//------------------------------// // XI // Story: Mark of Baen // by CrypticMetaphor //------------------------------// Twilight chewed on her lip as Baen continued to stare at her with a look that bled with emotions of mild anger as well as worry.  Twilight did intend to tell Baen about her studies into Old Magic and tapping into it, but recent events prevented her and she felt even worse.  Twilight steadied her breathing, she had a feeling this would happen, or at least his general reaction should the secret get out prior to her telling him.   “Baen….,” Twilight said calmly, “I know your mad.  But you have to understand, after the whole incident with The Four Harbingers, I grew more concerned that other monsters or something worse might appear and so I had to figure out a solution.” “Go on,” Baen said plainly. “Well, after giving it some thought, I concluded since Old Magic is the root of all magic that it shouldn’t be virtually impossible to tap into it,” Twilight said as she paced in front of Baen, “Being the Element of Magic, I thought it should be easy….buuuuut I was really wrong.  It was like I was trying to dig through magical bedrock I couldn’t feel anything,” she looked at Baen, “Until I remembered something.” Baen raised an eyebrow as she continued, “When I was near you all those times you used your Wrath ability, the feeling you exuded.  I knew that if I remembered that feeling, using it as a sort of reference guide, I could work from square one. After a while I….,” she shrunk under Baens glare as he leaned over her. “Put yourself in more danger than you could possibly imagine,” Baen said in a low tone, “What you replicated back in Hollow Shades was a technique you or no pony should ever attempt to use.” “What do you mean?  I thought I just tapped into Old Magic and cast an amplified Blaster Spell,” Twilight said with puzzlement. “It wasn’t.  What you used WAS Wrath,” Baen said, “as I said before, Old Magic was and is a powerful thing.  But to use it, and especially the Wrath ability, without training or even many years of practice is extremely foolish.  You should count yourself lucky that the magic didn’t backfire, if it did, you could’ve….,” his voice trailed off as he turned from her. Twilight looked to the side as Baen looked out onto the horizon, “Baen, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I meant too, I really did.” Baen sighed as he nodded, “I understand, but Twilight,” he turned to look at her and Twilight stared wide eyed noticing his eyes were a bit watery, “promise me.  Promise me you’ll never use Old Magic again.” Twilight approached her friend and placed her hoof on his shoulder pad, “I didn’t realize the dangers, or that,” she looked at Baen’s eyes, “you felt so strongly about this.  I know you probably have your reasons, but if it’ll make you feel better, I promise I won’t use Old Magic again.” Baen smiled and looked to the horizon once more, the ocean below sparkling, “Well...I mean, I probably would’ve done something reckless in that situation as well,” he playfully bopped her on the head, ‘but remember, being reckless is my thing.  Your thing is being the logical one who puts a damper on the reckless thing.” “Hey!” Twilight sputtered, “I do NOT damper recklessness, I just….offer constructive and helpful criticism on the faults of it.  That’s all!” “Riiight,” Baen said with a smirk. Twilight puffed out her cheeks….and then burst out laughing.  Baen joined her for a good while, until a thought occurred. With a quick gesture, he told the princess to stay put and he went back to their cabin.  After two more minutes, Baen returned with Arondight in tow and placed it at her hooves. Twilight blinked in confusion. “Pick it up,” Baen said plainly as he unsheathed his axe. “What?  I can’t sword fight,” Twilight stated baffled, “I’ve never held a weapon in my life!” “True,” Baen said with a grin, “But it’s never too late to learn the basics.  If Vida’s return is an indication, new threats will most likely show up and they’ll probably be even stronger than her.  There might even come a time where magic might fail you, so you’ll have to be prepared. Just grab it with your magic.” Twilight nodded and unsheathed the blade, the strange blade looking even more mysterious in the light as the inner glow seemed to shift about like water on the surface of a lake.  Even in her magic grip, the sword wobbled a little, the feeling of the weapon was foreign to the mare. “Alright, first of all,” Baen said with mild mirth as he suppressed a chuckle, “don’t treat it like a tool.  A weapon isn’t a mere slab of steel or stone, to treat a weapon as such, means you lack the Will of the Warrior.  Your weapon is an extension of yourself.” Twilight raised an eyebrow as Baen took on a more wisened expression, the likes akin to a seasoned veteran or teacher, “To lack the Will of the Warrior is to admit defeat to yourself and to your enemies,” Baen stamped his hoof at the declaration, “to admit defeat to yourself and your enemies means you will never achieve your final rest.  You will stand before Tieg weak and scared. You must trust yourself and your steel, do this, and you shall never admit defeat.” Twilight could only stare in awe as Baen exhaled, “This is what I and many others must know before the training can begin.” Twilight nodded, “So if one has the Will of the Warrior?” Baen tilted his head, “Well, if they do.  They will appear before Tieg who will weigh his steel against yours.  Should yours balance out the scales or surpass his, you will pass on to the Grand Hall.  That is where all warriors and heroes of Old dwell to fight, drink, eat, and even party to their heart's content.” “That sounds amazing!” Twilight was presently scribbling these things down on a notepad she pulled from somewhere, “I’m learning so much.” Baen sighed and slowly lowered the notepad, “Twilight.  