“So, what could you get from Twilight’s first dark magic lesson?” Lone asked Cross. The two of them, along with Mist and Shade, sat in Lone’s office, the desk behind Lone as the four sat in a circle.

“Inexperienced,” Cross said. “Very little use of dark magic. Honestly? I’d say her only use before now was the Empire.”

“No touch of Necromancy, then?” Shade asked. “That’s a little weird, given this is the Sparkle house we’re talking about.”

“Agreed,” Cross said. “I do think I know why, however. She became enamoured with Celestia during her first viewing of the Summer Sun Celebration. Given how much she enjoyed showing Celestia what she learned, chances would be that Velvet did not want to risk it become undeniable knowledge.”

Lone nodded. “Only reason my house and the Sparkles got away with our skills is because Celestia could deny knowing that we did those. But if Twilight doesn’t know the Sparkle’s family skill, it begs the question as to if she taught Shining.”

“Doubt it,” Mist said. “After, the Sparkle line is matriarichal, and history shows the matriarch will have children until they have a daughter.” He looked at Lone. “That reminds me: what exactly happened between you and Velvet/’

“I swore in. . .old language that so long as she gave no reason, we would not interfere with her family. She did so in kind she would not impede our investigation.”

“And how do we know she’ll hold up her end?” Cross asked.

“Let’s just say that breaking the vow will mean she won’t be seen again, and she knows it.” Lone looked at Cross. “Drop it, Cross. Trust me, it’s something I don’t like discussing.”

Cross nodded. “I simply wished to know if she would betray us,” he said. “What did you three find out?”

“After getting Velvet in the building,” Shade said, “I talked with my contacts in the black market. Nothing on either the Widow or the four that attacked Twilight, but they’ll let me know if they hear anything.” The vampire then reached into her jeans pocket, and pulled out a letter. “One of them, though, did give me a letter. To make it short, it’s a letter to the seediest criminals in the Underworld that if they wished to get the payday of their lives, they would meet whoever sent this. I’m betting our would-be assassins got their own. I handed it to our penmanship analysts. Couldn’t get much, but the material the letter is written on is a special paper-”

“Found in the Empire?” Mist asked.

Shade scowled. “What did you guys find?”

“The venom comes from a spider unique to the Empire,” Mist said. “Only the richest can afford the pure form of it. Whoever we’re dealing with is so high up in the economic and social ladders we’ll need to go careful just to avoid an economic collapse.”

“Which make sour jobs infinitely harder,” Cross sighed. “I’ll inform our agents in the Empire to be on their guard while looking for any more evidence.”

“So, did you ever find out what if any part the Sparkle’s have in this?” Shade asked.

“Whoever is behind this stole Sunbeam’s journal,” Lone said, taking the others aback. “Velvet has those on her family’s payroll looking for it, but nothing so far. Considering it was stolen ten years ago, it’s impressive they haven’t found it yet.”

“And it would fit with what we know of the Sparkle’s practices of initiating the next matriarch,” Cross said, putting his right hand on his chin. “The journal was stolen a year before Twilight could be initiated. Now, it’s too late for that. In a way, I feel sorry for the Sparkles. Even if their political power remains, their legacy will take a large decline.”

“And if there’s one thing you can trust with a Noble, it’s their legacy,” Lone commented. The four were silent for a time, each having their own thoughts on the current situation, though none had an idea as to who was behind it.

“You know,” Shade said eventually. “I think I have an idea on how to get some good graces from Velvet so she shares any new pieces of intel with us.”

“And what’s that?” Lone asked, to which Shade shrugged.

“Duh.Have Cross teach her necromancy using our tomes.”

Shadow Guard library-meanwhile

“Sorry,” Twilight said to Starlight, who was still shivering from Twilight’s exercise earlier in the day. “I didn’t think it’d be that real.”

“I-it’s no problem, Twi,” Starlight said, her eyes glued firmly to the book she was reading, trying desperately to not think about what she saw. Really, she was just going through the book so no one would question her thousand yard stare, but he reyes did focus on one line. “Uh, Twilight, did you know your family is apparently one of the four Knight houses?”

Twilight looked at Starlight with confusion on her face, having never heard that term before. “I don’t even know what they are, let alone knew my family is one!”

“Oh,” Starlight said. “Well, there isn’t much on them. Just the names: Sparkle, Amans, Legatum, and Shadow. Huh. Looks like Lone’s family is one, too.”

“That’s it?” Twilight asked. “Really?”

“Yeah. I’m a little surprised it just has their names. Not even a description of what the Knight houses are. Maybe Lone knows more.”

“Assuming he’ll say anything,” Twilight said. “Probably better to ask my mom. At least I know she’ll be honest with me about this.”

Author's Notes:

Next chapter will have a bit of exposition dump.
Just thought I'd let you all know.