//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: Procrastination, Preparation & Promises // Story: To Earn Our Equality // by ScrambledCrackers //------------------------------// Four years after settling the valley… “Even after a year, I still can’t decide which one is stranger…” Quiet Grace looked up at Puddinghoof’s quiet comment from where she was going over some upcoming plans with the middle-aged lead mare, arching the brow over her single amber eye at the sudden mumbled comment. The mid-day sun shone pleasantly through the open window, providing light for the work they were engaged in within the central hall that was recently completed as a more permanent place to build up a government from. The pair were sifting through the weekly reports, assistants stopping in now and then with refreshments or requests. New buildings, progress and yields of the two mines they had now, the breakdown of skills in the new arrivals, and various other sundry details. They were barely starting their larger plan, yet it seemed like the list of things to keep track of grew faster than should be possible. Though her main focus was in the security of the valley and various aspects of developing an army from nothing, other healers having taken over her former position, the earthy brown mare still had to keep track of all levels of the valley’s budding vitality in order to see what resources were ready for her to utilize. She had to be well aware of which goods were abundant or lacking, and what to expect in the future, prioritizing those that they found falling behind. With their long term plans in place, they had to ensure they grew in a manner that would function both now, and in ten years or more, lest they find themselves trapped by poorly directed expansion. Gezi had proven surprisingly knowledgeable in how to plan out a city’s life and growth. For the moment though, he was off training some of his fighting students, which she would join for some group exercises later. Indulging in her curiosity for the mental break, Grace asked, “Decided what is stranger?” Lead Mare Puddinghoof looked up, “Oh, just remembering what Gezi said when he taught us how to create paper. Quality is better now than the first few batches, too. I still haven’t been able to settle for myself whether it is stranger for Gezi to know a non-magical method for creating paper when Sparkling Starlight didn’t know how, or that it was supposedly an idea given to his kind by a kirin of all things. If I hadn’t actually met one by chance when I was barely a mare, I’d think they were just as much a legend as Gezi’s kind is supposed to be. I can’t help but wonder at times if wherever he is from is as far away from us as whatever lands kirin are from, even if kirin do seem to be not quite as rare.” Grace nodded thoughtfully as she stood up to stretch after spending so much time in one position. “I suppose it is strange. I also sometimes wonder if he is from our world at all, though I doubt such a thing is possible. Then again, I suppose one could say the tales you have related of what dragons and kirin are like suggest they could be from elsewhere as well, considering they seem to have truly unique traits compared to all other known creatures you’ve learned about. Be it lands so far from us that their kinds are practically pure legend, or if they are possibly even from another world altogether. Perhaps it doesn’t really matter in the end.” “I think this is as good a point as any to stop and have a meal.” Puddinghoof moved away from the low table as well, shaking out her hindlegs to rid herself of the stiffness before turning a smirk on Grace, “So when will you stop dawdling and ask him?” Quiet Grace went still as she sighed and bowed her head, her silvery mane falling around her face in the process, taking on a look of frustration as she stared at the floorboards, “I… I don’t know what it is, but every time I try to say it, I grow worried about his reaction and lose my voice. Things are comfortable right now… And I am quite aware that everypony is more surprised that I haven’t asked him already.” Puddinghoof let out a soft chuckle, a dark pink hoof scratching lightly at her neck before she went further, “You’re already twenty-eight, Grace. Most mares your age have had a foal or two, and nearly all have gotten themselves in a herd by now. You have all but said it to him directly as it is, and lived together, by the gods, slept side by side in the same bed, for four years now. If Gezi were a pony, he’d probably have even asked you himself at this point. Besides…” When the pause went on longer than expected, Grace looked up at her lead mare and friend to see a warm smile, yet her eyes held a touch of concern. “He is hard to read with his unmoving ears and stoic nature. You know him better than any of us, yet even I can see he carries a need for something clearly permanent to hold onto after losing everything like he did. He is so similar to us that there are times I forget he is not an earth stallion. Really just makes me want to thump you a bit at times too, when all you have to do is just ask him to marry you. You’ll both be happier for it. You younger mares always get so caught up in your worries when you should be focused on living, not even realizing it’s almost always simpler than what you get yourself worked up to,” Puddinghoof said with the amusement of experience watching youthful hesitation. “At least tell me you’ve let him help with your spring cycles like a normal pair of friends would.” Seeing Grace wince and look back at the floor