Upon reaching the edge of the town, Luna slowed her pace, taking in her surroundings. There was little signs of the usual aesthetic of pony architecture, everything was built out of whatever was available, often dug into the side of the dirt and rock mounds. Sturdiness and shelter seemed to be the only goals in mind. The road was mostly rough stone, and for the first time in over a millennia she was thankful for the invention of horseshoes.

As she continued to walk, she saw she was beginning to attract stares from the local ponies. They mumbled and whispered amongst themselves, clearly curious about the new arrival but unwilling to approach. At least they didn’t appear particularly hostile, but still something bothered her.

Part way through her thoughts, a cold blast from the mountain hit, causing her to shiver, unused to being affect so in her normal form. She was about to use her magic to shield her, but she realized that nearly everypony here was an earth pony. True she’d seen a few stray pegasi, and a lone unicorn, but the rest were all earth ponies. Unwilling to show draw more attention to herself, she just hurried along the road. She’d just have to find a place to hide and quickly magic up a cloak while no one could see.

It was in searching for a secluded spot that she realized the two things that had been bothering her about the appearance of the locals. First, they were all clearly poorly fed, thinner than the ponies she was used to seeing. She had failed to notice immediately since they were all that way, with no other ponies to compare to. Of course this made sense, with the rough rocky ground here farming would be particularly difficult. Plus the mountain itself shadowed this land, and it appeared that the gloomy grey clouds that obscured the sky hadn’t been moved in a long time. But even that was nothing compared to her second realization.

An astounding number of them didn’t have their cutie marks. True, she had seen a number of them with, but the fact that there were any adults at all without theirs, none-the-less half the population at least, was a disturbing realization. Then it struck her, things were so harsh they never had the chance to do the needed searching. She stood at a corner looking around, feeling more and more for these poor ponies. Things here were too harsh for them to focus on much more than survival, anypony whose special talent wasn’t part of that…they’d likely have no chance to find out.

Realizing that standing there she had gathered a few onlookers, she quickly moved off, trying to find a place to duck in and compose herself.

Finding an alley between what looked like a pair of storehouses, she immediately slipped between them, thankful to be out of the cold icy blasts, but immediately realizing the shadows here weren’t much better for warmth.

Before she could even power up her horn, she heard hooves clicking on the stones behind her, and quickly turned to face whoever had followed.

The two stallions standing there just grinned back, one a dusty dark grey with lighter mane and tail, the other tan with a brown mane and tail and sledgehammer cutie mark, clearly thinking they had managed to find some easy prey. Neither looked particularly tough, and Luna was torn between rolling her eyes and just laughing in their faces, they had no idea what they had gotten into.

“You lost, little lady?” The first stallion continued to grin, clearly thinking they had achieved some great victory in 'trapping' her in this alleyway.

Little lady!?!?

“Yeah, I’m sure we can help you, can’t we?” The second one mocked, turning to the first. “We know all around town, don’t we?”

“Mind if I join in?” A third voice called from behind the two stallions. Before anyone could react the tan one went flying sideways into some nearby boxes, impacting with a loud thud.

Luna stared, just as shocked as the remaining assailant, and they both turned to see the shape of a stallion, just in time for another kick to send the second assailant to join his friend.

Luna just raised an eyebrow at the new stallion standing in front of her, who clearly seemed quite proud his ‘plan’ had actually worked.

“Are you ok Miss…?”

“Selene,” Luna smiled, “and yes, I’m fine. Thank you, Mr…?

“Phalanx, and you’re welcome. Sorry about those two, we’ve been trying to deal with them for a bit now. We can leave’em there, I’ll send someone by to deal with them later, I doubt they're going anywhere.” He motioned for her to follow him back out the alley. “What were you doing back here anyways?”

“Trying to get some shelter from those cold blasts. Was foalish of me to forget a cloak this far north.” Luna mock pouted, trying to brush off the subject while getting a better look at her ‘rescuer’.

It took a moment to realize he was a Clydesdale, though she guessed the poor conditions out here accounted for his smaller frame and thinner build. His navy blue coat and black mane and tail were dulled from their original colors, giving him an almost faded appearance.

While her observation only took a second or two, she realized he seemed to have taken a more direct interest in her, as he had failed to answer and was staring, specifically at her flank.

“Something interest you?” She said, perhaps with a bit more edge than necessary, quickly snapping him back to reality.

