//------------------------------// // The Golden Path 5 // Story: Lunar Rebellion: The Golden Path // by Chengar Qordath //------------------------------// When it comes to the affairs of magi, preparation is key. As one of mine old masters was fond of saying, a failure to plan is ultimately a plan to fail. Though I had seen the value of keepings plans flexible in order to adapt to changing circumstances, that was not so much an argument against planning as an argument against excessively rigid, inflexible plans. If I intended to go to battle ‘gainst one of the Golden Path’s leaders, it seemed only prudent to prepare properly for the upcoming duel. Though they were false gods, they had strength enough to meet any who had dared challenge them for centuries. Pity Her Majesty had not thought to do so herself, but events kept her far too busy to go out and challenge every ruler whose practices she found distasteful. Especially when Freeport’s location made it both difficult to attack directly and too strategically important for Gryphonia or Zebrica to brook our interference. Fortunately, in this case the other nations of the world could hardly fault me for acting. All I needed to do was ensure that ‘twas plain that Veritanu was the aggressor, and that this did not represent some attempt by Equestria to exert hegemony o’er the islands. And, of course, I would need to win. Far easier to ensure my narrative remained the one accepted by the world if Veritanu was not present to offer a competing one. To that end, I was hard at work constructing one of the most elaborate containment circles I had made in some time. ‘Twould do no small amount of damage to my personal savings, but there was little point in saving my bits if it ended in defeat. Perhaps once Her Majesty returned I could persuade her to compensate me for the expense. I would be fully within my rights to make the choice myself as regent, but shifting royal funds to my personal account would carry too much of an appearance of impropriety regardless of the circumstances. In the worst case, a few bits were far from the greatest sacrifice I had made for Equestria. I frowned down at the circle as I moved on to the next set of runes. “Midnight, more silver dust.” My daughter promptly set about pouring more into a bowl for me. Howe’er, the stubborn frown upon her lips forewarned me of what would be coming. “Mother, I still have questions that need to be answered.” “So thou hast mentioned several times in the last two hours,” I groused. My daughter stared at me, her eyes blinking slowly as they often seemed to do when she was particularly perturbed. “So I have. My questions remain unanswered.” I sighed and resisted the urge to snap at her. ‘Twould do no good; Midnight could be most stubborn when she set her mind to it, and few things brought out that stubbornness more than forcing her to go with unsatisfied curiosity. If I wanted a moment’s peace my only choices were to send her away or answer her. Tempting as the former was, constructing the circle would be much more bothersome without a capable assistant. “Ask, then.” Midnight passed the bowl o’er to me with a frown. “Why have you never told me that I have an uncle?” I sprinkled the dust into the runes, then used a quick blast of fire to melt it and fuse the material into place. “’Twas not important.” My daughter tilted her head to the side quizzically. “But I have heard it said that family is one of the most important things in the world. Shadow finds it so important she maintains a large extended family in the form of her clan, and though the nobles are foolish they too put a great deal of importance upon ties of blood and family.” “But we are not pegasi, and only nobles by happenstance,” I answered her. In truth I had been more than a little tempted to refuse the noble title circumstances forced upon me or repudiate it at a later date. Howe’er, such would likely be unwise. “Mosaic is a skilled but by no means remarkable artisan. I do not see how knowing about him would change anything.” I inspected the circle, nodding to myself once I was reasonably certain all was well. Then moved on to the next section. “Diamond dust.” Midnight went back to the supply table, though the frown did not leave her face. “But he is mine uncle. Why have we never visited him?” I sighed and tried to think of the best way to explain several complicated reasons to a very literal-minded child. “Because there would be nothing to gain from it. When last I visited my family, ere thou wert born, 'twas quite plain we now resided in different worlds.” I realized my mistake as soon as I saw Midnight’s confused frown. “Different worlds? But I thought we all existed on but one globe.” I sighed and made a note to put a book explaining the idea of metaphor on my daughter’s reading list. “They lived the lives of common artisans, while I was a magus and politically active. Our attempts at conversation showed that we shared little in common beyond a bloodline.” “Ah.” Midnight passed me the bowl. “I still do not understand. I often fail to fully grasp what you mean, but we still converse. I think you enjoy explaining such things to me.” “At times,” I agreed. Midnight had a sharp mind and was eager to learn. Whene’er her ceaseless curiosity did not become vexing or was not ill-timed, ‘twas enjoyable to explain the ways of the world to her. In that, she was quite different from the others in our bloodline. “Because the life of a courtly mage and that of a glassblower are very different. Whene’er one of us attempted to discuss anything more than idle pleasantries, it soon became apparent that we lacked much in the way of common frames of reference. I told them of my work at Court or my magical accomplishments, and was met with polite smiles and blank incomprehension. And doubtless seemed much the same when told of all that passed within their own lives.” Midnight remained silent, watching carefully as I sprinkled the diamond dust into a new set of runes. Once I was done, she finally broke her silence. “Is this why the nobility refuse to consort with commoners?” I scoffed and shook my head. “No, that is a matter of foolish beliefs that their bloodline or ‘pure breeding’ somehow makes them superior to the commonfolk, something I am sure thou knowest I do not believe in the slightest.” Especially as the nobles would always regard me as naught but an upjumped commoner, whate’er