Raven Rawne

@@Orange Sparks, Crys waved her hand dismissively "Don't worry, they'll have more than enough from Celeste's dowry alone. And once your father cools down, I bet he'll give them a small manor or some other nice place to live. He's a good father after all." The crystal mare started emptying her own plate, after refilling the cups of course. "Mmmm, told you, fresh fish is the best. Not the dried and salted sort they have at Opal." The mares continued emptying their plates, while the merchants paid and left, apparently to get back on the trail. Now they were alone in the common room, save for the innkeep who looked like he just recieved his weight in gold.

@@Orange Sparks, Dustyhoof nodded with a smile. "Alright, I'll get back to you once I'll finish with the animals. for now, I'll take my leave." And just as he said, with a small bow, he left the inn. Crystal Clear decided it was high time for another round, and emptied her cup. "I don't know Clare, it looked just like those arranged marriages back at Crystal Summit. I know you want the best for your sister but... once you came up with the idea you could just have a casual chat with him and later tell Celeste about it so she could make the decision herself. That's how I see it, but you know I'll support you anyway."

@@Orange Sparks, The colt smiled as Clarissa took his acceptance as good coin. "My name's Dustyhoof. Grandpa chose the name and wouldn't budge, so the rest of the family had to accept it." He chuckled as it must've been quite a story to it. "Is there anything I can do for you? I'll need to get back to the animals in a bit and took the opportunity for a small break. Crystal Clear looked at the mare beside her. "I guess she'll want to ask you about virtually everything, but maybe later, hmm, Clare? Alternatively, you could sit with us on your break. Plenty of room by the table, even with our swords laying around."

@@Orange Sparks, The colt's eyes went wide once Clarissa stated her proposition. Unsure what to do and even whether she's serious in the first place, he seemed to play along, even if he was obviously out of his element. "Aye, she is very pretty indeed. Looks a lot like you, in fact." He smiled a bit as he delivered the compliment. Meanwhile the innkeeper was trying to look busy as he listened to their conversation. Such was the price of sitting near the bar... "Suddenly self concious, the colt stood with his back straight as if on attention, and replied with all the confidence he could muster. "If you think I would be worthy of your sister, my lady, then I would be glad to meet her. And if we'll fancy eachother, then I'll do all I can to provide and protect her." The innkeeper smiled widely and caught Crys's armor piercing gaze as she sweeped the room, and hastily got back to cleaning the mug he held in his hand. Fortunately the other guests were too far to eavesdrop, and the griffon rent upstairs to his room a few minutes earlier.

@@Orange Sparks, Crystal Clear grinned and clicked her cup against her friend's. "That's the spirit!" Another cup downed in one swing. "This stuff's weak, but still better than water." The mare refilled their cups for another round when she saw she innkeeper's son walk in, and mentally braced for more Clare being Clare. The colt looked around for a moment, unsure who called him. Crys lend him a hand and waved. "In here!" The stablecolt nodded and walked to the table, unsure what it's all about. He had brown coat, like a well seasoned oak wood. His charcoal mane and tail were cut short for practicality, but were kept in rather good shape. He had green eyes that reminded Crystal of the bottles of Erveluce, a premium brand of Equestrian wine. Overall he looked like early twenties and was fairly muscular, no doubt from physical labor. He wore a simple blue tunic and black pants, but no hoofboots. Most ponies didn't, unless for some specific reason, or to show off. "Yes, m'ladies? How may I help you?" - he looked at both of them in turn, somewhat shy, standing in front of them.

@@Orange Sparks, Crystal Clear eyed her ranting marefriend with a curious look, then drank her cup of wine in one swing. "I'm too sober for this... Let's have it your way, but you could at least bring her here to decide for herself. He may not be in her type, after all..." She poured herself another and held the cup in the air. "Are you going to let me drink by myself?

@@Orange Sparks, The innkeeper was taken aback by the princess's opennes. He stammerred for a bit, but managed to give a reply. "I-uhh... we'd be honored, of course but, we're just a common folk, with nothing to their name. Surely she can have anypony she desires..." Since Clarissa seemed serious, he carried on. "He's a good kid, hard working and all. We thought he'd carry on the business, in fact. He would be a loyal companion for your sister, m'lady, if she chooses him that is. I'll get right back with my finest then." With that he took his leave. Crys whistled. "Ice and snow Clare, what would your father say about that?"

