhaps? Crawling to ease just under the window, I dared a peek inside. What I saw left me in awe.

The inside of the hut revealed more clay jars and pots sitting in corners alone or grouped together near some shelves. Sitting on the shelves were glass jars, holding various herbs, plants and even some live critters. Charms, trinkets and make shift chimes hung from the ceiling. Some walls had various wooden masks hanging, the empty eye sockets dancing in the shadows. The scene reminded me of the wandering nomad tribes of the Southern Plains. But this was not left me in awe. It was what was at the center. A cauldron sat on a bonfire, its contents bubbling under the rising heat. The creature that stood in front of it chanting was what floored me the most.

It... or rather she? from the sound of the voice looked to be a striped equine. A pony. But it doesn't stop there. Hardly. Height wise, the striped pony stood perhaps three and a half feet at the shoulder. Its just a guess I can't give an exact height here. Brass rings adorn one foreleg, while the other drops in what looked to be dried plants. Hoop earrings danced against alert ears while the mane was short and cropped into a mohawk. More rings wove around the neck as she moved to one of the wooden counters propped against the walls and fetched a small jug. She returned and poured the contents into the cauldron which erupted with a poof of blue smoke. The reaction startled me and I stumbled back. In doing so, I knocked one of the clay pots outside and broke it. Silence fell inside the hut.

Shit, I goofed big time. Scrambling to find purchase on the ground, I bolted away from the hut leaping behind a tree just as I heard the door open, the sound of hooves scraping the wooden steps.

"Who is out there at this time of day? The forest is no place to play."

Her voice. It reminds me of the witch doctors or sorceresses of the nomad tribes back home. Treat them right and respectfully, their medicines and potion brews can cure the worst in a man. Piss them off, insult them or try to bring harm? May the gods have mercy on the poor wretch's soul. Course they never had rhyming in the speech.

What am I saying?!

Stripped equine pony, a woman... no a female pony... umm mare? Yes. Stripped equine mare, wearing jewelry, speaking Common in a rhyming fashion. I make a mental slap on the forehead. Helloooo new world here. We didn't ask where we were going or what exactly we were getting ourselves into. Only an invitation which we so boldly took.

"Who ever is out there, I warn you no tricks! I am not afraid to defend and beat you with a stick."

Normally I would laugh at the idea of a small equine awkwardly wielding a tree branch with nothing but her mouth. But seeing as I'm no longer on my world, what chance is there I won't be spotted then promptly beaten by a witch doctor who could swing a tree branch like a club as easily as I with my swords? I'm curious, but cautious and not a fool to boot.

I hear the sound of wings buzzing overhead which draws my focus to the leaves hanging overhead. Stunned in awe take two. What hovered over me and towards the small clearance where the stripped equine stood was... umm... strange. The creature landing looked like a cross between a beetle and well, an equine. Black as the gemstone onyx with the same sheen it possesses, the wings flapping resembled dragon fly wings. Eyes as blue as the sky overhead with no visible signs of a pupil or irises, narrowed as they fixated on the witch doctor while its four legs which were oddly holed along the length came to rest on the ground. The ears were thin and notched as they sat on each side of the head while a single horn resided on the forehead. If there was any hair or mane, the only part I could see was the tail cut short.

"Heh, heh, heh, what drawss the zebra from her hut I wonder?," the thing chittered its voice sounding much like the guide I was supposed to have here,"Out on your daily scavangingss for mushroomsss or mossss? Perhapss Poison Joke has affected your mind, playing tricksss on the eyes ssseeing as you never leave your home."

The zebra remained still while posing to make herself look taller,"Begone changeling you are not welcome here, your attempt to intimidate cause me no fear. Fly back to your queen leecher of love, before I squash your bug body and feed you to Fluttershy's doves."

Maybe it was her rhyming. Or maybe it was the reference to being called a bug. Whatever the reason the changeling erupted into a furious shriek of anger,"WE. ARE. NOT. BUGS!"

It snapped its head like a striking snake, a small glob of green goo was hurled in the zebra's direction. She rolled to the side as the goo landed, the sounds of a sizzling noise indicated this changeling spat acid. I peered around the tree in time to see it take flight once more the stripped equine backing up slowly in the direction of her hut. The changeling once airborne began to dive bomb her as she turned to run. Zig zagging and moving in a weaving pattern, the zebra mare dodged more incoming projectiles of acid spit each one leaving behind a charring hole in the ground. She almost made it, if it were not for a gnarled tree root exposed that caught her foreleg. Her run was broken as the equine tumbled and rolled before crashing against the side of her hut wall. The changeling cackled from above and dove for another strike as the zebra tittered and tried to regain her balance.

As much as I wanted to see these two duke it out, I felt time was being wasted here. Moving from my hiding spot, I took up my chain link and set it a whirling. Once enough momentum was built up, I cast it in the direction of the changeling. It wrapped itself around its midsection three to four times, the cold metal drawing its attention away from finishing off the zebra. I yanked hard and sent it crashing to the ground. Dazed and confused it didn't put much of a struggle as I dragged it across the forest floor to where I was. Turning, those blue eyes shot murder at me, until it realized who I was. In doing so however, I exposed myself fully to the witch doctor who was just as shocked as I was when I first saw her.

