Celestia's sun was rising as Daring do and Charter came in to view of Cloudsdale on the horizon. It had been three day since they had left Oasis an flown non stop across the desert till they had reached Dodge Junction. After a very short stop for food and water, they had continued on for Cloudsdale. Now they came in for a soft landing on the clouds and at last they could rest their tired wings. But Daring Do was not going to waste any time. She looked over to Charter and told him what they needed to do.
“We are in need of food and warm clothing for the long crossing over the Great Mountains of Snow and plenty of food to get us to the Emerald Sea. He nodded in agreement.
“Right Daring. I can get us some warm clothes and a map. But we will need some pony to guide us over those mountains. They can be very dangerous this time of year.” Even though it was still hot out in the desert, the winter winds were starting to blow over Equestria bring the winter with them.
“ok. I'll leave it to you. I'm going to get all the food and drink we will need.” she pulled out some
gold coins and put them in Charter's Hoof to pay for the clothes.” They both went their separate and a short time passed. Daring Do returned with her backpack stuffed with food and two small barrels filled with Cider. As she looked around she noticed charter sitting outside a café with another blue pegasi and a large bundle of clothing . As she trotted over to them and they both stood up to greet
her.
“Daring Do, this is Windracer.” He stood up and gave Daring a curious nod “He is going to be our guide over the mountains. He is a friend of my Parents and one of the best guides in Cloudsdale.”
Windracer was a tall stallion and his coat was a sky blue as well as his mane an tale. He looked at the pair with a stern face.
“So you two plan to cross the mountains do you. You were wise to hire me. Those mountains are very dangerous this time of year and you will quickly freeze to death if you get lost.” Neither of them like the sound of a slow cold death. But Daring looked brightly at him
“At least we'll have you to prevent that from happening then!” This made Windracer blush, but he quickly regained his composure. “We had best be off then” they divided up the supplies and took off
from the clouds. Soon Cloudsdale was far behind and they began to climb high though clouds. The three of them were now above the cloud cover and were beginning to relax into a cruise.
Daring Do decided that it was a golden opportunity for some fun.
“Hey Charter. Fancy a game of flying tag! I'll go easy on you.” Charter gave he a confident grin as Daring Dived in front of her.
“Oh it is on!” He dived into the clouds after Daring Do. He came out the other side with no pony in sight and suddenly realised that she must still be above him.
“TOO SLOW! Came a voice from above and Charter felt a tap on his flank as a grey blur whizzed
passed him. He pulled into a steep dive to gain and tried to catch her
“ok...Don't move.” she climbed fast. “Lost Her!” He herd her blowing a raspberry as she climbed away.
Windracer was watching the game and rolled his eyes at the two young Pegasi playing in the
midday sun and thought back to the days when he was a young colt playing tag with his friends.
The games soon finished and they got back to the journey across Equestria. Up Ahead they could see Canterlot getting closer and as they passed the great city they could see the damage caused by the invasion of the Changeling's which happened over three months ago. Their was an awful lot of damage and the repairs were still going on.
Soon Canterlot was far behind them and the shape of the Great mountains of snow were looming ahead of them. Daring Do felt the cold wind blow against her cheek and thought back to her adventure in those mountains and how she was lucky to escape with her life. It was starting to get dark and the wind was now blowing a gale, whipping the snow from the mountain to create a mighty blizzard!
Windracer called out to the others. “we can't keep going in this weather! Follow me and we will take shelter till this blows over.”He led them down onto the mountain side where they started to walk through the thick drifts of snow till they came to a dip in the mountain side. As they got closer a great wall appeared in front of them and as they were led along the side, till they came to a large stone keep with high. He pushed the mighty oak door open a crack. “Inside Quick!” Windracer ushered them through into large hall with a spiral staircase in the middle going up to the next floor.
Daring Do was looking at the place in wonder. She had never seen a castle like this in all her travels.
“What is this place Windracer?” A curious Charter asked.
“Long ago before the harmony of Equestria, the realm of the Unicorns held this region and were
having to fend off constant attacks from the Changeling's and the Eastern Hoards. So they built this
place in the Mountain pass to protect their land from invasion. When the three tribes joined
together, they abandoned these places for the ripe land of Equestria. So when ever the Weather ponies come to these mountains for the snow clouds, they use this place a a rest stop. He led them through a smaller door into a side room. The room had a fireplace on one side and a number of crates spread around the room.
