//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 : Awake in Ancelstierre // Story: Abhorsen : Friendship is Free-Magic // by MerlosTheMad //------------------------------// “Travel without regret, do not look back.” *** The first sensation Rarity was aware of were the pins and needles of her body being reintroduced to true warmth too quickly. Everything from Rarity's head to her tail shook violently. She hugged herself, trying to stave off the painful sensation. Her hooves scraped on the dusty floor trying to work heat back into them and her mind flickered in and out of fretting over where she was. The frightened thoughts were edged with even more terrifying visions of drowning. After a minute of quiet sobbing, Rarity tried opening her eyes and gaining a grasp of her situation; they were hesitant to open, as if cold. When her eyes did open, she couldn't make out the fine details of anything around her, only a smidgen of light was present at all. Craning her stiff neck to look up and eliciting a whimper, she saw the light's source. A staircase stretched upward, just to Rarity's right. It was maybe eight strides in length and at the top sat a door. It looked to be made of a brightly colored wood, the passage which stood open was filled by an even brighter shining sun. The sight immediately had a calming effect for her, and she found herself just lying there to look up at it for a moment. There was dust and dirt everywhere, but in such an exhausted state Rarity couldn't bring herself to flee its presence. Instead, she took the time catching her breath in the moldy air to try and look at her surroundings in better detail. Even squinting, her eyes were unable to fully adjust to see anything vividly—the pool of light that surrounded her coming from the door made sure of that. Still shivering, she noticed the walls were lined with gardening tools. Rarity's first real thoughts since waking up tried to figure things out. It's day out still, but where am I? Her mind began slowly awakening with the rest of her limbs, though her legs still felt weak on top of just plain cold. Rolling onto her belly seemed to take all of her strength and left her panting. "Celestia-a guide me..." Rarity chattered, her teeth clenched. The act of uttering the prayer was supposed to be calming, but her voice's croak shocked her. After clearing her throat Rarity inhaled and made to test her voice. "Pinkie? Pinkie Pie?" She stared around, shivering as hard as she could to warm up, her eyes darting around the cellar like room. "What happened?" she asked aloud, somewhat breathless. Despite how embarrassing it felt, Rarity shook her still damp mane and tail from side to side; it helped a little. When finished, she called out again. "Rainbow Dash? Are either of you there?" Her voice came clearly now. After several seconds, no answer from her friends returned to her. The shivering that had engulfed her body was beginning to leave; wherever she was now, it wasn't quite as cold. Rarity lifted one front hoof, and then the other beside it. Together they bent and flexed, lifting her slowly off the ground. The effort, to her, almost seemed to take forever, though it was really only a few seconds. "Pinkie Pie...?" Rarity tried asking the empty air again. "This isn't funny in the least!" The room around her echoed the words back slightly, but was otherwise still and quiet. Rarity stared dumbly, until the memory of a strange, underground river floated back to her, along with those of the pond. How had I gotten out of that river? Where am I now? she thought to herself. Surely my friends had been the ones to... rescue me. The other memory of the light filled fog hazed over her vision for a moment. A sound from above shook Rarity out of the trance. Her head craned up again quickly to look at the mysterious door, but too quickly. She winced when muscles in her neck and shoulders all pinched at once. "Ah-hoooow! Goodness, this is by far the worst day off of my life!" She sniffed dramatically, though lacking her usual fun loving audience, it proved to be a hollow act. In the dim light, Rarity briefly looked down at her two, dainty, but quaking hooves. She leaned down further to watch carefully how fiercely they shook from her attempt of using them. Goodness, I feel as though I've run for miles. Just what happened to me? Whatever it had been not only left her cold, likely the frigid water she could remember, but extremely tired, as well. Rarity stared a moment longer, then sighed plaintively. "Well... I never know just staying here until I f-f-freeze to death," she resolved, then managed to push her hind legs off the ground to stand up in full. "Alright, Rarity!" She exclaimed, motivating herself. "It's time to pony up! As Applejack would say... and get to the bottom of this." The moment she finished and took one, single step, a thick bruise on her flank chose right then to make itself known, pinching and aching terribly. The false motivation Rarity had summoned wavered and shattered almost instantly. "O-oh! Ow- ouch, or maybe I should just hide in a bush somewhere and cry... As Fluttershy would surely do." she paused for another, brief moment to gather her strength, then moved again. Wincing the whole way, she gingerly approached the stairwell. The sunlight coming through the doorway felt grand, and Rarity wanted more of it. The trouble, she realized, was that it lay at the very top of the stairs. That is far too many stairs... she resolved, looking over her next obstacle. Lifting her legs not an inch higher than she must—for anymore would send pain through her mistreated and battered muscles—she hesitantly