My cloak and hood covered much of my appearance, but that didn't help that the light cast my frame against the background of the forest. The changeling kicked off my chain and I slowly wound it up before depositing it within my hidden pocket. I could feel her stare almost like boring into my body. I'd say she was as surprised to see me as I did when I saw my guide post contractor for the first time.

"Strange creature what ever you are, get away from that changeling step away very far. To follow their kind is to follow strife, for their kin bring misery and suffering that torments ponies much of their life! Their queen is cold, calculating and cruel, if she casts a spell upon you you would be naught but a mindless fool."

I spoke allowing the zebra to hear me just this one time,"It is this very reason you are still alive. Consider yourself fortunate witch doctor, that time is of the essence for the both of us. We have an appointment to keep and I do not keep my clients waiting."

I turned and started to slip into the forest, away from the zebra and her home. The changeling rose to its feet, casting a glance to me leaving then to zebra standing there. Cursing to itself the changeling rose and buzzed away, chittering and hissing to itself as it flew to catch up. The two of us disappeared into the thick brush leaving the zebra alone once more.

Zecora felt her feet give way as she sat hard on her haunches. An idle hoof rose to touch her chest, the feeling of her heart rapidly beating ensured what she had felt just now. That creature that was with the changeling and those icy blue eyes that bore upon her. It was like Death was staring back cold and unkind as ever.

"Battling a changeling, I could stand my own in a fight. So why does my heart beat dreadfully of fright? This creature tall dark and unsettling, may be involved in possible changeling meddling. I must get to Twilight before the end of light and tell her of a potential terrible plight."

Into the hive

Neither of us spoke as we journeyed through the forest. Much to my dismay, we had to back track to the castle ruins before heading south. The changeling muttered something about heading towards the badlands. I myself was fortunate enough to find some wild fruit along the way. It may have been bitter, but at least it staved off the worst of the hunger pains. My companion remained silent as we traveled. In the trees above, wild birds would start to chirp and sing. Minutes would pass before the forest would respond with a snarl or hiss silencing their attempts at music. Far off in the distance beyond the borders of the forest, there was a roar so great even the big feline predators back home would cringe. As I ate I cast a glance towards my holey traveler guide. It had not spoken much since the encounter with the zebra witch doctor. I started up, seeing as I wanted to know where I was and what exactly was I getting myself involved in.

"So do you have a name or do I call you changeling?" I started.

The blue orbs turned to stare at me as they narrowed for a moment. It then responded,"I do not have a name. Thosse of uss who have yet to be deemed worthy by our queen remain nameless. Only the higher ranks are granted such which I am not allowed to ssay."

Great some low ranking changeling with no name,"I got to call you something. I doubt constantly being called changeling would help."

No response.

Terrific, a sulking, moody, bug pony... thing with no name until it proves itself before its queen. I may be an assassin by trade, but when I do mingle with people I try to be social about it. Try being the word here. Time to change subjects.

"So where am I? I've never met an equine of any size, color or gender that was not only sentient, but could speak common even if it was in a rhyming fashion."

The changeling chittered before replying,"My queen will inform you of where you are and what is expected of you."

By the gods and deities, this changeling is the equivalent of a whipping boy or servant! Sent to run errands, fetch the slippers, serve the morning meals and scrub the bath tubs no doubt. I tossed the core of that sour pear off to the side, ignoring the lingering after taste on my tongue.

It would be at least a couple of days before we would leave the cover of the forest and find ourselves in these badlands the changeling spoke of. Night found the two of us camping beneath the roots of an old, gnarled tree. There was enough space for the both of us and enough shelter to hide our presence. The changeling had sprayed a sort of chemical at the entrance. I'm guessing its way of "marking" the territory. No predator that night ever came close to bothering either of us, which meant these changelings were respected and feared. I also took note that it didn't eat. At all. I was popping away some wild berries I found earlier but when I offered some, it refused with a look of disgust. Maybe not an omnivore, more carnivore if those fangs protruding from its upper lip was an indication.

With my company who was as talkative as a mute, I drew my cloak around me and attempted to get some shut eye which the last time was very little. It wasn't long before I succumbed to my exhaustion, the last moments before slumber took hold was of the changeling near the entrance.

I found myself staring up at the leafy canopy of a tree. Given its chipped, old bark I could conclude it was the ageless oak tree found at the center of my world. It's branches stretched so far high, some say it could touch the clouds. Others mentioned those branches expanded so far, the tree was reaching out the the kingdoms. No one knows when or who planted the tree. Only that it was a strong, resilient force of nature having survived the wars that plagued the lands over the years. A bloody time in history many wished could be washed clean. it was repeatedly told to children until it was burned in their minds during school. Those of us who could afford school that is. I rose slowly some what hesitant to rise, unable to accept what I may see. The tree sat on a small hill that overlooked rolling grasslands and sloping plains as far as the eye could see. The sky was a clear blue, devoid of birds, insects or any creature of the wing. Around me, wildflowers bloomed with no bees or butterflies to pollinate and help them cover the landscape.

Looking down, I found my dress attire was different. Instead of my assassin clothing, I was instead dressed in robes that marked an acolyte of a wizard. Dull grays with the excess flung over my shoulders and sandals instead of boots. My pale white hair was long and braided as it gently swayed in the breeze that rustled the leaves above. I gazed at my hands and found them bare, no gloves or hidden needles waiting to be used. Only the tattoos and rune inscriptions I had not seen since... since...

