“Remind me again: why am I following you?” Bardac groused as he pushed aside the branch of a tree. For about two hours, he'd been following the same diamond dog he'd slammed into the side of Applejack's home. The darkness of the forest around them was almost suffocating and the only sources of light came from a small glowing orb flitting around Bardac's head, the pale glow of Twilight's horn, and a small burning torch in the paws of the diamond dog.

“Rumour of strong, two legged creature who shouts words reached diamond dogs,” explained the diamond dog as he looked over his shoulder at Bardac, eyeing the Nord with curiosity. “Ponies not care for diamond dogs. They wouldn't help even if asked.”

“You don't know that!” Twilight shouted, stopping behind Bardac and staring at the dog. “Besides, the last time we met a bunch of diamond dogs, they kidnapped our friend Rarity! Then, when we came to rescue her, they tried to force us into hard labour. Pulling carts, mining gems. If the diamond dogs have a bad reputation among ponies, it’s their own doing.”

“This is why I suggested you stay behind,” Bardac muttered.

“I’m not going to disobey Celestia’s orders just because you suggest it.”

The diamond dog peered towards Twilight and said, “What is crazy pony talking about?” With a shake of his head, the dog looked up at Bardac. “All we want is quiet. Quiet and gems. Why would we kidnap loud ponies?”

“Why are you asking me?” replied Bardac with a raised eyebrow. “I know as much about this place as a Horker does about personal hygiene... Now, are we almost there? We have been walking for a while now.”

“Soon, soon.”

The group walked on and Bardac looked back over his shoulder at Twilight. “Why did Celestia order you to follow me?”

“To keep you out of trouble,” Twilight replied dryly. “And don’t think about telling me to stay behind again. I don’t care how many times you say it; it’s not happening.” Twilight frowned, looking at Bardac and then at the dog leading their pack. “I can see why Celestia had so much trouble with you. Still, I have no idea why you decided to help this diamond dog. They're nothing but trouble.”

“See! Ponies no care for us!” barked the diamond dog harshly, “All they do is moan a—”

“Enough,” hissed Bardac, perhaps a little louder than he should have. Several dozen birds took off from nearby trees in a panic and as he pinched his brow, he grumbled, “Can we please put this discussion aside until later? Before I start getting a headache.”

The diamond dog shook his head slowly and with a sigh, replied, “Not too far now, keep following.”

“You’d better know what you're doing. You're either exceptionally brave or exceptionally stupid to follow a Diamond Dog into the middle of the Everfree Forest,” whispered Twilight as she walked close to Bardac's side.

Bardac looked down at Twilight and said quietly, “Well, it looks like we are about to find out which one it is.” Bardac gestured to a small clearing up ahead, where indistinct shadows appeared to be waiting for them.

Twilight gasped. As the small group entered the next clearing, she was stunned to see they'd walked right into the middle of a small village. Wooden huts with straw roofs were dotted the clearing, roughly circling a bonfire in large, dug out pit that lit up the village. “I always thought diamond dogs lived underground... at least that's what the books say,” muttered Twilight to Bardac. She couldn't help but feel uneasy at the curious looks the diamond dogs in the village were giving the trio from their doorways..

“You cannot learn everything from a book. Perhaps diamond dogs have only just started living like this. It takes a while to update a book, you know,” replied Bardac with the smallest of chuckles.

“You read?”

“...occasionally,” Bardac replied, then drew quiet as he noticed the stares the dogs were giving Twilight. “For now, stay quiet and stay close,” he murmured. However, as he took the time to glance at several of the dogs they passed, he noticed something. “Twilight, do they look unwell to you? Stressed... ill?”

“Now that you mention it,” Twilight replied with a quiet murmur, “they do look a little thin. I remember the diamond dogs we encountered were bulky and quite well padded. These, well... they look...” but she trailed off, not being able to find just the right words.

“As though they have not had a decent meal in a while,” said Bardac as he finished Twilight's sentence for her.

Twilight gave a small nod in agreement, “Exactly, but... why?” she asked, though more to herself than to Bardac.

“Over here!” called the diamond dog that they'd been following. He'd stopped outside the largest of the huts, “Alpha inside. You talk to alpha. Pony stays outside. Hurry.”

“Where I go, Twilight goes. She is under orders from Princess Celestia to keep an eye on me. You would not want to upset the Princess, would you?” Bardac asked, his lips curling ever so slightly into a grin.

The diamond dog chewed on his cheek for a moment in thought, “Alpha is unwell... Many guests upset him. But, if pony has to, pony can go in. Would not want to upset the Princess.”

Twilight's eye twitched as she asked, “You DO realise I am a Princess as well?”

