Dog days.

Spike opened his eyes slowly, feeling the drain of blood loss he sat up slowly. Taking the blanket off, he looked around and saw he was still in the cargo hold, looking to the side, he saw Crimson wasn't in her cot.

He laid back down, ignoring Crimson up above as her hooves clacked against the boards.

Up above, Crimson, still sleepy herself, was looking out to sea squinting at a large mass coming up. Rubbing her eyes, she saw shapes start to appear in the mist; buildings, docks, and standing above the rest was a large tower.

"Finally," she said smirking. "Progress. Spike! Spike, get up!" She yelled.

Putting an ear up, she listened for the sound of bed springs rising, hearing none she rolled her eyes before taking a step back. Taking in a deep breath, she pulled back her lips before throwing her head forward and roaring. Lifting an ear again, she heard the bed springs finally rise, followed by a light grumbling.

As she turned back to the wheel, the docks came into better view. There were a few ships, but not many. On the dock of one were a group of guards clad in gold and blue armor. Seeing them, she turned the wheel and straightened it as the ship made a turn towards the dock.

Nearing the dock, she felt Spike poke her in the back leg, looking down he narrowed his eyes before turning to walk away. Turning back to the task at hoof, Crimson straightened he ship more as it slid between the docks.

Looking down, Crimson saw the guards quickly be put into action and tied the ship to the dock's supports.

"Atleast they know what to do. Spike, were docking, come on." She said.

The small dragon quickly hurried back to her and jumped on her back. Lighting her horn, she set a rope ladder down from the railing and briskly went to it.

Peering down, she used her magic to move a few guards around so they wouldn't be staring directly up at her. She got her hooves onto the first rungs and descended quickly, listening to the sound of armor turning, she heard nothing and let the magic in her horn die down.

Putting her hooves onto the sea stained wood, a Solar guard came up, he saluted her before standing in attention.

"By orders of Princess Celestia," he said. "I am here to protect you at any cost including my own life if need be."

Crimson merely stared at him. Biting her lower lip she began to laugh, it started as a small snicker but before long, it turned into a full out laughter.

"Ma'am? Is there something wrong?" The guard asked feeling slightly insulted and confused.

"N-No, nothing at all." She replied wiping a tear from her eye. "Did the princess really send a guard to protect me?"

"She did."

"Oh, I can't blame her," Crimson shook her head. "She doesn't know. Tell me," her voice quickly took on a cold edge. "Do you know how to use a sword? Have you ever torn an enemies throat out or lacerated a hydra's throat from the inside?"

"N-No, ma'am." He replied.

"Then you would only be used as bait if I confronted Silver." She said. "Come along, we need to check into an inn close to a recent murder. There has been a recent killing, hasn't there?" She asked.

"Yes Ma'am."

"Then that's where we will go first. Inspect the scene, and then see if we can find any clues as to why he was here," she said trotting past the guard. "To see if he has an alternative motive other than feeding. And knowing Shirley, there always is an alternate motive involved."

The other guards dispersed leaving the lone one to follow Crimson. Spike and Nightmare both stared at him, he didn't glance over but they could tell he was nervous around them.

Crimson inhaled, letting the morning air soak into her lungs. Looking around, she smiled at the buildings lining the cobblestone streets, how the ponies wandered about without a care.

And then she got a sudden copper scent, ears perked up, she took another sniff and felt her mouth salivate on its own accord. Trotting quickly, she followed the scent and soon, she heard a chorus of noise. A group of ponies all huddled together, and for a reason she knew why.

Turning a corner, she and the guard saw a small ring of ponies with guards holding them back. Trotting closer, the guard went ahead and showed the others a scroll he had pulled out from his helmet. They nodded before dispersing the crowd to let Crimson through.

Looking down at the brown cobblestone, she tilted her head before looking further up at the body that had been mutilated. Raising an eyebrow, she leaned forward and looked inside the empty chest.

The body, had nearly all the flesh and other meat stripped off, two of the legs were missing and the head had been torn off. Dried blood stained the ground and the victim's teeth. The chest was completely empty, all the organs, bones and everything below had been torn out and were missing.

Crimson untied the small pouch she had, taking out the tooth it turned a bright ivory as she set it down towards the corpse. Putting it to the neck vertebrae, she let it slid in-between a series of cuts imbedded in it. Doing so five more times, she put it back before taking another sniff of the air.

"This is his kill." She said. "The tooth, the lack of meat, missing organs, and the brutality," she shook her head while keeping a small smile. "Only he could have done this. And now, I'm much more closer to finding him than I ever have. Guard, with me, we need to check into an inn so we can rest."

The guard saluted before following her.

They left the crowd behind, even to the point where Crimson couldn't hear them anymore. Stopping, she saw a nearby local looking at her. As she looked at him, he turned away. She began to go towards him, he merely kept walking as if nothing was happening, or about to happen.

"Excuse me, sir?" Crimson said making the stallion stop. "Do you know where I may find an inn to stay at?"

He was a light orange with a brown mane and bushy mustache. On his flank was a picture of a small cookie with orange marmalade coming out from a bite.

"U-Um, yes, of course," he replied. "Just down the street. Big Ben's inn. You can't miss it."

"Thank you," she said giving a smile. "You just saved me the trouble of searching for a few hours."

He gave a polite nod before continuing on his way. Crimson slowed down to a saunter and enjoyed the scenery as she went. Nodding to the locals as they passed and greeted her, she found herself in the front of the inn at no time.

Opening the door, she stepped into a well lit room with a scratchy carpet. Looking ahead, she saw an aged mare behind the desk, the mare in turn stared directly ahead at them with a small smile.

"Welcome to Big Ben's inn, I'm guessing you two would care for a room?" She asked reaching up with a shaking hoof to grab a key. "We get a lot of lovers during this time of the year. It's always nice to see such young love out and about."

"No ma'am," Crimson replied with a faint laugh. "He was sent to guard me, by orders of Princess Celestia. He's here to help me track down a ruthless murderer."

"Oh, well that's nice deary." The elderly pony said giving Crimson the key. "Now, be safe and wear a sweater when you go out, it gets chilly at night."

Nodding, Crimson and the guard went past. Spike returned a wave as she caught sight of him.

"What a nice old mare, don't you think Night-"

"And make sure to tear his head off when you catch him." She called out.

Spike shut up and spared one last glance at the smiling elder before Crimson began up a flight of stairs.