//------------------------------// // Chapter 19. // Story: The Desert Prince // by Sparky Brony //------------------------------// Ghaliya takes a deep breath before raising a hoof to knock on the door. She had memorized the different horses she was to contact and show Royal favor to. The house before her belonged to a very distant cousins to her and her uncle who has been contesting for governorship of the province. The infighting between the various factions and families has remained rather cool, no horses being abducted for ransom or anything silly like that. Yet the political maneuvering for control of the port city has been heard of even in the capitol. Her nose flairs, the scent of salts and the sea that was so pervasive just a few days ago has faded, though she can still detect it a little bit. She taps on the door quickly then puts her hoof down taking a step back. She can feel her tail swatting as though she were covered in flies, though the incense being burned in the entry seems to be very effective at keeping the little demons at bay. She stills her tail, but the moment she stops focusing on it, it starts swatting again. She grits her teeth and stills her tail again as her ears perk forward, the measured hoofsteps heading towards the doorway. She puts a smile on her muzzle as the door is opened. The horse standing before her could rightly be called ancient, his muzzle has gone pure white from the amber colored fur, his mane is streaked with gray as well. “Lady Ghaliya, you are welcome here.” He takes a step back and bows. “My master is expecting you, he has been awaiting your arrival.” She finds her smile freezing on her face. Expected? She knew that word of her arrival from the City of Gardens would spread through the city, but expecting her to visit? She inclines her head to acknowledge the bow and steps into the entry chamber. The horse that greeted her turns and walks slowly, obviously expecting her to follow. The house was bigger than she expected. It takes a few minutes of walking slowly to get to a kind of large conference room. Then the first shock happens, there are nearly thirty horses arrayed around the room, mostly merchants if she were to go by their clothing. She finds her mouth drying when she sees the cousin in question, her smile falls from her face. “Cousin Ghaliya.” “Cousin Faisal” She intones regally. He offers a half smile. “I hope you will forgive that I don’t bow, cousin. But we have some serious things to talk about. I was hoping you would visit today, your travels have been of some interest since your arrival in the City a week ago. I am aware that you have visited a few of our relatives.” He glances at the other horses. “The order of your visits has caused some questions. Perhaps you are showing royal favor? Letting us know who in the city your uncle prefers?” She suppresses the urge to gulp. They’ve been preparing for her visit? She keeps her face controlled. “So, the rumors that this city is leaderless and the nobles of the city are contesting for control would be untrue?” Faisal cocks his head to the side. “I would not say leaderless. No, while there was some maneuvering for the governorship, the issue is few wish to be public about it, many seem to prefer to try and lead from the shadows so they can avoid blame if something goes wrong, others seem to be afraid of taking power in fear of upsetting more powerful families.” He smiles. “In the vacuum something new has appeared, a Council of Merchants was created and has stepped in organizing the city as community leaders.” She finds her eyebrows rising. “Council of Merchants?” He nods. “We, well, those of who are merchants, were unsatisfied with things as they have been. With the noble families arguing and infighting about power dynamics or trying to manipulate situations that only ended up hurting the common horse. So, we have resolved the situation in a different way. You can inform your uncle that the situation here is quite well in hoof.” She finds her mouth has moisture, she gulps as discreetly as she can. “I will be sure to let him know that the horses here are not without a leader any longer with the unfortunate loss of Abd Al-Rahman.” She takes a step backwards. “Oh, one more thing, Princess.” She shakes her mane. “I am not a princess, I am not in the line of succession.” “On the contrary. You are the niece of the Padishah, you are a royal representative coming to show your face, to show who your uncle prefers in a leadership role here.” He raises a hoof as she opens her mouth to respond. “No, we are quite aware of the machinations that are normal to the monarchy back in the City of Gardens.” He closes his eyes for a long moment and breathes heavily a few times. “Those manipulations will no longer be accepted here. We will handle things by council vote.” She blinks. “Are you talking rebellion against the throne? I would think that my uncle would send a lot more than a small Guard contingent if rebellion was the play here.” Faisal shakes his head hard. “No, cousin, no, we are not talking about breaking off from Saddle Arabia. We are horses, strong and true. We do not wish to