Head in the Sand (private)

[DerpRavener]

The buffalo did not take up Naj's offer of assistance, instead only requesting that she stay safe.  Naj felt a little bad, being unable to repay them for their help with the search.  But she supposed it was just as well, the longer the spend on side tasks the longer it would take to find Flashfire, and the more likely it was for a catastrophe of some kind to occur.  There were a few curious looks from the buffalo as well, but that was nothing she wasn't used to.  In fact, it was one of her preferred reactions to her natural form, as these things went.  "I'll do my best," she said.  After a moment, she grinned and added, "and don't worry about me, I've been through worse."

 

In other circumstances she might have liked to stick around to answer questions, but she did have a job to do.  Perhaps she could revisit the desert at some point.  She took one last look at the bundle she was given, before buzzing into the air and following after Dawnguard back to the cart.

 

As Naj returned to the cart, through the air this time as she wasn't concerned about being spotted.  The buffalo had proven not to be hostile, and they'd run off the only things which had thus far attacked them, so she felt safe enough to fly back.  And just in time apparently, as Cryo was just asking what they found.  “Flashfire definitely came this way.”  She presented the bundle for a moment, giving Cryo and Dawnguard a moment to look before she made for the cart.  “The buffalo thought he seemed alright.  Or at least, as alright as a stallion who walks into the desert blindfolded can be.”  She took a moment to set the items inside, before coming back.  “They didn't follow him though, so I couldn't say what he's doing now.”

 

Naj sat down next to the other two.  “We've got a choice to make.  I think we've still got a few hours before sunrise.  We could probably get a few hours travel in.  Or we could break for tonight and get a well-rested start tomorrow night.”  Naj of course could keep going, but then she'd had a smaller role in the fight then the other two had, so she wanted to hear what her companions wanted.  “What do you guys think?”

[Zeig]

 

Ah, the stalwart Cyro wished information. 

 

Because knowledge was power, and power was the Ever Righteous Fury that Rent the Sky in Twain!

 

But before Dawnguard could instill his fellow guard with such blinding power, formidable Naj came buzzing back on the winds of change, bearing the gifts of the mighty Buffalo. The white Pegasus nodded his head alongside the Changeling's words, as the most vital of informations was relayed - their pony of interest had passed by this very place, and met and broken bread with these very Buffalo, and sought ever onward his quest of very strange origins. 

 

Because, yeesh. The blindfold, what was with the blindfold?

 

Dawnguard did not give the blindfold much thought, however, as Naj posed another query, seeking their opinions on travel times. To rest now, or continue onward and rest later? "The sun-scorched desert will attempt to cast her searing hot beams of righteous sunlight down upon us," the white Pegasus said in answer, spear hoof slowly beginning to claw its way upwards to rest in front of his face, "no matter the time of travel. Should we, then, wait not for her burning fury, and instead travel now, while the cool of the darkened night shields us from her wrath?" Dawnguard paused, spear hoof clenched tightly in front of his face, before glancing up at the other two, one eyebrow raised. "Then we may seek shelter inside this cart of most useful enchantments, when her Searing Rays of Searing Sunlight threaten to overwhelm us!" 

 

 

 

[BeGoneThots]

As they discussed, time moved ever onward slowly. The inching of the moon across the sky, the twinkle of stars and the faint sounds of the night. It was not much longer that the fire by the buffalo camp died away, and the sounds of their music ceased. They seemed to be headed to sleep for the night as well. However, on the far distant horizon, something was active. Something was bright and glowing. Flaring up, before vanishing into the blackness. 

 

It seemed to be far away, still many miles distant and just over the horizon. And the glow was not a natural one. It was too brilliant a red. Far to red to be from any normal thing. This blinking, glowing thing had its origin in magic. And then a pillar of flame shot up from the spot. It lasted but a single, brief moment. Lighting up the place it was bright as midday before vanishing again into the dark night. It did not blink again. But it left a faint glow upon the place it had been. As if so warmed by whatever it had been that it made the desert there glow red hot. The direction it came from, was where the buffalo indicated the blinded pony had wandered. 

