Ghost hit the ground hard. He landed, skidded, and rolled in the wet pine leaves as he was thrown from the Shadowgate. The first thing to hit him besides the ground was the chilled, night air that passed by his shattered face. He groaned as he lay there, whimpering as and crying while the sounds of nightlife echoed all around him.
Nursing his fractured jaw, he slammed his other hoof into the dirt, cursing everything he could for this cruel twist that fate had given him.
Why? Why did it have to happen to them? Why them?
Why did this happen to him?
Was it his fault?
Did Seyella just decide that he was never going to be happy?
He whimpered, sitting up to stare at the world around him. He was surrounded by an old, cold pine forest, with massive evergreens that hid the snow from yesterday’s flurry in its branches. Wet pine needles covered the forest floor, and the sound of a waking noctual wildlife as spring began to touch this place.
He knew this clearing, and he knew that large, natural stone that acted as the other side of the Shadowgate he had stumbled into during Wraith’s fury.
It was the wilderness just south of Vanhoover, where the Unicorn range kept cold winds blowing from the north trapped on the plain.
The trip down to the city would take a few minutes, but there’d be no one around to let him into the inn. He’d have a night out under the stars one way or another, the only difference would be if he was sleeping on pine needles or cobblestone.
He sighed.
Maybe he could stay there tomorrow night, after all, he had the money for a night’s stay.
Oracle had made sure of that.
“Is that all I was?” the pony in his dreams cried. “A warm bed? Was that all my life was worth?”
Mouse didn’t answer.
“Was my blood worth no more than your comfort?” Cedar asked from beyond the grave.
Mouse withered under the apparition's gaze, but still, he said nothing.
“Did my life mean nothing? Was my kindness nothing more than yet more comfort to lay at your hooves until you wanted a proper bed?”
Mouse shut his eyes until tears were squeezed out onto his face.
“Well? Was it? Was that all I was?”
Mouse said nothing.
“Was that all I was to you!”
Mouse opened his eyes, and found himself lying with his back to a tree. Sunlight was already peeking through the trees, and though it was still cold, it was beginning to warm as the sun peeked into the morning.
Sighing, he stood up, wrapped his cloak around him and began heading down to the town, muttering about the cold that made his joints stiff, and his now-swollen jaw.
Vanhoover was much the same as it was a few months ago, with the sailors singing their shanties, and the cold, independent ponies that offered Ghost very little in way of hospitality or information.
His first stop was the armorer, to have his gambeson repaired of the numerous cuts it had in the linen. It was expensive, but a worthwhile investment.
Shortly afterward, he went back to Unicorn’s Tail, the inn he had stayed in on the night he was here last, and wandered into the old, wooden building. A warm, dying fire was burning away in the hearth, while the bartender stood at the bar, serving breakfast to a handful of stallions that sat there.
Ghost nodded to the bartender, who gave him a look before nodding back.
The other three stallions that sat at the bar, all looked over at him, before they dropped their silver bits on the table and left, leaving half-finished plates sitting there along with the bartender and assassin.
“What can I get you?” he asked.
“Food. Any food,” Ghost said, before he dropped three silver on the bar.
The bartender nodded, scooped up the coins, and shouted down to the door at the end of the bar. “Hey, Olive! Let’s get this pony some eggs!”
A mumbled response came back, before the bartender turned back to Ghost, and pointing to his swollen jaw. “Looks like you ran into some trouble.”
Ghost nodded. “Make the eggs soft,” he said, speaking out of the side of his mouth.
“Right,” the bartender said, before repeating the order back to the kitchen.
Ghost waited, resting his hoof on the other side of his face, staying quiet as he ground one of his hind hooves into the floor.
A few moments later, a plate of wet scrambled eggs slid in front of him, along with a mug of spiced wine.
Ghost nodded his thanks, and began to spoon his breakfast into his mouth. He could practically sip them like a soup they were so soft. Swallowing the eggs down and chasing it with the spiced wine, he quickly finished his breakfast smiled as he set the empty mug down.
“That was fast,” the bartender noted.
“Was hungry,” Ghost said, hoping the bartender would forgive his lack of speaking talent at the moment.
He nodded, before he motioned the unicorn closer.
