Keepers of the Dead

Chapter Two: Curiosity

Curiosity can lead to great discoveries, or your death.

The dragon’s head perked up, “Oh my bad. My name is Obsidia, but everyone calls me Obsi for short.”

“Nice to meet you, I am Rarity and this is my friend Twilight.” Twilight gave a little wave from behind Rarity slightly shocked to see another dragon.

The dragon turned and lead the two unicorns in, “I didn't think word would spread that quickly but come on in.” The shop was in the process of being set up, packed and unpacked boxes strewn about the room. Obsidia walked behind the counter and pulled out a scroll of paper and a quill from a nearby desk, “Ok so what will your order be?”

Rarity paused for a second “what do you mean by order?”

Obsidia set the scroll and quill on a table. “You two are here to place orders aren’t you?” Twilight and Rarity were still giving the black dragon confused looks. Obsi smiled “my dad was in town spreading the word about the shop, I thought he must have told you.”

Rarity stepped forward and cleared her throat, “Well now this is embarrassing, I was looking for a pony named Nickel. I didn’t know a family of dragons set up shop here.”

The dragon gave a chuckle, “No you have the right place. I’m guessing you are looking for Nickel?” Rarity gave a nod. “He isn’t my father genetically, but he did raise me since I was an egg so I guess see him as my dad.” She walked over to a box and pulled out a picture, “This is him and me when I was an egg.” The picture showed a young Nickel with a sapphire blue egg holding it as if it were a newborn.

Twilight looked at Rarity reminding her of what they came there for, “Right Twilight, Obsidia, is Nickel in? I would really like to talk to him.”

Obsidia looked at the grandfather clock behind the counter “he left a while ago so he should be back soon, if you don’t mind me asking what do you need him for?”

Rarity looked slightly embarrassed, “well Nickel and I had a small” she paused for a second looking for the right word “accident, and I have come to apologize.”

Obsidia looked over to a moving box labeled “trash” with the ragged cloak hanging over one side. “That accident I’m guessing.” Rarity nodded her head. “Well he was pretty mad, but he should have calmed down by now. If you want to wait out here till he gets back I can make us some tea or coffee.”

The jingle of a bell from the front door drew their attention away from their drinks. As the door opened Nickel came walking into the main room his face buried in a book, “I’m home. Obsi, did you set up your room yet?” yelling loud enough to reach the ends of the shop. He abruptly stopped at the counter and started to walk backwards till he stopped in front of the two unicorns. Putting his book away in his saddlebag, Nickel gave Rarity a cold look, “Hello, Obsi who are your new friends?”

The dragon looked towards Nickel, “Well I think you already know Rarity and this is Twilight.”

Rarity stood up, “I have come to say how terribly sorry I am for destroying your cloak.” She lowered her voice “If we can put this behind us Mr. Nickel I hope we can be friend in the future.” Rarity extended her hoof in apology.

Nickel stood silent for a second, he smiled and meet Rarity’s hoof. “It took a lot of guts to do that, I admire that. So can you two stay and chat for a while?”

Twilight smiled, now was her chance to find out what she noticed earlier. “So Nickel what is so special about that cloak?”

The colt cracked a smile across his face seeming to be lost in his memories before snapping back to Twilight “Well the cloak wasn't really special, the true family heirloom was what was embedded in the cloak.”

“That wouldn't be an enchantment would it?” Twilight said with a hopeful inflection.

The grey unicorn’s small grin broke into a big smile “you are a clever one aren’t you!” he energetically said. “How did you know that?”

Twilight pulled out her book from her bag and read the title out loud, “Enchantments for Beginners: The History of Enchantments. I only just got to the chapter that described how to find hidden enchantments.”

Nickel walked over looking at the book. “It is a bit ragged it isn’t it, looks like a whole chapter is missing and worst of all it looks like there is water damage all throughout.”

Twilight’s head sunk in disappointment, “Well it was the only copy could the Canterlot library had.”

“Well if you want you can have my first volume.” The colt said looking over to the still packed boxes.

Twilight’s eyes shone with excitement. “Wow, thank you.” She said forcing herself to not start reading from the start. “How did you get the complete volume? The Canterlot library doesn’t even have that.”

The grey unicorn thought for a second “They probably miss catalogued it or the others got destroyed. Considering the condition of that one, it’s a safe bet.” He floated over a box labeled “Books 4/34” and set it next to her.
Twilight’s face light up, “again, thank you.”

Rarity looked over to the clock, “Twilight darling, it is starting to get late maybe we should head out.”

Nickel walked over to Obsi who had fallen asleep “Looks like the move was harder on her then I thought. Anyways I have to finish unpacking my books tonight.” The guests thanked their hosts as they left and headed to their homes. Twilight opened the door to the library and greeted spike.

“What’s in the box Twilight?” Spike asked as he walked down the stairs to meet her.

“New books, Nickel gave me the volume I couldn't find.”

Spike gave Twilight a stern look. “You have been studying too much and you need your sleep.”

She nodded “Yeah I know I’ll be going to bed in a second.” She watched as Spike rolled his eyes and walked back up the stairs. She opened the box and picked up the first book and noticed it was very old with strange leather for the covering; the spine of the book was removed and replaced by three metal rings so more pages could be added. When she tried to open it the book resisted, she took the book in her hooves and failed to pull it open. “What is with this book?” Looking it over she noticed it didn't have any lock, the rings moved freely. “It must have a binding spell on it.”

