//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: A Raider's Adventure // by Aruzo Night //------------------------------// We stepped out of the medical tent, and the General immediately barked out the command to his soldiers to load everything back on the carts. The soldiers quickly obeyed, and began to bring down tents and carry supply bags to the entrance of the encampment. Within a matter of minutes, the General's troops loaded everything into the carts, then stood at attention at the encampment exit, awaiting the General's next order. The soldiers left nothing behind except the piles of smoldering ashes, torn tents, and the toppled pillars of a ruined campsite for the for the elements to erase. "We’re set to leave, Sir." A soldier reported to the General, as the last bags were being loaded into a cart. "Great, all we need now is for you to guide us to the Temple and back home," the General told me, as we walked to the lead of the column. "After doing so, you’re free to go." “Sure thing.” I still doubted him, but beggars can’t be choosers. It was settled. If I guided them to the Temple, and possibly Ahuizotl, I would regain my freedom. The General and I shook hooves, forming a temporary alliance with separate goals. Them: stop Ahuizotl and save the world. Me: protect the ones I love and save the orphanage. Even with our carefully laid plans, we had little time, but if everypony worked diligently and stayed focused on their assigned task we would be able to reach our destination... Or so said the General in his inspiring speech to his troops, but it didn’t matter what he said, it wouldn’t change the fact that we only had a few precious grains of sand left in the hourglass. Although we had made peace, Daring still didn’t trust me, but having no other options, she had to accept our alliance. No matter what I said or did, I knew Daring didn’t trust me. In fact, she even suggested that I be cuffed throughout the whole venture, but the General and Doc rejected that idea. I had a feeling there would be bad blood between us. On the other hoof, Doc had full confidence in me. After witnessing my true colors, he saw me in a more positive light. He thanked me for saving his life and Daring’s, even though I had the chance to walk away. He apologized for calling me a "scoundrel" when I was unconscious. I kept a calm face while he admitted this, but inside I was overwhelmed with glee knowing that somepony here actually trusted me. The General may have said the same, but there’s a noticeable difference when one means it and when one doesn't. "Okay, all I need is the map I had with me when I was arrested," I responded, stretching my hoof over to Daring. Daring shrugged, "What? I don't have your map. All you had was your shemagh, the duster, and gauntlet. That’s all." "What! No! I did have a map on me! It was like the size of a freakin’ bedsheet! How could you miss it!?" I asked frantically, while patting myself down to see if I had the map in my duster's pockets. "Trust me, if you had a paper mache bed cover on you, we would have found it," she joked, but this wasn't a laughing matter. "Try to remember the last time you saw it." Doc suggested. Taking his advice I closed my eyes and unconsciously stuck my tongue out from the corner of my mouth. "I remember sitting in the back of the supply cart. We were still at the inn, and I opened it to see how long it would take to reach the encampment. So it must still be there!" I exclaimed, looking around for the cart. "Bad news then," Doc said, taking a glance at a pile of charred wood planks. "If it was in the supply cart like you said then there’s only two possible things that could have happened to it. It was either torched or stolen. Ahuizotl came with the intent of stealing anything useful or burning it so nopony could use it." My thousand year old map, gone. Everything I had to do to get my hooves on such a rare map, all the begging, borrowing, and stealing, all my efforts went up in smoke or worse. So much of my time and effort, gone in mere seconds. Thinking of all my hard work gone to waste, I fell to my knees in tears. "That's alright. We don't need that map," Daring assured us. "If he truly knows where the temple is, he can still get us there, with or without the map. That is, if he's not lying." "I can still take you there," I answered through clenched teeth, trying not to get mad at her accusation. "But without the map, it will be more dangerous, because we won't know where the gorge opening is." This couldn't get any worse. SCREECH! We all turned our heads to the origin of the cry, emitting from far above us. It was a falcon, with a long red ribbon flowing behind him, circling above us. The General drew a hoof to his lips and whistled to the falcon. The falcon quickly dove into a wicked nosedive and centered his aim at the General, who extended his foreleg for its landing. Only a split second before reaching the General’s forearm did it recover for a soft, delicate, regal landing. The falcon unraveled the long red ribbon tied to the heel of his foot to release the small scroll intertwined within the knot. Catching the scroll with it's beak, the falcon presented it to the General, with a bow!? "It's an urgent message from our lord," The General announced, so that all his troops could hear. "What does it say," Doc asked, leaning forward to get even the slightest glimpse of the letter. The General’s eyes scanned the urgent message. His expression grew more worrisome the more he read. The General let out a sigh when he finished and faced his troops to address them. "General?" Daring asked with concern. "Our Lord has given the order that we return to the city with haste!" He declared. "WHAT!" the word echoed throughout the massive crowd. "Yes! As you heard, our Lord wants us to return back to the city. He’s