Something I learned early on as a martial artist was what my teacher called unshackling the beast inside. And as self-explanatory this may sound it is a bit more complicated than you might think. The so called unshackling pretty much boils down to tapping into that primal part you know exists in your brain and letting it rule your actions. I should point out though that this isn’t something unique to martial arts. Many people act like this on instinct or learn from common brawling to utilize this. However what sets a martial artist apart from a common brawler is the ability to exercise control. To re-shackle that beast in a split second, should the need arise.

At first I hadn’t known how to react at Gilda’s desperate proclamation. But once I had regained my senses I had left that entire scene in Ponyville behind me, the unconscious form of Gilda in my arms. The ponies had just parted before me as I walked away, although I knew not if it was out of fear or respect. Right now returning to work, to tell Berry where I had gone, was but a ghost of a thought. My only objective right now was to get Gilda to my home, but most importantly out of Ponyville. The poor thing must have been traveling without any real sleep for days to reach me, if the state of her feathers and coat was anything to go by. What she had managed to say before succumbing to her exhaustion worried me though, but before I could ask her what was going on she needed to sleep. And it was probably for the better too that she had collapsed when she did. This way there would be no further complications involving the ponies of Ponyville and I could talk to Gilda in the peace of my home.

I made the trip back home quickly, but seeing how the griffin that I was carrying was still unconscious I went upstairs and carefully put her in my master bedroom. Again I stopped to stare at the ragged form of Gilda, I couldn’t begin to fathom what she had been through trying to reach me. Her saddlebags had contained nothing but a hastily packed blanket and a few meager meals. A knock coming from the door downstairs brought me out of my thoughts and I hastily tucked her in under the blankets before heading downstairs. Opening the door revealed the worried looking pair of Bonbon and Lyra.

“Hey there Cloud, Ponyville is buzzing about how you knocked out a griffin and then brought it with you here.” Lyra greeted me.

Yeah, leave it to Ponyville to distort the truth in a matter of minutes. I thought tiredly before answering the mint colored mare. “Hello to you too Lyra, Bonbon. Now I didn’t knock her out she passed out from exhaustion. And I brought her here because I owe her a great debt. But that’s not something we should be discussing on my doorstep, so please do get inside.”

Lyra walked past me at my invitation and headed for my couch in the living room, Bonbon however stayed at the doorstep. “Are you sure everything is alright Cloud? You seem very troubled.” She asked me.

“Quite frankly no, I’m not okay. But right now Gilda, that’s the griffin’s name has it way worse. Now come on in I’ll give you the short version of what’s going on. Well from what I know at least.” I told Bonbon. In response she nodded and walked past, heading for the couch as well.

Once both ponies had seated themselves I moved one of the chairs so that I was sitting on the opposite side of the coffee table in front of the couch.

“Aight, the short version.” I began, but changed my approach as I realized that a bit of backstory was probably a good start. “Actually I think I should start by telling you who she is. Gilda is, or perhaps was is a better word an old friend of Rainbow Dash but due to outside circumstances that culminated with her latest visit here in Ponyville they went their separate ways. How she acted last time here can be explained but not by me, that’s entirely up to her.”

“I remember that a griffin visited a few years ago and caused a bit of a commotion.” Lyra commented.

“Yeah, so I’ve been made to understand.” I agreed, not wanting to go into the fact that I had seen it play out.

“Well, anyway now you know who she is and that she has a bit of history with this place. Here’s where I come into the picture.” I went on.

When neither Bonbon nor Lyra said anything I continued to speak. “Both of you know that I’m not from here originally, and when I first arrived I was woke up in the griffin badlands with some clothing and a canteen with water. For days I wandered among the rocky formations on those plains, not knowing where I was or where I was heading. Eventually my water ran out and without having had anything to eat during those days things were looking bleak. At the end of that last day when the water was spent I collapsed just before reaching a house in the woods. That was Gilda and her family’s roadside inn that I had collapsed outside, and without a second thought they took me in. They gave me a job and an end to my aimless wanderings. But after only two months circumstances forced me to leave them.” I finished my short recap.

