Relief came like cool water to Star hearing Torrential's apology.  "Thank you.  Please, it was not your fault, but this is a trying time…"  She wiped the tears from her eyes with her hoof, and regained some of her composure.  Her face was a bit red from the tears, but the pegasus tried smiling.  

Her eyes… she was not totally blind, but only could see lights and shadows.  It was as if she was in a dark library with the only light coming from lamplight.  Only vague shapes she could tell, and on the right of her was the somewhat glowing shape of the Alicorn of the Rains.  She did not know if it was due to his divine nature, or that her imagination was responsible for the image.  

She was shocked that the ground in front of her began to glow, and clear as day came the runes.  Unlike the rest of the world, she could read them clearly.  Looking up, she saw the bright glow coming from Torrential.  [i] Can I see the magic of the world, or is it that my eyes can perceive light that was not seen before? [/i] she thought.  [i] Or was it that I was touched by Torrential's magic to be able to see this? [/i]

Star wanted to ask Torrential about it, if he knew that she could see his magic, but did not want to worry him about her condition.  Instead she answered:. "Indeed, I have not.  And a riddle?  It's been some time since I've been asked one."  It was an enjoyable game she played with Scroll and Treeheart.  She wondered what both Earth Ponies were doing right now.  

She thought a few moments on the words.  [i]Magic that is not magic, shapes, and grants immortality… [/i]  Then it came to her. "Is the answer 'Water"?"

----

Meanwhile, Snow Tail continued her chat with Storm.  There was a rumbling.  "Well that would be my stomach," Tail muttered.  "After all that I'm famished.  I'm going to get something out of my pack."  She slowly opened her saddlebag and took out two small packs.  It was rather custom between newly meet warriors to show that they were not taking any weapons out.  

"Iron rations," said Tail, as she unwrapped them.  "Not very flavorful, but keeps one's toughness up.  You can have the other ration if need be."  She took a small bite from the second one and swallowed, showing that indeed the food was not poisonous - it was something she picked up living in Whitegold.  [i]True friends taste their gifts first [/i] was the saying.