Runes and Mercenaries

Not a single word was spoken. They both rushed down the dirt road while listening to moaning and similar voices coming from the woods nearby.

"Fedor wait!" Vulsegardt saying while still limping but trying to catch up to him.

Fedor stops and turns around. "What happened to Mister Conhanger?"

Vulsegardt didn't answer right away. "To get your attention. I can't go as fast as you."

Fedor sighs. "Look, we need to get to the train station."

"I understand that, but please slow down, it's not like the train won't ever come back." Vulsegardt attempts at helping her situation.

"Fine." Fedor slows down to wait for Vulsegardt.

After a short walk with no words, Vulsegardt turns to Fedor. "We are friends aren't we?"

Fedor puts on a faint smile. "I suppose we are."

"Then tell me what's bothering you. You saw something in that dream, I know you did." Vulsegardt says with suspicion.

Before Fedor could answer the question both he and Vulsegardt notice a dozen bodies with bullet holes in them on the ground. They stop and look up to notice people with automated weapons shooting at several creatures that were running from the woods. Vulsegardt steps behind Fedor and examines the armed people. They seemed like soldiers with purple armour on. She figures that they are the Royal Guard around these parts. "Fedor look, Royal Guards! If we help them they can help us in getting on the train!" Vulsegardt states.

Fedor nods and reaches for his shotgun, but is interrupted by a small creature that jumped on his back. The creature resembled a small human child with extended fingers shaping into bone like claws covered in blood. The creature begins to scratch on Fedor's back, he cries out of pain, grabs the creature by it's head and throws it ahead of himself. Vulsegardt quickly levitates the shotgun from Fedor's back, points it at the grounded creature and pulls the trigger. She hits the creatures neck, spilling blood on the ground. The creature after a short squeal stops moving.

Vulsegardt quickly rushes to Fedor. "Oh Goddess, are you alright?"

Fedor moans and checks his back for any injuries. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a scratch. I'm wearing a pad on my shoulder so I'm lucky." He rips off the left side of his shirt and protection pad, revealing a few scrapes with a small amount of blood coming from his shoulder.

Suddenly, Vulsegardt feels that something has just missed her head. Her hearing becomes faint and her head begins to hurt for a little while. She notices that one of the guard has shot at her direction.

A group of two Humans and one Earth pony run towards Fedor and Vulsegardt. One steps forward. "Damn Caramel, you could have killed pedestrians! Sorry about that, but it looks like you two handled yourself pretty well back there."

Fedor still checking his back. "Yeah, thanks for not killing us. Could you point us to the train station? We kinda want to, you know, get the hell out of here?" He asks.

The Guard smirks. "Everyone wants to leave. We're going there right now, we can show you where it is. What are you even doing here outside of walls?"

Vulsegardt jumps in the conversation. "We were travelling. We were staying at Everfree camp when all this happened."

"Everfree camp?" The Guard says with surprise. "Lucky you two got out of there. That place is about to be overrun, the order to evacuate has already been issued."

"But they have walls too, don't they?" Fedor asks.

"With walls like those? No thanks, I'd leave." The Guard answers. "Come on, let's move, the next train is I think in half an hour."

Fedor and Vulsegard follow the Guards towards the train station. The train station was surrounded by several more Guards.

"Why are there so many Guards here?" Vulsegardt asks.

The Earth Pony guard turns to Vulsegardt. "Only two things in Ponyville aren't behind walls. The hospital and the train station. The hospital was attacked by a mob of these biters while the train station wasn't. So to avoid losing the train station the Princess here issued that it must be protected so that the trains can still safely operate."

Fedor exhales with relief. "Good." He looks at Vulsegardt. "I don't know how else we could get to Canterlot if there was no train."

The Guards lead Vulsegardt and Fedor to the train station where they sat down on some benches. The Earth Pony guard again turns to them. "Tickets are free during whatever this is. Have a nice trip." He goes away, presumably to his post.