title I might hold. Midnight’s lips pressed together as she considered this. “So you merely do not wish to speak with them because you hold different professions?” I closed mine eyes and took a deep breath. The complexities of social interaction were difficult for Midnight, and so she struggled to find concrete facts within a morass of vague, ephemeral feelings that often lacked clear explanation. I did my best to provide her with one. “The last time we spoke, ’twas awkward and unpleasant for all involved on account of a lack of common frame of reference.” “Oh.” Her ears fell flat against her skull. “You do not like one another?” I frowned and shook my head. “I would not say we dislike one another.” My parents and Mosaic had certainly fulfilled their expected societal roles with the expected level of proficiency. I had no reason to think ill of them, merely... “Our lives did not o’erlap. They lived as artisans, and I as a magus and eventual Grand Vizier.” “I see.” Midnight stared at me unblinkingly. “And this is true of my grandparents as well?” “Aye, while they lived,” I confirmed. “Oh.” Her gaze dropped to the floor, one hoof awkwardly scuffing along it. “I would have liked to have met them.” I was at something of a loss for words at her response. After several seconds I realized the likely reason I could not find an easy explanation or justification for mine actions: because none existed. Awkward conversation made a poor excuse for why she had not met her grandparents. E’en if she ultimately agreed there was little common ground, she deserved the chance to meet them and make that choice herself. “Aye, perhaps it would have been better if thou hadst.” Midnight’s frown grew. “And ... what of my mother’s family? Are they—” “Dead with her,” I cut her off. The lie that I had gotten her upon a paramour would not stand up to intense scrutiny, and after Nightmare Moon’s cultists had kidnapped her I had all the more reason to keep her true heritage hidden. Midnight’s curiosity knew no limit, and the Nightmare would be quick to take advantage if she dug too deep. My daughter grimaced at the news, and she let out a heavy sigh. “Alas that we cannot commit foul forms of necromancy to communicate with their dearly departed spirits, wrenching them from the hereafter to today so that I might converse with their tortured souls.” I knew better than to assume that my daughter was not entirely sincere with her remarks. And in truth, ‘twas a pity that she could not come to know our family in some way. “Neigh, we cannot.” The two of us stood in silence, struggling to find any new words to add further clarity to the matter. I felt a curious sort of regret, an unpleasant sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach as I realized that I had wronged my daughter. Doubtless my parents would have enjoyed meeting her too, regardless of her eccentricities and the circumstances of her birth. Alas, we cannot change the past. Merely work to make a better future, with Veritanu’s destruction and Mosaic’s freedom being a vital step along that path. “A ruby, child. The large one.” Midnight nodded dutifully. “Of course, Mother.” She walked over to the shelf, though without the level of enthusiasm she usually showed while assisting me. She picked up several gems, placing them side by side to find which would be the largest. Judging by her listlessness, I thought it best to offer her some assurance that I would correct past mistakes. “Once the matter is resolved, I will see to it that thou canst at least meet Mosaic.” I carefully inspected the setting for the ruby, making sure every measurement perfectly matched the requirements. The slightest error in the containment circle could end very badly for all involved, most importantly myself and my daughter. “I would like to meet my uncle ere he dies.” Midnight watched as I set the gem in place, her head slowly tilting to the side. “What are you planning?” I saw no reason to mince words with her. “Veritanu’s downfall.” “Of course, but how will that be done?” She frowned down at the circle. “And what part will our efforts here play in bringing doom upon him? Do you plan on luring him to our basement with false promises, then murdering him where none shall see such that the disposal of the body will be much simpler?” I scoffed and shook my head. “No, nothing so blatant as that.” Midnight walked around my circle, studying it intently. “Then how will you see to his downfall? Through some political machination? No, if ‘twas purely political you would not need to construct such an elaborate magic circle, unless ‘twas a precaution ‘gainst attack. Will it be some combination of force and politics, then?” “In a post such as mine, all actions are political,” I pointed out. “There is a careful balance to be struck ‘tween subtlety and shows of force. In this case, I lean more towards the latter. The time has come to send a message to Veritanu and his ilk, not to mention any others who might think Equestria vulnerable with Her Majesty’s absence. Veritanu would not be half so bold were Celestia here, and if he is not swiftly punished for it others might well see weakness and move to exploit it. There is nothing more fatal than being seen as too weak to defend oneself. Thus, the need to send a clear message.” Midnight frowned. “I do not see how sending him a letter will cause his destruction.” For a moment I wondered if Midnight was mocking me. She was always literal-minded, but usually not to this degree. Regardless, I made my meaning plain for her. “Veritanu’s destruction shall be the message, child.” Comprehension dawned in her eyes. “Ah, that type of message. His body shall be hung upon a gibbet for the sport of the ravens, and all the world will know that the same fate awaits them if they dare make an enemy of you.” She blinked with ponderous slowness. “But will that not cause a war with Freeport? Slaying one of their leaders cannot go unanswered, especially if ‘tis done publicly so as to send a clear message.” “Aye, if 'twas naught but wanton murder,” I agreed. “Fortunately, there are alternatives to that. Veritanu’s rivals among the Golden Path will not lament his downfall if ‘tis plain he brought it upon himself, nor will they go to great pains to avenge him so long as ‘twould be a risky enterprise with uncertain prospects—something his death will doubtless signal. Immortals fear death far more than mortals, for they fail to accept its inevitability as we do.” “Many do not,” Midnight pointed out. “Necromancy is built entirely upon the refusal to accept that death is the inevitable end of life. I imagine the same is true of fleshcrafting, or several other forms of dark magic. Howe’er, ‘twould make sense that those who use magic to try to stave off death fear it more than those who accept it.” She paced about the circle, nearly tripping into it when she managed to tangle herself upon her own gangly legs. Clearly she was still adjusting to her growth as she transitioned from filly to adult. My daughter did her best to keep her head held high and pretend the stumble had not happened.