An Equestrian Rogue

Thorne was treated to what amounted to a sponge bath in order to clean his filthy body. It wasn’t what he wanted, but definitely felt it needed. He was sure to thank the doctor after she got over her blushing fit and handed him a towel to cover himself. He got a rather varied amount of creams applied to his burns and a helping of antiseptic and bandages applied to his cuts and scrapes. Doctor Heart managed to basically give his feet a rudimentary coating of gauze and bandages, turning the medical aid into makeshift socks. He appreciated that deeply, though he made the comment of having trouble keeping his feet dry if he went above deck.

That comment was shut down by the two guards that had taken up near the aid station. He had tried on several attempts to corral the pair of stallions in speaking more, but they weren’t having any of it. He was simply told to shut up and wait for the captain to return to interrogate him and he was lucky he wasn’t behind bars. Comments that got a few choice words out of Thorne for how rude they were. He got the doctor on his side on that front, though every time she looked into the man’s eyes, she seemed apprehensive of him.

He couldn’t blame her. He chalked it up to that natural sense he had discussed with himself earlier. ‘Perhaps they just know a predator when they see one,’ he reminded his mind with a sly shit-eating grin.

Thorne had managed to take up the only bed the doctor had down below deck, but was thankful to be inside of something that wasn’t made from rocks--a fact that he told the good doctor, which got another sympathetic smile from her. He admitted, internally, that her bedside manner was to be applauded. Even if she was a bit easily manipulated much like the captain. He had a record of fooling even the most practiced statesmen and officials, but they at least gave pushback. He chalked that up to humans being humans, however.

He found himself nearly dozing as the captain approached. He heard the familiar rattle of armor shifting as the guards saluted. He lazily peered over to the side and gave that soft smile to the captain.

“I’m amazed you’re not asleep, Thorne,” he casually remarked. “But it’s good that you aren’t. It’s time to finish that line of questioning.”

“Interrogate away, Captain Depths,” Thorne said with a gentle expression. The captain simply nodded and pulled a nearby stool close. The doctor looked between the two and sighed, excusing herself. The guards backed away as well.

“So, Lord Thorne. I know you said your name is Thorne, and you’ll likely be called that, but this is a proper questioning so titles are a must. If you were a noble of your world, then you deserve a bit of respect. I don’t fully believe it, but all you have is your word at the moment. And we try to give ponies the benefit of the doubt.”

“An admirable thing, captain. My people did the same.” Thorne replied. ‘With often terrible results.’ His inner voice tittered.

“Alright, first question, Lord Thorne: What force brought you here? Do you know?”

“No idea, captain. I awoke here. I was sleeping in my bed and suddenly I was here. I had a terrible nightmare and when I shot awake, it seemed the nightmare was real.”

“Describe it.”

“I was lying in a cavern in a desert wasteland. I didn’t think too much of it--we have such things in my world. I served a tour of duty in a desert not unlike that one. But I was naked. No weapons, no clothing, nothing but my wits to survive. Imagine my surprise when I awoke to find it true.” Thorne lied through his teeth. “Though I do remember feeling this… fire all around me. Something pulling me to that cavern. It was as if I fell through some sort of portal of someone’s making.”

“But you didn’t meet anyone or see anyone?”

“Not a soul! I was in someone’s hovel, clearly. I ransacked the place out of survival instinct and ran with my life like a thief in the night.”

“Hmm. Suppose I can’t blame you for that. Don’t go making that a habit, however.”

‘You’ve no idea.’

“I’ll try not to, captain,” Thorne playfully chuckled.

“So that marking on your back. That ‘tattoo’. You said it was something called ‘Black Roses’?”

Thorne actually gave an earnest smirk. “My Black Roses, yes. I led a… It sounds awful to say, but they were more-or-less a mercenary group. We came from all walks of life. A lot of us had served our respected nations for a long time only to be burned in some way. That’s where the name came from. We all felt betrayed and left for dead, so we denoted ourselves with a black rose, to show us mourning our deaths and subsequent rebirths. Rather morbid as I think back on it, but humanity always enjoys such symbolism.”

“Rather ominous and deep,” the captain said with wide eyes. “But shouldn’t be ashamed of being a mercenary. Plenty of mercenaries come and go around Equestria, though they aren’t as common as they are in places like where we’re heading. You’d probably find great work outside of Ponyville or the winter wastes surrounding Yakyakistan and the Crystal Empire.”

“Oh? May I ask why?”

“Hmm. Well Ponyville has the Everfree forest--a forest that is untamed and magical. Lots of monsters like to hide within it. The frozen wastes around the Crystal Empire have always been home to several dangerous animals that sometimes wander too close for comforts. Could get good bounties.” The captain replied with a hoof tapping his chin. He took the hoof up further and gripped his pipe, pulling it from his lips and tipping it over, dumping the burnt ash. “Probably looks odd that I have this in my mouth and not smoke it.”

“No, no, you’re fine. It brings me hope that your people have cigars and whiskey. And I understand the oral fixation. Brings a comfort.”

“You’ve no idea. But yes, we do have cigars and whiskey. Comforts of home, huh?” The captain chortled as he took out a tin from his pocket. He began the process of stuffing tobacco into his pipe and striking a match to light it. “Take it you’ve no qualms with me smoking, then.”

“None at all, captain.” Thorne turned his head away and lay back in the bed, shutting his eyes. “We’ve gotten off track, however. What else?”

