We got back to Equestria without much of a hassle, though it took longer than I would have liked. But as I wanted to find a nice couch and relax with Niirah, I had a job to do. The ship we were on picked up Ash and departed back to the Dragonlands almost as soon as it arrived. We didn't bother staying for the prisoner transfer and headed back to the Embassy.
“We need to inform the Princesses immediately,” I started as I got a pen and paper from my desk. “Dwiin, I want you to double security here. Recruit if you have to, I’m sure Shining Armor would be willing to have us run some of our guards through their training.”
“I’ll have it done,” Dwiin said, rushing off.
Once we were alone Niirah stepped up to me. “What do you want me to do?”
“Prep the conference room. I’m sending a letter to the Princesses saying I need to meet with them here.”
“I’ll get everything ready,” Niirah said and rushed out.
That left it to me to figure out what I'm gonna say. I had no idea how I was gonna do this.
“Make a plan. Execute the plan. Expect the plan to go off the rails. Throw away the plan.”
I read that somewhere sometime before now. Terrible advice, really. But I had skipped right to step four in no time at all.
Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were all in the Embassy conference room, each accompanied by two of their guards. They were waiting for me to start speaking, but I had frozen up as I started. Dwiin stood by me.
“Speaker, do you need a moment?” Cadance asked kindly.
I snapped out of my funk. “No. No, it's just this is not easy to say.”
“I take it this is bad news?” Luna guessed.
“Indeed,” I took a deep breath. “We have a war in the Dragonlands.”
There were looks of shock exchanged around the room. “Why and with whom?” Celestia asked, going straight to the point.
“We are facing a ‘Rebellion’. These dragons want world domination rather than world peace.”
“‘Extinction of pony kind’ were their exact words, I believe,” Dwiin added.
There were a few moments of silence as the thought of war sunk in. “Do the dragons require aid?” Celestia asked.
“Aid? Not as of yet. Refuge? Indeed.”
“Refugees?” Cadance asked confirming.
“Many dragons may be born fighters. However, we still have many who have chosen or will choose to not fight. Females, younglings, elderly. Enforcer Viing has expressed to me that there are a few already wishing to leave the Dragonlands to avoid the fighting to come.”
“What would you ask of us?” Luna inquired.
“You may recall not long ago, I requested that I be able to send dragon families to an abandoned section of Fillydelphia?”
They all nodded.
“That request remains, with the augmentation of it being close to the docks, as most Sea Dragons are not fond of conflict. I suspect they will be a large percentage of the refugee population.”
They started whispering among themselves. I looked to Dwiin who was giving me a worried look. I was confident though, and if they could not fulfill the request, they might have other solutions.
“How long until we can expect refugees to begin arriving?” Luna asked.
“I estimate the first hundred to be here just within a month.” I guessed.
Celestia spoke clearly and with authority. “Give us three weeks, and you will have your property. If not the space in Fillydelphia, we will find something else. We will inform the mayor of his new citizens. If I may, Speaker, you may want to find ways for them to occupy themselves before arriving.”
“I will. Thank you, Princesses.” I bowed politely as they stood to leave.
Luna stayed a moment. “Speaker. I know there was more you wanted to say. Is there something else we should know?” She looked down at the Elderspark.
“The Rebellion is after powerful magical items and relics. I recovered one on my last trip to my homeland. I am keeping it well away from the Dragonlands.”
“Perhaps it would be in the interest if the Dragonlands to entrust it to an ally?” Luna suggested.
I nodded in agreement. “Indeed it would be, were it not for that this artifact is keeping me alive and sane.” I held the Elderspark up for her to get a closer look. “The Elderspark is bonded to me; even if I was able to remove it, it would have deadly and possibly catastrophic consequences.”
“I see. Then perhaps it would be wise for your head of security to increase your security measures,” Luna suggested as she left.
I sat down in a seat and just breathed. Dwiin sat a chair away. “She’s right, you know,” he pointed out.
“I know, but I don't really want to.” I sighed. “Go ahead and do what you need to. Coordinate with Viing as well, he may have some ideas.”
“I'll do what is needed,” Dwiin stood up and left.
A dragon eavesdropping on all my conversations, constantly following me even though I can handle myself, hovering around when I’m dealing with Kii and her friends and spending time with Niirah. Once again, not excited about this.
Upon my return home I was tired, my wings aching. And to be perfectly honest I just wanted to be with Niirah right now. I was headed for my room. Which had yet to really feel like my room cause it still felt new to me.
I washed out my abrasions on my wings properly and got cleaned up for bed. Feeling a little more relaxed after a hot shower, I headed toward my bed. As I put my claw on my bed there was a knock on my bedroom door.
