//------------------------------//
// Chapter Eleven - Tarragon 
// Story: Fairlight - The Fortress of the Four Winds 
// by Bluespectre 
//------------------------------//


CHAPTER ELEVEN

TARRAGON


I flew through the early light of dawn following the pendant’s familiar glow, my mind drifting back to everything that had happened back in the caves. Dragons… Dear goddess, I can barely recall ever seeing even one of the elusive creatures when I was a youngster, and then there, right beneath our hooves, was a place full of the bloody things! Somehow I doubted anypony would believe my tale anyway, or Nimble for that matter, but it was hardly the kind of story to bring up during polite conversation, was it? Once you’d left out all the juicy details about being shot at, blown up, nearly eaten alive and being surrounded by living nightmares, there wasn’t much left to talk about really. One day I’d like to meet up with the corporal again though. Despite being one Celestia’s mob, I genuinely hoped he would be alright and that he wouldn’t get himself into strife with his superiors. Mind you, a bit of a chatterbox he may be, but he was a suprisingly intelligent young stallion and I had no doubt he’d be more than capable of concocting some sort of cock and bull story to cover his back. He’d escaped ‘the monster’ after all, and who would even begin to suspect that a royal guardspony would become friends with such a vile beast? If he’d been the only survivor they may have raised an eyebrow or two about his ‘miraculous escape’, however there were several survivors from the pegasi detachment that had chased me in the first place. And frankly, I think they’d be the ones doing most of the explaining about that bloody debacle. Come to think of it, I was damned lucky they hadn’t rolled up to see what had happened to their ground based buddies. Unless they already had of course. The wagons had been abandoned and all it would have taken was one look into the tunnel we’d emerged from to send them running. Once burned, twice shy as they say.  

My newest travelling companion seemed quite content, the diminutive creature continuing to cling to my back like a leathery black limpet. I thought she’d have become bored by now and flown off back home, but she was still here, nuzzling happily into my mane. I hoped dragon slobber washed out. I have to say I was surprised that Barathel hadn’t seemed bothered in the slightest about his daughter running off with somepony she’d only just met. Neither did he seem as hell bent on killing me as I thought a father would be in similar circumstances. I know if some random guy appeared out nowhere and wanted to bugger off with my daughter in tow, I’d have more than something to say about it. A hoof shaped print pressed into his bollocks would be least of his worries. Actually, now that I come to think of it, was Barathel a male or female? I had no idea, but ‘he’ seemed to be the most appropriate. Interestingly, his daughter had been able to communicate with him, and yet not with me. All I picked up on was a variety of clicks, squawk and squeaks, not unlike the dreadful language the thestrals spoke. Maybe she hadn’t learned equestrian yet? She was absolutely tiny too, barely a sapling compared to the mighty oak of her father’s stature. Ha! Just as well too, I don’t think my back could take it if she got much bigger! Fortunately though, any pursuit of the two of us had disappeared along with the disaster in the caves. From what Nimble had told me, it seemed there was nothing especially mysterious about the royal guard chasing me after all… They were all after me: the army, royal guard, probably even the sodding navy. How nice it was to be wanted! This sort of attention though, I could seriously do without. Anyway, they’d probably be licking their wounds for a while yet and may think twice about coming after me again. With any luck they’d think I’d died in the caves, especially after throwing in an M.A.D after me. But as always, hope springs eternal!

I flew high, keeping to the cloud layer as much as I could to avoid detection. This far north and at this time of year, cloud was a lot more plentiful than it had been only a few weeks ago. It was almost as bad as the near perpetual overcast that made Manehattan the eternal ‘Rainy City’. Almost. Even so, this journey was really beginning to wear me down though. Day after endless day, through wind and rain I struggled on, taking whatever shelter I could find in forests, barns, in fact anything that would give me a safe place for the night away from prying eyes. When I had to, I would release a little of the magic at night to help ward off potential predators whilst I slept. Mostly all it caught were mice and the odd rabbit in its deadly embrace of course, though seeing their frozen bodies like that when I awoke in the morning wrenched at my heart. The little things had done nothing to me, but I had to think of myself, or more specifically Shadow, first. I was relieved it didn’t affect Tarragon though, and she continued to sleep happily on my back - unless she wanted to wander off looking for food which she did whenever we landed. I’ll say one thing for her, she was no herbivore that was for damned sure. I lost count of the amount of times she’d brought back a fresh kill to ‘share’ with me. I almost had, too. So far, however, I’d kept to my rations, avoiding the desire to eat half chewed squirrels. If need be I could always use the disguise to buy food in some of the more remote villages, although right now that was something I wanted to avoid unless at the very end of need. Speaking of need, I was beginning to ‘need’ a rest. I’d come to the point where I’d quite literally lost track of the time I’d been flying. How many days had it been now? I was beginning to think there was something wrong with Star Swirl’s pendant after all. I mean, it had been designed around a thousand years ago or something like that, hadn’t it? How could it still be working properly now? I held the thing up before me, and as always it shone brightest to the north, as indeed it had done since I’d left Smiling Borders – more or less. I sighed, hanging my head. Goddesses, I what I wouldn’t give for a bath! As luck would have it, not far off in the distance I could make out the telltale misty rainbow of a waterfall. And where there’s waterfalls, there’s often a pool for a tired pony to relax and wash. Right on cue a sudden whiff of pungent, unwashed equine caught in my nose. Celestia’s furry arse, I seriously needed a bath! With a whinny, I dived through the clouds down to the river below and circled, checking for any unwelcome visitors. The area certainly looked clear, I hadn’t seen any sign of habitation for ages amongst the wide grassy plains. Apparently ‘civilisation’ hadn’t quite reached out this far yet it seemed, and that was all the better for me. There was a nice spot near some trees where a quite pool of water surrounded by smooth pale grey rocks lay just crying out for its next customer - me! I came in for a landing and hastily began divesting myself of the myriad packs, bags and other necessaries with an enthusiasm born of decidedly smelly desperation. Finally the last pack dropped to the ground, accompanied by a loud heartfelt groan. Getting that weight off my back was a relief in itself, the damned stuff felt like it was fused to my back and pulled horribly on my fur. I don’t know whether that was down to a combination of sweat and dirt or a reaction to the intense heat from the explosion in the tunnel, but either way it was coming off - pain or no pain. Thank the gods there wasn’t anypony around to hear my pathetic squeaks as I worked. Even more so due to the fact I was just about bald by the time I’d finished. Ah, mum would be so proud...

I took a moment to catch my breath. Time for a smoke, I think. Or at least it would have been if I hadn’t still been half trapped inside that blasted flight suit. What the hell was damned thing made of anyway? I don’t know about being ‘skin tight’ as Tingles had described it, the slippery material felt like it had been painted on, and the only loose bits had been where I’d had to pry my packs away, removing so much hair I could have made a nice rug for myself. Out of me! And so, with wendigo magic put away for night - metaphorically speaking of course - I peeled myself out of the last of what was left of my flight suit. It wasn’t a pretty sight. I held up the tattered thing and sighed; thank goodness I’d brought a sewing kit with me. It had stood up pretty well considering everything I’d subjected it to, protecting me a lot more effectively than I’d expected. The least I could do was to make some effort at keeping it in decent condition. For now though it was cigar time. Lifting one out, it didn’t quite register with me at first just how surprisingly intact it was. How had it-? Aha! That crafty old bugger Mitre had put them in a padded hard shell case without my knowledge, no doubt anticipating some rough handling by yours truly. And I was glad of it too! Soon enough, leaning back against my bedding roll the pleasant scent of best quality Llamalian tobacco smoke rose lazily over the ad-hoc campsite into the still blue sky. Now this was more like it. Relaxation, calm, and a welcome sense of peace beside the bubbling water of the river was beginning to make me a little drowsy. I yawned, stretching my legs. Wish I’d brought a book to read. Lovely countryside it may be, but days of travel could really wear you down, and a welcome distraction would have been just the ticket. Speaking of which, I’d have to collect some firewood while we still had some light. It could get dark in this part of the world very quickly, as I’d discovered the hard way after hours of strength sapping flight. At least I didn’t have to worry too much about keeping out of sight for once. I’d keep it low though, just in case some eagle eyed pegasus happened to be passing by. Not that there was much chance of that all the way out here. I’d be more likely to run into ‘other’ things that might not be quite so friendly - dragons for one. Speaking of which, my dragonling passenger seemed to be right at home. She clicked at me in her funny little language before waddling up to the rocky pool and took a long drink. For some reason she reminded me of Shadow at a distance. The black leathery look, the odd clicking and hooting language - maybe they were related somewhere along the line? I still preferred hooves to claws though, as although small, the dragon’s talons dug in like bloody needles. Fortunately my gear had decent enough padding and she seemed happy enough clinging to that so long as she could nuzzle into my mane. And chew it. She really liked to chew apparently. I’d have to think of a name for her sooner or later, and hopefully something that didn’t come back to bite me on the arse later too. I didn’t know anything about dragons except the one’s I’d read about when I was a young colt, like ‘Tarragon, the terror of the east’. I’d absolutely loved that book. It was a gritty tale about an enormous fire dragon that had annihilated a number of towns along the east coast of Equestria around the turn of the century. It was a true story too, and even if it had been exaggerated a little to make the story more exciting for modern readers, it was still a damned good read that had me on the edge of my seat. Oh, and hiding under the covers at night too. You see, as well as the creature’s well documented pyromaniacal tendencies, it was especially notable for having a voracious appetite, and it certainly didn’t discriminate between sentient creatures and the more… um, ‘free range’ variety, if you know what I mean. Ultimately the angry beast was hunted down and captured by pegasi from the royal guard, which must have been quite a task all things considered. Hadn’t they drugged a cow carcass or something? I couldn’t quite remember. Still, in the end they’d banished the destructive dragon to the north with a magical ward to stop it ever coming here again. I guess the soldiers had that in mind for me as well, courtesy of the lovely Celestia no doubt. And what the hell was it with ‘the north’ anyway? Was it really that bad? There were remote forts up there along the Yakistani border, but other than that it was just a frozen wasteland. Or perhaps that was the idea? It was probably easier on the conscience to ‘exile’ some poor sod to freeze to death rather than have their blood on your hooves. Even if the end result was exactly the same. The little dragon snuffled at my foreleg and I reached over, fussing the little creature on the head. In response she butted my hoof with her head, closing her eyes and chirruping in what I could only think was an expression of happiness. 

“Do you have a name already?” I asked her. Always best to ask, right? She cocked her head to one side, watching me quizzically, but then seemed to give up on understanding the strange pony in front of her and began biting at muck between her claws. “Right then, Tarragon it is,” I said with a nod. “Do like that, little lady?”

The dragon didn’t seem to understand, but I imagine they take an enormous amount of time to develop. I mean, just how old was Barathel after all? More to the point, how old was Tarragon? I offered her a piece of oat cake from my pack, which she sniffed at before emitting a snort of displeasure. Of course… carnivores. I hope she didn’t fancy pony any time soon. Suddenly she darted off back to the pool, clambering up onto one of the low, flat rocks. As I watched, Tarragon stood carefully on the edge and dangled her long red tongue into the water. Seconds later, there was a splash and her head darted in quick as lightning. My initial reaction was shock, thinking my diminutive friend had fallen in, when she suddenly pulled her head back triumphantly waving a rather large fish in her jaws.

“Show off…” I muttered to her, stepping into the water. She squawked at me and returned to her dinner.

It was no hot spring, I can tell you that! The river water was bitterly cold, but at the same time intensely refreshing on my hide. Already I could feel all the filth, sweat, blood, and general build-up from days of rough living sloughing away into the riverside pool. With no small amount of help from my wash kit I scrubbed myself from muzzle to tail. Gods above, what a mess; my fur was patchy, my tail and mane matted and full of things I’d rather not think about. It was going to take ages to sort out this mess. You could see why adventuring types preferred short hair, and it wasn’t as if mine was that long to begin with. Well, all I can say is that I gave it my best shot. I certainly wouldn’t be winning any beauty pageants for a while, but what the hay, at least I didn’t stink like a wet turd any more so that had to be something positive, right? Finally finished, I towelled off as best I could, laying the rough piece of fabric out on a rock afterwards to dry in what was left of the sunlight. The rocks were quite warm considering, and my little friend had taken full advantage of that fact to stretch herself out. I reached over to give her a tickle, but in typical Tarragon style she had her own mind about such things, and in a flurry of leathery wings leaped up before rushing off into the woods, squawking at something she probably wanted to eat. For myself, I decided to treat my mane to a damned good brushing out. Rummaging in my pack for the case of accoutrements, the home made case contained everything a pony on the go could ever need: curry combs, different grades of brushes, scissors, hoof files and so forth. Thankfully none of the set had been damaged, all except for a slightly bent handle which I was able to straighten out without too much effort. With any luck, the lady the set belonged to wouldn’t notice. Hope, as always, springs eternal. Getting to work on my ragged mess of a mane, I can honestly I was really glad Tingles had made me take her spare grooming set now, despite my initial misgivings about needing the thing and it taking up valuable space in my pack. Naturally she was having none of my nonsense and the set was duly packed away before I could say another word. Boy, did I know my place! Mind you, other than a few stubborn knots, the old mane didn’t seem quite so bad after all really - and goddesses, did that feel good! Next, I gave my tail a good service. The white streak had some stubborn stains in it and I was beginning to wish I’d brought a shampoo rather than just soap to help me get the damned knots out. A tangled tail was no joke, and the comb caught and pulled painfully until, at last, it was all done. What a job! When I was a foal, Mum used to tell me off for running through thickets and brambles, catching all sorts of things in my mane and tail which she would then fuss over getting out. I’m sure she used to deliberately pull hard on the comb to make her point, and I bet she was doing the same with Sparrow now too, the awkward old mare. Raising a hoof to my eye I felt a tear welling up and wiped it away. I missed them, all of them. Sometimes I just… I sighed. These melancholy moods of mine were never helpful. As much as I preferred my own company from time to time, I needed company just the same as any other pony. Speaking of which, where was Tarragon? 

