//------------------------------// // Chapter 28:They are here // Story: Hearthfire The Sands Of Time // by Predman1227 //------------------------------// Chapter 28:They are here (Theran Razorblade) Theran and Violet lay in bed together, their covers enveloping them in soft warmth. He lay on his back while Violet was snuggled up to his right side, hugging him tightly. She was fast asleep and she breathed softly on his chest. He stroked her clean mane softly as she slept, feeling the bond between them grow with each second. This was it, he was like a fish on a hook and there was no turning back. This realisation actually scared him. But he couldn’t help the happy feeling that grew in his chest but at the same time so did his worry. He wanted nothing more than to protected her now, to keep her safe. She was now important to him, her friendship, her love and how she could understand him. These feelings brought back so many memories of when he was with Ashtrid, all the wonderful things they did together. He was starting to understand what Violet was getting at, of how he can’t hide anymore. He had painful memories but he also had good ones, and now he had a chance to make some new memories, with Violet. He smiled to himself as he thought back to the first time he met Ashtrid, how he had been a foolish teenaged Merc that got drunk too much in his youth. That was until he met her, the Mare that set him straight. (Many centuries ago) Stumbling drunkenly through the streets of some gods forsaken village, young Theran Razorblade, fresh faced and irresponsible, swayed drunkenly from side to side as he aimlessly wondered the streets with a bottle in hoof. Ponies left and right dumped into the reckless youth making his cheap rusty steel plating jangly. He growled groggily at them but they ignored him. Nopony seemed bothered by him, actually it was as if he didn’t excited to them, just a worthless half breed that only brought shame to his family name for simply being alive. But he didn’t care cause nopony cared, not even his Mother cared if he lived or died cause he wasn’t her problem anymore. He bet if he were to drop right now, no pony would bat an eye at him. Not looking where he was going he stumbled right into a group of big mean looking Stallions. They turned and faced him. “What do we have here boys?” Said a big brown Earth pony in some flimsy looking chainmail. “A mistake of nature.” Theran gave him a cold glare with a scowl playing across his face. “The only mistake here *hick* mate, is you standing in my way.” Theran said in a low threatening tone. “Oh tough guy huh?” The Earth pony said in a sarcastic tone. His friends, two more Earth ponies of similar size flanked either side of Theran and eyed him with hungry glares. “And what’s a skinny dog face such as yourself gunna do, huh?” Theran took a long swig of his bottle before he said. “This.” He didn’t even hastate as he let loose a very useful spell he learned, a solid ball of kinetic energy from his other hoof and it hit the middle pony right in his face, sending the big guy flying a few meters. Then with the bottle he was carrying he smashed it right into the face of the pony on his left, leaving glass shards impaled in his skin. He was going to go for the next but in his drunken state he wasn’t fast enough to avoid a punch to his unprotected face. Stars exploded across his vision and he was sent flying off his hooves. He hit the ground hard and had no time to recover when they ganged up on him and beat him on the ground. He was lucky to have armour or his bones would have been shattered under the hammer like blows that rained down on him. All he could do was cover his head as they continued to beat him. After what felt like hours of continuous beating they left to tend to their friends glass wounds while Theran trembled in pain, barely conscious. He had no idea how long he lay there for, the left side of his face was so swollen he couldn’t see out his left eye. As he thought, nopony came to help him, he was just a stain on the ground. Then he felt somepony pocking him on the shoulder. “Uh hello? Hey mate are you ok?” He painfully moved his head so he could see this stranger. His vision was blurred but after a moment it cleared and what stood before him was a beautiful, young Unicorn Mare. Her coat was pure white, her mane a shinny silver and her eyes a sharp sapphire blue. She also wore clothing with common Barrier Land colours. He grumbled and growled as he tried to form words but his jaw ached. “H-wh-who are…you?” She bent down and was checking his injuries. “Oh that looks bad.” She said ignoring his question and pointed at his swollen face. “That needs treated. Can you stand?” Theran tried to wave her away. “Leave me be…I’m not worth the trouble.” She was having none of that. “Don’t be stupid, come on get up.” She took hold of him and haled him to his hooves painfully. “AAAAHHH That fucking hurt!” Theran protested in anger. She just huffed. “Shouldn’t have gotten beaten