Chapters April 20th, Day 1, 22nd hour
I left on my first exploration expedition today. My brother Krein gave me this journal because he said that it would help and that he wanted to read it when I was done. My sisters were crying their eyes out as I left. I told them I'd be fine and that I'd be back soon, but I don't think it helped.
Krein gave me the location of a gem cache that he found when he first arrived in Equestria. I've found it and am using it as my shelter for the night, I also took a few of the gems so I can buy supplies. Looking out on all that jungle with the ocean beyond just calls to me. I wanna see what lies beyond it.
But courtesy of the Princesses of Equestria, I have copies of ancient maps that show lands that haven't been seen in several millennia. The first one is deep in the deserts where the Zebra roam. Can't wait to have a look.
My youngling sister Kii enchanted my bags too which is cool. They are weightless even with all the stuff in them. So very useful.
April 26th, Day 6, 15th hour
I'm in the Zebra's lands. In order to save gems and stay on my journey longer I'm avoiding anywhere I might need to pay to sleep. I’m used to sleeping on rocks anyway. But the sand is a step up; it’s softer and kind of warmer. Sleeping beneath the stars is kinda nice too.
The Zebras are surprisingly welcoming. Some of them talk in rhyme though. I found it hard to understand those that did a few times. But the food is great, this particular dish called “Biryani” rice, spices, vegetables, egg, some kind of dairy, and dried fruits. Spicy and delicious. I'm definitely coming back here with the family.
May 3rd, Day 7, 23rd hour
That sucked. These ancient maps should really warn dragons if there are giant spiders that are big enough to eat fully grown dragons, hiding in the ruins the map is showing. Needless to say, I added that so I remember if I ever consider coming back...which probably won’t be happening in a very long time.
On top of that, on my way back I tripped over an Amphithere nest. Snake-Like creatures with dragon wings, small, hunt in swarms of fifty plus. Nasty bite. Upon my return to the Zebra's little town near the ocean, they were kind enough to help me heal from the Amphithere bites.
May 7th, Day 11, 14th hour
I found the southern edge of Equestria’s continent. Found an abandoned city that looked like it was host to Hippogryphs, but that must have been a long time ago because nothing was there.
I was in a shady town at the edge of a desert getting a warm meal at a tavern. This town wasn't on any of my maps, not even the new ones. Lots of fish-like creatures walking around on two legs, and they were selling all kinds of weird things; there was also a huge airship dock. I'm gonna continue looking around a bit.
May 7th, Day 11, 20th hour
I am never going back to that town. Seven attempts to take my gems, three offers to buy my wings, five attempts to kill me and sell my skin, and one tried to get me to buy a unicorn horn.
That place is full of pirates and criminals. Never going there again. Not even for all the gems in the world. Which some fish offered.
May 12th, Day 16, 12th hour
I'm on the southern edge of the Forest of Leota. Trying to decide if I'm gonna make a stop in New Horesleans or go see the guard tower in the other direction. I suppose I'm gonna be coming back this way eventually, so I could see New Horesleans then.
Guard Watchtower it is. Then I can head west, see what is out that way.
June 15th, Day 56, 13th hour
I haven't updated this journal in a while. Oops. So I went to the guard tower in Leota. Had a grand time. Became good pals with a soldier named Knight Gaze. Bit of a stick-in-the-mud but not a bad pony to hang with. I spent a lot of time there, a good twenty to twenty-five days or something like that, the forest had a lot to see. An abandoned haunted mansion. A weird obelisk thing with annoying flying monkeys nearby. A hole in the ground, it's more interesting if you're there. Saw some elephants, that was cool. They were also surprisingly friendly.
When I decided I saw all I wanted, I traveled west. Flew over the South Luna Ocean to get to a land that was on only one of my maps. But it was almost filled to the brim with ponies. They spoke a weirdo language, were taller than actual ponies, and threw things at me when I got close, but hey, I was something new. They probably haven't seen a dragon before.
I’ve been busy exploring this place. So many new creatures. For example; I saw a thing that looked like a bear and had a bear’s claws, but it also had a beaver tail and a duck beak. Weird, but cool. It wasn't friendly though. It scratched me. I stocked up on Zebra potions, so, brother if you are reading this I was prepared for this kind of thing.
The downside to this place is that since I spotted this place over the horizon three days ago, I've felt like I'm being watched. I even hear the snapping of twigs behind me, but when I look, there is nothing there. I'm sure it's nothing, and it's just paranoia. But perhaps I should find a cave to sleep in tonight. Stone walls might make me feel better.
Author's Note
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June 20th, Day 60, 11th hour.
I’m definitely being followed. I woke up last night to something breathing heavily beside me. I tried to look, but it was too dark, and when I relit the fire I had made before I went to sleep, it ran off. I haven't slept since.
I'm following the coastline south-west, maybe it will lose interest if I get far enough from wherever it lives.
I closed my journal and put it away in my bag. I scanned the treeline for my follower. Whatever was following me was smart enough to stay hidden from me. I'm beginning to think I need to draw it out. How would I do that if I don't know what it is though?
“Remove its hiding place,” Enforcer Viing would say.
I wasn't about to burn down a forest though. Instead, I kept flying in the direction I was heading.
After a few hours of flying, I could see another desert on my right, and the ocean to my left. I set down on a rock that overlooked both the desert and the forest behind me and took in the sight for a moment.
I heard that shifting of sand behind me. I whirled to try and see what was following me. Once again, nothing but the beach sand. I sighed and looked over to the desert.
“I'll have a quick look over that way,” I said to myself. I spread my wings and lifted up into another foreign land.
It was about four in the afternoon now judging by the position of the sun, and I had been flying over featureless sand all day. I could see a canyon up ahead. Finally, a place with my colors. I could still feel eyes on me.
I lazily started flying over the canyon. I spotted a ledge with a shadowed area beneath it, a place where I could bury myself and still see. I dove into the canyon pushing my wings faster. I passed my hiding spot three times before finally going for it.
I got onto the ledge and buried myself quickly. Once I was covered, I waited and watched. Which took forever. I watched the shadows move from one side of the canyon to the other.
I was finally ready to give up when I saw something peculiar across the canyon. Something was hiding behind a rock.
I watched as a dragoness with sand grey sides, and dark brown back slowly moved from rock to rock, at least that what her colors looked like, there was a lot of dust and sand stuck to her so she looked a little pale, from here I could see a dark brown pattern of scales that circled her throat. She was beautiful despite not being able to see her completely. What kind of dragon she was completely escaped me. If I discovered a new or lost race of dragons I might get to name them.
She seemed to be looking around for me. She stepped out from behind a rock and into the floor of the canyon. She kept looking. When she was looking away, I began to climb my way down from my hiding spot. But as I climbed down from the side of the canyon, part of it broke and it made a loud rock-on-rock sound.
She whirled on me, her head and upper neck flattened like a cobra when it feels threatened. She started to hiss loudly and the largest fangs I've ever seen on a dragon snapped out of her upper jaw.
“Uh-oh,” I muttered and backed up against the canyon wall. This would be so cool if I wasn't scared. I knew nothing about this kind of dragon, and I was alone here. Perhaps there was still a way out of this though.
