//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Run to the Hills // Story: One of these Days // by Wrabbit //------------------------------// ONE OF THESE DAYS Chapter 8: Run to the Hills ~19 Aevum Illuminationis~ Darkness pervaded the library, swallowing all in its voluminous embrace. A shaft of dim, bluish light pierced the dark through the occasional window, but only succeeded in preventing the shadows from being all-consuming. Here, the books sat on shelves, waiting to be read by eager minds thirsty for knowledge. Some of them had been waiting for decades, if not centuries, hoping for the touch of a seeker of the unknown, or even just someone revisiting a favorite book or passage, but never gave up hope of the return of their usefulness. Books are patient that way. The rhythmic clatter of hooves upon stone broke the silence, only to be muffled once more by a plush area rug running along the ends of the rows of shelves. A glowing, floating apparition hove into view silently. The curves and slender build suggested female, but the only really distinguishing feature was her face, which bore an uncanny resemblance to the sphinx which owned the library, and a pair of leonine ears atop her head that perked and swiveled constantly. Her whole being glowed with a pale, unearthly white light, and she bent over to examine the spines of the books, one finger tracing a path along them. The clatter returned as Twilight walked around the corner and off the runner, a lit candelabra held in her magical grasp shedding a pool of golden light. “Hast thou found it, Kat?” she asked in a whisper. The arcanificarum turned towards the alicorn with a smile and nodded. She pointed at a particularly large book bound in hinged, polished bronze plates. Pulling it out with her telekinesis, Twilight looked at the cover. “'Properties of Elements and Their Interactions with Magical Artifacts',” she read aloud. Looking to the floating assistant whom beamed at her, she smiled, and tousled her incorporeal hair affectionately. “Thou art a credit to Nyx and the library, Kat.” “Did she find it, Twilight?” The alicorn turned around to find Nyx padding over to her on silent paws. “Sooth, she hath become quite adept at seeking out the correct requested tome. Mayhap t'is time to introduce her to her other duties,” Twilight replied. Nyx ran a finger of her paw along a shelf and frowned at the trace of dust left behind. “As much as I would love to give her more time to familiarize herself with the catalog system, I'm afraid I'll have to. I can hardly afford to keep hiring out a cleaning service given the size of my library. I mean, it only took me what, two, three days to find the last cleaning crew that got lost? It wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't been about to resort to cannibalism when I found them.” “Is it not why thou ask'd of me to include the binding of air elementals in her creation? She hath the wit and wherewithal direct scores of them at a whim, so I do not understand the source of thy distemper,” Twilight replied. Heaving a great sigh, Nyx turned and started walking back to the table at which they had left their research materials. “I dunno. It's just... I know we made her for this very purpose, but it's hard to put my library in someone else's paws, you know? Don't get me wrong, Kat. I know you'll do a superlative job, but it's just not easy to let control go,” she explained to the floating figure, who only looked at her with child-like awe and affection. Nyx turned away in embarrassment, trying to change the subject. “I heard about the tour you gave the Equestrian Parliament a couple of weeks ago. Did they finally tick you off enough to put your hoof down?” “Ne'er afore, hath we encounter'd such contradictory creatures as these ponies,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes. “One the one hoof, they proffer their loyalty undying and their every resource at their disposal, and on t'other, they plot and scheme, and greedily hoard what they have while asking for more. T'is enow to make one question one's ability to tell a hawk from a hoofsaw.” Nyx chuckled, causing Kat to titter quietly as well. “Well, I did warn you that politics would be like this. I've read enough treatises on the subject to know that politics is simply a way of legally stabbing someone in the back. I believe I have a book by a Fleecian named Baachiavelli; in it, he said 'Politics have no relation to morals'. If that's not a resounding warning not to dabble in it, I don't know what is.” Twilight rolled her eyes again, but still smiled. “If thou wilt not help in my reign, then I beg thee to tend to thy own garden.” “Mind my own beeswax. Got