Lights Of The Skies

Chapter Two: Messengers

Maulïé. Tongue. Magic. From simple spells and illusions to incantations that rewrite the scrolls of reality and possibility. Magic has been with the Onmêlem since the dawn of the First Ages, always called upon with words and Maulŷl, the word-runes. It is the most useful of the tools of the fair ponies of the First-Lands, used to make all other artefacts. There are no others who know The Tongue, or who can channel its magic in the known world. Yet even amongst them, it is difficult to truly know the tongue—and master it*.

The Maulŷl are often tattooed into the skins of most Tongue-scribes and those who use Maulïé in battle. In this form, magic can be derived from any energy in and around the caster and channelled to any specific spell. They are otherwise carried in the form of Alyu-Maulŷl—rune-stones. The stones can store magic for later use in a weaker state than cast spells. Many initiates or even deer carry them for ease of casting or self-defence.

Magic can come from various sources: the emotions of the caster, memories, runes, natural sources, storage, and even the very soul or life-force of the user. The most powerful form of magic, however, comes directly from the great forces of our world: love, friendship, courage...

Or from hate, suffering, rage... The magic born of these things is expressed in angry Tongue and broken runes. It is Dark Magic. Ukmaulïé. This 'shattered-tongue' has destructive, sometimes irreversible consequences for both the victim and the user; oftentimes, one pony is both. It is not controlled, it is not understood, it only consumes. Dark Magic has not been seen for centuries, yet its effects still linger where it was cast in olden days.

*Ancient texts are unclear as to the exact number of Mesâu-Maulïé.

—Middle Chambers of the Tongue of Aūne-Lerien, 'Maulïé Amēlulkyá.' Tongue-Scribe Ecéntyel.

~~~~~

Rain. The drops and fogs of the forest pooled on the riverside. They poured into the current. The space between the trees became as grey as the sky. Wind blew through every kilometre of the ever-red leaves of the Woods of Mântælyr. Cold water ran down the glorious parapets of the forest-halls of Eŵenlor, silent but for the clanging of iron hoof-guards. Weather-runes with nopony to replenish them let the water fall to its floors for the first time since it arose.

Under the rain sat three mares. One did not care for the downpour that fell upon her dirtied pink mane, for she felt colder on the inside. A small sprout of guilt grew inside her. Her sister shivered miserably from the cold, machinating ways to fix everything. The last mare was smaller, her almost-foalish features were marred by a hard-thinking expression as she tried understand what to do. They were nonetheless comforted by the others' presence.

A small boat was moored on the riverbanks, a relic from the time when the children of Melûmenar still took to sea.

The great barrier-river roared mightily, but even its thundering could not mask the sound of many moving sets of Earthish armour. The search-parties had been sent.

First, an armoured head clutching Morning Star's starlight dagger in its mouth rounded the corner. Then the rest of the pony followed, along with her comrades. Sunflower looked up from the mud and sand. Her pupils were reduced to small pinpricks; irises glistened in the grey. Her ears stood on point.

The last tear fell into the river.

Their pursuers caught sight of them. They felt backed into a corner. Until they remembered the boat. Sunflower scrambled inside, dragging the sisters by their manes and apologising in her mind. They were dropped hurriedly on their backs. Though surprised, they both registered the hunting figures. Freezing wind blew through the small boat.

Celestia desperately searched her knowledge for a specific Word. One Father had taught her. She found it. She hoped it would work on ropes as well as it did on garden-trees.

'Fêln!' Her broken shout rang through the rain. The mooring-rope was suddenly cut in half. The boat was swept away by the currents. The starlight dagger impaled itself in the plank beside the white unicorn's right ear. She flinched. They sped through the waters.

Voices and alarm-chimes followed them.

The boat bounced upon the river as the current threw it. Everything seemed blurred to them. They dug in their hooves as strongly as they could. Inside the small craft, they were tossed like skipping-stones.

Water slammed the wooden vessel into one of the many mossy white rocks. Luna's head was hit by the long oar. Warm pain grew just above her forehead. Her horn stabbed the side of the boat. She pulled herself free only to be tossed again. Rain and river-water wet them to the bone.

They had all been to the small rivulet that flowed from this river to the library of the castle; it had always been peaceful and meek. This one was violent and strong. It was hard to stand.

Under-currents and over-currents clashed. The river-waves clashed. They showed no signs of stopping, racing halfway in the air. Suddenly, the current wasn't so fast.

Sunflower's eyes and ears peeked, shaking, above the rim, half-covered by the black hairs of her mane. She could see as she saw when she served in the terraces; they were approaching the lands of Aūne-Lerien. The House of History. The scribes.

Sudden stillness fell on the vessel.

As if some artifice were upon the forest-halls, after the mouth of the river, the lake and all beyond it was calm. The stars could be seen, glorious alongside the moon. The great sky-lights shined with all their colours. The hanging terraces and libraries of the knowledge-chambers rose in the distance.

Staring at the horizon was all she could do.

She glanced back into the boat to see the others fast asleep. The motionless surface of the lake and moonlight's embrace had quietly lulled them to rest. Being a servant, she had much more endurance than her companions. So she stayed awake, keeping watch.

But the lake was too peaceful and the boat rocked temptingly as it glided. Soon, she fell too. And slept.

