“I don’t think I’ll miss that town,” Shining said, gazing back down the twisting mountain pass they had come from. They were hidden from the mid morning sun by the shadow of the mountain peak.

“Well you shouldn’t think like that.” Turning as well, Cadence looked back down the path, a sad smile on her lips. “They weren’t bad dragons, they simply had horrible things happen to them.”

“Mmm,” Shining nodded. “Things I’d rather forget. Anyway, we need to get moving, we should be able to climb this mountain and finally see the griffon lands by tonight.” Turning back to the track before him, Shining moved forward, Cadence at his side.

The day passed slowly for Shining, his thoughts consumed by the events of the previous day. I did nothing the whole time, we were close to dying but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t even finish the job myself.

Images of Cadence’s face lined with pain flashed through his mind, each one feeding the sick feeling in his stomach. Why do I have to be so useless? I did nothing but watch back in Rockholm, and the same happened yesterday.

Heavy thoughts weighed down on his limbs, slowing his pace up the mountain. What good am I to her if I can’t even protect her? I’m just a burden.

Noticing that Shining was lagging behind, Cadence turned to him with worry in her eyes and voice. “Is something wrong Shining? Do you need to stop for a rest?”

The voice pulled Shining from his thoughts, lifting his eyes towards the one he loved so dearly. “Oh, I’m fine, just thinking about something.” Increasing his speed, he soon caught back up with Cadence.

Leaning closer to Shining as they continued, Cadence pressed her lips against his cheek. “Well what is it? You seem worried about something.”

“Oh, no.” Shining forced a smile to his lips. I’m enough of a trouble to her already, I don’t want her to worry about this as well. “It’s nothing, I was just thinking about what the griffons will be like.” The lie left a bitter taste in his mouth and churned the already swirling sickness in his stomach.

Her foreleg hanging over Shining’s withers, Cadence stilled her movement, pulling him to a stop as well. “Are you sure everything’s fine? I’ve never seen you this troubled before.” She tried to meet his eyes, but found it impossible.

Staring down at the dirt, Shining opened his lips, almost about to spill his insecurities forth, but something caused him to stop. “Can you feel that?” He was thankful for the excuse, so much so that the false smile on his lips remained.

“No, what is it?” Turning to face up the mountain, Cadence felt the slightest hint of a breeze against her cheeks.

“The wind, can’t you feel it?” Part of Shining was genuinely glad, the hot sun above had drawn sweat from his body all day, something even a whisper of wind could ease. The other half of him was glad for an excuse, any reason not to discuss the sensation of worthlessness that had grown inside him.

“Well yes, but,” Looking back to Shining, Cadence found she could see his eyes now. Hidden behind the veil of joy in his blue pupils, she saw doubt and worry. What was he really thinking about? Choosing to respect his wishes, she pushed the concern from her own features with a smile. “But it will get even better as we keep moving.”

For a time the wind was a cool relief, its whispers keeping their bodies cool. These whispers soon grew into a breeze however, and the breeze into a roar by the time they stood atop the mountain, the land ahead spread out before them.

Shining was forced to squint as he peered out over the hills of sand. “Did Celestia say anything about this wind?” He asked, shifting so his shoulder took the brunt of the wind instead of his snout.

“Well, I can’t remember her writing anything about it.” Lighting her horn, Cadence reached back with blue to lift the flap on one of her saddlebags. Spying the chance, the greedy claws of the wind dug inside, lifting the topmost pastry from the open bag and sending it hurtling down the mountain path.

Seeing the pie splatter in a burst of deep red, Shining couldn’t help but feel a hint of loss deep in his stomach, but he quickly shook it away. “This isn’t the best time to be looking at writing, maybe it’s calmer down at the bottom?”

Nodding, Cadence fought against the wind’s strong tugging to close and fasten her bag, sighing with relief once it was shut once more. “I hope you’re right.”

The wind’s strength did lessen as they took an exposed path down the mountainside, but not enough for them to open their eyes completely.

As they continued down the mountain, Shining found he had finished a full gourd of water due to the wind’s dry kiss on his open mouth. Clenching his jaw tight, he turned away from the wind. I don’t want to waste all the water. It did not stop it from tearing at his mane however, filling his face with gusts of hair every now and then.

By the time they were halfway down the mountain the sun was kissing the horizon. Yet the wind did not cease even as the searing ball of fire fell into sleep, the golden hint of its glow barely visible above the distant dunes.

“We should set up camp soon,” Shining decided once the light of the sun had faded altogether. “I don’t know how much more of this wind I can take.”

Cadence nodded wordlessly before lighting her horn and conjuring a magical shelter around them. The constant roaring of the wind was kept out by its ethereal walls, something she was thankful for. “I hope the wind stops by tomorrow, I can’t take any more of this either.”

“Mmm.” Without even removing his saddlebags or forming a magical mattress underneath, Shining sunk to the ground, glad to finally have his legs at rest. “It’s like we’re trying to push through a wall of water, all day.”

The weight of his body was nothing compared to that of his thoughts. Even now, I’m so tired I can barely set up camp. Why should I be tired? I wasn’t the one who saved a village yesterday. Every part of him wanted to fall asleep, allow the dreaming darkness to swallow up his worries.

He heard the ring of her horn fill the air, followed by the sensation of his saddlebags being lifted from his back. And again, He thought. She’s doing all the work for me. I’ve got to help in some way. Fighting against the want to sleep, he lit his horn.

While Cadence took her own pair of bags off, Shining formed the ethereal mattress, rubbing his cheek against the soft surface once it had taken shape. There, at least I helped a little. The thought brought a slight smile to his lips. Now I just need to sleep.

Rolling onto his stomach, he felt it growl, reminding him of when he had last eaten. “Do you want something to eat?” Shining asked pulling a pastry from his saddlebags.

“I’ll share yours.” Shifting across the mattress, Cadence soon found herself leaning against Shining’s side. She broke off a small piece of the cinnamon and apple treat for herself, nibbling sleepily while Shining crunched through his.

Shining felt the heavy thoughts invading his mind as he ate. Wanting to rid his mind of them, he forced the first sentence that came to his lips. “When do you think we’ll see the griffon towns?”

“Well, I don’t know.” Glancing over Shining’s shoulder, Cadence looked out to the featureless stretch of sand beyond. “But hopefully soon, I don’t want to travel through this wind much longer.”

“Shining, wake up, you need to see this.”

A groan left Shining’s lips as hooves shook his shoulder, the sun’s rays creeping under his eyelids to coax him awake. The ring of magic filled the air and he felt his body tipping sideways.

