//------------------------------//
// Shivering Timbers 
// Story: The Do Dilemma 
// by Metool Bard 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 14:
Shivering Timbers


Tailspin awoke to the sound of her growling stomach.  Although conscious, she found that she didn't have a lot of energy to actually get up.

"I hope that this is the last time I have to go to bed without supper," she grumbled, slowly rousing herself and tapping Scootaloo with her wing. "Hey, mate.  You awake?"

Scootaloo squirmed and fidgeted. "Mmm.  Five more minutes..." she said groggily before turning over onto her back.

Tailspin breathed a deep sigh. "C'mon, mate.  Up and at 'em," she said, nudging Scootaloo with her hoof. "We gotta go see if Genny has made any progress with the map."

"Mmph.  I don't wanna," Scootaloo mumbled.

"Well, I'm sure not leaving you here," Tailspin said sternly. "But by the same token, I don't have the strength to be dragging your hindquarters all over Hoofington.  So, c'mon.  Cooperate with me just this once, huh?  Whaddya say?"

Scootaloo's only reply was a yawn as she flipped back onto her stomach.  Tailspin rubbed the bridge of her nose with her hoof.

"Of course that would be asking too much," she sighed in exasperation. "Look, mate.  I know you're still tired, but we've got stuff to do.  I dunno, maybe you'll feel more awake after breakfast."

Those were the magic words.  Scootaloo slowly stretched out her legs and yawned deeply.

"Breakfast sounds good," she said, smacking her lips. "I'm starving."

"That makes two of us," said Tailspin. "Now let's go.  I'm sure Genny will fix us a little something."

"Mmm," was Scootaloo's only response as she followed the older pegasus into the city.


***


*knock knock*

"Doreimi, would you get that?"

When the little bird opened the door, Genevieve was startled to find two tired, starved pegasi stumble into her home.

"Goodness gracious!" she exclaimed. "You two are a fright!  What happened?"

"Don't ask, it's a long story," muttered Tailspin, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I'll just say it has to do with this one running off yesterday."

"I have a name, y'know," Scootaloo growled.

"Well, you'll be happy to know that I have some good news," said Genevieve. "But first, I think you could both do with a good washing and some food.  Doreimi, be a dear and show our guests where they can freshen up."

"You're a peach, Genny," said Tailspin sheepishly. "I don't know how to..."

"Tut tut, none of that now," said Genevieve with a shake of her head. "It would be hardly becoming of me to have you leave my home in such a state.  Besides, you have a long journey ahead of you."

Scootaloo gulped. "W-we do?"

"Yes," said Genevieve. "Quite a dangerous one, too.  But I'm sure it's nothing Professor Daring can't handle."

"Yeah," Tailspin muttered under her breath. "I just wish she were here."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing, Genny.  We'll just go wash up now.  C'mon, mate."

Genevieve simply shrugged her shoulders as the two pegasi left to make themselves presentable.


***


"There we are, nice and clean," said Tailspin as she and Scootaloo returned from their bathing experience.

"I've never seen a shower faucet so high up," said Scootaloo.  She then remembered that she was in the presence of a giraffe. "Oh, I mean..."

"No, it's fine," said Genevieve with a chuckle. "I get that all the time.  Now, sit down and have a little something to eat.  I hope you like leaf crepes."

"Actually, we've never had them before," said Tailspin. "But hey, I'll try anything once."

The two ponies sat themselves down while Doreimi carried them trivets of sweet-smelling leaves.

"So, what's this good news you told us about, Ms. Genevieve?" inquired Scootaloo before taking a bite.  It was very sweet and juicy, almost like fresh fruit.

"Ah, yes," said Genevieve. "Well, you'll be happy to know that I have fully deciphered the map."

"You did?  That's wonderful!" said Tailspin as she beamed. "Well, where does it say we should go?"

Genevieve picked up the map with her hoof and handed it down to Tailspin. "Das Reingold's treasure is hidden deep within the caverns of Mt. Götterdämarerung, a long-inactive volcano off the coast of Greenice."

"Wait, that's it?" said Tailspin, raising an eyebrow. "How did it take so long to decipher that?"

Genevieve's face darkened. "Most of the text is a warning," she said. "A warning that Das Reingold will see to it personally that no one lays a hoof on his treasure."

"Personally?" asked Tailspin, still being skeptical. "I thought Das Reingold was dead.  That's what Daring said."

"Oh, he is," said Genevieve. "But the map you hold is not just a map.  It's an account of all of the dark deeds of Das Reingold.  Including his dabbling in dark magic."

"What kind of dark magic?"

"The kind that made him unable to stay dead."

