As far as life-or-death escapes went, this escape had been quite light. It was the second time in her life Tempest found herself fleeing an unlawful usurper. Last time, she had been five years old and barely aware of what was going on. This time, she was fifteen and all too aware. At least I didn't watch Aharôs die in front of me, she thought grimly, reflecting on her first day in Sarathûl. It was a small mercy. What was not a small mercy was the news that perhaps all her pegasi except Snowy were now dead. She had never been close to the others, and didn't even like some of them, but... They had been under her protection, and now they were gone. Maybe some survived, Tempest hoped. Maybe.

“Are we still on track?” She asked to Snowy. The other mare was intently studying the map she had brought, and then comparing it to the landscape they could see. And they could see quite a bit, from this mountain slope.

“More or less.” Snowy affirmed, shivering in the cold. They had landed here last night, but they weren't expecting such a view when they woke. For three days they had flown in a northwesterly direction, following the scattered peaks of the Dashavon mountains north. It had been cloudy last night, and moonless at that, they landed unaware that they had flown onto one of the sleeping volcanoes. They were lucky it was too late in the year for snowfall, though there was plenty of that up here.

From their mountain vantage point, they could see three more sleeping volcanoes stretching to the horizon. They were sharp, tall, and covered in snow; Brenan once said these were young mountains. But more than a few were simply new summits grown out of old craters, signs of their fiery past and future. If Tempest squinted, she could see a blue shadow where the sky met the earth, surely a hundred miles distant. Those were the tops of the Ôsavon mountains, the border between the realms of men and the Far North. Somewhere out there was the fortress Kakâdras, their destination.

“Well, it can't be too far if we can see the March from here. Can it?” Wondered Tempest.

“You'd be surprised.” The other pegasus commented quietly. “It's no more than a few days away, though. Less, f-for you.” Snowy never had been a strong flier, it was even more obvious when all she had to compare to was Tempest. That was compounded by the cold up here, too. “Sorry I'm so slow-” Not this again.

“It's really not an issue, Snowy. If you weren't here I'd get so lost I'd end up in Everfree.” Said Tempest wryly. “Or perhaps the Halls of Korthûnîen if I really got lost.” That made the other pegasus smile. Not only were the Halls on another continent, they were so far south that the seasons were backwards!

“Still... Stopping every other hour...”

“Not an issue.” The Queen of Highcrest stated firmly. “You're not holding me back, don't worry about it.” Actually, Snowy was holding her back. Tempest could have traveled twice the distance they had already if it wasn't for her friend. But it wasn't something she was concerned about. Snowy knew very little of the natural world, it was not safe for her to be out here alone. Contrarily, Tempest knew very little of more academic matters, and it was entirely possible she'd need Snowy's knowledge in those fields at some future point. There was also the fact that Tempest found the idea of abandoning Snowy rather abhorrent.

The quest for Kakâdras continued, and every hour they drew closer to their goal. There wasn't much talking between the two as they went, the wind-stream as they flew was usually too loud for that. They set up camp at a lower height that night, to avoid the bitter cold of the mountain slopes. Camp was just a code-word for putting down their cloaks and getting out the blankets. There had been no time to get any food before they fled, so the two gathered what edible plants they could. It was still too early in summer for most berries to be ripe, but Equestrians were able to eat the flowers too, unlike humans. Tempest had never been keen on eating flowers, but it was necessary today.

In the morning, as the sun rose, Tempest noted that the tracks of some large animal some forty yards from their camp, near a small stream. She had no idea what left them.

“Maybe it was a bear. Or a lion.” Mused Tempest.

“Maybe.” Nodded Snowy. “They say there are older and stranger things in these mountains, though...” .

“What do you mean, older and stranger?” Questioned Tempest, glancing at her sword.

“The- These lands were among the last to be settled by humans in Sarathûl. Creatures of the ancient world were driven out of the west and south, but perhaps they survived here.” Theorized Snowy. “No one knows for sure.”

“Creatures of the ancient world, huh? What else is out here, fire demons and shadow spirits?” Tempest laughed, as they returned to their makeshift camp.

