The next day, the group still walked along the river. They had opted, due to the need for supplies, and the urging of Steven and Sugar, to stay close to the river. Both the serpent and the Black Knight had assured her that there was a nearby village.
“How else did you think I survived a thousand years in this damnable play?” The Black Knight stated.
“Well, foraging comes to mind.” Chrysalis pointed out.
The Black Knight scoffed and placed a hoof on its chest. “The Black Knight does not scrounge. Maybe a wench such as yourself does so to get by, but not I.”
“Why do you insist on calling me a wench?” Chrysalis swiped some of her gloriously ‘changed, mane back. “I am a lady and I wish to be addressed as such. So you can call me Miss, or Miss Rove, or preferably My Queen.”
“Queen?” The Black Knight stated. “Really. Thou surely jests.”
“I do not jest about such things.” Chrysalis scowled.
The Black Knight scoffed. “Thine breeding is not one befit of a noble’s daughter, let alone a queen.”
Chrysalis was about to make a retort, when she remembered that she indeed impersonating somepony else.‘I can see where he’s coming from. Rove certainly wasn’t a pony of rich blood.’ “Fine. Think whatever you like. You’ll see once we reach our destination.”
“I sincerely doubt it.” The Black Knight said.
Chrysalis turned back to her wagon and trotted forth. She smiled wickedly.‘Oh, I sincerely doubt that your doubt is justified…Why can’t I think to myself normally anymore?’ Right as she about to hitch herself in, the Black Knight pushed her aside. She tripped and fell on her side. “What was that for?” She sent him a glare.
“You may be a wench, but as you said yourself, you are still a lady.” The Black Knight hitched himself up to the wagon. The harness was stretched outward, as it encompassed his girth. Thankfully, his massive sword, while sheathed on his side, did not hamper his attempt.
Chrysalis was a little taken aback. He was helping her and she hadn’t had to use any of her changeling magic to make him do so. She had to give this stallion credit. He at least had some redeeming qualities. ‘Besides a rather strong build.’ She thought. The queen had a soft spot for strong stallions. “Why, you are a gentlestallion. Isn’t he a gentlestallion, sweetie?”
“Yes, mommy.”
Chrysalis turned her head to see Sugar Rush in Steven’s grasp. He was fixing up her hair to look like his. Again. She sent him a withering glare, to which he smiled sheepishly and went to combing Sugar’s mane back down.
______________________________________________________________________________
The river-side town they had come across was primitive. Well, Chrysalis liked to think so. The buildings were small and made of sticks and stones. They were haphazardly scattered about, with only cobblestone pathways to connect them. The queen wondered how life had dragged her to this pigsty. The ponies themselves were just filthy. They wore rags and full body garments similar to styles from before the unification of the pony tribes. The group had split up, ‘thank Faust’, so they could gather the supplies faster. Unfortunately, Sugar had to come along.
“Mommy, why have you been so quiet?” The little filly asked. “You’re never quiet in a new place. Don’t you want to talk to the new ponies around here?”
“No, sweetie.” Chrysalis told her. She wanted Sugar to just stop asking questions, or stop talking entirely. She could swear that a catastrophic migraine would ensue if she were to hang around these buffoons for much longer. “I don’t want to talk to these ruffians. I sincerely doubt anyone who smells like filth is worth talking too.”
“Oh,” Sugar said. “Okay.”
The two went on for a quite a while in silence.‘Thank Faust.’ Unfortunately, this little spit did nothing to still her frustration. ‘We’ve searched this town from top to bottom. Surely they must have something of importance.’
“Mommy.”
“Yes sweetie.” Chrysalis said.
“How about there?” Sugar pointed to an old shop. “There could be some good stuff.”
Chrysalis was about to say no, and lead the filly elsewhere, when she caught herself. The aura surrounding the building was intense. Now, with every being or artifact, of magical or living origins, they contain a certain aura about them. The aura from the shop ranged immensely. She smiled and nuzzled the filly. “Good work, my daughter.” Sugar smiled brightly, obviously pleased with herself.
