The Runaway: Journey to Tambelon

by Hope Caster

To Grandmother's House We Go

Spike couldn’t help but admire the products in the window of the butcher’s. Skinned rabbits and other small game hung from several hooks, and sitting behind thick glass, rested several cuts of various, prime cuts meats. At the same time, he took notice of Rarity, who stood outside starring dutifully at a tavern across the road. There was never a trip to the butcher’s she took that didn’t involve her standing outside the shop. At her side were three bags, two were his, containing his many, many books, and a few changes of clothes. The last was a bag Rarity had come with. It didn’t contain anything special, just a bit of fabric she needed to finish a dress.

“Order up!” A loud, deep voice bellowed, stealing Spike’s attention away from the products.

A hulking Gargoyle lumbered out of the back room carrying a box. He was a behemoth compared to most other men, possibly due to his access to pounds upon pounds of protein. He had a bushy beard, bushier than most gargoyles at that. He also had strong wings, stronger than most other gargoyles. Spike was a bit envious of wings. In fact, last he saw them, a few of his siblings were already flying. Though he was an unfortunate breed of dragon that lacked wings, he always prayed the gargoyle in him would solve that problem.

The butcher slammed the box down on the counter, ripping Spike from his thoughts of wings and flight. Not surprising as the butcher had a habit of using more force than needed when he was in a good mood. Spike, he and his family being one of his favored customers, always brought a smile to his face.

The young drake opened the box just a bit to see three types of meat: several cuts of filet, a few veal medallions, and finally, three cuts of pork tenderloin, each wrapped carefully in wax paper. Spike’s eyes went wide at the sight of the last few cuts, his stomach rumbling at the thought of his grandmother roasting one of his favorite meals. He licked his lips as he realized just how close he was to reaching his grandmother’s house. No one he knew, not even his mother, could cook has well as his grandmother.

“Like what you’re seeing in there, little guy?” The butcher asked, patting Spike on the head. He received a nod as Spike placed a coin purse on the counter. “Thanks, kid. Tell your grandma I said hi, and-” He looked towards his shop’s window to see a familiar white unicorn, awkwardly shifting towards the left and right, “-tell the pony to either get over herself or get a new job, she scares off customers when she acts like that.”

“She’s a pony, she can’t help it,” Spike said. The moment Spike exited the shop, Rarity darted to his side.

“Spike, I cannot thank you enough for doing this for me,” she said, taking the box from him and suspending it in the air along with the fabrics and bags. “Just thinking about being in that store fills me with dread! I don’t know how you can stand it.”

“My mom used to take me there all the time, I’m used to it. Rarity, do you want me to carry anything?” Spike asked, noticing that Rarity was carrying everything they had brought.

“Oh Spike, don’t worry yourself. Besides, if I carry everything in my magic that means that neither of us have to carry the box filled with slimy, bloody meat.” Rarity gagged a bit, quickly covering her mouth with her leg. “Darling, how about we hurry along? I need to get to my fainting couch.”

---

Spike couldn’t help but feel like he was taking advantage of Rarity. To help hurry the two along, and to make sure Spike wasn’t lost in a crowd, Rarity resorted to carrying the young drake on her back. Spike was not as happy as he could have been. At risk of sounding like his uncle, he was able to walk, and therefore should walk, just as he was able to carry a bag or two.

“Rarity, can I at least carry the fabric?” He asked, letting out an annoyed sigh.

“No, that’s something that I need for a dress. I can’t risk you sneezing and setting it on fire like the last time.”

“Come on, that was seven years ago and a total fluke! I can’t even breathe fire now!”

“The answer is still no, Spike.”

“Fine. Who are you making the dress for anyway? I thought Grandma only wore the same thing over and over.”

“Oh, darling, that’s a surprise, and knowing you, you’d flap your lips off like a teenage filly. Not to worry though, like all my creations, it will be absolutely fabulous! And your grandmother wears different clothes, they just happen to look similar.”

As annoyed as he was, Spike allowed himself a slight chuckle, though he kept it quiet as not to alert the unicorn. There was only one way that Rarity ever described anything she made, and that word was fabulous. Just last year, for their respective birthdays, both he and his uncle had received a ‘fabulous robe’, though it seemed that Spike’s was made with better materials than Tirek’s was.

Uncle Tirek. The thought of his uncle tore through his mind when it began to dawn on him that he was being deliberately disobedient. What would the old centaur do when he found out Spike had left home? What would be his punishment once Tirek took him from his Grandmothers? Then again, Spike was assuming that he would stay at his Grandmother’s tonight. There was a chance that Tirek might forgo his grandmother’s pleas and drag Spike home.

