Twilight was baffled simply baffled! Felix had just dissappeared from the dungeon. No trace to be found. After she had slammed sheild into the stone wall the girl had sprinted off back into the stone corridors. Twilight had soon followed with two full squads. She was nowhere to be found. The only others to be found were her previous guards in her cell.

Thinking of potential possibilities a guard approached. "Sergeant what do you have to report." The guard saluted. "We have found where the prisoner dissappeared to your highness."

"Lead the way." Twilight stated as she followed. The two came to a small hatch in the floor. When they stopped Twilight could only place a hand over her eyes. "Dear Celestia she went through the sewage system." She could be anywhere in the empire. "Lieutenant Light! Gather the 8th recon squadron and the 31st special operations regiment. I want her found now! Sergeant Quatom I want you to interrogate Shock Sheild find out what he knows."

"Yes Princess!" All parties salute scampering off to their assigned tasks. Twilight took a breath Celestia wasn't going to be happy. Heading back towards the throne room Twilight found Cadence and Shining being briefed by the guard Captain Red Feather named for a distinctive red primary on his right wing. Twilight stood quietly next to the door waiting for the captain to finish.

After Red Feather finish Shining spoke up."Thank you for the report captain however you'll need to pull those formations back here."

"May I ask why your highness?" She asked not taking her attention off him.

"The reason is due to the coming overcast from the northwest the temperature will dip and it's entirely possible the weather could turn worse. Get those troops back in the capital before dark. we'll have to continue the search tomorrow."

Red Feather salutes again and jogs out. With that finished Twilight approaches. "Any news on where she could have gone, those tunnels go all over."

"Nothing yet however as you already know we can't risk looking for her in the coming storm. It's entering autumn and with the season change comes more than just rain or a chilled wind. Sleet, snow and more extremes are coming soon."

"I'm sorry Twilight I know how you hate these things" Shining apologies.

Twilight only shakes her head. "Don't worry about me, worry about what happens next especially considering Celestia." Shining and Cadence' eyes grew wide with worry. Twilight was right no elemental had escaped her before. Star above only knows how she'll react.

"You don't have to pester me I'll rest for now. I'll send the report tomorrow morning. Hopefully Celestia will be in a listening mood after her coffee."

The next day the castle is in a silent state of chaos. Twilight had sent over a revised report concerning the girl they had contained. From what the report said and another Celestia ordered from Cadence with additional details regarding the situation in the north. It was confirmed the elemental had in fact escaped due to a double agent. After some very colorful emotional turmoil courtesy of a certain sun queen.. Celestia and Luna began discussing a course of action. How they were to respond was still undecided.
Especially with the northern plains late year weather rolling in from the west.

However the problem that plagued them was not only the treacherous northern weather but how to ensure no panic ensues within Canterlot.
Many higher nobles and citizens always held the elementals as being savages or uneducated brutes with freakish mutations. Complaints about those within the city was a common occurrence. As there's at least a few dozen here unable or unwilling to leave. That wasn't the issue however. The problem currently was these same stupid nobles could incite a political frenzy using the events in the empire if said information slipped.

"So sister what is the verdict, how shall we deal with this, troop deployment along the mountain passes or perhaps other means?" Luna asked the discussion coming to a close after hours of various solutions coming and going.

"Luna don't imply such a thing your better than being a hypocrite." Celestia scolded catching her sisters darker undertones.
Luna can only give a unamused deadpan stare at her sister.

"Really Tia a hypocrite, you'll call us a hypocrite? Were you not the one who said she was certain Tirek woild be unable to absorb all the magic in equestria or that discord would deal with him when the time came?" Things were getting heated and that was Luna overstepped "Or shall I bring up your reaction to Sombra or perhaps your lack there of?" Celestia steps back shocked at Luna' sudden rebuke.

"You swore never to bring that up!" Luna grins mischievously "Well Tia if you are so insistent on hypocritical actions and statements than perhaps I'll let Twilight decide. I'm sure she'd love to learn all about it."

"Ok ok you made your point" Celestia rubs her head trying to prevent the coming headache. "We'll station guards a few miles from the border to prevent this girl from entering without us knowing. In the meantime however Raven!" Said pony entered the room quickly and responded.

"Yes Princess how can I help?" Raven asked in her always helpful and professional demenor.

"Send a message to Twilight Sparkle I want her out of the empire on the first available train after these storms let up. And notify Lieutenant Colonel Spare in the northern Vanhoover barrack to set a patrolling routes along the empire border. Tell him he is to come to me for further details."

"Right away Princess." Raven bowed and trotted off to complete her task.