“A fire demon would live underground.” Corrected Snowy. “And a shadow spirit would only come out at night. But the ancient world is just that- ancient. Not much is left of it.”

“Good.” The thought of meeting storybook monsters wasn't something Tempest relished. Not after seeing the after-effects of Sidâl and his powers.

“I don't know. Sometimes I think it's sad.” Snowy sighed, looking at the surrounding forest. “There were all these amazing and fantastic things once, swept aside by the advance of civilization. One day all the blank spots on the map will be filled in, all the mysteries unraveled, all the wonder gone, and all the wilds tamed. A thousand years from now, even Athair will be as full of people as the river Karthâ's banks. What will be left for our successors?”

“Not much, I guess.” Admitted Tempest. She had never thought about it that way before. A world with no mystery or unknowns... It sounded quite dreary. But isn't that what the common people wish for? A good life, a safe home, the certainty that they and their families would see the next day. That's all Tempest really wanted, more than anything else. But fate, or perhaps just everyone else, seemed to have other ideas. Then something occurred to her. “Hey, Snowy?”

“Mmh?” Replied the other mare.

“Your speaking has been unusually clear today...”

“Y-you noticed-?” Snowy began to ask, before suddenly cringing. She gave Tempest a mildly annoyed look. “Great, you broke it!”

“It's not nearly as bad as it was this winter.” Offered Tempest in apology. “Whatever you've been doing, it's working.”

“Practice, practice...” Muttered the other pegasus.

It was surprising how few people lived up in the Dashavon. Îrilôs would have found this place eerily empty, if the Imperial Envoy thought Athair and Verâd were sparsely populated. In half a week of flying, Tempest and Snowy had only seen a handful of villages and cabins below. Supposedly, they had been over the Duchy of Jutan for some time now, but there was no clear border. In fact, everything seemed exactly the same as it had been while they were over Athair.

The journey went on. After five days since Prince Reshîv's takeover in Vatherîon, Tempest could clearly see the border of the Far North, a solid stretch of mountains going almost east to west. They didn't look as high as the Dashavon's peaks, but they were solid, and just as new. There was a legend that the alicorns raised them to mark their lands from the lands of the eight tribes. It made sense, considering how unnaturally straight the range ran. Not that it did them any good in the end. Mountains couldn't stop a race as determined as the humans. Once more, Tempest wondered what really drove them south.

For the fourth night, the two pegasi stopped on the western side of the mountains. The climate was noticeably warmer and drier over here. While they had been descending, Tempest noted that the trees seemed to thin the further west she looked. The Razadrî steppe must have been out there, where the distant cousins of the Vûrdashai of Athair, Verâd, Jutan, and Bîerlas still lived. “Pines.” Noted Tempest, looking at the three-needle clusters on the trees.

“The mountains must block a lot of rain.” Snowy said.

“You know, when I looked at all the maps, I always thought everything would look like it did back home.” Tempest snorted. “Stupid, even I know that, but I couldn't help it. We're not even three hundred miles from Nikadîon and it's already completely different. Even the grass is different, it's growing in bunches...” She poked at it with a hoof. “Nothing grows under these trees except clumps of grass. Weird.”

“Just imagine if we went to Nîralska.” The other pegasus remarked, looking at the tall trunks shooting up around them. It was like a great hall of trees. Even in the twilight, the two could see for dozens and dozens of yards in all directions. On the other side of the mountains, sometimes they couldn't even see more than ten feet without something in the way. To be on the safe side, they found an uprooted tree to sleep by, just so nothing could easily sneak up on them.

Naturally, something did sneak up on them. They awoke to find that they had a visitor. Tempest would have flipped her sword around if it wasn't for the fact their visitor was an unarmed girl who seemed to be in her lower teens.

“I was wondering when you'd wake up.” Said the visitor, who was sitting against a pine's trunk. She had brown hair like the majority of humans, tied back, and wore a green dress. Tempest stood up, and stretched her wings in anticipation of having to fight or flee. She nudged Snowy awake. “My father said all the alicorns were gone, you know. I didn't expect to find two on our land.”

