Thanks to Onyxjew for proofreading and editing.
Twilight was watching Delvin sleep peacefully, mesmerized by his calm breathing. His night terrors had apparently passed on, and he was no longer twitching or mumbling in his sleep.
But he still hadn't left the bed or been awake long enough to have a conversation. Although she could understand the trauma he was going through, there was a curious side of her that was itching for answers.
What was your society like? How many of you were there? How could you harness magic?
Her eyes danced to the end of the bed and onto the mysterious black lockbox Delvin brought. What was it he tried to get this to Ebonreach?
Far too intrigued to leave it on the floor, she levitated it in front of her and sat down on her haunches. It was made of some sort of dense, black wood with very beautifully crafted silvery steel frames. When Twilight attempted to open it, the lid refused to open and curiously, mysterious white runes became visible across the lid.
“Old arcane glyphs huh?” Twilight muttered to nopony in particular. Some runes seemed familiar to her, especially a fish-hook-looking one she recognized as the letter B.
Visualizing the cover of a lexicon, the book slid out from its shelf and opened up before Twilight. She peered on the letters on the chest, and then back on the ones in the book.
“B-O-U-N…” Twilight attempted to translate, “Boun… Bound?”
“What are you doing?”
Twilight yelped and dropped the lockbox with a clamor by the sudden break of concentration. In the bed, Delvin sat up with a deep frown.
“Ooh… good morning…” Twilight said nervously, “Err… how are you feeling?”
Delvin seemed to ease up with his expression, but the hint of sadness remained as a faint glimmer in his eyes. “I dreamed I was home. I hoped this,” he gestured over the library, “was a dream. A terrible nightmare I could just wake up from. But…”
“I’m so sorry…” Twilight tried to sound as sincere as possible.
“Why?” He looked at her, puzzled.
“Why? Well… I am really sorry that your people are gone. I’ve read about them, about all the heroic feats and other incredible things! Like… you came from another world, and did all these awesome deeds of heroism, like the battle against Manexxa!” Twilight grinned.
“Here,” the unicorn trotted up to his side with Tales of Silver hovering nearby. “Look, it’s a book about the Silver People! It’s got tons of amazing stories—“
“I know my history well, and need no book to remind me of it,” he scoffed and swatted the book away with one hand.
An awkward silence hangs in the air for a while. Suddenly Twilight felt the man’s eyes on her. She looked up and met his green-blue eyes, a color that reminded her of aged copper.
“Why do you not have wings?” he asked.
“Wings?” Twilight looked on her back, “unicorns don’t have wings.”
“…you-knee-corns?”
Apparently mankind had never encountered any other ponies than the alicorns. So Twilight proceeded to tell of unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies, and how they formed Equestria. Her words didn't seem to fall on deaf ears.
“So you are lesser alicorns,” he tilted his head in confusion, “stunted offspring of sorts, like wyverns and wyrms are to dragons?”
“Maybe,” Twilight said while making a reminder to ask what wyrms and wyverns were later on. ”It could be very possible for a very long time ago alicorns gave birth to a foal without horns or wings, and from that other ponies came to be. But honestly it’s just all speculations. Nopony really knows much about the alicorns, they are so shrouded in mystery…”
“Why would they?” Delvin leaned in closer, “their kingdom was grander than as ours. Surely their numbers are still the same?”
“No… they started to disappear a long time ago, dying out almost entirely during Discord’s reign of chaos and disharmony. Right now there’s just three known alicorns left, which we know of.”
The man was flabbergasted. “THREE?!”
“Princess Celestia, her sister Princess Luna and my old foal sitter; Princess Cadence,” Twilight curiously peeked at the man’s reaction, “I didn’t expect you to be so shocked… considering what went on between your kingdoms, I thought you’d hate—“
“I would never hate them!” Delvin suddenly hissed with his ivory teeth bared, “I knew an alicorn! I considered her as family! Lantea,” he sniffed, “she was my friend, everyone’s friend! We adored her, adored all alicorns!
“Just… I just do not understand what happened. We stood as thorn and wall for so long. Why would we quarrel suddenly?”
In that moment Princess Celestia wandered into view. She had been in Twilight’s bathroom for an awfully long time soaking in the bathtub and scrubbing the dirt out of her pure white coat, which now almost seemed to glimmer.
But even if her coat was shining and her mane flowing like always, her expression didn’t shine. The Princesses’ saddened frown and sympathetic eyes spoke volumes of shared emotions.
“I wish I’d known an answer, Delvin Rivendare,” she said with a sigh, “but it was far before my time, and my parents never told me of any reason.”
“You were there though,” Twilight pointed out. “Maybe you could tell us when things started to escalate?”
Delvin rubbed his chin for a moment, deep in thought. Finally he nodded.
“In the eleventh year of the second century during midsummer, after the Fire Festival,” Delvin said and gazed up in the ceiling, “one could still see fires from the other settlements afar. I thought the other settlements just… didn’t want to stop celebrating. Then a few days later, a rider came from the Dawn.
“The king is dead, he said. And now the alicorns have turned on us. Hero Hill and Goldcroft have been sacked, Clearcrest is under siege, and large masses of wings have been spotted heading towards Dragonstone! I call upon every single man who is old enough to hold a blade or crossbow to support our kinsmen in the west and north! As for you others, it would be wise if you move to the Dawn and seek shelter. There is no telling where they will strike next.”
“I could not believe it even with my own ears. King Tirion was dead, and the alicorns turning their coats... That seemed… impossible.” He trailed off, shaking his head. “…It was so sudden… no explanation…”
“So sorry for interrupting… but did you say King Tirion?” Twilight tilted her head.
“Yes?”
“Just curious, since he was named after Tirion Lockwood and all. Was he his great-grandson or something like that?”
“…no, he was our only king. He never had any sons or grandsons.”
