Well this is going to be interesting.

"Since we are assured of your ability to speak, I do advise you to explain yourself.  The situation you were captured in is rather incriminating.  Consider this your only chance to defend yourself on the matter of Juniper Berry's death."

It really is hard to describe a look of disgust on a horse, especially a talking one that is gesturing at a small square of colored fur and skin on the nearby table.  Thankfully it looked like they hadn't palmed...er... hoofed through my stuff too much.  Sighing softly and looking at the grey stone floor, I said the only thing I could.

"I didn't know you ponies could talk.  I didn't even have an idea until I heard other things talking as well.  It didn't even hit home until I was watching that village and seeing the kids playing.  I... I got sick after that."

The soft clop of steps on stone neared until silver shod hooves entered my vision and she spoke much softer than I expected.

"You truly had no idea?"

I couldn't even lean away when she raised a hoof to my face to make me look up.  I don't know what she saw, but the concern on her face was evident before she looked away.

"Guards, return the human to his cell and make sure he is fed and watered.  I have much to consider, so we'll continue this tomorrow."

So began my stay in the dungeons.

My life was one of excitement for the first few days.  Crappy food and grabbing little sleep on what passed for a "bed" that was provided for me became the norm.  Several times through the day, Princess Luna as I came to know her, would have me returned to the questioning chamber.  Each time, she'd ask the same questions about the pony and my arrival.  Sometimes there would be a small change of wordings to trip me up or flat out blunt questions.  She never seemed satisfied by my answer to "do you feel remorse over the murder of Juniper Berry?"  That never changed since the answer was a simple no.  Remorse for doing what I thought was needed to survive is a bad thing.  Regret for killing what turned out to be a "person" of sorts, yes.  So the days and questions started to blend together.

Today it seemed would be different.  There was a hard boiled egg included with my so called "breakfast" of oatmeal and the guard didn't toss the tray on the floor like normal.  The gruel was tasteless paste that I did my best to ignore while the guard stood imposingly silent in the open doorway.  I'd already learned my lesson about trying to get past the guards.  For such a small creature, they can hit insanely hard when they want to.  Only one try was plenty enough for me as my stomach was still bruised from it.  The Princess was much worse, truth be told.  On the third day I was left unchained in the room with her, so I bolted toward the table with my gear on it.  Apparently "magic" is a real thing here, since I was bodily thrown across the room after hitting a transparent blue wall.  She didn't even have to touch me, and I still have bloody scrapes from that.  At least I was smart enough not to attack one of the guards or the princess.  Pretty sure I'd have ended up pinned to the wall by several spears at that point.

So yeah, I behaved and answered the questions as they were asked.  Escaping was still on my mind, don't get me wrong.  I had just learned lessons I didn't want to repeat.  Gently, I set the wooden tray onto the floor and stood in the dark room.  The only light came from the hallway and the flickering torches within.  Not bothering to say a word, I stood and followed the guard toward the now very familiar "interview" room.  The final two guards slipped behind me as the dim hallways pulled us away.  Behaving meant no chains, so I behaved.

The large door was still imposing after several weeks, as was the large alicorn princess that stood in the chamber beyond.  Same as every time before, the lead guard would step into the room in front of me while the pair behind flanked the door.

"I've brought you the prisoner as requested ma'am."

"Thank you guard.  Please resume your post outside, Alex and I need to have a private conversation.  Alex, please have a seat."

I wish I could say that sitting in that wooden chair had become routine at this point, but I'd be lying.  Every time it filled me with apprehension and general nervousness.  Then again, it could have been the fact I was stuck alone in a room with the creature I'd found out that has enough power to move the freaking moon.

"Alex, I have been doing much research on our unique situation.  I firmly believe you did not know about my ponies when you arrived here.  Generally for murder the punishment is death or banishment.  In your case, we have no idea how you arrived here so banishment to your world is out.  Death would be wasting an opportunity for me to help my ponies as well."

Well fuck.

"So I have a proposal for you.  I'm going to give you a chance at redemption for your crime.  You are going to serve as my servant until such time as I believe you have earned a pardon.  There are some stipulations though."

I'm pretty sure she saw the confusion on my face and decided to shatter my hopes expertly.

"You will be marked on your left hand as a direct servant of my royal house.  This will keep the nobles from getting any ideas about 'taking the new human out for a spin' as the phrase goes.  The marking will be applied by myself and will allow me to know your whereabouts at all times.  Secondly, you will be wearing an enchanted torc for now, as common humans cannot talk.  When removed by myself or the guards assigned to you, the ability to speak will return.  When you are declared trustworthy, it will be removed.  Your choice is simple.  Serve and earn redemption or spend the rest of your days in a cell."

It wasn't a choice really.  Then again it felt odd to have a horse dangling a carrot in my face.  A moment of contemplation later, there was only one answer. Next Chapter: 09. Lesson Zero Estimated time remaining: 7 Minutes