Twilight awake to an irritating buzzing and the shouts of ponies outside.

The first thing that she was to look at her hoof, thinking to find something there. However, she spotted nothing out of the normal. Next, came the thought as to where she was. With a glance around the room it which appeared to an inn room. Twilight couldn't recall how she had got here, as she could remember being at some tower before passing out.

Battlesong and Golden Courage nowhere to be found. A strange thought crossed her mind, Did they dump me here, leaving me to find my own way to... um... Silver's Watch? However, the thought ended with a roar of laughter that was clearly Golden. It came from beyond the door to the room.

Twilight stood to find her legs unsteady, nearly falling flat on her face. How long have I've been unconscious? Surely it couldn't have been more than a day at most. She couldn't help but stare out the window as she stood there. The world outside was bright, but there was a dark mass of cloud blowing in. Still, the ponies outside want about their day, some were in fishing boats, as others crowded around a stage. There was a large building in the center of town, it was built of fine wood, and seemed to have a beautiful garden around it. Twilight made a mental note to visit it before they left.

Once she was steady on her legs, she wanted to try using magic to hide her wings. To her great joy the spell worked, where last time it had failed. Afterward, Twilight made for the door and left the room.

In the great room of the inn, ponies and few lions drunk and seemed a merry lot. Golden was seated at a table with a few others playing cards, and with a large mug of all if Twilight was to imagine what it was. Golden had a fair sized pile of coins and odds and ends. She couldn't spot Battlesong, so made her way over to Golden who took note of her as she got closer. "Ah, it's a delight to see you on your hooves."

The others at the table either paid Twilight no mind or gave her a look that made her wondered how she would far walking backward. However, she knew there was little that could be done if they choose to try and peek under her tail as she walked away. "Thank you, but how long was out for?" Twilight asked ignoring the others at the table.

"Ah, yes... Let wait till Battlesong returns before discussing the matter." His words made Twilight feel a bit uneasy.

"Okay, how long should that be?"

"A few hours could be at nightfall. The ways of warrior bard are strange and unpredictable." Golden reached for his side and tossed a bag which held a few coins. "Here, that should be enough for a meal and a warm bath." He said before turning back to his game.

"Um, thank you." Do I smell that bad? Well, I loin is more a hunter so even if I don't stink to ponies I could reek to him. Twilight reasoned as she turned to walk away. She could feel the eyes on her flank, I bet if I lifted my tail a bit they would lose a more then a few rounds. As more then sure they would be distracted trying to think of ways to woo me. Twilight shook her head as she realized she nearly did lift her tail. Wait, no... Ahh, why did I think that?

Twilight took a seat at a table that nopony was setting at. All around her were ponies talking, some of the demons, other of war stories, and a few of mares they had slept with. All if this Twilight pushed to the back of her mind as the innkeeper came up to her.

The innkeeper looked about Battlesong's age, had a few scares and a greying mane. "Will it be the stew or the smoked fish?" He asked.

"Stew with a cup of tea," Twilight asked hoping they would have something other than ale, wine, and rum.

The innkeeper smirked, "Sorry lass ain't got none of that tea stuff here, but I'll bring you some water." The innkeeper went to get the food and drink.

Twilight became aware of just how few mares were about the inn. There were a few older one by the hearth, some of the fairer looking ones were being wooed by stallions. As Twilight waited for her meal, a stallion that reeked of ale came up to her. "Haven't seen you here before, and you awful lonely."

Twilight could feel the eyes of the stallion looking over body, and spending a bit too long on her flank for her liking. "Just passing through with a few of my friends." She hoped that would be enough to get rid of the stallion.

The stallion glanced around, "Where would those friends be?"

"See the big lion playing cards, that one of them. Now could you please leave me in peace." Twilight said a harsher then she would have liked. However, it seemed to give the stallion pause. His eyes want from the Golden to Twilight a few times, before he cursed under his breath and left.

A few minutes later the innkeeper returned with meal and water. "And here you go lass, now is there anything else you'll be needing?"

Twilight thought a moment, "Um, do you know where I could get a bath?"

The innkeeper looked in thought, "Well, I could have serving mares bring a tub to your room, but I would say the Pools if you like cold water or Stonebath if you prefer warm water."

"Where would both of those be?" Twilight wanted to know before making up her mind.

"Well, the Pools are near the edge of town just follow the sighs, and the Stonebath is the largest building in town." The innkeeper smiled. "Also it nice to see you awake." He said before head to the over to another table.

After Twilight had eaten she left for the Stonebath first to see. Even if she chose not to enter, and instead headed for the Pools.

