The Elder Scrolls: Equestria

"...In an age of darkness and despair, the light often comes from the unlikeliest of places. And it is often delivered by the most unlikely of ponies..."

“Everything ready?” A brown unicorn buck asked from across the table. The tavern was full of ponies; drinking, singing and just trying to have a good time. Nopony would overhear us. And if they did they were too drunk to care anyway.

“Eyup. The guards are paid and the spells are disabled.” I replied, pushing a stray lock of silver hair from my eyes with my foreleg. “When the shift changes we'll have twenty minutes.” He nodded, tightening one of the straps on his leather barding. I took a long pull from my drink, my throat burning a little as I finished it, then I slapped the mug on the table and dropped a few gold bits with it. I hopped of the stool and landed nimbly on my hooves. The other ponies parted as Puzzle Piece and I made our way through. His name may sound funny but Puzzle Piece was no joke. He's the only pony I know who could get us past the complex puzzle locks that stood between us and our biggest payday yet.

We stepped into the cool Fall night. The moon and stars shining beautifully above us and the rich buildings of Canterlot lighting the mountainside with yellow and orange brilliance. Whoever thought slapping a city to the side of a mountain was a good idea must have been on shrumin or something. But even I had to admit the city was beautiful. White marble buildings engraved with unicorn runes and carvings of unicorns. The occasional statue of Princess Celestia and the bright flags embellished with the sun. With all the wealth spent on the city's decor you'd never think Canterlot was the capital of a nation at war.

We made our way down the empty city streets towards Canterlot Castle; its many towers and gardens demonstrating Equestria's riches and vast resources. All ripe for the picking! I thought merrily, taking in the sight of the gold finish on many of the castle's walls. Why would anypony put gold on the outside of a building? It didn't matter, the night was young and the city guards were busy elsewhere.

We reached the outer wall of the castle and immediately ducked into the shadows. If there's one thing you need to remember in my line of work its that the shadows are your friend.

“Do your thing, P.” I told Puzzle Piece, pulling the hood over my head and making sure my mane was tucked in. bad part about having silver hair, does not blend in well at night.

“Got it.” he said floating a short crossbow from a holster on his saddlebags and taking aim at the top of the wall. I tapped his shoulder and pointed at the bolt.

“What?” He asked stupidly. I facehoofed and pointed at his bags.

“You need the rope, P.” I whispered. He immediately blushed, (or I think he did its hard to tell at night.) and pulled a long thin rope from his bags. He tied it to the end of the bolt on his cross bow then took aim again. He fired, the bolt was sent flying with a Twang! It stuck at the top of one of the guard towers above us. Puzzle Piece gave it a few testing pulls before smiling and sliding the rope into a clip on his barding. With horn and hoof he began to scale the castle's outer wall. I stayed at the bottom providing lookout. We couldn't both climb at once, the rope was too thin and with the off chance that the guards betrayed us after we paid them off I'd rather somepony else go first.

It appeared that we weren't betrayed however when a minute or so after he started climbing Puzzle Piece quietly called for me to join him. After reaching the top of the tower we pulled the rope up and readied it for another shot. This time Puzzle Piece had to hit the castle itself; just under the third story window on a tower opposite the throne room. With another Twang! The bolt went flying and just like the first it hit it's mark. I used my magic to tie the end of the rope as tight as I could to the tower. If it came lose when we were going across it would be a thirty foot fall to the ground and since I'm not a Pegasus I'd rather not try my hoof at flying.

Just as before Puzzle Piece went first. Shimmying along the rope over the gardens. My mare on the inside did her job; the guards normally posted in this part of the garden weren't at their posts. But they'd be there soon enough. There was always some guards posted near the statue of Victory. And a few by the stone Draconequis nearby. Oh the bits I could get from that statue was almost enough to make my mouth water. Too bad we didn't have enough time to grab it. I watched Puzzle Piece as he reached the last few feet of the rope and dropped into the shadows of the tower's second floor. What that pony won't do for a bag of gold.

Now I'd like to say that I'm not afraid of heights but dangling from a thin rope thirty feet off the ground unnerved the hell out of me. And since I had to go nearly two hundred feet along said rope wasn't helping. It only took a couple minutes to get across but it felt like an hour. I hopped inside the open window and landed silently as a tomcat. Puzzle Piece was waiting nearby impatiently nearby.

“Dammit Silver we need to go!” he hissed as we wound our way through the long hall to the stairs. “We don't have much time left!”

“I know, P. Now shut the hell up.” I told him. “You're gonna blow our cover.” The bottom of the stairs opened into a long room with purple carpet on the floor. The walls were adorned with several stained glass windows. Each one was beautiful but I was drawn to one in particular. It depicted two alicorns flying around a white Draconequis. Discord. The statue in the garden was made as a reminder of the sister's grand victory over him. Dammit! If we only had more time!

“Silver!” Puzzle Piece hissed. I turned my attention from the window and back to our goal. At the end of the hall was a tall pair of gold and purple doors. There was a yellow carving of the sun with a single hole the size of a horn in the center. Puzzle Piece tapped the door a few times and pressed his ear to it. He then pulled out a false unicorn horn that was more than twice the length of a normal one. He slid it into the hole and after a moment the door gave a soft click that sounded as loud as breaking glass in the silence of the night. The doors swung slowly inward revealing a large gem studded box on a pedestal.

