//------------------------------// // Ferrata // Story: Legio VII: Invictus // by Silbern //------------------------------// Clattering of swords and bashing of shields echoed from the training grounds as the warm sunlight cast down on the Guards at they sparred away. Grunts and shouts were being made as some pressed their attack and others desperately tried to hold their position. The Unicorns had their Range which to practice their spell casting in a safe manner. All of them being observed by their instructors and superiors which corrected any misstep or exposed opening. It was comforting in a Soldierly way. Lucius wasn't engaged in any of the practice combat but was instead watching with a critical eye from his balcony spot. He sipped away on his tea while enjoying the shade. Now and again, the Commander of the training regime would gaze up at the Centurion but they never exchanged any words. Lucius nodded to him once and the Guard pony did the same. It had been already a few days since the attack and he had been hounded by both Celestia and Luna to stay in either in bed or with either of the Princess at all times. They could call it whatever they may but he knew it as babying. He knew that he was lucky to be alive but to treat him as a precious vase by keeping him away from any danger in the slightest was gaining infuriating tension between himself and the Royalty. The wound had already been Magically attended too by Celestia personally but she insisted that he remain bed bound. In the last three days he had been caught several times trying to escape to at least stretch his legs. The Centurion let out a huff as he finished his tea and placed it back on the nearby side table. A cough happened from his side but Lucius only gave the Pony a roll of his eyes. “I apologize, Lucius but I've been ordered to return you to Princess Celestia's Bedroom for rest,” The guard spoke as he motioned for the door that lead back into the keep. “And if I say no?” Lucius questioned before pouring himself another cup of Tea. “We are not trying to threaten you, Lucius,” The guard spoke up again with an unexpected plea in his voice. “We have been ordered to report to Princess Celestia if you choose not to follow her wishes,” Lucius let out a small hum before looking back to the training ground. “Before we leave, can you explain why have yet to hear anything about my attacker?” The Guard pursed his lip slightly before turning to his comrades as they simply shrugged. Lucius threw back his cup to drain the remaining contents of his Tea before standing in his tunic. “Lead away,” he ordered in frustration. Nothing. She had Nothing. Celestia only groaned at the amount of head way that her investigation team had regarding the Assassination. The attacker was unidentified, the symbol on the weapons have yet to be aligned with any known faction. She magically placed all the reports back in their correct places before standing and slowly walking to the window. All the Castle personnel had been scrutinized but none of them had even a flick of evidence to prove that they had any involvement. Thankfully Twilight and her friends had no idea the incident had even occurred but considering what happened to Spike, she knew they had their own problems. Shining Armour and Cadence thankfully had already left before the incident. As thankful she was for all of her friends to be safe, she was also frustrated at the lack of evidence to follow. Her only lead was Luna's hunch on the symbol that was on the pommel of both the weapons. Letting out a long sigh she levitated her reading glass from her muzzle and placed them on the table. What she needed right now was someone just as frustrated as she was. Lucius had slept with her ever since the night of the incident and every night they had cuddled until sleep caught both. She knew that the Human was perhaps not ready for a relationship but if it was something Celestia had perfected over the ages was the art of Patience. The Alicorn knew however that the Centurion needed to some time outside which was something she secretly planned. Celestia let out a hum and prayed that Lucius didn't do anything between then and now. Lucius poked and prodded at his salad on his plate before finally looking up at the two Sisters. Luna was reading what seemed to be a very old tome of sorts as she levitated her food from her plate. Celestia hummed a soft tune in between sips of her wine as she gazed off obviously deep in thought. A silence had mostly governed the evening meal when he usually had been used to the two talking about their day. It was obvious Luna had the governance of the night and Celestia, the day, so it only made sense that Dinner and Breakfast were usually spent in chatter. This Dinner was however absent. It was at this point that Lucius made his move. Lucius stood up moved away from the table without a word and made his way towards the door. He could already feel several eyes fall upon him as he made his way. “Lucius?” Celestia pondered with soft concern. The Human clad in his red tunic had stopped before the double door and turned with a small smile. “Yes, Princess?” “Was the meal not to your liking?” Celestia asked as she gazed down to his plate. “I can ask the cooks for something else,” “No the meal was as great as ever. I, however, need some fresh air,” Lucius spoke before turning towards the door. With a great push he made his way out