Year 2532, 39th of Chillwind, Hour 18 – Norrg’kl market – Solaria’s POV

The marketplace was as exciting as expected. There was little activity, as well as few options for an ideal shelter. None of the eight stalls would suffice, leaving eight actual buildings available.

Not very good odds.

I did my best to avoid eye contact with any of the stall owners, as most were Minotaurs. I could feel them all eyeing me as I passed.

I have a horrible feeling that everyone here has ideals like Hytori…

I entered the first shop to my left. Within was a mix of various root plants, grains, and winter fruits. As expected, a Minotaur was behind the counter. He was currently with another Minotaur, seemingly bartering for prices. While the two were arguing, I look around at the available merchandise.

“Didn’t know anthroponies were strong enough to make it here alive.”

I turn to the voice. The Minotaur behind the counter was looking at me. His gaze was no less disturbing than any other I’d received.

“I’m a special case,” I respond while walking to the counter.

“A very special case indeed…” the Minotaur licks his lips.

Uhgh…

I grimace.

“You know what?” I begin to step back to the door. “I think I’ll continue my searches, elsewhere…”

As the words leave my mouth, the Minotaur leaves his place from the counter, taking quick steps to reach me.

“No need,” he says, grabbing onto my pauldrons. “I have exactly what you’re looking f-AAUGH!”

The Minotaur releases a cry of anguish as my metal boot finds its way in-between his legs. While the beast is grasping his nether region, I take the opportunity to strike his jaw, effectively knocking him unconscious. His body falls to the ground limp. I fix the crooked pauldron and spit onto the downed Minotaur.

“Teach you to mess with an anthropony again…”

I exit the shop, once again on the snow-dusted streets. Across the way was another shop. No time is wasted entering the building.

Another Minotaur was behind the counter. He gave me a bored expression before turning his attention back to the pelt he was folding.

Apprehensively, I approach the counter, somewhat surprised to experience the initial reaction.

“What do you want?”

I gladly take the distain over the lustful patronization any day.

“I need a place to stay,” I begin. “And you look like you could use some help with your business.”

I mentally cringe at the line.

The Minotaur glances around the small space.

“Yes, my shop is just bursting at the seams…”

There’s an awkward silence as we both stare at one another.

“What use could a slave be to me in the first place? Especially in this small shop.”

“Okay, first off…” I retort. “I am freely choosing to be here right now. Secondly, all I ask for in return is a safe place from the elements. No coin.”

He continues to blankly stare.

“Besides, just think of the increase in business your shop would receive if I was to work here.”

Finally, the Minotaur responds.

“Yeah, an increase of drunken idiots from the tavern, taking up space within my store only to see you.”

“Know what?!” I snap. “You can forget my offer! But you just lost a beneficial asset—” I ignite a spell in my palm for a moment before snuffing it. “—that could’ve provided endless capabilities to your shop!”

I flip around and leave the shop.

This entire ordeal is going downhill…

Regardless, I still continued with my plan, albeit much less hopeful.

The next shop down the street is a much newer building, with an actual title: Griffonian Garnishes. If the name was anything to go by, it could safely be assumed that the owner was a Griffon.

Better than a Minotaur, I suppose.

Hopefully, this Griffon will be cooperative.

Entering the building, a bell jingling as the door opened, I was instantly greeted with a collection of random trinkets. There was every single type of useless item one could imagine on the waist-level shelves.

Across the room, standing behind the counter area with its back to me, was a Griffon. Its brown and white-feathered head was still, seemingly focused on whatever had its attention.

I go to speak, but I’m interrupted as the Griffon begins to loudly cough a bout of dry, coarse hacking. After a few seconds, it clears its throat and continues like nothing happened.

“Uhm, Hello?” I continue to walk up to the counter.

The Griffon’s head perks, looking to its right for a moment before rotating its head 180 degrees to locate my voice.

Suffice to say, I’m a tad bit taken aback. The bird speaks after spotting me.

“Yes? How may I help you?” His voice as coarse as the coughing had suggested.

