open Artifacts of Harmony

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

News Report...

Several museums have been sacked and damaged over the last few hours. The thief is unknown, and the only thing that seemed to be missing, from the National History Museum of Manehattan, is a long fragment of an ancient artifact, known as the Delta Sword. The other known pieces are being held with the tightest security possible.

 

This just in from Ponyville- the swordsman has broke into to Twilight Sparkle's treehouse library home. He escaped, but it resulted in a horrible, horrible outcome...

 

"Gone..." Twilight whispered to the news reporter. "It's gone... my home... the books... almost me, too. Ash. Dust..."

"Don't worry, Twilight. We'll show that swordsman not to raid museums and burn down houses!"

"Yes, Spike..." She takes a shuddering breath. "We'll show him..."

 

Anyone with any idea of the identity or the whereabouts of this warrior, please mail or report to the Canterlot Guard HQ, located next to the castle. The only thing known about him is that he is dark blue, masked, and has a long cloak and a golden sword.

 

Be warned... he is extremely dangerous.

 

Have a nice day. Let's check in on the weather...

 

                                                                                                -  Newsworthy on the Delta Sword case

June 15, 1004 CD

Edited January 15, 2013 by Thunder Knight

[Addem Up 246]

The first thing Addem notices as he steps out of his house is the faint smell of smoke. He sniffs, looking around to see if there's a fire burning anywhere. As his gaze falls upon where the library used to be, he gasps, galloping over to the charred tree. "Twilight!" he exclaims. "Are you all right? What happened?"

[Faceless 101]

Faceless sits down for a light breakfast as he rubs some bruises on his body from his last endeavour. Well, that's enough adventures for a while. Plus, enough money to last me a while.

 

Faceless idly listened to the radio, until he heard the words: "...Ponyville- the swordsman has broke into to Twilight Sparkle's treehouse library home..."

 

At this point, Flyer had spilled his breakfast over a moderately pricey manuscript. Ignoring this, he listened to the radio intently, his eyes widening at each word.

 

"So much for my break," Faceless murmured, as he started to pack a load of books into his saddlebags, wincing slightly as the bags brushed passed his healing scrapes.

 

He grabbed a necklace on the way out of his cottage, closing his door behind him and heading straight for the library...

[Steel Accord 6,660]

"Lay alow, Mr. Accord!" Fancypants shouted so that Steel would hear, high above. Steel was fixing a rope binding for the yacht's balloon. It wouldn't seem like that much of a problem, but one loose binding puts more strain on it's neighbor. Soon one would have 8 loose bindings, then 12, then 30. After that, there isn't much keeping the yacht airborne but time. (Which would be a problem to those who can't fly.)

Responding to the command, Steel flew back down to the deck, soaring over the other esteemed guests of this afternoon cruise.

"Know your place mare!" Somepony ordered below him, causing Steel to stop and hover. A grape purple pegasus stallion yelled at a young mare in a pretty dress. Steel landed directly between them.

"Who in Equestria do you think you are?!" Steel demanded in disgust. The Pegasus looked as if he was the one offended. "You don't know? I'm Lord Athertrot Wing." He pointed to the red sash around his shoulder, a mark of nobility. "You could be Princess Platinum for all I care! I'm the First Mate on this ship and your abuse of this lady have earned my ire and a swift retribution." Steel lifted his left wing with a flair, swept the scabbard at his side forward to strike Wing's own scabbard." Wing raised an eyebrow. "A duel?" He asked.

"To first blood or quarter asked." Wing just smiled and pulled the back sword from his scabbard with his wing. "One weapon only. Like gentlecolts." He smirked. Steel drew his right blade.

 

"I only need one."

The ponies around them backed away and fell silent for the duel. Athertrot stabbed forward but Steel easily parried. Steel did a riposte, but only with the flat, as to not draw blood but leave a bruise on the brute's head. Rubbing his head, Wing leered at his nemesis. Unfocused from anger, Athertrot lunged at Steel. Off balance, it took but a flick for Steel to send Wing's weapon to the deck. Steel pressed his blade to Athertrot's throat. "Tell me, m'lady. should I take away the throat that offended thee?" To her credit, Wing's former escort had composed herself quite well. "He's not worth the strength it would take to accomplish that task. which wouldn't be much for a swordpony of your caliber."

