It was a cold afternoon in the small town of Bleakmount. It was a town high in the mountains north of the recently established country of Equestria. It lay in a area known as Everwinter. Despite its name it was in fact not always winter in these mountains. The colder seasons were just particularly harsh this far north.

This however was usually not an issue for the denizens of this small country. As most of them were Thestrals or "bat-ponies" as most other races called them. Their supremely thick and fluffy fur helped them survive, even thrive in the harsh mountains. The long pointed ears they sported seemed to pick up sound like no other. Allowing them to hear pins drop from hundreds of feet away. Along with their eyes they had large eyes with cat like irises. Giving them the ability to see in the dark better than any sentient creature.

The Thestrals has a thriving culture and community in these mountains. While they rarely interacted with other creatures. They seemed to get along with the ponies of the south. With their newly formed country came trade, and with trade came prosperity. Exports from the mountains usually included ores, pelts, and sometimes even soliders. Everwinter had no ruling system of government. And nearly allowed each tribe, or village to govern how they wished to be governed.

Bleakmount specifically exported ores as the Thestrals that settled there. Built their village over -top a rich iron, and brass veined mountian. And has been supplying ore to the country of Equestria since it was founded nearly 100 years ago. What they asked for in return were bits and knowledge. They asked how to control the weather from the pegasi, then the earth ponies on how to find and use fertile land wherever they go, and finally the art tp imbue any item they wish with magical power.

Because of this Bleakmount grew to be one of the largest settlements in Everwinter. One could even consider it to be the capital. And if the Thestrals had a unified system of government it most likely would be. Bleakmount is governed my a mighty council of elders. With one being nominated chief every 200 moons. Bleakmounts market was also quite large due to its high amount of trade with the ponies.

The clouds and weather of Everwinter seemed to have a mind of their own. And the Thestrals could control it, but it usually required way more effort than what was necessary. It usually ended in many casualties and deaths, so instead the pegasi worked with them. Through no small amount of effort the Thestrals and pegasi created devices for predicting the weather in advance. To give the citizens time to prepare.

One citizen in particular was making her way down the streets of Bleakmount. A bag designed for holding produce, and essentials lay empty across her back. As she hoped to get in some last minute shopping before the blizzard hit later in the evening. According to the message the elders sent out this was to be the worst one of the season. Thankfully enough it was most likely to be the last one as well. Spring was only a three weeks away after all, and Bleakmounts harsh winter would be over for now.

Nightengale was excited to get back home and continue studying her recently purchased reading material. While Equestria didn't have any long history books yet being as new as it is. It did have quite a few stories written, by the endlessly creative ponies. It did have small history books about the Unification War, and small tidbits on its current rulers. The ponies preferred to spend their time with the whimsical and fictional side of literature. And Nightengale certainly was not complaining.

She only hoped this shopping trip could go a little faster, so she could curl up by her fire and, bury her muzzle in a book. With these thoughts in her mind she put a little extra spring in her step. Approaching what looked like a market stall full of various vegetables. Manned by a bulky looking earth pony giving him a wave while she approached. Pulling out her coin purse to buy some things from the stallion.

Later on in the evening Nightengale began her journey back home. A large bag full of things she needed weighed down on her back. Sadly she had forgotten to stock up last market, so she needed more than usually did on these trips. As if to make a bad thing even worse, some of the items were clear across town. And with it being the largest village in Bleakmount this was quite a hike. Thankfully she managed to make it inside her door as the heavy snowfall began. Marking the beginning of what would be one doozy of a storm.

The minutes ticked by into hours, and Nightengale found herself sitting down in a comfortable chair. About seven or so hooves away from the roaring fire she had started hours ago. A steaming cup of tea resting on the table at her side, and an open book resting in her lap. There was a hint of a blush on her cheeks as she turned to the next page of Joemoe and Ruliette. She hadn't been sure what this 'smut' was when she purchased it. Only that the book salsepony said she might find it interesting. And oh did she never had a work of fiction gotten her so hot and bothered.

But her fantasies would have to wait it seems. A particularly loud crackle from her hearth pulled her vision upwards. Seeing that the stack of firewood next to the hearth was practically empty. She let out an exasperated sigh she wanted to keep reading, but she knew if she didn't get more now. It would take much longer for any firewood to dry out enough to be used.

So with another small sigh she placed a small piece of cloth between the pages to act as a book mark for the story. And stood to her feet giving a small stretch her bat like wings sticking out straight behind her back. A few satisfying pops rang out as she sighed. She quickly grabbed her lantern that she kept by the door. Even with her Thestral eyes in a storm this heavy. Her sight would he just as bad as anypony else's. So this lantern was needed if only to walk around the side of her home to pick up some wood to bring inside. After lighting the lantern she slipped on her heavy snow boots and pulled back the bar on the door, that worked as a lock from the inside.

