//------------------------------//
// Bk8/Ch4 The Princess and The Exploror 
// Story: Love's Lost Decade 
// by Priceless911 
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Book 8 / Chapter 4
The Princess and the Explorer 
(Year 5, Month 6, Day 4)

Captain Sail stood in his quarters behind his desk as he looked out the large window that revealed the sea behind the Bloody Tide. As he stood looking out the windows, Powder Keg and Pinpoint stood in front of his desk as Powder Keg spoke, “Seems a might… Extreme don’t ya think capt’n?”
Captain Sail replied, “You have doubt in him?”
Powder Keg shook his head, “No no… I have nothin’ but confidence in the lad, but he is a good sailor and with one less we ma-“
Pinpoint interrupted, “We can manage… the lad is skilled but it’s not like we had trouble before he joined the crew.”
Captain Sail nodded as he continued looking out the window and replied, “What about you Mr. Point? You think it’s a good idea to give him the chance to make this choice?”

Pinpoint nodded as he replied, “Of course captain… as you said, the lad is young. And this would be good for him. That said, why are you choosing now to give him this decision?”
All of a sudden a knock came at the door to the cabin as Captain Sail turned around and smiled, “You will see…”
As that was said a voice came from beyond the door, “Captain? Its Jim, I brought the princess and her party as ordered.”
Captain Sail nodded as he called, “Enter then Lad.”
After that, the door to the cabin opened as Jim, Princess Skystar, Daring Do, Zeil, and Silver entered the cabin as Jim spoke, “As requested, the princess and her body guards.”
Captain Sail nodded as he gestured to a table that sat a few feet in front of his desk, “Good lad… your majesty could you take a seat please, there is something we need to discuss.”
With the previous day’s events still fresh in her mind, Princess Skystar hesitated for a few seconds then approached the table and sat down. As she did this, Jim turned to leave the room as Captain Sail looked to him and spoke, “Hold fast Jimbo… this concerns you too…”
Doing as he was told Jim turned back to the captain and stayed where he was standing as Zeil, Daring Do, and Silver gathered around the table and stood behind the Princess as if they were her full time bodyguards.

Seeing the ponies at the table and feeling the tenseness of the room around him, Captain Sail approached his desk as he opened a drawer and pulled out a bottle of fine rum. Then as he took the bottle with him towards the table, Pinpoint turned to a cabinet on the side of the room as he pulled out a few wooden cups as he approached the table and sat them down in the center as he spoke, “Here Captain… I’m sure the princess would rather drink from these then from the bottle.”
Captain Sail nodded as he approached the table and spoke, “Very good Mr Point.” He looked at the princess, “Beggin’ your pardon your majesty, it’s not often I have the honor of serving royalty a drink.”
Though it was fake, Princess Skystar smiled and nodded for a brief moment as she held her silence which only increased the tenseness of the atmosphere. As Captain Sail approached the table he pulled the cork from the rum and sniffed it slightly as he smiled, “Ah… a fine year, much better than the grog we have below… and far more expensive if I should say so.”

As Captain Sail poured each pony a drink, Zeil leaned towards Daring as he spoke, “What’s with that? I though the captain had a rule about drinking on duty?”
Daring whispered back, “It’s something that Captain Sail has always done. To ease the tenseness of a serious discussion, he always allows those involved to drink. That way it releases the intimidation he may have on his sailors.”
Though he wasn’t supposed to hear it, Captain Sail smiled as he finished pouring the rum unto each cup as he spoke, “When a subordinate speaks to a superior they tend to say only what they feel their boss wants them to hear. But when drinking a fine rum they can relax and speak freely and honestly without fear.” He picked up a cup and tried to hand it to the princess, “It’s an old method from my father, but it proved effective at building trust, so I use it often.”
When the princess saw the cup she raise her hoof in a dismissive way and shook her head as if to say she didn’t want it. seeing this, Captain Sail shrugged his shoulders as he sat at the table and drank from the same cup he tried to hand off, “Well… in most cases it works… help yourself lads… since this is a meeting to discuss the voyage you are all free to take a cup. As the rest of the room looked at the small cups of rum in the center of the table, Silver was the only one to accept as she shrugged her shoulders and spoke, “Well… it isn’t a Moon Drop but I’m not one to turn down a free drink.”

