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Zebrica

Ari

What lay before made me wish I had taken up traveling before, it looked a lot more interesting than the bookstore.

A Lush green forest stood strong along the coast line, thinning out into a stretch of beach. Even from the sea I could see colorful flowers of red, yellow, and white peeking through the waving canopy of reddish brown barked trees. The coy scent of sweet, ripening fruits hung on the breeze that blew past us as we basked in the sight, there was land.

I was sick of the sea; it was time to get the mission started.

“Nyumbani, Nyumbani,” was exclaimed excitedly from many zebras, accompanied by tears. It was also home for some.

The long expanse of sand was partially obscured by the sea of black and white bodies crowding the harbor. Most zebras were surely from the nine ships, still being unloaded of their food and other more somber packages. A murmur was rising from them, traveling to my ears as it grew louder.

I couldn’t help but swivel them sideways as my nerves hit me again.

“Relax Ari,” Chrissy soothed even as her wing was buzzing, “They are probably just as nervous as you are, you will probably be the first Alicorn they will have seen in quite awhile.” She was probably right of course; though quelling my worries was harder than she thought.

Silly worries, like would they would welcome me with open hooves? Or what if I wasn’t what they expected? My mind was racing as I guided the ship slowly up to the shore, letting Folami direct the others in preparing the ship for anchoring. A heavy click sounded as the bow was almost in place, between two wooden docks, that click was followed by a loud rush of clunks and a splash.

Everybeing sprung into action then.

Ropes were tightened, tied down as Dinari lowered the ramp. I grabbed Moonlit Echo and the eight ponies still not fully mobile with my magic, joining Kapera and Gennady by the railing as the final sails were rolled up. Folami took the lead still, shouting over the ever increasing din, checking the ropes as my mares tried to nuzzle me into a semi calm state. Which wasn’t happening, but at least I had lost the Ayo’s in the crazy morning preparation. This preparation continued, the running around. Until finally, the ropes were deemed tight enough, knots properly tied, and every being accounted for.

I still wasn’t calm by then. That was a lot of zebras.

Although we were ready, no one dared move a hoof. Looking behind me, I wanted to laugh at the sight. We all looked like a jittery group of kids, shifting from hoof to hoof, and looking at the land like it was a candy store. We were ready, no luggage to speak of, bandages clean, and all accounted for on the deck. But no one was moving even as tails flicked in impatience. Eyes and ears were actively taking in the crowd as they watched us.

“Fine! If no pony else is going to go then I am. It was nice and all sailing with you, but I’m sick of this boat.” My hooves moved on their own down the ramp as I took in the crowd. Face after face before me, a monochromatic sea that was clearly more than the five hundred zebras that went ahead of us. At least a thousand zebras were there, probably way more, holding my attention.

Maybe I don’t like crowds after all, but that could just be the pressure talking. A ‘magical powerhouse’ is quite a title to live up to.

Behind me I was dimly aware of the group following, but my ears stuck forward with my nerves as we descended the plank. My wings twitched with the urge to cover my mares.

Deep breathes.

In. They are not a mob.

Out. They look excited, happy.

The crowd only appeared to be growing as we left the ship, more trotting in from the town that I just noticed. Located just beyond the edge of the beach, it was full of two story homes and businesses. They were not very big accommodations compared to Shallow Shale, but all were very well maintained, sporting brightly colored coats of paint. It was what many would call a quaint and cozy town. This opinion being firmly driven in by several signs that depicted a waving zebra and more writing that I couldn’t read.

It looked almost like something off a postcard, too perfect to be real.

As my hooves moved us down the dock, I noticed a bright orange and red…Hat? It bobbed up and down through the crowd, the trotting body attached to it eventually coming into view as my herd reached the sand.

You would think the zebra’s hat would have kept my attention but it didn’t, no, it's neck did, bearing five gold bands, stacked on top of each other. I couldn’t help but think of Africa then, and going one step further my jumbled mind jumped to ‘Planet of the Ponies’. I shook my head at that, obviously my mind was trying to make sense of this. Clearly the ape was quite free when I killed him. Although equines did seem to be the dominant species on this planet…

Why is he looking around?

