One of the things that I’d found surprising about thestral society was just how quickly word seemed to spread. Despite the oddly defined lands they occupied, there was a well established, if unofficial ‘grapevine’. Jungle drums certainly beat loud in the Withers and so did the ones in the village, only this time, they weren’t to welcome a visiting dragon. This time, something else was coming…and there were a lot of them too.

Etrida turned to face the mass of armoured thestrals flying inexorably toward us, letting out a loud rumble as smoke vented from between her bared teeth and nostrils. I had a sudden mental image of intense fire rolling towards me but shook my head, dispelling the dreadful memory. Whether she was a calming influence or not was hard to say, but as Etrida’s friend, Shadow stood next to the dragon elder speaking quietly to her. The dragon may well have listened, but the burning tension in the air was all too clear for everypony to see.

Concerned about the newcomers, Ember rushed over to a group of warriors who were talking urgently with Thorn; the old major motioning me to join them.

“Captain, we don’t know who they are but we’d welcome any assistance if you’re willing. You’re still a guest here, but…”

I shook my mane, “You know me Major, and you already know my answer”.

He gave a short laugh before trotting over to the duchess, bowing to her “My lady, your orders?”

Ember stood tall, authority radiating from her in her every word, “Find out who they are Major, but do not fight unless you have to. Make sure your warriors know that as well, please.”

Thorn bowed again, “Yes, my lady”

We were soon flying high over the tree tops, trying to reach the same altitude as the approaching warriors when I noticed them cease their forward movement and maintain station. Three of them detached from the main host and approached us. Thorn, myself and another officer headed out to meet them. At this point our weapons were sheathed to avoid appearing threatening, but if I knew thestrals, they could be drawn and ready in a heartbeat. I fought the urge to check my sword was free in its scabbard. Right now it was the only physical weapon I had on me, my scythe unfortunately, was back with the rest of my gear in Shadows bed chamber. After all, why would I need to be fully geared up for a welcoming celebration? I sighed inwardly, ‘welcome to the Wither world…’

The thestrals before us kept a respectful distance, apparently as wary of us as we were of them. They were armoured the same as those of the Beyond, but with the addition of long yellow stripes, making them look like grotesque bumble bees. I’d seen armour like this before, it was the same as the ones I’d seen…

“You!” one of them shouted, pointing at me, “You’re one of these…these dragon lovers?!”

All eyes were on me now, “Stone Hammer, welcome to the Beyond.”

He spluttered and shook his head, “But…but you…”

“If you’re talking about Etrida,” I said pointedly, “she is an honoured guest, and the one who saved my mate from meeting the same fate as your sister. You may also be interested to know that we hadn’t killed Sharar at the Coal Spike after all. He’s dead now.”

I crossed my forelegs for emphasis, “Very”.

Stone Hammer looked to Thorn who grinned at him, hefting his axe, “I assume you’ve come to meet the dragonslayer, the lady Shadow? We would welcome you in peace…brother”.

The thestrals from the Broken Cliff tribe looked to one another and spoke just out of earshot. The exchange was heated, with no small amount of confused gesturing and head scratching; it was almost comical.

One of the warriors from the main body suddenly flew up to Stone Hammers group and was shouting urgently, waving off toward the north east. There, another group of armoured thestrals was approaching at speed. I recognised their banners and the red and black armour immediately, it looked like one big family re-union…just with heavy weaponry.

Entering stage right, was Forge, Short Stride and the warriors of the Purple Sands. I addressed Stone Hammer who was looking decidedly uncomfortable, “Hammer, be welcome with us this day. The lady Shadow has returned and soon we will be returning home. Come and celebrate with us brother, please”

I held out my hoof which he looked at like I was holding out a poisonous snake, then glanced at Thorn, “I will trust you, lord Fairlight. These others…”

“Are my brothers, as you are Stone Hammer” I cut in, “Our ancestors fought side by side with the goddess of the moon, and I for one honour that memory” I fixed him with my blue eyed gaze, “Will you, brother?”

There was the briefest of pauses, uncertainly flashing across his face before with a shake of his mane, he reached out and linked forelegs with me, “I will”.

