//------------------------------// // The World I know. // Story: The Mare, the Dragon, and the Draconequus. // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone The Mare, the Dragon, and the Draconequus. By TDR The World I know. The heavy clack of hooves drew the mares attention from the star filled night she was staring off into. She turned back watching the figure approach though the darkened room smiling a little as he moved up beside her. “Such a surprise to see you still up this late brother.” the mare questions. “Something troubling you I assume?” “It is not my fault you tend to go to bed before the night fully comes. Tis a wonder you see me at all. A great many things are bothering me however sister. If this news is correct he has truly gone to far this time.” “If the beast is telling the truth at any rate.” “He is. I have been to the settlement. It is exactly as he said, they are all dead. The few I know to be outside of the town have also been killed. He was quite thorough.” The mare winces at that and exhales deeply letting her gaze linger on the sky before turning it down to the thick cloud cover below. “So is he really the last then?” “He is, but his powers remain, so at least that question has been answered, you cannot kill a god by destroying his race.” “That is not a question I wanted to have an answer for brother. So what are we to do, Storm is already impossible to deal with and now he is going to be even more so now that he has accomplished one of his goals. It doesn't help his latest victim was several pages short of a tome even before this genocide. I shudder to think how he will be when he recovers.“ “We will do nothing.” “Created from magic or not brother they were a living race of their own and he wiped them out simply because he did not like how they looked? We are to let this travesty go unpunished? I do not agree with this at all.” “Calm yourself sister. I did not say nothing would be done, I said we will not be doing anything. We barely saved our people when we angered him last time. If not for the Windigo the races of ponies would have been the ones wiped out. We cannot afford to get directly involved and anger him further.” “It doesn't matter what we do, the fool tried to punish an entire race because I spurned his crude attempts to get me into his bed.” the mare growls. “I do not know why any of us thought he was the proper bearer.” The stallion flinched at that, though it was unnoticed by the mare. “He was not always like this, and you know that better than i do. I have known him longer than you sister, but you were once his friend where i was a mere acquaintance. When he first was granted the power he was the most just out of all of us. The others even suggested he was to weild the power of the heavens. It is only within the last few thousand years he has become more and more corrupt. Clover states it is simply the proof of absolute power.” “Your little bed mate makes a good point.” “You know I hate when you call her that sister.” the stallion growls . “And you know I enjoy getting your blood boiling, you tend to be more fun when you are angry Starry.” the mare smiles lifting a hoof to poke the stallion in the nose. “ Besides you two had a foal already I can hardly call her a fling any more.” “Yes I am glad you stopped doing that.” “So how long do you think she has left? She was young when she came here but it has been thirty eight years. Are you prepared to deal with this again?” “I wish you would not ask such questions, when a stallion finally catches your eye you will dread even thinking thoughts such as those Crystal......” the stallion trails off as the mare winces. " Sorry I had forgotten." “That does not answer my question brother. You have spoken of giving everything up before. Will you do it for her? She is showing signs of her age already. And your daughter is almost of age to be looking for her own stallion.” The stallion snorts flattening his ears to his head. “As much as I would love to stay with her and live out the last of our days as equals I cannot do that. With Storm acting like this and the state of flux this new land is in, I cannot leave. Besides there is not another who is suited to the position. Clover knows this, and she has accepted it.” “Have you brother? I have seen you twice before after you mortal lover has passed, you are never yourself for years afterward. This is not the time for that sort of melancholy.” “I do not wish to speak of this further.” “Fine then, what shall we do with our guest , if you wish a subject change. You know as well as I do he will wish revenge.” “He will , but if he tries it alone he will fail. His powers do not often work the way he intends them to and I doubt they would be very effect offensively. He cannot snap his claws and change a god into a pot of petunias. He will need help and we need to inform the others of what happened.” the stallion nods. “The dragons will not likely care, nor will our brethren from the sea. I also doubt any of the warlords of the zebra will care to aid us, or even listen.” “I have sent the missives regardsless, in the worst case that leaves us with our own, Clover is already heading to the capitols of pony kind to gather some sort of aid. She hopes the unicorns in particular will help. She despises their leader, but he has many tales of heroics surrounding him. She hopes he may provide us with an army.” “A skilled collection of mages in great numbers would be something even Storm could not ignore.” Crystal states. “Clover is in no condition to make a trek like that. I do not even wish her to return to the capitol. But she is not one for obeying orders from me.” “A smart male knows when his mare is correct in something and should wisely shut his mouth. We can send a few of the other monks to do so if need be.” “Our numbers are not great enough that we can simply send monks out at a whim. Let us see what sort of aid Clover returns with first. Perhaps some pegasi will help as messengers.” “We can hope. What should we even do with him if he is defeated. Kill him? Add him to that garden of yours?” “That is a possibility, though I am unsure our normal spells to change creatures to stone would work on him, We also do not know what will happen to the sun and moon if he is killed. We may be inviting even more disaster.” The stallion sighs though he looks up at the stars with a ruffle of his wings as if considering something. “There may be another way.” “The artifacts?” “Yes.” “No one has used those since my ascension. And they did not even work properly then.” “The ones who suffered were cured and the creature was sealed away, given what happened with the one we killed I would say that they worked perfectly. Perhaps that is what would be needed here, simply sealing him away. We would still need to find the Bearers. “Ones to use them and we would have to retrieve them again. Which given their last known locations would be a pain.” “No we would not have to do anything like that.