//------------------------------// // Chapter LXIX – A Splash of Cold Water // Story: Journey with a Batpony // by Gulheru //------------------------------// Twilight had been expecting a lot from her visit to the Mountain of Dusk. She had been actually anticipating that each and every of the batpony dwellings that she would see on this quest of hers would grant her something to remember and cherish. What she had gotten so far, when it came to aesthetics, architecture and so forth had exceeded her predictions quite easily already she would be inclined to confess. And yet there was, as it appeared, one particular scenario that she hadn’t foreseen in any way, shape, or form, happening at the seat of the Dusk Family. Notably... meeting Midnight’s former in-law. The strangest part, Twilight thought, was that on the outside and to the wide, public knowledge, that shouldn’t have been a fact to affect her at all. Or even one to occupy her attention, actually. But, instead, due to her love for the stallion… yes, it was a pretty big deal. When her beloved had faced the visage of his late wife, back at his Mountain’s Legatuum, it had seemed to be in a huge way symbolic for him. For so long he had been living with this mounting, crushing sadness over her passing, and in such terrible circumstances, the invoking of which had been causing his mood to drop and his eyes to tear up pretty much every time. Midnight finally achieving a certain sense of closure, witnessing Dusk Stream’s visage again, accepting her unfair fate, the end of his first love… Yes, that moment locked the topic shut in Twilight’s mind as well. After all, she hadn’t ever been jealous or, in any way, distraught by Dusk Stream’s presence in his life or on his mind. Twilight had actually found herself accepting it fairly easily. However, judging by the look on her beloved’s muzzle and the one from Dusk Tarn, a powerful supervisor of the Mountain of Dusk, what had happened in the past wasn’t an entirely finished chapter in absolutely everypony’s life. Twilight was simply left to ponder whether Dusk Harvest had realized that fact already, since his expression wasn’t at all betraying that he was in any way aware of any existing issue, simply content with seeing his loyal subject and aide. “Dusk T-Tarn, I-I’m glad I c-can introduce the H-Honored Princess of E-E-Ekwestriya, Twilight S-Sparkle,” the Lord spoke, continuing the formal introductions and pointing her way. And that, at least, forced the overseer’s gaze to shift from Midnight onto her. “Greetings, hwalba knaze,” the older stallion welcomed her, giving her a bow which was only as agitated as her beloved’s presence had made it, but otherwise almost perfectly deferential. “Warm welcomes to you. I hope your stay at our Iug shall be to your liking.” There was no ill will towards her in his tone, at least, though it was still sharp and cold. Either Dusk Tarn was that upset or that was simply how his voice usually was, only somewhat more pronounced in these circumstances. “Thank you, Overseer General. I’m happy to be here and already impressed by the Mountain’s grandeur and organization. Right now, I am especially fascinated with your vast flocks,” she told the stallion, truly meaning it. Though that didn’t make his look nor the melody of his voice change at all. “Happy to hear it. We take pride in our shepherds’ work,” Dusk Tarn stated the fact, then turned back to his Lord. “Hwalbu haspadr, I report my readiness to see to the Honored Princess’ needs when it comes to examining our plantations and infrastructure. Should I begin with the different breeds of oweci?” Oh… So he was the pony that the haspadr had in mind to help Twilight around. That… would make things a little complicated. But she definitely couldn’t bring her reasoning for that up, unfortunately. “Th-thank you, D-Dusk Tarn,” Dusk Harvest replied, skittishly nodding at the display of keenness and then shaking his head. “I shall h-handle it right n-now, though I-I hope that y-you can i-instruct hwalba k-knaze on the m-matters of o-our storage a-and organization in the u-upcoming n-nights. I-I will h-have the w-writ d-delivered to you, s-so you c-can m-move freely a-around all the p-parts of the D-Dalli.” “Of course, Honored Lord,” the overseer acknowledged his Lord’s will, with a small nod. “Then, if I’m not necessary this morning still, I should finish the rundown post haste.” “W-will you p-pass me the n-newest e-estimates tomorrow n-night?” Dusk Harvest inquired. “Naturally, hwalbu haspadr. Now, with your permission…” Dusk Tarn stated, and the Lord’s little gesture allowed the stallion to trot away, clutching his ledger. With fierce determination, that had little to do with updating his ruler with the help of a formal report. Twilight gave the Overseer a pleasant look as he was moving away, despite the worry in her core. And while the stallion’s muzzle remained as pleasant as it could be, his expression immediately soured as he had to pass closely by Midnight Wind. Who attempted his best to be proper and impassive, as a Nightguard should have been, trying to hide the direct connection behind his professionalism, a skill Twilight was quite amazed by. She didn’t know if she could play a role like that and to such a degree. However, a mask of duty was not enough to conceal, at least from her, that her beloved felt rather uncomfortable about this meeting. And the neutral expression definitely didn’t bar the supervisor from stopping by Midnight briefly. Sideways. Torn between leaving immediately and addressing the stallion after all. Dusk Tarn’s voice did reach Twilight’s ears ultimately. “Ia spese nye musyi vid tuu, soleespalu nyusk znuw, Maednoc Wentr,” the Overseer General hissed through his clenched teeth. And throat. And though she couldn’t see his eyes from this angle, she would bet that they must have reddened just a little, if that tone was of any indication. Midnight stood firm, even though his own gaze spoke that he wasn’t pleased by these words. Though he accepted to endure them, quite obviously, considering the melody of his own voice. “Benu noc, Waesper Staw,” he acknowledged the other stallion’s presence. And tried to sound genuinely polite, at least to Twilight’s ear, to an elder and a relative. “Ia bid radosnu vid tu zdrovu, vezpatr.” The rapid turn from the Overseer made it look like he was but a breath away from grabbing Midnight by his breastplate and bringing his muzzle to his own. But the older stallion simply stepped forth, disgust in his gaze, clutching his book in a way that would allow for it to be used as a makeshift weapon if necessary. His tone was colder than a frigid mountain stream, despite the emotions it conveyed. “Tu… Tu nye smiyeseta nazw ia tuu ‘vezpatr’. Ia yur ab Bogine, ia…!” Whatever this sentence meant… it sounded like a threat. It felt like one too. But Dusk Tarn didn’t go through with it, instead hissing right in Midnight’s muzzle, then stomping away in barely contained outrage. And having little regard for the attention which the display had spawned, despite all the chaos happening around, the sheep and the rest of the commotion of the bustling Mountain. Most of that attention came from Lord Dusk Harvest himself, who watched what had just happened with pure surprise… and then mounting, dreadful realization. Well, at least Twilight knew that he hadn’t been counting on causing a sudden scene by having picked that particular pony as a possible guide around the Mountain. Which, while still a good sign, was also a worrying one for the upcoming nights. And Dusk Harvest, despite no real fault of his own, sounded profoundly apologetic about the situation. Strongly so. “H-Honored P-Princess, I… B-Bogine, w-what a r-row…!” Twilight was going to assure him that nothing terrible had happened, but the Lord’s attention shifted to Midnight almost immediately, leaving her little chance to actually respond. “N-Nocferratan, f-forgive m-me. I h-have c-c-completely f-forgotten th-that—!” Midnight took a step in the Lord’s direction and saluted properly, which almost scared Dusk Harvest back a little. “Hwalbu haspadr, don’t fret. This is nopony’s fault. It’s just an unfortunate piece of history between nadvidan okolnu and I, involving the, sadly too brief, tying of your Rodineu i iaa bloodlines,” he explained. Trying not to sound too stern and professional, witnessing the Lord’s genuine worry over what had transpired. For his part, Dusk Harvest turned out to be not only apologetic, but understanding and empathetic as well. “Y-yes, th-that