Chapter XI

Rings

The next day, the group woke up before dawn and enjoyed a quick meal before they parted ways with Bast and headed back to the guild. As mid day approached the group stopped in the shade for a quick spell. “Hey Sunny,” Amber said as she looked at the fire mage. “want to explain what the hell happened at the campsite?” All eyes shifted towards Sunset.

“It’s complicated.” She answered meekly.

“Try to explain.” Gale stated bluntly. “We need to know if this will happen again.” Sunset twiddled her thumbs as she felt their eyes on her.

“Fine, the truth is I lose control of my magic sometimes.” She said in a defeated tone.

“Yeah, we figured that.” Nix said bluntly.

“Before Twilight, I was Celestia’s apprentice.” The group went wide eyed at the words. “I was kicked out because I got greedy and started looking at magic that’s better left alone.” Sunset looked down at her hands as she spoke. “I discovered that there are other worlds besides this one. Worlds that are similar, yet different. I opened up a portal to one of these worlds and stayed there for a while.”

“What was it like? This other world?” Amber asked.

“It was strange at first. There was no magic, but their technology was extremely advanced. They had these things called cars that were like carriages, but they pulled themselves and were made out of metal. And these things called cell phones where you spoke in one and another person could hear you miles and miles away, but it’d be like you were having a private conversation.”

“Sunset, are you sure you didn’t hit your head?” Cerulean said with raised eyebrows. The fire mage glared at him.

“I’m serious!” She said as the ground around her started to smolder. The group glared at the charred aground and Sunset puled her hand back. “Sorry,” She said as she rubbed her hands. “I spent some time in the other world and I was,” She bit her lip. “for lack of a better term, a power hungry, fire breathing, manipulative bitch. Then when I got tired of that world I came back into Equestria and stole Twilight’s element of magic.”

“You stole from Twilight Sparkle?” Gale said as she narrowed her eyes. Sunset hung her head and nodded.

“Yes, and I tried to use her Element of Magic, but it didn’t work. When I tried to force it my magic went rampant. Then Twilight saved me. After she came back to this world I did my best to repair the damage I’d done. Then I came back here and I found that I didn’t have a lot of control over my powers, they’d burst when I was in a high stress situation.”

“Well, I’d certainly count the other day as a high stress situation.” Cerulean stated. “So that’s how you teleported us out of there?” She nodded.

“One of the few times my mishap was beneficial.” She splayed her hands out in front of her. The group looked at one another with skeptic looks.

“Am I right in assuming the Princess knows about this?”

“I mentioned it to her, but I doubt she thinks it’s be this bad.” She slowly looked at Amber’s bandaged hands. “If you tell her then she might kick me out and then,” She gave a hard swallow. “bad things happen to mages who can’t control their magic.” Cerulean and the other three gils huddled together away from Sunset and spoke softly.

“Her magic is dangerous.” Gale stated. “Fire destroys all in it’s path if left unchecked.” Amber unwrapped her hands to show the heavily blistered skin.

“My hands are still burning from that fire.” She winced as she reapplied the bandages. “Who knows when she can do that again?” Nix remained silent. Cerulean rubbed his forehead and sighed.

“It was an accident.” He started. “I doubt she wanted to hurt us and if it wasn’t for her we all would be dead.” Gale bit her lip and gave a nod. “Way I see it, we all owe her. I think the least we can do is keep quite about this.”

“And if it happens again?” Nix spoke up. “Unstable magic on it’s own is dangerous enough, but a mage at her level? She could demolish an entire town, maybe a city!”

“That’s the worse case scenario.” Cerulean said. “And if it happens then we deal with it then.”

“Might be too late next time.” Gale stated before sighing. “Still I am not one who forgets a debt to be paid.” Nix sighed and crossed her arms.

“Fine.”

