Author's Notes:

This was supposed to be part of a double chapter...But editing is still underway on the second half so we are back to one chapter at a time.

Hopefully by tomorrow I will be finished editing the other chapter.

Happy reading

****

Shallow Shale

Ari

A chill went up my back, despite the warm rays bathing me from the windows, and the sensation spread my feathers up and out. As they became a puffed up mess, i felt that odd gut feeling, like something was watching me. Releasing my breath, I swiveled my ears and tried to subtly glance around using my peripheral vision. Chrissy’s eyes were on my my wings as the mass of feathers rose and twitched, but it wasn’t her that I felt, the feeling came from behind me. Turning my head i saw nothing but clouds outside the windows.

Maybe it was the fact that anybeing that could fly could just peek in and see me? A fact that even thinking about unnerved me. I wasn't supposed to be on this world, it was all god's choice, and quite frankly after all this. When the world is saved I'm disappearing with my new family, Zebrica will stay my home.

I exhaled and looked around the room.

Lyric and Chrissy appeared unaffected by the what I felt. Really, everybeing didn’t seem on edge. Echo was just lost in thought, his muzzle stuck in a frown after he had just essentially agreed to be an accomplice in the possible ponynapping of Equestria’s rulers.

Chrissy gave me a small smile, her ears splayed and head cocked. Looking unsure as her smile wavered, she had yet to find the right words to dispel my instincts. She was aware of the paranoia I felt. But, until I solved the mystery of the ‘helpful’ intruder I was sure to feel like I was on the edge of a cliff. A intruder that helped was just so unlikely and nonsensical, especially when the last stalkers I had included a spy and assassin. So every time a shadow flitted past the window or the responsible birds landed with their subtle tip-taps on the roof I felt ready to go barreling into a fight. It was very strange to be aware of the craziness of my reaction yet be unable to stop it.

Another shadow moved across the table.

“It’s just the birds,” Lyric soothed again as I sucked in a breath, keeping her voice calm as my feathers slowly lay flat again. I was forcing them at that point.

Right, of course it was just birds…And when Lyric followed me in the desert it was ‘just my imagination’, that feeling of somebeing watching me before in Shallow Shale wasn’t my assassin, and the princesses didn’t send a spy after me…

I was having a hard time using logic on my instincts right now when every being wanted a piece of me, at least it seemed that way.

Tip-tap…

Beside me Chrissy started rubbing her muzzle along my neck, in a slow, drawn out fashion as she produced a light purr. My mare took care to avoid the few lashes that were at the base of my neck, instead nibbling at my mane, and it was sort of working. Her minstartions kept me from pacing the boat anyway.

As smooth chitin moved along my side it pulled at my scabs, and I wanted to facehoof.

I really should do something about my wounds before I saw the princesses. Walking in with half a tail, cracked hooves, and covered in scabbed over cuts wouldn’t be…It just didn’t seem like the best first impression.

Be calm, you are so close to seeing the princesses, keep yourself in control.

Exhaling slowly, I clenched my jaw as more noises that screamed ‘intruder’ came from the tin roof. The sweet smell of hay entered my nose as more birds danced, completely unrepentant to the havoc they were throwing on my instincts. I kept telling myself that their presence was to be expected. This was a harbor. But that didn’t really help my reactions.

Okay, distract yourself; there is plenty to think about.

Some topics I had already thought through, such as the trustworthiness of Moonlit Echo. He appeared honest, Chrissy even confirmed it with her uncanny ability to read ponies, and logically I could see his reasoning too. I mean, he goes from ‘the princesses are perfect, everything is great’ to this reality. If he didn’t resist the change, the sheer craziness of such a one eighty, then I would worry for his sanity and subsequent involvement in my affairs. But, I’m almost certain he really understands the precarious position the world is in now…Having said that, it didn’t mean I wasn’t going to get a second opinion and come up with a backup plan if he rebelled part way through the plan, his words only went so far.

Or I could work out the plan more, a plan that was still very rough around the edges if I’m being honest. But I wasn’t used to planning for ponynapping or anything in that field and mystery novels only went so far.

Maybe I should talk to Kapera and see her thoughts on it?

Giggles brought me to the scene in front of me.

Now the cousins were trying to subtly push the each other off the same pillow, wither to wither they were locked in place. Their brown and green eyes narrowed in a deadlock of will and determination as they tried to succeed in dethroning their opponent. Ignoring the fact that this table could seat twenty beings easily it was adorable.

Ayomide’s lips turned up, ever so slowly as they snorted at each other. The apple she had been eating browned in the humid air.

