Author’s note: I’m very disappoint in how long this took. I tried to write another Luna chapter, got stalled, things happened in the real world, and then I pumped this out in four days. The dullness of this chapter will pay off in about ten more sections. Mayhaps fifteen.

What a fucking mess, Tempest thought to herself, for what felt like the hundredth time that day. I knew something would go wrong. It was hard to believe that sixteen hours ago, she had been standing in the courtyard of Seshîlîon, stained with blood. Not her blood, thank God, but blood all the same. The steaming water had washed it all away, though.

That didn't seem to matter to Snowy, as she continued to stare at Tempest, with an expecting look. The blue-grey pegasus sank lower into the bathing basin she had acquired from Duke Îrilôs. “I guess you want to hear the story too?”

“W-well...” Snowy paused, looking off at nothing. She had been silent as she helped Tempest wash earlier, but now no longer. “I wouldn't mind... Just nothing too vivid, please? You know how- how I get around blood...”

“Alright. There isn't a whole lot to tell, but I'll do my best...” Tempest began narrating her tale. It had been a few minutes after Prince Aharôs had sent her to make the door on top of the castle more ajar. As the other pegasi and she had worked on knocking the door off its hinges, there had been sounds from below...

“Did you hear that?” asked Streaming Breeze, a mare with a deep-red coat.

“Looks like they caught on to this little scheme of Aharôs's.” Coldstar replied, leaping back into the air. “Everypony up, we're about to have company!” The often-drunk general spoke in her native Equestrian, as did all the other pegasi. Tempest understood well enough, but her ability to speak it in return was not as sharp as it ought to be.

“Finally!” Sighed old Redfern, sounding relieved. “We can't let our human partners have all the fun, can we?”

“Not at all!” Agreed Waterborn, the other aging stallion. All ponies present were lightly armored, and bore two short blades strapped to their forelimbs. Tempest was a special case, she had actual swords, and adjustable ones at that. I'm barely worthy of such weapons, Tempest thought doubtfully.

“Are you r-really narrating your thoughts?”

“Quiet, Snowy.”

“Intruders!” Exclaimed a voice, in Tarsen, from the darkness of the castle's interior. The Verâdîm accent was nigh indistinguishable from the Athairîm, even to Tempest, who could hear far more than any human. “They're trying to come down from the battlements!” The pegasi flew up into the air, circling the access door. Tempest fell in with them, feeling her heart beat ever more rapidly. Didn't Aharôs tell her not to get involved in anything? It was too late now, a dozen green-clad soldiers rushed out; several of them burned, still on their feet nonetheless.

“Where'd they go?” Asked one of them. “It's n-” No one would ever know what he had been about to say, as Coldstar swept down, plunging her blade right through the back of his neck.

“-the fuck?!” a Verâdîm yelled. And then the fight began; pegasi using their superior speed and agility, humans using their longer reach and greater stability. Lord of Heaven, Tempest swore to herself, swallowing nervously. What was she supposed to do? Just keep flying in circles? Aharôs told me to report back to the courtyard-

“Tempest!” barked Coldstar, as she narrowly dodged a swinging halberd. “Get in here!” Before the doubt could seep in again, she as she was told, plunging towards the Verâdîm attacked the General. Tempest's right foreleg found itself extended, sword angled for a piercing blow, rushing straight for the joint between the soldier's breastplate and shoulderguard.

The impact was much more jarring than training had prepared her for; as the sword's tip bounced off the thicker breastplate, missing the joint by several inches. “You little fuck!” The Verâdîm growled, swinging the halberd at her. The hammer opposite of the blade smashed into her side, sending Tempest reeling off into the air. She recovered as best she could, despite the flaring pain just below her right wing.