“I’ll keep quiet for now,” Amber huffed. “but if this happens again,” She held up her bandaged hands. “Luna will be the least of her problems.” Amber put a hand around Gale’s waist and helped her back over to where Sunset was sitting.

“We’ve agreed to keep quiet about this little incident,” Cerulean said as he crossed his arms. “but if you don’t get a lid on that fire of yours then we’ll have to tell Luna.” Sunset nodded.

“It won’t happen again.” She said as she gulped.

“Be sure that it doesn’t.” Amber huffed. The group quickly got back on the road and walked for several more hours without seeing anyone else on the road. When it started to get dark they found a small clearing not too far off the road and started setting up camp. Sunset helped get a fire going and Cerulean set up a few traps for small game.

They sat around the fire in an uncomfortable silence. Something had been eating at the back of Cerulean’s mind since they’d escaped from those shadow cloaked figures. He stared into the fire and with a heavy sigh he spoke up.

“I think I know those things,” The girls looked up from their meal. “the ones who attacked us.”

“What?” Nix said as she glared at him.

“How do you know them?” Sunset asked. Cerulean shrugged.

“More like I’ve seen them before.” He stared into the flames and bit his lip.“Ten years ago, my troupe was attacked.” He said as his hands started shaking. “I never saw their faces, but I remember seeing people wrapped in shadow and purple flames.” Sunset’s eyes widened as she remembered the flames that turned the thief to ash. “I just thought they were bandits who hated troupers. It wouldn’t be the first time we were attacked because people hated us.”

“What happened?” Gale asked. Cerulean shrugged.

“I came back from getting firewood to see wagons on fire and the sound of my friends screaming.” His mouth became a thin line and he gripped his knee tightly.

“How many made it?” Amber asked in a somber tone.

“My parents and I.” The weight of the words made Amber’s shoulders slump. Cerulean said that close to two hundred people were with his troupe and out of that only three people had come out of it alive. Sunset shivered as she felt the air around the man getting colder. “My sister didn’t make it either.” He rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands.

“Shit,” Amber said as her ears went flat against her head. “that’s really rough.” She said as she averted her eyes.

“What happened after?” Gale gave Nix a pointed look at the question.

“I don’t know. My memory from that time in my life is hazy. I don’t recall how I escaped, only that I was found by a miner half frozen in the snow and was taken to his town where I was patched up. A day later, my parents were found and we’ve lived there ever since.” A silence fell over the group. “I don’t know who or what those things are or what they want, but I’m positive they were the ones who attacked my troupe or at least associated with them.” Sunset felt her shoulders slouch and she looked at the man with sad eyes.

“Don’t look at me like that.” His teal eyes met hers. “It happened a long time ago and while the scars are there, they’ve healed for the most part. I did not tell you this to garner pity, I am just letting you all know what information I have on those things that attacked us.”

“You seek vengeance?” Gale stated. Cerulean looked away.

“I’m not some stupid kid with delusions of rage fueled revenge. I just got kicked through a cart and several trees. We’re all lucky to be alive. If we meet up with them again, we need to be ready.” He looked into the fire before he stood up. “I’m going to check the snares.” He walked away from the group wordlessly and ventured into the trees.

Checking the lines were just an excuse he used to get away from the group for a bit. Once he was sure he was far enough away he put a hand over his face and wept. What he’d said had been the truth, the wounds had healed, but it had been years since he ever spoke of his time with the troupe and now those old wounds were being ripped open. After he composed himself he returned to camp and took the first watch that night.

It was late in the day when the group started getting closer to the town. As the sky turned orange, Amber, who had been helping Gale move let out a loud groan. “Can someone please switch with me? My hands are killing me.”

“We’re almost there.” Nix said. Amber winced as a wave of pain ripped through her hands. Cerulean unwrapped the bandages and winced as he saw the burns starting to blister. Some had already popped and were leaking fluid.

“Can’t you fly?” Cerulean said looking at the draconian.

