Journey with a Batpony

Twilight felt nervous, and uncomfortably so.

True enough, her entire quest in Noctraliya had been and was still filled with a plethora of emotions, and some of them very negative. But this time her trepidation was not necessarily caused by somepony else’s actions, but her very own.

Twilight would never name herself a schemer of any sort, not that she wasn’t capable of formulating a convoluted plan. This particular time, however, she had had to step with at least one of her hooves deep into the waters of intrigue, and the price she had to pay was firmly manifesting as that uneasy feeling permeating her core, making her stomach form knots.

Strangely, it was a different sort of cold than even the one caused by the wind blowing through the Valleys that very night. The omnipresent orchards were screening most of the working batponies from the most potent gusts, but the observation towers erected throughout the region, protruding from the landscape like dutiful guardians standing at attention, were buffeted by the gales the most.

Twilight was so glad that she had taken that into consideration and was now protected by one of her firmer ensembles. All thanks to the very solid information which had been provided to her by her two co-conspirators, who had scouted the place post haste when the information from Lord Dusk Harvest had arrived.

One of them was still right by her, standing his ground despite the mighty wind. “The hwalbu haspadr was right, there must be a front coming from the north. This wentr didn’t manage to gain much in temperature, which means that there is some heavy snowfall,” Midnight commented, looking in that direction. “But I think I like it, it’s refreshing as it moves around me,” he added, clearly pleased about the fact that his thicker coat was protecting him much better.

Much better than how she was protected. At least that is what Twilight could read from his little smirk as he glanced at her, herself trying to withstand the gale at this elevated position. “I see you are mighty happy with yourself right now, Midnight Wind.”

“Well, I am who I am, my name is what it is, and that comes with some perks. And I have told you that we could wait by the tower’s base, rather than here,” the stallion remarked cheekily, making a solid point that Twilight slightly begrudged. “But one thing is definitely true, these surroundings… Ha, the sights are wonderful.”

That wasn’t a lie, no. The vistas around this observation point were of beautiful orchards and plantations, of ripe fruit and omnipresent activity, all of that framed by snowy mountains and embellished by the majestic waterfall coming down into the Dalli. These panoramas were definitely more breathtaking than the wind.

Twilight smiled, despite the discomfort coming from the weather. She could feel a dosage of healthy pride manifesting in her heart, as she recognized that she had helped preserve this place in some capacity. And the batponies they had been meeting on the way seemed to think so too, as she had received kind greetings and even a few, direct expressions of gratitude from the many fruittenders working about.

It felt nice, to be appreciated for one’s actions.

And now, she was ready to try and help again – not by preserving, but by restoring. Or, at least, that was her plan, as risky as it felt.

“You’re very nervous, Twilight…” Midnight remarked, having observed her for a while. “Is it about your very idea, or the fact that we got only some of what the Overseer General had promised before this meeting?”

“First of all, I can hardly blame him, I also had no idea I would be leaving so soon,” Twilight replied, supporting herself against the watchtower’s wooden railing and looking out a little more. “But I will make do with what we got, those are solid basics to work with. Though… I am far more concerned with my little, you know, conspiracy here and now.” She looked back at Midnight. “Am I… Am I actually doing the right thing, or have I gone too far?”

“By doing what, exactly? By intruding into this very private and delicate matter, in a vague hope that you can actually help the unfortunate Lord of the Family Dusk and the Lord Consort?” the stallion asked. Normally, such a question would be absolutely mortifying, were it not for that rascal smile. “Twilight, if you won’t do it, than who is going to? I don’t think anypony in Noctraliya would have enough guts and daring both to even approach such a topic. We would rather feel pity for them and move on. The world’s an unjust place and we are here to endure it. You? You seek to better it, even if it endangers you…”

“I will count that as a vote of confidence, actually,” she told him, giving him a kind smile for these words. “I have a… strange feeling that this will work. But I don’t really know where this confidence is coming from. There’s a lot of fear underneath it.”

“That something will go wrong?”

“That all of it will.”

“Tac… I think it’s an affliction,” Midnight told her straight away, much to her curiosity. He was graciously willing to explain, of course, wearing that lopsided smile of his. “An affliction of heart, to be precise. I learnt of it quite early on. It makes you do all of those incredibly selfless and risky things, just to make sure things have a chance to get better. A dreadful sickness.”

“Hmm… There might be something to it,” she admitted, realizing that she was giving him quite the amused look. “Do you think I should be mindful of that condition? Seek professional help, perhaps?”

“No. I think it is supine… No, wait, ‘benign’!” the stallion corrected himself, then shook his head as she giggled. “Whatever and however it is, it gives you this incredible and unshakable purpose in your life. I think it is boundlessly inspiring, to finally witness somepony like that ‘at work’,” he claimed, giving her a little wink. “You are like a pony of old legends and fables, embodying the best qualities one can find…”

“Th-thank you, Midnight, I do appreciate it,” she expressed her gratitude, trying not to blush at such a praise.

Especially since the stallion wasn’t going to leave it like that. “I still think you are utterly unreasonable with it. And standing here in all this wind is a good proof,” he added and stuck out his tongue at her just a little, only to return to looking forward at attention, as if the exchange had never taken place.

Twilight was so fighting the urge to swat at him with her tail. After all, he wasn’t wrong, not entirely. This was a risky idea, with a huge chance of taking a wrong turn, but the successful alternative was something that Twilight was going to fight for with hoof and horn. She wanted to. After having heard all about how Lord Dusk Harvest was perceived despite his best efforts, and after having spoken with Lord Consort Dusk Flight, Twilight had decided that they both deserved better. Period. And as life itself wouldn’t necessarily give anypony a chance, well, she would try instead.

Looking over the manifold orchards of the batponies was giving her that little bit of additional bravery. There was hard work all over, constant, persistent and vital. Surely a little bit of a constructive discussion… and then a small addition of kind chicanery would work in everypony’s favor?

Speaking of which, she had just somehow managed to spot movement at the edge of the hill, and Lord Dusk Harvest appeared on one of the pathways, flanked by a faithful sentinel.

Twilight quickly turned to Midnight, her voice far less calm than she wanted it to be. “He’s coming! Are you certain you manage to get things under c—”

“Fear not. You will get your time and chance,” came the firm and solid reply, giving her that little prompt to pull herself together.

And so she nodded, believing in the stallion’s words implicitly, and focusing. She quickly reminded herself of all the information that she had received from Dusk Tarn, again formed the proposal she had devised in her head… and started her mental clock. She trusted everypony to be precise enough in this endeavor, actually.

Not a few minutes later did the Honored Lord arrive, with the sentinel right behind him, staying at the last step before the tower’s topmost level. “Hwalba k-knaze, benu n-noc…” the haspadr greeted Twilight, who had just spotted that there was one more guest she hadn’t accounted for.

Blossom was sitting right by the Lord’s neck, giving her a wide, toothy smile. And while that occurrence wasn’t something that threw a literal wrench into the works, the presence of the loyal pet was somehow unnerving to Twilight. Why? She couldn’t tell…

“Ah, benu noc, hwalbu haspadr. Thank you for this meeting,” she managed to greet the Lord nevertheless, glancing Midnight’s way. “I think it wouldn’t be wrong of me to ask whether you could wait below, Nightguardian? We wish to talk about sensitive matters with the Honored Lord.”

“Of course, hwalba knaze, that is permissible,” was the stallion’s response and, thankfully, the haspadr also gestured for his sentinel to leave, so that privacy of the conversation could be assured. Minus the faithful, animal companion, but that could be withstood.

