Sky snores loudly as the cloud shakes with his snoring and Spitfire stared at the lump in the cloud as she shakes her head. "He is asleep." Spitfire says facehoofing.

Sky snores again to reiterate that as he turns over slightly.

"Wake up." Spitfire says smacking the lump.

Sky snorts and groans as he sits up. "I'm up sexy mare."

"You are a hassle." Spitfire says.

"I'm just a stallion getting his pay." Sky said stretching.

"Do you even know about Barb claw?" Spitfire asks.

"Rumors. Carnival." Sky said getting up. Spitfire gives him a blank expression before making him say, "Not a damn thing."

Spitfire huffs. "Of course, you don't."

"So want to fill me in?" Sky asks.

"He is a mad griffon that eats his victims." Spitfire says.

"Great." Sky said trying to bend and crack his back.

"You…you aren't scared?" Spitfire asks.

Sky sighs in relief as his back makes a cracking sound. "Seen shit. You ever saw what a sailor does to traitors? Not good."

"Do you even have a plan?" Spitfire asks.

"Well…first plan was to go in there, proclaim myself as death incarnate, and then chop his head off and get my due." Sky said chuckling.

Spitfire groans and facehooves.

Sky sighs. "Okay. I don't have a real plan. Besides, my best bet is to follow you and you can take his body and I'll take the head."

"And what are you going to use to do th…" Spitfire says before seeing the bow.

Sky hums as he checks his bag and takes out a few arrows. "Well…at least we can get the drop on him. Just point it out."

"I think you underestimate griffons. An arrow or two won't bring it down easily." Spitfire says.

"Well, it's worth a shot. Heh. Get it?" Sky said testing the bow and grins.

"I want to smack you upside the head right now." Spitfire says.

"Well I want to smack your flank like the bad filly that you are, but we can't all get our wishes." Sky quipped as he knocks the arrow heads against the bow.

"Do you even know where to look?" Spitfire asks.

"Like I said, following you." Sky said putting the arrows down and looks to her.

"Then follow and eyes off ogling me." Spitfire growls.

"Aw. But you are such a looker." Sky says packing his things.

Spitfire growls as she unsheathes her sword.

Sky holds his hooves up and tries to look innocent. "I'll follow. Now let's get going or he might move and we miss our chance."

"That is what I thought." Spitfire sheathing the sword.

"Geez, when did I get courted?" Sky says.

Spitfire partially pulls out her sword again to show the sharp blade again.

"You act like we were wed." Sky says.

Spitfire growls. "Keep it in your pants or I will slice up that precious bow of yours."

"I prefer my axe." Sky says.

"Then I'll slice the damn axe." Spitfire spits out.

"Can you find it?" Sky asks as Spitfire realized she hadn't seen an axe or even a sword on him.

Spitfire huffs and sheathes her sword again. "Never mind."

"So what is he to your fief?" Sky asks.

"A monster. He is known to have eaten around twenty ponies and our lord wants him dead or captured and put away forever." Spitfire said frowning.

"Ah…so your father know you are out here to get him?" Sky asks.

"He's not my father. Besides, the target is a griffon." Spitfire said glaring at him.

"I see. You were a bastard child then." Sky says freezing her.

"My mother would never court with a griffon. Especially not as dangerous as that one!" She yells at him.

"I meant your lord is your father, but your mother isn't his wife." Sky says making her go wide-eyed and quickly back up.

Spitfire stares at him before quickly flapping her wings and hovering. "Don't wait too long or we will leave you behind." She said before taking off.

"So that other captain is he your half-brother or something." Sky asks taking off after her.

"Just an idiot family member." She grumbled. "Drunk."

"So what relationship is he to you?" Sky asks.

"A cousin." Spitfire says reluctantly after a bit of silence.

"So how is your father deciding who will be the next lord of your fiefdom?" Sky asks.

Spitfire scoffs. "Something you can't amount to. You don't have enough merit to make it."

"Ah. So that's why you are doing this. You want to gain reconciliation. You want to be the ruler." Sky says.

"Better me than the drunk." Spitfire spits.

"Or any of your relatively?" Sky asks.

"Would you back off and let me work this mission? You are getting too close to me." Spitfire angrily said as she moves away from him a bit.

"You want to be the next to be the ruler so he will be able to fully acknowledge you right?" Sky asks.

"Look who's smart." Spitfire said rolling her eyes.

"It's more like I am reading your body language. Your left eyebrow twitched cutely when I am right." Sky says.

Spitfire growls as her eyebrow twitched. "Jackass."

"Oh, sorry sexy." Sky says smirking.

Spitfire groans out loud at that point and continues flying.

"So as serious as to how is the situation around here as…well, I got off a boat onto this land not last week." Sky says.

"No wonder you're a jester." Spitfire quipped.

