The Chase for the Envoy
Chapter 1: A Mission for the Taking
The sound of crickets was the only thing to be heard for places this far and wide. The unsheathed blade, thirsting for blood to coat its sharp edges. The smoking end of a rifled barrel, the remains of the burning ignition of gun powder still freshly for everyone unfortunate enough to notice.
Again, the cricket’s and the noise they make was the only thing punctuating the sounds of silence, anything else was the clashing of two mortal forms of combat, each evolving to one-up any adversaries they face. Be it through the different forms and skills needed in warfare, both with them changing it and vice-versa.
Yet the battle that was faced was not of business or personal reason, no, it was to decide the fate of an adversary, they were enemies till the bitter end, friends in the few moments they might agree upon, yet combat would seem to both changed and remain the same throughout their time.
Another crack is heard, the eternal silence of the night sky is broken, a cry for help is followed suit, clearly showing the agony of someone in pain, yet no one came to their response, then silence once more.
The crack that was once heard before repeated itself once more, again, and again, defining the surrounding wildlife and everything in-between as far as the eye could see.
Then and only then, as all the noise subsided from the terrifying bangs, did the noise of the crickets resumed, and the birds and wildlife that had fled as fast as they could once they heard the thunderous cracks returned to their nest and homes.
*thump*
Down went the sound, the crack of dawn nearing its stage, and now what lay dead, what was once a proud warrior of the Lunar guard, protecting what he believed to be the truth in his line of duty, resistance was what this pony of loyalty wanted to show, be it to anyone who dared cross his line of duty, but futile was this course of action for those that would come upon and dare challenge the new foe that had arrived in Equis, one that was had their mindset to delivering his message to an old friend in this strange new world.
As the morning sun starts to shine, Shining Armor had settled on a nice jog around the castle courtyard, he had recently been promoted by the princesses themselves to serve in the Royal Guard. Earning himself a position as a first lieutenant within their ranks, he even somehow managed to be assigned to training a young pegasus for the brother of one of his colleagues as a joke bonus, this young aspiring pegasus went by the name, “Flash Sentry”, and as far as he was concerned, the young rookie was one of the most impressive stallions that Shining has met so far. (Don’t take it out of context.)
The past few weeks haven’t been too kind for him, or anyone else for that matter in Equestria, ever since the disappearance and initial chaos that had happened after the disappearance of the famed unicorn, “Star Swirl, The Bearded”. There was plenty of civil unrest and outrage from the citizens of Equestria, with a lackluster explanation for his disappearance, the Solar and Lunar Guards had to manage these civil businesses, while the rest of Equestria’s ground and air forces had to stay on patrol at the eastern borders in case another nation took advantage of all the chaos, unfortunately, the officials of several different nations to the Eastern and some parts of the South-Western borders of Equestria had requested that their navies (Equestria included) be combined for a search and rescue operation and further “investigation” on some of the largest bodies of water, rumor has it that they were on a hunt for some of the famed ‘ghost ships’ that had terrorized the seas for so long, with the way of selection for which ships to do the job, Shining could see the possibilities of such things, especially since Equestria was sending its best Admiral and ship for the search.
Surprisingly enough, Shining actually knew the stallion in charge of that little trip, “High seas” was his name, and he and Shiny were good pals, although he rose through the ranks far faster than Shiny, thanks to his families linage with the navy and the sea in general, the two bonded like two brothers, despite working on different branches of their nations armed forces, they grew to respect one another and the things that they did.
Soon after some time, Shining slowed his pace into a canter, all the while he was still thinking about his old friend and what high command has in-store for him for the week, after all, someone has to do what most would call the “dirty work.”
Now headed to the direction back to the barracks where he would usually get his new orders from after a reasonable amount of time, quite literally running around the fields, he got interrupted by a figure just at the corner of his eyes.
“Hold it there!” said the voice.
It was one of Shining’s superior officers, and it looked as though he had just been through a lengthy discussion about something. Although in response to his officer’s call, Shining immediately sprinted in front of his superiors and stood in attention to await whatever task he might be given.
“At ease, lieutenant,” – with the officer himself giving proper posture before continuing- “today, I was asked by her royal highnesses to inform you that you have been summoned by them, and that, you should attend a special hearing this afternoon to discuss ‘urgent matters’,”
“How so?” Shining asked,
After all, he was, by definition, still a fairly low ranking officer, and although his family would have some connections to the royals themselves, it was not enough to warrant any reasonable attention from high officials, much less a hearing from her highnesses.
