Quest for the Crown of Saddle Arabia

Nairad and Twilight exchanged nervous glances as the green and blue illusionary light show disappeared. There was a long pause after the matter was explained but Twilight was the first to speak. "Umm, Princess isn't this a little... Dangerous?" Now, it was Luna and Celestia's turn to be worried. They knew the task was daunting but the reward was too great.

Nairad remained silent as the Princess of the Night spoke, listening intently to his new mentor. "We understand the danger. But, we believe that thou two are more than capable of handling this matter. Inquiry of this source of magical power is of the greatest importance."

Twilight was still very weary of h- their new assignment. A trek across the Great Expanse to discover the source of an unknown and very powerful magical source was more than she could handle. She knew little to nothing about Saddle Arabia and Nairad wasn't a unicorn.

Nairad cleared his throat and after a lot of thinking he decided that now was the time to speak. "Celestia, Princess Luna, I need to know something..." Both Princess were surprised by the seriousness of his voice. Celestia ruffled her feathers, obviously uncomfortable with his casual use of her name. "Well, what do you need to know?"

Nairad reached into his saddlebag and retrieved the book "Artifactuals and Relics of Reality" and a map of Saddle Arabia. The book was small and crudely written. Twilight read the title and laughed. "Hahaha, who wrote this?" Nairad huffed. "I did. It's a collection of notes based in research I've done over the past few years. And I think based on what the princesses have said my dear Ms. Sparkle, I know exactly what we are looking for and where we are going."

Luna smiled, proud of her astute student. Celestia nodded in approval. Even Twilight was impressed. Nairad unrolled the map and picked up a pencil with his mouth. On the map, the city of Flyadh was shown towards the north of Saddle Arabia with its south, west, and east sides bordered by the sands of the Great Expanse. In the desert area, Nairad circled already crossed out two locations. Nairad explained. "I have been looking for an... artifact of times past. Hidden somewhere in Saddle Arabia... Hopefully." He took a deep breath. "It's called the Crown of Dyranaf."

Celestia nostrils flared for a second. "The Crown of Dyranaf? I have not heard of such a thing. Sister?" Luna shook her head. "Nor have we sister. Please, Nairad, continue. Tell us more of what thou speak of." Nairad turned in his book and then turned his attention to his saddlebag again. He pulled out another book. The title was simple and to the point, "Founding Kings Four." Nairad turned to each of the kings and pointed to a different location on the map. He explained, "The kings were never left Saddle Arabia. Not there spirits. Legends say that they passed on from our realm and that their spirits remained here. They protect us to this day and they always will."

He paused again, letting the information sink in. And out of respect for the lives of the kings. He flipped the map over and instead of showing terrain and geological landmarks, it showed magic.  Pulsations of magic in varying intensity. Twilight examined the map in awe, careful not to let a single detail escape her notice. Her face practically glowed in amazement. "How did you do this? I thought only Unicorns were could feel magic!"

Nairad dipped his head low. Luna couldn't help but take notice in him. She thought quietly to herself. 'He hadn't done this to impress us. He just wanted to inform us of his discovery. Nairad, there's something more to you. We can feel it.'

After letting the redness drain from his face he answered. "Before I could even fly I felt it. Magic has always been a part of my life. I dreamed of the chance to finally know what it feels like to use it." His volume dropped to a whisper. "I would dream I could... That i had the ability every Unicorn has. Then, I would wake up." Silence filled the room. Nairad cleared his throat and swallowed sadness.

"But, that's not what you asked. I've flown over the Great Expanse. I've been to the two temple that are marked off on the map. They contained nothing." Nairad pointed to a section in the east that was bare of magic and looked to Celestia. "Here. Is this where the magic is coming from?" She nodded and conjured up her own map.

They laid side by side on the table and the four ponies were amazed by the comparison. The area that was empty of magic on Nairad's map seemed to pulse with magic on Celestia's. Nairad smiled. "That's it. That's where the Crown of Dyranaf is. The once hidden Temple of the East King!"

Twilight's face changed, as did everypony else. The one pony here that couldn't use magic had just revealed to them the location one of the greatest magical relic since the Elements of Harmony.

Celestia glanced over to her little sister to gauge her reaction to this new and... Shocking information. But, Luna just beamed in excitement and trotted over to Nairad. Sje wrapped her front legs around him and wrapped her wings around him. "We are so proud of your discovery Nairad!" She quickly realized what she had done and released him. With a cough she lowered her voice to one that fit her royal status. "Umm. Well done student. Well done indeed."

Twilight shook her head in confusion. "Wait. Sure we know where it is and what it is. But, shouldn't we know what it does too!?" Her voice was on the edge of panic despite herself. She was happy for her new friend but the brilliant white blip of Celestia's conjured map concerned her. Nairad gave her a smile and said in a matter of fact way. "Well my dear. You know what they say. 'You only live once!'"