“ the stallion states smirking slightly. “Oh? And why is that?” “They have already awakened once more. And like always they will chose their own bearers. My predecessor could recognize those who would wield the Elements of Harmony when he saw them. I expect I might be able to do the same. We simply need to point the ones who arrive in the right direction.” “You expect Clover's trip to reveal them to us? This is why you allowed her to go despite your misgivings.” “I do not think she will bring them here. I know she will. Not all of them, but enough to send to gather the others.” “How..... oh right that little ability of yours.” Crystal chuckles. “Quite the talent you have there, the ability to always make the right choice?” “It is not always the right choice. Often it is the wrong choice, but the end result will be the best that could happen.” “Like with the Windigo and the others.”Crystal mutters the last. “Yes. Still sister we must prepare. Clover should be reaching Starholme castle tomorrow.” “It should be one of us going, hiding our existence is a mistake.” “It is the way of things sister. If we revealed ourselves the races would go to war again over who could possess our power, or they would expect us to rule them. We have spoken of this quite often before.” “It would end the strife that has developed again. They are all the same race, yet they still fight and this makes us all weaker. Better that we rule them and force them to cooperate than let this divide grow even larger and let them be picked off by other races or even each other again. That was a dark time before brother, one that I will not see repeated no matter what must be done to stop it.” “You would enslave your own to prevent conflict? “ “If it was necessary to stop them from killing one another. I would repaint their hides myself to one color so they stopped their foolishness.” “Do not speak of things like that. Particularly given your nature. We will not get involved directly.” “You may not get involved directly, but I will not allow it to happen again. Better they are slaves, and thralls than all dead like the Draconequus are.” “Crystal! That is enough.” The mare sighs turning away from the balcony her horn lighting up to show her the path through the room illuminating her green mane and bright green eyes, her black coat having a illustrious sheen to it that seems to reflect the light of her horn, almost giving her a glow. “You are correct in that brother. That is enough of this for now. We have other issues to attend to for the moment. Arguing over a situation that may or may not happen is pointless, particularly since neither of us is will to back down from our beliefs in the matter. Perhaps your successor will agree with me that hiding is pointless.” The stallion said nothing as the mare ruffles her wings and stormed out. Conversations like this always ended in this manner with her. The race wars had been in full swing when Crystal became an alicorn, she viewed the continued several thousand years of outright conflict, segregation and down right hate among their little ponies as her own personal failure at trying to guide them. She was a skilled manipulator, but she could not handle when things did not go as she planned. He had not expected any one of the sisters to be the ones to ascend, Crystal least of all, but they had all perished in that conflict along with most of the advanced civilizations of Equss. The former god Mobius however had given his power to Crystal. He got along well enough with her most of the time, but he and Crystal argued far more than he an Mobius had. The stallion stepped out further on to the balcony his light gray coat showing up well in the simple starlight though his white mane lay still over his back, even the mountains tops wind blowing over him did not ruffle his hair. His cutie mark was hidden under a cloak he wore that his love had made him, there was a matching hat that he never wore as he thought it was silly, granted he would never say that to Clover. He sighs glancing back towards the monastery behind him. Fights like this made him wonder if Crystal was correct. And that he was too caught in the past to see the changes happening, hiding from the others had gotten harder over the years and indirectly assisting the pony races was near impossible at times. Perhaps she was correct, that they should rule. It was not as if he expected Crystal or himself to become a tyrant like what the zebra's and Storm had done, but he just did not feel it was the way things should be. Perhaps he should be looking for his replacement, despite the current situation with storm and the last Draconequus. What was his name again? Ah Yes. That was it. “Discord, his name is Discord.” mutters the alicorn. “Poor creature....” ===================================================== Princess. By the stars do I hate that title. It's little more than announcing to the world that you are a trophy. Something only good enough to be rescued by some hero or another, or married off to ensure the future of a kingdom. Something that's only purpose is to present it's flank to be mounted and hopefully produce a colt. Little more than a high class whore when you think about it. Not that there have not been exceptions. My grandmother was one. Princess Platinum, the mare that helped found a new empire when the old was dying. A mare who spat in the face of every one when she refused to wed and once her father died, took over declaring herself Queen. Eventually she did marry, or I wouldn't be here, though again she spat in the face of the way things were and married