Canterlot Gate: Tales of Equestria

Chapters

Chapter One: Preperations
Chapter Two: The Friendly Arm Inn
Chapter Three: On the Road to Beregost
Chapter Four: Disguises and Dreams
Chapter Five: Nashkel and Hamsters
Chapter Six: The Mines
Chapter Seven: A Thickening Plot
Prologue: Murder

Chapter One: Preperations

Nestled atop the cliff that rise from the Dragon Tooth Coast, the Citadel of Candlekeep houses the finest and most comprehensive collection of writings on the face of the world. It is an imposing fortress, kept in strict isolation from the intrigues that occasional plague that rest of the world. It is secluded, highly regimented, and it was home.

Liam walked through the stables, stopping to stroke the feathery crown of the land strider that stood in one of the stalls. The feather frilled lizard bent its head in to Liam's hand, purring with delight at the attention as he scratched the scales under the feathers. Liam smiled, "Hey there girl."

Liam stopped, much to the irritation of the Land Stider, and set to refill her food and water trough. A Land Strider might seem like a meat eater, but those who did not know the beasts well would be surprise to see that they infact enjoyed to eat plants. Lotus flower petals the most. Once Liam was done he looked to the rest of the stalls and moved to do the same for the other Land Striders that slumbered in their stalls, but the stable door busting open drew his attention.

"There you are my child."

"Father?" Liam said, as a grey maned unicorn walked in, a small bag levitating beside him.

The grey maned unicorn was named Gorion, an odd name for a pony and some would say even more odd to be called father by a human. But, Gorion was Liam's father, not biologically by adopted. Either way though, Liam saw the old pony as close to a father he had, and so he always called him father.

"No time to talk child, take this gold and go to the inn and purchase supplies. We will be leaving Candlekeep soon and you must be ready to travel. Go now." Gorion said, pushing the bag of what Liam assumed to be coin into his hands.

Liam was confused, "Father. What-" but before he could ask, Gorion was already out the door and leaving Liam both confused and worried. Unsure of what else to do, he moved to do as his father had instructed.

Within these hollowed halls of knoweldge, Liam had spent most of his nineteen years of life within the keeps austere walls, under the tutelage of his foster father, the unicorn sage Gorion. Acting as his foster father, Gorion had raised Liam on a thousand tales of heroes and monsters, lovers and infidels, battles and tragedies. But one story was never told, that of his true heritage. Liam knew he was an orphan, after all no pony could breed with a human, but his past was largely unknown.

Recently Gorion had been growing distant, as if something weighed heavily on his heart. When Liam asked about his concerns as gently as he could, but his queries had been in vein. The only comfort Liam had was that Gorion was a wise pony and that he would tell him when the time was right. Never the less, the silence had been troubling and Liam could not help but feel that something was wrong.

And now Gorion was interrupting him in the middle of his chores, giving him a bag of coin and left to purchase supplies for a strange and unexpected journey. Liam looked at the coin purse in his hand, and then to the sign of the Candlekeep Inn. He did not know what was going on, but whatever it was he would find out eventually.

'And I might as well be prepared for....whatever happens.....but what should I get?' Liam thought, as he stepped inside to the warm music and conversation within the inn.

Twilight sipped her tea, her eyes scanning over her book. Next to her was a large pile of books, all neatly stacked. She was already on the third one, and she had twenty two more to read, all by this weekend! She felt so excited, she would prove to Princess Celestia she could handle this, besides she loved to read.

"Twilight!"

Twilight turned to see Spike run up the stairs. He leaned against the wall to catch his breath before running up to Twilight.

"Twilight...I...Princess...Scroll.." Spike said between breathes before burping a small jet of fire and a scroll appeared.

"A letter from the Princess?" Twilight said, she hadn't expected a scroll from Princess Celestia until the weekend. She took the scroll and looked it over.

"What's it say?" Spike asked.

As Twilight read her eyes grew wide, and she seemed to grow pale. Spike shook Twilight, trying to get her attention.

"Come on Twilight, what's wrong?" Spike asked.

"Spike, get my quills, ink, all of my books here, and maybe a few fro the library. I'm going to go get the girls." Twilight said, lifting a saddle bag for Spike to fill and pushing it into his claws.

"Huh What? Twilight what's going on?" Spike asked.

"No time. Be back soon, remember to pack the Travelers Almanac of all things on Travel." Twilight said before vanishing in a poof of magic.

Spike just stood there confused, sighing and grabbing the scroll from the desk and looked it over.

My faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. As you know, the recent iron shortage in Equestria has caused a great deal of trouble in the kingdom. It has grown worse with the recent increase in bandit activity along the roads, and now there are rumors spreading among my council. I won't worry you with the details, but it is very important that the shortage is ended soon.

Thus, I ask once more for you and your friends to help in keeping the kingdom safe. Travel to the mining town of Nashkel, where nearly all of our iron is obtained from. Whatever is plaguing the iron must be there, and I want you to find it and if necessary remove whatever is the cause for the corrupted iron. I will not lie, the trip could be dangerous as the bandits have grown more and more active but you are the only ones I can trust and send to deal with this problem.

I await a message when you arrive in Nashkel, and whatever you discover in the mines. I know you will not fail me.

Sincerly, Princess Celestia.

Spike dropped the scroll, Twilight was going away? He knew that the iron shortage had been bad but if Princess Celestia was asking Twilight and her friends to help then something must be really serious. He quickly got to doing what Twilight had asked of him, but he added his own personal touches like a bag of his home made double swirl chocolate chip cream cookies.

"I better pack as well, Twilight's gonna need to bring me along as well if she wants to send letters to the princess. Oh boy this is going to be so exciting." Spike said as he got to work.

Liam moved among the tables, moving past people and ponies as they laughed, drank or gambled. Dice and cards games lined a table or two, and no one ever cheated. Winthrop ran a clean house, and any trouble makers would pay a rather hefty and expensive fine if any trouble was caused so the Candlekeep Inn was a very peaceful and friendly establishment. Liam smiled, remembering the many good nights of drink and dice with some of his friends here, and the tales he would listen to from travellers when he was even younger.

But now it seemed he would be leaving, and while to leave his home did sadden him, the thought that he would be able to make his own adventurous tale to share when he returned filled him with an excited and anxious energy.

'That is...if I return at all.' He thought, the look he had seen in Gorion's eyes told him that perhaps their departure would be for a great deal of time.

'So I better get what I can, I hope Winthrop knows what I'll need.' He thought as he finally reached the bar desk.

Winthrop was a round, pudgy man of perhaps forty summers. A residing hair line of bowl cut black hair presided over his head and he wore a friendly and welcoming grin on his face as he wiped the bar with a cleaning rag. Winthrop spotted Liam approaching and stopped his work as he greeted him.

"Well hello there, young one," Winthrop greeted, "come to pay your old pal Winthrop a visit have ye? Well don't forget the 5,000 gold standard book entrance fee, as per Candlekeep custom, doncha know."

Liam chuckled, "You always were a big kidder, Winthrop."

Winthrop laughed as well, "Haw, just having a bit o' fun with ye, me friend. Them monks my be walking about with poles in their nethers, but you know you always be welcome here in my sight. Gorion did well by you, he did. So what brings you here, you usually be in the middle of your chores by this mark."

Liam frowned, "Aye, well something seems to have come up. Gorion pulled me from my chores and told me to purchase supplies and equip myself. We seem to be leaving Candlekeep, but I am not sure what I need to purchase."

Wintrhop frowned and leaned forward a bit, "Leaving Candlekeep? Hmm, I can't say that would be wise, given what I be hearing from those that stop in my inn. Bad stuff be going on outside the walls, but if Gorion says ye be going I guess he must have a reason."

"I'm sure he does. So do you have any suggestions, the only thing I can think of his food and water, but I don't really know how bad things are outside the keep. What can ye tell me?" Liam asked.

"Hmmm," Winthrop hummed as he ducked under the bar and pulled out a worn travel bag, "Well if ye be going I can lend you this to help carry whatever supplies you get. As for suggestions, let me step into the back and see what I got."

Liam nodded as he graciously accepted the bag, "Thanks Winthrop. Just let me know what it all costs, Gorion gave me some coin so I should be able to purchase what I need."

Winthrop nodded and headed into a back room behind the bar. Winthrop's inn was more then just a place to rest for a night or have a drink, he also sold some pieces of armor and a weapon here and there. He didn't have much as he was not a blacksmith, but he did have some pieces of iron or leather that might be worth acquiring.

'If he is going to suggest a weapon, then things must be really bad on the roads. Is Gorion really sure we should be leaving?' Liam thought.

When Winthrop returned he had in his arms an assortment of items. He placed them on the bar top and sorted them out, "Not sure how long ye be gone on the road, but I can give ye three days of rations. Got some decent jerky here and some bread and cheese to offer, as well as a few apples. And trust you me lad, these apples be the best in the land straight from Sweet Apple Acres."

"Thanks Winthrop, what about those?" Liam said, pointing to the other pile as he offered the needed coin for the food. Gorion had given him three gold standards, which had made Liam's eyes widen, as well as thirty silver standards and at least fifty coppers.

"Well I got here some decent leather armor, that should fit ye like a glove. Also got a few daggers and a blade here." Winthrop said as he lifted the blade gently as if he was holding a child so Liam could see the edge.

Liam knew on how to use weapons, Gorion had seen that he had spent a good deal in practicing with the guard in the use of weaponry. Liam guessed it was probably in case something like today were to happen.

"Leather seems good, but don't you got maybe some chainmail? I'm sure I can afford it." Liam asked.

Winthrop frowned, "Aye, I'd not suggest wearing anything of metal outside these walls. Hells, I'd rather not offer you the sword at all, but a knife won't do ye any good in the long run."

"Why? What's wrong?" Liam asked.

Winthrop's face grew dark, "Somethings strange been happening these past few months. Iron's been going bad, just falling apart almost as if it were rustin' for no particular reason. Bandits have been going crazy, gutting any travel or caravan that shows even the tiniest bit of metal on them. Hells, they kill ya for even a butter knife, just last week one of my brand new knives just broke. It's tough to find good quality iron, and most 'o this 'bad iron' comes from the mines at Nashkel. Can't trust those griffons; probably some scheme they've come up with."

Liam frowned, "Really that bad huh? I guess I can see why you think leaving is a bad idea."

"Aye," Winthrop said with a nod, "I'd just stay put here till whatever be going on pass over. Still, if ye be going I suggest keeping any metal ye got on ya hidden, and wear only some good solid leather. Least leather don't go rotting on ya."

Liam nodded, "Thanks Winthrop. How much for the leather, and the sword?"

"The leather be fifteen silver standards. The sword be two gold standards." Winthrop said.

Liam choked, "Two gold standards!"

Wintrhop lifted his hands in defense, "Sorry lad, but like I said iron be rotten right now, ye got to pay a good penny to get something that will last long, and even then it ain't be a guarantee that it won't break after some use."

Liam sighed and took out the needed coin, "Alright. I guess I can't complain. Here and thank you again Winthrop."

Liam gathered the supplies, wrapping the food and placing it into his bag. He took the armor and sword and turned to leave, but Winthrop grabbed his arm.

"Before ye go lad, take this." Winthrop said, passing a sheathed knife to Liam, "That dagger belonged to me grandfather, killed a hobgoblin with it, stabbed it right in the eye he did. Might not be much, but it was made before all this iron business so I can grant ye it won't break on ya no matter how much ye use it so long as ye take good care of it."

"I don't think I have enough to purchase this Winthrop if the metal is as good as you say." Liam said, looking at the well kept blade.

"No charge. Keep it, maybe it will help keep you alive out there, and besides a good dagger can save your life." Winthrop said.

Liam blinked and nodded, sheathing the dagger and strapping it into his belt, doing his best to hide it while still making it accessible to get should he need it, "Thanks Winthrop."

"Just try to stay alive out there lad." Wintrhop said before pulling Liam into a hug.

Liam returned the hug, feel sad that he would be leaving. Yet happy to know that he had such a friend as Winthrop.

"Ye better get going then. Change into that armor before ye leave the keep. Take care lad." Winthrop said as he pulled away from Liam.

"Thanks Winthrop." Liam said, and headed out of the inn.

In Ponyville, inside Twilights library she and her friends were gathered. Twilight had just teleported right when they were all in the middle of something before going off, and the five friends were a bit miffed and expecting a full explanation from their friend. All they had gotten so far was a, 'meet at the library now.'

"What do you reckon is going on?" Applejack asked.

"Probably something from Princess Celestia. Twilight doesn't really get all teleport crazy like she was unless it is something important." Rainbow Dash said, as she flew over her friends, taking a look at the latest Daring Do book.

"I hope its not another dragon." Fluttershy said softly, shivering a bit in fear that was exactly what the problem was.

"Don't be scared darling. If there was another sleepy dragon we would have seen smoke." Rarity said, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulders.

"Oh maybe Princess Celestia wants to invite us to another Gala. Oh maybe she wants me to plan the next one, oh that would be so much fun." Pinkie said, bouncing up and down.

The other girls shivered, remembering the last time they went to the gala.They were not exactly looking forward to going to another one.

"No Pinkie. It's not a Gala invitation."

The girls turned to the stairs to see Twilight coming down, a scroll levitating beside her.

"But it is a message from the Princess. And a very urgent one." Twilight said as she passed over to her friends to read.

"Awsome, looks like we got to save the day once again." Rainbow Dash said, a big grin on her face.

"Oh my, the thought of walking through a dank smelly mine is simply atrocious. I will simply have to pack the necessary attire for such a journey."

Applejack rubbed her chin, "I guess I better go let Granny Smith and the family know about this."

"Oh this is going to be so much fun." Pinkie said with a smile.

"Oh um...couldn't the princess maybe send somepony else?" Fluttershy asked.

Twilight shook her head, "No Fluttershy. Nashkel is right on the border of the Griffon Empire. Princess Celestia couldn't send a royal team to investigate without causing a commotion. But we can get in easily without too much fuss, and even if they know I'm the princess' student it wouldn't be as big of a commotion as an official investigation team."

"Oh um...well...okay." Fluttershy said.

"Relax Fluttershy. This will be easy, I mean sure we will have to travel through bandit infested roads who might try to knife us in our sleep, but we've handled worse." Rainbow Dash said with a reassuring tone. But all it did was make Fluttershy's eyes widen and her shaking to increase ten fold as she hid in her mane.

"The princess has trusted us with this. We can't let her down, everypony go and pack up and we will meet at the edge of town in an hour." Twilight said.

"Right." The girls said, though Fluttershy have a small eep. With that they all left to go pack.

When they were all gone, Twilight sighed and looked over the scroll once more. She was ready to do what the princess had asked, but a part of her mind felt worried. What could be going on that would make the princess ask for her and her friends to set out on a possibly dangerous mission.

'Come on Twilight. Princess Celestia knows what she is doing. I better go see if Spike got all my packing done." She thought as he headed upstairs.

Heading up stairs she saw her saddlebag all packed up, but what surprised her was that Spike was packing a bag as well.

"Spike, what are you doing?" Twilight asked as she ran over and took Spike's bag from him.

"Hey! I'm packing. I'm going with you Twilight." Spike said, trying to get his bag back.

"Oh no Spike. This trip is too dangerous. I'm not going to put you in any danger like that. Besides I need you here to watch the library while I'm gone."

Spike's eyes widened, "But...but Twilight. You need me to send letters to the Princess. She did say she wanted you to contact her when you got to Nashkel."

Twilight sighed, "Please Spike. I don't want to put you in any danger. Please...do this for me and stay here. Please."

Spike looked up at Twilight, tears in his eyes. But finally he looked at the floor and said, "Alright. I'll stay."

Twilight hugged Spike tightly, tears in her own eyes, "I'm sorry Spike. But this is for the best."

"Alright. I guess I'll go do the rest of my chores then. I got your bag all set." Spike said.

"Thank you Spike." Twlight said, nuzzling Spike.

"Twilight." Spike said.

"Yes Spike?" Twilight asked as she got the saddlebag on and headed for the stairs.

"Promise you'll come back. Okay." Spike said.

Twilight smiled and nodded, "I promise. You take care Spike, and don't forget to reorganize the shelves on tuesday next week."

Spike sighed, "I was hoping you would forget that."

"Forget reshelving day!" Twilight gasped in shock, "Never."

Spike rolled his eyes, watching Twilight go. He sighed and wiped some tears from his eyes.

'Be safe Twilight.' Spike thought.

Liam headed to the stables, he entered a small shed near the building. No one was there so he would be able to change into his newly acquired armor in privacy. He set his sword down by the door and set down his armor as he started to put it on.

He was only half way done, when he heard the door open. Liam turned to see a small man, his dirty hair dislevled and greasy. The man held a knife in his hand and he had a smirk on his face.

"Oh goodie, goodie! I've gone and found ye first! You are the ward of Gorion, no doubt?" The unknown man said.

Liam backed away a bit, he didn't know this man but he did not like the look of him. And that unsheathed dagger had him worried.

"I am....I do not recognize you. Who are you and what are you doing here?" Liam asked.

The man giggled, "Who I am is unimportant, but who you are is very much so. I aploigize for this dirt bit of business, but I must seek your death. A pity, I know, but it would seem your head is worth a substantial amount to me. I kill you myself and I don't have to share the credit with no one."

With that the man lunged, stabbing with the dagger. Liam jumped to the side, hitting the wall of the shed. Where was the guard? Better yet why did he pick such an out of the way place to change into his armor. He moved again, hoping to reach his sword, but the man moved to get in his way and slashed with his knife. The blade cut Liam across the brow, not a deep cut but enough to draw blood. The sight of the red liquid drove the attacker even more and he went for a stab.

Liam stepped back, and tripped over a bucket and fell to the ground. His attacker stood over him, dagger held in a reverse grip as he pounced and landed on Liams stomach. he lifted the dagger up ready to stab.

"Like I said, I do be sorry." The attack said.

Liam's eyes widened, was he going to die here? Panicing he tried to find a weapon, when he saw the knife Winthrop had given him. It was on the floor just an inch from him. He had take it off while he put his armor on, bucking his hips off to throw the attacker off balance Liam gave himself enough room to get onto his side, and just getting out of the way of being stabbed in the heart as he heard the blade jam into the wodden floor.

"Hold still." The attacker said, going in for another stab.

Liam grabbed at the dagger, pulled it from the sheath and lifted it just in time to block another strike. The sudden impact of metal against metal shook his fingers, and it took the attacker off guard. Liam grabbed the attackers knife hand and yanked it toward him, pulling the assailiant with it. As he did Liam jammed the knife forward and into the chest of his attacker.

Liam froze, as did his attacker. The man stared down with wide eyes at the inch of metal sticking into his chest. Red blood staining his jerkin. Liam breathed wildly, and slowly pulled the blade out and stabbed again. Then again, and again, and again, and again.

Over and over did he stab into the mans chest, even as he fell back. Liam continued to stab him, a sudden feeling taking over him as he continued to plunge the knife into the mans body even after he was dead. Finally Liam regained his composure and control and he looked at the blood stained knife then to the man on the ground, his chest was riddled with holes from the dagger.

Liam stood up and backed away, he had killed him. He had killed a man. He felt sick, scared and also happy. He was happy to be alive, adn happy that he had taken the life of one who had tried to take his.

"Gorion was right.....maybe we should leave." Liam said. If someone who wanted him dead could get in here, would more follow? Perhaps Candlekeep was not as secure as he thought.

Liam got up slowly on shakey legs. The feeling of his first actual kill and battle still shook him. He used the mans jerkin to clean off the dagger. Winthrop had been right, it had saved his life. He picked up the sheath and put the blade away and put on the rest of his armor and tucked the knife back at his belt as he had done before. Now full dressed in his leather he walked over to his sword and strapped it to his back.

He pushed open the door, and stumbled out. he took deep breathes of fresh air, and wiped his brow. When he pulled his hand back he saw that he was bleeding, and the pain became apparent. He had to get this cleaned.

"Liam. Liam."

Liam turned to see the monk Parda, walk over. Parda saw the cut and immediatly ran to Liam.

"Child, you cut yourself above the brow, there. What is wrong child? Something in your eyes tells me that something is very wrong indeed." Parda said, taking out a cloth and wiping the cut clean. He then took a small vial of blue liquid and applied it to the wound.

Liam took a deep breath as Parda wrapped a cloth about the wound to keep it covered while the medicine he placed on the wound took effect, "He...he's dead...whoever he was. Parda....a...man came into the shed while I changed into this armor. He....he tried to kill me. But I....I..."

Parda gasped, "Oh child. Stay calm, you defended yourself and you are alive. Quickly, go to Gorion, he stands by the entrance to the library. Go now and tell him you are ready to leave, I feared something like this would happen."

"But Parda...what of..." Liam said, looking to the shed.

"Don't worry about the body. I'll take care of it. But you child, you must go. Now." Parda said, pushing Liam gently. Liam nodded, and ran to the library.

Something was happening, and Liam needed answers. Maybe on the road Gorion would explain things but for now it was time to go. It was time to go now.

When all of the girls were ready, they met at the edge of town. Twilight had carefully planned their route to Nashkel, sticking to the roads and only taking paths off the road should they need to evade any hostile groups they could not take on their own.

"Alright girls are we all ready?" Twilight said, turning to her friends.

"When you look this fabulous, you're ready for anything." Rarity said, posing in a similar outfit she wore when she had gone camping with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. AJ was just glade she had only backed a saddle bag, as well as one suitcase no doubt full of clothes.

"Uh, Rarity I think that we would want to avoid any bandits. Those clothes are gonna make ya stick out like a sore thumb." Applejack said.

"Pish posh, I can assure you APplejack that this outfit is perfect for this little leg of the adventure." Rarity said with a wave of her hoof.

AJ sighed and rolled her eyes, "Whatever you say Rarity."

"Okay then. I've mapped out the fastest route to Nashkel. If we head south of here, we will eventually reach an inn called the Friendly Arm. We will rest there for the night and then continue on to the human named village of Beregost and stay a night there, then it's just another day of travel into the mountains and into Nashkel. If all goes well we should get there within two days, though we should becareful alot of bandits roam the roads and woods, and I've also heard that hobgoblins have been seen in some areas as well."

That took the girls by surprise, usually hobgoblins lived either in the mountains or in the Everfree Forest. Still it would not be odd for some of those creatures to wander out of the woods in search of food, or in a hobgoblins case plunder.

"I thought the guard kept hobgoblins in the forest?" Rainbow Dash said.

"They do, but with all the bandit activity most of the guards have been busy trying to keep caravans and travellers safe. Shining Armor told me about it a week ago, apparently they're really spread thin right now." Twilight said with a frown.

"Oh um....I....I guess we better get going." Fluttershy said, though her fear and worry was apparent.

Rarity patted Fluttershy's shoulder comfortingly, earning a small smile from the timid pegasus. Twilight unfurled a map and looked it over one more time.

"Alright then girls. Lets go." Twilight said.

With that the girls took off, heading down the road on an adventure unlike any other they had gone on before.

Liam walked through the gardens that surrounded the central keep library. The library itself looked like a giant castle, but inside was the greatest collection of writings and knowledge in the world. Some even say extending far back before even the rise of Princess Celestia or Luna.

Liam made his way through, passing monks or visitors of the keep. All of them were dressed in finery, and he stood out in his leather armor which made him look more like a vagabond mercenary. Liam didn't mind actually, the armor fit as Winthrop had said and frankly he looked good in it.

Finally he reached the steps to the library, and there pacing was Gorion. Liam walked over to his foster father, who stopped his pacing when he saw him and sighed in relief.

"Ah my child..wait why do you have that bandage?" Gorion asked, walking over worried.

Liam bit his lip, "I...I got a little cut. Nothign serious, Parda took care of it for me."

Gorion looked at Liam, but finally he sighed and said, "Very well. You will tell me the truth when you are ready. For now I hope you have all you will need, I do not think we will be returning for some time."

Liam winced, Gorion could read him like a book. Liam nodded and said, "I think I'm ready father."

Gorion nodded, "Very well. I know this is very unnverving, but you must trust me. This keep is well protected, but not invulnerable."

'I know.' Liam thought, thinking back to his fight with the assassin. He still could not understand why someone would want him dead.

"Father, where will we be going?" Liam asked.

Gorion shook his head, "Alas, I cannot say for I have not truly decided yet. All that is certain is that we will be far safer on the move. Perhaps the woods might offer some secluded security, or perhaps the city of Canterlot would offer cover midst the throngs of people and ponies. I do not know where we shall end up, but I have a few friends here and there. Hmmm...I will think on this."

Liam nodded, trusting that Gorion knew what he was doing, "Alright. I think I am ready to leave."

Gorion nodded and walked off, Liam following behind. They left the library gardens and headed from the gates, before they left Gorion stopped and turned to Liam.

"Listen carefully, if we should ever be seperated it is imparitive that you make your way to the Friendly Arm Inn. There you will meet a man named Feldrock. He has long been my friend and you can trust him." Gorion said.

Laim nodded and followed after his father, the gates of Candlekeep opened for them and when they were out of the keep they closed shut. Liam stopped a bit and looked back at the keep. It felt as if he was leaving behind all he knew, and yet. He looked out to the wide world, Gorion had stopped and was waving for him to follow.

And yet, there was a whole world out there. Liam had grown up on the tales that had been made out there....perhaps he would make one for himself. He smiled, the thought gave him some peace. Though the unknown still scared him, but he was sure that with Gorion he would be alright, and perhaps he would finally learn the story of his own past. Liam ran off to catch up to his father, and together the two made their way down the hill leading away from Candlekeep and into the unknown world.

Author's Note

Okay, just a little explanation of the world again. Humans live here, their technology level is about on equal with Equestrians, though they still use swords and what not. Magic works with humans in a different way as well, only a small number of humans can use magic and they are born with the ability otherwise they can't learn it. They either are born with the ability or don't have it.

Zebras can use magic, as we see with Zecora and that awsome tea spell. *wish I knew how to do that, then I can have all the tea I could drink* They just mostly use a more shamanistic approach while unicorns and humans use the more Merlin approach, at least in Equestria. Anyway thats it for now do enjoy.

Chapter Two: The Friendly Arm Inn

Liam stumbled through the night, nearly tripping over a tree root. Gorion had taken them off the main road not long after leaving Candlekeep and the two of them had been travelling through wood and field. Even after when night fell they walked for a bit, without so much as a torch to light their way. Even Gorion seemed hesitant to use a simple light spell, whatever worried him must be great indeed if Gorion would have them travel in such a way.

"Let's hurry child! The night can only get worse so we must find shelter soon. Don't worry, I will explain everything as soon as there is time." Gorion said.

Liam would be glad for any answer, and more importantly a stop to this stumbling in the wood. As they walked Gorion suddenly stopped and looked around with critical eyes. Liam had a sense that something was wrong.

"Something is wrong," Gorion said, "we are in an ambush. Prepare yourself."

Liam looked around, gripping the hilt of his sword as he looked around the dark wood, trying to find where the attackers would come from. Was it bandits?

Then from out of the darkness, stepped four figures. Two were large, muscular ogres. Their large forms made Liam feel very small, but the fact that ogres were here outside of the boundries of the Everfree Forest was amazing. Liam had only ever read about ogres in the many books that Gorion had instructed him to read, and while Liam was fascinated at seeing the beasts the large flails they held in their hands made it clear that this was not a time for wonder but a time for caution and battle.

The third figure was a surprise to Liam, she was a beautiful young woman. Her black hair melding with the night and in the moon light shining through the scattered trees made her skin seem almost unearthly pale. But the most frightening was the fourth figure.