up like a drunken fool then, huh.” “I am *hick* a drunken fool…” Theran grumbled. She rolled her eyes. “Yet sober enough to cast spells without blowing yourself up. If you can do that I’m sure you can walk.” Theran had nothing to say to that. “Come on I’ll take you to my place where I can treat your injuries.” With not much choice Theran let the Mare take him to her place, supporting his weight on the way there. It didn’t take them long to reach her so called home and as they went through the door Theran was shocked at the size of it. The house, lined up with many others was a single small living room with two in dents in the wall that served as a kitchen and a bedroom. There were clothes hung up on a dryer, a half eaten breakfast on the couch, some books in a corner of the room and some forge equipment. “You actually *hick* live in this dump?” Theran asked, unimpressed by his surroundings. “Well it beats living on the streets.” The Mare said, unphased by Theran’s insolence. “Take a seat on the couch while I find my sowing kit.” Theran plopped himself heavily on the couch, making the breakfast dis clatter. Then the Mare came back with a sowing kit and a bowl of clean water in her magic. She placed her equipment down and began to examine his face. “Hmm the gash isnny too big but it’s gunna need stitched up.” Theran groaned at that. She got to cleaning it with a wet cloth, dabbing cold water on the swollen area. He winced loudly and the Mare rolled her eyes with a sigh. “Why are you helping me?” Theran asked “Why not?” Mare asked, not answering his question. Theran was confused. “Why? Look at me, I’m a *hick* nobody, a freak…a monster. Why help me?” The Mare just smiled and confused his ignorant mind even more. “Because, it doesny matter to me who you are or what you look like. You where in trouble so it’s only right to help you.” “But you dinny even *hick* know who I am. For all you know I could *hick* be a psycho killer seeking my next victim.” The Mare huffed at that. “If that were the case you wouldn’t have just told me.” She did have a point. “And besides, you don’t look crazy to me. Just somepony who doesny know what they’re doing.” Theran huffed in amusement at that. “Oh really now? Well, what do you *hick* suggest I do about it?” “For one…” She started to say as she got her sowing kit. “Not be drunk when picking a fight…actually don’t be drunk at all, it’s bad for you.” “What if I want to be *hick* drunk?” He asked with cheek in his tone. He yelped when she stuck the needle in his skin and she acted all innocent. “Oh I’m sorry did I jab you, must of slipped.” She got to properly sowing his left brow back together and he grimaced the whole time. “So where you from?” She asked in the middle of her sowing. Theran looked at the floor, down cast. “What dose it matter…I’m *hick* nothing.” She continued sowing when she gave him an answer. “You’re only nothing if you believe you are nothing. If you keep making up excuses then you will do nothing more then let your world crumble around you. And if you’re being pitiful on yourself then who are you?” Her words struck Theran like a punch to the face, harder than any of those Stallions could pull. Numb with contemplation he didn’t feel the rest of her stitching, not even when she was done. “And there, good as new.” She put her sowing needle down. “Well that’s all I can do, everything else looks fine and the swelling should…” “Theran.” He suddenly said, cutting off her words. She looked confused. “Pardon?” She asked. Theran smiled. “My name is Theran Razorblade. That’s, who I am.” She smiled, surprised. “And now I’m wondering, who you are.” She gave him an even warmer smile. “Ashtrid, my name is Ashtrid.” (Present day) Theran was shaken from his thoughts when Violet gasped and sat up. “Vi what’s worng?!” Theran asked, startled. Violet looked around the dark room till her eyes met his and she visibly relaxed. “Huh? Oh sorry I…it was just a bad dream.” She lay back down and held Theran close to her as did he. “Wanna talk about it?” He asked as he resumed stroking her mane. She let out a big sigh, he could feel her hammering heart. “It…it’s nothing.” “Hey, come now it’s better to let it out than hide from it.” He said with a smirk. She pushed his shoulder for that and he just chuckled. “Don’t use my own words against me.” She stated teasingly Theran chuckled some more. “Shouldn’t have given me the fuel.” He remarked, as he booped her on the nose. “But really, what’s wrong?” He asked in a gentle tone. Violet lay her head heavily on his chest as she recalled her dream. “I had a dream of…being a slave again…of the things that were done to me.” Theran understood now and he nodded in sympathy. “I wanted to die you know…back then…to escape the pain. But…no matter what I just kept going…no matter how bad it got I just…couldn’t give up.” “And now you’re here.” Theran said as he comforted her. “No longer a slave, but a free Mare.” “And I have you.” She said, looking up into his eyes. “It’s because