“Alicorns?” Tempest scoffed. “We're not alicorns.”

“Oh.” The girl sounded disappointed! “Well, what are you?”

“Pegasi, of Equestria.” By this point, Snowy was wide awake. She retreated towards Tempest ever so slowly.

“Never heard of pegasi.” Their human visitor frowned. “What are your names?”

“What's yours?” Retorted Tempest, with a hint of suspicion.

“I,” the girl stood, and took an over-dignified pose. “am Zefîra Edîza, eldest daughter of Sir Krîzovôs Edîza, ruler of this fief.”

“I am Tempest Blackwind. This is Snowy Farpeak, my friend.” She gestured to the other pegasus. “We're travelers.”

“So am I!” Said the girl. “Well, not really. Father just said I have to check the fences so the livestock don't wander off. So I'm a traveler for today.” Snowy and Tempest exchanged a confused look.

“Why is a landed knight's daughter out checking fences?” Wondered Tempest. “Doesn't that seem a bit menial?”

“Father says everyone should do their share of work, and he also says lead by example.” Zefîra shrugged. “I can't complain, it's better than sitting around all day with nothing to do.”

“There's p-plenty to do while sitting around.” Muttered Snowy, narrowing her eyes.

“Sir Krîzovôs seems like a wise lord.” Tempest stated, quickly giving her companion a sharp poke with a wing. “Though it is not common for young women to go around unattended, especially so far from any town.”

“There's not much to worry about out here, aside from lions...” The girl put on a thoughtful look. “But those are easy enough to scare off. The peasantry hold our family in very high regard, and we don't have many outsiders. It's really quite safe for me to go around alone. And for everyone else, for that matter.”

“You know this area best.” Conceded Tempest. Her interactions with the human females were rare at best. There had been few women in Nikadîon, most of them had always been hard at work, even Turaz's wife. The culture of Sarathûl was highly patriarchal, rather than Equestria's matriarchal stance. But while Equestria just tended to favor mares over stallions for leadership, Sarathûl kept its women almost literally under lock and key. That was but one reason Tempest knew she had it better as a pegasus than a human. Had she actually been the daughter of King Aharôs, things would be different. Very different.

“Where'd you two come from anyway?” Zefîra asked. “You look rather... disheveled.” Tempest couldn't see herself, but she could see Snowy. The mare usually was very concerned about looking presentable, as she called it. But after five days of travel, Snowy was dusty and windswept. Tempest herself must have looked the same.

“Uh... Well, we came from far away.”

“You mentioned Nikadîon.” The girl folded her arms. “That's the easternmost fortress on the mainland of the continent. ”

“Yeah. Pretty far, huh?” I don't intend on telling you everything, stop trying!

“I suppose you have a good reason for being vague...” Zefîra frowned. “But Nikadîon is quite a ways from here, that's true. You must be quite tired.”

“Y-You have no idea.” Said Snowy.

“Well, if you want, you could stay with us tonight.” Suggested Zefîra, now smiling brightly. “We don't get many guests around here, and especially not ones from Equestria!” The pegasi exchanged another look.

“Should we?” Asked Tempest quietly.

“Yes. Please.” Snowy urged in return. “I'd- I'd really like a real bed. And real food.”

“We'll take you up on your gracious offer. I hope we wouldn't be imposing, though.” Tempest announced.

“Not at all! All you'd need to pay with is a good story or two.” Zefîra was almost bouncing on her feet in excitement. “Come on! I'll take you to the house-”

“What about your fence?” Interjected Tempest. The girl turned to her, a flat look on her face.

“...You had to go and remind me about that.” She sighed, walking around the fallen tree's root wad. “I guess I'll take care of that. You'd better stick with me, others might not be so friendly. You know, the tale about the alicorn's vengeance and all.” Zefîra returned leading an old zôsha with a neat bundle of wood planks on its back, among other tools. That was how Tempest and Snowy ended up following around a knight's daughter for half a day, helping her inspect the impossibly long fence that marked off her father's land. It was a pleasant experience, if slightly incongruous to their situation. Tempest was happy to have something to do that took her mind off the fact she and Snowy were on the run.

