Mortal Equines

Chapter One: Word From The North

“I don’t think the Princesses ever existed. I mean, sure, we have the castle, but if they existed... why would they let things become like this?”

The strange creature raised a clawed paw towards me and waved, a toothy grin written large across his features. Again. This dream again. I’ve been having this recurring dream for the last several weeks, every time I close my eyes to sleep. At first, the devilish being would cause me to wake in a cold sweat, with a tremble to my hoof and a terror in my heart.

        As with every other instance of this dream, he merely sat on his tree stump, waving to me, with that smug, knowing look upon his face. It no longer scared me so much as it intrigued me. Who was he, and why did he watch me as I slept? The dream began to dissolve before my eyes. The serene blue sky melted into the soft green grass, the likes of which couldn’t have existed in the outside world anymore, and I was soon once again blinking up at the painted ceiling of my shared room, in the Librarians Guild bunkhouse, Cherryway Street, tier three.

        A quick glance with sleep-blurred eyes over towards my roommate's bed confirmed that she was still here and asleep. No real surprise there, Angleberry could probably sleep through an attack on Canterlot, and that was why she was quite possibly doomed to be nothing more than an assistant until the day of her death. Of course, being a librarian, that would likely be many years in the future, unless an expedition were to be called by someone higher in the guild.

        Until such a time, though, the pumice-coloured mare would be my assistant. And as such, she should be awake by now, I thought with a mental grumble, levitating a dusty old boot over to her flank and giving her a soft whack up the rear. Countless generations of tradition had proven this to be an effective method for waking lazy underlings, and as the other mare yelped in surprise more than pain, diving from her bed, I smirked. Practical knowledge, all part of being a librarian.

        Suitably chastened, Angleberry had rushed off to get our breakfast ready in the canteen whilst I headed upstairs for the daily instructions. Most days were like this. Calm. Carefree. Canterlot had lurked in the south for the last couple of years, devouring the odd, pitiful static settlement while sending out various airships, mostly of the Merchants Guild to secure much needed supplies when necessary. The few Librarian expeditions had been small-scale, leaving ponies like myself to sort the mixed treasures they brought home.

        I passed other mares and colts of my guild as I ascended, hearing the hushed whispers of my colleagues above the ever-present background hum of Canterlot’s powerful land engines far below. It was easy to tell that something had everypony excited, just by how animated some of the usually stoic ponies were. A chestnut stallion stopped as I passed him, quickly promising to catch up with his partner before calling out to me. “Hey, Twilight!”

I paused, one hoof raised, an ear cocked back towards him.  A couple of minutes won’t cause any harm, I thought, turning to face him. “Ah, Lost Volume, good morning. What’s up?” I asked, stepping to the side to allow other ponies to continue unimpeded. Volume was hopping from hoof to hoof like a young colt on Hearth’s Warming Eve as he answered. “Didn’t you hear? Two Librarian ships came in this morning! There’ve been rumours coming down the line of an expedition into central Equestria! Not only that, some ponies  are even saying that the whole city will be following behind! Oh my gosh, I’m so excited!”

        I let out an amused snort. Volume was always looking for that ‘lucky break’ and had been trying his utmost to improve his performance scores enough to gain the attention of somepony higher in the guild hierarchy.  And surely enough, here it came. “This is the lucky break I’ve been waiting for, Twilight! I’ve been summoned to tier one! I bet they want me in the expedition! No, leading the expedition!” That stopped me short. I hadn’t expected anypony to be summoned to the main branch, just like that. That wasn’t how things were usually done, so this had to be something important. It must have shocked others who overheard him, as another pony, this one a peridot mare, stepped forwards into the conversation, stomping a hoof down. “Stop spreading nonsense, Lasty! I’ve been summoned too, and we both know that I am far more qualified to lead than you. I’d hang around to gloat, but I don’t want to be late. Might give the wrong impression, y’know? Later, Lasty, Sparky!” she said, turning tail and swiftly descending the steps before either of us could even respond.

        “I hate it when she calls me that... but she does have a point. I should go too. Take care of yourself, Twilight. And say hi to Angleberry for me, alright?” Volume said. I nodded, and he took off after Dusty Road, our green and somewhat abrasive ‘friend’, leaving me to continue on my way to the local head librarian.

        I reached the office of my boss without further interruption, stepping into the wood-panelled room. As always, the room smelled like old books and dirt. I’m not sure if that was intentional or not, but so long as the bushy-mustached, aging unicorn stallion behind the oak desk had held his position here, it had always been like this. At the age of sixty-two, he’d had this office longer than I’d been alive.

        Sunny Facade rose from his plush chair, the old wood creaking in protest as he did so, and gestured for me to close the door behind myself. “Ah, young Twilight Sparkle, delightful to have you here as always. Tell me, have you dug up any good books lately?” he asked, coming around his desk to shake my hoof as I closed the door with a soft click. Almost every day was like this. I think he’s losing his marbles, but he isn’t hurting anypony. I shook my head. “Sorry, Mr. Facade. I haven’t been on an expedition for over a year now.” I explained, ears splayed back slightly.