“Who is it?” I called.
“It’s me!” I heard Kii’s voice call.
“It's unlocked,” I said, finishing my climb onto my bed.
Kii opened the door looking worried, her kitten on her back. “You were worried about me again?” I asked. She nodded. “There was a reason to worry this time. I will not be making any trips to the homeland anytime soon.”
“You've said that before,” Kii protested.
“Had the option before. Now I don’t.” I put a claw on the Elderspark. An ancient artifact of amazing power or a cursed object. Maybe both.
Kii stepped up to me and held a claw up to the Elderspark, though she didn’t touch it. Her eyes were wide, staring at the pearl. Like she was hypnotized. “That was made by a Magic Dragon. I can feel the energy inside! It’s hot: it feels like a star! This was a powerful spell!”
“Probably was,” I sighed; how was I supposed to tell Kii that I basically had a sentient bomb strapped to my wrist? “It's mine now, I'll have to learn to live with it.”
Kii sat with me for a few more minutes. It was silent, other than the purring of the kitten, and the occasional vocal protest when one of us stopped petting her.
“Big brother,” Kii finally asked. “I wanted to ask. Could I go with Hex next week to up to the shops? We wanna get some stuff for school.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“Just some supplies and herbs for potions and spells.”
I thought about it for a moment. “Alright, I suppose that's fine. Just keep your nose clean,” I poked her nose, making her giggle. “Now take your pet and let me sleep. I'm tired.”
“Okay. Goodnight brother.”
“Goodnight.”
I got the authorization from the Princesses to send refugees to Fillydelphia sooner than I expected.
Organizing the transport of refugees, scheduling construction, and distributing payments to contractors was hard work; at this rate, we were gonna need donations in order to rebuild the school in the area. I had limited funds available at the moment, and as easy as it might’ve seemed to just pay for it myself, Niirah had advised me that that would seem unprofessional. Fortunately, I had ponies to ask for advice on this matter.
“Throw a party,” Fancy Pants said rather bluntly.
“Why are parties the most common solution to problems here in Equestria?” I asked.
Fancy cleared his throat. “I should explain. You need donations to rebuild a school. Most high society ponies in Canterlot happen to have money to spare. You need to give them a reason to give it to your fund. Throw a party, give a stirring speech to get them on your side; appealing to their image will help. Perhaps it would be advisable to get some of the young dragons that are already here in Equestria to attend, have them talk about what they learned since being here.”
That is actually a good idea. “I think I’ll do just that.” I pouted at the papers on my desk.
“What’s that matter?” Fancy asked.
“I have to plan this fundraiser on top of everything else.”
“I never said it would be easy. But you are quite clever, you'll figure it out. I can recommend some important ponies to invite.”
I nodded. “I would appreciate that greatly.”
“I will send you a list.” Fancy stood to leave. “Unfortunately, I have other business to attend to. Good day, my friend.”
“Fancy, wait a moment,” I stopped him. He paused at the doorway, looking slightly puzzled. “I wanted to thank you for everything you've done. I know you didn't have to and I doubt that I would have made as much progress without you.”
Fancy smiled and bowed. “You are most welcome. I just trust the dragons will be there when the ponies need help.”
“As long as I'm the Speaker for the Dragonlands, we will be,” I assured him.
“Good day, Speaker,” Fancy gave a nod of respect. I returned it.
I sighed and looked at my workload. Time to plan a fundraiser party.
I was in the newly enlarged underground barracks to the embassy. We now had one platoon of twenty-eight dragons split evenly into four squads. Two squads were in charge of maintaining security here at the Embassy. As for the other two… well, I was here to find out what Dwiin had repurposed them to do.
Dwiin was wearing a new uniform, more armor that I was used to seeing him wear. It was black-steel with crimson steel detailing. It covered him from jaw to claw to tail, even a portion of his wings. He held a helmet under his wing that looked like it attached to the piece protecting his jaw. It looked positively demonic.
“Nice armor?” I said, expecting an explanation.
He brushed the comment off. “First thing you need to know. Viing sent us our own armorer. He wants the embassy guards to reflect a similar look and discipline as the Bloodsteel Guard.”
“‘Bloodsteel Guard’?” I asked. Sounded like something an edgy teen would come up with.
“I'll explain in a bit. For now…” Dwiin bit his lip in a peculiar manner and whistled in an odd manner that ended in a chittering noise. At his call, fourteen dragons marched into the room and formed into two lines, standing at attention.
First and Second Squads had on similar armor as Dwiin only it was unpainted steel, and their helmets showed their faces. “What happened to their old armor?” I asked.
