//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Arrival at Marewaii // Story: One Thousand Years Ago, Book 2 // by Scroll //------------------------------// The first series of knocks merely makes Stygian squint, but the second stirs him awake. He rises his head off the scrolls on his desk. He looks upon it and winces again when he notices his drool made the ink blur again. He ignites his horn to dry up the drool on his scroll and his mouth then shifts the magic to do a little repair work on the ink of his scroll. That spell came in handy for him far more than once. At first Stygian thinks another school professor is the one waking him up to alert him that he is late for class, but one look at his surroundings reminds him of the fact that he's on the airship, the Flying Carpet, instead. “Ah . . . yes. Hello. I'm coming,” Stygian says to the one at the door. He hops off the chair of his desk. A chair that was made deliberately made low to the ground to help accommodate for his short stature. He faces towards the doorway. He ignites his horn and uses it to open the door just as Rumble was about to knock on it again. “Good morning Professor,” Rumble greets after the door opens. “Good morning, young man,” Stygian returns. “How can I help you today?” “Actually, it's more like I can help you,” Rumble corrects. “You tasked me to alert you when we arrive near Marewaii islands.” “Indeed, I have,” Stygian recalls. “Is it that time already?” “Yeppers,” Rumble confirms then knocks on the frame of the door. “So rise and shine, Professor. The day eagerly awaits to greet you.” “My word!” Stygian exclaims as he looks out the porthole in the hull of his room. “Oh, how the time flies.” He grins a bit as he adds, “And so are we, apparently.” Stygian's ears shift to the doorway, followed by his gaze, when he hears Rumble depart. After that, he trots in front of a mirror to examine himself. He uses his magic to straighten his cloak and comb his short dark blue mop-top mane. When that is done, he floats on his saddlebag and a bunch of scrolls, ink, and quills in it. He also floats a bagel into his mouth. Finally, he races out of his room to the top deck. He shuts the door to his room with his magic without even looking. Just when Stygian arrives to the top deck, he gracelessly trips over the last step. This causes him to fall face first into the top deck and slide a foot and a half forward due to his lingering momentum. “Careful, me lad,” Rockhoof cautions as he lowers a large hoof to help his friend pick himself up. “Attie-up!” the large warrior stallion says as he helps his friend up. “Naw need tah be in such ah rush there, me lad. Thah islands will still be there, an racing 'ere don't make it arrive much faster.” “I'll try to keep that in mind,” Stygian says with a slight blush in embarrassment. “Chin up, me lad!” Rockhoof encourages before slapping Stygian's back so hard he sends his small friend flying forward about eight feet and crash back into the ground, but this time his back injury prevents him from rising back up as fast. “Ow!” Stygian complains while lying in a crumpled heap. “Ah! Sorry, me lad,” Rockhoof cries out in embarrassment mixed with concern as he rushes forward and, once again, offers the same hoof to help his friend stand back up. Stygian takes it, but he doesn't rise to his hooves as quickly this time. “Ah canna rememb'ah me own strength sometimes,” Rockhoof explains and apologizes simultaneously. “After our previous adventures together, I suppose I should have anticipated this,” Stygian figures within a wheeze. “Aye, me lad! Adventure!” Rockhoof cheers as he reflexively and inadvertently crushes his tiny friend against his chest which forces Stygian to make a squeaking sound. At that moment, Stygian's eyes explode wide due to a huge burst of pain. His eyes instantly grow red cracks in them. “Just think of it!” Rockhoof encourages while oblivious to the pain he's causing his friend. “You an' me, tah'geth'ah again! Side by side, we march gloriously tah adventure! With yah brains an' me brawn, there ain't NOpony which would be abe’ah tah stand in our way! We'll crush them all wit' your strategy and me trusty shovel. Aye!” Rockhoof promises as he squeezes his friend especially tightly when he said the word, “crush”, causing Stygian to squeak again. By this point, Stygians's whole face is growing redder due to oxygen starvation, and he is gasping for breath. Following that, Rockhoof takes in a deep, savoring breath then slowly lets it out. “Ya smell that, me lad? That is the smell of adventure! AH! It is good tah smell that again! That's fer sure!” “If you don't release him soon, you'll be down one companion before your adventure has a chance to start,” Doctor Pink Heart cautions as she magically rolls her chair near the pair of stallions. “Eventually he'll be beyond even my ability to save him.” “Huh?” Rockhoof looks down at