{"id":38231,"date":"2024-04-07T12:28:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T17:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=38231"},"modified":"2024-04-07T12:28:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T17:28:23","slug":"chapter-12-bethany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2024\/04\/07\/chapter-12-bethany\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 12: Bethany"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cExcuse me? Ms. Fershund?\u201d a mare\u2019s voice asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby looked up from her sundae, eyeing the newcomer with some uncertainty. The mare in front of her was lanky, tan in color, with stringy blue hair, wearing big round glasses, and a slouchy bag slung around her neck. \u201cYes?\u201d she asked, a bit coolly, having no idea of what business they might share.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Bethany,\u201d the mare blurted out. \u201cYou don\u2019t know me\u2026 oh, I\u2019m bungling this.\u201d She looked up to the ceiling in despair, then regained her composure. \u201cI was awarded your father\u2019s memorial scholarship!\u201d she explained, a little more coherently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 <\/span>oh<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Tabby said slowly, realization dawning. She had thought her involvement with the scholarship selection was at an end.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, hi!\u201d Bethany smiled broadly. \u201cI just wanted to say how grateful I am, and how much I admire your father\u2019s work on Skuspisola, and would you autograph this?\u201d She slid a book across the table to Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, I didn\u2019t write it or anything,\u201d Tabby protested, nonetheless taking the bland-looking scholarly publication.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I figure you\u2019re the closest I can get to the author, right?\u201d Bethany looked at her hopefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose,\u201d Tabby agreed, and took the proffered pen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really wanted to come to this campus because it\u2019s where he did his last research,\u201d Bethany chattered as Tabby scribbled out her signature. \u201cI really thought it would help to connect with him, you know? Get inside his head, see what he saw.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d Tabby had never thought of her father as the type to attract fan-girls, but here one was.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really think he\u2019s dead,\u201d Bethany forged ahead, \u201cor deep undercover on a hippological study?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby started. She might have her own suspicions on the topic, but those were closely guarded and–so she had thought–unique to her. She frowned slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, me and my big mouth! Of course you don\u2019t want to talk about it.\u201d Bethany giggled nervously, obviously becoming aware of the awkwardness of her statement. \u201cWell, thanks. I\u2019ll leave you alone now. Bye!\u201d She dashed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby pensively stared after the retreating mare; then, shaking her head slightly, got back to her sundae.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Several days later, Strawberry poked her head into the back room of the clinic, where Tabby was at the workbench. \u201cTabby, you have a visitor,\u201d she reported.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s never a good sign,\u201d Tabby said with a sigh, setting down the tray of instruments she held. \u201cGuess I\u2019ll get it over with.\u201d She crossed the room and entered the reception area, and found Bethany waiting for her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Fershund–I found something I think you should see,\u201d the young mare said, her face lighting up. \u201cI was in the library archives, and found a box of your father’s research.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That was all supposed to have been returned to the family, Tabby thought with a frown. She had poured over the piles of dogeared manuscripts often enough growing up, but hadn\u2019t realized she didn\u2019t have the entire collection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d said Bethany, \u201cthere was one book–more of a journal, really–seemed like the kind of thing that should be with family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d said Tabby, wondering who she would have to complain to at the university to reclaim it. Her mom would likely know who to throw money at to make things happen.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Bethany rummaged in her sack and pulled out a thin book. \u201cHere it is,\u201d she announced proudly, offering it over to Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou took it?\u201d Tabby asked, impressed in spite of herself at the young mare\u2019s gumption.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you should have it,\u201d Bethany said, avoiding the question of legalities altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Well\u2026 thanks,\u201d said Tabby, marveling at the piece of history in her hooves as Bethany took her leave, departing as suddenly as she had appeared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby was definitely intrigued by the journal, and looking forward to sitting down to study it in detail; but she was annoyed that she hadn\u2019t found it, hadn\u2019t even known it existed. As Hubert\u2019s daughter, the one who felt she knew him the best, this interloper Bethany was making her feel disloyal. Why hadn\u2019t <\/span>she<\/span><\/i> devoted her life to the study of Skuspisola? But Atlantis had always been Tabby\u2019s preferred lost civilization. It was such an obscure topic that she hadn\u2019t thought any researchers would follow in his tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

