Across The Pond

Carmalo and Theodane were sitting across from eachother on separate beds, chatting about nautical nonsense that Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie didn't really care too much about. Twilight Sparkle was curious but would rather be with her friends.

"So, Twilight, how do you think we can get home?" asked Rainbow Dash

"I don't know, I've had a few ideas but so far none of the ideas are concrete yet" Twilight told her rainbow maned friend.

"Oh come on Twilight, you always have some sort of plan for everything so you gotta have something for this" Rainbow told Twilight.

"Perhaps we could help with that" Carmalo said. "Sorry we couldn't help but overhear and, well, while I can't speak for Theodane here I'd be glad to help you and your friends get home. I'm a sailor so maneuvering the high seas shouldn't be an issue."

"But wouldn't ya'll need more help to keep yer boat out in the open waters like that for that long?" asked Applejack.

"I could teach you all basic seamanship. How to tie knots and what not" Carmalo offered.

"And I do plan on aiding you all as well" Theodane said. "You all don't belong here and I understand a desire to return to your homeland. I understand all too well."

"What happened?" asked Twilight.

"The Thalmor uprooted my home and my family, took my wife and daughter. Last I heard they were heading to the southern tip of Valenwood. So I can take you six back and loop around and come at them from the south, get my family and use the boat to get back to safer waters."

Twilight looked on towards Theodane in shock. Shock that such a terrible act could even happen. Sure she had seen many horors in her time but to take a child and wife away from an innocent man seemed unnecessarily cruel. It was one thing when two soldiers fought but to force the horrors of war onto somepony, especially a child, was a truly horrible act.

"I'm sorry for your family Theodane" Carmalo said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll certainly help you when the time comes so let's hurry up and get these ones home so we can go get your family back."

"I'll hold you to that" Theodane said with a smile. "But for now we have a more pressing matter. The Thalmor are in the Imperial City and the Emperor is no where to be found. We have a long day ahead of us so lets get sleep while we can."

Everypony nodded in agreement and Carmalo blew out the candles.

They awoke the next morning to find Strillian had not yet returned. Curious, They walked out to speak with the count about their missing leader.

When they re-entered the large hall where the count's throne sat they found the count slouching in his throne.

Twilight Sparkle approched Count Adrian and said "excuse me, mr. count sir." Count Adrian looked at Twilight and raised an eyebrow.

"You know I won't make you stick with all the formalities and even if I wanted to how could I expect you to know them all" Count Adrian said gently. "Just say what you have to say, no need to be nervous."

Count Adrian's words seemed to set the lavender unicorn at ease and Twilight began again.

"It's just that Strillian was guiding us and none of us has seen him since we arived in your city" Twilight explained. "We are starting to get a little worried."

"No need to worry, Strillian had to take care of some personal business but he did leave this" Count Adrian said as he stood up and pulled out a folded sheet of paper and held it out to them. Theodane took the paper and unfolded it and began to read aloud.

"Dear companions,

I realizer this is short notice but there has been a change in plans. I must take care of some unfinished business but your plans will not change much. When my other two Blades catch up to you all tell them to return to Cloud Ruler Temple with both haste and cautiousness once they tell you what they've found out. After which you will have to choose the next move.

As for me I cannot say. My next move will depend entirely on this comming report.

When the time comes I will join with you all again. And when I do this war will end- one way or another.

Good luck, and may you find victory in your coming struggles

you're friend

-Strillian"

When Theodane had finished reading from the parchment everyone let the words linger in the air for a few minutes.

"So he abandoned us?" asked Rainbow, almost accusingly.

"I don't think so" Theodane said. "If I had to guess he is getting vengence for the Blades and just needed us out of the way."

"That seems as likely as anything else right now" Carmalo said. "Though it doesn't really matter at this point now does it."

"So we head back down south until we get north of the city and wait for those other Blade fellas to return and tell us everything they found out and then come up with a plan. Is that right?" asked Applejack.

"Sounds like it, but it's gonna be so lame just waiting" Rainbow Dash complained.

"It'll be okay Dashie, you can help me plan our super awesome welcome back to Equestria Party" Pinkie Pie said enthusiastically.

Rainbow Dash couldn't hold back a grin as the pink party pony began to bounce about in the perpetual state of excitement she always seemed to be in.

Pinkie Pie lead the way through bounce as they started to make their way back down south. All of them, thinking of the comforts of home.