“You really need to see this Shining, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”

More awake than he had been moments ago, Shining now heard the excitement in Cadence’s voice. I shouldn’t keep her waiting, I don’t want to be more of a burden than I already am. He grimaced at the thought, reminding him of the sickly guilt he still carried in his stomach.

“What is it?” Lifting a hoof to shield his eyes from the sun, Shining peered out over the hills of sand before him. “What is that?” Worries forgotten for the moment, Shining brought a hoof to his eyes and rubbed the bleariness away.

Far away, across the unending sands, he spied a great blob of white and brown, the haziness of sleep in his vision still hiding the finer details.

“I don’t know,” Cadence responded in a whisper, as if whatever they were looking at could hear her. “It looks like a big building with wings, and it’s flying.”

Flying? Shining’s brow creased with confusion at the word, but another rub at his eyes proved what she said to be true. “How can something so large fly? It barely has any wings.” His eyes now completely clear, he could make out tiny dots, like flies circling a mule, soaring around the great beast.

Cadence had seen them too. “There’s something flying around it as well, could those be griffons?”

His mind still foggy with sleep, Shining rubbed at his forehead, hoping to clear the clouds. “Maybe, but why are they all riding that massive brown thing?”

“Well, it could be where they live?” As she spoke, Cadence grew more and more certain of her words. “Maybe they live in great flying cities, like that.”

A loud gulp came from Shining, causing Cadence to chuckle. He had managed to accustom himself to riding a pegasus. But being up in the air all the time? “I hope not all of their cities are flying, I don’t think I could live like that.”

“Well, if there is a city on the ground, it'll take far longer to get there if we walk.” Her horn ringing, Cadence lifted the pair of yellow saddlebags onto her back, doing the same for Shining. “Come on, we should try to get up there.”

Before Shining could blink, the ethereal mattress that had been cradling him vanished, the shelter around fading to nothing. “Hey, I was still trying to sleep.” The moment the walls dropped, his words were torn away, the desert wind back in full force.

Looking to Shining, Cadence found annoyance there, and couldn’t help but smile. She stepped towards him, placing her lips in his ear. “Come on, we should get moving before it’s too late.”

Fighting against the tired aches that filled each of his limbs, Shining rose. “We’re never going to cover all that desert in time.” As the words left his lips, he felt the sickly guilt in his stomach once more. I’m always saying the worst, always slowing us down.

“Mmm, you’re right.” A smile came to Cadence’s lips as she spoke. “But all we need to do it catch their attention, I’m sure they’ll carry you the rest of the way.” Her wings spread from her sides, and lifted her half off the ground as the wind caught them.

Once she had recovered, Cadence crouched down beside Shining. “Get on, I’ll be able to fly down.”

“Are you sure? You passed out from using too much magic only two days ago.” Shining couldn’t help the worry that creased his brow. Again we have to rely on her strength to get us through another problem. Why isn’t there a way I can help?

Cadence shook her head, still smiling. “Trust me, with this wind I’ll barely have to fly at all.”

“But...” Seeing the excitement in Cadence’s features, Shining knew he couldn’t deny her. “Alright, but if you feel weak at all, go right back down.” Watching her nod, he eased himself on top of her, trying to find a comfortable position on the smaller body.

“Ready?” Cadence called back, her words barely loud enough to break the wind.

Shining pressed his lips into her ears. “Yes, please be car-” Before he could finish he felt the body underneath him release a burst of power, the wind rushing past even faster as they dove head first into it.

Like a leaf that hitting the surface of a roaring river, Cadence’s wings were caught in the current and pulled backward, but a few flaps soon righted her path. Soaring up the mountainside, Cadence reached the peak of the wind’s lift before turning in the air and heading back over the desert.

Clenching his jaw tight, Shining tried to ignore the sickness that Cadence’s hard turn brought to his stomach. We just have to make it to that flying city, then no more flying. Even as he told himself this, he realized how wrong he was. I’m going to be flying all day and night.

“Sh-..-ey-....-us-...-the-..-oon.” Only scraps of Cadence’s words made it through the roar of the wind, Shining pressing his lips to her ear in response.

“I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

Knowing anything she said would only be torn up again, Cadence lifted her hoof, directing Shining’s eyes to what lay ahead.

He lifting his eyes into the sharp claws of the wind, squinting tight so he could bare the pain. Muzzle still pressed into her ear, he continued speaking. “Are those griffons coming out to meet us?” He felt a nod against his cheek in response, Cadence’s wings beating to speed up their progress.

As they grew closer, Shining noticed the three griffons lacked welcoming smiles, but were instead wary. “Cadence, are you sure they’re friendly?" He felt his stomach jolt as the beating of Cadence’s wings stilled.

Yet any second thoughts the pair were having over their flight no longer mattered once the griffons had surrounded them. One of light brown and white feathers came close, gliding beside Cadence as they moved towards the great flying city.

Unable to beat her wings for fear of hitting the griffon, Cadence kept them straight out at her sides, trusting in the strength of the wind to carry her. She could sense the presence of the griffon above her, but no matter what way she turned her head, she couldn’t see it. They must be talking with Shining.

After a few moments, she felt the shadow over her leave, and Shining’s lips press into her ear once more. “She said you should head for the top of the city.” Cadence saw his hoof reach out, directing her eyes to the massive flat platform atop the city.

Much closer now, she could make out an open dome atop it, made from what appeared to be feathers. That must be how they keep out the wind. Tilting her wings, Cadence allowed the wind to lift her higher, the griffons beside her following.

She climbed the sky until they were high above the flying city. Below Cadence could see the circle of griffons inside the dome, waiting for her to land. The picture brought back faint memories of her welcoming to Rockholm. But it’s not the same, everyone was cheering back then.

Instead of cheers, Cadence found hard eyes as she descended towards the circle. Yet even amongst the hostility, she picked out a few who appeared excited to see her.

One was a griffon of silver and white, its whole body shaking, making it difficult for Cadence to focus on its warm, welcoming gaze. As she grew closer a smile crept into the griffon’s beak, only for a claw to lift and cover it.

I should probably slow down, Cadence realised once she was only a few moments from landing. With a beat of her wings, she eased her descent, allowing the flex of her legs to take the rest of the fall.

Yet she had forgotten to take into account the weight of Shining clinging to her back and the lack of uplifting wind cut off by the dome. The extra force caused her legs to bend painfully far down and sent her body toppling sideways.

Crack! The ear piercing sound rang through the air, causing the eyes of everyone but Cadence to widen. Hers clenched tight in pain, a cry leaving her lips and filling the air, overtop of dozens of gasps.

