The Equine Scrolls: SkyFiM

by FireOfTheNorth

Chapter 9: Alliances

After the massacre at Caprika Redoubt I fled into the mountains and the forests of the brutal and unforgiving Karth. When I finally came to my senses, I found I was hopelessly lost. But, what did it matter? How could I return to society knowing what I’d done?

So, I wandered aimlessly through the forest. Twice I spotted deer in the distance, but I couldn’t bring myself to even try to kill them. I had enough blood on my hooves. Eventually, I found myself staring at an imposing cliff face.

Sheer rock stretched up almost to the clouds. Scanning the cliff face, I could see a narrow walk-way like ledge zigzagged up to a landing high above the forest floor. Looking up, I could barely make out what looked like buildings bristling over the edge.

Suddenly, I found a strong set of claws clamped around my forelegs, and I was lifted high into the air. At first I thought a dragon had snatched me up, but the claws holding me resembled an eagle’s more than a dragon’s. Twisting my head around, I got a better look at the creature holding me. It was far smaller than a dragon, and covered in feathers, not scales. A griffin.

She lifted me higher and higher, flapping her powerful wings, before she burst over the lip of the cliff and deposited me on the edge. I found myself on the edge of a griffin settlement, with no way down.

With no fear of falling to their deaths, the griffins had built their town right up to the edge of the cliff. Some of the hut-like buildings even protruded over the edge, hanging out over the lofty drop. However, only a few buildings were built near the cliff’s edge. The majority of the huts were contained within a wooden barrier.

Griffin guards perched atop the fence, stretching their wings and preening themselves to pass the time. A few griffins emerged from their huts, frowning at my sudden intrusion into their secluded settlement.

The griffin that had snatched me up landed heavily next to me and seized hold of my foreleg before I could bolt. Dragging me along, she led me through the fence and into the settlement. It’s not like I could run. Any attempt at escape would end in a fall to my death.

My trip through the griffin stronghold ended at a large and elaborate longhouse. It was decorated in depictions of griffins, not too different from traditional earth pony decorations. The inside was nothing like any other building in Horizon.

A fire burned in a pit in the center, the smoke escaping through a hole in the longhouse’s roof. Around the fire were six gigantic nests. In each nest lounged a griffin in ornate armor, no one set the same.

“Another Imperial spy!” my griffin escort proclaimed, thrusting me toward the fire.

I barely stopped myself in time to keep my nose from touching the red-hot embers. Snorting smoke out of my nose, I fell back on my hindquarters, away from the fire.

“You see, father,” the griffin continued, speaking to an elder griffin, “They will never stop their attacks on us. Not until we stand up to them.”

“And what is the decision of the Council?” the elder griffin said, motioning around the circle of griffins.

“We can take no actions against the Unicorn Empire at this time,” one of the other griffins said, “Any attempt would end in disaster and the certain destruction of our people.”

The jaw of the griffin who’d escorted me in seemed to drop to the floor.

“You know this is wrong,” she said, turning to her father, “Every day the Empire gets closer to wiping us out. No stronghold has been as hard hit as Uragbashar, you know that. We will be the first to fall. We must fight before that happens!”

“Nagrissa,” he said, “You long for battle, and your heart is in the right place. But your head? Any attack on the Imperials would be suicide, surely you must realize that? We will survive the way griffins always have. We will survive here.”

Nagrissa looked at the ground like a scolded child. The griffins had seemingly forgotten about my presence during their meeting.

“The Council has, however, decided the time has come to send an ultimatum to the Empire.”

Nagrissa perked up upon hearing that.

“We will send a messenger to Seclusion to let General Cuirass know that if the Imperials do not cease attacking our strongholds, then we will retaliate,” another of the griffins said, “In a way, it is fortunate you brought this Imperial before us today. She can carry the message to her masters.”

So, maybe they hadn’t forgotten about me. And they wanted me to go to Seclusion and speak to General Silver Cuirass. Not exactly easy when I had no idea where I was and I wasn’t exactly on friendly terms with the Legion. After all, last time I’d been around them, they’d tried to cut my head off.

“Masters?” I asked, finding my voice.

“Yes, the officers in charge of the Imperial Legion,” one of the griffins responded.

“But, I’m not an Imperial,” I tried to explain.

“You are a unicorn.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’m an Imperial.”

“But you are a unicorn?” another of the griffins questioned.

“Not all unicorns are Imperial soldiers!” I burst out.

