The following four hours were suspenseful. Hanging suspended from the underside of a Gryphon and looking straight down onto the world below was quite an experience for everybody being carried. Early into the flight the Gryphon carrying Oriana had pulled close to Artex at Heidi's order. The poor Zebra mare was bawling her eyes out while keeping a death grip on the haversack. Artex eventually managed to get her to calm down enough to stop crying. For the remainder of the flight Oriana kept her eyes closed and just held onto the haversack like a security blanket.
Once he was satisfied that she would be alright, he began looking around at the ground.
Dense forests stretched out below them, occasionally interspersed with rivers, lakes, and streams. There were fields down below, but each of them was full of rows and rows of crops in various states of growth. The land was so wholesome, so untouched. It was truly a marvel to look at. Try as he might, Artex could not find anywhere where trees had been cut down. He wondered where the Gryphons got the wood for their fires and furnaces. In the end it didn't really matter. The land was beautiful beyond compare and teeming with green life. At several points he saw entire herds of deer galloping down below. One of those times he also saw Gryphons following along behind them, running along the ground. He watched as one Gryphon pounced on a deer. The two struggled for half a second before the Gryphon stood over the still form of the deer as the obvious victor.
At a river farther along Gryphons were using nets to catch fish. At another point Artex could see Gryphons jumping from the trunk of one tree to another while a single Gryphon hovering above the treetops occasionally blew on a whistle. A short while later they came upon a flight of adolescent Gryphons flying in formation with an adult in the lead. The youngsters called out to the flight carrying the Emissarial Staff but the carrier Gryphons ignored them and continued onward. At yet another clearing farther along, several hundred Gryphons were engaged in battle on the ground. Artex winced as they screeched and bit and clawed at one another down below. The noise was so great he could clearly hear it over the howling wind. At first he thought it might have been an actual battle, but then he saw one victor help a loser up off the ground. They were practicing.
After more than four hours, and a good hour and a half from the closest obvious habitation of Gryphons, they came upon a huge forest. Artex could see smoke rising from dozens of places in the distance. The smoke was streaming out from the foliage and he had the sinking feeling they were close. As he studied the smoke he noticed a large group of Gryphons standing on a thick cloud overlooking a clearing in the forest below. A talon tapped Artex on the shoulder then pointed to the clearing. Artex quickly seized the hanging cord in his hand and waited.
Heidi landed first and moved to make way for the others. Artex' carrier came swooping in low and slow. As soon as he felt safe Artex pulled hard on the cord. His legs fell free first, rotating to a 90° angle from his body. His chest and stomach then came free and finally his shoulders did too. The entire process took less than three seconds. Artex' feet hit the ground and he overbalanced falling onto his side in the tall grass. Heidi sprang forward and pulled him to the edge of the clearing as Rose came down next. She stumbled as she landed but she stayed upright and trotted over to Heidi and Artex. Razor landed on her hooves as if it were a thing she had done a hundred times. Darryl came down at a steep angle. As soon as his feet hit the ground he rolled, in his armor, and came up at a jog. He took three steps and tossed down his haversack then turned around with his arms open.
Oriana had been too afraid to open her eyes and pull the cord so her carrier was forced to land. Darryl rushed up and pulled the cord then hauled the Zebra mare away from the clearing so her carrier could take off.
As soon as he reached the others he spoke up, "We have to move, now. Come on." He led the way out of the clearing and into the trees as if he knew his way around, "We have to find a place to hide. The Gryphons overhead are like a beacon and I guarantee that there was somebody watching as we came down. They'll have counted the Gryphons coming down and the number that took off. They'll know that at least one stayed behind." He spotted a tiny clearing with waist high grass and pointed to it, "Get into the middle of that and stay as low as you can and for God's sake don't move or make a sound until I call for you." He then pointed to a dense thicket of bushes not far from the tiny clearing, "Artex, you and I hide in there. Move."
Everybody went to hide. Nobody was foolish enough to question his orders. Artex crouched down and settled in to wait. He turned his head and could just barely see the tiny clearing. Razor, Oriana, Rose, and Heidi all hunkered down in the middle of the tall grass. Within seconds they were invisible. Artex breathed a sigh of relief and decided to take a look around at the forest beyond the bush.