        Sunny gave a sympathetic smile. “That’s quite alright. I know what that’s like, I’ve been stuck in this office for decades! But you, oh no, you’re lucky! Call just came down the vine, your presence has been requested at the main branch. Looks like you’re moving up in the world, eh?” he winked, his smile growing into a grin at his own little joke.

        “R-requested?” I squeaked. “Not ‘summoned’ or ‘demanded’?” I asked, taking a step back uncertainly. The old stallion shook his head, and I could almost hear his bones creak at the movement. “Requested. And it’s about damned time, too. They can’t overlook such a talented young unicorn forever.”

        I sat back heavily on my haunches, staring off into nothingness for a few moments. Sunny returned to his chair, settling into it carefully. “You’re expected there by midday, so you’re excused from your duties. Now, if it’s alright with you... I kind of have more work to do, if you wouldn’t mind being on your way?”

        I found Angleberry busily munching her way through a bowl of plain, dry oats, an identical bowl beside her along with two glasses of orange juice. The other mare looked up, and promptly pushed the other bowl of oats over to me with a wing as I sat down opposite her. “Sorry, Twilight, but they didn’t have any fresh strawberries left by the time I got here. I managed to reserve some for dessert after dinner, though.” she smiled apologetically. I lifted my gaze from the stained, aging bowl, a spoonful of oats levitated before me. “I don’t think we’re going to be here for dinner, Angle. We’ve been called up to the castle. In fact, we’ll be leaving right after breakfast, so make sure you have your stuff.”

        Angleberry swallowed nervously. “You don’t think we’re in trouble, do you?” I shook my head slowly. “I don’t think so. A lot of other ponies have been called up, too. Two airships came in this morning, and now everypony is talking about another expedition, so...” I trailed off.

The rest of the meal passed in silence.

        The clock on the wall read 11:30 am. Almost time for me to meet with... whoever had requested my presence.

        Only one problem... we were running late, part way between tier one and three, delayed thanks to a faulty motor bundle on the east municipal elevator, number three. Formerly of the pristine track record. That little fact did nothing to help my mood. I huffed, stalking back and forth in the space the other passengers had made for me when I started having a meltdown over the delays. It’s not as if they even understand, I thought testily, glaring out one of the recently-cleaned windows at the dusty mesas of the southern badlands. Some of the ponies sharing the elevator car with me had been summoned, but that was nothing compared to having one’s presence requested, and then being late! I stomped my hooves in agitation, mentally cursing the engineers who were meant to be tasked with keeping the machinery of the city is smoothly working order.

        Just as my hooves loudly connected with the deckplate a third time, scuffing the metal, the compartment jerked into motion, rising steadily skywards while an apologetic young unicorn colt stuck his head up from the maintenance hatch, grinning sheepishly.

        I turned away, ignoring him for the rest of the journey. As I was slumping back into one of the worn seats bolted to the floor, Angleberry settling in next to me, I started, turning to my helper. “Ah, that’s right. Volume said hi, I just remembered.” Angleberry stared back at me uncomprehendingly for a moment, responding with a simple “Ah.” of her own. After a few more moments, she finally asked “Was that all?” Another nod for today’s pile answered her.

        We watched the passing wasteland for the rest of the elevator ride, taking in the details left on the world through centuries of tractionism. Here, a set of massive tracks trailing off into the horizon, perhaps from a city other cities decades ago. There, a hill half-eaten by some long-absent mining town, a wooden watchtower standing alone atop it. Dry riverbeds, tree stumps jutting from the dry earth in small patches like bones in a shallow grave. Airships began to rise past us, some ponies waving as we climbed higher above tier two. The elevator ground to a halt at tier one, and with a somewhat reluctant thanks from myself to the engineer, we stepped from the steel and glass construct, and onto tier one proper.

        The grand sighs and soothing air conditioning of a Canterlot tier one station rushed forward to greet us. It was a blessing in the heat of the badlands, and I closed my eyes, savouring the cool breeze on my coat. I could hear the whispering ruffle of feathers from beside me as Angleberry likewise enjoyed this luxury whilst she could, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Restrictions on flying varied in different areas of the city thanks to security needs and industrial hazards, so she rarely got the chance to properly stretch her wings. Despite that, she stayed with me rather than joining the Merchants, who would no doubt also value her skills. I still have yet to figure out why, exactly.

        A unicorn was waiting to meet us, managing to look more impatient than I had felt for the entire elevator ride. The habitual labcoat marked her out as an engineer, and her irksome expression intensified as she stepped forward to meet us. “Twilight Sparkle and assistant, I presume? I was sent to guide you in an hour ago, you’re late. I hardly see why an engineer should have to play guide to a librarian, but far be it from me to question the wishes of our lords and masters. Hurry, now, we haven’t much time, and frankly I have more important matters to attend to.” she said, turning neatly on the spot, her unbuttoned coat flapping open.

