The Nation of Snow and Ice: Pilgrimage

Chapters

Candle I
Abeni I
Torch I
Abeni II

Candle I

Candle

Chapter I

The veil of stars that had blanketed the skies began to disappear as the sun peered over the horizon, putting the moon to shame with its divine illumination. Clouds formed in the sky partly blocking the sun’s radiant light and a shade of blue began to blanket the sky. As the sun ascended from the horizon and the moon began its descent, the city of Eastgate began to awaken along with the local wildlife that populated the land outside of the stone walls. The torches that were lit up along the wall were extinguished by the guards who patrolled and replaced the night watch. The snow that remained from the nights before started to melt and dampen the streets of Eastgate, creating muddy puddles where stray animals began to quench their thirst.

At the heart of Eastgate was Castle Violet View, named after the princess who had currently lived in it. The enormous structure represented the best Arcadian workers had to offer in architecture. A moat of freezing water surrounding it, and walls half the size of the ones that defended the city protected the infamous castle. The main structure was rectangular in shape, leading to the multiple sections of the castle. From the main building, a massive spire was erected, overlooking all of the city, and even visible to the neighboring city of High Hollow. Each window of the massive tower was dimly lit, as were the windows of the other sections that made up the castle. Two lesser towers rose from the castle, but not high enough to reach the heavens unlike their bigger sibling in the center. The tower to the left of the central spire acted as the Violet View Royal Library, while the tower to the right of the spire was the living quarters for the castle servants.

Ponies began to populate the streets of Eastgate, most of which wearing robes to defend themselves against the cold air that flowed through the city. As cold as it was, the ponies who had begun to leave the safety of their homes greatly enjoyed the wintry morning air, and not once did they complain about it being too cold for them. The inhabitants of the more run-down districts of Eastgate even found themselves unable to resist feeling a kind of joy in the cold breeze that swept in. Despite a slightly harsh winter, the ramshackle homes of the not-so-wealthy ponies managed to keep them safe and protected from the real devastating effects of the cold. Not even the brazen attitudes of the nobles could spoil the beginning of the day for the pauper ponies, nor could the pestering of beggars ruin it for the nobles.

From the highest tower of Castle Violet View, a single pony emerged from her chambers and onto the balcony that circled around the top of the tower. She stood taller than the average pegasus and was more slender than any regular pony. Her carefully braided mane flowed with the breeze; her bangs not once disturbing her cerulean eyes. Her long flowing tail did the same; flowing in the breeze majestically. She placed a book on a lone podium surrounded by numerous books, picked up a quill and began writing, though what she wrote remained a mystery.

Candle watched her from the window in his quarters, though his watching the princess was unintentional. In reality, he was just drifting off into space as he leaned his head on a hoof and tried to keep himself awake. Even the breeze that had brushed against his fur did not bother him. Books surrounded him, all regarding the same variations of spells and incantations; mostly glyph, arcane energy and alteration magic. Candle’s bed was littered with notes and miscellaneous papers that had no real importance; beside the bed was a nightstand and a small wooden drawer, the both of which appeared to have been older than the room itself. Elegant beige drapes blocked the door frame, barely obstructing the view into Candle’s messy room.

Candle shifted around in his seat, realizing he had been staring at the princess for far too long. He averted his eyes back down at his book, continuing his studies before Lord Iceberg woke. Candle studied magic as much as he could when not being given commands by his lord, relishing every moment of it. His studies had started almost six weeks ago, when Lord Iceberg found him casting a simple teleportation spell to get around the estate and castle. Candle thought he’d angered the lord, but instead only intrigued him. Iceberg allowed Candle to learn new spells, though on his own time. Which was during the early hours of the morning and the late hours of the night if he were lucky. Lord Iceberg’s family had much work to do and was one of the leading reasons why the city was as wealthy as it was.

The Snowstorm Family—Lord Iceberg’s family—had been in Eastgate for more than a thousand years, since the very beginning and the founding of the nation of Arcadia, after the departure from Equestria. Expeditions led to the discovery of a flat land surrounded by hills and a peninsula beside it and the House Snowstorm was one of the first to begin working on the small village. Then others began to help expand the village, turning it into a small community of nobles and beggars. Shortly, the town became a city and that city became home to some of the most well known families in all of Arcadia.

Candle read enough books to know that the families of Eastgate were rays of sunshine and rainbows compared to the other families in other cities like Whitehaven or West Rock. The one family Candle had no qualms meeting was House Flawed Diamond. They were known for their unfathomable wealth and power. House Snowstorm had to have been the kindest of all families, as shown by their actions of taking Candle, as well as his sister, Limelight, into their home, so long as Candle became a squire and Limelight a servant for Iceberg’s daughter, Chill Wind. Living in a lavish home such as the Snowstorm’s was only something Candle thought would happen in his dreams.

“Continuing your studies brother?” Limelight’s voice sounded louder than it really was. Candle stirred in his seat, his sister's arrival shocking him. “I apologize for the disturbance.”

“It’s alright,” Candle responded, his voice raspy and dry. “I was just finishing up. Is there anything you need?”

“I was just checking on my brother,” she answered, stepping into the room. She looked at the mess with an expression of disgust. “Surely there is some way you can keep your room nice and tidy.”

Candle chuckled. He did want to do something about the piles of paper and books, but he had no place to put them, so he just layed them out on his bed he seldom used. His studies left little room for sleeping as his pursuit of arcane knowledge was greater than that of any other squire in Eastgate. Forty books were devoted to just one field of magic, piled up on the bookshelf on the far side of the room, another twenty books explaining arcane theory. Numerous papers with just about anything magic related were scattered about as well. When Candle wanted to get information about something, he made sure he had everything to get it.

“So,” Candle closed his book. “Has Lord Iceberg summoned me?”

Limelight shook her head. “It’s too early for him to summon you. Lady Rime requested to see you.”

Candle pursed his lips. “What for?”

His sister paused briefly. “She did not say.”

Fear struck in the back of Candle’s mind. “She would've told me beforehand.”

“I know,” Limelight shuddered. Candle stood on all fours, standing a foot taller than his sister. “She said it was important that you went to her immediately.”

