The Crown of Eques

Sitting there in the cool room smelling of straw. He stared wearily at one of the apples he had dumped out earlier. Picking it up he idly rolled it from hoof to hoof. The simple motions calming his senses as he allowed his thoughts to drown out Garard's voice behind him.

Good Goddess how his 'adventure' had gone careening off the rails. And just to think how well it started. "Plenty of money, food, and warm clothes. The ability to speak!"

He angrily squeezed the the apple between his hooves at that vexation. He thought of Iron Blood. He was just beginning to feel a connection with her. Someone he might be able to team up with. Sure he had relationships before, passing acquaintances around home. But no one he could really make a connection with and get close to.

It seemed he was always watching other ponies through a telescope. Ships passing on the horizon. But nopony wanting to sail with him. He tried to vent his anger and frustration on the fruit. It was one of the smaller kind. probably a baking apple. So it stubbornly resisted and mocked his pathetic attempt at strength. And now he once again found himself alone. Only now death was literally around every corner.

"What was I thinking doing a foalish thing like this." He reprimanded himself. He had put all his chips on red, and came up black. With nothing left to his name now but the clothes on his, wait. Wings on his back. he gave a huff through his nostrils as he brought his wings around to give himself a weak hug. "At least he could still fly. Live the tramp life. Begging for food. What did I do so rong to put me here?"

His thoughts went on as he replayed the wagon ride. Garard's comments on Equestrians. What had happened to warrant such scorn towards his homeland? He couldn't remember anypony saying anything about politics outside Equestria. And Iron's last words.

"Oh Goddess!" His wings flared in trepidation. Dropping the apple at the thought of what he might do if he knew he was from Equestria. The thought of those powerful claws grabbing onto him and ripping him apart.

"Good Goddess!" The memories of all the violence he had just witnessed over the past hour flashed through his mind. The way they had shrugged off shooting that pegasus down. The brutal way they hacked the head off that other griffin. "At this rate, by tomorrow I'll be wingless, legless, or dead. If I'm lucky."

"Mark my words Peaty, if you don't turn back now, only misery and misfortune await you." the prophecy of the griffin from the train echoed in his mind. Chilling him to the bone.

"That's it! I'm going home!" he thought, Looking at the door. "If I bolt now while he's busy I might just." Then he felt a presence behind him. Slowly he turned his head and beheld the giant griffin towering over him.

His wings snapped to his sides rooting him too the ground in fear. He ducked his head and closed his eyes with a squeek. Throwing his forehooves into the air. And down came the big griffin's claws.

Talons piercing and tearing soft pony flesh. Crushing and smashing fragile pony bones. Threading pony hooves into coat sleeves down to the shoulders and wrapping it snugly around pony tummies.

"Wait. What!?" Peatmoss's eyes poped back open to see Garard crouching down in front of him. His big sharp claws gently poking and tugging the fabric knots into their adjacent loops. His benevolent care reminded him of when his mother used her magic to help him button up his shirt for Sunday outings.

"There, how's that? not to tight?" Garard asked as he brushed at it. "Sorry, but no wing holes. We'll have to wait till I find a knife or something. I can't use my claws. I might just shred it."

Despite the tightness around the middle from his wings it fit well. It was made from almost uniform colored patches of reddish brown. The quilting ran in a diamond shaped pattern and every other had a shape or design embroidered on it. separating each diamond was a thin ribbon and each patch had a knotted leather stud at it's corner. The inside lining was a wooly off white fur that puffed out at the collar and cuffs.

"Sweet Celestia it was cozy and warm. Had he really been so cold all this time that he had grown numb?" he thought as he nuzzled the fur at the collar.

"Oh! Right. Mare smell." Peatmoss thought sheepishly, looking over to see Garard had covered Iron Bloom with a cloth from somewhere. "Gonna need to wash it when I get the chance." Then the muffled howl of the dragon could be heard out side the door.

