Starswirl's Journal

by AlesFlamas

Letters from Rain #2

I awoke an indeterminate amount of time later, sitting in the middle of the wagon, nestled in a cocoon of blankets, terrified at the prospect of what the Earth pony might do to me. And also slightly confused at why he had not yet done it, whatever it was that he was going to do. Perhaps he was waiting for me to get up, I thought to myself, so that he could make sure I was awake, to ensure I was aware of every single moment of suffering he was sure to put me through. So I played dead, keeping as still as is possible for a five-year old. But despite all the blankets, and likely due in part to the fact that my clothes were still soaked with urine, I was still incredibly cold and couldn't help but shiver. Never has there been a more horrific moment in my life than when I felt that stallion's hoof touch my forehead. I couldn't help but let out a scream. I leaped out of my blankets and started flailing at him... and he just stood there patiently. Given, as five-year old unicorn filly, there wasn't really much I could do to him, but still.

Eventually, I did tire out. And when I did, the stallion asked me a single question: "Are you okay?" And while I wanted with all my heart to say that I was not okay, one thing I can say for my parents is that they raised me to be honest. And as no bodily harm had come to me, I was obliged to reply with an affirmative. He seemed pleased by that. His pleasure disturbed me. He asked me who I was and what in the world I was doing outside in such a frightful storm. And I told him both those things. (I suppose now would be a good time to mention my name isn't technically Rain. It's more a nickname. But I'll touch on that once I get to the part about my parents.) He was alarmed by the fact that I'd never seen anything beyond the walls of my city, and began to regale me with tales of all the things he'd seen wandering the land, selling his wares to whomever might be in need of them. This last part confused me, as surely and Earth pony merchant would only be willing to sell to others of his kind. But he said he didn't believe in the way the tribes treated each other. He said it was bound to come to an end one day and he might as well speed it up by treating everypony as he would treat a member of his family. He told me that he dreamed of a place where one day we might all be able to live alongside one another in peace and harmony, as a unified race, with no regard to whether one pony had wings, or could use magic or what have you. I don't know how long I sat there, listening to this dream of his, but for every moment I did, I couldn't help but imagine this world along with him. It was a world I very much wanted to see.

When he finished his story, all of my prior fear dissipated, I asked him what he was doing at Negra Beliza this time of year. Apparently he'd come searching for his brother, who had come here roughly two months ago searching for something called ashen drakeroot and never come home. His brother's name was Sham Flim-Flam, and he was Scam Flim-Flam and he assured me that despite their names, they were well respected, highly reputable business ponies. I remember laughing at that comment. I told him that I hadn't seen his brother, but that I knew somepony who definitely might have. And so, after the storm let up, I took him to see my father. He was publicly executed the next day. I'd never felt so terrible.

Comments

[Seeking Dusk]

Um... wow... Still, Sham seemed to have survived.

[The1templar]

Was it Scam or her father that was executed?

[Samusbot]

5272167 Most likely Scam. The alternative would make little to no sense.

[The1templar]

5272238 instant character exit for plot progression.

[Sauron]

5271932
Or when Sham had come by earlier, he was executed, and that's why he was missing.

[Jacque]

WOW! Didn't see that one coming!