again, Puddinghoof let out an exasperated sigh, “I’ll take that as a no. A rather surprising no at that, I have to admit,” the older mare now shaking her head at Grace, a hoof reaching out to touch her shoulder in sympathy, “You’re incredible sometimes. You’re slowly proving yourself as a talented leader and capable strategist. You’ve consistently excelled in combat training, and usually win all your sparring matches if you’re not up against Gezi. You’re even helping me plan an entire city along the road to making a nation from nothing…” Puddinghoof looked over the younger mare, trying to find the right words to nudge her friend along and stop getting in her own way. It was an odd contrast at times, watching Quiet Grace struggle with such a simple step with their unique bipedal friend and advisor when she had been so absolutely fearless in so many other things. One of the common first stories newcomers to the valley heard now was about her facing a panicked, abused unicorn stallion on the verge of going out of control, and how she calmed him with just a touch. Yet simply trying to take a new step with her closest friend was what gave her pause. “And then we have your struggles with just talking to Gezi. The two of you are as close as anypony I’ve ever met, yet you freeze up just thinking about trying to make that transition beyond friends, that it will somehow mess things up between you…” Puddinghoof paused, her voice turning further exasperated, “You’re real lucky he’s strange and hard to approach, you know. If it wasn’t for the fact that most ponies think he’s already yours, or about to be, you’d probably have some real competition. He might be exceptionally quiet and so very different from us, but he’s done a lot to earn his place here. I’ve even heard some rumors now and then about how he might compare in bed. You keep putting this off, some other mare probably will try something eventually.” Grace grit her teeth and snorted, a forehoof thumping the floor as she lifted her head and turned her eye on Puddinghoof, her nervousness turning into annoyance as her previously splayed and somewhat tired ears perked forward, “I know. It doesn’t help that every spring cycle has been worse than the last since we found him, and I know why all too well.” Puddinghoof’s eyes held a knowing twinkle as she let out another chuckle, “First time I’ve heard you admitting to it out loud at all, filly. Now we just need to get you out of your own head enough to ask him.” Quiet Grace rolled her eye and trudged out of the planning room, “Stop acting like you’re my mother and let’s go eat already. We still have more to do before I have to attend the afternoon training.” *** Strolling along the road, Quiet Grace contemplated the way things were going as she headed out to the training field. Today, she was supposed to lead some spear drills. As she looked around at the various ponies that called the valley their home, she tried to remember each name, each face and what they were good at. There would come a point when there were just too many, but for now she relished being able to see each and every one of them for who they were. She had thought many times about the challenges she would have to face eventually, holding no illusions that there would come a day she sent ponies she knew into danger. That she would give an order knowing it meant not all of them would come back. That it was inevitable as a future general did not make it easier for her to accept. Every pony she saw had a life they wanted to keep living, and for some reason Grace couldn’t quite understand, they were looking at her to guide them. More than a few were already prepared to put their lives under her control. Gezi was the only one that truly understood because he had already lived it. He was also kind enough to listen whenever it was bothering her, rarely needing to say anything as she talked herself through it. Grace continued her pony watching, returning any attention she received with quiet but friendly greetings. A flutter of wings and squealing laughter nearby brought her gaze to a young, bright blue pegasus filly, her light green mane and tail whipping about as she was flying away from her adoptive mother, whom happened to be one of Grace’s guardsmares on a day off. The usually serious mare was laughing just as much as her filly as they played in a field not far away, one of the other mares of the herd she had joined relaxing in the sun nearby. The sight reminded her of what happened last year, when the pair had been escorted to her upon arrival to the valley. *** Quiet Grace eyed at the forest green mare that wore such a calm, yet defiant, expression. There was no question that the very idea of surrendering the pegasus foal hiding between her legs was not something that would be available for discussion, and should any attempt to take the filly, they would be met with a violent response. It only made Grace smirk as she nodded.