Year 2538, 4th of Frostfall, Hour 30 – Yorn’s Home, Living Room – Solaria’s POV

“Wait… don’t tell me today’s that day…”

As I walk into the living area from the shop, I find Yorn in his chair with a dismal look upon his face.

“Yes,” he sadly replies. “The day my brother disowned—”

“—I’m going to stop you right here, because I don’t need to sit through another year of this,” I say, pressing my hand against my forehead.

Oh sweet Creator, not this again…

“Look, Yorn,” I say as I slide my hand down my face. “I know that I can’t relate, or tell you how to feel, but seriously. Feeling depressed about this isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Well what else could I even do…”

I’m instantly fed up with his extreme pessimism, not wanting to even process it.

“Are you serious…”

Yorn looks at me, confusion mixed with his melancholy.

“Need I recall all of your ‘speeches’ you’ve spouted to me? What about your interesting suggestions, like your idea of me showing up at Celestia’s door and asking for forgiveness?”

“I was spit-balling!” Yorn protests, clearly taken aback by my shortened temper.

“Regardless, it was the worst idea you’ve ever come up with.”

“It would be a good exper—” He tries to say.

“—Be happy I’m at least trying,” I cut him off. “But that’s not my point. What I’m trying to say, is for you to take your teachings and apply them to yourself. Go to your brother. Tell him how you feel. Ask for his forgiveness. Start to heal the wound that was made, as you would put it.”

Yorn sits quietly for a moment, thinking over what I had told him as I give him a vapid stare. A minute passes before a wave of determination jumps into his eyes.

“You’re right! Why should I sit here and sulk when I could be taking action!?” he declares.

He stands up and looks around his home.

“I need to pack,” he mutters before walking to his closet. He flings the door open and begins to rummage through it.

“You’re going now?!” I question, absolutely appalled.

“Why not?” I hear a muffled reply.

“Well for one thing, it’s dark and freezing cold, and for another, where does your brother even live?”

“He still lives up north, within Clan Brutus.”

“Yorn, Clan Brutus is over 100 kilometers away, based on what you’ve told me! You’re too old to travel that far without a mammoth ride, and there isn’t another one here for days. Seriously, take the time to prepare before irrationally running out into the Frozen North!”

“I may be up there in my years, but I’m not that old! I can manage fine.”

“You know what? Fine. Go ahead and get your gear and whatever else you need, but you’re not leaving until you can take a mammoth ride, got it?”

He doesn’t respond, continuing to rummage through his closet and remove various traveling gear.

He’s not fooling anyone. I guarantee this overeager attitude will change real quick once it settles in…

I sit onto my own rocking chair, arms crossed, and listen to his rummaging.

20th of Frostfall, Hour 9 – Yorn’s Home, Living Room – Solaria’s POV

“Guess who’s right? Me, that’s who. Whoopity faraking doo…

I feel my lips press together and my eyes narrow as I watch Yorn. I had predicted this exact reaction those few weeks ago, even giving my concerns to Yorn on several occasions. He assured me that my fears would never come to fruition. I would be throwing it into his face if it didn’t tick me off so much.

“Yorn,” I say, standing from my cot. “No more delays. You’re going today.”

“I thought I could, but now,” Yorn’s voice is extremely nervous. “I not sure this is a good idea…”

“You no longer have a say in the matter,” I say. “I gave you a chance to do this on your own, now you’re going to face this obstacle and you’re going to beat it. Think of how relieving it would be to have a reestablished relationship with your brother. Use that as motivation.”

Yorn takes several deep breaths.

“Okay,” he breathes out. “Okay, I can do this.”

He keeps repeating this to himself over and over.

…and over.

“Yorn,” I say with a dangerously calm tone. “If you don’t leave now, you’ll miss the mammoth ride, and I’ll be forced to take matters into my own hands. Trust me, you don’t want that.”

“Okay, I’m going, I just need to write some reminders out for you!”

Yorn rapidly retrieves a slip of parchment and a pen before hastily scribbling out words.

