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It was just past noon and after a filling lunch that I took what should have been my morning shower. Getting so caught up in my writing to cover everything my physical condition prevented me from doing at the time resulted in fewer hours to myself. I was not quite as unsteady as I was the previous day and the compact confines of my bathroom gave me a lot of leverage with plenty of handholds to grab if I felt disoriented. Although that was not entirely the reason why I waited until then to bathe.

While I was in there, I could hear quite a bit of heavy moving outside the door. They were packing everything up. And when I finally did get myself dried off and clothed, I stepped outside to find my dormitory having had just about everything that was not supposed to be there completely removed. The bed had been stripped of its sheets. The pillow fort and its underlying air mattress was gone. The Lunar Shield and the Celestial Sword and even my helmet were missing. And the drawers of my dresser had been left open to reveal that everything inside had been relocated. From my clothes to the piles of paper that documented the many noteworthy days I had spent out on the Empty Plains, nothing had been left behind. And I was alone.

I stared at the empty room with a strange sense of melancholy. That loft had been my home for a good while. And now it was time to leave. It had been my haven. A sanctuary out in the wilds. And even though I was more than ready to return to the lovely little town of Ponyville, I felt a twinge of sorrow. Perhaps because...I knew that what happened outside my home away from home would surely follow me. I took a seat upon the bare mattress and bowed my head to savor just a little more time alone before I could head out.

Someone came knocking, but I did not answer. I would come down when I was good and ready. My lack of a response resulted in my guest coming in anyway. And I felt the slightest twinge of relief when I saw who it was. Ember stepped in and cast a quiet smile my way. Although that smile soon faded as she too looked around at how empty the place looked now that all of its furnishings had been removed aside from what had already been there at the start. "It feels so...hollow in here now."

"Yeah. Moving back home and all that..." I muttered while Ember softly stepped my way and sat beside me upon my bed. I said nothing while she too had no words. But when our eyes met, Ember reached out and cupped my cheek before bringing her lips to mine for a simple kiss. But I did not have the will to return it to her. I just sat there and received it. I think Ember noticed that I did not exactly reciprocate her affection as I noticed her resulting gaze become very concerned. "Sorry... I just feel like...I can't really go home anymore. Not after all that. This room had always been a sanctuary for me... And now that I can't stay...it feels like the world I'm returning to will never look at me the same way..."

"You still really think the people of Equestria might resent you for this war?" Ember asked wisely with her hand resting over mine. I could not deny that. I nodded in silence with my gaze turned towards the floor. My beloved then wrapped her fingers around my arm and said, "Have you forgotten that you're mine to protect?"

"You can't be there for me all the time, Ember... You have a throne to return to and people to lead and educate." I replied without even having the will to face her.

"That's...true... Then how about this?" Ember retorted more firmly, but with also a smirk of pride on her lips when she cupped my cheek to make me look at her. Her eyes were filled an optimistic cunning as she said, "If all else fails... If the world of Equestria rejects you, then come to me. And I'll make sure you will have a place among my people. Stay with me and I...will crown you as my king. And as your queen, I will always make sure you're safe and happy there."

This would have been a very different story had it been coming from someone like Novo. But Ember... I doubt she really knew the gravity of what she was saying. Or she just had that little foresight when it came to just how inhospitable the dragon lands are to outsiders. "I know your men have grown to respect me... I don't think your people would object to my presence, but...I don't think I'll be able to survive there, Ember. How would I sustain myself when your diets consist of nothing but stones and gems?"

Those widened eyes showed that Ember truly did not consider the needs of someone who is not a dragon. I had seen her homeland. And I knew no one could survive there for very long. But her eyes then narrowed in thought as she brought her other hand to rub the underside of her jaw. "That's a good point... It's something I'll need to think about when we open the borders for commerce and trade with foreign regions. If the dragon lands really are that hostile to nondragons, then we'll have to fix that."

I cracked the slightest smile at Ember's awareness and willingness to make changes for the sake of relations with other race in Equestria. Although she then brought her finger to my chin and whispered, "As for you... We'll figure something out. I'll see to it that we'll make this work for you if you have nowhere else to go. Even if the rest of the world labels you an outcast, you will always have a place at my side."

It sounded too good to be true. I averted my eyes, looking away out their corners. Ember knew I was not entirely convinced. And she brought her lips to mine once again. I did not push into it, still feeling like I was on borrowed time. But she then brought her brow to mine, head tilted down to keep her long jaws out of the way as she gazed deep into my eyes. Even as she whispered with a beautiful tone. "You will welcome among my people, my little warrior poet. I'm sure they will grow to love you. Maybe even follow your example. I'm sure there are more than a few novelists with untapped potential among my people who just need a little inspiration from someone like you."

This detail piqued my curiosity. Me? Introducing the arts to the dragons of Equestria? "You think they'll actually look to me for guidance?"

"Trust me, even those boulderheads can enjoy a good story." Ember retorted with a chuckle. But she then placed both hands on the back of my bandaged head and pulled me closer to keep our brows touching. "But really... If all else fails... Will you come to me? I promise I'll do whatever I can to make sure you're happy and safe. Even if the rest of the world turns on you, you'll always have me."

Try as I might, I could not doubt Ember. From the very start, she had been quite possibly the sturdiest rock during my entire excursion into the Empty Plains. Someone who I could always depend on and look towards in dark times. Even the one time where she considered taking drastic measures to end the war swiftly took everything she had to even attempt it. And she still could not bring herself to harm me. She loved me too much to do that. And...I could not hold it in any longer. But I could not tell her. I had to find a compromise. And so I whispered words to her that only I knew the true meaning of. "Ti amo tanto, Ember..."

Those beautiful scarlet eyes opened wider than I had seen in some time. And yet, she did not inquire like Smolder had. She instead gently pushed me down onto my back and loomed over me with her fingers tracing over my chest like so many times before. Her gaze softened, a smile of longing falling over her lips. "I feel like there's a special meaning to those words... Something you want to tell me?"

"There is. Something...important. Something I can't really say yet. Or if I ever should say it. I just...don't know." I muttered while having difficulty locking eyes with her. I knew Ember was sincere when she said she would gladly have me be her king, but I was starting to doubt how much she really understood the weight of those words. She had been around for more than a century, but that is still shockingly young by dragon standards. And she had only been the Dragon Lord for five years. I could not fully believe it... Not after all that had happened. I loved her. And she loved me. But I was not so certain if I could ever truly be worthy of her.

"Shhh... Then don't worry about words right now." Ember cooed while her finger caressed my cheek. She placed many soft little kisses all over my face while I just closed my eyes and savored it. And this went on for a short while. Perhaps a full five minutes. And right at that moment, there was a knock at the door. To which Ember said, "I got sidetracked. I'll bring him down in a bit."

Whoever was out there did not even reply. I only heard the tapping of hooves going down the stairs. Ember then looked down at me and whispered, "Novo's waiting for you. It's time to get you home."

"Right... I think I can at least make it down the stairs." I replied as I pushed myself up. The exertion put a slight strain on my brain and triggered another concussion haze while I closed my eyes. It passed after a brief moment, but I knew it would be at least a few more weeks before they would stop happening. Ember hopped off the bed and held my hand. I then said softly, "Please stay near me."

"Of course. Easy now..." Ember muttered as she stepped back. The leverage of her grasp helped me greatly and I was soon back on my feet. She led me to the door and began to help me descend the stairs one move at a time. Between Ember and keeping an arm propped against the wall, I was very stable in descending the stairs. The common area was empty and quiet at the time we arrived. Even the Morse code operator had been dismissed from his station for the time being. Ember took a moment to look back and forth at the room which had once been constantly filled with activity. It was a good sign that all was well, yet strangely sad for some reason. And it would be the last time we would ever see it. "I guess we won't be seeing this anymore... I almost miss it. We had a lot of good meals and conversations here."

"Yeah... The calms before the storm with all the comforts of home..." I said softly while also taking in the sights around us. I wonder if such familiarity is a factor in some soldiers having difficulty in readapting to civilian life after serving in warfare back home on Earth. Perhaps it does become difficult to let go of when one becomes too used to it... "Let's go... It's not good to get too attached to places like this."

"Right. Out here. We've got a ride ready for you." Ember led me to the door and helped me step down onto the soft grass. A wheelchair was ready for me right outside. "It's a long walk to the docks. They don't want us taking any chances with your condition."

I was more than happy to take a seat in the wheelchair and let Ember push me over to the airship docks. But it was not time to leave yet. Once seated, I saw that the Zephyrus was still looming overhead while still docked right in the middle of the encampment. And Celaeno was standing nearby at the bottom of the gangplank. She waved at me to beckon me to approach with Ember being perfectly happy to roll me over. Celaeno squatted a bit to bring herself down to my level awhile she said, "You're looking a little more alive. Everything OK in there?"

"I'm still feeling the effects of a concussion, but I'm sure the worst is behind me." I replied while finding myself reaching out to her. Celaeno responded all too happily by pulling me in for a hug while making sure to not adjust my sitting. I then asked, "Are you heading out soon too?"

Celaeno released me and adjusted the brim of her hat while she spoke. "Not just that. We're getting your friends home to Ponyville like we promised. And we're rounding up any other Ponyville locals too. It sounds like hardly anyone else from that town took part in the war. Most of the manpower came from just about everywhere else in the world."

"Only Ponyville residents? But I don't think Gilda is a..." I replied before pausing with my gaze looking past Celaeno. Speak of the devil. Gilda was heading right over with a satchel slung over her. Although the sight of her bandaged left eye was still painful to notice. "Hey... You heading home too?"

"Yeah. I just finished packing my bags. I mean Ponyville isn't my home turf or anything, but Dash doesn't wanna leave me behind after everything. And...I think I've got some apologies to make when we get there. Can't think of a better time to do it." The humbled griffon hen said rather softly while also looking uneasy. She then asked while Celaeno stepped aside, "You think they won't mind me showing up? I left on some pretty bad terms last time."

I pondered this for a moment. The last time Gilda ever showed her face was well before I ever arrived in Equestria. Probably for the best too. Although after getting a good look at her face and the patch over her left eye, I then said, "If you show up as a fellow participant in the war, I'm pretty sure everyone will cut you some slack. We were all in this together, right?"

"Heh, yeah... We really were, huh? Ain't no dweebs in that militia." Gilda chuckled with a big relieved smile on her beak. She then added, "I...uh... I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I get there. Especially when it comes to your wife."

"Right... I don't know what happened, but it sounds like she'll remember you when she sees you." I replied while not wanting to push that topic further. Although I then happened to look up at the Zephyrus and noticed a few faces peer over the side of the deck. A pair of young dragons who then swooped down along with a blue griffon boy who followed his new friends. "Hey there, girls. Ready to head home?"

"Mmhm. We were just waiting for you." Ocellus said while stepping up beside me with her hand resting on mine. She still gave me a gaze of concern in spite of her happy smile and whispered, "There's still so much buried... I'm worried about you."

"Don't be. I'll be OK." I retorted while unsure if my words would soothe her. A Changeling could sense things others could not. It is astounding what the heart can tell one who can read its output. Smolder stepped over to my other side and embraced me however she could while Ember watched from behind my wheelchair.

It was only then that Gilda happened to notice Gallus for the first time and was understandably surprised to see one so young among us. "Who's the kid? Pretty sure he's a bit young to be out here."

"I only just got here yesterday. Gabby found me and... Whoa, you OK?! What happened to you?!" Gallus started to reply before he got a good look at Gilda's face. And he immediately assumed the worst with how her left eye was bandaged.

Gilda was quick to hold up a hand. "All you need to know is that it's not as bad as it looks. I got lucky, all right?"

"Um... Uh... Right. It still looks ugly... I mean did you really take a hit to your eye? It can't be good if that's covered up." Gallus stammered while really trying not to look at that bandage. The very notion that Gilda must have taken a blade of some other sharp object to the eye was enough to instill extreme discomfort.

"I mean yeah, it hurt like nothing I've ever felt when it got me. But it was about as light a graze as I could've gotten away with." The bandaged griffon head explained before holding out a hand to her fellow griffon. "Anyway, the name's Gilda. Where you from, boy?"

"Gallus. And...uh... I'm from...a little outpost I liked to call the Vulture's Roost. As for everything from before that..." Gallus explained while shaking Gilda's hand. His gaze began to wander. And he stopped talking.

I decided to speak up in order to let Gallus rest his memories. "He's a runaway that I bumped into entirely by chance out here before you guys all caught up with me. And it sounded like he really shouldn't be sent back home. He's coming home with us to Ponyville to just find a better place to live."

Gilda's response was very kind. She patted the griffon boy on the head while she said, "In that case, it sounds like you're gonna be in good company from now on. This guy set me straight when I was in a bad place myself."

Gallus perked up with his wings spreading out a bit. He then glanced my way while he asked, "Really? I mean he was really nice to me when showed up, but... Is he really that good of a guy?"

That got a laugh out of Gilda. She then pointed my thumb at me while getting up close to Gallus. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye and said, "Good guy?! Kid, he's the best guy! He gets mad props from me."

"Gilda, come on..." I grumbled while trying to look away. Smolder and Ocellus snickered to themselves before only reaffirming Gilda's claims by leaning over and hugging me from both sides. Even Ember put her arms around me the best she could from behind the wheelchair. "Girls, you're not helping..."

"Why? She's not wrong." Smolder replied before letting her tongue drag across my ear in a very teasing manner. She then looked at Gallus and said, "He's great at listening to your problems and gives great advice. But I bet you already know that."

A crooked smirk crossed Gallus' beak as he replied, "Yep, I remember that much. He's cool."

Gilda then adjusted the strap of her satchel and said, "Anyway, I've been gabbing long enough. I'm gonna head on up and catch up with Dash. I think I'm the last call anyway. I'll see you on the flip side, all right?"

"Right... See you back home, Gilda." I said softly while just so very tired and ready to go home, hoping for a return to normalcy in spite of my own inner worries. While Gilda headed up the gangplank, Gallus started to follow before stopping after a few steps. He looked back at me... No, he was looking at Ocellus and Smolder. I noticed that they were not following Gilda and even looked uneasy about something. I then asked, "You not going with them?"

Smolder then explained, "Actually... Um... Do you think Novo wouldn't mind us tagging along? We...wanna stay close by."

Gallus then said, "I'll go where they go. These girls are cool and I like hanging with them."

Celaeno, who had been patiently quiet up to that point, stepped forward with her arms crossed. "If you three wanna catch a ride home on some other ship, I'm OK with that. Just as long as someone gets you home, I don't think anyone will ask questions as long as the voyage is a safe one."

"Thank you!" Ocellus retorted while bowing very politely towards the harpy captain. She then looked at me and asked, "But...do you think Queen Novo will mind us riding on her airship instead?"

I did not think on that much. I even found myself smirking as I thought of the likeliest reason why she would not object. "She's a mom and she loves kids. I think she'll be more than happy to let you two come aboard."

"Hey, you know we're not kids, right?!" Smolder growled with her arms crossed, her cockeyed glare betrayed by a whimsical smirk on her lips. While she was most certainly a young woman in terms of mentality, she knew she was young enough to still qualify as a child in the eyes of a more motherly woman.

Gallus then added, "I dunno. I think I'd kinda like having a nice mom giving us a ride home. Better than my mom, at least."

"Then head on over to the Alabaster and wait for us. I'll talk to Novo when we get there." I spoke before watching the three teens take to the air on their wings and swooping over the encampment towards the northwest. I then looked up at Celaeno and said, "Thanks for looking after them. I'll see you soon, right?"

She smirked at me and said, "Soon? We'll be closer than you think. The Zephyrus will be following the Alabaster to make sure we get the Ponyville gang back home at the same time. And the dragon squadron as long as they stay topside to make sure a good sneeze won't set fire to my ship."

