Ponies of Deltora: Monsters and Magic

Day two, Time, 7:10 AM

“My friends, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce the good Captain Jerome Mercer.” The mystery women said gesturing to an olive coloured man in well dressed fishermen’s uniformed. The four of them were standing on the deck of the Serpents Spine, currently docked in the Broom harbour. All around them men and women were busy loading crates of supplies, checking nets and sails, and counting harpoons. Pinkie, who had never been on a boat before, was really amazed and distracted by all this. As she was wrapped up in all this, she couldn’t help but feel that she was being watched by unseen eyes. Her companions didn’t seem to notice however and continued their discussion.

“So Mr. Mercer, why did you accept such a potentially dangerous and life threatening venture?” Lynette asked suspiciously. “If you don’t mind me inquiring, of course.”

“Not at all, such an answer is a bit hard to believe.” He replied in a stern voice with an underlying tone of authority. “Truthfully I was a bit doubtful, but after speaking of the ‘benefits’ with our mutual friend here, I believe the rewards are worth the risk. Plus how often dos such an opportunity sow itself in a lifetime?”

Lynette stared at the captain form a moment and processed his response. Finally she shot him a smile. “Well I’m just glad to see that you’re just as eager to die as the rest of us. And how fare’s your crew?”

“They’re not the best looking crew around, but every one of them is a loyal soul.”

“I’ve met many a captain who have all said the same thing.” Lynette said cynically. “And out of all of them, only two were correct.”

“Well I’ll be sure to make it three by the end of this.” He said jokingly.

The women in the emerald cloak smiled and placed her hands on the two. “I knew I’d made the right choices with you all. Now what say you to setting off so we can get this business venture underway?” The captain nodded and began ordering his crew to quicken their passes. Lynette decided to make herself useful and did what she could to help out. The women in the emerald cloak leaned against the ships sides playfully and turned towards their resident Earth Pony. “You seem distracted; is this your first time on a ship?”

“It sure is!” Pinkie replied, slightly leaping into the air. She didn’t last too long however, and soon came back down with a sick look on her face.

“Best to keep your hooves firmly on the boat, my friend.” She flashed the party mare a silly smiled. “Tell me, do you hate boredom?”

“Oh I can always find something fun to do, so I never get bored.”

The women hummed to herself and pulled over two empty barrels and a wooden crate. She flipped all three things onto their flat sides and sat down on one barrel. Pinkie was quick to do so also. “I envy you my dear; not all of us are as fortunate as you.”

She then reached into her cloak and pulled out a wooden rectangle with black and white patterned squared on it. “Would like to play a game while we wait for our prey?”

Pinkie’s eye widened to the size of an average serving plate. “Oh boy would I!”

Smiling the women set the board down on the overturned crate and pulled out thirty two small, beautifully crafted black and white pieces. The two set their respective pieces up on the board and began the game. All while invisible eyes watched them for as long as they were able.

*****

Time, 7:18 AM

Fluttershy awoke from her sleep, tears of joy formin in her eyes. She had drunk water from the Dreaming Spring to visit her friends once again. It had been hard to choose which to visit tonight, but after careful thought she decided that she needed to see Pinkie’s smiling face. To her relief, no harm seemed to have befallen the party mare at all. She brought her hooves around herself as tears began to trickle down from her eyes.

“Troublesome dreams?” Said an intellectual voice to the pegasus’s left. Moving her head in the direction, she saw the man of Del propped against a tree. His good arm had a book in it, which he was deeply reading. He quickly closed it when he noticed the pegasus’s gaze.

“You seem to be faring better.” Fluttershy said while whipping away her tears.

“All thanks to you, my dear.” He said extending a hand to the pony and helping her to her hooves.

“Thank you, sir.”

The man lifted his hand to silence her. “It is I who should give thanks. You saved me twice in one day.”

Fluttershy’s cheeks flushed red. “Oh it was nothing, you were injured and I just had to help you.”

The man was silent for a moment before responding. “Such kindness is hard to find in the world. Ah but I forget myself, we haven’t had proper introductions yet. My name is Tamer; I am a scholar at the Palace Library in Del.”

“My name is Fluttershy; I am a pegasus in charge of woodland creatures in Ponyville.”

“Ah, naturalists are we?” Tamer smiled. “Personally I preferred my books to nature. But even that has its downsides. Take this place for example. You’d never find something this beautiful in the Palace Library.”

He began to walk towards the spring and crouched down to fill his water flask. He winched in pain as his right arm shifted slightly. Fluttershy moved over to him and did her best to help. “So, what did those mean creatures want with you?”

“They were slavers; men who make their living by selling away other men and women like we are common meat.” He said with much distain. “I was ambushed while traveling from Del to the city of Hira, on behalf of Palace Librarian Romis.”

“I’m so sorry this happened to you.” Fluttershy said sympathetically.

“There is nothing for you to be sorry for. Besides, they got what they deserved.” Tamer then shifted his gaze towards the trees as the old Kin Sen came towards them.

“Ah hello my dear.” He greeted to the young pegasus.

“Hello there.” She replied happily. “Is there something you need?”

“Yes. In regard to our discussion yesterday, do you still planning to accompany us to the Mountain?”

“Umm, yes sir. That is if it’s not a problem.” She responded meekly.

“Not at all, in fact I’m sure the young ones will be most thrilled. But if you are coming with us we’d best leave now.” He turned his head to the sky and let the wind blew over his thin fur.

Fluttershy let out a small sigh, and then went to help Tamer to his feet. The two of them gathered their belongings and followed the Kin to a small hill next to the spring. All the Kin had gathered in a straight line and were eagerly readying themselves for the journey home. Many of the young were already discussing new games to try with their new friends.

With assistance, Tamer was placed inside one of the female’s pouch. The Kin had a meeting when Fluttershy had said she would leave with them and asked if she could bring him along. In the end they decided that it was wrong to leave the man to die and conceded. Fluttershy watched him with both a look of relief and worry.

Suddenly the wind shifted and each Kin unveiled its great wings, letting the air pass under them. Then without warning they took off down the hill as fast as they could run. Fluttershy flew after them and let out a gasp of fear. At the bottom of the hill was a large drop that couldn't be seen form the top.

As the Kin neared the cliff they began beating their wings furiously, and soon all of them were taking off. Relived by this, Fluttershy took her place among the flock as they traveled to their northern destination.