Tempest brought up her right-hoof sword, and made another swing. The halberdier would have none of it; her merely stepped aside and pointed the eight-inch spike above the blade and hammer at her. A competent halberdier could penetrate even the best armor, even the best armor made in Ar-Athazîon. The Verâdîm jabbed at her, and jabbed again as she was forced back, trying to parry the blows to no effect. Tempest went for another attack from the side, but the human was too quick, smacking the pegasus in the face with flat of the halberd's blade. She went tumbling out of the air, and onto the stone surface of the castle roof. Shit shit shit- Tempest cursed, attempting to stand up normally, despite the pointy and narrow blades that extended her forelegs by several feet. Shit! Was this how it ended? Killed be a common footsoldier on some castle thousands of miles from her birthright? No, that's now how it would end, she wouldn't let it end that way-

“You think two swords will save you?” spat the Verâdîm, as he readied for a killing blow. “Fucking Athairîm pet. I think I'll take your wings for trophies.” What?

For a brief second, Tempest was shivering and soaked, in the aftermath of a storm, watching her mother die, mutilated by the alicorn princess as she was. Celestia had taken her wings... Now this Verâdîm wanted Tempest's.

She had no words, not even a shout of rage for the Verâdîm. There was only the swoosh of her wings beating as they never had before, and the sickening squelch of both her swords cutting through his neck. A spray of red hit her, the scent of iron filled her nose suddenly, mixing with the metallic aftermath of the disturbing display of sorcery that brought down the wall, and the smells of her fellow pegasi. The Verâdîm hit the ground with a clank, choking and gurgling as blood continued to spill from the gaping slash across his neck.

“Never expose your neck like that, my queen.” Streaming Breeze commented, landing beside Tempest. “And never gloat before you finish your enemy.”

“He's not dead yet.” said Tempest, the burning hate that had fueled her moments before draining away rapidly at the sight before her. Gone was the looming menace that had merged with Tempest's image of Celestia for a split-second; this dying wretch was just another person. He shook and jolted, slowing as he went paler an paler, a sickening gurgle coming from deep in his throat.

“A delightfully cruel move on your part.” Coldstar lauded, smiling smugly. “It was a just measure; he probably knew what happened to your mother. Bet he didn't reckon on this...”

“I thought it'd be quick...” Tempest said quietly, a chill coming upon her. She glanced around, it seemed the her retinue had dispatched the Verâdîm attackers. Redfern and Waterborn were hacking at the door, finishing their work.

“War is a messy business, my queen.” Said Streaming Breeze. “This is just the beginning.” Tempest slowly moved away from her would-be killer's body, and jumped into the air.

“Where are you going now?” Asked Coldstar. Tempest didn't answer, and instead headed off for the wooded area some few furlongs to the north.

“T-that was it?” Snowy questioned. Tempest put her chin on the edge of the basin, as she stared at the ground.

“That's where the action ended.”

“But, you flew off to the- the woods, you had to come back too.” Snowy continued on, looking slightly confused.

“I-” Tempest paused, and looked up at her friend. “Don't tell anyone, alright?”

“Of course not!” Proclaimed Snowy, indignant. “I- I don't throw away ten years-”

“I know, I know, I can trust you more than anyone else here.” Tempest interrupted, a bit more sharply than she had intended. She glanced around cautiously. “After all that, I went off to the woods because... Because I wasn't feeling too well.” Tempest took another look around before going on. “I emptied my stomach, then I paced around and worried, then I cried, then I got angry, then I got scared, and then I went back to the castle to see Prince Aharôs kill the Count without a second thought. That's what I did.”

“You cried?” Snowy raised an eyebrow, and tilted her head.

“Yes, alright? I did. I admit it!” said Tempest, her face going warm. “And Aharôs tried to tell me there wasn't any shame in being so upset, but everyone else acts like there is! Even him! Even you, Snowy!”

“If I treat what you s-say more lightly than what I'm actually thinking, then- then you're less likely to shut me out.”

Tempest sighed. “You really have known me for ten years.” She slumped lower into the water, now no longer as hot as it had been. Her ears fell as she frowned. “I don't know, Snowy. It's just a fucking mess.”

“It i-is.” nodded Snowy, walking around the basin to face Tempest directly. “But you do the best you can with what you have.” Tempest snorted.

“This isn't like the time you broke your wing!” She retorted. “This is life and death! I killed someone!”