"Huh... Convenient. I guess I'll be seeing you sooner then, huh?" I replied while bidding Celaeno farewell for the moment. I watched the captain of the Zephyrus heading back up the gangplank. Now all but alone, I then noticed Ember peeking at me from around the wheelchair's backside. I realized how quiet she had been during that entire encounter and said, "Uh... Sorry if we took up too much of your time."

"Hey, it's fine. It was kind of nice getting to just listen to you all talk." Ember replied with her hand on my shoulder. She then took hold of the wheelchair's handles and turned me around to start pushing me along. But we did not get far before encountering the one person missing from our usual trio. Ember peeked around the edge of the wheelchair and greeted our friend. "Rain. You coming with us?"

Rain Shine stood before us with her trusty glaive affixed to her side with a bunch of fresh vines tied around her torso. The blade atop it was securely wrapped in very large leaves to keep it contained. The beautiful kirin chieftain looked genuinely exhausted and ready to return to a life of peace far from a battlefield. We all were. "Please. Novo is expecting me. She has volunteered to transport me back to the Grove of Silence and my people are waiting for me."

"It would take you weeks to get back there on foot... That's very kind of Novo." I muttered upon realizing just how far we had marched. It would be cruel to force the militia to march the same distance home. No wonder a fleet of airships was providing transportation back home.

"She is a wondrous mare. Such a warm aura about her at all times." Rain Shine replied before the three of us continued on our way. The Alabaster was in plain sight even from so far away. And I never took my eyes off of it. Like a seagull floating in the air. I had been aboard it quite a few times, but I had never actually traveled aboard that glorious airship.

Gallus, Smolder, and Ocellus were waiting patiently at the docks and were pacing about to examine the Alabaster from below. Gallus was the first to call out once we drew near. "That queen's got some awesome taste in ships! Looks great from down here!"

"Just wait until you're up on deck. It's a wonderful view." Ocellus said while walking over us. She had only been up there once before, but it must have been quite the experience. We all stood together and waited while Novo swooped don from the deck to greet us. The disguised Changeling raised her hand in greeting and said, "Hello, your majesty! Nice to see you!"

"And a hello to you too, love bug. Did you and your friends come to see us off?" Novo replied with nothing but delight in her voice. It was a good time to be happy. We were finally going home.

"Um... About that. You see, we kind of... Um..." Gallus started to say with his unease in speaking to royalty starting to show. With how long he had been living by himself, he was probably not used to talking to people quite yet. Especially to actual royalty. He then looked at the only real dragon in his company and asked, "Smolder? Help me out here?"

"Sure thing, bluebird." She retorted before looking up at Novo. "The thing is... We kinda don't wanna be away from James for too long. We're worried about him. Can we...tag along with him?"

Novo responded with a chuckle and not an ounce of irritation. "That's it?! Well then, I say come aboard. Mama here will make sure you kids have a good time."

Gallus could not keep a straight face in the face of Novo's unorthodox rhetoric. "Wow, you're one cool queen. And a cool mom."

"Honey, I'm the best mama you'll ever see. I've got the experience for it. You kiddies head on up and I'll be right there to show you around." Novo retorted with her usual soulful sass before the three excitable teens rushed up the gangplank to see things for themselves. Novo then smirked at me and said, "You found some good company, honey. I'm getting nothing but good vibes off them."

I cracked an amused grimace while I watched the three of them jogging up the gangplank. It was good to see them really having an opportunity to truly act their age and have a good time with something most teens their age would never get the chance to write home about. "They really are... Especially when considering they all come from rather unfortunate backgrounds. I don't even know Gallus that well yet, but I can tell he's a good guy. Ponyville will be perfect for him."

"It's a good thing they have each other. Kids like them need friends and they've got quite the camaraderie going on between them." The hippogriff queen spoke before she reached out and kissed me between the eyes. She beamed at me with that wonderful smile I had come to recognize while she cooed softly to me. "I'll make sure this will be nothing less than a pleasure cruise for you, baby. You deserve it."

I could not bring myself to respond to that. All I could do was nod. To say I deserved such wonderful kindness was simply not true. But I was not sure if I deserved the opposite. But at the very least, I convinced myself that I deserved Novo. Because she decreed it as such. The hippogriff queen then turned to her fellow royal friends and said, "Good to have you here, ladies. Let's get you all home."

"It's good to see you, Novo. I hope you don't mind us taking up too much space up there." Ember replied while Rain Shine stepped forward and rested her head up against Novo's while the hippogriff queen embraced the kirin queen with her glorious wing. I was not the only one who gained new friends over the course of the war. New bonds between royal families had been forged.

Ember began to push me towards the gangplank, but stopped when we all noticed Rain Shine glance back for seemingly no reason. But there was a reason. She sensed someone's approach. "I do believe we have one last farewell to partake in."

Ember turned me around as none other than the king and queen of Equestria themselves descended towards us with regal grace. The five royals bowed to each other while Orbash was the first to speak. "So sorry to take up your time, my friends. We just wished to see you off one last time before you could all start your journey home."

"And it's appreciated, handsome. I can never get enough eyefuls of little miss Sunbutt's hunky daddy." Novo retorted while he instantly burst into raucous laughter. I too had to suppress a laugh at that while Sunflare cringed beautifully at Novo taking the opportunity to inject some levity into the situation. I do not think anyone saw that little quip coming. I honestly forgot all about the first time.

"Just remember who he is sworn to, yes?" Sunflare declared with quite the annoyed scowl on her face. While her husband tried to compose himself, the sun queen cleared her throat to speak more eloquently. "In any case... We wished to give our farewells to you all. You each played a vital role in our world's efforts against this threat. Had even one of you not been present, I fear the outcome would have been very different. As queen of Equestria, you have my thanks. And I cannot apologize enough for my...less than reasonable demands when we first met."

Rain Shine then took a few steps forward. Even with the Viper Edge's blade wrapped and the shaft bound to her side, she still used levitation magic to angle it closer towards the sun queen. Sunflare noticed this approach and stood her ground. We all watched with bated breath as the kirin queen spoke sternly. "Do you now?"

Much like Novo before her, Rain Shine was not the only one to aggressively defy the sun queen with a weapon at her side. Rather than be alarmed, Sunflare bowed her head with eyes closed. "You were the first to come to his aid, kirin queen. And you were wise to do so. So many truths have been uncovered since that day... His demise would have doomed Equestria at the time. Paradoxical as this may sound, I thank you for resisting me that day. I made a mistake... I accept that now."

A moment of silence passed while Rain Shine remained still. Novo had raised a sword to Sunflare's face to defend me once. And Rain Shine had faced her in single combat to protect me when I was entirely outclassed. Rain Shine's eyes narrowed before they relaxed. "You...are the calmest I have seen in some time. No hostility in your heart. Warm embers that flicker, but do not blaze..."

Sunflare almost appeared amused as Rain Shine surely sensed her emotional state at the time. "Hm. Your people have always had such a unique way of reading people. Yes, I assure you there is no ill will in my heart, kirin queen. Be at ease. This man is a dear friend to our world and its people. And I must ask of you... Forgive me."

"And I shall." Rain Shine said softly while she and Sunflare bowed their heads forward, horns crossing for a moment. Such unwavering grace in her form. Rain Shine knew there were no lies in Sunflare's heart.

The sun queen then turned her gaze to me while Orbash stepped forward first. The kind moon king lowered his horn to my brow while he spoke softly from inches away. "Our daughters cannot be here at this moment ad they insist on remaining until the last of our people are evacuated. But they give you all their blessings. Especially to you, my boy."

The fatherly king's tone was soothing to hear. And my comfort my snuffed out suddenly when I realized that this may very well be the last time I would ever see him. My hands rose to hold the sides of his neck while I asked, "Is this goodbye, your majesty?"

He almost replied, but suddenly stopped himself upon noticing the nuance in my words. His kind gaze became much more conflicted while he lifted his head to share a gaze with his wife. Rather than be so sure and ready to depart to return to the shadows in order to watch over Equestria from afar, the sun queen and moon king appeared very undecided about the prospect. I would even say they looked reluctant to do so. Sunflare then said to me, "We are...undecided. We have been debating our next move carefully. And...we do not have an answer yet."

I spoke my heart to the king and queen. "I'll miss you dearly..."

Orbash inhaled sharply at my words while Sunflare too visibly flinched ever so slightly. Orbash lowered his head to my shoulder and even tried to drape his wing over me. "I know... I know, my boy... I only just met you...but I already love you. It has been such a very long time since I last dreaded the thought of saying farewell to anyone."

I had no words. All I could do was embrace the beautiful moon king however I could. A single tear flowed free as I processed having to say goodbye to this wonderful father of a stallion forever. He whispered to me, "This will not be the last time. Heaven forbid. We will see you again at least one more time. And next time... We will have our answer ready."

Sunflare then stepped forward and mirrored her husband on my other side. She rested her head upon my other shoulder while she too attempted to embrace me in her wing. "Whatever our decision may be, please continue to be good to our daughters. Especially Celestia. You are...her sunshine, are you not?"

Those words were all I needed to hear to understand the sun queen's stance on that issue. I did not need to fear her response to the relationship between Celestia and I. And I held her as much as I held Orbash. I did not want to fear the sun queen. Even after all that had happened. If there were words I was obligated to always take at face value in spite of my own thoughts it was from the true sovereigns of this world. "I'll do what I can... I don't want to let them down."

"Thank you, my boy. They took a grave risk in bringing you to our world. And we want to see it be a true blessing in the long run." Orbash whispered to me while they finally raised their heads from my shoulder. The sun queen and moon king turned their gazes to those who stood behind me. Novo, Rain Shine, and Ember had been politely silent during that display, but a quick glance behind me revealed to me that they found our interaction to be quite touching. Novo even appeared to be wiping a tear from her eye. Orbash then asked, "I really hope we're not taking up too much of your time, my friends. Words that needed to be said and all that."

I heard the faintest sniffle come from Novo before she replied, "No need to apologize, dear. You really are the best daddy who ever was. No wonder your girls turned out the way they did."

Sunflare rolled her eyes in response to Novo giving all praise to her husband while hardly acknowledging her. It did sound rather dismissive of her. Rain Shine thankfully did comment on the sun queen. "I am certain you played a dear role in their growth as well, your majesty."

The sun queen took her words well and even let out a chuckle. "Orbash taught our children how to be kind. I taught them how to be strong. Kindness without strength creates cowards. Strength without kindness creates tyrants. And we saw to it that they would be neither. Although I can see why my husband's kindness draws more attention than my blazing strength."

"Nonsense, my dear! You have always drawn me like a moth to a flame. You've always been radiant." Orbash retorted joyously while giving his wife quite the smirk. "Isolation never was good for you. Perhaps we really should abandon our vagabond lifestyle and return to living amongst our people. You will surely be much happier once they are all smiling at you."

"Orbash, we can't make such a weighted decision over such simple factors! We must decide carefully!" Sunflare squealed in the face of her husband's playful jeering. This got good chuckle out of their audience while even I cracked a smirk. Although she then calmed herself and said, "But I cannot deny the return to Equestria's society is more tempting than ever..."

"Then think about it a little longer. We all enjoyed getting to know you. And I'd certainly be happy to welcome you for a visit to my home. I know those boulderheads will change their tune about ponies when they meet the most powerful of them all." Ember added while sounding rather smug about it. If Nightmare Moon could frighten the dragons of Equestria into submission, I could only imagine what a minor flexing of the king and queen's magical might would do.

"Yes, some things simply have not changed even since the first sunrise. Your people's stubborn pride is one of them. So good to see the ones with the most influence among your kind are the most willing to invite necessary changes." Sunflare retorted with a snide smirk upon her lips. How long ago was it when the sun and moon were created? It still boggles my mind to think that those two had the power to physically create such gargantuan celestial bodies. The scientific community on Earth would never believe it.

With that all said, the sun queen and moon king bowed to us all and took a step back. Orbash then said kindly, "Rest assured, this will not be our final meeting. But we've kept you long enough. On your way now. All of you have not been home in much too long."

"You got that right, handsome. I haven't been home to Capricorn Island since we first shipped out. I can't wait for some of that crisp mountain air and fresh sea mist..." Novo said almost nostalgically. Had she never gone further west than Canterlot since the Alabaster first departed to transport her archers to the battlefield? Longest time she had been away from home, I am sure. She then bowed to the king and queen while she said, "In any case, your girls and I appreciated you showing up. Be sure to stop by sometime, if you can manage the flight."

"We just might, your majesty. Until then, all of you take care. Savor this victory." Sunflare replied before Ember started to roll me up the gangplank. I found my three younger friends still enjoying themselves as they peered over the portside railing. Some of the Alabaster's crew, hippogriffs in matching uniforms, were putting on the finishing touches before takeoff. Although I noticed that Rain Shine looked a bit uneasy as she gingerly stepped out onto the deck. Almost like she did not want to be up there. One of the crew politely offered to take care of her glaive, which she allowed to be taken down below deck.

Novo disappeared below deck as well while I was left in the care of Ember and Rain Shine. We stood at the starboard side and peered out at the encampment before us. What had been the new normal for the past several weeks was about to be left behind for the first time. Ember sounded the most wistful about it as she muttered, "It's strange, but I almost regret having to return to the dragon lands. Maybe all these acres of green grass really endeared themselves to me..."

"The grass is always greener... Wait, I didn't mean to make a pun there." I retorted before realizing how literal that proverb was at that moment. Ember just gawked at me over the side of my wheelchair, no doubt having never heard such a thing when grass is such a rarity in the barren arid volcanic wastelands her people call home, but Rain Shine understood and had to stifle a laugh. Although she did soon start to look a little antsy after a moment. I finally felt the need to ask. "You OK there, Rain?"

She almost giggled uneasily when she replied. "Oh, it's just... We kirin were never meant for the sky. We are one with the earth and all of its blessings. I can barely feel anything up here. And now that we will soon take..."

Rain Shine suddenly froze up with a look of shock breaking the almost constant look of serenity on her face. And I saw why. The gangplank had started to be retracted and the ballasts cut loose on the ground. The Alabaster was now completely separated from the ground. And with it, what was left of Rain Shine's connection to the earth. Ember noticed as well and asked, "Are you gonna be all right up here?"

"I...will...manage. Somehow..." Rain Shine muttered in an almost comical fashion. Just the look on her face... She was immensely uncomfortable no longer having even the vaguest connection with the earth and the flora growing out of it. It must have been akin to someone with thalassophobia being on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Even though we had not yet begun to ascend to the point even the engines of the Alabaster were still silent and idle, Rain Shine was still completely out of her element. I decided to try and give her a shoulder to lean on the only way I could. I always felt more at ease around her and knew the same applied in reverse. She noticed my outstretched arm and stepped closer to let me put my arm around her. Rain Shine let out quite the sigh of relief before she muttered, "This helps..."

Her relaxation only lasted for a moment. It was then that we heard the engines of the Alabaster starting up. And with the rising noise, so too did the Alabaster itself. I heard Smolder starting to get a bit loud as she and her friends became more excited now that the airship was finally taking to the air. I almost laughed as I heard Rain Shine muttering anxiously under her breath as we started to rise ever higher above the ground. It was so very difficult not to laugh at her giddiness while Ember cracked a big smirk on her lips. "Now you get to see what it's like to soar like a dragon of the west!"