“All you, Silver” Puzzle said, gesturing to the box with his left foreleg.

“You should really only use my initial when we're on the job, P.” I told him, not even trying to hide my annoyance. He snorted into his hoof and waved at the box again. Dumbass. I thought, floating out my lock pick and taking a look at the lock. It was a standard four tumbler lock and that bothered me. With all the other security why would you put a simple lock on the container with the goods? It didn't matter. The client wants whats in the box and I was going to get it to her. Come hell or high water.

“Why can't we just take the box?” Puzzle Piece whispered. I shook my head and answered,

“Because if we take the box the alarms will go off. It was all in the scroll the client gave me. Now shut up and let me work.” I slid in the pick and began to work the tumblers into place. It only took a few moments before the box opened with a satisfying click the lid opening of it's own accord. I smiled and rubbed my hooves together. Inside were six ordinary looking gems. Except for the one in the center (which was shaped like a star) the gems were all the same shape. The only  differences were their color. Why would anypony lay down the bits we're getting for a few lame gemstones? I thought, feeling kind of disappointed that I wasn't stealing something more exciting. Like one of StarSwirl the Bearded's private scrolls or Princess Celestia's secret stash.

I shrugged and floated the gems out of the box and placed them carefully in the smaller padded box the client gave me. I could still remember the look on the white mare's face. Her orange mane pushing out the side of her black hooded cloak.

“Do be careful with them, darling. The items in question are very important to me and can only be transported in the finest containers”

I closed the box and looked over my shoulder at Puzzle Piece.

“We got the goods. Let's get outta here.” I slid the box back into my bags and we made our way back up the stairs, to the windows and across the rope. This time I went first. The one with the goods always went first. About halfway across the rope I was almost blinded by several bright lights coming out of the garden.

“HALT! By order of the Royal Guard!” there were a dozen or so ponies on the ground. The unicorns using their horns to cast beams of light at me. There were earth ponies on the ground holding spears. The light from the unicorns glistening on their golden armor and weapons. I heard wings flapping and in seconds there were half a dozen Pegasi surrounding me. I looked back at the window in time to see puzzle piece get whacked across the head with the handle of a spear.

“Now I don't know who that pony is,” I said loudly, pointing a hoof at the now unconscious Puzzle Piece. “but I am the castle's tower trim inspector. If you gentlecolts would be so kind as to help me down I'll put in a good word with Princess Celestia regarding your stoic professionalism and outstanding courtesy.” The guards looked at me blankly as I gave my most convincing smile. And I swear a few of them believed me when a unicorn carried by a Pegasus blasted me in the chest with a shock spell. Pzztzzztzzzt.

“OW!” I shouted, the blast making me spasm violently in the air. The rope snapped and I dropped halfway to the ground before a Pegasus caught me and then immediately dropped me the rest of the way down into the hooves of the other guards.

“I swear, I'm the castle ..” I began to say, but the unicorn shocked me again and this time I blacked out.

                             ….….............

Like I said before. Getting caught sucks. There were chains binding my forelegs to hindlegs, keeping me from moving any faster than a light trot. There was also a ring on my horn that prevented me from using magic. And of course the guards weren't making it any easier.

“Move it!” one said pushing me to my hooves when the chains made me slip.

“I'm going, I'm going.” I told him, tucking the hair pin I'd pulled from my tail underneath my tongue. Never be un- prepared.  They were leading me down a stone corridor towards what I assumed was the castle dungeons. When I woke up they were spouting a bunch of nonsense about 'thievery' and 'high treason' and blah, blah, blah. So it was either the dungeons or the guillotine or they were taking me to the dungeons where I was going to wait to go to the guillotine. Either way, I was basically fucked if I couldn't get out.

They carried we down a flight of stairs that led into a long hall with prison cells lining each side. So, it's wait and then execution. Fucking brilliant.

“Get inside!” one of the guards said, shoving me into an open cell and slamming the door shut. I waited a moment for them to lock it with a key but the door lock clicked when the guard stuck his horn in a hole on the wall. Typical. The guard saw the disappointed expression on my face and sneered.

“Sorry little mare. You won't be leaving hear any time soon. Except to see the executioners axe” he drew his hoof across his throat and laughed. The other guards left first, leaving him standing at the door to my cell alone. Idea!!!.

“You know, if you let me out of here I'm sure I could make it worth your while” I told him seductively. He burst out laughing, even going so far as to bang his hoof on the wall.

“Sorry girl. Maybe if you were a buck I'd let you out for some fellatio but you're not so...enjoy rotting in there. Dinner will be along in a couple days.” He left the hall laughing like a filly on Hearths Warming.

“Fuck, me.” I looked around the cell. There was a pile of old hay in one corner and a lit candle on the wall. Besides that it was completely empty.

“The guard may have said no but I sure wouldn't mind.” somepony said. I turned around, the chains clinking loudly as I did so. Across the hall there was an ancient looking Zebra stallion sitting by the bars in his cell. “What say ya girl? Once you fly striped you never gripe.” every instinct was telling me to tell this buck to go fuck himself. But that cheesy line made me snort and fall into the hay laughing.

“Hey, what's so funny?” he said indignantly. But I couldn't answer...I could barely even breath!

