A Dangerous Trekk Across the Map! (Closed)

[CaptainMcDerp]

Winter sighed as she stuck the last sloppily made flyer to the wall of an Inn. As luck would have it, the railway was shut down for emergency repairs not long after arriving at the little mining town of Bareback Gulch. Now she's stranded with a cart chocked full of gems and other minerals with no sign of the railway being open any time soon.

Bits running dry, she has no choice but to hoof it. Of course, it would be foolish to expect a smooth ride all the way to Manehattan on her own, which is why she placed flyers all across town asking for temporary bodyguard assistance in return for a fair amount of bits. Paying them may be a problem now, but If she makes it back to Manehatten in one piece, she'll have plenty of bits to give.

Her eyes scanned the surroundings. Small houses, inns, and the occasional shop was sprinkled throughout the area, complimented by the beautiful backdrop of distant mountains. The view was so nice and serene. She could certainly see herself living at a place like this once she retired. The pleasant atmosphere almost had her feeling at ease for just a moment until reality came rushing back.

She took a deep breath and cracked a little smile as she watched a resident pass by.

"Don't worry so much." She said with a hint of doubt in her voice. "Everything with be just fine."

She glanced into the wagon to make sure the blanket she had draped across it kept the gems properly hidden. Wouldn't want to draw any unwanted attention after all. She nudged the cart against the wall beside the doorway to the inn and sat down beside it, watching those who passed with a hopeful yet cautious set of eyes. This was the meeting place marked on the flyer so now all she could do was wait. As small as this town was, things didn't look too favorable in terms of catching an able bodyguard's attention. Hopefully luck was on her side this time around.

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[Dunder]

Bareback Gulch would get you some work, they said. The area is dangerous, they always need to hire some muscle.

Dunder considered himself patient, but he was getting tested. He came to Bareback Gulch to find a need for his sword and armor. Never had he come here looking for work, and so far it was dry. Two whole days had gone by of the sleepy old mining town being just a sleepy old mining town. Not even a barfight had broken out yet!

The dimly lit inn filled with the faint smell of rotting wood was beginning to grate on Dunder's nerves. And he had a comfortable amount to drink from the small bar they had inside. The stallion guessed they appreciated his patronage, but that's what bothered him. He needed some fresh air before he'd be the one starting the barfight he was waiting for. The pegasus pushed himself away from the table he was sitting at and stood up slowly. His bones creaked from sitting for so long, but nothing a quick stretch couldn't remedy.

The pegasus exited the front door and took a deep breath. He leaned on the nearest wall when something brushed against his shoulder. Curiosity pulled his head to see what it was... a flyer? He didn't remember that being there. Upon further examination, he could see that the flyer was asking for services of protection. Protection of cargo. A smile grew on the stallion's face as he read. Yes! This is exactly what he was looking for. He scanned the paper to see who to see to inquire further and case the situation and see if it was a trap.

A white peryton. Strange, pertyones were often a rare sight to see.

The pegasus turned and looked around to see if he could find who set up the flyers. As luck would have it, a white peryton seemed to be sitting right in front of the inn. "Ey!" He called out, hoping to get the attention of her, "Did you set up these flyers asking for guards?"

[CaptainMcDerp]

Winter could feel herself growing more and more antsy by the second as her mind was swarmed by 'what if's' and worst case scenarios. If no one showed up, she was bucked. She couldn't possibly travel all the way from Bareback Gulch to Manehatten going solo, could she? Fighting back wasn't really an option either in terms of a possible ambush. She was capable of defending herself but there was no way in Tartarus she'd be able to fend off a large number of attackers or any opponent with more mass than her. She'd just in up even more stranded with nothing but an empty wagon. Or worse.

"Ey!"

Her eyes widened at the sudden shout and she turned her attention to the direction of the voice. A light brown pegasus stood near by. He was quite muscular and carried a sword around his waist.

"Did you set up these flyers asking for guards?