We were not the only ones starting to rise. I could see the Zephyrus over yonder also rising into the air with the propellers at the stern starting to rotate. It was then I was reminded that the Alabaster and Zephyrus would be traveling together. Once at a high enough altitude, the Alabaster began to turn in place with the Zephyrus doing the same. I watched the encampment below looking so much smaller than before. A minute later, a growing breeze started to blow against us as the Alabaster began to properly make its voyage back to the west. The Zephyrus increased speed until it was flying parallel to the Alabaster. While not too close to avoid the risk of a potential collision, I think it was close enough to pitch a ball at. I could even see Celaeno at the helm and a few of her crew and all of her passengers up on deck. They looked like they were having a good time with them being able to fly unrestrained on an airship. Especially the twelve dragons up there. With them being restricted to staying topside, they appeared to be enjoying the view as well as the experience of flying without the use of their wings. I even saw Rainbow Dash wave at us.

I felt such a strange mix of relief and anxiety. We were finally on our way home. Back to a place that was familiar to me, yet also a place I feared would never be the same after all that had happened. Especially what was known now. Both about me and the history of humanity in Equestria. The truth could no longer stay buried. The entire history of humanity would need to be declassified and revealed to the public. Was I on borrowed time? How much longer would it be until the world turned on me?

Bless her soul, Rain Shine was quick to sense the turmoil in my heart. She ignored her own unease as she kissed me upon the cheek. "Your heart is a brewing storm. What troubles you, my dear?"

"There really is no hiding anything from you..." I muttered as I almost found it amusing how quick a kirin is to notice when someone is upset. They can see through any facade. I bowed my head while the vast green meadows of the Empty Plains passed by underneath us. "Do you really think the people of Equestria won't hate me for what's happened? Especially now that there's no way the truth about my kind in this world can remained buried?"

"My people most certainly won't reject you. You are not they who came before. You nearly gave everything to safeguard our world from the evils of your own. I find it incomprehensible that anyone could despise a man such as you." Rain Shine whispered before once again placing a kiss upon my cheek. Ember listened in too and rested her hand upon my left. Rain Shine then snuck a kiss to my lips before gazing directly into my eyes. "I love you. And if the world of Equestria turns on you, I will gladly welcome you into my home and see to it you live out the rest of your days in bliss. My people and I will protect you with our lives. And so long as nature's blessings answer our call, we will always be undefeatable."

Rain Shine lifted a hoof and rested it upon my right hand. My heart had grown to cherish that wonderful mare so much in the prior weeks. I was so hesitant to let myself love someone so quickly. But it was...so very difficult to let myself be cautious towards a kirin. Her kind and mine truly have a natural attraction to each other that cannot be explained. A rare symbiotic connection that breeds harmony. My anxiety fading in her loving aura, I asked softly, "You would do that for me? What would life with you be like out there in the Grove of Silence?"

Rain Shine giggled while I noticed a blush forming in her cheeks. I could only wonder what wonderful images were drifting around in her thoughts. "If you are a simple man, then you will surely never want for anything ever again. My people will adore you. You will never be without friends. And I... I would be honored to be your bride, my love. If all others reject you, know that my heart will always belong to you. I would gladly be your mare and wife. And I would be so honored...if I could provide you with daughters to love and raise together with me."

Even as my heart swelled and my nerves burned with the thrill of such a bold declaration, I knew there was no exaggeration in those words. Not a lie was spoken. But while I was left stunned by the powerful sincerity in those words, Ember whistled in utter amazement. "Wow, Rain... You're pouring it on thick there."

"Do you doubt me, Ember?" Rain Shine retorted with a delighted and almost giddy giggle. But not from any prior nervousness brought on by being disconnected from the ground. She was showing a very different giddiness. The kind from a young girl confessing her love to the apple of her eye. Rain Shine turned her attention to her fellow dragoness and said, "It has been so very long since I last knew what it is like to fall in love. I have met many human men in the distant past. And I have adored them all. But so very few won my heart. And this man here...is more than worthy of my heart."

Ember's scarlet eyes were opened wide. She was very impressed with the words of her friend. "Phew, I can tell... Kirin and humans just have that kind of a natural magnetism towards each other, right? I...wish I knew what that was like..."

"Whatever do you mean, my friend? I can sense how such a beautiful inferno blazes in your heart at this very moment." Rain Shine said almost smugly while still showing enough restraint. It would be reckless to prod either of us on the love we hold for each other. She then asked, "Has he been uneasy in your care as well? Have you spoken to him over these worries I feel?"

"We have... I...promised him a place at my side if the rest of the world turns on him. My men have grown to really respect him. I know once word spreads about this little warrior poet being a true war hero, those back home will surely welcome him with open arms." Ember spoke with her initial hesitation making way for a tone of pride in her voice. Her hand coiled its fingers around mine as she added, "And...I'll be his queen. I'll make sure he's happy there."

I leaned towards Ember without a word. I could not find the will to speak. And she responded in kind with her head resting against mine. Although she then added, "He did bring up a good point though... I'm not so sure a human can even survive in the dragon lands. It's just too rugged. Not enough stuff there to sustain him... Say! You can fix that, right? If it comes to that, could you and your people help add some edible foliage to the dragon lands?"

"Of course! Say the word and my people and I shall visit and assist in any way we can. I'm certain we can figure something out. Surely there are such flora that can thrive in more arid and mountainous environments." Rain Shine replied happily as we were reminded of the kirin's mastery over the earth and what grows from it. They could surely turn those craggy wastelands into a verdant paradise if needed.

"You two really are the best... I feel like I have nothing to worry about when I have you." I said while trying to remember my first visits to those places. One admittedly being less pleasant than the other. I then glanced at the dragons of the east and west. Easily two of the best things to happen to me during that entire war. Wonderful friends... And now well on their way to becoming...so much more than that. If everything I had in Equestria were to collapse and leave me with nothing, I would still have them. And I think...I would be perfectly fine with that. "I feel like things will be all right if we still have each other."

They leaned into me while Ember looked past me at her friend. "Rain. If it really does come to that, you and I need to be there for him. The Grove of Silence and the dragon lands will be his home. We'll be in this together, all right?"

Rain Shine nodded and whispered tenderly. "Of course. You and I... And this wonderful man... It will be our own little paradise. Although...I sincerely hope it does not come to that. Heaven forbid Equestria grows to hate him."

"They better not... They'll have to go through me first." Ember declared boldly with her hand clutching mine more tightly. And what a confident smirk on her face. She could handle almost anyone in a fight and we knew it. Although when she looked directly ahead at the Zephyrus buzzing along to the Alabaster's portside, her eyes widen a bit. "I think we're about to have a visitor."

She was right. With nothing but open air in the way, anyone who could fly could easily swoop on over to the Alabaster for a visit. And Gilda was the first to come over. The griffon hen swooped through the air on her impressive wings of golden brown and landed beside us without trouble. "Hey there, peeps. Enjoying the view?"

"You can say that. Soaring on an airship gives a very different feeling than using your own wings. Much more relaxing when you don't have to worry about keeping yourself aloft." Ember retorted while I just waved at my friend. Not only was the Alabaster and Zephyrus literally only a stone's throw away from each other. They were not even flying that high off the ground. Probably no more than a thousand feet up. It was a very low risk situation out there over the Empty Plains. But before anything else could be said, Ember's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure you're OK there? The eye is a very sensitive thing... How bad is it again?"

Gilda tried to crack a smile, but it only grew more crooked as she spoke. "I know it looks bad, but the doc says I got about as lucky as you can get with something like that. I mean I'd take the patch off and show you, but...I don't you wanna see how ugly it looks on the surface. I got a look at myself in the mirror when I had to swap out the patch and I almost blew chunks."

"No, please. We...really don't need to see that." I added while holding up a hand. Seeing a fresh wound like that, especially over the eye, would be genuinely painful to look at. But Ember's concern also awakened a new worry in my heart. Was Gilda's eye truly spared? Or did the medic have a lapse in judgement and lie to her just to keep her from becoming more upset? "Gilda... Are you sure your eye is still intact? Can you feel anything in there?"

Her gaze narrowed while I think she tried to focus only on the output of her left eye. "Pretty sure... I can't open it until the stitches get taken outta the lids. But...I feel something wiggling in there. And...it's not entirely black. I think I'm seeing like...brighter than black? Like when you're trying to take a nap in the afternoon?"

"Your spiritual energies are not as fractured as they could be. I'm certain your soul would still be reeling from such a wound if it was that severe." Rain Shine replied as she examined Gilda in a way only she could. When Gilda gave the kirin chieftain a cockeyed stare to convey how confused she was by that statement, Rain Shine explained with a chuckle. "Oh, we kirin have a way of seeing the world around us."

"If you say so... Huh?" Gilda retorted before tilting her head to look past us. She then smirked at me and said, "Don't look now, but your dad's coming over."

"My...what?" I muttered in mild shock. When I hear 'dad', my actual birth father comes to mind and I was not ready to see such a person. But when I looked over my shoulder, I saw a very different person. A familiar and loving hippogriff stallion looming over us. "Hi, papa bird..."

Sky Beak lowered his brow to mine and said nothing for just a moment. I savored his tender fatherly touch, the fine gentleman finally being out of uniform. "How're you holding up, my boy? You in good company up here?"

"Yeah, I'm good... In the best company I could ask for." I replied with a tired smile on my lips. Ember and Rain Shine smiled knowingly at me in response. I then said, "I guess we'll be flying together for a while."

"Mmhm. And it's great to have you up here, my boy. I just wish we could take you back to my place. Ocean and the kids miss you dearly and would love to have you stay the night. Especially during the celebrations that'll surely be happening." He said softly to me. I know he wanted to just sit down and hug me, but the space around me was a bit crowded already. Although he then glanced over his shoulder at the starboard side of the deck and said, "You brought the kids up here? And who's the boy?"

"That's Gallus. He's the one I told you about." I retorted while our other companions remained silent to let us talk to each other as father and son. "You wanna meet him?"

"I got it. Be right back." Gilda retorted without waiting for a response. Sky Beak snorted with a grin on his beak. He knew of Gallus and that the boy had it rough. I looked over my shoulder to see Gilda stride over to the only other griffon on deck with swift feline grace before tapping the blue boy on the shoulder. Smolder and Ocellus barely even noticed her presence while they leaned over the edge of the deck. Not that they were in any danger of falling so long as they could fly. After a few words, Gallus started making his way over to us while Ember rotated my wheelchair a bit to help me see him more easily. Gilda stayed behind to chat with the two girls to her left.

"Hey, uh... What's up? You need me for something?" Gallus asked when he came to a stop. When he found Sky Beak looking down at him, he clumsily lifted his hand to his bro for a salute. "Hey there, sir."

"You don't have to salute me. I'm finally out of uniform. You can just call me Sky Beak. Or papa bird, if you prefer. My boy here is fond of saying it." Sky Beak laughed while patting the blue griffon boy on the head.

"Your...what?" Gallus muttered before glancing at me as I failed to hide a smirk. Gallus completely missed any nuance that was between us and asked me, "You never said your dad's a hippogriff. Or that you've got some bird in you."

I burst into a harsh snicker. I had a hunch I was going to be getting quips like that for a long time to come. "I don't! Although I kinda wish I did... Nah, Sky Beak's just the closest thing to a father I have in this world. I love him. And I'm much more comfortable around him than I ever was with my own dad back home."

"Ooooooh, that kinda dad... Wait..." Gallus retorted before he processed my words a little more. He then cast me an impressive empathetic gaze as he asked, "You got a bad dad too?"

This was not a topic I was willing to discuss in depth. Not again. I kept my response brief. "He's not a bad guy, but he's not great either. I'm familiar with a side of him the public will never see. And I'm sure he would sooner die than ever own up to his mistakes. It's sad to say, but a part of me is glad I'll never have to deal with him again here in Equestria."

Everyone went silent for a moment. But Gallus then raised his fist to me. Not to punch me. He just...held it there. As if waiting for something. "Bad dads suck. I've been there. Glad to see you got a great new dad now."

I got the point then. It was a show of solidarity. And Gallus was offering his fist to me as a show of support. Smiling more brightly than I thought I would, I clenched my hand into a fist and lightly bumped it into his. "I can't be your dad. But I can be your friend."

"Good enough for me, man. And I prefer friends who are cool cats. And you've been nothing but cool since I first saw you." Gallus said with a nice laugh. He may have been out of his element aboard the Alabaster, but we were making sure he felt welcome. The griffon boy then looked up at Sky Beak and said, "Your kid's a cool dude. Looks great in that armor and was great company. He even helped me fire up the grill, if you know what I mean."

"Mmhm, he sure is. I'm honored to know him. A good boy who grew up into a good man." Sky Beak replied, his smiling beak complimented by a wink he cast at me. Ember and Rain Shine smiled at me in silence while allowing us to speak. Sky Beak then looked down at Gallus and said, "And he's told me about you. It sounded like you were going through a rough patch out there... Were you really by yourself? And out on the Empty Plains?"

"I'd rather be alone than be...where I was before." Gallus said almost bitterly. He then pleaded, "Please... Don't take me back. I don't think they're even looking for me, but... You never know. If I get dragged back there, I'll run again."

Sky Beak wasted no time in trying to comfort the troubled boy. He took a seat before Gallus and reached out with his wing to pull the griffon boy into his fluffy chest for an embrace. "Easy there, no one's making you do anything. If you really don't want to be there, we can see to it you never go back."

Instead of offering immediate thanks, Gallus looked...stunned. He slumped to a seated position onto his haunches and leaned weakly into the fatherly hippogriff's chest. I finally heard him mutter, "My dad never did this to me..."

"You...were never held? Never comforted?" Sky Beak muttered while we all watched quietly. My papa bird's fatherly instincts kicked in hard as he wrapped his wings around Gallus so thoroughly that we could barely see him anymore. "You poor boy... I knew you had it rough out there, but...really? It was that bad?"

"I...really don't wanna talk much about how things were. It took all the courage I had to run and never look back." Gallus muttered from under those glorious wings. I could see Sky Beak tighten his embrace even more around the boy. Like he was trying to shield Gallus from an unseen threat.

Sky Beak then looked at me and asked, "Can I ask you to keep a close eye on this boy once you get back home? Make sure he's happy and safe? I'm afraid to let him out of my sight right now..."

"That was the plan. He'll have plenty of friends there and lots of friendly faces to watch over him. Ponyville's a good place. I think only Capricorn Island is the only other place I've seen that can match it in terms of pleasant people and atmosphere." I replied while Sky Beak very reluctantly started to loosen his grasp on the griffon boy. And once he was uncovered, I held a hand out to Gallus. "You're gonna be OK."

He hesitated before stepping forward. And instead of just shaking my hand, he climbed right onto my lap and snuggled up to me with a full embrace. "As long as two cool dudes hug, it's not lame. Right?"

I could not help laughing. That boy could not let go of his aloof rebel facade for too long. I stroked my fingers through his pleasantly fluffy fur and said, "You'll always be cool to me, bluebird. And there's nothing uncool about comforting someone. If you need someone to hold you, there's nothing wrong with that."

Gallus said nothing, but practically curled up on me like a very large housecat. He was too comfortable to care about my caress. Although Sky Beak soon stepped our way and said, "If you need a place to stay during the trip, how about you bunk with me? I'll make sure there's a spot saved for you."

The griffon boy in my arms only nodded. I doubt he was trying to take a nap. Not while soaring out over the Empty Plains. Although Sky Beak did bring up a good point. I then asked, "Come to think of it... Where will all of you be staying?"

Rain Shine and Ember glanced at each other before Ember spoke first. "Rain can bunk with me. And I'm pretty sure Ocellus and Smolder would prefer to bunk together. We can make that work, right?"

"Novo must surely have something in mind for us, but sharing rooms would conserve space." Rain Shine replied while she looked over at Smolder and Ocellus at the starboard side. Gilda looked like she was chatting them up for the moment.

Sky Beak then patted me on the shoulder while he spoke, "I'll go set things up for our little friend here. The sooner, the better."