began a rigorous climb up the single board staircase, and hopefully out of the cellar-like room. Motes of dust and cobwebs played in the light as Rarity climbed. She only flinched back from them once before the act proved useless due to their number, in addition to painful. She was already sadly aware that her coat was soiled well beyond all recompense, anyway. After her difficult climb, Rarity reached the exit, and the wonderfully warm sun. "Wait until the girls at the spa hear the explanation for this travesty of monumental... " Rarity trailed off, unsure how to grasp the absurd sight that had been waiting for her in the sunlight. "...Proportions?" Her external monologue ended abruptly, while her eyes took in and attempted to understand the surroundings outside the doorway in detail. The outdoors was quite clearly a large garden, and to Rarity's immediate left was a stony looking building, strongly resembling a little castle—though not any she had ever seen the likes of. She had thought the door for the cellar a little big as well, but more than that oddity or the building, she took distinct and immediate note of the bizarre shape a little ways away from her. Already, Rarity understood why the door was so big. The shape's body was tall; as tall or taller than a minotaur, and dressed in a drab brown that looked like work clothes, the likes of which a construction pony may wear. Rarity stared dumbly and her mouth slowly fell open a hair. "Wha- huh?" was all she could mutter, and the only thought that crossed her mind. The mystery creature cursed abruptly, then cursed again and kicked the handle of a nearby axe furiously. The log it was embedded in thunked after it fell to the ground, and the tall shape began hopping on one foot, shouting in a strange accent. Rarity remained crouched beside the door, not frightened, but wary—not to mention confused. Despite what sounded like several curse words of questionable politeness, the creature itself sounded civilized at least—to the degree of most ponyfolk anyway. Rarity continued to look on as it then began to violently slam the axe and log against the stump ferociously. "My goodness... Such barbarism, but just what is it?" She looked around herself before realizing that there was nopony there to answer her question. "Oh... right, I'm on my own for this adventure." Quietly, to herself, Rarity cursed Rainbow Dash and Pinkie for getting her into her mess. Just where are they? Oh, but where am I!? I don't even know that much yet... Her questions weren't helping to do anything but worry her, so instead of entertaining them further, she calmed herself and refocused on the odd creature. While looking on at the interesting display, Rarity tried deciding how she could perhaps introduce herself and ask for help. Still considering if she even should, however, another form made itself known, walking out quickly from a door in the nearby castle. The new creature was much much shorter than the first; its head was a little shy of reaching the other's shoulders. Although it still looked a fair deal taller than Rarity herself was. The new arrival looked like a her, Rarity realized; the shorter figure seemed very feminine, and the voice was unmistakable after she spoke. Likewise, the other one reacted in quite the male fashion from the way it was being chastised. Sure enough, the female was all but yelling at the male form that had been so barbarically assaulting his own gardening tools. "And properly so, I must say!" Rarity laid down with her hind legs on the last step of the staircase, and fore hooves crossed to support her tired head. She leaned onto them, eyes glued to the free show. "I do not know what 'dams' have to do with anything, but his tone was downright offensive. I do believe that stallion was cursing, how horrible!" Still, she watched and listened, interested by the show unfolding. The lady's arms—Rarity only had to think for a moment to come up with the terminology—crossed as the male creature began what she guessed was an explanation. "Or more likely a series of excuses, hmph." Rarity harrumphed and lifted her head and forelegs, then crossed them in front of herself pointedly. After watching the strangers a moment longer, Rarity glanced up, spotting what was surely a noon day sun. She decided it must still be close to noon, anyway, as the light was bright and clear; something about it unsettled her though. That... that isn't... there's something not right about the sun, she realized, mouth falling open somewhat in astonishment. Rarity stared at it a a bit, until her eyes began to hurt of all things, and let out a yelp of surprise. Her fetlocks rubbed her eyes soothingly. Blinking, there was a strange after image in them now. Just what is going on? She knew that Celestia's sun never did that when look at, certainly. Things did not feel right at all. More flecks of speech made their way to Rarity across the decent distance, re-garnering her attention. The male had said "Umbrade", whatever that was, and the word "Wyverly" unmistakably. Both were words to which Rarity was unfamiliar. Her head rolled to one side as she watched the exchange continue, until finally the female slapped the tall man—she just reached up and struck him without warning. Rarity gasped. "Oh dear." Her eyes widened and she found herself suddenly desiring a bowl of popcorn, then let out an unladylike grunt, realizing that was Pinkie Pie's influence rubbing off on her. Still watching, she witnessed something even more surprising, the male grabbed the shorter figure by her shoulders, then kissed her. They embraced fiercely without warning, just