one of her own guards. A unicorn from a common house she had an eye for. Something my father never forgave her for, for ruining his precious linage with common blood. To say my father hated my grand father was a understatement. When he finally made the move to kill my grandmother and usurp her rule, he made sure that everything pointed to his father being the culprit of the poisoning. Rather than let any one investigate his claims, he flew into a proper 'rage' and slew the 'murderer' before any questions could be raised. Before her body had even cooled he declared himself king. He took several wives and true to form has sought to remake unicorns the rulers of all three pony races once more. I'm one of the two daughters of his first wife, the fat goat is on his third now, a vapid pink thing that probably doesn't have a brain cell left with amount of wine she consumes. I've four other siblings three sisters and a new born colt that seems to be the prize my father has been seeking since he mounted his first mare. I'm half tempted to strangle him in his sleep and follow his example by claiming rule by bloodshed. But I digress. I am a Princess and I hate it. Particularly since at sixteen my father decided that he wanted me wed and out of his house. His first prospects were dissuaded by my attitude. One suitor that was almost tolerable was turned away for not being important enough by my father. The last one thought to take ad vantage of the 'delicate Princess' and have his way with her so my father would be forced to let him marry the 'impure flower' I had become. I am told the colt might still live a normal and happy life as a gelding. I might be an angry, bitter teenager at this point, but I am also the strongest spell caster the kingdom has seen since Clover the Clever vanished to the mountain when my grandmother died. All self taught as well, my father would never allow a mare to learn anything past what would be needed in a kitchen or bedroom. Having a daughter that wound up being closer to him in drive than the effeminate colt he calls a son unnerves him greatly. Or perhaps that is simply me. He see his own ambitions reflected in my eyes and he is terrified of it. Well I choose to believe the latter any way. My Name is Avianna Platinum, and I hate being a Princess. ============================================== “Alright. Explain this again to me. And do stop attempting to use large words, you continue to choke on them as they leave your throat.” I sigh looking across the table at the scrawny looking pegasus seated on the other side of the table. My greeting chambers were not much, granted crammed up in a tower as they were it was amazing I even had a greeting chamber. Father granted his 'eldest daughter still living at home' the tower in a effort to get me out of his sight most of the time and put me in a place he could keep an eye on me. He had some of his loyal Guards stationed at the bottom of the stairs. In his words to protect me, in my words to keep an eye on my comings and goings, as the stairs were the only entrance and exit from the tower. Granted it was not as if I couldn't levitate down the side of the tower, or spider climb down it, or buck even teleport. Granted the latter was a bit risky as my new step mother saw fit to rearrange the castle furniture nearly every other day. Getting shunted into an cabinet of fine dishes once was more than enough for me. That was probably why father allows her to do it. At any rate the scrawny blue and gold pegasus stallion before me stammered out his explanation again. “I …. I I put the poison in the cup as you ordered mistress. I did it just as you said.” The large sky blue earth pony stallion behind him snorted pushing a strand of his black mane from out of in front of his green eyes, the stripes of red in his mane adding a slight air of menace to his already imposing form. “You dumped the whole bag in a cup, you only thought was the right one. “ the larger stallion grumbles. “I put it in the one I was told.....” “You were told to put it in the kings mug, the gaudiest gold chalice that was there, not the simple steel one of the noble who brought the poison for you in the first place.” “ But I...” “Silence.” I snap looking at the larger stallion. The earth pony nods stepping back a pace though his gaze remained on the pegasus. I had met Andrew a long time ago. He was supposedly related to Chancellor Puddinghead in some manner or another and when he in inevitably went insane, most of the family dropped the name and spread out as much as they could. Andrew, or Andre as he preferred, had joined the guards here while my grandmother still ruled and had been assigned as one of my guards. The earth pony was one of those rare individuals who's loyalty, once given could not be shaken. Something I had taken advantage of immediately and aside from my elder sister, he was the only other pony who I trusted with my plans. The pegasus flinched his wings folding back hiding the potato bread loaf that was his cutiemark. I had to admit it always was of some interest to see a ponies cutiemark match up with what their purpose in life was. Potato was a baker of bread, quite good bread too. Andre's cutie mark was a black snake wrapped around a spear. Most would consider some one with a cutiemark of a snake to be a treacherous sort. Something I suggested Andre encourage. After all any one after me would likely try to use him first and I trust him to inform me so I might deal with it. My own cutie mark is a bit more nebulous a open book made out of white and purple crystal with a single feather quill across the corner. The open pages are blank and the cutiemark came to me while I still very young and had not even learned to read. There was no fan fare, I was doing nothing of importance, one moment I was without it and the next it was there. Though perhaps that was the first time I expressed dislike of my situation or my father, but I do not recall. I started studying magic soon after for my revenge. I reached a hoof up pushing a strand of my amber hair out of my face before looking out my open balcony to the night sky. “You not only failed to poison the king, you managed to poison the pony who brought the poison and was going to take the blame for poisoning the king, thus setting