Into the world of Hooves and Hands, Through a Humans Eyes

Chapters

Through a Humans Eyes
A not so hard decision
Together or apart?
Oceans in Between Us
...A Dangerous Mind

Through a Humans Eyes

Into the World of Hooves and Hands

Through a Humans Eyes...

~~~~ Justin

“Where the hell am I?” Or something along those lines were the first coherent words out of my mouth.

A glance at my surroundings told me I was far from home. The lush forest I was currently laying in was unlike any I had ever encountered before. That says a lot with the numerous places I have been! Deciduous rainforest stretched as far as I could see. The smell of loam permeated each breath of air. It smelled so clean and refreshing! A small amount of steam could be seen, and felt, rising from the ground. Probably due to the temperature, which was a tad too warm for my liking, and some recent precipitation. Everything was so green! At about that point, the realization that I was laying prone in a forest sank in. Not that I had any problems with laying down in the woods but I should probably try to figure out where I was. How I got there would be nice too!

Getting to my feet with a grunt, I took stock of my situation while wondering again where in blazes I was. While dusting myself off I paid more attention to my surroundings. It was hauntingly beautiful but quiet. To break the strange silence I found myself in, I spoke out loud. The deep baritone of my own voice reassured myself a little. “This is definitely one of my more pleasant dreams.” One hand removed my stetson the other rubbed my forehead. Several deep breaths calmed my nerves and prevented me from panicking. Last thing I would allow myself would be to panic, especially in a dream! I had been in stranger places. A lot of them less friendly ones too. “Not as vivid as this though!” I said with a chuckle while remembering bits and pieces of a recent one. That was a strange dream to be sure.

Wisps of memory floated fleetingly through my jumbled mind. Something about some odd version of Ponyville, hugging a princess, the name Eclipse, and Fluttershy... That last thought brought on a smile. I wondered if she was as charming and engaging as I remembered, until I realized I was comparing a figment of my imagination to a cartoon character. Like always, it seemed so real. Just as quickly as the thoughts came, they vanished.

A depressed sigh escaped my lips. “One of these days the doctors will stop sedating me with anesthetics that cause me to trip like this!” Replacing my stetson, “Least this is a nice dream too. From what little I remember, the last one was too. Who knows,” I said with a smile, “Maybe this time I'll remember the dream. Maybe have an exciting adventure!” My smile turned upside-down as I thought, “I don't remember any new surgeries... Last ones were a few months ago when they burned the nerves out of my neck...” Perspiration and heat distracted that unpleasant series of thoughts.

When I went to remove my leather jacket to escape the heat, I noticed that I had some type of modified satchel and a canteen crossed over my shoulders. Needless to say, I had to remove them first. “Funny, I don't usually carry supplies in my dreams,” As I set the equipment down to finish removing the coat. “Normally I just think up whatever I need at the time. Maybe this is going to be one of those 'more realistic' dreams.” I said with a chuckle, “May as well play along and enjoy it!”

I had to empty the main pockets of the coat to finish tying it around my waist. The lock-blade knife went into my jeans pocket with a, “Always seem to have pappy’s old knife no matter what dream I'm in.” The half pack of cigarettes and lighter made me wonder. I never smoked in my dreams, especially since I was trying to quit. I secured the smokes in one of the inside pockets of the coat and placed the lighter in the other pants pocket. “Maybe I will need the lighter and it just came as part of the whole? I mean, I don't feel any need to smoke.”

After making myself as comfortable as I could in the almost oppressive heat, I turned my attention to the mysterious canteen and satchel. The canteen was exactly what it appeared to be and full of fresh water. That I crossed over my left shoulder. I turned my attention to the bag.

It was far more curious. It looked as if someone had cut a saddlebag in half then stitched a long harness from what was left. Whoever made it must have put some thought into it too. Not only did it have a shoulder strap but also had a couple of loops along the back of the pouch that looked like it was made to secure around my belt with snaps. The bag portion would run from my hip almost down to my knee. I even noticed a lower strap that was intended to secure it to my thigh, likely so that I could run without the satchel impeding my movement. The front of the pouch lid caught my eye. There seemed to be some type of embossing. A large personalized letter 'J' surrounded by calligraphic lines and whorls. Truth be told, it was far nicer than anything I would normally carry. I wondered why, and how, I had dreamed it up!

“Ah well, enough wondering why. Lets see what my subconscious thinks I will need!” Without further hesitation I opened it. I hadn't figured that the blasted thing would be compartmentalized! How in the world so much stuff could be packed into something that was smaller than a backpack I could barely fathom. “Good goddess! What are you? A bag of holding or something?” A small rolled up piece of paper fell out as I boggled. Thank goodness there wasn't a strong wind or I would have lost it.

Opening the paper, I barely managed to decipher the chicken-scratch handwriting. 'Welcome to option 3, Justin. One first class transport and a leg-up, just like I promised! Have fun ~ E.' What in the hell was that supposed to mean? Was my subconscious sending me notes in my dreams now? I vaguely remembered a voice. Something similar to what was written in the note. It hurt my head to think about it.

“Riiiight, enough wondering too much about it.” I said this while securing the satchel-thing correctly. The strap and belt combo felt like a baldric. The leg strap helped distribute the weight so well I barely noticed it at all. Boots were tight. Jacket was secure. The note was placed into my wallet for safekeeping. Nothing left behind. I chose to set off in the direction of the setting sun. I suppose I could have used the compass in the satchel but figured one direction was as good any. Why bother to figure out what direction it was if I had nothing to compare it with? Except maybe that rock formation over yonder. That looked promising!

Stopping to look back at the sun I stated, “Damn the torpedoes!” Chuckling as I continued walking I began to sing, “East bound and down, loaded up and walking. I'm gonna do what they say can't be done. I've got a long way to go and a short time to get there...”

Oh, how little I knew...

~~~ Daring

This just hadn't been a good day! First, I got caught in that sudden storm. Then that trap hurt my leg and my wing... again! Somepony beat me to the treasure! To add insult to injury, the locals captured me! They think I robbed their temple! Not like I wouldn't have 'liberated' an artifact or two given the chance... A chance I was trying to take too. Only it had already been liberated!

I kept up the mental monolog while being carried by the pygmy diamond dogs. Well, carried was one way of putting it. I had been tied to a pole and four pygmies were struggling to carry the pole. I was pretty sure they were taking me home to meet the family. Probably have a feast in my honor. One that I wasn't particularly interested in attending! These ignorant natives didn't even realize I didn't have their artifact! At least escape would be an easy task once they got me back to their village. I was nothing if not resourceful and these guys were totally inept! I just had to wait for an opportunity.

I could hear them yelling ahead in their high pitched barks and yips. 'Figures,' I thought to myself, 'they don't have the decency to speak a real language.' What little I was able to piece together from words and phrases that I could make out was something to the degree of, 'catch thief', 'no find shiny', and 'big monster'.

The last bit had me more than a little worried. Compared to a 'normal' diamond dog, these guys were absolutely tiny and pathetic, heck I was almost twice their size! Under normal circumstances they wouldn't ever have caught me, but being half buried by a collapsing wall changed things. I couldn't count the number of times my back hit the ground while they had been 'carrying' me toward the village. I was pretty sure they weren't referring to me when I heard them refer to a big monster.

'There's a real monster out there, and I'm defenseless here!' I would have yelled out in frustration, if only the pygmies hadn't threatened to muzzle me. 'If they don't eat me, whatever the Monster is will!' I wasn't normally a panicky pony by nature, but today had been one of the worst in my life. Being injured, humiliated, and captured by natives that normally couldn't catch a cold by themselves all added together to make me one giant bundle of nerves! 'Wait! I just might be able to use this! Wait till the little guys are spooked, and I can make a break for it!' Inwardly I smiled. 'I bet there isn't any monster! Probably just a regular animal! These guys are just freaked out! I bet they jump at their own shadows!' My eyes and ears moved constantly. Every noise and sudden movement were taken in. Waiting and watching took patience, and that was the hardest part for me. I was a mare of action! Planning wasn't my strong point and neither was patience.

'Just a little farther. I can see the crude huts surrounded by a wall of sticks! Once there they will have to put me down to...' I gulped a bit, '...build a fire... or something... Still! That should be all I need to escape! I already have one hoof almost free. Won't take much to get the others loose too.' I judged that, by the number of huts and general size of the village, there couldn't be more than twenty or so of these little guys. Even without my wings and with a twisted leg I knew I could outrun them. 'All I have to do is wait till they are occupied and bang! I am out of this dump!'

She was so preoccupied with her escape plans, she missed the cold and alien eyes watching from a nearby treeline.

~~~ Justin

'Oh this gets better and better!' I sub-vocalized to myself while absently rubbing the silver and gold pendant I found earlier.

'Mini dogs that walk on two legs carrying a pony that wears cloths.' I stroked my goatee in thought, 'Strike that, it's a pegasus of sorts. That's what it's called when a horse has wings. At least I think so. Maybe it's a pony-sus or some such thing.' I squinted a little, 'How in the world is that pith hat staying on it's head?'

Shadowing the small group was almost too easy. 'They must be half blind in the sunlight, or something! I know I am good at moving silently, but didn't think I was that good!' Thinking about it, 'Besides, you would think canines would have smelled me by now.' All I could do was shrug.

I started following the group ever since I heard the high pitched yipping, that had oddly sounded like words that I just couldn't grasp. Every time they would bark, growl, and yip at each other I swore I could understand a word here and there! If I was correct, and likely I wasn't, they thought the pony-pegasus-thing they were carrying stole something from them. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why they hadn't just checked it for whatever they had lost. Then again, who knows what was considered normal for these folks. I mean, they were talking dogs!

I was pondering whether I should intervene or not. There was the possibility that it was a criminal or something. As long as they didn't plan to eat it, I would just watch and learn. The longer I watched the progression, which was pathetic, the more I felt there was something familiar about the pega-pony-sus... (I'm just gonna call it a pegasus until I know different!) How I could find anything familiar about a creature I had never laid eyes on before, and in my dreams to boot, I had no idea! This place just kept getting weirder and weirder!

I was starting to get bored watching these micro pups try to carry the pegasus. They were small enough for me to shot-put, looking to weigh maybe twenty to thirty pounds a piece at most. Even though they had four working together to carry the pegasus, I didn't think they would make it to the village before sundown. I could easily see it too. Less than half a mile away. A collection of ramshackle huts that looked like they would collapse if I sneezed too close to them. I had to stifle a chuckle when I thought about going down and helping them carry their burden just so I could see what was going to happen next!

I spent the better part of the next hour whittling a large stick I found earlier into some semblance of a walking stick. I was pretty much done by the time the pups got to the village. Their actions were very interesting. With all the pantomiming and yip-barking to each other, I was able to piece together roughly what they were saying. By the looks of things, they were planning a barbecue.

Now while I am generally not one to turn down a good barbecue, when the pegasus started to protest vocally and with the eloquence of a New York cab driver, I decided it was time to intervene. Besides, at least I knew I would be able to communicate with it. 'Her', I corrected my thoughts. Only females reached that pitch or ever used those kind of slurs and cusses. I would have to ask where she learned them, they were extremely creative too! Maybe I could get her to teach me a few new ones... after I rescued her of course.

“Hmmm, now how the hell am I gonna get her out?” I muttered to myself. I was almost inside the village and still no one had noticed me. It seems that is always when the bad things happen. That is when the pegasus bit the important looking dog creature. That is when several of them started beating the snot out of the pegasus. That is when I was forced into action...

~~~ Daring

'Mental note,' I thought through the haze of pain, 'do not bite the chief. Even if it seems like a good idea at the time!' All I could do was curl up into the fetal position and use my hooves to shield my bruised face as best as I could. The blows landed again and again. Each one was a new world of pain and suffering.

As I was loosing consciousness, I could have sworn I heard a deep and sonorous voice yell out, “Hey you! Ya you, ugly! Cut that shit out!” The panicked wailing of the pygmies would have been funny if I could open my eyes.

By sheer force of will alone I managed to crack my good eye open and look up just in time to witness a flying pygmy. 'I didn't know diamond dogs could fly.' I thought deliriously. 'Or make a sound that resembled a watermelon being dropped onto concrete...or, oh sweet Celestia, I hope that shattering sound wasn't my head...'

My last thoughts before darkness were strange. Something about floating and being warm...

~~~ Justin

“Thank goodness the rest ran off!” I stated to no one in particular. “Hope I didn't kill the one I punted across the village.” I shook my head in bewilderment, “Who woulda thought it would try to bite me? I mean jeez, I know they look like dogs and all but... ah whatever.”

I rushed to the fallen pegasus. I was no doctor, but I didn't have to be one to know this was bad. The one wing was definitely broken. So was the front leg. Limbs simply shouldn't bend like that, even in non-humans. Then there was the blood. I decided to stop the bleeding first then I would worry about setting bones. I thanked whatever god or goddess was listening that her breathing seemed steady while I worked.

By the time I had bandaged her open wounds and splinted the wing and leg, there wasn't enough scraps of my shirt left to bother putting back on. Fortunately, aside from some moaning, she stayed unconscious the whole time. I'm not sure if I could have set the bones if she was screaming the whole time. I double checked my handiwork and realized it was the best I would be able to do.

“Not bad for a few courses in first aid.” I muttered. “Now,” I pondered, “how am I going to carry you without aggravating those wounds? I'm sure you would rather leave with me than stay here, right?” I nodded for her, “Right then! Don't you worry, I'll figure something out.”

And figure something out I did, though I am sure the dog things would be very happy with my ingenuity. I managed to fashion a backpack, of sorts, using materials from what I thought was the chief's home. I figured he could sue me! Besides, they owed this poor pegasus a lot more than the few blankets and wooden rods I appropriated. By the time I was done, I had a rudimentary papoose full of pegasus fitted to my back. Lucky for me she didn't weigh more than fifty pounds or so. I had lugged easily over double her weight back in the service, but I also wasn't in as great a shape as I was back then.

I toyed with the idea of looting the whole village, like when I used to play dungeons and dragons, but decided against it. The less I took, the less of a chance I took with them coming after me. In the end, the only additional things I took was a basket of various foodstuffs. I would need this to help the pegasus, and figured she deserved it. Once I had everything in hand, I set out toward where I remembered some cave-like formations near a river and falls. Too bad it was going to take several hours to get there.

“Who am I kidding, with the extra load it's gonna be midnight before I get there.” I said sourly. My voice softened a bit, “Pretty sure it's better than sticking around here. No telling how long those cretins are gonna stay scared! Last thing I need is for them to catch me in the open, weighed down with her.” I smirked as I secured her pith hat back on her bandaged head. “There ya go! I know I wouldn't take to kindly to loosing mine.”

I was unfortunately accurate as to how long it took for me to get to the caves. The second guess that is. Only partly due to the extra load too. I had sadly miscalculated the distance. Only six or so hours of walking, not the couple I had hoped for. I was fairly positive the mini-pups gave up following me after the first hour. They were worse hunters than a three year old stalking the family cat.

Along with the pegasus and dog-creatures, I had noticed a multitude of strange fauna. Thankfully none of it appeared hostile. Or maybe they were all simply scared of something as large as I was. Nothing I had spotted during my trek had been any bigger than the pegasus I was carrying. She was only half my size and one third my weight soaking wet. More likely she was closer to a quarter my weight.

Thinking of her, I worried more than a little. She hadn't done much more than moan in pain a few times during the entire walk here. I was uncertain if her wounds were more severe than they looked. She could be bleeding internally for all I knew. The only thing I could take as a good sign was the fact that she was breathing steadily and I could feel a strong heartbeat.

This led me to another problem. I was hesitant to set her down to inspect a cave or two. Just because nothing out here seemed like it wanted to tangle with two hundred pounds of easily angered human, didn't mean there wasn't anything that would take advantage of a helpless pegasus. In the end, I decided to keep her on my back for the time being, just in case I had to run for any reason.

Lacking a flashlight, I decided the best course of action would be building a fire then making a torch. I thanked the goddess of the moon for the umpteenth time that night for being full and bright. The moonlight was bright enough for me to see reasonably well in. Collecting firewood was a cinch with so much dead-fall around the caves. Getting it lit was a different ball of wax. If not for the lighter in my pocket, there would have been no fire that night.

Once I had a nice little blaze going, fashioning a functional torch was simple. Equipped with my makeshift light, I discovered that the closest cave to where I had built the fire-pit was surprisingly dry and empty. It wasn't particularly large by any means but would serve my needs perfectly. I situated the battered mare in the back of the cave as comfortably as possible with only a few blankets to work with. By the time I had managed to move the fire to the entrance of the cave, I was beyond exhausted.

I lowered myself close to the cave entrance. I idly wondered if I would wake up in a hospital bed or continue with this interesting dream. Halfheartedly I mumbled, “Rest well madame pegasus...person.” A large yawn split my face before my eyes closed.

~~~ Daring

“Ugh...” Was all that escaped my lips when I meant to say, 'Oh! My head is killing me!'

My eyes wouldn't open. I couldn't move. Why would I want to move when whatever I was laying against was so nice and warm? Soft too...

…

Swaying. Moving. I was moving. Only 'I' wasn't moving. Was I riding something? I didn't remember getting in a cart or anything. 'who cares?' I thought as I snuggled against that soft warm, whatever it was while mumbling, “Oh..nghhh...”

…

Cold. Hard. I wasn't laying on the soft warm, uh... bedding?...anymore. I wasn't really that cold either, just not nearly as warm as I had been. That managed to pique my natural curiosity. I opened my eyes, or at least I tried to. The right one didn't seem to want to open and I couldn't open the left one since I was laying that side of my face.

I didn't let that unnerve me. I knew that those mongrels had beaten me pretty badly. I thought as hard as I could with my pounding head. 'At least I know I'm not dead... I hurt way too much to be dead! OK, what happened? Last thing I remember was that voice. I guess whoever it belonged to saved me, but who was he?' I stopped and thought about that a moment, 'He? Well it had to be a he. A voice that rich and deep would never come out of a she.'

I tried to shift my position but pain changed my mind quickly. Instead I focused on my other senses. Swiveling my ears around let me hear a few things. There was a fire nearby and it was burning low. Judging from the slow and steady sound a few feet away from me, somepony was sleeping.

Sniffing delicately told me that the fire was actually down to coals. Almost hidden by the smell of charred wood was a thick musky scent. 'Definitely masculine' I thought, with a heavy undertone of sweat. A tad of BO too, but that was common enough when traveling outside civilization. I didn't think I smelled all that great at the moment either. The thing that bothered me was I couldn't place this strange ponies scent. I considered myself as well traveled as could be, and I was usually able to identify scents with areas of residence and species. This pony was, to put it mildly, alien. Not bad, but very different. I wasn't sure if this was a pony or not and that was unnerving. More so because I was injured.

I was startled to hear 'his' voice suddenly, “Morning.” A loud yawn followed.

I tried to play at being asleep still to try and get more info on my new companion. Several moments passed when I heard his voice again, “That's rude, yanno. But hey, that's cool. You had a rough time.” I then heard a large body rise up followed by a few snaps and pops before the voice rumbled once more, “Maybe you will feel like talking later. I'm going down to the river. Back in five.” I listened intently for hoof-falls but heard none. That voice rumbled once again, “Your ears moving like that are a dead giveaway that you are quite awake.”

I then heard loud hoof-falls walking away. I noticed two things immediately. First, he was purposelessly walking heavy for my benefit. Second, he walked on two legs not four. I wondered with a shiver, 'What have I gotten myself into? He sounds huge! A minotaur maybe? No, they have hooves. Whomever this is, he doesn't have hooves. He doesn't have the uncoordinated gait of a diamond dog either. And I would have scented a dragon immediately. What is he?' my brain was working on overtime now. 'Could he be one of Ahuizotl's lackeys? Unlikely, he didn't have that feline scent that all of his minions acquired. If he wished me ill he wouldn't have saved me. Maybe I should be asking what he wants?' I didn't like to be at a loss, yet I was. I would have to be very careful. Whatever he was, he was strong enough to beat off an entire village of diamond dogs, even if they were only pygmies, and that couldn't have been easy.

All of a sudden I realized that the mystery-pony’s scent was all over me. This forced my head up against all the pain. Gritting my teeth, I managed to raise my head enough to look around the now empty cave. He wasn't anywhere in sight. I breathed a sigh of relief and gave myself a once over. I was startled to note that I was bandaged all over with a strange soft material. It smelled strongly of my mysterious benefactor. The bandages appeared to have been torn into uneven strips from some piece of clothing, most likely a shirt. The one splinting my wing had a lifelike printed pattern of a wolf howling at the moon. I quickly took stock of my numerous wounds and realized I was lucky to be alive at all.

“Maybe I should just thank him.” I whispered with a thoughtful look out of the cave.

~~~ Justin

I couldn't help stretching again while refilling the canteen. Sleeping in a cave wasn't conducive for back alignment. Once my back felt roughly straight again, I figured a quick dip in the clean river would do me a world of good. The waters weren't very cold and it would feel nice to wash a couple days perspiration off. Lucky me, there was a deep pool not far from the waterfall. It was calm and safe enough to swim in as long as I watched out for the undertow.

Since I didn't have a shirt anymore, it only took a minute or two to disrobe. The boots took the longest. I folded and piled my clothing on a dry rock near the bank and slipped into the water. As long as I avoided the rapid current near the center of the river, I felt quite safe. The sound of the nearby waterfall was soothing, almost musical. While washing I couldn't help but start singing the first song lyrics that came to mind.

“But for every dream that's shattered... There's another that comes true... This car was once a dream of his back when it was new... He told me to take her and make her my own...”

A throaty and sumptuous voice from behind me lazily stated, “Mmm, interesting song.”

I flailed around at the voice, only to see what appeared to be a snow leopard on the other side of the river. A snow leopard in a tropical forest? Will weird shit ever stop? It seemed to be enjoying the warmth of a rock near the waters edge. I was fairly sure it wasn't there before, but I could be wrong. It did look like it had been there for some time. I began to swim toward my clothing while keeping focus on the new arrival.

It yawned mightily before continuing in it's oddly purring yet seductive voice, “Was it about someone you knew?”

A puzzled look crossed my face. “What?”

“The song, silly.” The leopard seemed to be smiling except those eyes were far too intent.

“Oh...” I made it to the beach. “Ya. An, old friend.” Of course I was lying to buy time. I stared some small talk while dressing, “So, what brings an arctic species into this blasted heat?”

The winning smile never left it's face, “Why, I'm an explorer my good sirrr.” The way it purred that last word made me blush self-consciously. The voice was startlingly feminine.

“Really?” I had managed to struggle into my pants, much to the leopards mirth. “What are you exploring, if I may be so bold?”

Those mirthless eyes bored into me. “I was looking for the temple of Sok'ko'kull, but it seems upon my arrival the natives were more than a little restless.” It...no, it's a she. She licked her lips thoughtfully, “Seems they'd been robbed recently.”

“Tough luck, huh?” I muttered while the unmistakable talisman bounced on my chest. A few quick twists of my fingers finished tying my boots tightly. “Any leads?” I knew I had to keep this thing talking. I out massed the large cat by at least double, but those sharp claws and teeth put me at a serious disadvantage.

“Well, it so happens,” Those eyes seemed to be able to look straight through me, “Yes.” She stood slowly as my coat was secured. The way it began pacing would have unnerved a lesser man... OK it unnerved me a little... OK A LOT!

My eyes never left the predator, “And?” as I took up my walking stick.

“It seems I have found the thief.” She made a startlingly human gesture at me. “You. It would be hard to miss the Amulet of Stars around your neck.” Her eyes narrowed and focused on my chest.

Zipping up the jacket I dryly stated, “Oh, that old thing.” I made a dismissive gesture, “Worthless trinket from my gram. Just an old heirloom.” I managed to harden my voice toward the end. It was my hope to out bluff this feline death-machine. At least, I figured, it was unlikely that she could easily cross the river.

The leopards eyes softened as she sat and pondered me. “Oh, don't be like that.” Her voice was almost melodious, “I would be proud if I had singlehandedly bested an entire village, stole their captive, and made off with the treasure too!”

If I hadn't known better, I would have thought it was trying to be seductive. The way it... err... she toned her voice was pretty convincing. I was fairly sure she wasn't being friendly for no reason. So I asked, “What do you want.”

The leopardess seemed taken back. “Me? Why I simply wanted to congratulate you! I figured since we are both adventurers, you wouldn't mind another companion.” She smiled broadly at me, “Besides, I might be able to tell you a thing or two about that, what did you call it? Worthless family heirloom.”

Well, being allergic to cats made my decision easy. I was about to turn down her polite offer when, to my astonishment, she bounded across the river. It did take her two jumps to do it. Nonetheless, it was extremely impressive the way she effortlessly sprang from rock to rock. Quite a bit intimidating too.

Before I could voice my negative, she sauntered around me. Not too close, but too close for my comfort. Felines just have an unnatural grace about them. One I found exceedingly unnerving, and slightly attractive at the same time. Her slightly sultry voice interrupted my thoughts, “Yesss, you seem competent. Nice assets." She looked me up and down while licking her lips, leering the whole time. "Strong too. I think we could work well together. Maybe become close friends.” I really didn't like her 'friendly' smile. It made me feel, uh, funny...

With a cough, I managed, “I have to apologize ma’am. I travel alone.” I had to keep pivoting due to the fact she wouldn't stop circling me. “You understand, I'm sure.”

The snow leopard looked hurt. "You are traveling with that... that..." She nearly spat the word, "pony!" She began pacing slower with her head lower to the ground. "Oh, wait. I think I understand. I'm not good enough for the likes of you." She looked like she was going to start crying for goodness sake!

"Hey, wait a minute. It's not like that." I was confused. Felines where I was from tended to be emotional, but this was a snow leopard for crying out loud! My weird-shit-o-meter was pretty much at breaking point now. "I don't even know who I rescued! Just someone in need of a whole lot o help. I was in the right place at the right time is all."

"Oh, sure. You males are all alike." She sniffed and sat down with her back to me. "You reek of her. Even after washing." The leopardess looked at me over her shoulder with a strange look in her eyes.

"What? I had to lug her around for six hours!" I slowly edged toward the sniffling leopardess. I don't know what possessed me, except that I'm a sucker for a sobbing lady, as I reached out to pat the oversized kitten.

That's when all hell broke loose. I was almost caught unprepared for her attack. Good thing I was paranoid! She moved like lightning. It was all I could do to keep blocking with the staff. The high pitched yowls emanating from her hurt my ears and had a way of forcing me off balance. She seemed to be nothing but blazing claws and teeth.

After the initial explosion of activity, she seemed to change tactics. The circling began a new. I was breathing hard and looking for anything I could do for an edge. The damn cat seemed to have all the advantages. I was constantly on the defensive. Thank the silver goddess for those years of training, they had already saved my sorry arse several times. Even though I was good, she left no openings to exploit. I was unsure what she would try next.

I couldn't believe she began cat calling, no pun intended. It was ridiculous! Almost laughable in its simplicity. It was nothing more than a sorry attempt to get me to drop my guard. Basic training taught me this crap years ago. Clearly she wasn't used to fighting a professional. Her pathetic taunts about my shape and how out of breath I was, became annoying quickly. In reality, they only served to distract her enough for me to maneuver to better ground.

Things were still beginning to look grim for me. I was forced to give more and more ground and was fast running out of ground to give. My poor staff was starting to resemble kindling by this point while her claws were as sharp as ever. With the huge gouges taken out of it, it was only a matter of time before it would sunder completely. That would leave me almost entirely defenseless against her razors.

Thankfully, she was tiring more rapidly than me. Her assaults became less frequent, leaving me time loosen my tight muscles. She continued to eye me hungrily as I would do so. That alone unnerved me more than any taunt. Would she eat me after killing me? I didn't want to find out! I was going to take the offensive, one way or another, and soon.

Thinking of a solution, I shifted my weight and shuffled around to keep the leopard wondering what I was up to. I was actually surprised I managed to limit her vision as much as I did. The loud click of the heavy lock-blade caught her attention however. She only caught a glint of light as I turned my body into a sideways stance while dropping the nearly useless stick.

I was pleasantly surprised when she took the bait and charged me, thinking to end the dance. It was a hefty gamble. I let my body twist and fall backwards with her leap attack, praying all the while that the leather of my coat would shield me from her claws. Her scream of rage changed from victory to horror. I knew pappies knife had bit deeply. The hot and sticky wetness that coated my hand were proof enough.

I was on my feet in a flash. The leopardess didn't recover nearly as fast. She staggered several times while blood flowed freely from her wound. It was easy to hear her breath come in labored gasps. She spat out, “So, you do have claws! Play time is over now.” The foam on her lips had become tainted with red.

"Surrender." I only just realized I didn't know the name of the person trying to kill me. "It doesn't have to end like this." My stance was still a half crouch poised to kill. "I don't want to kill you."

Though she bled profusely, she looked no less dangerous. If anything, she looked more deadly. The slightly sadistic yet lethal playfulness was completely gone. Her eyes were now the eyes of a killer. Cold. Remorseless. Evil. I realized then that she had been toying with me the whole time, like a cat with a mouse. I was in deep shit now. She was going to kill me.

She began to stalk me for real. I never saw the first blow land. Hurt like hell! True my leather coat really saved my left arm, but the pain! Goddess protect me! I needed all the help I could get now. Blood ran freely down my arm and stained the ground. Oh, it wasn't a deep or life threatening wound. Oh, no. It was a shallow debilitating injury. The kind that slowly wore you down.

The second and third blows were similar. Thankfully someone must have heard my plea for help because my coat absorbed most of the damage. I even landed a shallow cut across her forearm. This only angered her even more. That's when I saw it. My only hope.

"Oh, what's wrong? Kitty doesn't want to play no more?" I began to return the taunts to the leopardess with far more effect than they had on me. Who would have guessed she couldn't take what she dished out? "Red really becomes you..." I waved the stained blade for her to see her own blood. That enraged her enough for me to land another shallow wound to her shoulder.

We traded several blows before either of us spoke again. I broke the silence with something other than a taunt for a change, "One of us is likely to die here, will you honor me with your name?"

We both panted for breath. For a time I thought she would ignore my request. I was startled when she spat out, "Sasha." The animosity projected at me was palpable. "I have honored you. Now honor me!"

I considered laughing in her face. It would likely earn me another strike or two in my favor, but I simply couldn't lower myself to her standards. True she gave me her name, but I know she only did so to buy herself some extra breathing room. She was breathing as hard, if not harder, than I was. I was likely the toughest opponent she ever had. I decided, even in the face of death, I had to remain true to myself. "My name is Justin. I wish we'd met under better circumstances. I have no wish to kill you, at the same time I will not allow you to kill me."

Sasha gave me a curious look, "We do what we must. You have honor, I'll grant. For that I will remember you." The strange feline extended her right paw toward me in a curious motion with her claws bent inward. “I clearly misjudged you to be yet another disgraceful prey species.”

I thought it to be some form of salute. So, without releasing the upside down blade in my right fist, I returned the gesture. I was shocked when her face darkened and she hissed, "If that's the way you want it, so be it!"

Oh come on! What did I do this time? I really couldn't do anything right today. I managed to stammer, "Wait, what..." before she sprang at me.

I did the only thing I could that didn't end with me being impaled, lacerated, or torn to pieces. I fell backwards and kicked her as hard as humanly possible. I wish I could say I planned this, but it was mostly a reaction. Sasha made a very undignified yelp as my heavy boot connected with her gut and amplified her, already substantial, inertia. She corkscrewed through the air directly into the middle of the river with a loud splash. Her head broke the surface just in time to yowl in terror before plummeting over the waterfall.

"What are the chances?" I muttered, still able to hear Sasha’s diminishing scream.

~~~ Daring

“I know he said he would be back in five minutes but it has been over fifteen.” I thought out loud. “Maybe I should go and see what's taking him?”

I had just made it to the mouth of the cave when I thought I heard a deep voice singing some nonsense. Then the female voice that could be heard sent shivers down my spine. I knew that voice! Sasha! One of Ahuizotls' assassins! How did she find me?

“I thought I lost her a hundred miles north of here!” I whispered to myself. "Guess I really pissed her off last time... jeez, it was only an emerald!" I couldn't help but smirk at the memory of that escapade. I had managed to get away with the 'Cats' Eye' emerald. Took it right out from under Sasha’s guard too!

I limped as quietly as I could and found a shrub nearby to hide behind. It had a decent vantage of the river and waterfall area. I know my mouth hung open at the sight of the powerful mostly naked male facing off with the leopardess that I knew all too well. “What in Celestia's name is he?” I wondered. It was obvious the mystery male knew Sasha was dangerous as well, what with the way he kept facing the leopard as he dressed.

I knew all too well how Sasha operated. Lull the opponent into making a mistake. Make that mistake it's last. I only wished I could make out what they were saying. For all I knew they could be friends. I hoped not.

"Definitely not friends," I mumbled as they began fighting. Sasha tried to take down the male quickly, but he didn't seem to like that idea. They 'danced' for a while before the male became serious and pulled a knife. Once the knife bit the feline, things changed.

I had never before seen Sasha fight, only the aftermath. Now that I was watching I knew she was a professional. Sasha stopped playing and tore into the male several times before he could regain his footing and return many savage and bloody blows to the feline.

“Wow...” I muttered. I couldn't be sure who was winning. The male bled from several long scratches along his arms and legs and although he fought differently than I had ever seen, he really knew his stuff too. Sasha’s' once beautiful white pelt was stained red in so many places, it was hard to guess the extent of her injuries. The dance of death became a slow opera of thrust, parry, and riposte. The male seemed to be the better fighter as things went on, but both were obviously battered and weary.