A few moments of silence reigned, and when it was broken it was by Bonbon. “Wow, that’s… I mean there’s more to that story I can tell that much but I can see why you want to help her.” She said.

“Thank you for understanding. It is as you say, I would do almost anything to help Gilda and her family. They have done so much for me and it’s time that I repay some of the kindness and support they have shown me.” I told her.

“Don’t mention it.” She said hastily.

“Yeah, just tell us if there’s anything you need help with.” Lyra chimed in and I offered her a thankful smile.

“Thank you for offering Lyra, and I think I will take you up on that offer right away.” I told her.

“Okay, what do you need?” Lyra asked.

“I will need someone to stay here and watch Gilda in case she wakes up.” I started to explain.

“We should be able to do that, but where are you going?” Bonbon questioned.

“I’m going to first go over to the Silver grape to explain to Berry what’s going on and hopefully be allowed to take an indefinite leave. Then I’m going to buy rations and gear for the trip back to Gryphus with Gilda. She needs a friendly face to wake up too if she does so while I’m gone.” I explained to my two friends.

“Alright, you can count on us Cloud.” Lyra spoke up after a moment’s consideration.

“Yes, we’ll make sure that she is safe.” Bonbon added.

“Thank you, both of you.” I told them sincerely before standing and walking over to the door. I paused with my hand on the handle. “I won’t be long, hopefully.” I added, looking back at the two ponies on my couch before opening the door and stepping back out into the autumn air.

I had retrieved my bag from the Silver grape and while there I had also informed Berry of what I intended to do. After a few minutes of discussion and explanations she had agreed, although she had done so hesitantly. I was glad that she had seen reason with my unreasonable request, but the truth of the matter was that I would have left even if it would’ve gotten me fired. A job was just a job after all, and right now I didn’t feel like such things mattered. Currently I was going through the open market purchasing fruits that I knew would last a few days and also rations of salted crackers. Once I finished the round of purchases and started to head back home, lamenting the fact that I hadn’t thought to order a set of warmer clothing from Rarity a week or two earlier. Now there was no way that she would be able to finish them in time. Gryphus would be much colder than Equestria this time of year since it was that much further north.

Before I could even leave the market place though a familiar orange mare wearing a Stetson came rushing up to me.

“Cloud thank Celestia that Ah’ found ya. We’d like a quick chat with ya at the Suger cube corner.” She said.

“If you’ll be quick about it my time is quite limited right now AJ.” I told her.

“We’ll make it as fast as possible ya have mah’ word.” Applejack promised, motioning for me to follow her.

The trip to the Corner was a quiet one, making me wonder just what was going on. Although I had my suspicions about what this was about, I wasn’t going to give into my assumptions. Luckily the trip from the market to the famous bakery wasn’t a long one, otherwise the pressing silence would probably have gotten to me. When we arrived Applejack held up the door for and I entered without hesitation. Inside I found the girls gathered around one of the tables, save Fluttershy who was nowhere to be seen.

“Cloud, please have a seat.” Twilight addressed me the moment her eyes found me.

Somewhat wary of what they had to say I did as I had been asked and took a seat by the table. I let my gaze wander over the girls and I could see nervousness, hidden away under more or less impressive masks of calm.

“I’m not sure if you know this already Cloud, but the griffin you took in has a bit of bad reputation here in Ponyville.” Twilight began.

“Let’s not tap dance around the issue here Twilight, what is it that you’re truly afraid of here?” I cut in.

“Alright, I’ll just be blunt then. We’re afraid that you were planning on leaving again.” She told me, hitting the nail on its head.

“You’d be correct in that assumption, I intend to leave with Gilda the moment I know what is going on and that she has recovered.” I replied, meeting Twilight’s searching gaze.

“You’re what!?” She almost shrieked. “You’re planning on just throwing everything away again?”

“That I intend to help Gilda is not something you can change Twilight, in fact nothing any of you say can change that. But I do intend to return here once I have done so though.” I told them.

Four of the five mares at the table had adopted contemplative looks after I shared that last bit but one would have none of it.

“You simply can’t trust her Cloud! She’s is a-” Rainbow began, unintentionally stoking the fire that had been building slowly in my subconscious.

