Attempts to replicate a proper sitting posture ended in failure. Side effects included a stretched tendon. Irritating, considering that now August had to keep up with his companion with a slight limp. They weren't walking slowly either. Stream Line and August were on their way to meet with a team that Brick had organised to attack Winter’s headquarters.

To appease August, Brick agreed to limit his help only to the two unicorns that Birck had as bodyguards. They could just consider them a magical threat under their original agreement. August went with this complicated logic to draw clear lines and keep himself separated from the rest of Brick’s operation. Brick went with this because he didn’t care enough.

For his help, August was promised a place for his laboratory, payments for any tasks completed, and a promise he wouldn’t be bothered without a sufficient reason. He also got something extra for the help he was going to provide today with the attack, his first commission as Brick called it: a hefty sack of golden coins, called bits, and saddlebags to keep them in.

It was a weird feeling, having something on your back like this. August started thinking about different designs for carrying things, yet this species, while better than horses, still lacked the mobility and convenience of arms and hands that humans had. Saddlebags were most likely the best way, after all these ponies had hundreds or even thousands of years to perfect such simple tools. There was little chance he could think of something better than they had. He will just have to get used to this.

His irritated expression and weird movements as he tried to adjust his saddlebags were apparently misinterpreted as nervousness.

“Don’t worry, if you’re as amazing as Blaze said, I’m sure it will be easy for you, even if you don’t have much fighting experience” Stream Line put his wing around August and gave him a light squeeze with it “Those two can’t cast anything greater than a cheap fireball.”

“Why drag me into this then?” August took a step to the side to shake off Stream’s wing. Those ponies seemed to like physical contact far too much.

“Well, nopony wants to be the one to get hit with that fireball. Happened once, poor dude had to spend a month in a hospital.”

“Truly a cheap fireball if they even managed to get him to the hospital,” August thought for a moment, recalling his memories “I think I heard someone mention him yesterday.”

“Who?” Stream Line looked at him, surprised.

“Dude.”

“What?”

“Dude. I think I heard someone mention him.”

“Yeah, but who are we talking about?” Stream Line was getting more and more lost.

“Dude?”

“What dude?

“It’s not a name?” August was slowly coming to the conclusion that he was making a fool of himself.

“Noooo…?”

“Then forget that this conversation happened.”

Despite feeling like an idiot, this interaction had one unexpected boon for August – the atmosphere was awkward enough that Stream Line finally stopped talking and even started walking a step further away.

In this blessed silence, August enjoyed their walk much more. Sun was still in the sky and while Lower Canterlot lacked the astounding architecture, it had much more greenery and much less noise. It was a rare occasion for August to enjoy a quiet stroll. The only thing souring his mood was the fact that soon he would have to fight. He hated fighting. Even more so now that he had to fight with some local thieves. This whole conflict was far beneath him.

As soon as this was over, he should start working on the way home. It will take some time and there should already be a new High Scion by the time he returns, but as long as his master is still alive he should be able to easily take back his place.

He will also need to find someone more influential than the gang that was currently backing him. There is no way they will be able to provide all that he needed. Maybe he should think about getting official recognition as a wizard in this land? Surely, they must have procedures in place for recognising new mages without having them go through years of magic kindergarten first.

“We are here” Stream Line disrupted August’s thoughts, stopping in front of a small, unassuming house and knocking on the door in a weird rhythm. The doors opened soon after and Stream and August walked into a room filled with about two dozen ponies.

August was surprised as the ponies gathered here finally looked like actual thugs. He could see a lot of scars and signs of past trauma and they were all armed with simple weapons, mostly knives, short swords and clubs. Unlike all the other ponies he met so far, they also had a dangerous glint in their eyes, that suggested that staying in a back alley with them alone was a bad idea.

August was satisfied with what he saw. He didn’t really believe that those ponies knew how to fight, but this sight gave him a slim hope that his new companions weren’t as inept as he feared.

While August was taking a look around, Stream Line was approached by a muscular, white pegasus.

“Hi Stream” the two ponies bumped hooves “This is the wizard we get?”

“Yup. Stray Ray, meet August Light. August, meet Stray Ray. She will be leading today” Stream Line introduced them to each other.

Ray had a light blue mane and tail and her fur was white enough to blind someone when looking at her in the sun. August was sure that long hours of care were put to keep her fur like that. Overall, she seemed far too bright, which ill-suited August. He preferred calm, toned colours. Like grey.

