Starlight flew as fast as she could. She didn't think she was watched, but it wouldn't take long for someone to notice she wasn't there. The farther she flew, the hazier everything seemed. She didn't remember the time of day, she just knew she could see, and she didn't know where exactly she was, but her instincts were taking over and seemed to be doing it for her.

The forest was suddenly much more terrifying than she remembered. When it was her home, the life and death it was full of was interesting and beautiful. But she was a stranger to it now, and she was suddenly aware of just how unfriendly the environment was to a pony. She felt scared of how she had no control over it, and was constantly on edge and watching for the many vicious life forms that could bring cruel and unusual deaths.

She eventually grew tired, and stopped near a river. The water was dirty, but she could still make out her reflection. She appeared to have aged, but she couldn't tell by how long. How many years has it been since the war started? Starlight tried to think of it, but she realized she had no clue. She brushed it off. It isn't important.

She appears to have grown much stronger since she last saw herself. She wasn't a bodybuilder or anything, but she was clearly very fit, at least for a pony her age, or what she guessed was her age. She appeared to have some piercings in her nose and ears she didn't remember receiving and armor she never remembered wearing, and took them off. It would clearly identify her as a Wildling, and she wanted to disassociate herself as much as possible, only keeping a small knife. All that was left was marking on her forelegs and face, which she assumed was permanent, and many blood stains over her whole body. She considered faking her death and using the armor as proof of that, but it would take to much time to do that. She also thought about jumping into the river to wash off the blood, but she didn't know what was in there, and simply began to fly again.

She continued her journey until she left the forest over she horizon, then she fell asleep in a fairly obvious hiding spot, as her need for sleep was more intense than her need for guaranteed safety. She had a dream that night, the same dream she had had for the past several weeks. She didn't know what it meant, but it had a part in persuading her to leave the house and gave her a place to go. She continued onward, spending about three days on her journey to the Refuge, finding food and safer places to sleep on the way, as well as a river to wash of all the dried blood.

When she finally saw the Refuge she picked up the pace. She had only given herself time for the bare minimum of sleep and eating, and she was exhausted. From her point she saw two entrances, and both had guards, but one had four other ponies at its entrance and one had only guards. She hadn't practiced true socialization in years, presumably, and she wasn't ready to start just yet. She knew with the guards she would only need to politely do as they say. She didn't really know what to do when she got in, but it was better than staying outside.

She strode to the entrance, not at all confidant, especially with her tattooed markings, but she certainly knew how to fake it, "Good day, officers! I would like enter the Refuge today." She said, certain it was awkwardly worded. She started to worry about the outcome of this, but she tried her best not to show it.