The leaves were only beginning to change color, fall was sinking its claws deep into the land. Once upon a time it would be close on time for the running of the leaves as Equestria made ready for the winter. The cold would blow in from the north and sheets of white snow would bury the land for months until winter wrap up came around and spring would at last take hold.

A different wind however was blowing from the north on this day however. Others were running through the trees of the whitetail woods, a silently as they could manage. They wore boots of leather and wore furs, leather, and mail. Some were riding upon bird like creatures with snow white or grey feathers and sharp beaks. They carried axes, swords, bows, mattocks, knives, and spears.

The Nor Menn scout force had crossed the general limits of Nor Menn territory only hours before even as evening drew closer and were spread out in a skirmish line for half a mile. They moved as silently and quickly as they could manage, a difficult task for so large a force. Ardon had nearly two hundred fifty warriors at his disposal including several Sindarla Snowstrider riders. The swift avian mounts and their riders formed the tips of his line.

The local wild life scattered before them, knowing well enough that where ever large heavily armed groups went violence was sure to follow. The Nor Menn needed to get in a fight or two with the ponies of Moon and Stars to take a proper measure of their foes. Still the advantage of surprise would be welcome.

When they came upon a large boulder strewn clearing Ardon brought up his fist. The whole scout force slowed to a halt and formed up on his position.

"What's the word boss?" Lethrook asked.

"We're going to set up base camp here," Ardon answered. "Night isn't far off."

"But we still haven't engaged the enemy," Lethrook objected.

"Which is why I'm taking a smaller force on ahead," Ardon replied. "We'll move faster and more quietly with a smaller group. We find the targets and in the morning we can all hit them."

Lethrook frowned but nodded.

"Alright boss. We'll play it your way."

"Damned right you will," Ardon replied.

So as Lethrook organized the majority of Scout Force to establish the base camp Ardon set about picking the warriors who would accompany him on into the woods. For the most part he picked Sindarla, fast and stealth; all twenty of his Snowstriders and another fifteen Clan Hunters on foot. Ten Wanderers however would come along as he would need their skills as trackers and as warriors.

Thus in order his smaller force set out even as Lethrook organized the collection of lumber, the setting up of tents, and other projects.

The going was quiet for almost an hour as the sun dipped lower towards the mountains to the south west. They had only come across wild animals and a few stray bandits home they had quickly and ruthlessly dispatched.

Then just before the sun was going to set the sounds of voices reached their ears and Ardon brought them to a halt. All of them went for cover silent as the shadows.

Ardon slid forward on his belly through the bushes until he reached the side of what seemed to be a dirt and gravel road running through the forest. To its northern edge he could here voices and the rhythmic clatter of armored hooves against the gravel. He drew back into the bushes just in time as a sizable patrol of ponies in bright armor marched passed. There were fifteen of them, each one a unicorn and each one with a decent length spear at their sides ready to be telekinetic-ally wielded in battle. They were singing a marching tune as a sixteen pony to their rear wearing a plumed helm called out to them.

"I don't know what I've been told!"

"I don't know what I've been told!"

"Pegasus flank is mighty cold!"

"Pegasus flank is mighty cold!"

"Mud Pony mares got no brains!"

"Mud Pony mares got no brains!"

"Give me a Unicorn Mare any day!"

"Give me a Unicorn Mare any day!"

As they marched on and sang on Ardon motioned to his troops to follow the patrol as far as they dared. The crept through the brush following the singing patrol until they reached a clearing which appeared to be the staging area of a sizable force of ponies. A sea of organized tents, drilled patrols, and unicorns with wings like butterfly's were everywhere, easily more than double Ardon's entire Scout Force, likely as much as four times his force or more.

"What do we do sir?" Fealen asked in a whisper

"We can't attack a force of this size," Ardon answered grimly. "We move on and look for a softer target."

"But with this large of a force..."

"I know," Ardon growled. "We'll have a tougher time moving about the area."