of you I’m still here.” “And now because of you, I remember what it means to be alive and to be with the one you love.” He kept his gaze on her eyes. “Has anypony ever told you how beautiful you eyes are in the dark?” “No.” Violet said as she nuzzled his neck. “But Thanks for letting me know.” Theran nuzzled her ear, he didn’t realise before how much he missed just being able to hold somepony and share moments like these. A feeling of realisation came to him. “Oh I just remembered something.” He sat up slightly as he looked at his bag and used his magic to summon it over to him. He stuck his hoof in the bag and pulled out the pocket-watch. He let out a fake gasp as he showed it to her. “What do we have here?” Violet’s eyes widened as she sat up and stared at the watch. She slowly gasped when she realised it was for her. “Theran you…but how…why di…” “I figured I owned you for the compass.” He said as he put it around her neck, pushing her mane back to clip it together. He sat back as he looked at her. “I also thought it would help with your time practise. What do you think?” She stared at the watch for a moment, speechless as she pressed the top and it opened. Inside was a working clock with a seconds and hours arms ticking away. “Theran I…I don’t know what to say…thank you doesn’t even cover it.” She looked at him now, and she had a grateful smile on her face. “I knew you cared for us, I knew you cared about me.” Theran was actually shaking, not with fear but excitement. “Yeah, yeah Vi I do…I always…” Theran never got to say what he wanted to say when a blood chilly scream came from outside. All warm feelings completely vanished from the two as they stiffened in alarm. Then another scream, this one unlike any they had ever heard before erupted on the far side of the village. “W-what was that?!” Violet said, her voice shaky. Theran’s eyes were so wide it felt like they were going to pop out his head. “I-I don’t know?” He said, also shaken. He threw his covers off and leaped out of bed. “Get dressed, something’s not right.” She got out of bed quickly and scrabbled to get her clothes and gear on and by the time she had her chest plate on, Theran was already geared up and out the door. He thumped on Tim’s door and the young Stallion came out just as wide eyed as him. “What, what’s going on?” He asked Theran. Theran gave him a hard stare. “I don’t know but get your stuff on.” Then he went to the stairs and leaned over the banister. He shouted down to the rest of them. “Hey get up, get your gear on!” The girls jumped out of their bedrolls in fright and Teven sat up sharp on the couch. As they threw their gear on, Theran stomped down the stairs in his armour and approached Teara who was looking out the small window by the door. She still had all her gear on and she was inching one of her daggers out of its sheath as she scanned outside. “See anything?” He asked her. Teara was quiet for a moment, then her eyes looked up slightly. “Fire, on the other side of the village.” “Do you see anything else?” He asked. Another blood chilly screech sounded outside and the girls yelped in fright. “No.” She said as she turned to look at him. “But there is something out there.” A low growling suddenly came from within the room and Theran took a few seconds to realise it was coming from Teven. She was sitting there on the couch, a low growl coming deep within her chest and she just stared at the door unmoving. What had her spooked? Theran heard something from upstairs and he saw Violet and Tim come rushing down. “We all ready?” He asked to all and most of them nodded. With that he was about to open the door to outside when Teven suddenly said. “Do not open that door.” Theran paused for a moment in shock, then turned to find her staring right at him. Her eyes full of…fear. “It is not safe.” Theran was dumbstruck. Never did he think he would ever see a Wolven scared. What in this world could scare a Wolven? As he thought that, something landed on the roof. All heads in the room shot upwards as the sound of hoof steps thudded above them. Theran was standing upright now, his sword hoof resting on his weapon’s hilt as he and the others listened to the sounds above them. Then it suddenly stopped and all was silent. There was breathing heavy as everyone in the room listened intently for any other sound. There was none. “Theran?” A voice whispered and he nearly jumped. He looked down and saw it was Haze. “I don’t like this one bit.” “You and I both.” He agreed. His eyes fell on the door again. “But we need to find out what’s going on.” He reached for the door handle again but yet again Teven stopped him. “Do not go out there!” She stated as she quickly got to her feet. “I am begging you, do not open that door.” Theran’s senses weren’t as keen as hers so whatever she was sensing he couldn’t detect it. “What’s out there Teven? What is it you sense?” Teven’s breathing was shaky as she tried to compose herself. “I…I do not know, but…” She was fighting her