“Wait… her highnesses?” Shining asked, suddenly realizing who had he had been called by.
“Yes, the Royal Sisters themselves requested a hearing for you this afternoon, although I haven’t yet been informed of the details, I heard that it would be something serious,”
“I see, well… thank you for going out of your way and informing me about this captain,”
“It’s nothing, don’t take it personally you young stud, besides, you still got plenty of work to do in the barracks before noon, talk you later Shining, still have errands to do,”
And with that, Shining’s conversation with his superior was cut short that easily, although as his superior had said, he did still have plenty of work to do, both around castle grounds and his barracks.
So, with renewed confidence, he proceeded with his day as per usual, doing various tasks, like the stallion that he is, experiencing several run-ins with his fellow officers and others as well. Although their conversation was less that particular in most ways.
Soon, the time came for him to make his way to the castle courtroom for his meeting with the princesses, what it would be about, he'll find out soon enough. Along the way to the castle court, he somehow managed to meet up with one of his subordinates, Flash Sentry, who, for some reason, accompanied him throughout the rest of the journey to the castle.
Once they arrived at the castle gates, they were immediately escorted by several Lunar and Solar Guards, contrary to the Royal Guards, who would usually be the first ponies that they would meet and had initially expected.
Walking through and around the castle gardens and castle proper was no fun, especially for a lieutenant and private who were being escorted by some of Equestria’s finest, although one has to admit like, like any other being, that the scenery of a garden is a really fine one.
Once they arrived at the huge court entrance of the castle courtroom, Flash started to have a nervous breakdown and started asking questions he had previously kept to himself.
The young stallion was about to ask when he was cut short by the princesses themselves,
“I know it is… unorthodox, for me, as the ruler of Equestria to ask for a sudden hearing from you two, much less inform you of the subject at hand, but I think it’s best if what we are to talk about will remain in close doors for the most part,” standing up from her thrones, Celestia gave their escorts a short nod, and they left without much complaint.
“I think it’s best if we speak of such matters in a much more… secluded place, sister,” Luna interjected, with herself standing upright and following her older sister.
With all of them ready to go, Flash had to ask one question before he would have to be sent off to who knows where to listen to what could be his most important event in life, ever,
“W-what are we in trouble for?” he asked, thinking of all the possibilities of which he might be punished, or maybe the jobs for redemption he might take, should he ever need to do so.
Oh, there’s no need to worry about such matter, my little pony, after all, I believe it would be an easy job for the both of you, despite what others might say,”
And with that small reassurance, and his mind begging for him to finish this as quickly as possible, Flash Sentry fell silent, awaiting the next course of action.
Although he hasn’t spoken yet, Shining knew when the right time for when to ask questions was, and when the Royal Sisters engulfed them in a flash of light, all four of them were teleported to the mountain top from which Canterlot hung.
It was… a great view, from which all of Equestria and some foreign nations could be seen, the Celestial Sea could be seen to the East, to the West, what is commonly referred to by most Equestrians as the Western Plains from which the railway goes through, which connects all of Equestria, the Northern Alps which hid the Crystal Empire, and the Barren South, filled with mostly deserts and sand, all of which was connected via the large rail network that Equestria had built and centered itself around for more than what most could remember.
“What is the matter about, your highnesses?” he finally asked, “after all, although I am of lower rank than most of those who are most likely qualified, I do believe you have your reason, so I simply wish to be inquired to what it might be about?”
Celestia turned her head to answer the question she was asked, while her sister continued to look out far and wide to the mountain scenery before them.
“Please Lieutenant, you may drop the formalities, along with you Private Sentry,”-both of the stallions were about to object, but the princess raised a hoof and so, they remained silent-“as you may know, recent events haven’t been all too kind for us all, much less me and my sister,”
“You could say that again,”
“And although I would REALLY rather have someone else do this job, you two were the only ones that were suggested by the High Court, for let us just say, reasons.”
“High Court??”
“Yes Shining Armor, we consulted the High Court before we did any-”
“You mean to tell me that THE High Court asked for us!?” Shining Armor exclaimed, “The same one that sent High Seas away to solve a problem that’s not our own? The very same court that NEARLY got half of our armed forces killed? And the same one that NEARLY caused a WAR your highness, A. WAR. All because-“
“SHINING ARMOR, I know this is a very sore subject to you, but please try and coope-”
“Cooperate? Cooperate with THEM!? Your Highness I completely understand why you have some leeway and faith in them and their reasoning, but I refuse to do any work for them, let alone a job that they had lent a hoof in the making.”
