Author's note : I've got a lot of help before and after publishing the first two chapters and I want to thank them all so here I go in chronological order. First I want to thank a friend of mine who is my first pre-reader and goes by the pseudonym Idilsur. Then I have to thanks y1fellas and IceColt who helped me tackle the most jarring grammatical mistakes in the first chapter. And finally I want to thanks Null and Kasune who gave me a lot of advices on how to improve this story. Again, thank you all.
1930 A.D
Chapter 1 : End of an Age
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1117 B.D, Summer
Twilight Sparkle woke up to find herself in pitch-black darkness, a headache pounding at the base of her horn. Trying to get up, she saw that her back hooves were restrained by some sort of chains, preventing her from moving more than a few steps.
Ignoring the ache, she tried to illuminate the tip of her horn, but a violent spasm of pain sent her back to the ground, shaking violently. A couple of minutes later, the pain became manageable once again, allowing her to think straight.
The head low, Twilight tried to take stock on the events of the past few months, when her train of thought was stopped by the sound of an opening door somewhere to her left. She heard the clatter of hooves on stone, and light started to spread in the corridor in front of her. Now that she could see her surroundings, she understood that she was in some sort of underground cell. The clatter grew louder and louder until a gray coated earth pony in shining armor appeared behind the bars. From what Twilight knew, he was an officer.
What the gray stallion saw was the most pitiful thing he ever witnessed. Before him was a frail, aged and tired unicorn, with a grayish-purple coat, and a somewhat darker mane with a large, gray streak in the middle. The most disturbing thing in the before hom scene however, was her horn, or more appropriately, her lack of horn, which had been severed at the base of her skull.
“I am truly sorry for what they have done to you” the stallion said pointing a hoof to Twilight head, looking effectively pained, “we are not barbarians, but we couldn’t let the most powerful unicorn alive to be able to free herself...”.
Twilight paled and started to shake as the realization of what happened struck her. For the first time in years, she did something she had never allowed herself : she gave up, the despair of her condition sapping her last strength. In shock, she wasn’t able to do anything, be it to cry or to try to escape, and the room remained silent for what seemed like hours.
Then another pair of clatters came from the corridor and the stallion turned is head in it’s direction, frowning.
“I guess it’s time to go now.”
The gray stallion opened the door of the cell with a pair of keys that were hanging to a piton ridiculously close from the cell door. Twilight force a sad smile on her when she saw the stallion grab the key. If they hadn’t mutilated her, freeing herself would have been the easiest of her feats ever. If she still had the will...
A light blue mare and a brown stallion appeared in the corridor. They were wearing golden armor that must have been shining brightly a long time ago, but now they were tarnished and scraped all over. The new guards flanked Twilight before putting her on her hooves, and then proceeded to take off her chains. The head low she let them guide her in the corridor. Soon they were trotting in a vast dungeon designed like a maze to prevent escape, the officer taking the lead. Fifteen minutes later, the procession reached a massive wooden door. When they saw their superior, a couple of guards pushed them open with grunts of effort.
The light that came through brought back Twilight headache and forced her to close her eyes, her vision weakened by her time spent in darkness. But this did not prevent her from hearing the clamor of the crowd, roars of hatred, insults and cries of victory...
The guard to her left pushed her forward, and Twilight forced open her eyes and as a last act of defience, watched the crowd with a fierce glare. She had been led in some sort of arena, a block waiting for her in the middle of the open space. Near it, an executioner with a leather cap covering his face waited for her with an enormous axe in his teeth.
The last thoughts of Twilight went to her long lost friends, as she hoped to meet them on the other side.
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Tuesday, April 17th 1923 A.D, 16:43
“... after her defeat, the execution of Twilight Sparkle was closely followed by the self-exile of Celestia, marking the end point to the golden age of Equestria.”
Jack carefully closed the book with her hoof, doing her best not to damage it. Looking at the back cover, the earth pony saw a symbol similar to the one on some of the wall of the ruin, a quarter moon in a starry sky. The light provided by the oil lamp was flickering now, and Jack wondered how much time she had passed down there.
