CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE PRICE OF A LIFE
Runcy sat up in a sweat. Again. Damn it, why he couldn’t he put everything out of his head when he went to bed? Was it too much to ask to have more than a couple of hours of sleep? Was his mind trying to kill him?! “Damn it all!” The stallion angrily threw off his bed sheets and dropped onto the floor, onto the thickly carpeted floor. Goddesses forgive him, even that made his blood boil now! It was definitely something when you had sunk so low that a carpet sent you into a fury. He stormed over to the well appointed bathroom and turned on the shower. It was such a simple thing when you thought about: a little heat, some water, a bit of pipework, and a metal sieve type affair that let the hot water spray out onto the pony below to wash away the grime and dirt. It was so simple, and yet so much more than any of those others had. If only it could wash away everything he felt too… everything. He groaned and leaned his head against the cold tiles, feeling the tension and fatigue easing off like unwinding spring. He hadn’t worked like that in an age: swinging the pick, finding the faults, applying just the right amount of pressure to resonate with the harmonics of the material beneath his hooves. This time though, this… ‘crystal’, was unlike anything he had ever worked with before, but still familiar enough for him to make progress. The teams of workers he’d been assigned were useless though, even the grey unicorns of the tribe had been unable to do much more than help provide basic assistance – usually in the form of carrying food, equipment and tools to the cavern which housed that massive crystal encased ‘thing’ that made his heart freeze every time he looked at the damnable monstrosity. Runcy snorted and started to lather himself up. He was in here now so he may as well wash himself properly and get ready for another day, even if every single fibre of his being was screaming at him to stop what he was doing, pack up, and go home… home… This place wasn’t home, not to him, nor any of the other ponies here. It was home to them: the grey ones, the grey ghosts of the crystal village… and the ghosts of the empire.
Goddesses, how long had he been here now? Days? Weeks? When was the last time he’d seen the sun? Equestrians were meant to live beneath the sun of Celestia, not underground in a cave like some bloody bat, no matter how well appointed. He closed his eyes and let the water flood over his muzzle; thank the goddesses he wasn’t one of them, one of the poor souls in the cells far below. He could still see them now, still hear them, haunting his every waking moment. Every time he closed his eyes, every single damned time! Runcy slammed his hoof into the wall; why? Was this the only way? Why wouldn’t the princess just listen? She had to see what was before her, surely? She was
gambling with their lives, all their lives: the everyday ponies, the children – his daughter. He couldn’t just sit back and do nothing could he? But the cost…
He’d seen them, down in the cells… hopeless… empty… He could remember the conversation he’d had with Lord Aura as clear as day:
“Why are they here? Who are they?”
Sunny stood impassively beside him, his eyes barely blinking. “They’re the price, Runcy. That’s what they are.”
“The price of what?”
Sunny raised an eyebrow but didn’t turn to face him, “The price of our freedom.” He leaned a hoof against the edge of the doorway, staring into the interior at the creature sitting on the bed. It didn’t move, it didn’t speak, it simply… sat… “They are the males of the tribe of wendigo” Sunny explained calmly, “Their females allowed them to be used in our… ‘trials’ to help protect our home from the evil that is even now knocking on our door.” He turned to Runcy, “We do what we must.”
“But what are you doing here, Sunny?” Runcy stared at the wendigo and felt a chill run down his spine. Why didn’t it move? He suddenly realised Sunny had moved on and hastened to catch up to him.
“The wendigo provide us with the tears” the green stallion continued, “The tears, after a little ‘tweaking’ by are scientists of course, are used to ‘enhance’ our soldiers healing and combat capabilities.” He pointed to another building further along the walkway, “Come.”
Sunny pushed open the door and walked inside. Guards, heavily armed and armoured, watched them in silence as they passed by scanners and various other devices the nature of which Runcy could only guess at. Lead by Lord Aura, the trio walked from the entry room to another corridor before arriving at some sort of observation room similar to the one Runcy had first encountered Barbary. Unlike that one however, this particular room had several lab coated ponies speaking into microphones and making notes on clipboards:
“Subject one four six, analogous readings across the high frequency thaumaturgical spectrum. Recommended dosage to be decreased by fifteen percent, I think.”
The second pony nodded, “I concur. Increased heart rate and neural pathway impetus could lead to instability over protracted periods. Combat efficiencies could effectively be impeded to-” The pony turned to face the two newcomers, “Ah! Lord Aura, a pleasure as always, sir.”
Sunny nodded, “Good to see you doctor. How is the programme progressing?”
“Very well, sir” the doctor replied, “The subjects are responding far beyond our expectations. Naturally, physical training and learned combat skills can be input later, however we have found that those with prior combat knowledge are taking to the program exceptionally well.” He smiled indicating Runcy, “Perhaps a demonstration would be in order?”
Sunny turned to Runcy, “Well?”
“Of course.” Runcy nodded and, following the directions of the doctors, took a seat next to Sunny by the sharply angled window overlooking the open area below. It had been… landscaped? Rocks, trees, even equestrian style buildings had been carefully set up to give the impression of a small village. It could have been anywhere in Equestria, even Ponyville - except for the lack of sunlight of course.
The doctor leaned forward and spoke into the microphone, “Send in subjects four four three and two eight six, please.”
Runcy watched in silent fascination, as from a door set into what looked like a rock formation below, two stallions in body armour entered the artificial village.
“Volunteers” Sunny said quietly, “The core of our operations here. They come from every corner of our nation, Runcy: ponies, just like you and I, who think as we do. Veritas seek them out and offer them a chance to start a new life, here, with us.” Runcy said nothing, instead he focused his attention on the two ponies below who were silently staring intently across the artificial scene as Sunny continued, “They are on a strictly monitored dosage of a modified form of the medication you know as ‘wendigo tears’” he explained, “Their reaction times are noted, logged, and analysed to help us refine the desired effects to suit our needs.”
“And what are these, ‘desired effects’?” Runcy asked.
Sunny gave a tight lipped smile, “Perhaps you will see for yourself?” He raised a hoof, “We’re ready, doctor.”
“Send them in, please.” The doctor’s voice echoed out around them, while down below the two armoured ponies stood like statues – waiting.
