Rosetta’s smile never wavered as her eyes darted between Daring’s face and the article she presented. Daring saw something flash in Rosetta’s eyes as she turned to the group surrounding her and said in a most gracious voice “You will all have to excuse me for a moment. Yearling here is a close friend and colleague of mine, and we must catch up on some things. In private.” In a flash, Rosetta grabbed hold of one of Daring’s forelegs and briskly led her away from the group of ponies, all while maintaining her courtly smile.
The group of ponies Rosetta left behind eventually dispersed as the nobles and well-to-dos of Canterlot became bored with talking amongst each other. All, that is, except for one pale magenta mare with a two-tone purple mane, wearing a saffron formal saddle on her back and a yellow flower in her mane. She stayed behind and openly stared at Rosetta as she almost dragged Daring off. This did not go unnoticed by Daring herself, who kept a suspicious eye on the mare as Rosetta led her away.
Rosetta led Daring up a large, polished staircase and down a hallway before leading her into a small study. The room was musty, and Daring let out a small cough as she entered. The study was dominated by a large mahogany desk that sat near the back, covered in junk and clutter of all sorts. Bookshelves lined every available wall, and various tomes, some with pristine white pages, others yellowed with age, filled their shelves.
“Why didn’t you send me an invitation?” Daring asked with an accusing tone of voice. “It was easy sneaking in here, but I shouldn’t have to. I thought we were friends.”
Rosetta trotted inside and sat down behind the desk, her gracious smile gone now that she was away from her guests. In it’s place was the smaller, shallower smile of an experienced businessmare. “I did send you an invitation. You probably threw it out with everything else you get that isn’t from your publisher or somepony with a tip. Have a seat, Daring,” she offered.
‘That... makes a bit of sense, actually,’ Daring thought. She looked around, but couldn’t find a chair. With a moment’s hesitation, she grabbed a stack of books that had been left on the floor and sat down, before gently placing the newspaper clipping onto the brown mare’s desk. “I was told this was a budding archaeologist. Just graduated from the university you teach at, and was excited about some sort of expedition. Then he went missing.”
Rosetta’s horn lit up with an amber glow, enveloping the clipping in a similarly colored field and levitating it in front of her face. She hummed to herself, tapping her chin as she examined the article. “Yes, I know who you’re talking about. Azure Sharde is his name. He graduated a little over a year ago, if I recall correctly. Very bright stallion, showed a lot of potential.” Rosetta lowered the newsclipping and glanced at Daring. “What is your interest in him? Or should I say, what is your interest in his expedition? I sincerely doubt you of all ponies would asking me for information on a pony because you were concerned for their well-being.”
Daring frowned. “I’ll have you know I care very much about his safety,” she defended herself. “I just need to know where he was going so I can go save him.”
Rosetta chuckled at Daring’s assertion. “If by ‘go save him’ you mean ‘go search for whatever he was searching for and help him if you happen to run into him’, then I believe you completely.” She put down the article and slid it across the table, back to Daring. “No matter. Either way, if he’s anywhere near the discovery he made, you’ll find him.”
Rosetta stood up and moved to the bookcase behind her desk, searching through the large amount of books that filled every shelf. “Now, where did I...” she muttered to herself as she browsed the texts and tomes. She went on like this for a few minutes, searching every shelf in the room, before moving on to the disorganized piles of books that littered the floor.
“Aha!” she exclaimed, and her horn started to glow. Daring rose as the book she was sitting on lifted into the air, and she found herself dumped onto the ground unceremoniously.
“Here’s my record book,” explained Rosetta. “I use it to keep track of what my students are up to. You never know when such information might come in handy.” She opened up the book and the pages became enveloped in her magical aura and flipped to a point near the end. “Here’s what you’re looking for,” she told Daring, floating the book over to her guest.
Daring stood up, shooting Rosetta an irritated glance before snatching the book from Rosetta’s telekinetic field and examining the entry in question, reading the unicorn’s neat writing aloud. “June 5th- Azure Sharde is planning an expedition to the Amarezon jungle for next month. He claims he’s found evidence that the fabled Warlord’s Folly is hidden deep inside the jungle...” Daring stopped reading. “The Warlord’s Folly? As in, ancient bring-down-a-civilization Warlord’s Folly? I thought that was just a myth.”
