Storm of Feelings

< Indeed, there is nothing more repulsive than the creatures known as Unicorns and Alicorns. They are the offspring of foul sorcery and witchcraft, which brought fourth misfortune and corruption to our lands. But none of them defy nature with its mere existence as the Lesser Ones. They are unscrupulous abominations without virtue, conscience or scruple, creations of the foul Alicorns, fit only for killing. They have no place among decent and honest pony folk. >

Blight of the Alicorns – by anonymous

Over the night the side effects of the flask finally stopped to trouble me. The annoying muscle soreness was the only thing that I had to endure; lucky me I still had some fire berries in stock. I took a deep breath, swallow the red berry and started to chew it. Once the impressively hard skin finally gave up under my teeth, the juice came out and ran down my throat. It was like eating a chilly pepper… the prank she once play on me was still burned into my mind.

Tears filled my eyes while the fiery juice burn inside of my belly. The sad thing about the fire berry was the fact, that if you would drink water you would make things worse. The muscles relaxed, the pain starts to vanish together with the fire and once it was gone I let out a relaxed sigh. As usual Luna was busy with her hair, that has been ruined during our *relaxing*. I stretched my body and enter the bath to get my leather rags.

Funny as it may sound now, the law did not allow anypony to walk on the streets without proper attire, not that I had a problem with that because usually I always wear my rags. The stain of the sewers has not been completely removed. It was ripped on several places and to be honest; it was falling apart. I threw it away, went back to the room and started an insane search through the wardrobe, which was mostly filled with Luna’s stuff.

I could not find my cloths in that big mess until she helped me out. I even allowed her to choose for me what I should wear, because the things that would soon land on my body have been bought by her. Each piece was very expensive, due my hard life I was not used to soft silks, most of the time I could not stop thinking that it was a big waste of money. Her choice was interesting I had to admit that. It was a long creamy blue jacket, with stripes of silver thread that were creating an interesting pattern. Once I was dressed, the sword was on my back, I turn around to Luna, that was wearing a surprisingly simple dress that matched her completely.

‘’ I am hungry as a wolf… do you want to go to a restaurant? ‘’

‘’ I am not hungry and I don’t feel well today.’’

I sat down on the ground next to her. ‘’ I saw that you barely sleep since we are in this cursed city. Shall I get you something from the herbalist?’’

‘’ No you don’t have to. I am only tired nothing more… but I do know that you don’t sleep often too.’’

I nod and grab her hoof.

‘’ The growing racism against the Unicorns and your kind is really troubling me. I am really concerned about your safety in Marehime Luna.’’

She did not say anything. It seemed like she has fallen deeply into her thoughts.

‘’ I will go to the tavern. After that I will get my reward from the governor, but he is a really busy pony. I am not sure how long it will take to reach him… please don’t leave the apartment till I will be back.’’

She smiled and rub her nose against mine.

‘’ Okay. Just please be careful out there.’’

With a strange feeling in my chest I left the building and enter the crowded city. As expected the most ponies I have encountered were Earth Ponies and Pegasi, only few Unicorns were on this street. The ponies of these lands were far bigger than the ponies in Equestria; I assume it had to be the colder environment that caused that difference. The way the citizens of Marehime were gawking at me let a cold shiver run down my spine.

Since the first meeting with Celestia, I stop to use my illusive abilities on my body; the only illusion I was creating was the iris of my right eye. Gladly the tavern I was looking for was not far away. Soon I stood at the entrance of the tavern called ‘’The Twin Knights’’, I opened the door and enter the building. Surprised I notice that I was not the only guest right now, a group of four young Pegasi was drinking beer at this early time. With a head shake I looked through the door that leads to the kitchen. A rather fat pony was standing next to a cauldron, which seemed to be thinner than him: a delicious smell went out of it.

‘’ Greetings ’’

‘’ The usual? ’’ He did not look at me while he said it.

‘’ Yes please ’’ I moved towards the table that was not far away from the chimney. I put the sword off my back, made myself comfortable, and in the end I watched the fire dance on the wood.

