Cross-Realm Raiding
Chapter Nineteen
The night was long, full of visions about death and flame. Bishi saw the darkspear rebellion, and he saw the elves waging war with the mages of dalaran. He has been gone for a long time for things to devolve as far as they have. His mind was still haunted, however, by the images of his homeland under siege. He half expected it, but not for a while yet longer. Wishing it was a dream, but knowing it was real. He wondered if Fayt knew about it as well, but he doubted it. Bishibosh opened his eyes from his meditation, to find a trey on his bed. The trey held a bowl of ground wheat mixed with water, steam rose from the bowl. There was also a glass of juice beside it. Despite his worries of home, he had to smile at Flutter's kindness.
After finishing the mean left for him, he climbed down the stairs of Flutter's cottage. He half expected her down there, but instead found a note attached to the inside of the door. Pulling it off the door, Bishi read.
Bishi,
Rarity wanted to show off her new magic she learned from you. I guess she has been practicing all night, she said she would meet us on the outskirts of Ponyville near the river. I hope your nightmares didn't leave you too worried to leave the house, Rarity would love to see her teacher's reaction.
P.S. I hope you enjoyed breakfast!
With love, Fluttershy
A smile crept across Bishi's face, but he was still in the shadows of his mind. He figured he would go see how well his student managed, maybe Fayt would show as well. The shaman gathered his gear and trotted out the door, on his way to the river. Still battling the visions from the night before, he fought them back with the idea Rarity made progress with her magic. The shaman also entertained the thought of starting a branch of The Earthen Ring here, but that was a goal for another day. Right now he just wanted to get things off his chest.
Bishibosh trotted into town on his way to the river when a familiar bouncing ball of nightmares and joy came charging at him. He let out a sigh as he knew what was about to happen.
"BISHI!!!! Hi Bishi! How are youuuuu?" Pinkie Pie bounced around the shaman in excitement. "Have you gone to see Rarities new spell yet!? It's Super Duper Spectacular!"
"I'm certain it is Pinkie, but if she is showing off at the river... Why are you here?" Bishibosh shrewdly asked, hoping for the obvious.
"OH! Fluttershy said you had a bad night with nightmares, and you know what I say about nightmares!"
"Actually no... I don't know what you say about nightmares."
"LAUGH! Things always get better when you laugh!" Pinkie smiled really big in Bishi's face. He appreciated her enthusiasm but he could do anything but laugh at the time.
"So, Flutter mentioned my nightmares... Did she say what they were?"
"Well, she might have but I left in a hurry to come cheer you up!"
"Of course you did... Pinkie,"
"Yes? Am I helping? Am I making you smile? Huh huh huh huh?" Pinkie prodded until Bishibosh grunted.
"Yes... see?" The shaman did his best fake smile he could do to appease the ecstatic ball of energy.
"Nope, that is a fake smile. Let me show you!"
Bishi was about to object when he felt Pinkies hooves burst into his jaw and stretch his lips up his face, revealing every tooth he had in a ridiculous smile.
"Just like that!"
"Pinkie! Stop!" They both heard coming from down the road. Applejack was running right at the two of them and had to shove her hooves in the dirt just to stop. "Ah'm sorry there Bishi, she just kinda run oft as Fluttershy was tellin bout your nightmares. I hope she didn't aggravate the tar outa ya."
"Wait, what do you mean aggravate? I was only trying to get him to sm -Eep!" Pinkie's voice was cut out by a hoof in her mouth from Applejack, who turned her around and began mumbling to her so Bishi couldn't here. He knew exactly what was being said however as he watched Pinkie's bright smile sink into a concerned frown. She turned her head back to Bishi and knelt her head down.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."
"It's fine Pinkie, you just wanted to help." At this the pink pony's smile crept back into place as she shot a hug at the shaman.
"Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Now I don't feel all down and dumpy!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she shot off in the direction Applejack came from.
"Thanks A.J. But it wasn't necessary."
"Ah horse hockey, Ah just wanted to be sure Pinkie didn't piss ya off any." Applejack smiled.
"It's fine, really."
"Do ya wanna talk about it?"
"Well... I guess I can a little bit."
Applejack lead Bishi to the river while he confided his vision to her. The images that overflowed Applejacks mind mortified and scared her, but she remained a strong outlook if only to keep the shaman talking.
"You're whole kin? As in... All of em?" Applejack asked with concern.
"Yes... betrayed by the very race we were allied to..." Bishibosh coldly stated.
"And you're sure this was some vision? Not just ah scary dream or somthin?"
"Certain, visions are not mistakable."
"Well... Ah'm sorry partner, Ah don;t quite know what to tell ya."
"It's fine, I guess I should be happy they were killed rather than enslaved..."
"Now don't go sayin things like that. How do ya know they all been killed? Some may even have escaped."
"But where would they go? To the alliance? The Grimtotem? I wouldn't put it passed Garrosh to have the Taunka killed as well!" Bishibosh sighed at his outburst. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten mad. Go on ahead, I need to stop and think a while yet."
"Take yer time sugar, Ah'll go tell the others. But don't go takin too long now, Rarity has been talkin bout showin her new spells to you all mornin. Maybe seein how well she pulled it off will cheer you up some."
"Yeah... I won't be long."