~~~~~

Waves lapped on the white sand shores. The earliest beams of the morning sun painted the reflections red upon the waters. Branches and leaves were rustled by the cool breath of the breeze.

A wind-ruffled purple-blue mane moved as ears and eyelashes flicked. It was covered in wooden splinters and still humid from the splashing water. Her braid was becoming unraveled. Luna's head rose from the boat, blinking the sleep away. She hadn't dreamed. Her bed was strangely stiff and hard. Her neck hurt. A dull ache throbbed around her horn. She turned around to see her sister and her friend sleeping close together. Tia snored.

Last night crashed over her. There wasn't much debilitating pain left; she had cried herself dry. She had to try to fix this. Somehow. She always did. Sometimes she wished she could be like Celestia: always seeing the good, always knowing exactly what to do.

Her now-shredded and wet ceremonial dress was quickly discarded, leaving only her moon-white simple under-robe. The garment covered only her chest, barrel, and flanks. The dress lay on the mud, moved by the soft tide. She examined the belt where Nightbloom had affixed a light archer's dagger... Nightbloom... She shook the thought away.

She had not the slightest idea of how to make use of a weapon, yet she still hung the belt on herself. The weight was unfamiliar.

There was stirring on the boat. Two bodies stood in unison. Frazzled and half-humid manes covered their eyes. They looked at her. Violet and emerald eyes slowly widened.

'Luna?' Celestia seemed unsure it was actually her sister she saw. Then she looked at her own dress and remembered. She mouthed a slow and exhaling 'oh'. Sunflower simply stepped out of the boat, with a lopsided gold-flower wreath.

'Where are we going?' Asked the orange mare. She looked ever-so-slightly down 'I saw the libraries, if it helps.'

'The halls of the scribes are our best hope.' Luna turned her head to the forest. Dense branches and trunks speckled with flowers and moss of various shades. Thin grass and smooth rocks painted the forest floor. 'They'll help us. We have to... Tell them...' She trailed off, watching her friends' expressions.

She started walking into it.

Celestia looked at the tattered fabric that once was her dress. After much deliberation, she decided to follow her sister's example. She hesitatingly undressed, leaving the breathtaking piece laying on the shore. The vivid colours were covered by the sluggishly-moving waves. It was dragged into the lake, floating like a low cloud. She turned back to the boat, noticing the almost-translucent white dagger impaled on it. Her father's only weapon. Never used in violence. With the utmost respect, she levitated its leaf-shaped blade towards herself. She took the gold-thread belt from the dress and stored the memoir there, putting it on.

Sunflower blushed and left on her dress, seeing as it was in a better state.

They followed Luna into the thick woods, hoping to find any of the scribes.