Since that night. . . .

The night everything changed and I covered this reminder of how painful it was. Just thinking about the events brought a dull headache that pulsed behind my skull. With the headache came another feeling, one that I thought had emptied me of all I shed that night: Tears. It still hurts, trying to remember what happened. Having mild amnesia is not the greatest not when you want to know what occurred, only to be given a blank sheet of parchment and told to write it down with out an inkling of what to say.

I must of left the shade of the old tree because I found myself at the base of the hill, drying my eyes were wetness once was. I was so absorbed in trying to piece together what fragmented past I could recall that I failed to notice I was not alone.

"Who... or WHAT are you strange creature?"

I whirled around throwing my arm out, fingers stretched as I had done countless times. Only no poison needles left my fingers. Instead just nothing and my eyes beheld a new creature that was just as stunning, if not more exotic then the zebra equine.

She, given the feminine sound of her voice was as dark as the evening sky. Equine like the zebra only taller, more lithe. A spiraled horn rose from her head, a tiara nestled behind it. Her mane and tail were just like her coat; a rich dark blue like nightfall, complete with stars that shimmered and twinkled as they swayed in the wind. Wings as great as a swan lay nestled and tucked at her sides while a torc sat upon her chest. An insignia of a crescent moon adorned this attire as were the gilded horse shoes she wore on her hooves. Most striking though were the tattoos on her flanks. Matching the insignia on the torc. they were white crescent moons set against a black backdrop. Two sea green eyes stared at me, more in stunned shock then curiousity. Well that makes two of us here.

"I thought I felt a pony suffering from a nightmare and came to investigate. I never thought to stumble into the dream of a... of a..."

I get the impression human beings are non existent on this world. Course the same can be said for talking colored horses on mine.

Before I could answer the sky grew dark. Clouds rolled and gathered as the wind began to pick up. The gentle breeze turned into a howling gust as I was forced to use my robes as a means of cover expecting it to rain. What followed sent chills down my spine as a wicked laughter echoed across the plains. The winged horned horse was looking around wildly as much as I was, trying to find the source of the laughter. But to no avail.

"Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa! Begone weakling! He is mine.... mine.... MINE!!!"

Just like that at the snap of fingers, the female was yanked from the ground and hurled into the sky. I could hear her scream as whoever it was tossed her from this dream turning into a nightmare. I looked up in time to see the sky swallow her whole as the clouds shifted into a visage. A helmet wearing horned horse stared at me with malicious eyes. Eyes that were slitted, the pupils like that of a cat.

I'll be damned if I let some freaky nightmare run my dreams. Glaring up defiantly as it stared back with a toothy grin, I filled my lungs full of air and called out.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

The ground beneath me collapsed and I fell. Fell into a black void while fragments of the land above rained down upon me like earthen rain. The darkness came to greet me and everything went black.

I awoke with a sudden jerk, nearly knocking myself senseless against a low hanging root in the center. I slouched against the wall and gathered my wits. My heart raced, I felt sweat running down my back and quick, ragged breaths filled my lungs. It was barely morning, the faint sight of the sunlight just slightly visible against the darkness of the night. Even in the dark, I felt my hands tremble uncontrollably. I've not dreamed in so long. When I do, they tend to be the same nightmare. Markus the Mad's insane laughter, that horrid grin as he stared through the pitch black darkness that plagued my dreams. I never dreamed of the ageless oak tree. Ever. Nor of a winged horse with a horn. The more I delve on this, the more I'm beginning to see a different magic at play on this world. Just what did I sign up for?

A stirring drew me from my thoughts. The changeling was up, stretching its limbs and wings before peering out of the opening. Sunlight was starting to filter through the trees waiting for us to emerge. Gripping my swords and checking my gear I exited from our camp and stretched as well. Soon the two of us were walking once more, heading further and further south.

As the afternoon sun began to show the scenery began to change. The forest grounds were slowly shifting into red barren rocky ground. A series of mountain ranges began to rise over the horizon while the forest behind us started to shrink. It was here that I felt we had left the cover the jungle and entered the barren wastelands of the badlands the changeling spoke of. I hope we reach where ever it is we are seeking. I doubt there is anything edible in these parts. Breakfast was over a long time ago and very little of it as well.

No sooner then these thoughts drifted, I nearly tripped and tumbled over the changeling. We have come to a stop it seems. Balancing myself, I look up to see the gaping maw of a cave looking down upon the two of us. Thin reeds sway in the entrance, brought on by a breeze that came from no where else. The jagged formations at the top reminded me of a fierce set of fangs a hunter might reveal before chomping down on their prey.

"Thisss way." The changeling buzzed before taking flight.

As it disappeared inside, I took one last look around. I swore I caught glimpses of black armoring before it or they vanished around the roof. Must be the sun or maybe a trick of the light. Drawing in a breath I boldly stepped forward and continued. Venturing into the cave I noted there was a damp smell common of most caves. The deeper I went, the darker the interior started to become. With no immediate light source, I was walking blind. In doing so I nearly fell into a gaping chasm were it not for kicking a stone and hearing it skip along the ground only to cease suddenly. Feeling around was when I felt the lip and took a glance over. A faint glimmer could be seen at the very bottom, though how far I would travel was anyone's guess. After an inspection, I found to my relief a set of stairs the led deeper into the vicinity.