“Nagrissa,” her father said, looking up at her, “You said this was an Imperial spy?”

“I may have been wrong,” she said, “She was a unicorn snooping around beneath the city. What was I to think?”

“She’s of no use to us now,” her father said, “Throw her back.”

“Wait!” I called, pleading for my life as Nagrissa grabbed hold of me again to pull me from the longhouse, “I’m not an Imperial soldier, but I still might be able to help you!”

“Go on,” the griffin leader said, raising a claw to halt Nagrissa.

“You need me to speak to General Cuirass. I can do that, just give me a chance! I’ve met him before, and yes, being a unicorn I have a better chance of getting in to see him.”

It was a long shot, and the chance I would actually get to speak to General Cuirass was unbelievably slim, but anything was preferable to being thrown off a cliff. The griffin leader seemed to think my proposition over a minute before replying.

“Very well, we will give you a chance to make yourself useful.”

“Thank you,” I said, pulling free of Nagrissa’s grip, glad I wasn’t going to be thrown to my death, “What do I need to do?”

“You must travel to Seclusion and negotiate a peace between the Imperial Legion and the Griffin Tribes of Horizon.”

“All right,” I said, “Just point the way and I’ll be off.”

“Oh, I intend to do much more than just point the way,” the griffin leader said, steepling his talons, “Nagrissa will accompany you to Seclusion and help negotiate a peace suitable for both our races.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I approached the city gates of Seclusion. Built on the side of the mountains in the far north of Horizon, Seclusion was the capital of the province. At least, according to the Imperials it was. Marekarth was technically also an Imperial city, but the absence of Imperial soldiers made it easy to forget. Not so with Seclusion. In fact, there appeared to be more Legion guards stationed outside the city than Seclusion’s own guards.

None of them paid me any mind as I neared the massive wooden doors, swung open to let travelers in. Of course, it would have been completely different if I had a half-lion, half-eagle the size of two ponies walking beside me. It was difficult, but I’d finally managed to convince Nagrissa that it would be easier for me to enter the city alone. She was currently waiting perched high in a tree far down the path from Seclusion. If all went well, I would return to retrieve her later. And if it didn’t go well, she’d probably do something foolish like attack the city.

“Get her!” somepony yelled as I entered Seclusion and I nearly jumped out of my skin. How did they recognize me?

But, after I opened my eyes, I realized it wasn’t me the townsponies were trying to catch. A small filly galloped toward the city’s entrance, and the executioner’s block set up just inside. A crowd had assembled to watch the execution and one of the unicorns in it moved to block the frantic filly.

She kicked and struggled as her body was encased in a pale blue glow and she was levitated back to her mother.

“I want to see Uncle Derrick!” she pleaded, but her mother refused to respond and carried her into a shop on the main square.

Now my attention turned toward the execution the crowd of ponies had assembled to see. How could anypony want to watch anything so horrendous? I certainly didn’t, and started to leave the square.

“Derrick,” the executioner called out, and I stopped at the mention of the name, “You have been charged and found guilty of high treason against the Empire and the true government of Horizon. What do you have to say in your defense?”

The beige pony standing with his hooves bound stood unmoving for a few seconds. Then, after mumbling something, he spoke up.

“Only that I did what any red-blooded earth pony would! We all know the traditions of our land! Jarl Stormcloud followed those traditions when he challenged High King Shade to a duel! You charge me with helping him escape, but anypony has the right to leave the city, especially if they are rightful High King!”

“Silence these lies!” an Imperial officer behind the executioner demanded.

The executioner happily obliged, and thumped Derrick in the back of the head, putting an end to his ranting. Positioning him over the cutting stone, the executioner lifted her axe high. I looked away as it came down.

Pushing away from the crowd of cheering ponies, I headed deeper into the city. I passed taverns, shops, homes, and a market before I realized I had no idea where I could find General Cuirass. Why, for all I knew, he wasn’t in Seclusion at all. I finally decided to ask.

“Excuse me,” I asked a passing Legion soldier, hoping it wasn’t one who was present at Hoofgen, “Where can I find General Silver Cuirass?”

“Oh, looking to join up?” he said.

“Um, sort of,” I said.

“You can find him up in the old fortress, Castle Dour,” he said, pointing the way up to an ancient stone fortress that formed the heart of the city.

“Thanks,” I said, trotting off in the direction he had pointed.

“You won’t regret joining up,” he called after me as I left.