She nodded and stood to her hooves. "Oh yes. I assume you're applying?" A faint smile crept to her muzzle as she approached the pegasus. "That would be wonderful! And you're so big!" Her grin dropped as she realized how that must have sounded. "N-not that I think... I meant you have a lot of muscle... oh dear." Blush began to form on her face and she averted her eyes to the ground, mumbling "I just made things awkward." She cleared her throat and regained eye contact. A frown was now present as she struggled to subdue her embarrassment. "What I mean to say is, are you interested in the job?"

[RainbowDaringDash]

Blackwing was walking through the bareback gulch, he had come to the troubled town to try and find a way to atone his troubled past, all the heists he had pulled, all the ponies he had robbed, the ones who had lost everything, it was all on him. At the time, it was what he had too do to survive but it all ended in throwing him from his home, from the only place he had ever known. So far, life hadn't gone to well for him. He had tried to find work but so far he had no luck with any of it. Though it seemed he might have a chance to help some pony today.

Blackwing had noticed a Flyer on a wall, it said something about wanting guards to transport Cargo. Blackwing sighed, he was all for helping ponies but he had learnt that escort's often had thieves, lots and lots of thieves, depending on what the Cargo was. Blackwing looked towards the inn, he had rented a room there in hopes of finding someway to help some pony, and now that he had he needed to grab the only item he had brought with him. A bow, a crystal bow that he had stolen back when he was a Kid, it was one of the few item's he still had from those day's. After he had that he grabbed his bag of bits, which might help him out. He sighed as he opened the door for his room. It was time too do whatever he could.

As Blackwing walked out of his room he stretched his griffon wing's, they had cramped with him not using them for ages and were a bit sore, but once he stretched them they felt a lot better, like they were usable. Blackwing walked down the steps to the main room of the inn and he looked around to see a pony with a sword and....a white Peryton?. This was the first peryton that he had ever seen. Blackwing walked over to her and looked at the other pony there, then he turned his gaze towards the rare specie.

"Need help?" Was all he said. Blackwing wasn't much of a talker.

[GhostGirl]

Lionheart was back in town, checking her old haunts for business. Bareback Gulch was the first place she'd gone to find work after leaving Falkensfjord, and she figured it'd been long enough she could risk slinking back in. Couldn't spend too long in one place, no, and she'd spent... longer than planned in Stalliongrad. She sat in a tavern, checking her gear as she finished her meal. Two swords, immaculate. Bow, unstrung, but ready to restrung at a moment's notice. Arrows, sharpened to a fine point and perfectly balanced. Assortment of knives, hidden carefully and doubtlessly clean. She was, perhaps, ready to look for a job or two.

Stretching as she rose, she paid for her meal and left, venturing through town to the usual places. Bareback Gulch has no official bounty boards, sure, but ponies and griffins alike tended to put their job listings in the same few places and... well there was something she couldn't pass up. A job that took her to Manehattan? Certainly interesting, and it would make sure she didn't stay in Bareback Gulch too long, either. She pulled the flyer and went to find this... Winter that had listed it. It was just about time to meet up with her anyway, if the flyer was correct.

Hawk eyes keen, Siiri had no trouble finding the white peryton. To be certain, it was odd to find a peryton (they were few and far apart these days), but she'd met a handful in her travels. They had... particular abilities. It was necessary to remember that when interacting with a peryton.

She approached Winter with as friendly a look as the face of a bird of prey can manage, and spoke. "It is yours, yes, the job that is here advertised?" She knew common Equestrian, but the structure of sentences in common Equestrian wasn't her strong suit. She still thought in northern Aquellian, and could probably never retrain herself. "Lionheart, you may call me. I would be liking to accompany the peryton."

[Lumikou]

It was something that she didn't expect and something that couldn't have happened at a worst time. The train that she was on caught a snag and the once simple enough trip to manehatten was now a lot more difficult for her, she had a fair to get to in manehatten one of the more important ones in her line of work.

