The Eyrie of Roäc

Celestia had lowered her bright sun to make way for Luna's silvery moon some time ago. Roäc had carried us a far distance after saving our lives from the brogels and the Umbrog. The entire time nopony had said a word as my mind finally gave way to the days events and my horrendously injured friends.

The place Roäc took us to was far above the city of Umbaara, high upon the peaks of the Phiri mountains. We had flown for at least thirty minutes before being set down upon what seemed like a huge plateau surrounded by misty mountain peaks. There were a few gnarled trees that grew around us, but other than that, there were but a few piles of rubble that I could see littered around. They were large enough to see from some ways off and seemed to be shaped in the form of large circles. Other than this, the plain stood empty of any discernible things.

Scarlet and Siri had still not woken up, which worried me, and kept my mind distracted from the countless questions I had for Roäc; though, by Celestia's grace, the two were still breathing. Roäc set them down on a soft patch of grass that grew near an outcropping on the edge of the plateau. It gave us a good view of the plains that ran north out of the mountain range and into zebra country. Jackpot, Caelus and I could only watch over our two unconscious companions until they woke up on their own(neither of us were doctors of any kind, you see).

It took all night and well into the next day, but finally Scarlet's eyes fluttered open as Jackpot looked on. None of us could even begin to think about sleep that night as we had watched the two. My body had been on the verge of shutting down when Jackpot's screams of delight shook me awake. Scarlet had somehow managed to lift herself up partway but Jackpot had to help her fully up to her hooves. I heaved my aching body over to Scarlet, a smile on my face, as my hooves fell around her in a giant hug.

“Bout time you got up.” I heard Jackpot mumble as he joined in the hug.

“How's Siri?” Scarlet's pained voice managed to squeak out.

“She hasn't woken up yet.” I said, looking down at the still unconscious zebra.

“She looks horrible!” Scarlet yelled. She immediately tried to make her way over to the zebra but her hooves gave out and she keeled over, Jackpot catching her before she hit the ground.

“Careful, you don't look that good yourself.” Jackpot said, helping Scarlet back to her hooves.

“Umbrogs are not creatures to be trifled with.” Caelus said, “It is a miracle you even survived.”

“I've been healing myself.” Scarlet nickered weakly, “I'm strong enough to help Siri now.”

I watched as Jackpot helped Scarlet over to where Siri was laying. Had she really been healing herself this entire time? My vision was quite blurry from the exhaustion(and the fact my body was still threatening to tear it self apart with every movement I made) so it was making it difficult for me to make out much of anything specific. Siri was no doubt the most physically fit of any of us and yet Scarlet still woke up first. Perhaps she had been healing herself; hell if I know how Dark Magic worked.

I ended up hobbling over to where Scarlet was now attempting to heal Siri, with Jackpot still helping her to even stand. Her horn was glowing a dull, dark crimson as she slowly waved her horn over the blackened portions of Siri's broken body. It took only a few seconds of this for Scarlet's eyes to suddenly widen in shock.

“I'm going to need some privacy here.” I heard her mumble.

“Huh? Why?” Jackpot grumbled, “You can barely stand.”

“Jackpot's right, Scarlet.” I said, “You need help.”

Scarlet slowly turned her head over to Jackpot, “She's got injuries in some....private areas.” Her gaze suddenly turned accusatory as Jackpot very quickly averted his gaze from Scarlet's.

“Fine, I get the hint.” he said, sounding reluctant.

“Why can't I stay?” I asked, “I'm a mare after all?”

“Because you look like you just shared a bed with the pony grim reaper, honey.” Scarlet weakly huffed, surprising me with the analogy. “But I will take Caelus' help.” She gestured her head in his direction.

“Wait, what!?” Jackpot sounded offended, “He can stay but I can't? Why?”

“Because he's not you.” Scarlet said in an insinuating manor. “Plus, I admit I do need some magical assistance.”

Jackpot floated away, grumbling to himself as he plopped himself down onto the grass a short distance away. All I did was painfully turn my head downward to inspect myself, only to find I was covered in dirt and bruises. Things around me were blurry and as Jackpot landed I could have sworn that I saw three or four of him in that moment.

“Maybe we should...get some...sleep.” I said weakly as I slumped over to where Jackpot had hunkered down.