"Terik's blood! That dragon's still out there." said Garard as he walked over to the door and peeked outside. "I hope Balgriff and the others made it away in time. I was going to fly the two of you out but now I can imagine there's no distractions left out there." Suddenly voices can be heard from beyond the gate into the keep.

"Keep searching! I can't go back to Haven with only two heads. I'm going to nip out and grab the ones we left in the courtyard. If I come back and find you cowards dilly-dallying, I'll up my quota by other means. now move it!"

"And it keeps getting better." Garard growled as he drew his crossbow he took from Juniper. looking it over to make sure it was ready just as three Guards came into veiw.

"Well what do we have here?" said the guard captain. Two little Stormwing heads waiting to get chopped? There's only two of them. Get the gate open!"

"Steal yourself Meadblood" Garard said with a grim look. "The ancestors are watching us."

"Oh no." thought Peat as he felt the bloody grip of despair tightening on his spirit.

As soon as the gate had lifted high enough the first griffin guard charged in with his sword raised. There was a loud SNAP and Garard loosed his bolt. It flew so fast it was as if it just suddenly appeared in the guard's face, dropping him instantly.

"Die rebel!" shouted the captain as he dodged around the dead guard and swung his ax at Garard. Turning his crossbow sideways, Garard deflected the blow and counterstruk with the crossbow stirrup. The captain stumbled back a few steps and looked at Peat before returning his attention back to Garard.

"Juniper! Kill the pony. The griffin's mine." Peatmoss turned his attention away from the two griffins as they re engaged each other and saw the unicorn trot towards him with a iron mace floating in his magic.

"I'm sorry prisoner, but you must die now." He menaced Peat with slow sweeps of his mace. A determined look on his face.

Peatmoss knew all too well the sort of damage that weapon could do. He backed away looking for any way out. With his wings stuck under his coat he couldn't fly. The gate was still open but Juniper wasn't about to allow him to run. And if he did who's to say he wouldn't run into more of them.

Backing up, he bumped into something. He turned his head and saw he was against the wall. When he looked back Juniper had took the advantage and swung. Instinctively Peatmoss flinched. But it was to late. The studs of the mace smashed into his ear and tore deep gashes through his scalp.

Collapsing to the ground his head gushed blood. "Not this again." he thought as Juniper stood over him.

"Finish him!" yelled the captain. " this isn't training. Kill Him!"

"I'm sorry." Juniper whispered and brought the mace down square on his head. Crushing it like a pumpkin.

Peatmoss has Died...

============GAME OVER.===========

"No! I am Meadblood! I Must LIVE!"

======RELOADING PREVIOUS SAVE====

"Juniper! Kill the pony. The griffin's mine." shouted the captain.

"I'm sorry prisoner, but you must die now." Juniper closed in swinging the mace to and frow.

Peatmoss had fled in fear leaving Meadblood in his place.

"It's do or die." he told himself "Kill or be killed." He fained fear and stepped back. Juniper advanced. Peatmoss wanted to live and Meadblood will protect him.

He bumped into the wall behind him. he looked back and Juniper lunged. Meadblood bucked off the wall and cannoned into the surprised Juniper. Knocking him on his back. Climbing on top of him Meadblood lay into him with his forehooves. Left right left right. Again and again.

Though determined the blows were inexperienced and Juniper managed to cover his head after the first few strikes. His horn glowed and a heavy blow of the mace struck his back. Meadblood rolled away to evade another. the blow had struck between his wings so with them and the coat, it bruised rather than broke his back. they both jumped to their hooves and faced off. But this time his back was to the open gate.

"Run! Run away!" Peatmoss whined from the back of his mind.

"No!"Meadblood snapped back "I'm not a coward. I don't run. we must finish this." Juniper hefted the mace and floated it to his side. Meadblood widened his stance and readied for the next attack. Then Juniper lowered his horn pointing it to the right of Meadblood.