“Fucking... I wouldn't mind! Hahahahahaha!” oh sweet Celestia that's funny. When I finally stopped laughing long enough to say more than a few words I looked at the old stallion.

“What are you in for, Stripes” I asked. He looked at me angrily for a moment but after a a few moments his expression softened.

“I was arrested for 'acquiring' one of Princess Ambrosia's necklaces. How was I supposed to know the damn thing belonged to royalty. Knew that Pegasus was shifty the moment I laid me eyes on him.” he scratched his chin a few times before asking. “What about you, Fine Flanks. What you do?”

“Who me?” I asked, putting my hoof to my chest and feigning ignorance. He raised an eyebrow and when his gaze didn't relent I insisted, “I didn't do a thing. You can call me Silver Scroll the innocent! Or, Silver Scroll the wrongly accused” this time it was the old zebra who laughed. Rolling around on his pile of hay for several minutes. “Laying it on a little thick aren't you buddy?” I asked, but he still ignored me. I rolled onto my back and stared intently at the ceiling. No lock on the door and they stuck me in the cell block with probably the only gay stallion in the Royal Guard. Fucking typical.

It took Stripes nearly ten minutes to stop laughing. To be honest,I was starting to think he was having some kind of seizure or something but he stopped and didn't look dead so I didn't bother the guards. A few hours after getting thrown in my cell (or I think it was a few hours) the guard came back and slid a single moldy apple through the bars with a mug of water.

“There's lunch.” he stated simply before walking back out of the hall.

“Nice...” I drank the water and tossed the apple into the Zebra's cell. I'd eaten worse before but I wasn't that hungry...yet.

For the next week it was the same routine. Get water and food once a day, stare at the walls of my cell trying to memorize every line etched in the stone and if I got an apple it went to the Zebra. He wasn't the best company but he was better than nopony. He never answered questions about himself like; what his homeland was like or if he had any family. He wouldn't even tell me his name. I wasn't very open either. He asked if I had family and I said no. (even though my parents still lived in Fetlock.) He asked what my hometown was like and I told him it was destroyed by bandits. That shut him up. But despite the lack of sharing I enjoyed his company and I think he enjoyed it too.

I was lying on my back with my forelegs behind my head and my hindlegs crossed when I heard the stomping of many hooves echoing through the cell block. Four Royal guards stopped in front of my cell, each of them holding spears.

“On your hooves” they commanded. I obeyed, getting to my hooves and standing straight while they opened the door and checked my mane and tail and to my dismay they even had me open my mouth. The unicorn guard pocketed my hair pin and the four of them stepped back. “She's clear your majesty” I felt my jaw drop as a tall winged unicorn stepped into the doorway of my cell. Her very presence seemed to light up the room with sunlight, her rainbow mane and tail waving magically behind her. The golden jewelry she wore was nothing compared to the grace that she carried herself with.

“Silver Scroll is it?” she asked kindly. Her eyes seemed to sparkle and her smile made me feel almost ashamed that I was in her jail. Almost.

“That's me.” I answered.

“I don't think those are necessary anymore.” the chains around my legs clicked and snapped off. She floated them to the guards behind her and even took the magical protection ring from my horn as well.

“Your majesty, I don't think this is very wise..” one of the guards began but she silenced him with a look. Not even a mean look either. All it took was her looking at him to make him silent.

“My guards informed me that you are the one who attempted to steal the Elements of Harmony. Is this true?” Wait, what are the Elements of Harmony? I opened and closed my muzzle several times before I answered.

“If that's what they were, then yes.” I said lamely. Looking at my hooves. The Princess was silent for only a minute but it felt like hours.

“Impressive.” She stated simply. I gasped and looked at her. The Princess of the sun didn't look angry in the slightest. She looked almost amused. “I know that you had no idea what you were stealing and I knew you would attempt it. I just had to make sure that you had the proper skills for the job. And the fact that you disabled the security spells and  actually got out of the tower with the fakes in hoof showed that you do.” Fakes? She set me up. That orange maned cunt set me up! At that moment I thought about Puzzle Piece. It was the first time I'd thought about him all week.

“What happened to Puzzle Piece?” she looked surprised at the question.

“I'm sorry to say his sentence was carried out three days ago. Captain Autumn sent him to the block.” her expression was sad. And it was her expression that was making my chest tighten, not Puzzle Piece. “I'm afraid he was a repeat offender with a history of violent crimes. I'm sorry about your friend.”

“He wasn't my friend,” I said seriously, making her raise an eyebrow. “He wasn't. I was just curious. That's all... Now, if I may ask. What do you want with me, Your Highness?” her expression was skeptical for a few moments before softening once more.

“I am in need of somepony with your...shall we say, particular, talents. The easiest way I can explain is that I have a contract for you.” I looked her in the eye for nearly a full minute but her expression stayed the same. Hell, she didn't even blink.

“You, Princess Celestia of Equestria. Have a contract... for me?” I asked incredulously. She nodded once. I must have been dreaming. The fucking Princess has a contract for me.

“It is a rather simple contract,” she said floating a scroll before me. “There is an item that I wish you to acquire from the estate of Prince Pureblood in Whitetail.”

“Whitetail? That's in Imperial territory!” I told her. She smirked and nodded.