That smile alone was a reason to pause from my endless consumption and nearly equally endless trains of thoughts. My muzzle stretched into a smile as I watched their antics, Ayomide giggled slightly as Ayodele shifted under the strain, giving some cushion up to her cousin. It was a small smile that didn’t even show any teeth, but I think it was the first one I had seen her crack the whole time I had met her. The joy in the smile practically made her glow and it made her missing mane an insignificant afterthought.

Warmth spread through my heart. To see my new friends reunited with their family and finally happy made me feel like I was actually doing something worhwhile. Not just that, it was the calm seas I spotted outside the window, languidly rocking the resting vessels along the many piers. Even the many beings that jeered and laughed jovially at each other as they ended another work day, that was normal and what I wanted for everybeing.

The instincts stayed down, so I continued with the happy thoughts.

My herd was well; Chrissy appeared content with her eyes half closed as she leaned against my barrel, and Lyric happily rubbing her full stomach.

It was all-.

Tip-tap, that sound repeated and sent my feeling of happiness off kilter again.

Slowly I exhaled and looked to the clock. Come on Kapera, hurry up! I tried to block out the rapid pitter-patter of movement, focusing instead on the large hand as it edged closer to the top of the clock face. The small hand was so close to covering the six’s symbol, and all along the harbor beings were all going home to dinner.

That meant Kapera would be stopping by, she would certainly distract me.

I was now thankful that the gruff smith was so insistent on having dinner with us. Really, she was, even when I pointed out that she could probably get us out of her fur faster if she didn’t stay on the ship. That, if she instead spent that travel time making the inhibitors she wouldn't have to deal with my stupidity, the rodent had just repeated the time she would return.

I like to think it was because we grew on her…Or it could be she noticed how twitchy I got after we didn’t find anybeing onboard, it was probably the latter.

But, both my stomach and the clock agreed on the need for more food. And I, being now blessed with magic and currently stuck between two very cozy mares choose the new easier route to grab dinner. Faint crackles sounded in my head as I teleported a new barrel up, this one filled with those long purple fruits, and of course I brought up a plentiful amount of hay bales. They lined the center of the table and looked to be a richer green than the last batch. Which was better, they were less bran like then.

Snaps echoed in the room as I cut the nearest binder twine, the ethereal knife disappearing as I licked my lips and prepared to dig in.

“Not much of a cook, are you?” Echo said as his looked at the bales that flanked him with a raised eyebrow.

“Truthfully, it hadn’t even crossed my mind to cook anything,” I gave him a weak chuckle as he gave me a deadpan look. It had crossed my mind. “We were on the road through mountains, the desert, swamps, and fields.” The terrain flashed through my mind, each place felt less and less hospitable, at least when compared to tropical Zebrica. “It was nice to just have food. I know I wasn’t picky about the state the food came in.” Especially when mythological beings like Hydras were just roaming about.

Both of mares giggled and nuzzled me as I started on the sweet hay, happy for the brief respite it would provide me from my hunger pangs.

"That's..." The thestral seemed at a loss as the bale of hay disappeared at a alarming rate.

I remembered then why Chrissy thought I was always hungry: magic. She had once mentioned energy became magic, and if food was energy and I was a magical powerhouse then…Well, for perspective, an Alicorn can move the sun at full power. My theory was that since I had no magic before it meant I had to build up my magic. And consequently that meant I was always hungry, every moment of every day I had been here, and even now I was. Six bales felt like nothing to me. Not to mention what I noticed since I could see my aetheratic channels, it was my magical core. It always shone slightly brighter after I ate. Combined with Chrissy's information and that all but cemented my theory.

“I can see that…” Echo finally got out, trailing off again as I continued to fight the empty feeling with a second bale.

Chrissy narrowed her eyes at him, growing still beside me as Lyric snorted.

With her ears back Lyric began, “There weren’t any chefs to cook for us, or any tables to eat off of, nor were there soft beds to curl up in.” Venom crept into her voice now and I began to worry for her, this reaction sounded like it was from more than his comment on the lack of culinary skill. Just what had he said to her while I wasn’t there? “We had to do what we could and made do with what we found.” Her eyes narrowed at Echo, “If you don’t like the options here,” she gestured to the table as her smile started to widen, “Our stallion will be more than happy to eat your portion.”

He paused, looking from changeling to siren before gulping, and I almost felt bad for him. But he had to realize we weren't a castle and we were still recovering from fighting slavers.

I hope the princesses don't need to be kidnapped, unlikely I know, especially when you considered the topic. But if they are like him...

As giggles rose from my mares the colt snorted and started to track the knots and grains in the table. His ears splayed. Suddenly, he looked up at me. “I meant you do have a kitchen now, so you could make whatever you want now.”