Ray also took a moment to look at August and then extended her hoof towards him “Nice to meet you”

Copying Stream Line, August carefully bumped his hoof with Ray “Pleasure is mine. I hope our cooperation is fruitful”

“I’m sure it will. I wanted to punch Winter in his stupid muzzle for years. Thanks for providing me a chance. Come, I’ll get you some water before we go out”

Ray led them to a long table and poured them both a cup of water.

“So, August, or do you prefer Light?” Ray started a conversation after they sat down

“August, please. I do not think anyone ever called me Light” August picked his glass with magic. He wasn’t sure if it was safe, but he was thirsty and those ponies didn’t look like the kind of people that dabbled with poisons. Magic wasn’t that reliable when it came to this, but he cast a quick poison-detecting spell, more for his own comfort than usefulness.

“Then, August, what kind of help will you be providing”

“He will take down the unicorns, nothing more, nothing less” Stream Line answered.

“Really? Are you just gonna stand and watch after that?”

“My agreement with Brick states that I only provide help with magical threats. I am not going to partake in your wars. The only reason I am even here is that a quick end to this conflict is convenient to me."

"Oh, come on! I thought that a wizard willing to go and bash some heads would be at least a bit fun."

"Why does everyone expect me to be some unhinged sociopath?”

“It’s the face, I bet” Ray said with a grin.

“Maybe it has something to do with you proposing we curse Winter to death?” Stream Line gave him a deadpan look

“He can do that? Then why in Tartarus are we even bothering with this attack?”

“We lack a marble slab” Stream’s disapproving gaze strongly suggested that Ray should shut up.

“Well, August, you might be stiff, but you are still cool” she pat him on the back, with enough force to almost send him crashing down onto the table “Let’s go, we’ve got some bastards to beat”

The ponies around the room shouted various battle cries, everyone picked up whatever weapon they had and went outside.

******

“Say, please, should we not maintain some stealth? Going like this through the middle of the street seems, to me, counterintuitive” asked August as their small group crossed another street.

“It’s not like we can avoid being spotted” answered Stream Line “Most ponies here know our muzzles and know we work for Brick. We just have to get there before Winter manages to get more ponies, beat everypony and get out.

“And will this be enough to end this war? Beating one pony up seems too simple”

“Reputation is probably the most important factor for anypony here. What kind of reputation would Winter have left after he gets jumped and beaten in his own home? He will probably just leave the city if he has any decency left”

“Putting your hopes on someone's decency is rather foolish. I would suggest killing or at least maiming him. It would be the more permanent solution”

“No! We can’t go around killing ponies.” Stream Line said, slightly louder than he probably intended.

Ray, who up to this moment was busy looking around and seemed more focused on their mission than a chat August was having with Stream Line, turned her head towards them and started listening with interest.

“Why not?”

Stream Line focused, searching for a good reason to give. He quickly dismissed appealing to August's decency, he understood enough about the wizard to know how that would end.

“The guards. The guards might intervene if ponies start dying.” He finally gave his answer, proud of himself for thinking of something. Maybe he just saved a few lives.

“Hmmm. Understandable” August nodded his head.

They continued their quick march, uninterrupted. All of them started to feel the pressure of the upcoming fight. They were all searching for signs of ambush, their hoofs quite often wandering close to their weapons. Only August seemed to be lost in his own world.

When they finally arrived at the front of a large warehouse, even August finally lifted his head.

******

Unimpressive. That was the first word that came to August's mind. The place that Brick chose for a meeting was at least scenic and had its own, unique beauty. This was nothing. He expected one of the more powerful ponies among the locals to have at least some sense of decorum. Brick had. Why Winter could not? Will they really have to fight inside some dirty warehouse?

With some hope left, August sent a scanning spell through the building, hoping that the dreary front was only a cover for more interesting insides. His hopes were soon bashed, as while the inside of the building wasn’t filled with wares only, it consisted mostly of a storage area and maybe a dozen small rooms.

While doing so, he also scanned for any living beings inside. He counted almost thirty, but couldn’t tell more without stopping for a few minutes and focusing on casting some more potent spells.

“Thirty enemies. We seem to be outnumbered”

“That many? Are you sure?” asked Stream Line

“I do not usually open my mouth if I am unsure”

“Bah, we can be outnumbered, but we are not outmatched. It’s just more heads to bash for each of us” Ray declared, grabbing a spear she was carrying on her back as her group answered with various enthusiastic shouts.

