CHAPTER 2
Strange Tidings
After parting ways with River, I quickly made my way home, walking the same path as I did every day, but as I walked, I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in the back of my head. What River and I heard from those older stallion’s, about imperial troops coming to Ashen, something that rarely ever happened, could only mean one thing, that trouble was headed our way.
As I continued on the path home, despite walking along a mostly abandoned street, I had the strangest feeling I was being watched, but as I looked up and scanned my surroundings, I couldn't see anypony. Just as I was to turn around, I heard the flapping of wings; I looked up to see the town’s mail mare, land in front of me, and her usual friendly smile plastered on her face, I smiled as she landed. “Hey Frost, haven’t seen you in a while, been working hard?” she asked, I chuckled lightly and nodded, “hey Vapor, yeah, but luckily for me, mom’s thinking of getting a side job, just to bring a little more money, but no luck so far” I said as we walked together, something that I always greatly appreciated.
“Yeah, I know how hard it is, it’s amazing that I still have my job, considering that we never get that much mail now, anyway, how’s things with you?” she asked as we turned on to another street and made our way down. I smiled and looked up, “well…things are good, you know, your father is keeping me busy, but it’s good work, pay’s well enough” I said and we both laughed, “yeah well, if there’s one thing my dad’s good at, it’s keeping ponies busy, oh hey! Did you hear about the imperial soldiers that will be here tomorrow, it’s all over town” she said in a more excited voice. That was strange, if it’s the talk of the town, then how have I not heard about it.
As if she read my mind, she spoke up, “well, whatever it is, it can’t be good, but let’s just hope they get what they want and leave without any trouble, I don’t know…it just seems that our town never catches a break…ever since the mine incident…” she stopped and looked at me, she noticed I had a sad look in my eyes, even before I did. “Oh…Frost I’m sorry, I…I didn't mean to bring up your father” she said in an apologetic tone. I looked at her and did my best to smile, “no…it’s fine, just…I’m more worried about our mom than anything else…even after all this time, and she still never fully recovered” I said as the sun started it’s slow descent towards the horizon.
After a moment of silence, I spoke up again, “anyway, did you have something for me, we don’t see each other much, so I assumed…” I said, and her face lit up again, “oh! That’s right, I have a letter and a package for you, not sure from whom, they didn't specify, but they claimed it was urgent, said it was for you, and you alone” she said reaching into her mail bag, and fetching out a small wrapped bundle, held closed by a simple string, with a letter on top. I quickly took it and examined it, “hmm, that’s weird, I rarely ever get letter’s, especially from ponies I don’t know” I said, and she gave out a quick chuckle.
“yeah well, he was pretty fixated on getting this to you, didn't say what it was or anything, just dropped it off with the instructions, and then left, really strange guy, he was an older stallion, dressed in a suit, maybe he came from one of the big cities, but this town’s full of weird ponies” she said and we both chuckled, “well, I have to get going, finish my rounds, see ya later frost” she said, I said goodbye as well, and with a quick flap of her wings, she was off.
I watched her go for a minute, then quickly looked back down at the small package, using my magic, I quickly took off the letter and unfolded it, it was written in simple lettering, nothing to suggest that there was anything special about it, quickly opening the letter, I started reading:
Dear Frost Fall,
You may not know who I am, but I have been watching you for a long time now, and I have sent you a little gift.
The gift is unusual and unique in nature, but I sent it to you, because I think you are the only one who can keep it safe, from those who would rather keep it for their own selfish purposes.
You may be asking yourself, why did you receive it? But that is not something I can explain now, but I will in time. For now, you must watch over it, show it to nopony, and guard it well, in time, I shall explain everything, but you must be cautious, there is trouble headed your way, and you must be careful, with whom you trust.
Sincerely,
A Friend
More than confused, I reread the letter multiple time’s, trying to fully understand it, but I couldn't figure out who this pony was, or what he meant. “A Friend? That’s weird” I said to myself, as I tucked the letter in my bag, and began undoing the string with my magic, once it was fully undone, I slowly and cautiously unwrapped the rag, and as I was about to unfold that last flap, I heard my name being called out. “Frost! There you are, I thought you said you were going to pick me up, I was waiting for an hour” I heard a much younger voice call out. The voice nearly making me jump out of my coat, after calming down, I turned to see my younger sister, walk up to me, with an angry expression on her face.
