//------------------------------// // 37) Month 3 - The Duke Abides (part 3) // Story: Climbing the Mountain 2 // by Talon and Thorn //------------------------------// Wolfgang rushed through the streets of Canterlot in great bounds forcing Max to gallop to keep up with him. He frequently glanced over at Greenmeadow the older stallion was struggling to keep up the group but did not complain about the pace. They quickly reached the castle and before they could even enter Wolfgang excitedly circled the courtyard and announced that he’d picked up Greengrass’s scent. Without giving the ponies a chance to rest the Cheeroonear headed off back down the mountain barely waiting for the cities populous to get out of the way before barrelling past them. The route was twisty, on several occasions it doubled back upon itself. Max guessed that whoever had taken Greengrass had done their best to stop any pursuit, but had apparently not considered being tracked by scent. A few times Wolfgang had to stop as he lost the ponynappers tracks but each time he quickly found them again. Finally they found themselves all the way down on the seventh tier of the city, well away from the areas normally inhabited by the nobility. Max wasn’t entirely sure but he thought that Mrs G’s home wasn’t all that far away. Suddenly Wolfgang stood up and looked around hawkishly before grabbing Max and Greenmeadow and shoving them into a nearby ally. “What!” complained Max as he struggled to remain standing. Greenmeadow slumped to the ground panting hard, the old pony was clearly not in the best of health. Max has suggested he stay behind to help the guard a few times but he had refused. “There,” said Wolfgang leaning slightly around the corner and pointing at a nearby building. “That is where the scent leads to,” he announced. “Right so why don’t we-” began Max as he started to round the corner. “No!” hissed Wolfgang dragging him back again. “See, there, guards,” he pointed a large paw at several ponies milling around the area. “Are you sure?” asked Max, they looked like locals just loitering around. “Of course, this is hardly the first time I have done this sort of thing,” said Wolfgang sounding insulted. “Look they’re armed!” Max narrowed his eyes wondering what type of life the dog creature had lived to be able to recognise something like that at a glance. Looking over at a nearby pony he did notice a glint of metal under his rough tunic, and now that he thought about it most of the rest of the area seemed to house goats, cows and griffin, but only ponies were wandering around here. He looked over at the building itself, it was big, maybe some sort of abandoned factory? The windows were barred and the large front gate was rusty but the padlock and chains keeping it shut were new and shiny. A rickety looking wall and an overgrown yard surrounded the area, certainly there seemed to be plenty of cover if he tried to approach it, but there were watchers. “Wolfgang, could you go back to the castle and tell the guards about this?” hissed Max. He would have preferred to have sent Greenmeadow but the old earth pony didn’t look like he’d be able to travel at any pace. The dog creature nodded. “But what will you do?” “I’ll keep an eye on things here in case there’s sight of Greengrass, or they try to leave or something.” Wolfgang paused for a moment, then nodded his ears swaying as he did so. “Very well, I’ll be back as quickly as I can.” Max nodded and the Cheeroonear paused for a few moments before slinking out of the alley and heading back the way they had come. Max remained crouched at the edge of the alley glancing around the corner. The only sound was Greenmeadow’s ragged breathing. Or was it? Resting a hoof on the ground he closed his eyes, there it was again, the ground was trembling slightly in a rhythmic pattern like some sort of huge machine was nearby. Opening his eyes again he caught a flash through a gap in the boards over one of the windows, what was going on? His curiosity warred with his common sense for a moment but it was a one-sided battle. “I’m going to have a look inside,” he whispered to Greenmeadow. “Is... that wise?” came the reply. “Has that ever stopped me before?” asked Max giving a smile. I’ll just get a bit closer, I want to see what they’re doing in there, I’ll be fine.” “We should wait... for the guards.” “We don’t know how long they’ll be, and anything could be happening to Greengrass,” explained Max. He felt a little guilty as a worried look spread over Greenmeadow’s face. “I’m sure he’s fine but it won’t hurt to know where he is,” he added. After a moment the older pony nodded. “Good luck,” he said. Max considered the situation for a moment, luckily he hadn’t gotten dressed this morning so he didn’t stand out all that much from the local ponies. He quickly rolled in the dirt a few times, much to Greenmeadow’s confusion, to complete the disguise. The guards would probably pick him up if he approached the building but hopefully they wouldn’t give him a second glance if he strolled past minding his own business. He stuck his head around the corner and quickly scanned his target. The front of the building was still packed with sentinels, at least a dozen. He’d easily be caught if he went in that direction. He’d have to try around the side, or the back. Abandoning his cover Max tried to walk purposely towards the small path separating his target from the next nearest building. Out of the corner of his eye he could see one of the guards gazing at him and fought to stop himself turning to look at him. He was just a normal pony out for a walk, there was no reason for him to take any notice of the guards. He passed by the wall and struggled not to let out his breath, it didn’t look like the guard had given him a second glance. He slowed his trot and ran his gaze up and down the