Liam felt it was something out of the most terrifying of tales. The man was huge, Liam was sure it was a man. He wore the most grotesque of armor, adorned with spikes at the shoulders and the fingers of the gloves were sharpened to a point. The chest plate held a strange image of a skull surrounded by what looked like raindrops, that made Liam catch his breath. But that was not all, for the most terrifying part was the mans eyes. They glowed yellow in the darkness, and reminded Liam of hellfire, staring into those eyes made Liam feel as if he was staring into the abyss itself.

"You're perceptive for an old man," the armored figure said, his voice made Liam shiver, "You know why I'm here. Hand over your ward and no one will be hurt. If you resist it shall be a waste of your life."

Gorion scoffed and his horn began to glow a bright gray color, "You're a fool if you beleive I would trust your benevolence. Step aside and you and your lackeys will be unhurt."

"I'm sorry that you feel that way, old man." The armored figure said, drawing a blade that would have needed two hands to hold. He held it high with one.

With that the ogres charged, weapons lifted to strike. But Gorion, despite his age, acted first sending a blast of lightning at the first ogre. The spell took the ogre through the heart, burning through its armor, and tearing out through the back. It fell over with a scream of death in an instant.

The next ogre was slain in equal fashion, barraged to death by a swarm of small red orbs that flew from Gorions horn and smashed into the ogre, filling it with holes. It to fell over dead. The woman however was a different story, for she was a spell caster. Liam saw her move her arms and hands in motions, fire gathering in her hands. Liam had no time to react before an arrow of fire blasted towards him, taking him across the shoulder.

"Ahhhh!" Liam screamed, feeling the heat of the spell tear through flesh and cauterize it shut. He fell to his knees, holding his shoulder.

"Run child, get out of here!" Gorion shouted.

The woman prepared another spell, but Gorion brought her down with a spell of his own. Unlike the previous two this did not kill her, in fact as Liam saw it had brought her into a state of slumber. Liam did not want to go, surely Gorion was winning, but when he saw the armored figure begin to stroll towards him Liam quickly got up and ran.

Gorion quickly stepped between the figure and Liam. The armored figure stood motionless for a time, almost amused by Gorions action, then he slowly began to walk towards him. Gorion quickly acted, sending a cascade of spells against the figure. Yet, despite the power of the spells they bounced off the armor and not leaving a mark on the metal or harming the man.

Liam stopped his running and turned, hoping that Gorion was behind him. He took shelter behind a tree and saw the scene of the battle. Well illuminated by the light of his horn and spells, Liam saw Gorion use all that he could muster on the figure, but it was all for naught soont he figure was ontop of him, the sword beign swung at a speed that was unnatural for its sheer size. Liam could only watch in horror now as the blade stabbed into Gorions body and out his back, his blood running down the blade. When the light of Gorion's horn faded, Liam turned and ran once more. He ran for as long as his legs could go, turning this way and that through the woods hoping to put as much distance between him and the figure.

His vision was becoming blurry, both from the pain in his shoulder and the tears welling up in his eyes. He soon burst from the cover of the trees and back onto the road. His heart was racing, and his lungs were crying for a break. Liam stumbled onward, gasping for air and in tears. Gorion was dead....Gorion was dead.

At that point Liam could run no more, and finally passed out from exhaustion and pain onto the grassy field beside the road, he closed his eyes and soon the world went black and he knew nothing else.

"AHHHH!" Twilight screamed as she ran. The rest of the girls right behind her.

Behind them even further back was a pack of Gibberlings, small hunchbacked humanoid creatures, with large tusks gutting from their mouths and each mouth filled with an assortment of sharp teeth. Their purple skin and wild unkempt black hair made their already feral appearance more terrifying and their long arms and claws, made it clear it was not best to be caught by them.

When they had first left Ponyville, the trip had seemed easy but when they had stopped for a bite to eat and rest, they soon realized how bad the roads really were. A whole pack of Gibberlings had descended upon them, and they were forced to retreat, off the road and into the wood. They had lost most of the pack, but a good fifteen more still followed them.

Applejack looked back at the pack following them and then took a hard right, "Split up, then meet back here."

Rainbow Dash nodded and flew upward, while Pinkie and Rarity went separate ways. Fluttershy was running trying to find a place to hide, and Twilight was just trying to get away. Still by splitting up the pack split as well, two or three following each pony. Applejack was quick to deal with her group, bucking rocks at the Gibberlings. She caught them across the head, knocking some unconscious. Finally the monsters gave up and ran off, unwilling to pursue such a painful prey.

Rainbow Dash dealed with the Gibberlings Fluttershy. She plowed into them at top speed and sent them flying into the trees. She was sure she had broken their backs or some bones, but she wasn't going to let those monsters make a meal of her friend.

"Oh oh dear Rainbow Dash, I hope you didn't hurt them." Fluttershy said worried.

Rainbow Dash blinke, then facehoofed, "Ugh. Only you could worry about a monster that was trying to eat you if it got hurt. Come on their fine. Let's go back now."

Fluttershy looked at the Gibberlings then to Rainbow Dash and nodded, flying with her back to where they had split up from.

Rarity was having a much easier time with her Gibberlings, as she had sent them flying with a spell after one had torn her dress. Such a crime against fashion had sent her into a frenzy and with a flick of her horn, sent the fiends into next tuesday.

"How dare you! Such a crime against fashion. Oh my poor dress." Rarity said, taking off the ruined clothes. She closed her eyes as she placed it on the ground, and bit her hoof.

With her dress ruined, beyond any possible decent repair, Rarity left it there and ran back to find her friends. She hoped her bags were okay, if the rest of her clothes were destroyed she might have a mental break down.

Pinkie Pie was having the time of her life, dealing with her Gibberlings. The poor beasts could not be sure if she would appear here or there, and finally they gave up and fled in fear of the pink pony, not wanting to risk going after a creature that could appear out of nowhere.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Pinkie said, sitting down and pouting that her fun was over. But finally she got up and went to find her friends.

Twilight was in a panic, she was not sure what to do and the Gibberlings were getting closer. She ran till she came to a dense collection of trees and could not run anymore. She turned and saw the Gibberlings begining to cut off her escape routes. Twilight backed away, her heart racing.

The Gibberlings snarled and drew closer, then they pounced. Twilight panicked and closed her eyes as she acted on instinct. A surge of magic, and three snarling screams greeted Twilight and she opened her eyes slowly to see the Gibberlings laying on the ground, each with a smoking hole in it's chest. She gasped and fell on her flank, she had killed them. Killed them with magic. Twilight felt sick, true she knew of some spells that could do such a thing, Princess Celestia herself had taught her one saying that sometimes a pony had to fight in order to protect her friends or loved ones. But till now she had never really used it, even when the changelings attacked Canterlot she had just used her magic to incapacitate them, not kill them.

And now she had taken three lives with her magic. True it was in self defense, but it made her feel sick. As if she had taken her gift of magic and made it something dark. Slowly she got up and ran from the scene. She wanted to get away from it, to forget that it had happened. But the image was locked in her mind, she only hoped that this mission would end soon so she could return to her home and what was normal for her, where she didn't have to use magic to hurt or kill another living thing.

Twilight found her friends, and they were all okay. She was glad, "Is everypony okay?"

"Yeah, we're fine. What about you Twilight, ya look a little shakey." Applejack said, walking over to her friend.

Twilight stiffed, "I...I'm fine...just a bit worn out from all of that."

"I agree, that was simply dreadful. I lost my favorite dress from those monsters." Rarity said, lifting a hoof to her head.

"I'm sure you got plenty back with the rest of our stuff. We better go and make sure its all okay, I'd hate to lose all that supplies." Applejack said.

"Yes, lets go." Twilight said, heading back the way to the camp.

By the time the party got back, it was well into the night and Twilight groaned at her well calculated plan now would have to be reworked. They could not travel at night, it would be too dangerous, so they would have to stay the night on the road.

"Okay girls, since those Gibberlings threw us off track we will have to spend the night out here." Twilight said.

"We should take cover in the woods, less exposed." Applejack said.

"Right, I'll got set up a place for camp." Rainbow Dash said, flying to the woods.

"I'll go with her and help out. The rest of ya gather up our stuff, we won't be too far in the woods." Applejack said, taking off after Rainbow Dash.

"Oh this is simply dreadful. But, luckily I brought my tent with me." Rarity said.

"Alright girls, lets get this all gathered up then. We want to wake up bright and early tomorrow." Twilight said, using her magic to get the bags all packed and picked up. She took hers as well as Dash's and AJ's.

Once they were all packed they went to the woods, and found where Applejack and Rainbow Dash had made camp. With that set they all set up their tents, or in Rarity's case opened a box and out a small tent building, with balcony, popped out.

"Seriously?" Applejack said.

The dawn was especially cruel that morning. Liam awoke, which meant that he was still alive, with the realization that he had not been living some horrible dream. Ambushed, he had seen Gorion cut down before his very eyes, and even his powerful magics could not stop the onslaught. It had been his wish that he flee, but that did not remove the feeling of helplessness and failure that now overwhelemed him. Liam felt new tears well up in his eyes.

"Hand over your ward." The armored fiend had said. He was after him, and him alone, but why? If only Gorion had given some clue, but now he was alone and lost. Candlekeep was near, but Liam knew he would find no shelter there. The readers paid for the serenity with rather draconian entry rules, and without Gorion's influence their doors would remain shut.

Liam got up and looked over his supplies, he had three days of rations, his sword, knife and his armor. Though the leather was damaged slightly from the fire spell, and the wound now throbbed with pain once more and it would no doubt be a scar for the rest of his life. Liam knew he would not last long with this meager equipment. Remembering what Gorion had said, should they be seperated, Liam looked to the road. Perhaps he would find help from Gorion's friend, at the Friendly Arm Inn.

With that course in mind Liam began to walk the road forward, he did not know where the inn was, but he was sure that he would pass a fellow traveller or perhaps a sign that would give direction to where it was. As he walked for a time, Liam stopped and looked back to the woods.

There, somewhere among those trees lay Gorion, dead. And Liam felt with fear, the very killer still, and yet Liam could not bring himself to go another step. Not until....Liam turned and walked back into the woods. He had to see the scene one last time, and perhaps maybe....maybe Gorion would have something on his....body. Something that might tell Liam something of what this entire business had been about. And, at the very least he could lay his foster father to rest.

Liam walked through the wood, stumbling to retrace his steps. With each step his fear grew ever more, was the figure still here? Was he waiting behind the trees to finish the job he had set out to do last night? Liam did not know, and at the slightest rustle of leaves or bird flying from a tree made him jump and draw his sword.

'Not that my skills would do any good. If Gorion couldn't defeat that monster, what good would my limited martial skills do?' Liam thought.

Finally he saw something familiar and then another until finally he found the area where Gorion had fallen. Liam hid behind a tree, unsure if the armored figure was still there. He waited for what seemed like an hour, till he slowly peeked out from the side. No one was there, just the bodies of the two ogres, and Gorion. The girl was gone, no doubt taken from the scene by the armored fiend. But was he still there?

A snap of a twig made Liam hide once more, and he carefully peeked out. He thought it was the attacker from before, but was surprised to see yet another monster from the books. A gibberling.

gibberlings were pests, they breed like rabbits and were always hungry, eating anything from carrion to each other. It was not odd to see packs of them sometimes rushing from the Everfree. He understood that the guards were killing them almost weekly or daily depending on how big the population had gotten. Sometimes the guard went into the forest itself to thin out the numbers a bit to make sure none left the woods. Of course they never fully exterminated them, Princess Celestia would never allow it. Of course the Everfree was so big, Liam doubted anyone or anypony could cull gibberlings off the world even if they tried.

Still gibberlings could be dangerous, and if someone was unlucky enough to be surrounded by a pack of them it was sure to be the end for that poor sod. Liam knew that if there was one gibberling, there had to be more. He did not move though, as he was watching the beast. He was cautious and intrigued at the same time.

The gibberling sniffed the air, then hobbled around some more over to the ogre bodies. It sniffed the bodies then took a big bite out of each. Liam felt sick seeing that, ogre could not have tasted good, and given that the gibberling spat it out he was probably right. But when the gibberling moved to Gorions body, Liam acted.

Rushing from the trees, sword drawn and screaming he charged the gibberling, taking it by surprise. He was not going to let this beast even take a nibble out of his fathers body. The gibberling roared as Liam attacked, slashing out with its claws. The claws dragged across the armor, cutting a bit into the leather, but not reaching Liam's flesh. Liam's blade however cut deep into the gibberlings shoulder, and then across its stomach spilling out its guts. Liam slashed one more time, slicing into the monsters neck and it fell to the ground dead.

But that was not the end. From the trees, three more gibberlings charged. The beasts snarled as they moved to attack Liam. Liam dove to one side, rolling till he reached one of the gibberlings. The beast pounced for him, mouth open and claws out stretched. Liam jabbed the sword forward down the monsters throat then lifted the blade up and over sending the beast flying to the ground, gargling and choking on its blood.

The two others closed the distance and pounced at Liam. One bit down on his leg, twisting his head. Liam screamed as he brought up his arm to block the teeth of the other gibberling. Still the weight of the beast brought him down. The two beasts clawed at him, twisting their heads. It was only by the grace of his armor that kept Liam safe from a certain death.

"Ahhh get off of me!" Liam shouted and dropped his sword to draw his dagger and plunged it into the head of the Gibberling biting his arm. He stabbed the blade again and again, splattinger brain matter and blood as he twisted the knife about with each time it pieced the flesh and bone. Finally the gibberling fell over dead, but the second was already tearing through to Liam's leg and he could feel the pain of teeth digging into his leg.

Liam snarled and grabbed the gibberlings head and yanked it, tearing teh mouth off his leg. It tore part of his armor but the beast was off and now trying to slash at Liam with its claws. Liam kicked the gibberling in the gut sending it back and into the ground. The creature gasped for air as Liam picked up his sword and charged, jumping and bringing his blade down into the beasts heart impaling it to the ground. The gibberling struggled, its arms and legs flailing here and there, but eventually it slowed and finally lay still.

Liam sat on the ground and spat. His armor was torn more, but nothing that could probably be fixed if he found a good tanner, he hoped he would not have to buy a new piece of leather armor. His arm would be okay, but he was sure he had small little cuts in his legs. He would have to clean those to avoid infection, who knew what gibberlings put in their mouths. Liam had a clue, looking at the ogres. Liam got up and wiped his blades clean on the ogres tunics before sheathing them.

He turned and walked over to Gorion's body. The poor unicorn lay there on blood stained grass, a large hole in his chest and back. Liam felt more tears in his eyes and he kneeled over the body as he cried. He picked up the body and held it to him, burying his face in the old gray mane. He sat there as he cried, and he would not have cared if the armored figure returned to kill him. Liam was now truly and utterly alone, as the only one he could call family had now been taken from him. Liam was an orphan without a past, and now without even a foster father. It felt as if the entire world was conspiring to cause him pain.

"Father....what do I do?" Liam asked as he set the body down. He looked at Gorions saddlebag and dug into its contents. He found a healing potion, a rare concotion that could cure almost any wound instantly. As well Liam found a bag of more common healing herbs, ointments and bandages. He took all of them, sure that he would need them. He also found a small bag of coin, only eight silver standards. Gorion must have given the rest of his money to Liam to purchase supplies. Liam took that too. He hated to do this, it felt as if he was robbing Gorion, he felt like a grave robber, but Liam was sure that Gorion would want him to do this. If these items would help keep him alive on his travels, Liam was sure Gorion would understand.

During his searching, Liam found something that made him gasp. A scroll, perhaps it contained information on why Gorion had called for their flight from Candlekeep? Liam took the scroll and opened it.

My friend Gorion,
Please forgive the abruptness with which I now write, but time is short and there is much to be done. What we have long feared may soon come to pass, though not in the manner foretold, and certainly not in the proper time frame. As we both know, forecasting these events has proved increasingly difficult, leaving little option other than a leap of faith. We have done what we can for those in thy care, but the time nears when we must step back and let matters take what course they will. We have, perhaps, been a touch too sheltering to this point.
Despite my desire to remain neutral in this matter, I could not, in good conscience, let events proceed without some measure of warning. The other side will move very soon, and I urge thee to leave Candlekeep this very night, if possible. The darkness may seem equally threatening, but a moving target is much harder to hit, regardless of how sparse the cover. A fighting chance is all that can be asked for at this point.
Should anything go awry, do not hesitate to seek aid from travelers along the way. I do not need to remind thee that it is a dangerous land, even without our current concerns, and a party is stronger than an individual in all respects. Should additional assistance be required, I understand that Feldrock is currently at the Friendly Arm Inn. He knows little of what has passed, but he is ever thy friend and will no doubt help however he can.
Luck be with us all. I'm getting too old for this.

"E?" Liam said, rolling the scroll up and putting it in his bag. So something had scared Gorion, and whoever this E person was had told Gorion to leave Candlekeep to avoid....whatever it was. Was it perhaps the armored figure?

Liam looked around, he decided he would ponder on this more when he was in safer territory. Still, he was not going to leave Gorion here to be eaten by scavengers. Picking up the body he carried Gorion's body away from the area and eventually out of the woods. He came to a large field of flowers, not far from the road. They were purple and yellow colored, Gorion's favorite colors. Liam felt this was as good spot and gently placed Gorion's body down, front hooves crossed over his chest.

Liam then set out to find stones, and for two hours he gathered stones until he had enough to full covered Gorion's body in a makeshift grave. Once Gorion was fully covered, Liam kneeld before the grave and bowed his head. He sat there for a time.

"I'm sorry father. I should have tried to help you.....I should have fought." Liam said, though he was sure that he would have died if he had, and that would have made Gorion's death in vein.

"I can't do much for you....but I promise you father, you will be avenged. I will kill the man that did this to you, I will plunge my sword into his foul dark heart. I promise you this." Liam said, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. Shaking with a combination of grief and rage.

Finally Liam stood up, he had cleaned and bandaged before he had gathered the stone. He kept the potion safe, saving it for an emergency. His armor was still a mess, but he could probably get that fixed at the inn, surely if the town had an inn it had a tanner or smith.

With one last look at his fathers grave, Liam headed back onto the road. He was sure to have alot of ground to cover, and he wanted to be at the inn before night fall.

"Are we there yet?" Rarity asked, for what must have been the seventh time.

"For the last time no. And your whining won't make it happen any sooner." Applejack said.

"Whining. I am not whining, I am complaining. Do you want to hear whining?" Rarity said, "This is whining."

Twilight could not help but laugh at her friends antics. She looked over the map, at this pace they would be at the Friendly Arm in another two or three hours.

"So Twilight, what do you expect to do when we reach Nashkel?" Rainbow Dash asked, flying next to Twilight.

"Honestly Rainbow Dash I don't know. But the princess thinks that whatever is behind the iron shortage is stemming from the mine there. Considering that Equestria gets most of its iron from there it is a reasonable guess. Though I don't know what could be causing the iron to be bad." Twilight said.

"What do you mean by bad anyway? All I know is that anything with iron in it just breaks, why is that?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight sighed, "Honestly, I don't really know. From the reports I've heard and read the iron seems to be rotten somehow, and the smelting process seems to carry it over. Swords, armor, nails, railroad spikes or tracks. It all just seems to snap either right in the middle of use or after some pressure is applied. Sometimes somepony gets lucky and their item can last them for a week, but in the end it just breaks. Unless you got something that was made years ago, good quality iron is almost impossible to find."

"I heard some rumors from some of my weather team that it was a griffon scheme of some sort." Rainbow Dash said.

That made Twilight stop in her tracks, "What? But that makes no sense, why would the griffons corrupt the iron in their own mine?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged, "I'm just saying what I heard. I mean maybe they got a shortage as well, but since the town is on their borders and under their control and all the iron comes from there it only makes sense a rumor like that would get started."

"But it's not true. If it was that could start a war, the Griffon Empire wouldn't try to do that." Twilight said. Was this the kind of rumors spreading in Celestia's court? And if so, were they also spreading among the populous? But worse...what if it was true?

"Hey rumors don't always make sense. Thing is though some people and ponies believe it. Especially the humans in Equestria." Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight could understand that, most of the humans that now lived in Equestria came as refugees years ago after some big war between their kingdom and the Griffon Empire. She guessed there would still be some animosity.

"Well whatever the reason, we're going to find out what it is and get rid of it." Twilight said.

"Alright, I'm with ya to the end." Rainbow Dash said before taking off to fly ahead and scout.

Twilight smiled for a moment, but soon frowned. Her mind was full with worry as she tried to piece this information together. She never really listened to rumors, but perhaps she would try to find some when they get to the inn. Even if it was all just wild rumors, she would at least know what was going through the populous and give her a clue as to the troubles that Celestia is having to deal with. Maybe she could find a way to help then.

"Wow!" Rainbow Dash said, after a few hours of travel.

"Impressive isn't it." Twilight said, looking up at the Friendly Arm Inn.

Inn didn't describe the Friendly Arm. Surrounded by high stone walls, and built on a hill surrounded by a deep ditch. A large bridge acting as an entrance to the main grounds the Friendly Arm looked more like a fort then an Inn. The Inn itself seemed more like a castle.

"That's an inn?" Rarity said surprised.

Twilight could not help but giggle.

"Ho there, wanderer. Stay thy course a moment to indulge an old man."

Liam had been traveling for a good four hours, and the sun was well in the sky and would soon begin to descend into the horizon. On the way Liam had crossed paths with an old man, he wore a simple travel tunic and a wide brimmed pointy hat. He had a walking stick as well, and Liam could not help but chuckly slightly at the image. The old man looked like a child story version of a human wizard. When the man stopped to talk, Liam was a bit wary, but his fathers note had said to seek out help from travelers. Perhaps this man knew where the Friendly Arm was.

"It's been nigh unto a tenday since I've seen a soul walk this road, and I've been without decent conversation since," the old man continued, "Traveling nowadays appears to be the domain of either the desperate or the deranged. If thou wouldst pardon my intrusion, might I inquire which pertains to thee?"

Liam smiled, the man had a friendly and almost grandfatherly sort of presence, but his smile soon faded as he said, "A fair bit of desperate, actually. Might you know the way to the Friendly Arm Inn? I was told I might find a friend there."

The old man smiled, "That I would. The inn is but a short distance to the north, and its doors are open to all. I have no doubt that thy friend shall be there, waiting with open arms. You shall find the protection to the north of shelter, friendship and another kind, if thine eye be well enough to open and thy mind alert, but more than this I cannot say. My sympathies for any hardships the road has inflicted upon thee, though I am certain everything shall turn out for the best. My, but I have wasted too much of thy time and said too much already. I shall take my leave and wish thee all the best."

With that the old man continued down the road. Liam frowned as he watched him go. He was a bit odd.

'Yeah....for the best.' Liam thought bitterly. Still he knew his direction now, and so he took down the road till he reached a crossroads and then head up north. If figured if he sticked to the road he would avoid any wild animals. But he might also run into bandits. Still, the road was for the moment clear and thus the safest path. With the sun beginning to descend, Liam took off at a run hoping to cover some distance.

By the time the sun was well into the horizon and painting the sky orange Liam stood before the Friendly Arm, and his jaw dropped. He had not expected this when he thought of an inn.

"This is an inn?" He said to himself.

Liam shook his head, he felt stupid just standing here with his mouth hanging open. He took off up the hill, his heart pounding with some excitement. Soon he would find Feldrock, and maybe he might have some answers to his questions. Surely this Feldrock would know something, if the strange E person had told Gorion to seek him out. On the way up, Liam spotted a strange sight. A herd of six colorful ponies, two of each kind. Two pegasi, two unicorns and two earth ponies. They seemed packed for travel and their path up the hill would soon merge with his.

Liam stopped and offered a friendly wave over to the group of five. Wait...five? Where was the sixth?

"Ohmygosh!Hellothere,mynameisPinkiePie. WhenIsawyouonthehillIwasalllike, ohsomeoneIdon'tknowandwhenyouwavedhelloIknewyouwerefriendlyandIjusthadtosayhello.Ohyoulookabittravelworn, ohmygoodnesswereyouattacked, wewereattackedaswell.Awholebunchofgibberlingstriedtogobbleusup, ohheydoyouwanttobefriends?" A hyperactive and puffy mane and tailed pony said, standing real close to Liam.

"Ahh." Liam gasped, falling back onto his rear by the sudden appearance of the pony. How did she get up here so fast? How did she do it without him seeing her do it!?!

"Geez Pinkie Pie, give the guy some space. He looks like he's been through alot." A cyan pegasus said, flying over.

"Oh, right hehehe. Sorry mister." Pinkie said, stepping back from Liam.

Liam got up on his feet, "Uh....no problem uhh Pinkie is it."

Pinkie nodded, "Yep, oh and this is Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Twilight." Pinkie had taken Liam by the hand and pulled him down to wrap a hoof around his shoulder as she pointed out each of her friends.

"Oh my goodness. Darling you look simply dreadful, and that armor you are wearing looks simply barbaric." Rarity said, walking over and expecting Liam's attire.

"Uh well....I..." Liam said.

"Oh my goodness, you're hurt. Are you okay? What happened, oh let me see them maybe I can help." The yellow and pink maned pegasus, Fluttershy, said as she flew over, checking the bandages on Liam's head and leg.

"Thanks but...." Liam tried to say.

"Girls, give him some space. He looks a bit nervous." Twilight said, laughing.

"Oh I'm sorry, please don't be mad. I...I just saw the bandages and I...eep." Fluttershy said as she flew back and hid in her mane.

"It's no problem...really." Liam said.

"Sorry about all of that, my name is as you know by now Twilight Sparkle. We're from Ponyville." Twilight said, offfering a hoof out.

Liam kneeled down a bit and took Twilights hoof in his hand and shook it, "I'm Liam. I'm from Candlekeep."

When Twilight's eyes widened, Liam felt sure that perhaps he should have kept that to himself. If Pinkie and Fluttershy had gotten up close, Twilight was not fully invading his personal space.

"Really! Candlekeep, the greatest library in all of Equestria, no the world! Even better then the library at the Crystal Empire!" Twilight said, advancing on Liam with wide and excited eyes.

"I...uh...yes.....uh..."Liam said, backing away up the hill.

"What's it like? Do they really have the entire collection of Star Swirl the Bearded's works? Do they have the complete almanac of flora and fauna in the zebra lands? Are the entire prophecies of Alaundo there?" Twilight asked.

"I...yes....umm..." Liam said.

"Twilight! Geez girl, give the guy some space." Applejack said, pulling her friend back with a chuckle.

Twilight blinked then blushed, "Oh ummm sorry. I just...I really love books and the library at Candlekeep has been the one place I've always dreamed of visiting."

Liam chuckled nervously, "Its no big deal....really. Uh...what brings you to the inn?"

"Oh were traveling darling." Rarity said.

"Yeah, we're on a super secret quest but don't tell anypony okay." Pinkie said, pointing a hoof at Liam.

"Pinkie." Twilight said. Rainbow Dash facehoofed.

Liam blinked confused, "Uh....okay.... I'm here to meet a friend. Since we are both heading to the inn maybe we can talk on the way. I would like some conversation."

"Sure. Oh i got so many questions." Twilight said as she started up the hill.

Liam chuckled, he could tell this was going to be a very long day. The rest of the ponies also engaged him in conversation as they walked up and once they had been told the rules of the inn, they walked over the bridge and into the inner grounds of the Friendly Arm.

"So how did you get all beaten up anyway." Rainbow Dash asked, she was forced to walk as the rules prohibited flying, something that irritated her greatly.

"Oh, well like you I had a bit of a run in with some Gibberlings." Liam said.

"Oh my, how did you get away darling?" Rarity asked.

