Switching my main focus back to the bodies I had placed by our main base beneath my mountain, I observed my surroundings. Here and there ponies ran about, readying themselves for the mission ahead while behind me, the sun began its long arc toward the horizon. Judging by how well everyone was doing I concluded that we would only reach Lakeside by evening but that was alright.

The chance of a monster attack worried me somewhat, but all of the forest’s largest critters had been beaten into submission. Some dragons may target us, but I had a feeling they were either busy fleeing or finding some rock to hide under. I would need to further tame the forest and root out the dragons, but that would come with time, now Lakeside needed help.

To that end, I diverted my attention to Crimson Heart, or at least I tried to as she was not present amidst the chaos of the relief party. I thought back and realized that the last time I had seen her she had gone back underground. With that in mind, I let go of my own hand and diverted my more ponylike body to enter the cave system.

My other self continued the conversation I was having with a few curious foals, distracting them enough so I could leave. Following the lingering thread of faith I felt coming from Crimson Heart, I proceeded deep into the caves where I knew a cavern lay. Sure enough, the simple cloth doorway was brushed aside to reveal the vaulted ceiling of the cavern.

Though still clearly a natural cave formation, some enterprising ponies had cleared out the stalagmites at least. There were also signs of work everywhere, someone having started the process of shaping the room into something more suitable for their needs. It wasn't difficult to discover who had begun such a process as Crimson Heart stood not far away, a grim look on her face.

“Ahh mother. I was just gathering a few things and we should be ready,” Crimson Heart greeted, bowing low.

“I like what you’ve done so far. In time, this will serve your purposes quite well I think,” I remarked.

Crimson Heart nodded solemnly. “The walls are porous and easily cleared so we should be able to construct enough tombs for all the mares who are with child.”

I blinked and looked down, staring a little closer. “And why would you do that? I know your access to medicines is limited but surely not all of them will perish.”

“That is possible,” Crimson Heart remarked. “But with a kirin child, it is incredibly unlikely. Either way, I appreciate the time and space we need to ready ourselves for the end.”

“That will not happen,” I stated firmly. “Now, tell me what exactly happens to put the mother’s life in danger.”

“Mother and child,” Crimson Heart corrected. “And I thought you’d… oh that's right the long sleep.”

I sighed. “I’m afraid I have forgotten much, please inform me of what I’m missing.”

“Well simply put, a pony doesn't have the necessary components to give birth to a kirin,” Crimson Heart remarked. “We don't produce enough magic, and the child is usually too strong for our bodies to handle if you get what I’m trying to say.”

I frowned, and knelt down, holding out a hand. “May I?”

Crimson Heart nodded.

As gently as I could, I placed my palm against her side, the pony shivering slightly at my cool touch. I made a note to warm my marble exterior somehow, but for now, I focused on using my magic to study her anatomy. I could immediately tell that she was indeed pregnant, and worse yet I could sense that it was twins, which was likely why she was showing so early.

Sure enough, I could already feel that the pair were drawing heavily on Crimson’s magic, leaving her soul muted and distant. Her soul was also noticeably shrinking, though the process was so slow that it was barely even noticeable. I caught myself for a moment, only now aware that I could sense the lingering cloud of swirling energy I had just called a soul. It had been so natural an assumption that I didn't even think about it until I slowed down, but now that I had I couldn't stop wondering.

Was that really it? Was that ball of mostly reddish energy her soul, and what did that mean? I thought to myself. I need to learn more about anatomy and the pony body.

“Mother?” Crimson Heart whispered.

“It's nothing, may I try something? It should give you a little boost,” I inquired.

“Yes, of course,” Crimson Heart quickly relented.

I closed my eyes and focused on my strange new senses, finding her soul after a moment of searching. After I had locked onto it, I summoned my own power and altered it somewhat, willing it to feel more like Crimson Heart’s soul. Though not quite a perfect match, it was close enough that I felt confident in trying my idea.

