My name is Star Swirl, I carried this book with me while travelling around the Unicorn Kingdom and many other dangerous lands. throughout the ages some of the pages have faded or torn. I apologize for this. I also apologize for my plain writing style, I am not a writer after all.
The information I have recorded within here however, needs no apology. I made the effort to record my travels as I discovered facts and advice that every pony can depend upon in the future. I am proud to trust my discoveries in the hooves of King Platinum, this book was given to me by him, in which to write my findings about the missing dragons. He asked that upon my return from my journey and an official library copy had been made, the original should be given to his daughter and heir of the Unicorn Kingdom, Princess Platinum.
This journey was a great honour for me and a pleasure too. Princess Platinum and I rarely see each other now, sadly, I am encumbered with tasks from King Platinum on creating new spells. When we were young, we often spent time together, as the Head Wizard I was tasked with training the princess in various magic.
King Platinum's request of me presented many problems for other countries too, after all, when the dragons first started disappearing, the Pegasus Tribe was quick to accuse the Earth Tribe. The King predicts that unless the Unicorn Kingdom can make peace with the Earth pony Tribe and the Pegasus Tribe, war could be on the horizon. The King's head advisor, Faint Memory, had a solution that he refused to share with me; he requested that I write only in lead. It is true that the secrets held in this book could ruin entire empires overnight. Magical inscription or ink can not be reverted, however, Faint Memory is able to make 'changes' as he see's fit, in order to protect the other countries, should they discover the original findings in this book.
It is for the best, it is very unlikely that Princess Platinum will be able to make any sense of my poor writing either. It is blurry shapes compared to the fine palace script that she is used to.
As you can see from my introduction, I agreed to take this journey, I had no choice. An opportunity to explore the kingdom and go in search of dragons? Any other pony would be mad to take on such a task. Everything I have learned on my journey led me back here, however I truly believe that the secrets contained within this book should be shared. That is why before I completed my journey across the Unicorn Kingdom, I turned to my dear long life friend, Leather Binding. Page by page, he rewrote all of my findings. Nothing changed unless I requested it. And truth be told, there were a few small alterations to be made with every chapter.
Thanks to Leather Binding, this book is now a fitting gift for Princess Platinum, even with her recent disdain for reading. But I prey she will take to heart the importance of the secrets kept within, even if Princess Platinum never reads this books full text, I'm sure she will enjoy the Poetry of the Dragon Tongue, taught to me by dragons themselves. They are unique to this book, as I am the only living unicorn with the knowledge of the dragon language.
Princess Platinum is a very intelligent, thoughtful mare. I remember teaching her at a young age, I remember the word games and magic puzzles we enjoyed together. I'm sure she will show great interest in learning the secrets contained within this book's pages.
In faith,
Star Swirl
Head Wizard in the time of King Platinum.
KiNZON, KOD, ViiNG
YOL NUiLE
KOS DOVAH ROT.
When King Platinum first tasked me with this journey, my first thought was to decline. I was the Head Wizard, not some prancing explorer. But my mind shortly changed that one faithful day.
I remember waking up, it was dawn. The previous day, the King's advisor Faint Memory informed me that the King requested an audience with, it was such an honour. I frantically paced around my chambers mentally searching my brain for what the King could possibly want from me, suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. It felt like my heart stopped, I quickly looked at my reflection in my dressing mirror. I wouldn't call myself the most handsome stallion by far, my coat of fur was a boring grey colour and my mane was a very plain icy white. My mark was a dead give-away of my name, it was a swirling pattern of stars and in the centre was a large five-point star.
"Head Wizard Star Swirl? Are you ready to see the King?" I knew the voice straight away, it was Faint Memory.
"Yes head advisor, I am ready." I trotted over to the wooden door and opened it using the magic of my horn, a simple spell really.
"Excellent, his highness is ready to see you, I will take you to him." He walked and I followed, he was taking me to the grand hall, where King Platinum spent most of his time. The palace was built by some of the best masonries from the Earth Tribe, a gift to the Unicorn Kingdom for proving the four seasons of the year. I'm sure in the future, a more grand palace will be built.