I descended down the steps, my guide once more was no where to be seen. The stairwell looked to be well made which was odd given the natural formations almost all caves possess. Did the changeling live down here? Given how smooth the surface of each step was, the use of acid spit came to mind. It ate through ground with ease. Carefully manipulation can have resulted in a satisfactory manner of said stairs. The deeper I went the colder it started to become.I found myself tugging at my cloak to add extra warmth seeing as I lacked thick layered clothes at this moment. The upside was the faint glimmer of light. The closer to the end of the stairs I came, the brighter the light had become. As I reached the end the pale green light became clearer. My eyes adjusted to the new light and I found myself staring at some weird lamppost. Comprised completely of a fungus, the green glow was coming from the encasement. Closer inspection of the encasement reminded me of a cocoon almost. More of these lamp posts were posted at intervals along the hollowed walls. It made for seeing better for whomever the inhabitants were. A new sound started to rise as I took in the sights. Chittering, buzzing, occasional hisses coming from all around.

I felt as though I may have entered and unpleasant nest of some sort. A nest of what? The path here was wide, wide enough to let a heavy flow of traffic through. The tunnel was heading in one direction and it was this direction I followed. While traversing, the chittering and buzzing either intensified or softened. I had no wish to look up for that was all it would take for what or who ever was watching me to strike. I did grip my sword pommels tightly, to show I meant as much business as the ones who lived here. When I reached the end, the path branched off into four separate paths. It was here that I found my changeling guide/ travel companion. It gestured for me to follow. I nodded and joined it side as we took the tunnel heading north.

"When we reach my Queen, you are to show ressspect. I trusst you know how to treat royalty?"

If the queen is anything like the royal families back home then yeah. Be polite, kiss much ass and bow when commanded. I nodded to show I understood what was expected before we continued on.

"Good." Was all it replied.

As the tunnel reached the end, the opening expanded to a large wall carved out of the earth itself. A set of double doors stood before us, two guards from the looks of their armor stood poised and alert. Both eyed me suspiciously before my changeling companion buzzed something their ear. They looked to each other then back to me before one headed inside. I stood there waiting as I idly kicked the floor, the only other sounds were the chittering and buzzing back from the direction we came. The guard returned and jerked his head in the direction.

"Her Majesty will see you now, runt."

My guide grumbled under his breath and proceeded with me in tow. I would have entered were it not for the spears suddenly blocking my way,"Outsider shall wait until summoned."

I said nothing but allowed this. No doubt errand bug pony had to report to its queen on the success of its mission. Whatever it was involving my presence.

The minutes ticked by as I stood there, shifting from one foot to another. The changeling guards never took their eyes off me. Not that it bothered me, given I was the strange looking creature in their home, not the other way around. Just when I thought I had been abandoned yet again, the doors opened revealing the changeling. He looked a little roughed up and jostled. My guess is that incident with the zebra witch doctor back in the forest did not sit well with his monarch.

"You may enter," it coughed,"Remember. No sudden movementss or anything suspicious. Otherwise your remains will feed our young."

How delightful. I sneeze wrong and could very well wind up being torn limb from limb before being fed to their larvae. Well ain't that just the sweetest thing to say to an assassin they are potentially in the process of contracting.

I waved it off as I entered and left it to lick its wounds and brood in silence yet again. As I passed through the door, a strange tingling sensation swept through my body. The feeling reminded me of a magic barrier, possibly to warn of anything dangerous to all who entered this room. I must have passed cause no warning bells went off and I wasn't surrounded by any more soldiers. I entered the throne room and took a look around. I knew it was a throne room because so far from what I could see, it was made for royalty. Columns ran parallel with a dull carpet that stretched from entrance to dais. Fungal lamps swayed from rusty chains as they gave off the same eerie green glow the others back at the tunnel gave off. At the dais, a single staircase led up to an interesting structure. Its design reminded me of a lotus flower yet to bloom.

As I approached the base of the steps something stirred within. A green aura enveloped the casing and with it the rustling, buzzing, chittering noise increased. The petals slowly unfolded revealing a green cocoon or pod in the center. Something was stirring, moving inside though I could not make out what it was. That is until something sharp cut through the surface. A jagged horn tore through following a narrow muzzle that joined an equine head.

This equine was different from the rest of the changelings. As she? emerged, I took note of a bizarre crown adorning behind said jagged horn. The mane was damp and lanky as it hung from her neck while thin holed legs helped pull her free from this encasement. Great insectoid wings buzzed as they dried off a thin body whose midsection looked similarly like the cocoon it was escaping. Finally the hind legs emerged along with a thin lanky tail. The coloration of this beast was hard to make out given the green glow cast from the lamps overhead. The eyes however was what caught my attention. Cat like and green, they fixated on me with great interest. A serpent like tongue forked out to like over a set of imposing fangs as a malicious grin spread across that muzzle.

"Welcome outsider." She said with great authority and command,"Welcome to my hive. I am Queen Chrysalis, ruler of all changelings. We have much to discuss you and I."

'Step into my parlor.' said the spider to the fly.

This was the first thought that crossed my mind as I felt the swarm close in around me.

