Day one, Time, 7:00 PM

“Wait, what?” Lynette laughed. She and Pinkie Pie had moved their conversation inside, and were now sitting in one of Broom’s many taverns.

“It’s true, but that’s not even the best part! Instead or water, they let out chocolate rain!”

The drinking halls were filled with cheers of laughter and the clanging of mugs. For the past few hours Pinkie had been swapping stories with the good people of Broom. They all seemed particularly interested in the many adventures she and her friends had partaken in. In-between stories Pinkie was having a blast sampling this beverage called ale. It had such a sweet, fuzzy taste to it that reminded her of cider, except even better! She especially liked the bubbly feeling it gave to her head.

She continued telling stories through the night, until only Lynette and a few others were left. “Your land sounds like a riveting place.” Lynette said, slapping Pinkie on the shoulder. This ended up spilling over their drinks and letting loose another round of laughter from the pink mare.

“Hey Lynette, can I ask you something?” she asked after calming down.

“Of course my friend, ask away.”

“Why do you have such funny patterns on your head?”

Lynette looked at Pinkie as if the pony had said something offensive. At first Pinkie thought she had insulted her new friend, but she soon let out a small chuckle. “Forgive me; I forget that you’re new.” She then ran her fingers across her painted skull. “It is custom for the women of Broom to shave their heads to repel dragons.”

At the mention of that word Pinkie let out a small gulp. “D-D-Dragons?”

“Indeed, I’ve seen quite a few in my time. Around here their scales shine red as blood. They’re usually at the coast fishing, although I’ve seen them all through Ruby territory.”

“So how does shaving your head keep them away?” Not that the pink mare would ever think of trading away her candy floss mane.

“Dragons take human hair to line their nests. Since we shave ours off, they go looking elsewhere and leave us alone.” She said proudly. “It’s a tradition that has worked since our ancestors built this city.”

Pinkie giggled at this. “Your dragons are silly wily. Why do they need hair?”

Lynette shrugged. “I haven’t the slightest fathom. Perhaps the next time I see a dragon I shall ask.” This got a bit of laughter from the two and some nearby taverners.

“So Pinkie, why did you decide to visit Broom at such hours?”

“Well I got a letter and a cupcake that told me to head east, or was it weast? Anyway, so I followed the instructions and came here. I was hoping that maybe there was a fisherpony I could get to lend me a boat.”

“Well you came to the right place my friend.” Lynette smiled. “Broom is the largest fishery in all of Deltora. Why I myself am a fisherman’s daughter.”

Pinkies face lit up like a beacon. “So you’ll help me?”

Lynette considered for a moment before she responded. “Sure, you’ve some good stories to tell, and being next to you is the most fun I’ve had in years.” She brought her mug up to her mouth. “But I must ask in advance, what do you need a ship for?”

“Well the note said I need to go out to the Sea of Serpents and find the tooth of a Sea Serpent.”

Lynette nearly choking on her ale as Pinkie spoke. “You never said anything about serpents!”

Pinkie’s face let out a guilty smile. “You never asked.”

“Well I am sorry to disappoint you, but I can’t help.”

Quickly the smile was replaced by a large frown. “But why?”

“This is too much of a risk Pinkie; I’ve only a single one man fishing boat. To go after a serpent you’d need a proper boat and a crew at least forty strong. And all of this cost’s money, which I do not believe you have.” She said flatly. “Plus there are the risks. Sea Serpents are not to be trifled with. Only the best can face them and live.” Pinkie saw sadness beginning to form in her eyes. “Many brave fishermen have been lost to the jaws of those devils, my father among them.”

All cheerfulness was suddenly sucked out of the party mare. Sympathetically she placed a hoof on her friends shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“It’s alright, you didn’t know.” She said, taking a sip from her mug. "It's not like pretending it didn't happen will bring him back, so I just move on with my life."

Pinkie pondered for a moment before responding. “If I could get my hooves on a ship and crew, would you come with me?”

Lynette turned to her and Pinkie could see a fire ignite in her grey eyes. “I’d gladly take any chance at evening the scored with those serpents. But like I said, you don’t have the money for it.”

“I do believe I can help in that matter.” Said a calm, friendly voice. Both of them swerved their heads around and were met by a women wearing a flowing emerald cloak with eyes as blue as the ocean. “May I?” she asked gesturing to the table. Lynette nodded and the stranger took her seat.

“Hello.” Pinkie said cheerfully to the stranger. While she didn’t say hello back, she did smile at the mare.

“And what may your business be stranger?” Lynette asked. She had an analytical look about her.

“I overheard your interesting conversation about Sea Serpents, and if I’m right, you’d like to hunt one.” Both of them nodded. “Good, because I would like to financially assist you.”

“Really and why may that be stranger?” Lynette inquired.

The women removed her hood, revealing spiky hair which came down around her head like a lizards frill. “Let’s just say I have a liking for these sorts of things. Besides, if we succeed, then I’ll have made quite a profit. Sea serpent bones and scales are prized crafting materials you know.”

“So I’ve heard, but how will you be paying for this?”

The women reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a handful of gold coins which glistened in the candlelight. They were so shiny that Pinkie could see her own reflection, and began to play with it by rocking back and forth. “This is just a small amount of a fortune built from smart business ventures, like this one.”

“I say we let her in.” Pinkie chirped when the women removed the coins from sight. “The more the merrier I always say!”

Lynette sighed and extended her hand to the stranger. “Well it seems you’ve just been roped in to the stupidest mission of our lives.” She said with a grin.

The woman took her hand and shook it. “Oh trust me, I’ve done stupider. Now I’ll go find us a good crew worth their salt.”

“Not yet you won’t missy.” Lynette said festively. With a quick beckon three more mugs of ale were passed to their table. The three took them in hand, or in Pinkies case hoof, and lifted them high in the air. “Tomorrow we ride with the wind and tide, but tonight we celebrate what may be our last day.”

“I’ll drink to that!” The stranger said happily.

“And if we do survive, which I hope we do, I’ll throw us a party!” Pinkie nearly screamed.

“Then here’s to a good hunt!” Lynette declared. All three of them then tapped their mugs together and drank.

Author's Note

Authors Note: Sadly there will be no more Flutterhsy chapters until day two, which will be coming soon.