Chapter 44: Honesty
When I arrived back, immediately I knew something was wrong. The Courts were in a tizzy, the guards waved me through frantically, and with not one foot down on Equestrian soil, I was mobbed by the nobles.
A white unicorn dressed in extravagant clothing that looked as if it were fit for a princess rather than a noble, approached me.
“Verity Belle,” I greeted upon recognition.
“Harmony,” she said with strained eyes. “You have no idea how good it is to see you.”
I caught the desperate undertone in her voice and bit my lip. “What’s wrong?”
“Ever the observant one,” Verity Belle murmured with the shake of her head. She cleared her throat. “I’ve been sent to fetch you. You must be sworn in quickly.” She gestured to Lapis. “Thank you for coming. There is some internal strife within the kingdom. You may stay to rest and recuperate, but I’m afraid we will have to make it as brief as possible.”
Lapis bowed her head, surprisingly compliant.
“I’ll see you later,” she whispered to me, glancing at Verity with more curiosity than hostility.
I felt Lapis edge around me. She reluctantly left, leaving me alone with Verity.
“So what’s this about? Sworn in?” I finally asked. “Did something happen?”
Verity laughed out loud insincerely. It was a hollow mirth that communicated to me the severity of the situation with that one act.
“It’s your mother.” Verity turned around and started trotting in the direction of the castle, beckoning me to follow in the process. I followed along a little reluctantly. As we passed a few guards dashing around, my sense of foreboding went up a few notches, making me feel increasingly on edge. Verity drew up to the drawbridge, then continued speaking.
“Your mother has gone missing.”
I almost stopped in my tracks, but then forced myself to keep going as the noblemare showed no signs of stopping. We entered the courtyard with guards and servants dashing around, frenetic in their activities. Entering through the gate, I saw guards bow in our direction with looks ranging from relief to outright happiness. Something was really wrong here.
“Missing?” I asked her. “Where?” I knew how glib that sounded, but I was shocked at how fast everything was starting to fall apart.
Verity pursed her lips, evidently holding back a snippy response. “We don’t know. She left without a word one day, warning us of a dire event that had come about due to a revelation in the middle of the night.”
“Prophecy?” I couldn’t keep the disdain out of my voice.
“Yes,” Verity said, either ignoring or not hearing my tone. “She left a letter for you and a public request that you maintain things here in her absence. As you well know your father cannot…”
“Of course, of course,” I said hastily, “there’s no need to worry, I’ll try and handle things as best as I can. But are you sure? I’ve barely been able to finish my education.”
“You may not be as learned as Princess Celestia or Princess Luna, but you are older and have proven your ability to take charge in diplomatic affairs. After all, news travels fast and there was none faster than the attempted assassination and subsequent signing of the Treaty that proved your legitimacy.”
“Won’t there be objections?”
Verity snorted. “Of course there will be. You needn’t worry about that. Queen Tempora has paved the way forward by providing processes and legislation to ease the transition. She was, without a doubt, most aggressive. Ire from the noble faction is mainly pointed towards her in a play of power. However, you, they have mostly nothing against. In fact, an inexperienced ruler is something that’ll spark hope for freedom from under Tempora’s iron hoof, so to speak.”
“So what you’re saying is that I’ll be an opportunity for them? A puppet, for example?”
Verity’s mouth twisted in grim amusement. “Correct, that is an apt way to describe it. Suffice to say that our current position in dealing with them is tenuous at the best. And there has been growing factional radicalism…”
“What’s that?”
Verity twitched, then glanced at me with slightly widening eyes, as if realising she was speaking aloud. “No, no, no need to worry about that. Merely speculation on my part.” She sighed. “In any case, perhaps you would do me the courtesy of being your advisor?”
Instantly, my suspicion was aroused. “Even though I need help, offering it so conveniently right now…”
Verity nodded her head, as if confirming an inner thought. “I was right to choose to back you.” She tapped her hoof lightly on the ground. A unicorn appeared by her side dressed in simple, but elegant, clothes. “Fetch the letter.” The unicorn bowed and left as Verity continued along the hallway. I recognised vaguely that we were headed towards Tempora’s room.
Outside a couple of Tempora’s personal guards were stationed there. They frowned at Verity’s approach, then noticed my presence and straightened.
“Prince Harmony, you are well we see,” one of them said.
“A couple of dragons wouldn’t be able to take me down,” I joked off-handedly, but seeing their expression, my half-hearted chuckle died in my throat. “What’s wrong?”
The guards shared a glance. “We are just glad you are safe.”
“May we enter?” Verity asked, looking, I thought, a little annoyed.
“None but royalty may pass here,” they answered as one.
Verity pursed her lips again, looking more visibly annoyed.
“You two are doing a fine job, but these are an exceptional circumstance—”
The guard on the right cut Verity off. “We mean no disrespect, Lady Verity, but our orders were given by the late Queen herself—”
“Greaves!”
The guard ‘Greaves’ shut his mouth, looking uncomfortable. Then his words sunk in.
“Late?!” I spluttered.
“That she is not confirmed to be!” Verity practically yelled. She laid a gentle hoof on my shoulder. “It is more accurate to say that she is missing.” She glared at the guards as they bowed.
“I meant to say missing. As Lady Verity says,” Greaves said by way of apology.
“What happened?” I didn’t ask this time. I demanded.
Verity held a hoof out to the door.
“According to your mother, beyond the door lies your answer.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “Show me.”
The guards acceded, each taking a door, their horns glowing. It appeared that the door was under magical protection. A complex matrix sprung to life, illuminating a thin metal plate inlaid into the door.
“If your Highness would,” Greaves prompted me, indicating to the panel.
Confused, I reached out to the panel and touched it. As soon as I did, a ‘click’ resounded and the doors partly opened. Gulping down tension made physical, I stepped through, but turned around hearing a minor scuffle.
“Let me go this instant!”
The guards shook their heads. “Lady Verity, only royalty may pass.”
Verity glared at the guards in turn, but they did not budge.
“Can’t you let her come in? I’m sure she’s not an enemy of the State.”
The guards shook their heads again. “Forgive us, Prince Harmony, but this is the last request your mother has given us. We intend to honour it as long as we live.”
Before I could say anything Verity bit her lip, then let out an exasperated breath. “Fine!” She collected herself and gave me a falsely-bright smile. “I will see you later then, Harmony.”
As she left, one of the guards entered the room with me. The doors closed, leaving me in the room of my mother.
“A word of advice, if you are of a mind to hear it,” the guard called out to me uneasily.
“Yes?”
“Do not trust any of the nobles. They may seek to ‘help’ you, but they only have a mind to help themselves.”
“Verity Belle has always been kind to me in the past…”
“What other way would a noble treat a future ruler?” the guard said with a sigh. “Even if they did not approve, they would not show it.”
I nodded slowly at his warning. What he said made sense. “Thank you for your advice. I will be careful.”
The guard bowed. “Thank you for listening, your Highness. Please excuse me.”