The gathering in the village was now far larger than it had ever been designed to accommodate, but in an encouraging show of solidarity, the villagers opened their homes and even the grand hall itself to the new arrivals. The warriors of the Purple Sands, Broken Cliff and the Beyond, all mingled together, laughing and drinking like old friends. I looked on in wonder; beneath the veneer of separatism, they were all one family after all. Even if only for today, everypony had been able to put old differences aside. The element of harmony would have been proud.

Thorn clopped me on the shoulder, “Damned glad we avoided a fight there Captain. With the duchess here and our village as a potential battlefield, it wouldn’t have ended well.” He shrugged, “Even with the Earls warriors backing us.”

Somehow I doubted that a battle here would have left many structures standing. Thestrals weren’t exactly considerate of collateral damage when they fought.

The higher ranking thestrals of the three tribes were deep in conversation whilst Shadow and I sat with Etrida, who had a sleeping Tarragon under her wing. Despite everything, she was still her mother and it warmed my heart to see them together. It hadn’t escaped Shadow either who gave me a meaningful look from under her eyebrows. The great dragon grinned down at us,

“You must have a foal together, Fairlight. You know it is what your mate wishes, do you not?”

Oh, very subtle! Thanks, Etrida. I just nodded. Shadow nudged me with her muzzle then looked away shyly. It was cute, but I wished Etrida wouldn’t make me feel so bloody uncomfortable like that.

The great dragon hadn’t finished with me apparently, “You will need to assert yourself Shadow,” she said smirking, “he is a male after all.”

I have to say, I was getting used to the matriarchal nature of things now, but for once, just bloody once, I’d like one of the females in my life to take me seriously! Mind you, I didn’t much care really, I was just happy to be with them and felt honoured to be a part of their lives. I stretched a wing over Shadow and she snuggled into me, letting out a soft whinny.

I looked up at the hoofsteps approaching me, Etrida eyeing the newcomer. Stone Hammer had removed his weaponry and had recovered some of the proud demeanour I’d seen when we fought Sharar. He nodded to me then approached Etrida, slightly hesitantly I noticed. Etrida never moved, but stayed where she was, watching him in silence. I didn’t doubt for a moment that the huge creature could turn all of us to ash in the blink of an eye if she so desired, and I hoped Hammer wouldn’t rile her to such acts. But then, who could understand the minds of dragons?

“Lady Etrida”, the thestral warrior began, “may I speak with you?”

She nodded.

Stone Hammer bowed to her, “The duchess has explained why you are here in thestral lands and for helping my friend, I thank you on behalf of the Broken Cliff tribe.”

Etrida stroked Tarragon who purred in her sleep. Hammer seemed a little unsure of how to continue, “My lady…” he backed away, bowing respectfully again before Etrida let out a small puff of smoke,

“You came here to kill me, didn’t you…you and your warriors”, It wasn’t a question.

Hammer nodded, “Yes. Your coming here into thestral lands was an act of war. Any thestral entering your lands would meet a similar fate.”

She snorted, “True enough”. Etrida yawned, treating us all to a display of her enormous teeth before settling down and fixing Hammer with a stare, “And now?”

He looked to me, “No…not now”

Etrida chuckled and leaned over to nuzzle Shadow, “Times change, warrior. Hearts change, but memories remain. It’s up to us to decide whether those memories help define us…or control us.” She smiled down at Shadow, “Sometimes it takes someone to help show you the path you lost…and guide you back”.

I looked at Etrida in a new light. This huge creature, one who could kill a pony with a single bite, was a lot more than i’d first given her credit for. In my world, dragons were terrifying killing machines, a preconception that Etrida had just turned upside down. For a moment, I wondered about the small dragon in Ponyville. Maybe he would grow up to be like Etrida some day, noble and true; goddess forbid he ended up like Sharar. But then, for all his cruelty, Sharar was still a tragic product of war…I would probably never know what had driven him to such terrible acts, and I was glad of it too. I needed to be able to sleep at night and I had enough bad memories of my own without adding to them.

Stone Hammer bowed again to Etrida before turning to me, “I’m pleased you found your mate, my friend. Perhaps you can tell me about your exploits; my brothers have found some Balta, will you join us?”

I looked to Shadow who nodded to me with a wink. A bow to Etrida and a quick kiss for Shadow later, I followed Hammer to the mass of warriors and the barrels of brain scouring alcohol.