“I do not think that will matter much here,” replied Bardac with a sigh. “Now, you are more than welcome to stay outside. I am going in.” Stepping into the large hut, Bardac was greeted by the sight of a small, grey and rather frail looking diamond dog sitting upon a small bed made of wood and thickly packed straw. “Here I was expecting a throne...” Bardac murmured quietly to himself.

“A king rules. An alpha leads,” spoke the dog sitting on the bed with a light chuckle. Despite his frail appearance, the alpha's voice was strong. “I have been expecting you,” he said as he looked up at Bardac with a pair of pale grey eyes.

“You're awfully well spoken... for a diamond dog,” said Twilight quietly with a frown.

The alpha set his eyes on Twilight, “Ah... we have royalty among us,” the alpha said with a small smile creeping across his lips. “I have spent many a year watching and listening to the world around me,” The elder paused in thought, looking out through one of the few windows lining the circular walls of his hut. “The passing of knowledge is... slow.”

It was a vague response, but it seemed to satisfy Twilight's curiosity for the moment. However, there was still one question she needed an answer to. “Why Bardac? What can he do that Celestia, Luna or even myself can't?” Twilight asked.

The alpha smiled kindly. “The Everfree Forest is outside of their rule. The magic that flows in these lands is beyond their control. So... I need a creature who is beyond their control as well,” he said. Slowly, the Alpha started to get to his feet as he grabbed a nearby stick leant against his bed for balance. “Bardac? Oh, yes, your name. But of course; where are my manners? I am Atlas, alpha of this pack. I am honored to meet you,” he then looked to Twilight. “And of course you too, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

“I would not say I am completely beyond their control,” Bardac said with a chuckle as he nodded at Twilight, who pouted, “but I have been told I have a certain disregard for the rules. At least when it comes to royalty. But that still does not quite explain why I have been dragged out here in the middle of the night.”

“Ah, yes yes... of course,” Atlas muttered before he turned to slowly walk out of the hut, the stick he carried clunking on the wooden floor. “It has been a trying time for my village. Not all diamond dogs see our new way of life as an improvement. As such, those who are severely opposed have been doing everything in their power to make our lives miserable... They steal our food, wreck our homes, and all because they see us as deserters to the old way of life. All under the ruthless rule of Rolph.” As Atlas stood in the entrance of his hut, he sighed. “My pack is suffering.”

“That's... that's awful! Why would they do such a thing? Because you've tried to change?” asked Twilight with a gasp, looking between Bardac and Atlas.

“Some refuse to accept change,” Bardac replied, giving Atlas a knowing nod. “And in their eyes, those who do are traitors to their race. How long has this been happening?”

“The nearest pack recently got a new alpha... a brute of a dog,” Atlas spat, “His father, Bruce was the last alpha and was a reasonable dog... We were close friends, but sadly, he died two months ago. After that, his son took over. Foolish pup by the name Rolph. Relations quickly grew tense between our packs, and a month ago, he started raiding our village.”

Bardac's expression became completely unreadable. “You wish for me to kill him?” he asked quietly, the chill in his voice catching Atlas and Twilight by surprise.

“Kill? Oh no no! Not kill, that would make us no better than them...” replied Atlas, though he did give Bardac a hard whack with his stick around the back of the knees, “Not every problem can be solved by killing.”

“Worked for me so far,” Bardac shrugged, but soon let out a grunt, rubbing the back of his knees. “Not a bad shot for an old dog.

“Though the body may wither, strength never fades so long as there is willpower,” Atlas nodded.

Twilight let out a deep sigh and shook her head, pretending not to hear what Bardac just said. “I'm sure if we go and talk to them, they'll understand the damage they're causing to your pack, Atlas. I might not be as powerful as Celestia or Luna, but I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be,” Twilight said proudly.

Atlas shook his head slowly, “We've tried talking to them. We've even tried fighting back, but we are a village of gatherers, not fighters. Both diplomacy and violence have only brought my people sorrow.” He paused for a moment before looking up at Bardac. “We are left with very few options. However... about half an hour's walk west of here lies the cave of a dragon who owns this territory. She is... fairly reasonable—” Twilight frowned at ‘fairly,’ but Atlas took no notice— “which is why my village was able to secure this small piece of land. But, she is blind to our plea for help.”

“Why would she refuse you?” asked Bardac. Asking a dragon for help hardly seemed like a sensible idea, but if it was stupid and it worked, it wasn’t stupid.

Atlas sighed. “I do not know. Every time, she changes the subject, or simply pretends that she didn't hear. If we push the issue... well...” he then gestured to a dog skull hanging in the straw near the door. “She tends to get... violent.”

Twilight felt her stomach churn at the sight of the skull. “A failed attempt?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

“One of many,” Atlas replied, his voice low. “If we cannot do something soon, then I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to lead the pack back underground. Those who came, came willingly. I don't want to force them into returning to a life which they chose to leave.”