“Yorn,” my tone leans more towards dangerous. “You’ve been prolonging this for two weeks… I’ve helped you run this place for over six years. I swear, if you don’t leave now…”

I place a hand on his back and try to forcefully guide him to the door. Even with my arm bulging from my efforts, I couldn’t shift him.

“I’ll be fine!” My teeth grind together as I struggle to move his form.

“But—” He tries to protest.

“Yorn, I swear on the Creator, if you don’t leave right now, I will force you unconscious and tie you to that mammoth!”

While I have no intentions on carrying out my threat, he quits his furious scribbling and moves to the door. As he swings it open, he stops in the doorway. I begin to ignite Telekinesis, preparing myself to literally force him from his own home, when he turns around and hugs me. I’m bewildered by the action for a second before I return an awkward hug to the taller Minotaur.

With a deep breath, he steps out and starts his walk towards the gates. I watch him until he disappears past the wall before quickly stepping back inside to avoid any more contact with the freezing air. After closing and locking the door, I lean against it and slide down into a sitting position. I rest the back of my head against the door, sighing with relief.

“I never thought he’d actually leave.”

A loud and extremely pitiful whine comes ringing into my left ear. I sharply gasp from the piercing sound, looking to see Drukl staring at the door. Both his ears and tail were down. As much as the wolf annoys me, him acting this way for the entirety of Yorn’s absence would become troublesome. I slide over to Drukl and awkwardly pet his back, trying to give some form of comfort.

“Worry not dog, your master will be back.”

Drukl’s ears perk slightly as he turns his head in my direction. His eyes, still sorrowful, also hold a tiny amount of reassurance.

“Besides,” I continue. “You’re not alone.”

His face grows even less sad, this time his tail slowly wagging. He inches over and tries to lick my face. I deftly block his attempts with my arm.

“Okay, that’s too far.”

Drukl’s excitement returns to its normal level as he attempts harder to lick my face. I push him away and stand up. He bounds to his bed, spins around, and plops onto it. Within seconds, he’s snoring loudly.

I watch the wolf for a minute, still baffled by his rather sentient-like mood swings.

Six years and yet I still cannot figure out that animal...

With Yorn finally gone, Drukl unconscious, and the shop closed for the rest of the day, I’m free to do anything I wished. As I glance around Yorn and mine’s home, I see the parchment Yorn had scribbled on before leaving. I walk over to it and try to read what he wrote.

It’s nearly impossible.

“’I forgot to’… can’t read that… ‘stocking fire… keep Drukl’… what?”

I’m completely lost.

“Huh… Must not be too important. I hope.”

I set the paper back onto the table.

I could see if that Griffon has anything useful in stock…

I snatch my beautiful cloak and wrap it around my shoulders before leaving Yorn’s home, locking the door behind me. Today, as most days, is gray and hazed with fog. A light flurry of snow flutters down, which is as rare as sunlight considering most storms were intense blizzards.

As I walk down the snow-covered streets, passing through the stalls along the sides, I flip the hood up and do my best to hide my form. Even with my horn uncovered, the Minotaurs here weren’t going to be looking closely at me, as long as I keep myself hidden. I could easily walk down the street without hiding if I chose to, but it proved to be more efficient to remain inconspicuous while outside.

I have no issues passing through the streets, easily reaching the store ‘Griffonian Garnishes,’ still marked by the wearing wood sign.

==|000|==

Two other Minotaur customers had come and gone in the 30 or so minutes I had been in the shop. Twice, I had felt the Griffon owner’s glare piercing my skin, when he thought I wouldn’t notice.

I forget Griffons hold long-lasting grudges over petty issues…

I browse through the first shelf containing the fictional books. Many were still there from the last time I had been here. I pull out a newer one, titled “Tusk Love.” A romance no doubt. In the past, I had caught several of my subordinates trying to secretively discuss such books while on duty. I had punished them for their misuse of time, but I was always curious over their interest. I begin to flip through the pages to see if I truly was missing out on something interesting, or if I was simply dealing with lonely, horny fools.

