I want to apologize for the long times between chapters. Difficulties with health have played havoc lately. I hope to add chapters faster once the surgery is completed, but one never knows! I also want to thank all my readers for sticking with me. The comments are extremely appreciated, and have helped me through all the tough times! <looks around nervously> also I would like to thank and blame my Grammar Nazi for the quality and length of time you all had to wait... <looks nervous> I expect to be shipped to a concentration camp any moment... So without further gilding the lily, enjoy the latest installment!

P.S. Remember, I love your comments! I actually do listen to ya'll, even if it don't seem like it!

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Chapter 4

Through a humans eyes...

Oceans in Between Us

'Oh, it's so good to feel the wind in my wings again! And such a gorgeous day too!' The freedom of flight was something I never took for granted, it was the lifeblood of a pegasus. I had lost the use of my wings often enough to know just how vital flight was to me, I had no wish to ever be reminded again!

While the miles melted away, I reminisced about the morning I left Riverside. I had made contact with most of my friends the prior day and said my goodbyes, so there was no need to wander around looking for anyone. I had already filled my travel saddlebags the evening I was with Justin at Nazir's, so I was able to leave immediately after breakfast. All I had left to do was to follow through with the last part of Justin's plan. The look on Zecella's and Keluro's faces was decidedly priceless! I only wish I had gotten a picture of them!

'Actually, I think I would have liked a picture of Justin at that moment as well!' I thought to myself as I nickered softly. I am positive even he hadn't seen it coming when I kissed him goodbye! 'I had no idea he could turn so red, and over every part of his body that wasn't covered!' I know we had planned to leave off that morning with harsh words, to keep up the masquerade, but I changed my mind. I figured I would leave him with something a little uncomfortable to explain to his new 'boss'.

Looking back on the situation, I really have no idea what had possessed me to do such a thing. 'Ah well, what's done is done. Why think about things too much? That only makes ponies crazy, and I am not crazy! Okay, not any crazier than before, and, besides, he was a good kisser!'

I gave a discouraged sigh after I determined that, by the position of the sun, it was time to eat. I landed on a convenient cloud and proceeded to pick through my saddlebags for something to fill my belly. No matter how many times I had done this, I would never get used to travel rations. 'Blah!'

'Guess I'm setting a precedent here. Dunno why the guards were just standing around while everyone else was pulling together and loading the wagons.' I thought to myself as I hauled another barrel to a wagon.

After loading a few heavy barrels, Keluro took notice of my activities. He stomped over and demanded, “What do you think you are doing?”

I finished lifting the heavy barrel and turned to him, “What's it look like... sir?” I was still being a bit of a jerk to him since he teased me relentlessly in front of the others about Daring.

“You were hired as a guard, not a laborer.” He gave me an odd look before commanding, “Stop it. Check your equipment and fall in with the others.”

I was offended, yet still I snapped a sharp, human-style salute, “Sir, yes sir!” I had already stowed my equipment bag. All I had to do was to strap my sword on my back, pick up my spear and shield, and I was ready for a war. It was easy to tell from the way I was treated that Keluro and Zecella were both more than slightly annoyed with me. 'Wait till Zecella figures out I had the contract rewritten before she signed it.' I thought to myself with a little chuckle. I wagered there would be hell to pay, but I wasn't too worried. What could she do about it in any event? She needed me, while I didn't really need her or her money. Daring had been kind enough to spot me several gold coins, just in case. She hadn't told me till the morning she left, the same time she put the coins in my pocket mind you, that she was independently wealthy and was an adventurer just for the kicks.

'And she bitched at me over a few golds' worth of junk I found! Women...' I thought with a coy smile, a smile tempered with a slight blush as I thought back to that morning. 'Why in the world had she kissed me? Not that it was unpleasant, far from it... and that was a bit surprising in itself but... Argh! I will never understand women! Especially a certain magic. Talking. Pegasus!'

I was shaken from my thought when Kemal, the young friend I made during the battle with the bandits, wandered near me and stated, “I do not understand you.”

“Oh?” I replied, still wearing the silly little grin as I looked down at him while leaning on my spear. “What's not to get?”

“The Captain scolds you, yet you smile.” He cocked his head in a questioning way.

“Sure do.” I leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Bet it pisses him off.” I stood and saluted Keluro as he trotted over. In my deep baritone voice I bellowed, “Your orders, Captain?” I could hear Kemal trying in vain to stifle a snicker.

Keluro scowled at me and, due to proximity, Kemal. “Since you are so eager to begin working,Specialist, you may start scouting the road outside of town.” He turned a stern eye to Kemal, who was still struggling with his mirth, “Oh, and take Kemal with you. See if you can teach the whelp something of use.”

I thought Kemal was about to say or do something stupid, so I slapped him on the back hard enough to stun him while replying to Keluro, “Excellent notion, Captain! That way there will be at least one other guard here that will be able to detect an ambush.” Judging from the look I received from the captain, it would be in my best interests to leave quickly. I smirked down at Kemal, “You heard the Captain, son. Stop your grinnin', and grab your linen. There's work to be done!”

As I dragged Kemal away I heard most of the workers, and more than a few of the guards, muttering about how much of an ass Keluro was being. Their word for him, not mine! Once we were well out of earshot, I told Kemal, “Lesson one. Whether you like it or not, the Captain is in charge. Always follow your orders, unless it violates the law or something...” My voice trailed off toward the end.

Kemal looked at me curiously and stated with more venom than I had expected, “He is only doing this to spite us. How does that make him right?” He muttered something else under his breath, but I didn't pry. It was clear that he disliked Keluro a lot.

“It doesn't.” I replied offhand, “But, sadly, he's in charge. Even if you don't always respect the person, you always respect the rank. That's what my pappy always said... err, well... that's what I'm sure he would have said if I ever knew him.”

Kemal was clearly confused but nodded slowly, “I believe I understand you.” We jogged toward the city gates for a bit before he spoke again, “What I do not understand, is why you are not in charge. Keluro is not worthy of being Captain.” He stated bitterly.

I was completely blindsided by that comment, and that forced me to stop. “Hold on there, little buddy. What's with the negative vibes?” I gave him a puzzled look, “You don't even know me, yet you think I'm qualified to lead a guard squadron?”

Kemal sadly stated, “My cousin, Kearlen, was Captain before the ambush. His was the voice you heard along with Zecella when first we met. He was killed instantly by a stray crossbow shot.” I'm sure my face collapsed as I remembered when that happened. Kemal continued, “Keluro wasn't the one to take command, you did. He followed you then, he should follow you now.” The way he stated this was so matter-of-fact that I didn't know what to think. I know I would have been hurt badly if it was my family who had been killed. I realized he was only trying to be hard like a 'man'... or would it be a 'stallion'?