“Mr. Roc, could we use your wings please!” I heard Scarlet call out, with the flapping of wings being the last thing I heard before the soft grass I was laying in took my last grasp of consciousness.

I awoke to the soft glow of a fire and Jackpot poking at it with a stick he held in his wing. On his side were several flasks that caked the ground Around him. I could hear him mumbling to himself about being out of cider as he continued to poke at the fire. The sun had gone and the night sky was blanketed with a sea of diamonds as countless stars shone brightly in the heavens. Beside Jackpot lay Scarlet, breathing gently as she slept by the warm glow of the fire. Siri, on the other hoof, looked remarkably better(almost new in fact) as she sat on the opposite side of the fire with a morose look on her face, her head tilted downwards and her ears hanging low.

“What time is it?” I asked sleepily as I lifted my body from the grass.

“Just after midnight.” Jackpot answered in a grumpy sounding voice. “We're out of cider.”

Instantly my face dropped at least a mile as I realized the one thing that could have eased my aching body at this moment was gone. I had been really looking forward to swigging down an entire flask at some point and now my hopes were instantly dashed. The thought of slogging through the pain with no way to take the edge off nearly bucked my spirit right off the side of the mountain. I groaned as I heaved my still aching body over to where Jackpot was sitting. In the soft glow I could see his hooves were still slightly charred from the Umbrog's flames. They didn't look nearly as bad as they had when we first arrived but they weren't exactly healed either. I guessed that Scarlet must have intervened on that account as I moved besides Jackpot, pushing away the several empty cider flasks that lay piled next to him.

“This outfit Joe gave me is amazing.” I said, running a hoof over the magical shirt I had received from my bartender friend.

It had a few scuffs on it but I had little doubt in my mind that it had somehow contributed to my not being totally incapacitated by the Umbrog in the same way Siri and Scarlet had been. That or my earth pony strength and resilience had gotten stronger(probably a bit of both). Honestly, I was amazed that it simply hadn't been torn to shreds by the abuse it had just undergone. I would have to remember to thank Joe and the other ponies at the bar again when I got home(also to drink more cider...a lot more cider).

“How's Scarlet?” I asked.

“She's fine.” Jackpot said softly. “Honestly, we'd be right fucked without her right now.” Jackpot leaned back slightly as he stretched out his wings and hooves, “That magic training of hers seems to have paid off in heaps and bounds.”

I looked over to Siri, who hadn't been talking. I gave her an inquisitive look, only to be met with her brusque nature as she averted her face from my gaze.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

Siri did not answer.

“She's embarrassed.” Jackpot whispered into my ear. “The big tough zebra had to get saved by lil old Scarlet.”

“Silence yourself, pegasus!” Siri nickered at Jackpot.

Jackpot just laughed as Siri's face melted into a gaze that could have melted all the snow and ice of mt. Everhoof. I couldn't help but let loose a stifled laugh as Siri once again threw her face away from us.

“Come on Siri.” I said apologetically. “Jackpot's just messing with you.” I said, giving Jackpot a friendly buck to his side, causing him to keel over even as he continued to laugh.

“I am above his taunts. I am the captain of the most elite of the zebra warriors after all.” Siri said with am air of pride.

“And yet you still had your flank handed to you by one little ol monster.” Jackpot said, getting up from his laughing fit.

“An Umbrog is anything but ordinary.” Siri nickered aggressively, her ears and eyes flaring up. “They are the greatest foes the Socotra ever faced since the first battles of our founding. We thought we had slain the last of them centuries ago in the last Great Hunt.”

The two continued on for some time; I just did all I could to stay out of it as I continuously rubbed at every sore spot on my body and wished Jackpot had not run out of cider. With the sound of Jackpot and Siri arguing pointlessly in the background I gazed around for Caelus or our feathery host. Neither of them were anywhere to be seen.

“Anypony seen Caelus or Roäc anywhere?” I asked, interrupting the two arguers.

“Caelus said he was going for a walk and the bird said he was flying down to check on Umbaara.” Jackpot said, still giving a stink-eye to Siri.

“And quite the refreshing walk it was.” Caelus said as he appeared out of the subtle light of the starry night and into the glow of the campfire. “Many memories I have here, and not all of them bad.”

“Wait, what!?” I said in surprise, “You've been here before?”

