Swift Light awoke with a start, her eyes snapping open so quick she swore she could hear them. The pony was surprised to find that she felt completely and utterly rested, her back surprisingly not screaming at her, despite spending the night on the stone ground. Packing up her things, Swift Light took another sip of her cantine only to frown and tip the entire thing back.
A few more drops graced her tongue, but that was it, and after a moment wasted feeling sorry for herself, the guard put the container in her saddle bags. Stepping out of the cave, the unicorn lifted a hoof to her brow, shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun. Dessert stretched out before her, while behind the mare lay a seemingly endless blue sea which extended to the horizon.
Thinking quickly, Swift Light climbed atop the rocky outcropping, and cast a quick spell, allowing her to see much further than normal. A few minutes passed and just as she was ready to give up, the pony located a small plume of smoke to the west. It wasn't far, maybe a few miles, but if there was smoke in the dessert then there was civilization, which meant there was hope.
Setting off for that direction, Swift Light dismissed her spell, and after breathing deeply of the harsh, hot air, began to put one hoof in front of the other. “You can do this Swifty, it's only a light jog,” she whispered to herself.
Sweat matted the pony’s fur, and not for the first time she considered how nice the cold stone of that cave had felt. A gust of wind blew fine sand into her coat, and against her face, prompting the mare to grit her teeth in frustration, closing her eyes tightly. After it passed, she turned and spat out a mouthful of sand before continuing once again, her mood falling even more.
Thankfully for her, the trickle of smoke had remained, guiding the guard through the many sand dunes she had encountered. Climbing atop one more of the great mounds, Swift Light readied herself for more heat, more annoyances and more walking. Only to find that the sand stopped unexpectedly at the bottom of this dune, a wide patch of grey stone replacing the dull orange of the desert.
Beyond that was a small community of less about ten or so mud brick homes that had simple thatched roofs. Around them were a small smattering of shrubs, while at the center was a large yet simple stone well, around which stood several camels. A few other of the hooved creatures padded around the area, some old, some young, all seemingly healthy and adorned with silks.
Including a taller, muscular male camel who had a light, decorative shawl thrown across his back, and a spear at his side. “Hello there, pony?” He carefully called, as if the language was not one he was used to.
“Oh thank the stars, he speaks equish,” Swift Light muttered under her breath. “Yes hello!” She called back, only to remember her teeth.
Turning away, the unicorn cast a quick illusion spell before turning back to find that the camel now stood at the bottom of the dune, one of his hooves touching the shaft of his weapon. “Where you come from?” He demanded in a gruff yet not unfriendly tone.
“I… don't know,” Swift Light replied, shrugging her shoulders.
The camel raised an eyebrow. “You are strange.”
“I am quite aware. May I come down?” She asked.
The camel nodded slowly. “You need water? Well here good.”
“That would be wonderfull thank you,” replied Swift Light as she hopped gingerly down the hot sand dune.
Once on the same level as the camel, Swift Light realized just how tall the hooved creature was. Standing a full head and shoulders higher than the unicorn, Swift Light idly wondered who was taller, him or princess Celestia. Brushing that thought aside, she followed the camel after he turned and began to walk towards the village.
“Come, you tell Ali why you here,” declared the camel.
“My name is Swift Light and I am a guard from Equestria,” announced the pony. “My mission is secret, but know that I am not here to harm anyone, nor do I intend on staying in your lands for long.”
The camel nodded slowly as they made their way towards the well, the other villagers crowding around. With a nod, and a few words of his own language, a female drew forth a bucket of water, which he offered to the guard. “Then you would do well to fill your bottle here, as it's a few hours to the next city,” explained the camel.
“Ahh thank you,” accepted the pony, who gingerly poured the crystal clear water into her cantine before drinking what wouldn't fit. “You wouldn't happen to be able to point me in that direction could you?”
“Straight west,” replied the male, his hoof pointing in the same direction. “The city sit on large rock. Hard to miss. Here, take this before you go.”
