"You should have asked them for the map," said Scroll. 

Sweeper was standing on a cloud, trying to figure out where to go next. In her haste she had went in the general direction of Feathersky indicated. Of course, pointing generally northeast was not detailed directions, so shortly they had no idea where to go. The moon was still in the sky, not quite the twilight of the dawn. The night still dominated the sky, but the sun was coming in an hour or so. 

"In retrospect, dear Paladin, that would have been a good idea," muttered the alicorn. She was rather irked at the inconvenience. [i] Had any of my sisters been here, they would have certainly scolded me for not thinking things through. [/i] 

[i] When did I become a Paladin?[/i], thought Scroll. [i] It was like she make these titles up as she goes.[/i] He understood the High Priest title - the local priest had been using it to refer to his position. He still remember that day months ago. 

"I'm flattered, Cleric Alabaster, but I'm not a member of the Clergy. My knowledge in the divinity is alright, but you would be far more suited to that position." Scroll was sitting in the tent that served as Ivory Shore's temple and hospital. The Clerics in town were on a mission to provide whatever aid, spiritual, physical, or mental, they could. 

"And you attend services every week," said the Cleric. "I don't doubt your loyalty to the Sisters at all." Scroll eyes widened - he was worried that Alabaster was thinking Scroll was trying to set up a false cult. Somehow, someway the Cleric had a means to look into the hearts of others. 

"Then why-"

"Because in a sense, you are that Alicorn's High Priest. When the Sisters came to power, they selected those who were probably very much like you. They certainly had little of the knowledge that we do now. And they probably doubted their roles to play, unsure of what they're getting themselves into or worried of what other ponies will think.

"But they formed the basis of the Orders that serve the Sisters, even after their disappearance. You too were ordained by the Chambermaid - I have no doubt she is of akin to Celesita and Luna, if of a lesser order. She called you, and you answered."

Scroll sighed and sat on a log that served as a pew. "It's a bit much. I wish I had the wisdom and education of the Clerics to guide me."

"I know you know enough to get by well - your mission is quite a different matter from mine, though they have the same goal in the end. Have some hope, that Alicorn wouldn't have selected you without a reason."

Alabaster's words gave some comfort to the Scholar. Even as he lay strapped like a filly to his mother, he couldn't help but wonder why Sweeper choose him. [i] Maybe because I was the first pony to meet her[/i], he thought. But his mind told him to be quiet and take the Clerical words to heart. 

"I see a cloud city in the distance," said Sweeper, her eyes narrowed to the north. "Should we go there to ask for directions?"

Scroll pondered for a few moments, envisioning a map of Equestria in his mind. "If we're heading from the South… just north of Northgate… That would be Cloudsdale!" He shuddered. "That's the capital of Stormwing! It's so highly guarded, we probably wouldn't be able to get in. Or worse, they may just attempt to detain us."

"That's not a problem for me."

"No, but it could take up precious time."

"Then what?"

Scroll thought a few more moments. "Let's try Northgate - it's a bit South of here, but it's probably won't hinder our efforts as much. And it's probably closer." 

Sweeper nodded. She didn't want to deviate from their course, as she was uncertain of her kin's fate. But at the same time, they couldn't waste time wandering. "Very well," she said, and headed south towards the ground settlement.