Fearing Captain Saberclaw's wrath, Peatmoss swoops down and runs through the Main Gate. Nearly stumbling on account of his slung hoof. But pumping his wings along with his legs, he can pass off a half decent gallop. Following the main road out of the city and winding past the fields, till he reaches the bridge over the stream. He takes flight, and cuts across country, over the foothills, towards Riverdale.
As he nears the crossroads between Featherfall Barrow and town, he hears a frightened cry of distress. Coming to a halt, he looks around below for it's source. Then, out of the sky above him, comes a screaming young unicorn colt. Falling uncontrollably through the air. His bright orange robe, and mage hat, sparkling in the sun from it's shiny decorations. Drawing attention like a polished gold bit.
"I got ya! I got ya!" shouts Peat as he flies to intercept him. But just before he falls into his hooves, Peat is blinded by a bright magical flash. Dazed, he blinks and shakes his head, only for a scroll to hit him on the head. Catching it, he looks at it, then up to the sky in confusion. The unicorn now nowhere in sight.
'Did he transform into a scroll?!' he thinks in astonishment. Taking another quick look around before inspecting the rolled-up piece of, 'Parchment? No. Canvas? Wait...' Upon a closer inspection, it was a musty roll of old tan leather. About the same size of a scroll.
Undoing the strand of red ribbon tying it closed, he looks in confusion at the weird squiggly writing, magical sketching, and diagrams. Showing angles and roamain numerals. He had no idea what any of it meant. Giving one more good look around, he slips the scroll into his bag and heads on towards town.
Remembering the manner of his departure after his last visit, Peatmoss slips cautiously into town and ducks into the Woodlyn Trader.
"Well hi there!" welcomes Abirdy from behind the counter. "Welcome back to the Woodlyn Trader! What can I sell you?"
"Uh, hello Mr Abirdy. I was just..." he freezes at the sight of the empty center spot in the shopkeeper's display. "The Wing! Where's the Wing!" he shouts. Zipping up to the counter's front. Leaning over and desperately searching the shelves in terror.
"Relax. Relax." Abirdy calms. Pushing Peat back down with a claw. "It wasn't stolen again."
"Oh thank the Goddess." sighs Peatmoss in relief, slumping down. "For a moment I thought you might not have it anymore."
"I don't."
"What?" Peat asks. The pupils of his wide eyes shrinking.
"Sold and paid for this time." the shopkeeper answers with a happy smile.
"WHAT! But you... How could... WHAT!" Peatmoss sputters. "You said it was your pride and joy! Without it, your display is all off! How could you!!"
"This is a shop. Not a museum." he answers again casually. "Everything is for sale." he finishes. Throwing his arms and wings wide in joy. "For the right price that is." he adds with a wink.
"Noooo." Peatmoss cries. Planting his face on the countertop.
"What's the big fuss?" asks Abirdy in confusion. "I got a good two grand for it." he explains as he pulls up a big sack from beneath the counter, hugging it lovingly. It jingles richly in golden joy.
"Th-That Wing, (sniff) was a piece of the Rainbow Warrior. (sob) Wi-Windcaller told me I needed it to stop the Windigos. It was my responsibility. And because I'm a stupid pony, (sniff) I forgot. And now, because of me, we won't be able to get all the pieces. And everypony's going to freeze to death. And, and now it's gooone."
"Oh." Abirdy says. Scratching his beak in thought. "Sooo what? You think I could have gotten more?" he asks as he gives the sack of money a critical second look.
"Bwaaaha ha haaa." sobs Peatmoss. Covering his head with his wings. Crying a puddle on the counter.
"Come on." says Abirdy with a roll of his eyes. Returning the bag to it's hiding spot beneath the counter. "It can't be that bad."
"I'm a stupid pony." he whimpers in muffled sobs.
"Buck up little pony." Reaching out, Abirdy parts Peat's feathers with a talon to reveal Peat's sobbing face. "Look on the bright side. With as much gold she paid me, I could melt it down and make two of them." But peat goes on crying. "Seriously now." Abirdy scowls with a sigh. Crossing his arms in annoyance at how much Peat's sobbing is getting to him. "Alright! I get it! You're upset you didn't remember to buy the wing first. That's how it goes sometimes. Stop acting like a foal and knock it off already. You're going to ruin my varnish." Finally Peat slumps off the counter onto his rump. His bottom lip sticking out.
"Co-could you at least, Tell me who bought it!" Peat begs. Wiping his tears.
"Sorry. No." he replies. Wiping away the damp spot with a rag. "Customer confidentiality."
"But I need to get it back." he begs. "Everyone is counting on me."
"NO! No ifs, ands, or buts! Now quit causing a downpour, and take your blubbering outside before I have to get a mop! I don't have flood insurance you know!"
"Dad!" comes a disapproving shout from the ladderwell too the second floor. "What by the Great egg is going on down there?!" Looking over through wet eyes, Peat sees a young griffin hen poking her head down to see what the commotion is.
"Camila!" snaps Abirdy. "What did I tell you about showing yourself down here while I'm doing business?!"
"From the sound of it, you're kicking him out on his tail!" she rebuts. Fluttering down and stepping over to Peat. "You heard him. This sounds really important."
"No! I know exactly what you're thinking, and no! If I just gave up information for everypony who turns on the waterworks, I might as well call this the Woodlyn library. Sympathy doesn't fill our bellies or put a roof over our heads. So the answer is still no!"
"But you just said that this is a shop." she reasons. "Everything is for sale! Why not sell him the information?" Abirdy opens his beak to protest but pauses. Thinking for a second before relenting.
"Fine then. I'll sell what I know of the customer for..." He pauses again in thought as he does a quick calculation in his head. "Divide by two, carry the one. Add the difference. Round it down by point seven." he mutters under his breath. "Two hundred seventy." Peatmoss hangs his head and admits.
"Thanks, but I'm all out of money." Abirdy shoots an, "I told you," glare at his daughter while jabbing his open palm at the destitute Pegasus.
"Well, maybe. Hmm." she thinks aloud. scratching her beak in thought.
"No. No charity." huffs Abirdy. Crossing his arms in resolution. Peat just turns and sadly drags his wings towards the door.
"Oh that's real rich coming from you dad. After what you pulled." sneered Camila.
"What?!" retorted Abirdy in indignation.
"Don't give me that, you short changing feather flint."
"Young missy. You should know better than to-"
"And a fine example you're setting." shouts his daughter back. Cutting him off. "After all that grumbling and griping the other day after the robbery, one might think that the unicorn torched the whole shop. The way you carried on."
"But that's."
"You know just as well as I do what the Helms would have charged in gold to go after those thieves. And this Pegasus did it all for almost half the price, without complaint. He risked his life to retrieve your stupid trinket, and even brought back proof of revenge for you." she emphasizes by pointing to the grizzly head hanging on the wall. "And now. When he needs help, you turn him out on his tail like last week's scraps."
"Arg!" growls Abirdy. Pulling at his head feathers in exasperation. "Why did you have to open your big beak about that?!"
"Because daddy. It's bad business. And if you keep pulling it, and not getting caught, you're going to get into trouble." Abirdy hangs over the counter in defeat. "Hey, what about that job you've been waiting on for a couple months to get done? He's already proven to be a capable pony in doing dangerous jobs."
"Alright fine. I'll give him the job! Now get back to your room young lady! You're still grounded for that stunt you pulled with Gene." he says. jabbing a talon upstairs. Camila rolls her eyes and climbs back up the ladder and out of sight.
"Alright. Here's the job. About a year ago a band of Griffins came into the area and started mining just up the road towards Squirestone. At first we only saw them once and awhile when they came to the tavern in town. But they kept getting more rowdy every time, till the fort's guards were called and drove them off. But ever since then, they've started jumping my weekly shipments. And now, with the fort in ruins, it's only going to get worse.