"Gotcha. Thanks, papa bird." I retorted while we watched him head to the stern before walking back inside the ship. Once alone, I noticed Rain Shine eyeing Gallus in my arms. An epiphany struck me as I asked, "What do you feel from him?"

The wise kirin chieftain eyed the griffon boy for a moment, Gallus being much too relaxed to mind what was said. She then whispered to me, "Very delicate. An aloof facade that hides a loving heart lined with cracks. The boy seeks others, but...fears betrayal. There is much healing to be done."

Ember then reached out and dragged her fingers through the feathers lining Gallus' head. She displayed a confident smirk as she whispered, "Then I think he's hit the jackpot. He'll be in good company from now on, right?"

"Count on it. If Ponyville made me a much happier person in such little time, it'll work for him too." I retorted with a knowing smile. I could never forget those first few weeks. The sheer confusion and unease of being so far out of my element and having nowhere to go or anyone to turn to. I was quiet and timid and even a bit broody on my first day. But thanks to those who welcomed me into their lives first, I gained...so much since then. I could only imagine the joys that would enter Gallus' life before much longer. I stroked my fingers along his back as I asked, "You hear that, Gallus? Good things will... You awake, dude?"

"Meh, feeling too chill to care. Keep the petting coming and you can say whatever you want around me..." He grumbled before I even heard him starting to purr. We all had to resist a laugh there. Gallus was more aware of what was being said around him than he looked, but he was just far too relaxed to even move. It was easy to forget he is part feline and they have their own pleasure points.

Gilda started approach around then while Smolder and Ocellus remained at the edge of the deck. They were having too good a time to leave. When she drew near, all she could do was look at the seemingly sleeping griffon boy on my lap as he tried to find a comfortable spot. He was pretty big for his age, though not quite as big as Gilda. She then looked at Ember and Rain Shine before saying, "I got this. Go on, take a walk. It's not everyday you get to fly like this, right? Enjoy the view."

They quickly deduced that she just wanted to talk to me in private. While Ember stepped away after locking the wheels of my chair, Rain Shine stepped along with a much more cautious and unsteady gait. Leaving my side caused her anxiety to return in full. Ember stayed especially close to her friend so a compromise would not need to be met. At least the wonder of flight was enough of a distraction.

The griffon hen beside me looked down at the nearly dozing boy in my lap. She then whispered to me, "Looks like a good kid. Where'd you find him? Some place called the Vulture's Roost, right?"

"Yeah. An abandoned outpost that looked like a failed colony made exclusively by griffon. Fitting location, really." I retorted while knowing Gallus had told her only a little about his history out there. I then added, "I promised to come back for him after this mess was over... He's a good guy and deserved better. And if Gabby hadn't found him...I don't think I would've been able to."

"She's a good egg, huh? Girl's got a good head on her shoulders and a good heart in her chest." Gilda retorted as a smile spread across her beak. And Gallus just continued to purr. If he was still awake, he was doing a good job of keeping us guessing.

Looking down at Gallus and then back at Gilda... An unfortunate question entered my thoughts. "Gilda... Do griffons just not make good parents?"

Her one good eye opened wider as she lifted an eyebrow. "What made you bring that up?"

I thought back to a conversation I had with Rainbow Dash weeks ago. Right around the time I first met Gilda. "Rainbow Dash said you never talked about where you came from."

"Yeah. And I don't plan on starting." She replied with an almost bitter defiance in her tone. Although she then lifted her gaze to the sky and the decorated gas sack above us. "Let's just say that...I didn't come from the best home. Although I bet it wasn't as rough as this kid had it. Wasn't great, but I bet it could've been worse. Still not much worth going back to. When I could fly free, I headed out and never looked back."

I could recall what little I had been told about Gilda's childhood. Such a demure and timid little cub she was when Rainbow Dash first met her. Now a tough and pretty awesome woman in her own right. Even if she did go down the wrong path for a time when she and her best friend parted ways. With one hand still stroking Gallus, I silently offer my other to Gilda. She glanced down at my overturned palm before looking at me. I only waited patiently for a response. And she did place her right hand in mine while our fingers curled inward to hold each other. "Thanks for being there for me when I really needed someone. And for helping me patch things up with Dash. It's been great just...reconnecting after all that."

I nodded in silence while showing a soft smile. They were so amusingly uncomfortable with even talking with each other when they finally sat down at that table. But it did not take them long to start chatting and laughing together. Although Gilda then sighed and said, "Anyway, back to what you said... I dunno. I don't think griffons are any better or worse at raising kids than most other species. I mean we've got bird and cat blood in us, so I guess you'd think we'd have the instincts for it. You know what they say about mama hens and mama cats."

"Yeah, they do make great parents. You'd think having both sides in you would really fire up the maternal instincts." I replied while trying to picture a mother griffon presiding over her cubs with wings draped over them. Although I then thought of the only other griffon I knew personally. "I'm guessing they can make great parents if Gabby's so cheerful all the time. She must come from a really pleasant background."

"With how she's always smiling, that's gotta be the case. Girl's one of the happiest hens I've ever met." Gilda retorted while she turned her head to the right. I was not sure what she was looking at, but it resulted in only her bandaged left eye being displayed. This caused a twinge of discomfort to shoot through me as I recalled the instant that arrow grazed her face. Was her eye truly spared? I loosened my grasp on Gilda's hand and began to raise my fingers to her face. The release of her hand prompted Gilda to look my way and she nearly flinched as I dragged my fingers over the bandage. She sighed forlornly before placing her fingers over mine. "I'm gonna be OK. Really. Don't beat yourself up over this, all right?"

I had no words to say. All I could do was nod. Gilda started to lean a bit closer only for her right eye to glance down at Gallus in caution. He was completely oblivious to what was happening around him. Gilda then raised a finger to her beak to request silence. And I quickly found out why. She leaned forward and touched her beak to my lips. And it curled in a manner to apply a kiss to them. Such a unique phenomenon with the avian races of Equestria, being able to flex the edges of their beaks like that.

It was...pleasant to feel that kiss again. And I could see a certain need in Gilda's eye. She did not want to settle for a simple peck on the lips. She wanted to deepen it. To really savor a deeper show of affection. And I wanted it too. I wanted to feel the comforting sensation of her beak clamped over the sides of my face. The caress of her tongue against mine. But not in front of someone who knew nothing about my...complicated relationships. Someone who would likely not understand it in the way others had. And making just the wrong sound would surely cause him to look up in curiosity. Gilda, probably suspecting the worst, dragged a finger along my jaw with her talon lightly grazing it. "I better get back over now. Dash probably wants to know what I've been up to."

"Sounds good. Thanks for stopping by, Gilda." I retorted as she spread her impressive wings wide. Gilda then took to the air and swooped on over to the Zephyrus. And she was just in time to catch one of Ember's subordinates letting out a fiery sneeze into open air. Celaeno did not respond to it while still at the helm, although I am sure that flash of fire did put her on edge for a moment. Even I was left watching closely for a second for the faintest signs of smoke rising from the ship. But nothing happened.

Ember and Rain Shine rushed back over to my side once it was obvious I was no longer being supervised. Ember took hold of the handles at the back of my chair and said, "I think we've been out here long enough. Wanna head on down?"

"Sure. We still need to figure out where you two will be staying anyway." I replied before noticing that it would not be safe to move until Gallus was off my lap. I lightly patted his head and said, "Gallus...? I'm gonna have to ask you to get down now."

He suddenly snorted and lifted his head with a start. "Huh? Whoa, did I nod off for a minute?"

My new friend hopped down from my lap and took a moment to stretch. His movements were very feline as he elegantly arced his tail. With my wheels unlocked Ember started to push me towards the stern and the door leading inside. Gallus glanced back over at Smolder and Ocellus before asking, "Are they coming?"

"They've been up here before. They can find their way around." I replied with Rain Shine getting the door for us. And once indoors with Ember carefully and rigidly guiding my wheelchair down step after step, I noticed that Rain Shine was noticeably calmer. "You feeling better, Rain?"

The kirin chieftain smiled my way and said, "I did not notice while the ship was grounded last time, but now that we are airborne... I am so much more appreciative of the residual natural energies in all the wood around us."

Ember then asked, "Wait, you can even feel a connection...to the wood used in the ship's frame?"

"Of course! In fact... Hmm..." Rain Shine muttered while she took a moment to quietly listen to the significant amounts of wood in the Alabaster itself. "This feeling... The lumber used to construct this ship seems to have originated in the tundra of the Vanhoover region. The presence of evergreens is unmistakable."

"Wow, you kirin really know your trees." Gallus quipped as he took in the tidy and clean interior of the Alabaster. It was a very different feeling from the few times I have rode aboard the Olympia. The whitewashed walls gave a feeling of simple yet opulent elegance that was more that fitting for the queen who resides in the Ivory Palace.

The main hallway had a few stewards going about their business, but I did not see any of the archers about. They were probably at the bottom of the Alabaster in their dorms unwinding after a long time away from home. Although there was one who was still there to greet us. Seaspray stepped forward and took a bow to us. "Welcome aboard, my friends. Make yourselves at home. If you have any questions or needs, the stewards will be happy to assist."

Gallus once again raised his hand to his brow for a salute while I replied to him. "Good to see you, admiral. Be good to the boy here. He needs a lot of rest and relaxation."

"Ah, this is the lad Sky Beak requested accommodations for?" Seaspray asked before looking down at the griffon boy who was now looking rather nervous at having the commander of Capricorn Island's royal guardsmen giving him his undivided attention. I think Gallus even started to sweat with how carefully the admiral of Capricorn Island was studying him. But that piercing scowl soon gave way to a jolly smile. "He seems like a fine lad to me. Although I can't say I recall seeing you at any time until now... Tell me, my fine fellow. When did you arrive?"

"Just yesterday. One of the couriers found me and told me the war was over. I was waiting for James to come back, but...I guess I decided I was done waiting and came to him instead. He's taking me to Ponyville. Sounds like a nice place." Gallus explained in brief, only saying what needed to be said unless pressed further.

And that is exactly what Seaspray did. The peculiar choice of words early on piqued his curiosity. "Found...you?"

I decided to speak up. "He's a runaway from a bad home situation. Was getting by in an abandoned riverside outpost when I stumbled upon him weeks ago. I've agreed to take him to Ponyville to see if he can start over there."

Gallus stiffened up when Seaspray cast him a fairly shocked glance. "Please don't take me home, sir..."

"There there, I couldn't even if I wanted to. Wherever it is you came from is surely far outside my jurisdiction." Seaspray replied while gently patting the griffon bow on the head. "But if I know our Sir James as well as I think I do and the fine fellows of Ponyville I met along the way, I say you're in good hands. I really must take the time to visit Ponyville in earnest and see what it has to offer. Why, I just might do so once we arrive."

Seaspray's kind words did a lot to soothe Gallus. I worry he may have assumed anyone who was told about his status as a runaway might have prompted someone to try and contact where he came from. I wonder if he was ever dragged back home against his wishes after previous runaway attempts. Although I suppose being able to fly makes it much easier to get as far away from home as possible in a short time. I suspect he just chose one direction last time and flew as far and fast in that direction as possible without stopping. Anywhere to hide and get away... I hope whoever he ran from never comes looking for him. Although as I pondered this, Seaspray took the boy under his wing and started to lead Gallus towards the bow. "Now then, why don't I show you to your quarters? I'm sure Sky Beak is eager to help you get situated."

Gallus looked back at us and waved over his shoulder. He looked like he was in a better mood by then. "I guess I'll catch up with you guys later."

"We'll be around." I replied while the two of them entered the galley at the far end of the hall to reach the forward stairs into the lowest decks. I then pointed at a door coming up on the right. "There's Novo's place. We should probably check in."

"Got it." Ember replied while her hands pushing my wheelchair along while Rain Shine stayed very near us. Ember then reached out and knocked on the door. "Novo, this is Ember. Are you in?"

"Come on in, ladies." I heard that succulent voice reply while slightly muffled. With a push of the door, Ember rolled me inside to reveal the beautiful hippogriff queen relaxing upon her bed. Novo greeted us all with a smile, although that smile dimmed a bit once her eyes met mine. "Good to have you back up here, baby. Come on. Let's get you over here. Can you stand?"

I glanced around as I tried to get a feel for the swaying of the Alabaster in flight. While the cables and ropes attaching it to the gas sack above have to be impressively strong and taut to keep it from being blown around like something dangling from a balloon and was probably not as likely to get tossed around as much as a ship in an ocean storm, I was sure that strong winds could still make the airship tilt in one direction. And I needed stable footing to remain upright. "I can...but I'm very unsteady. Is the Alabaster prone to tilting one way or the other during turbulence?"

"We really shouldn't have that kind of trouble at lower altitudes, honey. We're flying low for this trip. Come on. On your feet now." Novo replied with an outstretched arm. I took her confidence seriously and managed to get out of my wheelchair. My steps forward were very controlled and meticulous to counter the growing sense of unsteadiness in my head. Once I was close enough, I very carefully crawled onto the bed. I felt much more steady once I was on my knees. And Novo was all over me. She pulled me up against her with her wing wrapping around me as she said, "You're still reeling from everything, I see... Easy there, honey. You're home now. Or at least a home away from home. My place is yours."

"The worst is behind him, Novo. It's just that...such injuries take time. His soul is not quite as fractured as it was at first." Rain Shine explained as she closed the door behind her. The kirin queen then said, "Hold him for now, if you please. Such warmth in your spirit... It will nurture him."

"You better believe I will, Rain. I'm not letting go for a good while." Novo retorted with barely a chuckle. And I savored that embrace. I held Novo however I could with my face pressing into that lovely collar of bright blue feathers around the base of her neck. Novo then looked at her guests and said, "I understand you two were basically his bodyguards during the war. If that's true, thank you for all you did for him. I'm convinced you played a big part in making sure this wonderful man lived to see today."

"We were. He liked to call us his shield-sisters. It felt fitting at the time." Ember explained while I noticed a flattered smile on her lips. Although she then took the time to look around at the opulent layout of Novo's own bedchambers. And she was visibly impressed by what she was seeing. "I don't think I've been in here before... And you're got some impressive taste in aesthetics, Novo."

"That's just how I roll, honey. Wait until you see the inside of the Ivory Palace. It's a lot fancier on the inside than the outside." Novo smirked while not even attempting to act modest. A woman of expensive tastes in interior design.

"Ivory Palace... That is your castle, yes? It is so hard to get a clear feel when a landmass is separated by miles of ocean." Rain Shine said while I basked in their presence. I felt so much more at ease in the company of those wonderful queens. I knew I could trust them with my life. My worries about what awaited in Ponyville were put on the backburner and out of my mind. In fact, I had been feeling much less anxious in general once aboard the Alabaster. I had never been given even the slightest reason to be wary of the hippogriffs. Not once, whether it be on their home turf or out on the Empty Plains. It almost felt wrong to be so wary of the ponies of Equestria as a whole, yet so trusting of the hippogriffs of Capricorn Island. And Rain Shine did notice my relaxation. "My friend... You feel so much more at ease now ever since we came aboard. Are you just that fond of this vessel?"

"It's not the Alabaster that's soothing me. It's the people aboard it." I replied without moving my head from Novo's side. "I feel like...they don't have the capacity to hate. Like they would never find it in them to suspect the worst from me. They've been wonderful people from the moment I first arrived in their land."

Novo must have known exactly what was wrong. She began to nuzzle and churr softly with her beak sliding over my bandaged head. "And they should be, honey. They know you're my king-in-waiting. And not one of them has objected."

"Novo... About that." Ember said before taking a seat beside us on the bed. The Dragon Lord then explained somberly, "Rain Shine and I... We've been making plans today. Discussing the possibility that...the reputation of the enemy and his connections to James might end up overshadowing everything about him. The three of us are concerned that...he might end up becoming an outcast someday. Rejected by Equestria as a whole."

