The Carnival of the Damned

The chilling carnival music proved a fitting accompaniment to the backdrop of creaking mechanics from the rides and the chaotic din caused by excited crowds as they lined up in anticipation for them. The mare ventured far away from these, leaning down behind one of the many canvas tents in an attempt to catch her breath after the scare caused by the strange fortune teller. She shivered involuntarily, remembering his cryptic words and strange prophecies foretelling of an 'army of death'. The image alone of such a thing coming to pass was enough to send her heart into a frantic pace. She knew now more than ever that she had to find the gypsy called Dimitri if she wished to ever find a means of return home.

A familiar shrill laughter from somewhere nearby shook her out of her inward thoughts and arrested her attention as a pallor of recognition crept across her features.

"Well! There you are, Rose Lady! You finally made it to the carnival after all!" The peculiar orange filly waved a stocking hoof from a close by wooden game booth, her strange witch's hat perched on one of her ears. "I hope Dimitri wasn't too rough dragging you here. Well, rougher than usual anyway. Oh, a small word of advice about him. You should always watch your valuables very closely when he's around. I mean, you're lucky he hasn't snatched your necklace away already." She giggled, her hind hooves wiggling in her childish enthusiasm.

The mare stood up, looking down to make certain that the necklace was still secured as it should be, suspended from her throat to rest near her heart. Sure enough, the ornate cross still gleamed in the lights of the carnival; it's presence giving a semblance of courage to the otherwise frightened unicorn. "Why give me such words of advice? Why help me? Are you not his friend?"

"Oh, I am, I am!" The witch replied. "Still, there are many workers here, and we need to make money all the same. It isn't easy for us when he's wandering about picking pony pockets."

With a look of determination, Rose took bold steps over to the booth where the filly still sat. Fear had dictated her actions for far too long and it was high time for a new approach. "Where is Dimitri? It is urgent that I speak with him at once."

Hazel shook her head. "Nah, sorry. Can't tell you. That information is for carnival employees only." A mischievous glint played in the depths of her jade eyes as she continued. "However...you could always try your luck for it." She flashed a smile as she pointed to the sign suspended above the wooden stall. "This is the Dice of Misfortune. Here's the deal: You take a chance and roll this dice." She dropped an ivory cube onto the wooden counter. "Each number corresponds to a fortunate or unfortunate outcome. Roll the right number, and you win a prize! Roll a wrong number and you'll take a punishment." The brim of the hat cast an eerie shadow over the filly's countenance at these last words, punctuating the threat all the more.

Rose frowned, looking up at the sign and the bold red text. "What type of punishment?"

"Nothing too bad, depending on the number you roll. Here, I'll explain. One is what I like to call 'Silent as the Grave'. Basically if you roll it, you'll have to drink this." She held up a bottle of a glowing blue liquid, a number one written on a strip of parchment and affixed to the corked lid. "It's a potion of mine. I am a witch after all." She giggled. "This one in particular will take away your voice for exactly one hour. Most of the numbers correspond to potions just like this, ranging in severity. Nothing fatal though. Dimitri says I can't kill any customers." Hazel pouted for a brief moment before her smile returned and she nudged the dice closer. "You roll wrong, you'll be punished, but if you roll a three or a nine, you'll land on Fate's Reprieve! That means you win a prize, and I'll tell you where you can find Dimitri. What do you say? Do we have a deal?" Rose glanced down, looking between the dice and the small witch before she shook her head.

"The prize doesn't seem to fit the punishment. It's a bit too unfair to risk it."

Hazel's grin shrank, and she panicked. "Please play, Rose Lady! Please please please!  It's no fun if you don't. Here, I'll change the rules a little bit for you to make it fair. You only want information, right? Hmm... How about this? Roll an even number, and I'll tell you where you can find Dimitri. Roll an odd number and...ummm... Oh! Roll an odd number and you'll have to give me your necklace! How is that? Fairer now?"

"Hardly." The unicorn creased her brow in thought, looking down at her necklace. To play could mean one of two outcomes. A chance at unanswered questions and a possible means of escape, or the loss of a precious gift. The witch waited and watched as Rose sighed in exasperation. "I suppose there is no profit without a gamble. Fine, you have a deal." The young pony stamped her hooves in delight, pushing the dice to Rose.

"Whenever you're ready!" The mare levitated the cube toward her, examining the ivory as she ceased her magic and let it fall to the table. Her breath caught, as did that of the filly, the dice hitting the wood and skittering across the top as the numbers flashed and spun.

"Even...even..." Rose's heart pounded furiously as the dice slowed it's dance, spinning a few more times and finally tumbling to an abrupt halt to teeter precariously on a corner between a six and a five. Both ponies leaned closer, not daring any unnecessary movement as the cube finally toppled to land, a six displayed clearly in the glaring lights.

"What?! No!" The orange filly huffed in annoyance as Rose breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank Celestia!" She murmured before turning to the witch. "We had a deal then. Where can I find Dimitri?" Hazel jutted her bottom lip in a pout, sighing before chancing a smile.

"Fine, you won fair and square." She leaned forward in her seat to point behind the mare. Rose turned to follow her line of sight. "See that really really tall pole with all those lights tied to it? It almost looks like a spider web with all those strands." She nodded, spotting the structure readily. "That's where the Emporium of Creatures is. Dimitri usually feeds them about this time. If you hurry, you might just catch him."

"Ah! Thank you!" Rose started off from the booth in the direction of the lights, Hazel waving from the booth and giggling.

"That was fun, Rose Lady! Come play with me again later!"

...