The increased size and traffic attracted more attention than needed. Some raiding parties finally noticed them and decided to make a full-blown assault. However, with both Trial and Leone making the most damage and then backed by the guards of magic and arrow fire was enough to finish them off and send the rest running. Leone, in this time when she wasn't hunting, had started training those whose job it was to be guards in her style of combat. Suffice to say, these guards got very accommodated with the infirmary for the first few months before starting to help defend.

About a month after building the tavern and a week after starting making spirits and beer to many a residents' delights, they all got a surprise in the form of Spitfire and her lieutenants, Glide and Fleetfoot, but to their shock, they found Vinyl temporarily running the tavern.

"Hey, you three. About time you showed up," Vinyl says merrily as Octavia kept playing.

"You can not be the owner," Spitfire says quite bluntly.

"Nope. The owner is out hunting for tonight's main course for the firepit over there," Vinyl informs pointing to the fireplace with a spit hanging over it of a large roasted pig. "I wonder what it will be? I hope it is another bear," Vinyl says giddily.

"A bear? Really?" Spitfire almost demands, wanting to have a bear as she remembers the taste of it when she first met Trial.

"I am hoping so. Oh. The sun is starting to set. Hey, everyone! Sun heading down. The dinner rush is coming so those working get to cooking. Those who aren't, make some room as Leone and her group are coming," Vinyl calls.

"You guys really grew…what started this?" Fleetfoot asks as they look around the tavern which obviously showed different areas of the build by how many additions to the main hub there is.

"Well, Trial said we should start making our own drinks seeing as we couldn't find anywhere to buy them without making a long trek and when our Pure Spring homestead made that water purifier, business boomed and many flocked to join us for a more stable life," Vinyl explains.

"Wow…it's obvious you guys got food covered," Glide says as she looks at the pig again.

"Yeah, we are raising livestock here now. Those from Manehattan brought some," Vinyl informs as Glide looks at it hungrily. "We charge a fair price here. Only three bits for a serving."

"Deal!" Glide declares, slamming the bits onto the bar table.

"Hey, Borvo. Get her some pork," Vinyl calls.

The stallion at the spit gives a wave before starting to carve out a piece as Glide rushes over while he places the pieces on a plate. "I swear, Glide," Spitfire mutters under her breath.

"Oh, would you like come complimentary barbecue sauce?" Vinyl asks making Fleetfoot and Spitfire look at her surprised and Glide go slack-jawed.

Glide grabs her plate and glides on over quickly enough and stands in front of her. "Yes please."

"Here you go," Vinyl says bringing out a bottle of the stuff.

Glide grins and grabs the sauce while Spitfire looks troubled behind her. "Glide…"

"What?" Glide asks.

"Seriously?" Spitfire had to question the time and place now.

"It's good food. We haven't had any since we left Canterlot," Glide whines.

"I got you girls a goat leg," Spitfire points out.

"Before the 'chef' got a hold of it. The guy beat it into pulp with a hammer," Glide reminds.

"Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" Spitfire asks back.

"No," Vinyl says flatly.

Spitfire blinks before slouching. "Now I feel dumb."

"So come to visit your soon to be?" Vinyl asks smirking.

"We only came to see how things are going. You are the talk of both Manehattan and the princes' settlement," Spitfire states as she stands back up.

"Well, I can guess what the talk around Manehattan is, but what about the other settlement?" Vinyl asks, motioning for her and Fleetfoot to take a seat.

"Simply, how the heck are these newcomers doing better than we are? We got the princes with us," Spitfire asks, imitating a gruff stallion's voice. "What do they have that we don't?"

"A brain and morals?" Vinyl offers.

"We like to think part of that and something else," Spitfire says pointing at her.

"So what happened after we left?" Vinyl asks.

Spitfire sighs. "Some trouble. Prince Artemis has been in talks with his brother, trying to get the slavery off the settlement and end it. They are still working on it. The guards, however, have been working on the slavery trade a bit harder than before. Trying to get what they can out of it and hide away their spoils before it all dies down. Don't tell Trial or he will turn the whole place into a bloodbath," Spitfire whispers the last bit to Vinyl.

"I have no business going back there," a familiar voice says behind her.

Spitfire shrikes before quickly calming herself and turning around to see Trial standing there in his usual attire and then leans over to see Sweetie Belle pulling on a rope that was tied around a large bear and pulling it to the kitchen.

"Bear tonight everyone," Vinyl calls before the tavern erupts into a hail of cheers.

