A Master of Deceit

Remiel's eyes shot open and gasped for breath as a cold sweat ran down his body. Frantically his eyes scanned every surface while his hands fumbled for any kind of object that could be used as a weapon. He could still smell the gunpowder in the air, hear the anguished cries of his family. He had to do something, he had to save them! It was only when the inside of the wagon came into focus did he realise it was only dream. Calmly Remiel began to take deep breaths in order to put his fear in check. He should be used to this by now.

Every night it was the same dream. Every night was filled with slaughter and pain. Every night he was powerless to stop it. Despite his now calm and level breaths Remiel could not dispel the fear as he had always done. Before he could assure himself that his family was safe. He could look outside and see them working or merrily laughing with one another. Now he had nothing to keep the fear away, and that only served to make his fear grow.

No, he thought in an attempt to fight the fear back. They still have Matthew and Jensen. They'll keep them safe. They just need to hold out until the summit. Despite his attempts to reassure himself it brought little relief and more fears. Knowing that doing something was the only way to keep his mind away from his thoughts Remiel got to his feet and approached the back of the wagon. Just as he was about to open the flaps a furry tanned hand reached in and opened the flap for him. Surprise colored both Heavy Axe's face and his own.

"You're up," the stallion said, shocked

"Indeed I am," Remiel replied. "And so are you it would seem." Heavy Axe backed up a few steps and Remiel jumped down from the wagon and into the dim light of the morning. The sun had just barely begun to rise above the horizon, painting the sky with different hues of red and pink.

"Sorry, you just didn't look the kind to be an early riser," Heavy Axe explained. Remiel chuckled at him.

"I have never been one for sleeping in," Remiel told him. Though if he had a say in it he would sleep at least a few more hours each day.

"Was just coming by to make sure you weren't just a dream," the tan stallion said. "But if you're up you can help me get things cleaned up and ready to go." Remiel's arms began to ache remembering the last time he helped him. Something must have shown on his face because Heavy Axe gave a hearty laugh and slapped Remiel on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we have plenty of firewood. Just need to clean the dishes and load up everything but the tent before the family wakes up." Heavy Axe jerked his thumb at the tent where Tinker and Healing Touch were still undoubtedly sleeping.

The family. How Remiel yearned to see his family, make sure they were alright and rid himself of this fear. Remiel left his thoughts and smiled at the stallion. "Sounds splendid Where will you have me begin?" Remiel's first task saw him cleaning the dishes from their meal last night. Overnight though what had been left in the bowl was had hardened and required merciless scrubbing to get it all off. Afterwards he helped Heavy Axe move what they could of their small hill of firewood onto one end of a large, grey tarp. Remiel wasn't sure what he was considering but aided the stallion anyway. Then once Heavy Axe said it was enough they rolled it up and he bound it tight with rope before using more rope to tie it to the side of the wagon. Remiel was wondering where they were going to put the firewood, he would have raised hell if they put it in the wagon. Sleeping in it was uncomfortable enough without small twigs stabbing him in the back.

"May I ask you a question?" Remiel asked.

"Sure," the large stallion replied.

"Why do so much with your hands when you could use magic instead?" Heavy Axe let out a soft sigh.

"Truth be told, I'm not all that good with magic," he answered. "You see, it takes a lot a focus and concentration, it's not just snap your fingers and it happens. Simple spells are really all I can manage, so I made up for it by getting stronger. Now I'm a match for most earth ponies."

"I see," Remiel said nodding his head.

"Besides, magic can become a crutch if you rely on it too much. Never know when it might fail you when you need it most." Remiel felt like there was a story behind that but let it go, it was none of his business.

"That's very admirable, and I know I have said this before, but you have my respect." The stallion nodded with a small smirk and patted Remiel on the shoulder.

"And you keep surprising me. Keep it up and we just might make a stallion out of you yet."

