The Earl and the Marchioness
When to make your obeisance is also a vexing question; it depends on the situation. At court, bow or curtsey as the royal personage passes on the way to or from his or her seat; at a garden party or other social gathering, wait until presented or when the royal personage is passing. If in doubt, consult the Household, who will be very helpful.
…
Correct Forms for Peers:
Duke: Your Grace or Duke
Duchess: Your Grace or Duchess
Marchioness: My Lady or Your Ladyship
Earl: My Lord or Your Lordship
“Peerage Etiquette”, The Equestrian Encyclopedia of General Knowledge
Early on the 13th Fall drove us in the Earl’s racer to the station. I’d mounted a little brass plaque on the dash when she wasn’t looking. It said:
Fall Brickle Drove this Racer
90mph
12th of Fourth, Year of Celestia 1,102
That earned me an excited hug and kiss when she saw it.
We got to the station at 6:30 and the yard workers lined up to watch Fall pull the racer onto a flatbed. With their help we chained her down, and then covered her with a tarp. We didn’t expect rain but we didn’t want to take any chances with the Earl’s car, either. We waved to Tomas O’Malley and he let Fall into the cab (now with “Lauryn” on the side) so she could look over the engine’s controls. She asked some very pertinent questions which Tomas was more than happy to answer.
We got on board and found our compartment. We put our saddlebags in the overhead, then Fall asked if she could have something to eat. We made our way to the dining car just as the train pulled out at 7. Fall had another breakfast while I had some black tea and read in Equestrian Peerages about the Earl’s family. His family went all the way back to the founding of Equestria almost 1,500 years ago and had quite the martial lineage.
We went back to our compartment and Fall fell asleep on her cushioned bench. I read in Peerages, and then meditated for the rest of the trip. I called to Lady Magic but didn’t get an answer. Fall woke up about 10:30 and we talked about the aristocracy, Fall’s hopes and dreams (her own shop, mainly), stallions and what they were looking for in a filly, building the house and so on. Watching Fall gesture over some point, I thought again that I loved her as if she were my own daughter and how I wanted the best for her.
We pulled into Canterlot right on time at 1:30. The yard workers shunted our flatcar off to a siding and Fall and I handed the tarp and chains back to the workers. Once again we attracted a crowd as Fall backed the racer off of the flatcar.
“Hey, little filly, where you goin’ with that contraption?” yelled one of the yard workers. In answer, Fall blew the safety valve and covered him in a blast of steam. He emerged laughing and the other yard workers hooted and cheered. Fall, a good sport, just grinned and waved as we left the railyard.
Lord Cecil’s estate was about an hour’s trot from Canterlot. The roads weren’t too bad and the weather was good, so Fall wound her up to 40mph and even 50mph in places. We were soon in the countryside and after about half an hour found an arrow pointing the way to the Earl’s estate. We found the entrance between two enormous holly trees which flanked stone pillars mounted with two griffon statues. We followed the road which wound through a cultivated forest. Suddenly, the road straightened and there was the Earl’s manor, a palatial home in the French Neo-Renaissance style. Fall stopped the racer just a moment so we could have a good look, then drove on and pulled up to the front vestibule.
Fall put on the brake and we both hopped out. Waiting for us was an older Earth pony in tails.
“Welcome! Welcome to Albert Hall. I’m Fabersham, the butler.”
“A pleasure, Fabersham. Benjamin Apple and Fall Brickle, here to deliver his Lordship’s racer,” I said as I shook the butler’s hoof. Fall did the same.
“Excellent! His Lordship will be most pleased. Kindly drive the racer around the back and park outside the rear entrance,” said Fabersham, pointing to the left. “His Lordship will meet you there.”