The guard left the room, closing the door with a snick. I could see the flash of enchantment as the door’s matrix activated once again. I finally released the breath I was holding while turning around. Within the room was a canopy bed, luscious red sheets and an extensive wardrobe. To my left was a balcony and window overlooking the city and a simple study desk. The desk had six glimmering crystals shining on the desk with a letter bearing the royal seal. Drawn in by the mysterious scintillating crystals, I walked forward.
“Harmony?”
In my confusion, I swept around the room for the source of the sound. Two sets of eyes peeked over the bed. It was Celestia and Luna.
“Hey you two, what are you doing here?”
Tears formed in their eyes as they gathered around me.
“It’s horrible!” Celestia said with a voice that broke. “They’re saying, they’re saying—”
“Mom!” Luna bawled, clutching at my leg.
I bent down and scooped them both in my arms with a tight hug. “What happened?”
“We don’t know, we were just staying here because—” Luna hiccuped, unable to continue. She buried her face in my shirt.
“Because they wouldn’t leave us alone!” Celestia said with no small measure of animosity. She glared at the door, as if condemning the outside world. “They wouldn’t leave us alone! We can only come here where they’re not allowed!”
“Where’s Discord?” I asked gently.
Celestia bit her lip. “Gone too. I tried to find him, but he’s disappeared too!”
“It’s alright.” I tried to sound confident, but I wasn’t able to convince myself. “He should be around.”
“The guards are looking for him,” Luna murmured.
“Why?” I asked.
Luna and Celestia shook their heads.
“We don’t know,” Celestia muttered with her face downcast. “They won’t tell us anything.”
“Maybe Mom will tell us?” I said with a flourish towards the desk. “After all, she wrote us a letter.”
Celestia caught the tone in my voice and shrunk back slightly. “Harmony, I know you don’t like Mom like we do… but she’s really nice most of the time. We love her.”
It was probably the first time Celestia had ever mentioned that term so blatantly. I bowed my head shamefully, considering the snap judgement I had so often accused Tempora of… being touted myself.
“Sorry.” I meant it sincerely. “Temp—Mom has the right intentions, at least.”
Celestia nodded, but by the way she stood off to the side, it was clear that I hadn’t alleviated all of her concerns.
“Okay,” I said, sweeping the matter to the side, “we should probably take a look at this letter.”
It sat in the centre of the crystals, looking like a bird in its nest, or a spider in the centre of its web. Thick wax sealed the cover, but I could detect a faint glimmer in the tracings of the royal seal that indicated magical verification. Dredging up the lessons from my poor old tutor, Study Point, I recalled the spell for verifying the authenticity of the seal.
“It’s real,” I said after snapping my fingers. There was an unmistakable signature that reflected back.
“We could have told you that,” Luna said impatiently.
“You didn’t open it yet, though?”
Celestia chuckled humourlessly and cast a hooded gaze towards Luna. “My sister was too scared to open the letter. She told me to leave it until you came back.”
“We would have opened it ourselves!” Luna shot back. “If you… if you…” She fell silent, tears welling in her eyes as the rest of her speech was lost in quiet crying.
“If you didn’t come back,” Celestia finished quietly. She wrapped a wing around her sister and reached out with a wing to touch my hand. I held the feathers with a open palm as she smiled gratefully. “We were so worried. Mom was missing. You were in with the horrible dragons, and when we heard they tried to… they tried to…”
“It’s alright,” I told them in a soothing voice. “It’s going to be okay. I’m back now and whatever the crisis is, we’ll deal with it together, okay?”
Celestia and Luna wiped the tears from their eyes. Still looking a little weary from their pent-up outburst, but also a little relieved. The dam on their emotions had run their course. It must have been a trying time for the young sisters. They were growing, but they were still foals. I patted Celestia and Luna on the head.
“We should read what your mother has to say.”
Taking note of their acknowledgement, I turned to the desk. It was time to finally get some answers from the one person who could get under my skin more than Grackle and Gripple. Finally, I broke the seal, feeling the magic harmlessly wash over me, recognising me as an intended recipient. I expected the magic to stop, but it continued onwards, rushing towards Celestia and Luna before I could even blink and then sweeping across the room. I had never seen such a spell before. It looked like it had swept through the whole room before terminating. Tempora was being abnormally cautious.
My dearest children,
By now, you will have entered this room under the assumption that I am missing, possibly presumed dead.
Celestia gasped. Luna nestled further into her sister’s wing canopy. I continued reading.
Last night, I received a startling revelation about the future of Equestria. It tells me of the great role that my children will play a part in, and of the extraordinary things that will be accomplished by my subjects. Equestria will be a great nation. Of that, I have no doubt. However, looming on the horizon, are murky dangers. Instabilities and fractures among nature and nations that will test the mettle of our bodies and our hearts. Though I know that my children play a grand part, it is tempered with the knowledge that I cannot contribute to this scheme, and the struggles borne by my children in the time to come. I regret to say that at this point in time, my role is over.
“What?” Luna whispered. “What are you saying, Mom?”
I must embark on a journey that will take me away from the throne. With your father unable to recover through conventional means, it seems I must also take him with me. I’m sorry for not informing you, Harmony, but you would have been against it.
I gripped the paper tightly. You’re damn right I would be! What gave her the right to take my Dad?! It took me a full minute to calm down and keep reading. Celestia and Luna kept silent. I could feel their worry even from behind closed eyelids. Their presence was all that stopped me from breaking down there and then.
It is an arduous passage that is etched into the fabric of Time itself. It is a problem only I can tackle, and I think it would be difficult for you to grasp, let alone accompany me with. So I am asking you to stay your investigations and expeditions for me. I’m afraid that I will no longer play a part in the future of Equestria anymore. I am somewhere difficult to reach.
In my absence, the duty of ruling falls upon you, my children. I know this will be a difficult task. My heart aches for the trials you will face, but please know that I do this because I believe in your future and that I believe in you. This is my last request to you: My children, please keep Equestria together. Do not fall into despair. Hope for the future.
Love,
Tempora
I noted belatedly that Tempora had neglected her title in her farewell. I let the letter flutter to the desk as the room was flooded with mixed feelings of despair.
Luna’s forlorn voice drifted towards me. “Is Mom coming back? What happened to her?”
I had difficulty swallowing the lump in my throat. “She stepped out, but I’m not sure if she’s coming back.”
It took a few moments for the words to sink in, but when they did, Celestia and Luna broke down into abject sobbing. I could only numbly comfort them with strokes along their backs. Whatever I had been expecting, it wasn’t this. By the Stars, what had I been expecting? For all the times I wanted Tempora out of my life, this wasn’t the way I wanted it to be.
You finally got what you wanted, but are you happy?
I hated that sardonic self-hatred that lurked in the back of my mind. Why was I so self-centred when my sisters were crying their hearts out, pining for their mother? I was despicable.
——————
It took a while for them to cry themselves out, but when they finally did, I tucked them into the bed. I took the letter and the crystals and then instructed the guards to permit staff to come in, but nopony else. The hallways were empty and the moon had risen two hours late. Tempora was no longer around to deal with it, and I hadn’t moved it, but it appeared from my inquiries that Star Swirl and a band of his unicorn associates had grouped together to raise the moon for the first time in centuries.