As if Grandma hasn’t calmed him down before, another voice said, quelling his growing worry. Spike took a deep breath as his grandmother’s mansion came into view. What [I ]did he have to be worried about? His grandmother was about the only person his uncle obeyed, partly because he had a small bit of respect for his parents.

As the mansion, named Highferia Hall came into view, Spike wasted no time jumping down from Rarity’s back and rushing to the front porch. The dragon gave the door no more than two knocks and waited patiently.

The door opened only a crack, allowing a glowing yellow eye to peer at the outside. It looked at Rarity, and then to Spike, who seemed anxious to enter. The door suddenly flew open as Spike was scooped up in the arms of his grandmother. Haydon was a thin gargoyle, but not so much that she was unhealthy like Tirek was. She had lively features, graceful looking wings, and long, lustrous brown hair that came down to her waist. Her hair had yet to turn grey despite her being a little over 90. This was not surprising as most Centaurs and Gargoyles had life spans that could make an average person jealous, especially the extinct humans, who had 100 years to live at best. She wore a thin white dress, two long silver bracers, and two long earrings. She hovered a few inches in the air as she tended to float everywhere she went. She was gentle and spoke to everyone, even the rudest of creatures, as if they were her own flesh and blood.

“My sweet bambino!” Haydon said before showering Spike with countless kisses. Hugging him tightly, she let out a gasp before holding him out at arm’s length. “Spike, you’ve gotten so thin! What has your uncle been giving you?” She let out a disappointed sigh as she pulled Spike back into her embrace. “It’s just like that bull to starve everyone in that house of his. This is why I think you should live with me. I’m going to have to give Tirek a piece of my mind once he gets here. Poor baby. How about we go inside and I cook you a nice lunch and dinner, does that sound good? That sounds good.” She said, answering for her grandson.

“Grandma, please don’t call me a baby, Rarity is watching,” Spike mumbled his face turning red, as his face was forced into his grandmother’s dress.

“Spike, Rarity thinks this is sweet, right Rarity?”

Rarity put a hoof to her mouth to hide her smile. “Of course, ma’am, and I’m sure Spike just loves the attention.” Rarity did truly find it sweet, however embarrassing that Spike might think it.

“Thank you, Rarity,” Haydon said with a smile. “You shouldn’t be so self-conscious, Spike. A little love and care never hurt anyone. Come now, why don’t you get situated while I cook?”

Spike let out countless murmurs as he hung limp in his grandmother’s embrace. “That sound’s good, Grandma. Can you put me down though? I’m not a kid, I can walk.”

“Oh, I know you can walk, I’m just not letting you walk,” She said, pressing his nose as lovingly as she could. Haydon turned and carried Spike into the house, followed by Rarity, who giggled to herself. “Before I forget, where is your uncle?”

“He went to the bank. Rarity left a note for him.”

---

Tirek rushed towards his house, eager to see how Spike was fairing in his studies. The teller at his usual bank, a shifty looking centaur, took far too long counting the money he brought in. Spike was going to lose a coin or two, no doubt. The thought only soured Tirek’s mood, more than it had already been. However, seeing Spike levitating a book would cheer him up some.

Levitation was one of the most useful, and simple, spells anyone could ask for. While most would take at least a week to prep, he was certain that Spike could master levitation in a day with his tutelage. If the boy re-read ‘The Laws of Magic’ and ‘The Taboos of the World’, then perhaps Tirek would allow Spike a second snack after dinner. Tirek paused and quickly dismissed the thought. He had let Spike sleep in this morning, and he was not about to spoil the boy rotten.

Tirek came to a dead stop when he noticed a note pinned to his door. The paper bore his name, and much to his dismay, it was written in the finest calligraphy he’d ever seen. It was instantly recognizable as the handwriting of one Rarity Belle, his mother’s handmaiden and the object of his nephew’s affection.

She was here, he thought to himself, his blood coming to a sudden boil. If that wretch was here than that would mean that Spike-

Tirek shook the thoughts from his head. Whether it was cunning or coincidence that the unicorn had arrived while he was out didn’t matter now. What mattered was Spike. He knew that Spike would be obedient. Tirek would open the note, and it would ask him to bring Spike to the mansion for dinner. The answer would be no of course, as Spike was rarely productive while at his grandmothers.