trembling as she continued. “But it is not of this world.” Theran drew his sword and gripped the door handle. “Well I’m not gunna wait for it to find us.” With that he opened the door and walked out onto the dark, empty streets. It was cold but his hammering heart made all that meaningless as he scanned the area. He looked up at the roof but saw nothing up there. More and more Theran didn’t like this. There were some screams again but they were far off. “What fuck’s going on?” Theran growled as his nerves increased. Somepony suddenly came running out the shadows and nearly ran right into Theran. On reflex, Theran nearly cut the pony’s head off but they fell over just in time for his blade to pass over them. The Stallion, Theran now realised screamed in terror at him and tried to crawl away. Theran just let him go as he sprang to his hooves and ran off again. Theran’s mind couldn’t proses this, what was happening? “Theran?!” He jumped at the sound of his name being yelled and he turned to the door. Violet was standing there looking weary. “What was that about?” Theran didn’t have anything insightful to say. “I…I don’t have a clue!” Something smelled wrong though, something foul. As he watched her, Violet’s eyes became super wide and she gasped as she pointed passed him and screamed. “There’s something behind you!!!” Theran barely had time to spin around when a winged conglobation of flesh and bone leapt from the darkness and knocked him flat on the ground, his armour scrapping through the dirt. His sword fell from his grasp and his eyes stared in horror at the thing on top of him. Its eyes were hollow and black and its massive smiling mouth had the most horrific set of teeth he had ever seen. It tried to bit him but he grabbed the top and bottom of its massive maw and held it there. He was thankful he had his helmet on, when it took a swipe at his face and it’s bone like claws scraped off the metal. Sudden images of the same horrific creature flashed in his mind, memories he didn’t even realise he had of times long forgotten came to him in a rush and his sense of terror magnified ten fold. He knew what this thing was, worse he knew what they could do to you if it bit you. “Theran!” That was Violet’s voice and heard her draw her weapon as she run toward him. “No!” Theran yelled. “Stay back!” When she didn’t stop approaching panic set in. He punched the thing in its messed up face and pointed his free hoof at her. He let loose a weak kinetic ball of energy, not enough power to cause any damage but enough to send her off her hooves and away from him. As she landed hard on her back with a clattering thud, Theran brought his attention back to this monster and stopped it from bringing its jaws down on his head. With a quick twist he snapped its jaw and shoved it off of him. He rolled to his hooves and stared at Violet who was laying on the ground. “Get back inside!” He yelled at her. “Theran wait let me…” He wasn’t listening to her. He quickly gripped her in his magic and before she could say anything else he safely tossed her back through the door of the house and turned back to the creature just in time to avoid getting gutted by its bone like claws. He extended his hoof blades and stabbed it in its neck many times with quick movements but it didn’t even flinch as it just kept coming. He avoided its thrashing claws by backing up but he didn’t notice his sword on the ground till he stood on it and he fell out from under him. He landed on his back and the thing was almost on top of him but at the last second he mindlessly gathered his magic and let loose a stream of lightning that enveloped the creature. It writhed and screeched in agony as its mangled body convulsed and twitched, as it’s rotten flesh burned away. It fell to the ground and Theran stopped the stream, letting the breath he was holding out sharply. He quickly jumped to his hooves and scooped up his weapon, then with his weapon raised at the ready he looked down on the monster. What little skin it had left was now gone as its charred body twitched. He kicked its back hoof and it didn’t get up. He lowered his weapon and held his free hoof to his chest as his heart hammered hard inside him. It had been a long time since he felt like this, the fear inside was so strong he felt sick. He heard hoof steps and saw Violet come back out of the house and snatch her weapon off the ground as she stormed up to him. Before he had a chance to speak she punched him hard in the face, anger and rage playing across her expression. “Never pick me up with your fucking magic and throw me like some fucking doll ever again!” He ignored her anger and her comments as he gripped her shoulders and made her look at him. “When I say stay back, you stay back!” She shoved him off, furious. “Don’t tell me what to do, I only wanted to help but YOU..” “It was too dangerous!” He argued, cutting her off. “I couldn’t risk you getting bit!” “What?! Theran what the hell are you…” Their argument was cut short