Spectrum grinned down at the decoded pages. He couldn’t believe his luck! After seven straight hours of deciphering he had found the small book was a financial record. A pony’s financial record would tell you their past, present and, if you’re smart enough to figure it out, their future. He swept over the records. Mainly mundane things such as food, water, surgical tools and the like but what caught his eye was repairs on a house in Redheart’s Refuge, Woodswatch, Whitetail Village, And several other such places throughout Equestria. It seemed as though the good doctor had prepared for the instance when he would need to flee. Spectrum knew he would need to search each place for him. He looked out the window. Outside, the town of Golden Pines was bustling with activity as ponies went about their activities. He had taken to the road as soon as he had the book in hoof. He looked down at the market square from his room window with a neutral gaze. It was a calming atmosphere to be sure and ideal for a scholar but besides that it held a nostalgia of sorts for him. It reminded him of where he came from. He felt a lip twitch as his muzzle tried to form a frown but he held it back. After all one must not forget your roots even if they hold nothing but anger for you. He shook his head of his train of thought and started packing his things. His first stop was Redheart’s Refuge. --------------------------------------------- Crashing looked at his sister, a small smile threatening to form on his muzzle,” Thank ye lass.” He was grateful for the music and it was just what he needed to calm the churning sea within his soul. He stood up straight and gave the sea green mare a light nuzzle. “Ye always know how ta clam me lass. Now then I believe we’ve a snake in th’ grass ta ‘unt. Let’s get to it.” The alicorn rummaged through his bag and pulled out a map. Unfurling it he pointed to a dot by a grouping of drawn trees marked ‘Whitetail Woods’. “I have some ponies under me wing that will eb able ta ‘elp our search. After I've gathered me crew what say we meet up 'ere at Red'warts's Refuge?" “From there we should be able ta rack our brains tagether ta find this Silver Scalpel. Sides that I’ll ‘ave one of me Captains find out what ‘e can of this scoundrel. ‘e’s got connections with Whitegold ya see an’ I’ve a feelin’ they may know of ‘im.” Crashing rolled the map back up and put it back in his bag. He then extracted a bottle of amber liquid and took a hearty swig. The burn felt welcome to his throat and he put it back. “What ye say lass? Sound like a plan?" ------------------------------------------------------- The collected captains of the Leviathan Fleet with the addition of Gilded Leaf sat around a small campfire. Mushroom and leek stew in a cast iron pot steamed as a=it was cooked over the fire, it aroma wafting through the air. But the collection of ponies and one minotaur ignored it. They had made camp outside the borders of Manehatten and had acquired much needed supplies once there. Most of the slaves had long since moved on but Gilded and a few others had decided to stay. The thing that bothered them though was that they had been attacked on the way there by a unicorn and Thestral. They won sure enough and even captured the unicorn. Unfortunately the Thestral had gotten away. “So he’s from Moon and Stars hmmm?” Softstep said as she brought her pewter mug filled with grog to her lips. She smacked her lips after a drought of the green liquid and set it down. Across from her Bovir nodded,” Yes but they weren’t out for revenge. They were ordered to secure a prisoner for information.” “Do ya know who gave th’ order lad?” Crosswind’s asked as he warmed his hooves by the fire. “That’s the only thing I couldn’t get out of him,” the minotaur sighed,” Whoever he or she is the poor bastard refused to speak their name. Dear,” Bovir glanced at Swansong as she spooned a bit of the stew into a bowl,” Do you know of any that could be the focus of such fear?” She took on a pensive expression as she set the ladle down,” Hmmm I can only say the Archmagister herself or Head Inquisitor Lulamoon...wait there was one. His name was Astral Spectrum. I’d never met him myself but a few of the Thestral Nightstalkers seemed to fear him and mind you these Nightstalkers are something out of a nightmare with the way they fight so it’d be safe to assume that’s who it is. Not only that but he was just appointed as Head Priest when I fled with Bovir.” She scooped up some of her stew and hummed with content at the taste. “I’ve certainly heard that name,” Gilded grunted from his position,” He visited the Domes once in a while and I could tell he was high ranking. The strange thing was he never approved of the cruelty of his guard toward us and trust me it wasn’t out of kindness. He didn’t think we were worth the effort of cruelty. Besides that I don’t really know much about him.” He drained his mug of rum. “Could try mentioning the name to the unicorn? Might give some insight.” Bovir stood up,” That’s actually a good idea.” The massive minotaur walked toward one of the small tents that were in abundance in the camp. He went inside and a moment later screams were heard. Crosswinds and Softstep exchanged a glance while Swansong stared at the tent. The screams cut off and Bovir stepped out, clearly shaken. He sat down beside Swansong. “Dear are you alright?” The mare put a comforting hoof on Bovir’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine,” he gave his head a shake. “I’m guessin’ this here Astral Spectrum be our pursuer,” Crosswinds said, his eyebrow raised. “Yes and what’s worse he bit through his own tongue and before I could stop him he drowned himself.” Bovir had never seen such fear in his life before. Under normal circumstances he would chock it up to devotion but the look in the stallion’s eyes when he mentioned the name… “Well then I’d say we’ve garnered a dangerous enemy then,” Softstep said. Her brow furrowed as she racked her brain. It was clear they had stumbled into a situation and she would be the first to admit that she wouldn’t know how to deal with such a pony. All she knew was how to use a sword and how to keep a ship from crashing against the rocks. She sighed and drained her bowl of stew,' I've a bad feeling about all this.'