Then again, Spike is Scorpan’s son, a voice cackled. Such a weakness for the fairer sex, and you just left him alone, almost begging him to disobey you. Had this been our fool of a younger brother, I believe you would be calling for our parents to beat the insolence out of him. Perhaps we should follow our own advice?

“As if I’d lower myself to such barbaric practices,” Tirek sneered in a low voice. If there was one thing that the centaur prided himself with, it was never raising his hand against his nephew, even at his most disobedient. Tirek read the letter that the blight upon his home, also known as Rarity Belle, left for him. Each word sent a wave of fire coursing through his veins. “That doting, smothering old woman!”

---

Spike sat in his room, which his grandmother kept just for him, unloading his textbooks. True to her word, she made him an entire platter of sandwiches. Each one was filled with perfectly sliced smoke pork, topped with dragon peppers, some of the spiciest peppers in the world. Spike loved the kick they added to some of his meals, though his family were unable to handle such a spice. They were a deep green and normally had to be sliced thinly as not to overpower the pallet. Another layer held the crispiest lettuce there’s ever bitten into, with an array of condiments. His grandmother had made her special lemon mayonnaise with a blend of spicy and Dijon mustard, a mustard recipe that she’d learned in her travels to Equestria. Finally, there were the red onions, a mildly sweet vegetable that helped balance the spiciness of the peppers. All this, kept between two slices of the freshest white bread his grandmother could offer. She even him a small cup of juice, something his uncle never wanted him to drink.

Spike didn’t even realize how hungry he was until his grandmother fed him; much like his mother, Haydon tended to know when Spike was hungry, sometimes before even he knew. He ate his fill, leaving only a few crumbs and a small puddle in his cup that even a flea would have trouble getting at.

Satisfied, he could focus on his studies. His uncle was going to be furious with him, there was no doubt, and the only thing that seemed to please him, other than perfection, was at least some semblance of obedience.

“Law’s of Magic?” Spike asked himself in a soft tone, hefting the large tomb. “No, Taboos of the World.” Taboos of the World, written by a someone named Azure Flame, was certainly the better choice. It was important that he understood his uncle’s anger with the three mares from earlier. What could dragon’s blood be used for, and why was it so important to covet? Surely, just a bit of it at the very least, was just like mana, the engine for magic.

As Spike turned to the first page a light tapping echoed through the mansion.

“Spike,” Rarity’s voice called from down the hall, where she was hard at work sewing a dress together. “Could you get that for me? I’m on a bit of a time crunch with this dress.”

Nothing else needed to be said to have Spike rush to the door. Though Rarity was a handmaiden, and it was her job to answer the door and complete other menial tasks, Spike would never hesitate to assist when asked. His uncle mocked him for this, though Spike knew that someday his kindness would be rewarded, hopefully in the form of an “I do”.

As Spike neared the foyer, there came another three sets of tapping. Could it be his uncle? No, his uncle was a wild beast when he was angry. The tapping was much to gentle, and even had an air of care around it. Then there was the fact that Rarity had asked him to get the door. Rarity would never jeopardize him like that, she was much too kind and caring. Spike opened the door and greeted the guest, remembering his manners and offering him to come in. At least he would have, had he not lost his voice upon seeing his guest.

It was a very old centaur tapping on the door, dressed in timeworn robes and carrying a wooden staff. He was covered nearly head to hoof, save for his face that poked out from his grey hood and cloak that covered the forefront of his body. Around his head was a circlet that scarcely shone in the light of day, and he had a familiar trimmed and brushed beard that put his uncle’s to shame. Spike’s eyes turned to saucers as the familiar face looked down at him, emotionless.

“Master Sendak,” Spike finally said in a whisper.

The centaur looked at him with a raised brow.

“Master?” He said softly, as if to ponder the statement. He began to stroke his long white beard that almost reached the bottom of his neck as his eyes glistened for but a moment. “Still following the rules your mother taught you, I see. Good on you, don’t want to disappoint such a lovely dragoness. However, please regard such rules moot when I’m concerned. Such a blasted little title if I’m to be honest. It makes me feel quite old.” He drew his hood back and ran a manicured claw through his thick white hair. “Besides, if anyone should be referring to anyone as master, it certainly isn’t you to I.”

“Right, sorry, Mas-Sendak,” Spike said, quickly catching himself before he repeated his mistake. Sendak had been close to Spike and his family for as long as the dragon could remember. In fact, had it not been for Sendak, there was a likely chance that his mother would have never met his father or his father’s family. As such, when she was still around, his mother always urged him to be as polite as he could.