As the Balta flowed, several fights broke out, if only good natured and thank the goddess, no weapons came into play. Thorn and Hammer just laughed at the antics and drank together like old friends. Forge too, engaged in conversation with the Broken Cliff hierarchy, his wife playing host as well as Ember. Dancing, music and rough housing was the order of the day for these warriors and in the light of the fires that had been hastily lit for the revellers, I found myself story telling to a rapt audience. I spoke of my battle with Sharar, the adventure at the monastery and, to the surprise of many, the final slaying of the dragon by Shadow.

Actually, I wasn’t sure how referring to the ‘slaying of a dragon’ would go down with Etrida, but fortunately for me, she hadn’t been on good terms with the black dragon. Especially as he’d apparently tried to make a meal of Shadow, who’d barely escaped with her life. Besides which, a quick check showed she was too engrossed in chatting with Shadow to be bothered listening to my overly dramatic performance.

Later that night, drunk, sleeping and generally unconscious thestrals littered the village. Not a few had found their way into each other huts, and their noisy exploits carried through the air to my ears and, no doubt, Shadow who looked up at me with those burning red eyes. Etrida cleared her throat when she saw me moving to kiss Shadow,

“If you’re going to do ‘that’”, she rumbled, “I’d prefer it if you found a room inside and not in front of my daughter. Or me.”

Honestly, I didn’t really feel like doing ‘that’, I was too tired, drunk and comfy just lying by Shadows side. She snuggled into me and let out a deep breath, closing her eyes. No, tonight was for resting and tomorrow…tomorrow we’d be on our way home.

We were woken with a breakfast of porridge, some type of oatcake and berries. A surprisingly tasty hot malted beverage washed it all down nicely too. We’d all been assembled; the three tribes, myself and Shadow, as well as the leaders. Before us stood Etrida and Star Beard, who was cloaked in his threadbare look-alike Starswirl cloak and hat, complete with staff and bells.

Earlier that morning, the hall’s porters had brought out a makeshift altar of some kind, upon which Star Beard had arranged Thalio’s dagger and one of Starswirls beacons. I was relieved that I still had another in case of ‘accidents’. I also planned to return it to Twilight Sparkle, the first chance I got. She’d risked a lot for me and I prayed she’d be safe. Not that these days I really knew who to pray to, as my world was rapidly becoming something I felt was totally alien to me as well as repeatedly having that odd sense of ‘being here before’.

Shadow nudged my shoulder to get my attention and I snapped my head up to see Star Beard standing on his hind legs with his wings splayed, and holding his staff above his head. From him flowed some of the most unusual sounds I’d ever heard, presumably it was some sort of language but what it was, I had no idea. The old thestral uttered a hissing, moaning sound that immediately made my hackles go up and, judging by the looks of the others around me, I wasn’t the only one.

Whatever those words were, whatever they meant, there was power in them. The air around Star Beards staff shimmered like a heat haze and my horn began to itch in reaction to the powerful magical build up.

Before him, the beacon on the altar began to glow, the familiar white of the crystal turning blue then purple, matching the electrical sparking along the blade from the eternal herd. The flow of sound permeated everything around us, building, ebbing and rising again. Etrida rose up on her hind legs and she too began to chant that strange language in time with Star Beard, a sort of harmonising of their two voices. It was, I admit, fascinating, yet at the same time something that I’d likely see in my dreams for years to come.

From her mouth, the elder dragon blew a fine green flame of magic, a total contrast to the incinerating fire of Sharar. This produced no heat I could feel, but still made my horn itch like crazy. There was a massive build up of magic before me and it was becoming more and more intense by the second, a virtual whirlwind of power swirling between the thestral mage and the dragon, all of it focussed on the altar.