it,” Nyx replied with a chuckle. She sobered more ans she asked, “What about the dragons? Has there been any communications with them since the attack?” With a shake of her head, Twilight answered, “Nay. Their sudden bellicosity is almost as troubling as their sudden return to reticence. Our envoy was turned away at the border under threat of consumption.” She shook her head as if to chase away gloomy thoughts and smiled at her companions as she resumed her seat at the table. “Let us not tarry on such dark thoughts. Research shouldst be enjoyable.” Nyx nodded and joined her. “You said it, study buddy. I feel like making a breakthrough tonight! Go, Team Book!” she cried out, holding up a paw. It took Twilight a moment to realize what she wanted, then quickly slapped her hoof against the paw “Sooth! Team Book!” she cried out in return, not caring about the echo that seemed to go on forever in the massive library. (\ /) ( . .) *(“)(“) ~2015 Aevum Illuminationis~ The two ponies crossed the open field, making no attempt to hide their approach. The waning sun cast long shadows on the green grass, but they made special effort to walk around them, making themselves as noticeable as possible. As they walked, Awesomeshine asked, “How bad do you think it is?” Paladin examined the town with an experienced eye, now able to pick out new details as they got closer. “I don't know. I don't see any sign of the enemy, and no sign of a battle. My guess would be that we lucked out and got here ahead of the invaders.” “I meant the war itself,” Awesomeshine clarified. “Do you think we have a chance of surviving?” The royal guard hesitated for a step, but quickly resumed her advance. “That's... more difficult to say. Princess Celestia seemed to think that victory would be assured if I could find a special set of artifacts, and I'm inclined to believe her on a great many things...” “But?” Awesomeshine prompted after a moment's silence. Paladin heaved a great sigh. “I don't like doubting the Princess' words, but the creature we faced before she sent me away was more powerful than anything I had ever seen before. I never knew a dragon could even become that powerful. Just being in her presence made me want to run and hide like a scared little filly. And those eyes... I've never seen anything so chilling and heartless. It was like looking into the eyes of a blizzard; relentless and unforgiving, killing all with it's uncaring cold...” “Hey now,” the healer said, drawing Paladin's attention to her. “Just remember that you have friends who are happy to help. You don't have to face anything alone if you don't want to.” She adjusted her glasses up her nose a bit and added slyly, “Not to mention a beautiful mare who's obviously head over hooves for you. You're not nearly as alone as you seem to think you are.” They were both surprised to see a small, yellow cat run out of the village and jump onto Awesomeshine's back and begin to purr. “Lemongrab? What are you doing away from Kit?” The cat simply responded with a purring “Mmm” and laid on the mare's back perfectly motionless. A small, pink pegasus mare sporting a pair of goggles on her forehead flew out of the town, followed closely by a gruff-looking earth pony stallion. “Lemongrab, you rascal, get back here!” the mare shouted. “Kit, get your caboodle back over here! This town is under lock down for a reason, consarnit!” the sheriff hissed in a half whisper, half shout. They both reached the unicorns, and Kit picked up the sour looking cat. The sheriff smacked her on the back of her head and said, “When I say to stay put, you stay put, you hear me, filly? Where is Ricochet, anyway? She was supposed to be foalsitting you, so you didn't do precisely this!” Paladin smiled, but lost all her mirth as she remembered the events of the past two days. “Sheriff, is Foalton safe for the moment? I have a bunch of refugees that need rest and medical attention.” Tin Star nodded to the guard, looking relieved to see her. “At the moment it is, Lieutenant.” He looked hesitant, but finally asked, “How bad is it?” “Very,” she replied. “I'll tell everypony all at once so I won't have to keep repeating it. Can you assemble the adults somewhere indoors? I've got a lot to say, and I think that most are going to react poorly to it.” “I suppose I better use the saloon at the Way Inn,” he answered. “May as well, since I think most are going to want a drink. Hay, I may want one.” Paladin grimly clapped him on the shoulder and turned to Kit. “Miss Caboodle, could I trouble you to help bring in the refugees? A lot of foals came with us, and some of them have been walking for almost twenty-four hours straight.” The pegasus looked