//------------------------------// // Chapter 19 - Bandit Overlord // Story: The Dragonborn Chronicles: Part 1 - Ponies in Skyrim // by Barix123 //------------------------------// Chapter 19 - Bandit Overlord “VEN!” Nothing “VEN! VEN! VEN!” Twilight was getting tired. “Just give it a break Twilight. Even I know to take breaks every now and again.” “I know what you need,” Pinkie Pie pulls out a tray of cupcakes, “a yummy snack.” Twilight takes one in her magic and reluctantly eats the sugary treat. Her mind was still on Barix. She felt like a child compared to him and somehow that sent a shiver down her spine. Still, no matter how hard Twilight tried to concentrate, she couldn't focus on anything. “Hey Twilight, cast that spell again to make sure we're going in the right direction.” The unicorn did so and found they were still going in the right direction. The trip so far had taken them off the main road and onto a dirt path. Soon they wouldn't be able to take the wagon much farther. “Um, here's a dumb thought. What if Barix is movin to different places? We could jus be followin him throughout Skyrim.” “Well great. Thanks for that AJ.” Rainbow was clearly bored enough to start an argument. “Fer what?” “For saying we've been wasting our time. I'd really wanted to do that.” “It's not mah fault y’all didn't come up with that thought before I did.” “Your right. It's Twi’s fault. She's smart enough to know better.” No response from the mare being accused. “Get off her back. It's not her fault. Why don't you get off yet flank and do something productive fer once. You haven't done one thing since we set out by ourselves.” “What do you expect me to do? I can't cast any spells.” “You got that outstanding memory when flyin don't ya. Get those wings flappin instead of that trap uh yers and scout the area.” Rainbow stuck her tongue at the country mare before taking off. As if on queue the cart stopped moving. “Uh, girls...I ran out of pictures.” “*sign* How ya holden up Twilight?” “I'm fine. Let's just worry about the road ahead. Where are we?” -------------------------------------------- Barix was waking up. As he did his usual checklist routine began. “Weapons...uncheck. Armor...uncheck. Chained up...check. Wounds...uncheck.” Barix spoke up to talk to whoever was around. “Well you want me alive so want to you want from me?” “Hold tight, my boss wants to see you.” “Good. And tell him this, when the moon rises the beast comes out.” The guard left. A quick survey of the area revealed nothing. No familiar smells, a different looking dungeon, and chains made of silver. They already knew. It wasn't long before the lackey came back with his boss...the one with the annoying voice from before. “Ah, Colt had made the score of the century. Colts enemies cannot be underestimated so Colt locked you up in a silver prison. Try to escape, AND IT'S SOVNGARDE FOR YOU!” He broke out in a victory laugh. “There's always a way around prisons. On the notion that we'll both save time going back and forth, mostly because I don't want to hear you talk, you have a reason for keeping me alive. What is it?” “Speak to Colt like that again and Colt will have your head! You've killed Colts minions, but Colt is willing to forgive this transgression if the second ultimate warrior comes to work for Colt. Speak your answer now!” “I'm busy helping some friends. Maybe you can ask me next time I'm in the area and I'm beheading your men.” “DON'T THINK COLT WON'T COME IN THERE AND-oh. You cannot fool Colt that easily. Colt has played this game before.” “Trust me when I say I've played this more than you ever could.” Barix whisper to himself before continuing. “So all the metal in this cell are silver right?” “Correct. Colt even had Colts men put in several traps made of silver. There is no escape.” “So that means the rest is stone. By the looks of it, rotting stone that any dragon could break.” “Colt has also enchanted the walls with wards and illusions. Colt had built the perfect prison for the dragonborn to rot in.” “Have you ever been trapped by a Daedric Prince? They has prisons that put this pile of rubble to shame.” “DO NOT TEST COLT! Colt had only spared your life so you will repay Colt for the destruction you've caused Colts operations! Colt is giving you one day and no more to come up with an answer. Colt hopes Colt doesn't have to end the life of another great warrior.” “You might as well kill me now because I'll never say yes. That is if you can.” The red guard leader held up his hand to activate a spell. Barix received a lightning shock from the walls as the spell activates. Colt continues the spell for a good thirty seconds listening to the dragonborns cries before stopping. He took another minute before speaking again. “Your time starts now dragonborn. Do not disappoint Colt.” The leader walks away leaving his prisoner to think. “Come on Twilight. Find me soon. I don't think I can get out of this alive without you.” “…please…” -------------------------------------------         Rainbow Dash came back with an expression that had a mix of both confusion and worry. As she hovered near the stationary cart the others looked on in anticipation. “Don’t keep us waiting Rainbow. Did you find anything useful up there?” “Uh...maybe. Can you use that finding spell again. I need to triple check something.”         