“Winthrop, are you here ?” a flash of light danced in the ancient library, revealing long aisles filled with books and scrolls worn by the time, as Marc Vecquer appeared at the entrance with a worried expression.
“Ah, Jack, here you are !” Said the earth pony, his face lighting up with relief. The stallion was clearly in its fifties, and the dust on his mane made him look even older.
Marc approached the young mare, careful not to blind her with his flashlight.
“I was searching for you for hours ! Don’t ditch the team like that, you never know if there has been a collapse in these damn ruins.” Marc stopped in it's tracks when he saw the book in Jack hooves.
“Did you find something ?” he asked, excitement showing on it's face.
Jack hoofed him the book carefully while partaking in Marc's effervescence, and proceeded to sum up its content.
“Well, it’s a miracle that this one survived all that time ! I don’t know how but it is better preserved than any other book in these ruins. Almost every other one crumbled to dust when I tried to pick them up, and when they don’t, most of the time they are illegible.” Jack stated, pointing to several fragment of books and rotten wood on the nearby shelves.
“Anyway, this one is incredible. It’s written in ancient Equestrian, so I had some bad times deciphering it , so I sticked to it's end and peeking here and there. From what I've read, I think it recount the discovery and the lives of the prophets. I don't know why it also call them 'the last bearer of the elements of harmony'." Jack continued her exposition with a growing enthusiasm. "But there is more ! It clearly contradicts all what we knew about them before!" She was on the verge of jumping around like a foal, as always when she let her passion take control.
Marc had always been amused by his assistant antics, although this time a frown crept on his face.
“What ?” asked Jack, shooting him a stern look.
“Oh, well, you did a good work Jack, and the Church will certainly shit their pants when they'll learn that we found the ‘history’ of their prophets, but I hoped for, you know, something more... historically accurate” said the old pony, tapping gently Jack’s back with his hoof. Irritated by the diminutive gesture, the mare smacked his hoof
“It’s not because this book is focused on religion that it doesn’t contain any useful information !” countered Jack, “If one reads between the lines, we could make some major discovery ! Besides, as I told you, it seems totally different from what we knew !” She was more upset by her mentor patronizing demeanor than it's disdain for her discovery, but did her best to stay calm.
“Well, if you say so, we should celebrate ! I’m pretty sure I still have one of those bottle of Bourbon I brought from London” concluded Marc with a wide smile, trying to defuse the situation at hoof.
“Anyway, our guide told me that a sandstorm is heading our way, we must go back to the camp. If the storm passes over the entrance, we’ll be trapped in there and the team will never be able to find us before it’s too late. Come on” added the aging stallion, pushing Jack toward the exit.
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1066 B.D, Fall
“Where are you Tia ?” thought a dark blue alicorn, looking in the distance.
“Did the pain go away after all this time ?”
It has been fifty years since Celestia was gone, unable to put up with her loss, and that Luna had to rule the realm on her own. Ruling wasn’t the hardest part though. Now Luna had to carry their plans alone, no matter how difficult.
“Your Highness ?” an earth pony with a charcoal coat appeared before her and bowed in reverence.
“The transfer of the royal records in the new royal library of Ponyville is progressing well, your Highness, we have good hope that it will be complete in less than two days now”
“Thank you counselor, you may go.” responded the princess, trying to mimic her sister calm and regal manner, complete with a smile of her own that she had practiced a long time.
Luna looked once more at Canterlot from the balcony. Her old residence was still magnificent, but even from here it she could see how empty the city was. There was no chimney smoke, no pegasi coming and going. The alicorn emerged from her reverie, shacking her head slowly. It wasn't the time to feel nostalgic, a new order had to take place and even if she wanted, she couldn't go back to those day.
The princess refocused her attention on the book she had just finished writing. Placed on her desk, the book had on its front cover the emblem of the sun of Celestia, while Luna’s moon was on the back.
“Here is my message in a bottle into the sea of time” the alicorn thought aloud.
