The seven ponies galloped together to the edge of the Everfree Forest and came to a stop. Twilight levitated a checklist out of her loaded saddlebag and went over the first stage of the plan. “Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy: you head southeast and look for the cave from above. We only know that the cave entrance is at the base of a cliff which cuts through the forest. Hopefully that’s enough to find it. Come find the rest of us as soon as you see the cave.” She put a hoof to her chest. “I’ll send up a flare spell every minute so that you two can find the group again.”
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy nodded. “We’ve got this, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said. She hooked a leg over Fluttershy’s shoulder and pulled her close. “I bet we’ll find it before you even send up a third flare.”
“Um, we’ll do our best,” Fluttershy murmured.
Rainbow Dash launched into the air. Once she was above the treetops she zipped off to the southeast. Fluttershy followed off to the side to cover more ground and at her own pace. Amira watched them go with a look of doubt.
Twilight rolled up the checklist and then tucked it in her saddlebag. “Girls, remember that this is the Everfree Forest and stay on guard. With all of us together most creatures won’t bother us, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
As they started to walk into the sparse trees on the fringe of the forest, Applejack approached Amira. “Hey there, Amira. You haven’t been talkin’ much. Feelin’ alright, sugarcube?”
Amira sighed. “I’m exhausted and worried. I don’t even know whether to be grateful for everypony’s help or sorry that I got you involved at all.” Amira blinked, surprised at how quickly she opened up to Applejack. Amira wondered if her being the bearer of Honesty had something to do with it.
“Aww, don’t you worry none. We’re helpin’ you and Brant out because we want to. We’d be involved even if you hadn’t asked because there’s a pony out there who needs us.”
Amira shuffled her hooves. “But will this be good enough? The forest is so big. What if we can’t find the cave?”
“You’re underestimatin’ us. If we don’t have Brant safe and sound before sundown, I’ll eat my hat. Well, not actually, but you get the idea,” Applejack grinned.
The five mares started into the dense underbrush of the Everfree Forest. The trek was uneventful but so was the aerial search. After 43 flares with no word from the Pegasi, Amira stopped counting. She absentmindedly followed in Applejack’s hoofprints and found herself thinking back to the disaster in Saddle Arabia that set everything in motion. Despite the time that had passed and her desire to forget, she still remembered every detail of that night.
The banquet was a high class affair filled with nobles and ambassadors, all tall and sleek Saddle Arabians. Amira brought Brant as her guest and he and Amira were huddled in conversation at a small table near the wall.
Brant pointed at a tall, white pony dressed in gold finery. “What about that one?” he asked. “He’s very kind… and wealthy too. A few weeks ago, he offered me a small fortune for some rare book I didn’t have. It pained me to refer him to another shop.”
Amira barely glanced before she answered, “No, he’s not my type.”
Brant shook his head and sighed. “You say that about every stallion.”
Of course I do, Amira thought and her gaze drifted to a silver-maned noblemare. She bit her lip. Stallions aren’t my type.
“Amira, are you even listening?”
She snapped back to look at Brant. “Yes. The wine’s just making me tired.” And making my eyes wander, she worried. Amira tugged at her bridle and shifted on her seat. “It’s getting stuffy in here. Want to leave?” she asked.
Before Brant could respond, a noblecolt with a light blue mane and coat approached their table and sat next to Amira.
“You’re looking ravishing tonight, Amira,” he said in a too-intimate tone. He lifted a glass of wine and took a deep drink.
Amira took the opportunity to scoot her cushion away and put some space between them. “Um, thank you, Artaire.”
Brant had noted Amira’s discomfort. “Excuse me, sir. We were about to leave, so—”
Artaire interrupted him. “But now you have reason to stay. Or at least Amira does.”
Brant bristled but he waited and watched Amira. Ever the diplomat, she kept up appearances and made idle chat with Artaire, who continued to drink while they spoke. He inched closer to Amira and his tone became increasingly suggestive. Amira skillfully brushed off the crude comments but Brant was becoming irritated.
