Warped (Equinox)

The preparations for the Equinox were in full swing, and Khaalida couldn’t be happier. Watching Queensbreak come to life with decorations, travelers pouring in to celebrate, and laughter in the streets made her feel wholly content.

She was eager to see how her first Equinox in her new home would go. So much had changed in the past few moons. Her magic had grown, along with her surety of herself. And now with her mate and foals, and so many friends, she was ready to celebrate in style. Another gift had arrived in the week before the Equinox. The deities had blessed her, and counted her among kin. A fourth land, a holy land had been added to her realms, and when she walked among it she felt wholly at peace.

But the festivities were taking place in Queensbreak, and Khaalida knew sneaking away to her newest land would not be possible any time soon.

“Are you ready? The others have arrived,” a voice said from the doorway. Turning, Khaalida saw her steadfast partner waiting. Smiling at Aurelion, Khaalida nodded, and the pair left the room.

“Keep up, Koa!” Khaaleesi called, looking down at her brother. Koa looked up with a huff at his twin, several boulders ahead of him.

“Come on, Leesi. Everyone is going to be here soon,” Koa tried to reason, but Leesi snorted.

“Bet ya can’t catch me!” Leesi called out, her long, young legs making it easy for her to clear the gaps between boulders.

Koa sighed and struggled to keep up. The twins were young, but Leesi had recently had a growth spurt and stood a whole hand taller than Koa now. Koa had a bit more trouble bridging the gaps, but did his best to keep up with his twin. Although he would have much rather been in the library, Leesi had come to him with an idea of watching their guests arrive. Unfortunately for Koa, Leesi’s plan had included scaling up to a higher vantage point, a small cliff she had found high above the road to Queensbreak.

Leesi’s mane had been braided and fell in gentle waves, but was swiftly coming undone as she made her way up the cliffside. It was perfect to watch the others arrive, but she hadn’t counted on Koa slowing her down so much. Half tempted to leave her twin behind, Leesi snorted softly to herself as Koa struggled behind her. All her adventures had made her stronger, more agile and fit. Koa, who holed up in the city most of the time, was having a much harder time with simple things Leesi found as easy as a canter.

Koa leapt the next gap, but landed a bit short, his back hoof slipping slightly. Leesi lunged forward, grabbing him by his short mane. Koa winced, but muttered his thanks as he righted himself.

Koa had to admit, the vantage point Leesi had found was quite the view. But the young stallion was a lot more concerned about getting back down than watching the others enter the city.

“It's going to take forever to get back,” Koa muttered.

“Oh hush and listen to your big sister. Stop. Complaining!” Leesi said, with a bit of a glare.

“Big indeed,” Koa muttered, slightly looking up at her.

“Oh look, I think that’s Eira!” Leesi called out, Koa’s jab going unnoticed as a trio of Quirlicorns entered the city.

Eira had one thing on the forefront of her mind as she approached the city of Queensbreak. It had been many moons since she had last seen Avia, and was hopeful that it would not be much longer.

Besides, Eira longed for a mares company. She walked between two stallions, her snowy owl gliding overhead. Aster, her half brother, walked on her right. Since their meeting, the siblings had become close, adventuring through Snowhaven and managing the small settlement and adventurers that passed through.

The stallion on her left side, however, was a new and permanent addition to Snowhaven. Varune was a young but bold stallion who had taken a self appointed role as a Guard of Snowhaven after he had washed up on the shores. Eira and Aster had nursed him back to health, and while his pink and purple hued coat didn’t blend in with Snowhaven’s snowy exterior, he did his best.

But living with nothing but stallions had become tiring. Eira was excited to be around a bigger population. Although nervous to leave Snowhaven, she was eager to greet her old friends, see her family, and most importantly in her mind, be with Avia for a while.

Pandora amazed herself most days. Not only was she down to just two quests left, but she had convinced Korvah to join her in Queensbreak for the Equinox. A small break in their quests and some rest was well deserved. But the prickly mare was spending most of her time alone, like normal. Pandora could check off one achievement that she hadn’t had before however. Korvah stood with her in the square, waiting for Pandora’s family to join them.

Avia stood with Pandora and Korvah, a bit to the side. There had been a small fight between them; Avia couldn’t understand why Pan had shown up with Korvah of all Quirlicorns, but begrudgingly accepted her mother's soft heart.

