ζ, 45☯, 993♋

I forgot to write the events of yesterday last night. However, I did manage to find a few interesting things upon entering the town including a trinket they termed the Flutter charm, whatever stigma or story is behind the name I do not yet know. Other than that, I managed to find a spice vendor who sold a decent amount of the base ingredients I use in most of my restorative potions.

After restocking at least once while tending to ponies from a stall in the market, I finished that area just as the sun was setting on the horizon. After a few hours, I found the inn that the stall keeper I was renting it from sent me to. It was a nice little establishment, with a slightly greedy yer kind hearted owner, a mare named Miso. After renting my room from her, I came across the spice merchant once more, he introduced himself as Cherry Spice and I, as Glimmering Wisp. Our trades were similar or at least codependent, so he made an offer to travel with me, I agreed without too much question since I saw no harm in it. Plus it would remove some of the monotony I’ve been having lately with all of the long traveling with only my thoughts and Fang’s to keep me company.

Speaking of Fang, I forgot to make some of his mana crystals and had to make a group from scratch using the excess magic I had forgotten to expel as per my usual schedule. I can only remain embarrassed by my near mishap. I will be keeping a closer watch on my mana reserves to make sure they don’t build up anywhere near a magical flair up, I was told that if one does happen again, it is not assured that my body would survive the violent release of magical energy. Atleast I have a decent reason for making mana crystals rather than to just keep my magical levels low.

Fang slept well while I studied a spell from Starswirl the bearded’s journal, STARSWIRL THE BEARDED. I didn’t think that tower would have been the major study of the father of modern magic, the creator of the amniomorphic spell. I must tread carefully and treat the journal reverently, lest I damage it. I have read up on an interesting spell, designed to give one temporary flight capabilities. It involved condensing the air around you into gossamer wings, then connecting your magic to the appendages. Overall, I’m impressed and I might want to try the spell soon. It would be great to see the world from Fang’s perspective for once. but I’ll have to wait till Cherry Spice is comfortable enough to not mind me doing such an action.

Today I met Cherry Spice a bit on the blunt side of things. He is sadly untrained in self defense. Fang tried to bite at him when they met. I hope this does not lead to problems later on, but if it does I’ll just leave Cherry Spice’s company. I got a few more thorns from a Sanguine Rose, and a vial of Nightmares Bane spores, I’m planning on experimenting to see what they can do beyond their natural hallucinogenic properties.

I had Fang scout out ahead for a place to rest for the night. He found a nice outcropping that gave a clear view of the sky at night and a good distance of the road in either direction. Cherry was very reluctant to move off the road when I asked him to follow me to a place where we could settle down for the night. He didn’t believe me and was belligerent until I showed him this place. Anyway I set up a few wards in case we had visitors. No need to have a timberwolf sneak in and scare Cherry Spice into doing something foolish. I’m honestly surprised how jumpy other ponies are, I thought they would be more calm and collected like my mentor.

I guess that is all for tonight.

Twilight Sparkle.

ζ, 46☯, 993♋

Today was somewhat of an eye opener. I asked that Cherry tell me a few things about Equestria, particularly things I wasn’t privy to within the Everfree forest, such as some of the legends regarding the Flutter charm I bought from the vender two days ago in Bridlebit. I think his face matched the color of his cutie mark for a few seconds, so apparently it is a charm without any magical or intrinsic value. Culturally though, as Cherry Spice explained, the Flutter charm is a symbol of fertility and love, to give a Flutter charm to an earth pony is the equivalent of promising them a good harvest for the year. It also has a double meaning in that it comes with asking to date the pony you give the charm to. I’ll enchant it tonight. I think Fang would appreciate a bracelet that could create a magical barrier in case he were to accidentally crash into something.

It’s dark now and the bracelet is complete. I had to weave the chain from my mana when I found the charm was cracking under the magical pressure. I had some spare metal in my pack, but I doubt it would be able to handle the excess magical pressure that would have been channeled into it from the charm. I hope Fang isn’t tempted to eat it. The chain itself would cause him indigestion, and I doubt he needs that much silver plated bronze in his diet. We’ve only moved about fifty miles from where we stayed last night. I suggested we eat on the road to save us time and resources between our destinations, but he wouldn’t have any of it, stating he had plenty of supplies. It will take longer than expected to get to Pax Nexus for the meeting with the changelings. Other than the amulet being complete and Cherry Spices ‘exemplary’ behavior, not really much to add about today.

We come across several of the more medicinal herbs and ingredients I use in my potions, but only enough to create several sustained healing potions and antitoxin vials. Though I did come across a patch of Sun Lilies I gathered three of the bulbs. I hope to distill the petals into their base ingredients including a drop of pure sunlight per petal. From memory, distilled sunlight has a similar effect to the Anasgiah when introduced to a healing potion. Stabilizes the system and maintains the body’s connection to the soul for a few hours, for healing magic hopefully to repair the body enough so that the person will survive when the potion wears off.

And I had to ask a small pack of timberwolves to avoid our path before they caused Cherry Spice to panic. I also had to scold Fang for trying to catch Cherry’s tail on fire. I don’t understand what could have gotten that idea into his head.

Twilight Sparkle.

---

Cagnim, 3rd, 993 CR

I decided to not write in the past three day’s considering it would be a pointless waste of time and ink, It was pretty much more of the same.

I asked what day it was on Cherry Spice's calendar and found something a bit interesting. Apparently, the Equestrian calendar uses a different dating system than that of the shamanistic dating system, I've decided to switch to the Equestrian system from now on, so I can fit in better. I'll write a quick guide below, so I can remember until I get used to the new system.

There are six months in an Equestrian year, Each month has a total of sixty one days. The names of each month are as follow’s Zelfoss, Yill’thui, Cagnim. Lumix, Thorm, and Ajaka.