As Silver started drinking the rum, Captain Sail smiled as he spoke, “First… let me start off by thanking each and every one of ya. Thanks to all your help we were able to… whether the storm sort of speak. Though… let me be frank to address the elephant in the room. Regarding the late general and his betrayal.” He looked at the princess, “Your majesty… I’m sure you have something to say on the matter?”
Princess Skystar replied with hesitation, “Tell me… what happened to General Arnold?”
Captain Sail replied as sympathetically as he could, “Well…I don’t want to go into detail… let’s just say… we all know the penalty for treason… so I took it upon myself to carry it out. I… executed the traitor.”
Though she expected this kind of answer she was still shocked that he admitted it so casually as she preceded to ask, “H-how did he die?”

Removing his hat and rubbing forehead as a distraction to hid his hesitation, Captain Sail carefully thought about his words as he replied, “I… I’m not at liberty to say your majesty… but… if it will ease your concern… it was quick… and it was about as close to painless as it could possibly be. Though… as for his body, that belongs to the sea now.”
Princess Skystar hesitated before replying, “Still… it’s not right wha-“
“Tell me your majesty… what is the penalty for treason in the Hippogriff kingdom? To my knowledge… its death isn’t it?”
Though she knew he was right Princess Skystar tried to defend Arnold again, “Mom would consider how long he served the kingdom bef-”
Captain Sail looked to Pinpoint as he interrupted, “Mr. Point? Last night before we all retired for sleep… I asked you to do a task, but not tell me the results till I asked for them… remember?”

Seeing where this was leading Pinpoint replied, “I do Captain… but I would suggest aga-”
Captain Sail gave Princess Skystar a serious look as he interrupted, “Then give me the report now.”
Pinpoint looked at the concern expression on Princess Skystar’s face before looking back and replying, “Are you sure Captain… as you said before… the princess is innocent.”
Captain Sail replied with no concern, “Princess Skystar is the future Queen of the hippogriff Kingdoms… Consider this her first lesson on what that means.”
Worried by the serious tone, Princess Skystar felt tense as Pinpoint nodded, “Aye Captain…” he looked at the monarch, “Three… and two unaccounted for. Those are our numbers as of yesterday…”
Confused Princess Skystar gave Captain Sail a concerned look as the captain explained, “That… is the count for sailors lost in yesterday’s battle. When we left port in Framage, we had a total of one hundred and seventeen sailors on this ship which is common for a small fifth rate frigate… but currently counting you lot… we now carry only one hundred and eleven.”

Princess Skystar felt speechless at hearing that information as Silver spoke up, “Those numbers don’t add up captain…”
Captain Sail gave her an intimidating look as he replied with a tone to match, “We don’t count traitors as souls once they decide to abandon their loyalty. To me and the rest of this crew, he’s nothing more then lost cargo… ain’t even worth salvaging.” He looked back to the princess, “You know what that means majesty? That means five of my sailors, good, hardworking stallion with lives and loved ones lost their lives to your general’s actions. Three dead and still aboard, and two, fallen overboard, victim to the storm and sea now. All because your general decided that his loyalty and pledge meant nothin’ if it meant getting what he wants. Now… I have to notify their loved ones, and family as to the cruel fate that those sailors endured. All because of Arnold… a general who isn’t worth his title or the bloodstains he left on my ship.”
Princess Skystar’s heart sank at the realization as Captain Sail saw this and added, “That said, I did kill a country colt of yours and the only bodyguard who is subject to your mother. For that I apologies, but if you think that means I wouldn’t kill him again if given the chance… your sorely mistaken. I would kill him again and again just to see him die, if it meant riding the world of one more traitor.”

Seeing the troubled expression on the princess’s face, Daring Do spoke, “Captain… maybe that was a little too far.”
Nodding, Captain Sail replied, “It may be… but these are the troubles that make a good captain… as do, they make a good queen. Either way… let’s move on…”
he paned his eyes over the group, “The reason I’ve asked you all here is because Pinpoint and I have noticed something crucial…” he focused on the hired bodyguards, “What do you three intend to do once we arrive in Equestria?”
Silver answered first, “I plan on heading to Ponyville to meet with my mechanic.” She raised her wing exposing her damaged prosthetic, “As you can see… I’m gonna be grounded for a while.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye, I remember the lad. Mr Key was it? How is he faring since we last met. Hopefully he reunited with his lass and gained some meat on his bones.”
Silver smiled, “Yea, last I heard he and Derpy are living happily with their daughter. Though I think he toned down his flying experiments for a while. He doesn’t want a repeat of being crash landing on an island for a few years.”

