//------------------------------//
// Emerald Fields Inn, Part 2 
// Story: Elder Scrolls V 1/2 : Equestria 
// by Swordoath 
//------------------------------//


Dorian cussed mentally. He was almost seen, right off the bat. That winged pony looked back at where he once stood, but looked away again. Ice Strider had gone ahead and was already past the guards, while he was waiting to find some clue as to where his equipment was. So far, nothing. But he heard a snippet from the grey pegasus on the left:

"That black metal sold for tons, dinnit?"

"Sure as tartarus. How much've a cut do ya' think the boss'll give us?"

"Dunno. Still haven't got the last cut."

"Seriously? I got double cut."

"What? What for?"

"Pullin' yer head outta the stew pot."

So it has already sold, probably with the rest of his things. Dorian gave an exasperated sigh. Damn! It took ages to collect enough ebony to forge it. They don't sell the stuff anywhere! Now I'll have to rely on that infernal stoneflesh spell, and those wards I learned at the college.

Then he realized his mistake. The grey pegasus heard his breath and made to investigate. Dorian ducked behind a crate and waited for the pegasus to draw near. He sprung on the pony's back and struggled to slash his neck. Blood spurted out as he drew his bound sword across the Adam's apple. The second pegasus saw the minor struggle, and grabbed the bow off it's back. He stood on two hooves and knocked an iron-tipped arrow, and let it loose. Dorian rolled off the corpse's back and behind the crate again, the arrow shattering against the wall behind him. Having taken cover, he dispelled the weapons in his hands, and drew forth the magical, highly-volatile flames of a firebolt in both hands. He condensed the bolts into one, and sprang from behind his cover, blasting it from his hands into the stallion's bow, setting it ablaze like kindling. The bow was dropped, and a knife was drawn. Dorian collected another fireball in his hands and blasted the pony in the foreleg, then again in the eyes. The pegasus screamed, and dropped to the ground, writing in pain and burning alive until he collapsed, dead. 

I tried, Ice Strider. I really did. It was unavoidable, I cannot sneak like you do. 

His thoughts then turned to his armor again as he ascended the stairs. Now that he no longer had his ebony armor, he had to decide on a new type. He couldn't buy it from ponies- it was fitted differently. He'd have to forge a new set, from the materials of this world. Hopefully something on par with what he had the capability of forging. Steel, at least. Or perhaps one of those gemstone designs he'd been contemplating- 

"Hey!" Whispered Ice Strider from the shadows. "You weren't seen, right?"

"I don't think so," Dorian lied. Best not ruin it for her.

"Really? I heard screams-"

"I cast an illusion that made them hallucinate." He lied further. "Now come on, let's go."

"Are they going to be-"

"Let's go." He said darkly.





"So what happened to your armor?" Asked the curious crystal pony as they left the building. It was late at night now, with the moon high in the sky, its radiance illuminating their path.

"They sold it, from what I gathered. Along with almost everything else." Dorian said with a tone of unhappiness. Thank the eight I left the Elder Scroll with Parthurnax. The chaos that could be sown with it's power... How horrible.

"That's too bad," Consoled Ice Strider. "Maybe we can make you some new armor in Canterlot?"

"Perhaps. I don't suppose ponies have discovered any sources of ebony nearby? Or corundum?"

"I, uh, I dunno. I mean, we could ask the blacksmith in Canterlot or someone."

"That seems reasonable. Hopefully someone is capable of selling me some... Oh, wait." Dorian checked his pockets, his face paling with realization. "My gold and gems are gone."

"Really? That's terrible!" Ice Strider sympathized.

"I'll have to find work in Canterlot. Hopefully something along the lines of spell casting aid, or perhaps as a temporary messenger." Dorian mused. "At the worst, I could clear an area of bandits."

"I could lend you-"

"No, please. You've already done so much. Let's just get to Canterlot and speak with the jarl, shall we?"

"Jarl?" She asked, confused.

"Area's ruler?"

"You mean the princess."

"Apparently." Dorian rolled his eyes in exasperation. "From now on, let's just ignore these things? Please?"

"Nope. I wanna know these things as much as I want to know Thu'um. So a lot."

Dorian sighed. "Fine."