Slowly I start to wake up wherever I seemingly am. My stiff body refusing to move as I wake. It's strange I feel warm and as I start to move my feet a muscle spasm ripples through my body. I moan out and shake uncontrollably for a few moments before as brief chill encompassing my body as I reconnect with the waking world. Opening my eyes I find myself in... a tent?

Ok first why am I not dead? Or in I don't know a coma, Or...am I dreaming? Pulling the large blanket off I press my nails into my leg. "Ow!" Yep I'm alive dreams don't have pain only stomach dropping fear. Having gained my bearings I start to curl my legs. It seems my body is not feeling as well as I believe as I can't keep collapsing repeatedly from the cold and weakened feeling sweeping through my muscles.

I must have made some noise during this as after my third attempt at standing I feel a hand grip my shoulder and lower me back into a sitting position. "You shouldn't be trying to rise just yet miss." A voice says from my right. Looking I see a young woman with large curled brown locks smiling down at me.

"W-wharr" I try in vain to speak only for my vocal cords to give out while I croak. Coughing racks me as I realize just how dry my throat is. How long have I been out?

"Here, drink now ask later. You've been out for some time now, the elders were starting to fear you'd never wake." After a few gulps of cold water I coughed and cleared my throat. "Who and ..where?"

I look up at her her hazel eyes looking down apon me as if she is an angel. She smiles gently running her fingers through my hair. The motion calms my racing mind and relaxes my body. "Calm yourself dear you'll have your questions answered in time. For now just rest some, I've to inform the elders and then I'll return with something for you to eat alright?" I nod as she lays me back down and quickly runs out of the tent.

...

...

...

Laying there was getting stale so I went to drink the water I was provided when I started inspecting the tent around me. From what I could see it seemed to just be some kind of quick service tent. Seemingly used for an emergency like mine. Close by was a small fire lit to give heat from the terrible cold. Along the wall I spotted small boxes and rolled fabrics. Most probably medical srorage.

That's when I heard a shuffle off to my left. Peering over I spot a small girl with lime green eyes and brown pigtails spying on my from behind another flap in the tent. "Hello there" I say gently trying to be as calm and non threatening as to coax out her more curious nature. As she slowly appears prop myself up on my elbows and bring my body up to a comfortable sitting position.

Outside the tent a young woman approaches, her meeting with the elders was quick and to the point. Now that the girl had awoken she was to come see the elders as soon as possible. For now however isane was to get the girl on her feet and get her familiar with the village and surrounding area. In her hands was a nice local dish hot and ready.

This dish consists of a sliced potato lightly salted with broccoli and diced raw fish. Not the best but after what seemed to be a horrible near death experience it's no doubt better than what this poor girl was given by the equestrians. Isane shuttered at the memory quickly putting it out of her mind. No need for that now focus on the girl. Help her now, worry about the equestrians later.

Quietly pushing the flap aside I spot the girl propping herself up looking to her left. Following her gaze I see a certain someone who isn't suppose to be there. "Ava Sosa Issaquah why are you in here?" The daughter in question fliched as she pulled in on herself. Putting their guests meal down she walked over to Ava. Bendimg at the waist she was about to scold her but a voice cut her off.

"Hey!"

From what I could gather the older women I'd woken up with was this girls mother. While I understood why she was angry that doesn't mean I need to agree with it. Looking in front of her I her daughter draw into herself. Clearly very destressed by her mothers word. Her eyes full of curiosity and intrege moments ago now full of fear. While she was focused and distracted by her daughter I shuffled over and used the pole in the middle of the tent to give me the leverage I needed to stand.

"Hey" I raised my voice grabbing her attention away from the girl who was seemingly named Ava. The mother turned herself to me as I bent my knees trying to steady myself. "Are you really yelling at your young daughter because she was curious? You know like children naturally are." I slowly approached her still unsure about how reliable my muscles are after not being used for multiple days in a row.

"What's your name?" I figure it's only right I get her name before continuing on our topic.

"It's Isane, and who do you think you are telling me how to parent my daughter?" Her anger rose at my intervention. Instead of lecturing her I took a few steps and layed a hand on her shoulder.

"Look I understand, you told Ava here one thing and she did the opposite but are you really surprised by that. Is she not a curious rambunctious little girl who will from time to time not do what you want? Is that worth emotionally harming your daughter and possibly stifling her willingness to gain knowledge about the world around her?"

"She disobeyed me. Have you ever heard of the saying Curiosity killed the cat."