 

Flashfire sat panting softly, having just expended a good deal of magical energy. He was sweating, surrounded by glowing hot sands. His own protection spells and enchanted shoes keeping his hooves from burning as he wandered back toward the cart he called his house. No pony around would dare step outside at this time. Not until morning when the sands had returned to a more reasonable temperature. They knew the stallion. He had been with them only a short time, but he had proven himself trustworthy. He offered work in exchange for food and water. A fair trade to these ponies. He had his eyes hidden by a thick red sash he kept tied around his head. Blindfolded as the day he walked in pulling his cart. 

 

He moved back toward his cart, slowly clambering inside to rest. In his wake, many of the sand coyotes were frozen in place. Crystalized by the sheer hear of the flames. Locking their sand bodies and melting them into statues, often disfigured in their attempt to run. 

[PyroBlaze]

So they were on the right track. Good. The unicorn nodded to himself as he examined the items in the bundle, wishing he had learned tracking spells. Those would make this much easier, especially since they had items that used to belong to their target. He remained silent as Naj went to stow the items and cme back to provide two options. Both were good options, for different reasons, though which one was best was a hard decision to make.

 

"If we leave now, we can get more travel in tonight, but we would likely be in a much less defensible position once the sun became unbearable. Staying here means we will be fresh for tomorrow night, and we will have an easier time remaining safe. I have already set up some defenses around the edge of this rock, so I suggest we stay here and get started as soon as we can tomorrow." Cryo said, nodding to the two. Seemed they were split at the moment, with Dawnguard wanting to leave now.

 

Any further discussion was interrupted by the appearance of a blinking red light, drawing Cryo's attention towards it as he tried to figure out what it was. As far as he could tell, it was some sort of magical source, and the unicorn got as close to the edge as he could while staying away from the traps to get a better look. He almost jumped in surprise at the sudden pillar of flames, shielding his eyes from the intense light before looking back at the constant red glow left in it's wake.

 

"What was that? Was there any information about Flashfire having fire magic to that extent?" He asked, doubting that pillar would come from anything but a pony or some sort of artifact. Why that much energy though? Was the source in trouble? He doubted they would be anymore if the enemies were in the radius of the pillar, but still.

[DerpRavener]

Dawnguard was in favour of heading out immediately.  Naturally.  The pegasus was one of the most energetic ponies Naj had ever met, so of course he would be in favour of the plan which got them moving again right away.  Cryo meanwhile wasn't quite so obvious with his general approach, although Naj wasn't particularly surprised to find he preferred a more cautious approach.  It did however leave her with a bit of a conundrum.  Naj had hoped that they other two would come to some sort of agreement.  Instead it turned out she was the deciding vote.

 

As someone who'd had a bad experience in the past, it was not a responsibility Naj was eager to take on.  She fell quiet for a moment, trying to consider each in turn, while also ignoring old wounds of a sort.  “I think...” she started to say, but never got to finish the thought.

 

Out in the sands, far in the distance, a great pillar of flame arose.  It winked out a moment later, but the fact that it had appeared at all was highly disconcerting.  Cryo rightly wondered just what the heck that was, and if it was something Flashfire could have done.

 

Naj had flinched away from the brightness, shielding her eyes from the sudden light.  She put her hoof down once the light faded, but held still for a moment longer.  She hadn't been expecting anything like this.  That said, it did help her make the decision.  “That settles it.  We can't safely stay in the desert without knowing what that,” she pointed toward the night sky, where the pillar had appeared, “is all about.  Either way we need to do some reconnaissance.  I say we move the cart a bit closer.  It will make a good fallback point, and that way we won't have to leave anypony behind.”

 

Naj stood up, prepared to leave, but she wanted to give one last chance for an argument to be made that might sway her.  “Any objections?”

[Zeig]

 

Stately Cyro did not agree, preferring to remain enriched upon their plateau of safety.

 

So then, would it fall to the ever vigilant Naj of Many Faces, to decide a course of action for their valiant questing party to commence. 'Twould be no easy task, no, for the forces of EVIL waited in the shadows, ever ready to pounce on the slightest mistake or hesitation. But decide she would, for as much as he wished to immediately to the skies and tear them in twain upon his mighty wings of Justice, he would never dream to leave behind his favored companions. 

