GREEN   208   1
   24695 135.4 KB    859

Barbarians, part 4

By awf
Created: 2025-10-30 19:03:50
Updated: 2026-01-23 18:06:20
Expiry: Never
/spg/slavemayormare

  1. 1.
    Previous part: https://ponepaste.org/9738
  2. 2.
     
  3. 3.
    > "[Back for more?]" Willow said. He laughed at his own attempt at a joke and turned to the female sitting beside him. His arm was around her and he pressed her closer as he added: "[You know, Thistle practically begged me to beat her.]"
  4. 4.
    > His tone was a mix between boasting and humor, and Thistle's first instinct was to scowl and tell him to get lost. Except *she* had come to *him*, and she needed his support. Faking this particular smile was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do.
  5. 5.
    > The girl with him was vaguely familiar, one of those background faces from an inconsequential family. It took her a moment to put a name to the face. Inju. Her mother was one of Kantuta's lackeys, and her family produced most of the raw leather Darkhan used to make his tools.
  6. 6.
    > She peered at how the two were sitting, at the casual familiarity with which she leaned against Willow. The way she kept one hand on his shoulder, and how she looked at him. There was something deeper going on there, and Thistle could almost put her hoof on it. Maybe if Willow wasn't trying to rile her on purpose.
  7. 7.
    "[Can you stop being a donkey's ass for a single evening? We should talk.]"
  8. 8.
    > Her insult just made the man laugh harder, and even Inju gave a small chuckle at the comedy. She fell silent when Willow pulled his arm back and told her: "[Go and see if your grandfather needs something. It looks like our little pony has something serious to say.]"
  9. 9.
    > Her suspicion was confirmed when Thistle watched Inju plant a quick kiss on Willow's cheek, right before she stood and left the circle of the fire. The kiss wasn't that surprising, and many young lovers exchanged such gestures. What had caught her eye was the way Inju had touched her own belly as she stood up. Willow was left alone with the mare, who sat down to his side, although not close enough to touch.
  10. 10.
    > She didn't want to be quite across the fire from the man. Sitting a little closer made their conversation much more personal. More intimate. It was why she had had two chairs and a coffee table in her office back in Ponyville. For some ponies, a more personal touch worked better than a more official one.
  11. 11.
    > "[What is it?]" he asked casually. To her surprise he did not sound particularly annoyed that she'd interrupted his evening with the girl.
  12. 12.
    "[I've talked to Salki. He agrees we should go to Equestria.]"
  13. 13.
    > "[That is your magical land of talking ponies, right?]"
  14. 14.
    "[Yes. I think life would be better there for nomads.]"
  15. 15.
    > Willow gave this some though, then picked up a stick and prodded at the embers of the fire. A fountain of sparks shot up, some of them landing on him, others settling on Thistle's coat. She'd gotten used to it and didn't even look twice.
  16. 16.
    > At length, the nomad spoke: "[Life is not too bad here.]"
  17. 17.
    "[Have you already forgotten Adilet and the Ruslans? How many of the camp people died last summer? We have had a peaceful year, but before that it was near constant fighting. How long until some new clan tries to take our lands, and we have to fight again?]"
  18. 18.
    > The man gave her a nonchalant shrug and pointed the stick at her. "[This is what we do. We fight over land. It keeps us strong, it keeps our children tough, and it keeps our skills sharp. What will we do in the pony land?]"
  19. 19.
    > On some level she knew that his world-view was bad. Violence only got them more violence. She'd seen it first-hand. The Equestrian way was *better*! Yet... having lived the life of a nomad, and having fought beside them, she could also see how his argument made a lot of sense. They certainly were a strong and independent people.
  20. 20.
    > Everyone in the clan, even the young, was tough and stoic, a trait which had allowed them to survive - even thrive - in this harsh land. What would the safety of Equestria do to their culture? What would they turn into, if they lived lives of luxury and peace?
  21. 21.
    > Then again, their culture was also full of pain, and loss, and cruelty, and slavery. Was it really worth preserving?
  22. 22.
    > She firmly shook her head, but still lowered her ears and bowed a little in respect at Willow's well-made point.
  23. 23.
    "[There is some wisdom in what you say, but think of the hunger and the hardship we faced in the mountains. Think of the Ruslans rising up from the dark and striking at our old, and our young. Do you want your son to grow up in such danger?]"
  24. 24.
    > Willow leaned back in surprise and clutched his smoldering stick with both hands, as if holding a spear against her. "[My what?! What are you talking about?]"
  25. 25.
    > His confusion was palpable, and Thistle suddenly realized he hadn't known. Perhaps Inju hadn't told him yet? Maybe the girl herself did not yet understand. Could her gestures have been completely subconscious?
  26. 26.
    "[I didn't mean to break this news to you like this. I think Inju is with child.]"
  27. 27.
    > "[No, she can't- Inju?]" Willow said, staring in the direction she'd left.
  28. 28.
    "[I am very sure. Um, congratulations?]"
  29. 29.
    > He turned back to stare at her, eyes narrow in suspicion. "[How do you know? Did Inju tell you this? Are you two conspiring behind my back?]"
  30. 30.
    "[I haven't spoken with Inju in a long time. I merely watched her. I may be a pony, but I am a female, too. We notice.]"
  31. 31.
    > She thought back to the bits and pieces she'd learned from Xuan, and asked in her best shaman-mare voice:
  32. 32.
    "[Was Inju sick some mornings? Do you know? Were her breasts sore? Did she have pain in her belly?]"
  33. 33.
    > The hunter looked less angry, frowning in thought instead. "[She had to run from the tent one morning some days ago. Surely it was only the beer we drank the night before?]"
  34. 34.
    "[Maybe, but I don't think so. Look, maybe she doesn't even know herself yet. In either case, even if it's not true, you will marry Inju soon, no?]"
  35. 35.
    > All Willow did was nod in reply. With Thistle's earlier statement and his reaction to it, this wasn't much of a stretch.
  36. 36.
    "[So what does it matter? It will be a happy occasion.]"
  37. 37.
    > "[Why are you telling me this?]"
  38. 38.
    > She took the opportunity while the man was shaken and unsure of himself. He was treading new ground, and didn't know what to expect, or how to respond, really. She scooted closer and placed a careful hoof on his knee.
  39. 39.
    "[Every parent want their children to do well. In Equestria, they will have opportunities they cannot have here. Blacksmithing is common there, and there are more wonderful things. Most importantly, I promise every nomad who goes with me will be safe, and will have enough to eat every day.]"
  40. 40.
    > Willow jerked his head to one side and stared at her in surprise. His stick had slipped from his hands and now he crossed them over his belly. He had a distant look in his eyes, not seeing the mare or even their immediate surroundings. Perhaps he was imagining a child he might have someday?
  41. 41.
    > It was clear he hadn't been expecting that promise, but he didn't question Thistle's word. She'd repeated pretty much the same thing more than once when she'd talked about Equestria, so it was nothing new. The novelty was in the way this promised land would affect him now. Him and his new family.
  42. 42.
    > Her conscience flared up a little when Thistle considered how she was using this world-alerting news to influence his decision, but she needed his support. Willow on her side would go a long way toward convincing Intor, and through her Kantuta and Darkhan. After those, and with Salki at her side, not even Darga could object.
  43. 43.
    > She remembered Willow's other friend.
  44. 44.
    "[Think of Hisein. We have- um- powerful shamans in Equestria. They could give him his leg back.]"
  45. 45.
    > This wasn't an absolute certainty, but a skilled alchemist, perhaps that Zebra in the Everfree forest, might have some trick up their sleeve, even if outright magic couldn't help. Thistle was fairly sure something could be done, even if that something was merely a very advanced prosthesis.
  46. 46.
    > "[You really want this, don't you? Why do you want all of us to follow you? Why don't you just go alone?]"
  47. 47.
    > The question came out of nowhere and it made the mare step back in turn. That had been razor-sharp, and she stared at Willow in slack-jawed shock. She blurted out the first thing which came to mind:
  48. 48.
    "[I can't go up the mountain on my own. It's dangerous, and there are wild animals.]"
  49. 49.
    > Willow harrumphed in disdain. "[So? Ask some people to go with you. You have friends. Some hunters - Buygra, and those kids - Zaur and Temir - would go with you. They could even bring back some game for the camp, so it's not a complete waste of time.]"
  50. 50.
    > He was right, she *could* do that. If it came to that, she *would*. If no one agreed, she would even make the trip alone, dangerous or not. So why was she pushing so hard for the entire tribe to come with her?
  51. 51.
    > The name he'd dropped - Buygra - brought on a memory of Xuan's mischievous smile. She remembered how their daughter was named in Thistle's honor. Mare-friend.
  52. 52.
    > She remembered the tender moments she'd shared with Salki on that long trip out West and back. She remembered how Hisein had taught her the way to navigate in the land, and how Janus had tried to teach her fighting with a blade. He'd even made a knife she could strap around her hoof.
  53. 53.
    > It had turned out useless, because she needed all four legs for walking, but the thought had been there. He'd taken the time and effort to try and make her a little safer in this dangerous land.
  54. 54.
    > A lot of people had shown her kindness, even while she was technically a slave.
  55. 55.
    > She also thought about Fen Ko and Ning, and about Gol, and poor Tashi, who was finally beginning to smile again after her ordeal in the Ruslan camp.
  56. 56.
    > Saule had gone after Tashi with the men, since she was the most skilled with a bow. They'd been friends back then, before there was this horrible jealousy between them.
  57. 57.
    > Maybe if Thistle got herself a stallion husband, Saule would finally let go of her suspicions?
  58. 58.
    "[Because-]" she said slowly.
  59. 59.
    > She swallowed a lump, and lifted her face to look at Willow, eyes brimming with sudden tears.
  60. 60.
    "[Because I have many friends in the camp. I care for many of the nomads, and I want them to have better lives. Even-]"
  61. 61.
    > This would be hard to say, and she squeezed her eyes shut. She had to force the words out through her teeth.
  62. 62.
    "[Even you, in some way. I thought you were a bastard for the longest time, but-]"
  63. 63.
    > He burst out with a chortle at the jab, but didn't Say anything. It was still enough to interrupt her train of thought.
  64. 64.
    "[You are. You're a donkey's ass, but you want what's best for the people. You've grown since you became the first hunter.]"
  65. 65.
    > Willow reached out his hand to tussle her mane. "[You're an ass, too. I still think I should have beaten you when I first got you until you stopped talking. Things would have been easier.]"
  66. 66.
    "[Maybe,]" she agreed, grinning. "[I'd kick you every time you came near me, and I'd bite you every chance I got. You wouldn't have bows, and you wouldn't have horses. No bread, and no path to Equestria.]"
  67. 67.
    > "[Maybe,]" Willow said, neither agreeing, not really disagreeing. "[I will consider your proposal to go. I will speak with Inju. We will see.]"
  68. 68.
    > The mare groaned and pushed forward, right in front of his face.
  69. 69.
    "[Not good enough!]" she growled. "[I'll get a 'yes' from you, or I'm really going to kick you right now.]"
  70. 70.
    > "[Try and I'll break your leg!]" Willow grunted in reply, all mirth suddenly gone from his face. His eyebrows drew down and his eyes flashed with anger.
  71. 71.
    > She nearly backed down and apologized, but a stubborn streak made her flare her nostrils and blow a lungful of hot air out. It made impressive swirls of fog in the dim light of the fire.
  72. 72.
    "[I'm stronger than you, and I'm tougher. The only leg broken would be yours.]"
  73. 73.
    > Thistle tensed, ready to spring aside. She visualised herself turning around and bucking at his midriff - carefully so she didn't permanently injure him, but strongly enough to put all thoughts of fighting her out of his mind.
  74. 74.
    > For a long second, neither of them moved. Then Willow's face relaxed. "[Good. If this is so important to you, I will support the idea. On one condition.]"
  75. 75.
    > She kept glaring at the man for seconds out of pure shock. Surely he wasn't backing down? Maybe *he* was the one having that monthly heat nomads had instead of Inju? She'd seen how erratically the females acted sometimes.
  76. 76.
    "[What? Why?!]"
  77. 77.
    > Willow shrugged and picked up his stick again. He gave the fire a good poke. "[I wanted to see if you were really determined. You always try to please everyone, I had to know this was something you want, not something someone else told you. I know you want to lead, even if you hide behind Salki. I don't care like my mother does, but our leaders have to be strong. It's why I didn't care that Darga was Chieftain. She is strong.]"
  78. 78.
    "[Why are you weirder every time I talk to you?]" Thistle groaned. "[What's the condition?]"
  79. 79.
    > "[If we go to your pony place, and it is not as good as you say it is. If you are lying, you will come back with us. I will whip you until you learn your place and obey. You will give us more secrets, like the bow, and I will make sure you don't get distracted. Either way, the clan will have a better life.]"
  80. 80.
    > It was a hard thing he was asking for. Could she do it? How sure was she that Equestria would be better for all of them? Could she lie to him now and pretend to promise? Once in Equestria, she could seek sanctuary with the Princesses. They would never let them take her away.
  81. 81.
    > The mere thought of such betrayal left a bad taste in her mouth. Besides, she would need to return sooner or later for Rainy Day anyway. She shook her head and lifted a foreleg. She held it out to him.
  82. 82.
    "[I swear it.]"
  83. 83.
    > After a momentary pause, he grasped her fetlock and they shook.
  84. 84.
    "[So that is it?]"
  85. 85.
    > "[Yes. I will speak with Mother. I know you only came after me because you need my help to convince her. She has the power in Darga's inner circle, not me.]"
  86. 86.
    "[You keep surprising me, Willow.]"
  87. 87.
    > He just gave her a smirk, and she responded by sticking out her tongue at him.
  88. 88.
    "[Tell me when you are talking with your mother. I will be there.]"
  89. 89.
    > "[I will tell you. Now either cook me something to eat, or go away. I'm hungry.]"
  90. 90.
    > She opted for the latter and left him in peace.
  91. 91.
    > Her head was reeling from the conversation they'd just had.
  92. 92.
     
  93. 93.
    > ~~~~
  94. 94.
     
