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alexthebordercollie · 3 months

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The Shadow of the Nightmare Queen

Chapter 1: Protégé

“Why are we here?” Amity’s voice echoed off the walls of the vaulted castle corridor. They were walking through a hall of the castle she had never seen before. The forbidden wing. The one blocked off by magic shields and wooden boards. Amity was no stranger to wandering the castle. She was a student, the queen's favorite student. She spent many long hours learning every nook and cranny of the queen’s estate. So much so that it had become a second home. But this hall? She had never set hoof in this hall. Never dreamed of peaking past the walls Queen Helia put up to protect whatever was inside.

Amity’s voice sounded childlike in the grand space. She felt small. Watching the moonlight paint stripes across the wall as it poured in from the windows. Shadows casting bars across portraits of a princess long lost to time. Amity knew her face. She’d seen it many times before. It haunted her fillyhood as it did the childhood of so many others.

Queen Epiales. Lady nightmare. The mother of shadows.

Her visage was haunting. A rich indigo mane of starlight cascaded down her shoulders. Adorned in lapis lazuli, diamond, and sparkling silver. Every portrait seemed to ache for the moonlight. Her pale yellow eyes glowed in the soft light. Following Amity as she walked.

Amity heard her hooves patter like a child against the marble floors as she hurried to her mentor’s side. Her majesty Helia. Mother of daylight, of summer, of peace. Amity looked to her queen for comfort and reassurance in the eerie night.

“My queen?” Amity asked again.

Helia didn’t turn to look back. Something felt wrong. She was normally so warm, so loving. Helia had become a second mother to Amity over her years of study. She always felt so safe and protected under her wings. Now? Now Helia looked tired. Her shoulders hung as she walked. Her brilliant plumage dragged along the ground behind her. Vibrant shades of orange, red, and violet all washed out in the darkness.

“There’s something I must show you my dearest student.” Helia replied softly. Her voice distant as she stared aimlessly forward. Her gaze lost in some distant space Amity couldn’t see. “Someone you need to see. Someone important. Someone lost…” She whispered.

“Someone… lost?” Amity asked. “Did you lose something? Queen Helia… are you lost?” Something felt so deeply wrong. Helia was here, but not. Amity felt cold and alone in this cursed place.

They came to a large set of double doors at the end of the corridor. The door was old and worn. It didn’t look like anything else in the castle. It’s chipping paint depicted the silhouettes of two centaurs who held a heart out between them. A mix of dingey old yellow and dark raspberry on weathered oak.

Helia didn’t answer Amity’s questions. Merely summoned a key in her hand. Silver and ornate with a polished lapis lazuli in the hilt. “I need you to stay.” She instructed Amity as she pressed the key to the lock on the door.

Amity steeled her nerves. Squaring her shoulders in a firm salute, or at least as firm as she could manage. Her legs still trembling as fear gripped her like a cold chill. Something so cool and tangible she could feel it spilling out through the crack under the doors.

“I won’t leave your side, my lady.” She replied confidently. Determined to serve her queen how ever she was needed.

The lock clicked open with a low clattering sound that rattled the halls. The doors rattling on their hinges as whatever was inside fought against the old worn oak. Amity took a step back but halted in place. Refusing to move. Refusing to run. Locking her hooves to the floor. Her queen needed her. She wasn’t going to move.

“Your highness?” Amity pleaded softly. Hoping for some explanation from her mentor. Something to reassure her that whatever was behind that door was something she could face. That whatever ancient force was raging against the castle would still bow to the sun. That it wouldn’t swallow Amity up in its darkness.

When the doors finally burst open a wave of icy wind cut through Amity like a knife. She raised her arms to shield herself from the mist that poured out into the hall. Looking back to Queen Helia for comfort.

Helia stood resigned. Her features gaunt. Her eyes shadowed as she looked up at the figure which emerged from the aching darkness she’d unleashed. Amity followed her gaze and felt her blood freeze in her veins. There she was. Queen Epiales. The queen of the night stepped forth from the shadows. A towering behemoth to behold. At once beautiful and terrifying. Draped in starlight and prepared for battle. Her silver armor shimmering in the moonlight, almost blinding. Piercing yellow light narrowed in on Amity through the cloud of inky blackness that dripped from her eyes.

“So this is the fool you’ve brought me?” The glittering shadow spoke in a low echo that Amity could feel reverberating through her soul.

Amity looked back to Queen Helia in a panic. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes and she desperately tried to fight back the fear and betrayal. What was this? Was she some sacrifice? “Queen Helia please!” She cried out.

Helia only stared up at the shadow woman. Her eyes colorless and hollow. “I brought her to save you.” She replied softly.

