Across The Pond

She had to wait a while but Twilight finally had her hooves on the ground. It was a strange place, she was in some sort of sea port, she could tell  that much, but everything was different. The architecture less impressive than what she was used to, the dimensions seemed  longer as well.

"Where are we" asked Twilight, trying to process all the information she was receiving at once.

"In a place called Senchal, it is a major city in the south east of Elsweyr" answered Ra'Zahmirr

"Your homeland?" Twilight asked, recalling the name 'Elsweyr' from their previous conversation. "i guess that makes sense" Twilight continued, gesturing towards the crowd of people, mainly made up of the cat creatures. "Hey Ra'Zahmirr?" asked Twilight

"Yes purple one" responded Ra'Zahmirr.

"Are most of the ponies in Tamriel cat like?" Twilight asked

"First off, we are not equine in nature, you should refer to us as 'people.' Second our race is known as Khajiit, and to answer your question, no, only in Elsweyr will you find so many Khajiit in one place." Ra'Zahmirr said in a gentle tone, taking pity on the purple unicorn who was so far from home.

"What other people are there" said twilight, being watchful of what she said to using the right phrasing for the area, she didn't want to stand out more than she already was.

"Well there are many races here in Tamriel, three identifying classes, Mer, Beast, and Man." Ra'Zahmirr explained. "We Khajiit fall under the beast category, as do the Argonians. Creatures that seem like hybrids of man and known creatures of this world. There are many bigots in this world who would seek to condemn us for our mere existence"

Twilight stared at him, not knowing what to say. To condemn somepony just because they aren't like you. Twilight felt bad because this was not an entirely unheard of concept to her. Just thinking back to how Zecora was treated at first in Ponyville made her feel sick. "But when others get to know you you'll get along right?" Twilight inquired from Ra'Zahmirr, surely nopony could not get along without a real reason.

"For some, this is true; and not all would seek to harm us without cause. But there are some who would kill first and get to know you second. Unfortunately, while not all hurt me for being a Khajiit most wouldn't give me the chance to get to know them." Ra'Zahmirr said, the absolute tone his voice took was not lost on Twilight.

Twilight blinked at Ra'Zahmirr. Both in confusion and in horror. "What is it purple one?" asked Ra'Zahmirr. "Kill?" Twilight's voice was so low Ra'Zahmirr wasn't sure he had heard right. He decided to assume he had heard correctly and responded to her rhetorical question. "Why yes, Tamriel isn't exactly the most hospitable place but we all find a way to make a living as best we can." Ra'Zahmirr told the purple unicorn, who was now beginning to shake.

Twilight closed her eyes, she didn't want to believe what she was hearing, not only was she so far away from home and her friends, but now these ... things will kill each other simply for not being the same as them. Twilight's curiosity for this strange new land vanished as quickly as it had sprung up, now all she could think about is how she longed for home.

"You don't look so well. Perhaps it is time to find an inn and rest for the night. First thing in the morning we head out for Riverhold" Ra'Zahmirr said putting his hand gently on the back of the unicorn's head as he guided her down to the closest inn and bought a room for the mare to sleep in.

Twilight was silent during the short walk towards the inn and didn't say a word as Ra'Zahmirr told her he would come by at dawn to take her to someplace called Riverhold, wherever that is.

Twilight couldn't sleep, not even an hour ago she was starting to get tired but now she was wide awake. It was a lot of information to process. She wanted to go for a walk to clear her mind but the fear of what Ra'Zahmirr had said still stuck with her. She decided to just pace across the room.

There was no clock in the room but by the time she realized her hunger the sun had already set. She made her way to the main room of the inn where the inn keeper had been so nice upon her arrival sat behind a large counter. The place was empty save for the inn keeper, Twilight, what Twilight assumed was a woman in the corner playing some tune twilight didn't recognize and a being who sat on one of the three stools opposite the inn keeper.

Twilight recognized the inn keeper and the music player as Khajiit, but the thing that sat in the stool looked nothing like the others. Ra'Zahmirr had mentioned Argonians so maybe this is what they looked like, but he also said there were other races and Twilight hadn't heard all of them. Twilight sat down in the doorway between her room and the scene in front of her

Twilight sat there for a few minutes decided what to do next. She decided if she didn't go up because of a stranger looking different she wouldn't be much better than those that Ra'Zahmirr was talking about ... what was she thinking, of course she would be, she would never hurt somepony else without any real reason to, she was just scared is all.

The creature was about as tall as the Khajiit but not nearly as hairy. In fact, the only hair it seemed to have was short hair, maybe an inch, on his head and a light stubble on it's chin. With that she assumed this to be a man and walked over.

"he-hello" Twilight said, a slight stutter in her voice. The being turned his head, smiled at Twilight then turned to the inn keeper and asked "What did you put in my brandy?"

