//------------------------------// // Woods and Mountains // Story: Agate's Vigil // by Wingnut //------------------------------// While more vegetation was appearing in their way, there were well-trod paths through the brush and forest that the locals stomped through for centuries, additionally marked with wooden weathered signposts for when it snowed. Dream Step was delighted in the increase in greenery, happily munching on the richer grasses and leaves, though she smartly avoided any plants she wasn't certain about. Their journey was free from bears, as well as other predators, and the lack of stress and having to worry about getting attacked meant that they had more time to talk. They discussed Dream Step's past for a while, but as they approached River Rock, the topics shifted to the current situation and recent events. "It's not that I don't care about learning more about the dream realm and figuring out how to control the whole thing better, it's just that... The whole thing doesn't seem terribly useful. It's not like there are life and death situations that I could intervene in happening every day. There was a gap of two years between the dreams about the first and second hunter. What am I supposed to do in the meantime, sleep my life away? I'd much rather find something more practical to do," Dream Step shrugged. "That makes sense, and I fully agree with you. I just don't want you to completely push it aside. You have a talent, and there might come a day when you will need it very badly, and won't know how to use it properly. It might even be a life and death situation, and if it's death... I saw ponies get utterly destroyed by self-loathing and despair after they blamed themselves for something they thought they could have done differently," Agate explained. "Right... I still need to build up a stable life of some kind, first. You said yourself not to base my survival on hopes." "Of course. Dreamcatcher herself used to make dreamcatchers and other things, though she was also supported by her family. Just don't keep putting it off forever." "I won't, certainly not with you around to remind me." "Good, that's what teachers are for. Anyway, have you figured anything out about that dream you had in Snowpitt?" "The one about a great thunderbird flying west and me following it?" "Yes." "I don't think there's much to figure out. I needed to go west, and here I am." "What about the thunderbird?" "Like you said, it was probably a metaphor, or maybe simply a sign, telling me that I need to move. I still don't know what one actually looks like." "And Snowpitt getting swept away?" "Thinking back, I don't think it was Snowpitt, rather, it was the dream itself. It was like a painting made of fog, just... Insubstantial, and the bird's passage dispersed it. The bird was the only real, solid thing there, so I followed it. And then, I found out that you were going west, and, well... It only made sense." "Wait... So in that dream, I was the thunderbird?" "...I guess so? Why, what's the matter? You sound almost... Unhappy about it." "It's nothing. So-" "Oh no you don't, you wise old pain in the flank!" Dream Step exclaimed gleefully. "You don't get to tell me it's nothing after pestering me for days about my past!" "You know, a stricter teacher would just say "yes I can, I'm your elder", and some might give you a smack upside the head for your attitude, too," Agate pointed out. "Yeah? Well, you're not smacking anything any time soon, so spill," Dream Step grinned smugly. "I'm not a thunderbird, Dream Step." "...What in the world kind of complaint is that?! Obviously you're not! I never said you were, either! It was just the usual dream metaphor nonsense," The flabbergasted mare balked. "Yes, well, I'm not a thunderbird metaphorically, either," Agate said, to which Dream Step replied with a flat look. "Alright, what's that supposed to mean?" "I'm not a mountain-sized giant that sweeps entire villages away with a flap of its wings. Ponies keep making me out to be bigger and more important than I really am." "Complain to whoever shows those dreams to me, then. And, big or not, you can't seriously claim that you haven't heavily influenced events throughout your time spent with the tribes. And I don't even mean dramatic things like arbitrating conflicts or participating in battles. All those seemingly unimportant things you told me about - discovering loads of crystal deposits, teaching ponies about crystal magic - can't you see just how much you changed the way ponies live? If they were as scarce as you said they were in the past, I wouldn't even know what a crystal was." "...I suppose I did. Those small changes are carried over from pony to pony as my knowledge trickles down through the population, though. I don't make grand changes with a single wave." "You don't have to. A tiny pebble can cause ripples all across a pond, as the elder shamares told me. Heh. The old coots were fun for a while, but I'm glad to be out and about." "You really didn't like it much in Snowpitt, did you?" "What? No, no! It was great! So many ponies, and no one gave me any weird looks just because some idiot badmouthed me. It was great." "Then why was it so ephemeral in your dream, then? Why was I the only real thing there, according to your interpretation?" "I just... I wasn't learning anything. Achieving anything. I don't want to be a freeloader. And you were the only one that was teaching me anything besides the basics. I didn't feel like I was actually connected to