Pandora watched as Avia’s spirits rose, and then fell as a small group of Quirlicorns entered. Pandora hid a smile; she knew her daughter was looking for Eira.

But as her daughters entered and gathered around, Pandora smiled outright. She had missed her chaotic family.

Eadwine greeted her cooly, as expected. Elara fluttered around on her small wings, catching Pandora up on nearly everything… including the fact that Idalia had run off, and Datura refused to enter the city.

Pandora was concerned but knew Idalia well; wherever she had run off to, she could take care of herself. And she was saddened that Datura did not join them, and made a mental note to visit with Datura for a while.

Poe fluttered down from wherever he had been hunting, landing on Pandora’s back. The introductions of Korvah to her daughters went about as well as expected. Korvah was cold, Eady was cold, and Elara was shy.

A small gasp from Avia alerted Pandora to the new arrivals.

Eira strode toward the market, two stallions at her side. Avia took a step forward, her hummingbird familiar fluttering out from her mane as if sensing the change in Avia’s energy. Avia paused, as if uncertain of how to proceed. The two stallions were not familiar to her, but the white one… It brought Avia back to Korvah’s statement during the swamp quests. Was that the brother that had been mentioned? But who was the pink hued one?

Avia seemed to shrink for a moment before steeling herself and walking forward.

It seemed her worry had been for naught; the moment Eira spotted Avia, Eira’s eyes lit up in joy and the white mare quickly made her way over.

“Avia!” Eira said, voice a mixture of joy and almost relief.

Avia nuzzled Eira, with a smile.

“Eira,” she replied, with a soft sigh.

Pandora sighed and shook her head watching as the two mares just stood close to each other, staring and not saying anything.

“Hello again, Aster,” Pandora said, turning to the two stallions.

Aster smiled and nodded in greeting. “Pandora, Korvah. It has been a while,” Aster said conversationally, glancing between Pandora and Eira. Seeing Eira was still quite preoccupied, not even noticing as her Snowy Owl familiar landed on her back, Aster shook his head.

“This is the newest member of Snowhaven,” Aster introduced. “Varune is… a self appointed guard of the island.”

Varune snorted, tossing his head a bit. “Well someone needs to guard it,” he grumbled.

Pandora laughed, and nodded. “Fair, it's never a bad thing to keep an eye on your borders,” she replied. Gesturing to her daughters, Pandora smiled. “These are two of my other daughters, Eadwine and Elara,” Pandora introduced.

Aster and Varune murmured their greetings, but further conversation was interrupted by Khaalida’s arrival.

Khaalida strode into the square, her black cat draped over her shoulders like a scarf. Aurelion followed close behind, his wings that were out most of the time tucked in tight.

“It seems almost everyone has arrived,” Khaalida said with a smile.

Looking over the group of Quirlicorns gathered in the square, Khaalida felt a happiness bubble up inside of her. The only ones missing were her direct family, oddly enough.

“Where are Leesi and Koa?” Khaali asked with a frown. Aurelion shrugged, looking around but didn’t see the twins in the crowd.

Khaalida sighed and shook her head. But the thoughts of twins got pushed back as more arrivals entered the square. Her father, Abraxas, came trotting in as if it were a grand parade, followed by her mother, Liana, and her half siblings. Discovering her father had, once again, slept around was no surprise, but to find he had just… forgotten to tell them about her half brother had been annoying. However,  her newly discovered half sibling Ilkay fell in easily to the group.

Pyra and Ilkay didn’t mesh as well as Khaalida might have hoped, but they were all still getting to know each other.

Behind her blood family came Cyrenne, with a strange mare that Khaalida hadn’t yet met.

With a quick word to Aurelion about finding their twin foals, Khaalida made her way over to them, greeting them all before getting to Cyrenne.

“Cyrenne,” Khaalida greeted with great warmth.

“Khaali, my girl,” Cyrenne said nuzzling Khaalida.

“And who is this?” Khaalida asked, polite but curious at the appaloosa mare at Cyrenne’s side.

“My name is Eisling,” the mare replied, a bit coldly. She seemed uncomfortable around so many Quirlicorns, in the enclosed spaces of Queensbreak.

Khaalida just smiled politely. But before she could respond, Cyrenne cut in.

“Eisling is like me, and your mother. I raised her alongside my other adopted daughter,” Cyrenne explained.

