Beauty in the Darkby WaywardSonChapters1. The Shortcut2. The Ambush3. Sold!1. The ShortcutEntry #1 I don't know what to write here, but here goes. If that damned lizard is going to give me paper and quills, I'll make use of it. Not that I expect anypony will ever read it but maybe it will help me sort out my thoughts. I suppose I should start somewhere. My name is Moon Petal, diplomatic courier to the court of Princess Celestia of Equestria, and I am a prisoner. I'm still not really sure what my captor wants from me. If it was just the diplomatic pouch we had, I wouldn't still be here. They've already proven they will kill... They might still kill me. I'm just not sure, but ever since he learned I'm pregnant, they started treating me almost half-decently. After how he was treating me at first, I'm honestly a little frightened at what this change could mean, for me and for my foal. No, I can't think that way. We've undoubtedly been declared overdue at this point, so ponies will be searching for us. With a little luck they will find where we were ambushed and maybe track our attackers back here. Star showed they aren't unbeatable. Alright. I need to record what happened while it's still fresh in my mind, just in case. Starshine deserves to be remembered... By Celestia! It hurts so much to think about it. I have to get this written, though. It all started with what should have been a routine mission to the court of Queen Novo on Mount Aris. Starshine and I brought a diplomatic pouch along the coastal route with no incident, as we have many times before. The trip back is where it all went wrong. “On your left,” Starshine called out with a laugh, swooping past Moon Petal as she glided over the vast taiga forest north of Mount Aris. He tilted his wings and looped over in front of her, flashing her a wink. Moon Petal rolled her eyes, her own smile growing at the performance. “Enjoy it while you can, Star. If it weren't for this fatigue, I would be the one flying circles around you.” With a streak of midnight-blue, the stallion flew another circle around her, falling into formation at her wingtip. “I could get used to this,” he mused, still grinning. “How many foals did you say you wanted?” “Let's get through this pregnancy first,” Moon Petal said patiently, casting him a sidelong look. “Besides, you'd really get bored carrying diplomatic pouches without me if I'm always bare-hoofed and pregnant.” She chuckled, but almost immediately groaned and pressed a hoof to her belly. Starshine's grin vanished, replaced with wide-eyed concern. “Are you OK, Moon?” He zipped in closer, reaching a foreleg over her shoulders. “What's happening?” She nodded her head without speaking, gently pushing him back with one hoof. Still rubbing her belly she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I'm fine,” she said at last. “Just a little nauseous.” “Do you need to rest? Some water? I think there's some crackers and mint tea in my pack.” “Star, stop acting like I'm going to break.” She hovered in front of him, reaching up and touching his chin with her hoof. “The doctor said I might get some fatigue and nausea in the early months, and that's all that's happening. I'm fine.” Starshine didn't look convinced. “Yeah, but are you sure she knows what she's talking about? I mean, I'm sure she's a good doctor and all, but she's a hippogriff. What does she know about pony pregnancies? Can she really be sure this is normal?” “Star,” Moon Petal started slowly, summoning all her patience to deal with her husband's low-key panic. “She's a doctor, so she knows a lot more about all kinds of pregnancies than you do. And I can tell you from seeing my mom when she was carrying my little brother, this is completely normal.” She drew herself up closer looking him in the eyes, muzzle to muzzle. “If you don't stop freaking out about every little ache I have, you're going to be in for some very cold nights on the way home. Understand me?” Starshine swallowed hard and nodded, reigning in his nerves with a long, slow breath. “Understood.” “Good.” She kissed him lightly on the lips, then flapped back beside him. “Now, we should look for a good resting spot before too long.” She scanned the skies all around them, finding them clear to the horizon. “We don't know the safe spots along this route, and there are no clouds to be seen.” “I'm sure something will turn up soon. The forest is thinning out.” He flew ahead a bit, peering at the distant shapes emerging on the horizon. Spreading her arctic-blue wings wide, she started gliding again, conserving her strength as well as she could. She rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the muscles around the base of her wings. “Tell me again why we had to take an untested route home instead of flying up the coast like every other mission to Mount Aris?” Starshine sighed, running a hoof over his pale-pink mane. “Because this route saves us up to three days over the usual route. We just have to cross the Badlands at the narrow point near the middle, then we're practically back in Canterlot. Given your condi-” He stopped himself, feeling the glare from his wife before the word was fully formed. “-your perfectly-normal fatigue, I thought getting through the trip as fast as possible would be preferable to taking the long way around. Besides, what does the coastal route have that this route doesn't?” “Established waypoints with shelter and caches of food and water,” Moon answered in a deadpan voice. “And centuries of use by both ponies and hippogriffs, with patrols to help us if we get in trouble.“ “Well, sure, if that's what's important to you, it's got all those things, but my way is definitely faster, by a lot.” She found herself smiling again, shaking her head. “Alright, you've convinced me. I'll follow my guiding Star, as usual.” He pointed ahead, the shapes on the horizon starting to resolve themselves into tall, mismatched buildings. “Also if you're worried about supplies, we can always make a stop in Klugetown there before we make the cross-” “Absolutely not!” Moon shouted, cutting him off. “Klugetown is most of the reason there isn't an established route here already. It's way too dangerous there for a pony carrying a diplomatic pouch. It's likely to get stolen right off your flank, or worse.” Seeing Star's expression at her outburst, Moon Petal softened her approach. “Look, Star, I'm glad you're thinking about my comfort for the trip. The pregnancy was a surprise to both of us, or I wouldn't have taken the assignment to Mount Aris in the first place. I'm telling you I can make the flight, even if it takes a little longer, but we're not going anywhere near Klugetown. We have enough supplies for the crossing. Let's just find a spot to rest up then we can make a night flight over the desert.” Starshine nodded, chastened a bit by her words. “Alright. I think I saw a spot just over there.” He flew up beside her, giving her a hug as they started their descent, running a hoof over her crimson mane. “I'm just so eager to take care of you, Moon. I love you.” She closed her eyes, savoring his embrace. “I love you, too, Star.” With another groan she pulled away, holding her belly. “Let's find that resting spot you saw. I think I'm ready to stop for a while.” “As you wish, my beautiful Moon,” he answered with a gentle smile. “It's right over there, near the start of the dunes. See that little stand of trees?” He started flying slowly toward the landmark, making sure not to let Moon Petal fall too far behind. From the edge of the forest light glinted off the lenses of the binoculars tracking after the pair of pegasi, following their descent to their landing spot. The watching creature lowered them from over its snout, lips curling into a crooked smile around its thick tusks. “Listen up, boys,” it called, leading to five similar creatures poking up their heads from concealment. “I think I see a big payday over there.” It pointed at the smallest of the others. “Run quickly to Konigi's place and tell him if he can send some of his crew, we can fill his biggest order. We'll make sure they don't get away.” The smaller creature nodded and ran toward Klugetown. The other five gathered their nets and other gear, packing fast. “OK, boys,” the first creature said, raising the binoculars again to pinpoint where the pegasi landed. “Let's go catch some birds.” 