Twisted Fate

Chapter Two – A Destination

“It’s not very far! It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump!”

The sun was beginning to set in the distance, the savanna beginning to cool as the sky darkened. I scavenged what I could from my enemies, including the bloody wing blade, light barding and the knife with a sheath.

I flew over to the river and washed my coat of any caked blood on my shoulder, leaving only a thin, clean scar. It should heal in a few days, hopefully. I sighed heavily, looking back on what just happened a part of me regretted that I hadn’t even given them a proper burial. No time to dwell on that now, though. I was miles away, having reached the river and began following it to the east, towards the city of Alexmanedria.

The vegetation became noticeably lusher as I neared the grand Nile River. Currently the longest river in the world, it housed over 90% of Heliopolis’ population. I thought, how hard could it be to find a town? I decided to trot through the night to find out, hopefully it wouldn’t be long.

I had been walking for hours in pure darkness, my only guide was the moonlight and the soft sound of the rather calm river moving against its’ banks. The walk along the river was noticeable more peaceful, but I didn’t dare attempt flying; that might cause more unwanted attention. It slowly became noticeably brighter, and as I looked up in this sudden change in light, I noticed the sun rising over the horizon. Had I really been walking for the entire night? After a few hours my hooves had simply gone numb and I kept walking through the night, hoping to hit something.

“Oh, for the love of-” I mean, how hard can it be to find the smallest hint of society next to a river. Not just a river, the world’s longest river out of all of them. How I wanted to take the risk of getting shot just to fly a little bit and maybe save myself a bit of trouble looking for a city.

As I continued to trot along the bank, something sparked my interest in the distance. Not more than a few miles away, a gargantuan pillar dominated the skyline, and upon it laid a huge burning flame that could signal ships from a few miles away. Something in the back of my mind remembered that. Something inside me knew what that was. The Lighthouse at Alexmanedria. Thanks, history.

It didn’t take long to reach the gates of the city, its huge traditional lighthouse guiding me as it has thousands of others over the years. The sun was still low in the sky, yet high enough to make the sky a vibrant blue. The city was just beginning to stir, and even along the edge of the settlement large crowds roamed the streets and markets. Much of the outer city had simple houses, made mostly of wood and straw thatched roofs, but through them I could see slightly taller buildings made of mud bricks, dawning exotic tapestries and large awnings.

Perhaps there weren’t as many bandits in the surrounding area as I had previously assumed, as the city lacked a wall, simply allowing for the expanse of new houses and shops along the riverbank; as well as a general lack of guards, there were sparsely any. It was likely that the most serious crime to really ever happen in this city was petty thievery.

The city as a whole was huge, home to not only a number of ponies but gryphons and jackals as well. Barking between stalls and their customers filled my ears. I could make out a few of the stalls, advertising everything from medicine to weapons. I glanced at my left wing, the gryphon’s wing blade clasped firmly on it. I knew I couldn’t rely on it as my only weapon, but there was the issue of money. All outer kingdom nations used a standardized currency called the Vaporian bit, and I was sincerely lacking in it as per those that are forcefully tossed out of their own country.

The pony in the back of my mind was still wondering what happened to Sun Spark and Dusty. The last thing I could recall was them making an escape from three bandits. They didn’t stick around to find out how I was going to defend myself from being cut down by multiple armed assailants. A small poster was tacked to a house on the corner of two streets clearly displayed a basic map of the city, including major landmarks and districts. While it was tempting to go ahead and hit up the library immediately and check on my two former traveling companions, I had priorities; most of them involving getting some money to actually do something in this city.

“Well hey there young lady!” A voice caught my attention, causing me to look around for the source of the noise. It turned out to be a stallion managing a stand, apparently selling some item, and apparently talking to me.

“Hello?” I asked back, unsure of his motives.

“Now,” he began, “I know lost when I see it, correct me if I’m wrong but I’m going to take a wild guess and say that you’re new to this fine city aren’t you?”

“Yes, you are correct,” I replied, still apprehensive on the whole traveling salespony thing. “Are you trying to sell me something?”

“Sell you something? Oh, I wouldn’t dream about it little lady-”

“And stop calling me that,” I interrupted disgruntledly. I may hate being called ‘Miss Destiny’ like I’m 80 but I equally hate getting called ‘young lady’ like I’m 16.