is true. S-such a shame, a-actually. F-forgive me d-doubly f-for f-forgetting the f-fact in the m-middle of e-e-everything. Hanbe a-ad ia.” Midnight shook his head. Vehemently. “Please, hwalbu haspadr, there’s no need for that. I still remember the letter of condolences I received from you, your attention and words were most appreciated.” Twilight could have sworn that, before Midnight continued on, Dusk Harvest mumbled something. Something that sounded like “my wife’s idea”. “And I assure you that, while performing my duties, safeguarding the Honored Princess, I shall not allow this past relation with Overseer General Dusk Tarn to affect anything, hwalbu haspadr.” “A-are you c-certain, N-Nocferratan?” the Lord additionally asked, though he also looked genuinely relieved about Twilight’s beloved’s declaration. “Tac, hwalbu haspadr.” She too appreciated Midnight’s readiness, though it only made her concerned about the level of focus and determination that it would require from him to uphold such a promise. Especially since his father-in-law didn’t seem to be pleased in the slightest about his presence. Quite the opposite, actually. Perhaps… perhaps Twilight could focus the older stallion’s attention mostly on herself, as ironic as that would be. Still, an Overseer General would be able to tell her quite a lot about the workings of the Mountain and the Valleys. And it would be a much better matter to explore. She would hate for that, already obvious, animosity to be one of the main aspects of her stay. Reopening old wounds sounded bad in whatever form. Yet that wasn’t a matter for there and then. Dusk Harvest, after making sure to protect his eyes accordingly, did point for them to finally venture outside, to see the great mountain meadows and the panorama of the Valleys in the rising Sun. Twilight, reminded of the obvious light outside, closed her eyes and let the spell woven on them dissipate in but a long exhale. She, thankfully, didn’t need any help outside. And when she gazed upon the mountain ranges and dales beyond the gate... she had to hold whatever was left of her breath in almost forcefully. The vista she had before her was actively threatening to take it away. It had at least a little to do with the rays of the sunlight cresting over the peaks to the east, granting the whole place its first lively, vibrant colors. From above, this huge basin looked incredible. But this angle and this light? They gave the Dalli the scope and complexity which could have only been admired more and more, up close and personal. The mighty waterfall, visible to Twilight’s right, and the many cataracts heading down and down into the valley proper, granted life and vigor to the place through more than just the water they brought aplenty. Sunlight was dancing across the foaming surface of the river, marking the nearby plantations and fields with warmth, flickering lights, and bright hues. Twilight stopped herself for a moment to admire the sight beyond the rapid current, that of the wonderful, amethyst-like clusters of grapes, hanging abundantly on their vines, ready to be picked in a day or two. Further down, groves of orange trees were dotted with their topaz fruit, so vital and important to the locals. And abundant, despite the climate and its challenges! The foliage of the plantations was turning more and more brightly verdant as the rays made their way among the branches, offering sustenance to the sprawling gardens and refreshing their colors with their luminous power. Twilight felt that it was a great pity, for batponies not to be able to fully enjoy the wonders they had built in the light of day. Well… one had tasted such sights, a little. Perhaps the rest would also have a chance at some point? Ah, but this was not the time to think so far ahead. Dusk Harvest, standing right next to Twilight, was still staring mostly downwards and away from the east, despite the goggles on his muzzle. His voice did sound a little strained, though that could have been just his regular predicament. “A-as you c-can see, h-hwalba knaze, what we call the V-Valleys is e-encompassing this e-entire h-highland area. Which i-is also w-why it’s v-vital for my R-Rodine to take care of s-such a great n-number of sheep,” he explained, pointing upwards to Twilight’s left. “These m-meadows, up h-here, d-don’t offer g-good enough soil for the f-fruit, but a-are useful for g-grazing.” He was very correct. Alongside the edge of the slopes, Twilight could easily spot the flocks, those closer and the more distant, moving like morning mists or wayward clouds against their sky of green grass. Their presence and, more obviously, their sheer numbers could have easily been interpreted as important. They weren’t there for the sake of being pets, nor even just for the supplying of various types of wool. “Looking at the scope of the Valleys and the climate around… though I do feel a change in temperature that has less to do with the Sun rising right now,” Twilight pointed out, “I take it that the need for a proper fertilizer must be significant.” Dusk Harvest nodded nervously, yet pleased with her deduction, considering his tone. “Y-yes, it is, well d-discerned. Even though th-these are the richest l-lands in N-Noctraliya, they aren’t of the g-greatest q-quality overall. W-we acknowledge th-that.” Twilight spotted that one of his front hooves scraped the ground underneath, as if he was ready to judge it once again. “W-which is why the e-e-effort around the D-Dalli is c-constant. As you c-can see.” He was right again. Now that Twilight looked beyond the vibrant light pouring into the Valleys, she could easily make out, among the rows of trees, bushes, and vines, dark silhouettes moving about, checking on the plants, carrying water or gathering the fruit. Like wraiths avoiding the coming, morning light, they stayed in all of the shadows they could find. Covered from head to hoof in dark cloths and drifting fast all over, wishing to accomplish as many of their goals as possible before the radiant Sun would force them to disappear to avoid hurt. It was a strange comparison in Twilight’s head, but it stood after all. And also made her feel compelled to turn to the Honored Lord. “I’m glad to be shown the extent of the work around the place, but I really wouldn’t want anypony here to feel discomfort or, worse, get hurt. If this could wait until the next night, perhaps, Honored Lord...” Dusk Harvest looked at her, though she couldn’t see his eyes from underneath the goggles. But she could feel the gaze on her. “Y-your concern is t-touching. B-but there shall be no m-more soreness h-here than w-what our o-owocellatani have t-to endure,” he clarified. “I w-wanted to b-bring you here a-and show you h-how the D-Dalli look at this h-hour for t-two reasons. W-well, th-three,” he admitted to himself, “but two a-are left now. F-first is to h-have you w-witness the sh-sheer amount of w-work needed a-all the time... P-please.” It was an encouragement to follow. And Twilight did so, looking briefly back to see Midnight and Rowan Berry in tow, also trying to be cautious of the sunlight even with the protection on their eyes. Thankfully, trotting among the orange trees would definitely put less of a strain on everypony’s gazes, due to the abundance of branches and foliage. As Twilight trailed the haspadr down the slope, they soon found themselves changing their path from a stone and gravel road to a narrow walkway of pristine paving, allowing for easier access to the further fringes of the plantations. Twilight could then allow herself to fully embrace the state of matters around her. As stray rays were always trying to reach the plantations floors, nopony around was about to be lenient when it came to the local understanding of health and safety. Goggles on, head away from the Judging Sun’s symbol unless absolutely necessary, quickened pace, practiced motions, be them digging, weeding, gathering, carrying… Honestly, if Twilight didn’t know better, she would have thought it ponies with military training taking care of the crops. Knowing better, thought, it instead explained well to her why fruittenders were protected more than the other castes. It took a certain, high level of practice and discipline to work in harsh conditions and limited visibility, as some of the local workers were performing their tasks almost on instinct. Knowing every branch and every root, often grabbing fruit with but small glances and placing it in prepared baskets and crates without even looking in their