The trees of Sour Woods rustled in a gentle breeze, as the sun set and nocturnal wildlife emerged from its slumber, filling the air with a harmony of rustling and cries. The night had been blessed with a full moon, but its light was not strong enough to pull through the thicket of leaves, branches and everlasting snow that covered them. The mountainside woods stood proud and silent, only disturbed by the occasional owl catching its prey.
Two figures skipped hurriedly amongst the timeless columns, disturbing what would have otherwise been a beauty frozen in the instant. The hooves of the alien shadows sinked in the snow, pulling up as quickly as they had arrived, creating a clear path behind them.
"This isn't working," one of the shilouettes hissed, "We are leaving too clear of a path in our wake. They'll find us the moment we stop and rest."
"Don't you think I know that?!" hissed back the other one, which seemed to be wearing an odd hat, "I tried to cover our tracks ever since we escaped their clutches at Slumber Rock, but the beasts are just too clever! I too need my rest, and I cannot hide our steps without recovering first!"
The first one nickered and shrugged. They kept galloping, the sound of their hooves hitting the soft snow and heavy breathing being the only noises they could hear. They descended a small, cliff-like rock with caution, but hurried their step once they had reached the base, continuing their endeavour. It was becoming painful to run, and they were soon reduced to find a protected spot to hide where they could sleep in safety.
Once again, the female voice spoke its mind: "Starswirl, couldn't you light a fire?"
The figure with the funny hat shook its weary head, looking away.
"Neigh, even if I had the strength to perform the spell, it would not only attract our pursuers, but also the dangerous creatures lurking in these woods."
A roar echoed in the valley, earning a startled jump from the two.
The mare was shaking violently, trying not to fall asleep in case they were ambushed, or worse, she died of hypothermia.
"I am sorry, Benevolent." spoke Starswirl, sadness in his voice."I do try to protect you, but it just seems the more we seek answers to the countless questions we have, the more danger we bring upon ourselves."
The mare was shivering violently now, holding her forelegs around her shoulders and rubbing in hopes of gaining some heat.
The stallion fiddled at his neck and, after a few seconds, opened his forelegs, revealing he was wearing a cape which he wrapped around his companion.
Though he could not see it, she gave a smile."You needn't worry, Master, I would not give up what we have found if it killed me."
Starswirl chuckled grimly.
"Not that it would make a difference."
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Morning soon arose on the townsponies of Cobblebridge, each one of them awakening with a set task in mind for the day.
Said town was a small settlement, a village most ponies would have never heard of, and even so, would have never wished to visit.
Cobblebridge was built over a thousand years ago, right after the Saviours of Ponykind had founded Equestria. Being in such early times meant that the only territory well-known enough for living were the Singing Mountains, at the far North of said Kingdom, a place too near to the Beyond for anypony's liking.
Nevertheless, the ponies of Cobblebridge lived in relative peace, rarely having to repel an attack from the various beasts within the nearby woods.
Snow had just settled upon the town, but the oncoming winter was the last thing to bother the folk of Cobblebridge.
Sounds of battle had been heard from Slumber Rock, and flashes of lightning seen in Sour Woods. Silent fear was gripping on them, for only two things could create such a spectacle: mages and dragons, both of which were feared and unwelcome in the small town.
As the village came to an uneasy livelihood, it was no challenge for the inhabitants to spot the two newcomers who stumbled rather ungracefully towards the buildings.
"But why the cape?" asked Benevolent, whispering her issue as Starswirl had suggested. Unlike the previous night, the light of day revealed her snow-white coat and blonde mane which curled like the rays of the sun. Most of her body was covered by a raggedy cape, from the tip of her back hooves to the front of her head, hiding her inquisitive sea-blue eyes in the shadows.