Another item of interest was the fact that were within a day’s travel of Hoofreed. The forests have given away to vast mountains and I’m having trouble finding a good many of the potion ingredients I would normally find useful or use frequently. I’m going to have to conserve what I have until I come across another forest so I can replenish my supplies, or until I return to the Bridlebit area. The view makes up for the lack of fauna we’ve come across since entering the mountains. I wonder if Hoofreed has any whipped cream? Ever since I left Windbreak I’ve had a craving for it. Other than a few issues involving Cherry Spice’s wagon getting stuck in the road, and Fang’s occasional snide comment or warning, there really hasn’t been much excitement going on, I passed a few ruins today, I mean I could see them in the distance, but I realized that it would take at least half a day to reach them even at my fastest, and I don’t think Cherry Spice would appreciate us throwing him behind schedule to visit some old ruins which don’t look like they would have any new magical insights. When we get to Hoofreed I’m going to have to settle down with him and discuss a few of these things. I’m going to turn in for the night, I hope I didn’t~

Okay I forgot to do the ritual again, I was supposed to do it yesterday. Well, at least the headache is gone, Fang is tired and pestering me to nest him so he can sleep.

Twilight Sparkle.

Cagnim, 4th, 993 CR

Well… Hoofreed really was something, I’m currently staying in the Haybrittle inn. The locals had a really interesting situation that I was thankfully able to resolve with a few rotweed potions. I managed to confront Cherry Spice when we finally reached the inn. He was very understanding and we worked out a system where we both felt we would be satisfied. He agreed that if we came across any ruins, I would be allotted three hours to scour the ancient structures for artifacts and such before we had to move on. and he would be allowed to choose whether or not we rested at the places I picked out for us to rest at. I’m glad we were able to work out a decent deal, I’m paying fifty percent less on the materials he’s giving me overall, however any potion I sell, he receives ten percent of the amount paid. I don’t know why the innkeeper sent the strange pony to my room earlier, I only gave him an extra three bits for being nice, and giving me some directions on short cuts and less used side roads that could cut down the time it would take for me and Cherry to make it to the next town.

Cherry hired a bodyguard named Regal Sentry, I don’t understand why he would need one. I mean there was a bit of side talk about bandits on the road, though I doubt that would be a problem. However, one of the patrons mentioned a victim she came across on the road. The pony had no visible wounds other than a pair of holes in the side of her neck, she was almost completely drained of blood. Before we leave tomorrow I’m going to check and see if Cherry has any heart wood planks and a few leaves of sage. I have plenty of materials to make a hemlock and garlic residue that can be used to burn unsuspecting creatures. I’ll also keep some Salamander oil on hoof in case I need to use fire manipulation spells.

Fang decided to visit the forests surrounding the city while Cherry Spice and I did our business, and helped get needed materials and aid where it belonged. Sadly, my aphrodisiac potion seems to be popular here as well. I just don’t understand what’s so fascinating about sexual relations between consenting ponies? Anyway, I’ll speak with Zecora tonight and see if she can explain a few of the herbs that I found on the road that weren’t explained in my compendium of alchemy ingredients.

Twilight Sparkle.

Cagnim, 7th, 993 CR

Cherry Spice decided to start the morning early today for some reason. I guess he feels a bit more relaxed with somepony assisting him in moving his spice cart. Though I should probably ask Fang to try and not roast him next time he surprises us with a morning wake up call. Though I guess it can’t really be helped when there’s a cranky drake being annoyed by noise when he’s trying to sleep.

Fang is still exhausted from the massive amount of herbs I had him gather from the surrounding flora.

Zecora informed me that the three plants I’ve found are as follows, The Icedrake tongue (cousin to the drake tongue.) Sigil root, and Mortis Ianuam. The Icedrake tongue is actually the counterpart to the drakes tongue in that instead of boosting the fire and heat related effects of potions, it boosts the frigidity and heat sapping effects of potions. Sigil root is a powerful enhancer of griffon rune magic if I could find a griffon rune mage I would love to study under them for a few weeks to further understand and learn of the rune magic and how it works. As it is, I only have rudimentary information on the subject. Mortis ianuam is a fickle plant, it mimics the effects of dying in a living being, if consumed, when mixed in a potion with the Anasgiah(which I only have three leaves left). It puts the drinker of the concoction into a three hour coma, in which the user’s body undergoes extensive healing to the point where it is said that dead limbs that would otherwise need to be amputated to stave off gangrene were regenerated to full health. However the life binding effect of the Anasgiah is completely disabled in the mixing of the two ingredients.

anyway the day turned out Quite well, not really much to report though other than the fact that I feel a strange foreboding of the area we’ve entered, I hope I’m wrong. anyway were staying in a forest clearing near the road, theres a buffer of at least ten meters between the trees and our camp, that should enough to spot any danger’s before they can attack our camp. Ughh, Fang’s calling me for bed, I’m going to join him. Hopefully tonight remains uninterrupted.

Twilight Sparkle.

---

With a flutter, her lavender eyes shot open, warning sirens blaring throughout her thoughts as her vision cleared, revealing the camp in its entirety. Cautiously, she glanced around the camp and noticed the empty sleeping bags that were supposed to contain her resting companions. With but a thought she latched onto the core of her power and fed it into a formula. After a few seconds, she felt a slight tugging sensation towards the north east and she cut off the power to her spell with a simple flash. With a huff she rose to her hooves from the soft wooden mat she had been resting on just a few minutes ago. She stared in the direction she had felt the spell designate for a few more seconds before lifting her right hoof first then disappearing with a blur of motion, she charged into the forest following the directions her spell gave.

Within several minutes she arrived at another open field, the lavender mare slowed down and skulked in, remaining unnoticed as a peach colored pegasus with piercing blue eyes bit down on a stark white stallion’s throat with a pair of fangs. She spotted another about to do the same to a dark brown stallion. ‘Damn, I’m too late. I need to save at least one of you. I’m sorry Regal, but Cherry Spice hasn’t been bit, if I didn’t have to fight I might have been able to save you as well.’ She thought as her horn ignited, several drops of salamander oil float out of her pack and bursting into flame upon contact with the open air. She concentrated on one of the drops of liquid fire and expanded it into a great sphere of flame, then launched it at the one drinking Regal’s life force. As her fireball raced at the vampony pinning the white pegasus, she felt and saw the world around her blur as she dashed towards the mare pinning down Cherry Spice.