The trees grew close together and thick bushes limited visibility to mere Fathoms. He had no idea how Darryl thought he could spot anybody in the dense mess of shrubs and trees. Ivy hung heavily from nearly every branch and the entire place was so green it almost hurt to look at.
Time seemed to stretch on forever as they waited. The songs of birds slowly began to return from the silence as the little avian creatures felt the danger had passed. Artex sighed as he crouched there under the bush. It was a beautiful day to be outside. The sun was shining through the canopy of the forest sending beams of sunlight to the forest floor. Harmless insects buzzed and droned quietly in the stillness of the forest. It took Artex a second to realize what had suddenly changed, 'It's quiet again.'
Darryl reached out and tapped Artex on the arm silently. Artex looked over to his friend curiously. Darryl pointed two fingers to his eyes then pointed out of the bush in the direction of the more dense forest. Artex followed his friend's pointing finger but could not make anything out.
He continued staring in the direction Darryl was pointing. He saw the bark of trees and the moss hanging from them. He saw the leaves which dotted the forest floor. He saw the side profile of a face in the leaves. Artex blinked and looked again. There was the barely discernable outline of a face in the leaves of one of the low hanging branches of a tree. Try as he might, Artex could not connect the face to any other identifiable part of a Human body. He kept his eyes on the spot and tried taking in the immediate surroundings around it. It was no use. No matter how he tried to see more, it was just too unclear. What really impressed Artex was that the figure was less than eight Fathoms away from him and yet he had never heard a single sound.
Darryl tapped Artex on the shoulder again and mouthed the words, 'stay down'. He cupped his hands around his mouth and took a deep breath, "Marines, hold your fire!"
The rustle of leaves and the creak of pressure on wood were the first sounds they made. A commanding voice called out from the obscuring trees, "Identify yourself!"
"Echo 3 Hord, 491-83-7499, Uncle Sam's Misguided Children." Darryl yelled back.
There was a brief pause before the voice yelled out again, "Come out and keep your hands where we can see them!"
"I'm coming from your left about twenty feet out. I'm covered in metallic armor and helmet." Darryl placed his hands on top of his head and slowly stood up. The bush only came up to his chest.
"Come forward slowly." the voice commanded.
Darryl pushed his legs and body through the bush and stepped out completely. He took slow steps and stopped three Fathoms from where the other Humans were still hidden.
"Show your face. Move slowly." the voice ordered.
Darryl moved his hands slowly and gradually lifted his visor.
"Lower weapons but keep them at the ready." the voice ordered, "What are you armed with Hord?"
"Shotgun, pistol, and two knives. Permission to lower my hands sir?" Darryl asked.
"Granted but keep your hands away from your weapons."
Darryl lowered his hands, "I've been sent by the locals to speak with your C.O."
"On whose authority?"
"Would you believe you're on a different world?" Darryl asked, "Myself and others with me have been sent here by the royalty of this kingdom."
There was another pause before the voice asked, "How long have you been without water Marine?"
"About four hours." Darryl answered casually, "I have a canteen if you're thirsty."
Ten men stepped out from their cover. Each of them was covered in mud, moss, and leaves. They each held a crudely made bow with an arrow set to the string. They were a mix of Caucasian, African-American, Latino, and Asian and all of them were dangerously thin. One of the Caucasian men lowered his bow completely, "Gryphons, sun setting faster than it should, fresh water in the middle of nowhere." he chuckled, "Looks like Lieutenant Terrell might have been onto something." he said to his men. He then turned back to Darryl, "The locals chose a Marine to be a diplomat? I might like these people."
"May I safely bring out my other traveling companions?" Darryl asked.
"Where are they and how many?" The lead Marine asked.
"One in the same bush I was in and the other four are hidden in the tall grass in that small clearing behind me. Only the one in the bush is Human though." Darryl explained.
"And the others?"
"Not Human. They're the locals." Darryl responded.
"Gryphons? We've already captured several. We figured out that they're intelligent but the language barrier is a bitch. You can talk to them?" The lead Marine asked.
