Chapter 16- Oracle Reveals What She Knows

Wrangler woke up the next morning with the dream still fresh in her mind but she pushed it aside as talking with Oracle was more important. She quickly go ready and headed straight for Oracles wagon. When she arrived she knocked on the door and waited for a response.

“Come In.”
Wrangler pushed the door open and entered the wagon.
“Please close the door behind you child and take a seat, we have a lot to discuss.”
There was a large book in front of her, it appeared to be very old.
“This book holds a lot of ‘Legends’ in it. Some we know are true because they have happened, others we are not sure of.” She opened the book to a marked page and turned it to face Wrangler. “This one is of the Princess and the Phoenix.
The picture had Kaena and Morning Star in it combining their powers. Wrangler couldn’t read the text on the page next to it. Oracle flipped to another marked page “I believe this is your legend.”

Wrangler peered at the page taking all of it in.
“Would you like me to read the page to you?”
“Yes please.”

A White pony from a foreign land will appear one day in Ponyland. She will hold wondrous powers unknown to her. Traveling across the land she will receive the talisman from the gypsy leader. Both will fall in love with one another but a unseen force will pull them apart. The Princess of Ponyland will bestow a gift upon her changing her appearance. This will awaken the sleeping ones spirit. Once the sleeping ones spirit awakens it will contact the foreigner through the talisman.

“What talisman is it talking about? The only thing I got form Bird Star was the necklace.”
“Did you bring it with you?”
“Yes” she moved her hair aside to reveal her necklace.
“Please hand it to me.”
Wrangler undid the clasp and handed it to her.
“This is the talisman in the legend my dear. The stone stands for the sleeping ones place of rest and the fire is the obstacle you will have to over come to find him.”
“Who is ‘the sleeping one?”
Oracle pointed to the green creature in the book “Why the dragon pictured here with you.”
Wrangler studied the picture and gasped “I’ve seen those eyes before.”
“Where child?” she asked intrigued.
“When I was unconscious.”

“Then it is time for you two to meet.” she placed the necklace on the table and started chanting. A green glow filled the wagon and the necklace rose from the table. Once it reached Wrangler’s eye level the flames became real and the stone turned to green. A voice came from within the stone, faint at first but grew louder.

“Wrangler come free me, it is time we meet.”
“Talis?!”
“Yes, follow the hills west until you come to the Forbidden Mountains. I will be in the heart of the largest mountain.”
The fire slowly died and the pendent drifted back to the table. Oracle was staring at Wrangler in shock.
“What?!” Wrangler asked nervously.
“You should not be about to speak in dragon tongue just yet but you just did.”
“What are you talking about?”
Oracle turned the book towards her and flipped the page. “Let me read some more of the legend.”

Once the two have finished training their power will be inconceivable. They will be able to speak in each other tongues. They will control the element of lighting and fire when they are together.

“Do you want me to continue?” Oracle asked.
“No, I think I understand” she picked her necklace up and placed it back on her neck. “I better ask the King to show me a map so I know where I am going.”
“As you wish my dear, please see me before you leave.”
“Thank you, I will be back after I see him.”

Once inside the castle she figured the King would be in the Royal Private Headquarters so she headed off to find him. When she arrived outside the door she took a deep breath and knocked.

“Yes?” she heard him call out.
“Your highness, I need your help. May I come in?”

There was a brief silence and then the door was opened by Blackberry. He waved her in and shut the door behind her.

“I hope this is important my soldiers and I were in an important meeting.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt but it’s urgent.”
Silverwind raised an eyebrow “What can I help you with?”
“I need a map and directions to the Forbidden Mountains.”
“That is a dangerous area. Why do you need to go there?”
“To find Talis and find my destiny.” she stood proud.
“I see but I still don’t want you going alone, Morning Star would be very upset if anything happen to you.”
“I’ll go” Flameblade stepped forward.
Silverwind eyed him suspiciously “Why the interest Flameblade?”
“I am the only pegasus that know this land well enough to protect her. Besides you have important missions for the others. I would be here doing nothing but sitting around. Unless you want the Princess to go.”
“No!” he cleared his throat “No you’ll be fine. I will have everything you need ready to go in one hour. Flameblade will find you when it is ready.”
“Thank you.” she turned to Flameblade “I will be with Oracle.”
He shook his head and headed to the table full of maps.

