Chapter III: Golden ocean | Part III: From inferno to hell
November 25, 2023 at 9:45 AM
No time to die yet. All the wounds, some magical water and a disease would not stop the pony, that lived almost all her life in healthy conditions. All what is needed, is for the body to rest a little. Those days would exhaust anyone, not to mention that little horse.
Only, Sunshine was not just anyone, and she was lucky with her surroundings and health, despite all the problems. All of Equestria’s population, as well as those “anyone else”, did not even come closer to the heir of the house of Sunrise. Everything will be fine; she needs to rest just a little more.
A bit more, and she opened her eyes! But how painful it was to raise her eyelids! Front hooves laid in front of the pony and still had glimpses of pink, she could not move them at all. Seems like the poor horse tried reaching for her friend, not even remembering doing so. He laid just before her, still as water.
What is with Gambit, anyway? How much time had passed? What else has happened? There were same saddlebags in front of her, as before, without any scars or other visible damage. Scary to imagine what he had to pay with, to get through the latest events.. Not without a reason that he picked this form now.
Solar one wished to talk to the shapeshifter, wanted to know his well-being.. Or at least touch him, feel anything else except the sharp grass and agony. However, at such a time, only a desire is not enough - her mouth did not open, and the body did not listen to the pony fully. Changeling probably did not want to talk either.
Only he knows if he shifted into the bags himself, or it was because he touched the plant. Even more so - dialogue like that would not make any sense. But if he did morph by himself, then it was not without a reason. That was not typical for the species, that did not get usual amenities as something truly needed.
Maybe Gambit was hiding from something? Waiting, just like the past time? Little pony’s big ears did hear some kind of noise far away, and that meant the clever changeling heard the same thing, only better at that. Unless, the delusion did paralyse the hot orange head.
The noise loudened and got more surround, so it was probably real. Though, nobody was seen on the surface, despite the stomping and lack of storm. But there was something else, something that felt really well - the digging. It got closer and closer, like if somebody hurried. Or escaped from someone.
On the surface though, someone big and not a little bit quieter followed the sand digger. Someone, who probably carried a lot of things, as he was heard very distinctly by the weak pegasus. Winged pony only managed to barely move her head towards the sounds.
Quite expected, that the wild changelings hid beneath billions of yellow grains. They showed themselves not long after the weak mare moved her limbs, proving her guess. The bugs were scared by something, and something did force them back to the surface. Or maybe, someone.
It was probably the source of strong emotions that drove them back up. Plated ones’ attention was stolen by those feelings - they completely forgot that someone followed them. Someone, who got even closer with every passing second. Someone, who moved not by lonesome.
Instead of saving their lives, the whole swarm of shapeshifters hissed at their new prey. But they did not get any closer - surprisingly enough, they kept the distance from the oasis. Would the magical bugs have at least some glimpses of intelligence, as they avoided the tree?
If the chameleonlings had some kind of self-preservation, it was totally surpassed by the food instincts. On the horizon, right after some of the closest dunes, the insectoids’ bane finally appeared. No wonder why the bugs did try to run away from it.
A whole horde of warriors, equipped to the teeth, shortened the distance very rapidly. Their battlecry heard even better than the sound of their legs and armour. Physique of those stallions could compete with higher unicorns and other earlings, and their weapons’ quality and sizes were no match for anything. Is there a point in talking about their tactical advantage?
A whole rain of arrows poured from eastern army’s rearguard. No matter who was behind them all - they shot very accurately, despite moving with a great speed. After a while, the orange one even thought she was imagining things, as the army appeared even more impressive than in tales.
Small horses, by eastern standards, stood on their hind legs on light-armoured troops behind everyone else. Like if they devoted their whole lives to their training, practising horseback riding, as every single move complemented each other - they were simply ideal.
Bows, spears and sabres seemingly made not for masses, but for every soldier individually. That also probably was the case for armour - massive shells did not have a single gap, also engraved like bracelets. Soldiers looked stylish, too - all the armour was worn over the flawless silk. The balance between artsiness and quality inspired with only a single glance at it, without obstructing them at all.