I stood as still as possible. I didn't move, and I kept my wings at my side. After a moment she stopped hissing and a look of curiosity fell on her face. She took a few steps closer and I did my best statue impression. From here I could see her emerald eyes. They were... entrancing.
“Wo los hi?” she spoke snapping me back to reality. Wait, I know that language. “Fos eylok do dovah los hi?” she said again. She circled me.
'Dovah’ means dragon. She was speaking ancient dragon! These were definitely a lost race of dragon.
I knew a bit of ancient dragon I learned from Olakaan. ‘Wo los hi’ means, um, ‘Who are you?’
“Dii faan Nandak,” I introduced myself. “Hi faan?” I asked for her name.
She looked as if unsure if she should say something. I had to get her to trust me.
I needed to tell her where I came from and that I'm nice. “Zu'u yein nol Dovahhimdah. Zu'u seik drem, ni aax.” As soon as I said that, I realized that I had no idea if I said that correctly.
She looked at me with suspicion and curiosity but she looked excited too. “Kiibok,” she stated.
‘Kiibok’ means follow. She wants me to follow her. I nodded that I understood.
She went airborne, and I followed. From the looks of our direction, we were headed further into the desert.
My new acquaintance and I flew on into the night. She kept an eye on me as we flew to wherever she was leading me. I wonder if these dragons recognized Lord Torch’s rule? What do they eat? Do they live in a colony or are they loners like most dragons? Are they affected by the sun like me? Since they bear a resemblance to the cobra, they probably spit venom or something. Which would be so cool! Not if she decides to use it against me, though, that would suck.
Viper Dragons! That’s what I’d call them.
This desert was large. I haven't seen anything for miles. There was a large grouping of sandstone spires ahead, but that was about it. My acquaintance started to descend toward the mountains. Was this where she lived? She was a long way from home when she started following me.
She landed at the base of the spires, in front of a cave, and I landed behind her. “Fey strin. Ol lingrah ol hi los nun voth zey hi fen ni kos aax,” she said quickly, turning and entering the cave.
I understood the first two words as ‘Stay close.’ And her last word meant ‘harmed.’ Not a whole lot of confidence here. But I did as instructed and followed closely as we headed into the sandstone spire. Once the moonlight from outside was gone, little glowy lights dotted the roof of the cave, providing some illumination.
What was the word for pretty in Ancient Dragon? I couldn't remember. “Pretty,” I said, looking at the glowy things. She looked up as well but didn’t seem nearly as interested in them as I was.
We continued on through the tunnel. There was moonlight ahead, and more hissing sounds. The cave opened to an oasis, tucked in the center of these sandstone spires; a pool of crystalline of water sat in the middle of the open area, surrounded by greenery. Through the trees, bushes, and grass I could see more Viper Dragons lazing around the water. So they did live in a colony or at least a tribe.
We approached a spot of the oasis that had been decorated with a basilisk's skull and bones. A Viper Dragon, dark green, male and twice my size, decorated with animal bones, he wore the skull bone of a dragon as a mask. It looked to be another Viper dragon. He sat on what looked like a throne of more bones. Displays of his victories maybe? There were the skulls of ponies at his feet. He would've had to step on them to get to his throne. This was not a nice dragon.
He glared down at me like he wanted to turn me into a new necklace. I kept my distance. I was getting a lot of practice in for my statue impression today.
The big dragon was obviously the leader here, and he spoke commandingly. “Briinah, hi lost kosaan nusaan gut lingrahiik wey Zu'u lost vos? Gelaar, ahrk druv lost hi drun daar zuruniik wah un gaard?” he growled at the female who had led me here.
She bowed submissively to the big dragon, she shook as she did so. “Zeymah Zu'u lost rund braan dovah. To ni do un eylok. Rok saag rok fosoth drem, ahrk tol rok yein nol staad faan faal ‘Dovahhimdah’.”
“Dovahhimdah?” he asked, looking at me again. He stood and walked down the steps of skulls, past the dragoness and up to me. I bowed, but not submissively. I wasn't about to let this bully of a dragon think he can get the better of me.
“Dreh hi tinvaak un vun?” he asked, asking if I understood them.
“Rinik Mal,” I answered with a gulp. 'Very little .’
He gave a displeased look, then looked at the dragoness who brought me here. “Briinah Zu'u laan hi wah siiv tir waan til los vorey do ok eylok ahrk kolos nust los. Ont rok fun hi, hi los wah krii mok ahrk fusk naas ko piiv.”
The dragoness gasped and glanced at me. “Nuz Zeymah—” It sounded like she was pleading.
He cut her off. “Hi fen dreh ol hi los fun! Hi los nid zos wey verlovaasniir do dii fen! Nu bo!” he turned to go back up to his throne. Without another word.
She seemed to sneer at him while his back was turned. “Geh Zeymah.” She turned and looked at me not with hatred, but with concern. “Kiibok zey to kolos hi fen laag.”
I heard 'follow me’ and something about sleeping. Best guess she was gonna take me to where I was gonna be sleeping. So I followed...trying not to think about the other meanings for “sleep.” Bad brain!
I took a look around as we walked. Their dens were carved into the sandstone walls of the spires. They dotted the sides of the cliffs. As we climbed past a bunch of them and headed toward the top of one of the cliffs, I got an overhead look at the oasis. They had a lake, lots of trees and food: strange fruits and vegetables that I couldn’t even name.
She entered a dwelling at the very top of the cliff. I followed her in through a palm leaf curtain. “Saraan het,” she said pointing at me and the floor. She left the cave and left me there.
I waited like it seemed like she wanted me to. I looked around and what I could see in the little moonlight the entrance to the cave provided, appeared to be her home. Little trinkets that looked old, probably belongings of ponies from long ago, were scattered about everywhere. A dragon-sized pit of sand and palm leaves was in the corner, making a primitive bed.
She returned with a bunch of palm leaves and set them down in a corner of the cave away from her. “Laag til,” she pointed before going to her own bed.
I wanted to know her name. “Zu’u los Nandak. Fos los hin faan?” I introduced myself and asked her name again.
She looked at me with curiosity again. “Zu’u los Klo,” she finally answered.
Her name was Klo, meaning ‘Sand’ in ancient dragon. Klo, she had a nice name.
I laid down on the mat of leaves Klo provided me. “Softer than straight rocks,” I whispered under my breath. I rested my head on my claws, angling my head just right where I could see Klo out of the corner of my eye, she was looking back at me with those eyes of her’s. Then I drifted off to sleep.
June 21st, Day 61, 5th hour
I've made contact with what looks to be a long-lost species and tribe of dragons. A dragoness looking to be around fifty in age named Klo. She seems to have been ordered by the tribe leader to watch me. And if my translations are correct, she is to teach me more ancient dragon, and she is to extract some kind of information from me. Apparently, there are consequences if I don't give the tribe chief what he wants. I couldn't figure out what though.
I had woken up before Klo and I made the recording in my journal while she was still asleep. It looked as if she wasn't gonna wake for a little while longer. So I got up, leaving my bags next to my leaf mat. I made my way out, and up to the top of the sandstone cliff.
