//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Spear of the Windigos (Daring Do #2) // by BookeCypher //------------------------------// The weather in Canterlot was pleasantly warm, the clear sky overhead allowing more then enough sun through to keep the bite of the cold air at bay even in the sparse shade of the tree she wa under. Off in the distance behind her, the University's clock chimed softly as it mid-day arrived. Daring barely noticed the time though as her attention remain fixed on the object at her hooves. “Daring?” Daring turned around in surprise to see Masra making her way toward her, “Miss President,” Daring gave her a polite nod, “I'm sorry. I didn't notice you.” “No,” Masra replied, her gave dancing briefly toward the spot that had been holding Daring's attention before returning to the pegasus, “You're looking better.” Daring glanced down at her self, one hoof running over her tan coat. She was finally free of any bandages for the first time in days, only a few off-color patches in her coat, and even those were quickly fading. She'd looked like a bad mummy when she'd first gotten back, even for the- Daring turned back around, her gaze locking back onto the same spot on the ground as before as her hoof rose up to her head only to find her hat missing. She wished she hadn't left it in her room – she found herself feeling naked without it, “I've been worse,” Daring finally replied, quietly. Masra let out a sigh as she walked up to Daring's side, standing next to her as she studied what held Daring's attention, “She wouldn't want you to be like this, you know.” “I know,” Daring replied hollowly, “I just keep thinking how it could have gone different...” “Daring,” Masra started saying, “What happened-” “Not that,” Daring said, cutting her off, “I mean – if this hadn't happened. What we could have done. What she might have found – she wanted to be an explorer, you know.” “I do,” Masra replied, turning to Daring, “And you? What do you want to be?” “I just wanted to learn,” Daring replied with a tired shrug, “I grew up on stories of what my dad did – the places he went, the things I found. All those strange places and ponies he discovered – all I wanted was to learn about stuff like that. But Zap...” Daring's gaze slid downward again, “She heard all the same stories – but she wasn't happy with just reading or hearing about things. She wanted to go and find them. She wanted to see the world.” “And what do you think now?” Masra asked. “Now?” Daring echoed, “Now, I know – really know – what sort of things are out there. Horrible, terrible things nopony should ever dig up. And there are... people who seek those things out. Zapapple was right – you can't just spend all your time in the laboratory.” “Is that what you will do now?” Masra asked, “Protect the world from its buried evils?” Daring shook her head softly, “I can't protect the world – I'm just one pony,” One hoof rose up, reaching under her wing and pulling out a small, worn book, “These stories – my dad's stories – are just the tip of the iceberg. Sticking my head in the sand her at the University won't change that. I know whats out there now. I have to do something.” “No,” Masra replied, “You don't have to do anything – nopony does. You could stay here and teach and put all of this behind you. But you won't, will you?” Daring shook her head again, “No.” Masra nodded, “I'll take my leave then – do remember that you have a department to help run now though.” Daring gave the president a nod of reply as the older mare walked away, Daring watching her go before turning her attention back to the journal in her hoof. “This old journal caused a lot of trouble, didn't it Zap?” Daring let out a sigh as she tucked it back under her wing, “and I have the feeling its going to be causing me a lot more in the future. This one, though,” Daring pulled another, older journal out from under her wing, “This one is all yours – I don't think that old crypt in the basement will be wanting it back anyway.” Daring gently set the ancient journal at her hooves, setting it atop the smooth piece of polished granite there, “Hope you appreciate the reading material. I'll... see you around, Zap.” Daring slowly turned and started back toward the University, stopping only once to glance back toward the tree and the stone set into the ground under it. The sun was setting, and tomorrow was a new day. And countless miles away, in the windswept ruins of an ancient fortress, stones shifted and rumbled until a blue hand burst free.