Red's Adventures

by HeavensRaptor

Chapter 2 - Social Standing

Author's Note:

More Slice of life, story progression, slight character building for next chapter.

May I also add... I'm not that great with names...

Let me know what ya'll think... if anyone is reading this at all. I have some minor training coming up in the next chapter and such. Just a wee-bit more slice of life... maybe some rivalry... maybe some death. Who knows!?

Awakening to the sensation of the bumps along the pathway Red had found himself laying next to the Noble who had picked him up earlier. He quickly noted that a blanket had been placed over him and that the combined heat from the stallion and covers were welcoming. He'd gone without covers of any sort since the guards raided his original resting spot. That was not the only thing he noticed though. Within hooves reach he noticed something that was dried looking, yet delicious to his nose. With a cautious hoof he reached out and gently brought it to his mouth. Feeling as if he were being stealthy he commenced the action of chewing on it. His molars and small fangs tingled as he chewed on the unknown item, a piece of dried meat.

Black Tail kept a watchful eye as he noticed the colt attempting to be sneaky in gathering food. Knowing full well that the colt would seek food immediately after waking. Instincts running high on hunger as they were, he had placed it within easy reach of the youngster. A small smile had seemed to plastered itself on the older stallions face. Food was what the child seeked as his hoof took it's prize, though he had thought the child would take the bread first. It mattered little as he had been filled with nothing but contempt and joy as the colt laid next to him. The journey had barely begun and he had a good feeling about the trials ahead for the both of them. With taking the action he did, if he were to care for this child even as a servant he would receive large quantities of disapproval from his fellow nobles. Maybe even within his own battalion and servants. Treading carefully and laying the law down would have to be done quickly and he knew just the ponies to help him.

Taking a glance, Black Tail observed Swift Leg as he trotted along side the carriage with the other three free guards, two on each side. With two guards dedicated to pulling the carriage. The road ahead was not well traveled, a thing that Black Tail did not mind. It just made carriage travels a bit more difficult, he had thought of just walking but his troops did not let that happen. You could say he was ambushed from his original plan and he did not wish to insult their choices. After-all, they were just looking after their Lord's safety.

"Swift, hop in here and tell me what thou think about what we discussed earlier." Black Tail inquired as he felt the colt next to him cease his chewing and slight mewing of approval over the food. Black Tail's thoughts struck out as an even larger smile grace his features. He probably didn't even realize he was making any noises, hahaha.

Swift quickly leaped into the carriage and took his place off to the right of his lord, facing him. Taking a moment he observed his commander and the child he had brought with them. "I must say my liege, it tis not my place to comment. Tis your own choosing, you are my Lord; which ever you feel is correct I will support." His statement was firm and he showed no sign of betrayal to his words.

"Yes, I know I can trust thee... otherwise thou would not be my army's captain. What I wish to know is what thee think about the child, personally." Black Tail addressed without any worry of any of the soldiers over-hearing. "I wish you to speak your mind on the matter of his heritage and what you view."

Taking a moment Swift Leg churned some thoughts about, mainly problems he may foresee with his lords choice of accepting a Slyther decedent. "It's not a matter of my view Sir, I fear for the opposition you shall face from this choice." He brought his gaze from Black Tail to the child that rest beside his liege. "I fully understand why you wish to do so and in truth I can not complain as..." A moment passed as he took a breath to ready his voice. The words he were about to speak were seen as taboo amongst the Tail House, his gaze shifted to his Lord's. "Since the passing of your wife I can understand why you would choose him from an appearance stand point. Mainly I fear that you shall receive much shunning in courts and lose many a favor for taking non-blood as your family." The words did not leave easily from Swift and his gaze never left his lord's.

Black Tail was the first to break the staring lock as he looked to the passing country side. Rice fields and bamboo forests littering the hillsides as they traveled. Taking a deep breath and allowing his smile to stay tuned he replied, calmly. "Yes, I see. Thou is correct, I more than likely chose him because of his blood and appearance. Though helping those in need have been my families core value and I shall not let some haughty fellow lord or noble think he is less." A deep breath as he returned his stare to his Captain who had not ceased gazing at him with interest. "Tell me Swift, is family only by blood?"

