//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: Disguises and Dreams // Story: Canterlot Gate: Tales of Equestria // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// "No! A thousand times NO!" Feldrock yelled, scaring a few passing people. "But whyyyy. It has such lovely rooms." Rarity whinned. The two were arguing over the matter of a certain inn called, the Jovial Juggler. The inn was fine, well stocked and housed a great number of merchants in its tavern. But that was the problem, because it catered to such a wealth gaining class the room prices were high. Just to spend a single night they would have to use all the coin they had and more. "We don't have the coin damn it. If ye be wanting to make us all penniless then do so, but ye won't be using any of my coin just because you want lavish surroundings." Feldrock. Rarity huffed and crossed her arms, "Fine, where do you suggest we stay?" Feldrock motioned them to follow, and lead the group down a number of allyways before standing by the entrance to a small inn called, The Red Sheaf. Rarity was immediatly horrified. "Absolutly not. This place looks simply unseemly and uncouth," Rarity said, shivering, "so dirty." "It's prices for rooms are good. The beds are comfortable enough, and the folk are all honest farming men. Well, some of them be anyway, so keep your coin close and your daggers closer just in case." Feldrock said. "Oh umm...it doesn't look too bad....I mean...if it is affordable." Fluttershy said. "Let's just take a look Rarity. It couldn't hurt." Applejack said, placing a hoof around Rarity's shoulders. Rarity sighed, "Oh very well. But only for a minute." The group rolled their eyes as they stepped in. Rarity looked around, stepping lightly and avoiding contact with any of the patrons inside. Feldrock had gone over to the tavern, to check the room prices and perhaps no doubt ask for Rarity to be shown the rooms. Liam though, felt sure that Rarity would find some sort of complaint to make. He didn't know her for long, but the time he had spent with her had shown that she was a pony who enjoyed the high class. Liam stood to the side, looking around. He saw some dice games going on, or ponies and humans enjoying a drink. But there was very little conversation. Then, walking through the crowd, a short man in mail shirt moved towards Liam. Liam felt a sense that something was wrong, and moved to get away but was cut off by the man. The man looked up at him with a critical eye, hand at the hilt of a wicked curved axe at his side, "You're at the end of your rope, I'll wager. Not that it's anything personal, you understand, but I'm afraid your time on this here ball of mud is just about done." "What...wait...what do you mean? I've done nothing to you." Liam said, backing away. The man hefted the axe up as he said, "You've done nothing to anyone, far as I know. Don't matter one whit to me. A price is a price and a head is a head, and whenever the two meet, there's old Karlat makin' his living. Like I said, it's nothing personal." With that the man swung his axe with surprising speed, Liam dove to the side as he drew his sword and panic spread through the tavern. People and ponies, ran and screamed to get out of the way. Though this made it hard for Feldrock or the others to get to Liam to help as they crowded the way. Though Feldrock had an easier time, tossing aside people and ponies as he moved. Karlat swung again, but Liam brought his sword to block. He tightened his grip as the two blades made contact, and Liam sighed in relief that the blade held and did not break. Liam moved again, swinging at Karlat, trying to score a blow. His blade slide past the chain mail, and Liam knew that he would have to stab to make any sort of hit. He kept moving, even though he did not do any damage, and blocked another strike from Karlat's axe. But before he could do anything, Karlat bull rushed him and knocked Liam into a table, the impact made him stagger, all the oppertunity that Karlat needed to swing again, his axe aimed to cleave Liam's head in two. It never got there, as Feldrock blocked the attack with one of his short swords and moved onto the attack, driving Karlat back. "Liam are ya okay?" Applejack said, having been the first to reach him. Liam rubbed his back, "Yeah. Fine." With that he went to join Feldrock in the battle. Despite being out numbered, Karlat put up a decent fight, scoring a strike across Feldrocks thigh and had actually forced him onto the defensive. But Feldrock got right back onto the attack, and Liam took the oppertunity while he was busy. Thrusting with all his strength, Liam's sword stabbed through a section of chain into Karlat's