Twilight waited a minute, give or take a couple of seconds, and began. “Honored Lord, I know this meeting is a little pressed for time due to what we talked about. I take it there weren’t any more missives…?” she asked, dreading the possibility.

“We a-are in a l-little hurry, indeed. But n-no, I don’t k-know of any more l-letters from the Rodine S-Soleeced…” the Lord assured her.

“No news is good news in this instance,” she commented, much to the stallion’s silent agreement. “Still, I won’t take longer than necessary, if you please. I have been considering what could be done to help and show greater appreciation to the work of the noctrali, present and obvious right here.” she began, with a little gesture that was referring to the hustle and bustle around them. “Now that I spent my time in your country and was also allowed to familiarize myself with the Valleys, I believe I do understand where the problem of food supply lies. And, more importantly, I grasp that it needs to be resolved in an efficient, expeditious… and peaceful, way.”

Lord Dusk Harvest said nothing at that, listening carefully since Twilight took the initiative outright. He looked somewhat pleased with what he was hearing so far, though not too much, which made her continue without delay.

“Equestria has worked for many, many years to assure the stability of our agricultural structure, utilizing the natural abilities of the earth ponies, but also the ingenuity of everypony of talent, for a common goal of feeding every hungry mouth and stomach. Food should never be a worry, but a joy. It is every pony’s right, after all,” Twilight claimed, putting belief behind every word. “With that being said… I am not offering alms. Because I do not see Noctraliya as a poor neighbor, stuck in an unfortunate climate and situation. But a place of many wonders, and perseverance aplenty, shown every night.

“Which is why I wish to propose that, right upon the fortuitous conclusion of our talks within the Covenant, a draft of an agreement regarding mutual exchange of knowledge and experience shall be prepared accordingly,” she made her point, still wishing to embellish it further. “I believe that Equestria could learn from your efficiency and your methods, which are aimed at preserving fertility and maximizing yields, even in places which, at first, seem impossible to practice cultivation in. In return, we would aim at providing you with modernized irrigation solutions, as well as technology which will allow longer fruit preservation using smaller storage space, to give a few examples.”

“Better r-r-refrigeration, that would b-be of t-tremendous help in b-building actual s-stockpiles,” the haspadr mused, and there were calculations of some kind made in his head right away. “But… You s-say that your l-lands would a-actually be of n-need for our t-techniques of terracing, for e-example?”

“It was never practiced in Equestrian history, at least not on that scale, there were just small, local communities attempting to grant themselves some more, arable land. But this?” she pointed at one of the slopes in the distance. “This is a scale that amazes and inspires, and shows considerable promise if applied also in Equestria.”

“Th-thank you, hwalba k-knaze. Though… I do h-hope these w-words are not j-just words,” the Lord commented, and Blossom gave a solemn nod, as if to support his caution.

Twilight was not taken aback by such a reply, though it presented a certain challenge. “I’m far from empty promises and platitudes, Honored Lord. I did want to meet in a location like this for the sake of emphasis, I will not lie,” Twilight revealed. Though it was only a half-truth, actually. “But I am offering genuine exchange, in accordance with the good tradition of Noctraliya.”

The haspadr nodded, though there was something about him that still spelled wariness. “I s-see your p-point, hwalba knaze, b-but I am c-c-contemplating whether my e-esteemed colleagues shall b-be so i-inclined on agreeing with sh-sharing our e-engineering and c-cultivation achievements with E-Ekwestriya to their f-full extent…”

“An exchange must involve abandoning prejudice, Honored Lord,” Twilight pointed out, shaking her head a little. “This is to be a new opening and those, while sometimes scary and unpredictable, bring with themselves chances aplenty. But, I want to present a major point and argument that I think you could appreciate, and one that could convince the other Lords of the Covenant.”

“Oh?” the haspadr expressed his persisting interest and even Blossom looked like she would be listening in with an expert’s ear. Well, Twilight imagined that she also wouldn’t mind having more food for herself, and her little brethren.

“Let me begin by stating – we wish for this to be a fair trade, an exchange that will not leave any side feeling short-changed or underappreciated.”

“M-most definitely.”

“So, if we are to provide our technology to Noctraliya, we would need to have your fruittenders and caretakers, anypony needed for this to work, to provide a considerable amount of effort in return, no? We’re not talking about one, singular orchard or plantation, but something that will turn a swath of previously unused land into a project that both of our countries could be proud of. And I know just the place…”

Dusk Harvest didn’t try his luck and guess, but Twilight didn’t need him to. She was more than happy to provide him with an answer on her own.

“So I propose that, for the sake of a new opening between our kin, Equestria is given new, arable lands by your efforts… on the hillsides bordering Noctraliya, between the Border stronghold and the Eastern Woods.”

There was a moment of pause, during which only the wind blew and resounded in its constant travels. The stallion opposite was looking at Twilight with those goldenrod eyes of his, and they were filling with a measure of confusion and even a bit of resentment. Blossom must have felt that something had changed, as she skittishly moved across the Lord’s shoulder and rested against his neck.

“Y-you want us to… t-to work the l-l-lands we have a-always wanted to u-utilize for our s-sake… in the n-name of E-Ekwestriya instead…?” he asked, clearly not believing his own ears.

“I would like for you to make them sprawling orchards and plantations ripe with fruit,” Twilight admitted, observing the Lord’s reaction very intently. She didn’t want to push things too far, just enough to make a point.

But, as it turned out, crossing an invisible line had already been all too easy to do, as she could spot the rising nervousness, which was making Dusk Harvest’s affliction worsen. “I-is this s-some sort o-of a c-cruel joke? Y-you w-would want o-our a-achievements to b-bring b-b-bountiful food to y-you?”

“It could certainly sound like that,” Twilight admitted, knowing she couldn’t continue presenting this outrageous proposition without proper context. She was happy to elucidate. “B—”

“I-I cannot b-believe this,” she was actually interrupted by the Lord, who suddenly lifted his hoof as if ready to stomp or point it at her in an accusatory fashion. His anxious energy was quickly changing into nothing short of umbrage. “The a-a-audacity. Y-you thought th-that you c-could use the f-f-fact of my g-gratitude, my p-personal debt to y-you, to p-push for such an i-insulting s-s-solution?!”

Twilight had made a miscalculation. A grave one, obviously, as she hadn’t expected the haspadr to react to her, deliberately vague, initial proposal with such vigor. “No! No, wait, Honored Lord, wait,” she protested, shaking her head and even stepping forward a little, trying to immediately correct her mistake. “I haven’t painted the whole picture yet, please,” she tried to calm him down, though that didn’t seem to work at first, as he kept looking at her with this strange annoyance.

How hadn’t she spotted it in him when he had arrived?

“What is th-the whole p-p-picture, then? Y-you’ve s-started with some d-daring colors!” the Lord remarked, looking most distrusting there and then, and even Blossom, trying to comfort him, was giving Twilight an accusatory glance.

That was the worst possible scenario happening so far, so Twilight had to redouble her efforts, amend the error of judgment. “Perhaps I have presented it wrongly, but I assure you that my intentions weren’t and aren’t vile. Quite the opposite. If I spoke in a way that was too shocking, I am very, very sorry for that,” she explained, most apologetic in doing so. “I… wanted this to sound a little outrageous, but I have clearly done too much.”

As there was no reaction from Dusk Harvest other than that constant look of annoyance, she tried her very best to calm him.