 

They were on a quest together, after all.

 

...A quest to find the molten flames of Flashing Fires, that was!

 

Dawnguard attempted to maintain a dramatic pose that would inspire confidence and righteousness, but really, could he be blamed for gawking at the horizon where the flames had burst forth like the righteous fury of a never-ending maelstrom of scorching justice?! He was not the only one, either - both Cyro and Naj appeared to have appreciated the display as much as he, and the white Pegasus was near vibrating as Valiant Naj turned back towards them, decision made for the glory of the light. 

 

"Then to the Sun-Scorched Pillar of Flaming Righteousness, ho!" the REA guard cried, completely forgetting about the cart in his excitement as he literally flung himself from the cliffside, wings alighting as if he were prepared to shoot off towards the horizon at any given moment. "Let us tarry no longer, valiant companions," Dawnguard proclaimed, spear hoof curling up to press tightly against his chest, "and carry forth our Princess-given duty to bring all onto the path of light! Onwards!" 

 

 

[BeGoneThots]

Around them, the animals of the night had scattered, frightened away by the distant flames and Dawnguard's sudden and dramatic cry. The only thing that remained was a single owl, stoic and unmoved in these late hours. Though it did turn its head to watch the other animals move away in a hasty retreat. The avian hooted softly, fluffing it's feathers as it stretched a wing out to groom slowly. It watched the three go about their business. 

 

At the place where the flames had scorched the earth deeply, a few ponies had taken up shovels and begun to bury the hot sands. Having dug a trench some days back, the few scooped up small loads of the hot grains, and carried them to the small length and deposited them. But they had left the twisted statues of the sand coyotes as a warning to all ponies that came and went. A warning that reminded all of the dangers of the desert. the pale glow of the eyes told that they coyotes had not been killed, but frozen in place. Whatever magic that created their bodies was not undone. They were locked in place, melted into grotesque and frightening poses. As if some unholy beasts were rising up from the sands. 

 

Flashfire listened to them working from his cart. He could tell there was another pony approaching. and the soft voice of the mare told him it was the town nurse. She tended his wounds, and left him to recover quietly. Minor injuries that would likely heal with no medical attention. Still, the stallion did not turn away her efforts. He understood their concerns. He had been the only pony they knew to stand up to the beasts and drive them away. They wanted him to live, and continue to protect their small patch of land. Their town was running down, short of supplies and with no connection to the rest of Equestria. A dwindling population due to attacks or ponies foolish enough to strike out into the desert on their own had further caused them issues. He himself had only found the town on accident. There was no listing on the maps of such a place. And Flashfire began to see why. Their ways were different. They did not welcome outsiders, nor did they follow the rule of the princesses. Their ancestors had struck out to make a place for themselves away from Celestia and her rule. They created a place free of coin, of travel, and of interruption. But they also were too far from military assistance and steady communication. They had no trade abilities with other settlements that were close. Only the passing buffalo tribes, whom kept their secret, ever came through. The town was tiny, and well hidden thanks to the way it was built. 

 

But with the approaching party, they would soon be discovered. 

[PyroBlaze]

Cryo normally would've argued the point more, that they already had a fantastic place to camp and who knew when they would find anything else suitable, but that pillar of flame made the situation much different. 

 

"Agreed, we should head out." He said, moving to dispel all his traps and help get the cart moving back down to the ground. "We need to figure out what that was, asap."

 

Cryo paused momentarily, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the one remaining animal in the area. Why was that owl still there? And why was it watching them like that? He knew it was probably nothing, but he couldn't help but be suspicious. 

[DerpRavener]

Dangerous as it was, to Naj that pillar of flame was a blessing in disguise. Sure, it meant potential danger, but it made the way forward clear. It made the decision obvious, and thus easy, rather than the more delicate assessment that would have been needed as an actual tiebreaker. She was much happier charging into potential battle.

 

Though strictly speaking, a battle wasn't confirmed yet. She didn't know the desert that well, and so for all she knew pillars of flame were an unusual but ultimately natural phenomenon. What this lack of knowledge impressed upon Naj, more than anything else, was their need for more information.