Focus please.” Twilight shook her head, “Oh.  Right,” she lifted the sword again, “sorry.” “Now keep your stance strong, you might not be holding your weapon, but your body must be ready for anything.” Baen instructed as he circled her, Twilight mimicking him. “Oh!  So it’s a similar principal to Prench Fencing or even Griffon saber combat,” Twilight stated with interest as well as an educated tone, “I get it.  Tight, but loose right? For quick maneuvers and dodges.” “Exactly, but since you have wings and magic,” Baen said, “You’ll have to be aware.  Your wings could be injured or removed should you be careless. Your magic will also play into combat, use it to improvise if necessary.  Don’t use it all the time, it’ll drain your stamina and will make it harder to use your sword.” Twilight nodded as Baen stopped moving, “Now, attack me.” “What?  Baen, I’m not going to attack you,” Twilight said with mild concern, “I don’t want to hurt-” Baen swung at her.   Twilight, on reflex, raised her sword to block the swing which bounced off the sword blade in a shower of sparks.  Baen stared narrowed eyed at her. “I’m not your friend here,” Baen said coldly, “I am the enemy and I will not wait for you to debate your course.  Now, ATTACK!” Baen surged forward and swung his axe, the blade flying through the air fast and lethally.  Twilight stumbled as she backed up, her instincts telling her to get away and block the sharp blade.  Twilight’s aura made Arondight fly through the air with expert precision, the blades of both weapons clashing as Baen poured on the pressure.   “B-Baen, hold on a second!  I can’t-” Twilight yelped as she lost her footing and fell on her back, Arondight clattering away from her. Twilight whimpered as she shut her eyes at a massive air pressure that stopped an inch from her neck.  A hard sigh met her ears as she looked up at Baen. “And, you’re dead,” Baen said flatly. Baen helped Twilight to her hooves, “Sorry….I keep forgetting modern ponies aren’t accustomed to martial combat as I am.  I didn’t mean to scare you.” Twilight rubbed her left leg bashfully, “It’s alright, I just wasn’t prepared for...well… for just how intense you got,” she levitated Arondight back into the sheathe, “I guess I’m not much of a swordmare huh?” “Nah,” Baen said but pointed at her as he sheathed his own weapon, “But, you could be.” “What?  Didn’t you see how I was practically stumbling over myself back there?!” Twilight exclaimed in confusion. “True, but your precision and reactions are on par with a seasoned veteran.  With more training, your offence could be just as good as your defense.” Twilight tilted her head with a bemused expression, “You really think that?” “I do,” Baen said with a smile. Twilight gave it some thought as Baen leaned over, “Just between us, you did exceedingly better than Rainbow Dash.” “I...Wha?” Twilight said in confusion. “Mhm, let me tell you,” Baen couldn’t help a snort of amusement, “She lost a little, off the top,” he pat his mane. “Are you serious?” Twilight said with a growing smile. “Yeah,” Baen chuckled, “She got cocky and I skimmed her.  She would NEVER admit it I imagine, probably say I got a lucky shot.” “Or the sun was in her eyes,” Twilight muttered with a giggle. Both ponies laughed, but stopped when the intercom came on. “Attention passengers!  We’re approaching Fleece as we speak!! Please ensure your valuables and other essentials are ready before we disembark!  Oh, and to the Griffon on the fourth level, I’m afraid we’re out of tiramisu.” The airship sank lower toward the ground as Twilight stated, “Don’t worry Spike, we’re almost there!” * Spike continued to rattle his cage, “LET ME OUT!!! LET ME OUT!!!” A Diamond Dog approached and jabbed a finger at the drake, “HEY!  Dragon stop that! Dragon scratch the bars of cage Lady Vida so graciously provided!” “I hope I do!” Spike rapidly scraped his claws against the bars in spite. “Now now young one,” melodious voice said from beside him atop her throne of green stone, “we can’t have you tiring yourself out with such a frivlious temper tantrum.  Only good little drakelings get gems for dinner.” “I don’t want your gems!!!  I want to go home you witch!!!” Spike yelled in anger. Vida’s right eye twitched as a loud crack was heard.  Vida glanced over as the Diamond dogs and green armored ponies she ‘recruited’ chiseled away at the large blue chunk of ice. “What is taking so long.” She demanded with a hint of anger prevalent in her tone. A salmon coated stallion, named Candy Floss, approached, “My Lady, try as we might, we can’t seem to breach into its core.  It seems to be protected by a powerful magic.” “I see,” Vida tapped her chin, “This will be most troublesome indeed.” Spike smirked a little, “What?  Can’t break a big ice cube?” The dragon yelled in shock as Vide stared him dead in the eyes, “You seem to misunderstand, Spike.  The situation you presently find yourself in is not one where you can make jests at my expense.” Spike scampered away into the back of his cage as Vida’s eyes changed with each word she spoke, “I will extract the magic from you, that much is certain, you precious Princess and my love Baen won’t even make it up the mountain by then.” Spike trembled in fear.  Her eyes, the whites of which turned a frightening glowing shade of green, while her pupils lost all light, or more that they swallowed all light.  Her irises were now pale rings that added a fright to the dragon’s heart he had never felt before. “Good,” her voice seemed to echo with an unnatural reverberation, “Now stay silent.” She stood as her eyes and voice returned to normal. “I have business to attend too.” The sorceress left the throne room as Spike curled up and wished Twilight and Baen would hurry.