Two weeks. 

May as well have been two months. Glory was slumped over the ship’s side. The discomfort of the rail’s rough surface, scraping her chest was lost to her as she fought the wave of nausea. Ever since she had gotten on board the damn ship she had been wracked with sea-sickness and insomnia most fierce. The ever present rolling of the deck, and the salty air did not sit well with the unicorn mare. She had hardly eaten anything and when she thought sleep would bring her relief she found the constant movement of the ship across the waves of the ocean wouldn’t allow her respite. She would lie awake fighting off wave after wave, only catching an hour or two a night. 

It never ended!

What’s worse she knew she looked the fright but frankly her ability to care was nonexistent. Her coat was horribly matted, her mane was a shambles of knots and kinks, and dark circles framed her eyes. Her face was tinged a pale green, the color of pus. She was thankful the blue-green water of the sea held no reflection. A flutter of feathers and the light [i]thud[/i] of hooves hitting the wooden planks of the deck sounded behind her. Glory didn’t bother looking to see who it was, she knew full well. 

Epic Lore walked up beside her and took a deep breathe, relishing the salty sea air. Glory clamped a hoof over her mouth as bile threatened to rise once more.  A warm, gentle breeze tussled his unkempt mane and he allowed his wings to hang freely, catching the breeze between sensitive feathers. The sun was just starting to set as they approached Manehatten Bay. The journey was nearly over and he was sad to see it end.

“I’m going to miss that ocean breeze,” I said, contently. He glanced at his friend. “Aren’t you?”

Her response came in the form of her retching her lunch over the side into the water below.

“Still sick?” he asked. A cheeky grin threatened to form at the corners of his mouth. 

She turned a glare at the stallion, her silver eye gleaming dangerously. The effect was lessened though thanks to her inability to act on any threats, implied or otherwise, and Lore knew it. As far as he was concerned it was open season on the mare. He knew she would be fine, as did she. So there was room for teasing. 

Finally she croaked: “Of course not. I’ve just fallen in love with the feeling of sea sickness and self-induced myself.” Another wave of nausea forced bile to once again climb her sore throat. 

“Girl has yet to get her sea legs under her eh,” spoke a thickly accented voice. Lore looked back at the Captain as he approached. He was a burly bronze Nhorse, standing head and shoulders above even Glory. His grey mane hung freely while his long beard was kept in two thick ropes by a pair of brass tubes.

Glory vomited, again. 

“That’d be a no,” Lore chuckled as he rubbed her back. She’d have brushed him off but the sensation felt so good. It gave her a little respite. 

The ship sailed through the bays entrance, a thin strip of water three large galleons across between the tips two curved peninsulas. Lore looked up in wonder at the ivory towers that stood watch over the bay like silent guardians. Innumerable docks and wharves lined the stone edges of the harbor, hugging the body of water life two massive white arms. He noticed and named off the many types of ships he saw in the harbor. Skips, schooners, galleons, even a buck-of-war or two. Most bore a single white diamond proudly across their white sails. 

“Whitegold Armada,” the Captain snorted, pulling Lore’s attention away from the sights. “Bunch of pirates the lot of ‘em.” He pulled out a stout bulbous pipe and lit one end with a match.  

Glory chanced a glance at one of the passing ships that bore the sails of Whitegold. Ponies clad in immaculate navy blue military uniforms walked along the deck, securing lines and rigging. “I doubt pirates would wear military dress.” 

“Put a fancy suit n a rat it’s still a rat.” The stallion took a puff of his pipe then walked toward the upper deck, where the wheel resided. “Come on lad,” he said to Lore,” You can help the crew secure the rigging.” 

“Will do Captain.” Lore gave Glory a meaningful look, asking if she was alright. A simple nod sent him on his way as the Captain began bellowing orders. The Unicorn’s eyes scanned the city-scape of Manehatten. From her vantage point the city was massive with a titanic white tower standing in the distance. Skyscrapers of stone rose like weeds, threatening to choke their neighbors. 

The ship was successfully docked some two hours ago. The sun had barely drifted below the horizon, casting the world in a deep dusk. Glory sat on the dock, awaiting Lore as he packed up his belongings in the cabin they’d shared. He was no doubt saying his good-byes. Lore’s belongings were all packed since the trip began. She had jumped ship the second the ship had moored. She tapped her hoof impatiently on the wooden planks. Finally. Lore came walking down the gangplank, hoisting bags weighed down with tomes, parchments, and quills.