@@Orange Sparks, Crystal Clear shooked her head. "I don't know really. With you around, it's hard to tell if I should be worried about you or everypony around." She leaned and said quietly. "Speaking of which, don't test that colt too hard." Meanwhile the innkeeper showed up with a big plate of fish and a clay bottle with two cups. "Here's your order, is there anything I can do for you?" Crys nodded and replied. "Thank you, we'd like to rent a room. Is the big one, where I stayed last time, availible?" She smiled at him gently. "I know there's one big bed there and I don't mind. I liked the view. A warm bath in the evening will be nice too." The innkeeper nodded and went into the kitchen, apparently to make the arrangements. A few minutes later his wife walked out and into the gallery to prepare the room. The crystal mare turned to her companion and poured them a shot. "All done, we're staying. I know I could've asked you for your order but that's the best they've got in here anyway. Fresh catch."

@@Orange Sparks, Crystal Clear held the door to the inn and as Clarissa passed her, she whispered into her ear. "If you want to test that colt for your sister, then go for it, but I'm not interested." She made a sly smile and pushed her marefriend in playfully with her hip. The guests looked at the door again, and quickly returned to whatever they were doing. Crys thought that the merchants were talking a bit more lively than when she came in first. The crystal mare showed her companion a free table bear the bar, and walked to the innkeeper. "We'd like to have a plate of grilled halibut for two, and a bottle of wine please." The eart pony stallion looked at both mares and nodded. "In a few minutes, m'lady." Crys thanked the innkeeper and sat next to Clare. They could see most of the inn from their spot. "So what do you have in mind? A quick meal and a dash to Opal or we stay here for the night?"

@@Orange Sparks Crystal Clear thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I can live like that." As her marefriend fell asleep again, she continued guiding the cart towards the distant buildings. It took another hour to reach the Flounder Cove. First, they were greeted by the telltale stench of smoked fish mixed with the sea breeze and smoke from fires used to smoke and dry the fish before transport. The hamlet consisted of around twenty houses, some sheds by the shore, several smokeries and countless racks on which the cleaned up fish dried in the sun. A larger building in the center had many purposes, but on most days it was an Inn and today was no different. Crystal took in the sight of wooden houses with thatch roofs, mares fixing nets and doing house chores while stallions were fishing at sea. The community was rather poor, but they seemed to be doing more or less okay. The appearance of an armed mare with a loaded wagon turned quite a few heads, and Crystal decided to wake up her companion before she went inside the inn to ask where she could safely leave the ox and their cart. She parked near the inn entrance and climbed the wagon. Seeing the other mare was still asleep, she leaned and nuzzled her lovingly. As Clare stirred up, Crystal said quietly into her ear. "We're in the village dear. Wake up and keep an eye on our stuff while I get that big bed for you alright?" Seeing that Clarissa was waking up, she jumped off the cart with a metallic clang as the metal pieces of her minimal armor struck each other. One last look to make sure Clare wouldn't doze off again and she strided confidently into the inn. Once the heavy oak door gave in, the mare walked inside the main chamber. A fireplace was set up in the middle, but it was warm enough so it wasn't lit. Several tables were laid by the wooden walls, and a few ponies were eating and chatting. Mostly merchants by the look of them. A lone griffon on the far corner, drinking to the proverbial mirror was more interesting, maybe because they rarely visited the Isles, or maybe because of the prominent bludgeon that rested against the table beside him. The customers turned to see the newcomer, but none went to greet her. Such was the way of the road - you mind your own business. Crys approached the bar and greeted the innkeeper. "Greetings innkeeper, me and my companion would like to dine under your roof, maybe spend the night if she feels so inclined. We would be also grateful if we could park our cart and feed our ox. We can pay upfront." With that last remark she reached under her gambeson and fished out a bit pouch that was strapped to her belt, and laid it on the bar, then smiled warmly. The innkeeper gave her a good look over and nodded. "I remember you m'lady, been here a few months back right? Don't be surprised, a pony like you is hard to forget. I'll get my son to tend to your cart right away, you can take what you need from it while you wait. It'll be 30 bits for taking care of your stuff and ox for today." Crys nodded and paid for the service, then went outside to get Clare. Seeing their wagon surrounded by fillies and colts as the mare sat on the cart and talk to them was a bit strange, but with Clarissa, you get used to all kinds of things. "Getting acquainted with the youngsters already? The innkeeper's son will take our cart under the roof and rake care of our Betsy." She patted the animal as she walked to it. There are a few ponies inside, merchants by the look of it. What's interesting is that there's a griffon in there, all by himself. Maybe some envoy or a mercenary, he looked like he could take care of himself. Alright, here's the colt, take what you need and let's get this thing out of the street." They took the cart into a shed by the inn and parked by three other wagons, most probably belonging to the merchants. Crys left the colt with their Betsy and took the other mare inside the inn. "Let's order something to eat and decide what to do next" she said to Clare as they were approaching the oaken door.