the place, I guess." "I see." "And you're big and important to me," Dream Step finished quietly. ❅ ❆ ❅ Both of the travelers were surprised when they actually reached River Rock. Unlike travelling in the wide-open tundra plains or the seas, their line of sight was severely limited by the forest. Arrival was not trotting towards a slowly growing target that you could see in the distance, but immediately coming face to face with it after making a turn near a large boulder. "Huh," Was all Dream Step could say. "I can see now how a bear could actually sneak up on someone," Agate mused. "Don't talk about getting snuck up on by bears, please." "What? We already arrived. I'm pretty sure we're safe." "But we'll have to leave some time." "And we definitely won't get snuck up on by bears when we do." "*Sigh*" "Anyway, I actually have no idea what's supposed to happen next, so I hope the shamares in Snowpitt told you what to do." "Of course. It's customary for the local shamares or village elders to take in young shamares that are on their learning journeys. I just need to ask around and find out where the elder lives." "I already know that, actually. I met her the last time I was here. Come on, it's... Hm. Okay, the village is a bit twisty, but I think I can find the place..." It took them both a little bit of wandering, something which amused Dream Step. She didn't complain, though, taking her surroundings in with great curiosity. Once they found the elder's family complex, Agate let Dream Step take point. This time, they had to ask some of her family members for directions, eventually finding the old mare inside, relaxing after a meal. "Well now, you're back," The sharp-eyed elder addressed Agate, before Dream Step could even open her mouth. "And you brought a friend this time. Is this that messenger from the south? Doesn't look the type..." "No, elder," Dream Step shook her head. "I am actually a trainee shamare, here on my learning journey." "Hm, I see. And you have the traveler spirit accompanying you? Hope this doesn't spell trouble for my village. Excitement seems to follow in her wake." "No it doesn't," Agate protested. "I had hundreds, if not thousands of completely calm and peaceful journeys over the years. The lorekeepers and singers only want to know about the exciting ones, though." "Ha! Isn't that the truth. Alright then, you two. I imagine you'll want to talk to Healing Salve - that's our eldest shamare. I doubt she has space for you to stay, though, and since one of the youngest of my daughter's brood recently got wedded to a cute mare in another village, I have a spare room in one of the houses. Don't make a mess, and don't eat all the food in my pantry." "Of- of course not! I thought I'd go forage, or-" "None of that, now. If you stay with me, you'll be treated like a proper guest. You're not the first shamare to pass through, you know. And hey, if you feel like sharing any magical trinkets with the younglings, feel free. Some of them come in useful during hunts. Anyway, my name is Keen Tracker. I think I know the traveler spirit's name - Agate, was it? And what's yours, youngling?" "Dream Step, elder." "Hm... Dreams, eh? Odd kind of magic. The stories about dreamwalkers sometimes sound like they came from a fever dream themselves," Keen Tracker mused. "You don't know the half of it," Dream Step agreed with a roll of her eyes. "Well, don't let me keep you. OI! Whichever youngling is the closest, get your rear in here! We have guests to show around!" ❅ ❆ ❅ Keen Tracker's extended family was large, and couldn't even fit into the same room to eat, so Dream Step got invited to eat with different branches of the family on different days. Agate was always a welcome addition to those gatherings. Everyone was keen to hear the various stories from the past, amusingly comparing the discrepancies to the modern retellings, some ponies vowing to correct the storytellers the next time they wandered into the village. The elder got to hear Agate tell the story about the spirit war, something which garnered interest from most of the village. She did go to meet Healing Salve, but there was little for her to learn from the potion-inclined mystic. So, while Dream Step was talking to the shamares, Agate ended up being a storyteller for half the settlement. Agate also briefly met with Light Step, the annoyed messenger still grumbling about being confined. The news that Agate did deliver the message made her relax a little, though she said that she'd rather move out and recover in Snowpitt, even if the best speed she could manage without hurting herself was a canter. Wishing her luck, Agate parted ways again. "How are your studies going?" Agate asked Dream Step one evening. "Not bad, but nothing... How do I put this... Nothing major? Nothing related to my main talent? I'm still learning general, surface-level knowledge, the same as I was in Snowpitt. Learning how to heal and treat wounds is important, though, so I'll do my best to master what I can," Dream Step replied, carefully weaving strands of her coat into thin strings. "And how are your attempts to make a dreamcatcher coming along?" "Nothing yet. It's a very weird thing. There are runes, enchantments and the like, with specific effects, and you need to carve those runes correctly. Dreamcatchers, though... As you told me yourself, there's a general theme and design to them, but each and every one was unique, wasn't it?" "They were, yes," Agate nodded. "Right, and that part just doesn't make