//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10- Across the River 
// Story: The History of the Alicorn Amulet 
// by Old Ben Kenobi 
//------------------------------//

The blue river flowed lazily northwards. On either side of the bank, tall reeds obscured the wide, green marshes.
A small raft lazily drifted across the river. There were three ponies on it; a pink one, a brown one and a white one.
The brown pony, Bragoon, was obviously the one in charge of the ship. With a simple flick of his head, he could change the direction the boat travelled in.
"That's quite an interesting piece of earth pony magic," remarked Starswirl, the white pony.
"It's how I got my cutie mark," said Bragoon, " I was on my raft as a colt, when I felt that I had a special kind of connection with it. So I tilted my head, and the boat moved with it. I've been on the water ever since."
The pink pony, Moonswift, was at the back of the boat, staring at her reflection in the water. Who am I? She wondered. Am I really the pony of the land, or am I the Kelpie in the water?
"What's up, missie?" Asked Bragoon, snapping Moonswift out of her trance.
"Oh, nothing, nothing," replied Moonswift "Just...remembering."
"Remembering what?" Pressed on Bragoon.
"Times when I used to live under those waves. Of course, I was another pony...back then."
"Are you familiar with the legends of the Kelpies?" Asked Bragoon.
"You know of our race?" Said Moonswift in surprise.
"Your race?" Said Bragoon. "Oh,I have knowledge of your race."
"What kind of knowledge could you have of our race?" Moonswift asked " We were always a very secluded kind of pony, even before the days we were thought to be extinct." 
"Not always," Said Bragoon, with a trace of biterness in his voice. "Do you know the reason I am forced to live like this? A homeless vagabond? My family was not always like this. Long ago, we were the crafters of fine ships, ships of such finesse that my ancestors could even withstand the powerful waves of the legendary sea serpents. But one day, when my ancestors were resting in our harbour, they were attacked. The seas started to froth up, and suddenly, thousands of creatures charged out. Being a peaceful group, they could not fight back. Most of my kind were wiped out, but a few managed to escape and raise the alarm to the princesses. The came and managed to wipe out the Kelpie army, driving them back to the foul seas from where they came. But it was too late for the shipwrights; they were stripped of their wealth and their livelihoods. All because of the Kelpies."

"I...I'm sorry," Said Moonswift, with genuine feeling. " I never heard the story of my race like that. My family always told me it was the princesses who overthrew the kelpies, and that we had to take our revenge. There was alwys a little voice in m head that told me otherwise. Your story makes a lot more sense to me. "
"You mentioned your family," said Bragoon, with a hint of fear. "How many of you are left?"
"Only me," she replied, with a hint of sadness. "My mother died when I was very young, and my sisters...passed away recently." She paused for a moment. "Although, I suppose my race is extinct now. Since I removed my bridle, I'm no longer a Kelpie."
"You're not a Kelpie anymore?" Said Bragoon in awe. "Changing who you are; that'd take guts, missie. At first I thought you might be a spy, but I found it odd you could stay on land for so long. But if what you say is true, as far as I'm concerned, you're a true pony. Try an' forget about your past; I know it always worked for me."
"Thank you, Bragoon," replied Moonswift "You've made me feel a lot more welcome amongst the ponies of the land."

Night swept across the land like a cold northen wind. Starswirl and Moonswift lay in slumber across the boat, as Bragoon steered ever closer to the waterfall in the distance. What his tired eyes didn't catch, however, was the second-long pale glow eminating from the waterfall, nor the growl that caused a small avalanche on the side of the hills, but even he felt a slight rumble which sent a shiver down his spine.