After making a handful of repairs, and Tempest discovering she didn't like hammers getting near her hooves, they began to head for Zefîra's home. Snowy looked as if she were about to complain about being tired, but she never said anything. As they went east, the trees began to give way to fields, and they saw more fences. All of them had stone columns placed at twenty or thirty yard intervals.

“You see that road there?” The girl pointed to a beaten dirt path leading through a field and into a patch of forest. “That's where my future husband lives.”

“Husband? Are you getting married soon?” Tempest asked.

“No, I'm only fourteen, I can't get married until I'm sixteen. But that's where he lives!” She said brightly.

“You sound quite excited.” Noted Snowy. “I wouldn't be...”

“Vedis is a good man. Well, he's seventeen, but that's still an adult, you know. He's not a knight or anything, but he's better behaved than most of them!” Zefîra stated. “Besides, it could be worse. My friend Kaira was married to someone twice her age.”

“It really could be worse.” Agreed Tempest. It was midday by the time they reached Zefîra's home, a stout building of stone with a steep, slate roof. What few buildings they had seen were entirely stone, with not a hint of flammable material to be seen. The pegasus figured that forest fires must have been common in this area.

“Hey, father!” Zefîra shouted. “We have guests!”

“Guests?” Came a voice from inside. “Lord of Heaven-” Whatever else he said was muffled by movement and distance. Soon enough, a grey-haired and grey-bearded man emerged. Even under his long clothes, it was apparent he was heavily built. He looks more like a smith than a knight, Tempest thought.

“Sir Krîzovôs.” Greeted she, bowing her head. Snowy bowed too, though more hesitantly and not as low. “I am Tempest Blackwind, and this is Snowy Farpeak.”

“Alicorns. I thought I'd never live to see the day-” Started the knight.

“They're not alicorns, father, they're pegasi.” Corrected Zefîra in an annoyed tone. “From Equestria.”

“Really?” Krîzovôs scratched his head. “Never seen a pegasus before. Now there's two on my doorstep. Zefîra, you bring back the strangest company, sometimes.”

“Have you had other Equestrians here before?” Asked Tempest, thinking of those who had abandoned her cause and went west instead of home.

“No, can't say I have. We've had a sorcerer, though.”

“Was his name Sidâl?”

“Yeah. How'd you know that?” Questioned the knight, narrowing his eyes.

“We've... met him too.” He was the only sorcerer of sorts she'd ever met, that was true. For all Tempest knew, he was the only one of his kind in the world. “And recently at that.”

“Small world.” Commented Krîzovôs. “I take it Zefîra has told you that you can spend a night here?”

“She has. I hope we're not imposing-”

“No, not at all. You're welcome to stay as long as you like.” Snowy seemed to perk up at that thought, but Tempest knew they'd need to leave tomorrow. Well... Do we? she asked herself. They'd need to talk about that.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“We ought to get you two cleaned up before you go inside. Over here.” Zefîra gestured for them to follow. To Tempest's mild interest, the house's barn was made of stone too. “We usually use this for washing the zôsha. I hope you don't take offense, but I don't think any of our basins would be the right size for you...”

“None taken.” Said Tempest. She wasn't really listening, she was busy trying to figure out what she was looking at.

“Very clever.” Snowy commented quietly. “They pump water up to the top, and then when you open a valve, it comes out of the pipe up there.” She pointed to the system of tubes, and the cistern above.

“Why don't we have this in Athair?” Wondered Tempest out loud. Zefîra left them to clean themselves up. Tempest went first. The experience was interesting, it was like having a localized rain storm. Maybe this is how pegasi in Equestria wash? They had always said the weather was controllable over there. But leave it to human ingenuity to come up with their own way of mimicking weather... “That's a new experience.” Declared she, shaking her coat free of water. It wasn't very effective. “Your turn, Snowy.”