Twilight and Celestia looked at Delvin with their wide in awe.
“You… you had the same king… for two hundred years?!” Twilight gasped.
Delvin nodded.
“I though mankind lived shorter lives than that…” Celestia almost whispered.
“Short from your point of view perhaps,” he huffed, “my grandfather was eighty-seven before he left, and he one of many fortunate. The king was however… unique,” Delvin shifted in the bed and cast suspicious looks around the library. “The songs tell that when the king pierced Manexxa’s heart; he claimed her powers as his own and became immortal.”
“How could he do that?” Twilight frowned, “how could he just ‘take’ somepony’s power like that? And what kind of power would that have been? Either way it… doesn’t…”
The unicorn trailed off when she saw how Delvin and Celestia stared at her.
“Sorry…”
“It’s alright Twilight,” Celestia took place beside her student before giving a nod to Delvin, “please go on.”
“There is not much more to it,” he admitted, “the majority of the town’s watch left, along with a large number of other strong men. I would have gone too, but I could not bring myself to leave Moorgate when I heard many elders, women and children were too frightened to leave. So in their absence, Lord Cain of Moorgate formed a temporary guard force out of farmers,
fishers and whatever in between.
“One week passed, but no news came how the fighting went. I assumed it was over, until during my watch a mortally wounded druid came to our settlement. He died trying to deliver that infernal thing,” he scrunched his nose and pointed towards the chest. “With his last will, he entrusted me to deliver it to Ebonreach. And here I am now.”
Celestia nodded. “I see. Are you aware of the content of this chest?”
“No.”
“May we?”
“Go ahead,” he sighed, “I failed anyway, and I doubt it can do any good now.”
His permission given, the alicorn levitated the black chest and studied it with an intrigued look.
“I’ve never seen an incantation like this before…” the princess hummed, “the use of arcane runes to perform this sort of sealing…”
“What do the runes say?” Twilight shot in.
“Bound by blood, bound by soul,
Sealed from them without.”
“…ominous…” Twilight shuddered.
“Indeed. This sort of magic is entirely new to me... and surprisingly strong. Without knowing the spell of origin it can be difficult to unseal it, even for me.” Celestia shook her head so her ethereal mane rippled like water. “Bound by blood and soul…”
“Do you have any idea what it means?” Twilight turned to Delvin. He shook his head and shrugged.
“It could mean if sealed by the blood and soul of a man, it could very well be that only a man can open it.” Celestia said.
Delvin sat and muttered for himself a moment and nodded.
“Give it to me.”
Not arguing, Celestia placed it down on his lap. He immediately placed his palms on the lid and waited for something to happen. Nothing. He sat a moment and drummed the lid with his fingers, then turned to Twilight.
“I wish to try something. I need a knife. A sharp one.”
Twilight cast an unsure glance at her mentor. When she received a confirming nod, the unicorn went for the kitchen. She quickly picked out one knife she used to slice fruits and vegetables, undoubtedly the sharpest one in the drawer.
“Here you go,” she levitated the knife to him when she returned.
He snatched it with a quick swipe, as if he was afraid of the magenta aura around it. With knife in one hand, he took a deep breath and held up his other.
Without warning he ran the blade tip across his thumb. The two ponies winced, but Delvin didn’t seem to be phased at all. He was just watching the red blood pour slowly in his cupped hand and gently placed the palm down on the lid.
Incredibly, the runes responded by flashing to a deep crimson before fading and making the lid click.
The ponies’ curiosity grew instantly and placed themselves on each side if the man, their eyes fixed on the now unlocked chest.
“Incredible…” Celestia whispered. “How did you know that would work?”
“Tradition… I rather not try to explain without being called insane,” he coughed and turned his attention back to the chest. Slowly he grabbed the lid…
…and stiffened when the contents were revealed.
“Books!” Twilight squealed happily.
“Books?!” Delvin rumbled not quite as positively as the unicorn, “I left my home, my friends for… BOOKS?!”
The Man angrily flung the chest over the bed, sending books, scrolls and envelopes all over the library. With a growling he tossed his blanket aside and got up. He was a little wobbly after a long period of lying down, but miraculously managed to get to the door on shaky legs. Violently, he yanked it open and stormed outside.
“Oh crud,” Twilight cursed.
Celestia was already on it and rushed after Delvin. “Stay here,” she said briskly before darting around the corner.
Alone in the library, Twilight stared at the mess scattered across the floor. With a sigh she started to gather the ancient papers.
Everything looked wrong. What castle was that in the distance? What mountain was it on? And what kind of village was this? Was he in the south, or the west? North? East?
Panic set in as Delvin was running down the street of this colorful, unknown settlement, desperately trying to find some familiar landmarks. Like the tall Eagle Mountains, or the Amber River.
Blindly he ran into a group of ponies and tumbled to the ground. One of them got caught under him, a pale yellow mare with no horn or wings, and with a striped mane of cherry and pink.
Disoriented, she groaned and tried to get up. Realizing she was pinned down, she screamed loudly and flailed with her forelegs.
“HEEEEEELP THE MONSTER IS TRYING TO EAT MEEEEEE!”
“I would never—“Delvin tried to explain himself, but was interrupted by several wallops to his face. Beaten, he rolled to the side and clutched his head with both hands with a groan. This must be how the anvil feels like after a long day…
“Princess Celestia!” another pony shouted. “Princess Celestia! The monster is over here! It attacked Rose!”
Delvin sat up on his rear and watched the brilliant white alicorn princess trot up to him. “I saw what happened, and to me it seemed like an accident,” she said softly to the group of ponies. “I am certain he regrets it and is willing to apologize for knocking Miss Roseluck over, isn’t he?”
“I am. A thousand pardons Lady Roseluck,” he said and made a quirky bow to the pony, “I should have been more observant of my surroundings, and I feel ashamed of my clumsiness. I hope you weren't severely hurt?”
