Tomb of Magic

"Oh look, aren't these nice?" I looked down at Banshee who was dragging his paws through the thinning snow.

Most of the forest was barren of clearings lacking in snow, so I was quite lucky. As I stared at the bush and its ripe blue berries. Gingerly, I plucked one and cradled it ever so gently in my hoof.

"'Tis edible, we have no worries."

Banshee flicked his tail, knowing that my flora judging abilities were proficient due to years of foraging.

The soft taste and delicate skin burst in my mouth when I tossed it in, giving way to a sort of implacable sweet tartness I had no care for.

But mayhap another pony would...

I picked another hoof-full of berries and placed them in a wyrmscale sack, tying the strings to my cloak's belt.

"Mayhap we should give these to an acquaintance?" I muttered under my breath, my gaze searching for predator creatures. This guardian of the forest may be needing more wyrmscale pouches.

Banshee scratched at the dirt.

"We know he is not very nice...but Kaw-"

Banshee tilted his head slightly and let loose a brief howl.

"Banshee, shhh!!! If Starswirl hears you, you know what he will do - he will kill you Bannie, and make you into a rug. A very lifeless rug."

He huffed and blinked his large brown eyes.

"We know that 'Kawblance' is not his real name, but We forget what his real name is."

I turned back away from the thick frosty pines and reluctantly headed back, trotting towards the tip of a waiting tower, an unfortunate residence, but not a home.

Homes do not make dread blossom in the throat, the stomach full of stones, and the chest full of stone.

I may not be brave yet, but I am no coward. "We wish We could leave this place and go south to look for our parents, or to simply live alone..."

As I let loose a deep sigh, Banshee ran up to my foreleg and nibbled at the edges of my thick cloak.

I giggled, "You make our stay all the more bearable, indeed. We shall go check the runes before We are required to leave you."

I stroked his fur for a moment before trotting off through the pathless and evergreen realm, fur rimmed forehoof boots leaving silent marks as I prowled like a feral feline, exchanging banter with Banshee.

"'Tis remarkable how Kaw' ran away in these woods even deeper then We go for nigh five-and-ten days surviving on nothing, yet evading all pursuers. He looks so skinny now. If We give him these berries he might stop mocking us."

I rubbed a hoof over my cheek where, a few cycles ago, he had stitched thorny burrs into my pillow and laughed while I screamed. The wound had fading to nothingness now.

Curse his merciless taunting. Just because 'Solara' berates us both does not mean he needed to perform such actions.

One day I will-

Find my family...?

I am not even sure any more, if I will ever go back south. 'Solara' split up the trio. She split the duo too.

But I will make my own duo! By the stars, I will make a party of one if needed, if-

If I didn't have anypony I would have to leave behind.

Oh, confound it all! Might I be trapped here forever?

No. I will see Mama and Daddy again.

Mama...I am starting to forget my mother.

Tonight in my Grimoire I shall write all I remember of her.

Nay, I shall carve her likeness in a tree. She would like that, she always loved trees.

I remember that Daddy always called her Lulu.

...

An angelic light radiated from the graceful colossus that was my mother, only adding to the gentle feel of paradise in the cool stone halls elaborately carved as effortlessly as lace.

This was one of the rare moments before the travels that I was playing alone, something I took enjoyment in, although from foalhood onwards I was normally with my sister, though that did not make me her mirror. I was but a wee tyke and stared up watching as my mother's alabaster face smiled, revealing deep laugh-lines on her pale coat even though to a not-quite-filly like me she seemed ageless.

A warm breeze drifted by from the gardens outside the breezeway and I recall putting the kitten I was playing with down.

Why were Mama's eyes worried?

"Do you know about shadows, Luna?"

I gazed down at my faithful gray silhouette. "We are unsure if you speak of the same shadows We are thinking of, Mama."

She chuckled, voice like bells, soft and clear and with a sweeping gesture she sat down. Attempting to mirror her elegant gesture, I plopped down too, without any of her grace though.

"A dear friend of ours-" I called it. "-has reminded us of the importance of educating you and your sister about shadows."

"But not the kind that follow us around."

"Exactly," she murmured, eyes distant as she tugged a piece of her luminous mane behind her ear in an almost nervous fashion.

"Are these shadows mean, Mama? Will they steal my butterscotch candies?"

As she spoke, the kitten, vying for attention, crawled into my lap and purred.

"Luna, these shadows fall into two types: mean shadows, you must stay away from them. Their hearts are a dreadful black darkness that mocks the glorious night with its evil notions and lack of harmony. The second are good, they will be your guardians, your allies and you protectors despite their melancholy souls. Mayhap you can bring them laughter."

The mist continued to march across her gaze.

"Mama, these shadows sound like ponies and creatures," I said as I stroked the silver furred kitten whose fern colored eyes gazed into mine.

"They are, Luna, in some unfortunate ways they are."

"Mama, what if there is a shadow who is not good or mean? Do they not exist as well?"

"Yes, my wise one, they do exist, I suppose," She sounded a little skeptical.

"Do you think they have a sense of humor?"

"A shadow with a sense of humor?" Her clouded eyes travelled to the window, watching as the sun set. Daddy must be tilting the axis of Midgard.

