//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 - Swift Trot 
// Story: Tales of Trotbhala 
// by Liracrowned 
//------------------------------//

	Just two deliveries left today. Oh, and this letter Miss Flux needed me to take to the castle guard. She said it wasn't urgent but she seemed so serious. Regardless I’ll do as she asked and finish my route first. Luckily one of these deliveries was already going to the old Kingdom so it’s already on my route today. But first a package for Miss Chain.

Picking up pace I head for the merchant district. There’s a good chance that this package has some precious materials for something Miss Chain is working on. It isn't too far from where Miss Flux lives ether so I should be on my way to the castle in no time.

Turning a corner I reach the largest merchant street in Bitsburgh, all of Trotbhala even. The old cobblestone path is home to some of the finest craftsponies around. Nothing here I could afford, but it is still impressive to see. Woodworks, metal smiting, artwork of all kinds. Anypony with a talent like that dreams of a storefront on this old road.

In my drifting thoughts I nearly pass right by Miss Chain’s residence. The sign on the door says she is closed, which is pretty rare for her. I knock on the door. But hear nothing.

Knocking again “Miss Chain? Are you home?”
After a moment I hear a few sounds from inside and the door squeaks open. The filly answering the door was not Miss Chain, she was a unicorn, but a much smaller one then I was expecting.
“Hi!” She announces in a squeaky voice.
“Hi.” While the door is open I peek inside “Is Miss chain here?”
“No, cous’ is out.”
“She’s not here, because she’s out?”
“No. Well, yes. But…”
We seem to both be confused. “I have a package she needs to sign for. Do you know when she’ll be back?”
“I can’t say I’m sure.” She seems to be thinking. “You do deliveries n’ stuff right?”
“Yes? I’m the mailpony, it’s what I do best.”
“You deliver something for me?”
“Yes, I can get it wherever it needs to go.”
“It needs to go here.”
I can’t help but stare at her. Waiting for some additional explanation.
“You would bring cake here?” she asks.
“I. I could, yes?” I’m not entirely sure about the question.
“You’ll do that for me?”
“What exactly are you asking me to do?”
“Deliver cake. Here” She replies “To me.”
“Did you have an order placed or something? Or-“
“You said you could. You said you could get what I need delivered to wherever it needs to go.” 
I feel as though she’s misunderstanding how my job works. But I did say that, well, sort of. I can feel a sigh coming up but I manage to keep it in. “There’s a sweets shop around the corner.” Her eyes are already lighting up. “I’ll get you something.”
“Thank you” she squeaks again. “I’d go myself but Silver Chain says I need to stay in the shop while she’s out.”
“Alright, I’ll be back in a moment.”  I turn to leave and I can feel her watching me as I trot down the street and around the corner.

Getting the cake was far easier then delivering Miss Chain’s package has been. Although it took nearly every bit I had on me. Had I had the time I would have gone a bit further away to get something cheaper, but I do what I must. Turning the corner I find a surprising sight, the little filly’s head was still sticking out the doorway where I left her. She had been staring blankly until she say me and her eyes light back up. I make my way back over to her and present her the package she requested.
“Thank You!” She yells at me and dashes back inside with it, leaving the door ajar.
Closing the door I prepare to get comfortable and wait for Miss Chain to return. But I had only waited a moment before I see her from the corner of my eye.
“Oh. Miss Chain, there you are.”
“Did you wait around long?” she asks.
“No miss, not too long.” I have a package you need to sign for.”
“I was expecting you today.” She says. Her horn glows lightly as a quill is pulled from her hat	 and gracefully signs the paper I had shown her to sign.
“Thank you” I tell her as I prepare to leave.
“Did my cousin open the door for you?”
Turning back to her I reply honestly “Yes. She asked me for cake.”
Miss Chain just looks at me for a moment before continuing “Did you get it?”
“Yes”
Her head goes crooked “Why?”
“She asked if I could deliver it, and I had told her I could.” She is still staring blankly at me “I’m a mailpony. Delivering things for anypony is what I do best.” She still doesn't seem satisfied with this answer, but it looks like she accepts it as a reasonable reply.
“I take it she didn’t pay you.”
“I don’t get paid per package.”
“But it wasn't a normal delivery. Let me pay you back at least.”
“No miss, it’s alright.” I turn and start to walk away before she insists I take her money. “Deliveries are what I do.”