“What do you have planned?” “Something quite simple.” I warded her off with an upraised hoof ere she could cause any further damage with her clumsiness. “Juris.” “A duel.” Midnight nodded. “That would make sense; dueling is well-respected. Her Majesty’s prohibition upon you dueling to the death obviously would not apply when you have royal authority, and so long as you can justify your actions she will doubtless understand. Though there is one matter that yet eludes me: how will you claim that Veritanu wronged you? You cannot mention your brother without the matter escalating.” I answered her with a dry smile. “Who said that I would be the one to challenge him?” One of Midnight’s eyebrows quirked up. “Ah, I see now. Doubtless the immense pride that comes from falsely believing himself to be a god will make it easy to provoke him into demanding satisfaction from you, and if he challenges you it would remove several of the potential problems I foresaw. The other false gods and foreign powers would be far more inclined to see his demise as self-inflicted if he demands the battle, and Her Majesty can hardly fault you for defending yourself against an attack. It would also contain any potential diplomatic fallout by ensuring that he is the one who violates the laws of hospitality.” “Indeed so.” I smiled, feeling a touch of pride in my words. “One would almost think I had carefully considered all these factors when crafting my plan for his downfall.” Midnight nodded gravely. “I would hope so. There is still the question of how precisely you will provoke him into challenging you without giving so gross an offense that perception turns against you. Though given the immense pride of a false god, I would imagine you can find some way to push him without crossing the line of decency.” “I should imagine so, aye,” I agreed. A frown tugged at my daughter’s lips. “Howe’er, there is still one significant problem left to account for.” At my intrigued look she explained. “If you challenge Veritanu to a duel then you will have to kill a creature that claims to be a god. He may be a false one, but he would not claim the title and hold it for so long if he were not significantly stronger than most mortals.” “Aye, that much is true,” I conceded. I smirked, letting a hint of pride enter into mine own voice. “But then, I am the Archmagus of Canterlot. I am quite a bit stronger than most mortals as well.” “That may be so,” Midnight agreed. “But still, is it not dangerous? Would it not be wiser to allow Lady Protector Shadow to take the field? Her victory o’er the Avatar shows that she is capable of facing beings e’en greater than the false gods of the Golden Path in battle.” “Shadow is not the regent,” I countered. “It is not her kin that Veritanu holds hostage nor her power he has challenged. Neigh, this must be my battle.” Doubtless there were already those who said that Shadow should be regent, not I. Letting Shadow fight my battles would only amplify that perception. “Veritanu is dangerous, but not more than I can manage. In no small part because of our efforts here.” Midnight looked down at the circle, frowning at it. “But circles only work to contain or concentrate magic. Unless Veritanu is physically present here, I do not see how this would be of use in combating him.” I answered her with a knowing smile. “All shall become clear in time, child.” Midnight scowled at me. “That is needlessly vague and does not answer my question.” Considering the circumstances, I think ‘twas entirely understandable why I issued my next command. “When we are finished here, carry the following message to Shadow: ‘All is ready, she is to proceed as I have ordered.’” Midnight’s scowl deepened. “That is e’en more mysterious. How can I properly convey such a message when I do not understand its meaning?” “Thou needs not understand the message to convey it,” I answered. “But ‘twould be far less irksome,” Midnight grumbled. “Alas, the world does not bend itself merely to avoid irking thee,” I teased. “A message only Shadow will understand is far less likely to be o’erheard and turned ‘gainst us. Once that errand has been seen to, return to the tower and remain in safety.” Midnight sighed and nodded reluctantly. “I suppose I can understand the need for secrecy, e’en if ‘tis most frustrating. Do not worry though, Mother. I do not intend on putting myself in mortal peril. If Veritanu captured me he would no doubt put me to torture, cutting and burning my flesh in an effort to force me to reveal your darkest secrets. That would be extremely unpleasant, and I have no desire to experience it.” “I should hope not,” I murmured. My daughter’s head tilted to the side. “There is no other way I might aid you?” “Neigh, merely ensure that thou art safe ere the battle is joined.” I would have troubles enough without worrying after my daughter’s safety. Midnight nodded dutifully. “That should not be difficult ... I think.” “Good.” I put the finishing touches on my magic circle, then quickly looked her o’er. “For there is nothing in this world more important to me than that.” Midnight frowned at me quizzically. “My safety is of such paramount importance?” A foolish question, but then she was but a child. I could hardly expect her to grasp the responsibilities of motherhood. “It is.” “Oh.” Midnight approached me, slowly and awkwardly extending her forelegs. It took me a moment to grasp her intentions, but then I stepped forward and wrapped a foreleg around her in turn, embracing her. ‘Twas a customary means of showing affection, though one we rarely indulged in. As I held my daughter, I could not quite recall why we did not do so more often. ‘Twas pleasant enough in its own way, e’en if the proximity