Gallus's Journal : Entry #39
We've been excavating for three days. No point in telling you just how many holes I have dug... -_-
Professor Shimmer swears we're close to finding the Staff of Sir Gallop the Wanderer (or Wonderer (no one really knows and ancient texts use both—in the same freaking paragraph!!!))
At any rate, Professor Shimmer claims she can feel the magic radiating off the artifact.
I'm still skeptical. And tired.
I'm achy, dirty, grubby... The “sunscreen” lotion was no help there...
… And it's miserably, unbearably HOT!
Gallus stood up straight and wiped his brow with his kerchief. He continued down his cheeks and onto his neck. For once, he was glad not to have his fur coat and feathers. It was nice to discard his jacket, shirt, and pants.
Now, he stood in his boxers, work boots and gloves.
Personally, he would have tossed aside the boxers as well, but Professor Shimmer warned she would clobber him if he ever took them off.
Gallus was considering taking her up on that offer.
“Lemonade?”
Gallus leaned against the wall of the massive hole. “Yes, please,” he gasped, pulling off his gloves. He took the drink in hand and tilted it back gingerly. He was so parched, he could barely register the liquid passing through his throat.
He finished the glass in a swift motion and wiped the corners of his mouth. “I've been digging here forever. You sure this is the right place?”
Sunset Shimmer nodded. “The map and compass pointed us here and I'm beginning to sense a large concentration of magic in this spot. There is definitely something here.”
“Yeah, about that,” Gallus said, picking up the shovel, “How does that even work in this world? I mean, in Equestria, I get it—you being a unicorn and all. But, in a world without magic—?”
“I don't fully understand it either,” Sunset sighed, “Maybe because it is that I'm a unicorn, or that I am Equestrian.”
“You just feel stuff?”
“Well, yeah...”
Gallus frowned as he threw a shovel-full of dirt to the surface. “We sure this staff still exists? I mean, it's wood, and wood does decompose. Especially, if we're talking about nearly a thousand years.”
“All the more reason to search for it,” Sunset said, in a very professorial tone, “If it is indeed lost and destroyed to time, then we can count it towards 'no-longer-exists'. However, if it has survived—”
“Then it needs to be returned to Equestria before it has a chance to cause any trouble,” Gallus droned, “And all the legends point that it was buried,” he pointed to the ground below his feet, “here.” It seemed to have pleased Sunset.
“Exactly,” she smiled. She checked the time on her phone, then glanced at the sun. “I'd say we've got a few more hours then we can stop for the day.”
Gallus grunted. “Good.”
“Do you want some more sunscreen?”
“No!” Gallus yelped. He already had a think layer of dust on him due to the first application. He didn't need any more caked upon him. He cleared his throat, “I mean, I think I'm alright.” He smiled as Sunset walked off.
He had already decided, he would jump into the bath first chance he got—clothes and all.
That thought alone kept him digging. With each shovel, he knew he was closer to a large tub of cool, refreshing water. He imagined being engulfed by the liquid, loosing himself to its depths.
He smiled in that thought, spearing the shovel into the dirt. It stopped short with a thud!
Gallus's eyes widened. Finally, he had hit something! But, what? He raised the shovel and threw it down again. Again, it stopped short with a thud. Gallus knelt and began clearing with his hands. Just his luck it would be another old root or rock he'd have to dig out.
However, to his surprise and delight, it was neither. His digging continued with fervor.
“Professor Shimmer!” he called out, “I've found something!” He had nearly cleared out all dirt before Sunset appeared over the edge of the hole.
Gallus looked up at her, a wide smile on his face. “It's a chest!” he exclaimed, “And it's Equestrian! Look!” He brushed away more of the dirt, “Aren't these Old Ponish runes?”
Sunset squinted as she read the inscriptions. “Middle Ponish, actually. But, it is certainly from Equestria and the right time period. Can you lift it?”
Gallus used the shovel to gain a bit of leverage on the chest. With it freed from the dirt, he tried straight lifting it. “Might need a bit of help,” he strained, “You think the staff is in here? It seems a bit small.”
Sunset threw down some rope. “Won't know until we open it. Tie this around it and we'll pull it up.”
Gallus did as instructed and moved the chest to the edge of the hole then ran up the ladder to assist in pulling.
It took a bit of effort, but, soon, the ancient chest was out and back in the world above ground.
Gallus collapsed from exhaustion. “Well?” he gasped, “is this it?”
“Don't know.”
“You mean they didn't put a label on it? What's with all the writing then?”
Sunset shrugged, reading the inscription, “Some sort of poem. Can't properly read it till I get it cleaned.”
Gallus groaned. “How about: How do we open it?”
“I don't think you need to worry yourselves with that.”
Gallus quickly sat up. That wasn't a voice he recognized. He was just in time to see two goons push Sunset down into the dirt. “Professor!” he yelled, leaping to her aid. But, two more grabbed him and threw him to the ground as well.
Gallus struggled as his hands were tied behind his back, but his attackers were too strong. His bonds secured, he was dragged to Sunset's side.
“What the hay!” he protested, “Who are you creatures?”
“People,” Sunset corrected, “Though, given the circumstances...”
Gallus frowned and glared the men down. He was surprised how Sunset wasn't giving more of a fight. She was being suspiciously quiet through the whole thing.
