In the Trees
The Year of the Sun, 458 SLB.
My lungs burned with white hot fire as I sprinted down the road carved through the middle of the forest. I heard a noise a bit further back. They wouldn't get me. I wouldn't let them.
My saddle bag struck me painfully with every step I took. it's delicate package was still safely stowed away.
Father would kill me if I lost it.
They will kill me if they catch me.
So I ran. Canterlot is closer now, I can see the majestic castle perched proudly on the side of the hill overlooking, well nothing, but I'm sure in time that will change. Equestria grew every day, with ponies coming from all over to settle in the new towns. One day, Father tells me, Equestria will be a prosperous nation united under one rule.
The Order.
Our Order.
I don't want to be a part of any of it. The fighting get worse every day, not to mention closer to home. Poor Mother is a wreck these days. Father laughed and struck me when I voiced my feelings.
Another rustle.
I pick up the pace again. I don't have much left. I'm going to drop dead from exertion at the rate I'm running. Still, I won't stop. I can see the city. I'm so close.
The pain in my lungs is immense. The castle still looms in the distance, though getting closer every step I take. Perhaps I will get to meet her Majesty in the fur when I get there. I have only heard stories of Princess Celestia from my Father. She is an Alicorn. I have never seen an Alicorn! I thought they were only a mere myth! More importantly, she is on our side, she too wants the fighting to stop and, unfortunately, this stupid war is the only way that will happen. It is not a war the rest of the common ponies are aware is going on, not now nor for the past hundred years, but it is one I have been told will decide many of their fates. If the enemy wins, who knows what they will do. If we win, the ponies will be free. Free from fear, free from pointless war, free from lies.
I can't let them steal the package. Everypony is counting on me. The future of Equestria is counting on me.
I need to stop. I can't, but I must. I stop for a moment to catch my breath. The noises have stopped. The trees stand peacefully, almost perfectly still were it not for the faint wind blowing through the forest. I have failed thus far to notice the sweat running down my head. I rub the offending liquid away from my eyes. The pain in my lungs is reducing to a simmer as I stand here. I can't stay for long. The noises may have stopped, but they will start again. I take a final calming breath and head off. Not as fast this time, but still at a fevered pace. The castle is still in view, it is the only thing I'm focusing on. It is the thing which may well save my life.
The next hour is serene. No noises. No rustles. No evidence of being pursued. The forest is long, but I'm so close to the end. To fail now would be cruel. Very cruel.
I hear a noise.
A large rustle from the great trees around me.
Two of them. I swear it. There are two of them chasing me! Stopping was a bad idea, they only went to get reinforcements. Without letting on that I have heard them, I start to increase my speed slowly before ending up breaking into a pace faster than the one I was maintaining earlier. It's strange though, I no longer feel my lungs burning a hole in my chest, nor do I feel the muscles in my legs heaving from the torture or even my cracked and broken hooves complaining of the punishing terrain I am forcing them over. I would laugh if I could comprehend any actions other that breathing and running.
More rustling emanates from the trees. I quickly look around but I cannot see the source. What I do see, however, is the end of the forest. I am so close. Canterlot is so close now.
I run even faster, if that is possible. My eye bug out of their sockets with the stress. I don't care. I'm so close.
A sharp pain in my throat takes my breath before a weight lands on my back.
I failed.
The weight and I tumble on the over and over on the hard ground. When I come to a rest, I look over to them. Two ponies, dressed in white, hooded robes. Well, one is white, the other is dirty and torn in places.
"Are you alright, Quickstep?" The stallion asks the mare he helps back to her hooves,
"Yes. I am fine" she replies as she begins to walk over to me. I want to run, to get away while there are distracted, but I can't feel my legs. I can't feel anything really. Nothing but the cool spring air and the blood running down my neck. The mare approaches and places her hoof behind my head,
"Shhh," she coos, "It will all be over shortly." She tells me this in the sweetest of voices. Just like my mother when I was having nightmares as a filly. I swivel my eyes towards Canterlot. The castle was so close. Now, it may as well be on the other side of the world.
"Quickstep, I have the letter." The Stallion announces as he raids my saddle bags, "We need to go before more of her Order find us!" The stallion says with a voice full of urgency,
"No," the mare quietly responds, "It is not fair to leave her to die alone" The stallion lowers his head,
"Yes Mentor" I look into the mare's face. Her eyes are beautiful. Motherly. The brightest green I have ever seen.
My breathing slows, as does my heart. I am not long for this world now.
As I pass into the afterlife, I think, maybe they will be the ones to save the world. To finally put an end to the suffering in the world.
Who would have thought that, of the Assassins?