Caelus nodded as he sat down opposite of the still sleeping Scarlet.

“This used to be the great Court of the Rocs!” he said in a triumphant voice. “All about this plateau there were great towers built like trees that the rocs would perch to have council. Their king would sit at the center and hear out the concerns of the kingdom.” Caelus sighed, “Hundreds of rocs would gather here at times, and the skies would swirl in the hurricane winds that such a gathering would produce. Every zebra for a thousand miles would know that the rocs were in council as the mountains would reverberate with the echoes of their bird-songs and the force of their mighty wings. It was quite the sight to see, even for me when I would spend time among the ancient kings of the clouds, as some rocs called themselves.”

As Caelus talked I couldn't take my ears off of him: Each word seemed to capture me as I imagined this flat and barren plot of land filled with many giant and beautifully colored rocs. I could imagine the great shadows they must have cast over the earth as the flocks flew over the surrounding lands, I could feel the wind on my face in the torrent of winds that issued forth from their large wings, and I could hear the songs of a thousand thousand beaks rising far into the mountains and ringing out into the world.

These thoughts distracted me from the pain my body was still in, and the craving for cider I had been feeling from before. I could just close my eyes and imagine something that would have been utterly beautiful and amazing to witness. Something I used to do many times as a foal when I was with Grit, but had sadly fallen out of the habit of doing as my views on him shrunk from the blind idolization I once had. For now I could sit by a nice fire with my friends and remember why I wanted to be an adventurer in the first place.

“You are full of surprises, little pony!” Roäc said, the beat of his great wings waking Scarlet as his hovered into sight, landing near us with a great thud. “Ancient spells and ancient knowledge you seem to keep. There is a familiar feeling about you, grey one, but ponies rarely live so long, and there were none here in those days.”

“You were alive during the fall of the Zebra Empire, weren't you?” I said, remembering Roäc's words when we first met and what I saw in the irpata.

The rocs head tilted slightly as one of his dulled eyes trained onto me. He stared at me for several seconds before speaking.

“You remember well.” he said, “I struggle to do so myself more often than not, though. Many things do I remember, but many more things I have forgotten in my long life. I remember when all things that lived beneath the sun could speak with proud voices. But I have long ago forgotten the names of my dearest friends, if I had any. I know I was once king of the rocs, but as there is no more kingdom, it seems that my reign was a short lived failure.”

“Caelus said that rocs used to sing?” Scarlet said suddenly. “Do you remember any songs?”

“We rocs were mighty singers!” Roäc said proudly, before his voice tapered off into a softer and sadder tone. “But a haze has come over my mind and I remember little of those times. I have forgotten most of our songs, beautiful as they doubtless were. Mighty chorus' of rocs singing and filling the world with our music filled us with with as much joy as those who listened.”

“Do you remember a zebra named Abila?” I asked(Enyi would certainly love it if I could tell him as much about Abila as possible...when I found him).

Once again, Roäc tilted his head from side to side as his beak moved, ever so slightly, as if he wished to speak but couldn't.

“No.” he said at last, “There were some zebra that I knew, but their names are lost on me.”

“Are you sure you can't remember anything?” Scarlet said weakly, “I'd still love to hear any songs you might know.”

“There is one I remember, in part at least: it is not one of ours and I cannot remember where I heard it from. It was sung to me some time after the Darkness came, and it is rather sad. I daresay it is fair enough for tonight though, if you wish to hear it.”

We all nodded, except for Caelus, who just remained still in the glow of the fire in the night. Roäc raised his head towards the night sky and the canopy of stars that trembled overhead. His voice grew low as he began to slowly chant:

When morning came, beneath the sky, the fields were green and fair;
In daytime’s light, between the peaks, the birds flew in the air;
Whenwings glide soft, when chirp is bright, and peace held wood and hill,
I called for thee! I called for thee! My heart, your songs would fill.

When sunlightbursts the folded buds, and sweet was wind and sky;
On feathered wings like flowing sails the kings of yore would fly;
When stars rolled off and sun rose high, when wind was soft and cool,
I listened for the lingering sound, as sweet as any jewel.

When sun rose high above the Earth, and turned the sky to gold;
above the sound of zebra hooves, the wings of rocs unfold;
When mountain halls stood tall and free, and wind flew to the west,
You came for me! You came for me, and so my heart would rest.