Captain Sail chuckled at the memory, “I should say not, next time I rescue him I’m gonna have to charge him.” He looked to Daring, “And you lass? What are your planes for your return to Equestria?”
Daring pulled out her notebook as she patted the cover and smiled, “Well first thing is first, I got to head home and write this story while the memory is still fresh. The only problem I have to face is separating the tale of the knight in Lilith with the protection of a princess at sea. Either way they are sure to become fan favorites.”
Captain Sail nodded, “I look forward to reading ‘em. So long as ya make me look good.” He looked to Zeil, “And you sir knight? What do you intend to do?...”
Zeil replied, “As soon as I get back, I’m going straight to the Everfree forest. There is… someone special there waiting for me.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Ah a special somepony? Or a changeling?”
Zeil shook his head, “Actually she’s a zebra.”
Captain Sail seemed skeptic, “That right?... hmm… I wonder.”
As Zeil felt confused with Captain Sail’s expression, the Sailor shook his head as to remove the thought so he could stay on subject, “So… then that leaves us with a problem. After our return to Equestria, all three remainin’ bodyguards to the princess will be goin’ their separate ways… leaving her majesty to journey to Canterlot alone.” The group of bodyguard looked at one another in confusion as Captain Sail continued, “Well… if that’s the case… then I have no choice.” He looked at Jim, “Jimbo… from this moment forward… your daily duties will be only to report to me every morning. After that, no maintenance or inventory tasks. I want you to divot the rest of your day to protecting her highness as her temporary bodyguard.”

Every creature in the room was surprised by the order as Jim spoke up, “But… captain? Is… I mean… don’t you need my help running the ship?”
Captain Sail nodded, “The tide ran fine before you arrived lad, I think it can fare on its own. Yesterday, you showed me that you were up to the task of keepin’ her majesty safe… so I’d feel better knowing she was in your capable talons… but that’s not the end of it neither… Once we arrive in Equestria… I want you to accompany her majesty to her next destination. I’ll already have a letter on the way to the hippogriff Kingdoms to inform the queen of the general’s betrayal, as well as asking for a replacement bodyguard. Till then… where she goes… you go, is that clear?”
Though he had no real objections, Jim still felt a little concerned with the order, “Captain… are… are you kicking me off the Tide?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Quite the opposite actually… once the princess’s replacement bodyguard meets with you… you will have three options. You can continue protecting her by your own choice… you can go about your own way and start a new life elsewhere, or you can return to me and take up a roll as my third officer.”
Jim was shocked, “O-officer?”

Pinpoint smiled as he explained, “The captain asked us today if you were up to the roll, and Mr. Keg and I both agree that you are perfect for that position.”
Powder Keg added, “You’re a decent fighter, sharp as a tack, and know what needs to be done with or without an order. I’m sure you will do fine as an officer… under myself of course.”
Captain Sail nodded, “You’ve come a long way from that little cabin colt we picked up on Home. So… if it be your decision… once the princess is back with the protection of her own royal guards, then and only then will I allow you back aboard the Tide. Unless of course… you choose to stay on land for any… particular reason.”
Captain Sail gestured towards the princess, as Jim blushed slightly before replying, “I um… well… uh…”
Seeing the difficulty in his response, Pinpoint replied for him, “You have plenty of time to decide that part later lad… for now, just know your orders and answer the captain. Will you protect the princess till then?”

Jim looked at Princess Skystar as she looked away trying to hide her blushing face as Jim smiled and nodded before looking back, “Aye, with my life… Thank you Captain.”
Captain Sail smiled, “You’ve earned it lad.”
He looked at the princess who was unusually quiet about the situation as he continued, “That is… if it’s alright with her majesty. After all this means that she and Jim will be spending more time together.”
Princess Skystar was blushing slightly as she tried to reply, “W-well… I um… C-captain I… uh…”
Seeing it difficult for her to respond, Zeil spoke up in her stead, “I’m sure the princess agrees with this decision… although this does seem a little sudden.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye it does… but as we saw yesterday, a sudden action meets a sudden result. The princess need a bodyguard when we arrive in Equestria. And what better stallion then one of her own race. Now… onto another matter. Tomorrow morning we should be arriving at Zebabwee on the coast of Zebrica. Yesterday’s battle did plenty of damage on the Tide, so a few sailors will be making repairs of which will be overseen by you Mr Keg.
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye Capt’n, I’ll see to it.”
Captain Sail continued. “I’ll ask that the rest of you don’t disturb them. We shouldn’t lose any headway in our course, but… it be better if we don’t take that chance. Understood?”
The group nodded as they responded “Aye captain.”
Captain Sail looked at Daring Do as he motioned towards the bandages around her wing, “Miss Do… how are your injuries? Miner I’m assuming?”
Daring Do patted her bandaged wing as she nodded, “Yea… the surgeon said it is just a sprain. Nothing to worry about.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Good… then before we go… is there anything you lot need from me?”
The group responded with silence as Captain Sail stood, “Good… then you can take your leave. Rest or relax below deck, or feel free to enjoy the sunshine outside, just don’t get in the way of the crew’s work. Dismissed.”

