Luca - 7

>Three days passed.
>Wedge slept nearly the entire trip.
>No words were exchanged between Luca and Speck.
>Hex muttered to herself ceaselessly.
>Foehn and Biggs stood vigilant watch at the back of the caravan, watching for any approaching assault.
>Luca read through more of her book, and, much to her surprise, discovered it was nearly complete.
>Though most of it was common knowledge around Equestria, she found one curious tidbit of information.
>The events leading up to Princess Luna's banishment.
>Yes, every pony knew she was banished, but there was never a clear, detailed account of her betrayal.
>Moonfall, as it turned out, was not the first time the "lesser" races of Equestria banded together to fight for equality.
>Princess Luna, in an effort for ponies to appreciate her "night" more, cast the land into darkness, so the lesser races would be more comfortable with appearing in public.
>Princess Celestia and the ponies of the day took it as a rebellion, and despite Princess Luna's protests, found herself at war with her sister.
>Try as she might, Princess Luna soon succumbed to the despair and sadness of her followers.
>Fueled by her own anger at their defeat, she allowed her emotions to get the better of her, and transformed into Nightmare Moon.
>The rest was history.
>Luca shut the book and looked around the covered wagon.
>Everyone's eyes were on her.
>"So?"
>She shrugged and sighed.
"It is almost complete, though I feel we have enough information to convince Princess Celestia to support us."
>She would not divulge the contents of the update to anyone, save the princesses, should the time come.
>She knew that they would need to act quickly before anything drastic happened.
"When can we see her?"
>"I'll send a letter to Princess Luna as soon as we get into town. Hopefully she can convince Princess Celestia to meet us there, rather than us have to go to Canterlot."

>Luca looked out of the back of the wagon.
>The scenery had changed from lush plains to barren desert.
>Tumbleweeds, bracken, and the occasional cacti rest idly in a windless environment.
>"Shouldn't be much farther to the town."
>A brief silence passed through the wagon.
>"Speck. Shouldn't the caravans be spaced a day or two apart?"
>"They should be."
>Far off in the distance, a second caravan rolled along the dirt.
>The mothpony that pulled it looked exhausted.
>Not in the sense that he had worked without sleep, but more like he had just finished dealing with some small task he assumed would be easy.
>The head of a little purple filly poked out of the front of the caravan.
>The moth and filly shared a short exchange before the filly climbed back into the caravan.
>"At least the little ones are safe."
>"Yes, however they were supposed to reach the town first."
>The moth quickened his pace to catch up to Luca and company's caravan.
>Once he caught up, much to his demise, he was met with Speck's mama bear glare.
>"Is there any reason why you didn't follow through with the plan? You were supposed to have reached the Bad Lands within a day of leaving the burrows."
>"Ma'am, you'll have to forgive my error. The shortest roads were all blocked off by fallen trees. The main routes, the back-up routes, even the secret route through the Everfree. I wouldn't doubt it, ma'am, if we'd had a traitor in our midst."
>"We kind of already figured that out. You did take a safe path, correct?"
>"Safest I could, ma'am. Moonfall knows how much these foals mean to you. Whole reason why you took on the Trials."
>"Which path?"
>"Eh, figured I'd take the kids on a little vacation to destress after all that. Took them west of Hollow Shades to Neighagra Falls, down south to Canterlot to fill the rest of the elite in on what happened, let the foals run around and see the sights. Came straight down here, soon as I could."
>"As long as they're all safe."

>"Well. I'm sure they are. Gotta be honest, ma'am, I didn't think most of them would be safe with Moonfall, given what happened. Figured I'd take them down to Dust Valley, with your permission?"
>"I'm not sure that's a good idea."
>"They'll be fine. We got mountains, and swamps, and dragons."
>"Fair enough. Chances are, we'll be traveling to Dust Valley shortly behind you."
>"For what reason?"
>Speck turned to the rest of her caravan.
>"We're going to need ponies we can trust."
>"Ma'am, the mothponies won't side. We're traders. We only have a hoof-ful of ponies that have any kind of combat training."
>"You have dragons."
>"Speck."
>"Yes, Foehn?"
>"I don't think it would be a good idea to try to recruit the dragons. If they feel like we pose a threat, they'll come after us first."
>"As long as their mothponies travel through Equestria on their trade routes, the dragons will side with us if we tell them what's coming."
"What exactly is coming?"
>"Something Moonfall worked so hard to prevent. War is coming for us, Luca."
>Luca felt her heart drop.
>Only a week ago, she was just a regular librarian, minding her own business.
>And now she was going to war.
>She moved from where Speck and Foehn sat, to the back corner of the caravan.
>There, she curled into a ball and waited to arrive in the Badlands.
>She decided she would tag along with the group until they set out for Dust Valley, and then run away as soon as she could.
>Though, as she looked around at the caravan, from the diamond dogs, to Hex, to Speck, to Foehn, she realized she wasn't as alone as she was before joining Moonfall.
>They were her friends.
>She couldn't just abandon them, could she?
>Was she really all that helpful, or would things unfold exactly as they had without her?
>Foehn turned to look back at everyone in the caravan, and noticed Luca staring at him.
>His stern expression changed to one of worry.
>Luca blushed, but could not bring herself to look away from him.

