//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Daring-Do and the Griffon's Goblet // by Sebbaa //------------------------------// Daring-Do and the Griffon's Goblet by Sebbaa Chapter 4 When the sun rose above the horizon, and its first warm rays dispelled the early morning chills, the two traveling ponies had left the outskirts of Maredria behind them. The lush flora, made possible by the abundant waters of the river Mare, gave way to a more and more desolate landscape. Green grass and fruit-bearing palms were replaced by brown, thorny bushes and lone, gnarly trees. The two ponies trotted at a steady pace side by side, making their way along a winding gravel path. Daring noticed that her companion was breathing heavily, and trotting with his tongue hanging out. She briefly tried to ease their pace by slowing down herself, but it made her fall behind. She shot him a worried glance as she caught up, but the colt just stared ahead and continued his single-minded gait. She wasn’t too surprised when he finally slowed down to a walk, came to a dead stop, and fell over onto his side. She just shook her head, briefly checked on his heartbeat and breathing, then grabbed him by his mane with her teeth, and dragged him into the shadow cast by a large rock nearby. Having him out of the rising sun, Daring continued to undo his saddlebags as well as her own, pulled out a canvas cover, and arranged it to an additional sun-shelter with experienced method. After she had taken care of their shelter, the adventuress got a piece of cloth, and drenched it in water from her canteen. Holding it in her teeth she wet her companion’s lips, cleaned his face, and finally laid it on his forehead. Only when he was taken care of, did Daring opt to take a nap herself. It had been a long and exhausting night after all. She lay down beside the colt, rested her head on her crossed legs, and drifted off to sleep almost instantly. It was afternoon when Bulwark woke from his involuntary break. He groaned and pushed the now dry cloth from his head with a hoof. The young stallion blinked several times, and tried to clear his eyes with the back of his fetlocks. “Ugh, what happened?” he inquired, his voice raspy, as his vision cleared up enough to make out Daring’s form. The mare was already awake, standing nearby, shielding her eyes with a hoof, and scanning the horizon. She had discarded her torn shirt, and was now wearing a wide, white cloak and turban, that covered nearly all of her body, shielding it from the scorching sun. She turned as she heard him, and walked over to their baggage. “Look who’s back with the living! Good, I was getting bored!” she exclaimed, pulling a water canteen from their bags, and threw it over to her companion, where it landed on the ground with a thud. He quickly gathered it in his hooves, unscrewed the top with his teeth, and took a greedy swig. It made him cought violently, and he nearly dropped the bottle, as the water burned in his raw throat. But as soon as he recovered, he continued to empty half of the bottle, before he sat it back down. The colt wiped his mouth on his fetlock and let out a satisfied sigh. “Ah! Much better, thanks.” “You’re welcome!” replied Daring; she then walked to him, and ruffled his mane. “Next time you get exhausted, just slow down and we can take a break. Don’t try to impress me, and run ‘til you pass out again.” Bulwark shoved her hoof from his head. “I didn’t try to impress you!” he protested sharply. But his ears dropped, and he looked to the ground as he saw her raising an eyebrow. The colt sighed. “I just didn’t want to slow you down anymore. Bad enough that we have to travel on hoof because of me. Didn’t want you to wait for stupid hangover me too.” The adventuress wrinkled her brow as she looked down on her companion‘s sorry form. She finally shook her head, and smacked the back of his head with her hoof. “You’re stupid!” she exclaimed as he looked up at her, eyes wide in wonder, rubbing the spot she had hit. “I’m traveling earth pony style because it would be far too exhausting to fly in this heat with heavy saddlebags on. And now you have been slowing us down by passing out while trying not to slow us down!” He just stared at her open mouthed, then let his head sink again, as realization of what she had said seeped in. Daring shook her head again and rummaged some more through their luggage. She pulled forth a paper bag with some nuts and dates, dropped it in front of the colt's face and sat beside him. The mare nudged him with her wing when he still didn’t look up. “Now eat hearty! When the heat of midday has passed we should be on our way again, and you will need your strength.” Bulwark finally raised his head and looked her in the eye. She gestured towards the bag with her snout. That was the last encouragement he needed. The colt dug into the food with a vengeance, devouring it paper bag and all. .oOo. They were still traveling when night fell, navigating their way by the light of the full moon, through what now was no more than a rocky desert. Bulwark too had put on the clothing, they had bought at the Cave Market, and was glad for the cloak and turban, for with nightfall the desert had become freezing cold. They were passing a large boulder, worn smooth over the centuries by sand and wind, when Daring stopped dead in her tracks. The young stallion trotted on a few steps before he could react. He came to a slow halt, and turned