That said, Captain Sail took the bottle of rum with him as he trotted back to his desk and placed it in the drawer. The rest of the group stood and started to leave the room. As the group trotted onto the main deck of the Bloody Tide Zeil could feel the princess’s troubled emotions about the idea of having Jim serve as her bodyguard. As Zeil felt this he could only smile at the flustered princess as Jim could also tell that the princess was in deep thought as he misunderstood the reason and spoke, “Your majesty, please don’t mind the Captain.”
Princess Skystar gave him a confused look, “Wait… what?”

Jim continued, “I know that the weight of Arnold’s betrayal and the sailors lost to his treachery was bad… but there was nothing that could have been done.”
Not even thinking of the subject at all, Princess Skystar smiled at his attempt to comfort her as she replied, “Oh… yes… that… that’s it… that’s what I was thinking.”
Still not noticing her real feelings Jim bowed slightly as he continued, “If anything just know this, now that I am your bodyguard, I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll be by your side and protect you. You have my word as a sailor and a stallion.”
As she saw the bowing stallion next to her, Princess Skystar’s face turned beat read as she became even more flustered at his actions. Able to read her clearly, Daring smiled, “You know princess… Zeil is a changeling who can sense and understand emotions. So… if you were to discuss these feeling of… concern with him a little more… maybe he can help you understand them better?”

Although the advice flew over Jim’s head, the princess understood it clearly as she smiled, “That’s right… Sir Zeil… you understand these… Feelings clearly then don’t you?”
Trying to keep up with the subliminal messaging, Zeil nodded, “I um… yes?…”
Princess Skystar smiled “Can I speak with you real quick… in private?”
Confused, Zeil nodded, “Um… sure.”
That said Princess Skystar looked at the rest as she spoke, “Will you excuse us for a second.”
At that moment, Princess Skystar did something completely unexpected as she stepped onto the railing of the ship and jumped into the sea as she used the pearl shard around her neck to turn into a sea pony on her way down. As soon as the princess hit the water everypony rushed to the rails as Jim started to call, “Princess!!! MARE OVERBOA-“
Zeil interrupted, “Wait! It’s okay I’ll get her, just… give us a second…”
Confused, everypony watched Zeil as the changeling unlaced his cloak and jumped into the water while also changeling into a sea pony.

As Zeil hit the water, the ship continued on its path as Zeil looked just a few hundred feet behind it to see the princess swimming in circles while holding her face in what seemed to be a fit of panic. Concerned, Zeil swam to the royal mare as she continued her underwater pacing as she spoke, “Oh my gosh, what do I do… should I act on it sh- no no, calm down just play it cool. He is just being nice… but wait what if he is actually talking abou… no I just need to focus. But… what if… how should I…”
As the princess continued her panic induced rant, Zeil approached her as he spoke “Whoa whoa just calm down your highness. Just breathe for a second… or whatever it is we are doing right now under water.”
Hearing his word but sill in a panic, Princess Skystar stopped pacing as her rant turned into a series of unnecessarily deep breaths as she inhaled and exhaled over and over before replying, “It’s not working… I still don’t know what to do… I still do-”
at that moment, Zeil used his front flippers to grab both sided of her face as he looked into her eyes and spoke, “PRINCESS!!!... Relax… calm down and tell me what is going on. Preferably fast because… The Bloody Tide is leaving us behind.”

When the princess finally started breathing calmly Zeil released her face as Princess Skystar sighed, “Sir Zeil… you said you’re a changeling right… and apparently…” She gestured to his sea pony form, “This proves it… but… I don’t know what to do. Jim… he… um… I like him a lot… and… I’m sure he likes me too… but… what do I do?”
Zeil smiled, “That’s it? You just don’t know what to do?”
Princess Skystar gave him an annoyed look, “I’m serious! He… he’s a good guy and all… but… I’m a princess and he’s a…”
Zeil finished, “A pirate?”
“A sailor! I didn’t see him commit any crimes so don’t judge him as some criminal… but… still…”
Seeing her troubled and still concerned about the sailing ship Zeil replied, “Swim with me…”
with that Zeil started following the ship as Princess Skystar followed closely behind. As they followed the Bloody tide, Zeil spoke, “I am a changeling, but… even I know that real love is something to cherish… not as food, but just as a matter of being.”
Princess Skystar gave him a confused look, “I don’t get it? What do you mean?”
Zeil replied, “Well I used to feed on love and fake my actions to make others feel it… but then… one day I fell in love myself. When I realized what I was feeding on, I felt like… I was a terrible creature. To take something so precious just to soothe my appetite… I started to see the monster I was. So I stopped I wanted to feel that love rather than eat it.”

