“Your left was unguarded, my lady,” Sir Morn said as he brought up his sword once more. “You need to move your sword faster.”
“I’m sorry, Sir Morn.” Emerald wiped sweat off her brow. “These human arms are still a bit too long for my liking.”
“Just keep it up, Emerald, I’ll make sure you get it by the tournament day,” the knight smiled and got himself ready. “Again.”
After following Morn Dread to the court the previous day, the knight had described everything that Emerald had done, careful to leave Posey out of the picture, just as the vigilante had wanted. Receiving her reward of a thousand bits, Spectrum Song had quickly rushed the former pegasus to Stone Anvil’s shop to purchase the sword.
Since then, everyday after working at the stables, Emerald headed over to Canterlot Castle to continue her training with Sir Morn, trying her best to quickly learn up a human’s fighting skill before the tournament, which was in two weeks time.
Emerald rushed the valiant knight once more, raising her sword before striking it down hard and fast towards the man’s head. With just one hand, Morn Dread parried her blade away before knocking the spymaster to the side with the flat of his sword. Emerald spun around and charged at him again, her sword tip aimed for his chest. The knight simply turned himself, completely avoiding the blade, at the same time, jabbing his sword in between the spymaster’s sword hilt, twisting it, sending the weapon spiralling out of her hands and onto the ground beside her.
“Not bad, Emerald,” he told her as he sheathed his blade. “You’ve gotten much faster, but your strength isn’t there. You’ll have to work on that, but for the meantime, let us rest. You’ve earned it.”
Emerald Edge didn’t realize how tired she was until she sat down on a crate beside the knight, panting from exhaustion. “Thank you, Sir Morn,. For agreeing to teach me… I mean, you didn’t have to…”
“Your quest is an honorable one, lady Emerald,” the knight said as he passed her a skin of water. “Why, I do not believe any of the other knights besides Sir Prancelot have taken up quests like yours.”
Honorable or not, I have to do this… Emerald thought to herself. My princess and my friends sacrificed themselves for me. I will not let that go to waste.
“Besides, my lady...” Morn Dread took a long gulp from his water sac. “When I’m around you, I feel stronger. I feel like anything is possible.”
“Oh, really?” Emerald smiled and blushed as she pushed locks of sweaty hair away from her face. “Th-that’s interesting…”
After that statement, Emerald didn’t know what else to say, remaining quiet for the rest of their break, starting on her loaf of bread. Their silence was soon broken by the young rainbow haired squire, rushing over to meet them, jumping excitedly.
“Hey, Em! Hey, Sir Morn!” she greeted. “And thanks again for that talk with Sir Hors! He’s seemed to be a little less grumpy, and a little more understanding. What did you say to him?”
“Tis nothing, squire,” Morn Dread waved a hand. “I simply reminded my fellow knight the rules we live by. He had forgotten them, but I assure you, he’ll never forget them again.”
“I’d pay my life’s earnings to see his face when you told him all that!” Spectrum squeezed at her cheeks. “How’s training going?”
“It’s progressing well,” Emerald nodded and finished chewing on her piece of bread. “Sir Morn’s help is really useful. I think I can do this.”
“She is right,” Morn Dread placed a hand on Emerald’s shoulder. “Lady Emerald is a fast learner. Perhaps it is because she was a… what did you say it was? Spymaster?” Emerald nodded again. “Yes, spymaster. She is needed to be adaptable, to change when circumstances require. Thus, I see no reason why she cannot learn the sword quickly.”
“Well, you have two weeks, Em.” Spectrum pulled out her lute and sat before them, lightly strumming on her instrument. “If you’ve gotten this good in one, you’ll be a skilled swordsman in two! Maybe a champion in three!”
“But it shall not be easy, this tournament,” Sir Morn warned as he placed the cap back on his waterskin. “It shan’t just be me entering the competition. Mercenaries, the other knights, and anyone willing to try shall look to gain the shield as well.”
“How will you be sure a mercenary will return the shield by the next tournament?” Emerald couldn’t help but ask. It just didn’t seem logical. They owed no loyalty to the king. They were just in it for the bits.
“On that, I do not know, Emerald.” Morn shook his head and shrugged. “But rest assured, no mercenary has ever won.”
“So far, most of the money is on Sir Prancelot or Sir Lionheart getting the shield, Em,” Spectrum explained. “I mean, they’re some very strong knights. I hope I become like them when I’m a knight.”
