//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: The Tale of Horologium 
// by H0rologium 
//------------------------------//

By now, a bunch of the fillies' mothers had come to the library to listen in to  the story. But now, as Silver Quill noticed, it had gotten dark outside. Twilight handed Silver Quill the book back, and then thanked everypony for coming. As Silver Quill put the book into her satchel, she noticed somepony was wearing a raincoat, even though there didn't appear to be a storm coming. As the strange pony left, Silver Quill caught sight of a bright green tail with a yellow stripe down one part. 

Silver Quill followed the mysterious pony out into the main street. She raised a hoof to tap the strangers shoulder to get her attention (The style of the tail suggested to Silver Quill that this pony was a she, it didn't look over-the-top fancy, but there was a curl in the tip) when all of a sudden, it started raining. Hard. Like somepony had created a waterfall over the entire town hard.

As Silver Quill was momentarily stunned by the sudden downpour, the strange pony galloped down the street, and disappeared down a side road. Quill gave up the chase, and went back to her house. Quill's parents greeted her as she walked in, and asked how her day had gone. She replied with a casual "Good, it was really good." She then had a cold dinner, and reminded by her parents how late it was, went straight to bed. She stared at the ceiling thinking about the days events, before slowly drifting off to sleep. 

Silver Quill woke to someone pounding on the door. Since she was on the second floor, Silver Quill had a great view of the path leading up to their house. And the royal guards standing at the door. She could also hear her parents walking towards the door, whispering in quiet but worried tones. SIlver Quill unconsciously  grabbing her stachel, decided to sneak out the back door, around to one of the big bushes in the front to watch. As she opened the door, a hoof was placed on her muzzle, keeping her from talking. Somepony's leg wrapped around her torso and legs, making her unable to move.

The pony whispered in her ear. "Shh! Don't you even think of talking!" and took his hoof off of Silver Quill's muzzle. Silver Quill took a step back and took a quick look at him. The pony behind her was actually a pegasus. His coat was a light gray, like a cloud right after a storm. He had a brilliant orange mane, and she noticed his tail seemed a bit shorter and ragged, like he had cut chunks of it off without looking. 

"You better explain yourself mister, or I'll yell for help". It was a pretty lame threat, considering that the pegasus could just fly off with her at any moment, but as her dad had taught her, Saying things with authority and acting like you are in control can help you out in many situations. The pegasus replied, "Look, we don't have much time, those guard out front are here to take you away. I need you to come with me."

"And why would I just dash off with some stranger?" The pegasus hesitated for a moment, then replied: "I am not a stranger, I'm Dareasus. From your book. Ah yes, i see you've already read the book. Then it's even more important that you come with me. I can't fully explain right now, but I cannot let those guards find you here." He turned a bit, and Silver Quill noticed his cutie mark. A silver cloud with a golden wrench on top. Quill remembered a little bit from what Twilight had read about a pegasus with this mark. She heard the sound of iron-shod hooves pounding across the floor, headed straight for the back door. "Hurry! We don't have much time left!" Dareasus said, and Silver Quill immediately made her choice. 

She slammed the back door right as the guards reached it, and ran to the pegasus. He motioned for her to hop on his back, and she did, using a spell she learned in the library to reduce her weight on him. Even though she was only twelve years old, she guessed that Dareasus had never had to hold anyone on his back before. They took off as the guards burst through the door, lifting off of the ground in hot pursuit. Silver Quill watched as Dareasus pulled a small emerald charm out of a satchel on his side. Suddenly, in a flash of green light, Silver Quill and Dareasus were deep in some forest. The pegasus skidded to a stop, and placed the charm back into his satchel. Silver Quill hopped onto the ground and asked, "What just happened?" Dareasus motioned for her to follow, and replied;

"What I just did is use a special charm, made for me by a special friend. Those guards chased us because  of two things. One, they know who I am, and Two, you have the book. You are probably wondering what a book could possibly do to be a danger, but you will find out in time." Silver Quill picked her way through a patch of thorns, then asked, 

"Why are you wanted? Did you commit a crime?"

"No, I didn't commit a crime. I simply was at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Stop being so cryptic!" Silver Quill shouted, "Why cant you tell me the truth?" Dareasus glanced at Silver Quill for a moment. She could sense both pain and a flash of anger before he regained his composure. 

"You'd be better off reading that book for now." Having really no other choice, Silver Quill pulled the book out of her satchel, and read while she kept pace with Dareasus through the forest.