“And- and- and- I contributed to the deaths of dozens more by- by aiming the r-rockets for Îrilôs.” Snowy shot straight back, with a tone of bitterness. Right... “Sometimes, y-you can't do what you feel is- is right. So you t-take the next best option and- and you live with it.”

“It's just a fucking mess.” repeated Tempest, rising out of the cooling water.

“Yes.” nodded Snowy, breathing deeply. Somewhere in her mind, she was dispelling the tumble of emotions that all too often tried to show themselves at the same time. Tempest jumped out of the basin, and trotted outside to give herself a hearty shake. Her fur was still damp, and her mane and tail wouldn't dry until morning, but at this point, she didn't care. She alotted herself a quick look at the moon, and wondered if Sidâl's crystal would keep Princess Luna's nightmares away tonight.

“Snowy,” began Tempest as she walked back into their tent, “uh...” The biege mare was already in her cot, curled up under her blanket.

“Mmh?” Snowy responded, peeking out.

“You've been having bad dreams, right?” Asked the blue-grey pegasus.

“Yeah.”

“Tell me if you remember any tomorrow.” Stated Tempest, thinking of Sidâl's little black crystal.

“Alright.” Agreed the beige mare, sounding a bit skeptical. She closed her eyes and put her head down again. Soon, Tempest too was in her own bed, sleep taking hold quickly. When she woke up, sometime in the middle of the morning, it seemed the previous night had not been a fluke. Sidâl's little crystal really had kept her sleep nightmare-less. But not dreamless.

Tempest remembered quite vividly the strange, surreal settings of her dream. It had been more like a series of images and events, some of which were warped beyond all recognition, some of which were painfully familiar, and some of which made no sense whatsoever. In that dream, or perhaps series of dreams, she had seen such things as a blank stone wall, a bulky white object shrouded in smoke, an alicorn appearing to be the manifestation of sunlight, the banner of Athair flying free in the wind, her own mother, a grim-looking human with half his face mauled away, an obelisk stretching into the sky surrounded by snow, a cannon on a broken carriage, a dark wooden chest, an unnaturaly empty room, and dozens of more things that the pegasus wasn't even sure of how to describe. Even now, it was all fading away. I better write this down...

That was how Snowy found her, a good hour later. “No nightmares, Tempest.” She reported with a yawn.

“Dreams?” Asked the rightful Queen of Highcrest, a quill-pen still in her mouth. This is unnecessarily difficult, she remarked to herself.

“Uh...” Snowy blushed slightly. “N-none of any noteworthiness.”

“Hmmph.” Grunted Tempeset, putting down the quill-pen. That's a polite way to put it. I have to wonder what goes on in that mare's head... Perhaps it was best not to know? “Well, I had dreams. Or a dream. A lot of really weird little images.” Snowy trotted over quickly, and read over the list, green eyes going down, up, down. The shaky, often skewed, and sometimes not even connected Tarsin letters didn't seem to deter her at all.

“This is- is definitely strange.” Agreed the biege pegasus. “Do you think they're m-memories?”

“Memories?”

“Yes. Maelstrom was in it. A-and you've surely seen Athair's banner many times. Nikadîon has- has many stone walls too.” Explained Snowy.

“No doubt. But what about the alicorn?” Tempest asked, frowning at the paper. “And the obelisk? I've never met a human with half his face gone either.”

“Celestia does control the s-sun. Perhaps you- you just saw her, as you imagine her?” Tempest could agree with that. In her mind's eye, Celestia was rather frightening to behold... Terrifying would be a more apt description, Tempest thought with a tinge of shame. “And there are a few obelisks scattered a-around Sarathûl, I've heard. There's one in Halîska, actually.”

“Alright, so suppose I have heard about these obelisks before. But what about the man?”

“You're afraid of w-wounds?” Snowy suggested.

“But Sidâl said there wouldn't be any more nightmares!” Protested Tempest, laying back her ears and scowling.

“What?”

“Right... Sidâl gave me this little crystal last night. He said it protects against nightmares...” Tempest stood up and walked over to the collapsable table besides her cot. She picked up the burlap bag, and turned it upside down, dispelling the black crystal.

