The day had been a weary one, and Dusty Maps was exhausted. Her team had raced across the desert in Gear's newest contraption, and though the thing was fast, it did little to abate the heat or wind. Sand had gotten everywhere, and Dusty felt she was living up to her name in ways she least wanted to. At the very least, she was glad she had taken Gear's advice and worn goggles.



Their zebra guide did not like the machine, but they were paying her well enough that she wouldn't be left behind. She had spent most of the trip in prayer to her deities, stopping to point out the occasional landmark or to correct their course. Having crossed the desert by nightfall—a trip that usually took several days—and not having exploded along the way, the zebra seemed a little more at ease with the machine; just a little.



Dusty watched her gaze quietly upon the heavens. She was quiet and unmoving, and Dusty guessed that she was lost in prayer or some other zebra tradition concerning the coming of night. Gear had started the fire to keep the night's chill off their backs, and had taken advantage of it by making a pot of field coffee—just like the stuff back home, but unfiltered and full of grounds. Dusty accepted the mug offered to her, idly sipping the scalding beverage, never taking her eyes off the zebra.



"Something bothering you?" Gear asked.



Dusty shook her head. "I just find it fascinating, is all. On this land, so far away, Celestia's sun still shines, yet the zebra have no notion of her. Or didn't, until we came along. Such deep traditions formed so far away from the heart of it all." She paused, watching a star streak across the heavens. "Absolutely fascinating."



Gear chuckled. "Leave it to you to find zebra rites more interesting than the creatures themselves. Did you see how they built their bridges back in the village? Now, that is ingenuity."



Dusty shook her head. "Always so focused, aren't you?"



"Could say the same thing about you. But then, that's what makes this trip so interesting, isn't it? Heading out to visit an old ruin, a marvel of ancient engineering. I'm sure there'll be stuff there you'll like, too."



Dusty was about to respond, but her words were lost in a yawn. She blinked wearily, and her eyes struggled to remain closed. "Perhaps we should get some sleep," she suggested. "I think it'll be a long day tomorrow."



Gear responded with a yawn of her own, then took her place on the bedding next to Dusty. "See you in the morning, then," she said, before rolling over and settling to sleep.



Tired as she was, Dusty fought sleep long enough to find Skyrunner perched on a root overlooking the small encampment. The pegasus looked wide awake despite the fact that she had been flying overhead the whole day, and she had a look of absolute wonder on her face. "Will you be sleeping anytime soon?" she asked.



"I'll be along soon," she replied. "It's just...beautiful out here."



"Don't stay too late," Dusty advised, finding her last reserves of energy draining. She lay down, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep.



Skyrunner sighed in wonderment as several stars streaked across the sky, looking like white scars against the darkening night. So far away from the royal palace and the princesses, it felt like the night took on a life of its own. Gazing at the stars, she was sure this moment would be the most magical thing of her entire life, and she was determined to see it through to the end.



And still the zebra stood, watching the sky fade to black.