When noontime warmed the haggard hoof, and rose the harvest high;
As work and toil brought aching limbs, we heard your music nigh;
When heat poured down and fruit bore up, as wind died o'er the air,
I lingered there beneath the sun, to hear your music fair.

When Darkness fell, the shadowed dread, that darkened sun and moon;
When pines they roared, as dreaded flames, devoured our golden noon;
When eastward came that deadly cloud, with webs and wings of pain,
I looked for thee! I called for thee! Songs drowned by poison rain.

The Darkness came, the singing gone, the silence fell at last;
The broken halls with crumbled boughs, no echoes of the past;
The empty trees are bare and dead, no songs to clear the haze;
I search for thee, and call for thee. Your songs, my heart to raise.

Then together we can sing once more under starry skies,
and carry it to farway land, as on the wind it flies.

“That was the saddest song I've ever heard!” I heard Scarlet cry. “It seemed so happy at first until the end.”

“It was beautiful.” Siri said, something resembling a smile crossing her face.

“Gotta admit, the mares are right.” Jackpot said. He seemed a bit more relaxed than before the song.

“Roäc, that was stunning.” I said to the bird as I wiped several tears from my own face. “You have a lovely singing voice.”

Caelus remained silent.

“Thank you little ones.” Roäc said gratefully. “It gladdens me that some creatures can still hear and enjoy my singing.”

“Indeed.” Scarlet said sweetly to the roc. “I would have loved to hear one of your songs sung by an entire chorus, as you said they were meant to be.”

Scarlet wearily hoisted herself up in an attempt to sit straight but her legs gave way and she lightly tumbled into Jackpot. With a quick yet gentle curl of his wing, Jackpot helped Scarlet up as she propped herself against his side.

“Careful Scarlet.” he said, “You still look a bit worn out to me.”

“Jackpot's right.” I dutifully added, “You must've used a lot of energy to help Siri today, not to mention that I doubt you're recovered from the Umbrog.”

“I'm fine, Ivory.” Scarlet weakly answered, “Really. I'll just lean against Jackpot for a while.”

“Not the support I would have chosen.” said Siri.

“Hmph, zebras.” Jackpot nickered in annoyance.

“Be nice Jackpot.” I said, giving the pegasus a slight scowl.

“I'd be better off if we still had some cider left.” Jackpot vainly pawed at one of the empty flasks that still sat on the ground next to him.

My eyes could not resist staring at the empty containers themselves. A horrible longing began to build up in my gut as I stared fruitlessly at the empty flasks, wishing above almost all else, at that moment, for a few flasks of cider that I could swig down. My ear twitched slightly as I turned my head away back to the fire and my friends that sat around it.

We sat there for some time, Roäc's shadow looming over us as the fire illuminated his brightly colored feathers. The entire time Caelus sat silent, staring up at the night sky, illuminated as it was by innumerable stars, whose light trembled and wove around us in its enormity. It was a serenely beautiful sight, sitting there by the fire as Siri and all my friends sat besides me. Peace settled over me for the first time in days as I stared at the crackling fire and the scattering shadows of those that sat around it. The night had cooled the air beautifully and a smooth breeze seemed to ease some of the hurts that still ached my body.

Scarlet had fallen back into sleep, still supported by Jackpot while he poked at the fire with a stick he held in his wing. Siri seemed restless as she shifted her body, slight looks of pain and discomfort painted her face with each movement she made. It was clear she was still not fully recovered but when I would try and say something she would give me a look that told me to remain silent for now. Despite this, her lidded eyes revealed her exhaustion as her head bobbed up and down every few seconds. She seemed to be barely able to remain awake but still, for whatever reason, did not want sleep to take her.

Roäc had fallen asleep not long after he had finished his song. He remained rather upright as he slept, a soft cooing sound slipping from his beak with every other breath he took. His chest, still blooming with feathers as they rose and fell with his breathing. Even sleeping, he was stunning to look at and behold. It was still hard for me to believe I had actually met a talking roc and that it had actually lived for thousands of years. I couldn't help but look over to stare at him as he slept. This roc had potentially saved our lives twice already and I felt bad that we had no way to really thank him for what he had done for us.

