The afternoon sun rises over the grass lands, as the suns rise beats down on alone traveler making his way down the marked and warn road. His face covered by a wrapped cloth keeping most of the choking dust out whenever a hot wind runs by.
Stopping the traveler pulled down the wrapping exposing his brown coat as his hoof lifts a water skin this his snout. Holding back he only takes a mouth full and swallows, sighing as he lets the water skin fall to his side as he pushed forward. The city was in site now, slowly rising out of the grass were buildings along with zonies (zebra ponies.)
The city was filled with every kind of being, there were younger dragons that choose to leave their territory and live within the city limits. Ponies that came from the richer countries such as the kingdom of Equestria. Zonies ran the streets laughing and playing with the each other. Not caring if they are playing with a Dragon, a Pony, or one of their own kind. Fun was fun to them, smiling to himself as he stopped for a moment and watched.
But he had to get going again. Since he had an appointment with the pony that called him to this city. So he made his way into the inner city, passing the stalls of the market as ponies of every shape and size try and sell their wares. The air thick with the smell of strong spices and the echoes of sales ponies trying to get you to buy their stocks.
Ordering a drink at one of the street side cafes as the earth pony sits and waits for the one that sent me the letter. The water was refreshing after that long travel from his last job in Dragon Territory, and his ear has not healed completely. But the risk was always part of the job.
Soon two rather large ponies arrived at the table and took a seat. "Are you the Linguist?" One asked, the accent was hard to place, but it carried a rolling R and hit the T at the end hard.
Turning his head to look at the two, the one on the left large with what could be called a suit. While the other one the right, spoke. They were both larger than him, but it was easy to tell there was next to nothing in their heads.
"Yes that would be me. Are you the BD that sent me the letter?" Bookmark said keeping a polite tone as his hoof reaches for his drink.
"No, Mr. Diamond does not come to this part of town." They both look around at the many Zonies, and dragons that are around. "He doesn't mix with the locals. Now please come with us."
With a sigh, the brown earth stands as he drinks the water and goes with the large ponies.
Making their way through the city, Bookmark begins to look around at the surrounding ponies, noting that they are moving out of the way of the two larger ponies. Some try not to make eye contact and others were slipping into alleyways to stay out of their way.
As this was going on, a shadow within the alleyways followed the trio. Keeping out of sight while it kept out of sight. Keeping close and making sure not to lose them. Which was easy since the crowd was parting for them. Quietly using magic to move from the back alley to the roof tops to the streets behind them. Wait for the chance to get the brown colts attention.
Bookmark looking around, taking in the city streets as the many different types of ponies, dragons and zonies made way for them. Slowing his pace, looks though the crowd noticing there were whispers and stares that fell on him.
During this time. The shadow that has been following the trio smiled as it made its way to the brown earth pony. Using this chance, the shadow opened the saddle bagged of him and pulled some rapped up tools and a note book. Smiling to itself as it moved back into the crowd.
Bookmark, noticed his saddle bag getting light and he turns just in time to see a pony, take his tools and notes. Without thinking the earth pony took off. Pushing through the crowd as the smaller pony cuts and dives between the little gabs in between the older ponies and dragons. Bookmark only catching glimpse of the thief as the little pony turn the corners. Panting and sweating he slows his pace, He wasn't built for this kind of thing. But he turns the final corner to find. A Dead end.
Taking a moment to catch his breath he looks around at the walls. The area was dirty with a few trash cans tucked against the wall and a few torn posters of past events. Bookmark blocked the only exit out of the wide alleyway. Looking up he noticed some fire escapes leading up one of the buildings. But the ladders were too high for even him to reach. So he wonders where the thief had gone.
CRASH!
The lid of one of the trash cans rolls to the middle of the alleyway, before coming to a stop and falling over. Bookmark looks to where the lid came from and noticed on the other side of it was a small form trying it's best to be unseen.
"Don't hurt me" said the small shadow. It shivered in fear as whimpers can be heard. Giving it a once over, he realized it was a foal.
"I am not going to hurt you; I just want my things back." He was annoyed and a little bit angry, that he was force to run all that way. But he wasn't some heartless pony. "Just give me back my tools and notes, and I will be on my way."
The little foal turned its head towards Bookmark, and he sees the thief is a filly unicorn. "You shouldn't go with those stallions. They are bad." She said, as she stood no higher than the top of Bookmark's legs. "They will hurt you, like they..." She stopped, like she was choking on the words she was about to say.
"Don't you worry young one. I will be fin" The filly took a few steps closer as the look of fear came over her face. As she stared at the ally opening. There the two large ponies stood, looking into the alleyway.
"Sir Bookmark, We must ask you not to run off like that. This city is filled with thieves and pickpockets. And we would hate for you to run into trouble." The filly stood closer, but the work ponies noticed her. "Sir, May I ask who is that?"
Bookmark looked down at the filly and then back at the two ponies. "Yes, this is my younger sister. She will be staying with me." He said without really thinking; now hoping the well-spoken but dimwitted work ponies believe what he said.
