//------------------------------// // Canterlot Part 1 // Story: The Train Ride // by Snuffy //------------------------------// “Herman,” Dusty asked, reading from a menu. “What would you like to order for lunch?” Herman was gazing out the window at the incredible landscape. The train still skirted the edge of the mountain while it ascended, and the higher they got, the more of the countryside came into view, reaching the point where he could barely look down without getting a small case of vertigo. Though the train kept increasing its elevation, it maintained the same speed as on the ground level, but the ponies didn't seem to share his fear that the whole thing might derail, or that a landslide might be blocking the path around the next bend. “Herman?” Dusty repeated. “Sorry,” Herman said and moved away from the window. “Let me see.” Dusty gave him the menu, and Herman only bothered to check out the part of the list containing fish. “Spinach salad with salmon and apple juice, please,” Herman said and handed it back to Dusty. “Alright then,” Dusty said, turning to Spring. “Should I ask Fair Weather to order it?” “No,” Spring said, sounding resolute. “If the Guard has been placed under high alert so should we. You will have to get it.” “Yes, Sarge,” Dusty said, and gave a serious salute for once. Herman watched him leave the cabin. “Do you think the changelings are the cause of this heightened alarm?” Herman decided to start pacing back and forth to make sure he avoided any back issues. It had been foolish of him not to have alternated between sitting and standing from the start of the trip. “I have no idea,” Spring said, still seated on her haunches, her head following Herman as he slowly walked back and forth in the small room. “We know they fled south across the Badlands a year ago, but there has been no sign of them since, and it would be highly unlikely that they would manage to cross our border in force like they did last time.” “How so?” Herman asked. “The Royal Guard now heavily patrols the area,” Spring explained. “And we do random checks to prevent any infiltration.” “Have there been any?” Herman asked, stopping next to the window. The train was rattling heavily from loose stones below the tracks, and Herman had to look out from time to time just to convince himself that the train wasn't heading for a disaster. “Infiltrations? No, just a few individual changelings that were left behind.” Herman wasn't too interested in the politics of Equestria, but since the ponies had accepted him into their homes and made him a citizen, he felt that he had a duty to help them if needed. Not that he was in any way fit enough to hold his own, but there were always ways for someone to contribute. “Could you tell me what I should expect when we reach Canterlot?” he asked, pointing upwards with a finger. “Well, first things first, we head to the Royal Guard wing of the palace,” she began, moving her hoof sideways in the air. “Then, we will see if the Captain of the Guard has time to see you.” She changed to a circular motion. “When he has time, you’ll be given an appointment. Simple.” “And if he is too busy because of what’s happening?” “You’ll be given a room in the hotel that the guard owns,” she answered. “The one you were supposed to have slept in yesterday.” “Apologies, for being such a troublesome person to escort,” he said, then gave her a theatrical bow. “You're nothing compared to drunk nobles that I sometimes have to escort home after a royal party,” Spring scoffed, then smiled. “I imagine you holding up the mane of a noblemare wearing a brilliant gown, as she hurls up fancy food and wine in a street alley,” Herman chuckled. “You don't know the half of it.” “Could you tell me about this Captain of the Guard that I'm supposed to meet?” Herman asked, then walked to sit down again opposite Spring. “Captain Shining Armor, or better known as Prince Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire,” Spring said and mumbled a bit at the long title. “He’s an impressive stallion.” “I’m supposed to meet with a prince?” Herman asked, raising an eyebrow. “I don't fully understand, please explain.” “Prince Shining Armor is still technically the Captain of the Guard, mostly because nopony competent enough wanted the position,” Spring said, while seemingly distracted by something. “He mainly resides in the Crystal Empire, but he usually works a few days a week in Canterlot.” “How should I address him?” Herman continued, trying to remember what he had read about the royal family in the newspapers. He vaguely recalled them mentioning him becoming a father. “Is it Captain or Prince Armor?” “Either work,” Spring said, waving her hoof dismissively. “The only ones in the palace who are sticklers for honorifics are the palace clerks.” “And what kind of stallion is he?” “Dutiful, but still approachable,” Spring said, looking sideways as she recounted his quirks. “Sometimes hard on the recruits, but always fair, a clever tactician, has a gorgeous mane, an inspiration to the troops, really muscular che…” “I think I get the picture,” Herman interrupted, then watched Spring blush as she realized what she had been saying. “Sorry,” Spring said, with ears moving in random directions. “I had a crush on him a few years ago.” Herman gave a smirk and a raised eyebrow. “A few years ago?” “Fine, I may still have a crush on him,” Spring scoffed, then shook her head. “But it’s just those silly ones that little fillies get. I’m well aware he’s already taken.” She put a hoof over her mouth and didn’t remove it until a few deep breaths later. “Sorry,” she