Chapter 12: Secret Letters
Dear Sapphire
I am so happy to hear that you got yourself an apprentice Though the circumstances under which you met her are strange to say the least, I am positive that this will be a wonderful blessing for the both of you. Obviously Serene has found a new place where she belongs, and two good ponies to take care of her. But I think it will be good for you as well. You will finally experience the joy of teaching, of sharing your knowledge with another pony, instead of just keeping all of your secrets to yourself.
I know you will say that you have been talking about magic with me, but I know there is much more you don't talk about, since the oath to your magic circle forbids it.
And that Lionheart agreed to marry you in the process is wonderful to hear as well. I'm so happy for you! Do you already now when the wedding will be? Am I invited?
Sadly I don't have such good news about my private live to share with you. I'm just way too busy with my research so there is no time for romance left. But I won't complain. I'm traveling a lot and learning so much. Spike is with me, but you knew that of course, the letter arrived you by dragon fire after all. Rainbow Dash also insisted on accompanying me -ever the embodiment of loyalty- and I am very grateful to have her around.
Just last month I found some actual writings from the time of Starswirl the Bearded. In a small village at the coast south of the smokey mountains, I came across an eyewitness account of the fall of the Necromancer's Kingdom. It was a diary, kept save over the centuries in the attic of a rock farmer family mansion.
It's a personal story of course, but it sheds lights on the events from the perspective of somepony actually living in the kingdom. On the first glance the events seem to be the same as in the records in Canterlot, but they differ so much in detail!
And they are a lot grimmer than the sagas of Starswirl as well. So many ponies suffered during that time, so many lives were lost.
It's great for my research though, if I can link this accounts to actual places, I have a new lead where to look next, maybe I will even find the ruins of the Necromancer King's castle!
I will keep in touch. Give my regards to Lionheart and Serene.
Yours, Twilight Sparkle
P.S. Rainbow asks how a boring egghead like you managed to get an awesome mare like Lionheart to marry you.
Dear Twilight
We didn't set a date for the wedding yet, but of course you will be invited. It will only be a tiny ceremony though. Without any family to invite, it will just be close friends of Lionheart and I. I will tell you far in advance, so you can schedule a visit to Canterlot within your travels.
As I started to teach Serene to become a sorceress, I found myself reevaluation everything I knew about being a sorceress. As you know, I despise my former masters at the circle and their methods of teaching. There has to be a better way for a young filly to learn the secrets of magic.
I already used those meditation and yoga techniques you did, when you thought me the unicorn way of spell casting. But that's just a good start.
Mostly I have been concerned about how it can be possible to learn the self discipline required of a sorceress, without rigorous ascesis, for I want Serene to grow up healthy and strong. I only managed to do so myself, because I had already stopped listening to my masters advice when they found us old enough to begin proper magical training that required strict ascesis. Other adepts who didn't, grew stunted and miss formed. But because I forsook ascesis, I never learned self control and grew arrogant. Then I learned the hard way what consequences arrogance can have.
So how can I teach my apprentice proper self control without hurting her bodily development? Lionheart gave me an idea. She said that the they use physical training to teach their recruits discipline. And I can see it. Standing up in the middle of the night, going out in any weather, no matter if it hails or the sun burns, running until your lungs burn and your legs feel heavy as lead, that requires self discipline. I will read up on the subject.
Will probably have to go through the same training I put Serene through, but that's alright; Rarity tells me that muscular calves and well toned flanks are en vogue among the Canterlot nobles. That's quite a difference to the fat, decadent elite of Bosperan I tell you. Can you believe I had been afraid that traveling would ruin my scrawny frame, no longer making me look like I didn't have to lift a hoof to make a living?
I wish you good luck on your search for the Necromancer King's castle. You should speak to the locals too, they might know old stories, fables even, that ground on true events. The cursed hill where the animals won't go could very well be the site where a wizard's lair is hidden.
But be careful if you go out to investigate a potential site. A necromancer's traps and guards can still be active even after centuries, and it might be haunted by ghosts. Feel free to call on me if you are in doubt; I have scavenged more ancient tombs and lost wizard's towers than I care for. I'm kind of an expert on the matter.
Yours, Sapphire
P.S. Tell Rainbow Dash, she will want to join my herd too, once I show her my mastery of rope and riding corp.
Dear Sapphire
I thought about the self discipline training you plan for Serene. I think that physical training is a good start, but you should also consider a pure mental training. Like having her sustain a strict, healthy diet, despite sweets being readily available. Maybe often make food she isn't found of. You still don't like hay tea, do you? Or do meditations in a room with lot's of distraction she has to blend out.
You will however have to give her proper motivation to do so. Something positive.
There is one thing I am concerned about though. You said yourself that you didn't trust your masters in the circle. You said it made you learn more about magic than you would have else wise, but I think you are wrong. It only made you disobey their orders, not following their advice. Don't make the same mistake with Serene.
She is just a filly, and you and Lionheart are the only ponies she has. It is imperative that she can trust the two of you, especially you! Foals need to feel safe, they need to be able to trust in the ponies around them, in the world around them, so they can find their place. And since her trust was once betrayed already -not that her parents had planned on doing so by dying- it is even more important she can build it once again. She might develop serious mental disorders otherwise.
Now that I think about it, a psychosis developed through the trauma of losing her parents might have been the reason for her to run from the orphanage and seek a way to resurrect her parents in the first place. She is lucky she found you, and not some questionable practitioner of black magic. Just imagine a little foal learning Necromancy! I shudder to think about it.
You can make her a critical spirit by employing on her natural curiosity! Show her the things that are hidden from plain sight, show her the wonders that are to be found if one just looks beyond. Trust her, don't keep secrets from her, and in turn she will show worthy of that trust, and trust you the same way.
Yours, Twilight Sparkle
P.S. Rainbow looks so cute when she is embarrassed.
Dear Twilight
I think you are right. All the books I read on pedagogy agree with you. (At least the ones that have any credibility. What nonsense some ponies readily believe!) So I will try to do as you said, trust in Serene, and earn her trust in turn.
Also I hate you! You made me drink hay tea at least once a week. Remember me to thank you properly with my riding corp when you come to Canterlot for my wedding.
Best wishes
Yours truly, Sapphire