Same cannot be said about their enemies - frightened changelings scattered around, getting completely lost in their surroundings. Bolts covered them like bedsheets, leaving only a few of them alive. Shapeshifters’ growling subsided as quickly, as their green blood painted the sand and their own kind.
Victims did not even try to fight and resist. Even though their numbers diminished severely, archers still managed to frequently shoot two, sometimes three changelings at once, turning carapaces and exoskeletons of those miserable and unlucky into a green mess.
Sunny was also unlucky - a bolt intended to hit the fanged beast, hit her in the shin instead. Little one’s scream kept up with the changelings’ loudness. Nobody would wish so much pain on anyone - the pony simply stopped feeling her leg. Her hoof did not tear off, but that would probably be less painful, than this stuck crushing projectile.
Shapeshifters did not stand a chance in close combat against evil wood and skills of naturally born warriors. Huge stallions dealt with parasites with unusual cruelty, tearing them limb by limb and head by head with their curved sabres, while also standing on their hind legs.
Last bug’s deathrattle was silenced by the squad’s inspiring cry. Even after breaking their formation, warriors did not intend on going back - some other huge stallion, just like they were, did not stop giving orders. Yet, unlike the rest, he covered himself with something in between aristocratic robes and armour plates.
Vizier did not wear a helmet, and his emotions and face were very well seen by the dying pony. Officer spoke in some unclear and inexplicable to equestrians language - seems like he ordered the rest to prepare for going back. This stallion did not even notice Sunshine.
Spear-wielding horses gathered trophies and fruit, riders took their magnets off and got off from common soldiers, cavalry’s lower part helped them with arrows.. And an orange pony wailed in pain, which drew attention from closely standing janissaries. As well as scaring them off with her appearance.
Nobody dared to get closer to the mare, with flickering and rapidly moving pink dots. A loud discussion emerged between the cavalry and vizier - crippled mare’s fate was probably being decided right now. Suddenly, an archer stood before the leader, probably the one who shot the little pony on accident.
He lowered his head at the end of his speech. However, judging by the detachment chief’s voice and facial expression, nobody was going to be reprimanded. Nobody wanted to deal with the guest from another land. Before going back, battalion of murderers simply left a few supplies near the pony: flask with a coloured liquid, some water, and a bundle of bandages.
What were they thinking? That a pony who barely moved her eyes, would somehow miraculously get up, drink this questionable brew and bandage her leg with not exactly clean cloth? How miraculous, that the winged horse was not alone! Should the horde disappear in the horizon, enraged changeling immediately tended to the little sun’s wounds, cursing everything alive out loud:
— S-shameles-s, bas-stards! - the bug tangled his tongue.
— M-manners! - little pony was shocked in every sense of those words.
— Sun! - the doctor objected - Keep yourself together! At this rate nobody will see your decency!
How nice, that the changelings can shapeshift into anything, simply by wishing so. Even better, that the friendly insect knew how to squeeze every drop of his abilities. Like a spider, wrapping his prey into the net, he managed to bandage most of her wounds with additional limbs.
Only so little remained - an arrow, stuck very tightly in a very inconvenient spot. Gambit literally fought with time and choice. He did not want to make the situation worse and make the life of his closest even harder. However, no matter how one looked at it - both of the outcomes are horrible.
Leaving the arrow there and simply dressing the wound, for it and bones to heal deformed, or taking the projectile out, inducing even more pain to the solar mare? He needed to act quickly and carefully, or he would go back home alone. And even then, the choice was not that hard - only one of them would promise survival:
— Sunshine, get ready. Will pull out, fast. Will hurt.
— A-alright, whe-e-A-?! - crippled pony interrupted her scream in agony.
Finally, the shin is free of a dark-red arrow tip and a stuck shaft. Touching the wood for even such a short time felt very unpleasant for the changeling. Not to mention the pony herself, who was almost operated on, like a surgery or an institute study.
