//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: The Dark City 
// by awf 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 2

Only a few minutes late, the rest of the party stumbled down the inn's stairs. The Professor headed straight to the bar and asked the innkeeper for that crucial, life-saving cup of coffee, while his two students approached Rusty's booth. They were both staring curiously at the griffin.

"Um, h-hi?" the mare offered, her ears splayed to the side as she eyed the bird's tough appearance. It was obvious she was a little afraid of Gustaf, but she was trying hard to hide it.

Not so Ember Clover. The stallion's muzzle split into a grin and he looked over their final group member with significant interest. His tail flicked and Rusty could have sworn his feathers rustled. Maybe it was a form of greeting between winged creatures, she figured as she slid aside to let Winter Shine sit.

The stallion bowed very formally. "Ember Clover, at your service."

His manners were a touch too fancy for the gruff griffin, who just held out a claw and introduced himself: "Gustaf." After they had shaken he shifted further into the booth until his back was against the wall and Ember joined him. He looked with deep interest at the scar across Gustaf's beak.

"I'm sure I'd love to hear the story of how you got that. It must have been quite the battle!"

The bird glanced over at Rusty Bones, as if to ask: 'What's up with this guy?' She gave a tiny shrug.

Gustaf brought a claw up and felt the old injury. "Not particularly. A couple of my country-griffs decided to rob a trade caravan I was hired to guard. Things got ugly."

Ember scooched closer and peered at the scar from uncomfortably close. Gustaf's neck feathers rose, but he held his ground against the too-curious stallion. Then Ember Clover reached out with a wing and brushed it along the line, down Gustaf's cheek. "Oh wow, what kind of weapon did this? Did you save the caravan?"

Gustaf had frozen at the touch for a moment, but he soon came to and pushed the feather away with a claw. "Griffin talon. We fight dirty," he explained, then shrugged. "I kept them from killing my clients, but they made off with the goods. Got damned blinded with blood..."

"Oh, how awful..."

Rusty cleared her throat as Professor Curio joined them with his precious cup of coffee. "Okay, so here's the plan," she spoke up. She slid one of the papers to the center of the table and turned it around so the teacher could read it. "I made us a list of provisions we'll need and Gustaf has checked to make sure it's as complete as we can make it. I actually already have most of these items, but we'll need to stock up on food."

Curio scanned the paper quickly, but he didn't seem much interested, so he shrugged to himself about halfway down the page and looked up at the mare. "I'm sure you have everything in hoof, Miss Bones. I place myself, and my students, in your care." He then spotted the newcomer and reached out a hoof and smoothly added: "And that of our esteemed guard. Curio Trinket, at your service."

"Gustaf."

With that out of the way, Rusty continued. She hadn't expected the soft academics to understand the logistics of travelling through the mountains full of snow, but she would have liked for them to at least take an interest. "Be that as it may, you and your students, Professor, will have to help gathering these supplies. I plan for us to be on the way by nine. Get your breakfast quickly and then we'll go buy what we need."

Curio inclined his head while Winter Shine waved to the innkeeper in a sudden panic of missing her meal. On the opposite side of the table Ember Clover looked completely disinterested in food and kept looking at Gustaf's scar. Despite his apparent focus on the bird to the exclusion of everything else, the stallion was present enough to order a coffee and a simple breakfast.

Once he and the mare were done, Rusty went on with her plan: "Good. Well split food evenly among us, so that if anypony gets lost they won't starve in the time it takes us to find them. We'll take mostly dry oatmeal, since it's dry, filling and high-energy, with a few other things for variety."

Talking about getting lost and starving was making both the Professor and Winter Shine nervous, although, Rusty figured, for completely different reasons.

"We'll also take a small, portable gas stove each with plenty of fuel, and a couple of pots."

Of course it was the pudgy unicorn who immediately complained. "Each?! Can't we just take one for all of us and some extra fuel?"

"No. Two reasons: First, redundancy. It'll be cold out there. Firing the burner and then letting it cool back down does bad things to metal. We don't want to lose our only source of heat."

"Can't we just take cold food? Why do we have to cook anyway?" Ember Clover asked. "I wouldn't mind roughing it for a bit."

"No, and that leads me to the second reason: We won't bring any water since there'll be plenty of snow and ice. We'll melt what we need to drink."

The news about lightening their burden made all three of them cheer up.