Luna knew that the very existence of this book was dangerous, but since the departure of Celestia in exile, she had not many things to hang onto, and it had kept her from falling apart. Besides, she always felt than her sister's plan was relying to much on luck and needed a little help.
Luna grabbed the book, put it under her wing, and headed to the corridor. She went down stairs after stairs, before ending up at the entrance of the royal library. Two guards were standing there, impassible.
“Leave me.”
“Yes, your Highness !” The guards bowed before quickly climbing the stairs.
The princess pushed open the door and walked past many different bookcases, full of the history of Equestria from the foundation of the realm to today, before stopping herself in front of the largest one.
She put the book to her lips and whispered : “By these words you will be protected from the ravages of time until the moment comes where your knowledge is sought.”
The words helped Luna to focus the spell and soon she was satisfied by the result.
She then put the book on one of the shelves with her telekinesis. When she was done, she panted slightly and started to sweat, the effort having take more from her than she thought. She waited a couple of minutes to compose herself, and headed upstairs.
The two guards were waiting there, and bowed again when Luna approached.
“You know your orders, when the last records from Canterlot will be secured, you will seal and hide the entrance. After that, no one must enter, was I clear?”
“Yes, your Highness !”
Luna walked in the direction of her room, an image of her bed in mind, when the counselor from earlier ran to meet her.
“Your Highness, rebels are causing troubles at the edge the Everfree forest, the general Hoofstrong request your presence in the war room !”
“Thank you counselor” replied the princess before changing her path and speeding up her pace.
“They aren't ready yet, they still need me, but one day, they will have to be” Luna thought bitterly
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Saturday, September 8th 1923 A.D, 19:15
“Afraid Jack ? You shouldn't be, tonight we will just enter history, no big deal.” whispered Marc with a chuckle.
Jack shot him one of her glare. She always had the feeling that she was making a fool of herself under the spotlight, and today wasn't an exception. In general, while not asocial, she was more comfortable with books than in a crowd.
Suddenly the lights went out and a spotlight illuminated a pony in formal attire.
“I guess it’s our turn.” said Marc with a smile.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts, make a standing ovation for the ponies who found the ruins of the ancient city of Oshan, retrieved the tales of the prophets of the goddesses, and generously offered them to the Church of the royal sisters : Mister Marc Vecquer and his assistant Miss Jacqueline Winthrop !”
The audience began to applaud heartily, and the spot was directed to Marc and Jack as they walked to the microphone.
“Thank you !” began Marc while walking on the stage. He waited for the cheers to calm down before continuing.
“Thank you for being here tonight ! This adventure would not have been possible without the generous contributors who put their faith in us, and I am happy to see that most of them are with us tonight...”
Jack wasn’t listening, she just waited the end of the show, smiling and laughing at the jokes thrown here and there by her mentor, hoping it wouldn't last too long. Thirty minutes later, they were in the audience, assaulted from all sides with questions and invitations to talk about their trip. Jack ended up separated from Marc and was pinned down by a very talkative mare in the fanciest outfit she has ever seen.
“Oh darling, what an experience it must have been !”
“Well yes, it was really interesting...” said Jack.
“And the adventure ! Going into exotic places, living with savages, exploring dark caves full of wonders !" interrupted the mare with little noise of excitement.
“It wasn’t exactly like that, in fact...” She tried to correct the mare.
“Oh yes, there must have been a lot of danger too ! Did you met somepony like Allan Quatermane to lead the expedition and protect you from beasts and bandits ?” asked the mare, more and more excited.
“No we just...” Jack was starting to loose patience toward the rude, and clearly ignorant mare who kept interrupting her when Marc appeared.
“Ah, Jack, here you are !” Marc never knew how much Jack was grateful to him that night. Would she had stayed a little longer alone with that mare, an incident may have occurred.
“I got a little distracted and lost you for a second” continued Marc, totally oblivious to the precedent situation.
The excited mare looked at Jack, confused “I may have misheard the announcer, but Isn't your name Jacqueline ?”