This fair was the little foals fair and it was something of a dream to preform her stories at it, to make so many cute foals smile and let there imaginations build from her story. However with how the train was looking it be quite a few days before it was up and ready to go again. She had limited time before the festival started and missing it was just out of the question for this story mare. "Bareback Gulch not a place I would have picked for a stop.... oh my isn't this bandit territory" As she pondered her options slowly as Rari slept in the cart behind her soundly. "Humm I'll talk it over a glass of iced tea" She said to herself as she moved over to the nearest tavern

She wasn't a stranger to taverns and she had stayed in plenty as she traveled with her troupe, her hoof waving the tender at the bar. "Iced Tea please if you will good sir" As the barpony moved off to prepare the drink she couldn't help but over hear the conversation taking place as her eyes peered at the flyer on the nearby tavern board briefly. "They're going the same way surely it'll be safer with more ponies around" She though to herself as the barpony return with her drink her magic wrapped around it and with a gulp and a determined look she moved over to the table addressing the ponies. "Good morrow, I am to understand your aim is to manehatten? Well I just happen to need to heading there as well and while I cannot help in a guard role. I have food and resources to last the trip and I tell a pretty good story if so say myself" She smiled over to the group hoping.

[CaptainMcDerp]

"Need help?"

Her ears angled towards the new voice and her eyes soon followed. She was met with a jet black griffon with red irises. They were such a contrast to his coat and feathers that she shouldn't help but gaze into them for a moment. She felt the familiar wave across her mind and her emotions shifted. She felt curiosity, either coming from him or herself. There was also a hint of...regret maybe? She blinked rapidly and glanced to the ground, ending the magical connection. She wondered what sort of regret he was feeling. Was he carrying out an ulterior motive and had second thoughts about it? For now it would be in her best interest to keep an eye on him.

"Oh." She said with a chuckle. "Are you here because of the flyer too? I could certainly use the extra help. We'll be walking for miles so there's really no telling what sort of trouble we'll be running into."

The truth of those words pierced her and scattered through her nerves like electricity. As much as she hated danger, risk, or anything else considered unpleasant, she couldn't help but feel eager to get this whole thing over with as soon as possible. Even so, she decided to wait a bit longer just in case any more showed up. It seemed like this mining town hosts more battle ready characters then she originally thought, and she could certainly use the extra help with such a long and daunting trip ahead.

She caught sight of another griffon approaching with a flyer clutched in her talons. Upon further inspection, Winter could tell it was hers by the rushed and sloppy hoof writing. When she looked up, she was taken aback for a moment. This griffon's eyes were stunning. With red replacing the whites and sharp intimidating white irises. The surge of magic resurfaced and this time Winter had initiated it intentionally. It was the best form of background checking she had at the moment. Something was there, but it was faint. Pride, confidence. It wasn't unusual to detect such things while reading a Griffon. Caution was also felt but it might have been her own leeriness rather than the Griffon.

"It is yours, yes, the job that is here advertised?"

Winter shook off the feeling and her original emotions returned. She wasn't expecting a strong accent of some sort, but it added charm to the striking Griffon. "Yes, it is." She answered with a slight grin.

"Lionheart, you may call me. I would be liking to accompany the peryton."

"Oh, thank you. I have to say, I wasn't expecting so many of you." She glanced towards the mountains and retrieved a map from her pink saddlebag. "I think we should get going now. There's no way we'd make it to Manehatten in a single day so we'd better make use of the remaining sunlight."

As a matter of fact, Manehatten was around 200 miles away so they'll be dealing with night time a lot more than Winter would like to imagine. She took a few steps towards the road when a green unicorn neared.

"Good morrow, I am to understand your aim is to manehatten? Well I just happen to need to heading there as well and while I cannot help in a guard role. I have food and resources to last the trip and I tell a pretty good story if so say myself"

Winter blinked at the unicorn's words before casting her eyes to the side. "Well..." Her sentence fell short as she considered her answer. She supposed a lot of ponies where stranded by the shut down railways. This unicorn was most likely searching for some company to reduce the risk of an attack. But what if she was actually a cunning thief, looking to steal the cargo once she earned their trust? Honesty though, she suspected everyone of that, even her newly acquired bodyguards.

With that in mind, there was only one thing to do, really. The peryton gazed at her dark amber eyes and allowed the magic to take over once more, revealing the stranger's state of mind. If this pony was a threat, her emotions didn't reveal it. There was a genuine hopefulness, coupled with a rather potent feeling of positivity. Winter ended the brief observation, letting her own emotions return, one of them being envy. She could only hope for such a pleasant outlook on life. Instead she frets over things big and small with the same amount of stress. It's practically her default way of being.