A wind sprung up from nowhere, blasting through the village, howling around all the warriors and looked like it was being sucked up and into a magical vortex that suddenly appeared over the heads of the two wielders of magic. Worried looks amongst the thestrals battled with their warlike nature to stand against the unknown; this was clearly something very few of them had ever seen. It truly was incredible to watch, the green fire nothing short of mesmerising, yet on some level, what I was watching almost made sense to me. The best way I could describe it was like a jigsaw puzzle you’ve never seen the picture of, coming together and giving you a glimpse, but only a glimpse, of the finished article. These two knew their craft; each piece was there, slotting seamlessly into place, the words finding the location, the magic fixing them in place, until…

A loud clap of thunder pulsed out from the altar in a shock wave of sound and force, flattening the grass and buffeting the warriors in an ever expanding circle. The green fire flared a bright blue before winking out of existence, the wind disappearing as quickly as it had come. Star Beard dropped back to all fours and stumbled, caught quickly by Freya who gave him a kind and gentle look I hadn’t thought the brusque mare would be capable of.

Etrida turned to Shadow and I, nodding, “It is done”. Her voice was heavy from the effort but also held a background note of relieved pride, “Come, take the key and ready yourselves.”

Star Beard too, leaning against his marefriend, beckoned us forward and both Shadow and I walked up to stand before the altar. I couldn’t help but stare at the dagger; it had looked strange before, but now the blade glowed with an intense white light, swirling patterns and lightening flashes sparking along the length. The beacon, I noticed, had disappeared completely, melding with the dagger in the forge of magic. The old thestral mage smiled at me, “Didn’t think the fool had it in him, eh?”

“No Colonel, I never doubted you. Not for a moment”, I replied honestly.

He gave me a knowing wink before gently moving away from the protective forelegs of Freya, “Well, this is it Captain. If this works, if Starswirl’s correct, it will act as a key to allow you through the Rift.”

I stared down at the dagger, “If it doesn’t work?”

“Let’s not think about that, boy. Positive thinking and all that, right?”

I felt my eye twitch, “Yeah…right”

Etrida laughed aloud before reaching out to stroke Tarragon who had scrambled up and onto my barding, “You will be riding on my back for this journey. I can fly a lot faster than you and other dragons will not bother us this way”, she shook herself and looked down at me with her huge reptilian eyes, “I would not do this for anypony, lord Fairlight, but for Shadow and my children, I will…’permit’ you to travel on my back”

She gave me a meaningful look and I bowed to her, “Thank you lady Etrida, we couldn’t have got this far without you.”

The great dragon blinked, letting out a snort of smoke, “No. No you couldn’t”.

Well, that was me put in my place! Shadow gave me a shy grin and there began a long bout of farewell’s and hoof shaking, to the point it left me with an aching shoulder. I didn’t care though, who knew when…or if, I would ever return here. These were my friends, even the axe wielding guard shook my hoof which I accepted with a wry smile. Forge, Short Stride, Ember, Thorn, Stone Hammer, everyone…and finally Star Beard, who gave me a hug that nearly made me jump in shock,

“Take care, Fairlight, and take care of our young Shadow. She will most likely be the first thestral to enter your world in over a thousand years. Others may not see that change as being particularly ‘welcome’. I’m sure you understand?”

I nodded.

“I’ve put my diary in your pannier along with some extra bits and pieces for later.” He looked me in the eyes, “Don’t forget us, Captain. Don’t forget your other family; you are as much a part of the tribe now as any of us. Through you, the memory of our deeds in the mortal realm will be kept alive.”

Star Beard and I clopped hooves before I trotted over to Etrida. She looked back at us, stretching her legs, “Wait until I am in the air and then land on my back. When you are in place, take the collar around my neck and hang on tight, I won’t be slowing or stopping.”

I’m glad I went to the bathroom before we’d come out here, I somehow doubted that there’d be a chance for toilet breaks on our way to the Rift. A final round of farewells and tearful hugs from Shadow’s sisters later, and the three of us, four if you count the squeaking dragonling, took to the air.

Surprisingly, Etrida was actually not that uncomfortable to sit on. However, it was obvious dragons were never meant for passengers; spikes and large bumps meant to protect against enemies in a fight stuck out all around me. At least they gave me something else to grab hold of if need be. Fortunately, a hastily constructed collar of that horrible white leathery material had been fitted around her neck with straps for us to tie ourselves on with. We were pretty well secured, but I still really didn’t like the thought of flying on the back of something with no control, and it was also quickly apparent that the harness was not quite as sturdy as I’d have hoped.