I felt a little bad now that I wasn’t going to actually join the Legion. Maybe I could, if they’d have me. I didn’t know their recruitment policies, but I doubted they’d overlook my blank flank.

Before I knew it, I was in the courtyard of Castle Dour, where Legion troops were practicing combat with a variety of weapons. I passed them all by and headed for the particularly sturdy looking door with the Empire’s banner fluttering over it.

“Hold it right there!” an Imperial soldier challenged as I approached the door.

“I need to get in to see General Silver Cuirass,” I stated bluntly.

“On what business?” the guard asked.

“I have an important message from the Griffins,” I said honestly, hoping it would be enough.

“Griffins, huh?” one said, making a show of rubbing his chin, “I don’t know . . .”

“Oh, for Zenitrot’s sake!” his companion standing on the other side of the door said, “Let her pass. She’s obviously no Stormcloud.”

“I don’t know . . .” the first said, touching my horn, “Could be fake. Wouldn’t put it past ol’ Stormy.”

“By Steedarr!” the second exclaimed, “Do you always have to be so difficult? Let her through already!”

Begrudgingly, the first guard stepped aside.

“It’s not like there’s much else to do,” he complained as I entered the castle, “With the War going on I don’t see why we’re here of all places.”

The rest of the conversation was cut off from me as the door slammed shut. It was fairly dark inside Castle Dour. It had obviously not been built for comfort. The walls seemed to threaten to close in at any moment, and sputtering torches provided the only illumination.

Following them, I eventually found my way to a large room, perhaps a great hall at one time. A long table stretched down the room, but only a small portion of it had food. The rest was covered in maps. Maps of the Empire, of Horizon, of separate holds, separate cities, even the entire Northlands. Clustered around the maps were several ponies bustling around in Imperial armor.

It wasn’t hard to pick out General Cuirass. Even in the dim light his General’s armor shone. He had to polish the thing every night. His helmet was off, and a coppery mane streaked with silver from the stress of the War flowed down over his caramel coat. Hesitantly, I approached him.

“Um, General Cuirass,” I said, tapping on his shoulder and trying to catch his attention.

“Hm, what?” he said, turning around.

“Wait a minute,” he said when he saw me, “I know you.”

Great. Now I was going to die. The executioner was ready and everything.

“Glad you got out of Hoofgen, kinsman,” he said, surprising me.

“And yet,” he said, looking over his shoulder at his maps, “Jarl Stormcloud also managed to escape, and has been causing us no end of troubles.”

I stood there awkwardly for a moment, shifting my hooves while I waited for the General to turn back to me.

“We’ve lost so many good ponies,” he said, more to himself before turning his attention back to me, “We can always use more. Have you come to enlist?”

“Afraid not,” I said, “You see, I was sent here by the Griffins-”

“Griffins!” the General said, his expression turning stormy.

“Yes,” I said, plowing ahead, “They sent me here to negotiate peace with the Empire.”

“If they wanted peace with the Empire,” General Cuirass said, trotting over to a map of Horizon, “Then they’d stop settling in our territories and just stay in Griffinium!”

“They want the violence between us and them to stop,” I said, pursuing him, “That’s why they sent me!”

“Or better yet,” he continued on with his thought, seemingly not even hearing me, “Let the thrice-blasted Dominion have them!”

As he finished his outburst he threw a knife with his magic into a map of the Featherrest Isles, the blade burying itself in Pegasor, the Dominion’s capital. I followed the General, determined to persuade him.

“This is a last attempt,” I said, trying to keep up as he kept up a brisk trot around the table, snagging an apple with his magic as he did, “If you don’t agree to something, anything, they’ll start an all-out war.”

“Ha! Why not just add them to the list of enemies? The pegasi, the Stormclouds, what are a few griffins?”

“They’re coming in earnest to negotiate peace,” I said, jumping in front of him, “A griffin came with me, and she won’t leave without a reply. Please reconsider!”

“There’s nothing I can do. There is nothing the griffins could possibly offer that I could accept.”

He stepped around me, trotting up to a map covered in tiny flags of different colors. Now I was really in a predicament. If I returned to the griffins with an answer like that it would lead to all-out war, not to mention I’d probably be torn apart. But if I didn’t return, Nagrissa would either attack Seclusion herself or come back with a griffin army. There was no good ending for either side.

“Unless,” General Cuirass said, causing my heart to leap, “Maybe there is one thing.”

I turned around to see him levitating a tiny red flag.