direction. It could be bet safely that, both during the night and underground, work could have an even faster pace, without the added difficulty of avoiding sunlight. Speaking of which, while Twilight was somewhat enjoying being outside in the daylight, which she had been missing from time to time in the vast caverns, she was starting to feel fatigue more and more. Her body was reminding her of her newer sleep schedule and reading the letter had also drained her energy aplenty, not to even mention the travel on the same night. So, despite her fascination with the Valleys, Twilight was hoping that Dusk Harvest wasn’t planning a great excursion after all. Just enough to make his points, she imagined. And considering what she could see... another one which he wanted to convey was blatant. For soon Twilight could also appreciate yet more facets of the hard work and dedication of the local fruittenders. And admire the ingenuity of the batpony engineers. Witnessing the imposing aqueducts, drinking from the natural, rapid current of the river, the crystalline liquid being transported and dispensed into a series of canals and cisterns. And even, much to Twilight’s positive surprise, when there was no other way of doing it, great waterwheels or rotating pipes provided the necessary water to higher elevations. Well, considering that she had the pleasure of enjoying showers even in the middle of the Mountains, though with the necessity of warming up the frigid water with a spell or two, she could imagine the meticulous work that had to be hidden in the ground below. An absolute abundance of pipes, like metallic roots of their own, artificial evergreen. And all of those observations of hers were already stemming from only a fraction of the witnessed Valleys! The very thought prompted Twilight to speak up. “This is all most impressive, Honored Lord. The waterworks alone would be worthy of a tale and I’m not trying to sound dramatic here,” she assured him, eliciting a small chuckle after all. “But... considering what I can try and calculate… The scope of things, encompassing this basin… The sheer amount of plantations and gardens, the terraces, the aqueducts… ” She was very willing to admit being impressed, imagining the extent of the agricultural grandeur of the place she was only beginning to uncover. “Surely, generations upon generations had to build and organize all of this.” “C-correct,” Dusk Harvest immediately agreed, glancing about the working ponies from behind his goggles. He had been making sure that the group walking about wouldn’t affect anypony’s work in any way, which meant using some detours to avoid transports and interrupting the local duties. “F-for me, i-it shows just how m-much we c-c-can achieve, when working t-together and f-for a c-common cause,” the Lord added, and that little note of pride in his voice was entirely justifiable. “I, h-however, wished to a-also put b-before you, hwalba k-knaze, the d-dilemma which I am f-facing c-currently.” “A dilemma?” Twilight asked, more than interested in addressing the matter. “Y-yes,” the Lord admitted looking about, while still mindful of the Sun, which was rising higher and higher. “What you s-see a-around is, indeed, the r-result of m-many, many of o-our ancestors’ work. We have t-tamed this l-land, t-tended to it and p-perfected the ways of u-utilizing it, without h-hurting it. H-however...” He wanted to say more. To explain further. But even through his goggles Twilight could read the intent that must have been surely visible in his gaze. “There is only so much that can be done, isn’t there?” she asked, causing the stallion to nod. Reluctantly, but still. “I… think it still goes without saying that what I see around me, what I can witness, the hard work... it all shows. And I’m sure this dedication has paid off for many, many years, regardless.” Dusk Harvest perhaps didn’t beam with joy at that sentence, but it was clear that he was pleased about her admiring all of the efforts. And that was just a part of them before her eyes. “Thank you, Honored P-Princess. S-sincerely,” the Lord replied. He approached the edge of one of the canals and checked its clarity and state. Due to them standing in a little depression, it was as good of a place as any other to stop for a breath, as the trees of the nearest plantation were giving just enough shade. “A-and yet… I-imagine what we c-could achieve, having a g-greater chance f-for ourselves,” Dusk Harvest pointed out, gesturing about with one of his forelegs. “I-imagine if we didn’t have but m-meager soil. If we h-had more than one s-set of such V-Valleys. A-actual space to w-work with, to t-tame, to utilize. That is e-exactly where my d-dilemma l-lies.” Twilight joined him on the water’s edge, listening very carefully both to his words and to his tone. And having one reply that she could give. A straightforward one at that. “You don’t want war, Honored Lord… but you can see what it could give your nation.” Dusk Harvest nodded. Displeased that he had to, but allowing himself that moment of absolute honesty. “Y-yes.” Twilight looked into the canal before her, enjoying the sight of the clear, mountain water. However, for a brief moment… she saw another liquid filling the watercourse. Almost causing her to reel back at how vividly crimson it was. Whether it was a trick of the light or just her vivid imagination, it didn’t matter. She knew what she had to say in this situation. And, thankfully… the Lord had already understood her point. “It would not be the answer here. It is not the answer ever, I feel,” she stated. And firmly. “I grasp your nation’s claim on the Eastern Woods, Honored Lord… though I must also contest it out of patriotism and concern for the Equestrians living there, calling that region their home. I believe that there is still much, much more to gain if we are to find an alternative solution. I already know that you would find it preferable to a… decisive action,” she pointed out, confident in full that Dusk Harvest was agreeing so far. “You have said that I need to be shown two things here and now. I believe that the other matter you wanted to point out is already clear to me as well. And has been for some time.” Twilight looked about at the plantations and the inventions and the hard work. Feeling impressed, feeling obliged to address these centuries and centuries of dedication that happened in these very dales with a statement. And a hopeful one. “Yes. There is only so much to get out of a place like this, even with your drive and genius. And you, Honored Lord, if you shall allow me the comparison, are a diligent and devoted gardener yourself. You want to see your nation a wonderful, fragrant and joyous place. But not only to remain one, one pleasant to look at and curious to learn about, but to grow. To bloom, to bear more and more fruit. Both literally and figuratively,” Twilight told him. And he was listening. He was listening with eagerness, searching for validation and encouragement in her words. She would give him that aplenty. What he believed in she respected in full. And the fact that he was willing to find a solution together with her, as everything about him said he would, also gave Twilight the confidence to actively keep searching for it. “I want to believe, honestly, that Noctraliya has a beautiful and harmonious future before it. I can envision it. Not as a ruler, or a diplomat, but just a pony trying to be decent and do what’s good and right in life.” That is what she told the Lord, remembering what Midnight had shared with her that very night. She would focus on that. Not on the warnings she had also received. Not there and then. It seemed more prudent, more optimistic yet still logical, to assume that of all the Lords she had met, Dusk Harvest was one to seek cooperation most of all. As such... Twilight would give him the benefit of trust. “And such a future, such an attainable future won’t require much, I feel. Simply... understanding. And a bit of trust back. Surely that wouldn’t be a terrible price to pay.” She firmly believed that to be the case. At least in general. More precise matters, like trade, like the exchange of ideas and culture, would be discussed and all the details would be ironed out, she was sure of it. Still, it wouldn’t be unwise to give Dusk Harvest something to hold onto from this discussion. A budding idea, a more palpable solution, a clearer path to scout ahead on. “Tell me, Honored Lord, and I would encourage you to be straightforward and honest, regardless of whether