“Huh…,” I mutter to myself. “Half-Orc? Human?? What the heck is a human? Or an orc for that matter… Weird. oh… Oh, it’s that type of romance novel…”

I close the book and try to forget the words I had read. No way in Tartarus am I about to read a smutfic.

I was simply dealing with lonely, horny idiots…

I move to return the book to its spot when I notice something pressed against the wall behind the opening. I pull out the books blocking the rest of the item, discovering that the mysterious item is a book as well.

It was not any book however. The shimmering emerald binding on a sparkling silver cover is identical to books I used to read during my free time in the Solar Guard: A spell tome. As I read green glyphs on the cover, I see this specific tome is one which teaches enchanting. I flip through the pages, amazed at my discovery.

This is amazing! A newer, authentic spell tome? Here? No longer will I be doubting the value of this place…

I set the other books back where they belonged and tuck the tome under an arm. Having found what I was searching for, I start walking to the Griffon to pay. After a few steps, I stop.

I’ll bet that this tome has been long forgotten, considering no one here can use magic. And knowing this scamming featherhead’s attitude towards me, he’d most likely overcharge me just because he can…

I pause, glancing back at the bookshelf.

I have an idea...

I remove “Tusk Love” from the shelf again, stripping the cheap cover from the book.

With some careful fumbling, I remove the cover and slip it onto the Tome. I check my work and make some slight adjustments.

Unless the Griffon checks the contents of his shoppers, I shouldn’t have a problem making off with this at a cheaper price…

I casually walk up to the counter, where I catch the shift in expression from the Griffon. As I begin to set the book onto the table, he snatches it from my grasp and reads the title. His expression shifts again once his mind processes the title.

“T-that’ll be 3 Gyffs,” the Griffon stutters out, unable to make eye contact as a flustered glint appears in his eyes.

I mentally roll my own eyes, retrieving the coins and slapping them down onto the counter. I grab the book and turn to leave.

“Enjoy yourself,” the Griffon calls out. His tone is far too suggestive. I pause my walking, giving the Griffon a dangerous glower over my shoulder.

“I would suggest you be careful with what assumptions you make, and who you make them to,” I say, dropping my tone into a deadly threat.

I immediately leave ‘Griffonian Garnishes,’ not wanting to remain in the shop longer than I had to. I once again flip the hood over my head, keeping my newly acquired tome tucked away.

After returning and safely locking the door behind me, I remove my cloak and lay it onto my cot.

“I cannot believe that worked,” I say to myself.

Drukl tilts his head as he lolls his tongue out the side of his mouth.

“But it does not matter. With this Tome, I can learn to enchant anything I want with whatever enchantment I want. I could actually make it home. I could finish… what Celestia started…”

My mind becomes clouded as I think of that hag’s name.

What home would I have to return to? No doubt everyone sees me as a traitor, and I can’t kill Celestia anyways. Now that I think of it, any attempt to harm or break Celestia would be impossible for a single soul… If I were to succeed, would it honestly be worth it in the end…?

I shake the thoughts from my head. I sit at the table, ripping off the “Tusk Love” cover and opening the emerald and silver cover. I slowly read through the book, struggling to focus as I continue to doubt my goals.

20th of Frostfall, Hour 28 – Yorn’s Home, Living Room – Solaria’s POV

A loud whine cuts through my focus, causing me to jump slightly. I look down to my right, seeing Drukl sitting next to me. In his mouth is his food dish, and his eyes were trying to carve their way through the concrete barrier that surrounded my heart.

Unfortunately, his attempts over the past years are finally proving to be effective.

“Fine, I’ll get you something to eat. Just stop with those eyes…”

I rub my face, shifting some loose stands of mane to the left. After a moment and a yawn, I stand and make my way outside through the back door, grabbing a key that’s hanging next to it. I exit and turn left, hastily moving to the meat chest Yorn keeps against the home. I unlock the chest and remove a cold, raw slab of meat from it. Relocking the chest, I return inside and lock the door behind me.

“Here,” I say as I toss the meat into Drukl’s bowl, which he dropped in favor of attacking a leg of Yorn’s bedstand. He immediately switches to devouring the meat.