So the Merchant's Guild issued a bounty on them. And it's not been dealt with yet. You go settle it, and you'll be paid for it. Then I'll tell you what I know about the customer. Deal?" he holds out his claw to shake. Peatmoss stares at it and frowns.
"So, dead huh?"
"Look, it doesn't matter if you kill them, make a deal, or pay them off. Just make sure they stop. And know that, if they're seen back at it again, the Merchant's Guild will know where to find you. So do we have a deal or not?" Peatmoss tightens his lips and accepts the shake. As he turns to leave, he pauses and asks.
"You, wouldn't happen to know where I could find Gene would you?"
"Gene? No. He's no longer with us."
"What!" Peat says in fright. "He's dead?!"
"No, not like that!" Abirdy rolls his eyes. Gertrude and Kyle kicked him out a couple days ago."
"Oh." Peat says sadly. "I really must've gotten him in trouble."
"What? No. Are you? Urg. It's a Griffin tradition. When a young griffin shows signs of self sufficiency, the parents force them out of the house to start a life of their own. Something I fear my daughter is almost ready for." he adds in a low grumble of fear and annoyance, as he glances at the ceiling.
"Oh." says Peatmoss in understanding.
* * *
Successfully sneaking out of the shop, past Mr Evergreen while his back is turned, Peatmoss makes it out of town. After a good couple miles, he sees a partially hidden path off the left side of the road. Following it carefully up into the foothills, he comes to an open flat spot before the mountain. Here it looks like the miners dumped the dugout rock to make a small camp at the mine's entrence. With an abandoned fire pit and wood chopping block. All around is littered with trash and broken garbage. But leaning against a crude wooden frame around a gaping porthole, set with a rough wood door, dozes a griffin. He's armed with a sword and dressed in a patchwork armor of tanned furs.
At the anticipation of violence, Meadblood stirs, and immediately lays out a plan of attack in his head. Packing away his hoof-sling, he tests his hoof. There's a bit of a twinge, but it's manageable. Creeping closer, he tries to catch the Griffin off guard. But he must have hit something with his wagging tail, because the guard snaps to waking before he can get half way too him.
"Huh-What? Who are... What do you want? Clear off skeever!" Peatmoss freezes. Then yanks back on Meadblood's rains as he urges Peat to lunge and bite the guard's face off.
"Me?!" retorts Peat. Flying by the hairs of his tail. "What are you doing out here is the real question."
"What?" The Griffin takes a second look at Peat and his eyes go wide. "O-oh sorry sir. I didn't know you were a Hold Guard." he stammers. Suddenly trying to look inconspicuous. "Just enjoying the fine weather we're having sir." His eyes dart around the area as if looking for an ambush.
"Uh-huh." intones Peat. Leaning in on the ploy. "The Jarl heard rumors about a, uhh, mining operation along this stretch of the road and, has sent me too... make sure it's, up to code."
"What this?" he asks. Gesturing towards the door with a thumb. "It's hardly what you could call a mine sir. Just a natural cave I've built a door on. Hardly goes very deep at all. Just a few hooves."
"Really?" Peat asks. Giving the freshly broken stones that make up the ground they're standing on a scuff with his hoof.
"Uh. Heh. Oh! I found this bag of gold laying out on the road today." he says. Pulling out a small bag and dropping it into Peat's hoof. "Maybe You, should Go, and see if any pony lost it. I'm sure they'll want it back."
"Bribing a guard is a serious crime you know." says Peatmoss dangerously. Bouncing the bag in his hoof. Guessing it to be about thirty or so pieces.
"No. You don't get-"
"I want to see your manager!" demands Peat. tossing the bag back into the Griffin's claws.
"You, want to talk to the boss?" he stammers. looking back and forth between Peatmoss and the door. Then he gets a sly glint in his eye. "Uh. Sure. You want to see the boss? He's right in here." The Griffin opens the door and offers for Peatmoss to trot on in.
Peatmoss doesn't even need Meadblood to tell him what's going to happen. Trotting into the mine he listens to the Griffin enter behind him. The door closes, blocking out Celestia's light. plunging the passage into darkness. Deeper in the cavern, he can see glimmering candles beyond. But instead, he extends his senses behind him as he trots steadily on. Hearing the near imperceptible paw pads on the ground behind him closing the distance. Giving his wingtips a flutter, he senses the close dead air just behind him. And when he hears the Griffin's sword slide out of his belt, Meadblood rolls for initiative.
Kicking off combat with a strong double hoof buck backwards. The strike lands in the Griffin's chest and midriff. Knocking him back a pace.
"Gah!" grunts the Griffin in surprise at the blow.
"Don't you know not to try and spook a pony while you're standing behind them?" quips Peat. Spinning around in the dark passage.
"Fuck you and your mother cloud humper." he growls in response as he suddenly takes a wild swing with his sword. Peat feels the air part right under his muzzle, and a flare of fear bursts in his chest as he realizes, if he had been one step closer, it would have passed right through his neck. Panic freezes his hooves, and he throws his wings up in front of himself as the Griffin swings again. There's a resounding (Clank) as the Wing Jacks stop the sword strike. Peatmoss stares for a second in surprise, and Meadblood takes initiative.
Kicking his right hoof forward like a slingshot as his wings open the Griffin's guard. Winding him with his right while slapping his sword arm with his left. There's a dull clank sound of the sword hitting the ground when it's dropped from his grip. Peatmoss cringes in pain from the blow of his left hoof to the griffin's sword arm, as Meadblood headbutts his opponent. Driving him back into a support pole. Pinning the Griffin's right shoulder with his left hoof, Meadblood begins stomping the Griffin's beak in.
Instinctively the Griffin swings his balled up left claw into Peat's face. Hitting his eye. Meadblood blocks the next strike with his hoof as the Griffin digs his talons into Peat's left leg. Tearing through the bandage and ripping hide. Letting out a bray from the fiery pain, Meadblood bites down on the offending claw. Putting all the force he can muster into it. He feels the hollow bones crunch as the forearm kinks in his mouth. The Griffin howls as Meadblood shakes his head. His herbivore teeth too dull to cut, but easily able to crush and grind.
The Griffin, in desperation, brings his hindpaws up and kicks out. His feline claws extending to hook on his armored barding, throwing Meadblood off onto his back. But before the griffin can rise or see to his broken arm, the post at his back shifts. Allowing the beam it was holding up to come down. Square on his head.
Peatmoss rolls to his hooves and scrambles back as dirt and stone tumbles down. Half burying the motionless Griffin in debris.
Ignoring the body, Peat turns his attention to his injured left leg. In the dim darkness of the passage, he can see the blood from the deep scratches blooming red through the ruined bandages. Undoing the buckle to his saddlebag, he takes it off and reaches in with his good hoof.
"Urg!" he groans as his hoof is met with a soggy (Squish). Taking out the nearly empty Mead bottle, whose stopper has given up completely, he has a taste. But Spits it out immediately. Finding, to his disgust, the taste has been spoiled completely from the tannins in the bag's leather. Dumping out his diminished supplies, he uses his last, soggy bandage. Mentally kicking himself for not resupplying his healing potions and bandages.
Making sure the bag is empty of liquid, he puts the scroll from the unicorn in. It surprisingly didn't get soiled. He then picks up the old robe. Finding it Soggy and absolutely reeking of mead. With a sigh, he folds it as evenly as he can, then wraps it around his injured leg. Tying it fast with the rope belt.
Feeling worse for wear, he turns his attention to the Griffin's body and starts digging to check his pockets for anything useful. Remembering how Gene would pick over every body, and find all sorts of valuable odds and ends. But all Peat can turn up that might be useful, is two oddly shaped metal sticks. One flat, with a bend in it. The other, long and thin. With a hook at the end. Without a clue what they were, he drops them in his bag and hoped they weren't something weird. Like Griffin beak picks, or something.
Finding the sword on the floor, he grips it in his mouth and delves deeper. Trying not to think of justifying hole-sale slaughter of whoever else was in this mine.