>He crossed the caravan and laid beside her.
>"Something on your mind?"
"I am so afraid, Foehn."
>"We all are. No one thought this would happen. But, we're all gonna pull through this together."
"Are you sure?"
>"Of course I am."
"Do you know what Charon's planning?"
>"I have no idea. I trusted him, and I thought I knew everything about him. Hex doesn't even know where he is."
>The caravans stopped abruptly.
>"We're here. Gonna need all of you to get your things and hop out quick as you can. I've got an actual trade route to worry about."
>Foehn draped a wing over Luca for a brief moment to reassure her that everything would be okay.
>"You heard him. Foehn, get Wedge. Luca, Hex, Biggs. I need you three to keep watch over the foals."
>As Speck hopped out of the caravan to get a headstart on whatever business she needed to take care of, Foehn rose from Luca's side and started walking over to the wounded diamond dog.
>"Alright kid, this is gonna suck, but I have to pick you up."
>Two big dog paws stopped Foehn as they reached for Wedge.
>"I've got him."
>"Biggs, please."
>"I said I've got him."
>The second diamond dog lifted his brother onto his back.
>"Fine, just get him somewhere safe."
>Biggs nodded and exited the caravan.
>Hex, Foehn, and Luca followed shortly after, and the mothpony that carried them for their journey started off toward the west.
>"So, uh... Think Speck's gonna be back sometime soon, or can I unharness and take a break?"
>"I think you're fine."
>With an exasperated sigh, the mothpony slipped out of his harness and trotted off, presumably to find some way to unwind.
>The trio sat in silence as the six little foals crawled out of their caravan and into the night.
>They avoided Luca and Hex, and started climbing Foehn, since he was the much larger, and more fun thing to climb upon.
>Luca looked up as two of the foals climbed above Foehn's shoulders, and piled upon each other on top of his head.
>The other four stacked on his shoulders.

>Hex stood and started walking north, the way they had just come.
"Hex?"
>Foehn put a claw on Luca's chest as she stood.
>"Let her go. She's got a lot on her mind."
"But it's dangerous!"
>"She'll be fine. Just give her time to think. I know her much better than anyone in Moonfall, and trust me. Girl's always had a lot on her mind, and if it's finally about to hit her, none of us want to be anywhere near it."
>Luca sat back down and watched as Hex disappeared over the horizon.
>The two sat in silence, save the soft screeching of the bat foals as they continued to climb on Foehn and chase each other.
>They sat together, under the moonless sky, a brief serenity engulfing them.
>A slight blush came over Luca's cheeks as she felt Foehn's tail curl with her own.
"F-?"
>"Sh."
>His wing blanketed her and pulled her close to his side.
>She shivered nervously as his warm fur met with her own coat.
>"It's cold out here."
"Yes. Yes it is."
>The soft patter of hooves and clinking of metal sounded from behind them.
>Luca looked over Foehn's wing to find Speck approaching, but the mare stopped a short way away.
>"Foehn, I've sent the letter. Princess Luna should receive it by tomorrow evening. I've requested that she send for us in Dust Valley."
>Foehn simply nodded.
"Wait, 'us?"
>"Yes. You, Foehn, and I, along with the fillies, Biggs, and Wedge. Hex is going to stay behind and lead preparations here."
>"Sounds good."
>There was a little bit of strain in Foehn's voice.
>"There's an inn called 'The Manticore's Tail' not far from here. That's where we're set up."
"Okay."
>"Kids, come on. We're going to get you some hot meals."
>The foals abandoned their posts on Foehn and ran toward Speck, a cacophany of screeches sounding and fading as the guardian led them away.
>Luca and Foehn were left alone.

"Are you okay, Foehn?"
>"Yeah. I've been better, but I'm okay."
"I am sorry about the other night."
>"Nothing happened."
"I know. I am just sorry that I fell asleep on you."
>"It's fine."
"May I ask a personal question?"
>"I might not answer, but go ahead."
>Luca looked up at him.
>He looked down at her.
"You said you used to have someone. What happened?"
>Foehn furrowed his brow and glared at Luca.
>"I'm not answering that."
"Okay."
>"What about you? Did you have someone back in Hollow Shades?"
"Me? No. I had my books to keep me company."
>"Do... Do you even have friends back home?"
"My books."
>Foehn shook his head slightly, his beak opening as he squinted.
>"When this is all over, if we're still alive, we're going to find you some friends."
"No need. You are my friend. You, and Speck, and the twins, and Hex. As little as I know of any of you, one does not simply spend three days in a caravan and not consider others their friend."
>"I guess."
"So. About your tail?"
>"What about it?"
"It seems to have become wound around my own."
>"Is that a problem?"
"Not in the least. I am curious how to take it, though."
>"If circumstances were different, you could take it in a flirtatious manner."
"And now?"
>"You should take it in a flirtatious manner."
"I can do that."
>The two smiled softly at each other as the sky's dark blues broke into early-morning purples.
>"We should head over to the inn. Speck's probably going to try to get us all up early so we can get to Dust Valley as fast as possible."
"That would be smart. Should we room together?"
>"I don't think that's a good idea."
"It was worth a try."
>"It was a good try."