like that, and Rarity blushed. Still, she found herself unable to look away. Such a strange display, Rarity thought... then straightened up again, becoming aware that her head was nearly sideways while slowly rotating even further on her hooves. Her mouth shut with a click, as well, and she shook her head to clear the fogginess the sight had put in her head. "Alright, Rarity, focus, you need a plan and to figure things out. The girls might still be in trouble, after all. Assuming they're in trouble at all..." She backed up and leaned against the cobblestone stairway wall. This is a delicate situation to be sure. Roughly, she then shoved a hoof under her chin in thought; her eyes widened to their fullest afterwards. The act brought a sudden, stifled whimper, just as her hoof hit a tender spot on her jaw. Rarity winced harder, discovering in the worst possible way that she had yet another huge bruise, and on her face of all the places she could get one. "Oooh! Is there any part of my body that's gone unmolested!? Just when will things start looking u-!" The door shut harshly all of a sudden, interrupting Rarity. All around her, dust shot into the stairway from the pressure. She cried out and attempted to flee, though the room was also now pitch black. "Eee! No, dust! ACKT-ptchoo!" Rarity danced down the stairs on frantic hooves, coughing in the minor whirlwind and doing her best not to fall. After the dust settled, she glared back up at the now shut door. "...Oh, damn." The strange word Rarity had learned felt oddly appropriate. Several hours had passed by for Rarity, and without much worthy of note having happened. Unless, of course, if she counted extreme, unadulterated, failure. There was a lot of that. Rarity had begun calling out only just after the door had been shut; it, of course, had been locked. "Pleee-heease, won't somepony help me!?" she called out again, then exhaled tiredly in defeat. "Oh, what's the use..." She turned around and sat harshly on the top step of the cellar. "My day was supposed to be calm and relaxation. Just what went wrong!?" Her fore legs flopped to her sides, and she leaned back against the cellar door. The act made her face scrunch up in disgust, just as it had been doing every ten minutes for the last several hours. Her mane and coat felt absolutely disgusting, on top of everything else... This is nothing short of a heinous crime, Rarity thought remorsefully. Tired: she realized she felt very tired, and bored. She recalled her escape attempts one at a time trying to figure things out; they were three in total. At first, Rarity had tried merely using her magic. This became a problem quickly, however, as she discovered she could barely conjure a spark. Her horn had become possessed of the distinct feeling that it would fall off without a moments notice were she to continue in her attempts. That had been very discouraging, and had led to attempt number two. Attempt number two, for its credit, was simply to call for help. Attempt number two had failed miserably and still continued to do so. Attempt number three, had only been attempted once, just as attempt number one had been. That sorely hay-brained scheme had been to buck the door. Doing so from a narrow wooden plank against what seemed to be a solid oak door, possibly bolted shut, proved to be impossible. What was more, it had placed her several strides away from where she had first enacted plan number three—at the bottom of the stairwell. Rarity sighed for what seemed the hundredth time and languished in defeat atop the stairs and beside the stupid door. "Come on, Rarity, think of something! You don't want to starve do you?" A sound grumbled below her line of sight; she looked at her roiling tummy. "Oh, be quiet you, you're not helping." Her head thumped back against the door with a thud. "I think it's about time for plan one again, then." She sighed, not at all eager to try something that had been painful its first attempt. Without moving—so as not to waste her time—Rarity began to cast a light spell. It was simpler and easier than her innate spell of movement. Surprisingly, no pain came, for which she was immediately thankful, although her head did swim. Planted firmly against the door and gritting her teeth in tandem, along with her best efforts put forth, soon produced results. A cool, light-aqua colored glow began to spring forth from Rarity's horn into being. The cobble walls and dark stairs lit up with the first light since the door had been closed earlier that day. "Well, that's just wonderful, I think, and will do nicely." Rarity could hardly suppress her excitement from getting her magic back, but there was still more she needed to do, she realized. Sabriel gasped and sat up. She looked all around her in a panic, her thoughts immediately leaping to the strange feeling she had just had. Her eyes scanned the large shared bedroom, but in the dark she couldn't make anything out. The young girl wanted dearly to go and turn on the newly installed electric lights that Wyverly College had just finished installing, but at the same time she didn't want to risk discovery. Even newly graduated to the second form, or grade, of her school, it was far from being protection against getting cleaning duty or worse, dish cleaning duty in the kitchens. Sabriel settled for a candle instead, and leaned over in her night gown to light it gingerly, despite the dark. The sulfur lighting stick struck true and ignited in the gloom of the room's wide open chamber. The bunk beds stretched down the open hall dormitory, each housing a student for the night. Her eyes scanned around the room of nearly forty girls, most between the ages of ten and thirteen. No one else appeared to be awake. