She dreamed again, this time of fire and storm. Any other details were lost in the confused haze of waking. I'm alive... the shadow spirit must not have gotten them, then! Tempest jumped up despite a lingering weariness in her bones. The sun had risen some time ago, they must have been sleeping for a while... Snowy was still sleeping, in fact.

Welcome back, commented the Benefactor's voice.

“I guess it's too much to ask that yesterday didn't happen?”

Yes. Wake your companion, you have ground to cover.

“I didn't know you were on a schedule.” remarked Tempest.

I don't like your odds in shadow spirit territory.

Shadow spirit territory? “Did you have a revelation while we slept or something? I thought this was just the Far North, land of mystery and isolation...”

From what little experience I have with them, spirits tend to carve out territories for themselves, and don't take kindly to trespassers of their order... The Benefactor's tone made it clear he didn't take kindly to spirits either. But it's late in the morning, Tempest Blackwind. We need to get south, with haste!

Tempest nodded, even though the Benefactor probably couldn't see that. “Alright, Snowy, time to get up.” she said, gently nudging the other pegasi's shoulder with a hoof. Snowy squinted up at her, before looking regretful.

“I hate mornings...”

“They're not so bad.” Tempest said. “Especially when there's no shadow spirit chasing you.” Snowy bolted upright, looking alarmed.

“I forgot about that.” she replied, ears falling. “I wanted to forget.”

“Yeah, but a certain helper of ours would prefer we didn't, and would prefer we escaped this place alive.” stated Tempest. Speaking of forgetting, she realized she had something she wanted to ask the Benefactor before she fell asleep... But what was it? I'll figure it out later, she told herself. They found water and some small fruits for food; it would have to be enough. Tempest thought it lucky they were up here in the summer, when such things were plentiful.

“My wings are really sore...” complained Snowy, stretching them and cringing.

“Can you still fly?” Tempest asked.

“I think so.” nodded Snowy, though wincing as she took to the air. “At least for a little while.”

“It'll have to do.” Concern started to lurk in the back of her mind.

I don't suppose you can go on ahead by yourself? Once I'm gone, the shadow spirit ought to leave her alone... suggested the Benefactor. Tempest shot a hateful glance at nothing.

I'm going to pretend I didn't hear you just ask me to abandon my best friend to the wilderness, she thought darkly.

My apologies, replied the Benefactor, had I known she was that important, I wouldn't have asked that. I appreciate your loyalty to those close to you. The two pegasi and disembodied voice in a crystal flew onwards, hopefully moving to the point where the Far North's southern border met the sea. Snowy managed to last a while longer than either of them had probably thought, finally making a landing with the sun low in the western sky.

“I'm sorry, Tempest, I can't go any further.” she said, out of breath and ears drooping. “I- I just wasn't made for this...”

“Hey, you made it far enough.” Tempest assured her. “From Vatherîon to Kakâdras, and from Kakâdras up north and then to wherever we are now. That's got to be a long way.” she said. Wherever they were now looked a lot like where they were yesterday, and the day before...

“But how can we find somewhere safe from the shadow spirit now?” questioned Snowy, looking worriedly around. It was trees all around, except this one clear meadow.

“Hmm...”

Leave me with your friend, you go find somewhere safe. said the Benefactor. I might just be a voice out here, but if something does happen, I can guide her. An image of a fallen Snowy with an innocent looking crystal sitting nearby came to mind. Why would I kill her? I am an agent of justice, and she's done no wrong to me.

“Alright, the Benefactor stays with you, Snowy. I'll find somewhere where the spirit can't get us.” Tempest bowed her head, and pushed the crystal on the necklace off. She offered it to Snowy, who put her head through the loop.

“Hello.” Snowy said, no doubt to the voice inside it.

“You be careful.” Tempest ordered. Snowy nodded, and then sat down, craning her head to look at the crystal. With that, Tempest flew off, scanning the horizons for anything that would suit her purposes. For a full half hour, she circled the region, looking for any rock outcrops... but all she saw were tree-covered hills. She eventually got the idea of checking out the hills themselves, searching for the signs of stone caps. The old priest Brenan had once told her that the hills on the coast of Athair were capped with dried lava, so they didn't erode as fast as the other land. Basalt, he called it. If she could find something like that, they would be set. Unfortunately, Tempest couldn't tell if there were rocks under the hills or if they were just giant piles of dirt. It took an hour for her to find a hill where there was an exposed bed of some kind of rock, it wasn't basalt though. And as fate would have it, it was not two miles from her original starting point... Of course, she sighed to herself, half-expecting that smooth voice to offer his own opinion on the matter inside her head.

She returned to the meadow, where Snowy had laid down in the shade of a fir. “Any luck?” she asked.