My hearing wasn't the greatest, but I managed to hear them talking. Somehow the male had gotten Sasha to name herself. I listened more intently, because my life could very well depend on what was being said. "what is just in? And what kind of drivel is he spewing down there? Just kill her already!" I murmured. I wasn't your typical pony. Most ponies in this situation would just pray to Celestia in hopes of salvation. I was a tad more practical. Though I hadn't ever had to actually kill anypony before, well directly in any case... I had certainly caused great harm on more than one occasion to escape bloodthirsty baddies. I didn't like the thought of killing, but liked the alternative a lot less.

"Oh no!" I almost yelled, "Don't fall for that!"

What happened was too fast for my eyes to process. All I knew was that the male (uh... thing?) was standing on the sandy beach and Sasha was trying like hell not to go over the waterfall. The cry of the hunting cat was haunting as she went over. I took my pith hat off and held it over my chest. Solemnly I stated "Goodbye Sasha. Even you didn't deserve that kind of death..."

I wasn’t positive, but could swear I heard 'Next time!' echo through the trees in Sasha's voice. I shook my head in disbelief and placed my pith hat back on, while muttering, "Leave it to Sasha to evade a certain death." I shook my head and slowly wandered down to the pale skinned male.

“He may be strange... and scary looking,” I shivered remembering his fighting prowess, “but I owe him my life.” Looking around at all the blood, “Twice now, it seems.”

It was a painful journey to where he was. I studied him for a few moments. I couldn't fathom why he kept washing his hands. Sure the cuts needed washed, but he already had, and the bleeding seemed to have already stopped too. He kept washing his hands though. He was definitely saying something under his breath, but I couldn't make out what. Probably just cussing.

After I listened to the babbling for a short while I decided to break the tension. “Hey!” I watched his head snap in my direction. Damn, He was edgy! Fast too. “Uh, I just wanted to thank you...” This males eyes made me feel weak. I knew he had sized me up and dismissed me as a threat, as he looked back to the falls where Sasha recently had gone over. When he said nothing I continued, “I would have been a goner if you hadn't shown up.” This seemed to catch his attention, but still he only stared at me. “And, I mean, I didn't realize Sasha had found me. No telling what that assassin would have done to me if you hadn't been here.”

His eyes hardened at mention of the assassin. Still he didn’t speak. I decided to keep talking because he seemed to understand me just fine and he was unnerving me with all the staring. “You don't say much do you? Well, my names Daring. Daring Do! Famous adventurer! Finder of the lost, and all round great pony! You've probably heard of me, I bet!” My incorrigible smile and bravado must have gotten through his tough shell. “So, what should I call you? Hey you, only works for so long you know!”

The male smiled slowly. His voice was a low rumble when I heard him say “Justin.”

I was a little confused and I said so, “Just in what? Sorry I don't understand.” Maybe he doesn't speak my language after all?

A smirk crossed the males face, least I think it was. His voice was a bit louder but just as deep, “Justin time, Justin case” He sighed, “Justin is my name.” He sighed much deeper this time, “And I suppose rescuing hapless ponies is my game.” His smile turned wry, "Oh, and no. I never heard of ya." He then turned back to staring at the spot where Sasha had disappeared while fixing the stetson on his head.

I watched him. He seemed perturbed about dealing with Sasha. "Don't tell me your thinking of shedding tears over that worthless ball o fluff, are ya?" I decided to cut my new friend off. "I wouldn't. She has caused more pain and suffering than the Black Dragon plague!" He paid attention to me now. "All meat eaters have to kill to survive of course. That is just a cold hard fact of life. Most do not eat those of us who can complain about it. Her kind however, have no compunction."

He grunted, oddly I thought it was some kind of agreement, before speaking in a curiously low pitched and subdued tone, "That so?"

I nodded. "Most of us all get along fine. Gryphons, Diamond dogs, even dragons don't, as a general rule, eat sentients. There's plenty of other things for those carnivores to eat." I smiled at his confusion. "Fish, lizards, lots of different things that don't ask them not too. Then again, ponies like us can eat just about anything else." I waved my splinted leg at the forest. "Almost every thing that grows out here is edible. A few are bad but, all things considered, I like my food not to talk back!"

Justin, as I had to remember to call him, chuckled. "Agreed." He said with an odd smirk. "Not too fond of my food talking back either." He looked at his injuries. "Least these stopped bleeding. Huh, thought they were deeper."

"Here, let me take a look." I offered. Not only to get a closer look at him, but also because I had fixed my fair share of injuries. Many of them on myself. They were quite nasty scratches, and even I was surprised by how shallow they appeared. Maybe he heals fast? Nah, Sasha just wanted to bleed him. Topical wounds hurt the most, and she knew what she was doing. That and Justin’s coat was abnormally thick. The only really serious gash was on the back of his left hand. I am rather surprised he let me poke and prod. Must have hurt like the dickens, but he didn't so much as complain. "This one could use a couple of stitches. The rest should be bandaged to stop then from getting dirty and infected."

He nodded. "'Bout what I figured. Got a few strips of my shirt left. Should do the trick."

I motioned for him to follow me. "Let's get back to the cave then." I turned to limp back to the cave. The sound that erupted from my lips likely deafened Justin. Since I was elevated to his shoulder as if I weighed nothing, I was able to look him in the eyes.

"Mighty powerful set of lungs ya have, ma'am." He stated dryly.

I stuttered, "I...I...I can w..w..walk on m...m..my own, thanks!"

"Sure, and I can fly." He stated sarcastically. "I'd like to get there before sundown Mrs Daring." One moment he had an Appaloosen twang, the next he spoke in unaccented proper Equestrian. How he managed that, I will likely never know.

I huffed, "Fine!" All I could do was enjoy the ride. At least he was gentle and no one could see me humiliated like this. Oh sweet Celestia, I hoped this part of the story would be left out when we were asked to tell it. I resolved to mention that later. I did have an image to maintain after all!

Once he set me down in the cave, I kept trying to get more information out of him. Simple things. Like what he was. Where he was from. What was he doing in these parts. Things like that. All I can say is that his answers confused me more and more.

I learned he was something called a human. He was from some place called Pennsylvania, though if that is a country, city, or province I had no idea. I mean, I am far traveled and I haven’t ever heard of it. That and I hadn’t ever heard of anything called 'human' either. The fact that he had no idea what he was doing around here was the last straw.

“What do you mean, you don't know? How can you not know why you are here? You had to travel on purpose to get here!” I tried not to sound mad, but hey it's me! Not knowing how you got here, sheesh!

“Look, It's like I already told ya. I woke up here. I didn't travel here. Hell! I don't even know where here is!” He said while absently tearing an orange apart. “All I remember are some hazy bits and pieces of some strange dream.” He munched absently on a slice of orange, “Kinda tasty for a dream.”

“But you don't just wake up someplace new! It simply isn't done! Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something? I have heard that can cause all kinds of havoc on memory.” I was thoughtful enough to give him an out. When he shook his head no, well I knew he wasn't going to give in that easy. I suppose he could have triggered a trap that tossed him in this area randomly, but the more I talked to him the more I didn't think he was from this world let alone this part of it. It's not like he was a species I recognized, and I thought I knew them all!

He looked at me for a long moment before shrugging his shoulders in a cute way and stating, “Look miss Daring, I'll admit something has royally screwed up my memory. Fact is, feels like there's a bloody hole in there you could drive a stagecoach through. But as to how I got here, I know sure as I'm sitting here talking to a, um, you are a pegasus right?”

He waited for my sarcastic, “Duh!” before continuing.

“Riiiight. Well I know sure as shit I didn't walk here. So if I didn't, how the hell did I get here, hmmm?”

Interesting. His voice changes inflection with his mood! I need to see how many other accents he has. Nothing like a fun game of 'piss off the giant' while I was waiting for my leg and wing to heal. While I was pondering how 'not' to irritate him, though I was enjoying how he seemed to manipulate his vocal patterns and those facial expressions, he took off his strange and lacerated coat. What to my startled eyes did I behold? Oh, I knew he had the blasted thing, but seeing it was different. Right around his neck was the Amulet of Stars! He was wearing the damn thing like a piece of cheep jewelry!

~~~ Justin

'She sure has a way of pushing my buttons! One moment all grateful that I saved her, the next all insulting! WOMEN! They were all the same, even ones of different species!' I thought while shoving an orange slice into my mouth. At least it stopped me from saying anything else stupid. I couldn't believe she got me to slip into that damnable southern accent I picked up in Tennessee. Normally I didn't let that slip, ever. I hated how people tend to think I'm uneducated when I speak like that.

Fortunately, staying mad wasn't one of my specialties. I was about to change the topic when I looked up and saw that Mrs Daring Do was staring at me. What kind of name is 'Daring Do' anyway? Did her parents hate her or something? Meh! I don't much like being stared at. Makes me feel like something was wrong with my face or something. So I simply asked, “What? I miss my mouth or something?”

She pointed at me in a very human manner and said in a deadpan voice, “You're wearing the Amulet of Stars.”

I looked at my chest. There was the strange silver and gold amulet I had nicked from the ruins the other day. “Oh! Is that what this is called? Come to think of it, that's what Sasha call it too. Know anything about it?” I took the amulet from around my neck and held it up in the light to get a better look at it. I had forgotten about it in the ensuing... events, ya that's a good way to refer to them.

Her eyes were glued to the amulet. I couldn't help myself. I moved it around until she realized what I was doing. The face she gave me was priceless! I looked at the amulet and stated, “You seem to have a way with the ladies. I haven't seen that kind of attention in ages!” I turned back to Mrs Daring with a cheesy grin.

She did not look amused. All she said with a huff was, “Not funny.”

I really don't know what got into me. My retort was on the lines of, “Of course it was. Not my fault you don't have sense of humor.” While leaning against the cave entrance twirling the amulet.

She scolded me, “That is no way to handle a priceless artifact!”

“This?” I was definitely confused but stopped spinning the pendent by the necklace. “I figured it might be worth a couple of bucks. Nothing remarkable about it.” I turned a questioning look at my 'companion'. “What's so special about this piece of junk?”

“That,” She somehow managed to do the quotes gesture, “Is reputed to hold the power of the constellations themselves!” Daring smirked as she knew she had my undivided attention. “Not so worthless now, huh?”

“Let's pretend for a moment that I believe you.” I looked at the amulet thoughtfully. It was a pretty trinket, but there were no runes. No sigils of power or magic words. It was as plain a piece of jewelry as I had ever seen. True I enjoyed wearing it, and I am sure my cross didn't like it, but that doesn't mean it was magical. True it did always feel warm and there was that odd feeling I got while holding it... “What does 'power over the constellations' mean? You have to admit, that's pretty ambiguous.”

Her front legs were crossed, as best she could with one of them broken and splinted. “The legends are not specific. That's why they are legends. One possible translation could be 'power over the night sky' another 'power to control the flow of night'.” She seemed a tad exasperated, “All I know is, that kind of power doesn’t belong in the hands of Ahuizotl. There's no telling what that creep would do with it. Only the princess has any business playing with power of that caliber.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Princess huh?” Somehow that was familiar. But why? Some memories were crystal clear while others were always slipping away. To be fair and honest, Daring was familiar in some way too. I just couldn't put a finger on how or why. Maybe she was right about the knock to the head. I did happen to just wake up in a rainforest without any knowledge how I got there, excepting a mysterious note that kept slipping my mind.

Daring nodded, “Yes.” It dawned on her that I didn't know who she meant. “Sweet Celestia! You really don't know, do you?” I shook my head negative and remained silent waiting for her to explain. “Well it's simple. Princess Celestia is the goddess of the Sun and moon. Celestia raises the Sun and the Moon.” At my lack of comprehension she added, “The big ball of fire in the sky right now... The big shiny thing in the sky at night?”

I chuckled, “That isn't how it works! This ball of rock we are on,” I thumped my foot on the ground to emphasize, “revolves around the sun. Yanno, the big ball o fire. The moon rotates around us. Oh, by the way, the moon's name is Luna.”

She looked at me like I was crazy before voicing just that. “You're a loon! Either that or you are a lot farther from home than I first thought.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully with a hoof. “One thing is for certain, you are very wrong about the celestial cycle here.”

I raised an eyebrow, “You mean to tell me some princess is responsible for the celestial cycles here?” Daring nodded and looked totally serious. I felt like I was being punked so hard. All I could do was laugh and laugh. Just when I thought I could get a grip on myself I would look at her and the laughter would start again.

After several minutes I heard a very upset voice, “Are you finished yet?” I am pretty sure I snerked a few times before adopting a serious face. Daring rolled her eyes, “About time. I thought you were going to choke to death and leave me to clean up the mess.”

It would be unfair of me to say I managed to hold a straight face the whole time, but I was mostly in control of myself at this point. “Look, if it's so important to ya, ya shoulda jus said so!” With that I tossed the pendant to a flabbergasted Daring Do. That familiar feeling hit again as I watched her grab the amulet with her hoof. How she managed that without fingers I couldn't tell, but again seemed so familiar.

“You're just giving it to me?” She narrowed her eyes at me in an unfriendly way. “Why?”

I must say I sobered up quickly. “Well if it's as dangerous as you say, I imagine you know what 'not' to do with it. Likely a safe place to take it too.” I shrugged, “Besides, it isn't worth anything to me. You got a broken leg and wing outta the deal. Least I can do, I guess.”

She looked at the pendant, which still resembled nothing more than a trinket to me, and seemed a lot friendlier when she spoke. “You really mean that?”

Nodding, “Yup. Though I do expect half the cash in. I may be generous, but I'm no fool.” I stated with a sly grin.

Daring gave me an interesting look, appraising I would guess, before asking, “Partners?”

I smiled, “Partner smacks of unspoken rules and expectations.” I smiled and held a hand out, “How about, friends.”

Daring thought a moment before smiling and taking my hand, “Friends can mean a lot of things too.”

“Let's cross that river when we get there, shall we? For the moment, my friend needs a doctor and sadly I have no idea where to take her.”

“It's a good thing you have me to guide you in this harsh world!” Daring couldn't help but laugh and that was enough to get me too as well. “You're insane. But you already know that don't you?”

The smile never left my face, “Crazy like the wolf.”

“I thought the saying was, 'crazy like a fox'?” Daring cocked her head much like I do when asking a question.

“Nah, I howl at the moon. So I know I'm a lunatic. Thus wolf.” I smirked, “What's your excuse?”

“Must be a tad moonstruck myself.” She muttered.

“Oh yea,” I though out loud, “good times ahead!”

I would love to hear your comments. Like/dislike, tell me about it! Grammar errors, let me know so I can fix em! I would love to see some thumbs up, but really I want your comments! So, Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!

A not so hard decision

Chapter 2

Through a humans eyes...

A not so hard decision...

~~~ Daring

A few hours later, still before noon, I convinced Justin we should leave. Alright, he didn't need much convincing once I explained to him that I didn't think Sasha was dead and why I thought that. Now, I don't want to sound ungrateful but, I wish he would let me walk. I was a big pegasus! A broken leg wasn't that big a deal was it? Oh, yea, broken wing too... Whatever! At least he was nice enough, gentle too.

Anyway, this guy was fairly interesting. At first I thought he didn't speak much. Boy was I wrong! Once I got him started he wouldn't shut up! True I didn't understand a lot of things he said. Some was just too crazy to believe. I mean, would you believe in giant metal things that flew through the air faster than the birds? Ya, I didn't think so! There were points that I wondered if we were still speaking the same language! Then something happened.

“What?” I asked him. I thought I had misheard him.

“I asked about some of these 'adventures' you've been on.” He turned his head to look me in the eye. “Would ya care to tell me about some? Who knows, I may learn a thing or two.”

I chuckled. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not all that modest. Of course I had more than, as he put it, a thing or two to teach. Since he was being nice, and saved my life... twice... I would be nice. I told him about the time I had managed to rescue the 'Sapphire Stone' from that evil creep Ahuizotl.

To his credit, Justin didn't interrupt too much. When he did, it was usually to say something somewhat intelligent, as opposed to my usual audiences 'oh my!' or 'what did you do then?'. He tended to nod a lot, as if he agreed. The only thing that put me off was when he would ask 'why would you do something like that?'. I normally would have browbeat my audience, but he didn't sound malicious. More concerned for my well being. So I just asked him, “Well what would you have done?”

He surprised me with, “Probably gone around the obvious pit. True I can't fly, so things like that might worry me more.” Then, “Well, having not been there it's hard to judge, but I think I might have looked for a way to disarm something so easy to detect. I mean, ya knew it was there right?” He was driving me nuts! The worst thing was, looking back on it... he was right. Most of the time I leapt without thinking. That was action!

I must say he tended to sound, rather smart. Much smarter than I thought at first. He was also correct, he hadn't been there. I made sure he knew it too. Much as I enjoyed a 'captive' audience, I didn't like to be the one who had to explain all the obvious things. Most ponies just listened with rapt enjoyment. They didn't blow holes in my logic. I could tell he would be trouble. So I decided to turn the tables on him.

“Lets take a rest over there.” I pointed with my good hoof. “Ya, that open spot near the river.” We had been traveling upstream with the river. I knew a city wasn't too terribly far in that direction. Once he set me down, OK I will admit he was pretty gentle, I rummaged around the basket with the fruits. Finding a nice papaya I munched absently waiting for him to settle himself. Once he selected another orange I said, “Why don't you tell me about the ruins?”

“Hmm?” He mumbled through the orange.

“Well I thought we were trading stories.” I waited till he nodded. “I would like to hear about the ruins you found the Amulet in.” I smiled sweetly, waiting to poke holes in everything he did. I was the expert in danger, after all!

Justin chuckled a little, “You sure you wanna know?”

I cocked my head in irritation, “Would I have asked if I didn't want to know?”

“Might upset ya...”

I looked at him like he had a hole in his head. “Try me.”

“Remember, you asked!” Justin chuckled.

~~~~ Justin

I chewed the orange while collecting my thoughts. “Well, I only arrived in this goddess forsaken place the day before yesterday. I arrived with what you see on my back, and the shirt you are mostly wearing.” I smiled at Daring as she looked at her bandages. I wasn't about to tell her it was my favorite shirt. It was, but that wasn't the point. “I chose to walk in the direction of a rock formation. It was pretty far away, and took me the better part o the day to get near it. At first I thought it was just a big rock, but as I got closer I could see that wasn't the case. It had carved edges and such. Being that it was in pretty rough shape, I didn't hold much hope of finding anyone there, still ya never know until ya try.” I picked up a new stick to start whittling. “Am I right?”

Daring nodded at me. I took that as my cue to continue, “So I checked it out. From a distance I mean. No telling what was in there.” My knife took small bites from the long stick as I spoke. “At first, I didn't see anything of note. After a while I found what appeared to be paw-prints. Now, I figured they would be wild dogs or some such thing.” I made sure to make eye contact with her every now and again. “See, diamond dogs, as you call em, don't exist where I am from. Neither do you pony folk. So I was more than a little surprised when I saw a dozen of those l'il guys. Oh, they didn't see me. I watched them for a while. Tried to figure what they were doing. Reminded me of aboriginals from stories back home.”

I paused to sip from the canteen then offered it to Daring. I continued my tale as she drank. “I watched them late into the night. I paid attention to were they walked and where they paid heed not to go. Several times I wanted to go down and talk with them, but something in the back of my mind kept telling me that was a bad idea. Probably saved my ass too.” My voice hardened as I remembered. “I recon it had to be close to midnight when I heard it. I had fallen asleep in the tree I had been watching them from ya see. I woke with an awful fright at the sound. It was the sound a man makes when he draws his last breath.”

I had Daring’s' full attention now. She was paying rapt attention to every word I spoke. “I could smell woodsmoke heavy in the air. The sound didn't repeat itself, but as I strained my hearing I was able to make out some sort of chant in the distance. What I could see from my vantage wasn't more than shadows dancing around in the flickering of the firelight.” I paused to remember the correct sequence of events. “I left the safety of the tree to get a closer look. I mean, I wasn't gonna learn anything from where I was, right?” She nodded and I continued, “I used the darkness the way I had been taught. Become one with the night, or something like that!” I chuckled. “As I slinked closer I caught a wiff of something, I dunno, wrong.”

I looked at Daring over the edge of my knife, “You've smelled cooking meat right?”

She blanched a little and nodded. “Ya, lots of places I go cook meat and serve it too.”

I stored that little ditty of info for later. I didn't feel like scaring her by telling her I was descended from carnivores just yet. Besides, it wasn't like I needed to eat meat. I just happened to like it. I simply nodded back to her and continued talking. “Well then, you will understand what I mean when I say something wrong. Cooking meat has a particular smell. Some think it's a good smell, others don't like it. All agree that it smells clean.” I held up my hands as if to say, 'meet me half way on this.' I could tell she wanted to interrupt me, but held her tongue to let me continue. “This didn't smell like that. It smelled, dirty... uh... tainted may be a better word. I know I didn't relish finding out what it was.”

Daring looked a little ill. “You know, I am starting to believe you now. This is upsetting.”

I took a bite from some type of apple that I couldn't ID, but Daring had assured me was quite good. After deciding it was indeed tasty I stated, “Oh, I haven't even gotten near the part I figured would upset ya.” She looked at me with disbelief in her eyes. I put my right hand over my heart and said, “Swear, I figured you for a hardened adventurer. Didn't think this would unnerve ya quite so bad. I can stop now if ya want.”

She pouted. It startled me just how human she looked at times. “ I can deal with it.” She said defiantly.

I wasn't so sure she could, so I decided to silently tone things down for her. I didn't feel the need to upset my only friend here. Sure she was a blowhard, but I liked her enough not to want to make her sick. Especially when I realized I called her professionalism into question. There wasn't any way for me to apologize about something like that, so I agreed with her request as if nothing was wrong.

I smiled and nodded, “I know ya can.” I made sure not to sound patronizing. “I can tell when folks are made of tough stuff, and you are definitely tough. I am sorry to upset your stomach though. What happens next isn't pretty, so steel yourself.” She nodded for me to continue. “Well, I shadowed my way through the sections of the ruins I had noted the dogs using. Oddly the more firelight I could see, the more shadows I had to hide in. I came upon what must have been the whole village.”

I sipped the canteen again before continuing. “They were cavorting and dancing in ways I had never dreamed. There were several small fires, but the biggest one in the center was what drew my eyes.” I pondered how much to leave out for her benefit. “They had, um, cooked some...thing.” I left out that it was still screaming. “I am fairly sure it was once as intelligent as you or I.” I also left out that it was one of the pony-folk. “The smell was rancid to me. Those little beasts ate to their hearts content. It was some type of foul rite.” I cut off her coming question, “I don't know how I knew it was, I just knew it was. Lets leave it at that, OK?” She nodded in agreement. I think she realized I was 'abridging' things for her by this point. “I won't go into detail what they did, needless to say I am quite positive they were worshiping some foul god or other. I was pretty disgusted and was about to sneak my way out when I saw something that caught my eye.”

Daring blurted out, “The Amulet?”

“Eh, no.” I looked anywhere but at Daring. “I saw a shiny jeweled... um, something...”

She glared at me. The gesture she made with her good hoof was human enough for me to realize I had better get on with it. “Ya... It was some statue on my way out that had these.” I pulled a pair of quarter sized rubies out of my hip pouch. They were gorgeously faceted. “I pried them out with my knife.” I smiled at her. “But I digress. When I found out there were reliefs with gems in them... I had to go back and take a closer look. For the sake of science, of course!” I stuck a pose at that.

Daring chuckled with me and said, “Of course! I would have had to take a second look if I found those as well. In the name of archeology, of course!”

We shared a laugh for a few moments. “It was on my way back in that I noticed the Amulet.” She nodded sagely. “It was bedecking some statue. A horrid caricature of a, I think you called them Diamond Dogs?” I waited for her verification nod. “Around it's neck. Getting to it was interesting. I waited till all the little cretins were gorging themselves and otherwise preoccupied. Then I just snuck up behind the statue, nicked the necklace, and waltzed out of the place.” At her look of disbelief I amended, “By waltz I meant drifted from dark shadow to the next very carefully. Oh, and I am positive I was praying with all my might to the moon.”

I stood, deciding that our break had lasted long enough. “There really isn't a whole lot more to tell, until I met you that is.” I gathered our meager belongings and shouldered the papoose full of pegasus before continuing, “And that, as they say, is a different story!”

Daring tapped me on the noggin to get my attention. “There is only one thing I would like to ask.” She said.

“Shoot.” I said as I started walking.

Her voice came from behind my head, so it sounded a tad peculiar. “You said there was something that would upset me a lot, aside from.. umm...ya that.”

I chuckled, “That I did, didn't I!” She bopped me in the back of the head. “OK! OK! Damn it, not so hard!” I rubbed my skull, “I didn't want ya to think I was making fun of ya.”

“Out with it, Justin.” She deadpanned.

“Fine,” I sighed, “But no more hitting me in the back of the head!” I think she mumbled either an apology or something ignorant. I wasn't sure but continued either way, “What way did you enter the ruins, Daring?”

“Through the front. Duh!” She said caustically. “You always start at the beginning!”

“Ya. That was all a trap. The whole front was nothing but a facade to lure in the unsuspecting.” I stated dryly. “While watching the mongrels I noticed the real entrance was in the back of the ruins. Hidden to look like nothing more than debris.” I stopped and craned my head to look her in the eyes, “Any real adventurer would have spotted that trap a mile away.”

She spluttered, “But! The storm... and I couldn't see...” She stopped and gathered her wits. “You made that up!” She accused.

“Not a bit of it.” I said while continuing to walk.

“Wait a minute! If you left before sunup, how come you were still there when I got captured?” She challenged.

I stopped and looked her in the eye once again. This time she looked defiant. This time I was mad. I don't care for being accused of lying. So I brutally stated, “I went back to bury the poor bastard who got ate. What was left of him, anyway.”

“Oh...” She didn't say anything for quite a long while.

~~~ Daring

I felt awful. I didn't feel like that often. I didn't like it. Not at all. It sucked. Sadly, I wasn't sure what to do about it. I suppose I could just apologize. I didn't like that Idea either. So, I just remained quiet for a while. I figured something would come to mind. If nothing else, I could pretend nothing happened. That could work. Then again...

Justin stopped rather suddenly. He pointed so I could see a buzzing mass several hundred spans away. I wasn't positive why Justin was edgy. They were just bees. Nothing to really worry about, unless he wanted honey. With the way he seemed wary of them, I doubted that. “Ya, bees. Nothing too out of the ordinary.”

He looked at me like I had grown a second head. “JUST bees? Just bees? K-rist...” He then turned and slowly walked away from the hive. “Those little murderers aren't gonna get me!” He muttered under his breath.

I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but he was the one walking for us both so I went with it. Like I had a choice! In any event I let him decide where to take us. He didn't stray too far out of sight from the river and kept going the general direction I wanted him to go. Seems like we...OK, he walked for five minutes or so when we came upon what appeared to be a road.

“No kidding!” I shouted. “You are too lucky, Justin!”

He looked at me, “What are you talking about? It's just a road.”

I bumped heads with him lightly, “Just a road? How many roads do think there are in these parts?”

Understanding seemed to seep into his eyes. He nodded before saying, “Point taken. I'm willing to take whatever luck I can get.” He looked to the sky before scanning the road. “Guess we should keep going in this direction.”

Since he actually managed to divine the correct way towards the city, I let him go. I thought we were making very good time now that we had a road. Even though Justin seemed to exhibit an endless amount of endurance, I knew he was beginning to falter. The smooth and gentle gait from before was becoming bumpy and he began to smell, uh... musky. Not bad, actually sort of enticing. In a dangerous kind of way. What worried me was the amount of water dripping off of his body. I wasn't unaccustomed to sweating, but I had never before seen anypony perspire like him. It was so bad, he was constantly wiping his face just to be able to see. Even then, the dark glasses he wore, I guess to shield his eyes from the light, became smeared so badly I don't know how he could see.

Oddly his breathing wasn't as labored as you would think. I know when I would exert myself to the point of sweating like he was, I would be breathing so hard it would hurt. Not him. Maybe that was just the way all humans were? I would have to learn more about what he was, and soon. For the moment, I needed to persuade him to stop for a while. It wouldn't do either of us any good if he keeled over from exertion!

Fortune was with us yet again as I spotted a pullover. That is a curved spot in the road meant to be used by wagon caravans to pull over for the night. I pointed it out to him, “There. That is a great spot to rest and, if we are lucky, meet up with a friendly caravan.”

He didn't say anything through his deep breathing, but did acknowledge me with a nod of his head and a deep grunt. His speed slowed a bit as we closed the distance. Though I would never say so, I was glad. My wing was throbbing painfully and could use a good rest.

I was surprised with the way he approached the pull off. He seemed to be stalking it. I knew from the way he would move quickly one moment and slow the next, that he wanted to make sure it was safe. Once he was sure that it was unoccupied, he walked us both in like we owned it. I really wasn't sure what to make of him at times. True, we hadn't spoken more than a few words in the last couple of hours. I had to remember that he was likely still mad at me. I would worry about that when I had too.

He set me down with a gentleness I was fast becoming used to. It still clashed in my mind as I could clearly remember how he dealt with Sasha just that morning. “Thank you,” I muttered. “See the pit over there?” He nodded. “There is usually a pile of wood nearby. Custom says we are supposed to use it and replace what we take once we are set up.”

Justin wasted no time. He left what little we had with me and proceeded to start a small campfire. I wasn't sure why he wanted one so early. It was only late afternoon, but it seemed to make him happy. Once that was done, he made me take the last few pieces of fruit and took the empty handbasket. “Going to see if I can find more to eat. Back in a few, I won't go far.” He then stalked off into the nearby wooded area.

Left to my own devices, I decided to take care of nature before he returned. That done, I returned and spread the blankets near the fire to make the ground a tad more comfortable. I figured Justin would be a while gathering food, so I spent some time writing the events of the past couple days into my journal. I had a lot to catch up on. I lost track of time while jotting in my notebook. So much, I didn't notice him wander back into camp until he set the, now full, handbasket down next to me.

I know I must have made a sound that amused him, by the look on his face. “So,” I stated, “You're the type who likes sneaking up on unsuspecting mares, huh?”

He chuckled in a subdued way. “Nah, I made so much noise I coulda woke the dead!” He chuckled a little more before stating, “Found more of those apples. I think those are peanuts and cashews...” He pointed to some nuts that were indeed what he thought them to be. “This,” he picked up an oddly elongated, football shaped, green pod. “I don't know what is...”

I smiled and stated excitedly, “A breadfruit! I love those!”

Justin looked at me. “Really? I heard of them before but never seen one.” He studied the cantaloupe sized pod then looked at me over it. “Any good?”

“Oh my yes!” I managed to stop him from cracking it open just in time. “You have to cook them first. Were there any more? That you could get to easy, that is. I know they grow high up.”

He smiled at me and held up his 'walking stick'. “I could reach a few more. Since you seem to like 'em so much, I'll meander over to the tree I found that one at.” He moved to walk back into the forest before stopping suddenly and yelling over his shoulder, “How many ya want? I don't wanna grab too many and waste 'em!”

I thought about that a moment. I knew once cooked they could last several days and were considered by many a delicacy. It tasted, and to a degree resembled, baked bread. They were grown locally by many farmers, but tended to be rare in the wild. “Can you reach them safely?” I saw him lean on his stick with a 'what do you think' look. “Well, several would be good. We can cook them up and they will stay good for several days!” He nodded and disappeared into the forest.

I rolled the breadfruit into the fire and used a long stick to move it around. Depending on how long he took, I might have this one ready by the time he got back. It only took a few minutes to cook one in the fire Justin made. He didn't skimp on the wood! I hoped that he didn't plan to keep a blaze this size all night. It would give us away for miles!

In less than ten minutes he strolled back into the camp with his coat wrapped up like a shoulder sack. He, much to my delight, opened it up to reveal ten of them. He spoke quietly, “Since you know how to cook them, do you mind?”

I nodded and looked up at him. I was taken aback at his look. His eyes had become sunken and he was even paler, if you can believe it! The wounds on his arms, what of them I could see from the bandages, looked red and angry. He looked like hell! “Justin, you should rest up! You don't look well.”

He nodded and muttered, “Don't feel too well.” He sighed, “Just gonna lay my head down for a spell. Wake me in a bit for a bite, 'kay?”

I nodded and watched my towering friend lower himself onto, mostly, one of the blankets. He tipped his stetson over his face and was out like a light. I wasn't really surprised. He had been in a brutal fight, walked for several hours, and even set up camp before resting. His day had been hard, to say the least! I hoped that some food and a good nights sleep would help him. I don't think I would be able to cart us both if he fell ill.

