//------------------------------// // Chapter Five: Nashkel and Hamsters // Story: Canterlot Gate: Tales of Equestria // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// The band of seven griffons, each clad in the bright red and gold colors of the Empire and armor of what Liam guessed was forged from decent quality ore, flew over and landed infront of the party. One griffon, his head feathers dark black and silver streaks through it walked over. "Stand away humans, and you as well ponies. Speak your names quickly and give your intentions, if it is to cause trouble then leave now before my soldiers and I have to get rough with you." The lead griffon spoke with a glare. Fluttershy eeped and hid behind Applejack, this earned a chuckle from the griffons. Feldrock stepped forward to make introductions, "I be Feldrock, and this is my band of fellow adventurers. We heard that there was some trouble in the region and came to see if we could help." The griffon looked at Feldrock with an uncertain eye, and if Liam guessed right perhaps a look of distrust as well. But the griffon nodded and said, "Very well, just don't cause any trouble here. We have enough as it is, if you want a place to stay the inn is right over yonder." The griffon pointed to a nearby building just across town, then took to the air followed by the rest of the guards with him and left the group alone. "That was close, for a moment I thought our pressence would cause a stir." Feldrock said. Twilight knew what he meant, as the war between the human kingdom that once owned this town and the Griffon Empire was still a recent event. Even twenty years could not wipe away the memories that war could bring, nor the distrust or anger that it bred. "So what do we do now?" Liam asked as they headed into town. Feldrock checked the bag where they kept the coin, "Hmm....well we are low on coin now, might have enough for a night in the inn. We will have to discuss plans of gaining currency later, that is if this job with the mines doesn't pay well." "So who do we talk to? Let's get this mine thing over with, I got things to do back at home." Rainbow Dash said. "I have to find my contact and figure out what be going on with the mines before we do anything. Why don't y'all head to the tavern and rest for a bit, maybe have a drink." Feldrock said, tossing three silvers to them all. "I could use a good cup of tea, all that travel and, " Rarity shivered remembering it, all the sweating she did, "ugh training was simply dreadful." "It would be nice to sit for a bit, I'm almost done with one of my books." Twilight said. "Oh alright, but don't take forever." Rainbow Dash said as she flew off to the tavern. Liam and the girls followed after while Feldrock headed off further into town. Liam sat at a table, nursing a mug of ale. He sat in a table that was not so far from the rest of the griffons or rare pony within to seem suspicious, but he also was not so close where someone might recognize him. He felt sure that his new hair color would keep him hidden, since he could not wear the hood inside without drawing attention, but still he did not want to take any risks. Yet, nogriffon, or anyone in fact, approached him in a haste and any conversation was mostly about the conditions of the roads. Liam asked about the mines, but few griffons were willing to talk about it. None of them seemed to really know what was wrong with the ore, and many felt worried of what continued corrupted ore would mean in the future. Not all griffons were mean, most in the tavern were simple citizens striving to make a living. Liam looked over to the girls, who sat in different areas around the tavern. Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy sat near the hearth and Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were seated near the tavern counter. Thankfully, Rainbow Dash seemed to be under control this time, only having one drink. Of course she only had enough coin for one, and Liam praised the heavens for that. He understood, after hearing of the events at the Friendly Arm, that Rainbow Dash could get a little crazy when drunk. Liam picked up his mug and drank, he wondered what could be going on in the mines. What could corrupt iron ore? Acid? Magic of some sort? Also, why would someone or something do that? Liam couldn't explain why, but he felt that things were far different then what they seemed. Something was off with this iron shortage, but he could not be sure what it was. "Well well, what do we have here?" Liam blinked and nearly jumped out of his seat when a beautiful unicorn mare slips into his lap, hooves wrapping around his neck. She wore a form fitting dress of red and gold, slit at the flank to reveal enough to draw the eye but enough covered to leave room for imaginative wanderings. In all ways it was, in pony standards anyway, sexy. Of course Liam did not take much notice on this and more on the fact that the mare had pulled him close that he could smell her perfume. A