“Well, yes, this is my actual name, but my father always told me that I was the tomboyish filly he ever saw, and kept calling me Jack. Some sort of private joke for him. Anyway for goddesses know why the name sticked and now that's what my friends call me.” answered Jack cooling herself. Luckily for the other mare, she didn't interrupted her this time.
“Well that’s, really interesting darling, really ! Well, I could use some refreshment right now, don't you? I’ll see what is available at the buffet. Have a good night madam.” said the haughty mare with one of those fake smile practiced by every socialite, before vanishing into the crowd.
“Well young lady, how about we start enjoying the party in our honor ?” asked Marc, clearly already enjoying himself.
“Keep away every pony like her, and I'll follow you everywhere.”
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Saturday, September 8th 1923 A.D, 23:09
“Here we are m’am, t’will be 25 bucks”
“Thanks” answered Jack while hoofing the money to the cabdriver.
She had been dropped just in front of her apartment in the suburbs of the town.
“I hope Marc won’t wait two week to pay me this time, I’m nearly broke” thought the young mare grimly while inspecting her empty wallet.
“I know you considered this book purely theological, but why did you give it away for free, we haven't even studied it !” She remembered yelling to Marc when she learned about his ‘generous donation’ to the Church.
“We are running out of fund and it was the only valuable things we found back there ! Don’t worry” he tried to reassure her, “It will make us good advertising, I'll find us sponsors in no time you will see”
“Well it’s too late for me to act anyway...” Jack mumbled while searching for her keys.
"The end is nigh!”
Startled, Jack jumped out of reach of whoever shouted and almost dropped her keys in the process. Right by her side was a bum waving a sign totally illegible.
“Repent for your sins, for the return of the goddesses is inevitable ! The book of revelations has been found. The world will be purified by the flames and will reborn from its ashes. Only those with pure soul will be saved! " shouted the crazy pony.
Jack hurried to the door of the building and opened it faster that she ever has. She rushed inside and slammed shut the door behind her, still shaking from the shock.
When she realized what had just happened, she let out a nervous laugh, feeling stupid for her reaction.
“Everything is alright ?” Came a voice from the first flour. An old mare was heading down the stairs in a dressing gown, a worried look on her face.
“Yes miss Marble, everything is fine, just a little scare, sorry.” Said Jack with a reassuring smile.
“Oh, It’s you Jacqueline dear ? Be more careful next time, you could have woken up the neighbors !”
“Yes miss Marble, I promise I will”.
The old mare was sweet but a little tiresome from time to time. Beside, Jack didn't want to upset the owner when she wasn’t sure she could pay the rent this month.
Once inside her small apartment, she dropped immediately her traveling saddlebags with a sigh. She had been on a really long trip this time and now she literally had a mountain of mail waiting for her on the table in the living room, brought here by the owner miss Marble.
But Jack, who was tired by the party and the earlier scare, didn’t pay much attention to it and instead went to the bathroom to take a shower before going to sleep.
If she had paid attention however, she could have seen that on top of the ‘mountain’ was sitting a strange package with just her name on it, with no stamp or return address.
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1066 B.D, Winter
The edge of the forest was covered in snow. The old unicorn, tired by her long walk, sat down on a stump and looked around her. She was on top of a little hill, in the open. In front of the forest, at about eight miles from there, was Canterlot, the beautiful city magically hung to the side of a mountain. On the left, as far as the eye can see, were more hills and valleys covered in snow. One of those was the destination of the old mare.
Time had not been grateful to the unicorn, but decades ago she was a lovely mare with a light lavender coat and a pale blond mane, completed with golden eyes.
A chill put the unicorn out of her reverie and she got to her hooves, decided to reach her destination as fast as possible.
Almost two hours later, she was there. Before her was a hillside filled with graves, but the one she wanted to see was at the top. She began her ascent, tiring with every step, but soon she reached it. The grave was covered in snow, like every other one, but she knew with no doubt that it was the one.