“Tarragon?”

She’d been gone for ages, which was unusual for her. Normally she didn’t stray far at all, or for long. I left my gear by the river and walked into the trees at the edge of the woodland where I’d last seen her. It was quite dark in here too, not much natural light could penetrate through the thick canopy above. What there was created dappled shadows which mane my mane twitch uncomfortably.

“Tarragon?” I called. “Where are you? Tarragon!”

Still no reply. I was starting to get worried now. I thought about going back to get my kit and weapons, but I was too far in to go back now. Anyway, what if she was lying hurt somewhere? I took a grip on my magic and let it flow through me gently, just enough to enhance my senses and be ready in case I needed it. My muzzle twitched. If I concentrated I could ‘feel’ the forest all around me, smell the leaf mould, the damp, yielding soil beneath my hooves. In the distance I could hear the eerie cries of deer, the chirrup of crickets and… something else… something nearer - a muffled shrieking noise…Oh goddesses, Tarragon! I homed in on the noise and charged forward, the cries growing louder with ever step. I could smell something else now too. It reminded me of the griffin quarter of Manehattan where they sold all sorts of strange, exotic foods. Of course, being a pony I didn’t eat things like that, even if the smells were enticing. This smell didn’t carry all the fancy spices the griffins used, and was a bit more like… I don’t know, something burning? Like roasted… Oh no... No, no, NO!

Bursting through the tree’s I was met with a sight beyond my worst imaginings. It was a small clearing, no more than a few yards across. And there in the middle of it, tied to a spit, was Tarragon, slowly being roasted over a low fire by several large dog-like bipeds. The beady eyed beasts hadn’t noticed me and were busy gutting rabbits, throwing their skinned bodies into a small pot. Tarragon shrieked in pain and fear as the flames licked around her, her captors callously ignoring her plight as they went about their meal preparations. Without pause I magicked a blast of icy wind directly at the fire, throwing off the shackles on my wendigo power in a heartbeat. In that same instant the source of my friend’s torment exploded in a gout of ash and steam, transforming it into a mass of charred wood and ice. Everything happened at once. The dog creatures scattered, yipping and howling into the safety of the treeline, ignoring the equine intruder in their midst and giving me enough time to reach my goal unimpeded. Using my sharp teeth, I quickly severed Tarragon’s tight bindings and flipped the little dragon onto my back. I could tend to her injuries later. Right now… Oh, yes… Right now...

I turned to look at the foul things that had done this barbaric act, baring my teeth and hissing out my anger at what they had done. I could feel the power, the hatred rising inside me inexorably. How could they? How could any being do this to another? I advanced on them, thick plumes of freezing fog rolling out from my hind legs, turning the ground and trees into cracking, splintering solid lumps of ice. Standing there in shock, the dog creatures drew knives and gabbled at each other in some sort of pigeon equestrian. I wasn’t listening. I didn’t care. These filth had dared to attack one of my friends, they didn’t deserve mercy.

They would receive none. 

As one the dog things turned and ran, shrieking into the woodland. And I followed. Howling my fury at their fleeing forms, a well aimed blast from my horn turned the first of the sickening animals into flying chunks of meat. Panicking, the second creature tripped and I was on him in an instant, my fangs sinking into his throat and ripping out his windpipe. And that was where I made my first mistake. I paused, savouring the taste of his life energy as it poured into my open maw, replenishing and revitalising me. Thankfully Tarragon squawked out a warning in the nick of time, as a spear flew past my ear and embedded itself into a tree with a dull ‘thunk’. There were even more of the dog creatures now, and they were taking cover in the thick undergrowth, sniping at me. An arrow sped towards me and I barely had time to bring a shield up to knock it away. More spears, more arrows… The bloody things were getting cocky now, feeling emboldened by the fact they were hidden in the undergrowth. But the show wasn’t over yet. Not by far. I’d teach these filth a lesson they’d never forget. My lips curled back, baring my teeth as I howled out unbridled fury and hatred at the enemy. 

Winter... had arrived.

The burning desire for vengeance concentrated my magic to a white hot fury, unleashing a broiling wave of mist and fog out toward the source of the attack. I smiled to myself, watching in grim satisfaction as the ground froze beneath its inexorable path. For added measure, I breathed deeply, focussing my magic into my horn and unleashed blue hell into the trees and bushes before me. The crackling beam of lethal magic swept from left to right at almost ground level, cutting through tree and bush - wood and rock alike exploding into splintered fragments like shrapnel. Blood curdling cries and agonised screams accompanied the onslaught until, eventually, silence fell once more upon the woodland. Not even the birds sang now, my blind anger and fury had brought a swathe of death and destruction to this once idyllic place the likes of which it had never seen. Nature was resilient though, it would rebuild what was destroyed, mending the scars of battle and grow anew. 

Not so for my friend, however. That was my role. 

I felt Tarragon shudder as she whimpered pitifully on my back, bringing me back to my senses. She needed my help. Now. Lifting her off my back in my magic, I lay her gently on a carpet of leaves and knelt over the little dragon. Checking her over, I felt unbidden tears sting my eyes at the sight of the ravaged body of my friend. Those bastard creatures had really done a number on her. Blood and sickening burns covered her from nose to tail, her minute scales cracked and blistered from the intense heat of the fire. The young dragon looked up at me, her green eyes pleading. She was my friend, and by the goddesses, I would do what I could to help her. I felt the familiar tingle of magic as I released a small stream of the silvery-blue fluid into my mouth, which I drizzled onto her wounds. Carefully, I rubbed it all over the small body with my hooves, watching with relief as her hide steadily repaired itself and the rapid rise and fall of her chest returned to normal.

I picked her up, sinking to my haunches and cradled the young dragon. “You silly little thing, don’t you ever, ever run off like that again. Understand?”

She nuzzled my chest as I held her in my forelegs, to weak to reply. The little creature had become quite special to me since I’d found her in the tunnels. She’d abandoned her home, risked her life for me, and for what? To help a pony she’d never met before? Equestria was truly full of wonders. I put back her on the ground and, keeping my magic ready, walked over to where the arrows and spears had come from. I wanted a closer look at the things that could commit such an act of evil. As it turned out there wasn’t much left to see - that was still in one piece anyway. Scattered around me were the bloodied, rendered body parts of burned and frozen dog creatures. There must have been around four of them here, but it was hard to tell now. I didn’t think it too many. One of them however, mostly intact compared to its fellows, was still just barely alive. Its lips moved, it was trying to say something.

“Why?” It rattled. “Why you attack us?”

I leaned down to face the mangled beast. “Why did you try to burn my friend alive?”

“We…” The creature swallowed, coughing out blood. “We need meat, to survive… lizard is meat…”

I shook my head. “I think you’ve got this the wrong way round, friend.” I moved my muzzle close to the dog things ear and whispered, “You see, she needs meat to survive too. And, from what I can see,” I smiled, “…she’s hungry for yours…”

Tarragon looked to me in anticipation. I nodded.

The creature cried out as Tarragon began to take her fill, and later, when it was time, I took my fill of the beast’s life energy as well. Sated, we both headed back to the river and recovered my gear. Hanging around here wasn’t an option now, we’d have to find another spot for the night elsewhere. And soon. At some point I didn’t doubt that more of the curious dog-like things would come back to look for their missing comrades. When that happened I wanted myself and Tarragon to be long gone. Yet as I fixed the last of my packs into place, I felt a strange feeling deep down inside, niggling at me. Was that... guilt? I shrugged; maybe, but such inconsequential feelings like that were nothing more than a passing breeze to me now. If I wanted to survive, if I wanted to rescue my beloved Shadow and protect those I loved, I had to forget about being a soft-hearted pony and harden my heart. As far as I was concerned, those that attacked us would be dealt with – permanently. There would be no more mercy for the cruel and wicked. They had shown my family none, and I knew all too well how kindness could be interpreted as weakness by those who meant you harm. The sickness running throughout our society cared nothing for such sentiments as gentleness and caring. Even closer to home, the idealism of duty, honour, and respect had been washed away by the tidal wave of uninhibited greed. Where once there had been the watch, now there was only the corruption of the commissioner. Wherever I was, I would bring my own justice, and to hell with anypony, anything, that tried to hurt that which was special to me. 

The feeling I had as I soared up into the evening sky, Tarragon snuggled into my back, was one of… total liberation.


********************


Riding on the air currents, the sun on my back and the great tapestry of Equestria far below, was a feeling I had never known before my encounter with the spirit in the Withers. If I would be grateful for one thing alone, it was this. Occasionally Tarragon would detach herself from my back and take wing, flying alongside me the way I’d seen ducks in their remarkable formations as they flew south for the winter. Ha! I guess we must have looked very strange for wildfowl! I used the peace and quiet to practice my flying skills: rolling and diving, pitching and yawing, all the while Tarragon keeping up with me and squawking in delight when we ‘chased’ each other through the clouds. As much as I missed my family, this was an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world. In fact it was probably the nearest to an accurate definition for the word ‘freedom’ as I could have imagined.

The little dragon swept under me and playfully batted at something dangling from my neck, squawking as she glided away happily. Blast it! It was Star Swirl’s pendant. In my rush to escape the carnage near the pool, I hadn’t noticed the thing was just hanging there, flapping around in the wind like a piece of old washing. One good gust and the ancient fine gold chain could give way, dropping my only way of finding Shadow down into the vast plains of Equestria. It was so light I’d probably never even notice it had gone until it was too late. Normally the precious thing was safely tucked in the pocket of my flight suit and I hurriedly took hold of it in case it fell. Goddesses help me if that happened. My heart thumping I pulled open my chest pocket, and paused. Something caught my eye when I moved to place the pendant back in its makeshift home, and I lifted up the crystal in my hoof for closer inspection. It was then that I noticed just how bright the light was. Was it-? No. No, it wasn’t the sunlight reflecting in it as I’d thought at first. This was something else entirely. Damn it all! I’d been so used to seeing that dull, never changing glow, that I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I closed my eyes and took a deep cleansing breath as my heart began to thunder in my chest. Maybe I’d been flying for so long I was seeing things. Was I wrong? I banked and circled in a wide arc, carefully watching the pendant’s light. It changed. I tightened my course, watching the brightness changed until… There! Below me! By Luna’s backside, this was it, I was here at last! Wherever ‘here’ was of course. 

I dove below the cloud layer, Tarragon attached to my harness, squeaking her excitement which echoed my own. Could she sense our goal was near? The tiny creature was remarkably perceptive, and in all fairness, If she hadn’t drawn my attention to the crystal I could have ended up flying a full day out of my way. Gods, I could have kissed her! Wind whipped past me, streaming my mane and tail out behind us like the tail of a comet plunging down to earth. Laid before us was a lush green rolling countryside of grass and scattered tree’s. A small stream meandered its way over a rocky bed past a large collection of white stones, many covered in a thick matting of moss and multi coloured lichen. This was it alright, there was no doubting the crystal’s glare now. Flaring my wings I touched down, landing neatly on the soft grass near the outline of what was quite clearly the remains of some sort of long since collapsed structure. If the amount of worn, dressed stone was any indication, this must have been quite an impressive structure at some point in the dim and distant past. I wonder what it was? There was no sign of any other buildings around here, nor for miles around for that matter. If this had been part of a village or town, there would have been something else, surely? Sure, wooden structures would have rotten away long ago, but I would have seen their telltale outlines from the air even now. Of course, it could have been built out here in this remote location by design. I scratched my chin in thought. So, some sort of temple, maybe? I wasn’t sure. I remembered from my history books that columns and stonework had been all the rage around the time of the three tribes, however considering that the whole of Canterlot looked like that now, it wasn’t much of a gauge. Some things never went out of fashion, I suppose. I walked slowly amongst the broken reminders of a previous age, breathing in the heavy scent of history in the air. The worn remains of columns, flagstones, and large cut stonework still lay where they had fallen countless years ago. It just went to show how few ponies lived around here by the fact that the once elegantly finished blockwork hadn’t been carried away to be recycled into farmsteads, crofts or some other home that would benefit from a ready made source of building materials. Gods above, I loved history. And this place, more so than any other location I’d ever seen, resonated with that same fascination I’d had ever since I was a foal. All around me, standing there like the bleached bones of some long extinct beast, were the silent memories of a grander past. I ran my hoof respectfully over the stones, imagining what it may have looked like in its heyday. Who had built this place? Who were the ponies who had laboured to construct this magnificent building out here, miles away from civilisation? Had the grassy plains once resounded with music? Or the chants of long forgotten prayers, and the hushed whispers of monks? Only the gods, earth, and rocks knew now. Everything here showed signs of considerable weathering, and by the untouched nature of the surrounding area, I doubted anypony had been here in a very, very long time.