repeated, then lowered her head a bit. “I’m rambling, and I think quarreling with my mother is to blame.” “You know,” Herman began, leaning backward after a short pause. “What you believe to be your ideal partner is very rarely what ends up being your perfect partner.” He did have some experience in that regard; if someone had told him in his early twenties that he would end up marrying a blonde girl from northern Europe, he would have called them mad. Spring just muttered something that was below Herman’s hearing. “Do you want to talk about it?” Herman asked, trying to look as open as possible. “No, I'd rather talk about something else.” “Alright,” Herman said, then moved to lean against the window. “What should I expect from the palace?” “Nothing special,” Spring replied. “The part we will visit is our command headquarters, so expect a few higher-ups.” “Will my presence cause any trouble?” “No,” Spring said, tilting her head slightly. “Why would it?” “No reason,” Herman said and wondered what would happen back home if someone just waltzed in to meet with the Chief of Staff with an alien in tow. The two stared at each other for a few moments, then looked away at the same time. Herman wondered what was going on in her mind, but decided to focus on himself and to stay as calm as possible. “Lunch is here,” Dusty said, pushing a lunch cart into the cabin. “That was fast,” Spring noted, then loudly sniffed the air twice. “You’ll need to go and replace Fair Weather once you’ve eaten, Dusty.” “Okay, Sarge.” They took their seats and ate in silence, with Herman carefully balancing his bowl to make sure he didn’t spill anything whenever the wagon jolted. When they were done, Dusty went outside to replace Fair Weather, who came in and took the lunch that was still hidden beneath a domed silver plate cover. “Anything suspicious outside?” Spring asked while switching to lay down on all fours. “Maybe,” Fair Weather answered, in between bites. “A pair of older stallions in the next wagon talked about how much activity there was at Fort McHorn in Baltimare, just before they left the city.” “Hmm,” Spring mumbled and readjusted her helmet. “I don’t like this.” “Want me to go and inquire about it?” Fair Weather asked, pushing away his lunch. “No need,” Spring replied, then let out a long sigh. “We’ll find out soon enough what’s going on, but if you’re finished, you can return to your post.” Herman didn't have much to add to the conversation, as he had little knowledge of pony or human military doctrines and hierarchies. The few encounters he'd had with the Royal Guard had been when they commissioned planks for the hulls of their frigates, or those slow-moving ballooned airships that all looked incredibly unsafe in Herman’s eyes. It always surprised him, how the ponies managed to avoid any major catastrophe, and, when something unexpected did occur, someone would inevitably find a way to avert the situation from turning into a tragedy. An unusually large rumble shook Herman back to reality, and he realized that Fair Weather had already left the room. After rubbing his temple a bit, he went to his overcoat and took out another painkiller from its pocket. “Herman,” Spring said, while carefully observing him. “I hope you're not taking those too frequently. You said it yourself that medicine meant for ponies doesn’t quite work the same for your kind.” “I’ve not felt any adverse effects so far,” Herman replied, then swallowed the pill with the last of his apple juice. “But, they certainly are effective.” In fact, he had rarely felt so pain-free in decades; even the longtime ache in his hip was absent. “Just don't take them too often,” she muttered and narrowed her eyes. “I might take them away if you do.” Herman tried to wave away her worries, so far he had been taking them below the recommended limit for an average stallion. That pain medication could be highly addictive was hardly news to him, and he had seen firsthand how overuse affected people. The train remained steady for some time, so Herman walked up to the side window and opened it halfway. The outside air was fresh and pleasant, but he had some trouble with the wind resistance as he leaned his head out of the window. With squinting eyes, he could see that they were on a straight path towards the city and that the tracks lead over a large pond with small guardhouse platforms on each side of the rails. “Herman, please keep your head inside,” Spring chided, then jumped off her bunk to stand next to him. When he didn't reply, she joined him at the window, standing up on her hind legs to look out in front of him. Herman immediately got his face covered in some of her hair when the wind made it escape from the plume of her helmet, and he had to hold in a sneeze when single strands invaded his nostrils. “What are you even looking at?” Spring shouted, loud enough to be heard despite the howling wind. Herman didn't bother with a reply, as he wasn't quite feeling up to yelling. Instead, he looked over her helmet as best he could, admiring the many towers with domed ceilings that peeked above the white wall. It seemed the train would stop just outside the main city wall, but still be within a walled portion that was connected to the city via a stone bridge ending at a wide gatehouse. “What are you two doing?” Dusty asked, standing right behind them. The stallion’s sudden appearance made both of them wince, and they quickly returned inside, closing the window. “Nothing,” Spring said, slightly embarrassed at having been caught unawares. “I returned the lunch cart, and figured we wouldn't