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the hills, and when the mare looked in its direction, Canterlot was nowhere to be seen. The side of the mountain was bare, but at it's base was a huge cloud of dust, and one could see destroyed spire, tower and buildings inside of it, all from the city that was Canterlot minutes ago.
The unicorn hung her head low and turned her gaze to the grave, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Sorry mom, we tried, but we couldn’t stop them.” she whispered.
The unicorn was tired, she had fought for a long time, and the weight of her age was suddenly heavier, she needed to rest for a while.
Dropping down on the grave, she curled herself closer to her mother.
“I just need a couple of minutes, no more” did she though, but she never rose from where she lied down.
When she leaned on the tombstone, some of the snow covering it fell, showing the partially erased name of it's occupant.
G . N . . AL
D . RP . H . OV . S
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1156 B.D, Spring
The party in the library was in full swing, Applejack and Spike were showing some wicked moves on the dance floor and Fluttershy was trying to “pin the tail on the pony” while Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were watching, snickering slightly when their friend pined it just under it's chin.
“What is bothering you darling ?” asked Rarity, approaching Twilight who was sulking on her balcony.
Twilight had been distant from the beginning of the party, and when Rarity saw her alone, she jumped on the occasion to talk to her friend.
“Nothing, it’s just that since we've beaten the nightmare again, princess Celestia seem preoccupied” answered Twilight, staring at Canterlot in the distance.
“Do you think there is something wrong ?”
“I don’t know, maybe I am just making stuff up, but she don’t speak to me as much as before...”
“Well, she is a princess, she has to rule the entire kingdom, maybe she just had a lot of work lately.” Rarity said with a smile, trying to reassure Twilight.
“Yes, maybe.” answered the purple mare, smiling lightly in return.
“Come on dear, or we will miss all the fun” said Rarity heading towards Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, who were picking the next player.
Twilight followed her, thankful to be able to spend some good time with her friends, hoping that it would never change.
1930 A.D
Chapter 2 : Inciting Incident
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Friday, September 7th 1923 A.D, 19:37
The Cardinal Ortega was restlessly pacing in his office. The news of the discovery of the Goddesses book had made him ecstatic, but it wasn't the first time he had heard ponies claiming to have found this relic. He had to be absolutely sure it was the real book before making his first move.
There was a gentle rapping on the door.
"Come in."
A light green mare with a mint mane and wearing glasses entered with a file. She trotted to the desk and putted the file on it before making a little bow to the Cardinal.
"Monsignor, we just received this from the diocese of London, it's concerning the book donated by the professor Vecquer. They conducted some researches and it seems they can confirm its authenticity."
"Thank you Sister Anne, I'll look into it" He said, warmly smiling at her.
When she leaved the room, the Cardinal sat at his desk and started perusing the files. Even if the dating reports were a little off, there were no doubts that it was the book he had been searching for so long.
Turning around, he looked at the city lights from its window, a disturbing smile spreading on his lips.
"The time has finally come."
The reflection in the window showed a tall stallion with a dark red coat and a short gray mane smirking at him, and for an brief instant his silver eyes were replaced by turquoise, reptilian ones.
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Sunday, September 9th 1923 A.D, 08:21
RRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGG
As Jack would explain to you, she isn't a lazy pony, she is just not a morning mare.
Groaning, she smashed around her nightstand with one hoof, trying to find her alarm clock. Finally finding the offending machine, she turned it off without looking and proceeded to roll back in her bed.
RRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGGG
"What the hay ?"
Groggily jumping out of bed, she took the direction of her living room where the phone was still ringing, cursing whoever was calling this early.
"Miss Winthrop here." She said grinding her teeth, trying not to snap at her interlocutor.
"Jack it's me, we have a problem!" Marc was at the other end of the line, and is tone was pressing.
"Come on Marc, it's Sunday, I asked you to stop disturbing me with work during my time off." Marc had the bad habit to give her work on weekends and she had always been trying to put a stop to it.
"It's important ! The book disappeared, now there is an investigation and the police want to see us."
"Wait, what ? Why ?"
