//------------------------------// // What was that Saying about Hubris... Well Crap. (Chapter Twelve) // Story: On Black Wings Unfurled, A Half-Dragon's Roar to be Heard // by Coal //------------------------------// Chapter Twelve What was that Saying about Hubris... Well Crap. "So... you're Kobolds?" Fiery Thought asks the less grumpy of the two lizards. "Yes, we are. Kobolds once very common long long time ago. Now though we rarely seen." Virnuln replies, taking the situation far better than his fellow. "I don't know why you want to talk to this unicorn. She used guilt on the Half-Dragon." Nirkul says with a huff. "Half-Dragon?" Fiery says with a quizzical look on her face, not understanding what Nirkul means. "What's a Half-Dragon? I've never heard of those before." I raise a claw from where I'm laying and say, "That would be me. Remember when I said I was a bit of something besides human? Well, I was referring to my being the Half-Dragon." "The Half-Dragon? So that means you're the only Half-Dragon?" "Currently, yeah. From what I've been told I'm the only one to show up in thousands of years at least." "Woah... So how do you know Kobolds?" "Well, it was an accident that I ran into them. I won't tell you more about the how or where, but they were the ones to tell me about my being a Half-Dragon. Also, they gave me these awesome clothes." "Half-Dragon, why are you telling her so much?" Nirkul asks, not seeming too happy with how open I'm being with the filly. "Well, if you know anything about kids, she won't stop asking until I give her something to chew on for a bit. So that's what I did." "Alright Half-Dragon, I'm sure you know best." "Really? Because I sure as heck don't think that. I'm wrong all the time." I say with a grin. I get up to go stroke the fire I started, apparently unicorns found the winds at this altitude chilly.. Not too difficult when you're mouth is better than flint and steel will ever be, even if it's just a few twigs. just then however I feel a burp coming. In a few moments black fire deposits a letter in front of me. Looking at it I say, "Well, unless someone else has figured out how to make me burp on command, that'll be the Princesses." Picking it up and breaking it's seal I begin to read. --- Dear Coal, I am very glad the letter was able to reach you, my Sister was worried that it wouldn't work. I apologize if this letter interrupts something, there just isn't any way to tell if the time is right to send them. I asked my Sister to wake me if you replied, which is why I am responding to you at the moment. Do not feel rushed to reply, for I am going back to rest after I am finished with this letter. On the matter of the filly who stowed away in your pack, my Sister and I spoke about it before coming to a decision. We decided that due to Fiery Thought's lack of parental guidance, as well as you seem more than capable of looking after her, we will allow her to accompany you. Now then, while the topic is brought up, how does your kind raise your foals? I'm curious, and it will also be helpful during your travels with Fiery Thought if you understand how our species might differ in the raising of our young... That must have sounded very odd, I apologize I am not as good at carrying my thoughts as my Sister, I apologize. Sincerely, Luna --- Well, I guess the kid's coming with. It seems I lucked out a bit with Virnuln being here, I can probably ask him to look after her if need be. Looking up from the letter, I see the others around our impromptu campfire looking at me expectantly. With a defeated sigh I say, "Alright, the Princesses say it's okay Fiery." "Yes!" She says, getting a good three feet in the air with a jump. "Oh this will be so much fun, I mean I'm th first filly to meet a Half-Dragon in well... forever!" "Yeah... just... don't hurt yourself." I say, watching her bounce around again. It's pretty impressive how much vertical she can get with those tiny legs. "Well, seeing as we're evidently going to all be traveling together now, I should probably tell you where I'm headed." I say as I pull out and spread the map on the ground for all to see." I quickly find and point out the Griffin Republic, "That's where I'm planning on going, see if these Griffins are any fun." "Oooh, I've always wanted to meet a Griffin." Fiery Thought intones. "Whatever it is you wish Half-Dragon." The two Kobolds say. Okay, the synchronized talking was just a little creep there. "Alright, it's decided then. I will fly there, Fiery Thought you will go with Virnuln and Nirkul." Fiery looks dejected at this while Nirkul seems to loath the idea. "B-but why?" she says giving me the puppy dog eyes, "I really liked flying." "I do not like the idea of having a unicorn in the tunnels Half-Dragon." Nirkul objects. Adressing Fiery I say, "It's safer than traveling with me, no one besides the Kobolds know about the tunnels and no Kobold as far as I know will attack someone under my care. It's safer than going into an unfamiliar land on my back." Turning to Nirkul I continue, "She already knows that both you and the tunnels exist, Having her down there won't make all that much of a difference." They both look as though they understand my reasoning, but neither seems to happy with the situation. "This is not open to discussion. If you wish to