"So, are you a princess of Equestria?" Asked Fluctus Domitor to Twilight.

"Yes, I am one of the four princesses that Equestria currently has. In fact, my brother is married to the princess who runs the Crystal Empire, all in the family I guess." Twilight laughed at the last thing she said, but the sudden change in the expression of the legionary worried her.

When Twilight mentioned the Crystal Empire, Fluctus Domitor looked at her with a scared and angry look. "We don’t mention the Empire here ... not after the war." Said the legionary.

Twilight then remembered what she learned from Eponia's history thanks to Daring Do's notes. It was the invasion attempt by the Crystal Empire that led this land to total isolation. It may have been centuries, but it was clear that the Celtos of Eponia had that events very present in their memories.

"Tell me, Fluctus, what were those Scobii doing so far from their homeland?" Asked Blowing Wind changing the subject.

"The war has emboldened them... They see our conflict with the Kingdom of Horntriu as an opportunity to obtain resources and money for their cause."

"Wait, are you at war?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"Yes, Prydadain and Horntriu are again at war, and it seems that some clans from Cobernia subtly finance the Scobii. We, as members of the Navy, have orders to finish off any Scobii or Cobernian ship that we see in our waters, except merchant ships. Chaos is reigning in this land."

Twilight was beginning to see clearly why they were necessary in Eponia. They had to put an end to the war that was hurting them so much.

"Well, do not worry, we've come here to help." Twilight said very confidently.

Fluctus Domitor looked confused at Twilight, as if she had said the greatest nonsense in the world.

"Look your highness, I do not know how things work in Equestria, but here in Eponia one does not solve a war between kingdoms, just like that."

"Cap’n! We're approaching port!" Silver yelled from the top.

"Before ye dock, Fluctus, let me give ye a present. For saving us." Blowing Wind warned Bowsprit to come over and after whispering something in his ear, the boatswain went down to the hold. He returned a few minutes later with a small bag that he handed to his captain. "Fluctus, this is for ye, to make this campaign more bearable. The best Saddle Arabian opium."

The legionary smiled, put the opium under his breastplate and hugged his friend. The Princess of Friendship looked concerned at Blowing Wind for having delivered that drug to Fluctus Domitor. As far as she knew, Saddle Arabia's opium was forbidden in Equestria...

"Seriously captain? Drugs?" She asked.

"The pegasi of Pryddadain love opium, but since it’s only produced in Saddle Arabia there was a great shortage after they were isolated in the Fog, let's say that thanks to me they got something that made them happy." Explained the captain, although Twilight remained understand it very well.

The conversation was cut, and Blowing Wind prepared the ship to finally dock. When the Northern Star docked in the port of Dwrnhorsefawr followed by Fluctus Domitor’s quadrireme.

"Well, ponies of Equestria, gratissimum Eponiae*, specifically to the Kingdom of Prydadain! Princess, by the way, I would recommend that you do not call too much attention, that is, a pony with wings and a horn ... You don’t see that much around here."

"I had it in mind, Captain," said Twilight, putting on the cape she wore in Neightucket. "Gratias tibi valde**."

"Do you speak Pony Latin?" Asked Fluctus Domitor surprised.

"I studied it when I was a filly to be able to read ancient texts." The legionary was pleasantly surprised, which he demonstrated by nodding his head and grimacing with satisfaction.

"Thanks for the gesture princess, but do not worry, you can always use the common language. If you need anything while you're in Dwrnhorsefawr let me know, I'll be in the harbor captaincy." Fluctus greeted Twilight as the legionaries used to, and headed for Blowing Wind. "I'm glad to see you, may Nethuns guide you."

"Likewise me friend, do not let the war consume ye."

"Thanks Blowing Wind, but I am a pegasus legionary above all, it’s my duty to serve my country and my queen. Valere amicus." After saying goodbye, Fluctus Domitor flew to his ship.

"Well guys, what do we do?" Twilight asked her friends.

"Ah suggest eatin’ somethin’ before decidin’ anythin’ ... Ah don’t know about ya, but with all that ruckus with the pirates and the legionaries we have not eaten breakfast." Applejack said.

After those words, it seemed as if the stomachs of all the mares and Spike were synchronized to roar.

"Yes Twilight, I'm hungry," the dragon said.

"Okay, okay, we'll look for something to eat and with full stomachs we'll think about our next move." Said the princess and they all nodded.

When they disembarked, they all felt a slight dizziness, the product of spending so much time on the high seas. Rainbow, however, almost fell to the ground, losing her balance for a moment.