I didn't tell Crimson Heart that I had no idea what I was doing, and instead chose to test my hypothesis directly. Pushing it into her body, I willed the energy to near her soul, causing the pony to shudder, her muscles tensing up. She wasn't in pain though, so I continued with my idea, severing whatever control I had over the orb and letting nature take its course.

For a moment nothing happened, then like a set of binary stars, the two orbs began to twirl around one another. Closer, and closer they grew, swirling about so fast that they were nearly a blur. Then, in a brief flash, I saw the orb vanish, leaving behind only Crimson Heart’s soul which now had a small greenish tint to it.

Crimson Heart’s legs began to shake, and I deftly caught her before she could hit the ground.

“What, what happened?” Crimson Heart muttered.

“I did what I could to give you the strength necessary to survive your pregnancy,” I replied somewhat hesitantly. “How do you feel? Does it hurt?”

“For a second there it felt like I was on some kind of magical ride, then I got kicked in the gut but now…” Crimson Heart stood back up and flexed a foreleg. “Now it feels like I’m ten years younger and stronger than ever.”

I backed up and inspected her a little closer, noting that some old scars had vanished. On top of that, she also looked a little stronger, her coat having regained some of its lost luster. She was also ever so slightly taller than before, though the difference was barely even noticeable.

“You certainly look it,” I remarked. “Just hold on a moment while I make sure it took.”

Crimson Heart nodded.

I focused my magic once more and inspected the baby kirin and their mother’s soul closely. Having gained a bit of experience in the matter I could now tell that the draw on her reserves was still strong. Yet, her soul was not shrinking as it had been before, the small red orb pulsing healthily despite the draw on it.

“Good, it worked,” I muttered. “You shouldn't have to worry about perishing quite yet though I will still have to work on reinforcing your body more directly.”

“I’ll be more than happy to be your test subject,” Crimson Heart exclaimed. “If nothing else you’ve added another six months to my life.”

“I hope to add far more than just that, but we’ve at least bought ourselves enough time that I can explore our options,” I replied, only to pause. “Though that makes me wonder, what was the dragon's plan for when you came to term?”

Crimson Heart scowled. “Force feed us a mix of rocks and grain to make our bodies strong enough to bear the birth, while also making the child more dragonlike. Though we’d still die from magical exhaustion we’d live long enough to deliver their child so that was all they cared about.”

“Perhaps this mixture could be refined in some way,” I thought aloud.

“Let's hope so because I saw one poor mare swallow a bunch of the stuff and then spend the rest of the day in utter agony,” Crimson Heart muttered bitterly, a tear forming at the edge of her eyes.

“I’ll experiment more and come back to you,” I stood back up. “For now, let the others know of our progress, I will not have you all despair quite yet.”

Crimson Heart sniffed and nodded.

I leaned back down and gently wiped her tears away before patting her cheeks with her robe. “No tears yet,” I whispered. “Save them for if we fail.”

“I will Mother,” Crimson Heart whispered.

“Good, now then summon what members of the Scarlet Sisterhood you have here and be ready for the trek to Lakeside,” I declared, rising once more.

“Scarlet Sisterhood, what…” Crimson Heart began.

“What? You needed a name and it just came to me. Fitting, no? Scarlet, Crimson, alliteration, etc,” I remarked with a smirk.

“I am unworthy of such an honor,” Crimson Heart murmured.

“It is not an honor I give to you, but a burden. Leadership will weigh heavily on you, as it does myself but like me, you shall carry it with pride,” I stated.

Crimson Heart grinned and bobbed her head, the mare seemingly unable to find the right words to express herself.

“Remember, there may be males out there who need you as well,” I repeated.

“I remember,” Crimson Heart exclaimed.

“Good. Keep your brothers and sisters close, and away from the others, they will need privacy and seclusion but that doesn't mean they need to be locked up or anything,” I declared.

“I understand completely,” Crimson Heart replied.

“Good,” I announced. “Then let us continue to Lakeside.”

I turned and departed, emerging back onto the surface just as Quick Quill seemed to get the last of the organization done. What few wagons we had were loaded with supplies, while the few ponies who had medical experience were assembled. Beside them were a couple of stronger ponies, crude weapons strapped to their sides.