Queen Epiales snatched up Helia by her throat. Lifting her limp body off the ground like a rag doll. Helia didn’t try to fight back. Only held Epiales arm as the nightmare queen slowly squeezed the life from her.

Amity stumbled back in horror as she watched her mentor’s color drain from her body. The shadows stretching out from the yawning black hole that was that wretched door. The key falling to the ground and Helia’s hands fell to her side. Inky blackness coiling up her body like tendrils dragging her down into nothingness.

“Queen Helia!” Amity screamed. Sobbing and shaking as she watched the protector of her kingdom vanish into the call-consuming night.

Epiales narrowed her eyes once more on Amity. Her shadows stretching out down the corridor and swallowing up everything in their path.

“Run.”

Epiales words were soft. Cold. It was an order.

Amity obeyed. Turning heel and sprinting down the hall as fast as her legs could carry her. Screaming out into the night for help. For Helia, for her mother, for anyone to hear her cries. Desperate to warn the world of the coming darkness. Falling into the void as the ground was eaten out from under her.

“She’s back! The nightmare queen!”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“Amity? Amity? Wake up!”

Amity bolted upright in her bed and smacked her horn against the frame of the bed above her. The shiver of pain slithering down her horn and into her skull.

“Ow!” She snapped and rubbed her aching forehead. Amity slowly blinked her eyes open as the pain pulled her back to reality. She was awake. Awake and alive and safe. The furrowed brow of her familiar Samson greeted her.

“Are you ok?” Samson asked.

Amity looked around her dorm. Everything looked normal. The familiar violet wallpaper and faintly orange carpets greeted her. Warm sunlight streamed in through the stained glass window. Samson’s bed, still pressed against the opposite wall, was empty but made. No sign of Amity’s dorm mate Ainsley, she must have woken early. Amity and Ainsely each had desks that sat side by side under the window. An abstract portrait of Helia looking down on them as they worked. Amity’s desk was still a mess of papers and books she’d been pouring over for weeks.

“I’m fine.” Amity groaned as pressed the heel of her palm into her temple. She reached under her pillow for the charm she’d made the night before. The wooden frame with its griffin fur twine had cracked in half. The patterned net at its center now a tangled mess. “So much for The Griffon Fisher’s charm.” She sighed.

She pushed aside the open book still resting on her lap and traded it out for a leather journal on her nightstand. A book of old folk tales. The story of Queen Epiales. A collection of myths and legends, of curses and superstitions. Of warding spells to protect from her wickedness.

Amity’s latest journal had been assigned to loging her dreams. She started scribbling down every new detail she could remember from last night before the nightmare faded from memory. She had been having these nightmares for some time now. She’d tried every trick in the books to be rid of them but nothing was working. She couldn’t shake the dark queen's image from her mind.

“You really need to stop reading those old stories,” Samson warned. Scooping up the book of folk tales and leaning back on his haunches. He was a short and squat little dragon. Fat and green. “The nightmares are getting worse.” He observed as he ferried to book off to it’s proper place on Amity’s bookshelf. “If you just ignore them I’m sure they’ll go away, but you keep focusing all your energy on it.” Every the worrier. He never could just trust Amity to know what was good for her.

Amity shook her head and tapped her journal aggressively with her quill. Punctuating her final thoughts. “It’s just because I haven’t found the right spell yet. Once I do they’ll be gone for good.” She insisted resolutely. Pushing herself out of bed. She sprung up to pull her uniform from the wardrobe and slipped behind the privacy screen to change out of her nightgown.

Samson didn’t seem so convinced. Cocking his head to one side. “Are you sure you aren’t just having nightmares because you keep reading scary stories?” He asked.

Amity poked her head back out from behind the screen to narrow her eyes at Samson. Her sweater vest rolled halfway down her chest. “I’m not some little filly.” She protested. “Do you really think I get so worked up over some old mare’s tales?”

Samson grimaced and shrugged. “Well… you do tend to get kind of… carried away.” He replied reluctantly.

Amity snorted irritably before returning to tucking her shirt into her skirt. “I’m not getting carried away Samson this is important. These dreams are hurting my studies. Exams are coming up soon. Do you have any idea how disappointed Queen Helia would be if her best student was caught slipping so close to finals?”

“I’m sure if you just told her you were having trouble sleeping she would understand,” Samson reasoned. He knelt down by his bed to pull a wrapped package out from underneath. “Besides finals aren’t for another three months. I don’t think most people would call that soon .”

“Most people aren’t the personal protégé’s of Our Majesty the Queen.” Amity protested. “I’m already falling behind on my study routine. All it takes is a couple of weeks. A couple of weeks turn into a couple of months, and then the next thing you know it’s finals and you still don’t know the difference between an Amythist Divining Lense and an Ametrine Focusing Prism.”

