The further west they want, the worse become. They had passed a few towns that were enclosed by a wall of wood none of those towns had opened their gates for the last few days. Twilight would often take the first watch of the night, as her other two companions were more keen of sight and hearing when it came to enemies.

Golden hadn't need long to think if he wished to join them, but Battlesong had tried to change his mind more than a few times. Part of Twilight worried that she would wake one morning and both would be gone or worse they would be dead and a host of bandits would greet her. She chooses not to think of the beast, even if it still hunted her dreams.Maybe, Luna can help with that when I get home."

They passed the rotting corpse of a pony, laying against a tree. The corpse's legs were broken, some of the flesh had decayed revealing the bones beneath. Twilight stomach turned at the smell and the sight of it, but this would have been the tenth pony they came upon in the past week. The first had been hung for a tree with a sign around his neck.' Didn't pay his toll.' it had said.

However, it the next one that made Twilight lose her breakfast. This one had been cut to bits and placed on some strange alter, the smell was horrid and the sight was worse. That night none slept, as they all feared whoever had built that alter and killed that stallion may still be near waiting.

Twilight had started to regret choosing to follow what her gut told her and her dreams.I'm risking my life and that of Battlesong and Golden for what? She had thought more than once over the past week.

Twilight wished she held power in this land, so she could send the royal guards to clear out those bandits and dark servants. Yet, every day she was reminded she could do nothing about it. Two days ago she had nearly tried to overpower a group of outlaws, who lead ponies in chains. She had urged Battlesong to act, but he had simply told her, "We could fight the lot of them, and we may overpower them. However, that would lead to us having a price on our heads."

So all she could do was watch from their hiding place as the bandits passed. I could have done something, what does it matter if it leads to price on my head, those ponies didn't deserve to be sold like cattle. Twilight thought as they walked the ruined path. "Why doesn't Archangel, Silver Fire, or the twelve do something about those bandits?" she asked.

Battlesong shook his head. "SilverFire works day and night to keep the guardians in good shape, the twelve some like Lords Loch and Joyus do within their power, other keep to their lands, and a few more than likely have dealings with the outlaws. As for his royal highness, Archangel, he sits in his fortress and worked on who knows what, and only come out when summoned in time of great need."

"But, isn't a large number of outlaws a good reason or count as a great need to be rid of them?"

Battlesong didn't speak for a time, "Aye, he should but he either happens not to care or doesn't think it worth his time."

"A shame really, there was a time it is said he was the bravest, most honourable and just pony ever to rule this land," Golden added in.

"What happened?" Twilight asked with great interest.

"He was betrayed over a thousand years ago by those he cared for most. Some turned to the dark arts wanting knowledge and powers, some held great envy for what Archangel had, and the rest become minions and pawns of Devights. He drafted them but never was the same after that. Some say he became a drunk, others he hides from the world in fear, and those who are more inclined to hope say he seeks a way to destroy the Devight threat once and for all."

Twilight thought a moment but was unsure what to make of it. "What do you say is the reason?"

"I say he hid in his fortress, becoming lazy and drunk while outlaws, slavers, and killers walked the land. Oh, and let us not forget nopony is brave enough to stand up to him or cast him down." Battlesong had a look of hate as he stared at fog-covered mountain.

Twilight didn't need to ask if that was were Archangel was, just from the looks that Battlesong gave the place.

The mountain had been hidden in the same fog ever since Twilight had first seen it. It blocked all sight, and even for here Twilight felt dread as she looked upon it. The way it loomed over the land casting a long dark shadow. Yet, something in her urged her onward toward this place. Surely, there more to this story then Battlesong or Golden knows.

Then again it not too late to turn back, sure Battlesong and Golden will be mad but they wouldn't complain about head back to safety. Twilight heard herself think but wasn't sure where the thought had come from. All she knew for sure was her leg had started to burn a few days ago, and it only seemed to get worse.

At times it felt as if the burning were in lines and symbols along her leg, but what she couldn't understand was why it was only the one leg. Had it been from all the walking then surely all should have been burning, yet only the one did. Sometimes when she was dreaming she could see strange red lines on that one leg, but when she wakes the marks were gone.

The land ahead was open and filled greenfields and ruined farms and homesteads. A few still had smoke rising from the chimney and fields that were filled with workers, and stallions-at-arms. She did wonder if those armed stallions were sellswords or bandits but either way they were paid by the landowner. Battlesong kept them out of sight of the farms, as he doubtless had the same thought.

