"... and you're sure there's nothing left on board?" Star Swirl asked into a short rang communication crystal as the group stood in an alleyway outside Gerardo shop.
"A few containers of supplies, the King's wardrobe...maybe. But not enough for you to barter with. Not in the amounts you're talking about." Clover responded.
"All right. I'm sure another solution will present itself. I'll check back later." The elder unicorn said putting the communication crystal back into his saddle bag. He started to walk out into the main street but was stopped by Wa-waush-ka'-ehe.
"Not again... the beings around here are crazy. We're going to be mugged and stabbed." The deer warned.
"Not likely. We have nothing of value," Star Swirl explained to the deer. "And that's our problem."
The small group of ponies and deer walked down the street with Wa-waush-ka'-ehe walking behind the others. As they walk by an outdoor cafe one of Wa-waush-ka'-ehe antlers accidently caught a piece of meat hanging on a wire.
"Hay, hay. Are you going to pay for that?" The vender asked thinking Wa-waush-ka'-ehe was trying to steal it.
"Huh?" The deer said looking at him.
"That meat costs seven Bits." The vender said pointing to the meat caught in his antlers.
"MEAT?!" Wa-waush-ka'-ehe exclamed in disgust looking up to see the meat stuck in his antlers and quickly shaking his head to get it out.
As he shook his head the wire holding the meat snapped, sending it flying through the air, landing in a bowl of soup, splashing a drake who was eating it. As Wa-waush-ka'-ehe moved away from the vender, the drake jumped up from the table and grabbed the hapless deer.
"Is this yours??" The drake asked holding the meat in front of him.
"Who, me-?" The deer asked but chocked as the drake tightened his grip as Star Swirl turned around realising he was no longer with him and saw him in a fight.
"Careful, Alduin." Sombra said walking up to the two. "He's a big time outlander. Has ties to The Sultans if you know what I mean. I'd hate to see you diced before we race again." He half laughed as Alduin stopped his assault on Wa-waush-ka'-ehe.
"Next time we race, boy, it will be the end of you!" The drake said turning to face the young unicorn. "If you weren't a slave, I'd squash you now."
"Yeah, it'd be a pity if you had to pay for me." Sombra said as the drake dropped the deer and went back to his seat as Star Swirl and Puledro walked over to them. "Hi! Your buddy here was about to be turned into ash. He picked a fight with a Drake. An especially dangerous Drake called Alduin."
"I hate fighting. That’s the last thing I want." Wa-waush-ka'-ehe said getting up.
"Nevertheless, the boy is right. You were heading for trouble. Thanks, my young friend." Star Swirl Said smiling at the colt.
"But... but... I didn't do anything!" The deer said as they started walking down the crowded street.
Clover stood in front of the airship getting some fresh air when the winds began pick up and whip at her robe as Strong Sword exited the ship to join her.
"This storm will slow them down." Clover said as the wind started to turn into a sand storm.
"It looks pretty bad." Strong Sword noted.
"Captain!" One of the Kings guards said standing at the top of the ramp.
"What is it?" The Brown earth pony asked.
"We've managed to get the some of the communication crystals working and we're receiving a message from home." The guard reported.
"We'll be right there." Strong Sword said as he and Clover made their way back inside.
Knowing that the group had no money, Sombra lead them to a small fruit stand run by a kind old mare who gave him discounts.
"Here, you'll like these cactus fruit." Sombra said handing some to Star Swirl.
"Thank you." He said holding one in his hoof, revealing his crystal saber for a moment, before levitating the rest into his saddle bag.
"Oh, my bones are aching ... storm's coming up, Sombra. You'd better get home quick." The old mare warned as the wind slowly started to pick up.
"Do you have shelter?" the black colt asked.
"We'll head back to our airship." Star Swirl said as the shops around them started to close down.
"Is it far?" Sombra asked worriedly.
"It's on the outskirts." Puledro said.
"You'll never reach the outskirts in time! Sandstorms are very, very dangerous." The young unicorn warned. "Come on! I'll take you to my place." he said leading them down the streat.