Khaalida blinked in surprise, slightly wondering why so many reborn Quirlicorns were finding their ways to Queensbreak.

“Eisling, I also helped raise Khaalida when she was younger. She is a sister to you as much as Synnove was, even if you don’t know her,” Cyrenne said, and Khaalida almost smiled. She had been on the other side of that chastising tone a good few times before in her life.

Eisling’s reaction was sharp however. “As Synnove was? Synnove still is,” she spat, and turned away, wandering off into the streets.

Khaalida frowned, and Cyrenne sighed.

“Eisling had… I guess what could be considered similar to a familiar,” Cyrenne explained. “In the transformation, she was lost. Eisling just isn’t the same without her, it's as if half of her is missing.”

Khaalida nodded, glancing at her Cat across her shoulders. From the corner of her eye she spotted Aurelion’s own cat familiar, a great blue beast, sitting behind her, keeping an eye on her. Khaalida smiled and murmured her understanding.

“We should get back,” Khaalida said, and Cyrenne nodded. The two mares made their way into the crowd, and Khaalida went from Quirl to Quirl, greeting them all in turn and spending a few minutes with them each.

Catching up with Pyra and Ilkay had been nice, and finding out her father had been crossing the world again was no surprise. It was interesting to officially meet Korvah, and Khaalida found herself liking the surly cold mare. Both her and Pandora were taking a break from their land quests, but once they finished them and gained their land, Khaalida was sure of having two more friends in the world. Or rather, one fellow land owning friend, and one…. At least hopefully not an enemy.

Another surprise for Khaalida was a white mare with an interesting kitsune by her side. Instead of wearing the traditional Quirl tail, the mare seemed to favor the fox tail gifted by her guardian.

She introduced herself as Sirona, and her guardian Illisha, and Khaalida greeted them warmly. Sirona was in the area because she was starting her own land quests, and Khaalida was more than happy to have another connection in the world. Especially as she heard Sirona’s goal of having a place of healing.

The world needs more healers, Khaalida thought, as she left the mare to mingle. Having promised her support, Khaalida felt assured as she climbed the steps to a small platform that had been erected for the event.

“Tomorrow is the Equinox, and tonight we start our celebrations!” Khaalida called out. “Myself and my Court wish everyone here a blessed Equinox, and following moons! Now, let the celebrations begin!”

Khaalida had no urge to give large speeches, and instead relished in the energy of the Quirls gathered for the Equinox. They would celebrate through the night, then the next day and next night, until the day after.

Determined to ensure everything went well, Khaalida spent time mingling with her guests. Eventually Koa and Leesi reappeared, Leesi looking a bit angry, and Koa a bit sheepish.

Approaching her twins, Khaalida looked between them. “Okay, spill,” Khaalida said.

Leesi snorted. “Koa takes after grandfather more than anyone realizes,” Leesi said, and stormed away.

Khaali blinked in surprise and confusion, looking at Koa.

Koa sighed. As he began to explain about a wild night with a couple of mares, Khaalida felt her disbelief grow. Koa then admitted he had two daughters, and while Khaalida knew he was of the age to be able to have those… urges, she had never expected it from Koa. Leesi, maybe. She was the wild one. But quiet, studious Koa?

Khaalida couldn’t entirely be mad. It sounded more like Koa hadn’t meant for anything to happen, but things happen when suspicious substances are involved.

“Well they are family,” Khaalida finally said. “Why don’t you bring them?”

Koa smiled at Khaali’s acceptance, nuzzled his mum, and went off in search of them.

“You aren’t even mad at him?” Leesi demanded. Khaalida turned and noticed her daughter hadn’t stormed off very far.

“Things happen, Leesi. But Koa needs to deal with the repercussions of his choices,” Khaalida said. “Those youngsters shouldn’t be punished for his mistakes. They are just the result of them. And they are family, regardless of what happened. And we will treat them as such,” Khaalida ended a bit firmly.

Leesi snorted, head jerking back as if she had been slapped. “Fine,” she said, storming off again, this time actually leaving.

Khaalida sighed, nuzzling Cat while she thought things over. The night was only half over, and she still had all day tomorrow to deal with Leesi throwing attitude around.

Aurelion, who had noticed Khaali’s distress, came over and stood beside her, tucking a wing over her body and pulling her in close.