“Of course,” he smiled. Definitely trying to sell me something. “Now, don’t think of this as me trying to sell you something, but more like me offering you the opportunity of a lifetime!”

Opportunity of a lifetime, hmm? I carefully examined the pony I was talking to. He was a colt, with a light brown coat and a darker brown mane; his cutie mark was a gold ingot. I decided that whatever his convoluted offer was, I could as least hear him out. I mean, how bad could it be anyway?

“Alright I’ll bite,” I said begrudgingly.

“Excellent!” He smirked, the kind of smirk the regular con man gets when he ropes in a sucker. “Now, here’s the offer,” he looked around, as if making sure that no other pony was listening in on our conversation. “Now I’m going to let you in on a little secret,” he leaned in uncomfortably close to my face. “I work for the Ka, you know, head honcho of this city and the country; and he’s entrusted me with a little task for him. I find able bodied ponies and gryphons for him, and I get the big bucks! All you have to do is show up here,” he hoofed me a pamphlet with a map of the city, a large square circled with a red pen, “at noon, and you can win thousands of bits for virtually no work, what do you say, miss?”

I looked at him with scrutinizing eyes, my brain processing the words that he spat out. The interest offered me sure, but I wanted details. “I want details.” I stated.

He looked noticeable brighter at my interest. “Of course, of course. I wouldn’t be trying to sell you short, so to speak. At this square, the Ka is looking for a pony to take on a certain, ‘challenge’ for him. He’s having a bit of an issue, and it’s my job to point some fighters his way. Details are all hush-hush, you know. But, if you get there and it turns out the jobs not for you, go ahead and decline, I’m sure somepony else will step in there.”

I looked back to the map, it clearly indicated the location of the square as well as several other important landmarks, including the library and the lighthouse. I looked back to him; it seemed like I had nothing to lose by going to this meeting, save a few hours. But since I was out on the street anyway, I might as well go for it. “Alright,” I replied, “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

He only smirked.

Noon rolled around, and I found myself standing on the edge of the square, a small gathering of ponies, gryphons, and other creatures flocked to the center. On a raised platform, a stark black coated jackal, crowned in a rather eccentric golden crown that covered three sides of his head stood between two nasty looking pony guards. Both were earth ponies, but I still felt I would lose to them in a fight.

“Citizens of Alexmanedria!” The jackal spoke with a sense of leadership and power, commanding the attention of everyone in the square. I beseech to you my subjects of a matter most urgent. I request one soul, to travel into the depths of the lighthouse catacombs, and recover an ancient treasure. One lost for centuries, is needed now more than ever.” He paused to survey the crowd. Instantly some of those that had showed up lost their confidence, attempting to inch away from the group unnoticed. What was so bad about the lighthouse catacombs anyway?

“I only ask for one brave soul to tackle this task, and you will be rewarded greatly. I know as well as many of you the dangers that place contains’, but I would not ask this of anyone unless it was a matter of the utmost importance.” More creatures began backing away from the crowd, losing their nerve as he went on about the catacombs. I felt nothing of the sort, only growing suspicion about two things. One, what was so important to be retrieved, and two, why was it in a place seemingly so dangerous the Ka’s royal guard couldn’t go and fetch it themselves.

“Also,” he looked around again, the pool of volunteers slowly deteriorating, “The reward is twenty-thousand bits, paid in advance.”

“I’ll do it,” I heard myself call from the group, those remaining in the crowd eyed me with suspicion. It was more of a subconscious thing to accept such a large prize for a seemingly small mission. I mean the lighthouse was only about 20 feet wide at its base, how large could these catacombs be anyway?

“So be it,” the Ka spoke, never once taking his eyes off me. “Report to my palace in a bit to collect on the money and receive further details, the nation of Heliopolis thanks you, brave pony.” As the Ka rose, the crowd began to disperse, murmuring among themselves. I could catch a few of them about me, mostly that I was either insane or new. I shrugged it off, earlier today I had beaten five attackers on my own, I could handle whatever this crypt threw at me.

I left the square, the words of the Ka echoing in my skull. I knew I needed money, and it seemed like the opportunity had presented itself, but still. I mean, the whole nation thanks me? Something was up, but whatever, no time to worry about that now.