sense. It's like making a charm. Mess something up, and they'll just fizzle. I highly doubt Dreamcatcher made fakes, though. I could feel that there were ancient, faded bits of magic in those frames you found for me, but too little to make sense of. There's some kind of catch to it, and I'm just not seeing it yet. More dream magic nonsense, I suppose." "I'm sure you'll figure it out." "Question is, when?" "Only time will tell." "Well then, could you go and ask time how long this is going to take?" "I wish I could. I have some time-related questions myself," Agate chuckled. "...Oh. Right." Along with their studies of magic, shamares were expected to learn about the customs and culture of the other tribes, to prevent conflicts and misunderstandings, like the one that lead to the spirit war back in the day. Every few days, Agate and Dream Step would spend time with the other locals, listening to their own stories and traditions. "And this is called a squirrel," A teenaged mare said, proudly holding a chunky little animal with a fluffy tail in her hoof. "Oh, that's cute. We don't have them in the plains, though I think I might have seen a few in the woods," Dream Step remarked, ever so gently stroking the fuzzy creature. "Well, our forests are full of 'em. They eat nuts and berries and fruits and the like, and pretty much everything that's fast enough eats them. Hawks, owls, foxes... They also like to make nests to hide in, so we sometimes find them making holes in our roofs so they can make hidey-holes in our attics. Naughty beasts," She snorted at the squirrel, which seemed to shrug after a moment of thinking. "So they're pests, like rats?" "Not quite. They don't try to get into our food stores, fortunately. Would be quite an issue if they did. With their little claws, they can climb on trees, walls, and even ceilings as fast as we can gallop on the ground," She explained, demonstrating her point by bringing her hoof next to the wall of her house. The squirrel took the hint, zooming up the wall and hanging upside down for a moment before jumping to a nearby tree and swiftly clambering upwards. Before long, it disappeared in the branches, off to hunt for whatever sustenance it could find. "So you tamed them so that they'd stop chewing holes in your walls?" "And pay me rent, yes." "...Rent? Really?" "Yup. Like bears, squirrels do their best to get fat for the winter, but I guess they can't get too fat, or they wouldn't be as fast any more, so they make hidden caches that they stuff with nuts and berries. And let me tell you, they can get huge. Now and then, a forager finds a hollow tree stuffed to the brim with nuts. Buckets and buckets full. So, I made a deal with a few squirrel families," She smiled proudly. "You provide protection and a safe place to live in exchange for a share of the nuts, I'm assuming?" "Protection and warmth, yes, along with a safe storage that other squirrels won't get into. They don't really care who's cache they're eating from, and they spend a lot of time making sure other squirrels can't find their loot. Too much, sometimes, as they often forget where their own caches are. They're clever, but they're still just small animals." "And what if they get eaten when they're out foraging?" "Circle of life," The mare shrugged. "They breed fast, and there's no shortage of squirrels to replace them. I can't exactly go after them and hop through the trees to defend them all the time, after all." "Huh. Okay." "I can't really live off of what they bring me, but an extra hoofful of nuts every once in a while is nice." "It does sound pretty nice." ❅ ❆ ❅ They spent a month in River Rock before moving on. Unfortunately for Dream Step, Healing Salve told her that she wasn't aware of any dreamwalkers in the western tribe, either. Regardless, there were other things to learn, and the pair continued their journey. Dream Step gave one of Agate's crystals and some spell charms she made to Keen Tracker's family members as parting gifts. As they were getting ready to move out, one of the younger stallions explained to the pair how travel in the forest worked. "On one hoof, you can camp anywhere - technically. If you start a fire, just about every animal will avoid it. On the other hoof, there are marks and signs all over the forests, some made by the animals, and some made by our people. They denote the various dens and lairs of the animals we maintain a peaceful coexistence with. It'd be for the best if you didn't enter their territories without reason - more than likely, they will see it as a challenge. An experienced traveler could make it fine through just about anywhere, but a visitor like you, well..." "Oh, you don't need to tell me twice. I'm pretty damn sure I'd get lost if I strayed from the path as much as two steps. I can't even see the stars through the foliage, it's quite mad. I'm sticking to the paths like pine sap," Dream Step nodded. "That's the right thing to do. The paths are ancient and well-trod by now, and just about every animal that's smart enough knows that they're neutral territory. Even if you see bears or anything like that, don't be afraid. They shouldn't try to hurt you. And if you do get run off the path, try to find the nearest river, and follow it upstream. Our ancestors built the majority of settlements here in the west next or close to rivers, to have places to fish. Although... Your spirit companion shouldn't have any trouble finding you the best path through the woods." "I can rise above the treetops