part from the peace and security your uncle fosters by being on the throne back in the City of Gardens. We will continue as normal, taxes shall be remitted back to the Captial as usual. We will keep your Uncle’s laws and judgments as normal. Your Royal Guard contingent will be welcome among the City Guard in place, and the city militia shall be at the call of the throne in times of need. We simply wish to foster a greater business climate, to allow the horses of the city to prosper, to feel like they have a voice, have a place in society. And that’s where we have an issue.” “An issue?” He nods. “The taxes levied are fundamentally unfair. We believe that the small merchants and businesses should have a voice in how the city runs, not just the major families. In this we should work together for the betterment of all horses of the City. However, these new taxes decreed by your Uncle on upstart businesses and small companies are abusive, many of them are preventing some from even paying their licensing dues let alone their rent. I would ask that you inquire as to why the Padishah has decreed so.” “I have no influence on…” “Tax policy, I know. But he is your uncle. He can and does listen to you, and we are not asking you to change it, merely find out why, if there is a true reason behind it, we the council can take steps to help those. We know of your impending marriage, and that your uncle disowned you over your choice of a pony as your consort.” He smiles gently. “But word has also reached us of the great battle in the City, and how you saved your Uncle’s life.” She can feel the heat rising in her face. “Well, Ki did a lot too.” “Oh we are not against you marrying a pony or a commoner, Cousin. You are free to marry whomever you wish. Be they pony, horse, or whomever.” He smiles. “But we implore you, Cousin Ghaliya, talk with your uncle,” She bows and every horse bows in return. “Thank you Faisal, I will inform my Uncle that the situation here is well in hoof.” That gets smiles from all of the horses and Faisal steps forward. “Now that the unpleasant part of our visit is over, let us rejoice in your visit and eat, drink, and make merry!” She accepts a warm hug from the larger horse. The other horses in the room make their way to various cushions arrayed around for easy conversing. Ghaliya settles into one of the cushions as doors open, admitting servants with a plethora of food. “I was not expecting to be grilled like that, cousin.” She looks at him for a long moment. “Did you orchestrate this?” He shakes his head vigorously. “Oh, I wish I was behind this. But no, once Qāsim came to me with the proposal, I worked with many of the nobles in the City to push for formalizing the Council.” He gestures to the horse in question. Qāsim smiles brightly. “I’m merely the horse who was first with the idea. Many of the merchants I work with feel the way your cousin does when it comes to the taxation edicts from your uncle.” Ghaliya frowns. “As far as I know, there have been no new edicts regarding taxation in some years.” She looks down. “But I will admit I’m not fully versed in such issues, I’ve been too busy with my business.” “And what a fine business it is, my dear. You have been quite successful in getting things from one place to another. Though I wonder why you have never been to our beautiful city before in your business travels. We are quite prosperous. And the shipping revenues are quite good. We trade with every major seaport in the world, some ships travel for months, getting spices and other things that are quite rare in Saddle Arabia. I know for certain that your uncle had ordered some apples from Equestria directly.” “No, I did not handle that load, I have several regular routes that produce quite a good profit.” “With only one caravan?” She nods. “Well, perhaps you should expand. With a pretty mare such as yourself at the helm, you can’t help but make great profits.” Ghaliya feels her face flushing. “Thank you, kind sir.” “But again, I wonder, why are you here? There must be more than simply showing the flag.” Ghaliya glances between the two horses. “My betrothed is on a mission, and is looking for passage on a ship. I am supporting him in his endeavor. And it doesn’t hurt to make a profit on this run as well.” “Ah, that would be a good reason. I do know of some ships to be in port that might fulfill your betrotheds needs. The Seaspray is one such ship that can make it to some of the farther ports. He is a pony, right? Wanting to go back home?” She pauses for a long moment. “No, Ki isn’t planning on going to Equestria, merely following some leads. But that sort of trip could be quite long. Would this ship be able to be provisioned for long trips?” Qāsim smiles again, though for some reason, she feels chills doing down her back. “Why yes, my dear, I know the captain personally, and I’m quite certain the Seaspray will fulfill your betrothed needs.” She nods, “Thank you, Qāsim, I really must find Ki and inform him of the ship.” He nods. “He is a pony, and in my experience, ponies have a knack for finding trouble.