Following his aim, Meadblood saw the sword had extricated it's self from the grasp of the dead griffin and was orientating it's point in his direction. He twisted himself away as it flew past him and embedded point first into the wooden chest beside him.

Juniper gave a frustrated growl and leveled his horn at him and a blast of telekinesis flew. Meadblood dodged to the right and closed the distance. Juniper made a desperate swing but Meadblood caught it with his forehooves. Swinging it back and smashing into his shoulder. Juniper cried out in pain and tumbled to the floor.

Juniper's cry snapped Peatmoss back as he held the mace aloft ready to strike again. Peatmoss stared down at the hurt unicorn cowering beneath him. His hooves up in anticipation of the next blow.

"Surrender?" he asked through his bandages as he lowered the mace. Whether or not he understood the mumbling sound Peatmoss made he never found out. But he saw Juniper's horn light up again and heard the sound of a blade being pulled from wood.

And in the blink of an eye, Meadblood shoved Peatmoss away. Snatching the sword from the air as it flew he redirected it point down into Juniper. His armor resisted at first but Meadblood threw his weight against it and drove it down into his chest.

Juniper wailed along with Peatmoss inside his head as he clutched the blade buried in his chest. Peatmoss, as he watched Juniper's life flicker and blow out in his eyes, cried out in utter horror at what he had done. But the adrenaline was surging through Meadblood's vanes drowning out Peatmoss's sorrow.

"We had to." Meadblood stated flatly. "He would have killed us. He refused to surrender. It was do or die. We had no choice." But Peatmoss was unconsolable.

Meadblood on the other hoof felt a desire to smile. The adrenaline coursing through him was intoxicating. Their body was a buzz with the feeling of life and pride at his accomplishment. He the youngest brother had beaten the odds and survived.

But Peatmoss inside him was like a heavy rain cloud. Dampening the once flammable kindling. Till the roaring fire was stifled to a cold stone of gilt and hunger from the rush.

"Damned useless horn head!" said the guard captain as he renewed his efforts against Garard.

Meadblood looked and saw the two griffins were now locked in a death struggle. The captain had his left claw latched onto Garard's crossbow as he pinned him against the wall. His ax held aloft as he struggled to push it down into Garard's face.

While Garard, his right arm pinned, had his left on the captain's ax hand. Fighting a loosing battle as the ax blade slowly came down at his head.

Yanking the sword from Juniper's body Meadblood tucked it under his arm like a lance and charged. Angling the tip up he drove it under the captain's armor skirting and into his upper right thigh.

The captain howled in pain as he dropped to one knee. Garard pulled his right arm free and raked his claws across the captain's face.

Meadblood flinched back as droplets of blood spattered him. Grabbing the captain's ax hand with both hands he twisted and drove the blade into the gap above his breastplate.

The captain gave a warbling gargle as he collapsed into his back. Meadblood took a step back as he looked up at the big griffin. That ancient fear of prey in the presence of a powerful predator.

Garard stood there panting from exertion. His chest heaving and his right talon dripping blood and bits of feather down as he gazed at his slain enemy. Then he looked over at him and Meadblood gave another step back.

"Are you alright?" Meadblood gave a nod. "Good job. Nice and clean." he said. Glancing over at the dead unicorn before turning his attention back to the dead griffin before him.

"This is for Black Claw." he said as he moved to the captain's side. Garard raised the ax once and hue the captain's head from his body. Then he crouched down and drew the sword from were Meadblood had left it. Tucking the ax in his belt as he did.

"Now. Let's have those wings out." he said. Wiping the blade off as he stepped over the body towards Meadblood.

Meadblood's eyes went wide as he saw the talons reaching for him and fell on his butt. Scooting back in panic.

"Relax."Garard reassured as he held his talons up defensively. "I'm just going to cut a couple of slots in the back of your coat for your wings. You want to fly again don't you?"