I walked through the streets, a certain aura seeming to persist around me. For wherever I went, the occasional stare followed suit. News spreads fast in this city, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or bad thing. I grabbed the map out of my saddle bags, looking for the palace in the expansive city. After I found it, I quickly changed directions towards my new destination.

Oh. My. Gods.

Before my eyes lay the largest expanse of land dedicated to a single building I have ever seen. Even the grand councils grand chamber building pales in comparison to the sheer magnitude of the Ka’s palace. A grand courtyard greeted me as I entered the grounds, the garden dotted with numerous small ponds that kept full despite the arid heat of the nearby savanna and desert. A number of large trees and bushes along a stone path guided me to the front door of the palace.

Two guards guarded the large door made of thick timber and crested with gold and various other precious metals arranged in ornate designs most likely meant to represent the various gods. Upon arrival one of the guards recognized me from earlier at the square and moved to open the door, another accompanying me as I strode down the hallway, taking in all the sights of the royal lifestyle, from the beautiful works of art including several paintings of both Heliopolis landscape and depictions of several deities as well as many works of physical art such as a vase made of pure jade and trimmed with a golden pattern.

At the end of the hallway, a large throne made of clay and covered in a thick and colorful rug. Sitting upon it in a fashion that gave him an air of dominance over his surroundings, the Ka sat.

“My little pony,” The Ka said to me as I approached the throne, “You volunteered for a matter most urgent, and for that, I thank you.”

“It was no trouble at all, sire,” I added in an attempt to be respectful, “I did need the bits pretty badly though.”

“Of course,” The Ka raised a paw and motioned to a guard pony, who reached into a saddle bag he had on him and pulled out a rather hefty sack of bits. I grabbed it in my mouth and tossed it back into my bags. “There you are; a few hundred coin bits, lots of twenties. I hope you find everything to your liking.”

“This’ll do just fine,” I bowed. First thing’s first is to find up what I’m up against and gather information on this crypt. I guess I would get to visit the library eventually anyway. Next step would to use a large chunk of the pay to get some gear. I had noticed some weapon shops along the way, armor too. Maybe get a few magical weapons, might get two for all the bits I’ve got.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I turned back to the Ka, “I’ve got to find out exactly what I’m up against, hit the library. Then the shops; get some gear. I should be able to leave in the morning. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course, you are allowed to take your time. But get the job done, I don’t want that money going to waste,” He waved his paw, signaling I was free to go. I casually bowed once again and took my leave, following the guard back out to the palace courtyard. They followed me to the gate and left me once I walked out.

I glanced quickly once again at the map, taking note of my current situation and then at the library. From the position it held at the map, it must be a huge building, taking up almost as much space as the palace. There were legends told about that building. That it held every book ever written, and then some. That it held magical secrets not meant for mortals eyes, all locked away in what most passed off as a large library.

Maybe it was just a large library, but it still probably held the answers I was looking for, and I needed information on these catacombs in the city.

I arrived at the library shortly after; with no complications to further hinder me from my destination. The building was almost as grandiose as the palace, but it contained some distinct differences. These were mainly huge towers that dominated the sides of the building, containing a small balcony with a room on the top for an interesting study location. A sign at the entrance to the library clearly stated it was more than appeared.

The Grand Library at Alexmanedria

Home to the Alexmanedria Archeological institute.

Here was the place that (hopefully) Sun Spark and Dusty ended up back at; and where Sun Spark had mentioned a rather hard flank of a headmare. Hopefully getting information wouldn’t be that difficult. I pushed open the door with my hoof and walked into the hall, the first room being an opening to the rest of the library, with a white coated unicorn mare managed the front desk, casually reading a book I could make out as ‘A brief history of the grand conjurer Starswirl the Bearded.’ An interesting choice, I mused to myself.

I walked up to the desk to grab her attention, I took note of her auburn mane and tail and her cutie mark of an open flame on the edge of some wick. She seemed cute, and in the back of my mind I was cursing myself for even comparing her to Sun Spark, knowing one of them for a day and the other I’ve yet to say a word to.

“Hello,” I began. She looked up from her book, her vibrant sky blue eyes looking up towards my dull grey ones.

“Hi there,” She said in a cheery tone. “Welcome to the grand library, and, of course, the institute of archeology. I’m the headmare, Faith. Can I help you?”

“You’re the headmare of the institute of archeology?”