‘ A vampony’s bite is lethal, I can’t make any antivenoms or virals that could counter the the viruses and poisons introduced into his bloodstream effectively,’ she thought as her fireball connected with and consumed both the vampony and Regal Sentry. The flash of the explosion caught the undead mare above Cherry by surprise, causing her to pause mid-bite. Twilight quickly took advantage of the shock of the other vampony and used the moment to telekinetically blast her off the stallion, allowing the semi-conscious Cherry Spice to fall to the ground.

The lavender filly ignited the air once more with the salamander oil, coalescing the coalescing the burst of flame into a condensed stream, which she aimed straight at the stunned vampony. Unfortunately, the unicorn vampony mare recovered just before the flames could strike and, with unnatural grace the creature dodged out of the flame’s path. Twilight recognized the tactic and lept to the right, withdrawing a small vial of glowing yellow fluid from her saddlebags, tossing it into the location she had previously occupied with a simple telekinetic toss. Just as she was landing, the vampony had already struck the vial. With no time to react, the vial shattered under the vampony’s strike, spraying its contents across her body. Not even half a second later, she began shrieking in pain as her coat was quickly reduced to ash, an unnatural golden white fire flowing across her body with a voracious hunger.

The lavender filly closed her eyes for a moment, as the flames died down and the ashes blew away with the wind.

Opening her eyes, she lit her horn once more, and a green veil of energy condensed into existence over her eyes. Almost immediately, she spotted several dark figures coming from the east. Noting their dark auras feeding upon the light around them, she pulled out several more drops of salamander oil. Spreading three drops away from herself, she placed them equidistant in a triangular formation surrounding her person, and sealed them within a vacuum, while holding them in position. A few minutes later, several ponies emerged from the shadows of the forest. Not wanting to risk anything to happenstance, the lavender filly calmly trotted over to Cherry Spice, weaving another spell. Her maroon magic took on a radiant golden glow as a dome of golden light formed around the unconscious stallion. She then turned to face the pale ponies, their slightly sunken features and dull non reflective coats complimented by their glassy yellow eyes.

Slowly they began to circle her, taking care to avoid the golden dome covering the stallion, each one getting into position to attack while waiting on the command to strike. Finally as the last one, a dark blue stallion with a cutie mark resembling a white star, reached his position, a vibrant pink filly with a cutie mark resembling a golden heart with a pair of black feathered wings, not much larger than the lavender mare, rose to her hind legs. With a single wave of her hoof the others charged, each one moving at speeds belying their mortal forms. The lavender filly waited as they crossed the invisible border between the drops of salamander oil, and as the first ones came within striking range of her, only to find their hooves colliding with thin air as her illusion completely dissipated along with the spells maintaining the void around the drops of salamander oil.

The effects were immediate. The air rushing into the formerly empty spaces caused the salamander oil to ignite, the influx of air caused the flames to expand exponentially. The blaze quickly entrapped the vamponies within its incinerating embrace, even as they howled their first cries of pain and fear. Fifteen meters away, the lavender filly uncloaked from her invisibility illusion. She glanced to her right at the fuschia-coated filly standing outside the blast radius of the explosion caused by her trap. Immediately the lavender unicorn lit her horn once more with deep magenta energy. Taking hold of the fire, she condensed it. As the orb of flame grew smaller, she formed and fired a white sphere of energy out of her horn and into the conflagration as it finished incinerating the last of the pink vampony’s followers. The lavender filly released the spell building upon her horn, and leapt backwards just in time as the bright pink hoof passed through the space she had previously occupied.

The mulberry unicorn ducked once more, feeling the disturbance of the air above her, she reached above herself. With a swift turn of the hoof, she wrapped her own foreleg around the vampires. She then pulled as hard as she physically could, flipping the other pony over herself in the process and slamming her into the ground with a solid thud. Taking advantage of her opponent’s temporarily stunned state, the lavender filly leapt back, stealing a swift glance at the unnaturally burning flames still encompassing the charred remains of the pink vampony’s followers. Facing forward once more, she instinctively jumped left, barely dodging the hoof as it disturbed the air mere inches from her face. With a smirk she ducked down, dodging one last punch from her opponent, before a solid torrent of flame struck the pink vampony, knocking her away from the lavender unicorn and giving the smaller pony a chance to recover, while another superheated stream of energy flowed over her crouched form, striking into the silhouette of her opponent once more, sending her reeling backwards. The flame finally began to take form, bestial features becoming more solid from the blazing inferno.

Within seconds the flames became more and more defined, until eventually in place of the conflagration, stood a demonic being with twin curled horns of sharpened burning obsidian on either side of its head. Its sharpened teeth concealed a burning core of pure magma, its eyes both pinpricks of infernal light behind a demonic obsidian mask, the fire upon its back taking the form of both a mane and wings. The creature took a ponderous step forward on its cloven hooves, causing minor tremors with every step, coupled with burning any and all plant matter under its hooves. The infernal creature stared at the vampony for several long seconds, taking a good look at her while it stood in front of the lavender filly, its bony black tail whipping agitatedly back and forth before the young unicorn behind it. The lavender filly watched the pink vampony’s anger turn to fear as the burning bipedal beast began stepping towards her, flames bursting forth from its crackling body. With a flick of its wrist, a massive tongue of flame came into being, creating a massive crack as it disturbed the air.

The pink vampony decided it had seen enough, turning around she began sprinting from the burning demon. Her breath came in rapid pants as she looked in all directions with wild fearful eyes, only to encounter the lavender unicorn that had trapped her subordinates. There was a flash of red across her vision, her fear turned to fury as she looked upon the filly standing defiantly before her. “RAAAGHHHH! I will kill you unicorn! I will have my revenge!” she screeched frustratedly, before charging the lavender filly, her limbs a mere blur of motion. Suddenly her charge halted as one of her back legs was pulled back straight, causing her to crash into the ground “Oof! Wha-?” The pink vampony looked behind herself, finding her left hind leg wrapped within several coils of bright orange glowing energy, a single long tether leading back to the great beast. Her rage froze once more as cold fear took over. She looked back to the lavender filly and tried lighting her horn to no avail, as the soft glow of pink magic guttered out with a small spray of red sparks. Her eyes widened even further, the dark pupils dilating as her thoughts began to fray. She tried to stand once more, but her legs froze again, fear begins to radiate off of her in waves, finally after a few moments she decides on an action, burying her head into the ground horn first and covering it with both forehooves.