Skipping over roots and tripping on fallen branches, they went deeper. Phoenixes flied around, fluttering like butterflies and shining like the sun. They alighted on branches without burning them. The morning-mist pooled near the floor. No path was in sight for no built path led to the lake; the children of Lerien were never very fond of taking to the waters.

Great trees reached to the skies; some had observing-crystals chained to their highest branches. Luna wondered how they had been hung there. Celestia simply marvelled and enjoyed the sight, glad there was still beauty after the pain. Sunflower was more focused on the taller mares, and cantering after them.

Grass, uncut, felt strange under their hooves.

The small party soon came upon a dirt-path, made by hooves instead of magic. Such things were uncommon in the lands of unicorns. Luna stepped into it. She looked at the two mares following her.

'I think this might lead us to the halls.' She said. Her gaze followed the path. 'At least I hope so.'

Celestia walked to the path in much the same way as her sister. Sunflower made a small cautious jump from a root she was on. They walked in the direction they assumed the scribes might be in.

A straight line of ponies continued down the narrow strip of earth. All of the forest looked the same to them. Equally beautiful, but the same. They kept a fairly quick pace. Many birds called back and forth in the distance. The path was straight, yet it felt interminable to Luna. She kept her focus on the end of it, which was shrouded in fading fog.

Luna hit her muzzle rather hard. How could she not have seen an obstruction in their path? Her eyes refocused. The tree was white and blue. It had dropped many different-sized scrolls.

'It' was a bewildered scribe. His simple garments were now covered in dust. His dark blue cloak matched Luna's coat. It was held together by a silver broach shaped like a star.

'Excuse my rudeness, but: who are you?' Asked the young stallion with the wild mane and amber eyes. His horn was so sharp Luna thanked the heavens she hadn't killed herself by bumping into him.

'We come seeking shelter, and with... important things to say.' Celestia stepped forward. Her voice was practised, as she had been taught. 'We are from Aūne-Melûmenar.'

'Why are you on my path?' He asked, apparently ignoring what 'important things' may mean. He began gathering his scrolls. 'There are many other paths. Why mine? You could've disrupted the results of my study on ambient magic as opposed to Maulïé!' His inquisitive tone about the path and annoyance at possible disruptions were all conveyed in a single breath without pause.

'We're sorry. We didn't know.' Apologised Sunflower. Luna raised a single eyebrow at the strange scribe. Sunflower had an idea: 'Um... Can you lead us back to the Halls of Lerien? Please?'

The scribe stood up. He was quite tall, though not as much as the sisters. His almost excessive thinness was hidden by the Cape of his cloak. His tail was short yet equally wild as his mane. He shrugged. 'I suppose. But you didn't answer my question. My name is Starswirl. I'm a scribe of the Tongue. Who are you?'

'My name is Celestia. This is my sister Luna and our friend Sunflower.'

