//------------------------------//
// Per trovare un luogo di pace 
// Story: Verità Camminatore 
// by Mr Foster 
//------------------------------//

So here I was, standing in front of the powerful princess Celestia, shackled up by her guards, with a sword to my throat

You know, it’s times like these I like to reminisce about happier times. That is, if there were happier times. I had never had a happier moment in my life that right now. Finally, somepony was going to end my wretched life. It was my lucky day.



I had grown up in poverty. After my brother had died on Cloudsdale, my parents fell into a deep despair. My father stopped working, my mother killed herself. So instead of sulking in my own despair, I took the path of the killer of my brother. He had left to live in Canterlot with the Princess, so I decided to follow him.

Trying to get off cloudsdale was challenging for a wingless Pegasus. It took about a month to pickpocket enough coins to get enough money for a chariot ride. But it was worth it. I left to Canterlot, hoping I could get an immediate audience with the Princess. How arrogant I was back then. I demanded an audience, and was just laughed at. I probably looked really stupid, a small, wingless Pegasus, screaming at humongous guards to let me see the princess.

Then, I did something I would really regret. 

I lunged at the largest of the guards. And hit him in the eye. Sure, I knew it would hurt him. But I didn’t realize It would break open, and give my hoof a straight shot to his brain.

Well, that’s how it went down. I tore his eye open, and then turned his brain to mush. 

And I regretted that too.

The Guards immediately reacted, hitting me with their hooves, slashing me with their swords. In a matter of seconds, I was a broken filly. The guards, assuming I was dead, picked me up, took me to the edge of the canterlot, which was a cliff overlooking the Everfree forest, and dropped me. I fell to what I thought was my imminent death, but instead landed in a lake. Sure, it was still a hard landing, but Pegasi are known to have stronger bones than other pony species, so I was pretty much no more damaged then I already was.

In the end, I pulled myself out of the lake, realizing all my hopes and dreams of becoming one of the Princess’ apprentices, were crushed. I walked- or limped, whichever you prefer- into the forest, intent on finding a place to curl up and die.


Instead, after about an hour of walking, I found a massive castle. It was gutted out, just ruins, but there were still parts of it that were intact. Lights pushed through the dusty glass in the mess hall; the tower was lit up with a bluish-green glow. There were ponies there, so I thought I might play my hand with them.

I walked up to the massive double doors that opened to the castle, and knocked on them. I put on my best pathetic face, and waited. I heard the sounds of conversation of stop, and quiet whispers replaced them.

“Who goes there!” I heard a booming, colt voice yell through the doors.

“Please, sir, help me. I’m lost, and hurt.” I said meekly.

“I asked, WHO GOES THERE?!” Said the booming voice, and I whimpered.

“Angel, of Cloudsdale… I’m just a filly, sir, please!” I said, and I heard gasps.

“A filly? Come in, come in!” Said the voice, as he opened the door. The mess hall was magnificent, the carpet lined with gold, tables of hot food, and tons of ponies.

“Sweet Celestia! You’re wounded!” Said the Colt who had let me in. He was very large, and a shade of light blue. He was wearing a blood red cloak, which was lined with belts and buckles. On the belts were many different weapons. Swords, throwing knives, axes, and on his wrist, a weird looking gauntlet.

“Doctor! We need immediate attention on this poor filly!” Shouted the Colt. I looked around, and I saw all the other ponies were dressed in similar fasions, just different colors.

“Where am I?” I asked, looking around.

“We’ll answer that later. You need some medical attention, now!” Said the Colt, as a small griffon rushed over with a stretcher. The colt picked me up, and put me on the stretcher, and patted the griffon on the back. The griffon put the stretcher on his back, and hoisted me off to the infirmary. I didn’t realize how badly I was wounded, until I started to pass out from blood loss.


I woke up three days later, all sewn up, and feeling much better.

“Feeling better, I hope?” Said a voice. I turned in my bed, looking around the stone room. There was a small window in the corner, which illuminated the small area, making it easy to spot everything in the room. In the corner, sat an old looking Unicorn, dressed in dark, black robes. He had the same gauntlet as the rest of them did, but besides that, he looked totally different.

“Yes. Much better. Where am I?” I asked once again, and the Unicorn stood up.

“You are at the House of Libertà. Deep in the Everfree.” Said the Unicorn, walking up to me.

“Who are you, and who are those people who greeted me?” I asked. I was certainly dumbfounded that they just didn’t let me die, instead of wasting medical supplies. I had probably come across some type of nightmare moon cult or something, but a name for their worship ground like House of Libertà? It didn’t seem likely.

“I am Veglia Cuore, and I am the leader of this cell of the creed.” He said, and I tilted my head in confusion. He sighed.

“You have probably never heard of us. Don’t worry, young one, you will learn in all good time, that is, if you choose to stay with us.” He said, looking into my eyes. He was very elderly, his coat a vibrant white, and his mane a sad looking gray. His eyes were cloudy yellow, and he had many scars across his nose.

“What do you mean? I’m welcome here?” I asked, and Vegilia nodded, giving me a gentle smile.

“This place is welcome to anyone with an open mind, and a free spirit. A place where ponies come to, for refuge from the evil world. I sense that you have come looking for refuge, have you not?” asked Vegilia, and I nodded.

“Well then, young one, if you wish to say, just say so. You are welcome with open hooves into the brotherhood, if you wish.” He said. I thought about it for a second.

What about padre? He will miss me. 

I shook the feeling off. I would return to him soon, someday. 

“I-I will give it a try.” I said, and Vegilia smiled.

“Molto bene! Very good. I will notify Rosso Aquila to start your training immediately. We also might want to get your wings replaced, shouldn’t we?” he asked, and I opened my mouth in awe. 

“Really?” I asked, and her nodded.

“The brotherhood takes care of its members. And the way I see it, you are part of it, apprendista.” He said, and I smiled.

I finally had a home.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Translations:
Per trovare un luogo di pace: To find a place of peace
Libertà: Liberty
Veglia Cuore: Sleep heart (Play on words here.)
padre: Father
Molto bene: Very well.
apprendista: Apprentice.

Credit and shoutouts: Vadavyasa. 
Link to blog: Some fact's about Ombra Della Lama