Chapter 3: “Karma Mishta.”
The Library of Canterlot University was huge, packed with tomes from every continent, in every known language, from every time period, a pony could imagine. It was quite a feat to find a tome amongst its winding shelves. It might take hours, before they found the book of their choice. Fortunately Herpy was no ordinary pony. He happened to be the best page this side of Equestria. His eyes darted over the many books in each row with calculated precision. He read each subject aloud as he searched for the book he was looking for. “Genies, Ghosts, Ghouls,Giant…Griffin!” Herpy grabbed a heavy leather bound tome from the shelf, then hurried back to the tables where Daring and Storm waited.
“Here you go Daring. The Compendium of Griffanian History.” Herpy stated proudly,setting the book down on the table with a heavy thud.
Daring smiled at her friend. “Thank you Herpy.” She turned to Storm,who was admiring the intricate design on the front of the book. “Now Storm,the legend were interested in,has to be in here.” Daring tapped the book with her hoof, letting up a small cloud of dust. “But its in Old Griffanian,and you’re the only one who can translate it.” Daring said, smiling at Storm.
Storm actually looked eager to read through a book containing the entire history of the old Griffinanian dynasty. “Of course.” He said adjusting his half moon spectacles, and opening the heavy book, scattering more dust into the air. “Tell me what it is your looking for.” Storm said, ignoring the coughing of both his colleagues.
After the dust had cleared,Daring sighed before answering Storm. “The Legend Of Kamara Mista.” She said clearly. “And the location of the Griffin’s Goblet.’ She added.
Storm gave a weak smile as he turned the pages of the book. “I figured as much.” He said, scanning the many dusty worn pages.He stopped on a a segment of several pages that had been written in elegant strokes of various lines and wing patterns. The language of the Old Griffins. “Now before I start. Are you sure you want to do this?” Storm asked,looking up at Daring. Daring gave a puzzled look. “Whoever sent you that letter,probably has an agenda of their own.” Storm stated clearly.
Daring chuckled. “And if they want to discuss it, I’m all ears. In the meantime, I’m going.” She stated with a smile.
Storm nodded. “Very well. Though I don’t know why you have me reading this. You grew up with this story.” He said,his eyes still on Daring.
Daring gave a quick glance down at the book. “I know. But I wanna hear it straight from the griffin’s mouth. I need to be as precise as possible if I want to reach the city.” Daring said in a serious tone.
Storm had never seen Daring so serious before. This truly did mean something to her. Perhaps more than anything else shed ever encountered in her career. Either Career. He smiled warmly,but said nothing as he found the first chapter that detailed the legend of Kamara Mista. “Ah,here it is.” He said. Storm cleared his throat,then let out an incredibly high pitched screech that sounded as if an eagle had just screamed into a microphone. Daring and Herpy covered their ears to protect them from the eardrum bursting sound. Luckily Storm stopped,seeing them recoil as they did.
Daring uncovered her ears slightly. “Please read in Equestrian,Storm.” She sighed,her ears still throbbing from the sound. Storm,who had apparently been completely unphased by the head splitting wail he'd just let out,looked up at his colleagues from the book.
“Hm?...Oh! Yes of course.” He said casually. “Sorry about that.” He added as Herpy gingerly uncovered his ears. Storm cleared his throat again, and began to read. This time in Equestrian.
The Legend Of Kamara Mista,The Great Cloud City
Long ago, The Great Queen created the world and the elder days began. But soon there was a terrible war,and the races of the world were scattered and divided. They fought against one another,and there was much suffering. In these dark days,griffins preyed upon ponies at will. But there came a day when the griffins renounced their ways. And proposed a new endeavor. Together,Griffins and Ponies would create a great city in the sky.
By the might of the griffins,the magic of the unicorns,the will of the pegasai and the dedication of the earth ponies,a city was created. It was called Kamara Mista, and the clouds were enchanted with great magic,such that even unicorns and earth ponies could walk upon them with ease. One cloud was the greatest of all, it stood grandly in the center of the city and it was called Karma Serena. The cloud brought beautiful, unending rain such as no creature had ever seen before. A magic goblet collected its water, and those who drank of it were blessed with magical flight beyond imagining. Ponies and griffins delighted in their achievements and there was peace throughout the city.
But peace did not last forever. A group of griffins, lead by a winged sorcerer called Grentor, grew angry at their brethren and the ponies they lived and played with. They did not want to share the power of the cloud. They planned and they schemed, even turning some of the more wicked ponies to their cause. Once their strength was built, they attacked their enemies. Griffin against pony and even griffin against griffin, fought for control of the city. Hooves met beaks,and claws ripped at hides. The battle lasted for days, fierce and unceasing.