“Hello,” I nodded to the zebra, unsure of what was a proper greeting since he seemed to be in charge. A nod was polite right? Upon closer inspection I noted this official was an actual stallion, that was rare. “I’m Ari and you are?”

Maybe nodding wasn't the right greeting?

Zebras streamed by us from the ship, calling out as many saw faces they recognized. And I was able to pass off some of the immobile mares to others on the shore, healers I think from their cutie marks of bottles in different states. For a second I watched as the mares left, being galloped off to the town.

Still more silence from the hat wearing zebra, really it was more like a wrapping of orange and red cloth, not a hat like I had thought.

He observed me for a moment, eyes traveling over my wounds, wings, and horn. Nodding, he quickly glanced at my mares, the three mares I still was levitating, and my prisoner. Moonlit Echo earned me a raised eyebrow before the stallion went back to looking around the crowd. Happy zebras were mingling, yelling joyfully on occasion, and even the Equestrians were following some friends they had made.

Looking pensive, he stopped his search and wiggled his nose. “I am Wekasi…” He trailed off, looking for some pony again, until he jumped.

He only did so as I had jumped; something had run into my hind legs.

As my luck would have it, it was exactly who I was trying not to give false signals to, having ignored her for most of yesterday…But I felt bad not asking if she was alright. That was just a friendly thing to do right? “Are you two okay?”

Getting up quickly, Ayomide just nodded, while her cousin wasn’t as discreet. “More than better Ari, we are home.”She rushed around and grabbed my neck in a hug. “Thank you, thank you, oh thank you!” All the while rubbing her cheek on mine.

I came to the conclusion that she was marking me.

Ponies were very scent oriented as I was learning, and touch oriented. All the ‘do’s and don’ts’ my mares had explained either involved touch or scent distribution, sometimes both. Which made sense I guess, this culture wasn’t based entirely on human aspects, though just enough on like my culture to make me question everything.

She was still rubbing on me…In front of the chief zebra too!

Just have to not respond, I’m sure her family will take her off my hooves soon enough. I hope so, otherwise Chrissy looks like she might turn into a carnivore.

Baring teeth was pretty much a universal threat, at least I would like to think so.

Wekasi chuckled at her actions, his withers relaxing some. “So I have heard the truth then,” glancing to my hooves he continued, “An Alicorn did free us from the slavers,” A grin split his muzzle as his gleeful eyes returned to my face, “To that we are most grateful. I will spread the word of your great deed.” I think I was blushing then. Had it always been this warm? “Do not look so modest Ari, we are-,” he glanced around once again, “-WE ARE-,” at that two panting zebras popped out of the noisy crowd, scrambling to his side. His secretaries I assumed from the saddle bags almost overflowing with quills and parchment.

Pausing, he waited while I released the remaining mares to healers, leaving me with just the prisoner in my magic. It was about that time that Kapera and the Minotaurs joined us.

She finally stopped!

With his assistants found and panting at his side, Wekasi gave a quick nod to the smiths and miner before he continued, “As I was trying to say, we are in your eternal debt.” I blinked and refocused on him, my thoughts going a mile a minute. This was perfect. “However this isn’t the best place to discuss such…” He seemed to be searching for a word, licking his lips nervously, “…Delicate subjects. If you wouldn’t mind coming with me, perhaps we could talk over the events at the main hall.”

Sharing a nod with my group I replied our consensus, “Of course, lead the way.”

Oh, crud.

I stopped the group a second later as I felt the warm breathes on my hocks. Turning around to Ayodele and Ayomide, they were still following us, staying close to my haunches. It was clear to see that Ayomide was just along for the ride, looking at the sand with a frown and splayed ears. “You guys should go mingle, see your family and friends.” I gave them what I hoped as a friendly smile. I heard Wekasi’s hooves stop ahead of us.

“Don’t worry Ari, we will be catching up with them later.” I frowned and went to reply but she pushed on. “Besides they are further inland in a different village and we are coming to help you.” Blinking I cocked my head. “On the mission,” She gestured vaguely to the Narrow Sea.

The closed door, the assembled ponies, oh shit!

My eyes went to prisoner…He was shooting me daggers from his spot in my magic field, jaw stuck closed, and a good thing too if his flared nostrils were an indication of how he felt.