“I know. It's a fact that causes me great pain to acknowledge. And my city will not be under Imperial rule for much longer. That is, if you take my contract.” the scroll unfurled. “It's simple. You retrieve the missives that are listed here,” she pointed a wingtip at the scroll. “and infiltrate the treasury. Once you're inside you have free rain to take whatever you wish and it will be yours to keep.” I felt my mouth start to water just at the thought. Free rain to keep what I wish? From a Royal treasury? Oh... sweet, sweet, gold!

“Except for one item,” she floated a small drawing of a red chest with an odd black symbol on the front. “You must obtain the contents of this chest and return them to me, along with the missives. You have three weeks to get there and acquire these items and then you have a week to bring them back here.”

“What's in it for me?” It was a good deal just with the city treasury but if I could get more then I would. The guards behind the Princess muttered darkly and their frowns deepened. But Princess Celestia's expression however, remained unchanged.

“In addition to whatever you steal in Whitetail you will be given a full pardon for any and all crimes in your past. Including what crimes you'll commit while on your mission; excluding murder of course.” I nodded, content with what she offered but she added, “You will also receive a sum of fifty thousand bits.” It took all my will power to keep my expression neutral. If I looked too excited she might change the deal.

“I accept. With the condition that I'm granted an expense account of five thousand bits to assist in the fulfillment of the job. I'll need to purchase equipment, pay off guards and provide incentives for my coworkers.” one of the guards snorted behind her drawing looks from the others.

“What? She said 'coworkers'.” he said. The other guards just shook their heads, but I saw the ghost of smile on the Princess's face.

“I'll give you ten thousand for expenses and provide a mercenary for your protection. That way you'll be safe from enemies and your 'coworkers' alike.” Celestia offered.

“I don't need protection.” She smirked once again.

“I am well aware. But you are going into enemy territory with a massive sum of my gold. Extra protection is warranted.” Ah. She wants to make sure I don't just leave with the bits. “And I'm sure it goes without saying that I will be placing a magical tracking spell upon you for the duration of your mission. Government assets must be monitored.” I wasn't particularly fond of that idea but it wasn't a deal breaker. Fifty thousand bits and a full pardon for anything short of murder for the next month sounded fine by me.

“Deal” but as an afterthought I added. “Wait, there's one more thing I'd like you to do.”

                           …...........................

Less than an hour later I had my leather armor back, along with my saddlebags and my tools. In addition there was a very hefty bag of coins sitting in my bags with the scroll containing the details of the job. I was in the Royal throne room standing before Celestia, and her two nieces and one nephew. Princess Ambrosia was smirking at me from under her orange mane. I can't believe I didn't recognize her before. She's a fucking Alicorn! I must be getting rusty.

The room itself was lined with golden trim and the stained glass windows looked like they were worth a fortune. If the Royal family wasn't watching me I might have taken a closer look.

Celestia retrieved a medium sized roll of parchment from a chest near the throne and floated it over to me.

“This is an enchanted map of Equestria. It has all the large cities and villages marked. Do try not to lose it. It's one of a kind.” I accepted the map and stuck it in my bags. “Your protection will be waiting for you by the city gates. Look for the griffon” she watched me quietly for a few moments before bowing her head slightly. “Good luck, my little pony. May your mission be successful.” then she whispered barely loud enough to hear. “I truly hope it is.”

I was escorted out of the throne room and the castle proper by a half dozen Royal Guards. You'd think we'd be fast friends since I was working for the Princess but I guess they're not as trusting as Celestia. Or maybe just as trusting since she cast a tracking spell on me before giving me the map.

They escorted me out through the castle courtyard and through the gardens. I could still see the bolt stuck in the side of the tower by the window. Once I was outside the gate it slammed shut behind me. Well they don't seem happy with me.

Waiting by the gate with his forelegs crossed was the Zebra stallion. He still looked ancient but his expression brightened greatly at the sight of me.

“Thank you, missy!” he said giving me a spine cracking hug. “I thought I'd be rottin' down there for the rest of me days.”

“Think nothing of it.” I told him dismissively. “We scum gotta stick together, eh?” he chuckled and nodded wiping his eye with his hoof.

“I'll be taking me leave now. I hope to meet ya again someday. If we do I'll pay for lunch.” he told me with a wink.

“You're on, Stripes.” I waved him off and he started immediately down Canterlot's main road towards the gate. I'm gonna miss that old buck.

There was a bounce in my step as I made my way through town. The high society ponies around me watched me with clear disdain but their looks would quickly turn to fear if I looked them in the eye. I couldn't help but smile as I trotted along. Even though the tower job was a bust, I would be getting more gold than that would have ever paid if this job goes well.

I stopped at the mouth of an alley between a winery and an antique shop and dove into the shadows. It was a short alley, taking me less than two minutes to reach the large wooden door at the end. I knocked three times and a small section of the door opened, revealing a very tall, very muscular stallion.

“Brutus.” I said, stiffly.

“Password” his deep voice rumbled.

“Shadows preserve us. Darkness protect us.” the door swung silently inward opening into a large room with more than two dozen ponies sitting at tables with drinks. Unlike the bar Puzzle Piece and I met in before this place was quiet. Nopony was talking, or if they were they were being really, quiet. There was no dancing or anything else that might indicate anypony was there to have fun. Well, it wasn't really surprising. Nopony came to this tavern for fun. You came for one of three things. To drink yourself to death, have somepony killed, or talk to ponies like me about contracts.