“Now that's interesting.” Commented Snowy. “Well, it has worked.”

“Exactly. I'm not afraid of being hurt, I'm afraid of being amputated.” Tempest stated.

“R-rather having an amputation performed on you.” Corrected the biege mare. She was ignored.

“So who was the mauled man?” Wondered the rightful Queen of Highcrest, looking up at the tent's canvas ceiling.

“I have no- no idea. He's not from anything I've read or heard about. Nor anyone w-we've ever met. He might be someone you imagined up.” Snowy said. The two gave up trying to figure out the mauled man's identity, as Tempest figured her friend's explanation for things was best. Maybe with nightmares blocked off, I just dreamed up things I recalled to fill the gap? It was certainly possible, as far as she knew. They probably didn't even mean anything; except the recollection of her mother.

As usual, Tempest had missed the normal waking time, and so had Snowy. Breakfast had already been taken care off, so the two held out for dinner, which was to be with Prince Aharôs. Today was a quiet day in the human camp, as soldiers took rest. Word was that they moved out again tomorrow, onto the next defiant castle, carving a path through Verâd to wherever Prince Reshîv would be when they found him. Unlike the previous week, there were more clouds in the sky than usual. Tempest found the coolness quite welcome. Not so welcome was the sudden but quite expected appearance of Duke Îrilôs.

“Ah, Lady Snowy!” He greeted, gliding out of nowhere. “I must again congratulate you on your wonderful work with the rocket trajectories. We couldn't have done it without your help!” Snowy cringed, and looked down.

“You forced her to take part in your war, stop pretending it was a choice.” Sighed Tempest. If Îrilôs was taken aback at this, he didn't show it.

“My queen, you always dampen my spirits.” He said, with a mocking frown. “But the truth of the matter is, we owe your companion much and more. With work like this, we'll be through with this nasty business by Saint Zefîr's Day, just like the Prince told us.”

“Of course.” Tempest nodded, wishing the Imperial Envoy would go away. Duke Îrilôs trailed them, babbling about the latest developments in Ar-Athazîon. Human politics, almost as bad as ours. Soon enough, the three arrived back at the Prince's tent, which was once again set for a meal. This time it was all selection of various greeneries, plus bread and soup. However, there were far less places set than usual.

“Good afternoon, Tempest.” Aharôs said with a nod, as he looked over his map of the region. It was labelled The Kingdom of Athair and Verâd, and showed both realms as one in the same. Someone must think we've already won, noted Tempest. “I hope you don't mind if Îrilôs joins us.”

“Not at all.” The blue-grey pegasus replied, trying not to grit her teeth.

“Fear not, Snowy can stay.” Spoke Aharôs, now moving to sit down. “There's no meat in this meal at all, you can take what you will.”

“Thanks.” Acknowledged Tempest, to both statements of the Prince's. Both Equestrians sat as well, opposite of the Duke, and to the right of Aharôs. There was one final empty spot, but it was not filled yet.

“I must admit, this is going better than expected so far.” Said Îrilôs, as he cut a roll of bread.

“We've still got plenty of time left to be fucked over.” Aharôs replied, grimly. “I'm not counting on anything right now.”

“What of your brother?” The Imperial Envoy asked. Wrong thing to call Reshîv with Aharôs, Tempest thought as she shook her head.

“Half-brother.” Stated the Prince, stabbing a carrot so hard with his fork that it broke in two. “Half-brother. The only thing we have in common is the same father.”

“Ah, so it is.” Îrilôs said calmly. “Are you saying we cannot trust him?”

“I wouldn't. Reshîv is a fool, an arrogant, beloved fool, far too brave to be ruling a kingdom.”

“Wait- too brave?” Interupted Tempest. How can you be too brave?

“Yes.” Nodded the Prince. “He takes unnecessary risks to further his own glory. That's what warriors do. The King is not a warrior; he is a soldier. And a good soldier doesn't put everything on the line for his own gain. Neither does a right and proper King. When the stakes are your land and your people, you do not gamble. Reshîv is a gambler.”

“And yet, many still prefer him to take the throne, over you.” Îrilôs mused.