I ignore the brutal slaughter and walk to the fireplace. I gather some logs left outside the iron cage around the fire and open the slide bolt. As I feed the flames, my ears hear the brief sound of scampering paws.

I’m shoved aside, watching Drukl barrel past me and leap at the fire. I quickly cast Telekinesis and yank the animal back away from the heat, slamming the cage door shut and relocking the bolt.

“Drukl, what in the FARAK is wrong with you?!”

He smiles at me with his tongue lolled, acting oblivious to his act. We stare at each other, his blank stare meeting my confused stare.

“You’re absolutely deranged,” I say.

He barks in response. I release him from Telekinesis and head into the kitchen, keeping an eye on the wolf. For the next ten minutes, I prepare myself a meal of a single cooked potato, using magic to speed up the process.

I eat my meal in silence, Drukl having passed out after his suicide attempt. I finish my meal, setting the used utensils into the kitchen.

Despite it still being early, I prepare my space for a night of sleep.

Spending six days of the week meditating rather than sleeping isn’t as tiring as I originally thought, but it still feels nice to actually sleep once in a while…

I head into Yorn’s bathroom and set up a bath.

==|000|==

One hour passes before I exit the bathroom, ready for sleep. Imagine my surprise when I find Drukl sleeping on my cot rather than his bed.

“Really,” I say. “You can’t even have the decency to wait until I’m asleep?”

Drukl looks up at me. Instead of his child-like protesting, he gives me an extremely sad expression. He silently climbs from my cot and returns to his bed, curling up and giving a single sigh.

I stand there staring off at nothing with a dead-pan expression.

A dog is the first living creature to make me feel bad about a decision I made… What is my life…

I climb onto my cot, adjusting my position until I’m comfortable. After a minute, as I’m starting to drift off, I hear a subtle whine.

He’s going to guilt trip me all night…

I sit up, sighing in defeat.

“Come here.”

Drukl looks up from his bed.

I point to the end of my cot.

“This is your one chance.”

Drukl jumps from his bed with excitement and in two bounds, lands onto my cot. We both get comfortable, Drukl passing out as I try to fall asleep.

Only until Yorn gets back…

26th of Frostfall, Hour 26 – Yorn’s Home, Front Shop – Solaria’s POV

“…Eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one…” I count to myself, sliding each Gyff into a leather pouch. After the last coin is slid into the pouch, I tie it off and place it into Yorn’s safe.

Minotaurs still remain the dumbest race in my opinion… Who pays thirty-two Gyffs for a Warhammer made from stone…

With that customer gone, I lock the safe and leave the shop area into the back. Heading over to the smelter, I check the raging hot coals inside before placing more fuel into the structure. After doing so, I walk over to the workbench. Next to it, on a simple wooden armor stand that I had built, rests the Royal Captain of the Guard armor I had worn with me here. I remove the helmet, having stripped it of non-metal features, and solemnly glance over it.

I feel the memories surge though me as I recognize scratches across the purple and gold metal, remembering the cause of each. A training mishap here. A vital deflection there. This armor had been through as much as I had.

My solemn expression hardens.

Now, it will serve me in another way…

I ignite Equilibrium and slowly siphon my magic, transforming and pushing the power to my muscles.

I grasp the open face of the helmet, pulling each side apart. My biceps bulge under the effort, even with Equilibrium. I refuse to quit, as after several seconds the sound of tearing metal rakes across my ears. The sound continues to grow in quantity as the enhanced Equestrian steel begins to bend. Finally, with a harsh shriek, the helmet breaks into two pieces. Shards of metal fly away as I cancel out Equilibrium.

Without a change in expression, I return to the smelter, tossing both broken pieces onto the melting pan. I slide the pan into the inferno and wait, watching the remains of the helmet slowly heat. After a moment, I walk back to the armor stand and grab onto the chestplate. I remove the armor piece as a ring comes from the shop area. I look at the door between the work room and shop before setting the chestplate onto the workbench with a metallic thud. I open the door and start the stupid greeting Yorn told me to say.