2. The AmbushThe desert sun descended slowly behind the distant skyline of Klugetown, the little stand of trees sending long shadows over the small camp of Moon Petal and Starshine. The pegasi had kept it simple, with only a small bedroll laid out next to some fire crystals and a couple metal camp mugs staying warm beside them. The soft glow of the crystals couldn't break past the surrounding trees, keeping the couriers largely hidden in their rest. Moon Petal sighed, stretching out on the bedroll with her eyes closed while Starshine massaged her flank. Between the scent of the mint tea and the loving touch of her husband's hooves easing the muscles from her wings to her fetlocks, she was drifting on the edge of sleep. “That feels so good,” she cooed, opening her eyes to look at Starshine while she smiled. “You take such good care of me.” “What else could I do for my night flower?” he teased, tracing his hooves over the petals of the white Cereus orchid in her cutie mark. She sighed, her smile growing wider. “I love when you call me that.” Stretching her forelegs up over her head, she looked at the growing shadows. “I suppose we really should get going while there's still light. That pouch isn't going to deliver itself.” She didn't move to stand, savoring the continuing massage. Starshine smiled as well, picking up on the lack of motion toward actually doing what she suggested they do. Shifting the pressure of his massage ever so slightly, continuing to work on her flank, he suggested, “We could always just stay the night here. We'd still be ahead of schedule, and you would be fully rested before we cross the Badlands.” “I think we both know,” she replied with a laugh, ”that if I agree to stay we'll be anything but rested by the time morning comes.” “Oh, I don't know about that. I'm sure we'd get some rest.” His hooves moved slowly along her flank, then up along her back to her wings. “We never did get a chance to celebrate the big news properly, though.” Moon Petal reached over to run a hoof over Starshine's flank, tracing the stars and lines of his constellation cutie mark. “That's true,” she admitted. “Although our last celebration is the reason we have that big news now.” She moved closer still, raising her muzzle close to his slowly as she added, “Still, you know how very much I enjoy our celebrations, don't you?” Star didn't dare break the spell of this moment, feeling her breath on his lips at her question. “Oh yes, I do,” he agreed breathlessly, leaning in closer, closing his eyes in anticipation of the coming kiss and all that would follow. Moon held the moment, smile growing while watching Star surrender to his imagination. She suddenly pulled her head back, reaching up a hoof and booping his nose. “Our duty comes first, lover. Come on, we've got to get this message back to Canterlot.” With a laugh she stood up, stepping over to the saddlebags. Starshine's eyes popped open at the boop, his jaw dropping open with the change in tone. “Of course,” he finally said, sighing. He rolled up the bedroll, standing to bring it to his pack. “You really enjoy doing that, don't you?” “Yeah, I do,” she agreed with a chuckle. “I promise, as soon as the message is in the Princess's hooves, we'll see about properly celebrating.” Stowing the camp mugs, she pulled her saddlebags into place on her back. Star shook his head, smiling. He was just opening his mouth to respond when the sound of twigs rustling and breaking reached his ear. He turned toward the surrounding trees, peering through the fading light of sunset. “Did you hear that, Moon?” he asked, a tone of concern in his voice. Moon Petal looked up just as a loud click echoed through the glade, followed by a net launching out of the shadows, directly at her. “Star! Move!” she shouted, leaping into flight. The net caught over one leg, tangling around her hoof. It drew back almost immediately, dragging her back down from the sky. She hit the ground hard, knocking her hoof free but leaving her prone. “Moon!” Starshine shouted, diving out of the way of another snare launched from the trees to the right. He spread his wings mid-dive, turning it into a fast climb over a third snare and landing in a defensive crouch in front of his wife. “Get up! They've got us surrounded on three sides. We've got to get to the sky!” She was already in motion, pulling herself up. She winced at a lance of pain jabbing up from her ankle when she tried to put weight on the hoof that was caught. “Ahh! Let's go!” She launched into the air with Starshine right behind her. They flew toward the edge of the clearing opposite from the first attack, angling for a large gap in the branches to reach the open sky. Their attackers finally revealed themselves when three stout, boar-like creatures leaped from the cover of the trees before the pair. Raising the crossbow-like devices they carried, the creatures fired as one, one snare rising directly into the pegasi's path with the others bracketing them to either side. There was nowhere to dodge, and Moon Petal hit the net hard, becoming entangled in the strong rope. With a loud whir, the creature reeled in the net, dragging the mare out of the sky. “Moon Petal!” screamed Starshine, narrowly avoiding the traps. He dove at the creature full-speed, leaving a midnight-blue blur in his wake, and put all of his momentum into his kick. The creature's eyes grew wide at the sight of him approaching, but it couldn't begin to dodge before the impact sent him flying backward. The other two tried desperately to reload their snare-launchers to get off another shot at the enraged stallion, backing away. “Get 'im, guys! Don't let him free the other one!” one shouted. Figures rose up from the tree cover, jumping out to reveal a collection of large lizard creatures carrying spears and spiked catch-poles in their claws. On the opposite side of the glade three more of the boar-creatures rushed out, running to get into range with their snares. Starshine pulled at the snare entangling Moon Petal, loosening it enough for her to struggle free. “Fly, Moon!” he shouted, turning toward the advancing creatures. “I'll hold them off. Get going!” “I'm not leaving you here!” she shouted back, wobbling on her injured hoof. She still took up a defensive crouch at his back, glaring at the approaching creatures. Any reply was lost when the lizards charged forward, hissing and growling, flaring out the scaled ridges around their heads. Star met them head-on, taking flight and weaving around their spears to get close, hooves cracking and thudding into them as he passed. Moon jumped to the side as a catch-pole swung at her, flying straight at the closest boar. She rammed into him, knocking the snare-launcher into the bushes and stomping him hard into the ground. She shouted, “Duck!” seeing another snare flying toward Star. He ducked, stomping the foot of a lizard. The lizard yelled and reared back right into the snare, getting yanked right out of the fight. Star took the briefest moment to look smug at the