Steel returned his gaze to the terrified Lord. "She has chosen to spare you. She has mercy that I lack." Steel returned his weapon to it's sheathe. Athertrot looked relieved . . . before being grabbed roughly by Steel. "However, as First Mate it is my responsibility to see all malcontents thrown overboard." Athertrot Wing protested feebly. "You've got wings, USE 'EM!" He yelled as he hurled Wing over the port side.

With an applause Steel flew from the deck and rejoined his captain, mentor, and friend at the stern. Fancypants was wearing his naval uniform, and operating the wheel with his magic. "Aye Captain?" Steel said with a salute. "That line fixed?" Fancypants asked, nonchalant to but not forgetting his First Mate's actions. "Aye Captain!" Steel confirmed. "Good lad. Take the wheel for a bit, will you?" Steel stood on his hind legs and took the controls as the yacht sailed easily through the skies.

"You seem to be the exception to the old adage of being able to judge a pony by the company they keep." Steel smiled at his friend. Fancypants absentmindedly adjusted his cover (hat). "Aye. The price of notoriety  I just scarcely escaped the inanity of a certain couple trying desperately to get into my good graces. So desperately that if the term 'brown noser' were to be applied to them only slightly further, I would have to file a restraining order." Steel chuckled at Fancypants' sailor-talk, it wasn't often he could speak so candidly. He did have a reputation to uphold.

"If that's the case, why did you invite them?" Steel asked. "Because if I didn't, they would pull their stocks from my companies. And as much as I detest them personally, their money is good. Of course, neither of them have worked a day in their lives to earn one bit of it!" Fancypants grumbled.

"You seem a bit on edge Captain. Perhaps some music would take your mind of them." Steel offered. "Yes, quite." Fancypants admitted as he magically turned on the wireless radio next to the controls. "Let's tune into K-Colt, Octavia and Vinyl are always a source of fun." Fancypants suggested as he turned the dial.

*static*

ancient artifact, known as the Delta Sword. The other known

 

*static*

"Wait!" Steel interrupted. "Go back to that." Steel and Fancypants listened to the news report. At the end, Fancypants found K-Colt and left it playing while Vinyl bounced her banter off of Octavia. Neither of them were listening though. "I'm glad to hear she is all right." Fancypants broke the silence. "Twilight Sparkle is a friend. It is terrible she had to go through that." Steel didn't respond right away.

After a moment, he nodded. "Captain, would you take the wheel again?" Steel asked. Fancypants knew what was going on and complied. Steel walked to the starboard-stern and lifted up both of his wings. He checked that the scabbards at his side were securely fastened and drew both weapons a few inches from their holdings. They shone in the sunlight, having been lovingly polished and sharpened recently by Steel.

Steel flapped a few times to stand on the railing, teetering on the edge. "We'll have to do this again sometime Captain." He saluted Fancypants, who returned the gesture. "You have my blessings, Steel my friend. Good luck and godspeed." With a nod, Steel turned and leaned over the edge.

As he plummeted, he could hear K-Colt blast a guitar riff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SduIW_kyCmI

With the beat of wings, he left Fancypants' yacht behind in the clouds and was off toward Ponyville.

Edited January 16, 2013 by Steel Accord

[N8C8 56]

Swish was at the Ponyville coffee house. The coffee was god awful, but it was a nice place to have breakfast. As he was finishing the last bite of his scone, he heard the words: "Delta Sword, house, burn, and dangerous" on the radio. He got up from his seat and put a few bitts on the table. Swish left the cafe and began walking towards the victim's house.

Twilight Sparkle, was it? He thought. This shouldn't be too hard. I just have to look for the completly obliterated house.

Who knows? Maybe he'll get a chance to track down this theif.