back to the mare, looking at her in concern. Her ears were twitching and turning forth and back. She turned several times on the spot, scanning the horizon. Suddenly she burst into frantic action, dashing for the boulder. “Hide!” she yelled. The colt was startled, and started to walk after her. Only when he too heard a rushing noise, that became louder and louder by the second, did he spring into motion. Bulwark quickly threw himself on the ground beside the mare, and pressed himself close to the side of the rock. The bulging form of an enormous airship passed overhead, blocking out the moonlight. The wing beat of over a dozen pegasi created a loud sough, as they pulled the blimp through the air. Bulwark and Daring craned their necks to get a look at the ship. It was of an old style; its gondola had the form of an ocean vessel, and hung under a bulky gasbag; an Equestrian flag flew at the ship’s bow. The noise died down again, as the ship vanished in the distance, traveling in the same direction the two hiding ponies were headed. They got to their hooves when they were sure the ship was gone. “What’s an Equestrian airship doing out here? Were these the Patriots?” asked Bulwark, still staring after the ship. Daring bit her lower lip. “Maybe,” she offered. Soon enough her trademark smile crept back to her face. “But they won’t get to the Goblet without the second part of the map!” The young stallion turned toward her making a frown. “How’s that? What does the writing say anyway?” he inquired, distressed. The adventuress put her saddlebags on the ground, pulled forth the scroll from her clothing, and spread it on them. “Here! Let me show you!” Bulwark got a firefly lamp from his bags, and poked it with his hoof. One by one the insects lit up, and soon the lamp offered enough light for reading. He edged closer to the mare until both of them were hovering over the map. Daring’s eyes darted along the text once more, before she cleared her throat, and began reading it out loud, translating it to modern Equestrian at the same time. “The Goblet is hidden Neither Discord nor the likes of him shall find it. Yet should the need arise, it can be found by those of pure heart. Follow the path; don’t walk astray for it is the Way of the Elements. Walk the Valley of Flowers Face the Mirror of Truth Pass the Hidden Chasm Rest at the Silent Lake Carry the stone into the sun And conjure the magic Thus the Huscarls of the Elements offer you the key.” When she had finished the fighting pony scratched the back of his head, and wrinkled his brow. “Alright then. What does it mean?” he asked. Daring chirped as she rolled up the map, and replaced it in her cloth. “I have no idea!” she exclaimed happily. Bulwark stared at her, his mouth open, but no words would come out. “But I’m sure we’ll find out once we follow the map.” the mare said giggling, then pulled a blanket from her luggage. “We should make camp. We'll have to get up early to cover some distance before it gets too hot!” she explained, and started to set up their equipment. The colt shook his head slowly, his eyes wide. “So we have no idea what we are doing,” he mumbled to himself. Eventually he recovered, and went to help the adventuress put up a tent. .oOo. It was almost noon of their fourth day of travel, when they trotted over a barren hilltop. The sight they beheld at the other side made them stop dead in their tracks, and stare in awe. The valley that spread before them was dominated by a great lake, its dark waters contrasting sharply with the cliffs rising at its far side, where a small river had dug a deep ravine into the bright sandstone ground. The lake’s water provided for lush, green grass, bushes and trees, that grew along the lake-shore; the first the two ponies had seen in days. Daring-Do jumped into a mad dash, laughing and yelling as she galloped towards the water. “Wait!” Bulwark called, and reached out for the mare, but she was already gone. He put a hoof to his face and shook his head, then quickly set off to trot after her. As she neared the shore, Daring slipped out of her saddlebags and cloth, then spread her wings, jumped into a short flight, and dove headfirst into the lake. She resurfaced seconds later, spitting out a small fountain of water. The pegasus giggled happily as she rolled onto her back, and began swimming along the shore with easy wing strokes, her forelegs crossed behind her head. The young stallion reached the shore moments later. He took a short glance at his companion, who was swimming through the lake without a care in the world, and shook his head, then lowered it for a well-deserved drink of water. The lake was clear and this close to the shore he could easily see all the way to the ground. Bulwark drank greedily, relishing the refreshing feeling the water left in his throat. A squall of water splashed over him, interrupting his drink, drenching him from head to hoof. He slowly raised his head, his now wet mane hanging over his face, and obscuring his vision. He frowned as he brushed it aside with his hoof, and looked at the source of his involuntary shower. “What's wrong? Afraid of a little water?” mocked Daring, standing in the lake not two pony lengths from him, her wings still raised, ready to splash more water in his direction. “Or can't you even swim?” the mare added with a smirk, wiggling her eyebrows challengingly. Bulwark skipped the witty comeback, and just jumped at her, slipping out