12 Young Moon 1008

Emerald Gleam, hoofmaiden of Princess Cadence, had had a perfectly shit day, so far.

The Palace was filled to the brim with people, the Princess was panicking and it was all Emerald could do to keep Flurry from noticing something was off.

And then she had been summoned by the Princess, and ordered to pack all her belongings and then all of Flurry’s belongings into two saddlebags. TWO! Sure, they were magically expanded, but even that only went so far.

Of course, her anger had vanished when she realized what was happening: the Princess was sending her and Flurry away, but not herself or her husband. Emerald only knew Star Tower in passing and of reputation, a little, so she wasn’t sure he was the best choice as caretaker of Flurry Heart, but the Princess had insisted that he could be trusted.

Emerald didn’t like it, not a single part of it, but she had little choice in it all. Even if the Princess had offered her, not commanded her, Emerald was duty-bound to follow through on the request.

And besides, what does a stallion know of taking care of children?

The teleport was over in a flash. Emerald gasped as she realized where they were. ‘’You teleported us all the way to Rainbow Falls?’’ she exclaimed as she saw the cloud-city shining in the city, beyond the trees.

Star nodded. ‘’It is the upper range for my teleports, if I want to be capable of anything else other than levitation afterwards that is,’’ he explained.

‘’Uh-huh,’’ Emerald said, trying to wrap her mind around the fact they had just crossed over 200 kilometres in a few seconds. ‘’Aren't you cold?’’ she asked.

Star shook his head. ‘’Buffalo fur, and it's magically enchanted to keep me comfortable no matter the temperature.’’ He smiled. ‘’Flurry being on my back also helps.’’

‘’No problem, Starry!’’

Emerald should have guessed as much. ‘’That sounds convenient.’’ Even if a foal, by all rights, should be on the mare’s back.

‘’It is. Now, we should really be going.’’

Emerald made a noise of agreement, and they began to walk towards the falls. ‘’So, how long until you can teleport again?’’ Emerald asked after a few minutes.

‘’A similar distance to what we just did? An hour, give or take,’’ Star replied as his horn lit up with a soft light, illuminating the path. ‘’So in two hours, we'll be in Weter. From there, we're going to Vedina.’’

The light on his horn flared, and Emerald felt a comfortable warmth settle over her. Probably some strange spell.

‘’And once we're there?’’ she pressed on, curious to see what he had planned.

‘’Turhamn. One of the nobles there is a good friend of mine. I've sent a missive ahead to let him know we're coming,’’ Star answered. ‘’Any other questions?’’

Emerald shook her head, before checking on Flurry. The foal was snuggled into Star’s cloak, eyes wide open.

‘’Starry, what’s Turhamn?’’ she asked.

‘’Turhamn is the capital of Vedina,’’ Star replied. ‘’It’s an old city, built around a castle and a harbour. It’s a very nice place, but it’s not as big as Crystal City.’’

Emerald snorted. That’s obvious. Crystal City is the largest city in the world.

‘’So what now?’’ Emerald asked. ‘’Are we going to stay in the snow for an hour?’’ She had lived under Sombra’s reign; she was used to hardship. But Flurry wasn’t.

‘’Well,’’ Star lifted Flurry from his back with magic, placing her on the ground before laying down himself under a large tree, ‘’I’m going to need to recuperate for a moment. So, come here and keep me warm while I recharge my energy.’’

Well.

Emerald sighed, before joining the other two under the tree, placing herself between the snow and Flurry. The filly had curled up against Star’s side, but as far as Emerald could see she was still awake.

The light at the tip of Star’s horn expanded, forming into a dome of a golden light around them. ‘’That’ll keep us safe and warm. Now we just have to wait.’’

Two hours in the snow later they were sitting in a small apartment on the outskirts of Weter. It had three rooms: a bedroom, living room with kitchen, and a bathroom. Nothing luxurious, but comfortable.

Emerald had put Flurry in the bedroom to sleep after giving her some water, and was now relaxing on the couch. Meanwhile, Star sat in a chair next to the window, and was looking out over the city. Snow gently fell down outside.

‘’How did you get this place?” Emerald asked. Star turned away from the window to look at her. Damn, those green eyes are intense.

