//------------------------------//
// Of Crypts and Confessions 
// Story: Lines and Webs 
// by Airstream 
//------------------------------//

Twilight woke with the dawn, stretching herself after a night of sleeping on soft grass beneath the stars. She missed her bed at home, of course, but if she had to sleep elsewhere, she couldn't think of a place that she'd rather be. She lay there briefly, gazing at the sun's first rays peeking over the mountaintops to the east. The stars fled before its gentle light, turning the sky pale grey deepening to pink and yellow as time went by. Quietly, she rose to her hooves, heading to a small hillock to watch the spectacle in peace. The woods smelled fresh, like pine and wet wood. Smiling to herself, she walked up the hill, noting in surprise that there was already somepony sitting on top of the hill, watching the same sunrise.

Tarantella turned, hearing the sound of hooves on the grass. Smiling at Twilight, she gestured to the grass next to her, and Twilight accepted the invitation, sitting beside her. Together, the two mares took in the sight of the sun, as the glow spread across the sky, finally revealing the brilliant orb which bore light to all the world. Tarantella silently got to her hooves, trotting towards the tree line away from the camp. Glancing back over her shoulder, Twilight followed her in equal silence.

The two of them wound through the trees, ending up on the path to the Castillo, which was far less threatening in the early morning light. Sunlight, rich and golden, filtered down through the trees and dappled the coats of the two mares as they walked away from the camp. Curious, Twilight opened her mouth, about to ask what they were doing. Tarantella, seeing her about to do so, shook her head. Twilight closed her mouth, and the duo proceeded on in silence. 

At last they arrived at their destination, the small lake at the base of the ruins. Tarantella turned to Twilight, and spoke. 

"These kinds of mornings, they are my favorite. Quiet and serene, a time where everypony has nothing to do. Normally on this kind of morning I go for a swim. Would you like to join me?"

Twilight frowned. "What about your wings? Can you fly if they're wet?"

Tarantella shook her head. "No, but I simply dry them off. It takes but a moment, and I find they get more difficult to use if they're dirty. A moment of disuse is worth it, I think."

The unicorn mare looked at the water. "It looks awfully cold."

Tarantella stood next to her. "It is. Extremely so. But the water is very refreshing and clean, and you get used to it quickly if you are in long enough."

"I don't know..." Twilight said, taking a step back.

The Pegasus shrugged. "Suit yourself, then." she said, shedding her leather armor and dagger. Rolling her neck and rotating her wings, the suddenly lightened Pegasus shot into the air, climbing higher and higher. Twilight, suddenly seized with a wild impulse, galloped to a nearby hill which dropped sharply off, a natural cliff overlooking the water. She watched as Tarantella hit the water perfectly, a small splash the only thing betraying her intrusion. One second passed, then two, then three. Finally, the Pegasus breached the surface, gasping for air. She grinned at the purple unicorn, waiting on her. Twilight took a deep breath, and before she could lose her nerve, took a running leap off of the cliff.

The water was possibly the coldest thing she had ever voluntarily jumped into, including snowbanks and Ponyville's pond after Winter Wrap-Up. Twilight was fairly sure that the water should have frozen already. Opening her eyes, she was astonished to see that while her vision was limited, the water was clearer than any lake she had seen, her eyes able to pick out detail on objects far away. Her entire body erupted into pins and needles, and she floated weightlessly for a moment before kicking to the surface, inhaling sharply as she broke the water. 

Tarantella cheered. "Brava, bellissima! That was wonderful!"

Twilight gave her a weak smile. "Th-Thanks," she said, her teeth chattering. "It doesn't feel that b-bad, actually. D-do you do this every m-m-morning?"

Tarantella flipped onto her back, paddling over to the shivering mare. "No, much as I would wish to. My duties as the Condottiero keep me from doing this as often as I would like. Normally I partake once a week if I can. Seeing as we will be leaving once more after tomorrow, I thought I'd try to do this today and tomorrow. You are, of course, welcome to come along."