He turned around, raising an eyebrow and lowering the other. He walked. 'Very well, travellers. Follow me. And take care to not fall behind.'

~~~~~

A tree of immense proportions stood proud amongst its brethren: Aūne-Lerien.

Its smooth bark was the purest white. Its leaves blood-red. It rose above everything in the forest, and even some of the mountains in the distance. From its greatest branches hung platform upon platform, all stone. These hanging platforms were only some of its many libraries and sleeping-rooms—the scribes slept communally. Massive roots anchored it to the earth. Twin rows of marble columns led to its intricately-carved gate, always open, allowing the light to flow to the outside. An ancient stone-path led to it, filled with scribes of different ranks, descriptions, and ages going back and forth, gathering their treasure: knowledge.

Starswirl's path ended upon meeting the main stone-path. The four wandering ponies incorporated themselves into the streams of unicorns headed to the gate.

'First time visiting our halls?' The young Tongue-scribe lifted his sight to the platforms. 'They are marvellous. All the knowledge in Gaia is contained within. Even I haven't read it all.' They followed the flow of the scribes.

They came to the gate. It was carved in a relief of the night sky, with many constellations upon it. The centre of the gate displayed an unfurled scroll and rune; the symbol of the House of History. It was so thick and tall it should have been impossible to close.

The inside of the tree was impossibly large. It must've been bigger on the inside. Shelves and shelves of scrolls and books, both ancient and recent, lined every available surface. A spiral staircase suited for a giant descended and ascended through the middle, as if headed to the roots and the skies. There were hallways to spare. Every single pony seemed to be carrying scrolls, or books, or writing material, or rune-stones. The three mares stared, taking it in. Starswirl continued walking with a natural pace.

Steps of the spiralling stairs stood in front of them. Celestia and Luna looked at each other. There were almost no stairs in their father's forest-halls; this staircase seemed to reach into the very clouds. The scribe began his climb. The three mares followed close behind.

'You're going to be examined with magic before entering the Chambers of the Tongue. You know that, don't you?'

'Chambers of the Tongue?' Sunflower asked the question in all the companions' heads.

'Well, yes.' Replied Starswirl. 'You're here to see the Head Scribe, I suppose.'

'Yes.' Celestia confirmed it with such confidence it seemed like that was the original plan.

They lost count of how many levels they had left below, but they still went higher. The stairs, carved from the very heart of the tree, ascended further, into the Upper Chambers.

Their tired legs finally stopped. They had arrived to the very top of the staircase. A small gateway was closed. One black-coated, the other warm yellow, the two guard-scribes to either side, armour underneath their silver cloaks, bowed their heads to Starswirl. He entered without the slightest delay. The runes in the guards' legs glowed slightly.

'Elŵa.' To find. To examine. The Word exited both mouths with perfect synchronisation. The rune, shaped like a hanging star-vine with a dot to the side, glowed in front of them. The scribes' eyes became solid purple. A magic shimmer ran through the bodies of the three mares. 'You are...' The guards paused for the slightest moment. 'Worthy. Enter.'

The small gateway shimmered open. They entered. Even incalculably high off the ground, the word any of them might've used was tunnels. Starswirl was walking some distance ahead of them, scrolls suspended in his magic. He turned right.

'I told you not to fall behind.' His tone was the one one might use for a foal. He continued walking, his hooves echoing through the walls. The three children of Melûmenar trotted after him.

Luna caught up with him first. The other two followed. Tunnels and columns were carefully carved from the marbled wood of the tree. White with pink. Every pillar and wall depicted a caster; they all looked wise and very concentrated. Each was using a different Word: Fire, Bind, Understand... Scribes walked by, muttering, memorising, studying. Reverberating speech could be heard from the chambers.

'Lûlwen.' The whisper reached all their ears, slithering in. All was cold. The floor vanished under their hooves. Then all was comfortably warm. They stood once more.

'Such a simple word. Bring.' A mare no older than fifty was in front of them. She sat with her eyes closed upon a simple wooden groove. Her cascading silver mane reached the floor. Her purple coat seemed to fade in and out of time itself. She wore nothing but a thin headpiece and wooden pieces for earrings. The chandelier that hung above her was made of roots and hanging milky crystals that coloured the light, making unclear whether it was from sun or moon. 'Yet it is also a question. One that has been asked: the moon, the sun, and the flower; what brought you here?'

Celestia opened her mouth to answer.

'One that has already been answered.' Continued the mare, unhindered. 'Your current situation has dulled the edge of that particular blade. Your emotions are muted by something, but I can still see them. I can also see they can hurt you still.'