"Well, I was raised basically at sea. So come on, tell me." Sky says mimicking a little kid nearly making Spitfire snicker.

"What do you want to know?" Spitfire asks as she kept snickering.

"Well, what about yours and the three fiefs that border you?" Sky asks.

"It's fine. We are holding. It's not all fighting or holds on the borders." Spitfire said proudly.

"So peaceful right now?" Sky asks as the fact he wasn't from the continent set in on Spitfire.

"It is. So don't need to worry." Spitfire said raising an eyebrow.

"Huh. Not how we hear about what is going on over here." Sky says interesting Spitfire.

"Then what do you hear?" Spitfire asks trying to keep an eye out on the ground.

"Well, we hear you guys are constantly at war and peace is basically a legend in areas." Sky says.

"In areas." She reiterated. "Only in some areas we have peace and mine is one."

"Ah. So not too far off?" Sky asks flying closer.

Spitfire tries to keep distance between them. "Yes. Now back off."

"So your father at least acknowledges you as his child?" Sky asks.

"Can't. And you know why." She said rolling her eyes.

"No, I don't." Sky says.

"Then he doesn't." Spitfire said sighing.

"I would think he would be proud of you." Sky says trying to reassure.

"I get this stupid griffon and he would be." Spitfire said keeping her eyes forward before feeling a hug.

"Alright. We will do this together." Sky says.

Spitfire kept quiet as she kept trying to fly.

"Feel better?" Sky asks as the two rested around a fire as the sun had set.

"Whatever is needed." Spitfire said staring at the fire.

"I mean from the hug." Sky says.

"I'm fine." Spitfire said still staring.

"I noticed you didn't push me away." Sky says.

"It has been a while since I had a hug." She said looking the fire.

"Well then." Sky says hugging her again.

Spitfire rolls her eyes as she feels the hug and sighs. "Why?"

"You seem like you need it." Sky says.

Spitfire looks to him. "And why me? I'm just an ordinary pegasus."

"Not so much an ordinary mare." Sky says petting her.

Spitfire squeaks before starting to purr and lean into his petting.

"So what is your life like?" Sky asks slyly as Spitfire realizes he was hitting on her.

Spitfire heavily pushes him away. "Enough. This is just a mission and nothing else."

"Oh…you are taken, aren't you?" Sky asks.

"No. But that doesn't mean I'm interested." Spitfire declared.

"Oh, so I have a shot down the line." Sky mutters to himself.

Spitfire sighs. "Stay on your side."

"So…do you even have a clue where he is?" Sky asks before rolling onto his back and looks to the starry sky.

"Forest nearby." Spitfire said looking to it.

"Well, we best get some sleep." Sky says.

Spitfire hums as she lays down as well.

"You camp out much like this?" Sky asks.

"No." She said staring at the forest.

"Oh?" Sky says before rolling beside her.

"I thought I told you to stay away." Spitfire said frowning.

"Oh hush. We will have to share body heat." Sky says wrapping his wings around her.

"Get off of me." Spitfire said trying to push him away.

"Look it's going to get cold soon. So it's either this or freeze all night." Sky says.

Spitfire groans. "Fine."

"Sky Sprint." Sky says.

"What?" Spitfire asks looking back at him.

"My name. It's Sky Sprint." Sky says.

Spitfire blinks. "Sky Sprint." She repeats.

"Yes, your name?" Sky asks.

Spitfire stares ahead before sighing. "Spitfire."

"Fits you well." Sky says closing his eyes.

Spitfire hums as she closes her eyes.

"You like the company?" Sky asks as the walk through the forest.

"Only by so much." Spitfire said looking around.

"You been here before…right?" Sky asks.

"Somewhat. Patrols." She said leaning forward a bit before walking normally.

"I see. So how were you planning to confront him?" Sky asks.

"A sneak attack and then strike while he is busy." She said frowning.

"And the reason why it is just me and none of your men?" Sky asks.

"They are not experienced enough." She said huffing.

"Oh, sexual joke huh?" Sky teases.

Spitfire pushes him away and knocks him on the head.

"Not hearing a no." Sky says.

"They can't get a mare at a tavern." She said rolling her eyes.

"Oh, I thought you meant me for a moment." Sky says.

"And you." She said rolling her head around.

"And you also must be inexperienced in that." Sky adds.

"I'm not that inexperienced. Because if you are, I'm making headway." Spitfire said.

"Oh, so you slept with somepony?" Sky asks smirking making her go wide-eyed.

Spitfire pushes him away more.

"Finally getting it huh?" Sky asks smirking as he follows.

"I'm going to kill you afterward." She said reaching for her sword.

"Save it for the griffon Spitfire." Sky says smiling.

"Then save your lines for him too." She said trying to hurry ahead.

"Sorry. I only like hot females." Sky says.

