//------------------------------// // Ch.12 A turn of fate part 3 // Story: The Epic of a Diamond Dog // by Ravencrofte //------------------------------// The flying pony swooped in. His blue coat was almost black against the night sky. His two-tone purple hair was slightly easier. In his hooves was a crossbow. It was pointed directly at me. I didn’t like it. “Get away from the dog,” shouted the flying pony. He raised the crossbow to his cheek. I let out a warning growl. Lily Blossom waved at the flying pony. “I offer him hospitality,” she said. “I said get away from him,” repeated the flying pony. “I OFFERED HIM HOSPITALITY,” shouted Lily Blossom. This time the flying pony heard her. After a brief glance at me, he turned to Lily Blossom. Several different expressions while he tried to process what Lily had said. He sputtered for several seconds before he found his voice. “You did what?!” he shouted. “I offered him hospitality,” she replied, her smile never faltering. “Why? What did you do that for? He’s the enemy,” the flying pony gestured at me with one hoof. “He’s alone and had a pony with him,” she offered Kitty Hawk chose that moment to make herself known to the newcomer. She jumped up and down, waving at the newcomer. “Hi, I’m Kitty Hawk,” she said. Her position also put her in the line of fire of that crossbow. The flying pony mumbled something unintelligible to himself. In the end, he just crossed his front legs and glared. At least the crossbow was pointed elsewhere. More ponies burst from the underbrush. They came in all colors and sizes, with wings, or horn, or none at all. A few wore armor. Each had a weapon. The ponies spread out and circled me. They stepped closer, weapons leveled at me. I uttered a low, menacing growl. My paw inched towards my sword. “I offered him hospitality!” shouted Lily Blossom. “What?” shouted one. The cry echoed around the circle. “It’s true,” said the blue winged pony. He was now joined by other flying ponies. Grumbling broke out amongst themselves. “Everyone, stand down!” shouted a new voice. This came from outside the circle. A new pony stepped through the circle. She stood tall, with light green coat and yellow hair. This newcomer took purposeful strides towards me, her eyes never leaving mine. Unlike the others, she was not armed. An Iron collar hung around her neck. She stopped just out of my reach. I watched her. She watched me. The pony turned to Lily Blossom. “Did you offer him Desert Hospitality?” she asked in a voice so calm and relaxed she might as well been asking for a favor. “Yes, I did,” said Lily Blossom with a bob of her head. The mare took in a deep breath and exhaled it. She turned to the flying pony. “Clear Skies,” she said. The blue flying pony went ridged and snapped a smart saluted her. “Yes, Ma’am?” “Gather the wagons and set up camp on the far side of the lake. I’ll deal with this,” she said. The flying pony, Clear Skies, studied me for a moment longer before putting his hoof to his mouth and blew two long whistles. “You heard her,” he shouted. “Every pony move out to the other side of the lake.” More grumbling followed, but in clumps of two or three the ponies walked away. Soon, a train of wagons pushed through the jungle, heading to the far side of the lake. Several ponies stopped to watch me. There was even a group of foals. “I’ll go join the camp,” said Lily Blossom. She started to hook herself up to her wagon. “How about you stay here,” the new pony suggested. “You’re on diplomatic duty since you are the one who offered hospitality.” Lily Blossom started to object. “You offered him hospitality, you help solve the problem,” the pony said. “Hi, I’m Kitty Hawk,” said the white puff ball at my feet, injecting herself into the conversation. “I’m Ember’s slave.” The pony turned and smiled at the youngster. “Pleasure to meet you, Kitty Hawk. My name is Apple Honey, former slave of Emperor Uni.” It took a moment for her words to make sense: former slave...of the emperor? I just sat and stared, for the first time in my journey completely lost for words. Then a terrible thought entered my mind: What if she despises Diamond Dogs for enslaving her? Will she have me killed? Apple Honey turned, took two steps to me and offered her hoof and a smile. “Hello, I’m Apple Honey. You’re Ember, I presume?” I watched her closely. Her smile didn’t seem false. I glanced at her hoof and back up. She continued to smile. It didn’t seem like a trick or a trap. Slowly, tentatively, I reached out and grasped her hoof. “I’m Apple Honey, leader of the Apple Caravan who inhabit these deserts. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said as we shook. “Likewise,” I said, still unsure of her intentions. “Lily Blossom,” called Apple Honey without looking away from me, “I hear you keep a stash of cookies in your wagon. Can you bring us some cookies?” “Sure,” said Lily Blossom and disappeared into her wagon. Apple Honey leaned in close. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her sharp words catching me by surprise. “Traveling,” I said, a little taken aback. “Where to,” she pressed. “To Equestria,” I replied. “Why?” Her rapid-fire questions were unsettling, but I saw no reason to lie to her. “I’m taking her back to her family,” I said, gesturing towards Kitty Hawk. Honey Apple briefly glanced at Kitty Hawk. “What Clan do you belong to?” she asked. “I don’t see a collar.” “Firebrand. I took my collar off when I left my clan.” This caused Honey Apple to think for a moment. She bit her lower lip and looked skywards. Her eyes flicked back and forth as if reading a mental paper in her mind. “Firebrand,” she said at last, “large clan, far East of the empire, stable with no long term enemies, currently led by Chief Blaze.” Upon seeing the surprised look on my face, she grinned. “There are certain dogs willing to sell anything for jewels: information, ponies, other dogs. It pays to stay on top of internal Empire politics.” A thought came to mind. “This dog wouldn’t by chance be a wandering merchant?” Honey Apple didn’t reply, but her grin expanded to show even more teeth. “Found them,” announced Lily Blossom and appeared with a box in her teeth. She set them down in front of us. Honey Apple took out three and offered one to Kitty Hawk and I. Kitty Hawk messily devoured hers. I cautiously took a nibble. It was made of honey and oats. “This relationship is going to be built on trust,” said Honey Apple, between bites of her cookie. “Tonight, you will stay on this side of the lake. Tomorrow, we will discuss entering the camp. If everything goes well, you might be able to join us as we cross the desert.” With that, Honey Apple finished her cookie. She gestured to Lily Blossom. “Grab your wagon, and let’s go. We need to settle the camp and put everyone at ease.” Honey Apple turned to Kitty Hawk. “What’s wrong with your wing?” she asked, looking at the bandage. “It was broken,” said Kitty Hawk, raising her wing up for Honey Apple’s inspection. “Come over to the camp in the morning. I will have one of our medical staff take look at it,” she said. “Okay,” said Kitty Hawk. With that, the two ponies left. “Yeah, ponies!” cried Kitty Hawk. “Did you see the other foals? I’ll have playmates.” “Yes, I did see them,” I said, still deep in thought. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.