 

Feeling as though she hadn't spent quite as much effort as Cryo or Dawnguard, from the former's spellcasting and the latter's pure exuberance, Naj offered to pull the cart for this stretch. Regardless of whether or not the offer was accepted, her plan would still be to bring the cart with them, and leaving it just outside of what the potential combat area would be. While the cart might be slightly more at risk, that was offset by not having to leave anypony behind when they were actually investigating.

 

When they got close, and came to a stop, Naj took to the air. Between Cryo's lack of flight capability and Dawnguard's...enthusiasm, she guessed she would be the best choice to scout. It wasn't as though she'd have to go to far, anyways.

 

Naj did a flyby of where the pillar of flame had been, or at least their best guess at it, and the first thing she spotted was movement. Even though it was deep into the night, the desert didn't offer much cover, and even moonlight was enough to spot the shapes down below, although it took her a moment still to see that they were ponies, and that they were...shovelling? She wasn't sure what to make of that. No matter, it was easy enough to ask. “Greetings, down below!” she called out, easily loud enough to be heard by her companions. She hadn't had to go far. “Might I ask what brings ponies all the way out here?”

[Zeig]

 

Valiant Naj was quick to take action, as she was wont to do in the face of potential Justice, and Dawnguard was quick to follow along with the Guard of Frozen Ice. All three, ready to face insurmountable terrors in order to bring the relief of Heroes down upon the wicked!

 

Though the Changeling took off to the air as they got close - to scout ahead, undoubtedly! Dawnguard cheered Naj as she took to the skies, and wasted no time in hitching himself up to the cart to pull the rest of the way. The shared burden of heroes meant an equally shared burden of weight! "Hold fast, friend," the white Pegasus asked of Cyro as they lagged behind the scouting Naj, "for I sense the red strings of destiny have tangled us upon our quest. Soon..." he trailed off, affixing a mysterious expression on his face as the two of them caught up with their wayward companion.

 

Who was calling out to...ponies! Here, in the far reaches of the desert! Their mission? The white Pegasus had not a clue, but the bloodline of heroes sang within him, and Dawnguard carefully curled his spear hoof against his chest as he unhitched himself from the cart, quickly making his way to the shoveling ponies to hear their story. 

 

For they were getting close...he could feel it!

 

[BeGoneThots]

The ponies shoveling the dying embers looked strangely at the three that seemed to arrive, so suddenly and without any apparent guide. None of them spoke, but all looked spooked. Around these ponies, locked in place by the fusing of their sand bodies were various Sand Coyotes, as well as the charred remains of other larger and what could have been more menacing desert creatures. Finally, one of the ponies spoke, though his accent was much closer to an older dialect of Equestrian. 

 

"We hath lived in this place five generations hence, hearkening back neigh three hundred and twenty and one years. Our forefathers sought refuge in the desert from the strange and oft daft ways of what was the princess of that forgotten time. Tis here the only patch of land which provided a place to grow crops and provided a meager spring to draw forth water. For which is it thou hast come? To make war or peace?" The stallion speaking passed his look of wary confusion between the three. The ponies were slowly raising their shoves, as they inched away from the three new comers. The nearest town had been two days away, and no pony was able to see their town for the strange mirages that surrounded the outcropping. At least no pony before now. Had the mirages failed or had some pony dispelled them so that travelers could see? The only pony that would know would be...

 

There was a crunch on the broken sands as the heat began to rise again. Though limping, A red and orange coated Stallion stepped toward them slowly, his horn glowing as he turned his head to and fro slowly. He wore a red blindfold that also acted as a tie to keep his mane in a tight but flowing ponytail. He said nothing as she slowly limped closer, just turning his ears to and fro. Then he canted one ear toward each of the three new comers in turn, before turning the other to the ponies that had been shoveling the burnt and ruined sands into the ditch. As he padded off, the temp began to lower back down again. His back leg wrapped in a tight bandage, looking like some dog had bit him hard. He was headed for an outcrop of rock with nothing under it but the heat shimmer of the burned sands distorting the view until he simply vanished from view. After a moment he came back, in his teeth he grasped a bucket of water which he brought to the ponies with shovels, setting it down for them to get a drink as he moved toward the three. 