have time for any tea,” Dusty continued, then turned to address Herman. “Guess our little trip is over soon.” “It would seem so,” Herman said, looking down at Dusty. “I would love to show you around Canterlot,” Dusty said, then turned to Spring. “Once you've met with the Guard Captain, that is.” “I would like that,” Herman replied and gave the pony a quick pat on the unguarded side of his neck. Dusty smiled brightly at the gesture. “That would be fun,” Spring agreed, though she looked a bit saddened. “However, with the Guard on high alert, I doubt we will have any leisure time.” “So, once we've taken you to the palace, we won't see you again?” Dusty asked, looking up at Herman. The stallion's ears were splayed backward across his head. “Don't worry,” Herman chuckled, then let his hand rest on Dusty’s shoulders. “I won't leave without saying goodbye.” Spring rolled her eyes at the stallion’s behavior, then began looking over her armor to make sure everything was proper. She looked at the belt around her waist in particular. “Will I be given an escort on the return trip as well?” Herman asked. “No clue,” Spring mumbled while fastening the belt with her mouth. “That will be Captain Armor’s decision.” The train slowed to a crawl once it reached the arching entrance of the wall segment that surrounded the station and a dozen other commercial buildings. The area itself was buzzing with activity. The main road and bridge connecting with the city were lined with small shopkeepers and food stations, with ponies crowding between the vendors, and sometimes even above it. There were also a fair amount of Royal Guards in the mix, with several more observing the ground from atop the battlements. “Are you all ready?” Fair Weather asked as he walked into the room once the train had come to a full stop. “It looks crowded out there.” “We’re all done,” Spring said and stomped once with her front hoof to get all of their attention. “Alright, you all know the drill. Dusty, get the suitcase.” “Will getting into the city take long?” Herman asked, pointing the finger at the crowd outside. Spring frowned, only answering him with a shake of her head. Like last time, they waited for the other passengers to leave first, then Fair Weather took the lead, followed by Spring. Herman had never been to a marketplace in a medieval fair before, but he assumed it would have looked much the same. Ponies were everywhere around him, and Fair Weather peered over the crowd to find a path, while Spring and Dusty stayed close to his side. Thanks to his height, he could see where they were going, as Fair Weather pushed to make a path for them by shoving and calling out "Royal Guard business, move aside!" to those in front of him. They made steady progress, but there was another problem that they soon discovered. While the crowd itself was in constant motion, the ponies who got a good look at Herman were not. They stopped dead in their tracks, causing whoever walked behind to crash into their rear. As they made their way towards the city entrance, more and more ponies were colliding and stumbling, which soon drew the attention of every Royal Guard in the area. Herman could feel sweat forming on his brow, and he held the overcoat in his arm closer to his chest. Fair Weather worked hard to make a space for them to move forward, while Dusty and Spring exchanged glances, most likely finding it hard to believe what they were witnessing. They made it halfway to the bridge when an armored, light-brown pegasus mare flew in and hovered right in front of Herman. “What’s going on here?” she demanded, turning her attention to Spring, who she gave a quick salute. “Sergeant.” “We’re on an escort mission and need help clearing a path,” Spring answered, returning the salute. “Right, I’m on it, Sergeant.” She flew straight up, then returned with two additional Royal Guard pegasi. “Contrail, take left, Freezing Rain, go right.” With the additional help, they made better progress, but Herman still managed to cause a scene around him as they went along. The stallion that had been addressed as Contrail made the mistake of looking back at Herman and walked right into the side of a cart belonging to a melon vendor, causing some to roll down and trip more ponies. Thoroughly wishing he was invisible at this point, Herman clenched his teeth and struggled with keeping his face neutral. He only let out a relieved sigh once they had made it to the less crowded bridge, though they had lost Contrail, who had stayed behind to pick up the melons he had accidentally pushed over. “What in the name of Celestia just happened?” the pegasus mare asked Spring, gesturing towards the mass of ponies. Most were looking around in confusion, and a few shouted profanities at each other. “Our friend here can be a little distracting,” Spring replied and tapped Herman's leg lightly. “Thanks for the help, but we can make it from here.” “Well, I need to go back and fetch my wingpony,” she said, then flew away back to the market with Freezing Rain. “Sorry about that,” Herman said while inspecting the gate leading into the city. There was a sign above the arch saying West Gate, and he remembered that this was the place Fair Weather had been stationed during the invasion. “Wasn't your fault,” Spring mumbled, then looked up at him. “Has something like that happened before?” “No, not exactly, but this is my first being in such a crowded place,” Herman said. “It has happened once or twice that ponies bumped into one another, after seeing me for the first time, but it rarely happens on sparsely populated rural streets.” “Well, let’s