and look around quite easily, yes," Agate confirmed. "In that case, I don't think there's anything else I can tell you... Oh, there's one last thing. Since everyone travels the same roads instead of going wherever like you do in the plains, there are many campsites that have been in use for centuries as well. Most even have small cabins or other shelter to take refuge in, in case there's a storm or an unexpected predator. If you use any of the firewood, kindly take a bit of time to refill the pile before you leave." "Will do. Thank you for everything. Take care," Dream Step nodded, hefting her bags and trotting off. "You too. Forest spirits watch over you," The stallion nodded, a few curious foals that came to watch their visitor leave waving goodbye as well. The next village on their list was called Misty Creek, apparently known for an unusually often occurring and thick fog that blanketed the area. Dream Step was a little nervous about travelling to such a place, but since it was impossible to veer off the path unless you did it on purpose, no one was really known to get lost on the way there. As the stallion promised, the paths were quite safe, and they didn't encounter anything larger than a fox. "This is kind of creepy," Dream Step remarked, the foreign atmosphere still making the mare jumpy. "It's just your imagination conjuring things in the fog. There's no one around." "Yeah? How do you know? Ancient wisdom again?" "Nope. I just use my spirit sight. I do see some faint forms in the trees, but they're way too small to be a threat. Probably birds or squirrels." "Oh. Right. Spirit sight. Silly me," Dream Step smacked herself on the forehead before focusing. "It's a basic skill, but it has many uses," Agate nodded. "Yeah... I really should have remembered that one." Given their enhanced vision, they did see the village's inhabitants before they arrived, though the mists were slowly dissipating anyway. The midday Sun finally managed to bring enough warmth under the forest's canopy, revealing the settlement. Curiously, the locals seemed to have grown a defensive wall of sorts from thorny bushes and trees, two towering pines with a rope bridge hanging in between them marking out a gate. "Huh. Thorn bushes as a defense? That's pretty clever," Dream Step mused as they trotted closer. "I think they're berry bushes, too. The entire thing doubles up as a food source," Agate added. "Oh, that's doubly clever. We should do something similar back home... Though things don't grow that well in the tundra... Hm." Their ponderings were interrupted as an armed stallion trotted into view, eyeing them with some surprise and confusion. Demonstratively stopping in their path in a wide stance, he addressed the travelers while looking them up and down. "Greetings, foreigners. I do not recognize you, and this... Guardian spirit, I presume, is not from our village. What would have caused one to travel so far from their totem?" "Travelling is kind of what I do. They don't call me "traveler spirit" for nothing," Agate shrugged. "I... See..." The stallion said, though his tone of voice was quite doubtful. "Come now, surely you've heard of Agate, even if you never saw her yourself?" Dream Step asked, her voice similarly tinged with disbelief. "Well, hearing is one thing... Never mind. And who are you, traveler?" "I am Dream Step, a shamare on her knowledge journey." "I see. I suppose you'll want to see the elder, then. Follow me." Agate and Dream Step shared a glance, shrugging at each other. Trotting after the stallion, they soon learned that the encounter set the tone for the rest of their interactions with the village. Where Keen Tracker was quite relaxed, the residents of Misty Creek were more formal, following the traditional greetings and rituals to the letter. "What brings you to our village, youngling?" The old stallion asked, addressing Dream Step while covertly glancing at Agate. "Knowledge and wisdom of the western tribe's shamares, elder." "In that case, you will need a roof over your head while you commune with our shamares. We open our doors and tend our hearth for you, guest of far away. Will you partake in our warmth?" "I will, elder. May the spirits bless your home and kin for your hospitality." In the end, it turned out there wasn't all that much to learn in the foggy settlement. The locals weren't very well travelled, and the mist meant that they were a little more jumpy and paranoid about something sneaking into their village, hence the extra security. The shamare living there did know how to make a special spell charm that temporarily granted powerful spirit sight even to a completely untrained pony, something which was quite useful when your line of sight was obscured by mist. Learning how to make that one thing didn't take a lot of time, and less than a week later, the pair were already discussing where to go next. They had a lot of choices - there were settlements in just about every direction. River Rock was a sort of entry point to the western tribe's lands, and Misty Creek was a little deeper in, from where they could go south or southwest to the settlements closer to the mountains, deeper west into the forest and eventually reach Highglade, which was the westerner's capital, or turn north, and move towards the sea shore. Visiting every single village certainly wasn't a requirement, and Dream Step didn't feel like wasting time going to small settlements where there wouldn't be anything new for her to learn. They expected Highglade to