us back years. They will be looking into the murder now and you were the one who last had access to the wine. Did any pony see you come up here?” I asked with a sigh. “N.. no mistress. I waited til dark like usually before flying up.” The pegasus stammers. I nod to Andre who trots over pulling a saddlebag from a wardrobe near the door dropping the bag over the pegasus's back with a yelp, strapping it carefully on the pony. “There are a number of bits in the bags for your trouble, but you will have to fly away from here rather fast. Do you understand?” I explain to the pegasi's nodding. The pony quickly trots over to the window looking out. “I.. I am sorry mistress.” he stammers. I look to Andre and toss my head a bit. The large earth pony grabs the pegasus covering his mouth with one hoof and quickly snapping the smaller ponies left wing. I wince at the crack of bone and the muffled cry and whimper. “Potato you realize that I can accept failure. If you didn't manage to poison the king that would have been fine. I do not expect everything to go perfectly, chaos happens and we cannot control it. “ I sighed.” One thing I cannot stand however is incompetence. Something you have shown far more of than I had expected when I offered you this task. I will ensure your family is cared for and they will not be connected to your betrayal of the crown. That is all I can offer for your loyalty, useless as it was.” The pegasi's eyes widen as my horn glows, the small pegasus vanished with a pop from Andre's grip. I let out another sigh as there was a sudden scream and a wet crunch against the wall some where further down on my tower. Teleporting can both remove and add momentum depending on how much power you put into it. Given that I needed to make sure that Potato did not survive the impact, but the incriminating documents in his bag that pointed all evidence to another noble I wished to be rid of did. It was the balance of the force that wore me out more than the amount of power required. “I don't like it Avi.” Andre grumbles picking up a few stray feathers the pegasus had dropped tossing them in the fire place. “Nor do I. Wasting a tool like that should be a crime, but we both know my father would have found him out in time and father would not try coin to loosen his tongue first. Do you think he would survive more than the sight of the dungeons?” “No, but this still bothers me. I do not like this shadowy nonsense.” “It is the way of things. How many assassins who have been after me have you killed?” “Six this last month.” “And how many did we trace back to my father?” “Two. The rest were from the noble's son you set on fire.” “Possibly my only accidental injury in dealing with those fools to date. I threw my drink in the crude louts face. I didn't expect that he would back unto the candelabra behind him while so doused.” “No one believes that due to the earlier gelding.” Andre smirks recalling one of my earlier suitors. “I forgive mistakes Andre. I make enough of my own it would be hypocritical of me if I didn't” ======================================================= The brown unicorn mare looked up at the castle as she was escorted into it. She hated this place. The unicorn range, even the name of the place brought up old memories of the exodus and that the races of pony had not changed that much. There were also the memories of of the last time she had been here, just after the last rulers death. Her friend Queen Platinum had been killed far before her time. She knew who had done it, and she could prove who had done it, but she also recalled how noble houses worked with the unicorns and despite a desire for revenge, it was better that she was feared by the current ruler. If he worried the great hero of Equestria would out him as a murderer he would be more likely to listen to what she had to say if for nothing more than self preservation. She had been here for two days already moving unnoticed around the city in a tattered old brown cloak, picking up rumors and facts before finally strolling up to the castle and having the Guards announce her. She was in her regalia now. A bright blue cloak with small bells along the hem and a wide hat of the same material. It had been her idea for any claiming to be Starswirl to wear this outfit. Sort of a uniform for the position, most of the ponies thought it silly, particularly when she suggested a fake beard as well. Of course the king tried to deny her an audience at first. The poor fool probably thought she was there to finally oust him, or bring some bad news. The latter was true of course, but it was not as if he knew it just yet. She had ignored the messengers and strode into the castle as if she owned it. The massive gray walled structure was build similarly to the castle that they had left back in the Frozen North during the Exodus. Queen Platinum had loved the castle design and had it rebuilt, all sweeping arches and towers. Personally Clover thought it would have looked better in white and gold, instead of silvery gray and copper. The small unicorn page who brought her the latest attempt to stall was clearly in awe of her, the guards escorting her were also rather amazed by her presence. It had been close to fifteen years since she had been seen, and she doubted she looked any different from then. Most of that was illusion mind you, her green hair had a few streaks of gray , and she was showing some crows-feet around her eyes, but all the steps the temple possessed as well as other activities kept her in decent shape, particularly for a mother. Not that any one here knew that last tidbit, nor would they ever if she could help it. She didn't want to explain who the father was, or give the current King any ideas he might be able to hold something over her. “Colt go back in there and tell him he will see me in ten minutes and to finish up what he is doing before that time.” Clover smiles softly at the colt shooing him off back into the main hall. Perhaps fear, shock and awe would not be the best way to get what was needed, but sometimes that was all some ponies understood. The page had not returned after five minutes and such Clover herself simply vanished. She felt sorry for the guards she had left standing there in confusion, but she needed to get into position. A short