Crudely and clumsily, but very effective. Just like the next bandaging of a bloodied leg, with what was left of a piece of gauze, that cannot even be called a bandage. The horse could not move her leg yet, but that is not needed for now - as always, her trusted companion did everything for her.
But not everything is possible even with the help of a changeling. Of course, he can do a lot, but there are things that cannot be grasped by the likes of him - social aspect. Especially in some kind of town, or barely a talk with someone else. Even more so, if that someone has a sworn enemy in the face of shapeshifters.
— ..Gamby? - little one quietly whined.
— I am here, I am near. Do not move. - plated insect twitched again - How are you?
— ..It exists, Midillia exists! - orange pony coughed - We can do this! Just a bit more!
Seems like the pony overestimated herself, as she immediately tried to get up, as soon as she felt a surge of energy and inspiration. Even though other limbs listened to the winged horse, she could not manage without another important part of her body. Luckily, she was caught just in time by another team member.
— Now, where are you going? You need to rest!
— But I feel better already! ..A bit better, but still! We have to continue moving forward!
— Try not to move for now. - the bug looked around - Lie down, alright?
Time to think! Using the scroll now is certainly a better move than when Sunshine was unconscious. Only, now there was another obstruction - the tree - who knows what would happen, if one would try to use such strong wizardry near this dangerous plant? Teleportation is not a joke.
— ..Still, m-maybe we should go forward? - red-eyed pony insisted.
— How do you imagine that? You cannot walk.
— And you? You can carry me to the city? Can you?
Horse’s fur still remained half-pink. Was the pony saying some senseful ramble, or worthwhile but senseless scramble? Shapeshifter really wanted to bring the pegasus to her senses with more forceful and cruel methods, but his hoof flew into his own face. How difficult it actually is to endure emotions!
— ..Sunshine, do you understand what you are saying? - whiskered insect tried to reason with the delusional one - You saw what they did to changelings.
— But you’re different!
— It does not matter to them who I am. Even if I am made of chocolate, or with eyes like yours. I am only an insect to them, and they will pin me to the sand faster before I’ll say “wait, I just want to talk!”.
— ..But you’re so nice, how could they do this to you?
At this rate, one would be ready to do anything, only to not go through such nonsense ever again. Even follow such nonsense, for the lack of a better alternative. Changeling continued to carry the horse on his back, trying not to move her crippled spot too much.
The rest of supplies left by eastern ponies, were put into the brown bag, as there was as much trust in such gifts as the friends wished to die - none. And if water did look usual and harmless, the red liquid scared the company as much as chameleonlings themselves.
No labels, no symbols - nothing. Even the very slow speed of this liquid left a lot of questions and doubts. Without telling each other anything and understanding all in silence, friends decided to leave it for later, because it may not do any better. But for matters to get worse..
The desert did not yet manage to cover the tracks of the detachment, and the team went straight towards them, going even further towards the hot side of the continent. Fortunately, the weather was on the adventurers' side, and not only because of lack of wind - the heat did not strike at its fullest, either.
— This will not end well.. - mumbled the bug.
— Why?
— Because we will be killed, that is why. I will be killed, and they will do something bad to you as well.
— ..Why?
— I am not different from their enemies, you saw that with your own eyes.
— ..But why?
Gambit could not stand it for much more. How suddenly her companion became so silly! Like if she did not get any better, and she lies to herself as much as to her friend. Pink spots were there, whining was there too. And only a lack of laughs did point that something did go on. Be it good or bad.
— I am a bug, they are bugs. We are bugs. They do not like bugs.
— O-o-oh.. - pony did not stay silent for long - Did you think of what you’ll say to them?
— Sun, they have a different language. This one is hard for me already.
— Silly, think of something!
Only a miracle could save them. But what miracle could it be, when anything in this situation could be called that? A proper road, food, a stable mood.. Everything that seemed usual and common just a few days prior, right now was perceived as true and only luxury.