Ghost was immediately suspicious, and though he did as he was asked, he made sure to focus on his knife.
“Can you fight?” the bartender asked.
“Well enough,” Ghost replied. “Why?”
“Unicorn in town has been asking about you for a few months now. Oak Wood, You know him?”
Ghost nodded. “I do.”
“He’s been muttering about killing when he’s had too much to drink, and offered a good sum of money for any information about you.”
Ghost tensed, and thought back to the three ponies that just left. “I see,” he said before looking the bartender in the eyes. “Why are you telling me?”
“Because the day you wandered into town was the same night that the witch was killed. Now...I ain't implying nothin, but if nothing else, that makes you good luck.”
Ghost smiled. “You do me too much credit, but thank you.”
The bartender nodded, and began to wipe down the bar. “If I were you, I'd buy supplies and get out of town as fast as possible. Oak Wood ain’t known for holdin back.”
Ghost sighed. “Was looking forward to a bed tonight.”
The bartender nodded, before he continued to clean. “Best of luck, traveler.”
Ghost nodded, and left.
Stepping out the door of the tavern, Ghost quickly ducked into the shadows, slipping out of sight as he watched the tavern for any sign of the three ponies for earlier, or, worse still, Oak Wood himself.
Not even ten minutes later, a very angry-looking unicorn came stomping down the road toward the Unicorn’s Tail. Ghost could hear him even when he walked into the tavern, screaming like he was as he slammed doors and tables. “Where is he! Where is he, Keg?”
There was no answer that Ghost could hear.
“You know what I mean! Where’s that rat!”
Another moment passed, followed by Oak Wood’s next explosion.
“You’re useless, Keg! Useless!” the unicorn growled before he stormed back out, slamming the door shut behind him.
Ghost didn’t say anything as he watched the unicorn walk away. He didn’t move, didn’t make a single motion as the unicorn wandered out into the streets. He waited a moment, then a second, before he began to follow. After all, no one looks in the place where they just were.
Staying in the unicorn’s shadow, Ghost pushed forward, staying behind, but never far enough away that he couldn’t see the shopkeeper.
Oak Wood made his way down to the marketplace, talking to the ponies around him, asking for any information, while Ghost very quietly bought some supplies.
A bedroll, some rations, rope, a small tent to sleep under, and other small tools and items to make the trip out of town easier, all of them went into Ghost’s magic bag as he kept his eyes on Oak Wood, who continued to scour the marketplace for any sign of the pony that was not fifty feet behind him. So far, Oak hadn’t noticed him, but that was a dangerous game to prolong. Any moment could be the one where he’d suddenly notice that the pony he was looking for was, in fact, behind him.
Well, it didn’t matter now, he had what he needed. He just had to leave.
“You!” a voice said behind him, before the roar of fire streaking through the air echoed across the market plaza.
Ghost turned as fast as he could, his crescent blade eating most of the fireball while his gambeson shielded him from the rest.
“You killed her!” Oak yelled, his voice followed by the screams of mares that were too late to have been any help.
Ghost stared back. “I don’t know who or what you’re talking about.”
“Liar!” Oak cried, before firing another fireball.
The flame roared again as it flew across the plaza, accompanied by more screams as Ghost brought his pair of daggers to bear. Again, between his armor, and the magic-eating enchantment on the blades, the spell was practically neutralized by the time the fireball reached him. “I don’t know who you think I am, but I have no quarrel with you,” Ghost said.
“Quarrel? I want justice!”
“For what crime?”
“You killed Stoneheart! Jade Stoneheart, you killed her out in the forest, and left her body to rot in the snow!”
All eyes went to Ghost.
“I never knew her,” the cloaked pony replied.
“Liar! You asked me about her, you walked into my store and asked me! You killed her!”
Ghost looked up. “Does anyone else wish to accuse me?”
Silence.
Ghost stared back at his accuser. “Do you have any proof, any evidence that links me to the crime?”
“I have all the evidence I need.”
“And what of the courts? Do you have enough for them? Because if not, then I have places to be.”
“I want justice, murderer!”
“I am no murderer, but if you want to take me to court, then show me what ties me to the crime.”
Oak grit his teeth.