Bardac fell silent as he gazed outside, various plans and options running through his head, each one just a little more crazy and a little more dangerous than the last. “If this continues, how long until you are forced back underground?” he asked quietly.

“If we cannot fend off the next few attacks? I would say a week at the most...” Atlas muttered with a low growl from his throat. “All I want is what's best for my pack.”

“We all want what is best for those we lead,” murmured Bardac as he placed his hand lightly on Atlas's shoulder. “I will think of something, do not worry. Even if that means staying behind and defending your village personally until I come up with a more permanent solution.”

Atlas looked up at Bardac, his eyes wide as he said, “My goodness, boy, I couldn't ask you to do that! Who knows how long you'd be here for? I'm no exception, but diamond dogs are known for being extremely stubborn. The others won't give up without a fight.”

Twilight looked at the ground, her hoof scraping against the wooden floor as quietly as she could. It was difficult for her to admit, but everything she thought she knew about diamond dogs was unravelling before her eyes. “Bardac,” Twilight asked after a few more seconds, “are you sure? I mean... I know it's the right thing to do, but how can you put yourself at risk so easily?”

Bardac simply chuckled dryly, “The right thing to do is never the easiest. We could walk away and forget we ever met them, but what good would that do? It would certainly not improve the relations between ponies and diamond dogs, not that is any of my business.”

“So, what're you going to do?” asked Twilight, though she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to hear the answer.

“What we are going to do is take a little stroll over to the cave of this dragon and have a little chat with her,” replied Bardac, a small smirk slowly appearing on his lips.

Twilight groaned and rubbed her forehead with a hoof. “And what if she simply wants to roast us into a midnight snack?” Twilight asked, her irritability growing. “I might be powerful, but a dragon's hide is naturally resistant to magic. I might as well be throwing pebbles at her.”

Bardac's smirk soon turned into a reassuring smile. “Remind me when we get back to tell you the meaning of Dovahkiin.” He then turned to Atlas. “If we do not return by morning, send a search party.”

“To hunt for your corpses?” asked Atlas with a raised eyebrow.

“No,” grumbled Twilight as she shook her head, catching on to what Bardac meant. “Chances are this idiot will get us lost just getting there.”

Atlas couldn't hold back the snicker that bubbled in his throat. “Ahem...” he said once he composed himself. “Well, if you wish, I can ask one of our more experienced gatherers to lead you to the cave.”

With a shake of his head, Bardac replied, “No, I will not risk any of your pack. Just leave this to me.” He raised his hand, summoning a small, swirling ball of soft blue light. “Lead me to where I desire...” he whispered to the orb and a thin tendril of blue light erupted from it, leading deep within the forest.

Twilight and Atlas gazed curiously at the orb. “What is that spell?” asked Twilight, her eyes transfixed on the soft pulses it made.

“Clairvoyance: a rather useful little spell,” Bardac said through a grin. “When cast, it reveals the quickest trail to wherever the user wishes to go.”

“But you don’t know how to get to the dragon’s lair. How can your spell know something you don’t?”

Bardac shrugged. “The finer details are lost to the ages. I just know it works. Well, mostly works,” he chuckled. The orb of light pulsed softly and with each pulse, a ripple was sent down the tendril.

“If it’s so great, why didn't you use that to escape Canterlot? Or find Applejack's home?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow.

“That is why I said ‘mostly,’” Bardac replied, gazing out the window thoughtfully. “While it is more than happy to point you in the right direction… clairvoyance is not exactly picky about things like rough terrain, solid walls, sudden hundred foot drops off cliffs…” he grimaced. “If I used it in Canterlot, chances are it would have lead me straight through the front gates and into the largest pack of guards. As for Applejack, well. I had Apple Bloom with me. She knew where to go.”

Twilight rubbed her forehead once again with the tips of her wings this time. “You've got an answer for just about everything don't you,” she sighed.

“Pretty much,” said Bardac with a smirk. “Come. We are wasting time,” and with a nod of his head to Atlas, he murmured, “We will be back as quickly as possible. Be safe.”

“It should be me telling you that,” Atlas said with a small smile. “Be safe, Bardac. Princess Twilight. We shall await your return.”

“I hope you know what you're doing... I've got half a mind to teleport out of here,” muttered Twilight as she followed Bardac out of the village, keeping an eye on the pulsing light in front of them.

“If it does not go according to plan. Then do just that,” said Bardac quietly. “You will not die because of a mistake I made.”

Twilight wasn't sure whether to be nervous or reassured by Bardac's words, so she settled for reassured. “I just hope what Atlas told us about this dragon's temper was... exaggerated,” and as the pair followed the blue tendril of light deeper and deeper into the forest, she couldn't help but wonder just what sort of mess she'd gotten herself into. Again.

