//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: "Myths and Legends." 
// Story: Daring Do Adventures: Daring Do And The Griffin's Goblet 
// by XombieSlayr 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 6: “Myths and Legends.”

The pair of them set up in the mess hall, going though tome after tome, and several mugs worth of Herpy's finest brew. Zebrica’s History was rich with folklore, and there were no simple tasks locating one myth amongst so many. But Daring was tireless, and knowing the stakes, so was Herpy. They paged through several books for what felt like days, and still no luck in finding the myth they were after. 

Daring got up out of her seat to go get a fresh mug of coffee. 

“Daring?” Herpy asked suddenly. 

Daring turned around, her empty mug still clutched in her hoof. “Yes?” she replied. 

Herpy stuttered a minute. “A-are you sure you want to see this through? What if…you don’t like what you find?” he asked.

Daring set her mug down. “At least I would’ve found it.” She sighed. “I need to know at least…I need to know.” Daring trailed off there.

Herpy sighed, but gave a weak smile. “Alright.” He said, returning to the search. Daring poured coffee into her mug, as Herpy called out. “I may have found something.” 

Daring returned to the table and set her mug down as she took her seat. “What is it?” she asked. “An old sepertan legend from the fertile crescent. There’s a tribe of zebras who worship a sacred chalice.” Herpy explained reading from the book. 

Daring raised an eyebrow. “That sounds promising.” She said with a smile. 

Herpy began reading from the book. “The legend says that many years ago, the shaman was lost in the desert. He had been on a journey to find enlightenment and lost his way. He was hungry and thirsty, and there was no food or drink for miles in any direction.”Daring leaned in, eager to hear more.

“He continued to walk for miles and miles. His legs were weary, but eventually he collapsed. All hope was gone,there was no chance of help. He was too far from anything for his hoarse cries to be heard. Fairly certain he wasn’t gonna live much longer,he made his peace and closed his eyes.” Herpy read dramatically. 

Daring was less then captivated however, as she wanted to hear about the goblet. “Yes,yes. The usual monk story.” Daring sighed uninterested.
"What does this have to do with the griffin’s goblet?” she asked. 

Herpy smiled. “That’s just it. The legend continues that right when he'd given up all hope,there was a sound from the sky. The sound of thunder and lightning. Suddenly, the sky was darkened by a single black swirling cloud. He watched in awe, too weak to move as it started to storm in the middle of the desert! Then,from the heavens there was a flash of gold,and tumbling from the sky came a goblet of gold and jewels. It landed in front of the shaman,and using it to catch the rain he was able to survive.” Herpy finished reading,as both he and Daring looked at one another. Both thinking the same thing. 

“You don’t think-“  

“The dates match up! There’s some debate of Zebrican vs Equestrian record keeping when it comes to dates but,it makes sense. Great storm,a chalice from the sky,I mean I know technically a goblet and a chalice are two different things but really the goblet title is more of a poetic aspect of alliteration- 

“Herpy.” “Focus. Where?” 

“Oh! Yes,well. The legend corresponds to an area around the town of Glyphmark. Right on the tip of the fertile crescent,Near upper Saddle Arabia. There’s an old temple built in its honor.” Herpy continued to read on the next page. “the legend holds that the rain it brought to the desert is divided among the land along the crescent, which is why it yields such good crops.” Herpy turned to one of his journals. “My research seems to indicate a strange cloud formation right around that area too. Just off the coast of the Metazebranian Sea. I think that’s no coincidence.”

Daring smiled excitedly. She had found the goblet’s location! It was all thanks to Herpy. “Neither do I! This is the lead I was looking for! Thanks a ton Herpy!” The page turned a peculiar shade of red as Daring embraced him. 

Herpy tried his best to form words of gratitude. And failed miserably. He sputtered nervously, before he managed to say “Y-your welcome.” He said weakly,as his face grew redder. As Daring let go,Herpy tried to regain himself. “Um,Good luck Daring! And…come back safe.” He said still blushing, but gave a weak smile. Daring got out of her seat, scribbled down what she learned in her journal, then hurried to the door.

“I owe you one when I get back! I'll help dust off artifacts, or something.” Daring opened the door leading out into the hall.

“I gotta go tell Storm our destination! Thanks again!” And with that Daring was out the door and on her way back to the Storm’s Vengeance.

Informed of their destination, Storm talon plotted a course for Glyphmark in Zebrica. The great warship grew quiet, as night settled on Canterlot university. The crew members who remained awake, who were making last minute preparations and checks, were far too busy to notice the shadowy figure that crept through the grass. Not even when it sneaked up the gangplank and hid itself among their supplies.