The Epic of Brightblade Warpony

Chapters II

As Brightblade stood atop the hill, remembering, flame-maned Epona appeared as if out of nowhere. "Greetings Warpony, you have changed since we parted."

"In many ways."

"Are you ready for the quest?"

Brightblade nodded, "Where shall I find the beast?"

"Far away, but first tell me of your journey."

"Do we have time?"

"It is nearly dusk; we shall wait until dawn to begin the quest."

"Very well."

---

After we parted I went west, as you directed me. It took me more than two weeks to reach the Valley of Thorns. It was a dismal place. Though the valley was cut of from the surrounding countryside by a high stone wall, I could see through a wrought iron gate an arid land of brambles and ancient, gnarled trees. There was no sign if life save the circling vultures.

I was discouraged at first for the wall was too high for me to climb and the gate was securely locked. I decided to rest for a time and partake of the juicy apples that grew outside the valley. After a short nap I began to search the length of the wall for an open gate or other way through. I searched for the rest of the day and after a restless night resumed the search.

By afternoon of the second day the land became rough. This slowed my progress but offered me several opportunities to mount the wall from the numerous rocky outcrops which dotted this territory. Unfortunately, all I found beyond the beyond the wall was a sea of thorns; had I entered the valley at this point I would have been torn to shreds before any progress would have been made. Because I had seen a path through the thorns at the gate, the only gate I had encountered, I decided to turn back the next morning in hopes of finding a way to pass the gate.

A day and a half later I was back at the gate but could still find no way through. I even tried kicking it down but it was far too solid. As I studied the gate hoping to discover the secret to passing the portal I noticed some movement in the thorns. Out of the shadows of the bramble a white rat scampered. He slipped under the gate and darted toward an apple tree and disappeared into a hole among its roots. A moment later he reappeared.

"'ello'" he squeaked from the entrance to the hole. "You're making quite a racket banging on the gate like that. Y' might disturb the neighbors."

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Ramon," he replied. "Now would you mind explaining what you've got against that gate?"

"I need to get through the valley," I explained.

Ramon shook his head, "Nobody goes into the Valley of Thorns, not unless they know their way around, and even then they'd need an awfully good reason."

"I need to get through the valley; the future of all Ponyland depends on it!" I told him.

"Sounds like you've got a good reason," he replied, "Too bad you don't know your way."

"But you do," I said to the rat.

"And I suppose you want me to be your guide?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Sorry, I can't help you," he said. "I've never gone very far into the valley, just far enough to gather some medicinal mushrooms."

"Well I still need to get through and you know the valley better than I," I argued.

"That place is dangerous," Ramon replied, "We'd likely get ourselves killed; I just don't want to take such a risk."

"Well could you at least help me open this gate so I can get on with my quest?" I asked.

"You just won't give up, will you?" he asked in return.

"No," I replied.

Ramon sighed, "Very well, if you're determined to kill yourself I might as well come along to see that you get a proper burial."

I smiled, "Your help will be greatly appreciated, by all of Ponyland."

Ramon disappeared into his hole for a moment and reappeared with a twisted piece of bronze wire. He scampered over to the gate and swiftly climbed to the lock. After inspecting the lock for a moment he inserted the wire and began to carefully manipulate it with his forepaws. In less than a minute the lock was loosed and the gate swung open with an eery creak.

"Well," I said, "we should get moving."

"No," responded Ramon. "We should gather provisions and rest, it'll be dark soon."

The remainder of the day was spent gathering provisions. Ramon produced a large sack from his hole. We filled the sack with apples, mushrooms, and three clay jars sealed with corks and wax. One of the jars was decorated with geometric designs in brown, red, and black. Ramon told me that he thought it was filled with wine. The other two were filled with water he had melted from snow last winter.

After a good nights rest we set out into the Valley of Thorns.

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