Descending deeper, he comes to a bend in the tunnel. To his left is a barred storehouse of crates, sacks, and a big chest. Hoping to find some useful supplies, he tries the gate. But it's locked by a rusty latch. After a bit of thinking, he sticks the sword tip through the gap in the jam. To try and bend it enough to pop the locking bar out of socket. But before he can start, he hears a whimpering moan behind him.
Spinning around, he sees another gate, hidden in the shadows. Carefully he steps over and takes a look. Inside is an Earthpony, laying on it's side. A thick iron collar around it's neck. He leans forward and puts a hoof on the latch. To his surprise, it unlatches, and swings freely open. Looking up and down the passage, he slinks in and tries to rouse the prisoner. The pony recoils from his touch.
"No." he whimpers. "No more whip. No more rocks. Too weak. Please." he begs.
"No. I'm not here to hurt you." reassures Peat. "Come on. Let me lead you out of this horrible place." He wraps his forelegs around the pony and lifts him upright. Surprised at how light and frail he feels. The pony's head rolls around to look up at Peatmoss. His wet eyes open and twinkle in the candle light.
"Meadblooded? It's you. You've come for me, at last?"
"I... I..." Peat tries to explain, but his breath keeps catching in his throat.
"Where, have you, been?" the pony asks. Then with a weak sigh, he falls completely limp, and still.
"No... No!... Celestia please no!" But the pony didn't move again. "Wake up! please!" I'm sorry." he cries. Burying his face in the poor pony's bony chest. But the poor pony is quiet. No heart beat. No breath. Silent, and still. Lost...
Then, Peat threw back his head and cried out in a loud voice. The sorrow he had bottled up in himself, of everything he suffered, welled up and out of his throat in one cry. He cried for being too late. He cried for Ironbloom. He cried for Juniper. For his screwups. For Burnished Bronze's loss. Everyone he had killed, and those that died around him. He cried till the echoes died away completely. Leaving him in tired silence. And alone.
But then his ears twitched, he hears voices coming up the tunnel. Hoofsteps and a red glow from deeper in the mine, growing brighter up the far passage. Steeling his tattered soul, he laid the pony gently back down to rest.
A Griffin holding aloft a torch leads two ponies down the tunnel. They quickly approach the bend. Lighting up the barred cells and the hanging open door.
"Gods damn-it!" hisses one pony around a large hammer clutched in it's teeth. "Ya forgot ta lock da buck-n door! Did the scrawny weasel bolt?" he asks as they approach the open gate to look in.
"Didn't bother to." says the griffin over his shoulder. Armed with a torch and ax. "You saw how badly the boss beat him."
"Thank gods." says the other as the light fell over the prone pony's body. He's wearing a lantern strapped to the top of his head, and armed with a long dagger and a small hoof shield, strapped to his left foreleg. "Wait. Is he dead?" the griffin kneels down and gives the pony a poke with his ax.
"Yeah. Looks it." grouses the Griffin. "The boss's whip did him in good in the end. That yell probably was the last of his strength."
"Aw horse apples!" whined the hammer pony, spitting out his weapon. "Now what we gonna do? With the necromancer dead, now the last slave. Who's gonna do the diggin?"
"Maybe the boss will give you the job." snaps the Griffin as he tucks his ax in his belt. "Why don't you go ask him. And he'll give you your first taste of his whip."
"Bonemesa No!" spits the hammer pony.
"Then you harvest him and I'll tell the Boss how excited you are to take the job." the Griffin sneers. Offering him a kitchen knife.
"Stick it up your bung-hole, beak-face." hammer spits. Picking up the hammer and trotting off back down the tunnel.
"You!" The Griffin commands lantern head. Fetch the gut bucket and hurry back. I'll get started." Stepping through the gate he hangs the torch in a sconce. The rising smoke vapors sting Peat's eyes as he looks down from the stony crag he's wedged himself into. Hidden in the shadows of the ceiling. He silently watches as the brigand kneels down and drives the knife into the pony's belly. Slicing him open easily. Butchering him with as much respect as he would a fish.
At that desiccation, something snaps in Peat's mind. Meadblood feels Peat release control, as his eyesight turns red. In a roar of fury, Meadblood drops down just as the butcher looks up in surprise. Coming down on his back and slamming the Griffin beak first into the fresh gore he made. Before he can struggle to get up, Meadblood brings his sword down again and again, till the head comes free and rolls away. The griffin's neck stump and limbs flail wildly for a few seconds before calming. Falling still as the body loses blood pressure.
Then Meadblood hears a hollow (clunk) behind him. He whips his head around and sees Lantern head standing there agast. The said bucket he was sent to fetch dropped at his hooves. He turns to bolt, but Meadblood has already snatched up the ax from the griffin's belt and threw it. Clocking him square in the back. Knocking him flat on his belly. In a flap of his wings, Meadblood is on top of him. Hauling him up and slamming him against the iron bars.
"Why!!!" roars Meadblood in lantern's face.
"Don't kill me! By Scorpan's mercy! Please!" he squeaks in terror as he struggles helplessly against Meadblood's rage-fueled grip. "It's the griffins who sell the meat! I just take care of the slop!"
"What by Tirek's teeth?!" exclaims the hammer pony. Having come galloping back at the sounds of the cries and commotion. Only to see the enraged pony, splashed in blood, filth, and feathers. Turning around, hammer bolts back the way he came. Leaving his fellow pony to Meadblood's mercy.
"Please, Meadblooded have mercy. I don't want to die." blubbers lantern. Tears pouring from his cowardly eyes. Angry at the atrocity, he slams the pony against the bars again and again. Till he gets tired and tosses the pony aside. Dead, or unconscious, he didn't care. There was more monsters to deal with. Picking up the dropped shield knocked free of lantern, he straps it on his wrapped up leg and snatches up the ax as he goes. Growling as he marches down the passage. His wings beating a whirl wind of air behind him. Snuffing out the lights as he passes.
After a Minute of stomping along, Peatmoss returns to himself. Clearing his mind of rage at what he just witnessed. Pushing Meadblood back down as he reminds himself not to act foalish, and be cautious.
Passing through a few twists and turns in the mine, he comes to a larger cavern with a broken ceiling, that lets the afternoon sunlight in. He hears disgruntled voices coming up from out of sight below, along with a pitiful, whimpering sound. Passing an alcove covered in sleeping furs and wool blankets, and a hole in the wall, that reeks of foulness. He creeps to the wood slat railing around the ledge overlooking the lower floor.
Peeking through the gaps, he sees five griffins, hammer pony, and that same unicorn mage he had seen falling out of the sky earlier. Two of the griffins, one almost Garard sized. Dressed in iron armor. The other looking smaller in comparison, dressed in fancy leather, Are to the right. Close to a small open forge. They're standing over the unicorn colt, who they have tied to a post by a rope around his neck.
The other three are gathered around hammer. Holding him as he gasps and wheezes, out of breath. Trying in vain to get the smaller griffin in charge to listen to him as he flails his hooves desperately.
"Well? Can you do the spell or not?" demands the smaller griffin, scowling at the colt. Pointedly ignoring hammer's unintelligible noises.
"I'm trying." whimpers the unicorn. Looking between the book in his hooves, and a lump of raw iron on the ground in front of him. "I can read some of these words here and there. But most of these words I need to decode with what I know."
"Well hurry it up. It can't be that difficult. All I need, is for you to turn this metal, into that metal. It's simple. Do the spell And we'll let you go free, unharmed and, Gha!" the leader suddenly shouts at hammer. "Will you stop your sputtering Ball-Peen! If you got something to say, then spit it out! Or shut your trap so I can have a civil conversation with the horn pony." Then suddenly hammer, apparently named Ball Peen, doubles over and chucks his oats on the floor. "Oh dear Ancestors." the griffin says as he covers his face with a claw. Disgusted with the unprofessionalism of his minion.