But there were work tasks to attend to, so reading would have to wait. As the day wound down, Thomas gave her leave to go study it, with the agreement that they would meet later for dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sinking down into her couch at home, Tabby pulled out the journal and settled in for a good read.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

We took the girls to the ice cream shop. Those two are a study in opposites–Tabby approached her sundae with great enthusiasm, and most of it ended up smeared on the table, whereas Tamara took dainty little bites. It will never cease to amaze me how two with identical DNA can be so diametrically opposed.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby smiled. Her father had never made her feel like the defective twin, instead accepting that they were different individuals. Her mother had always held out hope that Tabby would \u201ccatch up\u201d to Tamara in development. Tabby should probably share this with her twin, but it would probably end up in a video, and Tabby wasn\u2019t ready for that yet. She continued reading, mostly innocuous observations about happenings on campus, and reports of family outings. Tabby made special note of one entry, however:<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby has the makings of a scholar–if something should happen to me, I hope Agatha doesn’t extinguish the spark. She means well, but does tend to manage things to meet her own goals.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Had her father truly been anticipating that something would happen to him? Tabby had enjoyed toying with the notion that her mother had driven him off\u2026 but were there other forces at play?<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

I took Agatha out for a night on the town–it seems that one of us is always busy with something, and it\u2019s getting harder and harder to make time for just the two of us. She\u2019s driven, but no one compares. Afterwards\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby\u2019s brow raised. That was a little too much information, she realized, quickly skipping over the remainder of that passage. But it was a stark realization that her father had truly cared for her mother. They seemed too different to truly suit, with all the fighting she had observed\u2026 well, for that matter, how often had she and Thomas been at daggers drawn? But Tabby had never been witness to her parents making-up.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

The Krulotin have been in touch. They’ve asked me to look into one of their projects. I’m not keen on the idea, as it would necessitate a long time away from home; but it is one of those \u2018fate of the world\u2019 type things, so I suppose I’ll have to oblige. Agatha won’t think much of it, thinks I’m away too much as it is. She’s not overly fond of the Krulotin, but hasn’t taken it to extremes like the Fairfaxes. They may be fools, or they may be smarter than all of us. Only time will tell.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby started at the mention of that surname. Could it be Thomas’s parents? Agatha had mentioned knowing Caprice as a foal, but hadn’t indicated the relationship had extended into their adult years. What extreme measures was her father referencing–was it the giving up of magic? Her family, Thomas\u2019 family, and the Krulotin (also known as The Old Milk House Foundation) were all connected\u2026 what was the story there? The journal was frustratingly light on further details, however, and ended on an innocent entry about a day at the zoo in Hayton. There were no more mentions of the Krulotin and their mysterious task.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think The Old Milk House Foundation is behind my father\u2019s disappearance!\u201d Tabby announced without preamble as she let herself into Thomas\u2019 abode.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think that?\u201d Thomas asked, setting down the book he was reading, not overly taken aback. He was accustomed by now to Tabby\u2019s strange starts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe journal–look at this–see, he was working with them–well, the Krulotin–but they\u2019re the same thing, you know,\u201d she chattered excitedly, \u201cand I think your parents were involved, too!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Thomas was incredulous, but read the passage she pointed at.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll this time, I\u2019ve blamed my mother–but maybe that was never it,\u201d Tabby said, pacing back and forth, voice rising with great energy. \u201cMaybe <\/span>the mission<\/span><\/i> is taking this long. What if the same sort of thing happened to your parents?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas frowned, setting the book down thoughtfully. \u201cThat was an accident,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cThere were no mysterious powers at work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut how can you be so sure?\u201d Tabby pinned him with a sharp look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI trust that the authorities did everything they could, and there\u2019s no way they could have survived.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou <\/span>would<\/span><\/i> trust the authorities,\u201d Tabby said, as if that were such a bad thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI held out hope for a long time. Every day, I thought that <\/span>this<\/span><\/i> would be the day there would be news. The emotional toll of that, to build up that fantasy every day and have it come crashing down, is exhausting.\u201d Thomas passed a hoof in front of his eyes. \u201cI can\u2019t go through that again. I\u2019m sorry, but this isn\u2019t one of your conspiracies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my silly, unfounded conspiracies, you mean?\u201d Tabby shot back. \u201cYou\u2019re ignoring the evidence right before your eyes, and tell me I\u2019m crazy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe he wasn\u2019t giving her enough credit. He thought back to that last conversation with his parents–<\/span>our families were known to be powerful magic wielders\u2026 those that sought to bend us to their will\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cGood Lord,\u201d Thomas said, the implications sinking in. \u201cWhat if they\u2019re still out there, being held against their will?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to talk to the Krulotin,\u201d Tabby said.<\/span><\/p>\n