Caught in Cadence’s fall as well, Shining found himself on his side, unable to see what was causing the pain of his princess. In the back of his mind he had a sickening thought however. It was me.

Choosing not to dwell on the fear, he gently eased himself out of the tangle before moving so he could see her face. Crouched beside Cadence, Shining saw pain twisting her features, her lower lips bit between her teeth to keep the cries of pain inside.

“What’s wrong Cadence?” He lowered his lips to her cheek, laying a soft kiss there before retreating, waiting for an answer. Yet all he got in response was a hiss of pain.

A throat clearing cough came from behind Shining, drawing his eyes to the unamused griffon standing there, dozens of other behind him. “Your fat body crushed her when she landed, that’s what happened.”

Hearing what he had feared aloud, Shining felt a shiver run through his whole body, the want to shed tears choking his throat. Not being able to help her when she needs me is bad enough, but hurting her like this.

“No, it wasn’t his fault.” Cadence’s strained voice drew Shining’s attention back towards her. “I should have landed slower.”

Sitting beside her, Shining could no longer contain the guilty sickness in his stomach. “If I could fly this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Shining.” Cadence’s eyes cracked open to meet his, the pain written across her features replaced with a smile. “Don’t blame yourself for something you can’t help. Not having wings doesn’t make it your fault.”

“But-” A heaving sigh cut Shining off, his hoof lifting to dry the moisture leaking from the corner of his eye. “It seems like there’s nothing I can do to help you, like I’m useless. When we were-”

“Enough of this sob story.” A gruff voice cut through air, putting Shining’s babbling to a stop. “We didn’t bring these ponies here to watch them cry.”

“You’re right,” Another voice responded, lifting Shining’s eyes towards it. Standing behind Cadence he saw a griffon of dirty white and deep black feathers, a head taller than all those around him. “Get up ponies, we want to know why you’re here.”

Shining glanced down at Cadence before looking back up at the griffon. “She can’t stand like this, can’t we jus-”

“I don’t care, that’s your problem, not ours. Now stand.” The griffon motioned upwards with his claw.

His lips parting to argue back once more, Shining heard Cadence whisper in his ear before he could speak. “Don’t worry, I’ll be able to stand if I lean on you.” Her weak foreleg looped over his withers, the rest of her legs pushing upwards.

Rising with Cadence, Shining saw the tall griffon nodding as he did so. “Now ponies,” The griffon said once they were standing. “Why would you so foolishly return to our lands after what you have done?”

Cadence and Shining shared a glance at his question, both pairs of eyes holding the same thought. What is he talking about? After a moment, Cadence nodded and turned back to the griffon.

“Well, could you tell us what we have done exactly?”

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know,” The griffon said, shaking his head. “Now tell us, why did you take her? Why have you come back?”

“I’m sorry, but we really have no idea what you’re talking about.” Meeting the griffon’s eyes, Cadence gave her best attempt at an apologetic smile.

“Don’t try this!”

The roar that erupted from the griffon sent a shiver of shock through Cadence. A wince leaving her lips as her hurt foreleg shifted.

“Rorack, please don’t be so mean to them.” A quiet, feminine voice came from behind Cadence and Shining, drawing their eyes towards it. At its source Cadence found the griffon of silver and white she had seen as she landed. “They really don’t seem to know anything.”

Rorack’s eyes narrowed as he shifted them from the pony pair to the griffon who had spoken. “Since when have you been a good judge of character Mila?” The griffon in question shrunk away at his harsh words, one of her claws lifting to hide her face.

“Rorack.” Another voice joined, this one calm, full of wisdom. “We all know how much her disappearance has affected you, but don’t take it out on your fellow griffons.”

Watching Rorack’s eyes the whole time, Shining saw anger flare in them for an instant, before fading away.

“You are right Ilcit,” Rorack admitted, hanging his head in shame. “My judgement is clouded by everything, and having these ponies right here, they could have the answer.” Moving his eyes back to Shining and Cadence, he repeated his first question. “Why would you come here?”

“Well,” Cadence could feel a small smile spreading across her lips now, thankful not to be under Rorack’s angry gaze any longer. “We’re travelling through The Griffon Lands to experience the griffon culture, learn more about you.”

“That is the worst excuse I-”

“Rorack!” Lifting a claw to accentuate her statement, Ilcit shook her head. “It would be best if someone not so emotionally involved questioned them.” She turned to the ponies. “There must be another reason you two have come, no pony comes this far to simply experience our culture.”

A deep breath lifted Cadence’s shoulders as she turned towards Ilcit. “That’s really the only reason we came. Well, that, and we were hoping we could help the griffons in some way.”

“Then would you happen to know the whereabouts of our chief's daughter? She is a much loved griffon and many are in great anguish over her disappearance.” Ilcit’s eyes flicked to Rorack and back.

Shaking her head, Cadence sighed. “No, we don’t, I’m sorry.” Looking back to Rorack, she now saw the sorrow in his eyes. He must have really loved her, maybe they were married? “But maybe there’s something we can do to help?”

Rorack glared back at Cadence for a moment before turning his head to the side. “We don’t accept help from ponies.”

“Rorack!” Ilcit’s voice rang across the stage once more, in time with a roar of wind above. “As far as we know these ponies have nothing to do with those who stole Abigail away. Also, the aid of ponies is something that should not be brushed off so easily, especially the unicorns.”

Looking more closely at Cadence, Ilcit’s features twisted with confusion. “Pink pony, how do you possess both wings and a horn? Only the princesses have such power bestowed upon them.”

“Well, my name’s Cadence.” She could feel her cheeks glowing red now, the eyes of the griffons all around seeming much heavier. “And, I am a princess.”

Ilcit’s eyes grew wide, her beak hanging wide open. “Are you the princess who was to come two months ago? The one sent by Princess Celestia?”

The red on Cadence’s cheeks had set her whole face afire by now. “I’m sorry we’re a little late, we lost track of time in Rockholm.”

“We welcomed another group of ponies about the time we were expecting you to arrive. Those ponies were the ones who took Abigail.”

Oh no, Cadence thought. We’ve caused so much trouble for them before we even got here. “We’re so sorry.”

“No.” Ilcit shook her head. “It is we who should be sorry for treating a princess in such a way. Follow Red and Jern below deck and they will show you to the medical bay. I will organize some food and drink to be brought as well.” Her claw lifted to point out two griffons behind Shining and Cadence.