That in itself pointed to the sorry state of affairs that Equestria was in. Immediately outside the chamber, nobles had gathered to petition me for this and that, but I snapped at them, asking for leniency given what I had just found out. The sheer force of my heated gaze and the way I stood tall and angry was the first time was a shock to them. For once, the difference in height and my demeanour had struck fear into the surrounding party. All but a few of the most stubborn fled the scene. Verity Belle was among the ones who stayed, but instead of attacking me with questions, she merely followed in my wake. I was too tired to snap at her so I let her tag along.
Eventually, seeing that I was returning to my house, the rest of the nobles gave up, save for Verity, who followed me all the way to my door.
“What do you want?” I demanded roughly. I didn’t care about etiquette, today was a day that nothing mattered.
“Only to express my disappointment.”
“Consider yourself disappointed. You can leave now.”
Verity pursed her lips. “You were a very different individual before you entered the room, Prince Harmony.”
In what seemed like an unending series of hapless revelations, I realised that this time Verity used my title and not simply my name.
That was enough to clear a little of my depressive cloud. But in exchange, there was smouldering anger.
“It’s been a long day, Lady Verity, I would much rather I sleep.”
I opened the door a couple of inches before a hoof slammed it back closed.
“Perhaps that is what you would do if you were a lesser stallion.”
“Well good thing I’m not a stallion then,” I snapped back, reaching for the door handle. Verity’s magic enveloped me and shoved me back a step.
“Are you not royalty?” She spoke in a low voice. “Are you a puppet that dances on the strings of the maddened puppeteer?”
“No!” I said, crossing my arms. “I just didn’t have a choice for anything, that’s—”
“No!” Verity mocked flipping her head so that a stray lock of hair drew out of the way. “I didn’t have a choice! There was no other way! Tell me, are you prophet?”
My eyebrows drew down tight. She knew I hated those words.
Verity continued in the silence. “Perhaps you are, because you are certainly acting like your path is set in stone. You act like you do not control your own fate, that you are feeling sorry for yourself, that you are in no position to do anything, isn’t that right?”
“That’s wrong!” I shot back, my words sounding weak and ineffectual. I gritted my teeth. “There’s just been too much—”
“Oh no, I am the only one misfortune has befallen, woe is me!”
“Don’t you dare—!”
Verity jabbed me the chest with her hoof. “Good! Turn your depressed loathing into anger. Transform yourself into something more! Give voice to the inner self that wails against prophecy and mindless obedience. Are you someone who leads? Prove it.”
Shaking with rage, I almost lash out at her. At the last second, I kept my anger in check. “I won’t give in to your provocations,” I growled at her in a dangerously low voice. “I am only taking this night off, I am not abandoning my post.” Though I took a deep breath, my fist was shaking with rage, held tightly by my side. “It’s been a long day for the both of us. Get some rest, Verity Belle, I will see you in Court tomorrow.”
Despite the fact that I was making the demands, I couldn’t help but feel I had fallen neatly into Verity’s constructed trap. It made me all the more mad that when I teleported away, I saw the smugly satisfied smile on her stupid face.
———————
I awoke much earlier than I had intended. The sun had yet to come up. I didn’t bother looking at my watch to see the time, Discord was on my mind. How could I have forgotten last night?! I was the worst. Leaping out of the bed, I collided with a fuzzy ball of feathers, claws and—
“Discord?!”
Discord smiled weakly, untangling himself from my limbs and standing up.
“Hey, Harmony, sorry I wasn’t home last night…”
I grappled him in a bear hug. “I’m glad I found you buddy.”
“Me too,” he answered with a dry chuckle. “Sorry, I was avoiding the guards…”
I pulled back from him, worry etching my expression into a frown. “Discord, what happened? Why are the guards after you?”
Discord shrugged. “I guess it’s the same. Everypony just wants me gone. Except you. And maybe Celestia and Luna.”
It was hard to miss the bitterness in his voice.
“Why?” I asked the question haplessly as I pulled him down next to me.
I expected Discord to be angry but nothing close to that emotion welled up in his face. It was simply heartbreaking resignation. “Well, you know, prophecy and the like, and with Tempora gone and you in the Dragon Lands…” He shrugged.
I stood up. “Well, I’m going to put an end—” I stopped suddenly when Discord tugged at my sleeve.
“No, don’t go. I knew this was going to happen someday.” His words were solemn. “It was nice being a part of all this, but there’s no place for me here.”
My heart ceased for a moment. “Discord, don’t say that, there’s always a place for you here.”
Discord looked into my eyes, they were welling with tears, but I could still see the pain in his own reflected back. Discord reached out to pat my hand. “I wish that was true—”
“No,” I said suddenly. I whipped around and gripped his shoulders as I stared intently into his eyes. “I don’t want to lose another member of my family. I’ve lost my father, I’ve lost my mother, I don’t want to lose my brother. Discord, please, I need you more than ever.”
Discord looked torn. I seized on that chance as if my life depended on it.
“So what if a few ponies dislike you? So what if this country has been poisoned by the words of a dumb prophecy? I know for a fact that you are a good person.”
“But, you can’t—”
“Screw the prophecy, screw the nobles, screw everypony!” I yelled. “I only care about my family! You are part of my family, Discord.” I hugged him tight against me. “Don’t think about leaving me behind. I will do anything for you. I will give up the throne, I will take Celestia and Luna and we’ll make our own way in this world!”
I started babbling nonsense as I continued. “We’ve got food, we can teleport it bit by bit, we’ll work out a way to move the house! I’m sure we can find a job in another country—”
Discord silenced me with a tap on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Harmony, you don’t have to go that far for me.”
“Discord, if you leave, I will follow.” My voice felt like it would collapse at any moment. It shook with my desperation. “Please…”
Discord separated from me gently and shook his head with a sad smile. “And leave Celestia and Luna? Take them from the surrounds of a castle and servants and ponies that respect them to a place where you can guarantee none of that? I don’t think you would do that. Not someone who loves them.” He smiled. “That’s the brother I know.”
My mind raced. My heart beat wildly. “Even so, I will—“
“You’ll come alone?” Discord stared me down with a disapproving frown. “Even if I go, it won’t be far. I’m just going somewhere else. Where they don’t know the prophecy. I will travel and experience new things and one day, when you’ve changed their minds about me, I’ll return.”
I realised what he was saying. He was relying on me to carry on the throne and create a place for him to stay. Just who was the older brother here? I glanced down at my shivering fingers. Even though I could see the logic, I still didn’t want him to go. I felt like I was losing everything here.
“I’m not leaving forever, Harmony, just for a little while.” Discord’s wry smile wobbled as he bit back tears. “I don’t want to go, too—”
“Then don’t—!”
“—But I have to.” In his eyes was burning determination. “I have to get stronger.” As I he got up from the bed, I finally noticed the wince and his awkward movements.
“Discord,” I said in shock, “you’re hurt!” Anger flared in my heart. “Who did this to you?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Discord said sullenly, “I wasn’t strong enough, that’s all.” He sighed. “I couldn’t even get to Celestia and Luna. My magic is too weak.”