it would please me…” she requested of him politely and he nodded, trying not to look more nervous than usual. “How much land would your country need? To find itself not ‘making it’ from harvest to harvest, but being comfortable and looking forward to the future?” The haspadr’s focus piqued immediately, as much as Twilight could tell without seeing his eyes. However, it was definitely a positive reaction from him, if his tone was of any indication. “H-Honored P-Princess, we could make a-any highland work for us with e-enough soil to support a-actual crops. We would just n-need some time. And a promise of s-safety, as you w-well know what h-h-happened all those y-years ago…” He paused and her nod told him that she knew exactly what he meant. So he continued, further encouraged to share his opinion and vision. “We h-had plans already. They s-still rest in our a-archives. Great visions of u-utilizing the hillsides, the lands b-beyond the Ambyit f-fortress. First preparations had b-been made before the t-terrible tragedy of b-both the A-Atrlunee and the C-Cruziate...” Twilight nodded again. It made sense to her why the batponies had been searching for a colony outside Noctraliya proper. She imagined that the Shades’ Hollow would be a crucial outpost protecting their efforts to use the hills to the east from it... ... it would also explain how it was possible for their current plans to reach the cavern system without being spotted. First tunnels must have been dug towards there a millennium ago. It was only that matter of finding them once more and clearing them, perhaps. But she couldn’t let herself focus on that. Not when Dusk Harvest was showing such enthusiasm in this vision. One that could bode very well for the talks in favor of peace. “E-even a little more l-land would already m-mean a lot to us. If th-these hills are unused by your n-nation and we could start g-growing fruit there and find m-meadows for grazing, without f-fear of being set upon, a-ab Bogine, do we really n-need more? Only somepony as b-blunt as a table leg would n-not want to have such a chance h-happen without bloodshed or strife!” It was pleasing to hear such statements from him. And... was it just Twilight, or did his stutter improve dramatically when he was spinning that scenario before hers and his own mind? That filled her with additional willingness to pursue the topic, indeed. However, she was certain that Dusk Harvest was also well-aware that there were ponies about with… differing opinions regarding such an outcome. “Do you believe, Honored Lord,” Twilight asked further, “that an offer of, how to put it… some form of a leasehold, perhaps, would be enough to placate those deeming Equestria in debt over what had happened before your isolation?” Dusk Harvest paused briefly and she spotted that he bit his lower lip. But, rather than with doubt, it was done in calculation. Quick consideration about the needs and wants of his esteemed colleagues. Twilight wasn’t certain, again because of the goggles, but... she had a strange feeling that the little turn of his head was so that the Lord could look at her entourage? “I-I think that most of our i-issues come from e-either p-prejudice or c-complex. Or s-some mixture of the t-two.” Now that statement made Twilight consider who among the Lords was brandishing which of those ‘issues’. And also rather glad that she could hear a statement like that from one of the most powerful ponies in the land. Whether Dusk Harvest considered himself being impaired in any way would be something to work on a bit later, she also thought. “But I-I think,” the stallion continued, bringing a hoof to his chin, “b-both can be a-addressed. I d-don’t need to tell y-you, Honored P-Princess, that y-you have made... c-certain progress with certain p-ponies. I hope that m-my actions c-can, as well, f-facilitate m-matters in that r-regard. At least with the ‘b-biggest complex’ I c-can think of.” Now that statement caught Twilight’s attention quite firmly. The way that the Lord had said those words and the sudden thought invading her mind caused a powerful pause. Because, aside from Dusk Harvest’s own issues which he was combating... Twilight could think of one particular pony that she had been instructed about, regarding feelings of inferiority. And the desire of that mare to prove herself. What was even more amazing, is that the stallion who had told her about it she had just met again... ... Twilight blinked, as a certain bit of a conversation she had enjoyed with the haspadr came back to her. With a vengeance, nonetheless. A “three-fold” one. “Sources ‘missed’, ‘locked’ away from others…” she uttered to herself, feeling her eyes widening as she had brought back the key words she could suddenly recall. “It was you that—” Things happened very quickly after that interrupted sentence. First of all, Dusk Harvest suddenly made a face and took a step towards Twilight. Clearly keen on shushing her in an instant, a notion she grasped only after beginning her sentence. If he was really, as she had come to realize, the “friend in a high place” that was aiding Count Mistlock in contacting her, then he definitely wouldn’t want that to become loudly proclaimed in front of anypony. Especially Rowan Berry, who was waiting quite nearby. And remained Azure Mist’s loyal operative, despite the arrangement she had arrived at with Twilight herself. However, right as he was trying to stop Twilight from speaking, the poor Lord failed to account for the fact that the side of the canal was slightly damp, both from the proximity to water and the remains of the morning dew. Which meant that it was slippery. And his hind hoof, which he had put his weight against to send himself in Twilight’s direction, treacherously and rather smoothly slid to the side. Leaving him unbalanced just enough to, despite the valiant effort of a beat of his wings, land with his hind end squarely in the waterway, creating a rather noticeable splash. And Twilight could swear that she heard a giggle. Likely of Fate itself. Without thinking she rushed to grab his front legs and stop him from falling in entirely… then found herself pushed aside and almost down on her own haunches as the Lord’s sentinel swooped in, firmly grabbing Dusk Harvest in but a blink of an eye. Midnight’s eager help also arrived, as Twilight’s beloved wasted no time to jump forth, wanting to provide aid himself, though much slower due to his lack of flight. However, the strength and speed of the loyal guardian was enough to have the brownish stallion back and safe on the canal’s edge in but one, strong tug. Though, most unfortunately, Dusk Harvest was still half-soaked through. The bottom of his Lord’s cloak, as well as that of his gown, was damp and darkened, leaving Twilight hoping that the rich fabric hadn’t been ruined. Especially since the back item was a symbol of status, power and rule... Still, even without permanent damage... the clothing was clearly betraying what had just transpired. And Dusk Harvest surely felt even worse about himself than the state of his garments would suggest. He was shaking, be it out of fear, cold, wetness, or sheer embarrassment. He kept his muzzle down, as if trying to avoid being recognized altogether, however futile that attempt would be. Twilight suddenly remembered Blossom, who had tried to hide her own face away when the Lord had been chastising his wife during the feast. And the comparison was... unfortunately quite on point. Although Twilight also wondered whether her own mood hadn’t sunk even deeper than Dusk Harvest had just done. “Hwalbu haspadr, bid tu wredu?!” came the almost panicked question from the Lord’s sentinel, as the burly stallion was also showing much distress about what had occurred. “I nye vide—!” “W-w-wredu...” Dusk Harvest replied, shaking his head immediately. He forced a couple of breaths through his clenched throat, though they did little to combat his utter and complete abashment. “A-a-apologies, H-Honored P-P-Princess, I-I s-s-s—!” he almost immediately got caught on a word again, his stress manifesting in strength in his stutter. “Slipped!” The word echoed a little among the orange trees. Or was that Twilight’s imagination, making this scene even more dramatic than it already felt like? “No, no, please, Honored Lord, don’t apologize, it wasn’t your fault, I...” She tried to stumble through the sentence, seeing that the haspadr was on the verge of having a breakdown. She could feel it in her bones. And hear it in how he cried out the