Sanctuary at Any Cost

Chapters

Fifteen Months of Crazy
Seeking Asylum
The Palace
Meeting the Student
There Really are Curses
Story Time With a Dash of Sorcery

Fifteen Months of Crazy

Week One:

A dreary day on the zeppelin didn’t relinquish the determination from a pair of green eyes; like glowing emeralds. A hood shrouded his face but the bulky grunts that patrolled the zeppelin didn’t know why they heard nothing but vicious stories about the silent figure.

The rumors among the zeppelin’s other passengers were common to his ears. Standing before his traitorous prince, fighting alongside anyone willing to stand for the right cause, doing whatever it took to bring about victory, it was all the same slew of gossip. The reason he was heading north was anyone’s guess. There was no foe rising up in the bone-chilling tundra of Northrend, as far as anyone knew at least. The figure just stood by the railing all the time, staring at the horizon at all times, always to the north.

“Is he cold,” asked one dockworker to another.

“He’s got the flames of demons in his veins,” replied a nearby passenger. Her voice unsettling, and her eyes were dead.

“Beg pardon ma’am, but do you know him?”

She stared at the passenger. “A long time ago I knew who that was. He was so gentile then. Now however, I swear he’d take Deathwing on all by himself if he was a fatalist. I can’t imagine what he’s like after all this time. Weeks in the trenches against the forces of the Firelord seem to have taken its toll though.”

The man in question brought his arm up delicately; a hastily wrapped bandage coated most of his arm. It was a field dressing, applied in haste, to his arm after facing the creatures of the molten Firelands. Not all of it was burns or the claws of monsters; some wounds were self-inflicted as if to tap into all his life for just an instant power, enough to save his comrades.

“Beg pardon ma’am, but why do you think he’s going north then?”

“Solace,” she turned around and went back below the deck. Even her lifeless body could feel the cold rushing through her soul.

Week Two:

The sight of the frozen tundra of Northrend came into view and the silent figure who kept vigil for the land was gone. He left in the night upon the wings of a young dragon that owed him a favor, meeting her halfway. With land in sight, he could make better time away from the zeppelin.

In no time, he would be back in Dalaran, back where his old study was. There were reference books that only Dalaran would have, and the journals he had written about magic wherever he travelled.

*****

Some would call this a turning point, when a warrior hung up their sword and decided to stop fighting cold turkey. I wasn’t that cut and dry. I wanted to be a scholar, but when the traitor Arthas was breathing down our necks in Dalaran many students tried to leave the college. I tried to return home, seeing it coated in decay and unlife was more than I could handle at the time. I went away from everything I knew, I walked a dark path without guidance. The demon arts were easy, I knew how to focus on specific incantations enough to cast without word or gesture. In a few weeks, I was summoning my first demon, the first of many.

I won’t be the first, nor last, warlock to tell you that demons were tools to be discarded when they outlived their use. That first demon however, it was trying to make itself useful even to its dying breath. For it, I have the greatest respect. Respect none have ever been able to garner.

In time, the war caught up with me. It was when our sisters interrupted my studies. I refuse to call them anything else. The elves of the western continent mistrusted me at first glance and I gave them nothing more to see than my cloak when I fled, my retreat drove deep into my tainted homelands. Soon enough I had gathered enough nerve to travel into what remained of Silvermoon. Arthas had indeed showed no mercy to my kind, and they remained suspicious of me as my demonic steed trotted along the streets of my ruined birthplace. I visited my family’s old house, a burnt out ruin of its former self, and wound up being accused of being a spy.

That was when I learned of Kael’s betrayal, when our prince surrendered us to demonic energies. Calling upon the powers that I had, power gained not through enslavement but through mastery, proved myself no spy in my people’s eyes, and I was conscripted into the fight against the traitors. That wasn’t all there was to it, this was more than a new traitor in our midst. That betrayal was personal.

Now I decided it was time to leave it all behind. I could finally see how far I’d fallen, just to survive and be thrown to the wolves all over again. Calling on the souls of the restless dead to renew my life, rending the souls of my foes to conjure powerful magic, and even unleashing the flames of hell from my own hands, yes it was time to cast it all aside. It was time for a new life. Perhaps some place sunny.

*****

After my flight to Dalaran, I bade my ‘friend’ farewell. I don’t think she’d live well without squaring things away. I received a salute from one of the guards as I marched past wizards of every sort. When Dalaran was restored and moved to this frozen wasteland, it was the major hub of activity when there was the war against to undead legions of the Lich King. Now, it was a wizard’s city again and I couldn’t be happier for that. It meant the war was not a topic of great discussion.

I made my way into the academy before lowering my hood. Magic or not, it was still very cold outside. I wasn’t looking my best anymore. I had burns over my cuts and bruises, the toll the Firelands had taken on my body was staggering. I’d be scrubbing soot and ash off for weeks, if not months.

“Master Val,” came the voice of a young woman. Based on her grey robes she had to still be an apprentice. “What brings you back to the academy?”

I looked to her with skepticism. “What business is it of a student?”

“A guard had sent word. How goes the war?”

“Badly, we’re losing soldiers while the Alliance and the Horde choose to fight between themselves.”

“Are you not a soldier of the Horde though?”

I glared at her, “Hellscream is not my commander. That oaf isn’t fit to command even a pack of whipped dogs.”

The sound of clapping hands caused me to spin around; an old human draped in violet robes was applauding me. “My young apprentice Val has finally returned to us with words of wisdom. I suppose you’re here to begin teaching students of your own?”

I shook my head. “Regrettably I am not here to teach Master, I am here to retreat from all this blood and violence. I want to return to my studies and find peace in finding answers.”

“I was only teasing you Val. I know you better than anyone else does. You wouldn’t take an apprentice even on pain of death.”

“I am curious about one thing though,” I said with a smirk. “Who died and appointed you a councilor?” The student stood there with a look of utter shock on her face as my master and I shared a laugh.

“Some council members wanted to appoint you, but others disagreed. My guess is that they wanted someone who wasn’t getting his face chewed off every other day, so I got the job. I knew you best and I was a respectable member of the academy.”

“So you mean you were the stand-in?”

My master stroked his beard. “I would rather like to think myself to be ‘better suited’ for the job. Besides, the academy still frowns on the demon in your study. It keeps making faces at whoever comes in to dust things off.”

“He’s very territorial. I think I’ll be giving him a stern lecture when I go up there. But for now I could use an actual healer’s touch for my injuries and a good bath.”

“Lara,” he said to the bewildered student. “Show my former pupil to the healers. After that, return to your lessons.”

Lara bowed to him and looked to me. “Master Val, please come with me. The healers will be very cross with you being this badly wounded.” She grabbed my sleeve and pulled firmly, putting pressure on my injured arm.

I screamed in pain before turning around and following her.

*****

After being fussed by several healers, I was patched up with magic and a few real bandages. My next stop was the baths, where I would spend the next several hours getting layers soot and ash off. By then it was mealtime and I was willing to join everyone else in the dining hall for a meal. An honest to goodness meal, the thing you missed so much on the front lines.

With a full stomach, I retreated to my study and found everything cleaned, saved for one ledge. The ledge in question is where an imp dwelled. It did many tedious things for me, like organizing my bookshelves or getting me a specific tome.

“Master,” it squealed. “It is so good to see you once more.”

“Thank you Karstraz,” I returned with a smile. “Where is Crest?”

“He is out flying around Dalaran right now. Crest will be so pleased to see you’ve returned to us master. You are staying for a while this time master?”

“Very few things would call me from here now Karstraz.” The demon looked like he could die of glee. He aided me in grabbing several volumes of text from the shelves of my study. “I intend to stay in my study for quite a while. I’m hanging up my fire and brimstone unless it’s an emergency. Master Stormrage accepted that I wouldn’t march on Ragnaros’ fortress. He agreed that I’ve done enough on all fronts. I don’t need to steal glory from others, I proved my point enough: not all warlocks can be swayed by Sargeras.” I began to thumb through the first of my journals regarding the currents of time and my study of Medivh’s tower.

As the hours went by I was absentmindedly writing notes; now accompanied by a black feathered bird on my shoulder, my pet phoenix Crest. I was determined to escape the wars. I was going to leave; I mean it; to seriously leave. Medivh was my focus in this endeavor; he created the first true gate between Draenor and Azeroth after all. Surely, there was something to be puzzled out from there.

Month Three:

Nothing. Just a big nothing. I had been at this for months now and I was making next to zero progress. I had thought on more than one occasion to travel to Kharazan and ask a specter of the Last Guardian for a clue over a game of magical chess, only to be pulled back to my research. I needed something to go on and I was starting to get desperate.