was somewhat unusual for both of us. My daughter had been less inclined to seek such closeness since the training incident. ‘Twas gratifying to have such again, e’en if ‘twas only for a moment. Life, I have found, is often made up of such all too brief moments. All was in readiness by the next day, so ‘twas simply a matter of calling Veitanu to court and putting the next stage of the plan into motion. ‘Twould be simple enough so long as I had predicted his moves properly, and I was sure I had. I made certain ‘twould be a public session of court for maximum spectacle, not to mention dozens of witnesses to confirm the account. All the better, I would need a few witness accounts to help confirm that Veritanu was wholly in the wrong. Matters would be considerably more complicated if I did not indisputably hold the moral high ground. The false god arrived with his sycophant and the Chargers. Doubtless the mercenaries had done the actual work of capturing Mosaic; the false god would not dirty his hooves with such work, and Silver was no warrior. Perhaps I would have to settle matters with them after Veritanu’s death. Then again, what point to punishing the instrument when the one who wielded it was already slain? Mercy could be a potent tool, and a mercenary who owed me a favor might be useful in the future. As Veritanu strode up to the throne, the superior smirk upon his lips told the tale. He doubtless thought he had come to hear my capitulation. He could not have been more wrong. I found myself answering his smile with one of mine own. I was most certainly looking forward to grinding this false god into the dust and wiping the smirk off his lips. “Lord Veritanu, thank you for answering my summons so promptly.” The false god answered me with a bored sort of look, as if he were an indulgent parent enduring a child’s demands for attention. “I look forward to the swift return of my property.” It took no small effort on my part to keep any hint of enjoyment from entering my voice as I cut his legs out from beneath him. “Ah, my apologies, but it seems there was a misunderstanding. There is going to be a delay in the return of your property.” Just as I had hoped, the smirk instantly vanished off his lips. When next he spoke there was the barest hint of a growl in his voice. “How much of a delay?” I shrugged helplessly and began to recite my carefully prepared script, taking care to sound appropriately contrite as I did so. “I am afraid I cannot say quite yet. I just received a letter from the Manehattan harbor master, and he has informed me that there were already three other incidents of smuggling that require his thorough attention. As per Queen Celestia's decrees, such incidents are to be dealt with in the order they are discovered. What is more, I am also sorry to report that the dockmaster's office is currently understaffed due to an ague that seems to have swept much of the city. Perhaps something brought in by ship. It has been known to happen from time to time.” Veritanu’s smile fully reversed itself, becoming a full-fledged scowl. “How. Long?” “Much to my regret, I cannot provide you with a precise answer at this time.” I sighed, as if I truly regretted that. “As I said, the dockmaster is currently o’erburdened with his duties, and the dock’s staff is in the midst of an audit ordered by Her Majesty ere she departed. As such all the dock’s paperwork is being carefully reviewed, and if any irregularities are found that could cause yet more delays as those matters are resolved. And, as I mentioned, there is an ague afflicting many of the workers. For the moment it seems to be a relatively harmless disease, but if it continues to spread then much of Manehattan might need to be put under quarantine. Which, of course, would include a complete shutdown of the docks and barring any ships from leaving port.” Outright rejection of Veritanu’s demands would have risked Mosaic’s safety, but there are far more nuanced approaches to take. I had certainly suffered my share of obstinate officials and nobles who clung tenaciously to whate’er scrap of power they held and did all they could to disrupt and delay mine actions. More than once I had been sorely tempted to set the offending parties aflame. If mine own temper could be so tested, imagine that of a false god who is not used to receiving anything other than instant and complete obedience, and plainly believed himself above the laws of mere mortals. Veritanu glared at me, and I was almost certain I heard to beginnings of a growl rumbling in the back of his throat. Silver Tithe quickly stepped in to defuse the crisis with his typical unctuousness. “While I am sure there are a great many burdens afflicting your harbormaster, surely you could expedite the matter of Lord Veritanu's property in light of his status and the diplomatic implications.” I rubbed my chin and made a show of carefully thinking it o’er, e’en though my mind had been made up long before they entered the room. “I considered that myself and made several inquiries into the matter.” I let out a somewhat exaggerated sigh. “Alas, I am afraid ‘twould seem that my hooves are tied. The decrees governing such matters were put in place by Her Majesty, and only an express order from her may change the investigation queue for foreign ships coming into Equestria's ports. Queen Celestia did not wish to seem like she was showing indecent favor towards any one of our neighbors.” “Ah.” Silver grimaced, but rallied quickly. “Surely as her Regent you have some discretion in to act such matters.” “On many matters, yes,” I agreed. “Howe’er, in this case I would be directly contradicting one of her previous orders.” I sent Silver one of the same unctuous smiles he had so often directed towards me. “I am sure thou canst understand that I would not presume to o’errule a goddess.” Silver opened his mouth, then closed it with a grimace. I had neatly captured him within a trap of his own devising. He could hardly ask that I defy divine orders. E’en though he doubtless knew that I did not regard Celestia as divine, his own belief system said otherwise. He could hardly incite me to blasphemy while his own god stood at his side. Veritanu intervened ere his servant could flounder too gravely. “Thou wouldst not o’errule thy goddess then. That is wise. But surely thou couldst do so if a god commanded thee to.” “Perhaps,” I conceded, “Howe’er, I would