“You've been awfully quiet these last few minutes. Is everything alright, Bardac?” Twilight asked as she walked by Bardac's side, occasionally ducking to avoid a low hanging branch or two.

Bardac, who had been so transfixed on watching clairvoyance to make sure they didn't get lost, snapped back to reality with a jolt. “Oh? Oh, my apologies. I have just got…” he searched for the right word, “a lot on my mind.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow as she brushed past another branch using her wing, “We're about to come face to face with a fully grown dragoness and you're worried about other things?” a few seconds past before Twilight let out a deep sigh. “You are by far the strangest creature I know.”

“I will take that as a compliment,” chuckled Bardac. Before he said anything else however, Bardac crouched low and placed his hand in front of Twilight's face.

Unfortunately Twilight didn't quite react in time and walked straight into Bardac's outstretched hand. “Hey! What was that for?” Twilight grumbled, giving her nose a slight rub, but all that got her was a soft shush from Bardac. “Are we close?” she asked much more quietly.

As Bardac slowly pushed aside a nearby branch, he had a hard time keeping his excitement contained. “Twilight...” he said quietly, “How big are the dragons in Equestria?”

“It varies from dragon to dragon,” replied Twilight as she looked past Bardac's outstretched hand at the cave in front of them, the entrance easily large enough for the Ponyville town hall to sit comfortably inside. “Though, judging by the size of this cave, I'd say she's got to be at least thirty feet.”

“Long?” asked Bardac with a raised eyebrow.

“Tall,” replied Twilight dryly.

“Huh...” muttered Bardac as he looked down. “Well... a dragon is a dragon, no matter how big.” Deep down, the thrill of coming face to face with such a large dragon was so overwhelming, he was struggling not to run head first into the mouth of the cave. “Any suggestions?”

Twilight tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well... we could always just go back to Sweet Apple Acres and pretend this never happened.” She forced herself to smile, because she definitely wasn’t suggesting that because she was nervous. Nope.

Bardac sighed quietly. “Nice try, Twilight... but seriously. Any helpful suggestions?”

“From what Atlas was saying, she seems fairly open to negotiations, at least on her terms,” muttered Twilight, though she couldn't stop a soft yawn from escaping her lips. “Why couldn't they have come during lunch time... Why did it have to be in the middle of the night?”

“More difficult to spot at night, though I doubt a bright purple pony would understand the meaning of camouflage,” Bardac said with a snicker, ducking a second later to avoid being clipped around the ear by Twilight's wing.

“For your information, I can hide myself quite well, thank you. I'd like to see you try and find Pinkie Pie when she doesn't want to be found, and that mare's bright pink!” Twilight huffed, which soon turned into a sigh, “Before you go in that cave, answer me this Bardac. Why risk your life for a creature you don't even know?” she asked, looking up at Bardac with narrow, searching eyes.

“I will tell you later,” Bardac said rather abruptly, his eyes locked on the cave in front of them. “Something is inside that cave. Something big.

“Wait, what? I can't hear or see anything,” murmured Twilight. Then she felt it. The ground beneath her hooves shuddered softly in a steady beat as something moved around nearby, something massive, “Now Bardac, don't do anything-” but by the time she'd looked up at Bardac, she was too late. Bardac had already left her side and was halfway to the cave entrance, “-stupid,” she finished with a deflated huff. For the time being, she decided it would be much safer to remain where she was.

Bardac could feel his pulse racing, not just from the excitement of fighting dragon, but also the thrill of encountering a dragon larger than any he had ever seen before. The closer he got to the mouth of the cave, the more his heart pounded against his chest, “Calm down...” Bardac muttered to himself. “Big or small... a dragon is a dragon.”

“Bardac!” hissed Twilight as quietly as she could. “Get back here before you get us both killed! We need to come up with a plan instead of barging into a dragon's home! Trust me, it doesn't work!”

With a grin, Bardac gave Twilight a small wave before disappearing into the mouth of the cave. “Hey! Wake up!” his voice could be heard bellowing from inside.

“Sweet Celestia, he's going to die...” gulped Twilight as she rushed forward to the mouth of the cave, though when she peered inside, she was in for another nasty shock. “Bardac! Have you lost your mind!”

“Years ago,” replied Bardac as he prodded the side of a colossal green head resting on a mountainous pile of gold. “They tend to be heavy sleepers,” he added. “Here, watch.” Bardac gave the side of the dragon’s neck a full-blown slap.

Twilight was utterly lost for words. That is, until the massive dragoness Bardac was slapping started to awaken, “Get down from there!” she hissed as she ran to hide behind a nearby rock.

“Just... what do you think you are doing?” thundered a deep, yet surprisingly feminine voice. The dragoness had not only awoken, but was staring down at Bardac like a venomous snake poised to strike. “You annoy me. Don’t do that again.”

