Chapter Two.
On the side of the highest tower of Dream Castle there is a balcony. The difference between this balcony and the many others that adorn the castle's exterior is that there is no way to enter it from the inside. Created exclusively for the pegasi and those unicorns that could wink it is now very rarely used. Wind Whistler used it as a refuge when he wanted to be alone. Standing lightly on the balustrade, his wings open to catch the full effect of the evening sun's rays and the wind running its cool fingers through his mane he scanned the valley. He felt a twinge of annoyance with himself as his eyes kept flicking towards the west, not wanting to admit that he was looking for the two young pegasi flying back home side by side. He'd watched Baby Northstar grow up, seen her mother Northstar's anxiety as she spent more and more time away from home, her mothering instinct conflicting with the joy of seeing her offspring turn into a beautiful pony. Much as he hated to admit it he felt protective of Baby Northstar in the same way he felt protective of her mother.
"No!" Wind Whistler shook himself mentally, "it's not the same way at all. But it's best if everyone thinks that." He resettled himself on the handrail and frowned into the setting sun, still looking for the silhouettes of Babies Northstar and Lofty.
When Wind Whistler and Northstar had been younger they had been like the babies. Inseparable, always travelling as far as possible, challenging each other to races and aerobatic stunts that made even Firefly flinch. Whistler would have done anything for Northstar. When they became adults instead of babies and friendship developed into love he assumed it would be the same for her as it was for him. But things didn't turn out the way he'd expected. It still hurt him thinking about it, how she'd fallen in love, but not with him, and she'd got married and he'd watched, trying to be happy for her, for both of them. He'd seen her gazing up at another male and his world had been ripped in two. But he'd smiled and supported her, and she'd had her baby and he was the favourite uncle. Clever Uncle Wind Whistler. He'd felt Northstar's devastating pain when her mate was cruelly taken from her and supported her, helped in any way he could. So now, when Baby Northstar failed to return, his anxiety was greater than anyone realised.
Out of the corner of his eye Whistler saw that a unicorn had just winked onto the balcony. He shuffled his wings in annoyance at being disturbed and having his private place disturbed. He was preparing to fly off when he noticed that the small unicorn was shaking, her ears flat back against her head.
"Ribbon? What is it? What disturbs you?"
The blue unicorn looked at Whistler and then out towards the West.
"Wind Whistler, can't you feel it? Something… I don't know…"
Wind Whistler sighed. Unicorns with psychic powers easily frustrated him, especially young ones like Ribbon who hadn't quite grasped the subtlety of their skill. He preferred tangible evidence and definite answers. And yet, even he felt uneasy tonight. He prepared to fly again but paused at the arrival of another unicorn. Twilight had winked onto the balcony, the evening sun made her light pink body glow ethereally. The elder unicorn stood close to the shaking Ribbon and spoke softly, "Hush now Ribbon, I feel it too. But your distress is disturbing others. The newborn unicorns are alarmed. You must calm yourself for their sake." Twilight lowered her muzzle to rest against Ribbon's and gave a few calming breaths. Whistler saw the blue unicorn's body relax but her ears were still alert.
Twilight turned to Wind Whistler and spoke low to him so Ribbon couldn't hear, "Whistler, there's a disturbance in the magic of Ponyland. All the unicorns are feeling it, some," Twilight tilted her head towards Ribbon, "more than others. Majesty has already sent Masquerade and Firefly to the West to investigate but she's asked for the council to be vigilant and be ready for emergency measures. Could you spread the word to the other council members?"
Whistler nodded and stretched his wings; he trusted Twilight and Majesty's judgement.
"Oh and Wind Whistler." Twilight added in a lower voice, "I think it goes without saying that discretion is of utmost importance."
As Wind Whistler flew over the top of Dream Castle he saw the many ponies relaxing in the sunset, the news of a magical disturbance that had even Twilight and Majesty concerned enough to have emergency measures on standby could only cause widespread panic. He knew he would have to be careful in speaking to each council member without others hearing. But first, he decided, he had to find Northstar.