A few ponies looked my way as I went through the room. Most looked on with apathy but a few gave knowing smiles. And sitting in the far corner were the two ponies I was looking for.

“Hiya Silver. How are the accommodations in the tombs these days.” A yellow coated mare with white fur on her muzzle and hooves asked me. Her name was Sunshine (go figure) and she was the most annoying mare in the Guild. But also my best friend.

“I'll survive.” I told her dismissively, sitting down opposite her.

“There was never any question” the Pegasus buck to her left said sarcastically, “but what about the other prisoners or the poor guards?”

“Can it, Windsheer, and get me a drink.” he smirked and slid a mug towards me with his wing. I took a long pull from the mug and slapped it back on the table.

“I'm heading out of town on a...specialty contract. I need you to tell Pinumbra. I'll be back in a few months tops.” Sunshine spit her drink on the table, and on Windsheer.

“A few months!? What could you possibly be doing that will take you outta Canterlot for a few months?” she asked incredulously. She and Windsheer were both giving me suspicious looks.

“Don't worry you idiots” I said reassuringly. “I have a contract that's pulling me out west. It'll take some time to maneuver but I'll be back.” Their expressions didn't change but I didn't want to explain further. If Guild Master Shadowmark found out how much money I stood to make he'd demand a portion for the Guild's 'Treasury'.

“You're not planning on going... Platinum are ya?” Windsheer whispered. Even though the bar was already quiet the silence became absolute when he said this.

“No dumbass.” I said loudly, making anyponies looking at us go back to their drinks. “I have a contract from the Aristocracy. They need me to go to Imperial Territory and snatch something.”

“Snatch what? You don't cross old Grogar for trinkets Silver Scroll.” Sunshine said skeptically before finishing her ale in one pull. “And how much does a thousand mile journey cost these days anyhow?”

“It's none of your business what I'm stealing, first of all. Secondly, it'll pay five thousand bits.” there was no way I was telling them how much I was really getting. If Shadowmark found out...

“No kiddin'? Five thousand bits is quite a lick. Maybe you'd like some company on your trip then?” Windsheer kicked up his hindlegs on the table and leaned back in his chair. “Traveling alone into Imperial Territory ain't exactly the smartest move ya know.” I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, I'll pass on that. Last thing I need is your dumbass getting me killed before you loot my corpse. Besides, the Aristocracy already set me up with a guard.” I smirked at him, his smile had disappeared. “Griffon mercenary. Big, mean fella.” I hopped off my seat and started for the door. Halfway there I looked over my shoulder and snarled, “You better fucking tell him or I'll come back and cut your face!” Everypony in the bar broke out laughing. Myself included. If only we could talk like this in Canterlot taverns and not get thrown out. The look on the Canterlot ponies faces were worth it though.

“See you guys.” Sunshine and Windsheer waved me out, smiling and shaking their heads. A few of the other ponies in the tavern waved me out or gave me a stiff nod. Thick as thieves indeed. Even Brutus gave me small smile before slamming the door shut behind me

I'd only been in the tavern for five minutes at most but now the streets were filled with hundreds of ponies heading towards the castle.

“What's going on?” I asked a yellow mare.

“Hmph!” she said, sticking her nose in the air. Bitch.

“The Princess is making an announcement at the castle.” a Royal guard to my left said, startling me. “I believe she's doing it so you may leave unnoticed.”

“Is the entire Royal Guard in on what I'm doing?” I asked with a smirk.

“We don't know what you're doing. Just that the Princess wants us to get you to the gate and out of here as soon as possible. She doesn't want you wasting the time she's paid for at a tavern.” Right. The tracking spell.

“I'll be going then.” I told him.

“Good.” the buck followed the crowd and I started trotting down the city's main street towards the city gate. The crowd had thinned out enough that I could speed up to a gallop. The sooner I get this done the sooner I get to retire to Prance.

When I reached the gate I was greeted by a tall, thickly built griffon clad in steel armor. He wore two short swords on his belt and a third dagger like blade protruded from the top of his helmet. He had a scar across his left eye and a missing talon on his right foreleg.

“Are you Silver Scroll?” he asked quietly, his voice sounding far less rough than I thought it would.

“That's me. You the merc?” he scowled at my question a spit at my hooves.

“Not a mercenary. I'm a soldier. Are you ready to go?” he asked pointing a claw at a nearby golden chariot with two Royal Guard Pegasi strapped into the harnesses.

“Yeah, let's do it.” I said nervously. I stepped carefully onto the back of the chariot and tied myself to the side with a leather belt from my bags. The griffon looked at me inquisitively for a moment before his beak broke into a smug grin.

“Not a fan of heights? I thought they caught you dangling thirty feet from the ground.” I'm never gonna live that down!

“There's a difference between thirty feet and falling off a fucking mountain!” I looked over the edge of the chariot, which was right by the edge of the city, and gulped. “What about you, Feathers? Can't you fly?”

“Course I can,” he stated, flexing his wings. “But that doesn't mean I have to pass up a free ride.” he winked at the Pegasi pulling the chariot and they scowled.

“Ready for take off in five...”

“Four...”

“Three...”

“Two...go!!” they flapped their wings powerfully and the chariot launched off the mountainside and dropped straight down.

