Daring-Do and the Griffon's Goblet

by Sebbaa

Chapter 3

Bulwark stared with paralyzed gaze as he walked down the gangplank, and set his first hoof onto the harbor of Maredria. Daring was already waiting for him, beaming in excitement.

“First time in Maredria?” she asked. The colt just nodded.

“First time outside of Equestria?” she pressed on and he nodded again. She chuckled and took him under her wing. “Oh, you will love it! This is a great place. It's the main trading hub of the Zebarkian Sea, a melting pot of cultures,” she started to explain as she led him down the pier, leaving the paddle-wheeler, that had brought them, behind, and entering the busy streets of the ancient city. The scenery was dominated by white-chalked, flat-roofed houses. The narrow streets winded among them and rose higher step by step, as they got further away from the ocean.

The sun had just sunk to the horizon and, as it became cooler, the city started bustling with life. Sales-stands lining the streets with merchants praising their wares, yelling over the crowd in half a dozen different tongues, only one of which he understood. Ponies, zebras, camels, the occasional griffon and some species he had not even heard about crowded the streets. He had to strain his neck when he tried to look up to the face of a large spotted mare that had legs and a neck longer than he was, adorned with dozens of gold rings all the way from horned head to shoulder.

Bulwark didn't get a pause from gaping at all the exotic sights. The air was heavy with the smell of spices and food, sweat and dirt. He found it hard to breath and was grateful for every gust of cool air coming up from the ocean, bringing with it the smell of salt and fish.

Daring breathed it all in like a dry sponge soaked up water. She stopped at different stands and brought them fried rice balls, richly spiced with a flavor like firework in the mouth. Then she got some sweet, and fruity tea the likes of which Bulwark had never tasted before and some slices of watermelon more sweet and juicy than any he had eaten back home. He was amazed at how she communicated with the locals. The adventuring mare seemed familiar with each and every language to some extent, and what she didn't know, she communicated with wild gesturing of hooves and wings.

Bulwark walked instinctively closer to her, pressing himself involuntary against her flank. When he noticed, he jumped and put a pony's distance between them, blushing and deliberately not looking at her. She chuckled when she noticed, remembering her first time visiting the city. She stuck glued to the father's side for almost two days before she warmed up to the strange new world. She was sure the colt would come around much sooner, she intended to make certain of that. The thought made her grin in mischief.

He cleared his throat. “So where are we headed?” he asked.

“First we go to the Cavern Market. It's the best place to get some equipment, as well as directions, and advice on current events,” she answered.

He raised an eyebrow. “Equipment?”

She nodded. “Of course. You can get the most useful stuff from the locals. Tried and improved over hundreds of years. You can get it much cheaper than back in Canterlot too! And of course you don't have to carry two bulging saddlebags with you the whole trip,” she explained and gave him an amused smile as she glanced at the two brown bags he had strapped on his back.

He let his ears and head sink and stubbornly looked in front of him. “It's standard military issue,” he mumbled, sulking. The comment made her wonder.

“You have said that before. You are not in the Royal Equestrian Army are you? You look kinda young to be a soldier,” she asked, and inched closer.

He shook his head. “Technically I'm of age to join, but I wanted to finish school first. And then this came up,” he explained.

She raised an eyebrow. “So why are you bringing all that gear, steel horseshoes and all?”

He shrugged. “Thought I might as well get used to this stuff,” he said dryly.

She inched even closer, and examined his face. “You don't seem too be to enthusiastic about it,” she mentioned.

He shrugged and went silent for a second, only answering when he noticed she hadn't stopped staring at him. “I don't know, maybe I'm not.”

She frowned. “Then why do you want to join?”

He rolled his eyes and pointed to his flank. “Fighting cutie mark, duh! What else am I gonna do? Become a mobster like that sledgehammer guy?”

“No! Of course not!” she replied sharply. “But you could become a professional fighting sports pony, or a bodyguard, a freelancer, or something!” she offered.