Bardac looked at the dragon, then at his hand, which was still raised.

“Don’t do it,” Twilight groaned.

Bardac lifted his hand higher.

“Strike me again, weakling, and there will be consequences.”

Bardac struck, and with a flick of her tail, the dragoness sent Bardac rolling down the mountain of gold. Her eyes followed him down with mild curiosity as she tried to figure out what he was and how he worked.

He landed hard at the bottom of the pile, groaning loudly, “Okay, I probably deserved that...”

“You think?” replied Twilight as she peered over the rock.

“Yes, but I had to do it.”

Twilight said nothing, but her narrowed eyes spoke volumes.

“Do not judge.”

“Please tell me this isn't the type of thing you do every day.”

"Not every day...” said Bardac thoughtfully as he stood up and brushed himself off, well aware of the irritated dragoness staring down at him. “But, most days,” he then looked up at the dragoness with a smile, “Now. Seeing you are awake, we have some business to attend to.”

“Oh really?” replied the dragoness as she raised a scaly eyebrow, “And what business does a pint sized creature like you and a pony have with me?”

Bardac finished dusting himself off and looked up at the dragoness, “I would like you to reconsider helping the diamond dog pack that you allowed to stay in your territory.”

The dragoness rolled her eyes, snorting smoke. “This again? I had assumed those dogs were intelligent enough to interpret the meaning of a severed head.”

“No, no.” Bardac said as he scratched at his chin. “Your position has been made clear to them, but might I offer another point of view?” Bardac’s head was not struck from his shoulders, so he continued. “Surely, any invasion and damage caused to that village is also an insult to you. Whether you have any love for its inhabitants is immaterial. After all, this land and all that lies upon it is your property, and its defilement is also yours,” he said.

The dragoness let out a somewhat thoughtful noise. “An interesting point. And yet, history is written by the survivors; is it not? Suppose I simply let them die, then have their existence forgotten? How can I have been slighted by attacks on a village that never existed?” The color drained from Bardac’s face and she laughed. “But I am not so blind as to be cruel out of spite when we both could stand to gain. Tell me, what will you offer me for helping these… dogs?” she finally asked, staring down at Bardac.

“Well, what do dragons like?” asked Bardac in return.

With a raised eyebrow, the dragoness looked down at her mountainous pile of gold, then back up at Bardac. “You really need to ask?” she said dryly

Bardac stared at the gold for a moment. “Ah, yes. Right, gold. Fresh out, I am afraid.”

“Then I see no reason to help,” the dragoness snorted before turning her head away from Bardac, using a wing to obscure her vision of the two intruders. “Now if you're done, I'm sure you two can see your way out.”

“Bardac!” Twilight called as she beckoned with a hoof. As Bardac came over, she said, “I know it might not work. But why don't you try that spell you used on Applejack's paperweight? You might find the rules of Skyrim magic don't apply to Equestrian magic.”

Bardac shook his head slowly and said, “Clever thinking, but I am afraid it does not quite work like that. The limitation is not due to where I am; trust me on that one,” he then let out a sigh and scratched the back of his head, “This was so much easier when all I had to do was kill the dragon to solve the problem...”

“Ixnay on the illingkay agonsdray!” Twilight hissed through clenched teeth.

Unfortunately, the dragoness overheard him, “What did you say?” she asked, her wing folding back as her head lowered down to Bardac. “You? Kill a dragon? A pint-sized little thing like you couldn't even make a dragon say ou—” Before she could finish her sentence, something struck her in the side of the jaw with enough force to send her head crashing into the side of the cave. “Ouch...”

The sound of cracking knuckles echoed through the cave as Bardac squared up to the dragoness, a vein pulsing in his temple. “You really should be more careful about saying what I cannot or should not do.”

“That hurt...” the dragoness hissed as she wiped her mouth. “Now you have doomed yourself.”

“What was that?” Bardac jeered, “My ears are still ringing from the sound of your head hitting the wall,” he said, a unnerving smirk crossing over his lips.

“Bardac!” screamed Twilight, “What on Equus did you do that for!?”

“She was annoying me,” Bardac replied, cracking his knuckles once again, though as he looked over his shoulder at Twilight, he said, “Do not worry... I am used to dealing with drago-” but he stopped when he heard a familiar and foreboding sound behind him. When he turned to look at the dragon, all he could see was a rolling wall of fire careening towards him. “Bugger.”

Twilight managed to form a protective bubble around herself before the searing wall of fire washed over her and out of the mouth of the cave. Even through the bubble, she could feel the heat of the flames. “Bardac!” Twilight screamed. He was nowhere to be seen. “Bardac!”

“VEN GAR!”

Deep within the flames, a violent twister formed. The wind churned, blowing dust, flames, and rocks clear out of the mouth of the cavern. As quickly as the twister appeared, it vanished and and the dust settled. A figure stood resilient on the scorched ground. “No way...” Twilight gasped as the bubble around her started to dissolve. “Bardac! How... are you still alive!”