“What was all that about?” Aurelion asked.

Khaalida smiled a bit, but it almost had a sarcastic twist to it. “I hope you are prepared to be a grandfather, Aurelion.”

Aurelion started. “What has Leesi gotten into now?” he muttered, but Khaalida shook her head.

“Koa, actually,” Khaali said with a measure of disbelief.

Aurelion laughed, but the laugh died off as he realized Khaali wasn’t joking.

“Oh, hell,” Aurelion muttered.

“Koa is going to get them now,” Khaalida said with a slightly pained smile. “I guess a public event is a great time to introduce them to everyone.”

Aurelion winced. “You are going to make Koa introduce them, aren’t you,” he said.

Khaalida chuckled. “You bet your wings I am,” she said, nuzzling her partner.

Koa returned a bit later, and Khaalida was waiting. Three Quirls followed him, or rather, Khaali thought they were Quirls.

One was dark like the sky, with galaxies in her mane and tail, and across her body. A slight glow came from her, similar to the aura that Ilkay possessed. The other was a strange, deer like mare with antlers and a deer’s  tail. She had branches growing from her shoulders, and was slightly spotted like a fawn. A large cat stuck close to the brown mares side, and Khaalida felt a slight smile grace her lips.

The third seemed to be close with the other deer mare. He possessed the same antlers and tail, but with vines growing over his body, and a white face with delicate gold markings.

Khaalida looked at Koa, waiting. Koa sighed.

“My daughters, Feriae and Evarinya,” Koa introduced, gesturing to the deer-like mare first, then the star mare. “And Feriae’s companion, Fenrin,” Koa added gesturing to the other deer-Quirl. Upon closer inspection water seemed to drip from his mane, and Khaalida wondered what had caused it briefly.

“A pleasure,” Khaalida murmured looking at the barely out of foalhood group. “I am Khaalida, Queen of Espeor…. And you girl’s grandmother,” Khaalida said softly.

“Please, make yourselves at home and take the time to meet everyone. We can get to know each other better after the Equinox,” Khaalida said and Koa nodded, knowing Khaalida was not suggesting that he introduce the girls, but rather telling him to.

Feriae looked around in wonder. She kept close to her companions. She had never really thought of Koa as her father, more as just a stallion who occasionally visited. She knew him, but not well. This entire thing was strange to her. The other white faced mare who had similar markings to Koa had seemed angry, but their… grandmother, Khaalida had been welcoming.

It was so different from the woods she called home out here. The city was strange and big, and there were so many Quirlicorns!

Feriae glanced at Evarinya, and noticed the same expression on her face. Evarinya wanted to leave. Feriae felt the same, but Fenrin seemed oddly okay with everything going on. More interested than anything else.

It passed in a blur to Feriae, and Juniper, her familiar, stuck close together. Feriae was ready to just run headfirst back into the forest when they came to the last of the Quirls they had to meet, a brown mare and a purple hued mare who stood together.

They were introduced as Liana and Cyrenne, and their comforting nature immediately made Feriae feel a thousand times better.

“We can take over from here, Koa,” Cyrenne said gently. Despite him not being a real father figure to her, Feriae felt a moment of fear over him leaving. But Koa left, and Feriae found herself standing between Evarinya and Fenrin, facing the two mares.

“Let's get into the quiet,” Cyrenne suggested.

“We can go to my garden,” Liana added, and Feriae perked up at the sound of a garden, eagerly following the two mares, with Evarinya and Fenrin close behind.

Varune wasn't sure what to make of this city. Sure, it was nice and all, but it was a lot bigger and to put it simply, not at all like home. He wandered the streets, and quickly found himself lost in the sights and smells.

Snowhaven was his home, but there was something charming about Queensbreak. Something that made it feel like home. There were so many Quirlicorns here! Much more activity than the normally quiet Snowhaven.

Varune had to admit that this world was not the place he expected. It was not nearly as cold, nor as bland. The trees of the mountains were slowly changing color, from the greens of summer to the beautiful hues of reds and oranges of autumn. The color change was not something Varune had seen before, and it was truly gorgeous.

“Admiring the city?” a voice asked from behind him, and Varune turned.

The mare looked a lot like the queen that Eira had pointed out, but different. She was younger, and looked a bit mad.