Edited January 15, 2013 by N8C8

[Bari 7,023]

Lapis Lazuli was going through his notes, searching for a certain piece of information. He was preparing to go out on another expedition in hopes of getting lucky this time. During his last trip out, he had encountered a dead end and had to turn back. He was fairly certain he had just gotten his facts wrong. This time would be different.

 

"Well, this is most unfortunate. Where did I place that blasted book on ruins and artifacts?" he said to himself. Briefly, he recalled that the book had not actually belonged to him. It was a library book, and as such, was returned before he had left. But now he needed to consult it again. Grabbing his trusty saddlebag, he approached the door to his cottage.

 

For a brief instance, he hesitated. What if it was pointless to explore and hunt for lost information? The sudden thought perplexed the stallion. He never thought of it before, but why did he always risk his life trekking through caverns and ruins in the pursuit of knowledge? He shook his head. It was his calling. He felt it in his heart. Taking on a strangely serious expression, he went out his front door.

 

On the way to the Ponyville library, Lapis noticed that there were barely any ponies around. Despite the fact it was still just the morning, the ponies of Ponyville typically began to set up their little stands or make their way to their jobs. And yet, there was an odd feeling in the air. A whiff of smoke entered his nose, and only grew stronger with each passing moment.

 

It became clear it was coming from the direction of the library. The stallion grew worried. The mare who ran the establishment was nice enough, and she always greeted him every time he came to borrow a book. The idea that something may have happened to her was troubling. Near what appeared to be the remnants of what could only be the library, some ponies were gathering. He drew close and ventured a question.

 

"What happened here exactly? Are you alright Twilight?" he asked with restrained concern. At the realization that the book he sought was most likely destroyed, he felt a pang of disappointment. So much for having an adventure anytime soon.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Twilight sniffs. "I'm... fine." She pointed a hoof over at the library. "That, however, is not. My home... my precious books... gone." Just then, the others came dashing over.

"Twiligh'! You okay?" Applejack said, horrified at the sight of the library.

"Oh, darling... you must feel horrible!" Rarity said, concerned, while trying to keep out of the soot and ash around Twilight's ex-house.

"If I get my hands on this bandit, I'm gonna-" Rainbow Dash growled out.

"Ohmy..." Fluttershy whispered as she started at the few small fires still in the house.

"Come on, Twilight... Come over to Sugarcube corner. We have a spare bed you can use." Pinkie Pie said, her almost constant smile off of her face.

They lead and help her over to Sugarcube Corner, with a nurse following them, trying to get their attention. She is roundly ignored.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Harmonic wakes up in his simple and small home. He sits up, and let's out a sigh. He trots towards his front door and pushes it open.

Stepping outside, he notices something unusual. He could usually see the public library from here, but he could not. He starts to walk closer and notices that it has been demolished.

 

"What happened here?" He said to himself.

He walks around, trying to look for clues as to what happened. The rubble looks decimated, it's not likely anything survived the attack. However, he see a burnt looking scroll lying in the rubble, however, for the most part, the scroll appears to be intact. Levitating it out of the rubble to get a better look, he unrolls it. The scroll is in poor condition, and appears hastily written. It mentions a location known as Blackwater camp, something about some kind of shipment heading there?

 

Harmonic assumes this is a clue, and heads back to his house, checking to see if his collection of maps could offer a hint to the location of this Blackwater camp.

[Faceless 101]

Faceless got to the ruins, seeing the library in ruins. He wiped a tear away, not sure if it was from the soot or some of the memories that he had shared with the old place.

 

He looked around, seeing a few ponies oddly mulling around.

 

 

...

 

One picked up a scroll from the ruins and walked away from the wreckage. Flyer made a mental note to consult the pony sometime in the near future.

 

...

Suddenly, he saw Twilight being lead off by a group of her friends.

 

"Miss Sparkle!" Faceless shouted to get her attention, waving around some saddlebags that he had in his hoof. "I have some books for you! I borrowed them from the library recently. They aren't much, but I thought I should return them to you straight away..."

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Harmonic looked through his maps and found an old one, it was quite tattered and had aged considerably. Surely enough, it had a settlement called Blackwater on it. But it didn't appear to be a camp, a town maybe.