be like Snowpitt, with the largest population and the biggest concentration of elders and wise ponies, so they decided to keep on pushing westwards. The next settlement was called Clearwater, named so after a small lake with beautiful, crystal-clear water that the village was built close to. Agate was fascinated by it - although she spent no small amount of time around water, the sea's constantly churning waves made it quite murky and opaque, completely different from the magnificent mountain lake. "Surely you've seen lakes in your travels before?" Dream Step asked the contemplative spirit. "Sure. But not like this. Even the ones with the clearest waters still were at least somewhat muddy. This is just... Perfect. Almost like glass, or a perfect quartz," Agate nodded, slowly swirling her hoof in the eerily still water. "Well, it is some very pretty water, I won't argue with that. Makes me want to take a drink, but then I remember just how cold the mountain water is, heh. You admire the lake, then. I need to get going, or I'll be late for my lesson." "You do that. This would be a good place to calm down and meditate, you know. Very peaceful." "We'll see. Depends if I'm going to be up for it after my lesson. Later." Agate nodded, continuing her motions. After a while, she slowly got up, and, step by step, cantered into the lake. It was almost impossible to tell that something was different, save for the fact that she wasn't able to hear the birdsong and the other forest sounds any more. The lake wasn't very deep, and Agate had no trouble seeing even at the very bottom, curiously examining the seaweed. Or was it lakeweed? From that perspective, the few fish that were darting around almost looked like some kind of strange birds that were swimming through the air. Seeing a boulder that was sticking out from the bottom of the lake a little bit, Agate had a funny idea. Laying down on it, she went back to her contemplations, only with a slight change of scenery. It was somehow both deeply engaging and calming at the same time, and Dream Step had to toss a bunch of pebbles in the water to get her attention. "You really like going to the weirdest places you can think of, don't you?" The young shamare mused as Agate got out of the water. "You should try it. It's beautiful down there." "I... Think I'll pass, thanks." "So, how did it go?" "Similar stuff. No one knows about dreamwalking, or dreamcatchers. Few bits of advice here and there about runes and charms, but nothing major. I don't think we're going to stay here more than a week or two, either." "Alright. We'll move out whenever you're done. In the meantime, you should keep up with your dreamwalking training and meditation as well." "Yes, teacher." ❅ ❆ ❅ They passed through two more villages before reaching Highglade. It was an interesting journey, both for the old spirit and the young shamare. The vast forests were quite an unfamiliar environment even for the well-traveled spirit, let alone Dream Step. They learned about the many curious forest animals and plants, how to navigate the wooded paths, and the many interesting customs and traditions of the westerners. Along with runes and wards, their homes were often decorated with the depictions of various animals. Unlike the other tribes, they built totem-like wooden carvings of the local fauna in and around their villages in hopes to either appease their spirits or earn their favor. Many westerners also had animal companions, taming the animals that were capable of coexisting with ponies. As Keen Tracker said, though, different villages had different ideas on which animals fit the criteria. The village after Clearwater had a shamare that liked to roam the woods and collect herbs with a pack of wolf spirits at her side, while in the next one, the locals took a liking to eagles, purposefully building multiple nesting sites around their settlement for the majestic birds. The terrain slowly became rockier and colder as they went on. Highglade was the end of the route - the westerner's slow expansion deeper into the forests stopped when they reached the western mountain range. The explorers liked the place they found, though, deciding to settle down there. "Mountains. This part is more familiar to me, though these particular mountains are not, of course," Agate remarked as they moved closer to Highglade. "Your people all live completely surrounded by mountains, right?" "In Dream Valley, yes. When I saw the tundra for the first time, it actually scared me a little. The horizon going on forever - it was just... Disorienting." "You certainly overcame that fear, though, given the kind of stuff you get up to. I imagine the sight from up top when you're flying must be a step above that." "Yes, though I do need to remember not to fly too high. Can't let the Moon see me." "What?" "Not important. Look, I think I can see the first buildings already." "Why would you be worried about the Moon seeing- Never mind. I'm looking forward to resting my legs, we've been climbing at an incline for hours, and - wow." The sight that opened up before them was quite interesting. Highglade was built on the foot of a mountain, on a peculiarly flat stretch of rock. It wasn't all natural, as they could see that parts of it were cut down artificially, with a number of ponies working in several spots even then. Bits that were sticking out were chiseled away, while holes were filled in with gravel. "It's a very good defensive position, but this seems a bit poor for getting