Carefully, I lifted the pendant. It felt warm to the touch, and I could feel it pulling me onward, but where to? I couldn’t see anything out here at all. Maybe something buried? Fascinated, I followed its light, picking my way through the ruins until I found myself standing on a set of slightly uneven flagstones. Judging by the water filled post holes next to a few remaining wall sections, there had probably been a substantial set of doors here once leading to… well, nothing really. There was nothing here at all. The grassy bank before me marked what must have once been an entrance at one time, perhaps even leading to what could have been a portal. Now, it was just a large mound of earth and… grass. I trotted up to and around it, searching for some clue, some hint that would give me an answer to what I sought. Yet with every step my hopes withered, little by little. There was no doubt in my mind now; this was definitely where the crystal was pointing to. More specifically it was pointing to what had been here. But when? How long ago? Maybe in Star Swirl’s day there really had been something here that could have lead me to the Wither World. Maybe this was the very portal he had used himself. This crystal, this tiny piece of history hanging around my neck, had been fashioned countless years before I was born, most likely when this enigmatic ruin was still vibrant with life. Weather worn stones, memories, the sound of the wind through the grass… that was all that lived here now. The portal was gone. Decayed or destroyed, it didn’t matter which. All my effort, all of it… had been for nought. I sank onto my haunches and hung my head. Closing my eyes in dismay, my heart felt like lead in my chest. I just couldn’t believe it…

Tarragon jumped down off a nearby stone, jogging over to the grass bank in her own particular lolloping gait, those leathery wings of hers making the curious creature flop about from side to side comically. I wasn’t in the mood to laugh. Right now I felt like screaming my lungs out to the damned heavens. My whole world was just one giant mess, a huge cosmic buck-up from start to bloody finish. And what was worse, was that I’d failed to protect the one I’d sworn to look after - Shadow. I stomped my hoof into one of the ancient flagstones in anger, snorting out my frustration.

“Goddesses!” I screamed to the heavens. “What more do you want from me? What?!” And what was Tarragon squeaking and squawking at? Bloody hell, what a racket! 

Pulling myself up from the pit of my own self pity, I stared in bemusement at the small reptile as she jumped about, clawing at the earth in front of me. What had she seen there? Sometimes she reminded me of a playful kitten, chasing after butterflies and moths, whilst other times her true nature as an alpha predator came to the fore. The intelligence in those reptilian eyes was quite unnerving in some respects, but also strangely adorable. It was hard to describe. I walked over to her and looked down at what she was pawing at. It was probably just a rabbit hole or… I leaned closer. That was no a rabbit hole, it was a large block of stone, one still partially covered in earth and grass where Tarragon had been digging at it. I reached up and scratched my horn which had begun to itch uncomfortably. Magic? Could be no more than thaumaturgical residue of course, even after all this time there was still likely to be the odd patch hanging around in a place like this. But there was ‘something’ about it I couldn’t quite describe, something strangely familiar that gripped my attention and refused to let go. I began to scrape with my hoof at the stone, brushing away the build up of centuries, uncovering more of the block beneath. Tarragon squawked loudly, helping scrabble at the dirt with me until a glint of dull metal caught the sunlight amidst the loose soil. My heart suddenly leaped into my throat. It could be nothing of course, maybe no more than a carelessly dropped coin or a trinket left behind by the last ponies that had lived here. But hope… hope began to raise its head within me once more. I took a deep breath and shook my mane. I had to keep my head and try not to let my imagination get the better of me. As the old saying goes, ‘Expect lead, but hope for gold’. Carefully, I concentrated my efforts into clearing away what I could, finally revealing what turned out to be a large bronze ring. No ring for a horn or hoof though, this was about twelve inches across, and fixed into a very solid piece of stonework. A tie point, maybe? No… No, I don’t think so. It showed signs of uses, though not from ropes. Resisting the temptation to grip it in my mouth, I used my magic to seize the thing and tried pulling it. Nothing. Next I tried turning it to the left. Nothing. To the right then, after that I’d… Was that a ‘click’? Yes! Definitely a click! I held my breath and waited, Tarragon snaking between my legs and squawking excitedly before jumping up onto my back as the earth before me began to shudder violently. Hurriedly I spread my wings a lifted off, dropping back down a few feet away, my heart beating fit to burst. Before my incredulous eyes the land itself… moved. The grass beside the bronze ring heaved, split asunder, and then, abruptly, dropped down into a wide rectangular opening. The deep layer of soil and grass that had covered it over long ago finally relinquished its remaining purchase and collapsed into the blackness with a clatter of stones and pebbles. 

I licked my dry lips and took a pull on my canteen. “Well, little one,” I murmured to my companion, “I’ve no idea what lies beyond this, but I’ve brought us this far, so I’ve little choice but to move forward. You sure you want to come along? Could be dangerous.”

Tarragon squawked and turned full circle on my back before snuggling into my mane in response. Goddesses knew what she found so enthralling about my back, but for better or worse, it looked like we were heading off into the bowels of Equestria and, I hoped, would be one step closer to recovering our lost Shadow. But why did it have to a tunnel? Damn it, I hated tunnels! I floated a flame into the blackness below the entrance, illuminating a long flight of well worn stone steps which lead down at a steep angle until they disappeared out of sight. I’d have to be careful – one wrong step and a broken leg in the darkness would be the least of my problems. The last time I’d been in a dark hole in the ground, things hadn’t quite worked out so well. I sniffed the air. It was stale, old, more reminiscent of a dusty library than an underground passage. Surprisingly there wasn’t even the slightest hint of damp beyond the soil that had fallen in through the entrance just now. How in Equestria had it stayed so dry down here all these years? If the door was hermetically sealed, then that was a level of engineering, or magic for that matter, far beyond what I would have thought our ancestors capable of. On the wall to my right the light picked out a thin strip of metal. It was blue-green in colour, possibly copper that was covered in verdigris. I wasn’t sure to be honest, but there was one thing for sure, it was magically charged, that was damned sure. I could feel the tingle of magic emanating from it from here. Tentatively, I reached out and touched it with my hoof.

Nothing happened. 

I’m not exactly sure what I’d expected to happen, if anything at all, though there was something very significant about this seemingly innocuous object, as well as its location, that played on my mind. For now all I could say with any level of certainty was that it was definitely a metal of some sort, but other than that… I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing mind. It wasn’t easy. Memories were bubbling up from deep within me, niggling at the edges of my consciousness like Tarragon when she wanted a fuss. It was something to do with magic, and... applying it to the metal? Well now, that was really helpful, wasn’t it?! I let out a groan and took a deep breath. Luna’s ears, I wished my brain came with an instruction manual! Not knowing what would happen, I allowed my magic to flow through me, reaching out a tiny sliver of it so as to barely caress the metal plate. As I did so part of me screamed out that I shouldn’t be doing this. Goddess almighty, was I a complete idiot? This was insanely dangerous! What the hell was I doing?! Hadn’t I paid any attention to those stories about lost magics and how they had become warped over the years? They could change, degrade, causing unexpected and often completely unpredictable results. Ponies had died messing about with ancient artefacts, whilst others… others had been changed… and terrifyingly so. I took a step back, shaking my head. Of course I knew the stories, but how true were they? Most of them were probably ones told to foals to stop them wandering off into the wilds and getting killed by more tangible threats than magical artefacts. Yes, there were still pockets of high magical radiation left over from the war, we all knew that, but I was a grown stallion for Luna’s sake. I could make decisions for myself, and when you boiled it down, what bloody choice did I really have here? My memories were vague on the point, sure, but that hadn’t lead me astray this far. I felt a shiver run through me from muzzle to tail. Gods forbid, they started now…

I tried again. The feeling of the cold surface was the first thing I noticed, followed a moment later by a tingle of another magic, one that prickled at my tentative investigation. From where my magic had touched the metal strip, a blue glow began to pulse faintly. It was slow at first, and then without warning suddenly rushed off down the passageway, on and on into those unknown depths. As it disappeared into the seemingly endless void, at regular intervals on the stone walls a series of loud ‘pops’ accompanied the appearance of peculiar glowing symbols, each one adding it’s own ethereal light to the way down. Fear and fascination warred within me; whatever was down there could very well lead me to Shadow, but the spectre of the caves beneath the hill and the worm creature tugged inexorably at my memory. Stomping a hoof, I shook my mane and gave a loud neigh. Buck it, they were only memories. I’d survived worse. 

“Fortune favours the bold, Tarragon,” I said aloud, to which I received a happy chirrup and a warm, if rather damp, nuzzle. Hefting my kit, I put my best hoof forward, once again, into the unknown.

We had barely begun our descent into the oddly lit tunnel when the doors behind me grated shut with a deep dull boom, the dull, sonorous sound echoing around us making my ears quiver. I glanced back briefly before shrugging and continuing downward. ‘Fools rush in...’ I lifted my head, keeping my magic at the ready; who knew what was waiting down here for us. Nothing living that was sure - there was no smell of animals in here like there had been back in the caves, so that at least was comforting. Unfortunately there was no air flow either, which was troubling. I’d better not hang around. Heading down, I passed one after another of the curious glowing symbols. They must have meant something to somepony once upon a time, but to me they were just odd, colourful shapes on the wall. It was a shame I couldn’t interpret their meaning really, but occasionally one would remind me of something: a tree, a flower, grass… all very organic and each one unique from its fellows. As a pony had once told me, “Art is to be enjoyed, not necessarily understood.” If these images were indeed some kind of ancient artwork they truly were beautiful, and I’m pleased to sat their elegant form wasn’t lost on me, nor was the sobering fact that I was in all likelihood the first one to set eyes on them in hundreds of years. Whichever way you looked at it though, there was some seriously high end magical construction at work here. We had many magical items in Equestria, true, and some were even designed to be operated by non-magical ponies as well, but to make something that could last beneath the earth for who knew how many years? No, this was on a level that only the best of the best magic-smiths could have accomplished. It kinda put my own feeble grip on the art into perspective, that was damned sure.

We walked on. The stairs never deviated, the descent straight and precise like an arrow heading unerringly toward its target. It was right at the point where I was beginning to wonder when we would reach the bottom, or even if there was a bottom to reach, when our progress was brought to a halt by a heavy wooden door affixed with enormous iron furniture. My horn began to itch immediately, the surest indication that some sort of magical warding was at play here. There was no lock that I could see, nor handle even. What the hell was I supposed to do here? I scratched my head, taking out the pendant to see if it was still glowing. In the eerie light of the symbols on the walls, the pendant glowed like a star in the night sky. I held it up to the door to help me see if there were any inscriptions, or at least some clue as to what lay beyond and how to reach it. What I didn’t expect was the pendant to suddenly start glow so bright I was near blinded. Even closing my eyes, the glare was painfully intense, forcing me to cover my muzzle with my foreleg. Behind me, Tarragon squeaked in alarm, whilst in front of me, with a groan like the gates of hell themselves opening up to admit the damned… the door slowly creaked open. Like the one to Luna’s chambers, the crystal must have acted as a magical key, activating the ancient lock. Whoever had designed this place, and this pendant, had known what they were doing alright. And I knew who, too - Star Swirl. That crafty old sod, I’d put bits on it. Not that he’d been that much help to me to be fair, more the prophet of gloom and doom - the fifth pony of the bloody apocalypse. In any case, my heart was beating so rapidly in my chest I thought it was going to burst. I really didn’t like being underground, and once had been bad enough. This time I wasn’t being shot at or blown up of course, but it didn’t exactly help my state of mind knowing that I was willingly walking into the unknown only the goddess knows how far into the bowels of Equestria.

Steeling myself, I pushed on the door and it effortlessly swung open fully in complete silence. I’d half expected a loud ominous groaning from the thing, but somehow this felt even worse. There was a complete absence of sound, with only my own breathing and the occasional squeak from Tarragon giving any life to this place. What was-? Abruptly there an immense surge of magic energy as all around me, like the stairs, magical lights flared brightly. Iron sconces hidden in the darkness, quickly filled with flickering blue flames, merging with more of the strange images on the walls of the small circular chamber in an ethereal display of arcane wizardry that took my breath away. 

“By all the gods...” I breathed aloud. 

I looked around in open mouthed amazement. A table sat to one side with a chair, some writing implements, lanterns, and other detritus. A bookshelf stood next to that, the dusty books still in remarkable condition considering their age and all in a language I couldn’t make head nor tail of. It was what was in the centre of the room however, which truly drew my attention. There was no mistaking that hollow arch of cut stones. It glowed with an energy I’d only ever felt once before, when I’d stood atop the giant plinth in the dead city what seemed like a lifetime ago. Magical runes inscribed around its edge glowed with the same blue light as the rest of the room, several steps leading up to it promising a journey to a land far beyond this one. I held up the pendant, the light bright as the sun, shining a light out to the portal which responded with a light of its own. Liquid silver gradually began to coalesce, swirling and rolling like the surface of the sea, until, as a uniform pattern, it hung there, a silver curtain between this world and the next.

I tucked the pendant away and gave Tarragon a rub. “All set?” 

She let out a high pitched chirrup before flapping her wings and stared straight ahead at the portal.

“Right then.” I pulled up my harness and double checked all the fittings. “Off we go…”

********************

Light.

Darkness.

