January 27th, 72 BNM
Equestria

A month passed, another year came, but once again, by one attack, peace seemed to unravel as if the annihilated village in Separatist territory had been a pulled thread that tied the sewn stability together.
Riots against Nationalists and Royalists came, as the attack had been pre-warned, almost tauntingly, by a Nationalist clad soldier. The Nationalists denied this vehemently, accusing the Separatists of faking the attack to have any reason to fight to divide Equestria once more. The Royalists intervened, King Nova and Queen Aurora’s words to cooperate peacefully to solve this falling on deaf ears.
But soon, as they continued to urge peace, the conflict became three-way, as the Nationalist leaders, most Alicorns or nearly in power, didn’t tolerate the royalists seeming to order them around, nor the Separatist leaders. Very quickly, conscriptions in towns and villages across the Separatists had been drafted, and in response, the Nationalists did so too. The Royalists knew conflict was much greater in chance, and had no choice but to prepare for battle once again.
Desperate to solve this issue, Starswirl had contacted those considered wise among the factions, the closest thing to other wizards he could find. He would represent the Royalists, and the Unicorn mage Meadowbrook would come on behalf of the Nationalists. The Separatists however, had rejected Starswirl’s offer.
The idea was there, to prove this attack was not by Nationalist means, as Starswirl had found out that Meadowbrook also saw the pattern wasn’t there. Neither side was lying, which meant something else was at work here.
In a bid to ensure security of Equestria, Starswirl did send for representatives from the neutral fortresses of Equestria, those places that would take no side in the battles in case any nation, like the New Gryphons, pounced on Equestria as it fought itself.
From the mid-western mountains, the Tartarus fortress and prison leader had agreed to come, as had the leader of the Citadel fortress of the north midlands. And from the north-eastern coastal fortress port, their leader.
All 5 were respected leaders, even if the 3 leaders from the neutral fortresses were enigmatic and secluded, as their jobs required them to be for impartiality. But ensuring peace reigned in the end was paramount.
Unbeknownst to anyone though, the Citadel leader was more than happy to see what efforts would be made to try and figure out the reasons, and manner in which, he had played Equestria like a conductor would an orchestra.

Late Morning
January 27th, 72 BNM
Equestria, Neighagra falls
Meadowbrook’s tower

An ancient watchtower, one of the old pyre beacons that could be lit in the event of sighting any army of an enemy. Meadowbrook’s one duty he had to do for the Nationalists was to alert them to attackers coming their way. Beyond that, he was a free agent and a consultant, nothing more, as many a Mage and high ranking and esteemed magic user was in Equestria, those not in a high political position as many Alicorns were.
The Mage Meadowbrook had offered his home as the meeting point, as Starswirl wasn’t picky about territory. But being the closest to midway between the 3 fortresses in the Tartarus, Citadel and North-Eastern port locales, it was most convenient for the travellers.
For now though, they awaited the last to arrive, before the meeting would proceed as soon as possible.
The leader of the Citadel fortress was running late.

