Prince Sultan has just returned home from a mission in Equestria to find, that disaster is flying towards his direction on huge dragon wings. Yeah, as if life hasn't been hard till now...
(WILL INCLUDE HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE NEXT CHAPTERS!!! DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T READ IT!!!) A story of a country in the far Northeast, where winter rules for eternity. Ponies there dig jewels and magical stones to sell them for goods. Their life is very difficult and the attacks from dragons don't make it any easier. Prince Sultan has just returned home from a mission in Equestria to find, that disaster is flying towards his direction on huge dragon wings. Yeah, as if life hasn't been hard till now... Thats not all, a surprising deal, which has come like a lightning from a clear sky, will change his and the whole country's life. The question is, will it be towards a better life or ultimate destruction? Try and find out...
“So you have returned, Sultan! How was your visit in Equestria?”– King Blackblade almost jumped from his throne, excitement sparkled in his eyes. Sultan threw a tired smile towards his uncle. He took a deep breath and withstand Blackblade’s bone crushing hug.
“Nothing much uncle. Just a small, peaceful country, full of small horses. The dragon was a weakling, yet even their queen was unable to take it down with her “magic”.”
“Now Sultan! Don’t badmouth other countries! They aren’t experts at battles against dragons, but I’m sure they are good at something that we’re not.” a wise smile rose on the kings lips. “Come! I see you are tired, you should take some rest, but first, let’s fill this stomach!” said the king and, as if to bring more sense to his words, Sultan’s insides made a loud growl.
* * *
“I feel as if my body is made out of rocks.” murmured the young stallion, after a long sight, as he was climbing the stairs towards his room. The troubled expressions of the servants were enough for him to know that something went wrong while he was away. He entered the room, slowly trailing to the bed. As he passed by the mirror, a pair of almost shut sky-blue eyes looked at him with the tiredness of a dead slave on the field. Clumps of dirt-covered main were sticking around his gray head. His body smelled like sweat and dust. The three days nonstop run squeezed every drop of his strength. With the last amount of will in him, Sultan somehow lifted his hooves and got to the bed, where he immediately fell asleep.
When he awakened, day and a half has already passed. Sultan would have gladly slept for some more time, but the stench coming from him was unbearable, so he called one of the maids and ordered her to ready a bath for him and change the bed sheets.
The hot water felt great and as the dirt from his body was washed away, life and energy flowed back in his limbs. A sight of relief slipped out from between his lips. “Uncle may try as hard as he wants, but he can’t hide it from me. I’m sure the dragons struck the castle again while I wasn’t around! Damn it, it’s like they can feel us becoming weaker every time… No time for slacking!” Sultan stood up and got out of the bath. The maid had just finished changing the sheets and tiding the room.
“Call Hagar! Tell him, that I need to speak with him immediately!”
“Yes, milord.” The small maid looked a bit frightened, while she was leaving the room. No wonder, the blue eyes watching her were as cold as those of a killer. Not that Sultan had killed someone, but during his ferocious fights with dragons, he has seen the horrible dead of many of his friends and comrades. At first it was Hell, he couldn’t sleep before or after the fight, or if he was able to, nightmares of blood and crying mothers hunted him, tearing his heart apart, until gradually he became hollow. Now, he didn’t bother remembering the names of the stallions in his team, that way it was easier when they parted. The columns of Honor in the Great Hall will remember them for him and for all the other survivors. In a country of eternal frost, where no food could be produced, jewels and diamonds were all this cursed land could offer its inhabitants. Most creatures think that the Ryuu* tribe is far more rich than any king and they are diving in luxury, but is such a stupid suggestion.
[Ryuu – dragon from Japanese]
All the money goes for food supplies and firewood or coal. Not mentioning that the Dragons, always hungry for riches, were attacking the castle nonstop. How many brave warriors have already died to protect these cursed useless pieces of rock? Hundreds of Honor pillars written all over with names from top to bottom, laying under a thick layer of dust in the Great Hall.
A sudden creak of the door got Sultan out of his dark thoughts.
“You wished to speak with me, my prince.” – Hagar walked in the room with his head bowed low. His long mane made a small pile on the floor.
“Yes. What happened while I was away? Seems like my uncle won’t to tell me even if I ask him.”
“The report about the matter is with me in my bag. Would you like to see it, my prince?”– Hagar took out the papers and handed it over, then bowed again and waited for orders.
Sultan’s face grimaced in anger. “So there really was an attack! Seems like the damn dragons were really desperate for some reason. Any ideas?” He lifted his head from the papers with an eyebrow cocked in question.
Hagar looked away in bifurcation.
“Well?”
