//------------------------------//
// Discussion 
// Story: Forged Anew 
// by Vermillion Prose 
//------------------------------//

Within Twilight’s study, the servants had brought in a hastily acquired wooden throne that matched the proportions of the Salamander that was forced to occupy it. While Twilight had dismissed her guards, to much protest, Hesperos remained close at hand. The rubricae kept his weapons slung and holstered, but emanated a faint malice that the princess pointedly ignored.

Twilight had been asking questions of the Salamander for some time, but the ebon skinned giant remained resolutely silent. Just as the mare’s mane was beginning to fray, the door to the study banged open as Spike sprinted into the room.

“Twilight! I was out in town when I heard about explosions in the castle and….! Whoa!” he blurted, performing a double take at the seated astartes. “What’s with this guy?”

The Salamander’s eyes widened at the little drake, and he murmured a prayer to Vulkan which caused Twilight’s ear to twitch. She whirled on him to stab a hoof out with a manic, “Ah ha!”

Spike deadpanned. “Did you even offer him any food or something to drink?” The alicorn wilted in turn, while the rubricae behind her slowly shook his head. Spike shuffled away, muttering, and returned a few minutes later with tea, biscuits, and a few apples from the Acres.

The Salamander eyed the array dubiously, but glanced to Spike as if looking for a sign. The little drake rolled his eyes, and Twilight quickly expanded the translation charm to include him. “Come on, I didn’t even cook any of it. It’s not poisoned or anything.” He made a point to swiftly devour a biscuit while levitating an apple to Twilight, who took the hint and slowly began to eat it. Spike smirked as the simple act seemed to start evening her back out.

Hesperos spoke, a resonant, eerie bass slipping around the study. “You are in no danger here, Salamander. Vulkan himself would not harm the ponies of this land. Or this little drake.” He pointed meaningfully at Spike, and just the faintest brush of telepathy made the Salamander flinch, but left him with a distinct feeling that he should watch his words about his heritage around the little dragon.

Tentatively, the effectively captive astartes tried first a biscuit, then an apple. Despite thoroughly tasting and testing the food with his senses, all he could experience was excellent, otherworldly flavor. No toxins his body could not defeat, or even a normal human would find troubling. Perhaps more sugar content than was healthy, but the food was otherwise excellent.

“Te'kan.” Twilight and Spike started, while Hesperos seemed to focus more intently. “I am Te'kan of the Salamander’s Third Company,” he stated and locked his fiery gaze on the rubricae, “and I do not consort with traitors.” His voice was the ashy tumble of volcanic stone.

Twilight’s ears pinned back as her eyes dimmed, while Spike scratched his head. Hesperos nodded thoughtfully, turning in place and communing with the princess to do the same. The confusion that spread across Te'kan’s face as his eyes darted between his new armor livery and Twilight’s cutie mark was well worth it.

“What by Vulkan is this place?”

Twilight beamed. “Hi Te'kan! I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, and I would like to welcome you to Equestria!”

“Emperor preserve me.”