Even after leaving Canterlot, I had too much on my mind. My worries for Circe kept me distracted. The entire time, I wanted to pull to the side and check on her. But I felt we couldn't afford the time. It hurt to hear her groans, but at the same time it provided me comfort to know she was still breathing.
Another thing to get me worried was the caravan I traveled with. Everypony kept their eyes on me. More than likely, they thought I was a thief who planned to steal their cargo as they slept. I mean I couldn't blame them. A random pony joins a large caravan with a small wagon full of cloth? I would have been suspicious as well.
Luckily, I didn't plan to stick with them for much longer. The distance from Canterlot to the train station was not far. As soon as I got there, we would separate; I take the civilian train while they took the freight train.
As we made our way over the last hill, I was able to see the train station. The journey was almost over and I would finally have been able to rest. At least that was what I hoped for.
After I went my separate way, the glares from the other ponies went away with them. Their suspicious expressions changed to both of relief and of confusion. At that point I didn't care.
Unfortunately, to buy my tickets, I had to leave Circe alone in the cart outside. I tied the wagon to a wooden post and made sure that she was completely covered. I checked my surroundings before leaning in the wagon and placing a hoof under the covers. As I gently stroked her face, I felt she was still a little cold, and yet she was covered in sweat. I whispered loudly, in hope that she could hear me, "I am going to buy the tickets. I will be right back Circe." With that said, I didn't even bother to watch where I was going. As I ran up the stairs to the train station lobby, I nearly tripped a couple times.
Since it was the evening, the lobby wasn't too busy. I tried to look for the shortest line, but most of the ticket booths were closed already. My only option was to take the shortest line of the two available windows.
The shortest line of the two had about six or seven ponies in front of me. I tried to remain calm, but every second that went by felt like a minute.
I literally heard the ticking of a clock the entire time I waited in that line. In the center of the lobby, there was a 4 sided clock for everypony to see. The sound might have been practically silent, but that clock taunted me specifically.
At the entrance, the doors were open for me to look outside. Although it was dark, I was sure to have the wagon in view of the lobby. Seeing that nopony went near the wagon was the only thing that provided me comfort.
As time went by, I got closer to the ticket booth. However, it wasn't as simple as I hoped it would be. I swear the universe had something against Circe and I. I overheard a sky colored female unicorn in front of the line arguing with the yellow female earth pony in the booth. The unicorn was dressed in a very expensive coat; made from white virgin wool.
"What do you mean you have no more trains leaving to Manehattan?"
"It is as I said ma'am. I'm sorry, but there are no more trains that leave for Manehattan tonight. You can rest here and I can reserve a seat for the first train to Manehattan in the morning," said the employee.
"No no no, you don't understand. I will be late for a very important appointment meeting and I have to be there by tonight."
"I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do. Can you kindly move to the side so I can help the next pony in line? I will have somepony else assist you shortly."
"No! I refuse! Do you know who I am? I can get you fired and see to it that you won't be able to work ever again. Now I demand the service I deserve and I demand a train to get me there tonight!"
That unicorn, she was like many of the ponies back in Canterlot. They felt rich, powerful, and the feeling they had the right to talk down to everypony less fortunate. Normally, as a guard, I had to be calm and remain neutral. In this case, I was off duty and I grew frustrated with her. I felt for the employee, the ponies in line, and the changeling that was waiting for me. I had no time to waste and I had just about had it.
At the corner of my eye, I spotted the janitor. With him, he had a cart that held many of his cleaning supplies and tools. What caught my eye was the bucket of water that was attached on the edge of the cart. I am pretty sure you all know where I am going with this.
I walked over nonchalantly to the cart. I made sure that the janitor paid no attention to me as I grabbed the bucket. Quickly but carefully, I grabbed the bucket with my mouth. I then proceeded to the line I previously waited in. Instead of getting back in line, I went around the stanchion and proceeded to the front. Ponies gave me funny stares, but I didn't care. As expected, the unicorn was still arguing, threatening the earth pony. Without hesitation, I dumped the contents of the bucket on the unicorn. Immediately, everything went silent; the unicorn, the employee, and even the ticking from the clock.