“I suppose, it's very different from home,” Varune admitted, watching the blue and black mare carefully.

“You came with Eira and her brother right?” the mare asked, tilting her head.

“Yes, I am Varune, Guard of Snowhaven,” Varune said proudly, straightening his posture.

To his embarrassment the mare laughed. “You seem a bit young for a guard,” she teased.

Varune snorted. “You seem a bit immature for a princess,” he replied, a bit sharply.

The mare’s ears flicked back and Varune immediately felt foolish. This was her land after all.

“For your information, I won’t be here long,” the mare spat. “My brother and I are going to get our own lands,” she said, and her demeanor shifted from angry to suddenly a bit… alluring.

“I will need a big strong guard to take care of my land,” she added flirtatiously and Varune couldn’t help the snort of laughter.

“Believe you me, Princess. You seem perfectly capable of taking care of yourself,” Varune said, watching her carefully. He was young, yes, but not a huge fool. He recognized the strange danger this mare was with her shifty ways.

Before the mare could respond, Varune spoke again.

“Besides, why would I protect someone who’s name I don’t even know?”

The mare looked a bit offended but also amused. “The name is Leesi,” she replied, tilting her head to get a better look at Varune.

A shudder seemed to go through the world before Varune got a chance to respond. A high pitched whistling filled his ears, and he nearly dropped to his knees.

“Argh!” Varune cried out, and he heard Leesi’s gasp of pain.

Opening his eyes, Varune looked around. Everything seemed off, and as he tried to take a step he stumbled.

“What is going on?” Varune said from between gritted teeth.

“I don’t know, it feels like I’m drunk,” Leesi said with a gasp, stumbling toward him. Their previous sass forgotten, the two leaned on each other as it felt like the entire street twisted.

In the garden, Feriae was studying some of Cyrenne and Liana’s plants. Sirona and her kitsune had joined them, and was in deep conversation with Cyrenne and Liana about healing methods. Another mare who had ventured through Queensbreak for the Equinox, Lunaris, was with them.

Fenrin stood a few feet away, and Evarinya had slipped into the shadows.

“What is so interesting?” Fenrin asked, looking over Feriae’s shoulder, careful to avoid the branches that grew from her.

“It's just fascinating that these plants have so many uses!” Feriae said with excitement, although her body was still. Fenrin couldn’t help the amusement that came from Feriae being still for a moment. Normally the young mare had boundless energy, so seeing her be so still looking at plants was a rarity.

Feriae’s margay familiar slunk out from some of the brush, nearly startling Fenrin out of his skin.

As he looked back to Feriae her form seemed to twist and warp, and Fenrin jumped back in surprise. As he did he landed badly, falling right on his rump.

“What's going on?” Evarinya asked, stumbling out from the shadows she had been resting in. Feriae’s legs were spread and braced as it felt like the ground rolled beneath her.

“I-I don’t know,” Feriae muttered, her eyes squeezed tightly shut. Her margay seemed confused, sitting and watching as the three youngsters swayed.

“Are you guys ok?” a shout came, and Feriae’s eyes popped open long enough to see Cyrenne, followed by Liana and Lunaris following. Sirona seemed okay, but a strange pulsing light surrounded her and her Guardian was near pressed to her side.

“What's going on?” Feriae asked them, repeating Eva’s question.

“Strong illusion magic,” Sirona said, her fox-tail twitching. “Come close,” she added, and the light around her moved to envelop the small group of Quirlicorns. Immediately Feriae felt better, but the cries of alarm from outside the little garden made the group realize it wasn’t just them.

“We need to find Khaalida,” Cyrenne muttered, and Liana nodded.

“But we can’t move too far from each other,” Lunaris said, looking at Sirona gratefully.

“And we can’t leave the youngsters,” Liana said.

So they stood there, huddled together trying to figure out what was going on.

Eira stood with Avia, listening to her recap of how life in Queensbreak had been. Eira truthfully didn’t care too much, but she loved listening to Avia’s voice so she didn’t interrupt.

Aster had left a bit ago to find ‘some stallions to hang out with’ but Eira knew that was just code for giving them privacy. Avia’s family had also left to pursue their own interests, so the pair was all alone when the wave hit.

Avia sputtered out in the middle of a sentence, and Eira nearly fell off the pillows she was laying on while Avia cleaned her instruments and talked.

