"So, you are saying while on guard duty, you spotted the ponies which aided us that time running from a swarm of vampires?" I asked Blackthorn after having him return from guard duty, "And you escorted them back, with one of said vampires?"
"Yes, your highness." Blackthorn replied, his gaze as certain as ever. "They requested to return an unconscious vampire here to 'return her to her senses'. It is one of the mares who helped us."
I was sat in thought for a few moments. These ponies had helped save our land once before, and they helped save me after I traded myself for my son. They had brought a creature of corruption to my hidden camp, though I suppose I owe them support.
"Give them a place. I will speak to them in a moment." I decided, and Blackthorn nodded, going to report my decision. I could see them from here, awaiting the news. I hate being in debt.
I continued my work on our map, marking the now-dead vampires with black crosses. After doing this, I made my way to where I saw Blackthorn guided the five new arrivals.
"Welcome, ponies." I greeted them. The first one to speak was the one, if I remember correctly, named Twilight Sparkle.
"Thank you, King Aspen, for welcoming us into your camp." She replied.
"If you do not mind me asking, why were you passing by? Surely you all found a home for three whole years?" I questioned. It was rather suspicious.
Twilight nodded slightly. "I understand your cautiousness. We are travelling towards Manehattan. The city has been under attack for days and if we do not aid them, the city will fall."
I was surprised by this news, but I held my poker face. "How is one of your cities falling?" I asked, surely after three years, they would have built up powerful defences?
"We were rather shocked by the news too, but even in Canterlot our forces are weakening, slowly. With every attack we lose many guards." Twilight replied, obvious sadness in her face.
"I understand." Was the only way I could reply. "Tell me about your friend." I requested, pointing at the unconscious vampire.
"She was with us when we helped you. She was only recently bitten, so I hope I can uncorrupt her mind. I may need bindings." Twilight explained, obviously set on her mission.
"Fine, but you will hold her outside." I replied.
"The sun will rise soon." She retorted, "If she gets exposed to sunlight, she will slowly die!"
"What do you want me to do about it‽" I shouted, attracting the attention of some nearby deer. "I have worked hard to make a safe haven, and you want me to house a blood sucking, corrupted creature?"
Twilight obviously bit back a retort.
"I apologise, but I prioritise the lives of my kin first." I stated. "If you can imagine a compromise, I'll listen."
Twilight sat in thought for a moment. "Could you help us make a covering of some sort, like a tarpaulin or a blanket?"
"That sounds simple enough. I will see what I can do." I replied before returning back to my map. I called for some of the more creative types about weaving together a blanket.
It took about three-quarters of an hour, then I gave the blanket made of vines to Twilight and left with her and her friends, to set up a covered area outside. We then used some freshly made rope to bind the vampire to a boulder. It was at this point Twilight began to heal her friend using some of our healer's salves, no doubt she asked them about healing an arrow wound. Luckily for her, keeping the arrow in there halted most of the blood flow.
Twilight then woke her friend up, and the look in those crimson eyes was obvious. I raised my bow, to ensure she didn't try to break her bonds. Twilight and her friends then took turns to talk to her, talking about Applejack as though she were a different pony far away. Twilight then lit up her horn and lunged for Applejack's forehead.
Both of them went limp, their eyes radiating a white aura.
We waited, the others with bated breath. I knew this was important to them, and if she failed, Twilight was in danger, but for some reason I could not feel the tension.
Minutes passed, and life slowly ebbed back into the two bodies, so I raised up my bow once more, aiming at the vampire.
The first to move was Twilight, who had a second to retreat before Applejack came to.
Applejack quickly hissed at Twilight before she began shaking her head.
"W...What happened?" Applejack asked. "Where am ah?"
"You are in the territory of the inhabitants of Thicket, miss Applejack. If you do not remember me, my name is King Aspen." I stated, stopping Twilight from explaining. "You are currently a vampire. I am sure you need no explanation?"
"Ah'm a vampire?" Applejack questioned, seemingly just noticing her wings as she inhaled sharply. I used an arrow to cut through the back of the rope.
"Ah remember now. One question, how am ah gonna leave?" Applejack asked. A good question, as vampires couldn't travel during the day, and these five would have to leave as soon as possible to reach Manehattan in time.
"Twilight, was there not a cloak on the bed I let you rest on?" I remembered, suggesting it. It seemed large enough to fit over Applejack, probably not as her original self, but perhaps her thinner vampire self would fully fit under it.
Twilight nodded, rushing back into the cave.
"I do have something to speak to her about. I shall return in a moment." I said, heading into the cave.