"Ug. Gross." sneers one of the three. Covering his beak. "Thanks. Now I'm feeling sick."
"Hard-boiled." directs the leader with a talon to the larger griffin. "Give the stupid mud pony a drink will you?" Hard boiled rolls his eyes and stalks over. Grabbing up Ball Peen by the scruff of his crest, and dragging him kicking and protesting in sputters, away to the back of the cavern. His protests cut out as he's dunked, face first into the shallow, pool of water there. Now making a bubbling and splashing sound as the helpless pony is held down. "Finally! Some peace and quiet!" the boss sighs in satisfaction, turning back to the unicorn. Slowly starting to circle him in impatiens. The unicorn tries to ignore the wet struggles of the earth pony behind him while he desperately studies the book.
Looking around the five griffins, Peatmoss isn't sure he can take on more than three at a time.
'At least the big one and the earth pony are, distracted.' he muses to himself. 'But that still makes four to deal with. How can he...'
"Alright! Times up." declares the boss suddenly after a minute. Plucking the book from the unicorn's hooves. "Now make with the magic. We don't have all day."
"But I-"
"Now don't you worry." says the boss grabbing the pony's muzzle cruelly with a claw. Silencing him. "Just do the spell and everything will be fine. Yes?" the colt gives a stifled whimpering noise as he tries to remove the boss's sharp talons with his hooves. Trying to get him to let go of his muzzle. "No no. No talking. Just nod your head. Yeees." He says as he moves the colt's head up and down before letting him go. Finishing by patting the pony's cheek in mock comfort. "What's the worst that can happen?" After that, he stands back up. Crossing his arms and waiting expectantly.
Looking down at the chunk of iron in fear and hopelessness, the unicorn colt scrunches his face in concentration. His horn lighting up in sparkling golden rays. But after a few seconds, it fizzles and winks out. The boss sighs and shakes his head in tired disappointment. The young colt sniffles and whimpers, on the verge of crying. Blood dribbling from a talon mark on his muzzle.
"Aw. Don't feel so bad." consoles the boss mockingly. Putting a claw around the young unicorn's withers. "You may be a terrible excuse for a mage, but you can still be a cute, and juicy, little pony sausage. Doesn't that sound fun?" The colt bursts into blubbering tears, as the boss just shakes his head. Standing up. "You just can't work with ponies nowadays. Can ya." he asks. Looking too the other griffins for confirmation. "Can ya Ball-Peen?" he calls towards the weakening splashing noises. Hard boiled raises Ball Peen's head and he gasps and sputters. Gulping in air before shouting.
"Bu-buck you up the tail Rat Bastard. I ho-hope the Meadblood feeds ya yer oun gizz- (Bubble blarp.) He's cut off as Hard boiled shoves him under again at the boss's unconcerned claw wave.
"Ya just can't." the boss says sadly with a shrug. "You and you." he points to two of the griffins. "Gut the horn head and the mud pony. I want them cleaned and quartered in twenty minutes. We're flying them to Grinder's place tonight. You!" he says. Directing to the third. "Go up top and see what's taking those two loafers so long. Have them get the stuff ready to go."
'It's now or never.' Peatmoss says grimly to himself. Readying his ax as he moves to the top of the stairs. Peat fights the urge to rush in as the poor colt's wails grow louder.
"No! Please! Give me another try! I can do it!" Pleads the colt. "HELP! CELESTIA PLEASE! HELP ME!!!" he shrieks in terror. Just then, the one griffin bounds up the stairs and Peat hits him square in the chest with his ax. Dropping him with a gurgle.
"I am the Mead Blooded!" roars Peatmoss. As he leaps over the rail and lands in front of the two grabbing at the sobbing colt. Knives at the ready to start cutting. Everyone stops and stares at Peatmoss in astonishment.
"Don't just stand there!" shouts the boss after a few seconds. "Grab him!" The two let go of the unicorn and pull out lassos. Beginning to twirl them over there heads as they advance on Peat.
'Ok. This is unexpected' Peatmoss thinks to himself. The two moving to either side of him. He glances over towards Hard-boiled, but the griffin doesn't seem to want to join the fight. Content to hold his former gang member struggling in the water and watch instead. 'Any suggestions would be great right about now.' he thinks at Meadblood. But infuriatingly, he doesn't answer.
The two draw closer and Peat hears the wooshing sound of the rope on his left change. He throws up his shield hoof to bat it away, but it slips over his head and sinches around his shoulder and under his shield hoof. As he tries to pull free, the other rope flies out and he manages to dodge it. Blowing it off course with a hop and flap of his wings. Then the other griff yanks his rope hard. Causing Peat to fall and tumble to the stony ground. He knows, that if he stays in one place, he's dead. So he rolls over and jumps back up. Ignoring the shooting pain in his leg, he charges the one holding the other end of the rope. The griffin leaps for the air in order to avoid him. But he seems to forget, Peatmoss is not an earthpony.
"Oh come on." groans the boss. Slapping his forehead in disgust as, with one slashing cut across the griffin's lightly armored middle, the griffin is messily spilled on the floor. The remaining griffin gives a piercing cry of rage. Abandoning his lasso, he grabs a spear instead. Flying at Peat with a vengeance. Peatmoss dodges to the right, struggling to get free of the lasso. But the griffin grabs the trailing rope. Looping it quickly through a ring on the young unicorn's post, and pulling hard. Peatmoss flutters in the air desperately as the griffin hauls him in towards his waiting speartip. He tries to chop at the rope, but the bad angle and dull ax blade only frays it.
The griffin licks his beak in anticipation as with every drawing tug, Peat is pulled down closer. Then, the griffin thrusts hard into Peat's side. He yells in pain around the axhandle, as the speartip jabs up into his armor. The dense fabric weave of the armored coat binding up the blade, cutting halfway in, but unable to go deeper. The griffin then begins to wiggle and twist the spear, cruelly worming it in little by little. Driving it deeper and deeper. Peat feels the tip gouging cuts in his hide.
"Stupid griffin!" Peat growls through gritted teeth. Hitting the spear shaft with his right foreleg. Trying to break it, but only sending jabbing pain into his side.
Then suddenly, the griffin gives a loud yowl of pain when the unicorn bites down on his unprotected feline tail. Yanking the spear out of Peatmoss, he turns it and aims a thrust at the colt. Who falls back away. Cowering in fear at the end of his tether. Peat lunges down and hooks the claw holding the spear with his hoof before he can attack. Hauling him back away from the young colt through sheer wing power. The griffin, having lost grip of the rope, tries to slash at Peat's offending foreleg with his bare talons, but the hoofguards do their job. Giving him the time to lever the spear shaft around, and drive it point down into the griffin. He gives a choking squawk. Weakly flailing about for a few seconds before falling to the stony floor dead. Peatmoss collapses to his haunches on top of the dead colt killer. Panting breathlessly.
"And to think those two were my best wranglers." the boss sighs weirily. Shaking his head. "What a disappointment." Peatmoss gives a groan of pain. Doubling over as he clamps a hoof to his torn left side. "What's the matter Mr, The Blooded?" taunts the boss in that damnable mock concern. "You feeling alright?" Gritting his teeth, Peatmoss gets back to his hooves. Pulling the spear from the corps and pointing it at the boss with a growl of fresh anger. "Huh... Alright. Hard boiled." he commands with a snap of his talons. "Kill him."
The big griffin finally rises from the poolside. Leaving the earthpony lying motionless on the bank. Peatmoss grunts in pain as he reorients the spear to face him, as the big armored griffin stalks calmly and steadily towards him.
'Well Meadblood?' he asks in his mind. 'I'm out of energy. You going to help now or what?' There's no answer again as Hard boiled gets closer. Exhausted and racked with pain, he grits his teeth as the big predator comes to a stop a few paces away. Peat braces for the inevitable attack. Hard boiled's eyes slowly look at one dead griffin, then the other, before settling on Peatmoss. Holding his spear at the ready. They glare into one-another's eyes.