word, inadvertently causing far more interest from the fruittender onlookers all about, who paused momentarily to take in the uncommon sight. The Lord was surely aware of those stares himself, his face reddened and hidden from view as much as it could have been done. “Th-this i-is w-why o-o-one d-does n-not s-s-stand n-next t-to th-the c-c-canals...” he uttered, trying to make the situation sound and look like a cautionary tale of sorts. But Twilight was most uncomfortable about the emotions gathering in the stallion. She was certain that his eyes were full of tears, though, again, the goggles interfered with actually seeing that. Rowan Berry, who had also come closer upon witnessing Dusk Harvest slipping into the water, approached the Lord. With a clear wish to examine him, as a healer... “Conmod, hwalbu haspadr, iae mozne—” “Odkirae!” ... but was kept at bay. Like a most dangerous threat. Twilight found it... too fitting. That one word, shouted firmly and with no hesitation or stutter, caused the operative to immediately back away and lower her head, almost making her long mane sweep the grass beneath. And, as Twilight spotted, Midnight also gave the Lord a lot of space the moment that shout happened. Especially when Dusk Harvest pointed a repelling hoof at almost everypony, trying to create some space for his folly. “F-forgive m-m-me, h-hwalba k-knaze, b-but w-we w-will c-continue a-a-another n-night...” he somehow managed to utter... though Twilight could barely understand him at that point, so precarious and unsteady was his tone. “G-good r-rest t-to y-you...” “To you as...” She was ready to reply, but Dusk Harvest already turned around and, accompanied by his sentinel showing both worry and confusion, trotted away without a word more. “... as well,” Twilight finished the sentence anyway, then looked at her companions, who appeared rather stunned by what had just happened. For, due to these unique circumstances... they had suddenly found themselves on their own, with no guide nor supervision, in the Valleys of Noctraliya. With the local Lord of the Family trotting away at a rapid pace, back the way they came, attempting not to be in any way conspicuous, though leaving behind a trail of water droplets, slowly evaporating in the sunlight. A strange, very specific scenario to consider being in, if Twilight had ever encountered one... then again, her stay in the Tramplevanian Alps was anything but predictable so far. “So...” Midnight was the first to finally speak up. And, somehow, he managed to get Twilight to approach him with just that one word. Making sure that they were standing in the shade, though the Sun rising even higher was shrinking and shrinking their options. Still, at least they would have fewer onlookers away from the open space around the canal. And less opportunities to slip into the crystalline water, too. “Should we return to the palace...?” the stallion asked further, looking about. “I’m sure the proper behavior in such a situation is not to just wander about without overseeing, no?” That was, possibly, the most reasonable thing to say at the moment. And it wasn’t as if Midnight was unsure, Twilight knew as much, he was simply trying to suggest the course of action whilst still processing what happened. She, herself, couldn’t help but focus on feeling utterly terrible. “What a mess... What just happened?” she inquired, stunned by the situation. It was like she could once again hear that strange giggle about the place. “From what I could still see...” Rowan Berry pointed out, quite overtly bringing to Twilight’s attention the fact that the day was progressing. Quite the opposite to the batponies’ sight, most likely. “... you have said something to the Lord quite strongly and then he slipped and fell into the water.” Twilight would start explaining that she wasn’t trying to cause that in any way... not that she had any guilt in her, really, only empathy for the haspadr. But it suddenly became far more important for her to find some shelter underground once more. “We’ll discuss it later... or tomorrow night, actually, but let us not stay outside for much longer first and foremost,” she pretty much ordered. And that request would not be contested. Actually, it was followed rather promptly. “With me,” Rowan Berry stated. Causing Midnight to quickly flank Twilight as an official escort would, both of them trotting right behind the healer. Who, as it turned out, rapidly located the nearby entrance to one of the tunnels burrowing under the plantations in the direction of the Mountain proper. Possibly used by individual ponies, rather than transports, considering its smaller size, but still granting all of them a welcome respite. Even Twilight herself felt somewhat better, having cavernous rock all over and seeing that her batpony companions exhaled in relief when they could take off the goggles and open their eyes wider. Midnight rubbed one of his, the white slightly reddened despite the protection. “That’s much better... I cannot imagine working an entire shift like this, though,” he claimed, with newfound respect clear in his tone. Then he looked about, curious. “Where does this lead exactly? Is this a regular tunnel?” Rowan Berry, herself keeping her eyes closed for a good moment to try and restore her sight quicker, pointed down the passageway. “Side way for the fruittenders for a quicker, direct access to this part of the plantations. It should get us back to the main cavern. And then there’s just one direction to take...” “You’ve been here before? Had no idea you scouted these tunnels,” the stallion spoke again, this time in a hushed tone, mindful of any possible witnesses, even at this hour. Or an echo, which didn’t care for the time of day. “Once before, as per haspadreyi orders,” the operative claimed, also speaking quietly enough and still avoiding opening her eyes much. Honestly, both of them appeared like the stay outside and the fact that it was getting later and later in the day were affecting them. And, well, Twilight was also getting progressively more tired. Hoping that, whatever would happen tomorrow night, it could happen slightly later than the early evening. She needed her sleep... “I’ve refreshed some of those memories tonight,” Rowan Berry further stated, looking around the tunnel a bit more, clearly checking whether her sight was returning to normal fast enough. “When I was asking about the... marital problems and the like.” Twilight was undoubtedly glad that Rowan Berry’s particular set of skills could prove actually useful... but, before learning what the other mare had gathered, she was faced with a little problem of her own. She could, of course, try and replicate the spell on her eyes without Midnight’s help, not to be seen doing casting in an open space and in front of the healer, but... truth be told, the fatigue of the night and the morning was settling in quite strongly at the moment for Twilight. And casting a spell like that in a non-regular way carried with itself a certain risk of an arcane mishap. And she had enough of stress, peculiar scenarios, and mishaps for one day. Or night. Whatever it was, it had been very busy. “I’ll... need a little help getting back to our chambers,” she instead revealed, as there was nothing else left to do. And whilst Rowan Berry looked back at her with sudden interest, Midnight’s muzzle, as much as Twilight could see its details in the very dim light of a distant lantern, betrayed that he understood the predicament immediately. “Of course. I’ll be trotting very closely, don’t worry,” he promised, giving the other mare just a small look. And a couple of order-like sentences. “Let’s get going. Just don’t pick up the pace too much.” The healer was most curious about the reason for it, especially considering how close Midnight positioned himself. “Why...?” She gave Twilight a glance, then her eyes seemed to light up just a bit. Betraying that her properly regained gaze took note of the one which Twilight had lost. “Your eyes aren’t so bright anymore.” “I don’t see in the dark, it’s normally just a spell. I couldn’t have it outside, it would have blinded me too,” she admitted. “And I don’t want to cast it currently. I know that you view my sort of magic as repulsive, and I don’t want to cause you discomfort.” The healer’s muzzle had shifted just a little in said discomfort already, but Twilight was used to that at this point. So instead of reacting to that, she just looked at the mare before her. Not as if she was staring at a dangerous operative. But