With Shining supporting her, Cadence turned slowly, gritting her teeth to hide the pain she was in. Once they had turned completely, she saw that Red and Jern were crouching down, the sight bringing memories of Cloud and Skylight to her mind.

“Do you want us to get on?” Cadence asked the griffons once she and Shining had made the short walk to them.

One of the two nodded, pointed a claw at the chestnut feathers on his back. “We will take both of you safely down.”

“Well, I can fly myself.”

“Princess.” Ilcit’s voice came from behind them. “It would not be wise for you to fly with a broken leg. You would likely have another accident.”

Nodding, Cadence drew her foreleg from Shining’s back and moved to the chestnut and white griffon. She half-collapsed, half-lowered herself onto his back. Yet the griffon did not even seem to feel her weight.

Glancing to the side, she saw Shining climbing atop the other griffon, uneasiness obvious in his features. He was so used to flying on Cloud. I hope this won’t bring back his fear of flight. The sensation of muscles rippling underneath her brought Cadence’s attention back to the griffon she was atop of.

“Can yo-” Her words were snatched from the air before she could finish, the griffon leaping into the air and his wings catching the rushing river of wind above. Cadence felt a jolt of pain run up her broken foreleg at the sudden movement,

Biting down on her lip, she resisted the urge to gasp and instead turned her eyes to the soaring city below. They had peeled far out to the side of it and were now diving back in, Cadence able to spy griffons moving about in the many levels below.

They hit the city in the centre, the griffon Cadence rode stopping himself with a quick beat of his wings. If only I had been able to do that, She thought, noticing how little effort he appeared to put into the movement. I wouldn’t have this broken leg right now.

The griffon landed easily, his partner and Shining soon joining them. When Cadence dismounted, Shining was there to help her, his steady foreleg keeping her from falling.

Once both ponies were standing once more, the griffons moved deeper into the city, expecting Cadence and Shining to follow.

“Where are we going?” Cadence asked, her eyes gazing past the griffons, hoping to find some sign of their destination. Yet all she saw was a door, and a wall right behind.

“To the medical bay,” One of the griffons, his feathers ginger and white, answered. “We need to get that leg treated.”

“No, don’t worry about it, I can heal my own leg.” By now they had gone through the door and around the corner behind it, Cadence’s eyes widening and her speech slowing when she saw what was beyond. “Can you take us somewhere that we can rest?”

Both her and Shining stopped in their tracks at the sight before them. Inside the walls of the flying structure they rode, a maze of streets and buildings were held. Every part of the space was used. Homes hung from the roof and others homes hung from their floors. Dozens of different scents filled the air.

Looking back at Cadence, the ginger griffon shook his head. “It would be best if you allowed one of our nurses to help you. They see broken bones all the time, it will be fixed within a few weeks if you leave it to them.”

Cadence couldn’t help but smile at his words. “Well, a few weeks is a little too long for me to have my leg broken. I can heal it tonight.”

Confusion crossed the griffon’s face for a moment before laughter burst from his lips. “You’ve got to be kidding. One night to heal a broken leg? The fastest I’ve seen it done is one week, and that was Tina, she always recovers quickly.”

“Just give us somewhere to lie,” Shining said. “I know she can do this before you could fetch some food.”

His features full of doubt, the griffon shared a look with his partner, before turning back and nodding. “Fine, but if it’s not healed by then, you’re going to see a nurse.”

“I’ve never had to do this with a time limit before,” Cadence said as she lit her horn. “I hope I can finish before they get back.” They had been placed in one of the hundreds of pocket rooms the city offered, only big enough to hold a mattress for two.

“Don’t worry about how long you take.” Shining lay against one of the walls, Cadence’s head pillowed by his stomach. “If they come in I’ll make sure they don’t stop you.”

“Well, if you say so.” Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Cadence recited the healing spell she had just read over under her breath. The bud of magic formed first at her horn, before sprouting vines of blue, each one moving down her body towards the injured leg.

Upon contact with her pink coat, the tendrils dove inside, Cadence able to feel them working around her cracked bone. Each shard was placed back where it belonged, her whole leg shifting as the bone was realigned.

A wince of pain and a pop filled the air, signifying to Shining that the process was complete. He watched as the cords of Cadence’s magic retreated from her now healed foreleg and back towards her horn. The bud winking out the moment the door opened to his side.

“Don’t tell me,” The ginger griffon said as he entered, a hint of humour in his voice. “She managed to heal her leg while we were gone?” A soft chuckle followed his words.

Rolling onto her stomach, Cadence rose to her hooves. Red crept into her cheeks as she smiled back at the griffon. “Well, you guessed right.”

The griffon’s beak fell open, the basket of seeds and pair of gourds he carried upon his wing falling to the side, only for Cadence to catch it in her magic. “Wha-what is that?”

“It’s magic.” Cadence could feel her smile stretching wider, her cheeks burning so bright they felt as if they would catch afire. “All ponies have it in some form or another.” She placed the food and drink to one side before looking back up at the griffon.

“You can fly and do that?” His face screwed up in confusion, the chestnut griffon stepped into the room as well. “That’s unfair. Why do ponies get so much?”

“Well, not all ponies do.” Looking to Shining, Cadence pointed out his lack of wings with a hoof. “Shining doesn’t have wings, only a horn. Princesses are the only ones who get all three forms of magic.”

The chestnut and ginger griffons shared a look, a small smile breaking across the ginger one’s beak. “You know Jern, for the first time in my life, I want to be a princess.”

Both griffons tipped their heads back with laughter at his words, Jern’s legs collapsing underneath him as he fell to the floor. The ginger griffon leant against the wall to hold himself up, his whole body shaking with joy.

Even Shining and Cadence found humour in the joke, sharing a chuckle and a look. Nothing but laughter filled the room for some time, griffons who walked past the door shooting strange looks inside.

“Okay,” Red managed to say once he had recovered enough, his words broken by panting breaths. “Since your leg is fixed, Ilcit will want you at the search meeting tonight. We’ll come by a little while before to pick you up. Oh, and feel free to eat those seeds, the best roasted sesame seeds on the ship.”

Jern and Red made to leave, but Cadence’s question stopped them. “What is the search meeting about?”

Halfway out the door, Red turned back. “You’ll find out more when you get there, but it’s all about finding Abigail. Scouts come in with any information they’ve found and everyone talks about what to do next.” He turned back to the door, stepping outside before poking his head back in. “Also, be careful of Rorack. You saw what he was like today, he’s even worse in the meeting.”

The two griffons moved away, a source of chatter and laughter that slowly faded into the constant buzz of noise all around. Once they were out of earshot, Cadence magically closed the door before allowing her legs to give way underneath her.