"You're welcome," Trial says walking over and gives Vinyl a small kiss on her cheek. "And I'm looking forward to eating what comes out of the kitchen."

"Don't worry. Hoovy has got it covered," Vinyl says as Trial sits by the wonderbolts.

"Good…hey. How was your flight here?" Trials ask, turning to Spitfire and the others while Glide ate on the far side.

"It was good," Spitfire says.

"You miss me?" Trial asks.

Spitfire just gives him a sideways glance.

Trial smiles before leaning over to her.

Spitfire sighs. "Yes."

"I missed you too. Meet me at Dusk's tonight," Trial says whispering the last part into her ear.

Spitfire raises an eyebrow at that as he looks over to the other three sitting there. "Hey Trial," Fleetfoot waves.

"Hey. You doing fine? I would ask Glide, but she is eating," Trial says.

"Hey Trial," Glide mumbles with her mouth full.

"Filling up on pork?" Trial asks.

Glide moans in happiness as she slathers on more barbeque sauce.

"So how are you liking Pure Spring?" Trial asks as the sound of laughter was heard before Leone and her hand trained guards enter for dinner.

"Not bad…could use more cleaning up…and maybe some roads. Give some sense of direction," Fleetfoot says smiling.

"Hey. It's you three fun mares," Leone greets.

"Hey lioness," Fleetfoot greets for them as she waves at Leone.

"You here to see us or your captain here for her mate?" Leone whispers to Fleetfoot.

Fleetfoot smirks. "First and a bit of second."

"Alright. Where is dinner?" Rainbow calls entering.

"There's our buddy," Fleetfoot says cheerfully as they all turn to see her and Rainbow see them at the bar table. "Hey Rainbow."

"Hey," Rainbow greets before turning to Leone and Trial. "Some of the pegasi guards we have say that they think they spotted some known slavers nearby."

Trial hums while showing a set of knives in his hand to Leone. "What do you think? Which one should be used?"

"This one, but wait till they try something," Leone informs pointing at one.

"I'm going to have fun in the meantime," Trial says taking out the knife and tossing it around.

"So where is the owner?" Rainbow asks.

"She took the bear we caught into the kitchen," Trial informs.

"Wait…Sweetie Belle?" Spitfire asks as they all realize.

"Yeah, she owns this tavern," Trial says.

"Yeah. She has a good mind for business it seems. When we asked, she said blame her brother," Vinyl says giggling.

"And she is the reason why you are not just drinking on the job right now,'' Trial points out.

Vinyl sticks her tongue out at him. "How was I supposed to know her brother taught her some good spells to deal with drinkers?"

"Either way, get me a drink. After dinner, I will head to bed," Trial informs.

"Don't eat it all," Vinyl says as she pours him a shot.

"Aren't you going to join as it is now your quitting time?" Trial asks.

Vinyl points over to the kitchen door at that as she kept staring at him before it bursts open with Sweetie Belle standing there. "Vinyl, don't you dare drink our inventory again when you got off last time," she calls before shutting the door.

"Nothing says you can't drink spirits I have brought," Trial says bringing out a bottle.

"There's my boy," Vinyl cheers as she takes out a few more glasses.

Spitfire groans as she is awakened by the sounds of the morning.

"Geez," Spitfire sighs before turning her head and sees herself face to face with Trial as he sleepily gives a nuzzle to her nose before turning over and wraps his arms around a sleeping Fleetfoot who snuggles back into him. Spitfire blinks before feeling arms wrap around her and looks behind herself to see Glide nuzzling up against her back. "Pork."

'…so now he has banged all the loyal wonderbolts, huh?' Spitfire thinks torn between anger and a bit of jealousy.

Trial flips back over to her view and has Fleetfoot in his arms, sprawled over him now as a made up blanket. Spitfire then freezes up as he opens his eyes at her. "Um…morning?" Spitfire offers weakly.

"You doing alright?" Trial asks looking her naked form over.

Spitfire shrugs. "Could be better if pork mare here wasn't squeezing me," she says, throwing a thumb over her shoulder at Glide.

"Let her sleep. After all, you are also sore, are you not?" Trial asks massaging her back a bit, specifically focusing on her wing joints.

Spitfire moans in relief and leans into his touch. "Yeah…thanks."

"You were also great," Trial says popping a tense muscle.

Spitfire moans happily and arches her back at that. "Damn. Been a while since I got a good massage."

"And I know what to do from experience," Trial says as she leans into him.

Spitfire hums happily. "This is nice."