"Dash, are you okay?" Sunset asked the pegasus.

"Yes, it's just that I got a little dizzy." She replied simply trying to hide her awkwardness.

"It's normal for a pony not used to sailing," said Ish, getting off the ship as well.

"Well, princess, I do not know how long ye think ye're here, but when ye tell us, we'll go back to Equestria," Blowing Wind said.

"We do not know how much time we will spend here Captain, but keep in mind that once we have solved our affairs here, we will leave." Twilight replied.

"We will end sooner or later in Coblana, in the Kingdom of Cobernia, if ye need us we will be there."

"Thanks Captain, I hope you do well. Come on girls!" Saying this, Spike and the others followed Twilight to the town.

"Sunset Shimmer!" Blowing Wind suddenly called the orange unicorn. Sunset turned around and looked at the ship's captain. "I really hope ye find the answers ye are looking for... and... if ye need anything, look for me in Coblana ..."

Sunset looked at the stranger captain, wanted to ask him many questions because something in Blowing Wind's tone indicated that he was hiding something. The captain quickly retreated back to his ship, so Sunset could only manage to say a simple "thank you captain."

With more questions than answers, Sunset returned with her friends who started touring the town.

Dwrnhorsefawr was different from everything they had seen so far. The town was crowned by a hill that descended to the port. Except for some wooden buildings, most were of stone, circular or oval, the market square was not very different from Ponyville, with many stalls selling agricultural products and manufactured. The rest of the town was surrounded by a stone wall.

"Do you think there will be a bakery around here?" Pinkie asked, looking everywhere excited.

"We'll have to find out," Applejack said.

The only one who did not say anything was Rainbow Dash. Sunset noticed the state of the pegasus and that gave her bad vibes...

"Rainbow, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Sunset ... it's just that ..." Rainbow Dash's voice was very weak. She couldn’t finish the sentence because immediately she collapsed on the ground.

"Rainbow Dash!"

Sunset's sudden scream alerted the others who watched in horror as their friend was fainted and shivering on the floor.

"Dash! What's wrong with you? "Applejack yelled worried about her friend.

Sunset brought his horn to Rainbow's neck and was horrified to check his heart rate.

"Her heart looks like it's going to explode." Exclaimed the unicorn scared.

"Quick we have to take her to a doctor!" Rarity shouted.

"Let's ask Fluctus Domitor, he'll know where there is one." Twilight suggested.

Applejack put Rainbow Dash on her back and ran to see the legionary captain. Arriving at the port captaincy, they ran into two guards who blocked their way.

"Let us pass please, we have to see Captain Fluctus Domitor." Twilight said.

"I'm sorry, but access to the captaincy is restricted to civilians." One of the guards replied.

"Please, our friend is very badly in need of help," Fluttershy begged.

"At least tell the captain that we’re here please, he said if we needed anything we could count on him," said Sunset Shimmer.

The legionaries looked at each other and one of them ran to the command post while the other continued with his guard. A few minutes later the legionary arrived accompanied by Fluctus Domitor.

"Princess Twilight," he said simply. "Soldiers, these mares are personal guests, if they come here let them pass."

"At your command captain," the legionaries said.

"Fluctus Domitor, we have a problem, our friend needs a doctor," Twilight said.

Fluctus Domitor approached Dash, who was still on Applejack's back.

"Yes, she looks bad indeed. We do not have a doctor as such in the village, but there is a pony that can help you. Follow me."

The legionary captain led the ponies and Spike through the town until they reached a secluded house on one of the sides of the hill. Domitor knocked on the door and when it opened, a unicorn with light green coat and a long brown beard appeared. He wore a long red tunic with black details and his head was covered by a hood.

"Captain Fluctus Domitor, to what do I owe your visit?" The unicorn asked.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Gwrthfiotig, but we have a problem here." Domitor signaled to Applejack who appeared before them carrying Rainbow Dash.

"What's the problem?" Gwrthfiotig asked taking off his hood and examining Rainbow Dash.

"We don’t know, she got off the ship, she got dizzy and after a while she collapsed." Applejack explained.

"And what about this wound?" The unicorn asked, looking at Dash's bandaged wing.

"We were attacked by pirates before arriving to port," Twilight said. "Dash was wounded with an arrow."

"Alright, come in and put her on my table."

They entered the house of the unicorn and this one with his magic cleared his long table of objects to be able to calmly place Rainbow Dash. The poor pegasus shivered while Gwrthfiotig inspected her but she couldn’t open her eyes yet.

