The Lord of Ragnarok

The Lord of Ragnarok

Chapter 24: New Class

Hidden City of Sanerek Nim Gin Rummy’s P.O.V. three days later

This felt better. This place, this city, was functioning like a stable. Perhaps it was wrong of me to like it so well, but just being outside was dizzying. Several times I felt as if I looked up I would end up floating into the great opened blue above me. I was secure in this city. One of the first things Princess Luna told me was that the hidden city had guards, but none of them were effectively trained. I was the head security mare, and training security was simply part of the job. Naturally I made the suggestion, and Mannulus agreed.

It was odd to see a stallion in a position of authority. I kept thinking that he needed to be taken back to medical if he was not servicing the mares. I had always considered myself to be a clever mare. I was quick to learn the spells needed for a security mare, and I even learned a few first aid spells as well. I felt it was well worth learning outside of the scope of what I was required to learn in order to perform my job even better than I had been trained to do. Even though that I considered myself a clever mare it was hard to understand the differences between this place and the stable.

There was no breeding que. If I wanted a roll in the bunk then I had to get to know a pony. If it was a male I had to do more than just tell them to follow me, strip, and lift my tail. It was a world that I wasn’t used to, and I suspected that it was one that Go Fish had been living in for some time. She had confirmed that things didn’t work the same as the stable, and she told me that I would get used to it. Having some normality return to my life was certainly a step in the right direction.

I looked at the gathered guards. Most of them were called human. In truth they were similar to Earth Ponies. That was fine. I had trained Earth Ponies, and I could train them. With no firearms I was stuck training them on crossbows. Well, I was going to train them on crossbows and batons. The batons that were created for us were similar to the ones that we had in the stable. The heavy feeling of the metal shaft was enough to help balance out the feeling of my barding.

I looked at my Security Barding that one of the Ministry Mare’s had made for me. That was still something to get used to. The Ministry Mares were alive, all of them, and they actively were working in the temple for the occupants there. My barding felt close to how it originally was, although Rarity had said that she included a special chain mail weave into the material to give added protection. Walking toward the group of guards I took notice how they seemed to be awaiting orders.

There was enough training that they could act as a unit, that was a benefit, but there was more that needed to be addressed. I looked at them, stood near the containers of the crossbows and batons, and then I motioned toward them.

“Each of you step forward, pick up a crossbow, a baton, and then return to your place in formation.”

They did as I instructed, and moments later each was armed. I looked over them, and then I cleared my throat, “Security’s place is to protect. We save ponies, people, we save those we are sworn to protect. I’m going to instruct all of you on the safety and security of this city. We are going to learn how to work in teams, and we will become the first second, and last line of defense here.”

With each of them armed we began the basics of using the security batons. Most of them had already learned some skill with fencing, but even that was limited. They knew the basics of where to hit in order to destroy, but not where to hit in order to incapacitate. With that I called Go Fish over. She looked at me, obviously she understood what was getting ready to happen. I had sparred against her a few times before, and she had helped me train other mares in Stable 99 before.

Walking forward she pulled her own baton, and she looked more prepared than she had when I had trained her. I could only guess that her time on the outside was what had helped her. Looking at her I held the baton firmly in my right hand.

“The first rule is to observe your opponent. She, or he, will have a side that they favor. There will be other little tales they have as well. Take notice of those, and work with them,” I said before I looked at my daughter.

The two of us faced each other. She moved forward, her baton firmly in her magic. I had to admire that she was leaving her hands free. But the two of us had done this several times. She moved fast, her first attack was one I was certainly ready for. The second one was unexpected. She struck out with her right fist. I used the baton to bat her horn. Her field of magic disappeared from her head, and then I used the baton to slam against the back of her left knee. She fell, rolled, and came back up. I was prepared, and the two of us clashed against one another again.

The mare I was fighting had grown as a fighter. My little Fishie had grown into a more mature mare. I attacked her, she me, and neither of us managed to keep an upper hand for several minutes. It wasn’t until I was able to flip her onto her back and then used the baton to cut off her air way. She tapped, and I let her up. For the first time in training new members of security I was tired, winded, and sore.

“Now, split apart into teams. Do not attempt to kill, but attempt to subdue your partner. Expect bruises, expect to be winded, do not expect your partner to take it easy on you.”

Watching them I was reminded of when I trained Go fish and all of the security mares that were going to be part of security coming up. I looked toward Go Fish as she rubbed her ribs.

“You’ve finally learned some decent defence,” I said.

She grinned, “I had to. To be honest I didn’t realize how much of your lessons I had actually picked up. What you taught me saved me again and again,” she replied, “But you still hit really hard.”