  95. 95.
    > The walk was wet, and cold, and miserable. Exactly as she remembered it, except that this time they weren't looking over their shoulders, expecting an attack at every moment.
  96. 96.
    > They also weren't rushing so fast that people were falling behind. It was an orderly, almost stately, trip and they knew the way. She'd been on the same path several times, so this time she could estimate how much was left.
  97. 97.
    > If only the persistent slow drizzle wouldn't keep finding ways through her cloak. If the thick, cloying mud wouldn't tug at her hooves. If she had something better to eat than the occasional spruce tip or a few blades of brown grass.
  98. 98.
    > Still, the feeling of relief and triumph was keeping her warm, despite Janus' heavy cart tied to the crude harness around her barrel. She'd won and Darga had given in! Both Salki and Darkhan had spoken in favor of Thistle's suggestion to escape into Equestria. For a while it looked like Intor would argue against, despite what Willow had promised, but even she agreed once she'd heard the others.
  99. 99.
    > Harder to believe was that Saule seemed mostly ambivalent with the idea, although her opinion didn't matter as much as the others. She did not yet have quite the same clout as the older two women.
  100. 100.
    > It was decided and Thistle almost couldn't believe it. The tribe would camp near the place where the worlds touched. In a few weeks it would be the fall equinox, at least as far as Thistle could determine simply by observing each sunrise and sunset.
  101. 101.
    > Then her hardship in this cruel land would be over, and she would get to see her friends and family once more. She would get to enjoy the modern Equestrian conveniences!
  102. 102.
    > Even better, she would be able to introduce those same pleasures to the nomads. Doubtless they would thank her once they saw what she could offer!
  103. 103.
    > She glanced at Janus, who was plodding on beside her and keeping an eye on his most precious possessions. He'd entrusted her with his best anvil and the selection of his favorite tools. His apprentices had harnessed a few of the donkeys to move the ore, and the ingots, and the half-finished lumps of metal.
  104. 104.
    > That was another small victory! Janus had some of the younger men build makeshift wagons. They were crude and laughable, and they broke down every day, but some of the other nomads, Thistle couldn't help noticing, were surreptitiously watching this new invention. They'd seen this before, each time they managed to waylay travellers from the far West, but not until they'd seen other nomads use the invention did the people consider it might be useful.
  105. 105.
    > Perhaps the difference was that the foreigners' wagons were large and bulky, suitable to live inside, and couldn't move very fast or tackle the rough terrain nomads often travelled.
  106. 106.
    > The small wagons clearly allowed them to move larger and heavier items than donkeys alone. The beasts complained about the unusual burden, but the young boys drove them expertly with supple leather whips, and the procession moved at a sedate walking pace.
  107. 107.
    > The people were beginning to see the advantages of embracing change. If only she managed to maintain that momentum in Equestria!
  108. 108.
    > Janus sensed her looking and turned his head to face her without breaking stride. She gave him a bright smile, which made the man chuckle. "[You are happy, but you look like drowned rat.]"
  109. 109.
    > It made her laugh, too. 'Rat' was a word from Janus' own, eastern language. It was slightly easier for him to pronounce than the nomad word or the Equestrian word, so he simply used that. She'd adapted, and some of the other nomads had picked up the term, too.
  110. 110.
    > She wondered which word would ultimately survive. Perhaps Equestrian? Aside from a few individuals, there wasn't much interest in learning her native language, but once they were surrounded by ponies it would become inevitable, and useful.
  111. 111.
    "I am happy because I am going home!"
  112. 112.
    > As if in honor of the occasion, she'd started using her language a lot more, especially around Janus and Salki. It earned her some confused or displeased looks from the other nomads, but she paid them no mind. One hot shower, she reckoned, and they'd be singing her praises in any language she asked for!
  113. 113.
    > She was going home!
  114. 114.
    > Her smile slipped when one of the wheels of her little cart caught on a root, nearly tossing her into the mud. The leather straps of the harness bit into her shoulders and she hissed in annoyance.
  115. 115.
    > Janus was with her in two steps, but he walked right past and went to fuss over his precious cargo. That was much more important even than her. She stuck her tongue out after him and took a few careful steps back.
  116. 116.
    > She was used to the maneuver by now. Back a little, left two steps, then forward again. Nine times out of ten the cart would come free and she could continue on her way.
  117. 117.
    > The forest really wasn't the best place for this, but there wasn't any choice. The contents of that wooden box were the clan's most valuable belongings.
  118. 118.
    > In a way, it was a mark of honor that Janus had decided to trust her with it. Yeah, that was how she could see it! It wasn't a chore, it was an important responsibility.
  119. 119.
    > Once she'd freed the single-axle wagon she waited for the blacksmith to finish his inspection. He came back past her and patted her side. "[Good,]" he told her.
  120. 120.
    "What?!"
  121. 121.
    > "[Good!]" he spoke louder, thinking she might not have heard in all the noise of the people walking through the wet, muddy forest.
  122. 122.
    "I can't understand you," she repeated, carefully lowering her face to hide her mischievous smile under her hood.
  123. 123.
    > Janus caught on quickly and groaned. "I say good! You done good! Cart is good. Go!"
  124. 124.
    > As if to mock-punish her for recalcitrance, he smacked his hand on her rump. A quick and hard open-palmed hit, making her squeak in surprise and indignation. It got her moving, though, out of sheer pony reflex.
  125. 125.
    > "I thinking," Janus said in his broken Equestrian, "after- later- Bah!" he gave up and switched to a slightly more familiar language: "[After done walk, you and me, we are even. No more owe for knife."
  126. 126.
    "[Are you sure?]"
  127. 127.
    > She held her breath. She'd promised herself she would labor until the full price of the dagger was paid off, and only later realized she had no real concept of how much that would be, or even how much her work was worth. She'd been silently hoping Janus would say something.
  128. 128.
    > Now that it was happening, she nearly said the opposite, out of some twisted desire to be appreciated, to be considered honorable and fair. She bit her tongue and told herself to accept the verdict.
  129. 129.
    > "[Yes. You have help me a lot. I make many arrow and knife, and thing for Darkhan-]" he said the name of the instrument in his own language, since the people didn't yet have a word for it. It was like a curved knife with two handles, and could be used to strip fur from leather, which made it a lot easier to work with.
  130. 130.
    "[I know. Okay, thank you. I liked helping you!]"
  131. 131.
    > She could say that, now that the monotonous and backbreaking work was over. Carrying water, charcoal, or ore. Pumping bellows until her eyes watered and her fur singed. Making food for the blacksmith, and taking his products to people in the camp.
  132. 132.
    > They didn't have a system of payment, and the tools were distributed based on need, but more often than not the people expressed their gratitude by sending Janus a bit of dried meat, or a small bag of salt, or some yams.
  133. 133.
    > Many times those were the exact ingredients she later cooked for him in a stew, and Janus had never begrudged her a small taste before she added the meat.
  134. 134.
    > She would find a way to repay the favor, somehow. In fact, an idea occurred to her.
  135. 135.
    "[Janus? When we get to Equestria, I will introduce you to pony blacksmiths. They will teach you how to do new things. A new kind of metal!]"
  136. 136.
    > "[Yes?]" he asked, mildly intrigued. "[I will learn new things, yes. It will make the clan more powerful. We will have best weapons than all!]"
  137. 137.
    > His enthusiastic statement got her to chuckle again.
  138. 138.
    "[You won't need weapons in Equestria. Well-]" she paused in though. "[You might, if you stay in the forest. If you move closer to pony village, you will be safe. I promise.]"
  139. 139.
    > The man gave her a dubious nod, not completely convinced, but not willing to insist. He could read her conviction just as she could his. She would be proven right, and then he would admit his mistake.
  140. 140.
    "[How much further today?]" she asked.
  141. 141.
    > There wasn't a lot of land left between them and the special place. She thought some of the nearby, forested hills looked familiar, and by sheer reckoning she knew they weren't far off. More importantly, none of the scouts Salki had sent ahead had come running back with news about the hole to Equestria, which meant they hadn't missed it.
  142. 142.
    > She was *fairly* sure they hadn't, based on the lengths of the day and night, but it was good to have confirmation.
  143. 143.
    > Janus looked around, and tried to estimate the position of the sun behind the clouds. "[Some further,]" he said. "[You can pull cart okay?]"
  144. 144.
    "[I'm fine. Give me a drink of water, please.]"
  145. 145.
    > He unslung the water skin from his shoulder and she stopped so he could pour some of the warm, stale liquid into her mouth. It wasn't the freshest, but it served its purpose. At the same time, she lifted her tail and relaxed the other end of the same process.
  146. 146.
    > Janus glanced over at the splashing sound, but didn't comment on it. It wasn't like it would make the mud any worse, and there weren't a whole lot of nomads walking behind them. The donkeys certainly wouldn't mind.
  147. 147.
    > Once she was done, both with her bladder and her thirst, she nudged Janus' hand away with her nose and began pulling the cart once again. That first step was the hardest, to get it unstuck, then it became routine again.
  148. 148.
    > Boring, repetitive, dull. Routine.
  149. 149.
    > Another trickle of cold water wormed its way between her hood and trickled down her shoulder and foreleg. Thistle ignored it, already dreaming of stretching out in front of a hot fire that night. Perhaps she would get Rangi to spoon her from behind, and her entire body could get warm.
  150. 150.
    > Besides, the work kept her from feeling the chill too much.
  151. 151.
    > She soon began to smile again.
  152. 152.
     
  153. 153.
    > ~~~~
  154. 154.
     
  155. 155.
    > The air of the nomads' new camp felt like it was charged. This was their second winter in the mountains, and this time the people knew what to expect. Several of the more inventive families had pitched their tents against or around thick thee trunks. Someone was even building a small sitting platform in the branches of a big oak tree - a rarity in the largely coniferous forest.
  156. 156.
    > Most importantly, word had gone out that they were waiting for some magic to happen. Rumors abounded and some of them shocked even Thistle with their ingenuity.
  157. 157.
    > The current favorite was that more ponies like Thistle would appear and give them new gifts, even better than bread and archery, with which the Borchi-Quin would then retake their lands and drive out the pesky Ulan-Zuk.
  158. 158.
    > Some others said the same thing, except it wouldn't be ponies. Instead, it would be Janus' old people, the mighty blacksmiths.
  159. 159.
    > Among the younger nomads, especially children, one popular belief was that Thistle would perform some feat of magic which would remove winter from the land forever, and they would be able to play in the constant summer.
  160. 160.
    > There was some truth in what the people whispered to one another. More than one of the myths claimed that the people would travel, by some magical means, to a richer land. A few of those said they would go to the West, where the villages were rich and ripe for plunder, and where no one really knew how to fight.
  161. 161.
    > Another, whispered quietly and more fearfully, was that Salki and Darga were taking the entire clan into the spirit world, to live with their ancestors. That one had actually gotten Thistle to roll her eyes in exasperation.
  162. 162.
    > She had tried to tell people the truth, and one of the wild theories was indeed the right one - that they would go and live in the land of the ponies - but even with her patient explanations there were some scary variations. A few of the hunters were convinced they would *plunder* Equestria and bring back more ponies to serve like slaves.
  163. 163.
    > Some of the older women said the ponies would, in turn, enslave *them*.
  164. 164.
    > Thistle really didn't like either of those, not least because they reminded people that she was, technically, a slave, even if one with extra privileges. Her recent servitude to Janus, which had been very public due to his work around the forge, had revived that sort of talk.
  165. 165.
    > Her best hope was that a stroll through the wonders and dangers of Everfree, and the sight of flying ponies and some unicorn magic would shut those people up. The majestic structure of Canterlot, visible from most of the western Equestria, would surely help, too.
  166. 166.
    > If all that failed, meeting Celestia ought to cement the obvious pony superiority in the nomads' minds.
  167. 167.
    > Having Intor and Darga face off against the Royal Sisters promised to be quite the spectacle. In a way, Thistle was both fearing it and looking forward to it. Talk about powerful, overbearing personalities!
  168. 168.
    > In a good way, of course, for Celestia and Luna!
  169. 169.
    > She couldn't help the sudden bubble of excitement as she thought about her home land, and her hooves started a small prance all on their own, even as she walked through the mud of the camp. The fact that her steps landed with wet thuds didn't dampen her spirit.
  170. 170.
    > Everything was covered in sticky sludge this time of year, it was either get used to it, or go mad.
  171. 171.
    > She made it to the clearing, which had been kept clear of tents by the simple expedient of posting a few of the younger hunters there as guards. They served a dual purpose; to watch for the opening in the air, and to keep other nomads away.
  172. 172.
    > Thistle wasn't sure what would happen to a person if they happened to be standing where the way opened, but the sheer cut on the dead logs and the rocks told a particularly grim story.
  173. 173.
    > It wouldn't be a lot longer, not now. She'd been observing sunsets and sunrises, and she was convinced they were about equally far apart.
  174. 174.
    > The anticipation was making her giddy. If her guess about the equinox was correct - and she was *sure* it was - then the opening would happen at noon, the same as it had that spring. Erlan and Izzet had been very sure about it.
  175. 175.
    > That meant that Thistle spent every evening with the watchers, and most days she managed to scrounge up a few treats for them. This time she had freshly-baked bread, courtesy of Mitra, and a few strips of dried meat, grudgingly donated from Salki's personal stash by Saule.
  176. 176.
    > The young men lounging around the empty space spotted her and one of them - Yasin - raised his hand. He was easy to identify at a distance thanks to his unfortunate birthmark.
  177. 177.
    "[Hi. It is almost time!]" she announced.
  178. 178.
    > The goodies were bundled in a leather sack, draped across her back. By now, everyone was used to her little midday ritual and they helped themselves. There was a bit of grumbling as the men snatched the sack from each other and rummaged in it for food, but these things usually resolved themselves.
  179. 179.
    > Thistle was aware that the hunters had some kind of a pecking order, with Willow right at the top, and Erlan somewhere at the bottom. Age had something to do with it, but it wasn't everything. As best she could understand, daring - or rather *foolhardiness* - during hunts played a major role, as did luck.
  180. 180.
    > Skills with weapons probably also figured in there somewhere, but those seemed to hold less value than she would have expected.
  181. 181.
    > Whatever the hierarchy, she'd brought enough snacks for all three nomads and they soon had their hands full. She sat on a dry log, next to Yasin.
  182. 182.
    "[Anything change today?]"
  183. 183.
    > He shook his head. "[No. Izzet said it would happen when the sun is behind those trees,]" he explained and pointed with a piece of dry meat. Its sharp aroma entered Thistle's nose and she blew air out to clear it.
  184. 184.
    "[I think he is right. I guess we will see soon.]"
  185. 185.
    > The sun wasn't quite there yet, but it wouldn't be long.
  186. 186.
    > She examined the scars on the vegetation, and the clean slice through one of the rocks, and wondered if she would feel something. It would have been right for her to sense that her home was near, but the pragmatist she'd become said there likely wouldn't be anything.
  187. 187.
    > After all, she hadn't felt any real loss when she'd been brought through the first time.
  188. 188.
    > "[What do you think we will find on the other side?]" Erlan, sitting opposite the small clearing from her, asked.
  189. 189.
    "[If it opens to the same place, and I think it does, we will go into a forest. A scary one, full of beasts and dangerous plants. You will have to make sure the people stay together and don't touch anything. I will guide you out of the forest.]"
  190. 190.
    > They looked eager to try their hunting skills against said monsters. She saw how Yasin was gripping his spear, and how Erlan had surreptitiously touched his belt where he kept his knife.
  191. 191.
    "[We will not fight any of them!]" she said sharply. "[People would die if you tried to fight these beasts. We will move quickly and quietly on the shortest path out of the forest, understand?]"
  192. 192.
    > The two younger hunters looked a little crestfallen, and she thought Bulat, who was crouching off to one side, seemed relieved. Perhaps he was the only one among these who was thinking clearly.
  193. 193.
    "[You'll obey me, or I will tell Willow. If any of you try to do something stupid, like hunt a dangerous beast, and you lead it back to the people, it won't end well for you!]"
  194. 194.
    > That threat seemed to work, and some of the eagerness went out of the two wool-headed youth. Thistle nodded to herself in satisfaction.
  195. 195.
    > "[What is after the forest?]" Bulat asked.
  196. 196.
    "[We will go and make our camp in a field I know. It will be close to a farm - a place where ponies grow food in the ground. Like the farms we have seen in the West. I will make sure we have enough food for everyone.]"
  197. 197.
    > Yasin grinned fiercely and lifted his spear a little. "[If they do not give it to us, we will go and take it!]"
  198. 198.
    "[We will not!]" she retorted in a heated voice. "[Ponies will do the right thing, you can count on it! I will make sure. There will be no fighting!]"
  199. 199.
    > "[Okay. Where will we hunt?]" Bulat asked. "[If your people make farms, they have captured animals, like we have seen. There is no hunting those, we can simply pick and slaughter, like the donkeys.]"
  200. 200.
    > That was a more problematic topic, and Thistle was hoping she wouldn't have to deal with it for a while yet. It would come as a cultural shock, but she was sure once everyone had experienced the peace and prosperity of Equestria, they wouldn't insist on the violence of hunting animals.
  201. 201.
    > If not- Thistle bit her lip as she imagined Fluttershy's reaction. That one was quiet, but she had a lot of authority, what with her status, and her Equestria-famous sanctuary. She could be *fierce* when it was important to her.
  202. 202.
    "[You may not need to hunt anymore,]" Thistle said.
  203. 203.
    > She saw the skeptical look on Bulat, and the disappointment on the others, and quickly added:
  204. 204.
    "[If you want to hunt, there are places in Equestria which are dangerous and full of wild animals. Maybe we will find a way.]"
  205. 205.
    > "[Like this forest you mentioned!]" Erlan said triumphantly. "[It will be close! We will hunt the dangerous animals in the forest.]"
  206. 206.
    > That could work, she thought. It would serve as a proving ground, maybe even as a kind of sport for the reckless young men. Perhaps they would tame the forest with their fierce strength, or perhaps the forest would subdue them.
  207. 207.
    > Maybe, if she was really lucky, they would negate each other!
  208. 208.
    > She glanced at the sky and saw the sun was poking out from behind the pine's branches. She looked at the place in their midst, but there was no change.
  209. 209.
    "[Erlan, what did the place look like when the way opened?]"
  210. 210.
    > He followed her gaze, then shrugged. "[It is not today,]" he said, with disappointment. "[There is a shimmer in the air, like when it is hot in summer. There is a breeze, warm and dry. You will see it.]"
  211. 211.
    > The mare slid from the tree and stood up. She went to fetch the empty sack and swung it across her back again.
  212. 212.
    "[Maybe tomorrow,]" she said.
  213. 213.
    > The men murmured agreement, and she left them to their watch.
  214. 214.
     
  215. 215.
    > ~~~~
  216. 216.
     