side. Karlat swore, and swung at Liam forcing him back. Still, Liam's blade was red stained with blood, and Karlat was bleeding. In a rage Karlat charged towards Liam, smashing his axe down again and again, forcing Liam onto a defensive. Liam had to hold the hilt of his sword with both hands to keep the blade steady against the savage onslaught. Then, as Karlat pulled back for another strike, he was kicked into the wall with force by Applejack who came in from the side. Stunned Feldrock rushed and jammed his blade into where Liam had stabbed and twisted his blade numerous times before pulling it out and slashing it across Karlat's throat. He died within moments, his blood staining the wall and floor. Liam looked at Applejack, she had some kick. Applejack winked, "Years of applebucking." "Remind me not to get you mad." Liam said as he walked over to join Feldrock near Karlat's body. Feldrock held up a scroll, and Liam looked at it with wide eyes. "Is that?" Liam asked. Fedrock nodded, "Possibly. Got some coin, just a few silvers. Still all helps, and I think we should leave now." "You...all of you I want out of my inn. Be lucky I don't call the guards on you!" The inn keeper shouted. The group was quick to comply, not wanting to risk any more trouble. When they stepped out it was night now, Rarity looked over at Feldrock. "Well...any other great places to stay? Perhaps a dragons cave." She said. Feldrock growled and walked off. Rarity just smirked as they all followed after. Though as they walked, Liam thought of the scroll Feldrock had. He had a hunch of what it was, though he hoped that he was wrong. He was not. Be it known to all those of eveil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Laim, the foster child of Gorion. Last seen in the area of Candlekeep, this person is to be killed in quick order. This offer has been extended to all appropriate guilds. Those returning with proof of the deed shall receive no less than three hundred and fifty gold standards. As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of law shall join the target in their fate. Liam read the scroll over with a sigh, it was as he had expected. Another bounty notice, this one with a higher price then before. The scroll was swiftly taken from his hands. "Wow! Three hundred and fifty gold standards! You're worth more then what I make in four years of weather team work." Rainbow Dash said in amazement. Feldrock clamped a hand down over Rainbow Dash's muzzle, "Best keep it quiet least ye bring any more trouble on our heads. We finally got a room and I not be looking to loss it from a bounty hunter." Rainbow Dash nodded as Feldrock removed his hand, "Oh yeah. Sorry." The party had managed to find an affordable inn, though the price was still high but not outside of the silver region. Rarity herself said that it was, 'moderately passing.' "The only thing I want to know is, why do you have a price on your head at all." Twilight said, taking the scroll and looking it over. "If I knew I would tell you, but I don't," Liam said, "I've never even been outside the walls of Candlekeep until recently." Twilight looked at Liam, then the bounty notice and sighed, "It's still confusing." "Tell me about it, and now its been extended to guilds. Three hundred and fifty gold standards is going to attract alot of unwanted attention." Liam said, groaning. "But it's a pretty decent price. You know, for you anyway. If I had a bounty on me it be in the millions." Rainbow Dash said casually. "This isn't a contest Rainbow Dash, this is very serious," Rarity said as pulled Liam into a hug, "poor Liam here is being hunted and he doesn't even know why." "I know, I'm just saying." Rainbow Dash said. Liam got out of Rarity's hooves, "So what do we do? That picture is getting very accurate now then last time. What should I do? I can't go invisable." "Maybe not...but I know a way that can be just as good." Feldrock said. "How?" Liam asked. "Give me till tomorrow. Will have the stuff needed then. Till then, we should all sleep with the doors locked." Everyone agreed and after saying good night, the girls went to their rooms. To save money three ponies shared a room, while Liam and Feldrock shared another. Though Rarity complained of how was she suppose to get her beauty sleep when she was cramped in a small room with two other ponies. Liam found rest difficult to gain, but eventually he passed into the realm of dreams and the worries of the waking world were, for a time, forgotten. "Ouch! You didn't say it would burn!" Liam said, his eyes shutting as Feldrock applied more of a black paste to his hair and eye brows. It smelled, and made his eyes water. Not to mention