She let out a small sigh and returned the smile. "Okay, you can come along."

The unicorn's mention of food made Winter rethink the supplies she had stored in her wagon. She stocked up on quite a lot just before making flyers, but would it be enough for everyone? Probably, she bought a lot more than she needed anyways, at least until they get to the next town. She turned back to address the rather large and varied group. "I've got enough supplies to last until we reach Las Pegasus, but if you need anything before we set out, let me know now."

[Dunder]

When the peryton turned around, Dunder took note of how cute she was. In a cervine way that ponies couldn't achieve. At the first question, he was going to confirm how he wanted to join her to help carry her cargo across the land to Manehattan. That's when she said something that caught him completely off guard. At the peryton's comment of how big he was, the stallion's wings stood straight up. Dunder started to question what kind of escort mission this was. Quickly it was reestablished that he'd have to be fighting, but he could feel his cheeks getting red and hot as she continued to speak and try to recollect herself after getting flustered.

Almost on cue, and not allowing any time for Dunder to react, three others came up offering a helping hoof. the first was a griffon who seemed female until he spoke. He was a lot smaller than the average male griffon and a lot more babyfaced. A mere hatching by the looks of it. Dunder knew the moment the griffon would begin to slow down would be the moment the griffon gets told to fly home.

Next up was a griffoness with intense eyes. He knew he shouldn't stare, but the coloring of the eyes fascinated Dunder. Either way, she seemed armed to the beak He could only hope she knew what she was doing. Too many looked flashier than be efficient these days, but Dunder was ready to be proven wrong.

Next up was a mare. Not even armed and not even looking threatening. Dunder didn't say anything though, the more heads the better. As long as they had enough equipment and supplies they would make it.

And Dunder didn't forget about the peryton either. She didn't look threatening, but something told him he wouldn't have to worry about her. He looked over at the peryton and nodded, "I am with you, by the way. I just need to get myself ready and I will be back out." He said and turned to go back into the inn. Minutes later have came out in full armor. At his side he kept his rapier, but over his shoulder he carried a halberd. He also had two heavy saddlebags over his flanks, loaded to the brim with supplies.

"Okay, now I am ready." he said as he reproached the group while using his wings to adjust the breastplate comfortably onto his barrel.

[RainbowDaringDash]

Blackwing looked at the group that had assembled here to help the Peryton escort the cargo, whatever that was. When he heard the peryton say something about them walking for mile's he responded with a simple nod, indicating that he was ready for it. Blackwing went back to looking at there little team.

He could tell that the Griffon was the most notable of the group so far, with the numerous weapon's that she had on her. Blackwing could also tell the pegasus was ready for this with his Rapier and armor. Blackwing knew that he himself was probably the least well armed, with nothing but his bow and arrows but that didnt make him feel less needed, he was very agile and quick plus, he could fight well in CQC. Armor and weapon's wasn't everything.

Blackwing then noticed the unarmed pony come to the group, she seemed harmless enough though he knew that even ponies that seemed harmless might be a threat. He was keeping a eye on all of them. Blackwing was wondering how much trouble they would run into on this trip, though he doubted it mattered.

Blackwing walked towards the pegasus in armor, he wanted to know who he was traveling with. "Name?" He would ask as he extended a claw in greeting's

[GhostGirl]

Siiri eyed the rest of the group, sizing everyone up. There was a rather brawny pegasus heading into the inn. He could potentially be an ally equal to her in martial prowess. There was another griffin. He didn't look like a noble, so she was probably safe from recognition, but she'd keep an eye on him all the same. And, finally, there was a unicorn. She didn't look to be much of a fighter, and, from her words, she was not. This meant there were two who needed defense, and two, potentially three, with fair martial prowess. Not bad for a caravan.

When the pegasus rejoined the group, Siiri scoffed. He was wearing full plate armor for a trip that would require an awful lot of walking, and Bareback Gulch was not well known for its refreshing breeze. She would have said something about hoping he had enough water to keep well hydrated, but the other griffin approached him before she had the chance. Instead she opted to try and make small talk with the unicorn that had joined the group, Whimsy.

