The Crystal Prophet

His mouth held the bucket of water while he had wild tomatoes in his pack. Hunter had many questions to ask when she woke. Questions such as What is your name? Are you really royalty? How did you end up here? Forgive me for shooting you?. He worried about whatever Scout was doing. He could be trying to calm her as shes rampaging in his camp! He shook the thought off as ridiculas. She had a deep wound on her hip, he doubts she could stand for long without applying pressure on it. Or rather stomp about. Celestia's sun rose higher as it slowly turns more vibrant and yellow. The morning wasn't pleasant today.  He had the weirdest dream yet, had a crick in his back for sleeping on a log, his nose was congested, and his eyes felt they were slightly burning from the lack of sleep.

Finally, he stepped into his camp to find Scout still perched above the alicorn. He screeched softly in greetings to his master. He glanced back at the mare for a second check. Hunter now witnessing the mare's appearance in daylight: she was gorgeous. His eyes dilated, and his stomach clenched. He had to remind himself not to stare or do anything coy. Why was it so hard to just replace the waterbag? Scout lifted himself from the branch and soared onto Hunter for an embrace. They both smiled in the comfort of their bonding. Nevertheless, he still had to replace the waterbag. Carefully, he switched off the water link of the mare's tube, so no air would enter her bloodstream while he worked. Once he finished, he looked upon the mare once more. She stirred awake and flitted her eyes slowly as she caught him staring.

*How long have you been there?* he heard a distant but sweet voice in his head. He recoiled at the sudden voice, not knowing whether it was his mind or some conscience talking to him. He gave a dumbfounded look at the mare, causing her to roll her eyes. *Im talking to you.* she raised an eyebrow. Hunter looked around to see if something or somepony else was there. Could it possibly be?

"Did you speak through our own minds?" he asked with a withering voice. If she did respond to it, he still wouldn't believe her.

*It is how I communicate with my subjects, fair Hunter. As you may realize, I cannot speak.* She knows my name!He shivered. His mind was in a dump. How could she have known he asked himself. Again she rolled her eyes, *Its called telepathy, magic of the mind as I like to call it. I can do more than just plant voices in your head.* she smirked.

On the brink of losing his sanity, he decided to play along,

"So... before I ask anymore questions, do you have a name?"

*I am called Terra.* she meant to say: Of course I do! Do you think I am a dumb-feathered mare?!

"Alright," he started, "how are you feeling?"

*Numb at the hips,* she notices the anxiety in her stomach, *and ready for breakfast.*

He nodded and ushered the food in his pack to Scout. He gave a short screech and flew away with the satchel.

"He's a clever bird, he'll get it ready soon enough." he turned his attention back to Terra, "Can you lift your hooves?"

With doubt, she pulled them out from the covers. From his observation, he nodded in confirmation.

"Once its noon, you can get moving on your hooves again." he smiled, "In the meantime, you'll stay here with Scout--"

*Scout? The phoenix?* she interrupted,

"Yea, so I can fetch us lunch and dinner for today and tomorrow." he prodded his chin," Or perhaps a week if Im lucky enough."

Scout returned with a bowl of simmering stew, just as Hunter promised. He set it down beside his master and hopped onto his back. He lifted his chin up in pride for making another fine bowl of tomato and celery stew. Terra loosened the covers so she can sit up in her bed. She grasped the bowl with saying thanks to both Hunter and his companion. The warmth it gave off relaxed her. It smelled decent. She was surprised such a bird with cooking abilities can do well. Certainly her first time of seeing the likes of Scout. She used her magic to cool down the stew and gracefully lifted it to her muzzle. Her eye caught them looking at her while she was eating. It made her awkward. Hunter noticing her gaze, he realize that he was staring. He excuses himself and ushers Scout to follow. They got their share of the stew as well but ate it beside the small campfire. Terra enjoyed hers as well.

He returned to bombard her with more questions,

"As an alicorn, does that mean you're royalty? Do you forgive me for shootin' ya? How was the stew? Are you comfortable right now?"

*Not JUST because im an alicorn but I am still royalty, in sure time, excellent, no: you make everything awkward.*

"Alright," he lowered his eyes, "Probably the last one for now: What were you doing around here?"

She took a moment before she replied, *I'll tell you later. But I do want to give you the same question.*

He also took a moment before he replied, "I used to be part of the Elite Royal guards in Canterlot, until I was framed by a...Dragon. So I was tried guilty and sent to the Everfree--"

*For threatening the kingdom and apparently responsible for the wreckage of what used to be Trottingham (old). I witnessed the trial.*

"Yea, so with rather nothing to do, I bettered myself by conserving the balance here and beyond the Everfree. We're at the south-edge."