"How nice of them to give us a free ride." Vulsegardt smiles.

"The undead is killing the living, the Government better give me a free ride." Fedor states.  "I just hope they won't mind me bringing weapons onboard."

"Do you really think it's the undead?" Vulsegardt looks at Fedor with worry.

"In my dream... I saw corpses. And some madman activating the Marker. Just then the creatures revived." Fedor answers.

"Is that it? That's been bugging you?" Vulsegardt asks.

Fedor thinks for a moment. "I've seen how the changelings attacked Ares. They had hostages and accused Atlax of hiding something. When we get to Canterlot we have to go to Celestia not Atlax."

Vulsegardt cringes. "But Atlax said that I have to go to him and nopony else."

"I think this is a case of national security and Celestia was smart enough to shut this down once. I'm pretty sure she'd do it again." Fedor replies.

Vulsegardt looks on the ground. "He said it was strict EarthGov business.

"But we aren't on Earth. And people died. After what I've seen I'd rather go to Celestia. Besides, she'd find out eventually." Fedor speculates.

Vulsegardt sighs. "I guess that's true. I just hope I won't get into to much trouble."

"The letter said abandoned research facility, not infested facility. Hell, we can probably sue." Fedor smiles on that thought.

Vulsegardt faintly smiles and looks towards Fedor's direction. On Fedor's shoulder she notices something else than cuts. She leans closer and with her magic rips off the already torn pieces of his shirt. "Why do you have the number twelve branded on your shoulder?"

Fedor slowly puts his hand on his shoulder, feeling the said number. He begins to think with a slightly confused face.

"Where did you get it?" Vulsegardt asks.

"The army. At some point..." Fedor answers.

"Do you even know?" Vulsegardt examines the brand. "This surely didn't feel good when you received it."

Fedor slightly raises his voice. "In the army. I just forgot who exactly was the bastard who gave it to me."

Vulsegardt slightly backs off. For a few minutes she observes her surroundings. With nothing interesting to see, she turns to Fedor again. "Did you get those goggles in the army too?"

Fedor with a slightly more friendly face turns to Vulsegardt. "No, but it is the reason I'm not in the army anymore."

"What do you mean?" Vulsegardt asks.

Fedor takes a deep breath. "Well, I was maintaining a sentry defence one day when one of the darn things malfunctioned. Being in the desert and all, I knew it was best to try to fix the problem there. My eyes got hit by a flash of light so hard it damaged my vision. Next week I was off to be sent home. Heh, that's when I found the Holder crystal. Our truck lost all gas and we were forced to spread out. Due to my vision I was able to fall into a crevice. There I found the Holder. Put one in my pocket and a day later I was sitting on a plane going back home. It wasn't until a month or two later when my vision began to return, that I was able to use the holder. I was playing around with it to notice that it could hold so much electrical power it could power machines. That's the story on how bigger passages came to life between Earth and Equestria. Apparently you can't "play" around with that much electricity at once without some neighbour calling the police. As luck had it the Holder fell to Celestia and so did I."

"Wow. Quite the story" Vulsegardt says with an impressed voice. "After all this time, surely you can take those off can't you?"

"I can. But strong lights still bother me. Well, that was alot about me, what about you? You some high society Canterlot book writer?" Fedor asks while smiling.

"Hardly. I work with the history department. Runes, translations, old knowledge, you know, the things that should not be forgotten." Vulsegardt answers.

Fedor smirks. "I'm sure as hell I won't forget what happened in the last couple of days."

From the distance an arriving train could be seen. After a couple of minutes it stops at Ponyville station. Being the only two waiting at the station Fedor and Vulsegardt presumed that the train would be leaving shortly. Vulsegardt steps on board first. She is greeted by the train conductor. Fedor following is stopped. The train conductor approaches Fedor and extends his arm. "I'm gonna need that gun boy."

"Boy?" Fedor says with a surprised voice.

Vulsegardt turns around and joins the conversation. "Fedor, give the man the gun. Please."

