Firekeeper

Sir Alonne and his knights took point in the upper levels of Blighttown. Trixie stayed close to Loreane who had Silver Spoon by her side and was flanked by Babs on the other. The two earth pony fillies were ready to fight at a moment's notice.

The sounds of the wood creaking made the group feel uneasy. The platforms wobbled and swayed back and forth as they made their way through. The sounds of moans and the cracking of bones was all around them, yet all was darkness beyond the small bubble of light they made for themselves. Trixie illuminated her horn with her candle light spell while Sir Alonne’s knights held torches.

Silver Spoon nervously tried to keep herself in the center of the group. Mostly behind Babs. The burly brown filly was a force to be reckoned with, and Silver Spoon hoped that Babs would protect her. She did promise after all. That promise only a few nights ago filled the grey filly with a warm fuzzy feeling that could almost melt her fears away. Unfortunately reality made it impossible to forget her fears. Spiders.

She hated Spiders. Their creepy hairy legs. Their evil eight eyes. Now there was a half human spider thing that could be following them ready to strike from the dark and kill them at a moment's notice.

Spiders were Tartarus’s vile creature of death and misery, or so Silver Spoon would have most think. To her a two headed pit viper was more acceptable companion than a spider. Unlike Silver Spoon Babs was looking around with confidence in her eyes and a smug grin.

She twirled her Carim Warchime on her shoulder every so often as they walked along the darkened path. She stood on her hind legs proudly with her armored chest puffed out. Her pink mane stood as a large pink pride beacon. Silver Spoon admired the Babs Seeds confidence. Evnied it even.

While Babs stood tall and proud Silver Spoon was on all fours and meekly shifting about with the group. She felt a coward hiding in the safety net of her friends and allies. As the group reached a crossroads that split into two paths Sir Alonne stopped a the Y split and looked down both paths but made no further advancement. Instead he stood in place, took one step forward to adjust his balance, and rested his hands on his waist keeping his blade in one hand.

With a deep sigh he sat cross legged and made the following declaration, “I have no memory of this place.”

And so the group remained here with no idea what to do next. They settled down and build a small fire, not a bonfire, and kept it burning so they could save their torches for later. While they waited and the adults contemplated on what to do next, Silver Spoon sat alone near the edge with Babs at her side. Her hind legs hung over the edge swinging back and forth with a kicking motion.

Silver Spoon fiddled with her crystal chime in her lap while Babs dropped the head of her warchime beside herself.

“What’s up Silvy?” Babs asked.

Silver Spoon jolted upright at the nickname. Babs noticed the sudden movement and scooted closer and placed her arms around the grey filly.

“Hey, ya alright?”

“Y-yeah,” Silver Spoon replied.

“So, what’s wrong?”

“Nothings wrong.”

Babs shook her head with a disbelieving look. “I don’t think so, Silvy.”

Silver Spoon shifted uncomfortably trying to squirm away from the bronze filly. Babs tightened her grip and pulled Silver Spoon close, pressing her cheek against hers. Silver Spoon stopped struggling against Babs and instead allowed the embrace to continue. Silver Spoon pushed her cheek into Babs affectionately.

“I miss DT.”

Babs said nothing but kept hold of Silver Spoon.

“I’m sure she’d be proud of you, Silvy.”

“She use to call me that too ya know?” Silver Spoon said.

Babs nodded looking into the darkness below.

“Yeah, back when I was a bully with you two, um no offense.”

Silver Spoon shook her head.

“No, you are right. I wasn’t very nice back then. I wish I could take it back,” Silver said somberly.

“Don’t worry. I know you’re not the same pony you were. I know Daimond would be too,” Babs said. “You’ve changed. Become stronger than most ponies our age could ever hope.”

“Thanks Babs. That means alot coming from you.”

“Yeah. We should get back to the others,” Babs said nodding over her shoulder to the group.

Silver Spoon nodded and the two fillies went to return to the group. By now the group had discussed what to do next. Trixie and Loreane had spoken to Sir Alonne about the area. Right now they were trying to finalize which way to go.

“So, Sir Alonne, if understand you correctly if we continued down the left path we’ll end up in the Ash Lake?” Loreane asked.

“What is this, Ash Lake like?” Trixie asked shivering at the name. “It sounds quite inhospitable.”

“Quite.” Sir Alonne agreed. “What we need to decide is where to go next. If my memory serves me we’re in the lower depths of the Undead Parish. Left is the deeper path of the Perish but the right is the most direct path to the chamber where we can find the beast, but it’ll be heavily guarded. I would suggest we go through the Ash Lake.”

Loreane nodded. “I think we should go through the Ash Lake.”

Which way should the group go?

A. Left to the direct path to the chambers of the witch?

B. Longer route through the Ash Lake but less defended?