“You told him?!” My voice cracked a little as panic set in. Did that mean-

“Of course, every being knows the plan and when you went to get breakfast we talked about how we could help you.” Chrissy snorted, which was exactly what I felt, like this whole plan was just getting whipped away. “Don’t worry,” She nuzzled my leg, it was traitorously calming, especially the extra sec- Nononono.

With a deep breath I racked my mind, “So what can you do to help?” Holding my face as blank as possible, I felt a tail start to whip me.

Flicking her ears, Ayodele gave me half smile, “It’s Ayomide that is going to provide the assistance really. You see I suggested to her that to make her feel better she should help you…” Her cousin gave me a clearly fake smile, her eyes not into it. “Since you know,” I nodded. She had almost killed me. “So I said since her dose did that to you, it would be perfect for your targets, since they wouldn’t die either.” My shocked expression must have showed as it hit me. Then why was she-“I knew you would see it! And I thought that coming along to support her would be the right thing to do!”

She was right…This would solve the knocking them out portion of the kidnapping plan. I mean, sure it would be nice not to kidnap them, especially since I wouldn’t have to have her along and risk pony homicide, but…My whole story still sounded crazy, chances are talking wouldn’t work…But…Was it right?

Low hissing brought me back.

Contemplation aside, her help would only help if I live through this mission, which was still up for debate.

“Uhh, that is a pretty good idea-.” I never was able to finish as she appeared to have took that as a ‘come along’, grabbing my neck in her forelegs, and more rubbing. Hissing, lots of hissing, the crowd was only watching us. No fear here, some chuckles and head shaking though.

That is actually perfect…No fear!

When she finally released me, she was somehow alive and already trotting ahead to the waiting zebra stallion…With a very noticeable sway in her hips.

Were all mares this forward? Cause I am seeing a trend here.

Chrissy and Lyric weren’t much help, choosing to rub my cheeks instead of offer advice. Kapera just looked amused; same with the siblings, and the Thestral looked depressed now.

With a sigh I returned to following the town…Mayor? Leader? I didn’t know, but we were off again. Weaving through the crowd my mind was still a mess, every being silent in our group, my mares pressed into my sides as their eyes watched the crowd cautiously. Ayodele forgotten as the crowds were surrounding us, mingling, and very excited. The Zebras for the most part were taking the whole Alicorn status well: blinking, gaping, but no obvious questions so far.

The birds were even chirping a happy tune, this seemed perfect.

Before long the sand turned to dirt, the town around us now. Like I said, it was picturesque and small, really not what I pictured for a coastal town that was visited every once in a while by slavers. The town was clearly a tourist trap, colorful paint and flowers everywhere with carefully manicured entrances to the various businesses. There was a bakery, complete with a rustic outdoor clay oven. A flower shop, filled with tropical and exotic looking flora. Interspaced with pretty homes and other shops that were less obvious to me what their purpose was. Eventually we reached a section of just cafes and restaurants. They passed by as a blur of the same set up with different color schemes, until we finally reached a large clearing. In the center it held a large, imposing statue of a zebra in similar headdress as Wekasi. It was standing beside a larger…Alicorn.

Was that Celestia?

My observation on the statue was cut short, “Coming Ari?” The stallion was waiting in front of a building at the opposite side of the clearing. Ayodele waved happily from beside the open doors, held open by his assistants.

“Oh! Yes, I’m sorry; everything is still so new to me. I’m afraid the culture here is still a bit distracting.” I gave him a small smile as my herd and I followed him into the building, only to find myself slack jawed again at the sight of the interior of the town hall.

“No worries Ari, it was made to be distracting.” A chuckle, “It is what brings in the bits after all.

Distracting was a great word for it.

On the outside it had appeared like a slightly more somber building than the rest, gray and the tallest at three storeys high. But on the inside, oh, that is where the culture showed. It opened into a standard waiting room set up, except with an African, actually Zebrican flare. Artwork lined the walls, mostly tapestries depicting plains and veldts filled with brightly decorated zebra tribes. With the odd shield spaced between them. In the center of the room, instead of cushy chairs there were mats. Dyed to be rich deep reds, greens, browns, and yellows, they were weaved into exquisite and elaborate designs. Also unique was the caged in bonfire pit that the mats circled. No stone fireplaces here, although the building had wood plank floors.