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s down at the docks, I doubt he could get into much trouble there.” *** “We’re in trouble.” Guerina says softly as she draws a knife. I can’t disagree with her as I leap into the void and embrace my magic. The dragon shape gets bigger as whatever is making the shape gets closer. I find myself taking a few steps back, that dragon was not to be trifled with. I move over to cover Dawn and Guerina as I spread my wings. If there’s going to be a fight, I’m going to be ready for it. Then the dragon comes around a stack of crates. I blink a few times, this isn’t the same as the dragon that I fought with before, that took Dawn’s magic. “What is your business here?” The dragon stretches to his full height, nearly as tall as I am. The brownish blue dragon wore a dark blue jacket with gold buttons in rows up either side of the blazer, with a white vest under it. On his head, a large horseshoe shaped dark blue hat with a gold medal on one side. He narrows his eyes. “What is your business here? Are you one of those stallions wanting to collect taxes?” He pulls out a dagger from an inner pocket. “Or trying to collect a debt?” I blink a few times, folding my wings under my robes. “I…what?” He steps forward, holding the dagger tightly in his grip, looking ready to do damage with it. “If you are here to bother the Captain…” “Backburn!” The intensity of the voice gets the dragon to instantly turn and bow. “Captain.” He intones. Coming out of the warehouse, a brownish…creature…walks towards me. Somewhat reminding me of a pony, but somehow crossed with a dragon. Dark brown scales down her back, tan body fur with a thick green mane blowing in the breeze, with matching green tufts on all four legs and at the end of a whip like tale. The creature has a crimson horn with two red lines running across the middle. “Let us hear what this pony has to say.” The dragon glances at Dawn, then at me, then back at the dragon like creature. “Pony? I thought horses lived here.” He blinks and shakes his head. “Pony, horse, you all look the same to me.” He blows a puff of fire. “So, you heard Captain Greenbeard, what is your purpose here?” Dawn is the first to recover. She steps past me. “Captain…Greenbeard, is it?” At the other’s nod, she continues. “We seek passage, it will be a long fare, so we have flexibility when it comes to payment and time frame, so you can sufficiently provision for a long voyage.” Greenbeard strokes the fluff of green on her chest. “A long voyage, hmmm? Where too? If there is enough gold in the offering.” “There is.” I say softly, “we need passage to the jungles south of the dragon land in the southern Celestial Sea.” She tilts her head to one side, causing her mane to bounce she looks at me, “I’ve never actually traveled there, it might be an interesting trip.” “Captain,” Backburn speaks up, “We have a schedule, we can’t afford to be late on payments again.” Greenbeard lets out a sigh, “Yes, you are right. Let’s continue with the preparations, we need to cast off on the next tide.” I step forward. “We are prepared to pay for any inconvenience. We can be quite generous.” She stops from turning away, looking at me. “Don’t get me wrong, tall stuff, I like gold as much as any griff.” She steals a glance at Guerina before continuing. “But my reputation is that I deliver what I say I will. I don’t think you have enough gold to tempt me to tarnish that reputation.” She turns away. “I might have an opening, in a few months. If you are in town then, I might take your money.” I find myself growling as I turn away back towards the docks. Not our first rejection of the day, sadly. It seems this is quite a prosperous area, the sailors are busy enough to not have any real openings in their schedules. Dawn and Guerina sheathe their own weapons and follow me back into the main part of the open fair. “What was she?” I ask Dawn softly as we get among the horses.” “I’m not sure, I haven’t seen…” Dawn starts before Guerina interjects. “Kirin, dragon ponies.” The griffin says grumbling. She frowns. “I didn’t know Kirin were real, I thought they were just some kind of a myth or story. Did we really just meet one?” “Kirin?” I say looking between the two. She nods. “A pony and dragon hybrid. I’ve read about them but never thought I’d ever see one. The book was quite old, so I thought it was just some made up story, or ponies confusing things.” “Oh they are real, I know a Griff that, well, crashed into a village of them on a courier run. He was injured in a bad storm, blown off course. He described them just like her, said they were insane. More cheerful then ponies, and even liked singing.” She says with a shudder. “He was almost ready to walk out, if they hadn’t helped him with some kind of magic on his wing.” She sighs. “Well, we should keep looking.” She brightens. “Oh, Ghaliya has made it here, perhaps she can help us figure out our travel arrangements.” The mare in question in walking slowly towards us. Though I find myself frowning, she’s not dressed in her usual garb, instead, she’s wearing plain robes, similar to mine, of fine cut and quality, but still not what I’m used to seeing her in. She smiles at me