Meadblood blinked in realisation and flushed. The brief panic, though a little justified made him feel silly. Giving a nod, he stepped forward and turned his back. Watching Garard kneel behind him over his shoulder, he saw him take the sword tip between his thumb and foretalon. He had to fight the urge to buck or bolt as the digits wormed their way under his coat and sought out the roots of his wings. Once satisfied with the location he maneuvered his talons between the wing and inside lining of the coat. With careful short strokes he cut a slot.

"Juniper and I grew up together." Garard stated as he worked. "Perhaps I should have killed him myself when I could. But I had hope he would, I don't know. Come around I suppose." Putting down the sword and coaxing the wing through the slit before starting on the other.

"His family was a decent sort. I just don't look forward to having to tell his mother his fate." Thoughts of what he had done trickled into his mind. But he quickly stopped up the flow. Peatmoss couldn't handle the thoughts of who he killed having friends or family who would morn his death.

"He did what he had to, to survive." Meadblood said to himself. "Do or die. Kill or be killed." The words becoming a mantra in him to soothe the stony feeling in his hart.

"There. How does that feel?" Garard asked. Stepping back to admire his work. Meadblood stretched his wings out and went through his daily exercises feeling the full range of motion. It felt good to move them again. They were a little to far apart but not really worth complaining about. Even if he could and another round of charades would be hardly worth it.

"Not bad if I say so myself. Of course I'm no clothing smith. Will you be able to fly well enough like that?" Meadblood did a short crouch and pushed off the ground. (Clunk) Right in to the ceiling.

"I thought you were alot higher." he grumbled to himself. he landed glaring up and rubbing the bump on his head. The griffin smiled but bit his tongue. There was another muffled howl and the walls and ceiling trembled.

"We better get moving. Before that dragon brings this place down on our heads."Garard said as he moved through the gate and down the hall. Peatmoss took one parting look at were Iron Bloom lay before trotting after him.

Down the hall they took a left at the intersection then a right around a bend and stopped at a collapsed part. Then a pare of voices could be heard drifting up from a stairwell to their left.

"And what if that dragon comes down after us? What then?"

"Don't be daft! Even if it were to carry off the entire keep. It still needs to dig down to get at us. And by then we'll be down and out through the caves before it can catch us." Garard made a shooshing motion. Putting a claw to his beak as he looked back at Meadblood. Creeping down the stairs he stopped at the bottom and peeked around the corner into the room the voices were coming from.

inside there were two griffin guards and two griffin stormwings locked in heavy iron cells. One was sitting with his back to them at an iron brazer dressed in an armored robe with a hood. while the other was standing at an open door on the far side of the room.

"But those caves are creepy." complained the one at the door looking out. "Full of bugs bears and who knows."

"Waa waa waa. All you ever say." said the one at the brazer as he jabbed at the hot coals and watched the end of the metal poker glowing. " Why do I have to guard the dungeon Spindle. Why can't I sit next to the fire too Spindle. Gripe gripe gripe. Shut your trap." Spindle punctuated by jabbing the poker at the other guard. Despite him not seeing it. "All we have to do is watch the prisoners till the captain gets back from his little errand. And then we chops their heads off. And then quicker than you can say, bob's your uncle we'll be on our way back to Sweet Haven." Crouching down on all fours Garard padded up behind Spindle.

"If you say so. But he's been gone for awhile now. What if he's been," At that moment the guard at the door turned and spotted Garard. "Behind you!" Before Garard could strike Spindle jumped to his paws. Knocking the chair away as he brandished a staff topped with a glowing crystal.

Meadblood was surprised to see that Spindle was barely a head taller then him. His top and neck feathers were black and from the back of his small black beak to the back of his head was white like a chickadee pattern. His staff crackled with energy and his eyes went white with light as he addressed the intruders.