I looked down at the oasis. There were lots of colors for a place that is in the middle of nowhere. I looked out at the rising sun. Another few minutes and it'll break over the horizon.
Suddenly I was homesick. Krein and my sisters were probably sleeping right now. Kii might have had a sleepover with her little friends. I missed them. I got lost in the fond memories of my sisters and brother.
“Nandak?” I heard Klo from behind me. She made me jump, but I tried to brush it off by laughing and smiling. I turned to look at her. She had curiosity on her face. “Druv los hi vok het?” She asked me why I was up here.
I know this phrase, Krein was actually the one to teach me it. I pointed to the rising sun. “Feyl shulkun.” Rising sunlight, I told her.
I sat on my hind legs used my tail as a counterbalance and spread my wings to the morning sun. I felt the sun-warmed blood from my wings flow into the rest of my body and wake up my muscles. Once I was sure the morning sun had warmed me enough I folded my wings back up and sat normally.
I looked over at Klo who was trying to mimic my action, she looked cute when she was confused. Looking utterly bewildered. “Klo?” I said calling her attention.
She sat down normally. “Zu'u mindos hin tinvaak?”
Does she want to learn how to speak common first? I suppose that might be good since I already knew a fair bit of Ancient Dragon.
I pointed to the sun. “Sun,” I said slowly.
“Sun,” she repeated.
Okay. Good. I pointed to myself “Dovah,” then pointed to her. “Dovah,” then I pointed to myself again. “Dragon,” then I pointed to her. “Dragon.”
“Dragon,” Klo said, then she smiled when I nodded that she got it correct. This might actually be kinda fun.
Author's Note
I hope you all are enjoying this little side project that I've been working on for weeks. I have lost sleep over this Just so you know it wasn't as easy as it looks.
Please thumbs up, and comment on something you enjoyed about this chapter.
June 28th, Day 68, 12th hour
It's been a week since I arrived here in the Viper Dragons’ home. I've learned a lot in my short time here. I've learned enough of ancient dragon to understand most of the Viper Dragons. Klo has also been determined to understand the common tongue, and has proved a fast and excellent learner. She's learned enough that she can understand most everything of what I say when I talk. I also learned that she was forty-nine, and turning fifty in another week. So I wasn't too far off with my guess about her age.
Klo has many questions about where I come from. She asks for answers about our history, who our leader is, how we hunt, where we live, what our families are like. One of the reasons I’m working hard at learning their language is just so I can answer her questions. I also find myself caring for her. More than just in a friendly way. I find myself imagining a future with her. But I know the odds of her leaving her home are almost non-existent.
We were walking around the Oasis. Klo was trying to hold a conversation using as few words in ancient dragon she could. I found it kinda cute.
“You and...family…no tell each other what to do?” she asked. She was still new at it but I understand her well enough.
“No, my older brother asks us what we can do. Then helps. Dragons back home have respect for each other now.”
She tilted her head in curiosity. “Respect? Means what?”
We stopped at the edge of the lake. “Treating others the same and how you would like to be treated.” I explained carefully.
She seemed to think about what I had said. “That sounds good.” she seemed to say with a twinge of sadness.
I wanted to ask what was wrong. But from here I could see the Clan Chief yelling at another Viper Dragon, a male who was just trying to get a drink of water. I couldn’t hear what he was saying but it didn’t look good. He snapped his jaws at the other male, who then ran away. The chief seemed pleased with himself. A bully.
“Your Chief. He isn't like most dragons I know.” I commented. I only had Lord Torch to compare him to as a leader though.
“Yes,” she snapped her claws in thought, “Zu'u vodahmaan. What is word for male sibling?” she asked.
I don't know if I want to know what she is about to say. “It's 'brother’ why?”
She looked down at the water. “He is mine brother. I hate him, but do as am told.” She seemed to be getting irritated just looking at him across the way. “Draaf klov lost alun kosaan med tol ruzun rok krii laat Konaar ahrk kuz tet!” she spat.
“I didn't get all that,” I told her.
She took a breath. “Brother killed before Chief, our father the dovah klus… skull, he wears. Brother wants only those strong to live. He has killed more dovah than the desert.”
“And you don't share his belief?” I asked.
“Nid.” She shook her head gently as she stared at the water as if ashamed with the dragon she saw in herself. She couldn't stand up to him. I doubt I even can. But I knew who could.
A little red flag was waving in the the back of my mind. Killing other dragons was one of Lord Torch’s most strictly enforced laws; 'Don't kill your own kind.’ Of course it happened, but since Crater, the dragon city, was built, our population has never been safer or been in the numbers it is now.
“Lord Torch wouldn't stand for this,” I said out loud, realizing too late that I had.
She looked over at me. “Hmm?”
“If Lord Torch knew about this tribe. He would come and take control. Your brother would not be able to challenge him.”
“Is Torch a good Kinbok?” she asked. ‘Kinbok’ means leader.
I nodded. “Wise, and he is the strongest of us.”
“He would help, if you go get him?” Klo asked, sounding hopeful.
“I would not be able to alone. You would need to come with,” I tried.
She looked back down at her reflection. I could see it in her jade green eyes; she wanted to do something. But I could tell it was gonna take more than just a hopeful talk from me to convince her.
“I think on it.” She got close to me then, to my surprise, rubbed the back of her head on the bottom of my chin. “You are good dovah, Nandak,” she said, then stood and walked away.
I could feel my heart beating in my ears. She had never shown that kind of affection toward me until now. Perhaps I did stand a chance?
June 30th, Day 70, 15th hour.
I've been getting a few strange looks from Klo lately. I don't know if she's picked up on my feelings toward her, but I'm definitely getting some kind of signal from her. Klo had some kind of thing to do today. So I'm spending time with the tribe elder. An old dragon named “Koos”. He’s been telling me the history of the tribe. Apparently they have always been here, and once they did answer to a Dragon Lord but that was many generations ago. If they’ve been here for that long they might have been under one of the previous Dragon Lords and the knowledge of their existence wasn’t passed down with the Bloodstone Scepter to Lord Torch.
I closed my journal and set it to the side to get back to my basket. Koos was showing me how to weave baskets out of palm leaf strands. She was half blind so I was glad she couldn't she my horrific claw-work. Her’s looked perfect though.
She let out an amused but soft laugh “Hi fen ofaal tiik do nii ko tiid.” - ‘You will get the hang of it in time.’
I was not convinced, but I laughed with her. “Hi fen mindoraan waan Zu'u grit tol.” - ‘You will understand if I doubt that.’
She nodded as she finished her’s. “Zu'u dreh. Fos Zu'u fund med wah mindok los, waan nii los vahzah tol hi ahrk Klo lost meyz strin?” - ‘I do. What I would like to know is, if it is true that you and Klo have become close?’
“Zu'u dreh ni mindok…” - ‘I don't know...’ I began to say but she cut me off.
“Klo fun zey tol hi lost kosaan eylok wah ek. Zos ful wey naan vorey detiik.” - ‘Klo told me that you have been kind to her. More so than any other suitor.’ She smiled.