“While I already decided the moment I saw you two, I still needed to see your response in the open, Leafy Loam. It’s pretty obvious you claim her as your daughter in every way. Consider yourselves welcome in our valley. She might be a pegasus, but I could never condone turning away a foal that has never done any harm. Can I ask how you found yourself raising her?” Leafy Loam snorted as she relaxed with a toss of her brown mane, giving a slow nod in return once she did. “I can understand that. Shouldn’t take needless chances with security, even if something looks unlikely. Not much to tell, really. I was out hunting a beast that had supposedly been spotted near my old village. Never found tracks and was turning back when something came crashing through the trees not too far from me. “Went to investigate and found some mangled pegasus mare in damaged armor on the ground. Lost a wing in the crash or whatever she had gotten into that made her crash. Knew she’d bleed out pretty quick. Had a newborn filly with her that couldn’t have been more than a week old under her foreleg. Looked like she’d taken the fall for the filly, but also thought the filly was hurt. Wasn’t crying, just breathing. “Mare spotted me and looked desperate. Even teared up as I got close enough to hear her. Said something about her rivals and that they’d kill her daughter. Begged me to give her foal a life. Never had trouble with a pegasus myself, so I said I’d keep her foal safe. “Ran off with the foal when she said rivals would find her soon. Hid in a hollow behind a bush and saw three other pegasi drop in. Finished off the crashed one. Said something about finding the foal, but leader of the three said the foal was good as dead on her own anyway. They flew off and left the body. “Took the foal home and healer got her healthy. Lead mare of my old village worried about pegasi or unicorns discovering the foal would bring problems, so I chose to wander. Hoped to find a new village, until I heard tell of your valley and traveled here, all others said we couldn’t stay. Mostly fear of unicorn trouble. Got more supplies and sent on our way. Now my little Leafy Breeze and I are here.” Loam concluded. Grace nodded, feeling thoughtful, “I see. Well, as you know, we have no known settlements anywhere near this valley. This is a valley of earth ponies, but as you can see with my friend and advisor beside me, others are not unwelcome. There is also a unicorn stallion living with the mare that looks after him out by our lake as well. It might take a little time for others to adjust, but it should be fine. We’ll see about helping you build yourself a roof tomorrow. You’ll be directed to where you two can sleep until then by one of my subordinates. Again, welcome to our valley.” She watched as Loam gave her a respectful nod before sweeping the yearling up and onto her back before trotting off with her guide without another word. *** Leafy Loam was now a capable guard, and had proven a quick study under Gezi’s tutelage. Though the mare was generally about as playful as a crabby manticore, she was entirely different around her daughter. It always made Grace smile whenever she saw the difference. Thinking about that difference in behavior brought her thoughts back around to her unique friend. Puddinghoof was right about Grace getting stuck in her own head around him. As she walked out into the open towards the training field and saw him observing his students, she felt her nerves prickle again. Once more she remembered different things he’d said about where he was from, and how his kind were the only thinking creatures he had ever known before her village found him half-dead in the snow. He still hadn’t shown any signs that she could see to tell her how he felt about things changing between them. Despite that, she knew she had to ask him eventually for her own sake at least. Just…not today. Quiet Grace let her mind clear in preparation for training as she drew close, Gezi met her gaze for a lingering moment, which always gave her a faint sense of peacefulness deep within. Instead of dwelling on it, she began going through some warm-up exercises. There was training she had to focus on. A short time later, Grace stood before a formation of nearly a hundred mares. Each of them currently holding a fully sharpened spear instead of wooden practice ones, the intention was to prepare them for the feel of their weapon and how it responded in true motion, standing ready to follow her lead through a form built around an earth pony’s movements. Gezi looked on, ever watchful for places to improve his students. Following her lead, they moved in unison with Quiet Grace. “Hah!” In one voice, they cried out with most every strike. The entire formation moved in lockstep together. Each step a mirror of those around them. Each mare now briefly part of a single entity. “Ho!” The combined sound of hooves thumping against the soil beneath them felt like it carried more strength. The faint whisper of sweeping spears slicing through the air was magnified by sheer numbers. A slight tremble went through the ground after each synchronized leap into the air. “Yah!” For Quiet Grace, it was such moments that truly made something inside her sing. That they could control their destiny; that they had the strength to face the future she knew would test them in ways they had barely begun to imagine. As they were preparing for a round of striking drills, Grace noticed strange looks starting to take over the faces of the mares before her. The wide eyes and shocked alarm stayed her question as she turned around to look at whatever lay behind her now drawing so much attention. A quick glance at Gezi as her gaze passed him showed that even he looked stunned. In moments upon turning around, she saw it. A green dragon in the distance, not all that far away. And it was flying straight towards them. Her mind began to race as she took stock of their situation. Nothing but wide open fields lay around them. No cover. No trees. Nothing to make a flier pause. They had a fair number of fighters, carrying actual spears, but it would do little good against a dragon. They were in an awful position. If it attacked, they could do little to