@@Nightmare Season Crystal Clear gave the stallion a puzzled look. She glanced at the scarf she tossed by the pool when she didn't know what it was and wanted to get rid of it. "I uhhh... thanks? Sorry for causing a scene but, don't tie anything on me when I'm asleep, okay?" She walked to pick it up and put loosely across the bushes, since it was all wet and that way would dry sooner. The mare brought a foreleg to her chin, as was her custom when she pondered over something. A few drops of water fell from her body, since she herself was wet too. "Hmm, I haven't thought about it that way... So we shouldn't disturb the entrance or the first hall, but anything deeper should be fair game, right? I need to think if there's any sense of barricading then." She raised her head and nodded at Nightmare. "Show me those beds, will you?" The pair walked a bit through the empty corridors and finally reached the bed chamber, or a dormitory of sorts. There were twenty beds in different states of disrepair, but around five looked good. The mare approached the nearest one and inspected it. "Nothing fancy I admit, but it'll do. And where you're going to sl... oh, right." She looked back at Nightmare who was arranging a big matress from a couple of the broken beds. "I guess that answers my question." Crystal Clear had a genuine laugh when Nightmare Season asked her to help in baking. She stomped with a hoof and tried to cover her face a couple tines before coming around, but it wasn't a mean sort of laugh. "Aww Nightmare, that was a good one! Me and baking are just as acquainted as pigs and flying, but sure I'll help you. So where's the kitchen?" It turned out it was opposite of the dorm. As usual, the place was ransacked but a few stray items were laying here and there. The mare picked up a large spoon and found a nice bowl in one of the cabinets, so now they could mix the flour for cake. Further search didn't reveal any eggs, but there was indeed a sack of flour, tucked in the oven for some reason. She looked around the kitchen again. "Hmm, we'll need some water for the cake, maybe I could fetch some snow? I don't recall seeing a well in here, and the spring water had a weird taste... I'll be back shortly." Crystal took the bowl and trotted out of the kitchen to get some snow. She could find her way in the dark thanks to the glow-crystal necklace she grabbed at the last moment before leaving the cavern with berries. Soon enough she reached the entrance. It was really cold in there, and she wasn't completely dry just yet, so she just ran to the nearest snow pile, scooped the whole bowl of it and ran back inside till she reached a warmer section of the facility. Only then did she stop and shake herself from tiny ice droplets that froze on her coat. "Brrr, chilly." She said to herself and walked back onto the kitchen. "Pile of snow: check! What now chef?" She placed it on the table and looked for something to melt it in, but Nightmare already found a pot, and used his magic to move the snow from one to the other, then melt the snow. Together they mixed the flour and formed a pie shape on a copper baking plate that also was hidden in the oven, then sticked the berries into it. Nightmare already had the fireplace beneath the oven prepared and ignited it with his magic. Either he was so fast or the mare took do long with the snow. Crystal decided to search the nearby rooms on her own while the pie was baking. There wasn't much left but somehow she found a comb and a small mirror, some random clothes, and, surprisingly enough, an axe - it was hidden behind one of the wardrobes in a smaller bedroom with a damaged king's bed. The wanton destruction of furniture bothered her a bit, since the traitors were cruel, but not mindless in their impulses. Maybe that changed... The mare piled up her treasures in the dorm to sort them later and checked on Nightmare and his pie. The fresh scent was enough to make her stomach grumble loudly as she entered the kitchen. She smiled sheepishly and traced circles with her hoof as he looked at her. "What? It just... smells good. Is it ready?" The stallion stepped aside to reveal their Magnum Opus, baked and cooling off. Crystal walked to take a look at it. "Not as pretty as in the bakeries back home, but with me as aide it was hard to do much better. I wonder if it tastes good though. Time will tell... Any plans till the pie cools off? "

@@Orange Sparks Crys heard her marefriend wake up and replied. "Not yet. Still a few miles to cross. Sorry for the rock by the way." The mare made a very surprised face and looked at Clare. "Are you serious?! Move out of your country, leave the titles and riches, and for what? The lauded life in simplicity? Too much philosophy, I'm afraid. I can get through a tough patch for a cause but seriously, I would go crazy living in a hut somewhere, tending to crops and the like..." Crystal Clear urged the ox to get moving. She wanted to reach that village already.

