You've all heard the fictional village of Grape Song, I'm sure. The embellishments tend to differ depending on teller and listener. What details have you heard? Perhaps, the one in which the Legion forced all the villagers into a large barn and set it on fire? How about the one in which half a dozen assemblies bombarded the village with telekinetic blasts until there was nothing but rubble and gore left? Or how about my favorite; the ground opened up, and the wrath of our Prince swallowed the village whole. Its a pastime found in all parts of the Barrier Lands, told whenever one discusses the dangers of confronting the Legion.
Now, I can simply say that such things are exaggerations and leave it at that, but that is hardly any sort of consolation given that I am part of the Legion. My overall message, after all, is not to suggest that you should not worry at all about the Legion, but to encourage a healthy respect for us. Let me instead give you actual incidents of the Legion interfering in domestic matters. Don't worry, it's a short list. Such events are very rare, and the Legion prefers it that way. We would much rather put our faith in the brave ponies of the local garrisons so we can concentrate on external matters.
First, and the earliest recorded was in the real village of Grape Vale far to the southeast of here, where there was indeed a cell of ophidite spies. The Legion Inquisitor involved rooted out their hiding place in a citizen's basement, then sent in the rangers she traveled with. After the ophidites were slain, some villagers were found guilty of collaborating with the Empire, and were summarily executed. All two of them.
The second one involved Whiteout's Army, a large group of bandits made up of both ponies and wolven under the Legion deserter, Whiteout. They terrorized the countryside to the north. They had gotten so bold that they attacked roads close to SummerSteel City. The inquisitor assigned to the task rooted out their agents within SummerSteel that allowed them to coordinate raids on caravans. Under interrogation, these bandits revealed their hideouts. The Legion surrounded them, and wiped them out. Now, several officials in Summersteel were executed, including the deputy mayor, but this was because they were actually spies, not because they were simply incompetent.
The third, and last for this list, was the riot within the Great Delve. You may have heard of this one as it was only a decade ago. The riot was initially considered a domestic issue. When the Legion representative to the Delve was murdered, however, a team of inquisitors was sent. I must admit that this case involved a mass execution with every pony directly tied to starting the riots publicly beheaded. You must understand that it was important that a clear message be sent to the ponies of the Great Delve and their complicated internal politics. The Legion does its best to remain uninvolved, but once it has, terrible consequences must follow. This springs from our Prince's words themselves.
Yes, there are more incidents beyond this three I mentioned. These are the major incidents, I will point out. A great many lesser ones crop up often. There was one a year ago, right here in the Arcanis Atheneum, when somepony was stealing from the shipments of mana batteries meant for the Legion. I will point out that nopony was executed that time, though several expulsions, and a de-horning, were given out.
The Legion is on your side, never forget that. Brave ponies give their all everyday to protect our beloved Equestria. I hope you see our inquisitors not only as ponies doing their jobs, but as important allies; the connecting links between civilians and the Legion. You may find your own local inquisitor here in the Arcanis Atheneum, within the Legion outpost along with my office. While our primary purpose here is recruitment, we will assist you as appropriate. I must warn you, though, that falsely reporting crimes to the Legion is punishable by flogging at a minimum of five lashes. Thank you for your time, I will be taking questions.
Legion Representative Silk Slash to a class of new students in the Arcanis Atheneum.
Moon Basin had very few points of interest. Usually, it was a brief stopping point for anypony making the rare trip to Mount Moaning Top for some reason. As such, Cinder Spark didn't really have to search far to find Cloud Breeze. There was a small pond by the village's outskirts, surrounded by reeds with a large tree leaning over it. It was a pleasant enough little spot, and Cloud Breeze had taken a liking to it since the Rondo came here. The tree's large branches were highly conducive to lying down, with thick, soft leaves and naturally nest-shaped clusters of small branches.
Sure enough, it was easy to spot the long, pink tail hanging down from one of the branches. That and the rather distinct smell of wine...
"Cloud," Cinder called out. The tail swished slightly, like a bored, slightly annoyed cat. If anything, Cinder always found that adorable. She did enjoy catching Cloud here. The pond's stillness had a calming effect. Cloud's head poked out of the branches, glum at first, but already brightening.
"Cinder..." Cloud said. Her face twisted in embarrassment and worry. "I messed up, didn't I?"
Cinder sighed. She couldn't help a smile, though. "Yes," she said. "Yes, you did. But, you're fine, and not being whipped, that's what matters."
Cloud's lower lip stuck out before she landed on the ground, close to the pond's edge. It seemed that the near brush with pain and trouble was an excellent sobering tonic at least. "I knew that old fart of a father of yours was going to send lackeys. I didn't expect Inquisitor Chill Gaze to be one of them."
"You know him?" Cinder said worriedly. "He did look quite dangerous."
"Yes," Cloud's tone lowered to a hiss. "He's always had it for the Rondo. Years ago, he caught one of us trying to pick his pocket in the Delve." Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared. "He had Sticky Hoof lashed ten times! Ten lashes for the few lousy bits in his money pouch! Sticky couldn't even walk for weeks!"