Bardac didn't respond. His teeth were clenched, hands balled into fists. His rough fingernails cut bloody quarter moons into his palms.. The air around Bardac cracked as electricity arced between him and the ground. “Saak tozein... what is your name?” Bardac asked quietly.

The dragoness paused before answering. “Niy'ka... how are you not a pile of ash?” hissed Niy'ka, her maw opened wide but just before she could unleash another burst of flame towards Bardac, a colossal bolt of lightning barely missed her cheek and struck the wall behind them in an explosion of rock and dust. Niy'ka froze, her maw still open for a few seconds before she slowly closed it and looked at the cave wall behind her. Sunlight was filtering in through the hole from the other side of the mountain.

“Bardac, please. Calm down,” pleaded Twilight as she inched her way backwards out of the cave. She didn't really want to be in the middle of these two if things really kicked off. “We don't want to burn down the entire forest now...”

Niy'ka looked down to Bardac, “What... who are you?” she muttered quietly. She really didn't want to know what would have happened if she had been hit by whatever spell Bardac had used.

“I am Dovahkiin! Dragonborn of Skyrim!” Bardac replied, his golden eyes burning brightly while the smell of singed hair clung to him. “I will not ask again: will you help the pack?”

Niy'ka probably would have laughed at how persistent Bardac was had he not just blown a hole clean through the rock behind her. “I see...” she said as she sunk slightly into her pile of gold. “Very well... I'll help those stupid dogs...”

Bardac stared at the dragoness for a while before turning to head out of the cave. “Come on, Twilight. Atlas is waiting.” Just before he left the mouth of the cave, he looked back and Niy'ka and said, “I do not think I need to tell you what will happen if you break your word...” and before she could answer, he left.

Twilight looked over to Bardac, then up at Niy'ka and with a somewhat nervous chuckle, she gave a small wave of her wing before darting off after Bardac. “Wait for me!” she called.

This left Niy'ka alone with her gold and the hole in the rock behind her. A low rumble escaped her throat as she muttered, “What... just happened?”

“Don't you think you overdid it back there?” asked Twilight as she walked just behind Bardac, using him to clear the thick brush in front of her, “I mean... yes, she tried to burn you alive, but you did punch her in the jaw.”

“The punch was because she was annoying me,” replied Bardac as he brushed past a few thick branches, “The hole? Well... that was because she almost hurt you.”

“Me? Just because I’m not violent doesn’t mean I’m a weakling, you know,” she pouted, but still smiled.

“I can take care of myself when it comes to dragons. If I get hurt, then it is my own fault for picking a fight. But if she had hurt you, my friend, chances are I would be dragging her head back to the village instead.”

Twilight hadn't expected such a blunt response, but she was slowly getting the idea that Bardac was a creature that did what he wanted, when he wanted. “Seriously, though. You don't have to worry about me,” Twilight said as she looked away sheepishly. “I can take care of myself. I may not know much about your magic, but I’m not going to be some squealing damsel like in the old stories.” Bardac looked thoughtful and they continued through the undergrowth for a minute before Twilight spoke up again. “Did you have to use a spell powerful enough to blow a hole through solid rock?”

“Your dragons may be different, but where I am from, a dragon understands power. You can say ‘please’ all you like, but the surest way to change their minds is to let them know you can destroy them.” Bardac soon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “If there is one thing that makes my blood boil… it is underhanded attacks. Which is why I made sure Niy'ka was looking at me before I hit her,” Bardac said with a small shake of his head, “If something or someone tries to sneak up on me. I give them one chance to run or apologize, if they do not... well. On their head it will be.”

“But... what if it's somepony playing a joke?” asked Twilight, glancing at Bardac, “Have you ever... you know?”

Bardac glanced over his shoulder at Twilight, “Once or twice. But there is nothing in Skyrim that cannot be solved by a good brawl,” he said with a smirk.

“So... Skyrim is just full of creatures like yourself beating each other senseless over the littlest of things?” Twilight asked, she was astonished that such a world could exists.

“...Pretty much,” Bardac replied after a moment of consideration, “I cannot say I have ever solved my problems in any other way.”

Twilight let out a groan and shook her head, “No offense, but your home sounds kind of terrible. Who would want to live there?” she asked.

Bardac shrugged. “You like your way; it is what you are used to. We like our way.”

“So, that’s how it is because that’s how it is?” Twilight groaned at the tautology. “But why is that just how it is?”

Bardac let out a small, sober sigh, “Because in Skyrim, if you do not fight. You die. Unless you are born into royalty, you have to struggle and fight to earn and survive.”

“Oh...” replied Twilight quietly.