continue on with me, you will agree to this or I take you all home right now." I say, with authority I didn't realize I had in my voice. "Alright mister Coal." Fiery mutters. "Yes Half-Dragon, we will do as you will." Nirkul says, in much the same fashion as Fiery. Ya know, for as much Nirkul doesn't like the filly he sure can act a lot like her at times. "Glad we've all come to an agreement. Alright, well everyone rest up because I'm setting out at nightfall." I say as I lay back down, and try to get comfortable enough to sleep. "But everypony goes to sleep at night? Why are you doing it backwards." "Because it's safer for me to fly at night, less chance of me getting spotted. Now go to sleep." "Oh alright, I guess I am kind of tired." She says as she curls up in a little ball. Huh, I thought I was going to have to fight her on that one. Really, have you seen yourself recently? I'd listen to you too if I thought you'd breathe fire at me if I didn't. Not much else really happens while we rest, besides a bit of talking between the filly and the Kobolds. Then again, I was asleep for most of it so I can;t really say if something interesting did happen or not. and considering I hadn't slept since that castle in the forest, I slept like a rock. Waking up I find the fire long since died out, Fiery curled up next to me and the two Kobolds resting on a rock. Part of me doesn't want to wake Fiery up because she looks so damn cute lying there, but I do it anyway. "Hey Fiery, get up it's time to get going." "Uuuuh, but it's still dark out." She says groggily. "Yeah, that's the point. Now come on." I look over to the Kobolds and call out, "Hey you two, up and adam. We've got ground to cover." Getting used to giving orders are we? All hail the Half-Dragon! Shut up, it's too early to argue with myself. It's nighttime smart guy. You know what I mean. After the quick conversation with myself I find that the other, hopefully sane, members of my little impromptu group are up. "Alright you guys, we're doing this like we talked about earlier. Fiery you go with Virnuln and Nirkul, you'll be safer down there with them if anything goes wrong." "Why would something go wrong?" She asks, with her gigantic innocent eyes. "Well there's a saying I've found to be true, 'If anything can go wrong, it will.' If you go by that then you'll never be surprised when things go south." I spout my little piece of philosophical wisdom. "Oh... that sounds really smart." She praises, stroking my already inflated ego. "Yeah, I guess I can be smart at times. Well, when I'm not accidently kidnapping fillies that is." I say as I begin to flap my wings and prepare to take off. "Virnuln, Nirkul, you take care of her got it?" "Yes Half-Dragon, of course we will!" Virnuln says with fervor. "Yes Half-Dragon, whatever you say." Nirkul says with significantly less fervor. With that quick farewell to my traveling companions I take to the sky. While I doubt flying will ever get old for me, not much really changes from each time I travel. In fact, if it weren't for the fact flying was just all around awesome it'd probably start feeling monotonous. Not much happens throughout the day, it goes much like the one before it. I see a few settlements in the distance and a few interesting landmarks here and there. If I didn't know any better, I would swear I saw something that resembled the pony version of the Colossus of Rhodes. The Colossus of Reigns? Oh don't you start with the puns now too. Hey, I'm not the one who came up with "The Batmare." Touche. The day comes and goes, banter is exchanged between Human, Unicorn, and Kobold alike. I have to say, it's a bit more entertaining with others around compared to me just, flying, eating, and sleeping. Even if that meant we now had an energetic and excited filly, who wouldn't stop talking about how amazing the tunnels were. We sleep through the day like the vampires we are, and soon I'm flying once again. Looking out at the crescent moon as I fly, I'm reminded of the fact that I still haven't replied to Luna's letter. I decide to do so the next time I land, but right now I can see the beginnings of the northern mountains come into view. I have to say, the map's illustrations don't do these bad boys justice. The mountains dwarf even the one Canterlot had been built on, and I hadn't been able to get higher than it before air became a problem. It probably serves as a good way to control the traffic flow among the flight enabled species, that way an empire could form stable trade paths. It isn't too long before I find myself coming up to them, and they almost form a complete wall, blocking all entrance from the south. They rise and pierce the sky with a natural majestic beauty that no man-made structure can ever achieve. Their peaks are lost in the clouds forming a blanket around them. Ah, the admiring of nature! It burns us~! However, some ways off to my left I see a path between the mountains . Even from this altitude and distance I can see the signs of some kind of structure lying smack dab in the middle. I set the pass as my destination, cutting through the cool night air towards the mountains. As I approach I can see that the structure I saw is some kind of fortress, and boy what a fortress it is. It forms a wall spanning the gap between the opening of the