"Stormwing fools! Now you face me! and all the powers of, Hey!" Before he could finish casting his spell Garard had snatched the staff from his talons and tossed it back to Meadblood. Spindle's face creased with anger as his eyes returned to normal. "How dare you! Your insolence will not be tolerated!" Flipping open a tall pouch at his side he pulled out a scroll and thrust it into Garard's face. With a snatch it to joined Meadblood's hooves. Spindle's anger turned to a boiling rage. The white of his face changing red with fury.

"No fair! I am a high mage of the royal court! I will not be (Awck)" his rant cut off as Garard grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.

"Release the prisoners or else!" Garard growled as Spindle kicked and flapped.

"Do your worst rebel scum! You will see the metal of a loyal court mage!" Garard swung his arm and dangled him over the burning brazer. Spindle squawked and clucked in panic as he felt the heat on his paws.

"The Keys. Now!"

"The Keys! The Keys! Give him his Keys! By the great egg don't cook me!" Spindle near instantly broke. The other guard dashed to a spot on the wall and took a keyring from a hanger. Garard swung him back away from the fire. "You and your friends will pay for your impertinence rebel. Your sad devotion to that false king will be your undoing. This slight will not go in answered!" Spindle wheezed and spat. The guard not sure on what to do now paused as he held the keys. Looking from Spindle to Garard and back.

"Release the prisoners. Now!" Demanded Garard as he moved Spindle back to the fire.

"Release the prisoners!!" squawked Spindle as he felt the singeing heat return to his backside. "By merciful Scorpan's sake! Release them!" Quickly the guard did so and as soon as both cells were opened Garard took the scorched Spindle away from the fire and stuffed him into a nearby hanging cage.

"Garard. Meadblood. Are we glad to see you. We thought we were goners for sure." said one of the griffin prisoners as the other locked the unarmed guard in a cell. "Balgriff? is he with you?" Meadblood assumed these were the two that were mentioned earlier. Ferris and Wilferd

"No." Garard answered. "We split up. Him, Barrow, Fundin, and Godwin made a break for it over the wall."

"I hope that dragon roasts him good." Spat Spindle. Shakeing the door to his cage. "It's better than a traitor deserves." Garard scowled at him. Then hooked the brazer with his ax and dragged it in Spindle's direction. Spindle's eyes went wide and he clapped his talons over his beak. Silencing himself.

"We saw Flax and Sparrow get hit with that rock." said Ferris. Passing a sword to Wilferd. "We then got caught and locked up down here."

"What happened to Iron Bloom?" asked the first noticing Meadblood's coat. Garard followed his gaze to Meadblood before answering.

"She was mortally wounded. She gave Meadblood her gear before she died."

"Damn." said Ferris. Crestfallen.

"I'm going to miss her at the fire." said Wilferd. Looking away. "She knew some bloody good drinking songs."

"Aye." Returned Garard. "Our loss, Scorpan's gain. Her, Black Claw, Flax, and Sparrow will be rocking the Asher blue till the dawn of the final age. But until then, there is work to be done. Let's keep moving." Going into the next room they find a storehouse filled with barrels and crates.

"Spread out and grab any potions or supplies we may need." commanded Garard. Finding two small sacks, Meadblood tied their pull strings together and proceeded to fill them with any apples and carrots he found.

"Meadblood look" called Garard holding up a bottle of greyish pink fluid. "Bone mender potion. Now we can get that jaw fixed. aye?" After slinging the sacks over his back he trotted over.

"We're done here." said Ferris

"Go on ahead and scout the tunnel. answered Garard. "There should be a way out through there. This'll only take a few minutes." As Ferris and Wilferd moved on, Garard set the bottle down and unwrapped the bandages from Meadblood's face. He groaned in relief as they were pulled away. Uncorking the bottle Garard cradled his jaw as he poured it's contents into Meadblood's mouth.

Swallowing the foul, medicinal flavored liquid he felt the pain begin to subside as a buzzy tingling replaced it.