For that matter, were the Krulotin friend or foe?<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby called the phone number they had on record for The Old Milk House Foundation, but there was no answer. Next, she scoured the internet for alternate contact information for the mysterious society, and could come up with nothing but an out-of-town mailing address. So, on the following day, Tabby and Thomas closed up the clinic early and walked out to find out what was there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They passed through the unremarkable and sparsely populated community known as Moondust Corners. Despite its romantic name, the place had little to offer apart from a rundown tavern and a few nondescript residences. Past this little bump in the road, they veered off onto a gravel path that wound its way through woods and fields. As they progressed, the path gradually became less defined until they arrived at their destination\u2014a weathered fieldstone barn foundation nestled into the side of a hill.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese are the coordinates,\u201d Tabby confirmed, checking her phone. She had put herself in charge of navigation, even though she was notoriously terrible at directions, and it was a wonder they had gotten here at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing here,\u201d Thomas noted, gazing around. They were surrounded only by windswept fields, with no habitation besides the barn remains in sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re a secret society; you think they\u2019re just going to have a normal office?\u201d Tabby scoffed. \u201cNo, there\u2019s got to be something hidden.\u201d She made her way down cracked steps into the base of the barn. Thomas, muttering something about tetanus, followed her.<\/span><\/p>\n

They cautiously navigated through the debris of the barn foundation, carefully stepping around the scattered remnants. Over time, the wooden implements had either been removed or completely decayed, and what remained were fragments of rock, concrete, and scattered metal bits. There was no indication of recent occupation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nobody here,\u201d Thomas said, \u201cand it\u2019s getting dark.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby hopped down into the empty grain silo. \u201cAh-hah, it\u2019s a trapdoor!\u201d she said jubilantly. \u201cWith a padlock! There\u2019s definitely something here.\u201d She knocked, and waited several moments, but there was no answer. \u201cWell, what happened to them?\u201d she needlessly asked, perturbed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey must be somewhere. They\u2019re still paying the bills,\u201d Thomas pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomething\u2019s not right,\u201d Tabby said, shaking her head. \u201cThey\u2019re guarding you; they wouldn\u2019t just leave you to the wolves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe they had more pressing matters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re the royal guard of Atlantis; it\u2019s literally their job!\u201d Tabby cried out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no evidence that I\u2019m Atlantean royalty,\u201d Thomas countered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you\u2019re certainly something worth their interest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo more than you are. Your family is at least as much involved, if not more,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cCome on, there\u2019s nothing to see here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“Shh!” Tabby hushed, extending her hoof and gesturing for silence. “I can pick this.” She lifted the padlock up in her hoof and focused intently on the object. Suddenly, a spark flickered, causing her to yelp and jump back, dropping the padlock. “It has some magic protection on it,” she said, gently massaging her tingling hoof. “I don\u2019t think I can break through it.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that\u2019s for the best,\u201d Thomas said, looking cautiously around. \u201cLet\u2019s get back to town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Elsewhere\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