With that thought in mind, I cooked all the breadfruit. Once I was certain the male was sleeping, it was hard since he didn't make much noise, I checked under his bandages. I guessed he was extremely exhausted, since I didn't wake him. The wounds seemed to be healing too fast. The red I had assumed could be infection, was in reality new skin forming over the lacerations. They were all healing at an alarming rate, except the bad gash on his hand. That one looked pretty bad. I would have to get him to let me lance and clean it again to make sure it didn't get infected... wonder how I would go about that?

~~~ Justin

I hadn't gotten to sleep for more than a moment when I felt something touch me. I managed to suppress that panicky feeling to lash out at whatever had touched me. Instead, I used my other senses. Through a combination of hearing and smell, I knew it was Daring. What was she doing? She was lightly poking at my arms. I squelched a hiss as she inspected my hand. She was checking my wounds. I wish she would have asked me first, but then again who knew what her people considered normal. Maybe this was how they made sure their own were well?

I let her alone, taking stock of my situation. Except for extreme exhaustion, I didn't hurt anywhere near what I should have. The bruised feelings had left me after an hour walking. The cuts itched like hell, but aside from that didn't bother me much. The deep cut on my left hand, well that throbbed. All in all, I felt better than I had in a long time. The nerve related pain I was constantly under never surfaced. That had me curious, but this was all a dream. Nobody felt pain in their dreams, right?

Wait a tic! Those claw strikes hurt real enough. So did my back after carrying Mrs know-it-all over there. How could those feel so real. My dreams had never before 'felt' real. Maybe it was a side effect? I only felt what my real body was feeling? That made no sense. If that were true, I would hurt from head to toe, like normal. This was something to think about, later that is.

Daring left me alone after a short while and I could then hear an odd cracking sound followed closely by the smell of fresh baked bread. I wished that I woken to that. Brought back memories of when I was little. Every Sunday morning, mom would bring home a loaf of fresh baked bread from the local bakery. Oh that smell! It was at that moment, I missed my mother. That hit me in the gut. How could I miss her? I saw her only, what... um... I realized I didn't have an answer to that simple question. I should have been able to answer that immediately. It bothered me more than a little that I couldn't.

My thoughts were scattered by Daring’s husky voice. “Hey sleepyhead!” When I didn't respond immediately, I felt a hoof gently rock my shoulder. I toyed with the idea of springing on her like a monster, but discarded that thought. It would be funny to me, but likely she would be pissed. I really didn't need that. Things were conspiring to make me believe that I was going to need her help a lot more than she needed mine. I didn't like that train of thought at all. I decided, instead to pretend to wake like a normal guy. You know, lots of groaning and stretching.

I opened my eyes just in time to catch what Daring tossed at me with a friendly, “Catch!” My brain immediately notified me that it was hot... really fraking hot! I yelped and tossed... it from hand to hand. Slowly I realized it was one of the melon-like pods I had collected earlier. Only it was burnt black and was still quite warm.

I tried to look cross as I said, “Gee, thanks.” Only I couldn't manage to keep from chuckling with her. I looked at the now blacked and extremely hard breadfruit. “Soooo, how do I eat this thing?”

Daring chuckled, “You crack it open and enjoy the insides.”

Instead of using the rock she motioned to, I gripped the breadfruit with both hands and twisted with all my might. My left hand complained at the abuse, but the look of astonishment on Daring's face was worth it. The 'fruit' sheared in half with an audible groan. Looking at the grainy bread-like substance inside, I decided what the heck! I handed one half to the still stunned mare and proceeded to scoop out the innards.

After a tentative bite I couldn't help but state, “Not bad. Not bad at all. Little salt and this would be really good!”

Daring recovered from her shock and smirked at me. “I knew you would like it!” She then proceeded to devour her half with a very unladylike gusto. She stopped at the look I gave her. “What? I'm hungry!” She said with her mouth still full.

We both chuckled as we ate. The apples I carved up accented the breadfruit well enough to become the most filling and satisfying meal I had had since appearing in this weird land. Daring proceeded to grill me more about where I was from and what exactly a human was. I decided not to hold back anymore, so I told her pretty much everything she wanted to know.

After letting her ask me several questions I began to ask my own. “So, what is the name of this place anyway? I remember you mentioning Equestria, is that where we are?”

She finished a mouthful of apple before answering, “No. That is where I am from. Equestria is across the sea. We are currently in the land of Equagga.” Daring stopped to take a bite of cooked breadfruit. “Much farther to the north from where we met is the beginning of the Dragonlands.” She sipped from the canteen I offered to her. “We, currently, are on the road to Riverside. It's nothing more than a small trading city. If not for the rivers around it making travel easier, it likely wouldn't even exist.”

I pondered what she had told me. I had that nagging feeling that I knew everything she had just told me, but I couldn't hold onto the memories until she told me of them. Just like older memories were fleeting, I wondered if I would be able to remember what she was telling me. That was a sobering thought. What if I couldn't remember things past a few days. That would suck, and I would have to pay close attention to make sure that wasn't the case.

Since I ate more and also ate slower than Daring , I asked her, “Tell me a bit more about here? Some of this is oddly familiar, almost like when you read about something then actually experience it. Kinda messed up, to be honest.”

She looked at me with that odd look she so often had, “Are you positive you didn't strike your head?” I shrugged, we had already covered that. She sighed and continued, “Well, this area is mostly rainforest and savanna. If we had continued north, really far north, we would have run smack dab into the Dragonlands. Those are the beginnings of a mountain range that even Celestia hasn't explored. Since you can't fly, you won't have to worry about that much.” She looked at me with hard eyes, “Guess why they are called the 'Dragonlands'.”

I sighed between a bite of food, “Lemme guess, Dragons?”

She smiled, “You aren't as dumb as you look!” At my unfriendly look, she coughed, “Anyway, to the south is Riverside. Farther south and east is the major city of Nijan. If you go farther south and turn a bit to the west you will run into the coast and the port city of water, Gentra.” Thinking a bit, “I never had to think about things in walking distance. My best bet is that it would take several weeks, if not more, to walk all the way to Gentra.” She muttered, “If I hadn't lost my map, I could have just shown you.”

I decided not to rib her about loosing a map. After swallowing a bite, I asked, “So, Riverside is close huh? Tell me more about it? What kind of people live there?”

“Ponies,” she said. “What kind of ponies live there.”

“That's what I asked.”

She snickered at the way I sidestepped that comment, “Sure. Whatever. It is a small city, more like a town than a city, but they call it a city.” She chuckled, “As if they would know! Riverside is made up of a central part, the city, and lots of outlaying villages and towns.” I nodded and she continued, “It's a diverse place. Most of Equagga is. We will likely run into ponies, pegasi, the occasional unicorn, zebra, gryphons, mules, and the extremely uncommon dragon. Most ponies will be of the common three and zebra. Gryphons are pretty common as well. Mules are not all that common but you'll likely see a couple. Dragons tend to stay to themselves, and if we are lucky we won't run into any. Oh yea, almost forgot, might see a few Diamond Dogs too, but they aren't very common either.”

“I gotta ask, when you say 'dragon', do you mean giant fire breathing lizard?”

She nodded at me, “Yes, quite. They can get to be as big as a mountain and all tend to be bad tempered.” At the way my eyes must have bugged out she continued, “Like I said, it is very unlikely we will run into one. If we do, be polite and let me do all the talking. Hopefully it will be a knowledge seeker. They are nice. It's the other ones we need to worry about.”

I nodded, “You got it, chief.” I said with a thumbs up.

She chuckled as I ate the last few bites of my meal. “You are a strange one Justin.”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “You're a peach yourself, Daring.”

Daring continued to chuckle a little as she took off her pith hat. After checking that the Amulet was secure inside the recessed strapping she laid it down. She shook her head trying to get her matted mane to cooperate. The multicolored dark hues simply didn't want to. They seemed content to stay in one large jumble. “Figures,” she sighed. She pulled a comb of sorts from one of the several pockets of her of green blouse. She then began to fight with her mane. I thought the mane was winning too.

After a few moments of watching her do battle with her mane, I realized she wouldn't be able to do much without help. I shook my head and shuffled next to her. I snaked the comb out of her mouth and said, “Hold still.” Then began to assess the damage with dexterous fingers before attacking the knotted and tangled tresses.

Daring squeaked, “Hey! You don't have too...”

“It's nothing.” I said while smoothing her main out. I know I had done this many times in the past, just not with a pony. “Besides, with that broken leg this would be kinda hard. Plus that wing doesn't let ya bend to well.”

She sighed and relaxed a little while I worked. After a short time I had the major knots and tangles sorted out and was able to pull the comb through without jerking her head or ripping out hair. It was remarkably similar to human hair, the odd coloration notwithstanding. Once I had her mane semi straightened I could see that the coloration was much different that I had assumed at first. It was layered shades of blacks and grays. Almost like an inverted rainbow. Kinda pretty, in a weird kinda way.

It took me several additional minutes until I could truly run the comb through her hair....er, mane. Once I had managed that feat, it was easy to brush and astonishingly soft. It sounded like she was purring, only ponies don't purr, do they? This one seemed like she did. It was cute, again, in a strange way.

While I was brushing her mane I hear her voice, “Justin?”

“Yessum?”

I almost couldn't make out her low toned voice, “Thank you.”

~~~ Daring

As I lay here staring at the darkening sky, I let my mind wander. Oh, how I wish I could contact Celestia. She would know what to do. I don't often let myself acknowledge how much I relied on the princess's wisdom. I was her go to mare! When she needed something recovered, and that was a lot more often than most ponies knew, I was there! Only now, I was here, not her! I didn't know what to do with this, human. Normally I would have just said 'thanks' and jetted homeward with prize.

I tried to flex my wing. I didn't do more than tweak the muscle before agony rolled through my shoulder. My leg was a lot better, but still in bad shape. A deep sigh later, I thought with a wry grin, 'He is right. I need a doctor. Preferably one who can preform magical healing.' I straightened the splints on both wing and leg to make myself more comfortable.

I found myself with another conundrum. He had acknowledged me as a friend, possibly the only one he had in this world. He certainly has been instrumental in my escape... 'OK, lets be honest, he singlehandedly rescued me. Obtained the artifact. Took out the assassin following me, that I didn't even realize was there. To make things worse, he carried me! He bucking carried me the whole way! On his back!' My internal monologue wouldn't stop.

I muttered, “How in the world am I ever going to live this down? Me! The best, most awsomest, most well known, bestest, adventurer! Carried by a... um... whatever a human is.”

I felt bad. The whole time he had helped me without asking a thing in return. All I did was complain and accuse him of things he likely didn't even know about! So far, he had been a true friend. He helped me while I was down. He rescued me with no other reason except that 'It was the right thing to do'. He fended off an assassin without knowing why she was after me. He carried me on his own back. He tended to me like family, almost. Sure he did get a little angry but that was my fault too, not that I would admit it to his face. Why did he have to be so damn nice all the time? It would be easier to not like him if he wasn't so nice! If I wasn't so damn feeble I wouldn't need him at all!

I looked to the prone and resting form of my bipedal 'friend'. What was his game? Ponies out in this Celestia forsaken land didn't do things from the kindness of their hearts. They all wanted something. He had to want something. Ponies with his abilities didn't just fall from the sky! Did they? Only he wasn't a pony. He was a person.

My mind spun to a different topic of thought. I figured he wasn't from Equagga. Likely he wasn't from this world either. He freely told me about where he was from, and he even admitted it wasn't the kindest of places to live. It was unlike anyplace I had been, and I had been pretty much everyplace worth going. He made points to tell me of all the good his people were responsible for, but he also didn't hold back all the bad. His people had lots to answer for. He didn't seem too troubled about being here. He even went so far as to tell me these past few days had been the best of his life! Not the part about dealing with Sasha. He wasn't too keen about telling me about her. He did, but he was very subdued. Almost as if he would rather not have fought her at all. Considering how much he knew of combat, tactics, and fighting in general, I had a hard time believing him. Only, nopony can feign that kind of remorse. I had seen those who could, and even they had something that gave them away. He was pretty much an open book to me.

I muttered, “It's almost as if you wanted me to judge you, and you expected me to find you guilty of something.” I spoke to his sleeping form, “I don't know what you are guilty of, but I know you have been nothing but good to me, my friend.”

Having spoken those words was almost an epiphany. He was my friend. I could do with that what I wanted, but it was that simple. He was a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. I didn't need Celestia to tell me that. I knew it. Likely he would follow me into hell and back, I only had to ask. How I knew that just by looking at his sleeping form, I did not know. I knew it all the same. He would never hurt me, like so many in my youth. He would never sell me out, like many had before. He would never leave me behind, like that one pony whom I will never speak about... I derailed that train before it could get started.

As the moon began its upward trek in the sky and the sun began its slow decent, I studied my friend. I drew his form in my journal. I was pretty decent at drawing, from all the times I had to in the past. I was no artist, but I think it was a damn good rendition. The dwindling light of the sun coupled with the firelight and moon beams made him look surreal. Almost ethereal. As if I looked away and he would be gone. Simply a figment of my imagination.

With the way my mind was wandering, it was no surprise that I didn't hear the coming caravan until they were almost turning into the pullover. My head shot up at the close sound of tinkling bells and the creak of wagons. I roughly shook Justin while hissing into his ear, “We have company!”

I was caught completely unaware by his explosion of movement. One moment he was sleeping, the next he was gone. Only the rustling of a nearby shrub betrayed him. All I could say was, “Wow! And I thought I was paranoid.”

~~~ Justin

Darkness shrouded me as I wiped sleep from my eyes. My new staff was in hand. I wasn't sure how I had managed that feat, but nonetheless it was with me. I gazed out upon the pullover. With the diminishing sunlight coupled with the lunar light and campfire, I could see virtually everything that moved. I counted two massively sized wagons. Each was pulled by four ponies, or maybe they were zebras. There seemed to be an additional six moving in front of the caravan, outriders I guessed. Probably at least as many in the rear with an unknown number on the sides that I couldn't yet see. They were armed with spears, among other things, but no armor that I could detect.

I heard Daring call out a friendly greeting, at least I thought it was friendly. “Well met travelers! Are you headed toward Riverside as well?”

I saw that the 'outriders' moved slowly and cautiously closer while the caravan halted at a distance. I heard a distinctly feminine voice call back, “That we do, and who are you?”

“Names Daring, Daring Do! Maybe you've heard of me?” I heard my friend's voice.

The other feminine voice stated, “That is true, in these parts all know one as famous as you!”

“Rhymes? Seriously?” I sub-vocalized while keeping a close eye on the newcomers.

The strange female spoke again, “In this poor light, I thought I saw another take flight.”

Daring called out, “My friend is easily startled. Once he is sure that you mean no harm, he will show himself.”

“Tis good to know my vision is not in need of repairing, my dear adventurer Daring.” The almost musical voice was really grating on my nerves.

I watched the leader more closely. She seemed a bit shorter than Daring, but approximately the same, slender build. She seemed to be covered in a zigzag pattern of whites and blacks. 'Must be one of those zebra Daring mentioned' I thought. 'Do they all talk like that?' I wondered.

My hearing was quite good. I could hear others inside the treeline. They didn't rhyme. More like a type of semi silent communication using lots of gestures. They seemed to be 'communicating' with others outside my field of vision. I didn't like that at all. I wish I had my camo gear now. A better weapon would have made me feel more secure as well. Like an M-16!

I decided to slowly and silently move to a location directly behind Daring, but still far enough in the wood-line that I couldn't be easily seen. Or so I hoped. Thankfully, my jacket covered most of my pale skin. At least if they attacked, I would be able to spring out... and likely die with her. I thought, 'Great place to stop, Daring. Remind me to wring your neck if we live through this!'

I missed much of what was said while displacing, but picked up Daring's voice again as I settled, “...have any ponies in the woods? I wouldn't do that. My companion is easily startled and that could end up bad for all of us.”

“Then perhaps you should call out to your friend. If truly peaceful he is, our hooves we would like to extend.”

Daring looked thoughtful. She was probably weighing our options. There were a lot of people, err ponies, in this caravan. Far more than I could deal with. Before she could call out to me, I slowly stalked into the firelight making no aggressive movements.

I could make out a general gasp of surprise and quickly heard Daring speak up. “He isn't dangerous, so long as you don't threaten us. He is my...” she looked over at me, “...friend. And he has really done nothing but take care of me.”

I could make out a different voice from the caravan. A masculine voice called out, “What is that?” One of the guards perhaps?

The rhyming voice added, “Indeed, as my companion wishes to know, tell us please so as to let our confidence grow.”

I stood slowly. As I reached my full height, I heard a number of gasps and could see many of the caravan pull back closer to the wagons. To the leaders credit neither she nor the guard cowed back like the others, even if I towered more than head and shoulders over any of them. I took stock of the movement all around us. I still was unconvinced these folks were as friendly as Daring hoped. My voice, low pitched as it was, cut through the chatter like a hot knife through butter, “Daring, if these folks are as friendly as you think they are, would you ask them to call back their stalkers? Maybe let our confidence in 'them' grow.”

The male voice overrode the females, “We have no guards in the woods!”

The female spoke quickly, “Indeed, all of our guards, have pulled back several yards!”

Daring was likely going to try to talk to me, but I raised my voice in a lethal way, “Bullshit! There are at least a half a dozen troops stalking the woods on both sided of the road!”

The stupid look on the zebras' faces was all I needed to yell out, “To arms you fools! We are under attack! Defend yourselves!” I took a defensive stance over Daring’s yet prone form. Why did I always have to be correct? The things I mistook for caravan guards slinking through the woods were actually bandits that had been stalking the caravan, likely waiting for them to bed down for the night. The only thing I was horribly mistaken about was their numbers, there were a lot more of them than I had guessed.

Fortune smiled upon us. The bandits had lost the element of surprise. All the caravan guards, as well as the pullers, had armed themselves during the time we had spoken. By the time the forest erupted into madness, the caravan was prepared. Sadly, they were outnumbered. I managed to drag a half limping Daring toward the dubious safety of the caravan while cracking the skulls of two Earth Ponies who charged at us from the undergrowth. I wasn't sure if they were dead or unconscious. I also didn't much care at that moment.

The caravan guards were doing well, but seemed disorganized. It was as if they were prepared but had no actual combat experience. I roared at the top of my lungs, “Defense! Protect those wagons, boyos! Don't let the attackers inside!”

The previously quiet forest was now a roiling melee. I was amazed the zebra caravan guards hadn't stabbed me in the back yet. I was good, but no one could defend all sides perfectly. At one point I thought one was stabbing me, but as I ducked he ran a bandit gryphon through. I nodded and covered the guards next to me. Wounded and dead were piling up on both sides. I managed to snatch up a fallen bandit's sword. It wasn't well balanced, but was better than the crumbling stick I had been using. Thank goodness I knew how to use it quite well. The guards were no pushovers either. It's not that they weren't skilled, simply green with inexperience. They regrouped well as I bellowed orders to protect areas that were less defended and where bandits would undoubtedly try to break through.

The bandits took heavy losses, but so did the caravan. I managed to team up with a taller zebra who must have been a veteran of some kind. He knew his job and together we managed to bolster faltering areas of defense. That was until he took a thrown spear to the flank and collapsed like a lighting struck bird. I was fairly certain he hadn't been outright killed, but likely severely wounded, if not mortally so.

'I hope this caravan has a good healer!' I thought as I managed to drag him to one of the wagons before jumping back into the melee. 'He was a worthy soldier.'

The combat became more and more sporadic. Every defender had suffered at the very least minor cuts and scratches, more than half wouldn't be able to stand once the adrenaline wore off. Many more might die of shock and blood loss. Myself, I had shallow cuts in a dozen places, but none had slowed me yet. I heard a few guards muttering something along the lines of 'we won!' and 'they are gone', but I knew better. They were only regrouping for a last ditch rush at us. They hoped to catch us with our guard down. I could actually hear some of them in the woods and, oddly, I could see them somehow.

I spoke to the guards nearest to me, “They are regrouping. They are going to attack again. Pass it on to be ready!” I moved among the defenders who, while skittish at my presence, didn't stab me as I pointed out the bandits I could see regrouping. I didn't know how I could see them at all. My night-vision, while excellent, had never been this good!

I thought it was a good sign that the wounded were being taken care of by passengers in the caravan I hadn't seen before. The bandits gave us more time that I expected them to. This allowed me to point them all out to the remaining defenders and focus our defenses at the points most likely to be attacked. I even found an undamaged spear that I planned to throw at the first bandit I saw.

When they finally came, it was a massacre. They must not have had the ability to see as well as I could, though I thought the gryphons would be able to. The bandits charged straight into a wall of spears and pain. The one I was planning to throw my spear at was instead shot by our only archer. I didn't even know we had one. The largest bandit Zebra I had seen yet attacked. As I moved toward him, thinking to do battle with the enemy leader, he was struck down by a well tossed spear and then turned into a pincushion by several vindictive spearponies. As I watched the remaining defenders make mincemeat out of the last of the bandits, I made a mental note never to piss these guys off. They were brutal! I didn't have much to do in the last moments of the ill fated attack. The guards counterattacked with a precision I hadn't expected possible.

Later I would learn that the leader of the guards had taken a well placed crossbow bolt in the opening moments of the melee. That was why they were so disorganized. None of them knew how to take charge. If I hadn't yelled out like I had, it is very likely they would have been overrun. During the time between the attacks, and unbeknownst to me, a charismatic young zebra had taken command and listened to what I had to say. It was he that convinced the others to listen as well and organized the counterattack. I can't be positive, but I do not think any of the attackers were able to flee. If they did, it was between combats, because these guys left none standing at the end.

Once things had calmed down and I didn't see anymore aggressors, I said, “We need to get the wounded inside the caravans and move them off the path.” The remaining guards and drivers must have thought I made sense because they did as I asked. “I also need three volunteers who aren't seriously wounded and have strong stomachs.”

That got several to mumbling, but in the end I got my volunteers. I divided us into two squads of two, each armed with a spear and sword. “OK soldiers,” I stated, “It falls to us to dispatch the enemy wounded and locate any wounded friendlies.” I took the youngest looking one with me, more to tell me who to stab than to actually do the dirty work.

By the time we made sure all the bandits were truly dead and had accounted for all the guards, the caravan had been moved into the turnoff. They wasted no time taking care of the wounded. Even Daring was helping as best as she could. It seems she knew several of the caravan's ponies and zebras. The caravan's death toll was much lower than my estimates. Only six dead out of thirty souls with three times that in wounded, myself not included.

In my opinion, we had gotten off very lucky. I had to talk to Daring and mention the oddity of the strange night vision I had developed. Like I had mentioned before, I had excellent night vision but this was more like wearing night vision goggles! I didn't know what to make of it.

As I and my young zebra friend, whose name I learned was Kemal, walked among the wounded, I was pulled over to one of the medical zebra. They wouldn't take no for an answer, so I let them dress my wounds. Seems like they had accepted me? I was still unsure of them, but at least they didn't consider me a bandit. Most seemed to be leery at my presence as well. I could deal with that. The last thing I heard before passing out, was Daring calling my name. All I managed to say in return was, “Thank the goddess, your safe...” Then oblivion took me.

~~~ Daring

I had never been so scared in all my life! At first I thought Justin was attacking the zebra caravan. Then all the screaming and fighting and clashing of weapons! The ponies charging at us. Justin attacking them and calling for for the zebras to defend themselves... All I could do was stumble to the zebra caravan and hope they would protect me. The smell of blood was everywhere, but the whole time Justin protected me.

I moved on automatic. Helping wounded and pulling injured away from the fighting. It was truly monstrous! I had been involved in small scale fighting, a few ponies fighting with a few others, but this was different. This was war! There were dozens of dead and dying.

I watched as my friend, the man I thought to be a pacifist, rallied the zebras. He formed them into a cohesive unit. I knew his people were combative, but this? His mere voice gave hope to the outnumbered zebras and I watched him butcher the enemy with a furor and efficiency that was terrifying. I was uncertain if I would ever be able to look at him the same again. He was a predator. A cold hard killer. Still...

I looked upon his ravaged body. He had still been weak from his fight with Sasha, yet he fought like a daemon! I used the medical supplies given to me to sew his injuries shut with my own hooves and teeth even though one of the zebras offered to help. The actual medics were too busy with their own wounded, and likely he would have bleed to death if not for my ministrations. He had been cut over a dozen times and had been bleeding freely for far too long. Once I managed to get one of the elder zebras to look at him, they gave him only a fifty-fifty chance to wake up again.

I pleaded with the leader of the zebra caravan, her name was Zecella, to grant him one of her precious healing potions. I figured since we were old acquaintances she would give me one. She refused at first. She already knew of his courage in the face of danger and how hard he fought, but she had many wounded of her own. She claimed he only fought to protect me, so I had to beg and plead. Even then, she only offered to grant me one under the condition that I tell her all I knew of him and his race. I promised her this and more, I promised that he would tell her all she wanted as well. Only then did she bestow upon me one of her potions, one she said would guarantee Justin’s recovery.

As I stood over his prone and unconscious form with the potion in hand, I wondered why I begged so hard on his behalf. This potion could easily heal my busted leg and wing in a few hours. I could fly home. True, he had saved me time and again. Sure, he had carried me all this way, but I had no allegiance to him. Why, oh why, did I care?

I could almost hear the princess's voice in my head, 'Because you have so few real friends, and he IS your friend. You would die for your friend, just like he was willing to die for you.' As I thought this, the potion went down his throat. My friend would live!

I muttered to myself with a smile, “Thank you Celestia!”

I never saw the elder zebra Zecella, as she smiled at my decision.

Chapter two is here, and I would like to thank all you folks for reading. The amount of view and favorites the first chapter got overwhelmed me! I didn't think my story would get much attention at all, but 291 view (as of my typing this) really blew me away! I can only hope you all enjoy this one as much as the first. As always, please drop a comment. If ya like it, tell me whats so good. I might add more of what ya want that way! On the same respect, if ya didn't like something... Tell me how to improve! Honestly, I would like to become better at writing in general, so tell me whats on your mind! Even if it's just a 'HI THERE!' I like those too! Oh yea... As we all know, I do not own MLP... blah blah, this is a non-profit work... blah blah blah... I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!

Together or apart?

Chapter 3

Through a humans eyes...

Together or apart?

~~~ Justin

'Ugh! What's with all the swaying?' I thought to myself as I managed to mumble, "Oh, my head!" Or at least I think I did. It may well have come out sounding like, "ohhhhmmmmm 'ead."

I think I was being assaulted. Some thing or some one was crushing me and making it extremely hard to breath. Once my hearing managed to focus, I could have sworn I heard Daring's voice saying something. Only I couldn't figure out what. For whatever reason, I couldn't move much and my hearing was wonky. Heck, my eyes wouldn't open.

After several minutes of difficult breathing and garbled voices, I realized Daring was laying across my chest. I think she was hugging me? In her own way that is, more like crushing me in my current state! Somehow I managed to stammer out, "Air! Need air!"

The weight on my chest abated almost immediately. I managed to open my eyes, though it took some doing. I saw that I was inside one of the caravans with Daring and several others wounded so badly they couldn't walk under their own power. It was fairly dark and the smell of antiseptics permeated everything.

I heard Daring's voice, "I thought we lost you in the night! Thank Celestia you made it!"

My broken and garbled voice sounded alien to my own ears. "I'm harder to kill than that. Where are we?"

I noted then that she had been crying, least I think so with the way her face looked. Her voice had calmed down a bit when she spoke, "We are inside the second caravan and close to Riverside." She lay next to me, almost on top of me. I guessed that was due to the limited space inside the wagon. It was 'close friends' tight in here.

I laid back on the pile of sacks being used as pillows. I groaned out, "How many?"

A voice very different from Daring's answered me. "Six dead. Pretty much everypony bears some injury. Some of us are worse off than others though. We would have suffered far more casualties if not for you." The masculine voice sounded familiar. Who was it? He continued before I could remember, "My name is Keluro. And I owe you my life."

I manged to turn my head enough to recognize the warrior that fought at my side, but had been cut down by a thrown spear. He held a hoof out to me in a familiar manner. I shook his hoof weakly, "It was a privilege to fight by your side, Keluro."

I heard him chuckle painfully. "If you had not dragged me to the healers I would have been done for. I thank you." He made a strange gesture that was similar to a roman salute. I didn't think they did that? Meh, whatever. I returned the gesture, much to his delight.

I managed to catch Daring's eye and stated dryly, “Think we can go one day without a fight?”

Her laughter was music to my ears. “Oh, goodness I hope so!” She nuzzled me before saying, “You should get more rest. Soon we will be at Riverside. We can get better medical treatment there and maybe a bath!”

I couldn't help but chuckle at that. I know I would love to get the blood and stench off of me. None of us smelled too nice at the moment. “Sounds like a plan.” I murmured as I fell back asleep.

~~~ Daring

The rest of the journey to Riverside was relatively peaceful. Aside from frayed nerves, I had come out of the conflict unscathed. The zebras made me ride with Justin, both to keep watch over him as well as knowing I couldn't walk very well and would slow them down too much. I really didn't mind. I was with my friend, and he pulled through the night.

Zecella checked on us all several times during the trip. She made sure that nopony became more ill than they already were. I was positive she truly cared about those in her charge and took the loss of those who had died hard. I tried to talk to her, but she always had more pressing matters. Each time she would tell me, in her singsong rhymes, that we would speak later.

To pass the time, I spoke with the others in our cart. I learned much of what had happened from Keluro. He had been in the thick of the fighting and told me several of the gorier parts. Those I could have done without. Other than him, we rode with Ketaina. Another warrior of the Ke clan. She had an injured leg as well and couldn't walk. Beside her was Biro. He was clanless and used only his given name. His injuries were severe and he didn't manage to speak much. Where Biro was quiet, Frida, another of the clanless, was quite the talker. She spoke so much I almost didn't get the name of the last of our group. He was a pony named Sterling Vision and, perhaps due to his head wound, didn't seem too talkative anyway.

Several times during the course of the day, a younger zebra by the name of Kemal came to check on his clan-mates as well as Justin. Seems the little guy had taken a shining to him and helped make sure I got water into him a few times. He helped us all, but it was easy to see he took an interest in my friend. I found myself hoping his interest was in friendship and not an 'honor bound' way. Many zebra of the Ke clan fought for their dignity and if he thought Justin had impugned that honor, well he would likely try to challenge him to single combat once he was healthy as a way to regain said prestige. All he would say to me was 'He is honorable.'

I never understood zebra principles. Then again, I never understood 'male' values or that of soldiers either. Maybe there was some kind of bond? I would have to remember to ask. Later, when things were better. Right now, we had to get to Riverside and get proper medical treatment for about a dozen ponies. At least the whole caravan seemed to accept our presence. There were many who found my friend scary or intimidating, but overall things were going as well as I could have hoped. Well, as well as they could be with combat involved at any rate.

~~~ Justin

I came to consciousness slowly and without much pain. It was the first time in how long? I didn't even know. I was able to wake at my own speed. It felt so good I just wanted to roll over in my bed and rest a while longer.

Bed? My eyes snapped open in panic. They focused quickly. I was in a white room, at least the ceiling was white. Though sore, I was able to move easily enough. I was indeed laying in a bed inside a plain white room. The only other piece of furniture was the nightstand. My clothing was laying, folded, atop the dresser along with my hip pouch. Leaning against it were the sword and spear I had claimed during the bandit fight. Light streamed in through the window. 'Where am I?'

I started to get up, until I noticed that I was naked as the day I was born under the sheets. After making sure I was alone in the room, I slid from the bed. Much to my surprise I didn't have any wounds or scarring, nothing to show I had been in a fight. I knew I had just been in a major combat, so where were my wounds? Better question, how long was I out? I started dressing. It wasn't until I was tying my boots that I realized my clothes had been laundered. All the lacerations had been mended so well that I didn't notice at first!

As I grabbed my belt pouch, a small bag fell to the ground. I cinched my belt and side pouch then bent down to pick up the palm sized bag. It jingled and had some weight to it. Opening it revealed strange coins and a note that read, 'YOUR CUT' in a flowing script. They were large for coins. Almost the size of fifty cent pieces back on Earth. I dumped the contents out into my hand and separated the coins. I counted eight of the coppery colored coins and five of the silvery ones. They had no markings, denominations, or other identifying features other than scratches and what may have been teeth marks. They were nothing more than blank slugs of metal. I would have to ask what they were before doing anything stupid.

I decided to use the window to see where I was before leaving the room. It was definitely a town, so assumed I was in Riverside. By the position of the sun, I gathered it was morning and my watch concurred. “Well,” I muttered to myself, “nothing to do in here. Guess I'll just take a look around town. Since this is probably an inn, the innkeeper should be able to tell me where Daring is.” I nodded to myself and exited the clean little room.

I had to stoop so my head didn't hit the ceiling. At least the stairs were wide enough not to cause me any problems. Thankfully the first floor ceiling was higher and I could stand comfortably. The hallway opened up into a larger common room. A yellow pony with the bluest hair, err mane, that I had ever seen looked up at me with inquisitive bright blue eyes. She smiled at me and with a musical voice said, “Good morning sleepy head! I hope your room was comfortable and that you rested well?”

I couldn't help smiling at her friendliness, “Yes thank you. I can't remember the last time I slept in such a soft mattress.”

“Wonderful,” she beamed. “I normally welcome guests when they come in, but since you were injured and unconscious I will have to take care of that oversight now. The names Shuteye, proprietor of the Shuteye Inn.” She held up a hoof in the manner I had learned was a handshake.

I shook her hoof and asked, “Have you seen my traveling companions? Daring Do and a zebra caravan?”

“Oh, yes of course! Most of them are staying right here, in different rooms of course! Wouldn't be proper to have them all in the same room now, would it?” Her cheeriness was almost too much for me, but it was refreshing in a quaint kind of way.

“That's good news.” I tried to think of a way to ask the next question without sounding like a crackpot. Too bad I couldn't figure one. So I just bluntly asked, “How long have I been asleep, Mrs Shuteye?”

The smile never left her face. “Well, you were sort of sleeping when your friends brought you in last night with several others who were all in a bad way. Now, I don't know how long you were out before arriving, but you have been sleeping soundly for as long as you have been here.”

“Do you know where I can find Daring? Or perhaps the caravan leader?”

“Certainly! They are currently at the magistrate's office finalizing some paperwork about the bandits you dealt with.” Her smile became even brighter, if that was possible. “Several zebras and ponies alike from the caravan told me all about how you saved them from the bandits at risk of your own life!”

I'm sure my face reddened at the praise. I wasn't one to accept credit, especially when it wasn't only mine to take. Those guards and workers deserved as much, if not more, credit as I did. Especially the fallen. I didn't want to offend my host though, so I averted my eyes and mumbled, “Shucks ma'am, was the right thing to do is all.”

She looked at me oddly, the smile never leaving her face. She made a startled noise, as if she just remembered something. “I almost forgot! Miss Daring asked me to give you a message if you woke before lunch.” I nodded for her to continue. “She said to meet her at the Dinner Bell Tavern.” She passed me a note with her hoof. I wasn't sure how she did that. Magic fingers maybe? Shuteye continued, “I wrote down the directions for you. The city isn't very big so you shouldn't have a hard time finding it. If you do, ask anypony. We all know our way around here like the backs of our hooves!”

I dug my pocket-watch out of my hip-pouch and checked the time again. I figured I had about three or so hours to burn until lunch. While I thought about what I should do with my time, Shuteye wandered away and came back with a covered dish. “Here you go sir. I saved you a little something to tide you over till lunch. I hope you like it, Miss Daring forgot to tell me what you eat.”

I took the dish from her, “Thank you ma'am. I am feeling a mite peckish.” I looked under the plate cover and saw several cucumber sandwiches with the crust removed. I don't think I've ever had one before, but they did look appealing and the rumble from my stomach agreed. I blushed slightly at my belly's outburst. “These look right tasty ma'am. Might I have a glass of water or something to wash em down with?” I wandered over to the oversized table adorning the common room.

Shuteye chuckled, “Oh course deary!” She walked toward what I figured was the kitchen. “Would you like juice, milk, or water?”

“Oh? What kind of juice are you offering?” I wondered.

“Orange.”

“Ma'am, I think I am beginning to like it here” As Shuteye left the room to get the orange juice, I took a tentative bite of the awkward sandwich. I had to admit, it was pretty good.