"Well...I didn't. I took one by surprise and killed it swiftly, but the other three surrounded me. But I came out on top in the end, thankfully." Liam said.

"You...you mean you....eep." Fluttershy hid in her mane and backed away a bit from Liam.

"Oh my....I...well that is just.." Rarity said, unsure of how to go about now in conversation.

Twilight bit her lip. She had killed gibberlings as well, but while she felt such regret this human didn't seem to be phased.

"I know most ponies don't take well to killing, but those beasts would have killed me if I hadn't killed them." Liam said.

"I suppose....perhaps we can pick a different conversation topic." Rarity said.

"Yeah, I think thats fer the best." Applejack said.

"Right...well umm...whats Ponyville like?" Liam asked as he started up the stairs into the inn portion of the Friendly Arm.

Before Pinkie could respond, in what Liam was sure to be a fast paced talk, a man in a robe walked down the stairs and approached them.

"Hi friend," The man said with a smile, "I've not seen you here before today. What brings you to the Friendly Arm?"

Liam blinked, was every stranger going to come up and ask him what he was doing?

"Oh hi there. My names Pinkie Pie." Pinkie said, approaching the man.

The man gave a slight smile to her, "A pleasure. But please let him speak."

Liam blinked, "Um....I'm here to meet a friend."

The man smiled more, "Oh, you must be whom I am to meet then. I will take you to your friend, but first I should be sure you are the correct person. Is your name Liam?"

"Liam...I don't think." Rainbow Dash began.

Liam was confused, something seemed off. Rainbow Dash seemed to be able to tell as well, but if this man could lead Liam to Feldrock then Liam had to trust him.

"Why, yes it is" Liam said.

The man laughed slightly, "Perfect. You are indeed the person I seek. Hold still a moment, won't you?"

And with that, the world turned upside down. The man slammed the stairs with his staff and sent out a blast of wind that sent Liam and the ponies off their feet and hooves. Pinkie went flying into the wall and fell to the ground groaning. Rarity and Applejack were blow off the ledge and fell to the ground. Rainbow Dash was blow back, but quickly recovered and dove to catch AJ and Rarity before they hit the ground. Fluttershy and Twilight were blown down the stairs, and both hit the ground and had the air knocked out of them. Liam was in the same boat, but he had landed a bit on the stairs. His head had hit the stone step and his vision was dizzy, but adrenaline pumped through his body now and he quickly got up staggering as he drew his sword.

The guards were quick to act, firing arrows at the assassin, but the mage waved a hand and soon seven more images of him appeared. Liam couldn't tell which was which, and neither could the guard. Their arrows flew and hit only copy images, passing through them harmlessly.

The mage assassin wasted no time and began to cast a series of spells, sending out small balls of red towards Liam. They were the same spell that Gorion had once used and when the spells hit Liam they exploded slightly on impact.

"AGGGH!" Liam screamed, stagger to and fro with each strike from the orbs. He charged blindly forward and started to swing his sword wildly, trying to find and hit the real mage.

The mage laughed with each unsucessive strike from Liam and sent more orbs to strike him. Liam was soon on the ground, coughing and bleed from injuries. His vision was getting blurry and he stared up at the multiple mage with fear.

"Time to end this." The mage send, holding up a hand as lightning charged in his palm.

Suddenly there was a swoosh of air, and the lightning faded from the mages hands. Liam blinked and looked at the mage, who stood there with a shocked look on his face. Then...the top half of the mage fell backward, and his legs foward. A fountain of blood gushed out, splattering all over the stairs and on Liam.

"What the..." Liam said and turned his head slightly. There on the top of the stairs was a giant of a man, thick corded muscles bulging from a mail shirt. In his hands was a monster of a blade, the edge chipped from years of use but the blade still shone with well maintained care.

"Don't die on us yet lad. Just sit tight and you'll be right as rain." The man said.

Liam tried to say something, but the pain from his wounds soon made him pass into the land of unconsciousness.

When Liam awoke, he found himself in a small room. The bed was wide and soft, and the dresser and night stand were carved from the finest oak wood. He looked around confused, where was he?

"Back among the living ye be, aye?"

Liam turned and saw the large man from before, he sat on a stool next to the bed.

"Where am I?" Liam asked.

"Ye be in my room, in my bed in the Friendly Arm Inn." The man said.

"Oh...I'm sorry I-aggh." Liam hissed as he tried to get up.

"Try not to move. I got a healer to take care of the worse injuries, but ye be in no shape to move for a time." The man said.

"What about Twilight....and the others?" Liam asked.

The man smirked, "The ponies be okay. Their in the room next to this one. A little bruised and the yellow one seems to be having a mental breakdown, 'specially after she saw our friend mage out there cut in two."

Liam sighed in relief, he had liked the ponies and he would have felt bad if they had been hurt because of him. The mage had been after him, but why? Why was he wanted dead?

"Now then, since ye be awake perhaps you can tell me of this." The man said, taking out a scroll and offering it to Liam.

Liam took the scroll, on it was a poorly drawn picture of him and a notice under it, Liam read it over.

Be it known to all those of evil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Liam, the foster child of Gorion.
Last seen in the area of Candlekeep, this person is to be killed in quick order.
Those returning with proof of the deed shall recieve no less than two hundred gold standards.
As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of law shall join the target in their fate.

"Two hundred gold standards." Liam said in awe, that was more money then most common men ever gained in their life. It was no small sum.

"Too much in my opinion for a wet fish like ye self." The man said.

"I...I don't get it....I don't know anything of why this is. Honestly I don't know why." Liam said.

The man took the notice, "I believe ye. You don't look the type to go messing with those that can put such a price on ye head. Hells ye barely look ready to be off your mothers apron strings."

Liam bit his lip, "I'm not defenseless. I can hold my own."

"Oh yes...you proved that very well." The man said.

Liam looked away, "I...I killed four gibberlings."

The man slapped his knee and laughed, "Ahahha, gibberlings be small fry. Any farmer with some sense can kill them."

Liam bit his lip and buried his head in his pillow.

"Ah, don't be sad boy. Ever great fighter starts like ye, and now that you got ye arse handed to ye you can start really becoming great." The man said.

Liam turned and looked at the man, "Look, I thank you for your help, but I have to find a friend. I was told he would be here, his name is Feldrock. Do you know him"

The man blinked, "Aye...I might. How do you know him?"

"My father Gorion told me to seek him out here." Liam said.

"Gorion? I understand Gorion be a pony....how is a pony the father of a human?" The man asked.

"Well...foster father...I don't know who my real parents are." Liam said.

The man hummed, "And where be Gorion then?"

Liam bit his lips, "He....he's dead."

The man's eyes seemed to widen and he looked down, his face dark with shock.

"Aye...I be knowing Feldrock, I am he." The man said.

Liam blinked, "You're Feldrock?"

"Aye. And you are Liam, Gorions ward. He spoke of you in his letters he sent our little group. When I saw you here and no sign of he, I had feared the worse. The pony would not have let his ward wander on his own, but...to hear it from ye....He will be missed, he was a pony I was proud to call friend." Feldrock said.

Liam looked up at the man, he was not sure what to say. So he said nothing. After a moment Feldrock stood straight.

"Well lad, I be Feldrock, so ye found me. But right now ye be needing rest. When you're fit for travel we will talk more. For now rest, I'll see the cook brings ye breakfast in the morning." Feldrock said.

Liam nodded, "Alright. Thank you....for saving me."

"Don't thank me yet boy. In the coming days ye might start wishing you had died this day." Feldrock said with a smirk as he left.

Liam blinked, 'What does he mean by that?' He thought. He had a bad feeling that the coming days were not going to be fun. Still, despite this he soon found himself fading back into sleep and all the worries of the world soon meant nothing to him.

Chapter Three: On the Road to Beregost

For the next two days Liam lay in bed. The bed was soft, making him feel as if he was sleeping on air. Liam was sure that the mattress had pegasus feathers in it, as did the pillows. Still despite this he was sure he would have gone mad if not for the constant visits from the six ponies.

Liam had been surprised that they had stayed, he was sure that they would have left once they were all rested and recovered after the mage attack. One day Liam had asked about this, while the shy little pegasus Fluttershy had visited him.

"Oh um....we were all really worried about you. When we heard you had almost died, oh dear it was just horrible." Fluttershy said, hiding in her mane.

"I still don't understand why you decided to stay." Liam said.

"Um well...the girls and I couldn't really leave with a good conscious after all that had happened. We wanted to be sure you were okay." Fluttershy said, "umm and besides that Feldrock person wanted to talk with us."

"About what?" Liam asked.

"Oh umm..." Fluttershy said, remembering the conversation.

Fluttershy sat curled up, head deep in her mane, on the bed. She was shaking and her breathing was coming at a swift pace. Applejack sat beside her, a hoof wrapped around her in comfort.

"There, there sugarcube. Just take it easy, and breath normally." AJ said soothingly.

"Easy.....easy.....how can I breath easy. He was cut in half!" Fluttershy gasped, looking at AJ with wide eyes. She paled again and covered her mouth with her hoof as she hid once more.

"Oh come one Fluttershy, that human was blasting magic left and right, he almost killed that Liam guy. If you ask me he got what he deserved." Rainbow Dash said, crossing her hooves over her chest.

"I don't think anypony or human deserves that Rainbow Dash. That was...." Twilight shivered, that was an image that was not going to leave her mind.

"Why was he trying to kill Liam? He seems like such a nice man, even if he was dressed in simply atrocious travel wear." Rarity said.

Twilight rubbed her chin, that was something she had wondered as well. It seemed odd that some human mage would try to kill Liam, even right in the middle of....town? Inn? Whatever you could call this place. The fact that Liam had been attacked was odd as well.

"I knew that guy was bad news. He just seemed to friendly to me." Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh my gosh that was just horrible. Why would he do that, and just when I had said hello to him." Pinkie said, her mane and tail still deflated. The entire ordeal had shook her up a bit.

"I don't know. Humans tend to do strange things, and their motives can be hard to place. They can be almost chaotic in their actions." Twilight said.

"Well what do we do?" Applejack asked.

"Well we have reached the Friendly Arm, once we're all rested I think we should head to Beregost and then to Nashkel." Twilight said.

"What about Liam," Fluttrshy asked, "he was so hurt after that attack. I don't think I could leave without knowing if he was okay or not."

"I must agree, " Rarity said, "I don't think any of us could sleep well without at least making sure that he is okay."

Everypony was in agreement, and though Twilight would have to rework their travel plans again, she wanted to at least know that Liam would be alright. She had come to like him, and he was from Candlekeep and she still had so many questions.

"If ye be wondering on the boys health, he be awake or he was when I left him."

The girls all turned to the door to see the large human again. This time without his monster of a sword with him. Fluttershy eeped and hid in her mane.

"Stop your worrying lass, I'll not be cutting you in two. Well, unless ye try to make any trouble for me or the boy." The human sat down on a stool.

"Hey, don't talk like that to Fluttershy mister." Rainbow Dash said, flying up to the man.

The man glared at Dash, "I talk as I like little mare. Now get out of me face, least I pluck your feathers bare."

"Enough. Rainbow Dash, give him some space," Twilight said, "I'm sorry. But the whole....mage thing has us a bit shaken, and what you did to him....well it didn't help."

"That be life out here on the road lass. Ye either kill or be killed when ye be under attacked." The man said, leaning forward.

Twilight was silent, remembering the incident with the gibberlings. Knowing that she knew that she had no right to say what the man had done was wrong.

"Aye, ye understand don't ye. I know when someone, or somepony, made their first kill. Your eyes still got that haunted look in them." The man said.

Twilight gasped, stepping away till she bumped into the wall. Applejack stepped up, pointing a hoof at the man.

"Now look here you, Twilight would never hurt another living thing. So don't go saying that she did." Applejack said.

"I did..." Twilight said softly.

Applejack blinked soon all of Twilight's friends were staring at her.

"I did......I did." Twilight said, closing her eyes.

"Oh Twilight dear." Rarity said, moving over to pull her friend into a hug, "why didn't you say something. Oh you must have been shook to your core."

"Wow, I didn't know you had it in you Twilight. I always thought you were just a bookworm." Rainbow Dash said.

"When did it happen?" Applejack asked.

"When we were attacked by those Gibberlings. They cornered me...and I...I just reacted. I should have just teleported away but...instead I....I killed them." Twilight said, biting her lip.

"There there darling, it's alright." Rarity said, brushing her hoof through Twilights mane.

"Bah, just gibberlings. They are pests, so don't feel bad." The man said.

"But I've never killed anything before, and I did it with magic!" Twilight shouted.

The man shrugged, "Magic, sword, arrow. Even hands, weapon be a weapon and when out here and fighting for your life ye use whatever weapon ye got."

"Just who are you anyway. You saved Liam, but other then that we don't know you at all." Rainbow Dash said.

"My name be Feldrock, and you might not know me but I be knowing you all. Bearers of the Elements of Harmony." Feldrock said.

That made the girls go silent. They all stared at Feldrock in shock. Feldrock pointed a finger at Twilight.

"And you little mare, be Princess Celestia's own personal student." Feldrock said.

"How did you know all that?" Twilight asked.

"I got friends, and it be a job of mine to know these things. What I don't know though is why such very important ponies be traveling in such a bad time especially when they lack the will to do what might be needed to survive." Feldrock said.

Twilight was silent, as were the others. They all stared at Feldrock, a mixture of uncertainty and worry. First the attack on Liam, and now this strange man who knew of them and of who they were. Twilight's mind waged a war as she tried to figure out how she should proceed.

Feldrock howver spoke before she could, "Whatever your reasons be, it not be my business. But I have a feeling that we can help one another, and if ye be willing to speak with me on the matter then you are welcome. For now I just came to say that Liam is alright. if you wish to talk to him ye may. As for me, I'll be downstairs in the tavern. A good night to y'all."

With that Feldrock stood up and walked out the room, shutting the door behind him, and leaving Twilight and her friends alone and silent.

"So uh...what do we do now?" Rainbow Dash said.

"Umm....panic?" Fluttershy said.

Liam chuckled, "Panic?"

Fluttershy blushed, "Um oh...well....that seems to be my answer for everything. At least that's what Rainbow Dash says."

Liam chuckled again, before going silent. He then said, "So....you're a bearer of...what are they called? Elements of Harmony?"

Fluttershy blushed again, "Oh...yes...I bear the element of kindness."

Liam blinked in surprise, he had read of them but he always thought they were a myth. But if Fluttershy said she had one, and if Feldrock was in agreement, then it must be true.

"Wow...I did not know I was speaking with a celebrity." Liam said.

"Oh no, please don't think that...I...I'm really not all that special." Fluttershy said, blushing even more now and hiding her face in her mane.

Liam chuckled again, it felt good to laugh. Hells knew he had little to laugh about recently, so he took it as a blessing to find a cause to do so.

"Still...it is strange. I always thought they were a myth." Liam said.

"Oh, we thought so as well but when Nightmare Moon returned, Twilight led us all into the Everfree and we found them." Fluttershy said.

"I heard of that....it caused a stir among the monks at Candlekeep, and travelers talked about it for months." Liam said.

"It was..kinda scarey. But it all ended well in the end, I was happy to see the princesses united again." Fluttershy said with a smile.

The two stayed silent for a time, and Fluttershy felt a bit unsure of the silence. Finally, taking her by surprise, Liam spoke.

"So...why are the elements of harmony out here? From what I was told, the roads are bad. Why take such a risk in travel?" Liam asked.

"Well...umm...I....you would have to ask Twilight...I...don't think I should say." Fluttershy said softly.

Liam shrugged, "If you say so. It probably is not my business...I'm just curious."

"What about you...why are you out here?" Fluttershy asked.

Liam went silent again, and bit his lip. Fluttershy felt she had said something to upset him.

"Oh um...if I said something wrong I'm sorry. Please don't be upset." Fluttershy said swiftly, scared she had upset Liam.

"No...its okay. I just....I came her to find Feldrock. He is a friend of my father and I was told to come here if we were separated in our travels." Liam said.

"Oh...oh..I hope he is okay. If he knows this is whre you are, I'm sure he will be here." Fluttershy said, smiling slightly.

Liam's eyes widened, and he stiffened. She thought that Gorion was alive? He wanted to scream, to tell her that his father would never be here. That he was dead! But he didn't, he couldn't do that to Fluttershy. She didn't know of what had happened to him, so he had no right to yell at her. Instead he just turned his head to look at the window and said, "Yeah....maybe."

Fluttershy felt that she had said something wrong again, but she did not know what and she did not push the subject. Feeling that she was now making the situation uncomfortable she stood up and headed for the door.

"Um...I'm glad you're okay. Umm, I should probably go find Twilight now. Sleep well. Sorry." Fluttershy said the last part swiftly before departing.

Liam just lay there, silent. His heart twisted as the memories from the night before filtered through his mind. Still, he could not cry anymore but as each image played out in his mind he clenched the sheets of the bed tighter and tighter. Now instead of sadness he felt only rage and anger. He would fullfill his promise to his foster father, he would find this armored figure. Find him....and kill him.

Twilight sat in the room she had shared with her friends. The others were downstairs, or about in the halls outside the room enjoying the warm fire of the hearth or enjoying some hard cider in the tavern below. She hoped that Rainbow Dash didn't go overboard. She tended to love cider a bit too much.

'Feldrock knows who we are....knows who I am.' She thought, getting up and beginning to pace back and forth.

Was he a threat? He couldn't be as he had saved Liam....but what if Liam was a danger as well. After all, why would someone try to kill you unless you were dangerous. At least...thats what she assumed, but maybe she was wrong.

'Oh what do I do....' She rubbed her head with her hooves, trying to think of a course of action to take.

Feldrock could be a danger, but he might also be an ally. He knew of her and her friends, of who they were, and so far had done thing against them. In fact he had offered to help them. At least she thought it was an offer of help, but since she did not know what his goals were she could not be certain.

'But....if the roads were as dangerous as they seemed, and she felt sure they were dangerous and would probably get more so the farther they got from Ponyville. What Feldrock did, without a care, did not settle well with Twilight. She, like many ponies save for those in the guard or the rare individual, did not like the thought, idea or even seeing another living being be killed. But, Twilight admitted, that in the current times it might be necessary and having somepony or human in this case to help might be useful.

Twilight sighed, "Oh what do I do?"

Twilight then stood there in silence, but no answer came. She sighed once more, and then walked to the door. She was not sure of what to do, but she had a mission for the princess and she would see it accomplished. And she was certain that she would need help, even with her friends she felt sure that the dangers they would face would be too much even for them, and so if Feldrock could help then she should seek it out.

Stepping out of the room, she saw Rarity lounging on a couch near the hearth. She had a mug of some warm drink and a book levitating beside her. She offered a wave over to her as she passed but she did not wait to see if Rarity responded in kind. She looked to the door leading to Liam's room, Fluttershy had gone to visit him as she had before. Twilight had stopped in once to see how he was doing, but for the most part she had been thinking on how to deal with what Feldrock had said. Perhaps later she would have time to talk with him more, she still had so many questions on Candlekeep.

Making her way down stairs into the tavern, Twilight was greeted to a great deal of noise. She had just stepped down just when the house was full, and the sounds of laughter of humans and ponies filled the room. Pinkie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash sat at a table not far from the stairs, and as Twilight had feared it seemed that Rainbow Dash had gotten to into her cider mugs as she was red in the face and giggling. Hopefully Applejack and Pinkie could keep Rainbow Dash under control. They did not need another incident like back in Ponyville.

Making her way through the throngs of people and ponies, Twilight eventually found Feldrock. it was not hard as he stood as a giant among all the others. In his hand was a mug of some drink, she was not very well read in the drinks of ponies and less so of those of humans. Still he did not seem to into his cups, and so Twilight approached him.

"Umm...Feldrock." Twilight said.

Feldrock turned and gave a smirk, "So...ye be willing to talk now?"

"I...yes." Twilight said.

Feldrock placed his mug down, and dropped three silvers on the counter. He stood up and motioned for Twilight to follow. She hesitated for a moment but followed after him and back up the stairs.

"Where are we going?" Twilight asked.

"To get Liam. If we be making a decision he has a right to know 'bout it was well." Feldrock said.

"Huh? Why is Liam going to be a part of this?" Twilight asked, "and shouldn't my friends be part of this conversation as well?"

"Your friends will go with ye whereever your path goes. But Liam has a choice to make now, and if he so chooses he will be coming with us." Feldrock said.

"What? What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

But Feldrock stayed silent, and when they reached the door to Liam's room he pushed open the door and ushered Twilight inside. Twilight had no choice but to go along with it. When they entered they saw Liam, sitting up, Fluttershy was gone now. Liam looked over at them when they came in.

"I see ye be doing better now." Feldrock said.

"Aye, I feel much better now. Though my body is still a bit sore, I tried walking a bit before you came in. I didn't fall over so I guess that is something." Liam said.

"It be enough." Feldrock said as he sat down.

Twilight moved over to Liam, "Oh I'm glad you're doing fine now."

Liam smiled, "Thanks Twilight. So...what brings you two up to my room?"

"You mean my room, you're just borrowing it, but I be paying for it." Feldrock said.

Liam blushed, "Oh....yeah."

Feldrock smirked, "Ah, worry not about it. We have more pressing matters to attend to."

"Like what?" Liam asked.

"Like the business of our element bearer friends here." Feldrock said, gesturing to Twilight.

Liam blinked, "Like what? I don't think its really our business of where they are going."

"Ah, but you would be wrong. But we can discuss that later, for now perhaps you would be willing to tell us what you are doing Miss Twilight." Feldrock said, looking over at Twilight.

"Oh right...um...well," Twilight said, unsure of how to proceed, "well..okay. As you know I'm Princess Celestia's student."

Liam and Feldrock nodded. Liam had been surprised by that bit of news, he seemed to be in the presence of six famous ponies now. It certainly made the dull days of Candlekeep seem like nothing now.

"Well, Princess Celestia has tasked me and my friend with going to the mining town of Nashkel to find out of why the iron from there is corrupted and try to find a way to stop it." Twilight said, "as you know the iron shortage has caused a great deal of trouble in the region, and with the rumors of what is going on the princess wants the problem dealt with swiftly."

"You mean the rumors that it is a griffon plot of some sort?" Liam asked.

Twilight winced, "Yes...like that. Such a rumor is obviously false, probably made up by some humans..oh but I don't mean....I'm sorry!"

Liam and Feldrock waved their hands and Feldrock said, "Don't be worrying on it lass. Ye probably be right, not many of our kind forgive the griffons for taking our kingdom from us."

Liam had not bee born when that event had occured, but he knew the history and he could understand why some humans might hold some resentment to the griffons and perhaps spark any rumors that put them in a bad light.

"The thing is, some ponies are now starting to believe those rumors and if it gets out of hand it could cause a whole stir of problems for the princess." Twilight said.

"Like war." Feldrock said.

Liam and Twilight looked at Feldrock in surprise. Twilight herself was shocked, "War....what do you mean by war?"

Feldrock shrugged, "I keep an ear out on rumors. There always be that piece that is good to know and some farmers and merchants have been talking that some nobles in Canterlot have been calling for war with the Griffon Empire. With the iron shortage problems, and all the others plaguing the region it be no surprise if Celestia is forced into action least she have a revolt on her hooves."

Twilight's eyes widened, if that was the case then things were far far worse then she had thought. Suddenly the importance of the mission felt greater. Even if the rumors were just that rumors, if they held and creditable proof then Princess Celestia truly had a great deal on her plate.

"If that is true, then it only makes my task all the greater." Twilight said.

"Aye so it does, and lucky for you it links with my task as well." Feldrock said.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Liam asked.

Feldrock stood up and crossed his arms, "Well, the only reason I was in this region originally was because some friends of mine had wanted me to investigate the mine. We have heard some rumors and I was sent to invesitage and if possible deal with the problem. Since ye ponies are going there as well, I figured I would offer ye my aid as a party can do much more then a single individual."

"If you are willing to help I would be glad for it....I....certain occurances have shown me that the path me and my friends are taking is far more dangerous then we oringinally realized." Twilight admited.

"Aye, that it is. I will help ye." Feldrock said.

"This is all well and good, but what does this have to do with me?" Liam asked.

"Well lad, Gorion was my good friend, and he asked me many years ago that if anything should happen to him that I should be your guardian. But ye be a man now, and you are able to take your own path. I am simply offering you one possible choice, but it be up to you to decide." Feldrock said.

Liam blinked and was silent, taking the information in. What was he suppose to do? Gorion had told him to find Feldrock, and he did...but what did he do now? He could not go back to Candlekeep, and for some strange reason he now had a bounty on his head and bounty hunters after him and if the meeting with that mage had been any symbol, Liam knew that with his own meager training in fighting it would not be enough to survive. Besides.....Gorion's letter had said to seek out aid, and was this not a party he could join?

Liam was not sure what to do, everything was just happening so fast. With his hurried flight from Candlekeep barely behind him the troubles facing the region seemed an unfamiliar blur to his fractured nerves. Still, Gorion would not have Liam sit ideal however, and perhaps investigating local concerns would shed some light on his own predicament. Though how the iron shortage or the troubles plaguing Nashkel mines could possibly be linked to him however he did not know. Still, it was a path he could take, perhaps the only one he could take at the moment.

Finally Liam came to a decision, "I've no where to go....and I doubt I could survive long on my own with what little martial training I have. If you will have me, I would come with ya."

Feldrock nodded, "Aye, if that be okay with you Miss Twilight."

Twilight blinked, "Oh..yes of course." Twilight was actually exicted, now she could get all the answers she wanted and have help in this task. Oh this was wonderful.

"Then we have an agreement," Feldrock said, "I suggest ye all get some rest, cause we will be leaving early tomorrow."

Twilight and Liam nodded. Feldrock turned and left and Liam laid back on the bed.

Twilight turned to Liam and thought of saying something, but he cut her off before he could.

"Thanks...even with the trouble I caused the day before..thank you for letting me come along. I'll try not to be a burden." Liam said.

"oh don't worry about it. I'm glad for the help, and always glad to have a friend along." Twilight said with a smile.

"Friend?" Liam said.

"Of course...we are friends right?" Twilight asked.

Liam blinked, then smiled, "Yeah. I'd like that."

Twilight returned the smile, but she did not stay long as she was sure that Feldrock was serious in his promise of an early leave tomorrow. Giving Liam a good night, she left to find her friends and tell them of the recent events. But when a frightened pegasus stallion shot up from the stairs, followed by a staggering and red faced Rainbow Dash she felt sure that this was going to be more trouble then she originally thought.

"Come back. Why don't you love me!" Rainbow Dash yelled, chasing after the stallion in a drunken rage.

"Rainbow Dash stop!" Twilight shouted, trying to get control of her friend. From the side the loud deep laughter of Feldrock could be heard.

True to his word, Feldrock had the entire group up and out of bed well into the early morning. The sun had not yet begun to rise, and Rainbow Dash complained greatly. This due in combination to having to rise early and a hangover from the night before. Still given the scene she had caused, she was quick and willing to leave the area least she die from further embaressment.

Liam was the first to the packed, as he had so little already. Most of his rations had ruined in the scuffle with the mage, but Feldrock and willingly refilled those and increased them from his original three days to a seven days worth of travel rations. But that was not the only gift that Feldrock had offered. When Liam had searched for his armor, he found it was gone. When he asked Feldrock of it he told him that he had gotten rid of it and then presented Liam with a new set of armor. It was still leather, but this armor was different. Unlike the previous armor, which had been made from a thick cowhide that had been lightly tanned to provide some protection, this leather was made of leather and raw hide, hardened until they were as tough as oak planks then molded and shaped into armor. As well, it was studded with small bits of metal that were sharped at the tip. Liam felt sure that this armor would last a bit longer, and would not tear as easily from a gibberlings mouth, cause the gibberling would have to bit down on the sharp metal to get at the leather.