“Ful fos waan nii los vahzah dii laas los hond nol het. Klo los mid wah ek brodaan. Til los nid ven rek fund lif nii fah zey.” - ‘So what if it is true? My life is away from here. Klo is loyal to her tribe. There is no way she would leave it for me.’ I told Koos, trying not to sound hopeless, but it felt like I was telling myself really.
“Til los zos wey gein ven wah unazom.” - ‘There is more than one path to happiness.’ Koos said cryptically.
“Fos dreh hi seik?” - ‘What do you mean?’ I tried to ask.
“Fod grozein nutiid nimaar. Hi fen mindok.” - ‘When the opportunity presents itself. You will know.’ She said smiling as she stood and left with her perfect basket.
“What the heck did that mean?” I asked my wreck of a basket. It didn't answer.
Okay, I know that we've only known each other for a week, two days and nineteen hours. I'm in my eighties, she is forty-nine, almost fifty, not that age for a dragon is really a factor. But I think I should go for it. My sisters and brother would be advising me to go for it.
“I'm going to tell her,” I said to myself, pacing in a circle. “I just need to wait for her to get back.”
I sat on my mat of leaves while I waited. It was starting to get late. My nerves were starting to get the better of me. I was starting to shake, feeling like I had just been power-flying.
Just when I was starting to talk myself out of telling her, Klo landed at the opening to the cave. Something was wrong. Her jade green eyes were red and tear stains running through the layer of dust, from her eyes down her cheeks. But she didn’t just look sad and hurt; she looked angry. She paced back and forth with what room the cave allowed, muttering to herself in dragon. Too fast for me to catch any of it.
After watching her for a minute, I stepped in front of her. “Klo,” I said to her. She looked up at me with so many emotions going through her I couldn't begin to name them off. “Fos los folaas?” I asked 'What is wrong?’
She tried to hold back the tears but she just fell against me and wept quietly. I wrapped my wings around her and held her as best I knew how.
When she finally got enough out of her system she spoke. “Brother ordered I am to marry male of his choice on my hatchday. Brother said I am to ‘provide successor worthy of taking throne’ from him,” she said, trying to hold back the tears. “I know who him has picked, and not who I wish.”
This was bad. Very bad. I didn't even think dragons got married anymore before coming here. No dragon in the Dragonlands has gotten married since before Lord Torch. It’s pretty much just ‘Hey wanna be together?’ or ‘Wanna screw?’ then they answer yes or no, and then that’s it. No ceremony or anything, very straight forward.
Oh, right. Crying dragon here. Focus on that, Nandak.
“Who do you want to marry?” I asked, just trying to ease things.
She sat up and looked me in the eyes. I couldn't tell if time had slowed but it certainly felt like it had. She just stared at me, and I stared back into those beautiful emerald eyes I was falling for.
Just when I thought she was just going to back away, she kissed me. Only for a second but long enough to cause my reaction time to slow. I was completely stunned, I didn't know how to react.
“You,” she said smiling at me as more tears fell from her eyes.
“I-I-I…” I tried to get my voice to work, but it seemed to be broken.
“I make mistake?” Fear and disappointment crossed her face. “You no feel same?”
I still couldn't form words. But I had movement back. I had one way to convey how I felt. I kissed her back. Then I kissed her longer.
I was also getting involved in something extremely complicated. But I was beginning to believe that it might be well worth it.
I woke up not on my mat of leaves, but on a mat of leaves with sand underneath. I was in Klo’s bed. With her. I picked my head up and looked around. Nothing but us were out of place.
Had we gotten a little too carried away last night? Yes. Thinking back we certainly did. Klo was still sleeping peacefully beside me, she looked more comfortable now than I have ever seen her. Although I also felt a little bad. She was at a low point emotionally last night, and because I couldn't control my feelings things got out of control.
Klo began to stir. Was she going to hate me? Was she going to scream? Bite me with those fangs? I just watched her wake up, without freaking out myself.
She yawned, showing those fangs, and looked up at me, I could tell once she remembered what had happened. She smiled and kissed my cheek. “Morning, lokaal,” she whispered and leaned up against me.
'Lokaal’ means ‘love.’ I suppose I haven't had a reason to teach her that one until now and I suppose we have progressed to that point rather quickly too. "'Lokaal' ko vonum los 'love'. Love," I whispered to her.
She giggled softly. “Love?” she tried.
I nodded. “Sleep well?”
“Yes.” she answered quietly. She shifted “We need think of something.”
I had already come up with a plan. “I have an idea.”
She sat up to look at me. Waiting for me to explain.
I sat properly. “We leave. We go to the Dragonlands. We go straight to Lord Torch. We ask for his help. Then we help all of your tribe. Your hatchday is not for another six days. We'll be very close to the Dragonlands by then. After that, your tribe will be under his rule and protection. Your tribe will be safe.”
Her eyes were on the floor by the time I finished. “Am not sure.”
“Look at me, please.” I asked. She looked at me with worry. “I know I am asking you to do a lot here. But you aren't leaving your tribe, not really. You will see them again.” I said clearly.
“You will be with me when we meet Torch?” she seemed to shake a little.
I hugged her. “We are together. I don't care who says we aren’t.”
It took her some time but she finally answered. “Let us do it. We leave after dark tonight.”
We pulled apart our hug. “Alright. We need to pretend it's just a day. What do you do normally when your brother gives you bad news?” I asked.
“Avoid him,” she said glaring past me.
Well, that made things easier. “Good. Do that, we need food and water for the journey. Can you get that without drawing attention?” She nodded. “Okay. I'm going to pick a path to get us to the Dragonlands the fastest,” I said.
She nodded, but she was still obviously scared. I reached out and looped a claw around the back of her head, stroking her neck.
“Hey, I'm never leaving you. Dragons are stronger together, not divided,” I said, repeating a line that Viing used to use on us a lot during training. She smiled at that. She let go of me and headed to gather our supplies.
As I watched her leave I turned to my bags that, save for my journal, I had left unattended for some time. Maps, fastest route to the Dragonlands, please.
June 31st, Day 71, 20th hour.
With Klo and I now traveling to the Dragonlands together our first goal is to get to Equestria. Then we can best decide on which route to take from there. I hope Lord Torch is in a good mood when we get there.
I had decided that cutting straight through Equestria is the fastest route, once we get to Equestria and figure out where on the coast we'll have landed. There was also the possibility of catching a train, but that was a slim chance.
The entire tribe was asleep. Except for us. We had gotten the supplies we needed during the day. My bags were full, but thanks to Kii’s enchantment, light enough to not slow me down.
“It time?” Klo asked.
I nodded. “Let's go.” I opened the curtain of her cave and she climbed up to the top of the sandstone cliff. I followed her up. Once we were up there and overlooking the desert, I turned to my new traveling companion, and my love.
She was nervous. “I need you to lead to where you found me. Then I can take it from there,” I whispered.
She was about to jump and take flight but hesitated. “When I leave before, I have known that I would be coming back,” she said in a hushed voice, turning and looking back towards the Oasis. “This is the first time I've actually been intent on leaving.”
“You will see them again. I promise,” I whispered and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
She nodded and took flight. I followed after her. From the direction of the North Star we were headed directly east. I was determined to keep the promises I made to Klo. I'd die before I broke them.