  217. 217.
    > Of course it had to happen right when she was indisposed! She'd wandered out to where the camp people had dug their latrines. The whole business took no more than a few minutes, and yet right in that time she heard someone shouting in the camp for her. It was a woman, but the urgency could mean only one thing.
  218. 218.
    > It shouldn't have been the time! Surely the sun couldn't be in its zenith *yet*, could it? Maybe she was just bad at judging its height?
  219. 219.
    "[Damn it, I thought I had time!]"
  220. 220.
    > She shuffled her hooves in a hurry to get it over with. A moment of strain, then she was galloping for the camp, not even looking back. It didn't matter, not if they were moving!
  221. 221.
    > She ran into Aina, who was the one shouting her name. "[Hurry! Zaur said to get you! It's happening!]"
  222. 222.
    > Thistle didn't need to ask what. She knew Zaur was one of the hunters watching the clearing. His squeeze must have been visiting him, or perhaps she'd taken some food to the man. The two had been pretty much inseparable lately.
  223. 223.
    "[Good. Find Salki and Darga. Tell them the people need to go. Now! There isn't much time!]"
  224. 224.
    > According to Erlan and Izzet's story, she had estimated the way would only stay open for a few hours, and everyone had to pass through in that time. She knew the Chieftain had ordered for the camp to be ready, but they'd been waiting for over a week and it was too easy to become complacent.
  225. 225.
    "[Tell them if people can't pack everything, they are to leave it behind. We can't risk splitting the clan!]"
  226. 226.
    > She barely waited for Aina to acknowledge the instructions before she ran for the clearing. Even if the nomads didn't make it, *she* was going home.
  227. 227.
    > The thought struck her and nearly made her stumble.
  228. 228.
    > She was going home today.
  229. 229.
    > That realization slowed her down to a canter and she looked through the sparse trees at the distant plains. Rainy Day was still out there, somewhere.
  230. 230.
    "I'll come back for you," she promised quietly.
  231. 231.
    > Her time for reflection ended when she arrived at the bustle. Following Aina's urgent shouting, a lot of people had gathered around the clearing and they were staring at the join between the two worlds. A warm wind was blowing out from the clearing and the forest on the other side was noticeably different from this one. No snow, for one thing, and the trees were mostly deciduous, with big, lush green leaves. The floor was brown dirt, with patches of grass, and the tree trunks were covered in moss. It was hard to see, because the sky over there was dark.
  232. 232.
    > Already Erlan was standing in the middle of the passage. By her estimate, he was half in one world and half in the other. Thistle shuddered to think what would happen if the way shut in that instant.
  233. 233.
    "[Make way! Let me through!]"
  234. 234.
    > She pushed gently but firmly between people's legs, until she broke through the front line and ended up in the clearing. The air from Equestria was moving into this world and she raised her head to smell.
  235. 235.
    > It was hot and humid. There was a scent of rot, and of damp mushrooms, and of swamp. She would know it anywhere.
  236. 236.
    "Everfree Forest!"
  237. 237.
    > "[Thistle! Come, walk through with me!]" Erlan said, laughing. "[Come, it's easy!]"
  238. 238.
    > To prove his point, the young hunter hopped forward and he was entirely in Equestria. Then he jumped back, as if skipping over a rope. The line between the two realities was clearly visible where packed mud met the darker, untouched ground of the forest.
  239. 239.
    > Some of the more adventurous nomads were moving closer, and the hunters who had been watching the clearing were near enough to the boundary to touch it. She spotted Zaur and Aibek, but neither looked in her direction, so amazed were they by the phenomenon they were seeing.
  240. 240.
    > Heart hammering wildly, Thistle walked gingerly forward until her nose was almost touching the invisible layer of the portal itself. She glanced around, but couldn't see the edges. There was no glowing circle, nor a line in the air. She only saw how big the opening was because the sky on the other side was so very different.
  241. 241.
    > Here, it was a gray mess of clouds, with a hint of the sun's orb above her. On the other side, the sky was pitch black, with hardly any stars showing. It looked like a fine, dry summer night.
  242. 242.
    > She couldn't see much of the landscape because of the darkness, but even that small circle of rugged trees, revealed by the daylight streaming in from the nomads' side tugged at her heart. She wanted to step through and run to Ponyville. Her hoof lifted almost without her conscious control.
  243. 243.
    > There was some shouting behind her, and she firmly pushed the desire to bolt away. She'd asked the nomads to come, so she had the responsibility to see them safe. She lowered her leg, trembling, and glanced back.
  244. 244.
    > Darga and Salki were both there, staring in a mixture of disbelief and awe. Soon after, Willow arrived with some of his hunters in tow.
  245. 245.
    > Several of his older men pointed and exclaimed. After all, Willow and a few of the senior men had seen this once before, even if not everyone from that group was still alive. They started talking excitedly among themselves while the Chieftain and his mother approached.
  246. 246.
    > "[So it is true after all,]" Darga mused.
  247. 247.
    "[I told you. Willow told you. So did Erlan!]"
  248. 248.
    > The woman waved the words away, eyes still intent on the forest clearing before them. "[Stories. People lie, and if a lie is repeated enough times it is believed even more strongly. I will step through and see for myself.]"
  249. 249.
    > Salki reached out a hand as if to stop her, but a sharp glance from the determined, formidable woman stopped him in his tracks. He watched a little anxiously as Darga walked forward and paused just before reaching Erlan. He was looking around at the sky and didn't seem to be paying much attention to the events back in the snowy forest.
  250. 250.
    > Darga clenched her fists and firmly strode forward. She walked a few paces past the hunter, then slowly turned to take it all in. She ended up facing the collected nomads behind Thistle. "[There is nothing to it. We can simply walk through. Pack everything and come! We will camp on this side for now!]"
  251. 251.
    > The order was ideally supposed to be Salki's, and Thistle hurried to his side. She tried to give his hand a surreptitious nudge with her muzzle, and when he looked down she hissed:
  252. 252.
    "[Command them! You're the Chieftain!]"
  253. 253.
    > He recalled himself and jerked upright. He raised his hand with a spear he'd been clenching and spoke: "[My mother is right! We will pass through into Thistle's world and conquer it! Pack up and move! Move!]"
  254. 254.
    > This started an outright commotion as the people began to hurry away. A few stayed, faces showing a mix of fear and anger, and it looked like they might argue.
  255. 255.
    > A new voice sounded from the edge: "[You heard the Chieftain! Let's go! We don't have much time! Anyone who is not ready will be left here!]"
  256. 256.
    > It was Intor, having been found and informed of the news by Aina, who was standing by her side and staring, wide-eyed at the portal.
  257. 257.
    > That commanding tone seemed to clinch it. Even the angriest-looking nomads turned and left, albeit slowly and grudgingly. They muttered, and Thistle had no doubt they would complain the whole way, but they were moving.
  258. 258.
    > She switched her gaze to Salki.
  259. 259.
    "[Make sure they start going through. We only have maybe two hands-breaths for the sun to travel before the way closes. We should be across as quickly as possible. I will find Rangi and Saule, we'll start packing our tent!]"
  260. 260.
    > The order had been to only set up the bare minimum number of tents, and not to dig them in too deeply. They were also not supposed to unpack their bags. Thistle felt a guilty pang as she recalled her recent habit of leaving things where she last used them. There would be a lot to pack in a hurry.
  261. 261.
    > She didn't wait for Salki's response and began galloping back to the main body of the camp. She was already calling for Rangi.
  262. 262.
     
  263. 263.
    > ~~~~ #
  264. 264.
     
  265. 265.
    > They were on the other side! It hadn't gone without a hitch, of course, but aside from a sprained ankle, a few bruises, and a lot of grumbling when things were left behind, all the nomads made it. The injuries would heal soon, and they would get new water bags, or racks for drying meat, or even a tent in one extreme case.
  266. 266.
    > Thistle stood on the Equestrian side of the hole in space and looked at the snowy forest they had left. Going purely by dead reckoning, the gate had stood open for over three hours already. It was the best guess she could make, based on her internal perception of time.
  267. 267.
    > Something about the portal made her fearful, like a weird feeling deep in her belly, but she couldn't quite put her hoof on it. They had arrived in the middle of the night and she could see the first few hints of the dawn approaching, but the hole in space hadn't changed. She could see it clearly, where the black of Equestrian sky met the gray of the other world, and where the lush, green forest changed to brown and withered, leaf-barren trees.
  268. 268.
    > It was a strange coincidence for them to return during summer, wasn't it? Then again, it had also been summer when Willow had foal-napped her. Perhaps the seasons in their two worlds were offset?
  269. 269.
    > Thistle kept glancing at the sky without a moon and did her best to ignore her unease. The nomads and the hole to their world were more important right now. Three hours, maybe close to four. Why would that be the time the way remained open? Why would it line up with the equinox at noon on the nomads' side, but not on the Equestrian?
  270. 270.
    > Whatever the reasons, the time it stayed open matched Willow's experience when they'd come and snatched her and Rainy Day. The nomads had needed to get to the outskirts of Ponyville, grab the two of them, then drag them back to the hole. It must have taken something like three or four hours, at least.
  271. 271.
    > She wanted to see what would happen when it closed. She'd set Rangi to put up Salki and Saule's tent, gotten Xuan to cook some rice broth without meat, told Willow to keep the young hunters from exploring in the dangerous forest, then sat herself on a relatively dry, mossy stone in the clearing, well away from the line which divided the two worlds.
  272. 272.
    > The weather on this side was mildly cool, with a taste of freshness which came just before dawn. It certainly felt like the middle of summer, and the nomads had quickly discarded their winter clothes. Many hadn't even bothered to put their tents up again.
  273. 273.
    > They were here! She was home! Everything would be okay.
  274. 274.
    > She would lead a delegation to Ponyville in the daylight, after everyone had gotten settled down, she would find the new mayor, and arrange for some land near the town to be given over to the newcomers. Then it would be time for introductions. She would need to send a letter to the Princesses as soon as possible. Maybe Twilight would have a faster way to reach the Royal Sisters.
  275. 275.
    > They'd have to procure food for the nomads before their stores ran out, and get Salki to agree to some basic rules, especially about hunting.
  276. 276.
    > Her head spun when she tried to think about all the things which would need organizing! It had been too long since she was in charge of anything this complicated, and it would take all her skill to reach a good outcome for everyone involved.
  277. 277.
    > For now, she had a few more hours of peace while everyone made themselves at home. The camp was secure, and she hadn't heard or smelled any of the dangerous beasts in the Everfree forest. In the morning she would have Willow send out a few scouting groups to make sure, but for now posting men to watch seemed sufficient.
  278. 278.
    > Her hoof idly scraped moss from the rock in front of her, and she inhaled the rich, green scent deeply. It smelled foreign, somehow more poignant than any of the greenery in the nomads' world. It was the scent of home.
  279. 279.
    > She'd kept watch on the sky, but with her poor eyesight and the fact that - even during daylight - pegasi avoided the heart of the forest, she hadn't expected to see anypony flying overhead, especially in the darkness.
  280. 280.
    > Her gaze returned to the split between the worlds. Air was flowing from Equestria into the other place, so any smells from the snowed forest were lost to her. This suited Thistle fine. She couldn't wait to immerse herself fully back in Equestria. The scents of civilization. The sights of ponies going about their peaceful business. Most of all, she missed fried foods, and pies, and coffee.
  281. 281.
    > Perhaps she would take Salki and whoever was in their entourage to Sugarcube Corner for the talks with the new mayor.
  282. 282.
    > Someone was walking to her and the scent identified Janus before he was close enough for her to bother looking. He came to a stop next to her and laid a careful hand on her back. His other held a torch. Round the portal they were not needed, with all the light streaming from the other world, but the rest of the camp was wrapped in night.
  283. 283.
    > The gesture somehow felt closer, more intimate, now that she wasn't wearing her coat for the first time in months.
  284. 284.
    > "[What you watching?]" he asked.
  285. 285.
    "[I am waiting for the way to close. I want to see what it looks like.]"
  286. 286.
    > He merely grunted in an answer. When he didn't move for long seconds, she glanced at his face. He was staring into the other world, too. "[So this really you-land? Pony world?]"
  287. 287.
    "[Yes.]"
  288. 288.
    > "[You say big powerful pony blacksmith. You say I learn new metal. You say you show me.]"
  289. 289.
    "[I did, and I will. Don't be hasty.]"
  290. 290.
    > He gave her a blank stare. "[What is 'hasty'?]"
  291. 291.
    > She couldn't help chuckling at the incredulity of giving an impromptu lesson in the nomad language to a foreigner, while standing deep in the Everfree forest.
  292. 292.
    "[Hasty means you want to go fast but should not. Don't be hasty is the same as 'be patient'.]"
  293. 293.
    > "[I understand. I will wait.]"
  294. 294.
    "[Good.]"
  295. 295.
    > She returned her gaze to the other landscape. It shouldn't be long now. Janus slid his hand down her back and idly scratched at her fur. It was pleasant. They both watched in silence.
  296. 296.
    > It happened suddenly, and without fanfare. Thistle almost missed it, engrossed in her thoughts. When she noticed, she jumped up to her hooves, mouth open in shock.
  297. 297.
    "[It didn't close! It's still there! It changed!]"
  298. 298.
    > That was all that happened. The forest clearing had been full of mud, now it was covered in snow. It just appeared in an instant! She mostly noticed it because the light changed so dramatically. She hurried to the dividing line and stopped a hoof's-breadth away from the barrier.
  299. 299.
    > The world on the other side looked different, but it was the same clearing. The land looked the same. The mountains, their familiar peaks, were in the right places. All the trees were just as she remembered, identical to before, except for a broken branch or two.
  300. 300.
    "[What is this?! I don't understand! I thought it would close!]"
  301. 301.
    > Some of the nearby nomads noticed her standing at the hole and wandered over to see. There was a bit of murmuring, then Thistle turned and pointed a commanding hoof at a young boy.
  302. 302.
    "[You! Go fetch Erlan and Willow! Run!]"
  303. 303.
    > The child ran off and the others came closer. "[What is it?]" someone said.
  304. 304.
    "[The snow! The clearing was mud, now it's covered in snow!]"
  305. 305.
    > Janus had joined her at the barrier, careful to stay on the Equestrian side. He asked: "[Snow fall?]"
  306. 306.
    "[No. I didn't see snow falling. It was too quick.]"
  307. 307.
    > She experimentally reached a hoof and pushed it past the midpoint. It felt the same as always, except, she though, this time the air was blowing from the nomad side into Equestria. It was icy cold. She gingerly took a half-step forward, until her head was through.
  308. 308.
    > The danger of the situation struck her and she hurriedly pulled back a solid few paces, just to be safe. Maybe it was just a weird thing the portal did before it closed? She didn't want to be sliced in half, and even less to be trapped on the nomad side, alone.
  309. 309.
    > Some of the hunters came running with Willow at the head. He was asking what had happened even before they stopped. When he saw her, he came over, with Bulat and Buygra in tow.
  310. 310.
    > She explained, in a few short sentences, and the three stared at the forest clearing in bewilderment. Eventually, Buygra gave a chuckle and jumped through the hole.
  311. 311.
    "[No! It may close any second! Come back!]" she yelled after him.
  312. 312.
    > The man ignored her and took a few steps forward. He turned around in a circle, then faced the group on the other side. He was smiling in disbelief and his eyes were wide and full of wonder. "[It is spring!]" he said. "[The sun is up highest, like it was when the way opened, but the winter is ending. You can smell it in the air!]"
  313. 313.
    > Thistle lifted her nose and inhaled. He was right! The wind carried scents of fresh, young growth, of green things waking up, and of melting snow!
  314. 314.
    > Something made her uneasy, and she took another step back. Why had the portal changed? What did this mean? How was it spring on the other side?
  315. 315.
    > Did the way switch to other worlds, ones where the seasons were different? Maybe it touched several, and maybe they were similar to each other. Buygra had said the sun was at its peak. Perhaps another cycle had started and connected Equestria to yet another, different place.
  316. 316.
    > Would it have nomads, or would even stranger creatures inhabit this new land?
  317. 317.
    "[Can you see anything?]" she asked. "[Any people? Any things made by people?]"
  318. 318.
    > Buygra ran to the edge of the clearing for a better look. It was probably safe, she though. Maybe this new connection would remain open for four hours, too?
  319. 319.
    > After a while, the man shrugged and walked back. His foot struck something and he crouched down to examine it. She watched him dig around in the snow until he lifted a large stone.
  320. 320.
    "[It's just a rock.]"
  321. 321.
    > He went back to digging through the snow with his hands, and after a few minutes her mouth went dry. There were more stones, placed in a rough circle.
  322. 322.
    > It was a fire pit.
  323. 323.
    > "[This has been abandoned for a long time,]" Buygra determined. "[The stones have dirt on them, and grass was growing from it before the snow covered it.]"
  324. 324.
    > Perhaps, in this new world, nomads or creatures like them, who used fire, came this way and moved on. If they hadn't figured out when the way opened, they wouldn't have placed any special significance on this clearing.
  325. 325.
    "[Come back, Buygra. I don't like this.]"
  326. 326.
    > She looked up at Willow and said:
  327. 327.
    "[We should watch this. I want to know if it changes again. If it stays open for the same time, it will change when the sun is rising.]"
  328. 328.
    > She glimpsed at the sky. There was lighter blue just barely visible through the trees toward what she assumed was East.
  329. 329.
    "[Think of how long it was open from when we crossed, it will be the same time again. Someone should watch it. I need to go eat something, but I will be back after.]"
  330. 330.
    > If it really was open for four hours at a time, it would be early morning when the way closed, or changed again. With the tall trees around their clearing it would be as good as sunrise. More importantly, what did this mean? She'd expected the way to wink out, for it to only reappear after six months.
  331. 331.
    > Perhaps he was spooked by her unease, or maybe the chill was getting to him, but Buygra gave up looking at the firepit and hurried back. He was shivering when he rejoined the group, and Thistle sensed how cold his skin was where his thigh nearly touched her barrel.
  332. 332.
    "[Let's go and eat something warm,]" she told him. "[Xuan is making broth for me. Come.]"
  333. 333.
    > The man nodded and began walking away, leaving a few snowy footsteps in the warm mud of the Everfree. She nudged Willow with her nose.
  334. 334.
    "[Have some men watch the hole, but I don't want anyone to go over. It may change suddenly and leave someone stranded.]"
  335. 335.
    > He nodded, but kept his eyes on the other clearing. "[I agree. I will watch it myself for a while.]"
  336. 336.
    "[Thank you.]"
  337. 337.
    > His hand went to her head and she waited barely long enough for him to give her a pat, then she hurried after Buygra, stomach already growling at the thought of hot food.
  338. 338.
    > She hardly felt the hunger. The mystery of the shifting portal was bothering her too much. She wanted to gallop all the way to Ponyville and find someone who could explain it, but the forest was dangerous for a single earth pony.
  339. 339.
    > She needed at least a few hunters with her, but they would be tired and the people had been busy packing up and moving, not to mention setting up the camp once again.
  340. 340.
    > They'd need to rest, at least for a few hours. It was also too dark to travel something like the Everfree. Best to wait until morning. She would take some of the strongest warriors and guide them to the town. She was sure they would get some answers there.
  341. 341.
     