as she gets close. “Ghaliya…what…” She silences me with a look before tempering it with a smile. “Ki, my caravan is gearing up to leave. I am supposed to be with the caravan, so my wagon will appear occupied while they leave the city. I, however, am going to be joining you on your voyage.” She looks at Dawn. “I have been thinking, as I’ve walked here.” Dawn ducks her head a bit. “About what?” “Your future with us.” Dawns eyes are wide. “I know I’m not the mage that I used to be…” She’s cut off by a laugh from the larger mare. “Oh, Dawn. I’m not going to dismiss you. Ki has already released you from your contract in every way we can without having to return you to my uncle.” She tilts her head a bit. “I want to expand your role in my company. I am quite prosperous with one caravan, but if I can expand, I would need a trusted second when it comes to running a caravan, and dealing with the horses in negotiations.” Dawn visibly blanches. “I’m not the businessmare that you are, mistress.” “Oh, you know that’s a lie.” Ghaliya says sharply. “You were able to build a successful business under the Royal’s noses in the City. You know how to build a customer base, you know everything you need to to succeed here.” Dawn’s face is reddening. “With all due respect, mistress…” “Dawn.” Ghaliya leans closer. “I will need you, Dawn Shimmer. You will learn the way of the deal, the art of the negotiation. You will help expand this business.” Dawn sputters a few times before bowing her head. “You honor me, Mistress.” Ghaliya grins. “No more than you deserve. And since you’ve lost your magic.” “We are going to get her magic back.” I growl. Dawn hushes me with a sharp look. “I know you are banking everything on this voyage being successful, I am not, Ki.” She reaches up and touches her horn. “I may not have my magic, I may not ever get it back.” A glare silences my attempt to disagree with her. “But even if I do, until that happens. I will serve you however you wish, and if Ghaliya wants to teach me her business, then I’m going to work to be the best student she’s ever had.” I sigh. “I’m going to fix your magic, Dawn.” She nods. “Even if you are successful, Ki.” She glances at Ghaliya. “I’ve already decided I am getting out of the mercenary business. Hell…” She shrugs her shoulders. “I might just head back to Equestria. You never know what’s going to happen.” “Well, there is good news.” Ghaliya says. “We have a ship.” “We do?” I just got a lead on a ship, we need to go and meet with the captain.” “That’s excellent, what ship?” “The Seaspray.” I tilt my head a little. I remember hearing that name. Think for a few moments before smiling. “Well, let us go greet the Captain of the Seaspray.” “Captain Siad is the name I was told.” Ghaliya says as she turns to lead us towards the quay. Dawn and Guerina fall into step behind me as we make our way among the merchants and sailors. It’s quite quick where we can see the ships themselves. My eyes pick out the ship belonging to that Kirin, the Waveslasher. She’s a rather wide ship, with three masts, and appears to be sleek even with as beamy as she is. The stone quay gives over to wooden docks as we pass by the Waveslasher, then another, much smaller, ship is tied up on the neighboring berth. A quick glance at the rear of the ship tells me its name. The Riverserpent, with it’s single mast and much smaller size. And given its name, I guess it plies its trade up and down the river heading into the bay. I shake my head as I glance at different ship names. The Snow Goose, the Victory of Kidron, The Gray Gull. Finally we get to another large ship like the Waveslasher. ‘Seaspray’ proudly emblazoned on the rear of the ship. Ghaliya calmly walks up the wooden boarding, climbing up to the main deck. She stops before another crazy creature. Walking on two legs, it looks like a cat, complete with tail and ears, but is dressed similarly to how the dragon was. I wait patiently as Ghaliya confers with the tall cat, before he smiles broadly and doffs his hat to proffer a bow. “’Tis a pleasure, Mistress.” He says in a booming voice. “A messenger came shortly before you did and informed Captain Siad of your impending arrival. He is actually off ship at the moment, procuring some extra supplies for your intended voyage. Will your ladyship be seeing off your friends?” Ghaliya smiles. “Oh, no, Kipper. I will be joining my compatriots on this journey.” The smile on the cat’s face doesn’t falter, but something about the look on his face causes a flutter in my chest. I glance at Ghaliya. She walks onto the deck and Kipper bounces ahead of her. “We’re a simple ship, not some grand cruise vessel, but we can prep to of the forward stores as cabins. Would two cabins be good for you? We can have beds, and simple furnishings moved in. To make your stay more pleasant.” Ghaliya looks back at me. “Two shall be fine, Kipper. Ki, here, can bunk with Guerina, and Dawn can join me.” She smiles brightly as we are led aft and down a staircase. Kipper opens one door and gestures for the two mares to enter. Then he turns his smile to me and opens the door beside the first. “And for the tall pony