I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to say, but forgot as she noticed the covered object in my hoof, “what’s that?” she asked gesturing to my hoof, I shook off my shock, and looked at it, “this? Oh, it’s nothing, sorry for not picking you up, Mr. Could had me do some extra work, but I got the groceries’ mom asked for, so let’s head home” I said with a smile, as I walked past her, the entire time she regarded me with suspicious eye’s, but she quickly caught up, and we walked home together.
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After returning to our house, I quickly went into the kitchen, an dropped off the groceries I had picked up, my mom quickly smiled at me, “oh wow, you got more than I thought you would, what happened?” she asked as I took off my bag and coat, and hung them up. “Oh that, well…Mr. Cloud gave me a little raise, you know how he likes to help us out when he can” I said as I helped sort the food out, she smiled and sighed, “well that’s very nice of him, he’s such a sweet stallion, anyway, get upstairs and wash up, I’ll have dinner going soon” she said, and Misty and I raced upstairs, with me taking a turn into our bedroom, where I placed my bag on the bed, giving a quick glance behind me, to make sure neither of them were watching, I opened my bag, and took out the folded rag.
Just as I did earlier, I carefully unfolded it until it was at its last fold, I hesitated for a moment, not entirely understanding the reason why, but I slowly removed it. Much to my surprise, in my hoof was a medium-sized medallion, one that could easily hang around my neck, the medallion was made of pure gold, but that was not the reason for my interest, the engraving on the medallion was the most interesting bit.
There was the smallest layer of dust on it, so I couldn't fully make it out, but it appeared to be four regal ponies, all facing away from each other, even though I knew little of old equestrian history, but the four ponies seemed to be the four alicorn princess’s that once watched over us, but such a thing was impossible, all old world treasure’s were taken and stored away, and those who were found with them, were taken to prison, or thrown into the mines to work.
Trying to make out the engraving better, I slowly brushed the layer of dust away, but just as my hoof touched it, I felt a strong force, come from it, as a strong chill passed down my spine, and as if things couldn't get more strange, there was a muti-colored shine that emanated from it, but in the briefest flash, it was gone. I stood there for a minute, trying to process what just happened, I heard my mother call out, “Frost! Time for dinner” she shouted up the stairs, shaking myself out of my state, I ran to the door, “I’ll be right down!” I shouted back, and ran back to the bed, examining it one more time, I folded the strange medallion back up in the rag, and sneakily hid it under my pillow quickly, before I made my way downstairs.
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After eating dinner, through which I had remained mostly silent, knowing that my mind was still contemplating, the strange letter and gift I received. Dinner ended as it usually did, with Misty and I splitting the dishes’, as we washed, I could hear misty talking, but my mind wasn't registering what she said, my thought kept floating back to that the medallion, and that strange glow it gave off once I touched it, but I was suddenly pulled from my thought, “hey!” my sister said as she jabbed my in the shoulder, I winced and rubbed the spot where she hit, turning to her with an annoyed look, “what’s with you? You've been so distant all night, everything okay?” she asked, her face going to anger, to concern.
I rubbed the spot and turned back to the dishes’, “yeah, I’m fine, just worked longer than usual, I’ll be fine, just need some sleep” I said as I finished my side of the sink, and wiped my hooves dry, she still gave me that suspicious look, but sighed, “well, I can handle the rest of the dishes, you go to bed” she said, I turned to her with a confused look, “you sure?” I asked her, she smiled slyly, and continued cleaning, “maybe, if you promise to pick me up from school tomorrow, like you were supposed to today” she said with a mischievous grin, I couldn't help but smile back, as I began walking away, “deal” I said and made my way upstairs.
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Another hour into the night, and I couldn't help but stay awake, I lay on my back staring at the ceiling, the shadows from the tree’s outside, made the branches’ look like evil claws, but nothing happened. My sister was fast asleep beside me, turned on her side, back faced towards me, without even knowing it, my hoof reached under my pillow and took out the medallion and brought it close. As my hoof slowly caressed it’s surface, my mind wandered back to the letter, and quickly brought it out and read it again, “…there is trouble headed your way, and you must be careful with whom you trust.” I said in my mind. If there was one thing that I knew for certain, was that I always could tell what was going to happen in my life, most of the time it turns out to be the same thing every day, but now, I was at a loss. I knew there was only one pony I could talk to about this.
As quietly as I possibly could, I slowly climbed out of bed, making sure not to let the bed springs creek under the pressure, as I stood up, I slowly made my way to the door, making sure not to wake my sister, and I quickly closed the door, and made my way downstairs.