"Why I'm hurt," Remiel said, feigning injury at his words. "Here I was thinking I was always a man. The last time I checked I still had all the necessary parts." Heavy Axe gave a booming laugh at that.

"You might have all the parts but you're still just a colt!" he laughed, slapping Remiel hard on the back, almost knocking him over.

"And you're too strong for your own good, my friend." Remiel was definitely going to be feeling that for a while.

"Nah, you're just too soft," the stallion laughed.

"Be that as it may, I won't be of much use around camp if you keep continue hitting me like that. Dear Healing Touch will never clear me for work." Heavy Axe laughed again.

"Ah, don't worry 'bout that," he answered. "We're done until they wake up anyway, then we won't have much else to do until we stop for lunch."

"Out of curiosity, just how far from this 'Canterlot' are we?"

"Should be there tomorrow night or the next morning at the latest." Remiel was content with that. Spending one night in the wagon was enough to make him yearn for his bed. Actually any bed would do, even a couch was acceptable.

"And what takes you there?"

"Well my bo-I mean I came up with a little something and we were hoping to get investors." His not so subtle change in mid-sentence did not go unnoticed by Remiel.

His bo? Remiel thought, trying to discern what he was saying. His boy? Tinker? For some reason he was still surprised even though he had figured the colt's name was prophetic like his mother's. Still, what had the colt made? "Really? May I inquire as to what you created?" Heavy Axe looked thoughtful,debating whether or not to tell him.

"Sure," he said, climbing down unto the ground. "Crawl up under here and I'll show ya." Remiel gave the stallion a confused look but did as he asked and crawled underneath the wagon as well. When he did his eyes scanned underneath the wagon but saw nothing.

"What is it I am looking for exactly?" Remiel asked.

"Watch," Heavy Axe said with a smirk as he placed his hand on the bottom of the wagon and closed his eyes. For a moment nothing happened, then ever so slowly glowing lines began to appear. Remiel's eyes went wide in fascination as he arched his neck to see just where all the lines were going. From the middle the lines expanded into an 'H' shape where they then connected to the spokes and in the front attached to the wheels as well. An idea of what he was looking at came to Remiel but he thought it impossible.

"Pray tell, Mr Axe, just what is it I'm looking at?" Heavy Axe snickered.

"This is the first self-propelled wagon in the world," he proclaimed proudly.

"Fascinating!" Remiel mumbled. His suspicions were confirmed. It was an early car! All this time Remiel had been assuming that Heavy Axe pulled the wagon by himself.  But how could that young colt have come up with something like this at his age? The colt is an engineering savant! If he's creating wonders like this as a child just what will he create as an adult?

"Hah, knew you'd be impressed."

"Tell me, does the propulsion use magic?"

"Aye, it requires a unicorn to make it work." Remiel was already seeing design flaws. If it required a unicorn to operate it than that limited market it could be sold in. There was no suspension so it would have an unappealing bumpy ride. He didn't see any brake pads but was unsure if they were necessary if magic made it stop and go. Remiel wasn't sure if the front wheels turned very well, or at all for that matter, and he didn't know how it would be turned but he assumed it would be by magic. Indeed, while the concept was brilliant, the design needed work. Though it wasn't bad for a proof of concept.

"My friend, I loathe to be the bearer of bad news, but this will be difficult to sell." Heavy Axe looked at him like he was crazy. "You see, where I'm from I am a businessman of sorts so I think as a businessman. You're looking for investors, but those who wish to invest are looking to turn a quick profit. You won't find many willing or patient enough to invest in an idea and wait for the finished product."

"I'm sure," Heavy Axe started but Remiel wasn't finished.

"More importantly they will take into consideration what kind of market they will be able to sell the product to. As you just said a moment ago, only unicorns can operate this wonder. That severely limits the potential pool of customers."