"It may take an hour or so to fully set." Garard said as he rebound his muzzle. "Till then you had best keep it bandaged." Meadblood gave a tired snort and slumped. "Not to worry Meadblood." he reassured "We'll have you back in fighting shape soon enough. Come on. We're keeping the others waiting." Together they forged on.

The tunnel twisted and turned as it fallowed a downward grade. The stone block walls changing to a rough hewn cave the farther they went. Soon they came to a turn that Farris and Wilferd had stopped at.

"There's a larger cavern up ahead." said the one. "We count four guards. If we go in fast we can take them by surprise." Suddenly Meadblood feels a pop of bone in his jaw and clamps his hooves to it. Wincing at the unexpected movement.

"Alright." said Garard. Readying his ax. "Each one to the closest guards. Meadblood are you ready?" He rubbed at the side of his head but nodded. "Stay with us unless you see a way to back us up." He nodded again and flared his wings to signal he was ready. A whiff of the Rush tantalizing his palette. Whispering promises of that feeling. "All together then. For Balgriff."

"For Balgriff!" they shouted together as they all dashed around the corner. Ferris with the spear skewered the first and Wilferd tackled the next. Garard and Meadblood charged the third as he turned and loosed an arrow. The rushed shot struck Garard in the left shoulder slowing him. Leaving Meadblood to fly by. The thrill beckoned. So he poured on speed and slammed into the nameless guard with hooves outstretched as he drew another arrow.

But instead of poofing away. Like what would normally happen with a cloud went he hit it like that, he only was knocked onto his back winded and groaning. Meadblood tumbled head over hooves to a stop against the wall somehow managing to not hit his head. Dazedly he got to his hooves in time to see Garard reach the fallen guard and finish him.

"That jerk!" Meadblood thought to himself as he glared at Garard. "He stole my kill!" That thought sent a shock through him as if he had been slapped.

He flinched as an arrow whizzed just above his head. He looked and saw the fourth guard drawing another arrow. Spurred by the narrow miss, Meadblood launched into motion again. Bucking away the gilt, he leaped into the air. The guard's next shot went high, way too high. As if he had just given up and dropped the bow to his paws. Remembering the last one, Meadblood controlled his strike and hit him with enough force to knock him on his back.

Without letting up Meadblood pummeled the guard's face with his forehooves. But by the fourth stomp, he realized something was rong. It was like he was punching a bail of hay. As he stepped back he looked the guard over then spotted the arrow sticking out of his head. Looking back to were they had entered he saw one of his griffin companions was now holding a bow. The guard was probably dead before he had reached him.

"I've been cheated again." Meadblood ranted to himself as he left Peatmoss in disgust and shame.

Peatmoss dropped to his rump and stared at his hooves. "What is rong with me?" he thought to himself. He felt ashamed and grateful at the same time. He didn't feel like himself anymore. Every thought seemed to have gotten tangled up like aknot of yarn.

"Good job Meadblood." said Garard as he came up beside him. "You have the making of a true warrior in you." Peatmoss looked up at him and asked

"Am I a bad pony?"

"What?" asked Garard. Only hearing a muffled mumble. In frustration Peatmoss scraped at the bandages until they came loose and pulled away. He took a deep breath and, the words caught in his mouth. He tried again but still nothing. Then his eyes drifted to the shaft buried in his shoulder.

"Does that hurt?!" he asked in alarm. pointing out the wound. His eyes popping wide as memories of Iron Bloom's painful end flashed through his mind.

"Hm?" asked Garard as he followed his wide eyed gaze. "Oh that? It's just a scratch." he answered. Gripping the shaft in his talon, snapping it off and tossing away the fletching. "Nothing a healing potion can't fix."

"Let me take a look at that." said Wilferd as he alighted beside him. Without so much as a word of protest, Garard kneeled and allowed the younger griffin to pick and prod at his shoulder wound. After a few seconds the arrow head was pulled free. "Feels like it cut into the muscle. No bone damage." Garard just gave a cert nod of thanks before clamping onto the cork of a red healing potion, popping it free, and downing it's content.