“Are you okay?” Standing the moment he saw her fall, Shining rushed to Cadence’s side.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled back at his concerned look. “I’m alright, a little tired from the healing, that’s all.” She kissed at his cheek, pulling him down beside her with a foreleg. “Why don’t we have something to eat, and then rest before the meeting.”

The mention of food reminded Shining of the basket Cadence had placed to one side. “That sounds like a good idea.” Saliva was leaking from the corner of his mouth as he peeked over her to look at it. “What did they bring us? Fresh pies?”

“Well, I heard them say seeds,” Lighting her horn once more, Cadence moved the basket and gourds so they sat before her and Shining. “And it looks like seeds.”

Peering down at the basket of golden pieces, Shining grimaced. “They look so tiny, how could they ever fill one of us up? Let alone both.” Turning towards where their bags sat, he lit his horn and opened a flap of his. “I’ll just have pies.”

“No.” Cadence yawned as she lifted the basket towards Shining’s muzzle. “At least try them first, if you don’t like them, then you don’t have to eat them.”

Looking from his pie to the seeds and back for a few moments, Shining eventually sighed. “Fine, but I don’t see how seeds could possibly taste good. I always spit them out when I eat watermelons.” Still feeling the weight of Cadence’s eyes, he lowered his mouth towards the seeds and scooped some out with his tongue.

Bringing the basket to her own lips, Cadence did them same, crunching through a mouthful of seeds for a moment before swallowing. “Well, I think I might have a raspberry pastry.” She heard the crackle of pastry follow her words and saw a pie already half in Shining’s mouth.

“Do you want me to get you a raspberry one?” He mumbled through the mouthful, bringing a smile to Cadence’s lips.

“I’ll have some of yours.” Leaning forward, Cadence bit into the other side of Shining’s pie, tasting the blueberry it held. With the two of them working from either end, it soon disappeared, ending in a kiss.

The rush of events up to where they were now had kept Shining’s mind occupied, but now, still and sitting beside Cadence, his doubts came back to him. I’m so lucky Cadence is strong enough for both of us, otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to walk for weeks. It would have been my fault too.

Noticing the thought in Shining’s eyes, and the sorrow there as well, Cadence leant towards him. “Shining, you’re not still worrying are you?”

Cadence’s voice drew Shining from his thoughts, causing him to gasp with fright. It took him a moment to recover from the scare, staring at her with blinking eyes. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“I want you to know I don’t think of you like that.”

“Like what?” Creasing his brow, Shining tried to fake confusion as best he could.

Sighing, Cadence leant her lips close enough to meet Shining’s, sharing a long kiss with him before withdrawing. “I know what you’re thinking, you told me before. You think you’re not good enough for me, that you’re simply a burden, but that’s not true.”

Realising he could not hide his feelings from her, Shining allowed his head to droop. “Why does it seem like I can never do anything then? When we were in Rockholm, when we fought that changeling, when we were flying here. Every time it’s you doing all the work.”

“Well, it might seem like that if you just look at the physical work, but there’s much more than that.” Lifting a hoof, Cadence tilted Shining’s eyes up towards her. “You help comfort me when I feel like I’m failing. When I thought I was doing everything wrong back in Rockholm, you always knew what to say.”

Each of Cadence’s kind words helped lift the corners of Shining’s lips until he was smiling.

“And you’re not too bad of a lover either,” Cadence finished with a wink, leaning in for another kiss.

Shining returned the kiss in full force, placing his foreleg behind Cadence’s neck and drawing her close. The two moaned into each others mouths for some time, before Shining broke away, and Cadence recalled where they were.

As his head tried to moved down her neck, she nudged him away. “Shining, we’re in a tiny box hanging over so many others, and there’s griffons walking past. This isn’t the right time for this.”

“I know.” A heavy sigh followed Shining’s words. “It seems there’s never been a good time in the last few weeks.”

“Mmm, hopefully we’ll be able to find a place here like we did in Rockholm.” Lowering her head, Cadence placed her cheek on Shining’s back. “Why don’t we rest until they come back, I’m exhausted from that healing.”

“Open up!” The door swung open soundlessly, the white feathered head of a griffon peeking in. “It’s Jern and Red, we’ve come to show you to the meeting.” What Jern’s eyes found inside the room brought a smile to his beak. “Look at this Red,” He whispered over his shoulder.

Peeking inside as well, Red felt something tug at his heart when he saw Shining and Cadence, curled up together, fast asleep. “It reminds me of Ange,” He sighed. “I wonder where she’s right now.”

Red’s dreamy gaze was broken by a nudge from Jern. “You need to stop thinking so much about her, she’s long gone. Riding another ship to the other side of the desert. Now, how do you think we should wake them?”

“Just tap them with your wing Jern, Ilcit wouldn’t like it if you play tricks on the guests.”

His smile fading away, Jern shot a frown back at Red. “Fine, but this means I get to do something to you next time I find you sleeping.” Before Red could protest, Jern placed his chestnut wing on Shining’s shoulder, shaking gently to wake him.

“Wake up you two,” Red said once he saw Cadence’s eyes cracking open. “We’ve got a meeting to get to.”

Remembering where she was, Cadence lifted her head off Shining’s back before using her hooves to shake him awake. She could feel a warmth on her cheeks when she looked back at the pair of griffons. “We’ll be right out.”

Stepping back himself, Red was forced to pull Jern out of the doorway himself. “Give them some space. I know you’ve never really been in love before, so I’ll just tell you, you’re embarrassing them.”

“That’s the point.” Turning back to Red, Jern’s beak held a smile. “Making her blush like that is funny.”

Red shook his head as he sighed. “Sometimes I can see the humour in your jokes, and then there’s times like these.”

“Okay.” With a sleepy eyed Shining behind her, Cadence stepped from their small room and onto the walkway outside. “We’re ready to go.”

“Good, if we moved quickly we won’t be late.” Taking large stride forward, Red headed for one of the doors that led to the outside of the flying city, Jern at his side. “Now, be careful of what you say at this meeting, Rorack isn’t the only griffon who’s too close to Abigail to be making important decisions.”

Through the door and round another corner they went, the wind growing with each step they took towards the outer edges of the flying city. By the time they could see the desert below Cadence’s mane was a mess, the wind sending it in all directions.

The pair of griffons crouched low a few steps from the edge of the platform, waiting for Cadence and Shining to climb on.

“I can fly now,” Cadence reminded Red as Shining climbed onto Jern’s back. “Lead the way and I’ll follow.”