"It ain't as good me mail shirt, but it will make you less of a target for bandits and it be easier to maintain and care for." Feldrock had said. Liam accepted the armor graciously.

Now equipped in his new armor, his sword strapped at his side this time. Feldrock told him it would be a better place then at his back for its size, and his knife safely tucked away at his belt. Again Feldrock had shown Liam a better way to conceal the knife in the belt so that not only did it not impede his movements should he twist his hips, but it also allowed for easy and quicker drawing time should he need it, and it would not fall out even if he hung upside down.

'He knows far more then I do. Maybe he will teach me on the way.' Liam thought as he picked up his bag and walked out his room. He saw that the girls were all packed, their saddlebags all strapped to them. Feldrock himself though stood out among them all. His mail shirt already attacted eyes for its iron, but that was not all. Strapped to his back, was the monster of a blade he had used on the mage. At his side were two short swords, and everywhere that Liam could tell he had a dagger sheathed here and there. Something told him those were just the ones Feldrock allowed to be seen, and Liam was sure that he might have more in areas he did not know of.

All in all Feldrock stood as a single man armory. It made Liam shiver a bit, and he was glad that he was on Feldrock's side, he would pity anyone or anything that tried to tussle with the giant of a man.

"Alright. I am assuming that ye all know that we will all be working together." Feldrock said to the ponies.

The girls nodded, they had been told of the plans and had agreed to it. Though Rainbow Dash had been a bit unsure with traveling with Feldrock, and partly with Liam, she had to agree that their help would be appreciated.

"Then before we go I want to make one final note, on this trip ya'll will be learning to fight. I'm not gonna let any of ye get killed or get one 'o us killed simply because you lack the stomach for the dirty work that is sure to come if ye continue on this way." Feldrock said, giving a critical look at everyone.

Twilight and her friends felt uncomfortable, though for Rainbow Dash it probably had more to do with her continued hangover then anything else. Still, the fact that they might be forced to fight and perhaps kill anything that might try to do them harm was a worrying concern.

"If ye can't be doing this, ye might as well head home now. This world be a dangerous place right now and ye won't be serving your princess any good if ye get yourself killed cause ye can't fight." Feldrock said.

Twilight bit her lip, "No....we understand." The rest of the girls agreed, though Fluttershy was hiding in her mane and shaking in fear.

Feldrock nodded, "Good. Then lets be going. We got a great deal of ground to cover if we want to get to Beregost, and then more after that to Nashkel. Two days should we avoid any run ins with bandits or monsters, but I wouldn't hold your breath."

With the conditions agreed upon, the party gathered up all their stuff and proceeded down into the tavern and main hall. Feldrock stopped to pay the inn keeper and after they were all out of the inn and crossing over the drawbridge and then down the hill. They now headed north, the opposite direction that Liam had taken when he had head for the Friendly Arm.

"Best keep an eye out to be sure that no bandts sneak on us," Feldrock said as they moved, "the roads north and south from Nashkel to Canterlot and riddle with the scum."

"What about the west road? It seemed pretty clear." Liam said.

Feldrock chuckled, "Ha, if books ever go into short supply then ye might see bandits there, but since they not be the road there will be the safest one can travel on."

Liam would have disagreed, at least in his case anyway. For him, the road had been a danger and had taken his father from him. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, and was surprised when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Liam looked to see Feldrock's hand on his shoulder, the man was silent but the look in his eyes told Liam enough that he knew what was bothering him.

Liam sighed and moved on ahead, his grip never leaving his sword's hilt.

After several hours of travel, Feldrock called for a break. He found a large outcrop of rocks, which provided cover from anyone traveling on the road, while allowing those behind the rocks to view the road hidden. Feldrock had called it a prime place for bandits to lay in wait, but they had found none. Still Feldrock had gone out to scout, while the others set up camp to make lunch.

Liam sat on a rock, tearing into a piece of jerky, bread and a small piece of cheese. The ponies avoided looking at him when he ate the meat product, even after twenty years when humans escaping their war with the griffons had come into Equestria to seek refugee, and finally becoming citizens of the kingdom, ponies were still not use to the need to eat meat.

Liam just shrugged and continued to eat, watching the clouds pass overhead.

"Get up and stop ye day dreaming."

Liam jumped and looked to his side to see Feldrock standing over him. The ponies saw him as well and jumped as well. No one had heard him return. But the surprise passed later and the ponies returned to their lunch and conversation.

"Ye deaf now? Get up." Feldrock said again.

Liam blinked, but got up, "What is it?"

Feldrock pointed at the sword at Liam's side, "Ye might be able to kill a few gibberling rats with that butter knife, but ye be no use in a real fight. Remember when I said ye be wishing ya died from the mage, well now be the time to make good on that."

"Huh?" Liam said confused, he jumped back and almost tripped on a rock as Feldrock drew the two short swords from his sides.

"If ya gonna be any use to us, ya gonna learn to fight like a real man. Now draw that blade of yours and get ready." Feldrock said.

"Wait...fight? With real swords, what if one of us kills the other?" Liam said, shocked.

The girls now watched in confusion and worry. Twilight herself did not want the two humans to hurt themselves.

"Pfaa, I can draw my blows to whomp ye, but not kill ye. And if ye be lucky enough to actually cut me with that sword of yours then I be deserving it. Now fight." Feldrock said, going on the attack.

Liam barely had time to draw his blade, and only just narrowly blocked the first strike. While that might seem a feat of amazment, the force of Feldrock's blow launched Liam's blade out of his hand and the second hilt took him across the cheek and knocked him to the ground.

"Liam." Fluttershy said, getting up and flying to the downed human.

"Hey man, what are you doing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Feldrock ignored her, "Next time you be ready to fight when I say. Now get up and pick your sword up."

Liam groaned, but got up and picked up his sword. As soon as he was up and armed, Feldrock moved again. Fluttershy moved out of the and the ponies could just watch in shock and horror as Feldrock beat down Liam again and again. Liam got in a few lucky blocks, but in the end he was battered, bruised and cut in several areas, but of course nothing serious.

"Ye fight like a child, but ye might be able to be a man." Feldrock said, sitting down.

Liam groaned, and sniffled. He bit his tongue to stop the tears of embaressment and anger he felt. He looked up from the ground and saw the looks of pity on the ponies faces, that only made him feel worse. Liam stood up and marched off into the woods, he wanted to be alone.

Feldrock just shook his head, and began to see to the care of his swords and knives. He continued even as the girls surrounded him.

"Hey, what is the deal? Why did you beat on Liam like that?" Rainbow Dash asked. Even she could tell that Feldrock had just bashed Liam without giving him a chance and that felt unfair to her.

"That was simply barbaric, and I thought better of you when you saved Liam." Rarity said.

"Just because you're helping us doesn't mean you can just beat down any of us when you feel like it, no matter what your intentions are!" Twilight said, angry.

"Enough with your whining. The boy needs to learn to fight, and this is how fighting is done in the real world. This ain't some fancy two cent noble fight with rules and fancy foot work, nor is this a guard duty dealing with drunks and fools. This be fighting with men who will pull every dirty trick and do anything to kill ya," Feldrock said, "if y'all and the boy want to survive you will have to realize that."

Twilight and the others went silent, they still did not agree with how Feldrock had gone about it. Still, they moved away and returned to their meal. But Pinkie looked to the woods, and walked in to find Liam. He seemed so upset, he probably needed a friend and a hug. Pinkie smiled and hopped on about to find him and give him just that.

She found Liam leaning beside a tree, arms crossed. Smiling she ran over and tackled him.

"Hugs." Pinkie sang.

"Ahhh! Pinkie! What are you doing?" Liam said, perhaps a bit too much anger in his voice.

Pinkie winced at the tone, but continued the hug, "Well you looked so upset and hugs make everypony happy. Especially when you throw one around a friend."

Liam went silent and just stood up, Pinkie dangling in the air as she hung onto him with her hooves wrapped around him. She just giggled and tightened the hug, she kicked her hind legs a bit in the air.

"Pinkie. My arm is losing feeling in it." Liam said.

Pinkie blinked, "Oh sorry." She giggled as she let go and fell to the hooves.

Liam rubbed the numb arm, Earth Ponies really had a tight grip. He sighed and looked back into the woods.

"What's wrong? Don't feel bad about being beaten up, Feldrock is a big guy." Pinkie said, standing next to him.

Liam twitched, "Thanks.....I think."

Pinkie bit her lip, was that the wrong thing to say, "Oh um...well I mean, he is big and tough but he was just trying to help."

"I know." Liam said.

"Huh? You know, then why are you so upset?" Pinkie asked.

"Because I feel inferior. Here I was thinking killing four gibberlings had been an accomplishment, but when Feldrock took me down so swiftly. He was holding back I'm sure, otherwise I would probably be dead. That....that tells me that anything I've done so far in battle....it doesn't mean anything."

Pinkie frowned, "Hey, don't think like that. You're like me and the girls, none of us have ever been out here like this. We got attacked by those gibber things as well, and even Twilight still feels bad after killing three."

Liam sighed, "I guess....but...I still feel embaressed."

"Do you know what I do when I feel embaressed?" Pinkie asked, an idea forming in her head.

"No....what?" Liam asked.

Pinkie jammed her hooves into Liam's side and began to tickle him. Liam fell on his rear laughing, trying to get away.

"Stop. Stop, ahahaha!" Liam laughed, finally getting away from Pinkie and catching his breath.

Pinkie laughed, "See, just laugh and everything is all better."

Liam smiled and got back up, "Thanks Pinkie." He looked around then chuckled.

"I guess we're lucky there are no bandits in the area. Otherwise we would have made ourselves know by a thousand leagues." Liam chuckled.

Pinkie laughed and giggled in agreement.

Thats when the arrow jammed into the trunk of the tree next to Liam. The two stared at the arrow with wide eyes, and then took off at a run as more arrows fired after them.

"Bandits! Bandits!" Liam yelled, as he and Pinkie ran back to the camp.

Liam and Pinkie burst through the trees, surprising Feldrock and the girls. When the arrows followed suit, everything went chaotic.

"Behind the rocks!" Feldrock yelled, and he grabbed Liam and Pinkie and pulled them with him behind a rock for cover. The other girls did as well, not even Rainbow Dash was willing to go out with archers about, she would be a harder target on the ground at the moment.

"What do we do?" Liam asked."

"Wait till they move out of the trees, then send them back to their mothers. I assume you two are responsible for this." Feldrock said.

Liam and Pinkie bit their lips, and Feldrock sighed.

"Bah, next time don't go out in the woods and do whatever ya did." Feldrock said.

"I thought you said there were no bandits in the area?" Liam asked, ducking when two arrows hit the rock just an inch over his head.

"I said they were not near, but the two of ya seemed to attract their attention....here they come." Feldrock said after a pause.

And he was right, running from the woods, swords drawn, a group of seven bandits charged into the camp. Feldrock dropped out from behind the rock and drew his short swords and moved at lightning speed, taking down the first bandits before it had a chance to act.

Liam jumped out as well, drawing his sword. He meet one bandit head to head. The two fought, but the bandit drove Liam back some, and eventually knocked him down with a swipe to the knee.

Liam hit the ground and rolled to the side to avoid a stab from the bandits. Acting on instinct he scooped up a handful of dirt and tossed it at the bandits face when he went for another stab. The bandit screamed in pain and staggered back, giving Liam enough time to attack, stabbing his blade into the bandits unprotected arm pit.

The bandits fell back as he died, but as Liam pulled his sword out the blade suddenly snapped in two and left half of it still inside the bandit. Liam looked at the destroyed sword, tossed it aside and grabbed up the bandit's sword, a similar blade to his previous one.

Now the ponies entered the battle, or Rainbow Dash at least. The cyan pegasus flew about the battle, and gave a double kick to one bandits across the head sending him to the ground. Applejack kicked rocks, making them projectilces, at a Diamond Dog and zebra. One took the zebra across the temple, and the other into the Diamond Dog's eye. Liam took the oppertunity and moved to slash the dog bandit across the chest, then into a stab. The dog fell back howling as he died.

"Thanks partner." AJ said, giving a wink.

Liam smirked, then turned to see Twilight blocking magical attacks from a unicorn from the trees. Liam moved to try and take the unicorn by surprise, but the enemy pony saw Liam come in and blasted him to the ground witha burst of lightning. Liam screamed in pain, curling up into a ball. Twilight gasped and suddenly sent a large blast of magic at the enemy unicorn, sending the bandit pony through a tree literally.

"Liam! Are you okay?" Twilight said, rushing over to him.

Liam groaned, twitched, but looked up at Twilight with a smile, "Eh....I guess."

"Feldrock!" Twilight shouted, "Liam's hurt!"

It took Liam a moment to see that the battle was over, the bandits were all dead or ran off if the unicorn Twilight had blasted was still alive. Feldrock came over and looked Liam over. He then pulled out a small vial and forced the liquid down Liam's throat.

Liam coughed, the liquid tasted vile, "Ugh...what is that!?!" Then he hissed and his body spasmed a bit before finally passing and he lay there gasping for air.

"Those lightning spells tend to linger in your body, be lucky I had some of that potion left over otherwise you might be in serious pain for a good few hours." Feldrock said.

Liam groaned, and with some help from Twilight, moved over to sit against a rock. Liam took slow deep breathes, Feldrock moved back over and gave Liam another potion. Liam took it and drank it down, almost gagging on the foul tasting liquid.

"You got to learn how to fight better, especially against magic users, otherwise you're going to be expensive. Healing potions ain't cheap, nor was that other potion I gave ye." Feldrock said.

Liam coughed, feeling the effects of the potion take effect, "Whatever it takes....I'll get better."

Feldrock's face remained netural as he said, "I'm sure you will. Time we got moving, we will stop one more time later and then move on into Beregost. Everyone, pack and lets get moving."

Liam slowly got to his feet, Twilight stayed by his side to offer support if he needed it. But Liam felt better now, though he as he looked at this armor, he was sure that it was going to need a good fixing. Still, he was alive and this time not unconscious. Even if it was from the help of potions, Liam still took it as a sign that maybe he was getting better at all of this.

They party got back on the road, after Feldrock had looted the bodies of the bandits and, to the terror of Twilight and her friends, took the scalps of the bandits. Even Liam felt a bit disgusted by the act, but the fact that there was a bounty on bandit scalps lessened the disgust. Liam felt sure they would need all the money they could get.

In total, they had gained twenty five silver standards, fourty five coppers, and even a single gold standard. That made their parties current currency in total: 2 gold standards, fourty silver standards, and ninety five coppers. Though Feldrock promised that when they got to Beregost, they would be all the poorer after they purchased the supplies they would need.

Liam kept the sword from the bandit he killed, and took another just incase he needed a spare. The first was strapped to his belt, and the other wrapped and packed with the rest of the supplies.

When they took another break, this time among the trees near a clearing beside a river, Feldrock scouted again and reported no bandits nearby, but warned for no one to leave the camp again. Liam and Pinkie blushed, but kept silent. They did not eat, only rested and get a drink, as well Feldrock wanted to spare with Liam once more. Liam complied and once again was beaten to the ground.

Liam groaned as he rest now, as Feldrock had gotten bored with beating him up, still Liam did not complain. Feldrock had been like a storm when the bandits attacked, Liam might have killed two, but Feldrock had killed four. All of which had been swiftly, and without any effort. Liam intended to be just as good, if not better. He would, he had to.

It was later in the eve, just as the sun was making its final hours of descent into the horizon did the party finally reach Beregost. Mostly humans lived here, but Liam could see the outline of ponies here and there as they neared the town.

"Oh thank goodness, I can't wait for a bed and a bath." Rarity said.

"Let's find an affordable inn, first before ye go thinking on baths Rarity." Feldrock said.

"Of course darling, but the thought is ever so relaxing." Rarity said.

And so they all entered into town, they would rest and take on supplies and then head for their final destination: Nashkel.

Author's Note

Do feel free to drop a comment....please.

Chapter Four: Disguises and Dreams

"No! A thousand times NO!" Feldrock yelled, scaring a few passing people.

"But whyyyy. It has such lovely rooms." Rarity whinned.

The two were arguing over the matter of a certain inn called, the Jovial Juggler. The inn was fine, well stocked and housed a great number of merchants in its tavern. But that was the problem, because it catered to such a wealth gaining class the room prices were high. Just to spend a single night they would have to use all the coin they had and more.

"We don't have the coin damn it. If ye be wanting to make us all penniless then do so, but ye won't be using any of my coin just because you want lavish surroundings." Feldrock.

Rarity huffed and crossed her arms, "Fine, where do you suggest we stay?"

Feldrock motioned them to follow, and lead the group down a number of allyways before standing by the entrance to a small inn called, The Red Sheaf. Rarity was immediatly horrified.

"Absolutly not. This place looks simply unseemly and uncouth," Rarity said, shivering, "so dirty."

"It's prices for rooms are good. The beds are comfortable enough, and the folk are all honest farming men. Well, some of them be anyway, so keep your coin close and your daggers closer just in case." Feldrock said.

"Oh umm...it doesn't look too bad....I mean...if it is affordable." Fluttershy said.

"Let's just take a look Rarity. It couldn't hurt." Applejack said, placing a hoof around Rarity's shoulders.

Rarity sighed, "Oh very well. But only for a minute."

The group rolled their eyes as they stepped in. Rarity looked around, stepping lightly and avoiding contact with any of the patrons inside. Feldrock had gone over to the tavern, to check the room prices and perhaps no doubt ask for Rarity to be shown the rooms. Liam though, felt sure that Rarity would find some sort of complaint to make. He didn't know her for long, but the time he had spent with her had shown that she was a pony who enjoyed the high class.

Liam stood to the side, looking around. He saw some dice games going on, or ponies and humans enjoying a drink. But there was very little conversation. Then, walking through the crowd, a short man in mail shirt moved towards Liam. Liam felt a sense that something was wrong, and moved to get away but was cut off by the man.

The man looked up at him with a critical eye, hand at the hilt of a wicked curved axe at his side, "You're at the end of your rope, I'll wager. Not that it's anything personal, you understand, but I'm afraid your time on this here ball of mud is just about done."

"What...wait...what do you mean? I've done nothing to you." Liam said, backing away.

The man hefted the axe up as he said, "You've done nothing to anyone, far as I know. Don't matter one whit to me. A price is a price and a head is a head, and whenever the two meet, there's old Karlat makin' his living. Like I said, it's nothing personal."

With that the man swung his axe with surprising speed, Liam dove to the side as he drew his sword and panic spread through the tavern. People and ponies, ran and screamed to get out of the way. Though this made it hard for Feldrock or the others to get to Liam to help as they crowded the way. Though Feldrock had an easier time, tossing aside people and ponies as he moved.

Karlat swung again, but Liam brought his sword to block. He tightened his grip as the two blades made contact, and Liam sighed in relief that the blade held and did not break. Liam moved again, swinging at Karlat, trying to score a blow. His blade slide past the chain mail, and Liam knew that he would have to stab to make any sort of hit. He kept moving, even though he did not do any damage, and blocked another strike from Karlat's axe. But before he could do anything, Karlat bull rushed him and knocked Liam into a table, the impact made him stagger, all the oppertunity that Karlat needed to swing again, his axe aimed to cleave Liam's head in two.

It never got there, as Feldrock blocked the attack with one of his short swords and moved onto the attack, driving Karlat back.

"Liam are ya okay?" Applejack said, having been the first to reach him.

Liam rubbed his back, "Yeah. Fine." With that he went to join Feldrock in the battle.

Despite being out numbered, Karlat put up a decent fight, scoring a strike across Feldrocks thigh and had actually forced him onto the defensive. But Feldrock got right back onto the attack, and Liam took the oppertunity while he was busy. Thrusting with all his strength, Liam's sword stabbed through a section of chain into Karlat's side. Karlat swore, and swung at Liam forcing him back. Still, Liam's blade was red stained with blood, and Karlat was bleeding.

In a rage Karlat charged towards Liam, smashing his axe down again and again, forcing Liam onto a defensive. Liam had to hold the hilt of his sword with both hands to keep the blade steady against the savage onslaught. Then, as Karlat pulled back for another strike, he was kicked into the wall with force by Applejack who came in from the side.

Stunned Feldrock rushed and jammed his blade into where Liam had stabbed and twisted his blade numerous times before pulling it out and slashing it across Karlat's throat. He died within moments, his blood staining the wall and floor.

Liam looked at Applejack, she had some kick.

Applejack winked, "Years of applebucking."

"Remind me not to get you mad." Liam said as he walked over to join Feldrock near Karlat's body.

Feldrock held up a scroll, and Liam looked at it with wide eyes.

"Is that?" Liam asked.

Fedrock nodded, "Possibly. Got some coin, just a few silvers. Still all helps, and I think we should leave now."

"You...all of you I want out of my inn. Be lucky I don't call the guards on you!" The inn keeper shouted.

The group was quick to comply, not wanting to risk any more trouble. When they stepped out it was night now, Rarity looked over at Feldrock.

"Well...any other great places to stay? Perhaps a dragons cave." She said.

Feldrock growled and walked off. Rarity just smirked as they all followed after. Though as they walked, Liam thought of the scroll Feldrock had. He had a hunch of what it was, though he hoped that he was wrong.

He was not.

Be it known to all those of eveil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Laim, the foster child of Gorion.
Last seen in the area of Candlekeep, this person is to be killed in quick order.
This offer has been extended to all appropriate guilds.
Those returning with proof of the deed shall receive no less than three hundred and fifty gold standards.
As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of law shall join the target in their fate.

Liam read the scroll over with a sigh, it was as he had expected. Another bounty notice, this one with a higher price then before. The scroll was swiftly taken from his hands.

"Wow! Three hundred and fifty gold standards! You're worth more then what I make in four years of weather team work." Rainbow Dash said in amazement.

Feldrock clamped a hand down over Rainbow Dash's muzzle, "Best keep it quiet least ye bring any more trouble on our heads. We finally got a room and I not be looking to loss it from a bounty hunter."

Rainbow Dash nodded as Feldrock removed his hand, "Oh yeah. Sorry."

The party had managed to find an affordable inn, though the price was still high but not outside of the silver region. Rarity herself said that it was, 'moderately passing.'

"The only thing I want to know is, why do you have a price on your head at all." Twilight said, taking the scroll and looking it over.

"If I knew I would tell you, but I don't," Liam said, "I've never even been outside the walls of Candlekeep until recently."

Twilight looked at Liam, then the bounty notice and sighed, "It's still confusing."

"Tell me about it, and now its been extended to guilds. Three hundred and fifty gold standards is going to attract alot of unwanted attention." Liam said, groaning.

"But it's a pretty decent price. You know, for you anyway. If I had a bounty on me it be in the millions." Rainbow Dash said casually.

"This isn't a contest Rainbow Dash, this is very serious," Rarity said as pulled Liam into a hug, "poor Liam here is being hunted and he doesn't even know why."

"I know, I'm just saying." Rainbow Dash said.

Liam got out of Rarity's hooves, "So what do we do? That picture is getting very accurate now then last time. What should I do? I can't go invisable."

"Maybe not...but I know a way that can be just as good." Feldrock said.

"How?" Liam asked.

"Give me till tomorrow. Will have the stuff needed then. Till then, we should all sleep with the doors locked."

Everyone agreed and after saying good night, the girls went to their rooms. To save money three ponies shared a room, while Liam and Feldrock shared another. Though Rarity complained of how was she suppose to get her beauty sleep when she was cramped in a small room with two other ponies.

Liam found rest difficult to gain, but eventually he passed into the realm of dreams and the worries of the waking world were, for a time, forgotten.

"Ouch! You didn't say it would burn!" Liam said, his eyes shutting as Feldrock applied more of a black paste to his hair and eye brows.

It smelled, and made his eyes water. Not to mention it made his skin feel like it was on fire.

"Stop your whining." Feldrock said simply.

"Tell me again, why are you putting that horribly smelling substance in his hair. You are completely ruining its natural color." Rarity said, a hoof over her nose.

"To disguise his hair. It won't last forever, and won't be much use on a closer inspection but from a distance he should look a little different." Feldrock said.

"Well if you must change his hair color, then I insist you let me work it to be presentable in public." Rarity said.

"Um...maybe that isn't a good idea." Liam said, not sure he wanted Rarity to anything more then what has already been done to his hair.

Feldrock hummmed as he pondered for a moment, finishing up the last bit of Liam's hair, "Perhaps it would be useful. Now just stay still and then we will wipe the excess off in an hour."

"An hour!" Liam shouted, his scalp was burning now.

"Yes an hour. And be silent. While you sit here, the rest of us can go out and get supplies." Feldrock said.

They had all decided to split up and split the money between groups of one or two to speed up the process of gathering supplies. Rarity had insisted on purchasing toilitries, soap being the most needed she said. Feldrock had allowed her a few silvers to purchase some, but he was not letting her have a copper more then that.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had elected to purchase items like rope, medical herbs and bandages. Rainbow Dash and Applejack would purchase food, and Feldrock would head to the smith and tanner to acquire some armor for the girls. When he had been asked why he said, "Your coats or dresses won't stop an arrow or sword. If you're going to help your princess then you best wear the right clothes for the job."

No one bothered to argue with him at this point, considering all that had occured thus far. That left Twilight and Liam out. Liam would stay in the room at the inn and was not allowed to leave until nightfall, when they would leave for Nashkel. Twilight decided to stay as well, to catch up on her reading assignment for the princess and so that Liam would not be alone. With everyone's roles assigned, the room quickly emptied until only Liam and Twilight remainded.

Twilight lounged on the bed which, unlike the Friendly Arm who catered to a great deal of ponies and humans, was more designed for a human. Thus even if she had spread out her legs she would not have covered much, it reminded her greatly of the size difference between ponies and humans. On average a pony stood up to a human's waist or hip, sometimes to the chest and in the princesses case she could stare them right in the eyes.

Liam sat in the middle of the room on a stool, an old cloak of Feldrocks tied about his neck to keep the black substances from getting on his clothes or armor. It almost looked like he was getting a manecut almost, Twilight thought with a giggle. The bored and obviously irritated look on Liam's face was priceless.

The two stayed silent for a time, which Twilight did not mind as she read through her book. But finally, the need for conversation took its toll on Liam's mind.

"So....about this whole bounty thing....does it bother you?" Liam asked.

Twilight blinked and looked up, "Hmm? What was that?"

Liam groaned, "I said...what do you think about this whole bounty thing?"

"Oh," Twilight closed her book, marking her page, "well...I won't lie it is a bit odd and worrisome. So far the bounties were for you, but what if they start including the rest of us since we do travel with you."

Liam bit his lip, thinking on that piece of information, "It is...possible. I probably would have died twice over if I didn't have your help."

"So you can see that eventually we might also be made targets by....whoever is after you." Twilight said.

"I wish I knew who it was." Liam said, his tone hard.

Twilight frowned, "Well, we know that whoever it is is certainly not a friend of the law. The notices make that pretty clear...but I always thought bounty notices were for people or ponies that broke the law."

"Thats the notices that guard makes," Liam said, "I asked Feldrock the same question and he told me that not all bounties are set by the guard. Some organizations or wealth people or ponies can set their own bounties on individuals....though those are the more illegal bounties."

Twilight was surprised, there seemed to be a whole world of things that were outside of what she knew. It made her feel a bit foolish and irritated that there might be certain things she did not know, though perhaps it was best that she did not know what lurked in this shadowy world.