light mixture of lavender and rose, and her breath came in slow, tickling waves against his neck. Now, this was not an odd scene. Since the dawning of time humans, ponies, griffons, zebras, buffalo, even the rare Diamond Dog, have partaken in mixed species relationships. Sometimes in marriage, other times in just moments of pure passion, but the acceptance of such things differed from culture and nation. In Equestria it was an uncommon sight, what with only so many humans currently living in the kingdom, but it was an accepted notion though humans still found it difficult to adapt to the relationship patterns of ponies, the most prominent being the Herd. So was Liam surprised that a pony was, he thought, coming on to him? No, but how she was doing it was certainly on his mind. He was not sure how to act in this case, as he had never really had experience with this sort of thing. The only women he had ever had contact with were either the librarians back and Candlekeep, who were at least thirty years his senior, or the rare daughter traveling with her father or on her own to visit the keep. In the case of the young daughter, they would either ignore Liam due to their obvious higher social standing to his, or they would never stay long for anything to develop beyond a greeting. Even if he had time to do such, Gorion seemed to always keep him busy and it was the one thing that Liam had resented his foster father for. Yet now here he was, in a rather flustering situation and he knew nothing of what to do. "Umm....can I help you?" He said nervously as he blushed. "Of course deary, you're helping me right now." The mare said, pulling Liam closer still. Liam looked around, some of the patrons were giving him grins or chuckling. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were laughing, and Rarity and Twilight just stared with their mouths hanging open. Rarity herself seemed almost appalled by such actions from a fellow mare, it must have been very unladylike like to the fashionista. Fluttershy was blushing and trying her best not to look, and Pinkie Pie just watched with an unreadable look on her face. "I've never seen you here before....where are you from?" The mare asked, nuzzling against Liam's neck. Liam felt shivers go up his spine, "Candlekeep." He answered without thinking. "Hmmm....I've always wanted to go there, oh the things you must know. And maybe the things I could teach you. The mare whispered, her hoof slowly drifting down Liam's chest. Liam felt it his heart pounding now, and a primal area of his brain was screaming for him to drag this mare back to his cave and take her in every way physically possible. Liam gulped, 'Something seems off.....but....I don't think I care.' "This might be a touch unladylike," the mare whispred, "but I'm going to slit your throat I am." 'What!?!' Liam thought, just as the mare grabbed a knife from under her dress and slashed out at Liam's throat. Liam barely had time to react, and only managed to stop the blade from cutting across his neck by an inch as he grabbed the mares hoof to stop the attack. The mare pushed harder, trying to force the piece of metal into the vulnerable flesh. Liam pushed his body back, sending him falling backwards as he tipped his seat. He brought his feet up and kicked the mare off of him. As he hit the floor, he rolled and got back to his feet. The mare flew and hit the ground, and then everything went mad. Her horn flashed a dark green and soon vines ripped up from the ground and entangled everyone within the bar. Griffons and ponies screamed in shock and fear, struggling to get away but finding no way to escape the binding. "What the hell!" Liam shouted, just as several vines wrapped about his legs and arm. He struggled to get free but could find no slack in the vines. "I have to say, the hair almost had me fooled. But when you said you were from Candlekeep, I knew you were the one I was looking for. You obviously have no experience in dealing with mares do you." The mare giggled. Liam blushed, partly in anger and partly in embaressment, "Who...who the hell are you?" "Who I am ins unimportant, though my name is Diamond Dazzle. What I am, s a hunter of bounties and on your head is a lovely little sum. Does this satisfy your request? I thought it wouldn't. No matter." Dazzle shrugged as she lifted the dagger with her magic and slowly approached Liam. "Liam! Gah...stupid...vines." Rainbow Dash struggled, with an almost savage ferocity, but the vines only held her tighter. "Hang on." Twilight said, her horn glowing. "Now now, can't have that." Dazzle said, pointing her horn at Twilight and Rarity both forcing vines to wrap about their horns and yank. "AHH!" Twilight screamed, the tugging on her horn breaking her concentration. "How dare you! You are no lady at all, you are just a uncouth strumpet." Rarity shouted at Dazzle. Dazzle smirked, "Maybe, but I will soon be a rich one." With that she began to approach Liam once more. Liam's eyes widened and he struggled more, trying to reach his sword. But sadly no ground was gained, and he looked at Dazzle as she got closer, knife raised to stab. 