A few moments passed and my little friend's eyes began to water up. He had a hard time speaking for a while, since the wound was still fresh in his heart. I wasn't sure how different his culture was from mine, but in that moment I decided to do what I would if I was still back home. I placed my hand on his shoulder and said nothing until his heartache passed enough for him to go on. Once I felt he had mastered his emotions enough to continue, we exited the city gate in silence. After we had passed beyond earshot of the gate guardians, I asked Kemal, “Remember him with me.” That was what a friend did. Helped you when you needed it, even if you didn't want it.

Kemal looked at me with the confused look that I was becoming so accustomed to seeing. “I... I... Do not know what it is you ask of me?”

I began to think that our cultures were indeed different, but not that much. He only needed someone to talk too, someone who wouldn't judge him. “If you tell me of your time and memories of him, he will never truly be gone.” I placed my hand over my heart, “He will live on in here.” He needed a friend. I could do that.

Once he calmed down enough, our walk became one filled with Kemal's favorite memories of his cousin. I also learned a lot about the Ke clan in general. How they trained from a young age to become the guardians of the zebra clans. The trials and tribulations they went through to weed out those who wouldn't be able to handle the rigors reminded me a lot of boot camp. Kearlen had been one of the best in his age group. He'd only been a few years older than Kemal, and this had been his fourth caravan assignment. From what I gathered, it was a lot to live up to. Kemal wanted to be just as good, if not better, than his cousin. In fact, the way he spoke of him, I wagered that Kearlen had been more like a brother to Kemal.

I also learned that in the Ke clan, assignments were doled out by clan elders and not chosen by the individuals themselves until they proved themselves worthy. Sort of like becoming an adult in my society. While I thought it odd, I didn't find it an alien concept. I mean, my parents chose for me until I was viewed old enough to make my own decisions. The way Kemal described his people was similar, only the clan elders made decisions for the clan as a whole in Much the same way a ruling body would. It might have been similar to the way the Native Americans had once done things, but sadly I didn't know enough about them. That was another thing I wished I had paid more attention too, I'm positive it would have assisted me in the understanding of these people.

Time passed for us easily, and we soon found ourselves several miles away from the city walls. During our trek, we had both told stories of our pasts and compared things that had happened during our lives. I am fairly positive that Kemal was the only one in the caravan who realized just how different I was from them. Not only was the culture I was from diametrically different from theirs, my level of education was light-years beyond even the most educated of the caravan. I tried to laugh that off, claiming that most of my schooling was useless here. Somehow, the fact that I had more years of schooling than he had been alive, only made Kemal even more in awe of me. It was a bit unnerving.

Finally I viewed the caravan exiting the city walls. “Wait here, Kemal.” I said while pulling a polished steel mirror from my hip pouch. Climbing a decently sized tree, I used the mirror to flash a simple signal to Keluro. I received a response after only a few moments. I was glad he and I agreed on a set series of flashes for signaling. It was secure, yet simple, as only he and I knew what the series of short and long flashes represented.

After hopping down from the tree, I stated, “Time to move on. Any questions?”

My companion asked, “Yes. How do you move so silently? With hoof covers like the ones you wear, I would imagine you to make much noise, yet I can detect next to nothing.”

It was a good question. One I was unsure how to explain to him. “I don't think it is something I can easily teach you.” I lifted one of my feet to show him how different it was shaped compared to his hooves. “See, even through my boot, my feet are shaped completely different than your hooves. I learned how walk without making much noise years ago. Compared to some people I trained with, I am relatively poor at stealth.”

Kemal looked at me with a lot of doubt in his eyes, “If you don't want to tell me, just say so!”

“What? If I could teach you, I would!” I put my hands on my hips. “In fact, I was going to try to show you what I know during this trip.” After pondering for a moment, I stated, “Ya! That's just what I'm gonna do!” I pointed a finger in Kemal's face, “That way, you will be well on your way to earning enough honor to take your place as a caravan captain!”

Wonder filled Kemal's eyes. “You would do this?” I shouldn’t have been surprised when his eyes narrowed dangerously soon after. “What is your interest? What is your want out of this?”

I looked to the sky and all but screamed, “Why? Why can't I just do the right thing without getting second guessed every time?” I huffed and stalked away from a stunned Kemal while muttering to myself. “To think, I thought humans were screwed up! Now I'm in a land of magic, talking ponies and they are just as bad... this dream is starting to suck!” I turned a dangerous look Kemal's way, “You can learn if you want, but don't get in my way.”

'Mmmm, I love hot tubs!' I thought while letting the heat work the tension right out of my sore muscles. 'They should install these in every city!' Sadly, I knew that Equagga did not boast these wonderful innovations. I suppose they would cost too much without such abundant magic.

'Oh, well. At least my appointment with the Princess is scheduled first thing in the morning. I would give her both the Amulet and the Statuette, only thing I need to think about was how much credit to give my friend. I did have a reputation to maintain...' I chewed my lower lip while thinking, 'He actually managed to get them both. I suppose I will have to tell her as much. Princess Celestia has an odd way of knowing when ponies spoke the truth to her, even partial truths.' I sighed and shifted in the luxurious water. 'At least I can claim finding a new species! I've gathered a lot of information on these 'Humans'.' I smiled at that thought. It had been a while since my last discovery of a new species.

Then I frowned. 'But...each time I had discovered a new species, Celestia had burst my bubble. She always told me about references to them in 'ancient' records!' My frown slowly turned into a grin, 'Not this time! This time I took the liberty of doing some research in the Canterlot library beforehand. There were absolutely no references to anything even remotely similar to a Human! History books, here I come!' I felt confidant that I was, in fact, the first pony to discover the Human race.

Even if I had to give Justin the credit he was due, finding both of the artifacts, I would be recognized as the discoverer of a new race! That was, in a way, better than having recovered both the Amulet and the Statuette. It would be recorded in the history books, while discovery of a few artifacts would only yield a monetary reward from the princess and not be recorded anywhere except her personal journals.

'Oh, not that I minded the money, only that wasn't the kind of reward I wanted.' I was already rich, all nobles were. What I wanted was to make history. I had already discovered numerous plants and insects, but I wanted a meaningful entry into the history books! I had managed that through my novels, which reminded me, I had to make time to drop off my latest journal to my publisher. I bet he would be thrilled to see me. Tundra was always excited for a visit from 'big sis'. 'If I am being honest with myself, I bet he will barely notice I dropped by.' I didn't like to think about how sick he always was. 'I wonder if the nightmares have stopped? I always said he was sick because he slept too much. Maybe he is getting better now that he is getting older? I certainly hope so. We may not be close, but he is the only family I have left...'