mountains, it's circular towers lining the way and protecting the keep nestled off to the side. For most these high curtain walls would be a deterrent, but for me and my wings they were just something to admire as I flew past. While it must have looked something fierce in it's heyday it now lies neglected. It's now rounded battlements showing the effects of time on it's worn down the stone. In fact, I'm distracted enough by the old fort's charms, that I completely fail to react the the sight of a figure standing out on the walls. I hear a startled gasp as the figure takes notice of me, and I hear the wind whistle as something flies past me dangerously close. If I had to take a guess it would be that some kind of spear almost took my head off. I'm startled by the attack, but I try to gain altitude, in hopes of making it harder to throw things at me. I hear some kind of battle cry, and all around me the once sleepy fortress starts to sputter with life again. I see griffins begin to run outside, and despite their surprise I can see them take notice of me and take to the air. There seem to be about twenty in total coming after me, which seems surprisingly few considering the size of the fortress, so I count my blessings there. However, twenty or so is more than enough to constitute a threat to a lone Half-Dragon with a halberd. I take note that their armor seems oddly familiar, but I can't really take the time to try and figure out why while they're chasing me with swords and bows. In fact, that particular train of thought is interrupted by the sight of an arrow passing by my now vulnerable feeling wings. These guys, despite their surprise at my late night arrival, seem to be shouting at one another and moving as a group. I seem to be moving quite a bit faster than them as we begin to leave the fort behind, and very I'm glad that bows are hard to aim while you and the target are flying. Unfortunately I can't go at a dead sprint, due to the may that whenever I try to a rocky outcropping seems to get in my way, and forces me to slow down. They're steadily catching up, and while I'm sure that if I went all out on them I'd be able to take a few, I doubt I'd get them all while they're working together the way they are. I'm trying to make my way around a particularly obtrusive rock when I feel pain lance throughout my left wing. My head whips towards it and I see a hole in my wings, and I find it hard to keep myself aloft with it now. If I wasn't going to outrun them before, there was no way I was going to keep out of stabbing range for long now. I try my best to focus through the pain in my wings, and I can swear I feel it tear a little with every flap. I spot a cave not too far off about twenty meters down and I try and make my way towards it. While I'm trying to get to the cave, an arrow gets close enough to my head that it leaves a long cut on my cheek. I hit the ground and immediately fold up my injured wing and try to make my way into the cave, hoping that somewhere inside is a way out. My hopes are dashed across the wall however as I see that it goes back only about ten feet before ending in a merciless stone wall. I know I don't have much time, hearing the talons of the griffins hit the stone outside as they land. I take in a deep breath as I turn around to face them. I see half of them have landed outside and have formed a semi-circle, and the other half are still in the air as they cut off any possible escape from that method, even if my wing wasn't injured. Now that I have a moment where I'm not flying for my life I take a good look at them. I find myself staring at a score of griffins in what I can only call roman armor. The red that would normally adorn a legionnaires' armor is replaced with a deep blue, but otherwise it looks just like that which an ancient roman would have worn. With this sight an idea comes into my mind, the odds this'll work are pretty damn low but it's worth a shot. I calm my panicking nerves down as best I can as I lean on my halberd and look towards the one in charge. I then ask him a question as nonchalantly as possible. "Hey there pal, you guys have a Colosseum? 'Cause I've always kind of wanted to be a gladiator." -- Redenar stood bewildered as the creature addressed him in such a calm manner, and that wasn't even taking into account the question it had asked him. How did it know about the Colosseum? That was something only griffins ever saw, and even then it was difficult to get a seat. The sight of the caged fight was something that got a griffin's blood pumping better than most anything else within the Republic. Redenar was a griffin of the Republic, and he joined the legion to raise himself up the social ladder. However, thanks to an unfortunate incident involving a training dummy and fire, he ended up receiving an influential senator's ire. As such, he had been assigned to guard The Republic-Equestria border. Once you ended up there you usually never made it back to any sense of status in the Republic. Usually. Redenar however already had the gears turning in his head at the creature's words. Something like this was one of a kind and would put on quite a show. Those in power would have to reward him if he delivered it to them to fight. And after all, it was asking to be sent there. Who was Redenar to refuse?