wall as he went. As he suspected it looked in poor condition, several bricks were missing making it look like an easy climb. He was just about to place a hoof in the first gap when he caught sight of a shadow as a winged figure started to round the building from the back. His heart thumping Max leapt towards a nearby pile of rubble, hoping his natural coat colour and the dirt covering it would act as camouflage in the poor light of the alleyway. He watched, heart pounding, as a pegasus guard soared by, her head scanning left and right. Just as she started to turn towards the front of the building she halted and swooped down, seemingly to investigate Max’s location. Max froze, had he been caught? He’d find it hard to explain why he was here if he was challenged. A drop of sweat started to make its way down his barrel as the pegasus got closer and closer. Suddenly there was a muffled boom from somewhere within the factory followed by a louder explosion, flame jetted from one of the factories windows tearing aside the planks barring it. Both Max and the pegasus jumped in surprise as a series of smaller explosions could be heard, several of the guards around the building began to cry in alarm. The pegasus recovered first and shot towards the noise, desperate to join her companions. Max let out the breath he had been holding. He didn’t know what was going on over there but it had provided a very timely distraction, this was his chance to make a break for it. Looking back and forwards for any further guards Max rushed over to the wall and in only a few seconds was at the top. With the added height he could just about make out the guard ponies had gathered at the front of the house and were milling around in confusion. The sound of the explosion must have been audible for blocks around, even if Wolfgang hadn’t made it back to the castle guards must be on their way by now. Suddenly a brown coated shape exploded from of the front door of the factory as if its tail was on fire, which it very nearly was. A further explosion went off just as the figure was clear sending tongues of flame licking out of the door and tossing both the newly arrived pony and several guards aside. By the time the figure picked itself up the guards had also recovered and were mobbing it throwing kicks to keep the unknown pony on the ground. Without a moment's hesitation Max rushed through the yard to help the unknown figure leaping over a pile of rubble as he galloped into the conflict. Slamming into a nearby unicorn he sent him tumbling before spinning around to plant both rear hooves on an earth pony who was rearing over the fallen figure. Unnerved by Max’s sudden appearance the other attackers backed away, several looked about ready to flee. Max quickly looked down at the pony he had just saved. “Greengrass?” he exclaimed. “Baron Max?” mumbled the other pony, he stood but was clearly unsteady on his hooves. There was a deep cut on his brow from which blood was streaming, and one of his eyes was swollen closed. He’d certainly been in the wars recently. “I wasn’t... what are you doing here?” “Trying to save you!” replied Max glanced around. More ponies were streaming out of the now blazing building, most were ignoring them in their panic but enough still had the peace of mind to have surround the two nobles. “I think I might have made a bit of a mess of it,” he admitted. “How did you find...” said Greengrass blinking slowly, he seemed to be having difficulty focusing. “You father knew a tracker, we followed your scent.” “Scent!” exclaimed Greengrass, he seemed almost insulted. “You!” came an outraged shriek from the factory followed by a bout of coughing. A pegasus mare emerged from the clouds of smoke now pouring from the front of the factory. She was dressed in what had presumably once been white robe but had now been stained to a dirty grey by the fire. “How did you? How could you?” she spluttered when she could talk again. “Greengrass!” she finally growled shaking a hoof. “Baroness Chorus,” said Greengrass with a relaxed smile on his lips only a little counteracted by the fact that Max had to lean against him to keep him steady. “What ever could I have done to vex you so?” “You burned it all! Destroyed it all! All my gifts to the queen! You’ve humiliated me in front of her representative!” She looked around for a moment her brow furrowing as if looking for something. “Kill them!” she bellowed, “kill them both in the name of Corona!” Well it looks like Greengrass was right, thought Max as he tried to square up against the circle of ponies starting to constrict around them. I probably owe him an apology, if we weren't both about to die. At least I can keep him alive a little longer. There was a flash from the horn of one of the enemy unicorns and a sod of dirt was thrown up from the ground into Max’s face. He blinked trying to clear his eyes and did so just in time for the pegasus he’d seem earlier to swoop down and smack him in the head with a hoof. His ears ringing Max reared up barely remaining standing but swinging wildly at his attacker. She gave a little shriek of panic as she tried to avoid the blows and rapidly reversed the direction of her flight slamming into a nearby stallion who had been trying to avoid being seen, the two of them went down in a tangle of limbs. Max swung around, his hind hooves catching the intertwined pair and sending both of them rolling back into a group of their comrades. Facing in this direction Max made out another two flying ponies bearing down towards Greengrass. The Duke was trying to back away from the attackers, but there was nowhere to go. Bounding forwards Max interposed his body between Greengrass and the approaching cultists. He staggered as blow after blow slammed against his barrel and flank, a ripple of pain spreading out from each impact. He