Candle swallowed hard. He wasn't mentally prepared for such an encounter. Lord Iceberg was an intimidating stallion just by looking at him, but was a very thoughtful and intelligent lord as opposed to his brutish looks. Lady Rime was almost the complete opposite. She was intimidating in every way other than her sweet looks. Candle had sworn to himself that she was evil and hated the idea of him being her husband’s squire. She never made an attempt to be nice to him, but was always so polite to Limelight. The fact that Candle was being called to her made his mane itch and his heart pound with anticipation.

“I’d go to her now brother,” Limelight said, guiding him from his room and into the hallway. “You know Lady Rime has no tolerance for your tardiness.”

Candle ignored her comment, continuing to follow the vibrant young mare. The house was like a castle, with the numerous doors leading to so many different rooms. Candle was sure he hadn't been in every single room the home had to offer. Lord Iceberg made it particularly clear that Candle was to enter certain rooms, and Candle was surprised he remembered which ones he was allowed inside and which ones he was unable to enter. The sounds of servants cleaning from some of the forbidden rooms and some more shady sounds were always coming from the doors. Candle often theorized, some of the rooms were bigger on the inside than they really were, almost like a form of space-saving magic.

The velvet carpets on top of the wooden floors were smooth on Candle’s hooves, a feeling he was still not accustomed to. He was often walking on the harsh dirt ground or the cobblestone near the castle before the lords convened and Candle was sent away to run errands for Iceberg.

Limelight gestured for Candle to go up the stairs when they reached the foyer. The spiral staircase seemed to go up and up forever. The fact that Lady Rime wanted Candle made the stairs go even higher than they really were. He could feel her cold aura up the steps, waiting for him. He looked at Limelight, hoping to get some words of sympathy from her.

“Just go upstairs brother,” Limelight spoke, placing a hoof on his shoulder. “You’ll be fine.”

“Right,” Candle noted the slight shake in his sister’s gentle voice as he climbed up the endless stairs. The cold air got stronger and soon Candle wished he had his robes with him. When he reached the top, he was met with a long hallway, the living quarters of the house for the royals. At the end of the hall was the chambers of Lord Iceberg and Lady Rime. The first doors to his left and right were the rooms of the children and the other rooms were their studies. Candle took his sullen steps forward, taking in a deep breath, increasing his pace as well.

Just before he reached the door, he took another deep breath, then gripped the handle with his magic and turned.

Lady Rime sat on a seat beside the window overlooking the town square. Her bed was furnished with red blankets and a veil hanging around it. The wood floor was the cleanest in all the houses rooms; not a spot of dirt or dust on it and a red rug with golden linings. Two windows were beside the bed, two nightstands beside them both riddled with papers and royal documents.

“Lady Rime,” Candle croaked, stepping more inside. His hooves were loud against the floors, but the lady hadn’t turned her head to look at him. Instead, she just looked out the window and at the ponies going about their day in the town square. Candle gulped and took a few more steps toward the ice blue mare before she raised a hoof and ordered him to stop, her voice strong and stern.

“Young squire,” Lady Rime acknowledged Candle’s presence. “Candle, is it?”

“Yes milady,” Candle responded. His eyes darted the room in search for Lord Iceberg. "Where is Lord-"

"He is not the topic of this meeting," Lady Rime cut off.

"My apologies,"

“I need you to deliver a message,” Lady Rime’s magic levitated a small bag towards the stallion. Candle raised his hoof to grab the bag, but its strap found its way around his hoof without much trouble. “I want you to go to House Gold Spear and I want you to give this to Lord Dagger Tip. Once he has it, he will give you a bag to give back to me. You shall speak not of any of this to my husband, or I will have your head.”

“What is it I am delivering milady?” The words spilled from Candle’s mouth unintentionally and he felt he would pay for it. He gulped when Lady Rime turned her head.

“What you are delivering across the city is none of your concern. All you need to know is that you should move swiftly,” Lady Rime turned back to the window. “There are dark forces that could destroy both of the Great Houses here in Eastgate if they acquire such an item. I’d suggest taking Ser Hammer Hoof. He may or may not escort you to the house safely.”

Candle slung the bag around his body, slowly turning away. His mind was reeling, angry with the lady for sending him to die on the streets to try and deliver the message. He knew what ‘dark forces’ were lurking about in the city. And he had no intentions with coming face to face with them. At the same time, Candle was relieved. His last encounters with her almost resulted with him and his sister being cast out of the city.

“And Squire Candle,” Lady Rime called before Candle left the room. “Please, do be careful out there.”

Abeni I

Abeni

Chapter I

The snow began to die down, falling at a steady pace around the fire yet to be extinguished. The crackles and pops from the burning wood was like a song to the figure sitting beside the blaze, huddling closer to the light for warmth. She always loved to watch the snowfall as a filly, but now, as a mare Abeni was annoyed by it and the way it got in her braided mane. When she entered Arcadia, she had not expected to find a land of brutal cold. In fact, she hadn't known what to expect at all. She knew the further north she went, the harsher the land would become. No amount of training prepared her for that and no amount of training would prepare her to stray from her designated path and wind up in the lands of disgusting tribal ponies.

Their barbaric nature had been something Abeni had seen in dreams and only dreams. Not once had she seen a group of monks in full armor bested by any ponies, least of all tribals, but the way they were tossed around and their skulls cracked showed the mare that even the best combatants could be bested. Now, she was stranded in a land she barely knew and was outside of a cave. When she heard voices she forced herself inside the dry, rocky walls after putting out the fires. Once the voices passed Abeni would wait until she felt it was safe to light fires and huddle close to the warmth, only to put it out when she felt it was unsafe.

Recently, Abeni had re-lit the fire, finding fear to be the key element in keeping her awake. So far, the moon hung over her head, Abeni coming to the conclusion that dawn would come in another five hours or more. She desperately wished the sun would come sooner so she could begin her trek to the nearest city, wherever that may be. She heard voices speaking of a large town. Eastgate she thought she heard them say. One of the voices mentioned it was almost a few kilometers away. She thought she'd be able to make it if she found the path again. Stick close to the path, but never walk on it. She needed to find a way to that city, Eastgate, and not get caught by any of the barbarians.

