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// Introduction with a Task 
// Story: Time for a Little Magic 
// by Sketch-Pad 
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	Starswirll was sitting silently infront of his window, gazing up at the pattern of the few clouds in the sky. It looked like the pegasus ponies were planning rain soon, but hopefully it would not be too much. A small hint of the smell of rain caught the air as it blew through his window, which made the unicorn believe even further that rain would soon fall. The stallion closed his eyes as a second gust of wind, this one stronger than the first, swept through the window. A quick surge of energy followed the gust, and from the vibes he knew that another unicorn had entered the building. In fact, from what he coudl tell, it was probably one of the strongest unicorns that he has felt in a while. The only question was this new unicorn's intentions. 
He took a deep breath as he heard hoofsteps coming up his stairs towards his chambers, and figured that his assistant had returned safely. "Welcome back, Ember. Did you get everything that I asked?" The gray-blue stallion mumbled calmly. 
The gray and red unicorn gave a somewhat startled nod, though Starswirll was not looking at him. "Yes, I got the book you asked for, as well as another letter from the unicorn princess." 
The white-maned stallion stood up and turned to face the younger colt with curious eyes. "Could you read it please? I've been getting a peculiar feeling about the royal family members lately, and I hope that the feeling is directed at something on the brighter side."
Ember nodded. "Of course." he took out the letter, and levitated it with his magic while he cleared his throat.

"Dear Starswirll, I hate having to tell you that my mother, and the current queen, has greatly fallen ill. She has been ordered by the doctors that she is to stay in bed until she is better. Because of this, I have taken rule over the kingdom until she recovers. It has also come to my attention that you have requested a few royal spells, those which require a strong amount of magical ability. While I would be more than happy to give you the spells, I regret to inform you that the book that contains these spells are locked away in the cave behind the castle, due to a risk of them possibly being stolen. This cave is also the home to a dragon, one that only listens to my mother. I would venture into the cave myself, but that dragon hardly even notices me and if something happened to me, the kingdom could wind up without a ruler. But until then, I wish you well. 
Your princess, Platinum." 

The gray-blue unicorn looked at his apprentice. "Interesting. I must think about this letter... leave it on my desk, please," and Ember did so. Starswirll also noticed a definite scratch on his friend, and with a golden flash, he was able to make it heal with in a matter of seconds. Ember had opened his mouth to thank him, but Starswirll nodded and prevented him from saying a word. 
"I also have a feeling that you are here to see me for another reason, am I correct?" Starswirll asked. 
"Yes. There is a unicorn here to speak with you. She calls herself Clover, and claims that she has a desire to learn from you...as an apprentice."
A small sly smile curled onto the Older pony's lips. He had tried to take on two apperentices in the past, and both had ended up leaving him. His first apprentice realized that his magical abilites were not able to keep up with the spells and things he was learning, and the second ended up being a spy for a group of ponies who did not like how Starswirll was so naturally talented. Perhaps this new mare would be the apprentice that he was looking for. 
Ember, however, was not an apprentice. He was an assistiant, and would do things like deliver letters or arrange certian meetings. Ember was also the spell-caster's closest friend. He did not get out of his tower too often, since he was usually so involved in the types of magic. 
"I look forwards to meeting her; you can send her up." Ember bowed his head at his mentor, and walked back down the staircase. Starswirl glanced around his room, making sure it was at least somewhat tidy. The alchemist station was in one corner of the room, sitting and not being used. Next to that on the left was large bookshelf that covered the entire wall. There was a maple desk underneath the window he was gazing through earlier, though on the desk and around it there were several scrolls and books. A large bed was in the opposite corner of the room, with a nightstand to match. There was a single other door that led to a restroom as well. 
The room was comfortable and perfect for studies, and it wasn't messier than usual. Sometimes when he followed an idea his room would turn upside down so he would be able to keep a hold on it. He hadn't had one in a while, so his room was fine. The last one he had was when he was working on some healing magic. He had an idea to create a fast working healing spell, one that would work much faster than the older spells that were used; Spells that would make a wound take at least a week to heal. However,  that instance was about a month ago. 
He swished his tail as Ember returned with a mare close on his heels. She was wearing a simple brown tunic that covered all but her front legs and her face, and it's fabric would gently brus the ground every time she took a step. Despite the fact this unicorn seemed so simple, or so ordinary, Both of the stallions in the room knew very well that she was not. Her aura was immensly powerful, almost to the point where the three auras combined almost overwhelmed the room. Starswirll had not come across a unicorn like this in sometime. He could only think of two other unicorns off of the top of his head with an energy so strong, The queen and an old friend of his. 