grit his teeth and concentrated on staying standing. He managed to turn and kick out a hoof at one of the attackers who danced back, but the distraction was enough for another enemy to appear on Max’s other side and join in the beating. The sharp edge of a hoof caught him above the eye and he was forced to blink away blood before it could blind him. Hopping aside he body slammed the new pony wincing at the bruising impact. Behind him Greengrass screamed, Max swung around to watch the Duke’s face crease in confusion as he stared at the knife that was protruding from his barrel. “Oh! I didn’t see that move coming!” he explained before crumpling to the ground. Trying to force down the rising tide of panic in his gut Max rushed over to the fallen duke to see if there was anything he could do to help, but instead found himself flying sideways as a horn blast struck him on flank sending him into a panting heap on the ground. He feebly stretched out to try and reach the nearest of his attackers and got a hoof to the head for his troubles. Suddenly everything went quiet and through watering eyes Max saw the crowd of attackers back off and separate to allow Dawn Chorus to approach. Giving an evil grin she pulled the dagger from Greengrass’s side causing him to cry out. “Goodbye Greengrass,” she spat as she drew back the blade ready to plunge it into him again. “You might have stopped me here, but it’s going to cost you your life!” Max tried to scrabble over towards the baroness but couldn’t get his hooves to work properly. “Guards! Stand Down!” came a sudden amplified cry from somewhere beyond the crush of ponyflesh around Max. There was a bright flash and a loud bang and when Max regained his senses the scene around him was one of total chaos. Several of the Corona’s followers were lying on the ground in a daze while others were running back and forth in panic. All around guards had appeared as if by magic, and in the case of the unicorns maybe that was true, but armoured pegasus were also dropping from the sky and blocks of earth ponies were galloping in formation as well. As he watched open mouthed Corona’s followers were one by one being captured. “Don’t move!” came a cry from behind him and he swung his head around in confusion to see a pair of guards approaching him. “Don’t move!” one of them repeated. “Huh, er, Mounty Max,” Max managed after a moment of figuring out how to use his tongue again. “I’m Baron Mounty Max.” “I’m sorry ‘baron’ but we will need you to come with us while we sort this all out,” the guard held up a pair of hobbles. “You can all consider yourself accused of treason until we sort this whole thing out.” A loud groan came from nearby and Max turned back again to see Greengrass lying nearby. “Notary! Don’t go!” he cried out in a daze, before slumping back to the ground again. The guards started apparently noticing him for the first time. “Medic!” one of them cried and a white clad unicorn mare galloped over and knelt over the fallen Duke. Her horn threw a glow over his form. “Is he going to be alright?” asked Max worriedly. “I don’t think it’s as bad as it looks,” said the mare floating a first aid kit from a saddlebag, “but we need to get him to a hospital.” She extracted a large pad and used her aura to push it against the knife wound in Greengrass’s side which was oozing blood. “Thank the princess,” sighed Max. “He’s the one that stopped whatever was going on here.” “You can make a statement later,” said the guard holding the hobbles, “but if you could just put these on-” “What is the meaning of this!” came a familiar voice from nearby. Max looked up again to see Greenmeadow approaching with surprising speed waving his cane in the air. He was followed by a confused looking white stallion in an officer's uniform. “This stallion is a member of the Night Court, and it’s thanks to him that you found this place! Release him at once!” He jabbed his cane at the guard who dodged back. “Baron Max, are you alright?” he asked. Max winced, he didn’t feel all that alright, but he could have ended up feeling much, much worse if the guards hadn’t turned up when they did. “I’m fine,” he said, “I guess Wolfgang made it then?” “Yes, he brought back a division and I explained what was-” he stopped looking down at Greengrass’s battered form. “Oh, my boy, what happened?” he gasped. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” explained the medic resting a hoof on the old stallion’s shoulder. Greenmeadow rested a hoof on his son’s side as if trying to prove to himself that he was real. “Please, do anything you can, he-” “Unhoof me! Release me at once! I am a baroness! You’ll be fired for this!” came a screeching cry and Max turned to see Dawn Chorus herself being dragged along by several guards. Her wings had been bound but she was still struggling wildly. Next to her trudged Pencil Pusher escorted by a further two guards his eyes flicking back and forth sullenly. As she was brought near Dawn’s hateful gaze fell on Max and Greengrass. “You two!” she roared struggling against her bindings, “How dare you! How dare you do this to me! Corona will have your heads for this! You will burn!” As if at her command the world suddenly erupted into flame and force like the hoof of a giant tossed Max to the ground. It took a few moments for him to realise what had happened. The factory had exploded. Previously on fire it was now almost completely levelled, chunks of burning wood and bricks started to rain around them. The area once again erupted into chaos as most of the ponies in the yard were sent flying. Max could see their mouths moving but no sound seems to emerge, the blast seemed to have deafened it, hopefully temporarily. Seemingly in slow motion he saw Dawn try to struggle free of her captors but was buried under a mound of guards as they threw themselves