The next part is up!

https://www.theguardianherd.com/messageboard/herd-chat/the-portal-of-time-part-4

Ichika sighed. “I know, why did we come here though? It’s good to get a parcel for FrondFeather, but was there any importance in coming here, or was it just to explore?”

Victoria: She smiled and nodded her thanks, "Thank you. This is very helpful."

Duskfrost: "Not gonna lie. I'm feeling a bit uneasy about this."

Aiden: He smiled, "That's, actually really nice." He laughed nervously, "This is called a brave face. I don't want to be alone at the end, that thought is terrifying."

Marlin:

”A cave near a supply of freshwater would be best,” he told Summerwind. “Also, somewhere stable. It wouldn’t be fun if the entire mountain came down on us.” He’d have to scout out any cave that Summerwind chose, of course. He didn’t trust them to that extent yet.

Frondfeather:

She buzzed her wings anxiously, hoping that things didn’t get so desperate as making them grounded for life. “Why are there no pegasi here?”

Simona:

She looked down for a moment. “If the most I can do is stay by your side right until the very last minute, I will.” Maybe it could give him some comfort.

Roja: "Ok. Thanks for the lift, SummerWind - I hope our next meeting is better than this one," she waved, then walked back to join Marlin and Victoria in building a shelter.

Uriah: "But we did find something for Duskfrost's leg! We still need to pay for it, though. And I think I know where and when we are - Colonial Philadelphia," he said, as if his company would even know what that was.

Leroy: He was glad that Aiden was reaching a kind of peace, even when he was so young and had seen comparatively little combat. Pain of the kind his friend suffered tended to age one prematurely, he thought.

Victoria: She nodded, feeling overwhelmed by this situation she seemed to be in the middle of, "That would probably be best." She looked at Roja.

Duskfrost: "You guys just walked away."

Aiden: He shrugged and looked down, "I don't know if scared is the right word. Hesitant and in denial is closer. I'm mourning what I'll never get to do or see more than what happens to me. I mean...heaven, hell, nothing? Something will happen but I have no control over that." he returned his gaze to her, "Always thought I'd actually grow up, and have a family. You know, the good stuff."

he didn't want to die, the thought made him emotional and allowed a sick feeling to settle in his stomach, but fear...no. Just pain of leaving it all behind.

Marlin:

He didn’t see Victoria as being a capable shot, so he was confident that he would get the gun back. “Well then, shall we try to create a shelter?”

Frondfeather:

Seeing that they weren’t alone made her feel a bit better about their situation. “Any luck with finding a way back home?” She fanned her feathers, trying to cool herself off.

Simona:

”I think you have all the marks of a very good friend.” And if he somehow managed to live, she knew that she would enjoy his company. “Are you scared? About death?”

Aiden

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "it's scary, I'll admit it. I don't know what's going to happen to me and there is no way I could." He met her eyes, "it's not stupid, Simona. It's human." He forced a small smile to his lips, "did you just call me a friend?"

Victoria

She looked between them then towards the ground to collect her thoughts, "I'll try, but instinct may take over."

Duskfrost

"And if not, at least they can help." he limped towards the sound of their voices.

Roja: She balked a bit when she realized that JayFrost had slipped away. Then she glanced at Victoria - would she ever agree to kicking Marlin out?

Uriah: He strained his ears, listening not for the sound of equine nickers, but of the almost human sound of the pegasi's voices in his head.

Leroy: He got the gist of the conversation and tried to fall back to sleep. This wasn't his place, but maybe a pretty girl like Simona could make Aiden feel better.

Roja: "Yeah, whatever," she said, glancing over at JayFrost and SummerWind. "Do you two agree with that arrangement?" Since they were the ones he had threatened, it only seemed fair to get their input.

Simona:

”I…I’ve just always been scared of death,” she admitted. “I don’t like losing friends to it. It’s stupid, I know.” She finally looked over at him. “Truth to be told, I’m really scared for you.”

