//------------------------------//
// 49 - White Oasis 
// Story: Mending Light 
// by Kiromancer 
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With the threats of Broken Tooth and Firetail removed from Olymponis, the inhabitants turned to more pressing concerns than watching over a small group of foreigners. Not that they didn’t take us into consideration—food and water were always prepared and brought in, and the ponies who came to us were very polite, very respectful. We simply weren’t in a position to be anywhere where we could make a difference. Not Star, Merri, or myself at least.

My struggle was with exhaustion, a kind I’d never experienced before. At its worst, it was a headache that seemed to weigh me down, making my brain foggy and body sluggish. Merri and Star told me that they had the same symptoms, a typical response to magical overexertion which any unicorn would recognize.

The pain and sluggishness were foreign to my body. For pegasi, overexerting meant flying too long or too hard, and usually resulted in a crash, with broken bones, bent wings, or worse. Knowing your limits was critical training in flight school, but being prepared for magical strain was not something I would have ever foreseen a need for. 

In the times I was awake, Star had talked to me about some basic mental exercises I could do to clear my head, but either lack of practice or an incompatible mindset prevented them from doing much good. The only real cure was going to be bedrest, which was easy enough.

Dusky was in and out of our room. When I woke up and she was present, she would offer a nuzzle and a gentle hug, and talk to me until I was too exhausted to keep going. She was going out and helping within the city, and as much as I wanted to be there alongside her, I just wasn’t in any condition.

Over the next few days, our talks turned to our plan to head home. To my dismay, a quick journey back to Ponyville wasn’t going to be our next goal. Instead, we’d be heading deeper into Ostfriesen, back down to the castle, where Star would give an official testimony into what had occurred here. As my strength returned, we decided it was best to head south on our own, rather than waiting for Bellerophon and Amethyst Vein to be in a position where they felt stable enough to send their own envoy. 

Heading out through the main gate, we made a much more deliberate path back towards Fort Mareginot. It felt like going home, even though I knew we weren’t. There was no sorrow leaving Olymponis behind, not after everything that had happened there. I bore them no ill will, but there were too many bad memories lingering within that mountain. 

Before we knew it, we were in Fort Mareginot, with its solid wooden walls and garishly dressed ponies. It was almost a welcome sight in itself, for once we passed through that waypoint, we entered back into the cultivated, safe roads of Ostfriesen proper. As safe as these lands were capable of getting, in any case.

The guarded, smooth roads sped our pace considerably as we moved deeper into the tiered farmlands. The road wound down the foothills into the valley, through layers of plants and crops, each conspicuously separated from one another as if by design. As I recalled Star’s story of Ostfriesen’s struggle to expand against the Badlands, that thought probably wasn’t too far off.

Soon, we reached the Path of Dragons, a broad, flat road with high walls on either side. Traffic upon this main road was much greater as well, both coming and going from the great city of Oasis. Descending further into the valley, the hard packed dirt road was replaced with intricate stonework set in decorative patterns.

I looked up at the sky, trying to get a sense for the weather work being done here. I hadn’t been able to give it much thought on the journey into the north, but without the threats looming over us, I let my mind wander towards my own curiosities. With the hundreds of years of cultivation that Ostfriesen had performed, I’d just assumed they would have perfected their weather patterns, but instead, the air had a different, yet familiar sense to it.

There were clouds, certainly, but they were not neatly arranged or even properly distributed in any way I could make sense of. There were no pegasi in the skies, here, instead, the sky felt alive. My wings twitched uncomfortably. It’d been some time since I’d gotten to fly outright. Our journey with Star had kept Dusky and I on the ground for sake of keeping together. Flying through Ostfriesen might not be so easy, however, if the wind wouldn’t cooperate, and that thought made me realize why it felt so familiar. It was like the Everfree Forest, alive and untamed, but there wasn’t the same sense of malice as there was within those woods. The thought that all this work had been done without weather magic to bring rain and aid the plant’s growth only made their achievements that much more impressive.

When I brought my head back down, I found the road had turned, the path now leading towards the gap between two large hills. On the other side it straightened, and the full sight of Oasis lay spread out before us. The gleaming white city, framed by the carefully arranged countryside was astounding to look upon. 