“Got sent to the Dragonlands. Soldiers need armor,” Dwiin explained.
“And they couldn't use this armor?” I asked. I had to admit, it looked pretty cool.
“This armor is only for special units. Anyway, this is the new look of the guard in Crater, so this is now what the Embassy guard looks like. Every guard is now equipped with the latest battle claws, and a communication crystal overseen by a dragon in what was a spare room upstairs. They monitor the crystals, and alert reinforcements if need be.”
Wow. “Viing is really getting with the times isn't he?”
“He isn't taking chances.”
“Now what is the deal with Squads three and four?” I asked.
Dwiin turned to the dragons before us. “You may return to your duties,” they all marched out with a professionalism I thought I'd only see with Dwiin and Viing.
Dwiin whistled again, slightly different this time. “These are the Bloodsteel Guard and your new bodyguards.”
Dragons in the same exact armor as Dwiin marched into the room and once again formed into two lines and snapped to attention. I could tell most of them were fire dragons, but I saw at least one viper dragon among them, as well as an ice dragon or two.
“Bloodsteel Guard?” I asked again.
“The dragons guarding Lord Torch and Princess Ember. Our new equivalent to the pony ‘Royal Guard.’ Hardened and loyal to the Dragon Lord and anydragon he has marked.”
“Like me.”
Dwiin nodded. “Like you.”
“I still don't like the idea of having a bodyguard,” I muttered.
Dwiin got close to whisper. “Normally I'd humor you in that regard, but now you hold a superweapon in addition to being the Speaker. So I think both of our votes in this matter are moot.”
“Point taken. So how is this gonna work?”
“During the day you will have at least one guard traveling with you when not at events. At night, four guards will be stationed on the roof of your home on sentry duty. During major events, I will be the one providing your security.”
“What about Kii and my siblings?” I asked.
“You can offer the older ones a bodyguard. They can deny one if they wish. Kii however, I recommend giving her one for when she is not at home,” Dwiin explained.
I thought back on some of the spells I’d seen Kii perform. “I don't know. I think Kii could get out of a dangerous situation if the need arose.”
“Do you really want to take that chance?” Dwiin asked.
I thought about it, and then remembered the changeling invasion. A chill ran up and down my spine when I remembered Kii’s scream. “You’re right,” I nodded.
“They'll be on a rotation since not all will be needed at one time. Some will be at the ready as well, just in case.”
“I have a date later, and a fully armored guard shadowing me would be kinda awkward,” I grumbled, glancing at the Bloodsteel. The dragons stood as still as statues, not moving or blinking, just staring straight ahead. I tried to imagine myself sitting with Niirah while one of them was hovering over my shoulder.
“They can protect from a distance just as well. Just tell them to take up a sentry position nearby,” Dwiin instructed.
“How are their mouths? Can they keep a secret?” I asked.
Dwiin grinned. “Bloodsteel!” he barked. “To whom do you answer?”
“The Dragon Lord and his chosen!” they all said in unison, like drones.
“And if an unchosen were to speak to you?” Dwiin asked.
“We answer only to The Dragon Lord and his chosen!” they said sternly as a group.
“They will not speak to anydragon or pony they don't see as one of the Dragon Lord’s chosen. They are completely devoted to the Dragon Lord,” Dwiin said.
“And you, my friend? You wear their armor.”
“Viing feels that their Captain here needed to have not only your security in mind but the Dragon Lord’s. My friendship with you makes that possible.”
“Is that all? And at least I know I can trust you. Unlike the last dragon in your position,” I commented. Just thinking about Ash left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not talk about that.” Dwiin turned to do something.
Yeah, I didn't want to talk about it either.
I was approaching Dwiin and Algae’s apartment. Niirah had moved to their couch since she couldn't cover rent on her own anymore. I had offered her a place in my house but she declined. I had a Bloodsteel Guard following me, not that I wanted him here.
We approached the apartment, “Take sentry,” I ordered. He nodded and flew up to the rooftops out of sight.
I entered the complex and went straight to the door I was looking for. It didn't take long after I knocked for Niirah to answer. “Finally, let's go,” Niirah said, pulling me out of the building.
“What’s the hurry?” I asked, following her.
“Algae is going through another emotional episode, and since she could drop those eggs anytime now, it's a particularly crazy one,” Niirah explained, walking like she wanted to put as much distance between herself and the building as fast as possible.
“Ah.” I just nodded. I glanced up and noticed that the Bloodsteel guard was now following us from the air.
After a minute we slowed our pace and just walked as we headed to our dinner destination. I looked Niirah up and down. She looked pretty tonight; she was a lot shinier and her scales seemed smoother.
