Gallus's Journal : Entry #45
We all loaded into Dr. Digg's SUV. Professor Shimmer sat in front with Dr. Diggs, who was driving. I was stuck in the back, squished between two large hench
mengriffons.Professor Sunset and Dr. Diggs talked at length—about what, I couldn't fully say. At one point, the conservation did switch to how Diggs got to this world.
It has been an accident. Even in Griffonstone, he was an archaeologist and established historian. One day, while exploring an ancient mountain pass, he came across a cave system. It was in the deepest part of the cave that he encountered a glowing circle. It was when he fell through that he emerged on the other side in this world. Enthralled with it, he decided to stay.
Only later, did he learn of its historical connections to Equus.
Professor Shimmer listened with great interest.
Though, I noticed she seemed to dodge any questions regarding her first coming to this world—a similar tactic she had employed with me when I asked.
I must have fallen asleep during the drive. Next thing I knew, the sky was beginning to lighten with the rising of the sun.
The vehicle was beginning to slow down and soon came to a stop by a large rock formation.
Dr. Diggs put the car in to park and announced that from here we were walking.
Gallus wasn't sure what to expect when he finally came across a random portal in the middle of nowhere. But, somehow, what he saw wasn't it.
“It's just a small indentation of earth,” he said.
“Looks can be deceiving,” smiled Sunset. She knelt down next to the spot and wiped away the thin layer of dirt to reveal a yellowish glowing layer. It sparkled as her hand touched it. “This is definitely Equestrian magic,” she said, “So, who's all going?”
“I suppose just you and me,” said Diggs.
“I'm coming, too,” Gallus piped up, “I'd like to get out of this desert for a while.”
Sunset and Diggs looked at each other and shrugged. “Fine.”
Gallus's Journal : Entry #45 (continued)
I'm not sure why I thought this time would be any different. As soon as I jumped into the portal, I was met with the same barrage of colors as last time. Though, thankfully, upon coming out the other side, I was able to hold my stomach a little more together.
Gallus tumbled out of the portal an rolled onto the cave floor. A talon stopped him from rolling much further. It was dark, but he assumed it was Dr. Diggs.
He felt Diggs grab him and lift him to his feet. Though, Gallus soon wished hadn't. His nostrils stung with a foul odor. “Phew! What's that smell?”
“Sulfur,” said Diggs.
“Sulfur!” Gallus yelped, “Don't tell me we're in a volcano!”
“Worse,” said Sunset.
“Worse? What's worse than being in a vol—” A red aura surrounded his beak and held it closed.
“Shh!” Sunset hissed, “Listen!”
Gallus did.
There was a strong wind in the cave. It fluctuated. It was strong and heavy first, then soft and gently. It reminded Gallus of breathing. He gulped. “W-what's in here?”
“I don't know,” Sunset whispered, “but you two stay here.”
It may have been no more than a minute, but in the dark silence, it seemed as an eternity before Sunset returned.
She cast a low-luminescent spell to allow them to better see each other. “Okay,” she said, pointing deep into the cave, “we've got a big dragon sleeping not fifty feet right over there. So, let's just get this chest open and get out of here.”
Diggs concurred. He held up the chest.
There was a brief spark of red light and the sound of locks opening.
Diggs seemed a bit surprised. “That it?”
“Don't question,” said Sunset. She grabbed both griffons with her aura and threw them through the portal before jumping through herself.
---
Gallus's stomach didn't seem to like two jumps in such a short time. He crawled out of the portal and curled into a ball.
Dr. Diggs was out next and turned around to pull Sunset out. Both seemed concerned upon noticing Gallus.
“You okay?” asked Sunset.
“Yeah,” Gallus groaned, “just give me a moment. Portal jumping just doesn't seem to sit well with me.”
Sunset chuckled, “You got it easy. I've had one chew me up and spit me out the other side.”
Gallus only groaned again. “Just hope the dang wand is in there.”
“Only one way to find out,” said Diggs, “Shall we?”
The group walked down to the SUV where a folding table had been set up. Dr. Diggs put the chest on the table and gestured to Sunset and Gallus. “I suppose you should be the ones to open it. Seeing as you were the ones to find it.”
“But, it's your quest,” said Sunset.
“I can't rightfully, in good conscience—”
Gallus cleared his throat, “If I may. Technically, it's a griffon's quest and since I'm a griffon, and technically the one who dug it up, I should be the one to open it.”
Sunset shrugged. “Suppose that's fair.”
Diggs agreed and soon Gallus was standing in front of the chest.
Taking in a deep breath, he gripped the sides of the lid. He was expecting to have to give a little muscle, but the lid swung freely open and revealed its contents. Almost instantly, his heart sank.
“Uhm, guys?” he said gently removing some of the contents, “I don't think it's in here.” He laid on the table various scrolls, pieces of parchment, and a book.
Sunset descended on the scrolls while Diggs examined the chest itself.
He looked up at Sunset. “How is that possible?”
“I don't get it either,” said Sunset, skimming through the documents, “All the clues pointed to the staff being buried here.”
“Well, what do the scrolls say?” asked Gallus.
Sunset shook her head. “They're all written in Old Ponish, but nothing even remotely related to the staff, or Gallagher.” She let out a long sigh. “Sorry, Dr. Diggs, looks like we were both wrong on this one.”
Dr. Diggs held back his disappointment like a gentleman. “Well,” he said, softly, “I guess it's back to square one.” He started packing up the chest. “I'll take you back to town. And I suppose I owe you two lunch.”