it made his skin feel like it was on fire. "Stop your whining." Feldrock said simply. "Tell me again, why are you putting that horribly smelling substance in his hair. You are completely ruining its natural color." Rarity said, a hoof over her nose. "To disguise his hair. It won't last forever, and won't be much use on a closer inspection but from a distance he should look a little different." Feldrock said. "Well if you must change his hair color, then I insist you let me work it to be presentable in public." Rarity said. "Um...maybe that isn't a good idea." Liam said, not sure he wanted Rarity to anything more then what has already been done to his hair. Feldrock hummmed as he pondered for a moment, finishing up the last bit of Liam's hair, "Perhaps it would be useful. Now just stay still and then we will wipe the excess off in an hour." "An hour!" Liam shouted, his scalp was burning now. "Yes an hour. And be silent. While you sit here, the rest of us can go out and get supplies." Feldrock said. They had all decided to split up and split the money between groups of one or two to speed up the process of gathering supplies. Rarity had insisted on purchasing toilitries, soap being the most needed she said. Feldrock had allowed her a few silvers to purchase some, but he was not letting her have a copper more then that. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had elected to purchase items like rope, medical herbs and bandages. Rainbow Dash and Applejack would purchase food, and Feldrock would head to the smith and tanner to acquire some armor for the girls. When he had been asked why he said, "Your coats or dresses won't stop an arrow or sword. If you're going to help your princess then you best wear the right clothes for the job." No one bothered to argue with him at this point, considering all that had occured thus far. That left Twilight and Liam out. Liam would stay in the room at the inn and was not allowed to leave until nightfall, when they would leave for Nashkel. Twilight decided to stay as well, to catch up on her reading assignment for the princess and so that Liam would not be alone. With everyone's roles assigned, the room quickly emptied until only Liam and Twilight remainded. Twilight lounged on the bed which, unlike the Friendly Arm who catered to a great deal of ponies and humans, was more designed for a human. Thus even if she had spread out her legs she would not have covered much, it reminded her greatly of the size difference between ponies and humans. On average a pony stood up to a human's waist or hip, sometimes to the chest and in the princesses case she could stare them right in the eyes. Liam sat in the middle of the room on a stool, an old cloak of Feldrocks tied about his neck to keep the black substances from getting on his clothes or armor. It almost looked like he was getting a manecut almost, Twilight thought with a giggle. The bored and obviously irritated look on Liam's face was priceless. The two stayed silent for a time, which Twilight did not mind as she read through her book. But finally, the need for conversation took its toll on Liam's mind. "So....about this whole bounty thing....does it bother you?" Liam asked. Twilight blinked and looked up, "Hmm? What was that?" Liam groaned, "I said...what do you think about this whole bounty thing?" "Oh," Twilight closed her book, marking her page, "well...I won't lie it is a bit odd and worrisome. So far the bounties were for you, but what if they start including the rest of us since we do travel with you." Liam bit his lip, thinking on that piece of information, "It is...possible. I probably would have died twice over if I didn't have your help." "So you can see that eventually we might also be made targets by....whoever is after you." Twilight said. "I wish I knew who it was." Liam said, his tone hard. Twilight frowned, "Well, we know that whoever it is is certainly not a friend of the law. The notices make that pretty clear...but I always thought bounty notices were for people or ponies that broke the law." "Thats the notices that guard makes," Liam said, "I asked Feldrock the same question and he told me that not all bounties are set by the guard. Some organizations or wealth people or ponies can set their own bounties on individuals....though those are the more illegal bounties." Twilight was surprised, there seemed to be a whole world of things that were outside of what she knew. It made her feel a bit foolish and irritated that there might be certain things she did not know, though perhaps it was best that she did not know what lurked in this shadowy world. "Whoever it is, they must have alot of wealth then. Three hundred