food," Dream Step mused. "I think the main goal was to acquire different resources. Namely, metal," Agate explained, already having noticed a number of artificial holes in the distance that could only be mine entrances. "Oh, I see... And we did pass some homesteads here and there along the way. So the ponies below supply them with food, while they trade for it with their metal crafts." "They probably supply many villages. Anyway, this place is big... And I'm assuming this isn't going to be the usual "go and greet the elder" thing. Most likely, we'll get directed to the chieftain himself." "Oh, right... The main settlement, and all that. Do you know him? Anything I should know?" "Well... Mostly, I know of him. His name is Ironmane. I don't have much experience with him, but he seems like a reasonable and rational stallion. I only had brief conversations with him during the Gatherings, but from what I have heard from others, he's a big metalworking enthusiast, and mostly likes spending time in his forge, letting things run by themselves. Supposedly, he gets quite angry if ponies try to steal each other's claims or have fights over the best mining spots, but that shouldn't be relevant to us." "Alright then." Asking for directions, they went to the chieftain's home, clopping noisily across the stone streets. Though the forest was still easily visible, the ambiance of the upper part of the settlement was quite different, sounds of hammers on metal and pickaxes on rock replacing the chirp of woodland birds and the creaks of trees. They caught the stallion as he was returning from his forge, his still faintly smoking coat and singed hairs easily giving away what he was doing just then. He was clearly tired, but highly satisfied with the day's work, a proud grin adorning his face. With him distracted, they trotted right up, having to catch his attention. "Pardon me, chieftain," Dream Step began, making him turn away from the door he was just about to open. "Hm? What is it - shamare? You're not one of ours, though, and guardian spirit - no, wait. Agate?" He squinted, rubbing his eyes with a fetlock. "It's me, chieftain, yes," Agate nodded. "Is everything alright?" "Oh, of course! Your eyes just dry out a bit when you're working on the forge. I'll be fine in a moment. Now then! What an occasion! What an occasion! The legendary traveler spirit finally graced us poor westerners with her presence, heh heh!" Agate pursed her lips as Dream Step quietly sniggered. Though she was famous across all three tribes, Agate at least wasn't so well known in the west that ponies immediately recognized her on sight. It didn't mean much, of course, given that she had to introduce herself anyway. Still, it seemed that her brief stint as an only slightly famous spirit was over. Parsing Ironmane's statement, she gave him a somewhat wry grin. "Really, chieftain, I wouldn't call your tribe poor. You seem to be doing quite well." "Oh, in wealth, I suppose. But for ages now, we didn't have what the other tribes did! The most esteemed spirit of a grand and lost people, guiding the other tribes with her foreign wisdom! And what did we have to guide us? Rocks and trees!" "Again, if all your wisdom came from rock and trees, you seem to be doing plenty fine," Agate rebutted with a roll of her eyes. "Those must be quite wise rocks and trees," Dream Step remarked, slightly confused about the chieftain's behavior. "Hardly a comparison to the traveler spirit!" "Oh, cut it out already, chieftain. I'm not an esteemed spirit, I'm a lost foal, and I was ten years old when I arrived. All of my "wisdom" is learned and derived from what snowponies taught me, and I never did any "guiding". I only nudged some ponies in the right direction now and then," Agate sighed. "What is even... Going on here? Are you... Angry, or jealous that Agate never visited your tribe before?" Dream Step carefully addressed Ironmane, only for Agate to answer. "It's been a thing with the western chieftains for... A few decades now, I think? It's a big joke that they kept going for years, basically. During one of the Gatherings, a previous chieftain joked that he felt sad and alone, what with me "showering the northern and southern tribes with wisdom and wealth". As always, I pointed out that the other tribes asked for my help every time, and that I would be plenty happy to help them with whatever they needed. He couldn't actually think up anything for me to do, so he pretended to be hurt by my words. He was a joker through and through, though he somehow managed to balance it with being a chieftain." "Ah, yes, good old Wise Crack," Ironmane smiled. "He was an odd one, but he knew when to be serious, which was enough. And, you have to admit, it was a pretty good joke, if it kept going for decades." "Well, now that I'm here, I'm afraid the joke is finished," Agate smiled smugly at the chieftain. "Hm, so it is... Darn. You should know that you don't need a reason to visit us, though." "I know, chieftain, and others have said it in the past, but what would be the point? What would I do, just sit there and awkwardly stare at ponies? I have no connections here, and there's little a spirit can actually do but watch and talk." "Ah, fair enough. But something did finally bring you here, didn't it? What kind of quest are you on, then? Something grandiose and world-changing?" "Nothing like that, I haven't been involved in world-changing events for over a hundred years. I'm just accompanying my student here on her learning