“There are rumors going around in the scout barracks. They say that one of the distance patrols saw a huge footprint in the snow. As they were coming back to report, three days after that, one of them spotted an enormous serpent-like silhouette entering the ice caverns.” – Hagar looked to the window and frowned. “How ever, these are only rumors my lord. Most probably the old scouts waned to scare the youngsters.” Hagar smiled cheerfully.
“When was that?” Sultan looked really pissed off. Flames of anger blazed from his eyes.
Hagar gave a puzzled look and answered “A-a-about a week ago.”
Sultan was mad. With great willpower he had restrained himself from choking Hagar.
“Idiots! Did someone send a patrol in that direction after that? To see if the dragon was only a rumor and if it was headed in this direction?”
“N-no.” Sultan opened his mouth to shout in anger again, but Hagar was first: “My lord you know how far the ice caverns are! It’s imposable even for a class 3 dragon to think about flying all the way here. It’ll take him more than a month! It’s too much of an effort, knowing how much time and energy it’ll take. What’s more, they all know the castle is fiercely guarded by us, and the dragons in which territory it is in.”
“What if it was one of the giants?” Sultan whispered quietly. Hagar’s eyes widened.
“No, that’s impossible!”
“Why? They are huge, unstoppable, and have the most powerful magic known. The whole world knows how bored they are. They can fly all around the globe in search of entertainment, and haven’t turned everything in ash. Just, because it would be too easy and boring. They aren’t fighting with each other, because if they start a fight, that'll be the end of the world, and the last standing wouldn’t have anything to do.” – Sultan looked deep in thought. – “So, how will we be sure that one of them hasn’t decided to wipe out the impregnable North-East castle, along with the whole Ryuu tribe? You know, just for the fun of it? The other dragons notice that, and they tried desperately to snatch as much as possible from the castle, before it’s all in the giant’s belly.” – Sultan stopped as he saw the terror in Hagar’s eyes as he imagined the picture. – “Don’t look at me with that stupid look on your face and send a patrol immediately.” – He said quietly. His poor secretary dashed from the room as if he was running for his life, with his long mane waving behind him.
Sultan sighed and went to the kitchen to grab a quick snack, as breakfast was over some time ago. He had hoped with all of his frozen heart, his theory would be wrong. Alas! The possibility was too high.
After that he returned to his room to get more sleep, his muscles were burning like hell fire. What else could he do, while waiting the patrol to return in a few days?
He would need all his strength to protect his people from those damn serpents. With that thought in mind he fell asleep again.
The next morning Sultan decided to go investigate the rumor. After breakfast he putted his thick coat on and went outside, towards the scout barracks. The short northern day was just beginning. The reddish sun was peeking from the horizon line, giving precious light to this forgotten by God country.
The cold dry air filled Sultan’s lungs as he trotted over the icy path. Soon he reached a low-pitched building with a square training ground in front of it. A dozen pony-like figures were just coming out of the building for the morning exercises.
Scouts weren’t exactly ponies. Having big well build muscles under a thick fur coat they were much bigger than normal ponies. All of them were grayish colored with short manes and tails. Their big hooves were like snow shoes, allowing them to walk on snow without sinking or making sounds.
One of them, a big old colt, spotted Sultan and headed towards his direction.
“Good morning, my lord! What brings his majesty here?” his voice was deep, yet very quiet, like a growl.
“I’ve heard some of your scouts found something very interesting. Can you please call them here? I want to hear the story firsthand.”
The old one nodded and went into the building. After a few minutes he came again with two veteran scouts behind him …
* * *
The story the veterans told him was the same Hagar wrote in his report. A desperate sigh escaped Sultans mouth. “Seems like the worst case scenario… I better go talk with the others, so we can come up with a defense plan together.” As desperation slowly fought its way through the ice, covering his heart, the sudden sound of flapping wings pulled him out of his dark thoughts.
“Sultan sweetheart! When this morning I heard you’re back, I immediately went to the castle to welcome you home, but they said, that you went out early! What a coincidence we met on my way home! Would you like to come and have some tea with me in my room? You can also tell me about that far away country you visited.” – With her big eyes and beautiful, well kept feathers, lady Tatyana was a real sight. One of the first class ladies of the Sky Dome, she had cough the eye of many males from the castle, yet she showed no interest in any marriage propositions from no matter how rich or powerful the family.
“It’s nice to see you again milady! Thank you for the invitation, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. My duty is above all. Maybe some other time… ”
“Eeeeh!? Again? Sultan you’re no fun at all! Do you understand that hundreds will die for a invitation from me, yet you decline me every time I ask you!” – The beautiful hippogryph frowned. “I too have my own pride, you know?!”