‘’I bought it, some years ago,” Star replied nonchalantly, as if buying what was really quite a comfortable apartment was something one just did.

‘’Why?’’ Emerald pressed on.

‘’Because I was planning on searching Nova Griffonia for more ancient pony ruins,’’ Star explained. ‘’But I stopped the project after the Crystal Empire returned. I guess I just forgot to sell it.’’

That made sense and was a waste of money at the same time. Emerald was starting to reconsider her idea of just grabbing Flurry and running. ''How many properties do you own?"

‘’Let’s see… Canterlot Family Manor, Family Holiday Villa on the Spa Islands, Apartment in Manehattan, this apartment, and another Holiday Villa, this time a private one, in New Mareland, which is where we're going to.’’

‘’Why did you buy a villa in New Mareland if you already had one on the Spa Islands?’’

‘’I was… planning on using it as a retirement home.’’

That was not what Emerald had expected to hear. They settled into silence, both lost in their own thoughts as Star’s magic recharged again.

An hour later, Emerald gently woke up Flurry, and they packed their stuff.

‘’Hold on,'' Star warned. ''this is going to be a rough one.’’

Before Emerald could ask what he meant by that, the world flashed golden again. Unlike the first three times, she felt her stomach lurch and for a few seconds, she experienced true weightlessness. Then the normal world reappeared. She saw a courtyard, surrounded by stone walls.

Star let out a groan as he rubbed his head. ‘’And that is why I don't do teleports longer than 200 km.’’

‘’That was fun!’’ Flurry cheered.

‘’My friend!’’ Emerald looked up to see a male griffon, dressed in expensive clothing, make his way to them. He had black feathers and blue eyes.

‘’Ludvig! Good to see you again!’’ Star greeted his friend with a raised hoof.

The griffon grinned at him. ‘’Indeed it is, my friend.’’ Then he turned to Emerald. ‘’My lady,’’ he said formally, with a bow.

‘’Please, I'm no lady,’’ Emerald said as she offered him her hoof. ‘’But I'll gladly shake your claw, sir.’’

‘’As you wish,’’ the griffon said as he shook her hoof with his claw. ‘’My name is Ludvig, of the Noble House of Bergkvist.’’

‘’A pleasure to meet you, Lord Bergkvist. I'm Emerald Gleam, and this is Flurry Heart,’’ Emerald introduced herself and the filly on her back. This was a griffon who knew how it worked.

‘’Please, call me Ludvig,’’ Ludvig said with a smile. He looked at Flurry Heart. ‘’It is my pleasure to meet you, princess.’’ And he gave a very proper bow.

‘’Hello mister,’’ Flurry greeted. ‘’It’s nice to meet you too.’’

‘’Ludvig,’’ Star spoke up, ‘’Shall we take this inside? There are reasons doing multiple long-distance teleportations is not advised for unicorns.’’

''Of course, of course. Make yourself at home,'' Ludvig said as he walked over to a door. Emerald's eyes widened as she saw the large house the courtyard was connected to. She hadn't noticed it before.

‘’You live here?’’ she asked, before remembering her manners and adding, ‘’it’s beautiful.’’

‘’Thank you,’’ Ludvig said with a nod. ‘’Let’s go inside though. No sense in remaining out this late.’’

Inside, Emerald followed a butler as Ludvig and Star disappeared off somewhere into the house. The butler showed them their rooms; Flurry’s room was down the hallway, just a few doors away from Emerald’s.

That was good. Emerald wasn’t about to let this unknowingly-orphaned filly out of her sight or presence for long.

‘’Good night, princess,’’ she said as she watched the foal snuggle into the warm pillows.

‘’Good night, Emerald,’’ Flurry replied. ‘’See you tomorrow.’’

She’s so innocent.

Emerald nodded, then turned and left the room faster than polite. She quickly went to the room she had been given and crawled into the bed.

Poor, poor Flurry. She doesn’t know it yet.

|-x-X-x-|

Star and Ludvig sat in the latter’s study, next to the hearth. They clinked their glasses, then downed the wine in one gulp.

‘’Fuck me,’’ Star swore once he’d swallowed the drink. ‘’That packs a punch.’’