@@Nightmare Season Crystal Clear listened to Nightmare Season as he laid down his experiences with violence. Unsure how to react, she nodded in a neutral manner. "Sounds like you're no stranger to violence then. Maybe it's for the best, considering what lies ahead. I never... you know. Even when they locked me up and ordered to make tools for the other slaves down in the mines, I didn't fight back. I don't even know if I have the guts for it. So I guess it's good you're past that point." The mare was staring in the distance with an unsure grimace on her snout, thinking whether she could bring herself to hurt a pony, when Nightmare saved her from those thoughts by announcing he's off to get some firewood. She smiled at him instinctively. "Sure, if we're going to stay here for a while. Might even do some redecorating to make this place our main camp of sorts. Bring some bedding and the like, maybe barricade the entrance just in case. We'll discuss it once you get back though." She continued eating berries for some time, until she felt like she had her fill. Those fruits would fall off the bush in a few days anyway, and thinning their rations when there was free food to be found would be rather stupid. The mare licked her lips to clean herself up, with partial success. Nightmare was still away, and she didn't have anything to do really, so she just hopped back into the water to have some more fun in it. Crystal Clear dud a couple dives, swimmed from one end to another and generally moved about to keep the blood flowing. However it soon felt boring, and she swam to the edge opposite to the entrance and lied down on the stone seat like she did earlier, with just the head sticking above the water. She moved her soaking wet mane away from her eyes and straight back, then rested her head on the smooth stone edge of the pool. So nice and warm, she thought. The mare didn't notice when she closed her eyes and dozed off. A voice, and something wrapping around her neck! Crystal Clear woke up to those two distinct sensations and got scared, unable to make sense of it immediately. She flailed her forelegs trying to push away whatever was holding her and made some incoherent noises, which caused her to lose balance in the water and fall off the seat into the deeper water. She emerged spitting and rubbing her eyes a moment later, and once she could see again she saw Nightmare, clearly amused by her little display. The mare took off the scarf and looked at it, then shot him a cold stare. "I know you told me not to sleep in the water but really, you could just nudge me or something. Even empty a bucket on my head. But tying stuff on my neck? I really thought something wanted to choke me!" Just as previously, Crystal Clear walked out of the pool and shook herself off most of the water, then stretched a bit to get the last ounces of sleep past her. "Shame you woke me up, I had a great dream." The mare walked to the stallion and aaked: "So how are things looking outside our little paradise? You found anything interesting? Some beds maybe? I wouldn't say no to a real bed you know. I don't know how you manage to sleep on the ground all the time... Also, before we call it a night we should barricade the main door. I don't want anything to nest in those rooms while we're around, or find any nasty surprises on our way back. So how's it going to be, can you help me secure the entrance?"

@@Orange Sparks The crystal pony smiled as she listened to the other mare. "You'd give anything for so many things as of late, I'm starting to wonder when you're going to propose we escape on the continent and buy a small house in the middle of nowhere... um, Clare? Ah, she's asleep. Probably mustering her strengths for the night. Knowing you we won't sleep at all..." Crys shook her head at the idea, but she also smiled. Despite the prospect of a sleepless night it was still something to look forward to... The one cart caravan continued in silence as half of the passengers were fast asleep, while the other half admired the sights. Crystal Clear soon began to wonder why she didn't meet anypony on the road. Normally there would be a travelling merchant or some peasants going someplace, but today, nothing. It wasn't a cause for alarm, but it felt a bit odd. She walked like that for nearly two hours, and Clare stirred a few times but didn't wake up just yet. Finally, the mare saw chimney smokes in the distance - they were getting closer to the village and a warm meal. Maybe if they ate fast, they would continue the journey and make it to Opal late at night?

