Jewel had been right about one thing: the Canterlot Library was musty. Lyra coughed as some dust from a mantle settled onto her. She knew it had only been in use for fourteen years, but ponies rarely visited it, deeming reading and studying something for stallions in possession of high-level magic. Lyra assumed she might be the first mare to enter in a while, if ever.

Her theory was proven correct when the stallion at the door looked surprised to see her.

"We don't usually get mare visitors," he informed her.

"Well, it seems I am here now. How is everything sorted?" She asked.

"Alphabetically, by topic" he replied curtly.

"Thanks," Lyra told him with a smile. The stallion gave a small smile back.

Lyra was shocked to see that only a dozen, or less, shelves lined the room. Some weren't even fully filled.

I guess this won't take too long, she thought. She immediately went to the middle shelves, searching for the 'I' topics.

"Nothing on immortality?" She pushed a useless book back into its place. Lyra bit back her tongue to prevent an unladylike word from escaping.

"I might as well read up on magic," she told herself. "Maybe that can teach me something." She ignited her horn and levitated several books over to a chipped wooden table.

The Levitation Spell is perhaps the easiest spell in the history of magic. All unicorns are equipped with it. Depending on talent, some unicorns can levitate many objects at one time...

The Age Spell is very high magic. When cast, the pony upon whom it is cast changes not only in physical appearance, but in mental maturity, which is why it is rarely used. An Appearance Spell can alter one's appearance of age (i.e. appearing as an elderly mare or newborn colt) but one's maturity is not changed...

It is theorized that any unicorn can learn the Teleportation Spell to at least a few yards, though unicorns with higher magic can teleport longer distances. However, this theory is unproven...

Lyra was absorbed in her books. Nopony could rouse her from the trance that the books held over her. She was learning so many things about magic!

"Maybe one day I can master an age spell," she murmured, but in the back of her mind, she didn't really believe that.

When Lyra had finished the last of her books, she reluctantly returned them to the shelf. As she turned, she suddenly had an idea. She rushed over to the 'P' section. There were several books about Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the Nightmare Pony. Lyra grabbed one titled Everything You Need to Know about Princess Celestia and Other Historical Figures and sat down to read.

Princess Celestia was actually covered in the last chapter, instead of the first, so Lyra skipped to the end.

"'Someponies theorize that Princess Celestia, being an alicorn, is of an immortal state,'" she murmured. "'Others believe she has the lifespan of a normal pony. Still a third group believes she only has a heightened lifespan. The only way one could prove any of these theories in one's lifetime would be an attempt to assassinate the Princess, and since this is illegal and treasonous, it will never happen.'" Lyra scanned the other paragraphs, but none contained the information she was seeking.

Lyra suddenly remembered playing hide-and-go-seek with Jewel as a filly. She shook her head, trying to clear away the random thought.

"Excuse me, miss." The guard from earlier approached her. "The library is closing."

"Oh, alright," Lyra replied, shutting the book. "Good bye." The stallion merely nodded. Lyra trotted out of the building.

The sun was beginning to dip over the mountains. Lyra cringed, recalling her foolish near-death experience. She remembered she had to see Jewel. Lyra picked up her speed to a canter. Jewel lived on the other side of Canterlot, so Lyra needed to hurry.

After a short time, Lyra arrived at Jewel's house. The shutters were closed, and the house seemed void of life. Lyra looked at the two neighboring houses, both with open shutters and lights shining through the windows. Lyra had a feeling something was wrong.

"Jewel!" She ran up into the porch. "Jewel! Are you in there?" No answer.

"Mr. Charm!" Lyra tried the name of Jewel's fiance. "Is anypony in there?" Still, no answer.

Stay calm, Lyra told herself. Jewel could be out for tea! And of course, Mr. Charm isn't always at Jewel's house. But in the back of her mind, Lyra didn't really believe it.

She carefully, quietly opened the door to Jewel's house and stepped inside.

Author's Note

You remember Mr. Charm from Chapter 1, right?