“I’d have thought you’d gotten lost,” she said with an edge to her voice.  “I was about to come find you.” 

It went unnoticed as he regarded her with a grin. “Just making sure I had everything.”

The pair walked the streets. Lanterns burned brightly from atop metal poles. The smell of burning oil reminded them of Lavidport. The decided to stay the night in the Blue Gull, a small hotel that resided at the middle city edge, just outside the harbor district. Lore paid for separate rooms. They said their goodnights as they slipped inside their respective rooms. He’s requested the rooms be close together. Once inside Glory shed her bags and collapsed on the fluffy, firm bed. She was asleep seconds after her head hit the pillow.

Lore stayed up that night studying his latest tome, an account of noble lineages of Canterlot. He looked out at the starlit sky from his room window, a small smile crossing his lips. Their journey had begun. From here on out they were on their own. He blew out his candle and steeled into bed. He would get his answers, he was sure. Soon…

Glory awoke with a start. She was in a hotel room, she half remembered how she got here. Despite the small pool of drool that had accumulated under her cheek she felt rather good, energized. She stretched coiled muscles and yawned. Glory hopped off her bed and made a beeline for the bathroom. She stepped out of her room an hour later in the immaculate dress uniform of the Free Army. Her mane was styled in its signature wave over her right eye, hiding the gristly scar. She checked her time piece. Seven thirty two. Good. She snapped the watch shut and made for the lobby. 

Glory found the dining area and ordered her breakfast. Some minutes later two plates bearing dried apple slices, croissants dribbled in honey, and a crisp, fresh pear slices were set before her and the seat across from her as well as two tall glasses of fresh orange juice. She curtly thanked the waitress and set to eating her meal. 

Lore arrived in the dining area sometime later clad in his grey robes, his mane pulled back in a rough ponytail. “I took the liberty of ordering you meal,” she said as she dabbed her lips with her napkin. She had finished her meal not seconds before. “What is our next move?” She set her plate aside as Lore began eating. 

“Well,” he said between bites,” I need to meet with Professor Crypt at the Stockhoof Academy in the Inner City. It’s in the artisan’s district. I have papers so we can gain entry. If you want you can explore the districts while I see to the old stallion. Just keep your papers on you.”

“Thank you,” she said in an even tone,” But I shall go with you.” She wanted to know exactly what was going on and why they were seeing this Crypt. He more than likely had information on these Alicorns.

“Don’t say I didn’t’ warn you,” he said as he swallowed another mouthful of food. “From what I read in his letters guy’s duller than a rusty plow.” 

“I shall endure,” she said simply. After he was done she paid their bill. The streets were horribly narrow up into the Inner City filled to the brims with other people going about errands in the morning sun. Glory caught more than one pickpocket start to target them but they were deterred quickly as she exposed the steel of her blade. The glinting metal and glare deterred the would-be thieves. She heated thieves, and would enjoy beheading one or two but in these narrow streets she held back. 

They came to a check point, an entrance into the Inner City. One of the armor clad guards slammed his halberd in front of them, cracking the stone. 

“Your papers,” he said forcefully. 

Such disregard for his weapon. Glory noticed the cuts in the stone. The ax blade was no doubt dull due to this treatment. Glory’s eyes narrowed but she held her tongue. 

Lore pulled out the necessary papers and handed them to the guard. “Here you are.” 

He overlooked them after snatching them from Lore’s grasp. Glory took a menacing step forward. The other guard noticed and took a single step forward. The guard that had the papers looked them over before giving them back rather harshly. “Stay out of trouble.” They allowed access through the gate for Lore and Glory. Lore stepped through but Glory stayed back. Before either could speak she whipped her blade out in a flash of silver, the tip touching one’s throat. The one that had been rude to Lore to be exact. Both froze.  

“Be aware of who you disrespect,” she said in a chilled, even tone. “Or next time you’ll find yourselves relieved of your tongues.” As quick as the blade had been out it was sheathed again, hidden under her coat. She walked into the gate. The guards contemplated running after her for threatening to assault an officer but thought it wiser to leave her be. 