I nodded and Fall and climbed back in the racer and pulled around the house. It was as impressive in the back as it was in the front. Around 80,000 square feet, I thought. Bet it’s some work to heat in the Winter, I tell you what. The parterre garden was a good five acres and my new Earth pony senses picked up a number of fruit trees along with dozens of varieties of flowers, all very well maintained. Fall touched my shoulder and pointed. There above the rear vestibule was clock with two doors for animatronic figures. Fall squeed like a filly when she saw those, her hooves itching to see how they worked.
Fortunately she’d settled when Lord Cecil walked out a few minutes later. He was unmistakable with his regal bearing, blue mane and tail, blue hooves, white horn and white coat. He was tall, too, and topped me by half a head. He was wearing a set of racing leathers and carrying a helmet with goggles. Fall and I gave a full bow.
“Welcome! Please rise. Captain,” said Lord Cecil, shaking my hoof, “a pleasure to see you again.” Lord Cecil and I had met a few times before while I was at the palace.
“Thank you, my Lord. May I present Fall Brickle, my Apprentice?”
“Welcome, young mare,” said Lord Cecil, shaking Fall’s hoof as well. “Lady Astrid speaks very highly of you. And my valet didn’t exaggerate your beauty, I see.”
Fall gave Lord Cecil a radiant smile with her usual dimples. “Thank you, my Lord.”
“Now, then, let’s have a look at this racer everypony is talking about,” said Lord Cecil.
“Fall, if you would?” I asked, and then stepped back.
Fall started with the solid rubber tires and titanium wheels and worked up from there. Lord Cecil was fascinated and listened avidly, occasionally asking a question. He was particularly interested in the magic fired boiler. I showed him how to renew it and he caught on at once.
“Remarkable, simply remarkable. Why has nopony ever thought of this before?” asked Lord Cecil.
“It’s the magic firing instead of wood that makes it possible, my Lord. Mr. Apple built a steam truck for his deliveries and we based the racer off of that,” answered Fall.
“’Necessity is the mother of invention’, my Lord,” I added. “I needed a way to haul my larger inventions, so I built the truck. I built a steam tractor for my wife’s farm as well. She’s named it ‘LuluBelle’.”
Lord Cecil looked astonished, and then laughed a slightly nasal laugh. “Haw! That’s grand, absolutely grand! Named it, did she? Hah!”
Fall handed over the instruction manual which made Lord Cecil exclaim with delight. He handed it off to his valet who had appeared out of nowhere, then said, “Let’s take her for a test run. I have a half mile track I built about two miles from here for the occasional party I have.”
Fall and I shared a glance. A racing track!
“Certainly, my Lord,” I said. “If you’d take the passenger seat, Fall will drive and show you the controls. I’ll sit in the rumble seat.”
We took our places and Lord Cecil directed Fall down a dirt road not too far from the rear door. A few minutes later we pulled into a clearing and, sure enough, there was a clay track. Fall stopped and I hopped off. She gave me a grin, and then positioned the racer between these two stone blocks. I pulled out my watch, held up a hoof, then dropped it when the second hand reached 0.
Fall took off like one of the Lord of Hel’s minions and flew down the track. I wondered if she’d make the turn but Fall knew her business and made the first turn, turning the wheels toward the outside of the track and sliding along, using the throttle to brake. She sped up after the second turn and raced down the stretch, slid into the last two turns and then cut the throttle when she got to me. I checked my watch, and then did a quick division.
“70 mph average Fall. Not bad at all on a curved track,” I said, looking up from my watch.
“By Godfrey, what a run!” yelled an elated Lord Cecil. “I’ve never moved faster in my life!”
“Are you ready to try it, my Lord?” asked Fall.
“I most certainly am, young mare!”
They switched places and Lord Cecil, moving far more slowly than Fall, took the racer around the track. He did it twice more, moving a little faster each time. On the fourth try, I timed him and he turned in a very respectable 40 mph.
“What a day, what a day!” said a grinning Lord Cecil as he raised his goggles. “I can’t wait to show this to Fleur-de-Lis!” The Marchioness Gabrielle de Rochechouart I remembered from my reading was Fancy Pants’ cousin on his father’s side although the connection was remote. “Fleur-de-Lis” was her everyday name. They were often seen together at parties and around town.