The lavender filly stopped several feet in front of the fuchsia coated vampony, her horn lit with a bright magenta aura. As she conjured another spell, the fiery demon ceased its approach a few meters from the vampony, its energy whip still firmly grasped around her leg. “Wait!” The aura died around the lavender unicorn’s horn as she turned to face the occupant of the golden barrier, Cherry Spice stood to his full height, staring intently at the scene. “Glimmer, what in Celestia’s name is going on? I mean, one second I’m resting in my sack and the next I’m laying in a cold dark field surrounded by this yellow barrier and I see you about to blast that poor pony with whatever spell you were about to blast her with, not to mention the tartarus damned demon pinning her down with that orange whip thingy, could you please explain, before I start drawing conclusions?” he waved his hoof towards the hellspawn, then lifted it above himself and twirled it in a circle before adding, “also where in tartarus is my wagon?”

Twilight looked towards the pink vampony before releasing a long irritated sigh, she lit her horn encasing the undead creature in a lavender barred prison of energy. The fiery demon released its grip upon the whip of energy, without any power feeding into it the glowing object faded into nothingness before it hit the ground. The pink pony lifted its head out of the ground as the feeling of the whip around her leg faded, only to note the lavender cage surrounding her. She looked out from between the bars and noted Twilight with her horn glowing faintly while glancing in another direction. "Your gear still remains back at the camp, Cherry. What I'm doing here is finishing off the last of the soul drinkers that were going to eat both you and Regal. I was too late to save Regal, but I was just in time to save you from two of this one’s companions." She emphasizes her argument by pointing her hoof at the fuchsia vampony.

The pink vampony glanced around the magenta glowing structure around her before matching it to the softly glowing aura surrounding Twilight’s horn. She leaped backwards as Twilight’s amethyst eyes flicked in her direction, scanning her for any hostility. The pink filly prostrated herself to the ground in fear not wanting to encourage the mage’s wrath any further than she already had. Cherry Spice released an obnoxious snort stealing the vampony's attention from the lavender filly keeping her caged. "Yeah, Glimmer I think you've terrified her enough. She may have tried to hurt you, but it was most likely out of fear more than anything else. Also, was it her specifically, that tried to kill me?" His eyebrow lifted in query.

Twilight looked between the vibrant pink vampony unicorn and the young earth pony spice vendor, before releasing a loud snorting grunt through her nose and rolling her eyes in annoyance. With a simple flash of her horn, the golden field surrounding Cherry Spice dissipated into fading motes of light, before disappearing entirely. She then walked over towards the fiery hellspawn, her horn lit brightly causing the creature to begin to compress , its form failing at the seams, and its fire imploding towards its core. After only three seconds, a single mote of light the size of a candle flame floated in place where the great demonic creature stood. Twilight pulled a small vial from her saddlebags and pulled the beeswax stopper out. She placed the flickering flame within once more, and sealed the vial once more, containing the flame within. She then lifted out a small alabaster tube and slid the glass vial snugly within, burning a magical rune onto the ivory surface of the burning creature’s miniature prison.

With a sigh of contentment, Twilight looked over to Cherry Spice with a deadpan look, floating over the contained spirit of flame. "Take this. Break it on the ground if you run into trouble while I'm not around. It'll release the fire sprite I've placed within. Now, as for you..." She spun around pointing a hoof in the pink unicorn's direction, causing her to press herself up against the magenta bars of Twilight's binding spell. "Sit down, and listen."

The pink vampony immediately halted, she slammed her flank onto the ground with a resounding thud, and looked curiously at the lavender filly, through the magenta glowing bars. Her slight whimpers being heard by both Twilight and Cherry Spice. With another sigh, Twilight began speaking once more. “You can stop whimpering now, unless you try anything I wont be hurting you.” Twilight’s ears perked up, she turned her head upwards and called out. “Fang? Stop, I’ve already fixed this, I just need to get Cherry Spice back to camp.” A small blur fluttered down on leathery draconic wings, and landed on Twilight’s back, hissing in displeasure at the sight of the vampony. “And be quiet.”

Twilight returned her gaze to the pink vampony. “So, since we have that little bit of unpleasantness behind us, if you can speak, would you mind telling me your name?” Twilight asked curiously.

“G-g-golden Heart.” She stuttered out barely above a whisper.

Twilight lifted a hoof to her face, shaking her head left and right. Placing her hoof on the soft earth below, she looked at the pink vampony once more. “Alright Golden Heart, if I release the spell holding the cage around you, will you stay put?” The pink vampony nodded, Twilight's horn flashed and guttered out as she released the spell holding the cage together. The lavender bars shattered and blew away like dust in the wind, the glowing magenta motes of light guttering and dying out in their passage. “So, Golden.”

The pink unicorn looked up from the ground, her ears perking somewhat. “Y-yes?”

Twilight lifted a hoof towards the youthful looking vampony, , “How did you become a Soul Drinker?” Golden remained silent, her pink hooves jittering slightly, and her horn releasing purplish red sparks as she shivered in fear. Twilight let loose a small sigh in annoyance as the young creature clammed up even further. After a few seconds of silence, she felt the warm touch of another’s hoof upon her shoulder. She looked to her right, catching Cherry Spice’s brown eyes as he stared pityingly at the creature before them.

“Why don’t I take this from here,” he said calmly, pushing the lavender unicorn filly to the side. He then proceeded to walk over and stand before the fuchsia vampony. He lifted a hoof towards her in greetings with as bright a smile as he could muster. “I think we got off on the wrong hoof, so let me start. Hello Golden Heart, my name is Cherry Spice. I apologize on behalf of my companion, she is quite vicious when provoked into a fight.”

Twilight lifted a hoof to her face, and shook her head slowly from side to side, while Golden lifted her hoof and hesitantly bumped it against Cherry Spice’s, sneaking furtive glances in the lavender filly’s direction. “H-hello Mr. S-spice.” She pulled her hoof back and stepped a few paces away from the herbal goods merchant.

Cherry felt his smile melt from its previous rigid merriment to a more relaxed grin. “I guess I should’ve expected that. Well then first off, why were you with the other vamponies?”