the doctor in confusion, then transfers that look down at his gripped companion. During that moment, he releases much of his pressure. As a result, Stygian hangs over backwards on Rockhoof's giant hoof in a limp way. Even his tongue hangs out his mouth and his eyes are rolled back in his skull as if dead. “Oh me gosh!” Rockhoof exclaims, feeling quite startled. “Ah dinn'ah mean tah crush ye, me lad.” “Please, allow me,” Pink Heart requests as she envelopes her new patient in a hot pink aura. Doing so steadies the small stallion even as Rockhoof releases his friend. After that, the doctor uses her magic to rhythmically and gently squash and stretch Stygian's back muscles in order to release the pressure. Doing so causes Stygian to, at first, release a gasp of pain, but it soon relaxes into pleasure. “Thank you kindly,” Stygian says to the doctor gratefully when she's done. “I'm pleased to be of some service,” Pink Heart replies to Stygian happily before narrowing her eyes at Rockhoof as she says in an accusing tone, “As for you, you big oaf, you need to be much more careful around others smaller than you, which I admit is most of the crew.” “Sorry,” Rockhoof says a little sheepishly, but it is mixed with much shame on his face. “Ah dinn'ah know me own strength sometimes.” “Well it's time you learn in a hurry!” Pink Heart insists while holding her accusing tone. “You can seriously hurt others if you don't. “And another thing. I heard you bumping into walls and banging your head against archways along the ceiling in this ship. You need to be much more careful before you hurt yourself or somepony else.” “It's me girth,” Rockhoof explains to Pink Heart. “I know mah way around a ship, but one problem ah neve'ah been able to solve is me girth. Causes me to bump into all sorts of things, it does.” “Do you seriously think that problem can't be solved by being more careful?” Pink Heart presses. Rockhoof casts a long sigh, then admits, “Aye. Ye are right. Ah need tah be much more careful, for I certainly don't want to harm me friends and comrades.” “That's all I ask,” Pink Heart expresses in a relenting tone. “The Pillars and I have encountered this problem before with our big friend here,” Stygian mentions to Pink Heart. “I suppose we sort of grew used to it, and what damage he does to us by accident, he makes up for with the damage he does to our opponents on purpose. One just needs to learn how to adapt around him.” “That goes both ways, Professor,” Pink Heart insists. “You're not the only one with a brain in your head, Professor Stygian. Your friend here taught classes for years. I'm sure he can learn to be careful, too.” “Aye. She's right,” Rockhoof says with a shamed but also accepting tone. “Ah need to be more careful.” “Glad to hear it,” says Prince Salizar as he trots up to the group while floating his bubble pipe to his side. “Perhaps this way he'll cause less damage to my ship.” The prince floats his pipe to point at Rockhoof as he adds, “If you can do that, I wouldn't mind you on cargo transporting detail, but I have to know that our goods won't be damaged in the process.” Stygian winces as he hisses through clenched teeth, then tells the Prince, “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I'm afraid I must advise against that course of action. Now, if you want a certain wall permanently out of your way, then he is the pony you need, but allowing him to carry any precious cargo, even the non-fragile ones, would be a huge mistake.” “Hey!” Rockhoof barks, finally feeling offended. “Lest ye forget, ah'm a sail'ah. Ah traveled many a voyage on thah ocean. Aye. During that time, ah carried me fair share of cargo. Thah Migh'ee 'elm thought ah was a great 'elp at that.” “Once again, you must pardon my objection,” Stygian says to his friend this time, “but I remember the ways of the Mighty Helm as well. You broke their cargo plenty of times on their ship. The only difference is your former shipmates just laughed it off and slapped your back for it. To them, shattering things is almost as accepted as it would be for the yaks. In a way, they were actually proud of you for pulling that off so easily while also knowing that it really was an unintentional accident. You are just that powerful, my friend.” Rockhoof lifts a hoof in objection as he opens his mouth, but he freezes when he thinks about it. A moment later his eyes shift to the left as he thinks back on his past more carefully, then he lowers his hoof back to the deck as his face adopts a look of startled realization. “Oh mah goodness. Ye're right!” Rockhoof realizes, then looks crestfallen as he looks down. “Wow. Ah guess ah really am just a big, dumb oaf.” Stygian applies a hoof high above him to barely reach Rockhoof's chest in a gesture of reassurance as he says, “One who has plenty of advantages as well. When it comes to a crisis, there are nary many ponies I can count