"Lionheart, you may call me." No matter how she tried, she couldn't disguise her thick, guttural accent, and she couldn't rearrange her sentence structures as she thought. "Call the horned pony, what may I?"

[Lumikou]

Whimsy would sigh internally at being allowed to come along, now she would likely be able to make it to manehatten in time after all. This would lift her spirits as she took a sip of her ice tea determined to help in whatever way she could really. Now with those formalities out the way she would glance getting a better look at the group that was building up. A good majority were griffins which wasn't uncommon so far away from the from the more dense pony population closer to canterlot. They were always a fascinating group to her mysterious as most ponies never saw there homeland however there was also the sense of pride that she admired from them.

Combat wise whimsy could see that most her travel companions seem very combat capable. It was a refreshing sight and put her more at ease as she only really could make illusions and combat just wasn't her forte like some unicorns she knew. Whimsy attention turn to the griffin that had approached her. the accent of the griffin was deep but more or less easy to make out. "Hello Lady Lionheart, you may call me whimsy simply" She said holding out a hoof in greeting as lady and sir were a force of habit from all her story book reading at this point. "I look forward to the journey ahead and hope it goes smoothly."

[CaptainMcDerp]

"I am with you, by the way. I just need to get myself ready and I will be back out."

Winter nodded and watched as the light brown pony returned inside of the Inn. She readjusted her glasses and cleared her throat, standing in silence as she waited. When the burly pegasus returned to the group, his now full set of armor clanked against itself as he walked. "Alright, here we go." She thought as she inhaled deeply before letting out a quiet exhale, trying to prepare herself for what may lie ahead. The peryton walked towards the wagon with careful steps. She eased into the harness and secured it in place. After double checking everything, she pulled the wagon behind her and headed towards the road.

"I believe it's time to get going now. Is everyone ready?"

When no one gave an immediate answer, she gazed back towards the group and noticed the black griffon approach the muscular pegasus. He extended a claw, and asked for the stallion's name. In fact, everyone was introducing themselves. She slowed to a halt and watched with wide eyes. What was she thinking? She was in such a hurry to go that she forgot all about a proper introduction. After observing them for a moment longer and collecting her thoughts, she put on her best face and turned back to addressed the crew.

"May I have your attention for a moment? Thank you. I'm pretty sure you'd like to know my name as well. It's Winter." She glanced at them one by one as she addressed their names. "From what I could gather, your name is Lionheart, you're Whimsy and you...." The white peryton fell silent upon realizing she never caught what the armored pegasus or black griffon were called. They may have already introduced themselves, the information failed to reach her ears. She walked closer to them and displayed a small grin. "I don't think I've heard your names yet. So what are they?"

[Dunder]

Dunder saw the griffoness with the piercing red eyes scoff after looking at him. He was thinking that they were going to have a problem, but not only would that have given a bad impression for the other group members but the cute peryton made an announcement asking if whole group was ready. The quicker they moved out, the better he thought. But soon he was approached by a griffon and asked simply for his name. This griffon was definitely a mixed bag. He looked feminine but sounded male. Either way, Dunder grinned and held out his hoof to the griffon that approached him when the cute peryton spoke up again.

She knew the others' names but not his or this griffon. She even approached the two and slapped on a grin. Dunder returned the grin. Now was flirt time! "My name is Dunder Blust. But a cute doe like yourself can call me whatever you want." He quickly turned to the griffon who originally asked his name and finally shook his claw in greeting.

[RainbowDaringDash]

Blackwing remained emotionless, he didnt care where they went or what he did, he just wanted to move out and get this over and done with, but more he was hoping deep inside that this would help him deal with his problems he was having, the war inside himself, he wanted that to end. As the pegasus, who had justcalled himself Dunder, introduced himself blackwing said a single word to the group. "Blackwing". After he said that he would walk towards the door, he was plannign on waiting outside until they left.