“No need to apologize. Remember, my young drake, I only let two people call me Master, both are centaurs, and both get on my nerves a bit by doing so. For one such as yourself, Sendak will do just fine; We’ve certainly known each other long enough.”

“Of course. Would you like to come in for a moment?” Spike asked, moving to the side.

“No, I’m simply delivering a small package, several small packages actually,” The centaur said, tapping his finger against his staff. “But seeing you here, I might need to pay your uncle a visit later, among a few other things. First things first.” Sendak tapped the butt of his staff against the ground once, igniting the head in a bright light before muttering something under his breath. “That should do it.” He looked quite pleased with himself and began to stroke his beard once more, this time because of a growing feeling of pride. Lifting his staff a few inches, he struck the ground again, this time conjuring a circle of light, in-between him and Spike.

A bright flash blinded Spike for a few moments. When he could see again, there was a tiny gargoyle about three-fourths his height kneeling on the ground. She wore a dress that was as blue as the sky and an ocean blue ribbon tied on the tip of her tail. She had braided light brown hair, something that was not rare to see in young girls and held a stuffed dragon close to her chest.

“Oh, come on,” Spike muttered to himself as he locked eyes with the little girl. Part of him wanted to turn heel and stump up to his room but knew that doing so would only earn him ire from his grandmother. Spike could only watch as the little gargoyle’s eyes lit up with wonder before gasping loudly. She stood up and dropped her doll down on the ground before rushing forward and pouncing on the dragon.

“Spike!” She cried as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, trapping the drake in a bone-crushing hug. Spike fell to his bottom as the gargoyle began to assault him with countless kisses to his cheek, annoying him as much as his grandmother had.

“Selina, cut that out!” Spike demanded, trying to pry the gargoyle off him.

“No!” She said with a grin, though most normal people would find it to be more heartwarming than malefic. After all, what evil was there in a girl wanting to kiss her older brother whom she had not seen in almost a year? She resumed her pecks, annoying Spike as his cheeks turned a very light pink.

Selina Arcanous was a seven-year-old gargoyle, the youngest of all of Spike’s siblings, and Scorpan’s favorite. Not to say that Spike hated the poor girl for it, Selina was his favorite sibling after all. She, like all of Spike’s siblings, did not live with Tirek. Instead, they lived with Scorpan and his wife. Spike personally loved having his sister around, for reasons that will be explained later. The only issue was that she would inevitably distract him from his work, wanting to play games or hear stories. Rarely anyone could say no to Selina; her soft, wide eyes and chipper smile made sure of that. She was a bit of a spoiled child, but not rottenly so.

“At the request of your grandmother, Selina Arcanous and her luggage.” Sendak tapped the butt of his staff on the ground, conjuring three large trunks to his side, much larger than anyone would ever need for a weekend trip. “She told me she only packed the essentials, and the rest of your sisters agreed. I would get the unicorn to help you if you can, otherwise, you’ll be carrying the largest two.”

“Did she happen to bring a pry bar?” Spike asked, as Selina continued to squeeze his throat.

“I’m afraid she left that in her room,” Sendak said with a soft chuckle. There came a slight chill in the air as the tip of Sendak’s staff began to glow for a moment. “Blasted centaur. I’m afraid that this visit of mine will have to be cut short. I’ll leave you two to your devices. Farewell, Spike. Farewell, little one.”

Selina released Spike and quickly ran to embrace Sendak’s leg.

“Thank you for bringing me, Mister Sendak,” the little gargoyle chirped.

“No thanks are necessary, my little princess.” Sendak gave Selina a loving pat on her head. As he did, a small, condensed orb of mana appeared between his horns, right in the center of his forehead, as he brought over the doll that Selina had dropped. He gave it a quick shake, ridding it of any dirt. “Here, best not forget your toy on the ground. I’ll be back in two days for you, do make sure to give Spike room if he asks for it, The lad is likely going to be unjustly reprimanded. Your uncle tends overreact at times.”

Spike watched as his sister’s cheeks inflated, her mood souring as she clenched her toy. She grumbled, “No one told me he was going to be here.”

“A small rule I suggest you remember,” Sendak said as he turned to leave, his staff glowing once again. “Tirek will never be too far from your brother.” Sendak tapped his staff on the ground and vanished.

Selina let her cheeks inflate more, which Spike didn’t think possible.

“You okay?” He asked, coming to his sister’s side.