"Okay, next up: emergency gear. Sleeping bag, warm clothes, snow boots, I trust you came prepared like I wrote in my letter?"

There was a chorus of yeses and Gustaf gave an approving nod.

"Beyond that, you'll each carry a length of rope, a hoof held ice-axe and a set of ice screws. I'll teach you how to use them when we get to the mountains."

"What for?" the Professor asked, a little bewildered at the complicated list.

"Look," Rusty said less forcefully, "I don't know what's between us and the ruin. We might have to climb an ice wall and I won't have any of you slipping into a ravine or a crack."

"Duh, some of us can fly," Winter Shine pointed out. "Ember or Gustaf can catch anypony who falls." Her general recalcitrance was making Rusty Bones a little worried.

"Okay, if more than one pony slips, how long can a pegasus hover while holding two unicorns? Or a griffin for that matter?"

The mare glanced over at the Professor and her classmate, then deflated. Her ears went down and she nodded. "Okay, I see your point."

"We probably won't need them, but if we do our lives may depend on them. Anyway, there's not much else for the most part of the journey. You'll each have a couple of magical flares and a whistle." Rusty was about to end there, but she remembered something else which was important. "Oh, and we'll take plenty of those new, plastic water bags, but you don't have to worry about those for now. I'll carry them. That's it, other than your personal gear."

She meant, in particular, Curio's books. Rusty had caught a glimpse at his pack and it looked absolutely loaded with textbooks. She hoped they were related to their discovery and not just idle reading.

"Question," Curio said and lifted a hoof, as if he were in school. He waited until she gave him a nod before proceeding: "Us unicorns don't need that extra stove. We can melt ice with our magic. Same for flares, no?"

"I thought of that, but no. You'll still carry the gear."

"Why?" Winter asked.

"Imagine this scenario. We get separated and you slip at the top of the cliff. On your way down you bonk your head on a couple of nice, hard rocks and you're out cold by the time you hit the bottom. Got that?"

The mare went a little pale, but she swallowed a lump and nodded.

"Now imagine there's only me who finds you, or maybe Ember Clover. Yeah, let's go with that. He can't fly, because a blizzard just started, so he slides down to save you. His stove turns out busted and then you both freeze to death because you don't have a source of warmth."

The Professor inclined his head. "Point taken. Winter, Ember, I guess a bit of exercise won't hurt us. Think of the discovery we'll make!"

"One more thing," Ember Clover lifted an inquiring hoof, as if he were still in the classroom. "Why are you taking empty water bags?"

"Good question! We're going deep into the ruin and I don't know what the water situation will be like down there. We'll melt some snow and fill up the water bags before we commit to any multi-day exploration. If we find water in the ruins we can always empty them out." That, and their Professor's reassurance shut them up and Rusty passed around bits of paper. "Okay, here's what each of you needs to buy individually. If you don't have bits with you, let me know and I'll give you some. Questions?"

There were none, especially from Winter Shine because Cinnamon chose that particular moment to bring their food. The three academics were soon occupied with that, so Rusty sat back and simply enjoyed the warmth of the common room. In a few minutes they will go out into the harsh conditions of the Frozen North and she probably wouldn't feel warm again until they returned to civilization. No matter, it would be an adventure and that meant a certain amount of hardship. Her expedition wouldn't be noteworthy if it were easy!

Gustaf nudged her and leaned closer. "Where did you find these three?" he whispered.

She replied to him just as quietly: "Curio is the authority on Ancient Ponish. He is just about the only pony in Equestria who can read the map. Well, other than the Princesses, of course, and maybe somepony in the Crystal Empire."

"Okay?"

"We might come across inscriptions. I dunno, instructions on how to open doors. Warnings about traps. It'll be important we can understand them."

"Agreed. The other two?"

Rusty Bones shrugged a little and glanced at the two students. They were completely engrossed in their meal, except for an occasional glance from Ember Clover, who for some reason couldn't keep his eyes off the griffin. "They're writing their doctoral thesis and this is their practical exam."

The bird gave a nod. "Gotcha. The more eyes and brains, the better. You think there will be traps and such?"

"Yes. We're talking about a civilization of probably paranoid, underground ponies, who knows what else we can expect."

This promise of danger made the warrior griffin grin in anticipation. "Perhaps this trip won't be boring after all!"

Rusty rolled her eyes at his bravado, but she couldn't help smiling back as her heartbeat quickened. "Maybe. I wouldn't mind boring, though."