horrified. “Goodness! Let me go fetch my wagon from the smithy. I can help more that way.” Before the unicorn could reply, she had already zipped off, cat tucked neatly under one foreleg. Paladin rolled her eyes. “I forgot she was so highly excitable.” She turned to the woods and waved at Silver Bell to bring out the rest of their group. (\ /) ( . .) *(“)(“) Setting down her mug, Paladin motioned for Wormwood to refill it. Instead, another mug filled with chilled water was placed before her. “Are you sure I can't get you something stronger? You look like five kilotrots of bad road.” Paladin shook her head and smiled at the analogy. “An apt description, but no. We lost too much water walking all the way here, and alcohol is the last thing I need right now, intoxication notwithstanding.” Wormwood shrugged and they watched the saloon quickly fill up with ponies. Ricochet came over with Knightengale and sat down next to her. “So, Pally, me gal; how've ye been? Heard ye were promoted to the princess' retinue. How's tha' working for ye?” she asked, only stealing quick glances at her from the corner of her eye as she buried her muzzle in a mug of apple juice. “Good to see you doing so well, Ricochet,” Paladin replied stiffly. “I was worried after I heard you... er, left.” “So worried that you never called on her despite being less than a day's carriage ride away and visiting here often?” Knightengale remarked snidely, looking at the unicorn over her friend's hunched over back. Paladin studiously looked ahead in the bar's mirror and took another swallow of water. “I had my reasons for staying away from her,” she said in a carefully even tone. Ricochet laid a hoof on Knightengale's foreleg, forestalling the brewing storm. “Easy, cuttie. Pally's nae the type t' pile on the blatherskite. If she says she had a reason, I'm sure t'was a good one.” The aganippe relaxed in her seat, but her expression never softened towards the unicorn. The sheriff walked in at that moment, and trotted over to the group of mares gathered at the bar. “Ladies,” He nodded at his deputy and Knightengale, then looked to Paladin. “Dame, we're all assembled, or at least as many as can be spared from tending to the wounded.” Looking out over the saloon at the somber faces that all turned to her with despair tinged with hope in their eyes, Paladin climbed up on the bar with a hoof-up from Tin Star. “My name is Lieutenant Paladin, of Her Highness' personal guard. I'm sure you've all heard by now what's happened up in Equus,” she announced in her best parade ground voice. Immediately, the room went silent except the the faint CLINK of mugs wetting parched lips. The sandy unicorn marched up and own the bar, making eye contact with much of her audience in a general way, but made them think that she was looking at them and sizing them up personally. “It has become my sad duty to report that the capital has fallen.” Gasps and worried murmurs met this announcement, and she gestured for calm's return. “The dragons have finally made their move, but they are not alone. Minotaurs, griffons, and diamond dogs have all been seen working with them, both fighting and pillaging.” She heaved a heavy sigh before continuing. “I'm not going to sugarcoat this. It's looking bad out there. The Princesses themselves have taken a hoof in the fighting, and they were grim and uncertain about the outcome. We must assume the worst and prepare for it. I am making a suggestion right now to all of you to take what you can and head into the swamp to avoid detection. From there we can set up a more fortified position without worrying too much about ground forces.” “You want us to just up and leave our homes on your say so? You couldn't even protect our capital from attack, why should we listen to anything you have to say?” a burly pegasus stallion stood and said. Paladin looked at the muscled pony and nodded. “The best I can do at the moment is to offer up a sound strategy. Look, I was just there, I've seen what they're after, and what they can do. They'll roll over this town like it was just a bump in the road, and those of you not killed, will likely be taken as slaves or even food. I can't speak for all of us, but I'd rather not end up mining for some diamond dogs, or on some dragon's menu, or worse. Believe me, there are worse fates than those, and I think that our ratio of mares to stallions won't enhance our situation in that regard.” More than a few of the mares swallowed hard at this, clinging to whoever would offer a bit of comfort. “On our way down here from the capital, we had to evade more than one patrol, and from the sound of their talk, I sincerely doubt that they will stop at