We arrived, the grand hall, there were ten guardsponies on each side of the long luxurious red carpet, lined up with spears. King platinum sat on his throne, we approached, Faith Memory stood by the King's side as I kneeled.
"Rise Star Swirl." I did as I was told and rose. "I have a great task for you, if you accept this quest, stories of your heroism will be told for centuries to come."
"What is it you ask my lord?" I asked him.
"I want you to hunt dragons." I couldn't believe it at the time, my mind instantly filled with questions and I needed answers.
"I'm sorry my lord, did you say dragons?"
"Yes, Faint Memory has given me evidence to believe that dragons are going extinct. I know we have settled our quarrels with the dragon kin. However that does not explain their disappearance, I fear if the Pegasus and Earth Tribes discover this, they will likely blame each other or us." he stood and walked up to me. "That is why I want you to journey to the five known breeding grounds, once you are there I want you to study the dragons and their behaviour. It might explain just what is going on." He walked back to his throne, his horn glowed as he lifted a large wooden box to me.
I remember that box to this very day, it was carved out of the finest oak I had ever seen, the jewels shined brightly. "I want you to take this," What was inside was even more valuable, a large book, it smelled of fresh parchment. "record all your findings in this book. I am asking you to do this because I fear by the time you return from your journey, my strength will have faded and my daughter will take my place on the throne."
"Don't wish yourself ill my lord." I spoke.
"No, I don't. But I want my daughter to know of your findings regardless." He walked back to his throne and sat down. "When are you able to leave Star Swirl?" It was so sudden, I had to decide. Did I really want to go on this journey?
"I can leave tomorrow if you can organise supplies." I said.
"Excellent! Faint Memory, please provide Star Swirl with anything he requests." He stood again and looked right at me. "Tonight we shall have a feast to celebrate your heroism, send out invitations to the royal guests." he barked to a nearby guard.
"Yes my lord." The guardspony nodded his head and galloped away.
"And you! Find my daughter, I must talk with her." He yelled to another guard, then he turned back to me. "Star Swirl, do as you please until then, I will send my advisor to find you. when it is time."
"Thank you my lord." I bowed my head once more and took my leave.
That evening, I stood in front of my mirror just like I did that morning. I wasn't fussy about my appearance, but to dine with royalty was a rare privilege. I picked out a scarlet red bow-tie and slipped it on, that bow-tie was my favourite.
During the spare time I had left I decided to make and attempt to complete some spells I was working on, the spell in question was my own creation, I had started scripting it only five years prior to taking my journey and it is still far from completion. Suddenly there was I knock at my door, that could only Faint Memory I thought. Oh how wrong I was.
There she was, a beautiful mare wearing a lovely purple velvet cloak standing at my door. No guards in sight, which was an odd thing. "Princess Platinum?" I asked.
"Good evening Star Swirl." She said with a smile.
"Are the guests ready to arrive?" I asked her. She shifted in place, she looked uncomfortable, which was strange since we spent many hours together training magic when she was just a foal.
"Um... Actually no, I was wonderin- I mean, I wanted to know if you-" She wasn't just uncomfortable, she was shy, one of her many attractive traits.
"Is there something wrong Princess?" I asked.
"Star Swirl?" She paused again "Would you do me the honour of escorting me to dinner!?" she shouted. Naturally I was shocked, she wanted me to be her dinner date? A great honour I would never deny, of course I would accept her invitation.
"I would like that," I said as I stepped out of my chambers and closed the door behind myself. "shall we?" She was strangely affectionate, still filled with a nervous mixture of fear and shyness I suspected. She pressed up against my side, her soft silky fur was warm against mine.
A short time later we arrived at the grand dining hall, some unicorns had already arrived. The long table carved out of the finest wood held many plates of food as well as several dozen crystal glasses already filled with wine. The King had a great interest in anything to do with crystals.
When the Princess and myself arrived side by side, the room full of unicorn fell silent as they stared at us. I wasn't sure if I did something wrong or not. "Star Swirl, please come. Sit." The King spoke up from the very end of the table. "You too, my daughter." We walked up to him and I took my seat next to his left and the Princess sat to my left. "Would you like some wine friend?" He asked.
