Solstice

by Scorpius

Consequences

Dueling
While dueling has always been an important part of our culture, and bouts of daring, wit, and power between students a long-standing tradition of education, Formal Duels are forbidden to students of the Arcana. Students who wish to settle a dispute by combat are welcome to hold a duel at the dueling society, which meets on Friday evenings and is open to students in their third year and above. It is worth noting that the punishment for casting a Formal Duel Oath is relatively light[a] compared to the punishment for accepting[b]. This is due to the difference in nature of the spells used: while the magic involved in issuing a challenge creates a magical contract, it is only the acceptance of the Oath that is magically binding[c].

Students are taught sparring twice a week. These lessons should serve them well should they be challenged to a duel (Formal or otherwise), whether they are still students or have long-since graduated.
—from The Canterlot Arcana Student Handbook

---

The Headmistress’ office was a small, cozy affair, with little more than a desk, a few cushions, and a fireplace. And yet the room was well-lit—the sun had not yet set, and its light streamed down reddish hues from the wide windows above them. Soon enough the sun would sink below the windows’ horizon, and the room would be lit only by the flickering glow of the fire, and the small but bright orb of hornglow that Headmistress Fenglade had cast.

This was not the first time that Maria had been inside the Headmistress’ office, and she was certain that it would not be the last—but with Fenglade’s angry glare not yet beginning to fade, Maria knew that it would certainly be one of her more memorable trips.

“I am… disappointed in you both.” The Headmistress’ voice cut through the quiet, distracting Maria from the crackling of the fire. Her voice sounded restrained, and Maria saw Abigail flinch at the barely-concealed fury. “Ms. Forthnall, do you know what you have done?”

“I… I didn’t think…”

“No, you didn’t,” Fenglade interrupted, and Maria couldn’t help but feel glad that she wasn’t on the receiving end of that anger right then. The Headmistress’ ruby eyes were fire, and Abigail was shaking under their blaze.

Then the Headmistress closed her eyes, rested her forehead gently on a hoof, and sighed.

“Ms. Forthnall, had you merely insulted Maria’s self then this gross breach of conduct would be her fault and hers alone. Instead, you brought her House’s reputation into question, and this may have forced her horn. You will be spending a month in detention with Emeritus Chingar. You are dismissed.”

Maria did not turn to look as Abigail left the office; she didn’t need to turn to see the wide smirk on her face. She clenched her teeth tighter together, but kept her face as neutral as she could. She wouldn’t react. To react would be reaching above her station.

Of course, Abigail’s punishment would be a punishment—Chingar would make sure of it, if his lessons were anything to go by—but it was more than that. It wouldn’t do, of course, for a fourth year neophyte to beat a sixth year, so the school would be stepping in. At least, Maria consoled herself, a month of rigorous training might dull the older student’s eagerness to fight.

“Maria.” The Headmistress’ voice was quiet, but cold. Her eyes were no longer blazing with fire, but they were hard. “You are, of course, well aware of the usual punishment for accepting a formal duel on school premises?”

Maria nodded, and swallowed. A month’s suspension, at minimum. She’d read about it, back in first year: allegedly, one stallion had even been expelled, a hundred years ago.

“I understand that politics may have… forced your horn, somewhat,” Fenglade continued, slowly. “For now, I shall assign you a month’s detentions with Deputy Headmaster Whitetail; I will discuss further with your father, and with your head of House, before assigning any further punishment. You are dismissed.”

It wasn’t getting off lightly—far from it, if there was more punishment to come—but Maria Everfree allowed herself to smile as she trotted down the spiral steps from the Headmistress’ office. And Deputy Headmaster Whitetail was, at least, a relatively friendly member of staff, which was more than could be said of Emeritus Chingar. It was going to take every ounce of control she had not to smirk right back at Abigail when she finally made it back to dinner.

Assuming, of course, that dinner was still being served. Her stomach rumbling, Maria quickened her pace and trotted briskly back in the direction of the hall. Even if she was a little late, she should still be able to catch the end of dessert.

---

[a] a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of seven weeks in detention, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
[b] a minimum of a four weeks' and a maximum of a year's suspension. If the student being challenged chooses to initiate the Duel before punishment can be given, the student may risk expulsion.
[c] it is hence a form of minor soul magic, which may not be performed by minors without the express written permission of the Thaumata. The minimum punishment for its use is specified by law. The Thaumata may also choose to fine any student who accepts a Formal Duel Oath.

Author's Note:

I have returned! I think it's fair to say that 2016 has not been a good year for most people, and it certainly wasn't a good year for me. Thankfully, that's all behind us now. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up writing regularly this year far better than I did before!

Comments

[Madame Hellspawn]

There's two things that I'm really digging with this story:

The world building I find to be very interesting. It seems a bit bleak and the little openers in some of these chapters are structured so interestingly to me, especially the bits from scriptures and history books. It's fragmented, but in a good way. It leaves you wanting to know more.

I'm also really loving the dynamic of Maria's character so far. The struggle of balancing her being her and looking out for her family is tense . It makes me feel kinda bad that she has to. Especially with what happened here, I'm a bit worried with how she'll recover.

This story is really looking good so far!

[Scorpius]

7873918 I'm glad to hear you're still enjoying the story (and I'm sorry it's taken me a few days to get around to replying!)

Maria's character has been a fun one to write, so far, and I'm looking forward to writing more of her. She's at a very tumultuous stage of her life, right now, and she's dealing with a lot of conflicting desires. Writing her trying to come to terms with those and to figure out what really matters to her is a real challenge, but one that I am enjoying immensely. And I'm glad you're enjoying the chapter structure! I swear, sometimes it feels like I put more time into those tiny little fragments of imaginary books than I do into the main body of the chapter...