Novo very sharply snapped at Ember with a click of her beak. "They wouldn't dare... Would they?"

"We certainly hope not...but the risk is there. It happened once before. Those who remained loyal to our world were still ostracized in the end, so I have heard. And...history may repeat." Rain Shine said as she got comfortable beside the bed, the three wonderful royals encircling me. She then asked, "Should it come to that... We will be the rocks in his life. His home will be among our people. Ember and I intend to collaborate extensively to make life for him as comfortable as possible in our homelands. But what of you? Should Equestria turn their backs on this man, will you support him with us?"

"What kind of question is that?" Novo replied while I almost snickered at how she did not even hesitate in her response. I knew what her answer would be. "Of course I'll support my sugar bear here with you. We'll figure something out. Even if we're hundreds of miles apart, we'll make this work. I have every intention of crowning this man as my king. Even if he's a king the rest of the world wants nothing to do with, he'll still be a king my people will love. The dragon lands. Capricorn Island. The...Grove of Silence, right? Between the three of us, we'll make sure he has three slices of paradise to call home. Won't we?"

Ember spoke confidently as I saw a smirk spread across her lips. "We will. I can already picture it. Whatever happens, we'll make the best of things."

"You're all wonderful... Really, I feel like this is too much..." I muttered while finding myself furiously blushing over the sheer devotion my royal beloveds were declaring for my sake. No matter what would happen, I would always have them.

Novo made me flinch with a playful nibble of my ear. "Nonsense, baby. You're the best. And the best deserves the best. And we're all the best here, so we deserve you as much as you deserve us."

"He does like to say that! He keeps saying I'm the best the dragon lands have to offer." Ember burst into sudden giggling in response to Novo's choice of words. And she was right. I have told her that many times.

"Then this man has good taste in women." Novo retorted slyly, her words making Ember fluster visibly. Rain Shine held a wrist to her lips to stifle a giggle. Those three royals of very different species... It was like they had become a very special sort of trifecta of friends. Capable. Powerful. Respectable. And exceedingly beautiful. I closed my eyes for a time to savor their presence. I was grateful to have them.

With myself momentarily blinded, I felt something coil around my fingers. A hand. But not Novo's. A hand lined with smooth scales. I then heard Ember ask, "Have you had the chance to show the kids around yet, Novo?"

"Not yet. I was going to, but they insisted on staying topside for a while. I guess they wanted to enjoy the view while they could." Novo retorted before I felt her shift her body on the bed in a manner that had me suspecting she was going to stand up. She then said, "Maybe I should get around to that now. Why don't I show you ladies where you'll be staying? I had my men place your gear in there as well in case you were wondering what happened to it."

Ember's grasp tightened around my hand in response. She then said, "Actually...you two can go on ahead. Someone needs to stay behind and keep an eye on our friend here. And I volunteer."

"Thank you, Ember. I'd much rather stay myself, but I won't be too long." Novo retorted almost somberly. I felt the slightest smile spread across my lips. Of course Ember would be the first to volunteer in staying by my side. Novo and Rain Shine did not object, although they did both place a kiss upon my head before they departed.

Once I heard the door close, I felt Ember's hand leave mine before it began to caress my brow. Right where the bandages began and ended. She whispered to me, "I promise life will be good to you if anything happens. Between Novo, Rain Shine, and me? We'll make sure you stay happy."

"I can't thank you enough. I don't even know if I'm truly worthy of this kind of hospitality... I'm just a man. I'm only a commoner..." I muttered while still finding it so hard to believe that these three wonderful queens would go so far for me. I loved them...but was I worthy?

"A commoner with the heart of a king, my little warrior poet." Ember cooed before placing a kiss upon me right between my eyes. This prompted me to open them and gaze up at Ember while she smiled down at me most beautifully. She lounged upon the bed at my side and stroked her fingers along my brow. "I know you're not a leader. Not when I could also call you 'One Who Follows'. But you listen well. You always do. I would be honored to have you as my king. But maybe you'd be better suited as...an advisor? Someone to make those think twice? I'm sure my people will listen when you talk to them."

"An advisory role does sound fitting, yes..." I muttered in thought. Perhaps I could be helpful to Ember even if I lacked the leadership skills necessary to be a proper king. "Just as long as your people don't resent me..."

"Why would they? Didn't those boulderheads warn you against hurting me? I'd say that's a sign of respect." Ember retorted with my thoughts going back to that encounter in the mess hall. I thought I was in danger, but their actions were anything but. "I think those twelve will have quite the impact upon my people when they get back home. It was an enriching experience, being out there to see what Equestria's people have to offer."

"I admit they not quite the blowhards they were when they first showed up... Being willing to kill me to end the war early to standing up for you? I'd say something's changed..." I muttered with my eyes wandering. Ember remained dutifully by my side with her warrior hands caressing my brow almost like a loving wife. I soon gazed up at Ember while she listened in silence. "Your father would be very proud of you..."

"And he would've loved to meet you." Ember sighed with her eyes narrowing. I feared I had struck a nerve, but that smile never disappeared. "I'm sorry he was gone before you could come to this world. I'm sure he would've been very impressed with you by now. The things he would've had to say by now after seeing what this wonderful warrior poet has done for our world..."

I never met Torch. I never would. And all I had to know him through were recollections of those who had known him in life. I wonder what he would have said if he could have seen me then... Although I did feel the need to ask. "Would he have been in favor of what we're planning? To take an outsider your king?"

"Don't know, don't care. If he doesn't like it, that's not my problem." Ember chuckled flippantly. Almost like a young woman openly defying her father's wishes to find happiness with someone while also deliberately angering him. She had become so strong. I had faith in her as a leader. Ember then brought her hand to my jaw and gingerly traced her finger along the line, eyes gazing into mine. "You give me hope. And I give you courage. If that's not enough chemistry for us to be king and queen, I don't know what is."

There was nothing I could say to this. It was true. Everything she said had been confirmed. I raised my fingers to her hand, touching it while our eyes met. "I hope I'll be good enough for you if they day ever comes."

"You are, my little warrior poet. You are." Ember cooed with her lips lowering to mine. They locked briefly for a kiss before she whispered to me with such a loving gaze in those scarlet eyes. "You're more than good enough for me. You're all I've ever wanted. Let's not overthink things, all right? It's not like we know for sure if these plans will even get the chance to play out."

"Good point... What if they don't? What if things do go back to normal? What if...Equestria accepts me like it always has?" I asked as a dull sting struck my heart. I had started to believe that outcome would become a reality. That my world would shrink to just the territories reigned over by Ember, Rain Shine, and Novo. But...what if that never came to be?

Ember's gaze became more solemn. I think...a part of her was hoping such an outcome could come to be. So she and I would be together much more often. And...a part of me was dreading having to say goodbye to her. The Dragon Lord then muttered wistfully, "If it doesn't... Then...nothing will change. We'll...still be here for each other, right?"

I closed my fingers around hers. I could never said goodbye to Ember forever. Not now. Not after all we had faced together. The nights spent together. The touch. The wonderful words. The...pleasure of budding intimacy... Neither of us would ever stand for us to never see each other again. I said softly, "I need you in my life, Ember. You were...one of the best things to happen to me out here. Maybe...one of the best things since I even came to this world."

"And you..." Ember muttered as her fingers tightened their grip around mine. Her gaze was fierce, yet loving. "You were the best thing to ever happen to me since I became the Dragon Lord. Maybe...the best thing to ever happen to me in my life..."

There was no more waiting. After a statement like that and when considering the situation... I decided then was the time to say it. I steadied my nerves, looked her in the eye, and then... "Ember... I lo..."

She got me. She must have known what was about to come out of my mouth because Ember very swiftly covered my mouth with her other hand. Her eyes wide with what looked like terror, she then spoke in a loud yet hushed tone, "Not yet! Please... Not yet... I'm...not ready..."

I felt like I had just made a critical mistake. She knew what I was going to say. And the answer was neither yes or no. Ember then lied beside me and pulled me against her in an embrace while she whispered to me. "Please... Not yet. I know what you want to say. But...I know it's just not the right time. Someday...but not today... OK?"

"Mmhm..." I mumbled in embarrassment and disappointment. I felt so silly over having been so ready to say that. I understood my heart, but I suppose I had a long time to go before I could hope to understand the heart of a dragon.

Ember knew exactly how I felt. Her hand traced over my chest while she smiled at me while looking almost amused. "Hey, what's wrong? You think I'm upset or something?"

"Maybe?" I mumbled with that sting of embarrassment in my heart.

"No, no no no, not even close. I mean I'm flattered, but..." Ember retorted while her tone began to soften. Her fingers continued to slide over my heart. "Even though it feels like it's been a long time, I haven't really had all that much time to find myself out here. I'm still...learning things about myself. So please... Not yet, all right? I can't say yes or no in good faith when I'm still trying to figure out how my heart works."

I sighed deeply, unsure of how I should feel about that. I did not feel rejected, but still felt like I had made a mistake. I could barely even bring myself to look at Ember. I stared at the ceiling for a moment before Ember embraced me from my side and even draped her wing over me. She whispered directly into my ear, "You mean the world to me. Never forget that."

I said nothing, but I did lean into Ember's embrace. I rolled onto my side and embraced her as well. And that was all we did for a while. Tucked away in the private chambers of Queen Novo herself, high above the Empty Plains with no one to turn to and nothing to say. I felt blessed being in the arms of that beautiful dragon queen. Especially when she began to place little kisses all over my face and head while muttering such sweet little things to me. "You are mine to protect... Mine to cherish... You've given me so much just by coming to my land that day... Everything that's happened because of that day... I can't be more grateful."

I gazed into those beautiful scarlet eyes as they gazed back at me. Eyes full of love...but also a fearful uncertainty. And I had a suspicion of why. Our time together was coming to an end. I would be back home in Ponyville soon. And Ember would have to return to her own kingdom to surely restore order among her primitive population. She would have to leave. And I could not follow. She had always been a pillar of support for me the instant she returned to my side in the thick of battle. And now that pillar would soon disappear. And at that moment... I was dreadfully afraid. "Ember... I don't want to see you go."

"Then...hold me, my dear. Please." Ember whispered as I suspect she was holding back tears. And I did. I embraced her even more firmly as she clung to me with her limbs draping themselves over me. Her voice was wavering as even I felt tears starting to build at the edges of my eyes. She cooed to me, "I'll stay by your side as long as I can... I'll be here for you. You know that. Just say the word and I'll never be far."

"Please... Stay near me whenever you can until I get back home. I...want to savor this..." I muttered while Ember tightened her grasp in response. I considered my words carefully. I could not ask those kinds of questions. But...perhaps I could still tell her what was in my heart. I took a deep breath to steady my courage. And then... "I am...just...so in love with you..."

Ember said nothing. But I could feel her become very stiff. Even her breathing stopped. I closed my eyes and whispered, "I...may have multiple women in my life who have become more than just friends. But you are just...so magnetic to me... I adore you... I love everything about you... I won't ask... I know you're not ready. But you... I am just so..."

"Please... Stop..." I heard my beloved whisper very forcefully. I froze, fearful that I had made another mistake. But Ember still held me tenderly. She rested her hand on the back of my bandaged head and pulled my face into her scaled bosom. "Thank you for telling me this... But please. Just...wait. Don't tell me this again until the right time."

"Sorry... Really..." I mumbled in such bitter disappointment in myself. I made another mistake so soon. And I cursed my inability to emphasize with the heart of a dragon.

And yet, Ember did not speak with anger. Although her words quivered with emotion that I seldom heard. "But...if that day ever comes... If Equestria rejects you entirely... Then you come to me. And I swear that we'll be so happy together..."

"Thank you, Ember... You're amazing. You've always been amazing." I whispered back to her in solace. I needed to be more careful. I came very close to crossing lines we were not ready for. And I forced myself to stay silent for her sake.

But Ember did not stay silent. She whispered a lovely request to me. "Kiss me. Please."

I was all too happy to oblige. I closed my as our lip came together. That tender touch. Soon followed by that wonderful taste. That subtle sweetness enhanced by the faintest hint of sulfur for a delightful spiciness. Ember's long tongue slithered around my mouth as we embraced. Dancing with my own tongue as the mismatched shapes still caressed each other all the same. We were so in love... So ready to be something more. And what better time than after such a harrowing endeavor on the battlefield? But it was still too soon... And I was still healing.

As the kiss ended, Ember's hand found its way to mine. And our fingers clasped between each other. More than simply holding holds. And I swear I heard the faintest sound of the door to the room closing. I suspect Novo had peaked in, saw what was happening, and silently left us alone together to savor our time. Ember gazed into my eyes while I did the same to her. She cooed softly, "It's going to be so hard to let you go... It can't end there, can it?"

"God, I hope not... I can't let you go. Not after all we've faced together. That's not the kind of relationship that begins and just ends when the war ends." I replied with our fingers clamping even more firmly together. I knew I would have to say goodbye to Ember soon. And I was dreading that farewell. "We need to see each other regularly... Every couple of weeks or so..."

"Once I know exactly where you live, I'll know how to get to you. Don't forget that I have wings. And dragons can be very speedy fliers. I'm assuming I can reach you in less than a day if I stay in straight line." Ember spoke in an attempt to soothe me. And probably to soothe her own insecurities. She then asked, "Come to think of it... Where does the royal family of Equestria live? Are they anywhere near you?"

That was a very good point to bring up. After everything that had happened with Ember becoming closely acquainted with her superiors, it would be necessary to know the location of Equestria's capitol. I then said, "That would be Canterlot. And its atop a mountain that's very close to Ponyville. You can even see it from town on a clear day."

"That close by? Wow, that's convenient..." Ember muttered as she likely considered the possibility of mixing in diplomatic relationships with more personal visits. She then looked me in the eyes and spoke more confidently, "This sounds more ideal than I ever expected. I think we can make this work just that much more easily."

"I hope so..." I muttered while feeling Ember resting her long jaw atop my head. I closed my eyes and whispered, "Just please... Don't let this be goodbye forever..."

"Of course it won't... I won't let it be, my little hopebringer." Ember whispered knowingly and almost confidently. She was always a very driven. When she found a possible way to solve a problem, she always stuck to it. She would find a way to make this work. "I'll come find you. And I'll find any excuse I can to make it happen."

I rested my brow against the ventral scales covering her chest. And I could feel the faint thumping of her heart somewhere inside. A long sigh escaped my lips while I drank in those words. "You really are one of the best, Ember... You're just such a wonderful woman..."

"I like that term... Especially when it comes from such a wonderful man." She cooed softly to me with those delicate yet powerful fingers sliding down the back of my head and over my backside as well. She then hissed into my ear, "Just remember... If the dragon lands ever become your home... I'll be your woman then."

Our fingers tightened their clasp around each other's hand. Such a wonderful thought. A weird little part of me was hoping that the worse case scenario really would occur just so Ember and I would have a reason to be together forever. As friends. Then lovers. And finally life mates. She would find a way to turn her home into a true paradise for us to be forever happy in. A true dragon wife... When would it ever happen? And was I good enough for her?

For a while longer, we decided to just save our words for later. I was still healing. And that concussion was not so quick to let me forget it was there. I still occasionally felt a brief bought of profound disorientation for several seconds before my senses would clear. And after some more time, there was a knock at the door. A familiar soulful voice spoke from the other side, "I hate to interrupt, but are you lovebirds done in there?"

Ember and I sharply glanced at each other. Novo was more than aware of what had been happening in there between us. Ember then stammered loudly, "Oh, uh... Sure, come on in! This is your room! Don't let us keep you out!"