“I was envisioning that you could, indeed, work the hillsides on our side of the Border, yes, but that we would use this as a form of a lease, lending of the land. And in a way where a proper amount of the produce would make its way back to your hooves and storage. A majority, even.”

That managed to put a pause the Lord’s agitation, though that wasn’t the desired effect that Twilight had been looking for. Rather she had wanted to witness elation and excitement. Instead, she had caused Dusk Harvest to become a bundle of nerves, and shot ones, too.

Thankfully, his sense of duty quickly managed to bore through the barrier of outrage and he focused on the core of the proposal, while his gaze remained weary and focused.

“S-so… what you a-are saying is th-that this w-would be a w-w-way for us to r-regain control o-over lands we c-colonized prior to th-the Cruziate, and were p-planning on utilizing… but i-i-indirectly?”

“Yes… that was all that I was saying, I promise…” Twilight told him, almost biting her tongue in frightful anticipation. “That way Equestria would not give up its lands directly, which could result in internal opposition even if they are, well, ‘fallow’ and unused, and Noctraliya would have its food crisis addressed in a way that solves it and allows it to retain its dignity. Or so I hope it could be seen, by you and the other Honored Lords...”

“That… Th-that is a m-much more u-understandable p-p-proposition…” the haspadr told her, finally, though the few seconds he had taken to voice his approval had lasted for far too long than Twilight would have liked. “Th-those hillsides would p-provide apt s-space… and i-if possible, we c-could then begin t-talking about the m-matter of u-utilizing some more l-land, with a c-communal effort? P-perhaps make U-Umberiu Prozn a t-trading outpost, at l-least, f-for your sh-share of the p-produce?”

“It is conceivable, though I wouldn’t want to promise things without assuring that the basics work first. If things progress too quickly…” Twilight replied, herself trying to calm down witnessing the conversation becoming less tense. “Also, I really, really didn’t wish to anger you, hwalbu haspadr, I recognize that I chose a bad way of presenting it all. I… I came to this idea thanks to the help from the Overseer General, and I was just trying to… well…”

The stallion lifted his hoof to stop her. “I u-understand now. I s-suppose I should a-apologize too, I w-was…” he paused, which caused Blossom to nuzzle his neck some more. “S-something b-bothered me prior t-to our meeting and I-I just a-assumed the w-worst scenario, b-before thinking on h-h-how your words c-could be i-interpreted… So, n-neither am I f-faultless here, you k-know…”

The way his voice trailed off at the end immediately caught Twilight’s attention. Something had happened, though not connected to her upcoming visit to the Mountain of Sunfall. Something more close at home, so to speak.

“What is the matter, Honored Lord?” she immediately shifted her attention from the official matters. They had been mentioned, and she had always been aiming at them being merely a prelude to the real reason for this meeting. “Is something wrong?”

“I-I just…” he hesitated to speak, instead looking somewhere to the side.

Whatever it was, it was deeply personal, Twilight could pretty much feel it. Since she had planned to venture into that territory anyway, she decided to make the first headway.

“If… If there is something you need to get off your chest, Honored Lord, I can listen…” she proposed, though the Lord’s initial glance had this coldness to it that was hard to withstand.

It wasn’t actually aimed at Twilight, however, which made it easier to combat it. Especially since the haspadr clearly wanted to assure her that he hadn’t suddenly become her foe.

“That is v-very gracious of y-you, hwalba k-knaze, b-but I doubt you w-would be i-interested in my r-ramblings…” the Lord told her, trying to smile, though the spasm about his lips had little to do with happiness of any sort. “Just s-something I n-need to w-withstand. N-now, if we c-could—”

“No, forgive me, Honored Lord,” Twilight interceded, even if that meant receiving a slightly admonishing gaze from Blossom, who was at that point almost hugging the haspadr’s neck. “If that could help, I am all ears. And…” she paused, realizing that a portion of her gambit was coming. “… if I could, indeed, lean on that debt you have mentioned, I would gladly utilize it here and now. So, could you tell me what’s plaguing you?”

The stallion’s eyes widened a little, indeed, and he shook his head a moment later. “Now… th-that is a-audacious…” he admitted, then looked to the side. “I-I mean… a-actually, why n-not, it is n-not like I c-could lose a-any more of my t-tattered d-dignity,” he commented, reaching up and scratching Blossom under her chin a little in a most forlorn but kind fashion.

“I believe you retain much more of it than you think, Honored Lord…”

“N-now you r-really don’t k-know what y-you are saying…” he told her, in a voice that held no hope and was, honestly, distressing for Twilight.

He trotted forward to stand by the railing. With the wind buffeting at him, his mane and his ensemble, it could not have created a more evocative picture. Twilight joined the Lord, so that she could hear him out, against the whooshing of the constant gusts.

“I-I… I suppose y-you r-remember that o-one time we h-had a rather u-u-unpleasant conversation? That t-touched about my w-wife and her a-actions?”

“I do.”

She did. She did very well, as it had been one of the main motivators for her plan regarding the Lord Consort and her spouse. It was actually fortuitous to have the haspadr touch upon that.

“Well, I have l-learnt t-tonight,” Dusk Harvest spoke up, looking forward, barely keeping his stammer in check, “th-that, c-clearly using th-the fact that I a-am meeting you, h-hwalba knaze, Waesper Leete shall be a-attending a… a p-private meeting with s-s-somepony.”

That information clicked into place in Twilight’s mind much, much firmer than the Lord next to her believed. And she, simultaneously, felt so bad and sheepish, for she knew exactly what that meeting was. It was just that, clearly due to everything bad which had happened between the leadership of the Dusks, the stallion was imagining and expecting the worst.

It had to be addressed. “So… you believe that it is for the sake of a…”

“S-say it,” came almost a command from the stallion next to her. “You a-are not s-stupid, hwalba k-knaze, say it l-loud.”

“A tryst.”

Dusk Harvest’s face twitched as if he had just been stabbed. Whatever the reality was, for him that was true, and so it meant that the pain was real as well. “Y-yes. I know y-your word f-for such i-i-infidelity.”

“But how are you so… certain, Honored Lord?” Twilight had to ask, trying to be delicate but deliberate. This had to be a conversation lead in a most intricate and masterful way.

“C-certain?” The Lord looked at her as if she had lost her mind briefly. “H-hwalba knaze, my w-wife is the m-most beautiful m-mare in all the l-l-land. A th-throng of stallions a-and mares would w-want nothing m-more than to t-taste her c-closeness…” he spoke, ever word pushing this imaginary blade further into him. “And s-since I c-cannot be a w-worthwhile husband to h-her I… I d-decided that it w-would be cruel of m-me… and, i-in fact, the w-world entire, to h-have a p-pony of s-such beauty and g-grace be t-t-tied down to a m-miserable w-w-w—!”

He got himself caught, and tears welled up in his eyes, all the while Blossom was cuddling to his neck as if a lost child, witnessing his great distress.

“Wretch!” came the woeful declaration which resounded well enough against the gale.

Twilight bit her lower lip. She didn’t have much time to get him out of such thinking. “Is that how you see yourself, Honored Lord?” she asked, trying to remain calm and collected while fighting this terrible surge of pity for the stallion opposite.

The Lord glanced at her with reddened eyes. “This is w-who I a-am, and n-no amount of h-hiding it or d-decorating it w-with empty w-words will ch-change that.”

“But… why would you think that in the first place, Honored Lord…?” Twilight pressed the issue a little, taking a step towards him. Cautiously, as every movement seemed like enough to spook him. “You are an example of a dutiful administrator, a caring ruler, a decent pony – just like that. Where would this self-hatred come from?” she tried to get through to him, but the years and years of doubt had built a powerful wall around him.

