Ever since Captain Cario’s announcement about coming up on Moenum Harbour, Twilight and Rarity stood at the bow of Foresight, eagerly waiting to dock.
The buildings stood admirably tall, creating a nice backdrop to the water. The lights of the city glowed against the dark night sky, hindering one’s view of most stars.
As they drew nearer, a few tugboats came from seemingly nowhere and started hooking up to each side of Foresight. The rumble of the engines ceased, allowing the tugboats full control of the massive ship.
Twilight turned around and saw dozens of ponies trotting about the deck. Each one seemed to know exactly what they were doing. Then, she noticed Princess Luna walking towards them.
“Hello, Princess,” Twilight and Rarity both greeted.
“Greetings. How is your hoof feeling, Twilight?” Luna asked.
“It feels great. The pain subsided substantially over night.”
“That is good, I’m glad you’re feeling alright. Are you ready to leave this thing?”
“Yes,” Twilight answered hastily. Almost too hastily.
Rarity looked at Twilight before shrugging it off. “I’m ready to find Rainbow Dash and get back to Equestria.”
Princess Luna nodded in agreement. “Yes. Though I may not show it, I am quite nervous about being here.”
“Same. I don’t know how I’ve never heard of Pyrathia,” Twilight agreed.
“Anyhow, I spoke with Cario a moment ago. He said the security in North Pyrathia is rough on ponies entering the country from a foreign country. They search you and your belongings, so be ready for that,” Luna informed.
“We should be fine, right?” Rarity asked.
“Yes. As long as you don’t have anything that is classified as a weapon, then you should be fine,” Luna responded.
“Hey!” Captain Cario shouted as he ran closer.
“Yes?” Luna replied.
“Sorry... I forgot to tell you guys this... but,” he said through breaths, “Pyrathians look down upon those who don’t wear anything. I have spare uniforms for you.” Cario turned towards one of his crew and whispered in their ear.
“Oh, you guys need uniforms? Follow me, I can get you down to the surplus room,” the crew member said, quickly walking towards the main entrance, three ponies following closely behind.
“You two have all of your belongings?” Princess Luna asked, looking back towards Rarity and Twilight. The two of them simply nodded in return, their horns glowing and bags floating just behind them.
In the time that they took to find clothing, Foresight had fully docked in the harbour. The crew members were taking all of the rubbish off the ship and down to the dumpsters waiting on the dock.
“Come along,” Luna said, leading them down the gangway. “First thing we should do is get to the residence of Adrius Trifer. He will allow us a place to live for the time being.”
“How far is his home?” Rarity asked.
“Around five miles from here.”
“How will we get there?” Twilight asked. “It’s already almost eleven at night!”
“My sister sent a letter to Adrius while she was searching for ways to get us here. In the letter, she explained means of travel and rest. Adrius got back to her relatively quickly, agreeing to almost everything in Tia’s letter. We will have a carriage waiting for us at the main building... hopefully.”
“What do you mean by ‘hopefully?’” Rarity asked.
“Well, from the documentaries, Adrius Trifer isn’t always up to his words. When we get there, we must remain courteous to not bother him,” instructed Princess Luna.
“We will,” said Twilight. “Is he a unicorn pony?”
“No, he is actually a pegasus pony, adding to the hate between him and Vel.”
After they had walked to the main building, they entered through a door that some other ponies had walked through. It was the back door to a large warehouse, but it led to the front of the building. Once they had exited the warehouse, they made their way to a carriage that awaited not too far.
As they walked, Twilight looked around at their surroundings. Stacks and stacks of shipping containers stood all around them. Reds, greens, blues, yellows, and a few whites, blacks, and purples here and there. Large red cranes sat idly by. There were light poles all around, shining brightly in the dark night.
“You must be Princess Luna of Equestria, correct?” a stallion said as they neared the carriage.
Twilight couldn’t help but notice the stallion’s strong, foreign accent. Pyrathian, she believed. It was clear Ponish was not his first language.
“That is correct. You must be our transport.”
“Quod sic. I am Generalis Lurio.” He cleared his throat. “Allow us to take your baggage, please. It is top priority to check baggage. Place your belongings here.” He tapped a hoof on a spot on the ground.
Four bags were set down and released from magic not too long after.
“Licuit, if you could stand apart while we check your bodies. It may seem unnecessary, but it is for our safety and the safety of the public,” Lurio said.
“I assure you, we do not have anything contraband,” Luna said as they patted them down. The uniforms they were given by Captain Cario were quite thick.
Twilight watched, and felt, as one of the guards worked around her hind legs. She felt her face grow warm, but she fought it back. The guards that searched them wore maroon-coloured uniforms with silver chainmail trimming. Each of them had a large sword that hung from their side.
Twilight saw her reflection in the blade once the guard made his way towards her forelegs. The metal hoof-covers they wore were as reflective as the blade. They were well shined.
“We are done. Please, watch your step as you go into the carriage,” Lurio said. “Your belongings will be in the back compartment.”
“Thank you,” Princess Luna said as they entered the carriage. It was large. It looked as though it could fit up to eight ponies.
Generalis Lurio stepped inside after them and closed the door. The other guards took their places in the front and began walking the carriage.
Lurio sat and looked between the three of them before speaking, “So, what brings you to North Pyrathia, Princess Luna of Equestria?”
“We believe an Equestrian has ended up here.”
“Oh? You say it like it is a bad thing. Are they a criminal?”
“No, they are not a criminal. They are lost.”
“So, have they entered Pyrathia illegally?”
“I... I wouldn’t know.”
“Supreme Leader Adrius Trifer does not take too kindly to illegal immigrants.”
“S-she is not an immigrant. She is simply lost.”
“Whatever the case may be, Supreme Leader Adrius Trifer will help you find your missing pony.” After a moment, Lurio cleared his throat as he looked at Twilight and Rarity. “How are you two faring? You both have been quiet.”
“W-we’re doing fine,” Twilight replied.
“No, I want both of you to answer,” he stated, sounding rather harsh as he indirectly commanded Rarity to speak.
“I’m doing good, thank you,” responded Rarity, taking the initiative to talk.
“Bonum. That is good. This carriage ride will last an hour and a half, for your information.”
“Thank you for letting us know,” said Princess Luna.
“You are welcome. Now, once we arrive, I will escort you to the main gates where Supreme Leader Adrius Trifer will meet you. You will be searched once more before entering the residence. It will also be required that you three wear magic restrictions on your horns.”
Twilight and Rarity exchanged an uncertain glance.
“I understand,” Luna said.
Lurio leaned back in the seat and rested his head back on his forelegs as he closed his eyes.
Twilight yawned and brought a hoof to her mouth to hide it. She had already felt uncomfortable just being in Pyrathia, now she was going to have to be patted down and searched everywhere she went.
The stiff uniform she wore didn’t help, but she repeated the same thing in her mind, over and over again to keep cool.
All for Rainbow Dash.