Novo was laughing by the time we walked inside. She then looked at us with a huge smirk on her beak before saying, "You two must've been comfy in here to get that cuddly. Sorry if I'm popping in too soon."

Ember's face was flushed with a noticeable blush. Novo really did see us locked in an embrace. Maybe even in the middle of a wonderful kiss. Rather than try to debate it, Ember attempted to change the subject while I just looked away. "Anyway... What's the situation?"

Novo huffed with a quiet laugh in response to Ember's dismissive attempt to sweep our prior intimacy under the rug. "I just wanted to stop by and show you to your room. For the sake of space, you'll be bunking with Rain Shine and even the kids. But I get you and the little ladies will get along just fine, right?"

"You mean Smolder and Ocellus? Sure, I know them well enough. I think even Rain Shine is on good terms with them." Ember replied while she and I shared a knowing smile. In some ways, I could see those two being mirrors of some sort to the other. Ember and Smolder were definitely on very good terms with each other as fellow dragons and Ocellus would certainly vibe well with Rain Shine if the parallels between Changelings and kirin I have heard of are true. They would be very comfortable around the other.

"Good to hear. In that case, mind if I show you to your place?" Novo asked with an outstretched arm. Ember began to rise to her feet, but paused to look at me with a gaze of concern. Novo was very quick to recognize that look in her friend's eyes and said, "Don't worry about him, honey. While you're checking the place out, I'll head right back to him. He won't get in trouble if he stays put."

"Thank you, Novo. He's just...very delicate right now." Ember replied before pushing herself up to a seated position. She then looked down at me and gently cupped my cheek with my fingers resting over hers. "Stay here. We won't be long."

All I did was nod. And with that, Novo and Ember departed. I remained exactly where I was on that bed and focused my senses. I tried feeling for the subtle swaying of the Alabaster in flight. I tried listening in on the faint sounds muffled by the walls and floor. The most noticeable sound was the faint buzz of the airship's propellers. I have never had the chance to fly aboard aircraft that use turboprop engines back on Earth, but I was certain the thick wooden hull of the Alabaster was muffling the buzz of the propellers much better than the thin aluminum fuselage of any modern aircraft back in my world. Wood makes for a poor conductor of heat and sound when compared to metal.

I was not even left alone for five minutes. Novo soon entered the room alone and quickly rested beside me in bed. She said nothing at first and merely draped her great wing over me in a cushioning embrace. I leaned into that embrace, having been longing for that wonderful bird of paradise. I asked with a whisper, "How are they?"

"They're getting comfy. We had to make due without beds, but that's assuming we don't get you home overnight. Although I doubt we will..." Novo retorted with her hand resting upon my chest. She slid it around until she found the spot where my heart was thumping away. She then cooed almost mournfully, "Be honest with me, honey. How bad is it right now? They brought you in on wheels. That can't be good..."

"The worst is over. Really. I can walk, but I'm struggling with balance issues for now. Last thing I need is to stumble overboard or fall due to turbulence." I explained frankly with my eyes locking with Novo's. Those beautiful eyes filled with deep concern and love. I reached out until my nose touched her beak as I said, "I'm just so ready for everything to go back to normal. If that's even possible..."

Novo surprised me with a knowing smirk. "Baby, you just need a vacation. And I'm already on it. I've contacted the resort services in Cantercun and are debating when would be a good time to stop by for a week or ten days. I'm even granting all of my men who participated in the war an equally long vacation in whatever resort of their choice. A lot of them are interested in more arctic or alpine resorts right now. But us? Get ready to soak up some rays because we're going south to the tropics. I don't get enough tropical ocean mist under my wings often enough."

Cantercun... A slice of tropical paradise by the beach. Having already been there once, I was more than ready to make a return. And now that the war was over, I could actually picture it. "Just don't keep me waiting too long..."

"I'm thinking sometime right between autumn and winter. When things are getting really chilly. Get you used to the cold only to whisk you away down south so you can really appreciate that summer sun." Novo chuckled before placing a kiss upon my lips. Autumn was already upon us. It would not be much longer now. Maybe I will have grown back my hair by then.

"You're a marvel, Novo. I'll leave that all up to you. I don't even want to think about anything too complicated right now." I said with a grateful sigh. And for a while longer, that was where we stayed. One of the stewards eventually brought a light snack by for us to enjoy. And it was a fine little seafood dish. It consisted of smelt drizzled in an oil vinaigrette with a sprinkle of sprouts. A smaller fish with a flavor that reminded me of mackerel, I adored that little treat.

Novo said nothing for a while. She looked over some documents from the comfort of her bed with me by her side. It was one of the few times I was not really in the mood for conversation in her company. The queen of Capricorn Island eventually left her bed to fetch a cold bottle of some fluid from the little refrigerator nearby. She then provided a pair of glasses for us while I rolled onto my side, the golden hue of the fluid being poured being one that I saw often on Capricorn Island. "A little mead to warm your bones and soothe your head, honey."

"Thank you, dear." I said briefly while we clinked our glasses together. Novo returned to my side in bed with glass in hand, sipping occasionally while looking over papers about matters I knew nothing about. I sipped at mine lightly as I savored the heady yet sweet flavor of that mead. About as potent as wine in its own way, drinking too much can really get to me. As my glass emptied, I stroked my hand down the length of Novo's body. Down the middle of her back and over the curve of her motherly rump before tracing along the silky texture of her glorious tail feathers. She glanced back at me with a knowing and loving smirk on her beak as I spoke softly. "I love you."

"Love you too, baby. You can't keep your hands off mama right now?" Novo asked with a sultry tone in that beautiful voice. She batted her eyelids at me and even rolled her hips a bit.

Under most circumstances, I would have been more than willing to increase the intimacy between us. But not this time. My fatigue would not allow it. I responded with gentle honesty. "I just find the touch of your feathers to be soothing."

"Ooh, I see. A little fluff therapy. In that case, cuddle and caress all you want. I have to say it feels nice on my end too." Novo cooed while she went back to focusing on her task. A hippogriff's coat of feathers is always a treat to drag my fingers through, but Novo's felt exceptionally luxurious. I was at least mindful whenever I brought my fingers down to her flanks. Not stroking too lightly as if I was teasing her nor too firmly to avoid enticing her. I eventually stopped that altogether and settled for bringing my fingers right down the middle of her spine to caress the dock of her tail. Those beautiful tail feathers of magenta hues were a delight to feel. Even the two light blue feathers on either side caught my attention. Novo even began to gently sway her tail from side to side as if attempting to entertain me with a bit of a dance. Or perhaps she was attempting to fan me with them to work up a gentle breeze.

I think I may have nodded off for a nap at one point. When I came too, I woke with a bit of a start. Had I really fallen asleep? Novo was sipping from another glass of mead and was just starting to set aside her documents in a neat pile. A long gulp finished off the contents before she looked back at me. All she did was smile while I returned it. Novo set everything off the bed before turning around and crawling right up beside me. "I have a hunch you'll be taking a lot of naps for a while. Need to rest that head of yours."

"I can believe that. I'm amazed how much broken bones take out of you. Let alone when that bone is your skull..." I muttered with Novo lying on her side with those eyes focusing on me. She slowly lifted a hand to mine before we took hold of each other. Her fingers slowly curled over mine before we adjusted our grip. Her fingers slid between mine as our closed into a truly intimate grasp. A wonderful manner of holding hands that I seldom get to experience. I felt a jolt of sentimentality hit me as I saw the firm pink flesh of Novo's fingers interlocking with the lightly tanned hue of my own. "There's something about holding hands that's so much better than holding a hoof... I wish I could explain what it is. And it's something I seldom get to experience."

"So many in the world, but so few hands to hold. Then I'm honored I can hold hands with you, my love." Novo cooed sweetly to me with her beak reaching out and touching my lips for a kiss. That confident loving gaze faltered for a second as that wonderful queen displayed a much more concerned smile. She then asked, "Am I still your bird of paradise?"

I reflexively tightened my fingers' grasp upon her hand. I smiled tenderly and said, "You will always be my bird of paradise, my queen."

That smile brightened considerably. Novo lifted her wing and draped it over me in an embrace to pull me closer. "And you will always been my sugar bear. And someday... My sweet swan king."

"I'm...looking forward to it. I hope we can make that work." I mumbled as I pondered what it would be like to actually wear a crown. But I would always be a simple man at heart. At least everyone could count on Novo to continue maintaining her reign and influence. While I lack the leadership skills necessary to serve the people, I do love the people of Capricorn Island dearly. And I hope that will be enough.

Novo began to place soft little kisses upon my head. Especially my forehead. And she soon whispered, "You may have the heart of a dove, but I swear you would make a much better swan. Doves don't carry swords into battle. You're a lover at heart, but you are still a true champion all the same. Our babies will be so proud to know what their daddy did for their world once they're finally here."

It was a concept I could not process at the time. We dearly wanted a family someday. But I knew Novo would not be the only woman who I would have children with. What would my children think of me when they learned of the more ridiculous events I was involved with before their time? Perhaps I should think about that later...

My silence did not go unnoticed. Novo pulled me right up against her fluffy body with her hand still firmly clasping mine. She brought her head beside mine and began to nuzzle me lovingly. "Too much to think about, hm? That's fine, baby. You just focus on healing first."

"Love you so much, Novo..." I whispered in gratitude. She said nothing to that, but she did bring her beak to my lips for a kiss. Many times over. And there we stayed. Holding each other, kissing each other, just savoring the time we had.

We could not stay in there forever though. I did not want to spend the entire voyage stuck in bed. I eventually pushed myself up as cabin fever started to set in. "I think I'd like to go topside for a while. Get some air and enjoy the sights."

"Sounds good to me, honey. Lemme join you. Someone needs to stick with you right now." Novo replied while she helped me onto my feet and back into my wheelchair. I world need to stay seated if I was going up on deck. But barely five seconds after we had both stepped out into the hall, one of the doors off to the sides opened to reveal Rain Shine and Ember poking their heads out to look at us. This was so abrupt and rather amusing to see that I had to crack a grimace while Novo asked, "Hello there, ladies. We didn't wake you up, did we?"

"No, it's just that... I heard that you and James would be heading back up soon." Rain Shine replied while Ember followed her out of their room. "We shall come too. Just in case."

"I'm not going to ask how you even heard us through two sets of walls. You kirin must have ears everywhere." Novo snickered while I was certain Rain Shine could sense and hear through the wood in the ship's own structure to feel what was happening in the same manner she could through the earth's own flora. For being so far out of her element, Rain Shine was as keen as ever.

Ember stepped behind my wheelchair and took hold of its handles as we all started to head aft. "I'll handle this. I've got the hands and strength for it."

Much like before, Ember meticulously pulled my wheelchair up backwards step by step with no difficulty. Novo and Rain Shine watched closely, ready to intervene if she were to stumble. No such mishaps occurred and we soon stepped out onto the Alabaster's deck and were greeted by a pleasant breeze and clear skies. A few crewmembers were out and about. Possibly serving as lookouts and generally monitoring the status of the outdoor status of the airship. Novo breathe deeply as she said, "Gotta love that fresh air over the valleys."

"It certain beats sulfurous gasses where I come from. I didn't know how much cleaner the air smells out here until after spending a few days away from home." Ember replied as she began to push me towards the bow. We all reached the point where the deck narrowed into a point where the bowsprit began. We were all facing into the wind, but the ship's aerodynamic design minimized how much of the airflow swept over the deck. Ember locked the wheels of my chair and stepped out from behind me to gaze at the western sky. The sun was hanging lower than before, but too soon to herald the beginning of the sunset. "Glorious view..."

We fell silent for the moment. Just watching the scenery going by from a lofty altitude. Not so high that we felt disconnected from the world below, but not low enough to feel like something I had done before. A true moment of respite with the high altitude breeze blowing over the deck. Although Novo did eventually gaze somewhere to the northwest for a moment. And her words caught our attention. "Maybe it's because I seldom come up here during flight, but I don't think I ever saw that mountain there before..."

We all looked too. And there it was. A vast and exceptionally intimidating mountain range jutting up out of the Empty Plains to the north. Its any jagged peaks jogged my memory immediately. Ember's eyes narrowed as well. "I think I recall seeing that at some point... What did you say it's called again James?"

"Celestia told me that it's called the Devil's Mountain. And that it's cursed. It certainly looks the part, especially at night." I retorted after having all but forgotten about it. It had slipped my mind entirely until the sight of it reminded me that it exists. "She says there's a vast cave system in there. And that anyone who enters never comes out. I don't know how much truth there is in that statement... She really didn't want to discuss it more."

Novo then looked to Rain Shine and asked, "What about you, Rain? You kirin always have an ear to the ground. Do you ever listen in on what goes on over there?"

Rain Shine's response surprised us all. "I have at times, but you must understand. We kirin have a connection to the flora growing out of the earth, but not the earth itself. And that mountain...is exceptionally barren. Very little grows atop it. And I have never been able to feel what lies within. There is a cave entrance at the base of the mountain somewhere on the southwestern side, but that is as deep as I can feel... Not at all unusual for caves to lack vegetation, but there is something...ominous about that area. Empty and void, yet...not untouched by history. I can almost sense a certain lingering enmity about that place... Something that compels me to not think about it for too long. I wonder what memories that mountain holds..."

Ember rested a hand on my shoulder as she peered out from behind me. I saw her eyes narrow in contemplation. "Now that you mention it... My father wasn't around that far back, but he was told rumors by his grandfather...who then heard those from his father. Something...about a struggle before the first sunrise. And that mountain played a pivotal part in whatever happened back then."

"I feel like we shouldn't approach the royal family about that... It's not like that place is gonna be a problem for anyone ever again. It's empty, isn't it?" I interjected in the hopes of being able to leave that topic alone. The only ones left who are ancient enough to have any knowledge of what happened that far back is the Equestrian royal family themselves. And they would most likely refuse to discuss it if asked.

My royal companions glanced back and forth at each other. As if daring one to say something first. And it was Novo who broke that silence. "Yeah, how about we change the subject?"

What followed was a...rather complex conversation between the three of them that veered hard into diplomatic discussions. The kind of topics only those in a position of government would make any sense of. I had nothing to offer, but listened in the best I could. The royal trio's discussions covered varying topics ranging from culture to environmental adaptation to cuisine. It was an interesting contrast to hear how the hippogriffs, kirin, and dragons differ. Almost like they were people of the sea, forest, and fiery valleys. I had to suppress an interruptive snicker when the colors of watery blue, verdant green, and fiery red came to mind since that is an elemental dynamic I have seen before many times.

At one point, Ember stepped almost up onto the bowsprit as she scanned the horizon. She then asked, "Rain, where exactly are we supposed to drop you off? The Grove of Silence, right? Where even is that?"

"I can't say for certain up here. I can't hear the calls of nature's blessings from this height." Rain Shine replied as she too gazed out over the western horizon. We had already covered a great distance by then with the Alabaster being much faster than a relaxed march, but we still had a long ways to go before we started to see familiar territory.

Novo then stepped forward and said, "About that... From what I've seen, it doesn't appear on any map. Nothing on the Empty Plains does. James, do you know what we should be keeping an eye out for?"

I was more than happy to describe the location. "Yeah, it should be easy to spot. Just watch out for what looks like a massive hill covered in forest. It's basically hidden inside a forest that covers a very small mountain."

"That does sound like an apt description. Although I fear we may be very far away still..." Rain Shine retorted before they started to push me back towards the middle of the deck. A collapsible table built into the deck itself was set up and we were brought drinks and light snacks. The three of them even set up a game of shuffleboard on the deck while I watched from the sidelines. It was entertaining to watch the three of them passing the time with what could only be described as a bonding moment among friends. Those three were more than just rulers of their people. They were still people themselves and looked like they were having a good time.