“Fall back!” Captain Ravenwood shouted, taking cover behind a fallen tree trunk. Laser gunshots pinged through the air as the cloaked figures regrouped in the forest clearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t good,\u201d Ming stated the obvious. \u201cThe KU have us in a tight spot. But if we don\u2019t force them back now–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTheir defense is air-tight!\u201d Troz interrupted, bounding up to the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs I was saying,\u201d said Ming with a dark look at Troz, \u201cif we don\u2019t succeed here, the true lineage of Atlantis will fall.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I don\u2019t know that!\u201d Captain Ravenwood snapped impatiently, barely withholding the impulse to stomp her foot. \u201cIt\u2019s only our <\/span>one job<\/span><\/i>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still not accustomed to this laser weaponry,\u201d Troz said, eyeing his gun skeptically. \u201cGive me a sword any day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA sword won\u2019t get you very far out there,\u201d scowled Ming.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember that time we had to go looking for a tarantula, and harassed local shopkeepers?\u201d Klatoo broke-in, thinking of happier instances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose were fun times,\u201d agreed Troz.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about! It\u2019s much better to be seeking glory on the battlefield,\u201d Ming declared grandly, moments before a stray laser beam hit him in the arm. \u201cAHHHH!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Captain Ravenwood sighed. \u201cMEDIC!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, look!\u201d Klatoo pointed at something in the distance, and they all gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReinforcements!\u201d Captain Ravenwood marveled as a contingent of their countrymen, the Royal Society of Krulotin, appeared on the horizon. \u201cFather–I mean, the General–actually responded to my request! Into the fray, warriors!\u201d she cried, and they all complied with gusto.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the arrival of the Krulotin reinforcements, the armies again clashed. Beams of vibrant energy erupted from their laser guns, lighting up the battlefield. The air sizzled as the lethal projectiles streaked back and forth, seeking to dismantle their respective targets. And as the last echoes of battle faded away, the heroic Royal Society of Krulotin stood triumphant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the KU army retreated into the distance and the Krulotin troops celebrated the victory, a tall, domineering individual mounted on a mighty steed rode forward and addressed Captain Ravenwood. \u201cIt will not always be convenient to come clean up your mess,\u201d the General said sternly. Shadowbane, the General\u2019s steed, remained silent but looked on at Captain Ravenwood in an extremely judgemental way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI understand,\u201d said Captain Ravenwood, clenching her fists to take out some of her frustration. \u201cBut when I\u2019m only provided with a small contingent to do the job–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Krulotin have many battlefronts,\u201d said the General, frowning. \u201cWe rely on our quick wit and tactical expertise to stay ahead of foes much larger than us. I expected better of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs this where I\u2019m supposed to stubbornly pledge to do better to prove myself to you?\u201d Captain Ravenwood demanded. \u201cI did the best I could with what I had!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The General sat still on Shadowbane, silently regarding her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine, whatever!\u201d she cried out. \u201cI\u2019ll just beat impossible odds, even though that\u2019s statistically, well, impossible!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what heroes are supposed to do,\u201d Shadowbane said snidely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Captain Ravenwood exhaled impatiently. She had known Shadowbane as a colt, back when he was known as Billy and known for snitching cookies from the barracks kitchen, before he had been chosen as the General\u2019s official war horse and changed his name to something more pretentious. \u201cCan it!\u201d she spat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou forget yourself,\u201d said the General warningly. \u201cWe\u2019ll be watching.\u201d And with that, he and Shadowbane turned as one and they walked away.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cExcuse me? Ms. Fershund?\u201d a mare\u2019s voice asked. Tabby looked up from her sundae, eyeing the newcomer with some uncertainty. The mare in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38231"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38232,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38231\/revisions\/38232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}