It appeared that the tent I was in was outskirts of the village. I wanted to ask but Isane said we were on a time crunch since the elders wanted to see me quickly. So with that Isane had led me through the heart of the village where I was given one hell of introduction to her people. Most everyone greeted me as if I were one of their own coming home from a long journey. Although I did notice a few individuals who gave me the stink eye.

All this seemed strange to me. I suppose those like me are not so prevalent this far north but not everyone was ignorant. If they know I'm a elemental as Twilight had called me maybe things could be-. I shake my head stopping the thought dead. Don't jink it. No need for that now. I took a small breath of the cool air surrounding me reassuring and relaxing my body. They have no quarrel with me. Hell maybe Isane knows and doesn't care? It clear the elders know however. I need to distract myself from this. "Hey Isane" I grab her attention. "What can you tell me about these elders of your we're going to see? Is there anything I need to know before hand? Any traditions or proper respects?"

Isane lit up at that seeming really excited at the proposition of talking about her culture. "Of course we do But I'm not so sure it would be a good if you attempted such a thing so soon" Isane gives me an awkward smile. "Most visitors try to respect our traditions in such a way when they come here buuuuttt most just end up embarrassing themselves. To say it's a bad idea is an understatement. The elders and most older members don't take kindly to it and it's seen more as a mockery than respect" Finishing her explanation Isane rubs the back of her head.

"So just try and be a normal respect your elders as I would an individual....got it" I said uneasily understanding that I really shouldn't do anything over to top. I hadn't asked what happened to those who showed up and disrespected the elders. Frankly I don't think I want to find out. Finishing my thoughts with a slight cringe I notice the architecture around us. "Hey Isane I just had a thought If you guys have the ability to build like this why was I in a tent?"

"For sone reason the elders decided to house you outside the town to limit damage should you be dangerous. We didn't know if you were since at the time all we knew for certain is that you came from the south. I'm sorry Katara." Isane bowed her head to me. The sight of this kind woman who rescued me from certain death bowing her head like a scolded child rubbed me the wrong way.

"Come on it's okay I-I understand your reasons. Really.." I say as I gently lay my hand on Isane' shoulder I feel her tense as if ready to run. She must have been scared of my reaction for the whole walk . I take a hold of her shoulders and bring her into an embrace. I may not be very experienced in helping distraught people but more often you don't need to be.

Isane' head rests on my shoulder as I speak. Trying to eleviate her fear with a calm voice. "Look Isane I understand why you and yours put me in the tent. You don't need to feel bad." I rub her back as I soothe her slowly. "Look for now why don't we continue to the elders then after we sort all this out I promise we'll talk more alright?"

Isane looked up from my shoulder her eyes glistening with excess tears from her turmoil. I pull her back into me as I begin to speak into her ear. "Just calm...calm. Breath in...and out." Isane matches my instruction. I feel her body shutter. "Once more" I say my voice still light and steady. "In... and out.... better?" I see Isane wipe a few tears away she sniffles and I lock our eyes.

"Y-yes I do feel better.. how did..?"

"How did I successfully get you to calm down when you were so upset?" My face displaying a friemdly calm smile. "Lets just say this isn't the first time a friend needed my shoulder to let out emotional trouble." Isane' shocked face says it all as I give another smile,a pat on the shoulder and start walking towards the direction I assume the elders are.

"Hey!" Isane' voice stops me I look to see her giving me a look. Her foot tapping expectedly as she stands at the turn off I hadn't seemed to notice.

"What's with that look?" I ask with a raised eyebrow "Isn't this the way we were going?"

"Well it was but we need to go this way to get there. But if you'd rather go the wrong way to the wrong side of the village and possibly I don't know get robbed be my guest..."

...

I only flap my mouth a few times before looking the way I was going, back to Isane them chuckling and motioning for her to lead the way. Soon we arrive outside the elders large home.

"Alright here we are." The wood comprising the stucure is cracked in places clearly giving off how weathered the building is from the climate within this valley. "Please Katara remember what we have discussed and don't do anything rash." Isane says her gaze turning hard.

I take a breath and reach for the flap.

Back in the empire

Twilight stared at the various papers around her. The past few days have been hectic and stressful for all involved. The local guard have been scowering the area around every designated outlet for the castle. Now she looked over the reports of what was found. So far nothing but snow snow and more snow. No evidence of 'Felix' or where she'd went. We all had ideas about where she went but nothing had shown any to be confirmed.

