Across The Pond

The sun was rising. Twilight had gotten up early to watch it, not just for the beauty of it, but to watch it as she longed for the guidance of her mentor. Princess Celestia had always been there to give her advice and calm her. During her time in Ponyville her friends had been a great help but Celestia helped calm her more than any other pony could. Twilight smiled as she thought back to the time she had tried to force a problem, 'the whole thing seems ludicrous now,' she thought to herself.

"You about done daydreaming purple one?" asked Ra'Zahmirr, who was anxious to get to Riverhold as soon as possible.

"Yeah, I'm ready" said Twilight with a sigh. "Lets go."

"So where was your mind?" asked Vallius.

"I was thinking about Celestia." Twilight said sheepishly.

"Who?" Vallius asked.

Twilight blinked at Vallius. "You know, Princess Celestia? Older sister to Princess Luna?" Twilight Sparkle told Vallius.

Now Ra'Zahmirr was looking at Twilight as well. Both Ra'Zahmirr and Vallius stared at Twilight with that same stupid expression the rude earth pony had when Twilight had tried to make polite conversation.

"You speak like we should know should know who she is" said Vallius

"Of course you should!" Twilight was shouting now, bewildered that they didn't know the name of the pony who raised their sun. "She does so much for you!"

"Oh? Like what?" asked Ra'Zahmirr.

"She raises the Sun!" Twilight Exclaimed. "And her younger sister Princess Luna raises the moon!" Twilight couldn't believe she had to explain this. How could any creature not know of Princess Celestia? Had they heard of everything that had threatened Equestria, surely they were in danger here? How could anything on the planet be so oblivious to something like that.

"Are you sure you have the names right?" asked Vallius? "I mean you said this, Luna raises the moon but i'm fairly certain the mistress of the night is Nocturnal"

"I don't think Nocturnal raises the moon Imperial" said Ra'Zahmirr.

"What?" Twilight's bewilderment turning to confusing.

"I don't know much about the Daedra" Vallius said hurriedly, chagrin in his voice.

Though she had not forgotten her annoyance at her traveling companion's ignorance but allowed her curiosity getting the better of her still. "What are Daedra?" asked Twilight.

"They are immortals with terrific magical ability" said Ra'Zahmirr, a hint of pride tainting his voice.

"Though they don't always have the best interest of the people in mind" Vallius added.

"Well Celestia and Luna do have the best interest of everypony in mind" Twilight told them.

"But they are immortal, and they do personally interact with the inhabitable of this world? Right?" asked Ra'Zahmirr.

"Well yeah" Twilight said. "How could they do what they do if the weren't physically here?"

"Well there are ways it has been done. The Nine Divine seem to do it without issue" said Vallius.

"Either way they are Daedra" Ra'Zahmirr said with finality in his voice.

Hours had passed and Twilight didn't talk much. Her two new friends didn't like to talk much either and this gave Twilight a chance to look more at the books she had received from Khanja. She had already read the two history books but didn't want to look at The Art of War Magic . She didn't know what was in it but she did know she didn't want to fight some war, and though she loved magic this was one topic she didn't want to delve into. But she kept the book still.

It was about noon now, the sun high overhead. the road was wide and there wasn't much to look at. It was a hot day and though Twilight didn't move much still she was sweating.

Twilight had just finished her third read through of Brief History of the Empire, Book II when the wagon came to an abrupt stop. Twilight looked up to see the source of the disturbance. In their path stood a big, mean looking creature. It's muscles were bulging, it's ear's were pointed, and two sharp, almost fang like teeth came from the bottom.

"Why is it's teeth like that?" Twilight whispered to Ra'Zahmirr.

"That is what you notice, not the green skin" Ra'Zahmirr whispered back with a grin.

"It isn't that unusual to have a different colored appearance where i'm from" Twilight responded, slightly annoyed at Ra'Zahmirr for ignoring her question.

"He is one of the Orsimer, what he is doing here I know not, the closest strong hold is a half days walk that way." Ra'Zahmirr  said, pointing towards some direction off the road.

The Orc was standing in the middle of the road, blocking a bridge so that none may pass.

"Hello there Orc" said Vallius. "May we cross?"

"I seek help" came the Orc.

"And what may we do for you?" asked Vallius.

"I seek a good death" the Orc told Vallius. "Many have said they could give me one but they all failed to give me what I desire. If you have the skill with a blade I would seek for you to assist me."

"Why do you want to die?" asked Vallius.

"What does it matter, he wants to die then so be it." Ra'Zahmirr said as he jumped down from the wagon.