He shook his head. “Mercenaries are not exactly respected ponies, and bodyguards always have to keep a straight face while watching some stuck-up, rich ponies having cocktail parties.” He shrugged. “I have done that whole fighting sports thing. Learned karate, judo, bucking, and so on. I was pretty good at it too, a natural you could say. Even took part in some tournaments!” he explained.

“Won any?”

He shook his head. “Not one! Just didn't care if I lost or won, so I didn't.”

She raised an eyebrow. “But you like fighting don't you?!”

He sighed. “I dunno.”

Daring stopped in her tracks. “How can you not know? You have a cutie mark!” she exclaimed, baffled.

He too stopped and turned to face her. He took a deep breath. “My first real fight was when I got my cutie mark. One of my friends was picked on in school by three bullies. I stepped between him and them and soon the hooves were flying. They were so sure of themselves, older and bigger than I was, outnumbering me three to one.” A fierce sneer crept on his face. “I gave them a thrashing they never forgot. I didn't know what I was doing at that time and got bruised and black-eyed, but at the end I was the last pony standing.” His smile made place for a painful frown. “But fighting in school is not exactly encouraged. I got all the blame, and sat through more social service and detention than I could keep track of. Luckily my mother understood, and let me go to all those fighting schools and tournaments, but that never sparked the same fire in me. The next real fight I got in was when you and I were cornered in that Canterlot alley.”

Daring looked at him for a while contemplating his story. “If you are fighting for nothing, everything will defeat you,” she finally mused. She started to walk on. The colt stared at her for a few more moments, before he hurried and fell in step with her. “A wise pony told me that when I ventured across the Roof of the World. I never understood what he meant by it. But I think I understand now!” she explained, staring off into the distance. He considered those words for long moments, and then finally agreed with a single nod.

It was late at night when they came to a tavern near the Cavern Market. Even at this hour the streets were still crowded, but the general business had made way for merrymaking. Bulwark stopped in front of the entrance, eying it in wonder. “This is where you want to stay the night? It’s kind of rustic isn’t it?”

Daring looked back at him in excitement. “This Tavern is a favorite among caravan traders and seaponies alike. You can socialize with the most interesting travelers here, listen to their stories from all across the known world and sometimes beyond. Drinks are good and cheap too!” she explained, her eyes shining. She tucked him under her wing and led on. “Come on! Every good adventure leads to a tavern at some point!”

After briefly securing two rooms and stashing their luggage, they entered the tavern’s inner courtyard where long tables stood between palm trees, from which hung colorful lanterns, illuminating the scene in a dozen different lights. It was packed, and the colt thought it impossible to find a place to sit. Daring was undeterred, she led him to the end of a table further back where two patrons lay with their faces in puddles of their own drinks spilled on the table, snoring loudly. She pushed them off the table nonchalantly, and took a seat herself. Bulwark stared at her in wonder. She grinned and offered the seat opposite of her with a hoof. He observed how the two locals tried to gain their legs but only managed to drag themselves behind a palm before they fell unconscious again. He shrugged and followed Daring’s lead.

“So what do you want to drink? Tab's on me!” exclaimed Daring, patting her chest.

He shook his head undecided. “Dunno. Whatever you are having,” he replied.

She leaned over the table, a challenging smile on her face. “Oh? You sure? I don’t do my tavern adventures with foal’s drinks.”

With a heavy clop he put his hoof on the table and too leaned forward until he almost touched her snout. “I'll have you know I’m a big stallion. Bring on your feather-weak drinks!” he exclaimed, baring his teeth, the lights reflecting like fire burning in his eyes. Daring’s grin only went wider. For a moment they just stared at each other, finally she wheeled around and waved her hooves and wings wildly.

“Oi bar maiden!” she yelled, gaining the attention of a light blue pegasus mare that wriggled her way through the crowd, balancing loaded trays on both of her wings. “Two sambucka and a large jug of berry punch to wash it down!”