Brant glared at Artaire and said, “Can’t you see she’s not interested?”
“Know your place, merchant,” Artaire smirked. “I could easily blacklist your little shop from the bazaar.”
Brant flushed and looked down. He didn’t doubt Artaire could make his life miserable. He sat back against the wall in silence.
“Much better. Now as I was saying…” He leaned in so close that Amira could smell the wine on his breath as he whispered, “If you want to leave, how about you accompany me to my manor for the evening?”
Brant stamped a front hoof on the table and opened his mouth to speak but a different voice called out first.
“Amira, there you are! I was hoping to see you tonight,” said a brown stallion with a short straw-colored mane. He wore an elaborate bridle much like Amira’s and carried himself with grace. He lowered himself onto a cushion across from Artaire.
Amira brightened and took advantage of the interruption to redirect the conversation. ”I’m happy to see you as well.” She gestured to her left. “I’d like you to meet my friend Brant. Brant, this is my partner, Haakim.”
Haakim smiled kindly and nodded at Brant.
Amira motioned toward Artaire. “And this is—”
Haakim cut in. “Oh, there’s no need to introduce Artaire. We’ve already met.” He snubbed Artaire and turned back to Brant instead. “In the three years I’ve worked with Amira, I’ve heard much about you, Brant. I gathered that your time with Amira simply dwarfs mine.”
Brant perked up. “I suppose so. We’ve been best friends for nearly twenty years now,” he said with a wistful smile.
Artaire had no patience being ignored. “Enough!” he fumed. “Amira and I were in the middle of a conversation. You should leave, Haakim.” He puffed out his chest and stared at Haakim.
Haakim tilted his head. “You seem to be in the middle of a lot of things these days, Artaire.” He swept a hoof at Amira and Brant but kept his eyes locked on Artaire’s. “Like private tables and... questionable business deals.” His mouth fell open in mock surprise. “Oh! I think the Sheikh might be interested in that second one!”
Artaire stood and scowled down at Haakim for a moment, weighing his options. Finally, he turned to leave and muttered, “Damned filly-fooler.”
Amira stiffened. Her eyes darted between the two ponies across the table. Had they heard?
Haakim cocked an eyebrow. “What was that, Artaire? Do you have something more to say to us?” he said with feigned apathy. Amira had seen this side of Haakim before. He was far more agitated than he appeared.
Amira frantically shook her head. “Nevermind that, Haakim. It doesn’t matter,” she pleaded too late.
Artaire spun around. His lips were pulled into a sinister grin. “She really does have you two duped. I said, ‘Damned—’”
Before he could finish, Amira jumped up and yelled, “Stop it!” Or at least she tried to. Instead, everything she had been bottling up—her pent up frustration and fear of being found out—poured into her voice.
The resulting shockwave toppled noblepony and delegate alike and shattered glassware throughout the room. The ponies nearest the blast were knocked out cold and others were left dazed and confused. Amira had felt the power rushing out from her and more waiting within. She could feel it yearning to take form and to fulfill her intent, and it terrified her.
In the chaos that followed, Amira slipped from the banquet hall and fled through the dark streets of Neighjran. It was after midnight when she entered her apartment that overlooked the Wadi Alhazza valley. Emotionally and physically exhausted, she collapsed into sleep.
The mysterious explosion became the hottest topic of gossip among nobles. Rumor had it that overpressurized wine bottles were the cause, but somepony had figured out the truth. Two days later, three guards visited Amira’s apartment, dressed in golden scale mail with scimitars slung at their sides.
“Amira Nouri Rosana, multiple witnesses have accused you of the crime of witchcraft.” As he spoke, the other two guards moved to flank Amira and drew their swords with their teeth. “By the divine law of His Holiness the Sheikh, all witches are to be executed immediately.”
All three leapt at her with murderous intent, but her magic was faster. In her panic, a shockwave burst from her and slammed into the guards. Their light scale armor did little to protect them.
