Content Without a Home. A Look Behind the Curtain

Here is some content that is without a home in what is a first-person story. This is a brief look behind the curtain to see how Royal Bearing's employer took the news. Spoiler warning in effect.

The stallion flared his horn and ignited the cushion he had just left to flame. The two earth ponies sat patiently, watching. Most never saw these outbursts; they were among the few that ever saw their leader's fury, a fury he kept under tight control in public. 

"Royal Bearing has failed me, as did Poly Glot did before him—filthy Uighur," the stallion growled. He then turned his harsh gaze upon the earth pony mare. "Soothsayer, tell me, how do the bones read?" 

The mare, Soothsayer, sat down and gathered up the bones in her hooves, casting them out before her across a spider web of lightly woven silk. They rolled and bounced across the threads and onto the ground below, and when they came to a stop, she bent down and studied them.

"Soothsayer?" the stallion prompted. 

"Do not rush me," the mare scolded and went back to looking at the bones. She stared at them, nodding along as if in understanding to some unheard dialogue. "Sunset Blessing remains as dangerous as ever to your ambitions, but removing her shall no longer have as great an impact. Already, new weaves in the pattern are taking place. Your time to cut this thread before it could turn to block you has passed. You must focus elsewhere."

The unicorn stallion screamed with rage and, with a flick of his horn, set the silk weave ablaze. 

The mare frowned and looked at him in distaste. "That took me a long time to weave by hoof, and the bones will need replacing. Your temper will delay you from getting another reading. Do not demand promptness from my next reading; you will not get it."

The unicorn ignored her and turned his attention to the earth pony stallion, who sat waiting, seemingly uncaring about his companion's work going up in flame. 

"Do what you must to erase all trace of our contact with Royal Bearing."

"I would not be doing my job if I had not already attended to this," the earth pony replied in a monotone. "Such traces were erased before he breathed his last breath. Do you have new orders for me? Do you wish me to go take care of this thorn in your hoof myself, rather than relying on these lesser ponies?"

The unicorn looked at the burning silk. "Purhaps I should have sent you to start, but if Soothsayer says it shall no longer make a difference, then your talents are better served elsewhere. Keep to your normal duties. How are our contacts in Washington?"

"As simple and greedy as ever. They only ask how much money we shall give them. Do not concern yourself over them. None ask questions."

"Good," the stallion said with a grunt. "Reweave your silk, Soothsayer, and find new bones. We shall find another way to unravel our enemies."

The mare bowed her head. "It shall be done. To the future."

"To the future," the unicorn replied as he walked out of the room.