The Carnival of the Damned

The next few days passed by uneventfully in the Everfree Forest, Rose enjoying the teas she had been given, and busying herself with studies of the local flora. She stayed away from the areas where Poison Joke and other harmful species were prevalent, trading them in favor for varieties of chamomile, lavender, and other helpful herbs.

It was during one of such sessions of studies, a clear and crisp Fall afternoon, that she strolled down one of the dirt paths of the forest looking for anything that may happen to catch her keen eyes, She did not have to look far.

It was a strange sight to behold, that much was certain; for on the side of the dirt path was a large, old gypsy wagon. A tawny stallion knelt by one of the wheels, speaking strange words with an unfamiliar accent and shaking his head in frustration. Rose approached carefully, Ryn's words of caution echoing in her mind. As she neared the wagon however, she could easily see past the other pony, the wheel nearby clearly broken completely from it's axle. Fear left her as concern and hope of assisting took it's place.

“E-excuse me, sir?”

The gypsy startled, turning to face the mare. “Ah! So there is civilization close by? You must forgive my tongue's outbursts of anger, dear lady. I thought I was very much alone. Such words should not be heard by as pretty a one as yourself.” The stallion knelt to a bowing posture. “I am Dimitri Vladislov Dragomir Horatiu, Traveling salespony from the far off land of Roamania, and you are...?”

It only being proper in introduction, Rose made a similar bow of greeting. “My name is Rose. I live in these forests. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. May I ask what brings you so far away from your homeland?”

“Ah, you see my dear Miss Rose, I come to offer rare and exotic gifts from lands shrouded in mystery and superstition. That is, I would, yet fortune is not with me. My wagon seems to have broken it's wheel. You see, I am not so strong an earth pony that I can easily move it to the next town, and I have no magics that are given to unicorn kind. And all the same, I have not horn with which to perform them, or pegasus wings to fly.” He shrugged his shoulders with a hearty chuckle. “Thus, I am stuck.” He moved away from the wheel, giving the broken axle a stern kick as he did so. “Ah, yet I complain too much in front of pretty mare. Please, do not mind me. I shall wait for fortune to bring a wagon down yonder road, or at the very least, an ox with which to help.”

Not willing to leave the stranded salespony, Rose lingered by the wheel, looking over the ridged edges where the pieces had separated. Frowning, she closed her eyes in intense concentration as her horn began to glow with crimson magics.  The bits of splintered wood began to mend themselves, the wheel once again bonding with the wagon until the caravan stood whole once more.

Dimitri stood quietly behind Rose, watching this all take place as a sinister grin played across his features. He concealed this effortlessly however as he trotted to the mare's side with an exclamation of joy.

“Ah! My caravan! It is whole once more! Oh, dear, sweet, kind Miss Rose. You have done such a great service for me this day. Ah, how ever can I thank you for this kindness?”

Rose smiled, a little worn by the strain of the magic. “I am happy simply to have been able to help you. I'm afraid the Everfree Forest is no place to be stranded. You should be able to reach Ponyville quickly now.”

The gypsy frowned, looking back and forth between Rose and his mended wagon. “Yes, this is all well and good, but I cannot leave without some form of repayment. A gratitude, if you will.”

Rose opened her mouth to protest, yet the other was too quick. “Please, my dear Miss Rose. It is only how you say, 'proper'. Ah! I know! Please, come with me.” He trotted up to the front of the caravan, opening the door to reveal the small space inside lined with shelves and cabinets. These were filled with an assortment of strange objects; vials, bottles, dangling jewelry, woven clothes, books and statues, trinkets of all shapes and sizes. Still, the mare paused at the entrance as the stallion roamed to the back of the mobile store.

“You see, I am fully stocked with all kinds of exotic gifts of the strange and magical, most of which are strictly one of a kind. I would be most happy to give you one. A gift for the kindness you have shown me.” He gestured to the stands of various items. “Please, pick whichever one you like best, the one that catches your eye.” He smiled, moving as far back as the small space could afford to offer her more room,

Rose hesitated still, glancing back and forth between the dimly lit interior of the small shop and the empty dirt road through the forest.

