Celestia saw Voss strut back into the hall with Bookish, who was intently reading the reports aloud to her superior in awe.
“Sounds like you have a new fan, Voss.” Celestia was glad to see that Bookish was connecting with him,
“I do indeed, your majesty.”
“Oh Voss, I told you that you can call me Celestia.” she smiled,
“Sorry, Celestia.”
“Anyway, what does your newest fan have to share with me?”
“August 12th, 1008. Silver Merit. During the revolution, Voss's HQ came under attack from diehard Royal Guards when the King was arrested. He promptly joined his fellow griffons in combat and demonstrated great tactical acumen in rescuing casualties and defeating the enemy.”
Celestia listened intently to try and get a better gauge of the General's qualities. She was surprised that he took a moment to skim through another report when Bookish showed her one of his highest honours, the Order of the Second Republic.
Suddenly from between the pages, a bloodstained brown feather fell to the ground. Celestia levitated the feather off the ground and inspected it.
“An old quill?”
“Yes, but pardon the unpleasant appearance. It's something special.”
Several griffons began to take an interest in the conversation.
“Sir, I thought you got rid of that thing?” asked an officer,
“Is there something I should know?” Celestia spoke with a raised eyebrow,
“It's a quill, courtesy of the late King Moriset.”
“How did you acquire that?”
“Why, I plucked it from his lifeless corpse of course.”
Celestia and several guests recoiled in disgust, but some appeared to be more curious than repulsed.
“I really did not need to know that, Voss.” she frowned,
“I-I'm sorry, Celestia. I t-told him not to bring that here.” Bookish stammered,
“Voss. Step into the adjacent hall. We need to have a word about your anti-monarchist views.”
“Fine.” he shrugged,
Celestia gently closed the door of the adjacent hall behind them. She glared at Voss and placed the bloody feather in his hand. The pair of guards who had their break interrupted glared at the griffon.
“Voss, several of my advisors warned me of your views and I overruled them because I thought they were exaggerating. Now you have the audacity to bring a grotesque trophy and graphically explain to the whole room where it came from.”
“You're not an idiot, Celestia. You would have seen through any lie I spun up.”
“I am so disappointed in you, Voss.” she shook her head as her anger gave way to sadness, “I was going to offer you a role on the General Staff...”
Faux Voss twirled the quill without a care,
“...but I'm not sure I want you at my service at all. Go to your chamber and don't come until you can be more civil.”
“You are not my mother, your majesty.” he smirked contemptuously,
“Really now! That's... that is so... guards! Escort him back to his room!”
“Send up an inkpot-”
Celestia scowled and tugged the rude guest's kepi down over his eyes.
“Take him away!”