“Yeah, I found somewhere. It's not what I'd call secure, but it's better than sitting out in the open.” stated Tempest. “It's two miles south.”

“I was hoping for something a little closer...” commented Snowy, frowning. “Normally, I could fly two miles easily.”

“But...” Tempest looked at her wings pointedly.

“Yeah, exactly. I guess we'll have to walk there.” Snowy did even less walking than flying. Once again, Tempest was surprised she'd made it this far with so relatively little complaining. I mean, she hasn't exactly been stoic about this, but she's less vocal than I would be in her position. Maybe Snowy was made of sterner stuff than anyone thought... Relatively speaking, of course.

“If it's not one thing, it's the other.” said Tempest.

“Yeah.” sighed Snowy in agreement, as they set out for the hill on hoof. Tempest tried to enjoy the unspoiled wilderness of the land, but she kept on glancing around. This place was more sinister than she had thought, and now she couldn't take her mind off that. The sun was getting low in the sky before either of them said anything again.

“Have you been talking to our friend?” asked Tempest, breaking the eerie silence of the Far North.

“Mmh?” Snowy looked up. “Oh, yes, I have. He seems... honest.”

“Honest? About his intentions, or..?” prompted Tempest.

“About everything, really. He says he just wants to right some very grave wrongs and help people.” said Snowy. “Something about being a savior.”

“He said the same to me.” Maybe that was the question she had forgotten; what exactly did the Benefactor mean by savior? She'd have to find out later...

“Our Benefactor seems like a decent person, really.” Snowy stated, with a tired smile. “We agree on a lot of things.”

“Really?” That was surprising... But Snowy said nothing more, no doubt resuming whatever silent conversation she was having with their tag-along voice.

It was nearly night when they arrived at the top of the hill, a patch of rock mostly covered by trees. The protection it offered seemed meager, even illusory, but Tempest could only hope for the best. Most of the time, she'd expect the worse, but if she waited for the shadow spirit to vomit out of the ground like some foul, slick, putrid oil upon the Earth... well, she might not even fall asleep. Snowy gave back the crystal to her and quickly fell asleep, too tired to be afraid.

Tempest just looked at the black crystal, and set it on the ground near where she had laid down. The unnatural quiet of the Far North set in, and as the last light of the sun faded over the western horizon, fear came upon her. Why now? she asked herself. Logically, it was because she spent all the night after last on the move, and the last day on the move as well; and was too exhausted to even think the previous night. But today had been comparatively easy thanks to Snowy, and now she could think. And once more, thinking was the bane of Tempest's life.

How did I get here? Tempest wondered, looking at the night sky. For nearly eleven years she had asked that question, in one way or another. She'd never really been able to answer it. The more time passed, the more the question confused her. Months ago, after Seshilîon, she had told Snowy in no uncertain terms that their predicament was a fucking mess. She stood by that opinion now, more than ever. The next day she had told Snowy that they were better off staying south with Prince- no, King Aharôs. Tempest missed him. She wished she could be more like Aharôs; certain, confident, courageous... but it was not so. That's not who Tempest Blackwind was.

Do not be so hard on yourself.

The sudden presence of the Benefactor shocked her. You can hear my thoughts when I'm not wearing the crystal?

Yes. It is proximity that counts, not physically wearing the crystal, and I am right next to you...

Tempest sighed. He had heard all of that, then.

So I did. You are worried about showing your weaknesses in front of others. You've been hiding who you really are for some time, I gather... deduced the Benefactor.

I'm the Queen of Highcrest. I'm supposed to be a strong, wise, brave mare... But I'm not! I'm a fifteen year-old girl who has no idea what she's doing. Tempest fumed internally. If the Benefactor knew how in over her head she was, then there was no point in hiding anything from him.

They expect a lot from you.

Yeah, but none of them ever asked me what I thought about it! I didn't want to be a warrior, I didn't want to kill anyone, I didn't want to be destined to fight an alicorn princess! She laid her head on her hooves, staring discontentedly at the east.

No one ever asks us what we want in life. All we can do is work with what we've been given... stated the Benefactor. And what we're willing to take. Maelstrom understood this. She was willing to take much and more.

Look where that got her. I don't want to take anything from anyone, Benefactor! she declared, remembered the first time she had taken a life, and how sick she had felt.

Neither did I, once... But if you refuse to take, then you must give.

And I would give up everything I have, throne, crown, sword, all of it, if it meant my mother would still be alive and none of this had ever happened; instead of abandoning me to this madness! she paused, surprised by the resentment she felt. It wasn’t hate, she’d never hate Maelstrom; but she’d never quite realized how strongly upset she was over being placed in this situation. It made sense, though.