“Nothing then? Then leave me be,” Ghost said, before he began to walk away, back to the unicorn that just accused him.
Oak growled. “I’ll kill you for this, you hear me! I’ll kill you!”
“Then you better do it quickly and quietly,” Ghost said. “Because I’m leaving.”
Oak said nothing else, and Ghost just continued on, heading for the gate and out of town.
Ghost was deep in the evergreen forest to the east of the city, and was heading for the mountains.
Ghost knew the look of someone who would do anything for revenge, he grew up with enough inmates that had poor self-control that he could pick it out without much trouble, and Oak had it bad. Ghost didn’t know what funds Oak had for sending someone after him, but he wasn’t going to risk it. He’d have to assume that someone was following him.
That meant he’d have to shake any tail he’d have. That meant he’d have to take a very difficult path, and the most difficult trail was up the mountain.
He really didn’t want to. The climb would be hard, the peaks would be cold, and the higher passes filled with still-melting snow. On the other hoof, the crossing the mountain would be much faster than taking the road south. It would certainly give him a head start against anyone following him, and if he were moving in a team, they pass would be harder still.
He just really didn’t want to do it.
The mountain would be hard, there’d be no places to rest comfortably, and it’d be one massive pain to actually climb it.
He really, really didn’t want to climb the mountain.
It was just his best option.
Seyella was probably behind that, laughing as hard as she could. That seemed like something she would do.
Still, it was, sadly his best option, and without another alternative, it was the best shot he had. On the bright side, once he was through that then he was one step closer to...to...wherever he was going next.
Alright, he had no idea where he was going. He knew he couldn’t stay here, not with Oak hounding him, and he knew he couldn’t get to Canterlot, the guard might be looking for him there. Tall Tale, back where the assassin hideout was, certainly wasn’t going to work, which left Baltimare, Fillydelphia, and Manehatten. The problem with those was the very obvious fact that all three of those cities were all on the other side of the country.
There just wasn’t much else, was there, though?
He could wander…
That was a thought that had been haunting him since last night. He could wander, living in the wilderness like Oracle had said. He could have been foraging berries and eating grass in the wild, where no one would bother him, and no one could stop him from sleeping where he wanted, eating what he wanted, or doing what he wanted.
It wouldn't be as comfortable as it would if he lived in Canterlot or Baltimare, but at least the guard weren’t looking for him. That, and he wouldn't need gold to keep him afloat.
Again, he really didn’t want to live in the middle of nowhere, it was just his best option.
He pushed the thought from his head, and focused on the mountain. He’d have time to think about what he was going to do while climbing the mountain.
The forest floor gave rather easily under his hooves, and his magical bag kept his pack light. With those together, he quickly made his way across the forest, all while keeping an eye behind him.
No party of sellswords were after him yet, but that didn’t mean he was clear yet. It could take them some time to get prepared, get some time for Oak to send them after him. It’d take time, and every second of it was time that Ghost needed to move.
Thwip.
An arrow dug deep into the tree next to him, not three inches away from his ear.
Looking up, he saw a pegasus, bow in hoof, with a quiver at his hip. “He’s over here!”
Ghost cursed, and immediately turned South.
Why didn’t he think of pegasi? They make wonderful trackers, what with the ability to watch from above. Of course Oak would hire one. Why hadn’t he watched the sky? He’d be dead now if that pegasus had hit, and all because he didn’t think to watch the sky.
What’s worse they were on him now. He thought he would have more time, at least, a chance to get clear of the forest and into a mountain pass.
What’s worse, the pegasi made this even more dangerous. They’d have the ability to cross the mountain with half the difficulties that he himself would face. They could fly over the cliffs and gorges that he would have to cover by hoof.
It would slow him down compared to however many ponies were following him, but it was still better than the open road, which would leave him completely exposed to an attack. As much as he hated it, the mountains were still his best chance, which meant that he’d have to shake these ponies long enough to—
Another tree beside him imploded.
Looking behind him, he barely caught sight of a unicorn running up behind him.
Well, there was some good news. The pegasus was tethered.
Bad news, he had to deal with magic.