Abeni reached into a pocket in her robes and felt the glass vial. If worst came to worst and she was caught by barbarians, then it was only one drop of the poison and she was dead in seconds. But Abeni shook her head and cursed herself. She would not allow for anyone to hold her captive. She would not allow herself to be stopped and she would not allow her pilgrimage to come to an end. Nothing will get in her way from completing her pilgrimage and becoming a member of the Obrean Monks. Abeni often wished Arcadia was more civilized like it used to be. According to legends anyway.

"You need to sleep," Abeni whispered aloud, staring into the fire, crackling and snapping. She imagined the demons from the lowest depths of hell itself mocking her through the fire, all of them laughing among themselves at Abeni's misfortunes. Multiple unfortunate events have led up to this pilgrimage and now that she was there, she had almost wished she hadn't began it. But she was too far into it now to return home and reveal her failures. Her eyes gathered moisture, but she had willed the tears to stay back. She would not allow herself to break now of all times. Not until she was finished with her pilgrimage. "You will make it to Eastgate."

Abeni's ears twitched. Were those crunches in the snow she heard? Were those voices? Abeni listened harder, the crackling of the fire and the chirping of the crickets the only sounds she heard. She heard nothing. Maybe it was her shuffling that caught her attention? Her ears twitched again and she was sure something was moving around in the forests around her. She stayed still for a moment, her heart pounding in her ears. She heard something, but before she could even dart to the cave behind her, numerous forms shot out of the darkness.

"Stay where you are!" a burly pony yelled. Abeni froze , staring at the pony. He wasn't a barbarian. No rough cloths or heavy weapons. All five ponies donned the same silver armor, chain mail underneath and the pony who ordered her to stop was the only one with a helmet. Their armor glinted under the moonlight, their spears held with their wings, or blades in their mouths. A small cylindrical holder on their sides contained their torches, the flames wavering in the wind. Abeni's heart was about to thump out of her chest as the ponies approached, but she was sure they wouldn't kill her. They were more civilized than barbarians, but even then, Abeni has seen her fair share of guardsman brutality.

"I say we kill her captain," a brown stallion spoke darting forward, his spear almost reaching Abeni's eyes. She jumped back and went to reach for her dagger. But she thought better of it. "Look at her, she's a zebra."

The word ‘zebra’ slithered out of his mouth like it was poison. The captain, the pegasus with the helmet looked at his fellow guard. "We will not kill for fun grunt. You'd do best to remember that or Lady Rime will have us all tried and sent to Dark Cloud." He looked back towards Abeni, who had her hoof in her robe's pocket, the vial in her hoof. "State your name."

"Abeni," The mare answered sullenly.

"What is your business here."

"I am a monk of the Order of Obrean, travelling the land to complete her pilgrimage."

The captain looked at his men and nodded his head. They all lowered their weapons. All except for the brown stallion, who gave Abeni a look of malice. "Why should we trust her? She could be lying!"

"She isn't." The captain responded. "I've had enough experience with ponies who lie. She's for real. That and if she were the one killing all the ponies here, she'd be a unicorn and not a zebra. The victims were burned to death, suffered electric shock, or were shot by something. Zebra’s aren’t able to do that.”

You’d be surprised what a zebra can and cannot do, Abeni thought, letting her grip of the vial loosen slightly. The captain’s glare from the guard to her made her clutch the vial once again, tighter this time.

“You shouldn’t be here,” He said simply. “There’s a murderer on the loose here. We can escort you to the nearest establishment to rest. You look like you need it.”

Abeni hesitated. She wasn’t going to just throw her life in the hooves of these ponies especially with a racist. But they knew the land better than anybody. But so did the barbarians. Ponies like these guards could just be looking for some fun and soon, if Abeni decided to go with them, she could find herself in the middle of the forests, ravaged and raped. But so far they were her only chance of going to Eastgate safely. Sure, she could fight on her own, but a mare can’t do much when she’s drained of all her strength.

Much to her dismay, Abeni said forcefully through her gritted teeth, “I’ll follow.”

The captain smiled beneath his helmet, and waved a hoof to his men. “Good, move out. We’ll be moving to Black Stone tonight. Keep an eye out for anything unusual,” he glanced at Abeni. “Stay close to me Monk.”

Abeni approached, hesitating in every step. Her heart was pounding in her ears still, but she was in no position to decline their offer to help. The captain led the way, Abeni walking close behind her and the other guards behind her, the racist at the very rear of the group. The chilling wind didn’t help the torches at all. The guards had to relight them time and time again whenever the wind picked up or the flurries of snow extinguished them. The captain urged for the guards to keep themselves spread thin, even when they found the main road again. Abeni wasn’t sure if she was happy to see the road again. She constantly looked around, watching the movements in the trees and the other guards as well.

They took note of that, exchanging glances with each other when she looked at them. They whispered among themselves, Abeni’s ears twitching when they did so. She grit her teeth whenever she heard them say zebra or monk. They knew nothing and she wanted to flay them whenever she heard their chuckles and laughter, even if they weren’t talking about her.

“You seem to be a long way from home,” the captain started, startling Abeni from her deep thoughts. She hadn’t realized how sore her legs were and how far they had traveled. As they passed an intersection, she noted the post with directions inscribed into them. Black Stone was only another two miles away. “Were you lost?”

“I was ambushed,” Abeni said. Images of blood and clashing steel flashed in her mind. “By...tribals.”

“Tribals you say? We ran into a few groups of them before we found you. You must be the cursed soul they were going on about before we killed them. You needn’t worry about them. You’ll be staying in the Hazelnut Inn for tonight. I'll pay for everything, even the special treatment if you're up for it. Come mornin’, you’ll be on your way.”

“Thank you lord,”

“Lord?” the captain scoffed. “I’m a knight. Knight’s are typically addressed by Ser here.”

“I shall keep that in mind.”

They continued to walk down the road, Abeni practically asleep. She hadn’t realized how long she’d been walking and by the time her and the guards arrived in the town, she was ready to pass out. The homes were all made of the same material. Wood and straw, each one of the same design, only a handful with porches and another handful with curtains to block the view inside. The guards all regrouped, the small group still whispering amongst themselves, but Abeni was too tired to care anymore. They could say all they wanted, Abeni just tuned them out.