I remained standing there; Still with the empty bucket hanging in my mouth. The unicorn slowly turned in my direction with her pupils constricted. She stared at me as if she waited for an explanation. I placed the bucket on the floor and said, "You looked like you needed to cool off." It was probably best I didn't say anything at all.
She then released an ear-piercing scream. She ran out of the line and began to yell, "My coat! What have you done!?! Are you mad!?!" She kept shouting until her voice was muffled inside the mare's restroom.
A normal pony should feel guilty, but I am not ashamed to admit that I felt proud in that moment. When I looked to the ponies in line, majority of them cheered and clapped with their hooves. With my head held high, I went back in line. The ponies I stood in front of before were more than happy to let me have my previous spot in line. The only ponies that were probably sour towards me, was that classy unicorn and the janitor.
From then on, the line moved much quicker and it was soon about to be my turn. Things were starting to look up, but sometimes that is also the point when things go down again.
It was finally my turn and I was greeted with a smile from the employee. "Hello sir, thanks for the help earlier."
"Oh not a problem. She had it coming."
She gave a chuckle, "Indeed. Now where would you like to go this evening?"
"Well you see, I have a friend that lives in the forest near Ghastly Gorge. What would be the closest train station to there?"
"Oh, Umm... I see," her expression changed and it made me feel uneasy.
"Is there a problem?"
"I'm sorry sir. The closest train station would be Ponyville, but there are no more train stations heading out there tonight. I can book you for the first train in the morning if you'd like."
"What? No, it would be too late by then. Are you sure there isn't anything else?"
"I'm sorry sir, but there is nothing I can do."
From behind, I began to hear the other ponies complaining. I'm sure they were already fed up with the high class unicorn from before, but I just couldn't give up. I leaned in closer to the pony behind the counter, "Listen, my fiancee is very sick and that friend of mine is probably the only one that could help her. I don't know if she can wait till morning and I don't want to risk it. Please... I'm begging you." I held back my tears with every word I spoke.
She stared at me at a loss for words. Judging her expression, I doubt she was ever put in this type of situation. She looked at me with sympathy and in a way I felt guilty for putting her on the spot.
"I'm sorry. Forget I said anything. I will find a way."
As I was about to walk away, she stopped me, "Sir wait."
I turned to her; curious at what she was going to say. I stood there as I watched her rummage through the drawers until she pulled out some sort of blank paper. "Do you have a wagon by chance?"
"Uh, yes I have one outside." She then grabbed a pen with her mouth and wrote something on the paper. After she put the pen down, she slid the piece of paper toward me, "We have a freight train leaving for Ponyville tonight. Go around back and give this form to the security guard at the gate. If you hurry, you might be able to get out of here on time."
Without hesitation, I quickly grabbed the form and smiled happily, "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Without thinking, I jumped halfway over the counter and hugged the earth pony. I then quickly ran out of the station and back to Circe.
With no time to waste, I untied the rope from the post, put on the wagon harness, and ran to the rail yard.
As the yellow pony said, the rail yard was located just behind the train station. At the entrance, I was stopped by pop up bollards. To my left, was the small guard shack. It didn't take long for security to come out and greet me, "Good evening sir." The security guard was a gray earth pony and wore a plain black shirt as his uniform. I can see why they hired him. This pony was huge! Although I was trained to fight, I wouldn't want to tango with him. He then said, "Let me see your papers."
I immediately showed the form that was given to me earlier. He read it over and then proceeded to the wagon. I was nervous as he slowly walked around and inspected the wagon. Luckily, he only took a quick glance at the contents inside. Yet, for some reason, he was very thorough looking over the wagon's exterior. As he made his way back to me, I was more comfortable at that point. That is, until Circe gave a slight moan. The security guard gave me a dirty look and my worries came back in an instant.
"Listen buddy, I know you're in a rush, but ya have to wait patiently like every other pony that comes through here. I don't care who ya are or what business ya have waitin for ya. So ya better watch that attitude if ya expect to make your train on time. Do I make myself clear?"
