Twilight's eyes opened slowly. The gloomy forest had been replaced by bright woodland. She felt a warm woolen blanket on top of her body. Her throat was bone-dry and her stomach emptier than her heart. The air smelled of mushrooms.
"Good morning, stranger."
Twilight gasped and stood up. Her horn glowed as the blanket dropped onto the ground. She saw a small, robed creature standing next to a crackling campfire and two wooden cups. A ceramic pot lied on top of the burning logs, and the creature stirred its contents with a wooden spoon. His white beard almost reached his toes and a wooden staff leaned on his shoulder. His skin was like bark: Dry, wrinkly and brown.
Twilight raised an eyebrow and the glow of her horn dissipated. "What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast," he said, his voice high-pithced, elderly and raspy. "Delicious soup, with mushrooms and various root vegetables. An Equestrian such as yourself will surely enjoy it."
Twilight's eyes widened and she said "You know I am from Equestria?"
He nodded. "Of course."
"But how?"
"Oh, let's just say I've travelled far and wide," he said and covered the top of the pot with a lid. He turned to look at Twilight, his small eyes gleaming under his hood like bottomless lakes. "But Equestrians rarely do. Why are you trespassing in my domain?"
Twilight saw his stern eyes and looked down at her hooves. "Uh, sorry, I'm just... passing through."
He glared at her.
"I didn't even intend to come here!" Twilight explained. "I'll leave as soon as I can. I apologize!"
His serious expression melted away to reveal a warm smile beneath. "Haha, worry not, Equestrian! For I am a friendly and welcoming isäntä! Why else would've I covered a stranger with a blanket and prepared a hearty meal for her?"
Twilight blinked a few times. "Oh, I thought..."
He chuckled. "You're welcome, stranger. My name is Taapio."
"You have my gratitude," Twilight said and faintly smiled. "Pleasant to meet you. I am Twilight Sparkle. And may I ask, what's an 'isente'?"
He raised a shaggy eyebrow. "Do you not know the word?"
Twilight shook her head slightly. "No, it's not about that. I've cast a translation spell on myself. Why didn't it..."
Taapio shrugged. "The word must have no equivalent in your fair language, I assume. And I already wondered, since when have Equestrians spoken Cold-tongue? Heheheh. That's a very useful spell, I must say."
Twilight rubbed her chin. Her hunger for knowledge had been awakened. "I'm curious, what does the word mean?"
"Hmm..." he said and stroked his beard in thought. "I suppose it's a combination of the words 'master', 'host' and 'father'."
"So this entire forest... is your domain?" Twilight asked.
He nodded and spread his arms. "Yes! Every tree is my friend, every animal my pet. I watch over them and guard this forest."
"How did you know I was here? Did you just stumble upon my sleeping body?"
Taapio chuckled. "Oh, no, my little helpers told me of your sudden appearance," he said and a bird above chirped. "And even before that, I heard troubled whisper coming from the trees. They said 'you do not belong here', and I knew not what they meant by that. Not until I was told of you."
Twilight snorted. "Trees don't talk."
"Ahhh, so you come from a city? Or a village, perhaps? Have Equestrians learned to build houses since I was last there?"
Twilight frowned. "Erm... we've known how to build houses for many millenia."
"Oh, you have? Good! I should visit more often, but I am growing weary and old... no longer can I go on lengthy journeys to distant lands," he said and sighed.
"You're how old?" she asked in disbelief.
He chuckled. "I don't keep count. I am as old as this forest," he said and frowned. "Could you tell me... how do Equestrians build anything?"
"Well, earth ponies and pegasi can somewhat clumsily use their mouths like you use hands. Then there are unicorns, who use magic to levitate objects."
"And how numerous are the unicorns these days?"
"Eh, I guess they make up the third of the population."
Taapio nodded. "Ah, so you are telling me that most of your people are born without hands. And you-" he pointed at her horn "-are one of those who have them."
"...Yes?"
"Interesting. Nothing else," he said and looked at the pot. His eyes shone with excitement. "Ah, soup must be ready!" He grabbed the cups from the ground and opened the lid of the pot.