"I hadn't thought of that," Heavy Axe admitted. Remiel suppressed a smirk of triumph. Most of what he had just said was true, but he doubted there would no investors interested in it. Most likely they would have received a speech similar to the one he just gave and be convinced to sell this ingenious device for a paltry sum. This will be how Remiel repays their kindness.

"Hope is not lost," Remiel told him.

"What?"

"As I told you, I'm a businessman. I already have a plan to sell this wonderful creation."

"How?"

"Simple," Remiel said. "First we must." Remiel was cut off as the sound of a female voice cut him off.

"What are you two doing?" Healing Touch's voice called from their feet. Immediately Remiel's head snapped up, and promptly hit the wagon. He hissed in pain and Heavy Axe just laughed. Heavy Axe worked his way from under the wagon and Remiel slowly followed suit.

"Nothing to worry about, H.T.," Heavy Axe told his wife. "I was just showing Remiel here how the wagon worked." As Remiel climbed to his feet he saw Healing Touch give her husband a worried look. Remiel wasn't sure if it was because he showed Remiel, or if she was worried if he revealed Tinker made it.

"Yes, your husband has created a wonder with this self-propelled wagon," Remiel told her in hopes to cover for the large stallion. The worry in her eyes disappeared almost instantly. If Remiel was looking for confirmation that Tinker was the architect for this device than he just found it. Though it wouldn't do to reveal his discovery now. No, it was a card he would hold on to and play only when he could get the most out of it. If he could get anything out of it.

"I thought you said you didn't want anypony to know about it yet," Healing Touch said with a slight edge in her voice. It would seem Remiel didn't get Heavy Axe out of hot water just yet.

"He was gonna find out sooner or later," Heavy Axe replied, not backing down. "Especially since Tinker and me, I mean I have to make a few adjustments."

By the powers that be, Remiel thought to himself. It was almost painful to watch Heavy Axe try to be subtle and deceptive when he clearly had no affinity for it. It was time once more to bail him out of his slip up. "So you have Tinker help you when you're working on the wagon? My, that's impressive for a boy, my apologies, I meant colt of his age. Though it is pleasant to see his desire to follow in his father's footsteps." Remiel scrunched up his face. "Or would it be hoofsteps? Ah, this terminology of yours is very frustrating." If he had to constantly cover for Heavy Axe's verbal mishaps he was going to begin charging, but it seemed his ruse worked. They apparently thought he was more focused on vocabulary than Heavy Axe's slip of the tongue.

"Aye, he's a good colt," Heavy Axe said. "Makes his father proud." He then slapped Remiel on the back. "And don't worry about getting the right words, plenty of young foals don't know how to talk right." The stallion and mare laughed at Heavy Axe's jibe. Inside his head Remiel was glaring daggers at the stallion.

I shall never cover for your verbal inadequacies again, Remiel thought coldly. And you are one to talk! I'm willing to wager my entire fortune any grade school level child is capable of forming their sentences better than you!Remiel forced himself to calm his mind lest he vocalize his thoughts. It was this idiot's guise he had adopted. He was never one to play down his intelligence, and playing stupid and ignorant was beginning to grate on him. Forcing a light hearted laugh and taking on a sheepish look Remiel suppressed his internal tirade.

"You really shouldn't pick on him, dear," Healing Touch chided,trying to suppress her giggling. "He's still getting used to a new world after all." Truly Healing Touch was an angel, even if she had the temper of a demon.

"Sorry Remiel," Heavy Axe said, though his continued laughing brought his sincerity into question.

"Don't worry about it, my friend," Remiel said with a forced smile. "And, please, I would prefer if you both would simply call me Rem."

"Alright, Rem," Heavy Axe said coming down from his laughs. "Now let's go wake that colt and get moving." Heavy Axe roused the colt from his sleep and Healing Touch prepared a small breakfast as the other three tore down and stored what remained of the camp. After finishing the less than filling breakfast, an apple and a pear each. Remiel and Tinker sat near the back of the wagon while Healing Touch and Heavy Axe sat at the front, much to Remiel's disappointment. He had wanted to see exactly how this contraption was operated, but Tinker had other plans and bombarded him with questions about earth. Resigning to his fate Remiel happily answered each question.