The conductor explains his situation. "You'll get it back son. Given the circumstances, it's only the best idea to be carrying a weapon. But we have children on board, we don't want to frighten them."

Fedor hands over his shotgun. "Don't worry, I haven't shot a child in months."

The Conductor stares at Fedor with an unamused face. "Funny." He takes the shotgun and closes the train cart door. "Where will you leave the train?"

"Canterlot, if we may." Vulsegardt answers.

"Of course. Take a seat and enjoy the ride." He looks at Fedor. "This is your shotgun, isn't it son?"

Fedor looks at the Conductor. "Yes."

The Conductor shakes his head and leaves.

Fedor along with Vulsegardt sit down at the first seat they come across that was available. Though most of them were empty.

Vulsegardt turns around and examines the train cart. She sees three Humans and two ponies sitting in the cart along with them. "This train is pretty empty."

"That's to be expected. People probably hiding in their homes." Fedor replies.

The train begins to move. For the first twenty minutes nobody said anything. Vulsegardt was staring out the window and Fedor was staring on the other side of the cart. After a little while, Fedor leans towards Vulsegardt and begins to whisper. "There's this weird Zebra that has been staring at us ever since we got on."

"What Zebra?" Vulsegardt turns around and indeed does notice somebody she missed when she entered the cart. The Zebra looks away as Vulsegardt looks at him. "I've seen him before."

"Do you know who he is?" Fedor asks.

"Yes, I met him at the Crystal Empire on the day I've come to hire you." Vulsegardt answers.

"That's Xuri. Atlax's right hand." Fedor explains.

"And what does that mean?" Vulsegardt asks.

"It means we have to hurry to Celestia when we get to Canterlot. He's gonna call on us, I'm sure of it." Fedor answers.

"You're saying like he is a villain." Vulsegardt turns around and begins to wave to Xuri.

He doesn't respond.

"Stop that." Fedor says.

Vulsegardt stops waving and turns around. "He seemed friendlier at the Crystal Empire.

Fedor sighs and looks through the window.

"That's not necessary Fedor." Vulsegardt says as she joins in looking through the window.

"You can't say I'm wrong when I say that there is something way off here." Fedor replies.

"The dead are walking. I'd say that there is something foul here." Vulsegardt answers.

"Yeah, but the Government has something to do with it." Fedor states.

Vulsegardt thinks for a moment. "Perhaps. But they are the only ones who can help us now. My translations will come in handy." Vulsegardt puts her bag on the table and opens it. In shock, she widely opens her eyes and looks at Fedor. "Fedor, we forgot the books at Sweet Apple Acres!"

Fedor looks at Vulsegardt with fake surprise. "That's too bad. But why do the books matter anyways? You don't think Atlax or Celestia don't have everything translated already?

"I think Celestia destroyed all the translations and records." Vulsegardt answers.

"All the more reason to get to her first. You have the letter that Atlax gave you, we should give that to Celestia." Fedor says with a quiet voice, minding the fact that Xuri is watching them.

Vulsegardt frowns. "I don't like this."

Fedor again looks through the window. "Me neither. But I don't trust them. And neither should you."

After a few hours Vulsegardt opens her eyes. She realizes that she fell asleep during the ride. Fedor was shaking her shoulder. "Hey I've got my gun from the old man let's go."

Vulsegardt shakes her head. "We're at Canterlot already?"

"Yeah, that Zebra went off the train. We have to beat him to the city." Fedor quickly says.

Vulsegardt gets up and along with Fedor they begin to make their way off the train and into the city. They quickly walk along the path towards the Canterlot castle. They are stopped by a group of Guards. "Stop, no access in the castle unless given proper authorization."

Vulsegardt with her magic pulls out a small card with a picture of her face on it. "I work here. I need to speak to the Princess."

A Guard steps forward. "With what cause?" The guard asks.