“Dawnstar?” Uragbashar’s chieftain asked once Nagrissa and I had returned to the stronghold.

“Yes,” I nodded, “General Cuirass has agreed to stop attacks on griffin strongholds if you agree to use your warriors to help him take the city.”

After sorting through the details with the General, I’d left Seclusion to speak with Nagrissa. She had agreed that it seemed to be a fair deal, so we proceeded on to Uragbashar. Now it was up to the Griffin Council to decide whether the deal was satisfactory.

“What interest do the Imperials have in Dawnstar?” the chieftain asked.

“It’s currently loyal to the Stormclouds,” I explained.

I was met by the blank stares of a dozen eagle eyes.

“The Stormcloud rebels and the Unicorn Empire are currently at war,” I explained, “The Stormclouds want Horizon to be free and the Imperials don’t. You don’t get out much, do you?”

“We prefer to stay within the safety of our strongholds, where the earth ponies wouldn’t bother us,” one of the chieftains said.

“These unicorns are completely different,” another said, “They refuse to give us peace, and now they want us to help them?”

“It is a good deal,” another of the chieftains said, “We give them nothing but our time and strength. And, if they keep their word, we won’t have to worry about their attacks anymore. Once they see us on the battlefield, they will realize they don’t want war with us.”

“But if they don’t keep their promise then we are weakened and they will know our strategies as well!” another retorted.

The griffins continued to bicker until Nagrissa’s father, the Uragbashar chieftain stood.

“Uragbashar will send its warriors to fight,” he announced, “And if we are the only ones to do so, then we will be the only ones with which the Imperials will keep their deal, of this I will make sure.”

“The Griffin Tribes have always stood together!” one of the chieftains gasped, “You would abandon your race for the sake of your own tribe?”

“If you refuse to see what is reasonable and best, then I would be glad to disown you as part of our race. Or will you fly with me?”

He thrust his claw up in the air, scraping the ceiling of the longhouse. One by one, the other griffins copied his pose.

“At Dawnstar we shall fight,” he announced.

“So Malaquill has willed!” the chieftains yelled as one.

Frost crunched underhoof as I snuck through the pines of Horizon. Nagrissa flapped above me, rolling her eyes at the noise I was making. But I was certain a little bit of crushed ice wouldn’t alert the whole town of Dawnstar to our presence.

Being airborne, the griffins had mobilized their soldiers remarkably fast. I found myself shaken awake in the middle of the night, and ordered to prepare for the attack. It was for the best, all I could see in my dreams was the destruction of Caprika Redoubt.

Now, barely before dawn, as colorful streams of light played across Horizon’s crystal-clear sky, we were closing in on Dawnstar from all sides. The trees soon gave way to a snowy expanse broken only by the occasional rock and a well-worn hoofpath.

Behind a rocky expanse, I could see the buildings of Dawnstar, warm lights glowing in the windows. Above the town a stone fortress reared up toward the heavens, but it looked beaten down and no lights shone from its windows. Up against the town a rocky shore gave way to an ice-packed sea, with a trio of ships in the distance.

“Imperial flags on those masts,” Nagrissa commented, “The Imperials will know if the job’s been done.”

I looked back at the town. It seemed peaceful and defenseless but for a few guards walking around. The Imperial Legion needed help from the Griffins to take this town? They could have better taken advantage of the deal for an attack on Windhorn, where there would most certainly be a furious battle. But, this was the deal they had struck, and the Griffins were willing to honor it. I just prayed General Cuirass would keep his promise, for his sake and mine.

“May Malaquill cause their blades to rust and their hearts to stop,” I heard Nagrissa say, and the rest of the nearby griffins echoed her.

This was the second time now I had heard that name. Malaquill, spoken as if regarding a deity. I tried to remember who Malaquill was, some sort of Draconequus Prince if I remembered my studies. Whatever it/he/she was, it was irrelevant. The Griffins were beginning their attack.

As they shot forward through the air, I galloped across the snow. Each of the town’s guards fell as a ball of feathers and claws slammed into them, smashing them into the ground. I slowed to a trot as I neared the town.

What was I doing here? This deal was with the Griffins, how had I gotten dragged into this? This wasn’t my fight, it wasn’t my war, this wasn’t even my home. Maybe if I just left now, nopony would notice and I could head back to Whitetrot and live a peaceful life, where I wasn’t forced to kill or be killed.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t given a choice. I cried out in pain as an arrow slammed into my shoulder, burying itself deep in the muscle. Why didn’t I have my armor on? I ducked behind a rock to avoid more arrows, cursing myself for my carelessness. Removing the arrow and casting a healing spell on the wound, I pulled on my armor. There was no getting out of this fight now.

