Darkened Hearts
Chapter One Humble Seaspray.
I awoke in my house to the sound of cheerful bird song. I threw open my bedroom shutters and beheld the sight of old wooden boats bobbing around in the bay. The smell of sea water buffeted against my nostrils and I could almost taste the salt in the breeze. Neighdorn was a small waterside village that provided fish and material trade to local places in Equestria; including some of the dragon lands.
I grabbed my bag and galloped out into the cobblestoned path, I was going to be late for one of Ol’ Gregga’s Stories.
After a short canter I finally reached the rustic log Tavern; Ol’ Gregg the fable teller was bound to be inside. I pushed open the door with my hoof and stepped into the warm interior, I was then greeted by Greysails’s bad breath.
“Ay lad, thought yer weren’t comin' .” Boomed the pure white stallion beaming a wicked smile and projecting a near toxic odor, he gestured for me to take a seat on a stool next to the counter. "Shouldn't you be on the way ta da Islands or kissing yer sweet mare goodbye?"
"To leave the shore without the heroic tales of the old ones in my soul would surely invite disaster, not that I wouldn't expect you to remember."
I began to regret my words and looked subtly to his face. I saw the formation of a smirk. I had always wondered why Greysails had stopped sailing, I always thought it was old age but I never did seem entirely sure. My father before he left for Canterlot told me to never question him why, others merely said he was cursed by the will of the departed.
Greysails waved for the Tavern keeper's attention.
“C’mon Coal, grant me some warmth in me belly, a tankard of me usual and a saucer of milk for the foal.” eyeing his gaze down at me, I felt dwarfed and slightly aggravated by being called a ‘Foal’ but I hid my irritation and did not dare show it.
The taste of the sweet foam still hung in my mouth when silence echoed throughout the hall. Atop the stars on his hind legs stood a very wise elder. An eye patch covered his right eye and he had an old dusty grey blanket draped over his back like a cape.
He flew down the stairs like a vampire bat and landed all fours on a small circular table made of old oak.
“He who wishes to hear tales of Bravery and valour fill ye’ bellies now!”
He stopped and pointed to the door.
“Those who cannot take the fables of the old times, the times when Stallion battled dragon, nightmares trotted amongst us and death was a plenty, should leave now.”
I traced his every move, took in every detail about his speech, the words he used and the emotion he stirred within the crowd; their mouths open in gasp and their eyes focused on the elder. It was not unlike that of sweet poetry. Time passed and Gregga began to simmer down. Although his words were spoken with the passion of a young blood he was still very much aged. Many had been wondering how many a season he would last before his spirit wdeparted the mortal plain but I cared not, I knew there would be nothing any of us could do except be joyful in his passing.
I left the Tavern sometime after Ol’ Gregga had finished his performance. It was nearing noon, in a couple of hours I would be sailing out to deliver a passenger to an island out on the waves but for the meantime I had other plans.
I made my way up the path to Barrelfaun hill. As I was climbing the hill I noticed her there spying off to the far distance. She had a golden yellow coat, her eyes were a clearish amber and she had moderate; not too long or too short styled a mane. She laid belly down under the shadow of a tree with a quill in her mouth. I galloped without haste towards her through a field of wheat, as I neared towards her she turned to face me and that is when I pounced...
“Daffodil” I cried as I pinned her to the ground and licked her cheek joyfully. She giggled with glee before rolling onto her side and dashing off playfully into the wheatfield. After a few seconds she disappeared from sight but that did not deter me, I gave chase following the path she had taken. I ran through the fields, plant after plant brushing against my coat, I then ran into a clearing and noticed that her trail had ended there.
My eyes shifted left then immediately right before I realised how dumb I had been. I was tapped on the head before I turned my attention skyward to be greeted with her glistening eyes staring deep into mine.
“Oh Neirin, you never learn do you?” She beamed a innocent smile that warmed my heart.
“No fair, using your wings is cheating" I sad dragging her down towards the ground.
We stayed in the field playing for quite some time before I finally departed back towards the bay; Daffodil following me closely like a gentle spirited shadow.
As I stepped onto the ship and began to move the cargo onboard I caught a glimpse of the stranger we were supposed to be transporting talking to a pony named Lemonbrisk, it was no pony.
The creature was bipedal and shrouded in a dark crimson hooded robe. The only visible part of the would be passenger that could be seen was two metallic silver claws reaching out of the sleeves. It turned and faced me as if sensing me looking at him or her. My whole being shuddered as an ice cold chill ran down my back, I tried to identify a face, yet found no trace of any features. All that was there was darkness and it was disturbing indeed.
I continued to pull the ropes tight, while gesturing for Seaspray and Highwave; who had recently got onto the ship, to come and help me. Once we prepared the sails I wandered over to side of the dock and indulged in a few moments with Daffodil.
She looked at me sadly and let out a quiet sigh.
“Do you really have to go with Mr Thingy to the island of Gruel?”
“Uhm...Wha-?”
“You know, that place, out there, somewhere.” she pointed skyward with her hoof.
“You do realize I’m going by boat right?” I bounced making the board below me creak to remind her.
She looked at me with an unblinking stare, “Oh, right sorry, I keep forgetting Earth pony, right gotcha.” she tried not to look embarrassed.
“Besides I’ll be fine. I have done this loads of times.” As I spoke the hooded creature brushed past me heading towards the cabin, it did so like I never even existed, “Although never with a passenger such as this.”
"Promise me one thing Neirin." She rubbed her face against my own.
"Anything." I replied feeling her soft coat move between mine.
"Don't fall for any sea-mare will you?"
Even if the Foal tales were true, I wouldn't Daffodil
