Alchemist's shop

Peritia wakes up suddenly, a hoof shaking her. She snaps into an upright position, looking over at Leta. Looking behind her, it's clearly early in the day, the sun has barely raised above the mountains yet. Leta doesn't look tired, somehow.

Peritia's mane is a mess, frizzy and unkempt from rolling around all night. Her sleep was plagued with discomfort and worry, thinking about her father all alone. She knows she can't run back to him, the forest may not be too dangerous, but it's thick and dark, leaving the group without a map may as well be a death sentence.

Peritia spots Fortis sitting by the flickering embers of the fire, reviewing the map. Leta already has all her gear on, she's got that impatient look in her eyes from before. Fortis has his equipment beside him, but he hasn't donned anything yet, too focused on the map in his hooves.

Peritia shifts forward and stands, putting on her saddlebags and belt. She takes a minute to fix her mane as best she can, stretching out like a cat. Leta has moved to beside Fortis, watching over his shoulder, waiting for him to finish up.

Fortis doesn't take long to be done, rolling up the map and sliding it into his saddlebag before slipping into it. He takes out a compass, takes a second to orient himself, then puts it away and starts walking. Leta quickly follows his footsteps, Peritia trailing behind a bit, like yesterday.

After 6 or 7 hours of walking, Peritia decides to try something stupid. She catches up with Leta and gives her a simple greeting, to her surprise she gets a response. She decides to capitalise immediately.

"How long have you two known each other?" Questions Peritia, choosing a non-intrusive question to start with. She keeps a smile on her face, exuding her usual friendly energy despite the worry that Leta might outright deny her an answer.

"Since we were young. Very young. We work together well, nothing more." Leta's voice portrays her boredom, Peritia takes the hint, nods in reply and speeds up to catch Fortis.

Fortis looks at Peritia as she matches his pace, his face softening from focus to a smile. She's put at ease by his expression, returning it happily.

"Aah, Peri, did you sleep well? How has travel been treating you? There are many more miles to go, I hope you are not aching quite yet." Greets Fortis, a bit of humour in his voice. Peritia gives a small chuckle before answering.

"Yes, I slept great, and the walking has been fine. Where will we be stopping next, if I may ask?" Peritia asks, hoping he ignores the tiredness in her eyes from her restless sleep. Luckily for her, his eyes are not focused on her.

"There is a small group that lives on the mountain ahead, if we are lucky we will reach there not long after sunset." States Fortis, looking up through the tiny gaps in the canopy at the snow-capped mountain looming over them. Peritia nods, satisfied with his answer. She slows her pace, letting Leta pass by her and falling back into line behind both adventurers.

The forest looks the same everywhere, it's like a maze. Peritia looks up and spots a couple of birds perched on a tree's branches, they soon disappear into the darkness of the forest, behind shrubs and trunks. She sighs as she turns her head forward again, trying to distract herself with something, anything for the long trip still to come.

As the sun goes down Peritia looks up, seeing faint flickers of light through the leaves. They must be getting close now, she hopes. Her legs have started to hurt, but she doesn't mention it. She figures that staying quiet will get them out of the forest faster.

Fortis suddenly stops in his tracks, Leta quickly moving to his side. Peritia comes up behind the two, confused. Two guards stand before them. She stays behind Fortis, waiting. He's talking to Leta about something. Peritia tries to listen in.

"Deceivers." Spits Leta, barely audible to Peritia. She looks to Fortis as he gives a single nod, turning to the guards and asking what they want. The guards ask the adventurers to follow them. Fortis agrees, then the guards turn to start walking.

As soon as the guards' backs are turned, Leta's horn starts glowing, a magical aura surrounding her knives. The weapons fly forward in the blink of an eye, lodging themselves between the armour of the unsuspecting guards. Peritia barely contains her scream to a terrified squeak.

As the guards fall to the ground, lifeless, they're surrounded by green flames. When the flames dissipate, two Changelings are lying there, dead. Peritia is frozen in place, her breathing hurried and shaky.

"Alchemist? Alchemist! " Leta calls, trying to snap Peritia out of it. She fails, causing her to whisper something in a foreign language. Fortis places a hoof on Peritia's back.

"They would have killed us, we had no choice. We must climb the mountain and warn the ponies there. Peri, please." Fortis gives her a small shake to accentuate his words. Peritia looks at him, then upwards to the torchlight above. She nods, regaining control of herself.

Leta pulls her knives from the Changelings' thick carapace, green blood clinging to them. Fortis smiles at Peritia reassuringly as he starts walking again.

Peritia stays silent the entire way up the mountain, she knew there would be fighting, and killing, but it was so sudden. She stares at Leta, at her knives. How many lives have those knives taken? Could they take hers? Would they?

Peritia shoves the thoughts away as they approach a gate, surrounded by walls with guards atop them. The entire thing is daunting to behold, each guard aiming some kind of weaponry at the newcomers.

A Pegasus wielding a spear steps forward to greet the group. Fortis explains that they wish to stay for a night before passing through. He also mentions the possible Changeling threat.

After a few minutes of talking, the gate is opened and the three are let into walls. There are few buildings within, but they are all massive, towering above the entering adventurers. The guard who greeted them quickly rushes off to a military building, leaving them alone.

They find that one of the buildings has housing available for the night, they pay the requested price and get comfortable in their beds. Peritia stares at the wall, the image of Leta's knives stained with blood returning to the front of her mind. She's lucky to get any sleep at all that night.