I never thought I’d be back here again, at least not willingly. What a damnable place. Black sand as far as the eye could see, the dark unending sky, the hills which never seemed to get any nearer no matter how far you walked. The Wither World was never going to be on anypony’s choice for a weekend break that was sure. I lifted the pendant and turned to follow its light, half expecting it to be as dead as a doornail. Thank the gods, I was wrong. Gradually the little thing brightened in intensity until it was pointing... straight back to the portal. I had to laugh. Yeah, well, maybe I did want to go home, but not just yet. Not without my beloved Shadow. Still, I was here at long last and my link to my mate, together with my will, and my heart, would light the way to her regardless of any ancient crystal trinket. First off though, I had to investigate the cylinder lying half buried in the sand right next to the portal…

My first reaction was one of caution. Apparently somepony was expecting me, although who exactly was another matter, and one I had the distinct impression I was about to discover. As I approached the cylinder my horn began to itch, warning me of the presence of magic. It wasn’t in any worrying quantities so we weren’t dealing with any MAD here, thank the gods. Still, that didn’t mean the thing was entirely safe of course. Personally, I wouldn’t put it past Celestia to have had one of her mob place this here just in case I happened to roll up in the Withers after all. Unlikely, maybe? Perhaps, but I wouldn’t put anything past that one. Taking a deep breath, I reached out a hoof. To my amazement, my name began to appear in bright red letters along the length of the mysterious brass tube, as though written in blood by an invisible hand. This was beyond suspicious, but the real question was whether it had been left there by a friend as a means to contact me - or a trap. The ‘royal hind-quarters’ had used traps before, and I sure as hell wouldn’t put it past her to get rid of me using a trick like this. I sighed inwardly at my hesitancy. If I wasn’t careful, I’d end up seeing royal guards and white alicorns around every corner and behind every tree. That, wouldn’t help anypony, least of all Shadow. No, right now I would have to make a choice and take a gamble one way or another. Leave it, or walkaway. Ha! Some choice. And so, with a nudge of my magic, I gingerly lifted the cylinder from its sandy resting place. It glowed suddenly and I nearly dropped it in surprise as the lid popped off like a cork from a bottle, narrowly missing poor Tarragon who squeaked in indignation. Inside, sat a rolled up scroll and a compass of sorts. The scroll looked fresh and was written in Equestrian, albeit in a very old style.

My Dearest Fairlight,

I pray that this message finds you in good health and in time. 

The compass which accompanies this note will show you the way to the Beyond. Seek me out when you arrive.

Star Beard.

I couldn’t believe it, the message was from Star Beard! My goddesses, to hear from him, even in written form after all this time, was the first ray of genuine hope I think I’d had since the beginning of this quest. How in Equestria had he known I was going to appear through this very portal? And more to the point, what did he mean by ‘In time’? In time for what? Luna’s arse, that didn’t sound good. My heart leaped into my throat, a cold shiver racing down my spine. Shadow. He had to be talking about Shadow. I hefted the compass and oriented myself to the direction the needle was pointing in. With no time to lose I clicked my tongue at Tarragon who jumped back up to her now familiar perch, sharp little claws and all. I was ready. One good hop and a strong push of my wings, I took off in the direction of the Beyond.

Well, I can truthfully say that if there was one thing that the Withers could be notable for, it was an abundance of sand. And it got everywhere: in your ears, your eyes, your mouth, and let’s not forget all the other fun places it managed to get into that made travelling a far more ‘interesting’ experience than it had any right to be. It’s a shame you couldn’t do anything with the bloody stuff really. If there was ever an export market for black, gritty granules, the locals would all end up living like kings. Sadly for them the only usable resources they had access to were very few, and also, very far between, leading to an almost constant state of internecine warfare. Over the millennia the thestrals had thinned out their own population to the point where it could feasibly be assumed that before long, perhaps no more than a few generations down the road, they’d be completely extinct. Why the hell they insisted upon fighting one another was something I just couldn’t get my head around. Oh sure, by their own admission they were a ‘warlike species’, a fact which was made abundantly clear from very first the moment you set hoof in one of their villages - but that hardly excused revelling self annihilation. It wasn’t like they were unaware of the issues they were facing either. Their birthrates were painfully low as it was, and they were getting worse all the time. When you coupled this with the need to raid other villages for resources, snatching females to incorporate into your own tribe to help boost your own population had become commonplace. The strangest part of this practice however, was that it was accepted as perfectly normal! According to Thorn, the females went voluntarily once they had been captured, integrating into the new tribe almost immediately and adopting their host’s traditions and customs. How in the name of all the gods this could be viewed by any civilised society as ‘acceptable’ was beyond me. But then, to a thestral at least, perhaps my culture was the strange one? And which one were we talking about here anyway - Equestrian or wendigo? In all honesty I knew bugger all about wendigo culture, and it wasn’t like I had a steady stream of ancestors queuing up to explain it to me either. Maroc popped up when he felt like it, and only when I was in life or death situations for the most part. The rest of my ancestral memories were like staring at animated slide-shows – all ‘bits and pieces’ that more ‘hinted’ at something rather than explaining it directly. I suppose when you go right down to it, were my people, my wendigo family, any better or worse than the thestrals? Or were we simply… different? Only the gods knew, and they weren’t giving anything anyway. In any case, there was no way in Equestria I could ever see kidnapping females as anything other than abhorrent. Whilst I was here, however, I’d keep my opinions to myself. I’d nearly lost my noggin the last time I’d visited the Beyond, and I didn’t particularly fancy going through that again, especially not for something as foolish as criticising their way of life. Without warning the words ‘Too late’ floated through my mind, once again sending a chill through my heart. I had to keep focussed.

The bleak and boring landscape felt almost stationary as I flew. With no real features to the land, nor much in the way of a horizon, it was seriously disorientating. The compass however, its needle pointing unerringly towards my old friend Star Beard, gave me heart. Of course, I’d have to remind him he’d actually ‘killed’ me the last time I’d seen him, albeit with the best of intentions, but I’d be polite about it all the same. I’d just buck the living shit out of him once I had Shadow back. Goddess, what a character! The old bugger was strange to say the least, even by thestral standards. He’d been a student of Star Swirl the bearded whilst the ancient wizard had been staying in the Withers, and was, from what he’d told me, the closest his kind had ever come to being a wielder of magic. He’d told me once that thestrals ‘had a magic of their own’. I’d been doubtful at first of course, thinking he’d been speaking more metaphorically than anything else, but now that I knew them better, I didn’t doubt it at all. I’d seen Shadow let fly with a blast of purple and black lightning once, and even the males regularly fought with jets of fire complementing their enthusiastic use of the sword, axe, or scythe - in fact pretty much anything that could crush, cut and maim. Ah, what a way to spend a Saturday afternoon, eh? It must be quite the dilemma really, to choose between, say, a nice gentle game of croquet on the lawn, or go off and split some poor sod’s head in two. However did they manage? I let out a sigh. Sarcasm notwithstanding, they were who they were. Many would consider them no more than brutal creatures obsessed with fighting, and for the most part they’d be right too. The majority of the thestral race comprised of warriors, and they were terrifyingly efficient at their trade too. Despite that though, they still had a strong sense of honour, duty, and loyalty which bound them together in their tribes, providing the race with a gentler side which was not so unlike many of the ponies I’d known. Unfortunately, the moment you set hoof outside that tribe you were viewed as fair game by the others. How in Equestria Luna had actually managed to bring such antagonistic beings together as one fighting force was a miracle in itself, though sadly her actions had done little to help their population. Quite the opposite in fact. All in all, I could see why Celestia wanted them gone from her world, but regardless of her reasoning, it didn’t excuse the mass killings that I, or rather Maroc, had witnessed. The word ‘surrender’ didn’t appear to have been understood by either side.

Tarragon chattered and squawked in my ear. There, directly ahead of us and drifting serenely into view like breakers on some distant shore, was the oddly familiar crystalline landscape of the Beyond. Mile upon mile of white grass and crystal trees filled the darkness with their extraordinary natural light, the breathtakingly alien panorama standing out in stark relief to the bleak emptiness of the black sand. The two didn’t even seem to blend from one to another as they commonly did in Equestria. There, rolling hills would gradually transform from a spattering of trees, maybe with the odd copse here and there for a touch of variety, then gradually become thicker, denser, until the fullness of the forest began. Here it was like somepony had simply drawn a line in the world and placed the Beyond on top of the black sandy nothingness and that was that. Simple! And weird. I’d be hesitant to say it was beautiful, but… perhaps it actually was, in its own way. Some ponies found beauty in the oddest things, like modern art and strange mane styles. I met one guy who’d had some peculiar pattern of swirls and knots shaved into his coat who everypony thought was ‘avant garde’, or some such rubbish. Personally, I was a bit cynical about such things. A nice short mane, a decent clip, a good sturdy coat and hat, and I was good to go. Somepony barfing onto a piece of paper and sticking on the wall with a price tag nopony in his right mind could ever afford, was best left to those who could ‘appreciate’ such things. Now that wasn’t to say I didn’t find the Beyond unpleasant. It was more… ‘different’, than anything else. And different, it truly was. As I flew, the hills covered in those peculiar crystalline tree’s shining brightly with their own inner light, lead me inexorably onward towards a familiar bowl shaped depression in the land, and the neat rows of huts I remembered so well. Beyond those, sitting atop the rise at the far end of the village, was the great hall of the tribe - and my destination. I could only hope the lady of the house was a little more, shall we say, ‘cordial’, than she had been the last time I’d called.

Sweeping low along the perimeter of the village I saw a small group of thestrals amidst the trees. Some of them were busily engaged with various tasks whilst several others stood chatting together near a pile of cut crystal logs. Felling axes sat nearby beside a bucket of water and a few stacked panniers. It could have so easily been your everyday gang of workponies, the hard working lads and lasses taking a breather for a smoke and a natter – a scene common throughout the countryside of Equestria. At least, it could have been if it hadn’t been for the very un-equestrian surroundings. It was strange to think about such dangerous creatures as thestrals doing something so mundane and, dare I say, ‘normal’ as passing the time of day with friends, but here they were. And here they probably would have stayed too, until one of them looked up and saw me. A moment later he was shouting animatedly to his fellows, pointing and drawing the others to him to stare at the newcomer. Allowing the magic to sing through me, I treated them to a display of wendigo magic; hopefully to avoid any misunderstandings. I remembered all too well the reception I’d received the first time I’d arrived here. Hopefully though, Maelstrom, Shadow’s mother, had been put in the Wither World equivalent of a rubber room and the key unceremoniously thrown away. I hate to say it of my mate’s mum, but that one would have been dangerous as bag leather.

Streaming white cloud behind me, I flared my wings to brace my descent, aiming for the clearing. Moments later, wreathed in a blast of cold air and sparkling white cloud, I landed neatly near the milling warriors. 

“I am Maroc,” I announced loudly. “Lord of the four winds, mate of the lady Shadow, and friend of the tribe of the Beyond. Will one of you inform your leader that I am here and that I wish to speak with them?”

The thestrals stared at me in silence. Finally, one of them, a deep blue coloured fellow with burning white eyes strode forward. I noticed him glance momentarily towards one of the felling axes before he addressed me.

“You are the mate of the lady Shadow?” he asked in equestrian.

“I am,” I replied with a single nod of my head. “And you are?”

“Of no consequence,” the male replied coolly. “You will wait here, wendigo. Our duchess will decide what is to be done.” 

As he spoke there was a movement from behind the throng, a general muttering in the clicking and hissing language that as much as I couldn’t understand a word of it, suggested they were far from impressed by my arrival. Strange. The last time I’d been here, I’d fought side by side with Thorn and his warriors against the Purple Sands tribe and their sadistic Earl. Ultimately we’d ended up incorporating them into the tribe of the Beyond, which had to be a good thing, right? And another thing, my transformation into a wendigo had left a lot of the warriors on both sides speechless, which suggested I was seen at the very least as an ally. Had something happened since then to turn them against me? I doubted Mister ‘No consequence’ was going to shed any light on the matter if the stern glower on his face was anything to go by, however by the looks of things the small forest of spears moving through the workers towards me was likely to answer that question a lot sooner than I’d expected.

The warriors fanned out, all of them wearing the spiked, black armour of the Beyond and carrying a wickedly sharp spear bearing a purple pennant with a white helmet emblazoned upon it. One of them marched forward and lifted his head, staring down his muzzle at me. My heart skipped a beat. I knew who this was.

“Good morning,” I said politely.

The warrior’s lip twitched. “Stand and be recognised, wendigo,” he rumbled formally.

“Forgotten me so soon?” I bowed low, but never let my eyes leave him for a moment. “I am Lord Fairlight of the tribe of the four winds, Captain of the watch, and mate of the lady Shadow.”

He shifted his grip on his spear. “State your business.”

“I’ve come to see my mate,” I replied graciously. “Would you be so good as to show me to her?”

The guard’s muscles rippled under his fur, his dislike for me as dark as his coat. “Follow me. The duchess is expecting you.”

The duchess? Oh, wonderful! History truly does have a habit of repeating itself. Tall dark and gruesome here recognised me, of that I was damned sure. He hadn’t said anything of course, nor did he say another word all the way back to the village proper. I didn’t know his name, but after being introduced to it in such a spectacular fashion, I can honestly say I never forget an axe. Or chains. This time at least I wasn’t being dragged muzzle first so that had to be a good sign, right? I subconsciously kept my grip on power, feeling the comforting presence of both it and my sword strapped to my side. If Maelstrom was up to her old tricks again, they wouldn’t find me as ‘compliant’ as I had been last time. My friend with the axe here, had had his chance. Everypony only ever gets one, as they say. 

We halted at the foot of the steps that lead to the great hall… and waited. At first glance it seemed little had changed here whilst I’d been away. It was the same hall, the same deep purple and black banners with the white helmet motif on them. In many ways it was almost like time had stood still. I was half expecting Maelstrom to appear at any moment in all her broiling insanity, screaming for my head on a spike. Luna’s arse, I hoped it didn’t run in families! A thestral appeared briefly in the doorway to the grand hall and shot me a worried look before ducking back in when they saw me smile. I couldn’t help but grin at their reaction. After all, with these teeth I probably looked like I’d eat the poor creature for dinner. Speaking of which, my similarly toothy friend jumped from my back and began chattering at me, blinking her eyes meaningfully. Ah, if only she could talk! I would have to ponder Tarragon’s attempt at communication later though, as two burly thestral guards marched out from the hall wearing yet more of that eye-removingly sharp armour their kind liked wearing so much. One of them looked vaguely familiar too.

