Tales of the Forgotten: Prelude

Chapters

Prologue: Worlds Away
Chapter 1: Reminiscence
Chapter 2: Unexpected Guest
Chapter 3: Lunarclaw
Chapter 4: Companion
Chapter 5: Embers
Interlude: Remembrance
Chapter 6: Lybastor

Prologue: Worlds Away

To look forward to the future, one must not let the past hold them down.

July 29th, 2014 10:18 A.M.

Jacksonville, North Carolina

“Hey little man, how have you been?” he asked awaiting a response, the only response given was the gentle breeze that danced through his hair. “I just wanted to come by and wish you a happy birthday, everybody else wanted to as well but had other things to do. It’s only been six months but it feels like ages have passed since we last saw each other.” the sadness in his voice only deepened as he continued to speak.

“Life has been rough without you but I’ll make it through, besides I have to stay strong for the others. I mean it’s the least I can do, right?” he was interrupted as his phone went off. He pulled out the phone and looked at the large white letters spelling “Honey” with no feeling. He pressed the answer button, “Hey Hun...yeah I’m still here...I know I should be at work...but...alright I guess...bye.” the conversation was short.

He looked back down at the grave again, the plaque placed on the front of it had was engraved with the name of his younger brother who had died. “Sorry bubby, but I’ve got to go. I’ll be sure to come by again some day soon, love you.” he said solemnly before retreating back to his car.

The graveyard was now void of life, all except the large oak trees that stood guard over the deceased. The rustling of the leaves and the gentle breeze along the blades of grass was peaceful, and the world around seemed to be at peace. A singular leaf blew free of its hold on the oak tree above the grave this person had just visited and slowly twirled downwards, landing on the gravestone.

The plaque read, “Here lies Robert Kenneth Rucker, Leader, Brother, Great Friend. Born July 29th, 1996 - Died January 24th, 2014” there was a quote underneath the engraving. “Let not the soul weep in death, for it is only the beginning of a new adventure.”

June 14th, 2017 10:18 A.M.

High Fields, Sayona

“COME ON YOU GIANT BEAST! I KNOW YOU’RE FASTER THAN THAT!” I screamed as another giant claw slowly descended over top of me, I rolled to the left and continued to run. I held my staff in my left hand and sword in right. My hood still covered my face as I continued to circle around the large beast. My job was to rid the countryside of it by any means necessary, even if it meant killing myself in the process.

The large creature was a Drakon that was drawn to the lands in search of a home. It decided to take residence near the Griffin village of Sharptalon. The inhabitants of Sharptalon originally decided to leave the great beast alone but a month after settling in the creature started attacking the village and farms in the surrounding area. While their Dragon brethren were intelligent, the Drakons of the east were not. They were no more than your common wild animal in nature.

He used his tail to swipe at me as I slid under it before popping back up and running underneath it, using my sword to swipe at its soft underbelly. It roared in pain as the sword cut into its stomach, the wound wasn’t deep enough to permanently harm it but enough to temporarily limit its movements. It was all that I needed to get the job done as the beast became enraged. “THAT’S RIGHT YA STUPID BEAST! SHOW ME THAT FIGHTING SPIRIT YOU SEEMED TO HAVE SO MUCH OF EARLIER!” I taunted as it charged at me.

I started to run in the other direction, towards the river. Drakons aren’t made for swimming so if I get it into the water, I’ll be able to climb onto its back and kill it that way. I yelled into my mind.

That’s right! You’ll only have one shot at this Robert! If you get thrown off you won’t get another chance! Zeke yelled back at me as the river appeared a few meters in front of me.

As I started getting closer and closer I counted down in my head. 3… 2… 1… MOVE! I screamed, running to the left as it tried to stop but ended up toppling over into the water of the river. It roared and thrashed around as it flipped over and tried to go to the opposite shore. I promptly used this time to swim out and grab onto the tail as it flailed around. It flung me exactly where I wanted it to, right above its back.

I put my sword above my head and struck with the point downwards as I came down screaming, “THIS IS IT YOU GIANT LIZARD! NOW DIE!” I landed with a loud thud against its hard scales pushing my sword through as hard as I could in the place where its heart was. The Drakon let out a pained roar as it flailed harder for a minute before finally starting to calm down and stop altogether. It took a moment for me to pull the sword out but once I did I walked up its back and started cutting away the scales and muscle so that its skulls was visible.

“Just to make sure.” I proceeded to repeatedly stomp on the skull as hard as I could. It took a few minutes before my foot finally fell through the skull and crushed the brain. The blood gushed out of the skull and out into the water. I stood there panting over my prey, the adrenaline finally starting to fade from me as I felt the pain in my feet and the various gashes and bruises on my body.

“Well, that was certainly a trip. Wouldn’t ya say Zeke?” I asked as he appeared next to me, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts with his hands on his hips. His hair was hung in the same style as mine, a ponytail tied at the base with a piece of string. At least that is the normal hairstyle I have as the string came out earlier on during the battle. His eyes the same gray-blue as well.

He looked at me with a smile before bursting out into laughter. “What? What did I say?!” I exclaimed.

“You should look at yourself! All bloodied up and bruised! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in such bad condition!” he exclaimed joyfully as I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Oi, will you ever change Zeke?” I asked rhetorically. “I suppose we better get back to Sharptalon and tell them that we dealt with the Drakon.” I suggested, Zeke nodded his head and dissipated again.

It has been four and a half years since I came here to Equus and yet it still feels like its been so much longer since that day. In those four and a half years I have done things I never could have ever done back on Earth. I’ve seen dragons flying across the sky, I’ve flown in the sky free of a aerodynamic death machine in the grasp of a mythological griffin, I’ve trained alongside a master in the longsword and staff, I’ve spoken to creatures who command the sun and moon, and so much more.

The world around me is abound with things from old Greek mythology of my world and much more. It’s abundant in pure magical energy that creatures of this world can manipulate to care for the world around them. It’s just astonishing to think of where I am now compared to just 5 years ago.

I laughed at the thoughts running through my mind as I used my staff to hold me steady as I walked down the path towards Sharptalon. I was so exhausted that I could fall asleep and not even a volcanic eruption would be able to wake me up. But, I knew that I needed to get back to town for medical treatment or I would be in some serious trouble. My ankle of the foot I used to stomp in the beast’s skull was screaming out in pain at every step, indicating that something was wrong.

It took about an hour before the town came into view. I saw a couple of guards right outside of the village who seemed to have seen me, I struggled to keep balance as I thrusted my staff into the air in a sign of victory. One of the guards turned to the other and said something, the guard quickly took off into the village. I continued walking towards the village as a few inhabitants came out to welcome me back including the mayor.

As I got closer and closer I could see their worry as they saw the condition I was in. My cloak was tattered to shreds with blood soaking parts of it, there were gashes in my sides that were starting to scab over already, my armor had cut in various places some reaching down and through the skin some just light cuts scraping the armor. My hair was hanging limp with some strands falling over my blood, sweat, and dirt stained face, my scabbard for my sword had a few scratches with grass marks all over it and my staff wasn’t in any better condition.

As I reached the front of the group that had gathered, their mayor approached me. “I-is it done?” she asked hesitantly. I gave her a weak smile.

“The Drakon is dead, your village won’t be plagued by it any longer ma’am. Although I do have a request of you besides my payment if you would hear it?” I asked politely as a smile spread across all of their faces and a few cheered.

“Certainly! What is it you request?” she asked.

“I think I may have sprained my ankle during the fight, could you find someone that would be willing to take a look at it? I’m more than willing to pay.” I informed her, she nodded quickly as one of the doctors stepped forward from the crowd.

“I can’t promise anything seeing as we know nothing about your species Klyte.” he warned. I nodded my head to him, “Please follow me then, we’ll get you taken care of.” he smiled.