A hall ran along the right side of the room, passing by a desk, clearly made by hoof. All the joints flawless locked in place, not an errant gap visible. It made me wish that I could take a picture of it; Uncle Ron would drool over the craftspony work.

Shaking my head, I ignored the amused chuckles from Kapera from my staring and followed my guide to the staircase at the end of the hall.

“Quite an entrance isn’t it?” He asked, as his assistants rushed ahead.

“You can say that again! It reminds me of the African culture back on earth,” a round of interested looks turned to me as I paused to adjust Moonlit Echo. I just couldn’t keep quiet, half truth time. “I’m not from here.” The stallion looked surprised but soon enough nodded for me to continue. “Long story, but the culture there looks pretty similar to here actually. Not that I have been to Africa, but I had read up on it in passing. There is also zebras there, although they are taller.”

He hummed in interest as we arrived on the second floor, which was another hallway lined with tapestries and doors, and of course a set of stairs was at the end of it. “So you have traveled a long ways then?”

“That’s one way of saying it; I’m on an unexpected trip.”

“Where is ‘Earth’ then?”He paused as we ascended the stairs, some creaking under his scrutiny as I thought of a not crazy way to say the truth…

Nothing came to me, “Well, it is somewhere in the universe. But I’m not quite sure where, you see a god took me from my world in less than ideal ways.” The expected raised eyebrow, “I know how it sounds, but,” A deep breath, “I’m supposed to save the world.” I continued on with the spiel, watching as Wekasi went from doubtful to thoughtful. He didn’t call me crazy though.

Super storms had sounded crazy to me too, even more so since I hadn’t seen one in a week, but that could just mean I still have time.

“We have been getting more storms off the sea of late." We all paused as a frantic dinging of a bell came from below us. “Rufaro,” with just that simple gesture the mare half of his assistants took off in a hurried trot.

His office was official looking, that was the best way to put it. Dominating the room, a large, low standing desk sat in the middle of the room. With flat, lumpy pillows that appeared to have been woven with the same materials as the mats in the main entrance. There were three on the visitor side of the desk and one on his side. They didn’t appear to be very comfortable. Like all desks seem to be, it was littered with various papers or scrolls of parchment in this case. Tall, imposing bookcases framed the room, they reminded me of the type you would see in law offices, with dark wood and thick volumes that screamed ‘important’.

A mantle took up the back wall, framing the two narrow windows, looking over the town statue like eyes. A shield on the mantle appearing like a long officious nose.

My host noticed my stare and like all things here seemingly were, he was easily distracted by my interest. “That is my tribe’s insignia,” He said pointing to the narrow oblong shield bearing three hoof prints in various tones of orange, white zig zags trimmed the top and bottom of the shield.

“It’s beautiful,” I added as he seemed to be waiting for a response.

The seaside view out the narrow rectangular windows was quite a sight, the masts of the ships easily visible. It would have been calming if I wasn’t about to talk with the mayor, repeat that again, a mayor. Talking to officials wasn’t normal for me, nothing I was doing anymore was, but this made me very nervous.

Just be calm and stick to the facts.

He waited patiently while we all got settled down, Kapera, Dinari, and Gennady standing in the back. I passed off Echo to Dinari after feeling a little lost as to where to place him. But what was even more troubling than where to put my captive…Wow, that still sounds weird. Right, even worse than dealing with him was my very persistent follower.

There were three cushions and five ponies.

Like you probably assumed I took the middle one, across from Wekasi, while my mares took the ones on either side. And if you guessed that Ayodele leaped onto my back with a happy spring then you would have been correct. Ayomide slowly backed away as a buzzing filled the air, choosing the safer option of the wall.

And now the nuzzling was back!

Chrissy’s plan was dangling out the window now.

It was getting harder and harder to not comment on her behavior, ignorance really had been bliss. Not that it didn’t feel nice, the attention. But I didn’t need nor want any more mares. Lyric was…We connected, okay? And, and maybe this stallion would know of a shop that sells poisons…That I could ask for very, very nicely, seeing as the last thirty eight bits I owned were in Kapera’s shop still…Or at the bottom of the of the sea.