“Eh… no I’m alright…” Rose rubbed her neck, “I just got startled… and well... I think I should say sorry for overreacting…”
Celestia smiled, overjoyed that the situation had been dealt with peacefully. When Delvin started to get up, she spoke again. “May I ask where you are heading, Delvin Rivendare?”
“Home,” he said coldly, “I am heading home.”
“I see… but—“
“I know it is gone, Your Majesty,” Delvin cut her off, “but I do not care. I want to return to the place where I was born, where I grew up… and the place where I wish to spend my last moments.”
The princess’ pupils contracted into small dots, realizing his intentions. “Delvin, please reconsider! You don’t have to throw your life away!”
“I see no point in going on,” he croaked, “everyone I knew is banished. My father, my friends; gone and dead since long! There are no reasons to prevent me from taking my place among the glorious dead!”
“YES THERE IS!” Celestia boomed, “Somepony went through a lot of trouble just to hide and save you from banishment! Somepony valued your life, and by the sun, I value yours!
I read the stories about your people as a child, of undaunted and noble knights that stood for everything that is good! Much of that inspired me as a matter-of-fact. Why on Equestria they were banished is beyond me and in my eyes a faulty punishment.
“I understand your pain, and I understand if—“Celestia choked and forced the dark thought away, “but I believe there is a reason you are here today. You may not see it, but I know you brought more answers to the disappearance of your people than you might think.”
Around them, the crowd of ponies had increased by several dozen of curious eyes. They all seemed to hold their breath of the suspension.
“I am not your princess and have no right to force you into staying, Delvin…” Celestia sighed; “but please, don’t let the very last voice of Mankind fade away. I want to help you find the truth, and I am sincere when I say I do not want you to go away.
“I truly mean it. Please?”
Delvin was speechless. Here he stood before a race so unlike him and their princess he should consider as enemy, begging him not to take a coward’s way out. She cared about his welfare? She cared about him?
He sighed. The memory of Lantea came back, the beloved gray alicorn of Moorgate who always watched over the children as if they were her own. A warm tingle went through his guts when he remembered how sad he’d been when his mother left for the capital when she couldn’t stand the family shame, but Laurel was there, promising to always comfort him when he needed her.
And she’d been there for many years, staying true to her word almost entirely, only forced on breaking it when family matters called. He was twenty then, and he was not angry at her for leaving. Family comes first after all.
Delvin found himself raising his right hand—rather than the left with his still bleeding thumb—and held it out with his open palm to Celestia. The crowd gasped, probably thinking he was about to strike her.
But the princess had understood and accepted the gesture. With a warm smile she leaned forward, allowing his hand to touch her muzzle.
Her fur was so soft he thought, not even the silk of nobles could be compared to this. Furthermore, there was a pleasant tingle of warmth from the touch that ran through his entire body. It made his previously glum intentions disperse by an overwhelming feeling of compassion.
It made him feel, for the first time in what felt like forever… at peace.
Happy.
YES THERE IS!
Twilight jumped a little at hearing her mentor’s use of the Royal Canterlot Voice. Concerned, she peeked out a window.
It seemed half of Ponyville had gathered around Celestia and Delvin, watching with jaws almost hitting the ground.
Celestia was talking, but it was too quiet for Twilight to hear. Whatever it was about, it seemed to have some effect on the Man.
Suddenly he reached out his arm against Celestia.
“What are you doing…?” Twilight muttered.
Then the solar princess walked closer, pushing her head against his palm.
At this, Twilight squealed out in excitement, and at the same time gasped in surprise, making a D’AWWHUPP before clamping a hoof over her smiling mouth.
He gave a sign he was willing to trust her. And she’d done the same.
Feeling extremely happy inside, Twilight turned to the messy library floor. Loose papers, scrolls and two books, all spread out in a clutter.
She started placing all the letters in one neat pile, figuring she can sort them later. Next were the books. One was bigger and had a cover made of a pale wood, the other smaller and had a much softer material, like Delvin’s vest.
With no titles on the covers, the unicorn opened the larger one first. Much to her dismay, the first page had been drenched in ink. The next page shared the same fate, and three more pages had been ripped out by force.
The fifth page had however managed to survive an inky destruction. Eager, Twilight began to read the fine writing.
Day 21.
After a prolonged battle, the outlanders have managed to gain another vantage point and driven the Changelings back further into the mountains. But it was no cheers or victorious songs to be sung in this battle, for today they lost one of theirs, the first one in fact.
How, I did not know at the time. I only caught a glimpse of Tirion Lockwood, holding his fallen kinsman in his arms. He cried out in sorrow, a wailing so loud his echo never seemed to fade.
Later in the evening, I watched how the tried and worn from almost non-stop battle, Tirion dug a grave under a young tree by himself, refusing any help offered by his knight-brothers. When the grave had been covered and had a stone with their carvings over it, he began to talk to the stone. Even if I do not know their tongue, his speech was so shrill it ached in my heart, and I could feel his sorrow. Even if I never knew this knight, I wept for him.
I asked Auriel later that evening what the knight’s name was.
“Cedric Lockwood,” she told me, “Tirion’s younger brother.”
Hearing of this was yet another jab to my heart. I asked Auriel to translate my deepest condolences to Tirion. To my amazement, he walked up and embraced me, whispering one single sentence in my ear. Even in his guttural language, I knew exactly what meaning it bore.
Thank you.
Seeing this undaunted warrior from a world afar who have laughed at the myriads of enemies and cut through them like weed, now to weep and holding me so gently has given me an important revelation.
Beneath their hardened steel armor, stained by mud and the blood of both friend and foe, beats the hearts of living beings that experiences joy, sadness and anger just like we do. I feel ashamed for not seeing this at the very beginning and being one of those who questioned and mocked Auriel, along with her silvery horde.