He glanced up at the sky to check the time. The moon was just assuming its dominance in the heavens but clouds prevented much of its light or those of the stars from showing through. Visibility would be pour for both sides.

The Nor Menn skirted the perimeter of the Moon and Stars camp seeking softer targets. More than once however they had to make a small distraction to slip past patrols or guards. The swift Snowstriders proved most useful in such tasks, slipping past patrols, make some strange noises in the woods, and then slipping off to rejoin the main group before any pony was any the wiser.

They went on for about an hour more until once again they head the sounds of approaching ponies and once more Ardon brought them to a halt. They were near another road, possibly the same as before with a god bit of cover. Once more Ardon slid to the roads edge on his belly to get a view of the approaching ponies.

It wasn't a patrol however.

A half dozen wagons were rolling along being pulled by battered looking Earth Ponies and driven by two Unicorns one of whom levitated a whip that they would crack at the Earth Ponies every minute or so. Escorting the wagons was another squad of Unicorn soldiers on foot. Half the wagons looked to be supply wagons but the other three were iron cages filled with truly wretched looking Earth Ponies and Pegasi.

Prisoners? Ardon wondered.

"Put your backs into it you worthless mud ponies," one of the driver's called with a crack of her whip. "We're already behind schedule! I'll tan your hides if we don't make camp before midnight!"

One of the earth ponies collapsed to the road side bringing the whole convoy to a halt. Ardon could see the colts fellows whispering to their exhausted fellow urgently, pleadingly. The lead driver climbed out of her seat and stormed back to the exhausted pony, her face livid.

"Get up damnit!" She snarled jabbing the exhausted colt in his side with a hoof. "Get up you bucking mule!"

The colt didn't move.

Now clearly furious the driver reared back her head then pointed her horn straight down at the exhausted earth pony. A blast of magic later and the colt was dead. Two more Earth ponies were dragged out of the cages to push the corpse to the road side. Then one of them was trussed up in the place of the colt while the other was shoved into the cage. The convoy began to roll on.

"Any of you other mud ponies feeling tired?" The lead driver taunted. "Cause I'll let you have a nice long nap like that horseson back there. Just you try it, I dare-!"

She never finished her sentence for Ardon's arrow tore into her throat mid sentence.

The decision had been made quickly that this convoy made an appealing target. While some Nor Menn did practice slavery the Sindarla despised the business as did many Wanderers. To have such limits placed upon ones freedom was abhorrent to them. Even those Nor Menn who did trade in slave labor did not treat their slaves like this. Slaves were supposed to be feed, clothed, and cared for by their masters. Undo cruelty like this wasted the precious lives for the Nor Menn. Usually slaves would be freed after some time and would integrate into the population. Some would rise to high honor as warriors, leaders, traders, or priests like Black Uk Weha or Shin Yal the cunning.

Arrows flew from the bows of the Snowstriders and Clan Hunters thick as bees and with lethal accuracy. The drivers were the first targets and they toppled from their wagons with arrow shafts jutting out of them. Several of the guards went down as well before the rest cast shielding spells which absorbed the missiles. They tighten up into a square formation to overlap their protective barriers just as the Wanderers and Snowstriders surged forward with Ardon in among them. Another wave of arrows flew striking the shields which wavered slightly but held firm.

The Wanderers hit the Unicorns head on, swinging their bastard swords. Their blades however glanced off the magical barriers and before they knew it spears were being thrust back at them. Ardon side stepped the one aimed for himself and slashed off the head of another but others weren't as fortunate. Two Wanderers took blows to the chest, one of which went right through the warriors chest while the other got caught in leather and mail. Another Wanderer took a blow to his arm and dropped his sword with a cry before another spear was shoved into his face.

The Wanderers drew back for their own safety as the unicorns advanced. More arrows came however and the Snowstirders were shooting from every direction. At last one of barriers failed and the Wanderer's charged in again. This time their strikes cut through the barriers of the ponies and struck home. The ponies armor however refused to allow the Nor Menn to have it all their way and another Wanderer went down with another three injured before the last Unicorn fell with Ardon's sword in his breast.