“My wings were damaged during the fight.” She stated. “If I try to fly, then it could worsen the damage.” She said with a snarl at her condition. Cerulean sighed and bent a knee in front of Gale showing his back to her.

“Hop on.” She glared at him.

“You cannot be serious.”

“We need to hurry to town and get our injuries looked at.” Gale cursed and reluctantly put her weight on him. He winced as he felt her metal chest plate dig into his bruised skin. “Can’t you ditch the armor?” She gave him a pointed look.

“I am not abandoning my equipment.” Her eyes narrowed.

“It’s heavy and my back is hurting as it is. I’ll come back for it later after we get patched up, deal?” Gale sighed and saw the logic in the situation. With help from Nix and Sunset, they removed the woman’s armor and stashed it behind a few rocks. Gale would not leave her sword and held onto it as she put her arms around his neck. She leaned her head forwards and whispered.

“If your hands start to wander, I’ll take them off.” She held up the sheathed blade and clicked it open a few inches. Cerulean gulped as he saw the sharp metal and kept his hand on her legs.

“Noted.” Amber chuckled as Gale turned and glared at the others.

“And if any of you tell anyone about this,” Her eyes held enough malice in them to make a dragon quiver in fear. “bad things happen.” The three shivered and nodded. The sky was slowly getting darker and the group’s moral was starting to waver. As they came within sight of the town, they all let out a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, a familiar rainbow haired flyer touched down in front of them.

“Perfect timing Dash.” Cerulean said. The newcomer looked at the group and was stunned by their haggard appearance.

“What the hell happened to you guys?” Rainbow asked.

“Too much to say in a short conversation.” Sunset sighed.

“Dash, fly to the guild and tell them we need help and bring a doctor.” She nodded and bolted into the sky. As they reached the edge of town, Gale leaned got off Cerulean’s back and instead leaned on his side. Princess Luna was there to meet them and with a wave of her hand they were teleported to the hospital where doctors were waiting for them.

Cerulean winced as the pink haired nurse inspected his back that was now black, blue and yellow around the edges. He was relieved to find out that none of his ribs were broken. The doctors gave him a salve to use on his bruised chest and back. As he was getting dressed, Princess Luna walked into the room.

“How are you feeling Cerulean?” She asked.

“I’m managing.” He said as he slipped his shirt back on. “I’d imagine you want to know what happened?” She nodded. “I’d be more than happy to tell you, but first I need a bath, some food and a stiff drink.” A loud growl came from his stomach.

“I can help with the last two.” They agreed for him to meet her back at the guild after he had a bath and changed his clothes. He exited the hospital and headed towards his house. Once inside he ran a quick bath and let the past few days’ events wash away with the warm water. His aching muscles seemed to sing as the warm water washed over his chest and back.

He finished bathing and changed into some clean clothes before heading to the guild hall. As he entered Twilight walked up to him and told him Princess Luna was expecting him in her office. He thanked her and made his way upstairs. He knocked on her door and she bid him enter. Cerulean was pleased to see that there was a warm plate of food waiting for him and one in front of the Princess as well.

“I hope I didn’t anger the cook.” He said as he sat across from Luna.

“Not at all, I haven’t eaten yet myself so this will be a nice treat to have company for dinner.” She smiled. As they ate Cerulean went into detail about the mission. Arbor’s true motives, the mysterious attackers and their survival. He did leave out the part about Sunset’s magic going rampant.

Luna sat back in her chair with her arms folded. “I see, that’s what the others said as well. I only wanted to be sure since you were the only one who wasn’t unconscious after these individuals attacked.” Cerulean’s mouth was full of warm cider so he just shrugged. “We must apologize as well, had we looked closer at him you and the others might have avoided this situation.”

“It’s no issue. We all made it out somewhat okay.” He set his mug down on the table. “By the way, how are the others doing?”