Starswirl had caught himself staring at her, and this new mare was staring right back at him. He could see out of the corner of his eye that Ember was shifting his weight on his hooves out of discomfort and glancing at both of the two unicorns, So the gray and red stallion cleared his throat. 
"I'll leave you two be for now. I'll be up again in about an hour to check on things if she has not left your chambers," he said subtly as he turned, and headed back down the stone staircase. 
After Ember had left the pair, the purple unicorn slowly removed her hood from her head, and gave a shy smile. The mare's cheeks had turned a little pink, but she gave off vibes that said she was just excited to see him. 
"Hi, mister Starswirl, I am, uh, Clover, and I jus-" the new unicorn began. The blue wizard quickly but calmly cut her off. 
"Yes,  I know why you are here," He stated with a smile. "Ember mentioned that you had a desire to learn from me, yes?" 
Clover gave a nod, so he continued.
"I have taken on only two apprentices in the past, and unfortunetly both of them have left my side." He took a step closer to her. "However, I have not come across another unicorn with such strong a magic in a great deal of time, nor have I had them wish to learn things from me." He paused, which caused the other unicorn to perk her ears a little bit, like had been holding her breath. "If i take you on as an apprentice, I do not know how much my talents shall be of benifit to you," he paused, almost for effect, "but then again, I also do not know how much magic you know currently."
The mare swallowed. "Is there something I could do to show you? Perhaps take an exam or something?"  Her voice had become a little more shaky, for she was definetly nervous on this newest topic. 
He smiled again. "That is actually not a bad idea, Clover. But it  might take me a moment for me to-"
He paused, which caught Clover off guard. The letter. I might be able to have her retrive that Book that I need. 
He closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Depending on how tough that dragon might be, it could be the perfect test for her. Yes, I will take her on as my apprentice if she can retrive that book for me. 
"I have an Idea, Clover." He walked over to the letter that was still resting on his desk, and skimmed it over again with his eyes. "I think that the perfect challenge for you would be to get me a book that I need."
"A ...book?" She asked, confused. Starswirll understood why she might be though. 
The white-maned stallion nodded. "Yes, though this book is guarded by a dragon, one that will only listen to our Queen. However, she has fallen ill, and I am of in need of that book as soon as possible." Starswirll saw Clover open her mouth like she was going to ask something, but the mare's mouth quickly closed. 
"The book contains a unique array of spells that I have a desire to learn and study; Spells that might effect our nation forever. " He explained. It was true. That Book that he so strongly desired contained many things that only the royal eyes had been able to see, and for the first time in forever another unicorn, not of royal blood, was able to try these spells. He would be able to do what no unicorn has done before, and he would be proud.
"In case you don't know where the dragon's cave is, I can most likely get Ember to take you, if you would like," He offered. "I would take you myself, but I do have somethings here that I must study; ones cannot leave my attention so abruptly." He actually just had to write back to the princess and then send a pony to deliver it. He might also decide to work on a spell to see if it could heal the queen. 
The mare had not spoken for a few moments, but it very well seemed as though she was following the situation along quite well. She didn't not even seem scared, infact, she seemed a little excited about the mission. Starswirll flicked his tail, and huffed a little sigh.  She seems like she would be a good student, he thought to himself. I just hope she knows what she could face when she reaches the Dragon.
New sounding Footsteps had caught him off guard, and he snapped away form his thinking. He turned his head to face Ember making his way up back up the stairs. His eyes were clearly smiling, though his mouth had not moved at all. It was almost like Ember knew what was going onthe whole time. 
"Ember, I have given Clover here the task of fetching me my book," Starswirll explained, "Though I would like for you to be her guide and take her to that cave." He walked closer to his gray-pelted friend, and whispered in his ear so that Clover wouldn't overhear. "I want you to study what she does, examine her movements and the spells that she uses along the way." Ember was starting to back away from the closeness, but Starswirll wrapped his hoof around his arm. "And try to contain yourself around her, please. Don't get too many crazy ideas while you are gone." 
Ember's cheeks had turned a little red from the last comment, and huffed an awkward sigh. 
With a nod, Starswirll turned to Clover and let his friend's arm go. "Clover, I leave you in Ember's hooves, and I cannot wait to hear about your adventure with the dragon when you return." He flicked an ear, signaling them to leave. "I shall see you both with in a few days, with the book." 
He watched the pair begin to walk down the steps, before he turned towards the letter. He read it over again with quick eyes and smiled. Soon, I shall have the Book and a list of spells that I desire, as well as a new apprentice. Things could not be going better.