Time To Read
Spike lifted the book on the table. "Are you sure about this?" Spike asked.
"Oh please! I've been searching for that book longer than you could possibly imagine. Why, I scoured all of Equestria for so much as a clue to that very tome. And to think, it's been doing little more than collecting dust within the capital's very own library." Trixie stamped her hoof, "I must read it!"
"Woah, I meant, are you sure about doing it right now, we could wait for Twilight."
"I've waited my whole life. She can read it upon her own time."
Spike shrugged, "What do you want me to do?"
Trixie shut the blinds, "Just turn the pages as I read, I'll nod when it's appropriate."
"Whatever."
Trixie sat opposite Spike, who had turned the book to face her.
"Whenever you're ready..."
Trixie nodded.
Entry 97-4 Our party set off into the woods, with no clear path of entrance, it was accepted to simply walk straight in from our meeting point outside the Earth Pony village. The two pegasi, Wind breaker and Steadfast, took point without inclination. In hope of not appearing superior, I chose to follow from behind the Earth ponies, Vernal and Bounty, leaving my apprentice and I in the rear. You could tell the expectations of these ponies from what "supplies" they chose to bring. As the soldiers who lead in front were clad fully in armor, their carts were filled with many weapons and medical supplies. The farmers in the middle brought food, rope, and tools meant for excursions such as this. The closest things to weapons they brought were a scythe and a shepherd's crook. I chose personally to bring paper, quills, ink, and this very logbook, revealing the true nature of my volunteering to such a task. I wish to discern the origin, not only of the missing ponies, but of the whole history of phenomena linked to this forest. Strange beings have been witnessed along the treeline, and legend tells of creatures so horrible to be born of nightmares. If these do exist, I wish to catalog and describe their appearance and habits, hoping to unlock the secrets of a whole new branch of biology. Yet, if their existence is little more than an old mare's tale, than I will be satisfied in assisting the separation of what is merely myth, and what is fact.
Entry 97-5 Night had fallen, and it was decided to set up camp. Clover had brought the necessary tool to start a fire, gather more versatile equipment then I had. I had attempted to start a fire with flint and steel. I had failed numerous times before...
"Excuse me." Vernal said, "But why don't you use magic?" His face showed confusion.
"I was hoping not to offend anyone."
"That's just crazy!" Wind breaker laughed. "I mean, would you be offended if I flew, or walked on a cloud?" He didn't speak at all with the tone one would expect of an officer.
"Well... no, not really." My reply sounded weak. "I mean... I just..." I couldn't speak.
"He just thought that because of the tension between our races, he would act humbly." My apprentice spoke for me.
"Listen," Wind Breaker started, "I don't mean any offense, but I heard that he was some great wizard or something, and with the rate he's going, we're gonna freeze before there are even embers there." He gestured to the fire pit.
"Well if it's alright..." I said.
Everypony nodded, "By all means." Bounty said.
I used a basic spark spell and a blaze arose immediately. They even applauded me for it. I had decided upon a new way to ease tension.
"I would like to know you, please tell me your story!" I said.
Everypony looked at eachother, "Who are you talking to?" Bounty asked,"
"Why, to all of you. I wish to learn about who I traveling with. Any volunteers to go first?"
It was Wind breaker who spoke first. "My name is Wind Breaker, and this is Steadfast. We were sent here to assist you, and monitor you throughout this journey. I was chosen for being notably tolerant. And this fella'..." He gestured to Steadfast, "Was chosen by none other than yours truly for being the least difficult pony in the entire Avian Fleet. And there's not one other who I would allow to stand both beside and behind me with a blade in his mouth." Steadfast nods.
Bounty seemed confused, "When you say monitor us..."
"I mean that everypony is a suspect. I personally doubt it considering that the earth ponies are likely not capable, and nopony has a motive." Wind Breaker replied, with a grin no less.
They seemed put off by this.
"You're awfully forthcoming with this." My apprentice stated.
"Like I said, I doubt it. What about you two?" Wind Breaker asked the Earth Ponies.