“W-what does it m-matter?” he asked in return, looking somewhere to the side. “What d-does any of th-that matter. I h-had one job. One. To g-give prosperity and s-stability to our I-Iug. I p-promised it. To my f-father, my mother, I h-have stood before th-the altar of B-Bogine and s-swore that I-I will, d-despite my l-lacks, a-assure that my b-bloodline will f-flourish and th-thrive. It was a v-v-vow. A s-solemn one. And w-what does anything e-else I have d-done m-matter, if I c-couldn’t keep that o-one promise…?”

“And for that reason you have given up on everything? Or just your wife?”

Dusk Harvest didn’t reply, Twilight just witnessed his jaw tightening. And a low, prolonged hiss resounded from him, one that almost turned into a growl.

Blossom heard it, and likely felt it, as it made the stallion’s throat and neck vibrate. The little bat was trying her best to help, but she was just a pet. And, in that very moment, she looked so small, so hopeless, that Twilight simply couldn’t stand it.

She was already taking a risk. Was it not inevitable to take a greater one?

“Come, Blossom…”

She heard herself say those words even before she had a chance to really think on them.

And the bat’s reaction was even more surprising. Blossom squealed a little, shook all over… and let go of the Lord, flapping her wings to make her way to Twilight.

Who could see the Lord’s eyes tearing up even more as he spotted the poor, little creature running from him to reach Twilight and then press herself to her chest, in a gesture that could only mean seeking protection and succor from what was happening.

And yet, despite that, the poor little thing had one of her eyes locked right on the stallion, as if to still check on him, fulfilling some basic, but vital purpose she had.

Twilight could almost hear the frantic, rapid tempo of the bat’s little heart, beating with this incredible sadness, stress and pity over the stallion opposite.

Who shook all over, witnessing the sight, and a mixture of deep-seated resentment and sadness filled him.

Twilight couldn’t let this chance go, as the sheer shock that hit the haspadr’s system might have been the crucial factor.

“Would she look like that at a wretch, Honored Lord?” she asked, having Blossom in mind, as she lifted her hoof to hold the bat close to herself, almost motherly. “Or is this a look of a creature that cares deeply for you, because she sees that you have lost yourself and your sense of self-value?” She paused, ever so briefly, to let the words resound in the wind. “And I’m sure I know at least one pony that looks at you the same way. I have seen that when I arrived, when I talked with her in my chambers… This look cannot be mistaken for any other. It is one of love, deep and loyal… and hurting.”

The haspadr didn’t reply, only averted his gaze, unable to withstand that small, seemingly insignificant stare from Blossom, but one that reached so deep into him.

And so Twilight continued, hoping that this was the breakthrough, indeed. “You have seen yourself as unworthy for how long now, forsaking yourself in some twisted logic of contrition?” she asked the slightly biting question, to see if she could get a response after all.

“S-stop it.”

“No, Honored Lord. For your sake, I won’t. I cannot,” she riposted. “Do you know why I have presented my initial proposition like so? Because I wanted you to see what it means to ask, assure oneself and have proper context. Could my words be interpreted as a daring scheme? Of course, but I was hoping you would inquire, rather than assume the worst right away… But now I know why that was,” she revealed and was about to do so much more. “And before you ask, yes, I am aware the story behind this rift, the one between you and your wife. It’s dreadful to me. Do you really think so lowly of her out of twisted principle? Or is it but your attempt at tormenting yourself for your shortcomings, real and fake? Did she betray your trust and breached the boundaries of marriage, or are you creating such an image because you feel you deserve it?”

“I-I said… I s-said stop i-it.”

“No. Because I cannot believe that a pony of your traits, of your virtues, of your conviction and belief in fairness, kindness and self-sacrifice can be that malicious,” Twilight insisted, though she could now tell that Blossom was looking up at her with frightened eyes. “What sort of twisted reasoning is this? You open your marriage up, for whatever reason, and you outright believe that she has taken that offer? On what grounds?”

Dusk Harvest turned so quickly it caught her by surprise. He was now facing her, his stance firm and strong, much more solid than one would expect from somepony like him.

“Stop, now,” he ordered, in a commanding tone that pushed right from behind his stammer and gave him the sudden charisma of a leader. “You are i-ill-prepared to speak of th-this. You think you k-know better, but you a-are just engaging in y-your own faulty a-assumptions.”

He claimed so, and tried to take a step forward. But that was beyond the reach of his outrage, as his hoof trembled and rested back where it had been. Maybe it was that crucial, if brief, crack in this façade he was trying to put up. Twilight continued to observe him, trying to read into him and time her further actions as he berated her.

“You do n-not understand. I know who I-I am, how w-weak I am, how u-unworthy of my b-bloodline I am,” Dusk Harvest told her, fully believing in the extent of his folly. “And yet… A-and yet she l-looks at me with such l-love, such s-sadness. This has to b-be a trick, don’t y-you understand?” he asked, and when Twilight remained silent, he took it, accurately, as a sign of doubt. “Nopony not h-harboring resentment could e-ever give me such a s-stare. I am u-undeserving of it. None o-of it. And th-that is how I k-know it is fake. It has t-to be.”

Twilight couldn’t stop her grimace, as she was witnessing the very essence of self-loathing before her, manifesting in the stallion. Dusk Harvest, throughout all those years, had filled himself to the brim with so much doubt and qualms regarding his own worth that it was hard to believe. How much of it was real and how much was self-imposed and baseless? She had a feeling the latter was much more prominent, but a fact remained a fact – right now it felt like he just couldn’t hold any other perspective about himself. The world around, his world of the lands and ways of Noctraliya, was portraying him as flawed, imperfect and lacking due to one of his faults, and… and that was enough.

Dusk Harvest had embraced it, for all of his merits, abandoning hope. And no doubt the amount of challenges he had been and was facing, as the Lord and protector of the Valleys, as well as the omnipresent gossip of the Mountain, it had all cemented his view. A worthless being. Even when he was staring love and affection right in the face, and it was looking right back at him.

He simply wasn’t having it any other way, and his words were rending Twilight’s heart. What was the pain inside Dusk Flight, then?

“I have known ever s-since we m-met each other th-that I am u-unworthy of her. The g-grace, the beauty, the c-character,” the stallion admitted, shaking his head and holding back tears. “And don’t you think I am u-unaware of just how much sh-she wanted to b-be a mother. Now m-much of this i-incredible gift of c-care she carries! One th-that I am c-causing and c-cursing her to u-utilize on but our l-little brothers. B-because that is a-all that I have l-left her! B-because I c-cannot do th-this one thing r-right!”

He was now shouting loudly enough, despite the stammer, that Twilight began worrying that his sentinel would make his way up in a moment, to check on what was happening. Hopefully Midnight was as good at containing such situations as he had promised to be.

Twilight wanted to say something, but the haspadr wasn’t done. And it wasn’t even aimed at unburdening himself. He wasn’t sharing, he wasn’t giving up this pain. He was just… informing her of it. “So I g-gave her a ch-chance, to P-Peraure with me. M-maybe somepony e-else will be a p-partner to her, r-rather than a burden, a w-worthless and unnecessary waste,” he continued, a droplet flowing down his muzzle. “Maybe t-tonight is the n-night, finally, that a m-miracle of l-life and purpose a-actually happens for h-her,” he added in a despairing tone that made Blossom hide her little muzzle in Twilight’s dress.