The boss chuckles confidently, as he leans back on the workbench beside the forge. Peatmoss's vision blurs for a second as he holds his guard steady. Spear at the ready.
"COME ON!" roars Peatmoss after a minute. Spitting in defiance. Yet knowing he can't hold up much longer.
"Screw this." grumbles the armored griffin bluntly. Straightening up. Without another word, he turns and leaps into the air. Flying up and out through the hole in the ceiling.
"WHA..?!" shouts the boss in surprise and indignation. "HEY! Get back here you Coward! You can't just leave! What do I even pay you for?!"
"You." Peatmoss growls as he rises to his hooves again and turns. Slowly advancing on the boss with his spear at the ready.
"Alright then." sighs the boss too himself. "If you want something done right. You gotta do it yourself." He looks at Peatmoss with a bored expression. "Alright little pony. Let's get this started." Casually he takes a coiled whip off the back of his belt. At the sight of the whip, suddenly, the words of the Griffin butcher back up the tunnel, echo in his mind.
"You saw how badly the boss beat him. The boss's whip did him in good in the end." Peatmoss feels his hackles prickle. Imagining that poor pony back in the cell, beneath that very same lash. The boss grinning in pleasure. Carrying on the beating long after the pitiful cries cease.
A suge of malice fills Peat, like a black, choking smoke in his soul. As if the spirits of every pony who fell beneath that hateful torture device cried out to him. Demanding retribution for the injustice done upon them. Their voices, like the sound of a rushing river, waft from the leather cord as the boss unrolls it onto the dusty cave floor. The spear in Peat's hoof drops to the floor as he abandons any demeanor of sentience.
"Woah now." the boss says. Suddenly dropping his casual air as he takes notice of the change coming over the pegasus. It's stance changing from a tired wounded pony, to that of a feral animal. Crouching on all fours, bearing it's teeth. He raises the whip in his claw and cracks it over the pony's head. But it ignores it, like it didn't even hear it. Disappointed at the lack of reaction, the boss aims his next strike lower. A light cut appears on the right side of the pony's neck. But again, the pegasus doesn't flinch or cower in fear like the other ponies always did. The boss raises the whip to do it again, but hesitates.
He feels the air get tense as he comes to the realization, his weapon is not having any effect. He raises his other claw and waves it calmingly. "Easy there. Nice pony." Taking a step back slowly. The feral equine begins to advance steadily. Growling and hissing like a rabid sabercat. "Nice pony. Good pony... Pretty pony?" he chances tentatively. And the animal springs. "NOT PRETTY!" he manages to shout before turning to leap for the sky. But the Meadblooded is on him. Slamming him into the ground. He Shrieks in terror as he feels the equine on his back dig it's muzzle into his neck feathers. Pulling and tearing at his plumage.
A horror unlike any he felt before grips him as he struggles to shake off his attacker. The sheer terror of the Equine Griffin, predator prey dynamic being flipped on it's head. And in his last moments he realizes, the horror of what the Meadblooded's legend really means. The true meaning behind the look he had seen in every griffin's eye. When they spoke of the old legends in hushed tones, in the dark hours of the night. And as the pony's jaws found his neck, the memory of that old fool of a necromancer pony's curse comes to mind.
"I Curse you griffin, for this Betrayal! When The Meadblooded's time comes, may he tear the very veins from your Treacherous NECK!"
(CRUNCH) ... (RIIIIIP)
The young unicorn colt hides himself behind the post he's tied to. Squeezing his eyes shut, and clamping his ears down with his hooves. But despite his efforts, he can't block out the sound of ripping flesh. Then, the thrashing stills. And silence falls over the cavern. But just as he's working up the courage to peek, a loud throaty voice roars through the air.
"Harken Onto Me! Oh Oaken-Glade! Verily! I Doth Gnaw This Carrion For Thee!"
At hearing the words spoken in the old Ponish accent. He turns and sees, standing atop the dead griffin, is a pony in heavy black and orange plate armor. A ghostly black, hooded cloak shrouds his form. And upon his up turned face, gazing towards the sunlight streaming down from above, is a wooden mask. It's deep cut eyes glow with green light. And from it's jagged toothy mouth, hangs bloody bits as feathers dance about the air. The stunned colt blinks as the image wavers. He rubs at his eyes and looks again.
Peatmoss wipes away the mess on his muzzle as he comes too himself. Shaking his head before turning to look at the colt. Who sits there staring, eyes wide in awe.
"Uh... Hey there. Are you ok?"
"Yeah... I'm fine." the colt answers. Looking away awkwardly.
"Good." says Peat nodding weirily. Before stepping down off the body and walking slowly towards the Colt. "Sorry you, had to see that." he apologizes. Stopping a few paces away and sitting.
"Yeah." he just answers.
"You, don't have any healing potions. Or spells. Do you?"
"Healing? Oh Yeah! I think one of my scrolls said something about that!" he exclaims excitedly. Looking to a discarded bag leaning up against the wall, he lunges towards it and is suddenly stopped short by the length of rope around his neck. "Owww." he whines. Rubbing at his bruised neck.
"Here." says Peat. Picking up a dropped knife and sliding it over to him. "Cut yourself free and get it. I'm... going to lay down here for a bit." He relaxes onto the floor and leaves the unicorn colt to figure out the rest while he puts pressure on his burning side.
Digging through his bag, Glitzy comes up with a scroll and unrolls it. Muttering quietly to himself as he scans over it. Trotting over to Peatmoss, he looks between the scroll and the mangled flesh of Peat's side. Pushing away his hoof for a better look.
"Yeah. Ok. I think I got it." he says as he sits and prepares to cast the spell. "Lay still."
"Are you sure you know what you're doing." asks Peatmoss. Grimacing as the pain grows worse, his adrenaline from the action fading.
"Don't worry." says the unicorn with confidence. "This one's an easy one." Closing his eyes, his horn sparkles in bright beams of golden light. Forcing Peat to squeeze his eyes shut at the dazzling display. He feels his wounds squirm and wriggle as it seals up. An unsettling sensation, but he'd rather ignore the feeling, then go on with holes in his hide. After a few minutes the feeling fades. Leaving him aching, but hole again.
"Well! Good job." compliments Peatmoss as he sits up and looks over his wounds.
"You're welcome." pipes up the young colt with a big grin. "Though, it's all thanks to these informative scrolls I found." he corrects. Parading them through the air above him in a dancing show of telekinetic Magic. "Can you believe that somepony jus left them lying around in a cave?"
"Where did you find them." Peat asks
"In a cave I took shelter in the other day. Over on the other side of that really tall mountain outside."
"Pinnacle mountain?" asks Peat.
"I dun-know." he answers with a shrug. "I just got here a few days ago. Any ways. There was a grumpy Bear living there, but I chased him off with my patented Glitz!"
"Glitz?"
"Yeah! For you see, I, am the Great, and Glamorous Glitzy!" the unicorn announces. Standing on his hindhooves and releasing a show of glittering light. Sparkling in red, yellow, and orange. Dazzling Peatmoss to the point of shading his eyes from the glare.
"Ah. I see." confirms Peatmoss. Squinting and blinking away the sunspots. 'Unicorns and their flashy magic.' he thinks to himself as Glitzy goes on with his story.
"And there, I found a wooden chest just packed full of all these scrolls. I've been trying them out all day today."
"Ah. And I assume that's why I saw you falling out of the sky earlier today?" Peat asks. Pulling out the scroll from his bag and hoofing it over to the colt.
"Oh... Yeah..." says Glitzy. Tapping his forehooves together in embarrassment. The offered scroll floating up to join the procession leading back into his bag. "I thought it was a flying spell. But apparently it's more of a leaping spell. Some of them have words I don't understand. But fortunately, I had the forethought to trigger a Recall spell before I went ker-splat. Heh heh."