@@Nightmare Season The mare scrunched her snout in displeasure as the sudden call from her companion dispelled the first signs of blissful slumber. "Uhh... really? But it feels so good in here." She felt movement in the water and soon after, a nudge. With slight irritation she opened her eyes and saw Nightmare giving her that look. "Okay, I promise I'll stay awake. See? Eyes open." Apparently it satisfied the stallion since he went out of the water and left the mare unmolested. She didn't see what he was doing, since he chose a spot behind her. Crystal Clear decided to take the berries closer to her and eat them while she enjoyed the hot spring. "Add Evie and a bottle of our favourite and I could die happy..." She said to nopony in particula, then took a big scoop of berries. The mare slid off the stone seat into the deeper water in the middle to move for a bit since she was feeling suspiciously blissful - a sure sign she might doze off. With some satisfaction she discovered that the water was deep enough to submerge completely without bending her legs, so she took a short dive and swam to the other side where she resurfaced. Crystal shook her head rapidly to get rid of at least some of the water from her coat, while her inborn magic kept her mane in shape. She ate all the berries anyway so at least now she could see Nightmare without craning her neck like a swan. The crystal pony looked at the stallion curiously when he announced tomorrow will be no good for travel, but she saw no hint of a lie. She grinned and splashed the water with her forelegs. "Yesss! I mean, I know we're on a mission but I really like it in here so..." She looked at him apologetically for her extatic reaction. Nightmare got back to his cards and Crystal rested her head against the edge of the pool and followed her own train of thoughts. Soon enough her eyelids grew heavy and her eyes closed, followed by that blissful sensation of approaching slumber. She heard the question but didn't answer. Only once Nightmare Season yelled to wake her up, she stirred and blinked in surprise, then looked at him. "Did I just...? Aww it's just no fun when I'm tired like that. You won." She reluctantly got up and walked out of the water, then shook herself off like a dog to get rid of the dripping water. She was still wet, but now just a little. The mare walked to the nearest bush and began to nibble on it's sweet fruit. "So about the enemy, as you've put it..." She sighed, and her coat returned to normal. So much for happy thoughts. "Those black crystals by the entrance could be made only by crystal unicorn magic, and dark one too. I've seen enough of them to be sure - it's the King's court. It seems that the loyalists of the evil king escaped to that settlement up north. It would also explain why my... friend... is up there. Crystal earth ponies were enslaved, along with anypony from other pony races who refused to serve him. If I'm right, and I'm afraid I am, this won't be easy." She picked an especially ripe berry and it broke on her hoof. She stared st the red juice for a moment, then asked. "Have you ever... hurt... a pony? Those loyal to the King know nothing but evil that filled their hearts, and won't let us just take my friend home. I fear we might have to use force at done point..." Crystal Clear sighed and licked the broken berry off her hoof.

@@Orange Sparks Crystal Clear returned the nuzzle and smiled at her marefriend who climbed up the wagon to get some more rest, while the other mare walked holding the reins and led the ox. "I love it how effortlessly you explain setbacks as stepping stones of success. I'm too self critical for that... Anyway, you have any plans once we get to Opal Hill? Other than hugging your sister till she starts running away from you that is!" She smirked at the prospect of a hugging fiend terrorising the palace. The road led towards the coast, as expected. To the left, just a rick throw away, was a cliff dropping straight into the sea. Another island was visible about a mile away. To the right were the golden fields, dotted with boulders or bushes where the farmers couldn't reach with their plows or move the huge stones. A light wind from the sea carried the cries of seabirds that were feeding in the water. The sun was high and the sky was dotted with only occasional clouds here and there, but it wasn't hot. The Isles were colder than mainland Equestria, for which Crystal Clear was grateful. They still had a few miles to the village though, and she couldn't even see the telltale smokes of a settlement. "Ahh... I'm so lucky to live here... The austere beauty of this land is breathtaking, you know."