maneuver, only to have two more lizards jumping at him. Moon flew up, diving into the fray with a crash, knocking lizards rolling. “The snares are down! Go, go, go!” Star cracked a lizard in the jaw, jumping into the air alongside Moon and flying toward the open sky again. Another lizard jumped up, throwing a spear with all its strength. The spear ripped into Star's flank, blood spraying over his feathers. He gasped, flank exploding in pain until his vision flashed white with the intensity. He fell, finally letting out a scream before hitting the ground with a thud. Moon spun around, eyes wide. “Star!” she screeched, diving back to his side. “Star! Get up! We've got to get out of here. C'mon, Star, get up. Please, get up!” She cradled his head, patting his cheek. Suddenly his eyes flew open as he gasped in a deep breath, wincing at the knife-point pain when his chest expanded. “I'm OK,” he gasped. “Fall just knocked the wind outta me.” He shifted to stand, dragging an anguished scream from his throat, pain igniting along his wounded flank. “Arrrghh! Alright, I'm not that OK.” The spear-throwing lizard stood watching the pony fall with a smug smirk, glancing to his companions for approval. The largest of them frowned and backhanded him. “You idiot! The boss said he wants them alive, and unscarred.” The first came back hissing, facing down the bigger lizard. “They both were gettin' away! Better one than none, I say.” He leapt at the larger one, bashing his face with a fist. “An' don't go slappin' me!” The two fell into a heap of flailing arms and curses. Moon leaned into Star, letting him use her for support. “Get up quick,” she said softly. “If we can get to open air we'll lose them. Stay with me, Star.” Star struggled to rise, biting his lip to keep from crying out from the splitting pain of each motion. Spotting the broken, bloody spear beside him, he gripped the haft and leaned heavily against it. The two were nearly ready to take to the air again when one of the boars looked away from the fight in their midst and saw them. “Stop fighting, morons! Get the mare before they get away!” He fired off his snare-launcher, and seconds later three others did the same. Moon Petal hesitated, still supporting Starshine, but launched into the air at the last moment, dodging the snare. She saw him stumble and paused again, only for another snare to hit her full-on, dragging her back to the boars. “Star!” she screamed, twisting against her bonds. “Get out of here!” Starshine looked over the boars and lizards surrounding his wife, steadying himself with the bloody spear that wounded him. “So you're supposed to take us alive, are you?” He took to the air, raising himself just off the ground, narrowing his eyes. “The advantage is mine.” Leveling the spear he charged, screaming, into the group. The boars stood dumbfounded, glancing at each other to make sure they were seeing the same thing. The big lizard rose from the fight, leaving the smaller one groaning on the ground, frowning at the expressions on the boars' faces as they stared behind him. With a grunt he turned around, right into the tip of the spear. Blood erupted from the lizard's back along with the spearhead and he tumbled back onto the one he'd fought, drawing a scream from him, too. Star kicked off the lizard's chest to keep momentum, losing the spear to its corpse. He swooped up and dove again, striking out at the boar holding Moon's snare. “Let her go!” he snarled, missing when the boar started to dodge again. He shook his head, trying hard to focus on the boar to drive him off. Moon struggled against the ropes, feeling them tighten over her limbs. She spotted his wounded flank and gasped at the sight of his blood flowing rapidly over every inch of his leg and belly. “Star, please! Just get out of here!” He shook his head sharply, trying to clear his thoughts enough to understand what Moon was shouting. He saw the remaining creatures approaching, spreading into a semi-circle, and rose up higher to get in a good dive for his next strike. With a garbled yell he swooped down at the closest boar, not realizing how much slower he'd become, leaving a steady trail of blood on the ground below him. He found himself running into a catch-pole, the spikes sending up ripples of pain as he ripped himself free of it. “Star!” Moon Petal screeched, unable to even look away as her husband wobbled through the air. “Fly up!” Star snapped into clarity at the tone of Moon's voice, finally feeling his rapid breathing and beating of his heart. His wounded flank felt dangerously cold, and his hind legs weren't moving. He tried to do as she asked, but his wings just wouldn't beat fast enough now. With the creatures closing in behind him, he floated there like a deflating balloon, looking toward Moon Petal where she lay bound. He met her gaze with his own. “I'm sorry, Moon.” One of the lizards jumped up and caught hold of his hind legs, swinging him suddenly to the ground. The other creatures fell on him in a wave of fists and kicks. Moon Petal could see him still weakly lashing out at them when the boar holding her pulled a sack over her head, cutting off the sight, but not the sound. The sounds carried on for a long time before her sobs overtook them. 3. Sold!The boars pulled their wagons through the early-morning darkness along the rough road into Klugetown. Birds of every color and shape whistled and squawked from the small cages piled around the tarp-covered bundles in the middle, and alone on the lead cart a larger cage sat shrouded in tarps. The lizards walked alongside the lead cart, watching the covered cage with disdain. Inside the cage, Moon Petal lay still in her bonds, robbed of sight by the thick sack covering her head. She'd given no resistance when the boars lifted her into the cart, weeping constantly after the fight ended. She heard them talking as they brought up the carts, muffled and in bits as they moved about, but none of their words could break her from her thoughts. She felt nothing now that her tears ran out, numbness enveloping her to the point that even the ache of her injured hoof faded to a memory. One thought echoed through her mind, over and over. Starshine is gone. The cart hit a pothole in the road, bouncing her bound body up against the bars of the cage. An arrow of pain shot up from her hoof. She groaned loudly, the hoof settling to a persistent ache under the tight coils of rope. With a sigh she started to fall back into her melancholy... until an intense wave of nausea hit her. Her eyes opened wide within the darkness of the bag and she pressed her jaws together hard, struggling to keep everything down. After what felt like hours the nausea subsided, and she panted to catch her breath. The baby! Awareness flooded back into her and she clung to the thought. I still have to take care of the baby. I have to get through this or our foal will never see the sky. She steadied herself with a long, slow breath, finally taking stock of her surroundings. The caravan slowed as they entered the streets of Klugetown. Creatures of all types, opening stalls in the growing glow of dawn, saw them coming and quickly cleared a path, keeping their eyes from looking too long at the contents of the carts. Any gawkers were met by the angry glares of the armed lizards and backed away. They wound their way through the streets and alleys until they reached a large compound surrounded by a high wall. The thick wooden gates swung open as they approached, and more creatures appeared to help draw the wagons inside. In minutes the gates were closed again and the carts arrayed near the entrance to the main building. The wide double-doors opened, revealing a