“Celestia and Luna.” Livana muttered. “Who were they?” She directed these words to nopony in particular. Looking at the display, the alicorn glanced at yet another note:
The nature of the Elements of Harmony represents unity among ponies. The strength of this varies, but it is most well-known as it's base five: Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Kindness, and Laughter, which all show themselves in the magic of friendship. They display themselves as the spirits of harmony in some ponies. Harmonia's magic flow through these wielders of the elements.
“Wow!” exclaimed Livana, “Wouldn't that be cool, to be a spirit of harmony?”
“Perhaps Honesty, but the rest just strike me as being too hard to keep up with the demands.” a voice commented. The dark mare whirled about and eyed the speaker. A pegasus in red decorative armor was reading a book, and only slightly acknowledged her presence with a nod. Livana scanned him: a white stallion with a yellow mane. His cutie mark was a sideways flag, and the emblem on his armor showed a strategist's table.
Livana took an interest to his book. “Full History of the Kings and Queens of Equestria.” The pegasus closed the book and held it sideways to Livana's view. It disappeared from visibility. “One page on Princess Platinum, four pages of random hero kings and queens, and half a page on Hestia.” he wryly stated.
“You guys have horrible records don't you?”
The male guardspony dusted himself off and cleared his throat. “Maybe if the scholars wouldn't make their books so susceptible to being burned. Every single king between Solaris and Hestia has had records lost to burning.” He raised his hoof. “Corporal Luz of the Everfree guard. Who are you, nightkeeper?”
There was that term again. It had a nice ring. “I'm Livana, and I got here today. Julius told me I was in his and, by extension, your company.”
Luz frowned. “Stop right there. You are a prospect that got shafted and instead got inexplicable guard enlistment while your sister got to be the princess, even though nopony knows it's your sister, right?”
Livana stood, absolutely shocked. “Ah- Ah- Yes...”
Luz spiraled up into the air, elated. “YES! I won the bet! Eat it, Julius!” There was no force in the world that would make Livana believe that he just guessed that. The pegasus beamed, then noticed his companion. His face returned to the stoic expression he had up to that point and returned to the ground. “Eh, tough luck. It ain't that bad. You get free room and board with a little pay.” He motioned toward himself. “If the strategist is wearing this piece of junk armor, you are pretty safe. So it's like a free pass to living it up with only minor discomfort.”
Livana couldn't help but crack a smile. “So... would you keep it a secret?”
Luz chuckled. “What? Tell the queen she broke one of her cardinal rules? I'm a genius, not insane!”
The stallion rose to his hooves and stretched. He ruffled his feathers and grabbed the book under his wing. “Come on, I'll show you what Julius may not have.” The strategist started out the door, followed by the nightkeeper. Luz began by pointing toward an empty area. “That's where the caer of Everfree is. In the next months, you will learn the way to the palace back and forth to the point that you could do it blindfolded from absolutely anywhere in the capital garden.” Livana had difficulty imagining that. The corporal motioned toward the guard camp. “That is your home. Complete with lodgings, magically-powered training facilities, and food.”
The pegasus began to walk again at a brisk pace. Livana almost had to run to keep up. As they approached the camp, Luz pointed out buildings: “That is the library. It is the smallest building in the entire city.”
“There is the gambling house. Pretty much all you can do with your bits around here is for extra food or gamble there. Do not under any circumstances let a red stallion with a doctor's uniform and a 'get well' balloon cutie mark anywhere near there.”
“There is the noodle house. Don't ask why we call it that.”
“There is the tavern. If you ever get bored, never step foot in there. You will get sent off by some drunk on some wild goose chase.”
Livana finally spoke up. “Do you ever have anything interesting to do?”
Luz grabbed the alicorn by the tail and yanked her back. The dark mare was about to yell when a spear was sent hurdling in front of where her head was not one second ago. A sheepish unicorn in full silver armor ran by, apologizing. “It isn't boring.” Luz deadpanned. Livana gripped her head firmly with her hooves, gulping.
Luz led her to a tent. “D tent.” he explained. Stepping inside, Livana saw that Julius and another pegasus mare were inside, making Livana question whether everypony was a pegasus in D tent. Julius waved, and the mare shook her frazzled orange mane out of the way of her yellow eyes so she could see the newcomer. She rose and lifted her hoof to shake Livana's. The nightkeeper noted that she had hoof cups which matched the white armor she bore.