challenge it. The tension was thick enough that Grace could have cut it with a dull blade as she watched the dragon approach, gripping her spear tight as Gezi stepped up beside her with a spear of his own at the ready. She took a small comfort from the touch of his hand on her neck and meeting his eyes for a moment before they watched the dragon draw near. They would stand together, no matter what happened. As the dragon angled it’s form back and began to slow down with great sweeps of large wings, at least one part of the tension shifted. The dragon was clearly going to land, rather than streak by above their heads. The large green form with light green spines touched down on all fours a short distance away. It’s body was greater in size than a large house, and as long as three or more. The dragon swept it’s gaze across the assembled mares as it flexed its wings before folding them, then focused on Grace and Gezi standing in front. It rumbled out some short growls, which were answered by a different set of growls in a different timbre, but before Grace could even begin to question what sounded like another voice, there was a flash of soft blue light and magic. Suddenly standing there before them was a kirin. Pale blue scales covered the sleek, powerfully built form of what Grace could only describe as a dragon-pony stallion, his scales gleaming in the sunlight. His blunt, bone white, strangely arched and forked horn curved gently upward as it stretched away from his forehead in a way similar to an antler and more than twice the length of a unicorn’s horn, his own height nearly enough to meet Gezi’s eyes on the same level. Glittering slitted golden eyes hinted towards a sharp mind as he focused on her. His long, tufted serpentine tail sinuously sweeping about as he stepped closer with a confident stride. He tossed back his ice blue mane and directing a gentle smile at Grace, a small beard the color of his mane lay beneath his chin. Somehow, he radiated both power and tranquility together. Stopping a respectful distance before herself and Gezi, he bowed his head before speaking in a voice that rumbled with both age and thunder in it’s depth, “Greetings, young ones. We mean you no harm. We are merely curious of your presence here in this valley, and of such a rare creature being present.” Grace struggled to come up with words to respond with, taken aback by the circumstances they were in. Her spear relaxed to rest against her shoulder, an ear twitching back caught the sounds of the rest of the mares starting to relax in kind, but before she could gather her wits again, the kirin stallion spoke again as he looked up at Gezi with a soft chuckle. “Now now, I am no such thing, young one,” said the kirin, leaving Grace rather confused as she glanced up and saw Gezi’s eyes wide with rare open surprise as the strange stallion continued. “If you did, I’d be quite displeased. Yes, I do. It’s much like sound for us. You can envision a wall around your thoughts or similar concept. Oh, I see you are well-trained. I am impressed.” All Grace could think in the moment was ‘What was THAT about?!’ The kirin winced as he turned to her. “Please calm yourself, young one. You shouting your thoughts does cause something of a headache. As I just told your friend, I hear unguarded thoughts. Picture a wall around your mind if you do not wish me to hear you. For we kirin, it is no different than sound to your ears and just as difficult to control, except we cannot do something like cover our ears in response to loud thoughts.” After opening and closing her mouth a couple times, unable to stop the storm of questions flying through her head, she started trying to imagine her mind secured within a closed room. Glancing between the kirin and Gezi a couple times, she found herself quite glad Gezi had drilled techniques for mental clarity into her so much in the past. Taking a slow breath, she forced calmness back in and made herself begin to relax so she could think clearly again, now that the initial shock had passed. The pale blue kirin caught her eye with a knowing smile. “I am guessing your strange friend has taught you, as I sense a less practiced but similar technique in you. To be quite honest, I am glad it is only a very short range ability. With so many more of you present just body lengths away, I imagine I would have quite a migraine by now otherwise.” Grace cleared her throat before speaking in a much calmer tone than she felt, “My… My apologies. I am the militia leader of our valley. My name is Quiet Grace. Might I ask why you have come to our valley?” “Ah, Earth pony greetings. It has been decades since I last shared one,” the kirin said in his rumbling deep voice, still smiling, “I am a teacher among my kindred. I cannot give my name so readily, same as my large green apprentice or any other of my kindred, but you may call me Blue Traveller. As I said, we were curious about your presence in this valley, and of your strange friend. What has brought you to settle here so far from other pony lands?” “That is a bit of a story, but in essence, we are seeking to grow ourselves strong enough to weather the often poor treatment of unicorns and pegasi,” then Grace frowned. “You are not about to tell me this valley belongs to the kirin or dragons, are you?” Blue Traveller chuckled warmly and shook his head, his smile wide enough to flash his dragon-like teeth, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Have no fear in that regard, young one. It is unclaimed territory by all accounts of which I am aware among all races. I am curious though…” He leaned closer and spoke more quietly, “Seen any white doves since meeting your strange friend?” Once again, Quiet Grace found herself feeling stunned as Blue Traveller straightened with a look that was far too smug. All she could do was gawk for a long moment, her breath faster. She had only spoken of the dove’s appearance to Gezi and Puddinghoof, leaving her struggling to know what to think about the kirin before her. Collecting herself again and focusing her mind, attempting to use what she already learned, she had to know. ‘I have only told my friend and my lead mare. How could you know?’ Looking straight into Grace’s eye, Blue Traveller gave her a quiet reply she wasn’t sure how to respond to. “I can see who they have touched, young one. A touch that is quite strong on the both of you, whatever their reasons. I wish you luck, but I have a feeling you won’t truly need it. Just remember though, there are no certainties, and they use many approaches. Do not forget your legends.” The green dragon suddenly snorted, rumbling a series of growls for a moment before Blue Traveller snapped his head around to glare at his apprentice with a snort of annoyance. “Whelp, what have I told you about that? You’re a male already past three, yet you persist in trying my patience. We speak in their tongues once we greet those of the younger races. I know perfectly well how long we have. Since you’re so eager, you get to be responsible for dealing with it now. I am getting too old to put up with you giving me sass.” Sitting back on his haunches and folding his massive forelegs across his chest, the green dragon turned his head to the side and adjusted his wings briefly with a sour look, his voice somehow even deeper than Blue Traveller’s as he mumbled, “Grah…understood, my teacher.” Quiet Grace blinked, looking up at the tall kirin and trying to grasp what she just heard as Blue Traveller turned back to her as she asked, “If he’s three… Blue Traveller, how old are you?” His mouth turned up into a sly smile. “A rather experienced forty-seven. Still surprises me sometimes when I think about how fast it seems to have gone by in hindsight, particularly these last thirty-one years. I am old enough at this point that I am on my last journey away from our lands at the edge of the world. I have earned my rest when we return, once my apprentice and I have finished our duties abroad. There have been enough adventures in my life. Oh, I suppose I should also point out we measure our age a bit differently, as I am not speaking in years, but centuries. Compared to you younger races, we live very long lives, but I am afraid I cannot tell you much more than that.” Grace looked at him strangely, struggling to grasp what it could be like to have seen that much time pass. Her own life seemed long enough as it was, yet he may well have seen the rise and fall of empires. Blue Traveller spoke up after a moment as he turned his eyes to Gezi, “I will try to see, but it is unlikely I could give you that answer.” Before Grace could ask, the kirin’s horn began to glow with an aura of soft blue light. After several seconds, a similar glow surrounded Gezi, and a few seconds more it stretched out from him to envelope Grace as she felt a strange sensation wash over her body. It was calming and strangely familiar in some odd way she couldn’t place before it faded. As his horn dimmed again, Blue Traveller sighed, “As I suspected, you will most likely never know in this lifetime. I am sorry I cannot give you a better answer, strange one. They have denied my sight, but I can at least say it could not be repeated and there is nothing I can do. All you can do is go forward as you have been.” For reasons she couldn’t put words to, Grace felt concerned as she looked up at Gezi’s face, seeing him meet her gaze with a distant sadness, his mouth a tight line, “Gezi…?” Gezi’s voice was soft, even softer than his usual calm tone so the mares not far away would not be able to hear, and as familiar with him as she was, she could hear the anguish hidden within. “I ask wise and honored kirin how I come to pony lands. If I have any way of seeing own kind again. Among own kind, kirin are gods. I already accept fate and path guiding earth ponies, but still felt need to ask with opportunity.” She reached out a hoof and touched him high on his leg, words failing her as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Gezi’s hand wrapped around her hoof, squeezing gently. She knew he would need her to share his burden later. He was far too good at hiding it from others. Then Blue Traveller sighed, drawing their eyes back to him as he looked off in the distance from where he and the green dragon had flown in. “It seems they started another race, or at least something of that nature again. I had hoped for more time.” He turned back to Grace. “I need to return to my duties. Do not fear what is coming. My apprentice and I will ensure they will bring no harm to your settlement here.” He then turned his head towards his apprentice and nodded. The green dragon rolled his eyes, drawing an annoyed snort from Blue Traveller, but nodded his head and raised himself a bit higher in a two-legged stance, wings spreading wide as he drew in a deep breath. Then his head went back, mouth opening wide as he let out an immense roar that seemed to shake the very air around them. Grace found herself wondering how many times one could feel startled or surprised in a single day as she stared at the dragon. She also wondered if it was just her eyes playing tricks on her or