"Whoever it is, they must have alot of wealth then. Three hundred and fifty gold standards is alot of money." Twilight said. Though that was putting it mildly, that much money was more then her student stipend from the princess, and that was a good deal of money as it was.

"Well that thins the numbers out a bit." Liam said sarcastically.

Twilight's ears flattened, "Yeah...I guess it doesn't help much."

Liam sighed, "Forget about it. I'm just irritated, I'm being hunted and I don't know why and now I got all this burning stuff in my hair."

Twilight chuckled, "Well at least the smell is gone."

Liam gave Twilight a 'not helping' look, causing Twilight to blush.

"Anyway," Liam said, "umm...well since none of us are going to be leaving here for a time...if you want to, do you want to get to know each other more. I mean, we're traveling together but I don't really know much about you or you me."

Twilight blinked in surprise, Liam was right. What with everything that had happened none of them really had time to get to know the other better. Twilight planned to fix that later when they stopped to rest on the way to Nashkel.

"Sure," Twilight said with a smile, "I'll go first then. Well I was born in Canterlot, and my mother is a university teacher and my father is the head of Princess Celestia's astronomy lab. I also have an older brother, Shining Armor, who is captain of the Royal Guard and husband to Princess Cadence, ruler of the Crystal Empire."

Liam whistled, "Ye got a very impressive family there," he frowned as he looked away, "must be nice."

Twilight frowned, she got off the bed and walked over, "What's wrong?"

Liam looked at Twilight, "I...well...I never really knew my parents. I'm an orphan, all I've had was my foster father....and...he isn't with me anymore."

Twilight gasped, "Oh...oh Liam I...I'm sorry to hear that."

Liam rubbed his eyes and sighed, "It's alright....I'm not bothered by my parents anymore but.....but Gorion..."

"Wait," Twilight interrupted, "Gorion? The Gorion. The unicorn who was said to be on equal standing of Star Swirl the Bearded in his theories and articles on magic. That Gorion." Twilight leaned into Liam, looking at him straight in the eyes.

"Uh...yes." Liam said.

Twilight squeeled and tackled Liam to the ground. She stood over him with wide, almost estatic eyes as she spoke, "Oh my gosh! Gorion is your father! Or well...foster father, but still you were raised by Gorion!?!"

Liam looked at Twilight with wide and fearful eyes, the way she was breathing with such deep breathes reminded him of a mare in heat. He hoped to the heavens that Twilight wasn't in heat, he had seen a friend of his get attacked by a mare during her heat cycle once in Candlekeep a year ago.

It hadn't been pretty, the poor guy couldn't walk for a week, and the mare had not been allowed back in the fortress ever since.

"Umm...well....yes...he had been." Liam said carefully, frowning when he spoke the last bit.

Twilight's mouth hung open, but then she blinked and backed away from Liam. The realization of his words coming full circle, "Oh....oh my....you mean that.....oh dear...Liam I'm so sorry."

Liam was glad she was off of him, he got up and checked the mirror over the nightstand. The black stuff on his hair was okay, and it looked like it had hardened or something. At least the burning was gone.

"How did...how did he die?" Twilight asked, nervous if such a question was called for.

Liam went silent, he stared into the mirror as his fingers tightened against the stand, "He was killed.....he died trying to protect me."

Twilight was silent, biting her lip, she was not sure how to go further in this conversation now. She jumped when Liam slammed his fist against the nightstand, the reflection of his face one of rage and grief.

"Lets just move on." Liam said.

"Right....I'm sorry if I upset you." Twilight said, ears flat.

Liam sighed, "Forget about it." He returned to the stool he was sitting on and sat down again.

After all that, the two were silent again, each unsure of what to say now. Eventually, the rest of the group returned, each carrying a number of supplies. Feldrock also had a bowl of water and a wash rag in his hands

"We're back, and I must say I found a number of items we simply could not live without." Rarity said with pride.

"Glad to know," Liam said with a smirk before turning to Feldrock, "So what do we do with this stuff now?"

"Wash the excess off." Feldrock said, putting the water bowl and rag down on the nightstand.

Liam sighed, "I hope all of this hair hassle is worth it."

"Believe me. It will." Feldrock said.

When Liam had finally gotten every speck of the black substance off of his hair, he was shocked to see his reflection now. His hair was now as black as coal, as were his eye brows.

"Wow, thats amazing," Rarity said, looking to Feldrock, "how did you do that with that horrid smelling goop?"

Feldrock shrugged, "Learned it during my younger years. It doesn't last forever thought, but it should stay that way for at least a week."

"A week huh," Liam said, rubbing a lock of hair between his fingers, "what do we do then?"

"Use it again, if need be." Feldrock said simply.

Liam winced, "Well...lets hope that we don't."

"Well, we got Liam taken care of. I don't think anyone could recognize him from a distance." Applejack said.

"It will do for now," Feldrock said, looking out the window to the setting sun, "it will be night soon. We will leave in the next hour or so. Before then, let me show you what I got all of you."

Feldrock approached the assortment of leathers and pulled out various pieces of armor, suited for a pony to wear. Feldrock passed it out among the girls.

"It should keep ye safe from most weapons, at least some. Once we get on the road I'll take time to train ye girls as well." Feldrock said.

The girls looked at the armor, some with uncertainty, other with a willingness to wear it immediatly. Rainbow Dash herself put hers on saying, "Awww yeah."

Rarity however was simply horrified, "Oh no no no no. I simply will not wear this. The colors are simply grotesque and do not match my mane or coat at all."

Feldrock groaned in irritation, "Well then....why don't you make it....wearable for yourself."

Rarity looked the armor over, "Well.....I suppose I can see what I can do with this. If you will excuse me for a moment."

With that Rarity left the room, leaving the rest of the group to themselves. Feldrock sighed and rubbed his head, "That mare is going to drive me insane."

"That's our Rarity fer ya. But don't worry, she might be picky but she also knows when to be practical.....somewhat anyway." Applejack said.

"So long as she is wearing armor, then I will not complain." Feldrock said.

"Are you sure we all have to wear these?" Twilight asked, struggling to put her armor on.

Liam got up and helped the struggling unicorn, "Thanks Liam." She said.

"No problem." Liam said, sitting back down.

"Alright then. Liam, put this on." Feldrock said, tossing a cloak to Liam.

Liam caught the offered fabric and put it on. The cloak was heavy and the hood nearly covered his face.

"Since there seems to be agents of whoever has the bounty out on you about, otherwise they would not have known you were originally near the Candlekeep region, you'll wear that till we are well away from the city." Feldrock said.

"And why we are traveling by night this time." Liam said.

Feldrock nodded, "Aye. It might be dangerous, but it should throw this strange enemy of your off for a time. Even if they know we are here, we can at least be sure they don't know where we be going."

"Umm...do...do we really have to travel at night?" Fluttershy asked, shaking a bit.

"Yes. We'll stop and rest for the rest of the night once we are away from the city so we will not be going far. Still, stay close and stay low and try not to draw attention to us." Feldrock said.

Fluttershy still shook, but she nodded slightly. Applejack pulled her close to calm her down, giving her friend a reassuring smile.

With the plan made, and Rarity finally done in fixing her armor and now wearing it. The party gathered up their belongings and supplies and aftering paying the innkeeper, with an extra silver to not ask questions, they left under the cover of the moonless night and headed into the woods near the town. Feldrock lead them a distance before cutting down to the road, but they never left the tree line nor entered into the open area near the road. Once they were a good distance, they made camp near the hollow of a large tree and slept for the night.

This night however would not be an easy one for Liam, and as he closed his eyes the dream had already begun.

Liam did not dream often, but tonight the visions were vivid indeed. Long had he walked, but now he found himself back amidst the stones of Candlekeep. His former home loomed before him, but the gate remained closed and barred. Over the walls he saw a candle in the window of where his old room was, strange that it seemed smaller had it always been that small?

A familiar voice startled him, "You cannot go back this way, child. You must go on." Gorion formed before him, and though his image should have been comforting it seemed a shade of his living self. He was dead in his dreams, as in life.

The phantom of his former father gestures to follow as he walks towards the woods, towards supposed safety. Liam gasps and runs after his father, calling for him to stop. But with each step he took Gorion seemed to be one step ahead of him. Finally the scene plays out as it had before, with the armored figure stepping out from the darkness, clad in armor assuredly magical and the symbol on its chest that tingled Liam's memory but he could not place where.

The shades play out the scene as he had saw it before. Admittedly a powerful mage, even in his old age, Gorion is helpless before the onslaught. As he falls, the scene begins to play again, replaying over and over. Liam fell to his knees, unable to take the continuous scene anymore and he began to cry, yet no tears fell from his eyes. He could not cry, for it was not the pain of loss that he felt now, but the rage of anger that sparked his sorrow. If he had not been weak, not been so afraid perhaps he could have done something, perhaps Gorion would still have been alive today.

But he was not, and Liam realized that he was still scared, and as he watched scene play again and again the armored figure seemed to grow more and more menacing with each replay. How could he hope to avenge his father, to slay such a monster?

"No!" He shouted. No, he would not let himself fall like this. He would avenge Gorion, and with this oath one thought coalesces in his mind he would have such power as this. Whatever it took, he would have all of it and more. He would gain such power that when he took his vengeance it would be the figure that cowered in fear, not him. He would make him pay for stealing the only piece of family he had.

With that, a passage became clear through the darkened wood, and he wondered how he had missed it. The trees closed behind him with each step he took, but Liam felt unconcerned. The path felt right, and would assuredly give him what he sought. It seemed to promise this in a voice he knew, but yet had never heard.

The image of Gorion's death replayed again throughout the night.

He got use to it.

Liam shot up, gasping for air as he looked around. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and he looked around wildly. He rubbed his eyes, he had been sleeping and yet he felt so tired. The dream...it had felt so real.

"Awake now I see."

Liam looked up and saw that everyone else was awake, Feldrock himself looked at him with a look of curiosity and annoyance.

"Geez man, if your gonna have a nightmare want to do it away so you don't wake all of us up?" Rainbow Dash said, yawning.

"I...sorry...I...." Liam said, feeling embaressed.

"Oh don't worry about it Liam. It must have been really terrible." Fluttershy said.

Liam didn't feel sure, he wasn't even sure if it was a nightmare, "I...guess."

"Did you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps." Fluttershy offered.

"No I don't." Liam said, rubbing his eyes.

"Are you sure sugarcube, it seemed to be affecting ya pretty bad." APplejack said.

"Yeah, if you had a bad dream you should talk about it, then we can all laugh and giggle at the gosties we saw and make it seem less scarey." Pinkie offered with a giggle.

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" Liam snapped suddenly, taking everyone by surprise.

"Hey, you don't have to snap at them like that. Their just tryig to help." Rainbow Dash said.

"I didnt ask for their help, and I don't want them nosing in on it after I gave an answer." Liam snapped again. Why was he suddenly so angry?

Fluttershy bit her lip, "I-I'm sorry Liam..I just thought...."

Even Pinkie seemed a bit sad from the outburst, her mane hung flat over her face.

Liam looked around, everyone looking at him with either anger or surprise. Liam got tired of the stares and stood up with a snarl.

"I got to answer a call of nature. Sorry to wake you all up." He said as he walked off.

Feldrock was silent, unsure of thsi sudden change in attitude with Liam. Still he shrugged and called out, "Don't go to far. Don't want ya eaten by a bear."

Liam didn't respond, he just kept walking. He didn't understand why, but right now he wanted to be alone.

"Geez, what's up with him?" Rainbow Dash said.

"The boy has alot on his mind. He just needs time to adjust." Feldrock said.

"What could possibly be bothering him that much? I mean sure he has bounties on his head for apparently no reason but I don't think he had a right to snap at Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie like that." Rainbow Dash said.

"I must agree, it was rather uncouth of him." Rarity said.

Twilight bit her lip, she had a guess of what was probably bothering Liam. She had heard him whisper Gorion before his nightmare woke them all up.

"He has his reasons....lets just give him some space." She said.

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow, but shrugged and said, "Whatever. Good night."

"Twi...is there something you want ta say?" Applejack asked.

Twilight shook her head, "No....I just....good night Applejack."

Applejack frowned, but did not push the issue. She felt sure that Twilight had an idea of what was bothering Liam, possibly Feldrock did as well, but until one of them or Liam came out and said it willingly she was not going to push the issue. At least for now.

Everyone soon returned to sleep, though Pinkie and Fluttershy remained awake. They were unsure if they should find Liam and apologize or not. Eventually they decided that he needed space and went back to sleep themselves, though they found it difficult to do for some time.

With Liam, after answering natures call, he stood behind a tree near the camp. He waited till he was sure they were all asleep before he went back. He didn't want to risk being asked any more questions. He looked around at the trees and felt like he was back in the dream. The trees seeming to close around him in the darkness and the feeling of the familiar yet unknown voice that he was sure was just the nightly wind.

He stood there, silently, and even though he was awake the image of Gorion's death seemed to play again and again in his mind even now. But he had....gotten use to it. No more tears would fall from his eyes, tears could not bring him back. No, only action would matter now and the image now only added fire to the ever growing inferno in his heart.

"I'll kill him....I'll kill him....I'l' kill him, I'll kill him, I'll kill him. I'll kill him, kill him, kill him, kill him." Liam whispered to himself, repeating it over and over and over again, clenching his fists as tight as he could and more. Liam looked back to the camp, and moved back in. He drew his blanket around him and laid his head upon his bag drifting off to sleep, yet a few words continued to play in his mind.

"I. Will. Kill. Him."

The next morning was an early one. Feldrock woke everyone up and after a quick breakfast had them all working for three hours in combat practice. He instructed Twilight to show Rarity the offensive spells and defensive spells that she knew, though Rarity could not pick up all of them she had take a grasp on one or two.

With Rainbow Dash he had her and Applejack spar, and was impressed to know that the two knew so rudimentary combat. But it was not up to his standards and instructed them to fight until he said to stop, at least without kill the other. Pinkie and Fluttershy were difficult, as Pinkie was too random and hard to keep in one place and Fluttershy too timid to fight. Eventually Feldrock put Fluttershy in charge of the medical field, as she had knowledge in that. As for Pinkie....well he took Twilight's advice and left her to her devices, so far she had managed to avoid injury maybe she could keep it up.

Once the ponies were taken care of for the time, Liam and Feldrock began their sparring once more. Liam stood ready, and was surprised when Feldrock spoke.

"If ye be wondering why we do this, it be simple. The truest way to learn to fight is to be in a fight, not through empty no risk or injury drills like guards. Each time we spar I want you to fight as if your life depended on it, and if ye do then ye will be use to it and act accordingly. Now fight." Feldrock said as he charged.

The fight ended the usual, with Feldrock winning and Liam on the ground cut and bruised. But Liam ignored the pain and got ready to fight again. If this would make him stronger, then he was ready to do whatever it took. Feldrock smirked and the sparing began again. This time, Liam managed to block three strikes and go into an attacking swing before he was brought down. An improvement, though it seemed a minor one, to Liam it was a giant leap forward.

After the three hours they returned to the road, and by the late afternoon, they had entered into the mountains leading into the Griffon Empire. Along the way they had stumbled across the rare traveler, and at one point a pack of hobgoblins had assaulted them. Applejack and Twilight had gotten hurt, arrow wounds but their armor had saved them from any fatal blows. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were a bit bruised and cut, but it had been nothing serious and Fluttershy had them all patched up in no time.

Liam had enjoyed the fight and had brought low two of the beasts, though Feldrock had killed six. They had helped themselves to the bit of coin the hobgoblins had, and Liam acquired a bow off one of the bodies and took the remaining arrows. Feldrock promised to show him how to shoot it properly in combat and not just in hunting.

When they finally reached the town of Nashkel Liam felt relieved. But when they saw the band of griffon guards coming towards them, he felt sure it was not as a greeting.

Chapter Five: Nashkel and Hamsters

The band of seven griffons, each clad in the bright red and gold colors of the Empire and armor of what Liam guessed was forged from decent quality ore, flew over and landed infront of the party. One griffon, his head feathers dark black and silver streaks through it walked over.

"Stand away humans, and you as well ponies. Speak your names quickly and give your intentions, if it is to cause trouble then leave now before my soldiers and I have to get rough with you." The lead griffon spoke with a glare.

Fluttershy eeped and hid behind Applejack, this earned a chuckle from the griffons. Feldrock stepped forward to make introductions, "I be Feldrock, and this is my band of fellow adventurers. We heard that there was some trouble in the region and came to see if we could help."

The griffon looked at Feldrock with an uncertain eye, and if Liam guessed right perhaps a look of distrust as well. But the griffon nodded and said, "Very well, just don't cause any trouble here. We have enough as it is, if you want a place to stay the inn is right over yonder."

The griffon pointed to a nearby building just across town, then took to the air followed by the rest of the guards with him and left the group alone.

"That was close, for a moment I thought our pressence would cause a stir." Feldrock said.

Twilight knew what he meant, as the war between the human kingdom that once owned this town and the Griffon Empire was still a recent event. Even twenty years could not wipe away the memories that war could bring, nor the distrust or anger that it bred.

"So what do we do now?" Liam asked as they headed into town.

Feldrock checked the bag where they kept the coin, "Hmm....well we are low on coin now, might have enough for a night in the inn. We will have to discuss plans of gaining currency later, that is if this job with the mines doesn't pay well."

"So who do we talk to? Let's get this mine thing over with, I got things to do back at home." Rainbow Dash said.

"I have to find my contact and figure out what be going on with the mines before we do anything. Why don't y'all head to the tavern and rest for a bit, maybe have a drink." Feldrock said, tossing three silvers to them all.

"I could use a good cup of tea, all that travel and, " Rarity shivered remembering it, all the sweating she did, "ugh training was simply dreadful."

"It would be nice to sit for a bit, I'm almost done with one of my books." Twilight said.

"Oh alright, but don't take forever." Rainbow Dash said as she flew off to the tavern. Liam and the girls followed after while Feldrock headed off further into town.

Liam sat at a table, nursing a mug of ale. He sat in a table that was not so far from the rest of the griffons or rare pony within to seem suspicious, but he also was not so close where someone might recognize him. He felt sure that his new hair color would keep him hidden, since he could not wear the hood inside without drawing attention, but still he did not want to take any risks. Yet, nogriffon, or anyone in fact, approached him in a haste and any conversation was mostly about the conditions of the roads.

Liam asked about the mines, but few griffons were willing to talk about it. None of them seemed to really know what was wrong with the ore, and many felt worried of what continued corrupted ore would mean in the future. Not all griffons were mean, most in the tavern were simple citizens striving to make a living.

Liam looked over to the girls, who sat in different areas around the tavern. Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy sat near the hearth and Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were seated near the tavern counter. Thankfully, Rainbow Dash seemed to be under control this time, only having one drink. Of course she only had enough coin for one, and Liam praised the heavens for that. He understood, after hearing of the events at the Friendly Arm, that Rainbow Dash could get a little crazy when drunk.

Liam picked up his mug and drank, he wondered what could be going on in the mines. What could corrupt iron ore? Acid? Magic of some sort? Also, why would someone or something do that? Liam couldn't explain why, but he felt that things were far different then what they seemed. Something was off with this iron shortage, but he could not be sure what it was.

"Well well, what do we have here?"

Liam blinked and nearly jumped out of his seat when a beautiful unicorn mare slips into his lap, hooves wrapping around his neck. She wore a form fitting dress of red and gold, slit at the flank to reveal enough to draw the eye but enough covered to leave room for imaginative wanderings. In all ways it was, in pony standards anyway, sexy. Of course Liam did not take much notice on this and more on the fact that the mare had pulled him close that he could smell her perfume. A light mixture of lavender and rose, and her breath came in slow, tickling waves against his neck.

Now, this was not an odd scene. Since the dawning of time humans, ponies, griffons, zebras, buffalo, even the rare Diamond Dog, have partaken in mixed species relationships. Sometimes in marriage, other times in just moments of pure passion, but the acceptance of such things differed from culture and nation. In Equestria it was an uncommon sight, what with only so many humans currently living in the kingdom, but it was an accepted notion though humans still found it difficult to adapt to the relationship patterns of ponies, the most prominent being the Herd.

So was Liam surprised that a pony was, he thought, coming on to him? No, but how she was doing it was certainly on his mind. He was not sure how to act in this case, as he had never really had experience with this sort of thing. The only women he had ever had contact with were either the librarians back and Candlekeep, who were at least thirty years his senior, or the rare daughter traveling with her father or on her own to visit the keep. In the case of the young daughter, they would either ignore Liam due to their obvious higher social standing to his, or they would never stay long for anything to develop beyond a greeting. Even if he had time to do such, Gorion seemed to always keep him busy and it was the one thing that Liam had resented his foster father for.

Yet now here he was, in a rather flustering situation and he knew nothing of what to do.

"Umm....can I help you?" He said nervously as he blushed.

"Of course deary, you're helping me right now." The mare said, pulling Liam closer still.

Liam looked around, some of the patrons were giving him grins or chuckling. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were laughing, and Rarity and Twilight just stared with their mouths hanging open. Rarity herself seemed almost appalled by such actions from a fellow mare, it must have been very unladylike like to the fashionista. Fluttershy was blushing and trying her best not to look, and Pinkie Pie just watched with an unreadable look on her face.

"I've never seen you here before....where are you from?" The mare asked, nuzzling against Liam's neck.

Liam felt shivers go up his spine, "Candlekeep." He answered without thinking.

"Hmmm....I've always wanted to go there, oh the things you must know. And maybe the things I could teach you. The mare whispered, her hoof slowly drifting down Liam's chest.

Liam felt it his heart pounding now, and a primal area of his brain was screaming for him to drag this mare back to his cave and take her in every way physically possible. Liam gulped, 'Something seems off.....but....I don't think I care.'

"This might be a touch unladylike," the mare whispred, "but I'm going to slit your throat I am."

'What!?!' Liam thought, just as the mare grabbed a knife from under her dress and slashed out at Liam's throat.

Liam barely had time to react, and only managed to stop the blade from cutting across his neck by an inch as he grabbed the mares hoof to stop the attack. The mare pushed harder, trying to force the piece of metal into the vulnerable flesh. Liam pushed his body back, sending him falling backwards as he tipped his seat. He brought his feet up and kicked the mare off of him. As he hit the floor, he rolled and got back to his feet.

The mare flew and hit the ground, and then everything went mad. Her horn flashed a dark green and soon vines ripped up from the ground and entangled everyone within the bar. Griffons and ponies screamed in shock and fear, struggling to get away but finding no way to escape the binding.

"What the hell!" Liam shouted, just as several vines wrapped about his legs and arm. He struggled to get free but could find no slack in the vines.

"I have to say, the hair almost had me fooled. But when you said you were from Candlekeep, I knew you were the one I was looking for. You obviously have no experience in dealing with mares do you." The mare giggled.

Liam blushed, partly in anger and partly in embaressment, "Who...who the hell are you?"

"Who I am ins unimportant, though my name is Diamond Dazzle. What I am, s a hunter of bounties and on your head is a lovely little sum. Does this satisfy your request? I thought it wouldn't. No matter." Dazzle shrugged as she lifted the dagger with her magic and slowly approached Liam.

"Liam! Gah...stupid...vines." Rainbow Dash struggled, with an almost savage ferocity, but the vines only held her tighter.

"Hang on." Twilight said, her horn glowing.

"Now now, can't have that." Dazzle said, pointing her horn at Twilight and Rarity both forcing vines to wrap about their horns and yank.

"AHH!" Twilight screamed, the tugging on her horn breaking her concentration.

"How dare you! You are no lady at all, you are just a uncouth strumpet." Rarity shouted at Dazzle.

Dazzle smirked, "Maybe, but I will soon be a rich one."

With that she began to approach Liam once more. Liam's eyes widened and he struggled more, trying to reach his sword. But sadly no ground was gained, and he looked at Dazzle as she got closer, knife raised to stab.

'No...not like this! I can't die now!' He thought, and he suddenly felt his body burn with a strength he never knew before. Liam pulled on the vines, the veins in his necks bulging with the effort and, to the shock of everyone within, the vine snapped. With an arm free, Liam grabbed his sword and swung it, forcing Dazzle to jump back. Liam hacked at the vines, until he finally cut himself free.

"My my....you are a challange. Not many can break out of my vines once they are trapped." Dazzle said, dropping the knife and her horn glowing brighter.

Liam charged, sword swinging down to strike Dazzle. But the unicorn stepped to the side with expert dexterity just as a hammer of pure magic formed before her.

"Watch out, she can make weapons with her magic!" Twilight warned.

"What does that mean?" Liam asked, doding a strike for the hammer.

Dazzle moved into the attack now, her hammer swinging at Liam. Liam was pushed back more, but as he got closer to a crowd of griffon citizens he finally forced himself to stop moving back and bring his sword up to block an oncoming strike. He was not going to risk letting someone get hurt by accident.

"It means your sword won't be able to block it!" Twilight shouted, tears in her eyes as the hammer struck the blade.

The sword blade shattered, and the hammer continued its descent. Liam screamed in agony as the hammer smashed down into his left shoulder, breaking the bone within. The force drove him to the ground and he twisted in pain.

"Oh hold still now. I'll make the pain go away." Dazzle said, the hammer lifting up again.

Liam's eyes widened, he was not going to die here. As with the vines Liam felt something stir within, something that called out to him. Liam reached out for this strange calling, grasping at it like a drowning man to a piece of wood. In that moment Liam felt his entire body become alight. Every color seemed all the brighter, more vibrant and the pain in his shoulder felt numbed, less of a concern. Liam lifted his hand on instinct and tendrils of black shadow erputed from his finger tips lashing out and into Dazzle.

"AHHH!" Dazzle screamed, the tendrils digging deeper into her body. Liam felt a sudden surge of life fill his body, and felt the once shattered bones in his shoulder begin to reconnect and mend instantaneously. The pain faded away and Liam gasped as whatever Liam had grasped faded and the dark tendrils retracted and vanished from sight.

Dazzle stumbled back, her hammer vanishing. She gasped for air, "What did you do to me!?!"

Liam blinked as he stood, he felt his shoulder and tested the arms movements. Everything seemed fine, almost as if he had never been hurt at all. He looked at Dazzle and his eyes widened, she seemed....older. Her mane had grayed in several areas and dark lines had appeared under her eyes, her coat seemed less vibrant.

Liam was silent, unsure of what had happened, how it had happened or what it all meant. He just stood there, eyes all on him. Finally he remembered what was going on, he had been attacked and almost killed by Dazzle. Liam growled and glared at the unicorn, causing her to step away in fear. Liam charged her, not giving her a chance to run, and drew his life and plunged it into her chest. He stabbed again and a third time before tossing her aside. She gasped, her life bleeding out from her body but Liam was not done, it wouldn't be until she was dead. He casually strolled over, knelt beside her as he placed the dagger to her neck.

"This may be a touch unladylike," he said, mimicking her, "but I'm going to slit your throat I am." And he did.

When the light faded from Dazzle's eyes, the vines vanished in a burst of sparkles and magic. Still, despite their freedom, no one moved and only stared at Liam with shock and...fear? Awe? Uncertainty? Liam couldn't place it, but he didn't bother to check. He kneeled down beside Dazzle's body and searched her body, looking for what he felt sure would be there.

'There it is.' He thought, pulling up a scroll from her bag. He put it away in his own bag, intent on looking at the contents in a more private setting.

Without warning, several armed griffons burst through the door. The one lead griffon from before.

"Murderer! Surrender or die!" The griffon shouted, directing his men to surround Liam.

'Damn it.' Liam thought as he raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender.