of his luggage and cloak in the same motion. The pegasus nimbly avoided his tackle, and stepped to the side with a fast wing stroke. Water splashed her face, as the colt hit the lake, blinding her momentarily. Before she could recover, Daring was hit in the side by a blindly dashing Bulwark. His momentum took them both into deeper water, and they went under for several seconds. When they came back to the surface, they were a few pony lengths apart, treading water. They faced each other again, both of them grinning in mischief. As soon as they had taken a few breaths of fresh air, they went at each other again. They continued their playful struggle for some time; both trying to dunk the other under water. They were swimming, dashing and jumping around the lake, splashing water at one anther, giggling and laughing like playing foals all the while. Daring was a faster swimmer than Bulwark, using her wings to 'fly' through the water. But the colt was stronger, and well-versed in hoof to hoof combat. Neither of them was able to gain a significant advantage. When they finally dragged their bodies out of the lake, the two travelers collapsed not two feet from the water, too exhausted to even shake out their manes. They rolled onto their backs, breathing heavily, shielding their eyes with a leg from the scorching midday sun, as they tried to catch their breath. After a few moments Bulwark found the strength to speak. He idly rolled his head to the side to face Daring. “So, is this the lake? The one where Sanarth is supposed to be? The map's starting point?” he asked, huffing. The mare just nodded. “So where is the city?” the colt pried on Daring rolled to her side, and pointed a hoof at a place further along the lake-shore. The colt followed its direction, straining his eyes, and spotted something protruding from the water. It was an angular stone pillar, made of some green stone. Around it were the shades of more structures, hidden just under the lake's surface. “It must have sunken to the ground of the lake a long time ago; abandoned and forgotten like the rest of the valley!” explained the adventuress, then got to her hooves. “We won't be prancing about the streets of Sanarth unless we become hippocamps!” She said, walked over to where they had left their belongings, and started dragging them into the shade provided by a group of trees. Bulwark quickly followed her example, and soon they were resting in the grove’s shadow. Daring fell asleep as soon as her head hit her makeshift pillow, made from the turban and cloak. The young stallion yawned, and looked around their camp site. When he spotted a bushel of light green, juicy-looking grass, he leaned down, and tore it off the ground with his teeth. He chewed idly for some time, his gaze drifting over the lake. He was wandering, what the sunken city of Sanarth had been like; and if it was now home to sea-ponies, or if its only occupants were fish. When he was done grazing, the temptation of sleep pulled heavily at his head. He rested it on his fetlocks and was soon fast asleep. He dreamed of swimming with a seamare in the lake's dark waters; floating idly through the streets of a city whose buildings were made out of green stone. When the sun began sinking beneath the horizon, and the unbearable heat of day had passed, they replenished their supply of water from the lake, and gathered food from the surrounding trees. Then they set off again, leaving the sunken city behind. They went around the lake, and had to climb the cliff at the far side to follow the river upstream. Daring flew up ahead and then proceeded to lift up their luggage and finally Bulwark himself with a rope. The young stallion wasn't happy about literally bearing down the pegasus with his weight, but the cliff was too steep to climb in any way. When they were both atop of it, they gazed once more over the lake. Its surface was shining golden in the light of the sinking sun. A fresh breeze brought the smell of green grass and ripe fruits with it. When the last rays of sunlight vanished beneath the horizon, they turned their backs to the lake, and set off in a brisk trot. .oOo. When they reached the other end of the canyon, the late afternoon sun was bidding the day goodbye. The land before them dropped rather suddenly, and gave way to a wide, plain valley surrounded by steep cliffs on every side. But most noticeable were the flowers. Throughout the whole valley grew a thick carpet of blue flowers. The wind brought their sweet smell even to the top of the cliff, and the valley was alive with the buzzing of bees and other insects. Bulwark wasn't even surprised anymore when Daring jumped from the cliff, and glided down in a steep dive. Just above the ground she pumped her wings, and landed with a heavy thud. The wind she made sent leaves and flower pedals flying. She was grinning widely as she looked back up to the colt, and waved her hoof. He rolled his eyes, then scanned the cliff from where he was standing all the way down to the bottom. After carefully planning his route, he sprang into action. Without hesitating he jumped from the cliff, and, making his way from edge to edge like a mountain-goat, soon set hoof beside the pegasus. “Walk the Valley of Flowers,” recited Daring from the verses, when the earth pony joined her on the ground. “Should be easy enough.” The mare started to walk in direction of the far side of the valley but hesitated after a few steps. She