True luxuries are also famous for being shiny. Something did shine far away as well, something that only the changeling saw with a corner of his eye. Only a fool would not follow the shiny thing on a straight path, and Gambit decided to deviate from the route.
— Ga-a-amby.
— What?
— ..How much time has passed? - his companion did not answer immediately.
— Since what moment?
It would be nice for the insect to understand, what event the little horse is talking about. If she is barely understanding anything, it would be logical to assume she is talking about the near past. However, one should listen to the pony while she can still speak. Though, her ability to think was probably dimmed by her talk.
— Oh. I don’t remember.. Everything was black, then it went normal.. Then it hurt a lot!
— Few hours.
— Feels like we’re here for an eternity.
— Eternity would not be filled with such rich events. - Gambit got even closer to the shiny thing - Speaking of rich..
The company stood before some skeleton. Judging by the torn yellow and blue robes, as well as how the body preserved, this skeleton rested on the cactus for a long time. Insect’s attention focused on precious stones and the same coloured tincture. Surprisingly enough, the trophies laid in the rib cage.
— The desert has claimed his life. - the bug concluded - But not the riches that he carried.
With such an amount of gems, one could buy something expensive. Maybe even buy someone. Does not matter if this pony hid the jewellery in his stomach, or it ended up in there after some time, the dead does not need it. Now, the stones did decorate the bottom of the brown knapsack, hanging from the orange one’s neck.
— What do you think happened to him? - the shapeshifter referred to cactus lover.
— Can we not, speak about this?
— Alright. But still..
— No, no! This is vile! Disgusting!
Both in a healthy state and a sick one - heir to the house of Sunrise stayed extremely moody. Discussing corpses is certainly not a pleasant thing to do, but how they ended up like that - that is a different question. And that question bothered the insect. That skull was different from the soldiers’ ones.
Crossing an endless amount of sand grains, the travellers found another monument. Both friends were very happy to see it, but someone got very frightened by the find soon after. Little pony did not see what was happening, but she felt her friend’s anxiety.
— What’s with you? - the mare hugged her friend more tightly.
— Caravan. It is preparing to go, I think.
— What are you waiting for? Come on, they won’t do a thing to you!
— What if they do?
True, two big and covered carts did indeed stop near this tall stone. The insectoid knew that it would not end well, but the winged pony’s words still inspired him to go forward. As if he simply needed a reason, justifying his hidden wish to talk to other travellers.
— I won’t let them!
— How? You lost a leg, you-
— I haven’t lost anything, you’re being silly!
— If, because of your silliness, I will die because of their silliness, then I am not silly.
When the white creature was finally noticed, he already stood too close to the convoy. Equestrians, to say the least, were not upset by such surprise - they already loaded their arbalests and grabbed their swords, fearing for their lives even more than their cargo’s safety.
— Alarm! Changelings again! ..Ye, another one! Come o-on!
— Wait! I just want to ta-!
— Bloody hell! ‘Tis git’s fuckin’ tolkin’! - noticed one of the mercenaries - Crush the scum!
— Wait..! - Gambit barely said so much, as one of the guards swung a sword at him.
That hit would have been fatal, if the changeling would not catch the blade with his teeth, thanks to his reflexes. Only, there was a lot less power in those mandibles of his than in trained cutthroat’s legs, and the fangs grinded and creaked soon after. Insect held the butcher with his last glimpse of strength..
— Oi, look! He stole a wench! - the same fighter referred to the orange pony.
First group half was frightened by the snowwhite bug, the other half - opposite of that - they wished to fight such a beast, for glory. Scared look on the mare's face only enforced such a belief in the stallion's head. Saving a girl from a shapeshifter is not a deed anyone can beat. Especially when the bug is so peculiar.
— Mayb’ she’s the saem! - someone screamed from the front - Burn the clod!
While the muscle kept Gambit at one place with a sword, others gathered around the conflict. One of the warriors, hoping to end all this as fast as possible, was already reaching for the torch to light an incendiary mixture. He actually intended to throw it at the bug.