when a massive hammer came down on the body of the creature. They both turned to see Teven standing over the body and continued to rain hammer blow after hammer blow onto the creature’s corps. They watched in silent horror as she mashed its body into nothing but paste and even them she didn’t stop. Theran had to move in and restrain her but she still tried to smash it, even though there was nothing left. Violet had to get involved and together they pulled her away and made her sit down on the ground. Teven was breathing heavily in raspy gasps as she stared at the puddle of mush on the ground. “I had to, I had to…” Teven said through gasps, her armour and feet stained with gore. “Need to kill it, need to kill it…” Theran and Violet stared at each other in horrified confusion as the others slowly crept out the building. “Theran what was that thing?” Violet asked, her fear seeping into her words. Theran looked at the puddle of bone and guts and his mind was a blur of images, all containing horror beyond imagining. “I’m not sure…” He said as he looked back at her. “But some how…I know…what they can do.” Sounds of horrified screams and screeches could be heard in the distance growing ever closer. Theran steeled himself and he turned to the others. “We can’t stay here, we have to move NOW!” He stated and Violet nodded in agreement. “We stick together like glue, you hear me?” They nodded. “Ok let’s go.” “But Theran what about our…” Haze was trying to say but Theran cut her off. “No! Take only what you need, the rest we leave.” He then addressed Teven. “You good?” Teven didn’t look very sure. He shook her shoulder. “Teven?!” “I am good Pack Leader.” Teven finally said and with his and Violet’s help they got her to stand. Theran then brought his attention back to the group, his gaze through his helmet sharp and serous. “Ok, Tim, Treara you take up the flank, girls, Teven in the middle and me and Violet take up the front. We make for the docks, now let’s move it!” They moved as one. Theran kept having images flash in his mind’s eye as they ran for the docks. He could tell they all wanted answers, he could see it in their frightened eyes. But right now, nothing was more important than their safety. Suddenly the once empty streets were now filling up with panicking villagers and the area became a frantic mass of bodies. “Stick together!” Theran shouted to the group. “We have to push through!” Everypony around them was screaming and running in any direction. Theran braced himself and had to forcefully shove a path through the mass of stampeding ponies. It was a frantic confusing mass of terrified faces and colliding bodies as everypony scrambled for anywhere they called safe. Here and there Theran caught glimpses of the creatures amongst the stream of panicking villagers, leaping and charging into anypony near them. The screams of those getting ripped apart left a sick twisted feeling in his chest as he pushed through the crowed. He kept looking over his shoulder to see if the group were with him. They were but there was one of the creatures right behind them. “Behind us!” Everyone spun to face the creature and Haze and Sapphire screamed when it charged. Tim had already drawn his bow and was lining up a shot. “Aim for the head Tim, the HEAD!” Theran shouted. He let loose his arrow and time seemed to slow as it flew, passing through manes, cutting off flakes of hair, skimming over ponies backs as they ran by and then finding its home right in the freak’s forehead, splitting its rotten skin and caving in its rotten dome. Time sped back up and the creature flung backward from the impact. More of them appeared within the crowd, bits of flesh and gore clinging to their teeth. “RUN YOU LOT!” Tim screamed, as he fired arrow after arrow. “GET TO THE DOCKS!!!” Teara joined him without a second thought or even a word, cutting down freak after freak. “Come on!” Theran yelled. “Move it!” They hadn’t much choice in the matter as they were forced forward. They ran through a thin ally-way toward the next street but a freak blocked their path. It was eating through the stomach of a still living Mare and only stopped as it saw them. It screeched as it came for them but Theran spat a stream of lightning at it and it flopped to the ground in a twitching heap. “Go, GO!” Theran enforced as he jumped over the bodies. Haze hesitated as she froze when she saw the Mare on the ground trying to reach out to her, her guts splayed out on the ground. “Haze! Haze!” Theran shouted at her but she didn’t listen. Teven scooped her up and she yelped with fright as she was carried away from the dying Mare. Without anymore pause they ran. Fire roared in the streets as the docks came in sight. Ponies were trying to pile onto one of the biggest ships and from here Theran could see some fall into the river or get pushed as Pony after Pony tried to get on. The freaks were among them, tearing through them all and leaping onto the ship. “Come on, this way!” Theran ordered as he pointed