“Whatever you say.” Samson sighed as Amity pulled her hair from her robes.

Amity stepped out from behind the privacy screen and scurried over to her desk to write up a letter to Helia. Hastily jotting down a summary of her dream. Not too hastily might you. Well, maybe too hastily. She scrapped the first draft and started over when the letter sounded too unprofessional. Samson’s gruff throat clearing pulled her away from her task.

Amity looked back at him. Holding the letter in her hands that she was just about to seal.

“We’re going to be late for breakfast.” Samson scolded.

Amity looked down at the colorful box in Samson’s claws then back up to his face. “Oh, right. Did I forget something?” She asked.

“Ainsely’s birthday?” Samson replied. His brow raised in bewilderment. He showed her the box for emphasis. “Don’t tell me you forgot.” He scolded. “Her party’s this weekend. Chara has been collecting up all the gifts to hide from her until then. You did get her a gift didn’t you?”

“Oh, uh…” Amity looked back at her cluttered desk. Trying to remember if she’d even thought of something before the night terrors had distracted her. The latest in a long line of obsessive curiosities Amity often bounced between. She shuffled around for a bit and stamped her letter with a wax seal before tossing it into the small ceramic burner on her desk. Sending it to her mentor in the process.

“Amity!” Samson snapped.

“Oh, I got her something alright.” Amity lied. Forcing a smile and waving off Samson’s concern. “I just have to find it that’s all. It’s around here somewhere.”

Samson narrowed his brow suspiciously. “Riiight… Well come on, let’s get going. Dia promised to keep Ainsely busy today so we could finish planning. You should find that gift soon before Ainsely does.” He warned her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Samson knew Amity was lying and they both well knew it. Amity hatched him when she was just a filly. They’d been together for years and he could always read her like an open book. He waddled through the academy halls in the top half of a school uniform. They didn’t sell skirts that properly fit his fat tail which dragged on the ground behind him. Not that it mattered. He was a dragon so exposing himself was hardly a concern. Most wild dragons didn’t wear anything at all.

That said he still stood out among the many other students walking along with birds or snakes or cats or toads. Every student had to hatch their own familiar as part of the entrance exam for first years. Magic eggs which hatched whatever creature best suited the student. Somehow a stray dragon egg had found its way into the schools inventory and been mixed up with the exam eggs. Amity was never supposed to find herself in possession of a baby dragon but when she passed her exam the school wasn’t sure what else to do but to send her home with the stout little hatchling.

It took the staff weeks to arrange a meeting to discuss the mix up but by that point, the school year was about to start and Samson had already imprinted on Amity and her family. It was Helia who decided to let Amity keep him until the school figured out where he came from, though they never did. To this day Samson was a mystery, though not one he himself seemed particularly concerned about solving.

Amity wasn’t one to complain. It was because of Samson that Queen Helia took her on as her personal protégé. An honored position only one student every generation got to hold. Samson was Amity’s lucky star and she would always appreciate him for that if nothing else.

“Hi, Samson.”

“Morning Winnie, how’s Snowball doing?” Samson chirped as another student passed them with their rabbit familiar.

“She’s fine, just a little cold.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Samson my stallion!” Another student cheered enthusiastically. “What lucky filly’s getting a gift from the hottest stud on campus?”

Samson playful shrugged off the rugged mare’s teasing. “That’s classified information, Agnes.” He taunted back.

Amity barely paid any of the other students any mind. Her nose stuck in her journal while they walked the halls. Samson may have been a social butterfly but Amity had more important things on her mind than making friends. These dreams were more than just a nuisance. They were trying to tell her something important. Warn her. Amity was sure of it.

Samson didn’t seem to give nightmares much credence but Samson was never very educated. Not for lack of opportunity. Nothing was stopping him from taking advantage of the school's resources. He attended all of Amity’s classes with her. That said no one was making him do assignments or grading his performance and he seemed to prefer it that way.

“Ow, watch where you’re going!” Another student snapped when Amity mindlessly walked into them.

“Oops, sorry.” Amity replied sheepishly. Holding her journal to her chest.

“Sorry, Ericka. Amity’s been really sucked into her latest project.” Samson apologized as he held the cafeteria open for the other student. Amity didn’t even know that girl’s name off the top of her head. She wasn’t sure how Samson always seemed to remember so many.

Amity waved as the girl huffed and walked on ahead of them before looking back at her notes. Her latest attempt to interrogate her dreams more closely had failed. She hoped The Griffon Fisher’s charm would catch her dream so she could examine it in one of the crystal balls, but no luck. Whatever these nightmares were they were too strong for the net. Too strong for most of her attempts to contain them.