Marlin:

He desperately hoped that Jayfrost would stay away. He didn’t want that beast to kick him anywhere. ”If we run into any trouble, hand that gun over to me. I’m quite the experienced shot,” he bragged, hoping to win them over.

Frondfeather:

”There is bound to be?!? I can’t imagine there being none.” She twisted her ears around, hearing Uriah and Ichika. “That way! Maybe they know where one is!”

Ichika nodded, and grinned. “I can’t wait to see them! They’re so cute!” She grabbed Uriah’s hand, and dragged him back. “No strangers, just flying horses.”

Ichika nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Ichika looked at him. “Oh, I’m sorry. I take you seriously.” She offered helpfully.

Ichika thought on that. “Maybe? This is your area of expertise after all.”

Ichika nodded, and sighed. “Oh well. At least they were nice enough to give the money back, and hold our items.” She said helpfully. “But how do we get proper money here?“ she crossed her arms, and thought for a minute.

SummerWind flicked their ears in appreciation. “We thank you for not shooting us, Marlin.” They said helpfully.

JayFrost looked away hastily, but sighed. “I have other things to take care of.” He nodded to the land-walkers, and to SummerWind, before flaring his wings and taking off.

Ichika shuddered. “We don't have the right money?” She whispered to him. She eyed the windows nervously

Ichika froze, and awkwardly turned around. She looked over to Uriah frantically. “What’s the difference?!” She whispered nervously

Ichika strained. “I’m fine. Whatcha got there?” She asked referring to the parasol.

Ichika came out of the back room, completely changed and new. She pet down the dress, and tried not to squirm in the corset. "So? What do you think?"

Ichika nodded, and went to find a changing room.

Ichika rolled her eyes. “I need you to to me how I look!” She grabbed his arm, and opened the door to the dress shop, marveling at everything.

Ichika thought about that. “Well- I mean- hey look the dress store!” She chuckled awkwardly to avoid the subject.

Ichika smiled. “And everything will be okay as long as we don’t interfere with them. Okay? Promise me you won't mess with the past.” She pleaded.

(I may or may not be on the next few days.)

Uriah: “Nah…” he said. ”We would hardly be a threat to any soldiers. Besides, all we would run into in the city are regular, disciplined troops... they might eat all the food though.” That’s what his parents had said about the Union soldiers who had liberated them in the South.

Ichika stopped dead in her tracks, but sighed when she realized what he’d said. “Don’t worry.” She smiled softly. “I trust him.” She grabbed Uriah’s hand, and gently walked out of the store. “Thank you though!” She called over her shoulder.

Uriah: He watched as the jeweler let them in.

"How can I help you?" asked a middle aged man, his eyebrow raised at the strange looking girl and her black companion.

Leroy: Vincent gasped, his face turning to Nathan's.

Ichika sighed. “here goes nothing.” She opened the door to the store, and silently moved towards the counter. If this was the best choice, then perhaps there wouldn’t be any harm.

Ichika looked through the window. “Oh. Right.” Woman didn’t Have as much rights as a man back in time, yet they still played an important role. “Okay, if anyone asks, you are escorting me here on my fathers order. You think that will work?”

Ichika nodded. "If it helps our current situation. Then yes." She did her best to pull up her hood, which hid her hair and face well, but her outfit chose wasn't all that good. "Come on, Uriah. Let's hurry."

Roja: She wasn't naïve enough to believe that Marlin had changed his ways, but she knew Victoria was. And Victoria was the only one he trusted. "Ok. I don't think you should be the one to hold the gun though. Maybe Victoria should."

Leroy: A second shot rang out. But who had it come from?

Ichika groaned. "Aw man! I don't know how to get money, and stealing isn't my thing." She looked disappointed. But thought of an idea. "Let's ask someone else for an outfit. Or I can trade . . . this." She pulled out a small golden bracelet. "You think they'd trade for it?"

Ichika tapped her chin. “Ever heard of role-playing?” She asked as plan Formed in her mind.

Ichika looked a little better about that. "What about you?" She asked

Ichika nodded. “But…. Will they tell we are lying? I mean- I don't exactly look the part.” She pointed out.