“Well, let’s call it day, shall we? I’m famished,” said Lord Cecil. Fall and I agreed and Lord Cecil drove us back to the manor, chatting with Fall like they were old friends. Fall carried herself perfectly, her natural good humor along with Mrs. Grass’ lessons winning the day. I was very proud and couldn’t wait to tell Mrs. Grass.
Lord Cecil backed the racer into an outbuilding not too far from the rear entrance. “I’ll build a special building for her,” said Lord Cecil, removing his helmet and goggles as we walked toward the house. “A common shed just won’t do, won’t do at all. Oh, and please avail yourself of my hospitality and stay the night. I’ll run you back into town in the morning.”
Fall and I exchanged a glance. “Thank you, my Lord, for having us,” I answered.
Waiting for us at the rear door was Fabersham and the mare herself, Fleur-de-Lis. She was exceptionally sleek and very beautiful, reminding me of a slightly smaller Lady Astrid. Her mane and tail were a very light pink striped with white and her cutie mark was three fleurs-de-lis which showed vividly against her pure white coat. Lord Cecil’s was three crowns and I wondered if the three combination ran in their family.
Fall and I stopped at the steps and gave a full bow in unison.
“Fleur!” Lord Cecil called out. “Come and meet the Captain and his apprentice!” Fall and I rose from our bow and Lady Gabrielle made her graceful way down the steps. I extended my healing sense and found one exceptionally fit mare. Her appearance was deceptive and I thought she’d be a match for me on the dojo floor unless I was very careful. She also moved like a dancer or warrior with no lost motion. Interesting.
Lady Gabrielle came to me and held out a flawless size 4 hoof. “Bonjour, mon Capitaine. It is a pleasure to meet you at last. Lady Astrid, she speaks well of you.”
I bowed over the hoof and said in French, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my Lady. My I present my apprentice, Fall Brickle?”
Fall shook hooves without bowing as was appropriate for a mare, inclining her head at just the right angle. “My Lady.”
“And is this the so-talented mécanique? A pleasure, Mademoiselle Brickle.” Lady Gabrielle turned to both of us. “Please, do come inside and refresh yourselves before the tea, yes?”
“Thank you, my Lady,” I answered for both of us. “If we may, Fall and I will get our saddlebags from the racer.”
“Bien sûr, mon Capitaine,” said Lady Gabrielle with Fancy Pants at her side. “Fabersham will show you to your rooms and we will meet again in the small dining room.”
Fall and I bowed again as both peers went inside. Fabersham waited while we trotted to the racer.
“Boss!” said Fall. “Two aristocrats!”
I grinned at her. “And both quite taken with you, Fall. Wait’ll Mrs. Grass and Maggie hear about this!” I said as we pulled our saddlebags from the racer.
“Do you think Lord Cecil will let me look at that clock?” asked Fall, staring at it as we trotted back.
“I’m sure. Best ask Fabersham first, though. I don’t think the clock works, Fall,” I said, checking my watch against it. “The time hasn’t moved since we’ve been here.”
“Ooooo, let’s fix it, Boss!” said Fall as we reached the back steps.
“Mmm, perhaps. Teatime first.” Something wasn’t quite right somewhere but I couldn’t put my hoof on it. Lady Gabrielle was just a bit too coquettish; if I hadn’t met Ren, I never would have noticed. Eh, well, I thought as we passed through the rear vestibule and up the huge oak central stair. Most likely whatever it is will show itself soon enough.
Fabersham showed us to two guest rooms on the second floor and Fall snuck in a request to look at the clock. As I unpacked and used the bathroom, I hoped Fabersham would wait for us since I wasn’t sure if I could find my way back to the small dining room. I should have unrolled a string like in the mare’s tale, I thought, checking myself in the mirror one last time.
