The Draconequus of Notre Mare

by Inkquill

Chapter Two: A New Day. -Revised-

The day was calm and tranquil; the sky clear and radiant with the amber light of the sun. A slight mist from the morning prior still lingered near the earth, veiling the horizon in a bluish haze. The air was cool and pleasant as it gently blew through the open fields of wheat that flanked the eastern road to Maris.

Along the east to west causeway, a caravan of wagons, dressed in vibrant colors and designs, made its way eastward towards the infamous walled city. A total of three horse drawn wheeled vessels, each pulled by two well-built stallions and accompanied by a congregation of mares and foals, composed the body of the caravan. They were all dressed in loosely fitted garments of multi-colored linens, which allowed for better air circulation during their long marches across the terrain. They decorated themselves with small ordainments of bead or silver, some even sported small bits of gold jewelry that either hung from their cloths or the own body.

Carried within the wagons themselves were a multiple assortment of merchant goods. Fine silks, exotic fragrances and art works, as well as a number of different flavored wines and spices filled their hulls. Two figures rode in the middle wagon. One stood towards the front looking out upon the unfolding landscape, while the other remained towards the back of the wagon among the food stores, unsuccessfully trying to feed her pet rabbit. Both individuals were young mares of supple youth. One was a teal blue unicorn dressed in a violet magicians hat and cloak, sporting a number of yellow moons and stars, while the other was a buttermilk colored Pegasus dressed in a simple green linen dress and scarf. Her long, flowing rosé mane cascaded down her shoulders in a rather discontented fashion as she knelt down to the white rabbit before her.

She casually moved a dangling lock of hair away from her face as she offered him a bowl of lettuce. "Oh come on Angel," she said in a loving, maternal tone. "Eat up. You haven't even had breakfast yet."

With a vex expression, the snow colored hare kicked at the wooden platter with his large feet, sending it flying only to crash into the wagons wooden wall. Surprised at her pet's actions, the distraught mare let out an exhausted sigh. “Oh my…” she quietly exclaimed.

Hearing the sudden clatter behind her, the light blue unicorn whirled her head around to see what all the commotion was. “Fluttershy, what was that?" She inquired.

“Oh, sorry Trixie,” she replied. “I'm trying to get Angel to eat, but he simply refuses anything I've given him. I've tried radishes, tomatoes, lettuce, nothing worked.”

Trixie shook her head with discontent, “That rabbit of yours is just being spoiled!” She firmly stated, “If he's really hungry, he'll eat soon enough.”

Fluttershy could see her logic. “I guess you're right. It just worries me, that's all.” Defeated in her endeavor, Fluttershy joined Trixie at the front of the wagon, watching the unfolding tapestry of the land. She saw a doe alongside a small fawn bound across the road to disappear into the forest. A migrating flock of duck and geese flew overhead. The world was vibrant and full of color. Crisp and rejuvenating. 'What a beautiful place', she thought to herself.

Growing up among the caravan, Fluttershy was often surrounded by nature, except on the few occasions they would make camp in a town or village. Often she would wander through the foliage of the forest, keeping a safe distance to the campsite mind you.

They had been traveling for days on end now. Migrating eastward from their native homeland in search of new opportunities for trade and commerce. Fluttershy had been born and raised in the caravan; her father, a well-built stallion in his early years had been a traveling merchant for several years; traveling along with the gypsies’ caravans and making an honest profit. His name was Autumn Leaf. During his travels, he had met a beautiful young mare and the two fell madly in love.

But too much sadness, both her mother and father had since left this world. Their bodies laid into the earth, their spirits to hallowed halls of Faust. Despite this, Fluttershy had never the less had a joyful and pleasant life among the gypsies. In the years after the unfortunate passing of both of her parents, Fluttershy had been taken in by one of the caravans families. They had been close friends with her father, and where more than happy to look after the young Pegasus after his passing. They had daughter of their own named Trixie, and over time, Fluttershy and Trixie had developed a relationship almost to that of sisterhood.

Trixie had come from a long line of magicians, and she aspired to carry on the family tradition. Although she could come off as boastful or egocentric, often referring to herself as “The Great and Powerful”, she was a kind mare at heart.

“I've been practicing my magic,” she chimed. “Not that I need it that is.” Fluttershy smiled and let out a small laugh at Trixie's demeanor. “Well of course not,” she replied.

“I can't wait to get to Maris, I hear it's streets are paved with marble.” Trixie's voice was joyful and excited with anticipation. Tales of the great walled city had traveled far, prompting the caravan to set their sights westward. Trixie dreamed of performing her magic for the cities sprawling masses, earning her the fame and recognition she so dearly desired. 