Once Blackwing was outside he would pull the bow off his back. He started making sure the string were clean and fixed onto the bow right

[GhostGirl]

If Siiri had actual ears they would have twitched. She was eager to get on the road. To that end, she tried to catch the group's attention. "Get on the road, perhaps we might? Early out it still seems to be. Darkness of night, it will not bother griffins, but travel by light perhaps we should for the ponies?" She grinned as best a beaked creature good, and gestured toward the road with one wing. "Pony phrase what is it? 'Better sooner?' By the happenstance, wrong I my have that." One day Siiri would get the hang of Equestrian colloquialisms, idioms, and phrases. Today was not that day. Nevertheless, she hoped she conveyed her meaning well. She wanted to get on the road and get the job over as quickly and safely as possible. Quick wouldn't happen if they continued to hang around the inn all day, and traveling by night was inadvisable if the whole party didn't have the keen eyes of a bird of prey. They'd be better off traveling by day, and camping by night, letting the griffins take turns at watch in the dark, she felt.

[Lumikou]

Whimsy nodded as to the suggestion of the ponies that wanted to get going. The more time they made the less danger they would get into of course and there was no telling what kind of creatures or bandits came out during those hours. "Okay I'll be outside then I have get my cart ready to go" She nodded to the group she would be traveling with before moving outside to go check on Reri and the cart. The cart seem all in once piece still as she moved over to it giving the cart a few taps. "Reri I have some awesome news! We might be still able to get to the festival after all with this group I'm traveling with" She said as the bunny would poke her head out curious and apprehensive about this, as she much preferred the safety of the train however she knew that they didn't have to much time to waste.

"Okay hold on Reri" As the storytelling pony pressed a switch the cart folding up into the more travel ready form of it the wooden gears inside working. Then before long a saddle would be released that whimsy would get secured on her back.

[CaptainMcDerp]

The black griffon address himself as Blackwing, which was of course a fitting name considering. Winter nodded in acknowledgement, but lost her composer a bit by the grey stallion's reply. "My name is Dunder Blust. But a cute doe like yourself can call me whatever you want."

Burning could be felt across her face upon hearing his flirtatious sentence. Her eyes widened ever so slightly and her mind refused to give her a proper response to work with. Nonetheless, she had to say something or she'll look like a flustered school filly. "Umm I'll just..errrm...." She looked at him with a forced grin as a nervous chuckle escape her lips. "D-Dunder's fine." She turned around and inhaled, trying to bring her attention back to the task at hoof. Siri Lionheart spoke up, and Winter listened to her words. The griffon's dialogue took a little time to comprehend, but Winter understood it well enough. Siri was expressing her eagerness to hit the road. And Winter whole heartily agreed. She approached the griffon and nodded. "Yes, better sooner is right. We should really get going now."

"Okay I'll be outside then I have get my cart ready to go" Whimsy pulled a switch on her cart, causing it to fold into a more convenient shape. Winter blinked in surprise at the display, and when the pony secured herself to the wagon, she approached with a grin. "That's quite the sophisticated cart you've got there."

Soon enough, Winter finally put her hooves on the main road and traveled towards the outskirts. Once she made sure everyone was following behind her, she glanced at the map. "The next stop is Las Pagasus. We should have enough supplies to last us until then at least."

Those were the last words she spoke for awhile. Once they left the safety of the town, she had been listening carefully for any signs of trouble. mountains towered over them from each side as they trekked down the sunken pathway. The only thing obstructing her view were the mountains, so she'd catch sight any bandits tumbling down from above as long as they were flightless. An ambush would be sort of easy for a winged creature if they weren't careful. She glanced at the two griffons.

"Siri and Blackwing. Could you two fly above the mountain tips and scout the area for any signs of trouble?"

[PyroBlaze]

Flux hummed idly to herself as she walked along in her unicorn form, traversing the mountains, though not really following any path in particular. She wasn't sure where she was going, she just figured she would find out when she got there. Her imaginary friends seemed a little apprehensive of the endeavor. Maybe because they knew she had no idea where she was going. Or maybe because she seemed completely oblivious to her surroundings. Either way, they weren't happy with this trip, and they made this fact known. She increased the volume of her humming to drown out the objections as she made it to the other side of the mountain.

She froze suddenly as she saw a group of ponies and griffons, and what looked like a deer, traveling along the road going down the valley. She simply stared for a moment before happily bouncing in place.