— All of you, are you mad?! - the solar pony finally managed to get up on purple back - Why do you think you’re any better than said changelings? He saved my life, and you are going to take two! Two lives!
For a moment, the group of mercenaries paid attention to the pegasus, who sat on a carapace of a seemingly dangerous insect. Her voice was full of discontent and resentment, with which she tried to reason with the ponies around. At least, they listened to her, for now.
— He didn’t do anything to you all, and I didn’t do anything to you all! I am a common and ordinary pony, just like any of you! But the fear in your minds dimm-!
— Why’re you tryna be clever?! - the swordspony screamed at her, the one who stuck his weapon inside changeling’s mouth - Ye think we’ll listn to ye cuz o’ loud yap and white teeth?
— He’s white too! We’ll get loads o’ his skin! - another stupid stallion intervened.
Sunshine took such insolence as a personal insult. She spread her wings and opened her mouth in shock, and was going to answer to the horse just as sharply, when someone noticed that the pony was not exactly healthy. Unbandaged wings shone in all the shades of the disease.
— Stop! Get back! Fuck’s sake, back! She’s struck by “pink death”!
— Fool, what “death”? ‘Tis all tales and piss!
— Ye tryna die or what? Get bloody back!
In a blink of an eye, all the fighters walked back a few metres, beginning to whisper with each other. All of a sudden, a unicorn’s head looked out of the waggon. He certainly was interested in this pony, and the conflict in general. Moving his eyes after the strangers, he finally gave an order to the equipped stallions:
— Sentries! Atte-e-ention! Get those two to me, and we’re heading forward.
What the gang certainly did not expect, is their hirer’s intervention. Someone even got upset, since some of them wanted to gut the bug sincerely. Not every day that one sees a white changeling, after all. In any case, everything was decided for them - Gambit simply did their job for them, spitting out the sword before so.
— We will walk on our own. - Gambit crackled with his body, scaring nearby muscles with his sounds.
More dissenters gathered around the mercenaries - stallions’ faces said everything for them. For some bug and a lost mare to be equal with them? Every single one of them thought highly of themselves and wanted to keep both of them as trophies - one would look good above the door, and another with a pan and broom. But nobody objected against their wallet.
Soon, the carriages continued to move towards foreign walls. Finally, some piece of comfort! Unicorn’s cart was very tranquil - one can even lie there, and there will still be space left; not crowded there at all. Not to mention the presence of shelves on this moving construction, lots of them. And they were not empty either.
So many items - and all of them are useful. For a surprise, nothing fell down and everything strapped very well; the cart can move freely in any way. And, most importantly, it was warm and comfortable, with no sand going in, if one does not count grains left on the adventurers. The tent did its job well.
Same cannot be said about hospitality. The stallion glaringly moved away from the bug and got closer to the tortured pegasus. He was actually bothered by her condition, even though he was certainly not happy about another part of the group that he picked up.
— Where’d you manage to get into that? - the unicorn questioned Sunshine.
— I don’t know.. We were walking in some forest at first, and then-
— No, no. I’m asking, where’d you manage to get into that changeling?
Horned part of the cart disliked each other from the start. There were so many reasons around for spitefulness - unpleasant smell from such a journey, workers’ discontent.. But the main cause for resentment and whining was the most inconveniently looking passenger.
— Just so you know, he is my friend! - the pony yelled at her saviour.
— A friend?! That’s peculiar! How can they be called friends? They are creaky, hissy.. Don’t work out as pets, even. Only for some freaks and twisters.
— I am not a pet.
Oh, the eyes of the plated insect said a lot. And his intimidating voice added even more! Big net-like eyes cautiously observed the trader. He was already reaching for his weapon, when the shapeshifter suddenly continued, in a more happy and unusual voice:
— ..I am more than a pet. - Gambit turned into a pillow.
Sunny lacked exactly something as soft and fluffy. Not to mention that same pillow, which was the start of those two creatures’ friendship. And not long after it appeared again, the winged mare already reached for it to hug and keep it close. Which bothered the sorcerer a lot, to say the least.
