Morning reached Woodwatch, and the sleepy village began to awake. Lens was already up and ready when the sun began to peak through the trees. Looking out from the second story of the Inn, she saw how beautiful the forest looked. [i] Amazing, no wonder ponies came to settle this land. There's nothing like it in Manehatten, [/i] she thought. Donning her Scholar cloak, she began to leave her room. 

A part of Lens wanted to go back to Scalpel's mansion, the one usually set aside so logic could dictate her actions. The only time that side of her ever shown was in the presence of her grandfather. Among his wondrous labs and projects, the elderly stallion was unlike any other. That is until she meet the Noxferus. He was, perhaps, the only pony that could equal grandfather Prancer.

But the icy logical side prevailed, for her passions were not as strong as her will. [i] I can't go back to the Mansion, at least until the Text arrives. For one, if I interrupt the Noxferus, he may become annoyed and call off the deal. Director Prancer will not want that. Second, I must not let any pony suspect or become interested in the Mansion. Having regular guests over there is bound to attract attention. Attention that could endanger the Doctor. [/i]

Sighing, she headed down the stairs. Her destination was the town hall, which served not just the residence of the mayor but also the records and library. After all, Lens had to keep up her cover story. And by chance, the Hall was on the other side of town from the Mansion. That would help prevent any interest in that direction. But waiting in the lobby was Lily.

Lens looked at the tired Earth pony - her eyes had rings around them, her scalp bristling with stubble, dirt still covering her sackcloth. "Doctor Lens! I'm glad you're still here. I feared you already left the town." 

The Scholar was a bit surprised, considering the followers of Sweeper tended to stay clean. And for Lily to seek her out so early in the morning. "Good morning, Miss Lily. What do I owe the pleasure?" Lily told her the details of the frightening night. 

Once the missionary was finished, Lens nodded and looked deep in thought. "So you went to the town watch, and they checked the woods in the morning… Did they find anything?" 

Lily nodded. "Blood, lots of it. But… that's all they found." 

"You sure it was a pony in those woods?"

"No… it was just too dark to tell. It looked like a pony, but it didn't speak." 

Lens gave a kind smile to ease the other pony. It was another rare moment where her friendly side appeared - if it was needed to reassure a patient or a test subject. "Night tends to cause our imaginations to run rampant. I believe the artist Greeny once said 'Fantasy without reason produces monsters.' And at night, in the dark, in the woods, all ponies lose their reason." She motioned for Lily to take a seat by her. 

Lily obeyed and nodded. 

"It could have been a deer or a moose. You did well by not going in until you knew more. That animal could have been prey to some tiberwolf, a parasprite, or even a feral bear. And no doubt, that's the other shadow you saw in the night. Or maybe your friend was right, and the approaching form was some Cult horror. Then luck was on your side that it didn't get out of the woods."

Lily didn't say much, clearly still frightened by the events. "Did you get any sleep last night?", Lens asked. 

"No… neither did the others with me. Even with the sisters who that wasn't there keeping a watch, I couldn't sleep."

Lens shook her head. "Well, in my professional opinion, you need the sleep. I can prescribe something to help settle your mind."

Lily smiled. "Thank you, Doctor Lens. The Lady certainly is fortunate to have you in her service." 

"No problem. Now lets get to the bar - a good hot cider will help. And I wouldn't mind a drink as well." Lily eyebrows quirked at the suggestion as Lens led the way. But the Scholar's mind was on something else. [i] The Noxferus… I wonder if his creations were responsible for the incident? In any case, I need to make sure Lily doesn't investigate this, or bring any more unwanted attention to it.

[i] And I hope the Noxferus doesn't send his creations after Sweeper's missionaries. If any of them die, it may get the attention of that alicorn as well.[/i]