“OH! I’m so sorry, I wasn’t, I mean, I didn’t mean to, it was just, I, you, uh…”

“Yes?” Luna pushed, still irritated by such direct attention from a stranger, though she quickly regretted it, realizing that poor Phalanx had most likely been staring at her cutie mark, himself having yet to find his talent. Her suspicions were confirmed once he finally managed to put together some semblance of a coherent sentence.

“I, well,” he stammered, still clearly trying to recover from her challenge, “I just saw you found your talent…not a lot of folks are lucky enough to find it, mages in particular seem to have trouble finding theirs. You’re awfully young to have found yours.”

“Young?” It had come out as another challenge, but in this case it was because Luna was trying so hard not to laugh at the idea of being called young. Over two millennia she’d lived, young wasn’t quite the word she would use to describe herself.

Of course, poor Phalanx had no idea, and was mumbling some gibberish or another about not meaning to judge by appearance or some other sort.

She decided to put the poor guy at ease, he seemed nice enough at least. “It’s fine, really, I’m just not used to quite as much, direct attention, I suppose.”

“I-I-I’m still sorry, I shouldn’t have…” Clearly he wasn’t quite buying it.

Luna decided it was time to change the subject, “Perhaps you should show me to the nearest, aheh, general store, so I can find a cloak?”

“Oh! Right, sorry sorry, yes, cloak, yes.” He seemed all too happy to have an excuse to talk about something else. “Actually, what did…what did you mean by ‘this far north’? I mean, you’re just from one of the other towns or villages, aren’t you?”

Luna shook her head, “Nope, much further south, off on, uh, a type of pilgrimage, part of my magical training.”

Phalanx’s eyes widened at this, “Further south? How much further? Wow, even the pegasi can’t find anyone else when they scout past the outer lands.”

“Yes, well, it’s quite far south I assure you.” More like out of normal travel range with what resources you have. Luna couldn’t help feel a twinge of guilt thinking that way, these ponies had been out here for who knows how long, all because no one bothered to come looking. Well, a problem that can be solved just by helping people would be a nice change. Celestia would probably want to just teleport in a warehouse worth of supplies as an opening act. For once in a long while their magic could be put to use doing more than just chasing off threats or mundane royal acts, they could help ponies on a grand scale, just like early days of Equestria’s unification.

“Wow, you must be really strong and powerful.” Phalanx was staring again, but this time Luna was starting to get used to it, and decided it wouldn’t hurt to amuse herself a little.

“Are you commenting on my appearance again?” Despite being a princess for as long as she’s been, she was finding it difficult not to grin as he slowly turned crimson.

“No, I mean, well, maybe, I mean, I was just saying, I, uh, oh look there’s the trading post!” He almost bolted to the door, at least remembering to hold it open for her as she walked through, giving him a smug smile at the last second to let him know she was just playing.

Walking in, she stayed by the door as Phalanx followed her in. The place was surprisingly spacious for being dug into a dirt mound. A large fire-pit stood in the center of the room, and at least three chimneys in the walls added what light and heat they could, though there were still several lamps of some sort scattered around, doing little to ward off the dark. Various scattered racks and shelves held a seemingly random selection of supplies, most of it appearing already worn in some degree, and while well made, were clearly made with very limited resources, like the rest of the town so far.

“Ah, welcome! Phalanx, who’s your new friend?” A stallion she assumed to be the store-owner appeared from around a corner, cheerfully walking over to them. He had a brown coat and a disheveled grey mane and tail, and an old oil lamp for a cutie mark. He didn’t get far before slowing down though, his eyes moving from Luna’s horn to her cutie mark. At least he had the common courtesy not to stare, unlike Phalanx, though he was quickly becoming more visibly cautious as he approached.

“Oh, she’s, uh, a traveler, she uh.” Phalanx was clearly stalling out quick as to how to explain her presence, clearly trying to figure out how to not set her off again. Luna was amused, but decided to give the poor guy a break.

“Just a traveling mage, wandering as part of my training. I’m afraid I foolishly managed to forget to bring a warm cloak, and was hoping to purchase one from you, if possible.” Luna gave the man a warm smile, which seemed to ease him slightly, though he quickly seemed to pick up on the meaning of her story.

“Wait, travelin’…” The store-owner quickly glanced to Phalanx, who seemed to try to nod without being noticed, it didn’t take much for Luna to figure out they were both thinking the same thing in terms of how powerful she must be, she’d just have to try harder.