Entering the Hazelnut Inn was just a blur to Abeni. She barely remembered the mares who stood behind the counter and the amount of money the captain gave her to give Abeni special treatment. Abeni barely remembered the mare leading her to her new room with a mattress and the softest silk she had ever felt in years. She didn’t even remember the feeling of lying down on the bed getting ready to rest, feeling relieved as she just allowed herself to rest.

She did, however, remember the feeling when the mare began her ‘special treatment’.

Abeni woke with a start.

She wasn’t sure what it was that startled her the most. The fact that she couldn’t remember most of what happened the night before, the fact that she was still alive or the blue mare lying right beside her. She was awake, with a hoof across Abeni’s chest. Her soft, gentle strokes comforted Abeni. The mare brushed her blonde mane, her emerald eyes full of energy and satisfaction.

“What are you doing?” Abeni jolted, slapping the mare’s hoof away.

“Your knight friend demanded that I give you the special treatment,” the mare said, worry in her voice. “Did you not enjoy my company?”

“I...I did,” Abeni hesitated. “I think. I cannot stay for long. Is that knight still here?”

“No. He left shortly after he paid for your visit. He and his men went to search for the murderer that’s been running loose.”

“Is there a city nearby? An...Eastgate?” Abeni stood from the bed, stretching and feeling an unusual relief in her body. She felt euphoric for a brief moment before returning to her normal posture and walking to the chair with her robes sprawled out messily. Abeni frowned, disappointed at herself for spending the night with a whore, though she was pleased with the experience, even if she hardly recalled it.

The mare pondered for a moment. “Yes there is. Follow the main road and you’ll get there before the sun goes down. A word of warning though; the roads are dangerous and—”

“I know how the roads are here,” Abeni began to cover herself up, wrapping her robes as the mare stepped off the bed. “I can defend myself.”

“That’s what most ponies say,” the mare spoke gently. “I’d suggest going with the trade caravan here. They’re leaving for Eastgate in two hours.”

“Thank you Milady.”

“Oh?” The mare blushed and pressed a hoof against her own chest. “I’m no lady Monk. I’m just a commoner here.”

“My apologies.”

“Oh no, don’t be sorry!” The mare said. “I’m flattered, but just remember; some ponies will abuse the power of a label like that. Be careful who you call lord or lady in these parts.”

"I'll keep that in mind."

Torch I

Torch

Chapter I

“Ser Torch,” Pyre Glow said, continuing to walk through the garden. She levitated three flowers close beside her, taking in their sweet aroma and occasionally turning to see if Torch was still following her. He wished she did not like to be outside as much as she did. Torch knew he could have been inside the manor and could be drinking his favorite mead. But Lord Glow ordered Torch to defend his daughter with his life. And no matter what he had to put up with, he was determined to do it. “Does the cold bother you?”

“No,” Torch answered as he followed the lady. She looked back at him and raised an eyebrow. “Yes. It does.”

“Why don’t knights like to wear any fur clothing underneath their armor?” She asked with genuine curiosity. "Does it obstruct during combat?"

"This knight hadn't expected the land to be so cold," Ser Torch admitted. He didn’t wear much in the way of armor. Mostly a small layer of chainmail, with leather topped over it and iron plates on his hooves and chest. He despised the cold as much as any other pony from the Westlands. Torch had been throughout Arcadia, but never once had he ever thought he would be coming to Eastgate. Ironically, the city was more north than east. Torch figured Northgate would not have the same ring as Eastgate. The other thing that bothered Torch about the city was the lack of defense at the main gates. The walls may have been too high for a pony to use a grappling hook on it, but somebody could easily just kill the guards at the main gate and get inside. Torch would not be surprised if an army came in and sacked the city.

Pyre used her magic and grabbed a winter rose; having the same appearance as a normal rose, but having a old, frozen, white color rather than a dark red shade normal roses had. She inhaled and took in the flower's scent, enjoying every second of it. Torch looked at all the other plants growing in the garden. They were all so alien to him. Each plant had a label on the stone surrounding it. One particular piece of the garden held his attention more than the others.

Torch had never seen so many lavenders growing in one spot and he never thought fire tongues would be able to survive so far north before. Seeing them made Torch want to return home west back in House Glow controlled Rockshade. But he knew it would be a few weeks or months, if there were any further complications. With Lord and Lady Glow trying to bring their house fame and glory, they needed to build alliances with other houses. Torch thought Lord Glow would never go through with the plan, but to everyone's surprise, he went through with it. And after an eternity of travelling from city to city, the House's journey led them here. Eastgate. Of course it was going to be more complicated than just making allies with families all over Arcadia.

"I always admired fire tongues myself," Pyre Glow said to Torch. "I didn't know you were a fan of flowers, Ser Torch. A knight who is surrounded and relishes the idea of death loving the nature around him. I never thought I’d be so surprised."

"I'm a fan of a lot of things," Torch spoke, his gravelly voice trailing off, still thinking about home. "Fire tongues remind me of home."

"We should add them to the garden in Rockshade. We could section off part of the garden for you. Fire tongues everywhere." Pyre chuckled at that, giggling like a filly. Torch just rolled his eyes.

“Maybe I should make a garden of the bodies full of those who tried to kill us the past few weeks we’ve been traveling. There’ll be bodies of all kinds of ponies. Enough for us to expand the gardens about four times its size now. I’m sure you’ll like it.” Torch smirked, before adding his formal, “Milady.”

Pyre stopped her giggling and scrunched her face in a mix of disgust and frustration. “Why must you ruin my fun?”

“If that is your idea of fun, then you and I haven’t been spending enough time together.”

“I believe we’ve been spending too much time together.” Pyre said. A gust of wind blew through the courtyard, Pyre’s elegant dress flowing with the breeze and her orange mane following with it. She raised a hoof and blocked the snow starting to pelt at her face. “And perhaps we’ve spent too much time outside. Let’s go back inside.”

“As you wish,” Torch led Pyre to the nearest door, which led to the manor’s main hall. The warm wall of air hit both ponies, a welcome feeling to both of them. The cold northern air completely canceled out upon meeting the warm interior. When Ser Torch closed the door he walked beside the shivering mare. He offered his hoof to walk her over to the stone fireplace, but she just dismissed it.

"How do ponies of the north stand such hostile and chilling winds?" Pyre complained. She looked down at her dress; the finest silks in all of Arcadia now wet with snow. Ser Torch shook his head at the sight of her gown, his personal favorite. Pyre, however, just made her way over to the fireplace, Torch following close behind her.