First things first though, I had to report to princess Celestia. My notes, the Amulet, and that ugly Statuette were all in order to present to her. All I had to do now was wait, and enjoy this absolutely sinful treatment. A mare could really let herself go with all this luxury. Fortunately, I didn't have to worry. I kept myself fit and trim, so a little indulgence now and again wouldn't soften me. 'Sometimes...' I thought while nibbling on a chocolate covered strawberry, '...it's nice to experience the finer things in life!' While enjoying myself, I wondered how Justin was fairing. Knowing him, he was probably enjoying himself immensely.

“Are you fraking kidding me?” I shouted as I hunkered down behind one of the wagons. “A sand storm?” My words were lost in the howling winds. The other caravan guards and I had to quickly assemble a makeshift shelter out of some tarps and the wagons themselves. We had managed to seal the wagons off from the worst the storm had to offer, sadly there wasn't enough room for all of us in them. Myself and the entire contingent of guards had to face the rigors of the storm with little to offer us protection. Using the wagons as anchors to the front and rear, the tarps were deployed between them to create a space of relative calm that, while not totally safe, offered some modicum of protection.

"I am hating this trip more and more.” I muttered under my breath. The first two and a half days were wonderful. Nothing but forest and life all about us, that was absolutely paradise to me. Sadly that wonderland ended right into a fraking desert! No one had mentioned crossing through a fraking desert! Distance, sure, that we had covered, but never the mention of crossing through an area that made Death Valley look like Disneyland! Thank whatever god or goddess out there that was protecting me, we had plenty of water. “To think,” I grumbled to myself, “I was having such a great time 'till all the sand...” I rechecked the cables lashing our temporary shelter together. I had to tighten several of them, and soon realized that no matter how tight they were, they would need resecured periodically.

I thought back to when I first realized we were entering a desert. Zecella had threatened to dock my pay due to increased requirement for water rations but, oddly, Keluro vetoed her. He agreed with me that they had not warned me about the monstrous heat or even the desert itself! That and he knew I would have turned around and left them right there, claiming breach of contract. You see, by now they had both read the 'amended' contract they had signed. Nazir had made sure to slip in a few nice additions in my favor when he had rewritten it. Such as, 'The ability to null and void said contract for any harsh conditions not fully disclosed at the time of signing.' or something to that degree. Even I didn't have to point out that a fraking desert counted as 'undisclosed harsh conditions'. Thankfully, before the desert began in full, there was a gorgeous oasis to fill up on potable water and rest up for the journey. Almost halfway through our arduous trek we were expected to hit another oasis. This meant that we wouldn't have to worry about running out of water.

“I wish we were still at that first oasis!” I had to bellow at the top of my lungs for any of the zebra near me to hear. That thought was met with lots of agreeing nods. I struggled my way over to Keluro, “How long do these storms usually last?” I wanted to ask a lot more, but the wailing wind kept speech to a minimum.

Keluro almost had to put his muzzle in my ear so that I could hear him, “Depends!”

The mortified look I gave him would have been humorous in a different situation. “Depends on what?” I shouted back.

“Whether you've angered one of the great spirits or not!” He yelled back, while slapping me on the back.

I couldn't help but force a chuckle at his humor. The blistering sun and maddening heat had abated a little, only to be replaced with bitter cold wind tossing the environment around like a mad sandblaster. It seriously made me reconsider anything I may have ever said or done to offend any and every gods or goddesses in existence. This whole time I hadn't had anything to use for sunscreen, so I was covered from head to toe at all times and still I managed to get a bit singed here and there. I thanked my lucky stars I had so much covering my body as the first blasts of sand erupted among us. If I hadn't, very likely the flesh would have been scoured from my body. Thank goodness I was, at least a little, enured to hardships like this or likely I would have collapsed from heatstroke by now. That didn't mean I was completely unaffected by this hellish climate. Not by a long shot. There had been times I wished I would just die and end the misery. Still, I managed to survive this far and I didn't plan to let a single storm end me.

I forced myself to ingest another one of the survival rations I had purchased from Nazir. They were shaped into bars about the size of a pack of cigarettes and were hard as rocks. Sadly, they tasted horrible and I questioned the nutritional value of the dehydrated meat and vegetable combination, but they were the only dried foodstuffs he had that contained actual meat. “At least they fill the void in my gut,” I muttered while crunching slowly. Several of the other guards were doing the same as I was and we were passing around a few canteens to drink from. We really didn't know how long it would take for the storm to blow over, but we would need our strength as soon as it did.

With nothing better to do, I started one of the campfire songs the zebra had taught me. That really raised their spirits up a bit. At some point during the first verse, one of my compatriots took out a drum and began beating out the tune. Soon after, the drum was accompanied by something resembling maracas. The castanets and lute that followed close behind were a nice touch. I was actually surprised they didn't have some type of woodwind. Most likely no one in this group played one. Even still, we carried on as if we had not a care in the world. At one point, Zecella poked her head into our little shelter and demanded to know why we having a party when things were so grim.

I don't know how I managed to keep a straight face when I told her, “Ancient human superstition. When a storm rises like this one, it means we have angered the spirits! The only way to appease them is with the gift of song and dance as well. I only hope they will forgive us for not being able to dance!” The look she gave me was odd to say the least, but I'll be double dipped if not five minutes later the wagons also joined us in singing! Oh, I was going to have some tales to tell!

I sat on a comfortable cloud far above Manehattan cursing my luck. “BUCK! BUCK IT ALL!” I screamed, shocking and frightening a few weather ponies flying past. Noticing that I had drawn unwanted attention to myself, I grabbed my cloud and flew even higher so as not to bother anypony else. 'How could she do this to me?! HOW?!' I continued that train of thought as I rocketed higher than I had ever been. Only when my breath became visible before my eyes and breathing was difficult, did I stop. The major metropolis below was barely a speck at this point. I felt a little safer up here. It was a lot less likely anypony would accidentally come nearby while I was venting my frustrations.

I let loose with a mighty bellow of inarticulate rage and disillusion. I began to lose my voice in short order, though I felt no better. 'Oh, Princess... why?' I held my journal, but didn't have to open it to know that Celestia had removed all traces of my new friend and filled in the gaps with nonsense that my readers would adore. Reaching into my sidesaddle, I removed a simple, silver bangle. I stared daggers at the unassuming piece of cheap-looking jewelry as several tears of rage fell from my eyes. My voice was hoarse and ragged as I whispered, “Oh, princess...I don't think I can do this.” I closed my eyes from the harsh wind, “Lying is one thing, but this...this is wrong!”