tall, slender, tan-scaled lizard wrapped in a robe of pale blue silk, flanked by spear-carrying guards. He stroked his claws over the black spikes under his chin while the boars busied themselves moving the cages into position. “Ah, Fanger! That was an intriguing message you sent me.” He stepped down closer to the boars, eyes fixed on the leader. “Show me what you've brought to fulfill my longest-standing order.” Fanger bowed his head, smiling. “I think you'll be very happy, Konigi. It's the best I've seen in years.” He gestured to the other boars and they pulled the tarp off the big cage, revealing Moon Petal still laying on her side, bound at all four hooves and the sack covering her head. Looking back at his customer, Fanger saw Konigi raising a brow at the state of the mare. Fanger turned back to his crew, pointing to her. “Get the ropes and sack off her,” he growled before turning back to smile at Konigi again. “Almost there.” The boars pulled at the knots quickly, freeing her hooves, then unceremoniously yanked the sack from her head. Moon Petal winced as the morning sun flooded her vision, raising a hoof to block out the glare. Blinking quickly, she peered around at her surroundings while her vision cleared, coming face to face with Konigi's broad smile just on the other side of the bars. She leaned back, glaring at him. “Let me out of here, now!” she demanded, getting to her hooves with a noticeable limp. “You have no reason to cage me here.” Konigi ignored her outburst, instead looking at her limping hind leg critically. He rounded on Fanger with a frown. “You promised it would be unscarred,” he stated, his warm tone vanishing. Fanger's eyes grew wide and he nodded rapidly. “Yes, she is. She is! It's nothing, really. I checked the leg when we transferred her to the cage. It's nothing more than a sprain, I swear. Just keep her off her hooves for a few days and the limp will be gone. There's no scar, not even a mark.” He smiled again, latching onto another selling point. “Her mark, yes! You must see this pony's mark. So unique.” He stepped around to the side of the cage, gesturing toward Moon Petal's flank. Moon Petal glowered at Fanger as he drew closer, turning to keep him in front of her. “Keep your claws off me,” she warned. A moment later she heard Konigi humming in approval, murmuring, “I see . . . a cereus flower, then.” She felt a claw brush over her flank and jumped away from the lizard. “Don't you touch me!” Konigi ignored her, again, circling the cage to examine her from all angles. Approaching Fanger, he finally smiled again. “I even like the color.” He turned to look at the other carts, then back to the boar. “Where is the other one?” “The, um, other one?” Fanger asked with some nervous hesitation. “Yes, the other pony. Your runner told me you'd found two ponies. That's why I sent Vakt and his team to back you up.” Konigi frowned, looking over the assembled creatures. “Where is Vakt, anyway? Vakt! Get over here.” Fanger paled visibly, shooting a glare toward the boar he'd sent with the message. The smaller creature winced, stepping back toward the second cart. “Ahh, about that,” Fanger hedged, then sighed and waved his crew to the tarp-wrapped bundles. “The ponies put up more of a fight than we expected.” The tarps were pulled away, revealing the bodies of Starshine and the two lizard guards. In her cage, Moon Petal fought back tears but refused to look away. Konigi stood for a long time looking at the bloody bodies, his face expressionless. “More of a fight?” he asked at last, his tone carefully neutral. “There wasn't meant to be a fight at all. You are trappers, Fanger. You were meant to trap them, were you not?” He turned to face Fanger, his eyes smoldering behind his carefully-controlled expression. “Explain to me how trapping two ponies turned into this.” Fanger shrank away from the look, finding his mouth suddenly dry. “The ponies got free from the first snares and were getting away. Then that one,” he jabbed a finger toward the body next to Vakt, “threw a spear at the darker pony and knocked it down again. He and Vakt started fighting and the pony flew into them with the spear.” He looked to the other boars, nodding, looking for support, and they all murmured their agreement. Konigi looked to the surviving guards from the mission. “Is that what happened?” he asked sharply, and they nodded quickly. He sighed and stroked his beard scales for a moment. “Alright, I'll accept it was my guards that caused the pony's death. It isn't your fault.” He looked the boar in the eyes again. “You can stop shaking now, Fanger. I'm still not happy about it, but we'll move on. Let's talk price.” To his credit, the boar recovered his composure quickly, his broad smile showing off his tusks. “Yes, of course, Konigi. I know we only have the one live pony, but you've got to admit, she's a beauty. Just look at those wings! And that mark is like no other-” “I'll give you 800 bits, Fanger.” Fanger cut himself off, eyes widening at the number. “800 bits? You know I respect you, Konigi, but I couldn't go so low for such a pristine pony. I could go with 2000 bits.” Konigi pointed to the corpses. “Your hunt cost me two guards. Don't waste my time. 1000 bits.” Moon Petal stared, mouth agape, as the creatures haggled. Through her sorrow and pain the realization finally sunk in that the boar truly intended to sell her to this Konigi creature. “You... you can't sell me! I'm not some thing to be sold!” They both ignored her, still pointing out pros and cons of the deal along with counter offers. “You may never find a pegasus this color again. Surely she's worth at least 1800.” “Her hoof is injured. That delays my plans for her. 1200.” “Do you hear me?” she shouted, flaring out her wings as much as the cage would permit. “I don't belong to anypony! You can't do this!” “The hoof will heal quickly, the delay is minor. 1600.” “1400 is my final offer, Fanger.” The boar shook his head, glancing to his companions. “I cannot go so low on this one, Konigi. I'll have to take my chances at the market. I'm sorry. I knew you wanted such a prize, that's why I brought it to you first.” He gestured to his underlings and they moved to cover the cage again. “Wait,” commanded Konigi, stepping in front of the cage again and looking over Moon Petal from mane to hoof. He absently stroked his beard scales. “I'm not property!” shouted Moon Petal, glaring back at the lizard. “You can't own me!” She could swear she saw the slightest hint of a smile on his lips, but it was quickly hidden. “1600 bits,” Konigi agreed, causing Fanger to grin at his fellows. “And I take the stallion's body and their belongings, as compensation for my guards.” The grin vanished and the boar seemed ready to counter, but Konigi cut him off. “You should be happy that's all the compensation I want, Fanger,” he added, his tone cool and hard once again. Fanger stopped himself from answering, looking from the cage to the corpse, then back to Konigi. He chewed on his lip, then sighed. “Done.” “Excellent!” said Konigi, once again sounding as bright and gregarious as when he'd first stepped out the door. “Take the corpses to the cold storage in the back. As for the pony, bring her cage into my study. I think I want to take some time to appreciate my new toy. Fanger, come to my office and I'll get those bits.” Moon Petal stared at him incredulously. “No! I'm not anypony's property! You can't do this!” she yelled even as the guards lifted her cage from the cart, setting it on a small wheeled frame just inside the doors. No creature paid her the slightest bit of attention as she continued to yell, plead, and finally beg before the doors swung closed once again, shutting out the morning light.