Another pair of arrows dug into the ground around him, landing with quick, powerful thwips, as they whistled past. Ghost quickly dove for cover, landing next to a tree as a rain of arrows fell next to him, leaping to safety before that tree imploded as well.
Splinters pelted his sensitive jaw, causing needles of pain to shoot up his face. He cursed through the side of his mouth before he ran again, into the open where the archer fired on him again.
Thwip, thwip!
Two more across dug into dirt, slipping through Ghost’s fur as they flew past. Another spell shot forward, destroying his cover again, while the archer continued to fire.
Ghost growled, before he began to gather magic in his horn. All those hours with Wraith had gotten him at least one new spell under his best, yet despite how obvious, draining, and how effective it was, he didn't like it in the least. Still, it was the best shot he had. He turned, firing his spell, and a ball of dark grey mana shot back toward the unicorn.
The wizard, in answer, didn’t raise a defence, he merely sat still and prepared his next attack before an earth pony with a massive blade stepped in front of the spell, and sliced the bolt in half, destroying the spell with an enchantment much like the one on Ghost’s dagger.
Because of course he would have a magic blade with that exact enchantment.
Seyella really did have it out for him.
He kept running, pushing forward, through the trees, avoiding the imploding tree trunks and the raining arrows as he went. Another turn, another dodge, and he was back behind a tree before it too exploded in a shower of splinters.
“Careful! We need him alive!” the pegasus yelled, barely audible as he flew above the canopy.
“You nearly shot him three times!” the unicorn yelled back.
“Shut up, both of you!” the earth pony said. “Don’t give him anything he can use against us!”
It was too late for that. Ghost had everything he needed.
He ran back into the open, zig-zaging through the open, as the pegasus tried to pepper him with arrows. Or, at least, they were going to pepper his legs.
Keeping all four hooves underneath him, he specifically moved through the clearing, taking as much time as possible while he kept moving, while the arrows rained down from above. The archer had to be careful, any deep wound could leave him bleeding out, and dying, something that the archer and his friends couldn’t afford. In the meantime, these were arrows he wouldn’t be shooting later.
Still, he had to kept moving forward, or both unicorn and the earth pony would catch up.
Finally making it to cover, he watched as both of the ground forces chase him, before the unicorn skidded to a halt to fire his spell. The tree trunk imploded, and began to tumble, before Ghost moved directly in the way of the falling remains of the tree.
“Sard!” the unicorn swore, before he cast again, shattering the trunk into yet smaller, but safer pieces.
That was energy he wasn’t going to use destroying his cover.
Now they were playing his game.
“You sarding idiots!” The earth pony growled. “Forget the plan, swarm him!”
Ghost smiled, they gave up much faster than he thought they would, but that was just fine by him.
The earth pony led the charge, hooves thundering as he held up his massive sword, ready to strike. The pegasus dove from the air, falling to the earth with his eyes set on the Ghost. Finally, the unicorn followed behind, drawing a shortsword with his magical grasp.
Now this was something he could work with.
Ghost kept his eyes open as he began moving faster through the forest, searching for anything he could find, any possible cover that he could lead his pursuers down.
There!
A downed tree bridging a small ravine, supported by two rocks was just to his left, and offered him the perfect distraction. Ducking down, he dove for the tree, immediately turning past the massive boulder.
The hunters were right on his heels, diving past the tree.
And then he was gone.
“What? Where’d he go? Zephyr, gain some height and check for any sign of him!”
The pegasus saluted, before leaping into the sky, circling through air as he began the search for the missing assassin. “Where’d he go?” the earth pony growled again, putting his nose to the ground as he began to search for any sign of the unicorn. “Ivory, use that True Sight spell!”
“Already on it!” the unicorn growled, as a spell glowed on his horn.
As the unicorn’s eyes flashed with magic, he began to scan the world around him, his eyes now sensitive to invisibility spells and other ways of magical hiding.
Yet there was no one, because all Ghost needed was a second of invisibility to scurry away.
He smirked to himself as he ran through the trees, making good time as he leapt from branch to branch. Still invisible to the pegasus, and long out of range of the unicorn’s truesight, he traveled through the trees in order to leave no tracks, he was going to make good time for the mountains.
With any luck, by the time the team of hunters figured it out, he’d be long, long gone.