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted as the wagon lurched forward and almost knocked Remiel off his perch. Yet another kink that had to be addressed. The wagon moved slowly at first but soon got up to speed and they were moving at a comfortable pace. Well, comfortable may have been a poor choice of words. Remiel felt each and every bump, hole and rock the wheels happened across and in the first hour his back was beginning to hurt, a lot.

I take back this being a wonder, Remiel thought darkly. Though he was not enjoying the pain he was grateful for the distraction Tinker provided. The colt was truly bright and asked Remiel all manner of questions, though he eagerly asked about machines from earth. Remiel didn't inform him about cars, he was hoping to introduce that information when they began discussing the design flaws in the wagon.

Hours passed before they finally stopped for lunch. Remiel eagerly leapt from the wagon and arched his back in an attempt to work out the cramps the bumpy ride had given him. Heavy Axe saw his predicament and laughed, hitting him hard on the back. Normally Remiel would have been upset by it, but the blow helped ease his pain considerably somehow. Though it did leave a dull, throbbing in its place. They sat in relative silence while they ate another slim meal. While no one voiced their displeasure it was clear none of them were satisfied. It was then the thought occurred to him.

They don't have enough, he thought, stunned. They hadn't been planning on feeding a fourth mouth and had only brought along just enough to feed the three of them. And yet they still shared what they had with him without a single complaint. Damn them. Powers that be damn them! He had resolved to not giving in to caring for them. He couldn't afford to do it. Yet here they were sheltering him and sharing what meager rations they had. What remained of his humanity was crying out to them, desperate to bring them under its wing and shelter them. His mind on the other hand was vehemently against it. It argued that Remiel had far more important things to worry about, he couldn't be bogged down by lives he couldn't protect and provide for. The war in his mind was short lived when Heavy Axe spoke up.

"Remiel, Tinker, get in the wagon," the large stallion said, completely serious. Remiel gave him a confused look, but turned his head and saw figures approaching from down the road. Remiel hastily put his bowl down and grabbed the colt, much to Tinker's surprise, and made for the wagon. He put Tinker in the wagon then swiftly made his way inside. He wasn't sure what had Heavy Axe on edge, but he knew never to mistrust the instincts of men like him. Matthew's instincts had saved his life more than once.

It took several minutes for the figures on the road to reach their small camp, most of which had Remiel quietly keeping the colt calm. Remiel grew silent as the group, Remiel couldn't tell how many from the sound of their footsteps, but he could definitely hear the sound of clinking metal. They're armed. Remiel did not have a good feeling about this group. Silently Remiel moved his hand to the flap of the wagon and opened it enough to catch a small glimpse of what was happening.

With only the small slit to see through Remiel could not see much. It was then he had to make the choice: Did he use his Sight or not? If he did he would be able to see them and their intent with no effort, but he would expose both his ailment and his lie about his world and magic. But if these men had ill intent than it would be foolish not to use it. Or would it? Even if they were planning something what good would his Sight bring? He was no warrior, he doubted he'd last more than ten seconds with a normal person, let alone these damned ponies that could either use magic, fly, or were simply strong. In that case he needed a plan of action.

"What brings ya'll out to these parts?" a rough and masculine voice asked, his accent and grammar grating on Remiel's ears. Remiel tore himself from his thoughts and tried to readjust his position to see who spoke. What he saw must have been a pegasus with dark green fur and matching wings, Remiel was stunned, and a dark brown mane and tail. Remiel quickly analyzed what he could from the stallion's posture, tone, how the others around him were standing. It was difficult, but from the few stallions he could barely see he felt as though Heavy Axe's caution was warranted. The one who spoke held himself confidently, yet it was reminiscent of a predator starting down its next meal. The other two Remiel could see seemed tense, their hands hovering near something around their waist, and they almost seemed to be waiting for a signal. No these ponies had no good intent. Now all Remiel could do was wait and at least make some kind of plan.