“Discord, tell me who it was, I’ll—”
“Stop it, Harmony. I’ve made up my mind. I will get stronger. Strong enough to protect my family should the time come.”
I was in awe of him. Discord had this quelling resolution to change, but I was still the same person. Selfish, unmotivated, just going with the flow, trying but relying on others, and here was Discord, fighting alone in a world stacked up against him. I wasn’t enough. I wasn’t near enough to protect him, either.
It suddenly came to me.
I was nothing here.
Everything was just borrowed. Power from Lapis. Influence from Tempora. Knowledge from my Star Swirl. I had achieved… nothing here. It was only one desperate reaction after another.
“Harmony, don’t look like that. I heard from some of the nobles. You’ve brokered the deal between the dragons and the ponies. Equestria is safe from war.” He smiled with pride. “I knew you would be able to do it.” The smile died. “I need to be as strong as you.”
“No,” I said, sagging, “it’s me that needs to change. If I can’t protect those close to me, then I haven’t done anything worth getting excited about.” I reached out and hugged Discord one more time.
“You’ve made your decision to go. I don’t think I can persuade you anymore to stay. I understand. You’re going to find a way to get stronger. I will make a place for you to stay here.”
Discord grinned.
“Then I’ll look forward to it.” He drew out something from behind his back. “I want to give you something, here.” He placed something sharp into my hands. Then he moved to the door.
“You’re going now?” I called out after him.
“If I stay a moment longer, I might stay forever.”
I knew what he meant. Discord had strong resolve, but every moment longer made it more difficult for him to separate. I wanted him to stay, but I knew he wanted to go.
As the doors closed, I had a new resolution.
I was going to make a place for Discord, no, anyone to stay.
————————
That was, however, easier said than done.
Verity Belle was outside my door the next day. The surprise must have been evident on my face because she smiled at me wryly as I closed the door behind me.
“First thing in the morning?” I said by way of greeting.
Verity nodded with a somewhat guilty look. “Listen, about last night—”
I stopped her before she could get any further. “I take it you’ve found out about the contents of the letter?”
Verity nodded morosely. “I’m sorry, Harmony, I thought that—”
“It’s fine,” I replied with a sigh. “I’ve figured some things out and I guess you were looking out for me in your own way.” I glanced at the castle. “How bad is it?”
Verity looked upwards as if to find the answer in the skies before meeting my gaze with her mouth set in a grim slash.
“The Courts are in an uproar, many factions have been moving for personal gain in the chaos whilst some are struggling in the turmoil to keep the country together in this crisis.”
I considered Verity with guarded concern. “Not that I doubt your loyalty, but from my side of things, I barely know you.”
Verity blinked at me and then laughed. “Oh very good, Harmony. At least you’re not going to blindly trust anypony.” She took out a letter from her saddlebag. Gemstones and precious stones lined the bag with gold wiring and stitching. The bag exuded opulence. For some reason, it didn’t lend itself to credence. I knew many nobles that liked to bask in their wealth and forget their obligations. The nobles in Equestria resembled more the nobles in Middle Age Earth. Some were good and maintained notions of loyalty and duty, whilst some grew fat off their power and manipulations in the Courts.
I wondered which Verity belonged to.
I took the envelope and opened it slowly. Inside, to my surprise, was handwriting from Tempora. There wasn’t much. In fact there was only one line:
Dear Harmony,
You can trust Verity.
Tempora.
It was succinct compared to the one in her bedroom, but I guess she didn’t have much time to prepare this one, seeing the uncharacteristic smudging and scribbled quillwork on the parchment. I folded up the letter and placed it in my pocket. Maybe I should get somepony to verify this later? Verity followed the movement with something close to approval and disappointment at the same time. It was a complicated face that almost made me laugh. Don’t tell me she had other ideas for it?
Verity waited a few moments more before sighing regretfully.
“Well, Harmony, let’s get you sworn in.”
Her statement confirmed it for me. The Courts must be reluctant to state that Tempora had passed away. Jumping to conclusions this early might give the wrong impression if Tempora was to return. It might make them an easy target to so openly vie for power. In contrast, placing me as the interim ruler of Equestria gave them flexibility to manipulate things how they liked by taking advantage of my inexperience. It might be better if there were people I could rely on, but shielding me from interactions with most of the nobles was a double-edged sword. They could not influence me, and I could not influence them either.
In any case, Verity was waiting.
“Thank you, Verity.” I turned to the castle and gestured with my hand. “If you please?”
I could be a gentleman if I wanted to. Somewhat taken aback by my attitude, Verity inclined her head and strode forth to the castle. I followed behind with slightly hesitant steps. Drawing my gaze like a magnet, my eyes locked onto my house one more time. Looks like I won’t be back for some time… Unbidden, my thoughts wandered to Discord. I truly wished I could have done something about his suffering. I tightened my lips and made a resolution. The house was a place that nobles had hesitated to visit. I wouldn’t use it as a refuge for myself. I’ll come back only when Discord could. That would be the only reason.
“Discord,” I whispered to the sky. “I will miss you.”
——————
Inside the castle, Verity quickly lead me to the Courts. Thankfully, the throne was empty, I didn’t know what I’d do if someone had plotted a coup and decided to sit in the throne themselves. Despite what I said, the mood was… ambiguous. There was a vague sense of unease, anticipation and other unidentified emotions that frightened me almost as much as the naked expressions of disgust as I wandered past some nobles.
Those must be nobles against me taking the mantle, even temporarily. I could understand, how would I feel if the highest position in the land was suddenly taken by a foreign species? Other than those few that snorted as I passed them by, various nobles had mixed feelings and opinions of me. Although Tempora had legislated my name in as a direct inheritor of the throne, I could see the resistance in their faces as I approached the dais that faced outwards to the Courts.
Verity was unfazed.
“Presenting,” in a clear voice she spoke, “Prince Harmony of Equestria.”
At first there was a silence, but as I came to the throne and reluctantly took a seat a smattering of hoof-step applause rang out around the throne room. Verity took her place at my side. I didn’t miss the symbolic gesture and neither did a single noble as a faint murmuring rippled through the assembled crowd. Most of them knew me of course, but none of them were at a personal level.
“I am here to mind things in Queen Tempora’s absence,” I began somewhat unsteadily. I tightened the grip on the parting gift that Discord had given me. It was a six pointed star. I didn’t know what it meant, but I kept it close to me. It was the only thing left of Discord. He didn’t have any personal possessions and apart from a few bits and bobs that I’d given him over the years, it seemed he never had a single thing to call his own. It made me sad that I finally realised Discord was already setting himself up from the start to be here temporarily. He knew he had to leave eventually. The thought tightened my chest and choked off my next words.
As Verity coughed, I brought myself out of the fugue and shook my head clear of my brooding. Enough of feeling sorry for myself. That wasn’t what I was here to do and Discord was counting on me to do my job.
“Citizens of Equestria. My name is Harmony and I will only be here temporarily. In due time when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna can manage things, I will try my upmost to keep Equestria moving forward. I held the six-pointed star to my heart. I pledge to you that I will create an Equestria in which harmony, in the true sense of the word, will reign.”