  342. 342.
    > ~~~~
  343. 343.
     
  344. 344.
    > They chose six fighters to go with her. After all, the delegation included both Darga and Salki, both of whom needed protecting. Willow had to come, obviously, otherwise Intor would never have shut up about it. Beyond them, there were Buygra, and Janus, and Darkhan, as the representatives of the clan.
  345. 345.
    > It was a sizeable delegation, but not an overly large one, or so Thistle hoped. She didn't want to frighten the ponies with an army of nomads marching on the town.
  346. 346.
    > They set out after they'd slept and eaten, when the fresh sun was just peeking over the treetops. They weren't bearing any gifts, or peace offerings, on Thistle's advice. She only had them bring a bit of food and water for the long trek through the forest. They were, however, wearing their best clothes, despite the summer heat.
  347. 347.
    > She herself had decided to wear her nice wolf-skin cloak, not so much to impress the townsponies, but to reassure the other nomads that she was taking the solemn occasion seriously enough. Perhaps to further solidify in Darga's mind that this was an official visit, not a raiding party. To complete the picture, she'd even clipped a spear to her side, ready to hoof. That last part was mostly for protection in the Everfree forest, but it also served the purpose of making her look more official in the nomads' eyes.
  348. 348.
    > The sun was as hot as the previous day in the cloudless sky and Thistle was starting to regret her choice of attire. Already her flanks were damp, and the luxurious wolf fur would prove unbearable if she exerted herself. As a quick solution, she sat on her haunches and twisted around until she had unwrapped the coat. The wolf's head was still over her mane, and the clasp tied the garment around her neck, but the rest of it hung loosely down from her withers. She'd put it back after they'd arrived in town.
  349. 349.
    > Darga and the others had moved on without her. They were impatient to get out of the Everfree forest as soon as they could. No dangerous beasts had shown up anywhere near the camp yet, even with scouts venturing out significant distance to look, but surely it was only a matter of time. More importantly, their stores of food would run out and hunting in the forest would be exceedingly dangerous this far in.
  350. 350.
    > The trip out was just as eerily quiet as the camp. They saw no other living being, as if the beasts themselves were scared of the new, tall strangers. Thanks to Hisein's tutelage, Thistle could hold her own in navigating, especially now that she was in her own world. She led the little party. Pride, if nothing else, demanded that she find the way on her own.
  351. 351.
    > Some nomads with her were expert trackers, which reassured her. The sun was also an important waypoint in the sky. That was something Hisein had taught her. It would be rising somewhere from the direction of Baltimare, so if she kept it to her right, she would eventually break free from the forest and see the distant peak of Canterlot. Finding Ponyville from there would be easy. Of course, if she spotted it sooner, they could take a more direct route.
  352. 352.
    > It finally came in a small clearing and they could all see it through a break in the treeline. She halted and stared, eyes filling up with tears at the welcome, familiar sight.
  353. 353.
    > The others stopped around her, followed her gaze, and-
  354. 354.
    > Reactions were different. Salki gasped in shock, and Darga froze, stunned into motionless silence. Darkhan swore under his breath and Janus exclaimed in delight. Some of the others fell to their knees, and Zaur looked like he was about to be sick. Only Willow was unaffected, having seen this particular sight once before.
  355. 355.
    > "[How is that possible?]" Darga asked, the first to overcome her shock. "[How did you get it up the mountain?! I have never seen mountains so tall and steep!]"
  356. 356.
    "[I told you Equestria is full of wonders.]"
  357. 357.
    > She walked over to Salki and pressed her side to his calf.
  358. 358.
    "We call it 'Canterlot'," she told him.
  359. 359.
    > Increasingly she was talking to him, and to Janus, in Equestrian. Perhaps it was the fact she was home, or an effort to accelerate their learning the language.
  360. 360.
    "I will take you to see it someday. We should keep going. There are monsters in the swamp."
  361. 361.
    > It took a few nudges and a gentle, surreptitious kick to snap everyone out of it. They began walking again, but she held back to peer at the distant blur. Her eyes couldn't make out detail, but the memory was razor-sharp, like an image captured in a crystal. The parapets, the tiny, dark windows, even the flags and banners flying in the breeze all over the city - it was all there in her mind's eye.
  362. 362.
    > No wonder it was such an impressive sight to people who hadn't seen anything larger than a stone hut, or - most of them - not even that.
  363. 363.
    "[When we get to my town, I think only Darga and Salki should go with me. I promise you ponies are not dangerous.]"
  364. 364.
    > There was no reply to her suggestion, but she attributed that to quiet awe.
  365. 365.
    >...
  366. 366.
    > They stopped for the last time on a small hill, overlooking the village. It was away from any of the paths and roads, so they hadn't encountered any ponies yet. Now they could see them, going about their business on the outskirts.
  367. 367.
    > "[So many colors,]" Darkhan murmured.
  368. 368.
    > If anything, the nomads seemed even more worried with the sight of the town than they had been when looking at Canterlot in the distance. She thought she understood. After all that time, even *she* was worried about meeting her kin. How would they see her? How would they react to the tall, nearly hairless barbarians among them? To the sight of all that leather, animal fur, and spears?
  369. 369.
    > For that matter, what would the ponies say about her wolfskin cloak? The thing still had the head attached! She'd replaced it to cover her body, as was proper, but now she couldn't wait to get out of the hot sun. They all sweated in the heat, and the cool inside of a stone house would feel wonderful.
  370. 370.
    > The others probably weren't thinking about *that* specifically, but she saw how tightly they were gripping their spears, and how Salki was standing in a near-crouch, ready to fight at a moment's notice.
  371. 371.
    > She walked over to him and laid a comforting hoof on his calf. She had to reassure him, but also remind him that he was in a new land and he should be on his best behavior. She chose Equestrian and even translated his name. The added benefit was that his mother wouldn't understand any of the words.
  372. 372.
    "Relax, Wind. It will go well, I promise."
  373. 373.
    > For a moment, the unfamiliar sound of his name in her language made him stiffen. His muscles stood out just under his skin, but then he translated the words to himself and looked at her strangely. She'd never called him using the Equestrian word before.
  374. 374.
    > She gave him a nod, and saw him relax.
  375. 375.
    > "[Are you sure the three of us will be able to defend ourselves?]" Darga asked.
  376. 376.
    "[Yes. The ponies will not fight you unless you attack them. Stay calm and do what I do. Don't try to grab, or hit, or spear anyone, and you will not be harmed. Ponies are a friendly bunch.]"
  377. 377.
    > She was banking on Princess Twilight's friendship lessons to have had time to spread through the community and take deep root. Even so, Ponyville didn't have guards, and the ponies didn't have weapons. There were a few unicorns, and - notably - the Princess, if things got really out of hand with the delegation, but they certainly wouldn't attack the strangers preemptively.
  378. 378.
    "[Remember that our ways are different.]"
  379. 379.
    > Darga didn't look convinced, and the others looked relieved they would be staying there. Only Salki seemed impatient to get going. "[I remember how you fight when you are cornered, Thistle,]" Darga said. "[That is why I worry.]"
  380. 380.
    > The mare stared with incredulity. That had, very nearly, been a compliment!
  381. 381.
    "[It will be fine. Let's go.]"
  382. 382.
    > At her words, Salki straightened up and began walking, trying for his most imposing, chieftain-like walk. To her eyes it looked as if he was constipated, but Thistle didn't comment on that and fell in step with the youth. She heard Darga following a few steps behind.
  383. 383.
    >...
  384. 384.
    > It was a stroke of luck, but Thistle didn't question it. A few ponies were working their garden behind their house on the town outskirts. No one else was around. This would be a good, gentle first introduction for her new friends, and she could send someone ahead with the news to prepare the rest of the townsponies.
  385. 385.
    > Lilly Valley, Roseluck, and Sweetie Drops. Thistle knew they were friends, but the garden was attached to Roseluck's house. Well, she owned it, but all three flower ponies shared it. Maybe Daisy had moved out and Sweetie had broken up with Lyra and was now living with the other two?
  386. 386.
    > Even after all that time, Thistle found herself easily falling back into the old, gossipy habit of trying to understand the constantly-shifting relationships of her friends and neighbors.
  387. 387.
    > Figuring out all the little social changes in Ponyville would have to wait, however, as the three mares became aware of the newcomers and drew closer together, watching the unusual procession with wide, disbelieving eyes. Only the fact that a pony was leading the group kept them from running away in terror, screaming.
  388. 388.
    > Even so, Thistle saw how tightly they pressed against each other, and the small tremble in Roseluck's hind legs.
  389. 389.
    "[Walk slowly. Don't threaten,]" she ordered in a whisper.
  390. 390.
    > A bit louder, she called out to the trio:
  391. 391.
    "Greetings! It's okay, they are friendly."
  392. 392.
    > At the sound of her voice, Sweetie Drops took an incredulous step forward and ventured: "M-Mayor?! What are you doing- um- dressed like that?"
  393. 393.
    > Beside her, Lilly gasped: "Is that a *wolf*?! You're carrying a spear! They all are!"
  394. 394.
    > For a moment it looked like the three would bolt, so Thistle stopped. The nomads also came to a halt just behind her. A quick glimpse showed that Darga had a white-knuckled grip on her spear, and Salki was clutching his dagger under his cloak. She let out a small growl in her throat and the two relaxed, though they kept an easy hold on their weapons which they had been using as walking sticks on the way over.
  395. 395.
    "The place I come from is very cold and dangerous. It's either this, or freeze. Oh, but don't worry, the animals there aren't intelligent like the ones in Equestria. It's all right!"
  396. 396.
    > Having a conversation was helping, even with the strange, imposing presence of the tall barbarians, and the three mares were walking slowly closer. Obviously despite the time which must have passed, they trusted their mayor quite a lot. They stopped, still in a tight group, a few hoofsteps away, staring at the new creatures.
  397. 397.
    > Suddenly Rose gasped and pointed: "Mayor! Your mane is pink! So short! What happened?!"
  398. 398.
    > It was bound to come out, and some of the townsponies did know, especially after that dreadful Gabby Gums incident, but Thistle still groaned as the secret came out fully. She hadn't thought of that, and even if she had, there wasn't much she could do about it.
  399. 399.
    "Yes, yes, it's pink. I dyed it white because it went better with my coat."
  400. 400.
    > That was not *completely* a lie. She simply omitted the other fact, that a gray mane gave her a certain gravitas in her political dealings.
  401. 401.
    > "And, um-" Rose went on, her nose wrinkling. All three of them flattened their ears and stepped back. "I'm sorry, but, um- you smell," the mare finished.
  402. 402.
    > Surprised, Thistle bent her head and inhaled, but her own scent was nothing unusual. Was it possible she had gotten so used to the omnipresent stink of a nomad camp? She hadn't bathed in months, and even then it had been without soap. A strong blush colored her entire muzzle and her ears crept back. She couldn't meet the other's eyes.
  403. 403.
    "I have been gone a long time," she finally murmured, "and the other world is nowhere near as advanced as Equestria. There are no showers or baths."
  404. 404.
    > The mares looked at one another, then Sweetie asked: "Uh, what are you talking about, Mayor? What other world? Where were you gone? We talked just the other day, remember? Lyra wants to move her garden and you approved the new zoning. We were both in your office..."
  405. 405.
    "What!?"
  406. 406.
    > The bad feeling she's had since they'd crossed over into Equestria flared up strongly, and Thistle glanced at the sun. The way they spoke sounded as Ponyville was still in the *same* summer when she was foal-napped. Two years had passed for her in the nomad's world!
  407. 407.
    "Uh, Mrs. Roseluck... what day is it?"
  408. 408.
    > "August twelfth. Mayor, is everything alright?"
  409. 409.
    "What year?!"
  410. 410.
    > The three mares took a half-step back at the fierceness of the question. Only after did Thistle realize she'd dug in her hind legs, as if she was about to charge. Behind her leather creaked as the nomads shifted to uncover their weapons.
  411. 411.
    > "[What is happening?!]" Salki asked urgently. "[Is that yellow one threatening you?]"
  412. 412.
    "[It's fine. Settle down!]"
  413. 413.
    > Luckily neither he nor his mother argued, but they kept a close watch on the new ponies and Salki didn't remove his hand from his dagger this time. She didn't tell him off, not with the monumental urgency of her question.
  414. 414.
    "What year, please?" she repeated.
  415. 415.
    > "I don't know the number the unicorns use."
  416. 416.
    "Tell me!"
  417. 417.
    > It was Sweetie who answered in her stead: "Storm King's attack was last year. Mayor, you know what year it is! What's wrong?"
  418. 418.
    > Her rump hit the floor. Maybe she'd somehow suspected it, but hadn't allowed her conscious mind to fully grasp the idea.
  419. 419.
    > Time flowed differently.
  420. 420.
    > The reason it was night *over here*, but noon back in the nomad world wasn't because the portal touched other places, or because of some arbitrary rules. It was because, every four hours, the portal flicked to the next equinox in the nomad world.
  421. 421.
    > Just how that was possible she hadn't the faintest idea. Perhaps a scholar would know. Maybe Twilight Sparkle could figure it out. The important part was that - by sleeping for a couple of hours and travelling to Ponyville - Rainy Day had had to endure another six months among her captors.
  422. 422.
    > She had been gone for years, but in the town only a day had passed.
  423. 423.
    "[Fuck!]"
  424. 424.
    > Even in a foreign language, the mares knew it was a bad word, merely from her tone and the feeling with which she'd sworn. They cringed, and Sweetie began to glare. "Mayor, I don't know what you're-"
  425. 425.
    > So she was still the mayor? She could use that, at least. Silver linings, and all.
  426. 426.
    "No time. I need you to hurry. Find Princess Twilight and have her call Celestia and Luna! There are more nomads with me. We'll need a room where we can talk in private, I guess in the Town Hall. One of you go to the Apple farm. Tell them we will need a wagon and a lot of food. Oh, and a few ponies to pull it!"
  427. 427.
    > Salki placed a hand on her withers, even if he had to bend down a little to reach. "[What is it? What's wrong?]"
  428. 428.
    > She shook her head and tried to get her hind hooves under her to stand up again. After a false start she gave up on that and remained sitting. Her mind was racing through the implications. They would need to organize a rescue. For every day they waited... She did a quick mental calculation, three years would pass in the other world.
  429. 429.
    "[I will explain later. We will talk with the leaders, but we have to be quick. Someone will need to go back to the camp and tell them. They should come here.]"
  430. 430.
    > Darga stepped in front of her so she could look at Thistle face to face. "[What are you talking about? Explain!]"
  431. 431.
    "[I- time is moving differently in this world! We are gone for a day, but back home three years will go by!]"
  432. 432.
    > The two looked at one another, then Darga took charge: "[Salki, go back to the hill. Send Buygra and two others with news to the camp and tell them to pack up!]"
  433. 433.
    > Unfortunately, the boy shook his head. "[Mother, I am not sure I understand what's happening! How will I explain it to them?]"
  434. 434.
    > The woman sighed and lifted her spear. "[Then I will go. I think I understand. A little time passes in this pony land, but a lot of time passes on the plains. It is some strange magic. Our lands will be taken by others. They will think the Borchi-Quin are no more. Perhaps they will have stories, or maybe they will forget us. All the while, only a few days may pass here for us.]"
  435. 435.
    "[That's it exactly! If you stay here, you may not be able to return home. Not without more war over land. We'll start talking about a treaty here. You take the rest of the group back and bring everyone the same way. I will have a place for you to camp.]"
  436. 436.
    > "[I understand.]"
  437. 437.
    > Once again Thistle was in awe of the ex-Chieftain's quick wit, and she was reminded just how this formidable woman had managed to keep a firm hold on her clan until her son could take over. She watched her walking away, and then break into a gentle jog.
  438. 438.
    > She saw the three mares were still staring in dumbfounded surprise at the exchange. "What is that language? How do you know it, Mayor?"
  439. 439.
    "Never mind that now! Go and find the Princess! Don't forget the food from the farm! Go!"
  440. 440.
    > At her urging, the three finally turned and cantered away. She'd have preferred a bit more urgency in their step, but at least they were moving. Between the three of them, they would have a better chance of actually finding Twilight.
  441. 441.
    > In the meantime, she was still the Mayor and she intended to make full use of the fact. That meant her decision to use the Town Hall to house the nomads for a while was an official decree. There would be some snacks in there, and some water. She looked at Salki.
  442. 442.
    "[As soon as the other hunters arrive with your mother, we'll go into the- in the- among the buildings. You did good, but you need to lead by example. The ponies will not attack us. Take your hand away from your knife. We are guests to them!]"
  443. 443.
    > He stared after the retreating mares. "[You told them to find someone? You said they need to get us food and water?]"
  444. 444.
    "Yes. Good."
  445. 445.
    > She realized she was still sitting after the shock and stood on uncertain, wobbly legs. As soon as Darga was back, they would need to move through the town as quickly as possible, to upset as few of the townsponies as they could. She'd forgotten just how grotesque the sight of dead animal fur would be to them.
  446. 446.
    > For a moment, she considered discarding her wolf cloak and her spear, maybe have one of the hunters carry them for her. Her lips pressed together in determination and she shook her head to her own silent question. No, this was who she had become. The ponies would simply have to get used to it.
  447. 447.
    > No matter how much she sweated.
  448. 448.
     
