//------------------------------// // The Storm Comes In // Story: A New Moon Is Rising // by Jinxed //------------------------------// She was apprehensive, but was more than confident in Princess Celestia and her soldiers abilities. Twilight trudged along the pebble-filled pathway along to the west wing of the castle where the barracks was located in the garrison. She was to receive some light armour and a basic weapon there from the Captain of the guard. She’d protested the need for a weapon at first, only relenting when Celestia insisted upon it, as while her guard would be more than capable of defending her there was always the possibility something bad could happen that they couldn’t predict and she might be alone to defend herself without her magic. Twilight had never fought beyond basic fencing lessons with a mock rapier, and the basics of swordplay she learned for historical understanding, not that she felt it could truly translate to real world ability. Magic from books into action was one thing as spells were her talent, but physical prowess was something else entirely. That thought aside, she came to a stop before the heavy double doors of the barrack and knocked twice, her tail swishing with slight agitation. Barely a second had passed before the door swung inward and she was greeted by an imposing burly stallion likely thrice her size. The huge pony was geared in the same armour she’d seen on the inner palace guards; form fitting armour that was heavy and segmented, with overlapping plates and a helm that encased the head. The difference between this stallion and the inner guards though, was the helm was a different shape with a diamond in the centre instead of a ruby. “Miss Sparkle!” His voice boomed from inside the armour, waving her in. “Welcome tae ma garrison, very kind o’ ye tae come so quick. I’m Captain Crichton, if ye come on inside we’ll getcha kitted up an’ ready tae go.” She nodded, time was of the essence. Once she stepped foot into the accommodations she shrunk back slightly as a few armoured soldiers rushed past despite the heavy armour they wore. The Captain paid it no mind and led onward, going past the main sleeping area and the mess hall, straight to the armoury itself. “In here, lassie, nice an’ quick now.” He ordered in a polite tone. “We’ve got tae be oot’a here within tha hour, best be on tha road a’fore tha storm hits, otherwise isnae gonna make leaving any easier.” “There’s a storm coming? It wasn’t projected in any weather reports I heard.” Twilight questioned, stepping to the side as he came in after her and headed to the armour racks. She eyed the stands, all lined neatly where they were; many were already empty, each one higher in complexity to one side, becoming lighter armoured and more basic on the other. It was the same for weapons as well. “Aye, lass. I spoke wi’ tha Princess an’ recommended et tae cover our tracks, isnae noon yet an’ thas’ usually when we have ourselves a general perimeter check.” He explained, taking a moment to look at her size, then looked back to the racks. He unobtrusively placed his gauntleted hands on her sides, nodded, and went over to the far left of them, picking out a decent looking set of light scale armour; simple, but incredibly functional. “We’re bein’ spied at from afar by enemy forces, Miss Sparkle. If we gaun tae make a diplomatic mission, best not telegraph our true intentions. We gaun oot inna standard formation fer a check, an’ break off upon reachin’ tha east side o’tha castle where thar’s a route intae tha mountainside, tha storm should strike as we reach tha edge o’tha forest below tha Unicorn Range mountains.” “Far be it for me to question, but wouldn’t the storm be beneficial to cover us before we leave the mountain itself?” Twilight wondered, blushing slightly as he gathered a gambeson and a chainmail hauberk. “And… do you have a changing area?” “Ais easier fer ye tae put et on here, an’ I doubt ye know how tae properly don tha armour, but dinnae fear; ye winnae need tae change yer clothing. As et es, ais a light layer that goes well wi’ tha gambeson an’ tha padded leggings, et’ll be good fer tha weather.” He smiled, handing them to her. “As fer tha storm, nae at all. Tha treeline goes almost uptae tha mountainside an’ we already have a small guard stationed around tha mountain base, we winnae attract any undue attention.” She nodded through his thick accent. The next few minutes were interesting, as she put on the gambeson along with the leggings, then the hauberk over the gambeson that went down to her waist and continued down her