on more than you to be as strong, tough, brave, loyal, and experienced. There were plenty of our former opponents that regretted crossing us, especially with my winning strategies backing you up. When things get tough, you're usually the first one to charge into action, and you're typically the last one standing when the dust settles. When it comes to an adventure, there aren't many others I'd rather have by my side.” “Ah! Thanks, me wee lad!” Rockhoof cheers with a great big smile. On sheer reflex, Rockhoof almost reaches to crush his friend in another hug, but Pink Heart intercedes by chastising, “Ah-ah-ah! Careful,” she reminds. “Oh. Right. Me bad,” Rockhoof apologizes. In response, Pink Heart rolls her eyes. “Cozy, you've got to check this out!” Cheese cries excitedly as she leans over the port side rail of the ship. She hangs her tongue down and drools like a dog while wagging her ponytail. “I'm coming. I'm coming,” Cozy assures as she moves to join beside her friend. Once she's there, she gasps, then asks, “Whoa! That's Marewaii?” “I know, right?” Cheese asks with clear excitement in her voice. “Isn't it beautiful?” “Captain, may I speak to you for a moment?” Stygian requests when he sees the captain step out of the bridge and stretch. He looks at Stygian as the short stallion speaks, then approaches cooperatively. “I would like to request that the majority of your crew hang near the docks for a little while.” This request immediately takes Captain Tidus aback. After that, he says in a somewhat objecting tone, “That's a disappointing request. I'm sure my crew was looking forward to shore leave, especially on an island like Marewaii.” “I know,” Stygian accepts with a regretful nod. “I'm not suggesting that your crew don't enjoy themselves. All I am saying is that your crew should remain prepared for takeoff in a hurry.” Off the corner of Stygian's left eye, he notices Cozy's ears perk up at this point, then turns to aim back at him. He decides that her interest and concern is okay. If Stygian really believed that his information is a security risk, he would have insisted this conversation take place in private. As it stands, he actually wants everyone to remain on their guard. “I have reason to believe that a certain famous dungeon delver resides on this island for the moment,” Stygian announces to the captain. “The prince and I both agree that she would make an excellent final addition to our expedition. Her skills in this age as a professional explorer are second to none.” “Sounds reasonable, then, to attempt to recruit her,” Captain Tidus figures. “Also, I have to say that if she's such a professional explorer as you say, you two are dangling one juicy bait for her.” Tidus bends a talon under his beak as he looks up with a discerning look for a moment, then looks back at the short stallion ahead of him as he asks, “I take it you are referring to Glenda, the famous griffin explorer and supposed successor to the now retired Daring Do?” Stygian can now tell that Cozy is doubly interested. “Indeed, the same,” Stygian confirms. “The prince and I are also quite convinced that we can recruit her to join this journey.” “Then what's the problem?” Captain Tidus checks. “The problem, Sir, is that trouble follows Glenda like dust on a horseshoe,” Stygian clarifies. He waves a hoof. “It may be nothing. Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but there is a reason Glenda is one of the most celebrated adventurers. She goes to the dangerous places no other creature would be willing to go, and the dangerous artifacts she acquires thereof are of interest to many seedy characters. There is a chance that . . .” Stygian trails off as Tidus lifts an objecting talon while he says, “Say no more. You've made your point clear.” He looks at Prince Salizar as he asks him, “I take it you concur with the professor, Your Majesty?” “At least for the first few hours,” the prince answers. “During that time, the professor and I, along with my trusty bodyguard, will attempt to find and recruit Glenda. As we do so, we'll establish what her situation is. If, by then, we determine it to be safe, I'll send a message back to the ship to report that shore leave seems relatively safe. Until then, I want this ship remained prepped for launch.” “That's disappointing, but understandable given the circumstances,” Tidus accepts. “That said, I would have Miss Brizebe and the hauling crew trade stock at the docks at least. We'll need extra supplies for the next trip because it seems that it might be a long haul.” “That is fine,” Stygian agrees. “We'll probably need those supplies for the next leg of the journey. Do instruct them to be swift, however. There is no telling how long we can safely remain here.” “Being chased out of Marwaii due to danger?” Tidus scratches his head as he asks that. “That would be a first. This island, and its natives, are one of the