My mind was at a loss for words. Never had I seen a Griffon with owlish traits, only knowing of them through various books. It was a bit intimidating, especially with the massive yellow eyes staring into my soul. I managed to recover after a minute of staring.

“Uhm, are you by chance looking for help for within your shop?”

He rotated his body to match his head, fully facing me. A thin smile stretched onto his beak.

“You can have an answer for your question— “His hand opened and extended out to me. “—in exchange for a few coins…”

My professionally hopeful expression completely deadpans.

We both again stare at each other, the smile on his face slowly slipping away.

“You really think I’m going to give you coins to see if I can work here…”

The smile completely drops to be replaced by a scowl. As he retracts his hand he coldly responds.

“If you refuse to pay, I refuse to answer. Good day.”

He turns around and continues his work. I scoff.

“Have you ever wondered why everyone hates your species? Well I can give you a prime example.”

He continues to ignore me.

I growl and spin around, stalking to the front of the shop.

Faraking Griffons. They deserve everything Equestria did to them…

Looking to a shelf on my right, fully stacked with knickknacks and various trinkets, Telekinesis is ignited in my palm. I flick my wrist and roughly tip the shelf. It crashes to the ground, spilling the merchandise onto the floor.

There’s an indignant squawk as I roughly fling the door open and exit.

What did I expect from a Griffon.

The last two shops farthest down the row were no better than the other three. Both were run by Minotaurs, and just like the first, both owners tried to not-so-subtly seduce me. Suffice to say, both will think twice before messing with a Unicorn again.

This left one shop for me: the blacksmith. The building I had left for last. The job itself would be perfect; the company however, would not be anything of the sort. A Minotaur was running the place, which did not give any form of comfort for success.

As I approach the shop doors, a mental battle was waging in my mind.

It could be possible for him to share similar sentiments to the pelt-shop Minotaur, but the chances of such an occurrence are slim. Even so, he would most likely turn me away. And if he were to accept… I don’t know if I could actually go through with it…

I hover in front of the door for a moment before turning away.

At this point, I would rather die than live with a leathersack.

39th of Chillwind, Hour 29 - Norrg’kl Gates - Solaria’s POV

Even with all the failures I had experienced, at least I could sit by the gate fire without suffering harassment.

The blazing flames however, was a temporary fix to the overall problem. The fire may keep me warm, but it would not protect me from a blizzard. Nor could it provide food and water. I had eaten the last oatbar stolen from the Equestrian hamlet an hour ago, and my water supply was on its last legs.

I didn’t have any form of currency with me either, so buying my way into a home wasn’t an option. Suffice to say, my only choice was to suck in my pride and find a half-reasonable Minotaur to stay with.

Yet, despite recognizing the only clear path, I refused to take it. Many hours had passed since I inquired at the various shops. The dreary gray sky had begun to darken, signifying the coming of night.

To the south, I could see another blizzard approaching.

Why did I ever think coming to this settlement would be a good idea?

I stand onto my feet and slip on my pack.

Looking back to the market, there’s a steady flow of Minotaurs entering a building. As I approach, I notice it was one left untouched in my search.

This must be the tavern.

Even with the sense of foreboding dread spiking in my mind, I join the flow and enter the building.

The interior was not unlike an Equestrian tavern. The decor was strikingly similar and the atmosphere was close to the last tavern I had been in nearly a century ago.

The nostalgia was instantly cut short as a shout from one corner brought me back to reality. A Minotaur in an assumedly drunken stupor had flipped a table. Various coins and cards showered the ground, causing nearby Minotaurs to leap after the money.

I scoff with disgust, watching a pair begin to brawl as the rest of the tavern cheered them on. The fight quickly ended, as a few guards separated the two and forced them to opposite corners along the far wall.

After witnessing the idiotic display, I walk to the bar. Three of the five barstools were taken; I sit onto the one farthest from the taken seats. After a few minutes, the bartender walks over to me. Seeing his expression instantly sets off alarms in my mind.

“Are you lost, little one?” The beast slightly leans forward, the question dripping with false concern. “Looking for your master?”