After pulling the door open Nightengale winced at the sight of the outside. A thick layer of fresh snow and ice had already covered the once clear streets. And the storm showed no signs of slowing down or stopping. Nightengale sucked in a deep breath and slowly walked outside. The snow reaching almost to her knees as she trudged through. Holding her lantern up to light her way through the heavy winds of ice and snow.

It wouldn't take her long to reach the side of the house. The firewood was thankfully underneath an extension of the roof of her home. So it was no buried in snow, but the winds would cover most of the rick in a thin layer of ice. She grumbled stepping underneath the overhang knowing. Setting the lantern down on the ground for a moment as she grabbed a piece of split firewood trying to pull it free from the rick. She grunted her cheeks puffing out with effort as her hand suddenly slipped, and she was sent tumbling into a tall pile of snow. She squeaked as she fell landing with crunchy thud as her small body impacted the snow.

"Eeep!! Oof....ugh....s-stupid firewood!! Stupid ice! O-oh dear it's actually starting to feel rather c-cold out here! I better hurry inside"

Nightengale thought outwardly. Raising herself to her feet she grabbing the hatchet hanging on the nearby wall. Along with the wood and cloth sled she had made specifically for carrying large bundles of wood. Or anything else that might have been extremely heavy that she couldn't pull or push normally. As she got to work her ears perked up from hearing what sounded like a voice in the distance.

"ICHO!! WH- ARE YOU!?"

The thestral paused and turned to face outwardly towards the blizzard. Unsure if she had truly herd somepony calling in the distance. A few moments went by and she heard nothing. She let out a soft thoughtful hum. The wind had a pension for hitting objects just right to make music or other sounds. So Nightengale simply chocked it up to be the wind.

That was until she heard it again only this time it sounded closer and more clear.

"TRISSIA PLEASE ANSWER ME!!"

Nightengale nearly fell back in shock as she heard the voice in the distance. The winds from the blizzard were loud and drowned out most noise. But somehow the winds managed to carry this voice all the way to her.

"Who in all of the world would be outside at a time like this!? They are liable to freeze to death Thestral or not nopony could survive this storm! I-I...I have to do something. They could be lost they could die without my help. Y-yes I have to do this! I must do this!"

Said Nightengale this storm was scary so a pep talk was necessary. Or at least...that what she tells herself. Quickly grabbing the rope attached to the sled. Just I'm case whoever this pony was needed to be dragged to safety. She grabbed her lantern, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the storm. Ice and snow oelting her face as she took slow and deliberate steps. Trying to maintain her balance on of the slick surfaces.

Even though she could vaguely hear where the voice was coming from. She didn't know exactly where they were, and she hadn't heard the calls again. His ears almost folded against the back of her head starting to wonder if maybe it was just a trick of the wind. Or maybe her teas leaves had gone bad and this was some sort of fever dream. But she decided to try one last thing calling out into the storm Nightengale said

"Is there somepony out here?! I thought I heard shouting! Hello Is anypony there!!!?"

Almost immediately she heard the voice again. Yelling in a raspy broken voice.

"O-over here! I see you!"

Nights ears instantly turned towards the direction it was coming from. It sounded like it was only a little further ahead. So she began to run as best as she could moving faster through the snow. Until she came upon one of the strangest sights she had ever seen. A large flat-faced creature lay on it's knees with its back straight. Looking up at her with small eyes and a face that torn, and bleeding.

"P-please help me..."

She heard it say before it collapsed into the snow by her feet. Probably tearing it face and hands even more in the process. It's clothes were torn and filled with holes, and night let out another squeak when it's face hit the ground. Quickly moving her sled foward she tried to drag the creature onto the sled. Whatever this thing was it was large. Almost twice her height and weight it's body cold to the touch. It's skim or what little she could see of it was fur-less but tanned.

She grunted and heaved eventually managing to get the large creature onto the sled. Taking a moment to catch her breath she wheezed before slowly standing back up. Tying the rope around her waist and picking her lantern back up. It took her twice as long to get back to her cottage with the added weight. But eventually she pushed her door open and heaved the sled inside. The creatures unconscious body shifting in the sled as she rushed to shut the door. The fire still roaring in the hearth, and that was when she realized that she still needed more firewood.

"Oh ponyfeathers...."

Author's Note

Hey I hoped you liked this new chapter! Quick question would like to have the story of the eight days she took care of Gabriel? Or would you rather we return to the present?