As though in sympathy, the star in my hand glowed a dim colour. It was clear in the beginning, looking exactly the same hue as the crystal from the Empire in the North, but now it was a dull red with swirling colours of murky yellows, greens and blues roiling under the surface.
“Is that…”
“It can’t be…”
“That’s the—”
Gasps and comments flooded the chamber as shocked gazes converged on the crystal in my hand.
Verity Belle looked like she’d been hit by a tonne of bricks.
“Harmony… where in the world did you get that?”
I looked at the star with concern. I had misgivings in bringing it along. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to take it out of the house? “A friend gave it to me.”
Verity blinked at me, giving me an intense stare that seemed that she was holding back a mountain of questions piled up behind her eyes. Instead, she cleared her throat and straightened her posture. Then, in a loud, clear voice, she addressed the rest of the Court. “I take it there are no objections.” It wasn’t phrased like a question.
Murmurings in the Court died down and though many shared a glance, it seemed nopony was going to speak up. At least, for now.
“Then Prince Harmony will take the throne in the absence of Queen Tempora. All hail the Prince! All hail Equestria!”
“All hail the Prince! All hail Equestria!”
The thunderous response shocked me. It was the first time I’ve heard of such a thing. All at once, the heavy burden of the mantle of rule settled on my shoulders. There was no escaping this now.
“Court is dismissed for the day. Petitions will open tomorrow.” Verity handled the rest of the matters smoothly. She turned to me. “Now that the hardest part is out of the way thanks to your friend’s favour, we can handle the administrative side of things and work to move Equestria forward again.”
As the nobles filed out of the room, we left by a side door to one of the adjunct chambers. I stopped Verity moving forward with a tap on her shoulder.
“Before we go anywhere, can you explain to me what this is?”
Verity glanced up at me in surprise.
“You possess the Star and you don’t know what it is?”
I hesitated. Should I tell Verity where this Star came from? I didn’t find any reason not to, after all, Tempora trusted her, but did that mean she would distrust Discord?
I lifted the Star in my hand. “I can’t tell you where I’ve gotten it from, but can you tell me what it is?”
Verity looked a little hurt at my insinuation, but she nodded in resignation.
“I hope that, in the future, Harmony, you can trust me.”
“If it helps,” I answered with a lopsided smile, “I do too.”
Verity accepted my word with the tilt of her head, and then moved forward. “Let’s go to my chambers. I think it’s safe there.”
As I set off after Verity, I noticed we were moving away from the guest-wing of the castle.
I tilted my head in confusion. “You live in the castle?”
Verity chuckled. “I do. Though I hold the title of a noble, there is neither land nor estate of fiefdom attached to my name. I didn’t want to tell you this earlier, and it’s not like I wanted to hide this from you, but you might have suspected me more if I did.”
That much was true. If Verity had let that slip earlier I might have concluded that she was acting for interest of herself rather than me or the kingdom. Well, even now, I still couldn’t erase every doubt that she wasn’t still doing so, but I wanted to trust her for the time being. If only because there was no one else I could at the moment.
We headed down a few more corridors to a room with a door that looked like it was tucked into the corner rather than built in. She opened the door and entered the room with grace. The inside, similar to the outside, was plain, contrary to her appearance. She was decorated head to hoof with precious materials that made her look more like royalty than royalty itself. Back there, Verity had really stood out from the crowd and there hadn’t been a head turned in the throne room because of it.
She drew up a chair and sat in it whilst gesturing to another chair opposite for me to take.
I took the seat, my gaze wandering the room. Surprisingly, I couldn’t see any private possessions that would tell me any more about the mysterious noblemare. I wondered why Tempora chose this noble as someone I could trust. Was it her personality? Certainly not her wealth… but her standing was definitely not something to be laughed about…
Verity directed my attention to the crystal star.
“We call it the Lodestar. It is a powerful magical artefact conceived in the clash between the ponies and the draconequus.”
My eyes widened. “W-What?”
Verity nodded deeply. “Indeed, I had the same expression when I first heard about it. It was originally created by the draconequus at the height of their power. The Lodestar was the crux of many years of research into the art of magic. A lot of it is now considered a lost Art, but there are a few, like Star Swirl, that seek to revive magic and restore it to the potency before the Fall.” Verity’s brow crinkled as she fell silent. A weighty atmosphere descended like dense fog, making me shiver and hold the sides of my arms.
“The Fall?”
“The fall of the draconequus,” Verity replied after a heavy pause. “A long time ago, the draconequus and the ponies had lived in peace, there was bountiful food, frequent trade and cooperation. Equestria back then was smaller, merely a fifth of what you see now. Back then, the draconequus were plentiful and had powerful magic that would be considered outside the realm of even the most advanced unicorns now.”
I had to ask the obvious question. “What happened to them?”
Verity steepled her hooves as she stared at me with an intensity. “The records say that the draconequus disappeared off the face of the continent. Some say they left in search of more fertile lands after the land shrunk and the seas grew. Some say that the draconequus went on a great migration, seeking knowledge and power. Some say the civilisation collapsed after becoming decadent in their power. Few, if any, know the truth.”
The last words were uttered with such venom, I unconsciously shrunk back in my seat.
Verity shared a solemn gaze with me. “They were exterminated.”
“How?” was all I could ask.
Verity sighed. “The Lodestar was stolen and used against its creators. It was used to shape the lands and seas with its immense magical powers. Magical energy seeped into the earth and fed back to the sky, some places, where it is most potent, have become desolate wastelands. The magic twists all who walk there into unimaginable creatures… Although it was very powerful, nopony knew how to fully utilise its potential. Many that try are either swallowed up by the power and destroyed, or end up going mad. They say the last creature to take control of it was only able to handle it for forty two seconds.”
Verity shared an intimate gaze with me.
“Those forty two seconds were enough to destroy a nation.”
Cold sweat trickled down my spine. The cautious air around them precipitated into suspicion. How did Verity know about this? In fact, if this wasn’t common knowledge, then that would mean…
“Don’t tell me…?”
Verity nodded sadly. “Yes, it was the ponies. We eliminated the draconequus.” She held up a hoof to stymie my response. “Bear in mind, the draconequus was not entirely without fault. The conflict started many years before the Fall. Ponies were struggling to survive under a brutally suppressive draconequus Empire. I’m not saying either side was right, only that this history is what has led to the state of affairs today. The Lodestar is a symbol of power, it was held here after the Fall, but went missing more than a decade ago. Holding the Lodestar is synonymous with holding the highest power in the land.” Verity leaned forward. “Now do you understand the significance of it?”
I could only swallow and nod. Within my hands was the means to purge an entire civilisation. The Lodestar shone with a serene light that was at odds with the depressive atmosphere. Verity saw my look and gave me an encouraging smile. “Of course, just because it was used that way in the past, doesn’t mean that it will be used like that in the future.”
Her words made me relax slightly, but the weight on my mind manifested itself almost physically as I sighed.
“So, what now?” I asked her.