Lifting another page report this one seemed to be from the northwestern sector. Scanning the page Twilight came across little to help the ongoing investigation. Sighing she rubbed her temples in frustration. Before she could pick up the next paper a knock sounded from the door.

"It's open" the door opened to the multi colored mane of her sister in law. Said sister in law took one look at her young relative and shook her head.

"Twilight what are you doing? You were supposed to leave when the weather cleared up an hour ago?!" Cadence found the statement of that fact was followed by Twilight having a mental run in with shock.

"What?!" Twilight stated looking out the window to find that yes in fact Cadence was correct. The weather had cleared and the train she had meant to be leave in had left. Twilight groaned flopping face first onto the desk with a thud. "Dammit I'm sorry Cadence."

Cadence light chuckle even if a tad surprised at Twilight' control of her panic. "If I may Twilight might I ask what has you preoccupied?" Although the question itself was obvious to anyone with eyes Cadence found it helped Twilight put her thoughts to words when trouble found her mind.

"I was just going over the scouting reports. I was trying to find a connection between any evidence found and where Felix could have gone."

Cadence smiled and shook her head "Twilight, who do you think those go to before your able to read them? Twilight opened her mouth briefly before quietly closing it with an embarrassed look. Cadence couldn't gave that.

"Say it Twilight.."

"Please don't make me repeat it."

"Twilight....."

"Ugh fine, the scout report to the squad leaders. Who pass the reports to the platoon captain. Who then pass it up past the battalion commander to Shining who fills you in after ensuring no mistakes in the details."

Cadence smiles "Bingo! There is no need for your stress Shining and I sent the reports to Celestia yesterday. You know the structure it's not so hard. You just need to practice like Shining did when you were younger."

Twilight rolled her eyes at Cadence teasing "Ha ha so funny"

"Alright alright I'll stop. Now you need to go. pushing Twilight towards the door. The next train to Canterlot leaves in an hour and a half. Celestia needs your help."

Twilight dug her shoes into the floor.
"Wait waitwait! I thought you said you don't trust Celestia, why are you pushing me to go now?"

Cadence' smile faded and she ran her hand through her hair. "I... I may have let my emotions get the better of me when I said that. I didn't truly mean everything that I said. My grievance with auntie is not so black and white. It's not that I don't trust her it's just.... the way she goes about some of these situations through the years has me...." she quiets weighting the words she wishes to use. "Lets say I've just been more disagreeable than most when it come to how to deal with certain things. Do you want an example?"

Twilight nods

Cadence pulses her lips in thought. "Okay lets take the disaster with Tirek. When he emerged I wanted to agree with you. Hit him while he's weak, end it before it's a threat. You following?" Twilight nods again.

"Right, however when thing began to turn for the worse I fell in behind Celestia. My though process was she faced gim before defeated him even. She can do it again." Cadence looked to the painting of her and Shining behind the desk. "I realized to late I was wrong. After the whole thing I asked her about everything. She just brushed it off. Saying everything was fine" Cadence scoffed and took a breath to calm her nerves.

"The point is Twilight while I follow Celestia when she needs me that time in my life showed my not to have blind faith." She layed a hand on Twilight' shoulder. "Because sometimes those we look up to are not always right."

Twilight closed her eyes and gripped Cadence' hand. "That was enlightening Cadence. I...appreciate your honesty on this. I'm glad your not turning rebel."

"Turning rebel? Twilight... I'm insulted by the thought. Equestria is my home I would never harm it." The two smiled coming together for a hug. Relief began flooding the two as a calm sense of relaxation replaced the stress of the previous days.

The meeting with the elders had been going for hours now. The questions were ceaseless, the annoying jabs at my character had been plentiful. Now we soon reached the end with one question remained.

"Are you a threat to our people?"

The question gave my pause. It was something I hadn't considered a possible outcome from all this. What happened to these people if Twilight came and found me or....Celestia did? Can I take that chance. Looking to the elders awaiting my answer I took a breath... And nodded my head "No, I swear I am no threat and will not bring harm to you or your people."

I knew with those few words I'd made a grave mistake.

Author's Note

Yes the people I'm referring to in the village such as Isane, Ava and such are the Yaks. Sorry I don't specify.