“Personal charm.” Spat Aharôs. “He's nearly fifteen years younger than me. While he was playing in the gardens, I was adminstering this land as my father descending into madness! While he's out bedding every girl from Sai-Karza to Terâd, I've been keeping the entire realm on its feet! I am the only reason Athair hasn't collapsed into a web of court intrigues and power struggles, and everyone still wants Reshîv for King!” The Prince fumed.

“Well, you do look you're always sick...” Tempest noted. It was true, Aharôs was pale, his eyes were sunken, and his face was gaunt.

“P-p-people prefer signs- signs of strength, in their l-leaders.” Agreed Snowy, speaking for the first time.

“Impressionable idiots.” Aharôs growled. “Appearance means nothing.”

“Were it that the masses followed such lines of thought.” Tempest turned to see Sidâl enter the tent, that curiously unremarkable man, in his heavy coat.

“Were it so.” Agreed Îrilôs, pushing out the chair beside him.

“Good day, Queen Tempest, Lady Snowy.” Sidâl said with a bow, before sitting. “Good day to you as well, Prince Aharôs and Duke Îrilôs.”

“Sidâl, how long before we can bring down another wall of that size?” Asked Aharôs straight away. Huh?

“Were you behind that?” Tempest questioned before he could reply. Sidâl gave her a sidelong glance, and took his time to reply.

“...I may have been involved.” He said quietly. “It'll be at least two weeks before we can use such a power again.”

“Two weeks?” Asked Aharôs indignantly. “We'll be at our next target within four days!”

“You are meddling with forces beyond your understanding, my Prince.” Sidâl retorted, louder and more sharply than usual. “This is not the Equestrian magic that infuses the world. These are dark powers, ancient powers, terrible powers that would turn on you in a second you believe them to be subservient to you. It would be wise to take caution when dealing with them.” His warning seemed to silence everyone. Tempest shivered.

“...Very well.” The Prince said emotionlessly. “What news from Equestria?”

“My friend reports that Celestia is gathering a new army, composed of pegasi and unicorn warriors. The normal kind-”

“Earth ponies.” Tempest interjected.

“-Earth ponies, are most likely to be used as auxilaries, which I extrapolate to mean living shields.” Snowy looked repulsed at such a notion. “It seems the Sun Queen's firstborn has a taste for cold efficiency. You Equestrians are hard to kill, a solid wave of them attacking would be hard to deal with.”

“Cannons, my friend.” Noted Îrilôs.

“Cannons may prove vulnerable to magic attack. Celestia is training her unicorns in the ways of alicorn warcraft. Should they invade, our assault columns will be easy targets. Any massed infantry will be.” Sidâl continued. “However, the rockets we have developed may prove even more useful against an Equestrian army. My friend across the sea believes the attack will be on Tashan, should they go through with this. You Athairîm know your land, you would be able to fight from the mountains and woods quite effectively against them.”

“Tashan? I would attack Surana if I were going to invade my own kingdom.” Prince Aharôs said, putting a hand to his chin.

“My Prince, it is likely that the Equestrians are working with out of date maps. They may not even know Surana exists.” Explained Sidâl. “It gained status as a city on your royal charter only in 1354. For an alicorn, that is very recent.”

“Wasn't D-Discord cast out in- in 1357?” Snowy asked. You ought to know that exactly, Snowy. You're the historian here.

“Sometime around then. Before any of you were around, that's for sure. But the point stands: Celestia will most likely move on Tashan; it's a vital hub of trade for this corner of the world.” Stated Sidâl. “If she attacks at all. I doubt the seafaring ability of Equestrians.”

“Very good to know.” Aharôs replied.

“I should tell you that Princess Luna has been sent to a new city in the works, to prepare it against a would-be invasion of ours. Canterlot, is what my friend called it.” Continued on Sidâl. “But the different between us and Celestia is that we know we can't win a war a thousand miles away in a hostile continent.”

“I should hope so.” Agreed Îrilôs. “Is that all from Equestria?” The plainly-clothed man nodded.