"So Spitfire, remind me, does this land have one of the ponies change their name after marriage or are they apart of a herd?" Trial asks.

"Hardly change the name. Especially, in a herd," Spitfire informs.

"So then it is a herd here?" Trial asks wrapping his wings around her.

Spitfire hums nodding. "Yeah…you should have gone with one if you want marriage."

"But, no time for the ceremony nowadays, huh?" Trial asks holding her.

Spitfire just hums as he thinks to the many close ceremonies and how they were quick and not at all extravagant back in Canterlot.

"…so how is it really going in the city with the political turmoil?" Trial asks pulling her down to be laying against his chest.

Spitfire sighs as she nuzzled his chest lightly. "Heavy. Guards are trying to get what they could out of it and prince Solaris is trying to placate many of the citizens."

"Why not ask Artemis to station you here to be away from the politics while you rebuild the wonderbolts?" Trial asks.

Spitfire shakes her head. "We might be needed over there are something happens."

"I am sure they can spare three ponies," Trial tries to reassure.

"Not us. We are elite fighters now," Spitfire points out.

"Who needs to rebuild a fighting force and can't be held up by their stupid politics?" Trial says trying to convince her.

Spitfire sighs. "Talk with Artemis if you want something like that. Maybe he'll speak to you about that stuff."

"I will," Trial says smiling as he held her.

Spitfire hums happily and nuzzles into his hold.

"Ug…what happened?" Glide asks.

"My head…feels so pounding," Fleetfoot mumbles on top of Trial and tries to hold onto him.

"Hey. Make room," Spitfire instructs.

Fleetfoot groans and slips off Trial to behind him, trying to find her bearings.

"Watch that…" Trial tried to warn before she fell off the bed.

"Ow…"

"Edge of the bed," Trial finishes.

"Oh, shut up," Fleetfoot groans while staying down.

"Spitfire, should we help?" Trial asks.

"Nah. Let her catch up the world of the living," Spitfire partly jokes.

"Screw you," Fleetfoot groans.

"Screw you…" Spitfire starts.

"Sir."

Spitfire nods before moaning happily under Trial's petting while he looks between the three of them.

"So, this is what you guys do in the morning and every morning?" Glide asks as Trial was farming with a few other ponies, including Apple Bloom.

"Yes. Have to make sure the farm will survive the day," Trial informs almost jokingly as he smiles at the group watching them all work.

"So what have you all grown so far?" Fleetfoot asks.

Trial hums as he looks around a few times. "Let's see. We got arugula, spinach, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, beets, beans, surprisingly bok choy, lettuce, squash, okra, kale, snow peas, broccoli, green onions, and turnips. We took advice from some former farmers and asked what were some fast-growing crops we could make and put together for a meal," he explains proudly.

"So that is what is currently done?" Spitfire asks.

"Yes, we are trying to grow apple trees, corn, and wheat, but they don't grow as fast," Trial says.

"The wheat is for bread and beer, isn't it?" Glide asks, liking the sound of that.

"Yeah…just wish it would grow faster," Trial sighs at.

"…captain?" Glide whispers to her.

"I know," Spitfire says, eyeing the wheat fields.

"Ask your mate to get us some beer," Glide whispers to her.

"Are you joking?" Spitfire harshly whispers to her.

"No," Glide whispers back.

"I can get you a few bottles if you want after we make it of course," Trial offers.

"…I love you," Spitfire says going over and hugs him.

Trial smiles as he hugs back. "Okay. Lovable hawk."

"Lovable hawk," Fleetfoot giggles.

Spitfire reaches out and bonks her on the head.

"Hey Trial," Leone call running up with the group the wonderbolts saw yesterday.

"Hey, lioness. How's the training going?" Trial asks, turning to her.

"They are coming along," Leone says smiling before leaning in to kiss him.

Trial smirks as he stops her. "Ah. Got to clean up before I even give a peck."

"Then we should get washed up. Lunch will come up soon. I hear Barb will be making some good saucy, juicy steak. And she drooled when she said that," Leone states smirking.

"Alright," Trial says as Spitfire pushes Leone away.

"Seriously?" Spitfire had to ask to her.

"Yes. Come on you. Let's go get cleaned up," Trial informs.

Spitfire blinks as she is pulled away while the others follow.