“Oh no, no, no. What do I do?” Amira stammered. Haakim would know what to do, but he’s too close to the Sheikh. She scrambled over the unconscious guards and gathered her travel gear. Wait… Who reported me? Was it Artaire? He was knocked senseless... She bolted out the door and ran to the only pony she could trust: Brant.
As he answered the door, Amira blurted, “I was accused of being a witch. They’re trying to execute me!”
Brant pulled her inside and closed the door. He understood Amira’s plight—through numerous decrees, the Sheikh seemed determined to keep Saddle Arabian magic limited to the old fairy tales. Even Brant’s trade in enchanted artifacts was under tight legal control and his most powerful merchandise was subject to confiscation by the Guard—the merchandise he let them find, that is.
They wasted no time. They fled the city that night and began the month-long journey to Equestria.
“Ascended searching in the ‘Free
They move above the moving trees
to sight upon the cave they seek
And here upon the forest floor
below, six ponies and a horse
Continue trotting as before.”
Amira came out of her memories to the sound of Pinkie Pie singing. This was her third song about journeying through the forest and it was the oddest one yet.
Then a shout came from above. Rainbow Dash dove through the canopy and landed next to the group in a puff of dirt and leaves. Breathlessly she blurted, “We finally found the cave. Fluttershy stayed above it so we can find it again. It’s south of here, not too far.” She looked down at her hooves and fidgeted. “Sorry it took so long. It turns out the cliff face is like totally hidden in shadows this time of day. We had to search the whole length of it.”
Rainbow Dash occasionally peeked above the trees to make sure they stayed on course but otherwise walked with the group. She slid up next to Amira and started up conversation, “You’ve got natural flyer’s eyes to spot that little cave, especially during a storm. I’m impressed!” She clapped Amira on the side. “When you get your magic carpet back, we’ll have to go flying together.”
Amira smiled, happy to be distracted from her negative thoughts. “I would like that. I have always loved the feeling of flying through the air but enchanted carpets aren’t very nimble. I am pretty jealous of your wings.”
“Ha! You and everypony else,” Rainbow joked as she unfurled her wings and gave them two solid flaps.
Pinkie Pie was finished with her latest song and chimed in, “Hey! I’m not jealous. Cake batter is hard enough to get out of my mane. Feathers would be even worse.” The pink pony bounded off ahead before they could respond to the odd remark.
The ground started to rise and a large rock wall loomed overhead. Soon a dark spot was visible at the top of the rocky slope. They stopped near the cave entrance and Fluttershy landed and rejoined the group.
Twilight addressed everypony, “Alright, girls. If this is anything like the last time we dealt with Diamond Dogs, the tunnels will be a total maze. Stick together no matter what so nopony gets lost.” She pointed a hoof toward Rarity. “Like last time, we’ll use Rarity’s gem-finding spell. It will lead us to their gem stash and therefore their base of operations too.” She gave Amira a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Diamond Dogs are more bark than bite. If we make a show of force they’ll probably beg to be allowed to return Brant and all your stuff.”
Rainbow Dash sniggered. “Or we could just let Rarity whine at them.”
“I’ll have you know that my technique was quite effective,” Rarity scoffed.
Each pony had a small lantern tied to her saddlebag and Twilight lit them. The group peered into the cave. The trapped floor was back in place as if it was a normal cavern.
Fluttershy spoke up for the first time in a while, “Wow, this trap floor is really well hidden. I bet even Mister Bear would be fooled by this. I’ll have to warn him and the other animals when we get—.” She cut herself off, as if surprised that she had dared to speak. “Never mind…” she whispered.
“It’s fine, Fluttershy. Thank you for looking out for the animals,” Twilight reassured her. “They’re part of this new Friendship Kingdom too after all.”
Twilight’s magic swept the room as she searched for a way to trigger the trapped floor. It revealed a section of wall that could be pushed inward. “Stand back everypony.” Twilight depressed the switch and the room rumbled. The floor dropped away and revealed the entrance to a large tunnel. When the floor had settled they stepped into the cave and descended into the unknown.