The test

Remember when I said that I was cautious and not a fool? I take that back. There are times where I question my intelligence and this happens when thoughts of food conspire with an empty stomach, making decisions hard to conclude with. Its a bad combination for me, it really is. As the changeling swarm closed in around me, I did what anyone would do when cornered; I withdrew both swords and held them defensively, warning be damned. I'm not sure how many I will be able to take down, twenty maybe thirty if I'm lucky. The loud hissing and chittering mixed with the buzzing of the thousand of pairs of wings didn't help any plans formulating to escape this death trap.

"Enough!" Queen Chrysalis called out,"Do not harm our guest my children, for the runt has brought us a very special being of importance."

The swarm ceased their movements and just stared at me. Thousands of blue eyes baring down on me like hungry lions ready to pounce a defenseless calf. They obeyed their ruler and withdrew back into the shadows of the throne room. They may be out of sight, but I could still feel the eyes burning holes in my skin.

"You must forgive them. Food is scarce and there have been the most extreme of times where we are forced to rely on consuming meat."

I now know how chickens or lambs must feel before slaughter. Despite my occupation, I shuddered at the thought of being torn apart just to feed a ravenous horde of changelings.

I sheathed both krises, but kept a couple throwing daggers handy, just in case the temptation to "nibble" on me was too great. The queen descended from her throne and approached me, her eyes the most intense out of all I had seen so far.

"Your an intriguing creature. Not a hint of love or compassion upon your spirit. Nothing but a cold hard shell around you. Such is the trade of a hired killer?"

"Comes with the territory." I replied,"Emotion in my line of work? You're dead before you realized you made a mistake."

Her laugh echoed off the walls as she walked past me, her tail brushing against my clothing. Whether intentional or accidental, I will never know.

"Walk with me, my guest. I understand you have many questions, yes. I have the answers provided and a few rules to follow."

We exited the throne room, both guards bowing upon her sight. As we headed from the main chamber and made a right, I realized it was eerily silent. Moments ago this underground network was alive with buzzing, hissing changelings all over. It was quite clear any disobedience in the presence of their ruler would be dealt a harsh punishment. I noticed my traveling guide "runt" was following in tow, never once looking up. I winced at his name and regretted what I thought about him when we journeyed to his home and how true I hit the target on his status.

The room we entered was half the size of the throne room, yet still plenty of space to hold meetings or conferences. The table in the center was made of smooth stone, polished to almost a mirror sheen, which reflected the glow of the green light overhead. Queen Chrysalis took the ornament chair at the far end. She motioned with one holed foreleg to the smaller chair at her left. I seated, my gaze never leaving hers until she clapped (clopped?) her hooves together. Runt bowed and exited, some unknown requested had been given and he was sent to fulfill it.

"Now... my esteemed guest. The world you have seen thus far with your own eyes. It is a world your human kin have not stepped foot on for over a thousand years. Ancient texts, scrolls and books the inhabitants of this world held spoke of your brief appearances. The ruling monarchs however, chose to keep it secret. As your world's Three Laws have dictated so have some laws concerning your kind remain strictly enforced here."

"Go on." I replied.

"The world of Equestria is home to three nations. Canterlot which houses the sisters of the heavenly bodies of the sky. Their subjects are ponies."

The queen's horn glowed a soft green as a transparent world began to float from the center of the table. One huge continent seemed to dominate much of the planet's surface, yet as it enlarged outlines detailing kingdoms began to emerge. Equestria, the nation I was brought into looked to be at the center of the large land mass. Various cities, towns and natural wonders, each oddly named after a horse or pony were pinpointed at different sections locations. The kingdom of Equestria itself seem to span the entire continent. It as I gazed north, I realized that green lands shifted to cold barren mountains. Here a different kingdom sat. Named the Crystal Empire it was strange to set up residence with the climate being unkind and unmerciful in terms of the bitter cold. South found the red empty landscape known as the Badlands home to these changelings and their queen. East and West were met with oceans. As the world shifted, the oceans gave way to to different continents. Each were simply dubbed Griffon Nation and The Draconis Empire.

"As you have noticed Equestria is by far the largest of the three kingdoms. Yet for its size, they are not the sole rulers. Griffon Nation and the Draconis Empire are both ruled by their own govern monarchs. They too possess individuals of sentient intelligences, though the dragons tend to slip into their feral nature if they allow their greed to control their lives."

"Dragons?" I replied, rather shocked,"There are actually dragons here?"

"You sound surprised. I thought your world was home to all sorts of mythical creatures." The Queen said.

"Hardly. During the hunts dragons were nearly brought to extinction. Either by a knight attempting to gain favor with the four kingdoms, or young men attempting to win a woman's heart through brave acts, the once great beasts were almost wiped out. Were it not for wizard and mage intervention, all the would have remained would be the bones and skulls in museums. No one has seen a dragon for nearly one hundred years."

"Pity." Was her reply,"I'll have my guards draw up maps pertaining to where your job will take you." A soft glow of her horn and the image of the world faded.

"Speaking of which..." I motioned with a hand, indicating a contract to be drawn up for me to look over and sign.

Queen Chrysalis stared at me in an odd way before clearing her throat,"About that..."