"Recall spell?"
"Yeah. It's kinda like a teleportation spell, but easier. And only one way. And that's how I got foal napped. These mean jerks were waiting for me as soon as I zapped back."
"What did they do to you?" Peatmoss asks in a low, growling tone. The numerous references to meat coming to mind again.
"Oh nothing much, thank Celestia. At least till you showed up. Thank you so much for saving me!" He says as he suddenly lunges forwards and wraps Peat in a big hug. Peatmoss goes ridgid at his unexpected embrace. A new instinct of fear at being suddenly grabbed. "Oh! I'm sorry!" exclaims Glitzy when he notices Peat's stiffness to his hug, letting go. "Are you still in pain?"
"No..." he answers through grit teeth and a forced grin. Wrapping himself in his wings. 'Good Goddess.' he thinks to himself. 'Have you really lost so much of your Equestrian nature that you can't except a friendly hug?' "I'm just..." he starts explaining. Trying not to let on that his soul is fraying. "really, dirty." he finishes.
"Oh! Right." says Glitzy. Looking down at the new smears of battle on his bright clothes. "Ah. It's easily fixed." In a flash his clothes are off and floating in the air. Exposing himself and his cutie mark. Three diamond shaped lights, beaming with glitter. With a flick of magic, they are clean again and zapped back on. "Ta-Daaa!" He poses dramatically. "Do you want me to do yours?" he asks with a big smile, stepping closer.
"NO!" Peat shouts. Holding out a hoof and wrapping the other around his armor.
"Why?" Glitzy asks in confusion.
"First rule of Crown. Never take your clothes off in front of other ponies. Especially strangers."
"Oh. But we're not strangers. You're my friend. Aren't you?" the naive young colt asks. Cocking his head.
"Nn. Well yes, but." Peat stammers. Trying to think of a way to explain. "Just... Save it for your Special Somepony. Ok? Or, you should at least ask permission first." he finishes. Looking away and rubbing at his crest.
"Ah. I see what you mean." he says looking sheepish. Then. Peatmoss spots movement over at the pool. Glitzy catches notice of Peat's change in attention. "What? What is it?" he asks. Looking over his shoulder. Peatmoss puts a hoof too Glitzy's muzzle, motioning him to stay quiet.
Slowly Peat creeps closer to Ball Peen's body, still laying down in the shallow water. As he nears the pony, he sees his head is subtly raised high enough to allow him to breathe through his nostrils. Peatmoss frowns as he watches him play dead. Then, inevitably. The pony's tail makes a nervous flick. Revealing him, to actually be a her. Peatmoss scrunches his muzzle as Ballpeen gives a squeak of a whimper, and loses control. Letting out a yellow stream of fear from her trembling marehood. He turns his head to look away, and sees Glitzy standing beside him. Gawking in open mouthed, wide eyed fascination at her exposure.
"Glitzy!" Peatmoss admonishes. Shoving the young colt's head with his hoof.
"Sorry." he says looking away. His face getting even more bright red. There's a splash and Peat looks back to see Ballpeen on her hooves and backing up against the far wall. Face as white as a sheet. They stare at each other for a few seconds, before she starts sliding along the wall till she can bolt for the stairs. Up to a second level, across a rope and wood bridge spanning the water, and out a back exit.
"You're just going to... let her run?" asks Glitzy.
"It's late. I'm tired. And hungry." he mutters wearily. "Let's get back to town."
* * *
The sun is setting when they get out of the mine. With the energetic Glitzy in tow, he doesn't even bother to loot the mine. He's tired, his hoof aches, and his side burns raw with every movement. But he puts on a brave face for the colt. Patiently listening to his perspective of the fight.
"Then! After you trounced them all! It was so cool how you stood there in the sunlight! And shouted that old timey line! "Listen To Me, Oaken, something! I Doth Chew On This Badguy For Thee!"
"What?" asks Peatmoss. Stopping and giving him a confused look.
"Yeah! Don't you remember?" he asks. Bouncing around him.
"Uh. No. No I do not." Peat answers flatly.
"Huh. Maybe it was just my imagination getting away from me." muses Glitzy. Stopping and thinking for a few seconds, before falling into step behind Peatmoss as he slowly trots on.
"Could be." Peat intones. Turning his attention inward. 'What the buck Meadblood? Was what happened back there your doing?' No answer comes. 'What? Is it the silent treatment again?' Glitzy goes rattling on talking about his scrolls and magic stuff that Peatmoss can't understand. So he unconsciously tunes it out. 'Why did you leave me high and dry back there. Only to just take control when you please? Is this going to be a constant thing with you riding in my head?'
'I don't have to answer you.' snorts Meadblood
'Oh yes you do! You're in my head. My rules!'
'Yeah. Keep telling yourself that. Crazy pony.'
'I'm not a crazy pony. I know what you're thinking. And I'm not talking to myself. I'm talking to you, in my head, were you don't belong. Now spill it!'
'Look.' Meadblood sighs. 'I'm here in your head for reasons you cannot even comprehend with your weak pegasus brain. Just ignore me. I'll help if you need it. But don't count on me to fight all your battles for you.'
'No! No freeloading in my head! I want you out! Now!' There's no response. 'Do you hear me?! If you keep doing this, I'm telling everyone I meet that you're in there.'
'Try it. Crazy pony.'
'Don't think I won't. I'll go back to Equestria, turn myself in, and have Celestia herself stick her horn in there and pull you out.'
'No you won't. Everypony will just think you're crazy. And from the looks of it, Glitzy is going to be the first.'
'Leave Glitzy out of this.'
'Fine. Suit yourself. But while you've been arguing with me, he's been trying to get your attention for the past few minutes.'
"What!" asks Peatmoss as he blinks and looks around.
"I said there's something out there Meadblood." says Glitzy. Now trotting very close to Peat. Looking around in fright. Peatmoss stops and looks at the darkening forest as the setting sun casts long dark shadows among the trees and undergrowth. A breeze rushes through the leaves.
"It's just the wind Glitz. No need to act like a scared little-. He eats his words as there's a low predatory growl coming out of the forest. Cutting him off. Glitzy darts under Peatmoss.
"Th-That sounds like a hu-hungry w-wind." the terrified colt whimpers. Peat goes into a defensive stance, seeing something large and dark move swiftly between the bushes.
"Do you know any defensive spells?" he asks the colt in a low whisper, as he watches the bushes.
"No."
"Then just use your flash magic on whatever comes out. It dazzled me. It'll probably work on any monsters."
"Ok."
Peatmoss slowly advances, regretting not at least picking up the ax or spear he had gotten in the mine. The bush rustles and out leaps a roaring animal. Instinct takes hold of him and he throws up his shield hoof. Bashing the snarling beast across the muzzle. Stopping it's lunge dead. Caught up In his blind rush, he surges forward and shoves the animal onto it's back with his shield. Jumping up on top of it, pinning it to the ground beneath him. Stomping the purple muzzled face relentlessly. But it's feral sounds turn into giggles and snorts as it playfully begs him to stop. Trying to fend off his stomping hooves with it's own.
"Stop et! Stop et, ya featha back. It's onley me already. Ha ha ha." With her filly-ish protests, the blind fight instinct begins to fade, as he recognizes the Mighty Helm filly beneath him. His hooves getting bruised on the ridgid iron helmet, while she bats back at him playfully.
"Axhaft?! What the Hay!" he shouts down at her. Battling against the adrenaline pumping through his veins, to stop before he hurts her more. Lightening his blows. "What were you thinking? Skulking around in the bushes like that!" She just grins up at him past her bloodied muzzle, as he finally succeeds in stopping. Like it was just some foalish prank to her. Despite the dribbles of fresh blood from her nose, he notices she's wearing dark streaks of paint over her face. Like some kind of camo. "I could have killed you if I was armed!" he finishes with a reproachful growl, scowling down at her.
"Hah! That'd be tha day." she snorts. Then hocks a bloody luger up at him.
