//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - A Royal Reward // Story: Servant of the Queen // by A bag of plums //------------------------------// The autumn sun played across the top of the fourteenth century walnut dinner table, reflecting off its mirror smooth surface and illuminating the otherwise dimly lit dining hall. Despite its impressive size and having enough seats to accommodate thirty people, only one of them was occupied, the richly carved chair easily supporting a slim, charcoal skinned woman wrapped in a teal bathrobe and slippers. She sipped her early morning coffee, her shadowed eyes scanning that day’s paper. “Hmm… interesting,” she said in an overlaid voice, just audibly enough to hear herself. She turned the page and had another sip of coffee, smiling as the rich, roasted flavor hit her tongue. She had just finished the classified section when the sound of footfalls, careful and measured, made themselves known. The woman didn’t even glance up as a teenage girl with elegant blonde hair and light tan skin sat down at the other end of the table, where a butler deposited a plate of French toast, sausages, grilled tomatoes and eggs, followed by a delicate porcelain cup of tea. The manservant then retreated with a bow. “Good morning, mother,” the girl said, her cultured voice carrying easily across the room. Her mother glanced up from her paper. “Daughter,” she answered before looking down the table with a critical eye. “Going somewhere today?” “Only for a walk along the lake, mother. Unless you have an event we’re attending?” Her mother’s lips curled upwards in a sinister little smirk, almost revealing a gleaming pair of fangs. “Not this week, young lady. Now that your aunt is back, I don’t think I’ll be attending any events for a while.” The girl tried her best not to sound crestfallen. “Yes, mother.” With nothing more to say, she started on her breakfast, tucking her napkin around her neck with practiced ease. While this exchange might have sounded stiff and standoffish to most onlookers, a more attentive spectator would have noted the faint smiles on both their faces as they returned to their respective tasks. The older woman folded her newspaper and drained her mug just as her daughter finished swallowing the last bite of toast. “Well,” she said, getting to her feet and smoothing out her red jacket. “I’m going out. I’ll be back in an hour.” She was just opening the door to leave the dining hall when her mother called out. “Just a moment, Moonglade. Come here.” Obediently, Moonglade left the door and took careful, measured steps toward her mother. The sun had moved in the sky and there were no shadows hiding her mother’s acid green, slit pupiled eyes. While the world knew her as Ebony Wings, one of the most famous actresses and models of the time, Moonglade only knew her as Chrysalis, the self appointed Queen of the Changelings, and her loving, if sometimes distant mother. “Before you go, I thought you’d like to take a look at this,” Chrysalis folded the newspaper to the middle and offered it to Moonglade. “Local high school seeks new computer teacher,” the teenager read aloud, as she had been taught to in situations like this. “Please contact Principal Celestia if interested.” The rest of the ad was dominated by the Canterlot High School emblem and the principal’s contact details. “It would seem congratulations are in order, young princess,” Chrysalis crooned. She took back the paper and stroked her daughter’s head. “I am pleased, and so will your aunt when she awakens.” Moonglade felt a delicious rush of love surge from her mother and into her, making her heart tingle and her stomach flutter. “Thank you, mother,” she said gratefully, and a second rush of love followed the first. “In fact, I think you deserve a reward,” her mother continued, brushing back a wayward lock of teal hair. “A changeling’s first kill should be something to celebrate. So go, have your walk and think about what you’d like. I’ll be going up to see to your aunt, so no lessons today.” Moonglade didn’t need to be told twice. She gave Chrysalis a small hug and skipped out into the sunlight. Moonglade slowly strolled on the stone pavement on the way to the lake, her hands behind her back as she made her way forward. Her eyes took in the wonderful scenery of the lake from afar and its surrounding grasslands, but her mind was in deep thought. Things had definitely taken a turn in the past few weeks, what with the arrival of not only her aunt Psithyra, but also of three girls whom her mother called ‘the sirens’. She remembered it perfectly: she had been practicing the violin with her tutor and mother when suddenly a sharp pain had jolted through her body, forcing Moonglade to her knees. Not a moment later, Chrysalis had practically flown from the room, returning an hour later soaked in blood and carrying an unconscious woman who Moonglade would later learn was her mother’s younger sister. Shortly after, the three sirens she had heard so much about from her mother and aunt had moved in with them, taking up the guest room a few doors down from her own. They were rather well behaved, but obnoxiously loud. Especially when they argued or tried to sing, which they used to do quite frequently. Her feet traced the cobblestone path that led through