After receiving their drinks they squared of, the burning shots on the table between them. Daring was still sporting her trademark smile while Bulwark's expression was dead serious. They stared into the other's eyes like gunslingers at high noon, waiting for some unknown sign to signal the beginning of their fast draw. When the ice cubes in their jug of punch shifted, clinking against each other, they both sprang into action, blowing out the flames on their drinks and throwing them back as fast as a cobra strikes it's prey. They sat down their glasses with a clank at almost the same time. Bulwark licked his lips smiling. The adventuress nodded approving. “No coughing, no burning your mouth, I’m impressed!” she admitted.

He chuckled and poured them both a mug of sangria. “Ha, you’re too late to ridicule me with drinking. My stupid friends made sure to try every joke they could think of at my own birthday party. Woke up the next day with some stallion, I had never seen before, in the bathtub, lipstick on my neck, and my face smeared on with a pen.” He shook his head and smiled awkwardly at the memory, then took his mug in his teeth and raised it for a toast. “To stupid friends, life would be boring without them!”

She happily raised her cup to agree. “I’ll drink to that. Cheers!”

When she had finished the mug she turned around and leaned her back against the table. She scanned the crowd like an eagle looking for its prey. There was no shortage of travelers drawing her interest. A large, red-maned, blue earth pony was arm wrestling with a scarred, one-eyed griffon and the mare was winning. A crowd of devious stallions of different species had gathered round a half-lighted table playing cards, their eyes darting from opponent to opponent rather than looking at the cards, their body’s tense and ready to burst into violent action at any moment. Two antelope mares lay on silken pillows, sharing a shisha leisurely. Their slim, wiry bodies and shining coats attracted attention from almost every stallion and from a few mares as well.

When Daring tore her eyes away from their well-formed flanks, she noticed him. A dark feathered griffon was looking at her, hunger in his eyes. She briefly wondered in which way he fantasized devouring her. The thought sent shivers down her spine. She looked at him for a few moments, sporting a sultry pout, and made sure he noticed; but for now she turned around, facing her companion again. The alcohol began to show effect on Bulwark, his cheeks were slightly flushed. But he was holding a staring contest with his drink, resting his head on his hooves. She tilted her head slightly and tried to look him in the eyes. “You trying to find wisdom in your wine Bulwark? Are you alright?” she asked concerned.

He blinked, looked up and just stared for a few seconds before he managed to answer. “I’m okay, really. I just want this whole adventure affair to be over with!” he stated shaking his head.

She raised an eyebrow and shot him an angry frown. “Why? You don’t like adventure?” she asked as if it were a medical condition.

He sighed and shook his head again, then shrugged. “Look, this is kind of hard to explain.”

She sat on her haunches and crossed her forelegs. “Try me,” she said, scowling. “I’m good at impossible puzzles.”

He stared at her angry face for a few seconds before he gave in and gathered himself. He poured both of them more punch before he started. “As you know, my father was an adventurer. He spent more time in places I couldn’t even pronounce than at home with mom and me. As far as I’m concerned it could as well have only been the two of us. And then on his last trip he just vanishes. Nopony ever knew what happened to him. Now I’m sure that he is dead, but mom never got over it. She still sits at the window every night and hopes for his return, she just can’t move on. It's eating her from the inside, making her sick. When I got my father's diary I decided to go onto this trip to find out what happened to him, to get some closure, not for me, but for her.”

There was silence between them for several long moments. He took another sip from his drink when she finally spoke up. “But you are not leaving mares and foals of your own behind are you?” she asked and pointed a hoof at him. He choked on his drink, spit all over the table and started to cough violently. He hit his chest with his hoof and eventually managed to clear his lungs.

“No! Of course not!” he protested, startled. “What brought that on?”

Daring sported her trademark smile, and leaned closer. “So you have no reason to feel that you deserted anypony. No reason to decline yourself some fun. Or are you a party-pooper on top of an adventure-spoiler?” she inquired.

He stomped his hoof on the table, making the mugs shake. “I like to party as much as anypony. In fact I party more and harder. My middle name is party!” he protested heatedly and threw back his drink with a vengeance.