1. The ShortcutEntry #1 I don't know what to write here, but here goes. If that damned lizard is going to give me paper and quills, I'll make use of it. Not that I expect anypony will ever read it but maybe it will help me sort out my thoughts. I suppose I should start somewhere. My name is Moon Petal, diplomatic courier to the court of Princess Celestia of Equestria, and I am a prisoner. I'm still not really sure what my captor wants from me. If it was just the diplomatic pouch we had, I wouldn't still be here. They've already proven they will kill... They might still kill me. I'm just not sure, but ever since he learned I'm pregnant, they started treating me almost half-decently. After how he was treating me at first, I'm honestly a little frightened at what this change could mean, for me and for my foal. No, I can't think that way. We've undoubtedly been declared overdue at this point, so ponies will be searching for us. With a little luck they will find where we were ambushed and maybe track our attackers back here. Star showed they aren't unbeatable. Alright. I need to record what happened while it's still fresh in my mind, just in case. Starshine deserves to be remembered... By Celestia! It hurts so much to think about it. I have to get this written, though. It all started with what should have been a routine mission to the court of Queen Novo on Mount Aris. Starshine and I brought a diplomatic pouch along the coastal route with no incident, as we have many times before. The trip back is where it all went wrong. “On your left,” Starshine called out with a laugh, swooping past Moon Petal as she glided over the vast taiga forest north of Mount Aris. He tilted his wings and looped over in front of her, flashing her a wink. Moon Petal rolled her eyes, her own smile growing at the performance. “Enjoy it while you can, Star. If it weren't for this fatigue, I would be the one flying circles around you.” With a streak of midnight-blue, the stallion flew another circle around her, falling into formation at her wingtip. “I could get used to this,” he mused, still grinning. “How many foals did you say you wanted?” “Let's get through this pregnancy first,” Moon Petal said patiently, casting him a sidelong look. “Besides, you'd really get bored carrying diplomatic pouches without me if I'm always bare-hoofed and pregnant.” She chuckled, but almost immediately groaned and pressed a hoof to her belly. Starshine's grin vanished, replaced with wide-eyed concern. “Are you OK, Moon?” He zipped in closer, reaching a foreleg over her shoulders. “What's happening?” She nodded her head without speaking, gently pushing him back with one hoof. Still rubbing her belly she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I'm fine,” she said at last. “Just a little nauseous.” “Do you need to rest? Some water? I think there's some crackers and mint tea in my pack.” “Star, stop acting like I'm going to break.” She hovered in front of him, reaching up and touching his chin with her hoof. “The doctor said I might get some fatigue and nausea in the early months, and that's all that's happening. I'm fine.” Starshine didn't look convinced. “Yeah, but are you sure she knows what she's talking about? I mean, I'm sure she's a good doctor and all, but she's a hippogriff. What does she know about pony pregnancies? Can she really be sure this is normal?” “Star,” Moon Petal started slowly, summoning all her patience to deal with her husband's low-key panic. “She's a doctor, so she knows a lot more about all kinds of pregnancies than you do. And I can tell you from seeing my mom when she was carrying my little brother, this is completely normal.” She drew herself up closer looking him in the eyes, muzzle to muzzle. “If you don't stop freaking out about every little ache I have, you're going to be in for some very cold nights on the way home. Understand me?” Starshine swallowed hard and nodded, reigning in his nerves with a long, slow breath. “Understood.” “Good.” She kissed him lightly on the lips, then flapped back beside him. “Now, we should look for a good resting spot before too long.” She scanned the skies all around them, finding them clear to the horizon. “We don't know the safe spots along this route, and there are no clouds to be seen.” “I'm sure something will turn up soon. The forest is thinning out.” He flew ahead a bit, peering at the distant shapes emerging on the horizon. Spreading her arctic-blue wings wide, she started gliding again, conserving her strength as well as she could. She rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the muscles around the base of her wings. “Tell me again why we had to take an untested route home instead of flying up the coast like every other mission to Mount Aris?” Starshine sighed, running a hoof over his pale-pink mane. “Because this route saves us up to three days over the usual route. We just have to cross the Badlands at the narrow point near the middle, then we're practically back in Canterlot. Given your condi-” He stopped himself, feeling the glare from his wife before the word was fully formed. “-your perfectly-normal fatigue, I thought getting through the trip as fast as possible would be preferable to taking the long way around. Besides, what does the coastal route have that this route doesn't?” “Established waypoints with shelter and caches of food and water,” Moon answered in a deadpan voice. “And centuries of use by both ponies and hippogriffs, with patrols to help us if we get in trouble.“ “Well, sure, if that's what's important to you, it's got all those things, but my way is definitely faster, by a lot.” She found herself smiling again, shaking her head. “Alright, you've convinced me. I'll follow my guiding Star, as usual.” He pointed ahead, the shapes on the horizon starting to resolve themselves into tall, mismatched buildings. “Also if you're worried about supplies, we can always make a stop in Klugetown there before we make the cross-” “Absolutely not!” Moon shouted, cutting him off. “Klugetown is most of the reason there isn't an established route here already. It's way too dangerous there for a pony carrying a diplomatic pouch. It's likely to get stolen right off your flank, or worse.” Seeing Star's expression at her outburst, Moon Petal softened her approach. “Look, Star, I'm glad you're thinking about my comfort for the trip. The pregnancy was a surprise to both of us, or I wouldn't have taken the assignment to Mount Aris in the first place. I'm telling you I can make the flight, even if it takes a little longer, but we're not going anywhere near Klugetown. We have enough supplies for the crossing. Let's just find a spot to rest up then we can make a night flight over the desert.” Starshine nodded, chastened a bit by her words. “Alright. I think I saw a spot just over there.” He flew up beside her, giving her a hug as they started their descent, running a hoof over her crimson mane. “I'm just so eager to take care of you, Moon. I love you.” She closed her eyes, savoring his embrace. “I love you, too, Star.” With another groan she pulled away, holding her belly. “Let's find that resting spot you saw. I think I'm ready to stop for a while.” “As you wish, my beautiful Moon,” he answered with a gentle smile. “It's right over there, near the start of the dunes. See that little stand of trees?” He started flying slowly toward the landmark, making sure not to let Moon Petal fall too far behind. From the edge of the forest light glinted off the lenses of the binoculars tracking after the pair of pegasi, following their descent to their landing spot. The watching creature lowered them from over its snout, lips curling into a crooked smile around its thick tusks. “Listen up, boys,” it called, leading to five similar creatures poking up their heads from concealment. “I think I see a big payday over there.” It pointed at the smallest of the others. “Run quickly to Konigi's place and tell him if he can send some of his crew, we can fill his biggest order. We'll make sure they don't get away.” The smaller creature nodded and ran toward Klugetown. The other five gathered their nets and other gear, packing fast. “OK, boys,” the first creature said, raising the binoculars again to pinpoint where the pegasi landed. “Let's go catch some birds.”
