New Way Home (14) (Patreon)

Thomas walked near the front as they finally arrived in Salt Lick. None of his little wounds showed any sign of infection. So, while their weakest split off with half their escort to head for the hospital, the rest continued directly through.

Motherlode had obviously granted him a skewed view of what a settlement was supposed to look like. Salt Lick wasn't one long street, winding back and forth over a little slope. Instead, it was about the size of a modest Earth town, with hundreds of buildings mixed between homes, industry, and business. 

Maybe comparing it directly wasn't quite accurate—it felt a little more like stepping a hundred years into the past, just before the widespread adoption of the automobile.

The central causeway had actual cobblestone beneath his hooves, while the rest had gravel or just flat brown dirt. Wooden power lines ran along the street, with the look of something both brand new and experimental. Where windows had lights, they pulsed and glowed, getting brighter and dimmer as the grid fluctuated. 

The city lacked the element he came to expect from that period: pervasive pollution. Some smoke from cookfires, sure—but nothing like the oppressive black clouds of soot that choked the lungs and shortened the lifespan of everyone inside.

“Salt Lick is a newer town, but we're proud of what we've done in so little time,” Sharp Command said, only a few feet away. He walked alongside Shauna now, weapon forgotten. “Got our own junction in with the Canterlot Express. Our own power and water utilities—almost independent. But the ground's too rocky to do much farming, so we still need the trains to keep coming if we wanna eat.”

They were heading towards downtown, judging by the larger buildings there. No towering skyscrapers—none were more than five stories or so. He could already see it, the cobbled main street lined with shops and colorful signs. Just like any number of thousands of little towns across his own world, before the big companies made it so much harder to compete. 

“I assume that's how we'll get to Canterlot?” Shauna asked. “The princess will call us back on that train?”

“That's where you're from, all of you?” The guard tilted his head to one side, then glanced back at the trailing group of little ponies. “Not many of you have the Canterlot look, if I can be frank. But I guess that's what comes from captivity. How long have you been prisoners, anyway?”

“Almost a year,” Winston answered, from a few steps behind him. “Longer for some, shorter for others.”

The golden-armored pony walked along in silence for another few steps, thoughtful. Then he looked back at Shauna. “Some kinda airship crash? Only way I know up to that mountain is through Salt Lick, but not one of you are familiar to me.”

He hesitated, levitating the helmet off his head, and holding it under one leg. Underneath, his mane was cut short and regular, a little like a military buzz. He squinted back at them. “Yeah, none of you have been here before.”

“It's a long story,” Shauna said, before anyone else could. “Part of the reason we need to talk to Canterlot so badly. Getting everyone home is going to be... complicated.”

She glared back at the group as she said it, expression sharp. But either the group got the message, or they were just too relieved to realize what she was saying. Thomas did, of course.

She doesn't want us to tell where we're from and scare them off. But how long can we keep that secret? The princess needs to know we're from Earth if we want her to send us home.

Something they could talk about when they reached their temporary shelter, he supposed.

Moments later, they did. Sitting directly in the center of Main Street was a tall building, covered in old-fashioned glass bulbs that flashed in sequence. “Grand Mareiott Hotel” it proclaimed in huge letters. “Home of the Restaurant de le Grand.”

Lin whistled from just behind him, loud enough that even their escort looked back at her. “Looks incredible. Hope they know the diamond dogs weren't paying us.”

Sharp laughed. “I'm sure that would be more of an issue if we got many visitors. The Equestria Games were a town over a few years back. But we shouldn't have more ponies staying here until the snow melts, and we get our next batch of treasure hunters. Stake themselves a claim, you know the type.”

Lin giggled. “Oh.”

“We'll be perfect houseguests,” Shauna said, a little louder than she had to. “We're grateful for your hospitality. Haven't had a lot of it lately.”

Sharp took them inside, through a similarly grand glass entryway surrounded by lights and mirrors. The lobby was more of the same, fine wood and vaulted ceilings and polished wood floors. Yet the space felt strangely empty, with only a handful of guests and staff lingering in corners or polishing the floor. 

The proprietor himself proved to be working the desk, a pony with thin wrinkles on his face and mane turning gray. He insisted on shaking each of their hooves individually as they entered. “Welcome to the Grand Mareiott Hotel!” he yelled, voice echoing off the vaulted ceiling. “My name is Tout Suite. When I heard of your predicament, I was simply... overwhelmed! Diamond dogs, taking captives in modern day. Supposed to be ancient history, but you lived it. My condolences to you all.”

“Thank you,” Shauna said. “We're all grateful we made it out of that mine. And even more that we won't have to sleep on the ground tonight.”

“For as long as you're in Salt Lick,” Tout Suite said. He moved down the line, touching each of their hooves in turn. “It's far less than you deserve. But this is what I have to offer, and I'm happy to share it with you. Arrangements have been made with Canterlot to cover your meals and other incidentals while you're here. We can start by getting you all situated with rooms. For simplicity, I've reserved the fourth floor in your name. There should be space for all of you.”

“We have seven in the clinic,” Shauna interjected. “Room for them, too?”

