“You have been reading all the mail that I have sent to the Princess?” Twilight stared at him, her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide.
“You might want to keep walking. The wagons behind you can’t stop easily.” Hunter advised as he began to walk forward once more.
Twilight looked over her shoulder and jumped to stay out of the way of the dire wolves in their traces. “Don’t change the subject.” She said to him, her voice tense.
Hunter sighed and nodded. “Yes. Any letter or communication that leaves here is brought to my attention first. I so far have had no reason to speak of it due to your discretion. Which I appreciate.” He replied to her, his tone light.
“But…That’s…That’s not right. You have no right to read my mail!” She argued.
“No right?” He looked to her as a snort broke from him. “You are a guest in my Empire and you think I have no right to read correspondence that could be telling of the weak points or strengths of my kingdom and army?”
Twilight paused as she listened, but her glare remained. “Still, I thought you would trust me enough to know that I would not act as a spy.” She said to him.
Hunter sighed and gave a slight shake of his head. “Trust is something I cannot afford, Princess. I trust very few. I know why you were sent here and that your Princess had asked that you try to gain my favor as a way to get me to stop contesting the borders.”
Twilight paused as he reminded her that he was more than aware of the reason she was there. “I know that was the reason, but I thought we had gotten past that and…”
“No. That is a truth that we have not gotten past. I am aware that your other Princesses are using you to get what they want.” He replied to her and glanced down to her. “While you are trying to run interference with them and myself you are either ignorant of their desires behind your actions.”
“I am not being used.” She argued with him, her jaw set.
“Very well. Then you are blissfully ignorant of their machinations.” He responded. “I am sure that you believe that their reasons for sending you are that they wish to gain a willing ally. Or simply trying to get me to rescind all claim.” Twilight looked away from him, her eyes scanning ahead of her and then back to him. “I do not have the time to gain your favor and ask to read the letters. I had told you the Netherworld does as I command it. So any magic that is not of its or my design catches its attention.”
“But still…It's not…” She sputtered as she tried to argue with him. “The others are not using me. I agreed to it and…” She went silent as she realized what she was about to say.
Hunter looked to her, a brief sadness went through his eyes as he looked at her. “So you came here to trick me then.” Twilight began to shake her head. “I was aware of it already. Though hearing it is another matter I suppose.” He trotted away from her and vanished around a wagon.
Twilight was silent as she watched him disappear. She suddenly inhaled and a whimper escaped her as Rainbow landed to walk beside her.
“What was that?” The Pegasus asked.
Twilight was quiet as her head drooped to hang by her chest. Her wings drooping against her sides. “I argued with him.” She replied, her voice quiet.
“I saw that. I mean, why did he take off? You two usually chat about everything.” The pale blue mare commented.
“I…” Twilight went quiet as her eyes closed for a moment. “I hurt him.” She finally spoke aloud.
“How? I heard you yell about something, then he took off a bit later.”
“He told me that he had been reading my letters to the Princess.”
“He what? That’s rude.”
“The Netherworld has a magic of its own and it catches the letters and sends them to him to read. He hasn’t changed anything about them and once he checks them he sends them on their way I suppose. But I didn’t know, so I got upset at him.”
“And he got mad at you for it? I thought he had thicker skin than that.” The Pegasus commented.
“He does,” Twilight commented, her head coming up, as she defended the Overlord. “I said something I shouldn’t have. He knew that we were here to get him to relinquish the land but he didn’t seem to know that I came willingly knowing that. He was under the impression that I was being used and didn’t know it. I got angry at him and told him that they weren’t using me and I knew that was what they wanted and agreed to it…I shouldn’t have said that to him.”
Rainbow was quiet as the Alicorn explained. “Oh. That’s why he left you here.”
Twilight nodded and looked at her friend. “I hurt him, and I promised I wouldn’t.”
“Promised who? Him?”
“No. Sorkeno.” She replied.
“Oh. The Lord Dragon? Yikes…umm…” The pale mare looked back to the others and waved them forward.
Twilight heard her other friends coming to join them and they settled into an easy walk around her. Rainbow explained what had happened, while Twilight tried not to look as miserable as she felt. Rarity bumped her shoulder and Twilight looked to the white Unicorn.
“Well, you should at least apologize to him.” She told her.
“He was reading my…But I…” Twilight sputtered at the other mare.
“It’s true that reading the letters is rude of him, but it is not something that we should not have thought of. When you look at it and think of him is it really so far outside of his temperament?”
