//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: Midnight's Shadow: Tainted Legacies // by Ponibius //------------------------------// Hidden Facts. The name caused a swell of emotions to flood up inside me. Mother said that she had killed that most vile of warlocks back during the Lunar Rebellion—back when I had nearly been sacrificed. Though there had been rumored sightings of him since the war, so I had not been sure what the truth was. Hidden was a highly talented illusionist in addition to steeping himself in the black arts, and more than one warlock before him had managed to survive their reported deaths. Could that be true of Hidden as well? I needed to find out, immediately. “Where is he?!” I snarled at Tick Tock. “Where is Hidden Facts?!” Tick Tock whimpered, instinctively trying to back away from me, but Subtle held him in place. “I-I do not know. Please, do not hurt me anymore.” “I will do as I wish, warlock,” I spat contemptuously. Stalwart and Subtle exchanged glances at that, but I ignored them. “I ask again: tell me where Hidden is or this will become much more unpleasant for thee.” “Hidden?” Sidereal picked his way through the ruins of the buildings smashed during my battle with Moonwatch. Much of the area was on fire now, and ponies were running around trying to put them out before the whole city burned down. When he reached us I saw that he had an intense gaze about him. “Are you speaking of that fiend?” “Aye, this traitor says that he is in Fillydelphia.” I glowered at Tick and prodded him in the chest. “Though he is not telling me where he is.” “He might not know.” Subtle pressed her dagger up against Tick’s neck until it nearly drew blood. “Might. It would help his case to cooperate with us. After all, thou art a mere minnow in a pond with some very large fish, neigh Tick Tock?” “Y-yes!” Tick all but screamed, tears running down his face. “I did not know who I was working with! Please, I did not intend for my master to be harmed. That was not my doing!” “We will see about that.” Sidereal drew his cloak close around himself. “For thine own sake, thou better tell us the truth, for ‘twill be the only thing that might save thee from the noose. Tell us what happened, from the start.” Tick Tock’s body sagged and his ears fell flat. “It all started after Archmagus Tempus announced his retirement. He ... he told me that I was not shaping up to be a proper magus, that ‘twas not where my talents lay. I have always wished to be a magus, ‘twas my only ambition in life, and I told him so. But he would not listen.” His eyes fell to the ground. “‘Twas around then that I was approached by Magus Last Second. He is one of the magi working out of the castle. He told me that I need not give up my dream of becoming a magus, that there were alternate methods to becoming a magus for those willing to learn. But he wanted something before he could aid me.” “And what was it that he wanted?” Subtle asked, having relieved the pressure of her dagger. “Magus Last told me that he wanted some documents from the Archmagus’ tower,” Tick Tock answered, barely above a whisper. “He wished for mine aid in getting into the tower and taking the documents. ‘Twas not our aim to hurt anypony, merely take those documents and then leave.” Sidereal snorted. “‘Twas a foolish task thou agreed to.” The recountment caused Tick Tock to hunch his shoulders. Magus Last Second was not a magus known to me, but ‘twas a name to follow up on later. Though now it seemed we might be on track to finding out what the warlocks desired. “And what were these documents?” Tick Tock shook his head. “I do not know. They were of a secret nature. He was often working on secret projects he spoke with nopony about.” My eyes narrowed. “Thou better not be lying to us.” He cringed pathetically. “I am not! ‘Twas my task to lower the wards on the tower and let Magus Last and his compatriots in. We were to take the documents and leave. ‘Twas to be as simple as that.” “Then what happened?” Sidereal demanded. “First Magus Daylight showed up,” Tick Tock said sullenly. “There was not supposed to be anypony else there. Th-then I discovered that I was actually conspiring with Hidden Facts and Moonwatch! Please, I did not know I was working with them! Believe me!” Sidereal frowned. “How many were there?” “Um, half a dozen? I think? I was not keeping count. There were far more than I was expecting.” I tilted my head to the side. “Why not infiltrate the tower when Archmagus Tempus was away? I would think there would be fewer risks then.” A flash of confusion ran over Tick Tock’s features. “I ... I do not know. They wanted to do it during the night. I thought ‘twas because they wished to do the deed while the archmagus was asleep, instead of taking the risk of him walking in on us doing the task.” I was not satisfied with this answer. In fact, a great many things about this did not make sense. Had the