I followed without another sound as I focused on not fainting from the pain as it plagued my body in full now. I felt an arm steady me, It’s okay Robert, I got ya. Just focus on staying awake until you get there alright? Zeke said in a caring tone.

No one else could see nor feel his presence, but he was the only thing keeping me alive in this impossible world. Zeke has been with me since the start of this whole ordeal. He is the manifestation of my subconscious mind that no one else may see, hear, feel, taste, or smell. The only other creature that has seen him was Twilight when she used a spell to see through my eyes.

Thanks Zeke. I said to him in my mind as I continued to hobble along with him at my side.

Chapter 1: Reminiscence

Let go of the past, but do not forget the lessons it has taught.

January 3rd, 2015 9:50 A.M.

Ponyville Train Station, Ponyville, Equestria

The day was cold with the sky above clear of any clouds that would obstruct this beautiful snowy day. The sun shone brightly over Ponyville and mostly all of Equestria today as per scheduled by the weather teams across Equestria so that we could get at least a day away from the gloom of Winter in some way. I sat at the edge of the platform, waiting for the train from Canterlot to arrive to see the princesses. They wanted me to come to Canterlot for one last talk before I left on what I would call my journey.

The sun felt nice on my face as I looked skywards, thinking about the times I had spent here in Ponyville. There was hardly any activity here at the train station as most everyone had no plans to travel today. The usual children that would play around town and near the train station were gone today, most probably playing out on the hills near the outskirts of Ponyville in the company of their respective parents.

I turned away from my thoughts as I heard the sound of hooves clacking against the wood of the platform. There were two ponies that I recognized, Rarity and Twilight. Rarity was wearing a pink scarf around her neck while Twilight wore a magenta one around hers. They were both smiling at me as I smiled back at them before turning away to look at the sky again. “It sure is a beautiful day today, wouldn’t you two agree?” I asked.

They walked over and sat near me staring up at the sky as well. “It really is, but I suppose that still won’t convince you to stay?” Twilight joked as I chuckled lightly.

“Not in the slightest, but I do thank the two of you for coming to see me off. Oh and Rarity, I suppose I never properly thanked you for the winter clothing. I truly appreciate it.” I said happily as I turned and nodded at Rarity who smiled at me.

“Not at all darling! I don’t think I’d be able to live with myself if I let you freeze to death out there.” she replied. She had made me a jacket, a pair of mittens, and lastly a beanie for a favor in return. Before winter started she wanted to get a surplus of gemstones so that she wouldn’t have to go out in the dead of winter to get more. Ever since the last time when she was captured by Diamond dogs she was wary about who she took with her. Considering I was already three feet taller than her and a foot taller than the Diamond Dogs, she wanted me to come as an intimidation tactic of sorts.

It was a simple job with a nice reward in return so I went with it. Although we didn’t come across any dogs while we were there, so the trip went smoothly and we came back with a plethora of gemstones.

In the distance we could finally see the train coming in towards the station. I sighed as I stood up with my knapsack slung over my shoulder and walked over to the edge where the train would stop with Rarity and Twilight standing behind me as the train screeched to a halt. “Thank you all for your help during this past half of a year. When I return someday, I’ll be sure to bring back with me plenty of tales to tell to the each of you. Just promise you’ll be here when I come back, alright?” I said solemnly as I turned around to give them one last smile before stepping aboard the train.

I glanced back at them one last time to see them waving as the doors closed and the train departed back towards Canterlot.

June 16th, 2017 12:16 P.M.

High Fields, Sayona

I laid at the edge of the river holding my hand to the sky, feeling as the wind blew against it and the grass around me gently. I had come back to the river earlier today to start deskinning the Drakon I had killed only a couple of days ago so that I could give it to the villagers as assurance of my claim and a small trophy to myself.

Even though I had sprained my ankle, I couldn’t stay down for long as I still had far too much to see and do. I guess that’s one thing me and Rainbow Dash had in common, we hated being put on bedrest for long periods of time. Her with her wings and me with my yearning to explore. I smiled at the thought for a second as I felt Zeke lay down next to me and replicate my position.

“Today reminds me of the day we met Twilight and Doctor Whooves, sitting atop the hill underneath the oak tree staring off into the distant sunset as she asked me where I came from. It’s kind of funny, wouldn’t you say Zeke?” I asked as I looked over at him as he continued to stare up at the sky, deep in thought. I laughed and turned my head back skywards.

Just to think, three and a half years ago I was just some normal kid sitting at home playing games and having a good ol’ time without a care in the world. Then January 24th, 2014 came around and my world was turned upside down, or at least that’s putting it nicely. I appeared in Equestria at the edge of the Everfree Forest with a bad leg with the thought I had just been somehow transported somewhere in the southern hemisphere.

If that had been the case back then, I would have found a way already to contact my family and return to them. I may still continue to search for a way back home to this day but it seems like that hope is but a dwindling light with no energy to keep it lit any longer. I lost my friends and family, my hopes and dreams, pretty much everything. I tried to remain as happy as I could the first couple days I was in Equestria as I was nearly put in the dungeon by Princess Luna and Princess Celestia for being a ‘human’ from their mythology. The next few days were spent making my house at the edge of the Everfree Forest in the company of Applejack, Twilight, and Spike with the occasional Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash kept her distance from me as we both were not inclined to liking one another, but perhaps I was only being childish when I was so blatantly rude to her. After the dream I had, I knew that I had truly lost everything. The ones to show me the light I needed to move on were around me; Twilight and her friends showed me that I even though I had lost all my previous friendships others could be made.

I remember the night after I had left the hospital on crutches and the time I spent reminiscing in sweet memory of my family with Luna. Telling her of the days long gone and the love my friends, family, and I shared. I remember the months to come of introducing myself to Ponyville and how they initially reacted to me. It was tough at first but soon I became just another resident, and after a few months I finally decided that I would leave Equestria in search of a way home.

The first year I spent training under Master Yato at a dojo within the Crystal Empire of the Frozen North. I remember being told that I couldn’t master using the bo staff and longsword in a singular style of fighting and going off to train on my own for a while. When I returned I had shown Master what had become of the style, but then his death came a year and a half later.

I remember Shining Armor being there at the funeral, paying Master Yato the proper respect for training his troops. I stood at the periphery of the funeral, watching the proceedings with a solemn air about me. I arrived at the dojo later that day to gather what belongings I had and proceeded to go to the Train station. Shining Armor had found me then and asked if there were anything he could do, I simply told him to remember Master Yato and I.

It has been almost a year since then that I had left the entirety of the continent, content with the idea of traveling finally. From the day I arrived here in Sayona, I have traveled to eight small villages such as Sharptalon, two large towns, and the Griffin Capital of Awrada. During my visit to each of these places, I had always been approached first by a child that was curious as to what I was.

I always offered a smile and told them exactly what I had told Twilight and the others the day I met them. I always got that one griffin in the crowd that would mention humans of old mythology in which I quickly dismissed as truly but that of myth. Many of those gathered went about their day as if nothing happened, a few would stick around and talk to me to try and pick me apart so to speak.

“Why Robert?” I heard Zeke ask, surprising me as I looked over at him raising my eyebrow.

“Why what Zeke?” I responded.

“Why did you choose to leave the comfort of Equestria and your only friends?” he asked, turning on his side to face me as I thought about it for a moment. I sat up and pulled in my left leg so that I could rest my chin on my knee.

“I suppose the reason I chose to leave Equestria was to go out and explore a world I know nothing about. On Earth you could go to the Grand Canyon or Niagra Falls and have a great time seeing something that nature created over the course of several thousand to millions of years ago. Here on Equus there are still so many things yet to have been discovered, far more than that of Earth. I want to see where I can take myself without the bindings of friends or family for once, I don’t want to miss out on that chance Zeke.”