Twilight thought about it and then shook her head. “No. I probably could have asked and he would have told me.”
“Yup. He would have let ya know. He’s a cautious one. Ah told ya. Better to work with ‘im, than against ‘im. It’s just harder on both of ya.” Applejack said to her.
“You should go find him and tell him you’re super sorry. Maybe get him a cake if we see a town or some balloons.” Pinkie said to her as she bounced beside them. “No pony can stay mad forever.”
“It’s not mad I’m worried about, Pinkie,” Twilight responded to the bouncing pink mare. “It’s that I betrayed the bit of trust he had in me. I promised Sorkeno I wouldn’t lie to him or hurt him.”
“He won’t throw us out, will he?” Fluttershy asked, her tone held a bit of fear as she walked slightly behind the others.
Twilight was quiet as she shrugged. “I hope not.” She lamented and sighed.
“He’s not as petty as that, My Lady.” Soft Touch said as she came up from the back of the group, Spike now sitting on her back. “While your words may have hurt him, he will not channel that hurt back on you.”
Twilight looked at her handmaiden and nodded in understanding. “Your right. But I don’t think he will want to see me right now.”
“Perhaps not. But if you wait a bit and let both of you cool off and have clearer heads then you should be able to explain.” The mare replied to her, her voice soft and soothing to the lamenting Princess.
Twilight raised her head and looked at her friends. “You’re all right. I just need to wait until we stop and I will apologize to him for what I said. I don’t; think a cake will do anything Pinkie but I’ll tell him about it.”
The other mares nodded and Twilight raised her head once more, a small smile crossing her muzzle.
Hunter halted his trot a couple of wagons from the front and slid into an easy pace once more. While he knew that Twilight had come to coerce him into rescinding his claim he had thought that she was unaware of the true meaning behind it. Her admission made him aware that her fellow rulers were intending to put up more of a fight than he had thought they would.
The Overlord breathed in and held his breath for a moment and he looked back as a slight bump to his right shoulder had him looking over to find Wrath holding onto his normal spot on his armor. Hunter released the breath he was holding and set his gaze ahead of them. He had almost believed the mare’s claims of wanting to understand him and the Empire he ruled. He had believed her, even if not completely. He shook his head and pushed any thought of her to the back of his mind.
Sorkeno opened his eyes as a feeling of anger slid over his mind. He recognized that the sensation came from Hunter. It passed after several moments, but the emotion simmered under the surface. The golden dragon raised his head and looked to the eggs he was wrapped around, ensuring their continual warmth. He looked around and watched as Kaiana shifted and looked back to him. Her eyes widened at the sight of his raised form. She raised her head from the stones and looked to him.
“What is it?” Her voice was soothing as she spoke to him.
“It’s just a feeling.” He replied to her.
The matriarch was quiet as she heard him, her eyes widened slightly at the realization of what he had said. “Is he hurt?” She asked him. Her voice was urgent as she raised herself to her forelegs.
“Something has happened, but I am unsure of the severity. I will give it a couple of days. If it doesn’t change or it grows worse then I will…”
“No, I will go to him, should the need arise.” She replied, her voice assertive and held strength behind it.
Sorkeno nodded and watched as she laid back down and closed her eyes once more. Sorkeno could tell that she only dozed, ready to leave if the need arose. The silver matriarch was quiet as the golden dragon was silent as well. Sorkeno focused on the connection he held with Hunter and tried to soothe him as best he was able.
Hunter was quiet as a feeling of calm washed over him. He sighed as he recognized the feeling of Sorkeno. He had no doubt the dragon had sensed the anger from him and had reached out to him. The Overlord was quiet as time dragged by. He flicked an ear as Soft Touch approached him.
“My Lord.” She bowed her head as she walked a few feet away from him, keeping a respectful distance.
“Go ahead.” He said to her.
“My Lady has asked if she may have some of your time, later this evening.” She replied to him.
“For what purpose?” He asked her, his voice terse as he spoke.
She looked up at him for a moment before bowing once more. “She did not tell me the exact nature of her request. But I can guess if you wish.”
“Go ahead.”
“I believe she wishes to apologize, My Lord. She wants to explain both her reaction to your reading her mail and explain her words. I do not believe she meant them to be hurtful or said the way they were.” She replied.
Hunter gave a quiet sigh and looked to the handmaiden. “Very well. Once camp is set and everypony tended then I will give her a few minutes of my time.” He replied.
