Man, Mare, Machine

The chief guided them back through the black passages of the caverns. The path was much more complex than it seemed on the way in, each diverging path they came to was always connected to at least two others. The chief would immediately duck into one of the many passages, leaving them to follow behind.

"You could separate so easily in here," commented Sylvia.

"If you separate, you're as good as dead." Responded the chief. "These are mostly mining tunnels, most of the abandoned passages are hazardous in the dark. Old scaffolding and other debris just waiting to collapse."

"Does that happen very often?" Inquired Dominic.

"Not many of my people venture in these caves since they are already void of gems. Unfortunately, accidents happen. The most recent fatality was a few years ago, Reh's feeder at the time didn't return. We found him a short while later, he had lost consciousness at the bottom of a shaft, he tried to climb out but there wasn't enough air for him to make it. There was nothing we could do."

"That's horrible, have you tried sealing parts of the cave?" Asked Sylvia.

"We have neither the tools nor the time. Between developing and maintaining mines, organizing the pack, helping Reh and a myriad of other things, extra resources are scarce. I have sealed several of the tunnels, but as you would expect of the cave our ancestors planned to live in, there are many more."

"So do you use the gems exclusively for Reh or do they serve another purpose?" Inserted Dominic.

"We trade away the extra when we can for what we can get." Huffed the chief in response.

"With who?"

"The griffons."

"Do your races get along well?"

"It varies every time they get a new leader. Their current king has no qualms with trading with us, so we are currently neutral."

"Have you ever gotten lost?"

"Just once."

"How did you get out?"

"I was lucky." The chief pulled back the black cloth, revealing the entrance to the throne room, to anyone else it would have just looked like more wall and been swiftly ignored. "I fell down a similar shaft but I was lucky that there was still an air flow leading to it. Without that, I would have had just as much chance as anyone else." He returned to his chair, paws once-more resting on his knees.

"We can see ourselves out." Dominic accented his statement with a half bow.

"Don't rush yourself on my part, as long as it doesn't cause trouble I could care less what you do."

True to his word he didn't see them out, instead remaining in his chair as they exited the cave, sealing the thick door behind them.

"That was an experience." Sylvia commented.

"Guess it was."

"Not the friendliest."

"He didn't object to us staying, so he doesn't think we're important enough to care about."

"I guess we head back now?"

"Yep." Agreed Dominic before turning and walking toward the village.

"What's the rush?" Asked Sylvia as she caught up.

"I want to at least see Bowser again, so far he's the only civilian we really know, we need him to like us."

It didn't take long for them to locate Bowser, the behemoth was carrying several large baskets when they approached him.

"How it go?" He asked, skipping any greeting.

"I think your chief tolerates us." Dominic deadpanned.

Bowser grinned. "Good." He set the baskets down, sitting on one of the more full-looking ones. "Chief now not the best at talking, but definitely best at leading."

"Do most of the dogs like him?" Asked Dominic with a raised eyebrow.

"Most." Bowser's demeanor had changed slightly as he answered. They saw the gears turning in the dog's head, deciding if he should say more. "Some... say chief is coward... say he ignores ponies so he doesn't have to fight."

"Do you think they have a point?"

Bowser reached into the basket he was sitting on, drawing out a small knife, apparently one of many that filled the basket. "Not sure, Bowser just knows that too many dogs have been killed by dogs called 'brave' before."

Bowser continued to sit, his mouth shut tight. After a few seconds, Dominic spoke up. "We don't want to cause any trouble by running our mouths, we'll be on our way."

As they turned toward the forest, they could hear Bowser mumbling to himself. "What good about being brave anyway? Lucky was brave, what happens when pony brave too?" He finished the statement in a rumbling growl.

The chief walked into Reh's cavern, the owner appearing at his side in a few seconds. "I heard those stories you told the female." He didn't say anything more, he didn't need to.

"There was no benefit to telling her the truth." Reh said it plainly, betraying no hint of guilt.

"Do you mind explaining how? I'm afraid I can't follow your master plan."

Reh let an annoyed puff of smoke escape his nostrils. "They could be an early route to the ponies, no dogs would have to die. All we have to do is let them use us for a time."

"Don't try that with me, answer the question."

Reh let his face adopt an annoyed expression. "Maybe because I've grown tired of that damn story and I wouldn't mind letting it be changed."

"It's a sad sight to see the defender of a race seeking shelter behind words." The chief left the cavern, leaving only his parting word.

"You did all you could, we'll see what happens. Meet with Walt at the expected spot."

"Yes sir..." Dominic's static voiced trailed as he answered.

"I'll tell her you're doing well, if it would help."

"Don't you dare." Dominic disconnected from the call before any response could be made.

Argrave pursed his lips, thinking to himself before pushing the call button on his desk.

"Yes sir?" The voice of his secretary came almost immediately.

"Connect me to Mister Robin, please."

"Right away."

A figure appeared on the screen opposite Argrave's desk. "Yes sir?" It spoke in a soft, slightly high voice.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"Of course not sir, just getting ready to go out is all."

"I need you to head down for me."

"It would be my pleasure. I didn't expect to be needed, honestly."

"Yes well things are progressing a little slow for my tastes."

"Who will I get?" The figure asked with a less-than-honest curiosity.

"The griffons, knowing you I'm guessing you already read about them in the files."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Make them know we're a good choice, just don't kill anyone."

"Well then, I guess I'm already wearing the right suit."

Argrave let the call disconnect, Argrave didn't know what he meant by that statement and didn't want to continue the conversation long enough to find out.