'No...not like this! I can't die now!' He thought, and he suddenly felt his body burn with a strength he never knew before. Liam pulled on the vines, the veins in his necks bulging with the effort and, to the shock of everyone within, the vine snapped. With an arm free, Liam grabbed his sword and swung it, forcing Dazzle to jump back. Liam hacked at the vines, until he finally cut himself free. "My my....you are a challange. Not many can break out of my vines once they are trapped." Dazzle said, dropping the knife and her horn glowing brighter. Liam charged, sword swinging down to strike Dazzle. But the unicorn stepped to the side with expert dexterity just as a hammer of pure magic formed before her. "Watch out, she can make weapons with her magic!" Twilight warned. "What does that mean?" Liam asked, doding a strike for the hammer. Dazzle moved into the attack now, her hammer swinging at Liam. Liam was pushed back more, but as he got closer to a crowd of griffon citizens he finally forced himself to stop moving back and bring his sword up to block an oncoming strike. He was not going to risk letting someone get hurt by accident. "It means your sword won't be able to block it!" Twilight shouted, tears in her eyes as the hammer struck the blade. The sword blade shattered, and the hammer continued its descent. Liam screamed in agony as the hammer smashed down into his left shoulder, breaking the bone within. The force drove him to the ground and he twisted in pain. "Oh hold still now. I'll make the pain go away." Dazzle said, the hammer lifting up again. Liam's eyes widened, he was not going to die here. As with the vines Liam felt something stir within, something that called out to him. Liam reached out for this strange calling, grasping at it like a drowning man to a piece of wood. In that moment Liam felt his entire body become alight. Every color seemed all the brighter, more vibrant and the pain in his shoulder felt numbed, less of a concern. Liam lifted his hand on instinct and tendrils of black shadow erputed from his finger tips lashing out and into Dazzle. "AHHH!" Dazzle screamed, the tendrils digging deeper into her body. Liam felt a sudden surge of life fill his body, and felt the once shattered bones in his shoulder begin to reconnect and mend instantaneously. The pain faded away and Liam gasped as whatever Liam had grasped faded and the dark tendrils retracted and vanished from sight. Dazzle stumbled back, her hammer vanishing. She gasped for air, "What did you do to me!?!" Liam blinked as he stood, he felt his shoulder and tested the arms movements. Everything seemed fine, almost as if he had never been hurt at all. He looked at Dazzle and his eyes widened, she seemed....older. Her mane had grayed in several areas and dark lines had appeared under her eyes, her coat seemed less vibrant. Liam was silent, unsure of what had happened, how it had happened or what it all meant. He just stood there, eyes all on him. Finally he remembered what was going on, he had been attacked and almost killed by Dazzle. Liam growled and glared at the unicorn, causing her to step away in fear. Liam charged her, not giving her a chance to run, and drew his life and plunged it into her chest. He stabbed again and a third time before tossing her aside. She gasped, her life bleeding out from her body but Liam was not done, it wouldn't be until she was dead. He casually strolled over, knelt beside her as he placed the dagger to her neck. "This may be a touch unladylike," he said, mimicking her, "but I'm going to slit your throat I am." And he did. When the light faded from Dazzle's eyes, the vines vanished in a burst of sparkles and magic. Still, despite their freedom, no one moved and only stared at Liam with shock and...fear? Awe? Uncertainty? Liam couldn't place it, but he didn't bother to check. He kneeled down beside Dazzle's body and searched her body, looking for what he felt sure would be there. 'There it is.' He thought, pulling up a scroll from her bag. He put it away in his own bag, intent on looking at the contents in a more private setting. Without warning, several armed griffons burst through the door. The one lead griffon from before. "Murderer! Surrender or die!" The griffon shouted, directing his men to surround Liam. 