“No! You don’t have the right to call her anything at this point! I owe Gilda and her family not only my life but my sanity too. You don’t even know the full circumstances surrounding her last visit. Nor did you, her supposed friend, see that she was hurting inside. Unfortunately it is not my place to share the full story, for what I was told I was told in confidence. So if you truly want anything to do with this matter I suggest you talk to Gilda, and when you do you start by extending a hoof of friendship instead of one of violence.” I rebuked the rainbow maned mare.

“Then the griffin family you stayed with was-” Twilight began but I cut her off.

“Gilda’s family, the Rustfeathers yes. Now if you excuse me I have somewhere to be.” I said before turning my back on them and marching out of the bakery.

Had I stayed just a second longer I would’ve heard Applejack’s last comment. “Well that was definitely faster than Ah expected.”

Instead of walking back like I had intended to do before Applejack caught me I took to the skies. Not only would flying get me home faster, but it would also help me to clear my mind. On the inside I knew that the girls only were worried, but that didn’t mean that they couldn’t be wrong. At the same time though I couldn’t explain to them just what was wrong, seeing how it was Gilda’s tale and not mine. As my previous irritation started to subside I couldn’t do more than let out a sigh at the complexity of the situation. Perhaps things would solve themselves, perhaps they wouldn’t. At any rate I shouldn’t try to solve this now, acquiring knowledge about Stella was the most important thing right now.

When I finally landed on my floating island the sky had started to change in color alongside the descending sun. I entered my home and found Bonbon and Lyra still sitting on my couch, quietly chatting with each other. The sound of me closing the door made them look up though.

“Welcome back Cloud, did everything go okay?” Bonbon asked, her tone giving of a sense of worry.

“More or less, has everything been okay back here?” I answered her with my own question.

“Yes, we just checked on her about ten minutes ago but she was still out cold then. And besides a few murmurs she hasn’t done anything.” She summarized for me.

I let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you again, both of you. Chances are that I’ll leave Ponyville early tomorrow and be gone for a while, so this might be the only chance I get to thank you for today.” I told them.

“You really like to say thank you, don’t you Cloud? You are our friend you don’t need to keep saying thank you all the time.” Lyra said with a smile.

I returned her smile with a small chuckle, it felt good that I could rely on them. “Okay, I’ll keep it in mind. That being said I can take care of things from here.” I told the two mares on my couch.

“Alright, but promise that you won’t hesitate to ask if you need anything else.” Bonbon said, hopping off the couch.

I accompanied them to the door and Bonbon stopped as if to say something but offered me a final nod instead. She started to walk towards the floating stones that made up the improvised staircase I had made, but Lyra stayed a moment longer.

“Bring back a souvenir or something.” Lyra said happily, before following Bonbon.

Bonbon just gave her mint colored mare a disapproving look as she caught up, and the last thing I saw was Lyra seemingly asking something along the lines of ‘what?’ before I closed the door.

I stayed there by the door for a few seconds, my hand still on the handle. Then I turned myself around and headed upstairs to check on Gilda. While I didn’t doubt Bonbon and Lyra when they said that they had just checked on her I felt a strong sense of responsibility when it came to the griffin upstairs. But as I entered my bedroom I found that Gilda was indeed still out cold. So instead of doing nothing I went downstairs again to prepare something to eat, she would probably be hungry when she woke up after all.

I quickly threw together a vegetable and fish soup, and put it onto the stove to simmer for a bit. I was personally getting mighty tired of fish, but I didn’t have too many options in getting my required protein consumption. So in the end fish it was, the bright side though was that I had invented more ways to serve fish than I thought possible. Although I lamented the fact that I had no idea how to properly make sushi. Without any real thought I walked over to the laptop, intending to start some music. Instead I just ended up scrolling through the folders, as nothing seemed to fit my current mood.

My mindless browsing was interrupted by a brilliant flash. I didn’t need to turn my head to see who had arrived but I did so anyway. Much as I had suspected Luna had teleported into my living room and was looking around the room until she found me.

“Ah, Cloud I see you’re already setting up for a movie?” She greeted me.