not, as the green dragon’s roar seemed to pass almost like a visible wave of forest green in a seeming wall passing across the valley in every direction. It happened so fast, she couldn’t really be certain. Turning his eyes back to her, Blue Traveller gave a respectful nod of his head to herself and Gezi. “I fear I must depart. It has been an honor to meet you both, and I wish you well as you proceed along the path of whatever you have been chosen for.” Grace and Gezi both gave him a bow in return. She found herself struggling to speak, managing only a simple, “Farewell, Blue Traveller.” As Blue Traveller turned to depart, he paused and glanced back at Gezi with an arched brow, an ear cocked towards him. “Yes?” The kirin’s eye then glanced to Grace before returning to Gezi as he gave an impish grin. “Unnecessary, but you have it. Ha! I will not! I won’t go spoiling such a journey of life for you,” Blue Traveller added before letting out an amused chuckle and walking towards his apprentice. Grace blinked at the odd comments, wondering what had happened. She assumed Gezi had asked Blue Traveller something through thought again, but had no idea what it could have been about. The green dragon lowered himself on all fours and Blue Traveller leapt onto his back in one motion, twisting midair and landing so smoothly that he did not need to adjust himself. As the green dragon stood, Grace saw Blue Traveller pause with a frown and look off towards their town before turning back to her, his voice holding something she couldn’t place as he called out, “And please tell Puddinghoof that I have not forgotten my promise. I simply lacked enough time to spare this day to tell her myself once I realized she was near.” With that, his horn glowed a soft blue and he faded from sight, followed by the green dragon leaping into the air with powerful beats of his large wings, gusts of wind swirling about as they rose into the sky. The pair flew off into the distance opposite of the direction by which they had arrived. All she could do was watch as the green dragon flew away. She would have to ask Puddinghoof what promise Blue Traveller had made later. Once she had a moment more to think, she turned to look up at Gezi. “I think it would be best if we end today’s training and get back to town. We will not be very focused after that, and we still do not know what Blue Traveller hinted was coming.” Gezi agreed and soon the pair were heading back into town with the rest of the mares that had been present. Many in the town had seen the dragon land in the field and there were many questions. For most of it, the other mares filtered out to wherever they wanted to go and started telling other ponies what they had just witnessed, satisfying the concerns of the valley’s residents. Many of them would likely be retelling it even to their grandfoals someday. Halfway through the settlement, still intending to speak with Puddinghoof, they paused as shouts and cries of alarm began to fill the air. Turning about, Grace saw every pony in view staring up into the sky. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what they were all looking at. Dragons. Many, many dragons. In pure disbelief, all Quiet Grace could do was step closer to Gezi and press herself against his leg, feeling his hand rest against her neck as they stared helplessly at the approaching swarm, knowing there would be no point in running for non-existent cover. Dragons could fly far faster than any pony could run. It took several painfully long seconds to remember Blue Traveller had said that he and his apprentice would ensure their settlement would not be harmed. While she had no reason to disbelieve the kirin’s words, she found herself holding her breath as the flock of titans began to pass over the valley and their burgeoning town. Hundreds upon hundreds of dragons went dancing about each other as they flew high through the air, their scales displaying endless varieties of color as wide ranging as the ponies upon the ground. Some dragons merely made their way almost lazily, with others moving about in patterns. Still others were far from passive in their flight, making swift maneuvers and dives. For some, it obvious they were openly battling with another for reasons Grace could only guess at. She watched as one pair became locked together in combat, roaring and blowing gouts of flame at each other as they tumbled. Grace noticed they were falling almost straight at the town as their massive forms thrashed. Just as her worries began to grow into very immediate fear, the tumbling pair appeared to go silent and scramble apart before starting to regain altitude in a hurry. They had not even neared the treetops by the time they were rising again. It was a very tense length of time as the dragons flew over their heads in the direction Blue Traveller and his apprentice had left. The same reaction continued to play out each time one or more of the passing dragons flew below some unknown point, be it in battles, aerial tricks, or even what seemed like curiosity. Not one dragon came very close to them. By the time half of the large flock had passed, the previous shouts and alarm had faded from the ponies of the town. Though they remained on edge, the fear had given way to a fair measure of awe at the passing dragons. A once in a lifetime event was taking place, and with as rare as dragons usually were, it was a stunning one. Eventually, the mass of flying dragons began to thin as the flock continued on it’s way beyond their valley, and Quiet Grace felt herself take a slow, trembling