Keeping up with Zeil’s pace, Princess Skystar replied, “Okay… but what does that have to do with me?”
Zeil smiled, “You like him… right?”
She nodded, “Yes.”
Zeil replied, “And I know for a fact that he likes you… so… go with it.”
The royal mare still felt concerned, “But… what about the order that the captain gave him? He is supposed to protect me till I’m back with my royal gaurds. What if he decided to leave from there… or even worse… what if he wants to stay with me? Leaving everything he has behind… I can’t force that on him.”
Zeil nodded as he replied, “True… but… do you want to spend the time you have together worrying about that? What happens will happen, if you explain this to him, then you both can decide on something that makes you both happy. But… if you spend all your time worrying, then you will miss the moments that matter most. Your time together.”

Princess Skystar thought to herself as she started to reply, “I guess… but… wha-”
Zeil turned and swam in front of her stopping her in her path, “Stop second guessing it! He likes you… that’s all you need to know. Take it from me, it’s… it’s painful worrying about the bad, then realizing that because of that worry, you overlooked the best part of the good.” His expression sank, “I was so afraid of losing her to the truth, that every moment with her was filled with worry. I… I never even got the chance to tell her. Now… all I can do is worry… about how she will react when I see her again, about how she will respond when I finally tell her what I am… or… if she will even be there when I get back. That’s… my burden to bare, so don’t give yourself any reason to take on a burden of your own.”
Seeing his depression, Princess Skystar could tell that this advice was from more experience as she nodded, “You’re… you’re right. I should just enjoy the moment now and stop worrying.”
Seeing that his message was getting through Zeil smiled, “Then… you should go to him.”
Princess Skystar smiled, “Thanks Sir Zeil… when you said you were a changeling I knew you were the one to ask about this. Daring Do and Silver may be mares but, they seem too… rough to ask about this sort of thing. But you… there is something about you that seems trustworthy. Now… I know why. You’re really kind, makes me glade to have you as a friend.”
Though he would disagree, Zeil still smiled as he replied, “Thank you princess, I’m happy to have you as a friend too.”
She smiled, “Oh, call me Skystar. Now let’s get back on the ship before the others worry.”

Quickly catching up to the bloody tide, the two temporary sea ponies approached the starboard side of the ship as Zeil could see a lowered Jacobs’s ladder that was no doubt lowered for them. Seeing the rope ladder, Zeil swam up to the flexible structure as he grabbed onto it and changed into his zebra form before climbing a few steps up and reaching down in an attempt to help the princess onto the structure. However as he reached down and called, “Princess?” the royal mare jettisoned herself from the water as she changed into a hippogriff in midair and flew up the high ship until she was over the main deck of the bloody tide. Seeing this Zeil mumbled, “That works too.”
As soon as Zeil was back aboard the ship, Zeil didn’t even have a chance to make eye contact with anypony waiting for them before Princess Skystar approached him and hugged him tightly as she spoke, “Thanks again Sir Zeil… your advice is really helpful. And… I’m grateful for it.”
Blushing slightly Zeil replied, “Your welcome Skystar… and if you want you can just call me Zeil. Friends shouldn’t have to be formal with each other right?”
She stopped hugging him, “Couldn’t have said it better myself… Zeil.”

At that moment, the two looked to the rest of their party on the ship as each one was staring in confusion as Daring spoke, “Um… w-what did we miss?”
Skystar smile, “Oh… nothing, I just had a small crisis that I needed help with and Si- I mean Zeil here gave me some advice that helped.”
The princess stepped away from Zeil and started approaching Jim as Zeil nodded, “Yep, even a princess needs advice from time to time.”
As Princess Skystar approached Jim, she smiled, “Yea… and thanks to his advice… I feel confident in doing this… Jim… hold out your talon.”
Jim stood in confusion, “Wh-what?”
Seeing his hesitation Princess Skystar reached out and took his talon as she held it out for him, “It’s okay I have something for you.”
Holding his talon open, Princess Skystar placed a trinket in his palm before closing his claws around it and letting him go. Confused, Jim looked down at his talon and opened his fist as he saw a shard of the pearl sitting in his hand as he spoke, “Its… wait… wasn’t this General Arnold’s shard of the relic?”