“Good, good, that’s what I wanted to hear!” she said, rubbing her hooves. She leaned over the table and beckoned him to come closer. When he did she spoke with a lowered voice, almost a whisper. “You see those two mares behind you? They have been checking out your flank since we got here.” His eyes widened for a second, he quickly looked over his shoulder, and true enough there were two young mares, smiling and waving at him, a slight blush blossoming on their cheeks when they saw him looking at them. He waved back sheepishly and turned back to Daring.

“They are zebras!” he hissed.

Daring grinned. “They are twins!” she exclaimed. “And besides, that’s part of the adventure! Now go get 'em tiger!” she ordered, turning him around with her hoof and shoving him in the direction of the mares. When he still hesitated to walk over, she jumped over the table with a flap of her wings, spun in midair and gave him a cracking slap with her tail, whipping him across his buttocks. He jumped up in surprise, stumbled a few steps forward and almost fell at the hooves of the zebra twins.

He composed himself quickly and found himself standing face to face with the exotic beauties. He blushed. “Hi!” he said, smiling sheepishly. “Would, eh, would you ladies care for a drink?”

The adventuress watched for a few moments as her plan unfolded until the three of them headed for the bar. She smiled, satisfied, and emptied the last of the berry punch in one go. She licked her lips as she turned around again, ready to get socializing herself. She found the griffon who was still looking at her from time to time, not even trying to hide the desire in his eyes. She made sure her hat still sat right, and got to her hooves. “Alright Daring, time for another adventure!” she mumbled to herself and trotted over to her prey, her wings extended, her stride of floating grace.

“You sure this is her room?” hissed Loaded Dice between clenched teeth. His subordinate cringed and nodded.
“I checked the register. This is it!” he answered and let out the breath he was holding when Dice shifted his attention to the door.

“Right then. Gentlecolts, you know the plan!” whispered the unicorn and stepped to the left side of the door. At once his hired muscles sprang into action. With a quick buck one of them broke open the door and they rushed into the room. One went straight for the window, one stayed at the door, and the rest jumped onto the bed. A brief struggle ensued until Dice came into the room and cast a lighting spell. He briefly scanned the room, and then his gaze settled on his unfortunate henchmen. “I thought you checked the register? Where is she?” he yelled, his face red, his eyes bulging with rage. The small earth pony he addressed cowered on the floor shaking, hooves flung over his head.

“She should be here! Her luggage is here after all. I don't know what went wrong!”

Loaded Dice smacked him across the head for good measure, before he turned around to address all of his ponies. “Go on then, search the tavern. Break the place down if you have to, I want Daring-Do!” They hurried to execute his order immediately, leaving him alone in the room. He let out a sigh. “To work with professionals, just once. Is that too much to ask?” As he shook his head, his eyes fell on Daring's luggage, and he began rummaging through her possessions. “Well I won't be the one to tell the boss. Leave that to somepony expendable,” he murmured to himself as he flung the various bits of clothing and tools around with his magic, scattering them across the room.

Daring woke with a start when she heard a loud crashing from outside of the room she was in, followed by hooves clattering, and finally somepony shouting in anger. “Well, I'm sure popular tonight!” she mused as she jumped out of the bed, the sudden movement making her wince. She looked down on herself, to find that her shirt of many pockets was no more than tangled rags, her feathers disheveled and her body sporting several bite and claw-marks, some of which had drawn blood that had by now dried up. She shook her head, and smiled to herself when she remembered how she got these. She turned to what remained of the bed and, entangled in the pieces, the griffon who was still out cold. He looked just as bad as her, if not worse, lying in an awkward position, his tongue hanging out. She walked over to him, planted a soft kiss on his cheek and retrieved her pith-helmet from the rubble. She took a few steps back, flung it on her head and saluted him with her hoof, then jumped through the open window into the cool night air.