“Are you sure princess?” Concern was obvious in the creases of Red’s brow. “I wouldn’t want you to have a shaky landing again.”

“Alright.” Glancing over to Jern, Red nodded before spreading his wings. Moving to the side to give herself room, Cadence did the same, following Red moments after he leapt into the air.

It feels like I’m almost weightless, Cadence thought as she allowed the roaring wind to lift her higher and higher. If flying was always like this, I can see why Cloud and Skylight love it so much.

The cool night air sent shivers through Cadence’s body as she climbed the sky, only the moon bringing light to the deep blue expanse. Glancing downward, she spied a circle of shadows gathered in the same place she had landed earlier that day, a few firefly lamps giving them light.

She allowed Red to land first, then Jern, before dropping towards the wooden stage herself, careful to descend slowly this time.

“You’re finally here,” Ilcit said as they landed, her raised claw directing them toward an opening in the circle. “Now we are only waiting for one other before we begin.” Her eyes turned back up to the sky, scanning it for the last latecomer.

Taking her place in the circle beside Shining, Cadence allowed her gaze to roam the griffons around her, trying to pick out any she recognised. She found the silver and white griffon from earlier staring at her with a shy smile. Mila was her name, wasn’t it?

Before Cadence could lift her voice to ask, Ilcit spoke. “Here she is, late as always.”

The newest arrival descended at a speed that had Cadence gritting her teeth, before landing with a thump. How did she not break anything? A wide grin was plastered across the griffon’s beak, bright white feathers covered her head and neck, pitch black smothering the rest of her body.

“Why do you invite her to these meetings if she will not take it seriously?” A voice called across the circle.

Lifting her head, Cadence saw Rorack at the other end of the voice, disgust clear on his features.

Turning to meet Rorack’s eyes, the recent arrival only smiled. “Just because I’m not crying like a chick, doesn’t mean I’m not taking this seriously.” She took a step towards the griffon that towered over her, pointing a claw at him. “If you weren’t so emotional we’d get a lot more done.”

Rorack’s beak opened to reply, but Ilcit’s voice filled the air before he could utter a word. “Stop squabbling you two. Hidey, there is a free space at my side.” When Hidey had taken her place, Ilcit addressed the whole circle.

“It is a custom to begin our meetings with any reports of sightings, but today there is something else I want to draw your attention to.” Lifting a foreleg, Ilcit directed the attention of all towards the pony pair, although most were already staring. “The princess we were waiting for has arrived.”

“A little late,” Someone in the circle whispered to another, Cadence unable to pick out exactly where it had come from.

“Some might say that,” Ilcit continued. “But she has arrived now, bringing with her great power.”

Rorack took a step into the centre of the circle, every eye moving towards him. “How do we know this great power even exists? None of us have seen it. All we saw was her stumble and break a leg while landing.”

A tiny smile touched Ilcit’s beak at his words, so faint Cadence could not see it, but only hear it as she spoke. “And do you see any signs of that broken limb now? It it beyond my understanding how, but she has been healed in less than a day. Something that sounds impossible.”

Looking more closely at Cadence, Rorack noticed what Ilcit said was true. His teeth gritted at the fact. “Even so, how will great healing help us find Abigail?”

“This search, many think of it as impossible, don’t they?” Ilcit directed her words at the entire circle, before allowing her eyes to rest on Cadence. “This pony can make the impossible happen, she can find the one we have been searching for.”

Hearing Ilcit’s heavy words caused Cadence to draw in a deep breath, her mind working as she tried to ignore the weight of every eye upon her. Does she really think I can find this Abigail? I don’t know the first thing about searching.

One of the griffons at Rorack’s side took a step forward, Rorack moving back to give the white and oak brown griffon space. “How do we even know this pony has some magical power to locate Abigail? She hasn’t told us this, how do you know?”

Despite her want to aid the cause, Cadence wished for this new griffon’s words to win, for the immense pressure on her to be relieved. I don’t know how to find one griffon in such a massive desert.

“It appears you know little of the power a pony princess holds Hue,” Ilcit replied, her eyes still locked on Cadence. “They have the ability to locate anyone, anywhere, no matter how distant they are.”

Hue scoffed, shaking his head. “It appears you’ve had your beak in a book for too long again. There’s no way someone could pinpoint where Abigail is the in, I mean, across The Great Desert.”

Maybe Celestia could, but I have no idea how, Cadence thought, tempted to agree aloud with Hue’s words, but something held her tongue. A sensation of unease, like something did not fit. I must be imagining things.

Glancing sideways, she saw that Shining’s eyes were following the conversation closely, his features twisted with thought. Hopefully he has an idea of how to find her. So lost in thought, Cadence failed to hear the voice calling her name.

“Is it princess?” Ilcit’s second try caught Cadence’s attention.

“Is it what?” Creases scrunched up Cadence’s brow. What did she say before.

“Is it within your power to find the one we are searching for? Abigail.”

Cadence’s lips opened and the words, It is, almost left them, but she held herself back. What if I can’t find a way? I should tell them the truth. “Well, to be honest, I have no idea if I can or not. I’m still a new princess.”

“See,” Rorack lifted a foreleg towards Cadence. “You put all your faith in some mystical force, and it always turns out to be a disappointment. Let’s continue our meeting in a way that will actually get us somewhere. Lucy, did you see anything on your week’s scouting?”

The remainder of the meeting passed as a mumble of voices for Cadence, her mind not even registering what they were saying. Instead it focused entirely on the guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach. I’ve let them down.

She could feel eyes passing over her every now and then, some staying to look for longer. Without even meeting them she knew what they held. They’re disappointed, I would be as well. This magical princess before them can’t do anything but save herself. This must be what Shining feels like.

“If that is all,” It was Ilcit’s voice, bringing Cadence back from the depths of her mind. “Then this meeting is over.”

A buzz of voices filled the air followed by the beating of wings, most of the griffons leaving in the separate groups. Yet some stayed, one that was still behind was approaching Cadence.

Lifting her eyes towards the oncoming griffon, Cadence found a face she knew. It was the griffon of silver and white. “Your name’s Mila, right?” She asked once the griffon was close enough.

Nodding enthusiastically, Mila stopped uncomfortable close to Cadence, her beak almost touch a pink snout. “I wanted to say you shouldn’t feel like you let everyone down. No one was expecting you to save the day.”

“Well, thank you.” Cadence’s dull tone and the way her shoulders dropped showed how she actually felt about Mila’s words.

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no.” Mila shook her head just as energetically as she had nodded. “I didn’t mean it like that I, I always wanted to be a princess myself, a pony like you. Ever since Ilcit showed me her book about them. It’s so exciting to see a princess right in front of me.”

