I got up and looked at the knightess again, she had a strange look on her face. But she couldn’t enter the manor for some reason and I was grateful for that.
It was surprisingly quiet in the manor. To be honest I had expected more of the undying to be inside. Strange, that probably means that they had not noticed me yet, or that the place was full of traps and other unpleasant things.
The knightess wandered off again and I looked around. Hmm, unassuming foyer with one big set of stairs going up to some sort of hallway with several doors leading to side passages and what I expect to be other rooms. A huge painting above the stairs depicted a family of three ponies, one unicorn and two pegasi.
“The butler did it, in the dining room with the kitchen knife.” I mumbled, then chuckled at my own lame joke and was glad nopony else was around.
Where to now? With so many ways to go I had to figure out where that necromancer would be at this moment. Probably in the attic or in some basement under the manor. These types always had a knack of doing that.
I trotted to the door next to the stairs and tried to pull it open with my magic but it didn’t budge, this came as no surprise however, why would it ever be that easy in life?
I stomped a hoof and immediately regretted it as a jolt of pain shot through my chest. Right, ribs still hurt. igniting my horn I tried to recall my medical lessons and soon a soothing feeling coursed through my body as my ribs and internal injuries mended to a more tolerable level.
Looking up at the stairs I wondered if they were trapped or not. Then decided I wouldn’t push my luck just yet and opted trying one of the doors leading to a side passage.
Click
My ears perked up. Click was not a sound i wanted to hear at all. Nothing happened at that very moment but I was fully aware something had been tripped.
More caution was in order from now on, I couldn’t afford triggering more pressure plates or other contraptions as the next trap could very well be lethal.
“Could have expected something like that near any kind of important looking door.” I admonished myself and used my magic to see if this door would open.
The door did open. But sadly the hallway behind it wasn’t empty. A large reptile lay in the center, the kind of reptile whose venom would result in a slow and painful death, and I’m all out of phoenix tears.
The basilisk looked at me and uttered a hiss.
First that knightess. Now a basilisk. Yep this day was officially starting to annoy me. What was next? A giant undead spider?
My skin crawled and I muttered “Sweet luna please let there be a severe lack of giant spiders today.” I just jinxed it didn’t I? The next room would probably be full of the things.
Materializing an arcane blade I prepared myself and approached the reptile as it rose up to face me.
My first strike was deflected by the beast’s tough scales and I had to step back swiftly to evade a swipe from its tail.
Its belly looked less armored by scales though and it gave me an idea. It cast a small shadow under itself. Not big enough for me to shadow prance through, but something smaller might.
I remembered seeing a pair of crossed spears hanging on a wall in the foyer. “Hey beast, you hungry?” I shouted at the basilisk. Slashing at it with my blade again before dispelling it and galloping into the foyer once more as the lizard gave chase.
Racing towards the wall I yanked one of the spears off of the other and turned around. Then I tossed it into the shadow of a nearby cabinet with all my might.
Only for the projectile to burst out of the shadow under the basilisk, skewering the monster as it screeched an ear-splitting cry.
Then it slumped against the ground as green blood pooled around it and the light in its eyes faded.
I had done it. I had slain a real basilisk. I couldn’t believe it, that was far too easy.
Floating an empty vial from my saddle bag which miraculously had not shattered during my fight with the knightess, I milked one of the basilisk’s fangs for its venom. Never know when that would be useful.
Somepony had certainly heard the beast’s wail however, so I doubted that my presence in the manor was still a secret to its master or his or her servants.
Returning to the hallway I had found the basilisk in I saw three other doors.
Opening the door to my left I found a broom closet, it held things a pony would expect there.
Brooms, cleaning products and a toolbox. Which was locked.
“Why is everything in this house locked?” I complained before shutting the door and making my way to the one at the end of the hall.
Much to my surprise, this door was unlocked and lead to a fancy study. Bookcases lined the walls and a very comfy looking leather chair stood against the back wall next to a side table with an open book on it.
This place looked very calming and peaceful for some reason, I decided to get off my hooves for a few minutes and sank into the chair before peering over at the book's pages.
Day 17
I finally figured out how to harvest the power emanating from that horn I found in the frozen north, with that power I can finally transcend mortality and become the greatest sorcerer since Starswirl the Bearded. The side effect however, my body will not last forever. So I will need a new vessel when my current physical form decays.
It’s a small price to pay for the knowledge and science I will discover. But imagine what I could accomplish with this.
I think that one of those new butlers will be an excellent test subject. He isn’t using his body in a responsible manner anyway
Well that ruled out the butler theory.
Under the journal entry the spell this mage had discovered was described in detail and when I read it my eyes widened. This magic was foul beyond any words.
It would allow the caster to take control over the victim’s body and mind, effectively making them your own, in less than a minute.
The worst part? It was deceptively easy to cast if you had the right source available.
I shook my head and hopped out of the chair. The bookcases held literature on various topics but none that would help in this situation. So I made my way back into the hallway and headed for the last door I had seen there.