  449. 449.
    > ~~~~
  450. 450.
     
  451. 451.
    > Roseluck's reaction wasn't unique. Now that she was aware of it, Thistle saw many ponies wrinkle their noses and step back when they met her. Even her aides at the Town Hall!
  452. 452.
    > It made her feel dirty and want to take a bath, but there was no time! As it was, she had her hooves full trying to prevent a panic when the rest of her nomad group showed up near Rose and Lilly's house. A couple of overly-dramatic ponies had ran for their homes, which nearly started a stampede.
  453. 453.
    > Only by been pure luck did she make it there in time to defuse the situation and reassure her citizens that the newcomers weren't dangerous. Well, at least to ponies.
  454. 454.
    > On the other side, her guests seemed even more tense and wary than the townsponies. Even Salki, who had been to the far East, hadn't seen buildings that big, or paved streets, or any of the simple, everyday things which Thistle hardly thought about. She'd thought Willow would be taking it better, but despite having glimpsed the town from a distance, he and his hunters had never actually entered it when they'd grabbed her and Rainy Day.
  455. 455.
    > One of the shops had a lighted sign outside, which prompted a barrage of questions from both Salki and Buygra. It wasn't the only such item which sparked lively discussion. Too many times she simply had to say that it was magic, or that she would explain it later.
  456. 456.
    > Their bewilderment reached a breaking point when she ushered them into the large meeting room in the Town Hall. Per the orders she'd sent ahead, a few pitchers of water were ready on the big table, and several trays of fruit and snacks had been arranged among them.
  457. 457.
    > She instructed the nomads to sit, but all they did was stand in a tight group, staring at her.
  458. 458.
    "[What's wrong?]"
  459. 459.
    > Buygra took charge when the Chieftain didn't react quickly enough, and stepped forward, fists on her hips. "[We should leave this place! It's dangerous.]"
  460. 460.
    "[No it's not!]"
  461. 461.
    > "[Did you see how the ponies were looking at us? They were afraid. People who are afraid will go get weapons. Then one idiot will shoot a bow, or throw a rock...]"
  462. 462.
    > His intuition was good, Thistle knew, but not for ponies. If they'd entered a village back in the nomad's world, and gotten a reaction like this, she would be very afraid, too.
  463. 463.
    "[No one will attack. Most ponies don't even *have* weapons!]"
  464. 464.
    > "[I don't trust them. I never though there would be so many,]" Buygra continued. He walked over to the window, stared at the glass itself in amazement for a few seconds, then peered out. A sizeable group of curious citizens had gathered in front of the Town Hall, and the sussuration of their conversation was audible even inside.
  465. 465.
    > A moment later Salki joined him. The other two stared at the opposite wall of the room instead. Thistle followed their gaze and saw the paintings hanging there. She hadn't paid attention to them in *years*!
  466. 466.
    > Most depicted Equestrian landscape and iconic scenery, from Canterlot, to Las Pegasus, to Cloudsdale. A few showed prominent ponies, both modern and ancient. The nomads carefully approached the former, and Willow reached out a finger to touch the canvas.
  467. 467.
    "[Don't!]" she nearly yelped as she hurried closer. "[You'll make it dirty!]"
  468. 468.
    > She strategically placed herself between them and the art.
  469. 469.
    > "[What is this?]" Willow asked. "[It looks like it is places, but it is here. How can it look like a different place?]" He leaned closer, trying to look behind the painting, and murmured to himself: "[It is not a hole...]"
  470. 470.
    "[It's complicated. It is many different colors, um, touched on fabric. Please, let's just sit down. We need to talk!]"
  471. 471.
    > A faint noise caught her attention and she turned to see Buygra tapping at the glass pane with a fingernail. Beside him, Salki had picked up a vase with a flower inside it, and was turning it over in his hands. Before Thistle could say anything, the nomad tipped it and splashed a bit of water on the floor.
  472. 472.
    > She didn't much care about a bit of moisture or a broken vase, so Thistle instead looked at Janus, who seemed to be taking it a little better than the others. He, at least, was used to living in a village, so Ponyville was less of a shock.
  473. 473.
    > Before Willow could smudge the art, she pushed past him and bumped him back toward the table.
  474. 474.
    "[Come on. There is food. You should try this food!]"
  475. 475.
    > That got their attention and the nomads focused on the offerings. "[What is that? Is it safe to eat?]" Willow asked, with faint murmurs of agreement from some of the others.
  476. 476.
    "[It's good!]"
  477. 477.
    > To prove it, she hurried over and picked up a slice of apple with her mouth. She bit into it, and her entire body shuddered. It was perhaps the sweetest, juiciest thing she'd eaten in *years*. A little moan escaped her, and some apple juice leaked down her muzzle before she remembered to close her mouth.
  478. 478.
    "[Fee? If 'oof!]"
  479. 479.
    > Following her example, Salki picked up a piece of pie and carefully sniffed it. "[What kind of bread is this? It is red inside!]"
  480. 480.
    > Just seeing it made Thistle's knees weak and she swallowed the half-chewed apple in a hurry.
  481. 481.
    "[Try it!]"
  482. 482.
    > She didn't have time to say anything more because she was already stuffing her face with the culinary explosion that was Mrs. Cake's cherry pie. She heard, more than saw, Salki take a small nibble, exclaim, then shove the whole piece in his mouth.
  483. 483.
    > The others, seeing their expressions, were encouraged to sample some of the laid out dishes. In moments, no one was wondering if the ponies were hostile, or looking at the strangeness of the room. They were busy eating.
  484. 484.
    > Their table manners were abysmal, but Thistle hadn't expected any and besides, her own conduct left much to be desired. She hadn't realized just how hungry she had been, and how much she'd missed *real* food.
  485. 485.
    > Her face was smeared with filling and cream, and her tongue felt stiff and numb with the overload of pure flavor.
  486. 486.
    >...
  487. 487.
    > That was how Princess Twilight Sparkle found her when she entered the room.
  488. 488.
    > Her horrified expression gave Thistle a pause, and she reflexively pinned her ears back, but it didn't stop her from pushing that last piece of the tart in her mouth and thoroughly licking her muzzle clean as far as her tongue could reach. She chewed hastily and swallowed too quickly, which got the food nearly stuck on the way down. Only an urgent gulp of water dislodged it.
  489. 489.
    > She was panting from the effort, but recalled herself enough to hurry around the table to the entrance.
  490. 490.
    "Princess! I'm glad you're here! Something horrible has happened!"
  491. 491.
    > "I don't doubt it," Twilight Sparkle said, staring suspiciously at the mare before her. "This isn't possible, Mayor. I saw you just the other day, but now-"
  492. 492.
    > Her scrutiny went down, then back up. Despite the wolf skin she was still wearing, Thistle felt utterly naked before that alicorn gaze.
  493. 493.
    > Twilight shook her head in bewilderment, then asked: "What happened to you? You look so thin, but so muscular! And - no offense, Mayor - you smell."
  494. 494.
    "I know. It's a long story. There's this whole other world. *They* live in it it."
  495. 495.
    > She pointed a hoof at the nomads, who had stopped eating and were staring at the newcomer. They were still standing at the table, having never seen chairs before.
  496. 496.
    "It's horrible, and the animals can't talk, and I nearly died! Oh, the way through is in the Everfree forest, and there's something wrong with time, and Rainy Day is still stuck on the other side, so we have to get some ponies together and go rescue her! Please, Princess, you gotta help me!"
  497. 497.
    > Thistle was faintly aware that she was babbling and that her story was borderline incoherent, but she had *years* worth of trouble to explain in mere seconds, so she let her mouth jump from point to point with no real structure. In moments, Twilight was utterly bewildered and pressed Thistle's mouth closed with a wingtip.
  498. 498.
    > "Hush. Let's start from the beginning. Come, sit down. Tell your friends to sit down. They can continue eating."
  499. 499.
    > Someone taking charge! It felt wonderful after the last couple of hours, and Thistle gratefully collapsed into a chair. Per the Princess' instructions, she waved a hoof at the nomads.
  500. 500.
    "[Please, sit. Like I am. You can continue eating and drinking. I will explain to- uh...]"
  501. 501.
    > She grasped for a suitable translation, then gave up and simply used the Equestrian word.
  502. 502.
    "[I will explain to Princess Twilight what has happened! She will help us.]"
  503. 503.
    > Salki looked skeptical, but even as he approached the pair, the Princess asked: "What is that language? How do you know it? Did I hear my name there in the middle?"
  504. 504.
    > At the same time, the nomads' leader started talking, too: "[Is this one important? We have to speak with your chieftain! We will discuss where our people will live. We must establish a treaty!]"
  505. 505.
    > Even over him, Willow was pointing at the alicorn and speaking to Buygra, loudly enough for Thistle to hear: "[Keep an eye on that one - with the horn. He looks dangerous. You remember what an angry elk can do, and that looks sharper.]"
  506. 506.
    "[Hush! Please!]" Thistle raised her voice in desperation. "[Salki, we will discuss the treaty once I've explained to the Princess what has happened and who you are! Please, trust me!]"
  507. 507.
    > The man didn't look satisfied with the answer, but there was a language barrier. He suddenly got an idea and motioned the others over. "[Buygra, come here. You too, Janus. You can both speak the pony language. We will listen to what Thistle is saying. We need to make sure she is not setting a trap for us.]"
  508. 508.
    > Before Thistle could react, indignantly, Buygra came to her defense: "[That is Thistle! She is with us. We should trust her!]"
  509. 509.
    > She found herself nodding, but was interrupted by Twilight laying a hoof on her back. "What are they saying? What's going on, Mayor? Is this- is that a *wolf* head?!"
  510. 510.
    > The explanation and the negotiation would be a long and arduous process, that much was obvious. Thistle shut the murmured conversation between the nomads out of her mind, turned to the Princess, took a deep breath, and began.
  511. 511.
    "I think it was yesterday morning by your time. I was out jogging, and these- creatures grabbed me. It turns out they come from a different world than ours."
  512. 512.
    > Those few word were sufficient to take Twilight's mind off the new language and she stared at Thistle with wide, incredulous eyes.
  513. 513.
    "Well, from my perspective, that was over two years ago, Princess. Time moves differently in their world where they took me."
  514. 514.
    >...
  515. 515.
    > "So, let's see if I got this," Twilight said, not for the first time. To Thistle's either side, the nomads were getting increasingly bored, even Salki and Janus who could almost follow the conversation. "You were taken by these-"
  516. 516.
    "Willow, yes. Him," Thistle pointed a hoof.
  517. 517.
    > Twilight rolled her eyes and repeated: "You were taken during your morning jog, and dragged into a different world, together with Rainy Day. You lived there for over two years and managed to become these people's leader-"
  518. 518.
    "Actually, Salki is the Chieftain. Well, and his mother still has a lot of say. She's gone back to fetch the others."
  519. 519.
    > "Anyway!" the Princess snapped, "you're important enough to their group so they listen to you. You had to survive in deplorable conditions, you've had a war, and now you've brought them all to Equestria, and now you need place for them and keep them fed?"
  520. 520.
    "Basically, yes. We need to find a place for the nomads to make their camp, and we need to sort out some food. Oh! We also need to send a rescue party for Rainy Day!"
  521. 521.
    > Twilight glanced over the group standing around Thistle. "Right. They can't feed themselves because - they primarily eat meat. Mayor, I know it's been a long time for you, but ponies *don't* - as a rule - eat meat. We don't have anything to feed them *with*!"
  522. 522.
    "Vegetables and fruit will do! I thought- maybe. Um-"
  523. 523.
    > Her ears went flat as she considered the idea with fresh eyes. It was remarkable how quickly she was coming back tot he pony way of thinking, now she was home.
  524. 524.
    > "Yes?"
  525. 525.
    "I thought they could hunt in the Everfree forest."
  526. 526.
    > The idea made the Princess physically rear back, eyes wide and wings shooting up in sheer surprise. "Absolutely not!" she said. "For one, it's incredibly dangerous. For another, we don't do that sort of thing in Equestria!"
  527. 527.
    "What else can we do? They can live on their stores for a while and they will eat vegetables and fruit."
  528. 528.
    > Her eyes went to the desolation on the table, where the trays and dishes had been licked clean. A small hint of red entered her muzzle when she remembered that her nomad friends didn't do all of the licking.
  529. 529.
    "Fruit and pastries will work for a while, as will bread, but they *need* meat. They are omnivores. There are other creatures in Equestria who eat meat! Beasts in the forest, for one!"
  530. 530.
    > "Yees," Twilight admitted, "but those can't think."
  531. 531.
    "What about the griffins, and the dragons then?"
  532. 532.
    > "Those, Mayor, are not in Equestria."
  533. 533.
    "So we send the nomads there!"
  534. 534.
    > Twilight, who had finally settled back down, let her head lower in thought. "It may not be easy. You said these people are violent and war-like. We can't just dump them on one of our neighbors!"
  535. 535.
    > It was obvious, and Thistle had known it. A part of her had, anyway. She was hoping that by speaking it out loud, Twilight would help her find a way past the diplomatic nightmare if they tried something like that with either the dragons or the griffins.
  536. 536.
    "I know. I'm sorry."
  537. 537.
    > "In short," the Princess concluded, "you have delivered to us quite a conundrum. There was no way for you to leave them in their own world? It sounds like they were doing quite well for themselves."
  538. 538.
    "The war has weakened the Borchi-Quin. They have more enemies out there. Princess- some of the people are my friends."
  539. 539.
    > The other mare gave her a cold, piercing stare. "Mayor, they *foal-napped* you and used you as a slave!"
  540. 540.
    "I know! I know. It doesn't change that some of them are good people. We became friends."
  541. 541.
    > "I see."
  542. 542.
    > A hand touched her withers and Thistle turned her head to Buygra. "[We should go back. Darga must have returned to the camp by now with others. We have to wait for them when they come out of the forest. Where will we set up?]"
  543. 543.
    > Salki jumped in immediately: "[I am not leaving until we have decided on a truce with the pony chieftain! Where is he?!]"
  544. 544.
    "[Twilight here can speak for the ponies! She's a- a leader among us]"
  545. 545.
    > To the Princess, she said:
  546. 546.
    "Do you know when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are getting here? They would like to negotiate a truce with the ponies and they're asking for a place to put their camp, at least for a while."
  547. 547.
    > The alicorn leaned her head to one side and blew air out through her nose. "I have not yet asked the Sisters to come here."
  548. 548.
    "What?! Why not?"
  549. 549.
    > "I am not convinced we need them. Okay, here is what we'll do. The land just across the stream from the Apple farm is not being used and belongs to the town. Have your friends settle there. It will also make it easier to get them food from the farm. I'll discuss this with Applejack and will figure out how to pay her later."
  550. 550.
    > This was at least some good news, and Thistle quickly translated the gist of it for the nomads. Twilight, however, was not done, and she went on as soon as there was silence: "Furthermore, I need to see this place in the forest where the time jumps ahead. Not that I don't believe you, Mayor - you've obviously experienced a lot longer than the day you were gone. I will need someone to guide me. Once I see what's happening, we'll decide how to rescue Rainy Day."
  551. 551.
    > Thistle spun around to the others.
  552. 552.
    "[Some of us need to escort Twilight to the camp. She needs to see how the time is wrong. Janus? Buygra? You know some of the pony language.]"
  553. 553.
    > "[Agreed,]" Salki said. "[You two will take the horn-pony to the camp and back. Make sure she is safe.]"
  554. 554.
    > The admonishment to protect Twilight - one of the most powerful mages in the land - nearly made Thistle chuckle, but she kept a lid on it and merely nodded her head.
  555. 555.
    > The Chieftain continued: "[In the meantime, the rest of us will go and see this place the ponies are giving us to live. Once we know where it is, Willow will go to where we came out of the forest and wait for Darga and the others to lead them there. We will discuss what to do next once we are settled.]"
  556. 556.
    > It seemed that without his mother and her shadow, Salki could be very confident when giving orders, pretty much like a Chieftain was supposed to do. Unfortunately the woman had such a commanding presence that even Salki smoothly deferred to his mother's experience and authority when she was around.
  557. 557.
    > The Princess was staring at them expectantly, so Thistle quickly translated what they'd decided. At the mention of the blacksmith and the hunter who would accompany her, Janus said: "Guide pony to people, happy honor. Come!"
  558. 558.
    > Despite her stern demeanor and annoyance in her voice, Twilight couldn't quite keep a small quirk of her lips at the mangled Equestrian. "Very well, let's go," she said and led the pair out of the room.
  559. 559.
    > That left Thistle with the three remaining nomads.
  560. 560.
    "[I will show you where we can camp. Come.]"
  561. 561.
     