A door at the opposite end of the village slid open, and in a blur of black and green, four equine like creatures dashed in. Two of them flew, two were on hoof, all of them utterly hideous and terrifying to behold. Runcy had heard the descriptions and knew immediately what these black insectoid monsters were. “Changelings.”
“Changelings” Sunny echoed, “Now… watch.”
In a trice, the two running changelings had taken cover while their flying brethren dived into the attack. The two armoured ponies reacted instantly, unclipping what appeared to be weapons of some- “Dear goddesses!” Runcy blinked in surprise. Rubbing his eyes, he could still see the luminous green after image in his vision, “What the hell was that?!”
“Focussed magical energy projector” the doctor said incredibly calmly, “Total protonic reversal.”
“What?” Runcy gave himself a shake but couldn’t tear himself away from the scene unfolding below.
“It sort of ‘atomises’ the target” Sunny said dismissively, “No mess, you see.”
He was right. The changeling had simply… ceased to be, transformed into a hazy cloud of black dust, or moisture, or… something! Runcy rubbed his muzzle, staring at the second changeling who dodged to one side and swept down to near ground level, a wickedly curved dagger held in its forehooves. The first pony slipped behind cover, reloading some sort of crystal into his weapon while his comrade ducked, leaped up, and in the blink of an eye, removed the head of the changeling. In a shower of black icor the decapitated corpse dropped wetly to the ground. Runcy felt a wave of sick grip him at the sight, but also, deep down inside, he felt… invigorated.
“This will interest you” the doctor said pointing towards the buildings, “This is what we’ve come to expect as a classic changeling strategy. Several of the creatures occupy the enemy whilst… ah! Here we go!”
From out of one of the buildings an armoured warrior appeared and waved to one of the soldiers, “Come with me! It’s gone in here!”
The stallion hurried up to the newcomer.
“Hurry!” the warrior said urgently, “It’s inside and-” It actually seemed surprised to see the knife hilt protruding from its chest. Even as the changeling hit the floor, its expression of amazement never left its face. Shifting his position, in one fluid motion the stallion lifted his head back and slit the chitinous plated creature’s throat.
“My goddesses...” Runcy breathed, “How did he know?”
“The tears provide the user with heightened senses” the doctor explained, “They’re able to detect a range of scents far beyond what a pony normally could. As you can see, it provides a distinct advantage in combat, allowing the warrior to adapt to changes in the body chemistry that many living creatures unconsciously emit – in other words, pheromones.” The doctor made a note on his clip board, “We use them all the time but we can’t see them, nor smell them. We’ve known for years that ants use them for communication around their colonies and we believe that changelings use them in a similar way to help them co-ordinate their actions.”
“They can function away from the hive?” Runcy asked.
“Quite effectively, yes.” The doctor’s horn glowed and placed the clipboard down on the desk, “The changelings look like drones, and essentially that’s exactly what they are, but they are also quite capable of independent thought and action. This, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, makes them an exceptionally versatile opponent.”
“Not to mention they can take on the shape of another living thing” Runcy whispered, “Are there limits to what they can do?”
The doctor furrowed his brow, “They don’t seem to be able to replicate inanimate objects, and they are also restricted to creatures of similar size. You won’t, by way of example, see them emulating, say, a hydra. The physical dimensions are simply too large.”
Runcy shook his head, “Is there some way we can interfere with their magic? Maybe force them to retain their original form?”
Sunny laughed, “A boy after my own heart!” He nodded to the doctor, “Tell him doctor.”
“We are working on exactly that as we speak.” The white lab coated stallion flipped a page on his clipboard, “Since the tears only work on the ponies from our test program, Lord Aura has proposed work on a wide area effect spell to negate the changelings shape shifting magic.” He shrugged, “The difficulty is that it needs to be maintained, and this is where we need to work to produce a fixed, or portable, thaumaturgical projection and doppler repeating system that can be independently powered.”
“I see.” Runcy nodded but inwardly wished he hadn’t asked – he didn’t ‘see’ at all. He employed unicorns who used magic, he didn’t use the bloody stuff himself – it wasn’t natural for earth ponies. In fact, neither was feeding those ‘tears’ to ponies either, and only the goddesses knew what that evil concoction was doing to their bodies. For his daughter though, as much as he hated it to admit it, it was the difference between life and death.
There was a flash from the mock-up village below.
“Would you like to see another demonstration?” the doctor asked, “We have-”
“No” Runcy said quickly. He softened his voice at the doctors look of concern. “No, thank you doctor, your demonstration was most… instructive. He turned to Sunny, “Can we talk?”
The two stallions walked away from the test area out of earshot of the others. Runcy’s head was aching with all the information he was trying to take in and, more importantly, trying to make sense of. How had his world changed so much? One day he was organising quarry and logging work for his area managers before his trip to Canterlot, and then… he was here, embroiled in what many would consider to be a nightmare of unimaginable proportions. Sunny gave him a concerned look, “Are you alright, my boy? You look a little peaky.”
“Sunny...” Runcy stopped and turned to his friend, “What are we going to do with these ponies? If we train enough of them, if we create an army, what then? We can’t simply appear in front of the princesses with them like this. We’re talking about wendigo magic here, and as little as I know about such things I’ll bet you a hock to a feather that they wouldn’t exactly be enamoured with it!”
“I don’t doubt it” Sunny said with a shrug, “But I think they’ll come round.”
“You really think so?” Runcy asked, “A private army would be seen as a challenge to their leadership, Sunny, and I’m sure I don’t need to spell it out to you what that could mean to us, and our families.”
“You worry too much” Sunny replied.