Ludvig chuckled. ‘’That it does.’’ Then his expression turned softer. ‘’I’m sorry about-’’

‘’Thanks,’’ Star cut him off. ‘’I guess… it has all yet to sink in.’’ He stared at the flames.

Stars, but he had missed this place. It had been nearly six years since he’d last been here, but everything still looked the same. A little stability in a time like this did wonders for Star’s state of mind.

‘’I understand,’’ Ludvig said sympathetically. ‘’How long will you be staying?”

‘’No more than a week, at most,’’ Star answered absently, eyes not leaving the flames. ‘’The plan is to go to my mansion in New Mareland, and we’ll see what happens after that.’’

‘’Hmm…’’ Ludvig hmm-ed. ‘’If you need anything, money, supplies, I’ll be happy to help.’’

‘’Thank you, my friend.’’ Star finally looked back at Ludvig. ‘’For now, just staying here is enough, and I still have access to a large part of my accounts in New Mareland.’’

‘’You prepared for this?’’ Ludvig asked, surprised.

‘’Somewhat,’’ Star admitted. ‘’It was more in the sense of having a pension established already. But I transferred as much as possible in the first days after the Manehattan bombing, as a back-up plan.’’

Ludvig nodded. ‘’I see.’’ Then his tone turned dry. ‘’I shouldn’t be surprised.’’

‘’You shouldn’t,’’ Star agreed with a cheeky smile. Then he frowned as he thought of the letter Cadence had given him. He pulled it out of his saddlebags.

And sank into his chair, staring at the paper.

Fuck me.

‘’What’s wrong?’’ Ludvig asked, with such concern in his voice that Star could only barely tell he was serious.

Star flicked the paper around so Ludvig could read it. The griffon’s eyes widened. ‘’Adoption papers?!’’

‘’Naming me and Emerald as Flurry’s parents,’’ Star confirmed emptily. ‘’To protect her, legally. Stars, they thought of everything.’’

It’s smart. If they make Emerald and me her parents, Nightmare can’t try a legal route to get Flurry back, or lay claim to the Sparkle and Mi Amore properties, since it’s all going to Flurry and therefore Emerald and me.

‘’Oh, stars,’’ Star repeated. ‘’How can I do this?’’

Ludvig’s gaze of pity and sympathy was the reason Star appreciated him so much. ‘’You raised Crystal,’’ he quietly pointed out.

‘’And she died!’’ Star snapped. His expression dropped, before he buried his face in his hooves.

Ludvig reached out and grabbed his shoulder. ‘’Hey. You can do this. The president of New Mareland is your friend, right?’’

‘’Jet Set and I are acquainted,’’ Star corrected without raising his head.

‘’Good enough. He knows his position; he’ll do whatever is necessary to help you.’’

‘’Perhaps,’’ Star allowed, finally looking back up. He smiled weakly at Ludvig. ‘’Break out the whiskey and get some pens and paper. I’ve got to plan.’’

‘’Just like old times, eh?’’ Ludvig quipped, a smirk creeping up his beak.

‘’Just like old times,’’ Star confirmed. ‘’Let’s get to work.’’

Ludvig nodded as he drew his claw back and stood up. With a snap of his claw, the butler entered. ‘’Sir?’’

‘’Two glasses and a bottle of whiskey, plus pens and a lot of paper,’’ Ludvig requested politely but firmly.

The butler bowed and left the room again, returning a minute later with the requested items. He deposited them on the table, gathered up the empty wine glasses, and left after receiving thanks from both males.

Ludvig poured them both a glass, then walked over to the table. ‘’What’s the plan?’’ he asked.

‘’Get to New Mareland, first of all,’’ Star informed him. ‘’No offense, but Vedina is too close to Equus and not strong enough to resist an attack from the Lunar Empire.’’

Ludvig nodded, accepting the point like the reasonable griffon Star knew he was. ‘’And once you’re in your mansion?’’

‘’Raise Flurry as best we can,’’ Star replied, and the enormity of that task would probably sink it sometime in the coming days, but not yet. ‘’I’ll try to give her a normal childhood, but…’’ he trailed off with a sigh.

‘’Wouldn’t somewhere like the Riverlands be safer?’’ Ludvig mused aloud. ‘’You have some contacts there, right?’’