Hours went by. And we received a few visits from some of the more mobile passengers on the Zephyrus nearby. But when the sun started to dip low in the sky to the point where it was starting to set over the western horizon, Novo came over with her two guests. "It's getting late... At this rate, it'll be dark before we get you back home."

Rain Shine leaned over the side of the deck to look west again. She then looked back at us and said, "If you would rather wait until sunrise... Please, do stay the night. My people would adore your company. We'll make certain you're all accommodated."

"Really? On such short notice?" Ember asked with her arms crossed, head tilted to one side. It was a very abrupt offer, but I loved the sound of it. I could still remember the one night I spent there. A very pleasant time indeed.

"While we are not exactly isolated while being able to listen in on events around the globe, we are...starved for actual company. I assure you my people will be very grateful to have you with us for a night. Celebrate with them. Please." Rain Shine insisted sincerely. I nodded readily, remembering the previous night I remained among them. And I still felt guilty over not being able to remember the names of every single kirin of the Grove of Silence.

"I'm all for it. But I guess we need to get avote from the Zephyrus too. Lemme go check with them." Ember retorted before taking to the air and flying over to our accompanying vessel off the portside. I am sure they would not mind one more night out on the plains. And this time, it would be among very accommodating hosts.

Now alone with Novo and Rain Shine, the hippogriff queen smiled at her new friend. "I don't see why we shouldn't stay the night. We want to get these people home when everyone's awake to welcome them. I just hope you can feed my crew during the stay."

"Oh, of course! Food is never in short supply among us kirin. We will keep everyone happy and fed." Rain Shine replied as I felt my mouth starting to water while I remembered that fantastic eastern cuisine. Freshly prepared from the garden to the table in such short time.

Ember took some time before she came flying back over. She probably had to run the idea by literally everyone there. And when she did land beside us, she spoke with a smile. "They're all in favor to stay grounded until morning."

Word got around pretty fast aboard the Alabaster too. No one minded seeing the home of the westernmost kirin village. And as the sun began to dip worryingly low in the sky, I saw it. A massive hill covered in forestry that stood out greatly upon the plains. I pointed ahead and said, "That... There! That's it!"

"It is! Let us descend! The entrance to the village is somewhere to the south." Rain Shine replied as the Alabaster and the Zephyrus began to descend together. The real challenge was to not set down too far from the entrance. And I was having some difficulty recalling exactly where it was. Struggling through my memories and trying to rely on my fairly respectable sense of direction, I eyed the forest out to the west where I had first seen a lone kirin enter the forest path that led up that mountain.

Rain Shine and I served as a guide to direct where to land. And when we finally did set down, the opening at the base of that mountain was visible from the ground. Rain Shine descended the gangplank first while Ember and I followed. To be back out there on the open plains... It felt strangely nostalgic. But with the sun setting and the plains growing dimmer, I was reminded of how frightfully dark it gets out there so far from civilization. I felt uneasy with how vulnerable I was at the time, even with Ember right behind me. Rain Shine then looked back at us with the Viper Edge at her side while everyone else aboard the Zephyrus were still in the process of preparing to disembark. Novo called out from the deck and said, "You go on ahead! We'll be along shortly, all right?"

"Will do!" Rain Shine replied before she cast her gaze at Ember and I. "Now then... This way, my friends. The Grove of Silence awaits."

Ember pushed me along dutifully with Rain Shine leading us into the forest beyond. I could remember the first time I walked along that path. But now the light was fading. And the forest that I found relaxing in the early afternoon light was becoming more...ominous. Even the bamboo grove we passed through had begun to project an almost...alien kind of unsettling atmosphere over us. The kirin of the Grove of Silence had migrated from the far east and had brought bits and pieces of that land's flora with them. Had they also brought along some of that's land own darkness with it? Dangers and mythic horrors that feel completely detached from those from the west?

I was not the only one on edge. Ember too started to look and sound very uneasy as well as the gradually darkening bamboo grove bordering the path began to intimidate her. "Rain... We're not in danger out here, are we?"

Rain Shine glanced from left to right with the her enchanted glaive constantly floating at her side. But not in a manner where it looked ready to lash out at a threat. Our guide replied, "No, the Grove of Silence is a very safe location. The more vicious sorts of beasts of the Empty Plains tend to avoid this place. And besides that, I would know if a threat is near. We are safe here."

"If you say so... It's just...I've never seen a place like this before. Especially not after dark." Ember grumbled with my wheelchair rolling smoothly along the path. I wanted to believe Rain's words, but I was more vulnerable than ever before now that I was confined to a wheelchair. I tried to have faith in my friend's words, but my gut feeling would not leave me alone. Thankfully, we were not in there for much longer.

The path curved towards the center of the mountain. And a vast clearing along the weakening light began to open up before us. And...there they were. Every last one them. The many kirin of the Grove of Silence stood in the open grove of their cozy little village and were waiting to greet their chieftain as she finally returned from the battlefield. But for me... To see them all again, those wonderful kirin... I felt...afraid, yet welcome. Their collective auras welcomed me.

Ember stood transfixed as Rain Shine stepped forward first. I heard her whisper behind me, "They're...all mares..."

"Yeah... The kirin are a species that is exclusively female." I retorted softly while being very unsure of what would happen next. I had not seen the Grove of Silence in weeks. And how had they heard after I departed?

Rain Shine bowed to her people as she set aside her glaive. And they all rushed her with gentle words and nuzzles. They had not seen their beloved leader in so long by then. Although it looked like they had managed just fine without her up until then. They must have communicated with her frequently when I was not looking. The kirin queen had come home to her people and they could not be happier to have her back.

And then...they came to me. And at the front of the pack was none other than Autumn Blaze. The only one there whose name I remembered. They all gazed upon me in silent worry And they could sense things I could not. Autumn gingerly stepped towards me, eyes wide with horror as she asked, "You... Who did this...?"

She had always been the youngest of the village. She had...likely never seen a love one so grievously harmed before. And that horror...became rage. Tears began to spill down her face as her teeth were bared. And then...in a flash of ghostly blue and scarlet flames, it happened again. A demon mare stood before me, but much smaller than the one who ravaged the battlefield that day. And she all but roared with her voice deepened and distorted, "WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!"

"Autumn Blaze. Enough." Rain Shine spoke firmly to get her attention. The rest of the kirin before me stepped back from their demonic kin. The chieftain of the Grove of Silence stood before her subject and said, "The one who harmed this man is no more. He is safe now. And he will heal. Be at ease."

Snarling and weeping, the demon mare before me was soon engulfed by another thoroughly enshrouding flash of spectral fire before it faded to reveal Autumn Blaze once again. She wheezed with barely contained anger before looking back at me. "If I'd known this would've happened to you, I never would've let you go out there! I didn't wanna see you come back like this!"

It was at this time that Ember made a move. She stepped out from behind my wheelchair and held out her hands towards the distraught mare. "Listen, I know this looks bad, but it could've been a lot worse. I was there with him the entire time and I can tell you this. He's gonna be just fine. He just needs time to heal."

Autumn Blaze looked past Ember at me and then back at the beautiful blue dragoness before her. After taking a moment to ponder these words, Autumn then said, "Now that I do feel a little deeper... Yeah... He doesn't feel as fractured as he looks... And...you're the Dragon Lord, right? You were amazing out there. All the times you came to him when he really needed you..."

"Yeah, I guess I was. I vowed to keep this man safe and I did. Most of the time..." Ember retorted, albeit somewhat somberly the more she spoke. But I only nodded at them while showing a smile to confirm my outward appearance was somewhat misleading. I knew I would be fine in the long run. Ember then bowed slightly with a hand over her chest. "Anyway... I hope you don't mind having some quests. It's getting too dark to navigate and we need to stay grounded until morning. Mind if we...stay the night?"

"Sure! Sure, we gotta celebrate anyway! Right, ladies?!" Autumn Blaze retorted before looking back at her fellow kirin. They all cheered in unison, having no doubt been listening with an ear to the ground throughout much of the war. And...I could remember the last time I sake to them. Even if I could not hear them. And as I pondered that memory, Autumn then stepped towards me. She held out a hoof and asked, "Can you walk?"

"Yeah, if I'm careful. Just a little unsteady right now..." I replied before noticing that Autumn was well ahead of me. With her horn's runes aglow, she summoned a sturdy vine from the ground that branched out in two directions to serve as handles. Ember helped get my feet on the ground first before I took hold of them. The vine began to lift higher with my hands gripping it firmly. My legs lifted me along with the vine until I was back on my feet. I was steady enough to stand without trouble and my steady posture appeared to relax those around me.

The kirin around us then all suddenly looked towards the southwest very abruptly. Through the trees even though they could not see anyone from there. But I knew. They could see someone coming the same way they first detected my approach. A very large party was drawing near. Autumn Blaze spoke, "Wow... There really is a lot of them coming up the path..."

"They're all good people." I retorted as we all watched and waited. And sure enough, the vast majority of the passengers of the Zephyrus and Alabaster were coming into view around the bend with Seaspray at the lead. It was getting a little hard to see with the sunlight dimming, but we could make them out well enough.

The admiral of Capricorn Island stepped out from the path with his eyes scanning the lovely little village. He then raised a hand in greeting as he said, "Good evening, ladies! I hope you don't mind if we happen to stay here for the evening. I trust your chieftain put in a good word for us?"

"Yeah, sure! We know what's been going on! Right, ladies?" Autumn replied as all of the kirin began to step forward to greet the impressive entourage. Although she and the others did take a step back when Ember's subordinates came into view. "Uh oh..."

Before anyone could say anything, Ember threw up a wing between her men and our guests. She then spoke with arms crossed, "Don't worry. They'll be on their best behavior. And if they're not... They know what a kirin can do when ticked off enough, right?"

I glanced at the twelve dragons behind Ember and noticed them all displaying very uneasy crooked grimaces. They had seen what Rain Shine could do when utterly enraged. And every last one of the kirin in the Grove of Silence was more or less just as capable. They all stammered incoherently together while Ember folded her wing with such a smug smirk on her face. "They'll be good. Or else."

"Man, I like this girl. No wonder she's the Dragon Lord." Autumn Blaze snickered while her companions also whispered amongst themselves with impish smirks on their faces. As if they were discussing ways of messing with Ember's subordinates should they start a ruckus. Bit by bit, more introductions were made as the Grove of Silence began to prepare for an evening celebration. I was especially amused with how a number of the kirin flocked around Big Macintosh. He looked exceptionally nervous, especially with how pleased they appeared to be in his presence. I suppose kirin have a penchant for gentler and quiet men.

Applejack happened to come up beside me while I was watching Big Macintosh stumble around his new posse of admirers. I glanced down at her and said, "I'm surprised it took this long for your brother to finally hit it off with the ladies. In hindsight, I'm surprised he's not more popular with the mares in town."

"Meh, Big Mac's always been too shy for that sorta thing. He's got the looks and the patience, but he ain't exactly the life of the party." Applejack chuckled before looking up at me out of the corner of her eye. "How ya holdin' up, pardner? Yer back on yer feet, so that's gotta be a good sign."

"Now that you mention it, I do feel a lot better right now. The kirin...have a way of doing that for human men. Some sort of symbiosis. Their presence is comforting to me." I explained with my eyes watching the kirin mingling with their guests. Ponies, hippogriffs, griffons, dragons, harpies... It was such an impressive mixing of races and culture all coming together to celebrate a vital victory. Seeing such a sight as torches were lit up all around the village made me realize how Equestria's people came together like never before to fight a threat that would have changed the world for the worst.

Twilight Sparkle stepped forward beside me as she surveyed her surroundings. She appeared spellbound by this new experience. "Fascinating... I've read about the kirin before, but I never thought I'd get the chance to see one of their villages... Let alone one out here. How did you find this place, James?"

"Entirely by chance, honestly. I happened to notice something that looked like a pony enter the forest on this mountain and was compelled to follow. And...well, here we are." I explained while Twilight gazed about in wonder. It must have been like visiting Zecora's hut out in the Everfree Forest, but in a much safer setting and with so much more to offer. "Go ahead and say hello. They love company."

"I will! And I have so many questions to ask!" Twilight retorted before she trotted off to expand her horizons in this new place. Always the scholar, that mare.

Rainbow Dash and Gilda were staying close as they explored while our kirin hosts were in the process of putting together a grand feast. If things got as jumping as they did when only Nightmare Moon and I were visiting last time, I was almost worried about how crazy things might get with dozens of guests showing up. At least the kirin were in no short supply of ingredients. Just as Applejack trotted off to catch up with her brother, Rarity came up alongside me. I glanced down at her as she said, "I have to say... While I've never been one for roughing it out in the wilds, there's just something about far eastern culture like this that oozes with a certain...elegance and grace. No matter how rustic it seems. Wouldn't you agree, darling?"

"Yeah, I'd have to say so. They're entirely reliant on nature's blessings, but they always do so with grace. I had a good time out here last time I passed through." I replied as I gazed down upon my elegant beloved. She then smiled up at me with an almost solemn look of longing. I then added, "We're almost home..."

"It's been too long... Much too long, my prince. With all the madness happening out here, I've almost forgotten what it's like to live by our own routines back home. I miss our time with Fluttershy. And I miss being there for you and our little Gladesong. We're so close... Just so close to finally having things go back to how they should be." Rarity sighed before leaning against my leg with her eyes closed. She was right. It was hard to remember what it was like to live in Ponyville with her and Fluttershy and the little filly we loved and were raising together. I rested my hand upon her head as she said, "Just a little longer, my love... Just a little longer and everything will be right as rain again."

"Yeah... Tomorrow will be the day." I muttered in a strange combination of uncertainty and longing. Could things ever go back to how they were? Especially with word surely having spread about my connections to the enemy. And there is no way the truth about humanity's history in Equestria could remain classified. At least I knew I was safe there in the Grove of Silence. And my kirin companions soothed my soul just by being near.

With some reluctance, Rarity stepped away to have a look around and to mingle with the lovely kirin around us. I saw Novo really drawing some attention from the locals as the gorgeous hippogriff queen introduced herself with Rain Shine also property welcoming her friend into her home. It was also around then that I saw Autumn Blaze coming back my way. She then motioned her hoof in a manner to beckon me over to her. When I approached, she said, "Before anything else happens, there's someone I want you to meet. Follow me."

I did not object and followed my friend. No one even batted us an eye as we walked across the darkened village tucked away in that forest. Things were getting noisy with a growing clamor filling the air. Once we were far enough away to not have to raise our voices, Autumn looked back at me and said, "I...really thought you weren't gonna make it back there. I don't know if you could've heard us, but we heard you. And...it was hard having to say goodbye..."

"At least it wasn't goodbye... I'm glad I made it." I retorted with a sigh. I remembered what Rain Shine told me as I spoke into that bellflower. That they were weeping for me. Just knowing that at the time was harrowing. "Anyway... Where are we going?"

"Someone who can help you. You've done so much for our world... You deserve this." Autumn replied as she led me towards one of the domed houses in the village. There was some soft light flickering from the few windows. I was skeptical if anything could be done to heal me further, but I did not want to refuse her. Upon pushing the door open, Autumn called out. "Winter! I got a patient for you!"

"Just in time, Autumn! I've got everything ready." I heard an unfamiliar voice before I ducked through the doorway. The interior of the place was highly reminiscent of Zecora's dwellings. Shelves lined with all manner of flora ingredients hung on the walls. And standing near a cot composed of vines was another kirin. One I had seen before, but did not know. Her eyes being a brilliant purple, her coat and scales were of a very dull shade of blue. This was offset by her mane and tail consisting of bold goldenrod hues. She held a hoof to her chest as candles around the place flickered with soft light. It was not so much a home as it was a hut for a specific purpose. She bowed and said, "It's great to see you again... I am Winter Flame."

