Chapter 4
The mane six, Spike, the two disguised guards, and Black Feather still chained, had headed past the Everfree Forest and had past multiple villages and towns. The company reached a small woodland area where some trees had had grown and walked through the light woods to get to the boarder. When the boarder was reached the two guards had set their stuff down and set up camp while everyone else took a break.
If the plan failed and the group had run into some trouble early on they would fall back to this area where the guards would help them and then they’d report back to Celestia. The woods continued past the boarder and a small sign stated that they’d be entering the Empire shortly. The guards had finished and Spike and the girls were rested and ready to go.
“Can you unchain him now; he won’t need them past the boarder” Twilight said. The part the guards didn’t like was that Black Feather was to be released from his chains in the Empire. The guards didn’t really want him loose to attack the Princess of Friendship. The guards however agreed and unchained Black Feather and gave him back his Talon Gauntlet.
“Aw man someone messed with it” Black Feather said as he put it back on his right arm. the guards ignored him and they spoke to Twilight.
“Alright your majesty, is anything happens we will be here until we hear otherwise” one of the guards said. Twilight nodded and she went to join the others to head into the Empire.
About an hour had passed from walking. The group had stuck to the woods and once had to sneak past a cottage. Without knowing what was in it, the safest choice was to leave it alone. Dash had run further ahead to see if any soldiers were in the way. They would then need to find a way around them.
“When will we reach a town or something, I need a rest” Rarity said.
“The closest village is a few miles south but that will take us off course” Twilight said holding a map. Black Feather was scanning the entire area around them as they walked for who knows what travels in these woods. “Well it would be better than sleeping on the floor again” Rarity said.
“I wouldn’t mind a bed to actually” Apple Jack said.
“No, we go east, follow the trail we’ve been sent on” Black Feather said.
“What trail, there is no sign of anyone for miles” Apple Jack said.
Black Feather stopped and pointed to the ground. “There are tracks all over these woods, it is easy to find one”
“OK but what about the Generals party” Apple Jack asked.
“These tracks we’ve been following are deep into the ground. Someone has a lot of extra weight on. It could be farmers or hunters, but there are a lot of these footprints” Black Feather said.
Apple Jack considered the explanation and nodded. Another hour of walking and Rainbow dash returning with no news, the group then decided to have a break. Everyone got out a food and water and started to make small talk. Meanwhile Black Feather started walking towards a small bushy area. This caught some pony’s attention. “Black Feather where are you going” Asked Twilight asked.
“To take a wiz, I haven’t since I left the castle dungeon”
“Oh” Twilight said a little embarrassed she asked. Black Feather walked into the bush and started his business.
“So, what do y’all think about that guy” Apple Jack suddenly asked everyone there.
“What do you mean” Dash asked.
“Ah mean he could be leading us into a trap or something” Apple Jack said.
“I don’t think he is the kind of person who would do something like that” Flutter Shy said.
“Yeah I mean what purpose does trapping us have” Dash asked.
“Well we are bonded to the Elements of Harmony, maybe they want to use them but need us” Twilight said.
“If he could actually do that I’d like to see him try” Said Dash.
“I don’t think he’s a meanie, I think he’s funny” Pinkie said.
“I think he’s cool” Spike said.
“Still I think we should be wary just in case” Apple Jack said. Everyone nodded. When Black Feather came back they continued.
It was now two days since Twilight's friends and she entered the Empire with Black Feather as their guide. They passed a mighty river, went over a long canyon, and found some camping equipment that Black Feather identified immediately.
“We’re close, I know it” he had said. The third day the party was passing a few hills and cliffs. Everyone was brought to an immediate stop when Rarity picked up on something.
“Wait. Do you hear that” Rarity asked? “No, what is it” Apple Jack asked.
“I think I hear a spring” Rarity said as she rushed off to the noise.
“Hey Rarity wait” Twilight shouted to get her attention. Rarity ignored and continued her way. When everyone caught up to her they saw that this small are on the mountain they were on had multiple hot springs all around it.
“Interesting, I had no idea this was here” Black Feather said.
“Oh, we must stop and take a break, we cannot simply pass this up” Rarity insisted.
“Eh, why not” Black Feather said. Rarity was already getting ready to jump into the closest spring and everyone else was kind of reluctant at first.
“Wait a minute, were just going to strip down and hope into some hot water with that guy around” Dash said.
Rarity stopped what she was doing and all the girls looked towards Black Feather who was getting a book from his bag. “Don’t worry I’m not going in so I’ll be over there reading, have fun” Black Feather said and walked away.
“You to Spike go with him” Twilight said.
“Yeah, yeah” Spike said. He took his back and headed after Black Feather who also shouted back.
“Half an hour alright. I promise we won’t look”
Black Feather and Spike were about thirty yards away from where the girls were bathing. Black Feather was reading his book and Spike was drawing him in some heroic situation and saving pony’s all around. “So, Black Feather, why did your General steal the Elements of Harmony” Spike asked.
“Well maybe because the Emperor is selfish and likes to collect tons of rare and magical items” Black Feather said.
“So, he would risk open war to get something like that” Spike asked.