Twilight's mouth watered when the scent of the soup touched her nose. Her stomach growled.
He chuckled. "Sounds like you are hungry as well. Come closer, let us sit down on those rocks nearby. We have much to discuss."
They did so and soon Twilight eagerly poured soup into her mouth while Taapio slowly moved a spoonful near his lips and slurped it.
"Ahhh," Twilight sounded and wiped her mouth. "I cannot express my gratitude enough. Thank you, Taapio."
He swallowed some soup and smiled. "Like I said before, you are welcome. Guests must always be treated well."
"May I ask one thing?"
He nodded and put another spoonful into his mouth.
"Does this land have a name?"
"Why does a land need a name, I've always wondered..."
Twilight sighed. "I've heard that answer before."
"...for this land is called 'Pohjola'."
"Oh? Pohjola?" she asked and smiled widely. "The spell worked after all! This is just where I wanted to be!"
Taapio frowned but continued to eat the soup without saying anything.
"Have you, by any chance, heard of Kalmo?" Twilight asked in excitement.
Taapio coughed and almost choked on his soup. "Do not say that cursed name out loud!" he said with a scowl.
"Oh no, I'm really sorry!" she said. "I didn't expect you to react like that. So you have heard of it?"
"Yes," he muttered.
"Do you know where it resides?"
Taapio squinted. "As much as I hate answering a question with a question, I must ask: Why do you desire to know?"
"I wish to meet it."
He raised an eyebrow. "You came to this land to talk to the Lord of Death itself?"
She nodded slowly. "I read about it back in Equestria. I believe it is the only one that can help me."
"Do not trust the Despoiler," he said and shook his finger at her. "It is imprisoned deep beneath the ice of the southern wastelands for a very good reason."
"I know, but I have no other option, I'm afraid."
He sighed. "Very well. If you truly desire to meet it, go south, to the cold lands of bare hills and nightless days. Once there, find a witch named Louhe and ask her to take you to it. The journey is long, but a bird could fly there in a week or two."
"Only a week? Good, the spell wasn't a bad idea at all!"
He looked at her wings. "It would be unwise to fly, for you are a powerful being. I can feel it. I can feel the great powers within you... know that there are creatures out there that hunger that magic. Be very careful, if you indeed plan to fly south."
She nodded. "I will, and I do," she said and stood up. "Can I have that pot? I'll need it for boiling water and cooking."
He looked at it. "It's the only one I have... but you can have it."
"The only one? Okay, you can keep it then."
He chuckled. "No no, just take it. I offer it to you."
Twilight raised her hoof. "No thank you. You don't have any other pots, and I-"
He frowned. "Please, just take it."
"I can't!"
"Take it! I ask you!"
"No!"
He sighed. "Very well."
She smiled. "Good to see that we've reached an agreement. And, uhh... could you tell me one more thing?"
Taapio didn't nod for a while. "Perhaps. You have already asked troubling things."
"What peoples inhabit these lands, if any? And this isn't just for me, the tome about this region needs to be updated."
"Many peoples inhabit the land of Pohjola. But some are hidden from sight. Others are wandering nomads. And the rest are monsters. Be wary when you meet strangers, for they are unlikely to be as friendly as me. This land has a cold heart, and so do its people."
And so do I, Twilight thought.
"I guess that'll suffice," she said and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Taapio. Thank you for everything. I will be in debt."
"Will you leave now?"
Twilight spread her wings. "Yes. The sooner I meet it, the better."
"Hmm. My helpers will follow you, and tell me if you need assistance. But know that once you leave the woodlands, I can no longer help you."
She nodded. "I understand. Good bye, friend! You have done so much for me."
"Farewell, Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. May our paths cross again."
She smiled. Her body was rested and reinvigorated. She felt like she could fly faster than Rainbow...
Rainbow...
Rain...
Why?
She shook her head and beat her wings, taking off into the air. Taapio waved as she ascended above the trees.
"Farewell," he mumbled. "And good luck, for you will need it more than you know."