"Ah-ha!" exclaimed the Orc as he pulled out two metallic swords, they were too dark to be iron. The blades weren't strait either, but rather curving, upward, then down again. It was unlike anything Twilight had ever seen. The Orc handed one of these swords to Ra'Zahmirr, who took with excitedly.

"We Khajiit are very quick, your strength will not help you Orc" Ra'Zahmirr taunted.

"I can only hope you are right" said the Orc.

As he did he quickly began to walk up to Ra'Zahmirr and lifted his sword high. Ra'Zahmirr lifted his sword just as the Orc brought his down. Sparks came forth and the clanging of metal echoed as they began exchanging swings, one blocks the other swinging.

The Orc was growing annoyed with this stale mate and gave a mighty swing down on the Khajiit. Ra'Zahmirr in return used his sword to lead the Orc's blade to the ground as he side stepped to the right and brought his paw up and struck the Orc. His claws leaving deep cuts along the Orc's face.

Ra'Zahmirr backed up, raising his sword as he did so. The Orc lifted his hand to his face, pulling it away to look at his blood. "Haha!" he exclaimed. "You are the first to even get a strike in, perhaps your confidence is well placed Khajiit."

The Orc lifted his sword again, this time keeping careful watch for the Khajiits paws.

This time it was Ra'Zahmirr who ran towards the Orc, raising his sword high. The Orc raised his sword sideways to meet Ra'Zahmirr sword has he brought it down. The two blades clashed and the Orc used his free hand to strike the Khajiit, mimicking the counter the Khajiit had just used. Though instead of claws cutting the cheek of Ra'Zahmirr, a large, heavy fist hit him in the temple.

Ra'Zahmirr fell to the ground, dropping his sword. Twilight's horn began to glow, she didn't know what she was going to do but she wanted to help in some way. Vallius stopped her. "We cannot interfere with their dual. Besides, do you think you could take this Orc?" Vallius asked her. Twilight just stared at the Khajiit that had fallen to the ground. She couldn't believe what was happening. How did this even happen, why did it happen. All she knew was it made her long to be back in her library even more so.

Ra'Zahmirr stirred slightly. The Orc laughed as he said "and I thought you could be the one." The Orc taunted. Ra'Zahmirr reached for his blade, grabbing the hilt. But as he did so the Orc stepped on the blade. Ra'Zahmirr looked up at the Orc.

The Orc looked Ra'Zahmirr in the eye before he thrust his blade into his chest. "You fought well" said the Orc solemnly. solemnly  twitched a bit before going limp. Then he stopped moving all together.

"You there" said the Orc, turning and pointing towards Vallius. "Can you give me a good death?"

"I will fight you Orc" Vallius said. Twilight was wide eyed, tears starting to form, she tore her eyes away from the broken body that was once Ra'Zahmirr to glare at Vallius. Vallius looked back at Twilight then towards the Orc.

"On one condition" Vallius added.

"Oh, and what might that be?" asked the Orc.

"If I should fall, allow this unicorn passage so that she may speak with a Khajiit in Riverhold" Vallius said. "She is not an experienced fighter and would serve you no purpose."

"Very well Imperial, if you fail I will honor your last wish" said the Orc.

Vallius jumped down and grabbed the sword that lay beside Ra'Zahmirr. He swung it in a circle before leveling it upright, then pointing it towards the Orc. "Are you prepared?" asked Vallius.

The Orc nodded, clutching his sword.

The Orc swung first, Vallius jumped back avoiding the blade. As he did so he swung his sword in the opposite direction the Orc. The Orc, already in motion, could only watch as the blade cut his upper arm, deep into the muscle. The Orc backed up, holding the spot on the sword arm that had been cut.

Vallius stared at the Orc, determination on his face. The Orc smiled as he released his arm and tossed his sword in his other hand.

Vallius ran towards the Orc. The Orc swung high, aiming to behead Vallius in one swing. Vallius quickly rolled below the swing, then he thrust his sword into the chest of the Orc. The Orc dropped his sword. Vallius released his, leaving it in the Orc's chest and caught the other sword before it hit the ground. He swung it around and stuck it into the Orc's side.

The Orc fell to his knees. "Thank. You." The words were barely that of a whisper but Vallius heard them loud and clear. Then the Orc face planted into the dirt. And just like that, it was over.

Twilight stared at Vallius incredulously. She would never be able to look at him the same way. Vallius glanced at twilight's face, then looked at the two bodies before saying "we should give them a proper burial. Then we can get you to Riverhold to Ra'Zahmirr's contact. Then you will never see me again."

Twilight nodded.