Quest for the Crown of Saddle Arabia

The princesses then dismissed Twilight and Nairad, trusting them to find the crown and bring it back to Canterlot for safe keeping. Nairad put up a fight against that, saying that it belonged to Saddle Arabia and should in the Flyadh Museum. Luna assured him that it would still be a part of Saddle Arabia but that it would be less likely to fall into the wrong hands. And after a while he finally consented.

The dark orange Pegasus and the violet Unicorn walked the markets of the city of Flyadh shopping for supplies for the long trip ahead. And because he knew the land and its produce better, Twilight let him pick out her food. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass herself in front of this... Very impressive Pegasus.

She excused herself from his side, darted into a shadowy alleyway and pulled herself. "He is Luna's assistant!" She half screamed to herself. "He's a jerk! And he was so rude to Princess Celestia!" She felt heat rising within her. "But he's so passionate... His love of magic is contagious! And the way he speaks... So much fire!" Her breathing got heavy. She was still getting used to the Saddle Arabian heat. She slid off her saddlebag and pulled out her cantine.

Twilight took a swig of cool water from her bottle leaned back against the wall and gazed out across the market. She watched Nairad as he haggled with a vendor. She couldn't help but notice how his short red and black mane complimented him. It added to his boyish charm. Sure they were around the same age, but his mane made him look so ho- She shut her eyes against the thought before she could finish. "What the buck is wrong with me?!"

Twilight opened her eyes and realized that everyone was staring at her. She opened and closed her mouth in shock. "I-I... Oh, Celestia!" She covered her face with her hooves and shook her head. "What's gotten in to me?"

Twilight was brought back from her self-pity when Nairad tapped the tip of her horn with his hoof.  Her horn started glowing as she casted a spell to keep her purple face from reddening. He looked concerningly at her. "Why were you screaming like a madmare? Are you ok?"

Twilight's heart pounded in her chest. Nairad's lips were only a few inches away from hers. She wanted so bad to lean forward and kis- "No!" Nairad reeled backwards in surprised. What was Twilight's problem? "Look. If you're feeling ok then we can go and set up camp on the outskirts of town now. If not, let me know so I can rent you a room for the night and we can move out bright and early."

Twilight bowed her head a little in embarrassment. She had made a fool of herself in the market already and now Nairad was treating her like a foal. She needed to regain her dignity, she needed to take a little control. Twilight cleared her thoat. "Well, the sun is starting to go down so I'd say we wait 'til morning." Nairad was about to turn and leave but Twilight was done just yet. "But, we'd be wasting supplies by camping out in the desert and we'll have no need for bits when we're out there. So, I'd say we find a room close to the edge of town and stay there." She beamed proudly at her assertion and raised her chin as she waited for his response.

Nairad raised his eyebrow with a small smile, nodding approvingly. "Alright, we do it your way Princess Sparkle." She blushed again and turned her head away to hide it. "Yes, of course..." Nairad thought for a moment about which hotel would be the best place to relax before they were to leave. Then it hit him. "Ah! I got it! How old are you again? 22? We're staying at the 'Mirage' tonight princess!" Twilight took a nervous gulp.