"Hurry up, they'll be seeing us at my office, I'll explain it to you there." Marc seemed extremely preoccupied.
"Ok ok, on my way, but you're going to pay me lunch for that", joked Jack in an attempt to calm her mentor.
"Whatever, see you there in an hour." Marc hung up.
Jack wondered what was upsetting so much her mentor. That was a bad news for the historic community if someone stole the book to the church so soon after they located it, and if no one find it back quickly it would be a disaster fr the church. The book could easily be sold on the black market to a collector, its secrets hidden to everypony but one lucky buyer. Moreover, now not only couldn't she study it herself, but she also may not hear about its content during her life time !
Though, why was Marc so stressed? Something wasn't right, she never saw him like this before. They had been in tight spots sometimes, but Marc was always joking and taking everything in stride, he was the embodiment of optimism.
Was he worrying about being suspicious to the police or something ?
Jack wasted no more time and jumped in the shower. After a quick attempt to tame her mane, she slipped on her saddlebag and grabbed some snacks to eat on the way. Marc's office wasn't far away from her apartment, but since she never had the money to buy a car, she had to rely on public transportation, which was always slow during weekends.
Approaching the building, she could see a police car parked in front and two bobbies waiting at the entrance.
One of them faced her when she neared the entrance.
"Miss Winthrop?" asked the constable.
"Yes ?" answered Jack nervously.
"Detective Patterson is waiting for you upstairs, please come with me."
The bobby opened the door for Jack and followed her in the stairs leading to the office. A mare was waiting on the third floor, in front of a door with a plate reading "Prof. Marc Vecquer, Archaeologist". For Jack, she could have been in her thirties, and had a tan coat and a medium length reddish-brown, almost auburn, mane framing her face. The first thing that Jack noticed was the piercing glare the mare gave her with her ice blue eyes, like if trying to analyze the very soul of the young assistant in a simple glance, before easing her expression into a welcoming smile. Unsurprisingly, her cutie mark was a magnifying glass.
"Miss Winthrop I presume ? Hello I am detective Lizbeth Patterson" The detective offered her hoof to Jack who shook it apprehensively.
"I am afraid that we will have to wait here until mister Vecquer show up." the detective said in a light tone, smiling.
"Well, Marc gave me a spare key, so let's just wait inside" offered Jack while taking said key from her saddlebags.
She opened the door and let in the detective and the policeman before entering. The place was a mess as per usual. Open books and notes where laying everywhere and it was difficult to navigate in the cramped office. The only place that seemed orderly, if a little dusty, was Marc's collection of historical knick-knacks that was sitting in a corner behind a glass case.
Jack went to the stove placed behind the desk. "Do you want some tea or coffee ?"
"A tea would be perfect" answered the detective.
"No thanks ma'am" added the constable.
Patterson was examining the case when Jack come back with two steaming cups of tea on a tray.
Jack tried to break the ice "So, you are interested in archeology ?" Something in the way the detective was acting was putting Jack on nerves, and she knew that messing with her would be a a really bad idea.
"Oh, not really, I'm just taking a look around, sorry." Answered the detective, then turning around and taking the cup Jack was offering her in her forelimb. "Thanks."
"I guess that while we are waiting for mister Vecquer we could already get started. I take that you know the reason of our presence ?" Asked Patterson.
"I don't really know the details. Marc called me this morning to tell me that the book we brought back disappeared and that the police wanted to see us, then to meet him here." Jack shrugged.
"And do you know where mister Vecquer is right now ?" The look she had earlier was returning to her eyes.
"No, he should be here by now, I guess he is on its way." Jack smiled. She didn't want the discussion to linger too much on that. Patterson intimidating presence and Marc's behavior on the phone worried her for her mentor. She was certain than something was wrong and that Marc was in trouble. Her feeling of unease must have shown on her face since the detective changed the subject.
"The theft happened in the diocese office of London yesterday, and had been reported this morning. Can you tell me what you where doing this Saturday ?" asked Patterson, still staring at her.