have to be speaking to a god to consider such a thing.” I settled into the throne, letting my eyes rest unflinchingly upon the false god. “Otherwise, I must apply the law equally to all.” Veritanu’s head snapped back as if I had struck him across the face. Shock quickly gave way to anger. “Thou wouldst dare?!” I feigned ignorance. “Dare what, my lord?” Silver Tithe quickly stepped in, entering the conversation with a polite cough. “Ah, regent, what you said could be misunderstood to mean that you were denying Lord Veritanu's divinity. Obviously that was not your intention, but...” “Yes, I should hope my intent was perfectly clear,” I answered, carefully controlling my tone. “I was under the impression that the status of Veritanu's divinity was self-evident for all to see.” “Of course, of course.” Silver smiled hopefully, to his credit trying to defuse the growing tensions. Howe’er, a look from his master made it plain who was in control. “And, in the interests of diplomacy, would you please state for the record what exactly that status is?” Clever. I suppose I should have known that Silver would not let me dodge about the question to let an insult hang in the air without being openly stated or refuted. Howe’er, I had no intention of letting him have his way. “In the interest of diplomacy and my status as regent, I would not wish to state anything that might be misconstrued or interpreted, or imply an untruth. Her Majesty has not made any official declaration as to the divinity of the leadership of the Golden Path, and ‘twould be most improper for me to do so in her absence.” Judging by the snarl lurking just beneath his words, Veritanu’s temper had already begun to fray. “Thou art insolent, mortal. Grant me what is mine.” I answered him with a polite smile. It has been my experience that few things offend angry people more than remaining perfectly calm and polite in the face of their rage. “I assure you, my lord, you will receive everything you deserve as soon as I can deliver it. I have invested considerable time and resources to ensuring that the resolution of this matter is thorough and the outcome indisputable.” “Enough empty words!” Veritanu seemed on the verge of shouting, but had not quite crossed the threshold yet. “Tell me when my property will be returned.” “I will do so as soon as I have a certain answer to the question,” I assured the abomination. “As I have explained, matters are not entirely within my control and I must account for existing laws and outside circumstances. I promise you, I will bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Or Her Majesty will, should the delay extend until she returns. Which is a distinct possibility.” “Unacceptable,” Veritanu snapped. “If my property is not returned on the morrow, there will be grave consequences.” I ignored the threat as empty bluster, shrugged helplessly. “Mine apologies, but I have done all that I can to aid thee.” I let the word hang in the air for just a second ere I corrected it. “You.” Judging by the fire within the false gods eyes, he had not missed the minor aggression. Doubtless no mortal had dared to address him so familiarly, and any who had met with a swift and unpleasant end. Silver stepped into the conversation once more, doubtless trying to prevent his master from losing all self control. His words oozed with blatant flattery. “I am sure a politician of your considerable skill, connections, and influence could find a way to smooth over any wrinkles in the process and fulfill my lord’s request.” I had the perfect answer for him. “I could send a message directly to Celestia and ask for her permission to o’erturn her standing orders, though given she is roaming the North searching for Blightspawn that process could take some time. I will also have our dedicated and capable scholars peruse our lawbooks to see if any other options are available to us.” Silver glanced up at his god, evidently waiting for some signal ere he continued. “I am sure you will do everything within your power to see to it that Lord Veritanu's property is returned as swiftly as possible.” “I assure you, your master will receive everything that he rightfully deserves.” I wisely refrained from explaining that what he and his kind rightfully deserved was a swift and painful demise. “Now, I believe our business is concluded for the moment, and I have other petitioners who wish  to have their cases weighed by the throne.” One of Veritanu’s hooves slammed down on the floor, sending cracks through the marble. “We are not done! I am a god! Thou wilt not dismiss me to rule upon a dispute ‘tween two farmers regarding ownership of a pig!” Ah, lovely, the so-called god was going to throw a tantrum like a young child denied sweets. Neigh, e’en Midnight had always had the sense to confine herself to no worse than sullen silence and grumbled complaints when she was a young filly. “I am most sorry, Veritanu, but the time I have allotted for this meeting is quite spent. We are already five minutes late for my next appointment. I will inform you as soon as anything changes with the status of your ship.” Just as I had hoped, Veritanu would have none of it. “I will not be dismissed like some lowly mortal servant!” Silver stepped in, trying to placate his god. “My lord, perhaps we—” He got no further ere Veritanu silenced him with a glare. Regardless of his debatable skill as a diplomat, Silver could not do anything other than obey in the face of god’s wrath. Of course, the false god’s childish rage played perfectly into my hooves. The more unreasonable and irrational he looked, the easier ‘twould be to explain his death and ensure that the blame for it fell squarely upon his own shoulders. I changed my tone, adopting the one I usually reserved for when Midnight was being especially willful. “There is nothing more to discuss. I have told you all that I can at this moment. If you would be so kind as to allow others to have their chance to address the throne...” “No!” He roared loud enough to make the rafters tremble. “Thou wilt give certain assurance that my property will be returned to me at once, or I shall not be held responsible for the consequences that will follow.” As any good parent should, I met the tantrum with total control. “My lord, I believe your humors are out of balance. Doubtless you are very tired after the journey from Freeport. Perhaps you wish to be escorted to your