“Despite what I’ve told you and how I wish it, I doubt you will give up who gave you the Lodestar.” Verity’s features twisted into an expression of wry resignation. “Although, I have my suspicions…”
She let the statement hang in the air for a few moments, before flicking away brooding storm that had gathered around us.
“Now is the time to affirm your rule. Though many will recognise the Lodestar, many more still are not willing to accept you. However, ponies are creatures that are heavily influenced by their peers. Unlike the dragons, who base their selections purely on power that waxes and wanes with age, ponies will trod along the path shown to them as long as they initially accept it.”
“You speak as if you’re not a pony,” I commented with a raised eyebrow.
Verity laughed softly. “When one engages in politics and policies, the best stance is the objective one. You have to step back to consider all the affairs, not just the ones specific to your species.”
That was true, in a way… but I felt like that distancing myself might make the best decisions for the country and not for the people.
Verity continued while I was submerged in my thoughts. “Queen Tempora has gone out of her way to smooth out the path before you, for you to take the throne. Her timing was most fortuitous.”
“You don’t think—” I began, but Verity cut me off quickly.
“No, at least, it doesn’t seem like she knew this from prophecy, until very recently. It all came as a sudden surprise for all of us. Usually the Queen has a more methodical way in which she handles affairs. This was like a gale after a long break of calm. Certainly… I would like to have been more informed.”
The last statement was barely above a mumble, but I still managed to catch a bit of it. When Verity caught me staring at her, she blushed profusely and cleared her throat whilst breaking eye contact to stare out the small window.
“Ahem, well, what we should do now is the main issue at hoof. With pressure from some of the nobles, it now falls to you to gather enough support for your throne.”
I nodded thoughtfully. It made sense, there would definitely be some dissidents among the nobles. Since the nobles held some power to govern their land and their property. They could do anything from delaying important paperwork, impeding shipments and cargo, and even rebelling, if it got to that stage. Governance was a huge topic that Star Swirl hadn’t been interested in, but he knew a lot about it. Combined with school and picking up the odd mutter or two from Star Swirl, I could safely say that I wasn’t a novice on the subject.
Still, practically speaking, I had nothing. The only thing under my belt was brokering the treaty with the dragons. Although not a small feat, it was a relatively simple matter compared to the byzantine workings of the griffons in the north and the deer in the west. Seeing my look, Verity gave me a reassuring smile.
“Although I am a noble, you can think of me as more of an attendant. So the first thing we should—” There was a knock at her door. Verity cocked her head and then looked out the window.
“My, my, how the time has flown. Well, even though you’ve been recently sworn in, you may take it easy, Harmony. I will handle the work in the meantime.”
Though Verity made to stand up, I hesitated to follow suit. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to give the work to somepony—”
Verity chuckled. “Trust me, Harmony, there will be leagues and leagues of work to do after today. Enough to bury you in a sea of perpetual loathing and have you cursing at the heavens. For now, enjoy the remainder of the day if you can.” She nudged me towards the door with a hoof. “Maybe you should see your sisters. They will be in need of comfort and support.”
“I-I’ll do that.” With everything happening, I forgot about them! With a groan and a fervent wish to be hit with something very hard, I trudged out the room as Verity chuckled.
“See you tomorrow, Harmony. Get some rest.”
With what felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders, I headed towards Celestia and Luna’s chambers.
—————————
As I approached Celestia’s room, I saw a bunch of nobles catch sight of me and then scatter. Frowning, I looked towards the guard stationed outside. Heavy bags clung to his eyes, but he seemed to smile in relief as he recognised me. Greaves, was it?
“What’s going on?” I asked him in a low voice.
“Parasites, your High—Majesty.”
“It’s still Highness, sir, my mother is simply… missing.”
Greaves nodded reluctantly giving me a weary smile. “Of course.” His smile extinguished as he glanced down the hall where the nobles had disappeared. “It didn’t take long for opportunists to come along and disturb Her Highnesses with their petty propositions.”The stalwart guard spat out the words in contempt, but caught himself as he bowed hurriedly in apology. “Sorry, your Highness, it’s just—”
I held up a hand and smiled at him to put the guard at ease. “I understand. You were concerned for my sisters’ wellbeing. Instead of admonishing you, I wish I could reward you.”
“Your kind words are enough, your Highness,” the guard replied with a bow. It was considerably less stiff than the one before.
“Please keep those parasites away from my sisters for the time being,” I said in parting.
The guard saluted me. “Will do, your Highness. I won’t let them even catch sight of them.”
“Thank you,” I replied sincerely.
I knocked on Celestia’s door.
“Go away!” came a reply so vicious, I almost took a step back from the force of it. I glanced at Greaves who shook his head in sympathy. He called out from beyond the door.
“It’s your Highness’ brother, Prince Harmony, Princess Celestia!”
I could hear a thump and scrambling hooves as the door was opened explosively.
“Harmony!”
I quickly knelt down and embraced Celestia. I noticed Luna peeking from the bed. She had a haggard look, as if she was fending off sleep with sheer willpower. Picking Celestia up, oft she was starting to put on a few pounds, I carried her over to the bed and laid her down.
“Now, I’m not sure when… Mom will be back.” I gently patted them to stem any response as I quickly continued. “It’ll be some time before I can investigate where she’s gone and how to bring her back.”
If I could bring her back.
I squashed the dirty thought.
Celestia and Luna swallowed collectively and nodded.
“Until then, carry on. Don’t let those slimy nobles get you worked up. Stray strong.” I gave them one more hug before taking a look at them and gently wiping away any stray tears with my fingers.
“Be good, okay?”
“Yes,” they said as one.
“Good.” I gave them another pat, although I wasn’t sure if it was more for myself or for them. “I’ll try and find a place to sleep around here.”
“Y-You’re not going home?” Luna posed, eyes wide.
“No,” I replied reluctantly. I didn’t want to tell them the reason why.
Unfortunately, Celestia decided to press me for it. “Why?”
My mouth twisted as I debated whether or not I should tell them.
Celestia and Luna both had open and trusting faces. I guess they would have enough of older ponies lying, or keeping secrets or trying to use them. I must be the only one not to do that. I decided to tell them the truth.
“Discord has told me that he will go on a journey as well.”
“Not Discord too!” Celestia yelled furiously. Luna looked even more distraught than when I first came into the room. I could understand that feeling, I was experiencing it right now.
“The ponies here weren’t very welcoming to him after Tem—Mom left.”
Neither of the siblings looked like they could think of anything to say in their defence. It didn’t look like either one was inclined to. After all, they had experienced first-hand what the attitudes of the other ponies were like to Discord. Even their mother. Children were not blind, though adults liked to think so.
“Why do they have to be so mean to him?” Luna’s pain-filled gaze stared straight at the door, as if condemning all who were beyond it.
Bottled up inside of me were the same emotions, all swirling around in a cauldron of roiling inadequacy. Piquing the edges of my conscious was the idea that I could have done better to help my brother. That was why I had to quickly create a place for Discord to stay. A country that wouldn’t persecute him for simply existing. I wanted us to live together happily, just like in the beginning. Was that too much to ask?