“Um… sorry to interrupt, but what was this supposed to be about?” Flash Sentry finally asked again, although he hadn’t spoken about it, he did know about the High Court of Equestria, and how the different courts within that court body definitely had some fish lying around their tracks.
Gaining a stray eye from the two bright ass ponies, the lunar princesses would be the ones to answer his question,
“Murder,” the princess spoke softly, a hint of sorrow and disdain in her voice,
“What I meant to say was that one of My Lunar Guards has been missing, and as of recent, the stallion in question hasn’t been found or seen for over 4 days straight, although my guards had certain protocols to answer too, this one was one of my best and I personally sent him to do something for me and sister somewhere at Hayseed Swamps, although I do believe we won’t have to go in detail, yes?”
“Of course, that won’t be a problem your highness,” Shining Armor responded, “although I believe, by your implications and the short discussion I had with the Solar Princesses, Flash, myself included, would be commencing something more than a ‘search and rescue operation, correct?”
“That would be corre-”
“And what is in it for me and Flash?” Shining raised a brow, “after all, you are asking us to clearly asking us to retrieve something, at one of Equestria’s most hostile environments, that won’t guarantee that we come back with enough blood to live another decade, not to mention that I and Flash would be most likely be given a near-impossible task with how the courts are at this time.”
“That would be the best part of it all,” Celestia said, “They suggested that we ‘negotiate’ an offer with the both of you,”
“And what would be the offer that they, including the both of you, your highnesses, that would warrant me and Shining to accept such offers?” Flash asked,
“As my dear sister said,” Luna followed suit, “name whatever you so wish, so long as it is within the power that the Diarchy could grant and does not conflict with any existing law or rights, we shall allow it”
Eyes widen at the new revelation and confirmation, a decision is being decided by its participants, a smirk of test and all-knowingness is shared, the next words will decide the true extent of this unraveled operation, and by extension, the knowledge they could potentially seek.
Far off in the distance, somewhere in Hayseed Swamps, the envoy has allowed the final part of his message to be sent off, a letter to be sent by a Phoenix, and an unmanned rowboat with a box within it, the former of which would fly to Mt. Aris and drop its delivery for this world to try and discover, the latter would be carried by the currents to the direction of one of the three major coastal City-States of Equestria, within the box of this boat is a request, addressing to two ponies in particular,
“an: General des Heeres, glänzende Rüstung, und Admiral der Flotte, hohe See”
Their contents, only for these two to understand and unlock, after all, magic really is a complicated subject to try and understand, even for those who claim to wield it to its full potential.
As the envoy watched as the final pieces of his delivery is set in motion, he ran, he ran North-west to the place where his had met the unlucky foe, he knew it was only a matter of time before a search was to be commenced, and he knew that the creatures of this land would find the need for an answer, and he was the answer, only that, he answered to an entirely different kind of question, to divert attention, and to keep the secrets he was entrusted with to his grave until this world is ready for the knowledge one might find interesting seek.
“en enfer et retour, jusqu'à ce que la mort elle-même apporte la dette, les dés continueront à s'empiler, Jusqu'à ce que nous puissions remplir vos paris ou regretter”
The train ride to Baltimare was not a pleasant one for Shining Armor and Flash Sentry, filled with doubt in mind and a heavy guilt-filled heart,
“So, this is it,” an audible sight is heard in the private cabin of the train, “We really are going through with this mission of ours, huh,”
“Don’t be a bummer now, you still got me and some other way to the swamps, after all, we would just need to retrieve something for the princesses, a letter of some sorts,”
“Shining Armor, you and I know very well that not how politics work, let alone this simple to understand,”
The train was a fairly short one, consisting of only 2 coaches, and going directly to Baltimare, where after they reach their destination, after which they would begin their gruesome and Tedious journey for Hayseed Swamps, where their “search and rescue” mission was assigned for them, Shining Armor and Flash Sentry were the only ones informed about the mission, apart from a select few important ponies and family members, and although the details were very broad, they were informed of details that were deemed necessary for the completion of the mission.
“You think we'll get out of this alive?” Flash asked, “I mean, don’t get me wrong Shining Armor, but I really think that there is something is something deeper than what they said,”
“As I’ve been told, you are the soon to be new first lieutenant, correct?” -a shared wink is made between the two stallions- “between what their making us do and our current situation, I'd say we would have a great chance of coming back alive, while also making it worthwhile,”
“I’ll hold your word for it, soon to be colonel,” sharing a smirk with his superior officer, the train ride was silent until they arrived at Baltimare, preparations were made before and during their trip, but when they enter the forest deep, there’s no turning back empty hoof.