2. The AmbushThe desert sun descended slowly behind the distant skyline of Klugetown, the little stand of trees sending long shadows over the small camp of Moon Petal and Starshine. The pegasi had kept it simple, with only a small bedroll laid out next to some fire crystals and a couple metal camp mugs staying warm beside them. The soft glow of the crystals couldn't break past the surrounding trees, keeping the couriers largely hidden in their rest. Moon Petal sighed, stretching out on the bedroll with her eyes closed while Starshine massaged her flank. Between the scent of the mint tea and the loving touch of her husband's hooves easing the muscles from her wings to her fetlocks, she was drifting on the edge of sleep. “That feels so good,” she cooed, opening her eyes to look at Starshine while she smiled. “You take such good care of me.” “What else could I do for my night flower?” he teased, tracing his hooves over the petals of the white Cereus orchid in her cutie mark. She sighed, her smile growing wider. “I love when you call me that.” Stretching her forelegs up over her head, she looked at the growing shadows. “I suppose we really should get going while there's still light. That pouch isn't going to deliver itself.” She didn't move to stand, savoring the continuing massage. Starshine smiled as well, picking up on the lack of motion toward actually doing what she suggested they do. Shifting the pressure of his massage ever so slightly, continuing to work on her flank, he suggested, “We could always just stay the night here. We'd still be ahead of schedule, and you would be fully rested before we cross the Badlands.” “I think we both know,” she replied with a laugh, ”that if I agree to stay we'll be anything but rested by the time morning comes.” “Oh, I don't know about that. I'm sure we'd get some rest.” His hooves moved slowly along her flank, then up along her back to her wings. “We never did get a chance to celebrate the big news properly, though.” Moon Petal reached over to run a hoof over Starshine's flank, tracing the stars and lines of his constellation cutie mark. “That's true,” she admitted. “Although our last celebration is the reason we have that big news now.” She moved closer still, raising her muzzle close to his slowly as she added, “Still, you know how very much I enjoy our celebrations, don't you?” Star didn't dare break the spell of this moment, feeling her breath on his lips at her question. “Oh yes, I do,” he agreed breathlessly, leaning in closer, closing his eyes in anticipation of the coming kiss and all that would follow. Moon held the moment, smile growing while watching Star surrender to his imagination. She suddenly pulled her head back, reaching up a hoof and booping his nose. “Our duty comes first, lover. Come on, we've got to get this message back to Canterlot.” With a laugh she stood up, stepping over to the saddlebags. Starshine's eyes popped open at the boop, his jaw dropping open with the change in tone. “Of course,” he finally said, sighing. He rolled up the bedroll, standing to bring it to his pack. “You really enjoy doing that, don't you?” “Yeah, I do,” she agreed with a chuckle. “I promise, as soon as the message is in the Princess's hooves, we'll see about properly celebrating.” Stowing the camp mugs, she pulled her saddlebags into place on her back. Star shook his head, smiling. He was just opening his mouth to respond when the sound of twigs rustling and breaking reached his ear. He turned toward the surrounding trees, peering through the fading light of sunset. “Did you hear that, Moon?” he asked, a tone of concern in his voice. Moon Petal looked up just as a loud click echoed through the glade, followed by a net launching out of the shadows, directly at her. “Star! Move!” she shouted, leaping into flight. The net caught over one leg, tangling around her hoof. It drew back almost immediately, dragging her back down from the sky. She hit the ground hard, knocking her hoof free but leaving her prone. “Moon!” Starshine shouted, diving out of the way of another snare launched from the trees to the right. He spread his wings mid-dive, turning it into a fast climb over a third snare and landing in a defensive crouch in front of his wife. “Get up! They've got us surrounded on three sides. We've got to get to the sky!” She was already in motion, pulling herself up. She winced at a lance of pain jabbing up from her ankle when she tried to put weight on the hoof that was caught. “Ahh! Let's go!” She launched into the air with Starshine right behind her. They flew toward the edge of the clearing opposite from the first attack, angling for a large gap in the branches to reach the open sky. Their attackers finally revealed themselves when three stout, boar-like creatures leaped from the cover of the trees before the pair. Raising the crossbow-like devices they carried, the creatures fired as one, one snare rising directly into the pegasi's path with the others bracketing them to either side. There was nowhere to dodge, and Moon Petal hit the net hard, becoming entangled in the strong rope. With a loud whir, the creature reeled in the net, dragging the mare out of the sky. “Moon Petal!” screamed Starshine, narrowly avoiding the traps. He dove at the creature full-speed, leaving a midnight-blue blur in his wake, and put all of his momentum into his kick. The creature's eyes grew wide at the sight of him approaching, but it couldn't begin to dodge before the impact sent him flying backward. The other two tried desperately to reload their snare-launchers to get off another shot at the enraged stallion, backing away. “Get 'im, guys! Don't let him free the other one!” one shouted. Figures rose up from the tree cover, jumping out to reveal a collection of large lizard creatures carrying spears and spiked catch-poles in their claws. On the opposite side of the glade three more of the boar-creatures rushed out, running to get into range with their snares. Starshine pulled at the snare entangling Moon Petal, loosening it enough for her to struggle free. “Fly, Moon!” he shouted, turning toward the advancing creatures. “I'll hold them off. Get going!” “I'm not leaving you here!” she shouted back, wobbling on her injured hoof. She still took up a defensive crouch at his back, glaring at the approaching creatures. Any reply was lost when the lizards charged forward, hissing and growling, flaring out the scaled ridges around their heads. Star met them head-on, taking flight and weaving around their spears to get close, hooves cracking and thudding into them as he passed. Moon jumped to the side as a catch-pole swung at her, flying straight at the closest boar. She rammed into him, knocking the snare-launcher into the bushes and stomping him hard into the ground. She shouted, “Duck!” seeing another snare flying toward Star. He ducked, stomping the foot of a lizard. The lizard yelled and reared back right into the snare, getting yanked right out of the fight. Star took the briefest moment to look smug at the maneuver, only to have two more lizards