“Alright, so I’m thinking maybe after class we could pick up some lavender to try a smoke cleansing.” Amity half explained to Samson, half thought out loud.

“And maybe pick up a gift for Ainsely while we’re at it?” Samson questioned.

Amity looked up from her journal red-faced.” Oh, uh, yeah.” She replied awkwardly. Tucking her journal into her saddle bag. Samson crossed his arms as he watched her walk through the door he’d been holding for several seconds.

“Hey Amity, Samson, there you are!” Lemoine cheered when they entered the cafeteria. Jumping up from her table to wave to them.

The cafeteria was a large room with a vaulted ceiling, rich carpets that you would get in quite a lot of trouble for staining. Dotted with round tables with white tablecloths. Lemoine was breaking multiple rules of etiquette with her bombastic temperament but the staff weren’t paying much mind at the moment. Ismene was quick to pull her back down into her chair. “Quite you’ll get us in trouble she scolded.”

Chara smiled brightly as Amity and Samson approached. Bouncing up and down in her seat. “I can’t wait to see your gifts. Ainsley’s going to freak when she sees what I got her.”

“I brought mine.” Samson boasted as he placed his gift on the table. “But somebody seems to have lost theirs.” He snarked.

“Amity!” Chara scolded. “The party’s in three days.”

“I know, I know.” Amity dismissed as she took her seat.

Samson pulled himself up into one of the dining chairs and picked up the menu on the table to order breakfast for the two of them.

“You didn’t forget did you?” Ismene challenged. Plucking a bite off her plate for the spider monkey on her shoulder. Ginger accepted the large strawberry and nibbled it eagerly.

“I didn’t forget, why does everyone assume I forgot.?” Amity protested.

Lemoine tapped her finger curiously to her lips. “Maybe cause you forgot Chara’s birthday party, and Ismene’s before that, and Dai’s and-”

Chara cut Lemoine off with a hand to her mouth. “What Lemoine means to say is, you don’t always have the best memory for these sorts of things.” Chara admitted.

The table went awkwardly quiet for a moment. Chara rubbed the glass bubble she kept around her neck. Her familiar piranha Chompers swam little circles inside. Lemoine scooped up her little rat Chester when Samson’s order materialized on the table. Making space and keeping him out of the food. Samson took the lids off their plates and passed Amity her food.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t forget.” Samson reassured.

Amity cleared her throat looking for a distraction. She looked up at the teacher’s table at the opposite end of the cafeteria. It was on an elevated platform with a large projector screen behind them. She caught the headmaster standing up to tap her cup. Her horn glowing as she amplified the sound of silver on glass to echo through the room and get everyone’s attention.

“Oh, shh, morning announcements.” Amity hushed as she pointed her classmates towards the stage.

“Good morning students of Her Majesty Queen Helia.” The headmistress greeted as she did every morning.

“Good morning to Queen Helia and our esteemed Headmistress Altai.” The student body replied in unison. Words that had been burned into Amity’s brain through her years of attendance. She’s made it past her mandatory schooling and was two years into her bachelorette’s degree in Collective Alogan Magic Studies. Once she got her degree she planned to further specialize in a specific field of magic though she still had yet to decide what she wanted to get her masters in. There were so many different magical studies out there. It felt nearly impossible to choose just one.

There wasn’t much of a consequence to the morning announcement, though Amity couldn’t help the prideful grin on her face when she saw her name at the top of the student leaderboard. Every morning they showed lists of the highest-performing GPA’s by year of study. Every year since the first grade Amity had seen her name at the top of her class.

There was of course the usual affairs as well. A warning about overdue library returns and a discussion of the familiar salon. Someone was hogging the pet shampoo. Nothing that concerned Amity. Samson didn’t use shampoo and did a fine job bathing himself.

It was only when the headmistress announced the final call for the annual student exchange program that Amity’s attention was captured.

“As you all know exchange students begin their six-week exchange study next Monday. Anyone who would like to apply for the program but has yet to still has until the end of the week but the window is closing fast.” Headmistress Altai warned.

It wasn’t her warning that caught Amity’s attention. She knew about the exchange program. The option was available every year for people who were above their mandatory school. The option to spend some time studying at one of the schools across the empire that Helia’s academy had partnered with. It was framed as a way for students to familiarize themselves with other cultures and styles of magic, though the program wasn’t very popular.

Why would it be? Helia’s academy was the most robust, well-funded, and elite magical academy in the empire. Trading schools, even if just for a few weeks, would be a downgrade. Of course, this also allowed students from other schools to come and study here for a few weeks. For those students, the program was an amazing opportunity. A chance to have access to resources they could only dream of. Amity supposed the program was good for that at least. Not that someone could do much with only six weeks of access to the school's faculties.