As I was still pulling Calcion’s Cleaver from its sheath, a pony jumped over the rock I was hiding behind. Throwing up my sword, I cut a deep slash across his underbelly. He rolled over twice, staining the snow with his blood before coming to a stop. As I stood, I noticed he was wearing Stormcloud armor, not Dawnstar guard armor. Where had this Stormcloud soldier come from?

Peeking over my rock, I saw far more ponies in the town than had been there before. The griffins were being taken by surprise as Stormcloud soldiers poured from an opening in the nearby cliff. They did a good job of defending themselves at first, but soon the sheer numbers got to them and they were forced to fly up into the air to avoid being taken down. Some of the griffins, especially the older ones, weren’t able to take off in time and fell to the Stormclouds’ blows.

I hadn’t known these griffins very long, but I still felt some connection to them. And seeing them fall made me want to rush in and help them, even if this wasn’t my fight. Knowing every second I hesitated another griffin might fall, I made my decision and rushed toward Dawnstar.

Two Stormclouds galloped up to intercept me as I neared the town. I sent a fireball toward the first one, forcing him to dodge out of the way. The second continued on and I slid to a stop as our blades met. Quickly she pulled her war axe back and swung it back around toward the side of my head. Pulling out my own war axe I blocked her swing and slashed at her forelegs with my sword. She jumped back well away from my blade, but small arcs of lightning jumped from the ancient earth pony blade anyway.

As the lightning struck her forelegs she fell forward into a kneeling position. I swung my war axe around at her head, but she managed to get her own axe up in time. But this time as I swung my sword around she wasn’t able to jump out of the way. Calcion’s Cleaver sank into her neck and her war axe fell from her mouth as she collapsed into the displaced snow.

I felt a blade slide between the plates of my armor as I backed up. The other Stormcloud had recovered from the fireball I’d sent at him and had managed to sneak up on me during my fight with his companion. I frantically cast a healing spell as he pulled his sword out, but had to stop before it was fully mended. My vision blurred and I could feel my wound open up again as I dodged a swing with his sword that would’ve decapitated me.

I shakily regained my footing as I backed away, keeping the Stormcloud in my vision. Before I had the chance to cast another healing spell or drink one of my potions he lunged at me again. I barely managed to dodge in time, my blade hardly even glancing off of his. He swung again and this time my sword was nearly knocked from my magical grasp. His next swing succeeded, sending Calcion’s Cleaver spinning through the air, burying itself in the snow out of reach.

With a triumphant grin on his face the Stormcloud strode toward me. My thoughts were swimming, but I fought to focus them just enough.

<FUS!>

The triumph on his face turned to surprise as my shout sent him flying back. Now that I finally had a moment I pulled a healing potion from my saddlebag and stitched the partially sealed wound on my side back up. The red spots left my vision and my mind cleared simultaneously, putting me back in the fight.

Though still registering shock from my Voice attack, the Stormcloud buck charged me again, sword held firmly between his teeth. There was no time for me to retrieve Calcion’s Cleaver so I shot a bolt of lightning at him while drawing out my Minotaur sword. My energy blast connected with his sword, sending sparks shooting into his mouth. Violently he spat out his sword, which still arced with lightning. My bronze sword came down on his head, nothing to stop it. As he collapsed to the ground I retrieved my blades and cleaned them off in the snow.

The clash of steel rang through the morning air as the Griffins and Stormclouds continued to do battle. In the fight I had gotten far closer to the town. Now I was nearly among the buildings. As I passed the broken-down snow-covered ruins of what had once been a house I came nearly face to face with a wounded Stormcloud mare.

She looked surprised at my presence here with all the griffins. The opportune thing to do would have been to run her through then and there, but her hindleg was bleeding profusely and she seemed to be fleeing the battle anyway so I decided to move on.

As I attempted to dodge around her she came back to the moment and swung at me with her mace, striking me in my own hindleg. I felt bone crack and I was sent tumbling through the snow. Now wasn’t that just gratitude for you?

By the time I reoriented myself, keeping my weight off of my hindleg, she was already running at me as fast as her injury allowed. Unslinging my bow and fitting an arrow to the string I sent the projectile flying at her.