“The reason I had to leave is because we were making no progress on finding a spell to return us home, no matter where we looked. Maybe if we search hard enough, just maybe, we can find some way to get back home to Earth whether it be for good or for only a limited time such as my funeral. Whether or not I wanted to leave, I would have had to one day. I’d rather have left then while I didn’t have a great connection with all of them.”

“No matter the choice I made to either stay or to go as I did, it wouldn’t have mattered Zeke. To move on towards the future one must be able to give up the past and make peace with it. Whether the future shines bright with the light of a thousand stars that light up the night sky, or it fades to darkness such as a bottomless pit; I will not regret where my choices thus far have led me in my new life.”

The world fell silent for all but the sound of the grass swaying against my tattered cloak and pants. I heard Zeke say nothing but I could feel him smile as he faded in a gust of wind that brought miniscule glimmers of light flying past my face. “Sometimes I never understand him.” I sighed as I stood, putting little pressure on my right foot as I hobbled back into the water and towards the Drakon.

The beast was undeniably dead as I had descaled most of his head already with no sign of life. The top of its head where I had broken into it’s skull at had already been descaled down to the top jaw. The bottom half of its scales still hung on its lower jaw and neck.

The Drakons meat had already started to stink like all heck but I ignored the stench as I continued to cut away the scales. It took about an hour before the scales on his lower jaw and neck were able to finally be taken off, leaving just his body with scales. I pried open the eyelids so that I could get a closer look at the eyes; both eyes were a deep orange and the pupils were dilated.

I let go of the upper lid and the eyes fell shut once more. I chose that it was a good idea not to try and pry open the beasts mouth to see what it was like, might take my own head off if I did. My bag was full of the scales and skin from the Drakon already, enough to sell for a new pair of clothes and to keep saving. Overall I only had around 1,000 bits, most of which I got from clients or odd-jobs around the villages and towns I visited. Usually the jobs would be working here for a while, or going out and doing this for this creature, or doing dangerous stuff like getting rid of a feral creature such as the Drakon.

Although nothing could compare to the Drakon up to this point in time, the most dangerous creature I had to fend off before this would have to be a manticore. It wasn’t too friendly to some contractors that were looking to expand their village a bit into an area the manticore had claimed as its own. That was about five months ago, and I was able to lead the Manticore away from the village without harming it. Sadly I couldn’t say the same with me as it made scars on my back, right leg, and right arm.

I gathered up my bag and other items and placed it over my shoulder, feeling the string dig into my skin from the weight. I tied the string across my chest and re-adjusted it so that it was easier and more comfortable to carry. I used my staff to lean on as I hobbled back to Sharptalon.

It took almost two hours to return to Sharptalon as hobbling is far less effective than walking normally. As I approached the perimeter of the village I was approached by the two guards from the previous day.

“Is that the skin and scales of the Drakon?” One of them asked as I nodded in confirmation, pulling the bag off of my shoulder and placing it on the ground in front of me.

“Yup, took forever to get this stuff off. Is there anywhere that I could sell the scales and skin in the village?” I asked plain as day as they opened the top of the bag. The smell of blood quickly reached my nose, making me scrunch it in disgust.

The guard on the right whistled as he used a talon to pick up a small sliver of scales and skin. “You may be able to sell this to a clothier or blacksmith here for a nice bit of money. How many pounds is this?” he asked looking at me. I shrugged my shoulders.

“I would guess at least forty pounds. I’m surprised the bag held up with the weight of the scales, especially with the blood left on them.” I responded. The guards nodded their head.

“You’ll get at least a couple hundred bits for this then, are there anymore scales or skin that you’re going back to get?” he asked hopefully.

“If you want the scales and skin left of the Drakon you can get it yourselves. The body is lying in the river on the path towards Cresfall, might want to hurry before it starts decomposing further.” they both sighed and returned to their respective post at the outside of the gate. I picked up my bag and headed towards the marketplace.

Chapter 2: Unexpected Guest

Kindness goes far even to those who are unknown.

July 21st, 2017 5:28 P.M.

Ivory Rapids, Sayona

I stood in the water, listening to the waterfall and rain pitter patter against the small lake below. I saw lightning strike far off in the distance before hearing the thunder clap two seconds later as it shook the sand beneath my feet in the water. “Do you really think it wise to stand in the water like that Robert?” I heard Zeke ask me above the wind, rain, and waterfall. I chuckled and shook my head.

“If anything I did was wise I think my life would be boring. Don’t you agree?” I asked as I turned to him as he shook his head in disappointment. I had stashed my new robe and other items in a nearby cave we had found earlier today to seek shelter from the storm. I had always loved the rain and the sound of thunder and the sight of lightning, so it wasn’t a surprise to see me outside during a thunderstorm or any storm for that matter.

Lightning struck the ground a couple meters away from Zeke, nearly making him jump out of his skin at the sound. I smiled at him as he looked absolutely terrified as he looked between me and where the lightning struck. “It can’t hurt you anyways Zeke, so why are you scared?” I reminded him as he tried to respond.

He simply faded back into my mind as I laughed and started to walk out of the lake and towards the waterfall. “What are you doing now Robert?” He asked as I ignored him. I walked near the waterfall and closed my eyes as I found peace in its sound. “That’s all? No jumping in, no doing anything crazy?” He prodded as I shook my head.

“You seem to deem me crazy, is that correct?”

“No but I believe you’re as mad as a hatter.” He snickered at his joke as I sighed and opened my eyes. It started to rain harder to the point it could now be called a downpour, creating a deafening sound in conjunction with the waterfall.

Off in the distance lightning struck the ground but what I saw put me off as I watched a griffin walking with its head down as if it were sulking. Something seemed off about the image as it continued to walk on in the distance, not even looking up once. I kept the thought in my mind as I went back to the cave we had camped out in and got dressed before packing up my stuff. When I walked out of the cave I could still see the griffin in the distance walking.

I put my hood over my head and started to jog towards them. As I got closer and closer to the griffin I could tell that it was clearly a female, but what pained me was seeing that she was hurt. There was a large gash along her left flank and several other cuts along her body. Her left wing was contorted and broken along with several feathers missing from both her wings. She also had a limp in her front left claw as she walked on, not noticing me.

I followed closely behind her for a couple minutes before calling out to her. “Miss!? Are you alright?!” She jumped a little at my voice as she did a 180 to face me. I could clearly tell that she was scared not only in the reaction but by the look on her face. I held my hands up to show no threat as I spoke, “Those wounds look pretty bad miss, mind if I take a look? I can-”

“No! Get away from me! Your with the rest of them!” She screeched as she turned to run only ending up tripping over herself and landing on her left wing, eliciting a pained yelp from her. I ran over to her and set my bag down, quickly sifting through it as I grabbed a dry cloth that was quickly drenched by the rain.

“Ma’am, I don’t know who ‘the rest of them’ are but I can’t stand here and let you be miserable.” I said as I dabbed the cloth on her wounds. The cloth was quickly coated in blood as I touched it to the large gash on her flank. Shit, I’ve got to get her someplace dry I thought to myself as I tied the cloth to my scabbard. I went to her other side and put my arms underneath her right side and hefted her up as best I could, straining with the weight.

She went to protest but I shook my head, “Whether you want my help or not ma’am, you’re getting it. Whoever did this to you can wait for a later date, right now we need to get you someplace dry and I know exactly where to go.”

“W-who are you?” she asked. I didn’t reply to her as I started to walk towards the cave I had seen her from. “Why are you helping me?” I smiled and let out a giggle.

“If I knew why I did anything I might not be where I am today, maybe someplace better or someplace worse. Who knows?” I replied as she tried to smile but laid her head into my arm as I carried her.

It didn’t take long to get back to the cave but luckily for me the fire I had left burning was still burning. “Alright I’m going to set you down now, try not to move a lot.” I informed her as she woke up from her little nap.