“Is- Is there anything e-else interesting, going on?” Snowy questioned timidly when no one else spoke.

“There's a dragon in Ar-Athazîon, returning the courtesy of the Emperor's embassy six years ago.” Sidâl said, as if it were nothing to him.

“Now that's unusual...” The Imperial Envoy remarked, leaning back in his chair. “My uncle should've told me. But I'm more interested in the fact that his wild scheme paid off. I didn't think they'd make it to the dragon lands.”

“The dragons didn't expect them either, from what I heard. But I'll let you find out about that on your own.” Sidâl dismissed the issue, before seeming to remember something else. “Oh! The garrison at Kakâdras has reported a sighting of a strange beast.” Tempest knew that Kakâdras was one of the greatest fortresses barring the passes into the Far North. “Someone spotted it with a spyglass on a ridge some few miles away. In fact...” He reached inside his coat, and pulled out a letter that had been crumpled up at some point. “To Financier Kairôs Gadis, Honorable Master of Coin for Our Lord the Emperor. It is with great disturbance I report to you the first confirmed sighting of the beast my men have been reporting for the past eight months. I'm sure you remember the accounts of the strange tracks from my previous letters. But now, we know what this creature looks like; Arquebusier Zefîr of Nûvasar spotted it this morning, and called me and the officers to see. It was an eerie thing, crooked legs and arms far longer than those of any man. It moved with purpose, in a slow, deliberate gait, along Red Herik's Ridge. I cannot say for sure, but I am convinced I saw the flash of metal in the sunlight, several times. By the time my scouts reached the ridge, the creature was long gone, but the tracks it left match the ones we've been seeing for some time. I repeat again, that there is something not right in the Far North. We should reinforce the garrisons of all fortresses. There is a chill in the air that has not once left since winter; even though we are well into spring... Something is not right. Signed, Sir Lîetôs Neshta-Taizares, Commander of the Kakâdras Garrison and Captain of the Eastern March.” Îrilôs had leaned in to look over Sidâl's shoulder as he read.

“Why are you reading the Captain's letters to Kairôs?” He asked. Kairôs must be the Emperor's Financier, I guess Îrilôs knows him personally, Tempest deduced.

“This is a copy I was sent. I think.”

“Sir Lîetôs is still around, I see.” Remarked Prince Aharôs. “I met him when I was a boy...”

“We of house Taizares tend to live long, even those of us in junior branches. However, he is getting quite old... I doubt he saw anything more than some oddly-clothed but bold explorer.” The Imperial Envoy replied. Tempest only yawned.

“Fascinating.” She said dryly. “Are we just going to talk about irrelevant things, or is there a reason Snowy and I are still here?”

“You ought to hear about what's happening in your homeland.” Stated Aharôs. “The Queen of one of the most powerful of the pegasi kingdoms shouldn't be lacking in information. And from what Brenan's told me, Lady Snowy enjoys to learn about new things.” Snowy readily nodded in agreement.

“Aren't you preparing Lady Snowy to be your right-hand, er, right-hoof in ruling Highcrest?” Asked the Imperial Envoy. What? I am? “You two are always together, what else could you be doing?” It was a logical conclusion, or would be, if it weren't for the fact Tempest already had no idea what she was doing even in Sarathûl, let alone on the throne.

“Tempest and Snowy are each the only real friend the other has.” Aharôs enlightened Îrilôs. “They don't have much choice unless they want to be lonely. For all I know, Tempest could realize she actuall hates her once she's around more Equestrians her age.” That was certainly something that had never occurred to the blue-grey pegaus before. It seemed not to have occurred to Snowy either, as she looked rather crestfallen at such a notion.

“Snowy's been a loyal friend for ten years, there's nothing fake about that!” Shot back Tempest. “I'm not just going to- going to throw her aside!”

“There is no need to be upset.” Îrilôs spoke calmly. “I'm sure the Prince didn't meant to imply anything, my queen.”

“Indeed.” The Prince agreed. Tempest snorted.

“Are we relieved yet?” She asked.

“You are.”