Everything, Tempest? Even your friend there? She looked at Snowy, who was fast asleep.

No. Tempest sighed. Not Snowy. I'd have to be even stupider than I am to give up my only friend. She's been more loyal to me than I probably deserve.

So such things go, in my experience. You and I are very much alike, Tempest. When you reach out to those with nothing, when you care for the unwanted, your only reward is loyalty. But who could want anything more? asked the Benefactor. Your friend, Snowy, would stand with you to the end of days. I, too, have a friend out there who would follow me into the gates of Hell if I but asked him. All the times I thought of giving up, I remembered those who had sacrificed for me. You are not there yet, but that day will come. And when it does, you will be glad she is there. Never give up your friends, not for anything.

I... I won't. Tempest assured the Benefactor. She didn't expect the disembodied voice to have such strong opinions on these matters.

And you are not alone as you think you are... the Benefactor continued. There is Aharôs. That was true, to say the least.

I wish I could talk to him. I don't even know where he is, or how he is! said Tempest.

I am sure he is alive and well. He's done a lot for you, has he not?

Yeah... Tempest agreed. He has his frustrating moments, but he's practically... my father, really. I guess I've had time to appreciate him in the last few weeks, now that we're apart for the first time... ever. For over ten years, she had lived in Athair, and the former Prince had never been very far away.

It is not until you leave home that you really begin to appreciate it, is it not? Tempest nodded silently. I spent a long time in distant lands as a soldier, and then a wanderer of places far and alone. I was a shadow on the stars. Not but a passing flicker in the world, never leaving anything behind, always moving on... Returning home was one of the happiest moments in my life.

I wish I still had a home. said Tempest, with a bit of envy towards the Benefactor.

I do too... He made no attempt to hide the pain in those three words. But it was gone as quickly as it had come. But you have Aharôs Loiar, and you have Snowy Farpeak. They care about you, and you will always have a place to belong with them. There are many in this world who do not even have that. Cherish that what you have, Tempest, and hold onto it forever, even if it becomes but a memory.

There was silence for some time, as Tempest let the Benefactor's words sink in. A memory did surface, though. It was a few weeks after her unfortunate arrival at Nikadîon. She had been frightened and lonely, not entirely understanding why she was in this dark, gloomy place full of these strange humans. Prince Aharôs had come to see her, stating he was her guardian now. The technicalities had been beyond a five year-old's understanding, but she had understood the message. Her mother was gone, this new creature she had only heard the name of was going to raise her instead. The first thing she had done was ask him to read to her; from Friends of Mankind, her illustrated compendium of all the animals the humans had domesticated. So Aharôs had read it, with her curled up on his lap. Despite her circumstances then and now, it brought Tempest a warm feeling, and she smiled. For all his flaws and mistakes, Aharôs was still human, and he had done good by her as best he could.

I just wish I could live up to what he wants me to be. What they all want me to be. But I can't. confessed Tempest.

I do not think you wish that, the Benefactor disagreed. I think you want to be who you really are.

And who am I, then? she asked.

Not who they think you are. That is why I say not to be so hard on yourself. You were not made for the life they seek to give you anymore than Snowy was. Your path is elsewhere.

I guess... I guess maybe it does. Tempest acknowledged. I just don't want to let Aharôs down. He said I'd make him proud one day, but what if I don't? What if I'm just another failure and disappointment to him?

Tempest, you are fifteen. You are uncertain and scared now, but you have your whole life ahead of you. You will find a way.

Right... Sometimes even she didn't remember how old she was. It's not like her life was halfway over, or nearly at its end like it had been for her uncle. She had time to get things right. I'm sorry about all this, Benefactor.

What for?

I've got ten years of issues I'm unloading on you. It's not even your problem, I don't know why you're putting up with this. Tempest looked at her hooves, and pointedly not at the crystal next to them. I never considered talking to Aharôs because, well, I just told you. I don’t want to be a disappointment. And it's hard to talk to Snowy because she's had her own things to deal with. So you're really the only one I've been able to tell; a disembodied voice in a crystal that threatened to kill me a few days ago.

I am a listener, Tempest. You are not the first to come to me in a dark hour, and you will not be the last. It is what I do.

Well, thanks. It's... It's nice to get this out in the open. Even if nothing comes of it. A few minutes more of silence passed between them. It really was as if some load had been taken off her shoulders. Not all of it; far from all of it, actually, but... It would do. She was glad this mysterious agent had been so patient with her trivial frettings of youth. Something tugged at her memory, then, perhaps the question she had forgotten about in the morning. Benefactor, you told me the other day that you were a savior. But who do you save? asked Tempest.