“I will let her know at once, Dark Lord.” She said and he waved a hoof at her, dismissing her from him.
Twilight watched, nervously as Soft Touch vanished to look for the Overlord. She looked at her friends and tried to ease her nervousness. Rarity bumped her shoulder and nodded to her.
“It will be fine, dear. You have shown that he is not unreasonable. While what you said may have hurt him, I do not think he will be cruel about it.” She assured the Alicorn.
“Exactly. He’s not so bad, once you get to know him a bit.” Fluttershy said to her. “And you know him the best.”
Twilight smiled at her friends as they nodded, agreeing with the shy mares statement. “I just hope I don’t make it worse.”
“You will be fine, dear. He is not unreasonable.” Rarity reassured her.
Twilight smiled and looked up as Soft Touch reached them, falling in close to Twilight.
“He will speak with you after the camp is set and everypony has been tended to.” She relayed his words to the mare and gave an encouraging smile.
Twilight breathed a sigh of relief as she gave a wide smile to the handmaiden. “Thank you, Soft Touch. I appreciate you asking him for me.”
“Of course. You asked and I am here to serve you. So it is no trouble at all.” The other assured her further.
Twilight smiled and fell into an easy pace with the others as they chatted the time away. Twilight looked to the side as a wagon lumbered past them, joining another that was passing them on the other side. Twilight watched as the dire wolves pulled it swiftly over the grass on the side of the road and past them.
“I have to admit those wolves are impressive,” Rainbow commented as they vanished ahead of them.
“Those must be the ones that go-ahead to set up camp,” Twilight said aloud. The others looked at her and she explained. “Hunter said that they will go ahead of us to set up camp and have it ready before we arrive. In the morning they will break camp and join up with us after we set out. It’s a faster way to start and break down camp.”
“That’s very time efficient.” Rarity admitted with a slight nod.
“He said that they had done it the old way and it took forever on a longer trip like this one. So they changed it and this is what works for them.” Twilight informed them.
“See? He talks to ya.” Applejack pointed out. “Things just got muddied and need ta be explained.”
Twilight smiled and nodded, agreeing with the orange mare. She looked ahead and felt better after talking with her friends and asking Soft Touch to talk to him as well.
Hunter sat around the main fire and closed his eyes as he allowed himself to relax a bit as he was still. The journey so far had gone well and they had not run into any issues that had not been accounted for. The slight disagreement with Twilight aside. He opened his eyes and watched as the servants they had brought with them saw to it that the other ponies were tended to and those that pulled the wagons were sat down to rest. Hunter got to his hooves and began to walk quietly among the ponies and then toward the beasts they had brought. As he approached them one of the dire wolves ran into the gate of the pen they were in. Hunter narrowed his eyes as he approached the pen. He drew up close to it and a familiar dire wolf looked up to him. Hunter held back a growl and rolled his eyes at the animal.
The minions bustled around and Hunter turned to watch as they ran around him. Behind him, the dire wolf whined and tried to nose him through the bars of the pen. He ignored the animal and watched as Soft Touch began to prep the ten for Twilight and the other mares with her. Hunter had ensured that she knew that the group was hers to tend to.
He watched as the mares all gathered close by her and he watched as Applejack tried to help but got shooed away by the experienced handmaiden. The others laughed as Twilight turned and he watched as she shook her head at Spike as the drake sat on her back. Hunter looked away from the group and back to the other mounts that were being set up for the night. The spiders would take the watch at night, staying within the trees and watching for any intrusion. The sky darkened and the ponies were being fed and others were already turning in to rest.
Hunter looked over as Soft Touch approached him, twilight close behind her. The stallion looked to the handmaiden and nodded to her. “Thank you, Soft Touch. You may go.” He gave a dismissive glance to her and the mare turned to leave.
“I will meet you back at your tent, My Lady.”
Twilight smiled and thanked the mare before she approached him, her stride tentative. She stopped close to him and faced him. “You wanted to speak to me?” Hunter said to her.
He saw her flinch slightly as she looked up at him. “Yes. Thank you for speaking with me.”
“What did you need?”
“I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier.” She began. “What I said was rude and…actually, it was just mean. I wanted to explain what I meant.”
He looked at her and nodded. “All right. You have my attention.”