The 2 from the North Western fortress and Tartarus fortress had taken to their own private discussions in the lower living area, likely catching up and exchanging stories.
Starswirl however, was keen to see the work that Meadowbrook had supposedly been rumoured to be working on.
Scouring over the line of glass jars, hidden behind a seemingly innocent looking cabinet’s doors, Starswirl marvelled at the intricately carved artefacts that lay beneath each jar.
“I didn’t realise you had made this many of these items…8 altogether.” Starswirl remarked, to which the Eastern Unicorn, as Meadowbrook had been the daughter of migrants from across the Muttlantic a few decades prior to the New Gryphon War, gave a small shrug.
She was a Unicorn mare of pale yellow coat, and a dark and light blue striped mane and tail, and a flank mark of a purple star and a dark pink orchid flower beneath it: “Magic itself can exhaust a user. Items, can offer easy ways to perform proven feats, leaving talent to create new ways at their ease.”
Starswirl nodded, seeing the merit in that philosophy. As he looked over the jars, Starswirl asked the obvious:
“So, these items, they’re not exactly dangerous?”
“No, the magic each can do is harmless, but useful, they aren’t weapons. What made them tricky is making sure anypony can use them.”
Meadowbrook shut the cabinet, as Starswirl couldn’t help but offer his approval while Meadowbrook turned to face the elder wizard, the latter mare still slightly honoured whenever such a respected magic wielder of his renown spoke to her:
“Not raw power, but helping others use power they otherwise could not for good. If only more who create artefacts in this age thought that way. The last thing this potential war needs is even more destructive power than was available before.”
At Starswirl’s remark, Meadowbrook gave a small snort as she recounted:
“I’ve heard rumours of ‘weapons’ among the factions, but have not seen them myself.”
“Let us hope they are merely rumours, though whatever force destroyed that Separatist village does not bode well for such hopes.”
Starswirl couldn’t help but give a cursory glance out of a window, before he noticed an approaching pony coming towards the tower in the distance. Looking out as well, Meadowbrook remarked with some relief in her voice:
“Good, he’s arrived. I suggest we do not delay once he is rested.”
“He certainly doesn’t seem in a hurry.” Starswirl noted grumpily, as the black Unicorn, clad in a dark brown travelling cloak that revealed his rather stony-jawed face and jet black mane and tail.
Down on the path, the Citadel fortress leader made his way calmly towards the tower, impatient as to why Starswirl and Meadowbrook had summoned him. Blackmane made it a policy to know anything going on in Equestria, just as the other 2 from Tartarus and the North East fortress did, or should.

Late Afternoon
Meadowbrook’s tower

The 5 were gathered in the main living area, discussing brought papers and news, or what writing what they knew upon a blackboard Meadowbrook had brought out.
Finishing drawing another line between some cited points, Starswirl magically put down the chalk, remarking with some grumpily:
“You see the issue then; I doubt I must hammer home the point we can determine from what we collectively know.”
Turning to the others, as Meadowbrook sat off to the slight side, it was the Tartatus fortress leader, a rather wiry looking Pegasus stallion of dark red coat and dark brown mane and tail, known as General Slickwing:
“Somepony is lying…”
But it was the North Eastern port fortress leader, a burly looking Earth Pony mare of pale orange and green mane and tail, going by the name of General Broadhooves:
“One of the factions, or somepony we don’t know of.”
Nodding in agreement as they came to this, Starswirl questioned aloud: “For the sake of all of Equestria, not any factions we may or may not serve, willingly or just for ease of living, this must be resolved before war breaks out yet again.”
“That does not give much time, the leaders seemed to all too rapidly ready for battle, almost as if they were secretly wishing it.” The leader of the Citadel fortress to the north, Lord Blackmane, remarked bluntly, the black Unicorn flicking a strand of his black mane aside with a huff as he looked over the blackboard writings of their knowledge on this matter.
Meadowbrook winced at this, as she suggested collectively, her face thoughtful as asked them all: “Let us not presume the Nationalists are lying, I know of goings on in their midst, I make it my policy. And I am not lying on their behalf, I only cooperate enough for them to leave me in relative peace. They did not destroy the village.”
“So an unknown force then. Any ideas? What of outside threats, could somepony be preparing to take advantage of a war weakened Equestria as they could have done in the first civil war period?” Starswirl asked. Shaking her head, Broadhooves looked to Blackmane as she remarked:
“Not the New Gryphons, neither my watch forces have seen or heard of activity from them, they’re not making moves for war of any sort.”
“And if they were not preparing to come through the north mountains or down the north east coast, then the Crystal Empire watches would know if there was.” Blackmane remarked offhoofedly. Looking to Meadowbrook, Starswirl was more curious, and nervous, as he asked:
“Obvious culprit is out. And they must be magical, given the nature of the village’s destruction in Separatist territory.”
Meadowbrook put a hoof to her chin, before she looked to General Slickwing, asking him:
“You keep a watch on potentially dangerous magic users across Equestria, do you not?”
“Ones that do not report to any of the factions, yes. I cannot say I know of any of the calibre of power to pull off such an attack so fast and undetected, imprisoned prior or currently.”
As the dark red Pegasus stallion finished, Starswirl bitterly remarked: “So we have no idea who could be behind it then?”
“It would appear that way.” Blackmane remarked, offering an apologetic smile to the Grey wizard. Aggravated, as this meeting, discussing details for 7 hours now, had ground to an inconclusive halt, Starswirl put a hoof to his face to rub his aching temples.
Sensing this meeting had come to a standstill, Meadowbrook offered a small recess, as they could use some dinner to calm their minds.
The discussions after that dinner, before those who had travelled settled for the night, did not make much progress.

