Scroll had left the Baths, and went up what was the shantytown's Main Street. He was clad in his Scholar's cloak, enjoying the beautiful evening. The newly installed lamps lit the street, and ponies went about their business. Many had gotten back from gathering, hunting, or cleaning. There was a lot more food now as the town improved. Winter was coming to an end, and spring would come.
Spring rains, thought Scroll. Sweeper did say one of her kin is responsible for that. The Scholar's mind then went back to the subject of water, as clean water was a priority for her. Of course, he wondered Sweeper didn't just do it so she could make good tea - it seems without the drink, she'll just go into a slump.
Whatever, everypony is happy we got hot pure water. That one old couple was crying at the sight - has things become so bad that something so simple has become a miracle?
Scroll was now entering what they called the Palace. It was once a hotel constructed of the finest marble, a resort that in better years had attracted vacationers as far as Canterlot. Once pillaged, Sweeper returned it to it's former glory. Granted, it was still very empty as a result of the furniture being stolen. And the architecture seemed rather plain. But in the presence of Sliver Sweeper, the beauty of the place was enhanced. And when the pillars and walls began to shift from bland, shadowy grey to lovely bright white with warm tints, he knew she was home.
"Good evening Scroll! Mogil and Danny are here for dinner!," said Sweeper. The alicorn had a habit of nicknaming others - "Mogil" for Gildenstride, "Danny" for Star Dancer. Scroll was an exception, though it was because it was easier to say already.
"Excellent, I was finding myself rather hungry," said Scroll. "And those two could use a break. But what of the Mayor?"
"Oh, Ms. Hays is still working. Odd, I thought all Mayors did was just attend feasts?"
Scroll chuckled. "I'm afraid the office of Mayor has become more of actual position in these dark times, my Lady. It's one of leadership, until the Sisters return…"
Scroll stopped before he went up the stairs. They often ate on the flat roof, in full light of the sun or moon. Sliver made the dishes and set the food herself. The Chambermaid was her own best servant.
"What's the matter, Scroll?", she asked looking down from the stair's landing.
"My lady, I have a matter to discuss with you," he said. he started up the stairs. "It's on the matter of one of your kin…"
One Week Ago, Central Library, the Manehatten Institute for Advanced Studies.
"Investigation of rumors?" asked Scroll, raising one of his eyebrows.
"Yes," said Director Sandwhich. "Have you heard of the disappearance of the Curator of the Whitegold Art Hall?
"Indeed, as well as the warrant for her arrest for taking several missing pieces of art. I read the newspapers Dancer brings back with her…"
"About a month or so ago, yes. She was not the only disappearance."
"What?"
Director Spoke continued. "Two months ago, an Earthborn historian also went missing. And just recently, the former archivist for the Royal Archives has disappeared, right in this city."
"We only just learned of him, living in the slums," said Sandwhich. He shook his grey-maned head sadly. "Alas, we didn't get a chance to contact him before."
"And prior to all those disappearances, there were rumors of a khaki-hued alicorn with night hair, clad in a grey mantle. Various academicians, artists, and even some homeless ponies reporting seeing one. However, none ever got a good look at him," said Spoke.
"Well, there's been rumors like that everywhere since the Lady appeared. What does that have to do with Greenfields?" asked Scroll.
"The Manehatten Police contacted one of the Scholars, one that spends her time solving odd crimes and such. That rather eccentric one you know? Well, she came to Director Sandwhich with the Curator's diary. Of interest were two entries.
"One was dated the night before she disappeared: 'It seems I have made up my mind about this one. His works, his collection of art is vast, it makes the vast museums of Celestia look like a dusty fireplace mantle. I hold his gift in my hooves, wondering if I should accept his offer.' The second was presumably before her disappearance: 'I shall go, the Key will take me to the grey alicorn. I will go where he commands, and do his bidding. I will protect the collection he has accumulated for ponykind, generations to come. I have no need of this record anymore. Farewell.' "
"Sounds like the ravings of a mad mare," replied Scroll.
"Never the less, we became interested… it seems whoever this alicorn is, we have reason to believe he is creating his own Knowledge Vaults. Perhaps a project not unlike our own.
"Greenfields only emphasizes how vulnerable our Work remains. And this mysterious alicorn may provide an answer to that."
"So you want to make contact with this other alicorn?"
"I do not recommend this course of action," said Director Prancer Žemaitukas. He was a brilliant engineer and researcher. However, he had a distain for the mystical. "It's bad enough to deal with this… Alicorn Sweeper. But to have ourselves involved with a mysterious and possibly dangerous force seems illogical. "
"Your opinions are already noted, Prancer. But the Council has already decided to continue with the investigation, which Young Scroll will play a key role," said Sandwhich.
"Me?", said Scroll.
"Yes, because the Scholar that was investigating the Curator went missing a few days ago. And another Scholar that was investigating similar events is also gone. We need to know their fates."