I don't know how long I sat there, filled with self-loathing at what I was commanded to do. She hadn't even bothered to explain herself! I knew she was the Princess and I was supposed to trust her implicitly, but this was stretching my faith too much. Never before had I second guessed my Princess, but this time I was sorely pressed to follow out my orders.

I stopped to think over my conversation with Princess Celestia. I was so shocked when she told me that she knew of humans, that I actually cussed in her presence. I had expected to be reprimanded for that, but she simply laughed it off with me. She explained that she had never actually spoken with a human and that all of her knowledge about them was either secondhand tales or postmortem dissection. She knew of their physiology and even went so far as to tell me that they weren't all that different from us. Granted, I was astonished when she told me they were omnivorous. Justin hadn't ever mentioned a desire to eat meat. Other than that, from what Celestia had deduced, humans were very similar to us ponies. Apparently she had examined the remains of more than a few humans, though she didn't tell me how many.

Celestia had told me that she didn't know anything else, but I did not believe her. She never was a very good liar. I knew she was holding back vital information. I just didn't know what. 'Was it something bad? Were humans dangerous in some way? Why wouldn't she tell me?! Didn't she trust...' I shook my head and refused to complete the thought. I only wished she would have explained more. Buck! I could tell she was purposely not telling me most of what she knew, but why?

I decided to settle down and try to think things through from Celestia's point of view. 'Let's see, she knows that humans exist but not much more. Maybe she just wants to make sure that they are not dangerous.' That made a lot of sense. Celestia loved us all so much that she just wanted to make sure that Justin and his people were not a threat! 'I bet once she sees how nice he is, she will want to meet him!' I remember the shocked look on Celestia's face when I proudly explained that I had not only studied a human, but also made friends with one. She told me that my next assignment would be to fly back to Equagga and to learn as much about Justin and his people as I could, but not to bring him to Equestria. 'It makes more sense now that think about it!'

I definitely felt a lot better after thinking things through. I still might not like what I had to do, but I would get it done. It only took me a few moments to pull myself together before I went to visit my brother and journalist. I just had to remember not to mention anything about humans to Tundra. That would probably be for the best with him anyway.

The sandstorm didn't pass until well after the sun had set. We spent several hours digging the wagons out, since they were half buried from all the collected sand. Once we were able to, we moved far enough away to feel free again. Zecella wanted to continue traveling throughout the night, but Keluro stated that would be a bad idea, so we rested for the remainder of the night.

I'm not sure why, but I didn't rest well that night. The clouds had been thick for several nights now and I missed seeing the moon. Thinking back on it, I hadn't seen the moon much since I woke up in this strange world. I began to wonder if it was like my moon. I wanted to ask Daring, but she wasn't here.

Before I could dwell long, a voice shattered my thoughts, “Can't sleep either?”

I turned a wry smile to Kemal. “No. Trying to remember something, but I just can't focus on the memory.”

Kemal was clearly confused, “What do you mean? You can not remember things?”

“Yeah.” Was my simple answer to a very complex question. I hoped he would drop it.

“I would ask what you were trying to remember, but that would be silly. You already said you can not remember.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, “Do they feel like important memories?”

I raised an eyebrow and frowned as I retorted sharply, “Aren't they all important memories?” I sighed, “Sorry, Kemal, I just don't like to think about it. Makes me feel like I have lost something close to me, only I don't know what.”

I was about to ask him not to ask about it anymore when he surprised me with, “Have you seen a doctor about it yet?” His eyes were full of concern. We had become very close since we left Riverside and I considered him a friend.

Kemal was silent for a while before breaking the comfortable silence, “I believe I know why.”

He had a serious look on his young face, “Yes.” His voice was somber, “Among those of my tribe are many who think that needing a physician, especially for the mind, means you are less of a man.”

I am pretty sure my eyes widened in shock, “Are you serious?” He nodded that he was. “Kemal, that isn't the reason I haven't gone.”

I sighed and nodded. “Yes. I meant to back in Riverside but...” I looked him in the eyes, “...I forgot.”

“I would appreciate it, Kemal.” I smiled before sighing once more, “I hate forgetting...whatever it is I can't remember.” I looked back to my friend, “It isn't like I have forgotten anything that has happened since I got here...” I furrowed my brow in deep concentration, “...least, I don't think so.”

Kemal grinned, “It would be an honor to help you, my friend.” He made a series of strange motions with his hoof, “It is the least I can do for all you have done for me.”

He nodded, “That we did, but it doesn't change that I see you as my friend. Friends help one another.” He smiled broadly at me, “Perhaps it would help if you talked with me?”

I couldn't help but smile at the turn of events. “It just might, but I am not sure where to start.”

“The beginning, as they say, is usually best.” There was a bit of humor in his voice as he lightly punched my shoulder.

'He is right.' I thought. 'Maybe I should talk to him. He seems like he really gives a shit. Ah, what the hell!' A smile slowly spread across my face as I thought about it. When I spoke, my voice was subdued, “I remember being very ill.” My wan smile didn't fade as I let my memories take over while staring off into the distance, “Not the kind of ill you recover from. I remember not having much in the way of family. Oh, I had them, but nothing close...except my mother.” I pulled my knees close to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs. I wasn't that cold, yet a strange chill shot through my body. “I...I know she was always there for me, but something happened to make her sad.” I suddenly fell quiet.

My voice, when it came again, wasn't speaking to Kemal anymore, “I don't know what happened. All I know is that remembering her being so sad hurts.” I tapped my chest, “Here.” I closed my eyes and breathed evenly, “I don't remember anyone else close to me. No spouse or children. Nothing closer than a few friends. I know I was married once, a long time ago, but those are thoughts I am glad to forget.” I don't really know if my voice had any emotion or not, “I know I miss my mother, but that is all I miss from that world. I am happy to forget the war, the strife, and the greed. There was the possibility for so much good in my world, but folks kept forgetting about it. I have immense knowledge of my peoples past and, the sad fact is, we've done little more than constantly repeat our mistakes time and again. For all our brilliance...” I let out a deep sigh as my sentence died out. “I may be crazy Kemal, but I do remember there being someplace I wanted to go. Someplace much better than where I called home. A place where they valued the better things in life, but I can't remember where. Or what it was even called!” I mastered my voice before I let my emotions run away with me.