Flapping her wings as quietly as she could, she hovered outside and flew from window to window, and finally glided though one of them. The room was only dimly lit by moonlight, which shone through the open window, and she could only make out contours. But it was easy enough to recognize Bulwark's ever-bulging saddlebags, so it was a safe bet that the pony, that lay with his upper body sprawled on the bed, while his hindquarters rested on the floor, was the young stallion himself. He was snoring loudly while drooling on the blanket. She smiled and shook her head in amusement. “Still a lightweight!” she mused, when loud shouts and crashing from outside reminded her to hurry. She quickly shook the colt by his shoulder with her hoof. “Oi Bulwark! Wake up!”

He brushed her hoof away without waking. “Just five more minutes mom!” he mumbled and rolled to his other side. Daring shot him an annoyed glance, then grabbed his tail in her teeth and yanked him off the bed. When his head made contact with the wooden floor with a thud, he finally woke up.

“Ow, my head!” he complained as he sat up on his haunches. He blinked and looked aimlessly around the room, his eyes finally focused on the mare. “Daring? Is that you?”

“We got unwelcome guests. Get your things, then we'll wing it!” she hissed.

The colt gained his legs and headed for the door, swaying from side to side. “Hay! I feel sick. I'm going for the bathroom!” he murmured. Just as he reached for the doorknob, the door burst open with a crash, hitting him in the face, and swatting him to the side, where he slouched to the ground.

A dark brown earth pony jumped into the room and bared his teeth. “Ha! There you are Daring-Do! Make this easy on yourself and surrender quietly.”

Daring stared at him, her mouth hanging open, then looked behind him, then at him again. He took one step closer towards her and her eyes went wide. She lowered her head and tucked her ears in, looking behind him again. “Oh, what have you done? Get out of here. Fast!” she pleaded and threw herself to the ground.

“Pha! As if I’d fall for that. That is the oldest trick in the . . .” he was bucked in the haunches before he could finish. He flew through the window, and then vanished with a surprised scream. In his place stood Bulwark, now fully awake and huffing in rage. Traces of blood ran from his nose and down his snout. As he licked it clean his eyes went big and his pupils tiny. Daring involuntarily took a few steps away from him. He turned for the door. More clattering of hooves and crashing could be heard from the hall.

“Excuse me for a second!” he growled and stomped out of the room.

Loaded Dice had finished going through Daring's possessions for the second time and started to tear the bed's mattress apart with his telekinesis. It was more a way of shedding frustration than anything. He was interrupted when one of his henchmen came flying through the door- the same earth pony who had directed them to this room. He hit the far wall and slumped to the ground. Through the door stepped a ruffled colt, his piercing eyes shining in the moonlight. He stared down Dice as he walked into the room. “You're the leader of this sorry lot? Hoped to catch us asleep, didn't you!” he grumbled.

Dice turned to face him. He took out a hoofkerchief of his suit's pocket with his magic and began cleaning his monocle. “You must be Bulwark. I see you are just as formidable as the reports told. I hope my ponies gave you at least some trouble?”

“Oh, just enough to give me a warm up!” replied the colt and stepped towards the unicorn. “Still got much bucking left for you, don't you worry.”

“I think not,” replied Loaded dryly as he replaced his monocle. Just as the fighting pony launched himself at the unicorn, Dice caught him with his magic and held him in midair. Bulwark struggled violently against the magic bounds, but to no avail. He soon let his limbs hang and stared at the caster with an annoyed frown.

“Should have known you are a cheating spell-ball!” he spat.

“All is fair in love and war!” replied Loaded Dice with a haughty smile.

“So what now?” asked the young stallion. “Will you starve me to death?”

The unicorn snorted and flung the colt against the wall with his magic. He hit it with a crash, and the wall's plaster trickled to the ground as the caster levitated the earth pony in front of himself again.

“Or bore me to death?”

Dice smashed him against the ceiling and the floor. Bulwark curled himself up into a ball, trying to absorb the impact. He spat out blood, when floated again in midair, though.

“You hit like a filly.”

The unicorn growled angrily, his horn flashed bright and he hurled the earth pony through the room. Dice smashed the young stallion against walls, furniture, and floor, destroying most of it and leaving bloody marks in the process. The room looked like a battlefield and he was breathing heavily by the time he was done. Bulwark hung limply in midair, and could see the other stallion double. He shook his head to clear it. He coughed and spat out more blood as he was hit by a fit of laughter.