Liam sat in his cell with a bored expression. His right eye was sprouting a black eye, from the guards rough treatment of him when he had arrived. Seemed that one of the guards didn't like humans much, luckily the captain ended the abuse after the first punch.

Liam didn't know what was going on, was he going to spend the rest of his days here? Was he going to be executed? Were the guards talking to those that were in the tavern at the time of the incident? If so what were they talking about? Once more, what would the guard do afterwards?

Still Liam's mind was focused on a far more important matter, that of what had occured with him in the tavern battle. The sudden strength he had felt had vanished and whatever he did to heal his shoulder, he was sure that it had been him in some strange way, he could not repeat. In fact, despite the healing he had felt exhausted as soon as the adrenaline of battle had passed, far more exhausted then he should have been.

Liam looked at his hand, he half expected to see the black tendrils erupt forth once more, yet nothing happened. He lowered his hand and sighed, 'How did I do that?'

Liam was not sure, and the thought worried him. What was happening to him? If only Gorion was alive, perhaps he would have had the answers. But Gorion was not alive, and Liam would have to gain the answers on his own.

Liam sighed and returned to staring at the wall, he had been here for an hour now and it was getting old. He had counted the scratches in the wall seven times, there were four hundred, thirty nine and three quarter scratches in it. If he had to count them another time he was sure he would go mad!

"Human, get up!"

Liam looked over to see one of the guards opening his cell and gesturing him to follow. Liam got up, glad to be doing something then just sitting here. Finally they reached the end of the hall, leading to the main office that he had been brought to before, within he saw Feldrock, as well as a middle aged griffon with graying feathers beside him.

"Ye can't make things easy for me can ye." Feldrock said.

"I guess not. What's going on?" Liam asked.

"You're being released," the griffon said, "the entire incident has been labeled as an act of self defense against the mare that attacked you. But you will still have to pay a price."

Liam sighed, "Great, so what is it? And who are you anyway?"

The griffon smirked, "I'm Talon and the mayor of this town as well as head of the guard here. I'm also an old friend of Feldrock here."

"Aye, I had to pull a favor to get ye out of there without having ta pay a fine for your little brawl." Feldrock said, clearly not too happy about the entire ordeal.

Talon smirked and patted Feldrock's shoulder, "There there old friend, he's young. You and I got into our share of trouble when we were his age."

"Aye but we never stuck around to get caught afterward." Feldrock said.

Talon laughed, "Aye that we didn't. But enough of the past, I guess you want to know what you will be doing to make up for the commotion at the local tavern."

Liam nodded, "Yeah."

"Well that is good," Talon said, "to put it simply, I want you and your little band of ponies, along with Feldrock, to investigate the mine here."

Liam nodded, "Well that was what we came here for, so I guess I can agree to that."

"Aye I'm sure you will." Talon said.

"By the way, since we are talking of the mines," Feldrock said, "what can ye tell us of what is happening down there."

Talon went silent, then motioned the guards away. Once they were alone Talon looked to the two of them and said, "I won't be lying to ya, it is bad down there. The mine is all but shut down because the workers are continually going missing, and what ore we do get is tainted somehow, and I can't send the guard to investigate cause I need them to defend the town from the bandits that are raiding our caravans."

"What do ya mean, missing?" Feldrock asked.

Talon sighed and rubbed his head, "The miners claim that demons or some such are roaming about, but they are a superstituious lot and prone to exaggeration."

Feldrock went silent, thinking on this piece of info. Liam was just as curious, he highly doubted any demon was in the mine. Still, if miners were missing then something must be inside the mine.

"Hmm, well whatever be the problem we will take care of it. Just be sure they payment be good." Feldrock said.

Talon rolled his eyes, "Of course. Now if you are ready and able then you should get going. I've set word to GrayClaw, foregriffon of the mine of your arrival."

"Alright then. Again thanks for the help Talon." Feldrock said.

"You can thank me by getting to the mines. Now get going." Talon said, shooing them away.

Feldrock and Liam left, and after Liam had reclaimed all of his weapons, they headed out and went to meet up with the girls near the edge of town.

When Liam was taken by the guards, the girls were quick to seek out Feldrock. They had found him near the town center talking to a middle aged griffon. When they told him of what had occured at the tavern, Feldrock remained calm and collected and told the girls that he would see to Liam's release and to wait for them near the edge of town. After that he, and the griffon, headed towards the guardhouse.

While Feldrock seemed sure to get Liam free, there was still the worry of what happened to him after he had been taken and if Feldrock could even get Liam out at all. After all he had been convicted of murder, even though Dazzle had attacked first. Still, they had to trust that he knew what he was doing, and at the moment none of them were sure how to approach Liam at the moment given...what he had done.

It was not the killing, they knew that he could not leave Dazzle alive if he wanted to be safe. No what they were unsure of was what he had done to her during the fight. Twilight herself was hysterics over the entire thing, digging through book after book that she had with her trying to find any sort of information on what Liam had done.

"I don't get it," Twilight said, her mane starting to look a bit unkempt like it had when she had gone crazy over not having a letter to send to the princess that one time, "nothing of what he did is in my books. There isn't even anything in the Arcanium Comprehensive Journal of all things on Magic, volumes one through seventy five!"

"Twilight....maybe you should calm down a bit." Applejack said, seeing that her friend was near a mental breakdown. Goodness knows they did not need something akin to the Smartypants fiasco.

"Relax. Relax" Twilight shouted, looking Applejack right in the eyes, "Liam just commited an act of magical origin and yet I can't find anything about it and you want me to calm down!"

Applejack's ears were flat, and she smiled nervously, "Ummm....ya."

Twilight's horn began to glow as she ground her teeth and everypony turned and ducked behind a tree. They knew what was coming next.

"Ugh!" Twilight shouted with a magical boom that blasted rocks and a stump ten feet into the air.

Liam and Feldrock watched the stump ascend and then descend to the ground. The two looked at each other and then down the road where Feldrock instructed the girls to wait for them.

"Should we be worried?" Liam asked.

"Nah, I'm sure its normal for them." Feldrock said as he continued on.

Liam looked from Feldrock to where the stump had fallen, "That doesn't exactly help."

When Feldrock and Liam returned they found the area seemed alright, save for some rocks that were off center and a stump of a tree that was not upside down in the ground. Twilight stood in the center of it, breathing heavily and the others were hiding behind a tree watching her.

"Did we miss something?" Liam asked, earning him the stares of all six of the girls.

Liam stood still, "What? I'm free, the guards and mayor said that the entire incident counted as self defense. Still I have to help in the mines as repayment so why are you all staring at me?"

He had expected maybe, at least from Pinkie and Fluttershy, a relieved greeting and maybe a hug. But the stares didn't end and thy seemed almost....uncertain of him.

Feldrock took notice of this and looked between the girls and Liam, "I have a feeling something happened other then Liam here killing another bounty hunter. Was it because she was a pony?"

"No it's not that," Rainbow Dash said, flying out from behind the tree. Everypony else followed now that they were sure Twilight was stable, "it's what he did to her."

Feldrock smirked and looked at Liam, "What ye do lad? Mount her on the table like she was in heat or something?"

"WHAT!?!" Liam shouted, his face red. The girls joined him in the blush, Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight the most flustered.

Feldrock slapped his knee and laughed, "Ahaha! I joke lad, but seriously what did ye do to have these girls staring at ye like ya grew two heads."

Liam was silent, "Well...I guess I might have. The whole fight is a bit of a blur, everyone was just happening so fast but....I remember being smashed across the shoulder with a magical created hammer."

Feldrock blinked, "That explains the loss of your previous sword I guess, you tried to block the strike and failed but that don't explain your shoulder. It seems fine."

"Thats where it gets weird," Twilight said, "he used some sort of spell that....I guess drained Dazzle of her life force or something. If that was not bad enough, none of my books have any record or info on such a spell."

Feldrock blinked, "Aye? Hmmm...that do be odd."

"Odd?" Rainbow Dash said, "more like creepy. His shoulder just healed up and he stood like nothing happened."

"It was simply horrifying. Though that Dazzle was a beast, no lady should have her beauty just drained like that."

"It was....rather scarey. Those tendrils...they didn't look natural." Fluttershy said softly.

Pinkie Pie ran up to Feldrock, "It was whacky, Liam was all Ahh" She ran over to Liam and lifted his hand, "and then it was all WHOOSH! and then he was all YEAH!" Pinkie let Liam's arm go and ran back to join the girls, "and then we all just stood there like this." She finished by making a face of shook.

"I reckon that whatever Liam did saved his life, but it just seemed....well I don't know what it was but it didn't seem right." Applejack said.

Liam frowned, even he had to admit it had been strange. Yet....something had felt natural about it to him, almost as if what he had done was part of who he was. Liam didn't feel too comfortable with that thought.

"So you can see, we arn't really sure what Liam did but it did not seem normal and with no knowledge of it we can't tell if is a danger to him or us. How did he even do it anyway?" Twiligh said.

Liam sighed, "If I knew I would tell you...but I don't. I don't even remember how it happened."

"You don't know nothin at all?" Applejack asked.

"No. I don't." Liam said.

"Look this all be rather interesting, but weird or not Liam is still alive and so far hasn't done anything to hurt any of us. If this....whatever he did be dangerous, so long as it be dangerous to anything trying to kill us then it be good in my books. Now we have a job to do and the quicker we got started the sooner we can be paid and all go home." Feldrock said.

THe girls looked at Liam once more, but eventually they al agreed that the sooner the business with the mine was done the sooner things could start to go back to normal. But for Liam, he felt a whole new set uncertainty.

'Thats right....once we clear the mine the iron shortage should be solved and clear up in a few months.....but what do we do then? They all must have lives and homes to return to.' He thought, it must be nice to have a home one could go back to at any time. But Liam...he didn't have one anymore, so what did he do after this?

'Find that armored figure.' He thought with a certainty. He couldn't rest until he had done so, but could he ask for them all to follow him on his journey for revenge? Liam didn't think he had a right to do that to the girls, but maybe Feldrock would help. Maybe.

"Enough waiting around, lets be going." Feldrock said, taking off to the mine. The girls and Liam followed after him, but as they got farther from town one noise became clear. The noise of battle and a warcry of the strangest kind.

"Go for the eyes Boo. Go for the eyes! Ragggh!"

Feldrock's claymore was out before Liam had seen him draw it. Liam drew his spare blade now acting as his main blade. He hoped it would last enough, the group couldn't afford to purchase a new sword at the moment. The girls also got ready for a fight, with Fluttershy hanging behind them shaking in fear.

As the group moved to where the combat was taking place, a hobgoblin body flew from out of the trees and landing on the ground dead. A huge slash cleaved the creature from the left shoulder to the right hip, its entrails hanging out. Followed by this came a unicorn mare, a silken dress covered in runic symbols adorned her. Following behind her was a huge bald headed man, a runic symbol painted across his face in purple dye. He stood almost as tall as Feldrock and he too wielded a monster greatsword in his hands.

Of course following after them were a band of six hobgoblins.

"Ah now that we are out and way from the trees, Minsc can swing his sword without risk of harming our leafy friends. Quick Boo go for the eyes!" The man said as he charged into the ranks of the monsters, sword swinging in wild succession.

The unicorn mare looked from the man called Minsc to Liam and his group, "Please, if you are of noble heart aid me and my companion against these foul and dark creatures."

Feldrock growled, apparently annoyed of the delay, but he charged into the ranks of the hobgoblins, and joined the battle. He took the heads of two of the creatures in one sweep of his blade. With battle joined Liam ran to add his aid, Twilight and her friends moved as well with her and Rarity offering spell aid, Applejack and Rainbow Dash moved through the battle, kicking or punching the hobgoblins where they could to do the most damage, or kicking rocks with great accuracy to smash the beasts across their skulls. Fluttershy stayed behind, cowering behind a tree with her eyes covered, she did not want to see the horrible business that came with battle. She hoped that none of her friends were hurt.

In quick order the hobgoblins were dispatched, and the worse injuries were either minor cuts where their armor did not cover. And with the battle over came the spoils, a few stray pieces of silvers and coppers. After the spoils were taken Feldrock turned to regard the pony and her human companion, who was fussing over the pony as if she was a doll that could break at any moment.

"Minsc enough, I am fine." The unicorn said, pushing him away slightly.

"But it is Minsc's duty to see that you are safe and unhurt." Minsc said.

The unicorn smiled, "And you are doing well, but I am more worried about you. You took a might blow to the head, are you alright?"

Minsc chuckled, "Minsc is fine, I am use to such things dear Star Seer."

The unicorn, Star Seer frowned, "Yes... that's what I am afraid of."

Minsc opened his mouth to say something, but turned his head slightly to his shoulder, "Whats that Boo?"

Minsc looked over and saw Feldrock, Liam and the others. He seemed surprise that he had not noticed them before, "Oh, greetings fellow adventurers. Minsc did not notice you in the thrill of battle, but Boo has pointed you out."

Liam blinked in confusion, "Uh...I only see two of you. Where is this...Boo person?"

Minsc blinked then laughed, "Ahha, no friend Boo is no man or pony. Come Boo, introduce yourself to our new friends."

With that Minsc picked something from off his shoulder and held it out, carefully holding it in his hands. Liam and the others moved closer to see what it was. They were....surprised. In Minsc's hands, staring up at them, was a hamster. A small furry little hamster.

Liam looked from the hamster to Minsc and then back again. Rainbow Dash looked to Applejack and twirled her hoof around her ear, the universal symbol of crazy. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy gasped and then smiled in glee at seeing such a cute little critter.

"Aww, its so cute." Pinkie said.

"Oh, its adorable. Oh but the poor dear must be simply scared after being in that fight." Fluttershy said.

"Of course not little pony," Minsc said, pulling his hand back and placing Boo on his shoulder, "Boo is a miniature giant space hamster, and the only one in all of the world. He has been my friend and companion, and together Minsc and Boo make a righteous butt kicking machine."

Star Seer rolled her eyes, "Yes...well perhaps we can introduce ourselves properly to those that aided us Minsc. Perhaps they can be allowed to do the same."

Minsc nodded, "But of course Star Seer, Minsc was simply introducing them to Boo."

"Yes and I'm sure they were glad to meet him, but do not forget yourself. Star Seer said.

"Of course not," Minsc said and looked back at the group, "I am Minsc, a berserker from the distant land of Wraathman, and this is Star Seer my witch and I am her sworn guardian on her journeys through these lands."

"I can introduce myself Minsc," Star Seer said, "but what Minsc says is true. We are from Wraathman and I am a Harathan, or witch. I came here to fulfill my sojourn and Minsc is my guardian and on his own quest to join into the brotherhood of one of the Berserker Lodges within our homeland."

"A Harathan," Twilight said, "I've heard of those. It's a title given to magic users where you are from right."

Star Seer smiled, "Yes. It is rare to see one who knows of our ways so far from home."

Twilight smiled, "Oh I've read almost everything about Wraathman, but I've never had an opportunity to talk with somepony from the area."

"I hardly think we have time to be waiting here talking," Feldrock said with impatience, "we have a task to do, or did you forget."

"I did not forget," Twilight said, looking at Feldrock with irritation.

"If I might interrupt," Star Seer said, "perhaps there is a way to make both of you content. As it is neither I, nor Minsc, had been prepared for the plight that has befallen this region in the world. While I trust Minsc with my life, and my magic is considerable, I feel that perhaps it would be wiser for us to travel with a larger group. If you would have us, we would be willing to join you and whatever task you are on."

"Yes, Boo is in agreement with the fair Star Seer," Minsc said, "While Minsc and Boo can handle any evil that comes, with friends the adventure becomes all the greater!"

Feldrock rubbed his chin, "Hmmm, I'm all willing to accept any aid. But what about the rest of ya." Feldrock looked over to the others.

"I'm cool with it." Rainbow Dash said.

"They seem like honest folk, and I don't see any harm in getting a few extra hands or hooves." Applejack said.

"I for one am all in favor of them coming. That mares dress is simply marvelous and I would love to know more about what their fashion is currently in their homeland. Perhaps I could get some inspiration for truly exotic pieces for my boutique." Rarity said.

"Of course they have to come along. It's a plot line." Pinkie said with a grin, earning confused stares from everyone.

"Oh um well, if they want to come I guess they can. I mean if they don't mind." Fluttershy said.

"I don't see why not, and we don't know what we will be facing in the mines so better to be overly prepared then unprepared." Twilight said.

Liam shrugged, "I'm alright with it."

"Then it be decided. Ye can come with us," Feldrock said to Minsc and Star Seer.

Star Seer bowed her head, "I thank thee. Minsc and I will work hard to not making you regret this decision."

"And so comrades are joined. Where are we headed then, Boo tells me that his whiskers are shaking and that always means caves are involved." Minsc said.

Feldrock blinked, "Aye..caves it would be, or mines in fact. Come then, we have much ground to cover to reach the mine."

With the destination set, and new allies added, the group carried onward to the mine. When they reached the mine they were greeted by a burly and irate griffon who was in charge of the mine. At first he gave them only three days to solve his mines problems or he would turn the archers standing guard on them, but with a little fluttering of the eyelashes Rarity managed to convince him to be more lenient with them. And so, armed and ready, the group entered into the dark twisting caverns of the mine and left the light of the surface behind.

Chapter Six: The Mines

Liam stepped carefully through the mine, the only illumination of oil lamps hung from the posts. They finally entered into a large cavern filled with tables covered in ore, pick axes. Mining carts and rails lined the ground, spreading out down numerous tunnels of the mine.

"How are we going to find anything in this mine. These tunnels could stretch for miles." Liam said.

"I talked with Talon and he told me that most of the trouble is down in the second levels. We will head down there and then busy ourselves in an almost endless labyrinth of tunnels." Feldrock said.

"Great......" Liam said in a sarcastic tone.

As they made their way down the tunnels, a lone miner grabbed Liam's arm and pulled him over, "They're coming. They're coming to get us all. The demons, they're coming."

Liam grabbed the griffons claw and yanked it off his arm, "Geez, calm down. What do you mean demons anyway?"

The griffon just looked up at Liam with wide fearful eyes, "They're coming. They're going to kill us all." with that the griffon ran off.

Liam blinked and watched the griffon go, "What was that about?"

"Oh he seemed so afraid....um are we sure that there isn't anything down here?" Fluttershy asked, shaking a bit as she looked around.

"Bah, the birds just paranoid. Lets keep going." Feldrock said, leading them further into the mines.

Liam rubbed his arm and looked back down the tunnel the miner took. Griffons, be he or she a warrior or miner, were not an easy race to unsettle. Something was down here, but Liam still doubted it was demons. But then....what was it?

"You are wondering about what has a griffon so unhinged, yes?"

Liam looked to his side and saw Star Seer next to him, and not far from her was Minsc and on his shoulder Boo. Liam wasn't really sure if Minsc was alright in the head, talking to a hamster as if it could comprehend and respond to human speech. Still he found Minsc to be an alright sort, at least for as long as he knew him thus far. Star Seer on the other hand was a mystery, though Liam felt it was only because they had just met.

"I..suppose. It just seems odd, I mean demons are only just old tales and if they do exist it is impossible for them to enter this world now since the rise of Celestia and Luna. Still there must be something down here." Liam said

"I agree. We should then keep our eyes and ears open for any sound then." Star Seer said.

Liam nodded in agreement, and looked ahead as the group began to walk down in descent. It felt odd being so far down below the earth, with only a few beams of wood keeping areas of rock from crashing down on their heads.

'Maybe I'm claustrophobic and never knew it.' Liam thought, chuckling slightly. With his luck so far, with bounty hunters and a price on his head for a reason unknown to him why not place a fear of small spaces just when he had to go into one.

Finally the descent seemed to stop and the group turned around a corner, only to walk into the path of a fleeing and screaming griffon.

"Ahhh help!" The griffon shouted, stopping to prevent himself from crashing into Feldrock and the others, "They're coming!... The yipping demons, they're everywhere! Save me!"

Twilight walked over, "Come now, there are no such things as demons, especially not yipping ones."

"Yeah demons would go Raaggggh!" Pinkie said, making a growling sound and waving her hooves as if they were claws before finally giggling at her antics.

"But I-," The miner began before s chorus of excited and wild yipping poured down from a tunnel behind him. The griffon turned with wide eyes as several small forms appeared from out of the darkness, bows in their claws.

"There they are! There they-" The griffon was cut off as twelve arrows shot into his body taking him in the head, chest and neck to name the more lethal targets. The figures rushed out more into better view of the light from the hanging lamp, their bows already being reloaded.

Liam drew his sword as he took a good look at the creatures. They were small, at least to a human but to an average pony they would stand almost face to face. Their heads looked like a cross between a lizards and a dogs, but their bodies were covered in brown or black scales. Liam counted perhaps twenty of them in total and each armed with a bow, quiver of arrows and a small sword at their hips.

"Kobolds!" Liam shouted, he knew these creatures from one of his books.

"Filthy little yapping dogs!" Feldrock said, charging in with his two short swords drawn.

"Feel the backhand of justice!" Minsc shouted, charging in with two maces in each hand.

"Eeep!" Fluttershy went, seeing the body of the dead griffon. It was too much for her to handle and she fell backwards fainting. Rainbow Dash caught her and flew her to the back of the group for cover.

"Dear Celestia." Twilight gasped as she saw the griffon fall dead. Several kobolds had let fly their arrows, and being the closest target, they flew directly for her.

The arrows flew with speed and accuracy, instinct drove her to cast a shield spell but she felt sure that she could not make one big enough to block all of the arrows before they hit her. She closed her eyes, afraid to open them to see what would occur.

She felt something heavy tackle her down, then searing pain in her shoulder, side and leg. Then she felt herself impact against the ground and someone groaning. Still she felt alright and she opened her eyes to see what had happened, and there laying next to her was Liam, two arrows were puncted into his back but the armor must have kept them from piercing to deep as he did not seem to be in any noticable pain.

She however, was a different story. She felt pain race across ehr body and saw two arrows in her side, one at her shoulder and another just over her cutie mark. She looked over to see the rest of the arrows had fallen to the ground broken, her now full formed shield had prevented some of the deadly projectiles in its formation but obviously as she knew not all of them; she felt sure that if Liam had not forced her down and placed his own body in the way she would have had two additional arrows strike her.

"Stay here, and keep that shield up." Liam said before getting up.

Twilight looked up at him with wide eyes, but nodded and opened a small hole in the shield for him to exit out of. Liam ducked under the hole. The kobolds had now engaged in melee combat as Feldrock, Minsc and Applejack had now closed in on them, this allowed Liam to join in the combat without fear of anymore arrows flying at him.

"You yapping varmints!" Applejack yelled, having seen Twilight hurt. She gave a kobold a savage kick that smashed it against the rock wall, a cracking sound of the creatures spine breaking with the force. Still two more came upon Applejack, only to be cut down by Liam.

Liam turned and moved to block the stab from a kobold to his left, then another to the right as he kicked previous kobold in the stomach. Two more soon joined the fight and Liam found himself under an assault of blades, and each kobold he killed another was there to replace it; a common tactic for these creatures.

Kobolds were not exactly a dangerous creature, their small size made them physically weaker from most creatures. Though they had scales they were not thick and were no good in stopping a blade or bludgeoning blow that had enough force behind it. They were also very cowardly and would run away from a fair fight, in fact they would never dream of attacking a lone target without at least seven others with them.

Still something was indeed off with these kobolds, even after all the losses the creatures had suffered they did not flee only pressed the attack even further. Of course Liam did not focus on this at the moment and focused more on staying alive. The kobolds stabbed again, scoring several hits to his legs and once across his hip. Though his armor took most of the blows, one managed to score a blow.

"Go for the eyes Boo!" Minsc shouted, as his maces caved in the skulls of two of the kobolds. The sudden death of their comrades made the other two kobolds pause, giving Liam enough time to drive his blade down the throat of the other before drawing his dagger and plunging it into the eye of the last.

"Boo says that you should not let yourself be surrounded by these small creatures. Come Liam still there is battle to meet." Minsc said as he charged into three kobolds, weapons swinging wildly.

Liam shook his head, but followed suit into battle. Before long all the kobolds lay dead and the cavern grew silent once more. With the fighting done the group turned to the wounded, Twilight the most.

"Twilight! Oh heavens dear your hurt." Rarity said, rushing over to her friend.

"Oh no! Oh dear, oh dear. We have to take those arrows out." Fluttershy gasped, rushing over with tears in her eyes. She couldn't stand seeing one of her friends hurt.

"Don't touch those arrows! You might make it worse." Feldrock said as he made his way over, pushing Applejack aside when she reached for one of the shafts.

"Yes, these must be treated carefully." Star Seer said walking over.

Twilight looked between the two, "What-what do we do then?" She did her best to remain calm, assured that the two knew what to do.

Feldrock frowned, "Fluttershy bring the medical bag over here." Fluttershy quickly brought it over and Feldrock dug around till he pulled out a object that Twilight had never seen before.

"I'd rather be able to give you to a doctor, but seeing as we can't we will have to do this ourselves." Feldrock said.

"What!?! Are you crazy!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"I know my way around wounds, this life ya have to," Feldrock said as he placed a hand on Twilights leg to hold it steady, "Twilight do ye trust me?"

Twilight felt unsure and afraid of what Feldrock was going to do, but seeing no other option as her knowledge with these kinds of wounds was almost nonexistent she nodded slowly.

"Then hold still." Feldrock said. Star Seer levitated a piece of leather into Twilights mouth. Twilight felt her panic rise more as she bit down on the leather strap. She had an idea of what was going to happen next. As Feldrock began to remove the arrow with the tool, she bit down harder as she screamed.

When all was done, Twilight lay on the ground gasping for breath and tears running down her eyes. The arrows had been removed easily and Star Seer, and Feldrock both agreed that there would be no risk of infection as they finished binding bandages about the wounds. Still the pain had been unbearable, and as she slowly stood up and the group continued down the tunnels Twilight felt sure that this would not be last time this would occur.

"Something be odd about all of this." Feldrock said as he pulled a small gem from the pocket of yet another kobold.

After the first encounter, which Feldrock checked for any coin but found only a gemstone here and there which he claimed could be sold for a few pieces back in town, the group had pushed further into the mine and had run into more groups of kobolds. Though the fighting had been difficult, given the close quarters and notable sizes of the kobold groups, they had managed to avoid anything as near deadly as what had happened with Twilight. Never the less injuries had been sustained, as with Liam who finished tightening a bandage about his arm where a kobold spear managed to cut across his forearm.

Liam looked over to Feldrock, "What? With the kobolds?"

"Aye, We have killed many of the little buggers but the groups just kept coming. Usually kobolds would avoid us by now or run away shitting in their pants." Feldrock said as he stood up.

"Indeed, they have acted in most unnatural manners." Star Seer said.

Liam had to agree, the behavior went against everything the literature said. What was causing it?

"How do kobolds behave usually anyway?" Twilight asked.

Liam looked over to Twilight, as he did she blushed slightly and looked away. Odd.

"Well," Liam started, "what little is documented about them is that they are very cowardly. Basically a cowardly kobold is usually always a long lived kobold."

"What are kobolds anyway?" Rarity asked, "from what I have seen so far they are simply disgusting little beasts. Their clothes look like rags for goodness sakes."

"Well," Star Seer said, "they are one of the few monsterous creatures in this land that have not been driven into...what do you call it the Everfree."

"HOw is that possible? And why would princess Celestia even allow that?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, even if they are cowardly these things are dangerous." Rainbow Dash said.

Feldrock chuckled, "Only if you be caught unaware or in an ambush. As for how they be living out here with us is simple, they live under the ground and that be a hard place to search in."