'Damn it.' Liam thought as he raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender. Liam sat in his cell with a bored expression. His right eye was sprouting a black eye, from the guards rough treatment of him when he had arrived. Seemed that one of the guards didn't like humans much, luckily the captain ended the abuse after the first punch. Liam didn't know what was going on, was he going to spend the rest of his days here? Was he going to be executed? Were the guards talking to those that were in the tavern at the time of the incident? If so what were they talking about? Once more, what would the guard do afterwards? Still Liam's mind was focused on a far more important matter, that of what had occured with him in the tavern battle. The sudden strength he had felt had vanished and whatever he did to heal his shoulder, he was sure that it had been him in some strange way, he could not repeat. In fact, despite the healing he had felt exhausted as soon as the adrenaline of battle had passed, far more exhausted then he should have been. Liam looked at his hand, he half expected to see the black tendrils erupt forth once more, yet nothing happened. He lowered his hand and sighed, 'How did I do that?' Liam was not sure, and the thought worried him. What was happening to him? If only Gorion was alive, perhaps he would have had the answers. But Gorion was not alive, and Liam would have to gain the answers on his own. Liam sighed and returned to staring at the wall, he had been here for an hour now and it was getting old. He had counted the scratches in the wall seven times, there were four hundred, thirty nine and three quarter scratches in it. If he had to count them another time he was sure he would go mad! "Human, get up!" Liam looked over to see one of the guards opening his cell and gesturing him to follow. Liam got up, glad to be doing something then just sitting here. Finally they reached the end of the hall, leading to the main office that he had been brought to before, within he saw Feldrock, as well as a middle aged griffon with graying feathers beside him. "Ye can't make things easy for me can ye." Feldrock said. "I guess not. What's going on?" Liam asked. "You're being released," the griffon said, "the entire incident has been labeled as an act of self defense against the mare that attacked you. But you will still have to pay a price." Liam sighed, "Great, so what is it? And who are you anyway?" The griffon smirked, "I'm Talon and the mayor of this town as well as head of the guard here. I'm also an old friend of Feldrock here." "Aye, I had to pull a favor to get ye out of there without having ta pay a fine for your little brawl." Feldrock said, clearly not too happy about the entire ordeal. Talon smirked and patted Feldrock's shoulder, "There there old friend, he's young. You and I got into our share of trouble when we were his age." "Aye but we never stuck around to get caught afterward." Feldrock said. Talon laughed, "Aye that we didn't. But enough of the past, I guess you want to know what you will be doing to make up for the commotion at the local tavern." Liam nodded, "Yeah." "Well that is good," Talon said, "to put it simply, I want you and your little band of ponies, along with Feldrock, to investigate the mine here." Liam nodded, "Well that was what we came here for, so I guess I can agree to that." "Aye I'm sure you will." Talon said. "By the way, since we are talking of the mines," Feldrock said, "what can ye tell us of what is happening down there." Talon went silent, then motioned the guards away. Once they were alone Talon looked to the two of them and said, "I won't be lying to ya, it is bad down there. The mine is all but shut down because the workers are continually going missing, and what ore we do get is tainted somehow, and I can't send the guard to investigate cause I need them to defend the town from the bandits that are raiding our caravans." "What do ya mean, missing?" Feldrock asked. Talon sighed and rubbed his head, "The miners claim that demons or some such are roaming about, but they are a superstituious lot and prone to exaggeration." Feldrock went silent, thinking on this piece of info. Liam was just as curious, he highly doubted any demon was in the mine. Still, if miners were missing then something must be inside the mine. "Hmm, well whatever be the problem we will take care of it. Just be sure they payment be good." Feldrock said. Talon rolled his eyes, "Of course. Now if you are ready and able then you should get going. I've set word to GrayClaw, foregriffon of the mine of your arrival." "Alright then. Again thanks for the help Talon." Feldrock said. "You can thank me by getting to the mines. Now get going." Talon said, shooing them away. Feldrock and Liam left, and after Liam had reclaimed all of his weapons, they headed out and went to meet up with the girls near the edge of town. When Liam was taken by the guards, the girls were quick to seek out Feldrock. They had found him near the town center talking to a middle aged griffon. When they told him of what had occured at the tavern, Feldrock remained calm and collected and told the girls that he would see to Liam's release and to wait for them near the edge of town. After that he, and the griffon, headed towards the guardhouse. While Feldrock seemed sure to get Liam free, there was still the worry of what happened to him after he had been taken and if Feldrock could even get Liam out at all. After all he had been convicted of murder, even though Dazzle had attacked first. Still, they