  562. 562.
    > ~~~~
  563. 563.
     
  564. 564.
    > Thistle felt like she was trapped between two worlds. On one side were the nomads, inspecting the bit of meadow she'd given them for their camp. So far it was only the two of them, but soon there would be nearly a hundred. On her other side were the townsponies, who had gathered in a nervous, murmuring group to watch the strange spectacle of these two-legged creatures.
  565. 565.
    > She was no longer wearing the wolf skin, at least. It was mostly because of the heat, but the thing had caused significant concern among her citizens. There were still remarks about her new appearance, albeit she only caught faint snippets about her mane, her toned muscles, and the hard-won scars on her back and forelegs.
  566. 566.
    > Earlier, a few of the ponies hadn't noticed she was within earshot, and went on at length at how she walked differently. She'd been painfully aware of her own gait and as a result nearly tripped over her hooves multiple times. She didn't *stalk*, did she?
  567. 567.
    > Her gaze kept going to the distant treeline of the Everfree forest, outlined against a darkening sky. If they didn't decide to spend another night in there, they should be arriving soon. True, they had to move all their equipment and people, but it hadn't taken her party more than an hour. Estimating about the same for Darga to get back, some time for packing, and the logistics involved in moving everyone landed her on the sunset.
  568. 568.
    > If no one showed up by the time the sun touched the western horizon, she'd assume they were staying the night and she'd house the two nomads in her house until the morning.
  569. 569.
    > Eventually a small delegation of prominent members of the pony society gathered out of the impromptu town meeting and approached. Thistle didn't know how they had been selected. If anything, she had been expecting some of the Elements of Harmony to be tasked with this, but to her surprise it was Mr. Rich, Cheerilee, and Dr. Fauna.
  570. 570.
    > She couldn't help staring. She wasn't fully sure those three had ever so much as been in the same room, let alone on any kind of a committee together.
  571. 571.
    > They kept glancing nervously at the nomads, but the pressure of their fellow ponies must have driven them onward regardless of any fear.
  572. 572.
    > "Ahem," Rich began once they were at a polite speaking distance. "Mayor. We - that is - the townsponies would like to know what is happening here. Who are these, um, people, and why are they here?"
  573. 573.
    > Fauna jumped in just as the question finished and added: "We also want to know if they are dangerous. They're wearing skin of dead animals. They carry spears. Mayor- are they dangerous? Why are you with them?"
  574. 574.
    > "And why do you look like that?!" Cheerilee nearly wailed, her pupils shrunken to pinpricks now that she was this close and had had a good look at their mayor.
  575. 575.
    "It's a long story. To answer the first question, they will be camping here for a while until we figure out what to do. They're- uh, let's go with 'refugees'."
  576. 576.
    > "Maybe so, but what about the dead animals?" Fauna insisted.
  577. 577.
    "Please, it's not what you think!"
  578. 578.
    > That sentence had come out of her mouth automatically, but then a series of half-repressed memories surfaced in a jumble. The circle hunt. Gutting, cleaning, and cooking small animals. The fighting with the Ruslans. Tashi and her treatment at the hands of the enemy.
  579. 579.
    > She couldn't maintain eye contact with her peers, and she hanged her head.
  580. 580.
    "Look, life over there is harsh. They don't have towns, and farms, and magic, like we do."
  581. 581.
    > Again she hesitated, biting her lip. *Some* people on the other world had basic towns and they knew about farming. She shook her head and put them out of her mind for now. She had to focus on the nomads, who had a very particular lifestyle.
  582. 582.
    "They do things out of necessity. They're refugees and they will learn a better way under our care. Isn't that what Princess Twilight teaches? Friendship, forgiveness, and the betterment of self and others?"
  583. 583.
    > The three delegates glanced at one another, and Cheerilee pushed some dirt around with her hoof. They all had their ears flat and didn't say anything until the teacher finally sighed and spoke: "We're worried about the town, Mayor. If these people are violent and there are more of them, how can we make sure they won't go after ponies?"
  584. 584.
    "They can think and talk, you know?" Thistle pointed out. "We'll discuss a truce and they will abide by it. They're a very honorable people."
  585. 585.
    > She didn't say 'for the most part', even though the words wanted to force themselves onto her tongue.
  586. 586.
    > "Just how many of these people are there?" Rich demanded.
  587. 587.
    > Thistle decided to change tracks and forced a smile for the stallion.
  588. 588.
    "Enough so they will want necessities. Food, cloth, tools. Things your store sells, Mr. Rich."
  589. 589.
    > He gave the two nomads a speculative look which soon turned derisive when he beheld their obviously self-made clothes and their dirty faces and hair. He was lucky they didn't see his expression. "And how will they pay for these things?"
  590. 590.
    "With gold and jewelry. If that's not enough, Princess Twilight has authorized me to cover any expenses out of the town's treasury."
  591. 591.
    > That worked for him, but the other two mares looked aghast. "You're not proposing to use tax money to help these people, are you?!" Fauna demanded. "I've been putting in requests to hire an assistant for my practice, and there's never any money in the budget!"
  592. 592.
    > Thistle didn't know how to respond to that. She was painfully aware of the limitations each year when it came to doing the budget. Despite being one of the largest producers of apples, cider, and - in particular - Zap Apple jam, most townsponies didn't make enough bits through the year to pay any significant taxes.
  593. 593.
    > What little came in had to be spent on the town itself, especially with the recent trend of constant misadventures by the Elements of Harmony which left large parts of the town damaged. More than once the crown had had to step in and help out during particularly lean years.
  594. 594.
    "Don't worry. The Princess will contribute, too, I'm sure. We must show hospitality. Maybe we can get the nomads to work. They are very skilled with their- uh, their claws."
  595. 595.
    > She'd have to make up - or look up - the Equestrian word for those appendages on their arms, but 'claws' was good enough for the moment.
  596. 596.
    > Cheerilee stared openly at the nomads' hands, frowning a little at the way they casually held their spears with such familiarity. "I'm not sure. Mayor, I'm worried about the children. These people look mean, and they all have weapons. I saw them when you were taking them to the Town Hall."
  597. 597.
    "It will be fine, I promise. In fact, maybe they will want to send some of their own children to the school. It would be good for them to learn."
  598. 598.
    > She recalled her own failed experiments to bring literacy to the nomads. Maybe seeing what a culture could become through writing and the sciences would inspire them?
  599. 599.
    > Before the ponies could argue some more, there was a whoosh of feathery wings above them. Thistle twirled around to see, but by then the purple blur thudded down in front of her and resolved into Twilight, breathing heavily.
  600. 600.
    "Princess?! Where are Buygra and Janus?"
  601. 601.
    > The alicorn shook her head dismissively. "They're with the others. I flew ahead, they'll be here soon. I need to examine you, Mayor. Stand still."
  602. 602.
    > She didn't wait for consent and her pink-tinted magic enveloped the mare. It tingled all over her skin and she opened her mouth to ask what Twilight was doing.
  603. 603.
    > "Shush! It will just be a moment!"
  604. 604.
    > True to her word, a few seconds later the magic winked out, leaving Thistle a little dazed when the sensation ended. She saw Salki and Darga staring, spears clutched tightly in their hands. She hurriedly shook her head at them to tell them to stand down.
  605. 605.
    "What was that, Princess?"
  606. 606.
    > "It's true," Twilight said, and it might or might not have been an answer. "Time really does move differently in their world. You're proof. There's something in the forest- something strange. Time is all twisted up around that hole!"
  607. 607.
    > There was a manic gleam in her eyes and she was smiling faintly, no doubt obsessing over the discovery. That was proven when she raised her voice: "Spike! Take a letter!"
  608. 608.
    > Only when there was no reply, and the ponies in front of her looked at one another in confusion and embarrassment did Twilight realize. "Oh right! You, Miss Cheerilee! Run to my castle and tell Spike to come here. Tell him to bring plenty of parchment! Go!"
  609. 609.
    > Confused, but unwilling to disobey, the schoolteacher turned and began to trot away when Twilight's magical aura grabbed and stopped her. "Oh, and tell him to bring ink! Hurry!"
  610. 610.
    > This time Cheerilee made a few steps before she was halted yet again. "And a quill! Better make it two, just in case!"
  611. 611.
    > The poor mare snorted and rolled her eyes, but didn't speak. She bolted toward the castle as soon as she was free again.
  612. 612.
    > "Good," Twilight said, "where were we? Oh, the time! We travelled about an hour to reach the camp. We spent several hours there and I went into the other world. I charted the stars I could see! Maybe Princess Luna will be able to tell where it is from that!"
  613. 613.
    "Princess! That was dangerous! You could have gotten stuck there like me!"
  614. 614.
    > The admonishment made Twilight pause, but then she shook her head and shrugged her wings. "No, I think I would have sensed when the portal was about to change. Besides, it stays open for exactly four hours. I wonder why that is? Hmm, maybe the magic builds up and overflows after four hours, which makes the portal snap to a different point in time?"
  615. 615.
    "Time," Thistle repeated glumly. The last, faint, flickering hope died. "So I was right? It skips from spring to fall and then spring again? Always the equinox."
  616. 616.
    > Twilight shook her head firmly. "Yes! This whole thing is about time! Each change jumps it forward six months."
  617. 617.
    > The implications sank into Thistle's mind like a stone into a lake and her hind legs folded up under her.
  618. 618.
    "Rainy Day!" she whispered.
  619. 619.
    > "What?" Twilight asked, alarmed by the tone of horror in her voice.
  620. 620.
    "Rainy Day is still there! We have to rescue her! How much time has passed for her?"
  621. 621.
    > Reminding her about one of her subjects snapped Twilight out of her academic daze. Her own face became a pained mask of sorrow. "I- I'm not sure. How many times did the portal change when you were camped there?"
  622. 622.
    "Twice!"
  623. 623.
    > "Okay, that brings us to this morning. It's almost sunset, so about twelve hours. Three portal changes. It has been two years for Rainy Day."
  624. 624.
    > They stared at one another in horrified silence until Thistle closed her eyes shut. Already Rainy Day had been in the nomads' world nearly twice as long as Thistle.
  625. 625.
    "Oh no..."
  626. 626.
    > "M-Mayor. Even if we rush right back, *right now*, it will be another couple of months for Rainy Day before we can get there." The Princess had her ears completely down as she squeezed her eyes shut. "For all we know - with how violent these people are - we may already be too late. I- I don't know what to do."
  627. 627.
    "No, she's not dead! We have to save her! We must go, right now! I promised!"
  628. 628.
    > Thistle jumped to her hooves and bolted for the treeline. Rather, she tried. Before she made it more than a few steps, Twilight's magic caught her.
  629. 629.
    > "We can't!" she said, her voice a near wail. "We need to prepare! We need food, water. We need more ponies!"
  630. 630.
    "It's night! That won't be until tomorrow at the earliest! Another two years for Rainy day?"
  631. 631.
    > Twilight's ears were completely flat and she kept her gaze on the ground between her forehooves. "Three, actually."
  632. 632.
    "We have to do *something*! You know magic, make the hole go *back*! Turn it back to when I left!"
  633. 633.
    > The alicorn, a symbol of power and authority, started to shake her head, but then her eyes unfocused and she stared at a fixed, distant point in deep speculation. "Maybe. We can try. Time is tricky, though. It may not work."
  634. 634.
    "If it doesn't work we have to get Princess Celestia! You have to send her a letter! She'll know what to do!"
  635. 635.
    > It was a desperate plea rather than a statement of certainty, but Thistle had to grasp something. Seeing that, Twilight gave a small nod. She was only humoring the distraught mare, and they both knew it, but each of them needed to believe the comforting lie, at least for now.
  636. 636.
    > "Mayor, they're here!" Filthy Rich announced. He and the other two delegates had been standing there, listening to the exchange in bewilderment. They knew something was deeply wrong, but hadn't dared to intervene, until now. He was pointing a hoof. "The other barbarians are here."
  637. 637.
    > Thistle gave him a desperate, tear-filled stare.
  638. 638.
    "Tell them to set up camp in this field. Please? I- I need a minute."
  639. 639.
    > A purple, feathery wing wrapped around her back and she pressed her face to Twilight's warm barrel. Two years already, and more even as they were talking! Poor Rainy Day! She would have felt abandoned. Betrayed. Lonely.
  640. 640.
    "The Princess will know what to do!" she whispered fiercely, but it didn't stop the tears from flowing.
  641. 641.
     
  642. 642.
    > ~~~~
  643. 643.
     