"I'd like that." Twilight said, as she let herself float on the surface of the water. She looked over to Tarantella, who had a mischievous grin on her face. "What? What's that look for?" Her eyes widened. "Hey, no! Nononononono-"

The mare vanished under the surface of the water, a quick dunk by Tarantella causing her to choke and splutter. The Pegasus paddled away quickly as Twilight reasserted herself. Looking around wildly for her assailant, she spotted her, eyes narrowing. "You are so going to pay for that!" she called, swimming after her.

"Catch me first!" Tarantella called, and soon the shrieking and laughter of the two echoed from the mountains around them.


________________________________________


At last, the tired mares drug themselves onto the shoreline, laughing and chatting amiably. Twilight shook herself dry, Tarantella following suit, spreading her wings and giving them a peculiar snap forward that managed to shed most of the water from her feathers. Quickly, she donned her armor, and after a quick run, she spread her wings and soared, rain falling from her wings as she did a few quick loops and corkscrews before landing once more.

Twilight walked over to the mare, who was inspecting her dagger closely to make sure that it, too, was dry. "What now?" Twilight asked, noting that the hour was still early. The sun was finally high enough to shed warmth as well as light, which she was glad for. The mare shivered slightly, leaning in unconsciously for warmth. 

"We go to the Castillo. There is something there I would like you to see before we return. It too is part of my morning at the lake." Tarantella said, not minding the huddled mare at her side. "Also, a walk will help you shed much of that cold, so we had best start if you do not wish to continue shivering."

Together, the two mares moved at a brisk trot up the side of the rise, following the path. Like the forest, it was much more peaceful by daylight, ivy having grown along the steep walls on one side, with a wonderful view over the crumbling wall on their left. Twilight was struck by how easily defensible the path was. Defenders would be able to fire arrows over the parapets above, while attackers would be unable to do the same because of the angle of the path, it sloping away from the cliff in order to throw off their aim. The path didn't approach on a straightaway, instead curling around the entire hill, forcing attackers to expose themselves to even more fire as they came. Twilight spied several holes cut into the side of the cliff, which she felt sure would have been used for hot tar or boiling water. Finally they approached the gate, Twilight noting that it too was formidable, the wooden gate leaning on its hinges massive and thick, two slabs of oak that were pockmarked with use.

As they walked through the gates, Twilight took in the elegant beauty of the house, juxtaposed with the low stone buildings that dotted the lawn they now crossed, whether bunkers or storage depots she could not tell. A watchtower rose above them on their right, crenelated along one top to allow the easy firing of missiles. A barracks stood nearby, separated from the main house. Twilight caught sight of several massive fire pits, but soon these reminders of war were left behind. As they approached the house, Twilight noticed a difference in the style of the architecture. The ceiling was red tile, the walls whitewashed plaster. They trotted through an archway into the courtyard where Twilight had met Luna, choosing instead to walk straight through instead of turning into the overgrown garden. Silently, they trotted towards a grassy area that was surprisingly well-kept, separated from the rest of the house by a low wall.

Tarantella placed one gentle hoof onto an old iron gate, which creaked only slightly as it swung open. Reverently, she stepped inside, beckoning to Twilight, telling her to follow. Cautiously, the unicorn stepped through into what she now realized was a cemetery. Tarantella was ahead of her, picking her way through the headstones, heading for one in particular. Stopping in front of it, she bowed her head, muttering under her breath. Twilight approached slowly, not wanting to intrude. She caught only the last part of the prayer, in Old Classical. "I orare pro uobis, honor in nomine eius. Ut facile et via longa. Te amo, pater." 

Twilight knelt beside the Pegasus, looking at the headstone, which read simply "Trucco Allegretta, Condottiero di Fiato Danzatore". Tarantella looked at the headstone, her eyes dry and her expression unreadable. Her voice was even when she spoke. "I miss him terribly. We all do. He was an amazing Pegasus, as well as an amazing Condottiero. You would have liked him, and he you, I think. It is my goal to one day be half the leader that he was."