"Ah!" he cries in disgust. Stumbling back off her. "Really?! You're so gross." Peat tries to brush the slimy goo off his chest, but it only smears. Leaving a gooey red stain on his already soiled yellow sash. He eyes her warily as she rolls over and gets to her hooves laughing.
"Ho ho! Ye shoulda seen yer face hahaha. Ya woulda thought it was funny too."
"What are you doing here?" he asks bluntly, giving up on trying to get rid of the smear.
"Lookin fer yer dumb plot." she says finally. Her giggles subsiding.
"Really? what for?" Peat asks. Giving her his full attention.
"Ba hahaha!" Axhaft bursts out in laughter anew. "Macy! Heh! Check oot this pony. Thinks the whole realm revolves round im. Haha." Peat frowns and looks away in annoyance, tiring of her antics. "Ahh. Get yer ed oot from under yer tail. Ye daft Git. Yer shite still stinks like all oh the rest oh us. Heh heh. Eh?" She stops when she notices Macehead is nowhere in sight. "Oy! Macehead! come out already. the ambush is ova." The sound of movement draws their attention as Mace head stands up and glares at Peatmoss. Also wearing face paint camo.
"So why are you really here?" Peatmoss asks Axhaft. His weariness showing on his face.
"Oh, wouldn't ya like ta know." she answers with an obviously baiting tone.
"Alright fine. Keep your secrets. Now, if you're done distracting me, I'm just going to keep trotting."
"What?" she asks. Stepping into his path to block him. "Ye still sore bout us kickin' ya ta the cobbles huh?"
"No." he answers with a glare. "You made it clear I wasn't needed, or welcome. So I moved on to better things."
"What da ya mean? "better things." she presses. Narrowing her eyes and stepping into his path again. Stopping him with a poke to the chest.
"Don't do that." Peat warns in a low tone.
"Do, what?" she asks with a nasty grin blossoming on her face. Punctuating each word with another poke.
"Are you trying to pick another fight with me?" he asks. Flaring his wings in anger. Ax puts on an innocent air as she goes on poking.
"Ah, have, no, I, dea, what, ya're," But suddenly, before he can mash her in the face with another hoof punch, Macehead shoves himself between them.
"We're on ah job in the area." he explains. shooting a glare at Axhaft. who stumbles back scrunching her muzzle foalishly in annoyance at him for defusing the situation. "Ax ear was gettin on everypony's nerves. An Tin Horn said, If she's gonna be pickin fights, she should do it while maken money. So we're out cleanen up some ole contracts."
"Wait. Who are these ponies? Glitzy asks in confusion as he looks between Ax and Mace. "Are they like, native tribal ponies or something?"
"Something like that." replies Peat in annoyance at himself. Realizing he just let Axhaft know what gets under his skin. "They're the Mighty Helms of-"
"The Mighty Helms?" interrupts the young colt. "The! Mighty Helms?! Oh My Goddess! I've read so much about you! Can I, can I get your autographs?!" he gushes. Digging out a pencil and notebook and holding it up to her face. Axhaft leans over to look around the notebook at him for a few seconds, then ignores him.
"Oo's the pointy eaded sun spot?" she asks Peatmoss. "Ya a foalsitta er somthin now?" Before he can answer, she goes on with her teasing. "Tha big important Pegasus Thane, (snicker) now reduced ta a simple nurse mare? Haha."
"Wait. Are you ponies friends?" Glitzy asks. Floating the notebook over to Macehead instead, who relents and writes his name.
"As friendly as you can be with a Badang." answers Peat with a roll of his eyes.
"What's a Badang?" Glitzy and Axhaft ask in unison as Peatmoss moves to leave.
"A small spiky plant seed that sticks into your hoof, if you step on them at the beach. And are a real pain to pull out." he answers. Making to trot on.
"Hey!" shouts Axhaft angrily. Moving over to block his way yet again. "Ya think ya jus gonna trot off afta talkin about me like that? Ya filthy stinkin sky skeeva!" She pokes him hard in the chest again. Punctuating her last three syllables.
"HEY!" shouts Glitzy. Suddenly getting up into Ax's muzzle before Peat can lose his temper again. If it wasn't for the tip of his horn, she'd be taller then him. "That's not a nice thing to call a pegasus! Even if you are a Mighty Helm, that's no way to talk to ponies! Don't you know who this is?!" Axhaft glares at the young colt for a few seconds before pushing him away.
"Yer jus jealous aren't ya?" she continues. Ignoring Glitzy's rebuke. The roadapple eating grin reappearing. "The big important Thane oh Gallops Hill, doin an escort job. Meanwhile, the two oh us are off ta do real pony work, an stomp a brigand camp." she boasts. Casually polishing some rust off her ironshod hoof on her chest. "Muss really burn ye up."
"Oh yeah!" pipes up Glitzy on Peat's behalf. "Meadblood just got done with stomping the feathers out of-." Peatmoss's hoof shoots out and plugs the unicorn's mouth. Interrupting him. Peat's calm returning.
"That's right. I, Meadblood, humble Thane of Gallops Hold, is escorting this young pony to town. After rescuing him from a bunch of foalnappers. While the great, Mighty Helm, earth pony grunts, do the dirty work."
"It's better than changing swaddles, and wipen foal's muzzles!" snaps back Axhaft with disdain.
"Then I won't detain you any further. Best of luck to you. Good evening." Peatmoss finishes. With a flutter of his wings, he trots right over top of Axhaft. She, ducking instinctively, accidentally allows Peatmoss the opportunity to step on her as he does. Her pupils shrink to pinpricks in realization and rage at his action.
"That's it!" she shouts. Spinning around as Peat trots away. "I'm gonna rip yar edd off. An stuff it up yer tail pipe! Arg! Raa! Macehead! Lae go!" He glances back over his withers to see her struggling helplessly, wrapped up in Macehead's hooves in a big bearhug. "Let go oh me Icebrain! Am gonna make his hide inta ah seat cushion!"
Glitzy hurries to catch up. Glancing back every now and again at the two, as distance makes Ax's ranting incoherent insults, less and less intelligible.
* * *
It was twilight when the two of them arrived at Riverdale. The candle lanterns were lit along the street as Peatmoss plodded to the Woodlyn Trader shop. Glitzy oo-ing and ah-ing at everything he sees around the small town. Unfortunately Peat finds the shop door locked, and Mr Abirdy nowhere to be found.
"Welp." concludes Peat. "Looks as if I'll need to wait till morning to collect for the job. So it looks like this is it for us."
"What?" asks Glitzy in confusion. "You're leaving?"
"Those brigands I saved you from. I had a deal with the shop keeper to get rid of them. Since it looks like I won't get to speak with him till he opens tomorrow, I'm going to find some food and a place to sleep till then. Depending on what I learn from him, I don't know where I'll be heading next." he concludes. Giving a glance around the cobblestone street before slowly trotting on. "You got money right?" he asks after a few seconds. Looking towards the colt's saddlebags.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I think that's the tavern over there." Peat points out with a hoof. "You can get food and rest there till, whenever you leave. Or whatever."
"Oh. Ok." Glitzy says with a touch of uncertainty. Looking towards the inviting tavern door. "Where are you going, to, stay..." He starts to say as he looks back to Peatmoss, but falters when he finds himself alone in the street. Glancing around in confusion, he soon hears a rustling sound from beyond a stone wall at the river side of the street. Trotting over, he hooks his hooves over it and finds Peatmoss with his head down in the overgrown grass and dandelions. Eating said flora. "Wha-? What are you doing?"
"Grazing. What does it look like?" Peat answers casually. Munching down on a mouthful of the wirey and tuff, unappetizing plants.
"But, the tavern is right over there!" Glitzy exclaims in confusion. "Why graze?"