Darryl nodded, "Two of my companions can. One is a Gryphon, the other is a tan Unicorn. There are two others who cannot speak Areophene, that's the Gryphon language. Only one of them, the Unicorn speaks American English fluently. She has to act as our translator."
The lead Marine raised his eyebrows, "Unicorn? I doubt any of us are virgins."
Darryl shrugged, "Not an issue, trust me." Darryl turned his head back to the bush, "Come on out Dan."
"Do I need to have my hands up?" Artex asked.
"You armed Marine?" The lead Marine asked.
"Not a Marine sir, Emissary. I have a khopesh on my back though. Does that count?" Artex asked.
"Just keep your hands off it civilian. Are the others armed?"
"One is. She has an automatic weapon attached to her armor. She's here to ensure my safety." Artex stood up slowly and pushed the bush out of the way. He walked up next to Darryl and stopped beside him, "Will the others be safe sir?"
"Just make them visible civilian." The lead Marine ordered.
Artex stood his ground, "Will they be safe sir?"
The lead Marine smirked, "Unless they become aggressive or attack, yes they will be safe."
Artex turned his head toward the small clearing, "Did you catch all of that Razor Wit?"
Razor yelled back from the tall grass, "Yes I did. Give me a moment to translate for the others."
"Send out the armed one first." The lead Marine ordered.
Rose Thorn slowly emerged from the tall grass a few moments later. The Marines' eyes widened at the sight of the three and a half foot tall horse shaped creature covered in metal armor. The submachine gun on her left foreleg did not escape their attention either.
Rose stopped next to Artex, "Should I raise my visor too?"
The Marines stiffened but Artex spoke quickly, "She only asked if she should raise her visor."
The lead Marine nodded, "Tell her to go ahead, but that weapon stays down."
Artex translated, "Use only your right forehoof."
Rose slowly lifted her right forehoof and raised her visor. The reaction of the Marines was varied. Some chuckled at the adorable sight, some raised eyebrows, and others seemed unsure what to think. Razor called out from the clearing in English, "I'm sending out Heidi next."
The grass rustled as Heidi stepped out. The Marines seemed casual about her appearance. She stopped right next to Rose and sat herself down, "They're so thin." She mused.
Artex nodded, "That they are."
"Oriana and I will come out now." Razor called.
The Zebra and Unicorn both emerged from the tall grass and trotted up to stand in line with the others.
One of the Marines chuckled quietly, "A Unicorn, a Zebra, and a Gryphon walk into a forest. This is like a bad joke or something."
"Secure that Private." The lead Marine barked. He turned back to the odd gathering in front of him, "You said you were here to talk to the C.O.?"
"That's right," Artex nodded, "The Gryphons wish their civilians returned. The kingdom that Razor Wit, Oriana, Rose, and I represent want to offer your entire group sanctuary. May I have your name sir?" He asked extending his right hand.
The lead Marine took his right hand off the string of his bow and grasped Artex' offered hand, "Sergeant Dyson, United States Marine Corps."
"Dan Pering, more commonly known as Artex Rias, Equestrian Emissary." Artex gestured to the armored Earth Pony next, "This is Rose Thorn. She's a member of the Community Welfare Guardians and has volunteered to act as our armed guard." He motioned to Heidi next, "This is Heidi. She's acting as a representative of the Gryphons." He moved on to the tan Unicorn, "This is Razor Wit. She's our translator. She has to translate for Heidi and Oriana, our last member. Razor speaks every language on this world. She will need to be translating all the time. Just ask her what she's saying and she'll tell you. We have nothing to hide from you." He planted his hands on his waist, "Oriana is an advisor and a skilled apothecary. If your people need medicines, she can help."
Sgt. Dyson nodded, "You want to speak with the C.O. you walk with three of us in front of you and seven behind you. Follow them carefully and keep your... appendages where we can see them." he turned to his men, "Thompson, Bentley, Stevens take point. Form up Marines, weapons hot, eyes alert."
The group formed up and began heading deeper into the forest at a slow walk. Sgt. Dyson spoke as they went, "What's the story behind your armor Hord? The Gryphons don't seem to have much in the way of technology."