Even if it was, I was going to cram that request down their throats until they accepted it. I will somehow make it work. It will be different around here. Tempora will be surprised when she gets back.
“Let’s all make a place where we can live together,” I whispered to them.
Surprisingly resolute, Celestia and Luna nodded firmly at my statement, showing a break in the dark mood with their shy smiles.
“I will do better,” Celestia declared.
“I will do my best,” Luna followed with quickly.
The subtle differences in their reply reminded me of their different and distinct personalities. Celestia was focused on self-improvement and was guided by her internal moral compass to succeed. I could see her successfully leveraging her calculating and calm disposition to deal with diplomatic problems. She will be popular with those in power, but she may seem aloof and distant to her ponies.
Luna, on the other hand, was more eager to please. Her motivation came from her sincere desire to see her subject’s happiness and to please those around her. She will be a popular ruler amongst her ponies, but she will be weak to the manipulations and contrivances of the facetious nobles.
Both complemented each other, just like night and day.
————————
I left the two after tucking them to sleep in their mother’s bed. They wanted to stay there a bit longer, and I didn’t have the heart to suggest that they return to their own chambers. Besides, keeping them in the one room made it easier to protect them. Outside, there were no nobles, thankfully.
Apart from Verity, of course.
“Do you have some sort of sixth sense that allows you to track wherever I am?”
Verity smiled at my jab. “The Queen would always say that too.”
I shrugged haplessly. “I thought you said you would give me the rest of the day off.”
Verity glanced at the door to the Queen’s room. “Seems like you don’t need it. You were faster than I thought.”
“How did you know what I was doing?”
Verity covered her mouth with a delicate hoof as she laughed softly.
“Intuition,” she merely said.
“What kind of intuition lets you know that?”
Verity didn’t answer me, but just continued smiling instead. She turned towards the end of the hallway and beckoned me.
“Come on, we’ve got to show you something.”
“We’ve?”
“Well, I can’t stand on my own, can I?” Verity replied with a chuckle. “Although I’m pleased you have that much faith in me.”
I realised she was talking about the faction supporting me.
“Now, we’re going to have a meeting here, right at this moment. We’ll be careful, but not too careful.”
“A ‘secret’ meeting? What’s the point?”
Verity sighed. “I see politics may not be your strong point.”
“Excuse me for being simple-minded,” I shot back.
Verity grinned slyly at my response. “I’ve gathered mainly loyalists and backers of your faction. If we’re holding a ‘secret’ meeting what do you think the other nobles will think.”
“That we’re planning something, or… that we’re brokering a deal.”
“Excellent, Harmony! So, how do you think the nobles will feel after hearing of such a thing?”
“They will think that we’re giving them concessions for their support.”
“But…?”
“But I don’t have unlimited concessions to give so…”
“So it will start to become a war of bidding to see who can offer the most,” Verity finished for me with a smug look.
“You’re a demon.”
Verity blinked. “Though I do not know what a ‘demon’ is, I shall take that as a compliment.”
I quickly changed the topic so that I wouldn’t be treading on dangerous ground.“So the loyalists and my supporters will obviously get the most concessions. How do I tell which one is genuine and which is not?”
Verity nodded serenely. “Mmm, how to tell if one is lying, a poignant question. There are two methods. The first is to use the combined experiences and intuition that has guided you for the last two-odd-decades of your life.”
So basically trust my instincts, huh? “What’s the second option.”
“Trust me and use mine.”
“Okay.” I started down the hallway, but turned back when I didn’t hear Verity’s following hoofsteps.
“What’s wrong,” I called to her as she stood with a confused frown.
“It’s just that… that was quite fast.”
I chuckled. “I want to give you the benefit of the doubt for now.”
“And if it’s a trap?” Verity asked softly.
“Then that’s as far as I go, I guess.”
Verity considered the statement for a while before nodding. “I think I like that view. You aren’t like the Queen, after all.”
“What do you mean?”
Verity chuckled. “She found out my little secret.”
“Secret?”
Verity shrugged, giving me a lopsided smile. “Never you mind, Harmony. Maybe you’ll find out soon, maybe you’ll find out later.”
“Are you saying I should trust you?”
Verity shrugged with a smile. “If you don’t already.”
I smiled back. “I think you’ve earned your trust so far.”
“Do you really mean that, Harmony?”
“Of course, Verity.”
We spoke without the wall between us, each taking in the essence of each other without the stifling formalities in the way.
————————
Verity sat in one of the empty seats. She made it a point to sit beside me, pulling me away with her from the ornate chair that Tempora would usually occupy. Instead, I sat in one of the chairs ringing the table next to her. The gesture wasn’t lost on anypony there. The empty throne felt like it had its own presence. As if Tempora had left and we were all merely waiting for her to return. So that’s what Verity was going for. It immediately underscored my authority by leveraging Tempora’s.
I felt a sharp nudge in the side. Oh right, I’m supposed to start. But I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t look at Verity. I had carve my own path here, or it would give the impression that Verity was only pulling my strings. I would be defeated before I even began.
“Thank you for gathering here with such short notice.” I scanned the room, counting roughly thirty or so gathered nobles. I didn’t know many of them personally, but there were certainly very influential ponies among them. Thankfully, the Treasurer, the Commander of Cloudsdale, the Chancellor of Agriculture and Chamberlain of Magic were among those gathered. It was safe to say that the majority of Equestria was gathered in this room.
The Commander leaned forward. “I think I speak for all of us when I say, what is it that you want?”
From the varied expressions around the table, it seemed many shared the blunt sentiment of the Commander, though many weren’t quite ready to be so forward. Her battle-hardened gaze gave me pause as I tried to stare back without giving ground. The intensity of the look reflected a being that was a dedicated soldier. If I was to appeal to her, it would probably be through strength and loyalty.
“I want to consolidate ourselves in the wake of the Queen’s absence. We must be united and strong.”
Though the Commander’s gaze didn’t lessen in strength, she gave a singular nod.
However, the Chancellor of Agriculture was of a different mind. “I do not approve of a Prince that has done nothing with regards to the State.” The pony flounced a handkerchief in my direction and sniffed as if breathing the same air was somehow infectious.
Well, it couldn’t have been all smooth sailing.
“As you say, Chancellor Water Crest, I am inexperienced in matters of the State and internal affairs… but say, I was curious, do you know of the sickness?”
With that, everypony turned around in surprise to look at Water Crest, but none could match her shock and none missed how quickly she tried to erase it.
“I-I do not know how you are talking about.”
“Surely,” I drawled, tracing a finger down the side of the table and inspecting it, “the Chancellor of Agriculture would know what is happening to the ponies tending to the farms?”
Sweating bullets, Water Crest swallowed thickly whilst having a internal debate that wondered how much I knew and whether she could play it off. I didn’t know much. I just knew from the gossip that Runner brought in with him. Friends were a good thing. Best you made some, Water Crest. I decided to give her a firmer nudge.
“I heard it has spread out from a sleepy village and is now becoming a problem.” I knocked the last nail in her coffin. “A State problem.”
Water Crest shrunk in her seat. “Y-Your Highness.”