“Aaaaaahhhhhh!” I screamed and threw my forelegs around the griffon, even though I was strapped to the chariot. We leveled out after a hundred feet and headed south. It took a few minutes for me to relax enough to let go of him, and stop shaking. Meanwhile the Pegasi were laughing their asses off at my fear and my guard's discomfort.

“While I groove with a prank as much as the next griffon, don't do that again.” I felt almost thankful before he added, “if she dies my honor will be tarnished.”

“Oh, yeah. And why's that... er. What's your name?” one of the Pegasi asked.

“Grover. And my mission is making sure she doesn't die. Now get flappin!” he ordered.

An hour later I was enjoying a great view of the Equestrian countryside, while puking my guts out over the side of the chariot.

“For some reason I thought a hardened criminal wouldn't have a problem taking a short ride in the air.” Grover said sarcastically, crossing his forelegs behind his head and leaning against the side opposite me.

“Oh?” I said between wretches. “and what's your story, Bird Boy?”

“Don't have one.” he said quickly. A little too quickly.

“Bullshit” I said when my stomach wouldn't give up any more. “Everyone, has a story. If you don't want to share that's fine, but don't be throwing mine in my face. Ya got that?” he looked shocked but only for a second. He gave a dramatic little bow and turned his gaze to the horizon.

“How much longer boys?” the Pegasi looked back at me and then to the horizon,

“Two or three hours. But if we get a strong wind in our favor we could be there in an hour and a half.” the one on the left told us. “Once we get to the outpost by Ghastly Gorge you're on your own. Take the road south, it will lead to the Pegasus city of Timbucktu. They'll direct you to where you need to go.” after that the Pegasi didn't seem too keen to speak us.

I'd never flown before, with the exception of Windsheer carrying me into upper story windows. The sky stretched out in front of us like an endless blue canvas with fluffy white clouds breaking the constant blue. We were soaring over a seemingly endless stretch of dense forest. In the distance I could see an old castle ruin. I tapped Grover on the shoulder.

“What's that?” he sat up and looked over the side of the chariot, squinting.

“I think... that's Celestia's and Luna's old castle.

“Don't say that name!”

“Don't say that name!” The Pegasi said indignantly. Their faces wore expressions that bordered on hatred. “That damn traitor...what the fuck!?” he screamed looking downward. We followed his gaze and my eyes widened.

“Grover, cut my belt!” he looked down at the bright green ball of energy streaking towards the chariot and without a word he pulled one of his swords from his belt and slashed my belt in half. He wrapped his left foreleg around me and pulled me off the chariot. That was the second time I'd screamed that day. I think I may have broken my voice.

We'd fallen maybe twenty feet before the green ball impacted against the chariot and exploded. The Pegasi screamed, burst into green flames and flailed through the air towards the forest below.

Grover flapped his wings and tried to level out but several more balls of energy shot out of the forest towards us.

“Hold on!” he said trowing me onto his back.

“I'm not going anywhere!!!” I wrapped all four of my legs around his torso I locked my fetlocks together. Grover dove and spun in the air trying to avoid the blasts. By the looks of them they were balls of condensed dragon fire. Grover pumped his wings suddenly and dodged one shot by mere inches. The heat burned leather barding and singed my mane.

“Head for the ground!” I told him Grover looked at me in confusion.

“I'm pretty sure that's where the ponies shooting at us are! You want us to die faster?” he asked with a scowl.

“We're in the open up here. Take us to the trees and they won't be shooting dragon fire at us!!” he looked skeptical but his wings flattened against his back and we plummeted towards the treeline like a javelin. Okay, this time my voice did break. I coughed explosively, spitting blood onto the back of Grover's head just before he leveled out at the treeline and dropped once more.

He slid down a large tree, carving deep gouges into the bark with his claws. We slid off a thick branch and landed on the ground with a bone jarring thud.

“You alright?” he asked me. Wiping some of the blood off the back of his helmet.

“Yeah,” I said, hoarsely. I coughed some more blood onto his shoulder. “I just need a drink.” he looked at me skeptically. “let's just go.” he nodded and lunged forward. Running far faster than I thought possible and dodging trees and other foliage with ease. He moved with the lithe of a cat... oh, right. The whole part lion thing kinda slipped my mind. Still, it was amazing how fast he moved on the ground. Slipping through brambles and jumping on and off of trees like an acrobat.

After half an hour on foot (Grover's feet) he stopped on the edge of a clearing before a stone bridge spanning a deep gorge. Our eyes widened at the mass of dark blue tents and massive bonfires surrounding the ruins of an ancient looking castle. The towers and bridges between them were shattered and crumbling. The castle looked deserted and decrepit looking while the camp surrounding it was buzzing with activity. Hundreds of ponies midnight blue leather barding were stoking the fires, carrying barrels and hammering away at anvils.

“Nightstalkers.” Grover said, darkly.

“That's not good.” I gulped. (Damn my throat hurts!) The Nightstalkers didn't exactly have a reputation for being the nicest ponies. “I didn't know those bastards had magic of that caliber.” No wonder the Royal Guard's been having trouble dealing with them.

“Let's get out of here.” Grover flipped around and dashed back into the brush and scrambled to the top of a tree. If I hadn't emptied my stomach on the chariot earlier I would have puked all over him. When we reached the top of the tree Grover put his talons to his forehead and looked towards the sun.