Feeling her cheeks warm with red, Cadence couldn’t help but smile. Oh, she’s so cute. I can’t believe, all the way out here, there’s someone who looks up to me. “Well, thank you.” Her gratitude was echoed in her voice and posture this time, widening the smile on Mila’s beak.

A few moments passed of Mila simply staring at Cadence, taking in every part of the creature she adored. “Oh, I’m sorry,” She said after some time. “I must be taking up your precious time. A princess must have important duties to return to.”

Cadence looked to Shining before turning her eye back to Mila. “No actually. We only got here today, and we have nothing to do but sleep.”

“Oh!” Excitement bloomed in Mila’s eyes for an instant before sorrow drowned it out. “I was thinking, no, it’s stupid. A princess doesn’t have time for such simple things.” Her head sunk, eyes lowering towards the ground.

“No, please tell me.” Cadence lifted a hoof and placed it lightly on Mila’s silver feathered shoulder. “Something to pass the time tonight would be good.” She glanced at Shining again, his eyes still lost deep in thought.

“Really?” A shiver ran through Mila’s body as she lifted her head to meet Cadence’s gaze. Seeing a nod, Mila left the ground with a leap, throwing Cadence’s hoof from her shoulder. “Yay, we’re going to have so much fun.”

Taking a step back from the outburst of joy, Cadence saw that it had woken Shining from his thoughtful slumber as well. His eyes were blinking rapidly, taking in the scene before him. Looking back to Mila, Cadence allowed the question on her tongue free. “So where are we going?”

What Mila answered with had Cadence shaking her head and Shining’s eyes popping from their sockets.

“The candy store.”

“So when you said the candy store, you didn’t mean a shop where you buy candy?” Cadence asked, looking around the room she had just entered. In behind her came Mila, and lastly Shining. The griffon, despite how small she looked, had been able to carry Shining down from the meeting platform.

Moving to stand beside Cadence, Mila shook her head. “No, but it’s the only place you can find such sweet things on the whole ship. So I like to call it that. It sounds better than, my room.”

Cadence could only smile to herself as Shining moved past her in a trance, his eyes fixed upon the lines and lines of candy hung from the ceiling. After a few more steps he stood still, tongue lolling freely from his mouth while he continued to stare.

Looking from Cadence to Shining and back in a series of darting head turns, Mila giggled. “He looks like he loves candy just as much as I do.”

“Well, maybe even more,” Cadence said, allowing her rump to fall to the floor. Sitting, she continued to study the room around her, many times larger than the one she and Shining had been given. “Do all griffons get rooms this big Mila?”

“No.” Mila shook her head frantically. “There wouldn’t be enough room on the ship for that. My father’s the captain, so he keeps a special room for me, with all my favourite things.” As she spoke she lifted a wing towards the ceiling, unhooking on of the striped canes of candy from its string.

Curiosity creased Cadence’s brow. “Was your father at the meeting? Is he one of the ones with Rorack?”

Shaking her head, Mila mumbled a reply through the rod of sugar in her beak. “Oo, he’s ot un of ose eanies.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t make out what you’re saying.”

Mila drew the can from her beak before repeating herself. “No, he’s not one of those meanies. He just listens, so he knows where to go. Those ones with Rorack are bad, they don’t like anyone.”

Something in what Mila had said broke Shining from his trance, drawing his head towards where she and Cadence sat. “What did you just say? About Rorack?”

“The two griffons who hang around Rorack. I don’t know why, but I can feel they’re not good.” A gasp left Mila’s beak, her eyes lighting up. “Maybe that’s one of my princess powers? Being able to tell who the bad griffons are.”

Cadence chuckled at Mila’s words. Princess powers, I should tell Celestia that one when we get back. Gently shaking her thoughts away, she turned her attention back to Mila and found Shining questioning her more.

“Have you ever met them before, does it seem like they’ve changed?”

Rolling her eyes upward, Mila shook her head. “No, but you look like you need some candy to calm down.” Lifting her wing again, Mila plucked two more of the hanging canes from the strings above.

Cadence politely refused hers so Shining took both, crunching over them with thought lining his brow deeply.

Glad to see him back to his old, dazed self, Cadence turned back to Mila. “Is there anything else you do for fun in this city?”

“City? Where?” Mila’s face twisted with question.

“Oh, I mean ship, that’s what you call it right?”

“Oh yes, that’s right.” Eyes going wide, Mila spread her wings out. “If this ship was my beak, then one of our cities would still be bigger than my wings.”

“Wow.” Cadence tried to picture what the ship she was on would look like if it were a hundred times the size, but her mind kept bringing up images of Rockholm. “Do you think we will be able to go there after we’ve found Abigail?”

Mila nodded in her overexcited way. “Of course. If you want I can show you my room there as well. It’s as big as this whole ship.”

The night passed with Cadence questioning Mila about her life, her family, and Mila poked back with questions every now and then as well. Shining sat to the side, lost in his thoughts.

Every so often Cadence would glance his way and wonder, Is he thinking he’s useless again? A moment’s look at his features told her no. The sorrow and doubt that had been in his face the past few days was gone, replaced with absolute concentration. Shining even seemed to forget about the sweets all around him.

Eventually Cadence felt yawns forming in her throat, the want to sleep weighing on her eyelids. Studying Mila’s face, she saw the griffon exhibited none of the tiredness she felt. She has been nibbling on candy all night. She allowed a yawn free as she waited for Mila to finish speaking.

“Do you think maybe one day I could become a princess? I want you to answer truly.”

Despite how sleepy she was, Cadence couldn’t hold back the smile that spread across her lips. “Truly? I think you’re a princess of another kind Mila. Anyway, we need to get some sleep, I can’t be staying up all night again.”

“Oh, don’t go.” Mila rose as Cadence did, her foreleg outstretched and her eyes longing.

Cadence almost felt guilty as she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but we really need some sleep.” She stepped towards Shining, nudging him from his thoughts with a hoof. “Come on, we need to go.”

“Go?” A jolt ran through Shining’s body as his eyelids fluttered, taking in the room around him. “Didn’t we just get here?”

“You really were lost in your head, weren’t you.” Lowering her muzzle to his, she nudged him again. “It’s quite late, and I was telling Mila we need to get some sleep?”

As if the word had reminded his body what it was craving, a drawn out yawn opened Shining’s jaw, and held it there for a few moments. “Sleep?” He mumbled once the yawn had passed. “That sounds good.”