“I what?!” Runcy rounded on him, “You know what the princesses could do to us, Sunny! We wouldn’t stand a bloody hope in Tartarus if they caught us and-”
“-Runcy? Shut up!” Sunny nickered irritably, “Don’t you think this has all been thought through? Some of the best minds in our country have been working on this years, even before we found the outpost. We knew something was wrong with Celestia decades, if not centuries ago, and we would be fools to pass up the opportunity fate has given us to help her save our land from the coming darkness!” Sunny sighed, “Listen, Runcy, most of the noble families in Equestria have ties to Veritas that run as deep as the ocean. You’ve seen them, you know who many of them are. Do you really think that the most powerful ponies in Equestria would simply roll over and let the princesses give their homes and their families over to the sort of monsters you saw down there?” Sunny shook his head at his friend’s reticence, “This isn’t about me, Runcy, or you. This is about our entire world, our people, and I’m sure I don’t need to say it, but I will: your own family!” He took a deep breath and fixed Runcy with a look, “If this is troubling you, then I can see if we can arrange for you to have your memories erased so you can-”
“You said there was no going back” Runcy said levelly, “And I’m not having some damned unicorn poking about in my head.” Stomping a hoof he glanced over his shoulder, keeping his voice low, “I’m not backing out, Sunny, I’m with you. I already gave you my word, and as Celestia is my witness, a Spoon always keeps his word.”
“I know” Sunny nodded knowingly, “I was right about the honour of the Spoon family, and I was right about you.”
Runcy closed his eyes, his mind racing. There was something, something that was niggling him like a boil that itched and needed to be lanced. He gave his mane a shake and took a breath, “Why are the wendigo working with us?”
Sunny looked a little taken aback by the question, but almost instantly his familiar gentle smile was back, “Don’t you trust them?”
“Do you?” Runcy asked.
“No.” Sunny shook his head, “I don’t, and I would be a fool to.” He motioned towards one of the grey creatures carrying a pannier full of bottles further along the corridor. “They aren’t helping us out of any love for our people, Runcy. They are doing it because of an agreement we made.”
“Agreement?” Runcy asked curiously.
Sunny nodded, “That we will re-unite them with their lost ‘lord’.”
Runcy froze, “You promised them what?!” He felt his mane twitch furiously, “How the hell can you do that?!”
“Oh, I have my methods” Sunny chuckled, “You’ll see. Now, let’s go and get some lunch eh? Barbary has made some of her delicious curried haybacon tartlets as well as some of the most wonderful cakes you’ve ever seen. Quite an accomplished mare, is our Barbary and...”
Runcy’s mind drifted off. He’d heard enough. He knew enough – too much in fact. It was true too; there really was no turning back.
The water washed over his face, washing away the emotion that surged through him. “Oh, Lark… what have I got myself into, love?”
There was a knock at the door.
“Just a minute!” Runcy quickly wrapped a towel around himself and used another to scrub his ears and mane. As he climbed out of the shower he checked the time on his father’s old pocket watch: it was just before four in the morning! Who was coming round at this time and… oh, no… not bloody Barbary again. He took a hold of the door handle, readying himself to give her a piece of his mind. “Bar-” he nearly choked.
“Sir?” The grey unicorn mare looked up at him, “May I… may I speak to you?”
“Speak to me?” Runcy blinked in surprise, “Why… yes, yes of course. Please, come in.” He stood back as the shy looking creature slipped in, closely followed by another he hadn’t seen. She was older, stockier, and although she was an almost identical copy of the first, she had an air about her that if his mane wasn’t soaking wet still, would have had it standing on end. She watched him silently. Runcy smiled politely, “I’d offer you a drink, but the kettle’s stone cold, unless you’d like to wait or perhaps prefer something stronger?” The mares said nothing. “Look, what’s this about?” Runcy asked a little irritated by their behaviour, “I don’t normally have visitors in my room at this time of day, and in case you hadn’t noticed, ladies, it is only four in the bloody morning!”
The younger mare whispered something to the older one before turning back to him, “Lord Spoon, we-”
“Runcy.”
The mare swallowed, her eyes going wide in fright.
“I asked you before to call me Runcy, Terra. I doubt you’ve forgotten so soon, correct?” The grey stallion picked up a comb and began running it through his mane, “So, please, continue.”
Terra closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. Runcy noted how she kept sending nervous glances to the mare beside her, “Lord… I mean, Runcy, we… that is… Uriana and I…”
The older mare rolled her eyes, “What the girl is trying to say, Celestian, is that we wish to speak to you.” She lifted her muzzle, “We will pay the price.”
“Price?” Runcy rubbed his ears. Were they still full of water? “What are talking about, mare?”
The grey unicorn, Uriana apparently, met him gaze for gaze, “The elder wishes to speak with you. I have brought Terra as you appear to have a connection with her spirit. She is the payment, if the price is agreeable?”
“Oh, for...” Runcy looked at the furiously blushing Terra and felt his blood run cold. He shook his head, trying to keep the snarl of anger from his voice, “No.”
“She is not sufficient?” the older mare asked, apparently surprised by Runcy’s rejection, “You Celestian’s normally take payment in this manner, do you not? She is young and healthy, and has not yet foaled.” She raised an eyebrow in apparently genuine confusion, “Do you not want her? I can wait outside while you-”
“NO! Dear goddesses mare, NO!” Runcy stormed over to his chair and snatched up his clothes, “If you don’t start making some bloody sense then you can bugger off and let me get some sleep. Well? What’s it to be?” Uriana’s eyes were wide, apparently as confused as the young one beside her. Runcy rolled his eyes, “Right, I’ll make this simple. I’m getting dressed, right? I’m going to come with you and meet this ‘elder’ or whatever she is, and then I’m going to come back here and at least try to get some bloody sleep!” He lifted a hoof, “Now turn around while I get dressed will you? I don’t mind my wife seeing me drying off, but doing it while I’ve two strange mares in my bedroom would have me gelded in two shakes of a yak’s tail.” He raised an eyebrow, shooing the mares to one side, “Ladies?”
A little unsure, the mares obediently turned while Runcy, relieved that he had at least a tiny bit of privacy, finished drying off and donned his clothes for the day. Suddenly his spacious rooms didn’t seem quite so ‘spacious’ after all! Finally, he walked past his two unexpected visitors and opened the door, “Ladies, if you will be so kind?”