“Not quite, and tonight isn’t a good time Luna.” I replied, causing Luna to tilt her head in surprise at my serious tone.

“What is the matter Cloud? Is it your nightmares again?” She asked, her voice concerned.

“Ah no, but I have a guest.” I answered her.

“Oh, I’m sorry to intrude Cloud. Perhaps tomorrow then?” She asked hopefully.

However given the circumstances I had to deny her again. “I’m afraid not Luna, I’ll have to leave Ponyville for a few weeks to help my guest with a few things. It shouldn’t be too bad.” I told her, withholding the important parts.

“So this is a business thing then? Something to do with your food?” Luna asked, tilting her head to the side again.

“Yeah you could say that. Could you tell Tia that I’ll be away for me?” I said, glossing over my lie with a question.

“That we can do Cloud. Best of luck on your trip then and fare thee well.” Luna said with small nod.

“Yeah, I’ll have Spike send a letter when I get back. But for now it’s good bye.” I replied, as she charged up her horn for another teleport.

With flash Luna was gone as quickly as she had arrived. Although thanks to her timing I had managed to inform the royal sisters that I’d be out of town. However my lies brought me a strange feeling. I was probably going to do something incredibly dangerous and foolish again. And while it was for a good cause I was essentially lying to Celestia again, and that left a bad taste in my mouth. No, even Celestia would help save a child before saving me and that’s just one of the qualities that I have come to admire about her. I thought. Yes, it’s just a lie of omission. A small white lie. I tried to reassure myself. I’m at a loss about just what happened to Stella though. My mind produced as an afterthought. And for the first time since Gilda’s sudden appearance I allowed myself to worry, not only for Gilda but also for her sister whose fate was unknown to me still.

Shaking my head I walked over to the stove to turn down the heat. The soup had simmered long enough and now only needed to be kept warm until it was time to eat. With that small task done I walked upstairs again, thinking that since I wasn’t able to focus on anything else I might as well watch over Gilda.

When I entered the room she was murmuring something and seemed to be trying to reach for something, but as I walked over to her she stopped moving settling back into normal sleep. I sat down beside the bed and waited, and as the last few remaining streaks of sunlight disappeared from the room Gilda started to stir.

“Stella!” She cried out, suddenly fully awake. She looked around wildly for a few seconds and once her eyes fell on me she started to stumble over her own words in the rush to get them out.

“Cloud- I- Stella taken- Dad- Broken wing-” She produced before I put a calming hand on her shoulder.

“Relax Gil, you’re safe here. Now let’s go downstairs and you can tell me what happened.” I told the visibly distraught griffin.

My words seemed to have calming effect as Gilda slowly managed to compose herself. She then managed a quick nod before hopping out of the bed, following me out of the room and down the stairs.

“Cloud I-” She began again, but was interrupted by a growl from her own stomach.

“We’ll eat first, then you can tell me. Come on I made soup.” I told her gently as I led her over to my kitchen.

Dinner was a quick and quiet affair, mostly due to the fact that Gilda devoured the food with such haste that there was no time for words. But given the circumstances I could understand her. She had probably cut meals as well to make the trip go faster and I guessed that she wanted to tell me what had happened as soon as possible.

When she finished the few remaining pieces of vegetables in her bowl, she looked up at me expectantly.

“Okay Gil, now we’ll talk. If you could start from the beginning please.” I said to her.

She looked as if she was fighting with herself to complain or to comply with me but in the end she drew a deep breath and began her retelling.

“Well, it all started about a week after you had left…”

Gilda woke up with a start. What had awakened her she didn’t know, but from what she could tell it was still dark outside. Confused she settled back down into her bed, thinking that it must have been some kind of random occurrence. But before she could even close her eyes she heard something. The sound of somegriff knocking was heard echoing through the otherwise quiet inn. With a groan she got herself out of bed, and while she walked down the stairs to the main floor whoever was outside the door knocked again. It’s too early for it to be a traveler so this better be important. She grumbled to herself as she unlocked the door and peeked outside. What she found was guard patrol consisting of four armed griffins, but not any of the ones that had started the fight about a week back.