“The Agenda of this meeting has changed,” I declared. “We must now deal with a potential outbreak.”
The mood instantly shifted from cautious to grim.
“Chancellor,” the Chamberlain of magic spoke with cold fury, “I demand an explanation.”
The Chancellor shrunk back into her seat. “I was going to bring this forward, of course.”
“Of course,” the Commander shot back steeped in irony. Water Crest flinched, but didn’t immediately flee from the table so I’ll give her that.
“They were merely speculative rumours, so it was initially dismissed, it wasn’t too long ago that I received more concrete reports.”
“Out with it!” spat a noble pony in the further back. “This could affect my territory!”
Water Crest stuttered something, but I couldn’t quite catch it.
“What?” Verity called out. “What was it you said?”
“Twenty…”
Twenty wasn’t so bad…
“T-Twenty t-thousand.”
“WHAT?!” The collective chamber exploded at the pronouncement. This wasn’t an outbreak anymore, this was a full-blown epidemic!
“SILENCE!” Verity yelled. “His Highness is thinking!”
The rest of the hallway subsided a little, but there was still muttering ringing the table.
“Should we not bring this to Court?” One noble stated somewhat primly.
“It’ll be too late,” I declared. “We must quarantine those infected and deal with the germs using sanitation and hygiene policies. Doctors must be called. Supplies must be arranged. Logistics must be established.” A cascade of thoughts trickled down from my experience, modern medicine and some of the lessons given by Study Point.
Verity raised an eyebrow in the ensuing silence. “If I may, your Highness, may I ask what exactly is a germ?”
I glanced at Verity in surprise. I was thinking that magic was so advanced, knowledge about epidemiology and the germ theory of disease was commonplace, but then again, it was technically only a very recent discovery on my own home world. I wasn’t really an expert on it either. And the majority of information lay back at my house. Would I have to go back to it and break my promise to myself so soon?
“A germ is how a disease spreads from pony to pony. It is a microorganism that grows inside your body and disrupts normal behaviour…” I trailed off as I received a plethora of blank stares.
“Basically,” I said slowly, “it’s like poison and it can spread through the air, water and by ponies having contact with each other.”
“If I may, your Highness, we understand how disease spreads, but is not illness caused by ill-humour or bad air?”
“In some senses, yes, but we need to get information on what is causing this disease to outbreak—” a sudden thought occurred to me. What if the disease wasn’t caused by germs? What if it was magic?
“In any case, we need to take a look at this disease up front. I want to know what is causing it and how. Chancellor.”
“Y-Yes?” Water Crest looked nervous about being singled out.
“I want you to gather as many doctors, physicians and medically-related ponies as you can.”
“Yes, your Highness.”
I tapped the table to make sure I still had her full attention. “Your future depends on the performance you give now. We have still not spoken about why this wasn’t brought up before.”
“Your Highness, I—”
I held up a hand to silence her.
“I don’t need words. I want results.”
“… Yes, your Highness.”
The Commander leaned forward. “What shall the rest of us do.”
“We need supplies for the medicine or the cure to be organised. Without weakening our borders significantly, how many soldiers can we recruit to help out?”
The Commander leaned back as she thought about it for a while. “At most, one thousand can be mustered within three days.”
I gaped at the Commander. “Why are we lacking so much strength?”
The Commander eyed me coolly. “There hasn’t been significant conflict in the last few hundred years. Keeping a standing military ready to move at a moment’s notice is taxing on the land.”
“Do we have reservists…? Never mind, we will have to rely on the community to try and give support. Continue rounding up as many able-bodied ponies as you can, Commander. Pegasi will be used as an agile method of transporting goods to areas stricken the most, unicorns will assist in the diagnosis and medicinal supplies, earth ponies will help transport the goods from location to location.”
“Your Highness…” The Commander frowned. “Fracturing the army based on tribe may spread disunity among the ranks.” Units in the army were usually subdivided into groups of three that represent the three tribes. After unification, this was seen as a way to promote trust amongst fellow ponies.
“This will be a quick operation. I have no intention on keeping this around for long. For now, we must let the various tribes handle things with their own respective strengths. This will be the most efficient method to deal with the epidemic.”
“Yes, your Highness.”
“Chamberlain.”
“Yes!”
“There is a possibility that this disease is not a natural one.”
“Magic?”
“Exactly. I want a trained mage to accompany each deployment to try and detect whether or not this outbreak was caused by magic. If there is no cause, you are to support the army wherever possible.”
“Your Highness, traditionally we are scholars…”
“Then there is a lot to learn, isn’t there? Doesn’t this represent a unique opportunity to study this rare event?”
“Yes, but the risk is—”
“Treasurer.”
“Yes, your Highness?”
“Please quote to me the figure that represents our support of the Society of Magic.”
“Around six hundred thousand bits, your Highness.”
I was shocked. No wonder the school was so big.
I glanced back at the Chamberlain as she reddened. “In return, there are many advancements we have contributed to the kingdom!”
“Verity.”
“Yes, your Highness?”
“Tell me, can a researcher research when they are sick?”
A slight smile graced her lips. “No, your Highness.”
I gave an exaggerated nod. “Then, can a researcher research when they are dead?”
Verity grinned. “Considerably less so, your Highness.”
I turned back to the Chamberlain and directed a white-hot gaze on her. “Before you are a scholar, you are a citizen to the kingdom! Are you going to let thousands of ponies die because you will not get your hooves dirty?!”
The Chamberlain shrank back. “Of course not, your Highness, but…”
“But?”
“But there will be resistance.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Time for the fabled carrot and stick.
“Then how about this? Any participating member of the Society will receive a boost to their funds.”
The Chamberlain eagerly nodded. “Thank you for your generosity, your—”
“Conversely, anypony found not participating will have their funding cut.”
“Y-Your Highness—”
“Enough. If this is not enough to encourage you to do your duty, I may consider something harsher.”
Frightened, the Chamberlain bowed her head. “Yes, your Highness.”
“Well, it is a long night. I don’t want to hear or see of any political manoeuvring before this crisis is averted. There will be additional tasks in the morning, so you are all dismissed until Court resumes in the morning.”
“We will make this public, your Highness?” Water Crest spoke timidly.
“Yes, Chancellor, although whether I make it even more public depends on your level of involvement from now on.”
Water Crest looked absolutely crushed. “Yes, your Highness.”
“Chancellor Water Crest.”
“Your Highness?”
“I do not think you are somepony that neglects her ponies. Therefore I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, your Highness.”
“Good.”
———————
Outside, Verity was all smiles.
“Ah.” Verity nudged me from the side. “You are finally starting to think like a politician.”
I could feel my brows contracting into a frown. “Somehow, I don’t feel very happy.”
Verity flicked a dismissive hoof. “That’s just the feeling of you selling your soul. Not something to note of.”
It is to me!
We stared at each other and then broke into weak laughter. I didn’t think acting like a ruler was this hard. I had underestimated Tempora’s burdens. Despite that, I was finally able to use my position to make a difference.
I smiled genuinely for what felt like the first time in ages.
With this, we are making our first steps forward.