"Yeah." he says. Taking a second to choke down a mouthful before explaining. "I'm dirt poor right now. The grass is free and nutritious. I've got a river right over there full of all-you-can-drink water. And I'll probably be able to find a cloud somewhere close to sleep on till morning."
"But. But." sputters Glitzy. Looking between Peatmoss and the tavern.
"You go on and enjoy yourself and don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"No! No, it's not right for me to leave you out in the cold with nothing but grass and water. I insist you come with me inside."
"No!" asserts Peat. "I'm telling you I'll be just fine. It's not the first time I had to sleep under the stars. And it probably won't be the last. I'm no moocher."
"Come on. You're coming with me whether you like it or not." Glitzy demands. Coming around the wall to shove ineffectually against Peat's chest, trying to push him towards the tavern. "Stop, being, a stubborn, horse and, move." Peatmoss sighs and picks up the colt, setting him down on the other side of the wall.
"No. you are a young colt that has a lot to learn about life in Crown. If you go spending your money on everypony else, you're going to get yourself into big trouble. Now go get something to eat and get some sleep."
"I can't. I just can't leave you out here alone. Please come." Glitzy begs. Verging on tears.
"Why can't you? Why are you so set on letting me spend your bits?"
"You, you saved me from those, mean griffins. They were about to cut me up into little pieces. They kept telling me, if I didn't do what they said, they were going to make me into Sausages. An, and eat me. If you hadn't come along, I would have died. And you got hurt really bad. You're my friend. Won't you at least let me thank you?" Peatmoss's heart broke for the little colt's suffering. So he gave in with a sigh.
"Alright. Ok. I'm sorry I was so rude in refusing your gift." Peat says. Coming over and patting Glitzy's shoulder with his hoof. "I was busy thinking about other dumb stuff. Will you forgive me?" Glitzy nods as he wipes his eyes. Then suddenly throws his hooves around Peatmoss in a hug. Again, Peat stiffens on instinct, but quickly relaxes himself and gently returns the hug.
Stepping into the tavern, they find it to be a long hall with stonework floor and walls. Several wood posts line the sides, holding up a high, wood and thatch roof. In the center of the hall is a big fire pit with a slat metal grill. On it is a plethora of vegetables cooking.
Sliced gord, halved potatoes, carrots celery and onions. They are tended by a mare, rubbing them in spices, and drizzling an appetizing sauce over it all. Filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma. At one end of the hall is a earthpony bard, beating out a rhythmic beat on a drum. And at the far end is a counter tended by a bearded pony.
Along the opposite wall from the entrance, is a row of tables. Occupied by a group of five, rough looking ponies talking to one another. Three are armored in iron, one, a unicorn in leather, and the last is wearing a scrap set of furs. Similar to what the brigands from the mine were wearing. Ignoring them, Peatmoss instead eyes the cooking vegetables as he trots towards the counter.
"Wow." comments Glitzy aloud. "There's a bunch of tuff looking ponies in here. I wonder if there's going to be a tavern brawl tonight." Peatmoss stops dead in his tracks. Grimacing as the hall falls silent. Everypony turning their attention on the two of them. Peatmoss shoots his companion a glare. "What?" Glitzy asks obliviously.
"Don't say stuff like that." intones Peat in irritation. "I've had enough fighting for one day. And I'd like to take a break." Ignoring the stares, he trots up to the counter and addresses the pony tending it. "Hi there. My friend here is buying me food and a drink. What da ya got for cheap?" The tavern pony stares at him for a second before turning his head to look at a copy of Mr Evergreen's wanted post. He looks back at Peat, then back at the paper. "Are you selling food here or what?" Peatmoss asks in irritation. The tavern pony just puts a cast iron pot over his head and sinks into cover behind the counter, as Peat hears heavy hooffalls approach from behind.
"Hey you! Pegasus. You're the pony responsible for what happened to Mr Evergreen's son. Right?" Peatmoss gives a long, tired sigh, as he turns to see the three iron armored ponies standing behind him.
"Yeah." answers Peat weirily. "I tried my best to avoid it. But in the end, he gave me no choice."
"We don't care about any of that." says pony number one.
"Yeah. We're just here to teach you a lesson." says number two.
"We're going to beat the stallion out of you. Pillow stuffer." says pony three. Mashing his forehooves together in an intimidating manner.
"Alright. Look guys." reasons Peatmoss. Glancing around the hall. "This looks to be a pretty nice place here. Mind if we take this outside to reduce the damage?"
"Please do that." pleads the tavern pony cowering behind the counter.
"And give you the opportunity to fly off?" shouts pony one. Hooking Peat by the collar of his armored coat. "Not a Chance!" With that, he mashes his iron shod forehoof hard into Peatmoss's snout. Peat clamps his hooves to his muzzle as he slumps to his rump. Stars bursting in his vision, and blood flooding his senses. Glitzy tries to get between them, shouting something. But he is shoved away as the three close around Peat.
Suddenly, the tavern door slams open and everypony looks to see a bronze clad pony come tromping through the doorway. Peatmoss blinks his watering eyes as he recognizes the pony from the Jarl's Keep. The one that confronted the Court Mage after she'd accidentally yanked him onto his hoof earlier that afternoon. The three jump back in surprise as the big bronze pony trots quickly up to Peatmoss.
"My Thane! Are you alright?" asks the pony in a strange, echoing voice. Helping him to his hooves.
"Hey buddy!" says armored pony one. Kicking at the bronze pony's heavily clad rump. "This sky skeever is our mark!" The big bronze pony ignores him and produces a healing potion.
"Here. Drink this." it commands. Peatmoss readily takes it and drinks.
"Hey!" shouts armored pony two. "Don't give him that!"
"This Pegasus pony is Thane of Gallops Hill." shouts the bronze pony. Turning to address the three. "Leave his presence at once! Or suffer the consequences of this assault!"
"Pound gravel! Fatso!" spits pony one. "We're from the Mercenaries Guild. And he's our mark."
"Yeah!" chimes in pony two. Drawing an iron mace. "We don't care who's rump he licks. We're dropping him like shit in a ditch!"
"So hit the cobbles before that fancy armor of yours gets smashed!" growls number three. Pulling out a short warhammer. The bard changes his drum beat to a battle tempo as the mare tending the fire pit moves away to a safe distance. The two other patrons just turn in their seats with interest to watch.
"I ask your leave to see these horse knaves off my Thane?" asks the bronze pony over their shoulder. Peatmoss manages a nod as he stops up his nostrils.
"No objections here. Just, try not to wreck the place?"
The magic potion sends a tingling feeling through him as the flow of blood ebbs. Peatmoss wiggles his snout between his hooves when he hears a crackling sound through his skull. The strong potion doing its job knitting his nose back up. He wipes the drying blood away on his sleeve as he turns away from the crashing of metal filling the hall. Content to allow the bronze pony to thrash away with the three merks.
"Hey." he says as he leans over the counter, to knock gently on the pot covered tavern pony's head. "Could I get a mead or something to eat?" The pony wordlessly lifts a mead bottle up to him on a hoof. "Hey thanks. Uh... Glitzy? Could you?" He asks his friend. Who's caught up in watching the bronze pony skillfully take on the three with only their bare armored hooves.
"Huh? Oh yeah." Glitzy answers distractedly. Floating out a bag of gold in his magic and setting it on the counter. Pulling the stopper out of the bottle's top with his teeth, Peatmoss takes a big gulp of the warming golden joy. The sweet alcoholic drink washing out the medicinal bitterness from the health potion. Settling onto a cushioned stool at the counter, he relaxes into a doze. Allowing himself to be carried away in the embrace of honey bliss.
* Level up *
[Peatmoss]
Health increase +10.
perk increased (Unarmed combat).
(Winged hoofstyle 2/3). Increased damage in combat when wielding just your hooves and wings. +50%
Quest perk added (Very Important Pony)
Your positive actions in Gallops Hold has gained you the title of Thane. You are more likely to be recognized throughout the hold for your deeds. For better or for worse.