But now I understand. These brave outland Men deserve so much more for their sacrifice and commitment. They are willingly giving up their lives for us, to give our children a safer future. They deserve a place where they can do the same for theirs.
Once this war is over, I will beg for Auriel’s forgiveness and pledge my allegiance to her. I will use my position in the small council to further support her cause, and Man’s cause. My first vow will be a mausoleum built here in Cedric Lockwood’s honor, even if I so have to lift every single stone by myself.
Twilight sniffed and closed the diary. There were some feelings starting to boil up inside of her stomach, mostly sadness and sympathy for Tirion. How horrible to lose a brother…
She shook her head and rubbed away the moisture under her eyes, deciding to not read that for a while. Fearing the other one had the same type of text, she piled it on top of the bigger one.
Just the scrolls left then.
She counted twelve of them, all seeming to have the same type of purple silk band keeping them rolled.
Hold on…
One wasn’t the same as the others. Letting the others fall down back on the floor, she examined this odd one out. It was held together with a cheap string, rather than silk. It felt heavier too. How can a scroll be heavy?
Undoing the knot, she wasn’t prepared for a green gemstone drop out and hit the floor with a glassy clink.
Twilight fixed her eyes on the gem, feeling drawn to it. Roughly being the size of a pear and shaped like one, she could feel it wasn’t an ordinary gem. Picking it up and placing it on her hoof, she felt a faint tingle of magic emanating from it.
Peering into it, she could have sworn a lively mist was swirling inside. She could have sworn it was whispering to her…
Suddenly an explosion violently broke Twilight’s concentration. Caught off guard, she spun around with a bewildered expression against the source of the racket.
Sheepishly, she looked at the door with Princess Celestia and Delvin standing there with confused looks.
Apparently the ‘explosion’ she’d hear was just the door opening. She was getting awfully jumpy when she was fully concentrated.
“Are you feeling well Twilight?” Celestia asked softly.
“Hrm I was just…” Twilight mumbled, “…I found a gem... but just disappeared!”
“I see. Well it will probably show up eventually,” the princess mused and observed the pile of stacked papers. Next object that caught her attention was the scroll down on the floor. “And what might this be then?”
“Uh... I haven’t given those a look yet…” Seriously, where did the gem go? Did she just imagine seeing it? she wondered while scanning the room.
“Anyway dear Twilight… I was just about to—“ Celestia started off, but paused briefly while looking at the scroll before proceeding with her train of thought, “—to tell you I’ll be heading back to Canterlot,” she said while turning the paper into a puff of smoke.
“You are?” Twilight slouched and let her ears droop, “I thought you’d stay for a few days…”
“I wasn’t finished,” her mentor chortled, “I’ll have to inform my sister about our new friend here—“she cast a warm smile to Delvin, who returned with a weak one himself—“and then I’ll come back, with Luna.”
“Can’t you just send a letter to her, telling her to come here? It would mean less running—or flying—back and forth.”
“Yes, well I think my dear sister would think I was pulling another prank on her. No, I think I can convince her better by seeing eye-to-eye. I would’ve taken him with me to Canterlot but… he has chosen to stay here in Ponyville for the time being.”
On cue Delvin cleared his throat, gaining both mares attention.
“I hate to impose Lady Twilight Sparkle, but I think hunger has finally caught up with me…”
“Oh! By all means, go in and take whatever you want.” Twilight pointed towards the kitchen.
“Thank you Lady Twilight Sparkle,” he bowed graciously. Next he turned to the princess, “And thank you once again Princess Celestia.”
“My pleasure Delvin. We’ll talk again soon.” Celestia bowed her head to the man.
As he walked into the kitchen, she chuckled hearty. “His use of titles is apparently too hard to simply forget. I told him he could just call me by name, but that seemed ‘most disrespectful towards your stature’ to him.
“Anyway, after he’s full, try to get to know him a little more, make him feel comfortable in this new environment. And remember, he’s not a prisoner, so he is free to walk in Ponyville if he so desires, although under supervision just in case. I have addressed the majority of the residents that he is peaceful, so by now the word has reached everypony about him.”
“Understood. Oooh, maybe I could introduce him to my friends! I bet they’ll make him feel really welcomed!” Twilight beamed.
“Even better,” Celestia lowered herself to Twilight’s level and gently nuzzled her back. “I know he’s going to be in good care.”
After the Princess had taken her leave, Twilight joined Delvin in the kitchen. She was surprised to see the man had almost emptied a bowl of fruit in a short time span.
“Eaurgh—“he cringed after swallowing a large bite, “how can anyone eat this ghastly fruit? It tastes worse than swamp water!”
“That’s… an orange,” Twilight giggled then noticing the fruit in his hand, “they are really good, but you’re supposed to peel them before eating.”
“Oh,” he said sheepishly. Still he put the orange to the side and picked an apple instead from the bowl. Twilight took notice of a large whirl of paper on his thumb. A band-aid would've been less ugly but it probably meant little to him.
“Soo…” the unicorn said cheerfully,” “is there something else you’d like other than fruit? What do you like to eat, for example do you have any favorite food?”
“Anything but mushrooms. Blasted things grew everywhere around Moorgate, and was used far too often. Mushrooms in stew, soup, grilled, boiled, raw even,” he shuddered. “Father had an obsession with mushrooms in his beef stew… and was served at least twice a week.”
“Beef?” Twilight asked while a chill went down her spine. “Like… meat?”
“Naturally. Why, is that an issue?” Delvin cocked a bushy brow at her.
“But… but how can… how am I supposed to feed you? You can’t just go out and club a tiny, poor innocent animal—oh heavens, Fluttershy would never forgive me… b-but she’ll have to! It’s for—“
“If it is such a fright, I can survive without meat,” he replied with a terrified expression. “I might miss it, but I can control myself. You have my word.”