quarters for some rest?” “I shall not rest until my demands are satisfied!” Veritanu’s eyes narrowed. “Think very carefully about all that thou wouldst lose by defying me.” Ah, and there it was. An actual threat. I need not restrain myself quite so much. I felt my head tilt slightly to the side as I spoke, and idly wondered whether Midnight had acquired the gesture from me, or I from her. “You may wish to be careful with your words, Lord Veritanu. I will remind you that you are a guest in Her Majesty's court, and bound by the laws of hospitality. Your words sounded dangerously close to a threat.” Veritanu’s voice dropped to a low growl that did not carry past the throne. “Were we in Freeport, I would rend thy soul for this insult.” As we were speaking privately, I saw no reason to hide my contempt from him. “Then ‘tis good we are a very long way from Freeport. Though even if we were there ... better monsters than thou have tried it, and yet here I stand.” “For now.” Veritanu drew back, pulling himself up to his full height and returning his voice to full volume. “There is a custom in this land, by which we might gain justice when all other forms have been denied.” Ah, perfect. “Aye, you speak of juris ungala. Do you wish to declare your right to seek justice on the dueling ground?” “I do,” Veritanu declared. “Name thy champion.” “I will not.” I rose from the throne. “As the Regent of Equestria, it falls upon me to accept such a challenge.” I smiled and tossed my head, shooting a look o’er to crowd to ensure that all eyes were upon me. “And accept I shall.” Silver Tithe frowned up at me, and must have guessed at my intentions. Doubtless he realized that I was far too confident and entirely unsurprised, and mayhaps he e’en guessed that I had desired this very outcome. He tried to whisper a warning to his false god, but Veritanu brushed him off. “So be it. Thy successor will have to grant me what is mine.” “That will only be a concern if thou art victorious,” I shot back. “I have ne’er lost a duel.” “Thou hast ne’er faced me,” Veritanu shot back with a cold smile. “But enough talk and bluster. The truth of thy doom shall be apparent once we reach the dueling ground.” Despite the considerable risk of the coming battle, I could feel myself growing excited at the prospect of a proper duel. I had not faced a truly challenging enemy since the war. “Then let us dance and see how much of a god you really are.” It had been some time since I last went into battle, and e’en longer since I had engaged in a proper duel. Thankfully, I believed in being prepared for all eventualities, and had been specifically readying myself for battle against Veritanu. I arrived at the dueling ground as ready as a mare could be to slay a god. My mithril chainmail sat easily across my shoulders, and beneath my robes I carried a veritable armory of potions, ingredients, daggers, and all manner of other items that would aid me in battle. Veritanu, by contrast, looked far less prepared. The only thing to change about his appearance since his arrival at court was a set of pure-white platemail. A closer look showed it to be far too thin to be effective—mere costume armor. I found that more concerning than a relief. Evidently the false god believed himself capable of defeating me with nothing beyond his own twisted gifts and warped anatomy. Veritanu’s eyes settled upon me, and a cold smile tugged at his lips. “Regent. I suppose I should be glad thou didst dress so well for thy funeral.” “You intend this to be a duel to the death then?” I queried, loud enough that all the crowd could hear me. Unsurprisingly, all of Canterlot’s well-to-do had turned out for the match. ‘Twould certainly be the grandest and most impressive duel fought in recent memory, and ‘tween one of Equestria’s greatest duelists and a self-proclaimed deity. I would have been more shocked if we had not drawn a massive crowd. The false god chuckled. “I am not in the habit of letting those who defy me live.” I was a touch surprised he would be so bold. “Surely thou must know that e’en if thou art victorious, Celestia would not forgive the murder of her regent.” “‘Murder’?” Veritanu repeated incredulously. “This is a duel, one thou didst enter into willingly. I gave thee the option of naming a champion to fight in thy stead.” His voice dropped down to a cruel whisper intended for my ears alone. “Do not overestimate thy value to thy goddess. I doubt she remembers any of her advisors from a century ago. Nor will she remember so much as thy name a century after thou art gone.” I scoffed and ignored the barb. If Celestia had a flaw, ‘twas that she remembered the past too often. I pitched my voice for the crowd once more. “Lord Veritanu, hast thou come to see the error of thy ways? Dost thou seek to apologize for your behavior in court?” “What a curious thing, that a mortal demands apologies of a god,” Veritanu commented. “But as a god, I am magnanimous with my lessers. Stand down now and I shall grant thee mercy.” “Why would I do that when I am in the right?” I smiled, feeling my blood pumping as battle neared. “And why should I back down from a duel where I will be the victor?” Veritanu spared me a contemptuous look. “A mortal cannot defeat a god any more than thou couldst fly into the heavens without wings.” I thought back to my brief experimentation with flight spells when it seemed we might need to storm Cloudsdale to put an end to the pegasus rebels. “Do not be so quick to tell a magus what they can and cannot do.” Veritanu rolled his shoulders and tossed his horned head. “Enough posturing. I have nothing more to say to a corpse.” “Strange, I have ne’er known a god to be impatient.” I smirked at him. “But we both know thy true nature. Thy death will merely be the proof of it.” I wasted no time going on the offensive the instant the duel began, hurling a blast of flame straight for the abomination’s head. I had little hope that ‘twould kill him, but it should at least force him to show his hoof. Veritanu did nothing to block or dodge the blast, simply letting the fire wash o’er him. His mane swiftly burned away, but the flesh itself seemed unmarred. Once the flames passed and I could see Veritanu clearly, I realized that he was in fact far more armored than I had seen. A thick, almost resinous sort of fluid covered his body. It had been all but transparent, but in the wake of my flames it had taken