The Lone Knight

Chapter 2: Jolly Co-Operation!

The sounds of the crackling fire were dying as I awoke from my slumber. I heard a gentle thwacking noise in the distance, and decided to get out of bed. I looked down to realize that I had slept in my armor.

Not the first time I've done so.

I went to the tent next to mine to find that it was unoccupied. The thwacking continued, and I could only assume that it was from the Frenchman practicing with his new found bow. I was planning on searching the forest today for some more weapons, and possibly some survivors. Though, my rumbling stomach did do me some convincing that we needed to get some breakfast. I went out into the open field to see that my suspicions have been confirmed. Gustav was shooting the longbow with ease, and had several targets set up. I walked over to him, and seen that he wasn't even tiring.

"Gustav, I'm starting to become perished. Would you like to go into town with me to get some food?"

"Oui! That sounds fantastic. I will have to clean up the arrows first..."

"No time Frenchman. I'm hoping I will not have to force you to come with me."

"No need for violence, Bertram. I shall accompany you in your search for food."

And so we went off into the town. Though the name of it could have been better. Ponyville sounded childish to me. But I digress, we looked for some structure that offered food services. We had been walking for about five minutes until we found a local cafe. As we approached the entrance, the ponies seemed to back away from us. It could have been out of fear, or respect, but I will never know. We neared the counter, and saw a stallion standing there. He was dressed in a blue apron, had a white coat, and a gently groomed mane. As soon as he saw us, he tensed up a little bit.

"H-how can I help you two today?" He asked, fear evident in his voice.

Gustav spoke first. "We were stopping by for some petit déjeuner. Do you have any available food items?"

The stallion seemed to have perked up at that. "Why yes we do, what would you like?"

It was my turn to speak. "If you have any fruits or grains, we would appreciate it."

"Alrighty, that will cost you 2 bits"

I took a look at Gustav, and he gave me a shrug.

I looked at the stallion, and said, "How about a..." I rummaged through my satchels, and found some miscellaneous items. "...few soft, silky stones?"  I held them out to him so he could examine them. He leaned his head in close to get a good look at the stones. He put a hoof over the stones, and took them.

"Sounds like a fair trade to me! What would you like?"

"I would quite enjoy some redcurrents."

"I shall have cabbage soup, if it is available."

The stallion looked thoughtfully for a second before getting our food.

"I am most famished right now Betram."

"As am I, Frenchman."

Our small dialogue was cut short by the stallion carrying our food on his back. "Here you two go. Enjoy!"

"Thank you sir." Gustav said.

We went to an empty table to consume our food. The soup was good, but the chef at our camp made it better. Gustav seemed to be enjoying his berries. When we had finished, it was 15 minutes since we'd came in. I looked at Gustav and said, "How about some exploring in the forest?"

"Seems enjoyable." He said as he put the final berry in his mouth. "I'll have to grab my gear from our camp though."

And so we set off to the campsite. Nothing major happened on the way, just Gustav retrieving his gear. The walk to the Everfree Forest was also enjoyable. No animals in sight, and not a human to be found. Though this relative peace was broken by the sound of a what was akin to a lightening bolt.

"What was that?" Gustav asked me.

"I have no idea Gustav..."

As we readied our weapons, a giant beast emerged in front of us. A reptilian creature with a long neck, 4 foot long spines, a 6 foot long, thick body, and 4 stumpy legs.

Gustav looked terrified as he whispered, "Its the Peluda."

The monstrosity took one look at us, and drew back it head as flame began to form. We braced for the worst, until the sound of lightening came again. As we looked at the source, we saw a man wearing white plate mail, with a sun-printed tabard. He was holding what looked like to be a priest's chime. Well, that is until he threw a spear of lightening out of it. The lightening struck the creature's tail, blowing it off instantly. It reared back, and took out a mighty roar before falling on its back, dead.

"I trust you two are well?" The strange man said.

"Yes, we are. Th-thank you sir knight." Gustav replied.

"We all must help one another in times like these."

Gustav looked him over, and asked, "What is your name?"

The man looked up, and said, "I am Knight Solaire of Astora. I am a Knight of Sunlight, part of the Heirs of the Sun."

"Well it would be rude of us to keep you out here Solaire. Please, come join us back at our campsite."

And so we set out to the campsite together, us telling Solaire of our situation, and what to expect in the coming of days.