The two mares barely made it to each other, each fearing the worst. They clung to each other rather than trying to figure out what was going on. If this were to be the end of the world, they would go through it together.

Pandora was getting her daughters settled into their temporary lodging with Korvah. The blind mare seemed to pick up on something before the others did, stumbling and nearly running into the wall, which was rare for her normally sure self.

It hit Pan and her girls in the second wave. Pandora fell into the wall, Eadwine’s shadow magic lashing out around them against their unseen foe. She quickly lost sight of Elara in the shadows, but could hear her voice crying out in pain and terror. Pandora’s motherly instincts kicked in and she stumbled her way through the shadows, finding her tiny daughter and tucking her close.

Aster was with Abraxas, Ilkay and Pyralis. He found the dynamic between Abraxas and his children a bit fascinating, if he had to admit. Abraxas acted like more of a friend than a father, and it seemed Pyra resented it, but Ilkay didn’t mind. Aster was observing them as they walked when suddenly the world went wonky. Aster thought they were walking down the street when it looked like the street itself flipped. Nothing was right, they were upside down, and Aster fell to his knees. He saw Pyralis leaning against a building, Abraxas clinging to a lamppost, and Ilkay… Ilkay was nowhere to be seen.

Aster took a deep breath and closed his eyes, hoping his equilibrium would come back. Or at the very least, everything wouldn’t be upside down when he opened his eyes. A clattering of hooves prompted him to open his eyes again only to see Koa fall into the street in front of them, looking dazed. Shaking his head, Aster closed his eyes again.

There was nothing he could do.

Eisling stood in the edges of the forest. She had abandoned the city in favor of the wilderness, preferring to spend her time alone. There was nothing for her there. She had not found Ludivine in the city, and wasn’t prepared to face that consequence.

So instead Eisling wandered.

The wave brought her to a stop. The entire world seemed to be shifting and rolling beneath her, but Eisling gritted her teeth. She had been through worse.

“This is only in my head,” Eisling muttered as she noted that the tremors and rolling were not reminiscent of an earthquake.

Looking around, Eisling realized the feeling seemed to be coming from one direction.

So with a surge of adrenaline and stubbornness, Eisling went off in that direction. Each step was a battle, but she was determined to win.

Khaalida and her Cat had retreated to the tallest tower of Queensbreak. Aurelion’s familiar sat beside her own, and they all watched the antlered stallion soaring high in the sky. They had taken some time for themselves after the welcoming announcements. Once the true party started there would be no more time for themselves, and they wanted to have that time.

From her vantagepoint, Khaalida could clearly see the wave as it came across her city. No physical wave, but one of magic, so strong it nearly wrenched Aurelion from the sky. He barely landed safely, nearly running over both of their familiars.

“What's going on?” Khaalida asked, her legs braced upon the ground.

“Strong magic,” Aurelion said, tucking his wings in tight and leaning against the doorway. The tower was mostly open to the sky, with a small set of arches that covered the stairway to below.

“I’m guessing because we officially crossed into midnight territory. It's officially the Equinox,” Aurelion added, trying his best to speak clearly even if he felt like he was about to be sick.

Khaalida sighed, and pulled her magic close, using her various powers to form a sort of magical barrier around her mind. It was draining but necessary. The world quieted around her, and she noticed the attack seemed magic based.

“How can we fight off such an enemy?” Aurelion asked, looking around wildly.

“No…. something like this happened at the Solstice. It seems when our magic gets stronger, something inevitably goes wrong,” Khaalida muttered.

“Get down below if you can,” Khaalida said with a sigh, looking out over her city. Cat hopped up on her back, between her shoulders. “Take Blue with you, our familiars don’t seem as troubled by it. Gather everyone you can, I’m going to find out what's going on.”

Aurelion was torn. On one hoof, this was his Queen, giving him an order. On the other hoof, this was his mate, rushing into danger. The mother of his foals, the love of his life.

“Do as I ask, Aurelion,” Khaalida said, noting the torn expression on his face. “Remember. I am a Deity now. I have the strength to protect myself and my home. And I will not abandon my home,” Khaalida said with certainty.

Aurelion, noting her determination, nodded. “As you will it, my love,” he said, stumbling down the stairs with Blue in tow.

Khaalida looked at Cat and nodded, star speckled wings seemed to unfold from her very skin before she took to the skies.