~~~ Daring

'If I had known that sneaky zebra Zecella would make me do all this paperwork as part of our agreement for that healing potion, I would have let him die!' I thought sourly. I knew I would never have let Justin die. I was just so frustrated at Zecella for pulling this dirty stunt! Apparently, whenever bounties were collected, additional forms were required to explain in detail the nature of the situation causing the death and not capture of said bandit. Each! And every! One! Since Justin had been , 'instrumental' as Zecella put it, in the deaths of 'ALL' the bandits who attacked us... I got to file ALL the paperwork detailing the demise of them ALL! Thirty-one reports filed in duplicate to the local council. 'I may never write again!' I continued to gripe to myself.

'Not only did I get to stay up all night hoofwriting each and every three page report by myself, in duplicate mind you, I got the privilege of waiting on these blowhard bureaucrats to accept the forms to finalize the process!' Needless to say I was in a rather foul mood as I sat in the stuffy antechamber of the municipal building. The bundled reports, once completed, rivaled the amount of paper used in one of my adventure novels!

I had been told to be here bright and early at no later than eight o'clock sharp! I knew it was well after nine o'clock now and, aside from being acknowledged when I arrived, had not been spoken to at all. 'This is unbearable! I should be in bed right now, but no. Sneaky Zec pulled one over on me again. I should have remembered not to trust one of their clan. Especially after the last time!'

I sighed and looked out a small window. I wondered how my friend was. In a way, I was worried about him. Would he be alright if he woke up before I made it back to collect him for lunch? Zecella said he could wake up anytime this morning, but not to let him sleep longer than noon. Because of the jump-start the potion had caused in his metabolism, he would need a large amount of food to replace all the used up energy. While the potions were a miraculous cure all, they could also be exceedingly rough on the body as well.

“At least I know Shuteye will keep an eye on him for me.” I muttered. I had known Shuteye for years and she was a dependable mare.

My mind wandered for a while until I heard my name called by the secretary. “Mrs. Do?”

I rankled slightly. “Miss Do, and yes I am here. Call me Daring if you like.” I stated with a wry smile. I tried to be polite, but sometimes it was hard.

The secretary made a self-degrading sound before speaking again. “I'm sorry, Miss Daring.” The unicorn mare cleared her throat, “I just wanted to let you know that the chief councilpony will be with you shortly. He is just finishing up a matter of state and shan’t be much longer. Thank you for your patience.” The unicorn shut the sliding window separating us before I could say anything. In retrospect, that was a wise thing for her to do!

I sighed again. 'Next time, Justin gets to do this!' I thought with a devilish chuckle.

~~~ Justin

I found myself wandering around the city. Shuteye had been kind enough to give me directions to several shops I wanted to stop at. She was also kind enough to explain what the coins were without being too degrading. The locals call the coins 'bits' and the material they are made of denoted their value. It seems there were three differing types. Copper or bronze 'bits' were the lowest denomination. Ten copper bits equaled one silver bit. Ten silver bits made one gold bit. Apparently there was a fourth denomination called a platinum bit, but that was more of a ledger notation for the wealthy than an actual currency. Shuteye claimed to have held one once, but I was pretty sure she was exaggerating.

I finally made it to the first place I wanted to stop at. I would have gone to the tailor first, but Shuteye had been very convincing that I should go to her friend's shop instead. I didn't know what the difference was between a tailor and a seamstress, except gender, but Shuteye was sincere enough that her friend produced higher quality clothing at less expensive prices. I was happy enough that, when I walked into the shop, I didn't have to stoop once inside.

From the back I heard a husky female voice call out, “Be right there!” followed by a slow clopping on the tiled floor. The voice belonged to a beige and brown colored unicorn mare with a fuller than normal figure and an odd mark on her flank that resembled two circles connected in the center by a slender tube. Once the mare got a look at me, she seemed a bit edgy. I forgot how intimidating my size was to these pony folk. She managed to stammer out, “Uh, what can I do for you today?”

I put on my friendliest smile, making sure not to show my teeth. I calmly stated, “The innkeeper Shuteye recommended I come here for some clothing needs. Would you be Bobbin Twist?”

She smiled nervously while nodding. “Ya, that's me. Call me Bobbi, if you don't mind.” She looked me over appraising. “So, Shuteye sent ya. What's she think I can do for ya?”

I chuckled, “Well, first thing I need is a shirt. My last one became bandages for a certain pegasus I rescued. If I can afford your prices, I would like to talk about a few other things as well.”

Bobbi smiled earnestly, “Oh! You're the fellow who rescued miss Daring? Folks told me you were tall, but forgot to mention how...different you looked!” She froze as soon as she said that, her eyes going wide, and threw a hoof over her mouth.

I liked her! She said what was on her mind, and I found that refreshing. “Yes, well I suppose I am quite odd to y’all.” I chuckled, “Where I'm from you would get the same. No worries.”

After some small talk, we got down to business. Thankfully she seemed skilled. I was very worried she wouldn't be able to fabricate clothing for me due to my differences. My worries wound up being for naught. Her prices were also reasonable, at least to someone who didn't understand the value of the currency. After dealing for a bit, she convinced me get a second shirt, a pair of pants, extra socks and undergarments. For all this she asked for two of my silver coins.

“Are you sure that is enough to cover your costs ma'am?” I hated to pass a bargain, but I didn't want to feel like I cheated anyone... er... anypony.

“Sure I'm sure.” She stated. “To be honest sir, I am charging you more than I would for someone my size. Two silvers will cover the extra materials and my time. Worry not, you're not taking advantage of an older mare!” We shared a laugh at that. “I should have everything done by this evening, if that is alright with you.”

I was pleased with how fast she would have my clothing completed. She did seem a tad confused when I gave her the payment right then. “I'm sure your good for it, ma'am. If not, I'll just let Shuteye know.”

She accepted the coins and leaned toward me, “A word of advice mister, Don't be so trusting in these parts. It will get you hurt.”

I was definitely put off by that, “What makes you say that?”

She had a grim look on her face. “Not all ponies around these parts are good or trustworthy. Galls me to admit it, but times have changed. Ponies have changed too.” She patted my hand, “Just mark my words sonny, be careful who you deal with and how you deal with them. Many a pony will burn you nowadays. You seem like a good fellow, and I don't want to hear about you getting swindled or beat up. Law here don't help the innocent as much as ponies would like to think.”

“Thank you, ma'am. Much as what you say upsets me, I will take it to heart.” I rose and started to leave the store, “Better safe than sorry, eh?”

“Right you are!” She cackled from the rear of the shop. “And remember to come back for your goods this evening!”

I closed the door and thought about what Bobbi had said. I wondered what had happened to her to make her so bitter. Likely wasn't pleasant. I checked my watch. Still an hour before I needed to meet Daring. Plenty of time to go to the next place on my agenda.

The pony folk I passed on the street during my few minutes walking between destinations seemed pleasant enough. Most smiled, a few even waved. One went so far as to greet me. Still, Bobbi's words rang in my mind. For a world that seemed to have such good people, even if they were anthropomorphic creatures, I would have to be on my guard for those who would use that goodness to nefarious ends. I began to wonder how much like Earth this place really was. My mind must have been wandering along with me, since I hardly noticed when I arrived at the next stop on my list.

The exterior of the shop was certainly interesting enough, rather large too. Colorful signs of every shape and size seemed to imply that the place was part general store, part pawn shop, part curio emporium, and all business. Entering the store was like entering an entirely different world from the one outside. Glass cases sheltered various odds and ends. Seemingly endless shelving housed hoards of everything from rope to raisins to raincoats. This place seemed to have just about anything you might need under one roof. There were several customers wandering the isles with handbaskets or saddlebags, or sometimes both. I saw the first gryphon that hadn't been trying to kill me here.

Seeing as I was the only being in the store who stood taller than the tallest shelf, I easily drew lots of attention as I meandered to a counter that had a zebra behind it. I smiled at the poor zebra whose eyes had begun to resemble dinner plates at my approach. “Excuse me, do you work here?” I asked.

The zebra stammered out, “Uh, Um, well, yes.” His gaze shifted around the room nervously and his breathing took on a frantic pace. If I hadn't been afraid of him having a stroke, I might have found it funny.

I hadn't seen all that many of the zebra people, but this one seemed very young. He was shorter than average, and his voice squeaked. Working on that assumption I said, “Son, you OK? You seem to have taken an awful fright. Mayhap you should sit a spell. Go get some water.”

The young zebra nodded vigorously and backed away from me through an open doorway to the back storeroom. I glanced around to see if the other customers had any reaction to this. I noted there were fewer shoppers now, though I never noticed the doorbell. Those left were paying too much attention to me. Feeling uncomfortable with the situation I spoke out loud, “My apologies for causing a scene. My business can wait for a later date.” And began to head toward the exit.

I was almost halfway there when a nauseatingly pleasant voice called out, “Ah! My nephew is a skittish one, is he not?” The sound of hooves on the hard stone floor followed after me. “Forgive him his youth, good sir giant.” I turned to see an older zebra slowly following me. He looked much like any other zebra I had seen, not counting the pouches and handbags hanging all over his body or the ungodly amount of tacky jewelry he wore. “Come, come. You said you had business. Come and let us do business, yes?” He motioned with a hoof for me to go with him to a side of the store that had fewer prying eyes.

I walked with the elder zebra to a solid counter and waited for him to settle himself comfortably. “Shuteye, proprietor of the Shuteye Inn told me that this was place to go to trade 'delving' wares.”

“Ah! Yes delvers are most welcome at the Emporium. We buy, sell, trade most anything you need or may need. If we don't have it, I can get it for you!” His smile dimmed for a moment as he muttered softy. “I thought that Shuteye had rented the whole inn to that caravan of greengrocers...OH!” He exclaimed suddenly as comprehension filled his eyes. “You must be the 'butcher of bandits' all have been talking about!” His already nauseating voice became even more obsequious, “Forgive me my manners, lord. How may Nazir serve you this fine day?”

I quirked ans eyebrow. “Butcher of bandits?” I replied skeptically.

“Oh yes, lord slayer! The whole city has been ablaze with talk of you. Only no one seems to know your name...”

I didn't know if I could deal with his tone much longer. “My name is Justin, and I am lord of nothing.”

“Oh, and so modest! Tis a glorious day that I, Nazir, have been sent to serve one so great as you.” he gushed.

“Look, Nazir was it?” He nodded at the question, and I continued, “I'm just a regular guy. I'm no lord. I'm no 'great warrior'. I was just in the right place at the right time to help some good ponies out. Nothing more.” I didn't think Nazir got it, so I added, “Can we drop the titles? Call me Justin. Just Justin.”

He looked up as he said, “He graces me with the privilege of his using his name!”

“Look, I'm leaving if you don't cut it out.”

Nazir sighed, “Forgive me, Justin. The bandits you dealt with had been causing me personally much grief. They were responsible for the deaths of many a good customer, and friend.” I frankly doubted that. More than likely they had sold him the variety of stuff that lined his shelves, probably stolen from the bodies of his other customers. I was taken completely off-guard when he crossed his hooves on the counter and lowered his head on them. His eyes shimmered with tears as he whispered, “They killed my only son.”

Well, to say I felt like Grade-A dogshit would be an understatement. I gently patted his hooves, “I... I didn't know. I'm very sorry for your loss.” I had no idea how to handle this. He was a full grown man...err...zebra. His pain was very real, somehow I knew he wasn't faking. Likely his over jovial behavior was his coping mechanism. Poor guy.

He sniffled and waved a hoof. His voice was a little hoarse when he spoke, “You said you had delver's business, take an old zebra's mind off his grief and honor me with what you have. I will be sure to treat the one who avenged my son well.”

Great, now I was taking advantage of a grieving father. Ever had one of those 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' moments? This sure as shit was one of them. I was granted a few minutes' respite when the young zebra brought Nazir a mug of something to drink. I did the only thing I could think of in a situation like this. I opened my hip pouch and began removing the things I had taken from the temple. I felt even worse because I didn't tell Daring about everything I had found. It hadn't been important at the time!

I laid out the beautifully faceted rubies, all six of them. A bracer made of gold far too small to fit me. A thick, silver chain with a broken clasp. And the oddest thing I had grabbed. A palm-sized, obsidian statuette of a diamond dog. Nice artwork too, if you liked gruesome.

It was astonishing to view the change in Nazir as he began to appraise my finds. He pulled an abacus from one of his pouches while muttering to himself under his breath. He examined the rubies one by one with a jeweler's glass. The beads flicked on the abacus. Nazir checked the bracer to make sure it was real gold and then did something with what looked like a quartz crystal before flicking more beads on the abacus. The broken chain he checked to make sure it was silver, then called his nephew over with a hand scale to weigh it. More beads moved.

When he came to the statuette he looked at it strangely. The crystal glowed dully when brought near the statue. I wanted to ask what it meant, but held my tongue until he was finished. He rubbed the statuette a few times. Held it at different angles in the light. Even used his jewelers glass to examine every facet of it. After a while he sat it down, but didn't touch the abacus.

When he finally spoke to me, his voice was clean and free of the prior sycophantic tone. “The gems I would normally give four silvers a piece for, but for you I will gladly pay five silvers each. That bracer might be worth two gold bits, but since its size is so strange and melting such fine work down would be a sin, I am willing to give you one gold and six silver bits for it.” He pointed to the chain. “Sadly this is only worth the melt down weight. I can part with two silver bits for a friend.”

Nazir once again picked up the statuette. He handled it gingerly, almost reverently, while speaking, “This I would love to take off your hands, my friend. Alas I cannot. I would be betraying my son's avenger and I will not have him haunting me.” He made eye contact with me while caressing the statuette. “This has a powerful enchantment upon it. I do not know what it does or can do, but I know it has much power. If you were not who you are, I would have taken this from you for a measly ten or fifteen golden bits.” He gazed lovingly at it and caressed it one last time before returning it to its spot before me. “Instead I will tell you that it holds a powerful enchantment and that it is likely worth much, much more.” He chuckled and said, “But if you want, I can give you twenty golden bits and call it a gift to myself...”

I couldn't resist sharing the chuckle with Nazir. “I thank you for being honest with me, my friend. I will have to turn the statuette over to the hands of my other friend, Daring Do. She will know what to do with it and, if it is harmful, make sure it doesn't hurt anybody...err...anypony.”

Nazir's eyes widened with surprise, “You are friends with the lovely lady Daring Do?” I smiled and nodded. He kept talking, “Then you are the mystery stallion!”

“Um, excuse me? What the hell is supposed to mean?” I was definitely confused, and that seemed to be more and more common lately.

Nazir only smiled and seemed to be evaluating me in a new light. “Oh, nothing. Rumor has it that she has a new friend. Nothing more.” He tapped his chin a few times with a hoof. “I should have put it together already. But no matter! Do you wish to take my offer on the lot minus the statuette, or would you like to speak to your friend first?”

I'm not sure I liked the way he stressed 'friend'. “Are you insinuating something, Nazir? I don't like that tone.”

He chuckled loudly, “Oh no, my friend! I mean no insult! She and I go back a long ways. Many times has she brought things to sell old Nazir. When this time she came to town, but didn't come to see me, I became worried. I knew she had journeyed to the temple of Sok'ko'kull, yet upon her return she does not visit. You do instead, and with treasure to boot.” His laugh was more a nicker, “This old zebra can now put two and two together. Yes, take the statuette to your Daring. You are very correct, she will know how to handle such a relic. Only make sure you tell her to come visit with old Nazir before she departs. I miss our conversations.”

“Sure, I can manage that. And yes, cash me out if you would.” Nazir had the statuette wrapped up in a cloth and handed it back to me. I placed it into my hip pouch and secured it while he went into the back room to collect my coins.

When he returned he counted out the coins. “There we are. Four golden bits and nine silvers.” He handed them to me than shook my hand. “Remember old Nazir, my friend. If ever you need anything, come see me. If you ever just want a chat, this old zebra likes that as well.”

“I will, Nazir, and likely I will be back soon. I need some things, but I have an appointment to keep in just a few minutes. Wouldn't do to keep a lady waiting.”

That odd look again. “Then be off with you, and remember to tell her I said hello!”

“I will. Until later.” I tipped my hat to the old zebra and hurried out of the store to meet up with Daring.

~~~ Daring

'What a moron!' I thought to myself as I walked toward the diner. 'Damn bureaucrats are all the same! At least my part of the deal's done and over with. If I had to spend one more moment with that sanctimonious prick staring at my flank, I would have broken his teeth!' My foul mood lightened a little at sight of the familiar restaurant. 'Thank Celestia! I can finally get something to eat! On the plus side, Justin should already be there. Shuteye said he was already up and about and remembered to tell him to meet me here at noon.' I began to smile at this thought, 'Maybe I will treat myself to a few cocktails, I know I certainly earned them!'

I looked at the position of the sun and realized it was close to one-o'clock. 'I hope he hasn't been waiting for me too long.' I thought with a smirk. I waved to Antony, the bartender and proprietor of the Dinner Bell Tavern, as I walked in. “Hey Tony! I got anyone waiting for me?”

The older chestnut stallion smiled warmly, “Daring Do! It's been too long, girl!” He walked over and gave me a quick nuzzle then turned and pointed toward the huge main room, “I hope that the odd looking bipedal fellow over there with the two zebras is who you mean.”

“That's him.” I nodded. I was wondering what Zecella and Keluro were doing here. I hadn't invited them. From my vantage point they couldn't see me yet, so I asked Tony slyly, “No trouble I hope?”

Antony's smile faded only a moment, “Well, Mary did get an awful fright at his appearance and broke a lot of crockery in the process.” I gasped as he told me about his wife's unfortunate first encounter with Justin. “It was hilarious watching her scream and bolt for the backroom while your giant friend just stood there and looked perplexed. He then calmly walked over to the mess and began to pick it up before I could get there. You know what he told me?” After a shake of my head, he continued. “He told me needed to pick up the broken glass before somepony got hurt. Like there was nothing wrong.” Tony began to chuckle, “Odd fellow there. Got to talk to him for a bit before the zebras waltzed in. Nice once you get past his looks. Should have been here when I made Mary apologize to him.”

I chuckled with Tony. “So, the zebras didn't come with him?”

Tony sobered. “Nah. They arrived about ten minutes or so after he did. Been here ever since buying him drinks and chatting.”

I raised an eyebrow at this. A Zec spending money? That was unheard of, unless she wanted something. “Any idea what they've been discussing?” I didn't want to walk into a situation without knowing a little of what was going on.

Antony looked shocked, “Madame! I am outraged you would even suggest that I would betray my customer's confidence!” With a raised eyebrow I passed him a silver bit. He pocketed the silver and continued without missing a beat, “Mainly small talk. The big zebra seemed like he was trying to trade war stories with your friend. Seemed a bit put out when your giant claimed he didn't have any war stories of his own.” Tony paused a moment and thought. “The lady seemed to let the male do most of the talking whenever Mary or I were nearby, but I did manage overhear her mention Nijan and Gentra. Pretty sure they are destinations for the caravan they run. If I was to speculate, I would wager they wanted to hire him as a guard or something.” He smiled devilishly, “It's a pretty common tactic. Get a potential recruit drunk, then get them to sign a contract while they are inebriated.”

I was shocked. “That is an outrageous business tactic! How can it be legal?”

Antony shrugged, “Dunno how it's legal. All I know is that it is and they have been hitting the sauce pretty hard last half hour or so. It's definitely good for business.”

I was determined to help my friend, but I needed to know a few more things first. “Tony, has he signed anything?”

Antony immediately said, “Nah. They tried to. I saw some papers myself, but he said he wanted to talk to you first. Amazing how he can hold that much Cider!”

“How much have they had to drink?”

Antony squinted at them for a moment before turning back to me, “Let me see here. First round was normal. Your friend chugged it in one gulp, mainly due to the size of the mugs in comparison to his body, I guess. The next seven rounds he drank from a full pitcher and the zebras from mugs.” He nodded, “So he had six full pitchers and a mug, the zebras both had seven mugs.” Antony whispered to me, “Your pal isn't even the slightest bit tipsy. A pitcher holds five drinks each. Both yer zebra 'pals' have been slurring for the past two rounds, the lady a bit more than the male.”

I pondered this information. Tony's hard cider was some of the best and strongest in all Equagga. I didn't know Justin could hold his liquor that well. I had planned to find that out this evening, as celebration on both of our recoveries and securing the amulet. In a way I was upset at Zecella and Keluro, but that was now tempered in light of his new knowledge. Justin would not only have drunk me under the table but very likely would've had to carry me back to the inn when I tried to match him drink for drink. 'Maybe I can use this situation to my advantage and find out what they are up too.' I thought to myself.

“Thanks Tony.” I gave him a quick nuzzle and waved to Mary when I saw her. She ran over to give me a greeting nuzzle before we both turned toward the dining floor. Tony had designed the place to have the bar separated from the diner. I think he did that to make his wife happy. She had been running a diner of her own when they had met. After a whirlwind courtship, that I may have had a thing or two to do with, he built a new establishment that combined both of their businesses. I'm glad it was working well for them both, they seemed happy enough. I made idle chit-chat with Mary while we strolled toward my target.

Justin made eye contact with me almost the instant I walked into his field of vision, but didn't say anything. I managed to overhear Zecella slur, “Afffter schpeaking with my team...additional protection wasss deemed. A u-u-unanimousss vote for you was the theme.”

Keluro belched in a 'manly' way as he agreed with Zecella. “Sche schpeaks the truth. In fact...scheveral membersh announced that they would not continue unlessh you agreed to come with ush.”

When I was almost to their table Justin stated loudly and, if I was not mistaken, seemed genuinely happy to see me, “Hey Dee! Wondered what was keeping you.” His nonchalant wink spoke volumes for his knowledge of the situation.

Zecella was startled to see me. Keluro wasn't. He smiled broadly, if not a little lecherously, at me. “Ah! The lovely lady grachesh ush with her preshcence, tasshtefully late too!” There was no mistaking his interest. Males like him shouldn't be allowed to drink. It brought out the worst in them.

Justin wasted no time in coming to my rescue, “Dee, I have been waiting almost an hour to order. Zecella and Keluro were kind enough to keep me company while I waited, but they were just leaving.” The way he stressed the last part left no room for either of them to argue without causing a scene. As Zecella was about to say something he cut her off by snatching some rolled papers from her and saying, “Your offer intrigues me. I will get back with you after lunch with my decision.” Even I was slightly startled as he stood and waved his hand toward the exit of the building. “It was a pleasure Zecella, as always.” He then turned and shook Keluro's hoof before telling him, “I will drop by the inn this evening. Perhaps we can get the others involved in a good night's drinking to rehash some old stories. I know I would like to hear more of your exploits.”

The older soldier smiled drunkenly and stated, “Schounds like a plan! Come on Zecella. We have plasches to be and poniesh to... schee!” With a nod to both of us they staggered from the diner like old sailors.

Once they had left I sighed, “Wow, what did they want?”

“To hire me.” Justin stated that while taking a long pull from a pitcher. Once empty, he set it on the table with a few others. “Would you excuse me? I need to utilize the facilities. Far too much to drink.” he said while patting his stomach.

I could only nod to his back as he disappeared toward the bar to ask directions to the lavatory. As I watched him walk away, he didn't stagger or sway even once. Mary scurried over to clear the table and wipe it down. I noted that it was only dirty where the zebra were. Justin had managed not to make a mess at all. Mary said in a low voice, “He seems nice enough, now that I've talked to him a bit.” She blushed a little, likely remembering how she had caused a scene when Justin first entered the building. “I admit he scared me a lot when I first seen him, but he is so polite!” She stopped working to look me in the eye, “Where in Celestia's chipped hoof, did you find him? I've never seen or heard of his like!”

Before thinking I replied, “Pennsylva-....” Catching myself I corrected, “A land very far away. Likely, he is the only one of his kind here.” Glancing toward where Justin had vanished, I spoke in hushed tones to Mary, “I am not sure what he is, but I plan to find out. Now that my wing is healed up, I must fly back to Canterlot for business anyway. While I am there I will seek an audience with Princess Celestia. If anyone knows about his kind, she will. Other than that,” I gave Mary a sly little smile, “he is my friend.”

Mary grinned to me. “I hope you keep this 'friend' longer than the others.” She glanced over her shoulder to see Justin returning. In a whisper she said, “I like him a lot more than them!”

Before I could even begin to defend myself, Justin returned and sat down. Mary balanced the full tray of empty cups and pitchers on her back. She said, “I will be right back with some menus. Can I bring you something to drink?” She raised an eyebrow to Justin, “Another Cider?”

I murmured, “Could I please have some water, I am parched.”

Justin shook his head 'no'. “Oh, lordy, no. That stuff tastes nice, but it's beyond me how ya folks can guzzle it all the time. Do you have any iced tea?”

Mary seemed a little shocked, “You... you... with all you drank, you don't like it?”

Justin quickly said, “Oh no! I didn't mean it like that. It's likely the best cider I have ever tasted. I simply can't drink that much of it without a stomachache. That's why I would love a tea or some cold water if you don't have any.” He leaned toward Mary and whispered loudly, so I could easily hear, “I gotta ask. Why did Zecella and Keluro look so drunk?”

Many and I both blinked and traded looks. She mouthed to me, 'He doesn't know cider is alcoholic?'

“Guess not.” I stated. “Go on Mary. I'll let him in on it.”

Mary nodded, without unbalancing the tray, “Sure thing, Hun. Be back in a jiffy!” With that, she was off to the kitchen.

Justin was just sitting uncomfortably in a chair meant for a Diamond Dog. He had the cutest look of confusion on his face. I wanted a picture! It always amazed me just how pony-like he looked at times. “Hard cider, what you have been chugging like it's going out of style, is a moderately powerful alcohol.” The way he cocked his head was adorable! “It's also the most common one. Strong enough that the average pony can only handle three or four before catching a very nice buzz.”

Realization brightened in his eyes. “You mean Zecella and Keluro were trying to get me drunk to sign these?” He held up the scroll for emphasis.

I nodded, “Most likely. What is it anyway?”

“A work contract. Has so many legal terms in it that it makes an I.R.S. Form look simple!”

I shook my head, “Well I don't know what an 'Ayerres' is, but I have seen Zec contracts before. They are all overly complicated and have far too many loopholes, all in the favor of the Zec.”

He looked confused again. “Zec?”

I nodded, “Yes, one of the three main zebra clans.”

He nodded slowly, “Explain please.”

I sighed. Explaining clans was one of the things that drove me to drinking. “Well...” I decided on the extremely simple explanation, “...there are three main zebra clans. Zec, who are the scholars and potion makers and such. The Ke, who make up the warriors, guards, and police forces. And last, but never least, are the Ne. Workers and laborers pretty much sums them up.” I so wished I had a hard cider right now. “That is a pretty simple and vague explanation, but it gets the point across I hope?”

Justin nodded thoughtfully. “So, they add the clan name as a prefix to their actual names?”

I nodded. “You got it.”

He shook his head. “That is probably the dumbest thing I have ever heard and, lemme tell ya, I have heard some doozies!”

I couldn't help snickering, “About what I always thought too.” I leaned across the table toward him, “Just don't ever say that to one of them. It's a good way to wake up dead, if you understand me!”

“So what about the ones who don't have one of those clan prefixes?” He said while nodding.

I thought for a moment. He must mean those from the caravan who were clanless. Hmm, how to explain them? “There are those who have, for whatever reason, rejected their clans. Many try to join another clan, but just as many remain clanless.”

He nodded slowly as our drinks arrived. “Thank you, Ma'am.” He said as he picked up his tea and hid his face.

“And here you go, Daring,” said Mary as she set down my glass of ice water. She then handed us a pair of menus, “I'll give you a few minutes to decide what you want.” She walked away with a cheerful smile and a wink toward Justin that, from the way his cheeks reddened, he didn't miss.

Mary will never change, she always enjoyed messing with males' minds. I simply shook my head, “Same old Mary.” I muttered under my breath as I looked to my lunch companion, “So, what are you hungry for? I think I'm going to go for the chef's salad and the roasted red pepper sub” Subconsciously I licked my lips thinking about it.

Justin looked thoughtful. “Toasted sub huh? With the way you are lusting over one,” he smirked at me as it was my turn to blush, “I think I will give one a go. They must be good with the way you acted.”