“The sun sets in the west so south is...that way.” he pointed away from the castle and the gorge. “You have a map don't you?” he asked. I removed the map from Celestia with a nod and unfurled it with my magic. There were several places already marked on the map. Canterlot, the Everfree forest and the Castle of the Two Sisters. Wait. I looked over my shoulder at the camp surrounding the castle. How did...wait. Celestia said it was an enchanted map. He took the map from my magic's grip and ran a claw over it.

“Damn. Were over a day from the outpost.” scowling I snatched the map from his grip.

“If we go west and follow the main road we'll be in Whitetail in a week and a half. Two tops.” he raised an eyebrow, er, feather?

“If we take the main road we'll have to bypass the front lines. And I for one don't want to be captured by the Legion anytime soon...duck!!” he dropped from the tree just before a ball of dragon fire collided with the trunk and set it ablaze. We landed hard on the ground below and Grover turned to me.

“It would be easier if I wasn't carrying you!” I blushed and unhooked my legs from his torso. “Thank you.” he dashed into the trees, me following close behind as more blasts of dragon fire struck the trees and brush around us.

What the hell is wrong with these ponies? I thought as we ducked underneath a fallen tree, more blasts of dragon fire exploding near us. Suddenly, one shot out of the bushes directly behind us. Shit! I focused my strength into my horn and raised a shimmering shield around us. The dragon fire exploded against the shield propelling us from our cover.

We flailed through the air before crashing into large pile of old branches and leaves at the foot of several tall, gray trees.

“Ow. Fucking dragon fire,” I sat up rubbing my head with a hoof. Grover stood nearby with both of his blades drawn. He helped me to my hooves and looked around the small clearing cautiously.

We waited. For the next attack. For somepony to come out of the trees weapons flashing. But nothing happened. It was as if we'd fallen into a completely different forest. One that was lacking in crazy ponies shooting fireballs. Then we heard a branch break. Spinning on the spot I readied the deadliest spell I could think of but there was nopony. Instead, the broken branches surrounding us began to connect together and form a giant dog creature.

“Timberwolves!” I shouted and blasted the beast with my magic, shattering it into splinters. “Run!” I told Grover, who was looking at the branches and pieces of wood in horror as they slowly reformed. He turned on the spot and followed, sheathing one of his swords as he did so. We hadn't gone more than a hundred feet before the howling started.

“Runrunrunrunrunrunrunrun!!!” if we didn't get out of the trees soon they'd be gnawing on our carcasses. Even though I had a bit of a head start, Grover was slowing his pace so I could keep up. How the fuck can he move so fast in the armor?  I thought angrily. A Timberwolf burst from the trees to our left and pounced at Grover.

“Look out!” he spun and slashed the creature's face, breaking it apart. I jumped over the pile of wood as it began to reform again.

“How do you kill these things” he asked me desperately. Fending off another two with surprising speed and skill. Griffons.

“The only way to kill them is to burn them where those no other wood for them to heal!” looking around us, I could tell that wasn't going to work.

“Typical.” he said darkly, pulling his other sword and slicing the legs off another Timberwolf. “Know any other spells that might help?” I thought about it but besides teleporting or setting the whole forest on fire I couldn't think of anything useful. Even if I did teleport I'd only ever done it once (and I threw myself into a stone wall, so I didn't feel too confident about my chances.) I shook my head. Grover scowled and took to the air.

“Hey Timberwolves!” he said, shaking his tail at them. “Can't get me!” more than a dozen of the beasts lunged at him from the surrounding trees. He smiled cockily and dropped down suddenly. The Timberwolves collided and exploded in a mass of branches, leaves and splinters. He landed on the ground next to me. “Burn them!!” I focused and a thick torrent of flame erupted from my horn and bathed the pile of twitching wood.

“Let's go!” we ran past the burning pile and and hightailed it to the south. There was too much brush around for the fire to kill them but at least they'll think twice before coming after us again.

Between the magic and the running I was almost exhausted. Not even four hours in and I almost die half a dozen times. That's gotta be a record. I'd have to write it down and compare it to my other notes but I'm pretty sure I beat the Guild record for near death experiences on a single job. After running for what felt like ages we slowed to a brisk trot and eventually stopped on the banks of a wide river.

I fell forward on my stomach and stuck my head in the water. I must have guzzled down half a gallon before pulling my head out to breath. Grover was sitting on a rock nearby drinking from a canteen.

“Oh. I thought you were trying to drown yourself. Or, can you cast a spell that makes you breath under water?” I didn't know how to cast a spell like that but I made a mental note to look for one. “You still thirsty?” he asked, shaking his canteen in front of my muzzle.

“Fuck you.” I said, getting to my hooves. At least the water helped my sore throat a bit.

“No thanks. You're not my type.” he took a long pull from the canteen then stuck it in the water. “Maybe you should pull that map of yours and find out where we are instead of trying to seduce me.” I felt the water steaming off my face while I floated the map from my bags and unrolled it onto a large flat rock by the stream. My gaze shifted around the Everfree forest until it found a little drawing of a pony and a griffon sitting on the east side of a river marked 'Everfree'. Typical.