Next Day
Mid-Morning
January 27th, 72 BNM
Neighgara falls hilltops, Meadowbrook’s tower

“Goodbye Starswirl. I only wish this meeting you called could have yielded answers.” Meadowbrook smiled at the wizard, while Starswirl gruffly replied with all respect he could to this worthy mage:
“As do I, and thank you for having us.”
As he bid her goodbye, Starswirl left to walk. He needed to use his hooves for a bit, clear his head before teleporting as fast as he could back to Canterlot, to resume his roles. Generals Slickwing and Broadhooves had already left.
Oddly though, he found Lord Blackmane standing by himself, staring out at the Neighgara falls sight a mile away.
Approaching him, Starswirl saw Blackmane turn to greet him, a polite smile on his face as he asked the approaching wizard:
“Starswirl, I was hoping to catch you, I wished to discuss some matters with you, now that we have met for the first time.”
“What matters?”
“Well, it is not common knowledge, but my mentor, many decades ago, he knew you.”
“I’ve known many ponies.”
“Siral, the Savant. I went to his academy, he and I associated closely. It is why I am younger than I appear, he taught me enough to live longer than a normal pony, though I doubt I’ll live to see more than 150.”
Starswirl now was intrigued. He had yet to meet somepony who had actively known Siral in person.
“I have been searching for Siral, since he vanished 89 years ago. How did I not find you as a pony to question?” Starswirl asked, to which Blackmane shrugged:
“I do not let many know. Siral, wished for secrecy, even before he vanished. I was one of the few he truly confided in.”
Starswirl softened in his gaze slightly, as he gestured to the footpath ahead, remarking:
“Please, tell me what you can. It has been a while since I heard of him. I hope he didn’t speak too ill of me.”
Blackmane accompanied Starswirl, the Lord relaxing as he walked in conversation down the pathway, the Neighgara falls cascading down a mile away.

