Major Meeting

The security detail at the front of the estate didn't give me much trouble, they just asked me my business and I told them why I was there. They let me in and pointed me towards a large stone brick manor in between two smaller buildings.

The walk through the estate was something else.

On the borders of the simple gravel path were bushes and the occasional statue. Let me say that some of these statues were definitely...abstract. Like there was this one statue that stood out from the rest because it was made of crystals, it showed a unicorn and a deer fighting but it was all disorganized, so it might just be my interpretation.

There were several other statues and a few memorials as well. After walking for some time I eventually reached the main estate building, it's warm orange lights practically lifting me off the ground.

"I'm as cold as hell out here, I'm going to end up losing another finger if I don't head in."

I opened the pristine wood door and walked inside, I saw the secretary desk so I shuffled over after stomping off excess snow at the door. I went to the desk but there was no secretary there.

"Hello? Is anybody here?"

"Oh...one second."

Ok, cool must be a mare by the voice.

A female minotaur walked in with a cup of coffee, her hulking form-fitting snuggly into her desk. She was definitely different from the male minotaurs, not as burly and she didn't have horns.

Still ripped as all hell though.

"Uh...hello...I was told to come here and see Mr. Stone."

"You're Mr. Peter correct?"

"Yep, that's me."

"Okay, you'll have to wait for a few minutes as Mr. Stone is currently in a meeting. There are a few books by the window if you get bored."

I shrugged my shoulders and walked over to a chair by the window. I picked up one of the books and started reading. I had been like that for sometime before I was notified by the secretary that Brim Stone had finished his meeting.

"Which room is it?"

"Up the stairs. It's the last door on the left!"

I trudged myself up the central staircase to find two hallways. I was too lazy to walk back so I just yelled my question down to the secretary.

"Hey! Which hallway is it!"

"The right one!"

"Thanks!"

I meandered my way down the right hallway while looking at all the fancy architecture and furniture the building had to offer. There were so many things lining the walls that made them look crowded like portraits and plaques. I arrived at the room I needed to enter after looking around a bit.

I opened the door and entered the room to find that there wasn't anybody inside. There was a small slip of paper on the table in front of a big black chair. I walked over and turned it around so I could see what was written.

Peter

I guess this is where I sit. I was expecting a casual conversation, not an interview, I didn't even prepare my resume and my page of disappointments. I saw down and waited...and waited...before the door suddenly opened.

It was Brim Stone, the stallion looked even worse for wear then when I last saw him. His small spectacles doing nothing to hide the large bags under his eyes and his wizard hat was crooked. He sat down opposite of me after ringing one of the many bells on a panel by the wall.

He sighed, he unkempt mane springing up in some places.

"I apologize for my appearance Mr. Peter but it seems that the blizzard has brought forth more than just cold weather this year."

"Oh..."

I have no idea what to say.

"I wanted to inform you, Mr. Peter, that I've not forgotten the offer I made you, you are welcome to take one of the guest rooms in the manor for as long as you need it."

"W-well thank you, I do have some questions though if you don't min-"

Right before I could finish my sentence the door to the room opened rather quickly and a stream of maids walked in and started dropping off all sorts of dishes. One laid a large plate of pastries and another maid gave me a cup of coffee! Sweet mother of god, it's coffee! I'd jump off another waterfall for a cup of this holy nectar.

I hadn't eaten anything this morning and it was around lunchtime so I was starving.

"What were you saying, Peter?"

"I have a few questions, but first do you find if I have some of those donut thingies?"

"Help yourself, within reason."

With a half-eaten donut in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, I continued my train of thought.

"So I came in when the blizzard was at it's weakest but I fell unconscious can you tell me what happened next?"

"Your companion is actually being held behind the manor, and my daughter, she's...ill at the moment. Your supplies are securely locked away at estate guard barracks."

"Your daughters ill?"

He nodded his head.

"How bad is it?"

"Very bad."

"Could I see her? I can cast some healing magic."

I think.

He looked at me, his eyes narrowed, which made for a rather intimidating appearance all things considered.

"Okay."

"I'm not going to promise you it's going to work through."

" Good, I don't like empty promises. Before we go to see her are there any more questions?"

"Yeah, can I get another cup of coffee?"

The old stallion smiled a little bit, that's a first. He then gestured for me to follow him.

"My daughter, Tine, is at the servant quarters. It's the building left of this one."

"Why in the servant quarters?"

"Its easier for the staff to help her and monitor her condition."

As we walked we talked about the history of the estate and the Stone family. Overall it was a pretty good talk and it seemed to liven Brim Stone's mood.

We left the building and we were met with light snowfall. We walked on a small gravel path to the servant's quarters. Once we got inside we hoofed it to his daughter's room.

We arrived at her room and entered. I saw the lime pony laying in bed covered head to in pillows, she looked sick.

"So what's wrong with her?"

"We don't know. The healing mage we had come over from the Healer's Organization couldn't figure it out as well."

"If they couldn't figure it out I don't know what I'm going to do...but I can try something."

"Hmmm? By all means, just don't hurt her. I'd hate to have to spend time cleaning the blood off the walls."

Jesus Christ!

I walked over to her and observed her. Without her large bonnet on you could tell she was a unicorn, she must take after her mother in terms of characteristics. I hovered my hand over her sleeping form and felt the familiar beat of the ring. It was something I tried to ignore.

I put my hand on her head and the beating of the ring become thunderous until I closed my eyes and opened them again. I was in that weird shadow form again.

Well shit.

Author's Note

I got so much planned! I'm super excited to write the next chapters!

Thank you for reading!

If you see any errors please tell me.

I hope you have a GREAT day! 😁