Fabersham didn’t wait but a pretty Earth pony maid did. Fall was in the hall already and had put on one of Rarity’s bows which matched her eyes. We trotted to the small dining room and found Fleur and Fancy Pants waiting for us next to an alicorn silver samovar and a wide selection of tea snacks such as cucumber sandwiches, mushrooms, apples (Golden Delicious) and carrots.
I wondered if Fall would eat it all but I needn’t have worried since she was the perfect gentlemare, napkin in her lap and most decorous. His Lordship kept asking questions about the racer and about how I’d developed heating the boiler with magic. Her Ladyship asked Fall about Ponyville fashions and other filly questions which Fall did manage to answer. Still something off, though.
When we finished, Fabersham cleared his throat.
“Milord, the young mare would like to look at the rear vestibule clock. May I show it to her?”
“Eh? The clock? Oh, of course, of course,” said the Earl, finishing a sandwich. “Hasn’t worked in years. Had a clockmaker here once who said it was too complicated for him.”
Fall was practically vibrating in place as Fabersham asked but made a perfect obeisance and excused herself after the Earl agreed. She followed Fabersham out which left me with the two peers.
“Mon Capitaine, you are a dancer, no? Would you be so good as to show me the…what ees the name…ze deux étapes?”
“The Appleloosa two-step, my Lady. I’d be delighted. The basic positions are ‘sweetheart’, ‘shadow’, and ‘wrap’. Let’s start with the sweetheart.”
I stood and held out my forehooves.
“Oh, non, let us go to the ballroom. We will have much more room there,” said Lady Gabrielle with a gentle smile. Every sense I had went on alert when I saw that smile. Just a dance lesson, I told myself.
“I’ll tag along too, if I may.”
“Delighted, my Lord,” I answered.
We walked one hall over and through a set of double doors. The ballroom was half of one wing and had a row of windows on one side which gave wonderful natural light. The Earl opened one door and motioned me through, so I went first.
I wasn’t sure what alerted me but most likely it was one of my new Earth pony senses. I felt Lady Gabrielle shift behind me and I immediately went flat. She sailed over my head in a flying side kick which would have knocked me senseless if it had connected.
She wasn’t finished, though. She recovered, flipped in mid-air, landed and ran toward me faster than I thought possible. I had just one shot, so I took it. When Lady Gabrielle hit out with her right, I shifted to the left and used Grasp The Sparrow’s Tail. I also used her considerable momentum and turned 180 degrees, twisting her forehoof at the same time. I heard a pop as the twist dislocated her shoulder and she shrieked as I let her go.
Just by chance, I’d turned enough to launch her right at Lord Cecil who stood at the closed door as Lady Gabrielle attacked. Lady Gabrielle slammed into him and I heard a crack as his side hit the door handle. He went down with Lady Gabrielle on top.
Not wasting any time, I ran a few steps back and put myself in a defensive position. There wasn’t a thing in the bare ballroom to use as a weapon and the only good news was the two aristocrats didn’t have any, either. I hoped.
Lady Gabrielle was the first to recover and lit her horn as she stood on three legs. Gone was the coquette and in her place was a steely-eyed fighter. Lord Cecil pulled himself up by the door handle and lit his horn as well. Both had good, solid utilitarian magic, close to Rarity’s level. Most likely just like Rarity or Lyra, it was specialized.
So that’s the way they want to play it, I thought. Very well. And I lit my horn.
The manor had housed unicorns for centuries as was almost as steeped in magic as the Council building. I held nothing back and the floor started to vibrate with a low hum. The windows started to ring as well. Lord Cecil’s eyes grew huge but Lady Gabrielle’s expression didn’t change.
I could hear my voice reverberate as I said the opening sentence to a formal magical duel: “I find your challenge to my Sacred Honor offensive and I demand satisfaction or an apology.” Thank you once again, Encyclopedia.
Lord Cecil snuffed his horn at once. Lady Gabrielle reluctantly followed a few seconds later. Both lowered their defenses completely.