to a part of the docks that was still untouched. They ran for it. As their hooves hit the wood of the walk-ways, many other Ponies had the same idea. They needed a boat and he didn’t care what he had to do to get one. He sprinted ahead of them and shoved those in his way either to the floor or into the river. At the furthest end of the peer was a lone medium sized bout with a paddle like wheel at the back and it was empty. “Come on this one!” He yelled as he pointed frantically at it. He watched them run toward him, Teven with Haze in her arms were up front, Sapphire in the middle and falling in Violet behind her. They ignored the ponies Theran shoved by and Teven and Haze were the first on the boat. Violet and Sapphire were about to be next when a winged freak came out of nowhere and knocked both of them into the water and there was a loud thud as something hit the boat. The fast current caught them and they were dragged away. “Shit!” Theran spat in panic as he jumped onto the boat. With his sword he cut the rope holding them to the docks and the boat lurched backward as the water pushed it away. He hadn’t a clue what to do as he frantically ran and grabbed what he assumed was the steering wheel and made it point forward. “How do you work this DAMN THING?!!” Theran yelled at the top of his lungs. “Theran, Violet and Sapphire…” Haze came running up to him and she was panicking. “They fell in, they fell in! THERAN?!” “I know, I know…” Theran said through frantic gasps of air. “But I don’t know how to work this thing.” From up a head in dark water Theran head cries of help. “That’s them!” Theran yelled as he leaned over the edge of the boat. He couldn’t see Sapphire but he could see Violet’s white coat in the blackness of the water. “How do you make this thing go faster?!” He yelled as he looked at controls. A screech of metal sounded and Theran and Haze looked at Teven as she opened what looked like a furnace. “Light it up with fire!” Teven instructed as she pointed at it with a slender claw. Theran casted a fire spell and set it alight. It came to life and the boat suddenly lurched forward as it picked up speed. The wheel on the back was turning a splashing in the water and Theran quickly leaped back the steering and steadied it. A lever with the words fast, slow, normal and stop was beside him and he pushed it forward to fast. The boat sailed forward and soon the white dot in the water became a thrashing Mare trying to swim with one hoof since she had something blue and grey with her. Theran slowed the boat, cast a light spell and ran to the front of the boat. He saw Violet desperately trying to stay above the water as she held onto an unconscious Sapphire. “Help…help!” Violet screamed as she saw the light and the boat. Theran wasted no time using his magic to grab hold of the two and lift them out of the freezing water and onto the boat. (Summer Haze) As Teven took hold of the steering wheel, seemingly knowing what she was doing, while Haze rushed over to Violet and Sapphire who lay on the deck. Violet was shivering violently as she still held a motionless Sapphire in her hold and Theran had to pry her off. While Theran cradled Violet, Haze ran straight for Sapphire. She was still, her eyes closed and worst part she wasn’t breathing. “NO!” Haze yelled as she fell to her knees and pushed Sapphire onto her back. She had a bad gash on the right side of her head and it was bleeding pretty badly but that wasn’t the big concern right now. Instinctively Haze remembered what her Aunty Stela had taught her about chest compressions and giving breaths from one of their lessons. Haze put her mouth to Sapphire’s and blew air down her throat to expand her lungs. She did this a second time before she put both her hooves on Sapphire’s chest and began the compressions. 30 compressions later and she repeated the breaths then going back to compressions. Her arms were burning but she didn’t stop she couldn’t stop as tears fell from eyes. Not again not another loved one, no she wasn’t going to lose her, not now not ever “Haze?” That was Theran’s voice. “Haze please.” “Shut up!” Haze shouted as she kept pressing frantically. She grit her teeth. “Come on Sapph, come on!” She was nearing 100 compressions and just when she thought there was no hope, Sapphire’s eyes snapped open and water expelled itself from her mouth. She rolled to her side as the water continued sputter out her mouth for a few more seconds then she breathed, taking in lungs full of air as she coughed loudly. Haze shuffled around to her head and got her to rest it on her lap as she continued to cough. “It’s ok Sapph I’m here.” Haze sobbed as Sapphire shivered and breathed heavily. “What *coughs loudly* what happened?” Sapphire asked with a shaking voice. “Don’t talk, It’s ok, you’re ok.” Haze said through sods as she cradled her head. Theran suddenly was beside them and was looking Sapphire over. He then looked at her gash. “How did you get that?” He asked in a very unsettling