Okay, he wasn't the worst.

Lyric’s expression softened somewhat at that. Her scales slid down my fur as she relaxed, cocking her head slightly at his frowning muzzle. Breathing deeply, I had new questions in my mind as I watched her muzzle go from frown to grimace, her eyes looking into the distance. That wall certainly did not hold any secrets. Questions like, just what had her foalhood been like? She briefly mentioned that she had learnt magic on the road, but that couldn’t have been easy. And why did they travel the roads with a foal? Was it normal a thousand years ago or was it because of the racism? Just how long had she lived like that? Better yet, how long had her family been gone? Would they be in for a culture shock too? It all crowded my mind as I watched her. As Lyric sensed my eyes she turned to me, a smile on her lips, and a dullness to her eyes.

There was so much I didn’t know.

But, before I wondered about my mare's family I had to focus on saving the world…Then I had to work out getting them back to this world.

Oh joy, so much to do still. Aren’t I lucky? Bitterness welled up for a second, wishing for to rewind and see the exact moment I had doomed myself to capturing god's attention. Sure I loved my mares but...I was very sore and tired. Do you know how it feels to be constantly hungry?

A light sensation came from my muzzle. I turned and saw Chrissy's muzzle retreating, another small smile on it. And I saw what was past her as well. Echo was staring at me now, eyes scanning my face as the bale shrunk in front of me.

I hadn't even realized I was still eating.

Stalks of hay tickled my throat as I looked back at him and waved a hoof in his general direction, which he just cocked his head at. Perhaps he didn't understand, but I had dismissed the idea of cooking long ago, about the same time I realized that the hunger never left me. Cooking would just prolong my hunger cramps. Sure, I still had the hope that I would reach a level of even partial fullness. I mean, the princesses surely didn’t live like this, they just couldn’t.

As the hay incinerated in my stomach I let out a content sigh…And then there was the hunger again.

It was several minutes after Echo returned to watching the clouds that loud bangs reverberated from the hull, one, two, and three slow thumps. And as it finished with a clap I smiled. Hallelujah, it was the signal to open up the ship. I realize it may sound paranoid to have a secret knock for a Airship. After all, who just comes up to an airship in a harbor? The harbor master maybe, but I wasn’t taking chances with this world.

Do I need to remind everybeing of the stalker, assassin, and spy? Those were just the ones I was aware of.

My instincts protested as I rose from between what both it and I agreed was both the most comforting and comfortable spot in the room. With stiff steps I made my way to the deck, and took a second to breathe in the salty sea breeze.

It stank of fish.

My hoof steps echoed slightly into the hull, the knocking stopped, and my ears swiveled. Then that tip-tapping had also returned, rapid as it repeated itself, and it sounded nearby.

With a hoof poised to be set down, I listened behind me.

Breath out.

The noise was just birds. Just feathered nuisances that shouldn’t be calling anymore since the market had shut down for dinner time. In fact, I didn’t hear any bird’s caws or sailors. Yet the tip-tapping was still retreating.

Breath in.

It was gone, the noise that most definitely wasn’t birds ended nearly as soon as it had started.

Shaking the agitated instincts from my thoughts, I made for the control room and opened the door. The light hum of gears turning filled the air for a short while, followed by the purposefully loud thumps of Kapera and the Minotaurs, and some vaguely disgusted noises. I think they were still a little annoyed that the smell still lingered on the second floor.

Closing the hull, I waited by the staircase as they finally ascended it and blinked at the sight that greeted me. Before me my dinner guests stood laden with bags, far too many to be the project, and all were bulky. Intrigued by the sight I tried not to stare at the bags.

“Well Ari, what’s with that look?” Kapera shot me a grin as she jostled her mysterious bags, producing soft thumps that drew my attention again. “Weren’t expecting any housewarming gifts?”

Kapera certainly broke my expectation of her, I would have thought she would be more worried about the boat she owed somebeing then getting us welcoming gifts. I mean, she wouldn’t owe that boat if I hadn’t…Yeah, a lot of stuff wouldn’t have happened.

Maybe I was growing on her?

Recovering from the shock, I briskly shook my head, “Nope, can’t say that I expected this.” Not even a little bit. “It is…Wow,” I tried to articulate my surprise. Gennady looked giddy with his wide smile as he held his bag and watched my head go between them all. “Really, I wouldn’t have even guessed, I mean, I didn’t guess.”