 

"I asked for a battalion... and they sent us two ponies and one changeling. I must say, you are either the bravest three, or the most expendable three that the REA has to offer. perhaps my old Lieutenant was correct and there is no saving the system now, however good you are you should have brought more unless you were all that was assigned. To date I have detained roughly fourteen Sand dogs of some species, and successfully slain five larger creatures I believe they were possibly manticore of some sub species that lived out here in the desert. But I cant keep this up on my own, I'm not a soldier anymore. So what are the plans? is the REA going to send an engineer corp out here to build a proper road that we can defend or are you going to clear out the entire Frontier of everything that could ever threaten the town? If the second is the case, perhaps you have some magic or artifacts I was not privy to when I was a commander. If that is the case, then please by all means, feel free to begin. I will get the residents in the town to shelter down. Just don't bring that outcrop down on us please......" The way he spoke, he had no idea who was actually in front of him, and assumed they were there for the town. But the tattered blindfold covering his eyes was a dead give away. Even with the saddle bags covering his cutie mark, this was Flashfire to a T. From the color of his mane, tail, and coat to the measured militaristic way he spoke like he were still in command of a unit somewhere. "Is there something I should know?" He asked, suddenly feeling the unease of the towns ponies behind him.  

[PyroBlaze]

Cryo blinked as they came upon the town, leaving the cart just outside it while also still within sight. Why was there a town here? According to the residents, they had been here long enough that whoever mapped out this area should have seen them. 

 

Those thoughts had been interrupted by another pony arriving, one that appeared to be their objective. Once Flashfire had finished speaking, Cryo stepped forwards, keeping his gaze on the former REA pony. 

 

"We were told to come here to save you. Your letter gave no indication of this town's situation and it does not appear on any maps we had access to. A rescue mission does not need a battalion to complete it, and by all indications that was all this would be." He stated simply, as if giving a report. 

[DerpRavener]

The ponies, clearly guessing that the new arrivals were curious, launched into an explanation. Some time ago, very long ago if there accent was any indication, these ponies had ventured out on their own. Naj could somewhat appreciate the desire for autonomy, but she visibly bristled at the comment about the 'daft princess'. As far as Naj knew, Princess Celestia was the only one to hold the title until very recently, and the sun princess has proven herself to be kind leader and a wise one if Equestria's long period of peace was anything to go by. The princess was also the closest thing to a queen Naj had at the moment. These to facts combined meant that she was protective, of the princess' good name at least as she didn't necessarily need personal protection.

 

The discovery of a previously unknown was enough for Naj to keep her thoughts to herself however, at least for the moment. She dropped down to the ground to rejoin her companions, as the townsponies asked a question of their own in turn. “Peace, I think. We're really just looking for somepony who was said to be in this part of the desert. I don't suppose you've met a stallion named Flashfire?”

 

The group Naj was addressing didn't get a chance to reply before the question was answered in the most certain way it could be: Flashfire himself approached the group, looking every bit the mad desert wanderer. Naj was tempted to ask what happened to his eyes, given the blindfold, but wasn't sure whether or not that would be insensitive. And besides, there was a more pressing point of discussion.

 

Flashfire had managed to insult the REA, maybe insult the group that had come to his rescue, and expose a few blatantly wrong assumptions. It wasn't much of a first impression, in Naj's mind. Fortunately, Cryo spoke first, giving what was probably a more diplomatic explanation than she would have. “Think about it: what town? We didn't know there was a town here until a few minutes ago. As far as command knows, you and now my two friends here are the only ponies all the way out here in the desert. Were you really expecting a battalion to be sent here with no real basis? Besides,” she shot a look at townsponies standing off to the side before turning back to Flashfire. “I'm not sure those ponies want any help from the REA or the 'daft princess' that leads them.” She paused.  She was here to help, and that should probably be made clear after her little tirade. “We're willing to help, but we're just going to have to work with what we've got,” she finished a moment later.

[Zeig]

 

Dawnguard...frowned.

 

Because if Sir Flashfire was saying what the white Pegasus thought he was saying, then...he was saying so most unjustly! 