— Careful! - yelled merchant - Who knows what he’ll think of!
— I know. That’s why I am friends with him. He’s harmless!
— I hope those are simply consequences of “pink death”.. - the unicorn expressed his thoughts out loud.
— Hope. - added the changeling, showing his true self again.
The situation heated up like a blacksmith's forge. For one reason or another, everyone wanted to cling to any and every harmless word. Luckily, such a time was diluted by the sunshine horse, the one that was the sole reason that adventurers were accepted under the tent.
— Let’s get to know each other! - pony suddenly got closer to the stallion - My name’s Sunshine, and you?
— Acute Fortune, at thy service. And your, um, friend, does he have a name?
The rich horse lowered his head, raising it up again almost immediately. A wrap protecting the unicorn from bad weather and dust almost fell from his dark-blue head. The rest of his body also stayed covered by the cloth and served the same purpose. The vibrant clothing especially highlighted the stallion - such contrast gave a sense of mystery.
— Have. - the bug answered himself - Ace Gambit.
— Is that so. Interesting..
— Why did you pick us up? - Sunshine was curious.
— Would be bad to leave companions of a shared fate at such a moment.. - the stallion got closer to both of them - ..Not to mention, I was concerned by my escort’s mood. A lot of blood already spilled by Midilli, would be horrible to repeat the same mistake.
Fortune mindfully looked over his guest, evaluating the situation. He was watched just as attentively by the changeling, steadily gathering experience from the sorcerer’s actions. Sunshine though, expressed her attention with voice, as she could not do anything else in such condition.
— So you want to help us? - the winged one asked again.
— Shortly speaking - yes.
— How are you going to help?
— I have already done so by sharing my cart with you. - the stallion nodded - But I will not stop at that - the disease won’t fight itself.
The smart unicorn appeared very kind when he was not distracted by the fanged beast. Like if he was that long lost talkative and social side of Moonrise. Though that is not possible, the sensitive pony wanted to believe it. Faith can do a lot - fighting the diseases, too.
— How should I say it, on commonnish.. - thought the stallion - This “pink death”, is not a death at all.
— I know!
— You know? Fascinating. - the merchant admired - Ponies usually fear something that they know not a thing about. They see that someone changes their colour, then gets delusional. But that is just indigestion, that even helps with strengthening the immunity.. Get buried alive next, as those are feared alike.
— Same is said about changelings. - the bug intervened in the conversation.
— I would not act smart in your place. - unicorn answered without moving his eyes from the sick one - I had dealings with your kind, I won’t make the same mistake twice.
The stallion was certainly puzzled by the bandages. And they did make sense on her leg - since it is rose-red coloured. But the rest of the rags did not change at all. The sorcerer was also surprised by the shapeshifter’s talkativity and lack of any self-restraint.
— Calm. Nothing will happen, as long as Sunshine is not threatened.
— Why? Afraid to lose your food? - Fortune talked with sincere curiosity and notes of contempt - Carry around and wait ‘til she bites the hooves?
— If only you would do what you promised to, just as you hate me. I am doing more for her now, than-
— I’ll punch both of you, now! - threatened Sunshine - Stop it!
Her threats did not invoke any trouble, for sure in such a state. Still, her words did act as the engine of progress, like a few moments prior - the sole reminder of herself helped the rowdy couple to calm down and work together on a common goal - helping the orange horse.
— I beg your pardon. In any case, I shall continue - this rash, or what causes it, to be exact - is not dangerous. Especially if one rests. - he continued to tell the obvious things - Resting helps in any case. I am more interested in another matter - what for, is all the dressing?
— Changelings. - said Gambit - Not like me. Locals. Almost tore her apart. Did all I could.
— What, a, mess.. - criticised Fortune, preparing to look beneath the bandages - I hope there was something to clean the wounds?