“Did you do something with your scales? Or perhaps your spines? Something is different.” I commented. Hopefully, that book about how to flirt was accurate.
“I… I may have gone to a spa with Algae,” Niirah admitted, blushing. “They had a special routine for dragons and I gave it a try.”
“I can't I imagine you at a spa,” I commented with a grin.
She let out a fake laugh. “Excuse you! I am perfectly capable of acting like a girl when I choose to be.”
“Algae used her sad eyes on you, didn't she?”
“That is beside the point,” she said and held her head high.
“Well, I'm happy to hear that you are trying new things. Did you at least enjoy yourself?” I asked.
“As a matter of fact, I did. And that change you were asking about the ponies used what they called ‘Scale Polish.’ Gives a shine like after freshly shed scales don't you think?” She gave a quick pose that made her seem to glow slightly beneath the light of the stars.
“Indeed, not that you needed it to impress me.” I got close to her ear to whisper. “I thought you were beautiful before, and I'll think that even after your ‘polish’ wears off.”
I saw her scales turn a little dark on her face. “I keep forgetting you are good with words. You can make a simple compliment feel like a speech of praise.”
“Really?” Really? I sure haven't noticed.
“At least that is what it seems like when you talk to me.” She leaned against me a bit as we walked.
“Perhaps I just save the best words for you,” I said off the top of my head. She just grinned. “I just did it again didn't I?”
“Yeah, but I like it. Say, how much further? I'm getting kinda hungry.”
“It's just around the corner here,” I said leading her.
The restaurant was a quiet little place that had some good reviews. It was called “Bliss” for whatever reason. It looked like your typical average restaurant, with a white and blue color scheme. We stepped inside and noticed that there were already a number of customers. Several ponies looked up, but quickly stopped staring and went back to what they were doing. We took a seat by a window.
The waitress quickly came over and asked for our drinks. Once she was gone I caught Niirah looking out the window.
“Is something the matter?” I asked, following her gaze outside.
From a roof across the street, I could see the dark silhouette of the Bloodsteel Guard watching us.
“Oh. I forgot to tell you. I am now required to have at least one guard with me at all times. That is apparently as far as he is willing to go.”
“What kind of guard is he?” Niirah asked.
“Bloodsteel Guard. I'll explain another time if we could just enjoy our night out?” I tried.
Niirah frowned. “I thought you didn't want any bodyguards?”
I sighed. “The choice, it seems, has been taken out of my claws.”
Niirah said nothing and smiled softly at me while wrapping her tail with mine under the table. Our food came and we steered away from talk of work.
After a while, she slowly stopped eating and started poking at her food. “Krein?”
“Yes, something on your mind?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking that with Algae about to lay her eggs soon, they will likely be wanting their couch back. So, I was hoping the offer to move in with you still stood?”
I had to fight the urge to gasp with excitement, especially since I had food in my mouth. “What about others knowing about you and me?” I asked after finishing my mouthful.
“I'm starting to not care what they think. I never did before, not sure why I cared when we started seeing each other.”
“Well, you know I’d be happy if you moved in. When did you wanna move?”
She grinned. “Soon. Like tomorrow or the following day.”
I hesitated. “I'm sensing a but.”
“I was hoping to spend the night tonight.” Niirah smiled.
“Do you really need to ask?”
She shrugged. “I'm used to asking I guess.”
“Let's finish our food and we can head home.”
We got back to my house, and Niirah was yawning repetitively. She looked tired. I wasn't fairing much better. The past several days had been… trying.
“We can get your stuff and unpack tomorrow if you'd like?” I asked her.
“I would like that. Hey, have you found anyone to play music at your fundraiser?”
“Not as of yet. But I know this great harp player, she might just agree to play if I ask her nicely.” I said with a smile.
As we got to the second floor and I looked at the roof across the courtyard I could see a Bloodsteel guard looking out across the city. I still wasn't comfortable with them around.
Niirah looked at me knowing the game I just set in motion. “You know, I'm curious as to just how nicely you intend to ask this harp player.”
I opened my bedroom door. “I could show you if you like,” I grinned.
Niirah got about halfway through the door before grinning. “I would like you to, but you promised me a good night's rest.” She patted my head with a wing. “So maybe another time stud.” She headed for my… our bed to sleep.
“Nevermind I guess,” I sighed. Rats. I walked over to, now, our bed and laid down upon it beside Niirah, shooting a final dirty look at the Bloodsteel guard outside on the roof. The guard turned in this direction.
You didn’t see anything, I thought and laid my head down to sleep.