way. Sapphire coughed as she touched her head and winced as she brought her hoof back, covered in blood. “I…I can’t…remember.” Theran extended a hoof blade and waved it in her face. “Well you best remember.” He growled. Haze wide eyed stared at Theran in shock. “Theran what are you doing?!” He ignored her as he hovered his blade closer to Sapphire’s throat. “How did you get it? Were you bit, cut by them? ANSWER ME?!” In the moment Sapphire found the strength to crawl away from him in terror and he tried to follow her but Haze got up and pressed herself against him. “No Theran stop this!” He just shoved her aside and approached Sapphire as she pressed herself to wall of the boat. Before he could do anything to her however, Haze jumped onto his back and they toppled to the deck. They fought, rolling around trying to get on top of each other. Haze was amazed she was even able to keep him down but he inevitably was on top but she didn’t let go. She held onto his helmet, not letting him up and she wrapped her hind legs around his stomach as he tried to stand. “Get off me Haze!” Theran shouted. “I have to be sure.” “Buck you!” She spat as she held on. “You’re not getting near her!” Theran managed to stand with her still on him and he pried her hind legs off him and just tossed her. His helmet came with her as she thudded to the deck. She sat up and saw him approach Sapphire as she huddled in the corner in fear. “No Theran please, DON’T!!” Just when she thought he was going to kill her, Violet stood in his way. “Get out of my way Violet.” He growled. “Don’t make me toss you to the deck too.” “She wasn’t bit Theran.” Violet said, her eyes sharp and serious, despite her shivering. “Before I fell in the water I saw her hit her head off the boat.” She pointed to Sapphire’s wound. Theran’s shoulders lowered ever so slightly as he looked passed Violet. “Are you sure Vi? Are you 100% positive she didny get bit?” Violet was unflinching. “I bet my life on it she didn’t get bit or cut by one of those things.” Haze slowly got up as she watched Theran’s tense expression relax and he retracted his hoof blade. At the sight of this Violet collapsed and Theran had to catch her. Haze was already by their sides as she hugged Sapphire tight. “Violet I’m sorry I-I had to be sure.” She was already out cold and Haze looked at Theran. “Theran?” She asked him with worry in her voice. He looked at her with his own worried eyes. “What were those things?” Theran looked at Violet then back to her. “I’ll tell you once we get these two sorted, ok.” Haze looked at Sapphire who shivered in her hold and nodded. ……. It had been some time now as they gently floated down the river. Dawn was on the horizon outside as Teven steered the bout, while the rest were below deck out of the cold and were warming up by a lantern in blankets they had also found. Haze tried not to think about who used to own this boat, like she tried not to think about the horrors she witnessed. That poor Mare in that ally, her insides had been hanging out of her and she was still alive, trying desperately to reach out for help. She shuddered and banished the memory from her mind, only for it to come back. She was wrapped in a blanket with Sapphire and she held her tight as she warmed up again. Theran had used his healing magic to close the gash on her head and this somehow confirmed she was not infected. Infected with what Haze didn’t know since Theran hadn’t said anything other than that. Violet and Theran were also together though they weren’t hugging, Violet was being stubborn as she awoke after 20 minutes. “So…” Violet was the first to speak, flicking her still damp mane back. “Mind telling us what those things were?” She directed her gaze to Theran. “You seem to know a lot about them.” Theran rubbed his hooves together quietly for a moment over the lantern before talking. “I don’t know what they are, or where they came from. I don’t know how I know, but I know if one bites you or even scratches you…you’re dead.” Haze was confused but before she could speak Theran continued. “I know how it sounds but it’s true. Smallest scratch and you’re done, not instantly…but, there is not cure.” Haze was ever more confused now as his words left loads of questions. “But what dose that mean? C-cure what? Theran, you’re not making sense.” “I’m getting there Haze.” He said. “Just bare with me. I don’t know how it works, but if you’re bit…you…turn into one.” Haze’s eyes went wide, as did Violet’s and Sapphire’s. “You…you turn into one?” Sapphire said with a shudder. Theran nodded. “I don’t know how I know this, I wish I did but my memory it’s…” He paused and took in a beep breath. “Sounds crazy but…I think I’ve fought these things before.” Haze tried to process all this but she found it difficult. One thing was for certain though, those things out there, are not of this world. Sapphire quivered in Haze’s arms. “I don’t want to turn into one of those things.” She said as her breathing became quicker. She gripped