“That should do it,” sighed River, putting her pencil down.
Despite her words, she made no move to get up from the comfortable chair that the servants had brought outside for her. Instead, she stayed hunched over the matching table, double-checking the updates she’d made to the ledger that kept track of the total worth of the Banks family. While she’d been able to account for what she’d spent in Las Pegasus, and the money that Lex had already appropriated from one of her family’s financial institutions, the full impact of the flooding and subsequent disasters had been much more difficult to estimate, forcing her to work in outlines rather than hard figures. Even then, she’d had to resort to considerable guesswork. “What a headache,” she muttered scornfully.
From behind her, Trotsworth took a single step forward. “Shall I fetch you more coffee, madam? Or perhaps another serving of eggs?”
The question made River glance at the empty mug and plate nearby, both casting long shadows from the lanterns set on the table. As much as she wanted another sip of the steaming Saddle Arabian blend she’d been nursing, she shook her head. “No, it’s almost dawn, and I can’t take a chance that Lex was being literal when he said he wanted to see an accounting of my assets first thing.” A brief look west confirmed the time, with the moon already more than halfway below the horizon.
The sight reminded River how the pony that moved it, as well as the one that manipulated its solar counterpart, were staying in her manor even now. Not so long ago that would have been a huge victory for her, flaunting to the Hoofingfords and McNeighs how the princesses were guests in her home rather than either of theirs. Now, however, it was just another complication she had to factor into the upheaval that her life had become. “Which is why I need to make sure this ledger is as accurate as possible,” she murmured as she turned back to the folio in front of her, eyeing it critically.
“Very good,” answered Trotsworth. Normally, that would have been all he said, but a moment later he gave a slight cough, the sort that was used to break the ice rather than clear the throat. “Madam, before you head out, there’s something I wanted to bring to your attention.”
That was unusual enough that it warranted River turning to look at him, one eyebrow rising. “Did something happen with the princesses?”
Trotsworth’s face showed only the barest hint of consternation as he shook his head. “Not at all. Rather, we’ve received a rather unusual request from Master Piggy.”
Snorting, River turned back to her ledger. “Tell him that whatever exotic dish he wants prepared is going to have to wait. This isn’t the time for his extravagances.”
“His request wasn’t for food, madam. It was about a girl.”
This time River’s head whipped around so fast she nearly fell out of her chair. “What?!”
Expression unchanging, Trotsworth elaborated. “Yesterday evening, prior to the arrival of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, Master Piggy said that he’s expecting a Miss Granola Bar to arrive in the next few days, and that we should promptly inform him when she does.”
It took River a minute to process that. While it wasn’t unusual for her son to show interest in mares, she’d never known him to fixate on any particular one. Rather, he’d usually make a crude pass at whatever reasonably-attractive girl was closest – thankfully, his unflattering physique and boorish attitude meant that he failed almost all of the time, making it easy to identify the gold-diggers who pretended to like his attention and chase them off – and forget about them by the time he had his next meal. For him to start asking about a specific girl by name was something else altogether, and River didn’t like the implications. “And who exactly is this ‘Miss Granola Bar’ to my son?”
Anypony else would have withered at the tone in her voice, but Trotsworth remained steadfast as he answered. “I’m afraid I’m not entirely sure. Master Piggy didn’t elect to clarify the nature of their relationship, and it wasn’t my place to ask.” He paused for a moment before adding. “In the name of discretion, I thought it best to check with you before passing his instructions along to the rest of the staff.”
“I’m glad you did.” Despite her words, River couldn’t bring herself to sound pleased. If “Miss Granola Bar” was looking to sleep her way into the family the same way that River herself had, then that needed to be quashed immediately. But if she’d already let Piggy have his way with her – and it was hard to imagine that her idiot son would be asking about her for any other reason – then she might already be carrying a baby in her belly…
“I can’t deal with this right now,” decided River abruptly, climbing out of her chair. Slamming the ledger closed with more force than necessary, she didn’t bother looking at Trotsworth as she spoke. “If this ‘Granola Bar’ turns up, I don’t want Piggy told. Have her brought to me instead. And not a word of this to anypony else, is that clear? I don’t want the rest of the servants to know about this.” Trotsworth could keep his mouth shut, she knew, but the rest of the staff were inveterate gossips; that was how she’d gained most of her information since she’d come back, after all.
Trotsworth was already nodding. “Of course, madam. But if Master Piggy should repeat his request to another member of the staff, there won’t-”
“Just do the best you can, Trotsworth!” snapped River, before catching herself. Letting out a slow breath, she forced herself to calm down. “Just do the best you can,” she said again, keeping her voice level.
“As you wish.” As unflappable as ever, Trotsworth moved on to the next topic. “Are there any particular arrangements you’d like us to make with regards to the princesses?”