The smiling monarch shook her head as she replied, “No… it’s yours. You’ve done more than earned it… and now… I’m going to teach you to transform… that is…” She looked to Zeil as she spoke, “If my knight will allow it?”
Zeil was confused, “Wait… you’re asking me for permission?”
Skystar smiled, “Well yea, with the general gone, technically a knight would be the next in command. So I’m asking you permission since, obviously you are the higher raked soldier here. I mean…” She looked at Daring Do and Silver, “No offence, but Daring is a writer, and Silver is a noble of a secret organization that officially didn’t exist.” She looked back, “So officially… you’re in charge of my team of bodyguards.”
Zeil could only chuckle at the logic as he smiled, “Well if that what you think... Then sure… I’ll allow you two to go out swimming… just keep up with the ship and check in every now and then. I doubt Captain Sail will leave you behind but I still don’t want to tell him that we have to turn around for you if you get lost.”
Princess Skystar smiled with glee, “Sure, we will stay close.”
She approached the railing of the tide as she held her hoof out to Jim, “You ready?”
Jim finished tying the small pearl shard around his neck as he replied as he took her talon, “Sure, how do I do this?”
Princess Skystar smiled as she replied, “Just clear your mind of any troubles, visualize something that brings you peace, then… imagine the power of that something changing your body to its whim. And allow the change to take place.”

Doing as he was suggested, Jim closed his eyes as he started to focus. Then without warning, he immediately turned into a sea pony as he fell to the deck in surprise. Confused Jim looked around in worry as the princess smiled, “Whoops, maybe we should have been in the water first… don’t worry I got you.” With that said, the princess reached down as she helped pick up Jim from the deck and struggled to place him on the railing before rolling him off the ship like a beached sea creature. As Jim fell into the water, Princess Skystar jumped in behind him as Zeil could only laugh at the humor in the moment. As the two sea pony disguised hippogriff vanished into the waves, Zeil leaned onto the railing of the ship and looked into the sea as Silver spoke, “Be honest Sir Zeil… what did you tell the princess? She seems a lot more cheery then before.”
Zeil shook his head, “To be honest I don’t tell her anything she couldn’t figure out on her own. All I did was remind her of what she valued, and it gave her the confidence to jump ship with a stallion that she is in love with.”
Silver yawned as she replied, “Well whatever you told her, it worked. Anyways, I think I’m going to get some rest. My night shift last night lasted a little longer than expected and if I’m not needed, I’m gonna get some sleep.”
Zeil nodded as he replied, “Sure… we can take it from here.”
Silver smiled, “I wasn’t asking your permission… but I’ll accept it either way. After seeing you in action yesterday, I think I discovered some respect for you after all… just don’t do anything to ruin it.”

Zeil nodded in agreement as Silver trotted to the stairs and started going below deck to rest. After she was gone Daring trotted to the railing as she leaned on it and looked into the water below. As she looked down into the waves, Daring spoke, “Zeil… I… um… I wanted to thank you.” She looked at him, “For yesterday I mean. If you hadn’t jumped in after me… I would have been swept away by the waves.”
Zeil smiled, “It’s not a big deal… I wasn’t going to le-“
She interrupted, “It is a big deal… when I fell from the crow’s nest you reflexively jumped off the ship with no regard for your own safety and dove down after me… I mean… what if the current was too strong for you to swim through? You would have drowned with me.”
Zeil shook his head, “Not as a sea pony I wouldn’t have. But you are right… if the current was too strong for me to fight… then I may have not been able to save you at all.”
She spoke with concern, “Then why risk it? Why did you do that?”
Zeil chuckled a bit, “You’re asking me why I jumped overboard to save a friend from danger?”
Daring shook her head as she stepped closer, “No it’s just, I wanted to know if… if there was more to it… if... um…”