try and get you to the palace without causing a city-wide stampede,” Spring said, and looked about at her colleagues. “Ideas?” “We could hire a carriage with curtains,” Dusty suggested while holding a hoof beneath his chin. “But the main roads might not be accessible.” “We walk through the backstreets,” Fair Weather concluded. “It’s longer, but I know a good route to the palace.” “We might have another issue,” Herman noted, pointing at the city gate. Guard ponies were lining the walls, looking at them, and from the entrance, emerged a squad of Royal Guards, lead by a pegasus stallion with a fancier insignia on his helmet than Spring's. “Are you four the cause of all this ruckus?” the stallion asked, once they met up on the bridge. “Would you mind telling me what just happened here...” His voice trailed off when his eyes met Herman’s. “Hello,” Herman said, then gave him a polite bow as a greeting. “I’m sorry for causing this much trouble.” The stallion didn't respond, and only the rustling of armor could be heard from the guards as they shuffled nervously behind their commander. Herman didn’t quite know how to continue from there, so he gave Spring a nudge with his foot. “Oh,” Spring said, a bit embarrassed at having lost the initiative. “I’m Sergeant Spring, and we're on an escort mission for the Guard Captain.” The stallion shook his head, then looked around at his guards, who were either staring at Herman or merely standing there, flummoxed. “Hypnosis,” the stallion growled, then pointed at Herman. “Quickdraw, hit them with the spell.” Everything happened too fast for Herman to react. Dusty and Fair Weather was suddenly in front of him, shielding him with their bodies as a unicorn from the opposing guards sent a beam of green at them. There was a split second flash of light that reminded him of a laser show, then Herman could only look around himself in confusion. “They’re clean,” The unicorn said, and took a few steps backward. Herman wasn’t too sure what just happened but assumed a changeling detection spell had just hit them. “Would you mind explaining what the hay is going on?” Spring shouted, while pushing past the living wall Dusty and Fair Weather had made. “Who are you, and for what reason did you attack us?” “Apologies, Sergeant,” the first pegasi said, then gave the infuriated Spring a formal salute. “I’m Lieutenant Windry, and I’m in command of the West Gate garrison.” His wings waved suddenly in a specific direction, which seemed to be some sort of command because the guards behind him turned and walked back into the gatehouse. “The Guard has been placed on high alert against any infiltration attempts, and I had reason to believe you were one of them.” “You could have warned us,” Spring growled while moving alongside the stallion heading towards the city. Herman and the others hesitated for a moment, then followed. “Again, I’m sorry,” Windry said, with a neutral expression. “But we have our orders.” “And what are those exactly?” Spring asked, mimicking his dull tone. “Not here,” Windry mumbled. Herman tried to lay low as the party entered the gatehouse, which sported two portcullises at each end, wide enough for two carriages. A guard lounge built into the side of the wall was stationed with a dozen Royal Guards. Herman had no real knowledge of medieval castles, but even he noticed the lack of arrow slits and murder holes. Windry lead them to outside the guard lounge, then whispered something to Spring, who in turn nodded. “Wait here a moment,” Spring said, addressing Herman and his escort. She then followed Windry into the lounge, leaving them at the side of the gate. Herman was used to being the center of attention, but he had never been stared at by so many armed guards before, even if they seemed friendly. The guards themselves kept whispering and glancing his way, while huddled in small groups at the side of the road to not hinder the citizens walking in and out of the city. “You’ve been stationed here before, correct, Fair Weather?” Herman asked, addressing him to help break the ice. Both ponies had been protectively close to his side ever since they’d entered and almost looked at their fellow guards with a hint of suspicion. “Briefly,” Fair Weather replied while keeping an eye on a trio of earth ponies that had been staring at Herman for some time now. “I don’t know anyone here by name.” “Me neither,” Dusty chimed in, looking at another group in the opposite direction. “Will there be any more of these checkpoints?” Herman continued, mostly talking to help pass the time. “Only one more at the palace entrance,” Fair Weather responded. “I see,” Herman said and began tapping his foot on the ground. He thought about resting against the stone wall but changed his mind when he saw moss growing on the mortar between the cobblestones. “Herman,” Dusty said, looking up at him. “You okay?” “I’m fine,” he mumbled and blinked a few times. “Want me to carry your overcoat?” “No need,” Herman said, then patted the side of Dusty’s helmet with his free hand. “I can handle it.” “Excuse me.” Herman turned and looked around to a white earth pony mare, with a blonde mane sticking out of her helmet. There were a few yards between them, most likely she didn’t want to get closer due to Fair Weather blocking her path. “Yes?” Herman asked, wondering what she might want. “I’m the medic here, and you seem to be a bit parched,” she said, tilting her head a bit as she studied his face. “Can I get you some water? You can sit down and have a drink in the guard lounge if you want.” “No thank you,” Herman said, holding up