aware of Ahuizotl's presence and his mercenaries running around within the city walls. He orders that we stay and protect the city at all cost, for he fears that Ahuizotl might attack the city and his citizens." He paused for a brief moment to allow his soldiers to mull over the decision. "He also requested for you personally, Doc,” the general took a deep breath, then continued, ”So that you may return with us and inform Equestria about this dilemma, so that we can send for help. He wrote, 'We will needed it.'", The general turned around to address Daring, "Daring, he wishes for you to pursue Ahuizotl," he said, directing his attention to her. "He knows of your previous victories against Ahuizotl and his forces. He wishes you the best of luck. That is all...." We stayed quiet for a moment, as we all took in the abrupt change in our plans. "Well, you heard it soldiers. We have a new course. Back to the city, ASAP," the General shouted, breaking the silence and releasing the falcon to inform our lord of his return. "Doc, I want you to ride along side with me on the front of the march. We need to speak of important matters. You! Private! Unloaded two fully equipped saddle bags, pronto!” the General command, staring into the direction to where the city lay. "General, what are you doing?" Daring asked as if the answer wasn’t obvious. "Change of plans," he answered, gesturing us closer so we huddled in. "Doc and I are returning to the city," he explained, "While you and your partner go after Ahuizotl." "Partner?" Daring asked, raising an eyebrow. "Him," The General answered, pointing to me. This can't be happening. "What!? Partner!? Him? Why!?" she complained. "Because he’s the only one that knows where the temple is, that's why." Doc answered for the General, who was too busy getting the pair of saddlebags from his minion. "Doc, I know somepony better for a partner. One with a lot more experience in the field. Let me just call HQ to send him over," Daring tried bargaining. "Daring, there’s no time and he’s our only hope to reach Ahuizotl, trust me. Have some faith in him," Doc assured, but Daring just shook her head. "But Doc, I don't trust him. What if he tries to kill me... or worse!" she exclaimed. "First of all, I’m a raider and nothing more. Second, I will never stoop that low. Finally, don't flatter yourself," I remarked, taking a step back to look at her plot. Doc rolled his eyes at Daring’s assumptions and my retort. Doc, stood over us, like a father watching two bickering siblings. "Daring, that’s not going to happen because our agreement won't work. So, I'm changing it back to our old one," the General said. "Which one?" I asked, trying to remember our previous agreements. "I guarantee that I'll stay true to my word. Since I won't be there to make sure that you help us, we’re going to use our old deal," He explained. I simply shrugged as a response. I didn’t know which one he was talking about. "It's your co-operation and Daring's judgement that will determine your fate. Prison or freedom. So you better bring Daring back safe and sound. Got it? She’s your ticket to freedom. Same rules apply," He reminded me. Oh, that one. I hate that one. I thought to myself. "What if she dies because of her own stupidity?" I asked. I could feel Daring's menacing stare drilling into the side of my skull. "Then you’d better keep a close eye on her. Now here," he answered, tossing us each our saddlebag. "Best of luck to you." “What about giving us some reinforcements. At least a soldier or two wouldn’t hurt, right?” Daring implored. “Sorry Daring, but my hooves are tied. I can’t disobey our Lord,” The General said. ”Doc, you should probably say goodbye. I’ll give you a few minutes.” Doc nodded as he brought Daring in for a hug. “Daring, please be careful out there. I don’t want to lose you again, you hear me?” Doc tightened his hug as a tear trickled down his face. “Don’t worry, Doc. I’ll back before you know it, I promise. Maybe then we can travel and see the world in peace, or you can help me with my novels back home. We haven’t done that in a while. How does that sound?” Daring promised with a smile, wrapping her forearms around him to close the embrace. “Sounds like a brilliant idea, kiddo.” Doc let go of Daring and walked up to me, “Can I ask for another favor from you?” “I’m listening,” I responded. “Bring her back to me, safe. That all I’m asking. I don’t want to lose my only family. I’ll pay you anything, but just bring her back safe,” he plead. For a moment I remembered the agony and suffering that burned deep within my soul when I witness the death of Sapphire in that horrid dream. For him to experience such pain would surely kill him. “Sure thing, Doc. I’ll bring her back. Free of charge,” I joked, crossing my heart. “I promise.” “Doc, we must go,” the General said. “Right, we must hurry. We have our task and you have yours,” Doc said, as he began to follow the General, who commanded his troops to start marching back towards the city. Daring waved goodbye to Doc and then turned around to issue me her own set of commands. “Hey, come on, lead the way. Also, grab my bag; I don’t want the strap to hurt my wing.” “Sure, we got quite some distance to cover before we reach the Forbidden Sands. Do you think you can keep up?” I asked her, as I grabbed both our bags. “Hmmp, funny. Do you think you can stay ahead of me?” she mocked. “Lets find out.” Our hooves kicked up a dusty cloud of sand as we began our journey into the deeper, unexplored, and deadliest regions of the Sea of Scorpio, with the hope of catching Ahuizotl before he could accomplish his evil plans. We're unsure of what we'll come to face ahead on our journey, but one thing was for certain; no adventure is complete without its dangers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------