Jack shifted nervously despite herself "Well Marc and I just came back from our expedition yesterday actually. We landed at around noon, then we checked out and went to Marc's place to prepare ourselves for the reception, that's all."
"The reception ?" The detective was slowly approaching Jack
"Yes, the London institute of archeology organized a reception for Marc and me, for finding the book." Jack was trying to distance herself from the mare but was soon trapped against a pile of book
"So how come the book was at the diocese office yesterday and not with you ?"
"Marc sent it to some person he knew at the office a week ago, as a donation, when we were still on the field." The two mares where now almost muzzle to muzzle.
"I see. So yesterday you came back from your trip and got to mister Vecquer's apartment before going to this reception ?"
"Yes"
"When did you leave the reception ?"
"It was around ten I think, or half past ten, I called a cab and went home."The barrage of questions and the proximity of the detective were almost pushing Jack to her limit.
"And mister Vecquer ?" continued Patterson. She had completely ignored her tea since she started asking questions, looking directly in Jack's eyes.
"I... I... I don't know, I think he stayed after I left, and I didn't talk with him since this morning. Are we suspected detective ?"
Patterson eased her stance and backed a step before taking a sip from her cup, as if nothing had happened. "Sorry, it's just normal procedure, you don't have to worry." She made a delighted sound "Well, this is some really fine tea !"
Jack sighed with relief "Thanks".
Patterson turned around and took another look at the collection before asking casually "If I may ask, are you in a relationship with mister Vecquer ?"
"No. Why ?" Asked Jack still on her guard. She had a crush on him, back when she was still her student, but it never got anywhere and it was a long time ago. She was the perfect example of the naive college student at the time.
"Excuse me, simple curiosity." Patterson said, smiling sheepishly.
After that last question they stayed silent for what seemed hours to Jack before the second bobby went in with Marc in toe.
If the aging stallion was still nervous, he was making a great job at hiding.
"Sorry if I'm late, I had some trouble with my car. The old mule refused to move, if you'll excuse me the expression" he said with a chuckling lightly.
Marc walked behind his desk, brushed apart some old notes on his chair, and sat down. "How can I help you?" added the stallion in his business-like manners.
The conversation stretched for another hour, Patterson first asking the same question to Marc that she asked to Jack, and then asking for details. Marc's story was almost the same as Jack's, so the detective finally went to ask if they had any information concerning the theft. She then left her card, telling them to call if they ever learned something that could help her investigation before leaving.
"Well, that went better than expected." said Marc once the police officers departed. "Lunch is on me if I remember, right?" joked the old archaeologist. "It may be a little soon but we'll avoid the rush that way."
"Is everything alright? You seemed... tense on the phone." asked Jack.
"Oh, that? It's nothing, I was just upset about the theft. Now the press will be all about how somepony stole an ancient book from the church and will forget about us. We can say goodbye to free publicity and fame now." Marc dismissed.
Jack looked at him quizzically. She knew her mentor was hiding something, and if she hadn't still been troubled by her encounter with Patterson she would have pressed on, but right now she was more than happy to leave the cramped room.
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Sunday, September 9th 1923 A.D, 11:13
Detective Patterson was sitting at a table in a pub not far from Vecquer's office, waiting for her partner, when she saw him crossing the street in the direction of the establishment. Detective Ridchard Bennett was smaller than your average stallion and had a dull gray coat with a jet black mane, the only hint of color being his forest green eyes and his cutie mark of a roll of police tape. His head was oddly shaped and always reminded Patterson some sort of weasel. Ridchard wasn't the most handsome stallion around, but where Patterson could accurately analyze ponies and their behavior, he had no rival for digging out clue on a crime scene and every little fact about somepony's background.
The stallion entered the pub and took a sat across Patterson.
"I've checked for Jacqueline Winthrop, neighbors say that she came home around quarter past eleven and didn't get out after that. From what I gathered she's a 'nice girl if not a little messy' and occasionally pay her rent late.
I'm not sure about Vecquer, some ponies who attended to the reception says that he leaved around one o'clock but I can't get any confirmation with neighbors if he got straight home or not. Nothing special about him save for business trips from time to time, always according to the neighbors. I've got the address of his ex-wife but she live out of town."