her head where her wound had been. “No please gods no.” Haze rested her head on Sapphire’s and stroked her mane. “Shhh it’s ok, Sapph. As long as I live I want let them touch you.” She gave her a kiss on the cheek and Sapphire blushed, seeming to calm down. At the sight of the kiss, Theran’s eyes widened as he looked at both of them. Haze just realised then that no one knew of their relationship yet and now they did. Violet was strangely smiling while Theran’s mouth just hung open. Haze was now blushing, as she looked at Sapphire and she her. “Uh, yeah um…” Sapphire rubbed her neck as she spoke too. “We can explain…” They actually didn’t need to do anything when Theran suddenly started laughing a full hearty chuckle. “Theran what’s so funny?” Violet asked in a playful manner. Theran wiped away a tear. “Oh nothing, just…proud to see my little Haze all grown up.” Haze was astonished. “You…you’re not mad?” Theran laughed again. “Mad? I’m over joyed.” Haze didn’t know what to say, nether did Sapphire as they stared at him in aw. “I’m happy for you two, honestly I am.” He chuckled again. “It’s good to know at least in this dark moments we still have each other.” “That’s right.” Violet said as she took hold of Theran’s right hoof. “We do.” They smiled, properly smiled and looked at each other for a long while before Theran stood up. “Well I’m heading up top, get some rest you’ll need it.” And with that he went up top leaving the girls to themselves. Violet smiled happily. “See Sapph, I told you it would work out between you two.” Haze’s brow raised at that as she gave Sapphire a sly look with a smile. Sapphire only coughed as she looked away. Violet was beaming. “I’m happy for you two.” She then got up and turned to the stairs. “I’ll give you two some privacy, don’t worry though I’ll make sure nopony comes down.” Before Haze or Sapphire could say anything, Violet with her blanket still around her went above deck and closed the wooden hatch behind her. Haze and Sapphire was now alone, the lower deck all to themselves. They looked at each other. “Soooo…uh…” Sapphire was blushing. “What do you wanna do?” Haze felt her face begin to heat up and butterflies formed in her stomach. “Um…I dun know.” Sapphire rubbed up against Haze. “You know…I am a bit cold.” She then rubbed Haze’s shoulders Haze she shuddered a little at the unexpected touch. “And you’re pretty warm…maybe could…” Haze put a hoof on her lips and she stopped talking. She smiled at Sapphire. “You could have made it less obverses.” Sapphire blushed some more and Haze’s heart began to race as she peered into her beautiful strawberry eyes. “But I get the idea.” Something deep inside Haze, an overwhelming desire tugged at her mind and without thinking she kissed Sapphire on the lips. She leaned into the kiss so much they slumped to the wooden floor with a dull thud with Haze on top. With her weight on Sapphire, Haze released herself from the kiss and they were both breathed heavily. “Wow.” Sapphire said, wide eyed and breathless. “I had no idea you were such a good kisser.” “Me either.” Haze said and they kissed again. She felt warm, like a buzzing kind of warm that tingled all over her body and it was like nothing she had ever felt before. Haze stopped herself for a moment, as she wanted to say something. “Now before we take this any further, I just want tell you something.” She ran a hoof through Sapphire’s damp mane. “What happened in the river, don’t ever scare me like that again. If you do, no more happy fun time.” Sapphire made a wicked smile. “Yes ma’am, this lucky Mare wants all the happy fun time, yes she dose.” She put a hoof to Haze’s right cheek and looked more sincere. “And, I’m sorry I scared you.” Haze smiled lovingly at her. “I accept your apology.” And then they resumed their intermit activity, enjoying each and every second of their loving embrace. (Stat System) Theran Razorblade: Strength: 88 Endurance: 120 Intelligence: 81 Agility: 98 Perks: (Blood Rage)(Combat Expert)(Quick healer) (Keen senses)(Sneaker)(Strong back)(Magic expert)(Cheese lover) (Heavy fit)(Quick reflexes)(Immortal)(Pack Leader) Violet: Strength: 93 Endurance: 119 Intelligence: 76 Agility: 80 Perks: (Survivor)(Swordsmen)(Strong back)(Strong Stomach) (Head strong)(Stallion killer)(Swift knife)(Quick reflexes) (Battle Rage) (Strong willed) (Unbreakable bond) Summer Haze: Strength: 33 Endurance: 58 Intelligence: 77 Agility: 33 Perks: (Shape shifter)(Love sense)(Natural healer)(Book Junky) (Cookie monster)(Survival instincts)(Heavy sleeper)(Magic deflect) (Quick reflexes)(Cannon ball kick) (Love syphon) Sapphire: Strength: 37 Endurance: 49 Intelligence: 69 Agility: 30 Perks: (Hot head)(Heavy hoofed)(Light weight)(Sneaker)(Rebel at heart) (Two heads)(Fast Flier) (Lover’s strength) Teven: Strength: 155 Endurance: 200 Intelligence: 59 Agility: 68 Perks: (Battle Born)(Blood Rage)(Keen Senses)(Berserker) (Duel Wielder)(Savage Blow)(Pain Lover)(Charger)(Deviant) (Exile)(Paws or Death)(Loyal Servant)