Every night I would stargaze and meditate on the constellations. It was one such night when I found something. A star formation vanished as I was contemplating it. It wasn’t odd for me to have noticed a star flicker out while meditating. However, why were six going out all at once? They were so bright until right then, and there was no trace of them at all anymore.

I moved away from my meditation and made a note of it in my current research journal. I would try to reason it out in the morning.

A distant world; night; unsettling stillness; it felt like home in a hauntingly empty way. Tall buildings filled the roads and a nearby castle. It felt familiar, the architecture reminiscent of home. A sudden flash gave way to a hallway and the shadowy attack of a white alicorn.

I awoke in a cold sweat. It felt real, unbelievably real. Moving over to my journal I wrote about it before I forgot the details. This was unusual, but one word stuck out in my mind. I’d never heard of an alicorn, but it sounded familiar, like I’d known about it all my life.

There wasn’t any blood in the attack, in fact the whole place gave off a peaceful feeling. If it was real it would be perfect.

Month Ten:

Seven months, and I have made considerable headway based off a dream. I had secured a route to an old fortress I had visited before. A fortress named Ulduar, which was also once prison to Yogg Saron. The screams of the Old God were gone in there but it was still occupied by a few residents. These particular creatures didn’t mind my visit, in fact they merely greeted me in passing, calling me stargazer, as I made my way to the observatory.

In the observatory, I was looking for the portion of the sky I had found go dark. Allowing my fel energies to take root in the material realm, I created small creatures to speed my ability to scan the universe laid bare before me. After several hours of work I found it. In the haze of darkness I found a singular star. Obsession grew from this and I had returned to my study to catalogue the discovery.

Dreams like the one months ago had passed in brief flashes, many were just wandering the corridors of what I could only assume to be a castle. Some were during the day, but most were at night. I was always alone in these dreams and free to move about as I pleased. Each time I had one I wrote about it, sometimes drawing architecture and the landscape from windows when it seemed to be a new portion of this palace.

I made a requisition for a vial of the magical essence of the Sunwell. My theory would cast me far from its power, far from the magic I could never live without.

Month Twelve:

I made a trip to Kharazan today. I went to study in the archives of Medivh. I was growing more and more convinced the place I dreamed about was real. Today, I found something I was hunting for: details about gate spells leading to unfamiliar territory. It was one very complicated spell. An incredibly powerful self-scrying magic circle contained within a teleportation circle. According to my theory, I would want an enclosed space so the gate would collapse and leave a seamless disappearance. Well, except for the empty space where the spell took place. The point was the spell was a one-way ticket with no gaps in the spell to allow anything to tail me easily. It was perfect, regardless of the fifty types of inks I would need for each circle, the thousands of gold for powdered gemstones to make the inks channel magic properly, or a place to do it in secret. Medivh was unimaginably skilled, and I was like a candle trying to be a bonfire.

Month Fifteen:

My spell is ready and now someone is trying to break into my study. Someone ratted me out after my return from Kharazan. I had discovered that Karstraz was the culprit; he grew worried with my study into gate spells. These did have a way of complicating life on Azeroth, but that wasn’t my concern anymore.

My former imp had outlived his purpose and had become the final conductive component in my spell. The magic circles I created would hold anyone at bay, should they make it through. I planned to take everything with me and Crest was more than willing to go with me.

“Val,” called my master’s voice from behind the door, “this is insane. You’d attempt to create a gate spell after everything you’ve learned?”

“I deserve peace my friend,” I shouted. The rush of magic as the spell wove its way around the room made it hard to be heard. “I’ve glimpsed a new home, free of the shackles of the wars of Azeroth!”

“You’ve lost-” his voice trailed off as everything went dark. There was no spell, there were no walls, my door, or even the window that overlooked the city of Dalaran. There was just the black void. Before I could process it all everything became blindingly bright.

When I regained my senses, I was standing before my desk. As I looked around it seemed as though all the contents of my study had followed me, even various trophies that had adorned the walls. However, I was quickly flanked by pegasi clad in dark armor, a dark alicorn glaring at me from a throne somewhere past my desk. It would appear as though my study had appeared in a large hall where it was attending a moonlit court.

It looked as though I made the trip successfully just in time to be captured by someone else. That was just my luck. At least there was no Hellscream to yell at me here…

Seeking Asylum

Of all the things I know, fear is something very familiar. We warlocks strike fear in everyone who dare to stand before us. We had to learn to remain calm and to destroy our foes using fear and agony. I’m not calm anymore, I thought quickly, please can I panic now? I’d love to panic now.

The dusky alicorn rose and glared daggers at me. “Who dares interrupt our court?” Such a voice pierced my brain, were it louder it could undoubtedly wake the dead.

I gulped hard but stood my ground. Fear or no fear I will remain with incantations at the ready, “I am Val a proud son of the city of Silvermoon. I am a warlock by necessity and I am seeking refuge from the endless combat of my home.” I came to find peace, not to get into a fight. A fight was the last thing I wanted, besides I didn’t want to cut loose a curse on my arrival. It just wasn’t proper.

The alicorn looked to the guards at my sides, “Leave us!” And leave they did, perhaps worried of what may come next. After the doors slammed shut behind me the alicorn leapt over my desk and looked at me up close. I could tell a bit more clearly this was a female and that she was the one in charge. It might’ve been the crown that gave that way, but that’s only my opinion. “We are Princess Luna of Equestria, Princess of the Night!”

I may have faced many foes, but I usually had allies with me. I walked into battle with both the living and the dead. I could trust them with my life and now… now I was a little afraid. The only one at my side was Crest, perched on my shoulder, and he isn’t much of a fighter. I don’t have the time for a summoning and I could not feel wayward souls to drain.

“My apologies for disturbing your court majesty,” I bowed graciously. “I am not accustomed to gateway spells; to be honest this was my first attempt for one that was further than a few yards distance.”

“Constant war you say?” Her voice was less coarse now. “You claim to be a warlock and you seek asylum from a land of wars?” I nodded. “Are warlocks not simply mages trained for combat?”

“Not quite majesty, warlocks study the darker arts of curses, raw destruction, and demon conjuring.” I was idly manipulating a small emerald fire in my hand; such motions had become more habitual than anything else. “It is always a slippery slope when wielding evil against evil. I am also an alchemist of considerable ability.” I wanted to stay honest and steer the conversation away from my teachings. It was always a touchy subject in my opinion.

“Yes, evil for the sake of good must be a difficult burden.” Her glare was next to soften. She still sought to remind me that she was in charge, but that I had less to fear of her.

“If it would not seem offensive may I please sit down highness?” I gestured towards my chair, igniting the candles on my desk in the simple motion. “Please permit me to sit before you upon your throne. I am very exhausted from my incantation and must give some rest to my legs.”

She turned, allowing me to see the crescent moon upon her flank before she cantered back to her throne. “Please, sit if it does bother you so.”

Nervously I moved to my desk and turned my chair around so I would sit facing her.

“Now then, what brings such a dark creature before us?”

A creature am I now? “Princess please, I am an elf. I would not wish to be lumped in with the likes of manticores and giant spiders. I wish to simply find asylum from the warring of my homeland. There is no end to the strife and I am far past the point where I care why we fight against one another, we always had something more pressing to face. If I am to die in combat, then I would not wish to die by the blade of someone I could help. My allegiance is to the world, not its rulers should they prove to stand for everything they would claim to stand against. My kind was persecuted for being different and within the past year I found myself to have no cause anymore to fight for.”

She listened with consideration to every word I spoke. After I finished she paused and calmly looked to me with a sign of sympathy. “I know the severity of hatred and jealousy Val. The persecution you speak of seems no different from when a mare named Nightmare Moon sought to rule all of Equestria in eternal night.”

I started to wonder of Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon; I am not naïve enough to catch such a simple connection. But that was something I would wish to ask if I could persuade her to be more friendly. “My people’s homeland is tainted and corrupted by the scars of darkness, my people persecuted, and my life is now before your hooves. I wish to be productive for you and your people.” As I spoke I noticed the first rays of sunlight coming in the windows behind her.

Princess Luna rose from her throne. “We shall have to speak later. I will try to get my sister to speak with you for now though, she rules during the day.” I rose and bowed once more to her before she passed by me. “Wait here and I shall try to get her to meet you now.” Her words still echoed in my head after she left.

*****

Elves, honestly elves. Princess Luna made her way to the dining hall, searching for her sister before turning in for the morning. There she was, calmly eating while reading the Equestria Daily. “‘Tia,” Luna squealed, excitement showing all over the lunar princess’ face. “There’s someone who you need to see!”

Princess Celestia turned to see her giddy sister. “Who is it that you’re speaking of Luna?” Celestia gave a coy smile to her sister.

“An elf! An honest to goodness elf!”