“Phew…” Twilight blushed from her small breakdown. “Thanks… make this a little easier for me,” Twilight wiped off the sweat from her brows. “But just to be safe, let’s keep the details of your diet between us two, deal?”
“Very well,” he chimed and finished another apple. With the bowl now empty he returned to the orange and began fidgeting with the peel.
“Hm… I think I’ll have to swing by the market and buy a little more fruit… maybe some nice salad,” Twilight reached out with her magic and began jotting down a grocery list.
“That seems like a long list,” Delvin remarked.
“Well, it’s about time to refill the fridge anyway,” Twilight mused and finished her list. “There, that should do it for a few days! So… do you wanna wait here in the library, or would you like to come with me?”
“I’ll stay here. I would like to… ponder for a while.” The man muttered.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a jiffy. If you get bored, there’s plenty of books here… heh heh.” Twilight mentally facehoofed for pointing out the obvious to him. “Okay then… be right back!”
“Blast… that’s so sour,” Delvin remarked at the taste of the ‘orange’. The remains of the hideous fruit met its end in the sink with a wet squish, perfectly synchronized as the door slammed behind his hostess. Twilight of House Sparkle.
“Ridiculous,” he rubbed his temples when thinking on the name. Granted, he could see why one’s parents would name their child after the beauty of the twilight hours, but Sparkle? Bloody Sparkle?
He quickly scolded himself for such low thoughts. How could he mock someone’s house, just because it sounded childish? She had taken him, a lowborn under her roof, and he ridiculed her? Show some respect for King’s sake!
Twilight was the apprentice of a royal after all. That title alone must carry a tremendous amount of honor he figured. Would that mean Twilight were of noble birth, and now being groomed as an important character in service of Princess Celestia? What title would that make her? Archmage? Court Mage? Lady? Dame?
A thousand questions pounded his mind like a raging wyrm trapped in a barrel, slowly starting to make his head throb.
“I need fresh air,” he said to himself and stood up from the comically small bench and strolled into the main hall. Glancing over the dozens of shelves filled with hundreds of books, he began to feel so pitifully small and embarrassed.
“How hard could it be?” he growled with frustration and snatched a random book with sapphire-blue covers. He opened it and stared at the little black markings and stared them down. But no matter how vaguely familiar they seemed, he couldn’t think of how one pronounced them, or how to put them together to form words and sentences.
But there was none to blame other than him. It was his folly to think he never would have to read, or write a note. He was a fool for neglecting it, just so he could live up to his family name.
“The son of a fool indeed!” Delvin spat and hurled the book against the wall. Fuming of rage, he stormed out and left the library.
“...and there must simply be an end to the outrageous behavior of using our pristine city’s water decor for personal hygiene by out of control rascals!” the puffed-up, self-important pony sniffed with disgust.
Luna shook her head and groaned silently. Do ponies really come by every day, making these mundane and most of the times, pointless complains?
“Then We decree… that a sign, with the words ‘Please do not swim in the fountain’ will be placed nearby.” Luna rolled her eyes.
“Thank you your majesty,” the stallion bowed and turned to leave. Behind him came yet another snobbish unicorn stallion with a ridiculously tall top hat.
“Mmyeesh your majesty, I am Stiff Lip, and I believe the current punishments for lollygagging is not harsh enough! Throw them in—“
The massive doors of the throne room opened with a loud creak, interrupting Stiff Lip successfully. Thank the Moon for that, Luna huffed.
In trotted Celestia with a serious expression. “Luna. Come with me.”
“Very well then.” Luna cocked a brow, “The court is concluded.”
Luna followed her sister out to the courtyard of Canterlot Castle. Outside sat Celestia’s chariot with four pegasi guards ready for flying. At this, the younger alicorn started to realize something was amiss.
“Tia—“
“I’ll tell you on the way. Come,” she interrupted her sister before sitting down.
“Tell me about what? Has something terrible happened?” Luna gasped and took her place beside her sister.
“It’s actually quite the opposite,” Celestia replied as they finally took off the ground with a powerful gush.
“Twilight’s research of Mankind proved to have paid off much more than I ever could imagine Luna. You remember the tree, the wolf and raven?”
“Yes, of co—“
“They were druids, and they were guarding that tree, and thanks to Twilight it led me back to that very same tree from so long ago. They had been asked by an unknown alicorn, to safeguard a still living man encased in stone.”
Luna blinked, confused. Suddenly she began to laugh.
“Oh I see. Very funny Tia… so where is this man then? Hiding in your mane perchance?” she giggled.
“He did not come with me because he clearly expressed his discomfort of flying. I assure you, this is no joking manner Luna,” Celestia said dryly. Her horn flared up in a golden light, and out of the thin air a rolled parchment materialized, “and here you have the proof.”
Still unconvinced, she decided to play along with her sisters little game. She took the scroll with a bold smile.
One heartbeat later her smile dropped.
Drawn with a brown ink on yellow parchment was a map of a very familiar castle, marking out a route through the ancient catacombs to what seemed to be a recently added X in one of the hallways.
“…is this… our old home?”
“It is,” Celestia nodded.
“Tia… what does this mean?” Luna asked, barely believing it herself.
“Besides the very obvious, I am not certain why of all places it had to be there,” Celestia nodded, “but I just know it has something to do with the Silver People’s exodus.”
Luna gave her older sister a puzzled look.
“Delvin was heading to a place called Ebonreach with this cache of knowledge, but was petrified by an unknown mare before he could get there. She then moved him to Ashwood, hid him inside a tree and placed wards around him and lastly asked for the druids to guard him in her absence. Maybe she intended to return for him but… something happened.” Celestia whispered.
Luna gulped and nodded. Alicorns could be extremely cruel when it came to punishment.
