//------------------------------// // Chapter Four // Story: Greybled // by Honeypunch91 //------------------------------// Chapter Four Everyone on board the C.S. Temeraire was on his post, for the landing in Doge Junction was tricky. The Crystal crown owned only three of the nearly 30 piers of the DJ-Harbor. In comparison, the city of Canterlot owed 10 and even the relatively small Cloudsdale had 6. Artemis stood on the railing with a thick hemp rope in his muzzle. When he looked around, he saw 5 other pegasi, also awaiting their cue. He found it ironic, that old traditions forbade him to fly while on deck, but it was no problem when they needed someone to tie the ship up. Captain Barding stood behind the wheel, focused like never before. He shouted “Ropers, wait for my signal, if you jump too soon, the weight of the rope will pull you down between the hull and the pier, and I’m not hungry for pegasus pudding today!” Even though the captain addressed all the pegasi, Artemis knew the warning was meant for him and not the others who knew the drill. The mole came closer and closer and the colt became concerned. In his opinion, he would have flown off minutes ago. An excruciatingly long wait later, he finally heard the signal. He jumped as far as he could and spread his wings. The captain was right after all, for every meter Artemis glided, the rope became heavier. With one final flap, he made it to the pier, where a crystal pony helped him tie the ship to a massive metal ring with a perfect coltstek knot. Now that he completed his task, he looked if someone else needed his help, but it seemed everyone made it without being squished. A catwalk was brought and the crew started leaving the deck. The captain observed without leaving the ship himself. He turned down to Artemis, “Well done rookie, but the work has just begun, the empire doesn’t have the necessary capacities at this port, so we have to hurry, the next frigate is already waiting. Go to the gate, next to the red building over there and hire some laborers for the next hour. We need about ten.” Artemis nodded “Yes sir!” “And don’t forget to haggle, or they won’t respect you!” Barding yelled after him as he was about to leave. *** After his less than pleasant confrontation with Lucky Flutter and Strikebolt, Greybled was walking in the general direction of the air harbor. He had asked around and everypony seemed to agree, that an airship was the fastest way north. He decided, to once again steal his food for the day, so he stopped in sight of an orange stand, half hidden behind a brick wall and waited for the right opportunity. The salespony ducked under the counter to get something, so Greybled started to concentrate on a few oranges. Suddenly, a flash zipped past his vision and hit the wall, he had to shield his eyes from flying debris, then turned to where the shot came from. “Not again”, he sighed as he locked eyes with the green unicorn. This time, the zebra wasn’t with him, but a scary looking white earth pony with pink scars all over his face. The unicorn opened his mouth to say something, but Greybled didn’t waste any time and sprinted off. Goon A and B followed closely. He used his magic, to knock over the fruit stand, he was just stealing from, so he could get a little distance between him and his pursuers. *** Artemis arrived at the metal gate, it reminded him of the entrance to his private school. He waved to a guard pony in a small office, who immediately opened the door with a button. On the other side stood 11 stallions who watched him expectantly. He smiled in the round before asking confidently “Who would be willing to help out for an hour or so?” The men kept on staring. After an awkward pause, one of them cracked a smile and replied “We are waiting for an offer colt.” “Ahhh” Artemis hummed in understanding. Unfortunately, he had no idea what those people earned for an hours work, so he asked “Well, what would be your usual salary, fine sirs?” The group looked at each other, before the same guy as before claimed “One hundred per head.” Artemis thought a little about the offer, but he had to make a good deal for his captain, so he made his counter offer “I won’t go higher than 80.” All heads snapped to him and he heard most of them shout something like “Deal!” and “Aye!” Only 2 seemed to not like the offer and trotted away, shaking their head laughing. Proud of his achievement, Artemis told his men to follow him through the gate. The guard began to close the metal door, but seconds before it was shut, a dark grey unicorn slipped through. He was out of breath and looked back, if the gate was really closed. The crystal unicorn guard came out of the booth and asked angrily “And what do you think you’re doing!?” Greybled looked him in the eyes, no idea what he could say to appease this uniformed stallion. Lucky for him, Artemis chimed in “its okay, we were in need of another worker anyways, if that is what you are here for?” The half changeling nodded and smiled relieved “That is exactly what I’m here for.” He was not out of breath anymore, so he stood up and followed the group. Loud bangs on the door rang above the yard, but the group didn’t care. Poison Mist banged on the door, till the guard pony opened a few inches. “Yes?” The annoyed guard questioned. “Open up, we need a word with the grey colt who just slipped in.” He demanded, as the scarred pony watched. With his most bored expression, the gate sentry explained “He was just hired to do a job, he will be out in one or two hours.” He began closing the door again as a green hoof held it open. “We are working for Lucky Flutter, so you better let us in or you will be in trouble.” He threatened, as he pushed on the door. The pony with the scars still didn’t interfere. While pushing back, the guard’s horn fizzled and a siren started howling. From the red building came a swarm of ponies, wearing the same uniform. One of the newcomers came to the gate and asked the one who triggered the alarm, “What is going on, private Lockheed?” Lockheed let go of the gate and turned to his superior officer “These ponies are trying to force entrance to the premises, sir.” Poison Mist smirked, “On behalf of Lucky Flutter, tell your man to let us in, or face the consequences. We are searching for a dangerous criminal.” With that said, he took a step forward and onto the compound. “You are trespassing on Crystal Kingdom property.” The officer told him to his face. “If there is a criminal here, I suggest you call the city guard. You have five seconds to leave, before my men will make you.” He turned and walked back to the building he came from. The intruder played with the idea of fighting the dozen or so guards, and with Chelsea