— Well.. Y-
The bug barely could say anything, as his interlocutor gasped in fear. The shapeshifter could not understand a lot, even with all the explanations, because his nature was way different. He could not even imagine how serious the complications would be because of his oversight.
— Holy Celestia! - the fearing trader already reached for some jar on a shelf.
— What could I do? Leave it?
— Of course not! Some water would do. Did you not get here without water?
— Drank it. There was another, blue one..
— Should have not, you should have not! - the shrewd magician judged them, while trying to open a jar labelled “whiskers” - Lesson for the future - never ever deal with azure water, even if it attracts like a mug of malnados..
The magician said very important, though already familiar and simple things. Changeling tried to remember all the advice for the future, although some of it he already heard before. Though, should one obey the instructions, if one does not understand anything? Yet Sunshine, for instance, does exactly that.
This pony was interested in many things, but the latest events have shown that she thinks about different matters, when she meets the unknown. Now, she did not think at all. Yet, this stallion seemed very interesting for the little horse. Probably due to resemblance with her brother.
A unicorn too, also a dark one, and he teaches life lessons without a stop. That is indeed Moonrise, is it not? So many thoughts circled around that pony, she even reached the stallion with her hooves in an attempt to hug the talkative one. For everyone, to varying extents, it became a surprise.
— She always behaves like this. At least, at home. - clarified the bug - Maybe, she found something in you?
— I know not, but she hinders her own recovery.
The stallion still tried to open that same jar. At first glance, it would make sense to tightly close the lids when travelling. In practice, however, it may lead to a disaster. When on one side, one is surrounded by fragile flasks with rarities, and on another by a joyful mare, the task gets a lot more difficult. Even if a unicorn is doing it.
Finally, the lid opened with a distinct sound. It felt like not even a minute passed due to the stories and advice of this blue horse. Changeling immediately sensed what was inside this jar. A smell that is hard to notice for others at first, if they do not try to look for it.
— Fish oil? Really? - wondered the insect.
— Sure. Not just any oil from back alley, mind you. Ignorants would not see the difference, but this one would do the job just as intended.
— ..What is ignorant? - whiskered bug quietly asked.
Sunshine, in the meantime, stuck her nose and front pair of legs where she was not invited - she needed to touch others’ cheeks, and mane as well.. In an attempt to get the mare busy and ease his work, Fortune gave her this open jar, while he tended to the bandages.
— What’s this? - the orange one asked, sticking her tongue inside the liquid the same second - ..Yuck!
Confused horse almost threw the miracle away, but the changeling was faster than her. He grabbed the jar before anything bad could happen. This disease took its toll, indeed - solar pony did not answer for her actions at all; that was the opposite of thinking.
— I have a question. - Gambit tried to change the topic.
— You may ask. But I may not answer it.
— You only know ways to heal, or you are trading them?
— Why such a question?
That question appeared very hard for the unicorn - if one knows what they can loot, they will try to do so if they feel powerful enough. And the shapeshifter had a lot of strength - unicorn’s panic was different from the rest, from those who never saw fanged insects before. He knew something.
— Those.. strange horses left us.. her, a gift. We do not trust them. And their gifts.
Contrary to the stallion’s expectations, insectoid grabbed the flask with red liquid with his second pair of hooves and presented it to him. It did not contain a single scratch or mark, and learning what was inside could only be done in practice. Or if one asks someone knowing.
— Good thing that you’re not trusting it. - he got very upset, justifying the paranoia - It would act differently on you - on her.
— Can you say more?
— I had a similar situation, with my relative. - the stallion spoke quietly - They gave the potion, said it’ll heal him. Old wounds and wrinkles disappeared, but the illness did not. So he died.
Sunshine got upset after hearing this short story, and the changeling tried his best to stay calm, at least on the outside. Somehow this story made the bug think, since he experienced the very same emotions when he almost lost his pony. Now, he felt them even stronger than before. How is this possible?
— I’m sorry.. - the mare sobbed.
— I am.. Too? - the insect surprised at himself.
— Let us talk not about this. We still have to save one life.