"Jackpot." said Ferris as his looting of the dead griffin guard bore fruit in the form of a jingling leather bag.

"Come on Ferris." said Wilferd, tossing away the arrow head. "let's scout ahead. The exit can't be much further." With that the two dash off.

"Are you alright Meadblood?" Garard asked. Sitting down and rubbing at his mending wound." Looking up he saw the concerned look on the griffin's face. Now that he could speak he wasn't sure what he wanted to say.

"I, hum. To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel. So much has changed in my life over the past few days. I feel like I'm not who I once was. And I'm not sure if I like what I'm becoming."

"Is that so?" he asked with a inquisitive look. Tell me about yourself as we walk." He gave a roll of his shoulder as he turned and lead the way down the twisting cavern. "Where are you from Meadblo, Er. I guess I should start with your name."

"Huh? Oh. It's Peatmoss."

"Peat moss? You're named after dirt?" he asked. Pausing to look at him sceptically.

"No. It's because of my palette." he responded. Gesturing to his brown fur and green mane. "By the way, I've been trying to figure out why you guys keep calling me Meadblood?"

"Ah. That?" he answered with a chuckle. As they went on. "Funny story that one. You remember when we met in South rim?"

"How can I forget." smirked Peatmoss. Brushing his cheek with a hoof.

"Well, when you got laid out on the street by that guard, mead started to pour out of you and made a puddle. scared the guard something fierce. Kept saying it was some terrible omen. Of course afterwards when they stripped you down they found the broken mead jugs. But just about everyone there saw it. And since you were in no condition to object, it stuck."

"Seriously?! Who would bleed honey wine?" Garard stopped and shrugged

"We can't control what happens to us. Only how we react." Just then, there was a sound of crumbling rock and dirt ahead of them. "Uh-oh. That sounded like a cave in! I hope those two didn't do anything stupid. Or Worse." They both broke into a run and soon came to a more natural cave system.

To the left off the beaten path were two cave branches. Straight ahead the path lead up to a stonework frame that was now choked with rocks and rubble.

"No no no." shouted Garard in frustration. "We were so close!" Grabbing at the rubble, he pulled away any loose stones he could but was forced to jump back as more dirt and rock tumbled down. "Tirek's teeth!" he huffed before turning to look over the branching caves. "You're not afraid of a little cave crawling are you Meadblo, I mean Petmiss? No Pee, Pem? Uh." Peatmoss sighed and stopped him before he hurt himself.

"It's Peatmoss. But I don't mind if you keep calling me Meadblood. And no. I don't mind caves. Though I am getting tired of seeing nothing but rock over my head." Garard gave a nod. "Tell you what, Peat said taking the lead. "I'll go down the left one. You take the right. If one of us finds a way out, we'll come back here. Agreed?"

"Alright." Garard replied and they both went down their respective paths. After walking what had to be less then a hundred yards, Peatmoss came to a dead end. There, half buried under fallen rocks was a desiccated skeleton of a griffin. Clutched in one talon was the broken haft of a pickaxe and in the other was held a glittery chunk of natural gold. Taking it in his hooves, he looked it over.

He had heard of griffins being overly greedy when it came to gold and treasure. But until he came here, he thought it was just a silly stereotype. Then he looked at the pitiful pinned skeleton and sighed at the sad scene. Stepping forward, he placed the gold chunk back into it's boney claws.

"It must've ment alot to you. So I won't rob you." he finished. Giving the scull a gentle pat and turned to go.

"help me." Peatmoss froze at the distant echoing plea. He looked back at the skeleton expecting to see a ghost or something. But there was nothing. "Help!" came the call again, and he realized it was coming from back the way he had come.

"Garard!" he wispered in panic and bolted back up to the cave junction. Bursting back into the cave were they had parted, he gave a quick look around but he wasn't there. Running over to the other cave he called down. "Garard!" He waited a few seconds but no response came. So he dove in.