“Name's Jane, or Deer Tracks if you prefer.” the red mare greeted.
Julius snapped, “Jane, use your formal name.” Livana shook the hoof, but gained an inquisitive expression that Julius recognized by now. “Kid, griffons must have had you living under a rock.”
Luz and Jane seemed a little confused at this point. The nightkeeper herself was angry. “I don't appreciate my parents being mocked. So what, I'm a stranger?”
Julius backed off, “Easy, kid. Don't take it like that.” He looked at Luz. “I see you found my corporal.”
Livana wasn't happy with him just changing the topic of conversation, but didn't feel like talking aback would accomplish much. He seemed tired of answering questions. Luz coughed. “Yes, she found me. By the way, Julie, pay up.”
Julius cringed at being called “Julie.” He picked up a bag in his mouth and tossed it at his second-in-command. “I wish you had forgotten.” he grumbled. Jane and Livana giggled.
Shahar was once again wandering the halls with Philomena guiding her. They whispered conversation back and forth. “How do you memorize this amount of rooms and turns?” the alicorn asked.
Philomena remained quiet for a bit. “I don't for most rooms. I search them all at times. Some rooms will never be touched ever again, and those are the only ones I truly know by heart.”
“Why?” Shahar pressed, passing down stairs.
The bird seemed a bit uncomfortable. “Every king or queen has met an assassins' end from Solaris up until Hestia. She is destined for a different fate. But they always die in their sleep, and their bedrooms are never used again in hopes that the assassin won't be able to find it again”
Shahar was slightly disturbed. “Wow, I never heard that.”
“Everyone who knew the complete story passes away through the march of time, save me, and the records are taken out by whoever keeps doing it. It's probably an immortal being who hates us, but I should take responsibility as another immortal and do my best to preserve their memories.” She shifted uncomfortably, signaling to the princess that the bird didn't feel comfortable discussing her previous keepers. She probably felt a little longing for them. She did add another note, though, “Hestia took her father's death the hardest I've ever seen. She never was in complete agreement with her father in terms of policy, but she loved him and respected him.” Shahar felt sorry for the queen. Having her father killed would just be like a crushing blow.
It was soon that she was halted before a door. The princess was glad that she wasn't directed to slam into it this time. Philomena hopped off and flew around Shahar a few times. “I'll be in in a minute. The queen will not be kept waiting.” Shahar wished for her mentor to guide her during her first personal meeting with the queen, but said nothing. The bird took off and Shahar was left before the door.
Slowly, she pushed it open. The room had a red carpet and a large table. At the end sat Hestia, conversing with the two guards next to her. She caught a glimpse of the princess and lit up. “Come in, daykeeper! Come in!” she enthusiastically trilled.
This made Shahar slightly more comfortable, and she stepped in. She slowly cantered up to the table. Hestia motioned for her to sit on her right. Shahar obliged, taking note of the two guards in pretty silver armor. The queen motioned for the two guards to leave. They bowed and exited. Hestia looked at Shahar warmly. “Hello, fair princess.” she saluted. Shahar felt speechless at her words. Maybe it was just the awe of being in the queen's presence. The queen blushed a bit. “Ah, I'm sure you are a bit confused about this morning. Let me explain, is that okay?”
Shahar nodded, eager to know why she was chosen so suddenly. Hestia smiled more. “Well, when you came through the door, a sixth sense triggered in me. I felt you were the one. No doubt. I was so excited, I wanted to be quick about it before I doubted myself.”
“That makes sense.” Shahar noted. “Well, you did startle me. I wasn't able to even say my name! It's Shahar, by the way.”
“Shahar, a beautiful name.” the queen commented. A door opened and two ponies entered. One was a yellow pegasus mare with a fiery mane. The other was a pink unicorn mare who bore three glasses of what looked to be wine. The servant put each glass in three places as the unknown mare sat to Hestia's left.
“Ah...” the servant timidly began, “Do you need anything else? Anything? Just tell me, I want you all to be given anything you want.”
Hestia shook her head. “Thank you very much, Selene. I think we will be fine.” The unicorn nodded and trotted out of the room, closing the door behind her. Shahar directed her attention back to the pegasus. She was oddly familiar, but she was unable to put her hoof on it.
“Caw.” the stranger sounded. The princess nearly fainted in shock, because it was so realistic...
Wait... “Philomena!” she exclaimed. “H- how?”