She pulled a book about protection spells off the shelf and flipped to the chapter about canceling spells. Nothing but foals play for her. As the book lay on the table she wondered if all of this work was worth it, hoping she didn't waste time that should have been sleeping, she opened the book to the first page and read.

Today my master gave me a journal for me to record my progress, training is going very well, but I’m worried about tomorrow. Master always said if I tried this before I would get burned. I just hope I can do well enough to impress him.

It looked like a journal; Twilight felt a pang of embarrassment for reading someone else's private thoughts. Until she noticed the date, “That was written over 500 years ago!” She looked at a different entry on the next page.

Today I made promising progress on my new spell, but my master doesn't think I will be able to finish it by the end of the week, I’ll show him.

Twilight wanted to put the journal down and go to bed, take the whole box back to Nickel in the morning and apologize to him, but her curiosity got the better of her. She levitated the next book out of the box and laid it in front of her. “Stage I: Control” the title made no sense to her, “control? Control over what” she said to herself as she inspected the spine. Exact same as the title on the front and no author or printing marks.

“This book must be as old as the first one.” She levitated the rest of the books out “Stage II: Defense, Stage III: Basics Part I” then she pulled out half of the volume of enchantment books. Setting them all down on the table as she realized she would have to return the box first thing in the morning. All she wanted to do now is sleep.

Twilight woke up later than usual but she didn't care, she got the sleep she needed and today's schedule was lighter than usual. She walked down stairs as she heard a knocking at the door. “Don’t worry Twilight I got it.” Spike said as he shelved a few books.

Opening the door spike saw Nickel standing impatiently with a box to his side, “Hello there little dragon, I was told this is where Twilight lives. Is she home?” Spike saw Twilight walking down the stars.

Twilight recognized the voice and remembered that she hadn't replaced the protection spell. “Hello Nickel, are you here for the books?”

He nodded and opened the saddlebags at his side pulling out the other half of enchantment books. “Now I do believe you have some books from my private collection.”

He found the box labeled 4/34 and walked over to it peering inside. He looked over to Twilight “Where are the other books?” Twilight pointed a hoof at the center table. “Ahh thank you.” As he floated the various “Stage” books he checked to make sure if the protection spell was still intact, looking pleased till he noticed the journal opened. Looking over to spike sweeping up the library he turned to Twilight, “can I see you outside please?” As they walked outside Nickel stood silent staring coldly at twilight. His stare could freeze the sun itself and put the frozen north to shame in an instant. “How much?” Twilight stood paralyzed with fear.

All she could manage to say was “I...I’m sorry it was too tempting.”

He kept his cold stare on her slightly raising his voice “How much did you read?”

Twilight brought up all the courage she could find “T...the first entry and the first one on the second page.”

She looked at Nickel; he now had a small smile on his face and warmth in his voice again as he said “no damage done then. Sorry about the mix up I’ll be on my way.” As he walked back to his house he stopped and turned to Twilight “Very impressive collection you have built up for yourself there.”

Twilight shook off her confusion and ran to catch up to the grey unicorn. “Why do you have a journal from over 500 years ago, and how is it in such good condition?”

He stopped and looked at her for a second, “It was a journal my master gave me.” Then proceed to keep walking but that didn't deter Twilight.

“Are you saying you are over 500 years old?” Twilight asked out of confusion and shock.

The colt broke into a hearty laugh “No, It has been passed from master to student for many years now.”

Master and student, Twilight mouthed. “Master and student for what exactly?”

“Persistent with the questions today aren't you?” The colt was starting to become annoyed “master and student for magic lessons.”

Twilight grew more and more curious, every answer only bringing up more questions. As they were close to reaching his house she found one more question hoping the answer would be perfect. “What kind of magic?”

He sighed, “I would love to stay and play twenty questions but I must really finish setting up my sho-” He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed his door unlocked and slightly ajar. He looked at Twilight and whispered “stay behind me.” He reared back and bucked the door with his front hooves nearly breaking it off of its hinges. He shouted “WHOEVER BROKE IN YOU JUST MADE A HUGE MISTAKE!”

“Nickel WAIT!” Twilight yelled. She froze as she noticed a fireball in front of Nickel.

As the shades opened, the windows flooded the room with light. The room was full of shocked ponies from around town. Nickel looked around the room and was taken aback by this sight. Pinkie Pie jumped out of nowhere yelling “Surprise!”

Nickel slowly released the energy that held the fireball in place until it vanished in a puff of smoke. “Everypony needs to leave immediately.” He thought for a second “The shop will be open in a few days and till then I can take orders for potions. My dearest apologies and I hope to see you all soon.” He gave his best diplomatic smile.

As the group started to leave, Nickel stood by the door apologizing again. When everypony left Twilight looked to Nickel and stood silent for a second, “I’m guessing that was the magic you were talking about then.”

Nickel slowly shook his head. Slightly smiling “There is more than that, much more.”

Twilight looked slightly disturbed at the idea of magic that would be so harmful to others. “No, that kind of magic is wrong.”

Nickel shook his head “don’t be so naive Twilight, magic can’t be good or bad it is how you use it.” He noticed Twilight started to think about this. “If you want to learn more then you know where I live.” He slowly walked Twilight to the exit. “Till then go home and think about what I said.”

Chapter Three:Leave No Stone T.B.A.