//------------------------------// // 10. Shining Armor // Story: Maremagnum // by The6thMaster //------------------------------// “I don't see why I have to hold all of these things...Sir.” Shining Armor caught himself with the observance of basic respect at the last minute so as to not be completely insubordinate. He'd never been able to make Ivory Tower as seemingly irate as he made him though, and Shining wasn't sure that the Professor even cared whether he addressed him or not with proper courtesy. It was only because he didn't want to give him a valid reason to give bad reports that he chose to observe them. Ivory Tower was sipping at a steaming cup of coffee, the only thing that he was carrying in contrast to the heavy collection of maps, scrolls and books that his mentor had conveniently neglected to pack until now. “I imagine it might have slipped your mind but yesterday I gave a briefing in front of a room full of ponies about the very reason we are heading out onto a long expedition. Everything you're carrying is critical to actually accomplishing something of note so try not to drop it.” Shining Armor all but bit his tongue to avoid audibly growling at Ivory Tower, his telekinetic ability straining at the volume and unorganized collection of things he had to carry. He'd received a note asking him to come down to the school by the Professor only to receive this absolute mess which he was sure was left deliberately untidy to increase his burden. The entire group was already at the gate by the time they'd arrived and he was faintly surprised to see Soarin giving a talk to a stiff group of equally young pegasi standing in a line receiving last minute instruction. It made sense, though, Soarin had told him that he'd been called up earlier. Soarin wasn't the only welcome sight for Shining though, Cadence was speaking with Gentle August and clearly perked up on seeing his approach and started walking towards the pair with a smile. Shining lost some of his concentration in holding up all of the paperwork, a few of the books starting to veer slightly off to the side while still wrapped up in the violet glow of his magic. They'd started to flicker when they were supported by a light blue aura. He blinked, and glanced towards Ivory Tower who only had a eye raised towards his things, his horn not alight. “Would you like some help?” Cadence asked, walking up to them with that same smile she'd worn. Thankfully a thing like telekinesis was almost second nature to most older unicorns or else Shining might have dropped his entirely and spoiled the moment. “Oh uh, sure Cadence.” He said, swallowing a little as he thought of a proper way to separate the collection of things over his head. The gesture was innocent, but Shining couldn't help but feel some of the feedback of Cadence's magic over top his. There were more then a few innuendos and jokes among unicorns about 'sharing magic' and some likened it to even kissing. Before they raised any eyebrows, Shining divided what he'd been carrying into two and clearly gave Cadence the smaller half. “Thanks, it wouldn't be so hard if it was all in one piece.” Ivory Tower gave a scoff at that and cantered up ahead of the pair as Cadence fell in next to his side. “Are you excited?” She asked him, lowering her voice as they made their way towards the rear wagon to store the papers. “A little. Think you'll be alright with all of the danger?” He replied. Cadence shrugged, leaning up against the wagon and carefully starting to place away the items so they wouldn't be damaged or otherwise crumpled up. “Whose the Alicorn Princess here? Maybe it'll be me keeping you out of danger.” That was a lot more confident then what he remembered last time they'd been together. He was impressed all the same and chuckled. “Maybe if we have to give monsters advice on their relationships.” Shining couldn't help but tease, given what he knew Cadence's special talent was. She gave him a pretend annoyed look and nudged him in the chest with a hoof. “I'll have you know there is nothing wrong with having powers over love. If you're not careful I’ll make you fall head over hooves for the next squirrel I see.” “Hah, but won't you be jealous?” He countered, poking her back in the chest just as she'd done to him. “If you're lucky we'll even send you wedding invitations.” Cadence puffed out her cheeks for a second and Shining couldn't help but think they looked a touch more pink when she started to speak. “Why would I be jealo-” “That is quite enough flirting for the morning. We're ready to go.” That was Ivory Tower, sounding as sarcastic as ever and not giving them a chance to protest that they were in fact not flirting. “Right uh, would you like to walk together?” Shining asked as the wagon in front of them began to move. Cadence nodded, though was studiously glancing away from him until the noticeable flush of her cheeks went away. “Sure.” Was her reply as they set off with the rest out of Canterlot and along the road. The whole group was made up of fifteen in all. Six unicorns, six pegasi, two earth ponies and Cadence. The two earth ponies were pulling the wagons despite being full members of the Guard themselves. Each type of pony had their own special brand of magic and earth ponies in particular were especially physical and attuned to all things ground. Shining Armor had long ago learned never to challenge an earth pony to a hoof wrestling or any kind of wrestling match unless you wanted a quick trip to the hospital. The pace Ivory Tower had set wasn't particularly harsh and the first day of travel went by remarkably well as far as Shining Armor was concerned. At various points he and Cadence would chat about nothing of particular importance to pass the time. There was no real direction, they traded stories about what they'd been doing in the past. The pegasi, under Soarin's direction, had taken off to scout ahead and stretch their wings. Along a road with Canterlot still practically in sight it wasn't likely they were to be attacked anyway and Shining thought it made a good deal of sense. What was curious about how the group traveled was how quiet Prince Blueblood was being despite walking alongside Gentle August. As far as he could remember the two got along reasonably well