Ichika but her bottom lip. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.” She managed to squeak.

Ichika looked to Uriah. “What?” She asked. She learned mostly about her own native schooling, and knew some stuff about America, but the topic always seemed to come in one ear and fall out the other. She sighed.

Ichika follow Uriah to the newspaper window. “Huh. Cool.” She read the title of the print.

Ichika looked around awkwardly. “Well, that’s good at least. I think I should put something else on.” She admitted stupidly

Ichika groaned as she sat down on the spot, covering her head with her hands.

Ichika gasped. “I’m in the states?” She asked visibly confused. “How did we get here?” She asked frantically to Uriah

(Hey guys! I just wanted to remind you that you can suggest a cover for Part 4 here! I'll be making the new part once we reach 50 pages.

Ichika looked around, from the buildings, to the street. "This is the kind of stuff you won't learn from a text book..." She whispered softly.

SummerWind nodded. "We agree with Victoria. Everyone has their own beliefs, but that shouldn't give any rights to hurt others because of it."

JayFrost flicked his wings, feeling grateful for his friends for stepping in, but it wasn't okay. "We're not food." He murmured under his breath.

Victoria

She looked between them all, "we have to remember that tho we may not all agree in his methods, he came from a time where weapons and survival were a top priority...we can just poo poo his ideas and ways because we don't agree." She looked at him, "what he did isn't right, but everyone's story is different. We have to learn who the others are. Communication for one."

Duskfrost

He nodded, limping after her, "ow...can...can you slow down?"

Aiden

He laughed lightly, "maybe not, but right now you are taller then me."

(Posted for Aspi)

Roja: “I guess so, since we don’t have hooves like the pegasi do. But we have to agree on how we’re going to use it, and more importantly, Marlin actually has to follow those rules!”

Leroy: Yes, it was a shout. He was sure of it. But had it been one of anger, or of greeting? Perhaps the soldiers in the trees were not Spaniards at all, but French or international troops! All he could do was w a i t . . .

Duskfrost

He watched their human companions leave, "are we going to be able to secure that?" He asked Frondfeather softly.

Aiden

He thought back on words spoken from the adults he had known, sorting through words of wisdom, and the annoying cackle of a drunk. "When people are down, keep your head high. You'll be above their haze and see cleaerer, only then can you lead them on the right path." A general had spoken that to him.

Victoria

She looked right back at him and nodded, "I mean...we need the gun." She looked tiwards Roja, "we can all agree on that right?"

Uriah: He ventured into the cobblestone street, analyzing it with all of his senses. The buildings were made out of wood and brick, the smell of horse manure was all around, along with voices speaking in English (though that could be the portal language glitch in his favor). The air had a bit of a bite to it. He didn't feel like tasting.

Leroy: Was that a shout that he heard? He wished he could rewind in time.

Roja: "You make reasonable arguments about why we should keep the gun, but when it comes down to it, its only been used on an innocent pegasus flying by, the French man, or as a threat towards our friends," she argued back.

"Besides, there have to be better wards against predators besides guns! SummerWind, how do you pegasi deal with predators?"

Frondfeather:

She took a stick and some stalks of grass to make Duskfrost the temporary crutch. Using grass wouldn’t hold long, but it would give them some time to find better materials. Simona:

”I don’t care if it makes sense.” She fiddled with her beat up tail. “I just need something.”

Marlin:

”Maybe this place is a safe heaven for those winged beasts, but who knows about us humans?” He glared at Roja. “There are always predators, and we need protection. Maybe these winged creatures aren’t predators, but I am sure that there are other bests here that are twice as unpredictable.” His gaze was softer as he looked to Victoria. “I think we need to get a better lay of the land before making any type of assumptions.”

Leroy: Vincent fired, rocked at the recoil. He never properly braced himself. But what could Nathan do?

Uriah: He nodded, then turned to Ichika. “And you… would you rather come with me, or stay here?” he asked.

SummerWind pricked their ears. "That is correct, but we have no grudges against anyone."