The three mares all knew what she meant.

'And no. I am not a seer like the Elders.' She still hadn't opened her eyes. She sat perfectly straight. 'I am only perceptive. I know what I have studied. I know your tones, daughters of à Eŵen-Laulïén. You have come to see me for aid, yet this House does not wage war. You will have a place here, but we will not fight, we will talk.'

'What gives you the right?' Luna's voice was like white-hot steel being cooled in snow. Mirror streams of tears ran down her eyes. One hoof each from her sister and Sunflower alighted on both her shoulders.

'Nothing.' The purple mare said with calm. 'But you may accept or decline my offer.' She sounded merciful.

'They accept, Mesâu.' Came the pleading voice of a stallion from the corner. Starswirl's look towards them clearly meant don't be foolish.

'Be quiet.' Her voice still bore that unshakable peace. She opened ice-blue eyes, irises webbed with grey, and nodded to the visitors. 'Let them speak.'

'We accept.' Said Celestia, taking the scribe's advice. She looked at her sister, seemingly calm again. Sunflower was so silent she had almost faded into the background. 'We didn't come to you for fighting aid, merely aid. Thank you.'

'Then we shall prepare a space for you and welcome you with open hooves.' She flicked her head towards Starswirl, who still clutched his scrolls in a magic grip, with an unspoken instruction. His precious knowledge grew closer to his chest.

'Alŵen.'

Take away. The whisper echoed, louder than most shouts.

Sunlight and walls melted away. What rematerialised in front of the four ponies was a scribe sleeping-room. It was one of thousands. It was of the few unoccupied ones in the halls. Bed-rolls lay on the floor, covered in green sheets. Next to them, there was a small green chest for each. Fire-less white torches lined the walls. In one of the sides, a doorless doorframe stood.

'Well.' Starswirl looked at them. 'I suppose we should give you the afternoon to... wander.' He started walking out.

'Where are you going?' Sunflower came out from the background and asked the question gently.

'I don't sleep here.' He looked estranged by the idea. 'I have another room I rest in. Now, if you excuse me, I have to compile my notes.' He immediately walked out.

The three mares followed him with their gazes. The eccentric stallion disappeared into the hallways.

They looked at each other.

'So, then...' Said Sunflower quietly, breaking the silence. Her glass-flower cutie mark itched with embarrassment as the sisters turned to her.

'It's later than it should be.' Luna remarked. Normally, she stuck to her schedule of early mornings and late nights; she wasn't particularly fond of sleeping. But now tiredness weighed on her. Even though the night was still early, she laid on one of the bed-rolls. She put her head down on the rough pillow and tried to sleep. 'Sorry, but I must away.' As always, what little rest she had was deep, and she quickly fell asleep.

Celestia glanced at Sunflower. 'Are you tired?' She walked over to a bed-roll and sat on it. Sunflower took the one beside it. 'I don't think I have ever slept this early.'

'Me neither, mi—' She caught herself, being reminded they weren't in the forest-halls anymore. She fidgeted nervously with her hooves.

'I think we could at least try.' Celestia curled up on the meagre sleeping-space the best she could. She shivered before pulling the sheets in top of herself. The rough bedding scratched against her fur, textured like hay. The tweed sheet could barely keep out the cold of night. She buried her face on the pillow, trying to fall asleep like her sister. Her body relaxed, yet she could not sleep. Sounds of rustling sheets came from Sunflower's direction.

The white unicorn waited for tiredness in the uncomfortable material. Yet her eyes still remained open. She switched the orientation of her head. She saw movement on the adjacent bed-roll. 'You can't sleep either?' She asked in a low tone.

'Not really.' Replied Sunflower. 'It's not the bed. I used to sleep much later and less than either of you did. I just can't sleep.' She paused. 'Can I... Can I tell you something?' Her expression turned expectant.

'Yes.' Celestia hoped how much she cared about her dear friend showed through those words. 'You can tell me anything. Always.' Her best reassuring smile painted her features.

'Okay.' Sunflower's reply was muted. Celestia waited, a slight frown of concern showing through.

'I'm... Worried.' The inner sides of Sunflower's eyebrows raised up. Her ears flattened themselves. 'About you—both of you. Us. What if... What if they're still chasing us? I'm scared, Celestia.' In that moment, she sounded like a little filly begging her mum to hold her and tell her gently that everything would be alright.

'You don't need to be.' The white mare tried to comfort her. She told her the truth with a soft whisper: 'I'm scared too. I'm terrified, actually. But I have Luna. I have you. That makes the fear not seem so bad.' She didn't notice she was crying until she had finished talking. Sunflower smiled, unshed tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.

'Thank you.'

Quiet. They fell asleep shortly after. Hours of the night and early morn went by in silence.