had to trust that he knew what he was doing, and at the moment none of them were sure how to approach Liam at the moment given...what he had done. It was not the killing, they knew that he could not leave Dazzle alive if he wanted to be safe. No what they were unsure of was what he had done to her during the fight. Twilight herself was hysterics over the entire thing, digging through book after book that she had with her trying to find any sort of information on what Liam had done. "I don't get it," Twilight said, her mane starting to look a bit unkempt like it had when she had gone crazy over not having a letter to send to the princess that one time, "nothing of what he did is in my books. There isn't even anything in the Arcanium Comprehensive Journal of all things on Magic, volumes one through seventy five!" "Twilight....maybe you should calm down a bit." Applejack said, seeing that her friend was near a mental breakdown. Goodness knows they did not need something akin to the Smartypants fiasco. "Relax. Relax" Twilight shouted, looking Applejack right in the eyes, "Liam just commited an act of magical origin and yet I can't find anything about it and you want me to calm down!" Applejack's ears were flat, and she smiled nervously, "Ummm....ya." Twilight's horn began to glow as she ground her teeth and everypony turned and ducked behind a tree. They knew what was coming next. "Ugh!" Twilight shouted with a magical boom that blasted rocks and a stump ten feet into the air. Liam and Feldrock watched the stump ascend and then descend to the ground. The two looked at each other and then down the road where Feldrock instructed the girls to wait for them. "Should we be worried?" Liam asked. "Nah, I'm sure its normal for them." Feldrock said as he continued on. Liam looked from Feldrock to where the stump had fallen, "That doesn't exactly help." When Feldrock and Liam returned they found the area seemed alright, save for some rocks that were off center and a stump of a tree that was not upside down in the ground. Twilight stood in the center of it, breathing heavily and the others were hiding behind a tree watching her. "Did we miss something?" Liam asked, earning him the stares of all six of the girls. Liam stood still, "What? I'm free, the guards and mayor said that the entire incident counted as self defense. Still I have to help in the mines as repayment so why are you all staring at me?" He had expected maybe, at least from Pinkie and Fluttershy, a relieved greeting and maybe a hug. But the stares didn't end and thy seemed almost....uncertain of him. Feldrock took notice of this and looked between the girls and Liam, "I have a feeling something happened other then Liam here killing another bounty hunter. Was it because she was a pony?" "No it's not that," Rainbow Dash said, flying out from behind the tree. Everypony else followed now that they were sure Twilight was stable, "it's what he did to her." Feldrock smirked and looked at Liam, "What ye do lad? Mount her on the table like she was in heat or something?" "WHAT!?!" Liam shouted, his face red. The girls joined him in the blush, Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight the most flustered. Feldrock slapped his knee and laughed, "Ahaha! I joke lad, but seriously what did ye do to have these girls staring at ye like ya grew two heads." Liam was silent, "Well...I guess I might have. The whole fight is a bit of a blur, everyone was just happening so fast but....I remember being smashed across the shoulder with a magical created hammer." Feldrock blinked, "That explains the loss of your previous sword I guess, you tried to block the strike and failed but that don't explain your shoulder. It seems fine." "Thats where it gets weird," Twilight said, "he used some sort of spell that....I guess drained Dazzle of her life force or something. If that was not bad enough, none of my books have any record or info on such a spell." Feldrock blinked, "Aye? Hmmm...that do be odd." "Odd?" Rainbow Dash said, "more like creepy. His shoulder just healed up and he stood like nothing happened." "It was simply horrifying. Though that Dazzle was a beast, no lady should have her beauty just drained like that." "It was....rather scarey. Those tendrils...they didn't look natural." Fluttershy said softly. Pinkie Pie ran up to Feldrock, "It was whacky, Liam was all Ahh" She ran over to Liam and lifted his hand, "and then it was all WHOOSH! and then he was all YEAH!" Pinkie let Liam's arm go and ran back to join the girls, "and then we all just stood there like this." She finished by making a face of shook. "I reckon that whatever Liam did saved his life, but it just seemed....well I don't know what it was but it didn't seem right." Applejack said. Liam frowned, even he had to admit it had been strange. Yet....something had felt natural about it to him, almost as if what he had done was part of who he was. Liam didn't feel too comfortable with that thought. "So you can see, we arn't really