With a smile Swift closed his eyes and shook his head as he chuckled. "I know that better than anyone my liege. In truth..." Staring back at Black Tail with a smile. "I am just enjoying seeing you smile again my Lord. Even this much."

With their words complete the journey continued, Swift went to get out of the carriage but was stopped by Black Tail. The company of a friend was more important to him than his unneeded guarding. The colt had managed to successfully snag the bread without either of them noticing, as well as the water sitting at Black Tails hind legs. Both began laughing as they heard the colt choking on the water.

"Sure we shouldn't call him Stealth Leg?" Laughed Swift Leg.

Laughter, it has been so long. Thought Black Tail.

"Let us make camp at the clearing ahead." Tail's positive energy seemed to be infecting his fellow soldiers as they gave him their acknowledgements, their smiles and alertness showing fully.

---

With the sun cresting on the mountain side the group of ponies gathered themselves and were preparing to finish the last leg of their journey home. When out from the brush and trees a group of masked and wood armored ponies surrounded them. Their spears facing their targets. They had managed to get the drop on the veteran group of soldiers.

"Leave your belongings and no harm will come to ya'!" Shouted one of the masked bandits.

The guarding soldiers of course did not relinquish their weapons or belongings. They would never do so by a commoner's request, the only being they listened to was their Lord, Black Tail. Which had just exited his tent to the sweltering number of bandits around them. His eye quickly counted and noted almost every single detail of his would-be attackers. They encompass us all, I'm sure my guard might of failed to notice the archers in the trees. There is a chance that this is a village that is on hard times with taxes. Or, the fact we didn't notice them could mean they are a rogue band of warriors. A sigh left him as he hated that some Lords chose to tax their villages to the breaking point as well as not pay for their protection. Looking around he seen his soldiers had already taken up position with their swords drawn and eager to hear his words. To slaughter or not to slaughter, their thoughts were only based on protecting him.

"I am the leader of this company, if it is gold you wish to have then here." Black Tail reached into his tent and pulled out a sack and threw it on the ground between his guards and bandits. Which one of them eagerly picked up the sack. "I am not here to fight, nor have I brought a lot of wealth with me. Though I think that should be satisfactory for safe passage." He left no opposition in his reply.

A bunch of grumbling occurred from behind the group of bandits, surely they were not pleased to see the sack filled with a lousy fifty silver coin.

"This is all you have!? I don't believe it, no noble travels with guards and only has fifty silver!" The stallion that was bellowing came forth, facing the blades of the victims guards. Clearly not afraid of being injured or taken hostage, why would he? He has the upper hoof and they all seem to be tactically trained. This is not their first show. Thought Black Tail.

Point his hoof at Black Tail the Bandit Leader made his demands. "You! Step aside from the tent, we shall see if you lie to us. If you have, we shall run you through!" His declaration clearly made his troops look a bit troubled.

Black Tail looked the bandit directly in the eye. "There is only one other treasure in this tent, though if you attempt to take it in any form... I will have no problem collecting your head and skinning you to use as my doormat." His eyes had narrowed and the essence of blood lust filled the air. With that he stepped away from the tent to allow the bandit access.

Walking firmly with purpose the Bandit Leader opened the tent and peered in from the safe distance of outside. Inside rested a snoring pony who had not stirred since the small commotion. No other objects seemed to lay within the structure. Clenching his jaw shut he looked back to Black Tail. The idea of taking him as hostage and having the family pay for ransom had crossed his mind but that would require a lot more work. Sighing he stepped back from the tent and gestured to his fellow bandits. With tensions being as they were he really did not want to risk losing one of his fellow cohorts. The Bandit Leader seemed to take a moment to collect his thoughts and situation. He said soldiers, not guard... and his demeanor is passive at the moment even though just a second ago it felt like he would kill me and everyone... Take it and run I suppose? Easy money is better than hard money. Huffing a little bit he retorted.

