The long, winding river has brought the knights deep into the jungle, enshrouded by dark, not because of the night but because of the thick, dense jungle embracing the darkness; shielding it from light.

This would not be a problem as their bodies exude flames, which guide them through the depths of the forest, but also an alluring lure from the creatures hidden within the forbidden forest.

Their flames would reflect on the lurking creature's eyes as they followed the river, avoiding their possible ambush. Although they look at them as they pass, no one dares come close to them and attack. Probably from the flames they produced.

Luckily, the ground they stepped on was damp enough that the cinders their hoof prints left did not scatter.

"It was a wise choice that we followed the river; this way we could avoid burning the whole forest. Who knows what catastrophe we could have caused?" The soft-spoken knight told the first.

"I will be honest; I have not considered it. Please do not think of me so highly." The first knight, embarrassed.

"Hahaha, a fluke it is, nevertheless, your luck has brought us this far. You may still lead us. Fear not, I will not take your place. For now, that is." She jests.

"More than half have died and more have left us. I do not blame you if you would like to take my place; if it's you, I'll gladly follow. You have proven your worth." He bowed down to her and presented his sword unsheathed.

"Are you serious? Surely you know I jest." She blushed. "And besides, you can't always be lucky; some of that is unavoidable. If it weren't for you, perhaps none of us would have survived," she reassured him.

He smiled. "Thank you."

The soft-spoken knight could only look away.

"Ahmm, please get a room and stop blocking our way." One of the knights spoke behind them. They'd see their fellow knights smirking and sighing. Embarrassing the both of them.

"Can you be quick about it and touch his sword already? Some of us want to go home." The soft-spoken knight blushingly followed what was said, which honored the first knight.

" E-Even though you offered your sword, this only goes to show our friendship to each other, okay!" She flustered.

"You're not the only one who can flirt, you know." He winked at the soft-spoken knight. Which further flustered her.

The knights continued to bicker, chat, and horse around as they walked through the forest. It's a bit unprofessional, but it helps make the travel fast and entertaining.

______________

" My lord, it seems we have lost track of the group heading north into the forest. It appears that they used the river to hide their burning tracks and their scent untraceable as it is smoke itself, confusing our beasts," the cat announced.

"While I am disappointed with my army, more fun for me, I guess. Perhaps this is a matter that I should attend. Silver stream," he called.

"Yes, my lord."

"Join me."

"As you wish."

Gallus would take his favorite spear and armor, while Silver Stream would still wear her revealing desert dress and place her whip at the side of her hip.

"What army will you be taking with you, my lord?" The cat asked.

"The dragoons," he replied.

"The best it is then; I shall summon them right away, my lord."

"Go, for we fly in an hour."

The cat would leave, and Gallus prepared, waiting at his throne. His wife would sit on his lap and touch the burns on his face.

"Did you enjoy your new toy?"

"Not as much as I enjoyed you. In the end, she was just wild. Uncomparable to you."

The two joined as they waited for their flight.

_________

A spear within the abyss would fly and land infront of them, halting the knight's advance and forcing them to go on a defensive.

"Perhaps we can talk to the locals here?" someone suggested.

"If they side with Gallus, then I suggest we kill them instead," the soft-spoken knight recommended.

"State your business!" The first knight shouted.

"Perhaps they're savages who do not know our tongue? We should instead take their essence," one whispered.

Their answers would soon be answered as a boar-like creature decorated with cult-like ornaments of bones and skulls emerged in the abyss of the forest.

"Equine tongue, not Equine. What, what?" The boar spoke.

The knights, shocked by the revelation, questioned each other. It seems both parties are curious and confused about each other.

"A boar that speaks? When?"

"A smart savage, savage nonetheless. We should take their essence."

"They seem to have no part in Gallus."

"Then perhaps we need not fight." The first intervenes the others.

He approaches the boar and sheathes his sword in front of it. " May we cross your forest? We come, no trouble." The first tried to communicate.

"Trouble already. Sacred water. Touched by death. Trouble you are!"

" What do we do then?" The first stood his ground, his tone authoritative and unwavering.

The boar was shocked at how a tiny pony would look so big and intimidating. "M-move away! Move away!"

" An easy request. Do as the boar asked."

The first told his troops. " But sir-"

" You heard him." The rest would look at each other in confusion and eventually follow what the boar requested.

" Happy?" the first asked the boar.

" Good pony, good," the boar said happily, not knowing the consequences of its request. The first presented himself once more. " I am a royal knight, and you?" He pointed.

" Boris! Boris, many bones!" He proudly answered.

" Hmm, Boris of many bones, an honor to meet you. May we pass now?"

" Depends! Where go?"

The first knight would look at the rest of the group before saying, "To Canterlot."

" Demon Castle! Demon Castle! Crazy equine! Leave! Leave!" The boar began to back away from them, and the rest of the boars, hidden in the forest, began to slowly close in with their spears.

The knights were also preparing their swords, but the first would halt them.

"Trouble no! No trouble! Kill demons, we will!" He announced.

The boars began looking at each other, bewildered. "Even crazy! But. better. You go now!" Boris proclaimed.

It seems the first knight has gained some leverage.
" Then help and guide us, please."

"Only outside forest, finish." The answered.

" Understood."

The deal between the boar and the royal knights ended peacefully. A guide was given to them as they headed out of the forest.

Author's Note

Hmmm why did it end up with first and soft spoken flirting..... My minds a mystery...