“My lord, the duchess awaits you within the grand hall. Please, follow me.”

The two bowed slightly and turned back to the steps. Aha! I thought I recognised him, he was another of the little charmers who’d been positively chomping at the bit to see my head removed from my shoulders on the orders of the duchess the last time I was here. I probably had nothing to fear from the rest of the thestrals, but this guy and the goon stood next to me were probably itching to get their hooves on me. By the looks of things, they’d have to wait a little longer. I trotted up the steps after the two guards, passing beneath the forbidding archway that had filled me with cold dread the last time I’d passed beneath it. This time, praise Luna, the atmosphere inside the home of the leader of the Beyond was the polar opposite to what it had been back then. The great hall was as bright and colourful as I remembered, with magnificent carpeting, banners, flags, and the incredible light that flooded the wide open space from nowhere and everywhere at once. It put me in mind of the fortress, and the faint blue-white luminescence of the building material they used. Was there some connection here? I felt a tingle run down my spine. It was almost humbling to walk through here, especially as I was most likely the only Equestrian to have done so since Star Swirl’s gangly arse had trod it’s ancient halls. Mind you, he probably did so without the chains and death threats of course, but you had to work with what you had. Word had apparently spread of their unexpected visitor with a speed that would have put the agency to shame too. A fair number of robed thestrals were already congregating, standing either side of the long carpet which lead to the throne. Walking through the throng, I scanned the assembled thestrals, several of whom were desperately trying to look anywhere but at me. These were most likely the same ones who’d been baying for my execution not all that long ago, bless them. I treated them to an especially hard stare… and a grin. Ah, but all good things come to an end - I was out of carpet. And yet… no Maelstrom? Instead of the half-expected maniacal mare, from the chair atop the dais a midnight coated thestral mare with burning orange eyes slowly rose to her hooves. For a moment she watched me carefully, as if she was unsure of who, or what, she was looking at. And then, with a loud cry of emotion, she suddenly rushed down the steps to embrace me just as one of the guards opened his mouth to announce my attendance. The look on his face was priceless.

“Fairlight!” 

I’d recognised that remarkably equestrian sounding voice anywhere. “Ember? Good goddess, it is you!” I took her hoof and kissed it, bowing before her. “Are you well?”

She nodded and waved the guards away. “I am, thank you! But what of you? We have not heard from you in such a very long time.” 

Ember lead me back to a chair beside hers atop the dais which had miraculously appeared in the few seconds it took for us to climb up there. There was something in her tone of voice and… wait, was she bigger? Good grief, she was! I almost dreading asking, 

“Ember, how long have I been away?”

The thestral mare looked at me askance before retaking her seat on the throne and motioning me to sit beside her. Right on cue, a young thestral in a white robe brought a silver tray to us laden with food and wine.

“Star Beard warned us of this,” Ember sighed taking a draught of her wine. “Fairlight, I’m not sure how to tell you this… You’ve been gone nearly five years.”

“What?!” I nearly fell off my chair in shock. “I can’t have been!”

She shook her head slowly and watched me with those otherworldly eyes. In my heart I already knew. Luna had warned me about the difference in time between here and the mortal realm, and now reality had come crashing in on me. I’d left my mate alone for five years while I was arsing around and… oh goddesses, what had I done… Ember clopped her hooves together, motioning to a thestral in a deep red robe. In my confused state, I barely noticed the hushed tones of the hall being cleared until the large doors closed with an echoing thud.

“Come with me,” she said quietly and lead me away to a chamber behind the throne room. Ember whispered to one of her hoof maidens who curtsied before rushing off. “I’ve asked Star Beard to join us. I hope you don’t mind?” 

“Hmm?” I walked in a daze, my mind still reeling from what she’d told me. “No… No, thank you Ember… I’m just a bit, you know…”

Ember nodded, closing her eyes. “I understand, it must seem so strange for you.”

You could say that again! After all this time, anything could have happened. I shook my mane and released my hold on the power, feeling it recede back inside me once more. The thestral mare watched in fascination as I morphed back to the more usual ‘me’.

“Ember, what’s happened since I’ve been gone?” I asked, clearing my throat. “Where’s Shadow?”

She smiled sadly, no doubt expecting me to ask something like this. “After you… ‘left’,” she began carefully, “we tried everything we could to send my sister through the city gateway to you. For some reason, whatever it may be, we could not invoke the magic necessary to do it. Star Beard tried everything he could.” Ember closed her eyes, hanging her head. “He laboured tirelessly for months on end, but the results were always the same - nothing. I’m sorry, Fairlight.”

He’d tried. He’d tried and… I put my hoof on Ember’s shoulder, trying my best not to let the horror of the reality that was wrapping its insidious tendrils around my heart show. “It’s alright, Ember. I know you all tried your best for us, but tell me, where is she now?”

The thestral stared at the wine in her glass, taking a deep breath before answering. “She’s… gone.”

I think my face must have been a picture right then. Ember looked up at me, a tear slowly running down her cheek to land sizzling on the floor where it vanished into eternity with a faint hiss. In that moment, in that terrible moment, the world froze. My heart sank like a stone, my legs turning to rubber. I sank to my haunches before I collapsed, lifted my head to the ceiling, and closed my eyes. Gone. She was... gone? I swallowed. “What do mean she’s ‘gone’?” I was terrified of hearing the answer, but I needed to know. I had to hear it myself.

“We… that is, ‘I’, don’t know where she is.” Ember shook her head. “Star Beard has been trying to track her down ever since she left.”

She’d left? Oh, thank the gods! I thought when she’d said ‘gone’ that Shadow had… that she’d… I huffed, tossing my mane. This wasn’t making any sense. I had the feeling there was a story here and I was only getting snippets of it. Ember was hiding something from me. I was set to all but interrogate Shadow’s sister when the chamber door swished open and a familiar old face appeared. The effect was somewhat ruined by the thick blue smoking cap, dressing gown, and fuzzy slippers.

The ancient fellow mumbled to himself as he walked up to me, peering into my eyes. “You took your bloody time, Captain.”

I opened my mouth to speak but the Colonel beat me to it, clopping me hard on the shoulder. “I’m damned glad you made it boy. Welcome back.” My thestral friend, his eyes burning like hot coals, treated me to a toothy smile and eased himself into a chair next to Ember and myself. With a wave of a hoof, another of the white robed thestrals rushed in with a basket and yet another with a box. I could tell what was in it already and my nose twitched in anticipation. Star Beard looked up at me from under his thick eyebrows, sniggering knowingly. “Don’t stand on ceremony, Captain, do the honours…”

Magicking the box over, I removed the dark wooden lid and took out the two elegant long stemmed pipes which were nestled within. They were true works of art, beautifully carved with swirling designs that shone with an inner light which was strangely calming. I stared at them, my mind wandering back to the last time I had sat with the old warrior. It didn’t seem five minutes since I’d been here with everypony, and yet it had still been five years. I couldn’t seem to get my head around that fact. And maybe, I simply didn’t want to. I sighed. Regardless of whether I believed it or not, I was here and there was only one direction to take now. Forward. With a good shake of my mane, I returned to my task, loading the pipes and taking a good whiff of the spectacularly good tobacco. Well, at least I presumed it was tobacco, out here it could be something terrifyingly different altogether. Thestrals appeared to make half of their items from the crystal trees, whilst the rest was a type of white leathery material - and I knew all too well where that came from. As for the tobacco…well, ‘best not to overthink things’ as Meadow always used to tell me. After hovering my flame over Star Beard's bowl, I settled back and drew smoothly on my own. Oh, Luna… It was like floating away on a stream of starlight. Magnificent…

“Expecting trouble?” 

“Huh?” I followed Star Beard’s gaze down at my piled packs, panniers, and other assorted accoutrements. “Oh, um… Better to be prepared than go in half-arsed, right?” I offered.

The old colonel shrugged. “Nothing wrong with a good axe or sword, my father used to say. If you can’t get the bastard with a crossbow, you have to go in with a blade to finish the job.” He pointed his pipe stem at the assorted equipment. “You go into a fight carrying all that lot, you’ll be as hampered as a tinker’s wagon. Mobility is everything in a battle, boy. If you can’t run, the fight’s already over.”

“Understood, Colonel,” I replied politely. 

He paused, peering at me curiously. “Hmm, well see that you take my advice as well as ‘understanding’ it, Captain. You may be a wendigo, but that won’t matter a damn if you get yourself tangled in all those blasted strap and belts.” He had a point. I would have to do something about it later. For now, he was giving me one of ‘those’ looks, which suggested something that- “I hope you’re up to some story telling, boy,” Star Beard smiled.

I face hoofed. “Oh no…”

“Oh, yes!” he laughed, blowing out a smoke ring. “But I’ll throw you a bone and take the abridged version. You have an important job ahead of you after all, and the less time we spend chatting, the better. Wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded and accepted a proffered crystal goblet of wine from one of the attendants. It gradually dawned on me, surrounded by these dark coated skeletal creatures with their fire pit eyes and teeth, that I saw them now as no more strange than any pony I’d ever met in equestria. Griffins, minotaurs, thestrals, alicorns, I hadn’t really seen any of these before coming into contact with the spirit, or at least not many. Not long all that long ago I would probably have been freaking out over such strange encounters. Not that I was xenophobic of course, it’s just… Oh, I don’t know, I was probably still a small town pony at heart with an equally small town view of the world. Mind you, I don’t think it was fair to say that of me now. The roller coaster of weirdness that masqueraded as my life had brought me to see beings that would terrify most ponies as perfectly normal. That said, what the hell did I look like to others when I was stood there all teeth, blue eyes, and looking like my arse was on fire with all the white fog pouring off it? And seriously, who cared anyway? The tobacco was great, the wine was warming, and my friends were here with me. Soon, Shadow would be too. 

I finally reached the end of my tale, and Star Beard got up to stretch his archaic body. His xylophone ribs stood out from his hide a lot more than your usual thestral, a sure sign that even here, old age snuck up on the best of us. The old chap scratched his ear with a fore hoof and stood before the fireplace.

“After you left, I tried to send her to you.” He turned to me, raising an eyebrow. You know that, don’t you?” 

I nodded sadly.

Star Beard shook his head and continued. “I was so sure, Fairlight, so certain I could send her after you. Your spirit had already returned, but something was blocking Shadow from crossing the veil. I tried everything I knew, read every book Star Swirl had left me. We travelled across the Withers searching for portals, but every single time we found something that could have been of use to us, it was the same result. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” He hung his head and closed his eyes. “I failed her. I’m sorry, boy, I tried everything I knew. I even managed to find the original portal Star Swirl had used when he came here, but that too was blocked, even to his own magic! Out of desperation I left the message for you there just in case you were somehow able to come through it.”

Well, that made sense. However he… hang on. Blocked?! I stood up in shock. “Are you saying this could be a one way trip?” My heart felt like lead in my chest. 

Star Beard sat carefully on his haunches and stared into the flames of the fireplace, “I don’t know, boy. I don’t think so, but there’s more to this than meets they eye, of that I am sure. Something, or some-one, has blocked my access to my old mentor in the herd as well as the portal. It had been difficult to contact him before, but now it’s like the connection has been completely severed.” The firelight glinted off his bony frame as he spoke. “I have a plan, but I need your help, and that of an old friend of mine.” Star Beard took a bowl of fruit from the basket and passed it to me. “You still want to find the lady Shadow, don’t you?”

“Of course I do! I’d hardly be here If I didn’t!” I exclaimed a little testily. “Star Beard, Ember, listen, I’m sorry it took me so long to return, but now I’m here I’ll do whatever it takes to get Shadow back.” I banged my hoof down on the arm of my chair. “Whatever it takes.” That was of course, if she still wanted me back. Would she, after five long years? Goddesses, I just didn’t know.

Ember must have read my mind. She leaned forward, smiling. “Fairlight, Shadow still loves you, of this I am certain. My sister is a passionate mare and would not give up on her feelings for you so easily.”

‘So easily’? It had been five years! “I hope you’re right,” I said plainly. “For you it’s been five years, but for me it’s been more like five months, and even that felt like an eternity.”

Star Beard looked tired, as if the weight of the world pressed down upon his old bones. “Boy, Shadow left after I had exhausted every avenue I could think of to send her to you. One day, the girl had simply… vanished. Her travelling gear was gone and all she left me was a note saying she was going to find a way to reach you by herself.” He popped a berry into his mouth and chewed it slowly. “I tracked her down as near as I could to the northern most mountain range, past the territory of the Purple Sands. Thanks to you, with Ember now the duchess of both tribes, I was able to find out that much. Otherwise I dare say I’d have been spitted on some warrior’s pike by now. No respect for age, young thestrals these days…”

I took one the berries and put the bowl down next to me. “Ember’s the duchess now?”

She smiled at me, nodding. “Mother, Maelstrom, couldn’t take the loss of another daughter and flew away to the wastelands. Father went after her, but we’ve not seen anything of them since. In their absence, and being the eldest, the mantel was passed to me by right of succession.”

“What of Short Stride?” I asked her. “Is she safe?”

The duchess smiled. “Yes, she’s safe. Married and with foal too, another addition to the tribe. She’s married to the new Earl of the Purple Sands tribe.”

“The new Earl?” I asked reaching down for another berry, and finding to my surprise the bowl was nearly empty. Strange, weren’t there more there a minute ago? Hmm, I must have eaten more than I’d thought. I’d have to watch that; too many of these things could do you more harm than good.