Dinari even looked happy as we made our over to the dining hall, the stoic heifer humming a upbeat tune. They had all cleaned up as well, something I still had to do. Kapera sported a red shirt, while the siblings both wore matching cream shirts. Gennady’s shirt was almost comical it was a couple sizes too big and hung loose on his muscled frame. It would have been funny had one sleeve not swung in the breeze.

We all took a seat along the table, letting a comfortable silence reign as nods were given and pillows were sufficiently fluffed. With Echo’s position on the table only getting a slight raised eyebrow from the new additions. Satisfied with what she saw with the colt, Kapera roughly shoved a bale down the table so she could place the bags in front of me.

A wide smile lit up her face as my mares looked between her and the bags.

Kapera was very, very eager to see us open them, with small rounded ears wiggling as her eyes seemed to shine. “Okay, so this may not be what you were expecting from us," the upbeat tone made me chuckle. "But…I don’t know when I will be seeing you again and I wanted to p-prepare you,” her voice cracked slightly as her paw encompassed my herd in a sweeping gesture. We just smiled at her, the surprise getting to us as she reached in the first bag, which was the bag she had carried in.

The bag itself was made of some reed or other woven stock, it was a nondescript brown and as plain as oatmeal. But it was what it contained that drew my interest, with its odd edges and bulging sides.

“A book?” I queried as a thick, plain looking tome exited the bag with her paw. The bag lost some of its odd contours but remained bulky. Kapera just nodded, not speaking as she slid it across to me, but her smile got even wider as my herd and I looked at it. The hieroglyphs seemed very plainly stylized, with no pictures other than an ‘S’ shaped swirl that was embossed under the title.

I wasn’t able to think of a more articulate response or appreciatory phrase, the old me would be very happy about receiving a book, but that me could read. It still intrigued me though, it might contain important knowledge like history or biology on Equus.

Both my mares didn’t seem to know what to say either as the clock ticked onward.

Her smile still grew wider, growing creepy as she grabbed the book and flipped through it, finally settling on a page that she turned to us. “I suggest you learn this spell sooner rather than later.” Everybeing peered at the book, eyebrows raised as their eyes traveled down the page. I looked imploringly at my mares for a translation of the page, but they were still reading it.

I flashed a brief smile at the rodent before I looked back to my herd, what spell could she have suggested? A tracking spell or maybe security based spell?

The Ayos snorted as Echo's chest shook.

Sea-green eyes were locked with Kapera’s gaze. “Really,” my marefriend finally drawled out. My brow furrowed at her tone.

“Consider it a friendly suggestion,” she replied as her smile turned down into a scowl, her nose scrunched into a flat expanse as her small ears flattened. Hearty laughter came from Dinari, while her brother had a hard, airless laugh going on.

I have the strangest feeling that that isn't a spellbook, it almost felt like I am missing the punchline to a joke. No...Was it another cultural thing? Or was the spell a prank related one?

My muzzle scrunched as they remained in a stare off.

Lyric noticed my stupefied expression and filled me in, “it’s a localized noise canceling spell…” She didn’t finish whatever she planned on saying as I exchanged eyebrow raises with the smith; I tried to will my ears back as her meaning sunk in, and I failed and flinched at the help my mind provided. Memories of sleepless nights had returned, flashbacks of disturbing times where I would have to blare my headphones to cancel out my dorm mates guests…The laundry I would find afterwards, ugh, it wasn’t why I quit college but it had certainly made it easier to go through with it.

“Point taken,” I acquiesced.

After that, the gift reveal went on smoothly. Even my instincts took a backseat to the whole affair, the noises outside seemed to stay silent as well.

From Kapera there were more books on various topics such as spell weaving and foal care, as well as a first aid kit. Strangely enough, the red and white bag also bore the Red Cross symbol, but when I asked them on the significance of the cross they just said it stood for increasing health, a literal plus sign. They didn’t know about any Geneva conventions or even any puns similar to it…Again, this world was very weird with it's selective nature of parallelism.

Speaking of odd, Dinari got us blankets, lots of blankets. Really, all four bags she had were stuffed with blankets. But my mares fussed over them with great enthusiasm, rubbing their faces over them as the heifer gave me a wink. I was confused at the looks in everyone's eyes but couldn't think of how to word the question, instead filing it away for later. They were soft so I wasn’t complaining. But I still wondered if that wink hinted at cold winters.

And it was right about then that it hit me.

There weren’t any heating systems onboard or air conditioning either. Perhaps I should have ordered some…Sorry, problems for a different time.

Lastly, Gennady got us gems. He brought us a bag full of enchantment grade gems along with the promise that if we needed one enchanted to just bring it in. Although Kapera grumbled about Gennady paying for the work on them he just hugged her.