Twilight turns to the other two who shrug in confusion. It was one thing for Rainbow to miss something while walking, but while flying? Nothing could get past that mare. The alicorn holds the spell as Rainbow returns to the air. “Be back in a sec.” “This is very strange. What could have Rainbow in such a state?” “Not sure, but there’s gotta be somethin extremely wrong ta get her like this.” “Butts!” The country mare and princess look to Pinkie at outburst. “Why don’t we use our butts for a new picture. Then we can move again.” A very noticeable blush makes it way on both mares. “Pinkie, I’m not showin mah flank to nopony. Especially somepony like that.” Pointing to Arvak. “Plus we don’t have a camera.” Twilight inputs. “Hey. If we don’t have any kind of camera then how did you...ow. My head hurts.” “Yeeeaaaahh. It’s better to leave that one as is.”         Rainbow Dash finally comes back but from rear of the cart. “Girl. Look at this.” The three other mares look to see the end of the Clairvoyance spell about thirty hooves away from the cart curving around a bend. “But...that’s the end of the spell. How?” “This trail loops around a group of trees! We’ve been going in a circle! What the hay Twi!” “Me? How was I supposed to know this was going to happen?” “If you didn’t-” “You two can’t ju-” “You’re so arra-” “STOP IT!” Pinkie of all ponies stops the argument from going on. “Come on girls. We’re friends. Why are you at eachothers throats like this? It’s not like you. Please stop it before this whole mess gets out of hoof.” Tears formed in her eyes. “I guess I am quick to put blame.” Rainbow starts. “Ah need to check mahself before ah do anypony else.” Applejack adds. “Being the princess, I should have noticed something earlier.” Twilight finishes. “Sorry girls.” They all say at once which makes Pinkie bounce back with a group hug. “There, all better. Now you can investigate that magical disturbance that’s keeping us in a circle.” She let go of the death hug after one last squeeze. “Not to be that pony again, but if there’s a magical disturbance then why didn’t you pick up on that?” Rainbow asks Twilight. “I don’t know. Let me try to actively find it.” Twilight feels around with her magic and sure enough, she spots something in the center of their round-about. “There is something here. It’s pretty big.” “Maybe Barix is hiddin in there, whatever there is.” “I think I can lower the barrier. Just...one...moment. Maybe a bit longer. Whoever did this was an expert in illusion magic.” A very loud explosion sound was heard which made the ponies cringe and cover their ears. At the same time an invisible barrier was lowered revealing a mid-sized fortress. The fort itself was slightly decayed but was used quite recently due to all the others rushing about with weapons drawn. Weapons that were held by screaming people who were heading straight for the group. Twilight performs the spell one last time to have the trail, not loop in a circle as before, instead it was directing them inside the fort. “Barix is inside. They must be keeping him hostage or something.” “Isn’t he the one who bails us out most of the time?” “Who cares,” AJ took up her warhammer in hoof, “it’s time fer some much needed action. YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAA!” ------------------------------------------         Colt approaches the dragonborn once more for what might be the last time. “Colt almost wishes for your suffering to end. All the dragonborn need to do is join Colt and you will be free.” “Just give it up. Kill me if you’re going to keep talking. You’re just so annoying.” “HOW DARE YOU INSULT COLT AFTER THE GENEROUS OFFER COLT PRESENTS TO YOU! LEARN SOME RESPECT, MAGGOT!” “I do. I have respect for the Greybeards, the Dark Brotherhood, untamed beasts of the night, and even millennia old dragons. But not for third rate scum like you.” “THAT’S IT! COLT TAKES BACK AND OFFER COLT GAVE YOU! COLT WILL TAKE PLEASURE IN KILLING YOU!” Before the red guard could activate a killing blow spell, there was a loud explosion heard throughout the fort. “How is this possible? FIND OUT WHO DARES TO BREAK COLTS BARRIER AND KILL THEM!” The lackey ran off to follow his order given. “You know what don’t kill me. I’m about to leave here anyway and I got thing I gotta do.” “Is that so? Well Colt will give your friends a warm welcome, BEFORE COLT SENDS THEM TO SOVNGARDE!” With that he walks away. “Great, now what am I going to do?” Barix spoke to himself. A minute later he hears something hopping around in the hallway. before he can ask who’s there Pinkie pops into view. “Pinkie?” “Barix,” she momentarily freezes in midair then falls back down again, “there you are. I’ve been looking for you. The others are outside playing with their new friends.” “Good to know-say, you don’t know of a way to get me out of here do you?” “Of course silly,” the pink mare pulls a key set off the wall, “if anypony can, it’s me.”