“I-I'm afraid I truly must decline. Time is getting away from me, and others will worry.” She began to back away from the wagon, bowing apologetically to the other who gave a sorrowful sigh.

“Ah, that is a shame. I have so much here, and to let your kindness go un-repayed... Are you certain there is nothing here you would like?” He turned away, pretending to examine a shelf behind him as he grinned. “Maybe a book or two?”

Rose paused, blinking, “You have books?”

“Not many, I confess, Just a few volumes of old. Ancient writings of my home and the creatures there.”

“Creatures?”

“Ah, yes! How you should have seen them! All sorts of magnificent beasts, some of which have not been seen in centuries.”

Curiosity on the subject has a firm hold on the unicorn as she cautiously stepped into the caravan, looking around at the trinkets it held. Dimitri turned to her with a wide smile, nodding to a worn tome on the shelf beside him.

“Ah! You like books? Please, have a look. There is much here.” Rose levitated the book to her, flipping the pages in earnest.

“This...this is amazing!”

“And there is more! Here, I'll show you.” He trotted over to the other side of the small shop, the hoof steps echoing on the wooden floor of the caravan. “Here I have amulets. Charms and potions for healing and protective wards. And here, scarves and headdresses, hoof woven. Crystals and pendants too! Ah, but it seems you already wear one...good mare, may I ask where you found your pretty necklace? It teems familiar in a sense. I have seen that design before, I think.”

Rose, still fascinated by the book before her, glanced down at her pendant. “Oh, it was a gift from a friend. Years ago.”

“Ah, I see... Intriguing...” Confirmation achieved, he smirked to himself as he rummaged through another cabinet.

“Ah! Here is something you might like, my dear Miss Rose. Something with which you can keep so pretty a necklace in. Keep it safe when you wish to remove it.” He set a small box upon the table. A familiar box with green gems and intricate detailing.

“This is a music box from the deepest, darkest regions of Roamania. A fitting gift, is it not? Might I play it for you?”

Setting down the old tome, she approached the table where the gypsy stood to better examine the box.

“A music box?”

“Yes, quite the pretty one too. A pretty box for a pretty mare. I'll show you.”

Dimitri set his hoof on the lid, opening the device fully as the slow, captivating tune began to fill the caravan's interior, accompanied by the strange green glow of magics from long ago. “It is a fitting tune, is it not? A song older than the land itself. It calls for you to submit. Can you hear it?” He grinned, the mare not able to look away from the box as the haunting melody continued to consume her.

From the skies above the forest, Ryn soared above the clouds, a large paper bag clenched in his mouth as he scanned the forest below.

“Shdupid muphin phridayz...” He grumbled as best as he could about the impromptu delivery that Okiku had sent him on, the only positive being an excuse to check in on Rose as he had promised. The forest below was quiet and he could see no sign of her near her cottage, or smoke of a fire to signal her presence. Ryn angled his wings, circling back and gliding to search another path.

It did not take him long to spot the unusual caravan on the side of the road, and he ventured in close for a better look. There was a strange green light from the back door of the vehicle, making him uneasy as he neared.

It was only when he had approached within earshot did he see it. Rose lay unconscious on the floor of the small wagon, a tawny pony hovering close beside her.

“Rose? Rose!”

Ryn sped forward, but not quickly enough. The tawny stallion looked up in time to see the arrival of the other, a sneering grin lighting his mouth as he gripped a nearby potion from one of the tables. This smashed upon the ground in a cloud of smoke, Ryn soaring straight through this fog in his haste. The pegasus flapped his wings in powerful bursts of wind to clear the air, yet with no avail. Even as the forest became visible once more around him, Rose and the caravan has vanished.

“…Dammit!” Ryn stamped his hooves on the ground, glaring at the bag of muffins that had fallen from his muzzle. “I should have arrived sooner.”

...