“I guess. Is Uncle Tirek really coming?”

“Yeah, once he realizes that I’m gone. The only time I’m actually allowed to be here is when he has to go out of town for dad.”

“But he’s so mean! He glares at me, and mumbles under his breath, and tells me to stop reading those stories I really like.”

“Selina, he does that to everyone. Be thankful you don’t have to live with him.”

“I still don’t get why you have to.” It always puzzled Selina why Spike didn’t live with the rest of their family and made her quite irritable when her parents refused to let Spike stay with them for even one night. Their home was certainly large enough to accommodate the dragon, and it wasn’t as if he couldn’t help around in the house. Selina knew Spike could cook, and possibly replace their current chef if he wanted to. Yet her mother always got angry with her for even mentioning the drake’s name. Their Father would sigh, explaining to her in very little detail why such an option was unfathomable. Even Sendak rarely entertained the idea of letting Spike spend a night at Scorpan’s. “Can we play when we get inside?” She asked, wanting to get a game or two in before they were yelled at by their uncle for having fun.

“No, I need to study.”

“But you’re at Grandma’s! Not even Elric studies at Grandma’s! And he studies all the time!”

“I don’t have that luxury, I live with Uncle Tirek. You want me to stay for tonight, right?” Selina nodded her head. “Okay, then I need to study, just to make him happy. I promise, I’ll play with you later.”

“Okay,” she said with a pout. “Can I at least watch you study?”

“Sure.” Spike knew that Selina would eventually get tired of watching him and seek out either their grandmother or Rarity. He could only hope that Tirek was taking as much time as he as possible coming to the house.

---

Tirek had snapped his fingers as a large orb burned bright above his head. There was not going to be any quarter with his mother or her handmaiden, he was going to teleport to the house and drag Spike home if he had to. He would even leave a note as snide as Rarity’s explaining where the dragon was to be, and reminding the two who had dominion over Spike. Unfortunately, his spell was not working. Three times he had tried, and each of those times it felt as if something had blocked him from reaching his destination, Highferia Hall.

“I’m afraid your magic won’t be sufficient in this case,” A low, powerful, yet kind voice said. “Your mother had me put a spell on her property. No doubt she’ll wish for you to dispel it once you get there and have a good dinner for a reward. She told me she’s making fillet tonight. I admit that I am jealous of you and your nephew.”

It was a very proper sounding voice, one that dripped with poise. Normally, Tirek would mock its owner for aiding his nephew and family. However, the voice belonged to the only person that had earned Tirek’s respect, and thus he was unable to make even the smallest insult. Tirek turned to his visitor, taking a deep breath as he did.

“Master Sendak,” he said with a bow.

“An odd greeting,” Sendak said tilting his head side to side. “Do you mean that I am Master Sendak, and you think me ignorant of my own name? Perhaps you are trying to great me but, like an apprentice mage, lose your words the very moment I show my face. Honestly Tirek, a simple good morning would suffice, or a good day judging by the hour.”

“Of course,” Tirek muttered. “I was merely trying to be respectful, Master. Good day, Master Sendak.” Tirek once more bowed only to feel a claw put itself on his shoulder.

“Please, cease with the formalities, Tirek. You’re angry, anxious; anyone can tell just by looking at you. Why not let us go inside and sit? My legs could use a rest. I brought two pipes if you’d like one, and some equestrian leaf.” From his sleeve, the centaur showed his younger counterpart two pipes. One was still new, while the other was worn from constant use. “Perhaps we can calm our nerves and talk.”

“I don’t smoke, Master, but thank you for the offer,” Tirek said, making sure to keep his manners in mind.

“Yes, yes. I only offer because you seem a bit tense, and tense is the last thing a centaur like you should be.” Putting away the first pipe, Sendak kept out his. He wasn’t about to let his former student keep him from enjoying himself, especially when their conversation was likely to turn unpleasant. “When you’re tense, you tend to make everyone as miserable as you, and considering who you are, you make it your job to be miserable.”

“Of course I’m miserable!” Tirek snapped. “I try my best to raise my brother’s whelp, and my mother, she-she kidnaps him! She sits in that mansion of hers, taking advantage of your loyalty and using some mare to manipulate Spike into doing her bidding.”