Although the mission they were assigned was a simple one as the name might suggest, when the fact is taken into account and that the mission took place in one of Equestrias most hostile environments, the diarchy had to make some new arrangements and adjustments to the nature of the mission and its proposed compensation. What the two stallions did not expect, however, was the willingness and extent that the High Court would go in agreement with the diarchy, which is to say, was very unexpected, because the ‘compensations’ requested was more than excessive, as some might put it. The challenge is on, the envoy is prepared, the chase for what is to become is on, the seemingly quiet trees will be what separates them from success or maybe even death's door.
The night filled up Equestria’s sky once more, it would always come down to the sun or moonrise, they took turns and every pony in Equestria has grown accustomed to it, today was different, because beyond the Baltimare skylines, on top of the rooftop of Baltimare's highest skyscraper, there sat the envoy, looking through the scope of his rifle, a special one, unlike most contemporaries, this one allowed him to use the scope at a greater magnification most of the contemporary telescope, having more than 25x magnification, he scouted not the coast of Baltimare, but the night sky. At any given moment now a signal would be given, a light brighter than any in the night sky, a signal of defiance and a signal for a new beginning, a beginning for mystery and influence beyond the graves of the fallen. On the far horizon of the stillest and the empty night sky, a full moon could be clearly seen, being one of the few reliable sources of light, of course its beauty would stand out, then, those looking at the far horizon will notice a faint light, the signal has been given, the chase has begun.
The envoy lowers his rifle, looking through the night lit city, his moment would come and go, looking through his scope once more, he spots a white stallion with his orange accomplice entering their room at one of the many hotels of the city, the moment he saw them, a smirk appears in his face, he knew who they were, it wasn’t hard to guess thanks to the things they were bringing, yet where’s the fun in ending it so soon, no, a little tormenting would be nice, and a good laugh could be shared, amongst other things.
Suddenly, the doors leading to the roof of the building that the envoy was on, swung open with a loud CRASH, breaking the door in the process.
*bang*
*bang*
*bang*
*thump*
Another body is dead, sprinting to the location of the body he just shot, he inspects the body hastily, there was no time, footsteps could be heard, from where he was on the building, he prepares to vault over the edge of the high skyscraper, just as the new arrivals were about to reach the rooftop, he ran, he ran to the edge of the rooftop, a beam of energy is shot to his direction, missing by a few meters, he was near the edge, now at the edge, he still ran for the edge, he jumped, he was now in the middle of death or another moment of freedom, seconds past,
*thump*
He continued to run, jump, dash, vaulting or climbing over obstacles, he ran through the rooftops, he lost the creatures who tried to pursue him. Once again, he reached for his rifle and looked through its scope, inspecting the building that housed who he believed to be his challenger, getting another good glimpse, he was satisfied, and the next encounter would be in the forest and swamps. Looking down to his pocket watch, it showed that it was midnight, standing up once more, he looked around, it would be a long journey, one that he would reach till the very end, his shadow being cast over the lit city, amidst all the chaos of his escape, just as fast as he evaded his pursuers, he seemingly ceased to exist, the night sky was dead silent, its beauty to be marveled at, another day is about to shine and pass, time is ticking, and the envoy won’t wait for long, the search will begin soon.
The next day, Shining Armor and Flash Sentry had exited the hotel that they had stayed in the previous night, prepared to the brim with every material they might need, from swords and axes to simple tents, they had made sure to say their last goodbyes in a long while, if ever, to those that they were allowed to share such information about their whereabouts. The nature of the mission (as said before), was one that was to be kept away from public eyes, for the nation’s security (or something), although other ponies could have been hired, and maybe even some specialist like the Equestrian Secret Service, the High Court had made it clear to both the diarchy and participants of this mission that it was not worth the risk of sending some of Equestria's best service mares and stallions to retrieve something of historical significance in the middle of one of Equestria's most notorious places, let alone leaving other much more pressing matter like border control and plots of assassination or much worse, a coup of any kind, unattended for even a fraction of the potential run-time of this mission.
From the short walk from the city center to the outskirts of the forest, Shining and Flash stopped mere meters away from the point of no return, at least until they find something of noteworthy to bring back to Canterlot,
“So, this is it, we're really doing this lieutenant?”