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, not hesitating on her instincts. Something was definitely afoot, she decided... If there was one thing Sabriel didn't hesitate on, it was an inkling for adventure. Slipping on her shoes, she meandered unsteadily in the wavering remnants of sleepiness to one of her two best friends' bunks. "Sulyyyn!" The whisper she used was hushed, but hissing. Her best school friend mumbled and rolled over as an answer. "Ssssulyyyyn!" She poked furiously at the girl's side, getting a giggle to erupt from the covers, which then shot up and over her friend's dirty-blonde colored head. "Go away, Sabriel, take Ellimere with you tonight." Sullyn said quietly. "I still have yard chores from the last time." Sabriel huffed in return, then pushed off the bed. Her candle's glow made its way steadily down the aisle and she approached her other best school friend's bunk. Ellimere was already sitting up and stretching by the time she reached her. "Let's get this over with Sabriel." She slurred out. "You two act as though I don't accompany you on just as many outings, honestly." One hand planted on her side, Sabriel blew a strand of raven black hair away from her pale face. Ellimere looked up at her in the dim glow of the candle light, smirking sarcastically. "Yes..." she responded. "But our outings include fetching sweets or a midnight snack. You just like sneaking out into the woods and playing with charter magic or cards." She rolled hear eyes and waved her hands while speaking to emphasize her opinion of what Sabriel considered fun. Sabriel, in return, stuck her tongue out, then shrugged. She couldn't help it if she had a better grasp on the finer things in life than her friends... Ellimere stood up and slipped on her own shoes to match Sabriel's state of dress. "I guess you do need the practice sorely, though. Was it only a month ago you set ablaze Mrs. Umbrade's rose bushes? And nearly turned poor Mrs. Penelope into a piece of toast herself?" Sabriel scowled and jabbed a finger under Ellimere's nose, who giggled slightly. Mrs. Umbrade was the college headmistress, and she hadn't cared much for Sabriel's awry spell at all. Mrs. Penelope was the much beloved and admittedly very ancient little gardener that worked with Mr. Rockwill to keep the grounds well kept. Sabriel wanted to say something scathing at Ellimere for bringing up the memory, but more so she wanted her friend's company on this expedition outside. She knew the odd feeling had originated from somewhere on the grounds, it had been strong whatever it was, but brief. Sabriel huffed and withdrew her finger, Ellimere grinning casually and waiting for the retort, but none came. "Well, now that you've brought it up once again, Ellimere, please never do so again. I have the feeling that I'll never be rid of the reputation at this rate for being dangerous." Sabriel turned and started towards the door to the hallway. Ellimere giggled again but didn't answer. "Hurry up, before we wake the whole dormitory." Only a few pairs of eyes watched the sight of the two girls arguing, but in truth it was common enough to not really warrant attention. The other girls all fell back into a restful sleep, none too interested in getting themselves in trouble, too. "So," Ellimere whispered after her friend. "What is it this time? Finally find one of those dead people you told us really existed last spring?" Sabriel turned slowly and spookily holding the candle beneath her face—a slow deep laugh rumbling out of her throat. Ellimere cringed back, chuckling slightly too. "Heh, no," Sabriel replied. "Well, maybe? I don't know really, I didn't feel any free magic, nor do I sense anything dead!" She proclaimed this excitedly and continued down the circling staircase. "I've become quite good recently at sensing things, Father says I'm almost ready to begin reading further into The Book of the Dead." Ellimere cringed for real at hearing that news. For some reason, just hearing Sabriel say the book's name sent shivers up her spine. It felt... powerful somehow, just the name. Sabriel continued unhindered. "So, I think it may be something I'm unfamiliar with entirely, seeing as it definitely wasn't of the charter either. It did feel slightly familiar though... Like the charter in a way, but also not, almost. Oh I don't know, it was so brief. But that's why we're going, to go and find out!" "Find what out now?" Sabriel and Ellimere froze as they were passing a doorway to the second landing. They both turned slowly to see the speaker standing firmly in the hallway. The owner of the voice also held a candle in one hand as well as... "Is that a piece of cake?" Sabriel asked suddenly, not at all attempting to be surreptitious. The young woman facing Sabriel and Ellimere put on a surprised look in the twilight, then glanced at the plate she held at breast level with herself. She coughed rather than reply and slid it behind her back. "Sabriel, what is this? The third time this week I've caught you sneaking out?" Ellimere sighed and tried to slink away quietly up the stairs. "Fourth, I think," she muttered. "You stay right where you are Suly— Oh, Ellimere it's you this time. Very well, just stay right there." The voice held a decidedly rigid quality, the sort someone used when trying to put people off guard. Sabriel put on her best game face, she knew who the voice belonged to; it was Para, an older student. Unfortunately for Para, Sabriel had planned beforehand and was already one step ahead of her. "I felt