entire reason for coming here been to murder Tempus? But why do so during the conclave? Hidden was supposedly an extremely intelligent and wily warlock, but the timing of this just seemed reckless. I decided to continue with the questioning. “And what happened after thou let in thy compatriots?” Tick Tock swallowed and licked his lips. “They told me to stand to the side, and let them deal with Daylight and Tempus. Then they proceeded upstairs and ambushed them. After a brief fight they managed to capture both of them. From there they took the documents they desired while one of the warlocks—I do not know her name—used some sort of mind magic on Daylight and Tempus. Removing their memories of the incident, she said.” “So why set the tower on fire?” Sidereal asked. “That strikes me as unnecessary if the intention was to make them forget the event.” Tick Tock scrapped his hoof along the cobblestones. “I do not know that either. As we were leaving the tower I asked what would happen once Daylight and my master regained consciousness. I was worried they would come hunting us once they realized something was amiss. Th-That is when Moonwatch said I had a point and set the whole tower alight.” He clenched his eyes shut in pain. “We then made a hasty retreat from the castle.” These details were not adding up to me. Sidereal was right: why go through so much trouble to alter the minds of Daylight and Tempus only then to try and kill them? Mayhaps Tick Tock had misidentified the spells the warlocks were using, or been lied to. No doubt the warlocks would have been interested in probing the minds of two senior magi, especially when one might have had pertinent information about the files they deigned to steal. Mind reading spells could also destroy memories, either by design or accident. ‘Twas a simple enough explanation that the warlocks had always intended to kill their victims in order to cover their tracks and had simply not told Tick Tock for fear he would balk at the suggestion. Though Daylight’s wards against fire would have been a significant oversight on the part of the warlocks if this was the case. However, it might very well have been their intention, using the fire as an excuse to frame Daylight for Tempus’ murder and to destroy most of the evidence of their misdeeds. “What then?” Subtle asked while I contemplated this. Tick Tock swallowed. “After we escaped the castle Hidden and Moonwatch stepped aside to speak privately, though of what I know not, for Hidden had cast a privacy spell. All I could tell was that ‘twas a spirited debate ‘tween them. Once it had ended, Hidden took half of his compatriots with him and Moonwatch told the rest of us that we were to celebrate with food and drink.” He hunched his shoulders tighter. “That is when you discovered us.” “Then where is Hidden?” I demanded. He shook his head. “I do not know. He did not say where he was going.” That answer was unacceptable. “I ask where is he? Talk, or I will make thee.” My horn lit as I summoned more of my magic. “Thou wilt tell me everything thou dost know.” Subtle cleared her throat and nodded behind me. “Magus, I believe somepony wishes to see you.” “Who is interrupting me during an import—” I spun around and my voice caught abruptly when I saw Shadow standing behind me with a deep scowl and a dozen of her clanponies by her side. “L-Lady Shadow, I did not see you approach.” Shadow raised an eyebrow as she regarded me. “Midnight.” Sensing the question in that single word, I tried my best to re-compose myself after my surprise. “I have discovered a plot most foul. Hidden Facts is here in Fillydelphia.” Shadow’s voice came from deep within her throat. “So he escaped death once again?” “Aye, sadly it seems so. I just slew his vile follower, Moonwatch.” I pointed to the crater I had created battling the warlock. “And Tick Tock here claims to have seen him.” Shadow’s eyes went over the destruction that had been wrought over the neighborhood. Multiple buildings had been demolished in the struggle, and yet more burned in its aftermath. “Tell me everything.” I took a deep breath before recounting everything I had learned from mine investigation. Sidereal, Subtle, and Stalwart each added their own details, like how the necromancer mercenary Sidereal had been pursuing had managed to escape him despite his best efforts. Shadow did not speak until I was done, though I could sense her growing unhappiness as I told my tale. “So the traitor yet lives.” She shook her head. “These are ill tidings. We will have to find him at once.” “That is what I am trying to get out of this perfidious buffoon.” I glared at Tick Tock, and he whimpered. “Please do not let her hurt me anymore,” Tick Tock begged. “I am telling you everything I know. I merely wished to become a magus, I did not mean to bring harm to anypony!” “So he claims,” I growled. “But he could be lying. He has every reason to cast