A skeptical look dawned on the solar princess’ face. “Are you sure you weren’t just seeing things Luna? You need to stop staying up into the afternoon reading if you’re seeing things like that while you’re holding court.”

Luna huffed, “then come and see yourself. I swear he’s real ‘Tia. He showed up with a whole room’s share of books and trinkets. He arrived in the throne room of all places!”

“When I’ve finished my breakfast Luna, now please get to bed soon and no more reading before bed.”

Irritated and sleepy, but grinning eat-to-ear Luna left for her chambers. She knew her sister would be in for a surprise when she went to the throne room.

*****

I waited patiently for this sister of Princess Luna’s to arrive. The new guards in the hall, white pegasi in golden armor, had not bothered me in the very least while I cleaned up my books some. After putting every book back on its shelf I moved to my desk and a drawer that contained the essence of the Sunwell in it. I smiled as I gazed into its shimmer. I may need it eventually but this world was ripe with magic. If I could adjust to its magic then I wouldn’t need the vial of energy. Perhaps, I could even abandon the demonic powers lashed to my soul with enough time. In the meantime, however I needed some strength in my power. I grasped a dagger in the drawer and pierced my arm with it, feeling the magic coursing through the pain.

A screech from Crest told me someone else was entering. Quickly, I closed and locked the drawer that held the vial of energy in time to look up at a white alicorn, her mane was a radiant flowing shimmer of pastel colors. We exchanged awkward looks, her soft purple eyes meeting my fierce green ones. “If I may be so bold, I would believe you to be the sister of Princess Luna?”

She blinked at me before finding words once more. “Why yes,” her voice was pleasant, “I am Princess Celestia. She mentioned an elf but I wasn’t sure at first. She has spent many morning reading novels after her night court.”

“So you jumped to the conclusion that I was some figment of her imagination correct majesty?” Were I in her… um hooves… I would feel the same.

“Yes,” she admitted. “It seems that I should have had more faith in my sister. But what perplexes me is that wound on your arm.”

I blinked and turned my attention to my dagger, still deep in my arm. “One moment, I had a dire need for magic to flow in my body.” I gingerly pulled the dagger out, resting it on my desk as I stood. I calmly moved from behind my desk so I could be seen completely. “As I had told your sister,” I maintained eye contact at all times. “My name is Val. I seek asylum from the war torn world I hail from. Unfortunately, I have caused quite the mess in your throne room from my arrival and I wish to apologize for that. I’m afraid that this was my first attempt at a gate spell of this magnitude.”

She beamed at me. “Perhaps we can make room for you Val. Also, forgive me for saying this, but I was expecting someone shorter. Our stories of elves,” she explained, “are tales of short pointed eared creatures.”

The creatures jab again, but I started to piece it together now with some explanation given to me. “But you can see that we are rather tall, and I would like to reiterate what I had told Princess Luna. I would rather not be referred to as a creature; it makes me sound like I’m in league with a manticore or something.”

She chuckled, “you seek to free yourself from the wars of your own world. As such you have found a way to travel across tremendous distances correct?”

I nodded, “precisely majesty. After staring death in the eye for most of my career, I am tired of it. I think I deserve some rest.”

“And why are you not hiding in your own world?”

I had chanced to remove my eyes from hers so I could sear the self-inflicted wound shut. “It has grown to the point of finding danger around every corner. It may not always be life threatening, but I am sick of the whole thing. I hate sleeping on the ground with one ear open; my first instinct being to go for my weapon when I wake.” Crest cried out and I patted his head, “I have also been neglectful of my dear friend here.”

The shadow-plumed phoenix flew over to look at Princess Celestia better before returning to me. He sang for me a soft note and I smiled.

“I feel I need some formality, Crest was kind enough to remind me that you are not one to yell at me on first sight.” I bowed to her, “Bal’a dash Princess Celestia, I am Val of the Sin’dorei.”

“That is your language correct?”

“Yes, the language of the Sin’dorei, the tongue of the blood elves. We once tried to be polite until the wars reached us. After that, things changed. We were thrown into battle and we lost the font of our power, the Sunwell. In time, we reclaimed it, but not before realizing just how much we needed it. Many who lacked access to magic are nothing but crazed husks of our former selves without our magic now. I have seen it for myself. I would hate to find myself suffering through that before I die.”

“So you seek to hide yourself from the madness as well as the conflict?”

“Not until I took in the first breath of your world could I tell this land had a different kind of magic. One I could feel without consuming it into every fiber of my being. I would like to at least try to live here and avoid the pain of war, to spend the time I have left away from conflict. Would you permit me that?”

“I will need to talk to my sister this evening about it, but for now I believe we can spare you quarters at the very least.” She turned and called for a guard. “Take him to a spare room so he may rest.”

“Al diel shala highness. I look forward to you judgment.” With Crest once more on my shoulder, I walked past her and followed the guard. “I will also work on getting my tongue out of my system. For your convenience of course.”

I was taken to a small room at the top of a high tower. It only contained a bed and a small table with a candle. It wasn’t much, but it was mine for the time being. I reached over to the candle and snuffed it with my bare hand, allowing a black flame to take its place. My control was pure, it was a flame I chose to make blacker than night. It obeyed perfectly and was something pleasant enough to bring sleep to my eyes.

Author’s Note: I’m keeping my phrases to confirmed/speculated terms. I’ll try to translate in story, giving notes just like these when I don’t put them in.
Bal’a dash - Greetings
Al diel shala - Safe travels

The Palace

I stirred not that evening, but the next morning. I could hear the door being opened and bolted upright. I had removed my robes and weapons, both lying on the table. I found it odd that my robes were folded and cleaned. It meant that I did not hear the door open twice before now. I recognized the face of Princess Celestia looking at me. Her gaze reminded me of two things: I didn’t have to go for my blade and that I should be past that.

“Anaria shola princess,” I rubbed my eyes and relaxed. “Forgive me that was a little rude first thing in the morning. I mean to say good morning princess.”

Her smile hid her irritation. “What did you say to me the first time?”

“I asked for your business. As I said, I was-”

She held up her hoof, “you were defensive.” She glanced over to the desk. “Though the candle has melted, that flame hasn’t even flickered while you were asleep.”

“I had a good teacher,” I glanced over to the unsettling black flame, “one of the best.” I reached out with my hand and it snuffed itself. “Conjured fire can be adjusted to be painful, luminescent, or whatever I wanted. That was the only lesson about fire he ever gave me. Lessons that were about a specific spell that involved fire built on that singular idea.” I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I focused, seeing the fire in my mind, and as I reached out my hand a small orb of green fire erupted in my palm. I calmly opened my eyes to see the mesmerizing flames. “Eventually I learned to control it. My master claimed it was Flawless.” I quickly closed my hand, snuffing the flames in an instant. “I disagree though. I find my technique flawed. It lacks emotion…purpose.”

Celestia smiled at me, “you do have quite the fair bit of control. If this was a time of war I would gladly fight by your side.”

I gave her a skeptical look, “it isn’t right?”

“Yes Val, there is no immediate violence upon us in Equestria. Now, I can tell by your markings,” she pointed her hoof towards me, “that you’ve lived a painful life.”

I looked down at my body, magical burns, scars, and even needle tracks. “It’s a very colorful past to say the least.” I reached up and ran my fingers along my neck where I could still feel the impressions of the suckers of a tentacle that grabbed me. “Every battlefield left its own mark on me.” I chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“I don’t like to reminisce about such things, though I find it easy to slip into those thoughts. I don’t want war to define me again.”

“Yes, that is why I came here today. My sister Luna and I have decided to let you grow accustomed to things around the castle at least.”

“What about my study? Has it been a burden in your audience chambers?”

“Actually we made sure they were moved away quickly so I could hold court. We had to move everything into an unused chamber, but some unicorns began to reassemble a study out of it last afternoon.”

“And what about my phoenix Crest?”

“Your phoenix has been outside a lot,” she gave me a playful smirk, “seeing the sights as it were.”

“He does that a lot. I feel like I spoil him sometimes. Giving him so much freedom I mean.”

“Why yes, I feel like that sometimes with Philomena.”

“And who is Philomena?”

“Philomena is my phoenix. Yours has such lovely black and purple plumage.”

“Let me guess, Philomena has red and golden plumage right?”

She nodded. “Please stand up; you must need to stretch after being asleep for a day.”

“Beg pardon,” I gave her a shy smile, “but I would like to get dressed if I am to be getting up; my pants and belt at the very least.”

Princess Celestia giggled, “I’ll wait outside for you to get dressed. I have nothing to attend to today so I will escort you around the castle.” She promptly left, the door closing behind her.