and the griff, we have a servants berthing. It isn’t as big as the first,” I step into the room and almost want to leap away, it’s quite small, two hammocks are in there, one almost at floor level, the second slung above it. A small table and with gimbaled lamp bolted to it complete the space, there are no chairs, not even pillows in front of the table, though it is low enough for a horse or maybe a griffin to sit at on the floor. Kipper clears his throat. “Once we are underway, I will ask that you all spend most of your time in your rooms. The deck is dangerous place to be, with ropes, booms, and sails. The sailors will be busy and don’t need distractions or you underhoof.” He turns away. “We should be sailing with the tide, so please, make yourself comfortable, and food will be brought to you in a bit.” He says as he retreats with a bow. “I don’t like him.” Guerina growls softly. She pulls off her bag and hangs it on one of the pegs on the wall. She looks at me. “He’s too…” “Slick,” I snort. “Yeah, he just doesn’t feel right to me. Kind of like you and that kirin.” “Yeah, and she had a dragon as her first mate. That’s what’s with that.” She looks at the bunks and then at me. “Wrestle you for the top hammock.” I shake my head. “Oh, no. I’m not going to get embarrassed by you like that again.” I step over to the hammok and lean down. Perhaps if I just roll onto it. Guerina laughs as I flop onto it and start rocking, one wing flapping for stability. Guerina blinks then starts laughing, “you look like a seagull in a fishing net!” Struggling a bit I find my place, and in a few moments, I’m actually quite comfortable. “It’s not really that bad.” Guerina clicks her beak. “Yeah, just wait until the entire ship is heaving. Better not have a tender tummy.” The door opens before I can respond, Dawn precedes Ghaliya into the small room. With all four of us, the room is quite cramped. Guerina hops up onto the top bunk, though I can hear the solid thunk from her head hitting a roof beam. She mutters a curse and I have to suppress a laugh. Dawn looks around the room then at Ghaliya. “Our room isn’t much bigger.” “But the beds take up any extra.” Ghaliya sits on her haunches, looking at me. “Once the Captain gets back, we are going to have to negotiate the fare. You have the gold, right?” I nod. Getting a smile from the beautiful mare. I embrace the void and my horn lights. I pull out several bags which clink as I set them down. Ghaliya looks at the gold I’ve laid out. She nods. “Hiring a ship like this, it’s going to be expensive.” She glances at my saddle bags hanging on a peg next to Guerina’s belt. “Put half of the gold in your bags, Ki.” I comply as a knock sounds at the door. After a polite moment, the door opens, admitting a horse. His orange coloring with a vivid yellow mane and tail has me looking over at Ghaliya. She has a diplomatic smile on her face. “Captain Siad?” He sweeps his blue hat off of his head and bows. “Yes, mistress. Captain Adolpho Siad at your service.” He looks at Ghaliya and smiles brightly. “I was informed by messenger of your requirements. While the Seaspray is usually under contract, our previous plans were to spread some nets out and bring fish into market.” He stops, and looks around at all of us. “We can still do that. But if enough gold is in the offering, we can come to an agreement.” Ghaliya nods before looking at me. “Ki, you and the others can wait on deck.” Dawn takes a step forward. “Mistress…” “Right now, Dawn.” She looks at me. “You too, Ki.” I glare at the Captain before turning tail, Dawn and Guerina following me. We walk slowly down the corridor to the stairs up to the deck. I look back at Dawn. “She did say to head out on deck, and the captain didn’t object.” I shrug. “I guess we can get some air before the ship gets under way.” Guerina crowds past me as I head up the stairs. As we emerge and see the sun getting pretty low in the sky. Guerina is already flitting along the deck, keeping her body off the ground. She grins in relief as she flits to and fro. “Not liking it below decks?” I say with a grin. She shakes her head. Dawn rears up on the railing next to me. “Most fliers have issues with tight spaces. The faster or longer endurance the flier, the worse it is.” “Tight spaces…” Guerina says softly before shuddering. “No, not a fan.” She lands on the railing. “The things I do for you all.” Dawn keeps us entertained for some time before Captain Siad comes up on deck. I notice him out of the corner of my eye before he heads up and converses with Kipper. It’s only a few moments before he whirls around. “Alright you lazy gits.” He growls, looking at the various crew members working. “Let’s slip our lines and get going. The tide waits for no horse.” The crew leaps to action as he comes over to us. “Your marefriend is an excellent negotiator.” He looks around at the crew casting off lines and the ship slowly moving away from the quay. “Time for you to head below.” I nod before gathering up Dawn and Guerina with a look. We head below and quickly make our way to our room. Ghaliya is still there. She smiles brightly. “I only had to pull one