“You ok?” Lore asked as she fell into step beside him once again. “They didn’t give you trouble did they?”

“No,” she said with a small smile. “I simply coached them in etiquette.” She left it at that. They traveled in silence as Lore gazed up at the architecture. It was intricate, bright and wide in the Inner City. Fountains dotted the many squares. Ponies in rich, elaborate dress walked the streets. Glory felt eyes on her and Lore. She ignored the stares she knew she and her friend were receiving. Few saw the dress uniform of the Free Armies. It was an odd sight. 

The Academy was a large circular building adorned with pillars and wide open halls. The architecture Lore noted was inspired by pre-Equestrian Pegasi structures no doubt. They walked in, maneuvering through the slew of students carrying scrolls and tomes. They found Professor Crypt in the middle of a lecture in one of the lecture-halls. He was telling the students about the beginning of the Celestial Age, a time when Equestria was fraught with war, within and without. The pair settled in for the lecture. Lore listened intently. 

Crypt was a dark silver Unicorn of about fifty years of age. He was short but carried himself well, dignified even. He wore the dark blue robes of the Moon and Stars Scholar about his slim frame. His tine was monotone, dull during the entirety of the lecture. Discipline kept Glory from nodding off.     

Near the end of the lesson Crypt had noticed their arrival. 

“Ah yes Scholar Lore,” he drawled,” Class, this is an associate of mine and valued colleague of mine.” The class room regarded Lore with respect as he stepped down to greet Crypt. The stallions shook hooves. “Tell me my friend what is your take on the wars of that time.” 

“Well I would admit they are grand form the accounts I’ve read.” Lore looked at the young faces, many not yet in their twentieth year. “But what of the losers. Alas history is written by the winners and is always biased.” He chuckled and clapped his colleague on the back. “But that’s what Scholars such as us are for, discerning truth from fiction. To follow up one the account of the Cloudsdale uprising was what started the need for a legit Royal Army as I recall. Ah to have lived in those times.” 

“I don’t doubt they were much harder back then.”

“Depends on which side of the world you hail from.”

Crypt chuckled fondly. ”Indeed.” He turned to his class and dismissed them. “And don’t forget to bring a copy of the Rift Inquiries tomorrow.” Once the hall was empty Crypt gathered his things and they walked to his office. Glory walked a step behind them.  

“Now how was your venture across the sea?”

“It was grand. Though I think I was the only one who enjoyed it.” Glory snorted at that.

“Who is your friend here?” 

“I am Glory, formally of the Free Armies,” Glory said introducing herself. “I am acting as Epic Lore’s bodyguard during the duration of his stay here in Equestria.”   

“You speak well Lady Glory.” Crypt looked her up and down. “You wouldn’t by chance be of Noble birth from Canterlot would you? Your accent reminds me of there.” 

 “My father was,” she said curtly. “I picked it up from him.”

“I see. Ah hear we are.” They followed him inside a small study brimming with scholarly tools and artifacts.  He took a seat behind a large desk and Lore took a seat in front of it. Glory opted to stand. “As to your request. From what I’ve gathered the rumors are true.” Lore’s eyes widened and a grin broke out on his muzzle. “Now before you get too excited you should know they are hard to track down. I don’t know where they roost as it were but I’ll tell you one thing death follows them. I’ve on good authority there have been a good many bloody encounters.”

“Where did you get this information?” Glory asked her eyes cold as ice, locked on his. Lore gave her a look that said ‘easy’.

“From a reliable source I assure you.”

“Then how do you know it to be true?”

“Because I’ve seen one of them myself.” He sat back. “The Palace of Ivory Shores houses one. I’ll warn you she’s an odd ball but she can restore anything to pristine condition. A service she provides freely I might add.” 

“One you took full advantage of I’m guessing?” Lore asked with a knowing smile.

Crypt matched his smile,” Bet your best quills I did. Three first editions on sealing techniques of the dead by Void Gaze restored to perfect condition. Ponies can come and go as they please. Another scholar wouldn’t be of any consequence.” 

“Wonderful!” Lore shot up his wings twitching in anticipation. 

Glory chanced a smile. 

‘[i]Finally.[/i]