I smirked; she was cute when she giggled like that. I unfolded my clothes and removed the sheathed sword from my belt. In reality, it was just a focusing dagger hidden by a glamor spell. After dressing calmly I saw Crest on the windowsill, I gave the window a quick glance and opened it to let him in.

“Like it out there?” Crest replied with a high note. I spent enough time around him to know how he felt with a note’s pitch. “Well, that’s good since it seems like we’ll be spending time around the palace. The Princess is graciously giving me the tour.” He sung a slow flat for me. “Yes, go ahead and get some rest.”

After Crest perched himself on the table I left the room. There was no need for my robes and cloak. “Did I keep you very long highness?”

“Celestia will do Val,” she said calmly. “You could’ve taken the time to brush your mane at least.”

I ran a hand through my frazzled hair and snickered. “I’ve not taken good care of it in years. Ashes of the Firelands, life or death struggles in the depths of the ocean, all-nighters trying to leave my world; I don’t think there was much time in there for hair care.” I tapped a finger against my chin, my face coated in a contemplative look. “I suppose I could’ve taken care of it while I was studying, but I may have lost my train of thought.”

Celestia giggled. “Tell me about these Firelands.”

We began to walk down the spiral staircases leading down the tower while I began. “Naturally tied to my home, Azeroth, are four other worlds, one of them is the Firelands. The lord of the Firelands sought to invade Azeroth twice. I hadn’t fought against him the first time, and I threw down my weapon during the siege on his citadel during the second attempt. I was done trying to claim glory in war by then and our leader accepted that I was sick of it. I fought against his brother years before, one of many who laid siege to and even pressed deep into his stronghold. I didn’t do it alone, that would’ve been lunacy. I volunteered to head in with a small force into that fortress and we all came out in some ragged semblance of the word alive. At least we all survived right?

“A ‘semblance of alive’ doesn’t sound very comforting.”

“We had many skilled healers, even able to restore the dead to their bodies. I could even do it…eventually. With an orb of magic designed to draw in a person’s soul and return it to their body through powerful arcane magics. In time, I learned to do this while in battle, though I still had to recreate the orb after every use. Crude but effective would be the best way for me to put it.”

“And what are the other three lands?”

“They are Deepholm, an earthen realm. Abyssal Maw, an aquatic world. Lastly, there's the air domain called Skywall. They aren't individual worlds per se, more like a sphere, each land taking up a quarter. There is one other world I'm very familiar with as well: the shattered world of Draenor, though most call it the Outlands now. Then there is one other world I am not quite sure of, its true definition has always eluded me, it is called the Emerald Dream. The druids of my world guard the Dream’s secrets well. Those are the worlds I know of, but there is plenty of evidence that there are other worlds.”

“So you had the speculation that somewhere away from such conflict existed right?”

I smiled, “that was the theory. That theory brought me here.”

We finally reached the bottom of the staircase, leading out into a long hallway with a few guards along the way. Guards aside, I recognized this hall. It was the first glimpse of the palace I had. How I hadn’t noticed before, I must have been more tired than I expected before. As we continued I always saw the castle walls, knowing there was more out there to see. That was the solemn truth about going somewhere new: you never saw everything. Soon enough she was pointing out several rooms that I expected to learn about, off limits places, private studies, the kitchens, dining hall, even where my things were. close to the end of the day she led me to a high balcony.

“Val,” Celestia said to me, “I wish to formally welcome you to Canterlot.”

It was a sight to behold, familiar architecture from home meshed with an almost human flair. This was a rather simple, and yet elegant, thing before my eyes. What amazed me were the people. Ponies, to be more accurate I suppose. I saw unicorns, pegasi, and even normal ponies everywhere.

“Anar’alah belore,” I eventually managed to say. I was indeed an unholy pilgrim in a paradise, or at least that is how I saw myself. My eyes were wide, a broad smile upon my face. Such wonders I have not seen since I was a child in Quel’Thalas, conjuring my first sparks of magic.

Celestia’s laughter snapped me back to my senses. “And that was..?”

I turned to look back at her smiling at me. “I said ‘by the light of the sun,’ not a common thing for one of my practice to say.” I smiled, “I found myself in awe of the sight and the Thallasian just slipped out. This is just once city correct?”

“Yes my dear, but you will need to get accustomed to our way of life. More importantly,” she giggled, “I think you should get your native language out of your system a little more.”

I stifled a laugh, “I doubt it will subside entirely. I’ll still blurt it out some if I get upset or surprised.” I looked up at the clear sky with a smile, “perhaps if I find someone for me I would also want to call them dalah’surfal, ‘my love,’ from time to time.”

“Do you know many languages Val?”

“I know a few; both Thallasian and, to an extent, its sister language of Darnassian. As part of my practice I had to learn Eredun, at least enough to know what kinds of names demons were calling me behind my back.” We shared a laugh.

“Like what kinds of names?”

I gave her a mockingly superior face. “Meddling dog, miserable insect, worthless mortal,” I smirked, “and a few more tasteless things.”

“Hearing things like that had to be rather disrupting.”

I shrugged, having grown to ignore it after a while. “I also studied in a mostly human school so I learned their language as well. Based on the inflections though, I’m willing to wager your language to be very close to the human language.”

“That would be rather astute of you, provided you are correct.”

I sighed. “Your world is a precious one, a paradise I have no words for. Though I have been here for such a short time, I feel that I must protect it when called upon. In the meantime though I would love to learn about your way of life and perhaps adjust myself from my normal source of magic to the natural flow of this world.” Though the latter will be more painful than you can imagine, I added silently. It is true; feeling the loss of magic after bathing in its might all my life nearly drove me insane. I’ll have to temper myself or drive myself nuts. “Do you have any advice for the latter?”

“I have a student who will be far more than willing to teach the merits of magic to you. Perhaps you will enjoy comparing notes with her.” She gave me a wiry grin.

I caught how she was thinking. “I’ll try to study hard, but I’m not sure I’d be too interested in her though, I like experienced women.”

“She fought against Nightmare Moon and a spirit of disharmony aptly named Discord.” Celestia was starting to sound like she was trying to play matchmaker.

I grinned, looking past Celestia. “Dora-” I sighed. “I’m sorry, I mean how do you fare Princess Luna?”

“Your language is colorful,” replied Luna pleasantly, “do you not agree sister?”

Celestia merely smiled as she turned to look at her sister. “He’s adjusting Luna. He loves the view though.”

I grinned. “How is the city at night highness?”

“Wait until sundown and you can see for yourself,” Luna replied with a smile. With that, she withdrew from my sight.

I returned to staring out over the city, an ear-to-ear grin on my face. “I look forward to it.”

Meeting the Student

I let out a loud yawn that woke Crest from his slumber. It’s been a week since I arrived and getting used to not having meat in my diet is difficult to say the least. Sure Cinder Hound meat, a staple of military diet in the Firelands, isn’t the best. Actually, Cinder Hound is some of the worst food I’ve ever had. Some of the most “amusing” food I’ve has was on the front lines though. From chasing warp burgers, trying to remember not to wonder what’s in the mystery meat, and cooking scorpions bigger than you. Scorpions that big are basically poisonous lobsters that walk on land and feed twelve. Just don’t eat the tail, be sure to drain poison from the rest of it, and eat with a clean knife.

After Princess, sorry, Celestia ordered some bolts of silk for me I began to sew extra clothes for myself. I enjoyed adding my own flair of magic to each shirt and pair of pants. I’ve mostly just literally woven in pigments with magic, but some simple enchanted inlays are nice as well.

A hard knock came on my chamber door. “Excuse me Val,” came a voice, “are you decent?”

“Give me one moment,” I got out of bed and slipped on a pair of pants. “All clear now.” I gave a wave of my hand, focusing on the energy in the air, to unlock the door. It was a simple utility spell and I remember learning plenty of little tricks like locking doors or lighting candles to simplify things during late night study sessions.

A red pegasus came inside after hearing the latch flip. Celestia appointed her to be my assistant while I got used to things. “I have a message for you Val,” she told me as she brought a scroll to my desk, residing where the old table used to be. “It’s from Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville.”

“Thank you Ruby, is there anything on the agenda for today?”

“Yes,” she pulled a notepad out of her saddlebags, “we need to sort your books onto the shelves today. Princess Celestia has requested you oversee the trainees as they practice. And last on today’s schedule, you’re to return Discoveries in Modern Magic, Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide, The Biography of Star Swirl the Bearded, and Predictions and Prophecies to the Royal Archives before sundown.” She returned the notepad to her saddlebags, exchanging it with a newspaper that she calmly placed on my desk. “And here is your copy of the Manehattan Times.”

I walked over to my desk and pulled out a vial of blue liquid. “Thank you, is there anything else?” I fastened it to an injector and jabbed my arm with it.

