Sereda opened her eyes, and stared at the ceiling. The sun was just barely up and trickling in through the window with the barest amount of light. Her room was simple, it had a bed a small dresser in one corner and vanity desk in the other. Celestia had told her it was suite used for ambassadors and diplomats.
She rolled out of bed and stretched her back until she got a satisfying pop. She walked around to the foot of the bed where armor was discarded. Just as she was about to pick up her chest plate a knock sounded at the door. Without looking behind, her she called “Enter.”
Twilight peeked her head in. And was about say something before her eyes fell on the old dwarfs back and stopped stunned at what she saw. It wasn’t just that the dwarf who was well in her sixties had broad shoulders and muscles to match, no. It was the fact that it was also riddled with scars ranging from massive slashes and puncture wounds. There was even an area just above the waist where she could tell was a massive burn.
“Is there something you need Princess Twilight?” She asked clipping the last of her armor in place.
Twilight shook her head over the shock. “Are- are you sure you want to do this? We can send somepony else.”
~Flashback~
“So we’re all set then?” Shining asked looking over the map. “We send a messenger to each of the races to ask for aid.” Looking around he saw everyone present nod. “Ok I’ll have our fastest pegasi on it.”
“That’s not going to work.” Sereda interjected.
Shining sputtered as Sereda still wasn’t satisfied. “And why not!”
“First because any messenger you send runs the risk of not coming back do to ambush, desertion or any number of other reasons. Second sending someone as simple as a guard to relay the message may not be taken seriously, or worse they may take it as an insult.”
While the others talked among themselves trying to figure out a plan of action Cadence spoke up. “Then what do you propose?”
Sereda gestured to the alicorns. “Celestia you told me that alicorns have long been a symbol of equestrian royalty so.” The sun princess nodded. “Then I propose one of you must go, that will show them you are serious.”
Luna spoke out in protest. “Thou expect us to abandon our ponies in their time of need! Tis unthinkable!” The conversation broke down to a shouting match each one trying to reason and argue another. Celestia and Luna stating that they couldn’t leave canterlot or there would be an uproar. Cadence and Shining Armor both insisting a regular guard should be enough.
“I’LL GO!” The shout echoed around the room and they all turned to the now fidgety purple alicorn. With all eyes now locked on her Twilight hesitated and looked around nervous. “I mean I’m the only one who can right? Princess Celestia has to keep things in order here or faust forbid the nobles riot.” Her nervous attempt at humor was lost on the rest but she continued anyway. “And Princess Luna’s in charge of the guard now so she has coordinate the troops from here as well as try and bolster the guard as much as possible.”
Celestia stepped towards the nervous pony. “Twilight do you understand what you are saying?” She gestured to the map. “Zebrica and the Dragon lands are very close to Tirek’s army.”
Twilight looked up at her mentor. “I-I know but it’s like Princess Sereda said only one of us can be trusted with this.” She gave a bittersweet smiled, “I was never much of a princess, not like you or Princess Luna, I constantly worry if I’m doing the right thing or I worry if some I make some misconstrued remark they’ll take it the wrong way. The ponies need a leader who can at least look confident right now. I-I just can’t do that, at least not yet. I will be most useful out there trying to gain support.” She then blinked and gave a genuine smile, “In fact isn’t that what I’m meant to do I am the Princess of Friendship after all. Besides it’s not like I haven’t gone into danger before.”
“Oh, Twilight.” Celestia brought the smaller alicorn into a tight embrace.
“No!” Shining approached the two. “I can’t let you do this. Not when we can send literally anypony else!”
Twilight broke the embrace and smiled at her brother. “No Shining Sereda is right. Most other countries leave us alone because of our affinity in controlling the sun and moon. And let’s face it most ponies don’t have a good attitude towards foreigners I saw it myself in Ponyville with a zebra and griffon. To send someone else will look like an insult. It has to be me Shiny.”
The distraught stallion was about to protest but was interrupted. “She won’t be going alone.” Sereda announced making her way to the trio. “I will act as escort. I am trained in every weapon you can think of I have fought and killed thousands. I know my way around a battlefield and I’m not too bad at negotiation either.” The ponies of the room just stared at her. “What?”