Golden lowered her pink furred head mumbling a short answer.

Cherry Lifts a hoof to his ear. “Sorry but I didn’t quite hear that, could you say it again?”

“Family.”

The middle yeared merchant raised an eyebrow, as his curiosity peaked. “Family? In what way?” he asks gently, nudging Golden’s chin with a hoof, lifting her gaze until their eyes met.

“Coven, m-my living family passed away when Lord Sanguine turned me. So I-I’ve been living with the other vamponies since they took me in, they are the only family I had left.” Golden answered, her shivers reducing in frequency as she calmed down, her face sinking as the pain of their loss began to set in.

Cherry allowed concern to appear on his face as he quickly walked over to the pink vampony, he placed one brown hoof on Golden’s shoulder. “There, there, it’s okay. I know you don’t like being alone, but I think this might actually be a good thing for you. See that filly over there?” Golden looked up and followed where Cherry was pointing his foreleg. All the way to Twilight resting on the sidelines in a meditative state, with her eyes closed. “Now, from your position you probably wouldn’t believe it, but she is one of the kindest ponies I’ve ever met. It actually surprised me when I woke up and found her to be so violent just now.” he lifted a hoof and rubbed his chin for a few moments, his eyes casting downward as he gathered his thoughts. Lowering the hoof to the ground once more, he let loose a calming sigh. “I guess, it shouldn’t surprise me, considering how she responded to those guards a week ago. But as I was saying, she is really nice, if you ask her politely she might help you survive, I know as much, considering how many healing potions she gives away.”

Twilight opened her magenta orbs and stared straight at Cherry Spice with a bored contemptuous look. “And if ponies such as yourself didn’t keep haggling them out of a weeks worth of bits in one purchase, there wouldn’t be so many destitute ponies.” She retorted irritably. Golden jumped at the lavender filly’s sudden input.

“Yea? Well, you know what, it’s their fault for buying items without checking the prices first.” He argued back at the mage. “Besides it’s not my fault that the peasants are poor.” He dismissively waved a hoof in a circle, as if that would explain his point. Placing the hoof back on the ground he cleared his throat and turned to the pink unicorn left out of the conversation. “Sorry about my companion, she tends to like defending her ideals. However if you do need help just ask her. As I said, she wont bite, at the worst she’ll just growl.”

Now Golden Heart was giving the merchant a deadpan stare, as well as Twilight, “Yea, for some reason I highly doubt that.” The fuchsia vampony then turned away from the middle aged stallion, and took a good look at her former captor. Twilight for her part was calmly resting on a small patch of soft grass that had been missed by the massive wave of fire that had passed through the field only an hour ago. Twilight noted the attention being paid her and turned to lock onto the vampony’s gaze.

Twilight sighed before confirming the chocolate brown stallion’s words. “As much as I would wish he was wrong.” She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of the situation before continuing, “He is somewhat correct, I won’t hesitate to help you, but only if you need it.” She stood up to her full height before walking back over to the pair.

Golden Heart responded with widening eyes and shortness of breath as fear began to overtake her senses once more, as she watched Twilights approach as if the black pony himself were coming. Cherry noticed this and laid a soft hoof comfortingly over the vampony’s shoulder. “No need to worry, she’s mostly calmed down. See?” he gestured to the flaps of the lavender unicorn’s saddle bags, which were usually open and ready for use, pointing at both straps showing that they were tied closed.

The pink colored unicorn visibly relaxed at the motions, even with the image and living pony to haunt her nightmares for many weeks to come walking towards her, fearless in demeanor. Twilight stopped several feet from the pink mare with several spells formed in the back of her thoughts for swift use. Lifting a hoof, she held it outward towards the young vampony. “And you look like you need it.” Twilight then lifted the edges of her mouth into the shape of a tentative smile.

Golden looked between the hoof being held before her and the owner, she leaned forward, glancing up into Twilight’s eyes once more, then grasped the lavender hoof with her own fuchsia colored one. “T-thank you. But what do I need help with?” Her question remained unanswered for a few seconds as she lowered her hoof back to the ground.

“There are a few things that you would need help with. First off, if your breath is any indicator, you need something to clean your mouth of lethal germs and such. Second, you’ll need another way to feed that will not endanger other ponies, unless you want ponies less forgiving than me hunting you. Finally, I’ll help you get off to the right start with a small donation to help you get on your hooves perse.” Twilight allowed her face to brighten throughout the dialogue, but after a few more seconds her demeanor darkened substantially, a frown spreading across her face. “However, I would not appreciate it if you betrayed my trust, so do try and not hurt any innocents, and I will do what I can to help in our future encounters.” Twilight’s smile returned in full force as her horn lit up popping the flap on her saddlebags.

Cherry and Golden both tilted their heads to the side as they gazed at the vials and glass bottles the lavender unicorn pulled from her packs. “O-ok, I’ll keep that in mind.” Golden finally stated as she finished absorbing the words Twilight spoke.

“Now to start you off, I have some alcohol mixed with hemlock and sage to clean your mouth so that you don’t poison the next person you bite.” She said, mixing several bottles with various liquids till the solution turned a bright shade of teal then she passed it into the pink unicorn’s hooves. “Drink a small portion of it, then just gargle and spit the rest.” Twilight instructed. Golden followed through with the order, showing her pearl white teeth to the other unicorn after she finished.

Twilight nodded before stepping right in front of the pink unicorn vampony. holding out a hoof she pressed it up against the creature’s mouth softly tugging at the lips suggestively. After the second tug, Golden got the point and opened her mouth wide. Twilight investigated the cavity thoroughly, focusing on the teeth for a few seconds before letting go of the mouth and pressing it closed with the same hoof and then placing the limb on her chin in thought. “Hmm… just how much blood do you usually require per month?” Twilight finally asked after a few moments of thought.

“Generally three p-pints, Glimmer... I only drink from travelers, I swear.” Twilight facehooved at the vampony’s lack of care for her victims.

“I could care less about who you feed upon, as long as they remain unharmed in the end. If I give you two potions of mouth cleaner would you be able to ration it until I came back with a more permanent solution?” Golden nods her head in firm agreement. “Good, well, here’s the plan. I’ll make you a pendant before morning, and it will disguise your nature from the magical and natural senses of others, however you will have to feed upon multiple people per month rather than one so that you don’t accidentally kill your donor while feeding. I’d suggest moving into one of the nearby towns.” Twilight stated with calm ease.