“I don't even remember how long it has been, Kemal.” I said, looking at him. “A part of me doesn't want to remember.” He opened his mouth, but I interrupted him, “What if I did something really bad? What if there is a really good reason to not remember the past...eh, I don't know how long.” My voice was little more than a whisper at this point, “All I do know is that I am here. This isn't a dream and I have to make a life here. I suppose that is all that really matters.” I turned a wry smile to my friend, “It's what she would have wanted, for me to be happy.”

Throughout it all, Kemal patiently listened. He made no comments until he was sure I was not going to say anymore. “You have been through a lot, my friend. All I can say is this, if my memories had been tampered with, I would want to know.” He held up a hoof to stop me from arguing, “I understand that you fear not knowing what you have done and that you might be responsible for some great wrong, but consider this. What if you forgot some great right? What if you forgot something wonderful? In the end, if you want to see a doctor, I will go with you. If you choose not to go, that will be your choice, not mine. I will not judge. I know you have been nothing but a good friend and that is enough for me.”

I was slightly stunned at his wisdom. In some ways he was so young, but in others he was very mature. “Thank you, Kemal. Means a lot to me.”

Tundra seemed unusually happy to see me. I was extremely relieved that he was starting to feel better. Sadly, I had to cut my visit short, duty calls! All of my normal suppliers came through, like usual. Thankfully, they were all dependable ponies, and I was able to start my long flight back to Equagga without incident.

The leagues melted beneath my powerful wings. Rolling hills and beautifully ordered grasslands shot by, soon to be replaced by the deep blue of water. The clouds, so manicured and precise over Equestria, became haphazard and beautiful in their wild nature. At times, when I was a little bored, I would shoot through some of the naturally formed clouds. They felt so different. Raw. Wild. With a little smirk, I thought, 'That's why I do this! To feel the freedom of nature!' I let myself enjoy the clouds and wind for a short time before continuing on my way. I had to admit to myself, it was refreshing. To revel in the unspoiled natural wilds was in my blood.

Time passed, like it always does, and I came closer and closer to my destination. Thankfully, I was able to simply fly above storms. If I had to rely on a boat, the trip would have been unpleasant to say the least. I had to have passed at least three major weather formations that, without any weather ponies to control, would have been major storms. 'Yes,' I thought to myself, 'flight is the best way to travel. I wonder how others get by without it.' I spent a lot of my trip pondering that. In the end, I assumed they were just insanely jealous and had to make due without flight. That did make me laugh a little.

'I hope the rest of my flight is this easy.' I thought. 'I have had my fill of hardships for the moment. Maybe I can convince Justin to lay low for a bit. Get him to tell me everything I want to know while in the lap of luxury.' The thought of it made me chuckle, 'I seriously doubt it. That boy doesn't like to slow down. It's almost like he is on a mission...' That was the first time I had thought anything like that. 'Maybe the Princess is right. I really don't know him. True, he did save my life a few times, but what is it that he is really after?' As distasteful as it was, that train of thought carried for a long way...

My height gave me many advantages over my shorter compatriots. For that reason, I spotted the final Oasis long before any of them. “Look Kemal, the Oasis.” I said while pointing.

He stood next to me on the dune. “I see no Oasis, though I swear I can smell it.”

I chuckled for a moment, then reached down and picked him up. The sound of shock was worth not warning him. Placing him on my shoulder I said, “How about now?”

His annoyance in being handled faded as the lush green of the oasis came into view. “Yes, no wonder the wagon leader always sees it first!” I felt him lean forward precariously, “Do you see that?” he pointed to a tiny series of dots in the distance.

“Yes,” I replied, “What do you make of it? If I was to hazard a guess, another caravan? Traveling from a different direction?”

He nodded and, from his vantage, looked down on me for a change, “This does not bode well.” At my look of confusion he elaborated, “Rival caravans can be as dangerous as bandits, in some ways they are worse.”

“Since it is your discovery, you should tell Zecella. I wager it will garner you some prestige. I will wait here and keep an eye on them.” My little friend seemed sure of himself.

I placed him back on the ground and it dawned on him why this was a bad idea. “Tell ya what, why don'tcha haul ass back to the caravan and fill 'em in. I'll hang tight here and keep an eye on 'em.” He nodded in agreement with my logic. “In fact...” I pulled out my small mirror and flashed a short signal back toward the caravan. A few moments passed before a response came. “Okay, now go. They are expecting a report.”

Kemal nodded and was off like lightning. While I waited, I pulled my small spyglass from my hip pouch. The resolution wasn't super, but it sure enhanced my vision! I focused in on the movement. It took me a while to deduce that there were four wagons, but roughly the same number of guards as we had. That confused me a little, but I continued counting to be sure and also swept the countryside around us to make certain that nopony was sneaking up on us. 'Good lord... I'm starting to talk like them now!' I probably did a facepalm at that point.

I must have stood there gathering intel for about fifteen minutes before I heard the creaking of familiar wagons closing in on me. I turned an eye toward them and noticed they were still about fifty yards away. Zecella, Keluro, and Kemal were much closer. I only nodded to the greeting they called out and returned to my spying.

Once they were practically next to me, Zecella asked, “What do you see, an answer I ask of thee?”

I couldn't help but chuckle. Her rhymes were terrible, but I didn't think it would be prudent to tell her that. Instead I answered her, “Caravan. Four wagons. Twenty, or so, guards. Best guess, thirty-two additional ponies of various types, mainly zebra, including pullers and workers.” I pointed toward the sky, “And at least one griffon scout.”

I waved to the griffon and, in return, it reared back flaring its wings out. “Yea, he spotted us. I saw him before he noticed me, but that really doesn't much matter.” I turned and looked at my employers. “They know we are here. Kemal mentioned this could be bad.” I made the last statement sound like a question.

Keluro glanced at me but paid more attention to the griffon while speaking, “It can be. If we only knew what house they served...”

I said with a frown, “Red heralding. Gold boarder. Silver stripe, diagonal down the middle. Can't make out the shapes inside, sorry. Too far.”

All three zebras looked at me in astonishment. Zecella piped up, “You mean to tell us you can see that far, with only that little tube is truly bizarre!”

I cocked my head in confusion, “You mean to tell me you've never seen a spyglass before?” At the collective head shakes indicating negative, I muttered, “Barbarians...” I handed the spyglass to Zecella and showed her how it worked, then hoisted her up on my shoulder as she gave a surprised squeak.

Looking down at me she sputtered, “Next time, tell us your plan. You uncouth man!”