and fifty gold standards is alot of money." Twilight said. Though that was putting it mildly, that much money was more then her student stipend from the princess, and that was a good deal of money as it was. "Well that thins the numbers out a bit." Liam said sarcastically. Twilight's ears flattened, "Yeah...I guess it doesn't help much." Liam sighed, "Forget about it. I'm just irritated, I'm being hunted and I don't know why and now I got all this burning stuff in my hair." Twilight chuckled, "Well at least the smell is gone." Liam gave Twilight a 'not helping' look, causing Twilight to blush. "Anyway," Liam said, "umm...well since none of us are going to be leaving here for a time...if you want to, do you want to get to know each other more. I mean, we're traveling together but I don't really know much about you or you me." Twilight blinked in surprise, Liam was right. What with everything that had happened none of them really had time to get to know the other better. Twilight planned to fix that later when they stopped to rest on the way to Nashkel. "Sure," Twilight said with a smile, "I'll go first then. Well I was born in Canterlot, and my mother is a university teacher and my father is the head of Princess Celestia's astronomy lab. I also have an older brother, Shining Armor, who is captain of the Royal Guard and husband to Princess Cadence, ruler of the Crystal Empire." Liam whistled, "Ye got a very impressive family there," he frowned as he looked away, "must be nice." Twilight frowned, she got off the bed and walked over, "What's wrong?" Liam looked at Twilight, "I...well...I never really knew my parents. I'm an orphan, all I've had was my foster father....and...he isn't with me anymore." Twilight gasped, "Oh...oh Liam I...I'm sorry to hear that." Liam rubbed his eyes and sighed, "It's alright....I'm not bothered by my parents anymore but.....but Gorion..." "Wait," Twilight interrupted, "Gorion? The Gorion. The unicorn who was said to be on equal standing of Star Swirl the Bearded in his theories and articles on magic. That Gorion." Twilight leaned into Liam, looking at him straight in the eyes. "Uh...yes." Liam said. Twilight squeeled and tackled Liam to the ground. She stood over him with wide, almost estatic eyes as she spoke, "Oh my gosh! Gorion is your father! Or well...foster father, but still you were raised by Gorion!?!" Liam looked at Twilight with wide and fearful eyes, the way she was breathing with such deep breathes reminded him of a mare in heat. He hoped to the heavens that Twilight wasn't in heat, he had seen a friend of his get attacked by a mare during her heat cycle once in Candlekeep a year ago. It hadn't been pretty, the poor guy couldn't walk for a week, and the mare had not been allowed back in the fortress ever since. "Umm...well....yes...he had been." Liam said carefully, frowning when he spoke the last bit. Twilight's mouth hung open, but then she blinked and backed away from Liam. The realization of his words coming full circle, "Oh....oh my....you mean that.....oh dear...Liam I'm so sorry." Liam was glad she was off of him, he got up and checked the mirror over the nightstand. The black stuff on his hair was okay, and it looked like it had hardened or something. At least the burning was gone. "How did...how did he die?" Twilight asked, nervous if such a question was called for. Liam went silent, he stared into the mirror as his fingers tightened against the stand, "He was killed.....he died trying to protect me." Twilight was silent, biting her lip, she was not sure how to go further in this conversation now. She jumped when Liam slammed his fist against the nightstand, the reflection of his face one of rage and grief. "Lets just move on." Liam said. "Right....I'm sorry if I upset you." Twilight said, ears flat. Liam sighed, "Forget about it." He returned to the stool he was sitting on and sat down again. After all that, the two were silent again, each unsure of what to say now. Eventually, the rest of the group returned, each carrying a number of supplies. Feldrock also had a bowl of water and a wash rag in his hands "We're back, and I must say I found a number of items we simply could not live without." Rarity said with pride. "Glad to know," Liam said with a smirk before turning to Feldrock, "So what do we do with this stuff now?" "Wash the excess off." Feldrock said, putting the water bowl and rag down on the nightstand. Liam sighed, "I hope all of this hair hassle is worth it." "Believe me. It will." Feldrock said. When Liam had finally gotten every speck of the black substance off of his hair, he was shocked to see his reflection now. His hair was now as black as coal, as were