teleportation hop past the door and she was walking invisibly in the hall sticking to the carpet to muffle the sound of her hooves. Seated in the throne at the end of the hall was a rather burly unicorn. The silver furred stallion had put on quite a bit of weight since the last time Clover saw him, and despite his attempts to hide that extra padding with fine clothing , it was rather apparent. His golden mane was pulled back behind his ears displaying the crown of Platinum perched on his head. Clover recognized it despite the addition of a number of jewels and precarious metals that made an already gaudy crown even worse. A pair of unicorns stood on either side of the throne, a green mare with black hair, and a tan stallion with a pink mane . She recognized them both as the King's advisers. Firefly, and June Bug. Neither of them were stupid, but both were little more than yes ponies to the king most of the time. “Perhaps if we stall her long enough she will go away. It is rare that anything she comes with is good news.” June Bug the stallion mutters. “That is not always true, there was the information she brought about the up coming drought. The irrigation plans devised for the fields saved many lives.” The mare Firefly states. “One good bit of news along with countless prophesies of doom and demands of supplies and ponies to build something in that star forsaken temple of hers on the mountain. Half of them never return from that accursed place. I do not believe in the slightest that any of them really choose to stay on top of a frozen peak of their own volition.” Clover sighs as the pair continue to talk nearly yelling at each other, hard to believe they were married..... then again ….. Still the time limit she gave was up and there was no point in letting this go on. “Yes, you could try to send me away or continue to guess at what I am here for King Platinum. Or you could save time for both of us and simply let me tell you myself.” Clover states. The advisers jump at the sound of her voice though the king simply growls. “I do not have time for these games Clover, or Starswirl, or what ever name you are calling yourself now.” The King grumbles. “Yes I heard you had an assassination last night, as well as finding out that the killer was rather bad at night flying. I suppose Captain Thundercloud is fully denying the allegations despite the evidence?” Clover smirks. Again the advisers seemed rather upset that Clover knew about that, though the King only seemed annoyed. “Among other things. Get to your point and be done with it Clover.” “So be it. A great crisis is coming Sterling Platinum. I will need several score of your best mages to delay this event until such a time as a more stable solution can be found. You will also need to begin storing enough food for your people to last though what could be another dire winter as in legends. I have already spoken with the other leaders and they agree with the preparation, but a force of unicorns will be vital. The fate of Equss is at stake. “ “And what is this great threat?” The King mutters. “It is best if you are not told the source. You are safer not knowing, we do not need you seeking out to try and best him yourself, that will not end well for any one.” she let the idea that she thought he might also try to ally with the threat remain silent. “So your goal is a stop gap at best by your own admittance and likely little more than the rantings of a mad mare who has been on her mountain too long.” “Sterling. You best watch you tongue.” Clover warns her eyes narrowing as the king rises trotting over to her. “No not this time. Every few years you or one of your monks comes down the mountain, shouts a few things then goes back up after making every pony panic. And each time you have a threat for us to deal with, nothing comes of it. We never see a sign that there even was a threat. Most consider this proof that you and your monks have managed to defeat it. I always, and still do, see it as a rather impressive scam to keep your little commune of star gazers fed and rolling in our wealth. So no, the mud ponies and airheads might have fallen again for your scam, but we will not. You will leave and like every other day the sun will rise and the new day will find no new unspeakable horror that you claim to protect us from.” Clover stares up at the king who was looming over her staring down at the mare. His over weight crown tipping precariously, threatening to tumble down his head and strike her. “Yes the sun rises just like it does everyday, except when it won't any more. Unicorns no longer control the sun and the moon. You have no assurances that the sun will be there to greet you in the morning any more. Do not be so sure of your self Sterling, you run a small kingdom on a large continent on an even larger world, there is far more out of your control than in it. And even what is in your control is not, or need I remind you of your assassin problem?” Clover states simply returning the kings glare with such intensity that the stallion couldn't help but pull away first. Sterling Platinum moved back and dropped into his throne with a thud and the creak of straining wood under him. He stares at the mare a moment his eyes flickering around the room looking at anything but her. After a shorter time of silence than Clover had expected, he finally spoke. “I am not going to send scores of my best on a fools errand for you Clover.” the king states. “ Particularly since you will not even so much as tell me what the threat is. I assume you have your reasons, likely it is very dangerous, deadly and possibly none of them will even come back alive. That does seem to happen to at least half the ponies that are sent with you, the rest come back with few, if any memories of what happened. “ “That was their choice to stay or return after what was seen.” Clover states. “I only have your word on that. I have never fully trusted your word. Particularly since you tend to attempt to resort to black mail to get your way far too often.” “I am amazed at that accusation Sterling, could it be your spine has finally developed?” The king snorts. “I will send one pony with you to help deal with your threat. She will determine for me if your danger is real or not . I expect I will have to send a body