“Yes, a wandering mage. We are supposed to wander the land, learn self-reliance, and if we come across other ponies, help out if we can. It’s to teach us to be responsible with our magic away from the guild, so we can better perform our duties.” It was clear Luna would not be able to sway them from the view that she was some powerful mage of sorts, so perhaps she could at least reinforce the idea that she’s a benevolent one. It seemed to work, Phalanx was smiling and nodding, clearly less nervous, and the store-owner smiled as well, seeming to approve of such a noble cause.

“Well miss, that’s quite a way’s you’ve come. I’m sure the sanctuary’d be the place for you to stop then, the Deacon there would love to have a chance to speak with you. As for the cloaks, we jus’ finished up some this morning, be right back.” And with that he hurried to the back of the room, leaving Luna and Phalanx to walk over to the central fireplace to sit and get warm.

“So, what’s this sanctuary he’s talking about?” This seemed like as good a place as any to start when it came to learning a thing or two about the history of this place. She doubted she’d fine a library or archives, and had to suppress a smile at the idea of Twilight's reaction to such a fact.

“It’s where the mages spend their time studying magic, teaching history, and searching for visions. We’ll likely need to go their next, considering how late it’s getting.”

“Wait, what do you mean visions-?” Luna’s interest had been piqued, but before she could finish they were interrupted by a young filly who popped up beside her, looking up at Luna with wide eyed wonder.

“Are you a Deacon lady?” The young filly was just too adorable, with her cream coat, messy red mane, and wide brown eyes, and Luna couldn’t help but smile.

“No, young one, I’m not a Deacon. What would make you think that?” Luna could resist patting the little one on the head, eliciting a small giggle.

“’Cause I heard Papa say you were really powerful, an’ everyone says powerful unicorns are either Deacons or Arch-mages.” The little filly continued to smile, her tail twitching slightly as her eyes twitched down to Luna's cutie mark, though she quickly looked back up.

However, what the filly had said caused Luna to worry. She could sense Phalanx tense up at the word Arch-mage, and she herself had to wonder that a filly would know such a term. Its use to describe powerful unicorns was archaic and outdated, even before her banishment to the moon. It was long used to describe unicorns who had pushed past their limits without modern knowledge of control, and while some had found the will to maintain their sanity, most were at best, eccentric, and at worst, insane. For one so young to know the word, the threat of such unicorns to still exist out here had to be real.

Unfortunately, Luna had been too stunned by the term to be able to salvage the situation. She could feel Phalanx’s apprehension at her pause, and even the little filly looked a little worried. They no doubt confused her apprehension with confirmation of being an Arch-mage, and she’d have to do something to alleviate their fears.

“Well,” Luna smiled, hoping her gamble would work, “I cannot say if I’m an Arch-mage or not, but I do know a lot about magic.” With that she lit up her horn, ignoring Phalanx nearly jumping off his seat, and instead turned her attention to her spell.

After only a second of her horn glowing, the fire suddenly turned a very dark blue, flickering low, though it still kept its heat. Luna could feel audience was quickly growing nervous, and couldn’t help but smile. This one would be harmless, and should assure them of this. Suddenly stars twinkled in the fire, drifting up to hang in the air.

“This is my night,” she started, she didn’t use as much power in her voice as normal, trying not to overdo it, “the stars, my friends. They dance, they sing, they guide, and they comfort. I have traveled for much of my life, and always they have been there, to let me know that no matter how dark the situation, I need not fear.” She turned to the little filly, whose eyes seemed to have doubled in size in amazement. “Do you wish to be friends with the stars as well?”

“Uh-huh” The little one was completely entranced, and nearly jumped as one of the stars floated over and landed on her nose, twinkling as she stared.

“It would seem you’ve made a friend.” Luna was trying dearly not to squeal like a schoolfilly at being able to perform such magics as she used to, before her time as a princess. She heard several sets of hooves approaching, and slowly the spell faded, the fire returning to its original state.

“What…what was that….?” She turned to see the store-owner and a young mare who could only be this young one's sister, staring with wide eyes, and doing a heroic job of not leaving their jaws hanging wide open despite their amazement.

“A simple spell,” Luna smiled, pleased to see more wonder than fear in their eyes, “I do hope you don’t mind my borrowing your fire-pit for a few minutes. I’m afraid it’s been quite some time I could since I’ve had a chance to do such things, I did not mean to cause alarm.”

“No no no,” The store-owner shook his head, “I was just, surprised, to see magic used so readily.”

