Journey of an Assassin

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.