I smiled, “That’s because I’m supposed to. Our job is to protect others, and to stop all would be enemies. We attempt to disarm and subdue first, but if that isn’t a possibility then we are to remove them,” I said as I grinned, “you remember that.”

She nodded, “Yeah, and I ended up teaching some ponies that, and they used it the wrong way,” she said.

I shook my head, “Fishie, you can’t make yourself responsible for what other ponies do. All you can do is take what life brings one step at a time. You make the best life you can, and you help those around you. If you can do that, then you’ve done a good job.”

I felt her hug me, “I wish that you could have been with me out there.”

I hugged her back, gently rubbing her back, “I wish that I could have been out there with you too Go Fish.”

She sniffed, “Mom, please I go by Blackjack.”

Village of Oppidum - Wainwright the Weary P.O.V.

News of the destruction of the Sanctus Theocracy had reached the village a few days ago, and there was a call for celebration. It was one that I welcomed whole heartedly. The festival had gone strong for three days, and now everyone was slowly getting back to normal. I found myself slow to rise. Beside me Miia was curled around me. Her tail wrapped around my legs, her breasts were squeezed up against my chest, and she was sleeping peacefully. Before getting stuck here I had practically no game. The only dates I had been on were because either a girl felt pity that I was alone, or it was because she desperately wanted a hot meal.

Not much of that had really changed since coming here. The difference was that Miia loved me for me. We had been intimate for some time, but I’ve noticed that she had begun nesting. Our new home, which now had a lab much like my old one, was slowly becoming more and more like a comfortable den. I had questions about it, because to my knowledge, which was limited, Lamia’s didn’t nest unless they were pregnant.

She hugged me tightly as we lay there, her soft features feeling wonderful against me. In truth I felt as if we could spend the entire day resting, laying there, and just enjoying one another’s company, but that wasn’t meant to be. The sound of knocking made me aware that there was a need for my services. I woke Miia, who seemed less than inclined to get up, and the two of us went to the front door. I looked at Lala, Lord Mannulus’ servant, who seemed to be pressed for time.

“Lady Lala, how may we serve?”

“Wainwright, I fear that this is not a social call,” she said as she turned and motioned for us to follow her.

We did and soon I found myself looking at a dozen or so wounded. My healing spells were certainly able to handle their injuries, but then as I understood it the temple had an actual doctor on site. There was little need for a Hedge Wizard to use healing spells if that was the case. I looked toward her only to see her shaking her head.

“I’ve already contacted our medical staff. It’s a poisoning, plant based, mixed with dark magic. He was able to stabilize them, but he has no way of preparing an antidote with no knowledge of the plant used,” she looked at me, “As a Hedge Wizard you can identify the poison, the plant, and create the antidote. Please do so.”

I nodded, walked to one, and instantly I felt a small terror fill my senses. Her eyes had turned puss yellow, she was softly giggling, there were bite marks on her hands, and her arms, and she was chewing her lips. I knew of the plant only because I had stumbled across it once. It was called the Raider Rye. A special form of wheat that someone, who was a brony and a fan of Fallout Equestria: Project Horizons, had coded into Ragnarok.

The plant caused the player, or NPC, that ate it to slowly turn into a frenzied state. They would become cannibalistic, and they would attack anyone that wasn’t infected with the wheat. In Ragnarok the plant was a major pain in the ass because it could wipe out an entire guild in a few hours time. It just took one NPC, or player, to eat and then it spread like wildfire. I hadn’t thought about it since the game because in Ragnarok it was rare. It only grew in certain locations, and usually those locations had to be very specific.

Unmarked mass graves, locations of massacres, or ground that had been cursed with madness were the only places it could grow. Even then it wasn’t a guarantee. Raider’s Rye was almost a myth, except for those who had stumbled across it. I’d seen the plant before, and in the places where it could grow, if it did, it wasn’t a single plant. It would be an entire pasture. And it was so deadly because it looked like regular wheat. Cooking it didn’t cure it. Nothing could. These poor souls had found a batch of it, and obviously they had believed they found food.

My guess was that they had gathered it, ground it into meal, made bread, and then ate it. Afterward it had started affecting them. Lala had come across them, and then she had somehow managed to capture them. Was there a cure for Raider’s Rye? Yes, there was. I would need Blood Root, Holy infused wheat, FireWorms, six Eden Apples, and a few drops of blood from a virgin. After the festival, the last one might be a moot point, but that would be a worry for when the rest of the ingredients were gathered.

I helped Lala move them into a house that doubled as a holding cell for the village. Once that was done I looked at her, “It’s Raider’s Rye poisoning.”

