Journey of an Assassin

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.