"It's of Equestrian make. A joint venture between Human and alien ingenuity. Rose and I are both members of the Community Welfare Guardians and this is the standard issue armor. The C.W.G. are basically universal first responders. We act as police, fire and rescue, and E.M.T.s"
"You're pretty heavily armed Marine. Where did you get those weapons?" Sgt. Dyson asked.
"They were made by Morris Almond and Jason Campbell. The shotgun is black powder but the pistol is gyrojet. It took some time, but the gyrojet weapons work very well." Darryl answered.
"Let me see that shotgun Marine." Sgt. Dyson said.
"No sir. While I'm acting as a guard for the Emissarial Staff I will not relinquish any of my weapons." Darryl answered bluntly.
Sgt. Dyson nodded, "Playing it safe huh? What about clothes though? Half of us are W.M.s and they've been saying they need... support."
"W.M.s?" Razor asked, "And what about support?"
"Women Marines," Sgt. Dyson said, "They need support for their tits."
Razor blinked, "For their teats? Hopefully clothes won't be a problem for much longer. The Princesses have supplies set aside to help new arrivals get on their feet."
"What about the King or Queen?" Sgt. Dyson asked.
Razor shook her head, "Equestria has no King or Queen. The title implies a greater level of control than they are comfortable with and the Princesses have enough power already. The Gryphons have a King, the Changelings have a Queen, the Minotaurs have a High Parliament, the Dragons have elders, the Zebras have a High Chief..."
"Dragons!?" Thompson exclaimed, "There's Dragons here?"
Sgt. Dyson cut in, "Are you talking about lizards or flying, fire-breathing Dragons?"
"The mythical kind." Artex quipped over his shoulder, "You're walking with a talking Gryphon and a Unicorn, why not Dragons?"
"Jesus," Dyson muttered, "We landed in Grim's fucking fairy tales. Next you're going to be telling me about elves, goblins, and wizards."
"I've never heard of elves, goblins, or wizards, but we do have Diamond Dogs." Razor said trying to be helpful.
"Think large, bipedal canines with the build of a gorilla, huge teeth, and long claws for digging. Then give them the faces of the Wargs from Lord Of The Rings." Artex said.
"Fuck me, is everything in this world sentient?" Dyson asked.
"Most creatures in Equestria are intelligent, but due to the lack of active magic here in Gryphonvale the animals here aren't." Razor explained.
Sgt. Dyson picked right up on the mention of magic, "Active magic? What do you mean?"
Razor hid her cringe. She knew she had to think fast so as not to mention that Humans could use magic, "Well Unicorns like me can use magic for all sorts of things. I'm going to use mine to pick up a leaf. Don't freak out." Her horn lit up and a leaf lifted off the ground and floated in front of her face, "It's very useful for those of us who don't have hands."
"How about throwing around fireballs?" Sgt. Dyson asked.
"That would be extremely difficult for most. Besides only Equestrian E.U.P. are allowed to learn combat magic. I'm a translator not a warrior. If I somehow managed to get permission, take years to practice, and have a tutor then maybe I could, but why learn something I'll never use?"
Artex had used the spare time to think of a good ploy to use as a way to manipulate the situation safely. He had an idea and decided to play it, "By the way Sergeant," Artex suddenly spoke up, "We can't enter your camp."
"Yes you can. You're being escorted." Dyson said quickly.
"No sir, we can't." Artex reiterated, "According to Equestrian Diplomatic Policy, if we enter a fortified location held by an aggressor entity without an Equestrian Royal Decree in our possession we would be acting as aids to the aggressor entity or considered captured. In one case it's an act of treason, in the other it's an act of war. We absolutely cannot enter your camp sir. I'm sorry." Artex hoped that Dyson would buy his lie.
"Company halt!" Dyson ordered, "How are we considered an 'aggressor entity'?" he asked.
Artex turned and faced him, "You've captured native peoples, potentially injured them, and held them against their will. Add to that, you've poached animals, destroyed property of Gryphonvale, and basically invaded a country. Lucky for you the Gryphon King wanted to try the diplomatic route instead of taking violent action." Artex took a step toward Dyson, "This situation is the proverbial powder keg sir. We HAVE to tread lightly. Don't get me wrong, we're on your side and we want to help but your C.O. has to meet us half-way, almost literally in this case."