1 hour later
3 miles from Neighgara falls

The path they walked on took them down the top of the falls river canyon’s steep sides, but the conversation was illuminating to them both.
Starswirl did not at first talk of the prophecy, or the 6, or of the confirmed 5 of 7 enemy beings he feared were awake. But Blackmane had spoken of it, as Siral had confided in this Unicorn disciple of how Starswirl had deceived him in one key line, of how those close to his heart on the journey could become enemies. At that, Starswirl became more open, and told everything.
He even spoke of dreams he had of the 5 beings of Envy, Greed, Wrath, Lust and Gluttony he’d sensed fully awaken, despite not appearing in full yet. This got Blackmane’s intrigue.
“5 vivid dreams, alike those of the 6 the same prophecy said you would learn examples of virtues from?”
“Yes, as vivid as when the 5 who did set an example for me and Siral to witness. It is not a feeling I mistake, that prophecy was for all intents and purposes burned into my mind.”
Walking beside Starswirl, Blackmane remarked: “Well I would share your slight disappointment with your, sixth was it, exemplary being as you called him. A savage, supposed to be one who demonstrates kindness? Hardly…”
“In this day and age though, I can understand why Chack setting an example of kindness may be delayed. He came with me to Equestria, and works secretly as a set of eyes and ears in Equestria for me, one of the foreigners who are brought in by the factions for expertise or labour.”
“I know the sort, I recruit some for the Citadel’s strength. But I must confess, if Siral were here today, I doubt he’d approve of your close relationship with the royals, Alicorns. I daresay he might propose that it may have been an Alicorn, royal or national, that engineered the attack to reignite the war.”
Starswirl stopped, as he quietly hissed at the Black Unicorn:
“A rather rash accusation for anypony to make I feel.”
“Is it? The Alicorns are in power, but now the borders of the 3 factions are stuck. And if restarting the war, what better faction to attack then that with the least unity and Alicorns in it, to conquer them before moving onto the other?”
At Blackmane’s remark, Starswirl found himself quiet, seeing that such a plot would be feasible. Turning to the Wizard, Blackmane then remarked with some earnest warning:
“And who other than Alicorns could unleash such power as described that annihilated the village in one swoop, seen from afar? An Alicorn, or if your prophecy is right, something borne that rivals or even surpasses their power, quite likely bred for a purpose relating to their desires.”
“It seems plausible, but who might do this?”
“I suggest looking hard at the royal Alicorns, political or military. It may not be coincidence that they are the odd faction out of this incendiary dispute that occurred last Hearth’s Warming Heath.”
Starswirl saw Blackmane give a suggestive look, as the Wizard added all the points together.
“Yes, if the Nationalists and Separatists fought, with the Royals merely trying to break them up, both sides would be weakened as the third was left strongest.”
Blackmane nodded, as he looked northwards, before remarking to the Wizard:
“There is already plenty of scrutiny on the Alicorns in the Nationalists, so if you wish my strategic advice, based on what Siral would suggest, keep your eyes open to even those close to you, just as you did to him. Perhaps THEY are the ones the prophecy warned you of, not him.”
Starswirl admitted forlornly: “The thing with prophecies is, while often right when from those oracles, they were known to be vague.”
“And prone to misinterpretation I’m sure. It was nice to speak with you, but I must be going north. I wish to not leave the Citadel without my command for too long.”
Starswirl nodded, as he bid Blackmane goodbye with some true graciousness:
“And thank you, for giving me insight to an old friend long gone.”
As Blackmane gave a stiff bow in farewell, Starswirl watched as the Black Unicorn was engulfed in a white light, his black magic not dark magic, just coloured that way.
The black Unicorn vanished from the cliff, a black shape appearing a mile away , on the other side of the falls river canyon, before vanishing again, chain teleporting north as became common for those who could. Turning to leave, Starswirl knew he had to turn to head for Canterlot.
And yet something familiar with the magic, only very vaguely, came with Blackmane’s magic. It likely resembled Siral’s magic ‘signal’ by being a direct pupil of him.

As the Grey Wizard pondered before heading for Canterlot himself, the Black Unicorn stopped before teleporting once again, his disguise dropping, and his dark coloured travelling cloak reverting to a grey colour, his mane and tail to ghostly white, and the mosaic like scars over his body returning from their magic influenced disguise.
Siral knew the best way to sow doubt was to merge known truths with the uncertain and conjecture. Now Starswirl would focus his attention inwards, scrutinizing his own royal family allies.
He needed Starswirl in the dark until it was too late to stop his plans, and as a favour to a friend, Siral wished Starswirl to distance himself from those he included in his plans for Equestria.

Author's Notes:

Lies, deceit and misdirection, tools of the scheming master as Equestria falls into further disarray.
Siral, disguised as Lord Blackmane, prompts Starswirl to shine the light of doubt upon his own kin in the royal family, for valid reasons given what little they know.
Inclusion of Meadowbrook and her 8 varied, but not exactly dangerous artefacts briefly. Each one is basically a tool to carry out a useful spell with little to no effort, to the point even a non-magic user could do it.
Please review/critique as one would, if one wishes to leave feedback that is.