The new Firefly chapter is nearly complete... · 2:33pm Aug 29th, 2019
And very heavily guest-written. There will be one section by me, one by AJ_Aficionado, and one by Denim_Blue, each highlighting a different race/faction who will shortly have to choose sides in the war. And since I can't resist despite earlier saying there wouldn't be one, here's a teaser...
Northeast of Mosclaw
Location Undisclosed
September 4th, 1130 AE (Year 305 of of Her Majesty Lepidoptes IV’s Reign)
0335 AM
I had awoken to a dark cabin and the sound of knocking on my door, light but urgent in tone. I took a moment to shake off the sleep before listening to the knocking again. A cadence of slow and rapid beats that I immediately recognized as the Hive signal of military urgency reached my ears, and I was on my hooves and unlatching the door in seconds.
I was greeted by two stern looking gryphon hunters dressed in ragged furs. My griffon eyes studied them for several long moments. “Perchance I may ask why you are knocking at my door so damned early for?” My gryphon growl was was not entirely forced.
“Apologies, sir, but we’ve received word of a timberwolf pack prowling the area and causing problems for some of the surrounding villages. We were hoping to speak with you about the forests nearby before we go out to hunt down the beasts. Some of the townsfolk suggested we seek you out.”
I shall merely state at this point that several gestures and a signal or three indicated they were members of the Lepidoptes Hive’s spy network, and that they had an urgent matter to discuss with me.
Grumbling in annoyance, I opened the door. “Very well. Then kindly come inside before it gets cold in here.”
As soon as they were inside and the door was latched, we dropped our disguises, revealing two changelings in light armor and wielding curved blades and longbows. I blinked in surprise as I noticed the faint, violet sheen to their barding, and immediately recognized their meaning. “Well. ‘Tis not everyday I’m paid a visit by the hive’s Silencers,” I noted idly, suddenly wondering if ‘twas myself they were here to silence. the one to .”
Silencers were the Hive’s elite warriors and assassins, trained to kill silently and efficiently. If rumors are to be believed, they are capable of taking on Ravens and Black Lances on a somewhat even playing field… though ‘tis certain an even playing field is far from ideal for any who specialize in assassination. Normally one would be uneasy, but I quickly realized that there was no intent of harm from them, given they would have slain me the instant the door was closed otherwise. So they were either passing through and knew of my cabin as a safe haven… or had important news that could only be trusted by the best of the best.
“Good evening, Lyconvenato. Unfortunately, our are reasons for visiting here late is far from good, but… ‘twas Her Majesty’s request to inform you of recent events.
“Recent events…?” I echoed, sensing and the slightest ripple of unease in the elite assassin’s emotions. It gave me worry, for if something was bad enough to make a trained killer upset… how would I deal with handle it?
The second assassin spoke up in reply, “‘Tis our duty to inform you that We have been informed several hours ago that Princess Plexippa Lepidoptes perished while in Equestrian lands. We learned this but hours ago. ‘Twould seem she… accomplished her mission of procuring griffon plans and bringing them to pony hooves, but ‘twould seem it came had come at the cost of her life, I’m afraid. At her final report, she had been gravely wounded by gryphon pursuers; we believe them to be Ravens.”
He took a moment to let me take in the news. It may have been seconds, it may have been a dozen minutes, maybe an hour. I do not know, but eventually I nodded in understanding, even if I wasn’t entirely sure I could believe it, finding myself in shock, sitting back on my haunches heavily.
When I finally met his gaze again, he continued, “Her Majesty is making preparations for the Hive to assist Equestria and is spreading the word throughout her spy network. She was aware of your connection to her daughter, and felt it important to tell you. You were also among our list of contacts, since you’ve lived in both Equestria and the Empire throughout your life.”
It was all I could do at that point to process what he had said. I was staring into the floor of my cabin, my mind a buzz of silence while a cold pit formed in my chest.
“I… see…” Was all I could say in response to this. My voice was numb and my features impassive, but my insides were a cacophony of emotions that any Changeling could sense.
Recognizing this, the two Silencers glanced at each other before speaking again. “We are aware that you have no official position in the military, but Her Majesty has an assignment that she believes may suit you… if you believe yourself to be capable,” the first agent continued, his tone gentl. “I’m afraid that even at this early date, the war is off to a rough start for Equestria. Her northern defenses have been battered and the entire population of Canterlot is more or less being held as ransom by the Kalator dragon clan, so Princess Celestia is unable to aid her army without risking her Capital in the process.”
At this point, I knew not what this had to do with me, and did not much care, my mind still reeling. For if Plexippa was truly dead, then what purpose was there for me now?
Nevertheless, the elite assassins went on. “‘Tis our hope Hopefully we can get a team in to smuggle supplies, although it will take time; there’s supposedly an underground cavern that connects to the older parts of Canterlot Castle, but our intelligence is uncertain on this.” The second Silencer said with a grimace. “From what we can gather, Princess Plexippa forced the gryphons to push their invasion forward before they were ready, lest they have Equestria waiting to counter them.
“And thus, the ponies barely had time to prepare any amount of defense. Even forced to attack early, the Empire’s Prelate, Salvio Gaius, planned this invasion well. He has caught most of Equestria flat-footed and has Diamond Dogs and a powerful dragon clan backing him, even with half his army not yet arrived in theater.”
All this was only distantly processed by me; at that moment, all I could think to ask was: “You… said that Her Majesty had an assignment for me?”
The two exchanged a look before one of them dug out a scroll from between the folds of their barding. “We do. Your previous instructions given to you by Her Highness, Princess Plexippa, are no longer in effect. Consider these your new orders, but only if you feel you are capable of carrying them out. Queen Scylla has made it clear she wishes not to throw lives so carelessly into this when our intelligence is wanting.”
"I see..." was all I could say again as I unfurled the document, which bore the Royal Crest of Queen Lepidoptes, and read it over silently.
The new chapter will release on Sunday morning, September 1st, on not just the two-year anniversary of the story, but the 80-year anniversary of the start of WW2--on which this story heavily draws. Be looking for it, and thanks in advance goes to my two guest authors for the chapter.
I'm wondering if we are going to see the hyppogryphs in this chapter as well. I'm definately looking forward too reading it.