his eye brows. "Wow, thats amazing," Rarity said, looking to Feldrock, "how did you do that with that horrid smelling goop?" Feldrock shrugged, "Learned it during my younger years. It doesn't last forever thought, but it should stay that way for at least a week." "A week huh," Liam said, rubbing a lock of hair between his fingers, "what do we do then?" "Use it again, if need be." Feldrock said simply. Liam winced, "Well...lets hope that we don't." "Well, we got Liam taken care of. I don't think anyone could recognize him from a distance." Applejack said. "It will do for now," Feldrock said, looking out the window to the setting sun, "it will be night soon. We will leave in the next hour or so. Before then, let me show you what I got all of you." Feldrock approached the assortment of leathers and pulled out various pieces of armor, suited for a pony to wear. Feldrock passed it out among the girls. "It should keep ye safe from most weapons, at least some. Once we get on the road I'll take time to train ye girls as well." Feldrock said. The girls looked at the armor, some with uncertainty, other with a willingness to wear it immediatly. Rainbow Dash herself put hers on saying, "Awww yeah." Rarity however was simply horrified, "Oh no no no no. I simply will not wear this. The colors are simply grotesque and do not match my mane or coat at all." Feldrock groaned in irritation, "Well then....why don't you make it....wearable for yourself." Rarity looked the armor over, "Well.....I suppose I can see what I can do with this. If you will excuse me for a moment." With that Rarity left the room, leaving the rest of the group to themselves. Feldrock sighed and rubbed his head, "That mare is going to drive me insane." "That's our Rarity fer ya. But don't worry, she might be picky but she also knows when to be practical.....somewhat anyway." Applejack said. "So long as she is wearing armor, then I will not complain." Feldrock said. "Are you sure we all have to wear these?" Twilight asked, struggling to put her armor on. Liam got up and helped the struggling unicorn, "Thanks Liam." She said. "No problem." Liam said, sitting back down. "Alright then. Liam, put this on." Feldrock said, tossing a cloak to Liam. Liam caught the offered fabric and put it on. The cloak was heavy and the hood nearly covered his face. "Since there seems to be agents of whoever has the bounty out on you about, otherwise they would not have known you were originally near the Candlekeep region, you'll wear that till we are well away from the city." Feldrock said. "And why we are traveling by night this time." Liam said. Feldrock nodded, "Aye. It might be dangerous, but it should throw this strange enemy of your off for a time. Even if they know we are here, we can at least be sure they don't know where we be going." "Umm...do...do we really have to travel at night?" Fluttershy asked, shaking a bit. "Yes. We'll stop and rest for the rest of the night once we are away from the city so we will not be going far. Still, stay close and stay low and try not to draw attention to us." Feldrock said. Fluttershy still shook, but she nodded slightly. Applejack pulled her close to calm her down, giving her friend a reassuring smile. With the plan made, and Rarity finally done in fixing her armor and now wearing it. The party gathered up their belongings and supplies and aftering paying the innkeeper, with an extra silver to not ask questions, they left under the cover of the moonless night and headed into the woods near the town. Feldrock lead them a distance before cutting down to the road, but they never left the tree line nor entered into the open area near the road. Once they were a good distance, they made camp near the hollow of a large tree and slept for the night. This night however would not be an easy one for Liam, and as he closed his eyes the dream had already begun. Liam did not dream often, but tonight the visions were vivid indeed. Long had he walked, but now he found himself back amidst the stones of Candlekeep. His former home loomed before him, but the gate remained closed and barred. Over the walls he saw a candle in the window of where his old room was, strange that it seemed smaller had it always been that small? A familiar voice startled him, "You cannot go back this way, child. You must go on." Gorion formed before him, and though his image should have been comforting it seemed a shade of his living self. He was dead in his dreams, as in life. The phantom of his former father gestures to follow as he walks towards the woods, towards supposed safety. Liam gasps and runs after his father, calling for him to stop. But with each step he took Gorion seemed