the blame for what has happened onto another to save his own hide. He knows the consequences for betraying and murdering his master. Allow me to further interrogate him and I will get him to talk. Mother has trained me how to do such things.” “Perhaps, but I would have my answers more effectively and with higher accuracy from a trained interrogator,” Shadow announced. She then waved for her guards to take Tick Tock. “We will take him back to the castle to be questioned properly.” Mine ear flicked as I was relieved of my prisoner. “And what shall I do?” “Thou shouldst rest and recover thy strength; I fear thou wilt need it ere we are done.” Shadow’s stark gaze swept over the devastation surrounding us. “For now, thou hast done enough.” I awoke with a violent start to the sound of the door to my quarters slamming shut. Blinking the mildly painful blurriness from mine eyes, I looked to see Mother trotting inside, a pair of servants trailing behind her. ‘Twas now morning, part of my hazy mind noted, though ‘twas difficult to tell from to the gloom outside. Grey clouds filled the sky, and a light drizzle peppered the windows. Mother scowled as she sat at the small dining table and watched the servants go about placing breakfast onto the table. “Sit and break thy fast,” she commanded me shortly, pointing to the seat opposite of her. “‘Tis a warm meal, and who can say when next we will get another?” Stretching sore muscles, I stood up from the couch I had evidently collapsed onto. I yawned as I sat at the table, my mind trying to remember all the details of the previous night. The thoughts came sluggishly. It felt like I had merely slept enough to remind me how tired I was, rather than actually recover from the events of the previous day. Memories of last night came to me one by one: Archmagus Tempus’ murder, the conversations afterwards, my battle with Moonwatch, and mine eventual return to the castle and escort to my quarters in Castle Arcana. I blinked the last of the blurriness from mine eyes. “What is transpiring?” “A great many things, child.” The servants asked Mother if she required anything else, but she waved them away. I waited until the servants left before I spoke again. “Tell me.” Mother grunted as she placed a napkin on her lap. “We have learned what we can from Tick Tock, though 'tis precious little.” I glowered at the news. “Is he being uncooperative?” “Hardly that. He has told us all he knows, but ‘twould seem he was little more than a useful idiot.” Mother picked up her fork and started cutting up her eggs. “Our enemy was wise. They told Tick Tock nothing of value that could compromise them. And I said eat.” I placed some hashbrowns in my mouth to placate her. Part of me wondered if they had truly discovered everything they could, but I dismissed the idea. No doubt Shadow and Mother had thoroughly interrogated Tick Tock by now, or had experts at such things do the task for them. If Mother was confident they had learned everything to be learned, then that was that. “So what now? I cannot imagine that you or Shadow will do nothing about this.” Mother scoffed as she buttered her toast. “Hardly that, child. We are pursuing several lines of inquiry.” I had to remind myself to finish chewing my food before speaking. “I wish to aid in finding Hidden and the rest of his foul lot. I desire to cast Hidden on fire to give him endless torment, freeze his organs to reduce him to helplessness, utterly destroy his body as shadows consume him, and finally take his skull for my collection.” “I am sure thou dost, and I will see that thou art given the chance to aid us.” Mother ate some of her food before continuing. “In the meantime, we investigate. There are only so many places that a warlock of Hidden's infamy can operate out of, and e’en his mighty magical disguises are not as impenetrable as he thinks.” “With the resources at our disposal, I cannot imagine he will be able to escape us forever,” I agreed. “‘Tis just a matter of actually finding them, and then destroying them utterly, as to leave no doubt of their ignominious ends.” Mother dabbed at her mouth with her handkerchief. “Just so. When we are done here, pursue whatever lines of inquiry thou might find.” She held up a hoof to forestall me. “And then inform me of the results at once. I will not have thee gallivanting off into mortal peril again.” I frowned as I realized she was referring to my adventure the previous night. “What I did was necessary to conduct mine investigation. I could not risk our enemies knowing that I sought Tick Tock, not when I knew not the nature of our enemy. Indeed, we still do not know all who might be an enemy here in the castle. If I was Hidden I would be sorely tempted to leave a spy within our camp to report back what we have planned. And in the end my efforts bore fruit: I smote Moonwatch and captured Tick Tock for interrogation.” “And allowed two other