The main hall was among the most comfortable to look at and also be inside, at least to Ser Torch. Ahead of both ponies was a fireplace, the stones glowing a hot shade of yellow as the flames burned the wood. The stonework of the fireplace was smooth and well rounded, unlike the manor home in Rockshade, which was rough and jagged. Eerily enough to Torch, the House Glow crest of a burning serpent coiled around a blade attempting to devour its own tail was etched into the wooden slab hanging above the fire. It was as if the northerners thought House Glow would be staying here in this cesspool of a city for its entire existence.

The sleek and smooth wooden walls was another welcome sight, though most of his day used to consist of roaming the stone castle in Rockshade with Pyre leading him through the halls. Paintings and mosaics hung from the walls, all of which were of the same exact thing; a snow covered environment, though some had minor alterations. Some had ponies wandering, others with stray animals and a few with nothing at all. The dark wood made Torch think the architects used the darkness of the night itself to create such a perfect shade for the whole manor. The darkness in the walls and the darkness in the non-illuminated sections of the estate meant that thieves could come in—or worse; an assassin—and be undetected by the family guards, which put Pyre’s life in danger.

Torch looked up slightly above the fireplace and at the two windows beside it. The were purely aesthetic, the and couldn’t be opened, unless someone just decided to break it open, but a thief wouldn’t risk giving himself away unless he knew he could get inside and leave in an instant. Assuming there were no guards patrolling the area when he did break in. House Glow guards have had a reputation for using extensive force to catch and punish those who committed crimes against the family. Ser Torch was almost sterling proof of that. Almost. Unlike the knight Ser Spear Tip, Torch would never kill a pony for stealing a loaf of bread from Lady Glow. The most Torch would do is publicly flog the thief at the Lady’s command.

Pyre sat in front of the burning wood, closing her eyes and taking in the burning scent of the wood. A smile crept on her face, her shining smile glistening from the light of the flames and her white coat shining from the wet, melting snow that dripped from her mane and onto her face and back. She didn’t seem to mind that so much, but Torch knew she’d get a scolding from Lady Glow about how ‘unlady like’ she acted all the time. And Torch smiled at the fact he knew Pyre would just ignore her mother’s scolding. “I do so love the smell of things being burnt.”

“As do I, milady,” Torch remarked.

“There is a calming sense in the crackling of the flames and the aroma it can give off,” She commented. Her face contorted and her eyes ripped open. “By the King of Fire, what in the Twin Hells is that smell?”

Pyre raised a hoof to her nose and looked back at the door she and Torch entered from. It was wide open and much to Torch’s dismay, Ser Harven was walking inside, light leather armor surrounding his bulky frame and an alien object in his claw. The griffon ripped a chunk of whatever it was in his grasp, juices flowing from it and a disturbing crunch coming from each chew. His dusty feathers were covered with white, a sign the blizzard outside beginning to worsen. Torch looked at Harven with disgust, though Pyre nudged him and his expression shifted and was exchanged with a mask of something that resembled a neutral expression.

“Ah!” Harven opened his mouth, food still inside and some juices dripping out. “Sher Torsh!”

“Harven,” Torch said simply, annoyance apparent in his voice. “What do you want.”

He swallowed the filth, the bitter and repulsive scent filling the room. “How’s guarding the daughter doing?”

“How’s eating northerner filth doing?” Torch growled, though he masked his insult with a joking tone. “Shouldn’t you be on guard duty?”

“Ooh!” Harven laughed, obviously falling for Torch’s ruse. “You wound me Ser Torch! And no, I am off of guard duty.”

“Figures,” Torch muttered. Pyre heard and slapped him on the hoof.

“Milady,” Harven bowed quickly, losing his balance and almost knocking into a table full of fruits and other northern delicacies. “My apologies.”

Pyre giggled. “It’s quite alright, there’s no need to be formal with me.”

“Well, I’ve made a fool of myself already and you haven’t demanded my tongue to be ripped out yet, so I can see your kindness far surpasses your mother’s.”

“Careful,” Torch warned. “Lady Glow could be anywhere in these halls. We don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”

“I appreciate the concern Ser Torch,” Harven took one more bite of his foul food. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m retiring to the guard’s quarters. Eating raw Manticore leg is tiring business.”

And with that he walked off and left Pyre and Torch’s gaze.

Pyre looked up at her guardian. “Just because he’s a griffon doesn’t mean he’ll try to harm me.”

“You don’t know what he’s done to lose my trust,” Torch said.

“He never chose to be a griffon Ser-”

“I don’t hate him for being a griffon,” Torch said. A statement that was almost entirely untrue. In reality, Torch was more a pony person. Hippogriffs were better than just griffons in the way that they had at least a little bit of pony in their anatomy. Griffons were also known for being untrustworthy, save for ones who were all about honor and duty, though those were rare. “I hate him for being such a pretentious cunt.”

“You have such a way with words, Ser Torch.” Pyre shook her head.

Night had fallen over the city like a blanket over a child. The Manor was quiet, save for the still-burning fire in the main hall. Guards patrolled every room and made sure every door was locked. The gardens were protected by hounds and ponies, walking through with their horns shining for light sources instead of torches. Nighttime creatures, foreign and alien to the westerners, filled the night with their songs.

Inside the manor, on the second floor, Torch found himself outside of Pyre’s door, as was his duties. He stood guard, spear in hoof, taking up most of the narrow hallway. Though, he planned to sleep in the room beside the door with Pyre on the bed across from him, Torch found sleep a troublesome thing to find. His dreams were plagued with terrors and he hated facing them each and every night. But the dreams weren’t his only problems. He didn’t like this place. Eastgate was a filthy city and filthy cities had their fair share of thieves and hired swords. Any of them could be trying to find Pyre.

And Torch would rather die fighting than asleep beside a door.

But so far the hours passed by slowly and painfully silent. The torches down the hall crackling and the distant burning of the fireplace was all Torch had to accompany him during the silent night. His thoughts were the only other real company with him, mostly thoughts about Pyre and her safety. Torch jumped at every sudden noise, especially when one of the guards came up the stairs and down the hallway from their patrol route. He always reassured them that he was fine with watching the halls by himself, but they always came coming back to check on him.

