Crashing Wave’s ears perked when he heard,” Amateur.” He recognized that voice instantly and turned his head to look at the aqua green alicorn standing off to the side. He gave her a hard look. She looked none the worse for wear and even had a smirk playing at her lips.
“Well excuse me lass fer not bein’ built like dart fish,” Crashing grunted as he stood up. He gave his wings a flick sending water droplets in every direction before tucking them at his sides. He took a few steps forward before going dizzy from near exhaustion. He gave his head a shake to dispel to right his vision,” Bloody ‘ell I ‘ate flyin’. Not as much fun as swimmin’ let me tell ye.” Crashing suddenly remembered his precious cargo,” Mother’s bones me liquor!”
Crashing plopped down and tore his bag open. He sighed in relief when he was met with the sight of all the bottles intact. He pulled the green flask out and gazed at it lovingly before popping the cap and taking a swig. The sliver liquid burned felt like frozen fire as it glided down his gullet. He pulled the flask away from his lips with a sigh and cast a glance at Thea. He offered the flask to his fellow alicorn,” A bit of Moonshine lass fer what ails ye. I find it does a soul wonders.”
Sunpearl regarded the unicorn bowing before her with an almost amused expression. She let out a laugh akin to a silver bell ringing,” Rise land-dweller.” She turned an eye to Grimwing,” Tell me why he has yet to gain the blessing of the Sea?”
“He has yet ta meet Captain Wave yer ‘ighness,” the pegasus said,” We needed ta make wave or risk bein’ overrun by Moon an’ Stars. Sides ‘e was th’ one who warned us of ‘em.”
The ruby red sea mare cast a glance at the unicorn,” Very well. My guard and I will be making for the mainland. You and your crews are welcome to stay here. In fact I advise it I feel it is Fate that you are here. Particularly you young unicorn you are welcome to our libraries if you so wish.” She tuned to leave;” Fair winds guide you both.” With that the Queen left followed by her entourage.
Grimwing gazed after her and sighed,” Let me tell ye mate that is a mare right there.” He clapped Charter on the back,” Come on mate let’s get th’ ship’s cargo unpacked. We got some goods ta sell then I’ll show ye their libraries. Ye think Moon an’ Stars have some impressive libraries, ye ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
Whirlpool cast a wary glance back at the land-dweelers as they took to unloading their cargo. He couldn’t shake the feeling the ne without the blessing would play a dire role in the weeks to come. He also couldn’t shake the unease he felt in his gut.
“Something bothers you young seer,” Sunpearl said, shaking the stallion out of his thoughts. She meant it as a statement, not a question.
“Yes my Queen,” Whirlpool looked up at the tall sea mare,” I feel that it is no coincidence they have arrived.”
“You as well,” she chuckled before looking up,” It has been a long time since the days when our people even made contact with land-dwellers. We have become only legends for them and now in the last three months we have ships of wood and metal seeking safety in our harbors. Such a thing is change, it is quick and without warning. Like a bull shark attacking its prey.” She looked back to the seer,” Soon our kind’s existence will be known to the world yet again. To think it would happen in my lifetime is astonishing.”
“It is indeed astonishing,” Whirlpool held back a shiver,” But I fear it will be met with unforeseen results.”
“Our return will be met with hostility and fear Whirlpool,” the Queen’s eyes betrayed sorrow,” There will be much blood in the coming weeks, of that I am sure. But we share the fate of the land-dwellers.” Whirlpool opened his mouth to say something but Sunpearl stopped him,” I know what my counsel believes. That we are safe due to our isolation but we are connected to the land-dwellers. We are all part of the world and if it ends and I fear that time is at hoof then we will burn the same as them. It is up to every living soul to right this wrong that we have all let come to pass. And we are just as much t blame as they are.”
Without another word Sunpearl made her way back to her palace.
Astral Spectrum frowned at the sight before him. He and his hunting party had come across a forsaken campsite. It was apparent that they had left in a hurry but this didn’t bother him no it was the crater before him. It was easily six feet in diameter, as if something had crashed. Astral knew the truth though; their quarry wasn’t with the main group anymore. He stomped a fore hoof down in frustration.
“Flicker, Peppermint to me!”
A tan unicorn stallion and mint green thestral mare rushed to stand at attention before the annoyed stallion. It wasn’t uncommon for priests of the Mon guild to keep them around. They were the only race that the unicorns tolerated even if the bat ponies were looked at than little more than servants. They stared straight forward neither moving, like statues.
“Track the main group. Find and capture one of the higher up ponies and bring them to the Fortress. From there you pulled any information you can from them.” The pair nodded and Flicker’s horn glowed, the pair disappeared with a grey flash. He turned to the rest of his party and regarded them for a moment,” The rest of you return to the slave domes and direct the new initiates. Contact Shade and tell her to bring the horn to me.”
His assistant stepped forward,” Where will you be going sir?”
Astral turned to the mare with a dangerous glint in his eye before he smirked,” To see an old friend and present to him a deal. If I am correct he will be hiding out in one of his old labs.” He chuckled darkly and with a flash of black magic was gone.