//------------------------------//
// Part VI 
// Story: The Rhyme of the Ancient Marener 
// by Brolkier 
//------------------------------//

I turned around to find Cat’s Eye,
Grinning cheek to cheek.
Thoughts of running ran through my mind,
But my legs, they felt weak.

She spun her knife round in the air,
While giving me a smile.
I tried to match my gaze to hers,
But her eyes, they stared a mile.

‘This isn’t what I came for.’
She doth said to me.
‘To be trapped in this fog,
And stranded out at sea.’

I raised my hooves to calm her down,
But she took one step closer.
Without a means with which to fight,
I dared not to oppose her.

The ship was small, and view was short,
There was little place to hide.
I had to find someplace to flee,
Or leap over the side.

‘You know my dear captain.’
She spoke to me again.
‘I don’t recall you sharing,
With Endless and I back then.’

I thought it strange she’d bring that up,
As I stared from her to knife.
Perhaps I should just tell her,
If it indeed prolongs my life.

Salty Pint
‘I was born near Horse Shoe Bay,
But grew up far from water.
‘Twas because of a paranoia,
That belonged to my father.

He knew ponies lived everywhere,
Even near Everfree.
But he wouldn’t take the chance,
To move us by the sea.

Clouds and land familiar,
But the ocean was unknown.
To him it was nothing,
But a big blue tombstone.

Despite his blatant fears,
They did not dissuade me.
I thought it was amazing,
The wide and open sea.

Often times I’d sneak out late,
And go to the waterside.
Watching the water go away,
As it went out with the tide.

Eventually, before too long,
This led to my cutie mark.
‘Twas a ship in a bottle,
And a rage it did spark.

My father thought it pointless,
And called it a bottled dream.
Not to be discouraged,
I hatched a little scheme.

Day by day, I’d go to dock,
And watch as the ships came in.
Seeing which ones came back safely,
And which ones never left again.

I knew to make my dream come true,
I’d need one of my own.
And finally that day did come,
Once I was fully grown.

After years of study,
I had found the perfect ship.
One of steam and sails,
To make an epic trip.

But before I could embark upon
My first and ever voyage.
I needed to find a willing crew,
To build upon my courage.

So after looking high and low,
You were the first I found.
And upon meeting Endless,
I thought we’d be safe and sound.’

The wrapping up of my tale,
Turned Cat’s Eye’s smile to a frown.
I do hate to admit it,
But her mind then did breakdown.

‘You mean you’ve never sailed before!?’
She yelled at me quite angry.
Then swinging her knife wild
I became much more wary.

‘You blunder head, you’ve doomed us both!
I should have never trusted you!’
I backed away more quickly,
To try to escape from her view.

She sprang into a gallop,
And around the boat did chase.
I ran every which-way,
Fear upon my face.

I knew I couldn’t go indoors,
Lest I want be trapped.
But at least since it was my ship,
I was more adapt.

While the sea indeed was calm,
The boat it did still dip.
I could easily jump the things,
That would cause Cat’s Eye to trip.

I bet she wouldn’t throw the knife,
For I knew that she would need it.
So instead I did my very best,
Putting reflexes to the test.
To match her quick of wit.

Knicks of wood, and chips of glass,
She took off with her blade.
And I knew that blood would follow,
If in the same spot I had stayed.

Running by the second time,
I finally did decide.
In the grips of the engine room,
Cat’s Eye I would confide.

I grabbed a rope within my mouth,
And placed it quickly so.
Jumping to position,
I gave it a hard tow.

The rope it caught her by the hoof,
Which made her trip and fall,
Tumbling over end,
Into the darkened stall.

Key in hoof I locked the door,
Just in the nick of time.
She began incessant banging,
And let out an awful whine.

‘Let me out! Let me out!
You can’t do this to me!
Let me out! Let me out!
I demand you set me free!’

I sat my plot upon the deck,
And took a breath of ease.
Not long coming to join me,
Came a cool and steady breeze.

Though not enough to make much wake,
She ship began to move.
While the fog around still lingered,
Of this I did approve.

I got up walking to the galley,
For from the running I did tire.
Until I smelt the smell of smoke,
And where there’s smoke there’s fire.

Turning to the engine room,
I saw the sight of flames.
Things had gone from bad to worse,
No longer fun and games.

Cat’s Eye must have knocked down the boiler,
Enticing the hot fire.
Seeking to burn down the ship,
Must now be her desire.

I called to her through the door,
‘Now tis you that have doomed us!’
Responding back in tone so low,
‘See you in Tartarus.’