Suite nodded. The pegasus gathered a heavy, metallic-sounding bag under one wing, then gestured for a large elevator. “Most will have to share a room with someone. But you should find the accommodations satisfactory, I'm sure.”

The elevator door didn't open automatically—instead, a colt younger than Ethan waited just beside it, wearing a sharp black uniform and cap. He tapped a lever, and the elevator opened for them. He was the first to step inside, walking over to the controls. “We can take ten ponies.”

“The rest can wait here for the next trip,” Tout Suite said, following his employee inside. “We won't be long. There are also stairs over there, if you can't wait. And each room has a balcony for pegasi to fly in and out at their leisure, once you're assigned.”

Sharp Command took a step back, gesturing for the remaining members of the escort to go. “I'll remain here until I see you're taken care of. If you have any concerns for Canterlot, I can pass them on.”

“They won't,” Tout Suite said, before even Shauna could open her mouth. “I'll see to everything. They'll be so happy here; they won't want to leave.”

“Right.” Sharp looked at Shauna. “Is there anything else you wanted to pass along to Equestria? I could send another telegram.”

Shauna nodded. “Nothing to do with this establishment. I'm sure Tout Suite will take good care of us. It's about us. There's a...” She lowered her voice, but Thomas was still close enough to hear. “Some of us come from very far away. Outside Equestria. We'll need the princess to help us get home.”

“Really?” Sharp nodded, then took a pad, and scribbled notes onto the pages. “Ponies, accents, but no cutie marks. That is highly unusual for adult ponies. Though there was one village where that happened…”

“A few steps and infinity,” Winston muttered. “It's more than diamond dogs, there's magic involved.”

“I see.” The unicorn tucked his pad away again. “I'll send it. Of course there's no guarantee the princess will see a telegram. Equestria's a big place, with many ponies who need her. But I'm sure the proper authorities will get word. When I hear back, I'll come straight here.” He replaced his helmet, then trotted out the door with the others.

Thomas was one of the first group into the elevator, just in front of Lin. Nothing within was automatic—just more levers, with the colt standing there to operate them. “I'll be right back!” he promised the other half of their group, then shut the door. They ascended slow at first, not the smooth, even way Thomas was used to. The operator had to look through a glass window in front of him and stop them in the right place.

“I've never known Canterlot for its speed,” Tout Suite said, as soon as the doors closed. “We won't even get a train through until... next week? Celestia willing, you can bet on it, and be headed home to your families. Regardless, we'll take good care of you until then.”

Motherlode might be assholes, but at least Canterlot took care of us. Could be worse.

The doors opened, onto a floor that was a little less nice than the one they'd just left behind. No vaulted ceiling or high mirrors, and the carpets were faded along the edges. At least it had windows on either side, filling the space with natural light. 

“Breakfast at eight, dinner at six. The cafe for lunches whenever you feel so inclined. There are a number of shops attached, across from the restaurant. See that you're outfitted and prepared to travel.”

They stopped at one door, and he offered a heavy key to Shauna. “The suite is yours. The other rooms are all the same, yours to distribute how you wish.” He removed other keys from the bag one at a time, each one attached to a metal-stamped number. He lined them up, until all twenty were in front of them. “Each has a large bed, and a fold-out sofa. If you require anything else, speak to the housekeeper downstairs. They'll be happy to assist.”

He slipped back into the elevator and descended the way he'd come. They waited in the hall until the rest made it up—most in the elevator, though a few had braved the stairs. 

Shauna glanced over the group, then the keys. “Alright. If you want someone in your room, tell me. Otherwise, you might get stuck with someone. Best behavior, everyone. Polite, friendly. Don't break anything or take advantage of their hospitality. Got it?”

Everyone nodded. Several split off into groups, moving to stand with their friends. Winston was already heading for Lin.

Thomas was closer though and got there first. Let him glare all he wanted. “Lin, are we—”

“Yeah.” She trotted over to him, pawing at the soft carpet floor as she went. A few seconds later, Shauna reached them, offering a key—the one next to hers.

“I know I don't have to worry about you two,” she muttered. “Keep an eye on her, Thomas. This is another culture; one we don't understand. She's your responsibility.”

Lin's wings opened, and she puffed out the feathers on her chest. “Hey! I made it down the mountain fine on my own.”

“On your own, right.” Shauna walked past them to the next group. Thomas opened their hotel room a few moments later. Like the hall outside, it wasn't quite as nice as the floor downstairs might suggest. The space was a little dusty, the carpets faded near the window. Yet it was spacious, generally in good repair, and warm.

Compared to the wasteland outside, it might as well be paradise. He slumped to the floor, eyeing the open bathroom door. “You think they have hot water?”

Lin left the hotel door open behind her. She stopped beside him even so, eyes fixed on her hooves. “Motherlode runs us out into the snow, but now Equestria acts like this?”

“Too good to be true, you mean?” 

She nodded. “Yeah. Missing something, I know I am. Just can't tell what.”

“Maybe.” He stepped into the bathroom, then flicked on the lights. The interior was similar to any of the nicer hotels he’d stayed at, with adjustments to their larger size and strange shape. “There's a tub in here. Hot water. You telling me you won't use it?”

Lin appeared in the door, glaring at him. “If you're protecting me, then... protect me from out there. I call dibs.”