I chuckled while pointing out where she needed to look. I learned that even with a spyglass, zebras had terrible vision. Compared to me at least. It made me wonder how they viewed the world around them. I was shocked out of my reverie by Zecella bopping me on the head to be let down. I remembered to take my spyglass back from her, 'cuz likely she would have tried to keep it. She then said something very rapidly to Keluro in their native tongue. I had no idea what she said, but her intent was fairly clear. Kemal and I double-timed it to the oasis while she and Keluro ran back to the caravan to speed them along.

Kemal and I made it to the oasis in less than fifteen minutes. We decided to rest in the shade of the palm trees while waiting for the rest of our group to catch up. The griffon I had been watching landed on the other side of the oasis at about the same time we got there, but, other than acknowledging our presence with a wave of his wing, did not approach us. We all helped ourselves to the refreshing and cool water.

Now, I'm not sure how they somehow coordinated it, but both caravans came trundling in at about the same time. I watched the posturing of the two groups while nibbling on some fresh dates. They were pretty good too. The dates, not the posturing. For lack of a better reference, it reminded me of rival schools getting ready for a football game. There was a lot of shouting and sword rattling, but nopony actually interacted across the oasis. Kemal had returned to the rest of the guards, but I liked the spot where I was. I figured the best way not to get in the way, was to stay out of the way. It was fairly easy to do since the oasis was so huge. By my best guess, I would think six or seven caravans could use it and not crowd each other. Since I hadn't rested well the past few nights, I nodded off in the shade.

I was awoken by Keluro. He shook my shoulder and hissed in my ear, “Get up. We need you now.” I'm a very light sleeper and I woke almost instantly. Keluro had to stop me from pulling my blade. “Hold up there, champ. No need for that just yet.” He slapped my shoulder in a chummy way, “Come on, almost show time!”

I was certainly confused, but, having gotten to know my captain, I just got up and went along with him. Asking questions of him usually got me an asinine answer, so finding out for myself was usually the safest bet. I wagered I had rested for less than two hours by the sun's setting position. I noticed that a large grouping of various ponies, again mostly zebras, had formed at the halfway point between the two caravans. By the looks of things, it seemed to be a party of some sort. As I got closer, I realized that the two groups had formed a large, segregated circle. The way that the ponies were interacting sent up several red flags.

“Okay, Keluro. Tell me what's going on, now.” I said, stopping well away from the group.

I crossed my arms over my chest and deadpanned, “Pretend for a moment, if you can, that I am an outsider who doesn't know your ways.”

Keluro huffed, “It is the way feuding houses settle their differences.” I waved one hand in a circular motion for him to start divulging more. He sighed, “Long ago, after the Kinslayer War, the clans formed the Compact. It forbade open hostilities between the many houses of zebra. This has been so for generations. We resolve our differences with single champion combat.”

He gave me a puzzled look, “No, you were chosen champion by majority vote.” At my raised eyebrow he continued, “I know, I didn't expect it either. It is a great honor to be chosen and here I thought it would be me.” He let out an exasperated sigh, “I can't believe my own men would choose you over me”

With a nod of his head, we resumed walking toward the spectators at a slow pace. “Simple. It is unarmed combat. Get knocked unconscious , you lose. Get knocked out of the ring, you lose.” He looked up at me, “You cry for mercy, you lose.”

“No. It is a no-holds-barred, unarmed combat.” He chuckled, “Of course, it is bad form to strike a stallion in his 'family jewels', if you catch my drift.”

I rolled my eyes, “Some things never change...” As we neared the cleared area I thought to ask, “Who or what am I fighting?”

Keluro pointed to a zebra who was heavily muscled, yet oddly short. “Kevirro.” He stamped his hoof, “I so wanted a chance at the scion of House Azeel!”

He nodded, “Well, next in line as heir. His sister is next in line of command.” Keluro grabbed me by the ruff of my shirt and pulled me down to his level. He hissed in my ear, “I have a personal grudge against this honorless bastard! He fights dirty. A year ago, he broke both of my brothers front legs in addition to fracturing his jaw. I want you to hurt him. Badly!”

I was a little taken back by the amount of venom in Keluro's voice. I was also a bit angered. Keluro may not be the closest of friends, but, damn it, he was a friend. To hear how this Kevirro hurt his family...well he may as well have messed with mine. As much as it galled me, I would simply have to hurt him. I might not enjoy combat, but I was damn good at it. Thinking things over, I walked over to Kemal and whispered to him, “Hey buddy, what's the absolute worst thing I can do to hurt this prig?”

Kemal's voice was grim, “Keluro told you what Kevirro did to Kelero?” I nodded and he continued, “I would say break every bone in his body, but that would be against the rules. If you broke his neck...” He shook his head negative, “No, don't kill him. That is dishonorable.” He rubbed his chin with a hoof then smiled, “If anyone has a chance to do it, it is you. Toss his sorry ass out of the ring!” The sadistic grin on my little buddy's face was unnerving.

With a sigh, I began stretching and loosening my muscles while at the same time removing my armor and most of my clothing. While I was doing so, the zebra named Kevirro began tossing some very unsavory taunts in my general direction, though I think they were more aimed at Zecella. “What is this? House Black Hoof brings a hairless diamond dog to fight me? How far the mighty have fallen!” He strutted around like a peacock, “Do not worry mutt. I shall make this quick, but not painless!”

The crowd of varied ponies hushed, I suppose awaiting my response. The only thing I graced them with was to spit on the ground. Kevirro yelled out, “Keluro, do I have the pleasure of breaking another of your useless brothers?”

I could see the rage plain as day on Keluro's face. I was surprised he managed to keep quiet and not rise to the baiting. I was getting tired of this windbag. I looked back to Zecella and stated in my deep baritone, “Are you certain I am not allowed kill him?” I turned back to Kevirro and gave him a predatory stare. “He looks juicy enough. I wager he would taste lovely with a side of fava beans.” I licked my lips, just to see if it would unnerve him.

Oh, unnerve him it did! His voice was several octaves higher when he yelled out, “You would eat me? What madness is this?”

As much as I wanted to yell out an ever popular phrase about Sparta, I didn't. Instead, I turned back to Zecella and laughingly said, “Wow! Who knew he was a coward as well as an honorless sack o' manure?” Having moved to my starting place inside the 'ring', I took a combat stance and said to my opponent, “C'mon asshole, let's dance!”

Having seen zebras in combat before, during sparring with my compatriots, I knew what to expect from him. Zebra had extremely thick skulls and razor hooves. Their unarmed fighting styles tended to alter from a cavalry-style charge and ram with the head, like a battering ram, to rearing up on either front or rear hooves and lashing out with the other set. Honestly, it was an impressive combination against any and all quadrupeds. What it wasn't particularly effective against was a nimble biped ready for just such an assault, like me. Time and again, I had trained with Keluro and the rest of the guards and, no matter what they had tried, I was always able to twist into and take advantage of their weak spots.