“I would not worry yourself too much, Twilight,” said Bardac as he reached down to give her neck a light pat. “It is not a world you will ever have to see. Would you believe me if I said I am actually a little jealous of you?”

Twilight's head snapped up fast enough that for a moment she feared she’d give herself whiplash. “Why would you say that?” she asked as she rubbed the back of her neck.

“Why would I not be? Equestria is a beautiful place to be. Nature just thrives here, and besides Niy'ka and the royal guards, nothing has tried to hurt me,” Bardac replied with a light chuckle.

“Well, when you put it that way... I suppose it is a pretty good place to be,” Twilight said with a light giggle. “But, there's still one thing I don't understand. What in Equus is a ‘dragonborn’?”

“The legend of the Dovahkiin goes back many, many centuries. The literal translation of Dovahkiin is Dov-ah-kiin. Which translates into born hunter of dragon-kind,” said Bardac as he scratched at his beard. “At least... I think that was what the Greybeards said.”

“You think,” Twilight said flatly.

“When you spend your life taking blows to the head, your memory becomes… imperfect,” Bardac explained and Twilight just shook her head and changed the subject.

“So... you... hunt dragons?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

Bardac's expression soured. “Only those who prove to be a threat to my world and those I care about. Those who go about their daily business without harming the innocents around them have no quarrel with me,” he said with a murmur. “I have killed countless dragons. Only a few have chosen the path of peace.”

“Not all dragons in your world are bad then?” asked Twilight with a smile, trying to lift Bardac's mood just a little.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Bardac replied, “Only most of them. Still, many others believe the world would be better off without dragons entirely. Without them, though, I would not be who I am today, so I suppose I should be thankful.”

“I suppose that's one way to think of it,” said Twilight thoughtfully and as the pair walked through the forest, she couldn't help but wonder what other knowledge Bardac had to offer. He knew spells she didn't and the fact that he never seemed to get scared simply baffled her. Twilight set a goal in her mind: she was going to try and at least get an understanding of this ‘dragonborn’ that was either very brave or very stupid.

The next few minutes passed in relative silence, broken only by the crunch of leaves under their feet and the whip of branches springing back into position. Twilight mused over what to ask first. Bardac gave no indication of his thoughts. Suddenly, he bent down beside her ear and whispered, “Twilight, keep your eyes forward and keep walking. We are being followed. Act natural.”

“Are you sure?”

“Call it an instinct. I just have this feeling,” he replied. Then he saw it, a flash of bright red and shimmering gold, “What the...” Bardac muttered, struggling to follow the bright flashes that pulsed in the darkness of the forest. Sometimes it was in front of him, sometimes it was behind, whatever it was though, it was quick.

“What the... what? What are you looking at?” asked Twilight as she scanned the forest around them. No matter how much she looked, she couldn't see what Bardac could.

“There,” said Bardac, pointing to where he saw the last flash. “And again!” though he was just a split second too slow to point at the next flash before it vanished. It had been a long time since he had encountered a creature he couldn't keep up with. “What in oblivion is going on here...” just then, Bardac caught sight of something floating nearby and when he plucked it from the air, he was somewhat bemused to discover it was a bright red feather.

“Oh my!” gasped Twilight as Bardac showed her the feather. “I've only seen a feather like that once before. That's a phoenix feather!”

Bardac stared at the feather for a moment. “What is a phoenix?” he asked.

Twilight smiled widely as she said, “A phoenix is an amazing bird. Immortal in many respects. When it dies, it bursts into flames whereupon it is reborn from its ashes. Celestia is the only pony I know of who's ever been able to keep one as a pet.” She frowned soon after and scratched her chin. “But... I've never known of a phoenix living in the Everfree Forest. They’re not native to this region.”

The soft whoosh of wings soon caught their attention and with a muffled thud, something landed on the top of Bardac's head before giving out a soft, musical call, “Your phoenix, I presume?” asked Bardac as he gestured with a thumb at his head, “Looks like this one does.”

“But... but...” Twilight stuttered, her eye twitching. “A wild phoenix doesn't just up and land on somepony!” She then looked at Bardac with a scowl. “What sort of spell did you cast on that poor bird?”

Bardac chuckled, his arm reaching up to his head and when he felt the weight of the bird go from his head to his forearm, he gently lowered the bird in front of him for a better look. “None. I have always had... somewhat of an affinity with wildlife. Usually, it only means that we are content to leave each other alone,” he said as he admired the beautiful red and gold plumage that covered the phoenix.

“I suppose we should take it with us,” Twilight said, though her voice didn’t carry its usual authoritative certainty.

“Why? Are they good to eat?”

“Bardac!” Twilight huffed. “Phoenixes are rare finds even in their native territories; finding one out here is less than a one in a million chance.”