his palm. “We plan to move along soon enough.” “Okay, but try to not stay out in the sun for too long,” she said, then turned to walk back to her companions. Once she reached the group at the end of the gate, they began to whisper among themselves. “I was a bit parched,” Dusty complained. “Nopony cares,” Fair Weather scoffed. Herman didn’t comment, because Spring and Windry were coming out of the lounge together. She looked annoyed with the stallion, as they both walked up to address Herman. “Herman,” Spring said, “we’ll follow through with our plan to take the backstreets, and Windry here has offered to send us an additional escort.” She gave the stallion next to her a skeptical look. “Right,” Windry said, then loudly cleared his throat. “I apologize once more for the incident on the bridge. Spring here told me of the situation, but I don’t want any further disturbances inside the city.” He turned to address a group of guards. “Quickdraw, take two more guards and help escort them to the palace. Make sure they get there without causing any trouble.” “Thank you,” Spring said, looking like she wanted to bite him. Quickdraw saluted, then headed for the guard lounge. It took less than a minute for him to return with two brown coated unicorns. “We’re ready to move out,” Quickdraw said. “Let's get on with this,” Spring said and took the lead walking out from the gatehouse and into the city proper. They followed her, and Herman soon found himself surrounded by ponies on all sides. In front of him were Quickdraw and Spring. Dusty and Fair Weather guarded his sides, and the two unicorns automatically took the rear. The city itself reminded Herman of older Scottish towns that were built mainly from stone, except the gray buildings were replaced with white marble, and each structure, from large spirals to monuments, were made of it. He wasn’t sure how ponies carved it all out from the side of the mountain but had to assume that magic played a significant role in the construction work. “We should turn right and stick to Hoof Street,” Fair Weather said, pointing at an intersection up ahead. Spring nodded and took the lead. Their little party must have looked ridiculous to any outside observer, with Herman being boxed in by guards, his upper half fully visible for all to see. There was also the issue of his escort having a tough time trying to match his slow walking speed, causing the two new guards behind him to bump into him a couple of times. They made their way through the backstreets, and Herman wasn't disappointed by what he saw. Most of the backstreets had small, quaint shops with signs displaying their profession, and he found himself sorely tempted to ask if he could go inside one or two to buy a few travel gifts. One store had a sign with a chocolate bar painted on it, and all the sweets in the display case made him salivate. Chocolate was a much rarer commodity in Equestria than it was on Earth, and for him to get some, it needed to be delivered by special order via train to Rosewood, so Herman would only treat himself with some late at night in the weekends. He had heard that the West Pony Trading Company was constructing plantations on a few distant islands, but any increase in cocoa production was still far off. He had often toyed with the idea of starting a chocolate factory with the help of some investors he knew through his lumber business. The ponies, in general, were very inventive when it came to sweets and baking, but they’d yet to try to mixing chocolate with nuts. He had limited knowledge in the field, but surely mixing hazelnuts and a little salt with dark chocolate and forming it into bars couldn't be that difficult, and he could easily mimic some of the brands from back on Earth. Like, putting it in a row and forming the top like triangles. “Herman?” Spring asked, looking back at him. Herman realized that they had stopped in front of the chocolate store and that he had been staring blankly into the display case. The new guards were looking at themselves in confusion, and Dusty was tapping his legs lightly in an attempt to draw his attention. “We can visit some of the shops after the meeting,” Spring offered while looking a bit worried. “But please, we should get going.” Herman looked about and found that a few ponies on the street were staring at them, and even some looking out of windows. “Sorry,” he said, massaging the back of his neck. “My mind started to wander again.” “We could ask the guard physician to take a look at him,” Quickdraw said, which seemed to surprise Spring. “I’ll be fine,” Herman said, letting out a deep breath, then patted the pocket with the painkillers to assure himself that they were still there. Spring gave him another worried look, then turned and continued walking at a slow pace. Herman followed and decided to keep his focus on the situation at hand. As they walked, he caught a few glimpses of the main street, and he was suddenly glad that they had taken the more discreet route. The number of ponies was dizzying, with all their coat and mane variations blending into an incomprehensible mess of colors. “We’re nearly at the palace,” Fair Weather said aloud, most likely for Herman’s benefit. They were in some upper-middle class district, where all the homes looked lavish and well maintained. The road suddenly came to an end, and Herman assumed they were staring at the inner wall surrounding the palace itself. They were in an alley, and would obviously need to backtrack from here. “Fair Weather?” Spring asked, gesturing at the dead end. “Sorry, must have taken a wrong turn,” Fair Weather