She inhaled and squared her shoulders before she went on. “I am sorry for how I spoke. I meant that I knew what I had been asked to do. I know the reason they sent me and I am not being used. Though I admit when I was asked I did question it. But I decided that it was a task I needed to accomplish. After meeting with you and learning what I know I decided to change it. I know what Princess Celestia asked of me and I will still do my best. But, that being said I will not trick you and I will not lie to you. I made a promise to a certain large golden dragon and I plan on keeping that promise.”
Hunter looked at her as she spoke. “What does Sorkeno have to do with this?”
“I promised him that I would not lie to you. When he and I were waiting outside Nordberg we talked. He said that if I planned on tricking or hurting you, then he said that I needed to leave.” Hunter shook his head but listened as she went on. “What I meant when I said that I knew was that I was aware of what I had been asked to do. But in time I changed its meaning. Instead of trying to use a friendship against you, I decided to try to make a real friendship with you. Not one that could be used to hurt you. That’s not a real friendship. I decided that I wanted to learn more about your ponies and you. And you have been very understanding and kind to me, Spike and my friends. I did not mean to be hurtful earlier. I was frustrated and shocked that my mail was being read.”
Hunter looked away from her as he spoke when she paused. “That will not change just so you are aware.”
“I know. And after thinking it over and my friends talking to me I realize that it’s not fair to make you follow rules that aren’t yours. So, instead, I have a different solution.”
Hunter looked at her as a thin smile crossed her muzzle. “Oh?”
“Yes. How about instead of them being sent to you, you are there when they are made?”
“Pardon?” Hunter looked at her, his eyes narrowed slightly in confusion.
“I will write a letter and you can be in the room for it. I don’t mind reading it aloud or you watching as Spike or I write the letter. That way you are informed and I feel better about it as well. It won’t feel so invasive to me and you can still know what I’m writing.” The purple mare smiled as he leaned back slightly at the hopeful expression on her face.
“And you’re okay with that?” He asked.
“Of course. I figure this way we both feel better about the situation and everything stays…” She paused as she searched for the word.
“Transparent?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Hunter was quiet as he thought over her solution. It made sense that she would willingly keep him informed and he could monitor what Celestia knew. He was quiet as his mind went over the possibilities. “You’re not going to ask that I change the magic of the Netherworld are you?”
“No. Of course not. It can stay the way it is and I’ll just mention that we can meet up in the dining room or throne room and write it together.” She replied with a dismissive wave of her hoof.
Hunter was quiet as he leaned against the dire wolf pen. “All right. Sounds like a fair plan.”
“Excellent. Again, I am so sorry for how I said that earlier. I was upset, but that was no reason to be mean. I am so sorry.” She said and bowed her head to him as a show of remorse.
Hunter looked alarmed at her bowed form and he sighed. “It's fine, raise you’re...Yipe!”
Twilight leaned back at his sudden yelp as he jumped past her. Hunter spun around and a hoof went to the right hind leg. He rubbed his mid hamstring and looked to the pen he had been leaned against. “Ow.” He complained was a grimace crossed his features.
“Are you okay?!” Twilight went to him as he rubbed his back leg.
“I’m fine.” He pulled his hoof back and glanced to it before rubbing his leg again. “No blood, so it's fine.”
“What happened?”
“Damned wolf nipped me, I think.” He griped and his gaze went from the concerned mare to the whimpering wolf.
Twilight went to the pen and reared up to look over the gate. “Isn’t that the wolf you beat up earlier?”
“What makes you think that?” He replied as he rubbed his leg once more before putting his hoof down.
“Same coloring. That dark grey with black tips. A little bit of roan in the coat.” She replied. At Hunters sidelong look she grinned sheepishly. “I remember the coloring was pretty.”
“Hmm.” He went to the gate and the wolf tilted its head and whined to the stallion. The wolf lowered its tail in submission and spun in slow circles as it looked from him to the ground and then back to him.
“Why is it doing that?” Twilight asked.
“It’s showing that I’m the Alpha and she’s trying to make sure I know that.” He replied as he looked at the wolf. “She is making herself look less threatening and lowering her tail and tucking it shows submission.”
“She likes you.” Twilight gently teased.
“I’m sure.” He replied sarcastically and began to walk away.
He paused at the shrill whining and looked back as the wolf bumped against the fencing. Twilight looked to him, a teasing smile on her muzzle. He looked at the mare. “No. Not one word.” He said to her as he returned to the pen.
Twilight put a hoof over her mouth as she bit back a giggle. After biting her laugh, she looked at him. “Have you ever had a pet?”
“Come again?” He replied.