While the other pegasus got clean, Tempest sat on the stone path outside. It was a warm day, the sun would take care of leftover water. Zefîra was already out there, inspecting a line of flowers against the house's wall. “Is it just you and your father here?” Tempest asked curiously.

“Well, we have Esera, our cook. She's been helping out around the house since I was young. And there's some hired hands from town, but they don't live here.” Explained Zefîra.

“No other family?”

“Well, my older brother is off in Duke Rhenarôs's army. I had an older sister too, and a mother, but plague took them years ago. I don't have a single memory of them; to be honest.” She shrugged it off, obviously not bothered by it.

“Ah...” I guess that's better than knowing them and losing them. As Tempest was learning today, Zefîra liked to talk a lot, and soon launched into a variety of stories about the adventures she used to get into with her brother and friends in years past. She got the feeling Zefîra didn't get much time to talk to other people her age, even if they were of another race from another continent.

It struck Tempest that this girl was only a year younger than her, and yet had such a radically different life. What was I doing when I was fourteen? Getting her education from Brenan, practicing fighting with Turaz and Herikôs, learning life lessons with Aharôs... She'd never had time for much fun, and when she did, she was too tired to do much more than read or talk with her only real friend.

Eventually, said friend emerged from the barn, her mane and tail soaked so thoroughly they lost all signs of curls. “This will take forever to dry out.” Snowy complained, joining Tempest on the stone path.

“I warned you about this.” Replied Tempest, glad that she kept her own mane relatively short. But, Snowy insisted not cutting either mane or tail, for whatever reasons she had.

“And I thought I had trouble after washing my hair.” Zefîra laughed. The other pegasus just rolled her eyes silently. It took most of the afternoon to let the sun do its work, and Tempest let it be known that she'd like to be asleep not long after sundown. Supper was held shortly after, an all plant-meal for the Equestrians, and a minor amount of meat for the humans. The knight and his daughter seemed not to want to overly offend their guests with their diet of choice. Tempest appreciated the thought, even though it was completely unnecessary after ten and a half years with these people.

“So, what is Equestria like?” Asked Sir Krîzovôs.

“Well...” Tempest trailed off. The problem was, she didn't remember much about Equestria.

“It's v-very green, Sir.” Piped up Snowy, though quietly.

“It's green here too.” Zefîra remarked.

“The weather of Equestria... It's controlled.” The other pegasus began to explain. “By pegasi like us. Rain is distributed evenly across the whole continent, nowhere is drier than anywhere else, except in the south. Not like here.”

“Fascinating.” Said Krîzovôs, putting a hand to his chin. “What a wealthy land it must be.”

“Your peasantry would be better off there.” Agreed Snowy. “There hasn't been more than a handful of unpredicted weather events since D-Discord's time.”

“Discord?” The knight looked at his daughter, who shrugged. “We're not familiar with that one.” And so Snowy launched into a rather condensed version of Equestria's history. Tempest for once was the one quietly watching, she didn't mind it. Snowy had a way of injecting genuine passion into what otherwise would have been boring topics; it was quite admirable. It was an hour after sunset by the time everything had been explained sufficiently. Zefîra looked alert as ever, but the two Equestrians were worse for wear.

“You two must be getting tired by now.” The girl said. “We'll let you retire, don't worry.”

“Thank you again for hosting us.” Tempest replied, bowing her head. “It's been a pleasant change from sleeping on rocks.”

“No doubt.” Agreed Krîzovôs. “We've got a few empty rooms upstairs, take your pick.” For the first time since Nikadîon, Tempest and Snowy had an actual wall between their rooms, instead of a rudimentary cloth curtain. As Tempest laid out her sword near the bed, Snowy came to talk to her.

“Uh, Tempest?” She asked, rather timidly.

“Speak.” Commanded Tempest.

“Sir Krîzovôs said we were welcome to stay as long as we liked... And- well...” Started Snowy, looking at her hooves. “I-if we could stay another day...” She suggested.

“Why?” Tempest asked, hanging up her travel cloak.