onto her. Pencil Pusher took advantage of the distraction to kick out at one of his guards catching her in the leg with a sickening snapping sound before barging into the other guard, sending him tumbling, and starting to gallop off down the road. Apparently without his conscious control Max found his legs following the escaping captive. Pencil seemed to zigzagging at random through the back streets of Canterlot shoving aside any ponies who got in his way. Max galloped after him as fast as his battered form would allow sweat dripping from his flanks. Despite his injuries Max was in better shape than the personal assistant and slowly the gap between them was closing. Although he didn’t dare look back Max could hear other hooves following him, hopefully a few guards were helping with the pursuit as well. Gasping for breath Pencil exploded out off a side street into a more open area. It was apparently being using as a playground by a number of the area’s younger residents as several rather battered swings, and a badly-off balance merry-go-round were present. The sudden arrival of the strange stallion quickly threw the children into a panic causing them to scatter in all directions screaming as they went. Max was almost glad that he could hear the sound although it still seemed distant. Just as Max got to the edge of the playground his target reached out a hoof and grabbed the nearest child, a white coated goat, spinning around and putting his hostage between himself and Max. “Don’t come any closer!” warned Pencil his eyes darting back and forth as he tightened his grip around the child's throat, he had produced a small knife from somewhere which he held in the corner of his mouth. Max skidded to a halt his eyes wide at the scene, he had to do something before someone got hurt. “You’re going to leave me alone! Let me get away!” Pencil backed away slowly taking some cover behind the playground equipment using it as an impromptu barricade. Max glanced around, the rest of the children had cleared the area and two guards were standing not that far behind him, frozen in indecision just like he was. To his surprise Greenmeadow was also present gasping for breath and leaning heavily on his cane. “Ok, ok,” said Max holding up his hooves in a calming gesture, “just let the kid go.” The young goat was sobbing and bleating in terror. “No! Not until I’m out of the city!” cried Pencil Pusher stamping a hoof on the ground. “How about I make you an offer?” said Max taking a step forwards. Behind him the guards tightened their grip on their weapons. “You can take me as a hostage, just let the kid go?” Pencil’s eyes narrowed. “She’s just a goat,” continued Max, “nopony’s going to worry about her, but I’m a baron, that’ll give you some real leverage!” “Sir!” growled one of the guards behind Max, “This is a very bad idea!” Without turning Max waved a dismissive hoof at him. “How about it Pencil? It seems like a good idea to me?” He tried to give a winning smile. Panting hard Pencil seemed to think about the situation for a moment his eyes moving between Max and the guards. “Alright,” he finally agreed, “but no funny business of this little cud chewer gets it!” He held the knife threatenly to the goat's throat. Nodding Max slowly began to walk forwards. “Na gabh dragh,” said Max to the goat, hoping she spoke the same dialect as Mrs G. “What was that!” snapped Pencil Pusher. “I just told her not to worry,” explained Max, “h-uile càil a bhios alright.” Still looking utterly terrified the small kid tried to nod as best she could with Pencil’s leg around her neck. At the edges of the playground a crowd of locals were starting to form including several very angry looking parents. Max knew he had to do something soon before someone did something stupid. Well someone who wasn’t him. Keeping up his slow advance he stopped a few lengths from Pencil. “Ok, let her g-urk!” Max cried out as Pencil suddenly rushed forwards tossing the child aside and grabbed him jabbing the knife against his throat. “Right! I’ve got the baron now so you’re going to all back away until I’m out of the city!” cried Pencil. The two guards remained where they were. Max noticed Greenmeadow making his way through the crowd around the playground. “Out of the way!” yelled Pencil his mouth near Max’s ears. He started to drag his captive towards a nearby street away from the guards. The crowd of onlookers slowly started to part. “Quickly!” he ordered, “Get out of my-” With as much strength as he could muster Max slammed his head sideways into his captor's face. He felt something cut into his neck and warmth start to drip down his front but he ignored it for the moment as the knife went flying from Pencil’s mouth and the other stallion staggered back. Max tried to turn and lunge but a wave of dizziness instead meant that he slumped to the ground, maybe the headbutt hadn’t been the best idea. Pencil on the other hoof didn’t seem so incapacitated by the blow. Giving a growl the other stallion swung a hoof at Max’s face making him see stars, he followed up with a kick to Max’s ribs. “How dare you!” he snarled. “Stupid, goat loving-” he continued raining further blows down on Max who curled up to protect himself the best he could. “Argh!” Pencil gave out a cry and fell forwards onto Max. For a moment Max thought it was another attack but then he saw Greenmeadow looming over both of them cane raised for another strike. “That is quite enough of that from you!” he exclaimed as the stick came down again. With a groan Max shoved Pencil’s now limp body off of his own and lay there panting as the guards rushed over. “Are you alright sir?” one asked as the pair hefted Pencil off the ground possibly more to protect him from the angry mob now pushing forwards rather than to restrain him. Max lifted a hoof to his throat it came