Making extra sure not to wake our mother in the downstairs bedroom, I grabbed my coat and pulled it on, tucking the wrapped medallion, into my coat, I quickly left the house, into the cold dark night.
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Despite not having much in the way of modern technology, Ashen was gifted for having good electricity, and lamp posts had been installed to keep the streets light, for those few ponies that went out about their night-time business. Even though few ponies were out at this point, I managed to make my way across town, without being questioned, even though I could tell some ponies were giving me suspicious looks.
After making my way passed town square, I found myself in the wealthier part of town, which hardly differed from the rest, aside from the nicely built brick house’s, and brick road, indicating that that was the point where the town had started, and spread out from there, without the fancier part.
As I walked along the streets, I watched as some of the lights slowly flickered as I passed them, as I did, a cold chill passed over me, instead of looking around, I pulled the coat over me further, and quickened my pace.
After walking along the street for awhile, I came across one of the fancier houses in town, Mayor Blue’s house, he had been the mayor of Ashen for twenty years now, but after his wife died of sickness, it was just him and River now. As usual, there were still some lights on, one being the upstairs room, I took a deep breath and made my way to the back of the house, where I could see the window closer.
Normally, this was something I would never think of doing, but I really had to talk to River. I calmly levitated a small rock up and quickly flicked it at her window, letting out a small tap sound, at first nopony came to the window, but with another flick of a pebble, River appeared in the window and looked out, trying to find the source of the noise.
When she finally looked down, I saw her eyes widen in shock, I made a simple wave of my hoof as she opened the window and leaned out. “Frost? What are you doing here, it’s late and cold” she said, quiet enough so that we could hear each other, but nopony else could. I simply smiled and chuckled, “oh I’m fine, I came to talk, I need some advice on something” I said back up. She sighed and leaned against the window sill, her eyes filled with an exasperated look, “can’t this wait until tomorrow, you know you’re not supposed to be here?” she asked, I smiled and shook my head, “yes I know, but would I be here if it wasn't important?” I asked her, she frowned slightly and just stared at me, looking me over, and I could tell that she was deciding rather to ignore me or talk to me. With one quick move, she said “fine!” and closed the window and disappeared.
A few quick minutes later, I heard the garage door open and she popped her head out, “in here” she said quietly, and I moved in, desperate to get out of the cold, as she pulled me in, I shook the cold off me, as the heated room, filled me up, I turned to River and saw the expectant look in her eyes.
“okay so, after we split ways, I met up with Vapor, we talked for a bit, and she gave me a package from this mysterious pony, whom I've most likely never met, stating that I was to keep it and watch over it, and when I opened it, this is what I got” I said reaching into my coat, and pulling the wrapped medallion out, and showing it to her. When her eyes fell on it, I immediately saw them widen in shock, as she looked up from me, back to the medallion, and then back to me.
“Frost… what is this?” she asked me, we both turned and examined it, “I’m not entirely sure, here, take a look at this” I said giving her the letter, she levitated it and read it, as she did, I could see her expression change many times, from fear, to shock, to concern, she quickly gave the letter back, and turned to me. “Frost, I’m not entirely sure who gave this to you, but you can’t keep it, it’s definitely old equestrian treasure, and you know what will happen if the soldiers catch you with this” she said in an urgent tone, I frowned and sighed heavily, turning to meet her gaze. “Well, what do you expect me to do? I can’t just send it back, I don’t even know who sent it to me” I said back, she frowned again, as she turned away momentarily, I could tell based on her facial expression, that she was deep in thought.
A minute passed before she turned to me again, “well…you said you got it from Vapor, just go back to the post office, and give it to her, she must have some kind return address or something” she said in a calm, yet concerned tone. I sighed again and looked away, “I don’t know River” I said as I looked around, trying to find anything, that wouldn't have to make me look at her. I suddenly felt her hoof bring my face to look into her eyes, “Frost, whatever you do, you have to promise me, that you won’t keep that thing, I care what you do, but think of your family, what would happen to them if you got arrested, tell me?” she said giving me an expectant look.
The one thing I always prized myself on was my ability to always know what to say, but now, I was at a loss, and River always knew how to corner me. After a few minutes, I gave a heavy sigh, and looked into her eyes, “alright River, I’ll stop by the post office tomorrow, on my way to work, I should get going” I said making my way to the door, even though I couldn't see behind me, I could tell River was watching me, pulling the coat over my shoulders again, I opened the door, but not before turning my head back, “goodnight River, see you tomorrow” I said before walking back out into the cold night.