I looked away from the snarky human and mumbled, “Well, they are good...”

~~~ Justin

Daring was an awesome lunch companion. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard or so often. She had almost as many stories as I do, and I have a M.S. In B.S.! She regaled me with how her morning went at the council's office. She spun her story with an expert flair, even using her hooves like I would use my hands.

The food was actually quite good. I was a tad disappointed when the sub came without meat, though I really wasn't too surprised. Sadly, I couldn't figure out a polite way to ask Mary to put some salami or capicola on it. Even so, I had to admit it was a top notch. While I was crunching through my delicious vegan sub, I was trying hard to remember...something. I couldn't remember what, all I could remember was I had wanted to talk to Daring about something. 'Now, what was it? Something from back on the day we met?' I just couldn't remember.

Daring broke the silence, “By the way.”

I snapped my head up, “Ya, wassup?”

She leaned forward, “Since when did you start calling me, Dee?”

“Oh!” I chuckled, “I give everyone I like a nickname. Besides, Daring sounds a bit too much like darling and I don't know you that well yet.” I froze. 'Did I just say that?' Sure, I tended to flirt harmlessly all the time. Only she wasn't human! I mean, was that even allowed in this society?

The look she gave me was indescribable. Suddenly she burst into braying laughter. “Oh... okay... that's... fine... with... me!” she barely managed between giggles. If she didn't calm down soon, she was likely to pass out.

Several minutes passed without any signs of her stopping. Every time she started to calm, she'd look back up at me and the laughter would begin anew. Eventually, I cleared my throat and said with an annoyed look, “What's so funny?”

She tried, with limited success, to pull herself together. “The look on your face was priceless!”

“I'm sooo glad I could amuse you, Miss Daring” The sarcasm practically dripped from my tone.

She managed to calm herself this time. “Oh, come on, Justin. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just had a horrible morning. Everything that could go wrong, did. I just needed to let it out. When you made that face, I couldn't help myself.” She snickered a few more times.

“Alright, it probably was funny.”

“Oh, it was! Trust me, I wouldn't steer you wrong.” She extended her hoof to me, “Friends?”

I took her hoof, “Of course.” I shrugged my shoulders and with a mirthless smirk said, “Probably the only one I have right now that doesn't want me to stab someone, err somepony.”

Daring's face became concerned. “Who wants you to stab somepony?”

“Our mutual zebra pals.” I picked up the contract scroll. “See? They want to hire me to kill any...pony that bothers their caravan. I haven't read most of this damnable thing yet. At least half of it is in a different language.” I handed the contract to Daring, “Here take a look. They tried to assure me it only repeated the same thing in zebraccen or whatever they called their own language.”

Daring scanned the contract while nibbling the last of her sub. When she got to the bottom half she started shaking her head in a negative manner. “This is a pretty standard 'Zec' contract. The top part you can read sounds pretty good, it's the bottom you can't read that gets you.” She turned the paper toward me, as if I would suddenly be able to understand the strange symbols. “See here?” I nodded and pretended I could. “It says here that they can dock your pay for any 'reasonable' grounds. That is so vague that, by the end of the journey, you could very well end up with nothing!” She motioned to another part, “And this here? Sub-clause that states every time you wake up late, they can dock you five copper bits.” She kept showing me so many exceptions, clauses, and sub-notes that the average worker would likely end up owing the caravan at the end of a journey.

“That's ridiculous! Why in the world would anyone sign one of these?” I said with a bitter note.

Daring batted her eyelashes at me sweetly, “They did buy you a couple silvers' worth of 'hard cider'. You know, the stuff they assumed would have you drunk off your ass!”

My eyes widened in realization of the scam they tried to pull on me, then narrowed dangerously toward the door they staggered out of. “Those slimy sons of a whore! Wait till I get my hands on them.”

Daring cocked an eyebrow at me, “Oh? And just what will you do? Wring their necks? Beat them up?”

I looked at her like she was crazy, “Are you nuts?” At her confused look I continued, “That would not only be immoral, but also, most likely, illegal. I was thinking more along the lines of making sure the whole city knew about their illicit dealing. I imagine there's a newspaper or something that would love to print some juicy and hurtful gossip that was actually true for a change.” Daring looked shocked that I would try something along those lines, so I decided to give her something a little closer to what she was expecting. “Baring that, I could just bust some of their wagon wheels.”

She smirked, “A male after my own heart. You had me going there with the 'newspaper' thing.”

“Oh, I was serious.” I took a long drink of iced tea. “Only your reaction to that plan told me it, likely, wouldn't do much. So...” I shrugged and let the thought hang. “Besides, we haven't really had any time to discuss where we're going.” I figured if I just invited myself along with her, she would likely take me.

“Oh, it's 'we' now is it?” The amused look on her face told me she was goading me along, so I decided to play her game...but only on my terms.

“Unless your saying you don't need my help anymore. If that's the case, I suppose I can get a job at 'bandit bashing' just about anywhere in these parts.” I smirked as I said this.

The thoughtful look on Daring’s face took me off-guard. I never for a moment supposed she may want to get rid of me. I was pretty sure she viewed me as a friend, and friends don't leave friends behind. Did they? It wasn't like I understood their society in the least. Then there was what Bobbi had said. I managed to keep a straight face as several scenarios ran through my mind, most of which sucked.

She flexed her wings that, thankfully, had been healed by now. Must have happened while I was unconscious. I was glad she'd been able to get the 'magic' healing she'd wanted. At least I knew she could take care of herself again. When she spoke, it was with a remorseful tone. “Justin, where I have to go is a long flight. If you could fly, I would love for you to come with me. Princess Celestia might even know how you got here and send you home, if that's what you want.” She looked me in the eyes. “But I have to take the Amulet to Princess Celestia, it's my job.”

I nodded, then remembered something. I reached into my side pouch and set the wrapped up statuette near Daring. “Here. Better take this to her as well.” She looked at me questioningly then picked it up. “Nazir told me it held a powerful 'enchantment'. He doesn't know anything more about it, only that it might be dangerous and that you would be able to take it someplace safe. Since I assume that would be to the princess, might as well take it to her along with the Amulet.”

Daring examined the statuette. “You didn't tell me you found this!”

“I thought it would upset you. Found it when I went back to...” I dropped the thought. “Ya, well anyway, take it to her. Least I know it won't be able to hurt anyone where you're taking it. I have a feeling it doesn't do anything good. Just a guess based on where I found it.”

Daring looked at me in wonder, “This is worth a small fortune. How do you know you can trust me with it?”

“I don't.” I shrugged, not looking at her, “But I do have faith in my friends.” I looked toward her, “You're the type of perso-...pony..." I was getting better at correcting myself, "... that does the right thing, and you're my friend.”

Mary came by and cleared the empty plates. I passed her two silver coins to pay for our lunch. She thanked me with a wink and asked if we wanted more to drink, which I accepted. The whole time Daring sat there deep in thought.

She broke the silence with, “There has to be a way for you to come with me. I don't want to leave you here. It wouldn't be 'right'.”

I chuckled bitterly, “Sorry Dee, I can't fly and that isn't gonna change anytime soon.”

“I know that!” She snapped. Under her breath I managed to catch, “Celestia would know what to do.” I think she was pouting, of all things.

I asked, “Um, Dee, how often do you come around these parts? I mean, everyone here knows or knows of you.”

She waved a hoof and stated offhand, “I pretty much live around here. I only go back to Canterlot when I find something that needs to be researched, examined, or locked up. Oh, and I do like to visit my half brother now and again. He doubles as my publicist.”

I laughed and startled Daring with, “Well then, problem solved!”

Daring gave me a perplexed look, “I don't follow you? How does that solve your coming to Canterlot?”

“Simple...oh, thank you Mary,” Mary handed me another mug of ice tea and Daring another cold water.

“Mary,” Daring said, “would you bring me a cider? I think I could use one right about now.”

“Sure thing, Hun!” Mary cheerily said as she scurried off.

“As I was saying, it's simple.” I took a sip of tea. “I just don't go to Canterlot.”

“That's an unique way of looking at things.” She said sourly.

“No, it makes perfect sense! If I don't have a way to go with you, I just meet up with you when you get back.” I leaned back in my chair. “The way you make it sound, Canterlot is only a few days away via flight.”

Daring looked at me with confusion in her eyes, “Roughly a week, each way.”

I nodded and remembered something a certain zebra had told me along with a few other things Daring had mentioned to me. “Well, since you mentioned that the next place you wanted to inspect was closer to Nijan than here...” I stopped talking and waved my hand for her to continue the thought.

Daring caught on slowly, “So... you are planning to head to Nijan by yourself and meet up me there? Bad idea. Single travelers are easy prey. Even one's as fierce as you.” She said with a smirk.

I don't know why, but it made me smile broadly that she thought I was fierce. “Ah, but I have it on good advice that a certain caravan is leaving in two days. It just so happens, they're headed for Nijan.” I leaned closer to Daring, “I also have it on good advice that they require the services of at least one human guard to go along with them, else the caravan may not be able to leave at all.”

Daring's eyes lit up, “So, all I need to do is rewrite your contract and meet you in Nijan! From there we can team up and search for the lost temple of Ahn'Ah'Ankh!" She paused a moment, her eyes glazed in thought, before focusing on me again. "Wait, you remembered that I want to look for that place?”

I nodded, “Yanno, I have been blamed for paying attention before. Terrible trait, or so I have heard.”

She laughed with me, “Your crazy, but you know that don't you?”

I scratched the couple days growth of stubble on my chin, “I recall admitting that to you once or twice before.” With a gleam in my eye, “So, think you can scribble me up a good contract?”

She paused for a moment before nodding, “Sure can. I have no idea how your going to slide it past Zecella though.”

I smiled evilly, “Leave that to me.” I held up my hand and snapped it a few times to catch Mary's attention.

She clopped on over and asked, “What can I do for you, Hun?”

I smiled sweetly and said with a slight British accent, “Madame, I require your husbands assistance. Do you suppose he would be so kind as to leave the bar for a few moments to discuss some business with me?”

Mary looked confused at my sudden change of dialect and accent. “Sure thing, Hun. Give me a minute to go get him.” She left with a puzzled look.

I turned back to Daring, “OK, let's assume I get this past them. I don't want you to write up anything bad in that document. Just a fair contract to be paid a fair wage.” I pondered, “Whatever a fair wage would be in these parts.”

Daring smiled, “Oh, I'm sure I can manage that part.” I think she understood what I had planned. “Don't worry, I'll put a little something in there about reimbursing you for the alcohol.”

I almost giggled and thought to myself, 'Mental note, do not piss off Daring. She is as much of a vindictive prick as I am!' Out loud I said, “I also need you to come with me to the Emporium. Nazir misses you and I need some supplies.”

Daring raised an eyebrow, “You need me to buy your gear too?”

I gave her a wry look. “No, I have a few gold bits. Only I'm not positive about everything I'm really going to need to get and could use a seasoned adventurer's opinion.”

She smiled at my compliment. “I think I can manage that. Besides, I bet we can get Nazir to whip up a great contract for you. Would look much more authentic if a zebra wrote it up. They have a certain way of writing that I never did master. It's almost an accent in writing.” She shrugged. She then asked sharply, “Hold up. Where did you manage to get gold?”

I coughed, “Well, you didn't know about the statuette right?” She shook her head 'no'. “There were a few other things I nicked while I was poking around. I only showed you two gems, but I found six... yanno, just some nick-knacks to pawn.”

She blandly stated, “I see I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you.”

I placed my hand over my heart, “I promise you here and now...”

We hadn't heard Antony approach until he cut me off with, “Sorry, I'll come back after the engagement.” He started walking away.

Daring yelled toward him, “Tony! It isn't like that!”

“Yah!” I agreed, “I was only telling her I wouldn't hold out on any treasure in the future!”

Antony looked at us and laughed louder and harder than Daring had earlier. Looking to Daring, I was positive she had the same sinking feeling I did. Lacking anything else I could do at the moment, I joined Antony in his laughter. At least it felt good to laugh...

~~~Daring

It was good to see Nazir again. His stories always made me laugh, and this time I had a few new ones to tell him while Justin perused items in the store. His choice in things puzzled me several times, like the large tubular backpack. Those are usually used by mules due to their abnormal strength. Or why in Celestia's name he would want a flint and tinder set when he already has that nifty thing that makes fire. The large shield he found made me wonder only because his fighting style seemed so aggressive, and what in the world did he plan to use the harnesses and rivets for?

I heard him ask Nazir's nephew, Nadif, “Got any old armor? Damaged stuff not worth selling?”

Nadif looked to Nazir, “Uncle, should I show him the stuff you were going to have me take to the smith to have melted?”

Nazir waved a hoof lazily, “Sure sure, not like he will find much in that pile of junk.” While he continued working on the new contract.

Nazir told me much of what had been happening for the past several months over some nice mulled wine. I was glad we were in the backroom when he spoke of his son. It took me a while to calm him down. He had taken the loss of his wife a few seasons earlier with less difficulty. I would have definitely lost a lot of my reputation as a hardass if ponies had seen me comforting my old friend.

Half hour, maybe forty-five minutes after Nazir's breakdown, Justin walked in with a mystified Nadif. Seems Justin had managed to cobble together an interesting, and reasonably sound, suit of patchwork armor. Somehow he had managed to cover all his vitals with bits of plate secured with the harnesses and the rest with mail and hardened scales. In all honestly, he didn't look bad. He didn't look particularly good either, but he certainly resembled a guard now. How he managed to create his suit of armor from bits and pieces that Nazir considered trash, I will likely never know. The only thing he needed to stop at a metal smith for, was to alter the helm.

Justin left the Emporium three gold coins lighter thanks to that round backpack full of equipment and his armor. I wasn't sure why he bought a second sword, a dagger, and a crossbow, but who was I to question? Nazir enjoyed the fact that Justin's plan would involve embarrassing a member of clan Zec, whom he held little love for. His help in creating the contract to our expectations came surprisingly inexpensive. We had to promise that, on our next trip through the city, we'd stop to tell him the tale of what happened. He also wanted an autographed picture of us all together. He had his nephew take the picture and made us both sign it. He said it was to remember us, but I figured he was going to hang it behind the counter as an endorsement.

After saying our goodbyes, we made a little deviation to visit a seamstress's shop and pick up some clothing Justin had purchased earlier. I hadn't thought him the type to remember clothing, but I suppose it was due to his race's requirement to wear them. My ears reddened a little as I remembered learning why, while taking care of him at the inn. Once we had his purchases, we returned to our inn room to drop everything off. We went over the plan one more time while I made my preparations to leave in the morning for Canterlot. I really hoped this would work, I didn't want to loose yet another friend.

~~~ Justin

“Showtime!” I smiled. “Time to wag the dog, as folks back home might say.”

Daring cocked her head in the oh so human look of, 'what in the world is that supposed to mean' before she haltingly stated, “You mean, to make the contract not the thing of interest while getting Zecella loaded?”

I nodded. I hoped this wouldn't be too hard, but still had no idea. “I would enjoy your company for moral support, but don’t think it wise... at least until the deed is done. I plan to use your leaving as an excuse to join up with them. Having you there, at least in the beginning, might be counterproductive.”

She nodded as she said, “I agree. So, per the plan, I will meet you there in an hour?”

I nodded as I left the spartan room. Zebras were all over the common-room as I got there. Virtually all of them greeted me in a friendly manner. They were all from the caravan, and likely many were waiting to see if I would join them before agreeing to continue to Nijan with Zecella. Speaking of the devil, I spotted her chatting with a zebra whom I was unfamiliar with. Sadly, differentiating them was difficult at best for me.

“Hey there boss-lady.” I waved to her. “Want to finish discussing that contract with me over a mug at the tavern?” I nodded toward the door.

She gave me a peculiar look before nodding. She muttered something to the zebra next to her as she rose and walked over to me. “You have read the contract, that you will be joining us is a fact?” I didn't miss that all the other zebras had ceased conversations to listen to my response.

“I believe so, though I think we need to discuss the pay-grade.” I smiled, “Don't you think Keluro should join us as the guard captain in command?”

“It will be as you say, Keluro shall join us at the cafe.” Her unblinking eyes unnerved a little.

Keluro must have heard me, because he was with us in an instant. He spoke loudly, “I'm glad you've decided to throw in with us! Good sturdy soldiers are hard to come by in these parts.”

As we left the inn, Keluro kept up the conversation, “Won't Miss Daring be joining us this evening?”

“No, she is busy with her preparations to fly to Canterlot. She said if she finishes at a decent hour she might join us. If not, she will say goodbye to me over breakfast.” I purposely put a little hurt in my voice.

I noted Zecella gauging my every word while Keluro kept me talking. “Ah, I think I see now.” He stated grimly. “She's done with you, so now she is leaving.”

I made a point to look skyward. “Something like that... I thought...” I laid on the sorrow extra thick as I let my words trail off.

“Tis the way of things.” He was nodding sagely and his voice had the old 'been there, done that' tone. “I 'thought' a few times in me life as well. Some things just ain't to be, me boyo.”

Zecella said nothing, but nodded with Keluro as we entered the bar portion of the Dinner Bell Tavern.

As we entered, Antony waved a greeting. There were only a few other patrons this evening, so we were able to secure a comfortable table away from prying eyes and ears. I waved back as we were being seated and called out to Antony, “Bring a couple pitchers and some cups, Tony!”

The beverages appeared on our table before either zebra could blink. Small talk ensued. Things of no consequence. After our third drink; distance, duration, and difficulty of the trip were discussed. I made it a point to pretend to be affected by the hard cider this time. I told them about how Daring and I met, made up a few things to make it more interesting and such, though I really didn't have to add much. In fact, some details I needed to tone down. Hell, I didn't believe some of the ridiculous things that we had actually been through already.

Once the zebras were both slurring with me like old friends and had already sung some bawdy ballads together with the traveling entertainer the inn boasted that evening, I began to talk shop. About how I didn't want to stay in this 'two-bit town' as I called it. I bemoaned my losses and let them tell me a few of their woes. With the amount of alcohol they had consumed, I believed most of what they told me. Even though I knew it was heavily embellished. They had both seen some rough times and made me feel just a tinge of guilt about pulling one over on them.

After the first hour, I was certain I would be carrying them both back to the inn. They were absolute lushes! They never once turned a glass away, especially because I was paying. I was sure that Zecella wouldn't remember signing the contract, nor would Keluro remember being the witness. I went so far as to have Antony and Mary both 'witness' the signing to make it even more legal. Them being in on my scheme helped assure me that I hadn't really done anything illegal. If I had, I was sure they would not have helped.

My keen eyesight alerted me to Daring's presence as soon as she entered the establishment. I gave her a nonchalant nod as a signal that the deed was done already. She looked surprised that I had already accomplished what I had set out to do before she joined us.

As Daring made her way over to the table, Keluro draped a comradely arm over my shoulder and whispered far too loudly, “Don't look now, the harpy has returned!”

Daring pretended not to notice and sat down with me and the drunken zebras. We ate and made small-talk, save for Zecella, who didn't speak much. I wagered since rhyming while drunk was tough, she choose not to talk. Keluro was extremely rude to Daring. I felt bad, but at least that made it easier for her to quickly excuse herself after she silently made sure I'd be okay..

After another hour of listening to Keluro's blatantly embellished and highly entertaining stories, I did indeed have to carry them both back to the inn. Fortunately neither of them weighed more than sixty pounds and I managed to haul them on my shoulders with a little difficulty. Shuteye assisted me getting them to their rooms while others of the caravan watched us.

Once Shuteye and I had the catatonic zebras situated, the others in the common room asked what had happened. Again, I feigned a touch of intoxication while explaining that they had too much to drink. I also let inquiring minds know that I would be leaving with the caravan when it left the morning after next. This seemed to please many of those present, who confided in me that they would not have gone with Zecella's caravan had I not joined them. I feigned surprise at this and let them know I was honored by their faith in me. I managed to excuse myself to my room after a short while, claiming exhaustion and need to rest.

Upon shutting the door to my shared room, Daring stated, “Remind me never to challenge you to a drinking contest!” We both shared a little laugh at that.

I 'sobered' a little, “Think they'll be mad when they figure out they've been had?”

Daring snickered, “Not likely. The Zec will act like it for a while, but they respect things like that.” She stopped laughing, “Keluro might be, at least a little, but I wager he will simply challenge you to another drinking contest!” We both got another good laugh.

It was at about that point that I realized the room only had one large bed...

I want to thank you all for all the comments and favorites. I also want to apologize for the time between updates. My grammar Nazi was deployed, but wanted to continue working with me! I salute his, and all soldiers service! Also to my team of friends who I usually talk to and help me with ideas, I am uploading from my pals home due to lack of I-net. Hope to talk to ya all soon! ]

Oceans in Between Us

I want to apologize for the long times between chapters. Difficulties with health have played havoc lately. I hope to add chapters faster once the surgery is completed, but one never knows! I also want to thank all my readers for sticking with me. The comments are extremely appreciated, and have helped me through all the tough times! also I would like to thank and blame my Grammar Nazi for the quality and length of time you all had to wait... I expect to be shipped to a concentration camp any moment... So without further gilding the lily, enjoy the latest installment!

P.S. Remember, I love your comments! I actually do listen to ya'll, even if it don't seem like it!

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Chapter 4

Through a humans eyes...

Oceans in Between Us

~~~ Daring

'Oh, it's so good to feel the wind in my wings again! And such a gorgeous day too!' The freedom of flight was something I never took for granted, it was the lifeblood of a pegasus. I had lost the use of my wings often enough to know just how vital flight was to me, I had no wish to ever be reminded again!

While the miles melted away, I reminisced about the morning I left Riverside. I had made contact with most of my friends the prior day and said my goodbyes, so there was no need to wander around looking for anyone. I had already filled my travel saddlebags the evening I was with Justin at Nazir's, so I was able to leave immediately after breakfast. All I had left to do was to follow through with the last part of Justin's plan. The look on Zecella's and Keluro's faces was decidedly priceless! I only wish I had gotten a picture of them!

'Actually, I think I would have liked a picture of Justin at that moment as well!' I thought to myself as I nickered softly. I am positive even he hadn't seen it coming when I kissed him goodbye! 'I had no idea he could turn so red, and over every part of his body that wasn't covered!' I know we had planned to leave off that morning with harsh words, to keep up the masquerade, but I changed my mind. I figured I would leave him with something a little uncomfortable to explain to his new 'boss'.

Looking back on the situation, I really have no idea what had possessed me to do such a thing. 'Ah well, what's done is done. Why think about things too much? That only makes ponies crazy, and I am not crazy! Okay, not any crazier than before, and, besides, he was a good kisser!'

I gave a discouraged sigh after I determined that, by the position of the sun, it was time to eat. I landed on a convenient cloud and proceeded to pick through my saddlebags for something to fill my belly. No matter how many times I had done this, I would never get used to travel rations. 'Blah!'

~~~ Justin

'Guess I'm setting a precedent here. Dunno why the guards were just standing around while everyone else was pulling together and loading the wagons.' I thought to myself as I hauled another barrel to a wagon.

After loading a few heavy barrels, Keluro took notice of my activities. He stomped over and demanded, “What do you think you are doing?”

I finished lifting the heavy barrel and turned to him, “What's it look like... sir?” I was still being a bit of a jerk to him since he teased me relentlessly in front of the others about Daring.

“You were hired as a guard, not a laborer.” He gave me an odd look before commanding, “Stop it. Check your equipment and fall in with the others.”

I was offended, yet still I snapped a sharp, human-style salute, “Sir, yes sir!” I had already stowed my equipment bag. All I had to do was to strap my sword on my back, pick up my spear and shield, and I was ready for a war. It was easy to tell from the way I was treated that Keluro and Zecella were both more than slightly annoyed with me. 'Wait till Zecella figures out I had the contract rewritten before she signed it.' I thought to myself with a little chuckle. I wagered there would be hell to pay, but I wasn't too worried. What could she do about it in any event? She needed me, while I didn't really need her or her money. Daring had been kind enough to spot me several gold coins, just in case. She hadn't told me till the morning she left, the same time she put the coins in my pocket mind you, that she was independently wealthy and was an adventurer just for the kicks.

'And she bitched at me over a few golds' worth of junk I found! Women...' I thought with a coy smile, a smile tempered with a slight blush as I thought back to that morning. 'Why in the world had she kissed me? Not that it was unpleasant, far from it... and that was a bit surprising in itself but... Argh! I will never understand women! Especially a certain magic. Talking. Pegasus!'

I was shaken from my thought when Kemal, the young friend I made during the battle with the bandits, wandered near me and stated, “I do not understand you.”

“Oh?” I replied, still wearing the silly little grin as I looked down at him while leaning on my spear. “What's not to get?”

“The Captain scolds you, yet you smile.” He cocked his head in a questioning way.

“Sure do.” I leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Bet it pisses him off.” I stood and saluted Keluro as he trotted over. In my deep baritone voice I bellowed, “Your orders, Captain?” I could hear Kemal trying in vain to stifle a snicker.

Keluro scowled at me and, due to proximity, Kemal. “Since you are so eager to begin working,Specialist, you may start scouting the road outside of town.” He turned a stern eye to Kemal, who was still struggling with his mirth, “Oh, and take Kemal with you. See if you can teach the whelp something of use.”

I thought Kemal was about to say or do something stupid, so I slapped him on the back hard enough to stun him while replying to Keluro, “Excellent notion, Captain! That way there will be at least one other guard here that will be able to detect an ambush.” Judging from the look I received from the captain, it would be in my best interests to leave quickly. I smirked down at Kemal, “You heard the Captain, son. Stop your grinnin', and grab your linen. There's work to be done!”

As I dragged Kemal away I heard most of the workers, and more than a few of the guards, muttering about how much of an ass Keluro was being. Their word for him, not mine! Once we were well out of earshot, I told Kemal, “Lesson one. Whether you like it or not, the Captain is in charge. Always follow your orders, unless it violates the law or something...” My voice trailed off toward the end.

Kemal looked at me curiously and stated with more venom than I had expected, “He is only doing this to spite us. How does that make him right?” He muttered something else under his breath, but I didn't pry. It was clear that he disliked Keluro a lot.

“It doesn't.” I replied offhand, “But, sadly, he's in charge. Even if you don't always respect the person, you always respect the rank. That's what my pappy always said... err, well... that's what I'm sure he would have said if I ever knew him.”

Kemal was clearly confused but nodded slowly, “I believe I understand you.” We jogged toward the city gates for a bit before he spoke again, “What I do not understand, is why you are not in charge. Keluro is not worthy of being Captain.” He stated bitterly.

I was completely blindsided by that comment, and that forced me to stop. “Hold on there, little buddy. What's with the negative vibes?” I gave him a puzzled look, “You don't even know me, yet you think I'm qualified to lead a guard squadron?”

Kemal sadly stated, “My cousin, Kearlen, was Captain before the ambush. His was the voice you heard along with Zecella when first we met. He was killed instantly by a stray crossbow shot.” I'm sure my face collapsed as I remembered when that happened. Kemal continued, “Keluro wasn't the one to take command, you did. He followed you then, he should follow you now.” The way he stated this was so matter-of-fact that I didn't know what to think. I know I would have been hurt badly if it was my family who had been killed. I realized he was only trying to be hard like a 'man'... or would it be a 'stallion'?

A few moments passed and my little friend's eyes began to water up. He had a hard time speaking for a while, since the wound was still fresh in his heart. I wasn't sure how different his culture was from mine, but in that moment I decided to do what I would if I was still back home. I placed my hand on his shoulder and said nothing until his heartache passed enough for him to go on. Once I felt he had mastered his emotions enough to continue, we exited the city gate in silence. After we had passed beyond earshot of the gate guardians, I asked Kemal, “Remember him with me.” That was what a friend did. Helped you when you needed it, even if you didn't want it.

Kemal looked at me with the confused look that I was becoming so accustomed to seeing. “I... I... Do not know what it is you ask of me?”

I began to think that our cultures were indeed different, but not that much. He only needed someone to talk too, someone who wouldn't judge him. “If you tell me of your time and memories of him, he will never truly be gone.” I placed my hand over my heart, “He will live on in here.” He needed a friend. I could do that.

Once he calmed down enough, our walk became one filled with Kemal's favorite memories of his cousin. I also learned a lot about the Ke clan in general. How they trained from a young age to become the guardians of the zebra clans. The trials and tribulations they went through to weed out those who wouldn't be able to handle the rigors reminded me a lot of boot camp. Kearlen had been one of the best in his age group. He'd only been a few years older than Kemal, and this had been his fourth caravan assignment. From what I gathered, it was a lot to live up to. Kemal wanted to be just as good, if not better, than his cousin. In fact, the way he spoke of him, I wagered that Kearlen had been more like a brother to Kemal.

I also learned that in the Ke clan, assignments were doled out by clan elders and not chosen by the individuals themselves until they proved themselves worthy. Sort of like becoming an adult in my society. While I thought it odd, I didn't find it an alien concept. I mean, my parents chose for me until I was viewed old enough to make my own decisions. The way Kemal described his people was similar, only the clan elders made decisions for the clan as a whole in Much the same way a ruling body would. It might have been similar to the way the Native Americans had once done things, but sadly I didn't know enough about them. That was another thing I wished I had paid more attention too, I'm positive it would have assisted me in the understanding of these people.

Time passed for us easily, and we soon found ourselves several miles away from the city walls. During our trek, we had both told stories of our pasts and compared things that had happened during our lives. I am fairly positive that Kemal was the only one in the caravan who realized just how different I was from them. Not only was the culture I was from diametrically different from theirs, my level of education was light-years beyond even the most educated of the caravan. I tried to laugh that off, claiming that most of my schooling was useless here. Somehow, the fact that I had more years of schooling than he had been alive, only made Kemal even more in awe of me. It was a bit unnerving.

Finally I viewed the caravan exiting the city walls. “Wait here, Kemal.” I said while pulling a polished steel mirror from my hip pouch. Climbing a decently sized tree, I used the mirror to flash a simple signal to Keluro. I received a response after only a few moments. I was glad he and I agreed on a set series of flashes for signaling. It was secure, yet simple, as only he and I knew what the series of short and long flashes represented.

After hopping down from the tree, I stated, “Time to move on. Any questions?”

My companion asked, “Yes. How do you move so silently? With hoof covers like the ones you wear, I would imagine you to make much noise, yet I can detect next to nothing.”

It was a good question. One I was unsure how to explain to him. “I don't think it is something I can easily teach you.” I lifted one of my feet to show him how different it was shaped compared to his hooves. “See, even through my boot, my feet are shaped completely different than your hooves. I learned how walk without making much noise years ago. Compared to some people I trained with, I am relatively poor at stealth.”

Kemal looked at me with a lot of doubt in his eyes, “If you don't want to tell me, just say so!”

“What? If I could teach you, I would!” I put my hands on my hips. “In fact, I was going to try to show you what I know during this trip.” After pondering for a moment, I stated, “Ya! That's just what I'm gonna do!” I pointed a finger in Kemal's face, “That way, you will be well on your way to earning enough honor to take your place as a caravan captain!”

Wonder filled Kemal's eyes. “You would do this?” I shouldn’t have been surprised when his eyes narrowed dangerously soon after. “What is your interest? What is your want out of this?”

I looked to the sky and all but screamed, “Why? Why can't I just do the right thing without getting second guessed every time?” I huffed and stalked away from a stunned Kemal while muttering to myself. “To think, I thought humans were screwed up! Now I'm in a land of magic, talking ponies and they are just as bad... this dream is starting to suck!” I turned a dangerous look Kemal's way, “You can learn if you want, but don't get in my way.”

~~~ Daring

'Mmmm, I love hot tubs!' I thought while letting the heat work the tension right out of my sore muscles. 'They should install these in every city!' Sadly, I knew that Equagga did not boast these wonderful innovations. I suppose they would cost too much without such abundant magic.

'Oh, well. At least my appointment with the Princess is scheduled first thing in the morning. I would give her both the Amulet and the Statuette, only thing I need to think about was how much credit to give my friend. I did have a reputation to maintain...' I chewed my lower lip while thinking, 'He actually managed to get them both. I suppose I will have to tell her as much. Princess Celestia has an odd way of knowing when ponies spoke the truth to her, even partial truths.' I sighed and shifted in the luxurious water. 'At least I can claim finding a new species! I've gathered a lot of information on these 'Humans'.' I smiled at that thought. It had been a while since my last discovery of a new species.

Then I frowned. 'But...each time I had discovered a new species, Celestia had burst my bubble. She always told me about references to them in 'ancient' records!' My frown slowly turned into a grin, 'Not this time! This time I took the liberty of doing some research in the Canterlot library beforehand. There were absolutely no references to anything even remotely similar to a Human! History books, here I come!' I felt confidant that I was, in fact, the first pony to discover the Human race.

Even if I had to give Justin the credit he was due, finding both of the artifacts, I would be recognized as the discoverer of a new race! That was, in a way, better than having recovered both the Amulet and the Statuette. It would be recorded in the history books, while discovery of a few artifacts would only yield a monetary reward from the princess and not be recorded anywhere except her personal journals.

'Oh, not that I minded the money, only that wasn't the kind of reward I wanted.' I was already rich, all nobles were. What I wanted was to make history. I had already discovered numerous plants and insects, but I wanted a meaningful entry into the history books! I had managed that through my novels, which reminded me, I had to make time to drop off my latest journal to my publisher. I bet he would be thrilled to see me. Tundra was always excited for a visit from 'big sis'. 'If I am being honest with myself, I bet he will barely notice I dropped by.' I didn't like to think about how sick he always was. 'I wonder if the nightmares have stopped? I always said he was sick because he slept too much. Maybe he is getting better now that he is getting older? I certainly hope so. We may not be close, but he is the only family I have left...'

First things first though, I had to report to princess Celestia. My notes, the Amulet, and that ugly Statuette were all in order to present to her. All I had to do now was wait, and enjoy this absolutely sinful treatment. A mare could really let herself go with all this luxury. Fortunately, I didn't have to worry. I kept myself fit and trim, so a little indulgence now and again wouldn't soften me. 'Sometimes...' I thought while nibbling on a chocolate covered strawberry, '...it's nice to experience the finer things in life!' While enjoying myself, I wondered how Justin was fairing. Knowing him, he was probably enjoying himself immensely.

~~~ Justin

“Are you fraking kidding me?” I shouted as I hunkered down behind one of the wagons. “A sand storm?” My words were lost in the howling winds. The other caravan guards and I had to quickly assemble a makeshift shelter out of some tarps and the wagons themselves. We had managed to seal the wagons off from the worst the storm had to offer, sadly there wasn't enough room for all of us in them. Myself and the entire contingent of guards had to face the rigors of the storm with little to offer us protection. Using the wagons as anchors to the front and rear, the tarps were deployed between them to create a space of relative calm that, while not totally safe, offered some modicum of protection.

"I am hating this trip more and more.” I muttered under my breath. The first two and a half days were wonderful. Nothing but forest and life all about us, that was absolutely paradise to me. Sadly that wonderland ended right into a fraking desert! No one had mentioned crossing through a fraking desert! Distance, sure, that we had covered, but never the mention of crossing through an area that made Death Valley look like Disneyland! Thank whatever god or goddess out there that was protecting me, we had plenty of water. “To think,” I grumbled to myself, “I was having such a great time 'till all the sand...” I rechecked the cables lashing our temporary shelter together. I had to tighten several of them, and soon realized that no matter how tight they were, they would need resecured periodically.

I thought back to when I first realized we were entering a desert. Zecella had threatened to dock my pay due to increased requirement for water rations but, oddly, Keluro vetoed her. He agreed with me that they had not warned me about the monstrous heat or even the desert itself! That and he knew I would have turned around and left them right there, claiming breach of contract. You see, by now they had both read the 'amended' contract they had signed. Nazir had made sure to slip in a few nice additions in my favor when he had rewritten it. Such as, 'The ability to null and void said contract for any harsh conditions not fully disclosed at the time of signing.' or something to that degree. Even I didn't have to point out that a fraking desert counted as 'undisclosed harsh conditions'. Thankfully, before the desert began in full, there was a gorgeous oasis to fill up on potable water and rest up for the journey. Almost halfway through our arduous trek we were expected to hit another oasis. This meant that we wouldn't have to worry about running out of water.

“I wish we were still at that first oasis!” I had to bellow at the top of my lungs for any of the zebra near me to hear. That thought was met with lots of agreeing nods. I struggled my way over to Keluro, “How long do these storms usually last?” I wanted to ask a lot more, but the wailing wind kept speech to a minimum.

Keluro almost had to put his muzzle in my ear so that I could hear him, “Depends!”

The mortified look I gave him would have been humorous in a different situation. “Depends on what?” I shouted back.

“Whether you've angered one of the great spirits or not!” He yelled back, while slapping me on the back.

I couldn't help but force a chuckle at his humor. The blistering sun and maddening heat had abated a little, only to be replaced with bitter cold wind tossing the environment around like a mad sandblaster. It seriously made me reconsider anything I may have ever said or done to offend any and every gods or goddesses in existence. This whole time I hadn't had anything to use for sunscreen, so I was covered from head to toe at all times and still I managed to get a bit singed here and there. I thanked my lucky stars I had so much covering my body as the first blasts of sand erupted among us. If I hadn't, very likely the flesh would have been scoured from my body. Thank goodness I was, at least a little, enured to hardships like this or likely I would have collapsed from heatstroke by now. That didn't mean I was completely unaffected by this hellish climate. Not by a long shot. There had been times I wished I would just die and end the misery. Still, I managed to survive this far and I didn't plan to let a single storm end me.

I forced myself to ingest another one of the survival rations I had purchased from Nazir. They were shaped into bars about the size of a pack of cigarettes and were hard as rocks. Sadly, they tasted horrible and I questioned the nutritional value of the dehydrated meat and vegetable combination, but they were the only dried foodstuffs he had that contained actual meat. “At least they fill the void in my gut,” I muttered while crunching slowly. Several of the other guards were doing the same as I was and we were passing around a few canteens to drink from. We really didn't know how long it would take for the storm to blow over, but we would need our strength as soon as it did.

With nothing better to do, I started one of the campfire songs the zebra had taught me. That really raised their spirits up a bit. At some point during the first verse, one of my compatriots took out a drum and began beating out the tune. Soon after, the drum was accompanied by something resembling maracas. The castanets and lute that followed close behind were a nice touch. I was actually surprised they didn't have some type of woodwind. Most likely no one in this group played one. Even still, we carried on as if we had not a care in the world. At one point, Zecella poked her head into our little shelter and demanded to know why we having a party when things were so grim.

I don't know how I managed to keep a straight face when I told her, “Ancient human superstition. When a storm rises like this one, it means we have angered the spirits! The only way to appease them is with the gift of song and dance as well. I only hope they will forgive us for not being able to dance!” The look she gave me was odd to say the least, but I'll be double dipped if not five minutes later the wagons also joined us in singing! Oh, I was going to have some tales to tell!