“A pet. You know a companion animal.” She asked him.
“I know what a pet is, thank you.” He griped back at her. “And the answer is no. I literally have no extra time for such things.”
“Why not? It’s healthy.”
“How so?”
“You can focus on something else and playtime with a pet is therapeutic.” He gave her a sidelong glance and stared for a moment. “Plus, who can say that their Overlord has a dire wolf at his side? Sounds very intimidating.” She added.
Hunter groaned and looked at the she-wolf. “You’re kidding me.” He replied and backed up. “I do not have the time to train her. The last thing I need is her embarrassing me during court.”
Twilight looked down to the wolf as she wailed as he walked away. “What if I can train her for you?”
Hunter stopped and looked over his shoulder. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I can ask Fluttershy and we can train her for you. Just please make sure she knows we are going to work with her, so she doesn’t bite.”
Hunter turned back and walked back to her. “By the Dark, you’re serious.” He groaned aloud and cringed at the dire wolves incessant whining.
“I mean it. Fluttershy can speak to animals and with her help I know we can teach her to stand with you. Like a well-trained pet.” She replied, eagerness leeching into her words.
“I don’t need a pet.” He responded.
“Okay. What about a guardian?”
“Huh?”
“Nothing strikes more fear into ponies or others than a very big wolf. Timberwolves are terrifying. Imagine if you have this dire wolf with you somepony tried to attack you? Before you or a minion can react, I mean.”
Hunter looked at her and then down to the wolf. He sighed and looked to the grinning mare. “Okay, say I agree to this lunacy. How long should this take?”
“I have no idea. I have seen Fluttershy tame bears though.” She replied.
Hunter looked at her, surprise in his eyes as she regarded her. He growled and looked at the mare. “All right, fine. But you two are training her.” He growled and his magic covered the wolf and he held her aloft, despite her wailing in protest, and followed Twilight back to her tent.
“Fluttershy!” Twilight hollered when they were close.
The yellow mare came out of the tent and squeaked at the sight of the Overlord with the Alicorn. She looked up and her head gave a gentle tilt at the sight of the whimpering dire wolf held in his red aura. Twilight smiled at her shy friend and Hunter lowered the wolf to the ground, allowing his aura to vanish. The wolf looked up at him and whimpered as it wrapped around his forelegs. He groaned quietly and waited as twilight began to explain.
“Okay. This is the wolf that got into trouble this morning.” Twilight explained and Fluttershy nodded as she recalled the animal. “Well, it seems to have taken a strong liking to Hunter. Since he has no time to train her I wonder if we can.” She said to the other mare.
Fluttershy looked at the simpering wolf and tried to smile. “If you like we can try.” She said quietly. “I haven’t worked with a wolf before. Well, not one this big.” She admitted.
Hunter looked to Twilight who looked back at him. “Bears, huh?”
“She has a bear friend.” Twilight explained.
“Oh, you mean Harry?” Fluttershy smiled at the mention of the animal. “He’s a big teddy bear.” She replied with a fond smile.
Hunter caught the look from Twilight and knew he had stepped in that one. “So can you work with her?”
“I can try.” The butter-yellow mare agreed and walked up to the wolf.
Hunter watched as the wolf looked at the mare and her lips began to pull up in a growl. Hunter stomped a hoof and the wolf quieted and lowered to the ground.
“What's her name?” Fluttershy asked.
“Name?” Hunter grimaced and thought over it while the mares began to try to pet the wolf. His mind raced over the names he knew and then he paused. “Dezhara.” He finally spoke aloud.
“De…What?” Twilight asked.
“Dezhara. It’s an old language, meaning Wild Beauty.” He responded.
“Oh, that’s so pretty,” Fluttershy replied.
“What language is that?” Rainbow asked as she came out of the tent to join the others.
“It's Old Dracoran.” He replied. “The language of Dragons.”
“Oh.” The Pegasus looked at the wolf. “Okay, that’s cool.”
Fluttershy started to talk quietly to the she-wolf and the dire wolfs tail began to gently wag. Hunter waited till Fluttershy was coaxing the wolf to walk around with her, then he began to move away from them. Twilight looked up and trotted after him, leaving Fluttershy to start training her. “Be right back.” She called and caught up to him in a few strides. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“For letting me make it up to you.” She replied and bumped him with her shoulder.
He glanced to her and nodded. “Don’t let me regret it.” He replied to her and trotted toward his own tent.
“I won’t.” She said softly back to him.