but the supposed royal seemed to be keeping his head canted up and away from the other unicorn and their mentors looked less then pleased at the start of the trip. Ivory Tower was walking along at the front and speaking to nobody, his gaze always seemed to rest on a mountain range that was slowly creeping up into the air the further along they marched. Finally they came to a sharp bend in the road, more to the north then to the west that their eventual goal lay. Rather then follow along it, Ivory Tower started to head off of the track and through the long grass. Apparently this was where they truly began their journey for the earth pony guards hauling the wagons followed him as did the rest of them. “I guess this is where we begin?” He asked Cadence, who merely nodded and looked a bit more serious. That had been well after midday and they'd went this entire time without so much as a break. Shining Armor could feel a light sheen of sweat at his forehead and, glancing towards Cadence, saw that she was breathing a bit harder while looking far more tired then when they'd started. He excused himself for a moment from her side and picked up his pace to walk alongside Ivory Tower at the front of the column. “Professor...maybe we should take a break or stop for the evening. Its only the first day.” Shining said as nicely as he could. “Your marefriend will be fine. We'll stop in an hour or two, there’s a schedule I’ve planned and I would like not to mess it up on day one.” Was his reply, certainly not giving him much wiggle room to negotiate. “She's not my mare...I understand there's still a long way to go but should we really be wearing ourselves out before we're even near Tartarus?” He tried again, ignoring the bait for what was more important. Ivory Tower gave a annoyed sounding sigh while still walking along and looking straight ahead. “Its best to get use to being tired. Eventually we'll not be able to even sleep. What part of this not being a pampered pleasure trip was confusing to you?” He could tell this was a lost cause and fell back after that to walk next to Cadence and give her a sympathetic look. “I'll be fine, Shining Armor.” She said, panting while slightly slouched. “I know you will I was just-” Cadence shot him a dirty look and straightened her posture back up as she did. “Feeling sorry for me? I'll be fine, Shining. I'm not going to be a burden.” That wasn't quite what he was hoping to convey. “I wasn't feeling sorry and there’s no way you'll be a burden. But you are a little tired and you aren’t the only one. I just wanted to give it a shot. I bet Professor Tower calls halt a little sooner for me doing it anyway.” As it turned out, he didn't. It was two hours and many more miles before they stopped. In all it was a remarkable stretch of traveling for one day and they'd traded the wide flat grass of when they'd left the road for a fairly dense forest underneath increasingly jagged looking mountains. Most every one was eager to almost collapse once Ivory Tower called his stop for the evening. The sun nearly down past the horizon with the night falling all around them with longer and longer shadows. The earth pony guards had drawn the wagons up parallel with a large enough space in the middle to build a fire. Professor Puppet Strings had done the honor of lighting the wood into a blaze and the group had collectively settled down around it. Princess Celestia and Ivory Tower had been very detailed in their packing of supplies. Prepared meals had already been made and were now their dinner. It was curious, Shining thought as he dug into the canned green vegetables, that he had never seen a pony lean down and eat the grass. Sure, it was mostly tasteless and could have bugs in it but surely it had to be edible right? He didn't want to be the first one to volunteer but did mention it to Cadence who giggled at the idea. Soarin had detailed two pegasi to keep the first watch of the evening and asked the others to contribute if they liked. Prince Blueblood had, naturally, scoffed at the notion while Gentle August volunteered. Cadence looked thoughtful for a moment before raising her hoof alongside Shining Armor to keep watch and give the squadron of pegasi some extra rest. “I'd like the last one, if that's alright.” She asked when Soarin came round to set the times they'd be staying up. The campfire was starting to die down, the glowing cherry charcoals of the remaining wood was providing most of the illumination left as the majority of the flames were long gone. Most of the group had went to sleep, curling up into bags taken out of the wagons as they'd been far too tired to bother setting tents up. Nodding, the future prospective Wonder-Bolt jotted something down on a clipboard he had. “Alright, you and Shining Armor can have that time. You'll get to see the sunrise too. Make sure not to let us sleep in.” Shining Armor couldn't help but notice the sly quick wink shot his way from his friend after he said that. Cadence either didn't notice or pretend she didn't. After Soarin wandered off to get some rest she yawned rather loudly and got up. “See you in a few hours Shining Armor. Thanks for being with me the whole time.” She said and then wandered off to procure her own sleeping bag. He chewed his bottom lip while remaining stationary in thought. A part of him wanted to join her, at least sleeping nearby even if they were in separate sleeping bags. Not so distant memories of falling asleep and waking up next to her were called up in his mind and not entirely unpleasantly. Deliberately going over with a sleeping bag would be a lot different of a situation though. Especially out on a mission like this. 'This would be easier if I wasn't a gentle-pony' He groused, shrugging off the inner battle and deciding it was better to be respectful of a mare's privacy then pushing his luck. Shining Armor was spared more thoughts on the matter of Cadence by the entire day's march catching up to him as he snuggled into his own sleeping bag. He was out like a light within minutes and sleeping peacefully. If he were awake and looking in the right direction he might have been able to make out the distant sight of flickering fires high atop the mountains which were directly in front of their current course.