‘’ I tell ya mates somethin’ stinks here. ‘’

My eyes narrowed barely noticeable. I looked at the young ponies that were looking at me like I would be an animal in the zoo.

‘’ That is the natural stain of a Unicorn.’’

‘’ Smells like shit to me. ‘’

‘’ Because it’s simply the same. ‘’

The drunks laugh heavily at the last statement, one of them pointed at me and said:

‘’ You there horned one! Unicorns are not allowed to enter the tavern.’’

‘’ Silence! ’’ yelled the fat pony and went out of the kitchen. ‘’ Or that was the last round you will ever get from me. He is an ambassador and under protection of the governor. ‘’

‘’ He is an ambassador? Bah ambassador up my ass. ‘’

‘’ Please just ignore them Mr. Corvus. Youth and beer simply don’t go along these days.’’ He went back to the kitchen and brought a plate filled with his delicious rague. Before he placed it at the table he sniff few times. ‘’ I have to admit that I smell something too, but it does not stink… it reminds me of lady perfume.’’

With a lifted eye brow I watch him go back to his cauldron, in the end I sniff my attire and notice that he was right. I ignored it and was about to start my meal, but one of the Pegasi move towards me. He sat down on the other side of the table; the stain of beer mixed up with onion hit me right away.

‘’ Ambassador… Bah! Ya look like an ordinary stallion whore. ’’

‘’ Indeed that is true, otherwise you would not stand here right now.’’

‘’ What did ya say? ‘’

‘’ Go away whipster, quickly and quietly. ‘’

‘’ Look at him mates! Ya stinkin’ proteus! Ya think ya can speak like that with me? Get out of here Unicorn! ‘’

He grabbed the plate and threw it on the ground, wasting the work of the cook, wasting the food: a thing I really hated.

‘’ Eat from the ground dog! ‘’

I stand up, look at the wasted meal and with a calm voice I said:

‘’ I think you have no idea who you are dealing with. ‘’

I slapped his throat with my hoof, yes slapped; if I would have hit him properly it would have kill him. Right now it only block his respiratory for a moment: coughing he grabbed his throat. I put one leg behind his and with my wing I pushed him away, sending him roughly to the ground.

‘’ And now I will listen to your opinion about the Unicorns *mates* ‘’ My horn started to glow with its barely noticeable shine. The sword glide out of the stabbard, and with an immense speed it flew towards the other Pegasi, stopping only few inches away from a nose.

‘’ What do you smell? That’s blood! I killed it in the sewers... the stain was grotesque down there. Do Unicorns smell like that!?! ‘’ I did not see the fat pony standing next to me; I was completely focused on the racist ponies.

‘’ N.. no’’

I calmed down and summon my weapon back to its stabbard. I sigh, took few Bits out of my purse and gave it to the innkeeper.

‘’ I am sorry for the mess.’’ Again I gave him the same amount, grabbed my stuff and went out of the tavern. After that meeting I defiantly lost my appetite and I had an overwhelming urge of taking a bath. I went back to our apartment to check on Luna, the poor soul was sleeping right now, quiet as possible I closed the door behind me and went down to the public bath.

The servants prepared a rather big wooden tub for me. Once I was in the refreshing warm water I asked for a cold towel. I was not in the best mood after the incident in the tavern; the cold association cooled my temper down and relax me a bit. This entire section was like a sauna, stallions searched for free places at the warm walls.I listened to their conversations and with a big surprise I hear how many of them were concerned about the growing racism in this land.

I looked at those ponies and notice that one of them was a Unicorn, but he was bigger than his colleges and like me he had a towel on his head. Once the unicorn looked to the pony that was on his right, I saw his face and only with extremely effort I did not curse loudly. It was Artemis! My muscles tensed automatically while I pull the towel completely over my face, shrouding it from the outside world.

Through my closed teeth I’ve let out a dampen hiss of anger, old memories that I have always tried to forget came by: all of them filled with pain, anger and death. The time pass by extremely slow while I wait till he would leave the room with his colleges. I heard the voice of young boy who enter the public bath, telling his master that he is being called by some unknown ponies. Once Artemis thanked his friends for the conversation, he left the room together with his small servant. I sigh relieved and glide completely into the water.