The door opened into the dining room. Inside rows of chairs lined the dinner table on both sides with one single chair at the head of each end.
One of the chairs had been moved back and a plate with steamed vegetables and hay waited on the table.
I was not alone in the room, next to the table stood a Pegasus mare in a maid’s outfit. She smiled at me while indicating the chair with a wing. “Please be seated madam,” she nickered rather kindly.
Summoning my blade I cautiously trotted towards the table, keeping my eyes on the Pegasus all the time. “You would feed the adversary of your master?”
“My master doesn’t see you as a threat seeing as you couldn’t even defeat our door warden,” she answered. Yet there was no malice in her words.
I seated myself with a huff. “I defeated that oversized salamander though.” I mumbled to which the Pegasus merely smiled and nodded.
“Yes an impressive feat madam, but not enough to keep master’s attention for long I fear.” Her modesty and smile made me wonder what her part in all of this was.
I let my magic wash over the food to check for poison and the mare frowned at me clacking her tongue. “You insult me madam.”
Having the decency to look embarrassed I started on my meal, surprisingly everything was fresh and well prepared. “It tastes delicious, miss?”
“Moonstreak, madam. And thank you kindly.” Still I couldn’t help myself, I had to ask her.
Swallowing my food I looked at her. “Why are you in service of an evil necromancer Moonstreak? You don’t look undead.”
She simply nodded and filled a glass of water putting It next to my plate, “Sometimes there is no choice madam,” she replied and left it at that.
I soon finished my meal and stood up again. “Thank you for the hospitality then Moonstreak.” I nickered.
“You’re welcome madam. Maybe we will meet again.” and with that she shoved the empty plate and utensils on a cart nearby, then trotted off with it.
Moonstreak huh? I wondered what she would do if the necromancer was beaten. Well that was all I found in this wing assuming that the door that Moonstreak left by led to the kitchens.
When I returned to the foyer only bones and scraps were left of the basilisk. This worried me slightly I admit seeing as corpses didn’t usually decay that fast.
Foolishly disregarding it for now I made my way to the hallway across the one I had come from and used my magic to push the door open.
Now I saw what had likely been the effect of that trap I triggered earlier. A few panels had opened in the strange metallic walls and smaller ones in the ceiling.
There weren’t any shadows big enough for me to step through sadly, maybe dashing through the hallway then? A paladin from older times had tried such a thing, It didn’t end well for him I believe his name was something starting with an L.
Earth ponies sometimes depended on their natural resilience a bit too much. I could teleport, but using such an amount of energy seemed wasteful if I could solve this issue without it. After all, a unicorn’s magic reserves weren't unlimited. And I certainly was no Twilight Sparkle whom’s reserves seemed to never run out, she had even turned into an alicorn!
Tossing one of the basilisk’s bones into the hallway gave me a frightening yet interesting result. When it hit the ground the hallway was momentarily illuminated by a bright searing flash. Then as it receded only ashes remained where the bone once laid.
Yup, very glad I didn’t attempt that running option now. Deciding to leave this hallway be for now I instead went to see where the central stairway would lead to.
The stairway wasn't trapped as far as I could see so I carefully made my way to the landing upstairs. There I saw five closed doors but also one door that was open partway with light spilling out from it.
Nudging the door open with my magic and not triggering anything. I stuck my head into the room and was surprised by the sight.
Inside was a well kept room, a bed and other various furniture giving it a very normal feeling as a whole. On the bed lay Moonstreak, her wings splayed to each side of her while she looked up at me with a smile. Soft green eyes focused on mine.
“Hello again. I’m sorry but I can’t offer you service right now madam. I’ve been on my hooves all day. Unless you desire something … else?”
I felt a heated blush creep onto my muzzle and shook my head slowly. “N-no I appreciate the generosity but I’m married Moonstreak, sorry.” Why did pegasi have to be so attractive? And why did I think that just now?
She nodded giving an adorable little pout. “Oh well. And? Have you figured out why I’m here yet? If you do I’ll give you the key to the basement.” I blinked, what?
Thinking about it, something caught my attention. First she seemed very much alive, second she had this rather comfy room and somehow she looked familiar.
Suddenly I understood. “You’re one of the mares from that portrait in the foyer!” I nickered, and a grin formed on Moonstreak’s muzzle.
“I guess you earned a key.” Reaching under her wing she grabbed the key with her teeth and held it out to me. Yet didn’t release it to the pull of my magic. Instead giving me a sultry look. Naughty Pegasus!
It wouldn’t do for me to be forceful with a friendly till now innocent mare that had even made me a meal. So I decided to indulge her in her little game this one time.
Stepping closer I flicked my tail. “This means nothing understand?” then I took the key from her and felt her warm lips push into mine. Definitely alive.
She was soft, her kiss tasted sweet but it also felt desperate. As if she was parched and I was a wellspring. Then she pulled away and sighed averting her eyes. “It does to me…” She looked so lonely.
With mixed emotions I left the bedroom and headed downstairs, I had a basement to investigate.