Her eyes wided, “Are you certain?”

I nodded, “I am. It’s curable, but I would be lying if I said it would be a simple matter. The ingredients themselves range from common to incredibly rare. I’ve got some of it, thankfully, but I’m going to need to find the rest.”

She looked at me and nodded, “What are some of them. I will gladly assist.”

“We need Fireworms, at least six of them, I’ll need two eden apples, I have four, but the cure requires six. We’ll need about half a dozen drops of blood from a willing virgin, and about a pound of blood root.”

She gave a nod. “Lady Applejack has the Eden apples, I shall return with the full six, along with two extra for you. I will also get the blood root from her. I believe Lady Fluttershy should have the fireworms. As for the virgin, I believe there are some of the maids that would gladly lend a few drops.”

I gave her a nod, “Very well. I’ll infuse a bundle of wheat with holy magic and have it ready to go. If everything goes well we may be able to cure them. And then we can ask where they found the Raider’s Rye.”

She nodded, “Yes, and after they inform us we will destroy it.”

The Temple of Celestia Sol - Applejack’s Floor - Lala’s P.O.V.

After conversing with Wainwright the Weary, and learning about the Raider’s Rye I had come directly to the Temple. I knew that Lady Applejack would know of the cursed plant, and she had both the blood root and Eden Apples already growing. I neared her as she stood next to her two siblings. Lady Apple Bloom, and Lord Big Macintosh Apple were both helping to load bushels of apples into a wagon. I slithered up to Lady Applejack and gave a quick bow.

“Lady Applejack, there is a need for your assistance,” I said.

She stopped, wiped her brow, and then looked at me, “Okay, how can I help?”

“There are several individuals that have consumed Raider’s Rye,” I stated.

She let out a whistle, “Yeah, that’s a problem. Ah’m guessin’ that Hedge Wizard fella knows the cure then?”

I gave a nod, “Yes, he is in need of blood root and Eden Apples,” I said.

She looked at her siblings, “Bloom, go gather about two pounds of blood root. It ought ta be over there by the hog pens,” she turned to her brother, “Big Mac, Ah need ya ta follow me and help me get the Eden Apples.”

I followed them deeper into the orchard, and there growing between the trees was a large tree composed of two different trees. Both of them looked, strange, and as we neared them I could see the tree moving slightly. Applejack nickered as she got closer, gently touched it, and I could see the limbs of the tree reaching down to her.

“Ma, Pa, there’s folks that’s in a heap of trouble. We need some of the Eden Apples. Ah know it hurts ya, and Ah hate it, but these folks got something in ‘em that’s gonna hurt a whole lot of folks if’n there ain’t a cure made,” she said before she took out a small dagger and barely pricked the end of her finger. She passed it to Big Macintosh who did the same. The blood dripped onto the tree, and a moment later it disappeared. I watched as two large limbs dropped down, and on them was eight eden apples.

“Thank ya both. Ah love ya, so does Big Mac. Bond of blood, bond of family, roots grow strong, memories remain,” she said.

“Family endures, Legacies continue, generations rise, generations fall, but Apples continue through it all,” Big Macintosh said.

With that they picked the eight Eden Apples, and we walked back. I had never seen them picked before, and I had only heard about what had happened to Lord Bright Macintosh and Lady Pear Butter. For them to become the Eden Tree, it was a great sacrifice. I had no doubt that they could be restored, but it was obvious that they understood the need for them to remain like that. When we returned to the entrance of her floor Lady Apple Bloom was awaiting us with a bucket full of blood root. She looked dirtier than she had been, and she passed the bucket to Applejack who in turned passed it, and the Eden Apples to me.

“Now, fore ya go and head out there Ah’m a gonna come with ya,” she said.

I bowed, “Of course Lady Applejack, although I do need to stop at Lady Fluttershy’s floor. I still need to obtain the fireworms.”

She nodded, and together we moved to Lady Fluttershy’s floor. Walking inside I saw her sitting with Angel. The vorpal bunny glanced toward us, its sharp and intimidating teeth gleemed in the light as it threateningly opened its mouth. Fluttershy quietly told him to behave, stood, and looked at us, “Applejack, Lala, it’s good to see both of you,” she said.

“Yep, although this ain’t a socal call Fluttershy. We need a few fireworms.”

She looked at us, a look of confusion on her face, “Of course, by why? The Fireworms are dangerous. They’ll behave if I ask them to, but what do you need them for?”

I looked at her, “Lady Fluttershy, over a dozen individuals have eaten Raider’s Rye. They’re infected with its poison, and they need a cure. Wainwright the Weary has a cure in mind, but it requires fireworms.”