on a slight yellowish tinge. Evidently ‘twas some manner of defense against flame. The false god smirked. “Surely thou didst not think 'twould be that simple?” “Neigh, if thou fell so quickly ‘twould merely have been a disappointment.” I followed up with a wave of ice shards, each sharp enough to cleave flesh from bone. Veritanu’s wing snapped out and swatted the attack aside. Considering the normal toughness of flesh and feather, a normal wing would have been shredded by such a thing. His remained untouched. Plainly he was far harder to wound than his appearance suggested. Veritanu let out an exaggerated yawn. “Art thou done playing at battle? Shall I end this?” “Done?” I shot back. “I have not e’en begun! Only a fool plays all their cards in first round.” I smirked and tossed my head, letting my unburned mane fly out for contrast against his bare skull. “Though I will give thee one warning: I would never have become archmagus if a small measure of resistance to heat and cold were enough to best me.” I felt a tingle building in my horn as I prepared my next spell. ‘Twas one of the reasons I preferred not to channel lightning as much as other elements. The tingle was somewhat unpleasant and very distracting. Copper Spark had always been better at manipulating it. Pity the rebels killed him. I unleashed the lightning bolt at Veritanu. Howe’er, much to my surprise it did not strike home. Instead he moved so quickly he seemed a blur, rolling beneath the electrical blast. The lightning bolt carried on to crash against the wards at the edge of the dueling ring. The spells kept the attack from carrying on into the crowd of onlookers, though most of those in the impact area still scattered and dove for cover on instinct. As soon as Veritanu returned to his hooves I realized that his wing had grown quite a bit larger than I recalled. As I watched it continued to expand until it grew nearly three times the size it had been moments ago, and the feather tips transformed into viciously hooked claws. I barely had time to bring up a solid plane of ice to block the attack ere it crashed into me. I would have preferred a more active defense rather than merely blocking him, but given the speed and defenses he had displayed thus far ‘twould be unwise to rely upon any attack stymieing him. Though no duel has e’er been won by remaining on the defensive, many have been lost due to inadequate defense. As I watched, Veritanu’s other wing narrowed and extended, becoming a thin, flexible tentacle. He whipped the new limb at my head, and I barely ducked beneath the blow in time. I could hardly allow him to pin me down with one limb while the other swiped at my unprotected flank, and encasing myself entirely in a shield would surrender the initiative to him. ‘Twas past time I changed the circumstances I found myself in. Though illusions had ne’er been a particular specialty of mine, an Archmagus is skilled in all disciplines of magic. I quickly conjured up an illusion of myself before turning invisible, rushing to a new position as quickly as I could without giving myself away. Once I had a clear shot at the abomination’s back, I slammed a fresh lightning bolt into him. This time the attack struck home, but to less effect that I would have liked. It seemed that the same resinous coating that protected him against fire also sufficed to disperse electrical attacks. How inconvenient. To make matters worse, I had given away my ploy by attacking. Veritanu turned his back on my illusion, his nostrils flaring as his eyes shifted to blood red. “Surely thou dost not think I can be hidden from so easily?” “I am simply taking thy measure, abomination.” I reached into my robes, finding the bottles of alchemical fire I had prepared for the battle. A quick flick of my hoof scattered them about the battlefield, setting off a dozen small fires seemingly at random. Veritanu scoffed, evidently assuming I had intended to strike him. “Thine aim is slipping. Is it fear that weakens thee, or exhaustion?” His tentacle lashed out, perfectly seeking me out despite the invisibility spell I was hidden beneath. Fortunately, ‘tween his boasting and mine own training I was not taken by surprise. I conjured up another ice shield to catch the blow, this time adding several spikes to it so that I might combine offense and defense. ‘Twas a fine idea, but the tentacle’s flexibility and resinous coating allowed it to avoid skewering itself upon my defenses. I would need to find some way to remove his resin ere I could destroy him. “Ah, thou thinkest my blow missed?” I grinned and tossed my mane as I watched the fires begin burning all across the dueling ring. “Tell thyself that if it brings thee comfort in thy final moments.” As Veritanu leveled his next blow I leapt into one of the fires, reappearing in one of the blazes behind the abomination. I took advantage of the multiple conflagrations I had begun, using the difference in pressure ‘tween hot and cold air as a foundation for my next attack. When I struck the abomination with a blast of impressively high-pressure air, not e’en his gelatinous coating could protect him. Plainly ‘twas more focused on heat and piercing blows than broad blunt trauma. ‘Twas most gratifying to see the false god knocked from his hooves and reduced to scrambling in the dirt. I grinned triumphantly. “Thou canst not protect thyself from everything, fiend!” I hurled several throwing darts at the beast, ones that Shadow had loaned me from her personal stores. The projectiles sank into the beast with admirable efficacy, their mass carrying them through the resin with enough force to pierce his flesh and draw blood. Or at least, what passed for the abomination’s blood; normal blood was not such a bright and unpleasant shade of yellow. Veritanu’s eyes flicked to the wound, then narrowed. Evidently it offended him that a lowly mortal had shed his divine blood. “I will enjoy killing thee slowly,” he snarled. His skin bulged out, thickening into a white carapace that rippled with lines of teal and purple. “Savor this petty victory in thy last moments.” “Count thyself fortunate that this is not a duel to first blood, else I would already be the victor and thou wouldst return to Freeport in shame!” I leapt into another blaze as the abomination charged towards me, and when I emerged in my new location conjured up new illusions bursting from several other flames. I