muttered, scratching the side of his helmet. “Weird, but we should be fine if we follow the wall.” They were backtracking when Herman first noticed how on edge everyone was. Spring was looking up at the rooftops, while Fair Weather glared at every passing pony they happened to come across. Even the new guards that had joined them seemed to be jumping at every shadow. Herman could only shrug at the situation and instead spend his time admiring the lush gardens in each estate. It took another wrong turn before they found the main road leading into the palace, and they stayed to the side as much as possible. Once they were a few yards from the gate itself, Spring and Quickdraw moved ahead to talk with the guards stationed there. When they returned, Quickdraw went to speak with his two companions, while Spring went to talk with hers. “Alright, we’re on our own from here,” Spring said, then saluted Quickdraw, who returned the gesture before walking away in the opposite direction. “We should get a move on,” Fair Weather said, then nodded at a few ponies on the main road that had already stopped to stare at Herman. “Let's go,” Spring agreed, leading the way. The next gatehouse had fewer guards, but their armor was more ornate and decorated with various symbols on both the chest and helmet. They didn't spend much time there, but again Herman found it eerie when the group of soldiers followed him with their gaze. The palace itself wasn't as grand as he had expected, and seemed to value form over function. It wasn’t too hard to figure out where they were supposed to go, as they were standing in front of a large cardboard map, of the type found in safari parks. The building straight ahead was where the princesses lived, along with the main throne room. To the left and right were additional large structures connected via white walkways, with the right building containing quarters for foreign dignitaries, while the left, the smaller structure, was for the Royal Guard. “What do you think of the palace?” Dusty asked, no doubt expecting him to be impressed. “Very nice,” he said, unimaginatively. “The waterfall and the ivory towers are a nice touch.” Dusty seemed disappointed with his reply, so he added. “It’s certainly the best looking palace I’ve seen with my own eyes.” Dusty remained skeptical but didn't comment any further as they walked along a broad road made out of finely polished stone. There were guards spaced out on the ground and even in the air, and Herman could feel their eyes upon him. The guard building was the opposite of the palace, resembling a typical square office building. There was a single mare guarding the front door. Herman expected she was there to open it for visitors, but after she had been staring at Herman for a while, Spring just mumbled something and opened the door herself. Inside was a typical reception area and a large waiting room with chairs and tables. There was even a spot with toys for foals in one corner. “Okay,” Spring said, addressing them all, “we made it.” She gave them a bright smile. “Good work Fair Weather and Dusty, you can have the rest of the day off, so go say hello to your marefriends for me.” “Will do, Sarge,” Dusty replied, then turned to Herman. “I hope to see you tomorrow.” “I might need a tourist guide,” Herman replied and gave him a wink. “That might not be possible,” Spring said, rather forcefully. “We are on high alert, so who knows what our orders will be. Anyways, Dusty, please take Herman’s suitcase and overcoat to his hotel room. Then you're both dismissed.” “Yes, Sarge,” both stallions replied, then walked out of the building after saying their farewells. Herman watched them leave and wondered if he would ever see them again. “Take a seat while I talk to the receptionist,” Spring said, then left him standing there. He felt strangely vulnerable without his overcoat and swore internally when he remembered that the painkillers were still in one of the pockets. Dusty and Fair Weather could be seen in the distance, but the idea of walking outside and yelling at them from across the courtyard wasn't a very appealing one. Instead, he went to find the least terrible chair to sit at. The lounge itself was empty, except for a stallion with his face buried in a newspaper. There was a stash of magazines to read, and Herman just grabbed the one at the top. Once seated, he noticed it was a fashion magazine. A white unicorn mare with purple hair and lush eyelashes looked back at him suggestively. Frowning, he turned the page and began reading the first article. Apparently, short tails with pink bows were this year's big trend for mares, while stallions should wear blue or red bows around their necks. He tossed it to a nearby table when he saw Spring approach. “Herman, Captain Armor has time to see you in two hours.” “Alright,” he replied, then looked around. “Could we wait outside perhaps? I would rather walk than risk sitting in these chairs for so long.” “Oh,” Spring said, and thought for a moment. “I suppose we could take a stroll in the garden behind the palace. It should be empty this time of the day.” “You’d keep me company?” Herman asked while standing up. “Isn’t your mission complete?” “It’s fine,” Spring said, trying to sound cheerful. “I get restless if I just sit alone in my dusty old apartment. Most of my friends are working anyways.” “Alright, lead the way,” Herman said, moving to stand next to her. “A growing appreciation for gardening is common among humans as they age.” “Really? I wish I had more time for mine.” Spring sighed and held the door for him. “Work takes so