//------------------------------// // The Kindness of Strangers // Story: The Curse of the Verse // by RangerBeef //------------------------------// Manny ran for three whole days, resting only at night. Until then, I'd had no idea manticores were so well built to travel. On the third day, the deserts of Camelu gave way to the hills and valleys of Cervidas; the change in scenery was drastic and immediate. I have, to this day, never seen anything else like it. The rolling deserts of Camelu stop almost completely at once and give to the hard dirt and grass of Cervidas. When we crossed the border, we stopped to rest at a stream flowing nearby. Manny was more than willing to take a break. He was a powerhouse, for sure, but even the strongest tire if you work them too long or too hard. Sitting on the bank of the stream, Manny drank while I let my feet soak in the water to cool off. It was then that we noticed a terrified Cervidaen staring at us from across the water. Her eyes glanced from Manny to me, as if she wanted to warn me of his close proximity. I smiled at her and patted Manny gently on the side. "My friend may look quite big and scary, but rest assured the truth is to the contrary," I said to her. Many times during my life of rhymes I've been given strange looks and this one was no different. She cocked her head at me, momentarily forgetting Manny. She was trying to figure out the rhyme. A look of surprise crossed her face, she took my meaning of him being harmless and nodded lightly, not fully accepting me at my word. "Where did you two come from?" She asked from across the water. I had to strain to even hear her. "Zebria is where I make my home. Manny joined me, so I was not alone." Again her eyes narrowed, processing the rhyme, beginning to wonder if it was on purpose. "Who is Manny?" I chuckled softly and pointed to the manticore on my right, who was smiling and doing his best to look friendly. The Cervidaen shook her head at us. We did make something of an unbelievable duo. "I would like to invite you to my village but I'm afraid your friend would cause something of a ruckus. Without being rude, could I ask him to remain hidden from sight while you are near?" Manny nodded at the Cervidaen. He was an expert at staying out of sight. Still, she gave us both a wary look and motioned me to follower her. With a quick jump over the stream, I joined my new friend on a short walk to her village. As we walked, I explained my plight with the least confusing rhymes I could think of. She seemed to understand and assured me that she would try to ask yes or no questions. When we reached town, however, I was aware that I would be asked many difficult questions in the hours to come. You see, when ponies or Cervidaens hear hoofbeats, they assume they are made by their countrymen. Seeing a zebra appear from your peripheral, can cause quite a few questions to pop up. None of which, are yes or no. The odd looks however weren't followed by immediate questions. The Cervidaens are a timid people. They are fleet of foot, soft spoken, and do their best to avoid trouble at all costs. The bravest of the Cervidaens become their politicians and town leaders. A pony like Rainbow Dash or Applejack would be revered by them. They could only wish for the courage or ferocity of our friends. Even Fluttershy would easily be granted a town to govern. I later learned that the deer escorting me into town was their mayor and her name was Lin. ----- "So how long did you stay in that town?" Shadow asked. "Only for a few days. I wanted to let Manny rest but we both knew my destiny lay elsewhere." "That reminds me, how much ground did Manny cover in the three days in Camelu? I know manticore are fast, but three days to cross a country?" Zecora moved across her hut and returned with an old map. "This is the map Viki gave to me when I left her hut," she pointed to a medium sized country filled with yellow and orange patches. "This is Zebria, and this," she pointed to a long slender country just north of Zebria that appeared to be completely desert, "This is Camelu. As you can see, it is not a very tall country. I do not know the exact distance but Manny covered what would take a well equipped group nearly two weeks to cross." Shadow craned his head, studying the map from all sides. For as slim and slight as Camelu looked, the camels that lived there certainly made up the difference. Always large and imposing. He nodded in appreciation. "That's quite the impressive jog. And you didn't run into any camels at all?" Zecora's eyes dropped for a moment. "Not in Camelu, no." "What do you mean?" Zecora sighed. "The attack came on our second night of slumber. Camels, for all their loud, intimidating nature, are somehow able to be nearly as light hoofed as the deer they stalked that night. We never heard a thing until their entire tribe was on top of us. "As the shouts of camels rose and the screams of frightened deer filled the night, I rose from my bed and donned my meager belongings. The mayor, whom I had been staying with, quickly told me of the fastest escape route from town. Where most of her town would be headed within minutes. "You see, Cervidaens are one with nature. The make their homes in light tents and travel often. The town we happened across would've only been there another week at best. They do not stay in any one place longer than necessary. Instead they choose to explore the forests they inhabit and see as much as they can." "So, they had just stopped to gather supplies or something and you fell into their laps? That's pretty lucky for you, Z." Zecora bowed her head solemnly, "Yes, lucky for me but rather unlucky for the deer I met." Shadow's smile faded. "Were there any casualties?" Zecora shook her head, looking up to meet Shadow's eyes. "Thankfully, no. Normally, when camels decide to attack the deer will quickly gather what they can and dash off into the forest. This night, however, the deer barely had time to grab their things before the camels were turned away." Shadow scratched his head, "Turned away? How would they..? Ooh. Manny?" Zecora grinned wide and nodded, "Manny." ----- As things outside our small tent began to seem catastrophic for the deer and I, a great roar caused us all to stop in our tracks. Even the camels. They turned, this way and that, trying to figure out where the sound came from. Finally, Manny leapt forth from the forest, landing directly in front of the tent I was in. I could see several of the camels immediately lose their will to fight. They had all heard of manticores, fewer had ever seen one, and fewer still knew if they could even be killed. One brave soul among them seemed to pick this opportunity to prove his worth to the group. Manny never even let him get close. One more powerful roar in the camel's direction and he immediately turned tail. As did his compatriots. Manny chased them from the village and the deer and I slowly emerged from our tents. Everyone was murmuring. Of course, they too knew of manticores. But they had never seen one defend one their villages before. I turned to the mayor amidst the murmurs of the crowds and said my goodbyes. I wanted to be out of the town before Manny came back. I thought his presence would cause a bit more of a stir that his saving of the village. She shook my hoof and wished me luck. Telling me that the place I sought lie to my Northwest. I exited town silently and met Manny not far into the forest. He looked concerned as I approached. I was quick to reassure him that his actions were exactly the reason I was glad to have him with me. I hopped onto his back and we rode off into the forest once more.