No all of that was mundanity at this point. The program was nothing of note. What was of note was an image that flashed on the projector screen. One of the schools on the exchange list that so far no one had signed up for. It was a new addition to the list. One Amity had never seen before. Old Oak University. A small rickety-looking school in a small town to the south. All wood and only two stories. The roof coated in a thick layer of flowering moss and lichen. Amity almost felt her heart stop when she saw the shipped painting on the school's doors.

Two centaurs, holding a heart out between them. A mix of dingey old yellow and dark raspberry on weathered oak.

“I’ll go!” Amity blurted out. Jumping up to raise her hand when the headmistress made the final call for Old Oak University.

The entire cafeteria all turned in their seats. All eyes were on Amity. The school’s start student, Helia’s apprentice, volunteering to study at a nothing school in a nowhere town.

“Oh?” The headmistress replied curiously. Looking down at Amity from her table. A spotlight shown on her to identify the student who volunteered. “Amity?” Headmistress Altai smiled wide to mask her surprise. “Our best and brightest. How wonderful. Who better to represent the capitol so far from home? I’m sure you’ll have lots to offer and lots to learn. I hear their ecological practices are some of the best in the nation. We look forward to seeing what new knowledge you bring home with you.” She praised sweetly.

Amity gave an awkward bow. Rushed and flustered. Flipping her hair in her face for a moment only to blow it out of the way as she righted herself again. “I’ll do my best Headmistress.” She replied.

The headmistress smiled and added Amity's name to the list before carrying on with the announcements. Amity shrug back down in her seat once the spotlight was off her and felt all her classmate's eyes boring holes into her. The whole table filled with astonished and confused faces.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“I can't believe you're bailing on Ainsley's party at the last minute!” Samson huffed as he dragged the last of their bags up onto the platform.

“You don't understand Samson. I finally have a lead on these nightmares. There's something to them I just know it.” Amity insisted as she shifted through her notes. He had a book on Queen Epiales open on the bench beside her and her journal in her lap. “The town we're going to be studying is named after the forest it borders. The Garden of Eris. Rumor has it that's were the monsters of old used to be banished. Back before the thousand-year peace. No one knows where Epiales was laid to rest but what if she was banished to the garden too?” Amity speculated.

“You mean the town where you'll be studying.” Samson corrected as he plopped down on top of their stage of suitcases. “You don't really believe in monsters, do you? Why does it matter where Queen Epiales is buried? She's dead anyway.”

Amity examined her notes again. “I'm not so sure she is. There are so many myths about her return. Some say it'll happen during the next eclipse, or when the stars are aligned.”

“Those are just stories though.” Samson argued. “If any of them were true Queen Helia would know about it. I'm sure would have already plans just in case.”

“There you are. Thank Harmonia we made it in time!” Amity's mother huffed as she trotted up to them on the platform.

Earl pulled Amity out of her studies by yanking her under his arm and ruffling her mane. “Look at you, finally leaving that dusty old school.” He teased.

“Uhg, Earl stop!” Amity whined as she pulled away. Flustered, she hurried to pack her notes up in her saddle bag before her brother made a mess of them.

“Relax Amy I'm proud of you.” Earl reassured. “I think a bit of traveling will do you some good.”

“I just wish you hadn't sprung it on us so soon!” Their mother huffed. “Oh and we dropped off that gift for your friend by the way.”

“Thanks mom.” Samson replied graciously.

“Anything for my precious foals.” Their mother cooed. Affectionately rubbing Samson's scaley head.

“And I brought snacks for the trip.” Their father interjected. Hovering a couple bags of homemade treats into Samson and Amity's laps.

“Sweet, rice krispies. Thanks dad.” Samson enthused once he checked the contents of his bag.

Amity looked at the dried rice and marshmallow bars with their rainbow sprinkles and groaned. “Uhg, I'm not a filly anymore dad.” She whined.

“Oh, I know that.” Her father defended meekly. “But you're never too old for a taste of home.”

Amity sighed and took a begrudging bite of her rice krispy bar when she noticed the crowd at the train station begin to part. Folks were shrinking to the sidelines and whispering excitedly among each other.

Amity recognized the wave of bodies. Heads bowing in sequence as the queen approached. She dropped her treat in the bag and hopped up to dust off her skirt before the queen even came into view. Bowing low and holding her skirt out. She watched the familiar warm light inch down the concrete till it touched her hoofs.

“Queen Helia.” Amity breathed. Despite being the queen’s protégé Amity wasn't sure she would ever get used to her presence.

“Glad to see I haven't missed you.” Helia greeted warmly. “I couldn't let my favorite student leave town without seeing her off.” There was a faint playfulness to her voice. Motherly and kind.