"Nothing" said the inn keeper trying to sound casual, "That lady beside you is real, and yes, she talks." Twilight appreciated the inn keeper trying to sound indifferent but she couldn't help but notice that's what he was doing, trying. Because in truth, The inn keeper was just as unsure of Twilight as she was of everypon- no, everybody else. She was going to have to start getting the speech pattern down, for her own sake.

"Well then miss, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Vallius, and you are?" said Vallius. as he talked he turned to face Twilight. Now that she could see him properly she noticed three scars that resembled a claw of some sort coming down his right cheek. He was also wearing some sort of crimson outfit, it seemed almost specific in it's design, like a uniform. It also had some sort of brown material making up a chest-plate. She'd ask what it was made out of but she didn't really care.

"I- I am Twilight, Twilight Sparkle" Twilight managed to stammer. "What are you?"

"I am an Imperial, and a legionnaire" said Vallius in a way that seemed almost cocky.

"Imperial? What legion?" Twilight had so many questions but those came out before she could form them into coherent sentences.

"I come from the north, in the province of Cyrodiil" Vallius told Twilight. "The legion is loyal to the empire founded in the second era."

"second era?" asked Twilight as she tilted her head to her left "How long ago was that, i think we use a different year system."

"Well we are in the forth era now, in the year one hundred and seventy" said Vallius. "so it's been quite a few years." Vallius continued with a chuckle. "You picked an interesting time to come to our land Twilight Sparkle, we have a new Emperor, Titus Mede II, and the Thalmor have established their power in Summerset Isle. And no doubt Valenwood and Elsweyr are on their list. I was actually just given orders to go back to The Imperial City in the heart of Cyrodiil." Vallius told her, unsure why he was saying all this to a civilian, let alone a pastel colored unicorn. Perhaps that is precisely the reason he felt he could speak his mind, he didn't see her as a civilian but as a horse. A small horse, but a horse nonetheless.

Twilight just stared. She had always prided herself in her extensive knowledge but it was becoming painfully obvious she didn't know anything about this place. She didn't know who the Thalmor were or why they would want to take the place full of the fluffy cat people called Khajiit over. She needed help to understand. Maybe there was a library around town she could look in. Perhaps go over a few history books. Twilight wasn't planning on staying long but maybe if she could understand what everyone was saying her short stay wouldn't be as much of a head ache.

"You alright friend?" asked Vallius.

Twilight shook her head to clear it before responding "yeah i'm fine" was the response. Figuring now was as good a time as any she asked "Are there any libraries here? you know, someplace i could go and learn more about this place?"

"Sorry Twilight, but there are no libraries in this city" this time it was the inn keeper that spoke, twilight was about to groan in frustration when the inn keeper continued "but if you want i have a few books in the wine cellar, you are welcome to look through to see what might help you." offered the inn keeper

"Thanks you that would be great" Twilight said with a smile. It was the first time she had smiled since she had arrived and, after what she had heard earlier, she hadn't expected to; but just the thought of a whole new subject to learn about would be something Twilight didn't get to do often enough anymore, having already studied most subjects during her younger years. The inn keeper left for the cellar.

"So tell me Twilight Sparkle, how is it you find yourself in Tamriel?" asked Vallius, taking a sip of the drink he had called brandy as he did so.

Twilight told him of her morning, about wanting to travel to far off places in significantly less time, and about how she wanted to go home but didn't even know the direction in witch to cast. She had just gotten to the part where she had fallen into the sea rather than onto the stone flooring of the Canterlot castle when Vallius interrupted her.

"I have heard rumors of mages using magic to create doors that took them to rooms without proper entrances in the arcane university, but to do so without a plate to increase magika, and so far too. You must be one of the most powerful spell casters in your homeland" said Vallius with a grin on his face.

"Well my special talent is magic" Twilight said, she didn't like to boast but she welcomed the compliment from this stranger. "No kidding" was his response.

"Here is what I've got ma'am" said the inn keeper holding out three books.

The first book had an rusty color to it, in the center seemed to be a symbol that resembled what these creatures had at the end of their arms. except this seemed to be made of fire. Across the top read the title The Art of War Magic. She briefly wondered what could be inside, clearly some magic she had never seen before, but decided she could look at the book once she understood the creatures of this land better.

the second book had an intricate design pressed into the cover and had a faded crimson coloring. The Title read Brief History of the Empire, Book 1. This was it, this is what she was looking for, and it was a set so she could read more when this book was finished. Twilight tried to contain her excitement before looking at the final book.

The third, and last book in the lineup looked exactly like the previous save for the light difference in the title Brief History of the Empire, Book 2. Twilight couldn't wait any longer she took the three books and opened up Brief History of the Empire, Book 1 "What is your name sir?" Twilight asked the inn keeper, wanting to thank him properly.

"Khanja, my name is Khanja" Khanja announced. "Thank you Khanja" said Twilight as she took the books back to her room, completely forgetting about her hunger.