My first shot whizzed past her head, slicing a shallow cut in her neck. I strung another arrow as she kept coming, getting dangerously close. My second arrow flew true, burying itself in her chest and piercing her heart. She slid to a stop in the snow right before my hooves.

Wrapping my wounds and healing them as best I could I retrieved my arrows and turned back toward the town. It seemed the griffins had recovered from their earlier difficulties and were now pushing the last Stormclouds toward the waterfront. I rushed forward to help, sending a blast of lightning or an arrow wherever it was needed.

Soon the last Stormcloud fell, his body rolling into the frigid waters. Moments later boats sent from the three Imperial ships docked nearby. The sun was just beginning to peek over the eastern mountains as the unicorns stepped out into the town.

Flanked by two Legionnaires, General Cuirass trotted forward, surveying the town. It was impossible to read his expression as he observed the fallen Stormclouds and the Griffins that were flocking to assemble together. I prayed to Marea he would keep his deal.

“I only ever ordered the attacks on the Griffins,” the General announced, his voice magically augmented so all could hear, “Because they, like the Stormclouds, did not seem to have the Empire’s best interests at heart.”

Some of the griffins fidgeted nervously, flexing their wings to reveal the blades hidden in their feathers. They weren’t at all sure the General would keep his bargain and were ready for any treachery. I noticed that slowly and subtly they were arranging themselves into a defensive circle, with the injured among them in the middle.

“I’m still not certain about the Griffins,” Cuirass continued, “But at least they have proved today that they don’t mean the Empire any intentional harm. You have my word that from now on no more attacks will be launched on your homes. The Griffins are free to live in Horizon.”

“As if we weren’t free to live here already,” Nagrissa flapped over to whisper to me.

I did have to admit she had a point, but I was just too relieved everything had worked out to consider it at the moment. Besides, my thoughts were interrupted as two Imperial soldiers approached General Cuirass dragging an elderly earth pony in ornate robes between them.

As the griffins began to disperse, regrouping into clans, I lost sight of what was going on. Pushing my way past the mass of feathers and emerald armor I finally got near enough to overhear the conversation between Cuirass and the elder mare.

“Deala the Aged,” Cuirass said, looking down on the earth pony who had been forced to the ground, “You’ve caused a fair amount of trouble for the Empire. And turning your back on the Emperor, very unwise.”

“He turned his back on us first,” she retorted, “when he signed the White-Gold Concordat with those pegasi. Abandoning Talhooves is the same as abandoning Horizon.”

“And forfeiting your loyalty to the Empire is the same as forfeiting your life,” Cuirass replied, drawing his sword.

He was going to kill her! And I couldn’t just watch it happen. Struggling through the crowd of griffins I pushed my way out of the group.

“Wait!” I yelled as Cuirass raised his sword up for the death blow.

The General stood still, but his attention shifted to me, as did all the other gathered Imperial soldiers, their eyes asking for an explanation.

“Why does she need to die?” I spoke quickly, thinking on my hooves, “Dawnstar has returned to the Empire. The town is yours. She can’t cause you any more trouble.”

The General looked thoughtful, then turned to look at the cowering elder lying in the snow.

“Enough blood has been shed on your account,” Cuirass said, sheathing his sword, “Be gone from The Pale, Deala, you will never rule here again.”

As the General turned away from her, she broke loose from the guards restraining her and hobbled off in the direction of the sunrise as fast as she could.

“That took a lot of courage,” Cuirass said, addressing me, “And, you were right, her death would have accomplished nothing but to make us out to be the tyrants the Stormclouds claim we are. The Legion could use more level-headed ponies like you. If you’re interested, I could make the arrangements.”

“Thanks,” I said, “But I think I’ll pass.”

I’d had enough killing for now. All I wanted to do was return to Whitetrot and have some peace.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, come see me in Castle Dour.”

I nodded, and the General trotted off to consult with his officers.

“That was some gutsy move,” Nagrissa said, flapping up behind me, “You’re not half bad for a pony.”

“Thanks,” I said, “I think.”

“If you ever need a favor,” she said, “You know where to find me.”

Giving a wink, she flapped off to join her father and the rest of the griffins. Letting out a deep breath I pulled out my map of Horizon and plotted a path to the south. I’d prevented a war with the Griffins and saved an older pony’s life today. I was feeling pretty good about myself for the first time in days. Without further ado, I set out for Whitetrot.