jumping at him. Moon flew up, diving into the fray with a crash, knocking lizards rolling. “The snares are down! Go, go, go!” Star cracked a lizard in the jaw, jumping into the air alongside Moon and flying toward the open sky again. Another lizard jumped up, throwing a spear with all its strength. The spear ripped into Star's flank, blood spraying over his feathers. He gasped, flank exploding in pain until his vision flashed white with the intensity. He fell, finally letting out a scream before hitting the ground with a thud. Moon spun around, eyes wide. “Star!” she screeched, diving back to his side. “Star! Get up! We've got to get out of here. C'mon, Star, get up. Please, get up!” She cradled his head, patting his cheek. Suddenly his eyes flew open as he gasped in a deep breath, wincing at the knife-point pain when his chest expanded. “I'm OK,” he gasped. “Fall just knocked the wind outta me.” He shifted to stand, dragging an anguished scream from his throat, pain igniting along his wounded flank. “Arrrghh! Alright, I'm not that OK.” The spear-throwing lizard stood watching the pony fall with a smug smirk, glancing to his companions for approval. The largest of them frowned and backhanded him. “You idiot! The boss said he wants them alive, and unscarred.” The first came back hissing, facing down the bigger lizard. “They both were gettin' away! Better one than none, I say.” He leapt at the larger one, bashing his face with a fist. “An' don't go slappin' me!” The two fell into a heap of flailing arms and curses. Moon leaned into Star, letting him use her for support. “Get up quick,” she said softly. “If we can get to open air we'll lose them. Stay with me, Star.” Star struggled to rise, biting his lip to keep from crying out from the splitting pain of each motion. Spotting the broken, bloody spear beside him, he gripped the haft and leaned heavily against it. The two were nearly ready to take to the air again when one of the boars looked away from the fight in their midst and saw them. “Stop fighting, morons! Get the mare before they get away!” He fired off his snare-launcher, and seconds later three others did the same. Moon Petal hesitated, still supporting Starshine, but launched into the air at the last moment, dodging the snare. She saw him stumble and paused again, only for another snare to hit her full-on, dragging her back to the boars. “Star!” she screamed, twisting against her bonds. “Get out of here!” Starshine looked over the boars and lizards surrounding his wife, steadying himself with the bloody spear that wounded him. “So you're supposed to take us alive, are you?” He took to the air, raising himself just off the ground, narrowing his eyes. “The advantage is mine.” Leveling the spear he charged, screaming, into the group. The boars stood dumbfounded, glancing at each other to make sure they were seeing the same thing. The big lizard rose from the fight, leaving the smaller one groaning on the ground, frowning at the expressions on the boars' faces as they stared behind him. With a grunt he turned around, right into the tip of the spear. Blood erupted from the lizard's back along with the spearhead and he tumbled back onto the one he'd fought, drawing a scream from him, too. Star kicked off the lizard's chest to keep momentum, losing the spear to its corpse. He swooped up and dove again, striking out at the boar holding Moon's snare. “Let her go!” he snarled, missing when the boar started to dodge again. He shook his head, trying hard to focus on the boar to drive him off. Moon struggled against the ropes, feeling them tighten over her limbs. She spotted his wounded flank and gasped at the sight of his blood flowing rapidly over every inch of his leg and belly. “Star, please! Just get out of here!” He shook his head sharply, trying to clear his thoughts enough to understand what Moon was shouting. He saw the remaining creatures approaching, spreading into a semi-circle, and rose up higher to get in a good dive for his next strike. With a garbled yell he swooped down at the closest boar, not realizing how much slower he'd become, leaving a steady trail of blood on the ground below him. He found himself running into a catch-pole, the spikes sending up ripples of pain as he ripped himself free of it. “Star!” Moon Petal screeched, unable to even look away as her husband wobbled through the air. “Fly up!” Star snapped into clarity at the tone of Moon's voice, finally feeling his rapid breathing and beating of his heart. His wounded flank felt dangerously cold, and his hind legs weren't moving. He tried to do as she asked, but his wings just wouldn't beat fast enough now. With the creatures closing in behind him, he floated there like a deflating balloon, looking toward Moon Petal where she lay bound. He met her gaze with his own. “I'm sorry, Moon.” One of the lizards jumped up and caught hold of his hind legs, swinging him suddenly to the ground. The other creatures fell on him in a wave of fists and kicks. Moon Petal could see him still weakly lashing out at them when the boar holding her pulled a sack over her head, cutting off the sight, but not the sound. The sounds carried on for a long time before her sobs overtook them.
3. Sold!The boars pulled their wagons through the early-morning darkness along the rough road into Klugetown. Birds of every color and shape whistled and squawked from the small cages piled around the tarp-covered bundles in the middle, and alone on the lead cart a larger cage sat shrouded in tarps. The lizards walked alongside the lead cart, watching the covered cage with disdain. Inside the cage, Moon Petal lay still in her bonds, robbed of sight by the thick sack covering her head. She'd given no resistance when the boars lifted her into the cart, weeping constantly after the fight ended. She heard them talking as they brought up the carts, muffled and in bits as they moved about, but none of their words could break her from her thoughts. She felt nothing now that her tears ran out, numbness enveloping her to the point that even the ache of her injured hoof faded to a memory. One thought echoed through her mind, over and over. Starshine is gone. The cart hit a pothole in the road, bouncing her bound body up against the bars of the cage. An arrow of pain shot up from her hoof. She groaned loudly, the hoof settling to a persistent ache under the tight coils of rope. With a sigh she started to fall back into her melancholy... until an intense wave of nausea hit her. Her eyes opened wide within the darkness of the bag and she pressed her jaws together hard, struggling to keep everything down. After what felt like hours the nausea subsided, and she panted to catch her breath. The baby! Awareness flooded back into her and she clung to the thought. I still have to take care of the baby. I have to get through this or our foal will never see the sky. She steadied herself with a long, slow breath, finally taking stock of her surroundings. The caravan slowed as they entered the streets of Klugetown. Creatures of all types, opening stalls in the growing glow of dawn, saw them coming and quickly cleared a path, keeping their eyes from looking too long at the contents of the carts. Any gawkers were met by the angry glares of the armed lizards and backed away. They wound their way through the streets and alleys until they reached a large compound surrounded by a high wall. The thick wooden gates swung open as they approached, and more creatures appeared to help draw the wagons inside. In minutes the gates were closed again and the carts arrayed near the entrance to the main building. The wide double-doors opened, revealing a tall, slender, tan-scaled lizard wrapped