Now that I could see her face I could tell that she wasn’t exactly your run of the mill run away. What clearly gave this away was the permanent fur dye used at the base of her forehead, the symbol was that of the Lunarclaw tribe in the northern part of Sayona. I heard a great many things about them and not any of them being pleasant including but not limited to the way they treated the females of their tribe. She looked up at me with eyes that held a broken soul in them.

I felt anger rise into my chest but I quickly reminded myself of the reason I brought her here, to give her the medical attention she needs. I set her down next to the fire as I pulled my hood off and sat my bag down. Her eyes went wide as she finally saw me and her beak opened slightly in astonishment. “Your a…”

“Yes, I am. The only of my kind here on Equus I’m afraid.” I unpacked a few cloths, two rolls of medical tape, a couple rolls of gauze, and a few gauze pads from my bag and placed them next to the firepit. I rustled around the inside of the bag for a bit before I found a small metal rod and placed the end of it into the fire. I turned back to my bag and pulled out a bottle of rubbing alcohol I had purchased back when I was at Awrada almost a year ago now.

“Alright, this may sting a little.” I warned her as I put some rubbing alcohol onto one of the cloths and started to dab the cloth on the smaller wounds. She grimaced but didn’t jerk away from the stinging. I grabbed a couple clean rags and handed them to her, “You may want to bite down on these, I’m going to cauterize the large gash on your flank. Do you trust me?” I asked as she looked wide eyed at me. I pointed to her wound and it was still bleeding a lot, “If we don’t then you will run the risk of exsanguination and I don’t think you want to die, at least not today do you?”

“No! I don’t! I trust you!” She exclaimed wide eyed as I held back a laugh at her lie. From the way her voice wavered it told me that she didn’t truly trust me but she didn’t want to die. I nodded and used a cloth to grab the metal rod from the fire and held it in my right hand as I picked up the rubbing alcohol bottle and poured a little into the wound to further clean it as I heard her yelp in pain, biting down hard into the cloths I had given her.

“That was the easy part, now I need you to stay still. This is going to hurt a lot.” I placed the heated tip of the iron rod at the top of the gash where she quickly jerked away and whined. I shook my head and pinned her leg as I continued to cauterize the wound. I felt her try to jerk away from it several times, making me accidently burn her more than intended. After I was finished I tossed the metal rod aside and grabbed the last clean cloth and doused it in alcohol before cleaning the wound once again and applying the gauze padding afterwards.

She was breathing heavily as she let the cloth drop from her mouth and I could clearly tell that she had been crying through the procedure. The tears matted her fur heavily against her underlying skin as I bundled up all the soiled cloths and laid them outside on a rock for them to clean under the downpour. When I came back in I noticed she had moved closer to the fire and had laid her head down on her front paws with her right side facing it.

“Miss?” I said aloud as she lifted her head up wearily to look at me. “Mind if I take a look at your wing as well?” I asked as she turned and looked back at her wings, she was able to stretch her right wing out fully but her left one she quickly winced as she tried to extend it. She turned back to me and looked down before nodding.

I grabbed one of the gauze rolls I had taken out and put it next to me as I extended her wing out. She didn’t fight it but I could feel her tense as I extended it outwards. I proceeded to wrap the wing using a figure 8 wrap after I was done doing that I asked her to stand up so that I could finish wrapping the wing. She didn’t argue as she stood up and I used the second gauze roll to wrap the wing close to her body.

“Now see, that wasn’t so bad was it?”

“Says the wingless human.” she retorted as I held my tongue, I knew she wasn’t exactly in the happiest of moods with what I had done. Who would be happy with getting a wound cauterized and their broken wing wrapped all in a single day? I know I wouldn’t.

“You should get some rest, you’re not going to be flying anytime soon with your wing in its current condition and you need to let that wound heal properly. I’m going to go wash the cloths we used in the meantime.” I got up and put my hood on over my head and exited the small cave.

Chapter 3: Lunarclaw

Rain, rain, wash away the pain of tomorrow and yesterday.

July 22nd, 2017 7:23 A.M.

Ivory Rapids, Sayona

I leaned against the cave entrance as I waited for the gryphon to awaken from her slumber. I had been awake through the night and yet I felt no inclination to sleep or any exhaustion as I had chosen to stay awake to keep watch over her. She was clearly from the lunarclaw tribe from the north and if the rumors were true about how they treated the females I could clearly see why she had ran away. Zeke stood across from me at the other side of the entrance in the same position as I was with his arms crossed, leaning into the little indent with legs extended at an angle to keep us against the wall.

“What do you plan to do?” Zeke asked after several silent minutes of simply standing there. I sighed and shook my head at him; I had no clue as to what I was going to do. The sun was rising over the horizon slowly as the cloud cover from the storm had moved far over the course of the night with few clouds left to hover over the Sayonian plains.

“I know what I want to do Zeke, but not what I need to do. All I know is that she has come pretty far south and she wasn’t and still isn’t in the best condition.” I felt a pang of guilt for not being able to do much more for her but what I did last night for her would have to do for now. I pushed myself off the wall and walked back into the cave and poked at the near dying flames of the fire pit.

The gryphon gave a small groan of annoyance as she started to wake up, “Ugh, I feel like I was just hit by a train. What happened last night?” she groaned as if she didn’t remember anything. I gave a small chuckle as she looked at me in surprise before she tried to move her legs only to wince at the pain. “So it wasn’t a dream?” she whispered as I nodded my head.

“Morning sunshine, sleep well?” I asked jokingly as she glared at me.

“Who are you anways? And why did you help me?” she demanded to know as I looked at her flatly as I continued to poke at the fire.

“Someones not a morning gryphon I see. My name is Robert, as to why I helped you isn’t because I sought profit or any gain only to help somebody in need. Not to mention you were a part of the Lunarclaw tribe from North Sayona only gives me more reason to help you.” I responded as she looked slightly surprised and then down at her front claws as she laid down again with her head still held up. “May I ask what your name is ma’am?” I asked as she looked slightly surprised before responding.

“My name is Rainfeather, from the- I mean I was from the Lunarclaw tribe.” she looked down in shame at her claws. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted last night and this morning.” she apologized quietly as she looked up at me and I shook my head with a small smile on my lips.

“Don’t worry about it Rainfeather, I understand that it isn’t pleasant to have a wound cauterized as for the wing I can’t really say but I did just recover from a sprained ankle I got a few weeks back.

She nodded her head sheepishly before speaking, “You mentioned the my old tribe before I even told you, how did you know?” she asked.

I sighed, “Well suffice to say they aren’t exactly well known in good grace. At least that is what it seems from the rumors. Do you know what these rumors are?” I asked as she nodded in confirmation. “And are these rumors true?” I tried to further confirm but she hung her head low and seemed as if she was about to cry. “Then I guess I have my next destination, tell me Rainfeather, where is your tribe?” I asked.

She stared at me as if I was crazy, “Do you know what they would do to you? They woul-”

“I’m very well aware of what they could do to me, whether or not they greet me warmly will depend on what I will do to them.” I said calmly as she looked into my eyes to try and find something behind them. “Were they the ones who did this to you?” I asked further as she gulped and looked away before nodding.

“Y-yes...they are...but for good reason!” she started, “I disobeyed Chief Greycrest when he told me to...to…” she was on the verge of tears as I put my hand on top of her head as I stood up. She looked up at me with her mouth slightly ajar as I smiled down at her.

“Don’t cry Rainfeather, for every dark day there is a far brighter one on the horizon. Are there any others that have been excommunicated from the tribe such as you?” I asked as she nodded her head. “Where are they at?”

“They were captured and brought back to the tribe...and they’ll be...they’ll be...killed.” she broke down into a pool of tears as she wailed her heart out. She’s still young Robert, as young as you were when he died probably even younger. Will you allow that to happen? Zeke asked from the back of my mind as I felt anger surge through my body.

