There was a quiet in the room as the sun rose. Beautiful sunrise. Celestia outdid herself this morning, in All Wishes opinion, as he looked out the window.
He looked at Smuggie, his eyes closed. He looked very intense as whispered things to himself, inaudible .These Ponies indeed had strange ways All Wishes thought.Yes.He would leave him to think until the chime.
Smuggie gently disturbed the quiet as he opened his eyes and spoke.''I understand now. I didn't before. To understand is to reject evil. You understood, you could have let me die in the garbage fire pit.'' Smuggie said.
''That would have been unseemly, and yes that would have been very evil! Well, anyone who likes books can't be all bad and...my token.''he tossed Smuggie a gold coin that landed on the stalion’s upturned frog. ''...I think that you are a good investment. '' Smuggie was stunned silent.
IT was a beautifully made coin but that wasn't what made Smuggie stare at the reflective surface.
''Beautiful isn't it?”All Wishes said confusing the look in Smuggie’s eye for awe.
”A treasure,oh.''
The unicorn magicked it away.''You can't have it. I have a loan against it. It provides me income for my real treasure, my family and those in need." tucking the coin into its own small draw string bag around his neck".I work it hard and has already paid for itself ten times!” he said to the gawking pony.
Inside the clinic, a chime rose to their ears attention.
The doctor on duty rushed in“Hurry,hurry!He’s going to be late, he can’t be late!”
“But I have lots of questions…there is this thing I need to tell you about my book....!”
“Too bad, some filly else will have to listen and answer them…hope they can between breaths.” All wishes said with another strange grin and chuckle."Oh, yeah something I've working on since yesterday at the fire.Watch now!" they popped away in at telaportic bubble.
Smuggie was now really disorientated and staggering around in circles making disjointed sounds as he stumbled.
“Pretty neat!Don’t worry, it’ll pass.”said All Wishes.”Oh! and I have something else for you.” grabbing the stallion to steady him,he slapped some saddle bags on Smuggie's back.”For your book! Also:necessary id papers and documentation. Somemare’s else will help you fill them out, much,much latter…” he said with that same cherub smile and licked his lips.
“Just have a lot of fun you two! You’ll know what to do! Think of it as a honeymoon gift.” All Wishes shoved Smuggie towards a heavily guarded door.
Custody was changed to a Pegius. ”So you finally made it to orientation, soldier!"said sergeant Captains lashing his tail with that grin of warriors shields. "Told you I'd see you there and here I am! On your way! Here’s another one for you boys.”He pushed Smuggie through the doors,"Do your duty!" He laughed, the door slamming behind before Smuggie could ask what the unicorn or Pegasus were on about.Something itching his mind again.
No! He had something important to tell them.Vital and lifesaving!They had to know. He rushed to the door.Looking for a doorknob...realizing he didn't have hands!
"Wait! All Wishes, Captains, Doc! I...I finally understand...about the book! Your coin! It all makes sense sirs, its tetelestai!"He pounded the door with his hoof." Tetelistai...don't you..don't... you..see..."He stopped and looked down."How can you know... unless your told....tetelisti...paid in full! Can't you, can't you..."Smuggie pawed the door."I know now...I understand.."His hoof and head dropped"..too slow... he who hesitates...another opportunity....gone...and...and... another bad steward is afraid." He looked downcast as he turned and trudged, head down, in the direction to where he saw a gathering of ponies."Time for average pony to join the herd!Grumble..."
He became aware of a defining silence that reined inside, he finally noticed and turned up. All eyes were on him, Smuggie swallowed. An earth pony trudged up and came face to face,glaring daggers at him.The other stallion snorted.
“What do you understand of foot ball.” he said glowering, towering over him.Had he been that loud yelling at the gate?
Smuggie swallowed, ”Uhm, well, um,yes. Do you mean,um, American football or European football, perhaps: like soccer? Of course, American football,yes.Um, it looks like a peanut, is officially at fifteen pounds per square inch air…”he burbled.
The stallion looked down at Smuggie unimpressed. “Not a fan? Close enough.” he grumbled.
The speaking resumed as Smuggie joined the audience. He looked around, the large pen reminding him of a stadium. The crowd was focused on speakers who were saying stirring things, one speaker campaigning for leader due to his more compelling oratory.
It all reminded Smuggie of a 1920 workers film where the speakers acted like windup toys, scream over and over, ”Unite, unite, unite, unite!”
He smiled as he thought back on All Wishes treasure.
What made him stare so intently at his coin?
In its bubbled surface everything shown distorted until looked straight on. He did. He saw his face! His human face. Then he turns his head, left or right he couldn't remember, he’d disappeared, merge into a distorted background of techno colored flarings. Straight on again. His face was back.
He dwelt on this.
“Eyes forward Smuggie, look neither to the left nor to the right. What lies ahead along the path straight ahead,hmm?”
As all in the mob, but he, gave rousing cheers in solidarity for those addressing them, Smuggie took his book out and read the cover."They're writing their story, reading their book!"
"Well, this is my book! And I'm gonna read it!"
His eyes focused on the page.“In the beginning…”he read.
At that moment the gates opened. Smuggie absentmindedly looked up. Three very well groomed mares came in confidently, one might say striding elegantly,sultry,sed....No!Smuggie chewed his lower lip.He closed his book and held it so tightly, if he had hands they would have been white knuckled.
"Leave us rugged handsome gaurdponies alone!"
""You'll feel better in the morning."
"So eligible."
"A tangle of legs."
"Between breathes."
"A name to be screamed to the sky.
Do your duty!"
His ears laid back and his irises became pinpricks."They can't be serious!!"Smuggie's breath came out in huffs."I just got saved!"
"At last! Representatives! The ambassador are here."said one of the three stallions said ,as they made confident strides towards the slowly walking mares, now paying them their undivided attention.
Smuggie turned and moved for his life."Their minds must still be a little foggy!"HE though again.
Pleased, the herd said, "We'll find out what's what about."As they watched, assured of a quick resolution.
Smuggie ran around the crowded outskirts till he found a large crack in the wall. He squeezed inside till he popped through like a wine cork. Starring out with trepidation, concealed within the darkness, with big round eyes.
"Those aren't ambassadors!"his mind screamed.