“Great enthusiasm, everypony” Stream Line leaned closer to August and whispered “Hey, can you get us all inside somehow? Like, teleport us in or something? I don’t fancy crossbow bolt to my muzzle”

“Blind teleport would be wasteful and dangerous. I can cover your entrance, but that is beyond what I was tasked to do”

“Oh, come on, don’t be so stingy! You are here already, what problem is it to cast one more spell?”

“Mages don’t work for free. I’m willing to negotiate”

“Okay, fine. What do you want?” Stream Line asked with exasperation.

“Nothing you currently have. Consider what I will do a favour, and keep in mind that one day I will come to collect it”

“Open-ended deals like that are the most dangerous”

“It will be nothing beyond your capabilities, that I can promise. Also, despite what you might think, I usually do not demand firstborn as a payment”

“You would be rather late for that, my firstborn was born many years ago.”

“Truly?” August looked at Stream Line, trying to guess his age.

“Hey, enough of that. Are you ready?” Ray interrupted them.

“Yeah, we are” Stream Line confirmed “You got a deal. Now, show me what you got.”

“Great” August smiled a predatory smile that made Stream Line question his decision to owe a favour to this wizard.

******

Winter and his closest friends and advisors were all hidden behind a small barricade of crates and barrels, aiming varied weapons at the only door leading to the storage part of their hideout. He knew that sending a full squad to burn down Blaze Strikes house and capture the new unicorn that lives with her wasn’t the best idea, but he wanted to make an example. He didn’t think that Brick would have the balls to attack him directly.

Even now he still couldn’t believe it. To send only two dozen ponies to take him down, even if one of them was Stray Ray, was a joke. He will gladly prove that to Brick. Stained Page and Distant Sun were on his sides, ready to shower the attacker with spells. Winter and his two personal guards were wearing chainmail and helmets, a hefty investment a few years back, but one that saved his flank many times. Usually, Iron Hooves would be here too, also armoured, but right now he was at the Canterlot Hospital.

He felt his lips go dry and quickly ran over them with his tongue. He fought many times but never seemed to be able to get rid of the anxiety that caught him right before it started. He slowly waved his wings up and down, trying to cool himself down a bit.

With a surprisingly quiet ‘pop’, the wall next to them disappeared, revealing a group of armed ponies that instantly rushed into the newly formed breach.

Few ponies kept enough clarity of mind to fire their crossbows into the approaching group, but the bolts lost their momentum as soon as they left the strings and fell uselessly. A ball of fire shot straight onto Stray Ray only to reach her as a gust of hot air.

That was as much as Winter could observe the fight, as the white pegasus rushed straight at him, a flap of her wings sending her charging spear first. An attack that could easily be deadly, but they both knew it was far too little to take Winter down.

His sword shot forward and redirected the thrust to the side. He tried to step forward and close the distance, but Ray had already retreaded, the point of her spear once more threatening to strike. Winter knew better than to try and attack first. In the chaos of the fight that had just begun there was little place to manoeuvre, much less to fly, so he was forced to be passive and wait for his chance.

Ray probed his defence, her spear darting back and forth, trying to get a reaction out of him. His blade followed her movements, always threatening, always ready for even the smallest mistakes. Ray moved in, her spear following through instead of retreating. Winter pushed ahead, letting the spear slide off his chainmail, bruising his ribs as his sword searched for his opponent. Yet before he reached a close enough distance, Ray retreated, her spear point once more threatening, forcing Winter to disengage or risk another hit.

The chance appeared in the form of one of his guards finding a free moment to attack Ray from the side. She dodged the slash aimed at her with a simple step back, getting out of reach of the sword and then followed with a swipe with the blunt side of the spear. The attack was, despite landing right in the chest, blunted by the armour and only sent the attacker back.

The tip of her spear was still aimed at Winter, always ready to strike, knowing that he was the biggest threat here. He knew though, that this distraction was the best chance he might get, so he jumped ahead. Ray retreated and poked with her spear, trying to force him back, but her guard was slightly off after the attack she just defended against. Winter pushed the spear aside and slipped past it, giving himself enough space to leave a gush at Ray’s left foreleg, the sudden pain almost making her drop her weapon.

He knew it was his moment, as he stepped closer, chasing after desperately retreating Ray, preparing to deliver a thrust that will surely end this fight, but his eagerness was his undoing – he moved too fast and got too close, as Ray dropped her spear and delivered a powerful hoovetrike right to his muzzle. Winter staggered back, with tears in his eyes.