the orchard and toward the lake at the rear of the estate. Clusters of ripe apples and oranges hung from the branches of the trees and she was tempted to pick one. She would have, if she hadn’t just left breakfast. Instead to distract herself, Moonglade decided to take her mother’s advice and think about what she wanted as a reward for doing away with that computer teacher. Pierce Network… From the way Aunt Psithyra had gone on about him, anyone might have assumed he was some kind of notorious criminal. She hadn’t wholly understood all the rantings and seethings, but there had been a lot of talk about assassins and treason. A leaf fell onto her head and she brushed it off; in the end it hadn’t really mattered just why Network had been a bother to her aunt. After learning that Pierce Network had tried to kill her mother, any doubts had been dispelled and administering the poison had been easy enough. She smiled; Chrysalis was right: no one ever suspected children of anything sinister. As for a reward… Moonglade found herself at a loss when it came to that. There wasn’t really anything she wanted when it came to material possessions. She practically had everything a girl her age could want. Whatever she wanted, Chrysalis bought for her, whether it was the latest in fashion, a new phone, or even that antique violin she had seen in the museum two months ago. Sometimes the gifts were even unprompted, like that Eastern sword that she was expected to practice with for an hour each day. Without realizing how, Moonglade found herself at the lakeside. Today the water was mirror-smooth and reflected the fiery autumn leaves around her beautifully. The girl sat down on one of the benches that ringed the lake and took out a book. Chrysalis and her tutors had insisted that she get through a book every week, and since there weren’t to be any lessons today Moonglade could think of no better time to get a head start on this week’s assignment, which was King Dawn Saber and the Knights of the Round Table. The book spoke of how King Dawn Saber was a kind king, and how all his subjects praised him for his talent at making sure everyone had everything they needed to thrive as a great kingdom. Moonglade scoffed at the statement, remembering what her mother had told her about the king himself. She shook the thought out of her head and continued through the book to see what else the writer had made up. The king had ruled the kingdom well until his son, the dark knight Morn Dread, rebelled against him and led an army to claim the kingdom for his own. Dawn Saber led a battle against his son, eventually defeating him at the Battle of Canterlann. Moonglade closed the book and sighed. The history was barely accurate, but at least it was written well. “Well, that was a waste of time,” she muttered, tossing the book onto the bench beside her. Moonglade glowered at the water, mildly miffed that she had wasted her time on such nonsense. Not only did the book prove to be severely disappointing, but it also didn’t help her think of anything she wanted. Well, except maybe to slip the writer a dose of hemlock, but a quick glance at the publication date told her that old age had already beaten her to it. Moonglade sighed and slumped back against the bench, looking out at the shimmering water as the sun's rays played around above. If only cousin Morn Dread were still alive today. Perhaps there would be something in common we could talk about, being half-changelings… Then an idea struck her, right in the face. She looked beyond the walls surrounding her bountiful estate, the hills leading down the to the rest of the city below. People. There were plenty of people out there, real people who she knew nothing about. And while her mother often talked of how malleable and predictable humans were, she had never actually spoken to any of them other than to answer trivial questions that were leveled at her by impertinent reporters. Otherwise she simply smiled politely and did whatever Chrysalis had taught her was appropriate for each scenario. That's what Moonglade wanted, to experience the outside world for herself, without having to conform to the hundred plus protocols she needed to obey as the daughter of an actress. She wanted to go out there, to learn what it felt like to be loved by people, not because of her mother, but because of her own accomplishments. After all, a predator that has to feed off scraps is no hunter, but a scavenger. Her mind made up, Moonglade flashed a fanged smile at the lake before prancing back off to the house, pausing only to throw the book into the water. "I'm sorry, dear," Chrysalis said slowly, as if doubting her own ears. "But you want to... What? Leave the house on your own?" "I want to experience a normal life," Moonglade explained to her mother and aunt. "I want to learn how to be like you, mother. You’re always telling me how easy it is to get your way with people, right?” "Yes, but being out there is not always easy. Have you any idea how many people we’ve had to poison, stab, and otherwise dispose of to keep up appearances?” “I lost count after the siege of Trot,” Psithyra piped up from the bed. Her voice also resonated double, as if two women were speaking just out of sync. “Even then it was somewhere in the dozens.” “And I just made my first