Twilight placed a hoof around her shoulders, an expression of support that seemed small and insignificant, but all that she could offer. It appeared to be enough, the Pegasus placing a wing around her in return. They sat that way for one eternal moment before the Pegasus shook herself, rising to her hooves and breaking the spell of peace. "Come. There is something else I think you might find interesting."

Twilight followed her over to another corner of the cemetery, near a newer but still weathered crypt, a simple granite affair, under the shade of a tree. The Pegasus indicated a simple plaque of bronze, brightly polished and gleaming in the sunlight. It was etched with two names only. "Ultimo Cambiare. Marito Di Vivace Allegretta. Amante nella morte." 

Twilight studied this simple piece of metal closely. This was proof that the two had at least been together and in love. "Amante nella morte. That means-"

"Lovers in death. My great aunt thought it appropriate enough. We would have asked his family as well, but Ultimo never spoke of them, apparently. Convinced he was cursed save for his wife and newfound family. She would often speak of their love for one another, my aunt that is. Zia Ferra said she had never seen love so pure and strong as theirs. That she had not believed any pony could love another that much until she saw them. Not a single dry eye was at their wedding, and when they were laid to rest, Zia laid at her sister's grave for a full day and night before being dragged back inside to eat and rest." Tarantella caressed the worn stone with a sad smile on her face. 

"Thank you for showing me this, Tara." Twilight said, looking at the pearl grey Pegasus, meeting Tarantella's hawk-golden eyes with her own. "It means a lot to me." She turned to leave, the Pegasus following close behind. They were both in silent agreement, that the dead should be left to their rest. As they left, unbeknownst to them, the shade of an old Pegasus, his face wet with tears, smiled at his daughter and her Altro Ala. He looked to another pair, who had passed when he was hardly older than the very special foal they had borne. They too smiled, knowing that they were not forgotten, and with luck, they never would be again. Sighing, the shades of the Allegrettas closed their eyes once more, departing to the sunlit lands to wait once more on their loved ones to visit.


________________________________________


The fire that night burned brightly, a celebration of good fortune and good health. The messenger had left payment as well, a rich pile of coins that meant that food and supplies were again within their reach. With winter just around the corner, every bit counted. Tarantella had ordered the fires lit and instruments brought out, and a good cask of wine opened. Foragers had been successful, and the cooks had rejoiced at the large cache of late berries they had brought in, a bush that had not bloomed until the summer had neared its end, only now yielding fruit. 

The meal was large and well made, eaten by the light of flickering fires and the stars and moon above. Spike became ever so slightly inebriated on a bet saying that he could not drink as much as ten of the Condottieri. He proved them wrong easily, and then went on to drink twice the amount of the next ten. He was currently engaged in the singing of a bawdy song in New Classical, occasionally belching out an unintentional cloud of dark smoke that only served to make the assembled mercenaries laugh and continue singing. Soon enough, the individual conversations died down, as they all gathered around the bonfire in the center of camp to come together as a family and company.

Tarantella stepped forward boldly. "Companions, family and friends. Today we are doubly blessed. Our mission is complete, our reward delivered. We shall make it through another winter, thanks to the valor of our fighters and the generosity of our patron. In two days’ time, we ride for Canterlot, to escort our last and best hope for truth on her sacred quest. I know each and every mare and stallion among us will do their best, for Honor and Glory, to make sure that she succeeds, even at the cost of their own lives. Is my faith in you misplaced?"

The campsite echoed with a loud "il Condottieri!" 

Tarantella raised one hoof into the air in a gesture of triumph or defiance. "My place is at your head, but my heart is in the ranks. I have placed my trust in you, do you place your trust in me?"

Even louder came the shout of "il Condottiero!"