Luna frowned inwardly, though she kept a soft smile on her face. Of course the local unicorns would be more conservative with their magic, if they’re afraid of Arch-mages it only made sense that magic would be far more carefully used. She had no doubt confirmed to them that she was powerful enough to meet their definition of Arch-mage, but at least she had proven she meant no harm. Insane Arch-mages wouldn’t bother using magic for such a thing as harmless entertainment.

“Well, anyways,” the stallion continued, “I have your cloak right here, I hope it suits your needs.”

“Thank you,” Luna nodded, taking the cloak in her magic and pulling it over herself, “how much would this cost?”

“Oh no, we couldn’t possibly ask somethin’.” Both the store-owner and the mare quickly took a step back shaking their heads. “Please, there’s no need, you’re more’n welcome to it.”

“Nonsense,” Luna began using her magic to shift through her bag, “work went into making it, you’ve earned fair payment. I insist.”

Before anyone else could protest, Phalanx quickly stepped in to take her side. “I’m sure Miss Selene knows what’s she’s doing. Remember she said her traveling is part of learning responsibility, as well as helping others, I think maybe this is part of it.”

Luna smiled at Phalanx and nodded, happy to have support. “Indeed, while one must be willing to accept help when offered, it would not be right to just accept such a thing when I can pay for it. Please, what do these usually go for?”

“Well, we usually do more trade’n than sell’n, but three Florin’s should be enough.”

“Oh blast,” Luna frowned, but quickly explained before they could react with yet more worry, “of course. We use a different currency, here, will you take three bits?” She produced three of the gold coins from her saddle bag, levitating them out in front of her.

Everyone’s eyes went wide at the sight, and again Luna wanted to kick herself for not thinking earlier that ponies in a place like this were unlikely to have access to the resources of Equestria.

“Those…” The store-owner barely whispered, “are those real gold coins?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Oh, wow, uh, we really can’t accept those for just a simple cloak.” The stallion was clearly trying to backtrack, but Luna had already decided she’d pay them the bits, and would not be budged.

“The cloak is well made, and this is the currency I have. Do not concern yourselves, the coins are yours.” With that she placed the coins on the table next to her, showing she didn’t intend to put them back in her bag.

“Well, thank you kindly Miss Selene, you really don’t have to.”

“As I said, think nothing of it, thank you very much for your help.” She smiled, content she had done what was right. “I believe Phalanx said something about being almost time to head out, so I won’t take any more of your time. Thank you again.” With that she turned to the filly still staring up at her, “and as for you, I hope the stars bring you good dreams.” With a final smile and nod, she headed for the door, Phalanx right on her heels.

The store-owner and his two daughters watched the Phalanx and the mysterious Selene depart, then turned to the coins.

His eldest daughter spoke up, “To have gold such as that. Either the land she comes from is very rich, or she has the power to create her own coins. If she’s an Arch-mage-”

The store-owner had silenced her with a quick look, and looked down to the younger of the two, “but she seemed so nice, Papa, she’s not an Arch-mage, is she?” He could hear the fear starting to creep into her voice.

“Of course not dear, there’s other reasons she could have such things. Why don’t you go along and get your cloak, it’s almost time to go.” He hoped he was reassuring her, though he himself was scared of the thought.

“Ok Papa!” And with that she bounded towards the back of the story, happy to accept that for now.

Turning to the older again, “regardless of what she is, we have something else to worry about for now.”

“Of course father, I’ll get the box so we can bring these to the Deacon.”

With that they both hurried to get their things so they wouldn’t be late.

Luna walked in silence as she followed Phalanx down the road, quite happy to have a cloak to block the wind, though she still worried if she had managed to achieve her objective of alleviating the ponies fears.

She was so lost in thought, in fact, that she nearly bumped into him when they reached their destination.

“There you go Miss Selene, the town’s sanctuary, just in time for service.”

When Luna looked up, her jaw nearly dropped to the ground. What stood before her was something the likes of which she hadn’t seen in countless ages. Though an old and low structure, its stone architecture was rough but still managed to be regal, as it imposed it’s presence on those around it. Clearly it had stood for an age in the center of this town, and had seen constant use that entire time. She didn’t need to be told its true name, it didn’t matter. The two statues in front of it told her all she needed to know…

It was a church dedicated to her and her sister....

Author's Note

So then, we're starting to get places. Still a W.I.P., I'll likely recheck this several times, but I think I have it clean enough for upload at least. Please feel free to comment, both on any corrections you see, and any thoughts you have on the story itself. I know this is something along the lines of three times the length of the previous one, but I hope it didn't drag on, I had a lot to tell in this part.