*******************
Walking in silence, Terra and Uriana lead Runcy along corridors that were far from the ones he had become used to using since arriving here. These were smaller, narrower, and if he could use one word to describe them it would be – claustrophobic. They were also perfectly smooth, clearly cut out by magic rather than tools. There was enough room to pass along these passageways, but only just, and barely enough headroom for a tall stallion. The wendigo, he noticed, tended to be shorter in stature than ‘Celestian’s’ as Uriana kept referring to him. Unlike many Equestrian’s today, he knew damned well what that word meant, and memories of Golden’s diaries and the terrible events of the war between Nightmare Moon’s Legion and Celestia’s armed forces, were at the forefront of his mind. And now, here he was, being lead down blue crystalline corridors by two of his ancestor’s mortal enemies to meet who knew what fate. Oh Celestia, why did he keep getting himself into these situations? And to make things worse, if that were even possible, Uriana was willing to let him do that with Terra as if she had no more worth than a bag of apples on a market stall… Damn that mare! What sort of people were these? And what else was it she’d said? This was the ‘normal payment’? A shiver ran down his spine, the very thought of it making him feel sick to his stomach. What sort of people would take, or even make ‘payment’ like that? Was it cultural? But even if it was, it just didn’t seem right… not at all. Runcy hung his head, “What a world...”
“It is indeed.”
Runcy’s head shot up. He’d walked right into the metaphorical spider’s web like a blind fool. Well, it was too late now… He sighed and looked up at the creature ensconced on a raised platform surrounded by white cushions and flanked by two mares who watched him warily. The ‘elder’ or whatever she called herself, was completely invisible beneath swathes of white cloth, the whole appearance giving the impression of speaking to some amorphous meringue. Collecting his thoughts, Runcy bowed respectfully, “My lady.”
The figure chuckled, “And so polite too.”
She reached out a slender leg from the depths of the cloth and Runcy stepped forward to kiss her hoof. It was as white as the first snows of winter, like her leg. So, she wasn’t grey like the rest of the wendigo then? Interesting... Putting his curiosity to one side, he took several steps back just as he had done so many times in the royal court when he had stood before the princesses, “My lady, I am Lord Runcible Spoon of the House of Spoon.” He bowed low, sleeping a foreleg across his chest, “I am at your disposal.”
There was a hushed muttering from the edges of the room and Runcy noticed for the first time, a little alarmingly, that the circular room was lined with dozens, if not hundreds, of stone grey coated mares. Yellow eyes as rich as gold and as bright as candlelight, watched his every move. Words his father used to use came back to him unbidden, ‘Remember your etiquette. One extra step, one too few, a forgotten bow or a disrespectful word could put a noose around your neck as surely as if you had committed bloody murder.’ “Thanks father...” Runcy whispered under his breath. What a time to be remembering things like that! Hopefully all he had to do was listen to what this old bugger wanted and then he’d be able to get back to bed. Now that he thought about it though, Sunny had never mentioned this ‘elder’, but it stood to common sense that they’d have some form of hierarchy, and this elder must be it. Concealed behind the white veil, Runcy could feel her watching him like a hawk watching a mouse…
“You may call me Khanid,” the elder said, “it means ‘elder’ in our tongue.”
“I would be honoured, Lady Khanid.” Runcy bobbed his head respectfully, “How may I be of service this morning?”
The mare paused. “You are of the House of Spoon, correct?”
“That is correct, my lady.”
Another pause. “Lord Spoon, what brings you here to our home?”
Oh, hell! Runcy swallowed, unsure as to what he could or couldn’t say. Why the blistering blazes hadn’t Sunny warned him about this? He frown in thought; since the wendigo worked with the Veritas ponies, then they probably already knew the answer didn’t they? Ah… a test...of course. She was testing his honesty – an old trick of course, but still worthwhile nonetheless. He kept his voice respectful and factual, “Lady Khanid, I was brought here following the tragic sinking of the vessel I was travelling on. I was fortunate enough to be found by Lord Aura and brought here where he has provided me with food and shelter.”
The mare nodded, “And work, I believe?”
Runcy nodded, “Yes, my lady.”
“You have worked with such materials before?” she asked.
Runcy nodded again, “My family come from a long line of earth ponies who work with the natural materials of our land. Stone, wood, marble: we have been masons and carpenters for generations.”
“I see...” Lady Khanid whispered something to one of the mares by her side. “May I offer you a drink?"
Runcy bowed, “Thank you my lady, I would be happy to accept.” This was one of the tripping points in any foreign court, and he had no idea of the protocols of these people at all. In some, acceptance was seen as obligatory and an insult to the host if refused. In others, it was merely an offer, and acceptance was seen as almost leeching off the host’s generosity. It was a turn of the card, a roll of the dice…
“Please...” She held out a cloth swathed hoof, “It is a delicacy of a time long passed, and a reminder of who our people once were.” One of the mares brought a small silver cup over to the grey stallion and he took it with a polite nod. He stared at the ink black liquid inside. Actually, to call it ‘liquid’ was an insult to liquids – it was more the consistency of cheese. “It is distilled from the glands of the lake demons. Here in the north, the creatures reside in the deepest underground lakes nearest the world’s heart.”
Runcy swallowed, “Balta...”
“Ah, wonderful!” Khanid exclaimed, “I see you have heard of it. Perhaps, you have tried it before?”
Runcy shook his head, “No, my lady. I know of it only from my books and the diaries of my ancestor.” He smiled, “I thank you for honouring me with such a rare gift.” He closed his eyes, lifting the cup to his muzzle and drank.
It was like being bucked in the face.
“D… Delicious...” Runcy could feel a cough welling in his throat, not to mention the alarming sensation of his brain attempting to escape the impending assault of alien alcohol by smashing its way out of his skull.
The mare giggled coquettishly, “Tell me, Lord Spoon, do you have family waiting for you at home?”
Runcy nodded, passing the cup back to the serving mare who gave him a cheeky smirk, “Yes, my lady. I have a wife, Lark Wing, and a daughter, Silver Spoon.”
“Silver Spoon...” Lady Khanid sighed, “We have few children here, Lord Spoon. Please, would you indulge me and tell me of her? It would soothe my heart to hear of a child’s joy and the love of her family once more.”
“I...” Taken off guard, Runcy nodded quickly, “Of course, Lady Khanid, it would be my pleasure.”