The fire soon began to die and with it our group began to drift off to sleep. Scarlet and Jackpot still leaned against each other while Siri and Caelus lay separated from the rest of us. As I laid my head down to once more star up at the jeweled night sky, I couldn’t help but wonder what Enyi was doing right now. Emerald also entered my mind as I laid there silently; I wondered if she was doing ok by herself in Adventure Incorporated. There were still dangers to look forward to when I got back to Equestria and I would need her help if I wanted to face them. Ironically, the very organization I had once dreamed of being a part of now began to haunt my thoughts with worry.

Blaze, who I once thought my friend, couldn't be trusted(at least until I discovered the truth of what Goldie told me about him) along with the majority of the leadership of A.I. Not to mention I had no idea what actually happened to Silv...Sable and his own followers. For all I knew they could still be out there somewhere, plotting some new way to fuck up my life.

But now was not the time for such thoughts. My eyes were barely able to remain open as I curled up by my friends and peacefully drifted off to sleep.

*****

The morning sun dawned over the edge of the plateau, waking me from my sleep. My body still ached, but no so much as the day and night previous. Scarlet was still laying near the dead fire-pit while Jackpot sat over her, looking very uncomfortable. As I got up I could see Siri off in the distance while Caelus was nowhere to be seen.

As I rose I noticed a pile of fruits and berries next to me along with leafy pitchers of fresh water. Two of the pitchers were empty but there were three more that were filled to the brim. All the berries looked rather strange to me as they were probably native to this area and did not grow in Equestria. My first instinct was to try some as I found myself absolutely starving and while they looked strange, these fruits still looked delicious. Of the food that was set before me were piles of pink berries that I found rather sweet and took quite the liking to. There was also a large(about the size of my head!) green fruit that dripped juice all over my muzzle as I eagerly ate away at it. As I ate, I also drank about half of one of the leaf-pitchers that sat next to the fruit.

“You ok?” I asked Jackpot in between bites.

“No cider.” he lamented.

“Please don't remind me.” I groaned, feeling a sudden need for the drink myself at its mere mention. “Where'd the food come from, and how's Scarlet?”

“That bird brought the grub and Scarlet's been in and out the past few hours.” Jackpot said, still sounding miserable as he peered down at the sleeping unicorn.

“Where are the others?” I asked.

“Don't know where Caelus is.” Jackpot muttered back. “Siri's off trying to do whatever the fuck zebras do or whatever.” Jackpot then rolled over onto his side, groaning as he curled himself into a ball around his saddlebags and empty flasks.

Feeling better after a good breakfast, and seeing that Jackpot was in a mood, I decided to go and stretch my legs a bit. I could see Siri off in the distance and it looked like she was stretching or doing some form of exercise. Though, even from this distance I could see she was struggling with her moves. I started to gallop over to her once I saw her fall over and something in me couldn't help but get worried that she might not have fully recovered from her injuries.

“Siri!” I called out as I neared her, “I saw you fall, are you ok?”

As I got closer to the zebra she attempted a slight jump and ended up falling on a hoof that immediately gave way, sending her straight towards the ground. Her face cringed into a pained expression as her body hit the dirt and she slid a short distance from where she had landed.

“Siri!” I called again with more urgency.

“I am fine.” the zebra nickered as she hobbled back up onto her hooves. “My body has simply still not recovered fully.”

“But Scarlet put all that effort into healing you.” I said, stretching my hoof up to help the struggling zebra.

Siri balanced herself without taking my hoof and once again attempted a short leap while kicking in the air. When she landed this time she did not fall but her face gave away the pain that had just shot through her body when her hooves hit the ground.

“See, I am better.” Siri cringed, attempting(and failing) to put a smile on her face.

“Maybe you should just take it easy for a bit, that Umbrog seemed to really hurt you.” I was starting to get concerned for Siri. It was undeniable that Siri was tough but pushing herself this hard while she was still hurt didn't seem like the best option.

Siri let out as long, drawn-out sigh, “I know. I just cannot afford to remain docile at this time. I must remain prepared at all times for what is to come.”

I let out a slight smile, “Oh please, you're one of the toughest creatures I've ever met. And that move you did against the Umbrog, when you seemed to go all blurry, that was awesome.”

“You noticed that?” Siri said, sounding somewhat surprised. “It takes quite the eye to see that.”

“What is it?” I asked.