“I haven’t met them,” Emerald admitted. In fact, the only knights she’d personally seen were Sir Morn and Sir Hors. The others didn’t seem to be much of public figures.
“They’re probably off singing in the castle right now,” Spectrum joked. “You knights do love your singing, don’t you, Sir Morn?”
“You’re right about that, squire.” The knight started on his lunch, speaking while he chewed. “Though, don’t mention it to any outsiders. Singing is frowned upon for knights.”
“I think singing is a wonderful gift.” Emerald had no idea why knights couldn’t sing. Back in Equestria, ponies broke out into song whenever they wanted to.
“Why, I do not believe I have heard you sing, lady Emerald. If you don’t mind, I would like to hear it. It must be magnificent.”
“Oh well… uh…” Emerald rubbed at her shoulder. “It’s nothing special. Back in my world, everypony sings.”
“That must mean everyone, uh, pony in your world is good at singing!” Spectrum bent back in laughter. “Now that’s something.”
“Still…” Morn Dread pushed his hair back. “I would love to hear your voice, Emerald. Do you mind? I mean, if you do not want to, then you do not have to.”
“Oh, mine is nothing different from the regular pony,” Emerald looked away to hide her embarrassed face. “Your king has those three muses. I haven’t got to hear them perform yet, but I did hear the one called Sonata sing. It was really wonderful.”
“They usually only perform for the king and his court,” Sir Morn explained. “Sometimes they bring their performances outside, maybe at the Drifting Stallion. I think the whole town gathers for that. They say that the muses sing so well, it’s like being under a spell.” Sir Morn shrugged noncommittally. “I think they’re good, but not that good. Perhaps I merely lack a musical ear.”
Emerald remembered the time Sonata Dusk had sung that single note on the way out of the Mages’ Tower. It had soothed the her, given her the strength and will to carry on. Perhaps there was something magical to them.
“Oh, look at the sun.” The knight suddenly interrupted her thoughts. “We had better get back to practice, my lady. The day wears on while we sit and talk.”
Emerald downed the last of her lunch and stood up, wiping her mouth with the back of a hand. “Right. I’ve still got a long way to go if I want to win that shield.”
“You’ll get it, Em!” Spectrum swung an arm up. “Well, I better head back to the stables. Don’t want to take Sir Hors’ leniency for granted. See you two later!” With all that said, the rainbow haired squire turned around and ran towards the castle entrance.
“She’s a good squire,” Sir Morn chuckled. “Tis a pity she was placed under Sir Hors. I would love to have a squire like that.”
“Speaking of squires, where is yours? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him.”
“Oh, I don’t really have one at the moment,” Morn Dread explained, drawing Clarent and flourishing it in a quick circle at his side. “My last squire was knighted a few months before, and I’ve yet to find a replacement.”
“So he’s a Knight of the Round Table now?”
“Nay, my lady. To be a Knight of the Round Table, you have to have been chosen by King Dawn Saber himself. My last squire is still working toward that, albeit at the level of a knight.”
“I see, I see…. This world is truly fascinating…” Emerald mused as she drew her own weapon. “Are you ready, Sir Morn?”
“I’m a Knight of the Round Table, my lady,” he flashed her a cheeky smile. “I’m always ready.”
Emerald Edge pushed open her front door and dragged herself in, her feet on the verge of rebelling against her.
“You are sure you do not need my help, Emerald?” Sir Morn Dread asked from outside her door.
“It’s okay, Sir Morn,” Emerald shook her head, though she wished she didn’t. That single action spun stars in her eyes. “I can manage. I’m supposed to be tactful after all. Thank you for the offer though. You-you’re a very nice human.”
“As you say, my lady,” the knight smiled and bowed. “Then I wish you goodnight and good rest. I’ll be seeing you tomorrow for practice?”
“Yes you will,” Emerald chuckled and sat on a chair. “Goodnight, Sir Morn.”
The knight gave one final wave before closing the door behind him. Emerald Edge waited and listened as his metallic footsteps began to fade off in the distance.
The spymaster placed a hand over her chest. What is this I’m feeling? she questioned herself.
Emerald had never felt this way around anypony and definitely not around a human. Plus, she was only going to be here temporarily. Forging friendships and letting them go was one thing, but this? Emerald didn’t know what to think.