back spotted with red but his blood didn’t seem to be gushing out. He nodded not trusting himself to speak right now. “Good, that was a very very stupid thing to do, brave, but stupid. Now just lie there until we can get a medic here.” Max was rather pleased to find out that one of the benefits of being a member of the Night Court was access to the small, but very well equipped, medical facility in the castle. He’d been brought here as soon as everything had been sorted out at the Solartic’s base and placed in a very comfortable bed while a number of medical staff had checked him over. Max was relieved to learn that his own injuries were fairly superficial cuts and bruises, although once the medics had finished their work he’d been left covered almost from head to tail in bandages. They’d told him they wanted to keep him under observation for a day or so once given he’d been knocked about the face a few times but that the spells they had used on him should prevent any concussion. Once the doctors had finished with him several members of the guard entered and quizzed him in depth on exactly what had happened over the last few days. He’d answered as best he could. Luckily he didn’t seem to be considered a traitor any more, Greenmeadow and Wolfgang had apparently spoken on his behalf but the guard were very interested in Greengrass’s role in the whole thing. Max didn’t have much to say about the Duke’s actions, he had no idea why the cult seemed to have abducted him or how Greengrass had known about its existence in the first place. He told them all he knew, but he could tell they weren't happy about the whole thing. After a while the guards left leaving Max alone in the room with a rather cute young unicorn nurse in a starched white uniform and cap. “How are you feeling Baron?” she asked smoothing the sheets down around him. “I’m fine thank you.” “You should probably try and get some rest, it’ll help you recover.” Max nodded but he still felt too tense and his thoughts kept running round and round what had just happened. He thought that sleep was still likely to elude him for a while. The nurse seemed to pick up on his attitude. “I can cast a spell to help you sleep if you want.” “Sure,” said Max, it sounded like just the thing. She nodded and her horn glowed purple. It felt like a warm blanket had been draped over his body and he felt his muscles start to unknot. “Thanks,” he said with a yawn, his eyes already starting to droop. “Is there anything else?” “Maybe a little water?” he suggested. His mouth was dry after all the talking and it seemed such an effort to reach for the jug by the bed. The nurse smiled and took the glass in her aura. Suddenly the door slammed open and a pale yellow pegasus in a blue dress flew in at top speed. Her head flicked back and forth before locking on Max. She raised a hoof to her mouth. “Max!” she gasped, “What happened to you?” “It’s nothing serious, Fragrant” said Max as he struggled to force away his sleepiness to sit up in bed. “It looks worse than it is.” Fragrant rushed to his side and tentatively reached out a hoof to prod at one of his bandages. He tried to put on a brave smile despite the bolt of pain which flashed down his side where she touched him. He reached out his own hoof and rested it on hers, he could feel her shaking. “I was so worried when I heard that you’d been attacked!” she said lowering her head to his. “A few days rest and I’ll be fine,” replied Max resting a second hoof on hers, he slowly felt her trembling cease. “Your husband was very lucky,” said the nurse levitating over the glass towards Max. “He took quite a pounding, but he’s not badly hurt. In fact he’s healing up very quickly, he’s very resilient, a rather impressive stallion,” she added with a smile as she ran a hoof over the sheets on the bed. “He should be well enough to leave in a few days.” Fragrant’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the younger mare. “That’s good, I don’t know what I’d do if...,” her voice trailed away as she took the glass from the nurse and and held it to Max’s lips. “Oh, he’s not my husband,” she added after a moment her cheeks glowing. “We’re friends,” said Max. “Colleagues,” said Fragrant. “Friendly colleagues,” she amended resting her hoof a little possessively on Max. “Of course,” said the nurse quickly removing her own hoof. “If you don’t need anything else?” she turned to Max, “then I’ll be off then, I’ll be back in an hour to check on you.” Giving a nod to Fragrant she turned and left the room closing the door behind her. “Oh, Max,” sighed Fragrant, “What happened? I just heard that you were attacked, I came as quickly as I could.” She self-consciously picked at her dress. “I was worried that, that you’d gotten badly hurt.” “I sorry, it was a Corona cult in the city. I followed Greengrass to them and there was a fight and one of them took a child hostage. I had to do something!” “Couldn’t you have called the guard or something, it’s their job to do things like that, they’re trained for it.” “There wasn’t time and I had to do something!” Fragrant sighed. “I know you did,” she gently brushed a wing across him. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t do things like this, but I can’t help but worry. I don’t want you to get hurt.” “I don’t try to,” mumbled Max, “it just happens.” “I know it does, but can’t you be more careful? Getting hurt for Greengrass, he doesn’t deserve your help.” “I don’t know,” said Max resting his heavy head on the soft pillow. Fragrant’s dramatic exit had gotten his blood pumping, but now her soothing presence was just speeding up the sleep spell. “He did find out about the cult, and he gave up everything to get Dawn investigated.” “He was probably behind it all in the first place, and I’m sure he’s got some trick planned to end up on top. Are you alright?” “My head still hurts a bit,” he said, “I got kicked in the face.” “Luckily you have such a hard head then,” she teased, leaning forwards to gently place her lips on the bandage covering his forehead. “You should probably get some sleep.” “You’re probably right,” he said closing his eyes and letting himself sink into the bed. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here when you wake,” said Fragrant as he began to drop off. As the doctors had predicted Max was well enough to leave after two days in the hospital. Fragrant spent as much time as she could with him, only leaving for her most important duties. She even brought some of her paperwork to his room, and to Max’s horror even some of his as well so he could finish it while sitting up in bed. She ended up spending much of her time correcting his work but it was nice to get to spend so much time together. Apparently although the existence of the Corona cult was being kept secret by the guard the explosions and general commotion had been impossible to hide and much of the press around her home had been reassigned to investigating the events making it much easier for her to get out and live her life. Despite Fragrant’s presence by the end of the second day Max was going stir crazy and was so very glad to be able to get away from the hospital and out into Canterlot itself. He asked around court about what had happened to Greengrass but nopony seemed to know what had happened since the vote. In the end Max was forced to ask the guards. He was informed that Greengrass was still under suspicion of treachery and was thus still under arrest. However he had been asking for Max to visit him. Given the situation Max didn’t feel like he could refuse.   Greengrass’s ‘cell’ wasn’t really all that different from Max’s hospital room. The bed looked just as plush and the equipment just as up to date, although unlike Max’s room this one had a lock on the door and a pair of guards stationed outside. After a thorough search and a magical scan Max was let into the room and told to knock on the door when he was finished. Like Max, Greengrass was covered in bandages, as he was still bed bound Max guessed that the Duke’s injuries much be worse than his own. A thick bandage covered his barrel where he had been stabbed and a cast covered one of his rear legs. “Ah, baron,” said Greengrass looking up from a book as Max entered the room. “Glad you could make it. You certainly look like you’ve been in the wars.” “Not any more than you Greengrass,” said Max slumping into a chair by the bed. “But I’m getting better.” “As am I, I guess there’s sometimes a reason to be thankful to be born an earth pony,” he grinned, “things could be much worse. For a prison this place is rather nice, I even get visitors, my parents have spent quite some time here. I suppose I should thank you, your actions probably saved my life.” “Oh, well no problem,” said Max. “Although if you had helped me when I first asked neither one of us might have taken such a beating,” he added ruefully, “and I might not be stuck in here.” “Yes, um, sorry, but you have to admit your story did seem a little farfetched. Who would have thought that a member of the court was secretly working for Corona?” “Anyone who knew them?” said Greengrass raising an eyebrow. He laughed a little at Max’s expression before clutching at his ribs. “Ow, oh I was surprised that anypony was actively building weapons for the tyrant, but somepony positioning themselves so that they would be at an advantage if Corona ends up winning? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if quite a few nobles didn’t have some plans in that direction.” Max blinked, he couldn’t believe that anypony at court would be a traitor like that, but then he hadn’t suspected Dawn either. “Yes, I don’t think you know the court as well as you think you do baron. Maybe your education has been a bit lacking.” “Fragr- Duchess Posey made sure to train me on everything I’d need to know,” exclaimed Max. “I’m sure she did,” said Greengrass with a smile, “or rather she taught you all that she thought you might need to know. I can probably think of a few extra things you should know, maybe I should take you under my metaphorical wing, in the same way Fragrant used her literal wings.” He twisted a little on the bed and grimaced. “Once I’ve healed up a little.” “Maybe,” mumbled Max, given he was in prison it seemed rather hopeful of Greengrass that he’d be able to help Max in future although it would be nice to have somepony else to bounce some ideas off of. “What was all that about out there? How did you find a Corona Cult in the city? And know that Dawn Chorus was involved?” “Ah, there is a bit of a story there,” said Greengrass moving around in the bed to look at Max. “As you know my stock’s fallen a bit since the gala. There have even been rumours that the princess was looking for a reason to have me removed. Well I kept my ear to the ground to see if I could find something to improve my reputation. You’ve noticed all the little problems around the castle recently? Broken Pipes? Gas leaks, that sort of thing?” Max nodded. He hadn’t thought much of them at the time but they did seem more common than normal. “Well, I thought they were a bit too frequent to be pure chance, so I looked into them and found a pattern. I guessed it was a disgruntled member of staff, maybe a guard who got passed over for promotion or something,” he waved a hoof around, “small potatoes really but every little good deed helps.” Max wasn’t entirely sure that the Duke was thinking of good deeds but he guessed you shouldn’t look a gift pig in the mouth. “And it turned out I was right, more or less. This servant called Mango was behind it all, but when I looked a little closer I found that he wasn’t alone. Turns out he was secretly a part of a