"Yay! New friends!" Flux said to herself as she began bouncing her way down to the road. After a while, she finally made it and stopped in the middle of the road, staring at the incoming group. They were farther back than she thought. That, or they were just slow. Regardless, she broke into a wide smile and waved.

"Hiya! Where're you guys going?" Flux said, looking at each member of the group in turn.

[Dunder]

Dunder grinned at his ability to make the doe flustered. Almost like she had never been hit on before, which Dunder found hard to believe. If she acted like a school filly this time, who knows what that could mean. Well, at least she was more receptive than the other doe, Dunder thought.

When she turned away, he did too. He just looked off at the wall, and caught the griffon exiting to go wait outside. Dunder took a deep breath and began to trot off after him to wait outside as well. The tavern air was getting too stuffy. Soon enough they set off. Before then, Dunder was just standing around, tapping his pole arm lightly with a hoof as he leaned on it and waited for every member of the party to come out so they could set off. Dunder hardly even looked at Blackwing.

Soon enough, they were off. Dunder was trotting alongside the cart, on the left side and right next to the wheel. His polearm under his right wing to make sure none of the wheels caught on the head. The closer he was to the cart the better, he thought, he could keep it safe. It was precious cargo after all, you could never be too safe. Anyway, getting to the drop-off without any thievery meant a bigger cut for the pegasus. Maybe even if he took a few gems, she would never know... He shook his head. The intrusive thoughts that plagued him in jobs like this always came, but were never acted upon.

He just took a deep breath and kept trotting forward. That's when he heard the order for the griffons to go fly up and scout. The stallion thought the order was odd, making only griffons fly out, but he didn't think much of it. Instead, he trotted closer to the Pertyon. "Don't worry too much. A group this big and this armed isn't easy picking for most bandits." Dunder said and slowed down his pace again to get back next to the wagon.

[RainbowDaringDash]

"Siri and Blackwing. Could you two fly above the mountain tips and scout the area for any signs of trouble?"

When Blackwing heard that he would look at the Peryton, who now was basically his temporary employer. Blackwing would wonder something, why send the griffons? The pegasi could have just as easily done it, so why send them? Blackwing would not show any sign of this though, the only thing heard, and seen, from him would be him nodding and saying "Done". Once Blackwing had said that he would flap his wings, taking to the skies as he went to scout up ahead for and kind of threats. As Black flew, his thoughts were still all distracted from before, and now even more so. He didnt know why, but with each attempt at redemption a new problem would arise. Once he delt with that one, the next would just come. Blackwing was starting to get tired off it, and he could not wait the day it all ended. Black would clear his mind as he started scanning the ground below for any sign of trouble.

(Sorry about the shortish post, my flash is gliching, and with that i cant use the advanced post thing...anyone able to help? Iv tried to install it, no luck)

[GhostGirl]

"Siiri and Blackwing. Could you two fly above the mountain tops and scout the area for any signs of trouble?"

"Eyes sharp, sky high," Siiri responded, nodding sharply and taking to the air. It made perfect sense to her. Sure, pegasi could be stronger fliers than griffins in many cases, but pegasi didn't have hawk eyes. It didn't hurt that Siiri was a skilled tracker.

"Blackwing." She was taking control of the situation again. Go figure. This was how she did things. She had done this on her first outing with Goldmane, and on subsequent outings with the others in the party who had not proven themselves to her. It was what she was used to, taking command and giving orders. She deferred to Winter only because Winter was her employer at this moment. "The Blackwing griffin should keep eyes sharp on the West and the North. The Lionheart griffin will keep eyes sharp on the East and the South. Switch later, for to scenery change so eyes sharp do not grow tired." It was a common tactic. Don't keep one scout staring at one area for too long. Things will start to blur together. She flicked her tail as she remembered her father teaching her that, then maneuvered away to shoot off higher and get a bird's eye view of the caravan and the areas she had chosen to survey.

[CaptainMcDerp]

"Don't worry too much. A group this big and this armed isn't easy picking for most bandits."