legs on either side to the thigh, which was then tightened with a belt. She already felt slightly overdressed. Next came her scale armour. It was apparently lighter and more functional than the plate armour the main guards wore, it would allow her to move quicker than being in plate as she didn’t have the necessary training. The Captain carefully attached the separate pieces of scale armour to the hauberk with the links welded to the hauberk itself, making the two pieces effectively a single one. Her chest, back, shoulders, arms, waist, and upper legs were eventually all covered in the protective scales. The final touches were the padded gloves and boots. They were both made of high quality leather, having chainmail woven into them in the appropriate places, with scales protecting the backs of the gloves and the fronts of the boots. “Ye look ready tae go. Almost.” He nodded, grabbing a standard helm of the guard. “Yer’s es a known face, I’d wager. Best tae hide et.” Handing it to her, she took and examined the item. The helm was as she’d expected, effectively covering the sides of the head, protecting parts of the face with the side flanges raised up and the middle of the helm protecting the centre of the head and nose, the upper sections slightly open for ears to poke through with a slight flare to cover them. The interesting addition was the faceplate that interlocked with the helm and could be removed, and the aventail of chainmail that was riveted around the inside of it against a heavy leather strip, that would protect her neck. She put it on, feeling slightly out of sorts by the limits of her vision through the eye slots. This was going to take some getting used to, as was the entire weight of this armour. There was still the sword that she was meant to carry as well, to which it was handed to her by the Captain as she took in a breath and tried to adjust. Blinking, she gingerly wrapped her fingers around the scabbard like it was a delicate piece of a tea-set, taking the belt of it and putting it around herself while minding the sword's new weight. It was a strange thing, to have a weapon on her hip. It was extra mass on top of the armour, but it was apart in a way. It made her feel stronger, which was weird because the sword was only a standard issue shortsword, a gladius. By itself it couldn’t protect her as it wasn’t anything specially enchanted such as to put out a shield upon contact. She had to wield it efficiently for it to be of any true use. “Alright, now yer ready. Ma lot have tha provisions an’ yer supplies an’ all, so we’d best head on now.” The Captain said, striding past her and grabbing the door. “Jus’ remember tae keep en tha centre o’ all’o us while we travel.” Twilight nodded, following after him. The armour shifted about as she walked but not as much as she’d expected, and it wasn’t as bad a weight as she’d thought it might be either. It was still going to tire her out eventually as she’d never been incredibly athletic, but for now it would be fine, and there would be plenty of chances to rest later. Passing back through the garrison Twilight suddenly came to a stop behind the Captain as he halted, realising his soldiers were standing to attention just before the exit. She carefully stepped around the large stallion until she was standing next to him, wondering what to do next. “Alright, troop.” He nodded to the lot of them informally. “As ye all know, we've been tasked by Princess Celestia tae escort her protégé Twilight here onna diplomatic mission.” He gently slapped his hand onto Twilight’s shoulder which made her jump slightly. “Her life es top priority an’ we winnae fail tae get her where she needs tae be. I know I’ve given ye lot a basic gist, but fer clarity’s sake I’ll let her speak. Go on, lass.” Twilight nodded, stepping forwards. “H-hello everypony.” Twilight greeted the soldiers lined up before her, taking a breath and trying not to be so intimidated by their undivided attention. “I’ve been tasked by the Princess to lead an official diplomatic mission into the Changeling lands so we might count them among our future allies.” As she continued, she found her voice easier. “Now, there hasn’t been a lot of interaction with Changeling hives beyond the first days of contact between the great tribes, they’re still a very secluded and non-interactive people despite the allowance they make for travellers, but I’m hopeful even if there’s a lack of trust, that due to the political climate and the… well, the looming threat of starvation due to the war for them, that they’ll join with us to form a mutually