“Apologies, Captain,” both said at the same time.
I held my magic for a few seconds longer, and then pulled it back in. I gave a half bow.
“Apology accepted, my Lord, my Lady.”
“What are you? Nopony has that sort of power, nopony,” asked Lady Gabrielle, all trace of an accent gone.
“You first, Lady Gabrielle.”
Lady Gabrielle sighed. “Very well. I’m the Hand of the Council.”
An assassin! And a spy. So the stories said.
“I thought such a myth, my Lady.”
She shook her head, still standing on three legs. She must have been in terrible pain but didn’t show it.
“Lord Cecil and I both work for the Magic Council. So do Lyra Heartstrings and Pierre du Lac.”
“Lyra? And Pierre? Who else, my Lady?”
Lady Gabrielle clenched her jaw. “The others you don’t know. There are 12 of us in all. Our families have served the Council for centuries.”
“The Council cleared me, my Lady.”
“But I didn’t,” said Lady Gabrielle, grimly.
“So the racer was just a pretense to get me here,” I said, somewhat annoyed. They could have just asked.
Lady Gabrielle smiled slightly. “No, Cecil here really did want it. It was a perfect excuse to stop two gaps with one bush.” Lord Cecil, right forehoof holding his right side, gave me a weak grin.
“She’s beautiful, my racer!” he said, then fainted and slid down the door.
Lady Gabrielle watched Lord Cecil collapse then turned to me with a fiery expression. “If you try to kill me I’ll take you with me, I swear it! I don’t care how powerful you are!”
I walked toward her and she braced herself, right foreleg hanging useless. I lowered my defenses completely and held out a hoof.
“I’d never kill a work of art such as yourself, my Lady. Instead, I humbly request you merge your magical field with mine. If you find any deception in me, you may do with me as you wish. But first…” I said, and popped her shoulder back into place, then healed the swelling. I healed Lord Cecil’s broken ribs as well but left him asleep to recover.
Lady Gabrielle swung her right forehoof, and then looked at me. “So, the rumors were true. A healer walks among us as of old.”
I just stood with my hoof out and said nothing.
Lady Gabrielle looked at me with that hard expression again, and then slowly extended her repaired right forehoof. Our hooves met and her field reached out and merged with mine.
Duty. Honor. Country. Discipline and training from the time she could walk. A loving, generous family, but always Duty, Honor, Country. Perhaps a bit of romance and foals later, but never forget: Duty, Honor, Country.
Lady Gabrielle as a giggling filly, her father teaching her to throw knives.
A birthday party with a young Fancy Pants and other unicorns. Fun, games, play.
A first kiss with a teenage Cecil. Much more later.
Duty. Honor. Country.
Working with Lady Astrid. Noting her change in personality lately and growing suspicious. Collecting information which led straight to me.
Duty. Honor. Country.
Lady Gabrielle slowly withdrew her field and stood looking at me. Then she nodded.
“Do you understand, Maker? Do you understand what She wants?”
“Not entirely, my Lady, not yet. Yet, it is my Purpose.”
“It’s wonderful how much you love Fall,” said Lady Gabrielle with a slight smile (a genuine one this time), showing she was French as well as a pony after all, not some killing machine. “That if nothing else leads me to trust you.”
“Thank you, my Lady.”
“Call me Fleur when it’s just us and Lord Cecil.”
I gave a half bow in response.
Fleur knelt and shook Lord Cecil. When he didn’t wake, she looked back to me.
“Wake up, Milord,” I said.
Lord Cecil yawned, then stood. He immediately felt his ribs.
“I say! I’m not hurting any longer,” he said, poking at his side.
“He’s a healer, Cecil, and no danger to us,” said Fleur, nuzzling under Cecil’s chin for a few seconds.
“A healer! Well, I’m dashed! You’re just full of surprises, Captain.”
I just nodded. “Glad to be of service to you and to the Crown, my Lord.”
