Vallorith

Sweetie Belle looked forward. The town of Kranou, nested between the mountains, shone with lights. It wasn't a large town. Sweetie Belle noticed a cubic tower overlooking it. It was the duke's castle. The keep was nowhere near as glamorous as the Canterlot Castle. Still, the town looked nice.

Despite the early morning, the port of the town was bustling with activity. There were warships of Frankania docked, as well as many merchant ships. Sweetie noticed many different creatures walking around.

Once her ship docked to the port, Sweetie Belle walked out. She decided to go find a tavern to stay in.

The Unicorn walked through the busy port. She had her magic and her dagger at the ready.

Sweetie Belle noticed one of the buildings. It had a signpost showing a blue Minotaur's head. Above the entrance, there was a banner. La Corne Bleue. Sweetie guessed it was the tavern. She hoped she would meet somecreatures that speak Ponish there.

Sweetie opened the door, and entered the tavern. The tavern's customers were mostly Minotaurs. There were some Crabs and Beetles sitting by the tables. The customers looked at Sweetie Belle with suspicion. Probably they haven't met a Unicorn before.

She met the bartender, a female Minotaur.

"Got a room I can rent?"

"No free rooms, sorry," the Minotaur answered.

Sweetie Belle was disappointed. Guessed by the crowd at the port, it wasn't surprising. She decided to order some food and water.

Sweetie looked around the tavern. Creatures were speaking in foreign languages. She guessed they talked about the war and about Cavians.

She noticed one particular Minotaur. He had blue fur and was tall, even by Minotaur standards. His face was covered by scars. He was wearing battered armor and had a mace by his side. He was talking with a young Crab in a different language. Maybe this one knows Ponish?.

Sweetie Belle decided it would be good to get to know the situation on the island better. She walked towards the Minotaur.

"Greetings, young lady. How may I help you?" he asked in quite good Ponish.

"Just want to talk. You're a mercenary?"

"Captain Fer, of the Company of Square."

"I'm Sweetie Belle."

"What brings a young girl like you to Kranou?"

"Cavians attacked my ship."

"Let me guess, you want revenge? Sorry, but you don't seem like mercenary material."

"I can defend myself," she said, and levitated her dagger.

"Hm, you're a mage. Might be useful."

"What is the current situation in Vallorith?"

"The archipelago was always divided and fighting, and now these rats just decided to go to war with everycreature."

"Why?"

"I heard the merchants from the mainland talking about a full scale invasion by a giant army of Abyssinians from a different continent. They are said to be led by a demon bent on conquest. Cavians allied with them."

"Yeah, I heard that the Abyssinians conquered Xengaria. Didn't know they reached Vallorith."

"Cavians or Abyssinians, they won't take Frankania. Me and my company will make sure of it. Say, do you think you have what it takes to be a mercenary?"

"Maybe later."

"And what would you like to do on the archipelago?"

"I will travel to Atest," Sweetie Belle said. Atest was the largest city on Vallorith. It was the destination of her ship before it was attacked by Cavians.

"Our duke traveled to Atest to lift the siege. You probably would be useful there as well. My offer still stands if you change your mind."

The Unicorn finished drinking her water, and decided to go back to the town.

Sweetie Belle left the tavern and walked to the town market to get supplies for her journey. The market was filled with creatures. There were many stands, and many merchants. Sweetie sold the loot she got from the Cavians. She looked at the coins she got. The coins were green, and had a crowned Deer on the back. They were labeled, Imperator Casimir, Imperator omni Landkariae. The ancient coins were quite resilient and valuable. Sweetie Belle bought some food and a few magical crystals.

While on the market, she saw a large gathering of creatures next to one of the stands. She came closer, and saw Apple Bloom selling Zap Apple Jam. One of Crabs gave her several green coins, and carefully took a jar with his pincers.

"Hello, Sweetie. How are you?" the Earth Pony said happily.

"Good. What are you doing?"

"Granny was right, the creatures over here love our jam," said Apple Bloom.

"So, you are going to sell the jam here?"

"Enough to buy a cart and travel to Sir Mantu. Say, would you like to travel with me? It would be good to have some backup in case Cavians try to attack us again."

Sweetie levitated a map from her saddlebag. "I was thinking about going to Atest. Sir Mantu is on the way. Sure, I will come with you," she said. It would be good to travel with a friend.

"Great. I just need a few more coins to buy a new cart," Apple Bloom said. Then she shouted towards the crowd. "Who else wants the Apple Original Zap Apple Jam?" The crowd responded with cheer.

In the evening, Apple Bloom closed the stand, and bought a cart. Sweetie Belle offered to help her pull it. The two ponies left the town.

They walked towards the mountains. The road was quite steep. They pulled the cart anyway. At least the summer weather meant it wasn't that difficult.

The two ponies watched the scenery and talked.

"So, where are you from?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"I live near Ponyville. That's in the Towerlands."

"I heard that the Tower is locked."

"Yes, it has been locked for many years. Nopony managed to get to it."

"Why are you selling the jam?"

"To help my family, of course. We have a small farm on the outskirts of the city. I decided to travel here to sell the products. Also, to finally get a cutie mark," Apple Bloom said. She was quite saddened by the thought. "Eighteen years old and still markless. This is a disgrace."

"I hope you will manage to get one."

"And you, do you have a cuite mark?"

"I do not and I don't really care about that."

Apple Bloom looked at her companion. "My sister always told me that honesty is important. If you want to talk about this, I will listen."

Sweetie Belle hesitated with an answer. She only knew Apple Bloom for two days. She seemed like a reasonable Pony.

"No, it's nothing," said Sweetie Belle. She didn't want to start talking about her nightmares.

The two ponies walked in silence. Eventually, night fell, and the two set up a camp close to the road.

Sweetie Belle offered to take the first watch. She wasn't going to fall asleep anyway.