“Excuse us for disturbing you in the middle of the night miss.” The closest one began.

Meanwhile her mind was preparing for the worst case scenario, they had to be after Cloud. But as the unknown soldier continued to speak she became first confused then angry.

“We are searching this area for a band of deserters, they will most likely still be wearing official guard garb and they would be rowdy bunch. Have you seen anything like this miss?”

Cloud had been forced to leave because of this?! By a bunch of dishonorable jerks?! She fumed.

“Miss? Miss?!” The guard in front of her called out, making her realize that she had been staring angrily out into space.

“Yes, sorry. They were here about a week ago and caused some trouble but we haven’t seen them since.” She replied hastily.

“Would you happen to know which direction they headed in after they left?” The guard questioned.

“I’m afraid that I don’t.” Gilda told them earnestly.

“Well then, thank you for your time miss. And again sorry for disturbing your night.” The guard said and turned around.

“We were so happy the morning after that Cloud.” Gilda told me.

“It meant that once the trading season was over Ranger or I could leave to go look for you and hopefully bring you back. But then, just at the edge of summer, they came back. The deserters you had driven off...” She continued.

Gilda re entered the inn from the backyard just in time to catch the last part of something her dad was saying.

“…are not welcome here! Now leave!”

That’s odd. Dad almost never raises his voice. She thought as her curiosity got the best of her. Moving through the inn she soon saw her dad through the open front door, continuing her approach revealed a group of griffins she had hoped she would never have to see again.

“Come on old you old goose we just want to have a chat with the mishap you had working here.” One of them taunted and the rest laughed.

“No you will leave this property right now! I know that you’re nothing but deserting trash.” Her dad bit back.

The mood changed in an instant and with a snarl one of them leapt forth and brought down a cudgel on her father’s wing. A sickening *snap* accompanied with the pained cry of her dad signaled that the wing was broken.

Before she could help herself she cried out. “Dad!”

Unfortunately this brought the groups attention onto her. “Oho! Look at that boys it’s the feisty one!” One of them said tauntingly.

“Gil, get back inside!” Her dad called out to her, the pain obvious in his voice.

“Oh no, you shouldn’t go anywhere little chick. Why don’t you stay here and play a bit with us.” Another one called out, starting to slowly walk towards her.

“What are you waiting for? Take Stella and run!” her dad called out again.

Snapping out of the fear that had been building inside her she turned on the spot and ran back inside. She made a straight dash through the inn and out into the backyard where Stella was still playing. Ignoring Stella’s surprised yelp she scooped up her sister and dove headfirst into the forest that stretched out behind the inn. For a few seconds she believed that she had managed to get away but then she heard rapidly approaching wing beats.

The next thing she knew her path was cut off by one of the assailants, and this one she recognized. It was the same one that had challenged Cloud, and had lost to him. He wore a malicious smile as he approached her slowly.

“Now there’s no need to run little chick. You and I are just going to have a bit of fun is all.” He said in low voice.

“Stella run!” She told her sister.

“But-” Stella began.

“Now!” She cried out harshly, and luckily Stella took the hint and ran.

The male griffin gave a frustrated shriek and dove after her sister, but Gilda body slammed him as he reached for Stella. He tumbled to the ground but was up in a matter of moments, delivering a heavy back hand to Gilda’s face. She felt herself lift from the ground before crashing back down into it. Before she had a chance to recover the male griffin was over her a wild look in his eyes.

“You shouldn’t have done that little chick. Now I have to hurt you before I have my fun.” He told her in a cold voice.

Her previous fear returned, this time five times stronger than before and suddenly she couldn’t move. Her body was refusing to comply with her flight instinct. Only when she felt a claw close around her left front leg did she regain the ability to move. So she began to struggle and shout but it did little against the larger male. Then out of nowhere a stone came hurtling through the air striking the unnamed male in the head.

“Get away from my sister!” The angry voice of Stella called out from the right.

With an angry growl the deserter leapt of Gilda and over to Stella. From her position on the ground Gilda could only watch as the male towered over sister. She saw how Stella tried to take a terrified step backwards, before the male delivered a blow to her temple and she collapsed in a heap.

