Ocellus could feel that the kirin’s emotions were genuine. Mirage Chaser did want to help Ocellus, her friends, and other ponies. Ocellus discussed their options quietly with Gallus and Smolder before turning to Mirage Chaser.
“We’ll go with you. I want to be free of Queen Cordys’s control. I don’t want to be forced to betray and hurt my friends anymore.”
Ocellus was surprised by how forceful the last part of what she said came out, but it was how she felt. Mirage Chaser nodded, and Ocellus could feel a surge of confidence from her.
“Follow me, then. I know the safest way back to our little village. We call it Refuge. At first, it was just me, but more ponies joined once I freed them. This way!”
Mirage Chaser bounded and hopped along the rocks and trail and waited for them to follow. She sang an energetic traveling song that Ocellus hadn’t heard before. After a few hours, they had all memorized it and could sing along. They traveled on a steep trail up a series of rocky ledges. Mirage Chaser held out a hoof to stop the group.
“Okay, we’re at Refuge. The ponies here are suspicious of outsiders after being controlled by the changelings, so be careful of what you say, especially you, Ocellus. I’ll go ahead. You follow after a few minutes.”
The trail made it impossible to see the village from where they were at, but they waited before they went up to the final ledge. Once they did, they saw a small village in a series of caves dug into the rocky bowl below. A small stream filled a pond in the middle. About two dozen ponies gathered around. A few were adults, but many more were younger. A grizzled gray stallion stood at the front of one group. Ocellus could feel their distrust and anxiety even from here.
Gallus led the way. Smolder stayed close to Ocellus, as if trying to protect her. Ocellus always loved the strange mix of emotions Smolder gave off when she was protective like this. Smolder patted her shoulder.
“We got this, and if they don’t like you, I’ll show them.”
“They’re ponies, so don’t scare them,” Ocellus said.
The entire village stared as they walked down the path. Some of the youngest fillies and colts hid behind larger ponies. Ocellus could feel fear and hatred even before the old gray stallion spoke.
“Mirage Chaser! You expect us to welcome a changeling into our village after what they did to us? I know she looks different, but that could just be a new trick. We won’t let her stay here unless you let us lock her up.”
Smolder growled and stomped up to the stallion. She pointed at him with her sharp claws.
“We came here to help you, and this is how you welcome us?”
The stallion pushed her back, and he didn’t do it gently. Smolder flared with rage and pushed him back as a few flickers of flame escaped from her mouth. The sudden burst of fear, anger, and panic from the crowd left Ocellus cowering on the ground. Smolder and Gallus both jumped in front of her to keep the ponies off of her as the mob went wild. Ocellus heard a few sharp kicks.
“Enough!”
Mirage Chaser levitated several ponies with her magic, and a few flickers of flame danced on her horn, but she didn’t transform into a nirik. The crowd calmed down, but Gallus and Smolder both had new sets of bruises and scrapes.
“Bring me some bandages. This is no way to treat guests. Are we going to have any further problems?”
The gray stallion nodded. Mirage Chaser motioned for him to come to her, and they spoke quickly but quietly until they reached an agreement.
“Fine, they can stay with you, but only until you finish your business with them.”
The ponies stepped back, leaving a clear path to one of the larger caves. They all stared as Ocellus and the others walked by. Ocellus could feel that most of their hate was gone, but the distrust was even stronger.
Mirage Chaser held a curtain of beaded strings to the side and motioned them inside. It was dark until she lit a lamp with her magic. Various herbs, crystals, and other magical and medicinal items covered the shelves around the room. A large cauldron sat in the cold fireplace.
“Sorry about that. Slate Breaker is a hard old stallion. I hope you aren’t too hurt. Let me get you some food to help you feel better.”
Ocellus could feel Gallus’s pain and exhaustion, but he was trying to be strong and not show it. Smolder was mostly still angry, but she was in far less pain. They both perked up once Mirage Chaser pulled out some bread and honey.
“I don’t want to rush this, but the villagers aren’t happy with me. I’ve helped ponies break from the changelings’ control, and I think a similar spell will work for Ocellus. Two of you will need to travel to the sea near Jester’s Court and get one of the black crystals that the chaos creatures drop on the shore. Well, they’re really more of a rainbow mixed with black, like oil. And they don’t quite look right when you stare at them. You’ll know them when you see them. Oh, and one of you will need to stay with me and gather a few things near here in the wastelands. That should be a little bit safer.”
Ocellus thought about it. It would be fun to go with Smolder, even to somewhere dangerous, and she could feel how tired Gallus felt. It would be nice to give him a break.