She rose from her seat and gestured me to follow once more. I arched a brow, though it was hard to see given the hood, yet left my chair and followed her out of the conference room. We took the path towards the main hallway which would see us to the throne room once more. The hive was buzzing once more with activity, though more subdued then before. Once we passed through the double doors, she took her seat upon the throne pod.

"Despite my runt informing me of how skilled you are, I am afraid words alone will not win you my favor."

"Pardon?" I asked, puzzled.

"We share a link, my offspring and I. I see through all my children's eyes. It's how I keep track of each and every one and them in return, keep me well informed of the world we struggle to live in. Unfortunately when my runt entered your world, our connection was severed. Hence when you both returned, he departed rather abruptly to re-connect. Thus I was unable to see you dispatch your quarry back home."

I groaned and rubbed my brow,"So who do I have to kill to satisfy your expectation of me?"

"I'm glad you asked." Queen Chrysalis said, clopping her fore hooves together three quick taps. At the signal, one guard emerged from outside the chamber. I stepped aside as it approached and bowed before its queen.

"Guard! Show him his target of the test."

"Yes, my Queen." It buzzed before turning to face me.

I was expecting parchment with a sketch or image of who I was to eliminate. Thus I was caught by surprise when a wreath of green fire erupted at its feet. Slowly the fire ascended, enveloping the changeling as it stood there, silent and alert. I thought it was sacrificing itself to its queen to show its loyalty. But further inspection revealed a stunning fact: These changelings morph into any person or creature of this world. Its body literally morphed from a insectoid pony to a white pony.

I stood there and examined the new face. It was as tall as the zebra back in the forest, maybe a foot or two taller. The build was more stocky and the muzzle was square jawed instead of curved. I had to guess I was looking at a stallion instead of a mare, the male beings of Equestria. White coated with pale blue mane and tail, his eyes matching in hue. Adorned in armor with a horn jutting from his forehead. A well built unicorn stallion. Adorned on his flank was a shield and what looked to be a six pointed star.

"This is your test, assassin. You are to travel to the Crystal Empire in search of one Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard and prince to the kingdom."

I frowned as I circled the changeling/stallion. He didn't look threatening. The aura I got from his presence felt more regal, protective. The desire to defend those he held dear to his heart. Nothing scheming or sinister. I stopped myself from delving further into the hesitant department. Looks are deceiving. What could be an honest hard working captain, could turn out to be a corrupt, vile pony who was causing more harm then good. But why him?

"His offense against you?" I asked.

Queen Chrysalis eyes narrowed and I could feel the hatred seething behind them,"Him and his soldiers have hunted my kin. They show no mercy to us, killing my darling children any chance they get. They do not see our reasons, they do not care for our plight. To them, we are but vermin to be wiped off this world. What right have he or the celestial sisters have to judge us?"

She rose as her guard shifted back,"We are misunderstood assassin, just like you. We need to feed, yet the ponies only see us as monsters. No thanks to Shining's search parties, our attempts to stave off our hunger have been harsh."

"And what is it you crave so much that these ponies possess and refuse to share?" I asked.

"Love. Pure love is the best, but love in all its forms. It fills us, gives us strength, makes us flourish."

Queen Chrysalis turned to look upon me, only to see me stand there dumbfounded.

Love? I admit I've seen and tried some exotic culinary displays during my travels, but to eat love as an emotion? How does one feed on love? A succubus came to mind, yet these changelings hardly looked to be the seductive, alluring type despite their ability to "blend" in with the crowd. Queen Chrysalis had the best chance out of all the changelings, but it felt slim.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

Her voice brought me back from my thoughts as I shifted from left foot to right,"Its a little strange, hearing that the emotion of love is a source of food for you and your changelings."

A soft chuckled bubbled in her throat,"We feed on all emotions. Anger, Love, Sadness, Joy. It is love that is the strongest. I'm sure my words earlier would have given a suttle hint about our diet."

She did mention my lack of emotions and how I remained stone cold expressionless. Probably tried to snack on me, only to find an empty shell. Lucky me, I guess.

"Ahh, you are getting a grasp of what I mean. Under extreme conditions do we resort to physical means of food. Meat is the top of the choice, followed by what ever grows in the forest along our borders. It is hard on us as our digestive tracts have a difficult time accepting a substitute means of a meal."

"Oppressive nations subjecting misunderstood creatures only seeking means of survival. Huh. And I thought peasant live back home was harsh." I replied.

I idly rubbed my chin as the guard who shifted from this Shining Armor back to his normal appearance handed me a map. I began to wonder what other tribes out there were ridiculed or scoffed at all because they were simply different? I rolled the parchment and slipped it into one of my pockets before giving a light bow to the queen.

"Consider the job taken. Given the distance between here and the Crystal Empire, it will take me a month, month and a half in favorable weather. Seeing as its to the far north, I will require winter gear to stave off the worst of the cold if I am to be traveling by snow."

Queen Chrysalis smiled and gave a light nod,"Consider the order filled. As for the journey, my fellow kin will guide you. Beneath the world above my vast network of caves and tunnels makes traveling faster and easier. I look forward to hearing your success assassin, should you survive the endeavor. Until we meet again."

A great green light enveloped her body and with a flash, the queen was gone, leaving me standing there with the guard. I turned to him as he nodded and followed him out of the room.

So my test was to hunt this Shining Armor down and eliminate him before the real job began. How hard can it be?