Author's Note
Woooo stuffs happening! Things are going to fast? Well too bad because that's what's supposed to happen.
We haven't had time to stop since we left the Oasis. So updating my journal was going to be a must when we have a chance. Once I made sure Klo was comfortable that is. We were over the south Luna ocean. As far as I could tell. It definitely seemed familiar. It was getting late and the sun was setting behind us. I could see land up ahead, I was hoping that there was a pony city was nearby.
When we got to the beach we landed. We were exhausted. At least our wings were. Klo sat and leaned against me as I got my maps out once again.
“How you do that normal?” Klo asked out of breath.
I was tired but not out of breath. We've been flying for two whole days. I can understand why she was like this. “Here.” I gave her our last remaining water pouch.
She took it with thanks by a kiss on the cheek. I wanted to return it but I needed to figure out where we were.
I showed her a more recent map of Equestria. It showed the Dragonlands with a marker for Crater. We were one continent and an ocean away now. And looking at this map we were a little ways south of a town in the area “Farthest Reaches” although the map is unclear if that is the town's name or just the area.
It showed a railroad track went to the town. Perhaps we can get passage to Baltimare from there? Best get Klo’s opinion.
“Klo. Look here.” I pointed to a spot on the map. “We are somewhere right here. If we go to this town, get on a train, and take it up this way…” with a claw I followed the train line to Canterlot “...then continue to Baltimare here. This way we can save our strength for the flight to the Dragonlands when we take off from Baltimare.” I know she understood most of what I was saying but I had just used a bunch of terms I have yet to teach her.
“What is train?” She asked.
New locations and new words for her to learn. “A form of… travel the ponies created for easy travel. But the train may not be there. Either way we need to go here and get more supplies and rest.”
She nodded. “Yes. We will not be long there?” she asked.
“Only for a night. To rest. Let's walk a bit. Save our wings for the long distance flights.” She nodded and we started to walk the coastline north.
We walked for a couple of hours. The sunset was beautiful, and at the pace we were at I estimated we'd arrive in the town after nightfall. I was gonna explain this to Klo but she wasn't beside me when I looked.
Turning around I saw her looking at the sunset. I went back to her side. “What is the matter?”
“Vis mu praal het getiid uv ziin Lokaal?” - ‘Can we sit here a moment or two Love? ’ she asked in her own tongue. I went to her other side and wrapped my wing around her. “I miss them.” she said very sadly.
I pulled her close. “I know.”
“Do you miss brother and sisters?” She asked me.
I felt a twinge of hurt in my chest, remembering the distance between us. “I do. They are probably worried sick.” She leaned against me her head below mine as we watched the sunset. I wish we could stay like this.
“When we done helping my tribe. We see them? I want to meet them.” she asked.
I laughed lightly. “Actually, I'm sure if I don't let them know I'm okay soon, they'll start hunting me down just to see if I'm alright.” Klo giggled at the remark. “Yes. When we are ready, we can go see them.” I answered her question.
“I will like that.” she said calmly. I figured we could stay like this a few more minutes.
We finally found the town. It was an hour or two after sunset. And we were looking for a place to sleep. Klo was tired. I figured I could find a place to sleep, and then look for some food. I still had plenty of gems. So I wasn't worried about cost right now.
A pair of unicorn town guards were standing at a crossroads in the middle of town. “Excuse me sirs.” I said approaching them. They seemed a little surprised to see us but they didn't show fear.
“Evening. Can we help you?” One said politely.
“Yes, we have just been flying for a few days with no rest. Can you guide us to a place to get some food and rest?” I asked. Trying to not show my teeth.
“Billiard here can show you the way.” One of them said volunteering his friend.
Billiard rolled his eyes.”Yeah, yeah, come on, just this way, I'll introduce you two to the Innkeeper.”
“Thank you.” We started following him. Klo was walking by me very close. “How many ponies have you met?” I asked her.
“Only tall ones that attack us.” she whispered back. So none could hear. This was gonna be a learning experience.
Billiard lead us to an Inn called “End Line.” It was right next to the post office and train station for the town. Leading us inside, there were plenty of ponies in here, likely locals all listening to the magic powered radio that sat in the corner, or talking amongst themselves. We drew some attention but most just ignored us.
Billiard walked up to the Innkeeper who was preoccupied with a customer. “Hey Tracy.” Billiard called. “I got some customers for ya, travelers, and not the normal kind.”
The mare he called Tracy looked over at us and smiled. “Well I’ll be a monkey's aunty.” she had an interesting accent. “I was wondering when one of your kind would appear around these parts. Ever since that ambassador made the paper a while back. I didn’t really expect two of y’all though.”
Krein was in the paper? Nevermind that. “If you would be kind enough to rent us a room for the night? And if you got any meals high in protein-” that’s right, I know stuff. “-we could use two of those.”
“How will you be paying?” She asked.
I rummaged through my bag of gems to find three, a ruby, a sapphire and an emerald. I gave them to the Tracy. “With these.”
She whistled. “That'll more than do, you'll have plenty of extra after you pay for the room.” She smiled. “Do y’all want two beds or one?” she asked opening a ledger.
Klo answered this, “One please.” she said perfectly, but shakily. She was still nervous around all these ponies.
Tracy wrote the request down “The two of y’all are married?” she asked moving around the bar.
“Not yet.” Klo answered with hope in her tone.
I cleared my throat. “We are trying to take care of something first.” I added.
“Say no more.” she walked past us over to a table. “It’s none of my business and I respect that, I’m just a curious one. If y’all will sit here. I’ll make sure your room is clean, and I’ll have Gordon make something for y’all. He might even get creative and come up with something new. That Gryphon likes to do that.” she walked off.
“Oh good a gryphon. Oddly enough they are quite good cooks.” I commented.
“Gryphon?” Klo asked repeating the new word.
I keep forgetting but I think it was time for a first claw experience. “I think I'll let you see this one for yourself. I will get to see that look of curiosity on your face I first fell in love with.”
I could see her cheeks get a little darker but she didn't try to hide it when she smiled.
“Can I get you some drinks?” Tracy asked coming back out of nowhere. She surprised Klo enough to make her jump a little.
“If we could get some water, and a bit of information?” I asked.
“Shoot.” She shrugged.
I only had two questions. “When will the next train arrive?”
Tracy winced. “Sorry dear. The last train for two days left at sundown.”
“It's alright it was a long shot. One more. Where can we get supplies?”
She pointed at the door. “Cross the street, General's General Market.”
I nodded. “Alright. That's all I wanted to know.”
“I'll be back with your drinks.”
We waited for our drinks and food patiently. It wasn't long and she returned with shark steaks to my surprise, covered in white gravy, mixed vegetables, and a fruit salad on the side.
We ate quietly. I quietly showed Klo how to use utensils, and Klo enjoyed her meal. I enjoyed it as well. When we got close to the end I had asked to speak to the cook Gordon. Nothing was wrong of course, I just wanted Klo to see a Gryphon.
“Hes Zii!” Klo exclaimed and started examining him.
Gordon was confused. “She's never seen a Gryphon before.” I explained.
