The Book of Ethereal Secrets

Chapter 1

It was a humid, warm afternoon in the village that sat within the thick walls of Fort Hoffen. I had just started my patrol. My first few months here were just that, walking, occasionally wall duty, but it was an important duty. The route today was from the barracks to the baker's, blacksmith's, then to the school and back. A few of the ponies waved at me and greeted me with the usual 'hello' and 'good morning'. These were nice ponies, and I couldn't happier to be their protector. It was in my mind, soul, and cutie mark.

The Burned Bun came into view as I approached. I figured I'll grab some lunch on my route. Though now that I think about it, that is an odd name for a bakery. I stepped in and was greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread, cakes, and cupcakes. Sour Dough and his family were good friends of mine.

"Sour," I called as I approached the vacant counter."Sour, where are you?" Tink.

I searched for what tapped my shield ,and saw a light green filly with bright pink hair. I dropped to one knee as one would do for a princess, eliciting a giggle from the young foal. "Good afternoon, Sweets, is your father in?"

"He's organizing the ingredients in the back," She was just as sweet as her namesake, Sweet Tart. "Do you want me to get him, Mr. Aegis?"

"If you don't mind," She scurried through the door to the kitchen, humming a tune. I looked around a noticed the shop to be almost empty. That was strange, considering that the place was usually packed with guards coming in after their patrols and duties were completed.

"Afternoon, Steel, I take it you want the usual?" Sour stated as he came out of kitchen followed by Sweets.

"Yeah, where is everyone?" I decided to voice my concern for the emptiness.

"Something about the one of the wizards 'reading a book'," Sour made air quotes with that last bit. They were probably talking about that one book they found deep in the Everfree the earlier this week. We lost three cadets that day, damned manticores. "Here you go, one banana bread to go." I took the slice and payed Sour as I left.

As I walked, I noticed a rather nasty looking storm forming above. This is common, living in the Everfree and all, but it had a sinister orange glow. I continued the path up to...

BANG BANG BANG

I shot up covered in a cold dampness, hyperventilating. I got up and walked over to the bathroom and splashed a handful of water into my face. Staring into the mirror, I tried to calm down from the panic I felt. My white coat was somewhat dirty, and my black mane - that I usually kept as a short mohawk of a sorts - was disheveled. I had the same dark blue eyes as my mother. I traced the scar on my jawline with a finger, a reminder of Hoffen.

Bang Bang Bang "Room service," A voice called from the door. I stepped up to the door before realizing that I didn't order room service. I looked at the clock, and it said it was a bit past 3 in the morning. I quickly put my jacket on, and my guns into their holsters and hid in the closet. I focused my hearing on the door and heard at least 3 voices arguing. They definitely were not hotel staff.

A loud thud echoed through the room as they broke the door down. I peaked out of the door and spotted the four earth ponies from last night, wearing dark red jumpsuits with a large orange eye adorning the back. One opened the window to let a griffin in, He had a bandage wrapped around his head. I clocked him good. He started barking orders to the others. "We got to find this guy, quick. If we don't, it's our hides." He proceeded to look around, then he pointed to two of the others. "He might have gone downstairs, so you two go and watch the stairs and elevator on the first floor." They promptly saluted and left the room as the griffin and two remaining thugs started searching the rest of the room.

My heartbeat increased as the griffin began approaching the closet. Every step he took nearly caused a miniature heart attack. I held my breath as his talons gripped the door knob. "Hey Beak, check this out," I let out the breath as I dared to peak. one of the earth ponies had decided to search my pack. He was holding a bracelet, which caused my eyes to widen and rage to fill me as I realized what he had. "Listen to this, 'I am forever yours'," he laughed.

I kicked the closet door open, knocking the griffin of balance. I charged at the pony holding the bracelet. My fist connected with his face; therefore, it made a satisfying crack as his mandible fractured under the weight of my attack. The other earth pony rushed me and got few good strikes in on my abdomen and right arm. He went for another blow, but i caught his hand and twisted it behind his back. I wrapped my other arm around his neck as i noticed the griffin pulling a gun. I pulled mine first and clipped his arm, causing him to drop the firearm. I replaced the spent pistol with my other. The earth pony I was holding had passed out from me squeezing a bit harder then I realized. I let him drop to the floor and kept my flintlock pointed towards the griffin. I walked up to him and kicked the gun away as he reached for it. I figured it's time for answers.

"Why?" I didn't feel more than one word was needed. He just glared at me. I picked up his gun with my magic and floated behind him pointing at his wing. "If you want to retain your ability to fly, then tell me why you're after me." Most would assume that was an empty threat, but I would have went through with it and he could tell by the look in my eye.

"Fort Hoffen," he stated. Not these idiots, too. I pointed the gun held in my magic to his leg and fired. blood splattered across the carpet, I did not envy the pony who would have to clean this mess. I knocked the griffin out with a swift kick to the dome. I walked over to the bracelet and put it back in my pack. I heard sounds that a horse drawn carriage would produce coming from my window. Looking out I saw at least ten more ponies leaving the carriage - most were earth ponies with a few pegasi and a unicorn, all wearing the same dark red jumpsuit - and entering the building. I grabbed my sword and scabbard, and put them in their rightful place on my back with my pack and headed to the hallway.

I looked over towards the elevator and noticed it was moving, to this floor. I headed for the stairs and as I approached the 2nd floor, I heard hoofsteps coming up. I headed into the hall in an attempt to hide while they passed, but the knob started turning. I panicked and ran into the first room I saw to hide from them. After closing and locking the door, I heard a gasp. Two mares were staring at me from the bed, eyes wide with fear. Then, I realized what they were doing before I interrupted them.

"Well...this is...um...embarrassing." I stated in hopes that they wouldn't flip out, but they just stared. Don't scream, don't scream, oh PLEASE don't scream. Almost in slow motion, their mouths opened. I rushed forward placing my hands over their mouths - eliciting a couple of squeaks from them - as not to alert my pursuers. I looked over to the window. "Does your room have a fire escape?" They nodded. I released them and placed a finger over my mouth in a shushing motion and made my way to the fire escape. First thing I do after I make it out of this is catching the train to Manehattan. The sooner I'm out of Trottingham, the better.