Taking wing, she rose above the campfire, towering over them all. "Together we are unstoppable. We hold back the north wind, we fight against the ancient evil that brought one land to ruin. We fight the snow and ice. We laugh at the Windigo, we ride the thunder, and we bend the very wind to our will! We are the Gale Dancers! Let those who oppose us beware our wrath!"

The Pegasi erupted. "il Fiato Danzatore! il Fiato Danzatore! il Fiato Danzatore!"

Tarantella descended once more, and her voice climbed above the rest. "Bring forth the music! Let us celebrate!"

A trio of ponies stepped forward, carrying a drum, a fiddle, and a flute. A tune was struck up, and Twilight looked on as the ponies gathered around the fire paired up, laughing and hollering joyously as they began to dance. The fiddler and flutist played marvelously, the notes running together seamlessly, hardly needing to stop for breath. The drummer had a fine voice, rising above the crowd in a melodious tenor, tongue tripping and trilling over the top of the terrifyingly troublesome tune in terrific time. Twilight drank from her cup, savoring the taste of the wine on her tongue.

Tarantella skipped daintily through the whirling ponies. "Twilight Sparkle! Might I have this dance?"

Twilight felt her face flush as Spike looked on in amusement. "I'm afraid I'm not a very good dancer, you'd find me a poor partner."

"Nay, Twilight, I think I'd find you a fine partner indeed, you've the look of one who can dance if she only lets herself. Please, I'd be honored if you joined me." she responded, holding out a hoof.

Twilight looked at her drink, the fire, and finally the mare in front of her. She set her cup down. "Alright then. One dance."

The Pegasus caught her up, whirling her around on her back hooves as they spun around the fire. Twilight listened for the beat, trying to place her hooves where they should have gone. Tarantella spun her once more. "Don't think about the music! Music is like flight, you feel it! If you think, all is lost! Let the music move you, don't move yourself to the music!"

Twilight tried to reasserted herself, disoriented. She noticed her hooves moving with greater surety. She tried to understand what she was doing, and suddenly she stumbled. She watched as Tarantella closed her eyes, spinning gracefully to the beat. Twilight suddenly had an epiphany. Music was like Breaking magic. Good music wasn't played, it was felt. And the same applied to dancing. Her mind cleared, and suddenly she felt the beat much more clearly. Twilight found herself moving with grace and poise, each beat causing her to sway and spin just as Tarantella was. She was caught up in the Pegasus's hooves once more, and this time they danced around the fire in earnest, moving in harmony.

The two spun around the fire as if it was the most natural thing in the world, each movement complementing one of their partner's. Pegasi looked on in approval as the two mares nearly floated on top of the music. The unicorn and Pegasus found themselves moving in unison, as Tarantella stepped forward, Twilight cantering away in response. The dance switched, Twilight in pursuit and Tarantella moving away coquettishly.  The music moved faster and faster, building to a crescendo, as the two dancers lost themselves in the moment, sweat from exertion and the heat of the flame flying from their bodies as the flute trilled and the fiddle sung in perfect counterpoint to the melody of the drummer, his strong and steady beat reverberating throughout the camp. The music approached its peak, rising higher and higher as Pegasi cleared the way for their leader and the mare she was dancing with. At last, the final beat was reached, and the two mares looked each other dead in the eyes, golden hues meeting amaranthine tones in a strange and perfect connection.

Twilight's heart hammered in her chest, from exertion or something else she did not know. Panting, the Pegasus spoke. "Grazi, Altro Ala Mia. Grazi Mille."

Her wings flared suddenly, and the Pegasus took flight into the night sky, sweeping low over the fire and trailing embers behind her before vanishing into the night.

Twilight sat down heavily. Spike approached her, tail coiling around her comfortingly. "Twilight. Do you know what she called you?"

The purple mare nodded weakly. "Yes, Spike. Altro Ala. She called me her 'Other Wing'."