“You sound surprised,” She looked back to me, I couldn’t get myself to stop staring at her blue eyes, they were entrancing.

“You must be new in the city.”

“Actually, I am,” I admitted. I decided my conscious wouldn’t rest until I had settled the issue of what happened to my two former companions. “So if you’re the headmare of the institute, then that means you know all of the students who attend, right?”

“Of course,” Faith replied curtly.

“Then you know Sun Spark, and Dusty,” I added. Maybe I was a bit more biased towards the cute mare then the stallion that almost let me die of thirst in the desert.

“Of course, they just arrived late last night, screaming something about a bandit attack and them barley escaping. Poor things, there hasn’t been any bandit activity this side of the country in years. Don’t know why they started popping up again after all this down time. I had Nurse Gauze check on them, they ran all the way here for several miles,” she sighed as she finished.

“Did they mention anything about traveling with somepony?” I was curious to know if I even had an impact on them. Call it living for the spotlight, but I did single hoofedly take down five armed enemies by myself, though they did serve as a good temporary distraction for three of them. I like to think I at least made them thankful for that.

“Now that you bring it up, I think when they were telling Nurse Gauze the whole story they spat out something about meeting a pony traveling the desert alone and them deciding to help her.”

“Miss Faith,” A voice came out of nowhere and caused both Faith and I to turn to the source. A white coated earth pony with a brown mane and a cutie mark of a strip of gauze walked in. Ten bits says this was the nurse that looked into treating my two companions for exhaustion. “Sun Spark is up and active, she keeps asking questions if we have heard anything on a pony showing up new in town.”

“Ring any bells?” Faith turned to me, a sly and knowing look on her face. It was virtually obvious I accompanied them anyway.

“I’ll go talk to her,” I offered. Anything to calm her down; and maybe just to sneak peeks at her again.

“Thank you,” Faith replied. “Oh, I don’t believe I caught your name, they were too exhausted from what I heard to even mention it.”

“Destiny Fate, but call me Destiny,” I smiled back. As I trotted to follow the nurse to the area of the library where members of the institute stayed I turned back to Faith. “This conversation isn’t over, Faith. I’m on a mission for the Ka, and I need some information.”

“Then you came to the right place,” Faith replied. “Go see Sun Spark, we’ll talk later.”

It was always business it seemed. But I’d like to get to know this Faith a little more. Maybe she just didn’t like Dusty. I could sympathize. Sure he was just looking out for himself and his friend. But come on, a little kindness goes a long way. It was my hour of need, and he almost abandoned me. I wouldn’t have done the same, I knew.

I followed the nurse down a hall littered with numbered doors. The residential section of the institute, I guessed. We stopped around door number 12, the nurse reaching into a small satchel and picking out a key in her mouth and unlocking the door. When I followed her in, I noticed Sun Spark lying on the bed under the covers, some medical equipment made to monitor vital life signs lay inactive as most of them had been detached from their patient. I looked back to Sun Spark, she instantly lit up upon seeing my face again.

“Destiny!” She screamed, but as she moved to get up she fell short, managing only to stretch her forelegs trying to reach me.

“Rest, honey,” Nurse Gauze spoke. “You ran non-stop for 22 miles, it’s a miracle your leg muscles still exist.”

Sun Spark ignored her, turning back to me. “Nurse Gauze says I should be able to walk again in a few days if I rest enough. I’m really sorry for leaving you back there,” she moved her head down, downtrodden thinking she left me to die. Technically she did, but I wasn’t mad at her. I couldn’t bring myself to be mad at the mare.

“It’s fine,” was my only response to it. “How’s Dusty holding up?”

It was the Nurse who replied, having seen to him in another room. “He’s doing just fine, he ran just as far as Miss Sun Spark here, he’ll be up and going in no time though.”

“What happened to the bandits?” Sun Spark asked with a questioning look. I knew I’d have to tell her the truth, I couldn’t bring myself to lie to her what befell her attackers fate.

“Gone,” I stated simply, hoping to not have to go into detail about what ‘gone’ really meant.

“Oh,” she said solemnly. “Your shoulder!” She almost screamed at noticing the wound I had sustained from the fight. It was much better than it was still fresh, having scabbed over and begun the healing process, but I knew that it still looked bad, despite me feeling virtually nothing when walking on it.