I knelt down to Rainfeather and gave her a hug before pulling back and holding out my hand to help her up. She stared at it for a minute then up to my face before taking it with her front right claw. I lifted her up to a standing position but she nearly collapsed as she put weight on her hind leg. “Are you able to walk without using it or do you need me to carry you?” I asked as she looked away embarrassed. I hefted her up into my arms, and exited the cave towards Sharptalon where we could get her the proper treatment for her wounds.

Chapter 4: Companion

Traveling is better when accompanied.

July 24th, 2017 2:03 P.M.

Eclipse, Sayona

Eclipse was a town slightly larger than I had anticipated but nonetheless it was the town I was looking for as it housed the main branch of the Lunarclaw tribe. After I had dropped Rainfeather off at the small town of Sharptalon I quickly made my way up north towards Eclipse as she told me thats where they were based out of. At the entrance of the town stood two guards who both bore the crest of the Lunarclaw tribe, a purple shield with a chevron placed on it as well as the crescent moon placed in the middle created by two claws.

As I approached the gate they lowered their spears, “Who seeks passage into Eclipse?” they asked in unison as I bowed deeply.

“Our name is Sigurd, a weary traveller seeking nourishment from the confines of a safe town such as Eclipse by the benevolent Lunarclaw tribe.” I stated aloud as they raised their spears.

“Open the gates!” they yelled as I heard them scrambling from the top of the walls. Not long after did the gates start to open and lock into place as I entered the large town. I was flanked by two guards as I started to walk down the path.

“May I ask why I am being followed sirs?” I asked as I continued to walk with them.

“Any outsider must be escorted by guards to their destination when traveling within Eclipse as per the law.” the female guard to my left said as I nodded. The town was littered with gryphons who simply stared at me as I walked past and towards a pub called The Good Onion Pub. As I entered the building the two guards took post at both sides of the entrance and simply stood there as the door closed.

The pub was nearly empty spare the three gryphons sitting around a fireplace and the female gryphon behind the bar counter, cleaning some glasses. The gryphon at the fireplace that had recently been strumming a beautiful tune had now stopped as he stared at me in astonishment. The others seemed to have noticed and looked at me now as well as I walked to the counter and sat down on one of the chairs.

The female gryphon turned around, no doubt expecting another gryphon as she looked over me flatly and sighed. “What does an outsider want at my establishment?” she growled as I looked at her fur mark on her forehead, distorted at the top of the crest, survivor Zeke informed me as I nodded.

“Don’t worry I won’t be here for long if Greycrest will hear me.” I responded as I looked her in the eyes and she looked away rolling them. “May I get some water before I head out? I’m quite parched by my journey from the town of Sharptalon.”

“That’ll be five bits then.” She growled as she held out her claw to me as I stared her down blankly.

“Five bits? For a cup of water? Rainfeather was right when she said you didn’t like outsiders Agatha.” I smirked as she glared daggers into me and slammed her claw down onto the counter, startling the gryphons around the fire.

She leaned in close while still glaring at me, “How do you know Rainfeather you filthy outsider?” she whispered harshly as I let a smile graze my lips.

I shook my head and leaned backwards in my chair, “I might tell you if you give me a fair price on water, but even without it I can still go about my business but I know you’re worried about your niece.” I smirked at her as she slammed her claw into the counter again.

“DON’T FUCK WITH ME, TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!?” she yelled at me. The gryphons around the fire were at my side now blocking any route to make a run for it, albeit I had no intention to as I continued to stare her down.

“All I’m asking for is a fair price on some water in exchange for the whereabouts of your niece. What I will tell you is that she is safe and sound after I treated her wounds.” I informed her as she visibly softened and slid back behind the counter.

She swallowed her pride, “That will be a bit, please.” she said as I smiled at her and reached into my pocket and pulled out a bit and handed it to her.

“Now was that so hard? I promise and guarantee that Rainfeather is safe in Sharptalon in south Sayona, I found her traveling in the storm a couple days ago with a large gash in her thigh, a broken wing, and several other wounds. I brought her back to the cave I was residing in to treat her wounds, the next morning she told me her name and confirmed the rumors I had heard of the Lunarclaw tribe.”

“The two banished with her were captured and are to be publicly executed tomorrow evening. I am here to speak with the chieftain so that I may try to help them through diplomatic means, and if not I will get them out by force.” I informed her as she handed me a cup of water that I quickly downed as she stared at me blankly.

“And how do you know I won’t tell the guards about this?” She asked smugly as I shrugged and got out of my chair, proceeding to walk over to the door.

“Because, you want your sister and brother in law rescued just as much as Rainfeather.” I replied as I saw her eyes shrink to pinpricks and her mouth a soundless no. I cocked my head sideways and smiled, “It’ll be alright Agatha, but please get out of here while you can if push does come to shove then they will be after you as well as you’re an affiliated family member.” I warned her as I stepped outside and was flanked by the guards again as I walked towards the Great Hall of Eclipse.

July 24th, 2017 4:58 P.M.

Great Hall, Eclipse, Sayona

It took almost an hour to find my way to the great hall as the town wasn’t exactly deserted with gryphons everywhere, traveling to and fro. The guards that had been following me took position next to the guards that were standing at both side of the doors and opened the gargantuan made of Sayonian Blackwood, with a large crescent moon made of polished silver in the middle of each door. I was greeted with the smell of braziers burning as I walked into the hall and up the steps towards the middle of the throne room where Greycrest sat patiently on his throne.

Five guards stood at each side of the room and two at the foot of his throne. I slowly walked forward towards the king as he took notice of me and smiled before standing up himself and meeting me halfway. I bowed to him and he gestured his claw upwards for me to stand.

“Greetings Chieftain Greycrest, I am Sigurd of Equestria, the first human to walk this world in several centuries.” I stated as he nodded his head.

“Welcome Sigurd of Equestria, I am Chieftain Greycrest of Eclipse. I expected humans to be a bit more brute than you but I suppose not all is as it seems. What pray tell, does Equestria wish of the Lunarclaw tribe that they must send the only human to us?” He asked calmly as I shook my head.

“My apologies Chieftain, I do not come in place of Celestia nor Luna. I come upon my own regard as I have not seen Equestrian lands for 2 years now, they bear no influence nor sway upon my mind nor heart.” He looked at me curiously as he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

“Then why are you requesting an audience with us?” He asked bluntly.

“I am here to request the release of the two gryphons known as Gale and Beamplume, Father and Mother of Rainfeather, into my custody. If there is a price I will gladly pay it, all you need is to name it.” His eyes went wide with intrigue and four of his guards surrounded me.

“Stand down!” he exclaimed as he walked up to me and analyzed me again. “It intrigues me, why do you wish for them to be released into your custody, more importantly why are you willing to pay any price for them? Could it be that you are doing this for that deplorable youth Rainfeather to gain favor with her? Might it be that you are vested in her beauty and charm? Or may it be that you wish to deceive her?” he pushed as he stalked around me.

I shook my head, “You seem to know my intentions well Chieftain Greycrest, would you allow your escapee to continue through life happily? Or will you allow me to show her what it means to be a true slave?” I responded darkly as he smiled at me and laughed.

“Be that as it may, I doubt you will have enough to cover the expenses necessary to purchase them into your custody as they’re to be executed publicly in a days time. Lest you have a thousand bits on your person now?” He joked as I lifted up my robe and untied the bag of bits from my cuirass and it dropped onto the ground with a large thud.

“This should more than cover the expenses Chieftain.” I stated as he gawked at the large bag of bits on the floor before staring back up at me and smiled.

“Release the prisoners into Sigurds custody, from this day forth they are his slaves to do with as he desires. Let it be known that the execution is cancelled!” He stated as he had two of his guards carry the bag of bits away and two more guards came in towing both Gale and Beamplume behind them in shackles.