The male turned his head towards Gilda, madness in his eyes. “This is what happens when you go against me! I’ll be taking this one, if you want her back you better give me that mishap of a creature!” He called out before grabbing the unconscious form of Stella and flying back in the direction of the inn.

“Tha- that was the last time I- I saw her. I helped dad get to a hospital in the nearest settlement and the rest is just me trying to- to re- reach you.” Gilda finished her tale, breaking into tears.

I had been hugging the poor thing for quite some time now, carefully patting her back. But now I was happy that she couldn’t see my face. Her tale had lit something inside me, a rage I hadn’t known myself capable of. Only once before had I felt such hate for another being and that was Dreamcatcher. But now it seemed that list had to be increased by a few nameless griffins.

I sat with Gilda until she seemingly cried herself to sleep. She had to be tired still from her trip. I thought as gently picked her sleeping form and moved her over to my bedroom again. And after tucking her in, I went back downstairs. I needed an outlet a luckily for me my training room would be perfect for this. In fluid motion I summoned Imagination and began to move through the bō katas that I had adapted for the spear, attacking the imagined opponents more fiercely than I had ever done before. Ultimately bodily exhaustion forced the rage burning inside into a smoldering pyre. It wasn’t gone but a pyre was more easily manageable than the previous inferno. Feeling that I had done what I could I went to shower and then to bed. Tomorrow we’d set out as soon as Gilda was ready and we’d head straight for the nearest airship headed to Gryphus.

I was already up when the first tentative rays of sunlight started to find their way into my home. I had not been graced with much sleep this night, since my nightmares had mixed with the worry I was feeling. Nor did it help that I had been unable to quickly fall back asleep every time I woke up. However it seemed that Gilda had been able to find some sleep at least, because all I waited for now was for her to wake up so that we could leave. So while I waited I grabbed my duffel bag to go over what I had packed so far. But besides my cloak, some camping gear, my scarf, some spare clothes and food there was nothing I felt that I would need.

The hour wasn’t long before I heard Gilda making her way downstairs, her saddlebags already equipped and ready. I offered her something quick for breakfast, which she again devoured in silence. However I did nothing to break it as the mood from last night was still hanging in the air. Once she was done we simply gave each other a nod before heading out of my front door and towards Ponyville. My plan to reach Gryphus was simple, take the train to Canterlot and from there find an appropriate airship. I hadn’t presented this plan to Gilda but she seemed to trust my lead without question right now.

But as we entered the outskirts of Ponyville we came upon a group of four ponies, four ponies that I knew but had not expected to see together. There stood Lyra and Bonbon, but also Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Given the gear they were wearing I could only come to one conclusion, a conclusion Twilight confirmed to be true once she greeted me.

“Good morning Cloud, the girls and I talked yesterday and we came to the conclusion that some of us should come with you!” She called out in a half shout over the distance between us.

“We are coming too!” Lyra chimed in as Gilda and I got closer.

Instead of answering them I glanced at Gilda who was looking at me. She seemed to carefully avoid looking at Rainbow Dash, or any of the other ponies for that matter. I drew a deep breath and was about to start protesting, but stopped myself. For a moment I could have sworn that I had heard Luna’s voice berating me for trying to shoulder everything on my own again. Well Gilda does need all the help she can get now, and if they end up causing more trouble than they’re worth I can always send them home. I reasoned. So instead of telling them no, I offered them a chance.

“Fine. You can come with us. However it will be at our pace and you will not question any decisions we make. If you cannot comply with that you’re better off staying here.” I told them.

And to my surprise there were no complaints or anything for that matter. Just a few sharp nods and a quick salute from Lyra. But then again I couldn’t see the fire in my own eyes.

Author's Notes:

And there's number thirteen! This chapter may have had more grammatical errors or typos hidden in (or perhaps glaringly obvious) and that is due to me not spending as much time as I normally do on the proof reading part. If you find one please tell me and I'll get around to fixing it.

Now that that is out of the way. I hope that you enjoyed reading this latest installment, and I'll hopefully see you when the next one is finished. Next chapters working title is, Sweeping winds.