~~~ Daring

I sat on a comfortable cloud far above Manehattan cursing my luck. “BUCK! BUCK IT ALL!” I screamed, shocking and frightening a few weather ponies flying past. Noticing that I had drawn unwanted attention to myself, I grabbed my cloud and flew even higher so as not to bother anypony else. 'How could she do this to me?! HOW?!' I continued that train of thought as I rocketed higher than I had ever been. Only when my breath became visible before my eyes and breathing was difficult, did I stop. The major metropolis below was barely a speck at this point. I felt a little safer up here. It was a lot less likely anypony would accidentally come nearby while I was venting my frustrations.

I let loose with a mighty bellow of inarticulate rage and disillusion. I began to lose my voice in short order, though I felt no better. 'Oh, Princess... why?' I held my journal, but didn't have to open it to know that Celestia had removed all traces of my new friend and filled in the gaps with nonsense that my readers would adore. Reaching into my sidesaddle, I removed a simple, silver bangle. I stared daggers at the unassuming piece of cheap-looking jewelry as several tears of rage fell from my eyes. My voice was hoarse and ragged as I whispered, “Oh, princess...I don't think I can do this.” I closed my eyes from the harsh wind, “Lying is one thing, but this...this is wrong!”

I don't know how long I sat there, filled with self-loathing at what I was commanded to do. She hadn't even bothered to explain herself! I knew she was the Princess and I was supposed to trust her implicitly, but this was stretching my faith too much. Never before had I second guessed my Princess, but this time I was sorely pressed to follow out my orders.

I stopped to think over my conversation with Princess Celestia. I was so shocked when she told me that she knew of humans, that I actually cussed in her presence. I had expected to be reprimanded for that, but she simply laughed it off with me. She explained that she had never actually spoken with a human and that all of her knowledge about them was either secondhand tales or postmortem dissection. She knew of their physiology and even went so far as to tell me that they weren't all that different from us. Granted, I was astonished when she told me they were omnivorous. Justin hadn't ever mentioned a desire to eat meat. Other than that, from what Celestia had deduced, humans were very similar to us ponies. Apparently she had examined the remains of more than a few humans, though she didn't tell me how many.

Celestia had told me that she didn't know anything else, but I did not believe her. She never was a very good liar. I knew she was holding back vital information. I just didn't know what. 'Was it something bad? Were humans dangerous in some way? Why wouldn't she tell me?! Didn't she trust...' I shook my head and refused to complete the thought. I only wished she would have explained more. Buck! I could tell she was purposely not telling me most of what she knew, but why?

I decided to settle down and try to think things through from Celestia's point of view. 'Let's see, she knows that humans exist but not much more. Maybe she just wants to make sure that they are not dangerous.' That made a lot of sense. Celestia loved us all so much that she just wanted to make sure that Justin and his people were not a threat! 'I bet once she sees how nice he is, she will want to meet him!' I remember the shocked look on Celestia's face when I proudly explained that I had not only studied a human, but also made friends with one. She told me that my next assignment would be to fly back to Equagga and to learn as much about Justin and his people as I could, but not to bring him to Equestria. 'It makes more sense now that think about it!'

I definitely felt a lot better after thinking things through. I still might not like what I had to do, but I would get it done. It only took me a few moments to pull myself together before I went to visit my brother and journalist. I just had to remember not to mention anything about humans to Tundra. That would probably be for the best with him anyway.

~~~ Justin

The sandstorm didn't pass until well after the sun had set. We spent several hours digging the wagons out, since they were half buried from all the collected sand. Once we were able to, we moved far enough away to feel free again. Zecella wanted to continue traveling throughout the night, but Keluro stated that would be a bad idea, so we rested for the remainder of the night.

I'm not sure why, but I didn't rest well that night. The clouds had been thick for several nights now and I missed seeing the moon. Thinking back on it, I hadn't seen the moon much since I woke up in this strange world. I began to wonder if it was like my moon. I wanted to ask Daring, but she wasn't here.

Before I could dwell long, a voice shattered my thoughts, “Can't sleep either?”

I turned a wry smile to Kemal. “No. Trying to remember something, but I just can't focus on the memory.”

Kemal was clearly confused, “What do you mean? You can not remember things?”

“Yeah.” Was my simple answer to a very complex question. I hoped he would drop it.

“I would ask what you were trying to remember, but that would be silly. You already said you can not remember.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, “Do they feel like important memories?”

I raised an eyebrow and frowned as I retorted sharply, “Aren't they all important memories?” I sighed, “Sorry, Kemal, I just don't like to think about it. Makes me feel like I have lost something close to me, only I don't know what.”

I was about to ask him not to ask about it anymore when he surprised me with, “Have you seen a doctor about it yet?” His eyes were full of concern. We had become very close since we left Riverside and I considered him a friend.

“No.” I said, looking away from him.

Kemal was silent for a while before breaking the comfortable silence, “I believe I know why.”

I looked at him skeptically, “Oh?”

He had a serious look on his young face, “Yes.” His voice was somber, “Among those of my tribe are many who think that needing a physician, especially for the mind, means you are less of a man.”

I am pretty sure my eyes widened in shock, “Are you serious?” He nodded that he was. “Kemal, that isn't the reason I haven't gone.”

He looked unconvinced, “Really?”

I sighed and nodded. “Yes. I meant to back in Riverside but...” I looked him in the eyes, “...I forgot.”

Kemal chuckled a little. “I will help you remember when we reach Nijan.”

“I would appreciate it, Kemal.” I smiled before sighing once more, “I hate forgetting...whatever it is I can't remember.” I looked back to my friend, “It isn't like I have forgotten anything that has happened since I got here...” I furrowed my brow in deep concentration, “...least, I don't think so.”

Kemal grinned, “It would be an honor to help you, my friend.” He made a series of strange motions with his hoof, “It is the least I can do for all you have done for me.”

“Thought we agreed you didn't owe me for that.” I said evenly to him.

He nodded, “That we did, but it doesn't change that I see you as my friend. Friends help one another.” He smiled broadly at me, “Perhaps it would help if you talked with me?”

I couldn't help but smile at the turn of events. “It just might, but I am not sure where to start.”

“The beginning, as they say, is usually best.” There was a bit of humor in his voice as he lightly punched my shoulder.

'He is right.' I thought. 'Maybe I should talk to him. He seems like he really gives a shit. Ah, what the hell!' A smile slowly spread across my face as I thought about it. When I spoke, my voice was subdued, “I remember being very ill.” My wan smile didn't fade as I let my memories take over while staring off into the distance, “Not the kind of ill you recover from. I remember not having much in the way of family. Oh, I had them, but nothing close...except my mother.” I pulled my knees close to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs. I wasn't that cold, yet a strange chill shot through my body. “I...I know she was always there for me, but something happened to make her sad.” I suddenly fell quiet.

My voice, when it came again, wasn't speaking to Kemal anymore, “I don't know what happened. All I know is that remembering her being so sad hurts.” I tapped my chest, “Here.” I closed my eyes and breathed evenly, “I don't remember anyone else close to me. No spouse or children. Nothing closer than a few friends. I know I was married once, a long time ago, but those are thoughts I am glad to forget.” I don't really know if my voice had any emotion or not, “I know I miss my mother, but that is all I miss from that world. I am happy to forget the war, the strife, and the greed. There was the possibility for so much good in my world, but folks kept forgetting about it. I have immense knowledge of my peoples past and, the sad fact is, we've done little more than constantly repeat our mistakes time and again. For all our brilliance...” I let out a deep sigh as my sentence died out. “I may be crazy Kemal, but I do remember there being someplace I wanted to go. Someplace much better than where I called home. A place where they valued the better things in life, but I can't remember where. Or what it was even called!” I mastered my voice before I let my emotions run away with me.

“I don't even remember how long it has been, Kemal.” I said, looking at him. “A part of me doesn't want to remember.” He opened his mouth, but I interrupted him, “What if I did something really bad? What if there is a really good reason to not remember the past...eh, I don't know how long.” My voice was little more than a whisper at this point, “All I do know is that I am here. This isn't a dream and I have to make a life here. I suppose that is all that really matters.” I turned a wry smile to my friend, “It's what she would have wanted, for me to be happy.”

Throughout it all, Kemal patiently listened. He made no comments until he was sure I was not going to say anymore. “You have been through a lot, my friend. All I can say is this, if my memories had been tampered with, I would want to know.” He held up a hoof to stop me from arguing, “I understand that you fear not knowing what you have done and that you might be responsible for some great wrong, but consider this. What if you forgot some great right? What if you forgot something wonderful? In the end, if you want to see a doctor, I will go with you. If you choose not to go, that will be your choice, not mine. I will not judge. I know you have been nothing but a good friend and that is enough for me.”

I was slightly stunned at his wisdom. In some ways he was so young, but in others he was very mature. “Thank you, Kemal. Means a lot to me.”

He chuckled softly, “That is what friends are for.”

I joined his chuckle. “Makes me want to write a letter.”

“To whom?” he asked.

“I don't know...”

~~~ Daring

Tundra seemed unusually happy to see me. I was extremely relieved that he was starting to feel better. Sadly, I had to cut my visit short, duty calls! All of my normal suppliers came through, like usual. Thankfully, they were all dependable ponies, and I was able to start my long flight back to Equagga without incident.

The leagues melted beneath my powerful wings. Rolling hills and beautifully ordered grasslands shot by, soon to be replaced by the deep blue of water. The clouds, so manicured and precise over Equestria, became haphazard and beautiful in their wild nature. At times, when I was a little bored, I would shoot through some of the naturally formed clouds. They felt so different. Raw. Wild. With a little smirk, I thought, 'That's why I do this! To feel the freedom of nature!' I let myself enjoy the clouds and wind for a short time before continuing on my way. I had to admit to myself, it was refreshing. To revel in the unspoiled natural wilds was in my blood.

Time passed, like it always does, and I came closer and closer to my destination. Thankfully, I was able to simply fly above storms. If I had to rely on a boat, the trip would have been unpleasant to say the least. I had to have passed at least three major weather formations that, without any weather ponies to control, would have been major storms. 'Yes,' I thought to myself, 'flight is the best way to travel. I wonder how others get by without it.' I spent a lot of my trip pondering that. In the end, I assumed they were just insanely jealous and had to make due without flight. That did make me laugh a little.

'I hope the rest of my flight is this easy.' I thought. 'I have had my fill of hardships for the moment. Maybe I can convince Justin to lay low for a bit. Get him to tell me everything I want to know while in the lap of luxury.' The thought of it made me chuckle, 'I seriously doubt it. That boy doesn't like to slow down. It's almost like he is on a mission...' That was the first time I had thought anything like that. 'Maybe the Princess is right. I really don't know him. True, he did save my life a few times, but what is it that he is really after?' As distasteful as it was, that train of thought carried for a long way...

~~~ Justin

My height gave me many advantages over my shorter compatriots. For that reason, I spotted the final Oasis long before any of them. “Look Kemal, the Oasis.” I said while pointing.

He stood next to me on the dune. “I see no Oasis, though I swear I can smell it.”

I chuckled for a moment, then reached down and picked him up. The sound of shock was worth not warning him. Placing him on my shoulder I said, “How about now?”

His annoyance in being handled faded as the lush green of the oasis came into view. “Yes, no wonder the wagon leader always sees it first!” I felt him lean forward precariously, “Do you see that?” he pointed to a tiny series of dots in the distance.

“Yes,” I replied, “What do you make of it? If I was to hazard a guess, another caravan? Traveling from a different direction?”

He nodded and, from his vantage, looked down on me for a change, “This does not bode well.” At my look of confusion he elaborated, “Rival caravans can be as dangerous as bandits, in some ways they are worse.”

“What do you suggest we do about it?”

“Since it is your discovery, you should tell Zecella. I wager it will garner you some prestige. I will wait here and keep an eye on them.” My little friend seemed sure of himself.

I placed him back on the ground and it dawned on him why this was a bad idea. “Tell ya what, why don'tcha haul ass back to the caravan and fill 'em in. I'll hang tight here and keep an eye on 'em.” He nodded in agreement with my logic. “In fact...” I pulled out my small mirror and flashed a short signal back toward the caravan. A few moments passed before a response came. “Okay, now go. They are expecting a report.”

Kemal nodded and was off like lightning. While I waited, I pulled my small spyglass from my hip pouch. The resolution wasn't super, but it sure enhanced my vision! I focused in on the movement. It took me a while to deduce that there were four wagons, but roughly the same number of guards as we had. That confused me a little, but I continued counting to be sure and also swept the countryside around us to make certain that nopony was sneaking up on us. 'Good lord... I'm starting to talk like them now!' I probably did a facepalm at that point.

I must have stood there gathering intel for about fifteen minutes before I heard the creaking of familiar wagons closing in on me. I turned an eye toward them and noticed they were still about fifty yards away. Zecella, Keluro, and Kemal were much closer. I only nodded to the greeting they called out and returned to my spying.

Once they were practically next to me, Zecella asked, “What do you see, an answer I ask of thee?”

I couldn't help but chuckle. Her rhymes were terrible, but I didn't think it would be prudent to tell her that. Instead I answered her, “Caravan. Four wagons. Twenty, or so, guards. Best guess, thirty-two additional ponies of various types, mainly zebra, including pullers and workers.” I pointed toward the sky, “And at least one griffon scout.”

Keluro asked, “Has he spotted us?”

I waved to the griffon and, in return, it reared back flaring its wings out. “Yea, he spotted us. I saw him before he noticed me, but that really doesn't much matter.” I turned and looked at my employers. “They know we are here. Kemal mentioned this could be bad.” I made the last statement sound like a question.

Keluro glanced at me but paid more attention to the griffon while speaking, “It can be. If we only knew what house they served...”

I said with a frown, “Red heralding. Gold boarder. Silver stripe, diagonal down the middle. Can't make out the shapes inside, sorry. Too far.”

All three zebras looked at me in astonishment. Zecella piped up, “You mean to tell us you can see that far, with only that little tube is truly bizarre!”

I cocked my head in confusion, “You mean to tell me you've never seen a spyglass before?” At the collective head shakes indicating negative, I muttered, “Barbarians...” I handed the spyglass to Zecella and showed her how it worked, then hoisted her up on my shoulder as she gave a surprised squeak.

Looking down at me she sputtered, “Next time, tell us your plan. You uncouth man!”

I chuckled while pointing out where she needed to look. I learned that even with a spyglass, zebras had terrible vision. Compared to me at least. It made me wonder how they viewed the world around them. I was shocked out of my reverie by Zecella bopping me on the head to be let down. I remembered to take my spyglass back from her, 'cuz likely she would have tried to keep it. She then said something very rapidly to Keluro in their native tongue. I had no idea what she said, but her intent was fairly clear. Kemal and I double-timed it to the oasis while she and Keluro ran back to the caravan to speed them along.

Kemal and I made it to the oasis in less than fifteen minutes. We decided to rest in the shade of the palm trees while waiting for the rest of our group to catch up. The griffon I had been watching landed on the other side of the oasis at about the same time we got there, but, other than acknowledging our presence with a wave of his wing, did not approach us. We all helped ourselves to the refreshing and cool water.

Now, I'm not sure how they somehow coordinated it, but both caravans came trundling in at about the same time. I watched the posturing of the two groups while nibbling on some fresh dates. They were pretty good too. The dates, not the posturing. For lack of a better reference, it reminded me of rival schools getting ready for a football game. There was a lot of shouting and sword rattling, but nopony actually interacted across the oasis. Kemal had returned to the rest of the guards, but I liked the spot where I was. I figured the best way not to get in the way, was to stay out of the way. It was fairly easy to do since the oasis was so huge. By my best guess, I would think six or seven caravans could use it and not crowd each other. Since I hadn't rested well the past few nights, I nodded off in the shade.

I was awoken by Keluro. He shook my shoulder and hissed in my ear, “Get up. We need you now.” I'm a very light sleeper and I woke almost instantly. Keluro had to stop me from pulling my blade. “Hold up there, champ. No need for that just yet.” He slapped my shoulder in a chummy way, “Come on, almost show time!”

I was certainly confused, but, having gotten to know my captain, I just got up and went along with him. Asking questions of him usually got me an asinine answer, so finding out for myself was usually the safest bet. I wagered I had rested for less than two hours by the sun's setting position. I noticed that a large grouping of various ponies, again mostly zebras, had formed at the halfway point between the two caravans. By the looks of things, it seemed to be a party of some sort. As I got closer, I realized that the two groups had formed a large, segregated circle. The way that the ponies were interacting sent up several red flags.

“Okay, Keluro. Tell me what's going on, now.” I said, stopping well away from the group.

“It is time for the Dispute.” He said in a matter-of-fact voice.

I crossed my arms over my chest and deadpanned, “Pretend for a moment, if you can, that I am an outsider who doesn't know your ways.”

Keluro huffed, “It is the way feuding houses settle their differences.” I waved one hand in a circular motion for him to start divulging more. He sighed, “Long ago, after the Kinslayer War, the clans formed the Compact. It forbade open hostilities between the many houses of zebra. This has been so for generations. We resolve our differences with single champion combat.”

“Are you telling me that you volunteered me to fight your battle?”

He gave me a puzzled look, “No, you were chosen champion by majority vote.” At my raised eyebrow he continued, “I know, I didn't expect it either. It is a great honor to be chosen and here I thought it would be me.” He let out an exasperated sigh, “I can't believe my own men would choose you over me”

My anger at him deflated slightly, “What do I have to do, Captain?”

With a nod of his head, we resumed walking toward the spectators at a slow pace. “Simple. It is unarmed combat. Get knocked unconscious , you lose. Get knocked out of the ring, you lose.” He looked up at me, “You cry for mercy, you lose.”

“That it? No hidden zebra rules or stipulations?”

“No. It is a no-holds-barred, unarmed combat.” He chuckled, “Of course, it is bad form to strike a stallion in his 'family jewels', if you catch my drift.”

I rolled my eyes, “Some things never change...” As we neared the cleared area I thought to ask, “Who or what am I fighting?”

Keluro pointed to a zebra who was heavily muscled, yet oddly short. “Kevirro.” He stamped his hoof, “I so wanted a chance at the scion of House Azeel!”

“Scion? As in next in line to command?”

He nodded, “Well, next in line as heir. His sister is next in line of command.” Keluro grabbed me by the ruff of my shirt and pulled me down to his level. He hissed in my ear, “I have a personal grudge against this honorless bastard! He fights dirty. A year ago, he broke both of my brothers front legs in addition to fracturing his jaw. I want you to hurt him. Badly!”

I was a little taken back by the amount of venom in Keluro's voice. I was also a bit angered. Keluro may not be the closest of friends, but, damn it, he was a friend. To hear how this Kevirro hurt his family...well he may as well have messed with mine. As much as it galled me, I would simply have to hurt him. I might not enjoy combat, but I was damn good at it. Thinking things over, I walked over to Kemal and whispered to him, “Hey buddy, what's the absolute worst thing I can do to hurt this prig?”

Kemal's voice was grim, “Keluro told you what Kevirro did to Kelero?” I nodded and he continued, “I would say break every bone in his body, but that would be against the rules. If you broke his neck...” He shook his head negative, “No, don't kill him. That is dishonorable.” He rubbed his chin with a hoof then smiled, “If anyone has a chance to do it, it is you. Toss his sorry ass out of the ring!” The sadistic grin on my little buddy's face was unnerving.

With a sigh, I began stretching and loosening my muscles while at the same time removing my armor and most of my clothing. While I was doing so, the zebra named Kevirro began tossing some very unsavory taunts in my general direction, though I think they were more aimed at Zecella. “What is this? House Black Hoof brings a hairless diamond dog to fight me? How far the mighty have fallen!” He strutted around like a peacock, “Do not worry mutt. I shall make this quick, but not painless!”

The crowd of varied ponies hushed, I suppose awaiting my response. The only thing I graced them with was to spit on the ground. Kevirro yelled out, “Keluro, do I have the pleasure of breaking another of your useless brothers?”

I could see the rage plain as day on Keluro's face. I was surprised he managed to keep quiet and not rise to the baiting. I was getting tired of this windbag. I looked back to Zecella and stated in my deep baritone, “Are you certain I am not allowed kill him?” I turned back to Kevirro and gave him a predatory stare. “He looks juicy enough. I wager he would taste lovely with a side of fava beans.” I licked my lips, just to see if it would unnerve him.

Oh, unnerve him it did! His voice was several octaves higher when he yelled out, “You would eat me? What madness is this?”

As much as I wanted to yell out an ever popular phrase about Sparta, I didn't. Instead, I turned back to Zecella and laughingly said, “Wow! Who knew he was a coward as well as an honorless sack o' manure?” Having moved to my starting place inside the 'ring', I took a combat stance and said to my opponent, “C'mon asshole, let's dance!”

Having seen zebras in combat before, during sparring with my compatriots, I knew what to expect from him. Zebra had extremely thick skulls and razor hooves. Their unarmed fighting styles tended to alter from a cavalry-style charge and ram with the head, like a battering ram, to rearing up on either front or rear hooves and lashing out with the other set. Honestly, it was an impressive combination against any and all quadrupeds. What it wasn't particularly effective against was a nimble biped ready for just such an assault, like me. Time and again, I had trained with Keluro and the rest of the guards and, no matter what they had tried, I was always able to twist into and take advantage of their weak spots.

This fight wasn't going to be much different. I stared my opponent in the eyes. It was easy to see that he was overconfident. The way he so flippantly entered combat against an unknown opponent, like me, was a sure road to disaster. He was so confident in his own abilities that defeat, in any way, was inconceivable. Nothing a good, ol' fashioned, country ass-whoopin' wouldn't fix...

The two opposing clans hurls insults and cheers in equal number as Kevirro and I circled each other for a few tense moments, neither of us willing to surrender distance to the other. I flashed another of my predatory grins and was rewarded with an involuntary flinch from my opponent. That was my window. I dug my feet into the ground and sprang forward. The crowd gasped in alarm as I closed the distance between me and Kevirro far quicker than any of them had expected. In the time it took him to recover from flinching, I was already almost upon him. A yelp caught in his throat as his survival instincts kicked into place and he reacted to my incoming assault with utter desperation.

All the 'practice' fighting in the world cannot prepare a man for how to deal with someone fighting for their very being. The typical rules and patterns of combat are made null when a person's, or pony's, life is on the line. What should have been a stunning strike to the side of his neck instead slammed into the top of his head as Kevirro intercepted my punch with his thick skull. Pain crackled up my arm. Nothing felt broken, but damn did that hurt. I reflexively turned my body to protect my injured hand, expecting a moment's respite, but was mildly shocked when Kevirro pressed forward.

The force of Kevirro throwing his entire mass into me took me off guard. I allowed my legs to give beneath me and rolled with the body slam as best I could. I wound up flat on my back, no surprise there, '...but at least I hadn't been folded in hal-' Pain exploded in my chest as something small and hard struck me just under my solar plexus. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of me and sent me tumbling for a few feet. 'The little shit actually managed to kick me in the gut!', I thought through the pain of trying to draw air into my burning lungs.

"Ha!" I heard Kevirro scoff. "Is that all your champion has in him?" His voice was shaky at first, but quickly regaining its tone of superiority. "One kick and he collapses! Is this truly the strongest champion House Black Hoof has to offer me?! Pathetic...!" A triumphant shout exploded from those gathered on House Azeel's side of the ring.

Kevirro threw a few more choice insults at Zecella and the rest of her house. My breathing evened out as I got my wind back, afforded the time because my opponent was more interested in playing the crowd than finishing me off. 'His loss...' I pushed myself to my feet and casually began to dust myself off. I noted, with a hint of satisfaction, the shocked expression on Kevirro's face when he turned around to find me not lying crippled on the ground. He quickly caught himself and resumed his cocky sneering.

"What, was it not enough for me to drop you once? Why not save us both the trouble and give up now before I have to hurt you again?" Kevirro called out with a smirk as he lightly pawed the ground with a hoof to accentuate his taunt.

"Hurt? Naw..." I gave a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders, "...you just got in a lucky shot there. Wasn't expectin' you to lash out like a frightened animal, knocked the wind right outta me. Must've really scared ya there, didn't I?" I slipped back into a neutral combat stance, a shit-eating grin slowly growing on my face.

Daggers glared back at me from across the ring. "Me? Frightened?! The scion of the GREAT House Azeel has nothing to fear from something that looks like a deformed, hairless diamond dog!" Kevirro slammed a hoof into the ground and lowered his head, turning himself into a living battering ram. "I'll send you back to whatever hell that whore of a mother birthed you from!" He bellowed just before throwing himself into an all-out charge.

I was never an overly violent person. I didn't start fights just so I could hurt people. I didn't take any joy or pleasure from watching others suffer. Hell, it's generally hard just to get me angry. Unfortunately for Kevirro, he had found just the right button to push to bring my anger boiling to the surface. No one said bad about my mother and got away with it. Now, I wanted to hurt him. Adrenaline surged into my bloodstream, sending my entire body into a rage-fueled overload. Time seemed to slow around me...

My vision sharpened to the point where I could see the blood vessels in Kevirro's eyes. My hearing became so acute that could pick out each individual breath from him, even over the sound of his charging hooves. My muscles bulged, becoming like a coiled, high-tension springs just waiting to be released by a signal from a nervous system that suddenly responded like crackling lightning. I had become the perfect killing-machine that all humans had the potential to be. When Kevirro was only three steps away from me, I exploded into action like a shot from a gun.

In a blink, I wasn't where I had been. A simple side step placed me just to the left of Kevirro. I lashed at out at his foreleg with a precise, blazing-fast strike from my left foot. Bone and cartilage gave way with a sickening crack as my steel-toe boot connected with the force of a sledge hammer. Kevirro collapsed instantly, his blown-out knee unable to support the weight of his failed charge His forward momentum carried him onward, driving his muzzle painfully into the dirt, before he skidded to a halt on his left side. Like a pouncing lion, I was was on my enemy before he even had time to cry out in pain.

I grabbed a handful of zebra mane, it felt much like a handful of human hair though slightly more coarse, and brutally slammed his face into the ground. Kevirro reeled from the attack, the fierce bludgeoning stunning him even through his armored skull. Something in me snapped and I suddenly found myself reliving the Military Advanced Individual Combat Training I had received long ago. There, in my mind's eye, stood Drill Sergeant McConnell. Conscious thought was repressed as my body began to act on its own, controlled by memories and wired reflexes of another time. I could hear him like it was yesterday...

'Your enemy will try to call for reinforcements. Deny him his ability to communicate!' My right hand, still full of zebra mane, yanked back hard. My left arm circled his exposed neck and tightened like a vice, cutting off his screams.

'Your enemy will try to escape. Deny him his ability to move!' Still holding the struggling zebra by the throat, I released his mane and snaked my right hand underneath his uninjured foreleg to grab it in the crook of my arm. Using my entire arm like a lever, I swiftly pried the encircled leg upwards until an audible 'pop' emitted from Kevirro's shoulder. His eyes widened as fresh pain shot through his body, but he was able to do little more than gurgle helplessly.

'An injured enemy is still a dangerous enemy. Deny him his ability to fight back!' I released the dislocated leg, allowing it to fall limply to ground as if it were made of rubber. Now freed of its burden, my arm lifted into the air before plummeting back down in a devastating elbow strike to the side of Kevirro's spine. The bone in my elbow drove like a sharpened wedge into the zebra's vertebrae. The resulting crack echoed loud enough to snap me out of my 'hunter-killer' mode. It was like coming out of a dream, one that you weren't sure had truly ended. I looked about in a stupor at the silent crowd gathered around me.

'Why do they look so afraid?'

I was answered by a twitch and realized that I was squeezing something in left arm. The horrifying chill of that realization struck me like a knife to the gut and slowly began to creep outwards over the rest me. My mind screamed at my body to not look down, not wanting to confirm with my eyes what it already knew to be true. I may as well have been a moth resisting the light of a fire, except what I saw hurt more than any fire ever could have.

Abject terror stared up at me, reflected in the lone eye that Kevirro helplessly watched me through. His mouth gaped repeatedly, trying desperately to breathe through the windpipe I was still crushing. Carefully, I willed myself to loosen my chokehold as the memory of what I had just done played through my mind with crystal clarity. I had reduced this poor zebra to a shattered husk in the time it normally would have taken me to draw two breaths.

Kevirro gagged repeatedly before finally managing to suck in an arduous lungful of air. The resulting exhale was so ragged that it sent a tremor running down the course of his body. There was no fight left in him, and probably never would be again. I could tell he wanted to beg for mercy...to plead desperately for his life. No sound came from his lips as they uselessly tried to draw speech from a pulverized throat. I watched as he attempted to crawl toward the safety of the ring's edge. His mangled front legs pitifully tried to pull him along while, beyond where my elbow had struck, his body remained gravely still. Kevirro was unable to surrender and I could do nothing, be it render him unconscious or remove him from the ring, without possibly killing him. I knelt there and stared at him, my battle-numbed mind working sluggishly to come up with a solution. A voice from House Azeel's side suddenly broke the deathly silence that had descended on the gathering.

"House Azeel concedes!" Shouted the female zebra who boldly stepped forward from Azeel's ranks to stop just outside the ring. "We recognize..." Her words caught in her throat as her gaze was drawn to mine. While her posture and tone exuded an air of power and nobility, I could see the same fear in her eyes as the rest of crowd. She swallowed quickly and continued. "We recognize House Black Hoof's champion as the victor in this combat. Does House Black Hoof accept?" Silence returned her question. "Does House Black Hoof accept?!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

"...House Black Hoof accepts..." Ventured Zecella's dazed and barely audible reply, shocked even beyond her capacity to rhyme.

"Then it is done. Now...please..." Azeel's speaker faltered as our gazes once again met. She snapped her eyes closed for a moment. When she opened them again, her eyes fell upon Kevirro's broken form and all restraint fled her. "PLEASE! Don't kill my brother!" She cried out as tears began to stream down her face.

My body felt like it weighed a ton as I slowly picked myself up. I stared at Kevirro's sister, wanting to say something...anything to her. To console her or, at the very least, to explain myself, for my own conscience, but nothing came to me. I looked to my 'friends' in Black Hoof in hopes they would help. They shirked back as my gaze turned on them. I moved toward them and they scrambled, almost knocking each other over as they parted, intent solely on avoiding me. The rage started to return at such a 'cowardly' abandonment of their 'chosen' champion, but I forced it down and locked it back inside its box. I stalked past them toward the oasis.

I felt ragged and worn out and eventually collapsed against a shaded tree to reflect upon my actions. I wasn't proud. I had likely crippled that zebra for life. As I lay my weary body in the shade, I prayed to the goddess of the moon...my moon, from my home...that this terrible mistake would not haunt me forever. As I finished my prayers, as single thought floated up from the turmoil of my adrenaline-addled mind.

'What will Daring think?'

It was like being hit by an emotional Mac truck. I shakily held my face in my hands and, against my will, did something I didn't often do. Wept.

~~~ Daring

I landed at the majestic gates of Nijan near sunset. The golden rays of dusk cast a wonderful glow around the huge city. The guard on duty knew me well enough to let me through the gate with hearty greeting and wave. He probably would have stopped to chat with me for a bit, but he had an incoming caravan to harass...I mean 'process through'. The architecture of Nijan never ceased to amaze me. The insanely high walls were formed of thick granite blocks, while most of the bigger buildings were built from some type of alabaster rock. Massive chains of black metal, secured to the top of the walls, suspended an entire city block high in the air at the middle of the city. It was breathtaking.

The main road through the city took me directly through the slowly closing bizarre. Various ponies, zebra, and griffons were finishing last moment transactions or closing up shop. I managed to catch a beverage vender before she closed up completely and purchased a few bottles of local cider from her. After such a long flight, I needed a drink. Perhaps several.

