Most of the party gather inside the local inn.
Necrose, Zathra and Jace enter as companions, and Jace puts forward an offer to a filly he meets, Spell, to travel with them upon which she accepts.
Goldenwings enters the inn under the guise of a priest of Celestia. Hawthorn approaches the newcomer under this impression, only to learn that the pegasus is not all what he appears to be.
Sunset arrives at the scene with a message of an upcoming attack from the Royal Guard and pleads for the ponies to flee. The party discusses whether to run or stay and fight. Hawthorn and Sunset insist that resisting them is futile, while Zathra pushes for the others to make their stand.
Necrose convinces Goldenwings to aid them without payment and also keep his charade intact. Hawthorn eventually gives in and opts to help fight back the Royal Guard, offering his knowledge of the local area. Goldenwings attempts to have Sunset see past her devotion to Celestia but fails, and the mare leaves the scene. The party agrees to hold out on a hill at the south end of town and heads out to the location.