“Welcome to Yorn’s Smi…” I trail off as my eyes catch the symbol on one of the three Minotaur’s bandolier: the shattered hammer insignia of Clan Hytori.

I make eye contact with the center Minotaur, feeling adrenaline and dread flood into my body. His overly shocked expression matches mine.

“You…” he snarls out after recovering from the surprise.

All three reach for their weapons.

I work to keep the fear down and hold a hardened glare. I ignite Thundercrack, manipulating the lightning bolts in my hands to crawl along my arms and connect to random points in the room. I see them all hesitate, sharing uneasy glances with each other.

“Get out…” I hiss. “…And I won’t coat the walls with your blood!”

The Minotaur to my left steps back and the right one’s anger is replaced with uncertainty.

The center Minotaur holds his ground. His anger keeping his conscious from working right.

“You think I’m going to leave, without giving you what you deserve?”

“I’m warning you… leave now…”

You killed my father!” The minotaur bellows, pounding his battle-axe against his chest. “Now I’m going to kill you!”

As he raises his axe above his head, I cast Thundercrack with twice the intensity. The explosive bang of a thunderstorm shakes the inside of Yorn’s shop. All three Minotaurs cry out, dropping their weapons and throwing their hands to their ears. The two flanking the center Minotaur scoop up their weapons and quickly leave, fear upon their faces as blood trickles from their ears. The last Minotaur stands, still dazed from the concussive blast. He looks at me with glazed eyes.

“We, are not… done,” he stutters out before stumbling out through the door.

I walk around the counter, Thundercrack still ignited, and slam the door shut. I lock it before canceling the spell. As the adrenaline in my body dies down, I feel my heart pounding in my chest. I look down as something on the ground catches my eye.

On the ground, lying open and face down, is another spell tome, this time with a pale cobalt blue binding on a silver cover. An Illusion Tome, specifically Mind Illusion. I remain frozen in place, simply staring at the Tome with wide eyes.

Can this new Hytori chieftain cast magic?? I thought only Yorn could perform such feats… What did he have planned…

I ignite and cast Magical Detection on the book, then cast Harmful Detection, searching for any sort of trap that could be on the cover or pages. Neither spell finds anything harmful. I tentatively reach out and grab the book. I flip it over to read the pages, quickly seeing that this Tome is as legitimate as the Enchanting Tome I found yesterday.

Perhaps I can find a use for Illusion magic after all…

I tuck the tome under an arm and place the ‘Closed’ sign in the single window. I pause while looking at the window before sliding a heavy weapons rack in front of the glass panes, as a precaution.

I walk through the work room, leaving the Illusion Tome on a table near the door to the living area. I double check that the door bar is secure before returning my attention to my helmet that I’m melting. I try to focus on the smelter, but my mind keeps drifting to the Tome.

What did they have planned with such magic, if they could even cast it… and how close was I to succumbing to it…

A shiver travels down my spine as I think of the possible intentions the Minotaur chieftain had with the Tome. Trying to focus, I intensely watch the reddened helmet. The helmet grows brighter with color as the thoughts of Hytori keep returning to my mind. By the time of the helmet being nothing but molten liquid, I can’t focus on anything else outside of that dreaded clan. I snuff out the smelter fire and leave the melted metal in the pan. I leave the work area and head for my cot, ready to call it an early night.

Even before lying onto my cot however, I knew tonight would not be restful. Every thought is consumed by the Hytori Minotaurs, and if they would return in search for either their tome or for me.

I decide to take the precaution of shields, choosing to use magic on a hunch and feel safe rather than keep my magic and possibly deal with a fight.

I ignite Magical Seal, instantly beginning to weave and form the red strands of magical energy across the front door. Several minutes pass as I increase the complexity of the unique shield. As I finish, the front door is layered with a wall of red translucent magical strands. I move to the door leading to the work area, placing the same patterned shield onto it as well. I can feel the strain in my mind after spending that much magic in such a short time, even for the amount I have, but it would be worth it in the end.

I climb into my cot, Drukl at my feet, facing the blazing fire in the fireplace. I close my eyes and try to sleep, knowing I’m safe with the shields.