Equus, and it doesn't sound like there's much out there right now to stop them” she added. “With the the fall of Equus, the floodgates have been opened, and there is nothing left to hold them back from an orgy of destruction.” She stopped her pacing and got down on her knees and bowed to the assembled ponies. “I'm begging you; at least send the foals and elderly into the swamp with the wounded to hide until you hear differently. What will you lose by doing so? What will you lose if I am right and they come here next?” A murmur of quiet discussion rose as the ponies debated the situation while Paladin climbed down again and resumed her seat. She looked to Ricochet and asked, “What do you think? Will they go for it?” “Is it as bad as all tha'?” she asked solemnly. The guard nodded. “The hay of it is, I can't even stay and help protect them, whatever they decide.” Knightengale tilted her head in confusion. “Why not?” Leaning close, Paladin whispered to them, “I've actually been given a mission by Princess Celestia to retrieve a special set of magical artifacts. I'm not sure how effective they could be if they weren't stored at Equus, but she seemed certain that they could not win the war without them- owowowow!” A silvery aura had surrounded her ear and pulled her out of the huddle and forced her to turn around in her seat to face Silver Bell. “And just when were you planning on telling me this?” she whispered viciously. “You better not be planning on leaving without me again, Missy.” “Be reasonable, Bell,” Paladin whispered. “I'm trained for this sort of thing. I'm going to be out there dodging patrols, fighting minotaurs, griffons, diamond dogs, maybe even dragons, and doing Celestia knows what to get these artifacts out of whatever protections they have on them. I'm going to be at a bad enough disadvantage worrying about you here without putting you through all of that yourself.” Silver Bell glared at her, causing the trained guard to gulp loudly. “And you think I won't be just as worried sick, wondering if you'll ever come back alive? At least together, we'll know where each other is and be able to offer assistance as needed.” Paladin was at a loss for words and could only make inarticulate sounds. A hoof clapped onto her shoulder and she saw Ricochet smirking at her. “Give it oop, Pally,” Ricochet said. “You're nae gonna change the lass' mind. T'is just as well, since I'm going with ye.” A hoof smacking the back of the earth pony's head greeted this statement. “Oh, really?” Knightengale growled. “You think I'm going to let you of all ponies out there unsupervised? You only just got to the point where you can hold a bow steady; you're a long way from top form again.” Rubbing her sore spot, Ricochet replied, “I dinna want to speak for ye, Knighty. T'is nae gonna be a picnic. In fact, t'is a sure bet that it will be naught but a load of bollocks.” “Well, maybe I want to be with you when the roadapples hit the fan, ever think of that, cuttie?” the aganippe asked. Ricochet smiled and mussed her mane affectionately. “Aye, but I did nae want to drag ye back into something ye tried so hard t' leave behind.” “What do you mean,” Paladin asked. Shaking her head, Ricochet replied, “T'is nae my place to say, but trust me; Knighty is a pony ye want at your back in a dust up.” Tin Star approached them, looking grim. “I'm afraid it's not looking too good for your plan, Lieutenant. They're okay with sending away the foals, wounded, and some of the adults want to go with them, but the rest want to stay. Think they deal with the dragons, with weapons, or talk, it don't matter. Worse, the elders are being even more stubborn than the younger adults. Say that they'll never abandon their homes. I did-” The door to the saloon burst open and Rose Hips shouted out, “There's an army coming! Minotaurs and diamond dogs are headed right this way! Whatever we're going to do, it better be soon! I don't think it will take them long to get here; an hour or two at most.” The saloon quickly emptied, and ponies gathered outside to see the spectacle. It was hard to make out, but what appeared to be the horizon marching towards them could be seen kicking up quite the dust cloud. Smaller trees and bushes were no impediment to the troops, moving aside only for larger trees or boulders. Paladin teleported to a roof and peeked over the edge at the oncoming death. She quickly and silently counted out about one hundred minotaurs. The diamond dogs were tougher, since they didn't follow any formation, and kept running from one group to another, but she estimated a like number of them. The howling of the diamond dogs played a terrifying counterpoint to the grim whistling