‘’I taught River Swirl and visited during my travels,’’ Star said dismissively. ‘’But I don’t have any other connections there. I’ll consider it, but the main option remains New Mareland.’’

Ludvig frowned, but didn’t push it. ‘’And Equus?’’ he asked instead.

Star’s shoulders slumped. ‘’Twilight vanished into the Everfree with her friends. They’ll probably set up a resistance or something, but with Rarity in the hands of Nightmare Moon there’s no chance of using the Elements. If I had to guess, they’ll set up a resistance movement.’’

‘’You think?’’ Ludvig asked.

‘’Twilight is very scary when she’s set her mind on something,’’ Star supplied. ‘’She has many friends and connections and is almost universally popular across Equestria and beyond. She’ll be able to organize a resistance, I know it.’’

Ludvig hmm-ed. ‘’That is excellent.’’

‘’Quite,’’ Star agreed.

A short pause fell, during which Star drained his glass. ‘’I can get into New Mareland without a problem. It’s getting out of Vedina that will be hard.’’

‘’I know a guy,’’ Ludvig said. ‘’I’ll check if he’s available, but he’ll be able to sail you to New Mareland without any problems.’’

Star put his glass down on the table. ‘’That’s a relief,’’ he sighed. ‘’Thanks.’’

‘’No problem.’’

|-x-X-x-|

13 Young Moon 1008

Emerald sat in the room she’d been given, looking out at the street. At noon, it was quite busy, filled with griffons that were talking and laughing with each other.

Before she could muse on that, there was a knock on her door. ‘’Yes?”

‘’Can I come in?’’ That was Star. Emerald wondered what he wanted.

‘’Sure.’’

The door opened, and the unicorn stepped in. Held in his magic were two steaming cups of tea. He smiled at her. ‘’Care for tea?’’

‘’Thanks.’’ One of the cups floated over to her, and she grabbed it with her hooves. Unfortunately, it was still too hot to drink.

She shifted slightly as Star sat himself next to her. For a moment there was silence, as Emerald waited for Star to begin.

The unicorn sighed. ‘’I-’’ he paused. ‘’Fucking Tartarus, why are words hard?’’

Emerald couldn’t help it: she snorted. The faux-hurt look Star gave her just added to her amusement, sending her into a fit of giggles she just barely managed to contain.

‘’Yes, yes, I’m amusing,’’ Star said drolly, but there was nothing droll about his smile. If Emerald had been inclined that way, she might even have found it attractive. As it stood, she just found it amusing.

‘’But that’s not why you’re here,’’ she pointed out, once more turning serious.

She lifted the cup of tea to her face and took a small sip from it. It tasted of strawberry, but it wasn’t hot enough to burn her tongue anymore. Still small sips only, for now.

‘’It’s not,’’ Star admitted. ‘’I’m here because we need to know each other, if we’re going to be taking care of Flurry.’’

Ah. Emerald agreed with that, and would have sought him out herself in the next few days if he hadn’t done it.

‘’Well, why don’t we start off by introducing ourselves?’’ she suggested.

Star inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘’Sure. I am Star Tower of the House Spellweaver, former Royal Magician of Canterlot, Archmage, teacher, traveller and writer.’’

‘’Emerald Gleam,’’ she introduced herself formally, ‘’former Hoofmaiden of Princess Cadence.’’

‘’Born in Canterlot, 20th of Hunger Moon966.’’

‘’A little village on the Snowy River called Fairhall, 15th of Flower Moon, 22 BLB.’’

‘’Any family?’’

Emerald swallowed. ‘’Only my parents, and they’re dead.’’

Star nodded sympathetically. ‘’My condolences.’’ He paused, as if hesitant. ‘’Was there… anyone else you were close with?’’

Emerald shook her head, ignoring the stinging memories. ‘’I had a couple of friends, but no partners. You?’’

‘’My parents are dead too. It seems we have much in common, at least in that area,’’ Star mused. He tilted his head at her. ‘’Do you have any hobbies?’’

Again, Emerald shook her head. ‘’None.’’