Klo had stood up and gotten close enough to inspect his left wing. “Oh. Well alright. I thought something was wrong.” he was leaning away from her obviously uncomfortable.
“Klo love, too close.” I said to her, she got back to her seat and just looked. “Nope, it was excellent. Actually I was wondering if you were gonna be making breakfast?”
Gordon nodded. “Yup. You got a request?”
“We are gonna be doing a lot of flying. Recommendation from a fellow flyer?” I asked jokingly.
He laughed a little. “Light but lots of protein. It got you. You go rest up. Just let the morning waitress know.” he started back toward the doors to the kitchen.
“Appreciate it.” I stood and went over to Tracy. “What room? And I'm guessing it has a shower?” I was itching to get clean. I was also curious to see Klo completely clean, without the years of dust merely being rinsed off.
I know from experience. When I first used soap I thought I had gotten two shades brighter or something. It took Krein explaining it to me that it was my natural scale color, just without the years of ash, sulfur, and carbon burns on them.
“It does. Room A-twelve. Down that hall.” She pointed. “Enjoy your night.” she winked at me.
I felt a little warm around the cheeks. I went to get Klo who waited at the table. “Come on. We're going to our room.”
“Room?” She asked.
“You'll see.”
The room wasn't big, but the bed was big enough for the two of us. Looking into the bathroom, the shower looked to be new and big enough for the two of us as well. I looked over at Klo who was looking around with curiosity.
I removed my bags from below my wings and set them down on the floor. “Klo.” I said getting her attention. “Come, please.”
She came over to the bathroom. I was gonna show her how a shower worked, but perhaps when she can understand common better. I got the shower started and to a temperature well below my tolerance level. “Is this warm enough for you?” I asked.
She held a claw underneath the water and she nodded. “What this for?”
“To get clean.” I stepped in and waved for her to follow. “Just let the water hit you for a minute.” I instructed closing the curtain so water didn't get on the floor outside. Falling would not be fun.
Dragons bathing together is normal. Not a whole lot of privacy in rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes. Just throwing that out there.
Klo had gotten all her scales wet as I had told her. Now was time for soap I switched places with her. “Now rub the dirt off with this.” I gave her a bar of soap. “Be careful to not get it in your eyes, it will sting, and don't get it in your mouth, it doesn't taste good.”
I watched her as the soap suds turned dirt brown and washed down the drain. Once I knew I was wet and that she had gotten at what she could reach I let her have the water again. I grabbed a new bar of soap though.
She had rinsed off. “Okay now. Step out and dry off with that.” I pointed to a towel.
While she did that I finished up. Stepping out I noticed she went back out into the room. I dried off, and joined her, but if I didn't know any better I'd say that Klo had been replaced.
Now that Klo's scales were completely clean I could now accurately describe her colors and patterns. Grey sides, and dark brown back, with white stripes dividing the color she looked a little pale, the dark brown pattern of scales her throat were more clear. The patterns on her back formed a kind of alternating and connected diamond-heart-diamond design that went from the top of her head starting with a heart, and ending at the tip of her tail with a diamond. She was absolutely stunning.
“Why do you look at me that way?” Klo snapped me out of my staring.
I walked up close to her and kissed her cheek. “I don't think I got the chance to tell you that you are beautiful.” I said to her.
I could see the red tint on her cheeks. “You are kind.”
I kissed her quickly. “I think not kind enough.” she smiled and kissed me back.
When we were done kissing, I think exhaustion finally hit us both because we yawned at the same time.
“We rest.” Klo suggested.
I nodded and climbed onto the bed. I patted the spot that was beside me. Klo tested it before climbing up. Once she was beside me she seemed to accept the mattress and snuggle up beside me. I draped my wing over her, and then got a blanket and covered the both of us to keep warm a little.
I reached over the side of the bed and grabbed my journal and pen. Time for a quick update.
July 2nd, Day 72, 23rd hour.
Klo and I made it to a place called “Farthest Reaches”, I am assuming that this is the southernmost town of Equestria resting on the border. The people have been kind enough, and we are resting for the night. A hot cleansing shower did us both some good. Even revealed Klo’s full color.
My sisters would say “She’s so hot she's a volcano.” Not sure how Alezah and Nikta are gonna react when they see Klo. Considering they are relentlessly trying to set Krein up with his assistant, they'll probably react well.
I closed the journal, smiling at that bit of comedy, and I put it back in my bag. I looked at Klo who was fast asleep beside me. I snuggled close to her before falling asleep myself.
I woke up to Klo nuzzling me awake. “Feyl laagus.” - ‘Morning sleepy’ she said. Kissing my cheek as well. “We get moving.”
I groaned. “Can’t we just stay like this for a five more minutes?” I asked nuzzling her back. Her scales were much smoother and softer to the touch now that they were completely clean. I couldn’t help myself.
I started to kiss her neck just below her jaw going down. “Nid, love. We need… praag…” she took a deep breath as I continued, I got about as far as the brown band on her lower neck. “Zu'u laan wah.” she said in a sigh before pushing me off, her face red. “Vuth.” When I pouted she rolled her eyes. “Hi los grik sen. Later.”
I smiled. “Fine.” before getting up I kissed her cheek. “After breakfast, we can go across the street and get some more supplies.”
“What gryphon will make?” she asked.
I started to attach my bags to my sides. “Something good I hope.”
We made our way out to breakfast. More ponies had come to get food but there were still seats available. We went largely unnoticed. But Klo still seemed nervous around all these ponies. So I picked a table close to the door.
Once we were seated a waitress came up to us. She was indeed scared of us. Unlike everypony else. “H-How can I-I help you?” she shook.
I had to agree with Krein, it didn’t feel right when things were afraid of you. “First of all; We mean you no harm we just wish to have breakfast before our journey.” I let that sink in for her.
“Secondly; If you could let Gordon know that his dragon guests are here that will let him know all he needs.” I finished.
“I’ll let him know.” The waitress walked away.
I looked across from me at Klo who was staring at the table in front of her. All of this was new to her, and we barely have enough time to let it be processed. “Klo, love. Are you okay?”
“Zu'u los... vopahsunaal. Pah het los zurun, ni vir dii zeymah lost fun un brodaan wah korah.” - “I am... unsure. Everything here is strange, not how my brother has told our tribe to believe.” she said, seeming to be searching her mind for answers.
Probably a good idea to talk in dragon for her. “Zu'u mindoraan tol daar los kung wah ofaal ont. Nii lost vuldak, fah dii briinah ahrk Zu'u wah malmind unmaar voth fos mu praag wah mindok wah lahney benix malkey.” - “I understand that this is a lot to get used to. It was a change, for my sisters and I to familiarize ourselves with what we needed to know to live among ponies.” I paused and thought a moment.
“Hin brodaan fen lost pogaan zos dovah wah tinvaak wah ahrk mindos do, Iiz, Gol, Vokun, Okaaz, ahrk faal Yol Dovah med dimaar. Nuz mu fen lost wah mindos do Dahralvith Dovah ol pruzah.” - “Your tribe will have many more dragons to speak to and learn about, Ice, Stone, Shadow, Sea, and the Fire Dragons like myself. But we will have to learn about Viper Dragons as well.” I said trying to ease her.