Until finally, the sky darkened and the ground rumbled. All were confused ,until suddenly a great voice was heard, Bellowing from the magic cloud. It decreed:
“The harmony that wrought my creation is broken. Instead of joy, I see only fighting and unhappiness. This great city is no longer a place of peace…But one of war. I have granted you great flight, and you have repaid me with naught but childish squabble. If you cannot maintain harmony in my presence, then I shall expel you.”
A great wind blew through the city, renouncing all from its walls. But Grentor sought to ensure he would find the city again and take the cloud for his own. As the wind howled, he cast a spell upon the goblet of the cloud, and the cloud itself. He said “This goblet shall leave its place and descend to the surface. When it is met with the gift of a griffin, the city shall be found again.” And it was so.
But his efforts were for naught, as the wind grew in strength,the goblet was ripped from Grentor’s talons and carried away to the horizon. Grentor searched all his life for the place where the goblet fell. But he was never successful. Because of his curse,it is now called The Griffin’s Goblet.”
Storm Finished reading. “That is all it has to say on the matter.” He said shutting the book gently. Daring and Herpy both sat together at the table,eyes wide and chins resting on their hooves. Daring had been completely captivated with hearing her favorite story from her childhood again,after so many years. She was reminded of when her father sat her upon his knee and read from his own copy of the book,when she was barely a filly.
She was brought back to the present when Herpy voiced his own amazement. “Wow. And you think your father might have found it?” Herpy asked Daring who had turned to look at him.
Daring thought for a moment. “I don’t know.” Then she stood up from her seat,hooves on the table,and smiled slyly. “But there's only one way to find out.” Daring looked over at Storm who was now cleaning his spectacles on his own cotton cloth he kept on his person. She smiled with determination. “Storm, pack your things.” Storm didn’t have time to respond,because Herpy responded first.
“B-But wait! You're going to fly to Zebrica,to find a long lost artifact. Use that long lost artifact to locate a long lost city. And search that long lost city for your father…Over Spring Break!?” Herpy exclaimed, not taking even a single breath. "That’s only one week! You'll never make it back in time!” Herpy added,clearly freaking out.
Storm walked over and put a talon on Herpy’s shoulder to calm him. “Herpy,my boy. I'm going to ask you a favor.” Herpy calmed down for a second,until he realized what this favor was going to be.
“W-wait…No,no way!” He exclaimed.
Daring looked over at him with a warm smile. “well try to be back in a week. But if we don’t make it..."
Herpy struggled to speak,but only worried mumbles came out.
“There's a class that Monday. Its only a lecture,you'll be fine.” Storm said reassuringly. “Well probably be back before then in any case.”
Herpy tried to find his voice,as he said ”B-but I'm not a professor-“
Daring casually didn’t wait for Herpy to finish and according to her Herpy would do it. “Then its settled.” She said smiling. “See ya later Herpy!”
Daring and storm talon began to make their way through the library doors,before Herpy called out to them,sounding terrified. “B-but wait! I cant!” he sputtered.
Daring peeked back into the room. “I'll tell Coco you said Hi!” she said with a smile.
Herpy found enough volume in his voice for one more go at speaking actual words. “But Daring!” he exclaimed as the doors finally shut,leaving him alone in the library.
Storm and Daring made their way back through the school. "So,what now?” storm asked.
“We head out,that's what.” Daring answered. She ran over the mental checklist she'd made in her head. “First we need to find the goblet.” She said clearly “If we find that,we find Kamara Mista.” She added. “We'll need transport. Fast transport.” Daring said thoughtfully.
“You'll need protection too.” Storm added,making Daring stop and look at him,with a “Are you kidding” look.
“Protection? Storm, I've been skulking around ancient tombs since I was a filly. I've trained in basically every fighting style there is. I don’t need protection.” Daring explained plainly,clearly amazed why Storm would suggest such a thing.
Storm stopped and looked at Daring’s look of determination. "This time could be different. Whoever sent you that letter,knows something about this. And they may not be the only one. I doubt well be the only two looking for the goblet in Zebrica.”
Daring was taken aback a bit. She had to admit he had a point. Who knew what they were going to encounter trying to find the goblet,let alone when they used it to find Kamara Mista.
“If were going to do this, were going to do this right.” Storm said beginning to walk again,with Daring in tow. “Let me handle the transport. Ill call in some favors. Can you hold off till then?” he asked Daring,looking back at her.
Daring was surprised. She was usually the one who handled transportation for her adventures. And what favors was he talking about? Daring sighed. “Fine. If you insist.” She said with a sigh. “But I'm still going to Coco's. You make those arrangements. Make them fast, then meet me back here, got it?” Daring said smartly.
Storm smiled at his colleague and friend. “Yes Ma'am.” He said nodding.