Amity raised her head to take in her queen’s visage. Her sunburnt orange mane was pulled back behind a vibrant gold crown that circled her horn. A beautiful warm plumage of peacock feathers hovered just above the ground as she walked like a regal trail. Her gaze when she looked down on Amity was gentle and loving. The faint laugh lines and crow's feet on her face a testament both to her wisdom and her good nature. She stood tall, flanked on either side by personal guards.

“I didn’t mean to leave without saying goodbye your highness.” Amity apologized.

Helia politely covered her lips as she chuckled. “Oh Amity, how many times do I have to tell you? Helia is plenty.” She teased.

“Right, right. Sorry Queen Helia.” Amity apologized as she straightened up and self-consciously adjusted her robe.

“My queen it is an absolute delight to see you as always.” Amity’s mother cooed. Placing her hands proudly on her daughter’s shoulder.

Earl saluted the queen. “My lady.” He greeted playfully.

“Earl Halflinger.” Helia nodded respectfully. “Come to see your sister off. How dutiful.” She praised sweetly. “You have a date tonight don’t you?” She asked. “Do be sure not to leave my grand niece waiting.”

Earl blushed a deep crimson and smiled shyly. “Wouldn’t dream of it, your highness.” He replied. Still holding his square-shouldered salute.

“At ease soldier.” Helia laughed watching him sweat.

Earl dropped the salute and sighed with relief.

Amity wrung her hands together. Working up to courage to pull the queen aside to speak with her privately. “Uhm, e-excuse me. Queen Helia?” She asked meekly.

Helia looked back at Amity and blinked curiously. “Is there something you need?” She asked. Noticing Amity’s anxious fidgeting.

Amity combed her fingers through her hair. “I was wondering if you’ve received my recent letters.” She asked.

“Amity’s been really stressed out about a recent research project.” Samson blurted out between graceless bites of rice crispy. “She was hoping to ask you a few questions about Queen Epiales.”

Amity heard the curious and uncertain murmurs of the onlooking strangers. Of course, they would be eavesdropping. It wasn’t every day they had a chance to see the Queen in person. Though the population of the Canterbury weren’t total strangers to seeing the queen any onlooker would still be eager to pry into her personal affairs if given the chance.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I collected your letters but just haven’t had the time to read.” Helia apologized. Draping a hand over her heart. She took a step closer and extended her wing. Wrapping her grand feathers around Amity and pulling her in closer. Shielding her from the crowds as they stepped aside.

Helia projected a shield around them from her horn which blocked out the noise of the busy train station. Allowing her and Amity to speak freely without being overheard. “Samson says you have questions about Queen Epiales?” Helia asked. Her tone still sweet as it ever was. Like milk and honey from her lips. Still, there was some faint sadness in her eyes that Amity hadn’t seen before.

“Uhm, yes actually.” Amity cleared her throat. Trying not to dwell too heavily on the uncanny sorrow in her mentor's eyes. It was new and yet felt strangely familiar. Like the faintest glimmer of the hollow woman from her dreams. “I know it sounds silly but I’ve been having these nightmares lately-”

“Nightmares?” Helia interrupted curiously. Her brief sober tone quickly vanished as she giggled and was consumed once again by her usual good cheer. “Oh dear, you don’t really think The Nightmare Queen is behind them do you?” She teased.

“But, but-” Amity stammered. Anxiously looked for some explanation to justify her fears. “Epiales is in every one of them. Every night for weeks.” She admitted. “It has to mean something.”

“Oh Amity.”

That voice. Amity’s heart sank. She could tell by Helia’s voice that she wasn't going to be taken seriously.

Helia touched the wrist of her wing to Amity’s chin and tilted her head up to face her. “I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been so distressed lately. I should have read your letters sooner.” Helia cooed softly. “I know nightmares can be frightening but they're only dreams my dear. You work too hard. You're stressed and overwhelmed my dear that's all.” Helia assured.

Amity felt hurt and small. Helia's reassurance should have been a comfort but it wasn't. “B-but the door-” Amity stammered out. Trying to put her worries to words. “I, I saw a door in my dreams and the same design on the front door of Old Oak University-”

“Shhh…” Helia soothed. Brushing Amity’s hair from her face. “The door is painted with Gardenville’s town flag. You’ve probably seen the design before on a map and forgot. Amity dear you’re a wonderful student but you need to step away from those old books.”

Amity looked down at her hooves. Tugging the strap of her saddle bag. “I just want to understand…” She replied weakly.

Helia lifted her chin to face her again. “I know you do. I know how curious and dedicated you are.” Amity’s mentor praised. “But there’s so much more for you to learn that you’ll never find in books. Maybe your dreams mean something, maybe they don’t, but you aren’t going to find your answers in books.” Helia warned.