“Zu'u nunon hind nust frolaaz zey fah dii nusaanom. Dii zeymah los ni mindok dein stiildus. Rok fen kaatoz tir ahst niin.” - “I just hope they forgive me for my absence. My brother is not known for keeping calm. He will lash out at them.” Tears started to form in her eyes.
“Waan mu vis ofaal wah Drog Yiil us tol gon mu fen ni lost wah uful do nii bo wah tol.” - “If we can get to Lord Torch before that starts we won't have to worry about it coming to that.” I said with a much reassurance I could muster.
She smiled at me, wiping away her tears. “Zu'u unad pruzah fah dii unahzaal feliig.” - “I chose well for my eternal partner.”
“Vrah.” - “Indeed.” I confirmed.
Soon enough our waitress came back with two plates, eggs cooked to perfection on two slices of toasted bread, with fried fish, hashbrowns and a slice of tomato and lettuce. Water and orange juice were set on the table as drinks.
I looked at our waitress. “Thank you for being our waitress.” I dug out one of the smaller gems that gravity had moved to the bottom of my gem pouch and gave it to her. “You take tips right?”
All remaining fear was washed away with the sight of that gem. “Thank you!” she smiled and walked away with a new spring in her step.
Klo looked at her plate with confusion. This was basically a breakfast sandwich, and I had just taught her how to use her utensils. “Do what I do.” I Instructed. She was good at copying my actions so this will work.
We put most of what was on the sides of out plate onto the egg sandwich, hash browns, tomato, fish, pretty much all of it. We put the bread on top, then we took our first bites. Klo had a small smile on her face as we ate. I had a feeling her mood was gonna flux like this regularly until we get help for her tribe. I can handle it. Hopefully.
When we finished our food, I said farewell to our hosts and went across the street to General’s General Market.
It was a large building considering that this is a small town. Food in one section of the store. Tools, plants, and related stuff in the second part. Lastly traveling equipment and sport gear, including stuff to repair boats.
I lead Klo over to the travel section. Saddlebags, water canteens, tents, the works. I found klo some pony saddlebags that will work for the time being. We loaded up on preserved foods and water within reason. As we headed toward the register, something caught my attention and I stopped.
A piece of enchanted camping equipment, a ‘Home-Tent’, “Bigger on the inside than the outside.” I mumbled.
“That there came from Canterlot, a year and a half ago. It sounded real good on paper, but most ponies don’t trust unicorn magic. I started out with about twenty, I only got two left.” The owner informed me from the register.
“What is it exactly?” I asked.
“Well ya’ set ‘er up like a normal tent right? Except that it isn’t a normal tent. It has a weird space manipulation spell on it and it is the size of a small house on the inside. With a kitchen, fireplace, the whole works.”
This sounded interesting. “We’ll take this, and all of this please.” I placed all of our pickings, and our new tent, on the checkout counter.
He entered the item totals. “One hundred twenty two bits.”
Instead I dug out a ruby and a sapphire. “Will this cover it?”
He grabbed a little magnifying monocle thing, and looked through it at the gems. “Hmm, throw another sapphire in and you got a deal.” I gave him another. “Glad doing business with ya.”
Thief! I thought. “Thank you.” We collected our things and made our way outside. Once I evened out the weight between her and I, me with the heaviest items because of the enchantment on my bags, I stood in front of Klo and took a deep breath.
“Ready?” I asked. She nodded. “Alright, stay close.” Lifting of the ground we headed East. Toward the Dragonlands.
Author's Note
I almost forgot about this one. Enjoy!
July 3rd, Day 73, 18th hour.
Klo and I have stopped to get our bearings. We were on track but I needed to convince her to stop for the night. We’ll make camp, get some rest and get going at first light. She may be trying to hide it, but I can see the muscles in her wings and shoulders shaking from exhaustion. Mine fare no better either.
“Klo?” I said, pulling her attention from looking at the stars a moment. “The sun is going down, and there is barely a moon tonight. It's going to become difficult to see what is below us. We should make camp and continue at first light.”
She seemed to be anxious. “But need hurry! Very far still, flew for three days before.”
“Yes and look at your wings.” I pointed to the shaking muscles that twitched without her knowledge. “If we keep going like we have been, we will hurt ourselves and it will take longer to get to Lord Torch.”
She was quiet for a few moments, taking in my words. “Go at sunrise, camp after sunset,” she finally said firmly.
“That'll work,” I nodded. I started digging through my bag for that magic tent. We were already at an okay location to make camp; the edge of a cliff next to a forest of some sort. We passed the last set of train tracks an hour ago.
I set the tent up like the instructions told me to, despite the best efforts of the wind to yank me away. A little before the last vestige of sunlight disappeared, I was finished. It was just a canvas tent with a little chimney on top. It didn’t look all that special.
I was scratching my head a little because nothing was happening. I looked at the instructions again. Iron snap-together frame, check. Steadying ropes and stakes, check. Rune, che- “Rune?” I looked in the box again, shook it a little, and a little black rock slipped out. It had magic symbols on it that glowed white.
I read the instructions again. “Place rune in the slot at peak of the iron frame above the entrance.” I looked up and sure enough, there was a little stone shaped slot. “How'd I miss that?” I put the stone in and a flash of white light came from inside the tent.
Klo came up after seeing the flash. “Done?”
“I think so. Let me have a look.” I stuck my head in and felt my jaw hit the ground. “What the—?”
This was one of those ‘bigger on the inside’ deals. In the center of the tent, there was a bed. Big enough for a dragon twice my size and for there to still be room for another dragon. Straight ahead there was a little washroom, with a small shower (where’d the water come from? Oh, right, magic). The right side of the tent was a kitchen stocked with non-perishables, with a wood-burning stove I wasn’t as good of a cook as my sister Alezah, but I might be able to make something edible. On the left side, there was simply a fireplace, closet, and a place to store firewood.
“This is cool. Klo, come on in,” I called to her.
She stepped through the canvas flaps and her eyes widened in astonishment as she took in the room. “I love Magic,” she said in amazement. I nodded.
I let Klo relax on the bed while I got to start a fire and make something with what we had available to us. Which wasn't much, and I had to be sparing. So we had rehydrated noodles with some fish bits in it, and a side of warmed vegetables. It wasn't much but something to keep our strength up.
As I was putting more wood on the fire just so we could stay warm through the night, I could see Klo stretching her wings and massaging them, murmuring in obvious pain. I might have something. I started looking for the bag of potions I got from the zebras.
“Scrapes and Cuts, no. Illness, no. Muscle Ease Potion, yes. ’Apply to skin over exhausted muscles.’” I breathed a word of thanks to my past self.
I climbed onto the bed with Klo and I started applying the potion. At first, she was unsure of what I was doing but as the potion took effect she relaxed and enjoyed the relief. Soon enough it was my turn and I dozed off from both the ease of the potion and exhaustion.
The sound of hoofsteps outside woke me up. I groggily rubbed my eyes. Klo was beside me, still asleep. I looked around. The fire was out, but the little moonlight from outside was casting a shadow against the tent. Of a Timberwolf. I was awake as soon as the seriousness of the danger hit me. Timberwolves always travel in packs of three or more, and this one was alone for the time being.