“What are you laughing about?” yelled Dice as he levitated him closer to his raging red face.

The colt caught his breath and shot him a weak smile. “Oh nothing. I was just trying to buy some time for her to get a free shot.”

Loaded's eyes went wide. He let go of the pony and turned around, but he was too late. Daring dashed through the window, tackled him right in the chest and pushed him against the wall. The breath was driven from his lungs by the impact, and he saw stars. He gathered his magic, his horn began glowing with another spell, but Daring smashed her hoof on his temple before he could finish casting it. The vicious blow knocked him out cold. Do let out a relieved sigh and turned to face Bulwark, readjusting her hat. “You okay?” she asked, concerned.

“I think nothing's broken!” he replied as he gained his legs. His spine cracked as he curved his back and stretched his limbs.

Daring hoped he was not just putting on a brave face, trying to impress her. “Get your bags. We have to get out of here before more of them arrive, or the local authorities!” she told him, and started repacking her equipment.

She was just finished when her companion came back from his room. “I think the guards are already downstairs. We have to leave through the window,” he said. She nodded and headed to exit the room. Just as she climbed through the frame however, somepony grabbed her leg.

“Please!” a bruised earth pony pleaded. “He will kill me if we come away empty-hoofed. I have foals! Please!”

Daring held in her step. She looked down at the stallion, then shot a glance over to Bulwark, who just shrugged. She helped the beaten pony to a sitting position, trying to comfort him. “Who is going to kill you? Loaded Dice? He may be a cheap, cheating trickster but he would never step as low as murder!”

He shook his head. “Not him. The president. The leader of the Equestrian Patriots. They are holding my family hostage, please!”

“Equestrian Patriots? You ever heard that name?” asked Bulwark. Daring shook her head and turned back to the injured pony.

“I can't let myself get captured,” she told him and he let his head sink. “But,” she continued and he looked up again, hope shining in his eyes. “I can give you this.” She reached into her shirt with her snout and pulled forth the map she had copied from the Stone Head, then dropped it into his hooves. Miraculously, it was not ripped and torn like the rest of her shirt. He looked at it in disbelief. “You came for this anyway, right?” asked Daring and the stallion just nodded.

“You saved my life! Thank you!” he stammered. She shot him a quick smile, saluted and jumped through the window. Bulwark followed suit. “Thank you, thank you, oh Celestia thank you!” echoed from behind them as they vanished, galloping into the streets of Maredria.

“You just gave him the map!” exclaimed the colt in disbelief. The mare laughed at his outburst and stopped in the light of a streetlamp.

“That pony needed the map more than we do. He wasn't lying you know. I could see the desperation in his eyes. Whoever this president guy is, he is serious bad news. I on the other hoof can remember any map I have seen perfectly fine! And besides,” she pulled another paper from her shirt, “the map won't do them any good without this!” She unrolled a second part of the map, the one with all the strange writing on it.

“You split the map!” he exclaimed in wonder. Then a grin spread on his face. “You are brilliant!”

“Oh, I know!” she replied as she replaced the scroll. “Now, if you don't mind, let's wing it. We may still be able to get there before them!” she said, as she got ready to trot on. He nodded, but suddenly noticed something he didn't know anypony could miss.

“Wow! What happened to you? You got into a fight with a predator?” he called out. She had just enough time to turn around again before he headed back to the tavern. “Oh, it is on! Nopony hurts my friends!” She quickly grabbed him by the tail with her teeth and stopped him in his tracks.

“There was no fighting with any predator!” she mumbled. She spat out his tail as he turned to face her again, one of his eyebrows raised. “I was shagging with a predator. Same marks, yet totally different.” she explained nonchalantly. His jaw dropped.

“What? Shagging whom? Oh no, say nothing, I don't even want to know.”

Daring giggled at his discomfort and set off to leave the city, he soon caught up with her and trotted by her side. “While we're talking about mating. How did it go with those twins?” she asked with the most innocent smile.