There was a silence and visible discomfort to them. Before Vernal spoke, "Well then, my name is Vernal, I was born and raised in this valley. I'm a shepherd and tend to the livestock. I also try to help in certain odd-jobs and random tasks around my village." The stallion stood tall and strong. I had expected him to be a field worker considering the scythe, but it must be the crook that was his.
"My name is Bountiful Harvest, but you can all call me Bounty, most do. Like my brother here, I was born and raised in the village right here in the valley. I volunteered because my brother wanted to help the ponies that had gone missing and was just to stubborn to change his mind. Damn if I'm gonna let brother get himself killed. I'm a reaper of wheat and grain and maintain the rationing of food." Why would they need to ration?
"I suppose that leaves us now doesn't it?" I say. After introducing ourselves I catch myself bragging. "And I am the head of all magical knowledge. Which is why I am court magister."
"You are?" Steadfast seemed intrigued, "Where does magic come from?"
"From within."
"Within unicorns?"
"Within all ponies."
"All?"
"Yes, every pony retains some magic within. The only different is we can more accurately control our magic through this." I point to my horn. "Pegasi use there magic to fly and walk on clouds, feats improbable if not impossible due to your weight and shape."
"So, we generate thrust through magic as well as our wings?" He seemed truly enthralled within my words.
"Yes."
"What about us?" Bounty asked, "How do we use our magic?"
"Earth Ponies, despite not being any larger, are far stronger by nature. I discovered this while comparing an Earth Pony merchant to a Unicorn stone mason. The mason had done more physical labor, but was weaker still than the merchant. As I studied further, I noticed this stayed constant. Also, plants grow faster and healthier in the presence of Earth Ponies which is the reason as to your position in agriculture."
"What about other animals?" Vernal asked "I mean, does my magic have any correlation to job as a shepherd?"
I didn't know what to say, "You know... That is a good question. I've yet to look into that, but perhaps its merely your talent as a shepherd." As I said this, I realized I knew little of the talents my peers retained. "That is your talent, correct?"
He nodded.
I looked to Wind Breaker and Steadfast, "And what is your talent? The armor you wear conceals it, and you have yet to take it off."
Steadfast was first to answer, "I defend, that is to say I guard ponies and shipments of importance. I was gifted this cutie mark on my first mission, where my commanding officer was "clipped."
"Clipped?"
"Yes, his wing was broken. In truth, he had commanded me to abandon him as griffons began an assault as he was downed. But he had later reported that he made no such command, maintaining my record. My mark is that of a scarred shield, similar to the ones wielded by minotaurs and diamond dog soldiers." I assumed this was fitting being a tool of defense."
"And you?" I directed towards Wind Breaker.
"Why I'm a diplomat! Bringer of peace between warring nations I-"
" *cough* Oh excuse me, please go on." As Steadfast coughed, I could have sworn I saw the slightest hint of a smirk. The first I've seen of him."
Wind Breaker eyed him intently. "Is something wrong, buddy?" He sounded offended.
"Of course not sir."
"But...?"
"No 'but' sir."
"Buuutt...?"
"Sir I-"
"Buuuuuutt!?..."
Steadfast lowered his head in defeat. "But sir, I witnessed your 'diplomatic methods' and must say they've caused more wars than settled."
"Steadfast!? That's preposterous. If I'm so terrible at it, than why did the council appoint me as diplomat of this expedition?"
"Because we're expendable."
"Steadfast!" Wind breaker was insulted, "I'm the best officer in the fleet!"
"How so?"
"Why, my men are have so much morale, they're ready to take on the world!"
"They're also insubordinate and lazy. Sure you make everypony laugh and organize the greatest of celebrations, but you make everypony... too happy."
"How could there even be such a thing? Too happy? Next you'll tell me you can eat too much cake."
"But sir I-"
"Silence! It's late and I require rest to saturate my brain."
Steadfast nodded, daring not to disobey a superior I assume.
"I guess he's right." Vernal said.
"Yeah, It's pretty late. We best get some shut eye." Bounty added.