The Carnival of the Damned

A fresh quill dips into the black ink, racing across the blank parchment as Fayt continues to pen the tale.

"Ah, so the dear readers have made their choice at last. Splendid. A fitting choice, I must say. I know precisely how to proceed from this point down the path that has been set before us. This tale has been all twist and turn to this moment. While this is bound to continue to a point, I believe we shall begin a spiraling descent to a timely conclusion.

The stage is set, my readers. Now, let us take our places before the curtains rise.

- Fayt

The writhing blackness from Blood's dark magic proved the quickest in the end, consuming Rose in it's shadowy embrace as soon as the Lord had reached her. The hellhound swung, and they were gone.

"NO!" Ryn landed mere moments after the two unicorns had disappeared, fury evident in his features. He bristled, stamping a hoof angrily to the ground as he wheeled about in search of Ancient Blood and Rose. There had to be a clue as to their current location. Something somewhere to give even the faintest of ideas. The massive hound did not give him much of a chance to search however, snarling in rage at his missed victim. The creature turned it's attack to the nearby pegasus, lunging for new prey to sate it's hunger.

A most foolish mistake.

Ryn turned, glaring at the hound as he grit his teeth in seething fury. A flap of his wings gave some distance as the beast slammed to the ground in it's attack. He would not give it a chance to rise. Ryn clasped his  wings tight, diving straight to the beast's back to trample upon the backbone with all his might.

"Damn you!" He lifted back to the air as the creature howled in pain, swooping to give a hind kick to the top of the canine's muzzle, breaking a fang as he did so. The hellhound rose to it's back feet for a futile swipe at the furious stallion. Ryn ducked under this with ease, coming up under the front leg to kick the underbelly of the creature. With a yelp of surprise the massive entity stumbled, it's ears swiveled to flatten against the skull as it began to back away. Before any further action could be made against the dog, it tucked it's tail between it's legs and took off for the sheltering woods with a whimper.

"Get back here! I'm not finished yet!" Ryn started forward a few paces, leaping up to take flight after the retreating form. It did not take him long to catch up, diving at the skull with a well placed strike. One last howl echoed wearily through the woods as the eyes rolled back  and the hellhound fell unconscious. Trees snapped in wake of the great canine's fall, dust rising up to cover the area before settling down once again to blanket the scene. Ryn alighted to shake off the dust, stopping and cursing in his angered state. Defeating the hellhound would not be enough, to dissipate his increasing fury. He thought of Blood, a few choice words coming to mind as he did so. The crimson unicorn had him beaten, chained in a dungeon, and now he had gotten away, Rose along with him. The pegasus dug his hooves into the ground, gritting his teeth even tighter and near trembling with the amount of hatred that threatened to overwhelm him. After a few minutes, Ryn allowed this to pass and made his way speedily in the direction of the carnival.

...

Apothecarium paced the great hall of the castle, mumbling to himself in a distraught tone. He had been busy at his studies when the shattering of glass had alerted him to some trouble. It was pure luck that had afforded him a glimpse outside just in time to see the silhouette of the imprisoned pegasus taking flight in the direction of the Carnival. No explanation could be gained from the stationed guards, each more baffled than the last as to how the prisoner had discovered a means of escape. All that was left to do was to await the Lord's return and face whatever fury may befall them for their misfortune. The white stallion cringed, not wishing to think upon the issue much longer. He turned to pace in the direction of the kitchen, hoping that a cup of tea may help him better prepare a plausible explanation for the Lord's return. This proved ill-timed as a booming voice rang from the castle's main foyer in a tone of utmost urgency.

"Apothecarium! Come here at once!" The physician races along the hall, not sparing a moment at the Lord's summons. The sight which greeted him in the main hall made him hurry all the more until he came to a halt directly before Lord Blood. In the hooves of the crimson stallion, the mare Rose trembled uncontrollably. Her eyes were still firmly shut in fear from the escaped hellhound, and the wound from her cheek continued to drip blood onto the carpets. Blood's gaze was centered firmly upon the frail unicorn in a look of concern, though the flickering of his eyes over the wound made it apparent that he was struggling to contain his thirst. No order was needed from his master, Apothecarium gently lifting Rose up to aid her in standing.

"M-Miss Rose. It's quite alright now. You are safe. Please, this way." At the soothing and familiar voice, she carefully opened her eyes to see the physician.

"A-Apothecarium?" He gave a smile in acknowledgement to her inquiry, leading her slowly down the hall.

"Yes. You need not worry. You are safe. Now, please follow me. We shall ready chambers for you at once. You need to rest." He glanced back at his Lord who remained quite still, gaze centered upon the blood of the carpet. The fabric had soaked up enough of the crimson liquid to deter any growth of roses, yet the scent was strong in the air and Blood visibly fought to hold himself back. Rose noticed the white unicorn's backward glance, turning to look in that direction as well. Her eyes alighted upon the crimson unicorn, widening as she spoke.

" L-Lord?" As the gentle voice reached his ears, Blood looked up, pained in his inaction. His eyes softened for a brief moment as he stepped forward and opened his mouth to speak. All that came however was a rumbling growl of warning. His eyes gleamed red and cold, looking from the wide scarlet eyes of the mare to the fresh wound upon the cheek. He clamped his sharp fangs, spinning to dash away into the shadows. "Lord Blood..." She moved to follow, yet Apothecarium kept a gentle yet firm hold on her shoulder.

"Let him go, Miss Rose. Please do understand, you are not among your own kind here. The Lord means well, but..." He motioned to her cheek and the carpet beneath her. The mare looked, understanding as she saw the still spreading stain. She nodded solemnly, and the physician led her forward once more. "Now, let's get that cut bandaged for you. Then you must rest. You have had quite the evening."

....