The camel retreived a scarf from beneath his shawl, and offered it the guard, who took it graciously, wrapping the red cloth around her mouth and nose. “Thank you very much, though I had a few more questions before…” Swift Light trailed off as she felt a sudden pressure bare down on her horn.
The pain was akin to the discomfort which came whenever Celestia chose to cast something particularly powerful, and quite mana intensive. It also felt as though it was from somewhere nearby, though the pony couldn't pick out from exactly where other than just north. After a moment it passed, and she looked around in confusion, trying to find any sign of a fellow unicorn.
“You feel them too,” stated the camel.
Swift Light nodded. “I do. Have there been any strangers sighted around here?”
Ali nodded. “Three days ago a group of ponies came and demanded water. After they left the strange feelings began.”
“That's not good,” Swift Light muttered. “Probably a high level teleportation spell, though that doesn't make any sense.”
Ali lifted an eyebrow expectantly.
Swift Light shook her head. “Nothing. I’m trying to find these ponies, as they are likely up to no good.”
The camel hummed thoughtfully, his gaze becoming distant. “Watch out for ruins. They are… cursed?” He half asked, half stated, as if he had never used that word before.
“Understood, and thank you,” Swift Light replied, before bowing and turning away.
The gathered villagers parted for her like water, all while whispering among themselves, openly wondering what this could mean for their isolated community. Swift Light didn't think about it for long, and merely kept walking, remembering to keep her hooves in a straight line. She had been told more than a few tales of ponies getting lost in the endless desert because they didn't think to do that and Swift Light was determined not to end up like them.
The sun had crossed the middle of the sky not long ago, and now it was making its slow descent towards the horizon. Swift Light thanked the stars that at least now she had something to cover her face, and protect her from the harsh blasts of sand. Her stomach was beginning to growl, but with her target in sight, and a road beneath her hooves, the mare’s spirits remained high.
The cobblestones she trode were clearly ancient, as they pointed towards a city that most likely didn't exist anymore. They were also partially covered by drifts of sand, but Swift Light didn't mind, for at the end of the road lay what looked like a bustling town. A few pegasi had even set up shop above the community, their cloud homes anchored at the south end of the populated area.
As she walked, the sand dunes ended, giving way to dirt which in turn was replaced by bushes, trees and then finally farms. Though small by the standards of Equestria, the field of vegetables she stood before was impressive for such a small community in what was likely a backwater province. A few slender equines Swift Light recognized as native saddle arabians could be seen tending a patch along with several camels.
Other species were present, such as a pegasus who was pushing around a lonely cloud, as well as a bored looking minotaur who stood guard though they were in the minority. Upon noticing Swift Light’s presence the bovine soldier stopped leaning on his large double headed axe and put a hand to his forehead in order to keep the light from his eye. Seeing this, Swift Light waved, making it clear that she was not making an attempt to sneak into the isolated town.
That seemed to relax the minotaur, though he still hefted his weapon over his shoulder and began to approach her. Upon getting a few feet away he raised a hand, and came to a complete stop.
“Halt. What is your business in Tadmor, pony?” demanded the minotaur.
Swift Light briefly looked him up and down, inspecting his sparkling clean weapon and aged, yet well cared for set of steel armor. A leather undershirt ensured the male was comfortable, and though he wore no helmet, Swift Light could see that it was hanging from his hip. All and all he had the look of a strong warrior, though one that wore hand me down armor, and wielded a weapon he’s likely never swung before.
“I’m looking for something, and someone,” Swift Light replied, stopping a few feet away from the minotaur.
“What and who might that be?” pressed the minotaur.
“A dangerous artifact and the pony who would use it for evil,” Swift Light declared.
The large male blinked. “Huh. Well then. You certainly look like your some sorta guard.”
“So I’ve been told,” Swift Light remarked. “May I ask you a few questions?”
The guard plunked the base of his weapon against the ground and leaned on the axe head. “It beats staring at an empty road all day, fire away.”
“Alright, first do you-”