just a fellow pony that could be of aid. “Please, would you help me and lead us back?” Rowan Berry said nothing to that request, as Twilight had presented it in a normal, kind voice, without any hidden meanings. This wasn’t a test, this wasn’t a taunt. And the mare did agree. She guided the group back to the palace, through the series of winding tunnels which soon lead to a smaller wicket, marking the interior of the Mountain of Dusk proper. After a short exchange with the guards, who thankfully didn’t cause problems about the leader of a foreign nation coming back at that hour and seeking entrance through this side gate. They had been informed and instructed about Twilight being a guest. Otherwise… there would have been more complications. But the group was soon to reach the main cavern. It stood mostly empty. And incredibly peaceful, with the local denizens having already gone to find their rest for the day. So much so, that Twilight was almost certain that she could hear small droplets of water ringing around her, the nature of the cave finally finding its voice, in the silence of civilization. The Lord’s palace was similarly serene to the rest of the place, with the courtiers and a lot of the patients and staff of the hospital portion also having gone to their beds. At least, that’s how much Twilight could tell during the trip by hearing alone, as her eyes couldn’t really see much with just a few lanterns hanging around the entire place. The echo of her companions’ hoofsteps had become far more profound. Them and the water, the sounds seemed almost... hypnotizing. Cadenced and delicate. There was no noise for Twilight other than those rhythms… or maybe she simply focused on those, not to let the omnipresent shadows overwhelm her. Without her spell… yes, her entire trip would be much different altogether. The murkiness of the cavern felt almost overwhelming to her at the moment... or was it, again, her exhaustion and imagination...? She had to shake herself back to awareness. Causing Midnight to give her a glance, as she saw the reflections in his eyes shift. Twilight didn’t want to worry him, but at that point she felt more than tired about her whole excursion... for obvious reasons. Wanting nothing else than to get some sleep. Only tomorrow did she hope for a bit less commotion about, so she could process the letter, maybe discuss things with Midnight, then talk with Rowan Berry about her findings and all. Without the unnecessary chaos. … and with the necessary one, as she had to find enough time to prepare a reply for the Princesses, delivered through the extraordinary means. That of Discord himself. Unfortunately, there was still today. And exhaustion once more proved to be accompanied with its own perils of terrible planning and lack of concentration, because when Twilight finally locked herself in her chamber, having thanked her companions profoundly for staying up with her and accompanying her, and was readying up to bed… Well, it had to be said that the decision to take a shower in the small bath pocket woke her right back up. With ice-cold strength. Twilight could, at least, once more realize the hard work and effort of the batponies, providing running water so deep in their cavernous lairs. She just hoped that her squeal of “gratitude” for the fact did not wake absolutely everypony in the Mountain. However, when she finally managed to get herself comfortable in her bed, sleep took her almost immediately. It helped that the covers she was enjoying were of that same, incredibly soft wool that she had already encountered in the Lord’s carriage. The tender material lulled her into slumber in record time and Twilight couldn’t even remember shifting around in any way before she found herself seeking respite in her dreams. Quickly enough did colors and shapes come across her mind. Strange, crimson markings and twisted branches weaved themselves before her closed eyes. Oranges in many sizes, a splash of crystal water against her muzzle, the sound of a mountain eagle in her ears... She followed the whiff of the distant forests, the chirping of birds, the baas of the regal sheep. She felt her spirit floating in the incredible space of the dream, lead on by a familiar force, guided to a proper location and finally... gently awakened. Twilight felt her eyes opening... and she looked about at the incredible sight of high and majestic trees, the tops of which were disappearing in a thick, argent fog. She was standing in a… glade. In a glade in the middle of a mighty forest, one surely hidden away in a secluded dale. Her nose picked up the smell of herbs and leaves on the wind, coursing through the treetops, even if there was no sudden movement above her. And though the sky seemed overcast, claimed by the roiling mist, locking her away from the stars… there was moonlight in this clearing. Strong enough that Twilight couldn’t see anything past the open space around, as if she was in the limelight on a grassy stage. And the edges of her vision were... blurred and changing. Things not in her immediate focus seemed to move and shift around. Everything felt… ready. Prepared in anticipation to morph its nature, to switch and convert and alter… To follow whatever fantasy would be weaved, whatever vision invoked and whatever will imposed… ... Twilight understood. She was asleep. Yet more so… she knew that. A lucid dream? She had read about those, but she didn’t remember having ever experienced one. Nor researching the topic too much, actually. It was, of course, a fascinating thing, sleep. A mystery that surely went beyond just granting one’s body and mind the due rest. After all... she personally knew a mare whose domain transcended the waking world and involved safeguarding the dreams of fellow ponies. “... hello.” Twilight’s ears perked. She clearly heard a voice. It felt... familiar? Or at least not alien. But not by its tone really, no, but by its... presence, if that made sense. She could recall that existence from... someplace. She looked about, trying to find the source of the greeting... but there was nothing. Nothing but the shifting edge of the glade and the looming forest all around. She attempted to focus, to pierce through the murkiness of the woods, without much success. Which was… alarming. As far as Twilight understood, lucid dreams came with a certain dosage of control over them, allowing the slumbering yet aware consciousness to form and change them somewhat. Yet here… it was like she was stuck in a forced vision for the moment. In the midst of this strange copse, one that also looked genuinely... known to her. Was this a memory? Or a premonition? Or something else entirely? “… over here.” Twilight immediately shifted her head towards the source of the voice… but there was nopony there, once more. Just the line of the trees and thick bushes, swaying gently in invisible wind. Was somepony calling from inside them? “Hello?” she managed to ask, glad that she could at least have some grasp over her own… dream projection. Or manifestation. It was hard to name and understand it. “Who’s there?” “… over here.” Again, that same voice. Familiar and yet… alien. Came in like the breeze blowing through the woods. Like the screech of distant birds... Twilight looked up for those. Yet the forest, for all of its lush and majestic visage, seemed… empty. Unnaturally empty. Other than that… presence she could feel. And above there was just more mist, more fog, and no answers. Why was that? This entire scene, even for a vision among slumber, felt out of place. What would cause such a… Twilight blinked. In the dream her eyes didn’t feel refreshed. But her reasoning did. That fog… it was silver. She could tell the hue permeating it stronger from time to time, making the vapor more firm and solid when it did. It was like a barrier. Like a certain obstacle that Discord had shown her. If this was a dream vision… and there was a pony that could invoke those and be present in them, would she also have an issue with piercing this unseen membrane of magic? “Princess Luna?” Twilight asked of the surroundings, hoping that her voice could, perhaps, also break through the shroud above and reach the pony she had in mind. After all, somepony was talking to her and if it was the Alicorn of the Night— There was a hiss. Like a lynx. An agitated lynx, ready to pounce if the threat and danger to its territory was not gone. So Twilight’s attention immediately shifted from the mist above to her immediate surroundings. And she felt herself lowering