//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Destiny Flux // Story: Tales of Trotbhala // by Liracrowned //------------------------------// Each turned page was exciting. Today’s lead was good, I could just feel it. Today’s the day. Finally progress on finding out what happened to the Princess’s parents; a mystery that has remained unsolved for far too long. Flipping page after page, just speeding through text. Individual words aren't important. My mind wanders as my vision darts back and forth over the words on the page. It’s easy to recognize the words even if you aren't really reading them closely, just looking for key phrases that migh- “Oh, what’s this?” “-see through flashbacks. Mixing the ruby gem root…” with a sigh I go back to skimming the text “Irrelevant, that species has been extinct for a long time now” my words trail off as I get back to the book. Somehow I know I will find something today. I couldn't say why I’m so sure though. Some days you just have that feeling, right? Time passes. Book after book after book. I move them off the desk and onto the floor. Not really looking as I move them away, just setting the next book in front of me. Just to be replaced again by another old tome. Hours have passed and now only two books remain on my desk. All the others have been placed neatly on the floor by the table. It is disappointing to have nothing to show for it; yet my confidence is still high. Something will be in one of these two books. I decide to slide the bottom book out and look at it first. What one is looking for is always the last place they find it, right? Yeah, yeah, it doesn’t work like that. The Book is a dark amber color with a plane cover, no graphics or trimming. Looking at the title makes the book feel equally drab, “Legendary Artifacts at Shifting Intervals” sure sounds exciting. But, I will end up reading ether way at this rate. May as well get it out of the way now, so I can move on to “The Magical Properties of Dust”. Woo. Opening the cover and turning past the flyleaf my eye catches a signature on the title page. “Wartwood? As in the Wartwood?” How strange. This book was at the research institute, but all of Wartwood’s personal collection should be at the castle library. Usually it’s a logistical nightmare to get ahoof on any of his personal work. I would know. Wait. Did he write this? Quickly flipping back to cover to check, but there is no author name. Maybe a single print? I begin flipping through pages. Only a few pages in a phrase catches my eye. “-is an object which can allow one to see back to brief moments in time.” Could this be? Trying to find a starting place I read in more detail. “While talking with locals they have told me many legends of strange artifacts in these lands. One of which is an object that can allow one to see back to brief moments in time. Apparently moments one should have no knowledge of or reason to see, so long as one knows exactly what they’re looking for.” This is it! Or, at least it’s something. My eyes skim through looking for any important details when I begin to hear knocking at the door. “Uhhh~ just a minute!” I shout as I try to drag myself from the pages. Rushing to the door I open it to find a pony with fine white fur, wearing a blue jacket and hat. This pony works with the mail service. And he seems as enthusiastic an slightly late as always. “Oh, Swift Trot.” Inspecting him a bit more he has a package. It appears to be a book I sent for from Reinalon, it’s a bit late but considering the lead I think I found I’m not too worried about it. “That’s for me?” “Hey, Destiny. Yeah, package here you need to sign for.” He says in his chipper-as-always voice. As I sign for it I drift it out of his hoof and over my head. “Hey Swift, I know you’re busy but can you wait a moment? I have a letter I need you to deliver.” “Oh, sure. No problem.” “The thing is I haven’t actually written it yet, but it’ll just take a moment.” “Al-righty, just a moment then.” He says quite happily. This is probably why he is always a little bit late with deliveries. He has a habit of chit-chatting and sticking around places. But Swift is a hard worker and friendly so nopony seems to mind his lateness. Getting a quill and paper I begin to start writing the letter, to which I address the royal guard of the castle requesting an escort. Stopping for a moment I go back to the study to get Wartwood’s book and bring it to where I am writing the letter. My eyes skim the pages talking about the artifact again. Somewhere it was talking about a location. I mutter to myself as look. “Ah, here.” It says it is supposedly in a temple west of Boltsamore, near Napenarrow Pass. It’s pretty far; but the guard has helped me on a few expeditions in the past and the journey to Boltsamore is straightforward. I expect they will lend me a hoof again for this one. Finishing the letter I hover it over to Swift Trot. “This letter is important, it needs to get to the castle guard.” My words came in a voice more serious then I intended. A worried look forms on his face. “Is it urgent? I can go straight there if it is.” “No. No, go ahead and finish off your route. It is important; but not urgent.” It feels urgent to me, but I have been researching and looking for answers on this matter for years. Another day won’t hurt and little time to research the area would be nice. Besides, Swift is already behind schedule today, I shouldn’t send him out of his way for this. “Alright. I’ll get it there today after I finish up then.” He says as he turns to leave, “Have a good evening miss Flux.” I don’t like being called miss. But I wave and smile as he trots away.