        Angleberry leaned in closer to me as the engineer took a step away, and whispered in a hushed voice so that only I would hear “I hate how those engineers do that... always knowing where everypony is, and where to intercept them... it’s creepy.” I rolled my eyes with a quiet snort, and began to follow the mare, struggling to keep up with the brisk pace she made through the small crowd of ponies. I’ll readily admit that I am not in top physical condition. I blame it on the inactive lifestyle of my guild, for the most part.

        The other unicorn, weaving between other busy ponies, lead us from the marbled halls of the station, and into the unrelenting light of the midday sun over the badlands. Wild winds whipped at our manes and tails, quickly throwing them into complete disarray as we stomped our way over to a ground buggy waiting at the side of the faux cobbled road. Our guide wasted no time in clambering into the shelter provided by the cab, leaving us to follow her into the vehicle.

        With a few sure flicks of her hooves, we were off with the engineer at the wheel, steering the bouncing buggy down smooth roads towards the main gate of the palace.

        Our hooves hit the steps as we bounded up them two at a time, the other two ponies following behind as I rushed, barely five minutes from my appointment. Traffic had been light on the approach, and the security had been quick to wave us through, no doubt calling ahead to announce our arrival.

        The large, ornate double doors opened ominously ahead of us, without the tell-tale glow of magic that normally accompanied them. I skidded to a halt a few paces over the threshold, staring straight into the barrels of a pair of earth pony engineer guards, their brazen armour glinting dully as they stared down at me disapprovingly. “Twilight Sparkle,” one boomed, his eyes never leaving me, making me acutely aware of just how uncomfortable I was feeling under their combined gazes.

“Follow us.” the other continued from his partner in a dry whisper, like a wind over the wastes far below. I nodded in understanding, unable to muster a verbal response. Their eyes flicked up in unison, pinning somepony behind my with their unwavering gaze behind me. “You also, Spark Welder.” spoke the first guard again. An annoyed huff from behind me signalled that our guide had heard. Angleberry was ignored as the guards executed a well-drilled about-face and began to march off towards an unobtrusive side-door.

        Our newest escorts took us on the most efficient route, quickly bringing us to a halt outside a smaller set of doors, ushering us inside to see the occupants. A light khaki-coloured pegasus mare stood over by the desk, a small selection of papers held in one hoof as she inspected them intently. The other occupant of the room was an earth pony stallion sat in an overstuffed, frayed armchair by the roaring fire, whose gaze had switched to regard the timepiece on the mantle as we entered. Huh, why would they have a fire going in the middle of th- my thoughts were abruptly interrupted as he spoke up, his eyes returning to us.

        "Seems they made it on time, just, Ms. Do. Looks like I owe you five bits." The pegasus looked up from the papers, only just failing to make her surprise seem natural. She was much more successful with the small smile that followed as she beckoned me over with the hooful of paperwork, the doors creaking shut behind us on hinges begging for lubrication. "Good of you to join us, Twilight. I'll get down to the matter at hoof, since the airship is waiting. We have an important job for you."

        I took a few tentative steps closer, peering at the documents being waved in my direction. "An important job, milady?" my heart simultaneously swelled with pride for having been chosen, but was matched with an unexplainable sense of dread as the distance closed between myself and the two ponies in front of me, a sneer breaking through the stallion's facade so briefly that I had to question whether or not it was a figment of my imagination. The stallion reclined further in his chair as he answered for Daring Do, lifting his glass towards me in a brown-furred hoof as a particularly unpleasant smile graced his face.

        “Yes, quite. A situation has... arisen, involving your guild. Given my seniority in my own guild, it has fallen upon me to... assist in the selection of a suitable candidate,” he said, a slight tone of smugness seeping into his voice. As he spoke, the pegasus by the desk glared daggers into the back of his head.

        “What our esteemed guest means,” she nearly spat out acidly, her tone leaving no doubt as to her opinion on the stallion, “is that his guild is sticking its nose in our affairs, and has taken the choice out of our hooves.”

        The stallion turned to give my guild master a reproving look. “Now now, Ms. Do, we don’t bring up inter-guild politics in front of our lessers.” he said, causing a hot flush of anger and resentment as he casually snubbed both myself and my superior.

        I opened my mouth to give a scathing retort, but was cut off by a warning look from Daring Do. I slowly closed my mouth, silently bristling, as he turned back to inspect me like something he found on the bottom of his hoof.

        “Let’s not beat about the bush, time is being wasted, and time is money. There is an airship waiting for you at the Librarian Airdock two. It leaves in an hour. Be on it. Your things, what little you have, have already been loaded aboard, as per my instructions. Leave now. You are dismissed, I have other matters to attend to today.”

        Grinding my teeth, I turned and stomped from the room, a startled Angleberry hot on my heels. I didn’t wait for the guards.