“If we cross the river here, we can be in Whitetail  in a week. Two tops.” I told him. Surprisingly the griffon shook his head.

“Afraid not. My orders are to escort you to the Royal Guard Outpost by Ghastly Gorge. We go there, and then we'll take the road southwest to Applewood.”

“That's idiotic! We could save days of travel by just going straight there!” I can't believe I was stuck with the one griffon in Equestria who wasn't a mercenary; at least they could be bought.

“If we go straight there we'll have to deal with thousands of soldiers from the Royal Guard and thousands more in Grogar's Legions!” he pointed at the map, to the lands surrounding Whitetail. “The lands east of there are a damned war zone. There's a reason the Princess want's us to take the long route. It will allow us to maneuver around the fighting and get into city with as little suspicion as possible.” we scowled at one another. Neither of us willing to back down. If it came to a fight then he could kill me. No question there. But he wouldn't.

“Oh yeah, what if I decided to just go straight there without you?” I poked his chest plate. “What are you going to do, kill me?” his expression darkened and a very unsettling smile formed on his beak.

“No. I'll knock you unconscious and tie you up from head to hoof then carry your miserable little behind all the way to Whitetail.” he pointed to the Outpost south of us. “We go to the Outpost, it's only a day or so away. No. Arguments.” groaning inside I rolled up the map and returned it to my bags.

“After you.” we followed the river for a few miles before turning south onto a dirt road. I kept the map floating beside me to keep us on course. Damn! I wish I had this thing before. Really would been useful during the Arcadia Mint Heist. Maybe High Land wouldn't have gotten caught. It was a good thought but he was dead already so...

The road was strangely empty of any traffic. I'd never been this far south but this was supposed to be the only road connecting the Canterlot caves to the San Palomino Desert. One would think there would be some ponies. My thoughts turned back to the camp surrounding the castle ruins in the forest. Maybe not. if they shoot down Royal Chariots like that...

We reached Ghastly Gorge a few hours later. The gorge looked like a great scar gouged into the land by the gods themselves. Nearly a mile below us a river rested at the bottom of the gorge. While on the other side, (nearly a mile away) was the village of Ironshoe.

“That's quite a drop.” Grover stated, kicking a small rock into the gorge. He strained his right ear and waited for the splash. After a moment he stuck a claw in his ear (Ouch!) and strained again. After a few more moments we heard the smallest of splashes. I whistled and Grover stepped back from the edge.

“The outpost is directly south of here. We can either make camp for the evening or keep going. Your call” I looked up at the sun. From it's position in the sky it looked to be about five or five thirty.

“Let's keep going. I'm not getting paid by the hour.” we continued following the road south along Ghastly Gorge. To our right more trees had sprung up and since the Gorge was on our left we were virtually doomed if we were attacked here. But nothing happened.

Grover kept his eyes on the trees, waiting for the slightest hint of an attack. Even though I loathed to admit it, I did fell safer with him with me. In the Guild we had some very skilled fighters but we didn't really fight for each other. We defended ourselves when necessary and only our fellow Guild Members when we had to. There's was something different about Grover but I couldn't quite put my hoof on it.

After a time I dared to repeat my earlier question.

“Hey, Grover.” he looked at me. “What's your story?”

“I don't have one. I'm just a soldier, that's all.” his face went blank and he wouldn't look at me.

“How about this,” his gaze returned to me. “I'll tell you my story, if you tell me yours.” He remained silent for more than a minute before speaking.

“If you're a thief where did you learn those spells?” he asked, curiously. Got him! “From the reports I read you were just some sneak thief with an insane amount of luck. Those spells you were using were high level.” I smiled smugly.

“Well, us common sneak thieves have hobbies you know.” he blinked in confusion and almost tripped on a rock. I laughed and explained. “I've spent most of my life studying magic. I just didn't choose it as a profession.”

“What else can you do?” he asked. “Magic wise I mean.” I rubbed my chin in thought for a moment before answering.

“A few things. Mainly disabling security spells. That's how I got in the business of burglarizing Canterlot. It's what I'm known for but I can do basic combat and defensive spells. A few other things.” he nodded and went silent.

“Hey, that's not how it works, Feathers.” I said smiling. “I told you something, you gotta tell me something.” he scowled but nodded. “Why'd old Sun Butt send you to protect me instead of one of her Royal Stooges.” he seemed irritated at the question, or maybe that I'd called Celestia 'Sun Butt' but I couldn't tell which. I looked at him pleadingly until he relented.

“I volunteered.” he said simply.

“Why?” he worked his jaw back and forth in silence before sighing deeply.

“It's a matter of honor. I did something dishonorable, and I must atone for it.” I opened my muzzle to ask what it was but he covered it with his claws. “That's all I will say for now. The Outpost should be around the next bend in the road.”

We reached the curve and started towards the Outpost. Grover stopped in his tracks and grabbed my tail.

“Hey! What the hell?” in reply he pointed to the walls surrounding the Outpost were dozens of ponies in gold armor were fighting dozens more in midnight blue barding.  Swords and spears were clashing with spiked pony shoes in a angry frenzy just a hundred yards in front of us. One of the mares in blue barding noticed us and shouted.

“Kill them!!!”

Oh come on...

Level Up! Combat Magic: 25. Speech: 25.

Perk added: Sweet talker. +5% chance of persuading others in dialogue.