kill!” Moonglade countered. “Please, mother. You said I could choose a reward, and I want to see what it’s like to hunt outside!” Chrysalis clearly didn't approve of her daughter's request, but her sister seemed to be interested in the idea. "Chrysalis..." Psithyra started, trying to prop herself up. "I think she's onto something. All these years, you've kept her here, feeding off the love you get from others. Why not let her go out there and feed on her own? It's what you've trained her for, isn't it?" Chrysalis gave her bedridden reaper a dour look. “It’s not that simple.” "You let the sirens go out," Moonglade reasoned. "Why not me?" “The sirens are-” “They’re out at school right now!" the young girl interrupted. A bright glare in her mother’s eyes should have warned her to stop, but Moonglade was too concerned about getting her point across. “Adagio, Aria, and Sonata can’t even fight, and they do alright with humans. I can fight, I can shoot, I can handle myself, so why am I the one who stays at home while they get to go out?” “Chrysidea!” Chrysalis snarled, leaping to her feet and towering over her daughter. “That’s enough! Why I let those three roam free is none of your business, nor should you be questioning the decisions of your queen! I will not allow you to roam around in that mess of a city on your own, and that’s final!” The changeling queen spun on her heel and left the room, slamming the door on her way out. The silence that took the queen’s place was thick enough to be cut with a knife. Moonglade bit her lip, determined not to cry. Her mother had called her by her real name, and she only did that when she was truly adamant on having her way. I guess I’m not going out there after all… There was a cough. Moonglade turned her tear-filled eyes to the end of the bed, where her aunt was gesturing with a bandaged hand to come closer. The girl wiped her eyes roughly and did so, sitting down next to Psithyra on the mattress. The Queen’s Reaper sighed, pulling herself into a sitting position. “I’m sorry about your mother, darling,” she said eventually. A gentle tether of love snaked out of Psithyra and into her niece, wrapping around the girl like a soft blanket. “But she does have a point; the outside world can be a dangerous place. I’m not sure you’ll quite enjoy it once you get a taste of it,” she pointed vaguely to herself and cracked a pained smile. “Getting shot at isn’t as fun as it looks, and you’re far too pretty to get your face covered in blood.” The young princess only sniffled in reply. Relenting, the reaper patted her niece on the back. “Tell you what. If you really want to get out there, I’ll do what I can to convince your mom. Maybe we can work something out for you, hmm?” Moonglade stared wide-eyed at her aunt. “Really?” “Of course!” Psithyra put an arm around her. “You’re my favourite niece after all!” “Thank you, Aunt Psithyra!” Moonglade quickly gave the wounded changeling a soft hug. “No,” the Queen’s Reaper smiled contentedly at the far wall as her niece’s love flowed into her body, strengthening her body and closing her wounds. “Thank you.” Chrysalis sat at a circular ebony table in the corner of her room, her forehead resting on the back of her hands. Moonglade had really pushed a button earlier. Chrysalis hadn’t meant to shut her daughter down, but she really didn’t want her leaving the premises. She sighed again as she thought about what to do with her daughter when there was a soft knock at the door. "Not now," the Changeling Queen barked. "Come on, Chrysalis," Psithyra said from outside. "It took me a lot of effort to walk over here. The least you could do is let me sit down inside." Chrysalis glared at the table, as if staring at it would make her sister go away. "Fine. Come in." Psithyra pushed open the door with some effort and hobbled in, taking a seat beside her sister at the table. It still felt strange, Chrysalis thought, to be so close to her sister after over a century apart. "What do you want...?" Chrysalis asked slowly, a little irritation in her voice. "Calm down, Chryssie," Psithyra leaned back in the wooden chair. "I just want to talk about your daughter. She was really upset, you know." "I am not letting her leave, Thyra. That's final," Chrysalis glared swords at her sister. "She's old enough to do make her own decisions," Psithyra said calmly. "You can't be keeping her here forever. It's not good for her, plus, she won't learn how to hunt. Let her go out and experience the world." "No, Thyra!" Chrysalis quickly shot back, slamming both hands on the wooden table. “I’m not letting my daughter out there! What if she hurts herself, or someone finds out what she really is? As Queen of the Changelings, that is not a risk I can take.” “Then when do you plan on teaching Chrysidea how to hunt?” “By the-” Chrysalis fumed. “I am the queen! I can’t spend time fussing over every single little detail, that’s what I have you for!” “Well, in case you haven’t noticed,” Psithyra said tetchily. “I am in no shape to be teaching my niece anything other than alchemy for the next few weeks or so. Getting shot tends to do that, Chrysalis. So unless you’re going to do it...” she left the suggestion hanging between them, knowing perfectly well that her sister would not do anything of the sort. “But where is she