Realizing the enthusiasm behind her question, Daring Do stepped back and looked over the railing to hid her face as Zeil could feel her emotions as he replied, “You mean… if there was more to it… or better… more to us… right?”
Daring looked down to hide her blushing face as Zeil braced himself with a sigh, “Daring… I’m a changeling so… it’s been a little obvious that recently you’ve developed feelings for me… it’s flattering… it really is.”
Daring replied, “There is a but in there isn’t there?”
Zeil nodded, “But… you know that… I have been traveling for years now… to return to Zecora. To the mare that I’m actually in love with. So… I’m sorry, but we… we can’t be. I just don’t feel that way about you.”
Although it hurt to hear, Daring Do had always expected this response as she nodded, “I know… but… it doesn’t change the way I feel. And the way you saved me yesterday… it… it just makes it hurt more. I just wish… I wish I could have met you before… you know… before you fell in love with Zecora.”
Zeil shook his head as he looked out to the sea and replied with a depressed tone, “… No… you don’t. If you did… you wouldn’t want to be around me… nopony would want to be around me.”
Daring Do was confused, “What? But… why? You’re courageous, noble, honest, brave, an-“
“I tried to destroy Canterlot…”
Daring Do was shocked, “Wh-what?”
Seeing her shock Zeil sighed, “The reason Silver attacked me the other night… is because of who I am… or… who I used to be. I… wasn’t the way I am now. I was worse… fare worse.”
Daring Do shook her head, “I… I don’t believe that… I can’t believe that? You’re a knight, you saved hundreds in Lilith. Not to mention the king and queen of Spring Haven”

Zeil nodded as he braced himself with a sigh, “I guess… I’ll be honest with you since… I know I can trust you. I told you that I’ve been on a journey to get back to Equestria, but… I left out how I left Equestria in the first place… or why I’m determined to get back… and even though you overheard my explanation about the Wooden Pergola forest… even that is a lie. So… I guess I’ll start from beginning. From when… Queen Chrysalis asked me to infiltrate the Canterlot Royal Guard.”
From there, Daring Do stayed quiet as Zeil told his whole story. He told of his near fatal crash into the Everfree Forest into Zecora’s home. He told of how he fell for the enchantress and was wrongfully banished from Equestria after curing Shining Armor of his curse. He spoke of the many he met along the way, the ones who became good friends, the ones who taught him better skills, and even the friends he had lost along the way. Then he went into great detail to explain his encounter with the Mage of Zebrica. Of where they met, what he did, and even who he appeared to be after the crisis was said and done. He even went as far as to pull out the tome of the mage and the letter left behind to prove everything. A few minutes later, as his explanation ended, Daring stared at the Mage’s letter in deep thought as Zeil finished, “And… that what happened. That why I couldn’t be trusted before I met Zecora, and why Silver attacked me earlier. She was worried that I was the stallion I was before I was forced out of Equestria. She was worried, that I was still that monster.”

Daring Do tried to process the information as she Spoke, “The mage you met… are you sure that’s who he said he was?”
Zeil was curious, “Yea… you sound like you’ve heard of him.”
Daring lowered the letter in her hoof as she looked out to sea and spoke, “A few years ago, I did some research on some ruins to the far south that were recently discovered. It’s unknown how old the city truly is, but the date of the newest stones there was said to be about twenty nine hundred years. When I delve deeper into it, I found a large scale cover up that was hidden by all the titans. I never discovered what happened there, but when speaking to many unicorn who tried to test the sight for ancient magic residue, they discovered that whatever happened there happened in a span of only ten minutes and claimed more than five million lives.”

Zeil was shocked as he asked, “Five million? But… how?”
Daring replied, “The unicorn on site were able to detect what was commonly referred to as an apocalyptic event. Something so disastrous that it was a total genocide caused entirely by dark magic. When I looked into it, the only one I was able to discover that could know about magic of that scale would be a particular enchanter… The Mage of Zebrica. So I tracked him down to speak with him personally.”
Zeil replied with curiosity, “What did you find?”
Daring sighed in disappointment, “A brick wall, lining a brick wall, and leading right back to a brick wall. I went to Zebrica to track him down, but no zebra in any tribe would talk to me… I was even threatened to be imprisoned if I ever spoke of him again. No matter where I went, no zebra would even acknowledge me at the mere mention of the mage. It was as if they wanted me to have nothing to do with him.”

Zeil nodded, “The zebra I met said that speaking of the Mage of Zebrica was taboo and could lead to hostility. Maybe this is what he meant.”
Daring nodded, “Yea, but it only got stranger from there. I came across somezebra from outside the tribes who said I was wasting my time. That the mage was dead and his successor failed in his training.”
Zeil nodded, “Xemnes the pony responsible for the Pergola Village said something like that. He mentioned that he thought the mage was dead. Maybe that’s what he meant”
Daring shook her head, “He is dead. The last true mage died of old age about fifty years ago, while his successor was killed in the final trial of his training almost thirty years ago. But he didn’t say how, or what the training was. All subjects on the mage are hidden, forbidden, or completely unknown.”