 

"What did the scroll mean by Blackwater camp?" He says to himself. Annoyed by the mismatched information.

 

Looking through his small but noble collection of books he keeps around (Mostly for his small but routine ruin exploration) and notices a book about settlements with docks nearby or in them. He looked under the letter "B" and eventually found what he was looking for.

 

"Let's see here, what does this say." he quietly comments to himself, levitating the book directly infront of him.

 

"Blackwater is a small village that often serves as a dock for smuggling illegal objects into the surrounding towns." he says.

 

"This is fascinating.  But why would there be a scroll about a smuggling camp near the library? I'll leave for Blackwater soon, so I can find out what's going on." he inquiries to himself.

 

 Being satisfied with his answer, he walks into the market square to get supplies he'll need. He browses them, trying to act casual. 

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Suddenly, he saw Twilight being lead off by a group of her friends.

 

"Miss Sparkle!" Faceless shouted to get her attention, waving around some saddlebags that he had in his hoof. "I have some books for you! I borrowed them from the library recently. They aren't much, but I thought I should return them to you straight away..."

 

Twilight accepts the books with a small smile- barely noticeable, but still... "Thank you." She nods to you and goes over to Sugarcube Corner with the others.

 

People are starting to gather around the ruins of the library to inspect it and to see what they could salvage for Twilight.

"I found a pot!"

"Here's a book... a book on muffins!"

"Hey, look! Vintage 550 CD red wine!"

"That's for Twilight, not for you. Hey, this harp survived!"

"I've found a toothbrush... not that she'll want it."

"Interesting! A book on the space-time continuum! I didn't know that Miss Sparkle had that!"

 

(Anyone who can guess all of the speakers in one go... well, lets say there's something in it for them. Nothing big, important, or RP-changing, but useful.)

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Twilight accepts the books with a small smile- barely noticeable, but still... "Thank you." She nods to you and goes over to Sugarcube Corner with the others.

 

People are starting to gather around the ruins of the library to inspect it and to see what they could salvage for Twilight.

"I found a pot!"

"Here's a book... a book on muffins!"

"Hey, look! Vintage 550 CD red wine!"

"That's for Twilight, not for you. Hey, this harp survived!"

"I've found a toothbrush... not that she'll want it."

"Interesting! A book on the space-time continuum! I didn't know that Miss Sparkle had that!"

 

(Anyone who can guess all of the speakers in one go... well, lets say there's something in it for them. Nothing big, important, or RP-changing, but useful.)

Harmonic notices that there are ponies around the library, he can recognize Derpy Hooves, Vinyl, Lyra, Colgate, and Doctor Whooves are standing around it. Harmonic just breathes a sigh of relief that he managed to find the scroll before other people scavenged the ruins. He goes back to shopping and finds a nice leather saddlebag. He assumes this would do nicely for travel and promptly purchases it. He then finds some torches and purchases them. He is unsure of how dark it will be on the way there, or if the roads along the way are lit.

[Faceless 101]

Faceless quickly ran back to his house with his empty saddlebags, packing a journal, food and other necessary things that he deemed fit.

 

 

...

The first thing I should do is look for that pony with the scroll that he got from the site. That's my best bet at finding whoever has been causing chaos!

 

Flyer was just about to leave when he paused, and looked across the room to a long knife in a worn, leather-sheath. He pondered over the item, carefully. On the one hoof, he hadn't used a weapon in a while, but on the other, this pony DID have some skill on him. Faceless didn't want to be left unprotected. He quickly grabbed the knife and concealed it on the underside of his leather satchel. He walked out into the day to find the mysterious pony and take vengeance for Twilight and, of course, her beloved books.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Faceless quickly ran back to his house with his empty saddlebags, packing a journal, food and other necessary things that he deemed fit.

 

 

The first thing I should do is look for that pony with the scroll that he got from the site. That's my best bet at finding whoever has been causing chaos!

 

Flyer was just about to leave when he paused, and looked across the room to a long knife in a worn, leather-sheath. He pondered over the item, carefully. On the one hoof, he hadn't used a weapon in a while, but on the other, this pony DID have some skill on him. Faceless didn't want to be left unprotected. He quickly grabbed the knife and concealed it on the underside of his leather satchel. He walked out into the day to find the mysterious pony and take vengeance for Twilight and, of course, her beloved books.