.......
“Oracle?” she called out.
“Yes my dear? Did you get the Kings help?”
“Yes he will have everything ready in an hour, Flameblade will meet me here.”
“Oh is he going along?”
“Yes for my protection the king doesn’t want me going alone.”
“That’s probably a good idea.”
“I have a few more questions, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not I am here to help you.”
“Okay then first off why didn’t anyone else know about this?”
“The only reason I can come up with is that Moonraiser had all the books destroyed. I am not sure why but maybe it was part of his plan. I only came across the book in my travels and the owner sold it to me for its protection.”
“Okay, What will happen once I find Talis?”
“So that’s the dragons name. I am not sure the book does not go into detail but really you will have to find out once you two are together.”
Wrangler chewed her bottom lip for a bit “I won’t lie I am a little scared.”
“Don’t be, I will be keeping an eye on you and Flameblade will be with you.”
“I just don’t want to become something I know nothing about.”
“I bet Talis will have answers for you. Oh look her comes Flameblade.”
“Hello ladies. I have everything we need whenever you’re ready.”
Wrangler looked at the castle she wished she could talk to Morning Star. “Oracle can you tell the Princess I will miss her and will return as soon as I can.
“Yes dear I will. Now have a safe trip.”
“Let’s go Flameblade. See you soon Oracle.”
This direction” Flameblade took off and headed west “We will travel til dusk and then stop for the night. If you need to stop before then just let me know.”
“I will be fine.” she smiled.

Oracle watched the two pegasus until they disappeared in the clouds. She headed into the castle hoping to find the King . He had some explaining to do to her since the mountains were not that dangerous, it was just a story to keep teens out of them. Walking into the castle she was surprised to find the royal family standing in the hallway.

Nxavier walked up to her “Now may not be a good time.”
“HOW DARE YOU!” screamed the Princess.
“Do not talk to me like that!” ordered the King.
“Both of you please stop” begged the Queen.
“She may need me and you just sent her off! I AM NOT A CHILD! I can take care of myself” she glared at her father.
“I don’t know how dangerous that dragon is and I will not take the chance of the Princess getting hurt or even killed.” he replied in a stern voice.
The Queen gasped at what her husband had just said.
Morning Star glared at her father and opened her mouth to say something but Oracle cleared her throat. “May I interrupt?”
“Oh Oracle we didn’t see you join us” the Queen smiled weakly. “How may we help you?”
“Princess I know you are worried about Wrangler but I believe she needs to do this on her own.”
“But Flameblade is with her so she’s not really alone.” Nxavier pointed out.
“See sweetie she’ll be okay” Rainsong comforted her daughter.
“It doesn’t change the fact that I should have known about it. I trust her and that should be enough for everyone.”
“Princess, Wrangler will be fine, I will be watching over her the whole time. I do have a message for you from her.”
“Yes?” she asked eagerly
“She wanted me to tell you she will miss you and will be back as soon as she can.” Oracle smiled sweetly at the Princess.
“Thank you Oracle that makes me feel a bit better.”
“May I steal the King for awhile?” she asked.
“That will be fine, we are done here.” Silver Wind turned and headed towards the Royal Private Headquarters.
“Star, sweetie lets go out for a bit.” Nxavier suggested.
“Okay” she sighed and walked off with him.
“She’ll be fine” whispered Nxavier “I promise.”
“Do you know something?”
“I’ll tell you later.” He whispered.

.................
Back in the Royal Private Headquarters Silverwind sat behind a large desk.
“What can I do for you Oracle?”
“Explain why Flameblade was sent with Wrangler?”
“I didn’t send him her volunteered since the Forbidden Mountains are dangerous.”
“Hog wash! Both of us knows that is just an old wise tail and I’m betting Flameblade knows as well. Now out with it!”
“Oracle please stop trying to make this out to be worse than it is.”

Oracle raised an eyebrow “I stood by your side when you battled your brother. I trusted you then please do not give me a reason to doubt you now. You are not a good liar and after your outburst to the Princess I want answers.”

“Fine I don’t trust that dragon. How do I know its not another plan to take over my kingdom?”
“Did you ever hear stories about dragons?” she asked him
“Yes vaguely. My father told me a few and what stories you gypsies have shared. What of it?”
“In those stories did anything ever give you reason to fear them?”
“Not that I can recall.”
“Think about them and maybe have Blackberry do some reading. I bet there is no reason for you to judge Talis before you have meet him. The book I have says they are here to aid you not destroy you. Besides if the Princess trust Wrangler I think we all should.” with a swish of her tail she turned and left the room leaving the King alone.
He sat for a few minute and then called out to his guards “Find Blackberry for me.”

........
Oracle reached her wagon and climbed inside she pulled her crystal ball from a shelf and placed it on the table.
“Just to check up on you and see how things are going.”