Lord Cecil cleared his throat. “Well, now that this unpleasant business is over, let’s return to the small dining room, shall we?”
We did and soon formed the same tableau as when we left; it was as if we’d never moved. I had some of the excellent mushrooms as we made small talk. The mantle clock chimed 5 and I heard five long, slow BONGS from the back of the house at the same time. A few minutes later we heard galloping hooves and Fall appeared. She was holding a bird’s nest and was covered in dirt, grease and cobwebs. Her now-filthy bow was askew and she had left black hoofprints on the polished floors.
“Boss, Boss, Boss! I fixed the clock!! There was a bird’s nest which fell in the pinion and stopped the center wheel. Come see!”
I did a facehoof, then looked up and sighed. “Oh, Fall! What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
I heard a giggle, then a laugh from Lady Gabrielle. Lord Cecil joined her with that nasal laugh of his and soon both were laughing so hard they had to lean on one another.
Fall looked at them in surprise, then at the bird’s nest and herself. Her ears drooped. “Oh, no! I’ve done it again, haven’t I?”
I just barely kept myself from laughing, too, but didn’t since Fall looked so distressed. Fabersham walked in behind Fall with a wide smile.
“The young mare has fixed the clock, Milord, Milady. Dinner at 7?”
That caused the pair to laugh even harder.
I walked to a tearful Fall. “Fall, perhaps Fabersham could show you where you could clean up?”
Fabersham nodded cheerfully. “Indeed, Miss Brickle. If you’d come with me, please? We have a shower outside we use for the race parties.” As Fabersham was talking, two maids appeared with soap, brush and towel.
Fall gave me a pitiful look with those gorgeous eyes of hers. “It’s fine, Fall. Go ahead and we’ll see you at dinner.” That got me a watery smile and the maids led Fall back outside, Fall still carrying that bird’s nest. A third maid showed up with a mop and bucket to clean up the hoofprints.
Fabersham looked fondly after Fall.
“Foals, Fabersham?” I asked as Lord Cecil and Lady Gabrielle wound down.
“Three fillies, sir, the youngest Miss Brickle’s age,” he said, then nodded and followed the maids.
I turned to the aristocrats. “Apologies, Fleur, Lord Cecil. She meant well.”
Lord Cecil waved a hoof after wiping his eyes. “Nonsense, Captain. Not only did she succeed where a so-called expert failed but Fleur and I haven’t laughed so much in years.” Fleur nodded, still smiling. “She’s a credit to you and to your training, sir,” finished Lord Cecil.
I gave a half bow. “I thank you for your understanding, Milord. She really is brilliant if a bit…eccentric.”
“Now where do you suppose she gets that, Benjamin Apple?” asked Fleur, looking mischievous.
“Not a clue, my Lady,” I answered, shaking my head. “Not a clue.”
Our supper at 7 was a merry one. I changed into my mess dress and at 6:55 escorted Fall into the small dining room from the withdrawing room. Fall was free of dirt and grease with a new bow and styled mane; apparently the maids enjoyed making her over as much as the Grass mares did. She also had on her best dress, one of Rarity’s which matched her eyes and coat to perfection. Once seated, our host and hostess praised her profusely about the clock and about her appearance. Very soon she was back to her cheerful self.
At 8 we walked to what Lord Cecil called the “small parlor” which would have held the cabin at the farm twice over. We played charades and Fall and Fleur were particularly good at it. For my turn I chose “Ponies We All Know” and imitated Rarity, tail curled and nose in the air. Everypony guessed it at the same time in just a few seconds with applause and laughter following.
We called it a night at 9 and Fall and I went to our rooms. I made sure I was packed for tomorrow, then sat and stared out the window. The moon was almost full and in the moonlight the manor’s garden looked straight out of a mare’s tale. I was almost ready for bed when I heard a light tapping at my door.
“Come,” I called.
The door opened and Fall slipped in. She came up next to me, wrapped both her forehooves around my left foreleg and leaned her head against my shoulder. I kissed her on the top of her head. Soon she’ll be able to do that to me, I thought.