Siri's face curled into a state of uncertainty as she seemed to ponder my request. I watched her green eyes roll over me as her mouth opened noiselessly several several times before closing again.

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

Siri took a deep breath and let out a long sigh, “It is a special technique that all Socotra learn. The level to which it is applied differs with the skill of the individual but it is considered a secret skill that only we are allowed to learn.”

This knowledge instantly piqued my curiosity as a small light began to gleam up in my eye.

“What's it called!? What does it do exactly!? Can anypony learn it!?” I asked instantly and with no delay.

Siri rolled her eyes before she spoke, “It is called uruluk, and it is a very special and powerful ability that can take some years to master. It uses innate magical ability alongside physical endurance to temporarily create a small illusion around the user.” Siri put her forehoof on her chest as she continued, “The illusion, or blurriness, causes the eye to lose track of the target allowing a Socotra to attain the upper hoof in an engagement. Combine that with intense physical training and a Socotra is near unbeatable in any physical encounter.”

“Can I-”

“No, I will not teach you.” Siri stated brusquely.

“Why not?” I asked, my ears lowering back in disappointment.

“You saved my life in Umbaara, so I gave you the courtesy of telling you what it was.” Siri began to look slightly irritated, “But only zebra can become Socotra and only a Socotra can be taught this technique; to teach it to someone who is not a Socotra is considered treason!” Siri stamped her hoof on the ground for emphasis.

I bent my head down in disappointment at Siri's statement. I suppose that she had a point in what she said. I already knew that zebras have a tendency towards not talking about things to those they consider outsiders. Enyi had probably told me more things than he was probably supposed to but I guess that, at the time at least, he had some affection for me. And now Siri seemed to be willing to at least share a bit more than normal, though she obviously still had a limit on what she thought to be worth sharing.

“Although,” Siri started, “I suppose I could give you a demonstration, since you and your friends did save my life.”

My ears perked right up, “Really!?” I blurted out. “Wait, in your condition-”

“I said that I am fine!” Siri nickered, “Now do you want to see or not?”

I nodded. There was a part of me that was worried about her, but there was another part of me that really wanted to see this up close...and that part of me won.

Siri widened her stance as she lowered her body towards the ground, “Watch carefully.” she said.

I had my eyes carefully glued onto Siri as she started to move. Before anything seemed to happen, I instantly noticed my eyes beginning to wander, as if they had a mind of their own. Then as Siri took a short leap to her side she seemed to disappear for a mere moment before her form began to blur out of my vision. It took every bit of concentration I had not to lose track of her instantly as she moved around me. Watching her move stupefied me. Her muscles and body seemed to buzz with energy for a flashing moment as her form began to blur in my vision. In that moment I thought I could see the muscles on her body begin to move and flex before loosening and shifting once more. My eyes followed her for several seconds before, like a shadow in the dark, she disappeared from my sight and I was left standing there staring at an empty patch of earth.

“Wait, what!?” I spurted out after Siri had disappeared.

It was then that I heard a thud. I turned around to see Siri on the ground behind me, cringing in pain.

“Siri!” I yelled, “Dammit.”

I immediately spun myself around and ran over towards where Siri was laying. I could see her quivering on the ground as her face cringed in the extreme amount of pain she must have been in. I reached her in one leap as I heaped her body onto my back and began to run back towards Jackpot and Scarlet.

“What's wrong with her?” Jackpot asked in a muffled tone as I approached with the zebra on my back.

“Is Scarlet awake yet?” I asked as I laid Siri down next to the dead fire pit. “Siri was showing me some technique of hers and then just collapsed!”

“I'm here.” Scarlet said in barely a whisper.

She was in little better shape than Siri as I watched the exhausted unicorn slowly attempt to rise from her stop on the ground. Jackpot immediately opened a wing to assist Scarlet in getting up as she hobbled to her hooves. I could tell just by looking at her that she was still utterly exhausted and in quite the bad shape herself. Despite this, Scarlet made her way, supported by Jackpot, over to Siri and gave a cursory glance over the zebra.

“She's just exhausted.” Scarlet mumbled weakly. “Give her some time and she'll wake up on her own. We'll just need to keep her from exerting herself until she's more rested.”

“Dumbass zebras don't know when to just sit down and rest.” I heard Jackpot grumble under his breath.