“Of course we are! After all, we have more to gain than a fracture of our loss, besides, we have a general map of the forest, we only really need to inspect the missing stallions’ last assigned post and known location, and we may even try and find a few mysteries here and there,” Shining replied,
“Wha-, how are you so confident?” Flash asked, “I mean… To some greater extent, we are quite literally being sent to potential deaths, sure we have something to gain, but the point of death looming in front of our muzzles still stands,”
“Listen here rookie, there’s a reason why some idiots like me take this outlandish missions with great offers, and it’s mostly because of Bragging Rights, sure theirs the money and fame that comes with a job well-done, but nothing could bring you up the social hierarchy much more efficiently than bragging rights,”
“I mean… If you say so, but damn, are we really doing such a subjectively bad decision?”
“Ay, we got everything we need to survive, all we need to do is get in there and do as we're told, get our ass out alive, and BOOM! We just improved the lives of everyone, besides the worst the forest could offer would be something that kills us with poisons from different sources that would need enough time to spread and become lethal for our bodies, and we got medications and whatnot, and besides, I’m a unicorn and you a Pegasus, I’m pretty sure we have most, if not all, the things we need to get back alive”
“If you say so,” and with that bit of assurance granted to him by his superior, they sat out to do what they came there to do, which is generally just exploring and trying to finding stuff, dead or alive.
Unbeknownst to them, they had just accepted a challenge the moment they have been sent and entered the forest, and they were merely being watched as they entered the forest thick, but sooner rather than later than what they would have liked, they would get to meet death through the form of an Envoy, maybe not directly at first, but they will meet him in near fashion nonetheless, and yet with confidence and the wind seemingly by their side, they would meet at a much more pleasant location than what one could need or even conceive to expect.
Nightfall and the Journey had only just begun, the silence of the dead night is ever so present, the walk into the forest was not a pleasant one for the duo, being all alone and such in an isolated part of Equestria.
“I think we should have sat-up camp earlier Shining,” Flash said, still hovering with the use of his wings, “I mean, don’t you think it’s getting a bit too dark to continue?”
Looking up to the bring half-moon present in the night sky, Shining Armor weighed his options, he could continue the walk till daybreak which by then, would mean that they would reach the sight they were assigned to investigate in no time and have time to spare for another sparring session, or wait out the night and continue late-morning of the next day, and really, his voice of reasoning was not as well polished as the stallion he hated to admit he is.
“Fine, we’ll set up camp now, but the moment day breaks tomorrow, we continue the journey, ok?”
“AY! That’s acceptable lieutenant, also, could you maybe, I don’t know, help me?” Flash asked, he was a rookie, yes, but there are something’s a rookie couldn’t master in split minutes, and Flash was no exception when it came to setting up encampments,
“Ye, ye, no probs,” and with that, the lone due went to work on building their little place of rest for the night.
Far off in the distant woods, a predator observes and prepares to ambush its prey of the night, a feast for them if they manage to be rewarded, unfortunately for that very same predator, another predator higher up on the food chain had already other plans, and interference would undoubtedly mean death for the poor sod.
The night was silent, the sound of crickets was the only sound that pierced this seemingly empty forest, every creature within had both eyes and ears wide open, the first one to make a mistake would pay dearly for their incompetence or inability to adapt. Shining Armor and Flash Sentry were no exception, yet the Envoy merely observed from a treetop some hundreds of meters away from their position, after all, the best way to taste flavors of different kinds would be to mix them up a bit.
“Timberwolves,” Shining said, “Flash, keep an eye out, I think its best we sleep in shifts tonight,”
“Umm… sure, you take the first shift?”
“sure, sure, I’ll wake you up around an hour and thirty from now,” Looking around, valiantly looking around, they had sat up a campfire to place their tents around, the crackling of burned wood being accompanied by the sounds of crickets.
Flash accepted the offer of his superior, and as tired as he was, the sweet embrace of the dream world was really only a world one could easily fall and imagine into.
Now left alone to his own devices, Shining Armor sat down beside the campfire that he and Flash had made earlier, listening carefully to the wildlife that surrounded him. It was dead silent, like any other night of the thickly wooded forest. The crackling of flames may be near to him, but he could still hear the little things that made up the forest.
A crack is heard, his ears peered up at the unusual sound, and it’s obviously not from the campfire. Preparing to cast a spell, he stood in attention as quickly as he heard the sound, scanning his surroundings, he swore he saw glowing eyes in the distance. Looking in that one direction, he was being tunneled vision by the Timberwolves, he expected something, anything, but it was hard to see with the limited visibility that he had, he could only trust his guts, pointing his horn, and he prepared to launch the spell that he prepared at whatever may have the opportunity to lunge forward.