~~~~~

Phoenix-song and scribe-horns heralded sun's ascent and the beginning of the day. Beams streamed through the openings in the walls of the sleeping-room. Already the din of multitudes of scribes returning and taking scrolls, jotting down notes, and heading to the food-hall to eat their breakfasts could be heard.

Like the sun had risen, so had Luna. She stood in the centre of the room. There were no mirrors around, so she re-braided her mane and tail blindly. She had slept in her clothes from the day before; she wondered if she could get clean ones.

As with every single space in the tree, there was rolled-up parchment and sticks of coal in abundance. She looked at the piles and started thinking of what to do. There was no event, no lessons, no private tinkering with metals and gems in her room.

Another pony soon rose from sleep. Sunflower yawned in a high pitch as she stood. Her headpiece was lopsided. She blinked rapidly. 'Good morning.' She said, half-asleep. She straightened her coronet and mane.

'Good morn.' Said Luna absentmindedly, for her thoughts were still engaged.

Sunflower walked over to where Celestia slept. The elder sister's form rose and fell blissfully as she inhaled and exhaled. A small lock of her mane was swung in the small draft of her breath.

The marigold pony hesitated, wondering if it was a good idea waking her up after all of yesterday. She had just decided against it when Celestia's ear moved.

Celestia rose on her own, mind clouded by the fog of sleep. She walked sluggishly to where her mirror might be and grasped with her magic where a basin of water had always been prepared for her to wet her face and wake up fully. She found nothing.

'Hey.' Said a small and bright familiar voice. Sunflower eyed her with concern, remembering the short conversation of the previous night and feeling the dry tears upon her cheeks. 'I can cast a mirror if you want.' Celestia looked at her with sleep-addled magenta eyes. But they were still kind and bright. 'I learned how to.'

The white mare looked at her, then around the room and to the outside. The day before and last night weren't enough to break habits of half a lifetime.

'Yes.' A smile and a yawn intersected on her face. 'Thank you.' Luna glanced back at her sister. Celestia pushed her pink mane mostly behind her ears as Sunflower conjured the mirror:

'Leâel.' The way she carefully whispered, almost sang, the word denoted much practise. Practise in such a simple thing. Her horn glowed slightly as word became reality.

A shimmering sheet of air solidified itself in front of Celestia. It waved and sparkled until it became a solid floating surface, reflecting her features back at her. The slightly-silver object worked as well as any crafted mirror. Sunflower started smoothing her mane with her magic, lacking a brush. The tall mare's face turned a light shade of red under the few pink hairs still draped over her face.

As soon as Celestia had finished making herself presentable, they all sat quietly in the middle of the sleeping-room. They were unsure of what to do. They had reached the scribes, but that was as far as their plan had gone. Luna's stomach rumbled loud enough for the others to hear.

'What is taking so long?' Asked Luna with hunger in her eyes and an empty stomach. 'Breakfast should have been brought up by this time.' She eyed the door-frame, wondering why nopony was walking through it. Sunflower spoke up.

'I don't think that's how it works here...' She added helpfully.

'What do you mean?' The dark-blue unicorn sounded genuinely confused as to the remark.

'Maybe we have to go down for breakfast?' Celestia said. She didn't eat breakfast frequently. Sunflower nodded. Luna looked to the opening once more before standing up.

Just then, a pony walked through it.

'Good morning', said all three mares in almost-unison.

'Do you bring breakfast?' Added Luna, hoping for food. Starswirl looked offended at the insinuation.

'No. I don't bring breakfast. You missed breakfast.' The hungry mare looked rather disappointed. 'The Head Scribe, however, ordered me to orient all of you. Which might include the eating-halls...' Luna's expression perked up. He smiled smugly.

The other two mares briefly dipped their head to Starswirl in greeting. He nodded in return.