"Fifty silver is fine enough." Taking a moment he eyed the noble's guard. "Take your soldiers and kid and get outta' here." Turning his back to Black Tail he walked away. "Alright everyone, lets get outta' here. They got nothing worth while!"

Black Tail sighed after the bandits had retreated, he was not looking to having to fight their numbers. He was also glad that they were not looking for a fight, just easy prey one could say. Taking notice of what had been taken and not he couldn't help but realize the smart move the pony just did. He even left the carriage, smart pony.

With the excitement done for the morning Black Tail and his guards all set forth to continue their journey. Tents all packed, food store away and one sleeping colt who was oblivious to everything in the world.

"That colt has some real nerves, can sleep through a loud bandit and not even stir once?" A hearty chuckle left his throat.

"That he be, though I fear what may come when he does stir in the future..." Black Tail's vision seemed to drift off to the future prospect of his adopted son.

Small banter filled the camp as they finalized their setup and moved out. None of them caring about the eyes and ears that still lurked on their every movement.

The bending road way up the mountain soon gave way to a flat piece of land with a stone wall surrounding a medium sized village, looking to become a city soon. At the very top was their destination, the castle of Black Tail's family. Approaching the village they came to a wooden gate with a dozen visible guards.

"Hail, it's Lord Black Tail, open the gates!" Shouted Swift Leg as they made their approach. The pathway was wide, around fifteen feet across which allowed for average cart movements in either direction. Its road along a steep decline to the base of the mountain, turn cliff as they neared the gate.

With the approaching carriage the gate opened inward revealing it to be a set of double doors. The twelve foot walls were a splendid scene of defense, their thick base tapering upward fortified their position on the mountain side.

Cheers of welcome rang-out as Black Tail's carriage made it's way to his fortress like home. It rested up high, giving a great view of the city below and an advantage for any invasion into his home or beloved city. Smiling and waving back he ascended to his station, making sure the colt stayed covered from view.

---

"Oh, he is just filthy my liege! FILTHY! It's like he didn't even try to clean himself! His hair is knotted, heck we've had to cut away a lot of it just so it can grow back properly... I mean, if you want some-pony that is presentable you're going to have to wait a while." Rambled the Housekeeper as she looked on the new charge with exhaustion. She was just happy the frail thing didn't try stopping any of them when they were pulling and snipping hair off him.

"I mean, let alone, look at them ribs, you can see them! Even the wolves would pass him by, mistaking him for a stick! No meat, no fat, huh, what are you planning to do with him? Have him serve as fire-wood!?" The mare laughed rudely as she watched the colt being tended to by many of the maids, working tediously on his pelt. Although for Black Tail was use to his Housekeeper, she had been with his family since she was a filly and he pretty much associated her as such.

Expressions of momentary pain speared across the colts face as his fur was pulled tight and then fell slack from the shears shearing close to his skin. In all, as time went on and he ended up with bald spots where he had been tangled, tail and mane included. He couldn't help but feel happy from all the ponies and attention he was getting. It had been so long since he'd seen a friendly face, yet, here there were dozens it seemed.

"Well, for now just help him get back his strength and be groomed. I know thou can do this... as for his role. He is claimed as my own and shall be treated as such." Black Tail spoke as he watched his future heir be groomed. The atrophy would take a while to be alleviated but with Mayden watching over him he would be fine.

Mayden looked at her Lord with surprised blue eyes; her cream tan coat having a gentle sheen as her black mane and tail swayed in the motion as she came to face Lord Black Tail. "...are you serious?" Was her small reply, with which Black Tail only nodded once to her. Mouth slightly agape as she realized some difficult times may be ahead for her. "Is he?"

"No. He tis not my flesh and blood but I hope he shall be at least in spirit."

With her Lord's words she composed herself properly and looked back. "Very well, I shall ensure he is taught properly." Her tone leaving no room for an argument as it was sharp and crisp. One final thought filled her mind as she excused herself to her charge. Now I know why he was smiling...