"That is indeed very harsh," Cinder said. She looked back to some old memories. She had encountered Chill Gaze before, back in her university days. Her father had introduced her to some of Sharpstone Fortress's unicorn magi, perhaps to inspire her to sign up for the Legion as well. She remembered ice blue eyes and a vicious stare...was it the same pony? The image was fuzzy. Just that cold stare. Her father had achieved the opposite that day. She could not imagine herself bearing the scrutiny of such ponies, and not crumbling. The Legion was simply not for her.
"He's a monster," Cloud went on. "He's the worst kind of Legion pig. Legionnaires are supposed to be dedicated in service to us, not putting on airs and acting high and mighty!"
"That may be true," Cinder replied, "but he is the inquisitor assigned to this festival. If you antagonize him, he will bring the Legion down on us."
"I know..." Cloud picked up a stone, then skipping it across the pond. "I said I messed up, didn't I? Besides..." Her snout wrinkled, and her tone dripped with mockery. "I would hate to be rescued by your wonderful fiance."
Cinder stepped forward. "Skirmisher Captain Grey is a good stallion and clearly a friend," she said. "He did not have to do what he did for you, but he did. If we do not play this right, he will make an enemy of my father, and that would be the end of him."
"Just go through with the marriage then," Cloud replied. "He's a strong, dashing, handsome stallion with some rank already." Her lips twisted briefly into a cruelly mocking smile for a second. "He's a skirmisher, though, so you better hope an extermination campaign doesn't come during your lifetime. Either that or bear a foal with him before he goes off. Skirmishers get the short end of the stick during battles against ursans!"
"Stop this!" Cinder said sternly. "He's—!”
Cloud suddenly turned around, and grasped Cinder's shoulder firmly with both hooves. "I don't like sharing," she said, her tone husky, defensive, and intense all at once. Cinder could still smell wine in her breath. Cloud glanced sideways for a moment. "Well...except maybe booze, and smokes, snacks too..." Her eyes focused and her grip tightened. "But not my Cindy. I saw how he looked at you. He has to know he doesn't stand a chance."
"Of course he doesn't," Cinder replied. For a moment, she just stared. The sudden sharpness and focus in Cloud's smoky, light blue eyes made her heart throb, a little bit out of fright, true, but also a good deal of excitement. When Cloud cleared out the fog of drink and smoke, she could be so intense. Cinder was quite happy that the reason for such occasion often happened to be her. She tucked her muzzle under Cloud's chin. Now, if only she could stay like this more often. That would require something she had been going on about for a while.
"Cloud...maybe we should go. Right now. We should skip the this festival and just run off."
Cloud Breeze's shoulders tensed, then she pushed Cinder back to foreleg's length. "What?" she exclaimed. "I already told you that I can't do that! One last big party with the Rondo before we set off together, right?"
"I know," Cinder said. She glanced away after that accusatory question. "But things have changed now. There's a Legion Inquisitor..."
"I'm not afraid of him!" Cloud snapped. "He's not scaring me away from this party!"
"Cloud, you've been in so many parties with the Rondo. You've more than enough memories of them to treasure, and we can always come and see them after things have cooled down."
"That's—!" Cloud's lips twisted at the sight of Cinder's pleading face. She breathed heavily, looked away, struggling inwardly while Cinder waited and hoped. Finally, she let out an exhale. "No." Cinder's heart sank, but outwardly she just put on a resigned face. "I want this to be our celebration, in the Rondo's style. We won't be getting a wedding with your father probably hunting us down, but this is our big party before our new life. The Legion is not taking it away from me. Our love is stronger than their callousness."
"Cloud, I appreciate gesture, I really do," Cinder replied. "But I'd rather we make it out of this safely. If my father catches us, he'll never trust me to live here in Moon Basin. He might even have some legionnaires throw you in a dungeon or worse!"
Cloud crossed her forelegs in front of her. "No," she said. "That's the bottom line. I'll take your father on in a heartbeat."
It was Cinder's turn to grasp Cloud by the shoulders. "Cloud—!"
A rustling by the bushes from the opposite side of the pond brought them up short. A lone unicorn mare with a pale yellow coat and a long, golden mane came out. "Pardon me," she said. She spoke loud enough for them to hear her, but her voice was soft and wispy. "I was hoping to speak with Spared Rod. It's about his special delivery."
Cloud Breeze's eyes lit up. "Sassy Saffron!" She glanced back to Cinder, eyes determined and stern. "I'll see you later. No more talk of skipping this, alright?"
Cinder didn't leave right away, however. This Sassy Saffron mare looked a bit...unsettling. It wasn't just the slyness in her gaze or her smile. She had an aura around her that Cinder couldn't explain. Some traces of magic that she couldn't quite determine. Cloud was in danger. It just felt that way simply from how the two were talking.
Sassy Saffron caught her staring, and offered a polite smile and a short bow.
The look from those ruby eyes only worsened the sensation. Cinder tried to turn around, only to find herself rooted to the spot. She was trembling, and her legs refused to follow her commands. After a few more seconds, she managed to tear them from the ground, and put them in front of one another with great effort.
Though it was only supposed to be a leisurely walk, Cinder was panting and in a cold sweat when she finally reached her house.