Torch turned to open the door to Pyre’s room and watched her body rising and lowering with each breath. She was still safe, a lantern illuminating the room on the desk beside the window. Torch smiled and slowly closed the door, his heart feeling...different in his chest. A feeling he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Then something crashed in the hallway and Torch tucked his spear under his wing, using it to grip the spear with his hoof. A pony stood, a dark cloak shadowing any features from Torch. It stood silently, eyes wide and completely motionless.

Torch was about to speak and almost threw his spear at the cloaked figure, but a glow emanated from the shadowy pony and what happened afterwards was too fast for Torch to even react.

The knight hit the ground, being tossed away from the door, a loud thud sounding through the halls as he hit the ground. Much to his surprise, the shadowed pony never came to Torch to finish him off. But the end never came for Torch.

“No!” An all too familiar scream sounded through the halls. In an instant Lord Glow and Lady Glow emerged down the hall, and Torch found himself bolting faster than he ever expected himself to go, spear held in his hooves and wings helping him rush into Pyre’s room.

The shadow pony’s blade was raised over Pyre’s throat, tears of terror streaming down her face and screams of pain and pleas for mercy escaping her lips.

But the blade never cut her throat. Torch was on top of the cloaked assassin in an instant, his spear plunged deep into the side, but it was still moving and kicking, trying to get away from Torch. The guard looked back at Pyre, who was being taken off the bed and was huddled in a corner next to Lady Glow, making sure she was still okay. Guards began to flood the room, each one with a weapon at the ready.

“Ser Torch!” One of the guards yelled.

The assassin’s horn began to glow again, but Torch took quick note of it, ripping the spear from the pony’s side and using the blunt end to slam it against where he thought the assassin’s horn was. A loud crack and a burst of magic and blood confirmed Torch’s blow to the horn. He ripped the cloth off the pony’s head; a beige unicorn mare with a mane as black as the cloak she wore breathing restlessly underneath. She tried to clutch the spot where her horn had been snapped off from Torch’s extreme force, but Torch slammed her hoof down each time she tried to move. Tears welled from her shut eyes as she tried to stop the bleeding from her head.

Torch grabbed the mare and placed her before Lord Glow, who was standing beside his wife and daughter. The mare sobbed and just like Pyre did moments ago, pleaded for mercy.

“Lord Glow,” Torch spoke between heavy breaths. “What shall I do with the filth who has tried to murder your daughter?”

A silence spread through the room, not even the crackling fires from the burning torches inside the hallway were able to fill the room with noise. Lord Glow’s fiery mane and eyes seemed to burn with such anger and malice that Torch thought it would be him who was punished for almost getting his daughter killed.

“Toss the bitch in the dungeon,” Lord Glow demanded. His voice was shaky with rage, but controlled. It was until a guard said there was no dungeon Lord Glow exploded.

“Then chain her up somewhere! Leave her out in the cold if you must! I want her alive and I want to be able to get every single bit of information out of her before I have Ser Torch execute her! Guards seize her!”

The guards marched in, and grabbed the mare with magic.

“Please sir!” The mare pleaded. “Please, I’ll tell you anything you want I swear it! Please don’t execute me!”

The mare’s screams filled the halls of the manor, Pyre’s cries filling the room and Torch’s heartbeats pounding in his ears. Adrenaline still coursed through his blood even when there was no threat.

“Ser Torch,” Lord Glow said. “Stand guard with Captain Grindstone outside the room. Seal the halls. Nobody comes in."

Abeni II

Abeni

Abeni looked down at the massive wall reaching towards the heavens. In reality, they weren’t that big, a monk could have easily grappled up the walls with a long enough rope and a good enough toss. The stone walls weren’t even defended very well to Abeni’s knowledge. Abeni counted only a three ponies standing around with bows and arrows or crossbows along the wall, plenty of space for more than a hundred archers just to patrol and thousands to defend from a full scale attack. Whatever they were using to defend the great wall was obviously not enough to keep out invaders though.

From what she could tell, another two or three hours and Abeni was right at the main gate for the city. The hills leading to the city were covered with snow and giant conifers jutting out of the ground like daggers. The sun had managed to peek over the sparse conifers but was covered briefly by the passing clouds looming overhead, periodically shining down on the zebra. When the sun managed to break through, Abeni desperately wanted it to go away, her robes providing enough warmth for her. But when the clouds covered the sky, the cold quickly crept back and Abeni desperately wished for the sun to come back.

Before the main gate—or what she assumed to be the main gate—was a town similar to that which the Hazelnut Inn was located. It was barely visible and Abeni could barely make it out, but she knew it was there. Abeni thought she would stay in the local tavern or another inn if there was one before actually going into the city. Granted she would actually be let in. If she was denied access then her next stop was to the next Shrine of Obrean.

But Abeni needed to focus on the situation at hand and that was actually getting to the town below.

She looked up at the spires in the center of the city, each one rising and scraping against the heavens. A grand and decorative piece of architecture, but Abeni wondered how it would fair if the city were to be sacked. Abeni hoped that invaders would have the decency to leave the spires standing instead of tear them down. Knowing the barbarians, the tower would be no more when they were through with it.

“I heard House Glow was supposed to be making an appearance before Princess Violet View soon,” One of the caravaneers mentioned. He was a silver colt. almost a full grown stallion, a very confident expression on his face and very quick movements. Abeni almost mistook him for a pegasus with his speed, and if she had been paying attention his name was something along the lines of ‘Cloud’ something or ‘Sky’.“Lord Glow’s really pushing for some popularity for his House.”

“Of course he is!” A green mare said. “If I had the riches like that man, I’d want to be known and earn a spot in The Council.”

Abeni looked back at the two ponies exchanging their opinions of some lord of a rising house. Abeni wondered how the ponies of Arcadia were able to keep track of all the news that travelled around. Or how they heard of such things in such a small amount of time. How did news travel as fast as it did? Was there a pony who teleported and was tasked with spreading recent events? Abeni imagined a unicorn teleporting from town to town, only to say a few words and order the ponies around to spread said words only to leave to another town and repeat the process.