And so, before the elder of the wendigo, the descendant of the very mare who had fought these creatures a thousand years ago told stories of his beloved daughter. He spoke of her birth, of her first days at school and when she gained her cutie mark. He told them of the good times, and the bad, the tears and the laughter, and all the hopes he had for her for the future. Somehow, without knowing he was doing it, he had told them… everything…
Khanid nodded slowly as the story came to a close. “Your daughter has an affliction caused by our people” she said quietly, “This ‘falling sickness’ you mentioned is known to us. It is a potential consequence of taking a wendigo’s life essence into the body of a pony who is not of the tribe.” She spoke quickly with one of her retainers, “Sometimes.”
“’Sometimes’, my lady?” Runcy asked.
Lady Khanid nodded, “It is… unfortunate that this has affected your bloodline, Lord Spoon.” She nodded her head, “Most unfortunate...”
Runcy’s heart leaped in his chest, “Lady Khanid, is there… forgive me for asking, but is there some-”
The elder shook her head, clearly already anticipating Runcy’s question. “No. Alas, with the loss of the fortress of the four winds and the gateway to the realm of the spirits, there are no true wendigo left in this world who could undo what has already been wrought.” Khanid hung her head sadly, “I am… sorry, Lord Spoon. Such a young life should never have to endure something like this. All the more so as it was not of her making.”
Runcy closed his eyes and felt the last flickering spark of hope sputter and die. It had been a fleeting thing, the sweep of a butterfly’s wings against the winter storm… but it hurt no less than it ever had.
“Do you believe you can break the seal around the portal?” Khanid asked.
Taking a breath, Runcy pulled himself together and nodded, “I do.”
“And what then?”
“I...” Runcy frowned, “I’m not sure. Lord Aura has plans for its use to help us defeat the changelings.”
Khanid let out a deep throaty laugh, “Does he!” She held up a hoof, “The changelings… yes, they are indeed a threat to your people, and Equestria as a whole.”
“As well as your people, my lady” Runcy nodded.
“Hardly.” There was a general murmur of agreement around the room that made Runcy wince inside. Lady Khanid’s voice suddenly took on a derogatory tone, “My people are more than capable of identifying and dealing with such weak creatures as changelings, Lord Runcy. They pose no threat to us.”
“Then, why help us?” he asked.
Khanid huffed, “Because we seek something that Lord Aura has promised to find for us. Whether in this world, or the world beyond.”
“The lord of the wendigo...” Runcy breathed.
Khanid nodded, “Ah, so he has told you.”
“Yes, my lady” Runcy replied, “Although in truth I have no idea where such a wendigo may be found. There were rumours, nor more than stories really, that a wendigo had been seen in Equestria recently, but ponies are prone to flights of fancy I fear.”
“Ha! And truth never got in the way of a good story!” Khanid’s voice seemlessly changed to a more lively, youthful and lusty tone that made his ears perk up. But, no sooner had his interest been piqued, the more familiar grave tone was back. “Do you… feel anything, Lord Runcy?” At his questioning expression she clarified, “Right now. Here. Is there something inside you, some pull or warmth perhaps, that you cannot explain? Perhaps, a feeling of wanting to be somewhere?”
Uncertain about what she meant, Runcy closed his eyes and let himself relax. Slowly, carefully, he looked again at the mare and shook his head, “Only my desire to return to my family, Lady Khanid.”
The elder nodded, “And so you should. Do what you need to do and then leave this place, Lord Runcy. Return to your home, your wife and your foal. Such places as this should be left well alone. It a world lost in time, and time, for all of us, is a very precious thing.” She lifted a hoof and Terra reappeared by his side. “Take care of your loved ones, Runcy, and cherish ever second you have with them. That time, once lost, can never be found again.” In a swish of white fabric, the elder motioned to the mares standing on either side of her. “These two will see you back to your room, Lord Runcy. I thank you for agreeing to see me despite the hour.”
Runcy bowed, “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Khanid.” He backed away respectfully, bowed once more, and lead by the two mares, left the hall of the wendigo elder. Relief washed through him, tingling his muzzle and hooves to the point where he wanted nothing more than to gallop to his room and slam the door shut on this whole nightmare. Of course, what he wanted to do and what should do were two very different things; rather like his escorts. The two remained silent for the whole of the return journey, keeping a respectful distance and yet still managing to exude a sense of aloofness that right then Runcy appreciated. All he wanted, all he needed, was sleep…
Eventually of course, it was over. The two silent creatures had left, the door was closed and the kettle was on. He looked at the time and groaned; there was no point in trying to get any sleep now, was there? What a bloody carry on! Still, at least he was up, clean and dressed. A cup of tea would help, and take that bloody awful taste of the Balta away. Goddesses above, what was in that stuff? ‘Glands’ wasn’t it? Celestia’s stiffened wings, it could strip paint! He smacked his lips and frowned in thought; according to the diaries the thestrals had brought Balta with them from the Wither World. Perhaps there was more of a connection between the two races than he’d thought – or Golden had thought for that matter. He slumped into his chair; it was certainly something worth pondering. Runcy rubbed some warmth into his stiff legs and sighed, “Goddesses, I’m so tired...” he mumbled, yawning expansively. He closed his eyes and stretched out, listening to the kettle gradually come to the boil, the water pouring into the cup and the clink of china. He didn’t want to know. Seriously, he didn’t want to-
“Forgive me, I… I let myself in.”
Runcy opened an eye and looked up at the grey mare. “Why not?” he sighed, “I’m wide awake now
anyway… mostly.”
“You are angry with me?” Terra asked.
Runcy shook his head, “No, of course not. You could have knocked though, you know.”
“The door was open” she replied softly.
Runcy looked past her to the doorway. It was shut now, but… oh bugger, she was right wasn’t she. He was so knackered that he’d all but fallen through the blasted thing when- “Wha…? Hey! What are you… oh… oh, goddesses...”
“Does this please you?” Terra asked.
The mare’s hooves pushed into Runcy’s shoulders and neck, expertly working on his muscles and sending waves of warmth through his body. His first reaction was to push her away, but… oh, Celestia! This was… it was so good! He took a breath and sighed it out, “Yes, Terra, thank you.”
“I wanted to...” She paused, “I wanted to ask you something.”
“Hmm?” Runcy managed.
Terra hesitated before asking, “Do you not find me… pleasing?”
Runcy groaned. So… this was what it was about eh? She wanted to know if he’d rejected her because he didn’t find her attractive? It was almost comical. “You are very pleasing, Terra” Runcy said happily, melting under the mare’s ministrations, “You are a very beautiful young lady.”