The sheer speed Etrida could fly was eye watering, the rush of air threatening to tear us from her back and out into the clouds below. In no time at all though, we were flying over the mountains, which whipped past in a black and grey blur of rock and sulphurous cloud. Tarragon had wisely retreated to my pannier and a quick check on Shadow showed she was having the same thoughts I was; we both wanted this to be over as soon as possible. Flying in a chariot, carriage or under my own power was a far cry from being strapped to a dragon’s back, but if nothing else, this experience was something I’d be able to regale Sparrow and Lumin with one day…If daddy survived of course.

In answer to my unspoken thoughts, Etrida called back to us in her great booming voice, “Behold! The Shallows lie beyond the next mountain!”

I tried to see past the tears streaming from my eyes, but all I could make out was a large black crack in the rocky ground, a crack that seemed to be growing inexorably as we approached. The inside of it seemed endless, with thick white clouds flowing within its depths from which lightening flashed, illuminating the sheer, jagged sides. I took a deep breath to speak but the dragon had her own plans,

“Have the key ready, Fairlight…we’re going in”

“We’re going in?” I shouted in surprise, “Aren’t we going to…”

“No time like the present!” Etrida shouted back, interrupting me, “Fortune favours the bold, little pony!”

I shut my eyes as the world lurched sickeningly and the huge dragon nose dived ninety degrees, straight down into the clouds and lightning below us. Shadow screamed beside me and I felt like my insides were burning. I thought I’d throw up but the wind and sheer speed of our descent made any physical reaction nigh on impossible. All we could do now was hang on for dear life. Thank the goddess the straps were holding up despite the wind shaking and throwing us about violently in our headlong descent. One term chose to pop into my mind involuntarily, ‘Terminal Velocity’. Goddesses help us, if we hit something at this speed, we’d be in the afterlife before we felt anything…what a comforting thought.

A shout from Etrida slammed into my head over the noise, “Fairlight! Hold the blade before you and send your magic into it as we planned. Do it now!”

I fumbled for the blade, but it was like trying to catch soap with the force of the wind against my body.

“Fairlight! Now would be a good time!”

With all my magical strength, I pulled out the dagger and held it before me, my wendigo power holding it firm and steady. Etrida let out a huge gout of green fire into our path which encompassed our bodies in its otherworldy light until, with a slight resistance and ear popping ‘thump’, the landscape below us transitioned to one I recognised all too well.

“Equestria!” I shouted, “By the goddesses hairy arse we’ve made it!”

Despite my jubilation, I was quickly aware that something was wrong; we were still plummeting at terrifying speed. Etrida’s wings couldn’t seem to stabilise us properly and I cried out to her, “Etrida! We’re going too fast, you need to pull up!”

She didn’t reply, instead I caught a sense of the tremendous struggle she was having trying to correct our descent. “Shadow!” I shouted to my mate beside me, she was just coming back to consciousness herself, “We need to add our strength to Etrida’s or we’ll crash”. Giving herself a shake, she nodded and together, we spread our wings to catch the air, adding our own flight power to aid our huge friend pull out of her dive.

It worked, but barely.

Shadow and I beat our wings as hard as we could, but it was like dragging them through treacle. Angling them just so, shouting guidance to one another, the three of us began a long, slow correction from a straight down dive to a controlled descent, and just in the nick of time. Hills and trees tore past only yards below us and I’m sure I heard Etrida’s claws clipping the tops of them before she was able to beat her wings properly again and power us back into the blue sky of my home land.

Come to think of it, now I was able to have a good look around at the landscape, I actually had no idea where we’d emerged. The land below us looked like Equestria, but there was nothing I could see other than trees, hills and grass. There were no signs of life other than birds and the odd deer, but thankfully, our well travelled pilot had no problem with knowing where she was.

“I can smell my children!” Etrida shouted to us excitedly, “They are near!”

“That’s wonderful Etrida!” I called back, “Do you know where we are?”

“Near the Crystal Mountains, where are do you wish to go?”

“Do you know a little village called Smiling Borders?”

“Alas, no. It was probably established during my absence”

“Would you be able to take us to the Everfree, the Spire Mountains ?”