Amity looked up at her and furrowed her brow. “But you have answers don’t you? Queen Epiales really is gone?”

Helia sighed softly through her nose. Looking down at Amity as though she were considering something. “I’ll make you a deal.” She offered. “You’ll commit to your exchange studies.” She prefaces. “And try to make some friends in Gardenville.”

Amity screwed up her face. “What do friends have to do with any of this?” She questioned.

“You trust me don’t you?” Helia asked.

“Of course I trust you!” Amity rushed to correct. Afraid she might have offended her queen with her lack of faith.

Helia chuckled and leaned down to tap her horn against Amity’s. “Try and have fun for me. Make new friends. Look for new things to learn outside of the library.” She encouraged. Helia pulled back with a warm smile on her face. “Then when you can back you can ask me anything you want to know.”

“I’ll do my best, Your Majesty.” Amity replied softly. Attempting to sound more confident than she felt.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The train ride across country was long and tiring. Despite Helia’s warnings Amity couldn’t keep herself from flipping through her dream journal. Combing the books she brought with her. Still convinced something was wicked was coming. There was something about the way Helia had hesitated when she asked that left her wondering if her mentor knew what was going on. Perhaps she knew and was trying to keep Amity safe by dissuading her from asking too many questions.

Maybe she would be safer in this rural town to the south. Far away from the queen and her affairs. Far away from the mysterious wing of the castle that in her dreams had been adorned with Queen Epiales’s image. Samson tried to settle her nerves with small talk but Amity wasn’t keen on listening. Occasionally strangers would board the train at other stops and gawk at the dragon seated beside her. Amity was used to it by now. Dragons were a rare sight in Aloga. When they finally arrived at the train station the mare sent to collect them was just as astonished.

“Oh dear Harmonia!” The mayor of the small town gasped when Samson stepped off the train behind Amity with their bags. “I-is that a dragon?!” She stammered. Taking a step back to clutch her pearls.

“He’s my assistant.” Amity explained dismissively as she put her journal away. She’d gotten tired over the years of having to introduce or explain Samson to people.

“How do you do Ma’am.” Samson greeted sweetly. Offering a clawed hand out to the older woman.

The older mare hesitantly reached out a hand to take Samson’s in the tips of her cloven fingers. “Mayor M'Bayar.” The woman introduced herself. She coughed and cleared her throat to get Amity’s attention. Attempting to distract from her discomfort around Samson. “This is our first year joining Helia’s exchange program. We were positively smitten to hear Queen Helia’s personal protégé would be attending our humble school.” She cooed.

The older mare held her hand out for Amity to shake. Amity looked at it for a moment and raised an eyebrow before granting her the same grace she’d granted to Samson. “I trust your facilities are up to standard.” Amity replied dryly as she shook the mayor’s hand in her fingertips.

“Oh of course.” Mayor M’Brayar replied sheepishly. She recoiled her hand after the awkward shake to fluff her cloudy white perm. “I know it’s not as fancy as you must be used to but I do hope you enjoy your stay here.” She preened.

Mayor M’Brayar was a centaur who looked to be about in her sixties. The lack of a ring around her neck meant she was likely unmarried. A woman devoted to her job no doubt. She wore a smart though most suit in a very dull beige only a few shades lighter than her skin. A ring of cheap pearls around her neck. She wore a set of iron horseshoes. Looking at the dirt road that wound from the train station Amity realized she’d likely have to do a lot of walking in this nowhere town. Perhaps it would be best she invested in some new horseshoes herself.

“We’ll see.” Amity replied dryly. She gestured with her horn down the dirt path. “Well, you’re our guide, lead the way then.”

“Oh yes, right this way.” Mayor M’Brayar chuckled nervously. Trotting along down the steps of the brick platform and along the dirt path.

Amity levitated a few of their bags with her magic to carry along behind her as they walked. Leaving Samson with the lighter load.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Samson did his best to be friendly and talkative as the mayor led them through town and showed them the sights. Amity was less impressed. Acutely aware of the startled and at times horrified stares of onlookers watching a young dragon pass them by. The town was more lively than Amity had expected but still small. Once they made it into the town proper dirt paths gave way to cobblestone roads. Locals pulled carts behind them to the town's marketplace. Shops were marked more with symbols than with names. The buildings were old and in many places overgrown with greenery.

“And this here is the town square.” Mayor M’Brayar introduced. Waving about the space with her hands in an attempt to show off the town’s meager infrastructure as if it were something of note. “That there is the town hall. If you two need anything while you’re here don’t be a stranger.” The mayor chirped.

Samson looked up at the statue in the town's enter. A figure sat on an open lotus that poured water from its petals into the fountain pool around it. “Is that Queen Gia?” Samson asked politely.