“But you-” she began.
“Terra?” Runcy said, interrupting her.
“Yes, Runcy?”
“I’m married.” The stallion felt a shudder run through his body as the wendigo mare continued to work on him, “I love my wife and we have a beautiful daughter together. As much as I find you attractive, It would be a betrayal of her trust to… ‘fool around’ with another mare.” He smiled, “Even one as lovely as you.”
Terra smiled, “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me for anything,” Runcy replied, “You have no obligation to ‘give’ yourself to anypony.” He paused, “Do you?”
Terra shook her head, “I volunteered.”
“You… you what?!” Runcy pulled himself upright and looked round at the surprisingly calm young mare, “You volunteered? What sort of logic is that? Do your people normally do this sort of thing?”
Terra just smiled distantly as she settled herself on her haunches before him and, much to his surprise, started running her forehooves down his legs, “Your muscles are out of harmony with your spirit” she said absently, “Here...”
Runcy gasped as she traced a line down his hind leg and pushed. “Terra, that’s… amazing.”
She looked up at him, “Your mare does not do this for you already?”
Runcy shook his head, “No. I don’t know anypony as skilled with her hooves as you.” He genuinely didn’t either. Perhaps this was why Lark went to the spa at every opportunity. He’d never been to one himself of course because it had always been something he’d considered only mares did, but… goddesses above, what had he been missing?! Damn it, she was distracting him from what he wanted to ask her. “Terra? You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to, but I’d like to know.”
Terra closed her eyes and nodded, clearly not exactly enthusiastic about answering his question. She smiled that distant smile he’d come to associate with her as she explained, “We have been here a long time, living in the tunnels, the caves and the city of the ancients.” She took one of Runcy’s hind hooves and began rotating it around the joint, “We need our lord. Our people do not belong here, nor do the Celestians. This is a place for the dead, the home of ghosts and memories.” She sighed, “We had hoped that you may be the bringer.”
Runcy frowned, “Bringer?”
Terra nodded, “Our wise ones told us stories of the return of our lord, the one true lord that shall come to lead his people back into the light of the moon.” She smiled, sliding her hoof over his, “He shall bring with him the magic that will call the spirits to us and make us whole once more. The bringer is his herald.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that” Runcy muttered.
“This… frightens you?” Terra asked curiously.
Runcy smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, “The wendigo fought a war with the Celestians many years ago, Terra. I think anypony would find the possibility of history repeating itself more than a little disconcerting.”
Terra put his hoof down and began working on the other one, “Our wise ones do not speak of war. They speak only of reclaiming who we were, and of bringing back the peace and light of the goddess to our hearts.”
“But the wendigo are a race of warriors aren’t they?” Runcy asked.
Terra shook her head, “Perhaps once, but all we seek now is to live beneath the heavens and the light of the goddess.”
“Nightmare Moon?” Runcy asked quietly.
Terra froze, “Her divine majesty...” She shuddered, “Please, do not speak of her so.”
Runcy’s memories of Golden’s diaries referred to this, but only in passing. This was clearly important to Terra, and if he was to maintain good relations with the wendigo here he would have to tread more carefully. “Forgive me, Terra, I meant no disrespect to Her Divinity.”
That seemed to work. Terra nodded happily, “One day, she shall return. With her at our lord’s side, the world will finally be made one and our people shall soar across the mountains once more and rebuild our home.” She smiled happily, “It is a dream perhaps, but a good one.”
“A dream you were willing to give yourself up for?” Runcy asked.
Terra hung her head shyly, “If you were of the tribe, Runcy, you would understand.”
Runcy rolled his shoulders and groaned, “What I understand is that you have magic hooves, Terra. You are… truly amazing.”
The mare giggled, “You’re flattering me.”
“Yes, but why not?” Runcy agreed with a sigh, “Terra, I know our peoples are very different and that I’m ignorant of a lot of your culture and history, but even if I’m a married stallion, we can still be friends you and I, can’t we?”
Terra paused, looking up into his eyes, “Are we not already?”
Runcy chuckled, “You’re way ahead of me there, young lady. Way ahead.” Goddesses, if only he were ten years younger, single and… Ooohhh, this was soooo good! There was a clop on his shoulder,
“Your tea is going to go cold.”
Runcy groaned and reluctantly reached for his cup, “Will you be staying to have one too?” he asked.
“I...” Terra blinked, her voice sounding a little shaken, “I have work.”
“As do I” Runcy replied. He sat up and lay a hoof on her shoulder, “I’m sure you have time for quick cup of tea with a pony you thought may have been the bringer though, eh?”
Terra laughed, her eyes sparkling with life, “Of course… Runcy.”
*****************************
“A colt?”
“Uh-huh.”
“A dead colt is speaking to you in your head?”
“Well, he’s not exactly dead.” Silver screwed up her face in though, “At least I don’t think he is.”
Diamond Tiara looked at her friend askew, “You do realise you sound completely bonkers, don’t you?”
Silver shrugged, “Uh-huh.”
“Will you stop saying ‘uh-huh’! Feathers and fetlocks, Silv, you’re driving me nuts!” Di threw her hooves up in exasperation, “Come to think of it, maybe we’re both nuts! Just… remind me what we’re doing again?”
Silver pulled the strap shut on her pannier, making sure the sandwiches weren’t squashed. She’d hoped to have been able to find a few more of the packed lunch boxes Mrs Cake gave her, but after sharing what she had out with Di, she’d only managed to-
“SILVER!”
“Oh!” Silver Spoon glanced at her friend, “We’re going to find my papa, remember? I did explain it, Di.”
“‘I did explain it Di’” the pink filly echoed sarcastically, “It’s the middle of the night!”
Silver clucked her tongue, “Oh… shush.”
“Wha…? You…! Gah!” Di hurried after her friend, “This is all too surreal to be… well, real I suppose, but...” She dashed through the door into the study, “Will you stop running around!”
Silver stopped and turned to face the frantic filly, “We have to go, Di, don’t you see? My father is alive and I am not going to stay here when he could need my help!”
Di frowned, “And what sort of help do you think a couple of kids can give him?! I can’t go off adventuring! Call the watch and get them to do something.”