warlocks to escape,” Mother scolded. “Thou shouldst not have engaged with so many dangerous warlocks, especially in a crowded restaurant. Dozens could have been killed.” I grimaced at the chastisement. “‘Tis not so simple as that. They might have gotten away from me if I had waited.” Mother rolled her eyes. “Thou hast the means to track the warlocks if need be. Thou used a tracking spell to find them to start with, and ‘tween thy magic and thy companions ‘twould have been simple to follow them wherever they went. They might even have led thee to their base. If thou hadst called for aid as thou should have then we could have brought enough force to crush them outright and capture all of them. Now instead, we have a useless pawn, several destroyed businesses, one dead warlock and two more on the run who have by now no doubt forewarned their compatriots.” My ears flattened as Mother crushed me with the facts. Had I erred so badly? At the time I had thought I was doing what needed to be done, but now... “What is more,” Mother continued, “Moonwatch came perilously close to defeating thee. And he was but one of Hidden’s lesser students. From what I have been told of it, thou didst attack him like a wild mare, with no concern but trying to slay him. That is not how I taught thee to fight. What would happen if Hidden Facts himself appeared?” I grimaced, but still rallied. “I might have been able to defeat him as well. Moonwatch was not nearly so weak as reports on him have claimed, and Hidden is still a pony who can be defeated. You have done so in the past.” Mother snorted. “I am not inclined to risk my child and heir’s life on ‘might’. And thou shouldst not take Hidden so lightly. He became an archmagus because he had the skill to do so, and has since steeped himself in the black arts. If thou seest him with anything less than an archmagus by thy side to fight him with then thou art to flee. Am I understood?” My shoulders slumped, though something burned within me at the same time. “Yes, Mother.” “Swear it to me, child.” Mother fixed me with a firm gaze. “Thou art not to battle Hidden, or to go gallivanting about without mine or Shadow’s permission. If thou dost so I will remove thee as a field magus and give thee a less dangerous role. I made thee a field magus to gain experience and build thy reputation, not to get thyself killed. Understood?” A desire to argue with her bubbled up within me, but I pushed it down. If I defied her now the consequences would be dire, I knew that for certain. Her ire was up, and she would accept nothing but my compliance. Thus I answered, “Yes, Mother.” Mother carefully studied me for a moment. “Go ahead and eat. Thou dost not want thy meal to get cold.” We ate in silence for a few minutes before I mustered up the courage to speak again. “Why do you think Hidden Facts has returned after all these years, and at a conclave at that? Such strikes me as madness, for all of his enemies are gathered here. The moment he loses the element of surprise we will o’erwhelm him with our full might.” Mother chewed over her food before answering. “The presence of all his enemies may be precisely why he has come here, if this is some plan for revenge.” I raised an eyebrow. “Such would be a bold move, if perhaps a foolish one. 'Tis wiser to defeat one's enemies in detail than to face their united power.” “Aye, but first we would have to find him, would we not?” Mother pointed out. “And as befits his name, he can hide quite well. And there are benefits to having all your enemies in one place: it gives one the opportunity to crush them all at once if one has the power to do so. The problem with defeating one’s enemies in detail is that it can give them the opportunity to marshal their strength and counterattack. And he had the advantage of surprise. He was supposed to be dead.” She glowered at the mention of her principle enemy from the Rebellion. “I slew him myself. Or at least, I was quite sure I had. Damned illusionists.” “It seems that the rumors we had heard of him still being in the world were true after all.” Mother hummed. “Perhaps. Or perhaps we are being deceived.” I paused in the middle of eating some eggs. “Someone would be foolish enough to pretend to be Hidden when he is the most wanted pony in all of Equestria?” “Infamy can be a powerful tool,” Mother pointed out. “Some would follow him for the promise of power and prestige his supposed name offers. Never forget the power of names, for they can make a mere pony seem like a god if they are spoken enough and with sufficient reverence. Moonwatch alone is a small player. Moonwatch backed by Hidden Facts...” “That is true.” I mulled over that idea as I ate. “So there must be some sort of dark scheme here. Is it possible he merely wanted those files they stole and will not flee the city?” Mother momentarily froze. “Perhaps, but I can hardly be certain of that.” I leaned forward. “What