looked intently at the plants at her hooves and raised an eyebrow. All over the valley grew the same kind of flowers. They were entirely blue, even to their stems. The plants had large leaves, and several small bulbs grew from their blossoms on long stalks. In a snap the pegasus reached down, and bit some flowers from the ground. She chewed on them for a few seconds, wrinkling her brow, her eyes wandering aimlessly. Then they widened in terror, and she spat the plants back out as fast as she could. Daring began coughing, and frantically tried to clean her tongue with her hooves; which only managed to add a taste of dirt. Bulwark watched her antics, first with a curious frown, but then he burst out in laughter. Daring glared at him when she had stopped coughing, her tongue still hanging out. The colt held in his laughter just long enough to get another look at her, trying to compose himself. A tear rolled from his eye and he burst out again, collapsing on the ground and hitting it with his hooves. The mare rolled her eyes, and fished out her canteen from her bags. She washed out her mouth, then took a few sips to quench her thirst. “You finished yet?” she asked, annoyed, when she had replaced her canteen. Slowly the young stallion composed himself. He got back up and proceeded to wipe the tears from his eyes with a hoof. Suddenly he screamed out in pain as plant juice from the flowers, which he had smashed during his fit of laughter, came into his eyes. Instinctively he tried to rub the irritation away, but only managed to spread more of it in his eyes. The colt reared on his hind legs, holding out his forehooves in despair, and screaming in mindless agony. Now it was Daring's turn to break into a laughing fit, and his time to frantically rummage for his water canteen. When the colt had found it, he unscrewed it as fast as he could, and just splashed all his water over his face, and into his eyes, blindly. With the last drop from his canteen did he finally manage to wash the juice from his eyes, and let out a relived sigh. His newfound sight drifted mirthlessly to Daring, who was rolling on the ground, holding her belly. He snorted angrily, and she stopped for a seconds and looked up. But when she saw the colt staring daggers at her with violent red eyes, she just couldn’t hold it. It took some time before both of them were trotting on their way again. The adventuress was still giggling from time to time, but Bulwark didn't share her humor. “Stupid flowers!” he grumbled, frowning. They had traveled through the better part of the valley when their legs became heavy, and they were ready to call it a night. With no favorable place in sight, they just took off their saddlebags, and curled up on the ground where they stood. With the a slight breeze rustling an ocean of blue flowers as their lullaby, finding sleep was no problem. When the morning sun crawled over the valley's edge, and its warm light shone unto Bulwark's face, he stirred in his slumber. He yawned, and shifted his legs to a more comfortable position, trying to doze back into sleep. But the rustling of shifting feathers made his ears twitch, and he felt something soft brush his side. The fighting pony opened his eyes, and looked around lazily, wondering if Daring was already awake. His gaze drifted over the sleeping figure of a young, pine-green pony; blue flowers; their luggage, lying nearby in one big heap; some more blue flowers. His eyes went wide and his focus snapped back to the sleeping colt. He was lying on his back, limbs stretched in every direction, and snoring peacefully. “What the hay?” Bulwark exclaimed, and jumped to his hooves, his voice was much higher pitched than he was used to. He was sounding more like a mare than anything he remembered. Then he heard the rustling noise again, and felt something shift on his back. Startled, he stumbled back several steps, and sat on his hindquarters with a thump. Something was disturbing his balance. He turned his head around and inspected his backside. From two holes in his cloak protruded two golden, feathered wings. He reached out with his hoof in disbelief, gently touching one of the appendages. He snapped it back when he could feel something touch a previously unknown spot somewhere beyond his shoulders. “By Celestias flowing mane!” he called out dumbstruck. His outburst woke up the other pony in camp. The colt idly stretched his legs, yawning widely, before he rolled over, and stood up. “Morning,” he said to nopony specific. “Ha, my voice sure does sound funny,” he added in an afterthought. Only when his wandering gaze drifted over a pegasus mare, sitting on her hindquarters, and staring at him open mouthed, did the colt shock to full wakefulness. “Okay, this is weird.” With one quick jump he was next do Bulwark, and grabbed the fighting pony’s head between his hooves. “Bulwark? Is that you in there?” he asked, looking worried. The pegasus just nodded. “Alright then! So you are me, and I’m you! Fancy that!” The now stallion Daring let go of the mare's head, and took a few tentative steps around the camp, flexing his muscles. Then he stopped, and lowered his head between his own forelegs. “Fully equipped I see. That's new!” His joyful exclamation for this discovery was muffled by the clothing covering most of his body. The now pegasus mare shook herself out of her stupor, just in time to interrupt the colt reaching a hoof under his cloak. “What are you