She didn't struggle.

A happy grin was stuck on my face from such generosity, maybe it was their culture but it just made me feel a little more at home. The goodwill and thought in these gifts would be something my friends would have done, and…I had friends here now I guess.

Foals were on the way.

That grin wasn’t going to leave anytime soon.

Soon enough the cool light of the moon peered into the dining room, watching on as the happy small talk drew to a lull, and oversaw the yawns that eventually escaped the Ayo’s muzzles. Both mares had given up on moving the each other off the pillow and simply ended up sharing it.

“I think it might be bedtime for some of us.” I said, holding back an amused chuckle as the cousins opened their jaws wide again, their noses wrinkling as beads formed at the corners of their eyes.

Blinking them away, Ayodele responded, “N-nooooope,” her muzzle started to part again before she clamped it down and shook her head.

“Really,” I couldn’t help but smile as I watched their resistance; it reminded me of the twins, a bitter sweet comparison but none the less true.

Ayodele stifled another yawn while Ayomide nodded…With her eyes closed.

Exchanging a quick glance with my mares, I found their smiles echoed the amusement I felt, and I took that as a go ahead with my plan. This was just being merciful on the cousins since we still had a long journey ahead. Startled snorts came from the sleepy heads as most likely the pillow grew smaller to them, farther away from their wilting forms than they probably remembered, but their meager protests soon died as I added a slight rocking motion to my golden field that held them securely. The muted tactile sensation of the magic bringing a bittersweet smile to my face.

Just like the twins too.

Standing up, I couldn’t help by marvel at the similar effects rocking had on the equines, although I’m fairly sure ponies and zebras didn’t carry their babies around like humans did the rocking still worked like a tranquilizer on them. By the time I had walked all ten steps to the bedroom door they had given a final content yawn and adjusted themselves midair.

Not bothering with the light, I walked into the room and deposited them barrel to barrel on their sheets. Their innocent murmurs and twitching hooves easily concealing the rebel slave and trained assassin that lay beneath, instead I saw two slightly small mares that lazily shuffled as the light washed over their bed from the dinning room.

They looked at peace.

My decision to let Ayomide live still felt right, especially now that she was happier…I didn’t see the same look that I saw in that cat’s eye. A look that was hard to describe, but it was the type that you got from Ted Bundy type characters, promising that the niceness was only surface deep. He relished in giving me pain, a mad happiness there.

Echo didn’t have that look either.

I returned to the dining room, carefully closing the door behind me as I noticed the near absence of hay bales on the table. That was…Eleven hay bales today, and I still felt the sensation of my stomach flexing, searching for a morsel it may have overlooked.

The Thestral gave a yawn now, bringing me back to how late it was getting. If I wanted to leave tomorrow I had better ask Kapera for more restraints tonight.

Getting comfortable between my mares, I glanced at his tied hocks and restrained leathery appenadages. My ears splayed a little as I looked over his unkempt state. His ropes were tight and his fur showed the days he had been stuck like this. A dark spot peeked through the ropes.

That had to chaff.

He was going to help me, our cause, and I still had him tied up.

But the slowly blinking eyes and yawning muzzle covered up a trained guard. Despite what the god must have seen in me I still didn’t exactly qualify to take on guards. I wasn’t trained in any fighting techniques. My experience was limited to just bar fights, the fights I had in this world and my instincts. The last two were nearly the same thing until recently. I wasn’t completely confident that my meager experience would be enough. Well, it probably would be since I had magic and had killed far more than I would like to admit. But, with Chrissy not even using her magic and both of them recovering from the fight I wasn’t willing to take that bet. Even under the matted fur I saw his muscles ripple, they strained against the ropes as he tried to make the table comfortable.

And Kapera was already volunteering to do so much…She had already done so much for me. My wing wrapped around Chrissy then, my tail moving on its own as I gazed at the smith as she chatted with her workers.

Gennady had lost an arm, those don’t grow back.

But I needed all the help I could get.

I didn’t know quite how to start this request or even what would work to ensure his captivity. Thestrals could obviously fly, but they had no horn to perform spells, and possessed fangs…The presence of such canines suggesting a reason for them. Chrissy’s were defensive, Lyric’s were hereditary I assumed, and Kapera’s were practical as she had eaten fish last time we had dinner…But he ate the fruit without complaint and no being seemed concerned about his sharp canines, so maybe they were a trait that served no purpose anymore? I really didn’t know and those basic facts didn’t help me. It still boiled down to the fact that I knew next to nothing about Thestrals.

In my peripheral vision I saw Echo’s eyes find my face, almost as if he knew I was thinking about him again.