Dreams and the cold north

I exited the throne room one more time and followed the changeling guard. It guided me done a series of tunnels until one started to spread out near the end. Reaching the entrance, I found myself gazing upon a series of tracks with carts sitting atop old rails. This portion of the hive must have crossed a mining shaft. From the looks of the abandoned tools and gear, the place has been deserted for some time.

The guard grunted and pointed to one of the carts. Though covered in dust, they made an effort to keep the wheels and brake mechanism functional. I climbed in then turned, only to have a bundle of something tossed into my face. Grasping at the parting gift, I gave the guard a sour look as he started to depart.

"The tracks will take you north. Stay to the left and you shall reach Crystal Empire within two to three days. It will all depend on the drones along the tunnels."

I could hear its chittering snicker as it disappeared once more down the tunnel. I fumbled with the package and undid the strings holding it together. Inside were layers of white fur stacked and somewhat cleaned. Given the ragged edges, I would have to guess this winter gear was made in a hurry.

I unlocked the braking pad and was rewarded with a dull screech as the cart began to lurch forward. Two to three days in this old thing? I hope there are some stops along the way, otherwise I'll be starving by the time I reach my destination. All too soon the rhythmic click clack of the wheels along the tracks started to echo along the dark path. The cart may be small, but at least I had some room which made the journey a lot less bumpy. It didn't make it any more comfortable then it was.

As the day wore on, I felt the cart shift and change as the tracks either bended a corner, declined to a slope or rose to an incline. The mine cart showed no signs of slowing, only an increase of speed which called for the application of said braking handle. My first stop was in a hollowed out chamber. Once more the familiar fungal posts and lamps dangled from overhead. A few changelings scurried for cover upon my arrival. They emerged a few minutes when they realized I was not an intruder, but the "thing" their queen had sent on his way to the north.

They didn't speak, only occasionally buzzed from the walls or ceiling they clung to. I stretched my legs, checked my rations then returned to the cart after the brief break. Once inside the cart lurched forward and I was on my way. I could say that travel by mine cart was faster then by foot. The feel of the air, stale as it was with no air current from any crevices above, remained a cool temperature.

I started to doze off vaguely feeling the night scene approach. I may have been underground, but the instinct of just knowing when daylight ended and night began could be felt in the bones. I don't know when I fell asleep or how, I just remember the click clack of the wheels on the track before darkness crept over my eyes.

The rustling of tree leaves stirred my eyelids. Opening them revealed the canopy of the old oak tree. Rubbing my eyes as I stirred I knew I was dreaming. Once the sight sharpened, I was rewarded with a slightly altered scene. The ancient oak tree remained in the middle of the small hill as last time. The difference was the leaves had taken on an autumn hue of colors. Gold, browns and bright yellows danced in the breeze as the branches shifted. The sky remained a clear light blue, though with a few light clouds drifting along.

I gazed down and found I wore the same attire as before. I never liked it, yet for some reason as hard as I wanted to try and think of different clothing, my in dream wish was denied. Gazing out over the horizon, my thoughts drifted to that winged unicorn I met the night before. Would she make another appearance? Or would that eerie face in the sky intrude once more? These questions buzzed in my head like bees as I left the shade of the tree and made for the base of the hill.

I stood there and allowed my mind to wander. It had been years since I dreamed of anything pleasant. Being an assassin, we sleep empty nights devoid of memories. Being as who we are, what we do stains our souls to the point of no return. No matter how much one could scrub, the taint is always there. Cold, empty, no feelings. Why should we bear emotions? Its as I said earlier. Its a mistake that will end any foolish new comer quickly. That being said, tis better to have a clear and vacant mind with naught but the mission on hand.

The sky started to shift and bend, meaning either I was on the brink of waking up or was to have the same guest as I did the first night. Sure enough, the sky itself parted to reveal a dark sky filled with stars as the winged unicorn descended. I backtracked to the tree and took shelter beneath the shade, using the ends of my robe to conceal my face. Old habit, but being as I'm always concealed head to toe, I just felt naked without the covered visage.

No sooner did the mare landed, did she turn and find me beneath the tree. She was light on her hooves which being as this was a dream, weight had no factor on one's own body, unless the dream ruled it so. Still, it was a little unsettling to see how swiftly she moved, even as her great wings tucked at the sides.

"So odd creature, we meet again. Again the mournful tune of a troubled sleeper beckons me and again I find myself in your dreams. Why is it, out of all the ponies in this world that you, an odd being calls to me?"

I shrugged and shifted part of the robe around my face.

"Do you not speak? Are you a mute?" The dark winged unicorn asked.

I don't make good conversations with anyone, regardless of the species. Yeah I said I mingle with the social folk. But I also may had included, that I don't do well talking at all.

"Why do you hide your muzzle? Are you deformed? Dost thou appearance frighten others?"

I shook my head, showing slight indication I understood her.

"Why do you not speak then if you understand me? Who are you? What are you? How am I able to hear your dreams?"

"You ask a lot of questions dark one. I am under no obligations to answer." I finally replied,"As to this mournful tune of trouble sleepers, I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I am the delver of dreams, the guide to all ponies who pleasantness is troubled. When dreams shift to bad nightmares, I am there to help them face what ever fears or obstacles they face in life. You... you on the other hoof, I am having trouble reading."