Zeil thought to himself, “Well… I guess I’ll ask myself… if… I decide to ever go to Zebrica in the future.”
Daring was surprised, “So, after all that, you’re not going to Zebrica?”
Zeil shook his head, “No… I have to get back to Zecora. She is my number one priority for now. Maybe after I tell her the truth I may go to Zebrica and asked about it then, but… that assuming the mage I spoke to was the real deal. I… still don’t know if I even believe him or not.”
Daring looked at the letter and reread a portion of it as she recited the words out loud, “Travel west, Till you reach a city of ruins, there you will meet with an adventurer who will assist you on you journey to the coast. Once at the coast, you will board a ship, and there… you will have to make a grave decision. To continue west to Equestria, or to journey south to Zebrica. This seems too accurate to be a coincidence… and… To be honest, I think I know this Chief Basarum too. I tried to meet him when I was doing research on the mage… but he wouldn’t see me. He has a deep distrust in outsiders, so he refused my offer for an audience.”

Zeil thought to himself as he asked, “Whatever his reason… I have to keep to my journey. Zecora is waiting so I need to get back as soon as possible.”
Daring didn’t respond, instead she stayed trapped in thought as Zeil noticed her silence, “Daring?”
The explorer replied, “I want to say that you should go to Zebrica. If this Mage is the real thing, then this is a risk you shouldn’t ignore.”
Zeil could tell that there was more, “But?...”
Daring continued, “But this whole mage thing… it’s not something to take lightly. When I was doing my research I saw that the mage has been a significant part of history for almost a millennia… but not always in the best of ways. Some storied say that he used dark magic to save many lives… but others… well, lets just say, I never heard of a single zebra toppling an entire kingdom before… and the mage has done it many times… not just once.”

Zeil thought about it for a few more seconds before replying, “All the more reason I should return to Zecora. This old coot may have been powerful, and he probably was the mage. But… no matter how he looked or the photo he showed me or even how much he knew about me. I don’t think he was me… maybe he used a spell to read my mind while I was unconscious. Maybe he was following me, I don’t know… but whatever he says… I can’t stray from my path. If I say away from Zecora any longer… she may never accept me.”
Daring smiled as she mumbled, “A stallion traveling to the ends of the earth… Isn’t a mare alive who would ignore devotion like that.”
Not hearing her clearly, Zeil replied, “What was that?”
Daring shook her head as she put her hoof on his shoulder, “I said, good for you, stick to your goals and try not to worry too much. If he is you and what he says is true then time will loop on itself and you will make it to Zebrica eventually.”
Zeil thought to himself, “…Maybe.”
Daring smiled as she gave back the letter and turned to leave, “Whatever happens, just know that I’m rooting for you bud. Go get your mare back. And if ya don’t…” she winked, “I’ll be available.”
Zeil smiled, “taking lessons on flirting from Silver now?”
Daring Smiled, “No, just reminding you that I don’t give up that easily.”

That said Daring Do trotted away towards the upper deck as Zeil smiled and mumbled, “Daring Do living up to her name.” he looked out to sea as his expression sank, “Even through her obvious pain.”
After that was said Zeil looked out to the sea to look for the princess and her companion as Daring trotted up the steps to the main deck and stood next to Captain Sail who was looking over his ship. As she stood in silence she sighed as the captain spoke first, “So… ya told him did ya?”
She nodded, “Yea… it’s that obvious?”
The wise captain nodded, “I’ve known you since you were knee high to a barrel. That and… nopony can hide a broken heart from one with the same.”
She nodded as she held back her tears, “He turned me down… I expected it… and even braced myself for it… but… it still hurt.”
Captain Sail nodded, “It always does lass. Luckily since he is still here, and you two are in good terms, the pain can heal with time.”
Daring nodded as she smiled, and looked at Zeil from afar, “Ya know… I kinda like him more now. To be so determined to travel to the ends of the world for one mare… And… she doesn’t even know he is a changeling.”
Captain Sail adjusted his hat as he started trotting towards the stairs leading to the lower deck, “If it’s who I think it is… she knows lass. That young mare is far too wise to be fooled by anypony… even a changeling who is skilled enough to be called a knight.”
Daring was surprised, “Wait… do you know her?”
Captain Sail smiled with confidence, but didn’t reply as he trotted down the stairs to the main deck before entering his cabin and closing the door behind him.