I mingled a little before heading toward my usual inn, but since it was late I didn't tarry long. A few minutes travel and a couple blocks later, I arrived at the Feather Down Inn. I strolled in like I owned the place which, in a way, I did. I wasn't a citizen of Nijan, thus I wasn't allowed to own property or any permanent businesses. Of course, that didn't stop me from becoming the 'silent partner' of several of the businesses, all of which had become quite popular and profitable. I waved to Morning Glory, the proprietor of the inn. “Hey 'Glory, how's business?”

Morning Glory looked up from her work and smiled. “Daring! It's been too long!” The mare rushed over and hugged me. “Business has been great! We have never had less than half the rooms occupied.” She let go of me, “Ironhoof is doing well. Oh, and Honeysuckle is getting so big!” Morning Glory always let me know how her family was fairing.

“That is wonderful news.” I told her. “I was worried that Ironhoof would still be walking with a crutch.”

Morning Glory chuckled lightly. “You know him. When a doctor says 'no', he says 'yes'. He does have to wear a brace still, but he is improving steadily.” She motioned for me to follow her, “I assume you will be staying with us for at least a little while this time?”

I nodded, “Yes, but I'll also be needing the room next to mine as well. The one with the adjoining door.”

She raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't object. “That won't be a problem.” She looked at me with shrewd eyes, “I will also assume that your...” she coughed politely, “...guest will be here soon. Anything I should know about?” she stopped in her tracks, “Your not in trouble again, are you?”

I wrapped a wing around her shoulders, “Of course not. I wouldn’t bring anything bad to your doorstep, I have a vested interest in this place.” I said nonchalantly. “All I need are a couple of rooms and some quiet discretion.”

Morning Glory didn't seem very convinced, but nodded anyway. “As you say. Your room is ready as always. I will turn down your guests room shortly.” She pondered something for a moment, “How will I know who your guest is?”

I couldn't help but chuckle, “His name is Justin and you will know him when you see him.” I waved a wing around grandly, “He is one of a kind and hard to miss.” At the odd look Morning Glory gave me, I laughed loudly and headed off toward my room. It would feel wonderful to sleep on a quality down mattress again!

...A Dangerous Mind

I would like to take a moment to thank all you readers! Over 5k views! ~Yay!~ Also I would like to apologize for the long wait. Illness has limited my writing time, so I hope ya'll think it's worth the wait. As always, enjoy and leave a comment! I love comments!

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Chapter 5

Through a Human's Eyes...