something!" Sabriel realized too late that she had used this excuse just last week, however. Still, she continued when Para didn't stop her, walking closer. "It was on Wyverly's proper, as well. I was just on my way to tell Magistrix Greenwood, honest." Paying close attention in her etiquette classes had paid off nicely for Sabriel, for the moment she was leading the class in marks. Although, the mocking stance of attention she had taken up—learned from the yearly fall parade in the nearby township Bain—probably wasn't helping her case. Para, for her part, frowned and regarded Sabriel carefully, fully aware that a fast one was being pulled on her. Sighing, she turned towards Ellimere, who was at least somewhat trustworthy. "Ellimere, is there really something in the gardens?" She asked the question matter of factly, and with a droop to her shoulders. Ellimere plaintively looked at Sabriel, then back to the sixth form Prefect. She caught Sabriel flickering glances at her from the corner of her eye. Honestly, she thought in response to her friend's antics, doesn't she realize she looks like she's gone loony? Ellimere ignored the thought and pressed on. "Sabriel did say she felt something, Para, it's true. She said it may be charter, but it didn't really feel like anything she was familiar with, and that meant it might be dangerous. Which, as you can imagine seemed irresistible to her." Sabriel let out a, "Hey!" in protest. Ellimere continued over her. "I didn't feel anything, but my senses aren't as good." Honesty was the best policy, as she thought. It was a pity that she got to use it so rarely in Sabriel's company. The eighteen year old facing them changed her expression briefly to a serious one and looked warily out the window. Wyverly college was a mere forty miles from the great wall. In layman's terms, that meant that despite being in Ancelstierre, where magic often did not work—things still visited from time to time. No one was allowed off grounds after dark, and just being outside locked doors at night was rarely committed by anyone. In school or in the nearby towns. Para sighed and looked at the two girls standing before her again. "Get to bed. I'll go see what it is, alright? I catch you or Ellimere again tonight it's the kitchens and cleaning chimneys for you both. Understand?" She raised one brow and gave them both her evilest eyed stare. Sabriel smiled coolly, and curtsied gracefully before bounding hurriedly back up the tower stairs, not saying a word. Ellimere followed more sedately and muttered a good night behind herself. The prefect hung her tired head in defeat. "Those two, honestly," she muttered, then continued walking down the hallway to her night study. After reaching the old, thin door, she pushed it open with one slippered foot. Her left hand set her chocolatey treat down with a tired clatter. Briskly, she swirled her brown rain coat over her shoulders; it was summer, but still chilly at night this far north. Her shoes slid on next and she left her slippers behind. The candle came with her, however. As the door began to shut, Para's eyes glanced over the training sword her mother had bought her years ago. She paused to stare at it. After a moment passed, she finally leaned in and nabbed it as well. She didn't care for fighting at all, but it was "better to have it and not need, than to need it and not have", as her mother always said about various things... If it was dangerous; whatever or more likely she now realized, whoever it was, she would be grateful for bringing her chartered blade with her. The sword clattered softly in its fancy gilded scabbard. The thing was some attempt on her mother's part to make up for the lack of her father's role in her life, she new. Serving at the wall often meant great risk, though. Para passed the great hall of the college and briefly stuck her head in; the candle's glow barely filled even the open cathedral-esq doorway. Moving on, she passed under several other Gothic styled archways; Wyverly had been founded in 1652 and it felt it in every way, assuredly. The back passage to the college opened easily after Para pulled back the brace holding it shut. She was only second in Magic for the establishment, but her senses were rather keen. Outside there wasn't a thing she could feel, bolstering her confidence. A light switch for the small bulb that hovered above the doorway outside flicked up, activating it. It probably was just a night thief, she tried to tell herself. Odd as it was, the idea of a possibly armed robber was the lesser of evils to fear, for her. The small pool of backdoor lighting showed little. Of course, she would see nothing right away, Para thought. She licked her lips and looked to the sky; there was a strong northern wind. What she planned should be easy then, she considered, and smiled to herself. Drawing on the charter deeply, she took hold of the simple marks for light and illumination and power. She wanted to be able to be done with this and return to her precious chocolate, post haste. Her mouth opened and was filled with power. Her hands sketched the charter marks she desired and then she spoke their names. The charter itself flowed over her tongue, which felt its presence even as it left her. Great golden symbols blazed and flew into the air before her. Several flew out amongst the trees in the forest beyond the back wall, a bit farther than she had intended... Others made their mark though and soared high into the sky. The yard was well lit for the several seconds she had focused for them to exist. She saw no shapes in the yellow-white light, but one thing did catch her eye—she