Gustaf's grin widened as he read her expression plain as day. Safe and boring would be fine, but a bit of excitement on an adventure like this made it all the more special.

That, Rusty Bones thought, the five of them in that room, making their plans. That was how history was made! Or discovered, as the case might be!





After her new pony adventurers had gotten over the shock of how large their packs were, Rusty and her group made good time. By noon the little town on the edge of Luna Bay was lost in the uniform, white horizon, and the mountains before them loomed taller than ever. She had angled them slightly to the east to catch a valley and avoid the worst climb, but the entrance to that was still some hours away. Rusty Bones expected to make camp on the top of the glacier where she could instruct her charges in the proper use of their ice gear while there was still light. They would undoubtedly sleep earlier than usual after the day's efforts and then head out at first light. The next day should see them at the entrance to the ancient tunnels with luck, though Rusty was prepared to spend another night on the ice rather than stumble around in the dark. She glanced back to make sure the academics were still close behind and couldn't suppress a slight smile. All three had their heads down and were concentrating on walking.

When they had started out Ember Clover had made an effort to talk with Gustaf, but even that had ended. For some reason the pegasus was fascinated with the griffin and had endless questions about his prior contracts. That chatter had stopped after the ground began to slope upward and now the poor stallion was saving his breath for walking. Rusty was sure the quiet was appreciated by their griffin guard. Gustaf had answered Ember's questions politely, if a bit stiffly, but she had a feeling he didn't like that much attention. At the moment he was walking easily beside her and inspecting the peaks up front. He had been staring at those for a while and Rusty was beginning to wonder what he was looking for with his sharp, bird eyes.

"About an hour and we'll be on the ice," she murmured in an effort to start a conversation.

"Yep. It looks like the climb is nice and easy, but we should tie together before we start. Don't want ponies slipping off." Gustaf didn't specify, but they both knew which ponies he had in mind. Of course the ice wouldn't present the clawed and taloned griffin any problems, and he had surely seen that her own boots had a good grip, but the Professor and his two students weren't quite as sure-hoofed.

"What else do you see?"

Gustaf blinked and turned his head to look at the mare. "Nothing," he answered unhelpfully.

"Any beasts we should look out for?"

"An Ursa or two, maybe, though they'll steer clear of us if they can. We're too far north for Rocs or minotaurs. Windigos, if we're especially unlucky."

It was about what Rusty had thought, but the chances of encountering any of those on their short trip were vanishingly small. She nodded and returned her gaze to their destination.

"I was looking for possible avalanches," Gustaf explained. "I think we're okay, but we should stay quiet nevertheless."

"Agreed."

There came a long sigh from behind them and the pair slowed their steps as they glanced back. Winter Shine was frowning. "When do we stop?" she demanded. "We've been going for hours, how about lunch?"

Rusty Bones and Gustaf shared an amused glance, and it was the mare who answered as diplomatically as she could: "We can take a short break and melt some snow to drink. We'll eat on the glacier in about- what do you think Gustaf, two hours?"

He gave a nod and made a bit of a show of looking at the mountains. "Two, maybe three. It's steep, so we'll go slow."

The unicorn mare groaned at the news and for a moment it looked like she would give up and turn back. If she was that easily deterred than Rusty would prefer to continue without her.

Luckily Curio had an answer: "Winter, take an oat bar to tide you over. In fact, we could all use one."

That settled his pudgy student and she immediately stopped and unbuckled her bags. It seemed as if they were stopping right there, which was just as well. Rusty Bones unslung her own gear and took out her trusty propane burner and pot.

Curio came up to her and waved a hoof. "No need for that," he told her. "We can melt and purify the water with magic."

"Save your energy," she told him. "Gas is easier and we have a long way to go yet. Magic only in an emergency."

When he cocked his head to one side in curiosity she explained some more: "Look, everything takes energy. Magic isn't free. We'll be burning eight, maybe ten thousand calories each day we're walking up the glacier. Conserve what you can."

He understood and looked up at the mountains with perhaps a touch of fresh respect. They had discussed distances in their cozy common room back in Ice Floe last night, but only now, Rusty suspected, was Curio beginning to translate the miles into actual pony experience. Everypony had to go through it, it was just that most of them went hiking at least once in their life with their parents. It seemed unicorns were even more sheltered than she had suspected, though.

As she was setting up her burner Ember Clover joined them, already munching on his oat and honey treat. He held it out to Gustaf. "Want some?"

