One of Whitegold's airships flew towards Colterado close to the dusk. There were only a handful of ponies aboard, mostly militia ponies and mercenaries, along with merchants. Upon arriving, the well-known trade between Whitegold and Earthborn began. As the merchants did their job, an Appleloosan Ranger mare walked near the airship. She paced around, worried and looking at the airship, seemingly trying to find something, or somepony, aboard.
"Did he forget? Did something happen to him?" she asked to herself.
Hours passed and the trade ended, the young mare looking on as the airship took off and left Colterado. She looked down and her eyes watered. Though many asked her what was wrong, she didn't answer and simply walked away. She reached the outskirts of Colterado and stopped, she sat down and looked at the sky. 'Sky Dreamer...Why didn't you show up? Please be alright. It would kill me if you weren't.' And so, Leaf Heart spent the next hour alone outside Colterado, thinking about her loved one. She hated being away from him, even if they couldn't help it in the middle of the war. Every night she dreamed about how different her life would be if Sky Dreamer had decided to join Earthborn instead of Whitegold. It was a selfish dream, and she knew that, but she really loved him despite their different loyalties. However, she knew that he had no choice, and was happy that he had found a good life and a family in Manehattan. She just wished he would be with her, that they didn't have to hide their love anymore, that they didn't have to meet only once a month during Whitegold and Earthborn's trades. Ever since she and Sky Dreamer's friends saved him, she had seen him only eight times, and today was going to be the 9th time, but he had not shown up at all.
Not wanting to waste more time thinking about what could have happened, Leaf Heart decided to return home, to Appleloosa. As she made her way back, a group of ponies stopped her before she could get back to Colterado. At first she thought they were cultists, but then saw they were mercenaries, not like that was any better. "What do you want?" she asked, reaching for her lasso.
"Are you Leaf Heart?" one of the ponies asked.
"...Yes, why?" she asked, still suspicious.
"Listen, missy, we got paid a lot of bits to give you this." One of the mercenaries took an envelope and gave it to her. "It's from a pegasus with a diamond eyepatch...see ya around, " the mercenary added before leaving with his group.
Leaf Heart was surprised that Sky Dreamer had sent her a letter, and through mercenaries even. It was an obvious sign something wasn't right, and she hurried back to Appleloosa to read the letter in private. She arrived late into the night, but the thought of what could be in the letter kept her from feeling tired or hungry. As soon as she entered her room, she sat on her bed, lit a candle and opened the envelope, taking a letter from inside and reading it carefully.
"Dear Leaf Heart:
I am really sorry, but I can't go into Earthborn territory for trading at least for some time. Our last time together was something I will never want to forget, but unfortunately, I wouldn't even if I wanted to. Rarity's spies saw us when we were kissing, and now Rarity is suspicious of me. She knows about us, and she knows about me and Hadya and Rain Cloud, therefore I'm officially unable to go and meet you girls, and I have to do what Rarity says for now, or else you girls will be in trouble, and so will Starsong. I know you're thinking this is what I get for joining Whitegold, but what the hay, you know I had no choice. I'm sorry, I should have realized sooner that I would inevitably end up getting in trouble if I kept trying to contact you and the others, but you can't blame me after what Tricky Note made me go through.
Speaking of Tricky Note, you probably want an update on what I have had to go through lately. I was told to investigate Stalliongrad for Moon and Star's secret weapon. I can't tell you anything about it, I hope you understand, but I found somepony there. Remember Black Night? The inquisitor you saw me burning, the one that killed my parents? I found his son, an inquisitor named Dusk Fire. But, it also turns out that Dusk Fire used to be my best friend before the war. I had completely forgotten he existed until that day. He was told the Silent Wing killed his father (I suspect Tricky Note told him somehow, she is the only pony that knows besides all of you) and he hated me for it, but he didn't know I was the stallion under the hood until that very day. He was shocked and his rage boiled, I think it's safe to say he wants to kill me more than anything, and he won't listen to reason as he thinks his father was a great pony. Also, the General now wants me to be more involved in battles, and that is not precisely good for my situation either. On a somewhat brighter note, Lucky Shot is now my contact for trading with Everfree and Stormwing, so the others know of my situation, but him and Hadya...Poor Hadya, that is all I can say. So, you can say the last week has been very eventful, and I really think I need you to help me now more than ever before.
I love you, Leaf Heart, and I miss you. Starsong really wants to meet you again, and I'm sure Guardian misses you too, in his own way. I, however, miss you the most. Sometimes I really regret joining Whitegold, and not for the reasons I mentioned earlier. I need to be with you, to feel your touch, to find comfort in your arms, and this war plus my own House blackmailing me AND Dusk's vendetta...it is not helping. I thought of something, but I can't say you will like it. Leave Earthborn and come to Manehattan with me. The General owes me a favor, and he can arrange for you to leave Appleloosa and start a new life with me here and without questioning from the military. You would be perfectly safe, and we would finally be together like we both want. I know your loyalty to Earthborn is strong, but this war will affect our relationship if we keep fighting in it. Promise me you will at least think about it, my love.
Forever yours,
Sky Dreamer
P.S.: I apologize if this letter sounds desperately sappy, living with the high society can do that to you."
Leaf Heart smiled tearfully after finishing reading. Clearly, Sky Dreamer had trouble in his hooves, but it made her happy that he would think of her. His plan was, needless to say, desperate, but Leaf Heart couldn't help but think of the possibility. She really loved him, but was it so easy to leave the House she had fought for most of her life? The answer was clearly no, but Sky Dreamer had a point, they both needed each other and that was the only way the would be together, at least until a better solution came up, but that wasn't likely. She lied down on her bed and looked out the window. 'I will think about it, I promise.'