Sun and Shield · 3:10pm Oct 29th, 2023
The two ponies trotted up the nearby staircase towards the castle’s wall and when they arrived at the top, they took position against the stone crenellations. The view from the Royal Guard barracks courtyard was unmatched. It was one of the higher points in the city that wasn’t in a tower and was on the southern side, so it overlooked vast swathes of the country. The rolling hills of green stretched out to the horizon, only really interrupted by the patch of untamed wilds known as the Everfree Forest.
Rose closed her eyes and lifted her chin up towards the sky. Even behind her eyelids she could see the bright majesty of the sun as the warmth beat down on her. Her wings spread out slowly and she absorbed the heavenly light openly, ever grateful for the opportunity to find herself in its presence. All of the worries, the panic, the shame that the encounter with the Lieutenant had brought found themselves washed away by the powerful waves of light that cascaded down from the clear blue sky above.
“Any news on your dad?” Picket’s usually smarmy but cheerful tone dissolved into genuine concern. “Wing Rot is nasty from what I heard. How is he handling the diagnosis?” Rose frowned as the relaxing reverence she had been engaged in was broken and the comforting warmth of the star above was replaced with the creeping dread of her parents and the correspondence they shared.
“He’s handling it better than my mom is.” Rose muttered. Her eyes followed a little colorful train in the distance as it wound its way towards Ponyville. ‘The Friendship Express’, if she remembered the name and livery correctly. Smoke billowed from its smokestack and rose into the air to mar the clear skies the pegasi worked so hard to cultivate. “My dad just wants to spend time outside in the sunlight, but mom just fusses over him all day.”
“From what you’ve told me, he’s a tough old stallion. I’m sure he’ll make it through.” There were a few awkward moments of silence before Picket spoke again. “Magic is amazing, y’know. Us kooky unicorns can fix anything if we put our minds to it.” He tapped his hooves against the stone. “I had a buddy that had-”
“I really appreciate the concern, Picket.” Rose took a deep breath and patted her friend on the back and forced a smile. “I really do, but let’s not talk about it. I just want to get through today…”
So the two ponies stood there in silence and enjoyed the morning, waiting for the bell to ring and send them all to their posts. A more natural smile crossed Rose’s features as a breeze washed over the mountaintop castle and caught her plumed mane. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, probably the last peaceful moment she would have until after her vacation back home was done.
Tomorrow I drop the first chapter of "Sun and Shield", a story that takes place before and during the events of And Hell Followed set in Canterlot and following members of the Royal Guard. I don't usually give text based teasers but I figured why not.
Can't wait for you guys to meet Rose and the rest of the guards.
oh boy, they're all gonna fucking die
Oh, this is going to be tragic as heck.