The Epic of Brightblade Warpony

Chapters V

As the ponies enjoyed their picnic, Brightblade briefly recounted the beginning of his tale, leaving out those details he thought too disturbing for the other ponies. As Firefly laid out dessert, Brightblade continued his narration.

My first memory when I awoke was a soothing voice. "Don't worry," it said. "You will be fine." Then I began to move, though not under my own power. Someone put a bottle of bitter liquid to my lips and I drank. It calmed my stomach and I was able to sleep peacefully as my unseen benefactors carried me to my as of yet unknown destination.

When I awoke I found myself lying on fresh, green grass under an airy pavilion. A cool breeze rustled the canvas dome. There was a plate of nut cakes and a cup of water nearby and I ate and drank. Shortly after I had finished my meal, a female rat entered the pavilion. "Ah, you're awake," she said. I recognized her voice as that of my rescuer. "And I see you've finished your refreshments," she went on. "I'll get some more and tell Ramon that you are up."

"Thank you," I said, not knowing what to make of my situation. A short time later Ramon and the other rat returned carrying a plate of fruit and a cup of water.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Ramon said. "I'm sorry about what happened to you out there."

"It's all right, you did all that you could to help me," I assured him.

"But it was my fault, it was those mushrooms I foraged that made you sick."

"You couldn't have known," I said.

"But I could have, or should have. We rats are tough, we can eat almost anything. I should have realized that you could be more sensitive."

"It's okay, don't blame yourself. I'm alive and that's what's important."

"I guess you're right about that. By the way, I'd like to introduce you to Cassandra," Ramon said, turning to the other rat. "She is the daughter of the village chieftain, and she led the rescue party into the valley."

Cassandra bowed slightly. "When my father heard that you were in danger, he insisted that I lead the rescue personally."

"Why would your father be so concerned with my safety?" I asked.

"He is a seer," she explained. "He foresaw your quest some time ago. We have been preparing to aid you since then."

"What do you know of my quest?"

"You seek the Warrior's Horn in the Temple of Light so that you can save Ponyland, and more."

"More?"

"Yes, Ponyland is only the first step; if you do not stop the evil there it will not only consume Ponyland but the entire globe. You have a great destiny, Warpony, if only you have the courage to claim it. Now I will leave you to your refreshments. You are still too weak to walk; tomorrow I will show you around the village." Cassandra bowed deeply and left the pavilion.

"Would you like me to leave you also?" Ramon asked.

"No," I replied, "stay, tell me what happened, where we are."

Ramon recounted the events of the last two days, how he had found a village of rats just outside the valley, how he had led Cassandra's rescue party to where I had lain, and finally of the journey to the village where I recuperated. After Ramon finished his tale, I slept again.

When I awoke I found myself alone; the cup and plate had been removed as I slept. I stuck my head out the pavilion flap where I found two rats waiting for me. "Hello," one of them greeted me. "Cassandra asked us to bring you to her once you woke up, if you feel well enough."

"I'm fine, lead the way." Once out of the pavilion I was finally able to get a look at my surroundings. The pavilion had been erected near a large oak atop a high, grassy hill. The rats led me down the hill to where the village lay, nestled between two hills. To my left, some distance from the village, I could see the wall which surrounded the Valley of Thorns. Its architecture on this side of the valley was the same as on the other side.

The rats' village was a pleasant place. Their small whitewashed cottages with thatched roofs were separated by wide, grassy footpaths. The whole village was surrounded by a hedge of lilac bushes. In the middle of the village was a small pond. There was a large crowd around two figures standing on the shore of the pond. By the time we reached the lilac hedge, the crowd was beginning to disperse. My guides led me to the pond's edge where the two objects of the crowd's attention still stood, Ramon and Cassandra.

"Hello," I said.

"Hi," said Ramon.

"Good day, Warpony," Cassandra greeted.

"What was with the crowd?" I asked.

"Ramon was telling us the tale of your journey so far," Cassandra explained.

"I've found I have quite a knack for story telling, a skill that the villagers hold in high esteem," Ramon said, proudly.

"Yes," said Cassandra, "your friend has the tongue of a great bard. He is already very popular among my people.

"Now, would you like me to show you around the village?"

"Yes, thank you."

My tour of the village ended in front of a large house next to the pond. "This is my father's house," Cassandra explained. "He would like to meet you."

"And I would like to meet him."

"Wait here, I will get him."

Cassandra disappeared into the house. She returned several minutes later followed by two rats carrying a litter where a very old rat sat. They set the litter on the grass in front of me and the old rat spoke. "It is good that you have come," he said, weakly. "Your quest is of utmost importance. Please know that you will have whatever aid my people can render. Now I must rest, take me away." As the litter bearers took the old rat back into his home, he turned his head and said, "I am glad that I was able to meet you, Warpony. I feared my days would be fulfilled before you came to us."

When Brightblade reached this point in his tale, the picnic was over. "Oh. What happened next?" Sundance asked.

"Yes, what happened?" begged Firefly and Tabby.

"I'm afraid we haven't any more time to socialize at the moment," flame-maned Epona said. "We must be back to our quest."

"But you can't just leave your story unfinished," whined Tabby.

"Don't worry," said Brightblade Warpony. "Once my quest is finished, I'll tell you the rest of my tale; but first I have to find out how it ends."

Brightblade and Epona then made their goodbyes and continued on their journey.

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