“Now that I do know!” she laughed, “We must be quick, I don’t want to leave my children with that buffoon any longer than I have already”

Once again, we were off at high speed, Etrida soaring across the sea of green forest far below. I could almost see the Spire Mountains in the distance, and beyond them, my beloved home in the village of Smiling Borders. Shadow looked over at me, tired, but with a ridiculous grin on her face. I couldn’t stop staring at her, the way her coat and mane looked in this light, the way it shone, it made my heart sing. The light of the Wither world had always been dull, with that odd background luminescence which was only ever one step away from total darkness. It certainly did nothing to illustrate the variation of colours I could see now. Not even the crystalline light of the Beyond had prepared me for the incredibly lustrous sheen of Shadows fur shining in the equestrian sunlight.

Her coat, which had looked almost black back in the Withers, now appeared a deep blue, the colour of the night sky. Her long tail and mane, rippling in the backwash from Etrida’s wings, were a pure black but with a silvery sheen to them that made them sparkle like starlight. As expected though, her eyes still blazed as red as they always had, they just weren’t as noticeable in the daylight. I marvelled at her, she truly was a magnificent creature.

Shadow furrowed her brow, watching me staring at her. I suddenly realising what I was doing and opened my mouth to apologise, but not knowing what to say, I simple sat there looking like a prize idiot. She just shook her head and chuckled to herself, giving me a cheeky wink; she knew alright! I could feel myself blushing red in embarrassment, I knew it was rude to stare…but still.

I could smell the Everfree long before we saw it, the clouds thick and pungent with its earthy scent. Sure enough, there, wreathed in white cloud, were the Spire Mountains and…yes! There it was, the river! I knew where we were now, we weren’t far from the village. I was nearly home!

Etrida must have sensed my excitement, “We are near, Fairlight?”

“We are”, I called back, “You can drop us off here if you like, Etrida. We haven’t got far to go and I know you’ll be wanting to get back to your babies”

“True,” She said raising an eyebrow,” but I wish to see this ‘home’ you have for Shadow, lord Fairlight. After that ‘incident’ at the monastery, I want to be assured my friend is in safe hooves. I am certain you understand?”

I smiled at her, “I do, thank you Etrida.”

With my directions, seemingly within mere moments we were directly over the sleepy village, sweeping down to a rather lumpy landing. Shadow and I thankfully unbuckled ourselves from the harness which we quickly helped remove from our dragon friend. I suddenly felt incredibly light after having the heavy straps taken off and no doubt Etrida felt that tenfold having had two enquine passengers as well to content with.

We’d landed on the slight rise outside the village and had a wonderful view of Smiling Borders. On the air, I could smell the inviting aroma of woodsmoke. A thin trail of it rose lazily from the chimney of the largest building we could see; the Wyvern’s Tail.

Etrida snorted, lifting her head to look around, “We are being watched, be on your guard.”

I checked my gear just in case, but…here? I couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, “Don’t worry, the creatures here are my friends Etrida, we’re safe”.

She didn’t seem so convinced, continually looking to the forests’s edge. I looked beyond her, scanning the trees for any signs of danger, but couldn’t see anything except the darkly ominous forest. Just on the edge of hearing though, I heard a light woody clacking noise…timber wolves. Friendly? Who could say, but they didn’t normally come out during the daytime anyway and there’d been no more attacks since my fight with their leader. Maybe it was a different pack? In any case, they didn’t pose much of a threat to a wendigo or a dragon; probably not to a thestral either, for that matter. Although I hadn’t seen her use it often, Shadow had a lethal form of magic all her own.

We walked and loped down toward the village green, Etrida’s graceful lines clearly more in tune with flying than with walking. Despite that however, the sunlight made the emerald green dragon shine as if she were made of gemstones. I could see why these wondrous creatures were held in such awe by ponies, even if their reputation wasn’t ‘quite’ as well deserved as I’d originally thought. Etrida hadn’t eaten anypony yet at any rate.

Without warning, from out of the treeline a large figure emerged; horned, armoured and ready for a fight by the appearance of the large double headed axe held in its hand. Behind the bipedal creature, more armoured figures emerged until, eventually, we were facing what was in effect a small army. Banners began to appear sporadically like somepony had just remembered to pull them out at the last minute.