The slaves had not moved, to terrified to do anything but clearly ready to bolt. Ardon searched the corpses of the drivers for the keys while the rest of the Wanderers set about releasing the slaves who pulled the wagons.

"Run free," Ardon ordered in Equestrian as he opened up the first cage. "And don't make me regret this."

Utterly terrified the former slaves bolted off into the woods as soon as they were out of the cages. As they fled off into the night Ardon offered a silent prayer to the gods. One was for the safety of the slaves, the other was that they would not betray the trust and kindness he had given them.

MLP: ED

Rainwalker had lost track of how long he had been running for. Hours? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? A hundred live times of ponies? Did it matter? His legs ached, his stomach was empty, and his lungs burned as he tried to draw in fresh air. He felt like he was going to drop dead at any moment. But on he went. For even if he might die running it was better than dying at the hands of his pursuers.

He had been a day away from the Garden party when he heard the thunder of the hooves of pursuit. He had been unable to shake them since then, even during his brief flights. He had kept low, near the tree tops and flown as far and fast as he could but as soon as he landed he could hear the hooves closing again.

Then his leg caught on a tree root and he tumbled to the ground. He landed hard on his face and could feel hot blood pouring out of his nose. Every fiber of his being screamed at his muscles to pick him back up but they refused to budge. He struggled against his unwilling body trying to push himself forwards to no avail.

It wasn't long before the hooves came to a stop close by. Rainwalker had no strength to so much as turn his head as the Unicorns dragged him around to face them.

They surrounded him in a ring; Inquisitors, Marksmages, and Knights, about thirty five in all. All of them were glaring at him with digust and hatred or smiling smugly at his fallen form. Directly before him was the same officer he had spilled the drinks on back at the Garden Party, dressed now in the formal armor of a Knight of Celestia. Cold hatred burned in the Unicorn's eyes as he glared down at Rainwalker.

"You have led us on a merry chase slave," he said coldly. "But you could never have hoped to out run the justice of the Goddess."

Rainwalker made no response to this.

"The Goddess is not without mercy however, nor am I," the Knight continued. "Beg forgiveness and repent and you shall merely lose your wings rather than your life."

At last Rainwalker worked up the strength to lift up his head. Then he spat a blood, saliva, and mucus combo right onto the gits shining breast plate.

The Knight's eyes flashed with rage and he cursed. His horn glowed raising the large morning star he had to deal strike the lethal blow.

"Disgusting featherbrain," he spat. "Burn in Tarturus with the rest of your degenerate kin."

Before he could strike however one of the Inquisitors stepped between them.

"What?" The Knight demanded.

"There is something in the trees," the Inquisitor said quietly.

"Its a deer," the Knight snapped. "I have justice now!"

The morning star rose, but when it fell it did not fall upon Rainwalker's head.

The Knight shrieked in agony as a two or three foot long thin shaft of wood had lodged itself into his eye. Fierce war cries rose up from all sides, deep and loud. More darts flew through the air striking many of the Unicorns, while others bounced off their armor. The Knights, Marksmages, and Inquisitors struggled to regroup just as great bird like creatures came out of the brush. Strange figures Rainwalker couldn't make out were on their backs, launching more projectiles.

Then in charged more figures in cloaks and wielding massive blades that were as long as Rainwalker was tall. They crashed into the Moon and Star's troops and began hacking and stabbing at them without mercy. Blood was everywhere and ponies along with a few of the attackers fell to the ground dead. One of the Inquisitors shot a jet of flames with magic scorching several fighters on both sides. The Unicorn's head landed not a foot away from Rainwalker a moment later.

Then everything fell silent save the moans of the wounded and dying.

A second later a sack was thrown over Rainwalker's eyes and ropes bound about his wings and hooves. A gag was forced into his mouth to keep him from crying out. Not that it would do him any good in these parts.