*So you promoted yourself as a Ranger of the Everfree.*

"Likewise." he looked at the sun now towering above him. "Time to go, i'll be back soon. If I don't, tell Scout not to come after me." he left and picked up his bow and arrows by his log. He expects me to know how to speak Phoenix?! she whined.

Now the evening, Terra felt too lazy to stand and walk about. She recently had to hold Scout down from chasing after his master. He promised to be back before the sun neared the other horizon, but now it is slowly setting. She grew worry just as much as Scout has. Worst-scenarios came into her mind. He could be attacked in the forest without Scout, he may have gotten lost--but she doubted that-- or Celestia finally finding Terra here. She couldn't go back now... she wasn't prepared for it.

Suddenly, she hears a rustle at the other side of the camp. He emerges from the bush that blocked her view. he wore a smile as Scout swooped down on him for an embrace. He squawked in glee. In her mind, Terra did too.

Behind him, he heaved a sack. He revealed it to them; there were potatoes, tomatoes, and even some exotic fruit they don't recognize! He wore a proud expression, it was indeed a very good scavenge. Scout patted Hunter on the back showing his gratitude. This may last them a month! He closed it up to safely haul the food to their storage sack.

He brought herbs and seeds as well.

*Where did you get all this?!* said Terra,

"Well the fruits, I found them deep in the forest where it changed from tall trees, to the tropical! These things sprouted everywhere! The seeds and herbs I found on my way there and back. Just a lucky day."

She nodded and offered a helping hoof with the cooking. He denied and instead, gestured her to Scout: he was the real chef. She anticipated to witness the phoenix at work. He started off grasping a lime and an orange and squeeze them into a small bowl. He then swiftly flew over a pile of logs which automatically ignited. He swerved back and to storage sack to pull out a full loaf of bread. Terra started on the citrus sauce that he was planning to make. She added pepper and a couple of parsley. Before she did anything else, Scout came in and pulled the bowl away from Terra. He screeched, sounded angry, so Terra crossed her fore-legs and pouted. He sniffed the bowl and recoiled, obviously didn't approve of her additions.

Hunter smiled at the childish scene and invited Terra over to help him tend the fire.

"He gets cocky when it comes to cooking. Wouldn't even let me near the pans." he smiled, they poked at the fire for some moments. Hunter then got up re-positioned the logs so a pot can fit in the middle. Just in time, Scout carried in a medium sized pot filled with tomato slices, carrots, and avocado drizzled with the citrus sauce. He let the pot simmer on the fire, and perched on Hunter's back.

*Are you still curious about me?* she spoke-- thought.

"About what?" he replied,

*About why Im here.*

His eyes widened at his realization. Then nodded for her to continue.

*Well as you know, I am related to royalty. In fact, Celestia raised me. She always treated me dearly and I trusted her decisions and such. Not so long ago when my wings appeared, along with my cutiemark, she insisted that I take on royal duties.* her eyes turned sorrow, *She didn't want to tell me how she found me as a filly, and I respected that-- although I grew very curious about it.  Anyways, one day she announces that I learn more strenuous duties such as judgement and diplomacy. She took me with her each time.*

Scout squawked signalling that the food was ready. So Hunter nodded and fetched some bowls. He returned with spoons and 3 bowls. He scooped up the simmering stew in the pot and filled each individual bowl. He passed them along the group and quietly ate. Terra continued on.

*So on my first day to judgement, it just happened to be your case. The whole dragon-frame. When you finished, I sought out mercy for you, but Celestia thought otherwise. I pleaded her to just serve you to community service. But she gave me the coldest glare and said I was unfit for justice. It broke my spirit, i'll admit, but I still understood. But the very next day...* she clenched her eyes, forcing a tear to run down, *A very dear childhood friend of mine came to the city, his name is ShaningHand. He too was branch of royalty. But he didn't come for a visit, his father and Celestia met for a serious meeting apparantly.*

She looked up at Hunter with pained eyes, *They wanted to arrange my marriage with him.* Hunter gasped,

"What in the world for?" he asked,

*To combine our kingdoms, and Celestia mentioned that it was much more than that. That was all she ever told me about it. Shaning didn't agree either, so we tried many ways to get out of it. But failed. Eventually it came to the point one of us had to run away...*

"I see... then the rest was what happened out here?"

She nodded, *No doubt she'll find me soon.*

They sat through the rest of their meal in silence. Hunter finally broke the silence.

"Do you plan on going back?"

She took a long moment to collect her thoughts, *Only until something saves me.* she stood and headed for her spot on the bed, *Or until they catch me. Goodnight Hunter.*

He kept staring at her, bewildered, until she laid her head on the pillow.

"Goodnight Terra..."