Liam nodded, "They live in scattered tribes in mountain ranges or any place that has a cave system. It makes it hard to track them down, but they usually avoid settlements though as here sometimes a mine will end up invaded by them. Though usually the kobolds will either avoid contact with miners, or any guards sent to clear them out. Or they will pick up and find a new home."

"Of course because of their habitat they do come into conflict with Diamond Dogs from time to time. The two species are almost constantly fighting each other, though Diamond Dogs tend to be the victorious ones in these disputes." Star Seer added.

Twilight was just astounded, and perhaps a bit humbled. She thought she knew everything there was to know, but that had apparently been proven false. Liam himself had grown up in Candlekeep, he probably knew more then her. She swore that she would begin a whole new area of study once all this business was done.

"Well what would have them act so differently then?" Applejack asked.

"Well," Liam said, stroking his chin, "if a strong enough leader took control of a tribe then the kobolds would act in a manner similar to what we are seeing. But....to do that it would have to be a leader that the kobolds feared more then say us."

"Oh umm...what would they be afraid of to make them act like this." Fluttershy asked, shaking a bit in fear of what the answer would be.

Liam shrugged, "Dragon."

"Dragon!" Fluttershy shouted in fear, jumping behind a rock to hide.

Rainbow Dash sighed and facehoofed, "You had to say dragons didn't you."

Pinkie Pie moved over to Fluttershy and placed a hoof around her shoulders, "Relax Fluttershy. Its not likely that a dragon is here. There would have been smoke clouding the skies like last time."

"And most of the dragons are gone for the migration. So the odds of a dragon being here are even less likely." Twilight said.

Fluttershy peeked out from her mane, "Oh umm...I guess thats true." She slowly got up from her hiding spot and moved back over to stand next to Liam.

"Still, there must be something then. The attacks are too organized, and the groups with have meet already seemed to have been almost...patrolling the tunnels." Feldrock said.

Liam frowned, if that was true then something seemed very off about this entire thing. Though he hoped that it did not mean anything for them.

"Bah we waste time standing here. Lets be off, stay close. Minsc you and I will take the lead. Liam you take the rear." Feldrock said.

"Come Boo. We will need your sharp eyes and nose as we help Feldrock lead." Minsc said, the hamster securing itself in a pocket on Minsc's armor.

Liam nodded and took the position in the rear, in front of him was Rainbow Dash, followed by Pinkie Pie and Futtershy, then Rarity, Twilight and Star Seer. The group continued down the tunnels in this form, keeping their eyes out for movement in the shadows or noises from down the numerous tunnels.

Suddenly Feldrock stopped and pressed himself against the corner of mine wall as he peered down a tunnel. Feldrock motioned for them to stop, whispering the word "Kobolds."

Everyone got ready for battle, waiting for the signal to move. Liam moved up to the front with Minsc, and Feldrock. Rainbow Dash and Applejack headed up as well, several good sized rocks in their hooves which they set down on the ground. The plan would involve the two of them propelling the rocks at the kobolds to take any down from afar, then Feldrock, Minsc and Liam would move to engage in melee combat, while Star Seer, Rarity and Twilight would use their magic in anyway they could to aid in the battle. Fluttershy stood behind with Pinkie Pie.

"Now." Feldrock called, and rocks flew with speed and force as Applejack and Raibow Dash kicked them up and forward towards the unsuspecting kobolds.

Two kobolds armed with short bows, designed for small spaces, were the first to fall. Two well sized rocks took them across the skulls laying them low either unconcious or soon to be dead from internal bleeding. Another was hit in the stomach causing it to kneel over and drop its spear. The sudden attack caused the kobolds to panic and several dove behind a large mining cart they had been standing next to. Another kobold ontop of the cart ducked under a passing rock and began to snap orders in its barking tongue.

That was the signal to move, and Liam, Minsc and Feldrock charged in. Minsc shouted a war cry as he slammed his mace down on one kobold, and slamming the other across the face of another. Feldrock spun his swords in rapid procession, his legs never stopping, cutting down enemy after enemy. Liam was yet not as skilled, but his blade pierced through the gut of what he guessed to be the leader of this group, lifting it off its feet and the mining cart. Liam swung his blade down, tearing it free of the impaled kobold and sending it flying across the tunnel screaming. The downward motion of the blade cut another kobold down the shoulder, the blade stopping halfway as it slammed into bone and snapped in half.

"Oh for the love of!" Liam swore and dodged a clumsy thrust of a spear. Though it did cut across his arm, leaving a tear.

'Worthless piece of two bit, no good shoddy work metal scarp.' Liam swore at the broken half of his sword as he tossed it aside. He was getting very tired of this bad iron after losing two swords previously. He grabbed up a short blade from one of the dead kobolds and blocked another thrust of a spear. He grabbed the shaft of the spear and yanked it hard, causing the kobold to stumble forward, then aligned it right and thrust it forward to slam the butt of the spear into the kobolds face. The blow caused the kobold to release its weapon, and Liam pulled it back and shifted the position and thrust it forward again only this time the blade stabbed through skin and skull, erupting from behind the kobolds skull oozing with brain matter and gore.

Liam didn't pause and moved to take a kobold from behind, and as the fighting continued he started to feel a sense in the back of his head. It was odd and yet...comforting, the fighting and blood no longer made him uneasy. In fact, it seemed to make him feel more alive as each enemy fell before his blade. But then the battle was over, the kobolds slain, and the feeling was gone. Liam was not sure if he should feel upset or glad of this.

Feldrock had already begun to gather up the bodies and see if they held anything worth taking. Fluttershy gotten started and seeing who was hurt and helping them. Luckily it seemed that no one had suffered anything serious save for minor cuts that were no worse then a paper cut. With nothing else to do Liam aided Feldrock in looting the bodies, and he made a strange discovery.

Clutched in the kobold that had stood atop the mining cart was a small green vial, inside a bubbling liquid. Liam looked the vial over and saw another in the pocket of the kobold and took that as well. The liquid seemed strange, but Liam felt sure it was not healing potion.

'What is this?' Liam thought, opening one of the vials and slowly tilted it over the head of the sword he took until a small drop landed on the blade. The liquid hissed as smoke rose from the metal. Acid. It was acid.

Liam dropped the blade and recorcked the bottle. He didn't want any of the contents to spill out on anything, or anyone for that matter. He turned to the mining cart, and noticed that it was full of ore. Could it be? He walked over and lifted a chunk of raw ore and looked it over. The entire ore was corrodided, the acid having eaten through the ore.

"Hey, come here everyone. I think I found something interesting." Liam called out.

Everyone looked over and moved to join him by the cart.

"What is it Liam?" Twilight asked.

"Take a look at this ore." Liam said, passing a sample to each member. They all looked at him with confusion for a moment, but did as he said.

"What about it? Its full of holes but I don't see what the big deal is." Rainbow Dash said.

"I do," Feldrock said, "This be iron ore, and these holes ain't be natural."

"Indeed. The ore seems to have been corrodide by an acidic substance." Star Seer said placing the ore back in the cart.

"Boo says that this reeks of an evil hand, and Boo is rarely ever wrong on this." Minsc said.

"Oh how dare they!" Pinkie shouted, "How dare they ruin a good rock. Sure rocks arn't fun but that doesn't mean you just go and be mean to them like this, my papa would be furious if he ever saw this."

"I think it had something to do with this." Liam said, holding up one of the vials.

"Let me guess, thats acid." Twilight said as she levitated the bottle over to inspect it.

Liam nodded, "Yep. I guess we interrupted the kobolds when they were fouling up this batch of iron."

Twilight frowned and set the vial on the ground, "Why would kobolds do this?"

"I don't think this be just kobolds now. Kobolds ain't smart enough to do this on their own." Feldrock said.

"So what," Applejack said, "Somethin is leading them then?"

"Possibly." Feldrock said.

"And I think," Liam said, looking down a tunnel that descended deeper into the earth, "maybe if we go a little deeper....we will find who this unknown is."

Everyone looked down the tunnel as well, and then began the descent further into the darkness.

The descending tunnel mazed further into the earth, eventually leaving them in darkness without any sign of mining activity. The stone walls looking more and more naturally formed and not chiseled away by tools. Thankfully, Twilight, Rarity and Star Seer used their magic to provide small orbs of light and allowed for the group to continue on without being blind. They eventually came to a tunnel that seemed out of place among the naturally forming rock. The arches of the tunnel seemed carved and were decorated with various bone charms and runes.

"Boo's nose twtiches, that means that were are near a den of stinking evil." Minsc said.

"No doubt. Perhaps this is where the kobolds have laired. Maybe where whoever is leading them is here as well." Liam said.

"Oh...d...do we have to go in there?" Fluttershy asked.

"No, we can just head back now." Feldrock said.

Fluttershy looked up from her mane, "Really?"

"No." Feldrock said simply.

Fluttershy frowned, and shook as she looked over at the tunnel entrance.

"Alright then, lets get thsi over with," Rainbow Dash said running forward, "my wings have been wanting to fly since we got in here. The sooner we get out the better."

"Hold it!" Feldrock called and grabbed Rainbow Dash's tail.

"Hey! Let go!" Rainbow Dash said, yanking on her tail.

Feldrock yanked her back and moved a bit forward and bent down, his finger curling around something.

"Behold." Feldrock said and he yanked on something. The sound of something snapping was heard and then several arrows hot from holes in the walls and into the opposite wall. The arrow trap was designed that both human or pony would die if the trap was triggered in a way other then what Feldrock did.

Rainbow Dash jumped back, her eyes wide in shock, "Yikes. Umm, I guess I should have been more patient."

Feldrock nodded and motioned for Liam to come over. Liam moved over and kneeled next to Feldrock.

"What is it?" Liam asked.

"Lesson time. Look carefully and tell me what you see." Feldrock said.

Liam blinked but did as he was told and looked. At first he didn't see anything, but on closer inspection he saw the thin wire that Feldrock's finger was curled around. Then he saw another, and another not far after that one.

"I see two other wires, linked to similar traps right?" Liam asked.

Feldrock drew his knfe and cut all three wires, "Aye. You got some good eyes, though it took ya too long to see the wires. Still ye at least saw them."

Liam took that as a compliment, at least he thought he should. Liam nodded and he and Feldrock stood up and motioned for the others to follow. Everyone followed after, save for Fluttershy who had to be pushed in by Applejack and Rainbow Dash together. Reaching the end of the tunnel, the group stepped out into a large underground cavern. A wide and deep pool of water surrounded a small isle with a large stone in the center, a small stretch of land acting as a bridge between the two.

"Wow. This is amazing." Twilight said, looking around.

"How far down do ya reckon we are?" Applejack asked.

"Hard to say, perhaps a few hundred feet. Maybe more." Feldrock said.

"Whats that Boo?" Minsc said as he tilted his head slightly to listen to the squeaks of the little hamster Boo. Minsc nodded then looked to everyone, "Boo says that he smells a stench of evil on the isle. Cover your noses, we will leave no stone unturned."

With that Minsc marched across the bridge and towards a large chiseled entrance in the stone structure. Star Seer sighed and ran to catch up with the berserker warrior, everyone else following. Entering into through the crack, the group stood in a small cave, the tunnel they walked through splitting two ways. One of these ways showed the signs of light not of their own and so it was this path they took.

The path took them to a wide room filled with a number of glowing magical orbs of light, suspended above the stalagmites. A long and luxerious carpet lay on the ground, and in the end of the room was a large bed with a large chest at the front of it. But the most shocking aspect was the large, beat like man that stood before them. Clad in dark chain and wielding a savage looking mace in one hand and a round shield in the other, the man was a fearsome sight. Yet something was off about him, his skin was an unusual pale hue of blue, his eyes were gold instead of white with the iris being red.

"Chaos spawn." Star Seer said low, earning shocked looks from everyone.

Records of Chaos spawn were almost nonexistent now, but what remained spoke of those who made a soul binding pact with Discord. It was unknown what was gained from such a union, other then strange and unnatural body changes as with the creature before them, but what is known is that they were Discord's agents to aid in his spread of chaos. Originally they had all been slain by Celestia and Luna long ago, though it seemed they came back when he escaped his prison.

"Tazor must have dispatched you, and my traitorous kobolds let you pass, didn't they?" The chaos spawn spoke, "I knew I could not trust them! Armed as such you have obviously been sent to kill me! By Discord, not a measure of ore leaves this mine unspoiled and I am still to be executed?! I'll not lose my head over this!"

Feldrock's eyes widened, and his grip on his blade tightened about his sword. Liam saw something gleam dangerously in his eyes. Liam didn't know what it was, but he felt sure that it would be unwise to provoke Feldrock now.

"No one sent us, but thy head is no less in danger. Tell me where Tazok is and I might let you live!" Feldrock shouted, drawing his blades.

The chaos spawn blinked, "Tazor did not send thee? Then thou art dead! Help, my minions, HEEELLLPPP!"

The sound of yapping echoed down the other tunnel, and the falling of dozens of small feet against the stone ground could be heard. Minsc turned as he drew his maces to cover the rear. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Star Seer and Rarity moved to stand in the middle while Applejack and Rainbow Dash joined Minsc. Feldrock and Liam charged the chaos spawn, who blocked their attacks with his shield before swinging his mace across. He caught Feldrock across the chin and sent him staggering to the side, and then Liam in the side. The force of the blow sent him flying off his feet, and he felt something in his chest crack.

"AAGGGH!" Liam screamed, wrapping an around around his chest. He felt sure that a rib or two had broken and he tried to ease his breathing to avoid piercing a lung. However he had no time to rest as the chaos spawn charged him, bringing his mace down to smash into Liam's head.

Liam dove to the side, avoiding the strike, but was bull rushed and felt the chaos spawn's shield slam into him. He staggered back till he was pressed against the wall. He felt new pain in his chest now, and was afraid that he had pierced a lung, but the now pumping adrenaline was making it difficult to tell for sure as it numbed the pain and forced his body to act in order to preserve itself.

The mace came down again, but was blocked by Feldrock, who brought his second blade up under the first and pushed up with all his might. The chaos spawn's mace went up and it was forced to step back and bring its shield up to avoid having its guts spilled by Feldrock as he brought a blade across to strike. Liam moved into the attack, the two of them pushing their enemy back. Yet neither could they land a hit, either because he dodged to swiftly or his shield prevent a hit from landing.

The chaos spawn then thrust out his mace and a spiral of wild magical energy shot from the head of the mace and blasted into Liam and Feldrock. The two cried in pain as they were knocked of their feet and their weapons fell from their hands.

"Liam! Feldrock!" Twilight shouted, looking over from the battle she and the others were engaged with the kobolds. It seemed like Liam and Feldrock could deal with the single chaos spawn while they dealt with the almost endless mass of kobolds that were even now forcing Minsc back as he swung to deflect spear thrusts or to smack a kobold across the head. Star Seer and Rarity both looked exhausted from the endless amounts of magical attacks they were using, no unicorn no matter how good at magic was meant to keep up such a flow for long. Even Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been forced to fight defensively, knocking rocks into the mass.

But as she saw Liam and Feldrock fall back, the chaotic magic's dissipating now, she turned and unleashed a blast of energy that blew the chaos spawn into the stone wall, the force leaving an impression of his body on the stone. However after all the casting she had done already, she fell onto her stomach gasping for air. Still she felt sure that had killed the spawn.

"Ugh, that was a good try."

Or maybe it hadn't.

Twilight looked up and saw the chaos spawn remove itself from the wall. It's shield was crushed and ruined, and its arm had bits of chain hanging off or falling off, but it still was alive and still had a firm grip on its mace.

"Enough of this now. I will kill these fools then I shall kill the rest of you. May the lord Discord greet you in the underworld." The chaos spawn said as it approached Liam first.

"Gah, you blasted pig!" Feldrock snarled, struggling to get to his feet. His legs wobbled with uncertain strength as he tried to get up and pick up his blade to continue his attack. The chaos spawn stopped and brought his mace up to finish him off.

The mace came down, Feldrock's head its target, and was stopped as it collided with Liam's sword. The chaos spawn turned its head to see Liam, standing on shaking legs and seemed to be having trouble breathing, a sword in both of hands. The effort to stop the bludgeoning stroke must have taken any bit of strength he had left.

The chaos spawn snarled and elbowed Liam across the face as he turned and pushed the attack on him. Liam moved sluggishly, his shoulder was struck and he staggered back. The chaos spawn pushed forward, grabbing Liam by the throat and smashed his head against his. Liam felt his head spin from the impact, his free hand hung by his side and felt something in his pack. Reaching in as he was headbutted again, Liam saw that it was the other vial of acid. Whatever force had made him keep it must have been working in his favor, because as the chaos spawn pulled his head back to slam his into Liam's skull once more Liam lifted his hand up and smashed the vial into the spawns face as it came forward. The impact of the blow shattered the glass and sprayed the acid about, mostly onto the spawns face.

"RRRRAGGGGGHHHH!" The spawn shouted in agony, acid burning away flesh, muscle and cartilage. His grip lossened on Liam's neck as he staggered back to bring his hands to his face, trying to claw away the burning liquid.

Liam gasped for air and dove into the spawn, his knife coming out and stabbing into an unprotected area near the kidney where the chains had begun to fall out after Twilight's attack. The knife struck once, then thrice, and then numerous times after that before being twisted and dragged as far as it could. Liam pulled the blade out and fell back onto his rear.

The chaos spawn staggered, blood dripping from its wound. It still screamed as acid burned its face, but the sounds grew less and less until finally it fell back onto the ground dead and a pool of blood beneath it.

Seeing their leader slain, the kobolds quickly turned tail and ran. They practically piled and trampled over each other to be away from the dangerous monster that could kill the fearsome chaos spawn. With the battle over, everyone could at last focus on other important matters.

"Liam! Feldrock!" Fluttershy shouted in fear, she flew as fast as she could and began to check Liam first.

Liam felt the world going black, and he felt that he was actually going to die. Then he felt it once more, that feeling of power that hung just beyond his reach...he just had to.....there. He grasped the feeling of power and once more felt the world become clear, and his pain seemed almost distant and unnecessary. He stood up, even as he felt Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie trying to force him to stay still.

Liam could hear them, but right now it just wasn't registering. He was not going to die like this, and so staggering past the shocked forms of the others he stood beside the horde of dead kobolds and looked about. There, among the dead he spotted a lone kobold, struggling to get to its feet. It must have been left behind and trampled to near death by its friends, but it was still alive.

Without feeling certain of how or why he knew what to do next, but knowing that he had done this before back in Nashkel, Liam held his hand out and black tendrils formed from his palm and finger tips and stabbed into the kobold. The creature screamed for a minute, but then went still and silent. As it died, Liam felt a surge of life and rejuvenation fill his body. He felt his bones snapping back into proper placement and other internal repairs, it hurt but the pain was passing until he felt fresh as a daisy.

Liam took deep, easy breathes, as the act now no longer hurt. The feeling of power faded and slipped from his grasp, Liam didn't care, and as the power left he felt his whole body be hit with a wave of exhaustion. He turned to look over at everyone, all of them with wide eyes with unreadable mixtures of emotions.

Finally exhaustion took its toll, and Liam fell to the ground and the world went black.

Chapter Seven: A Thickening Plot

When Liam came to he found that they were still where they had killed the chaos spawn. He groaned and slowly got up as the memories came back to him. He facepalmed as he realized that he did...whatever it was that he had done, only this time everyone in the party had seen him do it.

'What did I do? The kobold had been alive....then it was dead and I was healed.' He thought. He didn't feel to bad about the situation, as he did not wish to die yet. Still, the circumstances were also both unusual and highly worrisome as he felt sure that whatever he did should not be possible for a normal... anything really.

"So you be awake now eh?"

Liam looked over and saw Feldrock standing behind him. The others stood behind him, and all of them were looking at him with a look of uncertainty. Feldrock just stood there with his arms crossed.

"Something that you wish to tell us?" Star Seer asked.

"Such a strange power, why it has Boo's fur standing on end." Minsc said as he held out the hamster for all to see. Boo just sat there, starring over at Liam.

Liam sighed, "Look, I'm sure that this is....very strange."

"Strange? Try wierd," Rainbow Dash said, "thats the second time you did that. One minute you look like something a cat dragged in and then those tendrils shoot from your hand and strike somepony and then you're all better. What gives man?"

"I think we do deserve an explanation." Feldrock said.

Liam groaned, "If I knew I would tell you, but I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Rainbow Dash asked, disbelief in her voice.

"I just don't know okay!" Liam shouted, going silent afterwards.

"Now Liam there is no need to shout. We're just concerned," Rarity said, "I mean what you did before and now just don't seem natural."

"Before? He did this before?" Star Seer said, looking over at Rarity.

"Yeah," Pinkie said as she appeared by Liam suddenly, causing him to jump.

Pinkie grabbed Liam's arm and lifted it up, "Liam got attack by another bounty hunter and he got raelly hurt on his shoulder. Then he was all, blast!" She yanked his arm forward.

"Ow." Liam said as he stumbled forward a bit.

"...and then that bounty hunter was all," Pinkie let Liam go and stood in front of him, "Ahhh, what did you do!" She stumbled back and did a play act of what Diamond Dazzle had done, "and then Liam was all better, like he is now. Once all beaten up and then all better after that weird tendril thing from his hand, only last time he just made that nasty pony Diamond Dazzle look really old not dead like he did that kobold."

"Bounty hunters?" Star Seer said, an eyebrow raised.

Liam sighed, "I don't know why, but I have bounty hunters after me." Liam reached into his pack and pulled out the latest bounty notice, which Star Seer took and looked over. Everyone else joined her, as they had not seen this one.

"Oh boy I wonder how much he is worth........now...." Rainbow Dash said, her voice trailing off as she read it.

Be it known to all those of evil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Liam, the foster child of Gorion.
Last seen in the region of Beregost this person is to be killed in quick order.
The subject is to be considered a formidable foe, and is likely to have well-equipped traveling companions.
This offer has been extended to all appropriate guilds. Those returning with proof of the deed shall receive no less than six hundred and eighty gold marks.
As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of law shall join the target in their fate.

Everyone looked at the bounty notice, then at Liam, then back at the notice. There was a silence that followed for a time until Rainbow Dash finally broke it.

"Six hundred and eighty gold marks!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew over to Liam and dragged him over to look at the notice.

"That's more then well anything!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Don't be so excited lass," Feldrock said as he took the notice and rolled it up, "it makes mention of well-equipped companions. Meaning we now be targets as well."

Star Seer cleared her throat," Ahem. I assume that when you say we you are putting Minsc and I into this? Because I feel that we should have been told of this little piece of information."

"Boo would like to know as well. To not tell companions in arms of such things is without honesty, though any evil that comes to harm Star Seer will face my boot in their posterior." Minsc said proudly, though the look on his face showed that he too did not find this sudden bit of info being learned in such a manner.

"Oh please don't hate us," Fluttershy said meekly, "we...we didn't mean to lie to you but....oh please don't be mad."

Star Seer looked at Fluttershy, her eyes cold, "Then why did you not speak of this. If you are all being hunted then I would think that would be something to know."

"We did not mean ta lie to ye," Feldrock said, "but given the circumstance perhaps ye can understand why we would keep it hidden from ya."

"Perhaps," Star Seer said thoughtfully.

"If ye don't want to be dragged into our troubles ye can both leave. I'm not one to drag others into things that could get them killed." Feldrock said.

Star Seer rubbed her chin, then pulled Minsc aside and began conversing with him in a language that Liam did not understand. Though he did guess that it was probably their native language. Liam didn't bother to watch the two as they talked, instead kneeling beside the chaos spawn's body and checking it for any worthwhile loot. Other then the armor and weaponry, the spawn had a symbol of Discord about his neck under the chain mail and a ring with a golden band and lapis lazuli gemstone. Liam took the ring, sure that it might fetch a decent price. He was about ready to leave the body when he found a key one of the spawns trouser pockets. Liam glanced at the key and then to the chest near the bed. Could it be for the chest?

Liam stood up and headed for the chest as Star Seer and Minsc finished their coversation and turned to Feldrock and the others.

"While you did conceal something vital to our own safety from us," Star Seer said, making Twilight and her friends frown in shame while Feldrock stood impassive, "however....I suppose I can understand why you did. This are very dark times it seems."

"We're very sorry. Truly we all are." Twilight said.

"It is alright. Though as I said these are dangerous times and....while I cannot agree for this deception of withholding information I still stand by that it would be safer for Minsc and I to remain with others for as long as we can till we find safer grounds. We will remain with you then till our paths seperate."

"Yes, and if this bounty placing villain shows up or the hunters themselves, Minsc and Boo will deliver them to swift justice with our mighty backhand!" Minsc claimed as he flexed his muscles.

"Then if it be settled we should leave and tell Talon of this. Now that this chaos spawn is removed all should be well in time." Feldrock said.

"Indeed, then maybe me and my friends can head home." Twilight said.

"Gladly. This entire treck has been.....interesting but I simply need a relaxing time at the spa." Rarity said.

"Umm....are we sure that it was just this chaos spawn?" Liam called over from the chest.

Feldrock and the others looked over, Rainbow Dash saying, "Well duh. I mean it can't be any worse can it?"

"Well for two things. One, the spawn made a mention of someone named Tazok." Liam said as he held something in his hands.

Feldrock tensed up and gripped his blades tightly. Twilight and Applejack both looked over at him suspiciously. Feldrock had acted very strange when the chaos spawn had made that statement.

"That is right. Perhaps the spawn had an accomlice." Star Seer said.

Liam nodded as he turned with a scroll in his hands, "Indeed. Cause I have two scrolls here that have that man's name signed here. They are.....very interesting to say the least."

Everyone soon came over and looked at this scrolls. They all read it in turn and with each reading, it became certain that this was far from over and stretched farther then they could have imagined.

My servant Mulahey,
I have sent you the kobolds and mineral poison that you require. Your task is to poison any iron ore that leaves this mine. Don't reveal your presence to the miners or you will find yourself swamped by soldiers from the local griffon garrison. My superiors have recently hired on the services of the Black Talon mercenaries and the Chill. With these soldiers at my disposal, I should be able to destroy any iron caravans entering the region from the south and east. I don't want to deal with iron coming from the Nashkel mines, so don't fail in your duty.

Tazok.

Liam silently read the first scroll once more, then rolled it up and replaced it in his bag. He adjusted his seat on a log near the campfire, half heartedly listening to Rainbow Dash as she told one of her ghost stories. He looked up at the night sky, and again felt a relief to be able to see open sky.

'I still can't beleive we spent almost a day and a half down there.' Liam thought as he recalled their journey back to the surface.

The master of the mines had been grateful to learn that the mine was now cleared and felt confident that in time the ore from the mine would be back to good quality. Still, Liam felt sure that the damage of whatever the plot was had been done. He felt certain that the death of Mulahey would relieve the fears of the terrorized folk of Nashkel, but Liam felt uneasy and could tell that the others all felt the same. While the chaos spawn may have indeed caused the evils that befell the mine, the shortage of iron seemed to widespread to be his doing alone.

Liam took out the second scroll and reread it once more:

My servant Mulahey,
Your progress in disrupting the flow of iron does not go as well as it should. How stupid can you be to allow your kobolds to murder the miners?! With your presence revealed you should be wary of enemies sent to stop your operation. Your task is a very simple one, if you continue to show that you can't do the job, you will be replaced. I will not send the kobolds you have requested as I need all the troops I possess to stop the flow of iron into this region. With this message I have sent more of the mineral poison that you require. If you have any problems then send a message to my new contact in Beregost. His name is Tranzig, and he'll be staying at Feldpost's inn.

Tazok.

Tazok, a name that seemed to hold a meaning to Feldrock, if his murderous glint in his eye that appeared whenever the name was mentioned meant anything. Liam didn't know what the connection was, nor did he have any intention to ask at the moment. Liam knew that at times he could be a fool, it came with being a man as one of the librarians had told him once, but he was not suicidal.