much time, and it’s hard to keep it proper alone.” They went outside, and she pointed at a much smaller road leading towards the back of the palace. “This way.” “Is the royal garden open to the public?” “Well, it’s open to anyone with an invitation to the palace, and I suppose you qualify for that,” she said and scratched the back of her head while giving him an uncertain smile. “It will be fine.” “If you say so.” “I do,” she teased. “Do you need your helmet on if you’re officially off-duty?” “I guess not,” she said, taking off it to let her mane flow freely behind her, then fastened the helmet to her armor at the flank. They didn’t need to walk far to reach the garden itself, as it was situated right behind the palace. Two guards stood posted at the entrance, but Herman and Spring just walked past them as they stood there gaping. The garden was more like a small park, with high hedges lining the road. Herman assumed it was there so that people in the more open spaces could have a little privacy, and serve as a sort of wall to prevent foals from running off during outdoor festivities. Along the other side of the road were flower beds of mostly roses, separated by their respective colors. The garden was far from quiet, with the swarming of bees among the flowers and birds chirping to create a genuinely tranquil feeling. “Very lovely,” Herman said lamely. They were alone on the road, except for a wizened old stallion trimming the hedges. “Yup,” she agreed, walking next to him. “Makes me wish I had another assignment outside the city. Somewhere closer to nature.” “Like Ponyville?” She stopped to look out at a group of trees surrounded by bright green bushes. “No, somewhere else.” Herman gave a short chuckle with a hint of melancholy mixed in. Spring was unprepared for him when he ruffled the top of her mane. “Hey, quit it,” she grumbled, trying to get away from him. “You’ll find a handsome stallion one day.” Herman grinned but stopped his teasing. She let out a big guffaw but also gave him a bright smile, then sidestepped to give him a slight bump on the hips. Herman was lucky she had such good control, or he would have ended up inside the hedge. “Want to go off-road for a bit?” Spring asked, pointing at an opening between the hedges, where an artificial pond with a wooden bridge across it was visible. Herman actually wanted to rest a bit on a bench and table further ahead, and parts of him wished they had a checkers board to play with, but he decided to humor her. “Sure,” he said and gestured for her to go in first. “Ladies first.” She scoffed playfully before going in first with her tail wagging, while Herman followed in a gentle walk. She had run a few yards ahead but suddenly froze in the middle of the grass. “What’s wrong?” Herman asked once he had caught up with her, and when she didn’t give him a reply, he turned to where she was looking. It was there he saw a princess for the first time. He recognized Princess Luna from the pictures in the newspaper. She was laying down on a red and white picnic blanket reading a book, surrounded by four guards. The princess hadn’t noticed them yet, but her guards certainly had. They were stationed a half a dozen yards away from the princess in each direction, and they all turned their heads towards him. Herman had never seen the design on their armor before, a dark blue with half a dozen ornaments on the chest and helmet. He wasn’t particularly well versed with Equestrian military decorations, but it would be safe to assume these were some kind of elites. Even so, Herman seemed to have the same effect on them as any pony he first met, as they were standing there staring at him. He looked to Spring for guidance, wondering if they should make a hasty exit before they bothered one of the country's rulers during her leisure time. Spring, however, seemed first surprised, then resolute. She swallowed, looked up at Herman, then trotted straight for the princess. The guards woke to life when she came close and seemed moments away from tackling Spring to the ground. That's when Princess Luna noticed the commotion and put aside her book, and with a single lift of her hoof, everyone came to a complete halt. Herman was too far away to hear what she said next, but Spring bowed, then replied with something in return. The princess made a command, and her guards backed off to their original positions, allowing Spring to get closer. Herman didn’t know what he should do in this situation, so he buttoned his white suit and quietly stood there, trying to appear calm. Spring and Princess Luna were in the middle of a conversation when Spring suddenly turned and pointed at Herman. That was when the princess noticed him, and their eyes met. Princess Luna didn’t react like any other pony would have; instead of the blind stare, she looked at him with calculating eyes, and Herman could sense that she was working hard to place him in her memories. “Herman,” Spring shouted while motioning him to join them at the picnic blanket. He had little choice but to walk slowly towards her while casting a wary glance at the guards. “They will not harm you,” Princess Luna said when he finally stopped near the edge of the blanket. “My name is Princess Luna. Who are you?” Herman suddenly remembered his manners and gave her a bow with his right hand on his heart. “My name is Herman, Your Majesty.” “Extraordinaire,” she said and rose up to stand right in front of him. She extended her neck and tilted her head to get a better look at his face, but she could barely reach up to his shoulders. “How interesting.” Herman just stood there, not wanting to speak unless spoken, as the princess gave him a thorough inspection. She walked around him, looking him up and down. “What is your kind called?" she asked. “Human, Your Majesty,” Herman answered, doing his best to sound confident. “Polite,” she muttered and gave him a swish of her tail after circling him once. “Call me Luna, and that’s a royal command.” “Yes, Your… Luna,” he replied. “Sergeant Spring here tells me you’ve been separated from your home and family,” she continued, barely giving him a pause. “The Crown can aid you in that regard, though I’ve never seen or heard of your kind before. But new places are discovered on a monthly basis these days.” She looked at him from the side, turned away, then back to him again. “You won’t find where I live with ships,” he noted. “Oh?