//------------------------------//
// La Route du Sud 
// Story: Voyage 
// by Comrade Bagel Muffin 
//------------------------------//

The group left the great city of Tivi and followed the southern road out of the city. The sun was still making it's way to zenith when they left out of the southern gate out of the city. The road to the south was busy as traders, travelers, and residents moved into and out of the city. Everyone they passed cast glances at the group as they left giving the colt and filly on the large bird odd looks, not sure what they were seeing. The crowds continued until they passed the industrial section that surrounded wall of the city.
"Tivi is always such a busy city. I'm sorry that your first view of my capital was such a sad one." Professor Atlas said as the group continued down the road Wheat farms on either side of the group. The whole road was theirs and there wasn't a single pony in sight, aside from the occasional farmer working his field. "It's a shame that you didn't meet Prince Splendor. He would have loved to meet the two of you. He's much more of a scholar than his father. He would have loved to learn that spell of your's Escutcheon."
"Prince Splendor? Sounds like a perfect name for a stuck up jerk." Dusk said.
"That is no way to talk about the prince." Red Wine spoke up glaring at the bat pony. "The young prince is a great and noble pony, and will make a fine king."
"Just like his dad I'm sure." Dusk returned his glare with one of her own.
"King Awe is a great king." Red's voice became harsh.
"Right some king he can't even keep his country in check. His incompetence is putting my colony in harms way."
"Dusk it's not his fault. The princesses couldn't even keep the aristocracy from ripping the country apart, and they were practically worshiped for raising the sun and moon." He put a hoof around Dusk. "I'm sure that King Awe is doing the most that he can to protect your colony. Beside the ponies in Tivi are good ponies. Your colony is going to be okay. Okay?" Escutcheon nuzzled her softly, trying to reassure her.
"I know. We just want peace," she said softly.
"I know." She sighed. "I'm just worried even if this works it's only going to be a short fix. Once we leave this will just happen again."
"I'm sure that there are ways for a lasting peace." Red Wine's voice became softer.
"Red Wind, can we take a day off in both, Reci and Livar?" Escutcheon looked to the stallion. "I'd like to stop at their libraries. Maybe there's something that we can do about aristocracy. Some old law that's never been done but never been revoked either."
"Sure we can afford two days, provided that the mountain passes are passable." Red Wine nodded. "And for this journey please just call me Red." The elderly stallion said.
"We should stop by a few towns and villages before then, however, a few of my old students are members of the aristocracy. Perhaps you could use their private libraries if we stop at them for the night. Just because I enjoy sleeping outdoors doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy a nice room or bed."
"The first aristocratic estate we will arrive at will be that of Baroness Flower. We should arrive there on hoof around an hour before sunset."
The group continued on in peace along the southern capital road. Red and Atlas discussed the routes that they could use to get to the capital of Slo. Dusk and Escutcheon both dismounted Turkeylegs and trotted next to each other. The sun was starting to set when they found themselves coming upon a small village surrounded by apple orchards and a few barley fields. The group made their way to one of the larger homes that was closer to the middle of the small village. The home was made of stone with wooden accents the roof like the accents were all made of apple wood.
"So this mare is she one of the war hawks that king Awe was talking about?"
"No she's actually one of the more vocal aristocrats who is arguing for a sustained peace." Red spoke up. "But first I need to talk to her before you go in just give us a few moments."