Such thoughts did little to help.

21st of Frostfall, Hour 11 – Yorn’s Home, Living Room – Solaria’s POV

I jolt to consciousness as I hear the doorknob of the front door rattle.

Oh svist!!

I jump up from my position on the ground and ignite my go to Lightning Element spell, Lightning Bolt. I prepare to cast the spell, holding a defensive position.

As the door handle rattles some more, the sound of the lock clicking open reaches my ears before the door itself tries to swing open before being blocked by the shield. The red barrier holds strong as the impact from the door sends a tiny indicator to my mind.

“What the…” I hear come quietly from the other side. I sigh in relief, canceling Incineration and disabling both shield spells as I recognize the voice of Yorn. He steps in, confused by whatever had been blocking the door before being assaulted by an excited Drukl.

I watch as Drukl excitedly licks Yorn, happy to be reunited with his master. Yorn couches down to greet Drukl in return, just as excited to see the wolf.

I stand there, waiting for the scene to end.

Yorn looks up from the wolf, spotting me standing in the center of the room with my arms crossed. His glad expression shifts to one of concern.

“You look like svist…”

“Hello to you too,” I say, my voice as dead as I currently felt.

“I suppose there’s a reason for you to be looking so…” Yorn pauses as I see his mind search for the right word. “...wrecked…”

“Yes,” I drone out. “There’s a very good reason… But as of now, tell me how your journey went.”

As I say that, Yorn’s face changes again to one of depression and tiredness.

He moves to the table, pulling out a chair and heavily sitting down.

“He, he didn’t want to see me.”

We both are silent.

Well, that wasn’t how it was supposed to go…

“I should’ve expected it,” Yorn says after a bout of silence. “What reason would he have to forgive me?”

He sighs.

“Yes, I agree,” I say after my own moment of quietness. “What were you expecting?”

Yorn looks at me confused.

“He was never going to forgive you, not so soon. But you’ve shown him that you’re willing, and dedicated, to try and earn it. This never was going to be an easy task, nor a quick one. However, you keep persisting, and I guarantee he’ll give you another chance, whether it be a month or a year.”

Yorn stares at me dumbfounded.

“What?”

“Wow,” he says. “I never would have expected you to say something as motivational as that.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “I have no idea where that came from. Perhaps your words of wisdom and positive attitude is rubbing off on me.”

“A far cry from how you were when I found you in my shed.”

“About that,” I pause, rubbing my arm. “I’ve thought about it over these past few days, and I’ve…”

“Yes?” Yorn’s head tilts slightly to his left.

“I’ve decided to listen to your advice and…”

There’s another long pause as I muster the words.

“…and drop my task of revenge against Celestia.”

Actually speaking those words causes a hidden burden on my shoulders to lift ever so slightly.

“Really…” Yorn says, doubt weaved into the word. “What brought you to this conclusion?”

“To be perfectly honest, I’ve grown attached to this place; to you, and surprisingly, to Drukl. The bond that’s grown is one I’ve not had since my father.”

And Stronghold…

I ignore the name of my long-fallen Lieutenant Captain, still unable to shake him from my mind.

“That’s very touching,” Yorn says, a smile on his older face. “You’ve become more than a guest, or a friend even. I’d say at this point, you’re family. Not through blood, but through bond, which I say is stronger than blood.”

I feel the warm, unfamiliar feeling of happiness slowly build in my chest; a feeling I have not felt in centuries.

“Now then,” Yorn says, sitting onto his bed. “Tell me of your week.”

“Gladly.” I respond.

As I begin to speak of my time alone, I feel a smile upon my muzzle. I do not try to hide this one. True, genuine smiles were rare for me, as is the feeling of not holding a burden of hatred on my back.

I’ve found where I belong… Screw Celestia. She can remain a miserable wretch in Equestria. I have everything I need right here…

Author's Note

One chapter left in this arc

Like with all my chapters, please comment your thoughts, questions, and criticisms!

Here's a better explanation of the spells used if you're interested, written in this Google Doc.

--Thanks to HoneyBacho for assisting with editing and world continuity