There wasn’t a pause, there was no need for one. And no time. “Do you love her, Honored Lord?”

“With every fiber of my being!” the haspadr declared, with surprising and unsurprising clarity. “Which is w-why the very th-thought of—”

“She’s meeting with me.”

Now came the time for stillness and a pause. For the wind to cool the ire and bring revelation.

Dusk Harvest was so surprised by Twilight’s calm tone that the only indication that he was still there and present were the tears slowly making their way down his muzzle. They created a very sad picture, but perhaps were the necessary cleansing that the stallion needed.

Even Blossom looked up at Twilight’s words, as if grasping immediately that Dusk Flight had just been referred to, though it was hard to tell whether she understood the language in any way or just… felt it.

Twilight continued, keeping her voice adequately calm. “Perhaps I am naïve, from a certain perspective. But I am counting on some ponies being reminded of their purpose and place in life, Honored Lord,” Twilight added and did so with a small smile, as all of the stallion’s anger hadn’t manage to hurt or dissuade her at all.

He had lashed out, like a hurt being, yes. But, as opposed to how it had gone with Count Ebony Crescent, Twilight could tell that not only had the haspadr not meant it, he had truly been aiming it all at himself and nopony else. That was the problem. That was the whole situation he was in, the constant devaluing of self due to a shortcoming, and overlooking all the other, wondrous achievements he had under his belt.

“You see, Honored Lord, I needed to address this situation. I will admit – I find you a most valuable pony and I am saddened over your situation,” Twilight spoke up outright. “And so I have made certain preparations. Honored Lord Consort has no idea what I want to talk with her about, so I am counting on the authenticity of her replies. You will have to forgive me if I shall be aiming at the private topic, perhaps misusing the graceful gift of having you both in my debt, but…” She shrugged, though by no means was it a demeaning gesture. “I doubt you would ever have the strength to ask your wife outright about certain matters, though I am sorry in advance if I am misjudging you, and I am not saying any of that to signify your weakness. But… you need help, that is for sure, Honored Lord, and I will help you.”

“… w-what are y-you even s-suggesting?” came Dusk Harvest’s panicked inquiry, almost as if he had completely forgotten about the previous outburst. “You w-want to t-talk to her a-about her—?”

“Yes, about her what, Honored Lord? Her infidelity? Her promiscuity? Because I don’t believe in those,” Twilight told it outright. “No pony delving into such affairs can speak and look at another with such authentic emotions. And I hope that, when things are said and done, you will see it, too.”

She paused, but only to take her hoof and pet Blossom on the head. She knew that if there would be something to threaten her plan outright… it was actually the bat appearing to Dusk Flight, if she had sent her alongside her husband. Perhaps that was exactly why Twilight had felt concerned about the pet’s presence at the start.

“Blossom, could you stay with Honored Lord Dusk Harvest for now? Please, make sure he stays here… and out of sight,” Twilight told the little creature, hoping that she would understand her request well enough.

To her surprise, it seemed that Blossom could at least read into her intentions, as the cute thing nodded, flashed her a smile, then flapped away to land on the stunned Lord’s shoulder.

Dusk Harvest looked like he had clearly lost control of the situation, but that was a necessary thing. Though that did not mean that he was happy with where he had been put. “H-hwalba knaze, what is th-the meaning b-behind this…? Are you r-really c-considering…?”

“Genuine help is all I am about, Honored Lord, nothing more and nothing less,” she told him, taking a step towards him. And then past him as she spoke further. “Please, allow me to do this. Give me a chance, that is what I am politely requesting of you. You both could be different ponies by the end of this night, you and your wife. Are you willing to trust me in this matter?”

That was a lot of sudden pressure on the Lord, and Twilight hoped that she had gathered enough credence in the haspadr’s eyes to be given such an opportunity.

“I…” he began, but never finished. In the wind which had decided to calm down a little, he could hear a voice.

Twilight did so too, happy that she managed to mentally keep to the schedule.

“… hic? Hwalba knaze welee conw iae hic?”

“Tac, hwalba haspadre hitwe.”

That had been Dusk Flight’s voice, followed by Rowan Berry’s, so Twilight gestured for the Lord to step back, more towards the center of the tower, which he did out of pure surprise. And due to Blossom cutely grabbing his collar and pulling in the right direction.

“Trust me,” was Twilight’s last request for the haspadr before she moved completely past him and directed herself towards the stairs down.

She wasn’t stopped, which she took as at least the minimal level of belief in her ambitious plan.

On the floor below, Twilight witnessed a rather interesting sight, that of Midnight standing at the ready right before the Dusk Family sentinel. Her companion’s expression was calm, but self-assured, as opposed to the other warrior’s, who looked very peeved. And, as his tabard was a little askew, it was not hard to guess that Midnight had managed to convince the wartownec to remain where he was by… more direct arguments.

The glance that Twilight was granted spoke of confidence. And the unmistakable joy over being back at full strength, with but the memory of the verlupte. Something that she would have to actually thank the Lesy for, funnily enough.

Still, she didn’t hesitate to descend to the base of the tower, grateful that one could hear talking all the way up it. Otherwise, this whole idea would have crashed and burned in a most spectacular fashion right away. Now it was just about the Lord being actually interested to eavesdrop on the conversation which Twilight was going to lead in a specific direction, if able. But… something was telling her that he wouldn’t pass on such an opportunity, however outlandish.

Speaking of which, Dusk Flight’s otherworldly presence pushed against Twilight even before the Lord Consort spotted her arrival. The noblemare was clearly expecting her to appear from one of the orchards, not above and behind, and it was Rowan Berry’s reaction instead that caused the attention to shift towards Twilight.

“Hwalba knaze. I have been allowed to escort the Lord Consort here, in accordance with your polite request,” the healer spoke, giving Twilight a respectful bow.

“Thank you, Rowan Berry, I’m most grateful. It’s a pleasure, Lord Consort,” she spoke aloud, causing Dusk Flight to squint her eyes in surprise and scrutiny both.

“Hwalba knaze, this is an unlikely sight. What are you doing here already? On your own?”

“Nothing too extravagant. Just appreciating an achievement, I suppose,” Twilight claimed with a kind smile, trying to start in the right, calming tone. “The Dalli are inspiring, and I am allowing myself to feel good about besting the One of the Forest in protection of them and the work of many generations of batponies.”

“It is a deed worth celebrating, without a doubt,” the Lord Consort admitted, though her tone remained a little cautious, at least. She spared a glance towards Rowan Berry and then upwards the tower, and Twilight could only hope that she didn’t spot anypony else present. “I would think, however, that you would have proper companionship, befit a guest in our lands. And that a conversation would flow better in a calmer location. It’s windy tonight.”

That much was true. But Twilight felt very appreciative of the gales out of a sudden.

Dusk Flight’s appearance was already captivating by default, but the way that the wind played with her long, black dress and dark mane was giving the mare a unique look. She was a vision, nothing less, an exemplification of allure, but also a grim warning. The material from which the dress was made was becoming the extension of the mare’s own, shapely wings, and the strands of her mane were dancing as if threads of fate, ready to weave bleak or wondrous futures. Although Twilight had witnessed the seers and the priesthood of the Seven Mountains in their proper gowns, she was now staring right at an ancient oracle of distant times, a stoic and enchanting figure, ready to reveal her dole and do so with great, mystical power that captured hearts with love and fear alike.

That was who Twilight had to deal with. And talk with regarding very, very private matters.