‘’Shame,’’ Star remarked. ‘’I like writing or inventing new spells.’’ When Emerald raised her eyebrows at him, he clarified, ‘’I studied spellcrafting in school and during my travels.’’

‘’I haven’t read your books, can you give me a summary?’’ Emerald requested.

Star chuckled. ‘’Of course. I graduated from CSGU in 983, then spent until the summer of 990 travelling Equus and Griffonia. First I headed for the south-east of Equestria: I spent two weeks in Ayacachtli, before moving north and taking a ship in Baltimare to New Mareland. From there, it was Wingbardy, Griffonstone, Lake City, Rijekograd, Wittenland, and south to Kása. From Kása I took a ship which brought me back to New Mareland, and then I crossed through Aquileia into the Herzland via Fezera.’’

‘’Incidentally, that was where we met, back in 985.’’

Emerald’s head snapped towards the door, where Ludvig was lazily leaning against the frame. A wistful smile was on his face. ‘’Ah, good times, good times.’’

‘’Quite,’’ Star agreed with his own smile. ‘’Anyway, from Fezera the two of us moved up through Skyfall into Feathisia. And there, the trouble started.’’

‘’At the time,’’ Ludvig jumped in, ‘’the border between the Empire and the Republic was more of a front line. The Republic had just taken over Cloudbury in 981, and both sides constantly crossed borders. We were attacked five times while sailing up the Griffking, before we reached Mirabelle.’’

‘’And from there, we went north,’’ Star took over, ‘’into the Republic. The two of us must have fought with… what, twelve different raider bands before we reached Cloudbury proper? From there, we went further north, eventually ending up in Everfrost.’’

‘’Everfrost?’’ Emerald inquired, engrossed by the story.

‘’It’s the ‘capital’ of the Northern Tribes,’’ Star explained. ‘’They’re a wild collection of ponies and griffons that live in the northernmost part of Griffonia. Lud and I stayed with them from 987 to mid-988.’’

‘’And then we travelled to Turhamn,’’ Ludvig picked up the tale again. ‘’My father had died, and as his heir it was my duty to take over the house. Star stayed with me until he received the news that his sister would be born, in late 989.’’

‘’And that’s it,’’ Star finished. ‘’Other than a couple of trips to Haukhamn, I did nothing in the last year and a half.’’

It took Emerald a moment to condense all the information. ‘’That’s… quite a tale. I can see why your books were popular.’’ She peered at Ludvig. ‘’Pardon me, but you don’t look that old.’’

Ludvig chuckled. ‘’Bergkvists have always been slow to age. It’s got something to do with a blessing by the Goddess.’’

‘’I confirmed it: his bloodline is blessed. In twenty years, he’ll look thirty-five when he’s actually sixty,’’ Star added. ‘’And before you ask, the blessing kicks in once one turns nineteen.’’

Emerald frowned. ‘’Why nineteen?’’

Star and Ludvig both shrugged. ‘’Why indeed,’’ Ludvig echoed.

‘’So.’’ Star leaned forward. ‘’You’ve heard my tale. Your turn.’’

Well, here goes nothing.

‘’Growing up, I wanted to be a florist. And for a time, I was.’’ The cutie mark - a purple and white flower - on her flank was enough proof of that. ‘’But then Sombra happened. I don’t remember much from his reign, except for cold and darkness.’’ She shivered. ‘’After Princess Cadence took the throne, I initially worked as a florist in the Palace. One day, I must have caught her eye, because soon after I was one of her hoofmaidens.’’

Ludvig and Star were shooting each other looks, while also analysing her. Emerald didn’t really mind; she’d do the same in their position. Still, a distraction never hurt. ‘’So… is there anything between you, or…?’’

Ludvig barked out a laugh. ‘’Heavens, no! We are friends, close friends, but our interests don’t lie that way.’’

Emerald had guessed as much, but confirmation was always good to have. She nodded understandingly.

Ludvig suddenly turned his head around. ‘’Good morning, little one,’’ she heard him say. ‘’Did you sleep well?’’

‘’Starry?’’ she heard a little filly’s voice ask from outside.

Having already stood up, Star pushed past his friend and answered, ‘’I’m here. Good morning, Flurry.’’

‘’Morning, Starry. Morning, Mr Ludvig.’’ A pause. ‘’Where’s Emerald?’’

