//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Grim News // Story: Discovered // by WALN-Zell //------------------------------// Thoughts raced around in Baroque’s head as he lay back in his reclining chair. None of his thoughts were very meaningful. Random ideas for dye mixing and locations to paint mostly. Along with a nagging pain in his bad right leg. Any thought that would’ve stuck was pushed aside by the pulsating cramp in his knee and lower thigh. He thought about getting up to take some pain relievers, but the pain was not severe. It was more or less just annoying. He knew as long as he didn’t stand or walk on it for an hour or two that it would subside, just as it always did. So long as nothing interrupted him, he would be fine as he simply relaxed and let his thoughts continue on as they were.  Suddenly Baroque heard a heavy, rapid, pounding at his door. The sound shook him from his daydreaming. At first he felt annoyed that someone had disturbed him, but when the pounding continued, he realized that this was not a salesman, but someone in dire need of his attention. He sat up and closed down the legs of his chair. He braced himself before he stood up. As expected, his leg wasn’t happy with cooperating with him. He took no time to get his cane, he fought through the pain and made his way to the door as fast as he could. Another barrage of frantic knocking sent him almost running, but he nearly tripped. He eventually made it to the door, but before he could unlock it, a flash of pain in his leg stunned him. He clenched his teeth in agony and couldn’t bring himself to move in the slightest. But then he heard someone on the other side of the door.  “Dad! Are you there!? Please! Open the door!”  Baroque immediately forced his way through the pain and unlocked the door as fast as possible, before he could pull the door open, Gabby slammed it open herself, knocking over Baroque.  “Dad! I’m so sorry! Are you okay!?” Gabby shouted. “I’m fine, sweetheart. I’m fine.” Baroque struggled to stand up. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” Gabby slid her head under Baroques arm and helped him get back up. Then she hugged him as tight as a python. Surprised by Gabby’s vehement constriction, he asked again even more worriedly. “Gabby! What happened!?”  “Gryphonstone’s been attacked.” said a voice Baroque didn’t recognize. In the doorway stood a light grey pegasus wearing a cloak and a hood that concealed his eyes.  “Who are you? And what do you mean attacked?”  “The whole city was bombarded. We were lucky to survive.” said the pegasus.  “The house collapsed! The whole city was on fire! He saved me!” added Gabby.  “I- I don’t understand. The city was… and the house…” That’s when Baroque realized. “Grelka.” he murmured. “Gabby! What happened to your mother! Is she okay!?” Upon hearing that question, Gabby began to weep. “No. No no no no. That’s not right. Who in Tartarus is even attacking!? The royals can’t be anywhere near Gryphonstone! They’ve been pushed back!” “A few companies of royalist mercenaries somehow built siege equipment and artillery without the national guard or Equestrian military noticing. As to how, I don’t know. And I think that in the confusion, the Equestrian military barraged the town as well.” said the pegasus.  “W-w-why!? What the hell for!?” demanded Baroque.  “I don’t know. My guess would be communications were sent through the wringer. The Equestrian military presence around the city were all half garrisoning and half on leave. It’s possible the officers in charge were in the city. The troops outside then had no idea what was going on and somehow thought they were meant to level the city.”  Baroque went silent for a long moment before bursting out into tears. “Bastards! Bastards, all of them! She’s dead! Sweet Celestia she’s dead! They murdered her!” Baroque screamed in both physical and emotional pain and fell to his knees. Unable to bear the pain in his leg, but unable to stand from the sheer mental shock that befell him.  “Please. Come inside and close the door before the whole neighborhood crowds around.” Gabby spoke softly. The pegasus did so. “Help me get him off his knee. He’s probably in a lot of pain.” Gabby said. The two lifted Baroque up and sat him down on a shoe shelf by the door.  “Gabby! Baby! I’m so sorry!” Baroque sobbed as he took her in his arms. “This is wrong! I’m so sorry you had to go through this! I love you so much! I- I’m so glad you’re safe! If I had lost you too, I… I don’t think I could take it!”  “I’m sorry too. I was so scared. If it weren’t for Thunderous, I would’ve died.” explained Gabby, still in tears.  “Thank you! Thank you for saving her! Thank you!”  “Gabby told me all about you. How important you are to her. Even though Gabby isn’t my daughter, I still felt like I had an obligation to get her back to you. I know what it’s like to lose family. My brother died a year ago. His wife was inconsolable for weeks. She gave birth to my nephew last year. And I have a child of my own. Almost a year old. I would do anything to protect both of them.”  “I understand. I know that feeling. A father worries. Even a step-father.”  “Dad. I’m sorry, but I need to get something from my room really quick.” Interjected Gabby.  “Sure, sweetheart. Go ahead.” said Baroque. Baroque was hyper vigilant of every step Gabby took towards the stair and up them. Tense, as if ready to sprint to her aid if she so much as cracked a claw. “I don’t know how to thank you. Thunderous, was it?”  “Yes.”  “Funny. That name sounds familiar.”  “As does yours.”  “Strange, how the mind works when-” a chill ran down his spine. In his emotional state he somehow hadn’t noticed. The pegasus had a sword sheathed on his hip. A sword Baroque knew well. It was a unique design, only used by a special group that trained in its use. The hood. The hood made him certain.  “I think we both know why our names sound familiar. Brother.”