'Well.' He walked out, giving Luna a sense of déjà vu. 'Come on. Follow me, then.' He signalled forward and strode forth. They did as he said, trailing behind him in a triangular shape.

Through the door was a hallway that ran through the branch, following its path. Door-frame after door-frame made from darker wood filled it, each leading to a different room. There were no scroll-nooks here, only empty beds and desks with concentrated scribes. Lavender crystals embedded on the high ceiling gave it a soft, coloured glow.

'These are the Sleeping Halls', explained the wiry robed stallion. 'They are mostly empty after First Light. I hope you memorise these hallways, the Head Scribe or I won't send you here with the Tongue every time you wish to return. I could help, but not every time.'

Walking space widened, as did the branch. An arch of great size marked the place where the branch joined the massive trunk. They were now on a balcony, circular, or rather ring-shaped. The space in front of them was open, crossed with stairs and hoof-bridges. Ring-balconies rose from the floor to the treetop. A multitude of hallways branched off from each of them.

On every level, various scribes travelled from one hallway to another, up and down steps, and through halls. Almost every one of them carried various quills, scrolls, and pieces of parchment. Some handled every type of metals, rocks, and powders with great care.

Winding up until it disappeared up above, the heart of the tree was carved with history. Upper parts of it were still smooth. It was the same beautiful red-and-white wood as the rest of the tree.

The three companions took all this in. Starswirl stood quietly by.

After they had seen the panorama, the scribe motioned them to one of the staircases, which went down into the main body of the tree. Luna followed immediately, as did Sunflower after breaking out of her admiring state. Celestia followed, having her shoulder softly tapped by Sunflower.

Down the stairs they went.

'And this is the Centre.' He said, turning his head just enough to be heard by the others. His listeners seemed to wait for more as they kept descending. 'Just the Centre. Simple name. Pragmatic. It suits it. It is what connects all the chambers and halls of the Libraries.'

'Were there not stairs here?' Asked Luna, raising an eyebrow and slowing her pace. 'Yesterday. When we entered.'

'That was not the Centre.' Replied Starswirl, with a tone that asked you listen to him speak facts. He didn't slow down. 'That was the Southern Spiral. It connects to the Centre down there.' Three sets of eyes followed his pointing horn to one of four identical arches down below.

Stairs gave way to another flat balcony. They were now only two platforms above the lower level. Walls now resembled honeycombs, filled with various categorised scrolls. Reading-desks and paths to branches were all around the level. Everypony seemed to be headed somewhere different.

'The highest floor of the Libraries', said the scribe-turned-guide with respect and a bit of wonder. 'It contains all known texts on history. They are our most precious treasure.'

Sunflower and Celestia considered the scrolls with awe. The hexagonal shelves did seem extensive enough to contain the history of the Onmêlem, perhaps even the history of all ponies. Luna glanced around. Her stomach tugged at her.

'Where did you say we could be served food?' Starswirl looked offended. Luna could think of nothing other than hunger and missing the banquet-hall of her home.

'The eating-halls...' Grumbled Starswirl. He seemed disappointed at her lack of interest for the Libraries. He sighed. 'Alŵen.'

Everything bent and disappeared.

The world came into focus. It assembled itself piece by piece. Sunflower felt disoriented, and perhaps a little sick; she was still trying to understand how somepony could use the Tongue so powerfully with such a casual demeanour. The bright orange mare could only conjure mirrors and basic Words. Luna and Celestia seemed fine.

'Here they are.' Said the wiry scribe to Luna. His tone was dry, but he regained the ghost of an ever-present satisfied smile soon enough.

'Thank you.' Midnight-blue hooves stepped forward as if nothing had happened, apparently oblivious to Starswirl's previous intonation.

Columns lower than the ones in the rest of the ancient halls stood all around. A flattened mass of roots seemed to form an incredibly long table with hundreds of places. A blazing white fire, cold in appearance yet warm in temperature, roared in a gold fireplace. Smaller trees grew from the wooden floor, filled with shining round fruit. An abundant stream of water flowed steadily down a branch into a receptacle made of curling roots; it never overflowed.