Sendak shrugged his shoulders as he prepared his pipe, cleaning out of any lingering ash, before packing it with his leaf. Equestrians grew sweet smoking leaf, something that he enjoyed occasionally, usually when thinking of a new spell or a lesson for his eager student. Normally, there was an unusual pleasant taste to it depending on where it came from. It either had a hint apple or cherry, or if he was lucky to find a bag, honey. If the leaf from Equestria was not available to him, he would tend to purchase a small amount of Everfree leaf. While sweet, it left a horrid aftertaste of moss and mud, something that no centaur liked. Arcanian leaf was much too bitter for him, though many gargoyles seemed to enjoy it. Sendak would rather destroy his pipe than smoke such a horrid product.

“Tirek, you shouldn’t be so cynical about a small crush, or love for that matter. I’m sure Ms. Belle does her best not to lead him on. And I shan’t have you decry love. I might remind you that I had a wife, gods bless her soul, and she made me a better man, like every wife does for their husband. Besides, I remember when I served your father, there was a young centaur who fell for a maid thrice his age. He came to me for advice on courting the girl and extra lessons in magic to impress her. Do you think it served him better to forget such a feeling?”

“Of course. I was a fool back then,” Tirek grumbled. His master constantly tried to argue with him whenever he made such a blanket statement, fortunately, he was much too clever to fall into such a trap. “I didn’t feel love, just a childish lust. That’s all anyone feels.”

“You, a fool?” Sendak pursed his lips. “Likely. Only a fool could be as emotionally clueless as you and still achieve the title of Sage.” The centaur began to tap the stem of his pipe against his bearded chin, as if trying to remember an important message he was to give. “What about that servant girl that you found-what was the word you used that day-intoxicating? Was that just foolishness as well, perhaps a primordial lust? Were you looking for someone to keep your bed warm?”

“That was-She was-it!” Tirek silenced himself as he ruminated on the girl. He didn’t the foggiest idea how to describe her. Annoying, pleasant, foolish, seductive, gentle, fierce, and intelligent all fit, but none could truly describe her. Just thinking about her was causing his heart to beat irregularly as his palms became sweaty. She was the enigma, the only person able to rob him of his wits and will. Typical that his master to mention her when discussing love.

Tirek still recalled the fire that she ignited in him by dint of being. The desires that she cruelly placed in his heart whenever his gaze met with her smoldering eyes. She was a wild blaze that threatened to consume his younger self’s countless ambitions. He abandoned his feelings for the girl once he reached a certain age, choosing instead to seek out the power he so craved. Yet, some small part of him, possibly lingering youth, wanted nothing more than to feel her in his arms, held close to his chest. Tirek turned away from Sendak, choosing to look at the ground. “She did not feel the same,” He finally said through gritted teeth.

“Probably because you stood idly by while other suiters charmed her. I pity you at times my student.”

“I don’t need nor want your pity. And no ‘suiter’ charmed her, only a bastard.”

“Of course. What about your most recent venture you told me about when Spike was still in his egg?” Sendak asked, using his staff to light the leaf in his pipe. He took a few puffs on his pipe and waited for Tirek’s response.

“That Witch is more worthless than Scorpan!” Tirek shouted, as his face twisted into something monstrous. “I would appreciate it if you never mention her again.”

“My apologies, Tirek.” Sendak took a few more puffs of his pipe before giving out a sigh, his breath carrying a large plumb of smoke. “I would hurry along if I were you; your mother will probably be preparing supper, and knowing her there’s enough for you, and me if I bothered stopping by. I won’t bother you anymore for now, there’s some business that I must attend to. As happy as I am to see such old friends, I must admit it’s a sad day today, especially for an old fool like me.”

“Today is nothing.”

“To you it’s nothing, but to me it is a miserable little date that I wish never existed, as I’m sure tomorrow is for Spike, and you if you bothered feeling anything at all.”

Tirek glared at Sendak, though it was not one that was angry towards him. Tirek could never be angry at his old master. However, he was still bitter with his situation, and the earlier meeting with the mares did nothing to improve his mood. “I’m bringing him back home.”

“Is that a fact? I know many things, Tirek. For instance, I know it’s a long, exhausting trek to your mother’s, and I know that she is intent on having you and Spike over for supper. I would just be sure to calm yourself before knocking on the door, you know how she gets. Good day, old friend.” Sendak tapped his staff against the ground and vanished in a flash of light.

Comments

[RadicalDishonesty]

Seeing Tirek interacting with his family and actual people he respects makes him seem... well not really good, but more reasonable. And everybody seems to understand that Tirek will be angry but are encouraging him to spend time with his grandmother anyway.

It's still pretty unknown as to what exactly the reason Spike is with Tirek, though. What reason is it?