"Yes of course. Like I said, we should stick together, and hurry. Mr. Diamond does not like being kept waiting." With that, they both turned and begin to lead the way again. Expecting Bookmark and the young filly to follow behind them.
Bookmark looks to the filly that now follows him. Keeping close, as if trying to hide from the monsters in the closet. Not sure what to do or say, he opens his mouth and said. "Don't worry; I won't let anything bad happen to you." Trying his best to sound reassuring. Since he is the reason she is coming with him. Plus she seems to know more of the company and Mr. Diamond that called him.
The little filly looked up at him as he gives her a reassuring smile. She smiles back from under her hooded clock. Keeping an eye on her so she doesn't reach for anything with in his pocket or saddle bags. Watching her for a moment Bookmark realizes she was kind of nervous and looked like she wanted to say something. "Um... Mister I am sorry about earlier, but we shouldn't be following them." She said in a whisper. Almost too low to be heard.
Bookmark made a face as soon as he heard mister. But he let her finished he spoke up. "Bookmark. That is my name, please don't call me mister. It makes me feel old." He said as he looks at her. Thinking a moment opens his mouth to ask. "Um... What's your name Miss.... um....I don't think I got your name."
The little filly gives Bookmark a smile as she walks with him. "I am sorry, my name is Aura Swift." He couldn't help but smile at her. Feeling that she was warming up to him.
The moment of happiness quickly ended as the two guard ponies lead Bookmark and Aura into a large building in the upper level of the city. With the opening of the door a cold breeze can be felt. Cold enough to make any pony shiver. The floors was a smooth stone that "tap, tap" with each step any pony made. The stone walls forced the tap to echo though the hall. As we lead to a lift.
Stepping into the glass tub, Aura moves to the back and looks down to the ponies down below. Showing her childish innocents she maintain while watching the ground become further away. The two guard ponies stand by the door not saying anything. As we rise higher and higher, before we disappear into the ceilings.
Stopping and stepping out into a large room, the floors and walls were the same smooth stone as the lobby. Behind a desk a unicorn mare worked at a key board. On the other side of her at the other end of the room was a large wooden door. With "Mr. Diamond will see you now." She pointed to the door and used her magic to open it. Allowing me and the others to Enter.
Just beyond the door, stood a Minotaur, Waiting with a smile for them. Once He and Aura entered the room. The large dark furred Minotaur walked over to the two. Towering over them he opened his mouth to speak. "Hello, Mr. Bookmark. I am glad you can join me. I am sorry I couldn't meet you with down in the city. I am sure you understand how it is." As Mr. Diamond speaks Aura move closer to Bookmark trying to hind from him completely.
He kept in between Aura and Mr. Diamond at all times as he spoke. "I wouldn't say I do understand. But I am here on Business. And I would like to know why you sent me a letter, requesting that I come here."
"Of Course, A colt of business you are. But before I get into the details we must wait for the second pony I requested to arrive. For now I would like you to look at the book that sits on my desk." As he spoke Mr. Diamond carefully watched Bookmark, still not noticing Aura.
Opening the book carefully, making sure not to rip or damage the yellowed pages. He looks at the Characters. Reaching into his saddle bag he pulls out his notebook and begins his study... "Have you had this book dated and know the area it is from?" He asked as he heard the door opened behind him.
"The book is from the era of the banishment, which puts it about 1000 years ago. During the time Luna or at the time Nightmare Moon tried to send Equestria and all other lands into eternal night." Bookmark ears perked up and knew that voice. The voice from a past, the voice he never wanted forget, but at the same time he wished it would fade away. Turning his gaze from the book in front of him to the door. "Hey Marky, It been a while."
Turning his gaze to the door, there stood a sandy brown mare with multiple shaded of gray mane that was spiked up. She was in the same green vest and helmet she always has. Her Raspberry eyes of hers filled with confidents was on him. "Yes Dare it has been a long time. So you have dated this book? Do you know the regain it's from too?"
Aura peaks from her little hiding place between Bookmark and the desk, trying her best to stay out of Mr. Diamond's line of sigh. "Another pony I need to worn." Aura whispers to herself as she looks towards Dare too.
Mr. Diamond watches the interactions between the two. "I see that you two know each other. That saves some time. Anyways, the area the book was bought off a traveling pony. From what he said it was found in the deepest part of the grass land. Outside the capital. The ruins of Kaapse." The Minotaur explained.
Bookmark turned his gaze back to the book. Studying the characters as he opens his note book and begins to copy the characters into his notes. "I will need access to the pony net, any and all textbooks that hold the area's history. And somewhere privately to study." He then looks at Mr. Diamond. "Once I have the text translated. What do you expect me to do?"
"That is simple. I would like you to accompany Miss Do into the ruins. Assisting her in any way possible. And bring me what lies inside." Mr. Diamond smiled as he spoke. A smile that can send chills down any-ponies back.