“And the roofs are covered with golden straw,” Trixie continued. “A city of wonders huh?” Fluttershy's soft smile only deepened at her friend's question. “Oh, I don't know. It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it?”

Trixie was un-stayed by the question; her head was too lost in her daydreams. “And when we get there, I, “The Great and Powerful Trixie' will perform for all the city to see. They will adore me.”

“I wouldn't count my duck before they hatch,” a tiny voice piped up. A small, white foal with brown spots hopped up on to the wagon. He wore a small, grey cap on his head; well-worn and tattered, but still not something to throw away. “I hear the Marisian pony-folk don't much like us gypsies. Think we all thieves and witches they do.”

“Oh Pipsqueak don't daft,” Trixie scoffed. “That can't possibly be true.” Trixie's tone was condescending and dismissive. 

Pipsqueak shook his head in exhaustion. “Nope. I hear they just take ponies like us and throw them in their bloody dungeon,” Pipsqueak stomped his hoof. “I don't know why we're even heading there in the first place.”

Fluttershy had been mostly silent throughout their arguing, but now felt the urge to put in her own input. “Perhaps they're just wary of strangers?” She suggested, “I know if somepony just show up and I didn't know who they were, I'd be hesitant too.”

Trixie had grown tired of the heavy subject, “Well, in any case, once we finally reach Maris we'll be able to rest, and can demonstrate my power to the masses!” She exclaimed cheerfully. Fluttershy's attentions had drifted away from her step-sisters boasting. Once again the landscape was held idle in her eyes.

Her hoof drifted to her neck, around which hung a small, golden locket. Her eyes wandered to the sky and clouds above, the sun illuminating them from behind, giving them the appearance of white fire. She twiddled the small ordainment in her hoof and breathed deeply. It was oval shaped and smooth, a simple decorative pattern cast into the metal. Inside there resided to pictures, one of her mother and the other of her father. She had carried these for as long as she could remember.

Memories began to manifest in her mind. She recalled one instance when the caravan had made camp near a small river. Her mother had been a Pegasus but her father had been a proud Earth pony. Through most of her young life, he had been there by her side. Teaching her, protecting her and above all else loving her.

She had been just a filly then, free of the worries of life, living in a world of splendor and joy, where no harm could be wrought.
 
“Papa, those birds are singing to us.” Fluttershy could hear the distant voice of her younger self. “They sound so pretty,” she spoke softly.

“Yes they do sweetie, yes they do.” The voice of her father echoed in her mind. fading in and out like the looming fog. A smile graced her face as she remembered how they would talk and play together. He told her that the world is alive, everything has a spirit and a voice. All you have to do is listen. Sometimes, she would stay up in the night and listen for these allusive voices. She would close her eyes and let her ears take hold.

Slowly, she could hear it... an almost ghostly music drifting through the air. With tender embrace, the music would surround her, caressing her being with tender care. Slowly, it would build in volume, rising into a great orchestra that would fill her soul with an unearthly warmth. As if her whole body was filled a strange and loving glow so radiant, no one could dream to see it.

It appeared to her as if the physical world would fade into obscurity, replaced by a realm of phantom shapes and distant lights. She stood in a vast field of golden wheat, the long strands shifting and swaying in the wind; almost like a sea of liquid gold. The sky the color of ink, yet the sun would be blazing upon its noontime throne, and all around her, a disembodied music would dance about her. It was unearthly, something hard to describe, almost... ethereal? Yes! That's it, ethereal.

As the music would grow, strange shapes would begin to appear. Like that of ponies, but somehow... different. Something about them was simply alien, as if they were the music itself. They would dance around her, almost floating above the swaying field.

Then, before she realized it, she would be woken by the light of the rising sun. Had she imagined it? Or had she really heard the voices of the world?

She didn't know…

A light blue hoof waved in front of her face.

“Fluttershy? Fluttershy?” Trixie inquired, “Fluttershy, hello? Earth to Fluttershy.”

With a slight gasp, Fluttershy returned her attention to the present. Trixie was excited, a wide smile spread across her face. “Fluttershy look!” She pointed her hoof down into the distance.

Below in the great river valley it stood. A sprawling, walled metropolis surrounded by farmland and mills. The river flowing through its heart glistened in the sunlight, flowing down from the snow peaked mountains in the east to disappear in the western horizon.

“There it is Fluttershy,” Trixie exclaimed excitedly. “The City of Maris!”

“Maris…” she whispered.