guard or two with her as well, though I am sure she will have her own to tag along.” “Sire you cannot mean her?” June Bug gapes. “Of course I mean her. It is not as if she is doing anything else. I will happily get her out of my mane for a while. At the very least she is smart enough to know what I would need as proof and will not be that missed if she does not make it.” “Sire I must protest , she is your daughter. If this is as dangerous as Lady Clover says..... “ Firefly adds. “I have other foals, ones who do not try to start wars between houses because they don't like whatever colt shows interest in them. Perhaps some danger and travel will show her how good she actually has it here and she might accept the next suitor I send to her. Go inform her of the arraignments Firefly. Return this time tomorrow Clover and Avianna will be waiting to go with you to see if this danger is real.” “Not even offering me a room for the night?” Clover smirks. “I offer rooms to those I want to stay here Clover. Go petition a group of the commoners for your room and board. They likely will believe your tales, I am sure many even still think you some sort of hero of the exodus. Though keep in mind Clover, even heroes can die unexpectedly.” “So can kings.” Clover states flatly. “You should consider yourself fortunate that I dislike playing the games of the nobles Sterling, or you would not have lived long enough to sire your first foal, let alone your sixth.” Sterling growls as Clover simple ceases to be, the faint pop of a teleport echoing lightly in the room, nearly drown out by the grinding of the kings teeth. ================================================== “This has to be a trap.” Andre states for perhaps the fifth time in as many minutes. I largely ignore his ramblings. Though he is a loyal and trustworthy friend, at times he focuses on things that are quite obvious, or completely boring. What bothered me was not the supposed mission I was being sent on, but that Clover the Clever had some how slipped past my network of spies, and had been in the city long enough to know about the assassination attempt and the body being found, as well as who was implicated by what Potato had in his bags. My own spy network had not gained that information on their own yet, and Clover knew about it. My grandmothers best friend worried me greatly. Not only due to her skills in magic and her deft mind, but every time she showed up my father developed a sour mood which made him even less tolerable to be any where near. My fathers adviser had brought me the news that I would need to prepare for a trip the next morning. Firefly didn't bother to tell me where or what for, though that was quickly found out. While Firefly was rather tight lipped, her husband June Bug was a gossip. When the cooks and maids found out, I was also made aware. It likely helped that most of the maids were sweet on Andre. The stallion could have his pick of any of the mares in the castle with his build, even some of the more speciest minded of the unicorns would have set that aside for a roll in the hay with the large pony. To tell the truth I had considered something like that myself once or twice, though Andre was the sort of pony that mated for life. I was not that sort of pony. Still he was not above listening to the maids gossiping and flirting with them a bit. To me however, he was a friend and a bodyguard, nothing more. He knew this and did not seem bothered by it at all, perhaps he had no attraction to me, or he hid it well. I mean after all I am stunning if I do say so myself, and I do. In any event I knew I was being sent with Clover to the temple on the mountain for a potentially dangerous mission that had the fate of Equss at stake. To say I was excited was an understatement. I knew my father was just trying to get rid of me, hoping that I would either stay at the temple or be killed. It was fairly clear he did not believe a word of what Clover said. I myself some what doubted it, but then again it was rare my grandmothers friend came down the mountain to say anything. There was a very good chance that she spoke the truth and that something big was happening. Something that could make my name known across Equss, perhaps even more widely than my grandmother's. My thoughts ran away with me at this point of course, imagination can be a powerful thing. Particularly thoughts about usurping my father, removing his horn and forcing him to do farm work for the rest of his days. I loved those thoughts. It was in these thoughts that I dwelt when the flash of magic drew me out of them. Andre was still grumbling and going over a check list of what he planned to bring. I trusted he would have one for me as well so I had not thought to prepare much more than one or two items of personal importance. My grandmothers locket and my mothers personal spell book. I lifted my head at the flash of power my green eyes shifting over the room as I regarded every corner and nook in my meeting room. Something was off. Pushing a strand of my amber mane from my eyes I looked around again. Andre picked up on my worry and rested a hoof on the haft of his spear as he scanned around the room as well. “What is it?” he muttered. Before I could answer a voice from the far side of the room spoke up. “Impressive. You felt me even while I was masking my presence. Not many can do that. Perhaps you will be of more use than I thought.” Clover slowly fades into view flipping though my mothers spell book. “Wise selection of spells here, more advanced than many of the scholars here learn.” I glance to the table seeing that the book was indeed gone before glaring at the green maned mare who closed the book and tossed it though the air towards me. I reflexively caught it in my magic and set it back on the table while Clover stared at me. “Oh do relax, I am certain you know who I am already and I already know you Avianna and Andrew. Or do you prefer Andre?” My guardian nodded slowly, though his hoof had not left the spear on the table. Is there a reason you are here Lady Clover?” I question. “I had not expected to meet you until tomorrow.” “Yes, well, about that. Time is of the essence and all. How soon can you be ready to travel?” Clover questions.” I do not plan to give Sterling any time to reconsider. I