>Luca giggled as she and Foehn started walking to the inn.
>His wing remained draped over her, even as they reached the door and stepped inside.
>They were met with the silently judging eyes of one diamond dog, one mothpony, and seven batponies in the inn.
>Wedge looked up from his plate, completely surprised by some abrupt change in his environment.
>"Why'd everyone get so quiet?"
>"Foehn and Luca just walked in. Foehn's got his wing on Luca."
>"Oh."
>Foehn retracted his wing with a grumpy frown and a roll of his eyes.
>"Nothing happened."
>"I would hope nothing happened. You two are sharing a room. We don't need to be kept up all day, so please don't be loud."
"Nothing is going to happen."
>"Biggs, leave them alone."
>"But-!"
>"No buts! It's already past everyone's bed time, and we're all getting up early in the evening so we can head out."
>Foehn grumbled under his breath.
>"Told you."
>Luca stifled a giggle.
>"Everyone that's already eaten, get to your rooms, and get to bed. Luca and Foehn, you two eat quickly and go to sleep. We have a long trip ahead of us. Your room is the third on the right."
>Speck coraled the foals and the two diamond dogs upstairs.
>The mothpony stayed behind.
>"So, you two an item or something?"
>"No. Shouldn't you be going to sleep, too?"
>"Nah. Haven't slept in almost four days. Might as well keep the streak up. I'd hate to go to sleep and not wake up for a few days, you know?"
>"Better than you dropping dead from exhaustion."
>"We mothponies have a little trick to staying awake for long periods of time. It's called 'don't give in.' Useful for those long journeys across Equestria when we've got deadlines."
>Foehn just nodded as he and Luca sat by the mothpony.
>"You know, we never got your name."
>"It's Virgo. That's all you need to know. I'm gonna leave you to love-birds to yourselves. Have a nice, quiet meal, and don't be loud. I'd hate for you to catch Speck's fury."
>They were left to themselves, yet again.
>It seemed that fate wished them together.

>"Do you ever feel like your superiors are planning things behind your back?"
"I have only known my superiors for about five days. I have not had that feeling."
>"Okay. Well, I'm not hungry."
"I am. You should eat anyway. It is not healthy to forgo a meal. Besides, if you are worried about me watching you eat meat, you seem to forget that I sat with you in the burrows."
>"Right. Fine."
>Luca smiled at him as a server set two plates of fruit and meat in front of them.
>"The mare in the armor said you'd be here soon, so we went ahead and prepared these."
"Oh! Thank you."
>The mare trotted off.
>Luca smiled at Foehn, waiting patiently for him to start eating.
>He just stared at her.
>"What?"
"I am waiting for you."
>She nodded slowly as he reached for a strip of steak.
>She clapped her hooves as he put it in his mouth and started to chew.
"That was not so hard, was it?"
>"I said I'd eat!"
>He threw his claws up in the air with a sigh of exasperation.
"Yes, and you have pleased me."
>Luca giggled, but quickly stopped as soon as she snorted.
>Her hooves quickly covered her face as she blushed.
>Foehn immediately started laughing, nearly choking on his food.
"Please stop."
>"Oh. Oh, please. I can't breathe."
>Tears started to drip through his cheek fur.
>He gasped for air.
>"That was... That was cute. Do it again."
"I am going to bed."
>Luca frowned and grumbled as she left the table.
>Foehn followed her, trying to stifle his snickering.
>"You can't seriously be upset."
"I am not. I am simply tired, and wish to sleep."
>"Uh-huh."
>Luca stopped in front of the door to their room.
>She pushed it open and trotted inside with Foehn right behind her.
>They both stopped in front of the bed.
>The only bed in the room.
"There is only one bed."
>"I'll take the floor."
"It is big enough for us both."
>"Yeah, no. I'll take the floor."
"Foehn, no. You take the bed, I will take the floor. I will not take no for an answer."

>"You two quit fighting over the bed and go to sleep!"
>Speck's voice shouted, followed by her hoof beating on the wall.
>"Yes, ma'am!"
>Foehn quickly climbed into bed and under the covers, his claws gripping at the comforter as he pulled it over his head.
>Luca snickered as she followed suit, climbing under the covers on her own side of the bed.
"Good day, Foehn.
>"Shh! She'll hear us and yell again!"
>He was much too worried about Speck, to even realize that Luca was lying beside him.
>She smiled, rolled onto her side, and closed her eyes as she drifted off to sleep.