Ruby winced, “you also missed breakfast and somepony is bringing something up for you.” I knew she didn’t have a high threshold for blood or pain, but I needed some mana every day. Injecting it was far simpler than cutting myself up, exchanging my health for magic.

I grabbed a tuft of cotton and bandage right after removing the needle. “I’m sorry Ruby, but you know I need some fresh magic in my body every day.”

“Yes,” she replied grimly, “and this is so much better than taking a knife to your arm. Why couldn’t you just drink those vials?”

“They’re carefully measured and drinking them will make me loose just enough to cut my dose.” I glanced away from Ruby, “I wish I didn’t need it. It isn’t easy, being so dependent on something like this.”

“So you’ve said since I first saw you jab that knife,” she pointed a hoof at the dagger on my desk, “into your arm.”

“I know, but I hope Miss Sparkle can help me adjust.”

“I do have a question about that mana stuff though,” Ruby fidgeted. “Why is such a poisonous thing good for you?”

I chuckled. “Ruby, my studies into pony biology may say that mana is a deadly poison to you. Pony bodies just can’t interpret the magic and so the two conflict until the weaker one gives out. I’m a little different though, I need it on more than a psychological level. My biology screams for it.”

“Care to explain that?”

“Way back before I was born we, the Sin’dorei, had built a powerful magical site called the Sunwell. Back then, we called ourselves the Quel’dorei, the highborne. Over our history we basked in the power of the Sunwell at least until it was destroyed by Prince Arthas. When that happened, we worked our hardest to find a new magical source to fill our need for magic. By that point we realized it was part of our biology and we needed a new source. We found our salvation in draining magic from other creatures, demons were one of the best sources.”

“You were a specialist in summoning demons right?”

“No, though I was good at it. I played with fire and practiced shadow magic.” I chuckled. “Listen to me trying to shrug it off, like I was only a child.”

Ruby gave me a humble smile. “That’s quite alright, but did your people get the Sunwell back?”

“Yes we did but soldiers on the front lines against Arthas and all of Azeroth’s other foes still had to have their share of energy. Some clever engineers figured out the injectors that made it a lot easier for alchemists to make perfect sized doses using fewer materials.”

“I really do wish for the best Val.”

“Well, I’m good with theory so I hope Miss Sparkle can help me with the practice. How long do I have before I inspect the recruits?”

“About four hours, plenty of time for a bite to eat and to return the books.”

I nodded. “You’re always on top of things Ruby, thank you so much.”

One bite to eat and bath later…

With a little work last night, I made a good enough satchel. It’s not up to my usual standards but with no serious materials, I had to cut corners. Without too much trouble, I was carrying the books back to the Archives. It felt so weird having books, I didn’t personally own, but I’d have to get used to that now.

“Ah,” came the voice of a white unicorn behind me, “did you enjoy Discoveries in Modern Magic?”

“Yes Quill, I also found Predictions and Prophecies to be rather entertaining.” Quill and I had always enjoyed talking about whatever I was returning. He spent more time reading than doing his job; I could sympathize.

“Did you find anything curious in there?”

“Actually I did, about a flame more fierce than the sun quelling the hearts of those it reaches. I’m a little curious about its actual definition of quell.”

“Well,” he started to lead me along so I could return the books. “That’s a prophecy for you. What bothers me about that one is the ‘flame more fierce than the sun’ part of that one. I mean, that means-”

“It’s a prophecy Quill,” I said with an assuring tone, “they’re meant to be full of symbolism and have room for interpretation. Personally, I don’t really put stock in prophecies. I was actually pretty interested in Star Swirl the Bearded.”

“I know, by the way how did you get past the guards and the barred doorway protecting the Star Swirl Wing? Nopony let you in, but there you were in the morning.”

“A mage’s blink spell is nearly silent, and a careful warlock can be just as quiet. I marked the ground inside the wing with a little help and slipped away so I could reach my target without being seen or heard.”

“That’s amazing Val. You’ve got to teach me that trick.”

“I’d rather not, don’t want to start you down a dark path of death and destruction. Quill, you’re still pure. You’re to be admired for your honesty and dedication.” I checked my pocket watch, a simple keepsake. “Oh, I’ve got to run Quill; Princess Celestia wanted me to keep an eye on the rookies.” I ran off to the training yard, if I wasn’t stopped, I would be out of breath but not late.

*****

“Alright recruits,” rang the voice of their instructor, “Val may be a wizard, but that doesn’t mean he’s not physical. He’s seen more combat than anypony in Equestria, so Princess Celestia has asked him to observe us this afternoon.”

I was running at a steady pace for the training yard and I could already hear the yammering about how I was a skilled warrior and could probably wrestle some big creature to the ground with my bare hands. I’m not very strong physically and I make up for it by being smart and tough. A little short of breath I rounded the corner seeing the recruits at attention.

“Shall we begin then Val?”

I simply nodded, hiding being short of breath. I still had Miss Sparkle’s letter to read, I was hoping to get to it before heading out here. If nobody’s watching, I might be able to read it on the yard.

The recruits were worked hard by their instructor, and it showed in everything they did. Drill after drill, maneuver after maneuver, it pushed them to their limits and I simply observed their progress.

After a few minutes to compose myself, I stepped forward. “That’s enough for the moment, everyone front and center.” The recruits were eager to prove themselves as they took line before me. I examined them, pacing and observing their reactions. My eyes reached a pegasus that was badly out of breath. “What’s your name recruit?”

The recruit gulped hard but stepped forward, “Wing Shear sir!”

“Wing Shear,” I hardened my tone, proving I was the one in charge. “What has your instructor told you all about me?”

Wing Shear hesitated, “permission to speak freely sir?”

I gave him a smile, “naturally Wing Shear. I have to know what expectations you have.”

“Sorry sir-”

“Don’t apologize, a good friend told me it was a sign of weakness.”

He nodded nervously. “We were told that you were a skilled warrior, the kind we must all aspire to be like.”

I gave him a skeptical look. “You cannot fathom how wrong your instructor has been about me being a mere warrior. It takes more than brute force to be a real soldier. You also need a level head and the ability to adjust to the circumstances at hand. I have fought on the frontlines on my fair share of wars, but the way I still stand here is innovation and the ability to make my own skills flexible.”

Every pair of eyes was focused on me; even the instructor knew a speech when he heard one.

“My knowledge of curses and afflictions brought me the ability to weaken or exhaust my foes before they can even reach me.” I shot the instructor with a glare of the purist malice I could muster, causing him to quake in fear. “I learned how to strike fear through no more than a look.” I looked back to the very nervous recruit with a pleasant smile on my face. “Wing Shear,” there was no anger anymore. My voice was unnaturally calm. “I expect to see you redoubling your efforts understood?”

“Yes sir,” he saluted me, every other recruit followed in nearly the blink of an eye.

“Regardless of if you make the cut to be a guard, instructor, soldier, whatever, there is one thing you have to learn here. Training like this does more than just drill a pattern into your mind; it builds a foundation of discipline that will improve your life. If you become a soldier for Equestria, be ready for a lot of harsh orders and disrespectful tones from veterans. You’ll be new, a rookie, it just means you’ve yet to prove yourself. The kind of soldier I am is one who knows about laying siege to a fortress, storming an enemy citadel, even igniting my enemies with my anger and fury.” I clenched my fist tight, letting wisps of fire escape between my fingers.

“There will be times when your physical strength is worthless, meaning you will have to rely on your brains.” The instructor was starting to come around from my glare; I had to wrap my lecture up soon. “Through this physical training you are building the foundation of your future, regardless of where it leads you. Remember the discipline helps make you a better you.”

“Sir,” exclaimed all the recruits in unison.

“That is all,” I turned my back on them and strode back to where I was observing, “return to your drills.”

After recomposing himself, the instructor saw his recruits working harder than ever. “Beg pardon sir, but how did you get them to work like that?”

“I told them what they needed to know. This is just the beginning, they need discipline and they’ll get it through time and practice like these drills. I’m also not a physical contact soldier; I have demons fight for me.”

“I should’ve known," he scoffed, "you’re a wizard through and through.”

“I’m sorry but not every soldier wears armor,” I sighed. “You have to understand that these recruits aren’t soldiers. In fact, you aren’t even a real soldier. Every soldier that walks onto a battlefield knows it may be their day to die.”

“But I hold rank and-”

“Does that make you think you can command anyone? I fought and killed but rarely saw promotion. The interesting thing is because I was willing to do some missions that made me seem like I could be discarded I gained a reputation of always getting the job done. Whenever I volunteered for something, there were others willing to fight, even if it was just a glorified suicide mission. I never lost a single comrade until we fought something that drove us to the brink of madness.”

“And then?”