her stance, seeking any possible source of danger around her. But… there was still nothing. The intrusive, hissing sound subsided, likely placated for the time being... and then... “… over here.” Again, the same voice. The same insistence in it, no, even greater. To look for it. To try and find it. So Twilight did attempt that. She even stepped towards the glade’s edge, happy that she was able to do as much, trying to pierce the foliage with her gaze. The sentence had come from that direction… “… no, over here.” Twilight rapidly turned. The voice, it… it arrived from the exact opposite end of the glade. Potent and strong, though of the same volume. And Twilight, she… she found herself drawn to it. Like a physical pull suddenly clutching her mind, which made her take a few steps in the voice’s direction and again try to find the pony talking between the bushes, hoping that— “No, over here.” Those words again. Piercing, agitated... enticing and soft. All of those. That time from her right. It had called and tasked her to— “No, over here!” No… no! No, th-that was from the left, now, she definitely—! “Here!” Twilight’s head turned again, as the— “Here!” She tried to— “Here!” She— “Here!” “Here!” “Here!” Twilight couldn’t even tell directions at this point. A cacophony, the sheer chaos and clamor of voices, suddenly started emitting from each and every direction. It was as if every single tree, every single branch, and every single leaf was trying to let her know of their presence, with rustling, with creaking, with screeching. With screaming, right in her mind. “Here!” She felt overwhelmed by the sensations in her ears, in her core. Because as terrifying as they were already sounding, the voices were actually dragging her, with an unseen yearning and an unspeakable desire to follow. So much so that she could feel physical pain, with her muscles trying to react to each one of those terrible impulses. Twilight felt like she was being torn apart, her attention switching about the glade, her mind being pushed to the brink of its capacity, her body succumbing to the maddening need of pursuing these dreaded calls! “Here!” She somehow closed her eyes in the vision, hoping to drown the voices with focus and recalling that she was just dreaming. She could escape the nightmare! With intent and readiness to wake! But then rustling came from Twilight’s right, louder than even the voices. Breaching her focus, just like her gaze tried to breach the bushes in that very direction... only to see a satchel hanging from one of the branches. It hadn’t been there a moment ago! But it looked like it had been haphazardly left there, tossed and stuck in the foliage. Its leather was pierced, slashed apart, as if by the claws of a vicious animal. “Here!” More rustling and yet more voices... or a voice. It was becoming harder and harder to differentiate. Twilight’s eyes were jumping about, her ears flicking in all directions almost simultaneously, causing the growing pain in her to reach greater heights yet. This time, a broken woodcutter’s axe met her gaze from the direction of the rustling, with its blade buried deep into one of the trees, but its handle broken, torn apart... And a droplet of crimson still hanging from one of the splinters, like an ultimate warning. “Here!” Another rustle... one that caused Twilight’s mane to stand on end. Not with its volume or sharpness… but due to the accompanying sight. A tattered robe. A local gown, of great quality, intricate design, and an amethyst hue. Pierced. Impaled on hundreds upon hundreds of branches. Looking like they had grown at a rapid pace, enough to break through the material… and more... The cloth was still resting upon a pony’s body. One of dark coat and webbed wings, its form overgrown, desiccated, and putrid, like a morbid puppet on literal sticks. A gruesome totem, locked in its final, terrifying moment of life for all eternity. She knew his name. She almost called it out. And yet he still reacted, his decomposed head shifting. Looking at her, eyeless. And speaking to her, though the lips had a given way long time ago, revealing jutting teeth. “... hello.” Twilight tried to scream. But the sound never made it past her own lips, which seemed locked shut and unresponsive. She attempted to get away, to run away from this nightmarish vision of an unfortunate victim of the forest and his own hubris. But the most Twilight achieved was a wild and uncoordinated buck that took her off her legs entirely. She fell to her side onto the grass, trying to scramble as far as she could from the talking corpse, still looking her way… or made to do so, the branches animating it in a mockery of life. And then she heard one more sound. Like that of a tree cracking and falling in its dramatic death. Like a woodland animal in heat, calling out for its partner, in that terrible screech sounding like an actual voice calling out in the darkness of the woods. Fearful and yet compelled by the noise, Twilight turned her vision towards… the thing, looming over her. And that smile, that wicked, chasm-like smile threatened to split her mind in two with its intensity. The creature before her was weaved, was built, was grafted out of wood and sinew, bone and branch, soil and vine and twig and leaf. A terrifying amalgamation of flesh and plant, a towering anatomical anomaly that had no right to be, no right to exist or live, but there it was. A sight as majestic as it was horrific, that of a slender pony, lit from above by moonlight, its features elongated, gaunt and unnatural. An emaciated horror, its four, burning eyes staring straight at Twilight, invoking in her mind a feral fear and fascination alike, triggering her fight or flight instinct in both ways simultaneously. What would look like a spiky headdress from the distance was a part of the creature’s skull... composed of many other skulls, pieces of which, held together by tightly growing vines, crowned this fusion of nature in its many stages of life and decay... And that smile, that familiar, terrifying smile was telling Twilight far more about the monster before her than she’d ever want to know. “Over here.” The voice composed of a hundred birds flying through the mountain dale reached her ears... ... as the abomination lunged in her direction. Only then did Twilight finally scream. And opened her eyes. She was in her chamber, having bolted up. She was soaking wet and trembling all over. Her covers were crumpled beyond belief, half of them on the cold ground, betraying that she must have been tossing and turning somewhat fiercely, faced with what turned out to be an abhorrent nightmare. With a very specific creature haunting her in it… Twilight burrowed her sweaty muzzle in her hooves, trying to regain her grasp on the world around. The waking world this time. It was just a dream... A horrific dream. Yet, first of all… one telling her quite overtly that what she had been going through, all the worries and anxieties and cursed revelations… They were piling up on her in an unprecedented manner. She wasn’t one to have stress dreams in abundance, but… this was one more of those that she could recall lately. She could still remember the feeling of drowning, for example... and, possibly, there had been other daily terrors and challenges she had endured, though couldn’t recollect... Twilight had to face it and admit to herself in earnest that the letter she had received, all the issues she had to face and would battle against still… Yes, it was all weighing on her more and more. And, seemingly, only getting worse. The worries, the issues were piling and piling on, being stitched together in her mind into a most abhorrent creature. Just like the various materials which would form a visage of a forest wraith, coming to life to lunge at her and overwhelm her. That smile she had received during her flight to the Mountain of Fang was still so… vivid in Twilight’s mind. A threat, not fully witnessed, yet much too close for comfort. Something about that vision... and that way of phrasing the matter in her mind, it spoke to Twilight. In a way that she wasn’t expecting. What was it? What about it suddenly felt so... accurate? A normally kind expression, turned into something so horrible and twisted…? With unknown intent? She shook her head. The very thought of that malformed creature grinning in her direction was enough to cause another shiver to go down Twilight’s spine. So... the less she would think of that the better for her. There was absolutely no time for nightmares