Releasing a sigh, I threw caution to the wind. “Please let it be known that I appreciate all that you are doing and have done for us,” I gestured a forehoof at the presents peeking out of their bags. Although one of the blankets may be taken soon if Chrissy’s attentive eye on it meant anything.

The smith’s smile stayed sincere as she turned from her workers.

Kapera merely waved a paw at the presents, “You are saving the world Ari, don’t read too much into my help.” She paused then, “But I still want to meet the foals,” Yellow eyes moved slightly to the slim forms of my mares. I didn’t know what she expected to see, they were only three and four weeks along after all.

“Of course, somebeing needs to deliver the foal’s magic inhibitors.” Chrissy said, fluttering her wing slightly under mine.

Lyric nodded, “And it couldn’t hurt to have a back up foalsitter,” we all blinked as she continued on, “Especially one as fierce as yourself.” Kapera laughed as she slapped the table and nodded to us, apparently not at all fazed at being assigned as our foalsitter. “My family will eventually want a break from foalsitting after all.”

That final statement seemed to hang over us for a moment as the clock seemed especially loud, by then we were all aware of their absence.

Echo squirmed in place and stared at Lyric, his eyes going wide for a second before he released a breath.

A disgruntled squawk came somewhere down the pier. We all paused, ears twitched, and our breaths were held. Only the soft breathes sounded from the bedroom. But we all waited a second longer.

No more noises sounded off, but I would be doing an evening check over the ship, just in case.

Giving Lyric a small nuzzle I shifted on our cushion, feeling my feathers return to their places as I turned my focus to the present. “What I was getting at before was that I need to ask for some more help,” I let my eyes pointedly look to the prisoner shifting on my table before moving back to the smith. Her lips formed a flat line but she rolled her paw for me to continue. “You see, Echo here has seen the light and wants to help us, truly now.” I let a nervous chuckle escape me, “He came to realize that gods don’t just toss beings around for giggles and that he if the world ends he becomes obsolete.” Sighing, I let it out; I knew it was pointless to keep my thoughts from him. “But as much as I want to untie him I need a backup plan in case he decides I’m crazy or that my treatment of his rulers is too extreme.”

Golden eyes watched me, one pair turned into a calculating look, while the other started off surprised before they narrowed.

“You don’t trust me still?” The narrowed eyes watched me, following everything from my twitching tail to my splayed ears.

Shaking my head at him I tried to keep my smile on as I felt guilt well up. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust his words, but seeing it in action was different. Moonbutt would probably feel betrayed; his rulers would try anything to get his help. I know I would. “I just can’t stand the thought of risking my new family and the fate of the world. You honestly sound like you can relate to that at least, surely you want the best for your country, and of course your family.”

With a slow exhaled sigh he nodded, hesitating for a second before he responded, “I understand.”

“Okay.” Heads turned back to the master smith as she observed the Thestral. Scratching her chin, she muttered something to herself, golden eyes traveled up and down his body as he lay as rigid as he could under them. “Untie the colt for me, I want to measure something.”

The Thestral's eyes practically bugged out of his head as I lifted him into the air, his mouth trying to produce words that failed to make sense. The rope slowly uncoiled itself, starting around his wings before it connected to the bundle of rope binding his legs. All the while he looked shocked, almost afraid that he was dreaming this, and his tufted ears were frozen in a splayed position. We all watched as the rope formed a pile on the table.

Almost there, just a little bit more.

My magic brought the thick rope around again and again, only this time something reflected dully in the glow from the gem lighting the room. With the rope holding it captive gone the nail floated freely in my golden field, and it also revealed the intent of my prisoner.

He was good, very good. I had to give him that.

My mares snorted as they tensed beside me, both probably looking as intense as the rodent across from me.

Changing the course of the rope, I made it slither around the colt’s neck, coiling around the unkempt fur till his eyes were pleasantly bugged out again.

Our eyes locked and the room shrank down to him.

“So, I would say you had better get talking before I forget why I trusted you, because this-,” I levitated the nail in front of his line of sight, “-Doesn’t remind me why. In fact it makes my herd look foalish for even believing you.” I really had believed his words, they made sense, and Chrissy had sensed truth in them…But, maybe he was a really good liar. That would make sense. Guards had to remain in control under pressure right?

Perhaps I was going too far threatening him after he had agreed to help us, but I was holding myself back considering I wanted to bite and stomp him. He had fooled us. A nail had been at the ready to bail him out when the opportunity arose. Why? Many reasons jumped out at me but it all boiled down to the fact that he had a way to escape, he had a plan.

What else had he been planning?