“It's just...” The other pegasus twisted her face around as she tried to articulate. “All this travel- well, I'm a bit worn out... I could use a day off...” Snowy admitted, with no small degree of shame.

“This kind of was our day off, Snowy.” Stated Tempest apologetically, before launching into an explanation of her own, for once. “We didn't go far, and we get real beds. But we still need to get to Kakâdras, and every day we wait is a day longer for Reshiv's orders to spread further north. We have no idea how loyal the men in the March are to the Empire against their own homelands. And I'd rather not find out.”

“Oh.” Snowy's ears fell. “I understand.”

“I'm sorry, I'd like to stay longer too, but we need to keep moving.”

“Very well, my Queen.” The other pegasus left silently, obviously dejected by the notion that they'd be back on the road tomorrow, so to speak. Tempest frowned, but there was nothing that could be done. At least I'll sleep well tonight, she thought.

The sun rose early in the morning, as the sun was wont to do in summer. She got up with it, and began to pack her share of their equipment. It wasn't much, just a blanket, Îrilôs's coins, and Snowy's lantern. It had proven too heavy for her to carry it long, so it ended up with Tempest after the first day.

“Leaving so soon?” Came a voice from a door. It was Sir Krîzovôs, no one else they had encountered had so deep a voice.

“You could say that.” Nodded Tempest. “Snowy and I need to get to Kakâdras soon.”

“Kakâdras?” Krîzovôs furrowed his brow. “I understand that's an impressive piece of engineering, but why would you want to go there? It's a castle on the edge of the world.”

“That's part of the appeal, actually.” Admitted the pegasus. “But have you heard about what's happened in Athair, Sir?”

“I haven't heard news about Athair in a while. It's slow to cross the mountains from the rest of the Duchy.”

“King Zhevakôs is dead, his son Aharôs was supposed to take the throne, but Prince Reshîv has claimed it instead. As close members of Aharôs's court...” Tempest raised a hoof. “Well, you can imagine Reshîv wasn't looking forward to our continued presence.”

“Ah... Well, the March is Imperial territory, by law. He couldn't touch you there.” Krîzovôs said. “But if you were in that Prince Aharôs's court, you surely must be of importance. At least some kind of lower nobility like me.”

“I'm the Queen of Highcrest, actually.” Tempest said flatly. The human knight went pale, his eyes widening.

“What?” He sputtered.

“I have the same reaction when I realize that.”

“Your grace, I had no idea-” Krîzovôs immediately knelt, and averted his eyes.

“I figured our stay here would be easier on you if you didn't know who I really was.” Answered Tempest, rather sheepishly. “Uh, you can stand up.” The knight did so.

“Well, if you're a Queen, who is your friend?” Asked he.

“Snowy is the eldest daughter of Lady Silver Farpeak, of Greatfall. The second most powerful individual in the kingdom after the Queen, of course.” Tempest said.

“But- your grace, why are you two all the way out here, alone?” Krîzovôs questioned again, confused. “It doesn't make sense.”

“We're exiles.” Simply said the Queen of Highcrest, shrugging. “The plan was to sail across the sea and take back my kingdom from a usurper, but... Let's just say fate has other ideas at the moment. My host now has a usurper of his own to deal with.”

“Lord of Heaven...” Breathed the knight. “A real Queen in my house.”

“I'm really not the shining example of royalty.” Stated Tempest. “Don't get too worked up over it.”

“I'll try not to, your grace.” He bowed his head again.

“Where's Zefîra?”

“Still sleeping, like Lady Snowy.” Answered Krîzovôs. Tempest thought back to the previous night. She did feel bad for pushing Snowy so hard, but it had to be done...

“I'll let her sleep in. She's earned a few hours more of rest.” Decided she.

“Teen girls will do as teen girls do...” Sighed the knight as only a vexed father could. “Sometimes I don't know how I put up with Zefîra. I hope your friend isn't as stubborn.”

“Snowy's actually older than me, by three and a half years.” Krîzovôs raised an eyebrow, surprised. A little something in the back of Tempest's mind reminded her Snowy would be turning nineteen not long from now. “I guess having responsibilities makes you act older, though.”