and down the hall flanked by his assigned guards. He didn't get very far till he heard the fast pace of heavier hoof steps approach from behind him. “Lucius, please,” Celestia pleaded while shooing her guards as politely as she could with her hoof. “What did I do to upset you so?” her eyes pleaded with the human as she watched the Centurion huff out. “It's not so much what you have done as what you haven't let me do. Celestia, I am healed yet you hold me in behind the safety of this damnable castle walls. You even forbid me from doing any sparring or by the gods, even sleeping alone!” Lucius explained with his voice raising in anger. “I understand my position. I am under house arrest for crimes I committed but if you do not stop smothering me, I swear I'll lock myself in the dungeon,” The Princess gazed back at him with shock as his words wormed their way towards her heart. She had thoughts about it but her brain always stamped it out. His safety is her top concern. He must be protected. Celestia waited two centuries for him to return and she feared losing him for good. “I do this for your own safety, Lucius. Some vile Pony had attempted to take your life! Can you not blame me to see you out of harms way?” Celestia asked with ears folded back. The Centurion stared back at Celestia with the same intensity. “I do not blame you for your care or concern,” Lucius spoke more softly before rubbing the bridge of his nose. Celestia breathed out a small sigh of relief seeing his shoulders slump slightly. “I plan on making a surprise visit to Ponyville tomorrow. Would you join me?” Lucius was quiet for a moment, his eyes observing deeply into Celestia's violet eyes. With a last huff of resignation he smiled slightly. “Do you promise me that you will keep your smothering only to the bedroom?” Celestia couldn't help but let out a surprise giggle as she covered her muzzle with a hoof. “The way you say that would make a Pony think that we have gone farther than we have,” “We would have if I let you,” “I am not that shallow!” Celestia scoffed as she gave the Centurion a playful slap on the arm. Lucius chuckled softly before gazing into the violet orbs once more as she did the same. A quiet hung in the air but it was not filled with tension like it was inside the dinning room. Celestia held a soft smile and admiration her eyes. Lucius gazed back with what she honestly suspected was care and happiness. He may not love her yet but she knew there was a part of his heart that belonged to her, if only a small bit for now. “What time do we leave?” Lucius coughed into his hand which Celestia smirked at. “Early. I'll send guards to wake you,” Lucius gathered his more stoic face once more. “What should I expect from Ponyville?” “It won't matter. The unexpected will happen anyway,” Celestia answered with a small chuckle which only caught Lucius confused gaze. “You will understand tomorrow,” “Fine, you win, Princess,” Lucius shrugged his shoulders. “I am going to practice in the training ground before bed,” Celestia raised a royal hoof and opened her mouth to protest only to stop as Lucius glared at her. The Princess gave out a huff in resignation but instead lite up her horn which caused Lucius to levitate to her waiting hooves. She gave her favourite Human a long squeeze as she nuzzled the side of his face with affection. “I love you, Lucius Vor, no matter the trouble you cause,” Celestia breathed out as she felt his arms wrap around her sides in kind. “This is your chance, Celestia. If you continue to love me, I might accidentally set things on fire,” Lucius jested which caused Celestia to giggle in his ear. She released him and with a smile waved as he walked away from her leaving a moment to let out a haggard breath. The smell of him lingering on her to her pleasant surprise. The Princess gave herself a moment longer before regaining her composure to reenter the Dinning room. “You didn't mount him, dear Sister?” Luna spoke with a smile as Celestia's regal form was shattered with shock much to Luna's pleasure. Lucius sat on this own bench aboard the train dressed in his full Centurion attire. He had made sure his helm's plumage was correct and that his already impeccable armour was clear of any dirt or excess smudging. Celestia protested him bringing his weapon and shield but her words fell upon deaf ears. He wouldn't admit that being Celestia's weak spot was fortuitous but he never really pushed her unless it mattered. He was in public so he was going to represent his people in their full glory regardless of Rome's position, or lack of one. Celestia sat opposite from him as she gazed out the window admiring the sights. She honestly expected the poor Centurion to be cursing and generally panicking about being on a train for the first time. The Princess was pleasantly surprised however when he had simply let out a long hum but otherwise observed the passing scenery. Forgetting about the weapons, it had been a rather good start to their day. She could physically see the Man was excited even under the years of tempered military training and experience. Perhaps this trip will be great for both of them. “It happens tonight then,” The hooded Pony agreed with a slight nod of his head as he faced the mirror. “Princess Celestia and the last Centurion was seen leaving by train this morning,” the Mirror echoed out the words in a spine tingling cackle. “This world will burn,”