Auriga walked the streets of Irkalla when fog started to roll in. Mist shrouded the afternoon sun and chilled her through her cloak. Rain was approaching, no doubt. Strangely, many ponies seemed unfazed as the clouds darkened, instead gossiping about a grand ship that had arrived in the city.
She frowned as she saw ponies milling towards the docks. She followed, tasting sea salt in the air with every breath. Upon reaching the harbor, she saw it: a massive galleon, flying the flag of Griffonstone high above its sails. There was only one reason for such a ship to be in Irkalla. She scowled when she saw him.
A griffon disembarked from the vessel, wearing fine clothes that seemed to shimmer even in the overcast. It was the Marquis du Verrier, one of the most prominent nobles of Ganzir.
Nimbus Gust, head of the City Guard, stood ready to greet him at the end of the gangplank. The Marquis smiled and shook her hoof before turning to the crowd. Ponies cheered, eager to catch a glimpse of the noble. Auriga seethed.
“Nobles.” It would be more accurate to call them the arch-thieves of Ganzir. Those griffons who own the land and steal the wealth that rightfully belongs to ponies.
She had seen enough, so she turned to sulk away from the waterfront. As she trotted back through the streets, ponies became sparser and the fog grew heavier.
Through the haze, a Guardspony walked towards her on patrol. The bored-looking unicorn stallion wore the new uniform of the City Guard. She hadn’t seen it up close before. Auriga stopped in her tracks. On his chest was an embroidered patch: a patch of the Idol of Boreas.
A false idol for a false griffon god. The lie at the heart of Griffonstone.
“Is something wrong?” The stallion looked at her with concern. Auriga grit her teeth, then anger overwhelmed her.
“What’s wrong is ponies like you working to keep us all under the claw of Griffonstone,” she spat, coming muzzle-to-muzzle with the stallion. “Ponies whose cowardice will end Ganzir as sure as griffon avarice.”
The stallion narrowed his eyes. He took out a small notebook and scribbled something on a page before tearing it out and levitating it to her. Confused, she took it. He walked past her without saying a word.
Auriga looked at the page. On it was an address, a time, and a drawing of a sword.
***
Rain poured from the sky as Auriga stood at the entrance to the Meridian House. She knew this place was owned by Prime Meridian, the richest pony in Ganzir. He was the founder of the Meridian Company, and a genius at creating magical machines, though his inventions were widely regarded as little more than curiosities.
She knocked at the door, but whoever was inside was slow to answer. Thankfully, she remained dry under her cloak. When the door finally opened, a stallion leaned out and asked what her business was.
“I’m here for a sword,” said Auriga. She showed him the page the Guardspony had given her. After examining it, the stallion invited her inside.
“Follow me,” he said, leading her past the foyer and through a maze of hallways. Auriga became nervous when they descended down a staircase and came to an large, imposing door. The stallion pushed it open.
She stepped into what seemed to be total darkness, her eyes having no time to adjust before the door slammed shut behind her. Magic suddenly gripped her and pulled her further into the cellar. A bright light shone hot on her face and made her sweat. She was surrounded by silhouetted ponies.
“You wish to join the Sword of Dawn?” said a pegasus mare, stepping forward.
They’re real.
Auriga nodded. The pegasus moved closer with a stern expression.
“Do you swear to never be a friend of Griffonstone, and to aid the ponies of Ganzir in ending their reign over this land?” she asked.
“Yes,” Auriga replied.
The mare’s gaze was inscrutable. She remained stone-faced for a few moments before nodding at one of the shadowy ponies. Auriga was freed from the magical grip and the bright light that was trained on her dissipated as the room became evenly lit.
“Very well. I am Silent Eye. We have much to discuss,” she said, extending her hoof. Auriga reached out and shook it, trembling slightly.
Auriga was sweating all over, so she pulled off her cloak. She noticed an immediate change in Silent Eye’s expression. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was agape; she was staring at Auriga’s flank.
“What is it?” asked Auriga. The room was silent.
Silent Eye slowly raised her hoof to point at a banner hanging on one of the walls. On the banner was a symbol: a sword beneath a sun. A sun that perfectly matched Auriga’s cutie mark.