doing?!” she demanded sharply. “Just inspecting the goods,” the young stallion replied nonchalantly, looking up. “Don't! That's private!” Bulwark snapped, stood up, and walked closer to the adventurer. “How can it be private? We are walking around naked all the time. Nothing I haven't seen.” “Looking is okay, but no touching!” “Pff! Now you are just being a stuck up Canterlotian!” Daring waved her complaint off with a hoof. Bulwark stomped her hoof on the ground. “I am not stuck up!” “Alright. Fine then!” Daring chirped at once, and proceeded with his experimenting. With one quick jump, and a thrust of her wings, the pegasus dashed at him in a flying tackle. They rolled over the field of flowers in a tumbling heap. When they came to a halt Bulwark had the earth pony on his back, pinned under her hooves. “Ooh! Look at you now. Suddenly all forceful! Well normally I'm the one on top, but I can see the perks of this position too!” the former mare said with a teasing smile. Their cloaks had shifted during the struggle and he was staring blandly at the pegasus’ now naked flank and the wide spread wings. “Could you be serious for one second here?” Bulwark yelled in his face. “I am serious!” “That would make it worse! You're molesting the both of us!” “I'm not! You’re just being prude, is all!” “I'm only acting like a proper gentlecolt should!” “You are the one pinning me down against my will.” “To stop you from raping me!” “Now you are just being foalish.” “I'm not a foal! I'm a grown stallion!” “Technically, you are a mare right now and I'm the grown. . . let me check that. . . yes, grown stallion right now.” Bulwark jumped off him and took a few steps backwards. “What's wrong with you?” Daring got to his hooves, and faced her, anger flaring in his eyes. “It's your stupid male hormones. I can't think straight, and I can't stop staring at my own flank!” he shouted. “That's because you were a loose mare to begin with!” Bulwark snapped back. The adventure pony took a step closer, and stomped his hoof. “You take that back this instant, or else!” “Or else what? Will you hit me and violate your own body, or will you hit yourself and violate mine some more?” the mare replied and stood up to the young stallion. Daring was foaming with rage, the adrenalin flowing through his veins making it hard to think. She slightly lowered her head and tucked her ears back, getting ready to fight. But the futility of it all made him even more angry. He shouted out in rage: “You're a stupid feather-flank!” “Mud eater!” “Bird brain!” “Hay head!” They inched closer and closer with each insult traded until their snouts touched, and they stared at each other fiercely. Both of them were breathing heavily, their bodies tense with pent-up anger. The two ponies continued to grind their foreheads for long moments. Then slowly but steadily their muscles relaxed. and angry snarls turned to amused smiles. Finally they burst out in laughter from the absurdity of the situation. The travelers leaned against each other for support to not simply fall over. When the fit had worn off, and Bulwark had gained control over her breath again, she pulled Daring-Do into a friendly hug and patted his back with her hoof. “Sorry I called you a loose mare. Maybe I am kinda old fashioned.” Daring returned the hug and nuzzled his neck. “It's okay. I really shouldn’t have tried to do anything with your body you are not comfortable with.” The fighting mare nodded, and pulled away from the hug. She turned to walk back to camp. “Just don't do anything I wouldn't do, not while I'm watching, and I don’t even want to know! Then I think, I can live it off. But if you do, I will claim the same rights myself!” she called back over her shoulder, feeling a little bit more adventurous than before, wondering if she would be stuck in this body so long she had to find out about it anyway. With a sigh Bulwark began rummaging through their luggage, fishing out something to eat, hoping that doing something normal, like making breakfast, would distract her from those thoughts for the time being. Daring grinned widely at Bulwark's proposal and hurried to catch up to her. “Did you notice, that despite being in my body, you still have your own cutie mark?” the adventurer asked as he trotted to the mare. The pegasus held in and took a look at her flank, as well as Daring's, who was lifting his cloak with a hoof to show her. “Huh? Guess it makes sense. Right?” Bulwark answered. The former pegasus tried to give a wing-shrug, but found he was missing everything required to do it. A feeling of emptiness spread from his back and made his usual smile fade. He sighed and joined the mare in breakfast. “So, got any idea what happened to us?” the pegasus asked with her mouth full of dried dates. Daring looked around, then bent down and inspected one of the blue flowers closely. “I think I have,” he finally said. Bulwark's ears turned to him as he started to explain. “I think I have heard from travelers about these flowers. They are called Poison Joke. Apparently if you even touch them they play some magic prank on you. Like making your voice sound funny, or turning your mane rainbow-striped.” The mare's eyes went wide as the realization struck her. “And we have been sleeping in this stuff, tried to eat it, and rubbed it in our eyes!” she exclaimed. Daring just nodded. “Can this get any worse? And how do we get back to normal?” the fighting pony asked. “We probably