@@Nightmare Season Crystal Clear glanced at Nightmare as he approached the hot spring. She was quite certain that he would need a moment to consider the idea, given how sad he looked the first time she saw him wet. But instead of convincing him one way or another she just kept picking berries and left him to make his own call. Once she saw him blowing the steam off the water she paused and gave him a puzzled look. "What the hay?" It seemed he took her offer a bit too literally... Fortunately, Nightmare saw her confusion and said it was a joke. She breathed out with relief. "Good gracious, I really thought you took it literally. Good joke by the way." The mare nodded in approval and resumed her task. "They have enough fruit to feed us for a week in here, it's just incredible..." She said to herself as the stallion approached her. Crystal nodded happily as Nightmare laid out the plan. She was still in good spirits and her crystalline form would stay until that change for the worse. "I like this idea. Been a while since I could relax in a place like this... We need to get back here on the way back you know. Thus place is just..." She made a wide circle in the air with a foreleg, as if showing him the place. "Now I know why those ponies moved out into the Frozen North. This cave is magical." Nightmare walked back to the pool and the mare continued picking the berries. She was almost finished already. A loud sizzling noise confirmed that the stallion entered the pool. Crystal smiled and went for her saddlebags. She picked enough for the two of them. A moment later she came to the edge of the hot Spring and put down her hat filled with ruby like fruits. Next, she took off her saddlebags and put within reach from the water, and disrobed from her cold weather getup. Truth be told, it was rather warm in there and she never liked being overdressed like that. Once she was free from her clothes the mare walked into the pool, slowly adapting to the hot water. She seemed to disappear in the water because of her opaque look. "Ahhh, just the way I'd want it..." Crystal laid down on a resting place opposite to Nightmare, just her head above the water, rested on the pool's edge with her eyes closed. She sighed deeply in relaxation. "I really should do this more often, but the spa is ridiculously expensive. Blasted tourists cause the prices to rise..." Thankfully, her companion brought her to the present before she killed the mood with more ranting. Crystal cracked one eye open and replied. "Sure thing. Feel free to start anytime you want, I'll stay here for some time. Feels so gooood..." She smiled again at the pleasant feeling of the hot bath. Before she drifted off to a half sleeping state she always did in hot baths however, Nightmare asked about the berries. She flickered her ear and got up to reach for them. The wet crystalline pony looked like fresh polished gemstone, but she submerged as soon as she put the hat with berries on the stone edge of the pool between them. The mare made herself comfortable again, with just her head above the water, and elaborated while reaching for a berry once in a while. "They're great, you know. A local delicacy, they taste a bit like Equestrian blueberries but they're sweeter. Anyway, there are several barrels of them still to be picked so why won't you taste for yourself?" She smiled encouragingly as Nightmare took a few. "So? What do you think? I could eat them every day." The mare took a scoop to prove her words and ate them. A small wave appeared on the smooth water as she stretched her legs. "Hmm, I could take a nap like this. Would it be okay if I dozed off for a bit? You'd wake me up for the reading or when I'm needed? I feel like I could stay in here forever..." The mare closed her eyes and exhaled deeply in complete relaxation, just a hair's breadth away from falling asleep.

@@Nightmare Season Crystal Clear followed Nightmare Season through the tunnel. It was too narrow to walk at his side. The path led them deeper inside the earth as the floor was sloped. From what she could gather, it appeared that a natural cave passage has been widened to make passage easier. Tool marks could be seen here and there. There were no light sources, but she didn't have the impression that the glow-crystals were stolen. More likely they were never installed here. It didn't take long till Nightmare stopped abruptly and held a hoof in the air for silence. This time Crystal was further away from him so she had time to react, and didn't bump into him. The mare tried to look what's in front of them but all she saw were the dancing flames of his tail. After this brief pause, the stallion continued walking, causciosly and doing his best to remain silent. The mare shrugged and followed suit. Her hoof boots muffled her steps a bit anyway. They entered a cavern room, and a large one too. It was illuminated by glow-crystals in the ceiling so they could see everything clearly. Well, almost, since right in the middle something emitted large volumes of water vapour. Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a hot spring. The entire room was filled with crystal berry bushes, apparently planted here to benefit from the warmth. The cavern floor was not rock, but soil. Most probably brought here by ponies. The pair stood for a bit, taking in the sight. Crystal for once was very impressed with the find, as was evident by her wide eyed and grinning expression. Suddenly she took off her saddlebags and moved towards the spring in joyful leaps, crystallising once she reached her goal. She became partially opaque, looking as if she was made of flawless crystal. Her coat glittered, her mane and tail styled themselves perfectly thanks to her kind's ancient magic. She exclaimed, unable to keep quiet any longer. "This place is perfect!" She pranced for a bit in happiness, laughing. It took some time before she replied to the confused stallion. "Are you kidding me? Hot bath is in my top ten! And hot springs are the best there is in this department! Come on, let's blow off some steam. Nopony's here anyway! So what do you say, hmm? Hot water, sweet berries, peace and quiet - I for once don't need any special invitation." She smiled widely at him and fluttered her eyelashes a bit, then giggled. She then picked her cap off the ground and used it as an impromptu bowl as she gathered the berries. Partially because they were insanely good, and partially to give her friend time to think. He didn't look happy the last time she saw him wet.