“Right. That necklace.”

‘Oh fuck.’

“A rather funny looking moon carving. And something that looks like a star. What do they mean?” The captain raised a quizzical eyebrow.

‘Thank fuck!’

“Both are little symbols from my world. The moon is something called ‘The Crooked Moon’. It actually ties back to a little table-top game I played with friends.” Thorne spoke with a red face, hiding the truth behind the symbol. Even if using something from his world as a cover story, it still had a kernel of truth to it. And those were the best lies. It did remind him a lot of a rather in-depth game he played with friends.

“Oh? Anything like Ogres and Oubliettes?” The captain queried.

“That sounds a lot like Dungeons and Dragons of my world…” Thorne said, his face betraying an actual shocking revelation. “It’s not tied to it; a different game, actually, but… I’m curious, now.”

“Well the only table-top I know of is O-and-O. My little colt loves the game,” The captain said with a bit of pride. “In fact, I enjoy the time I get to play with him. Took a while to understand it, but I did eventually.”

“You sound like a proud parent. And a rather good father at that…” there was a twinge of sadness in Thorne’s voice. “I hope your… colt… cherishes you for years to come.”

Thorne actually looked away and then gave a soft chuckle. “Colts and fillies. That’s right. It’s still sinking in that I’m in another world. Stallions and mares. I believe you used the term ‘ponykind’. And I heard the good doctor mention ‘everypony’. The terminology is going to take some time to get used to.”

The man turned back and sighed. “Anyway. Sentiments aside, yes. ‘Crooked Moon’ is what one means. The second is an alchemical symbol in my world. It has ties to the occult--magic. It’s known as the ‘Chaos Star’.”

The captain immediately rose to his hooves, shoving the stool over. “Chaos Star?” he said with a concerned tone and a stoic face.

‘Uh oh. Something is off…’

“What do you know about chaos, Thorne? Do you know of Discord?” The captain asked, pressing closer to the human.

“Uh... “ he stalled. “I know what discord means in terms of definition… And I know that it is a force of the universe. But the universe is chaos. Or at least, it seems that way to me.”

The captain squinted. “Do. You. Know. The Draconequus. Discord?” An accusing hoof began prodding at Thorne’s chest. “I will not have one of his pranks roaming around Equestria unchecked. Even if he is quote-unquote reformed!”

“The fuck is a Draconequus?” Thorne’s earnest tone came out, the mask crumbling for a moment. “Er. Pardon my swearing.” He grumbled and cleared his throat.

The captain blinked. “‘Fuck’. Sounds like ‘buck’.”

“Wait, you lot say ‘buck’?” The human said in disbelief. “That’s… actually adorable. Wait! If someone were to jump onto your back, wouldn’t you need to buck them off? Or is it one of those swears that changes depending on context?”

The captain coughed. It was his turn to clear his throat. “Yes, context.”

‘Neat! Bucking can’t wait to swear in pony language. I love new swears.’ Thorne thought in almost child-like wonder.

“Back to the matter at hoof,” the captain continued. “You know the concept of discord and chaos, but not the literal incarnation of it?”

‘Ha, ‘matter at hoof’. Wait, what? Oh fuck, right!’ Thorne shrugged, coming from his mental amusement. “Not at all. You’re speaking about him like he’s some kind of god-like being.”

“He is.” The captain deadpanned. “Supposedly he’s up there with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

‘Ah I have names. Okay, let’s reverse this interrogation.’

“Who?”

“Right, you don’t know them. The rulers of our nation. Along with them, Princess Cadence and her husband, Prince Shining Armor, and Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The captain spoke the words like a proud citizen.

‘No one knows OPSEC here and it shows. That or they’re very, very, trusting. Like stupidly so.’

“I… see…” Thorne feigned a bit of ignorance. He didn’t know their names, but he knew that there were four Princesses. Four targets. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“I’d tell you more, but surely you understand,” the captain said in a sudden grim shift in tone, as if understanding he let sensitive leak to a foreigner. “We’re not exactly sure where you stand.”

Thorne simply gave him a pleasant but fake smile. “I understand. I’m an outsider. I wouldn’t trust me either.”

‘I suppose that works for now.’

“Are we done here, captain? I’m rather tired. I’d like to get some shut-eye.” Thorne yawned, hamming it up for effect.

The captain nodded. He turned and fixed the stool he had knocked over. “I suppose we’re done for now. We’ll be pulling into port by late afternoon tomorrow. Hope you don’t mind wearing a towel for a while.”

Thorne chuckled. “It’s fine. I understand. I take it I’ll be transferred to a jail cell for further questioning?”

The captain began to trot off. “That’s the gist of it. At least for another day or so. You’ll need to undergo a magical scan to assess your health, biology, and mental wellbeing.”

A lump formed in the man’s throat. ‘Magical scan?!’ “That…” he swallowed, “That sounds rather invasive… But I understand.” He tried to sound cordial and understanding. His mind was racing with panic.

“Mm. Well have a good night, Lord Thorne.”

“You too, Captain Depths.”

‘I’m screwed.’ Thorne thought to himself as he laid back into the bed. He found the pull of sleep taking him. He wanted to ignore it. He wanted to fight through it and think of ways to avoid such a thing. He would be damned if his journey ended due to them scanning him and finding out what the truth was!

But no matter how hard he tried to keep awake in order to plan, a rejuvenating slumber found him.