beneficial relationship between our peoples, and it’s my job to make sure that happens.” “To that end, we have a very precious supply of magical love safely secured for this journey, if my message from the Princess was sent ahead then that should hopefully be ready to go along with us.” Twilight stated, looking back at the Captain. “Aye, ‘tis.” “Alright then.” Twilight nodded with a small smile, gesturing outward to the soldiers. “Um, well our destination is roughly beyond Galloping Gorge into the territory of the Crystal Empire, where Princess Celestia’s scouts met with the Changelings initially. A message has been sent, so Princess Cadance will be sending a scout of her own to inform the Changelings we’re coming. We’ll signal when we arrive, but to optimally achieve and reach our goal within a reasonable timescale, Princess Celestia and I plotted the safest and fastest route we could think of.”  “We’ll cross a majority of the Unicorn Range following the mountain spire that leads to Smokey Mountain, but before we reach any conflict zones around that area we’ll divert North around the spire and across the masses of farmland under Princess Celestia’s control, passing a checkpoint along the train lines. That will lead us into the forests East of Galloping Gorge, which should be very safe as we’ll have escorts from Cloudsdale helping at that point. From there and the edge of that forest, it’s not a long trek until we move into the Frozen North, the Changelings should know to meet us by the time we get there.”  With that, she quickly bowed her head and stepped back beside Captain Crichton. “I’ll stay with everypony and keep my head down.” “Alrighty then.” He nodded, she could feel his smile inside the helm. Twilight was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but shook a little when he suddenly slammed his armoured boot into the ground and shouted. “TROOP, WE ARE MOVIN’ OOT!” As the Captain had said, the storm hit fast and hard by the time they had already emerged from the mountain's face and headed into the dense thicket of trees. Twilight kept level as best she could with the soldiers rough pace, but it wasn’t easy with the sheer weight of the armour she wore. It was slightly embarrassing when the Captain ordered a slower march just so they wouldn’t require stopping anytime soon. “Dinnae fret aboot it.” He told her, heavily slapping a hand on her back and knocking a little wind from her. “Ye nae a soldier, we cannae go tha usual manner.” “I really don’t mean to slow all of you down.” Twilight apologised, recatching her breath. “Aye well, we’re nae leavin’ ye behind.” The large stallion intoned. They continued their newer pace for roughly nine more hours with only two small breaks between, which felt like barely enough time to even breathe, and almost traversed the entirety of the massive woods Twilight noted when they finally came to a stop, Celestia’s Sun had dipped earlier in the day, but she could see the massive peaks of the mountains towering above them from where she was. While that was excellent, she was sucking in huge lungfuls of air and panting like a dog, gulping down water to cool off as if she were an overheating steam-train; the rest of the soldiers simply took small swigs of their waterskins and laughed among one another. “This is crazy... how you do this.” Twilight commented to no one in particular, falling gracelessly to her knees. “But I can’t say... we’re not making good time.” For a while she rested back, then letting her legs move forward and shifting them around into a crossed position so as to sit more comfortably. Other guards were removing their helms and she wondered if she would be able to do the same, it was awfully warm underneath the protective headgear. When she attempted to, gently placing her hands on either side of the metal, another hand hit down on the top of the helm. “Don’t wanna do that, kid.” Twilight looked up in curiosity and slight annoyance at her assailant, ears flicking involuntarily as the action had made her head hurt from the spot the helm had slapped down upon. She met eyes with a cocky looking mare who appeared as if she belonged in a prison rather than the Royal Guard, but maybe she was being a bit judgemental. The mare with a smirk was silvery-white, with a short cropped black mane that didn’t extend past her fluffy ears, and somewhat almond-shaped amber eyes that spoke of a troublesome nature. Going by her looks Twilight placed her as from somewhere around the far-east of Equus, beyond Equestrian borders. “You’re not meant to be taking that off in the open, no