journey," She indicated Dream Step. "Student? Curious. Are you gifted in the traveler spirit's foreign magics?" He asked Dream Step. "Like what, crystals? Not really. I'm a dreamwalker, and Agate was taught the basics by a shamare a long time ago," Dream Step shook her head. "Ah, yes... A rare talent, I believe? Well then, you shall be a guest in my home, and by extension, Agate will as well! And she will regale us with stories of her adventures!" "Right, of course," Agate chuckled. "Several ponies here in the west got nervous that I was going to bring something upon their villages, yet they're all too happy to listen to the retellings of my journeys. You'd think they would be more interested in participating in an adventure themselves, if they're so enthusiastic about hearing them..." "Yes, well, I can swing a hammer, but I'm not so sure about a spear," Ironmane grinned. "Best if we keep it safe and calm, yes? Come on in, then, dinner should be ready, and I'm sure we'll manage something even with extra guests to feed." ❅ ❆ ❅ Dream Step was treated as an honored guest by Ironmane, getting a grand room and having every need seen to by his family. She was a little awkward about it, and Agate made sure to play up how rare and unusual a dreamwalker was, amplifying the curiosity and fascination they had with the young shamare. "Why do you keep doing that?" She grumbled lightly as they trotted outside. "Now you know what it's like to be famous," Agate giggled. "...Hm. Huh," She grunted, not sure what to say. "Anyway... This should be interesting," Agate remarked. "Why? Is there something special about meeting the western shamares?" "Not particularly, no. Just... The last time I saw all the western shamares gathered in one place, it was the end of the spirit war, and they did not like me. Many generations passed since then, but that's still the last image I have of them." "Really? And you haven't talked to any western shamares since?" "Not really. After that whole debacle, the western chieftains would only be accompanied by one or two shamares, if at all. There was one, but..." "Yeah?" "Polaris. He was a voice of reason during that mess, and became their leader soon after," Agate said, taking care not to spill any secrets. Even though more than a century had passed, she took her promises seriously. "Wait, he?" "Yup." "Now that's something interesting..." Agate told Dream Step a little bit about Polaris as they approached the home that Ironmane had directed them to. Agate could see the faint glows of various enchantments through the walls, and the runes lining the windows and doors, making it pretty clear that this was a mystically inclined pony's abode. Once Dream Step knocked, a voice sounded out from behind the house. "Over here, I'm out back." The pair cantered over, finding an elderly shamare in an open-air workshop, bent over the shaft of a long spear that was resting on her crafting table. She was carefully applying paint into the delicately carved lines in the wood, concentrating and blowing on it every once in a while. They waited patiently until she was done, giving her project one final look before nodding and resting it against a nearby shelf and turning towards them. "Hm, and the traveler spirit too... Curious sight. Now then... My name is Mystic Weave, youngling. The chieftain told me about you. I'm afraid there are no other dreamwalkers in my tribe at the moment, but we will still teach you what we can, though you'll probably have to spend some time with me alone, at first. There's not that many shamares here right now, and it might take some time for the others to return. With the advent of summer, many useful and important herbs begin to bloom, and both many of the elders and their students are now out and about," The elder explained, brushing her graying mane out of her eyes. "Well, I already learned a bunch about herbs from many of the others, and I'm not really all that good at the big enchantments," Dream Step sighed. "But sure, I'll try to learn what I can." "Hmm... And is that all? The chieftain also told me you were trying to recreate something." "Yes, actually, though all I have is decayed almost beyond recognition," She explained, taking off her saddlebags and carefully retrieving a tightly wrapped package. "Decayed or not, these old eyes have seen many things over the years... Let's see what you have there. Can you tell me more about whatever it is supposed to be?" "Well, it was called a dreamcatcher," Dream Step explained, unwrapping the remains of the item in question and putting it on the table. "Ahhhh, that tickles something in the back of my head. A curious implement," Mystic Weave exclaimed with enthusiasm, looking at the frame and sniffing it before carefully feeling it with her hoof. "You heard of them?" "Certainly. The old shamare that made them might have been a southerner, but they were light and easy to carry, so why wouldn't merchants and travelers be interested in a rare, lightweight trading good? Some made their way to the other tribes, but much like this one, time did its part to wear them down," She nodded, continuing her delicate examination. "Well, I've been trying to recreate them, and I've been having trouble. If they were simple to make, I'm sure the other shamares would have learned how, but there seems to be a trick to them that I can't quite figure out." "Oh, indeed. Enchantments and magic are rarely forgotten, we shamares travel through the lands of all three tribes to make sure of that, after