Daring Do opened one of the boxes to find in was full of tinned food. Charter opened another to find it full of kindling for making a fire. Windracer grabbed a bundle and went to the fireplace get a fire going. As the fire began to take in the old fireplace, the room was warming up and they all
began to take off the coats and bags. They ate some of the food and each had a beaker of Daring Do's Cider. They felt a rush of warmth from the drink and soon they started settle down for the night.
In the early hours of the morning Charter was woken by a hoof rubbing his shoulder. He groaned at the disturbance but opened his eyes to look at Daring Do. “What's going on? Why did you wake me?”
“shhhhhh!” came a voice
“What's happening” Charter asked in a hushed tone.
“I've just heard the front door open and close again.” Daring Do replied
“We had better go and find them. They might be in trouble” Charter Suggested. With that, Daring and Charter went to search the rest of the castle whilst Windracer stayed by the fire refusing to waste his time. He was sure that it was just the wind blowing on the door making it rattle, the chances of their being other People up here on the mountain were astronomical.
He herd the door behind him open and the sound of hooves on the stone floor.
“I told you their was no-pony out their.” He turned around he to see a pair of rather beautiful Mares in the door way.
“well hello. What's a lovely pair of fillies like you doing in a place like this.” He gave them a
seductive looking smile as they walked closer to him. “We saw your fire from outside. We've been lost in these mountains for days and now you have save our lives.“ They got closer to Windracer and huddled up either side of him making him blush bright red. He looked into the eyes of the pony on his right and was shocked as her eyes became glaze blue!
“AAARRRRRRHHHHHHH”
Echoed around the castle making Daring Do and Charter jump out of their skins in complete fright!They ran back down stairs at full speed to the front room and as they pushed the door open they saw Windracer with his back to them.
“Are you all right Windracer? What in Equestria was that scream for? He turned around to show a
bandage wrapped around his leg.
“Sorry guys I accidentally burnt my leg whilst stoking the fire, but don't worry I've put a bandage
on and I will have it looked at when we reach Keeltown on the Emerald Shore.”
It was another Two days till the reached the Keeltown, with its sea of masts all along the shore
showing the sheer number of vessels that came to this place. They landed on the quay side and started to ask around for a ship to take them to search for the City. Everyone they tried refused their offer and told them that it was too dangerous at this time of the year. They continued for over a hour with no luck until Windracer appeared in front of them with a curious looking smile on his face.
“No luck finding a ship then.” they both nodded their heads. “I might be able to help. I know of a group who might be willing to help you in your journey.” He ushered them down a back alley where the sunlight was barley able to reach. They came to a dead end and Daring Do started to sense that something was not right . She could hear something moving behind her but she could not see any pony.
“What's your game Windracer! You said their were ponies who could offer us a ship! Windracer kept his back to them and suddenly began to speak in a much more high pitched voice.
“Who said they were ponies?” He turned around to reveal a pair of glazed blue eyes and razor sharp
Fangs! From behind came a number of Green Flashes of magic which knocked the two ponies out
cold.
“Good. We have them.”
When Daring Do came around she had a throbbing headache and suddenly noticed the floor under
her hoofs was pitching from side to side giving a creak each time. She tried to rise to her hoofs but found them to be shackled as well as her wings. They were attached to chains which kept her pinned to the ground. She look around in the dimness and could see no sign of Charter.
“Charter. CHARTER! WHERE ARE YOU!” She made the chains clank loudly as she tried to turn
over. But their was no reply . She suddenly herd a key turn in the lock of the door and a shape
stand in front of her. She became accustomed to the light and saw that it was a Changeling in
blue armour. He gave her a mocking grin as he stepped inside followed by two others.
“Glad to see your awake. I was afraid my private here had hit you you too hard. But to business, I'm
Captain Nestine and you are going to help use retrieve the Spear of Commander hurricane so we
can return it to Queen Chrysalis.” Daring Spat at the deck in front of him. Which was returned with a hoof to the side. She coughed in pain and spoke.
“Your Crazy if you think I'm going to help you. Go and boil you head slime ball” she spat again on the floor in front of the Captain.
“If you Don't! Your little blue friend will find himself at the bottom of the ocean strapped to a
cannon ! Is that a good incentive!”
Him and his friends began to laugh maniacally.