The knight in shining armor continued to be on her mind as she removed her armor and got ready for bed. She still remembered the day they had met when he saved her from the two scoundrels. Morn was truly a kind man, and he had become a good friend during her time here, but was there more to it?
Emerald took a simple brown rag and wiped away at her arms and face. She definitely needed to add bath time to her training schedule if she wanted to be clean and refreshed after practice. Her clothes were going to need a wash too; she hadn’t done so since entering this world.
Sighing with contentment, Emerald left her dining table and shambled towards her bed. She had only just pulled out the bedsheets when a knock on her door echoed out throughout her empty house.
Great. What is it now?
Walking over to the door, Emerald yanked it open, coming face to face with someone familiar from the Mages’ Tower.
“Moon Tide!” she said in surprise. “What brings you to my home at this late hour?”
“Good evening, Emerald Edge,” Moon Tide smiled. “How are you? May I come in?”
“Oh yes, sure, come in.” Emerald shifted aside to let Moon Tide in. “And I’m fine. Just a little tired from my training. I’m practicing for the tournament and all.”
“Yes, my son has told me about your practice.” The both of them moved to the table, pulling out one chair each. “How is your swordsmanship? Is my son treating you well?”
“I’m managing.” Emerald rubbed at her shoulder, trying to loosen her muscles a little. “And yes, your son is by far, the nicest person in Canterlot. He really takes after his mother.”
“Oh, stop it,” Moon Tide stood up and made her way behind Emerald. The mage placed her hands on Emerald’s shoulders and began to massage the sore muscles, firmly kneading at the knots with her fingers. “It’s my job to help people, and I just do that to the best of my ability, is all.”
“Mmm.” Emerald said. The massage really did feel good; she felt like putty in Moon Tide’s capable hands.
“Speaking of which, how is your leg? Did the salve do its work?”
“I believe it did, or actually, I can’t believe it did. It was almost like magic.” The spymaster closed her eyes and took a deep breath to relax her body.
Moon Tide’s fingers converged on the base of Emerald’s neck, pressing and squeezing most comfortably.
“I’m glad to hear it. All the knights who I give it to swear by it, although, I wasn’t sure it would do the same for you. You’re not exactly… local, are you?”
“I’m not sure if Sir Morn or one of the muses have told you, but yes, I’m from a whole different world. It’s called Equestria. Um, we’re all ponies there.”
“Adagio did mention something along those lines.” Moon Tide’s hands wandered down to Emerald’s back, pushing and kneading at the sore muscles there. “I take it that your sudden eagerness to enter the King’s Tournament also has something to do with it?”
Emerald nodded. “Yes. I came to this world looking for certain artifacts I can use to chase a dark king from my empire. He… He took everything from me. My home, my friends, my princess…” Emerald slightly teared at the thoughts of the Crystal Empire, of Equestria.
“That’s quite a quest.” Moon Tide’s hands returned to Emerald’s shoulders, a gesture that Emerald found comforting. “Did you decide to undertake it all by yourself?”
“Not by myself at first…” Emerald began to shudder at the memory. “My friends and I were given orders by our princess to find these artifacts. Only I… Only I made it here. I’m sorry… I still miss them all.”
Moon Tide patted Emerald on the head softly. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to bring up such painful memories for you.”
“I don’t blame you, Moon Tide,” Emerald wiped at her eyes. “You’ve done so much to help me.”
“And I’m sure your princess would be proud of you too. You came to another world to fulfill her wishes; none can doubt your loyalty or dedication.”
“Thank you, Moon Tide.” Emerald smiled and closed her eyes again. “I thought that there were only savages in this world when I first got here. After all this time, I’ve seen goodness in you humans. So many of you have selflessly helped me towards my goal. When I make it back, it wouldn’t be because of my own strength, but because of you all.”
“Goodness in humans…” Moon Tide repeated, a shadow passing across her face for a brief moment. “Well, I’m glad you feel that way, Emerald.”
Moon Tide then put a hand up to her mouth to stifle a yawn.
“Well, it’s getting late, and I still have some work to do at the tower before I turn in. I’d better go.”
“Oh! Alright,” Emerald scrambled to her feet and unlocked the door for the mage. “And Moon Tide, thanks for the talk.”
“Oh no,” Moon Tide said comfortingly. “Thank you.”
As soon as the mage was down to the next house, Emerald locked her door and finally dropped on her bed with a long yawn. Within moments, she was asleep.