  644. 644.
    > Things went bad after the main group of the nomads came out of the Everfree forest, especially when the townsponies saw the donkey herd.
  645. 645.
    > There was an outcry and only the nomad hunters' spears and torches kept the mob at bay. Almost none of them knew the language, but the glares, the snorts, and the angry shouts were plain enough. The thing very nearly devolved into a melee before Thistle and the Princess arrived.
  646. 646.
    > She should have realized! She'd been living among the nomads and took the animals for granted, but she should have remembered that her neighbors wouldn't see them the same way!
  647. 647.
    > The only thing she could do to prevent a disaster and - possibly - bloodshed, was to put herself between the two groups.
  648. 648.
    "Listen to me!" she shouted at the ponies. "It's not what you think! These are from another world. They can't think and talk like us. They are dumb! Less than our animals!"
  649. 649.
    > The jeering got louder, a roar of sound, interspersed with curses and threats.
  650. 650.
    > Out of sheer desperation, Twilight took wing and rose up so everyone could see her. "It's true!" she called out, her voice booming, enhanced with magic. "I've spent time with these people. I've examined their donkeys. They aren't like us!"
  651. 651.
    > "Why should we believe you?!" a particularly loud and grating voice called. The crowds fell mostly silent, reduced to dark muttering as they parted to open around Cranky and Matilda. He was trembling with anger, and she looked around in fright even as she stuck resolutely by her husband.
  652. 652.
    > He began to walk forward through the throng. "What if they simply never had the chance? Look at them! Tied around their necks and dragged around! They live in filth. We demand you release them immediately!"
  653. 653.
    > Thistle saw that Salki had rejoined their people, and there were quiet murmurs going around as the nomads translated the words. Already several of them had bows in hands.
  654. 654.
    > It was going to turn into a bloodbath!
  655. 655.
    "Princess!" she called to Twilight, who was still hovering above. "Go to the ponies. Explain! I'll make sure the nomads don't do anything rash!"
  656. 656.
    > She barely waited for the alicorn to nod before dashing over to the group of the camp's leaders.
  657. 657.
    "[You have to listen to me,]" she said urgently. "[They are angry because donkeys can talk in my world. They are members of- of our *tribes*! They saw your donkeys and they think you are enslaving them!]"
  658. 658.
    > Both Darga and Intor gave her a strange look. "[So?]"
  659. 659.
    "[They won't stand for it. It could turn ugly! We don't want a fight.]"
  660. 660.
    > "[Let them try and take our herd! We'll see how tough your ponies really are,]" Willow said. "[They don't have bows. We can fight them.]"
  661. 661.
    "[You can't! You shouldn't! If we fight, we both lose.]"
  662. 662.
    > She gave Salki a pleading look and opened her mouth to ask him, but Darga spoke first: "[We will not hand over what we own. We will go back into the forest first!]"
  663. 663.
    "[No- They won't let you leave! Not now they've seen.]"
  664. 664.
    > Her mind raced as she sought for a solution. Maybe Twilight would have better luck convincing the townsponies that these donkeys were different. She doubted it, though. Some of her citizens looked ready to go to war right there and then.
  665. 665.
    > They would need to find out for themselves! Same way she had!
  666. 666.
    "[I know! I know!]" she blurted out.
  667. 667.
    > Salki was whispering something with Willow, but they fell silent and stared at her.
  668. 668.
    "[We will buy them! We will let the ponies come and see the donkeys. Let them take the animals if they want. I will make sure you are paid fairly for all of them!]"
  669. 669.
    > "[We can't sell all our donkeys!]" Intor said. "[We need them for milk, and for meat!]"
  670. 670.
    "[There's no choice! I will make sure you get metal weapons and tools. We'll teach Janus and the others how to work with metal. Better metal - much harder than bronze! There's also gold! We have gold!]"
  671. 671.
    > She was inventing wildly, playing up on all the goods she knew the nomads would value above everything.
  672. 672.
    "[Spices, and honey, and salt! Beer! Better things! We'll trade things you have never seen before. Just let the ponies examine the donkeys. Once they understand they're just animals, they will relent.]"
  673. 673.
    > At her promises the nomads got that hungry look in their eyes, and Salki even began to smile. "[Your people have such riches?]" he asked.
  674. 674.
    "[You have seen our buildings! You ate our food!]"
  675. 675.
    > He shared a look with Darga and they gave a half-nod to each other. "[We can buy more donkeys with gold, and we can take them with metal weapons,]" she said, thoughtfully.
  676. 676.
    > "[No, we can't trade away the whole herd!]" Intor insisted.
  677. 677.
    "[Tie the herd up outside the camp. I have an idea. Wait here!]"
  678. 678.
    > Thistle galloped to where Twilight was talking urgently to Cranky, surrounded by angry ponies. They kept casting frightful looks at the scary-looking, spear-wielding nomads, but they were determined not to retreat.
  679. 679.
    > The Princess fell silent as Thistle ran up to them.
  680. 680.
    "I got them to agree. We will have to pay them, but here's what we will do: They will let the ponies come and see the donkeys. If any one of them speaks, you can take them away and the Princess will pay the nomads."
  681. 681.
    > Twilight gave her a dumbfounded look, especially at her own money being promised so easily, and Thistle hurried to explain:
  682. 682.
    "They want simple things! Bits of metal. Gold jewelry, a few bits. Some food from the Sugarcube Corner. Salt and honey! It won't cost a whole lot, and I'll find a way to make it up to you, Princess!"
  683. 683.
    > The alicorn was shaking her head. "It's not *that*," she countered. "You said of any of the donkeys speak? They're not going to speak! They don't have minds like ours. That's what I was trying to explain!"
  684. 684.
    > At her words Cranky stomped on the ground with his hoof and snorted. "I am not buying it! Princess, I don't know why you're protecting these- these *slavers*, but I won't have it! We have to free those poor donkeys!"
  685. 685.
    "That's what I'm telling you! If any of them tell you they want to be free, you can take them! We'll work it out with the nomads. They've agreed to it. They'll let you, and any ponies who want it, to see the a- the donkeys."
  686. 686.
    > His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. "You were about to say 'animals', weren't you?!"
  687. 687.
    "No," she lied.
  688. 688.
    > He didn't push the topic. "We'll go right away!"
  689. 689.
    "No. It's late and tempers are hot. Give the people time to settle their camp. They'll keep the donkeys outside. We'll go and examine them in the morning! We all need to calm down!"
  690. 690.
    > "Mayor is right," Twilight added. "I know it's a shock, Mr. Doodle. It was to me, too! I examined the donkeys, and those horses they have. There's no intelligence."
  691. 691.
    > Cranky wasn't quite ready to back down. "Examine?" he demanded. "How could you have examined them? What the others tell me - you were gone barely an afternoon!"
  692. 692.
    > "I examined them," the Princess repeated with a slight scrunch in her muzzle at being called a liar. "I've had plenty of time. Don't worry, the donkeys aren't being mistreated. They'll be okay until tomorrow morning. I'll go with you."
  693. 693.
    > He stared between the alicorn and their mayor. "Any of them that say they want to be free?" he asked.
  694. 694.
    "Yes! You can take them immediately tomorrow! We'll discuss with the nomad leaders about the rest. They will trade for them, but they say they want to keep some."
  695. 695.
    > There was a hiss as several ponies drew a breath to speak up, but Thistle hurried on:
  696. 696.
    "I'm still negotiating! Once they see what we have to offer, they might agree to trade all of them! Besides, like the Princess said, these are not like us! They're less intelligent than the beasts in Everfree! I know! I spent years with them!"
  697. 697.
    > She carefully didn't add that the people used them for meat. She'd have to make sure the nomads wouldn't butcher any of their stock while they were around Ponyville.
  698. 698.
    > Long term-
  699. 699.
    > That was a problem for another day. It had already been a bewildering flurry of strangeness and crisis after crisis. She wasn't sure she could deal with much more, at least not until she ate, slept, and maybe had a bath so hot it would scald her.
  700. 700.
    "Please. We'll work it out. You need to trust me," she told Cranky. She swept her gaze across the other townsponies. "You all have to trust me."
  701. 701.
    > She found the three impromptu delegates.
  702. 702.
    "Here! Mr. Rich, Mrs. Cheerilee, and Dr. Fauna. They'll go together with Mr. Doodle to examine the donkeys first thing tomorrow morning. Anypony who doesn't believe them will have a chance to go and inspect them personally after! Please - just not now. They're tired and surrounded by strangeness, and it's getting dark!"
  703. 703.
    > Her authority still counted for something, and the glares gradually lessened. Cheerilee looked absolutely frightened by the prospect, and Rich was troubled, but determined, judging by the set of his jaw. Only Fauna looked mildly interested, mainly because of her cutie mark.
  704. 704.
    > "Good idea," Twilight added. She raised her voice: "Please, go back to your homes, everypony! We will figure this out. I'll make sure of it."
  705. 705.
    > At the edges, the pony crowd was already starting to disperse, but it looked like some were planning to remain and keep an eye on the strangers. Cranky walked a short distance away and sat, determined to watch over what he thought were his kind. He didn't look like he planned to sleep. His wife leaned in close and the two exchanged a few words, then she slowly left.
  706. 706.
    > Thistle sighed and turned to the camp. It wasn't perfect, and there would be more trouble when the ponies discovered how the donkeys were being treated, but at least it looked like there wouldn't be a battle right away.
  707. 707.
    "Thanks, Princess."
  708. 708.
    > Twilight had been watching the crowd dissolve, but now turned those striking violet eyes on her. She leaned her muzzle close to Thistle's ear: "You need to make sure they don't butcher any while they're here."
  709. 709.
    > The words made her do a double take.
  710. 710.
    "You know what they do?! How?"
  711. 711.
    > The alicorn rolled her eyes. "You said they eat meat. They keep donkeys. It wasn't hard to put one and one together, so I asked."
  712. 712.
    "How are you *this* okay with it?"
  713. 713.
    > That earned her a wide-eyed, bewildered look from the other mare, however brief before the Princess facade solidified again. "I'm not really," she admitted in quiet tones. "I just don't have time to freak out right now. We have to think about Rainy Day. She's living among these people. What if they decide to- to *eat* her one day?"
  714. 714.
    > The sheer relief that the crisis had been - at least momentarily - averted, and that Twilight shared her conviction about their lost friend, made Thistle sag. Her muscles suddenly felt like they were made of water. Which burned with a dull fire.
  715. 715.
    "I think I'm done for the day."
  716. 716.
    > "A little longer. Come on. Let's go discuss the terms with your human friends. We need to make sure they won't do something stupid in the night. Also, we need to start civilizing them if they are to stay in Equestria."
  717. 717.
    "Yes, Princess," Thistle groaned.
  718. 718.
    > More talking with especially stubborn people. The mere concept made Thistle fold her ears down. At least, she thought, she wouldn't be alone for it.
  719. 719.
    "Oh, and I need a locksmith. For my house. I don't have the key anymore."
  720. 720.
     
  721. 721.
    > ~~~~
  722. 722.
     
  723. 723.
    > It was pitch black outside by the time the basic truce was established. The only reason Thistle was still upright was because Twilight had summoned a few cups of coffee for the meeting. It was a display of effortless magic which had deeply shaken the stoic nomads, even if it took her familiarity to recognize it. They had hidden their emotions well enough so that the Princess didn't seem to notice.
  724. 724.
    > The gift was very welcome. Thistle had downed her cup of the life-saving, midnight-black, almost tar-like substance and it nearly seared her esophagus. She welcomed the pain, and the warmth in her belly which gradually spread to her limbs.
  725. 725.
    > The nomads tried the drink, and while none of them liked it, the two women pretended they were okay, while Salki and Willow openly grimaced. Having seen their faces, Darkhan and Janus had waved the offer away.
  726. 726.
    > It was late, and the negotiation had been hard. Intor had insisted on specific wording about respecting their territory, while Twilight was unwilling to even hint that the land they occupied could, in any sense of the word, be considered 'theirs'.
  727. 727.
    > They'd gone in circles over that point and would have started with the definitions of "land", had Thistle not put her hoof down and bluntly told the obstinate woman to agree, at least provisionally.
  728. 728.
    > She'd had to translate everything, both ways. Salki and Buygra knew enough Equestrian to assure the others that there was no funny business, but these were delicate matters and they needed a skilled diplomat who knew both languages very well.
  729. 729.
    > At last the basic agreement was reached: The nomads wouldn't venture to Ponyville or the surrounding farms without Thistle's, or Twilight's permission. They were free to go into the Everfree, however. In return, the ponies wouldn't barge into the nomad camp without one of the hunters to accompany them, and they would not try to steal any of their livestock.
  730. 730.
    > With an experienced diplomat's eye, Thistle immediately found some holes in the wording, but she didn't want to drag things out further and decided to trust both parties to adhere to the spirit of the truce. That was probably a mistake, but she could work on it the next day.
  731. 731.
    > Eventually Twilight departed, leaving the fine porcelain cups with the nomads. Thistle had called them 'gifts', but in truth she suspected the Princess was just forgetful.
  732. 732.
    > Her eyes were noticeably getting heavy, especially with the little sleep she'd gotten the previous night and all the hubbub of the busy day. All she wanted was to flop on a cot, but there was one item wrapped tightly in her fetlock which kept her attention.
  733. 733.
    > Her house key. Twilight had brought it when she came in for the negotiations.
  734. 734.
    > She had food there and a soft bed. Her sheets, and her luxurious bathrobe. Her bath with the scented soaps, and that soft brush for her tail.
  735. 735.
    > Perhaps the way her townsponies had wrinkled their noses had made her acutely aware of the grime covering her body, or maybe she was starting to remember what living in a civilization was like. The filth was ground into her fur and mane. Now that she'd started thinking about it, she could swear she felt it *inside her ears* too!
  736. 736.
    "[I will go to my home to sleep,]" she announced to the gathered senior nomads.
  737. 737.
    > Darga gave her a sharp look, but Intor actually hissed and said: "[No! You will stay with us.]"
  738. 738.
    > Both the former chieftain and her son gave slight nods as the woman continued: "[You are the only reason your Chieftain pony is talking to us like equals. You speak her words and ours! If you leave, you will escape and the ponies will attack us!]"
  739. 739.
    "[No they won't! Twilight promised. Ponies will keep their promises, and a- leader like her doubly so!]"
  740. 740.
    > "[I don't trust her. Not yet. We have not seen much, except soft words.]"
  741. 741.
    > At her comment, Darkhan cleared his throat and spoke in hushed tones: "[She made those pots appear from air. I am worried. She is a powerful shaman, Intor. Maybe it was foolish to come here.]"
  742. 742.
    > Intor's gaze went to the white cups on the ground, next to where Darga was sitting, and she licked her lips. Then her fists bunched up. "[Even more reason to keep a close eye on Thistle. She is the only thing we can bargain with.]"
  743. 743.
    "[I am not going to leave you! I brought you here and I have responsibility toward you. I also have responsibility to my ponies. I will make sure none are hurt, or wronged! I promise.]"
  744. 744.
    > Salki and Darkhan began to slowly nod, but Darga put a hand on her son's shoulder and decreed: "[I agree with Intor. We must not let Thistle get herself lost now that she is in her home land.]"
  745. 745.
    "[Please. It's been such a long day! I hurt all over. I just want to get clean. The ponies will deal with me better if I don't stink to them! We have sensitive noses, remember?]"
  746. 746.
    > "[Maybe we can trust her, Mother?]"
  747. 747.
    > They watched one another silently, then Darga pointed at Willow. "[You. You will go with her. Make sure she doesn't try to do something stupid.]"
  748. 748.
    > Even as his mother hissed in annoyance at the unfavorable announcement, Willow shifted to his other foot. Despite Intor's displeasure, he didn't shy from the command, even if it hadn't technically come from the Chieftain. "[Okay, but I do not understand her language. What if she tries to plot with some of those other ponies?]"
  749. 749.
    > "[Good point,]" Darga conceded. "[You will take Buygra. It will be safer for you both. You'll stay with Thistle at all times and make sure she comes back in the morning. Tie her up and drag her here if you have to.]"
  750. 750.
    > Intor cleared her throat at that. "[Maybe a little less obvious,]" she suggested. "[If the others see you treating Thistle that way, they may become violent. I don't like this plan, but the *Chieftain* had spoken. I trust you'll do the right thing, son.]" There was clear derision in the way she sneered when she said the word.
  751. 751.
    > "[Yes.]"
  752. 752.
    > It was decided and Thistle exhaled in relief.
  753. 753.
    "[Come then. It's this way. I will make up the- the small cot for you and Buygra, but you will both need to wash. Come on, let's get Buygra. I will explain to you both.]"
  754. 754.
    > The added trouble meant her night wasn't quite over yet, but there was a hot bath in her near future and a soft bed. In addition, she was completely unused to coffee after years without it, and even the small cup had sent her heart racing and sharpened her mind. Even with her drowsiness and the way her eyelids tended to creep down, she reckoned she had at least a couple of hours before she crashed completely. It would be a good idea to be in bed by that time.
  755. 755.
    > She headed for Buygra and Xuan's tent with Willow by her side.
  756. 756.
    > "[You looked like you were enjoying that black drink. It was awful. So bitter, like drinking hot mud.]"
  757. 757.
    "[You get used to it. It's good. It makes you more awake.]"
  758. 758.
    > That last made him thoughtful, and he murmured to himself: "[Awake? Maybe we need to trade for this secret.]"
  759. 759.
    "[We will. It's a plant. One of the ponies will show you how to care for it, and how to prepare the drink.]"
  760. 760.
    > "[Can you make it less bitter?]"
  761. 761.
    > She didn't like her coffee that way, but his sentiment was a popular one among ponies.
  762. 762.
    "[I will show you a- a spice we have. That and milk. Some ponies put milk in their black drink.]"
  763. 763.
    > Not to mention that she'd have to come up with a catchy name for it in the nomad language. She couldn't keep calling it "black drink". Maybe if she mangled 'khar', which was the word for 'black'.
  764. 764.
    "[We call it 'kaf',]" she told Willow to see how he would take it.
  765. 765.
    > "[Kaf,]" he repeated thoughtfully, accepting the new word. "[I will try it again, with this spice you say. If it can keep a tired man awake, it would be very valuable.]"
  766. 766.
     