The lavender filly lifted her hoof in front of herself, slicing a small sliver over an artery, opening it to the air, Twilight then places a beaker underneath to catch the precious life fluid. After a minute, much to Cherry Spice’s relief, Twilight placed the wound under a few herbs, stopping the bleeding in its entirety. She then lifted the beaker of blood over to the salivating pink vampony. Taking the beaker in both hooves, she swallowed the solution in two quick gulps. Placing the glass container back down, she licked away the rest of the blood on her lips. “Thank you.” She responded simply her eyes glowing red as the vampiric curse manipulated the blood within her system, revitalizing it.

Twilight turned to Cherry Spice. “Alright, keep to the rules and suggestions I’ve given you, don’t kill or maim anypony, or else I will be back. Now,Cherry Spice and I are going to head back to camp and get some rest. Good night.” With a fizzle and pop, Twilight and Cherry Spice both disappeared from the clearing, and exploded back into existence a few feet over a pair of sleeping bags, next to a wagon.

Twilight gracefully lands on her hooves, while Cherry Spice hits the ground side first. “MOTHER BUCKING GELDING! Glimmer! Warn me next time you cast a spell like that.” Screeched the incensed merchant as Twilight walked away towards her sleeping mat on the opposite side of the clearing.

As Twilight reached her own resting place, she turned back to the stallion with a shrug, answering him in kind. “Oh be quiet, at least you made it out of there in one piece.” As the words finished flowing off her lips she laid down upon the mat, her fore- and back legs tucked underneath as her journal appeared before her once more, caught in her magical field. Lifting a quill from her pack as well, she placed it on an empty page. With several swift strokes she began writing in it for the second time that night.

---

Cagnim, 7th, 993 CR

Regal Sentry was an okay companion, but his training probably didn’t cover the glamour a vampony could use. but even if I had to incinerate him and the vampony that killed him, I still saved Cherry Spice. I just hope the other vampony actually follows the rules I gave her. When I return, I better not hear any new rumors about disappearing travelers and merchants. Though, Golden is very kind if a bit timid for a soul drinker. I have a feeling that she will follow the path she was given.

I’d better get back under the covers before Fang starts bugging me to get there.

Twilight Sparkle.

“Ughh, you know Glimmer, it would be nice if you helped pull the wagon now and then. It doesn’t get any lighter, and you know that I can’t use any packs like the ones on your back. Besides those hills are a major pain in the flank, especially when they’re wet, kind of like the road TWO DAYS AG-Mmphh…” The brown stallion’s rant was cut off as his mouth zipped itself shut while a lavender unicorn stared at him with a deadpan look, her magenta magic matching the color of the zipper that closed his mouth.

“We’ve already been through this Cherry. You very well know why I don’t pull your cart, and don’t complain to me. It was your choice to get those farming tools and training swords, not mine.” She answered Cherry Spice’s problem with a small amount of annoyance sneaking into her voice. “Besides, if you had decided to stop yelling for half a second, you’d realize that we’ve arrived at our next destination.” Twilight waved her hoof at the massive stone structure standing above them.

With a crash, the spice vendor lay sprawled before two massive reinforced oak wood doors, with towering stone turrets on either side. Twilight lit her horn, catching the wagon and keeping it from tipping over as the brown stallion reoriented himself back to his feet. He padded his nose with a hoof, then held the appendage outward to see what the damage was. A small splotch of red could be seen, enough to know that he was bleeding, but not enough to be worrying. Putting his hoof on the ground once more, he turned to the lavender unicorn snickering behind him. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, maybe next time I won’t be so helpful in finding herbs for your potions, hmm?”

Twilight rolled her eyes as she lit up her horn with a familiar magenta field, a similar field appearing as three objects came floating out of her saddlebags. “Here, this should help with the pain and to cleanse that scratch, just be careful next time.” She mixed two of the items in midair before spreading them over the third, a simple white linen cloth, which she then placed over Cherry Spice’s forehead, stemming the minor bleeding.

With a comforted sigh the chocolate brown earth pony allowed a small smile to grace his face. “Thank you Glimmer, I guess I should be more careful, but sometimes I would just appreciate some help if you can lend it.” Twilight nodded consent as she finished affixing and straightening out the bandage on the young merchant’s forehead.

“Good. Maybe next time you’ll actually pay attention to your surroundings as well, while trying to speak to me.” The lavender unicorn released a small sigh before planting a hoof on her forehead. “Umm, excuse me, but if you’re done with your lovers’ quarrel down there, I’d appreciate knowing what business you have in Fort Reignhold,” announced a snow white stallion in golden armor, standing atop the wall.

Both Twilight and Cherry Spice looked up at the stallion that had addressed them and Twilight managed to find her voice first. “My companion and I are searching for shelter and a place to trade for the day and night. May we have entry?” She asked as a second stallion in the same golden barding as the first looked over top the gate.

“If you have the bits, we can let you in, the entry charge is sixty bits.” Announced the first, as he and the second stallion simultaneously lept from atop the gate, spread their wings and fluttered down, landing before Twilight and Cherry Spice.

Cherry Spice then spoke next, “Sixty bits? That is preposterous, last time I was here, there was no entry charge and the gates were open during the day and any merchant or caravan could come or pass through.” The brown coated stallion spat, his anger at the guards flaring brightly behind his eyes.

The second guard spoke as Twilight’s own brows start knitting together. “I must apologize, it is a new policy that we were given recently to keep up funds for this installation. However if you cannot pay, you must find somewhere else to camp for the night.”

Twilight nodded, before asking. “And how would a merchant or caravan get through this pass with your great fortress blocking the path? You cannot expect everypony to pay your fee, it would be both unrealistic and unreasonable.”

Cherry Spice began nodding as well, then raised his voice as he began to yell furiously. “I cannot believe this! You’re supposed to be royal guards, not bucking toll collectors.”