“I’m sorry, lady Tatyana… Why don’t you go ask my uncle? I bet he’ll gladly accept the company of a lovely lady like you.” – Sultan forced a quick smile.
“Really?! You think the king would be pleased with my company? This is… you better not be lying!” – She stretched her beautiful wings and headed towards the castle. Sultan sighed again. It was obvious, that she liked Blackblade, the question was why was Tatyana trying to get close to him, using Sultan. She was a childhood friend of the king, thus she could easily find a better excuse to go and see him, like “talking about the old times” or something of the sort… Sultan watched how her figure disappeared in the distance for a few moments and again headed towards the main conference hall.
“So you say that one of the Giants is headed this way to destroy the North-East Castle and we need to prepare a defense plan, am I right?” Prince Gillian leaned back. “With all of my respect Sultan, that’s absurd! I can’t believe you called us here for something like that!”
“Indeed! It’s only a hypothesis and you have no trustworthy proof. The old scouts must be exaggerating, after all the giants prefer warm tropic islands, not ice-covered lands. Most importantly, you ventured yourself to send some of my troops without my permission! I take that as a big insult towards my authority!” – Prince Tantor was also furious, his big fur was all up, like a cat’s.
Sultan stood shocked and speechless at their reaction. The ones who should have helped him just laughed at his face and trotted out of the hall…
He just sat on the floor dumbfounded, as Blackblade came closer.
“That’s why you didn’t tell me about the attack, you knew they wouldn’t believe me…” – The bitter words just slipped from Sultan’s mouth.
“I wonder when will you learn, that whatever I do, it’s for your own good… Well even so you could have waited for the patrol to return and then report, but that just wouldn’t be like you. Come one, stand up! Don’t let their words break you down, when the scouts return you’ll be the one laughing!”
Suddenly the empty blue eyes lighted up. The young stallion stood up and looked at his uncle with burning determination. He then headed towards the door.
“Where are you going?!”
“To do something before it’s already too late.”
Blackblade didn’t stop him, only a small sigh came from his mouth.
* * *
Sultan trotted in his room:
“Kostya! Kostya, come here boy!” – From under the sofa a dog-like shadow made a movement. When it came to sight, it became clear, that it’s a demon hound. Beautiful intelligent, red eyes, beneath a dark mask, silver fur and magical sings all over its body.
“Kostya we are going on a hunt, help me pack my stuff. Get my blue cloak and “the claws”.” – The hound nodded slightly and went to get them. At that time Sultan dropped few shacks in a bag – some backed coffee beans, dried hay, corn as well as some bandages for heavy injuries. Then, after a quick though, he sat down to write a death letter. It was a little different than the ones he wrote before a regular hunt, because this time his death was sure.
The hound returned just as he was thinking how to end the letter.
“Don’t forget to write my name on the pillar.” – sounded best, so he putted it down quickly on the paper and turned around to inspect the package Kostya obediently held in his mouth.
“The magic crystals of my claws are fully charged and the cloak seems alright… Okay, let’s get going.”
At the castle gate one of the guards made a fuss about letting them out.
“… but your majesty, a big blizzard is coming this way! If you go out, you’ll most surely get lost and die!”
“Let me through soldier, who do you think you’re talking to?! My survival out there is none of your concern!” – Sultan’s eyes sparkled with anger, he couldn’t afford to lose anymore time.
“How could you say that?! Your safety IS my business, my responsibility!”
“It’s an order soldier! Step aside and let me pass!”
“But…” – a threatening growl came from Kostya, his sharp white teeth showing. The guard took few steps back, sensing the danger.
Sultan immediately dashed out, Kostya following close.
Unfortunately the guard’s words were true. By nightfall they encountered a monstrous storm. Nothing could be seen further than a few meters, snow hitting their faces ferociously. The powerful wind howled spookily between the natural ice pinnacles. If it became any stronger there would have sharp ice particles flying with great speed towards them.
“We need a cover… If I remember correctly there must be a cave here somewhere…” – thought Sultan, his eyes desperately searching for it – “There!”
They spotted a big blurry entrance few meters ahead, behind a snowdrift. It was tempting them with its darkness, their only savior from the monstrous blizzard.
With their last strength they got inside through the deep snow.
“Seems we got inside just in time!” – one sharp-looking particle flew over the cave’s exit, sinking deep into the snowdrift, leaving a big hole in it. – “We’re still not safe, we have to go deeper inside.”