Rosetta shrugged and sat back down in her chair. “Azure didn’t think so, apparently. Besides, aren’t you in the business of chasing down supposed myths?”
Daring nodded. She had gone after supposedly mythical artifacts before. The Griffon’s Goblet, the Sapphire Stone, and the Crystal Claw were all believed to just be stories and legends until she found them. None of them were fabled to have killed the creatures who owned them, however...
“I... suppose there’s a good chance there really is something there. If I’m going to go, er, save Azure, I’ll be in the area and may as well search for it.” Daring examined the book for a moment longer before setting it aside.
“Yes, I’m certain his rescue will make for an interesting chapter in your next book.” Rosetta returned to her desk as she spoke. “Speaking of which, what are you going to call this one? Daring Do and the Warlord’s Folly?”
Before Daring could answer, she noticed Rosetta’s expression change to one of confusion, followed by a yelp from behind her and the sound of somepony stumbling while the door banged against the wall. With a flap of her wings, Daring zipped up into the air and turned around, ready to confront any would-be attackers. This, she learned, was unnecessary.
Sprawled out on the floor, the pale magenta unicorn mare from before looked up with pale purple eyes and a sheepish smile. She was wearing a yellow saddle and had a flower of the same colour in her two-toned purple mane. “I… uh… was looking for the restroom?” She chuckled nervously as she slowly stood up, brushing herself off and readjusting her saddle. “So, uh... Daring Do, huh? As in, the real Daring Do?” The unicorn glanced up curiously at Daring.
Daring flew down to the unicorn, landing right in front of the intruder and giving her a hard glare. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
The magenta unicorn leaned away from Daring, shrinking under her glare. She opened her mouth to answer but the pegasus cut her off.
“Did Ahuizotl send you? Was it Doctor Caballeron? Gafar the griffon? Tell me who you work for!” As the unicorn leaned away from her, Daring moved closer and closer until her face was just inches from the unicorn’s.
“Her name is Amethyst Star,” Rosetta finally spoke up, fixing the now named unicorn with a cold stare of her own. “She’s a rowdy little ruffian that was expelled from the university a few years ago. And I’m pretty sure I never sent her an invitation. So please, Amethyst, do tell us exactly what you’re doing here and why you were listening in on a private conversation.”
Amethyst opened and closed her mouth a few times as she tried to come up with a response, but all that came out was a few squeaking noises. “...Restroom?” she finally managed to say. “Yes, that’s it! I just made a wrong turn, is all. I was listening at the door for, uh, restroom noises. Clearly, this is not the restroom. I’ll just be going now. To look for the restroom.” Amethyst backed away as she spoke, smiling nervously the whole time.
Before she could reach the door, Rosetta’s horn lit up and shut the doors behind Amethyst with an audible click that caused Amethyst to wince. Looking behind her and seeing the exit closed off, Amethyst turned back to Daring and Rosetta with a resigned expression and a sigh. “Okay, in my defense, I really don’t actually know where the restroom is. But you are right to assume I’m not actually looking for it.”
“Of course we are,” Daring replied sarcastically. “Now, answer my questions already! Why are you here, and who are you working for?”
Amethyst took a deep breath and looked unflinchingly at Daring. “Okay, first of all, I work for myself, and not any of those villains you listed a minute ago. I didn’t even know they actually existed outside of a cheap adventure series until now.” Amethyst grew more confident as she spoke, not noticing Daring’s eye twitch at the word ‘cheap’. “Secondly, I’m here for reasons similar to yours. I want to know what happened to Azure Sharde, and I refuse to leave until Rosetta Stone tells me what she knows.” With that, she sat down and crossed her forelegs, glaring at the two.