“Sir, please be qu-“

“I mean seriously, I was here only three months ago! And I’m only now hearing of this? Shouldn’t there have been at least some form of communication between the towns about this new policy?” The merchant spat loud enough to be heard over a crowd on a good market day. Twilight looked at her companion, taken aback by his loud tone and anger. Just as she was about to speak, a shadow passed over the wall from above and a steel grey pegasus in sapphire blue armor landed between the guards and Cherry Spice who backed up a few steps.

“I was taking a mid afternoon flight to check on a few positions when I heard an interestingly loud noise coming from the gates of our fortress, that should have been OPEN hours ago. Now I’m not a petty commander, so I’d like to hear your excuses for why it hasn’t been done, but first I would like to know,” The commander turned to Cherry Spice, looking the merchant directly in the eyes. “What seems to be the problem here traveler? Other than the closed gates of course.”

“We were just going to-“

“I wasn’t talking to you lieutenant, now was I?” The steel grey pegasus said icily, not even turning to face his subordinate.

Both guards cowered at their commander’s calm tone, “N-no, Commander Lightning sir.”

“Good, now go ahead.” Commander Lightning lifted a hoof and waved it idly in the merchant’s direction.

Cherry Spice began speaking, some of the anger from before still holding tightly to his voice, and a small smile playing at the back of his lips. “These two idiots were trying to make us pay to get through the gate.”

“Were they now?” The commander asked and Cherry Spice nodded. “Well then,” the commander started turning around to face the two pegasus guards behind him. “I’ll be meeting you two in my office. I trust you know the way.” Both of the pegasi nodded and gulped, knowing what they were in for once the commander arrived to debrief them, then took off promptly, flying over the gate.

“Sorry about that.” Commander Lightning apologized turning back to face a pleased Cherry Spice.

“S’not a problem. I’m just glad we got this problem sorted out,” the merchant replied with a smile.

“I’ll have these gates open soon. Just wait a minute or two.” With that the commander followed his subordinates over the gate.

After a few seconds Twilight stepped up next to the herb vendor, and cupped him upside the head with the side of her hoof.

“Hay, what was that for?” Cherry complained rubbing the new sore spot.

“Being a fool,” Twilight said angrily. “You could have provoked them to attack, had Lightning not shown up when he did, you might have been sporting a few new wounds at this point.”

“Blah blah blah, it’s not like I was in any real danger. I mean the guard is there to protect Equestrian citizens, not beat down any pony that gets out of line.” Cherry Spice smirked cheekily.

Twilight planted a hoof between her eyes releasing a loud breathy grunt. Letting her hoof fall back to the ground she scowled at her brown merchant companion. “I am honestly surprised you’ve survived as long as you did without me being there to keep you safe.” Twilight shook her head, releasing another breathy sigh, before looking at Cherry Spice and rolling her eyes.

“Honestly, Wisp I think it’s due to my natural charm.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at her companions antics. “Charisma won’t save you from everything.”

“I know, and that’s where ponies like you come into play.” The oblivious merchant continued, smiling as he turned to face the gate.

With a single loud slap, the merchant hit the ground once more, just as a loud rumbling sound announced the opening of the fortress gates. “Ow, what was that for?” The merchant tried to yell over the sound of winding gears.

“You know why.” The lavender filly stated simply before walking through the opening gates.

---

Cagnim, 10th, 993 CR

We rested and resupplied at Fort Reignhold. Apparently they haven’t had a decent healer in weeks, even though they’re on staff and paid by the crown to be as efficient as possible, or at least that’s what I read up in their library after eating for the night and giving Fang a joy laced mana crystal.(Changeling magic, or at least the kind I saw Velt and Road use has been fascinating to test.) Anyway, after I found out they had an epidemic on their hooves I got to work immediately to figure out the source of the plague, and found out that the plague originated from a bite wound inflicted by one of the vamponies that I destroyed several nights back. A simple disease, which can easily be cured using an even simpler concoction of rotweed, basil, and fire snaps. I’ll administer the cure tomorrow morning as soon as the curfew is lifted. (I honestly thought they had a night shift… ) I wonder what Cherry thinks of all of this?

A bit of interest, the soldiers decided they wanted a sixty bit fine to allow us passage into and through their fortress. Apparently the ones who were doing this weren’t following correct orders. Suffice to say, I was willing, Cherry wasn’t, so Cherry started yelling at them, eventually the commander came down to see what the fuss was about, as soon as our story was explained, to say he was upset would be an understatement. I don’t think that particular set of guards will be on the walls any time soon.

Again, the bed calls, I’ll see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully Fang found somewhere warm to rest.

Twilight Sparkle.

Cagnim, 11th, 993 CR

Well, the potion worked, I added some Royal wasp jelly to the mix to remove the taste of the rotweed, other than one severe allergic reaction there really wasn’t anything exciting going on. Captain Storm Cloud, decided to pay Cherry Spice and I for my services. I tried to decline, but Cherry Spice took the opportunity and grabbed the money before I could say no. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that he supplies me a good majority of the herbs for my potions I probably would have left him at Reignhold. I apologized for my companions swift and rude demeanor then chased after him, when I finally caught up he was already packed and strapped into his cart, So… We left. Tonight we're under a rocky ridge. My choice since Cherry Spice really couldn’t control his greed I might as well try and teach him some humility. Tomorrow I plan on having him cross the stream without a bridge. Hopefully it will get him to learn some of the meaning behind hard work.

Twilight Sparkle.

Cagnim, 15th, 993 CR

First I just want to say this first, Cherry Spice... Guhh Valhachkasej'â, he’s so irritatingly single minded it’s ridiculous. all he worries about is comfort and bits. First I tried to get him to learn something of hard work by forcing him to go across the stream without using the bridge, all he did was take the wheels off his wagon, and pull out a long pole then drift his wagon across the stream. all the while I just froze the water along my path across, like when I first visited Windbreak. Then I tried to have him take the cliff path, instead he found a straight and narrow pass that ran straight between two cliff faces. Then finally I tried to convince him to go with me on one of my excursions into the ancient ruins of a watch tower, which I found the bodies of several griffon legionaries surrounding a small black orb, when I went to touch the orb, responded by releasing a small ark of green electricity which hit one of the bodies making it rise, I dispelled the enchantments keeping the body walking with a simple golden blast from a spell I learned in that ancient palace.