Sentire smiles as she carries a box full of herbs that both Barb and Zicoro need for their own cooking and herb making. Her view being taken over how much of a settlement this place is building up as. All around the central farm area and now stone replacing the wood. The stone coming from the mine as the workers try to find more minerals than just rock. Usually when the wood needs to be taken out from attacks or usual rot. Even a stone path has been placed and given street names. Almost as if she is walking through a medieval town where everyone has a weapon on them and something is always going on around them all. Now she even notices the tavern getting an upgrade and having more rooms being built. More so the flooring is made of stone if the pile of blocks nearby tells anything.

Walking into the library which has been covered with more defenses around it such as wired fences and rock walls to even mark it as where most can come and handle important matters for now. Though Dusk did request that another building is made for governmental matters one day because of the amount that comes in at times.

"Barb!" Sentire calls as she walks into the kitchen and sees her making a meal for dinner. "Got the herbs," she says picking them out and makes Barb walk over before picking out herself, looking them over for anything.

"Not bad," Barb says proudly.

"I have been learning how to pick them…Dusk still working?" Sentire asks, looking at the basement door.

Barb nods and sighs as she gathers what she asked for. "Yeah. Still trying to figure out the monsters and everything. The usual," she says before heading back to the stove.

In all honesty, only Sentire, Leone, and Trial knew the truth. He has been working on covering his tracks and trying to make it seem like he is no closer. Even going out in public and asking Trial and Leone directly for more monsters. But he has been marking the map he has hidden in Trial's room of more core nests as he finds them. Then working on covering that lengthy search. But all that time spent covering tracks has meant she wasn't able to spend enough to enjoy dating him. She does enjoy the little time he is able to sneak and a few heated ones, but it hasn't been enough for her as time dragged on.

Sentire sighs and picks up the box again. "I'll deal with it soon. Just need to make a quick delivery," she says walking off to their potion master.

Sentire hums as she walks up to the marked door, having symbols and spell matrixes that Sentire has seen in Dusk's books at times. Put there by Zicoro as a way to ward off evil spirits and even monsters. Dusk actually did a test that theory just for the heck of it when he passed by one time and it did kill the monster in the cage he was holding, leading to Trial and Leone for some on their own doors.

Sentire carefully opens the door and walks in and sees the room still made up like his shop. With masks and potions hanging from the ceiling and shelves and tables filled with herbs and potions alike. The only thing that stayed the same was the bathroom and bed which still had its old bedding but added with a tapestry on top. "Got your herbs," she says to the potion master over his boiling pot in the middle of the room. Which Barb immediately got angry when he suggested it until he said he will reinforce the floor and make an air duct to the outside and that shut her up for the rest of the stay.

Zicoro looks up from his current work and sees her drop the box on the table. Walking over and looking through the many herbs. "This is what is needed. Thank you."

Sentire nods as he picks out a few and goes to his pot before working on them to prepare to throw them in. "No problem. Got anything to help my eventual training pain?" she asks almost jokingly and gets a bottle held up in front of her. Sentire hums as she takes it and Zicoro kept working like nothing happen. "Do you ever get out and spend time with us at least? Or at least take a break and talk to someone?"

"I am speaking with you," Zicoro points out the obvious while still working.

Sentire sighs. "I mean others. Stop making potions for a bit, step outside, and just take a walk. Talk with the other ponies out there and enjoy the day. Like…a vacation."

Zicoro looks at her as he tosses some leaves into the pot behind him. "And who do you suggest I start with?"

Sentire blinks before rubbing the back of her head nervously. "Well…you can start with me and go from there. I can even introduce you to some of the ponies I know out there. Heck, I'm sure our two favorite mercs would love to have a drink with you."

Zicoro hums as he looks back to his boiling pot. "I will contemplate it."

Sentire sighs in relief. "Good. Maybe tonight. I'll see you then," she says walking out and feels Zicoro eye her whole body and not just her flank somehow. Sentire rolls her eyes a bit amused as she shuts the door behind her. 'And Dusk would get an eyeful when he wants. Speaking of him…'

"Dusk?" Sentire calls down the basement steps and starts to head down. "Come on out. It's been a while. Maybe take a break," Sentire advises as she sees him working over the table and even burning away some papers. "Dusk…how about a little break? You have been at this for a little longer than usual. Maybe give monster studying a real true break and no one would be the none the wiser," she offers as she walks up to him.

"Can't. Getting close to another core and I have to keep my trail wiped clean at the same time. Not easy when you have to keep records at times," Dusk says sighing as he scribbles in a book.

"For me?" Sentire asks blushing.