“This mare was helping mankind Luna; she might have managed to save Delvin, but were completely unaware of what he was carrying. And as Delvin told me, he went in the place of a fallen druid, meaning they might have never known he was the courier they were expecting.”
“But why would he be carrying this?” Luna frowned with her eyes lingering to the map. “And… what is this leading us to?”
“On that, we are about to find out.”
“Your Majesties, the Castle of the Two Sisters up ahead!” called one of the royal guards.
Like a scar, the ruins of their former childhood home stood bleak and dead in the Everfree Forest. It had been destroyed when Discord arrived to old Equestria, and began his reign of chaos and disharmony. With the spirit of disharmony running amok in a land of peace and tormenting the little ponies, Luna and Celestia had no other choice but to stand up against him.
And with the elements of harmony, they had succeeded.
The chariot touched down in the once-pristine courtyard, now covered in dirt and vegetation. Although this place had once been the whole world to her, Luna felt a clump in her stomach standing here again. Last time she was here was when the Elements of Harmony had vanquished Nightmare Moon, and before that was when she’d given in to the Nightmare.
“It’s in the past. Just put it behind,” Luna exhaled and whispered to herself.
The two princesses, despite their guards insistence, ventured down into the bowels of the ancient castle catacombs alone. Like the upper levels of the castle, the tunnels had fallen before nature’s grip. Moss and mushrooms had a good chance of flourishing down here. As if the tunnel of white marble hadn’t been scary enough nearly two millennia ago, the stone had gone over to an oily black riddled with vegetation that seemed to hiss at the light illuminating from the alicorn sisters’ horns.
“Tia,” Luna muttered as they passed by a few sarcophaguses, “why are you doing this?”
Her sister turned a magenta eye at her for a second, and then turned back to the map without saying anything.
“I want answers. Now Celestia.”
Hearing Luna not using her pet name, Celestia turned to her sister with a stern expression.
“I have to help Delvin—“
“THAT is what bothers me,” Luna scoffed. “I know you are the kindest pony there is, and I know your fascination of the Silver People, but we know nothing about him—“
“His name is Delvin Rivendare and he used to live in a place called Moorgate, which he left behind at the final request of a dying druid. Would you say that is not enough need to know?”
Luna harrumphed. “I fear this is becoming an obsession Celestia. This… Delvin has impaired your judgment, and if it affects
your duty as princess, I will have to put an end to it!”
“Don’t do that Luna. I have to do this for Delvin.”
“WHY?!” Luna thundered. “Why are you so anxious to please this exiled remnant?!”
…
“WELL?!”
Finally Celestia faced Luna, ready to give answers. That’s when she saw her sister on the verge of tears.
“He wanted to die, Luna.”
“W-what?” Luna stuttered.
“He felt as if there isn’t anything worth living for anymore,” Celestia sighed. “No home, no friends, family…”
Dread struck Luna like a hammer and felt herself planting her bottom on the chilly floor. “Is he still…”
“I think I convinced him not to do it… I honestly don’t know if my plea will be enough for him. I was hoping whatever this is and get back to Ponyville. If there is any good news or even the slightest shred of evidence to what truly happened, we should give it to Delvin and lift his spirits.”
Luna sat there and pondered. “This Delvin must have made quite an impact on you.”
“Delvin is…” her sister began with a sly smile starting to appear, “well first and foremost, it’s not everyday you meet a sentient being older than I. But there is something… intriguing about him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s… I’m not sure how to put it… unusual to say the least. I guess chivalrous is the best word to describe him,” her sister said with a soft laugh. “I think you’ll notice it too when we meet him.”
That would be a meeting Luna wasn’t sure how to feel for. On one side, she distrusted the Man for toying with the feelings of her gentle and warm-hearted sister for his goals. But then again, she felt sorry—if his story was true—for him.
But it was too much unknown for her to fully trust a Man. They had after all, committed an act that obviously deserved banishment back to their world. And for that matter, why would they not want to go back without a struggle?
No, she wasn’t going to let her guard down so easily, Luna said to herself and pondered on the possible while wandering after Celestia. Finally they stopped.
“This seems to be it,” she said and looked up from the map.
Finally they have arrived to the ‘Spot marked by the X’, as ponies used to say. To Luna, it seemed like an ordinary dead end of a corridor. Right ahead was only a bare wall, and on respective right and left were two sarcophaguses.
“Must be a hidden room… right behind…” Celestia muttered.
It was quite amusing to see her older sister pressing herself against the dirty wall feeling after buttons or cranks in every nook of the hall.
“Nothing! How can this be?” she exclaimed angrily.
“Sister, perhaps now you realize that little piece of paper is meaningless. It marks nothing but these tombs,” Luna sighed and hoped they could leave as soon as possible.
“The tombs… Luna, you are brilliant!”
“I am?”
Celestia’s face broke open in a wide smile as she jumped to one of the sarcophaguses. She hummed satisfied after giving it a close inspection, then went to the next one.
“This must be it!” she cheered. “Now let’s get the top off—“
“WHAT?!” Luna flabbergasted. “Sister what in Equestria has gotten into you?! I will not allow you to desecrate the tomb of our ancestors!”
“It’s not desecration, look!” Celestia retorted and brought a hoof to the side of the sarcophagus. “What do you see?”
“A tomb that should be left alone!” Luna quipped.
“Yes, but whose tomb?”
“It stands right here; it’s…” Luna growled and began reading the name of the deceased. Unfortunately, there were no inscriptions to tell who it was. “…none?”
“Precisely. Pretty clever spot I have to admit, who would ever bother searching for Men down here, in an alicorn catacomb?” Celestia mused. “Now, I understand if this makes you uneasy Luna, but you simply have to trust me on this one.”
“…You know I will always trust you Tia… and if you are right on this hunch of yours I will support you. On the condition we never speak of this ever again if you are wrong.”