Smile on his side, he could win this. When five seconds passed however, he took a step back and left with the white pony. When they were out of earshot, the unicorn spoke up “They are right, we should call the cops.” *** Greybled passed the 9 workers and trotted beside the light blue pegasus, who had unknowingly saved him. “What exactly is this work, you have for us?” “Just unload and load a Cristal Frigate, the C.S. Temeraire.” Artemis replied in a proud tone. The half changeling nodded and walked on, but then it hit him. “Crystal?! Like in Crystal Empire?” He said in an excited voice. “Didn’t you see the flags at the entrance? This mole, and the two neighboring are owed by my Empire.” He grinned smugly and patted himself on his back mentally for his clever choice of words… ‘my Empire’. Greybled rolled his eyes at the cocky answer. This was his first class ticket to the north, served on a silver platter. He just had to get on this ship somehow. Unfortunately, he could not change like the full-blood changelings. Than he could just throw the annoying pegasus off the platform and take his place. To copy this attitude couldn’t be that hard. They arrived at the Temeraire, and the crew members began ordering the newcomers around. Without minding them, Greybled walked past them and onto the catwalk. He walked straight up to the pony who wore the captain’s hat. Captain Barding lowered the newspaper he was reading and glared at the colt. “The hell are you?” It took all of Greybled’s willpower, not to flinch at the old seaman’s gruff voice. He saluted with his metal covered leg and replied, “My name is Greybled, sir. I want to work for you in exchange for a ride to the Crystal Empire, sir.” “We are no cruise ship, and you are no sailor. Get off my ship.” The captain got back to his paper. Every minute, Lucky Flutter’s men could track him down, so he had to sell himself. “Sir, I would be a valuable asset to your crew. I am a gr- “ Barding threw the paper on the table with force, interrupting the sales pitch. “Look boy, I’m having a lousy mood right now and no interest to deal with you! I just read in the bucking news that an old comrade of mine was stabbed less than 5 hours ago in this very city by some mob assholes! Also, we won’t sail home for another 3 weeks. So get lost!” Greybled could feel the anger in the old man. If he could exploit it, he had his ticket. He hardened his gaze and shouted, “People like that are the exact reason, I want to leave this Tartarus of a city! This gangster, Lucky Flutter, wants to see me dead! He controls the police and has men everywhere! You have to take me with you, or I’ll end up just like your friend!” They gazed at each other without blinking. “Captain, the men are done loading.” Someone yelled from the pier in a cheery voice. Reluctantly, the captain averted his gaze and ordered, “Gusty Swan! Pay the freelancers, pegasi, to the ropes, the rest, on your posts!” He turned to Greybled and spoke much quieter “Ok, you can stay, but if you can’t carry your weight, I will throw you overboard myself.” Suddenly, a shrill female voice cut through the air, “HE PROMISED YOU WHAT?!” Barding rushed to the railing. Down on the pier stood Artemis, the laborers and his chief of staff, Gutsy Swan. She turned around slowly to look at the captain “The new cabin boy offered them 80 bits.” “That sounds about right, why so shocked?” Captain Barding replied. “Per head!” Gusty added. Artemis suddenly felt very small, he screwed up. The worker who had led the negotiations just smiled, knowing that a deal under mariners would not be broken for a couple of bits. “Pay them, we are leaving.” The old pony on deck grunted. Gusty Swan contradicted, “But sir, the budget…” “A deal was made in my name, and it will be honored.” After everyone was paid, the gateway was dropped and the ship departed. Artemis was just stowing the rope, he had to handle during takeoff, when the captain approached him. “Why in Equestria did you offer the loading crew that kind of money?” The pegasus looked at the floor in shame, “I’m sorry, sir. In hindsight I know I gave them too much, but for example my hairdresser in the Empire takes 90 bits per cut and that is way less work than loading a frigate.” A small smile crept on Barding’s face. “Well, at least it seems you learned a lesson, but there is still a hole in our budget. You can choose, either you or your father have to pay for the mistake.” Artemis looked around on the ground, as if searching for the answer on the planks. Then he looked up in determination, “Take it from my salary, sir.” There was a shout from the back of the ship. “Sir! A pegasus is approaching from the rear, seems to be a city guard.” Greybled rushed to the rear railing and cursed. It was one of the guard ponies who imprisoned him. The Captain joined him and watched for himself. “Is this one of Lucky Flutter’s men?” The older pony asked. The half unicorn just nodded in confirmation. An armored pegasus landed on the deck with a loud thump. He looked around before pointing a hoof at Greybled. “You there, you are under arrest in the name of the law!” The crew stopped whatever they were doing and observed the situation. “Help me restrain this citizen and bring us back to Doge Junction at once.” The guard demanded from no one in particular. Captain Barding stepped in front of his newest passenger and replied, “After all I was hearing, I highly doubt that you work for the law. Tell me, who gave the order to arrest this boy?” The guard held his head high “I only answer to the chief of police, maybe you heard of him, Captain Lionheart.” The crew began whispering, which the pegasus took as a good sign. Once again, the Captain of the Temeraire grew angry. “Cabin boy, bring him the paper from my desk!” Without hesitation Artemis got the newspaper and dropped it in front of the city guard. It was the first time, Greybled got a look at this seemingly important piece of paper. On the first page was a big picture of the stallion who got him out of Lucky Flutter’s office who turned out to be Strikebolt. The pegasus mumbled, “This can’t be.” “You better believe it! He was stabbed and thrown into a dumpster, and guess what, the pony you are really working for is the prime subject!” Barding all but shouted. No one saw coming what happened next, the captain rushed to the distracted guard, grabbed him at his collar, and with one powerful motion, threw him over the rail into the open sky. After a few seconds of stunned silence, every member of the crew, except for Artemis, Greybled and Gusty Swan erupted in wild cheers. The other three were just baffled. Everyone knew, that the pegasus would be fine, but the message was clear, DON’T MESS WITH THE CAPTAIN.