This fight wasn't going to be much different. I stared my opponent in the eyes. It was easy to see that he was overconfident. The way he so flippantly entered combat against an unknown opponent, like me, was a sure road to disaster. He was so confident in his own abilities that defeat, in any way, was inconceivable. Nothing a good, ol' fashioned, country ass-whoopin' wouldn't fix...

The two opposing clans hurls insults and cheers in equal number as Kevirro and I circled each other for a few tense moments, neither of us willing to surrender distance to the other. I flashed another of my predatory grins and was rewarded with an involuntary flinch from my opponent. That was my window. I dug my feet into the ground and sprang forward. The crowd gasped in alarm as I closed the distance between me and Kevirro far quicker than any of them had expected. In the time it took him to recover from flinching, I was already almost upon him. A yelp caught in his throat as his survival instincts kicked into place and he reacted to my incoming assault with utter desperation.

All the 'practice' fighting in the world cannot prepare a man for how to deal with someone fighting for their very being. The typical rules and patterns of combat are made null when a person's, or pony's, life is on the line. What should have been a stunning strike to the side of his neck instead slammed into the top of his head as Kevirro intercepted my punch with his thick skull. Pain crackled up my arm. Nothing felt broken, but damn did that hurt. I reflexively turned my body to protect my injured hand, expecting a moment's respite, but was mildly shocked when Kevirro pressed forward.

The force of Kevirro throwing his entire mass into me took me off guard. I allowed my legs to give beneath me and rolled with the body slam as best I could. I wound up flat on my back, no surprise there, '...but at least I hadn't been folded in hal-' Pain exploded in my chest as something small and hard struck me just under my solar plexus. The force of the blow knocked the wind out of me and sent me tumbling for a few feet. 'The little shit actually managed to kick me in the gut!', I thought through the pain of trying to draw air into my burning lungs.

"Ha!" I heard Kevirro scoff. "Is that all your champion has in him?" His voice was shaky at first, but quickly regaining its tone of superiority. "One kick and he collapses! Is this truly the strongest champion House Black Hoof has to offer me?! Pathetic...!" A triumphant shout exploded from those gathered on House Azeel's side of the ring.

Kevirro threw a few more choice insults at Zecella and the rest of her house. My breathing evened out as I got my wind back, afforded the time because my opponent was more interested in playing the crowd than finishing me off. 'His loss...' I pushed myself to my feet and casually began to dust myself off. I noted, with a hint of satisfaction, the shocked expression on Kevirro's face when he turned around to find me not lying crippled on the ground. He quickly caught himself and resumed his cocky sneering.

"What, was it not enough for me to drop you once? Why not save us both the trouble and give up now before I have to hurt you again?" Kevirro called out with a smirk as he lightly pawed the ground with a hoof to accentuate his taunt.

"Hurt? Naw..." I gave a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders, "...you just got in a lucky shot there. Wasn't expectin' you to lash out like a frightened animal, knocked the wind right outta me. Must've really scared ya there, didn't I?" I slipped back into a neutral combat stance, a shit-eating grin slowly growing on my face.

Daggers glared back at me from across the ring. "Me? Frightened?! The scion of the GREAT House Azeel has nothing to fear from something that looks like a deformed, hairless diamond dog!" Kevirro slammed a hoof into the ground and lowered his head, turning himself into a living battering ram. "I'll send you back to whatever hell that whore of a mother birthed you from!" He bellowed just before throwing himself into an all-out charge.

I was never an overly violent person. I didn't start fights just so I could hurt people. I didn't take any joy or pleasure from watching others suffer. Hell, it's generally hard just to get me angry. Unfortunately for Kevirro, he had found just the right button to push to bring my anger boiling to the surface. No one said bad about my mother and got away with it. Now, I wanted to hurt him. Adrenaline surged into my bloodstream, sending my entire body into a rage-fueled overload. Time seemed to slow around me...

My vision sharpened to the point where I could see the blood vessels in Kevirro's eyes. My hearing became so acute that could pick out each individual breath from him, even over the sound of his charging hooves. My muscles bulged, becoming like a coiled, high-tension springs just waiting to be released by a signal from a nervous system that suddenly responded like crackling lightning. I had become the perfect killing-machine that all humans had the potential to be. When Kevirro was only three steps away from me, I exploded into action like a shot from a gun.

In a blink, I wasn't where I had been. A simple side step placed me just to the left of Kevirro. I lashed at out at his foreleg with a precise, blazing-fast strike from my left foot. Bone and cartilage gave way with a sickening crack as my steel-toe boot connected with the force of a sledge hammer. Kevirro collapsed instantly, his blown-out knee unable to support the weight of his failed charge His forward momentum carried him onward, driving his muzzle painfully into the dirt, before he skidded to a halt on his left side. Like a pouncing lion, I was was on my enemy before he even had time to cry out in pain.

I grabbed a handful of zebra mane, it felt much like a handful of human hair though slightly more coarse, and brutally slammed his face into the ground. Kevirro reeled from the attack, the fierce bludgeoning stunning him even through his armored skull. Something in me snapped and I suddenly found myself reliving the Military Advanced Individual Combat Training I had received long ago. There, in my mind's eye, stood Drill Sergeant McConnell. Conscious thought was repressed as my body began to act on its own, controlled by memories and wired reflexes of another time. I could hear him like it was yesterday...

'Your enemy will try to call for reinforcements. Deny him his ability to communicate!' My right hand, still full of zebra mane, yanked back hard. My left arm circled his exposed neck and tightened like a vice, cutting off his screams.

'Your enemy will try to escape. Deny him his ability to move!' Still holding the struggling zebra by the throat, I released his mane and snaked my right hand underneath his uninjured foreleg to grab it in the crook of my arm. Using my entire arm like a lever, I swiftly pried the encircled leg upwards until an audible 'pop' emitted from Kevirro's shoulder. His eyes widened as fresh pain shot through his body, but he was able to do little more than gurgle helplessly.

'An injured enemy is still a dangerous enemy. Deny him his ability to fight back!' I released the dislocated leg, allowing it to fall limply to ground as if it were made of rubber. Now freed of its burden, my arm lifted into the air before plummeting back down in a devastating elbow strike to the side of Kevirro's spine. The bone in my elbow drove like a sharpened wedge into the zebra's vertebrae. The resulting crack echoed loud enough to snap me out of my 'hunter-killer' mode. It was like coming out of a dream, one that you weren't sure had truly ended. I looked about in a stupor at the silent crowd gathered around me.