Fang has been laughing at me nonstop for my failed attempts to teach the subbern basilisk of a pony some form of self control and humility. Well you know what? I give up. If Cherry Spice wants to remain the way he is then I’ll let him… Guh, as long as he doesn’t get hurt, I’ll see if I can teach him some self defense some time. I can’t keep fighting his battles for him. I just won’t be there every time. Well, another day till we reach Rabadesh. Northwing turned us away from their gates, stating that they were training with several groups of griffon Talons and a small group of griffon Rune dancers. (I guess I’ll have another chance to study their techniques, may be in Claw Point or Pax Nexus.)

At least we ran into a caravan of ponies who were traveling along the outer roads from Pax Nexus on our way there. I was able to trade some fire retardant potions and several jars of spite weed salve to tend and relieve muscle and wound pains, it’s also a good substitute for bandages… at least when clotting wounds is involved. The caravaneers were nice and they even had some whipped cream. Well, I know what’s going to be my snack for the next few days.

I’m going to sleep with Fang again tonight, he’s been shivering for the past few minutes. I’d give him some Drakes Beard potion, but I fear it would just absorb into his system rather than remove whatever is ailing him. Keeping him warm at night is the least I can do.

Twilight Sparkle.

Cagnim, 16th, 993 CR

We’re staying at the Early Risers inn tonight. Rabadesh was a bit of a disappointment. According to Cherry Spice, the streets are usually beyond crowded with tourists and vendors. Apparently, with the dragons and griffons fighting each other, the amount of ponies visiting has dropped to a minimum. I still managed to make plenty of sales and passed several dozen healing tinctures to the locals. Apparently they’ve been suffering from a slew of rashes, and one case of Sunfire Blight, which needed an Arctic Wind Potion and extract of Nightshade root. I really don’t like Sunfire Blight. Its symptoms are similar to a cold and a fever, however an added symptom is a severe magical dearth, since the virus acts as a curse as well, and it’s agitated in sunlight. The only way to cure it is to directly purge the heat of the sun from their bodies, hence the Nightshade extract. But in the process of purging the power of the sun from their systems, their bodies will superheat to unnatural and unsafe levels, hence drinking the Arctic Wind potion. Also if it is day time, they need to stay indoors for at least an hour to assure the dispelling of the Sunfire Blight.

I would like to note that the Sunfire Blight is extremely similar to the Sunlight Curse that Soul Drinkers have, except theirs is volatile hence the sun reversal enchantments I found upon what was left of the garments they wore when I killed those other ones a week ago.

Cherry Spice is being foolish. He wont eat any of the garlic and basil stuffed potatoes, even though I recommended them to him as a remedy to his minor and temporary allergy to sunlight. I think I spotted a unicorn stallion in strange orange and red robes in the back of the tavern, he looked similar to the other two ponies that were following me a half season ago. I sensed another Necromancer nearby the town on my way in, I wonder if he has any spell notes we can trade? However I’ll have to search him out on the way back from Pax Nexus.

A couple of what Cherry Spice called street thugs tried to stop us on the streets, however when they stopped us Cherry said something confusing and they walked away, they looked really angry. I hope I don’t run into them any time soon.

Fang has been behaving unusually as of late, He’s been a bit more cuddly whenever we slept together. I hope he hasn’t caught something. I’ll ask Zecora tonight to check up on it with some of our friends in the Everfree, maybe they can help. Or I might be able to contact them directly, I’ll try tonight.

Twilight Sparkle.

Cagnim, 17th, 993 CR

Apparently Fang is going into what is normally called Dragon Lust, as Zecora and another of my teachers were able to explain to me. Dragon Lust is the result of a dragon picking its mate, considering how strange and somewhat disturbing that is. I can guess I imprinted on him too well, and I guess the constant mental connection between us isn’t helping matters either in that regard. They explained to me that there were two ways to suppress and or solve Dragon Lust. One way is to follow its natural path and help the dragon with its chosen mate, and the other is to just help the dragon wait it out, using a mixture of Nightingale, Wyrm Root, and Blood Sage in a salve and rubbing it into his scales every night. I’ll ask him what he wishes to do once we get to Pax Nexus. I just hope Queen Ferris's changelings don’t mind an extra visitor in bed if he chooses the first option.

We made a decent amount of progress through Armastia’s pass, though I wonder what those glints in the sunlight were that I saw on the ledge, I couldn’t ask Fang to check it out since he was too busy trying to scout out any outcroppings to rest under for the Night.

Luckily he found an ancient fort. It rested precariously on the edge of a cliff. Some of its towers were already crumbled to their bases, the main bodies resting in the valley below. I tested and came to the conclusion that, as long as we stayed in the eastern tower, we would not have to worry about the building collapsing in our sleep. Though I might not be getting much sleep if the ancient fortress holds any magical secrets unlike those I have studied so far. Too bad the library had crumbled off the cliff face when Fang arrived, I probably could have saved a few of the books to study, that is if they survived the elements.

Cherry Spice twisted his hoof on a loose stone earlier and I had to administer some Nimble Briar salve, then I put him in a shadow vine cast using two cherry wood branches and had him drink a small regeneration draught. After several minutes I released him from the cast and regathered my Shadow Vines. With his leg freed he was walking around, good as new.

(note to self: Shadow vines are impossible to find and harvest outside of the Everfree forest, take great care to retrieve them after each use.)

Were going to be passing around Fort Clawpoint. Considering how close we are to the Griffon and Dragon border, I don’t think they’ll be accepting travelers until the conflict between the Griffons and the Dragons ends. Elder Sylvack sent me an ancient map describing the area we’ll be passing through geologically, though he could have been a bit more defined in his instructions, I won’t fault him for brevity, considering we really didn’t have much time to talk during my visit to his dreams. Anyway, the map gave us a few paths we could follow to reach Pax Nexus , it should only take four days if the natural paths still remain after all this time. At least the stone is warm underneath. Winter still holds some sway in these mountains.

Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Notes:

UUU... I honestly have no reason for this chapter to have this come out soo late so yea the usual applies, many thanks to my editors and proofreaders

janushyde, Moon Shade, Aeondragon, and Firedon.