I walked over to them and grabbed the chain that held them and stood over them as the one I presumed to be Gale glared at me and Beamplume looked at the ground without saying anything. “Lets go you two, I have places to be.” I said harshly as I yanked at the chain and walked out of the Great Hall and out into Eclipse.

July 24th, 2017 9:21 P.M.

Outskirts of Eclipse, Sayona

I looked back over my shoulder as Eclipse slowly started to fade in the distance before disappearing behind a large hill and I sighed loudly before turning around to face Gale and Beamplume who stared at the ground silently. “You know, you two could be a little happier than that.” I said as I dropped the chain and crossed my arms.

“Says the one who just bought our lives for his own gain.” Gale snapped back at me as I shrugged my shoulders before walking up to him and releasing the chains around his neck and front claws. I walked over to Beamplume and started undoing her chains.

I looked over at Gale as I undid her claw chains, “You know Gale, your daughter was right about you not knowing who your friends are. I dumped my money into purchasing you two for her so that I wouldn’t put the entirety of your family and your wife's family in danger. The only reason I treated you the way I did on my way out was to keep up the appearance that you were in fact my slaves. If I showed otherwise push may have come to shove and it would have been a mission to get all of your family the fuck out of dodge.”

I stood up as Beamplume rubbed her claws where the chains had bruised. “I was ready to risk my life for two strangers, possibly more, for the sake of someone who I just met. Why? It wasn’t for a false love nor for any reason except to help someone, or multiple creatures, who can’t help themselves. You two were put there on death row because that forsaken “Chieftain” wanted a little something something from your daughter and she didn’t want to give him that something something! Whatever he actually charged you with, or put you in there for no reason, is in the past now and you can go and live your life once again.”

He looked down remorsefully as Beamplume walked over to him and hugged him, “Now whether you want to see your daughter again is up to you and I will be happy to bring you to her as I have to follow up with her about you two.” I finished as I turned and started to walk towards Sharptalon again.

I felt something tug on my robe from behind me, it was Beamplume. “T-Thank you S-Sigurd, for what you did…” she stammered out as Gale looked a bit surprised. “I...I want to see her...if that’s alright.” she said quietly as I nodded in approval.

I looked at Gale who stood silently a few feet away now, “What will it be Gale?” I asked as he nodded his head.

“I will come with you...on one condition.”

“As long as it doesn’t further increase the hole in my pocket I will listen, what I spent to get you two out was what I had saved from the past six months for necessities.” I informed him.

He shook his head, “Take me with you after we see my daughter.” he stated as I looked over him cautiously. I went to object but he interrupted, “I don’t want to stay idle anymore, the only times we were allowed outside of Eclipse were during escorts or transporting goods, nothing more. I want to see what all of Sayona has to offer me, not just Eclipse.” he fell silent as I smiled at him.

“Well I won’t be here in Sayona for much longer, about a month at most. I’m traveling further northwest to Mirador, homeland to the Minotaurs, my first destination is the Great Labyrinthian.” I informed him as he nodded, “You may come with me then Gale, I will stay in Sharptalon for two days after we arrive. I will give you some bits to gather materials of your own and to gather books that will further your knowledge on how to survive in the wilderness.” he nodded his head and walked over to me and nudged my side in agreement.

The rest of the trip back to Sharptalon was relatively quiet as we walked, but as soon as we arrived in view of Sharptalon it was all but quiet in the small town as it glew bright orange against the darkened night sky.

Chapter 5: Embers

Not all is as it seems.

Greetings everybody, just as a note it has been almost a full year since I have written anything so please don’t tear me a new one for any errors that might be in here, I’ve yet to get back into the swing of things after boot camp and combat training. Even using a keyboard is awkward for me still.

July 25th, 2017 12:06 A.M.

Sharptalon, Sayona

No sooner did I see the flames burning against the night sky did I take off in a full sprint with Gale and Beamplume at my heels. I reached the town within a matter of minutes but continued to run towards the inn that I had left from where Rainfeather would be staying until my return. My heart sunk into the pit of my stomach as I saw the inn, it was nothing more than a pile of burnt wooden rubble. I immediately went to digging through the ash to try and find any survivors, if there were any to be found. I found the charred bodies of three gryphons luckily all were male.

I sifted through the rubble for about an hour before I found something that gave me a small bit of hope, a cellar door under the rubble that came crashing down behind the old bartop. “Gale! Come help me move this log!” I yelled to him. We immediately went to work as we moved the debris from atop the cellar door. I opened the cellar door but the stench I was met with told me nothing was alive down there, or if something was it was more than likely wounded.

“Is anyone down there?!” I yelled into the cellar as I heard shifting from the inside followed by muffled crying as if someone were holding a hand over a child's mouth. “It’s okay, come on out we will not hurt you. I promise.” I tried to reason but no response came. “Gale, stay up here with your wife I’m going to see who's down there.”

I quickly descended the staircase into the cellar as the putrid smell of death almost made me lose what little food I had in my stomach. I ripped part of my sleeve off and tied it around my mouth and nose to try and filter the smell. I stopped in my tracks as I stepped in a pool of dark liquid. Blood. Zeke appeared by my side as he put a hand on my shoulder, “Looks like they made sure no one survived.”

I ignored his comment as I yanked my shoulder away before hearing the muffled sounds of crying again. It came from the opposite end of the cellar near the left back corner. I started walking towards the sound as it got louder before they stopped trying to hide it altogether. I was about to ask who it was but a talon struck out at me before I got the first word out of my mouth. I jumped back in surprise before I got into a defensive stance. “Easy! I’m not here to hurt you.” I stated, “Whoever or whatever did…” I gestured to the dead corpses in the middle of the room “this, is gone.” It didn’t take much convincing as the gryphon who attacked me visibly softened.

“A-are there any survivors?” They stammered out, the voice was clearly female but it wasn’t Rainfeather. I shook my head as she deflated once again. “My family...my friends…” she whispered as she looked down in disappointment.

“I don’t know your name miss but we need to get out of here and soon. The whole town is on fire and I’m not sure you noticed but we aren’t exactly fire retardant.” I tried to make light of the situation as she stifled a small giggle at my stupid joke.

She turned around and grabbed the child who she had been hiding, I was surprised to find out it wasn’t a gryphon but a young kirin. “He won’t hurt you Venia, he’s here to help us.” I knelt down to get on eye level with her as I grabbed something out of my pocket. I brought my hand up and opened my palm revealing a cloudy quartz stone, a treat I kept specifically for young dragon-kin in emergency situations. Most gemstones are used as sustenance but others such as cloudy quartz were used for medical purposes. This one acted as a natural anesthesia to put dragons into a state of deep sleep.

“Eat this Venia, it’ll help.” I told her with a smile as she nodded and ate it out of my hand. The quartz quickly took effect as she fell asleep standing up. I picked her up and carried her as if she were a toddler. “Let’s get out of here, I have some bad news to deliver.”

We quickly exited the cellar and made our way to the outskirts of Sharptalon before looking back at the still burning embers of the once beautiful town. “I’m sorry Rainfeather. I hope you can rest in peace knowing that your family is alive.” I whispered as Gale and Beamplume embraced each other with tears streaming down their faces. I turned to the gryphon who had been keeping Venia safe, “What is your name? And do you have any affiliation with this child?” I asked her bluntly as she looked down.

She shook her head at the question, “No I do not, I have seen her countless times on the streets but as far as I know she’s a street urchin with no family whatsoever. My name is Cynthia, my family died in Sharptalon, they were among the dead in that cellar.” she held back tears but you could tell by the way she spoke that she wanted to cry. I placed a hand on her head and smiled at her.

“It’s okay to feel pain Cynthia, thank you for staying strong for this child and saving her not even knowing who she really was. Do you have anywhere you can go?” I asked her but she shook her head again. “I see…” I looked away as I started to think but was cut off as Zeke stood in front of me and nodded his head in agreement on the matter. “I can take you and Venia with me but I cannot guarantee your safety. My job isn’t exactly one to take lightly and while you travel with me I expect you to keep yourself in a good physical condition. You must be able to follow my orders to the letter okay Cynthia?” I offered her as she looked up at me as she teared up before nodding in agreement.