“Well the Legionnaires that I saw during my training as a messenger were some strong soldiers, and it’s their training that makes them so tough”
“what do you mean” Spike asked.
“Well the Imperial Legionaries, when they first start their training, must go through many soul crushing tests’ to advance to second year. One being they need to stay out in the cold mountains for three days with no warmth. And my meaning is all their given is a bit of food to start off with. If I remember last year twenty-three quit and came down from the mountain and seven died from the cold, and about two-hundred and thirteen made it” Black Feather explained.
“Holy molly, that’s terrible. Seven griffons died from frost bite and stuff” Spike asked. Black Feather just nodded. “What about your training”
“Well I mostly studied about the codes and encryptions that the couriers use, it conceals important messages. Their actually very easy to decipher” Black Feather said.
“Cool can you teach me that, I send letters all the time so it could come in handy” Spike asked.
Black Feather smiled and said. “Sure, why not”
Back at the spring the girls had undressed and now were resting in the closest spring easing away stress. “Aw I miss the spa back a Ponyville” Rarity said.
“I’m just glad I can wash my self-off a little” Twilight said.
“Am with ya there Twi” Apple Jack said. “This is so relaxing”
“hey we should make one of these and have a pool party” Pinkie suggested. The girls laughed.
“That would be fun, but don’t expect me to do this often” Rainbow dash said.
“I think that it’s an amazing idea” Flutter Shy said. They girls relaxed back a bit more until Apple Jack said.
“Are you sure that Eagle isn’t trying to lead us to a trap or something”
“Aw come on Apple Jack darling stop worrying and just enjoy this while you can” Rarity said.
“Yeah those four guys hiding in the trees over there are having fun” Pinkie said.
“WHAT” All the other girls said.
Twilight used her magic and just like pinkie said someone fell out of the tree and landed on his back. “Ouch” the guy yelled.
“Pinkie why didn’t say something” Twilight asked. Pinkie just shrugged. Flutter Shy hid herself in the water as did Rarity when three more men jumped down from the trees.
“Aw man the pink haired on knew we were there” one of the guys said.
“Well nothing to do about it now. Hey ladies want us to join you” another shouted over to them.
“No thank you, you pervert” Rarity shouted.
“Oh well then, out of the water, get dressed and come here so we can chain you up” said the same guy.
Twilight looked at the four men, they all were dressed like bandits and even had weapons. One had a giant ax, two of them had regular swords, and the last one who seemed to be the leader had a big great sword on his back. “What do you mean chaining us up” Twilight asked.
The men laughed. “Simple, were turning you into slaves” said the leader.
He and his men started to walk towards the girls when out of nowhere someone came up and kicked the leader in the face sending him flying. “What the” one of the slavers said. Everyone looked at the person who kicked the slave’s leader. The guy was none other than Black Feather as he turned to face the other slavers. Each one set upon him to try to hit him or hurt him but he was to fast as he dodged every blow the slavers through at him.
“Who is this guy” one of the slavers said as he unsheathed his sword.
“This guy’s insane” The ax wielder said. Black Feather punched the other sword user and extended his talon gauntlet. The two other slavers saw the weapon and took a step back. “It was a trap, the army betrayed us” the ax wielder said. Black Feather ran towards them and attacked. Each time the slavers swung or struck Black Feather dodged or parried the blow.
“How is he doing that” the sword wielder said. He struck again and Black Feather grabbed his arm twisted around and snapped the guys arm braking it. The ax wielder ran up to strike but ending getting a kick under his chin.
The slave leader stood up after being kicked to find his men down from this unexpected guy. He saw the talon gauntlet and was filled with rage. “Hey you why do you attack us; your general gave us permission to collect slaves in this area” Black Feather looked over and the leader gasped at seeing that he was blindfolded. “What, what is the meaning of this” the leader said and drew his great sword. The sword’s blade was golden and gave off a bright reflection. The leader charged and Black Feather just stood there waiting. The leader swung but the one that got stabbed was himself. In the lower thigh, the slave leader was stabbed by Black Feather and he then stood up and pounded the guy in the head.
Black Feather stood and waited and then said. “You girls alright”
“yeah, were fine” Pinkie said.
“That was amazing” Dash said.
“But why are you blindfolded” Twilight asked.
“You girls dressed yet” Black Feather asked. Nearly all the girls screamed instantly. “then get dressed. The sooner you do that the sooner I can get rid of these guys. Hey come on out Spike” everyone than heard a thud as Spike, who was blindfolded as well, smacked into a tree.
As all the girls were dressed and Spike and Black Feather could see again they tied up the slavers and began packing. Black Feather was going through the equipment of the slavers and found many useful things that he took. He also looked at their weapons and decided to keep the great sword for himself. His talon gauntlet was good but he needed a real weapon to defend himself and his group.
“Hey Black Feather how did you fight those guys blindfolded” Dash asked.
“Well in my training we were instructed to learn to use our senses just in case at night while we were sleeping on a mission we could hear if someone was coming” Black Feather said.
“Cool”
“And before anyone asked why, you were still bathing and I said I wouldn’t look” Black Feather said. All the girls were impressed and decided to get back on the road.