"I told you," hissed Starswirl. The stallion was a somewhat imposing orange unicorn, mostly to be attributed by the authority in his voice and the sharpness in his violet eyes, mirrors of his ageing soul, of all the things he had seen. He wore a cape also, though it seemed this one was crafted for high class, rather than for peasants like his companion's. It was a celestial blue, decorated with moons and stars and made of the finest silk. He wore a ridiculously large Mage hat, covering his unicorn horn and unruly copper-coloured mane. Under his chin, a similarly coloured short beard could be spotted.
"Well, tell me again." she replied. The curious pair was doing a great job attracting attention, but the clothing hid their horns well enough to let them pass with indifference.
Starswirl sighed. "These ponies haven't seen a unicorn in more than two hundred years, being an earth pony town, and probably don't trust anypony who can cast. Thus, we must hide our true nature if we want their cooperation in finding what we seek."
"But why must I cover my whole body?"
He chuckled lightly. They were now trotting down the main street, the huge number of earth ponies of various sizes and shapes hiding their own uniqueness.
"For one, we do not want unneeded attention from the local colts, and secondly, your cutie mark is too obviously related to magic. Not even if you were a frog would these ponies be fooled into thinking you are anything but a pony of spells."
Under her hood, Benevolent nodded, smiling slyly at her mentor's compliment.
The elder led them through a number of streets, most ponies having now lost interest in the outsiders, busy with their own businesses, though after the main road, it seemed like they mostly swept snow off of the cobble.
Staying true to its name, the village had a huge bridge made entirely of cobblestone, on top of which were settled various buildings of different sizes. The white unicorn looked up to question her master, but soon realised he couldn't see her eyes under the hood, so she instead spoke out her curiosity.
"What is this?"
They stopped in front of an old, stone Inn, apparently still closed.
"When the earth ponies first settled here, they could not near the river because of a sea serpent residing in it. They mined gold for the reptile, which in return allowed them to retrieve water." the pony spoke, while looking inside the dark windows, covering his face with his hooves to see better. " Eventually, the serpent became greedy, and requested more. The ponies could not mine as much as it ordered them, so they could not get to the water."
He knocked on the door. No answer.
"One day, the ponies devised a plan to kill the sea serpent. Using the gold as a distraction, they collapsed the natural dam which had formed upstream, flushing the beast away, along with the gold. The resulting flow washed away the old village too, forcing the townsfolk to build it on the water." He knocked again. Still no answer.
"Eventually, the river turned calm once again, allowing them to reach land once more." He growled in irritation. "Where is the owner?!"
"That would be me."
The both turned to face an elderly pink mare with a gray mane and yellow eyes as old as the mountain they stood on. She was wearing a cloak the colour of wine.
"I apologise for keeping you waiting, but I have not had guests for fifty years, so I now only serve food for our workers and don't bother coming in the mornings."
Starswirl nodded."I understand."
The mare opened the door with some difficulty and invited the pair inside.
"So," she asked, opening a few curtains, letting the sun's rays illuminate the inn. It was a comfortable place, a red carpet with golden motifs laying on the floor and a table at the center of the room. It looked more like a large house, rather than a place for buisness. "What brings two travellers like you to Cobblebridge? Last time I checked, no pony even knew where the town of the dead serpent was."
Starswirl raised an eyebrow, and Benevolent was just confused.
"I thought you said they had rarely any contacts with WinterWind."
He nodded. "But she's not speaking of WinterWind."
The mare dropped her cloak, revealing a pair of elderly wings, causing the young mare to gasp. Pegasus lived in the cities of the sky, rarely seen by common ground peasants or even mages such as herself. The mare turned to look at them, pride and doubt both present in her words. "You have yet to answer me."
Starswirl leaned towards her, but she didn't back away. Benevolent found amusement in seeing her mentor finally finding a challenge to his authority. The elders stated each other down for what seemed an eternity, but was infact a mere moment.
Finally, he spoke.
"We seek those touched by the Night."
This took the Pegasus aback, who fluttered a few pony strides behind. Starswirl's eyes twinkled as he told her, finding pride, courage and fear in telling yet another soul of his life's work.
"We seek the Star Gifted."