Corona cult, they were building weapons for the tyrant, canon and black powder and the like. Apparently that wasn’t a big enough rebellion for Mango. No, he felt he needed to get a bit more personal revenge against the ‘mare’” he continued making the quotation signs with his hooves. “Some ponies can just be so petty.” Given that Max had heard that the Duke tried to come up with creative punishments for those who slighted him, rather than just firing them, he wasn’t sure if he was in any position to call another pony petty. “But if you knew there was a cult in the city why didn’t you just tell the guard?” “Do you think they would believe me?” “Yes! Even with what you’ve done, I’m sure they would have investigated.” “Maybe you’re right but I wanted to make sure that I could present it all to the princess with a nice neat bow on top, the guards would just mess it all up.” Max thought it was probably more likely that Greengrass wanted to find a way to get all the credit for the situation. “It was just as well I did, my...” Greengrass paused for a moment and let out a sigh rubbing his muzzle with a hoof, he suddenly looked very tired. “My agent managed to find out who was behind the whole cult and what they were doing.” “Dawn Chorus,” said Max. “Yes,” nodded Greengrass, “I was just as surprised as you, it’s always the last one you’d imagine, isn’t it? Well I guess you’d be the last one I’d think of as a Corona Cultist, but she’d probably be the second to last one.” Max wasn’t sure if he should feel flattered or not. “Apparently she’d been a Corona follower much of her life and recently one of the Tyrant’s minions had contacted her and asked she make weapons for their mistress. I saw her contact a few times, a tall red coated pegasus. I can’t say I understand why Corona needed canons, maybe she wanted to blow up the mountain or something?” he shrugged. “Still things were going well I had the identities of most of the cult and its patron, but then... then I got greedy... I wanted to know all of them and my... well my agent got captured, it wasn’t her fault it was mine.” He lapsed into silence. “You said about your assistant, Notary being in trouble earlier, was she your agent?” “Yes,” the reply was quiet hardly audible. “It was my fault.” “But why didn’t you go to the guards then? If you knew so much about the cult? They could have saved her?” If Mrs G had gotten captured by a Corona Cult Max would do anything he could to save her. “As I told you they wouldn’t believe me!” he snarled. “They’d take too long and Notary could have gotten hurt... or worse... and it was my fault! I had to fix it!” He sighed. “Plus, some of the things Notary had done to infiltrate the cult weren’t exactly on your preferred side of the law. I didn’t want her get into any trouble. I tried to get help but nopony listened, you didn’t listen!” He pointed an accusing hoof at Max. “I know, and I’m sorry but it seemed so unlikely.” “Yes,” said Greengrass seeming to calm down a little. “I suppose it did. When nopony would help I was forced to take more, extreme action.” “The vote?” said Max. “I did what I do so well and gambled. Put all my chips in. I figured that Dawn knew who Notary was but probably not if I knew, or how much I knew. I didn’t know where they were keeping Notary or where the weapons were but I knew if I rattled Dawn enough then she’d have to find out, and to do that she’d need me and would likely take me to where Notary was. And I was right, after the vote she sent some of her thugs to get me.” “You let yourself be captured?” asked Max in astonishment. “And then escaped,” he said with a grin, “ponies are always underestimating me, you’d be surprised how many times ponies at court threaten to destroy me, they never seem to get around to it though. I got free, rescued Notary and sabotaged some of the canon. Fire and black powder do not mix.” “What happened to Notary?” asked Max, “I don’t think I saw her at the factory.” Greengrass’s face fell again. “She didn’t entirely agree with how I handled things, we had a bit of an argument, she, well she left my employment, but I’m sure she’ll be alright. She’s a very capable, very skilled mare.” He turned away. “It’s going to be very difficult to replace her.” There was another moment's pause before Greengrass turned back towards Max. “And that’s more or less where you came in, how did you find me?” “With some help from one of your father's friends. I went to your office and found Greenmeadow there, he was looking for you as well and he knew a tracker who could follow your scent.” “My scent? Well dad is full of surprises. How was he? I’m not sure if he should be running around Canterlot’s underworld at his age,” the Duke sounded genuinely concerned. “I think he’s ok, he was worried about you, we both were really.” “Well not that I don’t appreciate the sentiment but I am quite capable of looking after myself after all-” He was interrupted by the door to the room opening and a member of the Night Guard marched in followed by a large dark pony her starry mane billowing behind her. “Princess!” gasped Max. “Your Highness,” said Greengrass. “Baron, I heard you were visiting and decided to kill two birds with one stone as it were,” said princess Luna. Max swallowed painfully, that didn’t sound good. She turned to Greengrass. “It seems that I have you to thank for locating a group of my sister’s followers in the city,” a smile started to grow over Greengrass’s face, “and for causing significant property damage,” she continued causing his face to fall. “I only did what I did for the good of Equestria my Princess, I could not allow those loyal to your sister to run rampant in your city. The weapons they were producing could have hurt many ponies, I felt it was better that they were destroyed.” The Princess gazed down at Greengrass for a moment her