I looked back out the window. “I’ve never been more proud of you than on this trip, Punkin’. You’ve secured your future these last two days.”
Fall gripped me harder. “You mean it, Mr. Apple? Even with the clock?”
I smiled even though Fall couldn’t see. “Even with the clock, Apprentice.” I paused a moment. “I love you, Fall,” I added, rubbing the top of her head with the side of my muzzle.
Fall gave me one last squeeze. “I love you too, Boss,” she said as she looked up at me. I kissed her nose.
“’Night, Punkin’.”
“’Night, Boss. See you in the morning.”
After she left, I sighed with contentment, then walked toward the bed. Then came another light tapping at the door. Grand Central, I thought.
“Come.”
Lady Gabrielle slid in my room more elegantly than Fall; it was if she barely opened the door at all.
I gave a half bow. “Fleur.”
“Maker. I’m glad you’re still awake. I won’t keep you long,” said Fleur, walking over to the window and looking out. “Beautiful,” she said, admiring the gardens. “Benjamin, what’s your security rating?” Fleur asked, turning from the window.
“4.”
“Now you’re a 6. All we went through today was because Herself Feels some threat to the kingdom. She doesn’t know what, but she Felt the same just before the Griffon War started.”
I nodded. “What can I do to help?”
“Stay alert. Let Lyra or Pierre know if you Feel anything yourself.” Fleur gave me a wry smile. “You seem to have some skills.”
“Of course, my Lady.”
Fleur nodded, then held out a hoof. “Thank you, Benjamin. It’s been a pleasure. Any final questions?”
“Only two, Fleur,” I said, shaking and releasing her hoof. “Does Lord Cecil need that monocle he wears?”
Fleur give a small grin. “Of course not. He just does it as part of his ‘Lord Haw Haw’ act. Next question?”
“Whose accent were you imitating when you were playing the coquette?”
Fleur gave a short, sharp laugh. “My aunt’s. She taught me that early. It’s useful in certain circles.”
“Thank you, Fleur.”
“Goodnight, Maker Ben.” And she was gone as silently as she came. Whew. I really did get lucky with her. I doubted she’d make the same mistake twice, I thought, as I got into bed. No, she wouldn’t.
Fall dragged me out of bed early on 14th so she could show me the repaired clock striking. I watched it strike 6; a dwarf came out of the left door and struck a bell on an anvil which came out of the right. The bell’s tone was excellent and Fall practically danced in place as she explained.
“The dwarf uses an offset cam to move his arm, Boss, and the track is a simple pulley. I have a couple of ideas to improve the design for our clock, though. The clock is also silent from 9 PM ‘til 6AM, a brilliant combination of gearing on the count wheel and settings on the pin wheel.”
I just nodded, then had to almost carry Fall back inside so we could meet our host for breakfast. Lord Cecil was waiting in the small dining room.
“Good morning, Guests!” he said, rising to meet us. We both gave a half bow, then seated ourselves.
“Please excuse Fleur. She’s not an early riser unless the need is very great,” said Lord Cecil as he rang for breakfast.
Breakfast was as good a meal as we’d had and Fall ate accordingly. Lord Cecil watched her with satisfaction and said, “I do enjoy a young mare with a good, healthy appetite.” Fall managed to get out a “Thank you, Milord,” before going back to eating.
We left for the station at 6:30, the repaired clock striking the half seeing us on our way. Lord Cecil drove and once again Fall kept up a very pleasant conversation. Unlike before, she was completely relaxed and even flirted a little.
Lord Cecil dropped us off at 7:15, the racer attracting the usual amount of attention.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed having you as guests,” said Lord Cecil. “You’ll find a little something extra in your account, Mr. Apple, along with the balance for the racer.”
I gave a half bow. “Thank you, Lord Cecil. We’re enjoyed ourselves as well. Please let us know if Apple Manufacturing can do anything else for you.”