@@Nightmare Season, Crystal was tracing lines with a hoof on the map, getting herself oriented in the scribbles and markings of the map. "Somepony fancied themsemves an explorer, it seems..." She didn't react as Nightmare Season walked away and resumed his search of the room. "So the Empire is... here... Those tiny marks are probably the crystal pillars that lead all the way... here! So this is our location, good. Now what's that..." She looked up as Nightmare exclaimed, and gave him a puzzled look. "Got who? Or what? There's nothing in here..." The answer became apparent as Nightmare approached the desk. "Oh, a hair..." Crystal Clear waited (im)patiently for the pendulum to mark the location. The mare looked at this section so closely, she nearly touched the paper with her nose. "Strange... there's nothing in here. Just a base of the mountain. Wait - could it be Mount Everhoof? The distance seems alright." Before she had a chance to smudge the map with her nose however, the nightmare pony took it off the desk and packed into his saddlebags. She looked at him, a bit confused, but didn't object. She just resumed searching the room for anything useful. The silent search didn't last long as Nightmare found something. He brought a parchement with some kind of expedition report and read it aloud. Crystal sat by the desk and wondered. "So they did fancy themselves explorers after all..." As the nightmare pony turned around to leave, she exclaimed "oh, sure, I'll just finish here and be right back!" She waited until she couldn't see the yellow aura on the walls, then unclasped her saddlebags and laid them on the desk, then trotted to a cabinet in the far end of the office. Just a look over the shoulder to make sure he didn't come back and... "Jackpot." She said t herdelf with great satisfaction as she took out a bottle, then hid it in her saddlebags. Justto be sure, she scoured the rest of the office and found some bits in a drawer, a few pencils, some fresh paper... She packed it all into her saddlebags and went outside of the office. As she reached the storage room with empty barrels she heard a loud noise. After freezing for a moment and listening vigorously, she ran as fast as she could in the direction of the blocked path that Nightmare said he'll clear. She nearly crashed into the walls a few times, as her right foreleg still hurt a bit when she ran, but managed to reach the stallion without incident. She skidded on the smooth floor as she tried to stop and nearly bumped into him, but managed to halt just a few steps before him. Panting and looking around frantically, she exclaimed. "I thought you blew up in some kind of trap! Next time tell me if you plan to ka-boom something, okay? Now check the other side, I'll come in a moment." The mare sat on her plot and took a moment to catch her breath, and followed the nightmare pony after a minute.

@@Nightmare Season, The mare trotted towards the tall stallion. "There you are! I checked that way (she pointed a hoof at the entryway) but found nothing. They really picked this place clean, even furniture is missing. Oh, and I think there's a way deeper in, but it's blocked by a collapsed wall. So maybe we could clear the rubble and check it out. How's it looking on your end?" She looked at Nightmare with curiosity. Her eyes lit up as she heard about the storage room. She didn't need any more encouragement. "You did! That's great! Lead the way then." Crystal walked impatiently after the nightmare pony, and even overtook him to take the lead once she sniffed the familliar scent of her favourite booze. Nightmare walked into the storage room as Crystal Clear was sticking her head into the barrels. The mare looked at him sheepishly. "What? It's too good to go to waste like that... But it seems those ruffians haven't left a single drop. So where's that door you found?" She was a bit dissapointed, but she jumped off the barrel she stood on and went to help her friend with the heavy barrel. It took some effort, but they finally pushed it aside and opened the door. Crystal ducked beneath the stallion and walked in first, ten turned around and jokigly sticked her tongue "You didn't expect that huh? Now let's look around." Using her glow-crystal as extra light source, the mare approached the nearest shelf and read the book spines. Mostly administrative records, nothing interesting. She then turned her attention to the shape on the wall, and walked closer. "A-hah! That's what we need! Come and take this map off the wall will you? I'm to short myself..." Before Nightmare took it off, the mare gave it a look over and it seemed fairly detailed, if amateurly made. It showed the brewery and surrounding areas, all the way to the Empire down South. Some areas were mostly blank, but it still was better than nothing. Crystal looked around the office as Nightmare laid the map on the desk so they coud both take a look at it.