“The watch?” Silver huffed, “The only watchpony we had that I trusted has gone to Manehattan and I don’t like the replacement.” She nickered quietly, glancing towards the door before turning back to her friend, “Anyway, do you think they’d believe that the memory from a long dead pony in my head who’s told me to find my father isn’t just a figment of my imagination? Do you think they’d believe that the warm fuzzy feeling inside me pulling me north is real either?” She neighed, “‘Oh, she’s just distraught following the death of her father’, ‘she probably has mental health problems’. Ha! I can just see it now!” Silver adjusted her packs and overcoat, “You stay here if you want Di. He’s my papa and I’m going one way or another. You can always go and stay with your uncle if you want.”
“Oh, I can, can I?” Diamond snorted angrily, “You know what would happen then, don’t you? He’d send me straight home! Well, buck that!”
Silver rolled her eyes at her friend’s language, “Right then, in that case we have supplies, money and winter wear. All we need to do now is find our way to the port and catch a dirigible going as far north as we can.” She tapped the travellers map book in her pocket, “And if we get stuck, I have my fathers writ of payment with me.”
“His what?” Di asked curiously.
Silver raised an eyebrow, “It’s a promise of payment from the Spoon family account. Papa gave it me in case I got lost and needed to get home.”
“I think,” Di replied, “That was meant for a taxi ride?”
Silver shrugged, “There’s no limit set, so as far as I’m concerned it will get us wherever we need to go.” She stuffed her mane into her hat and adjusted her glasses, “And in case of emergencies?”
“Yes, yes, the medicine is in your necklace and the bottle in your left saddle pack.” Di groaned, “I still can’t believe you’ve never told me about that, Silv. We’ve been friends for how long?”
Silver sighed, “Di, please, we’ve been over this.”
“I know, I know.” Diamond Tiara huffed, “So much for that ancestor of yours then. It’s no wonder she hid that silly diary in the corner of the painting, she was probably too embarrassed to admit she’d poisoned her whole family!”
Silver ignored her. It was no wonder she was concerned, after all this was something that could probably land them both in a lot of trouble, but what choice did she have? Mother was beside herself, her teacher had been suspended, there was no sign of Rinse still and she just didn’t have anypony else she could talk to – other than Di of course. She’d considered Mrs Cream, but as much as she liked her she had a tendency to mother her and Sebastian? No, he’d keep her here without doubt. She never even considered Crisps. He would probably just say ‘that’s nice Miss’ and carry on tending the garden’s borders with… wait… ‘borders’? Silver closed her eyes, “Borders… corners...” She muttered under her breath, “your path will be laid.”
“And there we go” Di snorted, “Bonnnkerrrsss!”
“Oh, belt up!” Silver snapped. She stared at the floor, the carpet, the windows and the book cases. “Borders” she muttered, “Corners and… wait, what was it you said before about the painting?”
“Huh! You want to talk to me now, do you? Sure you wouldn’t prefer to speak to your pal who lives in your head?” Di stood on her hind legs, her forelegs crossed, “Pah!”
Silver gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. She was trying her best to keep calm, but her sometimes her friend made her want to scream! “Di, do you know who you look like doing that? Do you want me to say it?”
Diamond froze, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she dropped down to all fours once more and shivered, “Fine.” She took a breath and spoke levelly, “I said that it was no wonder your ancestor had hidden the diary in the corner of the painting. It was probably because anypony reading it would know she’d poisoned her family and-”
“That’s it!” Silver bucked excitedly, “The painting! ‘In the borders of the corners, of the likeness of a time gone by, your path will be laid.’ Do you see?”
“No?” Di shrugged, “What’s it mean anyway? It’s all gobbledegook if you ask me.”
“Help me get the painting down.”
“WHAT?!” Di span round in amazement, “You are nuts! Goddesses above, why? And how are we going to get that thing down anyway, it’s taller that me!”
“Maybe we don’t need to get it down.” Silver scratched her chin in thought, “Look. The likeness of a time gone by, that’s her, Golden Spoon. The borders refers to the frame of the painting and the corners are the four corners.”
“I give up” Di sighed, “You Spoon’s are all mad, and I suppose by default as your friend that akes me mad too.” She walked over to the ladder used for reaching the upper shelves of the book cases, “Since we’re both nutters then, Miss Spoon, you can give me a hoof, can’t you.”
Silver grinned at her friend’s mischievous smile and together, with a few bumps and more than a few expletives from Di, they soon had the ladder manoeuvred into position below the painting. Di however, looked up at their efforts and frowned in concern, “This doesn’t look safe, Silv.”
“Help me push the chair up to the ladder. That’ll stop it slipping.” Silver motioned towards the heavy settee.
It wouldn’t budge.
“Well that’s that idea scuppered!” Di huffed and wiped her muzzle, “What now?”
Silver glanced up at the clock. It would be dawn soon and the servants would be waking up. If they found those letters and they were still here…
“We’re out of time.” Silver huffed, “Hold the bottom and I’ll climb up.”
“Like hell you are! I’ll do it.” Di pushed the silver-grey filly to one side, “Let’s get that coal bucket here and I’ll do the honours.” Helping her friend, the filly was soon standing on their makeshift construction. “What am I looking for?” she called down.
“I don’t know!” Silver called back.
Di felt the ladder wobble beneath her and grabbed hold with her teeth and hooves.
“That...isn’t...helpful!” she hissed past the rung, “And keep it steady!”
“I’m trying!” Silver stared up at the picture, “See if there’s a button, or lever, or something that’s out of the ordinary.”
“Marvellous...” Di muttered. Luna’s bum, if something was ‘out of the ordinary’ wouldn’t somepony have noticed, oh, say over the last thousand flipping years?! She let out a breath and moved up to the edge of the large gold frame. It was huge! Leaves and acorns were carved into the wooden frame which had been plated in gold leaf. As hard as she looked though, it all looked the same. No buttons, no levers, no hidden catches – nothing. Maybe magic was supposed to open it up? Not being a unicorn, what was she supposed to do? Wave her hooves at… it… She looked closer. “Silv? Have you ever noticed the painting behind her?”
“Huh?” Silver looked up and shook her head, “What painting?”