An audible gulp came from him. “I tucked that away before I met you…You have to understand what I walked in on,” He shuddered. But I didn’t let that affect me, he wanted my sympathy, and my mare’s had mentioned his bad timing. “How I suspected…What I thought I was going to meet, to not look for a way to escape would have been naïve.” He took a deep breath; the phantom feeling of his fur on my magic ruffled my feathers. "But…Then you, all of you showed me a new world,” more like a worse world. His wide draconic eyes scanned the room, “And I started to find inconsistencies in my knowledge.” So we proved you wrong, that isn’t hard to do considering where you lived.

Snorts traveled around the room and small sleepy neighs escaped the closed door.

The clock ticked away, the hand steadily creeping closer to nine.

“But you didn’t toss it, the nail was there the whole time, and I’m willing to bet that if Dinari hadn’t kept hold of you we wouldn’t be talking now.”

My other wing wrapped around Lyric as visions of my mares being surrounded by copies of the Thestral flooded my mind. It didn’t take a genius to deduce what he would do if he escaped.

Echo’s eyes dropped, “Yes, I planned to run and get help.” My heart raced as I snorted at him. He simply sighed and deflated under our gazes as he looked up. “But I didn’t know if your deal was real, what you would really do, and I can’t, couldn’t just betray the ponies responsible for the integration of my species into equestrian life.” His eyes looked at me, big and desperate for my sympathy.

But my mind halted there, the anger derailed at his words, and curiosity took front seat. That was an interesting statement…Wait, the pieces clicked into place a little. He was a species from Equestria, but Chrissy had mentioned the three tribes, not four. Earth ponies, Pegasus, and Unicorns…

Where had the Thestrals come from then?

The nail could wait.

His ears perked up as he found something in my expression, slitted eyes growing brighter under the moon’s light as I cocked my head. “What do you mean by that exactly?”

“I mean that if it weren’t for Princess Luna my ancestors would have remained traveling nomads, going from cave to cave for shelter and scavenging orchards-.”

“Hold up,” he stopped, jaw hanging open as I pressed onward. “So when did Luna do this? I am trying to piece this whole thing together still.” As he closed his eyes and thought of the answer I threw pointed looks to my mares, especially Chrissy, and both nodded after a second.

Kapera started, “Well, I could tell you that-.”

But Echo seemed to have gathered his thoughts and blurted out, “Over a thousand years ago!” The smith scowled but I ignored her grumbles, this seemed important. Why would rulers that were clearly racist suddenly include a new race to their country? “Long, long ago King Arcturus and Queen Carinae died. With their death their daughters were placed in charge of the country, and by default the sun and moon.” He shuffled a little in place, “It caused uproars across the continent-.”

“Tonight bat,” the smith snarled out.

With a snort at her he turned back to me, watching as I removed the remaining rope from his legs, and opted for it to encircle his entire neck.

I trusted her a hell lot more than him.

“R-right, cre…O-other beings became uneasy and change was in the air. Princess Luna took over the moon and night sky. But most ponies slept through the night and she felt unhappy with ponies sleeping through her gift to them. But, Thestrals are nocturnal and when she met Chief Shadow Moon she was overjoyed. Treaties among the clans were drawn at first, but soon those were turned into integration policies, and soon after that all the Thestral clans were officially made Equestrian citizens.” A happy smile lingered on his face before he pressed on, chest expanding as he looked at me, “And the princess even replaced her entire Lunar guard with warriors from the clans, one from each clan originally. We were better suited to the night than the unicorn and pegasi were.”

He watched me as I looked to Chrissy, she nodded, and then I turned to Lyric. She also confirmed his story with a terse nod.

“So your princess gave your species a home in the world, a special job,” and apparently that gives you permission to be racist. “But as generous as that is that still doesn’t excuse her, no, their continuing racism to other species. In fact, I don’t see how that is supposed to make me trust you more; you have a deep seated loyalty to those princesses and you hid a nail for a possible escape.” I watched his face closely, “What is to stop you from scrounging up another nail or worse?”

The rope held his attention for a second, “Nothing really…But my oath says I’m supposed to protect ponies and I can’t if they all die.” He looked at me, muscles tightening under my magic, “Besides, I was sent to watch you and make sure you were all right…Princess Luna…She was afraid that something bad was going to happen to you.”

Is she a prophet too or was she working with the pirates? No, that was silly I had encountered them by accident…Maybe? That could explain how the princesses don’t do anything about slavery, or any of this world’s problems. But that doesn’t quite add up, he believes her too intensely. Something about this whole puzzle is off. How would they maintain a facade so well publicly? They surely can't be idiots...