Wow. And he told me to watch my attitude. Although I was annoyed, I bit my tongue and nodded.
He then looked over the papers one more time before asking, "Is this your first time here?"
"Yes."
He went back to the guard shack and had a scroll in his mouth. Once he dropped the scroll, he laid it out to show me some sort of map. "This here is a map of the rail yard. Pay attention closely. You are here and ya need to get here. Once ya enter the gates, you make a left. Go past these three warehouses and then make a right. From there, you will need to find the freight conductor in charge of the freight for Ponyville."
"And that would be?" I asked.
"How should I know? Just ask around when ya get inside."
"Fine. Thanks anyway."
"Uh huh. Sure thing," he replied as he returned my document and went back to the guard shack. Once he was inside, I assumed he was the one that made the bollards sink into the ground. With a clear path, I proceeded inside the walls of the rail yard.
I followed the directions that were given to me as I ran through the yard. I had to be careful as there were many employees working and there were a couple freight trains still moving. I could only hope that the train I needed to be on was still there.
When I made the last turn, I saw what I assumed was the correct freight train. I also saw the final ponies boarding the train. With what energy I had left, I ran to the train and shouted for them to wait. I shouted too hard as it made me cough. It only made it more difficult to run. Luckily, a pony had heard me and waved me over. He was an older pegasus who wore an orange, yellow-striped uniform; similar to other ponies around the yard.
I finally made it to, what I hoped, was the final step of the journey. I tried to speak, but failed. Instead, I was breathing hard and still coughed to clear my dry throat.
"Easy there son," said the pony, "You made it just in time. You going to Ponyville?"
Still unable to answer, I gave a nod.
"May I see your form?"
I didn't reply. I just quickly showed him the requested form.
It only took him a quick glance to see that everything looked to be in order. "Alrighty then, Come on aboard."
"Oh thank you," I said with relief.
As I took a few steps forward, he stopped me, "Woah there sonny. You can't be taking that wagon on the train. That there needs to go on one of the freight wagons."
"What? Why?" I asked.
He then gave me a look, wondering if he should have taken the question seriously. I too, knew the answer was obvious. However, under the circumstance, my worries kept talking for me. Regardless, he answered the question, "That wagon can't fit on the civilian cart. Just leave it right here and I will have the boys take it."
"Sir, you don't understand. The cargo is very precious to me."
"I'm sure your cargo is precious to you, but so is the rest of the cargo that's loaded up. If I let you bring that on, I would have to let everypony else grab their things. Then there would be no use for the freight wagons then will there?" The last question must have been a joke since he started to laugh. I found no amusement, but I cracked a smile as not to seem rude.
"Can I possibly just stay in the freight wagon with my things?"
"No can do. Unless you are a staff member, nopony is allowed to be near the cargo."
"But what if somepony tries to steal my stuff?"
"Oh you don't have to worry about that. I assure you that your cargo is in good hooves. We have security in each freight wagon so that you don't have to worry. Trust me. Your cargo will be safe. If you would be so kind to board, we are running late as it is."
I didn't like the idea of leaving Circe alone again, but I didn't see anyway around this one. This pony, who I assumed to be the freight conductor at this point, was not going to let up. And I couldn't agree with him more, I was wasting precious time and needed to get to Ponyville right away. "Well... Okay. Please take good care of this."
"Of course. I treat everypony's belongings as if it were my own. Now can I get your name?"
"My name?"
"Yeah. That way we label the wagon."
"Oh, I see. It's Titanium."
After I replied, he took out a pen and wrote it on the form I gave him earlier. He walked to the wagon and nailed the form to the side. "There you go. You're all set. Now why don't you head inside and get some rest."
"How long does it take to get to Ponyville?"
"Well since we are going downhill, it should take about 12 to 13 hours."
I took off the wagon harness and slowly boarded the train. Repeatedly, I looked back to the wagon. The freight conductor smiled, but I was sure he was annoyed with me. I only wish I could have talked to Circe before I boarded.