“There’s a painting in the background, just to the top right of her shoulder.” Di looked closer, “You can see the way the artist has picked it out with a shaft of light, right on the...” Di’s eyes went wide, “The top right corner!” She hurried up the ladder, “Silv! There’s something here!”
“Di, be careful! The ladders wobbling!” Silver called up.
Diamond Tiara leaned over, staring at the corner of the painting, the golden edging, and the fine line that looked at first like a crack or wear in the gold leaf. She shook her head; it was far too uniform for that. Carefully, she reached out…
“Di! For Celestia’s sake!”
“Shut up!” Di hissed, “I’ve nearly...” Her hoof touched the edge. It felt different to the rest, more… ‘springy’, somehow. She pushed. Something clicked and the edge of the painting flicked out unexpectedly, startling her. It was a concealed compartment, but it looked… no, no it wasn’t empty, there was something inside: a piece of paper, brown with age and just… within… reach… of… “Whoa! Oh, oh hell fi- ARGH!”
“DI!” Silver shrieked in alarm as the ladder, poorly footed already with only the coal bucket stopping it from sliding, began to scrape along the wall, hit the picture frame and tipped the already precariously balanced filly off the edge.
Di yelped in fright as her hooves slipped and she felt the pull of gravity. Below her the unforgivingly hard tiles of the hearth hurtled towards her with terrifying speed. She closed her eyes. The impact felt… a lot softer than she’d expected.
“Are you alright?!” Silver looked down at her with a frightened expression, “You’re not hurt are you?”
“No, I’m...” Di stood up and dusted herself down, “I’m… fine?” She blinked in surprise, “What was… oh. Oh, Silver, your new beanbag.”
“Sod the beanbag” Silver snorted, “I thought you were really hurt!” She threw her forelegs around her friend and held her tight, “You frightened the life out of me...”
“And now you’re squeezing it out of me!” Di gasped, “Gerroff you furry menace!”
Reluctantly, Silver let her friend go and two girls flopped onto the now hopelessly damaged beanbag. It had been a gift from Silver’s father to encourage her to read, but it had never been designed to be used to catch a falling filly. Now the seams were all burst and the beans had partly spilled out making the floor look like it was covered in snow. As much as it hurt to see her father’s gift damaged, she knew he would understand, even though he’d probably be angry at first, he would- “The letter!” Silver grabbed the small discoloured scroll, “Di! It’s here! You got it!”
“Mmm! Mid fall too!” She gave a chuckle, “Come on then, let’s see what it says.”
Silver’s hooves were trembling as it was, but now she could barely contain herself. The paper was dry, the heat from the fireplace obviously not doing it any favours over the years, but now… now it was here she had to know what it said. Carefully, she took a few calming breaths and unrolled the paper.
“What? What’s it say?” Di leaned in to see.
“It’s a map.” Silver muttered, deep in thought. It was too – but it was what the map was of that really made her mane twitch. She put it down and looked Di in the eyes, “Its here. It’s this house.”
“It’s what? Give it here...” Di took the map from Silver’s unresisting hooves and whistled, “You’re right! Whatever it’s pointing to it’s below here, it’s… Oh no! I don’t want to go down there again, not after last time!”
“Well don’t touch anything then!” Silver said irritably, “Look, we have to go down there if we want to find out what this is about.”
Diamond Tiara groaned, “Fine then!” she huffed, “Are we all set?”
Silver nodded, “I think we’d better tidy up first, otherwise-”
A noise from the hall made them freeze, “I think that may not be an option now” Di whispered, “Quick!”
The two girls hurried to the corner of the room and dashed down the ancient staircase into the magically lit museum of Silver’s father. A cold shiver ran down Di’s spine; before, even the very thought of entering this place again had her knees trembling and she’d done a very good job of forgetting those frightening images, thank you very much. Yet now, once again, here she was and there was no time for fear – Silver was already sprinting off ahead into the room with the stand of armour which had belonged to her ancestor.
“What now?” Di asked, catching up with her friend.
Silver stared at the map. “It has an arrow pointing to...” she looked up, “The banner.” Above Golden’s burnished armour, the large red and gold embroidered war banner hung limp in the still air of the museum. “There’s a picture of a sun on a square background. It says ‘x 3’ next to it.”
Di squinted at the map and quick as a flash, although careful to avoid contact with the armour, slipped behind the banner. She stuck her head back out a moment later, “There’s a stone here with a sun engraved on it” she said, “Hang on.” She disappeared again.
Silver listened as three hollow taps rang out, and then, slowly and smoothly, the wall behind the banner began to move. Silver stepped forward as Diamond stood back; both in open mouthed awe and speechless at what they were seeing. The wall had gone, leaving a short flight of steps that lead down to a square room with the same vaulted ceiling as the rest of the museum. This time, the light shone from a different source than the lanterns outside.
“What… is that?” Di breathed.
Silver shook her head slowly, her eyes reflecting the mysterious light, “I don’t know.” She looked down at the map, “It just shows an archway and an arrow pointing to it.”
“Well, it’s an archway alright” Di said flatly, staring at the freestanding structure, “And I think that’s meant for you.” She pointed to a small pedestal. It was a rough wooden affair, but it was what was on it that pulled at Silver’s heart: it was a book, a small red book with a golden spoon embossed on the front. Carefully, she slipped it into her pannier and walked back to Di’s side.
“Not going to read it?” Di asked.
Silver shook her head, “No. Later I will, but… I think we need to walk through here.”
Di stared up at the archway. It was made of fairly plain looking blockwork. Nothing fancy, no carving or gems or anything, but the shimmering silver pool of light suspended within it hung where a door would normally go. There was nothing on the other side either, but she somehow… knew, deep down inside, that this was still a doorway. To what though, she didn’t know.
Silver took a breath, “My father is through here” she said quietly, “I can feel it, pulling me.”
“The voices in your head...” Di sighed, “They’d better be right.”
“They are NOT voices in my head!” Silver snorted, “Diamond Tiara, you are the most aggravating pony I have ever met!”
Di sniffed, “And the most beautiful, intellectual, and astute.” She smirked cheekily, “Last one through is a rotten egg!” And with a leap, she dove head first into the silver light.