frowned at the sight of the oddity. The garden cellar door was hanging ajar, off of one hinge. Para was again surrounded by only the dim glow of the single light bulb above her head. What would something want in the shed, she pondered, then gulped. Whatever it was, she knew it had to be strong to accomplish such an act, and that made her worry. Para laid down her candle on the step, then, her sword was drawn and moved into a steady guard position. The charter marks she'd added onto it herself glowed lightly in the dark as she moved out onto the lawn. Briefly, she stopped walking and shut her eyes just to curse to herself, then continued. This is stupid and beyond foolish, not brave! she thought. Still, despite her thoughtless decision to see things for herself, she crept forward to the doorway. Regardless, she was now very thankful she had brought her mother's sword. Focusing, Para again drew on the charter and cast forth runes for light. They spun outward, but this time onto her sword and above her. The pool's glow was steady and remained this time, if a great deal smaller than before. The cellar door was hanging quite far open and leaning lazily. It wasn't in the way of the passage though, so Para peered down into its depths. Immediately she saw nothing, but then... There was a twig that snapped off to the left somewhere. Para quickly spun to face her would be attacker, hastily drawing in charter marks for destruction and fire to her mind. They formed there and need only be spoke now—a great pair of azure eyes glowed in the darkness; they reflected her golden light. There was a glowing aura above them as well. Para's own eyes widened in hysterical fright immediately. "Free magic monsteer-r-r!" she cried out immediately. Her eye's bulged, and fell backwards, tripping on her night gown and long coat. Her sword spun behind and away from her hand as she landed. The creature was charging her now; it ran towards her with a terrifying speed. Remembering her spell, Para cast it frantically; it almost didn't form right in her panic. "ANET, C-Calew! Ferhan!" The charter marks wiggled and flew forward from an outstretched hand. After a moment's hesitation, they roared across the remaining gap between her and the creature. She cried out as they missed their mark, then flew back and struck against the school's property wall. The shape had stopped though, and seemed to be retreating. Para didn't wait, she rolled over and kicked herself into a run—snatching up her sword as she went. Panting, she jumped indoors and slammed the barricade behind her. "Oh wow, that was too close." Para leaned against the side of the door, her adrenaline pumping. Rarity leaned against the back of the basement door shed, her adrenaline was pumping furiously as she panted, "Oh wow, that was far too close for comfort!" Her voice sprang into a squeak as she finished her sentence. She peered around the corner hesitantly at the strange magical glow above the now shut doorway to the nearby castle-building. The glowing light disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. "Honestly, I was only trying to help her up! Hadn't she heard me?" Rarity pouted in contemplation of what she'd heard the girl exclaim. She had called me a monster. Her mane couldn't really be that disorderly, she wondered, could it? For a moment, she panicked over just how badly she must look. "I need a mirror! This just isn't fair..." Her hooves gingerly felt around her mane, and she sniffed the hair for singed hairs. Rarity's memory caught, recalling the strange events. "What was that she attacked me with? I've never seen magic like that before. Not even Twilight's spells are that bizarre." Gulping, she pulled back around the corner of the cellar stairs. She couldn't stay there now, she thought, it was dangerous. Rarity sighed and sat against the shed behind her. The brief look she had taken around the area revealed very little as to her location. It certainly had not revealed a clue as to where she even was. Rarity gazed back up at the sky, remembering something she had found out earlier. "The stars... None of the stars are familiar at all." Tired and frightened, she crept away from the castle and towards the forested area nearby; there was a gate that she had found there. It was locked, but she could fix that easily. For now, she decided she should just find a place to rest. Once in the underbrush and farther away from the castle, Rarity breathed more easily. "I hope I had merely startled the dear, thought that didn't seem to be the case... Just where in Equestria is this place?" She traversed the back areas of the strange castle ground for nearly a mile before she again came to the small gate she was searching for. With her magic and horn focused upon, she was able to quickly pop its simple lock open. A metal bar that held it shut slid away with another aqua glow and she moved through the passage. Fields and forests stretched in every direction in the moonlight. It looked to Rarity, now more than ever, that she would be doing her all time, least, favorite activity for the night. Roughing it. The next morning was a weekend. Girls of every form and level of Wyverly College's schooling were out and about in droves. Some played in the sports grounds beyond the College walls and others studied dutifully in the libraries. They were visited by parents or taken to the nearby town of Bain for a trip by bus. Most of all, though, the girls were gone from the college for the day. One girl of the sixth form, however, sat in the Head Mistresses' office still; the Head Mistress being the infamous Mrs. Umbrade. She was a greying