Dusk Flight’s head tilted a little. “Is everything alright, hwalba knaze? You are giving me a look…”

That was a very polite way of saying that somepony was staring, Twilight realized, so she reprimanded herself and approached. Seeing in the corner of her eye that Rowan Berry, despite being subjected to the same effect from Dusk Flight, had utilized her own talents and trotted away casually, without as much as a sound from her hooves. Leaving the two to talk on their own, almost.

“I hope you don’t mind that I wished to meet, Lord Consort,” Twilight began as she approached this majestic, dark vision of a mare. “As you might know, I am not going to stay in the Mountain of Dusk much longer, unfortunately, and I hoped that I could actually borrow some of your time still.”

“I know that you must leave, though not much else. Not that I am prying into diplomatic matters,” the other mare told her politely, nodding. “But of course I don’t mind, not at all. Though I am uncertain whether you want to make this a… more official conversation or but a casual chat?”

Was Dusk Flight trying to see through things right away? Perhaps, just like it had been with Dusk Harvest, she had come here carrying certain worries and darker thoughts that night?

Twilight pondered for just a heartbeat before answering. “I would like to touch upon a concrete subject, yes, but I wouldn’t call it official, no. It is more to forge a new understanding, to perhaps learn a bit more, address some issues.”

“Very well,” the Lord Consort replied, seemingly ready for the many possible scenarios as her eyes shone in the moonlight. The wind carrying her mane across her muzzle made that stare become that much more transfixing. “Should we find shelter from the gale, then?”

“I wouldn’t want to dally, actually, I still have preparations before departure. We could walk around the tower, find a better angle?” Twilight suggested, hoping that it wouldn’t make hearing this conversation more difficult. The strikes of wind were getting rather loud from time to time.

Dusk Flight agreed to the proposal silently, ready to follow Twilight’s hoofsteps. She, in turn, decided to make it a slow stroll, easy to follow with one’s eyes and ears.

“Honored Lord Consort, I have been considering a specific matter, as I have said. Ever since your visit to my chambers, during my previous stay,” she began, wishing to grant the conversation proper context.

“I see. I take it you shall guide me a bit more? There are several things that could be connected to that,” Dusk Flight responded, ready to listen with great attention.

“I will, yes. I… would first say that I am not considering myself a nosy individual, but one that is definitely sensitive to problems around me.”

“That could be considered ‘a given’, as I believe the expression in your tongue is,” the other mare commented with a slight smile. “I believe that a pony of the Divine Aspect and a Princess of Friendship, as your vocation is, would be focused on such kind of matters.”

“That I am,” Twilight confirmed with a smile of her own. She knew that the topic was harsh, but that didn’t mean one had to use harsh tones to convey it “And, I must say… some of the things I heard from you, Honored Lord Consort, brought some discomfort to my heart. Not because they were aimed at me, let me clarify outright, but because they showed that you have something lodged in your core. Pushed into it, I believe, by rumors and hearsay.”

There was a pause and Dusk Flight stopped following her. She stood in place, lifting her head a little higher and letting the gale encompass her supple neck without as much as a shiver from her. Quite the opposite, the strikes of wind seemed almost connected to her displeasure, blowing right in Twilight’s direction for a brief moment.

“I see,” the Lord Consort commented finally, though her voice lost some of its luster, becoming instead like that of a touched augur. Ready to bring calamity with but a word more, if only she would choose. She didn’t, out of the nobleness of her heart. “We managed to communicate enough between each other the last time, indeed. You know. You have enough decorum and perhaps even kindness to ignore it… or so I thought. You couldn’t after all, as I presume?” came a rather sour question.

“I couldn’t ignore your gaze, your tone. Your remark that sometimes one just has to withstand certain things,” Twilight admitted, still retaining the collected quality of her own voice. “And while I find it a remarkably dignified stance, Honored Lord Consort, I have to consider whether it is really required and necessary.”

Dusk Flight smiled, of all things, but the expression was as embittered as it could have been. “Does anypony chooses freely to be put in a situation like this? For eyes to stare at them, for tongues to lash? But if I am, then… I will endure it,” the mare firmly declared. “This isn’t the one and only life we have, after all. In the greater perspective, this is but a fraction we have to manage through, the smallest of moments to clench one’s jaw in calm integrity. So that later one can sing praise in the domain of Bogine, with a clear voice and smiling lips…”

Such a stance was praiseworthy by the power of its spirituality, though perhaps Twilight was not agreeing with it in entirety. “Is there nothing we can or should do, however? Not to be martyrs before we move on through death and pyre?” she asked, using the Noctraliyan approach to matters final.

“It is not the worst of fates when one is innocent,” Dusk Flight replied, finally stepping forth, though reluctant to look directly forward. “I am… I am not sure whether I could claim that.”

That one sentence made Twilight’s whole body lock up, as a cold shudder which had nothing to do with the weather encompassed her in entirety. Was there… was there actually a dark secret that the mare was harboring and was somewhat inclined to reveal, or at least admit? If so, the Lord overhearing that would… He would, without a doubt…!

Actually, Twilight wasn’t even sure what he would do, but it would not be anything good!

Was it better to abandon the attempt? Not press the issue and… and instead somehow explain it before the haspadr? Or was it too late after all, and the only thing that could be done now was to get the truth out and work around mercy and forgiveness? What could Dusk Flight be hiding, actually?

Twilight, she…

She steeled herself. This was her doing, the whole situation was due to her plan and idea. To get to the bottom of this marital rift was the purpose for this meeting, and a choice she had made. She would continue, and hope that honesty would bear fruit, however sour it could be.

“Are you telling me, Honored Lord Consort, that there’s a seed of truth to what I have learnt, regarding you?” Twilight spoke up, firmly.

And got a firm reaction back. “As much as I can still hear empathy in your voice, I don’t think it is a matter I would like to discuss in detail,” Dusk Flight replied, meeting Twilight’s gaze defiantly. But said defiance was fueled by propriety and self-esteem, rather than ill intentions.

“Neither it is a pleasant topic for me, as much as I possess the desire for help… but treat this as a repayment. Of the debt I was graciously offered.”

The mare withstood such a challenge with the regal decorum she possessed, as her lithe form stood still, like a marvelous statue. But soon did she find her words and they were as sharp as admonition from a higher being.

“This is a most audacious cruelty, hwalba knaze, to utilize this boon like so...”

“Then let me be ever so briefly cruel, Honored Lord Consort,” Twilight responded, withstanding the words, and finding it almost gripping that she had just been accused of possessing such a quality. “I know what I am asking about, I am aware, well aware, of the intrusiveness of my inquiry, but I ask you, also… to trust me, Honored Lord Consort. Tell me of what ails you, of what could be done to lessen this burden.”

“Because you believe that you can actually help, Honored Princess? And if you cannot?” came the pained question, which broke through the mare’s calm, otherworldly decorum. “Should I reveal myself, my core, before you for naught? I do not think I am at all comfortable with such a possibility. This is personal, this is intimate, and suffered in the silence of my heart…”

“I know, I am well aware of that. The more I ask that you trust me, Dusk Flight.”

Twilight made that shift in tone and convention deliberately, trying to sound like a confidant to another mare’s plight, not a royal, dignitary or anypony else. She needed to close the distance here and now, if she were to hear the pained whispers of the other mare’s being. And if others were to learn of them in a controlled environment.

The wind blew and its gusts were still as cold as the gaze from the mare opposite. There was hesitation from the Lord Consort, and a most understandable one. She deliberated, she considered, she mused. And, what was most vital, she had no idea that right above, on the tower’s top, Lord Dusk Harvest was surely waiting with bated breath for any and all words.

