Upon waking, Cloud could finally see…

...The inside of a cage.

“Well, crap,” Cloud croaked. His voice sounded strained and, while he felt far better than he did previously, he still felt awful. His head was pounding, and his horn was so sore that he feared even the idea of testing his magic.

Slowly, he rose to his hooves. The cage was large, large enough for him to stand in and even large enough for him (if he were able) to jump. There was plenty of space for pacing, if he would ever feel up to it. Overall, the cage reminded him of the bathroom in the Ponyville library, minus the utilities of course.

Through the bars of the cage, Cloud could see a crude wooden floor. It was then he realised that the shaking he could feel was real rather than a trick of his wounded mind. Shaking? Right, right, they said something about a caravan. Dammit, can I ever catch a break?

Cloud inspected the bars of the cage more closely. There doesn't seem to be any kind of door here… It’s unlikely a Unicorn or Changeling teleported me in here, the spell is fairly complex. Then again, I have no idea who I'm dealing with. Next, he checked the ceiling. There was little light in the cage, making this take some minutes. Once again, no entryway. Finally, he checked the floor, and, finally, he found a compartment. Whether they flipped the cage over or of it was designed this way, there's no way I can get out through this.

Cloud began chewing the inside of his cheek. I'm too weak to try magic or brute force, and there's no way out of this right now. A few moments passed as he considered his options. The best option right now is to rest and try to figure out what in Tartarus just happened: I still don't know why Twilight’s mark was on that building, I don't know what that book did to me and I don't know who I've been captured by. Judging by the fact that this seems to be a caravan of some sorts, I probably have quite a bit of time of waiting. May as well make the most of it.

“[...I don't know where he is! I swear!]” Money Masterless cried out as Mawr stepped on his neck. “[I sent him to kill a business rival, but my people lost sight of him just west of the market district!]”

“[Oh great,]” Mawr sighed, “[more work for me.]” They were on the top floor of the hospital, in Money's office. Using a hospital as a base was discreet as well as profitable, which is why the Masterless family kept it as their headquarters in Shirith.

“[I've told you all I know, now release me!]”

I'll need some help to track that idiot down. Luckily for me, Shirith is a great place to hire mercenaries. Mawr transformed into a Minotaur as she thought, crushing Money's neck under her new weight. He writhed under her, his bloodshot eyes bulging from his skull. I may as well get the supplies for travel while I'm here, I don't know of I can put up with his whining any more.

“[YOU FUCKING BUG!]” Money gargled through his closing windpipe. [YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A PATHETIC TRAITOR!]”

Food and water are obvious enough for things we need, but being a herbivore he's sure to be picky. Whatever passes for jerky in these parts is plenty for me, and it'll keep well enough for a good while.

Money wheezed; he could no longer breath and his face was turning purple.

Leaf based vegetables are out of the question, it would rot before we ever left the city. Turnips are probably as good as I can get, but they'll still only last a couple of weeks. We'll need to stop frequently for more. Mawr sighed once again. Damn herbivore.

Money finally stopped struggling as the last of his life force drained away. After waiting a few seconds more to be sure he was indeed dead, Mawr transformed back into her normal form.

This asshole probably has money lying around, plenty to buy mercenaries at least.

Author's Notes:

I haven’t been able to have free time to write much lately, and since it’s been a long time since an update I decided I may as well post a half-chapter.