woman, just reaching her older years, and no nonsense was her middle name. She stood at an average stature. Para, the girl confronted by her, sat rigidly in the chair before the desk. Standing beside the desk, also facing the young woman, was Ms. Greenwood; she was the Magistrix for the school and was responsible for instructing the students on charter magic for the parents wishing their daughters to learn of its art—for a hefty sum of course. Mrs. Umbrade began again, from the top. "Now, Para dear, you're sure that what you saw was some kind of monster, as you put it?" The rigidly seated girl shook her head up and down vigorously. The head mistress held little belief for the supernatural, as she saw it, even as fully aware of its existence as she was. It was simply the common mindset south of the wall. Ms. Greenwood frowned at the implications though, and leaned over to talk to Mrs. Umbrade quietly. "I told you we should have let Abhorsen pay for Sabriel's third tuition with charter defenses, but you didn't listen." She tapped her finger on the desk, raising her eyebrows at the other woman. Umbrade looked over and shooed the older Magistrix away with one hand, then returned to her questioning. Para spoke up, interrupting, instead. "I-I don't know what it was, Headmistress, like I said. I don't remember feeling or tasting free magic, either." She knew what that meant, that it could have been a free dead-spirit then. They often coursed with free magic, but sometimes not. All three of the women knew very little of necromancy and the dead, in general; other than, of course, that they could turn up this close to the wall. In fact, they all happened to think at the same time, the only one close at hand that knew anything about necromancy beyond rumors and vague scripts was... "...Sabriel," Ms. Greenwood began. "Just what was it that you felt last night?" The young girl of twelve looked up from her morning breakfast, smiling, and set her fork and knife down beside the platter full of pancakes smugly. "Why Ms. Greenwood, a very good morning to you; last night? I'm really not sure wha—" Mrs. Umbrade interrupted her briskly, clearing her throat. "Sabriel, we know you were outside of your dormitory again last night, and alongside your friend Ellimere too. Para told us quite clearly that you were trying to warn us, though, so we won't be punishing you—this time. Now please, child, tell us what it was." She folded her hands over her front and tilted her head impatiently. Sabriel frowned a little, but inhaled and did as she was told. "...I was going to say, Headmistress, that I'm really not sure what it was that I felt last night. It wasn't dead though, I assume that's what you're asking me." Sabriel was the only one amongst them with a sense for the dead. It was curious to Ms. Greenwood why that was the case. She had the suspicion there was some training for even an accomplished charter mage such as herself that must be undergone. In any case, at least their fears were laid to rest by the young girl. Para spoke up shakily from the corner bench of the table. "You're sure, Sabriel?" "Really Para, I think you let your fears get the best of you. It must have been some animal, maybe a badger or some such thing." The headmistress interrupted, stating soundly. Ms. Greenwood turned casually and left the emptying cafeteria, and Mrs. Umbrade continued on with her various explanations for the occurrence to the upperclassman. Sabriel peered around Para and her opponent after the retreating Magistrix, then to her food, then back up again. She finally sighed, and muttered an unheard farewell before taking off after the magics professor. Ms. Greenwood herself was leaving to investigate the door that was allegedly "ripped from its hinges". "Magistrix!" Sabriel called out, giving chase. The teacher turned her head slightly, without slowing her gait. She then bid Sabriel a proper good morning; it was difficult to have a warm greeting when the headmistress was involved, more often than not. "So, skipping breakfast?" She asked, also. Sabriel smirked and gave her teacher a full grin. "I'll get to double up at lunch this way! So, what do you think it was? I'm so glad to hear I hadn't imagined it after all!" The girl's long dark hair swayed behind her as she walked, bouncing lightly and excitedly. "Well, I'm certainly not glad your night gloom was real, Sabriel. I'm merely thankful that Para escaped unscathed. As for it's identity, I hope to get some clue by looking at the supply cellar itself. It's largely unused and empty, so why break it open? I wonder..." Sabriel put on a confused look and began thinking herself. Para had claimed that it had attacked her... It had broken a door... Everything pointed to a dead creature seeking shelter from the sun. Perhaps it had been so weak even she couldn't feel it? But then it would have probably stayed there. The thoughts had gone in one big unhelpful circle. "I suppose it must have been seeking a gardening shovel, whatever it was." Sabriel shrugged with both hands in the air, laughing weakly. The Magistrix chuckled along with Sabriel, enjoying the bright young girl's company. Once outside, the warm summer air met them alongside the sun, beaming down full force. Rarity chewed her lip nervously from where she sat in the large courtyard's bushes. She'd worked up courage all morning to come and introduce herself in order to get help. But now that she had arrived here... "I simply can't do it," she resolved weakly. "I'm in such a state and what if they try to kill me again!?" She tried to minimize how much she was frowning. After wearing the expression