Vulsegardt quickly begins to think. "I, uhm, brought her this man. He has something to say that only the Princess can hear. It's very important. And classified." She smiles in attempt to fool the guards.

The guards look at her suspiciously. An Unicorn guard steps out of the group. "Hi Vulsegardt!" He seemed more physically weaker than the rest of the guards.

Vulsegardt recognizes the guard "Oh, hey Local. Any chance you can let me and my friend through, its important."

"Of course! Come on guys, let's make way. You'll have to give up your weapons though. No weapons around the castle premises, unless you're with the guard" He raises his hoof and the group let's Fedor and Vulsegardt pass. Before leaving the Unicorn levitates the shotgun off Fedor's back.

"Thanks Local, I owe you!" she begins to lead Fedor towards the castle entrance.

"You're welcome!" The Unicorn shouts back.

"You know that guy?" Fedor asks.

"I work here, I know most guards. But helped Local with his studies back in the day, so he owes me. Come on, this way" She opens the castle door rushing through them. "Let's hope Celestia is in the throne room."

"She better be." Fedor hopes as he is running behind Vulsegardt.

"Come on, around this corner down the hall!" She points the direction.

Upon going around the corner they are stopped by two armed EarthGov Human soldiers. They were accompanied by Xuri. He steps forward. "Miss Vulsegardt I presume?"

Fedor steps in front of Vulsegardt. "Hey buddy let us pass."

Xuri looks at Fedor. For a few seconds he stares at him without saying anything. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Fedor with only a second to think, jumps on Xuri and knocks him down. "Vulse! Go!"

Vulsegardt gasps and after a moment she jumps between the soldiers and runs down the hall. Upon reaching the door she slams them open with her magic. She looks up to notice that Celestia is sitting on her throne accompanied by a few people who were probably politicians.

"Princess!" Vulsegardt shouts.

Xuri quickly catches up with Vulsegardt. Behind him come the two soldiers holding Fedor's arms behind his back.

Celestia raises her head. "What is going on here?"

Xuri trots forward and quickly answers. "EarthGov business. We apologize for the intrusion."

"I know what is causing this monster outbreaks!" Vulsegardt panicky raises her voice.

Celestia begins to pay attention to Vulsegardt. "And what would that be?" She asks.

"The Marker in Hayseed swamps." Vulsegardt answers.

For a few seconds Celestia stares at Vulsegardt. Then she looks at Xuri. "Is that true?"

Xuri begins to mutter. "Wait, no!" He looks at Vulsegard with slight anger.

"Get out!" Celestia raises her voice. "Call Atlax and leave these two with me."

"This is EarthGov business Celestia. You aren't allowed to interfere." Xuri denies.

"Don't even dare saying that." Celestia says slowly. "Any operation that happens in Equestria is my business. This matter was closed down to never be touched again and you are well aware of that Xuri. Tell Atlax we have much to discuss. Now leave!"

Xuri angered, turns around and leaves the room. He points at Fedor. "Let him go." The soldiers drop Fedor on the ground and leave the room."

Vulsegardt quickly runs to Fedor. "Are you alright?" She helps him in getting up, noticing that he has a bruise on his face. Vulsegardt gasps. "They hit you?" She looks at the door, watching Xuri leaving as the doors close.

"Motherfuckers..." Fedor curses as he cleans some blood coming from his nose.

Celestia walks up behind Fedor noticing the branded number twelve on his shoulder, examines it for a moment and moves in front of them. "Who are you two?"

Vulsegardt speaks first. "I'm Vulsegardt, history department."

Celestia looks at Fedor. "And you?"

"Fedor Conhanger. You already know me." Fedor answers.

"Founder of the Holder? I haven't seen you in years, you've certainly changed." Celestia wonders.

"I settled down. Grew hair, that kind of thing." Fedor says.

"And again in trouble." Celestia finished Fedor's sentence. She looks at Vulsegardt. "Come now, if this is true what you are saying then we have very much to discuss. And not much time to discuss it."