eyes hard, then her gaze softened a little. “True, they could have caused significant damage. Your action lead to the capture of almost the entire cult and their leader, although my guard have been unable to locate my sister’s emissary. However, it would have been better if they had been made aware of them so that they could be dealt with with less collateral damage.” “I’m sorry about that,” said Max, “but I thought Greengrass might be in danger, I couldn’t wait.” Luna turned to Max as if she had forgotten he was present. “Although your actions were not perfect Baron, I can see that you acted as best you could. I have talked to baron Greenmeadow and he has explained his worries about his son’s condition. At least you did inform the guard both of Greengrass’s abduction and the cults activity when you could, although you did waste precious hours. You even did what you could to protect Canterlot’s citizenry putting your own life in danger to do so. I can take no serious fault with your actions.” “Oh, thank you,” said Max. “However, Duke,” she turned back to Greengrass, “I cannot see any reason for you not to have reported what you knew of my sister’s follower’s days if not weeks ago.” “I am sorry my princess, but I thought that hasty action might have resulted in the cult carrying out their plans early. I was also not sure how far their reach might have spread as they may have had agents in the guard.” Luna stared at the Duke for several seconds before she spoke. “True, although unlikely. However, some might suspect that you were involved in the cult yourself, and took the time to cover your own tracks.” “I assume that is why I am still being held here?” said Greengrass gesturing around the room. “As nice as it is I would like to leave if possible.” “Despite quite thorough investigation, I can find no link between you and my sister,” the princess admitted, “and your father has spoken on your behalf, you are free to leave as soon as the doctors believe you are well enough.” “Thank you. All of my actions were purely in the service of Equestria,” said Greengrass smiling, “I of course have no wish for your sister to come to power. I even sacrificed much to deal with her servants.” “You refer to your trick with the vote? An abuse of a loophole in the rules, Vicereine Wallflower was furious.” “All for the greater good,” said Greengrass, “No doubt the vicereine is even now arranging for that loophole to be closed. Without my actions it might have been abused by someone without Equestria’s best interests at heart.” “Of course,” said Luna, “I assume you expect to be rewarded for your actions?” “I would not be so presumptuous,” said Greengrass a smile starting to grow on his face. “but I did sacrifice much, and put my own life at risk. I do not think it would be unreasonable to at least regain the power I gave up, my committees and the like, although even your official support would do much to help my position. Many courtiers do not trust me since the, unfortunate events of the gala.” The princess seemed to consider the situation for a moment before replying. “No,” she said simply. Greengrass’s face fell. “Pardon!” he stuttered. “I said, no. You have indeed helped the crown by unearthing my sister’s followers, but I do not believe you have done it for the good of the country. I think you only did this because you thought it would benefit you.” “But, but, you told the court at the gala that they had to be better ponies! I helped save the whole city! I drove away Nota-” his mouth snapped shut. “I sacrificed everything for you!” he finally managed. “If you had actually been present at my throne when I made my ultimatum to the court maybe you would understand. The court needs to work for the good of Equestria, and not for their own gain. You could have dealt with the cult at any point but you waited until you could claim the glory for it!” Luna’s eyes started to glow. “It could be considered that your actions even helped the cult, in which case you would be guilty of treason, a crime which can still carry the death penalty!” Max backed away his gaze moving back and forth between Greengrass and the princess. The Duke seemed unnerved by his liege but to Max’s surprise he didn’t seem terrified.   “Yes, your actions did helped save the city, and for that reason I will not strip you of your title and have you expelled from court! However, you have only done it because you expected a reward and your delay in reporting what you knew might have cost us dearly. Goodness done for personal gain alone, is not true goodness!” “But your Highness, I-” began Greengrass he was cut off as the shadows around the room started to gather beginning to cloud Luna’s form so that only her glowing eyes were fully visible. He stopped realising who he was arguing with. “Of course, your Highness,” he eventually managed through gritted teeth. “Good,” said Luna. “Now baron Max,” she said turning to the other pony in the room. “Is there any reward you would like for your part in this?” her eyebrow raised. “Um, no thank you your highness,” he said quickly. “Good,” said the Princess as she turned to leave the door. “I hope you both learn something from these events.” It took several minutes for Max’s breathing to return to normal, it had been shocking to see the princess so angry, it was almost like her ultimatum again. He looked aside, to his surprise Greengrass seemed relatively composed. “Well that could have gone better,” he said. “Better! I thought the Princess was going to banish you to the sun or something!” “The thought did cross my mind, but here I remain. Where there’s life there’s hope as they say. Maybe this game didn’t go to well, but there will be others. I may have lost a powerful piece but maybe she’ll return to the board once she’s had a bit of time. I abide, I abide,” intoned Greengrass.