The message that Dellas had received was rather vague, not offering more than a meeting point and a time. And so here he was, trotting towards one of the many camped tents along the coast. The tide was slowly moving in as the sun gave way to Luna’s moon, the stars flickering into life once again. The camp seemed to fall into a dead silence only broken by occasional thump or clang of a weapon. Every soldier had either retired for the evening or was simply passing the time outside.

They gave rough salutes as Dellas passed them by, the general offering a nod in return. He did not expect such formalities, but it was fine to receive them. His desert robes almost felt uncomfortable after so many days of preparation, his pace only slowed by the dragging of cloth on the shore. After some time he reached his destination, a tent that in no way stood out from the masses. Dellas tread carefully into the confined space, taking a quick observation of his surroundings.

Nothing seemed out of place for a soldier’s accommodation; a few weapons, pieces of hammered armor, tickets from home. But in the corner stood a hooded figure, their face hidden behind a veiled shadow.

“You are you? Why did you summon me here?”

The figure began to stir, reaching a hoof and sliding the hood off her head.

“Arin?” Indeed, for before him stood the unicorn mare herself. Quite a graceful sight, even in full body armour. Her pail blue coat worn by the many years in the desert, her grey mane falling softly at her sides in no particular style.

“I needed somewhere more private to talk to you.”

Dellas took on a rather confused expression, his head slightly tilted to the side. “You can’t be serious?”

“Oh get a grip of yourself, for goodness sake.”

“Sorry, it’s just that-“

“Can we move on with this?”

“Oh, right. Continue.”

Arin cleared her throat and stood a little more into the light. Flicking a few strands of loose hair off her face before speaking. “It’s about Azzal, the adviser.”

“You mean our new Lord. Yes, I've heard enough about him to know he’s not the one to be trusted lightly.”

“There’s something more to him though, something we've been too foolish to understand.”

This really hadn't helped to solve the confusion that haunted Dellas. “What are you saying.”

“What I’m saying is that he’s been playing us for fools. What if he tricked Sil Ran into giving him the position just so he could dominate the other clans? What if this whole war was just him trying to accomplish some kind of goal?”

“I don’t understand what kind of pony would go to such lengths? I know that he’s seen many sights and fought many wars but very little else. What could we have missed?”

“Listen, I saw him today. I saw him use dark arts that haven’t been used by any natural unicorn in decades. That was necromancy.”

“Necromancy? But what does this all mean?”

“Use your head. Azzal Khan has been using Sil Ran from the beginning and now he’s using us. He has an army at his hooves and now a weapon of the undead. Whatever he’s trying to do we aren’t exactly putting up any resistance.”

Dellas thought hard for a second, his very few encounters with the Khan giving him very little to work with. “My clan was defeated by Sil Ran’s forces and Azzal by his side. Now here we are on the shores of a new world…   about to go to war once again.

“He is a slippery stallion; his words had us all at his whim. He scuttled his way past our doubts and suspicions. But why, what does he hope to accomplish?”

Arin gave a quick glance at the ground before responding. “I don’t know, but we can’t sit by and watch anymore. We have to do something.”

“Like what?”

“In the end we need him, we cannot have our victory without him. But once the battle is nearly over we have a chance to be rid of him, stop whatever goal he hoped.”

“It’s not as simple as sneaking up behind him with a dagger.”

“Then we have to try something else.”

“Everything good to go Pinkie?” Rarity seemed in better spirits than earlier, her main regaining some of its lost sheen after a much needed grooming.

“Yesiree, I’ve packed everything we could every possibly need for a trip to Canterlot. I have cupcakes, pies, muffins, steamers-“

“Yes that’s all very well, but what about clothing and travel gear?”

“Pppphh, we don’t need any of that stuff where we’re going. We’re just going to visit Twilight, no matter what the circumstances.”

“Just make sure your things don’t take up all the room in the balloon. That means no Party Cannon.”

Pinkie stroked her wonderful creation lovingly, as if it were a sad puppy. “But he gets all lonely when I’m gone.”

“Just deal with it.”

No sooner had they finished Applejack came cantering down the road from Sweet Apple Acres. Her saddle bags were filled to the brim with what appeared to be a random assortment of apple treats with the occasion piece of clothing thrown in.

“Evening girls, lovely weather we’re having tonight.”

Rarity turned to greet the farmpony, the perfect opportunity for Pinkie to find somewhere discrete to hide her Party Cannon.

“Oh Applejack, it’s god to see you. Ready to go?”

“As ever. Ah can’t wait to see our friend again. Ah hope she aint too stressed about all that princess stuff, and that other thing…” The end of her sentence seemed to trail off a bit, Rarity putting a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.

“Now don’t you worry about any of that darling, let’s just focus on getting in the air. Speaking of which, have either of you two seen Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy yet?”

She was met by two shaking heads, Pinkie attempting to not look too suspicious. “I guess we’ll just have to wait a little longer for them to arrive.”

“No need for that.” A sudden whir of blue skidded in front of Rarity and stopping directly in Applejacks face. “We’re here.”

Applejack playfully shoved the rainbow mare out of her face, earning a small chuckle. “Good to see ya Dash. Haven’t seen ‘Shy have ya?”

“Of course, she’s right here with me. Oh, I might have gone a bit faster than I thought. She’ll be here soon.”

“You really shouldn't go leaving her behind like that all the time, she’ll need you with her.”

“Yeah yeah, I get it. Look, here she is now.”

Fluttershy softly set herself down next to her friends; carry both hers and Dash’s saddle bags. “Hey girls, sorry I was a bit late. I hope you understand…”

“Of course darling, hopefully Dash will learn to slow down in future and not leave you to make your own way.”

“Oh but it’s no bother. It’s not her fault that I can’t keep up with her.”

Pinkie then jumped in between the bickering mares in her usual upbeat manner. “Can we just save this for some other time; we have a balloon to catch.”

“Yes, yes alright then. Come Applejack we have matters that require our immediate attention.”

“I hear ya Rare’s. Let’s get goin’.”

They all exchanged a few quick hugs, none of them aware that it could be the last time they see one another. It seemed like simply another farewell, another simple trip.

“Well, me a Fluttershy better get started, Twilight’s counting on us and I don’t plan on letting her down.”

“Good luck Dashie!” Pinkie called out as she released the balloon from the ground. “Have a safe flight!

“You too guys!” She called back, gesturing to Fluttershy to catch up. The yellow Pegasus quickly pushed herself off the ground and hovered next to Rainbow Dash.

“Here’s your saddle bags, we’re in for a long journey.”

“I know, just try not to go too slow, okay?”

“Alright Dashie.”

Next Chapter: To War Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 34 Minutes