shouldn’t linger, but the effect should wear of on its own,” Daring explained. “In time,” he added. “I hope.” The pegasus nodded and hurried her meal, while beginning to pack her saddlebags. Daring too made haste to get ready. Soon Bulwark swung her bulging brown saddlebags over her back. To her surprise she found it hard to even lift them, and almost collapsed when she dropped them on her back. “Celestial! When did these become so heavy?” Daring-Do chuckled, walked over to him and lifted the bags from the pegasus' back and on his own with ease. He grinned widely when he saw Bulwark staring, her mouth agape. “Better get used to having awesome wings and pegasi magic, and let super strong, earth pony me carry your absurdly heavy bags.” Bulwark gave a dry chuckle, and picked up the former pegasus' bags. “Yea right, flying and stuff. No offense, but I hope I won't have time to learn it.” Without further delay they started trotting to cross the remains of the Valley of Flowers. They had not walked more than a minute before Daring burst out in excitement with a new idea. She poked Bulwark in the shoulder to gain her attention. “We should totally have sex!” he exclaimed out of the blue. “What?” the mare replied, her jaw dropping. “Yes! Think about it!” the adventurer continued, grinning widely. “How often do you get the chance to experience it from the other gender's perspective? This is a once in a lifetime chance! We can't possibly pass this up. Think of the adventure!” Bulwark just turned his head back front, and fastened his pace. “Pass!” “But the adventure!” Daring pleaded, and tried to catch up with her. “Not here, not now!” “So maybe later?” the stallion inquired with a sly smirk. He received no answer. The pegasus just snickered, and dashed ahead, jumping, and pumping her wings into a short flight. .oOo. Daring landed gently at the top of a steep cliff next to a small waterfall. It was one of the streams feeding the river, they had followed upstream. A rope hung from her mouth, and went over the cliff's edge. “Wow!” she exclaimed as she saw what fed the falls. The plateau she was on was dominated by a deep pool, its still waters shining bright orange in the late afternoon sun. She could not make out any other apparent water source, so she guessed that this must be the river's spring, a place where some underground stream exited the mountains deep below the lake's surface. Some moss, grasses, and the occasional thorny bush grew near the pond, clinging to the rocky ground. Their smell and sight made her mouth water, and her stomach growled involuntarily. “You've fallen asleep up there?” Bulwark's call from below brought her attention back to the task at hoof. She turned back to the cliff, trapped the rope under her hoof and let it fall from her mouth. “It's okay!” she yelled down the cliff and waved her free hoof. “Get the bags ready, and I'll lift them up!” Soon she had the bags on the cliff, and by the time she pulled the earth pony over the cliff her coat shone with sweat. When she was sure he was safely over the edge, she dropped the rope and walked to the pond, dragging her hooves. She trudged into it, until the water almost reached her belly, barely noticing the cold bite on her legs, and let herself collapse into the lake. She disappeared in the pool, only the occasional bubbles breaking the surface hinted at her presence. Bulwark had stayed a few moments at the plateau's edge, taking in the surroundings, until he followed the mare to the pool. When he reached its edge, she burst back through the surface, spluttering water, shaking her head, her mane spraying water in every direction. The colt shielded his eyes with a hoof, and shrank back, as the freezing drops made him shudder. “Celestia's grace! One would think you are a sea pony, the way you jump into any pool of water we come across!” he remarked. Daring chuckled dryly. “It's refreshing,” she replied, shuddering, her teeth clattering. “But this one's way to cold!” She quickly got out of the pond and shook out her coat, mane, and tail thoroughly. This time Bulwark jumped back, avoiding the unwanted shower. He raised an eyebrow as he watched the mare find herself a spot still warmed by the setting sun. The colt walked back to the pond and lowered his head, taking a long drink directly from its edge. It was so cold it hurt his teeth, but that made it exquisitely refreshing. He drank greedily, savoring the taste of minerals and water plants. When he had quenched his thirst, he raised his head, and licked his lips dry. “Is it still far to that Mirror of Truth?” the young stallion asked, as he walked back to their luggage, and began digging through it for something to eat. Daring raised her head from where she was lying, she looked around, then her eyes wandered aimlessly, as she tried to recall the map from the stone head. “We are at the origin of the river that flows into the lake by Sanarth. The mirror should be here!” she finally exclaimed. “Hope we don't have to search for it long. We are running low on provisions!” Bulwark replied, as he finished going through their belongings. He turned back to the lake without taking any food, and started grazing on the scarce grass growing near the shore. The mare watched him curiously, her growling stomach telling her to join in the meal, but she didn't feel like getting up yet. Just laying on the warm rock and enjoying the day's last sun felt far more appealing to her at the