Abeni noted the young filly staring at her in the wagon being pulled by the caravan leader. Her eyes and purple mane sparkled from the snow drops and she looked at Abeni with curious eyes. She smiled and turned away, whispering something to the other filly riding beside her, but out of Abeni’s sight. The other filly popped up beside the grey one, her blue coat completely dry, despite the continuous snowfall.

“Why do you have stripes?” the blue filly asked, hiding behind her friend as though her question were offensive.

“Moonlight!” the green mare snapped. She looked at Abeni. “I apologize for my daughter if she has offended you.”

Abeni waved a hoof at her. “It’s okay, I am not offended,” she turned her gaze to the filly. “I was born with these stripes. As was the rest of my family.”

“Do they signify anything?” the grey filly asked as soon as Abeni finished speaking.

“For my culture? No, they do not. To other zebra tribes, the stripes can mean anything.”

The two fillies looked at each other with a mix of fascination and confusion. Abeni smiled at that, watching as the sisters thought of more questions to ask her.

“I’m sure you don’t get much snow where you come from,” the silver colt remarked, noticing Abeni’s shivers and deep breaths, watching the mist leave her mouth.

Abeni’s ears perked up. “Quite the contrary actually.” She looked back at the colt, who tilted his head. “My monastery is located on Granite Blade Mountain. Amazingly, the mountains aren’t as cold as this part of Arcadia. The mountains have a more comfortable chill to them.”

“A mona-what?” Moonlight scratched her head.

Abeni paused for a moment. “An abbey.”

Moonlight shrugged and shook her head.

“A friary?” Abeni tried.

Again, she shook her head.

“A....lamasery?”

Moonlight shook her head yet again.

“A.....” Abeni was at a loss for words. She looked at the other ponies, but they looked just as confused as Moonlight. “A...Ah! A religious house.”

“Oh,” Moonlight nodded, though Abeni was sure she was still having trouble grasping what it was she was talking about. Abeni just smiled and shook her head. Children were always excited to take in new things, but when it came down to it, but they never understood completely until they grew up and were taught the same thing again, but in greater detail. At least, that’s what Abeni learned.

“Mom?” Moonlight whispered. Abeni was just barely able to hear her. “Can I be a monk like her when I grow up?”

“I....will think about that.”

The town, named Glasshill, wasn’t as quiet as Abeni had expected it to be. Ponies were all over the place, mostly soldiers carrying supplies to and from different buildings, even some of the townsfolk taking the time to assist. The ponies were all preparing for something, obviously not an attack or all the townsfolk would be crammed inside the city already.

When Abeni and the family’s caravan arrived, they were ushered through and relocated by a young soldier to the marketplace and told the not to get in the way of official business. Obviously, he was just ordered by his superiors to make their jobs easier and keep travelers from blocking the way of everyone, so he thought he’d just cram everyone in the marketplace. Unfortunately, the marketplace was just as crammed as the streets full of soldiers and they had to move their supplies through the marketplace just to get to another section of town, as the markets was the only apparent shortcut.

Soldiers cut through the crowd of civilians who decided not to help, trying to get them out of the way so they could get on with their business. Abeni was given various glares and gawks from the guards occasionally, driving her to the point of incessant paranoia. Everywhere she looked, someone was staring right back at her, and she occasionally felt herself grip the dagger under her robes, strapped to her upper left leg.

Ponies complained to the passing soldiers of the lack of space only to receive the same response.

“We need you all to stay out of the way.”

Coming from a pony who was cutting through a crowded market trying to move supplies for whatever reason. Abeni wanted to hit the soldiers who said the same thing over and over. She wondered why nobody had been relocated after the fortieth time of hearing the same ‘stay out of the way’ message, but Abeni held her tongue and decided not to say anything, thinking the guards and soldiers would be finished soon and all the ponies would be able to leave and return to their normal business.

After an eternity of standing around like a whore waiting to be used, Abeni and the caravan wandered from the markets, the claustrophobia becoming too much for any of them to take. They didn’t fear getting punished by the ponies in charge for ‘obstructing military duties’, as the recruit who led them to the market put it. As Beni guessed it, nothing happened to them. The ponies around them didn’t follow as they left, but the guards didn’t do anything either.

With the help of the caravan, Abeni was able to find the inn and, despite her best efforts to convince them otherwise, pay for her room. Before departing from the caravan, Moonlight looked up at Abeni with fascination and sullen eyes. It was almost like she was going to grip on to her and beg to bring Abeni with them.

“Bye bye, Ab...Abe-”

“Abeni,” the zebra finished for her.

“Thank you for coming along with us, Monk.” Evergreen, Moonlight’s mother, said, bowing her head.

“Thank you for allowing me to travel with you,” Abeni smiled, She reached into her saddle bag, digging around until she found a small enough object for the filly to cling to. She was just a bit disappointed when the object she pulled out happened to be a small sling she never knew she had. She handed it to Moonlight, who looked at it like she had been given a gift from Obrean himself. She hugged it close and took the pouch full of pellets from Abeni with admiration all over her face.

“Thank you Abeni!” She beamed with excitement. “I will treasure it forever!”

“I trust you will not lose it?” Abeni asked with a smirk.

“Never!” the filly said, clutching it closer to her chest.

Abeni smiled at the filly and her family, seeing them off from the inn, watching Moonlight waving her tiny hoof at Abeni before disappearing in the crowd.

That was close to three hours ago. Now, Abeni was sitting beside the bar, staying in the shadows of the inn, watching the stallions getting drunk and internally hoping for a good fight to break out between to drunkards, but her hopes were always dashed when someone broke up an impending fight. When a unique character didn’t walk in or claim they were the best fighter in all of Arcadia, Abeni took to the burning fire in the center of the room for a distraction. The pit burned endlessly, stew boiling over it and other meats being cooked over it, mainly for the few griffons in the inn.

The stone ground and walls were home to many shadows, dancing and making different forms that didn’t look like the ponies and griffons they belonged to. Instead they took on shapes of monsters and dark blobs dancing across the walls.

Incoherent babbles of drunkards and the laughter of fools filled Abeni’s ears. The shadows of the inn’s tavern still moving around as if they were without physical bodies. She kept watching them, dancing around the walls, but she felt as though there was something wrong with them. Of course though, it was just her hyperactive imagination. Her growing paranoia from the days before in the Arcadian wilderness. She knew those barbarians and tribals were still out there and knew that mere guards and soldiers would not be enough to clear them away. A small army could take them down maybe. If they surprised them.