‘’In here as well, Flurry,’’ Emerald replied, having jumped off the bed and walked to the door. The foal stood next to Ludvig, looking uncomfortable.

‘’I need to go to the toilet,’’ Flurry shyly informed them. ‘’Can you come with me, Emerald?’’

‘’Of course, Flurry,’’ Emerald immediately agreed, brushing past Star and Ludvig. ‘’Where’s the toilet?’’ she asked Ludvig.

‘’Ground floor, door in the hallway,’’ Ludvig answered.

‘’Thanks.’’ Together, Emerald and Flurry walked down the stairs and to the toilet.

Flurry looked up at the toilet, then turned to Emerald. ‘’Where’s the potty?’’

Fuck.

‘’I don’t think we have a potty here, Flurry,’’ Emerald replied. ‘’Can you do it in the big pony toilet?’’

Flurry looked between Emerald and the toilet, frowning sceptically. Finally, she nodded.

‘’I’ll hold you.’’ Emerald lifted Flurry up, placing her on the edge of the toilet. Flurry instinctively spread her wings, as if scared she was going to fall in.

‘’Emerald, I’m scared,’’ she whispered. ‘’I don’t wanna fall in.’’

‘’Flurry, look at me.’’ Emerald’s golden eyes locked with Flurry’s turquoise ones. ‘’I’m holding you, and the toilet isn’t big enough to fit you. Nothing’s gonna happen to you.’’

Flurry’s lower lip trembled, but she nodded anyway.

‘’I’m done,’’ she announced a minute later. Emerald nodded, pulled Flurry off the toilet and back on the floor, and flushed the toilet down.

‘’Thanks, Emerald,’’ Flurry said, before giving her leg a hug. ‘’You’re the best.’’

Emerald’s breath caught in her throat as she looked down at the foal. ‘’N-no problem,’’ she managed to get out. ‘’Come on, let’s go have breakfast.’’

‘’Sure,’’ Flurry agreed, before frowning. ‘’Emerald?’’

‘’Yes?’’

‘’When are mommy and daddy coming?’’

Oh Amore.

‘’They promised they’d come today, didn’t they?’’ Emerald replied. ‘’But they might be delayed and arrive a couple of days later. We might even have to leave for New Mareland without them, but they’ll catch up to us.’’

Flurry nodded. ‘’Okay, Emerald. Thanks.’’

Don’t thank me. I lied to you.

|-x-X-x-|

20 Young Moon 1008

Ludvig’s guy was in Turhamn, and more than happy to take three refugees fleeing from the chaos of Equestria to the safety of New Mareland. Five days after they’d arrived in Turhamn, the three could leave again.

Star was more than happy with that arrangement. Turhamn carried many memories and he wouldn’t have opposed living there for the rest of his life, but it was neither safe nor the preferred outcome.

Especially with the rumours floating about. There was a bounty on his head, courtesy of Nightmare, and it wasn’t a secret that Ludvig and Star were friends.

They stood on Turhamn’s docks. Around them was a flurry of activity as griffons and other creatures went about their business.

‘’Good luck, my friends,’’ Ludvig wished them.

Star inclined his head. ‘’Stay safe. Don’t get yourself killed.’’

‘’No promises,’’ Ludvig chuckled. The griffon stuck out his claw, and Star gripped it with his hoof. They held their grip for a few seconds, then they let go. Ludvig turned to face Emerald and Flurry. The filly was sleeping softly on Emerald’s back, her wings hidden under the coat she wore.

‘’My lady, it was a pleasure to meet you,’’ Ludvig said. ‘’I hope to meet you again sometime, under more favourable circumstances.’’

‘’So do I,’’ Emerald said. ‘’Your hospitality was too kind.’’

‘’Nothing too good for my friends,’’ Ludvig declared, before bowing. ‘’Good luck and safe travels.’’

Star and Emerald nodded, then turned around and boarded the boat.

With any luck, this’ll be a quiet trip.

Author's Note

If you feel like it, let me know what you thought of these first two chapters.

Also, just a heads up: the size of chapters will probably vary wildly, but they'll always be at least a thousand or so words long.

(Edited on 27-8-2021)