Harmonic looks around. He sees a store that appears to sell blades of all sorts.

 

"Perfect." he thinks to himself. He trots into the store to see what they have in stock.

 

He sees a blade that appears to be useful for cutting foliage and he levitates it towards him. He inspects it and notices that it is very well made, perhaps even hand crafted. He walks up to the desk at the front of the store.

 

"How much for this one?" he says, levitating the blade infront of him.

 

"Normally, 100 bits, but for you, my friend, 50 bits." he says with a smirk.

 

Harmonic reaches into his saddle bag and pulls out the necessary amount. He puts it onto the desk, and walks out.

[N8C8 56]

Faceless quickly ran back to his house with his empty saddlebags, packing a journal, food and other necessary things that he deemed fit.

 

 

The first thing I should do is look for that pony with the scroll that he got from the site. That's my best bet at finding whoever has been causing chaos!

 

Flyer was just about to leave when he paused, and looked across the room to a long knife in a worn, leather-sheath. He pondered over the item, carefully. On the one hoof, he hadn't used a weapon in a while, but on the other, this pony DID have some skill on him. Faceless didn't want to be left unprotected. He quickly grabbed the knife and concealed it on the underside of his leather satchel. He walked out into the day to find the mysterious pony and take vengeance for Twilight and, of course, her beloved books.

 

Before Swish even started to look for the burned house, he went to the inn he had been staying at. He moves around a lot, so he stays different places all over the country very often. This inn was small and simple. There were only three or so rooms. Swish entered his room and equipped himself. He picked up his sword, two and a half feet long, made of steel. He strapped it, in it's sheath, onto his back, along with his shield. Both were made in a medieval style. He picked up his brown, leather satchel and threw it around his shoulder. It's contents was a book of six matches, a classical compass, which he had found exploring ruins far from civilization, and a small telescope. He left the inn, and began searching for the burnt house.

When he found the house, it seemed that a large crowd of ponies was beginning to disperse. Swish began to check the ash and soot. He sniffed the air, and it smelled smokey. It seemed as if anything that could be salvaged had already been taken. That is, unless this "Twilight" had a lot of ash before. In that case, she'd be set. Eventually, Swish gave up on finding anything important. He turned around and started to walk away to ask around town about this burning. However, he bumped into a pegasus, rushing for whatever reason. It knocked them both to the ground. Swish got up, and so did the other stallion.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going. I have two eyes, but I don't even use them!" Swish joked.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the hilt of a blade on the pegasus. He became suspicious.

"Hey..." Swish started, "Do you know anything about this burning?" He looked at the burned house.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Before Swish even started to look for the burned house, he went to the inn he had been staying at. He moves around a lot, so he stays different places all over the country very often. This inn was small and simple. There were only three or so rooms. Swish entered his room and equipped himself. He picked up his sword, two and a half feet long, made of steel. He strapped it, in it's sheath, onto his back, along with his shield. Both were made in a medieval style. He picked up his brown, leather satchel and threw it around his shoulder. It's contents was a book of six matches, a classical compass, which he had found exploring ruins far from civilization, and a small telescope. He left the inn, and began searching for the burnt house.

When he found the house, it seemed that a large crowd of ponies was beginning to disperse. Swish began to check the ash and soot. He sniffed the air, and it smelled smokey. It seemed as if anything that could be salvaged had already been taken. That is, unless this "Twilight" had a lot of ash before. In that case, she'd be set. Eventually, Swish gave up on finding anything important. He turned around and started to walk away to ask around town about this burning. However, he bumped into a pegasus, rushing for whatever reason. It knocked them both to the ground. Swish got up, and so did the other stallion.

"Sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going. I have two eyes, but I don't even use them!" Swish joked.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the hilt of a blade on the pegasus. He became suspicious.

"Hey..." Swish started, "Do you know anything about this burning?" He looked at the burned house.

