Author's Note: Again this is just a side story, the grammar may be poor as well as some of the descriptions. I apologize.
The sun had raised high above the trees, slowly heating the earth to ungodly temperatures. Freyr was enjoying the heat against his scales but Diem was having trouble. The heat made his wounds unbearable and some even began bleeding again. The unicorn finally couldn’t move any longer and collapsed on the trail. The pair had journeyed into a deep forest with long, soft grass. Freyr stopped as his companion fell. He opened a wing and held it over the small unicorn, creating shade until he could survey the land for a suitable place to rest. They had been following the stream, which had now turned into a small river, and larger trees were able to grow along its quiet banks. A willow tree stood close to the bank with its thick branches arching over the river. Freyr nudged Diem gently with his muzzle.
“Come little pony, you can make it a few more feet.” Freyr said. Diem Groaned and forced himself to his hooves.
Using his tail, Freyr kept Diem steady as they made their way into the shelter of the Willow tree. It was cool under the cascading branches, a family of swallows had made their nests in the trunk of the tree and they were not enjoying their visitors. Freyr’s dragon-like appearance would make any woodland creature uneasy but Freyr had his mind on other things. Diem was hurting badly and losing blood at an alarming rate. One of the challenges of being a wyvern is the lack of hands. He clumsily tried using his wings to scoop up water for Diem but while his wings held a lot of water, they were pretty much his balance so he kept falling over. He finally gave up that idea and exited their natural hide out to find something suitable to hold water with. He walked up to a nearby redwood tree and used his large claw to rip off a sizeable portion of the bark. The shape and power of his leg curved the piece a bit into a bowl like shape. It took a little to make sure it didn’t break but once he finally got the bark off. He picked up his creation in his mouth and carried it back over to the river, filling it up with water and carefully dragging it back to Diem. The bark was about half Diem’s size and slowly losing water considering it wasn’t a perfect bowl. Diem forced himself to drink what he could while Freyr gathered large leaves from various trees and brush, which he used to bandage Diem’s wounds. It was a clumsy fix but it was best he could do.
“Your wounds are severe. We would do better to be in a town.” Freyr said, squatting down like a roosting bird.
“Do you know of one nearby?” Diem asked weakly.
“Sadly, no. I have not been this far west before. I do, however, know that Minitors roam these lands. They’re brutal creatures but friendly enough.” Freyr replied.
“Well…if anything…you can always…scare them…into letting us in…” Diem said between pain filled breaths. He managed a small chuckle and Freyr smiled slightly, showing his large fangs.
“Well at least your spirits haven’t fallen.” He said then his smile faded. “Diem, you do realize that this journey could be the last you ever have.” Freyr said as he looked over his friends’ wounds.
“Yes Freyr, I know. I owe this to my family though.” Diem said. Freyr tilted his head.
“What do you mean?” he asked, laying down on his chest to listen closer to the pony.
“When the Chimeras captured me, they took my family as well. We lived simple lives in a forest far from here. My mother used her unicorn powers to make pottery that we sold in a nearby town. My father worked at the general store the mayor owned and my older brother and I worked at the flour mill. We got measly salaries but we managed. That’s when they came… “ Diem said and slammed his hoof into the ground.
“The Chimeras and their hoard of Griffins attacked our town. My brother and I were working in the mill when we heard screams coming from town. We rushed out to see what was going on but half the town was already on fire and ponies were running around, trying to escape. We rushed out to find our parents but it was already too late; my mother was buried under a pile of her wares and my father had died beside her. My brother and I tried our best to fight the plunderers off but I was captured. Just as I was taken off the ground by a Griffin I saw another Griffin land on top of my brother and stab him in the chest with one of their claws. “Diem paused from his story to fight back tears that threatened to burst from his face. Freyr waited patiently for the unicorn to continue.
“That’s when I was taken to the arena. I spent five years in that hell hole… I owe it to my family to get to Equestria, to find a land where I can be free, and some day, I’ll take my revenge.” Diem said. His eyes grew dark as his anger welled within him.
“Revenge will get you nowhere Diem.” Freyr said.
“It’ll give me peace.” Diem replied and laid his head down to rest.
“You make think so young unicorn. Perhaps Equestria will decide otherwise.” Freyr said to himself and moved away from Diem to let him rest in peace.
As night fell, Diem woke to the sound of an owl grabbing a rodent nearby. Freyr was gone and the darkness had taken over. Made himself as small as possible to avoid any predatory eyes that might be looking for a small pony to munch on. A twig snapped. He whirled his head around trying to see through the darkness. A pair of bright yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness. Diem stood and kept his horn pointed towards the eyes, he casted a light spell, which made a dim light that only illuminated five feet in front of him. The eyes came closer and a claw stepped into the light. Then, the dragon like jaw and wings came into view, and finally Frayr walked into the light.
“Calm down Diem, it’s only me.” Freyr said with a soft chuckle. Diem sighed and fell back onto the ground.
“Sorry Freyr, I’m not use to living in a forest, so anything freaks me out.” Diem said.
“I understand. Have you eaten anything?” Freyr asked. Diem nodded.
“Here and there yes” He looked up at his companion then looked away. “Seems you have as well.” He said indicating the blood stain on Freyr’s lips. Freyr licked the blood away quickly.
The pair stayed awake for a few hours, simply staring into the darkness. They stared at what they felt was the river, both contemplating their journey so far. Diem’s wounds healed over and he forced himself to eat more of the grass while they listened to the sounds of the evening. Diem kept the light spell going so they could ward off any unwanted visitors.
“Freyr, You never mention your family or anything.” Diem said finally.
“Wyverns live in packs but we don’t have hard family ties. Our mothers lay their eggs and move on. When we hatch, we may end up in the same flock or possibly not so we don’t worry too much about family. I myself lived in a flock with no blood relatives of my own.” Freyr said, scratching the back of his neck. Diem nodded, and remained quiet for a while longer. He finally spoke again after what seemed to be hours.
“Freyr, If I should fall during our travels…I give you my flesh to consume.” Diem said. Freyr didn’t respond, and didn’t speak again for the rest of the night.