Twilight gave the situation a moment, trying to keep her breathing even, alongside her heartbeat. Her thoughts were racing as well, until she gathered them, alongside her doubts and hopes, and directed them to anypony out there willing to listen. Willing to give this situation purpose, and a beneficial one for all parties involved.

And, for the briefest of moments, in the wind rushing around the hill and the tower, she could hear something. A small, pained and knowing chuckle. As well as a brief, calling cry.

Or so she thought, because the sensations were gone a second later.

The next voice she could hear was real, and belonged to Dusk Flight. “So… having strong-legged me into this, Honored Princess… What would you want to know?” came the question signifying readiness, but also that little bit of utterly understandable insult at the situation that was occurring.

Twilight exhaled in relief inwardly, then gathered her focus again. This was it, and there was no room for mistakes, now that she was reluctantly granted an opening.

She closed her eyes and inhaled, then asked directly. “Is there any basis for the rumors I have heard?”

“Now, that is a question altogether too open,” Dusk Flight admitted, looking around for witnesses and spotting Rowan Berry’s absence. She thankfully skipped glancing upwards, though gave Twilight one more perturbed glance. “It… depends on which rumors you are referring to, Honored Princess. I have lost count of just how many disgusting and noxious things about myself I have heard…”

Yes, this conversation wasn’t going to be easy for Twilight, as somepony unused to speaking so directly about such matters. “Well then, let me start again. What did you mean just now, Honored Lord Consort? About martyrdom being easy for the innocent?”

“You do know, hwalba knaze, how we see matters of marriage? Tending to the bloodline we are a part of?” the mare asked with a sad smile. And, when Twilight nodded, she continued with the explanation, looking somewhere distant, likely in the direction of the peak. Perhaps imagining the Honored Lord being there. “Lack of descendants in a noble vein, in a Lord’s vein, is seen as a sign of… lack of benediction from Neskaza Lunee… And regardless of whether there are more, shall I say, mundane causes for this misfortune. Still, one starts to believe in things said over and over from around the corners, so… I do feel some measure of guilt weighing on me, regardless of whether it should be there.”

The mare turned sideways, as if to emphasize the point which the wind had already been making for her – accentuating her lithe and mouthwatering looks and physique. “I have been blessed with beauty and allure that please stallions and mares and, as I can now see, are appreciated even by eyes used to sunlight,” she pointed out, and Twilight was again reminded not to stare. “But, as far as the fruittenders I have consulted and sworn to secrecy are concerned, my body is capable of carrying offspring. There have been mares in history blessed with these features. We just need… an opportune moment. And lack of certain stresses. A situation hard to come by on the pedestal and constantly prodded by vile words…”

Twilight nodded, remembering that she had once read something about such issues regarding mare biology and imbalances which can occur. The more she was now appreciating that the Lord Consort was willing to share. It was an intensely private matter for any of them.

“So, you were just rather… unsuccessful so far?” she decided to ask, hoping not to hear any other scenario.

“Indeed. My Lord and husband, he…” Dusk Flight paused and a touch of red came across her muzzle. “He became… discouraged far too quickly, and he too is burdened by so much that it might have affected our chances. Mental health is something that does affect the physical one, after all,” she added, and there was something most knowledgeable about her words. Clearly her talent with bats was not only based on animal affinity, but motherly understanding. “It is a shame, I have to say, my Lord and husband, he… Well, his affection was always most genuine, having me and my needs in mind. It just lacked belief in his own prowess and… well, the amount of time we spent with each other was not sufficient as of yet.”

Twilight felt that her own face was going red, not to mention the slight shame she felt about the secret audience she had gathered for the sake of this exchange. And that she was getting these details from the other mare in such circumstances. But, what could one do to actually get to the bottom of the issue?

“And the Honored Lord… finally just gave up?” she managed to ask through the embarrassment. “Stopped seeing you, Lord Consort?”

“Yes, most unfortunately…” Dusk Flight admitted, and there was genuine sadness and longing in her over the fact. “I… Bogine, I really cannot believe we are discussing this. Any of this.”

“For a good cause, believe me,” Twilight tried to encourage her a bit more. “But, as I understand, it… didn’t just end there, did it?” she inquired, pretty much admitting to knowing more. “A fruitless marriage is one thing, but… he has offered you a way out of it.”

The other mare’s upper lip quivered. “A ‘way out of it’ – our ways are set and nothing like this is a ‘way out’,” she commented, offended at the very prospect. “I… I know not why that ever crossed his mind, or who had planted this misbegotten concept in it. I discouraged him, as much as I could, from even speaking of such a possibility at first, I…” She stopped, and Twilight saw her eyes glinting with fresh tears, like diamonds manifesting out of sheer sadness. The sight could tug at any heart. “Why would he, ever? Was I not clear in what I was declaring, in what I was… what I am showing? Would he believe I would choose another, use this opportunity? Does he really think so lowly of me?”

Twilight had to bite her lip to stop herself from speaking up. She wanted nothing more than to explain that the Honored Lord thought so lowly of himself, but that… that would affect the further conversation. Still, every tear falling down Dusk Flight’s muzzle was like a strike, a crushing blow to anypony’s core.

The Lord Consort needed a moment to calm down, taking a step sideways. She held her head high, hoping for the wind to dry her eyes, and then sat down. The gale blew her dress back, spreading the atramentous material like a pair of dark, forlorn wings and adding to the melancholy of the moment.

The connection with how Dusk Harvest had looked a few moments earlier couldn’t have been more blatant in Twilight’s eyes.

Dusk Flight spoke again, and Twilight could only hope that she was doing it loud enough to be heard above. “Yes. Yes, I was and am lacking, I need time and… and more effort. Still, I entered this union with hope, hope that I would soon carry a foal under my heart. I still haven’t achieved that, yes, but… But does he really think that I would break my vow to him, just to get that? That I would put ‘me’ over ‘us’? That is not what I had been taught, what I swore to him in the Light of the Goddess… I would never, and have not,” she accentuated, looking back at Twilight with strength and grim dignity to crush any accusation. “Oh, yes, I have heard it all, hwalba knaze, for I have been called the worst insults known to our tongue, words reserved for truly fallen mares.”

She paused, but only to gather her breath, as her gaze ventured past Twilight, past the Valleys, towards the denizens of these lands and the other Mountains too.

“And, worse yet, I have heard what names he is being called. Just how ‘withered’ and ‘dry’, how worthless he is seen by some, those who have forgotten Bogineyi teachings. Of care, comfort, understanding… No. No, no, no,” Dusk Flight spoke with intent, and it was rather touching to hear this ire in her voice. “They know not what they are talking about. He is the kindest, noblest soul there is in our land, and dare I say beyond. He would grind himself to dust, if only that dust could nourish the earth, make it grant us one more orange,” she declared, and Twilight saw one of the mare’s forehooves digging into the grass below. “He is just… He just lacks belief in that. In himself.”

Twilight wasn’t going to object, for she had also seen the great sacrifices of Lord Dusk Harvest, who was hopefully witnessing all that. Instead, she joined the Lord Consort, standing nearby and hoping to grant that little bit of support in the mare’s abject worry.

“Instead… he thinks that you are also one of those that would also see him as without value. For he didn’t grant you what you seek.”