Their steps echoed through the dark space. The wind’s howl was still reaching their ears, but from really far. Sultan’s “claws” were their only light source, which he putted on to be able to go down the slippery rocks. Their charged crystals shone and spreaded soft cyan light over the cave’s forms. Beautiful polished ice, transparent and pure and sharp spike-like pinnacles surrounded them.
“I know, that deeper in this cave our soldiers have hidden resources in case of emergency. We can find them and wait for the storm to be over, how about it Kostya? … Kostya? What is it? Why are you looking at me with those scared eyes? Don’t tell me there is something behi… ” – As he turned around, his jaw hit the floor. A huge dragon eye was watching him, its red iris reflecting strongly the light.
His big leather wings carried him easily, catching the air currents. He pierced through the clouds, their wet coldness caressing his skin, feeling the freedom of flying.
He had enough of big cities and the choking air of advanced civilization. The air above Equestria was so full of magic that it made his lungs hurt, Gryphon peaks were too crowded and the jungle air was very moistly, plus it rained every day!
“A change would be good.” – he thought for himself few days ago and set on a trip to the far away icy lands.
“Everything is so white and beautiful here! The untamed wildness of nature, untouched by magic!” – That thought came in his mind, while flying without a direction, without a purpose, except the sole feeling of the refreshing cold and clean arctic air.
Something interesting caught his eye, so he landed. A polar bear was standing in front of him, frightened to death. He observed it for a while, but then a light pain in his limbs reminded, that after days of flying a rest is needed.
“I guess I should search for a shelter.” – With that in mind he took off, the wind from his powerful wings set the bear flying for a few meters.
Three hours later a big icy cavern came to sight.
“This will do!” – One loud roar emptied the cave from other beings and he hopped in. Sleep came easily.
When he woke up, he had no idea how much time had passed, maybe a week or two, it didn’t mattered. The sky was clear, not a single cloud staining its pureness – a perfect weather for a flight. He stretched his huge wings once again and let the wind carry him to wherever it wanted.
Many hours later the landscape started slowly to change into a hilly plain, on some places covered with icy pinnacles. The smell of an upcoming storm was filling the air. On the horizon huge, almost black clouds were coming his way.
“Not that I can’t fly through it, but it will be such a paaaaiiin!” – he whined – “Mmm, that thing there must be a cave, if I’m not mistaken. If it’s big enough it might do the job!” – he flew towards the entrance and landed inside.
The inside of the cave was from polished ice, slippery and cold. As he was laying again, he gave the exit a last glance, then closed his eyes. Soon the sound of howling wind reached his ears.
*Clip-clop, clip-clop* - What was that? The sound of hooves? Maybe his ears were pulling pranks on him… *Clip-clop, clip-clop* - Wait! There it was again! No mistaking it, something was in the cave… and had hooves.
“I know, that deeper in this cave our soldiers have hidden resources in case of emergency. We can find them and wait for the storm to be over, how about it Kostya?”
A pony! And it got company. His eye popped wide open. So it was male, very tall for pony standards, standing with its back towards him and talking to a demon hound. Oops the hound spotted him or his eye at least.
“Kostya? What is it? Why are you looking at me with those scared eyes? Don’t tell me there is something behi…” – The pony quickly turned around. Oh, great! Now the little male also saw him. – “What the…!” – “Mmm, aristocratic muzzle features and that soft gray color, a beauty indeed! Yet above all, those azure eyes are the cherry on the top of the cake, such pure blue can be rarely seen!” – thought he, while the little male pony panicked at the sight in front of it.
And then, like a lightning from clear skies, the small male tried to attack with some strange mechanical claws attached to its hooves, the hound following it closely. He reacted in the last moment, using levitation and throwing both of them in the middle of the cave’s airspace.
“Whoa! That was a close one! Aren’t ponies supposed to be cute little herbivores, eating daisies all day, somewhere in the grasslands?” – His deep, growling voice echoed through the cave.
“Not when you attack our home! I’ll kill you before you reach the North-East Castle or die trying!” – “Now that’s some determination! North-East Castle, huh… Oh! That Castle! Yes, yes, I remember now!” – As those thoughts ran through the giant’s mind, his eye’s pupil pulsed once at the sudden realization. That castle was at war with his kin from centuries! He could clearly imagine what horror scenarios were running through the little pony’s head, a giant dragon attacking his precious home, burning it to the ground. What a nightmare.
He then turned his attention back to the little male:
“What’s your name pony?” – asked the dragon with his deep voice.
“What do you care?”
“Heh, talking about rough character!” – The dragon grinned – “Well, it was a bit impolite of me to ask, without first introducing myself, anyway. My name is Luduan, but you most probably know me as The sky lion, one of the ever bored Giants. Now, your name, please.”