Daring growled. “Just because Rosetta knows you doesn’t mean you’re not working for Ahuizotl! Or maybe you want to find the War- er, the artifact Azure was after so you can keep it for yourself! How much did you hear?” Daring asked, reaching into her saddlebag as she spoke.
Amethyst stared at Daring incredulously. “I told you, I didn’t even know Ahuizotl even existed until just now! And I heard enough to know that you have a general idea of where Azure went. Now, you’re going to tell me- wait, why do you have rope?”
“You never know when you might need to tie somepony up. Now stay still.” Daring jumped at Amethyst, rope gripped in her teeth. She wasn’t prepared for the unicorn to roll out of the way, however. She slammed face-first into the locked door.
Before she could stop seeing stars, her tail rose up seemingly of her own accord, dragging her into the air with it. She was turned to face a smirking Amethyst, who was using her magic to lift her off the ground. The unicorn stuck out her tongue. “I thought Daring Do was supposed to be fast?” she taunted.
Thinking quickly, Daring unfurled the rope and twirled it for a moment before launching it at Amethyst. The noose hit home, wrapping around the unicorn’s horn. Before Amethyst could react, Daring gave the rope a violent yank, making the unicorn yelp and stumble forward. Her concentration lost, the telekinetic field on Daring’s tail faded and the seasoned adventurer was dropped onto the ground with a thud.
Daring jumped up as quick as she could, orienting herself to face her foe. She leapt at Amethyst, her wings pumping to provide extra speed. With a quick mid-air turn she prepared a high-speed buck and threw out her back legs with the speed of a bullet, aiming towards her opponent’s chest.
Her hooves rocketed towards her enemy, but she was surprised to feel them impact with a flat, solid object instead of a furry, squishy one. Pain shot up her legs and she went sprawling forward, her face impacting with the floor.
She quickly stood up, her hat and glasses falling off as she did so. The pegasus quickly turned around to attack again when she saw a translucent wall of purple light rushing towards her. Acting quickly, Daring launched herself from the ground, using her wings to aid her ascent. She just barely managed to roll over the incoming wall of force, her mane brushing against the top of the wall as it rushed passed. She held her wings close to her sides and fell towards Amethyst, her momentum carrying her quickly towards the unicorn. She slammed into her, the force of their bodies causing them to fly back into a bookcase and send its contents cascading onto the floor.
The impact left Amethyst too stunned to do anything other than lay on the floor, groaning in pain. Daring, her impact having been lessened due to the body of Amethyst cushioning her, stood up shakily. However, as she stood up, a textbook falling from above hit her on the head with a thud, and she fell back down.
Before either combatant could regain their senses, Rosetta’s amber-coloured aura surrounded both of the feuding ponies and lifted them off the floor with a few feet separating them. “Alright, your little scuffle was entertaining for a while, but now you’re just trashing my office. Break it up before I have the both of you arrested for property damage.” Rosetta glared at Daring and Amethyst in turn. “Now, I think it’s safe to believe what Amethyst is saying. I doubt she could cooperate with one of those villains you mentioned long enough to get anything done.”
Daring and Amethyst struggled to get free until Rosetta dropped her telekinetic hold, allowing the pair to land on their hooves. Daring grumbled under her breath and flapped towards her hat and glasses, which she quickly donned in case anypony else appeared, muttering “she started it...” as she did so.
Amethyst rubbed her injured side gingerly, glaring at Daring the whole time. “I started it? You’re the one who jumped at me with some rope! Who even does that?” She smoothed out and adjusted her saddle as she complained.
“Amethyst,” Rosetta started in a comforting tone of voice, “I know that Azure is your friend, and that you want to find him. But if you really just wanted my help, you could have just asked. You don’t have to sneak around.”
Amethyst cheered up at that statement, a smile adorning her face. “Well, if that’s that case-” she started. She was quickly cut off by Rosetta, however, whose tone hardened once more.
“But, the fact that you felt the need to sneak leads me to believe you’re not here solely because you want help finding your friend.”
Amethyst’s smile deflated like a balloon. “Heh heh ha... what? No. I wouldn’t do that. I just want to find Azure.”