Philomena and Hestia began laughing wildly. Shahar wanted an explanation, but found that the two weren't exactly going to be cooperative. It struck her that the queen was laughing like anypony else. She didn't know what she was expecting, but maybe a more regal display. It was unnerving and nice at the same time. She couldn't help but chuckle too.
Philomena stopped laughing for a moment. “Well, see I- Bahaha! Your face! That came close to Hestia's reaction when I first revealed I could change.”
Hestia stopped laughing for a bit and added with an icy tone, “I would rather forget that, Philomena.” Shahar became a little worried. The pegasus stopped laughing a bit, down to a nervous fake laugh, but Hestia stared laughing again, signaling all was well.
Philomena laughed a bit, but resumed explaining. “I'm a sort of a half-breed. Me and a handful of other phoenixes were created by Solla with this ability as a sign of goodwill. I mostly use it to be able to talk openly. Else, I'm a freaky talking bird.”
Hestia finished laughing just as Shahr began to lossen up to the idea. The queen raised her glass with magic. “A toast to our new princess.”
Shahar blushed and looked at her glass, raising it. Philomena shook her head, not chidingly but rather politely. The princess put down her cup and watched as Philomena took her cup and clinked it with Hestia's. They took a drink and looked to the young mare. Shahar took her cup and stared at it. She couldn't drink this, she knew that much of Equestrian law. Philomena chuckled. “Go ahead, drink.”
The princess sheepishly raised her glass and took a drink. It didn't taste unfamiliar. It was... “Not fermented.”
Hestia nodded, “A few more years, child. Till now, have the sweet stuff.”
Shahar downed the glass of the juice. It was definitely some of the most delicious drink she had ever put to her lips. Soon though, the maid Selene returned with three plates. On them was a large amount of various fruits, flowers, and vegetables. It was absolutely mouthwatering, not like the dishes made at home.
Selene laid the plates in front of the ponies and checked if there was anything else they wanted. Once again, Hestia assured them what they had was all they needed. Shahar bowed her head to thank Aquila. When she looked back up, the other two had started. Hestia looked over, “You hail from the griffon lands, don't you?” The princess quickly caught why she was able to guess it.
“Yes, ma'am. My-” She quickly caught a glance from Philomena. She was close to possibly revealing who she was and that she had a sister. Something the phoenix said was brought back to Shahar's mind. Hestia can read lies, not minds. So she couldn't lie, but couldn't tell the truth. The cogs in her brain began turning. “My parents lived and interacted in griffon society.”
“I see you picked up their religion.” Hestia commented. It wasn't chiding, just a statement. Shahar appreciated that. The next question threw the princess on her toes again. “I assume the nightkeeper I called in after you was a friend? I didn't expect that.”
How to get around this one? Philomena looked like she was racking her brain along with Shahar. The princess spoke first, “I have nopony any closer to me than she is.” Philomena nodded in approval. Her half-truth skills were apparently up to par. She felt a little bad deceiving the queen, but it may be necessary.
The rest of the delicious meal was spent with small talk. At the end, Hestia explained that she and Philomena would be giving her crash courses on mannerisms. “I wish we had more time.” Hestia mournfully stated, “Due to my unfortunate state.”
Philomena cawed. “If you would give up your magic it would be longer.”
“I can't change fate, Philomena.” She smiled in spite of it all. “I have had a longer life than my predecessors. I take that as the greatest sign of approval if my enemies haven't killed me yet.”
Shahar bowed and trotted out of the room in respect to her superior. She began to make her way up the stairs. Soon, she was followed by Philomena, still as a mare. “Good job, S'ar.” she complimented.
'S'ar?' the princess thought. 'That's kinda new' “I don't like deceiving ponies.” she muttered.
“You have to sometimes.” the phoenix admitted. “I wish we didn't have to either, but I hope we can keep it to a manageable level at least.” She put a wing around Shahar. “You have had a long day. Go rest.” The princess would admit, her new bed sounded like a well-deserved treat right then. She thought of her empty bed at home, and her father and mother worrying that their children had not returned.
“Philomena?” Shahar queried.
“Yes?”
“Could you send a message to my parents? Now? To let them know I'm okay.”
Philomena was slightly off-guard for this request. She wavered for a moment before replying. “Yes. I guess.”
When they returned to the room, Shahar penned a missive and gave it to her companion, who was now a bird again. When she finished, the princess collapsed into bed, exhausted. Philomena smiled, then took to the night sky.