Dyson looked thoughtful, "How long until we're out of time?"
Artex shrugged, "I honestly don't know. I'd guess three or four days."
"How far away do you have to stay from our camp?" Dyson asked.
Artex hid his relief that the Sergeant was taking the situation seriously, "Twenty feet from the walls, fifty feet from the front gate."
Dyson nodded, "Double-time Marines." he barked, "Major Heartford is going to have a shit fest. Keep up civilians."
* * *
Artex was impressed as they came up to what could only have been the Marine encampment. A three Fathom tall wall of dirt had been erected, he assumed, around the entire camp. Sharpened wooden stakes pointed out of the packed soil as numerous as porcupine quills. Through the woven wood front gates Artex could see five Fathom tall watchtowers and dugouts all over the place, each one filled with small groups of Marines with bows. Men and women ran all over the place. All were armed but thin to an unhealthy extent. The Marines guarding the front gate watched the approaching procession like hawks, arrows already set to bow strings.
Dyson stopped a good ways from the front gates, "Stay within sight, Mr. Emissary. The Major will want to speak with you." Without another word Dyson led the rest of the Marines into the camp.
Artex shrugged, "Hopefully we can get this mess out of the way quickly, but we need to be prepared to stay here for a couple of days." He removed his shoulder bag and set down the haversack. The sight of the haversack gave him an idea, "We need to build a fire. Darryl, you and Razor go gather firewood, lots of it." He turned to Oriana, "Do you happen to have brought any of those aromatic teas you love so much?"
Oriana nodded, "Of course... but why do you need them?"
Darryl and Razor were standing behind him looking confused, "What are you planning?" Razor asked.
Artex turned to them with an evil grin, "These people look mostly starved and the conditions of the Gryphons can't be any better. We want results now and you know what they say, 'The fastest way to a man's heart..."
Darryl's eyes lit up in realization, "Is through his stomach."
Artex nodded, "Exactly.
* * *
Within two hours the team had their tents set up. Darryl and Razor had found plenty of firewood and it was not long before they were all sitting around on dry dirt watching an iron skillet heat up a batch of scones the Gryphons had packed for their trip. A second skillet cooked salted fish that Darryl had brought from New Humansville. Tea, the most aromatic one Oriana had, slowly brewed in a small kettle over the fire. They had arranged their tents to face the Marines and Razor made sure the smells of the food were wafting toward the camp. She was no ace with air magic, but a little nudge was not difficult for her.
Not one of the team had to even look up. They could feel the weight of hundreds of pairs of eyes on them hungrily. A loud shout of, 'Officer on deck' came from the direction of the front gate. The two men, one Gryphon, and three mares all looked up as an older African-American wearing a loin cloth and a stone knife walked out of the Marines' camp. He was accompanied by twelve Marines armed with spears. He, like all the other Marines the team had seen, sported a scraggly beard but with him it made him look wise instead of unkempt. He walked with a sure step and even though he was an older man, his build suggested a long life of healthy living.
Artex and Darryl rose to their feet as the man approached their small camp, "Whom do I have the honor of addressing sir?" Artex asked.
The man's face was set in a deep scowl, "Major Dwayne Heartford, United States Marine Corps."
Artex extended his hand while Darryl saluted sharply, "Dan Pering a.k.a. Artex Rias, Emissary of Equestria." The Major ignored the offered hand. Artex lowered his hand and introduced the rest of the team, "These others are Razor Wit: our translator, Rose Thorn: our other guard, Oriana: our apothecary, Heidi: our Gryphon representative, and..."
"Lance Corporal Hord." The Major interrupted, "I've heard. What's your first name Marine?"
"Darryl sir."
The Major huffed, "What are you playing at here? Darryl Hord died along with seven hundred and eighty-five other people a year ago in..."
"Norfolk Virginia." Artex interrupted, "From a place called The Complex. It was seven hundred and eighty-six actually. Something happened during a storm and we ended up on this world Major."
The Major saluted Darryl, "At ease Hord." He shifted his stance, chin high, "Tell me everything."