"There's something fishy with this case. Vecquer seemed off to me during the interrogation. he seemed too calm. It couldn't have been anything but an act. Problem is, he don't fit the profile of the perfect burglar, he couldn't have done it without leaving clues or witnesses behind. Did you found anything on the scene yet ?"
"Nope, I combed the entire building twice to be sure, and it gave nothing. No hoofprints, no tools, no sign of break-in whatsoever. Almost look like a ghost did it or something."
Patterson smirked "Yeah, or maybe a unicorn ? Anyway, try to dig up something on Vecquer, he couldn't have done it it but I'm sure he's hiding something. I'll keep an eye on this Miss Winthrop too. There isn't a lot to find in this direction but who knows ? Maybe it won't look like we have nothing to the bigwigs."
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Sunday, September 9th 1923 A.D, 09:42
<...and Celestia said to her prophets : 'Do not loath this day, for I will always be by your side. Do not cry my death, for I will forever live in your hearths. Do not fear the future, for I will protect my subjects from my eternal kingdom until the day of our reunification.' The goddesses may not be of flesh and blood anymore, but they are still here, guarding diligently the mortal world, waiting for us from her thrones in Heaven, Amen>
Father Simon's office was a little too simple for his taste today, but it seemed appropriate since a lot of colts and fillies who where about to begin catechism this year had been brought by their parents. Besides, it never hurts to review the basics from time to time.
Which he will be doing a lot, since he volunteered to teach those catechism classes.
The mass ended a couple of minutes later with the benedictions, and the priest took some time to exchange a few word with it's parishioners and meet the young minds he will soon enlighten. When the last pony left, he went to the the vestry to undress.
He was a stallion in his mid-forties with a cobalt blue coat and amber eyes. His mane, while cut short in a militaristic fashion, was a light purple. On his flank was a representation of a stylized cross, which almost looked like a greatsword, the hilt upward. However his most distinctive traits were undeniably the collection of scars on his body.
Just when the priest hung it's vestments, the phone in the presbytery started to rang. He trotted the short distance and picked up the phone.
<Church of Our Lady of the Harbor, what can I do to help ?>
"Father Simon, your expertise is requested in London, we secured for you a place in the Nice-London flight at 3 p.m, with a short stop to Paris."
A grim expression washed over the priest face "Every time my skills are called in always seems too soon."
"Amen."
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Monday, September 9th 1923 A.D, 10:00
RRRIIIIINNNNGGG RRRIIIIINNNNGGG RRRIIIIINNNNGGG
"Freaking evil contraption from hell" mumbled Jack while shutting off the alarm clock.
Lunch with Marc yesterday was nice, especially since he paid for her meal, but a discussion on their recent expedition led to a discussion about the courses Marc would teach to college freshmen, which then led to the first lecture of the year that he would give this Monday, which finally led Jack to spend the rest of her Sunday working with Marc to prepare his lectures for the next few weeks. She didn't found the time to ask him further about yesterday morning and ended up going home really late.
At least today was her day off since Marc was busy teaching the magic of archeology to a bunch of young ponies with dreams of adventures. Basically, he was currently crushing every hopes of every single one of his students by showing them how wrong they were. Most of the time three quarters of the class defected to another course before the end of the year.
She jumped off her bed and went straight to the bathroom, washing the sleep out of herself with a cold shower.
When she went back to the living room she eyed the pile of mail, groaning. Three month worth of mail to sort through can only be described as a pain in the ass. She went to her kitchen and put water to boil for some tea before sitting in front of the pile. That's when she noticed the package on top of it. It was rectangular and rather heavy, wrapped in paper craft. Not really paying attention to the fact it was devoid of any post office stamp or marking, she started tiring it up.
Jack's face went instantly pale. "Holy shit !"
In her hooves was the very book she dug up two weeks ago, the invaluable book that was now property of the Church, and was declared stolen since yesterday.