Oblivious to my snacking issues, Ember smiled as she clarified the situation between the tribes since I’d left. “My sister has married well,” she said proudly. “Her mate is a strong and brave warrior from their tribe who can trace his line back to before the darkness fell. With these ties of family and blood, as duchess I have the responsibility for both our peoples. With Short Stride and the Earl governing the Purple Sands, we have grown stronger than ever.”

Ah, politics. Never my strong point to be honest. I would read about it in the paper like everypony else of course, but I was usually more interested in the ‘what’s happening’ section… and the cartoons. 

Star Beard gave me a quizzical look. “You seem different somehow from when I saw you last, Captain. More… content? Is that the word?”

“Sorry?” I asked taking another berry. “I’m not sure I follow you. I’m just the same as I ever was.”

The Colonel clucked his tongue. “When you were here last, boy, you were a complete mess of warring emotions. Although your body was still in the mortal realm, your spirit was in absolute turmoil. The wendigo spirit within you was unsettled, and the two of you were pulling apart from one another, putting a strain on your soul.” He nodded to himself. “It was a tragedy to see, particularly as I was unable to do anything to help.” Star Beard scratched the stubble on his chin. “But now, you seem… ‘whole’. You have melded with the spirit, yes? I take it you were able to locate the fortress?”

Damn, the insightful old bugger was right on the money, as always. Personally though I didn’t want to think about it too much, that episode in the chamber at the fortress was the stuff of nightmares, both for me and Tingles. Unfortunately by the expectant expression on Star Beard’s face there was absolutely no chance of him leaving the subject alone with a simple ‘yes’. He’d want the whole sordid story, every single gruesome agonising detail, laid out for him to mull over and inspect. I suppose I could explain it in a way that didn’t make me sound like a- What the-? What the hell was that noise? I could hear a little squeak, like a chirruping sound every so often. Was it this chair? I wobbled the thing back and forth but couldn’t manage to get it to do it again. 

Ember raised an eyebrow. “Is something wrong?”

“Did you hear that?” I asked curiously.

Ember frowned. “Hear what?”

“Like a sort of... ‘squeaking’ noise?”

Shadow’s sister looked at Star Beard who shrugged, shaking his head. Oh, wonderful! Now I was bloody well hearing things again. I couldn’t blame the spirit this time though. Ah well, never mind, maybe the trip had finally unhinged something inside my head. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Nothing to worry about there then! Sighing, I quickly changed the subject back to the topic at hoof. Warily, I explained what had happened at the fortress but was careful to leave out some of the more ‘explicit’ details. 

Star Beard nodded sagely. “It is for the better, my boy. Over time the two of you would have pulled each other apart completely, and I daren’t imagine what would have befallen you if that had happened.”

I don’t know about him, but I didn’t want to imagine it either! Turning to Ember, I noticed she was staring at my pannier with an intent expression. “Ember?” I asked questioningly.

“Your… your bag,” she whispered. “It… it moved.”

“What? My bag?”

I reached into the bowl to take the last berry just as a tiny head shot out of my pannier like lightning, plucked the sweet fruit before I could get a grip on it, and disappeared back inside.

“WHAT WAS THAT?!” Ember shrieked leaping onto the chair, keeping her hooves off the ground.

And the lid was off... Pandemonium broke out around me as guards charged into the chamber weapons drawn, whilst white robed staff rushed about in a panic at their mistress’s cries of alarm. Star Beard face hoofed, and slowly, meaningfully, treated me to a particularly hard stare.

“I’m sorry everypony!” I announced quickly, holding my hoof up apologetically. “Sorry! No need for alarm. It’s my friend, that’s all. Don’t worry, she’s harmless.” I tried smiling to show there was no need for concern.

The guards didn’t seem to share my opinion however, glowering at me with looks that suggested bloody murder was barely a hairs breadth away. Thankfully they decided to curtail their impulse to turn me into luncheon meat and looked to the duchess for orders first. Ember, however, was nowhere to be seen. The poor creature was completely surrounded by maids - a veritable equine shield of bodies with her buried somewhere deep within their massed ranks. Daggers shone in the mysterious light. These were no mere hoofmaidens. Their loyalty to their duchess was quite something to behold, and in truth, I was relieved that she’d been accepted so fully as Maelstrom’s heir. I couldn’t say I knew very much about warrior based societies, however I doubted that bloodless successions were exactly commonplace. In Ember’s case though, she had slipped into the position seamlessly. She was one hell of a mare. Speaking of which, gradually, and with some assistance, Star Beard managed to gently, yet firmly, extricate the ruffled looking Ember from her enthusiastic staff. Thankfully, and despite her worried looks, she waved the last of them away. My axe wielding friend shot me a look that threatened bloody retribution if he had to come in here again today. Or tonight. Damn it, couldn’t they get some clocks here? The munching and chirruping noises from the pannier lessened when I lifted it up and carefully placed it on the floor before me. 

Unstrapping the flap, I tapped the side, “Come on, Tarragon, come and meet my friends. It’s okay…”

The tiny creatures head popped out, covered in berry juice and gave a little burp. Ember’s eyes went wide, and then, unexpectedly, she let out a delighted laughed before trotting over to have a closer look, her previous fright already forgotten. “By the moon, Fairlight, she’s a dragonling! What are you doing with her in your pack?!”

Star Beard was less impressed. “Fairlight! Good goddess, Captain, have you lost your mind? Don’t bring one of those creatures in here! If the mother finds out she’ll raze the whole village to the ground!”

I gave Tarragon a pet and she quickly clambered back up onto my back to nuzzle my mane.“She’s from my world, Colonel,” I explained. “Her father let her come with me. Look, it’s a long story and I don’t think now’s the time, if you’ll forgive me.”

Star Beard frowned, tossing his mane. “I’ve never heard of such a thing, boy. Never! Dragon’s are solitary creatures and deadly when roused. It’s not that I doubt what you’re telling me, it’s just that it flies in the face of everything I’ve ever known about her species.” He rubbed a hoof over his leathery face. “This really is most peculiar. You say the father allowed a child follow you here? His own child?”

I shrugged. “I saved her life and she decided to follow me. What more can I say?”

“‘What more can you say…’,” he repeated quietly. “I don’t know, Captain, you never cease to amaze me.” The old fellow raised an eyebrow. “Or scare the shit out of me.” 

I tried to ignore that last mumbled comment, taking a sip of my wine. If he wanted to talk about having excrement scared out of a fellow, he wanted to try living in my overshoes for a while. And another thing, I hadn’t seen any vineyards round here, so where in the name of all the gods had they managed to get wine from? I shuddered, putting the goblet down. Yes, there were scary things in the world alright, but not all of them were harmful. It was just a matter of perspective. Take Shadow for instance; she was a thestral. To most ponies she would be a terrifying monster straight from the pages of a horror novel. To me, she was my beloved mate and part of my family. Then there was Tarragon of course. I suppose the majority of equestrians would consider dogs and cats as your more ‘normal’ companions in life, whereas Tarragon on the other hoof, would probably eat them. I’d always wanted a pet. I’m not so sure you could call a dragonling a pet as such, especially when you took into account the fact she’d eventually grow to be the size of a house and be able to talk one day. But that was way off in the future. For now, she was my friend, travelling companion, and so cute you just wanted to cuddle her! 

Ember, Star Beard and I passed the time talking about what had happened in the Withers since the last time I was there. Surprisingly very little had changed, with the exception of some border disputes with other tribes. Whether this was as a result of the joining of the Purple Sands and the Beyond was anyponies guess, and being blunt, not particularly of any concern of mine. I was saddened to hear that Shadow’s parents had vanished however. Far Sight had considered me to be his ‘adopted son’, but Maelstrom his wife hated me with a passion bordering on insanity. Wherever their travels had taken them, I wished them well. Finally Star Beard clopped his hooves together and one of the servants appeared carrying a quantity of gear which she placed on the floor before me.

“Captain,” the old colonel began. “When you… ‘left’ our world, these were left behind. I think you may wish to be re-acquainted with them?”

I felt a wave of nostalgia pass through me. My battle scythe was there, still as solid and dangerous as I remembered. Hmm, that made two now. I was going to have to get a cart at this rate. There too was Starswirl’s beacon and some other odds and ends I’d collected along the way. Something was missing though, one item I’d been given as a parting gift. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it, I certainly didn’t want to appear ungrateful after all, but my bloody words were already out,

“Thank you, Colonel. But, may I ask, do you know what happened to the dagger?”

“Dagger?” Star Beard frowned. “No… No, I don’t remember there being one, Captain. Was it a trophy of some kind?”

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter really. What’s important now is to work out how to find Shadow and bring her back safely.”

Star Beard nodded, “I understand. First though, allow me tell you what we’ve managed to find out so far…”

The old thestral’s assistant passed him a large scroll which he placed on the floor between us. Hoof drawn, stained, and smelling distinctly musty, the scroll turned out to be a surprisingly well detailed map of the Wither World. It was incredible! Judging by the amount of features noted, with a plethora of lakes, rivers, mountains and so forth, I hadn’t seen even a fraction of what I’d assumed to be just a vast expanse of nothingness. It was still far from what you’d consider to be a holiday destination, but dear goddesses… it was an explorers dream! Unfortunately though, the old map’s place names were written in a language I didn’t understand, and I would have to rely on Star Beard here to interpret them for me. Ember trotted over and sat next to us, looking intently at the map as if Shadow’s location would suddenly materialise before us by force of will alone. Meanwhile, Star Beard tapped the map with his hoof.

“We had scouts out looking for her as soon as we knew she’d gone,” he explained, “but being able to fly makes tracking nigh on impossible as I’m sure you already know. Fortunately, information from others who’d seen her showed that she was heading across the Purple Sands’ lands and on to... here.” He tapped on a portion of the map that looked like a field of little mushrooms. “The Tallow Marshes. Beyond them, lies dragon country.”

The way he said ‘dragon country’ worried me. There was an edge to his voice that made my mane twitch nervously, and with good reason too. If an old warrior like the colonel was concerned about this place, then there had to be more to it than just some enigmatic name. I’d caught the way he glanced down at Tarragon as he spoke. Ah, so… dragons it was then. I looked down to Tarragon who was sleeping next to me, a leg occasionally twitching as she dreamt. It was hard to imagine one day she’d be the size of her father, or maybe even bigger. Maybe he’d been cute once too, who knows? Despite their enormous size and power, I wasn’t afraid of dragons, but neither were they of me, wendigo or not. I’d have to keep my wits about me, that was damned sure. It would be best to avoid them altogether.

I raised an eyebrow, turning to Star Beard. “So, I’m guessing that’s where the trail went cold, right?”

He nodded. “Maelstrom ordered her found, but when we discovered she was heading toward the mountains past the marsh, we had no choice but to call off the search. Maelstrom was furious and…well, I think you know can guess happened next.”

I could. I’d seen Maelstrom’s temper in action, and after the incident in the city the cracks in her sanity where there for all to see. She’d already lost one daughter to the lake creature and another had run off looking for, what her mother considered at any rate, to be a demon. I looked over at Ember who was busy petting the snoozing Tarragon, a smile on her toothy face. 

“I don’t understand,” I said, “why stop at the mountains? Is it a barrier of some kind?”

Ember shook her head. “The mountains are forbidden to our people. They are dragon territory.”

Star Beard’s eyes were downcast. “It’s an old animosity going back to the great war, boy. They believe that the rest of the forces of the moon abandoned them on the field which resulted in their exile along with the rest of us. Since then, any thestral who enters the mountains is liable to be seen as…” a pained expression crossed his face, “…as food.”

I closed my eyes against the realisation that Shadow may not have been seen because, goddess help me, she was already dead, eaten by one of those terrifying creatures. But then, if she was dead, wouldn’t she be with the herd? Surely Meadow would have said something, right? Oh, gods, what if they didn’t go to herd at all! Did they have their own heaven? Their own version of the herd?

Star Beard gave me a beaming smile and slapped his thigh suddenly, making me jump. “Ha! Listen to the old fool droning on! Don’t you worry, I have faith she’s still alive, boy, and that you’ll find her. But, Fairlight, you must realise that we can’t send any warriors with you past the marshes or else risk war with the dragons. The peace has held fast for a long time, and our numbers are too few to take those monster’s on should things… unexpectedly deteriorate.” He turned to the duchess. “Ember my dear, it’s late and I must attend to some matters. Would you please excuse us? I’d like to have a stallion-to-stallion chat with my young friend here. Do you mind?”

Ember nodded, holding out her hoof for Star Beard and I to kiss respectfully. Even though he was her grandfather, propriety, even here, meant a great deal to these fascinating people. My old friend rose to his hooves, motioning me to follow him. We walked slowly along a rear corridor, possibly the one I’d been jostled down when the previous duchess had decided to give me a ‘little off the top’, before we eventually arrived at a large door inlaid with some of the most beautiful silver scroll work I’d ever seen. It was incredible. Black wood, carved with leaves and vines, the whole picked out with extraordinarily fine silver marquetry. Oblivious of my fascination, the old thestral warrior leaned a foreleg against the wall beside me. He looked tired, and an awful lot older than I remembered.

“By the goddess,” he breathed, rubbing his back, “I’m feeling my years, boy, forgive me.” Star Beard stretched his hind legs out, groaning loudly. “Stay in here tonight, Fairlight, I need to see to a few things. I’ll call for you in the morning, do you think you’ll be ready to set out then?”

I nodded. “I will, I don’t want to waste any time Colonel.”

