Twilight's study was filled with stacks of books from her castle's library. Naturally this was par for the course, the alicorn mare was almost always studying something for one project or another. The stacks of books were arranged in two particular areas around Twilight's desk. On the left was the large pile of books to be sent back to the library, on the right was the slightly smaller pile of books to be red. Atop the desk lay a single old tome, a thick leather bound blank volume, half a dozen quills and three ink pots. As she had many times before, Twilight was working to make a single comprehensive volume on an obscure subject.
This time her goal was to find all she could on spellcasting methods of non-Equestrian ponies, and non-pony species. Surly in all the world there could not be one single way of preforming magic, and logically if one could study all the methods used to cast a spell one could improve the spell greatly. Unfortunately all the books Twilight had red so far were of no use to her latest project.
Twilight's eye scanned the pages of the water damaged, moldering old tome which lay on her desk. It had been delivered to her especially for this project from the Trottingham Museum of Nautical History and was part of the recovered cargo of a mysterious shipwreck found just off the shore of Equestria. At one point it might have contained a few hints of where Twilight might look for such exotic arcane knowledge, but sea water, time, and poor quality ink had all but destroyed the book. Only a few fragments of the text were salvageable.
Twilight felt she owed it to the book to transcribe what she could from it before returning it to the museum. Her quill scratched against a sheet of parchment as she recorded each and every word she could, noting its positioning on the page and the number of the page next to each scrap of text. The sad fact of the mater was after three hours of work she could see that one chapter of the book had been on an exotic form of transmutation alchemy. If it had been in better shape this book just might have held the long lost method to transmute gold back into lead after previously transmuting it into gold.
Her quill's scratching was interrupted by a loud knock on her study door. Twilight looked up and sighed, she had gone to lengths to ensure she was not disturbed while working. “Come in.” She called, levitating a book mark into the book and carefully closing it's cover.
The door opened revealing Spike, a parchment envelope held in one claw. “Hey Twi, this just came for you. I know you wanted to be left alone but well, the courier did say it was in response to a letter you wrote. I figured it might be a reply form-”
Twilight squeed in delight. Her magic snatched the envelope out of Spike's claw, unsealing the envelope in midair so hasten her reading it. Spike sighed and shook his head mumbling something under his breath about patience and a lack thereof.
Noticing her number one assistant's deadpan look Twilight blushed, giggled and gave him a small grin, “Sorry Spike. It's just that I am getting nowhere with my current library and the only letters I sent out last week were asking for books on exotic magic so well...”
Spike nodded, “I get it. Just well, maybe let me finish talking next time?”
Twilight nodded and levitated the letter from the envelope, deciding to read it out loud for Spike's benefit, “Why don't you sit down? If this is someone saying they have a book I can use we will probably have to go and pick it up since they didn't send it with the letter.”
Spike walked over and sat on a stool next to Twilight's desk, “That would be nice. It's been a while since we got to travel anywhere.”
Twilight cleared her thought and began to read.
To Her Majesty Princess Twilight, The Element of Magic,
Vanquisher of Tirek, and Lady of Ponyville,
It has come to my attention by the way of a friend of mine who is the head librarian of the Las Pegasus Academic Library that you are in need of information regarding non-Equestrian magic. While it may seem quite odd that a humble prison warden like myself could be of assistance to you in this matter I am able to provide far better information than you could find in a moldy tome some adventurer may have retrieved from some Celestia forsaken tomb.
When I took over running Fort Champron I was informed of a specialty prisoner in the maximum security wing of the dungeons. This prisoner has been incarcerated here for eleven years assuming the records are accurate and was apprehended with other Changlings living within Equestria after their assault on Canterlot last decade. Unlike others of her kind she was never released as during her capture she attacked and killed a half dozen guards before being subdued. According to her file, and the methods used to keep her imprisoned, she is a sorceress with at least three spells none who have examined her thus far have been able to identify.
Normally prisoners in the maximum security wing are not allowed visitors, and by Celesta's Law I cannot permit just any pony to inspect prisoners of war. However as one of our nation's monarchs you have the clearance needed to visit such prisoners. I assume you are most interested in speaking with Amber Fire, as the Changeling is called, and given what I know about your penchant for study you will likely wish to do so as quickly as possible.
As such I have taken the liberty of informing my stallions of your upcoming visit. You should find that upon your arrival an escort to the cell block will be ready. I trust you will remember my name as belonging to someone helpful when promotions are discussed this fall.
Your dutiful subject,
Warden Warding Aegis, Esquire
Twilight grinned as she finished reading, quickly reading the letter again to be sure she had missed nothing. Spike snorted, “Heh, somepony's looking to kiss up to the princess.”
Twilight quickly began to levitate several blank journals, quills, and ink pots into the saddlebags she kept under her desk, “Oh Spike, don't worry about it. We both know how career Guardsponies can be. Besides, if he actually dose have a Changeling sorceress I can talk to that will help out my research immeasurably! Remember the Canterlot invasion? Their queen was able to beat Celestia in a head on fight. I could sense her magic she had far less than Celestia so she had to have used It far more efficiently than a pony.
“If this,” Twilight checked the letter quickly, “ah, Amber Fire is willing to share her knowledge it could make up half my book!”
Spike nodded, “Yeah I suppose... But the warden said she is a war criminal. She attacked ponies Twilight! What makes you think she would talk to you? What if she wants something for the information? You shouldn't just rush off to Las Pegasus, we should think about this.”
“Right.” Twilight frowned slightly, tapping her left hoof to her chin in thought, “If she was a Changeling living in Equestria before the Canterlot incident she likely was a spy, or maybe a civilian just looking for a home. In ether case the Changelings are a violent race, I suppose it makes sense that one would attack when threatened right?”
Spike nodded again, “I guess that make sense. But-”
“Oh Spike, I'm a princess. I am sure I can get her a few privileges in exchange for helping the Kingdom's academic society. Why don't you get packed? We're off to Las Pegasus! Oh, and um tell the girls that I'm going to pick up a book and could be gone for a few days.” Twilight replied levitating her now full saddlebags onto her back.
“A few days?” Spike asked in a disappointed tone, “I um, kinda told Rarity I would help her dig up gems this Friday.” He tapped his claws together, torn between going on what could be an adventure and helping a friend.
Twilight frowned, she didn't want to keep Spike from one of the few things he loved to do most. “Well... it's going to be a short trip. I don't think I will need much help. You can stay here if you like. I can handle conducing an interview.”
“Are you sure you wont need the help?” Spike asked tentatively.
“Yes. I can manage this on my own. Well I suppose there is no time to waste.” Twilight grinned sheepishly.
“Yeah guess not.” Spike gave her a smile, perking up after a heartbeat, “Well I guess I'll go see what's in the kitchen. Good luck!”
“You too Spike.” Twilight replied, giving Spike a gentle hug before dashing off towards the train station.