"Was that a joke?" Spitfire asks raising an eyebrow.

"No. I find you highly attractive." Sky says.

"Then save it." She grumbled.

"Oh. Something upset you. Want to talk about it?" Sky asks.

"Oh yes. You." She said angrily turning to him.

"Go ahead." Sky says laidback.

Spitfire finally slugs him in the face and continues walking. "Idiot."

"So you are interested in being with me." Sky says freezing her.

Spitfire groans out loud. "Shut up. Just get his head when we finish and get out of here."

"Oh come on. You did the love tap. That means you are interested in being my wife. No need to be cross about it." Sky says following.

"Who says I'm cross? I'm just ready to stab you to bits." She said frowning.

Sky says nothing and holds a neutral expression as Spitfire realizes she didn't deny what he said.

"Damn you." Spitfire huffs looking away.

Sky suddenly pushes her against a tree and leans on her. "So…when's the wedding date? Or do you want to court a bit?" He whispers.

"Punching you doesn't mean I want you as my husband." Spitfire says defensively.

"Oh too bad. Because it would be nice since we have the target in sight." Sky said leaning around her and she turns her head to see a campfire.

"When did you spot that?" Spitfire whispers.

"I saw the light a few seconds ago." Sky whispers back holding her and slowly moves her into the nearby bushes.

"Where is he?" She whispers.

"Probably getting his next meal." Sky said laying his bag down and gets his bow and arrows.

desperately to spot their quarry.

"But where?" Spitfire asks trying desperately to spot their quarry.

"Well could be anywhere. Like spiders. Creepy little things." Sky said tapping the arrow before getting out a bottle of something dark and thick.

"Really? Is this any time to drink?" Spitfire asks in disbelief.

Sky shrugs. "Could be tasty and it's as fine as a time for it."

"What kind of idiot am I working with?" Spitfire whispers sarcastically.

"One of a kind." Sky whispers chuckling.

"No. There are several million stupid idiots who drink too much." Spitfire said she rolled her eyes.

Sky grins. "Well…we got something before we are eaten."

"I'm a kill you myself and just leave you as bait." Spitfire growled in frustration.

"Don't be like sweetie. I can come up with something nice for you later. Maybe I can take you courting." Sky suggested leaning closer.

"I would sooner be burned at the stake than that." Spitfire nearly yelled at him with her sword drawn menacingly.

Sky simply walks over and hugs her tightly. "Who's a pretty filly?"

"I am going to burn you at the stake!" Spitfire yelled so loudly, her voice echoing off the trees throughout the area.

Sky covers her mouth with a hoof and pushes her down to the ground as he smirks. "You're such a good filly." He whispers before looking over the bush.

"You tricked me." Spitfire hissed lowly.

Sky leans down to her again. "What I said to that stallion, I meant it." He whispers before peeking up again and reaches for his bow. "Now stay quiet." He kept whispering as he straddles her and holds her legs down.

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" Spitfire asks, unhappy with him straddling her.

Sky smirks. "You are making me hard." He said slyly as he wiggles his hips as he aims and pulls the bow back.

"Don't push your luck." Spitfire says resting her sword on his thigh.

"Shh." Sky hissed as he leans to the side more and she starts to hear the bow creak. "Don't move your head." He whispers.

Spitfire held her breath knowing the fight was upon them and readies her sword.

Sky quickly looks down to her. "Just make sure you don't cut me." He whispers before letting the bow go and lets the arrow fly and quickly rolls off of her and rolls to his bag and fumbles with another arrow. "Come on!" He yells as a cry of pain was heard.

"Your head is mine Barb Claw!" Spitfire roars charging the griffon at a near suicidal approach.

"Don't forget! I call the head!" Sky yells as he notches the arrow and gets up.

Spitfire ignored him as she pierced the griffon's side and to her shock at how easy that was.

Sky chuckles as he walks up carefully as he uses a tree to lean on and aims the bow at the griffon. "Yeah. That 'drink' was actually the poison I was using. Can you move your head a bit?"

"Poison?!" Spitfire yells appealed, inadvertently moving her head.

An arrow quickly flies past her and hits the griffon square in the eye and makes him freeze up. "And that's how it's done."

"I knew you were hiding something jester." Spitfire spits as she stabs the griffon before swinging and lopping his head off and sends it flying.

Sky chuckles as he puts his bow on his back and moves over to her. "Now the question is why did he come back? Maybe another victim?"

"It doesn't matter you, coward." Spitfire says.

Sky smiles. "Just because I use something that is supposed to be used from far away, doesn't mean it's bad." He said starting to poke around the little campsite.

"It isn't the bow. It is what you use with it." Spitfire says.