“They're secure, Boss,” one of the men said into what Gallus guessed was some sort of phone.
“Excellent,” a male voice said over the device, “Do be nice to our guests and bring them into the RV.”
“You heard the boss,” the man with the phone said, waving his hand, “You, grab the chest.”
“Hey! Wait a minute!” cried Gallus as he was pushed toward their camp, “Can we just stop for a moment! I mean, I'm not really dressed for the occasion! Can I, at least, put my pants on?”
Gallus stumbled as he was pushed into the RV he had called home for the last few weeks. He looked around, pleasantly surprised that the place hadn't been ransacked.
Seated at the banquette was an elderly gentleman, reading a book.
Gallus quickly recognized it. “Hey!” he growled, trying to lunge forward, “That's private!”
“... and very dull,” the man said, closing the book and setting it aside.
He tipped his fedora. “Sunset Shimmer.”
“Dr. Diggs,” Sunset said sharply.
“Who's your young charge?”
“I'm Gallus,” the young man sneered as he and Sunset were forced to take a seat.
“Quite a nice little camp you've got here.”
“I see you've made yourself at home,” said Sunset.
“I'm sorry,” said Gallus, “But who is this guy?”
“Dr. Diggs is the professor of archaeology at Canterlot Community College.”
“... and you know him how?”
“Sunset reached out to me to assist with her research for this little expedition. Though, her objectives remained rather vague.”
“I have my reasons,” Sunset seethed.
“Yes,” replied Dr. Diggs, “And I'm beginning to understand them.” He turned his attention to the chest which was set down between them. “... and this! This must be the Staff of Sir Gallop the Wanderer!”
“Ye-ah,” said Gallus, “I'm really beginning to doubt that's the staff...”
“Shh!” Sunset snapped at him.
“Well, I am...”
Sunset ignored him. “Supposing it is Sir Gallop's staff, what would you want with it?”
“Silly pony!” laughed Diggs, “It doesn't belong in a museum!”
“Never said it did...”
“You really don't know the power that lies within it?”
“Not my real problem at the moment,” Sunset said, “Right now, I'm more focused on getting it back to Equestria where it belongs.”
Dr. Diggs chuckled. “How little you know.”
“Then enlighten me.”
“Unless you're from Griffonstone, you wouldn't understand.”
Gallus's ears perked up. “Wait a minute... you're a griffon?” He and Sunset locked eyes in a moment of disbelief. “Does explain a lot...”
“No, it doesn't,” frowned Sunset.
“It doesn't?”
“No, it opens a whole new slew of questions.”
“Right...” Gallus thought aloud, “Because then the question would be... what... What he is doing here!” He looked to Sunset for confirmation. Getting it, he straightened up and held his head high. He would have folded his arms if he could.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was getting to that,” the doctor said impatiently. He cleared his throat.
“Start with Griffonstone,” said Gallus, “I think I know what you're going with this, but please fill in my pony companion here.”
Diggs rolled his eyes. “Ugh, fine! Yes, I'm from Griffonstone. I was orphaned at a young age. My earliest memories are those of scrounging around the streets, begging for food. Do you know what it's like to be a poor orphan on the streets?”
“Uhm, actually, yes,” Sunset and Gallus said in unison. They shared a sly smile. Their upbringing had been one of the many topics they talked about on their long drive into the desert.
Dr. Diggs looked surprised. “... and be taken in by a benefactor?”
“Two for two,” said Gallus.
“And be sent away to attend school?”
“Yep,” said Gallus.
Sunset shrugged, “Might as well have...”
“See?” smiled Gallus, “We're bonding already! Now, how about you untie these ropes and we can talk some more?”
Diggs waved his hand. “No!”
“Wait,” started Sunset, “this is all because you had a lousy kithood?”
“No, quite the opposite, actually.”
“Then where are you going with this?” roared Gallus and Sunset.
“Look,” Diggs said courtly, “you want to know what I plan to do with the staff? Well, I'm getting to that.”
“Please hurry up,” said Gallus, “my arms are going numb.” Diggs seemed to ignore him.
“Why does anyone search magical artifacts?”
“To get them away to where they can't hurt anybody?” said Sunset, flatly.
“My dear Sunset Shimmer, you're the exception, not the rule. No, we search for them because we seek the power within them.
“I'd grown up hearing the tales of great mages of old. The will and might they had to wield the very elements. And I always thought, 'What if I could hold that power for myself?'
“Well, with this staff, I will be able to wield the power of the ancients! Now, I know what you're thinking: Griffons don't have magic like ponies do. But, we did once. Well, a few of us, anyway...
“It was back in the days before the reign of Grover the Great, when our ancestors first came to Griffonstone. In those days, we were ruled over by wise mages. The smartest griffons of the land--”
Gallus groaned, “Are we gonna have to sit through a lecture?”
“It's looking like it,” Sunset whispered.
“EXCUSE ME!” yelled Dr. Diggs, “Gloating about my dastardly plan here!”
“Well, either tell it to us or untie us so you can lecture us,” Sunset said, “Because, frankly, I can't get through a whole lecture and remember everything without taking notes!”
Diggs face turn red. “Gah! Now I've lost my spot! I must start from the beginning...”
“Ugh!” Sunset and Gallus groaned loudly.