“Oh, I will. Most likely I’ll want two LuluBelles for my farms next year. Farewell, both of you.”
With a wave, Lord Cecil turned the racer and headed back to his estate. Fall and I made our way to the ticket office and once again we didn’t have to pay for first class. We boarded and the train pulled out at 7:30.
For a moment, Fall and I just looked at one another, then we leapt up at the same time. I grabbed her around the waist and twirled her around the small cabin, then put her down and kissed her nose.
“Well done, Apprentice, very well done!”
“Thanks, Boss. Say, could we get some more breakfast?”
“Very well, Miss Pig.”
We went into the dining car and our Earth pony waitress thoroughly enjoyed serving Fall until Fall couldn’t eat another bite. I had some excellent Oolong and we were both back in our cabin at 8:15. I sat next to the window and opened Equestrian Peerages since I wanted to read some more about Fleur’s family. I was deep into some very convoluted family trees when Fall slid in next to me, then laid her head in my lap. Still reading, I idly stroked her right ear until she fell asleep, something Ma Brickle taught me when Fall first came to the workshop and was homesick. Fall was really too old for it but I indulged her a bit. Eventually I put down the book and nodded off myself.
I was back in the Astral. I could see Lady Magic about 30 feet away.
“Lady Magic! Where have You been?” I asked, waving.
Lady Magic started talking and even gestured with a hoof but I couldn’t hear anything.
“My Lady, I can’t hear You,” I said, holding a hoof up to my ear.
Lady Magic spoke faster and held out both front hooves, but I still couldn’t hear anything. A grey fog rolled in and I lost sight of Her. The fog covered me as well.
“My Lady! Where are You?” I called, trying to peer through the fog. “Lady Magic!!”
I woke up as the train pulled into the Ponyville station a little before 2. Still half in the dream, I roused Fall and we put on our saddlebags and pouches. The Sunny Spring weather cleared the last of the dream from my brain and we enjoyed the walk back to the workshop. Fall did all the talking about how she was going to improve her bell-striking dwarf and I just listened.
When we got to the workshop, Fall burst through the kitchen door.
“We’re home!” she yelled and dove into the two Grass sisters who were sorting through laundry. Both embraced her enthusiastically, laughing at her youthful exuberance. I entered with what I hoped was more dignity although I moved pretty quickly, too.
“Welcome back, both of you,” said Mrs. Grass after she and Maggie took turns kissing Fall’s nose. “How was it visiting the aristocracy?”
“Fall was a credit to your teaching, Mrs. Grass,” I said. “She completely charmed Lord Cecil and Lady Gabrielle. Thanks to her, the workshop earned a bonus and an order for two steam tractors next year.”
“Well, now, Fall, you just sit right here and tell me all about it!” said an excited Mrs. Grass. Maggie nodded as well.
“I have a better idea: Mare Spa Afternoon on the workshop! All mares within the sound of my voice take the rest of the day at the spa,” I said, waving a hoof.
That generated all sorts of enthusiasm and as the Grass sisters rose to get ready, Fall came over and hugged me.
“Thanks again, Boss. That was the greatest experience of my life.”
“Much more to come for you, Apprentice. I’m at the farm if you need me and will see you in the morning. Oh, and no need to mention the Clock Incident, yes?”
Fall dimpled and waved goodbye as I walked back out the door. I trotted to the bank first and found a very generous 10,000 bits from Lord Cecil in the workshop account. I paid myself 2,000 bits and gave Fall 1,100 which with the original down payment of 1,000 bits still left almost a year’s earnings for the workshop.
I walked to the farm, speaking with several different birds who were working hard to feed their young. I admired some goldfinch nestlings who all begged for food when my head blocked out the light. I also kept thinking about my dream and wondering why I couldn’t talk to Lady Magic.
I got to the farm in good time, tossed my saddlebags in the cabin, then went searching for my best filly. It was good to be back.