Sky smirks. "Then I guess all the snakes, spiders, bees, plants, trees, and whatever else are cowards too. Heck, some dragons with poison spit." He said rolling his eyes as he looks through a bag.

"All cowards like you…" Spitfire says.

"And the puffer fish claims another one post mordant." Sky says actually stopping her mid-rant.

Spitfire tries to say something and shakes her head. "What…?"

"Pufferfish. It's the source of the poison I used." Sky informs.

Spitfire stares at him before frowning and growling. "You are such a coward. You aren't a true pegasus."

"Rather be a live pegasus than a brave dead one." Sky says.

Spitfire growls before huffing. "That's it. I'm taking proof and I'm leaving." She said taking her sword and cuts off the dead griffon's arm. "Good luck coward." She said shivering before taking off with the arm.

"My poisoned arrow is the only reason you are alive and you know it." Sky calls freezing her for a moment before she rushed back into his face.

"You are not worthy to be called a pegasus. You might as well be a cheap horn." Spitfire said angrily.

"And what does that make you?" Sky asks.

"A proud warrior. Something you will never be." Spitfire said poking his chest.

"Who rushed headlong with most likely intent to get herself killed. Were you even thinking?!" Sky yells at her, raising his voice to her.

Spitfire stops for a second before huffing and turns away to fly off before Sky suddenly grabs her leg and throws her to the ground and straddles her and holds her down as he held a glare at her. "Get off!"

"Answer the question." Sky demands.

"No! Now get the fuck off me!" Spitfire yells as she struggles to get out of his grip.

"Do you want to be acknowledged so much you would die for it?" Sky yells striking a chord in Spitfire.

Spitfire stayed frowning at him but doesn't say anything this time.

"Would it be worth it in the end?" Sky asks.

Spitfire kept staring at him as he slowly loosens up on the grip but kept sitting on her.

"Well?" Sky demands.

"Get off." Spitfire whispered.

"Only when you answer me truthfully." Sky says.

Spitfire frowns heavily, but couldn't come up with a straight answer.

"Well? I am waiting." Sky says.

Spitfire scoffs and turns her head. "No." She whispers.

"Then why do you take such risks?" Sky said.

"For the chance to make it." Spitfire whispers as she kept looking away with a frown.

"Well, you did. So for now on, fight smarter, not harder." Sky says.

Spitfire closes her eyes as she contemplates this as he gets off her and gathers some of the supplies at the campsite.

"Why do you have my swor…" Spitfire started before the sound of meat being sliced through was heard and then a thump as the head rolled on the ground.

Spitfire stares at the rolling head as Sky walks back with a bloody sword. "Yeah. Need proof and unless it is a hydra, this is very convincing proof. Also, I advise you to take his wings too."

Spitfire blinks as he drops the sword in front of her and collects the head before she picks it back up and she goes to collect the wings.

"So now…" Sky says before hugging her again.

Spitfire frowns and pushes him off. "This was a one-time thing."

"And I will never stop now." Sky says holding her tightly this time.

Spitfire growls. "Get off me. I don't need you anymore."

"You're feeling better now." Sky says in a singsong tone.

Spitfire pushes him away. "We are done." She said before taking the wings and flies off.

Sky smiled as he held out a necklace on a hoof and waited till she realized she was missing it.

Spitfire frowns as she glides back down and taps a hoof in the air before holding out her hoof.

"Admit it. You like me unlike most in your fiefdom." Sky says.

Spitfire scoffs as she flies off again after she snatched her necklace back.

Sky smirked, holding her sword.

Spitfire flies past him and snatches her sword away as she kept flying.

Sky smirked, knowing he had one last item of hers hidden on him.

Spitfire then glided to him and hovers in front of him. "Give it."

"Say it." Sky says.

"No." Spitfire huffs.

"Say it." Sky says in a singsong tone.

Spitfire groans out loud. "You are better than most stallions! Now give it!"

"Give what? You are wearing your headband." Sky says hugging her again.

Spitfire reaches up and feels the headband. "You…" She tries to say before groaning and pushes him off and flies away.

"Watch yourself. The other contenders won't like you got a leg up on them." Sky says flying after her.

Spitfire just rolls her eyes as she thinks on that a bit.

"So I am going with you." Sky says.

"No, you are not. Just head to the guard house and get your pay." Spitfire spits out.

"Nope, I have grown attached to you." Sky says.

Spitfire hangs her head and groans. "What did I do to deserve this?"

"Well, you're really hot and very attractive." Sky explained noting a figure flying away across the horizon.

Spitfire kept her head hang as she kept flying. "I hate you."

"No. If you hated me, you would have tried to kill me. Admit it. You love me." Sky says happily.

"Maybe if you keep it up, I will chop your head off." She mutters under her breath.

"Whatever you say, my betrothed." Sky says.

"Don't start that again!" Spitfire yells at the laughing stallion.