Eisling wandered through the trees, determined yet her strength was beginning to wane. It felt like she had been trekking uphill for days, when she knew it had only been a mere half mark. The reckless part of her that laughed in the face of danger had come to the forefront; there was something here to be investigated.

A rustle of sound had Eisling looking over her shoulder. She had moved too quickly and the world spun chaotically around her, but her hooves remained firmly on the ground. A wash of relief came over her as Khaalida drifted down through the trees to land beside her. Khaali was panting slightly, her cat wrapped around her shoulders protectively, kneading slightly as if to comfort the queen.

“Are you okay?” Khaalida asked as soon as she regained her breath.

Eisling snorted. “Of course I am,” she lied. If she was being fair, she would have admitted that Khaalida’s presence helped the feeling of sickness in her stomach, and made the world stand still again. But Eisling was not fair, and was still angry at Khaalida.

She would not call this mare sister.

“Good. Aurelion is gathering everyone,” Khaalida said, gesturing back to the city. “You should go wi-”

“I will not,” Eisling cut in before Khaali could finish her sentence. “There is something amiss here, and I aim to find out what it is.”

Khaalida remained silent for a few moments. “It's only the influence of my power that is keeping the magic from you. We will have to stick close together,” Khaalida finally said after some thought.

Eisling snorted. “I don’t need your help,” she said simply, turning and walking away.

To Eisling’s surprise, Khaalida walked with her on the ground rather than taking to the air again. Perhaps it was easier to stay balanced when your hooves were on the ground. Eisling refused to consider that Khaalida might care.

But the mares walked in a tense silence, and Eisling refused to truly admit that Khaalida’s own influence helped the world remain stable. It was easier going when trees didn’t hop up right in front of you, or suddenly you were about to fall over a ledge. It was hard to not trust one's eyesight, but Eisling had done it before, and would do it again if Khaalida chose to leave.

But Khaalida stayed, and Eisling did her best to ignore the other mare.

Higher in the mountains the magic was stronger, and Eisling noticed Khaalida wincing every once in a while. Eisling had heard that Khaalida was basically a deity, but it seemed that an ascended deity paled in comparison to a true born deity.

Eisling refused to feel bad about it. She refused to feel anything for the mare beside her.

Aurelion looked around at the gathered Quirlicorns. Eira and Avia stood huddled together, Pandora standing close with Elara huddled between her legs. Eadwine stood a bit off to the side, close to her family but keeping her distance.

Sirona and her kitsune were helping as much as they could. Aurelion had found them in the garden with Lunaris, Cyrenne, Liana and the youngins. The three youngsters stood close to Cyrenne and Liana who were looking over them like mothers. Feriae and Fenrin were so close their sides touched, with Feriae’s familiar rubbing back and forth between their legs. Cyrenne’s squirrel was sitting on her back, and Liana’s ferret was running between the brown mare's hooves. Looking at the strange group it was startlingly apparent that the only alarm the familiar’s felt was from their Quirlicorns.

Leesi and the other Quirl who had come from Snowhaven, Varune, stood close together. Aurelion watched them for a few moments, noting the closeness that had seemed to grow from the tense situation. He would have laughed to see Leesi relying on someone if the situation hadn’t been so dire.

A little ways from them, Aurelion noted Koa standing with Aster and Abraxas, the three stallions talking quietly among themselves. Ilkay stumbled not far behind Pyralis, the former joined the stallions, while the latter wandered over to Liana and Cyrenne’s group.

Eisling was yet to be seen, but as far as Aurelion could tell most of the Quirlicorns that were in Queensbreak for the Equinox had arrived in the courtyard.

Glancing back over at Sirona and her Kitsune, Aurelion saw that Lunaris had joined her. Sirona leaned on the other mare, and they talked quietly.

In fact, the entire courtyard was quiet.

Aurelion’s familiar, Blue, meowed softly and rubbed against his legs in a reassuring manner. Despite his strengths and the life he had led before this, Aurelion had to admit that reassuring others was not his strongest point. He had always been a solitary creature, so trying to be a pillar of strength in hard times was something he was unfamiliar with. Thoughts filled his head of his lives before this, of the ones who would have known how to handle this better than he.

Glancing toward the mountain range where Khaalida had said the magic was coming from, Aurelion found he could only hope for her safety.