“We couldn’t save everyone, but those were fights I took charge in. I’ve lost plenty of good friends in the trenches and on the front lines. My war ended before that monster though. We didn’t know what we uncovered until it was too late. The Old Gods are a force to be reckoned with, that’s what I walked away from that fight knowing.”

The instructor just looked at me after I finished. He was taken aback by my honesty. To be honest I wanted him to say something, but I continued to watch the recruits until I caught Ruby in my periphery.

“Val,” she said with a sigh, “we still need to organize your things.”

I nodded, “carry on out here. Keep them on top of things, there’s plenty of potential.” I turned on my heel and let Ruby lead me through the castle.

“Nearly everything is in your room, but some items are being troublesome. We need you to take them up to your quarters. I’ll help with books that are left though.”

“This would take forever without you Ruby.”

“I hope you’ve read your letter,” she replied off handedly. Scratch that, off hoofedly I think works in this case. At any rate, it’ll take some getting used to.

“I haven’t had the time to Ruby, what’s so important about it though?”

“You should always be prompt when reading your mail. In case you have to reply to it.”

We shuffled off to the edge of the hallway, allowing others to pass while I undid the wax seal with a careful flicker of green fire.

Dear Val,

As you should be aware, I am Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia asked me to help you adjust to the magic in our world. I’ll be arriving in Canterlot this evening to meet with you and discuss our lessons. Please be in the courtyard at eight o’clock tonight so we can talk over dinner.

Twilight Sparkle

“I suppose we have less time than ever Ruby,” I said as I pocketed the letter. “I’ll need to be in the courtyard by eight. The Everflame may slow us down so we’ll need to get busy.” She nodded and we rushed off.

I remained focused on the flaming orbs hovering close to my head as we carefully went up to my quarters. I studied quite a few things during every one of my stays in Dalaran. Everflame was one of my more recent experiments, a movable flame that was very luminescent and cool to the touch. This kind of creation would be easy for any fire mage, not an easy feat for someone practicing what I had. Sadly, I could not cool it to the point where you could manipulate it with your bare hands and my treated gloves were ironically in my quarters. In my bag were several samples of magical residue and samples of metals. I also sported a new bag on my back, filled to the brim with plants from Azeroth and Draenor.

“You mentioned alchemy once right Val,” Ruby’s saddlebags were filled with my personal journals.

“Yes, I specialized in transmutations. Things like iron to gold. But I also brewed numerous kinds of elixirs and tonics.”

“So you’re part soldier, part chemist, and part tailor?”

“Well, chemistry doesn’t have too much to do with transmutations, but I do know enough to notice when I did something correctly. I do know my way around a needle though. I could weave just about anything, from a patch job so you could look presentable after months of trench warfare to magic carpets that allowed you to fly great distances.”

“Can you still do something like make one of those magic carpets? It could save so much work for ponies who want to travel great distances.”

“I would need to experiment with the fabrics we can get. For example, I would have to barrage silk with specific kinds of magic to even give it a chance of being powerful enough to hold flying enchantments. I’d have to start from scratch and even then, the sheer cost of materials and the incantations to create them would make them impractical for anyone save the nobility.”

Ruby was still interested; I could see it in her eyes. It was the fact that she saw an answer to something, but knew it would be far from helpful until I figured out how to make it easier. “So you’d want to help everypony instead of permit something to be only in the hooves of the upper class right?”

“If I made cheaper ones then I’d have to worry about the rate of degradation of the enchantments on the carpets themselves. I would hate for someone to be in midflight and have the enchantment break.” We shared a grim look. “Better everyone wait until I figure it out.”

“I suppose so, and that means we pegasi still rule the skies.”

“As I recall you said pegasi can walk on clouds right?”

Ruby nodded. “We can also manipulate the weather. I can’t but my husband can,” she added in a chipper tone.

“Well, I’ve never really found something capable of doing either of those without considerable power backing it up. It’s good to be special; it helps define a people and their culture.”

*****

Packing things up was easy, unpacking them was a different story. We managed to get most of what remained to my room; most of it even got homes on shelves. When it became seven fifty-five, I started to worry. There was no way for me to rush down this tower’s stairs and out to the courtyard without a few magic tricks I just didn’t know. I looked over to the wall and saw a violet and turquoise rug rolled up and leaned against a bookcase. Would it still work? “Give me some space Ruby, I have five minutes to get to the courtyard and I’m not sure if this one can still fly.”

I pulled out the carpet from between bookshelves and Ruby gave me enough space to roll it out. Just pressing my hand to the carpet’s center told me everything; I should be good for a short trip. If I can’t make it all the way, I can at least get close to the ground. With a wave of my hand, the latch on the window opened, allowing the breeze to swing the large window open.

“Are you sure about this Val?” Ruby’s hesitation was understandable. It’s been nearly two years since I rode a carpet and this was the last one I made. If it was on its “last legs” then all my other ones were just rugs with carefully stitched, but otherwise useless, enchantments now.

“I’m willing to risk it Ruby, I have to make a good first impression and be on time.” I stepped onto the carpet and focused all of my magic to the carpet’s enchantments. They were weak, crying out for me to stop. Just a few minutes, I thought to the carpet. If you can make it, I’ll do my best to get you back together. It sounds silly I know, but I’ve made enough carpets to know they like hearing you respect them, or at least the enchantments do. I sighed, quieting my mind, and kneeled down as the carpet picked up and whisked me out the window.

“Crest,” Ruby looked to the napping phoenix, “one of these days something will kill him and he won’t be getting up.”

*****

Twilight looked around in the courtyard outside the palace; she knew Val would stand out and that it was nearly eight. What was completely unexpected was exactly what she was looking for: everypony turning to stare at a large carpet soaring down from one of the castle’s towers. The sunset managed to catch it just perfectly from where she was standing.

There Really are Curses

Please just a little further, I pleaded to the carpet, it’s just ten feet to the ground. The enchantments were far past inoperable, meaning all that was slowing my descent was focusing magic through the burnt out carpet. Focus was never really my strong suit; I had a bit of a temper with the more complicated spells. It worked for incinerating something’s innards, but maintaining an already expired spell was not high on my list of controllable incantations. Don't get me wrong, I can do the spells to make a carpet, but I need time to focus, prepare, and compose myself.

It didn’t matter much as the carpet touched down softly on the grass, when I saw just how many ponies were watching me. One however was stammering. I’d gotten used to looks from some ponies but this lavender unicorn wasn’t stammering in disbelief, that was uncertainty.

“Y-Y-You’re Val,” she finally managed to ask.

I nodded. “You must be Twilight Sparkle correct?”

“How did you-” she began, the rest of her question caught in her throat.

“Formerly enchanted carpet Miss Sparkle. I’m sorry, but had I kept you long?”

She shook her head. “Not very long, but please call me Twilight.”

Twilight waited for me to roll the carpet up and we went inside to put it back in my quarters. “So, you flew something that probably wouldn’t even fly down so you wouldn’t be late? Are you crazy?” We were already on our way up the tower’s stairs.

“I don’t like being late Twilight,” I replied, “what about you?”

“I’ve started to learn not to sweat every last detail Val, but you reminded me of something I did a while ago.”

“What did you do?”

“Princess Celestia tasked me with writing to her my findings on the magic of friendship. I wrote to her every week until I completely lost it.”

“What happened?” My eyes were wide, eager to hear her story. I felt like I knew where it was going, but she had to tell me so I heard the story; not just predict what happened.

“Well it got so bad that I decided to make a problem for me to solve one week. I think I’ll spare you some of the details, but I enchanted my doll so that three fillies would fight over her. It got out of hoof and the whole town began to fight over her. Well, Princess Celestia broke the whole thing up and she told me I was worrying too much.”

We were right in front of my quarters now. I opened my door and set the rolled up carpet next to my desk, “You and Celestia must be close,” I’ll patch it up in the morning. “She told me you were her student, but were you just a student or more like an apprentice?”

“I’m her personal student,” she confirmed as we started to double back, heading to the dining hall, “she’s my mentor.”

I grinned, “where I’m from we call that an apprenticeship.”

“Princess Celestia said in her letter that I could teach you a thing or two about how magic works in Equestria. What do you know about magic?”

“It’s my life.” She stared. “I mean that literally, I can’t survive without magic. My people bathed in raw magic for so long that we can’t live without it anymore.”

“Ewww, I can’t even fathom what a life needing magic to just survive is like. I don’t think anypony could.”

“Celestia told me you could teach me about the currents of magic to be exact. It will help me transition from needing to inject myself with mana every day to letting the ambient magic in the air sustain me.”

“So Val, what’s mana?”

“A lethal poison to ponies, but it is undiluted magic forced into a liquid. Well, that’s the theory of what it is at least. There’s an alternative to me injecting myself with mana every day though.”