most hospitable I've ever encountered.” “That may be so, but we cannot let our guard down just yet,” Stygian insists. “Glenda is not the only one trouble seems to follow. Case in point,” he nods to Rockhoof who is standing next to Stygian. “Ya will invite me on this quest, will ye?” Rockhoof checks. “Adventure is what I live for and the reason ah agreed to go on this journey.” “Yes,” Stygian confirms to his friend. “However, I want you to hold your distance, at least at first. Do you remember our adventure at Gong Bell island?” Rockhoof has to think about that for a moment, but realization quickly dawns on him. At that point he says, “Oh!” He winks at his short friend. “Gotcha. Jus' rememb'ah, though, subtly and I go together like a brick belongs in a pile of food.” Stygian shakes his head as he says, “The fact you are noticed isn't important. I just need to make sure it doesn't seem like you are traveling with the Prince and I. You, my friend, could actually serve as a distraction in some respects, but if I give the signal-” “Then ah come charging in, shovel a swinging!” Rockhoof finishes. “Oh . . . it will be just lack ol' times, me lad.” Stygian waves at Rockhoof as he says, “Just like the advice I gave to the captain, it's just a precaution. We don't know what we might be facing down there, but it's unlikely to be anything too monstrous.” Stygian knocks on the wooden floor. “That said, I want to remain prepared.” Stygian peers sharply at Cheese Pie while silently reminding himself that, last time he checked, that mare has the communication crystal. As long as that remains true, he remains in contact with her and anypony else she travels with. To that end, he calls to her aloud, “Miss Cheese Pie, are you planning on disembarking the ship?” “Sure!” She cries out enthusiastically. “I'm not missing this golden opportunity to explore a new culture!” Cheese says insistently in the same excited tone. “I'll be disembarking as well,” Doctor Pink Heart brings up. “There are some ingredients I could use for some of my potions. I also want to see what they have on stock.” “You're coming with me too, won't you, Cozy?” Cheese asks her salmon pink friend hopefully. “Sure,” Cozy accepts. “I always wanted to see Marwaii, and I should keep an eye on you, too.” “Funny,” Cheese says with a grin and a wince of one eye at her friend. “I told my parents the same thing about you.” “In that case, I'll keep an eye on both of you,” Sunset decides as she trots up to join them. When she arrives, she looks over her shoulder at Pink Heart as she encourages, “Why don't you come along with us? The more, the merrier. You want to come here to shop for new ingredients, and Cheese wants a look at the culture, but she can do that anywhere on the island, so we might as well follow you.” Stygian nods to himself privately. As long as those mares stick together, he remains in potential contact with them all. Pink Heart’s objective might come in handy, too. “I have absolutely no problem with this,” Pink Heart also agrees. “Sure,” she says directly to Sunset. She turned her chair to look at the other mare. “I will join you.” “Thanks!” Sunset cheers. “You can help me keep an eye on these two. Your arcane eye spell might really come in handy for that.” “I don't know,” Cheese says with a roll of her eyes. “In a game of Hide and Seek, I'm pretty good at both when I want to be.” “In that case, do us a favor and stick with your friends, won't you?” Sunset encourages. “And if you are really good at seeking, that might come in handy-” “Hoofy,” Cheese quickly and reflexively corrects. “-in whatever endeavors we may face out there,” Sunset finishes as if Cheese never interrupted her. “I can imagine more than a few scenarios where solid seeking skills could come in . . .” Sunset trails off when she notices Cheese widen her eyes at the older mare. “. . . hoofy,” Sunset finishes with a slight giggle. “I grew up as a mare in this world too, you know. I know how to speak horse.” Those standing on the top deck of the ship feel themselves lift a bit as the ship tilts slightly. “Well, that's my cue to get back to the bridge,” Captain Tidus decides with a look over his shoulder at the bridge, then looks back at Stygian. “I will abide by your advice to keep the majority of my crew at the docks on one condition.” “Which is?” Stygian checks with a lift of an eyebrow. “Take Rumble with you,” Captain Tidus requests. “He's the best flier we got on the ship. That would leave him available as a resource to you should you need him to report something back to me in a hurry. Also, since I'm aware of the fact that he has trained in and mastered martial arts, it also means he can hold his own in a fight.” Stygian brightens as he says, “That's a good idea! An asset like that may indeed be invaluable on this mission.” He looks up at the prince as he asks, “Do you concur?” “Sure,” the prince agrees simply.