was in those secret files, anyways? What was in them worth killing an archmagus over?” Mother’s eyes narrowed and her voice turned icy. “That is for the archmagi to know, and only us. Cease this line of questioning.” I sat back again at the harsh response. While I did not know what was in them, I knew it must be very important. Perhaps the files contained research on some forbidden form of magic. That would explain why Mother did not wish to discuss the details. The archmagi had leniency to research what would normally be forbidden magic under specific circumstances. ‘Twas often necessary whenever some foul spellcaster discovered some new form of evil to cast, or created some evil artifact that threatened the harmony of Equestria. While such knowledge might not be suitable for everypony, such things still needed to be studied to be understood and countered effectively. More than one disaster had been averted by such preventative research. Knowledge was power, even if it was of a forbidden nature. Knowing Mother would not answer on the matter, I switched topics. “And what of Daylight? Will he be released now that we know that he is innocent?” “No.” Mother bared her teeth in a scowl. “Shadow and others think that is ... ill-advised at the moment.” I tilted my head to the side. “And why is that?” Mother snorted. “Because we have nothing but the word of a pawn that he is innocent. Some of the others argued that he might be a double agent intended to spy on us, and that some sort of elaborate ruse has been set up. If we had captured more of the warlocks to interrogate to corroborate Tick Tock’s story then ‘twould be a different matter, but as it is Daylight is still suspect.” Her eyes flicked to me, and I could sense the anger in them—though whether ‘twas solely directed at me or others as well I could not say. “There is also the matter that his mind has been tampered with by the warlocks. ‘Tis possible they might have laid traps within it, such as to try and assassinate an archmagus at an opportune moment. Until we can confirm what we know to be true, he will remain imprisoned.” “I see.” That was quite poor news indeed. “And what of the conclave? Have you informed them of what transpired?” Mother jabbed her fork into her food. “Such would be foolishness. If the wider conclave knew what happened Topaz would most likely push for an immediate vote for a new archmagus, citing the need for decisive leadership in face of a crisis. If that were to happen, Daylight would never win. Not while he is imprisoned and under suspect for the murder of Tempus.” “But should we not unite the magi order against the warlocks immediately?” Mother slashed her hoof through the air. “Do not be so short-sighted. Aye, maybe that would unite the magi order, but that is only a maybe. Remember, Topaz is our political enemy; her goals are contrary to our own. There is no guarantee she would cooperate with us once she became archmagus. She would have the authority of her new title, and we would be within her march. Neigh, I can see her demanding to take command during this crisis, both to assert her authority and to build her reputation across Equestria. And that is only in the short term. In the long term she will be a continual thorn in our side. She will oppose our every aim, and during a critical time—especially if there is to be a war that will most heavily fall on Eastmarch.” As I thought all that information over it sounded true. Topaz had certainly proved to be highly opportunistic thus far considering how she had seized upon Daylight’s plight to further her political goals. “You probably have a point, Mother.” “Of course I do, and there is another problem.” Mother’s voice darkened. “There might be more traitors in our midsts—traitors that might include Magus Topaz herself. I do not like how quick Topaz was to declare Daylight as Tempus’ murderer. Mayhaps she merely had a moment of inspiration and seized the opportunity when it presented itself, but I have my doubts. ‘Tis also possible she was reading from a pre-prepared script and took advantage of a moment she knew to be coming. And even if Topaz had no involvement in this evil business, it is possible other magi do. We need to be very, very careful.” “I can understand your points,” I said. “In truth, I worried Topaz might be involved in the Archmagus’ murder as well. ‘Twas a possibility I contemplated when I started mine investigation, and why I did not go to anypony about Tick Tock.” “Just so.” Mother shrugged. “And I do not like how hard Topaz pushes to find out everything she can about our investigation. Thy battle with Moonwatch has her faction in an uproar. They demand answers for what is going on, though thus far I have been able to keep them from doing anything of importance. But we need to find Hidden quickly if we are to keep Topaz from becoming more of a nuisance than she already has been.” In truth, I