The land continued in its terraced pattern. It was a solid, vivid green, which beautifully contrasted the pristine white walls of the city. A dip in the land was set just before the castle wall, with the only path over it being a wide drawbridge leading to a grand gate. Long banners hung along the walls, each one as tall as several ponies. The banners depicted a deep green land around a central mound of earth, from which a single palm tree emerged. The leaves of the tree were arrayed into a figure eight lying on its side. A symbol for infinity. Ostfriesen certainly wasn’t subtle with its imagery.

Beyond the wall were large, gleaming spires, each capped with golden domes that shone in the sun, and even from outside, there was one tower far beyond the others which rose significantly higher. The whole city gave a similar impression to Canterlot, but with a more focused design towards defense.

Dusky turned to Star and Merri with a smile. “Fancy. You sure you’re going to be able to get used to Equestria again after this?”

Merri casually waved a hoof. “Oh, sure, the place and everypony inside looks nice, but I don’t need any of that. The party goes where I go~.”

Star glared at Merri, raising an eyebrow in silence.

“Uh, Sis’?” Merri tilted her head, still grinning. “Lighten up?”

Against all expectations, Star stuck out her tongue. “Just try not to seduce too many stallions on the way in. One riot per week is enough.” 

Without waiting for a response, she smiled and began to walk towards the main gate.

I blinked, turning between Merri and Dusky in confusion. “U-um?”

Dusky began to laugh. “Guess I don’t need to ask how it feels to be home.”

Merri chuckled, glancing towards her sister. “Guess not~.”

Over the bridge, we approached the main gate. Two guards stood at the ready, in armored barding, and bright house colors, like so many others we had seen along the roads—and even amongst Firetail’s forces. I almost wondered how the Ostfriesens could tell who was actually a guard, or knight, and who was just somepony in fancy armor.

Dusky tensed, perhaps her train of thought going back to Firetail’s soldiers as well, but the guards waved us through the gate without even a word. 

Inside, the city was suddenly very, very alive. Knights and civilians all walked the streets, talking, haggling, or marching along to whatever business they had. The knights all wore their own unique colors and armors, but the other citizens were not to be outdone. Those ponies were dressed in just as many garish colors as those upon the border. Within the city proper, the clothing wasn't just limited to armor. From simple saddles to flowing gowns and everything in between, it was clear that the military aspect of Ostfriesen's frontier was not the entirety of their culture.

Dusky smirked. “Let me guess, this isn’t a festival. It’s always like this.”

Merri draped a hoof across Dusky and grinned. “Now you’re getting it~!”

“This way to the castle.” Star pointed down the main road, then continued to move through the crowd.

It’s always like this. I boggled. Canterlot had been busy, and this was so much louder and busier than even that. It assaulted me, and I dropped my ears to try and drown out the noise. 

Dusky’s voice cut through. “You okay, Night? We need to get going.”

I’d stopped walking, freezing there in the street. I looked at Dusky, shaking my head before I forced a smile and nodded. “Y-yeah. This place is just a bit much.”

She nodded and sympathetically smiled back. “Sorry. Once Star and Merri get their part settled, we can find somewhere a bit quieter.”

I took a deep breath and pressed on. 

Star took a direct course through the city, and to my surprise the crowds thinned, though never dissipated, the deeper we went. We soon reached a second gate, with the central castle set nearly against it. Beyond that was the great tower which had been looming over even the outermost wall.

“This is the Spire of Strength, the seat of our power.” Star led through the gate and moved towards a large greenhouse from which the great central tower emerged. “The area around it is the first of the land cultivated to help us survive. Please be respectful while we are inside.”

“Of course.” Dusky nodded immediately.

I hesitated, feeling out of place even being here, but then gave a nod as well. 

“Geez, Sis’, no pressure or anything, right?” Merri frowned, glancing back at me a moment.

Star snorted gently as she opened the entry to the greenhouse. “You could stand to show some extra respect, yourself.”

Merri rushed forward to follow. “Hey that was one time and I didn’t even start it!”

I glanced at Dusky and caught her glancing at me with a big grin. I let myself breathe and smiled back. 

Within, the greenhouse was quiet, with a meticulously cared for path through a well-maintained garden. Small groupings of plants were set apart from each other, each with a small engraved plaque which bore a name, and some dating system which I couldn’t quite make sense of. 

At last, we found ourselves in the final decorative ring of flowers and plants which all built up to a set of broad marble steps. At the top of those steps was an ornate gold archway carved with foreign symbols. 