“How could I ever be so unjust and vile? To him?” the Lord Consort turned her head outright, her dark mane shifting like satin and silk. “Believe me, hwalba knaze, I have gotten used to lecherous stares and glares of envy throughout my life. The curse to balance out my blessing. Him, however? Even during our first day together he… never looked at me like I was some possession, he…” She paused, shaking her head and clearly berating herself for this amount of honesty. “That, those moments… I won’t say more. His noble gaze and his pure heart are mine. Mine to cherish, only mine. And I… I am his. Only his. That’s that.”

That should have been that, indeed, for such a declaration signified the end of that particular, and very personal conversation. But Twilight wanted to be absolutely sure, for the sake of this unique situation. She took a deep breath, wishing to push her luck, maybe even risk the mare’s anger, to make things ideally transparent.

“So, you have never—”

“Enough.”

That interruption was so sharp and so firm that Twilight almost jumped away from the Lord Consort. Perhaps wisely, for it hadn’t been her that uttered the word.

A second later the very Honored Lord landed right next to them both, with a flap of his wings that made both of their ensembles be blown back.

Twilight quickly tried to regain composure and prepare long and convoluted explanations of her actions, but Dusk Harvest was giving her a most searing look. She felt herself being pushed back a little by this sheer stare, and she couldn’t quite reach for her voice.

In the meantime, Dusk Flight scrambled up and took a few trots back, in shock over this sudden appearance. “I-iaeu haspadr i marit…” she stammered, trying to understand how this situation was possible. But even then and there she managed to quickly deduce matters, her gaze landing squarely on Twilight. “You… This was you? You planned this, for…?” She turned again to the stallion, who was standing still and tall, with strength that nopony would expect of him. “Tu bide…?”

Dusk Harvest didn’t reply, just lifted his hoof. It managed to stop his wife from continuing as she lowered her head and waited. Just like the Lord took a second longer to continue. Emotions were bubbling inside of him, that much was blatant, and his whole form was shaking from it. Beneath this visible sign there was something growing and rising, something of enough power to cause Twilight to grow worried and even respectful of the haspadr’s very presence.

The tense stillness was interrupted by one thing, aside from the unbothered mountain wind.

Blossom, her small wings trying to keep up with the situation, flew down from the tower’s top. She made a little loop around the Honored Lord, as if ascertaining herself that he wouldn’t move, then turned to the Lord Consort. She landed on the mare’s shoulder and pressed herself to the side of her neck, observing the gathered. Dusk Flight, instinctively, reached up and held the pet close, trying to read the situation from the actions of the bat, as well.

But Lord Dusk Harvest was himself keen on forcing one, singular interpretation of the standoff. He pointed at Twilight, with a gesture that was to keep her silent, then faced his wife head on.

Perhaps for the first time in years.

“Is… Is this all t-true? Is everything you s-said real? This wasn’t s-staged with the hwalba k-knazeu help, was it?” he asked, with enough strength to leave most of his stammer behind.

“No, it wasn’t. I swear it, I swear that all I said, I said from my heart,” Dusk Flight assured, demurely looking her husband in the eye.

Then she gasped.

Twilight reached out with her hoof and was about to light up her horn. She heard shuffling from above, spotting in the corner of her vision that both Midnight and the Lord’s sentinel appeared by the railing, ready to jump over it.

Because Dusk Harvest lunged forth. As if to strike.

Nopony had any chance to truly react, not Twilight, not the warriors, not Blossom, not even Rowan Berry, whose silhouette had just made itself visible from around the tower.

The Honored Lord landed right by Dusk Flight, by her forelegs… and embraced her, pressing his muzzle to her chest, in a gesture that was simultaneously apologetic, relieved, impassioned and worshipful.

Out of this tension, vexation and embarrassment manifested a picture of true and real love, and it was enough to cause Twilight to feel her throat constrict and tears manifest in her eyes this time.

Dusk Flight needed a moment longer to react, actually, as the situation had moved so quickly that the mare had no idea what to do with herself. It was then that Blossom, the most loyal and good-hearted creatures that she was, came to the rescue. The little thing flapped her wings to reach the Lord Consort’s ear and squeaked a few times into it. Twilight could have sworn that the bat pointed at her, the Lord and then the tower. All with her webbed digits while staying aloft, acting like an excited foal.

And whatever the level of communication was between Blossom and Dusk Flight, these few seconds caused the mare’s frozen expression to melt into a most brilliant smile.

“My Lord and husband, Kiwarule just told me… that you said that you still love me. Right before the Honored Princess. And that… that you do so with every part of yourself. Every fiber of your being,” the mare uttered, fighting yet more tears, the happy ones.

Dusk Harvest looked up from his modest and deferential position and met his wife’s gaze. “I do. I n-never stopped, never c-ceased. Ha, Waesper Leete…” he exhaled, with longing, right into the mare’s neck.

“We… have a lot to talk about, I feel…” Dusk Flight told her husband, fighting a sudden flutter of her eyelids. And obviously not really minding that there were witnesses to this, taboo-breaking situation.

Yes, that meant nothing. Not to those two, and not then. “Later,” the stallion declared with firmness that once again conquered his affliction.

He then scrambled onto his hooves, took his wife’s head in his forehooves with gentleness and yet passion, and planted his lips right on hers with famished desire.

Twilight turned her head away out of respect, which made her look at Rowan Berry, who herself averted her gaze, but first made a most aghast face. One through which some scheming satisfaction was oozing. A second later, there was a sound of wings. It turned out that Dusk Harvest had just grabbed his wife’s foreleg and prompted her to fly up with him, to the tower’s top, leaving behind a very confused, but quite jubilant Blossom. Merely a few seconds after that Midnight evacuated the floor below alongside the Lord’s sentinel, who was trying to maintain a stony expression despite the beautiful chaos which had just unfolded.

“I… think it worked,” was Midnight’s summary as he landed nearby, and his tone caused Twilight to stifle a giggle and fight a sudden blush altogether. “Having said that – should we move on, somewhere? Anywhere?” he suggested with a glance upwards.

It was a sagacious suggestion, very much so. And the sentinel, which had been denied his duty before, was very clearly letting them all know that the tower’s premises had to be vacated. Right away.

Twilight trotted downhill trying to maintain a stoic expression, though that nonetheless portrayed all of her satisfaction. Her plan, that crazed idea of hers, so complex and simple… it had worked. It actually had worked. Oh, she had been hoping that this night would show some ponies their purpose anew, the depth of their emotions and the love that just needed some honesty to start growing again.

“Hwalba knaze… I am seriously impressed,” came Rowan Berry’s voice from behind. “I was not giving this a perfect chance of succeeding and now… I mean, what words of approval can be said about this?”

“I think—”

Twilight began, yes, but then a very, very specific noise echoed around. It was a mare’s voice, definitely coming from the tower’s top, and signifying a… renewed bond between the leadership of the Dusk Family.

“Apparently words aren’t needed,” Midnight remarked, trying to keep a straight face. “Did you all hear something?” he asked like the rogue he was.

“It was wind,” came the very stern and very contained voice of the sentinel, who was escorting them away from the hill.

“You heard Midnight, it was just the wind,” Twilight agreed, wholeheartedly, and definitely didn’t go completely and utterly red in the face. “Let’s move somewhere inside, the weather isn’t too pleasant.”

“Doesn’t matter to some,” the stallion commented again, though watched his volume this time around. Also unlike some, though Twilight didn’t mind. “This will definitely result in some rumors about the haspadr and haspadre hitwe,” Midnight continued in a whisper.

“I think they will be fine from now on,” she told him.

Smiling with pride as she did so.