A Tale of Blood and Ice.

"Aiden... we-where are they the-taking us?" Isabelle stuttered, looking Aiden in the eyes, her own filling with tears.

"I don't know and don't cry, it won't solve anything." He didn't like to be cold, but his training dictated that he would have to be.

They were currently travelling across the border of Equestria into Grythonia. The bumpy paths and uncomfortable wood made sleep all but impossible and the stares of fear that he recieved from the other occupants of the cart got tiring, real fast.

Aiden looked over to the other ponies in the cart and raised an eyebrow. There were several that were crowded together, huddled in fear.

"What's your names?" he asked, hoping for a proper reply, other than squeaking in fear. When no such luck appeared, he shook his head and turned back to Isabelle and said with a hint of sarcasm, "I thought you said it wouldn't take long to get to Appleloosa?"

"It wouldn't, there hasn't been a gryphon near appleloosa in years."

Aiden frowned. Not only did he manage to run into Isabelle, which in itself is a blessing, but he managed to get outwitted and captured by Gryphons.

Shaking his head at the situation, he knew he had to get out and possibly save the ponies, which for all he knew were innocent. Plus it would give brownie-points to whoever is the Lord of Appleloosa.

Feeling around, he felt the binds around his hands were a tiny bit loose. "Obviously tied for a pony..." Aiden thought as he wiggled his hands around, trying to find the perfect way to free them.

It wasn't helping that the cart was surrounded by three gryphon and their commander that were squawking to each other, giving Aiden a headache.

"and done..." Aiden slipped one hand out from the knot and quickly undid the other, clenching his hands to regain blood flow. He looked around for any signs that he could use to gain an advantage on the gryphon.

"Hey Isabelle, keep your head down, this will get messy..."

"What do you me-" she was interrupted by Aiden vaulting over the side of the cart and knocking over one of the gryphons.

He punched the one in the beak, cracking is slightly and smirking as he heard the howl of pain from his opponent. Crouching, Aiden reached out and ripped the gryphons' sword from it's sheath and jabbed him in the chest, breaking past the armor and feathers, staining the ground red.

The ponies in the carts gasped and huddled closer together out of shock. Aiden turned around and quickly blocked as his sword, now the commanders, cut downwards. He blocked it with the length of his short-sword and pushed it back.

"I want my sword, beast!" Aiden shouted, throwing a few short swings at the bird.

The commander backed off slightly and let his two subordinates take care of Aiden, expecting this to be a short fight.

The two other gryphons landed on either side of Aiden and slowly circled, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Aiden lowered himself slightly so he would be able to jump out of the way, if he'd need to.

The gryphons pounced and in one surprisingly graceful move landed where Aiden was. They looked confused for a second before realising he had jumped out of the way.

Aiden cut one of the gryphons down in a spray of blood as its head caved, covering the side of the cart in blood.

Isabelle looked up and screamed, "Aiden, behind you!"

He turned around just in time to see his sword swing down across his bare chest, slicing his flesh open. With an agonising scream, Aiden felt adrenaline flow, numbing the pain.

The commander looked confused as to why his opponent wasn't slain and went to attack again, but was stopped when Aiden parried the sword and kicked him in the face, shattering his beak.

"Mrr blrk!" The commander screamed, blood leaking out. He shouted some more in a language Aiden couldn't understand and tried to open his wings to fly off.

Aiden swung and separated the gryphons left wing from his body with a sickening "slick". Walking closer, he raised his sword up, utter a prayer and jammed thr sword into the gryphons chest, pinning it to the ground.

Turning to the last gryphon, Aiden picked up his old sword and made towards him. The gryphon himself looked quite small and it stood shaking. "If you go now, I won't hurt you."

"T-they will k-kill me..." The bird squawked, shaking even more.

"I assure you I'd do worse." Aiden left it at that and watched at the gryphon took off, gaining speed until he couldn't be seen.

With a sigh, Aiden walked around to the back of the cart and with a grunt of pain, he opened the door.

Undoing Isabelle's restraints, he fell to the floor in a heap. "Sorry Isabelle, looks like you're on your own."

"Don't say that, You can't die!" She had tears dropping down her face onto the floor. "You saved us all, you don't get to die!" Isabelle rushed over to the chest in the front of the cart and bucked it, smashing it open. He took some clothing and ripped it up, making a make-shift bandage and wrapped it around Aiders chest.

"Can somepony help!" She screamed, turning to the cowering group. The continued to shake together and at her outburst tried to make themselves smaller.

One lone Pegasus colt squeezed itself out of the bundle and scampered over. "Rain Drop, stay away!" his mother shouted, but he ignored her.

"What do I do?" he asked, looking down at the ever reddening shirt.

Isabelle looked at him for a few seconds and smiled, "Put pressure on his wound, don't stop even if he says it hurts."

Rain Drops did exactly that and winced as a spurt of blood passed his face.

Isabelle turned and jumped in the front of the carriage, then onto the ground. "Alright, time to get back home..." she said, hooking herself up to the harness. After a couple of minutes, she felt comfortable enough to take the long trip back To Appleloosa.

