Right on schedule the Sea Stallion sailed into Ft. Trotterdale’s harbor in my Equestria dreamscape. It was the early evening. Morning Lily had been correct in her assumption that the Weather Service would be unable to stop a wild weather system from making it onshore. Fortunately we would docked during a gap in the weather. However if one looked out to sea one could see the flashes of distant lightning and my weather sense told me Ft. Trotterdale would be wet again in about an hour.
 
Our luggage was packed and a crew member loaded it on to a baggage cart so it could be taken ashore, then it was simply a matter of disembarking. Down on the dock an assortment of the cabs and carriages awaiting passengers to transport them to their lodging. As we stepped off the boarding ramp I heard a voice call out.
 
“Sky Brush. Petina. Carousel. Over here!” Looking in the direction of the voice I saw Morning Lily hovering above the crowd. I flew over while the two mares navigated the luggage cart through the crowd.
 
“Morning Lily!” I exclaimed. “Good to see you again, hope your flight back wasn’t too wet?”
 
“Nah, it wasn’t that bad. But I got free bath right before arrived in Ft. Trotterdale; in fact we should get yer stuff and get y’all indoors fer things get all soggy again.”
 
I nodded my head. “Yeah we’ve got about another forty minutes before the next band of showers makes landfall, and from the way my wings are tingling it’ll be quite a light show to!”
 
Morning Lily smiled. “Well Scratch said ya were a weather pony and she’s right again. Let’s get y’all loaded up then so we can get this show on the road!”
 
Morning Lily directed us to a large, very elegant, jet-black Clarence carriage that was pulled by six large zebra stallions. They were all wearing matching black leather harnesses that were adorn various sterling silver ornaments from their homeland; finishing off their ensembles were matching black, silk top-hats with snakeskin hat bands. Petina made approving sounds at our transportation.
 
 
Making up the rest of the welcoming committee were two male griffins and a very svelte all black unicorn mare with fiery red eyes and a matching red stripe that ran through her long, wavy black mane and tail. The griffins were obviously part of Scratch’s security detail, and they wore an odd mixture of native garb and modified former Equestrian military gear. The griffins silently nodded their heads at Morning Lily when she landed by them. Morning Lily proceeded to introduce us to them.
 
“Sky Brush, Petina, Carousel, these two fine griffins are Shiktan and Bloodwing they’re all part of Scratch’s security team and some of finest fliers I’ve had the honor of flying with. And this fine mare is Fantasy she’s part of Scratch’s personal entourage. The fine stallions give y’all the ride are Zulbu, Mika, Tikka-Lon, Jona, Torbo and Little Fluff!”
 
The last zebra in the train looked back Morning Lily and shot her a grin. “It’s Littaflu you silly little feather flapper! By the Great Spirits you must’ve flown into a tree too often when you were a foal!” Morning Lily laughed.
 
“Ah! That always gets ya doesn’t it Littaflu!” The zebra laughed in return
 
“Oh so true!” He then paused and looked up at the sky. “However we should move along before the weather dampens the mood!”
 
So in quick order our trunks were stowed and we boarded the carriage. Only Fantasy joined us, Morning Lily flew ahead while Shiktan and Bloodwing flew a lazy, figure eight pattern above the carriage as it made its way through the streets of Ft. Trotterdale. Light from the carriage’s lanterns danced off of the rain-slick streets as the carriage’s suspension slowly rocked and swayed. The Clarence was easily large enough for six ponies. Petina, Carousel and I sat on a red velvet lounge seat while Fantasy laid down and stretched out on the other lounge across from us. As we rolled along Fantasy smiled and made her formal introduction.
 
“Scratch has been so excited to meet all of you.” Fantasy’s voice was like satin. “As Morning Lily said I’m part of Scratch’s personal entourage. I help coordinate the staff at Silver Mirror and help organize entertainment for her and her staff. Scratch wants to make certain that her staff are not lacking for things to help them unwind when their duties are over. This courtesy extends to her special guests. So if you are in need of something. Anything. Please let me know. It is my job is to make it a reality.” She purred.
 
Petina grinned at the black unicorn. “Scratch is too generous in her hospitality. I can’t wait to meet such an extraordinary pony!”
 
Fantasy smiled and shot Petina a smoldering look. “Well you’ll soon have that wish fulfilled since we’ll be arriving at Silver Mirror in a few minutes. Is it true that you and Carousel personally coached Rainbow Dash for this year’s Best Young Fliers Competition? Scratch was most impressed by what she heard of the performance.”
 
“Yep!” Said the white mare. “Even Brick, I mean Sky Brush, helped us with her instruction, and as a result she gave Cloudsdale a performance they won’t forget for quite some time!”
 
Fantasy turned her red-orange eyes toward me and I felt this electrical sensation run up my spine. “You’re very lucky Sky Brush to have two wonderful mares like this for partners.” She then slowly closed her eyes and did a long, elegant, cat-like stretch. With this task completed she hugged a throw pillow and returned sultry gaze on me. “I’m sure they are very entertaining.”
 
I nodded my head and replied softly. “They can be ‘very’ entertaining at times.” Fantasy smiled and looked out the carriage window.
 
“Ah, yes and now our little trip is over. Welcome to Silver Mirror!”
 
The carriage passed through a wrought iron gate that was opened by a pair of unicorns that were also part of Scratch’s security team. The Silver Mirror mansion was located on a lot about 60 acres in size that covered a good portion of the main hill overlooking Ft. Trotterdale. Even the darkness I could tell the grounds were very well maintained.
 
Our end destination was a large two-story plantation-style mansion. Bright light poured from many windows and from within one could hear the sound of music and many voices. A couple of unicorn mares with matching black silk vest, white silk shirts and red bow ties trotted forward and magically unfolded the carriage steps for us and opened the door they then stood at either side of the door and bowed.
 
“Good evening! Welcome to Silver Mirror!” They said in unison
 
“And good evening to you.” Replied Fantasy as she exited the carriage. “Is Scratch in the main drawing room?”
 
“Yes ma’am.” Said the light mauve mare, her pale orange companion nodded in agreement. “She’s demonstrating the portable organ that arrived yesterday to the guests.”
 
Fantasy raised an eyebrow. “She’s finally gotten it working correctly?”
 
A sudden burst musical pandemonium came from within the mansion, the two doors mare winced in unison.
 
“She’s still, um calibrating the instrument ma’am.” Said the grimacing pale orange mare.
 
“It’s sort of a work in progress.” Added her mauve companion.
 
The Black unicorn smiled and nodded at them. “But of course.” Fantasy then turned to us. “Well, let us go and get all of you properly introduced to your host.”
 
With no further ado we stepped into the mansion.
 
To be continued.