With a beating heart I ran back to our quarters, only to find her sleeping peacefully. I closed the door, strengthen the field that was protecting it and ran out of the building. With a painful heart I left her alone in our apartment, but I still had a meeting with the governor of Marehime and I simply could not let him wait longer than needed. While I was moving through the main street I was thinking of Artemis.

He did not change at all even after all this years, that bastard looked the same. His presence in the public bath could not be simply a coincidence, I was sure of it. Totally concentrated on those thoughts I went on, pushing everypony out of my way without noticing it. Once I finally free my mind of those distractive thoughts, I found myself at the trade district of Marehime: my destination was the tower like building that was the governor’s home and town hall.

I was about to knock on the door, but sudden yelling and cursing got my attention. I turn around and see how a Unicorn mare was running away from apples that were thrown at her. The ponies were not hunting her, they only scared her away. With a head shake I knocked at the door and wait for a respond.

‘’ Hey you!’’

I look to the left, and saw that a very big stallion was moving towards me. He was wearing plate armor and a ridiculous looking helm. An sword was hanging on his belt, while on his back was a round wooden shield.

‘’ What do you want from the governor? ‘’ He came closer and look at my face. ‘’ Ah I know you! You are the one who accepted to kill the ghoul in our sewers. ‘’

‘’ Exactly.’’

‘’ Follow me then. Governor Jerold is not in the town hall, he has a meeting with some important traders… but I am sure he will find time for you.’’

I follow the armored pony quietly, while he was talking to passing ponies he seems to know. After a while we reached the end of the trade district. Stairs lead up to a nearby hill that had a small podium on its top. The pony took off his helmet, showing how he looked like. A pair of completely white eyes was looking at me; I curse loudly what made the armored pony grin brightly.

‘’ The local ponies call me Cleaver. We share some similarities Mr. Corvus… do you know what I mean? ‘’

‘’ There are no similarities... you are a completely evolved abomination. Ponies instigate you with money… you disgust me. ‘’

The grin on his face disappeared. If *eyes* could kill I would probably be dead now.

‘’ The governor awaits you. ‘’ I was about to make a step but he lifted his leg and stopped me. ‘’ You will have to leave your sword here. ‘’ This time it was me who grinned brightly. With my magic I pull the sword out of the stabbard and levitated it into his waiting hoof.

‘’ Oh look what an unexpected nice cooperation.’’ He looked at the blade with big fascination. ‘’ I would like you to ask me to hand over a sword one day’’

Still grinning I answered with a quiet noise: ‘’ Don’t worry I will. ‘’

I passed him by, following the stairs till I reach their end. At the small podium a bunch of wealthy looking ponies gathered around a small throne. Governor Jerold listened to some of their complaining with a bored facial expression, but once he saw me he lifted his hoof and said:

‘’ Please my dear friends make place for the Ambassador. ‘’

The ponies mumbled something under their noses but they move away, leaving us alone.

‘’ Don’t worry about Cleaver; he only attacks if I order it. ‘’

‘’ Is it really that dangerous around here, that you need a creature like him? ‘’

‘’ I pay my tribute to those that might become a threat, but I prefer to be prepared for everything. Anyway… did you kill the beast? ‘’

I levitated a small bloody sack into his hoof. He opens it a let out a disgusted noise, I was afraid that he might start to puke but I was lucky this time.

‘’ I see… that our ghoul was not a ghoul at all. ‘’

‘’ Instead of a ghoul I found a Moloch. I demand a higher price for that. ‘’

‘’ I will pay you seventy golden bits. ‘’

May the games begin.

‘’ It was a Moloch not a giant snail. One hundred golden bits. ‘’

Jerold chuckled, showing his dirty teeth to the world and sadly to me too.