 

"If one seeks the help of Light, one should align themselves with it!" the REA guard added in his own theatrical way, puffing up slightly as he took in these desert ponies - and more importantly, the former commander who had resigned from his fate-divined duty as a guardspony. "Demanding reinforcements from a company of heroes you abandoned, with no details and no explanations of any kind...such is chaos! Such is treacherous darkness that threatens to tear in 'twain the order and harmonies of Equestrian civilization! Down, spear hoof!" Dawnguard commanded, smacking his right hoof down into the desert sand, momentarily overcome with the Righteous Fury that threatened to burst forth and overcome all with its mighty power.

 

Because valiant Naj was correct, on all counts! These ponies had chosen a life away from Equestria, chosen to separate themselves from the so-called "daft princesses"...which was their right, to choose their lives away from the glory of the great country of Equestria. But then, what entitled them to the very protection and resources they had scorned by giving up said country? It made no sense! A pony could not live outside the laws of Equestria yet still receive the benefits of Harmony and Peace! Especially not on the whims of a once-great commander who had given up his position because of a demotion. 

 

Which...okay, Dawnguard had to admit, even he would be a bit depressed to get demoted. But never depressed enough to abandon the burning passion for great justice that had placed him on the path of the Royal Equestrian Army in the first place! Such was the determination of all the great heroes! Those who struggled and fought, and failed, yet continued to climb ever upwards towards the spiraling greatness of Righteous Avenging! 

 

 

[BeGoneThots]

Firestorm sat on his flank in silence for what had to be at least four full minutes. He said nothing to the three of them, nor did he speak to the towns ponies. After a moment he turned and called out for one of them. A mare approached, her left cheek baring a heavy scar. "Did you write the full details or did you just put down the coordinates and tell them to come rescue me?" 

 

The mare looked at the ground. "My liege, please, hath heart and haken my words before passing strong judgement. Until your hooves trod through the sands, we had thought our town the last in all Equestria. Our ancestors had survived strife and change unrelenting, under what we were predisposed to knoweth as the truth. Please... begone hence with your own brethren and best forget we doth exist. Let out township fade from memory, as the days gone hath forgotten our ancestors as well." 

 

She turned and wandered back into the town. Leaving Firestorm to sit there in the burnt sands with the three. Turning to them he motioned them to bring their cart and follow him. He led them to his own, a larger, enclosed cart with a door. As he came to it, he reached up and pulled the blindfold from his face. Turning to look at them, he let them get a very good look at the eyes he had. Having lost all their color to the cloudiness, forever darkened and robbing him of all sight. The blindfold was not to impress others with his skills, but to hide a shameful fact, as the former commander, was now completely blind. "99% by now. If I had still been a commander some time back, I would have had access to a proper military surgical unit. Unfortunately, I was demoted from commander to sergeant By Celestia's personal order, my barracks broken up and scattered about. Last I heard several of them were dismissed from duty, though for what reason's I can not be certain. I was given the 'problem soldiers' as it were to begin with. They weren't much, but they were my troops. And while we were just a town barracks in a lower end of Canterlot, we did everything as best we could. Now then. As for the matter at hoof, It was not like I could read the letter she wrote and I heard the scribbling so I assumed she was actually writing after the coordinates were given. I had intended to inform the REA that there was a lost town of ponies here, detached from Equestria ages ago, roughly 400 years. They didn't know that Equestria had pioneered the lands around them, and that their ancestor's illusion spells were failing to hide them now. I heard the pleas for help, from a plateau not far away. a few hours at a hard gallop. What I see now is that these ponies do not know how things in Equestria have changed. They were under the impression that the princess was still as tight hoofed and had run the country into the ground. They knew nothing about the REA of today, and the engineer corps that can build proper roads to connect this town to the trade caravans. Get proper supplies, fortify some walls, and post a small group of guards. This town would be secure. You have to forgive them their distrust. Until I trotted into town, they hadn't seen another pony aside from their own kin for a long time."

 

Turning back to his cart he opened the door and his magic reached inside, pulling out his saddle bags and digging out some dried fruit to offer them. "Now that you have my sob story and their's. Mind filing me in on your full orders? or was it literally just 'bring him back', because if it was, I will not resist."