“Agreed,” Celestia cooed and nuzzled her little sister lovingly.
Both alicorns took a hold of the sarcophagus lid and started to pull. The solid hunk of oily marble slowly began to budge, and finally fall down in the floor with a bang equally matched by a thunderclap.
Now came the moment of truth.
Luna took a deep breath, as did Celestia, and approached the open sarcophagus. The tension in the air felt thick like syrup when they peered down at the bottom. Celestia gasped. Luna yelped.
Down there, a horrific face stared back up at them.
“Stars above!” Luna exclaimed. “What is that?!”
“…another Man…” her sister gasped and placed a hoof over her mouth. “This is incredible!”
“More like terrifying!” Luna whinnied. “How long has it been down here, ever since their exodus?”
“Very likely,” Celestia replied distantly. She used her magic to lift the petrified alien out of his hideout. When standing on the floor—if not counting in her horn—the Man stood a more than a head taller than her. Her sister was closer, reaching up to his nose.
Its overall appearance was truly of another world, Luna thought. She also took notice of how much clothing it wore. The only parts uncovered were the round head and the slender hands.
The face however, was the strangest part of it. The eyes and mouth were wide open, exposing the teeth in a cry of… fear? Surprise? Luna couldn’t quite determine the difference.
“Just as Delvin,” Celestia spoke up, seemingly to read Luna’s very thoughts. “He was petrified against his own will, but it saved his life.”
“But it doesn’t make any sense. Why is he HERE, of all the places?” Luna said while fixated on the stony face. “Do you think mother and father knew it’s been here, right under our home for millennia?”
“The way father spoke of them,” her sister chuckled, “I doubt he would. Mother… maybe. She never really had a saying of the Silver People… not good or ill. Perhaps neither was ever informed. But it matters little now. I think this poor Man has suffered imprisoned for too long now. Will you help me release him?”
Luna hesitated to give her answer. Truth be told, she was worried, if not scared they would unleash something terrible upon Equestria.
Delvin might be good, but what if this one is one of those evil-doers that actually deserved banishment?
No. No, if he were, he would’ve been banished and not petrified here. Tia believes he is good… and Luna trusts her.
“Yes. Let us free him, and hope he won’t destroy us,” she said sarcastically. Or maybe it was wishful thinking.
Celestia flashed a smile before placing her horn over the statue’s chest. Luna placed hers soon after. Awe struck her as she
felt a steady heartbeat coming from inside the statue.
He really was alive.
“Luna, I can’t do this on my own…”
Celestia’s voice brought her back from daydreaming. As she added her magic to the unsealing, she was baffled how strong and complex it was. Whoever had cast it had a magical superiority that could rival hers and her sister’s individually.
But together, they could overpower it.
And as anticipated, the magical force began to wane. In response, the statue started to creak and twitch.
“Step back a little,” Celestia panted. “He could be scared and disoriented. Just talk calmly, and make no sudden moves that might provoke him.”
“Oh joy,” Luna quipped.
Again the statue twitched and began to gain some color. The most vibrant out was the strange jacket of a very bright lime green. The other apparel wasn’t as appealing, blue pants and gray shoes… although unusually long unlike pony shoes.
Lastly the Man’s skin began turning into a rosy pink. The mane was lovely chestnut brown, albeit a little short.
Like a marionette that had its strings cut, he slumped on the hard floor coughing and sputtering violently.
“Gaah, Forbada gersah!” he gasped.
Luna frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
He got dead-silent the second he heard her. He looked up at them with his pupils wide as saucers, and quickly covered them by the light emanating from their horns. “Nyaah! Valked kelp!”
“This is strange… Delvin spoke clear Equestrian but this…” Celestia shook her head, “this was unexpected.”
“So what do we do?” Luna whispered, never letting her sight leave the Man curled on the floor.
“Wun wuuun… un’bree?” the Man said hoarsely. Slowly he began to stand on his knees and look at the Princesses.
“Just remain calm Luna. We’ll find a way of communicating,” Celestia cooed. She then turned to the Man. “Can you understand me?”
“Wun do’naar?” he responded and scratched his head. “Do… vali’fodr?”
He got up and squinted his mottled green eyes and stared Celestia straight in her vibrant magentas. “Em… Do zhema… emeh. Do kin’ vitaank…”
As he muttered in his incoherent tongue, his legs began to take him forward. Slowly his hand began to rise, stretching towards Celestia.
“Oh, Delvin did the same gesture!” she beamed and leaned forward with her head. “It’s a sign of peace!”
But rather than a friendly stroking like Delvin did, this man dug his fingers around the Princess’ muzzle. She squealed, both in surprise and slight pain. That triggered Luna, as suddenly her eyes began to glow.
“HOW DARE YOU?!” Luna roared in the Canterlot Voice. Her horn lit up like a torch soaked in oil, and her magic electrocuted the man.“HOW DARE YOU HARM MY SISTER, FOUL BEAST?!”
“AIIEEEE!!!” he yelped and was violently propelled against the stone wall.
“Luna!” Celestia barked in her sister’s ear, “Damn it, you could’ve killed him!”
“WE WOULD NEVER—“Luna stopped herself and looked up at the thunder-struck Man pressed tightly against the wall. “Oh no.”
Embarrassed and horrified, she went down to his side.
“I am so sorry! I-I do not know what came over me—“Luna cried and leaned over the unmoving form with tears in her throat, “please be alright! Please say something!”
“…aaoouu…” he whimpered and covered his face with one arm. The other went down in his dark blue pants and fished up a small black book. “obogovuuuh…” he blurted and showed it towards her muzzle before passing out.
Curiously Luna took the book. Opening it however did not reveal any pages, but small plastic cards tucked neatly into small pockets. Opening up a zip-lock, she was horrified when seeing small silver and gold coins inside.