They both disengaged, Ray, picking up her spear and preparing to defend herself with her left foreleg injured and Winter, wiping off the blood that started flowing from his nose and taking a look around. While his ponies were managing the fight well, their numbers compensating for their subpar skill, Distant Sun was lying unconscious on the ground, his horn smoking lightly. Never a good sign for a unicorn. He quickly located Stained Page, who, horn aglow, was standing in front of an unknown, grey unicorn, tired but still fighting… until he suddenly collapsed, without the slightest sound.

Winter understood where Brick found the confidence to attack him like that – he found a wizard willing to help him, maybe even finally sold himself to somepony in the upper city, like he always wanted. Winter knew that his time was growing short, he needed to deal with that unicorn immediately.

He looked back at Ray. Despite her injury, she had a better weapon. Even in a tight space like that, a spear gave her a reach advantage that he couldn’t just ignore. He could defeat her, surely, but it would take time. Time he didn’t have. He needed to take a risk. And despite their equal martial prowess, there was one thing he was much better at – flying.

He rushed straight at Ray. Her spear moved forward, aimed at him, keeping him at a distance. He noticed that she was slower, her long weapon harder to use with an injured foreleg. He moved his sword as if he was going to push her spear aside, but before they clashed, he flapped his wings and jumped into the air, above her spear. He sailed past her guard and aimed a wide slash at her neck.

He saw her eyes get wider, but they were still glued to his blade. His strike was too slow, he knew this from the beginning. If that was all, she had plenty of room to dodge that attack. So, with great effort, he moved his wings again and spun in the air. His sword barely missed the low ceiling as it accelerated, helped by the twist of his whole body. A show of skill that would fit more in an acrobatics show rather than a fight. Nonetheless, successful. Ray had no time to react, as Winters's sword cut the air, aimed at her neck. He knew she might not survive that, but at this point, he was fighting for his whole life's work. He wasn’t going to give up without giving it his all.

His sword stopped with a muted clank, as the air itself seemingly solidified and deflected the attack. Winters's momentum was stopped, dropping him, surprised and unprepared on the ground, where Ray immediately struck him with the blunt side of her spear into his throat, between the helmet and his armour, making him fall to the ground coughing and choking.

******

After Winter fell, his ponies lost most of their will to fight. Few ran away, others were quickly defeated after Ray joined the fight. August stood back, next to the hole he made, watching everyone else running around, taking care of injured or taking stock of what was in the warehouse.

The whole thing seemed like a cordial affair, far distanced from what usually happened to the defeated back in his homeworld. Here, after the fight was over, everyone seemed to forget that any fight happened. The defeated were disarmed, but after that, they were just placed in a remote corner and left to tend to their injured. Both sides didn’t lack those. Fortunately, no one has approached him yet to ask for help.

Aaaand, he jinxed it. Here comes Ray.

“You alright?”

“I am well enough. I did not do much”

“Just wanted to say thanks for help. Winter caught me off guard”

“Happens to the best of us”

“Yeah, true. But what happened with the stingy mage that only does the bare minimum that ripped off Stream just minutes ago? I thought you were only here for the unicorns” She bumped him shoulder to shoulder with a wide grin.

“I told Brick that I would help with any magic. And for me, it must be a miracle that someone can be so cocky and get beaten so easily.”

“Ouch. Thanks anyway. You aren’t half bad, just stop looking so constipated all the time.”

With one last deadpan glare from August, Ray went back to her ponies, a stupid grin still on her muzzle. After that, August came to the conclusion that it was enough interacting with ponies for today. He approached Stream Line, who was busy going through a massive tome.

“I have done my part. Do you need anything else or can I go now?”

Stream Line lifted his gaze from the book.

“No, you can go if you want. We will be going soon too.”

“Great. I wish you a pleasant eve.”

Stream Line ignored the weird goodbye and only muttered something under his nose.

Just a few minutes later, he was interrupted again, once more by August.

“What’s the problem now?” he asked, preparing for another dose of August’s weirdness.

“I… seem to have forgotten the way back to Blaze’s house.”

They ended up returning together.

Author's Note

Hello everypony. I’m back with another chapter and with the first proper fight scene in this series. Focused on Ray and Winter, as honestly, August wasn’t doing anything interesting. Also, writing cool fights between mages is much harder. I tried to keep it short and sweet, as fights us should be, and would love to hear your opinions, for I thought long and hard about how I would like to present fights in my prose.

Anyway, it might be a while before we get another fight scene. With August having his own place now, he will hopefully stop beating up all those poor ponies. That bastard. If he keeps going on I will have to think about changing the tag to mature.

Have an awesome day and I hope you will continue reading.