I was getting ready for work when a Mail pony had brought me a letter. I took it from her and started to read,
'Dearest, Goraag
I'm wondering when you will return from the search for your brother. It has been five years since you started your quest for him. I'm starting to become wary of my eyes. The healer says that it's nothing but I don't believe him. I hope you find what you're looking for soon. Oh and Happy One Hundred and Fifty Fifth Hatchday.
Love Zoniiz.'
After finishing the letter from my girlfriend Zoniiz, I continued to get ready for work. After my shift tonight I'll go to Vanhoover, I thought to myself as I walked out my hotel door, I can't waste any more time here. My brother was nestnapped only a few weeks after his hatching and has been missing for one hundred and Twenty five years. I began searching for him five years ago, when I was two hundred and fifty years old, which in the long life of a dragon is still very young. To put it in perspective, I would be considered a young adult, and my brother would be in his late teens by now. Before setting out on my search, I had met Zoniiz. She was an Ice Dragon, whereas I was your average flightless Fire Dragon. She was a most beautiful white with ice blue wings I have ever seen, complimented by pretty ice blue spines, and markings.
I was currently working as a body guard for some pompous rich pony named Blueblood, and I usually spent my nights outside cafes and clubs as security. I had already given notice that this was my last day. Blueblood paid very well; a least twelve hundred bits every job. The pay was higher for me because I am a Dragon, and nopony wants to mess with a dragon, but I am not a feral dragon, and I only see money as a tool. Feral Dragons are greedy and only care about themselves. I was a member of a Dragon Clan. In a Clan we look out for one another and share our wealth with the whole clan.
Once I was finished for the night I went back to my room to sleep for a few hours. In the morning I grabbed my pack and started walking along the train lines towards Vanhoover, first dropping my reply to Zoniiz in a mailbox. Before leaving any town, I always sent a letter telling her where I was going. I did the same when I arrived somewhere new.
Despite Vanhoover being on the other side of Equestria, the train was making good progress. By midday I was halfway to the first stop; Hollow Shades, a gloomy town in the middle of a fire swamp. Maybe I should stop in Canterlot on the way to Vanhoover, I thought. It was on the way and the connecting train to Vanhoover would be there again in a day or so. I decided it was a good idea, so I wrote another letter to Zoniiz, informing her that Canterlot was my next stop.
When I finished writing the letter, it was time to board the connecting train. As I moved to the next train I passed a mailbox that had some bubbles painted on the side. Can't imagine what mail service this is. I thought. I walked back out to the platform just as my next train was pulling in to the station. After all the unboarding passengers were clear, the conductor yelled, "NOW BOARDING!" I boarded the train and took a seat.
The conductor walked slowly up the aisle, checking the tickets seat by seat and making small talk with the patrons, some of whom seemed to be regulars. He finally got to me and hesitated for a second, but I just showed the pony my ticket with a polite nod and the conductor was satisfied. "All ABOARD!" The conductor yelled again. The train lurched, and it was on the way to the Capital of Equestria, Canterlot.
A few hours later I arrived. It was 3:15 according to the clock above the train station. There were a few guards around, three of whom saw me and whispered nervously between themselves. I walked over to them, they took a step back cautiously then one said something to the other two and ran off.
"Is there a bank around here?" I asked, doing my best not to be too intimidating.
The guards exchanged glances before one answered. "There is one next to the Guard Academy. Follow the signs, you cant miss it."
"Thank you for your help." I gave them a respectful bow before going to the bank.
I followed the signs and sure enough there was the bank right next to the academy. I stood out like a sore thumb in the bank, I estimate that I am about the same size as a Minotaur height wise, so I definitely stick out. I waited in line for a good Fifteen minutes before speaking with one of the tellers, and was consistently gawked at the entire time. Obviously dragons were not a common sight here.
"How can I help yo~" She stopped when she raised her eyes from her counter and finally noticed me as an unusual customer.
"I would like to make a withdrawal. My name is Goraag account number 50602-10570" I told her. The teller shook with nerves and avoided eye contact, but she looked up the account without argument.
"And how much will you be withdrawing?" She said in a trembling voice.
"300 bits. Please." I said politely. She wrote down the request and went to fill it out. I then turned around and everyone in the bank had stopped what they were doing to watch him.
A different pony came back with my bits. "Excuse me but I had to see this for myself, I'm the manager here." He stuck a hoof out to shake with my claw. This was the first pony with manners I had encountered since I arrived.
I shook his hoof. "Pleased to meet you. As you probably already know I'm Goraag, what's your name?"
"Welcome! Everypony calls me Banks. Here are your bits sir, is there anything else you need?"
"Yes actually. Do you know where a hotel is?"
Banks nodded. "There is a hotel on Mane Street. It's impossible to miss the big 'Canterlot Hotel' sign."
"Thank you for your help."
"If you don't mind if I may ask you a question?" Banks started, "We don't get very many dragons here in Canterlot and I was wondering just how tall you were, and if you were an average sized dragon?"
"I'm average sized for a Fire Dragon yes. However I'm approximately the same height as Kulaas Kahliir." Banks looked at me not knowing what 'Kulaas Kahliir' meant, "Kulaas Kahliir is Princess Celestia in my language."
"Ah! Well I wont keep you up any longer. Have a nice day." Banks left the teller booth.
I turned to leave and everyone went back to there business, pretending they had not been starring. On my way to the hotel, my nose caught the scent of doughnuts. MMMMMMMMMM was the only thought in my head. I hadn't eaten yet today, so when I saw the doughnut shop across the street from the hotel I decided to stop in for some pastries. I then went and rented a room at the hotel. It was only five o'clock, so I decided to take a walk through the city. I visited the royal maze and looked at the statues. One that caught my eye was a strange sculpture with an eagle's claw, snake tail, bat wings, and the head of a pony. By the time I got back from sight seeing, it was ten o'clock. I opened up the door to my hotel room and I saw a letter on the floor. It had the Royal Seal on the front as well as another inked symbol I didn't recognize, but it was similar to the Guard Crest. I opened up the letter and started to read.
'Dear Goraag.
You have been summoned to a meeting with my sister Princess luna, and I. There is a opportunity we wish to offer you. We have heard of your exploits across Equestria and believe you to be an excellent candidate for what we have in mind. Bring this letter with you to Canterlot castle at an hour past noon tomorrow and the guards will bring you to where you need to go.
Signed Princess Celestia,'
WOW! I thought, I wonder what they want. I yawned. I'll worry about it tomorrow morning. I placed the letter on the night stand, then climbed onto the bed and fell asleep.