"Just passing through," Heavy Axe replied, his tone was hard and Remiel could hear the military training leaking into his voice.

He's getting ready to fight, Remiel concluded.

"That's pertty dangerous 'round these parts if'n it's just the two of yas," the pegasus told him. "Ya see, me and my buds are business of helpin' small groups of ponies like yerselves if yer interested." He was fishing, no doubt about it. He wanted to know if there were more of them. Remiel silently cursed himself for leaving their bowls back there.

"As you can see we aren't alone," Healing Touch said as she motioned to the bowls Remiel and Tinker had left behind. Remiel wondered what game she was playing. "There's a few more wagons with us. You see my husband and some of his buddies from the guard thought it'd be fun to have a small cross-country trip. Personally I'd have preferred riding the train but they were bent on this trip." Remiel was surprised at how cunning she was, not only had she said they were a part of a larger convoy but also let it be known her husband was a former soldier in a completely calm and carefree tone. However she still needed to explain why they were alone if there were more wagons with them.

"I see," the pegasus said, his voice leaking some concern into it. "Where's the rest of yer group?"

"Well you see," Healing Touch said, a hint of annoyance bleeding into her voice, "one of the wagons broke a wheel and the others stayed behind to fix it while we looked for a place to set up camp. Of course if we had taken the train we could have avoided all of this but nopony ever listens to me." Remiel could have kissed the mare if the sudden revaluation of this deceptive nature hadn't proved so shocking. He would have to take great care around her from now on.

"An' who's bowls are them?" Healing Touch let out a small giggle at that.

"Our two sons went to go help them a little bit ago, but I think they just went to try and show off for our friend's two daughters," she giggled. Remiel wasn't sure if he should be appreciative or terrified of this mare. Remiel did however notice the change in the stallion's stance. His body had ever so slightly turned away from them as if he was preparing to leave.

"Right then," the pegasus said. "Well me and my friends here need to get going. Be safe, word has it bandits are thick 'round these parts."

"Safe travels to you as well," Healing Touch called to them as they made their way down the road. Heavy Axe's hard glare never once left their slowly retreating form. Healing Touch began acting normal eating her soup and talking to her husband until the group, Remiel note counted five, was far enough away. Once they were satisfied with the distance between them Healing Touch and Heavy Axe ran to the front of the wagon, abandoning the pots and bowls. Remiel had barely braced himself before the wagon once more lurched forward.

"Get my axe," Heavy Axe's hard voice called out. Tinker immediately began digging through one of the trunks and pulled out a sharp looking wood cutter's axe. A bump almost made the colt drop it, but Remiel was already reaching to take it from his hands.

"How fast does this wagon go?" Remiel asked as he leaned out the front and carefully handed it off to Healing Touch.

"Faster than they can run," Heavy Axe replied. Remiel was satisfied with that. "So long as we put enough distance between us we'll be fine." Remiel nodded and went back into the back of the wagon. Tinker looked frightened, but a reassuring smile from Remiel seemed to help.

"Your father said we will be fine," Remiel said brightly, "and I believe him." Tinker smiled and nodded his head.

"Me too," Tinker replied happily. "Dad never lies." Remiel smiled at the colt's answer, and silently hoped whatever powers ruled over truth that they would help keep Heavy Axe's perfect record going. Remiel sat down near the back flaps of the wagon and opened them to see if they were being followed. There was nothing on the road, but something in the sky caught his eye. It was moving rather fast towards a wooded area. Remiel dismissed it, assuming it was only a large bird. Unfortunately Remiel forgot about two very important people from earth: Wethern and his dear friend Murphy. Soon he would learn not even Equestria was safe from these two, because that large blur just so happened to have dark green fur, and a dark brown mane.