The Bloodstone

During the night, a storm had brewed over the peaceful village of Little Shoes. It begun with high winds and a smattering of rain but had now transformed into a terrible thunderstorm. A jagged bolt of lightning made Silver jump as its roar filled his bedroom. He could only bury himself under his pillow and tried to get to sleep, but it was hopeless.

‘What pegasus thought this was a good idea?’ grumbled Silver from under his pillow. ‘I understand the flowers and things need watering, but this is just ridiculous!’ As he complained, another roar of thunder made him jump. ‘I hate storms!’

After Silver collected himself, he slid out from his fort and moved lazily to look out of the window. Silver had been living and working in Little Shoes for many years, mining for precious stones and metals but had never seen a storm this big in the village before. He hoped that this storm would pass by the morning, as he would not enjoy working in this kind of weather.

A bright light suddenly shone from behind Silver and almost blinded him as he turned to where the light was coming from.

‘What’s going on!’ Silver gasped as he shielded his eyes from the blinding light but also the odour of burning wood and cloth.

‘Fire!’ In alarm Silver ran to the kitchen to fill a mug, but it was too late. The light had all ready subsided as he returned to a burned rug and floor.

Silver looked on, still holding the mug of water, flabbergasted. Until his eyes grasped the hovering red glowing gem in the middle of the burned mess.

Cautiously, Silver approached the red gem and prodded it with a hoof. It was warm to the touch and sold just as any other gem he found, but this gem in particular seemed to have what looked like magma swirling within it. Silver picked it up and checked it for any markings or scratches but it was immaculate.

‘Magic! It just has to be! Em, some kind of magical artefact or something!’ said an excited Silver as he dashed for his blue coat and backpack. ‘I must show Violet!’

Violet is an intelligent unicorn that Silver met long ago, who had left the city Saddlesworth to relax and establish her own bookshop. He visited often to show her the many gems found while mining. Violet loved to search her huge book collection, discovering different kinds and what properties they might have.

‘Wait,—’ Silver paused and face-hoofed ‘—it’s the middle of the night! I doubt she would be awake…  No, this is important!’ With that said, Silver put on his coat and gripped it tightly as he headed outside into the storm.

Silver kept his head low under his hood and made his way slowly through the downpour, following the dimly lit flooded path. The cold wind pushed Silver to move with haste, feeling it biting through his coat and fur. There wasn’t any-pony else around to what Silver could tell, but he felt that someone was watching him.

After some time, Silver managed to reach Violet’s bookshop. Its windows alive with firelight and a moving shadow. ‘She must be awake,’ Silver said to himself as he dashed to the door and knocked, ‘I hope.’

It opened part way to allow an orange-maned unicorn to stick her head out. Her green eyes looked around through her rounded spectacles, landing on a soaked Silver standing on her door step.

‘Silver!’ Violet gasped in surprise. ‘What are you doing here at this late hour?’

‘Getting wet mainly if I stay out here,’ Silver replied meekly.

‘Oh! Come in, quickly!’ Violet opened the door wide to allow Silver inside, who didn’t need to be told twice and quickly entered shivering.

The bookshop was as messy as ever, with scraps of paper and books piled high on a wooden cash desk near an old looking till. Behind the desk were rows of bookshelves, all filled with book of different kinds and sizes. The shop was lit by a burning candle sitting near an opened book placed on a nearby table, and a small fireplace crackling in the corner of the room next to a flight of stairs.

‘Thanks,’ Silver rushed over to the fireplace.

‘You’re welcome,’ Violet closed the door and followed behind him. ‘Now what’s troubling you and why are you out at this hour?’

‘I’ve found this… Well, it kind of appeared in my bedroom. Do you have any idea what it could be?’ Silver dug around in his coat pocket and withdrew the red gem while he explained what had transpired.

‘A red gem that appears out of nowhere?’ Violet said after a long close look. ‘I’ve… never seen any gem that could do that, but I think my uncle might have an idea.’

‘Would he be awake?’ Silver asked while rubbing his hoofs near the fire.

‘I doubt it,’ replied Violet.

‘Well, what can we do?’ Silver sighed. ‘It’s still raining outside.’

‘I can tell,’ giggled Violet softly. ‘I’ll just send him a message about the gem and to come take a look in the morning.’

Violet made her way to the table and scribbled something on some papered rolled it up with some string. Light emitted from Violet’s horn and with a small gesture, the paper disappeared with a flash.

‘There, done.’ Violet stretched and let out a yawn.

‘So, we just wait until morning?’

‘Yep. You can stay here tonight in the spare room upstairs, saves you going back into the storm.’

Before they headed upstairs, a poof of white smoke appeared in midair over the table and dropped a rolled up paper. Both ponies exchanged looks at each other as Violet heads towards the table and read the message aloud.

‘“Dear Violet, It seems your friend might have discovered something powerful. If what you have described to me is correct, I must come and see for myself. Do not go anywhere or open the door for anyone. Iris.”.’

After Violet finished reading the message, Silver was taken aback.

‘What does he mean by powerful? I hope he doesn’t mean… dangerous.’