I could hear it sniffing the ground as I watched its shadow. I carefully maneuvered out of bed, careful not to wake Klo. Mostly because I don’t know what she was gonna do in this situation, scream, go full warrior, or something else. I kept myself between it and Klo as I watched it move closer and closer to the opening of the tent.
It stopped just outside the entrance. Its sniffs becoming slower than before. Its nose poked its way into the tent and it started growling loudly, baring its teeth. As its eyes became visible I pounced before it could.
“Rrroooaaarrr!” my lungs bellowed as I clawed at its glowing green eyes.
It reared back and barked angrily. I kept my attack pressed, if it howls for help, I'll be outnumbered three to one, and from what I’ve heard, these things are really hard to put down for good. I climbed onto its back and ripped the brambles out of its back as I tried to hurt it. I needed to get farther from the tent before using my fire breath, otherwise, I’d burn the tent down.
Hopping off its back, I kept myself between it and the tent, flaring my wings and batting its nose to keep it from howling. Once it was far enough I starting fanning the flames in my chest. My fire breath was almost hot enough for a good blast. I took one deep breath and…
“Nandak!” I heard Klo shout.
I looked back over my right shoulder. She had come out if the tent, “Klo, go back inside!” I shouted. The time I was distracted was enough for the Timberwolf to bite into the joint of my exposed left wing. “Aaaaaggggg!” I roared. It was agonizing.
The wolf threw me toward the cliff. I slid over the edge and hung by my claws. I had to use the claws on both wings to climb back up. It was slow going.
The Timberwolf set its sights on Klo as it approached her menacingly. Klo’s head flattened and her fangs came out. Yup. Still scary. Once the Timberwolf got close enough, she did something that I was not expecting. She spat a stream of venom at the Timberwolf.
Smoke rose from the Timberwolf’s face as it howled in pain. Its buddies would be here any moment. I needed to get back in this.
I pulled myself up finally, just as Klo got over to me. “Hurt?” she asked me. Her eyes still had those vertical slits. It was legitimately really creepy, but I was kinda...turned on right then.
Right. Almost died right then. Worry about that some other time. “Later.” I hurried over to the Timberwolf and hit it with a sustained blast of fire in the side.
The wolf turned and tried to run away, accidentally putting its face right into the flames. The venom ignited and exploded surprisingly violent for how much there was.
The dark manifestation flew apart. As the fire cracked I could hear howling in the distance. Great. “We need to move,” I said going into the tent and retrieving our bags. I started to fold up the tent too. “Keep an eye out in case more of them get here.”
I didn't hear a response but I'm assuming she did as I asked. It took me a good few minutes to get the tent folded and put back in the box.
As I got done, the other two Timberwolves showed up and howled. “Time to go!” I shouted to Klo and we leaped off the cliff and ascended up and over the forest in the very direction we needed to go.
It wasn't long until the sun came up. Or for the adrenaline to wear off. My wing was in searing pain, and it was taking all my focus to keep in the air and keep flying straight.
I know we passed over a desert. But I was unsure which one. I had just told Klo, “East. Go east,” I lost track of time.
“Love?” Klo called. “Land! Now!” she instructed.
I finally looked up. The ocean. The Celestial Sea. Klo was headed down toward a beach at the edge of this jungle we were over.
I landed—well, crashed onto the sand. I slumped to the ground, just wanting the pain to stop. I dug out one of those Zebra potions and started slowly pouring it into the wounds, cleaning them out. Puss had started to drip out of the injury at some time during the flight. It stung even worse than before. Klo took the potion from me and started applying it to the wound.
I winced and tried to not growl at the pain. “Hurt bad,” Klo said as she tried to be gentle.
“If we can get to the Dragonlands, we have medicine for this there,” I said. I stood up, we still had a long flight ahead of us.
“What were those?” Klo asked.
“Timberwolves. Not my favorite thing about Equestria.” I was wobbly as I tried to walk. The Timberwolf bacteria in my blood was wreaking havoc on my tired muscles.
Klo stopped me from taking off. “Rest. Camp here.”
I didn't have the strength to argue. We set up camp, and despite Klo telling me to sit and rest, I helped where I could. I put the enchanted stone in the slot as we finished putting up the tent, and after the flash of light, I went inside.
Klo practically forced me toward the bed for rest. “How much further?”
“One to two-day flight west, then once we find the coast, we go north until we find either Lord Torch or Crater.”
“We go when you are well enough to go. Not Before.” Klo said firmly. I sat up to give her a kiss, but the world suddenly started spinning and everything went black.
It was dark and I couldn’t hear anything other than my own uneven breathing, I was shaking uncontrollably. I opened my eyes to try and see Klo but I didn't see her in front of me. Lifting my head up I looked around the tent. Nowhere.
“Klo?” I called.
No answer.
I tried to stand and walk. “Klo!” I said as I attempted a step. I fell on my face and the world went black again.
My head was pounding. But I could hear voices around me. That was a good sign. Creaking of a ship’s hull? That was different enough to wake up the rest of the way. I opened my eyes and looked around. It was of dragon construction, that much I could tell.
Klo’s stuff and my stuff was tucked to one side of this room. It wasn't a cage, so I suppose that was good. I stood slowly and worked my way to the door. It opened without a fuss, not being locked was good. I slowly headed up to the top deck of the ship.
Looking around this was definitely a ship that was meant to ferry citizens to and from Equestria. But how did we get on it?
“Nandak!” I heard Klo say with joy.
I turned around and she almost tackled me with a hug. “Hey! What did I miss?”
She kept her face buried in my shoulder. “You were dying, I got help.”
“So why aren't we in the Dragonlands?”
“Because we didn’t know what she was when she showed up.”
I knew that voice. I looked up with joy to see Viing stepping onto the deck. “So we brought her to Lord Torch to see if he knew anything. He didn’t, but your mate here explained the whole story as fast as she could. As soon as we knew you were in trouble we sent healers on ahead of this ship.”
Oh. Good. Friendly dragons. Headed to a safe place. That was a relief.
“Now where are we headed?” I asked.
Viing pointed to the horizon. “Lord Torch flew on ahead himself to ensure her tribe’s cooperation. We will be returning the whole tribe to the Dragonlands and be accepting them into the city,” he explained with some excitement in his voice.
“You have this sort of time?” I asked, knowing full well the answer.
“No, I was only to remain if you didn’t wake up. I will take my leave now though. I have much to do back home.” He stepped up to the edge of the ship. “By the way, Olakaan is aboard somewhere, he has many questions for you both.” He leaped off the ship without another word and he headed east.
I looked at the horizon, towards the rising sun. Trees, mountains, and deserts all in different directions. The new light shining on them all. With Klo at my side, I couldn't ask for a better view.
“Let’s find the captain and see if we can help getting us back to your tribe any faster,” I said placing my wing over Klo's back. She just smiled and rested her head against me as we walked throughout the ship.
I knew then everything was gonna be just fine.
Author's Note
That's it! I hoped you enjoyed this little side project, I certainly did. Now I need to decide if I want to make a sequel to it.