"Winter... I've always been fond of that season." I retorted almost wittily. It was almost amusing with how the naming conventions of the kirin work. Autumn had led me to Winter. Would I meet a Spring soon too?

Autumn Blaze then looked up at me with a cautious smile as she said, "Winter's one of our healers. We think she can help you."

"Oh... Well, if you think you can..." I muttered in uncertainly. I knew I was past the worst of my injuries, but a skull fracture is no simple wound. I had my doubts.

"We won't know until I examine the injury. Make yourself comfortable and we'll get started." Winter Flame replied as she held a hoof out to the cot. I did as I was told and lied down pun the cot in a prone position in order to grant the healer access to the back of my head. It was more comfortable than it appeared. Almost like a hammock. I felt the bandages over my head being unraveled before Winter said softly, "Oh dear... I was expecting worse, but...still awful..."

I said nothing. I was expecting this visit to be a waste of time. Autumn Blaze still stepped forward and rested her hoof upon me as she asked, "Can anything be done?"

"This isn't the kind of thing that will heal overnight, but...let me see what I can do." I heard Winter say while not moving at all. I heard her going about out of sight, gathering ingredients while it sounded like she was mashing something up in a mortar and pestle. Something...moist. After a while longer, I could hear the faint din of magic being focused with how quiet the hut had become. And I soon felt a cool salve being applied all over the back of my scalp. "Just relax..."

"Uh huh... Hm?" I replied before freezing as I felt the...strangest sensation. Like something was starting to creep into my head. I could almost feel something starting to spread under my skull. Very gradually, but noticeable. My eyes went wide as I asked, "Uh...what is that...?"

"You feel something reaching deep, yes? Those are roots reaching in. Through the incompletely healed wounds in the skin and the cracks in your skull. Please don't be alarmed. They are not extracting anything from you, but are instead infusing you with a potent salve. I promise you're not in danger." Winter Flame explained while I was still alarmed that whatever it was she applied to my scalp was essentially a plant that now had its roots reaching into my skull. Although whatever was being secreted in there was soothing. Very relaxing, possibly some sort of narcotic.

I felt no desire to speak. I was just too relaxed as that substance started to ooze into my brain. Autumn Blaze then asked, "So, um... What's this stuff doing?"

Winter Flame then said, "I can only do so much with this. Time will have to do the rest. But what I can do is at least soothe some of the bruising to his brain. I'm hoping this will help him feel more steady when he's standing."

A substance to heal bruised brain matter? I was starting to wonder what could not be healed with such natural cure-alls. But I remained there for some time. There was no rushing this treatment. I think I was down for nearly an hour before I felt Winter Flame starting to extract the healing roots from my scalp. It was entirely painless. Maybe even almost peaceful. She then asked, "There... Better?"

"Hang on..." I mumbled while taking a second to really try and feel for anything that had changed. While that loss of balance was most noticeable while standing, I could also feel it while off my feet. But not this time. There was not the slightest sense of like I was swaying. I did feel a twinge of disorientation that is characteristic of a concussion, but I knew there was no rushing that healing process. Even so, her efforts had not been for nothing. "Yeah... Yeah, I don't feel like the world is wobbling under me anymore."

"That's traditional kirin medicine for you." Autumn spoke with a big grin on her face. She looked more relieved than I was. I remained lying down while Winter reapplied my bandages to keep my scalp safely cushioned. Only then did I roll over to be able to look up at my healer. Autumn looked her way and said, "Thanks... I think he's gonna be OK now."

"It was my pleasure, Autumn. Every hero deserves such kindness." Winter said before standing over me She rested her hoof on my shoulder as she spoke with a solemn smile. "My father was human... I think he would be very proud of you for what you've done for us."

Such a statement was every bit as surprising to hear then as when I found out that Rain Shine had been fathered by a human man. But I just nodded and said softly, "Winter Flame, right? I'll remember that name."

"Thank you... I'm glad I could do something for you this time..." Winter whispered before she placed a kiss upon my brow. I flinched happily at such a display of affection. But as our eyes locked, we decided that it was not enough. For just a second, our lips touched. It felt...natural. I barely knew her, but I already adored her. She then beamed at me and said, "I'll be around if you need me. Anyway, let's get you back out there. It smells like dinner's almost ready."

She was right. A wonderful aroma was leaking into the hut. I quickly got back onto my feet and was surprised with just how steady I was then. My balance had drastically improved. I paced around the room for a moment. I even ran from one side to the other. "Feels good to have full uncompromised mobility again."

Winter Flame headed out first while Autumn Blaze stayed behind with me. And once we headed outside, someone came running. "Hey! Hey, Autumn! Autumn Blaze, right?"

Smolder had come running over. And she had Gallus and Ocellus in her company. It was only then that I recalled the two of them had crossed paths just once before. And they are admittedly easy to remember. Autumn waved at the approaching dragoness and said, "Hey, it's Smolder! How you liking my place? Much nicer than just looking at the mountain from the outside, huh?"

"Yeah, it really is a sweet place to be. I'm liking it here." Smolder replied before she extended an arm to her friends. "Anyway, I wanna introduce you to a couple of friends I made out here. This is Gallus and Ocellus."

"Yo. You kirin got plenty of good vibes out here." Gallus said in greeting while he took hold of Autumn's hoof.

"Always a pleasure to have new faces visiting. We just don't get enough of those out here but I betcha don't need me to tell you that." Autumn said jokingly before turning to the disguised Changeling. Ocellus gingerly held out a hand, but Autumn paused as she stared inquisitively up at her. Truly, not even a Changeling can hide from a kirin. "Uh... Why're you hiding behind a mask?"

I decided to act quickly while Ocellus took a step back, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to find an excuse. I rested my hand on Autumn's head and explained, "It's necessary. Trust me when I say she's a wonderful person."

To our surprise, Autumn just chuckled before she said, "Oh, I can feel that much! I was just wondering why she's not being herself. She's cool, I can tell. But if she has to hide, I won't ask questions. Anyway, Ocellus? Nice to have you here."

Ocellus sheepishly grinned while gently shaking her host's hoof in hand. "Uh... Thanks. I'll be good. And I'm actually really comfortable in this form anyway."

While the four of them chatted, I surveyed my surroundings. If my prior visit was a party, then the growing sight around me was a festival. The kirin had conjured up gazebos composed entirely of trees with very large leaves while outdoor kitchens hissed with flames and steam. I almost laughed when I caught sight of Ember going from kitchen to kitchen to get a look of what was getting cooked up. She was always eager to try new foods from beyond the borders of her homeland.

When we finally started to approach the middle of the village, I thought I heard the squeaking of wheels. And I saw why. While Smolder and her entourage walked off to explore the village more, Pinkie Pie came running over with her harness squeaking all the way with Maud trotting along behind her. "Hi there! You a friend of James?! I'm Pinkie Pie!"

I got the reaction I was expecting from Autumn Blaze. She pointed at Pinkie Pie with a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "No way! You're the pie he said he's friends with?! What about her? Is she a pie too?"

Maud just waved at Autumn Blaze with a raise of her hoof. Pinkie Pie then exclaimed, "Yep! This is my favorite sister! Maud Pie. And she's the best! You also got my other sisters back home with Marble Pie and Limestone Pie..."

Autumn Blaze got a good laugh out of the fact that I really was not joking about Pinkie Pie's name the last time we spoke. "Oh wow, your whole family's got an entire bakery of pies! That's awesome!"

The two of them quickly proved to be far more like each other than I expected. Autumn Blaze and Pinkie Pie devolved into a rapid-fire back and forth exchange of excited chatter as the two of them were on exactly the same wavelength as the other. I really felt like I was seeing two mares staring into a mirror of each other. Maud Pie then stepped up beside me to watch while I asked, "When I told myself I didn't know Pinkie Pie had a twin somewhere, I didn't think I was being literal about it."

"I don't mind. I like her already." Maud replied with the slightest smirk on her lips. She was probably more used to Pinkie Pie's energy than most. Probably because, like me, she listens better than she talks.

The evening that followed was truly a grand time. Lots of talking, fantastic food getting spread around for everyone to try, and wonderful oriental music from a live performance. And like before, Autumn Blaze put on a performance up on stage to give us all some laughs. Literally everyone was having a wonderful time.

I had very little to say during the party. I was just basking in the revelry while savoring that fantastic oriental cooking. Everyone was happy. Be they pony, kirin, hippogriff, harpy, dragon, or griffon, we were all celebrating as a united people. I may have not had much to say, but I listened. So many happy conversations. So much laughter too. Finally, a time to savor the sweetness of victory.

When she was not up on stage doing standup, Autumn Blaze was always at my side. She would always find her way back to me while I always made certain that she had a space ready for her. I think she was worried about me. Or that she just missed me that dearly. And I know I missed her.

During a brief lull in the excitement around us, I felt Autumn place her hoof upon my hand while it was resting under the table. When I gazed down at her, she looked up at me. And a moment later, I put my arm around her to pull my little kirin friend into an embrace up against me. She tenderly rested her head against my chest, ear listening for my heart. Even among the clamor around us, I heard her. "I missed you."

I sighed deeply as I basked in her aura. I could remember the times we spent together. And when I shared a bed with her inside her home... I remembered that wonderful kiss Autumn and I shared. It felt...like it was natural. Our souls were in harmony at that moment. And so I whispered, "I'll be back... I'll see you again."

"Please... I don't want this to be the last time." Autumn Blaze said sincerely with her brow against my chest. Somewhere in my heart, I hoped I would not disappoint her.

As the party began to wind down, some of the guests started to make their way back out of the Grove of Silence for the night. Probably to spend the night in more comfortable and familiar environments aboard the Zephyrus and Alabaster. Or possibly to show some courtesy to our hosts by not having them needing to accommodate too many overnight stays. Quite a few of us did stay to enjoy the evening in the cozy village. And those who did got to relax in a natural hot tub in the bathhouses.

Even in that large tub, Autumn stayed by my side. We helped each other bathe, although Autumn sounded disappointed that she could not wash my hair with it having been all shaved off. Although she did eventually whisper into my ear, "Rain Shine wants you in her place for the night."

"I'll be there. We've...been through a lot lately." I muttered with my arm around my soaked friend. I doubt I needed to explain how things went for the two of us out there. She surely knew everything.

Autumn Blaze then looked up at me and asked, "Tomorrow... Before you head out, I...wanna spend a little time with you. Same place as last time. The cliffside at the edge of town. Sound good?"

I thought about that spot. It was a wonderful, if somewhat sobering, time we spent out there. "A shame it won't be during a sunset, but sure. I'd be happy to."

At last, the time came to settle in for the night. With a towel wrapped around me and soft sandals woven by weavers of the village keeping my feet off the ground, I found my up high into Rain Shine's home. Soft candlelight illuminated that cozy and isolated tree house. And there upon the bed rested the beautiful chieftain herself. She greeted me with a smile most serene. "Welcome back, my love."

"It's good to be here, Rain." I replied before closing the door behind me. I tossed the towel onto the nearest piece of furniture and almost fell onto the bed beside my beloved. "I didn't know how much I missed your people until I got here..."

The beautiful creature beside me kissed me upon my lips while gazing down upon me. It would have been a good time to talk, but not this time. Not after everything that had happened. While I still had a ways to go before I could say I was safe and sound back home, Rain Shine looked about ready to pass out. She was finally back in her own house and could finally relax. "We are...all so grateful to see you here again. And may the coming morning. be just as wondrous."

We were not the only ones ready to let sleep take us. Even from up there, I could hear just how quiet the village had become in spite of the large number of guests sleeping down there. Only the sounds of the night were creeping in. "I could just sleep forever and never wake up right now..."

"Then let me join you in that eternal slumber, my dear." Rain Shine whispered with a giggle. The runes on her horn lit up as the bed's quilt was pulled over us. With another kiss upon my brow, I closed my eyes. "May only the sweetest dreams find you, my love. And remember... No matter what comes next... You will always have me."

"Love you too, Rain..." I muttered drowsily as I felt her arm drape across me. I knew I was in good hooves if I still had her.

But as the minutes went by, I thought I noticed a certain...tint on one side of the pitch black lids of my eyes. Like a light was starting to glow over yonder. It did not go away, forcing me to open my eyes. And when I looked over near the door...

An ethereal light was approaching. A light in the vague shape of a pony consisting of pink and jade hues. I remained still and did not rise from the bed. And then...the light compacted with the glow only slightly dimming. A form took shape. And there... There stood a mare I had seen only twice before. In person and in illustrations. A unicorn mare with a horn that took on a pronounced curve. I pushed myself up on an elbow as I said, "You're...Mistmane..."

"You know my name, hm?" The spirit mare before me asked while looking and sounding vaguely amused. She giggled beautifully before she said, "Yes, that was the name I carried in life. But while my body has long faded, I remain bound to the these vast and verdant plains. I am one with nature now."

Her voice did not go unnoticed. Rain Shine began to stir and soon lifted her head. And at that moment, the spirit mare and kirin queen locked eyes. Mistmane, her lips curving into a delight smile, bowed to the kirin queen. "I hope I'm not disturbing you at such an odd hour, old friend."

Rain Shine did not react with shock or surprise that one would feel when seeing what was essentially a ghost. She instead spoke with only the slight hint of surprise one gets from receiving an unexpected visitor. "It...has been some time, Mistmane. How far have you wandered since you last came by?"

"Far indeed. But tonight...I needed to be here. I needed to give my thanks to a certain hero." Mistmane replied before she drew near with flowers literally sprouting from the wooden floor where she walked. Her eyes met mine as her smile faded. "I know what has happened. I know what was at risk. I...felt the malice of the world on the other side of that rift. I heard...the cries of a world where the beauty of nature is being perpetually ravaged. I dread to imagine what would become of this world had its evils reached into this one."

"You're not wrong... Industrialization would've hit Equestria hard. Especially in places like the Empty Plains." I replied while trying to not think too hard about what was at stake during the war. It was over. We had won. There was no point in troubling ourselves over the outcome had we failed.

Mistmane bowed gracefully to me, her vibrant green mane and tail still billowing as she glowed with a ghostly light. "True... And I can't thank you enough for putting a stop to it. I just..."

She stepped closer and rested a hoof atop my brow. Even as a spirit, she still felt solid at that moment. She frowned almost sorrowfully as she sighed, "I wish I could do something for you. Soothe these wounds. Mend these scars... But everything that can be done has already been done. Only time will heal the rest."

"He is in good company, my friend. But it was still good to see you tonight." Rain Shine whispered with her jaw resting upon my shoulder. "He has friends here. Friends who are ready to intervene should the worst happen."

"Thank you, Rain. I did not have the pleasure of knowing humanity like you did. But if this man is truly the herald of its return, then I think Equestria has a new golden age in the hopefully not too far future." Mistmane whispered before a pair of flowering vines grew from the floor beside her. And the flowers blooming upon it... Were those chamomile flowers? "At the very least, allow me to do this for you, hero from another world."

The vines leaned over the two of us before secreting a viscous fluid from a tube. Rain Shine and I sucked on them to drink from it and found that it tasted strongly of honey. A very potent chamomile extract that would aid in sleep. Mistmane then said, "There... You will sleep most soundly now. And with that, I must take my leave. Rest now, heroes. And I will continue to watch..."

"Thank you..." I muttered as I could already feel my eyes becoming very heavy. I wish I could have said more, but sleep would not wait.

Rain Shine managed to compose herself better than I did. As my eyes closed and the world grew darker, the kirin chieftain whispered drowsily to her old friend. "Take care, my friend. You are...always welcome here."

It was such a wonderful end to such a long day. The war was over and we were well on our way back home. Even if we had to spend the night among the wonderful people of the Grove of Silence. I was...happy.

If only I could have known where my dreams would take me that night...