“Oh, yes, yes it is.” Mayor M’Brayar replied with a smile. Still uncomfortable with Samson’s presence but the longer the tour had gone on the more at ease she had grown. With Samson regularly asking polite questions and praising the town's beauty in contrast to Amity’s indifference, it was no surprise the mayor had grown more fond of him. Despite whatever preconceived notions she had about dragons Samson’s friendly enthusiasm had to be reassuring.

“As you know the southern province used to be the territory of Queen Gia. Harmonia rest her soul. In the wake of her passing so many centuries ago our town erected this statue in her honor. As an agrarian community, we have a long history of cherishing our queen. Her statue is kept in pristine condition and we keep a temple in her honor at the top of that hill just to the west.”

The mayor pointed to a tall hill that overlooked the rest of the town. Squinting against the glare of the setting sun Amity could just make out Gia’s temple. Amity has seen plenty of temples in her day. Growing up in the capitol that had temples for all the daughters of Harmonia. Grand spectacular temples kept by devoted nuns. This town’s temple was hardly impressive by comparison.

“She’s beautiful.” Samson praised. Stepping closer to observe the statue in the town’s center. He smiled back at the mayor. “We’ll be sure to leave her an offering at the temple when we have the time.”

“I’m sure she’ll be very pleased.” The mayor replied sweetly. She ushered Amity and Samson along. “Come now, the school is this way.” She directed.

Sure enough, the university was only a short trot from the town square. It looked just like the picture Amity saw on the projector. Modest, two-story, wide and stout. The roof overgrown with moss and lichen. Flowers and vines dripping down from the awnings. The front door looked just like it had in Amity’s dream. She’s seen the town's flag waving in front of town hall with the same symbol but seeing it painted on the door was another thing entirely. It sent an odd chill through her seeing the fading and chipped paint on the old oak door.

“Here she is.” The mayor beamed as she led Amity and Samson up to the door. “It’s late so classes have ended for the day but you’ll meet the teachers as they come and go.” She unlocked the school’s door with a key from a cluttered key ring she kept on her hip. “Library and classrooms are downstairs, dorms and student accommodations are upstairs. We don’t currently have any students living in the dorm besides you two so you’ll be responsible for locking up at the end of the day.” The mayor told them.

Amity swallowed a thick knot in her throat. Frozen in place as she watched the door slowly creek open. Some part of her half expected the monster from her dreams to step out of the school's shadows. Instead, the mayor simply swung the creepy double doors open with a smile and gestured to the front room inside.

“Amity?” Samson prodded gently when he noticed Amity’s reluctance to move.

Amity shook her head as if broken from a trance and followed the mayor inside. “Yes, of course.” She replied stiffly. Accepting the key the mayor took off her ring to offer her and tucking it into her pocket.

The front room contained a set of stairs leading up to the dorms. Hallways branched off on either side. In the center was a bulletin board that contained a class schedule and a couple of flyers for local events.

“Classrooms are that way, library is that way.” The mayor gestures from the left hall to the right. “There’s 4 dorm rooms. You two can pick whichever ones you like it’s co-ed.” She explained.

Amity nodded. “Thank you.” She dropped the suitcases she’d been carrying with her magic and led the thunk to the floor. The fatigue of her long trip and the subsequent town tour sinking in. “I don’t think we’ll need any help settling in.” She told the mayor. Not turning to look at her. Too busy inspecting the details of the wood panled walls and carved spandrels.

“Thank you for the tour Mayor M’Brayar.” Samson gushed. “Your town is lovely.”

“Aw, aren’t you a sweetheart?” The mayor cooed. She sighed and made her way back to the door. “Well, I’m sure you two must be exhausted. I’ll just leave you be then. Sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite, may Helia bless your dreams tonight.” She chimed as she left. Shutting the heavy wooden doors behind her.

Amity stood frozen in the foyer. She’s heard that jingling poem plenty of times before. She grew up hearing it from her father when he tucker her in at night. Strangely she didn’t find any comfort in it now. Samson came over and placed a clawed hand on her shoulder.

“It’s been a long day. It’s our first night sleeping so far from home.” Samson observed.

Amity looked back at him and he offered her a gentle smile. “I know they have extra dorms, but Is it ok if I sleep in your room with you tonight?” He asked softly.

Amity could tell he was offering for her sake more than his. He knew she was anxious in a new place so far from home. Still struggling with chronic nightmares.

“Yeah, I think I’d like that.” Amity replied softly. “Thanks Samson.”

#mlp g4 #mlp fim #inspired #samson halflinger #amity halflinger #queen epiales #queen helia #my little pony #sfw furry #furry

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