Some thing or somepony picked him up and he knew he was being carried somewhere. He did not know how long or how far they carried him only that he was grateful for a break from running and flying for his life. He might have to do it again soon.

After what seemed like ages he could hear more voices, the voices of his captors, or rescuers, speaking in a language he did not understand. They didn't sound quite like ponies either, their voices to gruff or in some cases to musical and flowing. He could here shouting like a challenge then an answer from his captors. He could smell cooking fires and sweat now, a camp of some sort.

Then a minute or so later he was dropped onto the ground. He lay there, silent as the grave until they removed the gag about his mouth and pulled the sack off his head. At last in the light of many campfires he got a good look at his captors.

They were tall, mostly hairless save for their heads and faces. They stood on two legs like diamond dogs but seemed more suited to the stance than the beast like diamond dogs did. They were dressed in armors of mail and what Rainwalker knew was leather. It was said by some of the older ponies in the Slave domes that the usage of animal hide in Equestria was considered a taboo one that had been broken by Everfree and Moon and Stars when it came to armoring the slave ponies who would serve as cannon fodder. Out of the corner of his eye he could see a stag, skinned and dead, roasting over a cook fire on a spit. Meat was another thing that the old mares had said was taboo. Sure ponies might partake in dairy or fish but never the animals of nature, they said Everfree had also broken that taboo leading to their savage nature.

Before he could say anything one of his captors set a bowl of water and a small sack of oats before him just within reach. He dug into his small meal gratefully savoring the taste of fresh oats and clean smooth water. Such luxuries were denied to those in the slave domes.

He was left alone for some time, watching his captors closely. He had two guards each carrying a heavy axe and a round shield made of wood. He had no doubts in his mind that if he tried anything they would kill him in an instant.

Then one his captors, who was tall with dark hair and wore a green cloak approached him with a stool in hand. He set the stool down on the grass and then sat down on it. He stared at Rainwalker for a long moment before at last speaking.

"Can you understand me?"

Rainwalker nodded.

"Good," his captor replied. "First things first. Who are you and why were that lot trying to kill you?"

"My name is Rainwalker and I escaped," Rainwalker answered.

"You were a slave then?"

Rainwalker nodded again.

"Do you know this area well?"

Rainwalker shook his head.

"I've never been outside the slave domes long," he answered. "I only escape a few days ago I think. Time gets funny when you are on the run."

"Slave Domes?" His captor asked. "What are you talking about?"

So Rainwalker told him everything he could about the slave domes. Of the mines that stretched deep down into the darkness, of the massive indoor farms feed by magic and worked by slaves who would never enjoy the crop, the massive forges where metal was worked by the ton, and he told him of the whips and the chains and the cruel taskmasters. His captor said nothing the whole time, simply drinking in his words.

"What you say fits with what I have seen this night," his captor replied. "Slavery is the fuel that keeps Moon and Stars' war machine functional."

"It seems that way," Rainwalker replied. "Might I ask who and what you are?"

"I am Ardon Weavestar," his captor replied. "Heir to Clan Strenn and Chief Scout of King Rhaegastar Dragonsfury, the first of his name, King of the Nor Menn and King on the Frozen Throne. I am a human."

Rainwalker frowned, he'd heard a tale or two from the older ponies in the slave domes about humans but he had always figured they were just stories.

"And what is it that you want?" Rainwalker asked.

"Information," Ardon replied. "So that my people can deal a critical blow to Moon and Stars quickly and with few losses of our own."

"I think I can help you with that," Rainwalker said the makings of a plan forming in his head.

Ardon smiled and leaned forward.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Author's Note

Interesting little note for all those who care to hear it, the idea of Black Vikings or Asian Vikings isn't to far fetched. Real life vikings went as far as the Indian Ocean and the coasts of North America. In fact its possible they actually did make it all of the way to Minnesota. As Vikings also traded in slaves they would bring back captives from these raids. Such slaves might eventually be freed and integrate into the community.

Enough history however. Next Chapter the Nor Menn start a revolution!

Had to edit the chapter name due to map error. My bad!