Mila moved with the pony pair towards the door, her eyes captured by the way Cadence’s head rested against Shining’s shoulder. “You’ll come back tomorrow won’t you? I still have so much to learn before I can become a princess.”

“Mila, I-” Cadence bit her tongue before the rest of the words could escape. I don’t think you can ever become a princess like me? Looking deep into those pleading grey eyes, she knew she couldn’t break Mila’s heart. What do I say then?

“Mila?” A knock on the door followed the voice, Cadence’s lungs filling with relief at the distraction. “Can we come in?”

Wait, I know that voice. Cadence’s eyes lit up when the answer came to her. Jern.

“Not now,” Mila answered. “I’ve got special guests. Come back another time.”

A chuckle reverberated through the door, its owner easy to identify. Red, Cadence knew, the smile of her lips growing.

“So you are holding the princess captive?” Jern’s tone clearly said his words were a joke, but Mila’s face scrunched with a frown anyway.

“No, she came because I asked. We’ve been talking about secret things all night.” The frown on Mila’s face faded to make way for a smile as she looked away from the door and to Cadence, giving the pony a wink.

“Well,” Cadence butted in when she heard Jern taking a breath, clearly thinking of a way to convince Mila. “We should be going now. Jern and Red can show us back to our room.”

“No, you can’t go yet.” Placing a claw on Cadence’s shoulder, Mila gently tugged her away from the door. Her smile had faded, replaced with desperate pleading Cadence knew she couldn’t say no to.

A sigh left Cadence’s lips when she deduced the easiest way to leave the room. “We’ll come visit you tomorrow night, I promise.”

Light leapt back into Mila’s eyes at Cadence’s words, her smile coming back to life once more. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow princess.” She gave Cadence another wink before opening the door and allowing the pony pair to escape.

Once outside, Cadence allowed a sigh of relief to leave her lungs, causing Jern to snigger and Red to chuckle.

“Lucky we were there to rescue you from the madhouse,” Jern said, a claw on his beak holding back laughter. “We should have warned you about Mila, I don’t know how something that crazy came from a griffon like Bami.”

Despite the uncomfortable pressure Mila had put on Cadence, her jaw dropped at Jern’s accusations. “How can you say something like that? She’s such a sweet griffon.”

“We should get going,” Red cut in before Jern could answer, motioning the other three along with his foreleg.

Jern walked beside Cadence, the humour now gone from his face. “I know she might seem that way at first, trust me, she wooed me for a few weeks with that chickish attitude. Once you get to know her,you see it’s not just an act she puts on, she’s crazy for real!”

“Shhh.” Red waved a claw a Jern, motioning for him to be quiet. “You had a bad breakup with her, your feelings are probably twisting your memories.”

“No, she really thinks that she can become a princess.” Grinding his teeth, Jern tried to bring an example to mind. “Like every morning, she does some crazy rituals that make her more like a pony. She even copies how the ponies act in the books she has, crazy.”

A small part of Cadence’s mind felt some truth in Jern’s words, knew that without intervention from Celestia herself, Mila would never be a princess. Yet even more of her want to believe in the dreaming desires of the griffon. It reminded her of a certain purple filly.

“It’s not crazy for her to think like that,” Cadence said, her lips lifting with a weak smile. “Many fillies dreams of being a princess one day. It’s simply what she wants to be the most.”

“Fillies?” Brow creased with confusion, Jern shot a look back at Cadence.

“That’s what we call young mares.”

“Mares?” Jern scrunched up his eyes and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what fancy pony words you use, a griffon wanting to be a pony is wrong. Something went wrong in that head somewhere, and I want to stay away from it.”

Seeing there was no arguing with Jern, Cadence’s only response was to sigh.

Silence accompanied the four as they moved around the edges of the ship, not seeing a soul along the way.

Eventually Shining broke the silence. “Where is everybody? It seemed like there was far more griffons walking around earlier.”

Red shared a chuckle with himself before answering. “You don’t know how late it is do you? The only griffons awake right now are us, and the ones on guard.”

“Oh, we’re so sorry for keeping you up,” Cadence said, concern obvious in her voice. “Having that nap really messed with our sense of time.”

“Don’t be.” Unable to see Red’s face, Cadence could still hear the smile in his voice. “It gives us an excuse to miss our shift tomorrow morning. Orders from Ilcit come before everything on this ship.”

“Is she above the captain?” Shining asked, curiosity lining his brow deeply.

“Yes, and no. She’s been around long enough to know almost every griffon in the desert, the ones that count at least. The chief puts her in charge of important missions like this because he knows he can trust her. She doesn’t have any titles such as captain, or admiral however.”

Nodding along, Shining allowed the silence to settle before speaking again. “Who is Rorack then? Someone very close to Abigail I can tell, but who exactly is he.”

“He’s the chief’s son, Abigail’s brother.” Red shook his head. “That’s why he’s so high strung all the time. In his mind every moment Abigail isn’t found is a moment of him failing his father.”

Shining’s questions stopped after that, and the rest of the way to their rooms passed in silence.

Stopping at the door, Red pushed it open before allowing Shining and Cadence space to step inside. “Oh, one last thing,” He said before Shining closed the door. “Ilcit wants to have lunch with you tomorrow, talk without having to keep the chicks quiet, as she says. We’ll be here to pick you up a little before then.”

When the door clicked shut, Cadence allowed herself to fall into the waiting embrace of the mattress below. “Do we need the tent tonight?” Her words snapped Shining out of another thought, sending a jolt through his body.

“I, we should.” Lighting his horn, Shining brought the ethereal shelter to life, small enough to fit inside their already tiny room. “There’s something that doesn’t feel right in this ship, I wouldn’t sleep easy knowing we were exposed.”

Seeing Shining’s mind come back to the world reminded Cadence of how much he had been thinking that day. “You’ve seemed a little absent today,” She said as he lay beside her. “Are you thinking again?”

“Yes.” It took Shining a moment to register the concern in Cadence’s voice. “Oh, not about those things anymore.” He leant towards her, placing his lips on hers. “I think you’ve cured me of that. I was just thinking of a way to find Abigail.”

Cadence sighed at the mention of the search. “Well, I would love it if you could figure out something. It seems that Ilcit has placed all her hopes in me, but I’m not Celestia. I have no idea how to use this supposed searching magic.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Lifting his muzzle, Shining gave Cadence another kiss, this time at the base of her horn. “Right now we need some sleep.”

“Mmmhmm.” Cadence allowed her head to rest against Shining’s shoulder and her eyes to close. “Maybe everything will be clear in the morning?”