moment. She yawned widely, stretched her limbs, and continued to gaze at the landscape. It was the lake itself, that caught her attention. Now that nopony was disturbing its waters anymore, it had become absolutely calm; not a single ripple rose on its surface. She marveled at how it reflected the sinking sun, the high rocks surrounding the wellspring, and the pony grazing at its shores, as if she was looking into a mirror. “A mirror,” she mumbled, and sprang on her legs. “The lake is the mirror!” she exclaimed. With one quick flap of her wings she jumped right next to the colt. Her sudden movement made him stagger back in surprise. “Woah!” he called out, curiously eying the pegasus, who was now leaning over the lake, and staring down at its surface. “What do you mean the lake is the mirror? Like literally? The Mirror of Truth?” he asked as he walked to stand beside her. “Just look! The lake is perfectly calm, a natural mirror.” she explained, without looking up. Bulwark lowered his head, looked at the water's surface, and found that he could indeed see his own reflection staring back at him. “So, this is all? Look into the Mirror of Truth? Nothing more to. . .” The words stuck in his throat when the reflection was wiped away by gray mist, and replaced by something else. Images flashed before him, and his eyelids twitched. Frantically he tried to turn his head. But he couldn't close his eyes nor look away; his sight was magically drawn towards the vision. He leaned closer and closer, until the image was all he could see. He clenched his teeth. Cold sweat was forming on his brow, while his mind yelled and screamed, forcing his body to obey, straining his muscles to draw away from the lake. As soon as it had started, the vision stopped. Both Bulwark and Daring-Do stumbled away from the pond, breathing heavily. It took them a moment to compose themselves, before they looked at each other in bewilderment. “It's not how it looks, I can explain!” It was the colt who broke the silence first, his voice trembling at the edge of a panic. “What? How could you explain. . . . Wait a second! What are you so worked up about? Did we even see the same thing?” the pegasus inquired, tilting her head slightly. Bulwark watched her intently for a few seconds, then let out a sigh, and sat on his hindquarters. He shook his head slowly. “No, I don't think you saw what I did.” Daring took a step closer, and stared at him inquisitively. “So what did you see?” The colt averted her gaze and shrank back a little. “I. . . uh did see. . .” he stammered, but then shook his head, and let out a long sigh. He looked down at his own hooves. “No, this won't do. You probably have to hear this.” he mumbled to himself, then took a deep breath to build up his courage, and looked the pegasus into the eyes. “I saw myself standing over a dead pony. There was blood on my hooves, and blood on my snout!” The young stallion explained deadpan. “I killed him.” He lay back his ears anxiously, but held the mare’s gaze, waiting for her reaction. Daring scratched her chin with a hoof, contemplating for a moment what Bulwark had told her. “Who was the pony? Do you know him?” she finally asked, making a wide gesture with her hoof. The young stallion let out a breath, he didn't realize he had been holding, and let his head sink. He slowly shook his head. “No, could have been anypony. But I don't think that was important in the vision anyhow.” “How so? Do you know what it means?” The colt nodded. He swallowed hard before he answered. “It's what I fear most; that if I become a soldier or whatever, if I keep doing what I do best, I will end up killing somepony.” Silence spread between them, and nopony spoke for long moments. Finally, when he got no response from his travel companion, Bulwark looked up in wonder into her solemn face. “What? No witty comment? No telling me how stupid I am?” Instead of answering, she threw her legs around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Hey, I don't know,” she hushed into his ear. “But I know you are a good pony. Even if your fear comes true, I'm sure you'll work it out. Just remember that there are ponies who are there for you, no matter what!” she told him and nuzzled his neck. The colt was taken by surprise, and only laid a hoof around her shoulder, when she had finished speaking. He could feel his eyes water up; he blinked and quickly dried them on his fetlock. “Thanks,” he said as they separated. “I guess I needed that.” Daring gave him a warm smile. “You’re welcome! Stupid friends! Remember?” He had to chuckle at that remark. “Heh! What would life be without them?” For a few moments, they just sat at the lake, lost in their own thoughts. Finally Bulwark sheepishly scratched the back of his head and spoke up. “So. . . what did you see?” The pegasus blinked a few times, shot a glance at his inquiring face and quickly looked away. “Oh, you know. . . the usual,” she said and gave him a forced simper. He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly. “Really?” he asked, stretching the word. The mare nodded eagerly. “Yes! Eh. . . you remember when we had changed bodies?” The colt sighed. “How could I ever forget that?” “Right! So I saw us. . . and we. . .” she tried to explain, but stopped mid-sentence, and let her head sink. “I don't really want to talk about it,” she said bleakly. Bulwark stood up and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Hey, can it be any