of the minotaur's pipes and slow-beating drums. Turning around, she slid down the thatch roof onto a rain barrel, then to the ground. “How many, do you think?” Knightengale asked. Paladin shook her head. “Enough to lay waste to this town, defended or not.” She looked out at the gathered ponies and said, “In just a few hours, that army will be here. Do you really think they're going to just subjugate you all? I've seen what they did to the Equus, this tiny hamlet will be nothing, even to a group as small as that. This is your last chance; follow me into the swamp, or be left behind to the not-so tender mercies of your new masters. Rest assured that what you will suffer on the run, will be nothing compared to what they will put you through.” The ponies looked out at the coming army, and listened to the chanting of the war drums and pipes occasionally joined by a bone-chilling howl. They looked to each other, then the mayor stepped forward. “Can we outrun them all the way to the swamp? It's over a dozen kilotrots away.” Paladin bit her lip. This is where we see if I can lie as well as I hope. “If we leave now, and I mean right now and take only the barest essentials, then we might make it.” Right away, some tried to leave, but were stopped by her commanding voice. “Take only food, weapons, and medicine with you. Leave everything else behind. Ricochet, I want you and your friend to make some stretchers for the critically wounded.” The earth pony and aganippe saluted and ran off to the healer's house. “Sheriff, I need you to keep an eye on the enemy's advancement. Let me know when they hit Woodcutter's Creek if we're not already out by then.” The sheriff jumped to the same rooftop the unicorn had just vacated with only two bounding leaps. She turned back to the rest of the gathered ponies and said, “The rest of you, gather your supplies, then meet back here in the town square. Move!” Walking over to Wormwood, she quietly asked, “Might I trouble you for a few bottles of your strongest alcohol? It's for a, um, fire trench.” Wormwood nodded and laid an understanding hoof on her shoulder. “I understand.” After the mare had left, Silver Bell asked, “What do you need that for? This is hardly the time for a quick party.” Paladin gave her a peck on the cheek and smiled. “It's just for a distraction plan. Anything that gives us more time will add that much more to our escape.” The bartender returned with four bottles in her telekinetic grip and hoofed them over to the guard. “Thanks,” she said with a nod as the mare ran off. She turned back to Silver Bell and said, “Could you check up on Awesomeshine? I want those wounded ready to move when everypony else is.” She watched the mare trot off with a weak smile, which disappeared as she rounded a corner. The unicorn looked at the bottles of innocuous intoxicant, then looked at the roofs of the houses around her. With a sigh, she uncorked the first one, and levitated the bottle up to the roof of the inn, where she began pouring a generous amount of the liquor. She continued throughout the town, doing her best to not be seen by the townsponies. When she was done, she arrived back at the town center and solemnly looked over the ponies. “All right, Sheriff. Let's move them out, but quietly. I'll catch up to you all soon. I just want to lay some quick traps to slow them down and hopefully thin their numbers some.” “I can help with that!” Kitten Caboodle said excitedly, jumping around in place. “It's going to be dangerous, Miss Caboodle. We may only be steps ahead of them,” Paladin said, trying to warn her off. Kitten waved it off as no matter of account. “Pshaw. If I help, we can do it twice as fast. Besides, building stuff is what I do best!” Paladin rolled her eyes and looked to the sheriff. “Fine. Sheriff, move them out before anypony else volunteers for this.” “All right, ponies! Move out! We have a long way to go and a short time to get there,” Tin Star said. The herd started leaving, some taking one last look at their homes. As it thinned out, it became apparent that several ponies weren't leaving. Silver Bell stepped forward and said, “Well, let's get this over with. What sort of traps are you making here?” Paladin's look of amazement turned into a grin and she shook her head in wry amusement. “Okay, here's what we're doing. We're going to set up a tripwire that will set fire to the village when the army gets close. I'll take care of the wire itself with magic so they won't see it. Miss Caboo-” “Just call me Kit,” the small pegasus interrupted. “It'll take too long otherwise. Besides, all my friends call me that. I'll take care of the incendiary device,” she added, running off to