...A Dangerous Mind

~~~Justin

Three long days had passed since the 'Dispute'. Most of caravan still gave me a wide birth; although, the guards seemed to do so more out of awe than fear. Only two of my companions treated me in a relatively normal manner: Kemal, because he was my friend, and Keluro, most likely because I had done as he had asked. In any event, the solitary treatment felt very awkward and uncomfortable. The only upside was that it gave me a lot of time to ponder what I had done and think about what I needed to do.

Eventually the relentless sand slowly gave way to arid farmland as we neared the city of Nijan. Soon enough, I was able to make out a gigantic walled edifice in the distance; which, at first, seemed more reminiscent of a natural rock formation than a city. Kemal verified that this was indeed the 'Great City of Nijan' and not a small mountain. I had to admit, it was definitely large. I guessed the walls to be at least thirty to forty feet tall, but as we came closer I realized that the heat had been playing tricks on my eyes. Surely, the walls had to be at least double that height. It was awe inspiring to realize the monumental feat it must have taken; not only to quarry the monstrous sized granite blocks, but also to move them from heavens-knows-where to here...

...then I face-palmed, 'Oh, right. Magic.'

The city itself, at my best guess now that I was closer, must have spanned several miles in an almost circular formation. If I were back home, this would definitely qualify as one of the wonders of the world. That line of thought sobered me: home. Where was home? Would I ever set foot there again? Would I ever again walk among the familiar cherry and apple orchards of my homeland? Suddenly, I became very homesick.

Kemal broke my lethargic thoughts, "Well, what do you think?" He waved a foreleg toward the city while talking to me.

I snapped myself out of my dreary thoughts and focused on what was in front of me. "It's beautiful, in a way. See how the sunlight bounces off of the parapets? It's almost prismatic and makes the stone seem to have an inner fire of its own." I looked down to my companion, "If I didn't know better, I would think it's alive." I let my imagination wander a little and could have almost sworn I heard the city breathing...

"I often wonder how it is you see the world, Justin." Kemal stated jokingly while trying to hide a worried look.

I pulled the brim of my stetson down over my eyes, to shade them from the sun better, while jokingly replying, "Wager same as you, only from about three feet higher up."

Kemal turned a wry smirk my way, "Sometimes it is easy to forget you are not a zebra, then you go and say something stupid like that."

I couldn't help but laugh with my little friend. "At times I forget too, but then I remember things..."

"Oh? What kind of things?"

My voice became distant and my eyes glazed over slightly, "Places I have been, things I have done...some of them I'm not proud of..." My voice became very faint, "...It's hard to do the right thing sometimes."

I was startled from my dreary memories of a time long past when Kemal suddenly stomped on my foot. "Enough of that!" He scolded me as I hopped away from him with a yelp; more out of surprise than pain, since I'd barely felt a thing through my steel-reinforced boots.

I gave Kemal the evil eye. "It's a good thing I like you."

He stated with a chuckle, "The feeling is mutual, my too-tall friend." He stopped a moment to check the progress of the lumbering wagons far behind us. He took a piece of polished metal from his saddle bags and used it to send a series of flashes. Moments later, several rapid flashes responded. "Zecella replies that she is pleased that we are almost to Nijan." Kemal shot me a curious look as I began laughing at him. "What is so funny? Did I make a mistake with the mirror?" He asked skeptically.

My laughter slowed to a snicker as I shook my head and stated, "You still need to learn how to spot who is talking to you."

"I do not understand. The message said that Zecella was pleased and to continue. What did I miss?" Kemal was clearly confused.

"Oh, the message was from Zecella, but she didn't send it." I turned a smile to my little friend, "That was your girlfriend, Frida, sending the message."

Kemal's ears turned to oddest shade of red as his cheeks puffed out. "She is not my marefriend!" He huffed.

My voice was laced with mirth as I ribbed Kemal, "Suuure Casanova. I have eyes yanno. I see the way she flirts with ya and how she's got you wrapped around her little finger...err, hoof."

"That is not true!" Kemal blustered.

"Whatever kiddo." I pulled my hat off with an unnecessary flourish and held it against my heart as I let out an exaggerated sigh, "Ah, young love!"

~Daring

'Boring!' I thought as I trotted across the city toward a merchant that I always made a point to visit. 'I hate waiting. It is sooo boring!' I continued my mantra all the way to the little shop. The sign for the shop, the 'Shades of Grey', was battered and weather-worn. If I hadn't know better, I would have thought the place to be closed and abandoned.

Passing through the threshold always felt like walking into a different world. I always thought the beaded curtain to be a bit tacky, but the owner, Grey Beak, liked it. Incense permeated the air; overpowering, but not unpleasantly so. The low light cast from the few spaced out candles added a surreal quality to the multitude of hanging tapestries and book shelves. A raspy, yet feminine, voice called out from somewhere in the shadows of the room.

"Ah, as I live and breath,” came the traditional desert greeting, “Daring, how have you been?"

I turned toward the voice and recognized the shadowy form of my old friend. "Hello, Grey," I said with a warm smile, "Still taking pleasure from lurking about in the shadows?"

A breathless laugh answered me before she replied, "Indeed! But you have not answered my question."

"I am doing quite well Grey."

"The temple was where I divined it to be?" came the wispy voice.

"It was." I slowly walked into the room, taking care so as not to trip over all the nick-knacks strewn about. Finally, I reached a small table surrounded by cushions. The source of the pungent incense became apparent as the shadowed form of my friend took a deep inhale from an ornate hookah. I could feel her discerning eyes on me, but nothing was said. After several moments, I broke the silence, "There were complications that you did not foresee, Grey."

"Mm...There always are." Another deep inhale from the hookah spaced out Grey's words. "If I foresaw all, then I would be all powerful. Such is not the case of seers and you know it, youngling."

I always chafed when Grey spoke like that, but she was too useful to disrespect. I was about to tell the ancient griffon the story of my latest travels, when she interrupted me, "I sense an outside presence on you." Her voice became harsh, "I have told you before, I will not have your Princess in my home!" She pointed the handle of the hookah at the bracer I wore on my left foreleg. Celestia had given it to me, an almost identical copy of the one she had given me for Justin. "Leave! Do not return while you wear that."

I was stunned and a little hurt. Grey had never gotten angry with me before. I wondered what had gotten into the elderly griffon as I made my way toward the door. Trying to bait the seer into divulging something before I left, I turned in the doorway and stated, "I found it."

I didn't expect an answer, but Grey's voice halted me in my tracks, "No, you did not. He did." I turned, wide-eyed toward the shadow of my old griffon friend. She continued before I could say anything, "Your Princess is fortunate that he gave it to you." Grey let out a long stream of smoke. "Tell her, if she is not already listening, that I have foreseen her plan. Devious, but I like that."

"Grey, what are you talking about?" I stammered.

"You will learn in time, as you always do. Now go, but make sure to return before you leave." I was almost through the archway when I hear Grey call out one last thing, "Bring your new friend when you come. I would very much like to meet a human, at least once before I die."

'Crazy as ever!' I thought. It hadn't occurred to me until I was almost back at the inn, 'WAIT! I never told her that he was a human! How the buck did she know?'

~Justin

We made it to the city gates about three hours before the caravan managed to catch up. 'Three very long hours', I sighed to myself while sitting in the shade near the gate. Out loud I muttered, “I still don't see why we have to wait out here for them.”

“For the tenth time, Justin, we have to check in with the gate guards together.” He studied the cards in his hoof while glancing at me over them. “Got any twos?”

I sighed again and handed over a card. “I hate this game, yanno.”

Kemal set down three cards next to his growing pile. “It is not my fault you do not know any of our more stimulating games.”

“Ya? Not my fault you don't know poker, either.” I drew a card from the deck and studied the ones already in my hand. “Why do we all have to wait here anyway? The whole gang is here.” I smiled and set down three cards next to my small pile.

Kemal drew a card. “Zecella logged us in with administration.” The way his hoof could flex enough to hold things was both fascinating and mind-boggling. “We are waiting for them to process our entry.” He then proceeded to set down the rest of his cards. “I am out.”

I cussed silently and gathered the cards together. Seeing some movement from the gates, I saw what appeared to be an official strutting over toward Zecella. 'Oh thank the Goddess!' I thought. “Hey Kemal, that what I think it is?” I said motioning with my eyes toward the official.

Kemal smiled. “Indeed it is.” He stood and dusted himself off. “Come, we should rejoin the others now.” He smiled again. “It is time to enter and, once there, collect our pay!”

I gathered my cloak around myself before stepping back into the desert sunlight. The heat was already horrid and the cloak only made it worse, but threat of getting sun burns was far worser still. Nevertheless, my pale body had still managed to turn a dark bronze color during the trek through the desert. Thankfully, Zecella had given me some ointment for the few burns I had sustained. The smell was odd, but at least I hadn't lost any skin.

We took our places with the rest of the caravan guards, whom had also reassembled when the official showed up. Realizing this would still take a considerable amount of time, I took a knee and made myself comfortable while I waited. By now, most of the guards had once again come to accept me as one of their own. I know they were still a little wary of me, but they no longer viewed me as a wild animal; more like an extremely dangerous and unbalanced friend. 'I can live with that, I suppose...' I thought contentedly while we idly chatted amongst ourselves.

My pleasant conversation with Frida, mainly consisting of torturing Kemal, was suddenly interrupted by a loud voice, “What are you supposed to be?”

We all looked over to see a uniformed pony with a clipboard. He was most likely addressing me, since I was the only unusual one in the group. 'I suppose I do look kinda odd...like a lump of damp bedsheets. Guess I'll be nice.' I thought to myself; while out loud I stated, “Hello, name's Justin. I'm one of house Black Hoof's guard retainers.” I tried to keep my tone as friendly as possible as I slowly rose to my full height.

The pony’s jaw dropped as my shadow obscured the sun from his eyes. He had to crane his neck almost all the way back just to look up at me. “A D-Diamond Dog?” he sputtered in shock.

I sighed loudly, “No, I am not a Diamond Dog; or any sort of canine for that matter.” I removed my glasses so he could look me in the eyes. “I am a human, or 'homo sapien' if you prefer the scientific term.”

“Oh...well then...you just...uh...you just wait here. I...uh...need to talk to my supervisor.” With that, the pony scampered off. I could almost smell his fear, though I didn't know what I had done to frighten him so.

Frida sarcastically said, “Smooth, Justin. Real smooth.”

“What? I was being nice!” I blurted out, completely baffled.

Kemal shook his head while Frida spoke, “You just had to do your typical,” she reared up on her hind hooves and waved her forelegs at me, “'rawr, I am bigger than you' thing!” She hopped back to her four-legged stance before continuing. “Have you not figured out yet? You are almost as scary as a dragon to folks who are just meeting you!” At my puzzled look, she sighed. “How would you feel if somepony towered twice your height and looked like he could eat you? Might be a bit put off, huh?”

I scratched my neck and dumbly said, “Oh...didn't think of that.” I looked around. “Think I should apologize or somethin'? I don't want this to hold us up.”

Kemal chuckled. “No, at least not till his supervisor gets here.”

“Now sit back down and stop trying to scare ponies,” snapped Frida. She sure had an interesting way with words.

We didn't have long to wait before a pony with a big hat and some expensive looking necklace strutted toward us with a couple of armored guards. His voice was clear and more than a little haughty as he spoke. “I have a clerk who is scared stiff, claiming he saw a monster over here. I will ask only once, what is the problem?”

Frida smiled at the official. “There is no problem. Our friend here,” she gestured toward me with a hoof, “is from a far-off land and can be a bit imposing at first glance. Your clerk asked him a question. When Justin, that is his name, stood up to answer him, your clerk started stuttering nonsense and ran off.” She shrugged and the rest of us all nodded in unison. “And we have been waiting patiently since.”

The gaudy official looked surprised. “Truly? I will have to have a word with Quill Point...” He shot a scolding glance over his shoulder at the pony with the clipboard as he poked his head out from behind one of the guards. Looking back to me, he raised an eyebrow and stated, “I do not see what is so scary about the mound of soggy laundry here.” He waved at me. “Rise and let us get this over with.”

I looked at Frida and shrugged, “As you wish.” I stood and again towered over everypony present. Taking off my glasses again, I looked down on the pony. “Greetings, sir. My name is Justin. Before you ask, I am not in any way, shape, or form a relation to a Diamond Dog. I am a human.”

The official blinked several times as he stared up at me. I wager he didn't notice his two guards take a few steps back. He stood there several moments before speaking, “They sure grow them large wherever you are from...hmm, Justin was it?” I nodded to him. “Well then, I don't see what all the fuss was about. So what if you are tall? I will send Quill back over here to collect your information and process you through.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “I expect we will have no trouble from you. I do not like being wrong; do not make me so.” He then walked away from us.

Once the official was well away from us, I turned an even more confused look to my friends. “What the frak was that all about?”

Kemal and Frida both shrugged as she laughed out, “Who knows and who cares? A few more minutes and we are inside and paid!”

I snickered as she leaned against Kemal. 'Not his marefriend huh? Oh, the ribbing he gets later!' We only had to wait a couple minutes before the pony named Quill skittishly walked back over. 'Wow, this is a brave one!' I thought with a smirk.

“Constable Clear Sight has ordered me to process this group.” The pony looked at everyone except me. “If you will all get your identification ready, we can make this quick and easy.”

I leaned down and whispered in Kemal's ear, “Hey bud, what's he mean 'identification'?”

Kemal looked at me like I was stupid. He reached into his saddlebags and pulled out something that looked suspiciously like a passport. I noticed that all the zebras and ponies around me also had them; though, many were very different looking.

“Um, bud...I don't have one of those,” I whispered.

Kemal's eyes sunk. “What? You do not have anything for identification?”

“Not like those! I don't generally carry my passport with me!”

He thought for a moment. “Well, what did you show to Zecella when she hired you?”

“Just my military ID and driver's license.” I fumbled around to get at my wallet. Once I had extracted it, I pulled out my old ID cards and showed them to Kemal.

He stared at them for a moment then looked up at me, “Though strange, they do have everything you need to prove your identity.” He then mumbled something along the lines of, 'horrible pictures'.

I just shook my head and muttered, “Even in a land of magic talking ponies, I need to prove who I am. Bet they want my social security card too...”

~Daring

'It's far too nice of a day to stay cooped up at the inn,' I thought to myself as I wandered the Bazaar.

The Bazaar was the largest building in the entire city. It spanned several warehouses in size; a massive affair with multitudes of vendors all under one huge roof. I always thought the air circulation would be a problem in such an area, but it seemed like that had been taken into account as well. The construction alone was a monumental undertaking; not to mention all the enchanting done so the torches that lit the place refreshed the air instead of consuming it. In all honesty, the air in here was better than the air in the majority of the city since wind seldom penetrated the great wall.

Most stalls offered little than trinkets, but, every now and again, you found a genuine relic or old item of magical power. I purchased a couple of pretty baubles; more for the fantastic stories the vendors spun than the items themselves. I spotted more than a few members of the large feline race as I browsed, but gave them a wide berth. I knew full well that most of them were good folk, but the few that worked with Ahuizotl made me tend to stay away from them altogether. 'At least none of them seem interested in me,' I thought with a sigh of relief.

Due to my fame and popularity, ponies tended to recognize me pretty regularly and politeness dictated that I greet them all with at least a wave or a nod. It was nice to have lots of friends, though at times it was trying too. 'Especially if one wanted to go for a relatively normal walk,' I thought to myself. That is why I wasn't wearing my traditional pith hat and green blouse. Instead, I wore a white blouse and had pulled my mane into a tight bun. The pair of fake, circular spectacles were the final touch. 'I look more like a librarian than an adventurer!' I thought with a snort. The disguise worked well enough; as nopony, at least none that I didn't know extremely well, managed to figure out my true identity. As I was anonymously examining a small statuette, a nearby conversation suddenly caught my ear.

A nauseating female voice said, “The nerve! Can you believe that caravan would dare show its face around here after what they did to Kevirro?”

“They only did exactly what Kevirro would have done to them. You have to respect their strength,” came a mild mannered male's voice.

“I hear their champion broke every bone in his body! How is that worth respecting?” retorted the female.

The male snorted. “No he didn't. He broke one of his forelegs, dislocated the other, damaged his larynx, and cracked his spine. That is hardly every bone in his body. Besides, think about all those that Kevirro has brutalized. He had it coming, if you ask me.”

“Well, I didn't ask you!” The female spat on the ground near the male vendor and stormed off with a huff.

Curious, I trotted over to the male vendor's stall. From the look of it, he sold various types produce and other such edible wares. I nonchalantly examined the vegetables and fruits until he walked over, a pleasant smile pulling at his face. “And how might I assist such a lovely lady such as yourself?”

“I would like half a dozen of those oranges,” I pointed a fore hoof at them, “the same for those apples. They look wonderful.”

The vendor nodded gratefully as he gathered my selections; all the while muttering things like 'excellent choice' or 'you have a discerning eye for quality'. Once he had all of my order together, he stated in a pleasant voice, “That will be twelve copper bits, milady.”

I passed him two silver bits. “The change you can keep...if," I slyly tacked on, "you tell me the story of that caravan that had the other mare so upset.”

The older stallion chuckled as he made change and hoofed me eight copper bits. “That is no secret and I will not steal your coin for such common information.” He smiled and sat down. “House Azeels' caravan returned to town yesterday; just three days after it had left. Everypony thought the worst: that bandits had set upon them. Though, this turned out to not be the case.” He took a moment to wipe his forehead with a handkerchief. “Do not get me wrong, it was bad; Just not what we all thought. Seems that young master Kevirro bit off much more than he could chew during his last Dispute...”

I interrupted the grocer, “Dispute, what is that?”

The stallion raised an eyebrow at my question. “Oh, you must not be from around here.” He chuckled. “The Dispute, simply put, is a fight between two zebra houses' champions. This is done to prevent war. The houses select single champions to resolve all conflicts of interest in a form of gladiatorial combat. It was only a matter of time before some house put Kevirro in his place. I only hope he will be able recover enough and learn his lesson from this.” He paused a moment to shake his head slowly.

In spite of a sinking feeling in my stomach, I was chewing at the bit for more information and blurted out, “Well? What happened?”

The older stallion, being practically a full head taller than I, looked down at me with mild annoyance. “If you would give me a moment, I will tell you.” He cleared his throat. “Where was I? Oh yes! Kevirros' last Dispute will likely be his last. It seems that underdog house, Black Hoof, found a ringer that beat him senseless.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice, “The way I heard it, Kevirros' sister had to beg for his life! That is the worst way a Dispute can end in: humiliation!”

I know my eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer to my next question, but I asked anyway. “What all is known about this 'ringer' you mentioned?”

Offhandedly, the vendor stated, “Not much really. I know only that he is most unusual, unlike any of the known races, and that he fought like a demon possessed. Sadly, nopony I have spoken to actually saw him. Oh, I could tell you all the rumors I have heard, but they are ridiculous!” He chuckled jovially. “I mean, seriously, a hairless monster that stands on its hind hooves and happens to be at least twice our size? What a load of bull-" he caught himself suddenly and gave an embarrassed cough. "...sorry about my language madame.”

Truthfully, I didn't give a buck what kind of language he used. My eyes narrowed to pinpoints as he described Justin; I just knew it had to be him. 'Who else fits that description? Only, why would he do such a thing? I thought he didn't like fighting.' I shook my head slightly to focus my thought before speaking up. “I have to ask, do the champions volunteer for the Dispute?”

“Hmm? Oh, most do, in fact most houses have a permanent champion; Although... I do I hear many of the lesser houses do not. Their combatant is selected by vote at the time of the Dispute. Needless to say, lesser houses do not generally win against the more powerful houses.” At my questioning look he added, “More powerful houses can afford to obtain the best training for their champions. Lesser houses have to make due with whomever they have on-hoof at the time.”

“I see...” My thoughts were a jumbled mess of questions. After a moments hesitation I asked, “House Black Hoof, where would they be now? I should like to see this 'champion' of theirs. Perhaps get the firsthand story of what transpired?”

The stallion appraised me for a few moments before responding with a shrug, “Their location is no business of mine, but I would think them to be in the West Mercantile District.” He waved a hoof in the general direction. “Just ask a guardpony where House Black Hoof's holdings are and you should have no problems finding it.” I tried to hand the grocer a silver bit for his help, but he refused. Instead he replied, “Keep your bits milady. Of course, if you should happen to find out the truth of the tale, I would consider it a wonderful thing if you would return and tell me of it.”

I smiled at the stallion. It was not every day you found such good ponies in these lands. I nodded to the vendor and trotted off in the direction he had indicated. 'Oh Justin, what have you gotten yourself into now?' I thought worriedly.

~Justin

Kemal and I sat in an immaculate, white exam room with furniture too small for me to comfortably use. I had just finished re-clothing myself after being put through a non-invasive test that was remarkably similar to an MRI. 'At least I got to change out of those makeshift Bedouin robes I had to whip up for the desert. Oh, how I missed my jeans and button up shirt!' The doctor that Kemal had brought me to see specialized in head trauma and memory loss. He seemed to know what he was doing; though, even for a unicorn, I thought him a bit eccentric.

'On second thought,' I told myself, 'eccentric is putting it mildly! This guy is fraking nuts! A total wack job!' My thoughts were interrupted when a pretty, pegasus mare in a nurse's uniform peeked into the room; an all too pleasant smile plastered across her face.

“The doctor will be here in just a few minutes. He is reviewing the results of your test as we speak,” she informed me in a tone matching the smile that never left her muzzle.

'Wow, a little too perky. Maybe she drinks too much coffee?' I thought to myself as I stated, “Thank you ma'am.”

'Wait a tick...pretty?' my internal monolog kicked back in as she left the room, 'When the frak did I start finding them attractive?' I sighed as I brought my thumb and pointer finger to rub at a spot between my eyes; the same spot where migraines usually formed. 'I've been in this place too long! I must be going crazy...'

“Is something wrong, Justin?” Kemals' voice sounded concerned.

'Nothing I couldn't cure with some vodka and a bottle of vicodin...' I told myself while out loud I said, “No, nothing. Just have too many things on my mind and I'm getting a headache.” My anxiety level had been on the rise ever since I had entered the medical facility. I never liked doctors much and nothing had changed my opinion of them since getting here.

'At least this one hasn't poked me with lots of needles...' I reassured myself. It was at precisely this moment that the doctor chose to enter the room.

He was levitating a medical chart next to him with lots of colors and squiggly lines on it. Without looking up he spoke, “Most unusual, I have to say.”

When nothing further came from him, I asked, "What's unusual?"

He looked up at me with his head cocked to the side, “There is a hole in your mind.”

I blinked in stunned silence for a moment before managing to find my voice. “Excuse me? Did I hear you right?”

The unicorn nodded. “Yes. It is hard to explain but, simply put, somepony has fiddled with your brain.” After furrowing my eyebrows and giving him a questioning look, he continued with, “Oh, it isn't that bad my boy! It is just a memory altering spell.” I rolled my hand in the air, indicating for him to proceed with his explanation. “Well, at some point your memory was tampered with and a complex spell was used to block off a section of your long term memory.” Kemal and I locked eyes for a moment.

We both had the same question; one which I took the initiative in asking. “Wait. Long term memory? That doesn't make sense; I can remember things from my childhood. If my long term memory was messed up then how can I remember that far back?”

The doctor blinked a few times before answering, “Oh! Oh, dear me...I think you misunderstand what I mean.” He sat down at a low desk and placed the charts on it. “The spell I detected is only blocking a portion of your long term memory, not all of it. Think of your mind as a book. One day, somepony comes along and doesn't like something written in there. So, they erase a few sentences. The rest of the book is still intact; only a few select bits were altered.”

“Are you telling me that someone erased some of my memories? Why in the nine hells would someone do that?!” I seethed, my voice rising a few decibels.

Kemal placed a hoof on my knee. “Calm down Justin. Getting excited will not help you.”

I forced myself to accept Kemal's advice and took several deep breaths. “OK doc, how do we fix it?” I asked in a more even tone.

The palomino unicorn's smile vanished. “Well, that is the hard part. Normally I can simply use a counterspell...” His voice trailed off for a moment, his eyes dancing over the chart, before suddenly picking up again, “...only whatever spell was used on you is unlike anything I have ever seen. It is immensely powerful and I fear anything I could cast to try to counter it would not work. The dweomer affecting your mind is just too strong for conventional magic to cure .” He gazed at the chart once more then looked back to me. “I don't know who you angered to have this happen, but I am glad I am not in your shoes.”

I rolled my eyes.. “Gee, thanks. Is that last bit also part of your expert opinion?”

“Indeed,” The doctor quipped back dryly. He then looked at me in a clinical way; examining me with practiced, some might say crazed, eyes. “There is another possibility...”

“Do tell! I'm all ears doc.” I tried to hide the sarcasm in my voice.

“A procedure I have developed; one I have been trying to pioneer for several years. It stands a good chance of working.” He seemed to ponder this a minute. “Yes, it is your only option; short of asking Celestia herself to remove the spell for you...”

I raised an eyebrow, “Could the princess really help me out?”

“She probably could, but that isn't the question. The question is, 'why would she help you?'. If there is nothing in it for her, you would just be wasting your time.” The doctor sounded a tad bitter.

Kemal muttered, “Guess she does not like you, huh?”

The doctor huffed. “She has done nothing but repress medical advancement. She is happier with her subjects being nothing more than illiterate peons. That is why I moved here. She can not stop my research where she has no jurisdiction. This way, I can help everypony who needs it and advance medical knowledge at the same time!” He paused his outburst and took a moment to calm himself.

I was starting to think he seemed a little too zealous about his work, but, for the sake of my memories, I pressed on. “Sooo...barring the unlikely royal intervention, what kind of procedure are we talking about here?”

The doctor became excited. “It's revolutionary! I believe I have isolated the nerve cluster in your brain that is being affected by the spell.” He began gesturing wildly at the charts on his desk. “By my deductions, all memory-affecting spells target the neural impulses to and from the affected clusters and not the clusters themselves. All that is needed, then, is to remove the nerves leading to the blocked cluster and replace them with undamaged ones! It is quite simple, really, and the surgery is not very invasive!” My eyes bugged out in terror as the doctor kept talking. “I project a sixty percent success rate with, roughly, a forty-two percent chance of recovery." The assuring nod he gave as he spoke didn't help in the least. "Very high numbers for brain surgery.”

I stood almost immediately after he finished and announced, “Thanks for your time doc, but, peace," I jerked a thumb over my shoulder at the exit, "I'm out!” I then quickly headed for the door.

The doctor, without rising from his desk or even changing his expression, calmly stated, “Oh...you can't leave.”

“Watch me.” I deadpanned as I opened the door and motioned for Kemal to join me.

The doctor sighed. “Why do you ponies always do this the hard way?” He hoofed a button on his desk. “Fiona, contact the orderlies. Tell them they are to apprehend the hairless biped at once. I have deemed him mentally unstable due to the influence of a mind altering spell he is under. He is a danger to both himself and those around him. I would very much like to have him placed in a holding cell.”

A disembodied female voice could be heard answering back over the intercom, “Yes, doctor. Right away.”

"Thank you, Fiona." The doctor cut the transmission and placed his foremost hooves together in front of him. His manic grin was the last thing I saw before hastily dashing out of the room with Kemal in tow.

~Daring

It took about twenty minutes to find the West Mercantile District. Once at the gates, I had to gain entry from a guard; who let me in with a smile and a compliment. He was even kind enough to point me toward House Black Hoof's holdings, which, thankfully, wasn't very far from the gates. Apparently, for a lesser house, Black Hoof was fairly well-to-do. The only 'trouble' I had to deal with during the five minute walk, were a couple of catcalls from the other houses I passed by.

'This place isn't too shabby...' I thought to myself as I entered Black Hoof's private grounds. Even though it was about the same setup as all the other lesser houses, their area seemed just a bit cleaner and just a little better looking than the rest. A fresh coat of paint here, a patched roof there; things like that certainly made a difference. I could tell that this was a house on the verge of becoming a major power. 'As long as nothing bad befell them,' I thought as I trotted around the building, toward the holding ground for the wagons.

Black Hoof, wisely, had had the area cordoned off to allow for the private loading and unloading of its caravans. Unfortunately, their security was rather lax and I was able to stroll right on up as if I owned the place. This took me slightly off guard considering rising nature of the House. It wasn't until I was practically inside the walls that the caravans guards noticed me.

I probably should have expected it, but it always took me off-guard when males started with the catcalls and wolf-whistles. It made me self-conscious. I knew I was attractive, but it still made me feel like an item up for auction and I didn't much like it. All the jeers and such soon drew the attention of the higher-ups. I easily recognized Keluro's voice as he disciplined the guards. He waited until they were well out of earshot before sauntering up to heckle me as well.

“Mm, mm, mm," he crooned after giving a low whistle, "what is a pretty little thing like you doing all the way out here? Tired of all those fancy city-ponies and decided to get yourself a real stallion?” I almost lost my temper right then and there.

“Cut the shit Kel!” I snapped venomously. “Where's my human?”

Keluro stopped and blinked several times in shock. “Daring? Is that you?”

I gave him the old, 'are you stupid' look and took off my glasses. “Seriously Kel, do you need your eyes checked?”

Several of the others laughed at Keluros' discomfort from their hiding spot behind the wall. They had obviously not gone as far away as he had hoped, which made him all the more red from embarrassment. “I do not think I have ever seen you without your helmet, Daring. You look very nice.” He stammered in a poor attempt to save face.

“I'm not on a dig, Kel," I retorted sharply, "I'm perfectly safe inside this city, so why would I be wearing my adventuring gear? I do like to relax and dress normally every once in a while...” I looked him up and down. “...unlike some people.”

“W-what do you mean?” he blustered.

I sighed. I knew that tormenting him further, while satisfying, would not get me any closer to my goal. “Nothing, Kel. Just forget it.” I suddenly pretended to be interested in their operation. “So, where is Justin? I am anxious to meet back up with my friend and get away from this two-bit operation. We have business to take care of.” I waved my fore-hoof absently.

Keluro probably put two and two together and realized that I really didn't want to talk to him. “He is not here anymore,” he stated, nodding his head toward the center of the city.

I cocked an eyebrow at Keluro. 'Now he's just being difficult,' I sneered inwardly, 'Well, two could play at that game.' I allowed a minxy grin to spread across my face and stared at him until he appeared to be visibly uncomfortable.

“Oh? Where did he go? As head of security, surely a real stallion like yourself would know...” My tone was sickeningly sweet, even by my standards, but it got the desired affect.

Unable to meet my gaze, like many a 'stallion' before him, Keluro barely managed to mutter, “He and Kemal went to the hospital.”

That startled me and snapped me out of my teasing demeanor."Hospital?!" I dashed forward, clapping a hoof on a stunned-looking Keluro's shoulder, and shook him vigorously as questions rapid-fired from my mouth. 'Is he sick?'; 'Did he get hurt?'; 'Why in Celestia's name would he need to go to the hospital?'. This went on for a few dozen seconds before the zebra managed to pry himself from my grasp.

After taking a moment to let his head stop spinning, Keluro finally answered, “I do not know. I was not told until after he had already left. When I went to speak with Zecella, she told me she had cleared it. I tried to inquire further, but she would not tell me; something about confidentiality.” He looked away, over toward the center of city again. “I wager Kemal knows since Zecella let him go with Justin. They are close, like old friends. Go ask them and leave me alone.” Glancing back at me one final time, he declared sternly, “I have had enough of your insults to last me a lifetime.” He turned his back and stared walking away. Over his shoulder he added, “Do not come back. You are not wanted here.”

I was taken off-guard. 'Keluro managed grow a set?' I thought in disbelief. 'Wow, will wonders never cease!'

I turned away to seek out the medical establishment when a mare trotted up to me. I recognized her; she was the one who talked my ears off in the wagon outside Riverside. I think Frida was her name. She spoke softly, “You looking for Justin?” I nodded to her. “He went to doctor Open Mind's clinic. Kemal went with him.” She checked over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being watched as she spoke with me. “They did not tell me why, exactly, but Kemal mentioned something about Justin having memory problems or something like that. It is why Kemal went with him to that brain bender of a doctor. I told them not to go. Open Mind has a bad reputation around here.”

'Open Mind...' I remembered that name.

Open Mind had, at one time, been a brilliant upcoming surgeon in Equestria. There were even rumors that he had been consider for a position within the Court; at least, until several of his patients wound up dead due to his 'revolutionary' procedures. Celestia quickly put a stop to his research, revoked his medical license, and eventually had him exiled from Equestria after he still refused to stop his practices. He was definitely bad news.

'Why in the world would Justin go see a crackpot him? Unless...he didn't know what kind of pony he was!'

“How long ago did they leave?” I urgently asked Frida.

“Several hours now. I do not recall how long exactly, but I am worried for him. Justin is my friend, Daring. I wish I could go check on him, but I am not allowed to leave until the caravan is fully checked in and unloaded.” She again checked to make sure Keluro hadn't noticed her. From my vantage, it seemed like a few guards were covering for her. I wondered why, but, before I could inquire, Frida asked me, “Would you go and make sure he is alright?”

I knew that Justin was easy to get along with and seemed to be able to make friends quickly, but Frida seemed to have a personal stake in this. I wanted to know why without letting on. “Sure," I gave a shrug of my shoulders,"but I don't know what has your tail in a twist. I mean, it's only a doctor visit.”

Fridas' eyes narrowed. “Look, Daring, he may be my friend, but trouble seems to follow Justin around like a love-sick puppy and I do not want Kemal getting swept up in whatever shit-storm happens this time.”

I couldn't help but stand there stunned. “This time?” I managed to squeak out.

Frida looked flustered. “I do not have time to chit-chat! Just find them, make sure they are okay, and send Kemal back to me in one piece!” I wasn't able to come up with anything meaningful to say, so I just nodded.

Many questions still ran through my mind as I bid Frida goodbye. 'What had happened at that 'Dispute' thing?' and 'what the hay was so wrong with Justin's head that he'd wind up going to a quack like Open Mind?' were at the top of the list.. I sighed as I hurried off to locate this doctors' clinic.

'I just wanted to relax with my friend and get a few questions answered for my Princess. Is that so much to ask for?' I tossed a glance back over my shoulder at Fridas' receding form and thought, 'I'm beginning to wonder if she's right. Does bad luck really follow Justin around?' I turned my gaze back to the city. 'Guess I 'll just have to find out for myself...and, if so, I'll have to kick Justin's ass for all the trouble he's putting me through!'

~Justin

We almost made it to the stairwell leading to the first floor...almost. Blocking the way were three burly-looking earth ponies in green scrubs. The one on the left held a syringe in his teeth, loaded with something I knew I would rather not get stabbed with. “Oh, come on!” I exclaimed. “You guys really don't want to do this...”

The middle pony held his ground and calmly stated, “Everything is going to be okay.” He advanced a few steps as he continued, “We do not want to hurt you. We know you are sick. Let us help you.” He enunciated each word slowly as if he was speaking to a child.

“Oh, hells no!” I kept all three of the ponies in my vision; though, to be honest, I focused on the one with the needle. “I'm not sick and I don't want that crackpot doctor cutting on my brain. I have the right to a second opinion!” At a glance, I knew that words weren't about to sway these guys. As distasteful as it would be, my only options were to either submit-

'...when hell froze over!'

-or to subdue them.

'...that could work!'

The lead orderly kept trying to use soothing words on me as I backed up slowly. I took advantage of the extra time this gave me to assess my situation. I was in a wide hallway, my best guess put it at approximately ten feet across, which was more than enough room for them to flank me on both sides if I wasn't careful. The dangerous one, the pony with the syringe, continued trying to circle to my left. The only other obstruction, in an otherwise empty hallway, was an abandoned gurney. A plan was starting to form in my mind's eye.

“Kemal...” I said expectantly.

“Yes, Justin?” came his worried reply.

I spared my zebra friend only the briefest of glances. “...watch my back and don't get involved.” Staring hard, in my predatory way, at the middle orderly, I said, “Last chance, I don't wanna to hurt y'all.”

The pony on the right spoke for the first time, “You may be big, but there are three of us. You can not win and you can not escape.”

The pony to the left mumbled over the syringe held fast between his teeth. “'ome aron' 'eaffurry an' ee 'ill 'ot 'ave oo 'e'ate 'ou!” How he managed to get all that out without dropping the needle, I will likely never know.

"Can I get a translation, please?!" I motioned a hand to 'syringe pony' in hopes it would distract the other two.

Without even so much as a blink, the lead orderly said, "Come along peacefully and we will not have to sedate you."

"Thanks, but I'll have to decline," I said then turned to Kemal with a sigh. “Why do they always do things the hard way?” Kemal started to say something, but I exploded into action before he ever got the chance.

The middle and right orderlies never knew what hit them as I crashed the gurney into their faces. The one on the left was so disturbed at the sudden outburst of violence that I had all time I needed to not only close the distance between us, but to also relieve him of the syringe. He regained his senses just in time to feel the needle pump its medicated goodness into his system. Whatever was in that needle was some powerful mojo as the poor orderly barely had enough time to gurgle before collapsing to the ground. I hoped to the goddess that he wasn't dead...

I stopped to check the other two downed orderlies and made sure they were still breathing. Fortune was with them, and me, as they were all still alive and, other than some missing teeth, would be fine in a few days. “They'll live.” I deadpanned as I glanced down at Kemal. “Time to go before more of them show up. I don't want to be forced to hurt anyone else just to leave a building!” He nodded in agreement and we proceeded to hurry down the stairs to the first floor.

Rounding a bend at the bottom of the stairs brought us right to the main exit of the clinic. Of course, it also brought us face to face with two more burly orderlies. This time a dark colored earth pony and a zebra that definitely ate his Wheaties in the morning. The pony was the first to speak.

“Calm down, everything is going to be okay,” he said in the same calming tone as the ones upstairs had used.

My eyes narrowed as my voice took on a deadly, growling rumble, “What is it with you ponies? Do you enjoy hurting yourselves?” They looked at each other then back at me. I continued, “You have no idea what you are dealing with, do you?”

It was the zebra's turn speak up this time. “It does not matter what we are dealing with. You are ill and need help...”

I became truly freaked out when they both said, “...let us help you,” in almost perfect tandem.

I glanced at Kemal as I exclaimed, “Holy shit! When did we enter the Twilight Zone?”

“The what?”

“Never mind,” I sighed. Turning back to the two, seemingly possessed, orderlies, I pleaded, “Get out of my way before y’all make me do something you'll regret.”

“I am sorry, but we cannot do that,” they said, once again speaking in time with each other.

'Right then, these two freak me out enough that I won't mind tossing a bit of pain their way.'

I threw my arms out to each side and puffed out my chest. At the top of my lungs I bellowed, “Black Fifty-Eight!" I glanced Kemal's way and winked. I hoped he understood me, though I bet any money he didn't as he took up a combat stance next to me.

'I can work with this,' I thought as I leaned forward and yelled out, “Black Fifty-Eight...Black Fifty-Eight! Down...set, hike!” I knew, without a doubt, Kemal hadn't seen my next move coming.

I scooped him up in my right arm and held him close to my chest. Without a wasted second, I hurtled toward the door and, incidentally, the two orderlies. They were, sadly, frozen in place as I performed my best Jack Lambert impersonation. The unwitting fools were blown apart like two bowling pins as I charged through them to take the front door off its hinges.

I stopped about ten paces outside the building while the door continued through the air another ten to fifteen paces then crashed into the main road. I was thankful that nopony had been struck by the projectile door. It did, however, draw a ton of attention. I set Kemal down before turning toward the clinic, striking a pose, and yelling at the top of my lungs, “You'll always remember this as the day you almost caught...Captain Jack Sparrow!”

Kemal stared at me in sheer disbelief and dryly stated with a shake of his head, “Smooth, Justin. Real smooth.” He looked around apprehensively at the growing crowd of spectators that had stopped to gawk at me as I continued to spew volatile language at the clinic. Eventually, he kicked me in the shin to get my attention.

“Are you finished?” He gestured at all the ponies and zebras and other creatures staring wide-eyed at the commotion I had caused. “Can we go before the constables arrive? I would prefer not to spend tonight in jail!”

I calmed visibly and turned a bright shade of red; more than a tad embarrassed at my rantings. “Right...um, how about that way?” I didn't wait for his witty reply as I sprinted off in a random direction away from the clinic. I needed a drink...

~Daring

Having never been to Doctor Open Mind's clinic before, for good reason, I found myself needing to stop to ask for directions. This turned out to be a bad idea as the pony I got the directions from inadvertently lead me the main hospital in the Southern District. After increasingly dirty looks, and more than a few heated arguments with several of the hospital's employees, I managed find out that Open Mind had even been forced out of Nijan's less-than-reputable medical community for his extremely questionable methods. He instead ran an independent clinic nestled deep in the city's Northern District. Street names and faces melded into a blurred collage as I hurried from district to district. Even after I got to the Northern District, I must have wasted almost an hour before I located the blasted place.

“Oh no...” I muttered as the complex came into view.

Several constable zebras had cordoned off the area around the main entrance, which, incidentally, was laying about halfway in the middle the main road. Ponies of all walks of life crowded the area, making the constables job tough. It was easy to see from my slight vantage that they were trying to gather evidence on what happened. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Justin had been involved. For all his good intentions, trouble did seem to follow him.

“...what have you gotten yourself into this time?” I grumbled.

Taking in the scene, I knew that I wouldn't get much information from the constables. Instead, I looked around at the local businesses and merchants. One of the merchants near the site happened to be a cider vendor. 'Hmm, I can work with this,' I thought as I meandered my way over to her stall.

The merchant, an older, dun-colored mare, was chuckling to herself and watching the constables bumble about their job. She quickly shifted her attention away from them as she noticed me checking the different bottles she had for sale. “Ah, a fine vintage from the port city of Gentra,” the older mare offered, clicking her teeth a few times, “Although not particularly difficult to import, the trick is in obtaining aged specimens such as these. Very smooth, I guarantee. Well worth the low cost of two silver bits per bottle.”

Inwardly I smiled. 'Ah, nothing like haggling. Always the best way to get information!' I picked up one of the bottles and examined it. I didn't have too. The family whom bottled it, the Nethyl Clan, were well known to me. They crafted several splendid mixes of cider and other fruits to make a refreshing beverage that was exported widely in this region; with some even making it all the way to Equestria. Offhandedly I stated, “What makes this brand different from the hundreds of other ciders out there?”

I patiently let the old mare spin her yarn about how the cider she was selling was better than any other pony's out there. I had to hoof it to her, she was definitely creative. I might have even purchased a couple of bottles from her, in spite of already knowing I loved the brand. I handed the older mare a golden bit as I packed four bottles of the fine brew into my saddlebags. As she made change for me I asked, “Do tell, what happened here to get the guards tails in a twist?”

The dull-colored mare chuckled gleefully. “Oh, you should have see it, Miss Daring!” She clucked a few more times as I turned a questioning look her way. “Yes, I know who you are. Worry not, I do not plan to yell it to the crowd.”

“How did you know?” I asked with a conspirator's tone.

She leaned forward and whispered, “I am old, not stupid. A pair of glasses does not hide the mare behind them; at least, not to those who know what to look for.” She smiled and waved a hoof toward the bumbling constables. “I believe you asked what those idiots are doing? Or, perhaps, what happened to bring them here?”

I smirked at the elder's candor and I slid back the two silvers' worth of change she had just hoofed me. “Why not tell me everything...from the beginning?” The silver had disappeared before my sentence even ended.

“Well, it all started earlier when the sun was near its zenith. I stopped my hawking to have a bit of lunch.” She looked to the sky for a moment. “Mm, a nice fresh salad my daughter brought me; with a wonderful vinaigrette dressing and some cold...”

I cut her off, “What happened?”

She snapped out of her revery. “Oh, dear me! I'm so sorry. I do tend to ramble on at times...” She tapped her chin with a hoof. “Where was I...oh, yes! I was having lunch when I spotted something odd. A young zebra, handsome little devil, accompanied an extremely tall, robed individual. They stopped in front of the clinic and the large one seemed to question the zebra. Now, at first I thought the big one for a minotaur, so large was its stature; only I couldn't see any horns on and minotaurs never cover their hooves. It caught my interest, as an oddity, mind you.” She lowered her voice and I had to cock my ears forward to hear her clearly. “When the large one pulled its hood away from its face, I was flabbergasted! Never before had I seen anything that looked like it!”

When she paused, I asked, “What did he look like?”

The old mare gazed into my eyes with a shrewdness I remembered in few. “I never said it was a 'he'. You know more than you let on, Miss Daring.” She pushed my silver coins back toward me. “How about I tell you what I know, and you tell me what you know? That is worth much more to an old mare than a few paltry silvers.”

I sighed. “Am I that transparent?”

The old mare smirked. “Only to one as wizened as I! Do we have a deal?”

“Fine,” I murmured, “Tell me what you know and I will tell you all I can, some things are confidential at the moment.”

Her left eyebrow raised. “Is that so? Well, I suppose I will just have to settle for whatever you can offer.” She cleared her throat once before beginning.

“Well then, as I said, his face was most peculiar. He had a short cut mane; though, I am not sure it was really a mane with the way it covered his head. He had no muzzle at all, just a flattish face with a beard that covered the bottom half. His eyes were close set, like a gryphon or some other predator...like a wolf. I wasn't too disturbed until he glanced my way.” She gulped at the memory. “He didn't look directly at me, though I know he saw me. He smiled suddenly and gave me such a fright. I don't think it was malicious in any way, but his teeth...” she shivered, “...a meat eater, definitely a carnivore. Even when peaceful, they frighten me.” She fell silent a moment before remembrance twinkled in her eyes. “Oh! The strangest thing was he only seemed to have fur around half his face! When he took off the heavy gloves he wore, his hands were like those of a minotaur; only they were covered in bare skin instead of fur!” She shivered again. “The way he walked made him look ...dangerous? Powerful, perhaps? I don't have the correct words.”

I nodded. “Yeah, that's him.” The vendor didn't seem surprised. “He's of a species called 'Human'. They're from...a very, very far away land. He may look imposing, but...” I smiled to reassure the elder mare, “he's already saved my life several times, assisted a caravan against bandits without them asking, and has volunteered to help me in my travels. So, while very dangerous, he's also very kind. Mostly, he just seems to simply want to live peacefully, but troubles seem to follow him wherever he goes. Sad, really, since he can be so gentle when unprovoked...” I sighed.

She nodded. “That makes sense with what happened.” I waved my hoof for her to keep talking. “A few hours after he and the zebra entered the clinic is when all the ruckus happened.”

“How long ago?” I asked.

“About twenty to thirty minutes ago. I would have told you; even without your prompting. I'm not that senile yet,” she huffed, though soon returned to her story. “I heard some muffled shouts from inside then, suddenly, the door exploded off its hinges! He burst from the entrance, looking like a rabid manticore, and was carrying his zebra companion under one arm; though, he stopped to set him down. He then turned back to the clinic and yelled out the most peculiar thing...”

When she paused, I asked, “What? What did he say?”

She smirked and let out a little snort, “He yelled at the top of his lungs, unless he always speaks that loud, 'You'll always remember this as the day you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!'” She looked at me questioningly. “Is that his name, Jack Sparrow? He certainly didn't look like a captain, but I know that some of the practices in the clinic are rather... uh, questionable. So I suppose he may have been running from them.” She glanced to the side and muttered, “Wouldn't be the first time I've witnessed a client of theirs run off screaming, but never before have I seen one do what he did.”

I couldn't help but laugh. “No, no, no. His name is Justin, not Jack Sparrow, and is isn't a captain of anything, unless you count his penchant for getting into trouble. I also know he doesn't like doctors much. That's why I was surprised when I found out he went to one. Apparently he's suffering from some kind of memory loss and went to see Open Mind-” the old vendor suddenly cut me off.

“That brain butcher?” she gagged out with a mixture of doubt and contempt. “Now I can understand why he ran like he did; I would too if that son of a motherless goat wanted to get his hoofs on me!”

I smirked. “Yeah, Justin tends to react in a volatile manner to things trying hurt him. I hope nopony was injured too severely.”

The old mare thought about it then shook her head. “I don't believe so. The constables are not looking too hard for him, so I doubt he hurt anypony too badly; though, it would serve some of those bastards right.”

I could tell there was no love lost. “Did you see where they went?”

She nodded. “Yes, they went that way.” She pointed toward the Eastern District.

"Figures," I grunted in a disgusted manner, “I've been all over this Celestia-be-damned city looking for those two and they wind up right where I started!” I turned to leave in the direction indicated, but the vendor stopped me before I could go.

“One more thing, two orderlies chased after them. I'm sure they have not caught them yet, or else they would have drugged them and dragged them back by now.” She thought a moment. “If I had to guess, I would think they are still hiding. Waiting for things to cool off.”

I nodded to her. “Thank you.” I turned and hurried off to find them.

I heard the old mare yell out, “You forgot your change!”

I chuckled as I ran. 'I always pay my debts. Since I couldn't tell her anything much about Justin, I figure those silvers should suffice!'

~Justin

'Kemal may not see them, but I do...' I thought to myself as I took note of the two incompetent orderlies pushing their way through the milling crowd. 'Thank the goddess they are likely the most inept ponies I've met yet!'

I hunched down and spoke into Kemal's ear, “Don't look now, but the Keystone Cops are looking for us.”

A worried expression flashed across Kemal's face. “Cops? As in constables?”

“Nah, just those two orderlies I plowed through earlier,” I mumbled before adding, “Can't believe they haven't looked up and noticed me yet. I mean, I'm almost twice as tall as most of these folks.”

Kemal nodded in agreement and asked, “What should we do?”

I rubbed my chin. “Well, we could beat them up...” the wide-eyed, incredulous look Kemal gave me was priceless, “...but I really don't want to.” I took a quick look around. After a moment's search, I found something promising. “There!” I pointed at a run down looking establishment just across the way; a rickety sign with a mug on it hung just above the door. “That's perfect!”

Kemal looked at me like I was cracked. “Are you serious?”

“Yup!” I exclaimed proudly as I dragged my unwilling compatriot into the disreputable pub. “If you didn't want to come here, what makes ya think they will?” I asked as I looked around the seedy joint. “Oh yeah, my kinda place!” I said with a content sigh.

The room was dimly lit and resembled many a pub I had crawled back on my Earth. Somber, 'tear in my beer' music played from a surprisingly well maintained thing that resembled a jukebox. The patrons, whom consisted mainly of Gryphons and Minotaurs, appeared to be a really rough, older, and quite battle-hardened bunch. All wore weapons openly, perhaps proudly, and looked like they knew how to use them. Kemal might have felt out of place, but I didn't.

I tipped my stetson at them as I walked up to the bar. “Barkeep, two of your finest!” I couldn't help but smirk; finest in a place like this would likely be poison. I only hoped it would be my kind of poison!

A surly, old gryphon limped his way over to me. His eye-patch and prosthetic foreclaw were the first things I noticed. As he neared, I also saw that his feathers and hide were seriously faded and scared. I wagered this gryphon was not only ancient, but also a veteran of some serious battles. He glared at me with his one eye with a look that could chill blood. His voice, when he finally spoke, sounded like a stone slab dragging across gravel, “Only got cheap cid'r fer yer kind.”

I raised an eyebrow at the belligerent response. “As long as it's cold and wet, I don't care,” I shot back, inadvertently adding a bit of flint to my own voice. As the gryphon turned to get our drinks, I reached into my bag of coins for his payment. Suddenly a thought struck me and I said, “While you're at it, buy the bar a round and keep 'em coming.” I knew the best way to a bar patron's heart was through their drink.

The bartender droned a reply over his shoulder, “That'll be four copp'r bits fer yer drinks and...” I tossed a gold coin onto the counter top. The emblazoned Sun of the Equestrian empire glinted in the dim light. The bartender, when he saw the glittering coin, stopped whatever comment he had on his beak and gawked at the gold. He placed our drinks in front of us then picked up the gold coin in his good claw. He stared at it a moment before biting down on it. He pulled the coin back up to his good eye once more as shock gave way to pleasant surprise. He rapped his artificial claw sharply on the counter-top and hollered out, “Drink up, me boyos! Th' strange one 'ere be buyin' fer all o' us! And put somethin' a little more lively on th' box. I be tired o' listenin' to that depressin' rot!”

Kemal eyed the coin the bartender absconded with. “Where did you get one of those?!” He whispered with hushed excitement.

“Huh? Oh, the gold coins with the funny sun emblem on them?” He nodded. “Daring gave them to me before she left for Canterlot.” I paused, “Why? Is there something special about them?”

“Special?! That is an Equestrian gold bit!”

“And?” I asked.

“They are the wealthiest country in the lands!” Kemal's tone was becoming more heated at my continued ignorance.

“So?" I gave a half-shrug of my shoulders. "That supposed to mean something to me?”

Kemal shook his head in utter disbelief. “She did not tell you that Equestrian gold is purer that Equaggan gold?”

“Um...” I thought about it for a moment, “...nope.”

“Figures,” He sighed, “They are worth almost double the value of an Equaggan gold bit.”

That made me do a double take. “Really? Damn...”

Kemal playfully punched me in the arm. “Now that parting kiss makes more sense.”

The glare I gave Kemal could have curdled milk. “I already told you, nothing happened.”

Kemal chuckled, “Riiight.” He sipped his drink. “Hey if you do not want your relationship public, I am good with that.”

“Kemal,” I started, “remember what happened to Kevirro?” He paused with his muzzle in his mug and looked at me with worried eyes. “I should hate for that to happen to another zebra I know.” I turned away from Kemal and hefted my mug in a salute to the rest of the bar before taking a long pull from it.

Many of the patrons returned the salute with their own mugs then joined me in downing the contents. The bartender seemed to gain a bit of energy as he rushed to refill empty mugs. As I continued chatting with Kemal, I noticed a strangely familiar drink being served to a gryphon sitting near me. It appeared to be a dark, amber-colored liquid with an equally dark froth. I waited until the bartender had wandered back my way to flag him over.

I pointed to the gryphon next to me. “What's he drinking?”

“Nothin' ye'd be wantin', strang'r.” He didn't sound anywhere near as belligerent when he spoke to me this time. He refilled both mine and Kemal's mugs from a pitcher. “It be called Ka'ah. A drink native to me 'omeland. Oth'r than we gryphons, only th' minotaurs be capable o' drinkin' it without gettin' sick,” he turned to leave as he added, "or worse."

Before he had a chance to limp away, I stated, “Try me.”

I'm not sure how he did it, but the gryphon grinned at me like a fiend.. “It be yer funeral, friend,” He said with a chuckle as he hobbled away to get me a mug of Ka'ah.

Kemal leaned toward me and hissed, “Did you get too much sun? That stuff is poisonous to everypony!”

The bartender placed my new drink in front of me. It contained the same dark, amber liquid and froth. I picked up the mug with a smirk. “Kemal, as you and your marefriend are so fond of reminding me, I am not a pony.” With that, I took a tentative sip of the brew. It was extremely thick and the taste was earthy and robust. I let out a startled grunt of pleasure and downed the contents. I slammed the mug down with a loud satisfied 'Ahhh!' before exclaiming, "There's hope for this place yet! Bartender, another mug of Ka'ah and keep 'em coming!”

Both the bartender and Kemal watched with morbid fascination as I toasted the bar and drained the second mug I had been given. I didn't much care what they thought, I had discovered lager!

~ Daring

'How in Celestia's chipped hoof can that human disappear in a crowd of ponies half his size? It's like he just fell off the face of the planet!'

My search through the eastern district was taking forever. After almost two hours of fruitless searching, I was ready to give up for the day. None of the local merchants remembered seeing a tall bi-ped with a zebra companion. Fortunately for me, I managed to catch a lucky break as I grumbled my way out of the area.

I stopped to get something to eat at a fruit vendor near the entrance of the district, or was it exit now; I wasn't really sure. Distraught over how the previous two hours had gone, I was almost reluctant to inquire about my missing friend. The mare tending the stall mentioned that a pair of orderlies had asked her about the same individuals. She said that she recalled seeing someone fitting Justin's description about two to two-and-a-half hours ago; near the stretch of seedy bars across the way. Sadly, she had been very busy at the time and couldn't be more exact.

'That timing fits almost perfectly. Why didn't I think to check the bars?' I thought to myself as I thanked the kind mare. Trotting off in the indicated direction to find my wayward human, I remembered why I didn't check those bars. 'Oh, for the love of Celestia's flank! This is the part of the city where the bars cater almost exclusively to gryphons and minotaurs. Buck! What in the hay was he thinking?' I put an ear to the wind. 'Least I don't hear any screams...' I looked around quickly, "... or see any buildings on fire. That's a good sign...I think.' I decided to check out the nicer (with 'nice' being relative to personal opinion), slightly more reputable, establishments first.

Nothing.

'Arg! I should have known he wouldn't be in any of them!'I thought as I mentally scolded myself. None of the patrons or bartenders recalled anypony fitting the descriptions I gave. Looking at the next ramshackle pub, I had to steel myself and grit my teeth just to go near it.

A rickety sign proclaimed the bar to be the 'Bloody Beak Tavern'; a place I normally wouldn't be caught dead in. 'Well, there were those bars in Neighrut...' My wandering memories were interrupted abruptly as I neared the hole-in-the-wall. As I neared the doors to the bar, I could make out Justin's baritone over the raucous music and rowdy voices of the Beak's other patrons. I muttered to myself, “Just my luck. He would have to go and find a place like this.” Somehow the song seemed familiar, but I couldn't place my hoof on it.

“I guess I was wrong. I just don't belong. But then, I've been there before!” Justin's sing-song voice wafted out into the street as I opened the door. “Everything is a'ight, I'll jus' say g'night, and show myself to the door.” My eyes took a moment to focus in the dim light. When they did, I had to do a double take! “Hey, I didn't mean to cause a big scene, just give me an hour and then...” Low and behold, there was the object of my search; arms around the shoulders of a couple of minotaurs and singing at the top of his lungs. To make matters worse, Kemal was swaying in synch with them and singing along in a horribly slurred way. I missed the next few verses as the crowd of gryphons and minotaurs chimed in, making it almost impossible to understand. I just stood there slack jawed until I heard Justin end the song with a solo, “Oh, I've got frieeeeeends....in looooooooow placeeeees!”

As I started toward my friend, I noticed the old gryphon behind the bar whistle to the group Justin was with. They turned to the bartender, who in turn nodded in my direction. Comically, all three twisted at the waist to look in my direction. Justin squinted several times before yelling out, “Dee! Where ya been?”

Kemal turned bleary eyes my way and started giggling like a schoolfilly. “There are three of her!” He announced purposefully then promptly fell off his stool.

Justin hollered over the music box, “Hey Mac...” The bartender looked away from me toward him, “...she's who I've been looking for! You was right! Sing loud enough and she would find me!”

The gryphon smirked and filled a mug. He then slid it across the bar to me. I managed to break my stupor long enough to snag the mug with a wingtip. The laughing and chummy atmosphere seemed so out of place that I was grateful for the drink. I stopped to take a long pull of the 'adequate' cider before strutting over to my wayward human. On the way over, I noticed two ponies in ripped up uniforms tied to a pair of chairs in the corner. I nodded my head in their direction and asked Justin, “Friends of yours?”

He laughed deeply and had to wipe some tears from his eye before answering me. “Ya could say that! They followed me and Kemal here...” he stopped to shake his head a few times, “...all the way from that crazy doc's place.” He chuckled a few times. “But Crag and company didn't take kindly to them trying to accost us here!”

A burly minotaur, who I had previous thought to be unconscious, lifted his head and bellowed in a slurred voice, “Nopony musses wit me an da boyz!”

Justin slapped the big minotaur on the shoulder, causing him to promptly pass out over the bar again. He stopped to look down at his drinking buddy and laughed. “Well now, looks like I win! Someone let Crag know he lost?”

Most of the bar laughed maniacally while I tried to get a word in edgewise. “Justin!” I finally got his attention, “What happened to meeting up with me first?”

“Oh!” He swayed a lot, “Blame that on the stripey one.” He pointed toward Kemal, who was slowly dragging himself back into a stool. “He made me go to that quack doctor first.” Justin turned to Kemal. “Bad idea, huh?”

Kemal turned a sheepish grin our way and nodded a few times. The gesture must have set his cider-addled mind spinning, as he had to quickly catch his balance again before almost falling off the stool for the second time. Even I couldn't hide a snicker at his antics.

“So, you ducked into a bar to wait them out, huh?” I asked, returning my attention to my other unsteady friend.

Justin nodded to me. “Yeah, didn't work though. They came waltzing in a bit ago, claiming all kinds of things. Well, like I said, Crag and company didn't take kindly to them baring in on our party...So they um...well...” Justin had to suppress a fit of laughter, “...they beat the shit outta 'em and hogtied 'em in the corner!”

I took another long drink of my cider, I would definitely need several more tonight. “You didn't have anything to do with the beating, I hope?” I questioned accusingly over the rim of my cider.

“Nope!” He held up his hand in a peculiar way with two fingers up, “Scouts honor! I just sat here and watched the whole thing!”

At about that time, the bartender limped over with a couple refills for us, “He be tellin' th' truth of it, lass. Th' boyos don't much be likin' yer kind on a normal day, but ta 'ave a couple o' them bust in on a party...well, ya see what 'appens!” He chuckled in an odd way before continuing, “Naught ta worry, lass. Ye be in good company. The funny one here,” The gryphon pointed an age-yellowed talon at Justin, “spoke highly of ye. Me be 'avin' a few o' th' boyos toss them cusses in a gutter a'fore we close.” He laughed heartily as he limped off to refill some more mugs.

I turned back to Justin with a smirk. “Well, I'm not going to go into how hard it was to find you. Instead, how about you tell me about your travels?”

Justin grinned and yelled over to Mac, “Hey bartender, keep the drinks a flowing!” He then began telling me everything that had transpired from the time I left. I had to admit, especially as I drank more, he was one heck of a storyteller!

~ Justin

Warmth. Comfort. Contentment. These feelings were drifting through my mind as I shifted slightly in my sleep. I yawned mightily and started to stretch. I stopped when I realized my right arm was trapped under something warm. At that point, my eyes snapped open. I wish they hadn't, as the dim light might as well have been a spotlight to my hungover senses. I couldn't stop blinking and had to rub my eyes with my left hand, since I couldn't move my right arm.

Something cold and metallic clinked on my left wrist. My numbed mind wondered if I had left some of my armor on. 'No, that's ridiculous,' I thought. I had left my armor with the caravan. I managed to clear my addled eyes enough to squint at the object on my left wrist. It seemed to be a very well wrought silver bracer of sorts. It didn't have any markings or such that I could tell, it was just very well made. It started at my inner wrist and flared outward,covering almost all of my forearm. Honestly, it looked like a nice piece of knight's plate, only made of lightweight silver. 'Where in the hell had I gotten this?' I wondered.

My wondering about the mysterious bracer flew from my mind when the thing pinning my right arm to the bed moved slightly and clutched at said arm. I froze instantly, suddenly afraid to look. 'What type of monster had its clutches on me?' and, for that matter 'Where was I and how did I get here?'. So many questions jockeyed for position in my mind, with so few answers willing to present themselves. I steeled myself and slowly turned my head to the right. Pillows and bedsheets greeted me.

'I'm in a bed...this can't be bad, right?' I thought to myself. 'Okay, first things first. How did I get here?'

I tried as I might, but I just couldn't remember much about last evening. Outside of being in a bar, that is. 'I remember drinking and partying...and carrying on. I remember Kemal making a jackass out of himself. I remember Daring finding us and drinking with us...but what else?' I tried to focus and clear away the mental fog, but the jackhammer that started going off in my head quickly discouraged me.

The warm thing clutching my arm moved again and a lock of dark-colored mane popped out from the top of the sheet. This quickly shattering any attempt at coherent thought. 'Oh lord, please don't be Kemal...please don't be Kemal...' I repeated this desperate prayer in my head as I hesitantly reached toward the sheets covering my unknown bedmate. Whomever it was shifted again as I moved. I froze once more and remained still until 'it' was done spooning into me. I cringed more than a bit as a hoof forced its way out from under the covers; though, that wasn't what caught my eye. It was the silver bracer adorning said hoof.

'Almost the same as...' I abruptly recognized the scent of the mane poking from beneath the sheets.

A chilling fear embedded itself in my spine as the realization hit me like a blow from a sledgehammer. I apprehensively looked at the silver bracer on my wrist, then down at the one on the exposed hoof, and finally back to the one on my wrist. Disbelief settled in as I let myself go limp and sunk back into my side of the bed. This prompted another spooning session from my bedmate, which I desperately tried to ignore. I stared, transfixed in shock, at the ceiling and muttered, “...the hell happened last night?”