“Sunset is already discharged from the hospital since she only had a few minor bruises. Gale, Amber and Nix are staying over night since their injuries were more severe.” She bit her lip and folded her hands in front of her. “How did Amber’s hands get in that state?” Cerulean sat calmly and scratched his chin. His youth spent with his troupe had given him a good stage face.

“I can’t really say, it must have happened after I was kicked through the cart.” He lied. “I did what I could for her hands, but I couldn’t heal them completely.”

“Still, it’s far better than doing nothing.” She smiled. “I can see why Sapphire values her rangers so much. You’re quite capable.” Cerulean ran a hand through his hair.

“If it’s all right with you Princes, could you keep my mother’s title on the down low? The last thing I need is people feeling like I’ll lord over them like Blueblood, no offense.” Luna nodded in understanding. She too knew how it felt to be seen as a title rather than an individual.

“Of course.” He thanked her and headed back to his house. As he exited the guild he saw Sunset leaning against the wall.

“How are you feeling?”

“Not too bad, all things considering,” She said as she stood up straight.

“I’ll have you know I kept quiet about your little fire hazard.” He stated flatly. Sunset gave him a swift nod before turning to look at the ground. “I can sympathize with that problem, when I was a kid my magic was hard to get a handle on too.” Sunset looked at him in surprise.

“Really?”

“I once froze all the pipes in my house on accident.” He chuckled. “We didn’t have hot water for three days. So to avoid the chance of you burning the house down, I’m going to help you get and keep a lid on your magic.” Her eyes seemed to sparkle at the words. “I should have you know I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“It’s fine and thank you for helping me out.” He shrugged and slipped his hand in his pocket. He pulled out a small piece of folded paper and held it out to her. She took it form him and opened it up to see a neatly written letter.

This receipt to one Sunset Shimmer, green of eye and blonde of hair with stripes of red, is proof of a debt to be paid by Cerulean Frostwork, Ranger of the Warden of the North. The individual named above is credited one favor from the debtor provided the favor does not go against the indebted’s wishes, personal beliefs, creeds, etc. Should the request violate the agreement the contract is void. Once the debt is paid this receipt is null and void.

Signed, Cerulean Frostwork.

Next to the signature was a wolf head imprinted in red wax. Folded up in the paper was a smooth ring made of a deep blue stone. The same wolf head imprinted on the letter was carved into the rock. Sunset looked at the blue haired man in confusion. “I don’t understand. What’s this for?” She asked as she held up the ring.

“In the North, if someone can’t pay someone back then they may trade a favor for the object in question, the more valuable the item, the bigger the favor.” He pointed to the ring. “That is my house ring and it signifies that you’ve done me a great service and may call on me for a favor to repay that debt,” His eyes grew dark and serious as he looked at her. “any favor.” He said seriously. “I only have one condition,” He held up one finger. “no killing. You have no idea how many times that request can come up.”

“The court rings?” She had heard of the ways of the old court, but they had not been used in hundreds of years. Sunset looked down at the ring in her palm and although it was small, she was beginning to feel the weight of what it meant. She was about to put it on, but the man stopped her.

“It’s not really a ring for wearing.” She looked up at him and raised an eyebrow as she saw a bit of red on his fair cheeks. “When two people wear each other’s house rings it means they’re,” He paused as he looked for the correct word. “romantically involved.”

Now it was Sunset’s turn to look embarrassed. She nodded and put the ring in her pocket. “I don’t think either one of us want people gossiping, considering our current living arrangements.”

“Right, sorry. I wasn’t aware the North used those old methods of the Canterlot court.” Cerulean looked at her in surprise.

“Mom has always been old fashioned and drilled them into my brain, but I’m surprised you actually know about the old court.”

“I studied a lot of different things while I was Celestia’s student. The history of Equestria was one of the things along with the old courtly rituals.” He nodded before they headed back to the house. Cerulean walked up to his room and slept like the dead.

Author's Note

Here's a new chapter! Enjoy!