going to hunt all by herself?” Psithyra had been waiting for this; her sister had left her an opening, and she took it without hesitation. “How about… a high school? They’re full of people the same age as she is, so nobody will look twice at her. Plus, she’ll still be able to learn more from her studies at the same time. Since you have me back, martial training has to take a back seat to academics.” “Absolutely not!” Chrysalis got up from the chair and walked over to the nearby window to gaze out at the city. One of the reasons she had chosen to settle down in this house was that it overlooked most of Canterlot. On clear days, one could see from one end of the city to the other. It made her feel like the queen she was. “I will not have my daughter go to that ridiculous high school down there! Especially after what happened to the sirens." "There are other schools in the city, sister," Psithyra reminded her. "But the point is... it might not be a poor idea to let her go. Just to school and back for five days a week. Is that so bad?" The Changeling Queen mulled it over in her head. While she was loathe to let Chrysidea out of her sight for even one day, let alone five, she could not deny that her sister had some valid points.It was both infuriating and liberating at the same time. "I'll... Give it some thought..." “That’s all I ask, sister,” Psithyra sighed and let herself fall back in the chair. “If you need any assistance, just wake me. All this talk has made me tired...” Somewhere in the east wing of the manor, Moonglade lay back in her room in her underwear, hair still wet from the shower. The water would soak into her pillow and make it soggy, but she would just get the maids to change it before bed. She had more to think on than damp pillows. Both heaters in the room were on full blast, and Moonglade took some tiny satisfaction in knowing that it would run up this month’s electricity bill for Chrysalis. It was a petty thing to do, and more than likely her mother wouldn’t even notice, but Moonglade’s strict upbringing prevented her from doing anything more drastic. “Pick a reward, she says,” The girl growled around her fangs, holding up her old friend, Mishter Schniffs. A gift from her mother so many years ago. “Anything you want, she says. So much for that. Don’t you think so, Mishter Schniffs?” Mishter Schniffs was supposed to be a changeling from the sirens’ world, Equestria. Sonata had drawn a picture of one years before, when they had still been with Chrysalis. Moonglade’s mother had stuffed the soft toy with aromatic herbs and scented fluff, allowing the girl to breathe the wonderful smell in when she cuddled it to her face. An odd-looking thing, to be sure; so like a horse but full of holes. Moonglade didn’t know if Mishter Schniffs was an accurate depiction of a changeling, but she didn’t care. Whenever she needed someone to talk to, he was always there for her. While it was nothing unusual for a girl to talk to her stuffed animals, it was rare that one would actually answer back. Mishter Schniffs was special though, even if he did have to use Moonglade’s own mouth to do it. “Well, your mother wants to keep you safe, Moonglade,” her soft toy replied with its not so male voice. “The outside world is supposed to be a dangerous place for your kind.” She hugged Mishter Schniffs to her chest and stared at the ceiling, muttering inaudibly all the while and when that got boring, she rolled onto her side and glared at the wallpaper instead, as if trying to set it on fire through sheer mental force. Eventually that got boring too and Moonglade zoned out, replaying her less-than-successful pitch over and over until she was disturbed by a knock on the door. “Yes?” she asked in a low tone without moving from her spot. The door opened, revealing one of the maids. “Forgive my interruption, Princess Chrysidea. Your mother requests your presence at dinner, which is being served at six.” “Very well,” Moonglade sighed, inwardly cringing at the thought of the awkward dinner that was sure to come. “Thank you.” Moonglade pulled herself up gradually as the door closed behind the maid. There was a clock on her bedside table and a half hearted glance determined it to be ten past two. Have I been lying here that long? Or did all the time go to the shower? Either way, it meant that her mother would be getting a hiked up bill of some kind by the end of the month, something which gave her some small thrill of glee. Moonglade plopped her plushie down on the bed and paced over to her closet and threw the doors open, pausing only to admire herself in the full-length mirror on the backside of the door. There was a fancy swivel chair in the middle of the space and she sat down in it before switching on the air conditioning. “What to wear…” she picked up a green dress and held it in front of herself before replacing it with a yukata that Aunt Psithyra had given her for her birthday. “Too formal,” she decided, placing both back on the shelf and settling on a plain dark skirt and sleeveless top. She walked back to the mirror to make sure everything was alright before closing the closet and reentering the veritable sauna that her room had become. Moonglade sniffed in distaste before making a beeline for the bathroom. On second thought, another bath couldn’t hurt.