“I think that's everything,” Quick Quill announced.

I placed my more ponylike form off to the side and approached her in the body of my sword-wielding form.

“Good, then let us set out. I want to get there before nightfall,” I stated.

“That should be possible, but it's going to be late,” Quick Quill warned.

“That's acceptable,” I replied.

“Alright everyone, let's get moving!” Quick Quill shouted, taking a position at the head of the group.

I stayed at the back and turned to address the remaining ponies who were not coming with us on our little expedition.

“We head to Lakeside,” I began. “Once there we will ascertain the situation, and begin helping those who require it. Once all the metaphorical and literal fires have been put out. I will be taking a full tally of who is all there, so if you have a missing loved one I urge you to have just a bit more patience.”

“When can we speak to them again?” someone asked.

“I will be conveying your words once I have taken care of what needs to be dealt with,” I replied, gesturing to my other self, who waved. “In the coming days, we will be resettling those in need of it and allowing visits but that will only come after I have ensured that the path is safe.”

Though I could tell that nearly a dozen ponies were yearning to ask me questions or make requests of me, they held back.

“Now then, work hard, and do what you can to prepare our home for the new arrivals,” I proclaimed.

A cheer went up, and I took a moment to bask in the adoration before swiftly turning back around. With a motion of my hand, the caravan set out, and we began our long trek to Lakeside, the sun giving the last of its rays to light our path. After stepping down from the last plate, I spotted the medical ponies and moved to walk beside them.

“Good evening,” I greeted.

“You just about scared the beans out of me,” murmured the older male, a hoof going to his chest.

“So that's what I’ve been smelling,” murmured an androgynous unicorn pony standing next to him.

“You know if you ate a bit of grass with your beans you wouldn't fart so much,” offered a short, squat young earth pony mare.

As they bickered I took a moment to examine the trio, noting that I hadn't talked much to any of them until now. The earth pony mare was the youngest of the bunch and had a bountiful mane of bright purple curls as well as an equally bouncy tail to match. She wore a rather beat-up pull over sweater that left her cutie mark visible. The image was of a fang with a primitive scalpel lying across it, marking her as the vet I had heard about from others.

Tender Claws was her name, if I remembered correctly.

Beside her was the older earth pony stallion who I immediately knew to be the lone doctor of the bunch. I had sent plenty of ponies to him but hadn't had the chance to observe him unless in passing until this moment. I made up for this shortfall by inspecting him closely, committing his features to memory while making a note to speak to him again soon.

Though visibly quite old, he hadn't quite reached the point in his life where he started to become frail. His fur which had likely been grey at one point, was completely snow white at this point, and his teal eyes had started to dull. His mane of electric blue was as visibly striking as ever though, as was the bloody bandages that made up his cutie mark.

Stitch Work. I thought to myself.

Finally, there was the androgynous pony I had yet to meet or even see unless they were at the back of various crowds. They had the jaw of a stallion but save for that, had mostly feminine features, leading me to avoid using gendered terms with them. What I could tell for certain was that they were a unicorn, and had a pale yellow mane, golden eyes, as well a two-toned mane of wavey purple hair.

They were also the tallest of the bunch, standing a good few inches over the good doctor, who in turn was a head taller than the vet. The height difference was kind of amusing, though I was immediately struck by the fact that I did not know the androgynous pony’s name.

“Yes well, I hope you three are doing well and are ready to help some ponies in need,” I offered.

“I may have been a great vet but I don't know how much of that will translate over to ponies,” remarked Tender Claws somewhat bitterly.

“Nonsense!” proclaimed Stitch Work. “You have been a huge help to myself, and Bright Eyes.”

The androgynous pony who had been referred to as Bright Eyes nodded.

“I didn't even consider the possibility that little Green Melon would have touched a poisonous snail,” Bright Eyes remarked.

Tender Claws blushed and batted a hoof at the other pony. “Oh, it was nothing. I just remembered what happened to a dog that came in a few years back.”