While on the way back to his house to get rested for his departure, Harmonic heard a loud thud. He looked to his right to see that two ponies had bumped into each other. Harmonic ran over to the two, and extended a hoof, in order to help them up. He mustered words to say to them.

 

"Are you two alright?" Harmonic said.

Edited January 16, 2013 by Harmonic Revelations

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Steel cruised over craggy mountain slop. He wasn't the fastest flyer, but he could cover great distances with little actual flapping. The flight from his yacht tour of the skies around Canterlot to the town of Ponyville took him a few minutes, but he certainly didn't have to worry about getting lost when there was smoke trailing from the little hamlet.

 

When he arrived at the site of the destruction. There was a number of ponies milling about the scene of destruction. 

 

"Not much of a crime scene." Steel thought to himself. "Don't they have any form of cops or constabulary?" 

 

Touching down, Steel noticed a very a yellow maned pegasus who he could instinctively tell was armed from his stance. A green unicorn, his hoof outstretched and voice leveled. And an earth pony colt, who honestly looked more formidable than most of the nobility Steel had the displeasure of coming to blows with.

 

With all the other ponies busy looting whatever this used to be. (A library from the looks of the scattered pages everywhere.) Steel approached the small group.

 

"Excuse me, gentlecolts." He said as he cleared his throat from the smoke. "Would any of you had happened to see the pony that caused this terrible carnage? If you've not, then could you indicate anypony who would? I must move quickly, lest my quarry gain too much distance to be pursued." If Steel's predilection for loquaciousness didn't tip them off to his Canterlot upbringing. The accent would.

 

((OOC: Think Rarity's. American, but with a twinge of English. My actual accent.))

Edited January 17, 2013 by Steel Accord

[Bari 7,023]

Lapis watched as Twilight left with her friends. It was for the best that she went with them. Surely they could comfort her. It would be useless to try and get some answers from her with her in such a state. For the time being, he should at least look around. He noticed that other ponies were digging into the rubble, probably looking for free stuff. He became rather annoyed. But he couldn't stop them either way.

 

One pony in particular seemed to have found a map or something. The way he took off with it interested Lapis. Perhaps there was something to it? Soon, the pony returned outside just in time to see a pair of stallions bump into each other. Lapis kept his distance and watched carefully. It was likely something could be learned from anyone of them, especially considering the fact that each of them appeared to have a weapon.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Lapis watched as Twilight left with her friends. It was for the best that she went with them. Surely they could comfort her. It would be useless to try and get some answers from her with her in such a state. For the time being, he should at least look around. He noticed that other ponies were digging into the rubble, probably looking for free stuff. He became rather annoyed. But he couldn't stop them either way.

 

One pony in particular seemed to have found a map or something. The way he took off with it interested Lapis. Perhaps there was something to it? Soon, the pony returned outside just in time to see a pair of stallions bump into each other. Lapis kept his distance and watched carefully. It was likely something could be learned from anyone of them, especially considering the fact that each of them appeared to have a weapon.

 

Harmonic was continuing to help up the two stallions. But he noticed he wasn't getting an odd look from a pony standing a short distance away. They had a peculiar look on their face. Harmonic walked up to the pony and questioned them. 

 

"Umm..hello, is there any particular reason you're staring at us?" Harmonic asks with a bit of confusion in his tone. 

[Faceless 101]

Faceless was surprised at bumping into somepony, finding himself lost in his thoughts. He looked up and apologized  when he began to notice that they had stirred some attention to ourselves, including the stallion he was looking for. Flyer took his chance, and clopped his hooves together.

 

"Well all of us seem to be interested in this burning that has happened. I suggest we maybe share information to find this "colt"prit together. Anypony agree?"

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Faceless was surprised at bumping into somepony, finding himself lost in his thoughts. He looked up and apologized  when he began to notice that they had stirred some attention to ourselves, including the stallion he was looking for. Flyer took his chance, and clopped his hooves together.

 

"Well all of us seem to be interested in this burning that has happened. I suggest we maybe share information to find this "colt"prit together. Anypony agree?"