“I have nothing left here, no family, no friends. No one. Not even a home to call my own. I’ll go with you on one condition, you promise to protect Venia if something should ever happen to me.” I smiled at her and held out my hand to her to solidify the agreement.

“I would defend her even if you hadn’t asked Cynthia.” I stated as she used her wing tip to shake my hand. Gale and Beamplume had stopped hugging but couldn’t stop watching the embers of Sharptalon. “I’m sorry you two, there’s nothing we could have done.” Gale snapped around to me and glared at me with killer intent.

“Leave, that’s what you can do.” He hissed at me.

I turned around and started walking, “Be like that Gale, I hope you meet the same fate as your child.” I stated coldly and without remorse as Cynthia followed behind me. Venia shifted slightly in my arms into a more comfortable position for both of us. We had walked for hours in silence before the sun started to crest over the horizon behind us.

“Robert, can I ask you something?” Cynthia said as she stared up at me. “Why did you say what you did back there?”

“I gave up a good portion of what I’ve saved up over the past six months for my essentials to get them out of Eclipse. I wasted the money I live on to get them out of slavery and back to their daughter. I could have let them die, but I didn’t. I could have kept them as slaves, but I didn’t. If they want to be ungrateful like that, then let come to them what might.” she mouthed an oh before asking a new question.

“What are you?” She asked as I smiled at her.

“Curious as to who and what I am are we?” She blushed at my prodding as I chuckled. “I am a human, not a human from this world's old legends but one from the planet Earth. For all I know Earth is in either a different galaxy or different universe altogether. All I know is that this is my life right now and I intend to live it.” I said as I began to see a building in the distance. I recognized it as an outpost on the border of Mirador and Sayona.

“You sound almost happy you aren’t there anymore. Do you enjoy living in Equus more?” she asked as I nodded my head and stopped in my tracks. She stopped right after me and stared at the outpost as we could see it in its entirety now. “Is that where we’re going?”

“It is Cynthia, one question for you though. Are you afraid of minotaurs?” she shook her head at me. “Good, then let's get going.”

Interlude: Remembrance

Family never forgets.

December 25th, 2014 4:07 P.M.

Jacksonville, NC

It was christmas day and yet all wasn’t as it should have been. The joy of being with family and reminiscing on days past this year were simply not there. Instead the feeling of joy and nostalgia was replaced with a sullen mood as one chair at the dinner table stood empty with an empty plate and glass to pair. The rest of the table was filled with foods from the traditional christmas turkey to our homemade green bean casserole. The house was decorated with the same christmas cheer that had always been a part of our family and yet that one glaring thing dulled everything out, it was the elephant in the room that made itself apparent to everyone present at this year's festivities. We had all attempted to not think about him but we just found it impossible because the fact was, it is our first year in the past 17 years without him here. 17 years of memories and 17 years of our lives and now he was gone.

I cleared my throat and stood up at the head of the table as everyone looked up at me. “Let me start out by saying thank you, for being here this christmas. Each and everyone of you,” I pointed to everyone in the room and stopped on Michael, his old best friend and his family. “ And you most of all. Today we shouldn’t be sad about the years and memories he left behind but that he was happy through it all. You know he wouldn’t want us to be thinking about him at this time of year, especially if it was bringing us all down into such a somber state. He’d tell us to stop moping and put a smile on our faces.”

“So here’s a toast, a toast to our friend, a toast to our loved one, and a toast to my little brother. My only brother, in the end despite what we had thought he would say. He didn’t blame any of us and he reminded us that we can get through this, if not alone than with each other. He loved each and everyone one of us here tonight, and nothing will ever change that fact. Not now and not in a million years. Remember what he left for us? He told us “Fac ut animae quietem in pace semper. Nolite flere super me, quia bene mihi erat cum. That roughly meant ‘May my soul rest in peace for ever. Do not weep for me, for I was happy.’ He wasn’t saying that just because he wanted us to be happy but that we could move on and not blame ourselves for what happened.”

“You may regret some of the things you said to him, I know I sure did but even at the end I can tell you, he had no resent towards any of you for it. Let it be a reminder that you should never regret not being able to help him but cherish the moments you were able to spend with him.” With that I held my glass in the air in a toast and the sullen mood that had plagued us had withered away to be replaced by a much happier one.

Chapter 6: Lybastor

As the embers smolder the phoenix comes.

July 28th, 2017 2:22 P.M.

Lybastor, Mirador

“Keep your head down and your eyes forward Cynthia. The faster we get through this town the better, these minotaurs won’t hesitate to dismember us if we even look at them wrong.” I warned my companion as we wore cloaks over our head and covered most of our faces with the cowl. The town smelled of blood, urine and death. Everywhere we looked we either saw dead bodies laying in the streets or alleyways, or we saw a puddle of urine that had been dropped from the windows of the buildings along the pathways made of cobblestone.

The town seemed like a shit stain upon the pristine mountainous country of Mirador. Many cities and towns had adopted the modern way of living while Lybastor seemed to have halted in the midst of the medieval age from many centuries ago. On corners were minotaurs who I could almost identify as female waiting to be taken away by some loveless bastard for a quick bit to be made. We got stares from everywhere as we walked, some intrigued, some angry, some thinking of trouble. Something greatly bothered me about the town, everywhere I looked, there was a wanted poster and for what disturbed me further. Human bone.

It was made pretty obvious that Minotaurs were not fond of humans, or at least humans from very long ago. To them it looked like humans were more than just a myth but were something of a threat to them. I had heard rumors of “humans” appearing in Mirador while I was in Sayona during my first couple of weeks there but I dismissed them. When I kept hearing it more and more I started to get suspicious because the rumors described them as hulking naked creatures with horns like that of a demon, they carried weapons made of bone. If they were naked humanoids I would have immediately gone to investigate but hearing about the horns immediately dismissed any would be thoughts of cutting my journey in Sayona short.

I walked over to one of the posters and ripped it off a board full of other bounties. This wasn’t a town, it was a gathering point for bounty hunters and mercenaries. I stood there studying the sketch before I heard hooves stop a few feet behind me. I ignored it and continued to study the image it was exactly what I thought it would be, these weren’t humans, they were orcs or at least looked like orcs. You might want to turn around Robert! Zeke screamed at me as I grabbed the handle of my sword with my left hand before spinning around to face the threat.

“Fiesty, isn’t ya?” A minotaur that was easily 7’ 6” towered over me, his fur was a light brown and his body was littered with scars, at least his arms were. His chest was covered by metal armor. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye and his left horn was broken off at the base. His right horn grew in a sickle c shape above his head and the he carried a large greatsword that made up the entire length of my body. He stared me down with a scowl that would make anybody soil themselves but I stood my ground motioning Cynthia behind me.

“Can’t exactly be too cautious when its your first time coming here. Not exactly the nicest place to come to it seems.” I replied cautiously as he took a step forwards and leaned down to eye level.

“What be yer name tiny hairless one?” he inquired.

“Meto, what is yours?” I responded as he stood tall once again.

“It doesn’t matter, give me that bounty and I’ll be on ma way.” He demanded holding a hand out.

“The human one?” I asked as he gave a gruff nod. “Sorry to say, this isn’t a human.” I stated flatly as he sharpened his glare.

“What do you mean? Of cours-”

“It isn’t. You’re looking at a real human right now.” I snapped back before he could finish as he continued to stare me down before releasing back and laughing loudly.

“Is this some kind of joke? You look nothing like what humans are!” He pointed out as he tried to stop laughing.