The door of the tavern opened. From within, a magnificent armoured griffin emerged, the gold and silver plates catching the sunlight like a mirror. The warrior walked steadily, head held high and proud. The the massed warriors parted like waves before him, until finally he stood before us.

Grimble smiled, bowing respectfully, “My lord Fairlight, you have returned to us…”

I bowed back, “I am Grimble my friend, and I have brought friends”

The griffin bowed before Etrida, “My lady, please forgive our inexcusable rudeness. We had no idea one so magnificent as yourself would grace our humble village. You bless us with your presence.”

Etrida bobbed her head to Grimble, “I am pleased some still remember the old ways…Grimble, was it?”

He nodded, “Yes, my lady”

“I wish to see this…’Tingles’, Grimble. Bring her to me”

I felt slightly alarmed by this, we’d just arrived and Etrida was making demands to see Tingles? Come to think of it, where was she?

Grimble was about to speak when the door of the tavern flew open with a bang and a tangerine pegasus flew out in a flurry of feathers, streaking towards us like some orange fireball.

“Fairlight! Oh thank the goddesses you’re safe!” She threw her forelegs around me and hugged me for all she was worth, “I thought I’d never see me again! Oh goddesses, you’ve been gone for so long”

My heart leaped into my throat, “So long? How long?”

“About three months”

I hung my head. The bloody Wither world’s odd time fluctuations had struck again. Thank Luna I hadn’t been any longer.

“Where’d Lumin?” I asked, but I needn’t have worried. Lumbering up in a green pinny was the monstrous form of Heather, the ever happy minotaur. In her hands she held a wicker basket housing a tiny grey foal. Thankfully, he hadn’t changed much at all, but…

“Is he bigger?” I asked in surprise, “He looks bigger”

“Of course he’s bigger, silly,” Tingles laughed,”he’s still growing!”

Tingles stopped suddenly and froze, her eyes rolling up and trying to see behind her without looking round. Dragon breath steamed over her back and she quivered, “F…Fairlight?”

I held out a hoof, “Tingles, this is our friend the lady Etrida, elder of the dragons. She’s been keen to meet you.”

Tingles slowly turned then backed toward me hurriedly as the great head of the dragon moved closer, sniffing her with those cavernous nostrils. The creatures rumbling voice rolled out, “Hmmm, you certainly smell ‘right’, pony. I trust lord Fairlight in his choice of mates, however I will still ask you…are you a Celestian?”

Tingles nearly choked, “A…a what?”

Of course, she didnt really understand all this ‘Celestian’ business from a millennia ago. I mean, who would ?

I nudged her, whispering, “A follower of Celestia”.

Tingles gave me a worried look, but stood her ground to Etrida, “I don’t really know what a ‘Celestian’ is, lady Etrida. However, I serve none but my foal and am the partner of Fairlight. Be he the ‘lord of the four winds’ or just a regular pony, it doesn’t make any difference to me.”

Etrida huffed a small puff of smoke, “And of the lady Shadow?”

Tingles turned to Shadow and smiled at her warmly, “We have already met in dreams, yet I am excited to meet her for the first time in person. I’ll confess, I’ve been looking forward to her arrival and getting to know her better. Now she’s here, I feel our family is complete.”

“But can you share?” Etrida asked, inquiringly.

“I already share, my lady Etrida.” Tingles replied, “He’s a big enough stallion for all three of us”

“THREE?!” She bellowed. Shadow trotted over and, reaching up, whispered into her ear before looking away shyly.

The dragon looked down at me and shook her head, “The third would be this”, she glanced at Shadow, “…Meadow? Your late wife, yes?”

I nodded, “And daughter, they were both…” I trailed off. This was a happy time, I didn’t want to keep raking up the past…not now.

Etrida snorted, shook her head and harrumphed loudly, “Dragons only need one mate and even that is one too many!” She laughed, a thunderous rumbling noise which shook the leaves on the trees and rattled my chest.

“Let me see the child”, Etrida announced suddenly, indicating Lumin. Heather looked worriedly at Tingles who in turn looked to me as If I was likely to feed her to the dragon as a snack.