The duo then trotted inside. The store’s atmosphere was not surprising. Old and worn down, it was the stereotypical old, artifact shop. One could see a wide arrangement of trinkets and artifacts. She even spied a few weapons. “Hello!” Chrysalis called out. “Is anypony here?”
Nopony answered. The queen huffed. ‘How rude.’ She certainly could see why this place was such a dump. Lousy service! She took it upon herself to look around. None of the items presented really caught her eye, until one. A sword of unique design. The blade, which was curved like a samurai sword, was as black as her chitin. The handle was red and looked like it was made from dragon hide. There were no handle bars, indicating an equine creator. Since equines lacked fingers, handle bars were unneeded. And to top it off, there, in the middle, was an amber colored, dew shaped gem.
“Ah, you have a keen eye.” Chrysalis turned her head to see a grey, light blue maned stallion. He wore a cap she thought would fit more easily with in the eastern pony nations. He had a light brown shirt, a darker pair of pants, and a red scarf. A small set of spectacles did little to hid his golden eyes, which she could tell, were tempered with wisdom. “Todeshändler is a fine sword.”
“Indeed to it is.” Chrysalis returned her gaze to the sword. For some reason, it was as if it was calling to her. To make an analogue, it felt similar to when she fed off of Shining Armor’s love. It was so strong and powerful, she couldn’t help but keep her attention on it. “How much?” She asked without thinking. A part of her thought it was insane. She needed no weapon in combat. Her armor (which was back in her kingdom) and her teeth and hooves were enough. Not to mention, quick wit. A sword would just get in the way. But overall, she felt that longing sensation. She had to have this sword.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” The elder stallion said. “It’s not for sale.”
“What?” Chrysalis’s eyes narrowed.
“Todeshändler, while a fine sword, is far too dangerous. It has a dark history and has spilt far too much innocent blood. I will not make such a foolish decision as to let such a powerful artifact get out and about. A second time.” He muttered the last sentence to himself. Only thanks to Chrysalis’s superior hearing, did she catch it.
“I don’t think you heard me correctly.” Chrysalis turned to face him. A harsh unrelenting glare was set on her face, causing the stallion to flinch. “I want that sword.”
“I’m sorry.” He squeaked out. “It’s not for sale.”
Before Chrysalis could hound him some more, Sugar came up to her and tapped her rear leg. “Mommy, can I have this?” She held aloft a simple, thin, red necklace.
“No sweetie,” Chrysalis said, not turning to look at her. “Mommy’s busy.”
“But you promised I could pick out something when we came into town.”
Chrysalis was about to ask her what she was talking about, when she remembered Rove’s promise. She patted herself on the back for catching herself before she made another mistake around the filly. She sighed. “Fine.” She turned her head and took the necklace by magic and then turned to him. “How much?”
The stallion sighed in relief. He had managed to evade this frightening mare’s wrath. “Excellent choice, young filly. This here is…”
“I don’t want to know it’s history,” Chrysalis cut him off. She was already a little perturbed that she had to buy something for the small pony. “How much?”
“15 bits.”
Chrysalis used her magic to take them out of the saddle she was wearing. “Here.” She dropped them into his hoof. She then turned around and left. The stallion wasn’t going to give her the sword, so she kept reminding herself that she didn’t need it.”
He smiled. “Thank you,” He called out. “And come again.”
_______________________________________________________________________
Curio watched as the strange mare left his shop. “Thank goodness she’s gone.” He said, shivering. “Though, why do I feel like there was something wrong about her?” He then turned to the sword. “And why did she want you?” He puzzled and puzzled, until his puzzler was sore. He then sigh. "I guess I'll know when she comes back." How he knew that, he wasn't sure. But his instincts had always been spot on.
Just then, he heard somepony open the front door. “Why hello…” He stopped talking when he turned around to see the pony. His eyes went wide. “Impossible. This cannot be. Your kind were banished from this realm.”