the smithy to gather the needed materials. “If you're going to do that, let us go get some things from the apothecary we left behind. I'll set up that shop to burn myself,” Awesomeshine said before dashing off with her master, Healthy Glow. “I dinna cleave t' abusing perfectly sarviceable spirits so, but t'is better than letting those poxy bogards have it,” Ricochet said as she and Knightengale went off to the saloon. Silver Bell followed her to one of the houses where they could hide while they worked. “Are you sure about this? Those townsponies aren't going to be too happy about us burning down their homes when they find out.” Paladin's tongue stuck out of the side of her mouth as she carefully levitated some fishing line out to the middle of the field that separated the village from the forest. It took extra effort, but she was able to suppress the normal silver glow of her magical aura which might have alerted the enemy that something was up. “Some if not most of them know what I'm planning. Like Ricochet said, while they're not too happy about it, I think most of them will rather this happen than let these barbarians have their belongings and live in their homes, doing Celestia know what in here.” They finished the remainder of their work in silence, meeting up in the town square again. Kitten tied their tripwire up to the device which turned out to be a simple box with a flint and steel striker, and several oil-soaked lines of twine running to the roofs of all the houses. Awesomeshine was the last to join them, running out her spool of twine which Kitten attached to the trap. The task done, the seven of them carefully, but swiftly left town. Paladin used her telekinesis to sweep away the hoofprints denoting the trail into the swamp from not just themselves, but also the townsponies. They all breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the swamp, the ground becoming noticeable softer and wetter. “So what now? Do we meet up with the others and tell them we aren't coming, or what?” Silver Bell wondered. “You're not coming back with us?” Awesomeshine asked. Paladin shook her head. “The Princess gave me a mission that I have to complete. Leading these ponies to safety was just a necessary detour. Corp- er, Ricochet and Miss Knightengale volunteered to accompany me, and Silver Bell all but threatened my life if I didn't let her come. So, I guess this is where we part ways for now, Miss Awesomeshine.” “Well, I'm coming too, then. You're definitely going to need my help out there,” Kitten said Paladin shook her head and said, “Kit, while I appreciate the offer, this is not a fairy tale adventure. This is a dangerous mission. We may not come back from this alive.” “All the more reason to have me along,” Kitten reasoned. The white unicorn looked down for a moment before slipping off the extra saddlebags she had brought from the apothecary and giving them to Healthy Glow. “Oh, not you too,” Knightengale groaned. “I know where I'm needed, and if this journey is as dangerous as you say, you're likely going to need the services of a healer,” she replied. Paladin sighed loudly. “Miss Awesomeshine, we don't even know where we're going, first of all. The Princess never even gave me a starting point for my search. I haven't the first clue where to look for these magical artifacts.” With a huge grin, Awesomeshine said, “Then it's a good thing I happen to know the most brilliant magical genius in Equestria, isn't it?” Paladin pulled back in surprise. “You know where to find the Duchess of Spellgrade?” Awesomeshine blew a raspberry in reply. “Please. The pony I'm talking about has more magical talent in her hoof than the Duchess has in her whole body.” Pointing to her glasses, she added, “She made me these glasses. They allow me to see magical auras, identify curses, poisons, and diseases both mundane and magical, among other things. If you want to know something about magical artifacts, she is the pony to see.” “It would be foolish to turn you down, just based on your healing talents alone,” Paladin remarked, rubbing her chin with a hoof. “All right. Master Healthy Glow, would you take those supplies and our apologies to the townsponies? Oh, and tell them it was my idea to burn the village down, and you didn't know about it until we had left. No sense in alienating you too.” He nodded solemnly. “I will. Do not worry about them. I will convince them it was the right thing to do.” Paladin turned to the rest of her group and said, “Well, we best be on our way. We have some artifacts to collect.” Healthy glow watched them leave until the swamp swallowed them up before plodding on, following the trail the ponies earlier had left.