I would not be intimidated. Meeting his lusty gaze with my intense scowl, I respond.

“I am no one’s slave.”

He snorts, the smile on his face growing.

“Such fire you have… It is amazing you’ve gotten this far.”

He attempted to insert genuineness into his words, but his eyes betrayed his true intentions.

“I…”

My words trail off as I catch his gaze flicking behind me. With a glance, I see three Minotaurs sitting at a table close behind me. All three are staring at me.

“Let me guess,” the bartending Minotaur begins as I look back to him. “You escaped from Clan Hytori and came to the “safe zone” for sanctuary. Now, you are in need of a way to survive.”

His knowing smirk tells me I am not the first to come to him.

“Well, no worries. You can work for me. I’m sure the regulars would greatly appreciate a pretty thing like you satisfying their needs.”

His eyes once again flicker behind me as sounds of wood scraping on wood reach my ears. I stand and face behind me.

The three Minotaurs are rising from their seats, slowly sauntering over.

“Or maybe,” The bartender whispers into my ear. “You can find some work with these, wonderful friends of mine.”

“Don’t worry Orn’gar,” one of the three pipes up. “We’ll take good care of her.”

I could easily slaughter these antagonizers, but doing so would most likely get me thrown from the settlement, or worse. I look to the guards across the room, waiting to see if they would step in.

Both are watching with faint smiles.

Many other patrons also begin to watch, painfully reminding me that I am without allies in this nightmarish place.

With no other options, I summon magic into my palms. With my limited knowledge of the area, and being unable to see outside, Teleportation would be an unnecessary risk. Instead, Time Slow is ignited.

When three rush at me, I cast the spell, extending the radius all the way to the door.

Suddenly, a wave of gray spreads from my palms. Within my vision the entire tavern has lost its color. The three Minotaurs, who were moving quickly, were slowed to a snail’s pace. Instantly, as the spell is cast, my mind cries out with exhaustion. Wasting no time, I slip by the three and sprint to the door. I fling it open and continue out into the night.

After exiting the tavern, I cancel the spell, it nearly draining all my remaining magic. As my vision and balance begin to fail, I quickly stumble across the road intersecting the market. On the other side was the blacksmith shop. I get behind it, walking along the length of the building until I am between a small shed and the shop. My legs give out underneath me and I fall against the shed, leaning my back against it.

For the first time since my father’s death, I felt all the hope and confidence leave me. Not even Stronghold’s death drained me of such feelings.

I’m going to die… I’m going to die in this Creator-forsaken settlement… and Celestia will continue to reign unchecked…

If I had to give Celestia one thing, it would be her ability to give me motivation.

The winds around me begin to pick up. It seems the blizzard from earlier was finally reaching the settlement. With the temperature rapidly dropping, I try to stand. The action sends my head spinning. Instead, I crawl to the door of the shed. It is locked with a simple padlock. I summon whatever amount of magic I can and break the lock with Telekinesis. I crawl into the shed and close the door behind me.

Not wanting to expend any more magic, I use what faint light still exists and crawl to a corner of the shed.

The wind was gaining momentum, howling as if a Windigo was controlling the storm. The cloak from my back is removed, instead to be used as a blanket.

That Time Slow spell just about killed me. In this state, I’ll be dead before morning arrives, especially in this storm.

With no better options, I sit and try to fight against the sickening feelings of magic loss.

39th of Chillwind, Hour 29:46 - Norrg’kl Tavern - Yorn’s POV

I had heard of the power and majesty of a Unicorn’s magic, but this was the first time I was able to witness it.

Another poor soul of a mare had been unlucky enough to wind up in Orn’gar’s tavern. The last one to come through had been taken by the tavern owner’s lackeys. This time seemed to be no different. It was an unfortunate sight to watch.

However, as those three were about to grab her, the Unicorn escaped. With a burst of magical power, she sped from their grasp in a streak of red and gray. She was so fast; I barely caught her disappear behind my shop.

With the sudden escape, Orn’gar and his workers all glance around, confused expressions on their faces.

“You idiots, you let her escape!” Orn’gar yells to his helpers after snapping out of the stupor.