He appeared sincere...And I could always catch him.

My mares looked as conflicted as I felt.

“Here Kapera, measure away,” I shrugged, releasing the rope as I looked inward. Nodding to myself as I followed the flow of magic. Yellow and bright, the crackling energy was immense, and more than enough to handle him. I also had a couple spell books that could hold a solution. A barrier spell surely existed or maybe a spell that would stick him to the floor till I released it?

He seemed to believe his oath and his princess's orders.

The smith gave me a long look as I lowered him onto the table, watching as he wobbled in place before she shrugged. Grabbing the rope quickly, her paws proceeded to measure the distance between his hocks and hocks to his neck using the rope, marking places on the rope with her claws as her eyes focused on the task.

As Kapera finished up she gave me another long look, “Are you sure about this Ari?”

It felt like every being in the room watched me then, ears forward as my internal thoughts warred against each other. It was a risk. My mares leaned into me. But Gennady’s recommendation of his sister and this smith’s apprentice had proved to be amazing, not to mention Kapera's previous work had been horribly effective. That backwave of energy had wiped me out.

She was beyond what I expected.

“Yes Kapera, I am sure.” A short nod escaped the master smith as she made for the bedroom, running her digits along the rope as she went. “Kapera,” the smith paused as did her workers, “In the morning can I talk the plan through with you? I would really appreciate the advice of a seasoned warrior.” The corner of her mouth twitched. “Is that a yes?”

Her head bobbed, “Yah, I suppose I have will have five minutes to spare.” She started to open the door, “Oh and I should have the inhibitors and shackles done by lunch time tomorrow.”

That proved to be her final word on the matter as the smiths and Gennady retired to the room, powering on the light to the disgruntled murmurs of the zebras. The Minotaurs gave us quick goodnights as yawns tried to escape them, and seven became four.

Yes, they left the wobbling colt on the table top for me to deal with.

He was trying to steady himself as we watched him now. He was snorting and muttering about Tartarus as his fore legs finally gave out, Echo got a really close view of the table then.

Levitating him to the ground I shared a look with my mares, both of which had splayed ears as they looked at his weak shaking.

“So I guess not using your legs is catching up?” He snorted once again as I grabbed the bags in my magic and let him go. “Ouch,” I stood over him as he kissed the floor. My mares stuck to my barrel. “You know it’s getting late and we have a lot to do tomorrow, how about we take a walk?” I know what I said.

He looked at me incredulously as my mares did the same.

“A walk,” Chrissy questioned, looking at me closely, and failing to find something she frowned.

“Exactly, he needs to regain feeling in his legs and I won’t be able to fall asleep till I have searched the ship again.” No being responded as murmurs trickled out from the bedroom. “I don’t think it was just birds making noise,” I began to walk to the door. “In fact, this world has practically proven that these feelings of being watched are usually true.” My mares caught up, Chrissy chewed her lip while Lyric had her ears back and eyes glued to the floor. But Moonlit Echo was still wobbling slowly forward, far behind us.

“Hey!”

Ignoring him I continued levitating him along with the bags, “Right so this takes care of two things at once, maybe even three if I catch somebeing.” With barely any thought I touched a hoof to the jewel on the wall; if I didn’t think about the jewel then it was just like a light switch back home.

The moonlight highlighted the worry in Chrissy’s face, her ears splayed and eyes wide. “But what if it’s Diamond dogs? Or what if they have knock-out gas?”

“I can teleport things now.”

Her mouth opened again and I darted in for a kiss pushing my love for her in it, “Chrissy, I promise you I will just search the ship. I won’t leave it unless this colt decides to make a break for it, and even then everybeing will be in such a shock seeing me I will have plenty of time to get away if they attack.”

With a shaky nod she pressed into me, her wing buzzing faintly still.

Looking at Lyric I saw a similar sight, her ears splayed and eyes wide. My last walk was probably fresh in their minds, it didn’t help that this was the same town it had happened in.

“So when we have cleared the ship, I will tuck him in with Dinari and head straight back to you.” I nuzzled both briefly as I opened our bedroom door. “Then we finally test out our bed, or cuddle, or sleep. We will do whatever you two want to do.” I placed the bags beside the nightstand and looked back and forth between my mares. “Okay?”

Hesitantly Chrissy nodded and Lyric quietly asked, “You will come back?” I winced as her father's trip came back to me, there was no way I would do that to her.

“Definitely,” I exclaimed before exchanging a final nuzzle good bye, taking Echo with me to the control room.

I was on my own ship after all, in a nearly empty harbor, and I’m sure the other darkened boats were harmless. They were just fishing vessels after all.