“So, Ari, I see-,” amused chuckles escaped his muzzle before he could bring his hoof up to stop it, “-that you are quite the mare’s stallion.” I groaned at that, such a skill was not what I needed, not unless that could convince the princesses to stop. “That’s not a bad thing; you know many stallions wish to attract the mares like that. Enjoy it!”

Chrissy interrupted in a terse voice, ears glued back, “You wanted to speak about the events? Or did we hear you wrong?” Yeah, we definitely don’t want Ayodele coming along.

Lyric snorted from my other side.

Definitely not.

Thankfully he picked up on their signals; turning cordial again as he nodded an apology to my mares. “Ah, I see.” He turned to me. “So from my understanding you have killed the ‘pirate king’?” Muzzle scrunching up like he ate something sour, “And killed the ten other crews?”

“Yes.”

“I see, and what of their clients?” Mhmm, there was that half. “You didn’t deal with them did you?”

Sighing, I shook my head. “Truthfully, I figured they would be in the dark for a while.” Another raised eyebrow. “Doesn’t the weather getting fixed seem more prominent?” Still no response, “Well, I know how it sounded; the damage clearly isn’t that bad out here yet. But in the flatter areas, the mainland areas like Minotaria,” I pointed to the Minotaur siblings, “Where it is getting really bad, or the Badlands, which is completely flooded out. The-.”

Wekasi nodded, holding up a hoof. “Yes, those are legitimate problems and I am sincerely sorry for your losses.” He looked at Chrissy then before his serious expression returned. “But please understand that right now the storms aren’t that big here, however when the buyers.” Ears went back then, “When the wealthy nobles of Saddle Arabia, the rogue dragons.” He must not have liked my expression. But 'rogue dragon' really meant nothing to me, I hadn’t seen a dragon before. “Those are the biggest dragons, fueled completely by instincts.” I gulped at the thought of more skyscraper sized monsters coming after me, except on land instead of the sea. “Exactly, and the Diamond dogs learn of this…Well, you can understand that those situations are my priority. When you leave, when the world learns of you being all the way over there and leaving us open to new slavers…What do you think they will do?”

This had occurred to me, but I didn’t have the answer.

“If they were smart they would move in then while I was preoccupied, there would be no chance of help coming from Equestria either since I would be there…”

A somber air hung in the room then, broken by a muffled set of voices from below us.

“Go check on her.” With that the male assistant trotted away. “I think you see my problem Ari, although I owe you a great debt, the minute you leave my zebras become targets again.” He leaned forward, looking at me intently, “No being would attack an Alicorn.”

It didn’t stop Jabar, Arch, Falmer, and all the other beings that tried to kill me so far.

No, snark wasn’t helping. There had to be a solution, I mean, I needed an airship, and he didn’t sound keen on giving me something that would take me away from here. I could see his reasoning on that; I don’t want them being free only to be slammed with a new group of pirates or worse. But the whole world was in jeopardy…It should only take a week or two.

“You make a valid point, points.” I frowned and gathered my thoughts again, yes, that could work. “How about we make a deal?”

Wekasi’s ears stayed forward, but his brown eyes were unreadable. “Continue.”

“In this deal you will gain my presence here as well as my services killing any pirates, slavers, ectra that threaten the beings here.” His eyes narrowed, waiting for the other shoe. “However, I would receive a modest sized airship, some poison, and sanctuary for whomever I wish here.”

A snort from him, “You have my interest, we would benefit from you staying around here, but there are some problems,” he saw my frown grow, “With what you want.” My heart plummeted, “The airship is no problem, however I think I know where you would take it first and I have no guarantee you will return. Ah!” He held up a hoof as I went to explain. “While I’m sure you intend to, those are just words...But I think you have the solution with you already and she appears more than willing.”

That shit eating grin, he was on her side.

“No.”

“I didn’t even propose it, but if you don’t want the-.”

Chrissy interrupted, ears back, and teeth bared at the zebra in a very faint semblance of a friendly smile. “He means yes.”

Translation: Ari, take the damn deal or I will bite something.

“My mare is right, I misspoke. Please explain your conditions.” Was that a headache starting?