"I have to go back to the captaincy, I leave you in good hooves." said Fluctus Domitor before leaving.

Gwrthfiotig, removed the bandage from Dash's wing and, surprisingly, her wound seemed to have worsened.

"You say the wound is from an arrow?" The unicorn asked.

"Yes, does it have anything to do with it?" Twilight asked.

"That shiver, the accelerated pulse and the infected wound... your friend has been poisoned, probably with aconite," said Gwrthfiotig.

"POISONED?" Everypony shouted.

"Yes, you talked about pirates before, it turns out that the Scobii have the habit of using aconite to poison their arrows. You're lucky they hit her in the wing, just a few inches and your friend would have died almost immediately. "

"But you can cure her, right?" Fluttershy asked worried with tears in her eyes.

"Yes of course. I don’t think it’s too late."

Gwrthfiotig went to a shelf, where he took out two bottles. He opened the first one and with his hoof he picked up a bit of what looked like a poultice.

"Well, first disinfect the wound properly." After smearing the poultice on Dash’s wing wound, she reacted slightly with a groan. Gwrthfiotig opened the other bottle and, levitating it with his horn, offered it to Dash, who still did not open her eyes in pain. "Now, drink this."

Gwrthfiotig lifted Rainbow Dash's head slightly and forced her to drink the liquid in the bottle. Rainbow made a slight grimace, but swallowed the liquid, only to reposition her head on the surface of the table.

After bandaging the wound again, Gwrthfiotig covered Rainbow Dash with a blanket and placed a pillow under her head to make her more comfortable. Dash fell sleep peacefully...

"Your friend will survive..."

The rest breathed a sigh of relief and Fluttershy dried a couple of tears recovering from the shock.

"Thank you very much for everything doctor," Twilight said.

"Doctor? Why do you call me like that? "The unicorn asked surprised.

"Because you’re a doctor, aren’t you?" Twilight was really confused by Gwrthfiotig's reaction; even more when he laughed.

"I'm not a doctor kid, I'm a vates ..." The ponies and Spike looked at each other strangely.

"Excuse me, what's a vates?" Asked curious Sunset.

"We are prophets, philosophers and healers. We are trained in Druidic schools to understand alchemy, the Ogham and designs of the gods and all kinds of medicines and poisons." Gwrthfiotig explained.

"Oh, then you must one of the druids that Daring Do told us about." Rarity exclaimed.

“Well... not exactly," the unicorn said. "We received similar training, but the job of the vates and the druids are different; The same thing happens with the bards."

"In any case, thank you very much for helping our friend." Twilight said. "How can we pay it?"

"If you bring me a bowl of oat porridge and a pint of mead we'll be at peace."

"Sure thing pal, Ah'll go to the market for that. Pinkie, come with me, "Applejack exclaimed, heading for the door.

"Okey-Dokey-Lokey," said the pink mare, leaping toward the exit.

At the market square Applejack and Pinkie bought a sack of oatmeal and a barrel of mead and went back to Gwrthfiotig's house. Upon entering, both mares cooked for the vates with their permission in a cauldron near the fireplace. Meanwhile, the unicorn served the mead in a wooden cup and offered his guests, who appreciated the gesture.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality Gwrthfiotig." Said Twilight.

"It’s my pleasure, I wouldn’t do a good favor to the teachings of Ogmios if I did not practice their noble virtues." Explained the vates.

"What are those noble virtues you’re talking about?" Asked Sunset Shimmer.

"Those are the great values that Ogmios, the first druid and cofounder of Eponia, bequeathed us to sustain a strong society. They are: Honor, Honesty, Justice, Hospitality, Loyalty and Courage."

"That is fascinating. They kinda remind me of the Elements of Harmony. "Twilight said.

A sudden moan caught the attention of those present, Rainbow Dash was waking up...

"Rainbow Dash!" They shouted, all relieved that her friend woke up.

The blue pegasus whimpered and opened her eyes wide. "Ugh, I feel like I've been hit by a train."

"It's normal, the aconite poison weakens muscles a lot, you must rest." Gwrthfiotig said.

"Aconite? What the hay is that? And who are you by the way?" Rainbow asked confused.

"I’m just the pony that has saved your life young lady." The unicorn simply replied. "Just rest awhile."

"Rainbow Dash, he's Gwrthfiotig, the village vates, he has cured you of the poison." Twilight explained.

Rainbow Dash was perplexed after what Twilight told her.

"I’ve been poisoned?"

"Yes darling, those disgusting pirates we run into hit you with a poisoned arrow." Said Rarity.