"Yes and satisfaction brought it back. Your daughter or any child has the ingrained desire to explore and learn just like you or your mother before you." I turn to Ava still standing to the side watching us talk. "Ava dear why did you come in here and go against your mothers wishes?"

"I... I'm sorry" as she starts her voice is coming off in waves. I don't need to be a parent to see she is trying not to cry.

"It's alright, just take a breath. In...and out.." I demonstrate as I signal for her to copy me. We take a few deep breaths and after she is much calmer. "Now just tell the truth okay?"

"I just wanted to know who was here and if they were okay. I know it's not fun to be hurt." I smile at her sincere words and look back at Isane.

"So are you planning on punishing her for this?"

"She still needs to know what she did was wrong." I scowl at the women In front of me. Clearly she hasn't been around children very often.

"Your right lets ask, Ava?" I turn back. "I appreciate what your trying to do but please listen to your mother next time. It may seem that she's being unfair but she is older and with age comes experience. With experience, wisdom. She may be wrong at times but that doesn't mean you can just go behind her back okay. Do you understand?" I ask smiling and gently rubbing my thumb on her cheek before I walk back over to where I was resting before and collapsed down exhausted from the in pain my legs.

Ava and Isane for their part silently watched as I relaxed before turning back to each other. Ava ran into her mother lightly crying. Soft words of sorry mommy I'm sorry graced my ears as Isane for her part stood there shocked at how I'd handled things so casually and still got the message through. Breaking out of her shock a moment later I watched, a smile gracing my face as mother and daughter shared a heart warming embrace.

Looking to the food on the stool I rubbed my legs. I should've grabbed that before sitting back down.

A very awkward period of time and a stomach growl later I was given the food Isane had brought with her. Asking my name had made me pause before I told her it was Katara. Douche yeah, perhaps I could have choose something else but screw you it's a great name already in use. If it's not broke don't fix it. While I ate Isane asked how I felt and I commented on my legs and energy.

Ava simply relaxed laying her head on my lap. Trying and succeeding to be quite comforting.

Isane moving to my legs assured me both were relatively normal for someone in my situation. Hypothermia combined with the inadequate food she stated I'd been given in the cell. I asked how she'd know about the food and she realized her tongue slipped and grew silent as she began to massage and move my legs. I took her silence as the signal to shut up. After another few minutes of eating she spoke up again.

"How did you know how to deal with my daughter like that? I've never seen anything like that."

"Well I had three brothers and a very patient father growing up. Along with a cousin who filled in after my mother passed. Couple that with many younger cousins over the years and a part-time job in retail and you begin to understand how children think and how to deal with them in a way they understand." She only looks at me with a confused stare. "It's uh more simple than I make it sound. Don't worry I'm sure you'll pick up on it in time."

"Thank you for your help Katara. But let me be clear, disregard and disrespect me in front of my daughter or the village for that matter and you'll wish we'd left you in that blizzard. Clear?" Ava pouted at her mother comments telling her not to be mean to guests as the elders don't like it.

We both chuckled before looking at Isane locking onto her deep green eyes maintaining eye contact I responded. "Clear ma'am" she nods and continues massaging my lower legs. Slowly but surely I feel myself regaining my strength.

"So do you enjoy your meal?" She asked smiling at me with that look only a mother can conquer up.

"I did very much,thank you Isane." She smiled once again. "So you said something about elders earlier what is all that about?"

"Oh, I was unaware that you were coherent when I said that. I thought you were just talking in your sleep."That made me chuckle.

"If I weren't coherent I wouldn't have tried at all. If I know myself I would've just passed back out" that made her chuckle.

"Anyway what's the deal with these elders of yours?" Isane pouted her mouth thinking of how to word her answer.

"Instead of me telling you would you like to meet them yourself?" She asked trying to incite my curiosity. It worked out as she intended. Waking Ava from my lap Isane helped me up supporting part of my weight as she guided me out of the tent. As the flap opened the light blinded me for a moment before adjusting quickly. The snowcapped peaks surrounding the valley,the crisp cool air flowing over me reminding me of calm fall days long past.

"Whoa" was all I could get out of my mouth at the sight. Isane giggled into my ear. "Enjoying the view Katara" I nodded. "Not one you often see back home no?"

"No I, I've seen snowcapped mountains before I lived not far from a major range back home. But I've just never been this close" the awe must have been quite evident from such a question. Taking a deep breath I relaxed before slipping away from Isane grip and raking a few steps forward. One thought made itself known in the front of my mind.

I think I'm going to enjoy this.

Author's Note

How are you liking the story so far, any changes you wish to see? Perhaps character perspectives? Let me know I'll do what I can.