sure what Liam did but it did not seem normal and with no knowledge of it we can't tell if is a danger to him or us. How did he even do it anyway?" Twiligh said. Liam sighed, "If I knew I would tell you...but I don't. I don't even remember how it happened." "You don't know nothin at all?" Applejack asked. "No. I don't." Liam said. "Look this all be rather interesting, but weird or not Liam is still alive and so far hasn't done anything to hurt any of us. If this....whatever he did be dangerous, so long as it be dangerous to anything trying to kill us then it be good in my books. Now we have a job to do and the quicker we got started the sooner we can be paid and all go home." Feldrock said. THe girls looked at Liam once more, but eventually they al agreed that the sooner the business with the mine was done the sooner things could start to go back to normal. But for Liam, he felt a whole new set uncertainty. 'Thats right....once we clear the mine the iron shortage should be solved and clear up in a few months.....but what do we do then? They all must have lives and homes to return to.' He thought, it must be nice to have a home one could go back to at any time. But Liam...he didn't have one anymore, so what did he do after this? 'Find that armored figure.' He thought with a certainty. He couldn't rest until he had done so, but could he ask for them all to follow him on his journey for revenge? Liam didn't think he had a right to do that to the girls, but maybe Feldrock would help. Maybe. "Enough waiting around, lets be going." Feldrock said, taking off to the mine. The girls and Liam followed after him, but as they got farther from town one noise became clear. The noise of battle and a warcry of the strangest kind. "Go for the eyes Boo. Go for the eyes! Ragggh!" Feldrock's claymore was out before Liam had seen him draw it. Liam drew his spare blade now acting as his main blade. He hoped it would last enough, the group couldn't afford to purchase a new sword at the moment. The girls also got ready for a fight, with Fluttershy hanging behind them shaking in fear. As the group moved to where the combat was taking place, a hobgoblin body flew from out of the trees and landing on the ground dead. A huge slash cleaved the creature from the left shoulder to the right hip, its entrails hanging out. Followed by this came a unicorn mare, a silken dress covered in runic symbols adorned her. Following behind her was a huge bald headed man, a runic symbol painted across his face in purple dye. He stood almost as tall as Feldrock and he too wielded a monster greatsword in his hands. Of course following after them were a band of six hobgoblins. "Ah now that we are out and way from the trees, Minsc can swing his sword without risk of harming our leafy friends. Quick Boo go for the eyes!" The man said as he charged into the ranks of the monsters, sword swinging in wild succession. The unicorn mare looked from the man called Minsc to Liam and his group, "Please, if you are of noble heart aid me and my companion against these foul and dark creatures." Feldrock growled, apparently annoyed of the delay, but he charged into the ranks of the hobgoblins, and joined the battle. He took the heads of two of the creatures in one sweep of his blade. With battle joined Liam ran to add his aid, Twilight and her friends moved as well with her and Rarity offering spell aid, Applejack and Rainbow Dash moved through the battle, kicking or punching the hobgoblins where they could to do the most damage, or kicking rocks with great accuracy to smash the beasts across their skulls. Fluttershy stayed behind, cowering behind a tree with her eyes covered, she did not want to see the horrible business that came with battle. She hoped that none of her friends were hurt. In quick order the hobgoblins were dispatched, and the worse injuries were either minor cuts where their armor did not cover. And with the battle over came the spoils, a few stray pieces of silvers and coppers. After the spoils were taken Feldrock turned to regard the pony and her human companion, who was fussing over the pony as if she was a doll that could break at any moment. "Minsc enough, I am fine." The unicorn said, pushing him away slightly. "But it is Minsc's duty to see that you are safe and unhurt." Minsc said. The unicorn smiled, "And you are doing well, but I am more worried about you. You took a might blow to the head, are you alright?" Minsc chuckled, "Minsc is fine, I am use to such things dear Star Seer." The unicorn, Star Seer frowned, "Yes... that's what I am afraid of." Minsc opened his mouth to say something, but turned his head slightly to his shoulder, "Whats that Boo?" Minsc looked over and saw Feldrock, Liam and the others. He seemed surprise that he had not noticed them before, "Oh, greetings fellow adventurers. Minsc did not notice you in the thrill of battle, but Boo has pointed you out." Liam blinked in confusion, "Uh...I only see two of you. Where is this...Boo person?" Minsc blinked then laughed, "Ahha, no friend Boo is no man or pony. Come Boo, introduce yourself to our new friends." With that Minsc picked something from off his shoulder and held it out, carefully holding it in his hands. Liam and the others moved closer to see what it was. They were....surprised. In Minsc's hands, staring up at them, was a hamster. A small furry little hamster. Liam looked from the hamster to Minsc and then back again. Rainbow Dash looked to Applejack and twirled her hoof around her ear, the universal symbol of crazy. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy gasped and then smiled in glee at seeing such a cute little critter. "Aww, its so cute." Pinkie said. "Oh, its adorable. Oh but the poor dear must be simply scared after being in that fight." Fluttershy said. "Of course not little pony," Minsc said, pulling his hand back and placing Boo on his shoulder, "Boo is a miniature giant space hamster, and the only one in all of the world. He has been my friend and companion, and together Minsc and Boo make a righteous butt kicking machine." Star Seer rolled her eyes, "Yes...well perhaps we can introduce ourselves properly to those that aided us Minsc. Perhaps they can be allowed to do the same." Minsc nodded, "But of course Star Seer, Minsc was simply introducing them to Boo." "Yes and I'm sure they were glad to meet him, but do not forget yourself. Star Seer said. "Of course not," Minsc said and looked back at the group, "I am Minsc, a berserker from the distant land of Wraathman, and this is Star Seer my witch and I am her sworn guardian on her journeys through these lands." "I can introduce myself Minsc," Star Seer said, "but what Minsc says is true. We are from Wraathman and I am a Harathan, or witch. I came here to fulfill my sojourn and Minsc is my guardian and on his own quest to join into the brotherhood of one of the Berserker Lodges within our homeland." "A Harathan," Twilight said, "I've heard of those. It's a title given to magic users where you are from right." Star Seer smiled, "Yes. It is rare to see one who knows of our ways so far from home." Twilight smiled, "Oh I've read almost everything about Wraathman, but I've never had an opportunity to talk with somepony from the area." "I hardly think we have time to be waiting here talking," Feldrock said with impatience, "we have a task to do, or did you forget." "I did not forget," Twilight said, looking at Feldrock with irritation. "If I might interrupt," Star Seer said, "perhaps there is a way to make both of you content. As it is neither I, nor Minsc, had been prepared for the plight that has befallen this region in the world. While I trust Minsc with my life, and my magic is considerable, I feel that perhaps it would be wiser for us to travel with a larger group. If you would have us, we would be willing to join you and whatever task you are on." "Yes, Boo is in agreement with the fair Star Seer," Minsc said, "While Minsc and Boo can handle any evil that comes, with friends the adventure becomes all the greater!" Feldrock rubbed his chin, "Hmmm, I'm all willing to accept any aid. But what about the rest of ya." Feldrock looked over to the others. "I'm cool with it." Rainbow Dash said. "They seem like honest folk, and I don't see any harm in getting a few extra hands or hooves." Applejack said. "I for one am all in favor of them coming. That mares dress is simply marvelous and I would love to know more about what their fashion is currently in their homeland. Perhaps I could get some inspiration for truly exotic pieces for my boutique." Rarity said. "Of course they have to come along. It's a plot line." Pinkie said with a grin, earning confused stares from everyone. "Oh um well, if they want to come I guess they can. I mean if they don't mind." Fluttershy said. "I don't see why not, and we don't know what we will be facing in the mines so better to be overly prepared then unprepared." Twilight said. Liam shrugged, "I'm alright with it." "Then it be decided. Ye can come with us," Feldrock said to Minsc and Star Seer. Star Seer bowed her head, "I thank thee. Minsc and I will work hard to not making you regret this decision." "And so comrades are joined. Where are we headed then, Boo tells me that his whiskers are shaking and that always means caves are involved." Minsc said. Feldrock blinked, "Aye..caves it would be, or mines in fact. Come then, we have much ground to cover to reach the mine." With the destination set, and new allies added, the group carried onward to the mine. When they reached the mine they were greeted by a burly and irate griffon who was in charge of the mine. At first he gave them only three days to solve his mines problems or he would turn the archers standing guard on them, but with a little fluttering of the eyelashes Rarity managed to convince him to be more lenient with them. And so, armed and ready, the group entered into the dark twisting caverns of the mine and left the light of the surface behind.