Sccotaloo felt a chill go up her spine and shuddered.  Tailspin swallowed, but still wore a cocky sneer.

"O-oh come on, Genny," she said, trying to sound dismissive. "Th-that's just an old mare's tale."

"Sea ponies wield more magical power than you can imagine, Tailspin," said Genevieve. "Just ask Professor Daring."

"Genny, even Daring doesn't believe in g-g-ghosts," said Tailspin as she began to look a little pale. "Curses, maybe.  But g-g-g-g-ghosts?"

"Is that so?" said Genevieve. "I remember Professor Daring having many brushes with the supernatural."

"Oh, it's probably just one of her jokes," said Tailspin with a nervous laugh. "You know how she is."

Genevieve decided not to comment further. "Anyway, besides the threats and warnings, there's one more thing you should know."

"And that is?"

"In Das Reingold's hoard is a ring," said Genevieve darkly. "That ring is what drove him insane, and caused him to take such extreme measures to guard his treasure.  It is the Ring of the Dragon Sages, and whosoever possesses it will meet a bad end."

"Wh-what kind of bad end?" stammered Scootaloo.

"It varies from pony to pony," said Genevieve. "Some end up like Das Reingold; consumed by their greed to the point that they try to cheat death.  Some have everything they ever held dear stripped from them in the blink of an eye.  Some age until they die, some are betrayed by their closest friend, some..."

"W-we get the picture," said Tailspin, looking a bit rattled.

"Oh, yes.  Pardon me," Genevieve apologized. "I tend to ramble when it comes to translations.  It's quite fascinating."

"I-it says all that on the map?" said Scootaloo.

"Indeed," said Genevieve with a nod. "But, I feel that you'll be alright.  After all, you have Professor Daring with you."

"Or at least we will soon," said Tailspin. "Thanks again, Genny."

"It is my pleasure," said Genevieve with a solemn nod. "Please give Professor Daring my regards."

"Will do," said Tailspin with a nod of her own.

"A-and thanks for the hospitality," Scootaloo chimed in.

"Not a problem," said Genevieve with a warm smile. "I wish you both the best."


***


After leaving Genevieve's study, Tailspin took to the sky with Scootaloo riding on her back.

"Where are we going?" asked Scootaloo.

"Back to Argoats," Tailspin called back. "We need to find out what happened to Daring before we head off to Mt. Gerte-got-whatever Genny said."

"Maybe she's there already," said Scootaloo with a shrug.

Tailspin chuckled nervously. "D-don't be ridiculous, mate.  Wh-why would she be there?"

"Why not?" said Scootaloo. "Um, Tailspin?  Are you...?"

"Scared?!  Of course I'm not scared!  Why would I agree to go on this adventure if I was scared?!" Tailspin blurted out.

"I was going to say; 'Are you sure we're going the right way to get to Argoats?'" said Scootaloo with a bemused look.

Tailspin blushed. "Oh!  Oh, right.  Yes, that," she said, clearing her throat. "No worries, mate.  I know what I'm doing."

"Allow me to disagree."

Tailspin turned to the sound of the sultry voice and blanched.  Flying in front of her was none other than the Crimson Baroness with an entourage of griffons and pegasi.

"You've given me quite a bit of trouble, you little loudmouthed liar," said the blood red pegasus, flying close to Tailspin and stroking her chin with her riding crop. "Now then, I'll be taking what's rightfully mine."

"H-how did you find us?" asked Tailspin.

"Why not ask your timid little friend?" asked the Crimson Baroness. "She's the one who noticed the spy I sent to Hoofington."

Tailspin looked over at Scootaloo, who was too busy cowering to make a smart remark.

"W-well, you still won't get the map!" Tailspin spat. "Y-you'll have to fight me for it!"

"Oh, I'd prefer not to get my hooves dirty so early," said the Crimson Baroness with a pout. "But, since you won't give it to me, I'll just have to use other means."

She then took out her radio and tapped it on with her hoof. "Now."

From above, two familiar-looking griffons covered in bandages dropped a heavy net from above.  The net ensnared Tailspin and Scootaloo, and was caught by several pegasi.  The Crimson Baroness then reached under Tailspin's flight helmet and took the map from her.

"Ah, finally," she said nefariously. "Throw those two in the brig!  I'll deal with them later."

The pegasi saluted and flew off towards a large airship hidden in a bank of clouds.  Scootaloo began shaking like a leaf.

"Wh-what now?" she asked.

"Keep your wings on, mate.  I'm working on it," said Tailspin.

"And how long will that take?"

Tailspin closed her eyes and let out a strained sigh. "I don't know."