I was answered by a twitch and realized that I was squeezing something in left arm. The horrifying chill of that realization struck me like a knife to the gut and slowly began to creep outwards over the rest me. My mind screamed at my body to not look down, not wanting to confirm with my eyes what it already knew to be true. I may as well have been a moth resisting the light of a fire, except what I saw hurt more than any fire ever could have.

Abject terror stared up at me, reflected in the lone eye that Kevirro helplessly watched me through. His mouth gaped repeatedly, trying desperately to breathe through the windpipe I was still crushing. Carefully, I willed myself to loosen my chokehold as the memory of what I had just done played through my mind with crystal clarity. I had reduced this poor zebra to a shattered husk in the time it normally would have taken me to draw two breaths.

Kevirro gagged repeatedly before finally managing to suck in an arduous lungful of air. The resulting exhale was so ragged that it sent a tremor running down the course of his body. There was no fight left in him, and probably never would be again. I could tell he wanted to beg for mercy...to plead desperately for his life. No sound came from his lips as they uselessly tried to draw speech from a pulverized throat. I watched as he attempted to crawl toward the safety of the ring's edge. His mangled front legs pitifully tried to pull him along while, beyond where my elbow had struck, his body remained gravely still. Kevirro was unable to surrender and I could do nothing, be it render him unconscious or remove him from the ring, without possibly killing him. I knelt there and stared at him, my battle-numbed mind working sluggishly to come up with a solution. A voice from House Azeel's side suddenly broke the deathly silence that had descended on the gathering.

"House Azeel concedes!" Shouted the female zebra who boldly stepped forward from Azeel's ranks to stop just outside the ring. "We recognize..." Her words caught in her throat as her gaze was drawn to mine. While her posture and tone exuded an air of power and nobility, I could see the same fear in her eyes as the rest of crowd. She swallowed quickly and continued. "We recognize House Black Hoof's champion as the victor in this combat. Does House Black Hoof accept?" Silence returned her question. "Does House Black Hoof accept?!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

"...House Black Hoof accepts..." Ventured Zecella's dazed and barely audible reply, shocked even beyond her capacity to rhyme.

"Then it is done. Now...please..." Azeel's speaker faltered as our gazes once again met. She snapped her eyes closed for a moment. When she opened them again, her eyes fell upon Kevirro's broken form and all restraint fled her. "PLEASE! Don't kill my brother!" She cried out as tears began to stream down her face.

My body felt like it weighed a ton as I slowly picked myself up. I stared at Kevirro's sister, wanting to say something...anything to her. To console her or, at the very least, to explain myself, for my own conscience, but nothing came to me. I looked to my 'friends' in Black Hoof in hopes they would help. They shirked back as my gaze turned on them. I moved toward them and they scrambled, almost knocking each other over as they parted, intent solely on avoiding me. The rage started to return at such a 'cowardly' abandonment of their 'chosen' champion, but I forced it down and locked it back inside its box. I stalked past them toward the oasis.

I felt ragged and worn out and eventually collapsed against a shaded tree to reflect upon my actions. I wasn't proud. I had likely crippled that zebra for life. As I lay my weary body in the shade, I prayed to the goddess of the moon...my moon, from my home...that this terrible mistake would not haunt me forever. As I finished my prayers, as single thought floated up from the turmoil of my adrenaline-addled mind.

It was like being hit by an emotional Mac truck. I shakily held my face in my hands and, against my will, did something I didn't often do. Wept.

I landed at the majestic gates of Nijan near sunset. The golden rays of dusk cast a wonderful glow around the huge city. The guard on duty knew me well enough to let me through the gate with hearty greeting and wave. He probably would have stopped to chat with me for a bit, but he had an incoming caravan to harass...I mean 'process through'. The architecture of Nijan never ceased to amaze me. The insanely high walls were formed of thick granite blocks, while most of the bigger buildings were built from some type of alabaster rock. Massive chains of black metal, secured to the top of the walls, suspended an entire city block high in the air at the middle of the city. It was breathtaking.

The main road through the city took me directly through the slowly closing bizarre. Various ponies, zebra, and griffons were finishing last moment transactions or closing up shop. I managed to catch a beverage vender before she closed up completely and purchased a few bottles of local cider from her. After such a long flight, I needed a drink. Perhaps several.

I mingled a little before heading toward my usual inn, but since it was late I didn't tarry long. A few minutes travel and a couple blocks later, I arrived at the Feather Down Inn. I strolled in like I owned the place which, in a way, I did. I wasn't a citizen of Nijan, thus I wasn't allowed to own property or any permanent businesses. Of course, that didn't stop me from becoming the 'silent partner' of several of the businesses, all of which had become quite popular and profitable. I waved to Morning Glory, the proprietor of the inn. “Hey 'Glory, how's business?”

Morning Glory looked up from her work and smiled. “Daring! It's been too long!” The mare rushed over and hugged me. “Business has been great! We have never had less than half the rooms occupied.” She let go of me, “Ironhoof is doing well. Oh, and Honeysuckle is getting so big!” Morning Glory always let me know how her family was fairing.

“That is wonderful news.” I told her. “I was worried that Ironhoof would still be walking with a crutch.”

Morning Glory chuckled lightly. “You know him. When a doctor says 'no', he says 'yes'. He does have to wear a brace still, but he is improving steadily.” She motioned for me to follow her, “I assume you will be staying with us for at least a little while this time?”

I nodded, “Yes, but I'll also be needing the room next to mine as well. The one with the adjoining door.”

She raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't object. “That won't be a problem.” She looked at me with shrewd eyes, “I will also assume that your...” she coughed politely, “...guest will be here soon. Anything I should know about?” she stopped in her tracks, “Your not in trouble again, are you?”

I wrapped a wing around her shoulders, “Of course not. I wouldn’t bring anything bad to your doorstep, I have a vested interest in this place.” I said nonchalantly. “All I need are a couple of rooms and some quiet discretion.”

Morning Glory didn't seem very convinced, but nodded anyway. “As you say. Your room is ready as always. I will turn down your guests room shortly.” She pondered something for a moment, “How will I know who your guest is?”

I couldn't help but chuckle, “His name is Justin and you will know him when you see him.” I waved a wing around grandly, “He is one of a kind and hard to miss.” At the odd look Morning Glory gave me, I laughed loudly and headed off toward my room. It would feel wonderful to sleep on a quality down mattress again!

Into the world of Hooves and Hands, Through a Humans Eyes

by paladinwolf

Oceans in Between Us