Abeni let her mind wander. She hated being stuck inside without any idea of what to do next. So far her plans after departing with the other initiates had been get to the next city she could reach and gather whoever she could to help her. Sellswords were out of the question. They had no honor and could easily be convinced to fight against you if someone offered a higher price. Her best chance at finding someone who was worth travelling with was someone from a royal family.

Though she hadn’t the slightest clue of how to earn an audience with any lords or ladies of any of the houses, she was sure she could find a way. Being a zebra had to be one of them. It just had to be part of the way. If she could convince them for a low-ranking soldier or guard at least, Abeni would be more secure about traveling the roads to the next shrines.

In the event Abeni couldn’t get anyone to aid her in Eastgate, a sellsword would always be her last minute option, despite her mistrust with them. At least to the next city and the sellsword could be on their way. Once Abeni was out of The North, she planned to cut through the forests to try and locate the next four shrines. Once that was done, then she could return to civilization and find the remaining shrines. Assuming she could survive in the forests.

Her last few days in The North solidified her belief help was in order for the remainder of this quest. If a group of monks and well-trained initiates could not stop a slaughter and end up being flayed and tortured, then what could two or more ponies and a zebra do against them?

Abeni’s head jerked up when the door opened, noting the three mares walking inside. All of them were smiling. Well, almost all of them. One of the mares, probably the youngest and most modest of all of them, looked very unsure of her place in the inn’s bar. She looked around the bar nervously, obviously not belonging in the same class as the other two mares. She must have been a servant. She hesitantly walked behind the two mares, her eyes intently watching the drunken ponies and griffons.

Her eyes widened at the sight of Abeni, who just lowered her head and hoped she wasn’t staring at her. Abeni ated the unnecessary attention she got from ponies who never saw anything other than a pony before. It was just as aggravating when the pony came up to Abeni and didn’t say anything to her. Just got closer to her as though she were an animal at the zoo.

Abeni just looked up slightly to watch the mare, but the servant dressed in rags followed the two mares who were making their way to the table beside Abeni. She felt her jaw set, but quickly relaxed when she realized nothing ‘bad’ had happened yet.

“Tell me again why we came here of all places,” the pompous accent of the light blue mare was like daggers plunging into Abeni’s ears. “You know my mother will have my head if I am found outside the city walls with these...commoners.”

Abeni felt eyes on her as soon as the word came out of her mouth.

“You wanted a decent drink, milady,” the other mare answered, her voice more deep and informal, though somehow still managing a formal tone in her words. “And so here we are. They serve the finest in ale and mead in here. Speaking of,” She looked up at the servant. “Be a good girl and fetch us some mead.”

Abeni noted the scowl from the light blue mare. “You will address Limelight in a better tone next time.”

“My apologies Chill,”

Something similar to a smile spread on Abeni’s face as she watched the servant, Limelight, walk to the counter and nervously spoke to the bartender. In an instant she was returning with the two drinks for both mares. On the way back, Abeni noted her occasional eye drift in her direction.

“Much appreciated, Limelight,” Chill said with a smile. She used her magic to levitate the cup to her mouth and down to the table. “Oh!”

“See?” the other mare said, taking in another sip. “I told you! Mead as strong as The North itself and as tasty as the finest mares in Eastgate.”

Abeni’s eyes narrowed at that last remark.

“Please, Limelight,” Chill gestured. “Enjoy yourself here. We seldom get to leave the confines of the manor.”

“Yes milady,” Limelight looked around. She seemed reluctant to approach Abeni, but in the end, she pulled the seat beside the zebra, much to her dismay.

There was an unbroken silence between the two while Chill and her friend spoke about recent events. Mostly the recent arrival of House Glow in the city two days ago. Apparently they were still getting settled in, and Abeni thought she knew her first stop for gaining a new companion.

“You’re far away from home aren’t you monk,” Limelight said, her eyes still fixed on her lady.

“I beg your pardon?” Abeni found herself saying.

“My brother has read and told me enough about culture around Arcadia and the various species in it,” She responded. “Zebras don’t normally come this far north. What brings you to Eastgate?”

“It is a personal affair,” Abeni answered. She wasn’t sure how else to answer.

“I doubt that. A monk? In Eastgate for a personal affair? I’m not as stupid as one may think,” Limelight said, matter-of-factly. “A monk such as yourself must be here for important business.”

Abeni thought briefly. She was just a servant. A servant to a pony who lived in a manor. Only rich ponies lived in those, according to Abeni. Maybe this servant, if she actually knew what she was doing, could actually lead Abeni to one of the lords of a house. Not a great house, but just one with their own soldiers. Or someone who could easily follow orders, no matter who gave them.

But maybe this mare was just going to lead Abeni down to a dungeon where she would be tortured like her fellow monks. But Abeni needed a way inside. She needed someone to help her in her journey. Even if it was to just one shrine. That would be all she’d need.

“I’m on my pilgrimage,” Abeni said cautiously. Limelight’s ears twitched. As did Chill’s. The mare looked over at her servant and he zebra. “I need safe passage through The North to reach my next shrine. Barbarians of some kind roam your forests. They killed what was left of my fellow monks. I alone cannot pass through such a dangerous land.”

Chill stood, departing from her conversation with her friend, walking elegantly over to Abeni and Limelight. Her short sparkling dress trailing behind her, like there was a great breeze blowing against her.

“And who is this, Limelight?” Chill asked, standing over the two.

“I don’t know milady,” She nervously answered. “I did not get her name.”

Chill looked at Abeni. “I’d prefer to keep my name to myself,”

“You shall address her as-” the other mare broke in.

“Now, now,” Chill said. “I heard that you needed assistance in trekking across the land, am I correct?”

“Yes you are,” Abeni nodded.

“Perhaps you can request the aid from my father,” She suggested. “Maybe he can lend a knight for you to aid you in your journey. Come with us when we leave. I’ll see to it, you have safe passage into the city.”

Abeni felt a sick feeling deep down in her stomach, but nodded and smiled in appreciation. She hated placing her trust in ponies she didn’t know, and given that this one had just offered to help Abeni, she wasn’t sure whether or not she should be grateful. Only time will tell if she would come to regret agreeing with this pony.