Luna approached a tree and plucked a silver fruit from its leaves. She bit it, letting the nectar fill her mouth. Celestia followed her example, giving a sound of satisfaction at the flavour. Watching them eat, Sunflower's stomach felt empty. She went towards another tree, growing some type of soft-pink berry.

Starswirl stood idly by, musing to himself about possible causes for not being awe-struck at the Libraries. He couldn't find any that were plausible.

The small mare was about to pluck her own fruit from the low yellow-leafed tree. She imagined the sweetnes... Something rustled leaves to her right.

Cold wind blew down her spine.

The scribe's ears stood. He looked around, feeling the hint of a presence.

Sunflower backed away, her tail swishing rapidly.

Leaves moved again. The unnatural wind picked up.

Celestia and Luna had begun to notice too. They looked nervously to their friend, then to each other, then to Starswirl.

A figure leapt from the foliage. Blinding speed. It crashed into Sunflower. She yelped. The figure growled gutturally; a predator assessing how to kill. Hunger. Heavy iron boots crushed Sunflower's shoulders and back hooves, preventing her from escape. It looked like a warped pony. Frost-bitten coat bristled. Sharpened teeth, snarling, and grey empty eyes bore into her heart. She shook. A cold tear ran down her face. Icy fear filled her veins. She whimpered helplessly.

Starswirl and Luna broke from their horrified trance.

The lean mare ran to the creature. She shouted: 'Êm!' Strike. Nothing happened. The predator turned its eyes to her. It blowed, as if blowing a candle out. Luna's hooves were frozen in place. She grunted, trying to free herself.

Starswirl grit his teeth. His eyes burned. He spoke in a voice cold enough to rival the creature, the monster:

'Let me tell you the rules: I care nothing for who you are, or what you are. You don't enter the Libraries without permission.' He took one step forward. 'You don't hurt ponies in the Libraries.'

The monstrosity laughed. It was cracking and infinitely echoing. The sound of ice shifting.

'My master has no business with you, child of the stars.' Its voice was a blizzard, a storm-wind. It rose, leaving a heavily-breathing Sunflower on the floor. It floated in an unseen haunted gale. 'He only seeks the sun and the moon. And their companion.'

The scribe took a weak step back. His mouth was encased in a cage of frost.

It turned its twisted face to the three companions. Celestia was still in a shock. She breathed heavily. Sunflower had crawled next to her.

'With you my master has business. I am but a messenger, like the farmer.' It tilted its head in contempt. 'But I bring a less... violent message. I don't reap the fruit. I just lead the waters to the orchard. I am sorry to say the deaths were... necessary...' Luna struggled against the ice furiously, but it was unmovable.

'Here is my message:' It's voice became deeper, sounding far-away. 'Even in these halls of stone, I am not contained. The Ernyalëm shield me. So come. Come on down, daughters of the forest-sky, to the roots of the mountains. Down to Tāhros-Mïrn... Come find me.' It laughed from afar.

'Melwé!' Bind. The frost-cage on Starswirl's mout shattered into splinters. The creature was wrapped in conjured bindings. It struggled, foaming at the mouth. They did not loosen, binding it tighter.

'Aûyl!' Down. It crashed to the floor. It writhed. The floor cracked. It breathed snow from its mouth and nose. Ice shot from its hooves.

'I cast you out!' Shouted Starwirl. Every ice-binding broke. 'You cannot return! You are powerless! You are imprisoned! Cast away!'

'Ûlmé ā Anya!' It has been spoken.

Smoke. The twisted monster evaporated into black smoke and white ash. Frost melted; what was left disappeared.

Starswirl breathed through his mouth, trying to recover some strength.

'Did you... kill it?' Came Celestia's soft, hesitant voice. An orange figure was curled up to her side, shaking. Luna shivered.

'No... The... Tongue... isn't supposed to... wound.' His voice was weak. His legs folded. He laid his chest on the floor. 'Need to... speak... Mesâu...' His head rested on the wood.

He slept...