“Very well,” Bardac nodded, “but feeding it is your job.” He then lifted the phoenix back up onto his head.

So, with his unusual companion in tow, Twilight and Bardac made their way back to the village where Atlas was waiting for them near the firepit that burned brightly.

“You return!” said Atlas, beaming. “Tell me. Did you...” He couldn't help but trail off as he looked up at the phoenix balancing on the top of Bardac's head. “Do you know you have a phoenix on your head?” Atlas asked.

“Really? I did not notice,” Bardac replied, a chuckle rolling from his lips as he reached up to give the phoenix a light scratch underneath its beak. “To answer your unfinished question. Yes, Niy'ka will be helping you. She will arrive at sunrise.”

“Niy'ka?”

“The dragon.”

“She told you her name as well? That is astonishing,” Atlas said, his eyes wide in amazement. “What on Equus did you do in there?”

Twilight shook her head slowly. “Don't ask. The less said, the better,” she then let out a sigh and stretched out. “I don't suppose there's any place I could take a small nap? It's been a very long day.”

“Of course, of course,” Atlas said as he gestured to a small hut near the edge of the village. “It might not be suitable for a princess, but I'm afraid it's all we can offer.”

“It'll be fine,” said Twilight reassuringly. “It's only for a few hours,” before she entered the hut, she turned to Bardac and smiled slightly, “Try not to get into trouble while I'm sleeping. If you can help it.”

“No promises,” Bardac replied, a smirk crossing his lips. “But I am sure Atlas here can keep me under control.”

Atlas chuckled before letting out a small sigh. “I am... relieved. I cannot thank you enough Bardac. Perhaps my pack can finally live in peace with Niy'ka's help.”

“Do not thank me just yet,” said Bardac as he sat down in front of the fire. “I am going to stay and make sure that she keeps to her word. Otherwise, I will be having a few choice with her in the morning.”

Atlas smiled and sat down next to Bardac, staring into the fire that bathed them in warmth. “Like to see things through to the end, do you?” he asked.

Bardac glanced to Atlas, in the glow of the fire he couldn't help but notice how old and tired the diamond dog looked. “It is a good habit to get into,” answered Bardac quietly. “I am sure you agree.”

“Oh, I do. I do,” said Atlas with a nod of his head. “I'm... surprised, Bardac. That not only did you agree to help, but you've chosen to remain and guarantee the safety of the village.”

“Old habits die hard,” Bardac said as he reached up to the phoenix on his head, coaxing it onto his arm so he could bring it down onto his leg. “I am no stranger to fighting, nor to death, as sad as it is to say. But why did you not try and get in contact with Celestia or Luna? I know they hold no command over this forest, but I do not see them refusing to help at all.”

Atlas sighed, “Truth be told... diamond dogs and ponies have never seen eye to eye. I couldn't just send one of my pack into Canterlot and ask for an audience with the princesses. They wouldn't have made it past the front gate.” Atlas scratched his ear, grumbling loudly, “The actions of few can turn the minds of many.”

Bardac stared into the fire, his hand resting on the sleeping phoenix now curled up in his lap. “I doubt truer words have ever been spoken...” he replied quietly.

“That phoenix certainly seems fond of you; I’ve never seen that before,” Atlas mused, changing the subject to something a little more cheerful. “Are you going to keep it?”

“One day, I will leave this world and return home. Its home is here on Equus, not in Skyrim. Twilight knows plenty about them; perhaps she can find a suitable home for it.” Bardac looked over at the sleeping alicorn. She seemed so small when she wasn’t awake and telling him what to do. “I must bear in mind that I will have to say goodbye to everyone I meet,” Bardac said sadly. “It would be foolish of me to get too attached.” He would have loved to keep such a rare and exotic creature, but it would be better if it remained where it belonged. A yawn escaped Bardac’s mout, he didn't realized just how tired he was. “I hope you do not mind Atlas, but I think I am going to take a leaf out of Twilight's book and get a few hours of shut eye.”

Atlas let out a chuckle. “By all means... I think you deserve a rest. If you need me, I will be in my hut. Sleep well, Bardac.” Leaving Bardac by the fire, Atlas made his way slowly into his hut, looking forward to some sleep himself.

"Hey boss! We got something!”

“What is it?”

“I got... no idea. Wait, it's waking up.”

Bardac's eyes slowly opened with a groan from his lips, he was pretty stiff from sleeping next to the fire all night. What he didn't expect to see was the bright light of the sun and the sharp point of a crude spear barely an inch from his nose. With a small grumble, it didn't take long for Bardac to realise what had happened. “Rolph's pack?”

“Yes.”

“No dragon?”

“What dragon?” the dog rasped.

“Figures, Bardac huffed loudly. “And I was just starting to hope that we could all be friends.” A deep, unsettling smirk crossed over his lips. “You might want to start running.”