Etrida narrowed her eyes at Heather before I motioned her over hurriedly. The last this thing I wanted was an insulted dragon elder. I gathered Lumin in his blanket from the clutches of the nervous minotaur and held him up for the dragon to see. Etrida leaned down and sniffed him, the smoke curling around her nostrils causing some alarm from Tingles who rushed up to me, her chest heaving. I gave her a light nuzzle, “Its alright Love, Etrida’s a friend”. I don’t think she was as convinced as I was, but at least she didn’t charge right in.

The great dragon examined the tiny foal closely. Lumin for his part reached out with his hooves and tried to grab her nose which made Etrida chuckle. Lumin was a little charmer and whether he knew it or not, even at his tender age, he had the elder dragon wrapped around his fore hoof.

“So…small, so delicate…”, she whispered, which for a dragon was still about as subtle as flying bricks, “He looks like you…so much like you.” Etrida gave me the most inscrutable of looks I’d ever seen and I felt an odd flush run through me. Shadow and Tingles both looked at me askance. I hadn’t a clue what that was all about, but Etrida wasn’t finished yet.

“I have a gift for him…” she said suddenly and I watched in amazement as she lifted her claw to her mouth and bit down, causing a drop of blood to well up. Gently, she reached forward and moved the claw to Lumins mouth. Tingles gasped, but was stopped from intervening by Shadow who shook her head at her. Something was happening here, something I felt oddly ’excited’ about. I couldn’t tell if it was from somewhere inside my memories, or something more?

Lumin gurgled and lapped at the blood, taking it all in until the claw had been licked clean. We all watched with baited breath for something to happen, but…nothing, nothing at all. I think all of us then let out our combined held breaths. As if echoing our relief, a loud sigh emanated from the gathered ponies, minotaurs, griffins and goodness knows what else.

Etrida smiled and gave Lumin the tenderest of kisses on the forehead, “He will be the next lord of the four winds, Fairlight. Take good care of him for he is your future.”

I bowed before her as did we all, “Lady Etrida, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

She reached across and nudged me with her nose, nearly knocking me flying, “And I expect more foals”, Etrida nodded toward Shadow, “You have the orb. I will await more good news”. Shadow blushed beside me and even my own cheeks burned red.

Grimble walked up to the emerald dragon, “Will you stay for a while my lady Etrida? We can bring you fresh venison from the forest and I have a few casks of brandy waiting to be enjoyed.”

The dragon rumbled deep in her throat, “I am in a hurry to see my own children, but…venison? And brandy?” She scratched behind her ear in thought, “Perhaps a little longer.”

Grimble clapped his claws together, causing minotaurs and griffins alike to rush around like some kicked over anthill. I excused myself from my regal guest and walked with Shadow, Tingles and Lumin, back to the Wyverns Tail to help arrange things for what had suddenly turned into an impromptu welcoming party. Heather happily recovered Lumin and sat on the porch, rocking him to sleep in her muscular arms.

Once the door to the tavern closed behind us, Tingles grabbed me and gave me a deep kiss on the lips, “Goddesses, I’ve missed you so much…” Tears began to well in her bright green eyes, “…I thought…I thought, maybe…”

I brushed her tears away with a hoof, “No tears now, come on. I’m home and I’m not going anywhere. Anyway, I know I’m a little late, but I’d like to present…” I bowed, holding out a foreleg, “The lady Shadow, thestral of the tribe of the Beyond. Shadow, may I present my partner, lady Tingles of the tribe of the four winds”

I gave them both a cheeky grin, but Tingles rolled her eyes at me and turned her attention to Shadow,

“We’ve been together, in our dreams haven’t we?”

“We have”

“You’re part of our family now, Shadow. He never forgot you, you know. Fairlight wanted so much to bring you here, and I did too. Now, at last, you’re with us. You’re home.”

“Home”, Shadow said quietly, walking forward and taking Tingles in her forelegs for a hug, “Home”. The two nuzzled each other and then turned to me.

Tingles shook her head slowly, a knowing smiled on her face, “Lord of the four winds…good grief.”

Shadow whinnied, then moved over to me for, rubbing her head up my neck before glancing to Tingles as if to ask permission.

“Go ahead”, Tingles laughed, “He’s our now…” she gave me a firm look, eyebrows drawn down in a slightly menacing expression, “…to do with as we please.”

Oh hell fire, I was in trouble now. Just, maybe not in a bad way. Maybe.