I am a savior of the abandoned, the alone, the outcast, the wronged, and the betrayed. the Benefactor stated. For I was once all of those myself. I help they who have nothing; and I punish they who took everything. To Tempest's ire, he offered no other words on the matter. But it did make her feel more confident about all this. Whoever, or whatever he really was, this Benefactor seemed to be on her side. She'd take his words tonight to heart. The fear and anger of earlier had subsided into a quiet thankfulness, and sleep came. As happened every night now, the dreams came. This time it wasn't bridges or a forest or even fire, but instead something warm and peaceful for once.

Snowy and Tempest continued their journey southeast by hoof alone the next few days, making far less progress than Tempest hoped to. She feared that Snowy had hurt her wings in some way, but with luck, it would only turn out to be a case of overusing unworked muscles. It was not an unknown phenomenon, after all. The Benefactor was keeping quiet after their discussion that one night, he often had little to say but advice on where to stop for sleep. Sometimes Tempest passed his crystal off to Snowy, they seemed to get along well just fine; and Snowy could use some extra friendly motivation to keep moving on. The travelling of the past few weeks was starting to take a visible toll on her.

On the morning of the fourth day, Tempest flew up to see what was around; and spotted a chain of peaks looming in the south. The Ôsavon... We must be getting close. They had sneaked up on her; Tempest remembered spotting the distant mountains from as far as a hundred miles away when they were still in Athair. If we're this close to the mountains, then maybe we're close to the ocean.

It was tempting to fly ahead of Snowy and get a look, but both agreed the risk of being separated was far too high. Tempest was the only one with a weapon, for what little good it would do against things like the shadow spirit, and Tempest was the only one who had any idea of which plants were good to eat and which ones were not. Snowy wasn't much of a nature-oriented pony; she preferred history, arithmetic, politics, and other such high-minded studies. Why isn't she the Queen of Highcrest? Tempest often wondered.

It is a good question. The Benefactor broke hours of silence. But I fear she would not make a good Queen either; your friend does not react well to significant amounts of attention. Snowy told me she prefers to stay behind the curtain, so to speak.

Really? Tempest asked. She's never mentioned that before... Though it makes sense.

You two should talk about the road ahead more often. Just because you do not wish to tread it, does not mean you will not have to. Wise words from their mysterious companion.

As chance would have it, it was another day before Tempest spotted the sea, a glimmering sliver of blue far to the west of their position on a high hill amongst other hills. “Haha!” exclaimed Tempest, rushing back to the ground to tell Snowy what the trees were hiding. “We're almost back to civilization! Just a few more days and we should be safe!”

“Thank God.” sighed Snowy earnestly. “This has been quite an... experience.”

“At least we'll have one great story-”

I wouldn't tell them about this, if I were you. spoke the Benefactor suddenly.

“Or maybe not, says the Benefactor.” grumbled Tempest. “We'll just tell them we got delayed at Kakâdras, fought a wraith, and... got delayed some more...”

“I don't think they'll buy it.” Snowy said, raising an eyebrow.

“We'll work on it as we go.” They continued on, spending six more days traversing the increasingly chaotic terrain. The Ôsavon crashed into the sea here, in a jumble of cliffs, islands, canyons, inlets, sounds, and more. It was as if some great hammer had smashed this place apart in distant days past; the sea's unending assault only helped. But, it was certainly beautiful. There was still snow upon the high peaks above them, the conifer forests covering these islands and slopes were vibrantly green. It was much wetter in this place, probably because fog and clouds were pushed up against the mountains by the wind, and had no choice but to rain in order to continue their journey up. Tempest and Snowy certainly appreciated what sights they could see as they walked along the rocky shores strewn with driftwood and seastacks.

And so, after nearly two week's journey south from the shadow spirit's attack, they came upon the first outpost of civilization. The two had climbed a hill for the first half of the day, and then beheld a small walled port with a castle nestled at the back of a bay, where a river met the sea. Bôsamîon; the easternmost guard against the Far North. From their vantage point above, they could see a very distant lone peak; a volcano of the Dashavon, no doubt; somewhere in Jutan or Athair.

“We did it.” said Tempest, feeling exhilarated despite the long climb up. “We survived the Far North!” They'd arrived precisely where Îrilôs had told them to go, what seemed like a month ago. It probably was a month ago by now. All that remained was to get to Ar-Athazîon.

Author's Notes:

In which Tempest is a completely normal teenager and doesn't really realize it. To celebrate the arrival of season 4 tomorrow, I ram minor character development down your throat; and then kick plot acceleration into overdrive by condensing three chapters of nothing happening into one chapter of a little bit happening so we can get to the coming action AHAHAHAHAHAH YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVED THAT?