wish to leave tonight. “ Andre glances to me and I nod. “I have a few more things to grab before we head out. “ Andre states. “It should not take me more than an hour.” “You are coming as well then? Alright go do what you need to, I have a few questions for Avianna here.” Clover smiles. “ Do not worry about too much, we can outfit you at the temple as well.” Andre looks back at me before picking up his spear and collapsing the stock of it down before tucking the weapon into his harness and trotting out the door. I glance back at Clover who moved over to pull a chair out and take a seat with a small groan at the table. “I'm not cut out for this any more. Too much walking.” Clover grumbles. “At your age I am amazed you are alive to be walking.” I state getting a glare from Clover. “I'm not even fifty yet you realize. I've got a few score years left in me even without longevity spells.” Clover snorts. I was only 11 when I squired for your grandmother's journey. Pansy and Cookie are both older than me by far. “ “Why would my grandmother bring out some one that young?” “Cause she was sixteen and no one else was willing to wander the wilderness with a stuck up Princess.“ Clover says slowly leaning on the table and looking at me. “Which makes me wonder about you. You are barely eighteen, far older than most nobles daughters to be unwed. You have a impressive command of spells and judging by the dead assassin, you have quite a bit invested in the nobles game as well. So it makes me question what sort of pony you are.” I blink slowly, doing my best to give no outside sign of my involvement with Potato, though denying it would also mean something. The news was not widely spread yet so I was unsure of what details Clover may have that I shouldn't. “Last I heard he wasn't dead, this is this about my setting that suitor on fire? That was accidental, well throwing the alcohol in his face was not, I didn't think the fool would catch himself on fire.” I chuckle lightly, trying not to make it sound forced. “Teleportation takes a great deal of skill dear. Skill that I have rarely seen any pony in this city process. It requires power and a great deal of finesse. That spell book of yours has a number of scribbles in the margins of the page. Most of them alterations to the spell, something that one could formulate only if one could perform it. They were not in there when I gave the book to your mother, and they are not her hoof writing.” Clover simply stares at me. “ All magic also leaves a trace of the caster if you know what to look for.” “What are you getting at?” I question, my eyes locked with hers. “I am well aware of what happened to your Grandmother and your mother Avianna. I am sorry that I was unable to help either of them. But I do not like the idea that you are trying to play the game.” “Would you prefer I say that I am seeking to kill my father?” I snap. “Oddly yes.” Clover exhales. “I cannot think of a stallion who would deserve it more. Particularly considering he is sending you out in what he thinks is a suicide mission to acern the nature of this threat he doesn't believe exists.” “Is it?” “Is it what? A suicide mission? Perhaps, I'm simply to bring you to the temple and let an, hmmm, associate of mine explain everything. I am not sure what he might tell you. I was hoping for a score of unicorns that we might gain control if things get too dire, even as strong as your magic is I do not see you able to wrest control from the one who has it.” “Are you always this cryptic?” “At least until I know I can trust some one. I can trust you further than your father already, but I trust him about as far as he could throw this castle.” “All at once or brick by brick?” Clover smiles. “I think you will do just fine Avianna, so long as you keep in mind, we do not play the game in Canterlot. So do not try to play it with us.” ===================================================== Of all the things I had done in my short life, trekking through the snowy mountains at midnight in a snow storm while following a old pony in a cloak to some ambiguous location is possibly the worst. I had dressed warmly and even cast a spell to help retain heat over myself and Andre, Clover declined, and I was still freezing. Trudging up the slope for what seemed like hours, and probably was, Clover finally came to a stop and peered through the snow storm into the night. After standing there long enough for me to think ice was forming on my tail, I opened my mouth to speak, just as a flash of green light burst from her horn striking the snow in front of us. After another few moments standing there in which I was sure I had ice growing on my tail, the ground before us lit up in a blue trail climbing the mountain. I watched as the snow and ice before us started to melt, steam rising into the air over the glowing lines followed by a great wave of heat. As the steam cleared a set of black crystalline stairs came into view from under the snow,leading up into the mountain. Andre whistled appreciatively as Clover smirked under her hood trotting up the stairs, her hooves splashing in the melt water. I followed along noting the ground was warm, almost hot under my hooves, even the water running over them was pleasantly warm. Looking up I could see the glowing stairs rise higher into the mountain. “Come on. The spell won't last forever and you don't want to be standing here when the water refreezes.” Clover chuckles as she starts up the stairs. The two of us glanced at her then each other following quickly up the heated stairs. The climb had become much easier and the higher we climbed on the mountain, the warmer it became. Looking back through the snow I could barely make out the city far below, the giant fires of the watch towers little more than specks from this distance. I let out a sigh watching my breath mist up and be blown away in the breeze. “The view makes you feel a bit insignificant doesn't it. All that you've known is little more than a speck from all the way up here. As if your life has little meaning in the end.” Andre mutters still looking back at the points of light. “It simply makes me want to yell louder that 'I am here'.” I state with a small smirk walking past my friend following the brown mare up into the gray haze of mist and snow before