matter how sweaty you are.” Frowning, Twilight spoke up. “Then where can I take it off?” “Set up a tent and get inside, then you can.” She said with a smile. “I can help if you like.” It wasn’t that Twilight was trying to be rude, but she didn’t exactly trust this mare. Having said that she was Royal Guard so she must have been on the level, at least to a degree in order to be on this assignment. “Alright.” Twilight slowly nodded. “That would be nice.” With another flashy smile the mare quickly helped Twilight to her feet, giving her a rough slap on the back and an ‘atta girl’ in addition. Ignoring the blatant lack of respect towards personal space, she trudged on over to where the supply cart was and carefully retrieved her own pack that was quite frankly oversized with gear she didn’t feel she needed, but the Captain had assured her each tool and item had its specific use and when the time came, they’d be invaluable. Detaching the tent and the poles that were rolled up with it, she grabbed them in her magical aura and wrapped the lines of cable around the package to neatly have everything in order, before she widened her eyes in shock when the mare shouted out and smacked her roughly on the horn with a growl. Sharply crying out with her hands immediately flying to the offended area, she doubled over and held onto her horn until her vision stopped swimming and the jarring sensation and stabs of pins and needles stopped. “What in the name of Celestia was that for?!” Twilight snapped at her after rising up to her full height again, which even then she was a few inches shorter than the mare. “Are you usually in the habit of attacking ponies for no reason?!” “No. Idiot. You’re not supposed to be using magic as it announces our position to the damn enemy and will bring down a fuckton of hurt on us.” She replied back with a glare, crouching down to pick up the bundle as it had fallen to the ground when Twilight’s magic had sparked out and released it. “Did you not listen to the Captain telling us that?” Slightly taken aback with both slight shock and embarrassment, Twilight laughed nervously at the reason and felt her tail swishing in betrayal of her feelings. “Oh, n-no. ...I was reading.” She became intensely aware not seconds later that the Guard were on alert, crouched down, and scanning the treeline around them and beyond. All because she’d been a moron. “We’re all clear.” The Captain announced, glancing over in Twilight’s direction. “Jus’ an accident es all.” Warily, the Guard returned to what they were doing with a few giving annoyed or bemused stares in Twilight’s direction which only caused her to want to fold in on herself even more, but she managed to keep it together while the silvery mare with her walked on with the tent underarm. “Keep pulling that shit and you’ll earn a rep.” She laughed, apparently back to being carefree and mischievous. “Over here looks like a decent enough spot.” “You’re not going to ditch me?” Twilight asked, still eyeing the others around her. “No. You’re who we’ve gotta protect.” She smiled. “You’re a naive idiot, but the Princess tells us to jump…” Nodding, Twilight helped the mare unfold and set up the tent as quickly as possible, the Sun had finally reached the horizon by the time everypony had made their own tents up and prepared to rest for the evening. They’d discussed the possibility of moving through the night but it was a high risk that Princess Celestia hadn’t been willing for them to undertake unless absolutely necessary, and there was much too large a berth between the Unicorn Range and the Galloping Gorge woods to safely cross without being spotted in some manner by Luna’s Night Guard, who were very efficient at seeing in the dark. Another good reason why lights weren’t allowed. Within the thick tents every guard was using however, it was safe enough to use a horn as a small light source, Twilight’s own glowing softly in the gloom and illuminating her features. “So kid…” The mare poked her from where she was sitting and leaning back against her rolled up sleeping bag. “What are your plans for the future?” The question caught Twilight off guard to the point she stumbled, dropping the quill she’d been using to write with. Her helm now also removed in the secure confines of her newly erected tent, Twilights mane flowed free around her face and framed her curious look, which seemed to highly amuse the eastern mare. She picked the quill back up and placed it beside the letter she’d been writing, both of the items placed atop a packable desk table Twilight had brought with her. “I don’t