worse than my vision? Come on, this might be important to find the goblet!” Daring took a deliberate breath, then looked up, newfound determination burning in her eyes. “I saw myself. Or rather what remained of myself. A wrinkled corpse lying forgotten in some lost ruin, still wearing its helmet and shirt, its lips drawn back in a ghastly grin!” she told the colt, willing her voice not to fail, forcing herself to face the image of the vision again. When she had finished, she stared blankly at the young stallion, waiting for him to say anything. “So. . .,” he began, stretching out the word, raising a hoof in a wide gesture, “you are afraid of dying? That's it? I think any sane pony is afraid of death.” The mare shook her head. “Not just dying. I face mortal danger on a daily basis. I have escaped certain doom by hairsbreadth more times than I can count. It's what I do; it's what I do best!” she explained, spreading her wings wide. But then she let them and her head sink. “But just lying there?” she continued somberly. “Forgotten by everypony? Left to rot ‘til some other, luckier adventurer will find my bones?” She slowly shook her head and tried her best to hold back tears. Bulwark shifted on his hooves and looked around uncomfortably. Suddenly his face lit up, and he grinned at Daring. “You could get yourself a sidekick!” he offered. The pegasus raised her head, and looked at him curiously. “Yes! He could either save you from certain doom when you are being stupid, or give you a proper funeral.” “Or rot beside me, when we both run out of luck.” “Pff, or that. One way or the other, you won't have to die alone and forgotten!” Daring's lips curled up slightly. “And you’re offering yourself for the position?” “What?” The colt was taken in surprise. “No! I am not your sidekick!” he protested sharply. Now the dam was broken, and a wide grin spread on the mare's face. “Oh come on, we could be like Batmare and the Coltwonder!” Bulwark raised a hoof in protest and shook his head. “No! I'm a totally awesome and independent character in my own right. Like everypony in the Awesome Six!” The pegasus laughed wholeheartedly. “You wish!” she exclaimed, and jumped into the air, doing a happy somersault. “Come on now my faithful assistant. To the Bat-stable!” She shot off into the sky, leaving a gray-scale blur in her wake, laughing and corkscrewing as she went. The earth pony just shook his head and went back to the lake-shore to get back to his dinner. “I guess I brought this on myself. Oh well, at least she is not gloomy anymore. So mission accomplished.” he mumbled, and couldn’t help but smile at his companion’s antics. .oOo. The unicorn, known by his fellow Patriots as the President, sat on a comfy couch inside of a large tent. He was reading an old, leather-bound tome by the light of a candlestick. His horn glowed, as he idly turned a page with his magic. The unicorn then levitated a grape from a bowl of fruit on a table next to him, and dropped it in his mouth, without ever looking up from his reading. “Mister President?” somepony inquired from just outside of the tent, his voice muffled by the thick fabric. “Come in!” the stallion answered, looking up. “Ah, Loaded Dice. Report! How is the progress on the portal?” he asked, when he recognized his henchpony walking into the tent. The addressed pony took a deliberate breath before he answered. “We have searched the entire valley, but without success. There seems to be no hidden mechanism, or lock on the gate. I have personally tried to dispel the magic protecting the gate, but the enchantments are on par with those of the Canterlot palace vaults, if not stronger. I doubt even the princess could break them. Breaking the portal with violence was equally unsuccessful. The gate repels any force directed against it with equal power. Two workers were injured before we found this out.” He explained factually, but his eyes wandered nervously around the tent. The President listened intently; when Dice had finished, he contemplated the report, frowning. “Hmm. . .” The white unicorn began to shift his hooves nervously, and a fine shine formed on his brow, as he waited for what seemed to be an eternity. He almost jumped when the President finally spoke up. “Do the wards extend past the portal?” the royal blue stallion inquired. Dice squinted an eye as he tried to recall the results of his magic examinations. “All of the stonework is included in the wards,” he replied at last. “What about the rock the vault was dug into? What about the very ground it stands on? Are they protected too?” This time Loaded was quicker to answer. “No, they are not,” he said, shaking his head. A grin spread on his face, and soon shared by his boss. “Dice, order the workers to dig a tunnel to bypass the portal. Use explosives if you have to, just make sure the site itself does not collapse!” the President ordered. “Yes sir!” the henchmen replied eagerly, and turned to take his leave. “And Dice?” his boss called, just as he was about to exit the tent. The unicorn looked back over his shoulder. “We can't replenish our workforce out here, so see to it that the two injured make a swift recovery.” Loaded Dice nodded and left the tent. When he was gone, the President picked his book up and went back to his reading, smiling content. “Soon,” he murmured to himself. “Soon, the goblet will be mine.” Special Thanks to Halcyon for reviewing, and keeping up with my terrible English.