"thank you for arriving so quickly your highness." The captain spoke as I landed next to them. I looked at my sister's and I old home… and couldn't help but feel remorse once again for what happened all those years ago.
"I left as soon as I received your message. You say it encompassed the entire property?" I questioned.
"that is correct your highness. Although from what we know we believe its simply for protection purposes. There is nothing in the scheme of it towards causing harm. Although the ward seems to be an old one." He stated as we walked towards the two teams as the unicorns used there magic to scan the surrounding ruins.
"I do remember a ward being placed as such back when the castle was built. I helped put it in place with my sister. I am surprised it is still operational. Though this does mean a problem has risen up. Since the ward is in place than that means the ward stone is still in good enough condition to operate. It will be hard to locate in the ruins." He nodded.
"then what shall be done your highness?"
"the ward stone should be the first priority. Weaved into the ward is a magic misdirection ward. My sister had wished to put it in place due to magic being used to locate ponies throughout the castle during the dark ages." I spoke up remembering the events leading up to that particular part of the ward being put in place. "if I remember correctly we must locate the throne room first. From there it should be easier to locate its holding. I'm sorry to say but with how long it's been I cannot seem to remember the way to the throne room… to many bad memories."
"it is alright your highness." He spoke in a solemn tone. "but I believe we have this problem solved. Private Keeper! Front and center!" an Earth pony rushed over. "don't you have a hobby of ancient architecture?"
"yes sir!" he answered with a nod. Could it really be that easy?
"any knowledge of the current area?"
"only a small amount sir. Only started researching this place a few weeks ago. I can point us towards a general direction but other than that I am not much help sir." He answered.
"could you point us towards the throne room?" the captain asked as he nodded. "then notify the others we move out shortly. Let them know our primary concern is locating the ward stone of the castle."
"towards the throne room, maybe but… ward stone sir?" the private asked in confusion. The captain sighed as he slammed a hoof to his face.
"yes ward stone… that's what they used in the unification days!" the private flushed with embarressment before he rushed over to the other guards. "he comes from a background of builders. His entire family is interested in ancient buildings from back then." I gave a small smile.
"how interesting. Almost nopony remembers the old castle being here." He gave a small chuckle.
"quite correct princess. Shall we be off princess?" he asked as I nodded.
"certainly… time is of the essence." He regained his serious exterior as we approached the two squads. Quickly we began to make our way through the castle ruins. Passing by the room that the Nightmare had been defeated in by my precious student and her newly found friends. A smile graced my face as I remembered how she acted when I told her she was staying in Ponyville with her friends. Once those memories passed we had quickly reached the old throne room… almost exactly how I remembered of it.
Or how little I remembered of it… "where to next princess?" the captain asked as they all turned towards me for guidance.
"look around the room. There needs to be several levers pulled at the same time to reveal the door to the ward stone. Then we should head towards the old barracks." I answered as I remembered the old way to the hidden room.
"you heard her ponies! Pegasi up high! Unicorns look underneath all the rubble! Rest of you look around!" they all rushed to their jobs as I cursed my old memory. Regardless of how I was acting I was extremely worried for Derpy…
"found one up here sir!" a Pegasus yelled from directly above the thrones.
"another behind the golden throne!" answered an Earth Pony.
"found the last one hidden in the doorway arch!" a unicorn yelled. Of course… I should have remembered that each of the levers required each of the separate races to pull as a extra precautionary measure.
"they must be pulled at the same time!" I yelled to the three of them.
"then on three!" yelled the captain. "1! 2! 3!" all three pulled their levers as a large mechanism could be heard echoing throughout the broken halls.
Please don't get jammed…
Please don't get jammed…
Soon the noise stopped as I gave a sigh of relief. Pulling from my memories I attempted to remember where the entrance would open exactly. "we need to locate the stature of Commander Hurricane. The entrance should have opened up near it."
"understood your highness! Move out ponies!" we began to move in a group once more…
Please hold on Derpy…
I just hope you allow me to explain why I did things the way I did.