“Hah, I wish.” Grumbled Krîzovôs. “Well, we better prepare you for departure if you're intent on leaving this morning. We'll get some food ready, and maybe some other things.”

It was several hours more before Zefîra made an appearance, groggy and in her nightgown. Her father reminded her of the day's tasks at hand, and she vanished again. One more hour passed before Snowy showed herself, looking pleasantly surprised that it was so late in the morning.

“Thanks for not flying off.” She said quietly. Tempest could only give her a baffled look. Did she really think I'd leave her here? By then, the knight and pegasus had finished their preparations, and Zefîra had joined them again, now in day clothes. They had two day's of food, and some new equipment; a worn spyglass and a more detailed map of this northerly region. It included upper Jutan and Verâd, in addition to the March and its mountains, and even the Far North. That interested the two pegasi greatly, they had never seen any section of the Far North in such detail, even if it was constrained to only thirty to forty miles beyond the March, and to a few hundred miles from the coast.

“Well, looks like this is it.” Said Tempest, putting on her traveling cloak. “I can't thank you enough for helping us.”

“A good tale or two is all I require, and that's what I got.” Krîzovôs spoke. “You two are welcome to return any time.”

“I hope we can.” I doubt we'll ever pass this way again, though.

“I w-wish we could have stayed longer, but...” Snowy trailed off. The knight nodded.

“I understand. I hope you reach wherever you're going safely.”

“And be careful out there!” Warned Zefîra. “There's been odd news from Kakâdras lately.”

“We've heard, but thanks.” Tempest nodded, flaring her wings. “Until we meet again.”

“God be with you!” Waved Krîzovôs as the two pegasi took off, headed north.

“Farewell!” Yelled Zefîra from below. And that was the last they saw of the two humans. Tempest was glad they had managed to make friends, even if it was only a chance encounter for a day. It was a bright spot in what otherwise had been a week of uncertainty. For the rest of the day, they watched Ôsavon get closer. They passed the final volcano of the Dashavon, and watched its slope slide north and level out onto a plain. Somewhere, beyond that plain, rose the Ôsavon. They still couldn't see over the horizon to their base, but they could definitely see the mountains' sides. The two camped in the shelter of a copse of pines.

The next day, Tempest waited and waited for the peaks to stop rising from the ground, but for every mile they flew, the more they loomed overhead. It was only when they could see the mountains from root to crest that Tempest realized that the Ôsavon were not separate peaks clustered together, but a solid wall of rock rearing thousands of feet into the sky. Well, an almost solid wall. There was a large rend in it, straight ahead.

“Lord of Heaven...” Commented Tempest in awe, as they took a break. The trees had thinned out the further north they got, until there was almost no vegetation but grass and shrubs. There were chunks of rock scattered all around, ranging from huge boulders to little stones; they went as far as the eye could see.

“Ôs means a wall- a wall that borders a land.” Said Snowy, after taking a drink of water from a small brook. “It's why Aharôs is named Aharôs; he owns land bound by a wall. A wall of ink or stone, either one counts.”

“That explains a lot.” Tempest continued to stare at the massive wall of mountains before her. They were still thirty miles away! “How high do you think they are?”

“Seventeen thousand feet.” Snowy stated without a moment's hesitation.

“Lord of Heaven...” Was all Tempest could repeat, as she studied the sight. “It looked like something just smashed through the mountains there.” She pointed at the rend, which plunged at least two thirds of the way down.

“We don't know w-what did that. Some say the alicorns, some say the ancient humans, some say other forces.” Snowy explained, shivering at the word other. “That's where Kakâdras is. In there.”

“We can make it by tonight...” Stated Tempest, narrowing her eyes. “You up for that?”

“If it means a real bed again.” The other pegasus answered wearily, but with a slight smile. Tempest stretched her wings, and jumped into the air.

“Well, only one thing for it, then!”

Kakâdras awaited them, a castle on the edge of the world.

Author's Notes:

Only two chapters and an epilogue left until Part II. I'll be changing the title of the story next update. H-here we go...