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. “How so?” “I’m not from this world.” “Are you a demon, then?” she said, half in jest. But it was enough to make the guards around them shift uncertainty. “I don't think I am,” he replied, chuckling to himself. “I’m just an old man running a timber company inside your kingdom, who only wishes to return home to his family.” Luna looked him in straight in the eyes, no doubt searching for any sign of deception. Herman had no intentions of lying to her, so he spoke directly from his heart. “You have my sympathies,” she said, then turned to Spring who had taken a seat at the edge of the blanket. “Sergeant, you were wise to have brought this to my attention.” “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Spring said. “Will you help him?” “I will if it's within my power,” she replied, then moved to lay down on the blanket once more, facing Herman. “Please, take a seat, and explain in detail how you arrived in Equestria.” Herman sat, slowly and clumsily. He was no longer able to sit with his legs crossed, so he placed one leg straight and the other knee bent. “There isn't much to tell I'm afraid. My last memory was walking from the store with my groceries. The next thing I remember was waking up in Equestria. A few foals playing in the woods found me unconscious in the middle of the forest.” “Did you feel or hear anything?” Luna asked, looking more serious. “Like mad cackling laughter in the background?” “Nothing, I walked down the pavement, then it all got dark,” Herman said, trying to think back. “My clothes, wallet, and car keys were with me, but not the bag of groceries I was carrying.” The princess pondered what he said while making the same motion as before where she looked slightly away, then back to him again. It was weird, but Herman wasn't brave enough to question why she did so. “Interesting,” she said, still regarding his face. “Your presence, it draws my attention as if I was still but a foal, waiting for my father to notice my childish achievements.” “Well,” Herman began, then cleared his throat. He was unsure how much he should tell her, but decided to go for what was most important. “I'm simply trying to find a way home to my family, and all I know is that something sent me here from another world, and I wish it to send me back.” Luna was silent for a few minutes as she considered. She alternated between looking at him and down at the book she had been reading. Herman was too far away to read the title but noted that the cover had a stallion with a red rose between his teeth. Spring sat on the sideline, nervously fidgeting with her mane. “Trying to reunite a family is a worthy goal, and I will make it a priority to help you,” Luna said, finally. But her tone also highlighted that this little meeting was at an end. “I will consult with my sister about what you've told me, and ask the scholars if they have any prior knowledge of your kind.” She looked to Spring. “Where might I contact you?” “Oh,” Spring said, surprised that she was addressed. “Herman will be staying at the guard hotel for a day at least.” “The guard hotel,” she mused, turning to Herman. “I hope you're not in any trouble with the law.” “None that I know of,” Herman said. “All I know is that the Captain of the Guard wishes to see me, and that’s the reason I’m here today.” “Prince Armor summoned you?” Luna asked, and gave a barely noticeable smile. “How interesting. Alas, I wish to have some privacy before returning to my duties.” “Thank you for your time, Princess,” Spring said, and was up on her hooves in an instant. She held out a hoof to Herman, who was thankful for the help in getting up. “I will send word of my findings sometime tonight,” Luna said, then turned to where they originally came from. “I do believe you know the way out.” “Yes, Princess Luna,” Spring said, and gave her a deep bow. “Thank you, Luna,” Herman said, adding a short, but polite bow before turning to walk back to the road alongside Spring. Once again on the path, they both took a few deep breaths. “Wow,” she said, breathing loudly. “I can't believe I just did that.” “I’m glad that you did,” Herman said, a bit winded. “That went better than expected. I was really nervous.” “Really?” Spring asked, seeming genuinely confused. “You acted like Princess Luna was your equal.” “I did?” Herman asked, then frowned. It sure hadn't felt that way to him. “Yup,” Spring said, looking around her. “We should head back soon; we don’t want Captain Armor waiting for us.” “That we do not,” Herman agreed. “Why didn't you tell Princess Luna about your theory?” Spring asked as they walked the road again. “I didn't want to make things needlessly complicated,” Herman said, scratching his chin. “It’s just a theory after all.” Just a theory.