The griffin looked at it curiously and then at Ember's face. "Not really."

"Oh, sorry," the stallion went on, "I can get you a fresh one."

"Thanks, but no need. I have my own provisions." With that Gustaf shrugged off his own bags and picked out a strip of something brown. Rusty had a suspicion what it was and didn't mind. Different creatures had different diets, after all.

Ember Clover, on the other hoof, looked at it in confusion. "What is it?"

Perhaps there was a touch of nasty in Gustaf's grin. "Meat. Jerky, to be precise." He watched the pegasus expectantly, probably waiting for him to flinch or gag, but Ember did no such thing.

Perhaps his ears twitched for a moment, but his smile never slipped. "Curious," he commented. "You're carnivores, right? The griffins, I mean."

"Not completely," Gustaf answered, then bit into the strip of dry meat and tore a piece away with his sharp beak. "Just mostly," he said while chewing.

His behaviour would have been considered rude in Canterlot, but Ember Clover didn't seem to mind. Instead the pony stepped closer and brought his nose nearer Gustaf's claw so he could sniff.

"Can I try a bit?" he asked, making both Gustaf and Rusty Bones blink in surprise.

The bird was the first to recover and he asked: "Really?!"

"Sure! I'd like to try everything once!"

Gustaf shrugged a little to himself, but tore a bit off jerky with his free claw, which he then held out to Ember. The stallion sniffed at it again, then took it gingerly in his mouth right from Gustaf's claw. He chewed it a few times, then leaned his head to one side as he concentrated. His ear twitched this way and that as he examined the flavors. "Not bad," he concluded. "I like how salty it is. Any more would probably make me sick, but it's not horrible."

Suddenly Rusty Bones was curious about it too, but she kept herself from showing it. It would look unprofessional, she thought, so it would have to wait. Maybe she could casually ask Gustaf for a small taste that evening, when they were having dinner. Meanwhile the griffin had taken another bite of his jerky and was chewing it while looking thoughtfully at Ember Clover.

The pegasus stallion crammed the rest of his oat bar into his mouth and sat down next to Rusty Bones beside her little stove. "So, Gustaf," he began, "got any family? Foals? Uh, or whatever griffin young are called?"

"Chicks," Gustaf answered, "and no. My job isn't exactly compatible with family."

Rusty could have sworn Ember's grin grew wider at that news, putting a lie to his words: "Aw, that's unfortunate. I bet it's quite a lonely life at that."

The bird shrugged and settled down in the snow. "It has its ups and downs." He looked a little uncomfortable with the intense scrutiny Ember Clover was giving him once more.

Rusty decided to jump in before things got too weird. "How's your pack? We've got a long way to go, so if it's too heavy now's the time to say. You should also make sure it's balanced properly, or you'll hobble yourself."

"It's not too bad, actually. Anyway, I can fly," he told her, then immediately went back to his griffin obsession. "So, it's gonna be pretty cold tonight, I guess? Do you travel this far north a lot, Gustaf?"

"Occasionally."

Ember directed his next question at the mare, but his gaze kept straying to Gustaf: "Um, should we, I dunno, huddle tonight for warmth? Those tents looked quite flimsy for these conditions."

Rusty Bones was getting a funny sort of feeling about the pegasus, but she didn't have any proof and she wasn't about to embarrass him needlessly. She resolved to talk to Gustaf once they were on the move again. "We'll be fine," she said firmly. "The tents are only part of the thing, remember? They're meant to keep out the wind and rain. We'll still have our sleeping bags and our clothes."

"We'll sleep fully dressed?" Ember Clover asked, his curiosity about their survival momentarily eclipsing his interest in their guard.

"Of course! It'll be a long way below zero by the time the sun goes down."

Ember Clover shrugged a little. "I guess. I daresay me and Gustaf will be a bit better off. Us flying creatures have down feathers and fur to keep us warm at altitude."

"Maybe so, but I'm not risking it. When we reach the ruins we'll make a camp inside. It'll be warmer underground, but until then we do it my way."

The stallion held up a conciliatory hoof. "Of course, of course. We'll follow your advice, Miss Bones. I was just surprised. I've never thought about the mechanics of travelling in the Frozen North is all."

Rusty gave a nod and then looked down at her pot. The water was boiling and she removed it from the stove and placed it on the snow to cool down. Then she held out a hoof to Ember. "Give me your pot too while I have the flame going."