“Excellent, as I was saying. I need an assurance that you will return. I also, unfortunately, cannot provide you with any poisons. Poisons are forbidden to trade at the moment, not a peaceful product. Do you understand?” I nodded and felt Ayodele’s tail start wagging almost like a dog’s. “And since you have two young, eager zebra mares that happen to know how to make poisons with you…” He trailed off, smiling like he had the best idea ever.

Ayodele seemed to like the plan, love it you could say.

It did make sense. “I understand.” But I didn’t want it to. “And about my last condition, is that allowed as well?”

“Well, that one is tricky. You sounded like you had some being in mind, and I can’t say yes to that under good faith, I mean what if it was Discord?!” I just gave him a blank look. Another reference I didn’t get. “You really haven’t heard of him?” I nodded. “Oh, well don’t worry. He was still locked up last time I heard. Who were thinking of?”

Now here was the whammy, time to test the racism here.

“As you can see my herd is very diverse. I want sanctuary for my mares, and any family that we may find of theirs.” He looked from Chrissy to Lyric, cocking his head as he was stuck on my sea based mare, eyes traveling along her form. “She is half siren,” I clarified.

Screeches and yelling came muffled from the floor, causing the stallion to hold his head in his hooves and mutter.

Then it went quiet.

“Well, I can say yes then. HOWEVER-,” he raised his head, voice growing louder above the din coming from on the second floor now, “-Any that are allowed sanctuary here have to sign citizenship papers, meaning they are bound to the same laws as every other being here.” He narrowed his eyes at me, scanning mine. “Is that acceptable?”

“Deal,” I reached over the desk and shook his hoof, both of our muzzles breaking into big smiles.

It was a win-

“REALLY,” A female screeched as she flew into the room, slamming the door open with a shuttering rattle, causing every being to jump and back away from the doorway. My wings even flared open on reflex, covering my mares as we turned to stare at the intruder. A gryphon stood there, open beaked as her green eyes whipped between the room’s occupants. Rather slowly, the assistants caught up to her, out of breath.

“Mayor…Wekasi…Isn’t…seeing any…being right…now.” The assistants panted out in unison.

“R-r-really…” She trailed off.

They were way too late, he needed better assistants. A female gryphon had already made it past them.

Cocking my head at her, I took in our intruder. Her feathered half was a dull gray, blending into a creamy white furred feline half, and finishing in a thin lion’s tail that was puffing up as she entered ‘Alicorn shock’.

Like this was normal, the mayor went from happy to cordial in an instant. “Miss Bente, I see you have returned.” She was staring at my wings, turning red through her feathers. “I believe my appointments are still the same, if not more so booked after today’s meetings.”

“Alicorn,” her brain was obviously rebooting.

“Yes, my name is Ari, I was just in the middle of-.” She repeated herself and I sighed, giving up on talking for now, it was one of those moments. Relaxing my wings, we all waited for her to either move or talk.

Finally it did reboot.

“An Alicorn, a changeling, and a…Hybrid,” we nodded, “Minotaurs, a Thestral, and a…Rat?”

“Close enough yah hen.” Kapera mumbled out from a scowl.

Harrumphing, Wekasi got her attention. “I will see you at the appointed time Miss Bente, please leave.” She sat herself down in the doorway, looking smugly at him, my presence forgotten. “Well then Ari, now that she is gone let’s continue, if you will?”

I nodded to him, turning around with my mares, folding wings over them this time. I didn’t quite trust her. “Right, so we had a deal?” He nodded, smiling at me again, “Great, now I hope it’s not too much trouble but could I just give those ships to you? I only need one ship, an airship.”

“What ships?” Bente queried, but we ignored her. She would have to leave, childish maybe, but obviously the assistants weren’t able to stop her. I really didn’t want to get involved, knowing this world it would just throw my plan off again.

“Really you are willing to give us those ships for free?” He looked amazed, blinking at his assistants for a second, “How much are they worth?”

They quickly pulled out some parchment and began calculating, the final number must have been big bits, as all of them gave me wide eyes. “Really, I don’t need ten ships, the amount of work alone that needs to be put into them before they would be in tip top order again…Well, I could do it but I just want one airship. It is simply much more manageable for my herd.”