Slowly, the pack of timber wolves circles what might be their next feast, their slow crawl near impeccable to the average pony, still being vigilant of their next moves. All the while, Shining was still trying to figure out the next move. The Timberwolves prepared to attack their prey, they were about to achieve a well-deserved feast.
“Where dammit? WHERE!?” Shining whispered, completely unaware of the shock he is about to witness.
Suddenly, one of the wolves lunged forward from behind, about to hit its target with a killing blow.
The silence of the night was broken once more but with an unexpected and unnatural sound,
*BANG*
The crackle of gunfire was heard far and wide, piercing and echoing through the dense and silent forest night. Down lay whatever remains of the Timberwolf that lunged forwards, bits and pieces of wood scattered around.
As a direct result of the loud gunshot made during the middle of his nap, Flash Sentry immediately woke up from his slumber. Immediately, Shining Armor ducked his head down low and forced the same motion to his comrade. Shining knew plenty of sounds that to his military career up to that point, he had never heard of such a distinct sound before, muskets he knew well and true, he even manages to operate and fire one while practicing with some griffon mercenaries, but the sound he had just heard, it was distinct, but to the average pony, both might sound the same thing.
Looking at his rear, he inspects the now corpse of the Timberwolf, the wound (that he assumed killed the blasted thing) appeared to be caused by a musket ball, although he was not sure about the cause of death, he doubted even a musket ball could kill a Timberwolf in one shot, even if it was spot on the vitals. Looking at his companion, he motioned with his hoof a zipping motion to his mouth, not wanting any additional noises and attention to their direction, as for Flash, he responded to the motion with a nod and his own zipping motion to his mouth, understanding the real threat that they were currently in.
Slowly, another Timberwolves started their own approach, making their own attempts to stalk and achieve a good meal. Slowly did it crawl, and patently was the deathly silence of the moonlit night. The fire to the campfire had been extinguished just as the first Timberwolf tried to strike its prey. Again, the deathly silence of the night tensing for the two stallions, along with their own devices, it strangled the air around them, giving it a tension both had not experienced in a long while. The wolf was about to make a move, and it was not alone in this next attack.
Jumping out of the darkly lit comfort of the tree shades, three Timberwolves pounced onto what could be their prey. Swiftly turning his head to the immediate danger, Shining Armor unleashed a hail of magical bolts onto the general direction of their attackers, fortunately hitting one of the three predators and stunning it. Now revealing the menaces that they are now facing, the two groups, still cautious of the possible moves the other could make, started to circle in the opposite direction around the other, one group had to make the first move. Charging another spell in anticipation, Shining’s horn started to glow in anticipation for another potential attack. At the slightest sight of the light of the horn, the two remaining Timberwolves tried to attack once more, pouncing once again to try and get another strike onto them.
One was blocked by Flash before it could land, landing back onto the ground and struck down by a wing-blade that Flash Sentry had, unfortunately, the other managed to get past him,
“Lieutenant!!” he shouted,
Looking up, Shining Armor saw what was coming down onto him, and his world suddenly slowed down, the spell he was charging up was still unfinished, he had no space to side-step to, he was backed into a corner, he was trapped, he prepared himself for a strike, and possibly deaths embrace.
Yet it never came, he continued to stare into the distant night, to the direction he assumed his attacker would land and strike, yet the strike he had anticipated never came, breaking himself out of the shock he had, a voice called for him that brought him back to his senses,
“Lieutenant!” Flash shouted once more, rushing all the while at the direction of his superior, “Lieutenant, you ok sir?” he asked,
“W-what?” Shining looked around, still in a bit of confusion as to why his fur was not covered in his own red blood, “What happened? Why the buck am I still alive!?” The sudden shock and realization of what he had just witnessed before him.
“I don’t know sir, but the wolf just dropped dead as it was landing its strike”
Upon hearing this, Shining dropped once more to the ground, covering his head in the process and pulling Flash in the same fashion.
“Listen here, I don’t know what killed those things, but I want you to stay low, and I mean REAL low on your head, the last time I heard something remotely similar to this was less than ideal,”
The little encampment that they had sat-up was in ruins, the fire was out, the tents were completely rekt, with anything in them either crushed or broken beyond use by the Timberwolves that fell onto their side or on top these tents, not to mention the fact that they are still not out of dangers claw.
Slowly crawling into the bushes, the two stallions wait out the rest of the night until the first rays of day breaks are met, needing a much-needed rest, at least until they decide to continue their canter to their destination.