He looked up at me quizzically. “No. No you don’t, Captain. I didn’t want to say anything in front of young Ember, but I fear for her sister. Shadow is in a dangerous place right now, a very dangerous indeed. You’re going to need to focus all your strength for what awaits you out there, but for now I want you to think of her, and only her. Can you do that for me?”

Star Beard sounded so insistent, it had my mane bristling. “Of course,” I said honestly.

He reached out a hoof and tapped the crystal hanging from my neck. “Keep that on tonight. Don’t take it off, understand?”

His eyes fixed me in their fiery stare as I replied, “I will. Star Beard, what’s all the mystery about?”

He just shrugged. “I’ll tell you in the morning. For now, just remember what I said.” The old thestral turned to walk away down the corridor. “Goodnight, boy. Goddess bless you.”

“Goodnight, Colonel.”

Star Beard was certainly a strange creature, and that was saying something. By thestral standards he was akin to that of your common local mystic, or shaman. I suppose you could say he held a similar position to my very own Aunt Pewter, until you factored in his close links with the ruling family. Officially he was supposed to be the priest for the tribe, but I’d never seen him conduct any form of ceremony so long as I’d known him. In fairness though, I’d just have to admit I knew incredibly little about thestral society, and as awful as it sounded, I didn’t plan on staying around the Withers long enough to find out either. Come hell or high water, I had to find Shadow and bring her home. Every second I spent here, ever moment, was like a cold dagger in my heart. She was in trouble, she needed me, and here I was being fussed over by her family like I was on my bloody jollies. Gods, I hated this! I wanted to be off. I wanted to get my gear together, spread my wings, and launch into the sky to find my missing Shadow. But how? Where? Whether I liked it or not, I had to wait for Star Beard to do whatever it was he was going to do before I could get under way. Patience, unfortunately, was not one of my virtues.

The beautifully carved door opened easily and I walked into the spacious room beyond, closing it behind me carefully. I barely noticed it. A wave of heart wrenching sadness gripped me, threatening to pull me into it’s dark depths, and I leaned my muzzle against the door, closing my eyes. Shadow… After all this time, after all these years, I was here. And I was alone. Angry with myself, I gave my coat a hard shake and wiped my eyes and turned to examine my surroundings. It certainly was a bed chamber alright, of that there was no doubt. It had been constructed from the same glittering crystal as the rest of the thestral buildings I’d seen, only this one had been adorned with a number of large tapestries and pictures that hung from the walls. For what I took to be such frightening warriors, whoever had used this room enjoyed a particularly delicate touch. Elegant filigree vases and caskets sat neatly arranged on a white dresser, tastefully painted gold leaves and vines adorning its surface. The tapestries really caught my eye though. They weren’t scenes from anywhere I’d seen in the Withers. In fact, judging from the overall style, I’d have said they were of Equestria. But… how? Where they from the war? Good gods, just how old were these?! The paintings too were of similarly familiar scenes: green rolling hills, miles of forests and blue skies. They were really quite beautiful, each and every one of them. I couldn’t see any artist’s name recorded, but then my knowledge of artistry was roughly the same as what I knew about meteorology - zero. Generally the whole room was well appointed, and had a large window with a thin crystalline type of glass which allowed in what passed as natural light in the Beyond. Curtains in a deep maroon fabric framed the window, co-ordinating nicely with the deep carpets and chair cushions. The bed however, was another matter altogether. It was absolutely huge, with heavily carved crystal posts holding up a canopy in the same colour as the window curtains. Golden rope ties added an extra touch which made me begin to wonder just how a lowly ragamuffin like me had come to be here in such magnificent surroundings when only recently I’d been sleeping on cardboard sheeting in a rat infested sewer. 

A yawn abruptly broke free from my lips. Gods, what time was it here anyway? I had no way of knowing for sure, though Star Beard was right when he said it was late. With no clocks anywhere to be seen, I had to rely on my body to tell me. And tell me it did, as a wave of fatigue suddenly passed through me making my fur shiver. Well, there was one thing for certain at least, I didn’t need a watch or clock to tell me it was time for bed. With a sigh of relief, all of my heavy gear, packs, boxes and strapping, were unceremoniously dumped on the floor, after which I wriggled out of my patched flight suit. Hell fire, I felt as light as a feather! That bed looked incredibly inviting too, and yet... I paused, feeling a twinge of guilt run through me. This room was somepony’s home, and here I was, mucky and smelly after days, if not weeks of travel. Could I really just walk in and wreck it? No… No, that wasn’t right at all. I picked up my gear and neatly arranged it on a blanket chest for the morning. I hadn’t been born a slobby pony and I sure as hell wasn’t going to start becoming one now. Not that I’d ever describe myself as a neat freak of course, it’s just that it felt like the right thing to do. 

There was a knock at the door.

“Hello?” I trotted over and opened it.

To my surprise it was two young thestrals in white robes. As one they bowed to me as they entered, brushing past me while whispering to each other in their strange clicking language and giggling coquettishly. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at their girlish behaviour, even as it put a smile on my tired face. What in Equestria was going on here? Was this room service of some sort? I was just about to shut the door when another of the great hall’s staff pushed it back open, shooting me a haughty glare. By the gods, she was huge! She was a real charmer too, making the others look like tugboats next to a liner. I’d never seen a fat thestral before, but by Celestia’s ample arse, here was one now. The creature held her nose in the air and harrumphed as she passed me, giving orders to the younger two who curtsied to her respectfully. I caught sight of one of them surreptitiously smirking at the other who playfully stuck her tongue out a little at the larger female. Thankfully, their ample colleague didn’t notice the cheeky gesture.

“CAN YOU SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE? DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?” she bellowed at me. 

I took a step back, flattening my ears. Great goddesses, what a bloody racket! I’d almost forgotten how thestrals had a habit of speaking straight into your head, and I’d only just gotten used to Ember and Star Beard speaking normally. My brain cells must have been vibrating with the mental onslaught, but she wasn’t finished yet. 

“YOU FOLLOW US, YES? WE BRING YOU TO CLEANING PLACE, UNDERSTAND?” She spoke slowly, pronouncing each word with a deliberate overemphasis that had the other two shaking with silent laughter. I decided to play along.

“Duhhhh?” I mumbled, cocking my head on one side like some village idiot.

The large thestral tutted irritably and waved to the other two who trotted round to take station behind me. With numerous nudges and shoves, I was propelled back through the door and along a new set of corridors, the stuck up female leading the way. As we walked it felt like somepony was pulling on my tail, not painfully of course, but it was noticeable alright. The occasional tug would have me looking back over my shoulder to the two girls who quickly averted their eyes, glancing anywhere but at me with a poorly feigned innocence. Returning my eyes to the front, the giggling started again until I let out an involuntary squeak. Something, or more likely, some ‘thestral’ had nipped my backside. I shot them a look. One of the cheeky buggers smirked back at me, making a show of running her tongue over her teeth in what I could only describe as a extremely suggestive manner. Unfortunately my bloody body started to react on its own as usual, and I had to take my mind off it by staring at the huge thestral arse in front of me. Yikes! That was enough to cool off any dirty thoughts alright. Thankfully my galleon sized chaperone eventually came to a halt before a large set of double doors which she opened like they were made of nothing heavier than a piece of paper. Once more I was prodded into action, following my guide inside. There was no mistaking what this place was for. A large walk-in bath awaited me, steaming silently in the lightly scented room. The plain wood panelled walls were lined with a bewildering assortment of baskets, bottles, and all manner of assorted grooming tools – everything arranged and ready for what I suddenly knew was coming.

“Oh no!” I squeaked. “I can groom myself, thank you very much!”

The older mare stared open mouthed at my miraculous understanding of the art of speech and spluttered in indignation before giving out more orders to the younger ones. With another extra loud harrumph, she flounced out of the room leaving the other two alone with me and the steaming bath water. Well, that was one down, two to go...

“Ladies, thank you,” I smiled. “I’ll be fine, thanks.”

They looked at each other and began taking off their robes.

“Hey! Wait, no!”

One of them chuckled, flicking her robe onto a hook before nudging me with her muzzle into the bath water. The other waded in on the opposite side of me, taking a bottle in her mouth and a large sponge in her hooves. Before long, and regardless of my impotent protests, I was summarily soaked, lathered, and sponged down from muzzle to tail. They certainly knew their craft too. In no time at all the girls had efficiently curry combed and scrubbed every inch of me, getting all the tangles from my coat, mane and tail. It felt, I have to say, absolutely amazing; particularly when one of them started to sponge me… somewhere else.

“Thanks ladies, I can wash there my- Oh!”

They ignored me. Come hell or high water these two were intent on washing me completely, and I mean completely. By the goddess they were good at it too. Heat surged through me, and it wasn’t just from the water either. I closed my again, praying to the goddesses that I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of these young mares. Somehow, I doubt they’d care if I did. Thankfully though, the tortuously exotic experience came to a halt when I was finally led from the bath and towelled down. One of the mares then pulled a chain, opening a vent in the wall which blew warm air across me as the girls began brushing and smoothing my coat and hair. Now this was more like it! I’d never been to a salon before, but if this was what the hordes of mares who went experienced, I’d been missing out! Gods, talk about relaxing, I’d sleep well tonight that was for sure. I let out an involuntary sigh which made one of the thestrals giggle. Moments later she moved from my flank to my underside, taking extra special care to dry me off between my haunches. I had little choice but to stand there and endure it, naturally. But as with everything in life, all good things come to an end. Tonight that end belonged to the glacia sized mare who had re-appeared before me like an avenging spirit in all her muscular glory.

She treated me like I was a prize entry in a show, clicking and clucking over the work the other two had done before nodding to herself, “You’re done. Follow me.”

The miserable mare wasn’t talking to me like I was a dullard at least, and the three of them guided me from the bath and back to my room, all clean and neat. I had to admit, I felt great too. Not only that, I didn’t stink like one of Pewter’s litter trays either, which was a definite improvement. Despite the scar and glowing eyes, I thought I must have looked pretty damned good all things considered. Tingles and Meadow would have been particularly pleased with the results; my tail and mane were in the best condition they’d been in for ages, and flowed nicely, swishing the way they should. Even that simply act felt great. 

Back in the room, my entourage left, but not before one of the younger mares grabbed my muzzle and gave me a quick kiss before rushing out after her scandalised friend. Thankfully the large mare hadn’t noticed as the door shut behind them with a dull thud, leaving me standing there like a stone statue. Smiling to myself, I stretched out my legs and moved to the side of the bed. Thestrals... who could fathom them? It wasn’t that long ago I’d have been scared witless by these pony-like beings with their sharp teeth, glowing eyes and skeletal bodies. Before I got to know them better I’d thought they all looked alike, but now… now I knew better. Speaking of which, how come I could understand what they were saying? A quick feel of my ears confirmed that I hadn’t inadvertently put on the magical translator. It was, as I already knew, in the pile with all my other gear. Was this a side effect of the merging of my spirit with the wendigo? Deciding it didn’t really matter anyway, I shrugged it off. I mean, what’s one more mystery to add the pile? The meaning of the word ‘normal’ had become very subjective of late. At least tonight I could get a decent sleep in a decent bed - the first time I’d done so since this quest had started. I pulled back the heavy sheets and slipped beneath their cool embrace. Now this was more like it! I let out a pent up sigh, my stresses and strains disappearing in the enveloping comfort of the roomy bed. With my mane, tail, coat and hooves, all clean and neat, I breathed in the fresh smell of linen and… mare. I opened my eyes, half expecting to see somepony there, but... no… No, it was just me and the pillow - the pillow which smelt of warm cinnamon, of exotic spices, of femininity, of… Shadow. I closed my eyes, feeling the sharp prickle of a tear building, and let my feelings flow out. She’d be with me soon, and I with her. The smell of Shadow was was all around me, deliciously intoxicating and reminding me of all the good times I’d spent with her. I rubbed my nose against the pillow, taking it in, imagining her with me in my forelegs. I could see her, touch her, smell her… She was in my heart and my soul - the beautiful, terrible creature of the nightmare world, and my deepest desire.

“Shadow…” I moaned, hugging the pillow and whispering into it. “I miss you, love. Where are you? Show me the way…”

In the darkness, between my coat and the pillow, the crystal glowed.


********************


It was morning. At least I presumed it was, because first off I was awake, and secondly the gargantuan maid was back, brutally yanking the covers off me with zero consideration for my need for a lie in. Yawning expansively, I had a good stretch and rubbed the sleep from my eyes as a quick breakfast of porridge with berries and a glass of fruit ‘something’ appeared like magic before me on a tray. Whatever it was, it smelled surprisingly appealing too. Breakfast in bed, eh? Well, not quite, the words ‘GET UP!’ hadn’t been spoken, but by Luna, they were still coming across loud and clear all the same. I settled myself into the chair and floated over a spoon. Meanwhile my self-appointed ‘overseer’ busied herself around the room, whilst I busied myself by filling up on the best start for the day a fellow could have. It was probably best not to think too hard about where a lot of the food came from in the Withers I’d found. So long as you disengaged your brain from your taste buds, you were good to go. And soon, I was too. I was pleasantly surprised to find my flight suit had been properly cleaned and laid out for me on the chair next to the dresser, along with my cloak and blanket, all them freshly laundered. I lifted the suit up, staring at it in amazement. Not only did it smell fresh, unburned and clean, somepony had even taken the time to unpick my hastily made repairs and re-sewn it so well it looked as good as new! Only the goddess knows how they managed to do that without me noticing. Oh, they were good! And so, dressed and ready for the day, I followed the maid out of Shadow’s bedroom and off to wherever, or whatever, Fate had in store for me. 