* * *
Half an hour later Artex and Darryl finished relating a greatly abridged version of the struggles of Humanity on the new world. Major Heartford sat by the fire listening carefully and only interrupting when he needed clarification on one point or another. They finished with the tale and the scene lapsed into silence.
After a moment Major Heartford shook his head, "Let me make sure I understand this. You're telling me that all the people from The Complex suddenly woke up naked in a field on this world. You made contact with the locals, these Kavim or 'Ponies'. They assisted you out of the goodness of their hearts and now you're living on their land, for free, and you're here offering us the same thing?"
"We're paying them with inventions and taxes but you have the right idea sir." Artex said.
The Major snorted derisively, "You're full of it. Magical sweet Pony Princesses? A land of pacifistic cute and colorful Ponies? Did a six year old little girl come up with that shit? And 'magic'? Really? Why would any sane being believe this?"
"Asks the man sitting around a fire with a Unicorn and a Gryphon." Darryl said bluntly.
The Major grumbled something unintelligible under his breath. Artex decided to play it straight, "Major you're seeing these Ponies right across the campfire with your own eyes. This is real, all of it. I know it's hard to believe but we're telling you the truth. We can even prove it. Razor, would you levitate a cup of tea over to the Major please."
Razor's horn lit up and a filled tin cup floated over to the Major. The older man blinked in astonishment. He moved his head from side to side examining the cup. He then reached out his hands and waved them around the entire cup as if to make sure there were no strings attached, literally. He tentatively reached out his hands and grabbed the cup by the handle. Razor's magic let go of the cup and the light around her horn went out. The Major swirled the tea in the cup a couple of times peering at it as if it were an alien.
He handed the cup to Artex, "You take a drink first."
Artex nodded and accepted the cup, "Sure." he said casually. He took a sip then handed the cup back to Heartford, "Major we're here offering you and your Marines food, shelter, jobs, and a fresh start in the most incredible place outside of Disney Land. This is a wonderful world and the Kavim are extremely caring but we have no say in what the Gryphons will do to you and your Marines if you decide to continue here. You're squatting on somebody else's land and you've kidnapped citizens of this kingdom."
Artex paused for a breath before continuing, "Ask yourself this: what would you do if a bunch of alien invaders appeared in a national preserve and began capturing Human civilians? Let's be honest, you'd be pissed. You'd want to wipe them out. Would you be willing to try diplomacy like the Gryphons are doing?"
"The Gryphons act as the guardians of this whole world Major. They offer sanctuary to all species who are in need. They deploy all over the world in times of war. They don't do it to stop the conflicts, they let the involved countries do that. No, the Gryphons do it to ensure that civilians in occupied cities are treated properly by the invading force. These are honorable creatures Major. They're willing to give you a chance to let their civilians go. If you let the Gryphons go we can help you. We can claim you as displaced allies of Equestria. We will have to have a hearing about this mess, but I promise that with the Princess backing you, you'll have a ridiculously powerful ally. Hell, if you can promise that you'll let them go, we can bring in a bunch of supplies right now."
The Major's head snapped up, "What do you mean?"
Artex held up a finger, "Just a second." He rooted around in his shoulder bag and came out with a wooden box, "These are crystals enchanted to act as teleport beacons. My brother in-law Chris, owns and runs a shipping service out of New Humansville. He's got supplies ready to teleport as soon as I give him the signal."
The Major's brow furrowed, "You're asking us to give up our only bargaining chip. The only thing keeping those Gryphons from coming in here and having a 'go' at us."
"Civilians shouldn't be victims like this Major." Darryl said quietly, "Marines don't use civilians as meat shields. We ARE the shields."
The Major's face betrayed nothing, but his eyes shone with conflict and Artex could see it. He decided to give the man one more push, "How about this Major. We have Chris send the supplies to show that we're serious about this. There should be food, clothing, and tools in there. We can get him to send more once you release the Gryphons. Please Major," Artex pleaded sincerely.
"Do what's right for the civilians. Do what's right for our brothers and sisters." Darryl said firmly.
Major Heartford sat in place thinking for many long minutes before nodding, "Send the signal. Get those supplies and I'll take this offer seriously."