in a robe of pale blue silk, flanked by spear-carrying guards. He stroked his claws over the black spikes under his chin while the boars busied themselves moving the cages into position. “Ah, Fanger! That was an intriguing message you sent me.” He stepped down closer to the boars, eyes fixed on the leader. “Show me what you've brought to fulfill my longest-standing order.” Fanger bowed his head, smiling. “I think you'll be very happy, Konigi. It's the best I've seen in years.” He gestured to the other boars and they pulled the tarp off the big cage, revealing Moon Petal still laying on her side, bound at all four hooves and the sack covering her head. Looking back at his customer, Fanger saw Konigi raising a brow at the state of the mare. Fanger turned back to his crew, pointing to her. “Get the ropes and sack off her,” he growled before turning back to smile at Konigi again. “Almost there.” The boars pulled at the knots quickly, freeing her hooves, then unceremoniously yanked the sack from her head. Moon Petal winced as the morning sun flooded her vision, raising a hoof to block out the glare. Blinking quickly, she peered around at her surroundings while her vision cleared, coming face to face with Konigi's broad smile just on the other side of the bars. She leaned back, glaring at him. “Let me out of here, now!” she demanded, getting to her hooves with a noticeable limp. “You have no reason to cage me here.” Konigi ignored her outburst, instead looking at her limping hind leg critically. He rounded on Fanger with a frown. “You promised it would be unscarred,” he stated, his warm tone vanishing. Fanger's eyes grew wide and he nodded rapidly. “Yes, she is. She is! It's nothing, really. I checked the leg when we transferred her to the cage. It's nothing more than a sprain, I swear. Just keep her off her hooves for a few days and the limp will be gone. There's no scar, not even a mark.” He smiled again, latching onto another selling point. “Her mark, yes! You must see this pony's mark. So unique.” He stepped around to the side of the cage, gesturing toward Moon Petal's flank. Moon Petal glowered at Fanger as he drew closer, turning to keep him in front of her. “Keep your claws off me,” she warned. A moment later she heard Konigi humming in approval, murmuring, “I see . . . a cereus flower, then.” She felt a claw brush over her flank and jumped away from the lizard. “Don't you touch me!” Konigi ignored her, again, circling the cage to examine her from all angles. Approaching Fanger, he finally smiled again. “I even like the color.” He turned to look at the other carts, then back to the boar. “Where is the other one?” “The, um, other one?” Fanger asked with some nervous hesitation. “Yes, the other pony. Your runner told me you'd found two ponies. That's why I sent Vakt and his team to back you up.” Konigi frowned, looking over the assembled creatures. “Where is Vakt, anyway? Vakt! Get over here.” Fanger paled visibly, shooting a glare toward the boar he'd sent with the message. The smaller creature winced, stepping back toward the second cart. “Ahh, about that,” Fanger hedged, then sighed and waved his crew to the tarp-wrapped bundles. “The ponies put up more of a fight than we expected.” The tarps were pulled away, revealing the bodies of Starshine and the two lizard guards. In her cage, Moon Petal fought back tears but refused to look away. Konigi stood for a long time looking at the bloody bodies, his face expressionless. “More of a fight?” he asked at last, his tone carefully neutral. “There wasn't meant to be a fight at all. You are trappers, Fanger. You were meant to trap them, were you not?” He turned to face Fanger, his eyes smoldering behind his carefully-controlled expression. “Explain to me how trapping two ponies turned into this.” Fanger shrank away from the look, finding his mouth suddenly dry. “The ponies got free from the first snares and were getting away. Then that one,” he jabbed a finger toward the body next to Vakt, “threw a spear at the darker pony and knocked it down again. He and Vakt started fighting and the pony flew into them with the spear.” He looked to the other boars, nodding, looking for support, and they all murmured their agreement. Konigi looked to the surviving guards from the mission. “Is that what happened?” he asked sharply, and they nodded quickly. He sighed and stroked his beard scales for a moment. “Alright, I'll accept it was my guards that caused the pony's death. It isn't your fault.” He looked the boar in the eyes again. “You can stop shaking now, Fanger. I'm still not happy about it, but we'll move on. Let's talk price.” To his credit, the boar recovered his composure quickly, his broad smile showing off his tusks. “Yes, of course, Konigi. I know we only have the one live pony, but you've got to admit, she's a beauty. Just look at those wings! And that mark is like no other-” “I'll give you 800 bits, Fanger.” Fanger cut himself off, eyes widening at the number. “800 bits? You know I respect you, Konigi, but I couldn't go so low for such a pristine pony. I could go with 2000 bits.” Konigi pointed to the corpses. “Your hunt cost me two guards. Don't waste my time. 1000 bits.” Moon Petal stared, mouth agape, as the creatures haggled. Through her sorrow and pain the realization finally sunk in that the boar truly intended to sell her to this Konigi creature. “You... you can't sell me! I'm not some thing to be sold!” They both ignored her, still pointing out pros and cons of the deal along with counter offers. “You may never find a pegasus this color again. Surely she's worth at least 1800.” “Her hoof is injured. That delays my plans for her. 1200.” “Do you hear me?” she shouted, flaring out her wings as much as the cage would permit. “I don't belong to anypony! You can't do this!” “The hoof will heal quickly, the delay is minor. 1600.” “1400 is my final offer, Fanger.” The boar shook his head, glancing to his companions. “I cannot go so low on this one, Konigi. I'll have to take my chances at the market. I'm sorry. I knew you wanted such a prize, that's why I brought it to you first.” He gestured to his underlings and they moved to cover the cage again. “Wait,” commanded Konigi, stepping in front of the cage again and looking over Moon Petal from mane to hoof. He absently stroked his beard scales. “I'm not property!” shouted Moon Petal, glaring back at the lizard. “You can't own me!” She could swear she saw the slightest hint of a smile on his lips, but it was quickly hidden. “1600 bits,” Konigi agreed, causing Fanger to grin at his fellows. “And I take the stallion's body and their belongings, as compensation for my guards.” The grin vanished and the boar seemed ready to counter, but Konigi cut him off. “You should be happy that's all the compensation I want, Fanger,” he added, his tone cool and hard once again. Fanger stopped himself from answering, looking from the cage to the corpse, then back to Konigi. He chewed on his lip, then sighed. “Done.” “Excellent!” said Konigi, once again sounding as bright and gregarious as when he'd first stepped out the door. “Take the corpses to the cold storage in the back. As for the pony, bring her cage into my study. I think I want to take some time to appreciate my new toy. Fanger, come to my office and I'll get those bits.” Moon Petal stared at him incredulously. “No! I'm not anypony's property! You can't do this!” she yelled even as the guards lifted her cage from the cart, setting it on a small wheeled frame just inside the doors. No creature paid her the slightest bit of attention as she continued to yell, plead, and finally beg before the doors swung closed once again, shutting out the morning light.