Star Beard was already at work in his rooms, pouring over a number of old tomes when I was unceremoniously deposited by the helpful maid. “Ah! Fairlight my boy, come in, please,” he chirped enthusiastically. 

I was genuinely relieved to see him in such good spirits this morning, his weariness last night had really concerned me. The old fellow was no spring chicken, and that was saying something. What was he, a thousand years old or something? I know the time differences between Equestria and the Wither World were about as linear as a dog’s hind leg, but even so, the war had been a millennia ago, and here he was pottering about in his study like some jolly old grandpa. On the subject of his room, it was just as I remembered it - a right bloody mess. Books, maps, candle wax and discarded clothes, all lay haphazardly across the desk, floor, and only goddess knows what else. I presumed there was a chair in here somewhere, but it was probably lost in time beneath a layer of paperwork. 

Star Beard looked up from his musings. “You look a lot better, Captain. Freya have a good go at you did she?”

“Freya?” I wrinkled my brow in thought, “Oh! The maid I presume?”

He snorted out a laugh and scratched his ear, “She’s not the gentlest, I’ll admit, but she’s got a good heart. Takes care of me in my old age too.” I’d read into that what I may. She certainly did bugger all with his room. “Anyway my equestrian friend,” he continued, “we have a visitor…” He held out a hoof.

“Good morning, Captain.” 

The familiar voice from behind me made me look up in surprise. Slowly, I turned round to find myself face to face with the time worn features of the leader of my last mission in the Wither World - the warrior whom I’d had the honour of fighting beside in that final, desperate battle against insane odds. 

“Major Thorn!” I exclaimed happily. “Good to see you! Are you well, sir?”

He grasped my hoof and shook it firmly, a broad smile spread across his battle-scarred face displaying those lethal teeth of his. “I am, Captain, very well. I’m pleased to see you once more.”

Star Beard nodded to the Major before leaning across the map he’d laid out on the table. “Gentlecolts, I’m not going to procrastinate over this, so I’ll get to the point. Captain Fairlight…” He looked into my eyes. “We have to find Lady Shadow, and quickly. The difficulty I have is discovering exactly where she is, but my sources inform me she is either here…” He pointed to a large mountain to the north-east of the marsh, “…or here.” Star Beard moved his hoof to point to another mountain range west of the first one. There was no scale on the map so I had no idea of the distances involved, but it didn’t matter right now, I was just relieved that at long last we were finally getting something concrete. “We officially cannot enter dragon territory or risk sparking a war,” he explained. “The duchess will not risk it, and neither will I. As much as I love Shadow, Captain, our people’s survival is at risk if we provoke an open conflict with the dragons. I’m sure you understand this, yes?”

I nodded in response. ‘We’ meaning ‘They’ the thestrals, couldn’t enter the dragons domain. The same restrictions didn’t relate to me however, the wild card wendigo. I stared at the image of smoking mountains on the map, feeling my resolve harden. So, essentially this looked like it was going to be another solo mission then. In a funny way it was that old favourite of the agency ‘plausible deniability’ once again, just in a different guise. This way at least, if I was caught or killed, they’d just say, “He’s not a thestral though, is he?” And problem solved. Personally I’d prefer the third option -  staying alive.

Star Beard gestured to Thorn who explained further. “One source indicates that the lady Shadow may have been… ‘taken’, by the dragon of the Coal Spike mountain. If true, then I fear the worst. He’s a vicious bastard that one, and a dragon whom many of us believe inspired the rabid hatred of us with the Celestians in the first place.” Thorn examined the map, a wisp of smoke rising from his nostrils. “One other source suggested that she may have headed here…” He tapped the second mountain range, “Emerald Fires, the home of a female fire dragon known as ‘Etrida’. Goddess help her if she’s there - that one is the mother of the worst of them.” 

All very positive then! Dragons, a missing mare, throw in the words ‘Vicious’ and ‘Worst of them all’ just for good measure, and then off you go! It did wonders for your optimism. This was going to be a walk in the park, wasn’t it? Gods almighty! Inwardly I groaned; couldn’t somepony give me some good news for once? So far it was all variations on a theme of misery and despondency. 

“How do we know any of this information is correct?” I asked the two old warriors directly. “Are these ‘sources’ you mentioned reliable?” I scratched my muzzle in thought before pointing to the mountains depicted on the map. “I mean, why would she go there? There must be something in the mountains that’s attracted her for some reason, or else this could all be a wild goose chase based on rumours of sightings and nothing more.”

Star Beard took out his pipe, passing a spare one to me. Thorn politely declined. “My sources are trustworthy, Captain, of that you can have no doubt,” the ancient warrior said confidently. “And, yes, there is something there, or at least Shadow believes there to be - The Rift.”

I hadn’t heard of it. “The Rift?” I asked. 

The colonel nodded. “It’s a place in the mountains which, according to lore, is where the veil is thinnest between all the realms. A sort of ‘natural fault line’ so to speak, I can’t say for sure. I for one have never been however, and I suspect no living thestral has either. I can only speculate that it is where she’s heading, but after all this time… I just don’t know.”

I had to ask, as much as it pained my heart to even consider it, “How do you know she’s still alive?”

Star Beard let out a puff of smoke. “She was seen recently, no more than a week ago, near the Coal Spike.” He pointed his pipe stem at me, smoke flowing from his nostrils. “This, is why I said you needed to hurry.”

And here I was, smoking! I banged my hoof down on the desk. “So what’s the plan then? I need to get going as soon as possible!”

Thorn grinned. “We’re going with you, to the edge of the marshes at least. I wish we could go further, Captain, but this time you’ll be on your own for most of your journey - behind enemy lines, so to speak. Think you can handle it?”

By the way his eyes blazed, he knew my answer already. “Does an Ursan shit in the woods?”

Thorn sniggered, while Star Beard just rolled his eyes. “Have you looked at your pendant this morning, Fairlight? Star Swirl’s beacon?”

I deftly extracted the elegant pendant from my flight suit pocket, holding it up for the other two to see. It was glowing as usual and I turned on the spot to face the direction where it shone the brightest. Star Beard oriented the map with the aid of a heavy brass compass he fetched down from the bookcase and tapped at a landmark, a beaming smile on face.

I scrubbed at my mane irritably. “So much for that then, It’s pointing back to the portal again. Not sure how that helps if the bloody thing won’t let us back through.”

Star Beard stepped round the table with the compass and ruler, drawing an invisible line with his hoof. “No, it’s not pointing to the portal, Captain, it’s pointing towards the dragons territory. Did you do as I asked last night?”

“You mean thinking of Shadow?” I asked curiously. “Yes, of course I did. Was that your idea, to put me in her room?”

He nodded, a wry smile on his lips, “The pendant works on need, leading the wearer to what their heart truly desires. That, and it can only be used by Celestians - no offence.”

No offence?! I involuntarily scowled at him, a flare of temper bursting through me. “I’m not a bucking Celestian!” I snapped, “Do you know what those bastards did?! Do you know the suffering…” I paused, rubbing my face with a foreleg. “Sorry… sorry, my friend. I didn’t mean to-”

Thorn clopped me on the shoulder. “We know, Captain. We were there, we know what they did. Some of it anyway.”

Star Beard shook his head sadly. “You’re right to be angry, boy, but you’re a part of their world now whether you like it or not, and in this age, Equestria is Celestia. One way or another you must find your place within that world. I can only pray for you and your family’s safety and prosperity in the future. If the goddess is willing, Shadow will soon become part of that family.”

“There are other places outside of Equestria,” I replied. “Saddle Arabia for example, the Griffin Kingdom, the Llamalian Empire or even Yak Yakistan. It doesn’t have to be Celestia’s ‘perfect’ utopian society.”

Star Beard nodded knowingly. “True lad, true, but you’re the new lord of the four winds, and your heart will always lead you home. Believe me, I know.”

Thorn gasped, “Lord of the four winds? Precious Goddess! Fulmin, you old goat, you never told me that!” Thorn turned to me, looking me straight in the eyes as if he was searching for something. Suddenly he snorted loudly, letting out a rumbling neigh. “Of course! Its all so obvious, I can’t believe I hadn’t realised it before now. By the nightmare’s grace, you’re the descendant of Maroc and Arathea!”

“Apparently so,” I said rather embarrassed by Thorn’s reaction. “Not that there’s anything to be ‘lord’ of to be honest. There’s nothing there now, only rubble, ghosts and memories.”

“Dragon shit!” he spat, “Stone remembers stone…”

“What?”

Star Beard slammed a hoof on the table, “Enough! We’re wasting time!”

We both stopped and turned to face him. He was right of course, every moment counted and we needed to prepare for the journey without any more delays. Thorn and I stood and listened in respectful silence as Star Beard explained his plan. And explain he did. Every detail, every possibility, stratagem and contingency had been thought through in impressive, yet pragmatic detail. Standing there listening to the old warrior, this former leader of the thestral invasion force that had tried to wrest Equestria from the control of Celestia, was something I still couldn’t quite come to grips with. He had a presence, a force of will and professionalism, that effortlessly filled you equally with both confidence and burning enthusiasm. This stallion, this officer from a bygone age, knew what he was about. He understood his trade as a carpenter understands wood. Here was a stallion who had commanded untold thousands, his drive and skill forging a path across an alien world he knew little about, yet had come within a hairs breadth of conquering. I wonder how Equestria would have looked now if he had succeeded, if Nightmare Moon were now the one true princess and living goddess of our nation. And here I was, here in this old officer’s study, listening in rapt attention until there were simply no more plans to explain and no more questions to ask. By the gods, would I have had the resolve to fight with the forces of the Legion? Perhaps… Perhaps I would. Thank the gods It was a question that I would never need to know the answer to.

The colonel nodded to himself as he finished his explanation, satisfied we all now knew as much as there was to know about what we had to do. It essence, it was quite simple. We would set off that afternoon which would allow us time to travel to the Purple Sands. We would overnight there and then head across their land to the Tallow Marshes. At the northern most edge of the marsh I would head off alone into dragon territory, locate the two places marked on the map and, with the grace of Luna, find Shadow. Upon finding her, we would return to our rendezvous with Thorn and his warriors. What we would do to get myself and Shadow home to Equestria however, was a problem for another day. 

We were about to part when Star Beard walked over to me and peered at the pendant closely, giving it a tap with his hoof. “You didn’t let me finish what I was saying earlier,” he observed, cocking an eyebrow. I hung my head in embarrassment as he continued, “The pendant will lead you to Shadow, boy, but that is all. The rest is up to you. If there is one piece of advice I can give you before you leave however, it is this: believe in her, and in yourself. Never doubt your strength, your skill, nor your resolve. Self doubt can kill you just as surely as any enemy blade. You can do this.” 

“I will do this, Colonel,” I said confidently. “Fortune favours the bold.”

“Ha! It does indeed my boy,” the Colonel laughed, clopping me on the shoulder. “It does indeed.”

There was nothing more that needed to said. My packs, belts, and other assorted gear were stowed and ready, the pulse gun disassembled and in its storage case, my PDW fully charged and in order. My war scythe I’d left in Shadow’s room along with other items I didn’t think I’d need. Perhaps for sentimental reasons, I don’t know for certain, I’d brought the scythe my friends had prepared for me rather than the one I’d used in the Wither World the last time I was here. That one had been a weapon I’d taken from a fallen enemy, but this one had been hoof made by myself and modified by Smiling Borders’ very own blacksmith. There was a certain significance in that which made it special to me. Guess I had a heart after all then. I was checking my food and water supplies when a loud chirrup behind me caught my attention. I span round just in time to see Tarragon leaping onto my head and then claw her way painfully down my neck to nestle into my back. Goddesses the little beggar had sharp claws! Ember followed her in a moment later.

“She’s so friendly, I’m sad to see her leave,” Ember smiled, oblivious to the myriad of scratches I’d just endured at the claws of her scaly new pal. “You too, Fairlight. I pray you find my sister safe and well, and bring her home to us soon. May the goddess watch over you on your journey.”

I bowed formally. “Thank you my lady, your kind words give my heart hope.”

She sniggered behind her hoof. “My name’s ‘Ember’, Fairlight, not ‘Duchess’ or ‘My lady’. At least, not to friends. Or would you prefer I start calling you ‘My lord’ as well?”

“Oh goddess, no!” I laughed. I’d had quite enough of that nonsense from Grimble.

We all chuckled, with the notable exception of Thorn who was busy preparing several of his troops, issuing them their orders for our trip. Meanwhile, Star Beard rummaged under the table before hoofing me a copy of the map we’d looked at last night.

“All set?” he asked me, raising an eyebrow.

“I am, Storm Colonel.” I stood tall and gave a single nod of my head. “I’ll bring her home, sir. Come hell or high water, I’ll bring her home.”

“Good. See that you do.” Star Beard turned to Thorn and his troops who’d already begun filing out the door into the courtyard. “Give my regards to Short Stride, Major. Tell her I expect to see foals before my days are done.”

Thorn nodded, clopping hooves with his old friend before following his troops outside, myself in tow. I was barely past the doorway when a bitterly cold wind hit me like a bucket of ice water, sending a shiver through my body. Cold weather? Here in the Withers? I smiled to myself; it was a good sign. The wendigo were the harbingers of the north winds, and we were heading north now. I could scarcely believe it. This was it, at last! All this journeying, all this wonder, doubt, and fear. Now, here I was, out beneath a dark sky in the middle of a thestral village on another world. I’d never felt so alive in all my life. With a shout, Thorn’s wings snapped out, and as one our band, myself included, launched into the air. Hopefully, fortune truly did favour the bold. I had a funny feeling I’d need all the luck I could get too.