This cave seemed somehow darker than the other. So dark that he did more feeling then seeing. Then he found the cave walls, floors, and ceiling turn from hard rocky ground to a soft bouncy surface. Bending down, he tested it with his hoof. It had a springy feeling to it. Almost what he thought the inside of a balloon would feel like.

Flaring his wings, he twitched their tips to create a slight breeze around him. A technique he found when he was younger to feel the layout of dark rooms. It only worked out to about four or five feet so it was perfect for this to avoid bumping into or tripping over obstacles.

Walking on he soon came to a spot that opened up. In the center was a shaft of light from a hole in the ceiling. Walking into the center of the circle, he got a good look at the floor. It was white like fresh snow, but fiberis like spider silk. But seriously, it would take hundreds of thousands of spiders to make this much. Stepping back to get a wider veiw, his back hoof kicked something.

Turning around he picked the long object up in his hooves and moved it into the light. It was the sword Garard had used. Then he heard a creaking scratching sounds all around him. Subtle at first, but growing closer and more numerous by the second. Squinting his eyes he spotted large dark things moving about just outside of his little circle of light.

"Ok. He thought to himself. "Not hundreds of thousands of little ones, but ten too twenty really big ones."

"Uh. Hello?" Peatmoss called into the darkness. "Sorry to intrude but, I was looking for my friend. have you seen him?" There was no answer, but the dark shapes drew closer. The tips of their legs just outside of his circle of light. "Listen!" Meadblood shouted into the dark mass. Flaring his wings again aggressively. "If you don't start talking or something, I'll just assume you're all some kind of monsters and start bringing the pain!"

He stood his ground as the room grew silent. He gave a twitch of his wingtips and caught the feeling of dead air behind him. That only ment one thing. spinning around he beheld a big, and when I say big I mean huge. And when I say huge I mean pony size, hairy, eight legged freak spider!

It slowly descended from the ceiling, it's hairy legs spread wide like an acrobat. Gently it touched down and drew it's self up in an aggressive stance. Meadblood transferred the sword to his mouth and pointed the tip at the menacing arachnid

"Make my day." Meadblood growled around the sword hilt. The spider gave a shrek and lunged. Meadblood thrust and sank the sword into it's open face, twisted, and withdrew. It stumbled back to the edge of the light before flipping onto it's back and curling up.

Meadblood smiled with undampenned joy as the Rush filled his body. He felt Peatmoss's moral fetters fall away. And he was given free rain, to bring the pain. The mob of arachnids surged forward but Meadblood had taken to the air.

"Let's get this party started with a light show!" he yelled in glee, shooting up to the hole. He turned and bucked at the rim once. The spiders scattered as stones and dirt rained down. He bucked again as they skittered up the walls. Then he bucked one last time as they converged on him. But it was to late.

Rocks and debris showed down as light poured in. And like a pinball he flew around the room crushing, slashing, bucking, and stabbing. No remorse and no sorrow. Just honest carnage till the room was painted in green ichor, broken carapace, and severed twitching legs.

Fluttering to the center of the room, he stuck the sword into the ground and leaned against it as he surveyed the beautiful art he had made.

"Now where was I?" Peatmoss said as Meadblood curled up for a well deserved nap in the back of his mind. "Oh right!" Peatmoss took to the air and examined the various silken bundles around the room. Then he spotted it. A large fresh white pod.

Picking up the sword he went and carefully sawed away at the side until it opened up. Depositing the griffin onto the ground. Garard's eyes cracked open as he gave a groan.

"Meadblood? Is that you?" he asked as he looked up at the grinning almost entirely green colt staring down at him.

============Level up!============

Stamina increase + 10.
New perk (Light weapons).
(Pony at arms). Increase weapon damage when wielding light weapons by +20%.
Debuff removed.