“Oh, no no, I am not robbing you!” she exclaimed and quickly put his odd purse back in his limp palm. “I thought...you... ooh!”
The lunar princess slouched and places her head on his shoulder. “I am so sorry. So very sorry,” she gently whispered in his ear.
“Luna.”
“I thought he attacked you!” the indigo mare choked. “I just blanked out when he hurt you…”
“He didn’t harm me,” her sister said softly. “Those nails aren’t lethal, but his pinch just caught me off-guard.”
“But I still did this to him,” Luna nudged the Man’s soft cheek in hopes to find life signs. Thankfully she could see the nostrils widen and contracting as he took shallow breaths. Physically he seemed fine, but there was no telling what kind of mental trauma her spell had caused.
Shock spells in particular attacked every part of the body, including all the organs. A strong caster as herself could fry the brain of a living being, and that didn’t need much force to perform.
Luna needed to know, so she began reaching out to her magic to enter his mind through her dream-walking spell.
That is, if he wasn’t resisting her.
As the Princess of the Night, Luna could enter anypony’s dream; walking their subconscious to help them face their fears.
But this being simply shut her out, even when knocked out of his senses.
And then suddenly, the barrier began to expand. It started to actually repelling her magic!
She had no choice but to sever the link. When she opened her eyes again, she was back in the dark hallway, the Man still out in front of her, and her concerned sister to the right.
“Luna? What happened?”
“I… am not sure,” Luna said. “I tried entering his mind but he… expelled me.”
Celestia shot a glance of surprise, but it quickly faded. “Curious… but it’ll have to wait. We should head to Ponyville right away. Delvin will probably want to meet him… and hopefully translate for us until further notice.”
Luna nodded. “Then let us be off.”
Twilight Sparkle was humming happily as she trotted down the street. It had been a little over the budget, but considering the current situation, she didn’t mind spending spoiling her new guest a little.
She had bought a wide variety of fruits for Delvin; apples and pears to melon and pineapple. She even managed to get some fresh strawberries.
“Gonna make him a nice salad out of those,” she giggled as she pushed the door open and waltzed in.
“Darling!”
Twilight yelped to say the least, and dropped her bags. In front of her stood none other than the white, purple-maned unicorn Rarity.
“Oh I am so sorry Twilight dear for scaring you!” the fashionista giggled. “I thought you were home, but I see now you were out grocery shopping.”
“What are you doing here Rarity?” Twilight muttered as she began picking up her bags. “Did Spike or Delvin let you in?”
“Eh… Spike was with me all night darling. He was kind enough to help me out with a large set of dresses for Hoity-Toity. We finished just ten minutes ago, then I decided to come and tell you he’s napping at the Carousel Boutique.”
Twilight was shocked to hear this. Spike really hadn’t been home all night, and she didn’t notice. Embarrassing Twi…
“The door was a little open, so I assumed you were inside. But alas, nopony was here to greet me.”
Twilight stiffened.
“Delvin’s not here?”
Rarity furrowed her brows. “Delvin? Who is that?”
The bags fell to the floor for a second time, but this time the lavender unicorn didn’t bother picking them up. She dashed into the kitchen, only to find it empty.
“Oh no no no NO!” she yelped and rushed room to room, her worry growing more and more after each futile look for the
Man.
“Twilight? Is everything alright?”
“RARITY! Did you see a tall, hairless, kinda monkey-looking creature on your way here?!”
“…eh…no? Again, are you feeling alright dear?” Rarity slowly backpedaled away from the hysterical mare.
“No I’m not! I was supposed to keep an eye on him while Princess Celestia—Oh crud. The Princesses are on their way! Rarity! You have to help me find Delvin before they get there!”
“Mmh… it’s not going to get me dirty is it?” Rarity hummed while poofing her curly mane, “I showered this morning—“
“GAH! Then I’ll just do it myself!” Twilight spat and ran out with a speed even Rainbow Dash would be impressed of. However once she vaulted out of the door a blue aura began to envelop her and suspending her in the air.
“Hello Twilight Sparkle!” the voice of Princess Luna chuckled. “So overjoyed to see me again you nearly barge into us?”
Beside the blue alicorn princess stood the Celestia, beaming of joy.
“Heheh… something like that…” Twilight laughed nervously.
“We have some great news!” Princess Celestia sang like a bird. “Could you call for Delvin, and have him—”
It felt as a Ursa Major was sitting on her shoulders. She couldn’t ever be able to talk her way out of losing sight of the last living being of its kind. So she exhaled and stared at the ground.
“I lost him.”
“What?” Celestia quirked an eyebrow. “How?”
“I just went shopping and he didn’t want to come with me… said he needed to think. I didn’t lock the door because you said he wasn’t a prisoner and well… he just waltzed out… I’m so sorry Princess…” Twilight sniffed to fight back the tears.
“We’ll talk later. I’ll take flight and look for him. Luna, can you take our new friend to the library?”
Princess Luna nodded and turned back to their chariot. Suddenly she let out a cry.
“He’s gone!”
“WHAT?” Celestia spun around to the empty seat. “How the—”
“He was just here a second ago!” Luna barked furiously. “You, guards! Did you not see the Man leave?!”
“Uh… nope. We were just looking straight forward like we are trained to do… sorry Your Highness.” One of the guardponies said sheepishly.
“Wonderful. Wonderful!” Luna stomped an angry hoof at the ground. “They tower above any pony, so how can they just vanish into the thin air?!”
“One thing at the time sister,” Celestia nudged Luna. “Let’s take to the sky and try locating them. Twilight, find your friends and start covering some ground and get clues where our Men may have gone off to.”
Before she could respond, the Princesses took flight and left Twilight in a cloud of dust.
“What in Equestria just happened?” said a very confused Rarity that stood in the threshold of the library.
“I’ll give you the short version…”