all. Just like you're doing right now. Still, what shamare can resist a good riddle and a mystery? This ought to be interesting, at least," Mystic Weave smiled. "Alright, well... What do you need to know?" "Start with the materials, and we'll go from there. I can see that there's a lot of missing parts." "Alright, though I think Agate here will be a bigger help than me in that regard. She saw dozens of them back in the day." "Let's hear it, then." Nodding, Agate began describing all of the different dreamcatcher designs that she saw back in the day, doing her best to recall something that she saw over a century ago. It really wasn't easy, but she did her best, and as she talked, both of the shamares actually began to build the things that she was describing. Having a visual aid in front of her helped immensely, and she was able to recall more minute details and add them in as they worked. The dreamcatcher prototypes that they made didn't have any magic, but it was good practice. Dream Step spent a good half a day with the elder, learning all kinds of crafting tips. There was a staggering array of tools, from small chisels to tiny, mouth-held crochet hooks that the shamare used to weave tufts of her own coat into and around the things she made, and no shortage of other things to learn. ❅ ❆ ❅ Mystic Weave ended up being the main shamare that they talked to. Dream Step politely listened to the other elders, but once she saw that there was little to learn from them, she returned to Mystic. Much like everywhere else, there were no dreamwalkers to guide Dream Step, and the enchanter at least had interesting things to suggest and talk about in regards to the young shamare's side project. Agate got roped into those discussions fairly often as well, given her relation to crystals and just how many uses they had in magic, which meant that she didn't really get to go out and explore Highglade all that much. She didn't mind, though, since the talks were very interesting. "So, what would you say the best material for enchanting is?" Agate asked. "Well now, that is a very interesting question," Mystic Weave replied. "My reply would be another question, namely, "For what purpose?" Just like there is a difference between a spear and a knife, well... Different tools for different purposes, and all that. What brought it on?" Mystic Weave asked, carefully carving a small chunk of wood. "Well, I was curious about the differences in the ways our people do magic. We use crystals almost exclusively, but you use a lot of wood in your crafts. And the runes and wards you make in them hold up just fine, both in strength and durability. At first, I thought it's simply the materials that we had available, but I'm not so sure any more. My people did have forests around us, but we barely used wood for anything," Agate explained. "Ah, well, part of it is quite true. Crystals were quite scarce until you started uncovering all those deposits, yes? Hmm... Though, there are differences in the materials, from my own experience." "Go on." "Well, wood is excellent for channeling magic. Trees have their own spirits, after all, and they gently drink the magic from the earth as much as they drink water. The same can be said for many materials taken from creatures that used to be alive... Including bones." "Right... Ponies don't use those very much, though, except for fang-tipped spears and javelins, I think," Agate slowly said, keeping quiet about a certain undead shark created in the past. "Shamares also use them for casting fortunes. Anyway, thing is, wood is easy to use. It is no harder than breathing. The enchantments and the magic flow easily, and... They flow out just as easily as well. That is the caveat, I think. Besides that, most kinds of lumber rot quite easily as well, and you need to take measures to preserve it if you want the enchantments to last for a long time." "So the difference between wood and crystals would be...?" "Well, if I had to use another metaphor, if wood is breathing, then crystals would be... Hm... They'd be like a stomach, I suppose. Unlike your lungs, it takes a lot more effort to stuff it full, though it also lasts far longer before you need to eat again. You need to eat the right things, though, so... An apt comparison, I suppose, given that you need to figure out the specific frequencies for each kind of crystal. It's really quite different from wood. With wood, you just weave whatever enchantments you feel like, and hope they last. Needless to say, crystals are also far more durable and long-lasting by themselves, without any enchantments involved." "Hmm... I see..." Agate mused on what Mystic Weave was saying, while Dream Step spat out a small carving knife that she was using to carve a thin branch. "Did you ever enchant anything made from wood, Agate?" "No, though I powered some wards that were carved into wood back in the day... Though shamares these days often embed crystals into those as well." "Yes, we use crystals a lot more now. Even in my youth, they weren't used as extensively yet. While they did become more abundant, it took us time to figure out how to apply them best," Mystic Weave added. "Does it make you feel like your home? With more crystals everywhere?" "Haha! Not really, I'm afraid. You're going to need to use lots and lots more crystals for me to feel like I'm back in the Empire," Agate laughed, thinking of the Spire, the crystal-paved streets, the crystal homes, the crystal ponies, and the crystal everything else.