Daring and Rosetta glared at the unicorn, who withered under their stares. “...Okay, fine. I also want to go on an adventure. Maybe find the Warlord’s Folly, too.” She smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry! I did something wrong and I feel super guilty. But that’s behind us now. You’re going after Azure and the Warlord’s Folly, right? When are we leaving?”
Daring rolled her eyes and groaned. ‘Great,’ she thought, ‘just another thrill-seeker.’ She’d met countless people in her travels just like Amethyst. Ponies, zebras, and griffons who would plead and beg for her to bring them along with her, hoping to be as great as she was. It never ends well. “We’re not leaving,” she stated with authority. “I’m going to find your friend and the Warlord’s Folly, and you’ll stay here and do whatever it is you do. Got it?”
Amethyst’s face scrunched up in indignation. “It’s a free country. I can go if I want to. What are you, the adventure police? Or maybe an adventure hoarder? That’s it, isn’t it? You’re trying to keep all the adventure for yourself!”
Daring facehoofed. “That’s not even how it works! You’d have no idea what you’re doing out there! Have you ever travelled the Amarezon? You’d get lost and die out there on your first day! I don’t want to be involved in your death.” Daring flew up close to Amethyst and shook her hoof in the unicorn’s face. “Unless you keep pestering me. Then I’ll be involved, big time!”
Amethyst just glared at Daring, unintimidated. “I can take care of myself! And it doesn’t matter if you don’t want me coming along. I’ll just follow you anyways!”
“I still have rope, you know.” Daring growled.
Rosetta slammed her hoof on her desk, startling both Amethyst and Daring. “Would the both of you quit acting like a couple of foals having a tantrum!? In case you have forgotten, there’s a party going on, and I need to go be a good host to my guests.” Rosetta glared at the unicorn and pegasus in turn. “Now, here is what will happen; you,” Rosetta gestured towards Daring. “will let Amethyst come with you, or I will report you to the guards for trespassing on my property.”
Daring’s eyes widened in disbelief. “But I have an invitation!”
“Had,” Rosetta corrected. “You threw it out.” Turning and pointing at Amethyst, Rosetta continued. “And you, Amethyst, will follow all of Daring’s instructions to the letter, or she will tie you up and mail you home in a box. Got it?”
Amethyst looked like she was about to protest, but one look from Rosetta shut her up, and she simply nodded.
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a party that needs hosting. I’ll have one of my security ponies show you both out. After all, this house is only open to those with invitations.” Rosetta’s magic enveloped a bell that was sitting on her desk and rang it.
A large, familiar pegasus walked in and grinned at Daring. “Say, didn’t I warn you about coming back here without an invitation?” Twinklehooves chuckled. “Looks like I’m going to have to escort you out.”
Daring glared defiantly at the large pegasus. “Bring it on, you big, dumb, ugly-”
______________________________________________________________________________
Daring fought with tooth and hoof as the security ponies dragged her out of the house, but ended up thrown out of the gates and face planting on the cobblestone street. As she sat up and picked up her now broken glasses, Amethyst calmly walked passed the gate and stopped behind her. The gate slammed shut behind them, leaving Daring and Amethyst alone on the street.
After a quiet moment, Amethyst finally spoke. “So what now, oh great adventurer?” Amethyst asked sarcastically.
Daring fiddled with her damaged glasses for a bit, but gave up when one of the lenses fell out. “Now? It’s late, and I’m tired.” Daring tossed her broken glasses to the side. She has plenty more in her luggage. “I’m calling it a night. If you still want to come with me, meet me in the Hoofrest Hotel lobby at eight AM. Pack light and bring plenty of bits. If you’re late, I’m leaving without you.”
Amethyst snorted at that. “Don’t get your hopes up, Daring Do, I won’t be late. See you tomorrow.” Amethyst turned and trotted off, leaving Daring alone on the street.
Daring watched Amethyst go and shook her head. ‘There’s no way in Tartarus this will end well.’ With a sigh, Daring unfurled he wings and took flight, heading in the direction of her hotel. ‘This is going to be a long trip.’