us. Some more time passed, in which I added stairs to the list of potential torture devices to add to my mental arsenal for when I was ruler. I could force some one to climb endlessly, likely they would admit to anything after only a few floors. I looked up to see clover talking to some one, a white shape, who was then gone before I could get a good look at them, vanished in the falling snow. “What...?” I stammer. “Pegasi... three of them. They've been following us for a little while now.” Andre whispers. “Rather skilled too to be in this storm unnoticed.” “You noticed them.” I suggest. “I saw the glimmer in their eyes from the glow of the stairs. They're wrapped in white and silent. If I hadn't noticed the glint I would have missed them too.” “Right, well they spoke with Clover so I expect they are friendly.” “We must be getting close.” Andre nods. “Finally.” I practically shout, my voice echoing back suddenly from in front of us. Looking up I spot a pair of massive white stone doors set into the side of a cliff face. They seemed large enough to allow a dragon to enter them with wings outstretched and still not touch the sides. Clover stopped looking up at the doors, a smile on her features as they slowly begin to open, a billowing blast of heat radiating from the massive doors. As soon as they were open wide enough to allow a pony entrance, Clover started forward again. The tall doors stretched up to a cavernous ceiling. High above us three white forms darted between the doors and vanished into the dimly lit air space inside. Clover paused to shake free the snow on her cloak, before pulling back her hood. A pair of earth ponies trotted up taking her cloak and her saddle bags as the door closed behind us. “Go ahead, they'll take your gear and bring it to your rooms. He will want to meet you before you get settled in for the night. I expect you are tired from the climb, but please bear with me a bit longer.” Clover explains. I reluctantly relinquish my saddlebags and cloak as does Andre, though he retains his collapsed spear and harness. Clover leads us onward though the massive hall way. The structure seemed carved out of the mountain itself, there were very few details of note, the entire place seeming to prefer function over form. Nothing wrong with that though it made for a dull main hall. A number of ponies, a few Diamond Dogs, and what I assumed was some sort of Ram, moved along the halls around us, most of them bowing to clover or giving her a nod of greeting before heading through one of the multiple doors leading out of the massive hall to chambers beyond. None of them looked like guards, though only a few looked like servants or monks, it seemed more like a massive city street than any sort of castle. Clover finally moved to the left and towards a set of double doors. A pair of ponies stood outside them seemingly discussing something. The first was unicorn who was a strangely tinted purple with a blond mane and tail. He wore a pair of glasses and his cutie mark was an open eye with a crescent moon in the iris. The second was a long haired zebra with what I could only describe as perfect flowing hair with a dignified touch of gray at the temples and a square jaw filled with perfect white teeth like a military cemetery. He was dressed in a white coat with a number of pockets that were filled with quills, bits of paper and tubes. “Good to see you are back Ms Clover.”the zebra states, in a voice like caramel with oaky tones. “Do not approach the dog park.” the unicorn states suddenly with a small shiver. “What ?” Clover asks. “He woke up this morning and turned his entire room into a dog park. Any one who enters gets turned into a corgi or something.” the zebra sighs. “ Cecil spent three hours as a basset hound. He's still in shock.” “Dogs are not allowed in the dog park, ponies are not allowed in the dog park,the dog park will not harm you.....” Cecil continues as the zebra pushes him away. “Come on Cecil lets get you some ice cream.” “There's less flavors... but they're better.....” Cecil mutters. Andre and I look at Clover who simply shrugs. “We have another visitor who is having a rough time of it … don't worry about him... Your rooms will be in another wing.” ============================================== The three of us continue down the hall all the way to the end and a simple, if large, wooden door. Clover pushes it open trotting in before glancing back at us. “Wait here a moment.” Clover orders, trotting off across the room to another door, lighting a simple iron candle chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I move further into the room as it's illuminated. Clover closes the door behind her as she leaves while I look around. The place was a study of some sort, a few scattered tables, three of the walls lined with book shelves filled with books, the third lined with two padded benches and a large glass window that opened up onto a balcony covered in snow. I moved over to the shelves looking at the titles along the spines, rather surprised to see that only a few of them seemed to be written in pony. I recognized zebra, and griffon text, though I was unsure of the larger books as they were in some sort of runic I did not under stand. I was so engrossed in my examination of the books that I didn't hear the door open nor any one walk in until Andre muttered my name. I turned away from the bookcases looking to Andre who was staring at the door Clover had trotted through. Looking to the door myself I saw a pony that stood perhaps two heads taller than Andre. His coat was a soft gray coloration, his short mane and tail a pure white. He had a long beard that fell down his chest and seemed perfectly maintained and styled. His cutie mark was a dark gray spiral, dotted with four silver stars of various sizes. The most prominent features of the stallion however were the long spiraled unicorn horn emerging from his head just under his hairline and a pair of massive gray wings folded over his back. I couldn't help but stare, and out of the corner of my eye I could see Andre was in a similar position of awe and confusion at the stallions appearance. “Avianna Platinum, and Andrew Pie I presume?” the stallion smiles. “It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Starswirl the Bearded.