"Awright everypony, the food is ready. C’mon Rainbow, it’ll be good for ya ta eat somethin’, "Applejack said near the fireplace where the porridge was prepared.

The farmer pony and Pinkie served the rations on wooden plates. Gwrthfiotig congratulated both ponies for their plate and thanked them for the cooking detail.

"A delicious dish Miss Applejack." Gwrthfiotig said.

"You're welcome pal, anythin’ for the pony who saved Rainbow Dash's life." Applejack replied.

"Gwrthfiotig, I wanted to know if you could help us in one last thing." Twilight commented suddenly after taking a sip of her mead. "We are not from here and we were wondering if there was somewhere to learn about the history of Eponia."

"I already assumed you were not from here, but tell me, is it Eponia's story what really interests you?" The girls didn’t understand the question. "No, do not answer ..." He said making a gesture with the hoof.

Gwrthfiotig cleared his table and before the watchful look of the ponies placed a kind of round table with a black glass in the center. Drawn in it were several overlapping circles and other lines crisscrossed in them.

"What is that?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"This is a Fionn’s Window. A gift that Fionn, one of the first disciples of Ogmios, gave us to use it as a method of clairvoyance." Explained the vates.

Gwrthfiotig took out what looked like a pendulum from his saddlebag and levitated it with his magic to place it on the black glass. Then, the pendulum began to spin, and the druid remained focused with his eyes half-closed looking at the table...

"I see a strong bond that unites you all... a friendship that transcends the threads of fate... but, wait... you, Sunset Shimmer..." The unicorn froze at the sound of her name. "I see a turbid past, very turbid... full of rage, ambition and cruelty... but above all I see loneliness and sadness..." Sunset ducked her head and Twilight put a hoof on her back to cheer her up. "However, I see light in the present... a rebirth, happiness, wisdom... and an uncertain future... although, I can feel something... yes, pain... there is pain, but you won’t have to face it all alone, not this time... the wounds of the past they will return, and it will be your decision to close them or let the misery that revenge brings with consumes you... "

The pendulum stopped and Gwrthfiotig closed his eyes. The vates shook his head and opened his eyes while the girls looked at him surprised and even frightened.

"What the hay was that?" Applejack asked confused.

"Hold on... Did you just read us the future?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, my gosh! That’s amazing! I have tried it many times, but it does not work as well as my Pinkie Sense, is it really the future that you have told us? "Pinkie's quick way of speaking surprised the vates.

"Everypony owns their own destiny, the Ogam and Fionn’s Window are only guides that warn us of the things that can happen." Gwrthfiotig explained. "Anyway, and going back to the previous question, if it's history what you want to learn, I do not need the Ogam to tell you where to go. If you go to the Druid College of Horsenaforda you will find what you are looking for."

"So that’s what the Ogam is for, Gwrthfiotig can we learn about the Ogam there?" Twilight asked curiously.

"I’m sorry Miss Sparkle, but I'm afraid you can’t, the knowledge of the Ogam is something that is reserved for those ponies that are trained as druids.” that answer disappointed Twilight. ”However, if you need guidance or help, I'm sure you will find several druids, bards and vates willing to help you, as I have done now."

"Well, it’s a way to start.” Added Applejack.

"Anyway, thank you very much for everything." Twilight said retreating to the door along with the rest.

"You’re welcome, and take care of that wing Rainbow Dash, don’t fly for a few days, let the poultice take effect and you'll heal fast."

"I will, thank you very much Gwrthfiotig." Replied the pegasus gratefully.

"Oh, and before I forget, look for some blue-robed pony, they are the bards, they will help you to know our history. And if you want to see the archdruid, tell him I send you, and give him my bests." Gwrthfiotig accompanied the group out of his cabin and said goodbye. "Take the road to the north, it’s a straight way, you will reach Horsenaforda in about seven hours."

After closing the door, the girls prepared to leave the city. Following the directions of the vates, they found the road that went north. The whole countryside outside the town stretched before them like a great green mural. After the first hoofstep outside the walls, the journey began.

"Rainbow darling, are you sure your wing is fine?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah, well, it still hurts a little, but I'll be fine." They all looked at Rainbow to make sure this time she was not lying. "I'm fine! Seriously... that medicine has purged all the poison it might have."

"Well girls, heading to Horsenaforda!" Twilight said.

"And what are we waiting for? Let’s go!" Shouted Sunset Shimmer excitedly.

Author's Note

*Welcome to Eponia
**Many thanks
Well a little short but hope you like it!