My mares seemed happy with that, murmuring their consensuses as I finished. All was seeming to be good, staying around a less racist country with plenty of water nearby for Lyric and her family, check. Poison, airship, and ‘ever after’ were looking good so far as well.

However, Bente was looking at me like I was a lunatic.

“Are you sure?” He asked again.

I nodded, never having been surer that I wanted the airship. Sure having a fleet of ships was nice, but I had no crew and although I liked the water, respected Lyric’s seapony heritage, I wasn’t swimming unless I was sure those monsters weren’t around.

“Perhaps I could have some of the food off of them first? I don’t mean to be a pig but I am always hungry and still healing.” I waved a hoof at my wounds.

“Of course,” he exclaimed, looking like he won the jackpot. “By the end of the day we can have the sale finalized, just need you to sign some papers you know, and perhaps I could convince you to stay the evening? Enjoy some hospitality? I know you want to be-.”

Bente had to cut in, “Are you stupid? The world is flooding, storming and you are giving up ten ships?!”

Would this world ever be peaceful? I mean, her voice was pretty hard to ignore...

“It was Bente right?” She nodded, “Okay Bente, why are you here?” Stupid question I know, but maybe she wasn’t here about the weather.

“The weather of course,” she all but screeched at me, wings extending as she puffed her chest out. “I am from the Gryphon Republic.” I nodded, keeping my ears on her as I tried to ignore the movement along my wing’s bases. “After many messengers failed to return from the Equestrian nation, and no response from the Minotarian capital, we, I have come to ask the Zebrican tribes for their aid.”

That actually seemed like a decent plan, except the part where she didn’t mention their neighbor: Saddle Arabia. Sure it was in a drought, but logically they would have asked them too? Was I missing something?

“Okay, but the Zebrican tribes are recovering from being ruled by slavers.” She wilted as the mayor nodded to that, “However, I am currently on a mission to stop the bad weather.” Eyebrow raise, typical reaction. “The weather is from the Alicorn princesses messing with the sun and moon’s orbit. So if I stop the princesses from doing that then theoretically the weather should return to normal.”

“Really?” Every being nodded with various expressions of 'of course', “You all know about this?” Another group confirmation, “And you are leaving tomorrow to stop them?” My head hurt from all this nodding.

Kapera must have felt the same, “Yes, he, we are leaving tomorrow.” She rolled her eyes at my expression, “Yes Ari, I will make them as soon as I get home; it shouldn’t take longer than a day.” I gave her a big smile; those rings were the final piece of the plan. “So miss Bente you can fly on home cause I think stud here wants a little alone time before he has to deal with the Equestrian diarchy.”

“What?”

“Go. Home. Gryphon.” Kapera said very slowly, and to my surprise the gryphon actually got up and left, blinking and moving her beak in a stunned expression.

I choose you Kapera! Now if only she could rid me o-of, okay...Maybe after she finishes getting that knot out of my mane…And after her hoof stops massaging my wing base fluff. But Kapera is excellent had intimidation skills.

“Well,” Wekasi started, ears splayed slightly. “I guess I should thank you for clearing a couple hours from my schedule?” A tentative smile as we both looked at the retreating flank.

“Don’t mention it.” Waving a hoof at the golden rodent, “Kapera is a very effective motivator and smith. Seriously if you want high quality enchantments she is the being to see.” Was I shamelessly plugging her? Yes, yes I was.

He just laughed at that, “Of course, of course.” Seriousness returned, “But I really must say thank you again Ari, we are…Not as well equipped as we would like to be and are grateful for your ‘deal’. We will be having a celebratory feast tonight, please stay for it, I think you will like it.”

“Sure, where can we stay tonight?”

“In one of the guest rooms here,” They had rooms here? I assumed those were all offices. “They haven’t been used in a while but I’m sure it won’t take long to get them ready. Go and mingle, I will send Rufaro to fetch you and your group when they are ready.”

With that we rose and shook hooves one more time, a win-win deal struck, and a future hopefully secured for my herd.

Until he spoke, “Bahati njema,” I turned my muzzle in time to see his eyes locked to my back. One was opening from a clear wink. That smile did not bode well for my ‘ignore mare’ plan.