She tilted her head in curiosity as we made our way into the dining hall and took seats.

“Gathering mana in the other way seems a little counterproductive outside of a battle situation where a healer has your back.”

“What is this other way?”

“A physical sacrifice of blood,” I told her in a hushed voice. “I assure you, it’s rather painful. From my point of view it has no point if I can’t replenish my health with the aid of wayward souls or a good healer at my side.”

“What is it that you do then?”

“I’m a kind of wizard called a warlock. It’s a difficult path, studying dark secrets and wielding them against those very same beings. You know, fight fire with fire.”

Twilight glared at me with a mixed parts skepticism and unease. “What kinds of dark secrets are you talking about? Forbidden magic?”

“Some of it could be considered that. Demon summoning, raw destructive power, magical diseases, and lastly curses, those are the tools of any warlock.”

“Val,” her voice was adamant, “there’s no such thing as curses.”

I smirked, “I’ll show you after dinner. Curses are very real, and very dangerous in the wrong hands. I won’t do anything painful; you’d sorely regret that kind of demonstration.”

*****

We walked out into the garden after dinner. “So you said you were going to prove me wrong. Let’s see some proof.”

“Alright, I’ll hit you with a curse while you’re in mid-gallop. You should feel the effects as soon as it kicks in.”

“You sure it won’t hurt?”

“Well,” I thoughtfully paused, “it might hurt your pride. So give me a nice hard gallop.”

“Okay,” she said hesitantly before tearing off towards the hedge maze.

I focused, sensing her magical make-up and focusing on it. In an instant, I felt a curse explode from my mind, draining her stamina considerably. Seeing Twilight practically slow to a crawl made me want to prove her diminished speed by beating her to the maze.

Even with her head start, I beat her by simply walking. “How,” she started as she gasped for air. “How could you do something like that?”

“That was just a simple curse that drains its target of most of its speed and energy; a curse of exhaustion. Most of the curses I know of are painful or drain defenses from my foe. It allows me to defeat my enemy faster. Breaking their ability to defend against spells or wracking them with constant pain, those sorts of things.” Twilight’s breathing was labored while I explained. “It wears off pretty quickly though Twilight. In battle, a warlock has to be able to recast curses on the spot. On a moving enemy that’s trying to kill you faster than you can kill it.”

“Doesn’t,” she gasped for another breath, “doesn’t sound easy.”

“Don’t strain yourself, just relax and let it run its course.” I sat at the entrance to the maze, “I’d call it off but I can’t.”

Minutes later Twilight regained her composure. I hadn’t lied, my curse was short lived and in truth, that one never really feels like it lasts long enough.

“Okay,” said Twilight after she waited for the full effects of my curse to fade. “I’m willing to believe that curses are real now.”

“That’s good,” I replied with a smile. “Did you feel anything different about the magic?”

She thought about it for a little while. “It was the intent of the magic. I felt like I was being weighed down by the magnitude of the magic, not the spell itself. I’ve never really been under the effect of a spell that wasn’t at least partially my own. Not while I could analyze it like this at least.”

I nodded. “That’s how I always felt my curses flowed. I felt like the painful ones constricted the target with magic, the spell merely holding the magic in place. I know other spells act differently, but those are the ones I can grasp the easiest.”

“Do other spells you cast have intent like that?”

“Yes, I was taught to cast each spell intending to do nothing but unleash the spell’s potential. For example,” I opened my hand and focused on creating fire in my palm. “I desire to bring illumination and immolation upon my foes,” green flames erupted in my hand, “and I create a fire hotter than any natural flame. I was always told that a spell carries the desire and intent of the one who casts it.” I cleared my mind of the intent, causing the flames to dissipate.

“But those weren’t very bright flames Val,” Twilight observed.

“No, what I mean is a dark tone of enlighten; a different definition. The same is true with forcing diseases upon an enemy, you force them to erode and decay from the inside out.”

Twilight gave a shudder. “You don’t know anything but painful spells? I mean I think I can start to understand how you interpret magic, but all that gruesome pain and suffering. I need to be able to teach you how to think differently.”

I thought about it. It wasn’t easy to comprehend just how I interpreted magic. It was as close to instinct as anything else. “I fought in a worthless war; offense is what I know best. Anyways, intent is what I can see it being. Internalizing magic; using mana as a conduit perhaps. It isn’t easy to theorize, magic is part of my biology and breaking it down without a subject to study isn’t easy.”

“Well, that’s too bad. That means you’re our test subject.”

“So what, we’re just going to barrage me with dangerous tests over and over again?”

“That’s right.”

Somewhere deep in my mind a spark triggered, making me excited beyond rational thought. “Then let’s practice magic.”

Story Time With a Dash of Sorcery

After a good night’s sleep Twilight and I began creating a series of experiments, some to inflict upon myself while others were attempts to breakdown exactly why mana was poisonous to ponies. From theory and a little careful biology I had surmised that is was a magical conflict, but I wasn’t positive. Starting today though I would start experiment one: cut my mana intake by fifteen percent.

“Twilight, how am I doing so far today?” It’s been four hours since I took my mana injection. Personally, I’m feeling okay, but I need to know effects I can’t recognize.

“You’re a little jittery but otherwise fine Val.” She quickly returned to her experiment with a few samples I brought with me. According to Twilight, she was looking for specific components deep in the magical properties.

We had started several new experiments as well, and checked out at least seventy volumes about the magic of Equestria. From my point of view, I saw their magic like a current, something that was reflexively tapped into by unicorns when they cast spells. Then there was what Ruby told me, about the cloud walking pegasi and their innate weather control. What did an earth pony use? Did they use magic at all? Nothing I read could give me even a hint towards what earth ponies did with this magical current.

According to everything I could get my hands on, earth ponies cultivated the land; I couldn’t find anything else anywhere. I even asked Princess Celestia and Princess Luna about the subject, when they weren’t preoccupied of course. Unfortunately, they weren’t talking. According to Twilight, who had some experience with earth ponies, earth pony magic is probably subtle while pegasi and unicorns are obvious. I could make sense of it in my head, but writing it down was hard; it felt like I was back in magic theory, but taking notes blindfolded.

Thanks to Twilight, I could actually write a sound equation for unicorn magic in relation to my own. With a few books and a little demonstration from Ruby’s husband, he was on weather duty just outside Canterlot, I could write at least a theory about pegasus magic and its relation to unicorn magic. I’ve committed most of my resources to figuring out the variances with Equestrian magic, if I was crazy I’d put all my eggs in one basket. I am however, quite intelligent and know better. Well, I usually know better.

Some daily rituals never change though, and Twilight was willing to watch, eager to learn. I spent every day since I came here running alchemy studies, but I’m running out of stone. I’ll need to make a new one sooner or later, which meant growing more plants. I’m no gardener, but I’m not stupid enough to try and grow them where any pony could get into them.

“If unicorn magic is obvious,” she said as I worked on making some gold, “then your magic is something more than obvious.”

“Blatant,” I suggested as I stared at my, now pebble sized, stone. “I’m afraid I’ll need to make a new one soon,” I added with a sigh.

“A new what Val?”

“In order to do transmutations I need a philosopher’s stone, a sort of alchemical reagent I can use repeatedly. Each time I wear away some of its power, using it to make the transmutation occur. Since the properties of energy state that you cannot create or destroy energy, then I use this as a way of redirecting and converting energy into what I need it to do. Take this gold bar for example,” I pushed the newly fashioned bar towards Twilight. “By using magic filtered through the philosopher’s stone I can make iron transform into gold despite the physical properties that differ in both.”

“Does the gold you make have the properties of iron?” She poked the bar curiously with her hoof.

“No, it has the properties of gold. That’s the guiding force behind transmutations: the art of altering one material into another. Now back to the stone, if I’m performing weaker transmutations then I can use less of a powerful stone. It works perfectly in the other direction too, if I’m doing a complicated transmutation with a relatively weak stone I use most, if not all of it.”

“Then how do you create a stone?”

“A basic stone is just solidified and condensed elemental energy, but a more powerful stone requires other sources. In my research, I found that I could also collide weaker stones into more potent sources of elemental energy to create powerful stones. These ‘combined stones’ are unfortunately unstable, not useful for prolonged experimentation.”

“Can anyone use a stone?”

“No, you need training as an alchemist to use one. Before you ask, I don’t take on students Twilight.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m a lousy teacher,” she gave me a skeptical look, “I’m always demanding absolute perfection of my students. Your final exam, as it were, would be to surpass me in theory and practice and that’s very difficult to do when I’m learning parallel to the student. As such, I also consider myself perpetually a student and unworthy of being a teacher. To be blunt, I have more of a hatred to the concept of anchoring myself to teaching; I doubt I’d learn anything other than what to teach and what not to teach. I’d never make any progress into the nature of sorcery like that.”

