//------------------------------//
// Ville de Pierre de la Vallée 
// Story: Voyage 
// by Comrade Bagel Muffin 
//------------------------------//

The group made their way up to the gate of the small valley village. "Hello." Myrrh waved to one of the guards standing at the gate. "How are you stallions doing?"
"Captain Myrrh?" The two stallions looked at her. "Weren't you suppose to be stationed up the mountain?" They looked over the group. "Who are these ponies?"
"We're the delegation from Tivi." Atlas answered as they got closer to the two earth ponies guards. They both immediately stood at attention.
"You need to wait here until that the mayor learns that you are here." One of them blocked their way into the village as the other rushed into the city.
"Is this going to be a trend?" Escutcheon asked.
"Probably," Myrrh said. She then turned her attention back to the guard blocking their way. "Can't you at least let us in so we can get breakfast?"
"I'm afraid not captain. At least not until the mayor knows that the delegation has arrived," the stallion answered not budging. "I'm sure you understand." Red Wine nodded, and after a few minutes passed the other guard returned, walking behind him was a small mare in soft green dress, and behind her were several more guards. The ponies in the street had stopped and were staring at the procession as it passed. The guard saluted and stepped aside as the mayor passed and stopped, standing in front of the group.
"Hello, Red Wine, Atlas ." She nodded  as she greeted the two stallions. "Who are these two Captain Myrrh?" Silk Touch gestured to Escutcheon and Dusk.
"Yes Ma'am." Myrrh stood to attention. "This is Escutcheon and Dusk. They're representing the Bat Colony. And this is Turkeylegs, their guard bird." She smiled. "Dusk is the only child of one of the leading members of the colony, and Escutcheon is a highly valued friend of the colony."
"I see." Silk Touch looked at the diplomatic party. "I'd like to personally welcome all of you to my town. I'm afraid I won't beadle to meet with you until lunch. Please explore the village until then. Except for you, Red Wine would you follow me please?"
"Yes ma'am I'll give them the full tour." Silk Touch nodded and left back to her estate, followed by Red Wine and her guards. "Well come on. Let's go and get breakfast, whatever the mayor needed Red Wine with I assure you he'll be fine," Myrrh said, walking past the two guards. They followed her, turning down a side street being followed by stares from dozens of earth ponies. They walked down several cobble stone streets to a small stone building nestled between the wall and an identical stone building. "This is the best bakery in Slo." Myrrh opened the door for them and let them in.
There was a ringing of a bell as the door opened and the smell of baked bread and freshly made pastries filled the air. A soft tan earth pony waved in greeting from behind the counter. "High praise coming from  you Ms. Myrrh." the earth pony gasped as Dusk and Turkeylegs walked in. "By the king's peppered beard. What is this you've come with?"
"This is turkeylegs." Myrrh said.
"I mean the filly. A pony with wings. Why I've never thought I'd see anything like that. Begging you're pardon but do you fly?" she asked.
"Oh-uh yeah." Dusk answered blushing slightly at suddenly being the center of attention. "And I-I'm ah thestral. And yeah your fine." 
"One of the bat ponies that moved into the forest." Myrrh said.
"I thought that was just silly babbling. And yet here one is in my bakery. Please take a seat, take a seat. What would you like?" The baker mare asked.
"Four morning pies,  please," Myrrh guided them to a corner table and sat down. "I'm sure that they'd enjoy that."