“Oh it’s fine,” I replied in hopes of dropping my injury there.

“Let me take a look at it,” The nurse said, not giving me a chance to object to it by instantly studying and scrutinizing the wound. After going through the basic procedure of prodding and poking at the wound to force a reaction, the nurse concluded that time was the only thing needed to heal the wound, which made me relieved that it was neither infected nor poisoned.

“Come on now, Miss,” The nurse ushered me along and out of the room to allow Sun Spark get her rest. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, those bandits were after me, and it was my fault they showed up when they did. A part of me was relieved that Sun Spark was only concerned with my well-being.

I walked back down the hall and towards the main room, eagers to finally get some answers to my questions. The nurse and I parted ways as I spotted Faith again, once more entranced by her book. I pondered what was so interesting about a unicorn that lived several hundred years ago, but was cut off from my thoughts when I noticed that Faith had looked up from her studies and was now looking at me intently.

“Back so soon from visiting your friend?” She asked.

“She’ll be fine, the Nurse said so at least. Energetic as when I met her yesterday,” I replied.

“Yeah, she’s a good kid. Studies hard, she’ll go places,” Faith paused. “Now, this information you want, what are you looking for?”

“Information regarding the Lighthouse Catacombs,” I stated flatly. No sense about attempting to tip toe around the issue. Faith seemed like a smart mare anyway. She could probably see through any guise I put on.

“The catacombs? Did I miss something in the last 12 hours or what? No one travels down there. It’s nothing but floors of dead and undead; traps too. What make you want to head there?” Faith was suspicious to say the least about my intentions.

“I’m not going to lie to you, Faith. I’m sent from the Ka, he said he’s looking for something on the lower levels of the crypt, an artifact of power,” I finished.

“Artifact of power, hmm?” Faith looked around the library quickly, “I may have something on that, come, and follow me.” Faith rose from her seat and tomes and ushered me to follow her around the library as we embarked on the rather un-epic quest for knowledge.

“So tell me about yourself, Destiny,” Faith asked.

“What do you want to know?” I asked.

“Mostly how a pegasus like you ends up here. Most of the time pegasus like you end up living in Vaporia or something like that,” Faith knew pegasi like me all too well. Maybe it was the toned physique or the fact I knew nothing of the local legends that told her I wasn’t native to this country.

“It’s a long story,” I explained. “I’d rather not go into detail about how I ended up here, but I’m pretty much here for good.”

“Sounds like quite an interesting story, I’d love to hear it someday,” Faith mused. “Ah, here we are; ancient Alexmanedrian history.” Faith floated the tome down to her, letting it rest on a nearby table and began flipping through the pages, looking for information regarding the catacombs. I leaned into her to get a look at what the books was saying, its texts giving vivid descriptions of the catacombs below the lighthouse.

“So what are we up against?” I asked her.

She turned to me, “We?” Oh; I accidentally subconsciously included her in my little adventure.

“Sorry, I guess I just did it out of habit,” I responded sheepishly.

“Don’t apologize, I was going to ask to tag along anyway,” She smirked. Wait, what? She wants to go down to this place half the city is scared of? “I can tell by that look on your face that you’re surprised I’d want to go down there. But whatever the Ka wants from the depths of that crypt it’s big. As a scholar, I simply must investigate. I’m no stranger to a little danger and excitement you know.”

“Fine, so if you are actually tagging along, then what are we up against?” I asked again.

“The usual, some traps, few monsters, maybe a tomb raider or two. He made that announcement of needing someone to go into the catacomb rather public, I’d expect somepony thought it would be a good time to go check out what all the fuss is about,” she finished.

“We’re going to need some gear,” I stated. “I’m lacking in just about everything since leaving, well, umm, Vaporia by choice.”

“Choice. Sure, you’ll tell me in time,” Faith glanced at me. “I’m lacking in gear too. I assume the Ka paid generously?”

“In advance,” I responded. “I can cover both of us, basic armor and weapons from some shops around here.”

“I’ll pass on the weapons, I’m not much of a fighter, just need some protection is all,” Faith closed the book back and used her magic to lift it back up onto the shelf.

“Fair enough,” I said back, “Shall we?” I motioned my hoof out of the library. “Let’s get down to business.”

New Party Member: Faith: Faith brings a wealth of knowledge to your party, including a repertoire of utility spells.