"I agree, it would be more valuable. I had found out a clue leading me to a nearby camp, I was going to depart in the morning. It would be dangerous however to go alone. Maybe we should all go together." Harmonic suggests. He thinks to himself that it could be an easy way to make the situation less dangerous. And what could be the harm of having more ponires come along?

"I'm in." Harmonic says to Faceless.

[Bari 7,023]

"Umm..hello, is there any particular reason you're staring at us?" Harmonic asks with a bit of confusion in his tone.

Lapis didn't flinch. He had hoped he would have learned something before they noticed him, but he knew they would notice him eventually. "I'm just looking for information on what's been happening, and you three seem rather peculiar. Why are you all carrying weapons?" he stated perplexed.

 

Then one of the other two said something about getting to the bottom of things. That was exactly what he had been looking for. Especially considering the fact that his previous engagement was cut short on account of the library's destruction. "Well, I would most certainly enjoy accompanying you. I'd prefer not to carry a weapon though."

 

So the pony digging through the rubble had found a map to a nearby camp. How that was much of a clue, he had no idea. But Lapis found this all to be very mysterious. And he loved to uncover the truth. If they got lucky, this trip could be fruitful.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

"I'm in." Harmonic says to Faceless.

 

 

"As am I. I confess, that I don't have much skill in the way of investigation or deduction. However, I would be more than happy to help in anyway I can." Steel said with a smile.

 

Why are you all carrying weapons?"

 

"Well, I would most certainly enjoy accompanying you. I'd prefer not to carry a weapon though."

 

 

Well, if it's of any consequence, our quarry IS noted to be carrying a blade and after a powerful magic sword. As the best sword fighter in Canterlot, and please note I do not boast." He lifted his wing to reveal his cutie-mark of a pen crossed with a sword. "I thought I could stop this scoundrel. However, I need to find him first, and luckily appear to be in the company of sleuths." Steel indicated his cohorts with a wide spread hoof. "If you insist on going unarmed. Then allow me to pledge my services as personal protector to you. Here's my card." With a flick of his feathers, Steel pulled out a business card. He handed it to Lapis, betwixt to primary feathers.

 

Steel Accord: professional writer, journalist, and bodyguard.

 

"So . . . might I ask your name? In fact, why don't we all introduce ourselves?"

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Lapis didn't flinch. He had hoped he would have learned something before they noticed him, but he knew they would notice him eventually. "I'm just looking for information on what's been happening, and you three seem rather peculiar. Why are you all carrying weapons?" he stated perplexed.

 

Then one of the other two said something about getting to the bottom of things. That was exactly what he had been looking for. Especially considering the fact that his previous engagement was cut short on account of the library's destruction. "Well, I would most certainly enjoy accompanying you. I'd prefer not to carry a weapon though."

 

So the pony digging through the rubble had found a map to a nearby camp. How that was much of a clue, he had no idea. But Lapis found this all to be very mysterious. And he loved to uncover the truth. If they got lucky, this trip could be fruitful.

"Well I already suggested us three go together, perhaps it is for the best you come as well, like you suggested. I don't know the area around Blackwater well and it could very well be dangerous." Harmonic said. A bit perplexed about why anyone would head to a smuggler's camp without a weapon.

 

"If you don't want to bring a weapon, that's fine by me but don't go to far, we don't know what kind of creatures are in the area. All I know so far is that's a swamp that is on the edge of a large body of water."

 

Harmonic extended a torch towards Lapis.

"If you're not going to carry a weapon, at least carry this torch." he said.

[Bari 7,023]

Lapis took both the torch and the business card. As he studied the card, he came to a realization. Steel Accord was a swordsmen and a writer. Both pen and sword. It was rather interesting to see such a pony actually existed. Lapis would have to keep his eye on that one.

 

He wasn't much of a fighter, and the idea of having a bodyguard seemed reasonable enough. "Yes, I'll allow you to protect me. It will make my job all the more easier. I plan on gathering information. And my name is Lapis Lazuli, travelling researcher." These ponies certainly appeared to be capable fighters, so he might have no trouble. He attached the torch the his saddlebag and waited for the others to introduce themselves.