“A shame you didn't come close to causing any diplomatic incidents this time.” Noted the Imperial Envoy, smiling in self-satisfaction as he so often did.

“If you want, I can make trouble between the legitimate government of Highcrest and the Empire.” Offered the exiled Queen.

“Oh, I'm not looking for trouble.” Îrilôs put his hands up. “Carry on, my queen.”

“Sleeping well, your highness?” Sidâl asked, ending his period of silence. Tempest hesitated before answering.

“...Yes.” She replied. Sidâl drummed his fingers together, but spoke not. “Thanks for dinner.” Tempest said, before nudging Snowy in the direction the tent's exit.

“Th-thanks.” The biege pegasus said as well, as she left.

“I hope we don't have to have supper with them as well.” Muttered Tempest. They walked in silence for a few minutes, having nothing else required of them today. Snowy kept on staring off into the distance. “Something's on your mind.” Obsereved the blue-grey pegasus.

“Mmh?” Snowy answered, distractedly.

“You're thinking pretty heavily right now.”

“Oh, r-right. I am.” She shook her head, striped blue mane hitting Tempest in the face. How does she keep it clean if its so long? wondered Tempest, stepping back a little. But it was a minor concern. “You remember what- what Brenan's taught us about the Far North, right?”

“Yeah. Famine, overpopulation, things like that happened. The Eight Tribes of Man moved south, and fought with the alicorns for living space.” Tempest recited as best she could.

“It seems mundane, but explainable, right?” Prompted Snowy.

“I'd agree with that.”

“So if humans were driven south by en-environmental and social factors alone... Why do they have f-fortresses blocking every pass that goes north?” She asked, looking in that direction. “Why would you need garrisons of- of soldiers to keep a centuries-long vigil on an empty land? Why would the Emperor waste all that- all that money? Unless...” Snowy trailed off, looking at Tempest pointedly.

“...Unless it wasn't a waste.” The blue-grey pegasus said quietly. Her friend blinked, perhaps she hadn't said what Snowy was expecting.

“Well, th-that's one way to put it. It must cost thousands of marks a year to maintain the March, from the Eastern S-sea to the Peaks of Heaven. There must be a good reason behind it!” Proclaimed she.

“There must be.” Tempest nodded in affirmation. “Any ideas?”

Snowy sighed at her, and narrowed her eyes. “I don't know, Tempest. Perhaps that letter Sidâl read?” Oh... Right, the letter speaking of the mysterious beast. That might have been relevant, Tempest. Aharôs is right, you really don't pay enough attention...

“Ah. Uh...” She searched for words. “I guess it might be something important. Maybe... Huh. I might have been right, Snowy.” Tempest said, looking brighter in expression. “Maybe something evil did happen! And they don't want it coming after them again!”

“Something like that.” Snowy nodded. “Whatever h-happened up there, we're not getting the full story.”

“I doubt we're ever going to know. Once we're done in Verâd, we go to aid the Emperor, Aharôs said. At least that was the general idea a month ago.” The blue-grey pegasus squinted north. “But I would like to find out. Even if it is a hopeless dream.”

“Yeah... We'll see where l-life takes us, I guess.” Snowy follower her gaze to the low hills on the horizon. They were definitely not the mountains dividing Sarathûl from the Far North, but they served a similar purpose of limiting how far Tempest saw. “I would like to- to see that place.”

“I don't know... I think we're better off staying south. At least here we've got the Prince to fall back on. My uncle isn't in the best condition, and the others...” She frowned. “I'm not too fond of them.”

“Me either. E-especially Coldstar.” Snowy muttered, getting a dark look. She's got a more valid reason to feel apart from them than I. She's a failure in regards to marehood in every aspect... Except loyalty, I guess. Few Equestrians qualified as loyal in Tempest's judgment. Not for the first time, Tempest found herself wondering what her life would be like if things had turned out differently. It was best not to dwell on such things. There are seldom few words sadder than “what could have been.” A saying from the humans' holy book, one of many such bits of wisdom. Regret over the past was a futile, consuming thing. What was done was done; the future was what she should look toward.

But sometimes, when all she saw was uncertainty, looking forward was hard.