On either side of the arch stood a guard. They had Merri and Star's bearing, that supreme confidence that only hinted at the deadliness within. On the left was a yellow mare with two braids of pale purple. The other was light green, with a helmet that obscured both her eyes and her mane.  Both wore unconventional armor, the yellow mare in a mix of chain and heavy barding, while the green mare wore thin leather, with a series of copper bracelets upon her forelegs.

The two knights exchanged a sidelong glance, then the yellow mare stepped forward. "Dame Starshadow. Merriweather. You know you are not supposed to be here."

Starshadow knelt on her forehooves. "I am aware, Dame Ivolana. Although, I would hope that you know me well enough to understand I would not return unless there was very good reason. I must see the Queen."

The mare worked her jaw, considering, then nodded. "I knew you as an honorable knight, Starshadow. Very well, we shall listen to why you are here, and determine if it warrants an audience. But... your sister..."

"Is part of the reason why I am here, yes. But not the only reason."

"It does not matter. You know that Merriweather was banished. You chose to follow her, but the punishment was not yours."

"We did not return to argue the banishment, only to bear witness to events to the north, and to give our Queen knowledge of what transpired.” Star straightened, taking on the same composure of her fellow. “I may have stepped down from my position, but I am still a knight."

Ivolana looked as if she'd swallowed bad produce, frowning at Star. "As am I. I cannot let her trespass go, Star."

"Sis’... it's okay.” Merri stepped up between her sister and the Knight. “I came back knowing what might happen. You sort things out with our Queen. I'll wait. I didn't come here to flaunt my punishment."

I frowned. We’d come so far. I hadn’t considered that we might yet lose Merri here. It didn’t seem fair, but I held my tongue. Star had cautioned us to keep respectful, and these were their people, and their laws.

Ivolana bowed. "Your compliance is duly noted, Merriweather. As is your concern for your sister, Star. I shall personally ensure no harm comes to her until the Queen has heard your story."

Star sighed, somewhat deflated, but bowed. "Thank you, old friend."

"Hibiscus.” Ivolana turned to her counterpart. ”Take Merriweather to a guest room. See to it she doesn't leave. I trust you won't leave, Merriweather?"

Merri nodded into a bow, her face somber. "Yeah, I won't. You're putting too much on the line for my sake already, Iv—uh, Dame Ivolana."

Ivolana smiled as the other knight stepped forward to lead Merri away. "So long as you understand that, I thank you as well."

Dusky turned to Star. "What about us?"

Ivolana raised an eyebrow as she appraised Dusky, then looked towards me. "Apprentices?"

"Not quite. They are good friends." Star turned to give us an apologetic look. "You two will need to wait, I fear. The effort required to have you enter the Spire of Strength with me would be considerable, and your words would have little weight with the Queen. My apologies."

Dusky shook her head. “I figured as much. Don’t worry about it.”

Merri snickered from down the path, calling back, "Perfect opportunity if you ask me. This might take some time, so why don'tcha go tour the city, eh? Make a date out of it~."

I blushed slightly. At least Merri still kept her sense of humor through all this. 

Star's horn lit as she levitated out her remaining coins from our journey. "I am absolutely confident you are safe here. There should be enough there for meals and lodging. I cannot be sure how many days this will take for the Queen to verify our story. In the meantime, we may be separated, but if timing does not align for us to meet, I shall ensure that word of our progress is left at this gate."

Dusky took the coin purse and tucked them into her saddlebag. "We'll leave word of the inn once we get settled."

It felt strange to be just watching them go, after everything we'd been through to find Merri, to get to this point. My ears dipped slightly. "Be, um... be safe, okay?"

"We'll be fine." Merri gave me a wink. "Not like we're fighting off a dragon or anything."

I nodded. The hard part was behind us, certainly, but there was still that fear that something could go wrong. I couldn't let it just go with that. I moved past Ivolana towards Merri before she'd gone too far and gave her a hug, then stepped back to the gate to give Star a hug as well. "We'll be waiting, then. Good luck."

Dusky smiled and followed suit, giving the two sisters hugs. "Good luck."

Merri grinned, "You all worry too much. Now go on, have fun~." With that, she gestured a hoof towards the other knight and began to trot inside, the knight at her side. She craned her neck back and winked.

"Incorrigible." Despite her tone, this time as she watched her sister go, Star smiled.