@@Orange Sparks, Crystal Clear nodded. "Yeah, I missed you too all right. Going to the next Crystal Summit next year will be really tough..." Her ears perked up a bit once Clare mentioned her doubts abou the fight's outcome if not for the ancient blade. Problem solving was her thing. The mare rubbed her chin in concentration with a spare hand. "Well we were in a tough situation alright. Swords are useless against full plate and I was occupied with the halberdier, so I couldn't step in with my backup war hammer. That's the reason why I take it in the first place - one handed and with one spiky end, it's useful agains armor, but not unarmored targets. My best guess would be switching sides so I would hammer the spiky brain, or finish the halberdier and hit him from both sides. Either way, we had a chance." They reached the point where the road split in two. An old sign pointed in both directions, announcing where these paths lead. Crystal Clear took the reins and instructed the ox to follow the left one.

@@Orange Sparks, "Nah, I haven't seen him, but it's no wonder really. When I went to Raven's Nest on the winter break I used a shortcut and didn't go through Opal Hill. Instead I had a boat waiting for me at Silverlake - you know the place, coastal town near the small lake by the same name, South-West of Opal. It took me straight home, since it was way faster than walking all the way to the strait. And don't make that sad face, you know I had to go because we had guests from the continent, right?" The sudden mention of the attack from ten months prior took her by surprise. "Hey, stuff happens. With neighbours like them it was a matter of time before they figured some more subtle approach to get the upper hand. We may have a truce every now and then, but the idea of lasting peace eludes them. At least we showed them who's in charge here, am I right?" Crys bumped into her friend's shoulder playfully and smiled.

@@Orange Sparks, Crystal Clear looked to the sky in resignation. "Okay, you win... we'll take the one with double bed, consequences be damned." She checked if her own shield is within reach on the wagon, just in case, and took the ox's reins to lead it back on the road as they walked beside it. The animal had enough to pull without them on board. The mare straightened her belt as the one and half saber weighted it down a bit. The kiss was unexpected, but then, since when Clarissa did as she was expected to? Crys looke at her and smiled. "Well I don't know about you, but I don't recall anywhere as much snuggling back when we were little as we do now. But, I guess you're right, in a way. We could spend all night telling each other of places we visited once we had a chance to meet, or sneak out to "investigate" a ghost story we heard about... Yeah, those were the times." Crys fell silent as she recalled their younger years and started to daydream about the days past.

@@Nightmare Season, The pair walked inside, causciously. As oon as Nightmare walked in, they saw evidence of fight and robbery, andmore dark crystals, some looking like spikes stuck where they struck, aimed at the brewers, so doubt. Crystal Clear waked a bit aimlesly, taking in the scene before her. "They stole everything that wasn't nailed down... broke in like it was nothing... but where are the ponies who lived here? There's no blood..." She was talking to herself, quetly, as she processed what could've happenned. The mare stirred from her musins as Nightmare gave her the instructions. She eyed the way deeper inside the hill with some suspicion, but nodded to the stallion and slowly walked into the dark corridor, using her glow-crystal for light. There were doors on both sides, all busted open. It seemed like the brewery was arranged... inside a natural cave? Could be - the floor was made of stone, probably the cave floor polished by countless hoofsteps. The walls were made from a mix of crystal and quarried stone. She entered each and every room in the corridor, finding only smashed furniture. They were picked clean of anything of value or use, and Crystal couldn't help but think that, based on what she saw, some of the furniture was mising too. They took it for firewood? Could be. She reached the end of the corridor and noticed that a wall section collapsed, barring the way further. She turned around to find Nightmare and rell him what she saw. A few mnutes walk and she was back by the entrance, but it seemed Nightmare was still investigating some of the adjacent rooms. Crystal thought to herself: "Hmm, should I call him? Nah, it's too risky to get loud... Guess I have to look for him instead." The mare sighed, and as she raised her head again she saw a familliar glow on the wall - Nightmare was coming out of one of the corridors.