to be one step ahead of him. Finally the scene plays out as it had before, with the armored figure stepping out from the darkness, clad in armor assuredly magical and the symbol on its chest that tingled Liam's memory but he could not place where. The shades play out the scene as he had saw it before. Admittedly a powerful mage, even in his old age, Gorion is helpless before the onslaught. As he falls, the scene begins to play again, replaying over and over. Liam fell to his knees, unable to take the continuous scene anymore and he began to cry, yet no tears fell from his eyes. He could not cry, for it was not the pain of loss that he felt now, but the rage of anger that sparked his sorrow. If he had not been weak, not been so afraid perhaps he could have done something, perhaps Gorion would still have been alive today. But he was not, and Liam realized that he was still scared, and as he watched scene play again and again the armored figure seemed to grow more and more menacing with each replay. How could he hope to avenge his father, to slay such a monster? "No!" He shouted. No, he would not let himself fall like this. He would avenge Gorion, and with this oath one thought coalesces in his mind he would have such power as this. Whatever it took, he would have all of it and more. He would gain such power that when he took his vengeance it would be the figure that cowered in fear, not him. He would make him pay for stealing the only piece of family he had. With that, a passage became clear through the darkened wood, and he wondered how he had missed it. The trees closed behind him with each step he took, but Liam felt unconcerned. The path felt right, and would assuredly give him what he sought. It seemed to promise this in a voice he knew, but yet had never heard. The image of Gorion's death replayed again throughout the night. He got use to it. Liam shot up, gasping for air as he looked around. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and he looked around wildly. He rubbed his eyes, he had been sleeping and yet he felt so tired. The dream...it had felt so real. "Awake now I see." Liam looked up and saw that everyone else was awake, Feldrock himself looked at him with a look of curiosity and annoyance. "Geez man, if your gonna have a nightmare want to do it away so you don't wake all of us up?" Rainbow Dash said, yawning. "I...sorry...I...." Liam said, feeling embaressed. "Oh don't worry about it Liam. It must have been really terrible." Fluttershy said. Liam didn't feel sure, he wasn't even sure if it was a nightmare, "I...guess." "Did you want to talk about it? Sometimes it helps." Fluttershy offered. "No I don't." Liam said, rubbing his eyes. "Are you sure sugarcube, it seemed to be affecting ya pretty bad." APplejack said. "Yeah, if you had a bad dream you should talk about it, then we can all laugh and giggle at the gosties we saw and make it seem less scarey." Pinkie offered with a giggle. "I said I don't want to talk about it!" Liam snapped suddenly, taking everyone by surprise. "Hey, you don't have to snap at them like that. Their just tryig to help." Rainbow Dash said. "I didnt ask for their help, and I don't want them nosing in on it after I gave an answer." Liam snapped again. Why was he suddenly so angry? Fluttershy bit her lip, "I-I'm sorry Liam..I just thought...." Even Pinkie seemed a bit sad from the outburst, her mane hung flat over her face. Liam looked around, everyone looking at him with either anger or surprise. Liam got tired of the stares and stood up with a snarl. "I got to answer a call of nature. Sorry to wake you all up." He said as he walked off. Feldrock was silent, unsure of thsi sudden change in attitude with Liam. Still he shrugged and called out, "Don't go to far. Don't want ya eaten by a bear." Liam didn't respond, he just kept walking. He didn't understand why, but right now he wanted to be alone. "Geez, what's up with him?" Rainbow Dash said. "The boy has alot on his mind. He just needs time to adjust." Feldrock said. "What could possibly be bothering him that much? I mean sure he has bounties on his head for apparently no reason but I don't think he had a right to snap at Fluttershy or Pinkie Pie like that." Rainbow Dash said. "I must agree, it was rather uncouth of him." Rarity said. Twilight bit her lip, she had a guess of what was probably bothering Liam. She had heard him whisper Gorion before his nightmare woke them all up. "He has his reasons....lets just give him some space." She said. Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow, but shrugged and said, "Whatever. Good night." "Twi...is there something you want ta say?" Applejack asked. Twilight shook her head, "No....I just....good night Applejack." Applejack frowned, but did not push the issue. She felt sure that Twilight had an idea of what was bothering Liam, possibly Feldrock did as well, but until one of them or Liam came out and said it willingly she was not going to push the issue. At least for now. Everyone soon returned to sleep, though Pinkie and Fluttershy remained awake. They were unsure if they should find Liam and apologize or not. Eventually they decided that he needed space and went back to sleep themselves, though they found it difficult to do for some time. With Liam, after answering natures call, he stood behind a tree near the camp. He waited till he was sure they were all asleep before he went back. He didn't want to risk being asked any more questions. He looked around at the trees and felt like he was back in the dream. The trees seeming to close around him in the darkness and the feeling of the familiar yet unknown voice that he was sure was just the nightly wind. He stood there, silently, and even though he was awake the image of Gorion's death seemed to play again and again in his mind even now. But he had....gotten use to it. No more tears would fall from his eyes, tears could not bring him back. No, only action would matter now and the image now only added fire to the ever growing inferno in his heart. "I'll kill him....I'll kill him....I'l' kill him, I'll kill him, I'll kill him. I'll kill him, kill him, kill him, kill him." Liam whispered to himself, repeating it over and over and over again, clenching his fists as tight as he could and more. Liam looked back to the camp, and moved back in. He drew his blanket around him and laid his head upon his bag drifting off to sleep, yet a few words continued to play in his mind. "I. Will. Kill. Him." The next morning was an early one. Feldrock woke everyone up and after a quick breakfast had them all working for three hours in combat practice. He instructed Twilight to show Rarity the offensive spells and defensive spells that she knew, though Rarity could not pick up all of them she had take a grasp on one or two. With Rainbow Dash he had her and Applejack spar, and was impressed to know that the two knew so rudimentary combat. But it was not up to his standards and instructed them to fight until he said to stop, at least without kill the other. Pinkie and Fluttershy were difficult, as Pinkie was too random and hard to keep in one place and Fluttershy too timid to fight. Eventually Feldrock put Fluttershy in charge of the medical field, as she had knowledge in that. As for Pinkie....well he took Twilight's advice and left her to her devices, so far she had managed to avoid injury maybe she could keep it up. Once the ponies were taken care of for the time, Liam and Feldrock began their sparring once more. Liam stood ready, and was surprised when Feldrock spoke. "If ye be wondering why we do this, it be simple. The truest way to learn to fight is to be in a fight, not through empty no risk or injury drills like guards. Each time we spar I want you to fight as if your life depended on it, and if ye do then ye will be use to it and act accordingly. Now fight." Feldrock said as he charged. The fight ended the usual, with Feldrock winning and Liam on the ground cut and bruised. But Liam ignored the pain and got ready to fight again. If this would make him stronger, then he was ready to do whatever it took. Feldrock smirked and the sparing began again. This time, Liam managed to block three strikes and go into an attacking swing before he was brought down. An improvement, though it seemed a minor one, to Liam it was a giant leap forward. After the three hours they returned to the road, and by the late afternoon, they had entered into the mountains leading into the Griffon Empire. Along the way they had stumbled across the rare traveler, and at one point a pack of hobgoblins had assaulted them. Applejack and Twilight had gotten hurt, arrow wounds but their armor had saved them from any fatal blows. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were a bit bruised and cut, but it had been nothing serious and Fluttershy had them all patched up in no time. Liam had enjoyed the fight and had brought low two of the beasts, though Feldrock had killed six. They had helped themselves to the bit of coin the hobgoblins had, and Liam acquired a bow off one of the bodies and took the remaining arrows. Feldrock promised to show him how to shoot it properly in combat and not just in hunting. When they finally reached the town of Nashkel Liam felt relieved. But when they saw the band of griffon guards coming towards them, he felt sure it was not as a greeting.