know.” Twilight replied, the sincerity evident. “I’m going to keep learning though.” “No idea for work?” She continued. “Surely you being under the Princess’s wing means you’re meant for something high up, right?” “I’m not so sure about that.” Twilight shrugged, regarding the mare a little more. “I know a lot, and I’m always trying to learn more, always trying to understand. I think she appreciates that, but nothing in my future is certain.” “You don’t think she wants you to rule with her?” Twilight couldn’t help but scoff at the mare's words. “I’m not ruling material.” Twilight grinned, shaking her head. “That would be too much responsibility as well, I just want to…” “Yeah?” “...I want to rebuild the library in Ponyville. Go back to being a librarian.” The mare blinked. “That’s it?” She wondered incredulously. “That’s kinda boring. I always wanted to catch bad guys as a kid, yannow? Grew up wanting to be a Sheriff, and then I joined the Guard, and it was like surpassing that dream.” “Well, I’m still pretty young, I’ve got time to follow dreams.” Twilight smiled. “After this war is over, I’d like to reunite with my friends again like we used to, it doesn’t feel like so long ago that we were having picnics.” “Man, you really are just a kid.” The eastern mare sighed. “What’s your name, by the way?” Twilight asked, leaning back. “I’ve been a little too occupied to ask and you never said.” “Trip.” The mare flashed a smile. “It’s what everyone calls me.” “Alright, Trip.” Twilight nodded, shifting around and holding out her hand. “Nice to meet you, I hope we can get along as friends, I’m Twilight.” A little amused, Trip quickly grabbed the offered hand and shook with little restraint. “You’re a weird kid, I already know your name.” “You don’t use it, though.” Twilight frowned. “Nope, your face is too funny when I don’t.” Trip continued smiling. As the evening approached nighttime, Trip insisted Twilight bed down and sleep so she rested up plenty, as they’d be getting up early to make up for lost time. Twilight had started to protest but the Captain had poked his head into the tent and given them the order for lights out, settling that argument before it had begun. The sounds of the woods around them were calming, Twilight thought as she rested her head against the small pillow she’d been issued. It wasn’t as soft as her one back in the library had been, or the hospital's own, but it was better than nothing. She couldn’t hear Trip making a sound and shuffled around to face her, feeling slightly weirded out to see her sleeping straight on her back as if she were standing to attention. Her generous chest rose and fell rhythmically so she was definitely breathing, and she was fast asleep. Weird. It took quite a time before she managed to sleep, but she always re-awoke every now and then. It was this entire situation, of being elsewhere in the world, of not being in her home, being on a mission in wartime, not being with her friends, alone with complete strangers that were supposed to die for her. It was overwhelming, she felt tears at the edges of her vision. Before any could threaten to spill however, a hand rested on her shoulder. She gasped, turning to look up at Trip who was holding a finger to her own lips in a shushing gesture, Twilight hadn’t even heard her get up and come over. Quietly as she could, she sat up as Trip retrieved her equipment and carefully unsheathed her shortsword, taking and handing Twilight’s helm to her. Putting it on without hesitation, Twilight watched as Trip snuck over the tent entrance and signalled for her to stay put, before carefully slipping out into the darkness. The minutes that passed felt like hours as a massive sense of trepidation and fear overcame Twilight, her heart pounding in her ears as she strained to hear anything out of the ordinary. She thought she heard the noise of metal meeting metal, her ears flicked to the left along with her eyes when another sound came, possibly one of distress? That was when she heard Trip’s voice quite clearly. “ENEMY ATTACK INCOMING!” She roared into the night, it was entirely without fear, unlike Twilight who was hidden away inside the tent. “EVERYPONY ROUSE YOURSELVES!” A few seconds later Trip rushed inside the tent and glared to where Twilight was crouched down, Twilight stared back, seeing the broken-off shaft of an arrow poking from her upper leg, and was going to comment before Trip spoke first, pointing at the sword by her desk. “Grab that. Now.” She ordered. “Killed a scout, they’ll be on us soon.” The dread in Twilight’s breast only increased tenfold.