She nodded in acknowledgement. His words did give her a hint of comfort. It no doubt reduced the risk of an ambush by a large amount. She watched as the two griffons took to the skies, realizing just how lucky she was to obtain so many bodyguards. Much less two griffons. Their strength and eyesight were heaven sent when it came to ambush prevention.

Despite the way things have been going so far, she remained cautious around her own bodyguards as well. For all she knew, they could be in cahoots with each other, waiting for the perfect moment to strike all at once. As unlikely and silly as it sounded, it was still a possibility to consider. But for now they seem trustworthy enough.

In fact, everything seemed to be going pretty well. She could even feel herself relaxing a bit. Winter looked up and took note of the swirly clouds sprinkled across the blue sky before glancing at Dunder a couple times. After a little internal conflict, she decided speak up. "Nice weather right now. Hopefully it stays that way. The chances of going all the way to Manehatten without running into some rain is pretty small though. And an ambush would be quite a bit easier during a storm." She chuckled before frowning. It appeared her attempt to make small talk instead became yet another worry-fest. Geez, If she kept this up, she'll be driving everyone crazy. Winter sighed and smiled. "But we'll deal with that when it happens. Besides, you're right. The sheer size of this group will prevent most bandits from even thinking twice."

Before he had a chance to respond, Winter's attention became fully fixed to a purple speck bouncing along the road ahead of them.

"Wait... what is that?"

She squinted, trying to get a better look. Soon enough, more details came into view and she realized it was a pony. What in tartarus is a pony doing traveling all by themselves? Wait... What if they're just a distraction from the real threat? No, that can't be right. The griffons would be alerting her it that were true. It was most likely a harmless traveler, but she wasn't about to drop her guard. As they got closer, the purple mare starting waving.

"Hiya! Where're you guys going?"

Winter gave a feeble wave and approached the stranger with caution. "We're going to Manehatten. So what's a single pony doing out here all by themselves?"

[PyroBlaze]

Flux took note of the two griffons taking off, probably as lookouts for any approaching trouble. Made sense. She also noticed that nobody seemed to take notice of her presence, or her words. That is, until the doe waved back and said the group was headed to Manehatten. That sounded fun. Flux gave a friendly smile to the doe as she asked what Flux was doing alone. The disguised changeling spared a glance to her imaginary friends, giggling softly as she turned back to the doe.

"I'm not alone, I've got my imaginary friends with me!" She said before leaning in conspiratorially. "But don't tell them they aren't real, they don't like that." She whispered, then paused and looked back at her imaginary friends as they said they already knew they weren't real. Flux blinked a couple times before turning back to the doe, who she was still leaning towards. She pulled back and smiled again. "Well, nevermind then! Mind if I come along to Manehatten with you guys? It sounds like it could be interesting!"

[Dunder]

Dunder was focused mainly on keeping pace with the wagon. One of the few things to think about on a mind numbing march through a valley. That and what he would do in the actual case of a bandit ambush. somewhat to his dismay, and somewhat to his delight he was almost certain that he would have to protect the doe. She was unarmored and unarmed which meant that if anything happened, Dunder had one more thing to worry about. Though that could give the opportunity for Dunder to be a dashing beacon of protection to the doe. He lowered his head at the thought, grinning like an idiot. That's when he heard Winter speak up.

"Light rain will be no problem, anything heavy will be." He didn't want to admit that he didn't prepare for any rainy weather, to be honest the thought indeed filled him with worry, "The sooner we get to Manehattan the better." Then the idea to address another concern crossed his mind. "And if an ambush happens you crawl under the wagon and don't move until I tell you to. I don't want to sound harsh, but the least amount of injuries we can get the better."

A moment later, her gaze seemed to drift off to look at some figure standing in the middle of the road. "What the?" He muttered to himself. When the pony got close enough, Dunder let Winter do the talking.

When the pony mentioned having imaginary friends and that she wanted to go to Manehattan was when Dunder grew more concerned. This had odd written all over it and the pegasus didn't want to touch the situation with a pole.

He trotted up next to Winter, keeping the halberd at his side not to threaten the new arrival. He looked at Winter, hoping to convey his concerns with letting the mare with the 'friends' to tag along with the ride.