Cadence decided to speak up. “Um I don’t mean to sound rude but aren’t you in your 60s.”
“Yeees, Why?”
“It’s just I mean… Your old.” Cadence looked around for any kind of support, only to see her fellow princesses turning away from her not making eye contact.
“Do I need to show you another provings match?”
Cadence waved her hooves franticly “NO! … uh no, that won’t be necessary.”
Shining looked the dwarf up and down for a second before deciding. With a heavy sigh he replied “Fine, but at least take some guards with you. I’d send a whole unit if I could but we are stretched thin as it is.” He walked forward and hugged his sister tightly. “Be safe LSBFF and don’t do anything reckless.”
“I’ll be fine Shiny.” The lavender alicorn reassured.
Sereda nodded. “Alright I’ll leave the planning to you Twilight wherever you want to go first is fine with me but we leave tomorrow at first light regardless.”
~End Flashback~
Sereda sighed “Like I said princess, I know my skills and I know the situation. I’ve been through this before so I am the best to go through with this.”
Twilight nodded, “Ok, the princesses want to see us off this morning so we better get moving.”
The two of them headed out the room and made their way to the throne room where Celestia, Luna and as well as two guards waited. The one on the right was a bulky earth pony stallion, while the other was a lithe bat-pony mare. Both were wearing their respective armors and weapons. The stallion had shield that rested on his back as well as a short sword on his hip and a spear in his arms. The mare only carried what looked like bladed gauntlets, the more sensible one in Sereda’s opinion. How a pony fight with a spear and not fall over himself with every other thrust, she’d never know.
Seeing the two enter Celestia greeted them “A Twilight, Sereda I’d like to introduce you to the guards chosen to accompany you. This is Sergeant Heavy Shield of the day guard praised for his use of the shield.” Celestia motioned to the stallion who bowed his head respectfully. “And this is….” She paused in her gesturing realizing the pony she was about to introduce was sleepily bobbing her head about to pass out. “apparently a very sleepy mare.” Celestia giggled a bit causing the bat-pony to snap herself awake and look around franticly.
Upon meeting eyes with the dwarf she straightened and snapped a salute. Sereda could swear it sounded like a gong when the mare hit herself with her own gauntlet. Teary eyed she said “Private First Class Sharp Wing reporting.”
Sereda looked the two guards over a bit before deciding. “Alright they’ll do. Is there anything else you need from us Celestia before we depart?”
Celestia stopped giggling and became very serious staring at the paragon. “Yes there is. My sister told me of her encounter with you in the dream realm. So I warn you turn on us and you will face the full might of my power. Do I make myself clear Princess Sereda Aeducan?”
Sereda stared back at the sun princess for moment neither budged. Sereda was the first to offer a reaction. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Twilight resolved to ease the tension. “Ok I think it’s about time to leave don’t want to miss our train after all.”
The dwarf looked at the purple alicorn confused, “Train? I suppose I can train you on the way but I don’t think I can teach you any magic, maybe some stuff Wynne and Morrigan once told me but I’m not really the best teacher for that. Unless you want to learn to fight with a sword I can by all means teach that.”
Twilight blinked “What no I meant we need to get to the train.”
“And I said we can get to training once we get on the road now let’s go.”
“NO! I mean we are taking a train to Ponyville!”
Sereda scratched her head “I don’t think I understand what your talking about.”
Twilight stared at the dwarf. “Wait you don’t know what train is?!”
“The only definition I know for train is practice and/or exercise.”
Twilight sighed “Come on I’ll show you.”
They started heading towards the door when Celestia stopped them again. “One moment Twilight.” Celestia levitated a scroll over to her ex-student. “This is a letter of promise. Any promise written down on this parchment or attached to it Luna and I must honor no matter what it is. This will help you in your negotiations but I beg you use it as a last resort and talk it over completely before writing on it.” Celestia then gestures to Sereda. “I would also as that you find out as much about Sereda and her people as you can. I’m sure she has quite the story to tell. Any good luck my apprentice and be safe.”
Twilight rolled the scroll up and placed it in her saddle bag. “I won’t let you Princess and I’ll return with support you can count on me!” Twilight turned to the rest of her new companions and headed out the castle towards the train station.