was not enthralled with the idea of the magi order being divided at such a critical point, but there seemed no simple solution to the problem as long as Topaz remained the leader of her faction and Daylight imprisoned. Not if I wished to risk the future of Equestria. Putting aside the fact that Topaz might secretly be a warlock, her plans would not make Equestria for the better. Not to mention I was not about to put Chivalrous in a position of power. “Then we best get to work.” I worked to finish my meal, but then stopped as something came to mind that had been greatly bothering me. “But first, there was something of importance I wished to ask you.” “Oh?” I watched Mother carefully as I spoke. “When were you going to tell me I have a brother?” There was a nearly imperceptible freeze in Mother’s body. “As thou dost not have a brother, I do not know why I would tell thee such a thing.” I glowered. “Do not lie to me.” Mother’s eyes narrowed. “I would not lie. And mind thy words to thy mother.” “Daylight seems convinced you are his mother,” I growled out. “He has evidence, even. You stayed at a Sol Invictus retreat during the time he was born, coinciding with a significant donation you gave to the Order. Your support of his career... Your vehement opposition to the idea of us marrying.” Mother stared at me in silence as the seconds ticked by. What went through her head I could only guess. But eventually she spoke in a cool voice. “Ah, that. Yes, he is my natural child. But as the two of you do not share a sire, he is but a half-sibling.” My jaw squared as she finally admitted the truth. “Why have you kept this a secret from me?” Mother sighed and ran a hoof through her mane. “I am sure thou dost recall how often thine utter lack of discretion vexed me in thy younger years.” My teeth clenched together. “That may have been true in the past, but I am a filly no longer. You should have told me by now—told him.” Mother let out a long sigh and rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “It is not so simple as thou wouldst make it sound.” “And why not, pray tell?” I demanded. “Is me knowing Daylight is my brother so damaging to your designs?” “It is a potentially troublesome complication, aye,” Mother said. “And in any event, I would have told thee in due time.” “When?” “When I thought it wise to do so,” she said in an airy tone. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Which sounds like never.” Mother spoke in the dismissive way she always did when she thought I was being slow. “Well, if I had known thou wouldst be this willful about it...” I stood up from the table, quite done with this conversation. I could not believe her, to keep such a thing from me for so long. And for what? Her politics? Sometimes I wondered if her titles and position mattered to her more than me. “Mayhaps I should go to Shadow and speak with her. It seems we are done here.” “As thou wilt, child.” Mother returned to poking at her food, seeming unconcerned that we had spoken of something so important. I stormed out. Shadow had taken up Tempus’ office. It took me the better part of an hour to finally get to see her and the wait had not improved my mood, the time only allowing me to stew in my discontent over my mother hiding family from me. Just like she hid mine other mother from me, as well as the rest of her family. Was it her intention to block me off from the rest of the world unless it suited her political ambitions? Such things made me consider what my future should be, and what role Mother should actually play—assuming I could exert my will. In any event, I was led into the office where Shadow was standing and looking out the window as sprinkles continued to fall. “Midnight.” I dispensed with pleasantries and went to straight to business. “Shadow, I wish to aid you in your investigation to find Hidden Facts. I desire to see him utterly destroyed and ensure he remains dead this time.” Shadow turned to face me and smiled warmly. “And I would be happy to have thine assistance, Midnight. What avenue of investigation wouldst thou pursue?” I rubbed my chin as I considered the options available to me. “Considering finding Hidden is the most crucial thing we need to do right now, I could dispatch the Great Unkindness to comb every nook and cranny within the city to see if they can find our quarry. They possess many sets of eyes and would not draw attention like our soldiers and magi.” Shadow nodded. “By all means, do so.” “I hardly think that is quite necessary,” said someone else from behind me. I turned to see Emeraude enter the office, wearing a serene smile. I had wondered where the fey had gotten off to, and now she held both our attentions. Shadow raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” “Indeed,” Emeraude said. “I know where Hidden Facts is.” That news caused my body to stiffen. “Where is he?” Emeraude tsked and shook her hoof. “Come