The winged unicorn gestured to the scenery around us,"This is no nightmare. The plains we stand in are calm, relaxing. The great tree you stand under, bearing the colors of autumn, soothing to the ears. The blue sky above with the clouds dotted along, relaxing enjoyable." She pointed to me,"You hide something from me and it has to do with that dreadful apparition from last time."

"I don't know who or what that was. Whoever they were, they have no place here." I pointed to my temple.

The winged unicorn motioned with her gilded hoof,"You may think that. But I can feel it lurking on the horizon. It knows of my presence and seeks to repulse me once more. Yer somehow you seem to keep it at bay."

"All part of the training." I muttered as I turned to stare off in the distance.

"Praytell what is your name?" She asked, attempting to get close to me.

I shied away putting a gap between us,"None of your business." I responded.

My dream became watery as I found myself suddenly enclosed in some bubble. Weightless, I thrashed about for a moment while she stood there, her horn illuminating a pale blue aura. I glared at her giving her the best scowl I could muster. She merely tilted her head, slightly narrowing her eyes before the bubble popped. I landed on my back, soaking wet but okay. As okay as one can be in the dream world, that is. She peered down at me as I laid there, staring back up with a displeased look on my face.

"Your hair. Its pale color reminds me of the moonlight upon the clear night sky. Your eyes... coldest blue I've ever seen."

She prodded at the scar on my forehead before I swatted her hoof away and rolled out from under her.

"How did you get that?"

"What part of 'none of your business' do you not understand, winged horse?" I asked, wringing out my robe.

I was yanked by my collar and dragged before her. Persistent mare isn't she?

"WE ARE NOT A WINGED HORSE NAIVE ONE. WE ARE AN ALICORN! GODDESS AND PROTECTOR OF OUR PONIES EVERYWHERE!" She bellowed in a loud voice causing my ears to ring in discomfort. Good gods this equine can really turn a person deaf.

"Well excuse me, shrieking one. I didn't know what you were. I'm not exactly from around here." I said, smacking my ears in hopes the ringing would fade.

"What do you mean,'Not from around here?'" She asked, puzzled.

Before I could answer, the sky started to turn dark. Which mean the apparition would soon be here. Closing my eyes, I recalled all my mental training to build my "defenses" in this dream as I had been taught back in my youth. The ground heaved up around the both of us as I created an earthen shell. The "other" materialized just in time to see my barrier close around me and the alicorn. I could hear the thing snarl in anger as I denied it a second time of banishing her.

In the pitch darkness a pale dim light filled the enclosure, due to the alicorn's horn glowing. She looked around, partially stunned, partially in awe.

"Impressive trick strange one. We've never encountered such as this before."

"It's not a trick. Mental defense 101. When the enemy seeks to uncover what hidden knowledge you possess, the stronger your defense is, the harder it is for them to break through it. Wizards and mages taught me this."

"Wizards and mages? You are an Outsider are you not?" She peered closer, frowning,"Hmm... Sister mentioned her student receiving a letter from a friend within Ever Free forest. Concerning a strange creature with a changeling a couple days ago. It appears you are it."

That's it. Time to end this dream. The ground started to crack and fissure beneath our feet. The dark alicorn looked down then up in shock as the earth trembled beneath our feet.

"What are you doing?! The monster outside will get in!" She cried.

"Not my problem. I said it before and I'll say it again. None. Of. Your. Business."

The ground tore away and we both fell. I looked up to see her spread her wings to take flight and flee while the free fall would soon jostle me awake and end this accursed dreaming.

I stirred in the cart and opened my eyes. Four pairs of blue orbs stared at me in curious interest. When I moved, the buzzing of wings filled the air and the changelings darted away. I climbed out of the cart, noticing it had reached the end of the tracks. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I felt the cold still air in my bones. Must of reached the end. Adorning the furs they gave me, I stared at one of the changelings.

"How long?" I asked.

"You did not stir for two days. The queen bade us to stir you, but you would not respond. Strange aura was enveloping you. The feeling was... frightening." It muttered

Strange aura? Been out for two days? I rubbed my head, shaking it as I started to follow the only path in the chamber. Just what I needed. Some goddess alicorn that can dream dive, able to find me over some nightmare I keep having when there is none. A sister of a student who had a letter delivered by a friend from the forest. The zebra no doubt. With luck I'll be too busy focused on my task at hand to dream again, sparing me from any more visits from this dark alicorn.

I climbed the steps, feeling to grow colder and colder the higher I went. The steps ended and a path started. The cave was covered in a thin layer of snow, trampled and slushy by traffic. A great boulder blocked the path to the entrance. Outside I could hear the faint howling of the wind and the sounds of a flurry taking place on the other side.

"Be careful assassin." One of the changelings buzzed,"A terrible blizzard is coursing through the north. The Crystal Empire is not far, but should you lose your way, you will join the unfortunate few and freeze to death."

I grunted and tightened the winter gear. The changelings heaved the boulder and I was hit with a sledgehammer of cold as the blizzard howled in its fury.

I covered my hood tightly and trudged outside. I was in the north at last. Soon to make my way into the Crystal Empire and dispatch one unicorn stallion by the name of Shining Armor. All the while avoiding detection and hopefully not freeze to death out here.