more bag of gold out.” He was tough, but I got us a good deal on our passage.” Guerina chuckles. “You sure you don’t have some griffon blood in you?” Ghaliya yawns. “It will be a fairly long voyage, but I want to be rested. Dawn, let us retire for the night.” I look at my bunk as the two mares exit the room. I pull my robes off, hanging them up on a peg on the wall before walking hesitantly to my low bunk. I roll myself onto the low mattress before spending a few moments adjusting myself to get comfortable. “It isn’t really all that bad.” I murmur as I snuggle into the mattress, not as thick as mine back at home. But not too bad given this is supposedly the servant’s quarters. Guerina is pacing back and forth, glancing at the door, then at me, then back at the door, then she seems to come to a decision. “Horses and ponies don’t get what griffons like for food.” She puts a claw on the door handle. “I’m gonna go fishing.” She smiles. “Don’t worry, I’m going to stay close enough to the ship.” She vanishes from the room with a flick of her tail. I grin as I lie my head down on the thin pillow. *** Guerina ghosts her way through the lower deck of the Seaspray. She growls to herself, at least the Captain wasn’t that Kirin. “Nothing trustworthy about them, kind, generous, truthtalkers, yeah right, they don’t know the first thing about treating griffins right. Grizzle said no griffins should deal with them.” She mumbles and shakes her head. She spies the stairs up to the deck and she unfurls her wings as she gets to the top and she shoots straight up, doing a bit of a roll as she does. Clearing the sails, she strains her wings as goes for some altitude. She glances down, in the waning light of twilight, she can see the ship clearly, and the wake of its passage. She looks around, figuring how fat the ship is moving and its direction. It shouldn’t be all that hard to keep close and still get some excercize, and maybe even some food. She lowers her flight to barely below the deck height of the ship and skims along the calm seas in a lazy zig zag, occasionally dipping one claw into the water creating a wake of her own. Just the occational swells to keep above, but she can run the troughs, easy for a griff. Her sharp eyes scan along the water, and after only a few minutes, she folds her wings and dives, slamming into the water claws first. She clicks her beak in triumph before floating up and extending her wings. She shakes them a few times before flapping them hard to pull herself out of the water. She hoots for joy as she pulls the fish out of the water. She uses her claws to quickly end its suffering, the head and viscera make their own splashes below her. She hefts the remaining carcass. “It doesn’t get much fresher than this.” She says softly. She looks around as she gains altitude, ah, there is the ship. She wings over and streaks towards the ship before she slows down to land on a railing on the stern castle. A pair of windows are set into the back of the structure, she guesses it’s one of the cabins for the crew, maybe the captain. She perches on the railing as she reaches into her day bag to pull out a knife. A ship this size should have a galley, where she can salt and smoke the fish so it’ll keep during the voyage. She starts cutting the carcass into manageable pieces, before suddenly her work is a lot better illuminated. She looks up to the windows, and while there are curtains, somehorse has lit a lantern. “Captain, why did you let her get such a good deal?” Guerina’s ears discern the voice of Kipper. Blinking Guerina turns standing up on her hind paws as she leans against the wall under the window. The chuckle identifies the voice for Guerina, but what he says chills her blood. “Oh, not to worry. These land horses don’t have a clue about navigation. By the time we make landfall in Klugetown, they won’t know what’s going on until the unicorns have suppression rings on those horns and all of them are in chains. The slavers will pay quite a bit for that unicorn stallion with that long horn on his head.” “The horse mare is royalty, captain, are you worried about that?” The chuckle turns the voice softer. “Oh, no worries, she’ll be reported as lost at sea. There are sometimes terrible storms in the Celestial sea. And besides, Kipper, you and the crew will be able to go through their belongings, they probably have more gold. So no worries there. I’ll give you first dibs, as usual.” Guerina’s feathers fluff at the menacing chuckle from the first mate. “I did notice she’s got a few very nice knives.” Backing up a bit Guerina gulps dropping the fish which falls into the water. “Captain, did you hear something?” Kipper asks. Turning Guerina takes flight quickly vanishing into the fading night sky, below she can see the cat, looking out the window below her, back lit by the lamp. “Oh no, oh no, oh no. I need help,” Guerina says softly, looking around as she whimpers, “Come on, any other griffin would cut her losses, there’s no profit in this, no…” watching the ship sailing she shakes her head. “When did I stop being like other griffins?” Turning she starts flying as fast as she can.