“We weren’t expecting her to react so quickly…”

Orn’gars face twists with anger.

“B-but we’ll find her tomorrow, boss. We promise!”

“You better,” Orn’gar snarls at them. “Else I promise you all, this will be the last mistake you ever make!”

The three rapidly nod and flee the tavern.

I stand up, taking a moment to stretch before walking to the bar and leaving a pile of coins on the bartop. Orn’gar grunts at me, sliding the coin from the bartop.

I turn and leave the tavern, walking across the street to my shop. I look to the sky; the howling winds and harsh snowfall is finally reaching Norrg’kl. My key is drawn and quickly used to unlock the door. I slip in before relocking the door behind me.

I cross the shop and enter into the work area in the back, turning to a door which leads into my home. As it’s opened, my legs are attacked with licks from Drukl.

I chuckle, reaching down to stroke his back.

“Relax you deranged animal. I was only gone for an hour.”

Drukl gives a satisfied yip before bounding to his bed.

I unlock the fire cage, grabbing some logs next to the fireplace and throwing them in. After locking the fire cage, I take a small bellow, using it to boost the low burning coals. Once the fire begins to pick up, I walk across my home to the kitchen area.

As the stew begins to heat, I think back to the Unicorn.

She was unlike any Unicorn I’ve ever seen before. Their species is soft and fragile… But she is unlike any of her kind… She physically looks young, but mentally… She is filled with anger, resentment, the horrors of war… She has experienced more than I ever will… And the armor, it is no common soldier’s armor… What an interesting chance it would be to learn of what she has seen…

I continue with my stew, slowly adding ingredients and creating the food.

Orn’gar cannot find her, not while she is alone at least. But who knows where she could be at this time…

I leave the stew, crossing my living quarters and reentering my work area. To my left is a door leading out back. I grab a lantern to my right, lighting it with a match before I exit outside. I instantly notice a change to my storage shed right outside the door; The lock on it has been broken.

The lock is retrieved and examined. It seems to have been torn from its place, rather than picked.

I slowly open the shed door, unsure what to expect. Holding the lantern out in front of me, nothing is unusual at first glance, until I peer past the open door.

There, lying in the corner, is the Unicorn. She is unconscious, either from the cold or through sleep. She does not react when I enter, nor when I approach.

The chances of her ending up within my reach… It is not a mistake…

Despite the sympathy I feel and the desire to keep her alive, I hesitate. If she were to wake when I would carry her inside, I most likely would be turned to ashes.

Carefully, I prod her with a finger. She does not give a response.

Even more carefully, I bring her into my arms, carrying her as one would a young calf.

She is brought into my home with Drukl bounding around my feet. I lay her in the wooden rocking chair left in front of the fire.

After finding a blanket, I do my best to remove what bits of armor I could. Eventually, most of her armor pieces are removed and she is wrapped in the blanket.

I bring the pieces to my bed, leaving them near the end of the bedframe. Turning to face the Unicorn again, I catch Drukl chewing on the Unicorn’s boot.

“Drukl! Leave her be!” I snap at him, pointing to his bed near my own.

He gives an indignant snort before obeying.

“Just relax until she wakes. Waking in a strange place is bad enough, she doesn’t need you attacking her armor as well.”

Drukl softly growls, laying down in his bed again.

I give him a pat, heading back to the kitchen to focus on the stew. As the food is under preparation, my mind keeps drifting back to the Unicorn.

Author's Note

Huzzah! A fresh new chapter for all to enjoy!

As always, feel free to leave a comment asking questions, giving thoughts, or providing constructive criticism.

Chapter 2 Spells Conducted (in order of use)

Telekinesis - Previously described (Chapter 2)

Time Slow - Subject to the Manipulation category, this spell does exactly like the name suggests. When cast, a bubble will expand from the caster, causing the time within to be slowed by over 70%. While the caster can move around anywhere inside the outside the area under effect, the bubble itself will remain stationary until recast elsewhere.

--Thanks to HoneyBacho for proofreading and helping with world continuity.