breath as the tension eased. She felt Gezi’s fingers press into the muscles of her neck in a familiar reassurance to both of them. The passing dragons had caused a great deal of anxiety, but thankfully little more than small bursts of wind were all they had received for it. With a look around to see the previous tension in the town slowly giving way to excited conversations, Grace and Gezi continued on their way towards Puddinghoof’s home. A short time later, they were sitting with Puddinghoof, one of her fellow wives busy working on some tea. “I assume you are going to tell me about the green dragon that was seen landing by your training field before that flock flew over our heads like giant migrating birds?” Puddinghoof asked. Quiet Grace saw something in the dark pink mare’s eyes, some curious mix of emotions that never settled long enough to figure out. For now, she chose to ignore it as she nodded. “He and his teacher were curious of our settlement in the valley. The dragon was apparently the apprentice of a pale blue kirin named--” “B-Blue Traveller?” Puddinghoof said as her eyes began to fill with desperate longing, her breathing starting to speed up. Grace gave a slow nod, curious. “Yes. Just before he left, he also mentioned you by name and said to let you know he lacked the time to see you himself, but that he has not forgotten his promise.” Puddinghoof shakily raised both forehooves to her mouth as her eyes squeezed shut, tears quickly beginning to fall as she let out a short sob. Her fellow wife, a burnt yellow mare with a graying teal mane named Honey Twirl, was already moving to her side at the mention of the dragon and kirin, slipping a foreleg over Puddinghoof’s shoulders and leaning against her in support. After several emotional moments of being on the verge of tears, Puddinghoof slowly calmed again, taking a couple calming breaths as she turned a shaky smile towards Grace, her eyes had grown intense with feeling, “I-I met him by chance thirty-one years ago now. The gods brought us together, whatever their reasons were. I’ve never been more thankful, despite us being forced apart by circumstance right now.” Puddinghoof sniffled and leaned against Honey Twirl, sharing a nuzzle in thanks before her fellow wife went back to the cooking fire to finish the tea. She gave a wistful sigh and smiled a little brighter as a dark pink hoof gestured to a small lump on her neck, mostly hidden by her graying soft magenta mane, “This right here is part of how I know he’ll be back for me. Under my skin is an ice sapphire he placed there. A special charm he made so he can always find me. He promised that so long as I tried to live a full life until he could return, he would take me with him when he finally returns to his homeland. He had to be gone for over fifty years while attending his duties, and could not keep me with him because of the dangers involved. He wanted me to live and thrive in case I pass away before he comes back, which should be another twenty years yet. “Since then, I’ve done as he asked as I’ve waited for him. My husband and one of my fellow wives were dear friends that welcomed my company as I bide my time. My daughter, Puddingtail, has grown up a strong young mare, and will succeed me as lead mare eventually. I have made sure to have a full life as he wanted, which he was pleased to see when I saw him last, fifteen years ago.” The middle-aged mare raised herself up a little, a calm confidence in her as she met Grace’s eye with a sly smile, “Even if I have to live to one hundred, I will be waiting for him when he returns, and I will give him whatever time I have left. I have no doubt that he will return, because in addition to the charm I carry, he gave me not only his given name, but his true name as well. Among dragons, such things are shared with a very select few. When he comes back for me, he will also tell you his short name, as per dragon custom with outsiders. That will be the day I can finally stop waiting on the love already there.” Grace knew what Puddinghoof was doing. She felt her face heat before she averted her gaze, only to find her eye went straight to Gezi before she focused on Puddinghoof again with a weak glare, knowing exactly what was being suggested right in front of her, in front of Gezi. Grace wasn’t sure if she was afraid Gezi would pick up on it, or if she hoped he did. She didn’t pause to try and read Gezi’s expression, either, irrationally worried he might be able to read her mind if he saw her face. She was at a loss as Puddinghoof continued on. “Hmmhmm, since you seem to lack words at the moment, I will tell you how it happened. While I must keep most of the story to myself, I like to tell my closest friends the story of how I gained the love of a kirin after big moments like today,” Puddinghoof began, her eyes turned slightly glazed behind a happy little smile, taking herself back to one of the happiest periods of her life, “I was out on the road in the wilds, and he had just saved my life from a chimera…” *** Staring into the waning fire, Quiet Grace was brooding over the things that happened during the course of the day. At the same time, she also couldn’t stop, despite how much she wanted to. Listening to Puddinghoof regaling herself and Gezi earlier with how she had met Blue Traveller, of the time she had spent with him and managed to find something with him usually only spoken of in stories and tales, it had left her feeling caught between happy and sad. So few had such good fortune as to find love, with marriage generally an arrangement between