‘’ Did you drink a mug before you came here? Yes it killed several ponies, but they were small minorities. Eighty golden bits.‘’

‘’ One hundred golden bits! Why would you put out a contract like that, if you have Cleaver under your command? ‘’

‘’ None of us is willing to swim through shit like you only to earn money. My last word ninety golden bits. ‘’

I came closer, bowed down a bit so he could hear my whisper: ‘’ One hundred. ‘’

‘’ CURSE UPON YOU! NINETY FIVE! ‘’

‘’ I gladly accept it.’’

Once more he chuckled at me, showing off his disgusting teeth. Stupid asshole…

‘’ I hope you will choke on something. Hehe. Would you like to join up with me? I am sure we would be good partners. ‘’

He opens a rather big chest that was filled with purses. Once he counted the established amount of bits, I was counting too of course, he gave it to me.

‘’ I am not like Cleaver, nor I intend to follow his path. Besides that we will leave Marehime in few days. ‘’

‘’ So be it! Before you go let me warn you: I do not wish any kind of quarrel in this town. Artemis is a very important citizen, I do know that you both have a dark past and I know few more things that might affect this unpleasant situation. Why do you look at me like that? Information is power and I am a very good at gathering information. ‘’

I left the grumpy pony behind me and went down to get my weapon back.

‘’ My sword. ‘’

‘’ One moment pal, I really like your weapon. Great craftsmanship… I would like to buy it. ‘’

‘’ Listen to me you worthless trash… ‘’

I spoke in a language that only we the Lesser Ones could understand. Once Cleaver heard it he was about to strike me with my own weapon, but the governor was watching us from above:

‘’ CLEAVER! ‘’

He stopped and put my sword into my hoof.

‘’ We will meet again, I promise.’’

I put my sword back into the stabbard and vanished in the crowds of Marehime. I was on my way back home, but I saw Luna leaving the building. I was not sure what was going on but she always honored my biddings, even if she was a princess and I had no authority over her. I followed her on a secure distance with an unpleasant pain in my heart, which knew where she was going right now.

After a longer time Luna stopped at the entrance of a tower, the tower Artemis called home. The door open on its own, and my beloved Luna disappear inside the building. I let out a painful sigh, turn left and entered one of many small alleys, which were creating an impressive labyrinth. I was simply walking forward, probably running in circles several times but I felt like I needed a longer walk. The sound of hooves hitting the paved ground echo through a small tunnel that connecte two individual alleys. An earth pony ran out of it with impressive speed, once I saw him I recognized a friend that I have not seen for many years.

‘’ Bronze Lute! ‘’ He passed me by like I would be made out of air, suddenly four ponies armed with wooden maces ran out of the tunnel. My appearance seemed to have shocked them, I charge at them with an angry battle cry. As expected they ran away in fear, throwing their weapons on the ground. With the kind help of magic I threw their trash back to them.

‘’ By my ancestors! Corvus is that you? ‘’ Asked the lavender pony that did not have the guts to move closer to the tunnel.    ‘’ They wanted to kill me! ‘’

I laughed quietly because I knew his impressive talent of getting into trouble.

‘’ What are you doing here? ‘’ I asked while I moved towards him.

‘’ I will explain everything. But please let’s find a secure place first… ‘’

Once I was at his side I pulled him closer to me with my wing:

‘’ Come with me to my apartment.’’

Still gasping Bronze Lute nodded hectically, constantly looking behind us.

.

Once the door of the apartment has been closed, Bronze Lute sigh relieved and sit down on the ground.

‘’ Are you injured?’’ I took of the sword of my back and threw it on the bed.

‘’ I am fine don’t worry about me. Not for the first time my swift legs saved my butt! A swift bard is a living bard.‘’ Right now he look at me with a concerned and worried look. ‘’ What is going on here? ‘’

‘’ I can only surmise what is going on. Rumors of upcoming riots against the Unicorns spread like fire and I am afraid that everything is being manipulated by somepony.’’

‘’ Does this apartment belongs to you? ‘’

‘’ It belongs to Luna and me. We share it. ‘’

‘’ Hoho! Not bad my friend not bad.’’ He took a deep breath. ‘’ I was running away from those brutes because accidently I heard what they were talking about. Corvus… this night the streets of Marehime will turn red… red with the blood of Unicorns. ‘’