"Yeah, mayhap they tell jokes."

Her eyes lingered on me for a moment, no longer concerned for the orange-gold sun. "We don't think so, Luna. A shadow like that would be a real rarity."

In a moment just as fluid as when she sat down, Mama rose in a single movement. Her curly tail seemed to sweep a protective circle around her.

"Mama why are you not happy?"

"Luna, to-morrow your father and Ourself...we will be going on a trip...a long one out of our Everfree and you and Cellie...we need you to take care of yourselves after to-morrow."

"Are you going on vacation like Aunt Corah and Uncle Ponn?"

She looked scared for a second, I could almost swear she was second guessing herself. "Yes Luna, your we will be meeting up with them."

"Can Tia and...I...go see cousin Neptune?"

"No."

"What about Aunt Pani and Uncle Kami? Will they be there? Will Flora, Terra, and Fauna be able to come over?"

"Yes they will be there and no you will not be able to see your other cousins. They are not between-aged anymore. So no foalsitting...they will be coming with us."

Why was she so frightened? Vacations are nice. It is not like you never see somepony who goes on a vacation.

"Luna, you will remember this, will you not? Not all shadows are good."

I nodded eagerly. "Yes, Mama."

As she turned to leave, her face still set in a distant seriousness, I could not help but ask one more question.

"Mama, you and Daddy will come back, right?"

She stopped walking but did not turn around.

"Luna, do not ask such a silly question. We have things to do, so be ready to say farewell to-morrow." That was not what I wanted to hear.

...

That was one of the last memories I had of my mother. She had used my real name as well, not Starswirl's false name for me.

Banshee and I entered the clearing and I quickly trotted up to one of the ancient oaks, a rare sight amongst the evergreen.

Picking out the correct one, a knobby twisted tree, I whispered to it:

"Hidden in the glen, runes of the knight

when a-glow assist those who fight."

The runes hidden in the bark did not glow flashily but only hummed at the potency spell. For years now, I would come here and lay more layers of power enchantments to deepen the ability of the spell network I was weaving.

The ponies here, 'the three tribes' of this northern place were constantly feuding with pitiful militias that passed for armies.

Mine would be far from pitiful.

Strange how so much was lost. These ponies have such a primitive culture. What exactly was the cause of them to take such backward strides? So much knowledge, inventions, tactics, crafts, art, music, maths, magics, and technology just seemed to...vanish.

Even the calendar system is changed. A night and a day used to be called a cycle but now are only referred to as 'days'.

'Solara' and I owe allegiance to no tribe. She wants to rule them for reasons unknown to me. I once brought up moving back south. Not only do they not know cardinal direction but the ponies here that do vaguely know this world even have a notion that the south was ravaged by unspeakable destruction. I have been there, I was born there! 'Twas a lie!

'Solara' then told me to 'hold thine tongue'.

Even now nopony listens to me...

I add whatever trace of my mother I can recall to the well etched runes and hold back tears, Banshee lolling his tongue out.

I can do this, I am an independent pony. None of 'Solara's' blathering about codependency is true.

...

I emerged alone from the woods, Banshee safe inside, walking up the woodsy slopes until I came to the familiar clearing perched on a hill. Spire and all.

Outside in the surrounding yard of the Magispire, 'Solara' and Kawblance were engaged in a combat lesson with Starswirl overseeing it.

Starswirl just needs an excuse to yell at ponies as they swing weapons at each other.

'Solara' was clearly frustrated that her barely dulled weapon was not striking anything. Kawblance could not perform any of the magics known to crystal ponies such as Crystalkiniesis. He could however perform a limited amount of basic arcane spells.

I stepped into the perimeter, making little effort to conceal my woodsy exploit other than to brush pine needles from my thick fur-collared cloak, which was dotted with snow. Both duelers stopped. Kawblance's arcane aura-encircled dagger he wielded in his mouth lost all magical effects and reverted back to being a rusty piece of metal, and 'Solara' lowered her enormous battleaxe wrought in emblems of flame.

Starswirl raised his head and gazed at me.

"So the frivolous student, no better than a filthy mud-pony emerges."

I noticed a twig in my mane but didn't pull it out and firmly stood my ground trying to remain aloof, which was not too hard. I would not give him any satisfaction. Kaw' who despite his earth pony appurtenance (Crystal ponies were reported, from what I knew to glow like quartz) took offense to this and spat at Starswirl's hooves before quickly dashing off to sulk somewhere, lest Starswirl strike him. Probably off to plan one of his sadistic excuses for a prank.

They always treated me like this! Starswirl with his typical unicorn racism towards all others, 'Lara with her pride, and Kaw' with his sadism and contempt.

I unwillingly swallowed my anger: Soon 'Lara and I would graduate and be free to head back toward the south.

Feeling my anger rise despite the swallow, I knew I had to carefully choose my words. One of Clover 'the Clever's' parables rang in my mind:

On occasion it is wise to guard thy tongue, lest around the neck a ring of rope be hung.

Sometimes I wish I could tell Clover some of the secrets of the world that I have not forgotten. The ones that Starswirl will forever search in vain for.

Is there really such a thing as to speak too little, like a mute?

Foolish question, of course there is. I should know better than anypony.

I am not mute.