Endeavorance. part IV

Part IV
>1 hour later
>still walking through the forest
>contemplating on what the next step should be
>wondering how long to hide in the forest
>pass over some thick brush
>see the road a few steps in front of you
>look to the left
>see the road curve sharply
>look to the right
>see the road take an equally sharp curve
>shake your head in confusion
>move to the right
>walk in the forest parallel to the road
>Hear the faint clanking of metal as you move forward
>stop
>look left and right
>try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from
>its getting louder
>look left
>still nothing coming that way
>turn your head to look to the right
>something catches your eye midway through turning
>squint at it
>see a brightly polished set of armor slowly moving in the distance
>drop to ground to remain obscure
>watch the guard carefully
>hear more clanking coming another direction
>turn to that direction
>see another guard much closer to where you are now
>start moving again
>creep forward unseen
>hear voices up ahead
>look onto the road
>see 2 guards conversing while they walk
>stop moving
>takes your eyes of the road
>peer back into the forest
>search for somewhere to hide without the risk of being found
>spot a patch of thick bushes
>move into them carefully
>position yourself still
>attempt to avoid bringing any attention your way
>listen to the guards on the road converse
>“…and then we split up looking for him in the forest”
>The other guard is listening to his companion closely
>“after I found nothing, I called out for the sergeant but I didn’t get an answer”
>“I went to search for him and I found his lifeless body laying on the forest floor”
>the guard continues to stare at the storyteller in suspense
>“I didn‘t know what to make of it, I don‘t think I‘ll forget seeing him like that for as long as I live. It was such a horrid sight”
>they begin to pass beyond your hiding spot
>start moving again under the cover of the bushes
>they rustle loudly
>one of the guards catches the movement in the bushes out of the corner of his eye
>he turns around quickly and fires a blast of energy in your direction
>freeze as it skims over your head
>He fires a second shot
>it strikes the front most of your thigh
>collapse over
>start crawling away frantically
>“There!”
>he starts moving toward your direction
>bite your sleeve trying to suppress any cries of pain
>The other remains on the road
>“What are you doing?”
>“I saw something move over there!”
>continue crawling
>see the bushes thinning out
>look around for more cover
>the only bushes thick enough to hide under are being approached by the guard
>feel a hole in the ground underneath your hand as you crawl
>look at it
>Hear the guard approaching
>stuff your arm down the hole
>feel the soft touch of fur
>grab it
>pull out a rabbit
>turn around
>let go of it
>it scurries out of the bushes
>the approaching guard stops his movement and watches it run away
>the guard on the road rolls his eyes at the actions of his cohort
>“Would you be careful with that spell? It could seriously hurt some one”
>the guard moves back onto the road
>the two start walking again
>continue to lay in the dirt
>still biting into the sleeve
>look up
>see the guards out of sight
>attempt to stand up
>stagger in pain as you place your weight on your wounded leg
>take in a deep breath
>start limping toward ponyville

>back in Canterlot
>a letter reaches Celestia
>she reads through it
>Luna: “Is there any progress, Sister?”
>Celestia: “They searched all over ponyville and didn’t find him. They searched the nearby forest and roads and still Didn’t find him. They searched half of his house and found nothing of use. And just moments ago, They finished searching the 3 towns west of ponyville and parts of the respective surrounding forests to no effect.”
>Luna: “Was there no progress at all?”
>Celestia: “They managed to find some Boot prints and the weapon that may have killed the Sergeant, But no wanted criminals ”
>Celestia Sighs in frustration and glares out the windows irritably
>Luna: “Truly are we facing our greatest foe”
>Celestia: “This is turning into a fool’s errand, I can’t think of any other way to describe it”
>Luna: “Do you think Anon has any idea of the turmoil he is bringing?”
>Celestia: “I don’t know. if you’ve ever heard speak of the violent, sadistic world he came from, you might think he’s doing this for fun.”
>Luna: “Perhaps he simply has more knowledge of this field than ourselves”
>Celestia continues her glare, indifferent to Luna’s reply
>Luna looks at her in concern
>Luna: “Sister, are you well?”
>Celestia: “…five dead. Four of them innocents, one of them a guard who died while serving…and now this wild goose chase. I should have trusted my instincts. I could have exiled Anon when he first showed up and none of this would have happened…”
>Celestia starts moving toward the exit
>Celestia: “…But no, I give him a chance”
>Luna continues to look at her parting sister in concern