She pulled herself forwards and slowly turned the cart around. It took longer than she would have liked because only she was pulling, but eventually they were on their way.

~~~

Aiden groaned, his chest feeling like it was on fire. He felt around for something to know where he was and found he was laying on an extremely soft and comfortable bed.

"Hello?" he croaked out, his throat feeling like parched. Opening his eyes, they were blasted by the ceiling lights. Aiden covered his eyes and hissed in pain, "By the suns!"

His groaning subsided quickly as a set of clip-clops echoed into his hospital room from behind the door. Looking down the bed, through his hazy vision, he saw the door slowly opening and Isabelle hesitantly walk in.

Her eyes widened, "Oh you're awake!" She walked in, closing the door behind her and trotting over to the side of Aiden's bed. "How are you feeling?" She asked, jumping into a small stool.

"Horrible, I guess I'm a bit off..." he replied, before coughing violently.

"Oh, here!" Isabelle said, passing a glass of water over from the desk next to the bed. "drink it slow..."

Aiden reached up and took it, downing the whole glass, "Ahh, needed that. Thanks." The room quieted down for a few minutes before Isabelle spoke up.

"The ponies you saved are next door, if you're wondering?"

"They wern't hurt at all, were they?" he asked, reciving a shake of her head.

"No, none. One of the colts basically saved your life though." She smiled, "He stopped your bleeding so I could get us here!" Isabelle jumped up and held herself against the bed, "he was brave..."

"I'll want to thank him before I leave." Aiden thought for a moment, "I'm guessing we're in Appleloosa?"

"Yeah, this is the only room they have... It's basically an infirmary, but for you, they used everything they had." She grinned, "You're a hero!"

Aiden blushed, "No, I'm not. I'm a guard, which has to get home." Breathing deeply, he leaned forwards and tensed himself for the pain but was pleasantly surprised when there were none. Reaching down, he pulled his makeshift gown away and sighed at the freshly made scar running across his chest. "How long was I asleep?" he asked, running a finger over the sensitive skin.

"Less than a week," Isabelle looked away, "we thought you wern't going to make it. The doctors used all of their magic and thankfully it was enough."

"They healed me... with magic?"

"Yup, everyday."

Aiden removed the covers and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, placing his feet onto the cold floor. He leaned forwards and rose to his full height.

Stretching, he looked around his room for his gear.

"What're you doing?" Isabelle asked, jumping off the stool and wandering over, "I'm not not sure you're allowed out of bed yet."

"I've spent a week in bed and besides, I feel fine," he replied, walking over to the door. "You coming?" he asked, looking to Isabelle, "I need my stuff."

"We can see if you're alright on the way, I guess..."

"Good." Aiden opened the door and passed through into the corridor looking both ways, he saw the doctor's office and walked over to the door.

Knocking, he waited for a couple of seconds and opened the door, walking into a surprisingly spacious office. The Twilight sun lit the room with splashes of orange and red across the walls and shelves.

On the far side sat bookcases and various shelves of medical equipment and books. Sat next to them was a table where a small typewriter lay, with a scruffy and disgruntled unicorn sat typing.

"Fritter, I told you, I don't need more of your-" The unicorn was cut off as he turned around and saw Aiden standing in the doorway. "Oh you're awake... You're awake!"

Thr unicorn jumped out of his seat and rushed over to Aiden, pushing him out of of the room. Isabelle followed close behind but didn't say anything as she'd been on the short end of the pony's temper before.

"Hey watch it!"

"You shouldn't be awake, let alone walking about," the pony said, huffing in frustration. "But seeing as your ARE awake, we can do some tests."

Thr pony herded Aiden back into his room and he sat down next to Aiden, who sat in bed.

"I feel fine, doc."

Isabelle sat next to him and placed a hoof on Aiden's shoulder, "Just let him help..."

Aiden looked at her and sighed, "Fine. What do you need?"

The doctor smiled, his patient finally cooperating, "Finally, somepony with some sense." He leaned forwards and pointed his horn at the wound on Aiden's chest; a beam of magic shot out and poured over the scar.

Aiden grunted and squeezed the bed, his chest feeling like it was burning. "It'll be okay..." Isabelle whispered into his ear, "Only a bit more."

Aiden felt the magic stop and opened his eyes to see the doctor frown at him, "Well, I don't know how you did it, but you are indeed fine." He shook his head, "You are a very lucky... Human?" The doctor rolled the work off his tongue, not sure if he'd said it correctly.

"Thanks, I take it you were the one looking after me?" Aiden recieved a nod, "In that case, I am indebted to you." he stood up, scooted over and bowed. "If you ever need anything, ask."

"That's mighty fine of you, but knowing you're better is enough." The doctor rubbed the back of his head then jumped off his chair, "I'll just go get your stuff." The unicorn trotted out of the room and turned the corner.

Isabelle turned to Aiden and smiled, "I had a thought while you were recovering; we could ask the Princesses to help you."

"The princesses?"

"Yeah, Celestia and Luna!" Isabelle looked excited, "I've only seen them once, at the summer sun celebration, they were amazing!"

The next couple of minutes were of Isabelle explaining who the Princesses were and how they helped the balance and harmony of the land.

"I'm sure we can ask them, there's no harm and it's better than sitting around. if their as powerful as you say, they can get me home in a flash." Aiden's smile faded, "Nobody will know I'm gone."

"It's a short train ride from here to Ponyville, then onto Canterlot. Bit we don't have to leave the train-cart, so it's alright."

"Alright..."

The room was quiet until the doctors return broke the silence, "Well here we are, everything you had on you."

"Thank you, again." Aiden said, removing his gown as he started to put on his clothes.

"Don't mention it. Now, I have to do some work, I don't want to see either of you two again." The doctor turned around and left the two of them alone.

Aiden put on the last of his gear and turned to Isabelle, "Let's go and see the Princesses."