The exterior of the Stonebath was as lovely as it looked for afar. Roses, poppies, and many other kinds of colorful flowers. The sculptures around the building were of mighty heroes, lovely mares, and a few that brought a brush to Twilight's face. However, each was of the stone figures were painstakingly carved, and great care had been taken to keep them in spectacular shape. A few made Twilight stop and study them, one of a powerful alicorn stallion, another was a wizard and the third was of a strange symbol.

As she neared the entrance to the Stonebath, Twilight could hear voices, some were joking, others discussing many sorts of things, from the town, wars long fought, taxes and the like.

The inside of the building was much like the outside, fine carvings of all sorts, stone and wood walls. A mare that smelled of lavender came up to Twilight, "Will it be public or private bath?"

"Private, please."

"Right this way," The mare smiled and started down the long hall.

Twilight took note of how the mare swaying her flank from side to side, and would often intentionally or unintentionally show what lay hidden her tail. I wonder if she does this in hopes of making the stallions pay more? Twilight wondered as then walked down the hall.

"So what if the twelve increased the tax on wine, hack I'd pay even more to keep our armies fed." Twilight overheard as they passed one of the doors.

"Won't need to if Archangel would make more of those Guardians or got off his flank and lead our troops." Another voice said.

Twilight wanted to hear more, but soon the voice faded away and replaced by giggling mares and laughing stallions. Not long after Twilight was lead into a small room. The room had a small tub fed by a small fountain. The tub steamed and the water flows out through a hole in the wall.

"That will be a silver piece," The mare said turning to face Twilight.

"Oh, here," Twilight took the coin from the bag that Golden had given.

The mare smiled and lend up close to Twilight, the aroma of lavender overpowering. "And do be sure to let me know if you need anything." She fluttered her eyes. Twilight stared blankly at the mare left her alone in the room.

Later Twilight was back in the inn room, Battlesong had yet to return, Golden was drunk leaving her to herself. She had been trying to read, but there was the world's most irritating fly. It kept leading on her muzzle, book, and mane. No matter how many times she shooed it away it would come buzzing back. She had tried to open the window but found there was no means to, had attempted to shoo the fly out the door but it just buzzed around the room.

Where a spider when you need one? Twilight wondered. The fly landed on her book once more and this time she caught it in her magic. The small fly buzzed and try to break free of her magic aura. "How can something so tiny be so annoying?"

I could squash this fly easy with my magic, tire of its irritating wings or burn it with the flame of a candle. Who would care if did? Twilight let go of the fly and rubbed her head. The fly had been annoying her, but her thoughts were overly cruel. Squashing it was one thing, but burning it, ripping off its wings, that was a bit much.

Twilight glanced out the window, to find it had started to rain. Light flashed across the sky and the wind had started to blow. On the streets below Twilight could make out the form of the Battlesong hurrying down the road. His cloak pulled over his head. He soon vanished out of sight.

A few moments later Twilight heard the wood crake as a pony walked down the hall, and stop in front of her door. The door and Battlesong stepped in, he smiled as he saw Twilight up. "I trust your feeling better lass?"

"Yes, but how long was I out for?"

Battlesong stepped in the room and closed the door. "Oh, about a week. Lucky I'm old friends with the innkeeper so wasn't hard to keep you hidden here while you rested. Golden wanted to you to a healer, but I knew that would have been risky, more so if we took you to one of... let's say less than honest ones."

A week, great my friends must be worried sick, not to forget my family. Twilight took in a deep breath, feeling like she wanted to pace back and forth, read, or go for a fly. However, the room was too small, the storm outside made the taking a flight a bad idea, and she wasn't sure how long a book of songs would keep her busy. "A week?!"

"Aye, was started to fear we have to take the risk of finding a heal or making for Lion's Lake."

Twilight bit her lip. "So how... how long will it take to reach Silver's Watch?"

Battlesong looked out the window and sighed, "If the rivers don't overflow and we take the main roads a fortnight, maybe more if we're unlikely. Good news is that you being you cast that illusion on your wings, we won't need to avoid towns as much."

Two weeks great, oh, and let's not forget that only to have a hope of getting home. With how my luck has been of late, the pony we're going to see will end up being unable to help us. Well, that is if we're not attached, killed or worse before reaching. Twilight thought wanted to scream, but that wouldn't have helped. "Please tell me this plan of yours will work."

There was a long pause, "Aye, I believe it will but you'll need to have patience lass."

Author's Note

The first new chapter in a few years hopes everyone likes it.

Will try and get a chapter a week out, but no guarantees.