  767. 767.
    > ~~~~
  768. 768.
     
  769. 769.
    > The door should have creaked when it opened. There should have been a dusty, moldy smell. Despite everything she had been told about how the portal's time worked, Thistle's gut instinct told her she would walk into an abandoned building. After all, it was her own apartment with its familiar green welcome mat and faded pink door. Nopony would have gone in over the past two years.
  770. 770.
    > Maybe that was why she hesitated for long heartbeats on the threshold. The inside was gloomy in the night, but she reached for the light switch by pure reflex and the perfectly normal interior was revealed. There was the sofa where she often sat to read the morning newspaper.
  771. 771.
    > Through the opposite wall was the kitchen and her dining table. The glass was still there, empty where she'd drank orange juice before going for her run. The dish, full of crumbs, was in the sink where she'd left it, only a day ago by Ponyville's clocks.
  772. 772.
    > Now that she was seeing her old place, everything was exactly as she remembered it. Before she'd entered, she probably wouldn't be able to describe a single room or piece of furniture. She'd lived in tents and out in the open for so long that those scenes had crowded out everything else.
  773. 773.
    > It was amazing how her old memories came rushing back. The sudden nostalgia for the familiar brought tears to her eyes and she had to blink a few times to see.
  774. 774.
    > See! She had her spare glasses in the cabinet by her bed! She'd be able to see clearly again!
  775. 775.
    > That thought, more than the others, spurred her on and Thistle ventured a few cautious hoofsteps inside and the two nomads followed. They both had to stoop a little to avoid banging into the door frame, but the ceiling was tall enough so they could straighten up, if barely.
  776. 776.
    > They also looked around with amazement, although for different reasons than she.
  777. 777.
    "[Well...]" she managed at last. "[Come in. We will wash first and then I will make a cot for you.]"
  778. 778.
    > She walked in the kitchen and glanced at the fridge. There wouldn't be much, but she always had ingredients for a simple tomato, lettuce, and hay salad. Perhaps there would be some cheese and some bread which she could offer her guests. It would still be fresh. She had to force herself to remember that.
  779. 779.
    > Amidst her incredulity, long-forgotten habits were starting to surface. Mechanically, almost without thinking what she was doing, she went to the cupboard and took out two glasses. She placed them on the table next to hers. There was a fresh carton in the fridge, exactly where she always kept one to have fresh, icy-cold orange juice always available.
  780. 780.
    "[Close the- close the wood flap!]"
  781. 781.
    > She would have to start inventing new words, but for now she could adapt familiar terms from the tents. Buygra understood and obeyed, while Willow joined her and picked up one of the glasses. "[What kind of stone is this? It looks like ice, but it is not cold. Is it magic?]"
  782. 782.
    "[No, it's just this kind of a material. A little like a jewel, but it has no color, and it has been shaped. It will hold water, look.]"
  783. 783.
    > She poured into the other two glasses and he quickly lowered his to get a share. His tongue was already poking out, remembering some of the interesting drinks he had sampled at the town hall. The glass would be the only new thing for him. Her assistant, having taken one look at her 'guests', had decided to give them the set of wooden mugs and clay ewers, which had been a wise bit of initiative to save their fine crystal glassware from the obviously uncivilized barbarians.
  784. 784.
    > Both nomads downed their glasses and asked for more, so the juice carton was soon empty and she put it on the counter to deal with later. For now, she needed her own drink to ease her sore, aching throat. She was not used to talking for hours on end, not anymore.
  785. 785.
    > Could it really have been no more than a day or so since she'd exited that door? Her gaze was drawn to the entrance and she tried to imagine it with the morning sun streaming in the living room window, rather than late at night.
  786. 786.
    > A huge yawn cracked open her jaw and she arched her back in a luxurious stretch.
  787. 787.
    > She was home. At times she hadn't believed she would ever return.
  788. 788.
    > Bath first!
  789. 789.
    "[I will go and wash myself. You can sit on these- the wooden things. Wait for me. I will make the water for you as well, and then for Buygra.]"
  790. 790.
    > "[No,]" Willow said. "[Mother said we are not to leave your side. We will both go with you.]"
  791. 791.
    > It was weird, and having people *in her own bathroom* would make it doubly so, but it wasn't like Thistle hadn't bathed in the stream with nomads around before. She also knew, from experience, that these people weren't particularly squeamish about their modesty. Neither Willow nor Buygra would think much of bathing together, although they probably wouldn't scrub each other's backs, like the women usually did.
  792. 792.
    > They'd do it for her, though. She could certainly put their hands to good use! She hardly hesitated before discarding her wolf skin cloak and tossing it into the corner.
  793. 793.
    "[Okay, come on then.]"
  794. 794.
    > The mirror was the biggest shock. Both men jumped when they glimpsed their reflection, then went through the stages of incredulity, as Thistle had begun to call them. First there was fear of the unknown, followed by wary curiosity. Then came interested exploration as they examined their own faces and tried to see their backs. She put a stop to it when Buygra started to remove his furs to see himself naked.
  795. 795.
    > After a busy few minutes, while she pillaged her drawers for shampoo, soap, and a series of brushes, came the pretend disinterest. Both men endeavored to display how the mirror was nothing out of the ordinary.
  796. 796.
    > Their interests diverged after that. Buygra came over to inspect her tools of ablation, while Willow tried to reach the ceiling lamp to see how it worked. She'd told him off when he started looking for something to stand upon.
  797. 797.
    > She wisely waited until she had both their attention before opening the tap. It was another novelty, prompting the same cycle of shock, curiosity, experimentation, and disinterest. By the time the water had turned hot, the floor tiles were wet and slippery.
  798. 798.
    > Also, she was getting tired of explaining all these novelties as "magic". True, for a lot of them that *was* the actual explanation, and even she herself didn't know more than that, but plumbing was ultimately graspable, even to nomads. It was just that she was exhausted from talking.
  799. 799.
    > In the end she'd made a deal with the pair: If they stopped asking and accepted that things just were as they were, she would do her very best to explain them in the morning.
  800. 800.
    > Gradually, the two nomads became accustomed to the novelty and the atmosphere turned from wary curiosity to an almost jovial one. They'd all laughed when Willow, having smelled her soap, bit into it. It was pear-scented so he thought it would taste like one of Mrs. Cake's tarts back at the town hall.
  801. 801.
    > She and Buygra had a good laugh at the faces he made, and then the other man, idiot that he was, repeated the experiment. At least he only licked it, and didn't actually bite into the thing! Thistle didn't mind - it did them all good to lighten the mood.
  802. 802.
    > Eventually the tub was half-full, and she decided that was enough. They'd have to change the water several times anyway, she thought, for each of them.
  803. 803.
    "[I will go in now. You can help me wash where I can't reach with the soap.]"
  804. 804.
    > That first step was the most intense, and he breath caught as she lowered her foreleg into the water. She'd made it extra hot, and the touch of that water made her knees go soft.
  805. 805.
    > She didn't remember when she'd clambered over the edge, but the next thing she knew she was lowering her entire body into the tub. It was like a hug, the heat pulsing against her muscles and drawing *years* worth of tension from them.
  806. 806.
    > There was splashing and sloshing beside her, and the water level rose. She managed to open one eye and saw that Buygra had joined her. He was naked, but at that point she didn't much care.
  807. 807.
    > "[This magical water feels nice,]" he commented. "[So warm. Very good.]"
  808. 808.
    > It was already turning brown, even without any scrubbing. She would begin in a moment, just as soon as she'd let herself enjoy the heat for a few more moments.
  809. 809.
    > "[Move,]" Willow said, pushing on her nose.
  810. 810.
    > She pinned her ears down in annoyance, but by the time she looked he was already slipping into the water right in front of her. There wasn't really enough room, and both nomads had to sit upright, with the mare wedged between them.
  811. 811.
    "[No, we can't all three of us fit! You'll spill-]"
  812. 812.
    > It was too late and water was already sloshing over the edge. The tiny outlet just below the tap couldn't quite cope with the quick rise in volume.
  813. 813.
    > She heaved a sigh, but cleaning up the room was a secondary concern, something to think about in the morning. With some trouble she managed to get into a half-sitting, half-leaning position between the two. Leaning on Buygra, to be exact. Somehow Willow found room to bring his arms to her and began massaging her sides.
  814. 814.
    > The complaints died on her lips. It was nice to be sandwiched like that, almost fully submerged in hot water, and with someone else dealing with the business of cleaning her fur.
  815. 815.
    "[Mmm. Good. Keep going. Take that white- uh- soft stone. The one you bit. Rub it on me.]"
  816. 816.
    > Willow looked skeptical, but eventually he did as instructed. The whole room began to smell of pear and the white suds were quickly covering up the dirty water. Of course he had to stop, first when he ran it through his hands to see how the foam was being made, and then again when it slipped out of his grasp.
  817. 817.
    > She closed her eyes again and barely noticed when one nomad passed the soap to another and the ministration began on her back. It was all she could do to keep her head upright.
  818. 818.
    "[We will change the water soon. Mm, let me clean my face.]"
  819. 819.
    > Somehow she lifted her hoof above the water's surface to take the soap, but Buygra instead said: "[Turn around. Face me.]"
  820. 820.
    > It wasn't easy, but she shuffled around until her back was pressing into Willow's knees.
  821. 821.
    > "[Close your eyes,]" Buygra said. "[This white thing stings if it gets in them.]"
  822. 822.
    > She noticed that his were red, and realized he spoke from hard-won experience. Following his advice, she squeezed her eyelids tightly shut.
  823. 823.
    > There were some wet noises as he fiddled with the soap, then he put his fingers on her muzzle. His nimble, supple fingers, still hot from the water and covered with soap. They smelled, and felt, incredible. A half-sigh, half-moan escaped her and her head lolled forward until Buygra pushed firmly on her nose. "[Stay up!]" he ordered.
  824. 824.
    > With only a minor scrunch of annoyance, Thistle put in the effort required to hold her head up. The reward was worth it! Buygra worked the soap into the sensitive fur and massaged her in ways she'd never felt before. She worried idly if her face would melt so much that it would come away in his hands.
  825. 825.
    > The treatment went on for an eternity, then stopped mere seconds after it had begun. A plaintive, wailing grunt escaped her.
  826. 826.
    > "[Don't look yet!]" Buygra said, anticipating what she was about to do.
  827. 827.
    > He cupped water and poured it on her face, washing off most of the suds. Now that she understood, she waited patiently, careful not to breathe at the wrong moment.
  828. 828.
    > "[The water is dirty,]" Willow commented. "[How do we change it.]"
  829. 829.
    "[Thing. At the bottom. There's a- a- like rope, but made from metal bits. Pull it.]"
  830. 830.
    > There was some shuffling as he sought, then a pause. "[I am sitting on it. Wait.]"
  831. 831.
    > The water level went down as he stood and Thistle nearly fell backward as her support vanished. She scrabbled for the edge of the tub and Buygra caught her with a hand around her fetlock.
  832. 832.
    > Then she heard the telltale sound of the plug being pulled from the drain and the familiar gurgle of the pipes as the tub began to empty.
  833. 833.
    "[I'll tell you tomorrow where it goes!]" she replied, anticipating the question.
  834. 834.
    > Hearing Willow's mouth snap shut brought a pleased little smile to her lips.
  835. 835.
    > Finally she got her eyes open and looked directly into Buygra's smirk. When he saw her looking, he winked. "[Xuan says I am good with my hands, but I usually have to touch her on the other end to make her look like that.]"
  836. 836.
    "[Shut up! It's just- I haven't bathed like this in a long time. I missed it.]"
  837. 837.
    > "[I can see why,]" he replied, cupping a handful of water and letting it dribble between his fingers.
  838. 838.
    > Behind her, Willow snorted. "[It is nice, but it is not something we nomads should do often. Maybe the women.]"
  839. 839.
    "[Why not? It wouldn't hurt to be clean! You'll see! You'll feel much better when you're clean and dry!]"
  840. 840.
    > "[Maybe so,]" Willow acceded, "[but having this every day would make us soft. How would a man face winter on the plains if he got used to this warmth? Think of how much wood we would need to gather to heat the water! We would need to carry this thing,]" he rapped his knuckles against the porcelain, "[around with us. Who would do that?]"
  841. 841.
    > There were obvious answers to all of his concerns, but Thistle's brain was fuzzy from the exhaustion, the crash from the heights of coffee, and the insidious stupor brought on by a hot bath.
  842. 842.
    > "[Now what? How do we get new water?]"
  843. 843.
    "[Put the thing back. On the bottom. Make sure it fits tightly. Then lift the metal bit. Yes, that one. Turn it a little to me.]"
  844. 844.
    > She reached a hoof over to feel the water, then nudged the tap a little more to the hot side. They were all used to the water now, so she could go further. It was almost scalding where it began to pool against her croup and haunches. Just the way she'd imagined it.
  845. 845.
    > After a moment, Willow sat back down, hissing slightly at the water. "[Are you sure it is not too hot? We don't want to cook our balls!]"
  846. 846.
    "[It will be fine. You'll get used to it.]"
  847. 847.
    > Quietly, she thought to herself: 'Now who's soft?!'
  848. 848.
    "[The soft stone again. Take that handle there, too. The yellow parts can be used to brush my fur. It will make it easier to clean.]"
  849. 849.
    > More than that, it would function as a deep massage, but she didn't say that part out loud. She wasn't too selfish, though, not with everything she'd had to go through to get this small luxury.
  850. 850.
    "[You should use it on yourself, too.]"
  851. 851.
    > "[What should I do?]" Buygra asked.
  852. 852.
    > She looked at him and bit her lip. In the end, temptation won out.
  853. 853.
    "[Can you clean my face again? The same way you did? I think it is still dirty.]"
  854. 854.
    > He grinned knowingly, but didn't object, and she smiled back at him as she closed her eyes.
  855. 855.
    > Already the heat was seeping deep into her bones as the water level rose, and soon it would fully enfold her like a soft, warm blanket.
  856. 856.
    > After that, she would have the two rub her down with a towel. It'd be *more* massage. Maybe she should thank Intor for her insistence on having her watched. She'd definitely have to thank the two nomads for their efforts.
  857. 857.
    > Maybe she would take them to Sugarcube Corner in the morning and get them a few cupcakes. Maybe some chocolates for their special ladies, to make sure they got a proper thanks later, back in the tents.
  858. 858.
    > She'd need to remember where she kept her bits, but there was probably a purse in one of the kitchen drawers. If not, Mrs. Cake would open a tab.
  859. 859.
    > Problems for another age, though. For now, Thistle was having a longed-for spa day.

Something, at least (SPG)

by awf

Break (SPG)

by awf

Red Sky (SPG)

by awf

Off Duty, part 1 (SPG)

by awf

Off Duty, part 2 (SPG)

by awf