When the sun graced their land with light, Ashen's troupe started their great journey. Ashen gave her home one last glance before they left. Leaving her home was never easy, but she had roamed the earth many times. She knew the world could be treachous place. Yet, at the same time, the road held many welcome memories she kept in her heart. Except for Stephen, she did not know that much about her companions. She swung her head up to see the Pegasus flying along her side. The group was heading for the Forest of Condemnation-Darren's known nest. Still walking at a good pace, she studied the Pegasus again. For some reason, he captured all her fascination.
Shoving her fears aside she asked, "Sir Alferion, where do you come from? That is, do you mind telling me?"
He smiled down at her. "I do not, my sweet lady of Night. However, the story of my village is not full of rainbows. There is a reason my cutiemark has fire on it. For you see, I have many reasons for coming with you on this quest."
"I can understand that."
"Good, I did not wanting you thinking I had ill intentions. I hail from a small village up in the Spirit Hills called Hoofbeat Creek, a very small village. I was with my family at the time and my mother was outside. All of sudden all I could hear was her screaming. I barely heard the garbled words, "Fire" and "Changlings". I went into the front field to see my parents struggling to put out the flames. They insisted that I find shelter, for I was just a colt. My mother only cared about my survival, she did not care about her life. I ran out of the village as far as I could. I ended up taking cover in a cave some distance away. Later that night, I checked the village only to see ashes…ashes and smoke."
Fravir glanced up to Alf, who had been listening to his tale, "I'm so sorry to hear that, my friend. Did your parents survive?"
Alf sdon'ttared down at his friend, one tear staining his cheek. "I'm not sure. Like I said, all I saw was smoke and ashes. There were bodies, not to what I could see." He looked into Ashen's eyes. "So you see my lady, my story is marked with fire. I hope on this quest I can discover how harmed my home."
"I know of the town that you speak of, Alf. Hoofbeat Creak was far off the beaten path. How would only one know about that small place?" Stephen asked up to the sky, in Alf's direction.
"This sounds like our favorite changling's work." Ashen spat.
Alf's eyes went wide. "Do you think, Ashen?"
Ashen snorted, "I would not put it pass him. We all know how Darren takes pleasure in the pain of others."
Alf stares deep into Ashen's eyes and Ashen stares back. She feels that connection once again, a hum deep within her being, but again she shakes it off. No one speaks as they reach the entrance of the forest. Some in their land said that this forest is close to the Everfree in Equestria. She thought about her similar story, but instead of losing her family, Ashen had lost her one true love, Ryler. Perhaps, Aferion was Ryler once again in her life? Why was she even thinking about him like that? No one could take Ryler's place in her heart. Stirring out of her thoughts, she saw her warriors surrounding a tree.
"What's wrong?"
Stephen points to the tree in front of them. "It feels as if there was once a powerful magic inside this tree. Someone must have drained the magic, because now all I feel now is magical remains."
Ashen placed her right front hoof on the tree's trunk. Stephen was right, strong magic has once lived in this tree. Could this be more work of the changlings? But what would they want with magic? All they needed to live was love. In her deep pondering, Fravir turned around and yelled, "Who goes there?"
A few feet away, a stranger came out of the shadows. He looked like a hermit, long stringy gray beard with a long gray and white mane. He appeared to be a unicorn, with a cutiemark of a spark coming out of a tree. Did this tree belong to him?
"I'm sorry to startle you." He squinted at the four of them. "What are you doing with my tree?"
Ashen spoke up, "Did magic use to reside in this tree?"
"Use to? There should be some strands of magic within the branche
s." He placd his right front hoof on the tree as well. Unlike Ashen, he focused completely on the tree. "Well…you're right young lady. There is no magic here." He hung his head.
Fravir piped up, "What's wrong, sir?"
"Well for starters, you called me sir. My name is Jekuthial and this tree was basically my life's work. Along with many other trees in this forest. Although it is called the Forest of Condemnation, I always believed it to be beautiful. The foret should not be blamed that the changlings try to paint it as ugly and cruel. I will not let the forest fall into their hands. They steal the magic from the trees to power their nest."
"Darren's nest?" Ashen's eyes grew wide.
Jekuthial nodded. "How did you know that?"
"That is why we ventured into the forest. To find Darren and defeat him!"
The old man stroked his beard. "That is a great feat. Who are you, beautiful one? I recognize your cutiemark."
Ashen glimpsed at her cutiemark. Hers was a sword through a heart, but was unique was the star on the hilt. The same sword hung on her back. "You notice the sword of the Night family."
Jekuthial's eyes grew big. "You are Lady Ashen Night." He raises his hoof to her. "I owe you my loyalty to ou, my lady. Your family has helped protect this land. They only did that task with their blood and many lifes. So for that, I owe you my loyalty. Same with anyoneelse in this great land of ours."
She shook his hand. "What can you do for us, Jekuthial?"
He nodded to Ashen's knights. "I can show those men how to fight changlings. I can show you what might defeat Darren and his army."
A bright smile grew on Ashen's face. "That would be greatly appreciated, Jekuthial