“Fascinating,” I muttered. “As much as I would love to hear more I was hoping to ask a few questions, starting with why I have not seen you around much.”

Bright Eyes flinched under my direct gaze, but swiftly hopped back up, returning to their bouncy walk. “I like to stay away from crowds for the most part,” Bright Eyes exclaimed.

“That's alright. I wouldn't mind chatting somewhere more private,” I pressed.

“The poor dear just likes their privacy is all,” interjected Stitch Work.

I decided to leave the subject where it lay for the moment and switched gears.

“I was also hoping you wouldn't mind teaching me all you knew about the art of healing,” I continued. “My knowledge has too many holes in it to be called upon reliably I am afraid and I’d like to remedy that.”

“I’m not much of a teacher, but I wouldn't mind showing you what I know,” Stitch Work declared. “It would be an honor to aid you Mother Gaea.”

“I will of course do the same,” Tender Claws professed. “As I said most of what I know concerns the treatment of animals, but I’m sure you’ll find it useful.”

“Of course. The beasts of the land are within my care as well. What about you Bright Eyes? Would you mind teaching me what you know?” I asked as gently as I could muster.

“Well I learned most everything from Stitch Work here but if it could help my fellow pony then of course I’ll add what I can,” they added somewhat reluctantly.

I smiled. “That is wonderful to hear.”

I then launched into a few probing questions about the art of midwifing, and related topics but wasn't able to get far. Quick Quill had raised her hoof, and was motioning towards me so I reluctantly broke off the conversation. Walking over to her, I noticed that we had stopped by what looked to be tracks of some kind, deep ones at that.

“Dragons,” I muttered.

“Seems like it,” Quick Quill added, gesturing to the right. “They just keep going and don't seem to stop until they reach the mountains.”

“Likely fled the valley entirely,” I concluded. “That's certainly not the worst turn of events.”

“They may bring news of our little haven to the outside world, or they might not bother at all. Dragon raiders are rarely welcome outside their own territory,” Quick Quill added.

I hummed thoughtfully to myself as I stared in the direction the tracks went, my senses reaching as far as they could. Despite the power-up, I couldn't detect anything out of the ordinary and quickly gave up my attempt to locate the dragon.

“Either way it’s out of our hands now,” I remarked. “Best to focus on Lakeside.”

“I agree,” Quick Quill stated.

With that, we turned back towards the town, with Quick Quill taking up position at the front of the pack while I hovered near the middle. Using a constant stream of pulses, I tracked everything that moved though I didn't detect anything larger than a racoon. In fact, it was rather abnormally quiet, as if the ruckus caused by the fleeing dragons had scared the woodland critters back into their holes.

Either way it allowed us to reach Lakeside in little time, following the same path I had used twice now. A few more treks and it would be a proper trail, and after that, it could become a road with a bit of work. The idea of connecting the two settlements was a pleasant one but would be something I wouldn't be able to accomplish for a while.

So I set my mind back to simply observing my surroundings and keeping an eye out for danger. Nothing bothered us on the last stretch, though I was able to notice that there was quite a commotion further up. Shouldering my sword, I motioned for the caravan to lay low for the moment, a command that Quick Quill complied with immediately.

With the group settling into the shade of a large willow, I moved ahead, into Lakeside proper. I kept a low profile at first, though I quickly abandoned any attempt at stealth when I saw what was going on.

There, near the docks was nearly every last pony, as well as the few dragons I had spared. An argument had broken out, and judging from the pointed gestures and shouting it was what I feared. The dragon I had put in charge had found themselves the subject of a witch hunt, with the mob of freed slaves trying to hold him at knifepoint. He could have easily broken away, but the ponies they had saved were using themselves as a barrier, stopping their more violent fellows from attacking.

It was exactly the kind of powder keg I feared would happen, and so with a sigh, I signaled for Quick Quill to advance. While they moved from their hiding spot, I held my sword at my hip and strode into town, making no attempt to hide my thunderous footsteps.

Here goes nothing. I thought to myself.

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