I hopped out from bed and trotted to the open window. I took another few deep breaths to clear my mind for a while. For some reason, there’s something in me that makes me want to go to the griffin’s kingdom and I can’t shake the feelings off. I felt that I have to go there for something important, something that has to be done.
I quickly turned around and trotted downstairs. As I exited my room, the sweet scent of freshly baked bread and freshly made coffee made my mouth water. I always knew that my mom’s cooking is the best in Canterlot and that always makes me happy to wake up early in the morning.
I took a few moments to enjoy the fragrance of a good breakfast and then, I headed downstairs. My dad was sitting on the couch in the living room, reading the newspaper as usual and my brother was stretching his muscles as he always does in the morning.
A little smile tugged on my face and headed to the kitchen. In the kitchen, my mom was setting up the plates on the dinner table and she was humming a lullaby.
“Good morning, dearie.” My mom greeted me when she noticed me entering the kitchen.
“Morning.” I greeted back with a happy smile.
“Could you help me set up the plates, dearie?” she asked.
“Of course, mom.” I answered, nodding.
While I set up the table, my mother was working on breakfast. We didn’t talk during the time but we enjoyed each other’s company instead. For some reason, I had a big grin on my face knowing that I always love my family’s company.
After I finished setting up the table, my mom called the rest of the family to join us in the kitchen for breakfast. We sat around the table with freshly made food presented in the middle. The family thanked Princess Celestia and Luna for the beautiful breakfast then we proceed on eating.
The family doesn’t talk much during breakfast or dinner but we always do like each other’s presence. But there’s always one person who will strike up a conversation every time the family get together.
“What are you going to do today, Bruce?” My mother asked my brother.
“Well, today we have a hoofball competition with Fillydelphia’s team.” He answered while his face was still in the bowl of oatmeal.
“Son, when your mother asks you something. Please don’t answer it while eating. That’s rude.” My father scolded as he levitated a mug of hot coffee.
My brother’s head shot from the bowl and with an apologetic face. “I’m sorry.” He said.
“Now, now, dearie. It’s okay.” My mother consoled and looked at me. “How about you?” she asked, looking at me.
“I… umm… uh…” I swallowed the lump of nervous in my throat. “I-I’m going to travel.” I answered.
The rest of the family stopped eating and looked at me. Their eyes were focusing on me and that always makes me nervous. “Oh?” she said in a questioning tone.
“Y-yes.” I replied, giving a slight nod.
“Where to?” my father asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m… going to the griffin territory.” I answered, cringing slightly.
My family’s eyes opened in shock and my dad dropped his mug as his levitation field suddenly stopped. The mug shattered, spilling hot coffee on the kitchen floor.
“A-a-are you serious?” my mother asked me with shocked expression on her face.
I looked around the table and nodded. “Yes.” I answered, giving a determined look.
“You got to be kidding me, lil’ bro!” my brother exclaimed. “What the hay are you doing at the griffin territory anyway?” he asked and stomped his hoof on the table, causing the plates to slightly jumped.
I lowered myself a little as my brother leaned closer to my face. “I… have… something to do there. Something personal.” I answered meekly.
“Don’t tell me you… have ‘do it’ with a griffin.” My father said with a worried expression.
I felt my face heated with embarrassment and quickly straightened myself. “N-no!” I exclaimed. “I-I’m not into griffin anyway.” I said, looking away with my face still flushed.
“Thank Celestia.” My father sighed in relief. “But what ‘personal’ reason that you have to go the griffin territory?” he asked again.
“It’s… personal. I can’t tell you.” I answered slowly.
“Well, if you’re going. I’m going too!” my brother exclaimed and stomped his hoof again on the table.
“No.” I said, giving him a determine look. “You must stay here and keep mom and dad safe. Besides, would you think mom and dad would worry a lot if two of their sons are gone?” I asked him.
He didn’t answer instead he gave me a sad look. “But, why you?” he asked. “You’re an egghead. You couldn’t survive out there for even a day.” He said with a look of a brother that worries for his sibling’s safety.
“I just know that I have to do this.” I answered him, giving a smile. I looked around the table and stopped to look at my mom. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” I said, assuring them that I would be fine by myself.
My mom sniffed and gave a soft yet sad smile. “Of course.” She said. “I know that you will come back when you are done.” She stood up and walked towards me. We stood face to face and then we hugged. “I love you, son. Be safe.” She whispered into my ears. I only nodded slightly. Then, I felt that my dad and brother joined the group hug. At that moment, I felt safe.
~~oo~~
After breakfast, I quickly galloped to my room and gathered all the things I need for the journey. I made a mental checklist and organized the things I will need. I had my traveler’s saddlebags, a tent, a lantern, 2 canteens of water, 3 packs of dried hay bacon, 2 cans of oil, Survival 101 Spells book, a world map, a compass and 500 bits.
I fitted all the things into my saddlebags and proceed downstairs. As I walked out of the house, I saw my family gathered outside with presents in their mouths.
I was surprised and said, “Today is not my birthday.”
“We know.” My mother replied. “But we wanted you to have these.” My dad levitated the presents in front of me.
I was shocked and looked at the presents presented in front of me. “Open them, bro.” my brother chuckled.
First, I opened my brother’s present. It was a hoofball with my brother’s signature on it. I looked up and I saw he was smiling. “It’s a little souvenir from me to you, for something to play with when you are out there.” He said, giving a warm smile. I chuckled and proceed on my dad’s present. When I opened the box, I saw a combat knife inside of it. I gave my father a shocked look and he gave me a soft smile. “I’m not giving you the knife to hurt anypony or anything but… I wanted you to be safe. Use it only for emergencies and protection.” He said as little tear forming in his eye.
I nodded and said, “Yes, father.” With sadness was starting to creep into my heart.
Finally, I opened the last present which was from my mother. As I opened the box, inside it was a picture of the family when I was only a foal, fighting over a ball and there’s also a knitted sweater.
I felt my mother hugged me tightly and whispered, “Please, Quickie. Be safe.” I returned the hug and whispered, “Of course, mom. I promise.” I felt my mother’s tears on my neck and I sobbed quietly into hers.
She broke the embrace and stepped back. Her eyes were red with tears and yet she was still smiling. I returned the smile and packed the presents into my saddlebags. I turned around and headed north into the unknown. Behind me, I heard my family yelling their goodbyes and at that time, I already missed them a lot and I hope after the journey, I would able to see them again.