Insectoid kept his silence, while the stallion covered the wounds with slippery substance. Aside from the positive properties, this fish oil also kept the nasty odours at bay - both the blue horse and the changeling realised that soon after getting done.
— She will live. Now - for sure. Baths would be the first place you shall visit after getting to the city.
Trader’s attention finally got to the hoof, crippled by the arrow. Should he touch the sore spot, and the mare wailed again, scaring everyone around. Even the carts stopped for a moment, before the workers had to be given another command by their hirer.
— Archers. - explained Gambit - Inaccurate archers, from Midillia.
Merchant’s patience ran at its last straw. He was filled with anger, and changeling felt that perfectly. And also sensed that this anger did not accumulate because of him or towards him, which calmed the shapeshifter a little. Before the unicorn continued to ramble:
— I am useless here. And you cannot drink this potion! You need a doctor, a real one.
— There’s nothing that can be done? - Sunshine finally spoke - We’ll pay you!
Admirer of coin was interested in the offer, but all he could do is shake his head in silence. Unicorn or not - he simply did not know the words, needed for the required spells. His head was filled with what others around him could not even think of.
— Alas. I do sell alternative medicine, but this won’t help at all. - Fortune got somewhat upset - You need someone who knows the needed spells; someone who leads others away from Death’s door. And it is far from Canterlot from here.
— Still, take it! I insist!
Sunshine dropped some jewellery from her brown bag, as a way of showing gratitude for the help and tent over the head. Colourful stones both scared and cheered the stallion. Like if he saw them somewhere already, or knew something about them.
— W-where did you find that?
— In the desert. - answered the changeling - On someone’s body.
— Oh, no. No-no-no, I don’t want to deal with this. Take it away! Better throw it off!
— Why? - both guests were confused.
If only it was possible to describe with words, how hard the sorcerer is surrounded by panic. He knew about desert folk’s cruelty not as gossip. The unicorn knew more than tourists and guests - both their wishes and customs. Even more so - punishments, publicly executed at the main square.
— Midillia is famous for their mines.. - the stallion showed his anxiety - ..And their treasures. They might think that this is stolen. What if that is the case?
— Can’t you find a common ground with them? - solar one persuaded him - Even more so - raise in their eyes, by returning the find if that’s the case! I don’t see anything bad in that!
— I.. Yes, you’re right. They won’t imprison the guests of their capital, after all. - trader tried to calm himself - That is not economically viable for them, I must add! Those gems would only help me.
Acute Fortune calmed himself rather quickly, and he shared the rest of the time with his new acquaintances. Sunshine and Gambit told the unicorn about their adventures, and the stallion told them his story. The sorcerer grew up in a town called Armare-de-Forge, and he lived there even before the village became a military outpost completely.
Not long ago before the garrison’s expansion out of the common militia, he inherited the business of his father - someone named Ledger - the one who was struck by the illness. And Fortune corrected the mistakes of his parent, stopped selling food and started to sell potions and mixtures.
His capital significantly rose soon after! In this trying time, health is a very expensive resource. Not to mention that this village is a point of frequent clashes between the royal guard and aggressive changelings. Smart unicorn also supported the army from his own pocket, which helped gather even more warriors.
— It all started a few years ago. One night, our whole house emptied itself - and it was the changeling’s fault. My father couldn’t live with it, and everything his became mine. I want to stop this menace..
The thirst for revenge made this sorcerer take another approach - towards the eastern part of the continent. Equestrian commons and usuals were pure exotics for them. After all, trading did not destroy a single nation.. But it did take some individual lives.
After a few days of non-stop moving, the caravan finally reached the city, stories about which did not stop for a week and a few days straight. Even without sticking one’s nose away from the cart, the surrounding atmosphere did get through to the passengers.
Far shouts in a foreign language, everything smells of different food, music that would be judged as nonsense by the aristocracy.. It was all stunning. And should Sunshine leave the merchant and move on her own path with her inconspicuous companion, the world around them would show even more unusual colours..
