Quest for the Crown of Saddle Arabia

“Nairad...” A voice called out to the sleeping Pegasus from the edges of his mind. “Nairad, rise… Go…” Her sweet, soothing voice echoed in his thoughts. “Get up Nairad, you can do it! Save me… Save me before its too late!” The once pleasant voice changed so abruptly that his heart jumped and he was forcefully awakened.

“Ugh.” The young colt groaned as he shook his head. “Same dream, different day I guess.” While the dream and its meaning did worried Nairad tremendously, he knew that he had other things that needed his attention today, greater and more wonderful things to distract him and dazzle him all at once. He threw off the covers and trotted over to his bathroom where he straightened his mane with his hoof… Well, at least attempted to. Nairad spent the next few minutes tidying up his house, eating his breakfast, and rearranging his saddle bag for his trip to the capital.

Nairad hadn’t been this excited since his first trip to Canterlot two summers ago. And he loved the magic he had seen during his stay there. Of course he browsed through the exotic shops and partook of the delicacies that Canterlot had to offer, but he was much more interested in the Great Library. Nairad loved to read and study, he would even write from time to time. And though nothing he ever wrote had been published, he still enjoyed it nonetheless. And in the Magical Archives of that library where he met who would soon be the most important pony in his young life.

Nairad placed his hoof on the poster above his dresser and smiled. “Princess Luna…” Warmth filled his heart as he thought of the promise Luna to him in the archives. Her promise to take him under her wing and to teach me all she knows. Most ponies would have seen me as a lost cause. A Pegasus with a love of magic was not only unusual, but completely illogical. Very few Non-Unicorns had any magical aptitude at all. But, the Princess saw something in Nairad. She saw potential. And today was the day that he would go on his first field test for her.

With a smile on his face, Nairad darted out of the front door. The dry, warm air of the Saddle Arabian autumn breezed through his light brown feathers as he took flight. The sand and bits of grit brushed through his black and red mane making his skin tingle. Nairad rose higher into the sky, above the dusty air and felt the full warm glow of the sun on his wings. He stretched them out further and glided higher and higher into the midday sky where he could see only a fraction of the great expanse of the desert below. He did spins, flips and dives as he enjoyed the wonderful gift of flight. The sweet warm air filled his lungs and warmed his body. He was both figuratively and quite possibly literally on top of the world.

Then, on the horizon, Nairad saw the sight he would never get used to seeing. The beautiful city of Flyadh came into view. Teeming with life, purpose and opportunity the bustling city had been the capital of Saddle Arabia for only a century. And though he knew it would always be there, Nairad could help but remember that this would be his last day here. After getting his assignment from Princess Luna, he was to complete it and report promptly to Canterlot. He flew in low for a landing and came to a stop in front of the Palace of the Kings. He admired the statues which adorned its gate of the Founding Kings Four, standing guard to forever protect the citizens of Saddle Arabia. Shaduf, the King of the North, brought the water from the sea to refresh the land. Aanduf, the King of the West, brought forth cool breezes to refresh the our hearts and soothe us. Farnaduf, The King of the South, brought brought for the mighty expanse of sand and the wall of sand to protect us from dangers in the desert. And Grennduf, the King of the East, brought us magic and knowledge from Princess Celestia herself. The Founding Kings Four have long been gone but still protect all of Saddle Arabia. They are still the only rulers of these lands, even in absense. Nopony else felt worthy enough to take up the throne.

He wondered from time to time whatever happened to the Founding Kings Four. The Flyadh library was limited on what happened after the building of Saddle Arabia, no doubt due to the buildings lost to the great storms. But, Nairad couldn’t focus on that now. He needed to devote all of his focus on the regal Princess of the Night that waited for him inside. With that, he trotted up the stairs anxious to greet his new mentor and friend. He galloped through the halls of the immense Palace, eager to get his assignment.

Nairad soon found himself flat on his back, having bumped into somepony in his haste. "Oh, sorry about that. I didn't see you there! I'm so sorry..." The purple maned filly got to her hooves and pulled on her saddle pack. "Oh, it's alright. I'm in a bit of a rush too. I figured no one would be on this side of the palace. I'm about to be late as it is..." Nairad's blood went cold. His mind froze. He couldn't think. Couldn't process what he was experiencing. He spoke in a barely audible whisper, "You... Your voice..."