“But you’d become a better person wouldn’t you?”

I paused, making sure to fully comprehend this nugget of wisdom. “At first, I learned magic because I thought I was gifted. Then, after Arthas, I tried to understand magic to simply survive. After Kael betrayed us, I sought to prove we were more than our hunger for magic. By the time of the Nexus War and Kel’Thuzad, I saw only one obstacle in my people’s sordid lives: our addiction. I learned more and more about magic to help them, but struggle after struggle made me realize that I exist by learning.”

“Then what did you learn?”

The smile that slowly grew as I told her everything faded. “I learned that they can’t be saved. My people need it too much and they can’t accept that there’s any other way to grasp the same solution. In my desire to leave, I figured out that they only wanted the temporary solution to sustain themselves. Once I figured that out finding a better way seemed like a solution I couldn’t share it. I could never stand up to either the ridicule and scorn or the praises that my people would have.

We would go back to what we were, or at least kid ourselves a little, but we’d never be the same. You can turn back the hourglass as many times as you want but you can’t permanently change anything. Do you know why you can’t?” I cast Twilight a sly grin.

Twilight backed away a little and shook her head. “Why can’t you?”

“Provided the person you’re interacting with isn’t smart enough to figure it out, if you change something you alter the course of future events.” I grabbed a book about pony history and flipped open to a cluster of pages of notes that Twilight had added. “Let’s say we theoretically went back to when this whole ‘Nightmare Moon’ thing was about to happen and prevented it. The question isn’t if we would be here in the present. It’s more probable to ask what we would be doing in the present. By altering the past, we change the course of events. Do you really think we undo our own existence though? Perhaps it’s possible to create alternate timelines that way, one where we changed an event however, we are part of the original series of events and unaware of the change in information.”

“And here I thought I didn’t have anything other than my studies.”

“You learn when you can Twilight, and when you’ve had moments of ‘when’ like I have then you think about it quite a bit.”

“You mean time travel right?”

I nodded. “Of course, is it such a hard thing to grasp?”

“No I actually had a moment where I went back to see myself a week in the past. The spell didn’t last very long but I guess I made the events of that week happen because I went back in time.”

“And that sealed the loop you created.”

“Right, but, wait have you travelled through time?”

“Twice,” I said casually, “each time was to prevent the fabric of time from being unwoven.” I thought about it, about how hard it could actually be to explain the Caverns of Time to her. “I suppose I should start at the beginning.” I found it hard to really explain the caverns, but Twilight was a good listener. Occasionally she would ask a question, but I found it best to tease with a ‘what indeed’ when I wanted to avoid the question. To be honest, I couldn’t hope to fathom the intricacies of time travel like they could.

“So, correct me if I’m wrong, but deep in the deserts of your world is a temporally unstable cave system.”

“Well, basically that’s right.”

“They’re dragons that call themselves the Keepers of Time that work to maintain the true timeline in the caves and their leader is Nozdormu, a gigantic bronze dragon.”

“That’s right, and what else Twilight?”

“They um… they fight a different group of dragons that call themselves the Infinite Dragonflight as they try to undo key moments in time?”

I smiled and gave her some polite applause. “That was very good Twilight. Here I thought it would be hard to explain it to you.”

“What you didn’t explain is the complexities of the situation that you were involved in.”

“Oh, you mean the opening of the Dark Portal right?”

“Yes, you weren’t involved in the event when it actually happened right?”

“Well, during the time of Medivh and the Portal, let’s just say that I was a lot younger when that happened. I was about ten at the time, conjuring sparks and spooking the neighbors’ daughter with mostly harmless jets of fire.” I sighed. Deep down I suppose that sometimes I yearned for the simpler days of when I was a kid. “When the war reached Lordaeron, the nation closest to home, I was young and headstrong. That isn’t to say I was stupid. I knew that I couldn’t just tag along with soldiers like Sylvanas, who was dragged back home kicking and screaming at least twice. She eventually got her chance, but she got a little bitter from time to time.”

“What about your travel through time?”

“I’m getting there Twilight. I thought you’d need a little background from back in, what I like to call the ‘smartass years.’ My parents agreed I needed to broaden my studies of magic, they knew I wasn’t taking my lessons in Silvermoon seriously. I wanted to learn from a real school, I craved Dalaran’s vast resources.”

“You studied there right.”

I nodded. “I was happy in Dalaran, and most of the students I met shared a lot of my interests and curiosity. None of them delved into magic as deeply as I did though. I knew skilled and lazy sorcerers alike, and they each had their own ideas about magic. I studied all of them and as many disciplines of magic as I could.”

“You sound a little like me.”

“I was a lot like you if you spent more time buried in books and notes than enjoying the sun and spending time with friends.”

“Okay, so I was a lot like you.”

“When I left Dalaran, well, I didn’t leave on good terms. It was hard to garner favor when I returned. To them, I ran away when the enemy was at their doorstep. My personal instructor and a few colleagues defended me in my absence but my reputation was thoroughly trashed. I eventually got my old study back and returned to my experiments but then I got wind of Ulduar and the discoveries that could be found there.”

“So, what about your journey involving time travel?”

I realized she was perfectly willing to get to the heart of the matter regardless of where I tried to move the conversation. “Alright, alright, it was a few years ago when I was directed to the Caverns by Medivh’s apprentice, a human named Khadgar. Khadgar was more or less polite about everything with me; I have a copy of his convergence essays somewhere in here.”

“So what did you prevent?”

“The Dragonflight sought to stop the Dark Portal from opening, preventing the invasion of the Horde. At the time, two individuals led the Horde: Blackhand and Gul’dan. Blackhand was the Warchief of the Horde and Gul’dan was the leader of a group called the Shadow Council. Both met their end in due time and, from what I heard, they died in their ambition.”

“It sounds gruesome Val.”

“Not every orc is like them, Blackhand and Gul’dan were sick monsters and existence is better without them.”

“How?”

“Blackhand was killed by his second in command, Orgrim Doomhammer. Personally, I liked Doomhammer for one reason: he appointed Thrall the Warchief of the Horde.”

“Did you like Thrall?”

I nodded. “Like Medivh and Khadgar, I could have nothing but respect for him. There was only one thing that Thrall did that I didn’t approve of and that was appointing Garosh Hellscream as acting Warchief. Garosh hated everyone in the Horde that wasn’t an orc and I cannot accept a person like that as a leader.”

“Did you ever say anything to Thrall?”

“I did once and he told me that he appreciated my opinion and told me to get better soon.”

“Wait, you were injured?”

“It wasn’t the first time I felt like I was going to die Twilight.” I got up and went for one book, bringing it back over to the eager unicorn. “Here it is,” I added as I flipped through the pages.

“King’s Year 630,
I was visited today by, of all people, Thrall. He came to check up on me under the pretense of my recovery from the events in the Titan Stronghold named Ulduar. I don’t think he arrived at a good time though since I had heard only a few days ago about his appointment of Garosh Hellscream as acting Warchief.

“I told Thrall of my apprehensions of placing Garosh in such a dangerous position but he simply told me to leave it be and get better. At least he listened to my opinion.”

I turned a few pages further.

“King’s Year 631,
I received orders today from the ‘Warchief.’ I’m supposed to report to Orgrimmar and be on the first ship I can reach to march on Stormwind itself. Personally, I think Garosh has taken one too many blows to the head. We need to be more concerned with fighting Deathwing instead of destroying the Alliance, despite any misgivings we have for them. This can only end in disaster.”

I closed the book shortly after finishing that entry. “Our ship was attacked by a giant tentacled monster called a kraken and it went downhill from there. But I’m really getting off topic again.”

“I think I get enough of it. The Dragonflight wanted to stop the Dark Portal from being opened, which would stop everything that occurred because of its opening. In order to preserve the timeline you went back in time and stopped them.”

“I didn’t go alone; I rarely go gallivanting into the unknown without some support. Well, I only go off on my own when I’m ordered to and sometimes that’s unavoidable.”

“Ever since you started talking you’ve calmed down Val. I think the first experiment will be more successful than we initially thought.”

“That’s good news, after a few more days I think I’ll be more willing to trim the dosage more.”

“So what happened next…”

*****

We hardly spent any of the next few days experimenting. Truth be told, cutting my mana intake was working far better than I expected. We still ran some tests and made more speculations, but the majority of it was Twilight just asking me about my life. She didn’t always know when to stop pushing a question; we try to forget some things for a reason.

“I have a new idea,” Twilight said as she looked over from our massive chalkboard of equations, “what about if we approached this problem from a new angle?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“I’m thinking psychology Val. Let me send a few letters and we can get my idea under way.”