"Thank you my lord." I replied politely. He clopped his hooves together and a servant was there instantly.
"My lord? Pssh... Bother not with the formalities. Just call me- uh- Hmmm, Okay lord is appropriate I guess. Or King, just King is fine too." He chuckled deeply. The servant unicorn poured wine into my crystal glass, I thanked him as he moved to pour the Princess her glass of wine. "I'm really proud of you Star Swirl, our country needs this." He was quick to change the topic.
"Well, I'm not one for exploring. But I would do anything to help find what you seek my lord."
"I hope so. To be the one to solve this strange happening is an honour, and our alliance with the dragons will surely strengthen." He chuckled lightly and took a deep drink of his wine.
It's fair to say that the dinner went successfully, we had many drinks and plenty of food too. A unicorn played a harp low in the background as every pony socialised with each other, the king and I talked about my journey, while the princess only worried about my safety.
By that evening, I had returned to my sleeping quarters, full of food and slightly intoxicated. I collapsed onto my bed, curled up and wrapped my quilt around myself to gather warmth. With what energy I had left I flared my horn and zapped the music box that was positioned on the night stand by my bed, the music box was not my creation, but my spell was. I designed the spell specifically to wake myself up when I needed. In the morning the music box would come to life and wake me up.
The next morning as the music box zapped into life and began playing it's melodic tune, warm rays of light peered into my room through the curtains. Right on time. I stretched and yawned as I shifted out of my bed. Today was the day, the day I leave the palace and start my journey. Who knows what I will encounter out there, I could meet powerful dragons! Or they could eat me in one quick gulp, but I'm willing to take on the risks this journey might hold for me.
And as if on cue, there was a knock at my door. "Just a moment!" I announced. After quickly searching my brain for anything I might have forgotten, I turned to the door and took one last look at what was my home for the last twenty-odd years. I dearly missed that room while I was on my journey, I still do to this day.
"Yes advisor?" I asked as I answered my door.
"Are you ready?" He said.
"As I will ever be," I looked back at my living quarters one last time. "lead the way." I said as I closed the door for the last time ever.
"Excellent, the King is waiting for you in his throne room."
We made haste and soon enough found ourselves inside the King's throne room, there he was, sitting as he did most of the time, his ever-beautiful daughter was by his side.
"Welcome Star Swirl, I expect you are ready?" He said.
"Yes my lord. Once I collect my supplies I can leave within the hour."
"Excellent my boy! The whole kingdom thanks you for your noble decision." He got up from his seat and walked over to me. "Stay safe Star Swirl." He wrapped his hooves around me and hugged tightly.
"Thank you my lord." He stepped away and returned to his seat, the princess approached me soon after and brought forth a shimmering crystal amulet, she and her father always did have a strange fascination with crystals. "Star Swirl, I know your magic is of the highest level, but I want you to take this with you on your journey." She placed the amulet around my neck. "It is enchanted with a dream spell, if you ever get homesick or just want to check if everything is safe here in the Unicorn Kingdom. All you have to do is drink from water that has been touched by the crystal, whatever or whoever you picture in your mind when you drink, you will visit in spirit when you next sleep."
"Remarkable." I replied, this was truly magic I had never seen before. The King was right when he said crystals had amazing magical properties. "How did you come across this?" I asked.
"Some secrets are best left a secret." The Princess smiled and kissed me on the cheek, I couldn't help but blush sightly.
And so there I was standing at the edge of the Unicorn Kingdom boarder that evening with only my saddlebags full of supplies, this was it. No turning back now. I struggled to take that first step, at the time I wished I could turn around and run back to the Palace. But something inside me argued otherwise, before I knew it all my hooves took a step forward and wouldn't stop.
Author's Notes:
I know this section of text usually goes into the Author's Notes section, but if you are reading from a tablet device (like I do), then you'll know that most reader settings don't allow you to read multiple text's. Anyway, please let me know if you want me to continue this, I enjoyed writing it. I will continue it if enough readers find it interesting.
This story was inspired by all things dragons, such as the Skrim video game for example, notice the poem at the top is written in dovah. It took me about 40 minuets to translate those 8 words.