There was an angry glare from Scarlet towards the pegasus as he led her back to the spot she had been laying in.

“I say give her another day or so and she'll be well enough to travel back to Khass.” Scarlet said as she began to drift off herself.

“How about you?” I asked Scarlet.

“I'll be fine. I'm healing myself right now and I should be...good...to...go...soon...” Scarlet had fully fallen back asleep now.

“I'll watch them both.” Jackpot said, “You should go find Caelus. I think he wandered off towards that cliff over there.” Jackpot pointed a wing over to a sloping cliff that sat a good ways away from where I was.

“Ok, just don't let them...don't let Siri do anything too strenuous if she wakes up.” I said, hoping Jackpot could dissuade her better than I could.

With Jackpot's nod, I headed off towards the cliff that he had pointed out. I felt that I shouldn't be gone too long so I took it at a gallop as I neared the cliff. The view from the cliff was, of course, stunning. All around me were snow-peaked mountains with spotted clumps of trees at their bases. It looked like a view right out of a panoramic greeting card for some Los Pegasus attraction.

Right at the edge of the cliff was a small, winding path that led down a ways. If Caelus had gone this way then he no doubt had taken this path so it was a no-brainer to follow it down. The path was narrow, so much that I had to turn sideways to slide down it without worrying about falling off. It went down a good ways as it took me several minutes to reach a wide outcropping that allowed me to stand straight out of the cliff. I took another look off the edge and sure enough, I saw Caelus sitting on another outcropping of rock a bit further down.

“Hey! Caelus! Up here!” I yelled down to him, waving my hooves over the edge.

He took a glance up towards me and then, smiling, waved me down towards him. A couple of hops later and I found myself sitting next to Caelus as he looked over the valley below us.

“You sure found a beautiful spot.” I said, “It's nice and shady this time of day too.” I sat back against the side of the cliff, letting some of my weight rest against the cliff.

“It's been a long time since I was here last.” Caelus said nostalgically, “I had some good times here.”

“I'd love to hear some stories, if that's ok.” I said, a smile growing on my face.

Caelus chuckled a bit, “See that jutting boulder, right there.” he said, pointing to a large, pointed rock that seemed closer to a hill that stuck up from the valley floor. “I threw that there from the other side of the valley a couple of centuries after I first arrived here. I was having a contest with a friendly roc I had met to see who could fling a hill the farthest.”

“Did you win?” I asked.

“Yup. His rock hit the edge of the plateau, rolled down, and carved out the spot we're sitting in now.” Caelus answered.

“Did you ever come here after...you know.” I said, hesitating to bring up a time after he had become the Darkness, but still having a sudden urge to know.

Caelus sat silent for a few moments before he answered, “I did. Don't ask what happened though, you'll regret it.” his voice and head lowered as he spoke.

“If you don't want to talk about it now, I won't make you.” I said, putting my hoof gently on his shoulder and smiling. “You seem to be remembering more at least, and I say that that's a good thing for now.”

“I will say that I'm happy the land has recovered.” Caelus said. His eyes began to mist over as he raised his head and looked towards the sky, “It was so beautiful here once. It must have taken centuries for life to return here once I had left.”

“Scars heal. Whether by time or...something else. I should know, I have a few of my own.” My hoof did an instinctive rub over my flank, long healed from the venom of the Pyth. “Though, I still have a few I need to heal, and I want them to.”

“His name is Enyi, right?” Caelus said, looking at me.

“That's one of em, yeah.” I said, my voice trembling a bit, “I really messed up with him, and all I can hope for is that he doesn't hate me; after all I...” My voice tapered off before I could say my thought. Instead I just sat there and continued to stare down into the valley.

“I see.” Caelus said, “I can't say I've ever been in love before, though, there was a time...” it seemed Caelus couldn't finish either. “Perhaps, like this valley, we can find some way to heal your scar with Enyi.”

“That would be nice.” I chuckled a bit to myself as a moment of happiness came over me at the thought.

“You did promise me that you could help me make up for my mistakes, remember? Perhaps it would be wise to aid each other in our pursuits. I don't think I'm strong enough to complete my tasks here alone and you and your friends help will be invaluable. But, it seems, the same might be said for you in this instance, am I right?”

“You know what, that sounds like a good idea.” I said back, smiling.