"AHHH!"

Liam turned to see Fluttershy and Rarity holding each other as they screamed, Rainbow Dash laughing after apparently sneaking up on them during the scarey part of her story. Everyone just laughed, even Rarity and Fluttershy. Liam smiled, glad that for once they all had some time to have such fun.

Still, the only one that did not laugh was Feldrock, who stood near the edge of camp taking watch. Liam frowned, as the merc had been silent for most of the return to Nashkel and claim their reward from Talon.

Liam looked back towards Twilight and her friends, wondering of what they would do. Star Seer and Minsc had been surprised to know they traveled with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, but the two were glad for the honesty. Star Seer herself had done something similar to Twilight did to him and had asked a numerous number of questions which Twilight had been glad to answer in exchange to answers of her own on Wraathman.

But still, what would the girls do now? They had only come to clear the mines, and now that it was done they could return to their homes, right? Liam wasn't sure and a part of him felt saddened that he might be separated from them as he had come to enjoy their company. Still it would not do anything to wonder on this, and so Liam rolled the scroll up and turned in for the night early. He felt sure that the days to come would be exhausting indeed.

Twilight watched Liam retire to his tent. She could not help but blush slightly, remembering how he had saved her. She wasn't sure why but her stomach felt like it had butterflies in it. She was not sure as to why she had this feeling now, nor of what she should do about it.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you but I'm gonna hit the hay. Night." Rainbow Dash said and retired to her tent that she shared with Pinkie.

"I reckon we should all get to sleep. Tomorrow is gonna be a big day." Applejack said.

"Sleep well then friends. Minsc and Boo will take the first watch," Minsc said as he stood, "no stinking evil will sneak up on us."

Everyone, save Feldrock who continued to remain silent, gave their good nights and entered their respective tents with their partners. Pinkie with Fluttershy, Feldrock and Liam, Star Seer and Minsc who took first watch, and Twilight with Rarity.

Twilight stepped into the large tent, and was greeted to a two room ground floor, a sitting room with a small table for two, and a sleeping room. A small stair case lead up to the small balcony. An enchanted tent for sure, and it suited Rarity fine. Though Twilight found it a bit much.

"Twilight," Rarity asked as she closed the tent flap,"can I ask you something?"

"Sure Rarity," Twilight said, looking over at her friend.

"Well darling, why have you been constantly staring at Liam every so often," Rarity asked, "it is very unlady like to stare at anyone for any reason."

Twilight blinked in surprised and blushed, "Oh...was that noticeable?"

"Very, though I don't think anyone really caught on to it. Most of the girls seem eager to be back home, but I don't miss a thing," Rarity said with a sly smile, "is there...something you want to talk about?"

Twilight bit her lip, unsure of what to say. What could she say, that she might have a....crush...on Liam. She wasn't sure she wanted to say anything, because that would be admitting to something and she did not feel confident nor sure that she could admit to something like this.

"Come now Twilight," Rarity said, sensing her friends hesitance, "you can tell me anything, so what is wrong?"

"Umm...well..." Twilight started, rubbing the back of her head, "I guess...I think..."

"You think you might have a little crush on Liam?" Rarity asked with a small smile.

Twilight blushed, "How...how did you guess that?"

Rarity giggled, "Darling, I know a little love struck behavior when I see it. Why I've seen Sweetie Belle act similarly as you did when Spike stayed over that one night when you had to leave Ponyville on a homework assignment. Honestly it was simply adorable."

Twilight blinked in surprise, but pushed that aside to focus on the now. She sighed and sat down, her head in her hooves, "I don't know why I'm acting like this. Maybe it's because he saved my life in the mines, but it just feels like its just rushing towards something that isn't even there."

Rarity frowned as she sat down in the chair opposite of Twilight, "So you think this is just a small infatuation for a man that saved your life?"

Twilight nodded, "Maybe. I've never really had alot of crushes before....I mostly just stayed in my tower in Canterlot and studied."

Rarity nodded, "Yes. Probably did not leave much for a social life. But you changed and this is good that your experiencing this."

It is?" Twilight asked.

"Of course," Rarity said, placing a hoof on her friends, "love is such a beautiful and wondrous thing, but you certainly don't want to rush into anything that could lead to heartbreak, nor to something that will not grow into anything beyond friendship. Also you hardly really know Liam, or how he feels about you or any of us. You have to take this very slowly darling."

"Slowly?" Twilight said confused.

"Of course darling," Rarity said, "I mean you really don't expect us to go back home after what we found in that awful creature Mulahy's lair."

Twilight blinked then frowned, "I...I don't know."

Rarity blinked herself, this time in surprise, "Don't know? Twilight, what do you mean you don't know?"

"I...I just don't know. The princess sent us to clear the mines, and we did. But with what we found points that something isn't right. The mines and this strange connection with the bandits and this strange Tazok person. I don't think the princess counted on something like that being found out."

"Not to mention that whoever is hunting Liam now has added us to their list. Frankly I don't think I could go home knowing that my presence could put everypony I care about at possible risk." Rarity said.

"That as well," Twilight said, "I just don't know what we should do. I can't leave Spike alone, just like the others can't leave their homes for long as well. But I would ti even be safe for us to go home given the circumstances?"

Rarity rubbed her chin, "Yes, this does seem to be a bit of a problem, and with no easy answer."

Twilight sighed, "I think I just need sleep. What with everything on my mind I'm exhausted."

Rarity nodded, "Yes, perhaps a good nights rest will do us all some good. We can make decisions tomorrow."

Twilight nodded and got up to head for her sleeping bag. Yet even as she prepared to rest, her mind was plagued with numerous problems. What was the connection with the mines and this Tazor person? What did it mean for Equestria? And why now did she have to start getting crushes like a school filly?

Twilight really could find no answers, and was grateful when sleep came to her. These things could be solved in the morning, when she was fresh and rested. At least...she hoped so.

When the morning light dawned, the group ate a light breakfast of dried fruit, some cheese and bread before breaking camp and continuing down towards Nashkel. All the way, Twilight thought on what she and Rarity discussed last night. Mostly of the scrolls found in Mulahey's lair, and of the bounty notice that now included all in their group to being targets of whoever was after Liam.

'He does have very nice eyes...' Twilight thought, looking over at Liam, who was talking with Rainbow Dash in the rear.

"So what happened next?" Liam asked.

"Well I immediately swooped down and caught Rarity and the Wonderbolts just before the hit the ground, all while doing the Sonic Rainboom at once. The ponies went wild." Rainbow Dash said, remembering the events at the Best Young Flier's competition.

"Hmm, now that would be a sight to see." Liam said.

"Maybe I'll show ya sometime," Rainbow Dash said, patting Liam on the back as she flew beside him, "I'm always ready to show my awesomeness."

Liam smirked, "I'll keep that in mind."

Twilight shook her head and focused on what was infront of her. Honestly she was acting ridiculous now, this was just a silly crush crafted by her mind after being saved from serious physical harm by Liam. It would pass in time, and besides it didn't mean anything.

'He wouldn't be interested in me anyway.' Twilight thought, frowning slightly.

Twilight shook the thoughts away though and focused on what they would do once they reached Beregost. It was a choice that she felt would change everything for both her and her friends.

'When we get to Nashkel, I'll ask all of them what they think. It will be easier to make a decision if I have all of their opinions.' Twilight thought, as the town of Nashkel came into view.

The group found Talon in his office at the barracks. The griffon was beak deep in papers, and seemed to have been up the entire night. When he heard the door open he looked up with a deadly glare, though it softened only slightly when he saw Feldrock.

"This had better be good news. I've been up all night and if I hear one bit of bad news I thinking I'm going to kill somegriffon." Talon hissed, causing Fluttershy to move away in fear.

"Depends on your perspective." Feldrock said as he took the two scrolls from Liam and handed them to Talon, "We cleared the mine. If any kobolds still remain they be high tailing it out eventually. We also killed whoever was behind the tainted ore."

"Kobolds eh," Talon said as he took the scrolls, "Filthy buggers. Still good to know the ore should be back to normal in time....I hope. Now what is in.....this..."

Talon went silent as he read the first scroll, then the second. Each word he read seemed to make him paler. When he was done he placed the scrolls on his desk and looked up at Feldrock.

"Well....from what I've read this don't seem to be good. At least for Equestria." Talon said.

"Aye. If the Black Talon and the Chill be working with the bandits on the road then something do be up." Feldrock said.

"Aye, and Tazok seems to be leading them." Talon said, looking at Feldrock with a look of worry and understanding.

Feldrock bit his lip, "Aye."

"Okay I've had it. We all agreed no secrets right?" Dash asked as she stepped up.

"Dashie...maybe you should.." Liam started.

"No. Feldrock's hiding something. He gets all tense when that Tazok guy is brought up, and now the mayor here seems to know something as well. What gives?" Dash said.

Feldrock turned sharply, hands gripping his two short blades. The look in his eyes could have killed a man twice over, and his hands trembled with a need to draw steel.

"Look ye damned rainbow haired bitch," Feldrock snapped, "If I be wanting to say something I will! If I don't then keep your damned mouth shut or I be tying a muzzle about it!"

"Feldrock! Enough!" Talon shouted.

Feldrock growled and glared at the griffon. Talon sighed and stood up, "My friend. I won't tell you what to do, I've learned that is like trying to tell a mountain to stop growing."

Talon walked towards a small safe and removed a well sized bag that clinked with the sound of coin inside, "This be the reward I promised. Take it and go where you all will, But Feldrock. If ye be going to do what I what I think your going to do. Don't drag the rest of them with ya blindfolded. You can't keep it inside forever."

Feldrock snatched the bag away, he seemed intent on saying something else but instead he simply stated, "I'll think about it."

Talon nodded and returned to his desk. Feldrock turned and stormed out of the office, leaving everyone shocked and confused.

"What was that about?" Rarity asked.

"Oh...maybe Feldrock has a bad history with...whoever this Tazok person is." Fluttershy said, torn between going to try and offer comfort to the merc, and staying with her friends in fear of Feldrock's anger.

"Well I say we found out." Rainbow Dash said.

"Rainbow Dash, I hardly think that will work." Star Seer said.

"Yeah," Applejack agreed, "did ya see that look in his eyes. I reckon if we asked again now we would be in for a world of hurt."

"I'm not afraid of him." Dash said, crossing her hooves over her chest.

"Rainbow Dash, this time don't go charging into the cave. Remember what your plan with that dragon did?" Twilight said.

Dash's ears flattened and she looked to the side, "Uh....oh alright."

"We should go." Liam said as he turned to the mayor, "glad to be of help."

Talon simply waved them away, his head already deep in more papers. Liam nodded and he and the others followed after Feldrock.

Liam and the others found Feldrock near the edge of town, only now instead of a large bag of coin, he now stood with a number of swords, bags of what Liam assumed was supplies, and three quivers of arrows.

"Took ye all long enough. I've gotten us all the supplies I feel we will need. At least for those of us that be staying with me and Liam. The rest of ye can be heading home when we reach Beregost." Feldrock said.

"My whatever did you buy Feldrock? Oh I hope you remembered to purcahse some of the lovely lavender scented soaps that they sell here." Rarity said as she began to inspect through the bag of supplies.

Feldrock just rolled his eyes, "Bought what was needed and plenty of weapons. Liam here."

Feldrock tossed over to Liam three longswords, as well as a quiver of arrows. Liam caught the weapons and looked at them confused, "Three swords?"

"The iron might not be getting corrupted anymore, but it will be sometime before anything produced from good iron reaches the markets. So for now we still be stuck with breakable weapons." Feldrock said, placing the two extra quivers at his back, along with an assortment of other minor weapons that Liam felt sure Feldrock would start drilling their use into his head.

He couldn't wait. He more he knew, the easier killing the armored figure would be. The thought brought a pleasant smile to Liam's face. Yes, it would be such a beautiful scene.

"We got a good few hours before night fall. I say we should reach Beregost either tonight or early the next morning. So if we all be ready, lets get moving." Feldrock said, and began to head down the road. His pace seemed to be ever so quicker now, as if he was anxious to be in Beregost.

Liam's wrists were starting to sting as he flicked the last knife at the tree. This time he managed to get the blade into the bark a few centimeters before it clattered to the ground.

"Geez Liam, how long have you been doing this?" Rainbow Dash asked, yawning as she looked up from her nap.

Liam sighed and got up to gather the numerous knives from the ground and tree. Out of the ten, only two had gotten into the tree and even then not at the center target Feldrock had carved onto it.

"This will be the.....tenth time." Liam said with a grimace. He rubbed his wrists, practically feeling the muscles crying for a reprieve.

"Sheesh, Feldrock seems to be going extra hard on you now." Rainbow Dash said.

Liam frowned, when the group had stopped for a rest Feldrock had pushed Liam immediately into more practice. In melee Liam fared better, but he was still bested. Then he spent the next quarter in learning to shoot the short bow he acquired from the bandit. Archery came a bit easier, but Feldrock added moving targets and other exercises for Liam to partake in that made it a challenge. Now was the knife throwing, and Liam still had not had time to even sit down and take a break for something to eat.

"Sheesh, I don't see what the big deal is. You fight alright, though not as good as me. I mean you beat a Chaos Spawn, which was pretty cool." Rainbow Dash said.

Liam frowned, "I barely made it with my life. It proves that there are opponents that are greater then me. Greater then Feldrock. I know of one already."

"Really?" Dash asked, hinting at a desire to know.

Liam simply nodded, and threw the knife. The blade flew true and stabbed deep into the bark, and Liam was already ready to throw another, the another after that. Each successive throw seemed to fade from Liam's mind as he concentrated on the visage of the armored figure, the tree taking that shape in his mind. Liam threw knives again and again, imagining the blood spraying fourth as the metal pierced through simply flesh into the heart.

"Liam!" Dash called.

Liam blinked, throwing the final knife and watching it collide into a pile of knives, stabbed deep into the center of the target on the tree. He blinked at the sight, then felt a smile come across his face.

"Dang. I was calling to you like three times. Feldrock says we got to get going. Nice aiming by the way." Dash said, flying off.

Liam blinked and looked back to Rainbow Dash as she flew to join the others on the road, "Leaving? But I didn't eat!"

Liam groaned and gathered up the knives, before running to catch up with the others. At times he didn't know if Feldrock wanted to help him...or kill him.

Liam felt his stomach growl more, and he rubbed it with a groan. He never got to eat anything during the lunch stop.

"Oh um...Liam."

Liam looked to his side at Fluttershy, looking down as the shy pegasus held something in her hoof.

"Um, well I know that you didn't get to eat anything when we stopped so...I thought maybe you would like something to eat. I have some of my daisy sandwich left over if you want some." Fluttershy said, offering out a wrapped half of a sandwhich with flowers between two pieces of bread.

Liam smiled, "Thanks Fluttershy...but I don't think I can eat flowers like you can."

Fluttershy blushed, "Oh...you're right. I'm sorry, its just that you sound so hungry and I thought....oh dear now I feel awful offering you something you couldn't even eat."

Liam chuckled, "It's alright Fluttershy. Thank you for the offer, but I'll be fine. I guess I'm just not use to going without lunch. Back in Candlekeep I always ate lunch, but I guess missing a meal comes with traveling."

"Oh, what was Candlekeep like? Twilight seems to get very excited when she talks about it." Fluttershy said, giggling a bit remembering how Twilight got when they first met Liam.

Liam chuckled, "Tell me about it. Well, Candlekeep is one of the greatest libraries in the world, probably the greatest library. Not even the Canterlot or Crystal Empire libraries come close to the collection of writings Candlekeep holds. The monks even said they held knowledge that was long forgotten in the outside world, but I never saw any so I can't be sure if its true."

"Wow. You must have read alot then." Fluttershy said.

"I received a very wide and diverse education, greater then the education a noble would acquire. Of course if I wasn't studying I was doing chores or practicing with the guards of the keep. Though I was sort of ignorant of what happened outside the walls. What about you? What's Ponyville like?"

"Oh Ponyville is a lovely little town," Fluttershy said, "I have a little cottage where all sorts of animals come and stay when their hurt or in need of care. Though...it is a bit close to the Everfree Forest."

"The Everfree? Arn't you worried about monsters coming out?" Liam asked.

"Oh a little, but they don't usually come out of the forest....well not all of them anyway." Fluttershy said, remembering the gibberlings and hobgoblins.

Liam nodded but moved the conversation along, "So you like animals?"

Fluttershy smiled, "Oh yes. It's my special talent after all. I love caring for little critters so much."

"Well you certainly have a kind and gentle heart then. I don't think animals would be so willing to let you help them if you didn't." Liam said.

Fluttershy blushed, "Oh um thank you."

Suddenly from out of the wood, a flash of lightning shot forth and took Feldrock by the shoulder. Two more shot out, striking Minsc and Rainbow Dash.

"AHHH!" The three shouted, falling to the ground as lightning sparked across their bodies.

"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy shouted, flying to her friend.

Out of the wood a figure jumped from the tree. He landed swiftly beside AJ, who reared back as she swung her front hooves out to strike at the attacker. The assailant dodged the strike, and slashed across AJ's chest with the blade of his ax.

"Ahhh!" Applejack screamed. The blade had cut through her armor, but it did not get far into the skin. Never the less the cut was a big one and she was bleeding.

The assassin kicked Applejack across the face, sending her to the ground. After that he charged Pinkie Pie and brought his fist down across her face and sending her to the ground as well. Twilight gasped and fired several bolts of magical energy at the attack.

"Get away from my friends!" Twilight shouted, firing magical shot after shot.

The assassin was struck by two of the bolts and was pushed back away from Applejack and Pinkie Pie, but his image split into several soon after. Twilight knew this to be a mirror image spell, and cast a spell of her own to counter it. Of course the attacker did not give her a chance to do more than that and unleashed another spell, this time a powerful gust of wind that blew Twilight off her hooves and to the ground.

"Twilight!" Rarity and Fluttershy gasped.

"You monster!" Rarity snarled and attacked as well. She did not know how to counter a mirror image spell, but she could blast them all till she hit the real one.

The assassin moved, his mirror image vanishing in puffs of smoke as each was destroyed. The assassin flipped his ax and magic channeled about the blade as he slammed the flat of the ax to the ground, sending a shock wave across the ground and sending Rarity, Fluttershy and Liam to the ground.

"I am death come for thee." The assassin said, standing straight as he slowly lifted his ax up,"Surrender, and thy passage shall be...quicker."

Liam got up, drawing his sword with a snarl, "Surrender? To you? Over my dead body."

The assassin smirked, and gave a harsh kick into Rarity, Twilight's and Fluttershy's stomachs as he passed them. The force of the blow winded the three ponies and left them groaning on the ground.

"Struggle if you must, dead-one, I do not mind working for my money. Nimbul will kill you first, then your friends after." The assassin Nimbul said, "why NIMBUL, has been hired to deal with the likes of you, I'll never know."

Nimbul charged, flinging his ax at Liam. The speed of the throw took Liam by surprise and he rolled to the side, the blade of the ax missing his shoulder by an inch. Liam rolled back to his feet and went to rush Nimbul while he was weaponless, but the assassin had another in his hands and was already rushing towards him. Liam brought his sword up to block an overhead strike, then pushed with all his strength to throw the ax wide and make an opening.

Unfortunatly Nimbul seemed to be a competent fighter, and brought his knee up into Liam's gut and shoving him back before going for a sideways strike. Liam moved to dodge, but the blade of the ax scored a blow across his arm. His armor softend the impact but the blow still left a gash in his arm.

"Agh!" Liam shouted, fighting the urge to grab his arm. He had to keep his sword ready to attack or block.

Nimbul came on him again, ax swinging down. Liam brought his sword up to block, but the ax stopped and then went down into a different angled strike. Liam cursed himself for falling into the feint, and more so as he felt the heavy weapon bite through leather and flesh across his shoulder. He staggered forward inn pain, and felt Nimbul knee him into the face and sending him back onto the ground.

Nimbul stood silently over him, kneeling down as he pressed his leg against Liam's chest. The assassin lifted up his ax to end the fight, but Liam snarled in defiance and once searched for that feeling of power that he had felt so many times before. It came to him easily, willingly and almost excitedly. Liam smirked and used that power, only instead of the tendrils stabbing from his hands alone, they shot from his hands, arms and chest and into Nimbul. The tendrils did not stab deep, Liam didn't know how he knew but he did, and already he felt the flow of life energy pouring out of the assassin's body and into his. Each bit of drained energy repaired his body, his shoulder wound the most as he did not want to risk lossing any cordination in his arm.

It was odd, Liam thought, that he knew how in this short burst of draining life from his enemy that he knew how to do it, and how to direct where most of that energy went. Though indeed it was for a brief moment, and the energy taken was only just a partial bit. Still it was enough to heal his shoulder enough, and his gash would not be as large a scar, but he would have scars. Liam didn't care, all he wanted was to kill Nimbul.

Nimbul cried out in horror and pain as he felt his life force drain from him. The assassin seemed to have a few lines under his eyes now, but Liam didn't bother to look. he got up quickly and tackled Nimbul to the ground. He didn't know why, but something inside of him demanded for a more physical retribution. All he felt was a strong desire to kill, and right now it would be Nimbul.

Liam smiled wide, showing his teeth as he punched the shocked assassin. Nimbul tried to bring his ax up to strike at Liam, but Liam grabbed the arm by the wrist and twisted till Nimbul screamed and he felt the bone resist any further twisting. Liam kept twisting, and brought his free fist down and heard the snap of bone and saw the hand go limp and the ax falling to the ground.

"Ahhh!" Nimbul screamed. Liam laughed and began to punch Nimbul again and again.

Nimbul tried to stop the assult, and had even managed to strike Liam across the face, but Liam ignored the blow. He was too focused on Nimbul. On killing.

'Stop.....stop.' He thought, feeling that something was wrong. But he kept going.

'Stop! No! Stop! NO!' He mentally fought himself, one side trying to stop, feeling something was wrong. But the other half wanted to continue, and even Liam as a whole wanted to end this. He was tired of assassin's, they had attacked him so many times and now Liam was sick of it. Each successive punch was a lashing of his anger, and it didn't stop.

Liam's fist kept coming down, even after the knuckles were red and Nimbul's face was a bloated mass of purple skin and red blood. The assassin had long stopped resisting, no stopped screaming. He just went silent. But he was still alive; something Liam meant to change. Slowly.

"Ahahahahaha." Liam laughed and wrapped his hands around Nimbul's neck. He tightened his grip and shook the assassin slightly, smiling with glee.

"Liam! Liam! LIAM!"

'Someone's calling me.' Liam thought and he looked up, even as he continued to strangle Nimbul.

Twilight, she was okay. Oh thank the heavens. And Fluttershy and Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. They were okay. He looked to Rainbow Dash, and the others that had suffered a lightning attack. Feldrock, Star Seer, Minsc and Dashie groaned, and their bodies spasmed every so often. But they were alive as well.

"Oh thank goodness. I was worried about you." Liam said with a relieved smile.

No one said anything. At least the ones that could, they just stared at him with wide eyes. Why?

"L-Liam....." Fluttershy said fearfully, curling up beside Rainbow Dash.

"What is it Fluttershy? I'm fine. Honest." Liam said. Why where they all looking at him like that.

Liam looke down at Nimbul, and slowly removed his hands. There were dark marks along the neck where his hands had been, and the assassin's eyes showed the lifeless glaze of death.

Liam smirked and looked at the others, "We should see to the others. Fluttershy, go check on Applejack. Pinkie Pie, go help her. Twilight, you and Rarity help Feldrock and the others that got hit by Nimbul's lightning spell. I don't know anything about magic wounds."

The girls just stared at him, and Liam raised an eyebrow, "What are you staring at? Get to it!"

The girls snapped to attention and moved to do just that. Liam felt exhausted now. He always did when he drained the life force of another being. Still he wasn't tired enough to check a body for anything good. Liam knelt down and searched Nimbul's body. He found a scroll, and a two rings that seemed useful. The boots seemed to be his size, and Liam's pair were getting too worn. Liam removed them all from the corpse, planning to sort out what to keep and what to sell later.

Liam looked to the others. Fluttershy had Applejack up and were bandaging her wound after they had removed her armor. Twilight and Rarity were doing some sort of magic stuff that he guessed were helping Feldrock and the others. Liam moved to help them, yet even as he did he felt the girls eyes on him. Why? He had done the life draining thing before, why the uncertain fear now?

Liam did not know, but that didn't matter. He did what he could to tend to the injured, though he felt sure that Feldrock and the others would need better aid at town. Using her magic, Twilight fashioned a few gurny's and levitated the four gently as they finally made it into town. Applejack walked, though she kept it at a gentle pace so as not to disturb her wound anymore then needed.

They were quick to find the local hospital, and the doctors took injured to be properly tended. And so Liam, Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie Pie sat there in the waiting room, waiting for word on their injured companions. All through this though, the girls sat from Liam, and every so often found their eyes looking at him.

Liam just sat there, looking over the scroll he had taken from the assassin. Even as he read, the images of his most recent kill played back in his mind. The images seemed almost pleasant to him, yet Liam wasn't sure if this was something to be afraid of....or accepting of.

'Somethings....wrong....or....is this right?' He thought, unsure of what to think.

Author's Note

Not sure how many chapters this thing will have...maybe ten. Possible twelve or thirteen, or maybe less as it depends on how much I write per chapter. So far I've written alot in one chapter each, 6,000 + words at times. so possibly fewer chapters if I merge certain parts of the game.

Prologue: Murder

He ran. He ran as if Tatarus itself had open behind him. Up the flight of stairs, till he burst out the door onto the balcony of the building. Dark clouds hung in the air, as thunder boomed across heavens. Heavy drenching rain fell, and the atmosphere only added to his increasing terror.

'Have to get away. Have to get away.' The unicorn thought, as he tried to see a way off the balcony.

The unicorn was dressed in an elaborate robe, but they were torn and shredded. Blood flowed from a cut across his side, which he had wrapped a part of the robe about. He had to get away.

"Have to get away...have to-" The unicorn said as he moved to the ledge, looking for perhaps a place to jump.

CRASH!!

The unicorn turned to see the door leading to the stairs burst open and off its hinges, pieces of wood flying into splinters. And there, stepping into the rain stood an armored figure, his eyes burning yellow. The same figure he had tried so hard to flee from. The unicorn felt his heart beating more, as he stepped back till he was pressed against the railing of the balcony.

"I will be the last," the armored figure said in a deep menacing voice as he pointed a finger at the unicorn, "and you, will go first."

The armored figure began to close in on the unicorn. The unicorn began to panic, "There...there are others. I can show you...please. Please!"

The unicorn blasted the figure with magic, but each bolt bounced off his armor without so much as denting the metal. The figure drew closer and pulled back a fist that slammed into the horn of the unicorn. The force of the blow sent the unicorn to the ground, and snapped his horn clean off his head leaving only a stump behind.

The unicorn spasmed in agony, his screams swallowed by the loud crash and book of thunder and lightning. The figure reached down and lifted the unicorn by the throat, his hand squeezing hard against the neck and wind pip. The figure held the unicorn over the ledge of the balcony, as the pony hit his hooves against the mans arms in a pitifull attempt to fight back.

With a final squeeze of his fingers the armored man snapped the unicorns neck, chuckling with delight at the sound. The deadly deed done, the figure tossed the body out into the open air and watched as it fell with a splat as it hit the cobbled streets below.

Down on the streets, the unicorns blood flowed between the stones and cracks of the streets. it would not be long before someone or somepony discovered the blood, but the body would not be found.