friends in order to have foals. A pooling of resources to share a future. While most treasured the mutual companionship, actual lovers were rare. Watching the shrinking tongues of yellow flames dance above the coals, their own constantly shifting glow shimmering in the heat, Grace felt a pinch in her heart again. Grace had known Gezi for years now. She had taught him their language and society, helped him make connections with other ponies, even helped him with his burden of making a life after everything he had ever known was taken away. In return, he had given her new healing methods, taught her how to fight, how to lead, and had helped her with her burdens of expectation to keep their valley safe and possibly lead an army someday. Most of all though, like Puddinghoof had with Blue Traveller, it was her conversations with Gezi that she enjoyed most. Early language struggles of necessity had long since turned to discussions of everything under the sun, ranging from military functions to philosophy, contrasts and similarities between their kinds, and a few times even straying close to her deepest thoughts as her friendship with him grew. Sometimes, she just wanted to scream in frustration, having no idea what Gezi thought of such matters when she could not recall him showing any signs of interest towards her. He carried himself with an endless humble respect, his face nearly always a perpetual neutral calm. At some points, only her time around him let her see his emotions at all. Of course, he had never showed any sign of interest toward any other mare, either, but she had an idea of why. If anything, Gezi had a subtle, barely noticeable tension when around most other ponies, and he only relaxed entirely around a select few she knew he had come to trust. Then again, she had to chide herself for being foolish about her own actions in turn, as she had grown so used to restraining herself around him that it had become normal between them. Grace couldn’t fault him for giving her no signs when she herself never gave any to him. Their comfortable routine had hardly changed, with the one notable shift coming when he confessed his loneliness to her. Ever since, her face gaining a distant smile as a heat grew in her cheeks that wasn’t from the fire, the two of them spent most nights curled up together, rather than merely laying beside each other. Several times, as she had lain beside him with his arms around her and him in her forelegs, she had come so close to speaking irrevocable words. Grace sighed as her smile faded, then slowly became a frustrated frown. What held her back was the sense she had gotten from Gezi at times that, as he had explained, he sometimes had moments where he needed to remind himself that ponies were like his own kind, not the mindless beasts of burden his own kind tended. Over time, she had tightened her hold on her emotions around him a little more, trying to help ease his adjustment. And she had grown afraid of changing such things after doing it for years. Just as she was beginning to cycle her thoughts back around in the familiar endless circle of uncertain possibilities, Gezi’s voice pulled her from her mind, his writing down his observations of the dragons today complete, “I am ready for sleep. Grace wish to stay awake longer?” Brushing a lock of her silvery mane away from her amber-colored eye as she turned, Quiet Grace knew she couldn’t stand it any longer the moment she met his eyes. “I will tend the fire and join you momentarily,” came her reply, willing her voice to be steady and limbs not to tremble. Every passing moment made her realization stronger, and she knew she couldn’t stop herself tonight. Soon, she was slipping into bed and pressing against his chest as his arms came around her back, his warmth a pleasant contrast to the unseasonably cool weather they had that night, with some expecting a storm overnight. Most of the time, Grace didn’t get quite so close outside of winter, but temperature was merely an excuse and her presence welcomed. For over a minute, Grace lay there, her nose tucked against his chest as they embraced each other. Once she had managed to gather herself, she moved her head back so she could see his face, somehow managing to keep from shaking in body or voice, “Gezi… I, I need to ask something of you. Please understand that no matter your answer, I promise I will never turn you away. You are my very dearest friend, and I simply cannot see life without you here with me. I…” Quiet Grace felt her words fail as she saw him staring back at her, a mixture of emotions playing across his face. Her breathing began to pick up as she struggled against her uncertainties, the line she was about to cross. She wasn’t sure how to say it as the need to get it out kept building up. Then it happened. Her eye squeezed shut as she thrust her head forward to let her lips meet his, feeling his body stiffen in response. Several increasingly agonizing seconds passed as a ball of ice grew in her barrel, getting ever larger as Gezi remained motionless and tense. Her teeth began to clench behind the kiss as she gradually began to draw away, each beat of her heart beginning to feel like a spike being driven through her as the ice crept across her body. The cold beginnings of resignation saying that at least she had an answer now. Gezi finally began to move just as her lips left his, a hand at the back of her head gently pulling her back in as his other arm held her tight in a clear sign of acceptance. And the ice within her suddenly melted as a new warmth took it’s place.