Khaalida was looking drained. Despite Eisling’s best efforts not to care, she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of worry in her belly as Khaalida stumbled slightly. But the star speckled mare impressed her with her perseverance as she simply righted herself and kept going. Eisling begrudgingly felt a bit of respect for the queen, not that she actually wanted to feel that way.

The top of the crest was fast approaching, and it felt harder to walk. If it was slightly hard for Eisling with the strange barrier that Khaalida was pushing out, the mare didn’t want to know how it would have felt if Khaalida wasn’t here.

Ahead was a grove from what Eisling could tell, or maybe it wasn’t. The path ahead was still wonky, but as they walked it seemed to clear.

What Eisling had assumed was a grove turned out to be a meadow, walking out nearly to the end of the earth it felt like. Looking around, Eisling was surprised to find they were nearly on the edge of a cliff, staring down at the world.

Khaalida glanced at Eisling, but seemed to decide to say nothing. Instead, she plodded on, Eisling close behind.

A shape seemed to appear ahead, leathery wings tucked tight around it. Purple hair flowed from the figure and it was certainly huge, bigger than Eisling was expecting.

“Aberfa!” Khaalida called out, and Eisling nearly startled at the noise. The Quirlicorn… the Deity? - seemed to be asleep.

“Aberfa!” Khaalida called again. Eisling moved closer to get a better look; she had never been so close to one of the Quirlicorn deities.

“Aberfa, wake up! You are having a nightmare!” Khaalida called out, and Eisling felt a push of magic as Khaalida sent it toward Aberfa, hoping to wake the deity.

Aberfa’s eyes opened, and quick as a whip Khaalida jumped between Aberfa and Eisling.

Eisling was startled, being confronted by the deities gaze. She hadn’t even noticed the magic being thrown out toward them.

Khaalida was hit, and skidded back, her hooves desperately seeking purchase. Wings flared, catching the wind and barely stopping her before she crashed into Eisling.

“Aberfa, you were having a nightmare,” Khaalida said, panting from the shock of the psychic attack.

Aberfa scrambled to her hooves, seeming a bit confused.

“A nightmare?” Aberfa mused, looking around. Eisling nearly fell to her knees as the strange warped world around them settled. She had gotten so used to walking in it that returning to the normal world felt like walking on land after being at sea for months - just not quite right.

Khaalida nodded slightly, and Eisling focused on the panting queen.

“Your magic was going crazy,” Eisling said bluntly. “It was causing all of our minds to see the world wrong.”

Aberfa blinked, seemingly a bit surprised. “My apologies then,” she said, as she stood. “Has any permanent damage been done?”

Khaalida shook her head. “Not that we know of,” Khaalida replied. “But I will have to further assess that when I return to my city,” she added.

Aberfa nodded. “How strange,” she murmured, looking over the cliff. “I will endeavour to remain further from your city then, until this ailment of nightmares passes.”

Without a further word, Aberfa took off, leaping from the cliff.

Eisling watched her go, then said softly “Not a deity of many words is she?”

Khaalida huffed out a laugh, still a bit unsteady after the psychic magic being hurdled through her.

“Aberfa is the deity of deep thinkers. She will think about it in private until there is a solution. But she is awake, and for now, we are safe,” Khaalida replied.

Eisling paused, looking at the star speckled mare. “You jumped in front of that magic for me,” she stated.

Despite it not being a question, Khaalida nodded and replied.

“That's what sisters do for one another.”

The city and its citizens and visitors seemed to be in fine order. Shaken up, but overall no permanent damage. Khaalida was obviously exhausted, but put on a smile, talking with everyone and making sure they were okay, as well as explaining what had happened.

A quick speech later and everyone's nerves were soothed. The food and drink began to flow, and the festival for the Equinox truly began.

Eisling watched, newfound respect for Khaalida tucked deep, as the queen turned a potentially bad situation into a party, and how the others looked to guidance in the star speckled queen.

The party went late into the night, then into the morning. Eisling stood on the sidelines for most of it, watching as the Quirlicorns danced around the bonfire.

Avia and Eira twirled together, the princess Leesi dancing around with the guard of Snowhaven, the youngsters dipping through the crowd. And the whole while, Eisling felt something slowly settling.

Something here was reminding her of home and better times. As the Equinox carried on, Eisling smiled and made her peace.