I glared daggers into him, “What you believe to be humans, are what we call orcs. Just like Minotaurs nothing but fantasy creatures, most races accept their ignorance to what we really look like because they’ve never seen a real life human.” The large minotaur stopped and his grin turned into a pissed off frown.

“Fantasy creatures ya say?” He stomped his left hoof as he closed in on me to try to intimidate me. He lowered his face to mine, “Does this look fake to you?” he growled.

I took a step forward and pulled my sword out of its sheath raising it up between us, “And do I look fake to you, Minotaur? If there's one thing your myths got right, we don’t take kindly to being threatened even if the odds are against us.” my voice dripped with acid.

“If you really are, then I’ll take you as my bounty!” He roared as he brought his greatsword up in a swipe. I jumped back, pushing Cynthia and Venia out of range.

“Cynthia, stay hidden while I deal with him.” I stated coldly as I put my staff down and held my sword in both hands. The minotaur was going for another attack, bringing his sword down in an arc at me, I side-stepped using my sword to ensure it didn’t touch me. The sound of metal against metal scratching rang out loudly in the deserted streets. A curious head poking its leering head out of the windows along the street to watch what was occurring. I lashed my sword out at his unprotected hand and cut deep into the middle of his right hand causing him to howl in pain. He brought his sword back up quickly and went for a side-swipe. I didn’t see it in time as I brought my sword up to defend myself, the force of the strike sent me skidding away but I held out. My arms and hands shook with pain from the force of the blow, I looked at my hilt to find my blood dripping from it. You need to end this quickly Robert. Zeke informed me.

The minotaur shouldered his greatsword and crouched down with his left shoulder canted slightly towards me. He let out a vicious war cry as he charged at me with all his force leaving himself wide open. I jumped out of way and he couldn’t see me anymore but he was still charging the same spot. I brought my sword out to my side and readied myself. Just as he was about to charge past I swung at his legs with all my might, I felt the sword make contact and watched as the blood washed across my body and the ground but my sword was gone. It was ripped out of my hands by the force and was now stuck in the wooden wall a few meters away but what was left a foot away was the lower half of the charging minotaurs left leg. I smiled wickedly as I heard him crying out in pain and shock as he held his stub.

I picked up his left leg and walked over to him, when he saw me he started to back away using his arms. “Please...stop! Ahm sorry!” He pleaded as he continued backing away from me until he hit the wall where my sword was stuck into. He pointed his great sword at me shaking, “STAY AWAY!” He squealed as I came closer and closer to him. Before I stopped a couple feet out of his weapons range. I let my gaze fall to one of amusement.

“If I were going to kill you, I would have done so with my first attack. You leave yourself wide open with your shitty self taught stance. Your whole right side was left open, I slashed your hand to see if you just slipped up because you took me lightly, yet my strike connected with ease when it could have easily been deflected. I could have also taken your head in that instance as well, you only have a metal cuirass not even a well made one at that.”

“You leave your arms, legs, neck, and head all wide open to attack. All of your scars aren’t showing you as a badass, yeah it looks scary and intimidating but it means you’ve been wounded because you weren’t skilled enough. You wave around a greatsword, so what? You’re strong I will give you that Minotaur, but you’re far too unskilled to do any damage to anyone without sustaining a lot yourself.” I held his leg out to him, while he just stared at it in shock before I dropped it on his lap. He quickly tossed the leg away still staring at it in horror.

“Do you want to know why I took your blows?” I asked as he hurled what was left of what I presumed to be his previous meal. “Well thats disgusting, but I digress. The reason I took your blows was to test you, behind your blow was overwhelming strength that attempted to hide your lackluster skills. You are nothing but that, muscle and brute force compacted into a large body.”

“You want a real bounty? I’ll show you something.” I stated as I pulled out one of the drakon claws from the one I slayed a few weeks ago. “Have you ever attempted to kill a Drakon? Let alone multiple Drakon’s at once? Ever fight the undead of a lost town? Ever stare down a Dragon without fear, looking into its large eye that is easily the size of you? Your insignificant self couldn’t do what real bounty hunters or mercenaries do, you’d die at the hands of a baby rabbit.” I pulled some gauze wraps out of my satchel and knelt down to his wounded leg. He saw me move and immediately brought his sword up in defense.

I grabbed my sword and pointed it at him as I continued to prepare the gauze. “I’m taking care of your wound you fool, unless you want me to end you here and now.” I gave him a deadly warning.

“W...why would you help muh...I jus tried ta murder ya.” He said disappointedly causing me to smile.

“If I killed you, it wouldn’t bode well for my trip even if it were in self-defense. Minotaurs aren’t exactly the most understanding creatures and they’re very bull headed, no pun intended.”

He let his sword clatter to the ground as he tilted his head back, “So were ya tellin tha truth? About bein a human?” he asked cautiously.

“I have no reason to lie to you. As I’ve told many others before you and will tell many more to come, I lost everything I ever loved or dreamed of the day I was ripped from my world. Hold still, this is going to sting badly. The gauze has ointment on it that will speed up the healing process and disinfect the wound.” I told him as he nodded. I could feel his whole body tense up as I wrapped his stub in the gauze.

“Humans aren’t vile creatures hellbent on harming other creatures, at least not all of us.” I stated mournfully. “As with all races living here in Equus I guarantee there are some groups that would harm others for their own gain, one such group would seem to be these ‘humans’. They’re the reason I’m here in Mirador, I need to know the truth behind this world's ‘humans’ and see if the legends are true or not. If they are…” my voice trailed off as I finished tying off the gauze.

The minotaur looked at me questioningly, “What will ya do if they are?” he drew out his question being very cautious not to strike a nerve with me.

I furrowed my brow into a furious glare as I looked up at him and brought my sword up and held it horizontal in front of me. “If they are, even if it takes me years to do so, I will kill every last one of them and on that I swear my soul to the Devil who counts my days in this world.”

The minotaurs pain seemed to fade away into eagerness as he heard this, “Then allow this minotaur to raise his sword in your name for this deed Meto. Ah would see to it that ah died in battle by yah side if yer sword is true and your heart is right. Allow Trakkar Gloryhunter to fight by your side.” He held out a hand to show his companionship.

I grabbed his hand and pulled him in close, “If you mean it, I will take you on but first.” I gestured to his leg, “We need to fix this, do you know anywhere that could make you a new leg?” I asked as he nodded his head.

“That I do, but it’ll be pretty costly.” I smiled at his scowl.

“I’m sure that with the bounties we collect, it’ll be a mere drop in the bucket. Besides I still haven’t sold this treasure yet.” I pulled out a lump of gold ore that was easily the size of my hand and then some. “I got this as a reward for my services a couple weeks after I arrived in Sayona months ago. I heard that Minotaurs love gold and that even an ounce is worth a small fortune in bits.” His jaw dropped at the sight of it and so did Cynthia's.

“These are the types of things you get from doing real bounty hunting and real mercenary work Trakkar. Stick with me and the bounties on that board will be gone in a couple of weeks and their rewards in your hands.” I smiled as he looked at me shocked.

“But what about yers? What do ya get out of it besides experience?” He asked as I smiled.

“You’ll see in due time what taking care of bounties can do for a local populace.” I waved a hand at the slums all around us. “I’ve watched towns like this be turned around because of some bounties being taken care of. Being a bounty hunter will have its ups and downs, but with each one completed it takes another stress away from the townspeople.” I pointed to the overflowing bounty board, “And with this one overflowing with them, we can do a lot for this town.”

“But in the end, that’s all we are, bounty hunters. We don’t question the order, we just simply abide by it. I’ve done some great things and some things I will never be able to clean my hands of. I guarantee you will learn that in due time or have already learned that.” I pointed to his scars as he nodded in agreement. I stood up and proceeded to put my arm under his and lift him up letting him use me as a prop.

I motioned Cynthia over to us, “Cynthia take Venia and get a room here in town, we’re going to be here for a long while.”