Dusk shakes his head and looks at her. "Sorry Sentire. Besides, this is for you. So you and the those two upstairs can kill off these cores and end this corruption. And I still care about you enough that I will burn your trail and leave nothing behind. I really do enjoy our time though…especially…" he trails off, blushing heavily and Sentire smiles a bit, "but the important thing is I get this done quickly enough and we can enjoy more time later on," he says picking up his book and walks toward the map.

Sentire smile fell now at that. "But what about now? It's been a while since you last came up and I am getting kinda bored."

"You have been waiting this long for a stallion. I think you can wait a bit longer," Dusk says and Sentire blinks at him.

'Seriously?' Sentire had to ask in her mind before sighing. "Fine. I'll go…do something," she says walking past him and heads up the steps.

Dusk hums as he draws on the map. "Don't hurt yourself training."

Sentire rolls her eyes as she walks right back to Zicoro's room and enters without knocking, seeing him still making the same potion. "Sentire. I have agreed to a meeting tonight."

"That's fine. How about we spend time here?" Sentire asks, walking over to the bed and sitting on the edge.

Zicoro raises an eyebrow at that. "You wish to converse? Is something the matter?" he asks, noting her emotions.

Sentire sighs. "No. I just want to talk with someone for a bit. Anything really."

Zicoro hums as he bends down and tends to the fire under his cooking pot. "What do you wish to know?"

Dusk sighs as he finally pinpoints the next core nest and marks it down on the little map he made. He then uses a spell and burns all the evidence before heading upstairs to spend some of his free time now with Sentire.

"Sentire?" Dusk calls as he comes up into the main room and sees Barb cooking away. "Hey, Barb. Have you seen Sentire?"

Barb blinks and looks over to see the reclusive stallion. "Yeah. She's with Zicoro in his room."

Dusk blinks surprised. "Wha…?" he could only ask before heading upstairs to see for himself. Leaving Barb to shake her head and going back to cooking as she spies some unused stone being stored as the job for the recent addition is done out the window.

Dusk hums as he walks up to Zicoro's door and knocks on it as he heard giggling from inside. The door soon opened up to Sentire standing there, looking a bit surprised. "Oh, Dusk. Guess you finished your work?"

Dusk nods as he looks past her and sees Zicoro sitting on the bed watching them, but also noting that Sentire still has her clothes on as well. "Yeah. I see you found a way to spend time," he says, giving a sideways glance to Zicoro.

Sentire frowns a little. "You were busy. I had to occupy my time somehow. Especially since I am busted ass tired from all the training those two knuckleheads put me through. I am just thankful Zicoro's potions help out a lot."

Dusk sighs. "I am helping you know? Give me time and we can spend time."

"And when I asked, you said you were too busy working. Look, I wanted to spend time with you, but since you busy and working, I decided to find some elsewhere. At least Zicoro here always has time for me."

Dusk groans as he facepalmed. "How about I treat you to…"

"Too late," Sentire states, poking his chest and pushing him away. "Why not go back and work?" she asks before shutting the door in his face.

"That was harsh," Zicoro says the obvious as she walks back and sits by him.

"Needed…honestly…in the beginning, I was doing it to spite him. But he never came out so I eventually forgot," Sentire admits. "Dammit."

"Why not go and see him? Apologize? I shall always be here anyway. And I can help in many ways," Zicoro offers.

Sentire slowly nods. "Yeah…I should. And you are a good one to have a conversation with," she says smiling at him now. "Heh. If I ended up with you…it could have been more interesting."

"Or the same amount," Zicoro corrects. "…you wish to have intercourse."

"What?! No! I don't think of you like that," Sentire sputters.

Zicoro nods. "Your thoughts have been drifting for the last few talks. I sense they are of that nature as you tend to blush whenever you drift off."

Sentire gulps nervously now. "Well…most of the time," she admits blushing hard.

"I do not harbor any resentment towards you. Though, if you wish for intercourse, ask me," Zicoro offers.

"Wow…um…" Sentire tries to say, pleasantly surprised at his action. "Thanks…I guess…but I would like to talk to Dusk now." Zicoro nods as she gets up and starts to leave before turning to him. "You know, you haven't complimented my body once."

Zicoro stands up now and stretches a little. "Do you wish me too?" Sentire nods blushing. "You have the body of the most fertile mare ever in a lifetime that most would mistake you for a fertile zebra."

Sentire blinks and doesn't know whether to be insulted or happy he said that.

"It is a compliment where I come from. Fertile mares are prized among a tribe," Zicoro explains as he goes back to his potion making.

Now Sentire can smile a little. "Thanks for that."

"You have asked and I shall give," Zicoro just says as she leaves.