She nodded, “Of course. I know the cure he is talking about, and the fireworms should work. I’ll help you gather the number you need,” she looked at us both, “But afterward I expect all of the unused ones to be brought back. There’s no reason to leave them out in the world, and besides it would only be right for them to have the chance to have more babies.”

Lady Applejack rolled her eyes, “Flutters, ‘em critters are damned dangerous. Ah know that ya got a special place in yer heart fer all critters, but ‘em things just ignite like a torch and will burn anything that scares ‘em.”

Fluttershy sighed, “exactly, whatever scares them. Wouldn’t you try to stop whatever was scaring you too?”

With that she lifted into the air, and she led us into the forest. Once inside we neared what looked like a small shrine. Beside it was a flaming pit, and Fluttershy neared it, “Ummm, excuse me, please, but I have to ask a big favor.”

The fires died down, and I could see thousands of squirming worms.

“See, there are a few creatures that ate some very bad cursed plants,” she paused and nodded, “Yes, they need the magic inside a few of you,” she paused again, “Of course you can send the oldest of your group that is near their end,” she paused a final time, “I promise that any that are not used will return. Thank you.”

With that eighteen worms slowly crawled out. She lifted them, and turned toward us. She gave them to me, and I held them carefully.

“They’re very old, so please be careful.”

I nodded, “You have my word.”

The Village of Oppidum - Applejack’s P.O.V.

Ah helped carry the materials that Lala had needed. She kept sayin’ that Ah didn’t need ta, but truth be told Ah felt like it was only right. Ah looked at the village and Ah was amazed at the work the folks here had done. There was a wall surroundin’ it, making it look like a proper extension of the temple. The gates opened fer us, and we walked into the village proper. Ah followed Lala, not sure if’n my work clothes were really proper, but Ah ain’t like Rarity. Ain’t a darned need ta change every fifteen minutes just cause.

“Lady Lala,” a human said with a Lamia beside him, “I’ve got everything except for the few drops of Virgin blood.”

Lala looked mighty put out, but I touched her shoulder, “Ain’t a problem. Ah can spare a few drops.”

She looked at me, “Lady Applejack, are you certain?”

Ah nodded, “Sure as shootin’, sides, it gives me a chance ta look over this cure.”

We walked together, and the human neared me, “I am Wainwright the Weary,” he said.

The Lamia neared her other side, “I’m Miia, his wife,” she announced.

I gave a small laugh, “Thanks, Ah’m Applejack, floor guardian of the Temple, and it’s a pleasure ta meet ya both.”

We entered a small house and walked inta the basement. There he sat upon gettin’ that cure ta brewin’. Ah watched as he began ta mix the ingredients, and then he cast a small spell over the fireworms. They grew still, and he took eight of ‘em. True ta her word Lala put the rest inta a sack and we watched he finished the mixture into a batter. He then looked at me and Ah poked mah finger again. When I did I squeezed eight drops of blood inta that mixture. He then mixed it once more, and then he put the pan inta the stove. A moment later he took it out and Ah saw an odd lookin’ loaf of bread.

“Okay, let's take this too them,” he said.

We went inta the building where they were, and each of us took a chunk of the loaf, and gave it ta ‘em. They ate, then they all got ta gigglin’ more before they passed out. Ah looked at him and he nodded, “I just hope that we were able to save most of them,” he said.

Slowly most of them began ta wake up, but Ah noticed that about three were still. Ah touched ‘em and felt nothin’. The cure had killed ‘em instead of saved ‘em. Those that woke up looked horrified, but after some talk, and realizing that what had happened was a curse and not all of ‘em jest goin’ crazy they seemed to handle it better.

“Where did y’all find that wheat that ya ate befer ya got ta feelin’ all crazy?” Ah asked.

The oldest one, a minotaur cow, looked at the ground, “We stumbled upon an entire field of wheat about two days ago. It was a blessing because we were starving. We gathered it, ground it down, and made bread that night. By the next day we were even more hungry, and…” she whimpered, “We came across a caravan with calves, six of them, and Goddess forgive us, we ate them. We were just so hungry, and we couldn’t help it. We were just so hungry…”

The fellar that mixed it walked toward them, “It’s cured now. The hunger will never return if you never eat the plant, or bread made from it, again.”

She sniffed, “It doesn’t do anything for those that crossed our paths before, what do we do now?”

Ah looked at her, “Ya go on, knowing every day that ya’ll never make up fer it, and ya try anyway. Ya do everything ya can ta make up fer it.”