Pursing her lips, River spent only a few seconds considering the question. “Tell them I’m sorry I missed them this morning, and that they’re welcome to stay as long as they like.” The words were begrudging. As long as they were here she needed to continue to deny herself the hard-earned fruits of her labors, having told the alicorns that she was voluntarily foregoing them in sympathy for what had happened to Vanhoover in order to cover up how Lex had cursed her. Now that the curse was removed, she had no choice but to keep up appearances…by not tending to her appearance. At least I don’t have that hideous bloodstain on my face anymore, she thought as she started walking towards the camp. I don’t care if the princesses ask about that. I’ll just say I changed my mind. She knew it was a petty bit of pointless retaliation at the alicorns for imposing on her when she was already trying to navigate a precarious situation, but it made her feel better nonetheless.
Only a little, though. The pleasant sense of accomplishment that she’d felt last night, when she’d celebrated having manipulated Lex into forgiving her and removing the curse he’d laid on her, had already faded away in the face of the next set of challenges. While that couldn’t be helped, it still left her feeling frustrated and mildly resentful. But she knew she needed to bury that before she dealt with Lex. A single misstep could be catastrophic where he was concerned, and River had no intention of losing the ground she’d gained with him.
Hopefully, that pegasus mare I gave him helped with that. The thought made her smirk, her mood lightening as she imagined Lex putting the little nag through her paces all night. Maybe I can find some way to pawn this Granola Bar mare off onto him, too, she mused. It wasn’t likely, of course, but a girl could dream.
River was still chuckling to herself as she neared the camp, making a beeline for the train station. There was no guarantee that Lex was awake yet, and if he wasn’t River had no intention of waking him up, but she had little doubt that he’d want to start reviewing the Banks’ finances sooner rather than later. Being helpful now would lay the groundwork for-
The sound of screaming made River immediately freeze.
For a moment she couldn’t move, paralyzed with fright as she heard a mare’s voice cry out in terror. The scream tapered off a moment later, and River managed to turn her head toward one of the nearby campfires where the sound had come from, the flickering embers just barely managing to illuminate a pegasus pony scrambling to her hooves. “CLEANSWEEP!” screamed the figure. “NOOO!”
A sickening feeling spread through River’s gut as she realized that she recognized that voice. Biting her lip, she changed course and charged toward the hysterical mare, recognizing her as Feather Duster, the maid she’d given Lex just a few hours ago. What’s she doing out here?! cursed River silently, ignoring the nearby ponies who’d been awoken by the commotion and were also making their way over to see what it was about. If she skipped out on satisfying Lex, I swear I’ll make her regret it for the rest of her-
But she wasn’t able to finish the thought as she got within a few steps of Feather Duster, seeing what had caused her to scream. A short distance away was a bright yellow pegasus filly that River remembered seeing last night when she’d drafted her mother into Lex’s service. In contrast to her hysterical mother, the little filly was sitting there silently, wide awake and unmoving.
Coiled around her middle was a giant snake.
Feather Duster could feel her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. “Cleansweep!” she shrieked, “don’t move, baby! Mommy will save you!” The words came out despite her having no idea what to do. But she had to do something before that horrible serpent killed her daughter!
The thing was huge. It had to be at least six feet long, and it was currently coiled around Cleansweep’s middle, just behind her wings, with its head extended forward almost to the filly’s ear. Alternating bands of red and yellow covered its body, and while Feather Duster wasn’t sure, she had a sickening feeling that the markings meant it was poisonous. Or was it not poisonous and it was just the type that squeezed its prey to death? Either way, her daughter was in danger! “Just…just hold very still, honey! You can do that, okay? Just hold still and I promise everything will be alright!” She didn’t know it that would be true, but right now keeping Cleansweep calm and not accidentally provoking the thing was top priority. “I bet there’s somepony here with a cutie mark related to snakes, or maybe it’ll spot a mouse and go chase it, or maybe it’ll fall asleep after a little while and you can-”
“It’s okay, Mom.”
Her daughter’s voice was completely calm, and it was enough to make Feather Duster pause. “Wh-what?”
Cleansweep smiled at her then, her expression completely unafraid. “Venin won’t hurt me. She’s a part of me, aren’t you girl?” Then, not hesitating in the slightest, she reached a hoof up and rubbed the snake just behind its head. Amazingly, that didn’t seem to upset the creature, having no reaction save for its tongue darting out and retracting in the blink of an eye, tasting the air.
Feather Duster almost fainted on the spot. “Sweetheart, be careful! That thing’s not a pet!”
Cleansweep just giggled, still petting the snake affectionately. “You’re right about that, Mom. She’s not a pet. She’s my spirit animal.”
“Your spirit animal?” echoed Feather Duster weakly.
“Yup!” Cleansweep couldn’t have looked more proud. “The Night Mare gave her to me.”