That night they had no fire and ate cold meals. The night air was warm so Twilight didn't mind the lack of a fire that much. However, she didn't sleep much and simply stared at the starry night. The next few days were much the same, no fire watches kept, with weapons kept close.

The ponies of the land were either unaware of them or didn't think it was worth the trouble to steal what they had. Still, Battlesong took no risk, when asked what they had that outlaws would want he replied with. "From Golden and I, nothing. In fact, they would give us the choice to give you over to them, or fight them."

Twilight did wonder now and then if they would choose to give her over to outlaws, as they had only known her for a few weeks. However, she couldn't help but think that if they were going to do that, they would have already. Wonder how much they get? Twilight wondered now and then. After all, she was an alicorn, something rare and seem as a deity. Would most likely be a king's ransom.

Every day the mountain grow closer, and her leg burned all the more. The flat land started to give way to hills and fog. There were few trees and fewer homesteads the nearly they got. The land seemed to change as well, at that point, there were feelings of peace, wondered and terror. Not of beasts, outlaws and killers, but of coming near to something that echoed with ancient power. Twilight had only felt this way when she first saw Celestia.

The fog seemed to clear in as they neared the mountain, but it was only in front it did. Behind them, it stayed thick not allowing even the light to pass through.

It wasn't long till they came upon an abbey with an orchard of apple trees. The apples on the trees were large, juicy and bright red. The monks that worked the fields wear robes of brown cloth and paid them no mind. Across from the abbey and a convent with mares dressed all white, some of them want through the apples and picked out the bad ones, others worked with a few young foals. A few greeted them as they passed, others smiled.

While there were unicorns and pegasi they all worked in the earth pony way. None flew or used magic only hooves and sweat. "Who are they?" Twilight had asked Battlesong and Golden.

Golden was the one to speak, "Sons and daughters of the light, they kept to the base of the mountain, and rarely leave it shadow. Bandits and outlaws tend to stay clear of them. As most believe that Archangel will leave them be if they don't harm the monks and nuns. At this point, they could be right."

An old stallion with a long white beard came up to them, "Greeting, welcome to the High Mountain." he bows his head before continuing. "Do you come of rest, to reflect, or do you seek to join the faithful?"

"None, our friend here seek to speak with Archangel," Battlesong replied.

The old stallion looked over Twilight, "His grace has not seen any pony in a long time... The way up the holy mountain is not for wicked or weak of heart." His eyes seemed to see something, "Yet, I believe she may be able to reach the Sanctum." He glanced at Battlesong and Golden, "You two, however, would find only death."

Battlesong and Golden didn't speak and a flash of shame crossed both their faces. "Why can't they?" Twilight asked.

"They know the reasons, and it is not for me to speak for them." The old stallion looked over Twilight again his eyes seemed to be fixed on her leg that burned. "Tell me, why do you wish to see his grace?"

"I... I don't know, just something tells me I must." Twilight said knowing it was partly a lie, but she doubted tell him that same dream told her too would help matters.

The old stallion said nothing for a long time, "very well, however, rest here for the day and start at first light. As the way is long and treacherous; all the more at night."

"Sounds fair, and been a warm meal sounds delightful," Golden spoke up.

The old stallion turned to one of the nuns. "Sister Faith, see that our guest here is feed and given all, she needs to walk the angel's way." Sister faith bowed her head.

"Why can't I go with my friends?" Twilight asked.

"Simply, it is forbidden for mares to enter the abbey, just as it is for stallions to enter the convent." the old stallion informed her.

Very well, that far they land their rules. Twilight nodded in understanding.

Inside the convent was humble, wooden tables, tall white candles, simple beds. They prayed before they ate a meal of oats, apples, and drank cold water. Followed by more prays. Twilight spend the rest of the daylight reading the books that were in the convent, some were histories, others were on the faith, and few on light magic.

Twilight had read a few books light magic in Canterlot, but those may have well been written by foals next to the ones in this convent. Spells of healing, protecting and many other spells she learned. Yet, something told her there were far more in the Sanctum.

Could those spells hurt the Beast of the King's Woods? I mean if he was a monster of the dark, and arcane had no effect on him, then surely light magic would. After all, don't the shadows flee from the light? Twilight wondered, but as she tried to cast one of the spells she found only it only made her leg burn and nothing else.

Author's Note

Been wondering if I should try and draw an of ocs in this story, so any you would like to see drawn?