now, you should know ‘tis not that easy.” Shadow frowned as she watched the fey. “I believe this is the part where you offer us a bargain.” “Naturally, Lady Protector.” Emeraude smiled widely. “I can hardly give over such information for free, but I am sure you are quite capable of paying the price for the information I bear.” Shadow scowled, and I asked, “And that price is?” Emeraude crossed her arms. “Hm, now that is the tricky part. I do not wish to offend either of you with an offer, but knowledge on where to find a mortal enemy of yours cannot be sold cheaply. I would be willing to tell you where Hidden is in exchange for having your firstborn with me, Midnight. That would pay for it and more, such as my council, aid in learning more magic, or several other things we could negotiate over.” I opened my mouth to reject the idea, but then paused. Was the bargain so terrible? True, ‘twas incredibly risky, and the matter of a child was no small thing by any measure. But Hidden Facts was a terrible foe to Equestria, one that had slain many with his schemes. The dead of Polaris’ Folly could all be placed at his hooves, he had ritually murdered two archmagi—including Morning’s husband—and now he was involved in the murder of another archmagus and had framed Daylight for the crime. Not to mention he was a deadly threat to mine own life. Where would the death and chaos end if he was not stopped? It had to be asked, what was the price I was willing to pay to defeat such a terrible foe? Sensing my ruminations, Shadow arched an eyebrow. “Surely thou dost not intend to accept such a bargain, Midnight?” I frowned as I admitted my thoughts. “‘Twould allow us to find Hidden and put an end to his schemes, neigh? Lives could be saved if we can crush him once and for all.” Shadow shook her head. “At an unacceptable price. I will not allow thee to enter such a bargain, and potentially throw thy life away in some fey’s mad scheme.” A flash of annoyance ran through me at again being told what to do, but Emeraude spoke before I could reply. “Unacceptable?” Emeraude tilted her head to the side. “‘Tis more than perfectly fair. And 'tis not as though I desire to steal the child away. We can surely negotiate equal shares to the child. In fact, I would prefer it that way.” “So you say,” I hedged. More than a little of me was tempted by the idea, though the risks were considerable. The price seemed acceptable now, but there could be hidden hooks in the deal. Shadow grunted from deep within her throat. “This decision should not be made lightly or so suddenly.” She faced me directly. “I do not think thou shouldst make this bargain. We have other investigators looking for Hidden, and one of them might have found something by now, or soon will. ‘Tis unwarranted to make such a deal over thy firstborn.” I frowned but nodded. While I was unsure about the matter, mayhaps there was another way. If the other options available to us did not work, we could fall back on Emeraude’s proposal. “Mayhaps there is another bargain that would be more acceptable?” “Let us see.” Emeraude tapped her chin. “Well, there is an annoying vassal of mine that could stand to be brought into line. Since taking my post as chief spirit of the royal demesne, not all respect me as they should. I will bring them all in line in good time, but it will take time. ‘Twould be a boon if I could receive your aid in dealing with one of my more troublesome vassals. ‘Tis a simple deal: I help you with one of your enemies, and you help me with one of mine.” Shadow frowned as she carefully studied the fey. “That is ... undeniably equitable on its face. And who would this enemy be?” “Another fey by the name of Baran,” Emeraude said. “He is a great irritation to me, but nothing formidable ponies such are you or Midnight cannot deal with.” Shadow hummed and then waved me over to talk in private. I approached her and cast a privacy spell. “I am wary of making any bargain with her ... but as the fey often do, she presents a compelling case and a bait that is hard to ignore.” I sighed and nodded. “That is their way. The issue is that we have a dangerous foe that needs to be defeated, and time works against us. If we try and find Hidden with our own methods he might escape us—or worse, pull off some vile scheme at least as terrible as anything he did during the Lunar Rebellion. I cannot imagine he would risk coming to the conclave unless his plans warranted such a profound risk to himself.” “Aye.” Shadow closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. “Two hours. Set the Unkindness to searching and pursue any other inquiries. I will have a few apprentices research the enemy she asks thee to contend against as recompense. Two hours is a small enough span to hopefully avoid any losses while allowing us to do our due diligence. Once that time is up ... then we will see what we must do.” I agreed and went to work.