all morning and lacking her lotions she could practically feel the wrinkles forming. The low grumble of Rarity's stomach spoke up once again, beckoning her attention. A frown creased her face, and she stared down at the offending bodily organ making the complaint. The grass she had ever so hesitantly sampled hadn't been at all desirable. In fact, she was remiss to believe it had even been edible. Not that she made a habit of it at all, but any vegetation from around her own house was a delicacy compared to the grass around her. Still, Rarity considered, her body needed nourishment of some sort if she was to keep going... and a bath. She sighed in defeat, but tried not to breath too deeply—after all, her mane smelled something awful, like a dank sewer rag wrapped in dirt. Without warning her ears perked up, as well as her body, which went stiff with surprise. She looked eagerly towards the building where from a noise had come. There were two shapes there, walking across the lawn. They passed the rather wonderful gardens, then headed towards the cellar door which Rarity fully recognized. It was the one which she had... not so carefully ended up breaking to escape out of. It had, however, been an accident on her part. "I should go over there and apologize right now for that..." Rarity said worriedly, watching the strangers with a weary look. Her eyes narrowed as she reflected guiltily on the property damage. She couldn't get her hooves to move though, and instead watched the two shapes come, and then go, leaving the broken door. The entire ordeal of Rarity's watching from a distance lasted nearly twenty minutes, too. The mostly alabaster unicorn—considering the stains and dirt—stood idly and prayed to Luna and Celestia for courage, but too little came. Defeated once again Rarity slumped back into the filthy ground, sighing. Oh, she thought quietly. I don't care anymore. I think I'm actually getting used to the dirt, even. In fact, I love the dirt! It is simply fantas— Rarity's head rung with an audible thrumming sound. Slowly, she replaced the hoof she'd used to knock some sense into herself back on the ground. "This is no time for one of Twilight's breakdowns, Rarity! You're a lady and you're made of tougher stuff! But most of all, you're going out there. Right..." Inhaling sharply she took a deep breath. Rarity really felt she was serious this time. "Now!" she cried, and before she could stop or talk herself out of it, dashed out into plain sight. Her body jerked backward sharply, however, after only a few strides, then stopped again. After a quick whimper, Rarity ever so silently and sneakily began moving from her hiding spot to another one, rather than simply run. On second thought, I'll play it safe! Yes, that's a much better idea. Moving onwards, she crept back towards the castle like building from piece of cover to cover. She crouched and crawled through tall unkempt grassy areas, and slid alongside garden boxes. If only Dash were here to make brash decisions for me, she thought, sighing quietly once again. Briefly, Rarity stopped to admire a clothesline from a horn-high brick structure, which awfully resembled a barbecue for roasting vegetables. She paused and studied it, a little curious, The two legged creatures had quite the fascinating attire, certainly, she considered. After I befriend them perhaps I could use that as common ground to gain their trust? Rarity spared herself a quick smile as she continued to move towards the castle, still unsure of exactly what she was going to do. Something made her slam on the brakes, however, and pulled at her nose. "Oh, oh my... What is that smell?" Suddenly the most heavenly aroma had appeared, making her neck stretch out to its fullest. Her head popped up and over the low hedge she was currently moving behind. Rarity spotted the source immediately; only twenty strides from herself, resting there unguarded and in the open, was a pie; a steaming freshly baked pie. The watering in Rarity's mouth began even as she laid eyes on it. Her stomach rumbled in frustration at the sight immediately. Quickly, so as not to give herself away, she ducked behind the hedge again. She began glaring angrily at the grass and her stomach. "No! I won't stoop to thievery you, I—" It grumbled again at her, slowly this time, as though it were making a pointed fact. Rarity's brow wrinkled in thought and weakness. Sighing, she looked over the hedge again, then clutched her eyes shut in acceptance. It was simply too glorious a sight to ignore, she decided. "Alright, fine you win," she relented. Rarity began her steady trek towards the castle again. This time, the pie was her goal, however. She addressed the thing responsible for her decision curtly. "But we're only doing this because I suspect that I'll be chased off again after what happened last night anyway, you hear me?" The stomach growled one last, short sputter in what may have been a satisfied response. First looking every which way, including up, she checked that the coast was clear. Satisfied, Rarity rolled the last open space and into the bushes outside the window. Other smells made themselves known to her now, glorious smells. Rich spices, pancake batter, and is that eggs I detect? Her mouth had never watered so much in her life. But she kept her eyes on the goal. Carefully, Rarity nudged forward and lit up her horn; she didn't want to get too close. Slowly, the precious pie slid from the window ledge—out of her reach by at least two strides anyway—and down towards her. Steam trailed slowly behind her breakfast. "Come to momma!" she whispered, tongue lolling out of her mouth.