of this kind to plague her. Although… … that situation did also remind Twilight of something crucial. Particularly speaking, of the pivotal role of Princess Luna. Her task, to safeguard dreams, to protect ponies at their most vulnerable, to defend their minds from the dangers lurking within. These battles were always arduous and it wasn’t the worst of ideas to have help from a powerful alicorn to try and deal with one’s hardships. Such a shame that, at that very moment, Twilight was as nocturnal as the Princess herself was. A new feeling arrived. A hoof grabbing the comforter with force. Instinctively, Twilight recoiled... then realized that it was her own touch which crumpled the woolen cover even further. For if the Princess was so dedicated to her task of helping others and aiding them in seeing and understanding more… then why had she lied to Twilight? Why had she hidden away the real scope of the mission? And the Maretonian play? This was a serious matter, something to have at the back of one’s mind. Would it poison Twilight’s approach towards the batponies? Maybe not. But it would definitely keep her far more cautious for any and all signs. Perhaps she would have been able to unmask Deep Mist much quicker? Or not let herself become a nervous wreck, witnessing the map at the Seat of the Covenant? Then again... Princess Luna herself only realized so much when it came to the history of her children. With her sister’s previous decision regarding the Solar Holy War… Twilight was convinced that Princess Celestia wasn’t revealing all of her logic in the letter. For there was logic behind the explanation, however hard to accept. That which was coherent wasn’t always that which was moral... And though empathy was already telling Twilight other reasons behind her mentor’s actions, it was all... all so... Sigh. There would be even less sleep that day. After those thoughts. After that nightmare. Twilight scrambled up from her bed. She lit the one candle on the table with a quick spell, carrying it with herself about the room. She poured some water for herself and splashed her muzzle with it. Trying to find what she needed at that moment. Light, refreshment, and focus, despite the lack of proper rest. She then approached her luggage, opened it with but a momentary delay, and produced the fateful message from it. She was thankful that she had remembered to secure it. After having been so wonderfully helped by Midnight’s presence and his moral and romantic support both, she had found the parchment on the floor, after a haphazard fall and roll… Despite what it had revealed, there was at least one noctral that... that... She really wanted to finish that statement and sentiment altogether, but... Her brow furrowed. Her beloved might have given her much necessary aid in her emotional turmoil… but the matter of his country’s plans wasn’t over. Not that it would necessarily translate to her having issues with him personally, and yet… She approached the table, sitting in the same place as she had before, when she had been familiarizing herself with the parchment for the first time. And, looking at it again, considering what had happened that one, particular night... she was almost ready to approach at a very bleak and staggering point. Either by sudden revelation or severe tiredness. Everypony was scheming. Everypony around her had a motive. Had a plan. Had a vision. Twilight was feeling like she was, indeed, the only one left out of that particular pastime of discretion and maneuvering. Princess Celestia. Princess Luna. The Lords... Azure Mist, for certain, with Rowan Berry placed so close. Midnight Eye, with his “lessons” for Twilight. Blessed Fang, though through religious means, also had a concept in mind... And the others? Why wouldn’t they? It was a layered weave. A huge spider’s web, where one intrigue connected to all the others and one would have to be extremely cautious not to alert the attentive predator hiding about, just waiting for the right signal to skitter out of his hiding place at the sign of something being hopelessly caught in its elaborate design. And, in truth, schemes did beget schemes. Situations, like Twilight’s meetings with Count Mistlock, were almost trying to force her into clandestine and devious actions herself… and, more than that, if today’s mishap had proven anything, it was that even Dusk Harvest, though having promised not to use his own operatives, was an accomplice in Azure Mist’s heir’s plan, no? At least the Lord having chosen Dusk Tarn to be a guide around the Valleys didn’t feel like an intrigue aimed at Midnight to some degree... Still... was it an inevitability? Was everypony devious and guileful, truly? If so, then what about... The path that Twilight’s thoughts had taken made part of her mane stand on end. It was no smaller of a fright than what the vision of the Lesyi in her dream had achieved. She even turned around, just to make sure that she was alone in her small chamber. The shadows cast by her only light source were long… Ominous. Still, the thought happened. Even if she found it hard to have it form completely in her mind. If, for one moment, she was to consider that everypony around her had an agenda, then that would also mean that... that her beloved... Twilight put a hoof to her temple, trying to... contain herself. Control such sudden and frightful thinking. For, after all that they had been through, all that they had, the love and the closeness... was she really, suddenly considering that...? ... could she not? No, no, that... that was the shock speaking, without a doubt. The shock of the happenings of the last nights, of the day, plagued by a nightmare... and the exhaustion… But she kept going. Midnight... was reluctant to share some things with her, that was true. But she understood that, right? She had actually explained that to him herself. What he had gone through, it made him self-reliant because... without his own strength, he would not have lifted himself up after Dusk Stream’s death. He had admitted that she was correct, so... to consider her stallion, her beloved, having some sort of an agenda felt so intrusive and so out of the blue and...? No. Not in love. Their love was definitely an undeniable truth. As much as she had not really known about the extent of that feeling before meeting him, it felt pure and sincere, without question. After all, Midnight was keen on staying by her side throughout it all. He had withstood his own Lord’s displeasure and had not only managed to endure it, but actually had given them both a chance, however small, to perhaps one day or night make their relationship official in some capacity. And even in his dreams... he had seen a vision of their child. That thought... that thought was still incredible for Twilight. And was a definite proof… right? Then why...? Why had that notion suddenly come upon her? She looked around again. Nothing but her presence and the shadows. Nopony else playing a wicked trick on her psyche, giggling as they would do so from their hiding place. So… was she that tired and shaken? The letter… The letter was still right before her. With its fateful contents. Twilight focused. She brought forth a piece of parchment which she had saved for this occasion. If she couldn’t sleep and she couldn’t let herself dive deeper into this creeping, impossible to explain doubt… then she would tackle a response to the Princesses. At least a draft of one, to finish up tomorrow. Twilight placed the quill next to herself. Then looked at the empty page, with only the small flame of the candle providing light and clarity. Where to start? What to say? With shock? Or understanding? Or accusation? The last option didn’t seem proper, and yet… She had already reached the audacity of mistrust and wavering that day, in the darkened chamber. A cell for her grim thoughts. A vault of her fatigue… She stood up. Approached the bath pocket and gifted herself with another treatment of cold water right to her muzzle, letting it soak into her coat, glue her mane together, soak her eyes. Give her a bit more time. For Twilight had to organize some matters in her mind. So she returned to the table, grabbing the woolen comforter on the way and covering herself almost entirely. For warmth and a touch of ease. Then she grasped the quill firmly in her magic. And wrote. And wrote… … and… wrote… Until, with her thoughts poured freely onto the willful parchment… those of reply, those of doubt and those of burden… her eyes closed and sleep claimed her again.