remained near the fire along with my illusions, both to maintain my mobility and to baffle any attempt to tell the real me from the false with heat-vision. I then fired a new lightning bolt at the monster, trying to strike the metal darts that had pierced both resin and flesh. Veritanu was not inclined to accomodate my plans. His wings returned to their original shape and carried him o’er my attack with a single powerful flap. “First blood means nothing when this battle will be decided by the last!” He quickly banked around, then swooped in upon me, ignoring all the illusions. “I can smell thee, foolish magus!” “My thanks for that knowledge!” I once more tested the limits of my skill, tapping into the earth to quickly create a wall of solid stone ‘tween myself and the false god. That done, I drew another of the many potions I had prepared for this battle, hurling it to the side of the wall. The noxious green cloud that emerged when the glass shattered and the ingredients within reacted with one another was deeply offensive to mine own nostrils. To a being who had enhanced his sense of smell as much as Veritanu must have... Veritanu let out a furious snarl as he slammed a hoof into the wall, instantly sending dozens of cracks through the solid rock. A second blow demolished it completely, and he followed that by  flapping his wings with such force that it nearly bowled me off my hooves. Far more importantly, it scattered the flames next to me and left me with no avenue of retreat faster than mine own hooves could take me. “Thou art running short of tricks, magus,” Veritanu gloated. “I shall catch thee soon enough.” “Pity for thee I already have thy measure!” I gathered up the last of the heat from my dispersed fire, using it to create another high pressure air blast. Given the strength the beast had already displayed, I could ill afford to let him close with me. A moment ere my spell would have struck, Veritanu’s resinous shell seemed to bubble a short distance out from his fleshy armor, only to go flat again when the spell hit. The false god smirked. “Surely thou didst not expect the same gambit to succeed twice!” He closed in, far too fast for me to hope to escape him. Another shield spell would be pointless after how easily he demolished my rock wall, and so I had only one viable choice. I attacked, unleashing an impressively powerful blast of pure light straight at the creature. If not for the wards around the dueling circle, I likely would have blinded many of the onlookers. I certainly hoped ‘twould do the same to Veritanu, though the light I directed at him should hopefully be of sufficient intensity to burn him to a crisp ere there was any reason to worry of blindness. Those hopes quickly faded when I felt a massive blow slam into my shoulder, sending me rolling to the ground. I tried to quickly return to my hooves, but the process was not quite as smooth and painless as I remembered it being. ‘Twould seem I was no longer the young, nimble duelist who could take a blow, shrug it off, and then easily spring back to her hooves. Much like Shadow had complained of at times, I had reached an age where skill and experience must substitute for the full vigor of youth. ‘Twas most fortunate that my attack had some effect upon Veritanu, else I ne’er would have had time to recover from his blow. E’en as I staggered back to my hooves, Veritanu stood blinking owlishly, staring down at his chest. The resinous coating that had covered it was now completely absent, and the flesh beneath was the cherry red of a mild burn. Hardly as devastating as I would have liked, but at least I had broken his defenses. “A god who bleeds and can be o’erwhelmed by an attack from a mere mortal?” I taunted. “That hardly sounds like a god to me!” As I had hoped it would, the mockery pierced him far deeper than any blow I had struck in the actual battle. With an enraged snarl, the false god hurled himself at me. His wings expanded into massive claws, and if he succeeded in bringing them down upon me I doubted that e’en my best defensive spells would suffice to hold him back. Howe’er, I had ne’er been one to defend when I could attack instead. As the abomination closed upon me I unleashed a gout of fire concentrated to such a fine point ‘twas no longer the usual orange-yellow, but rather an almost painfully bright shade of blue. I aimed it directly at the exposed spot upon Veritanu’s chest, intending to take advantage of his lowered defenses. The abomination staggered backwards with a roar, and I could plainly see the charred flesh where I struck him. He quickly fell back, shielding his chest with his wings while fresh resin poured from his body to cover the wound. “Does a god bleed?!” I taunted. “Does he cry out in pain when a mortal strikes him?!” I seized the initiative, conjuring up a solid pillar of ice that erupted from the ground beneath him, slamming into the false god’s belly. Veritanu did his best to roll with the blow, letting it carry him up into the sky ere he used his wings to stabilize his fall. He snarled down at me. “Bold words to hide thy weakness! Surely thy strength is flagging!” “I have strength enough to defeat thee!” Not that I would e’er admit it, but the spells I was using were quite taxing, and the one blow he’d stuck me had left my entire body aching. Not that I had any intention of allowing such to stop me. As he took to the skies I took advantage of the currents of hot and cold air flowing throughout the dueling field, whipping the air around him into a miniature maelstrom. More’s the pity, Veritanu managed to hold his course despite being buffeted by the winds. As he began his final charge towards me, I saw what I had been waiting for the entire duel. His so-called divine power was all but crackling off of him, and the flesh around his eyes and the wound in his chest was beginning to flake, as though his body was beginning to struggle to contain all the power channeled through it. I made my move, using a spell I had learned from the stallion who took me in as his apprentice once he saw my potential and raised me up from obscurity. I drew two more of the throwing darts Shadow had loaned me, these of considerably higher quality and carefully ensorcelled, with an adamantine chain strung between them. I hurled the weapons at him, watching as the two darts plunged into his wings while they were once more covered in thin flesh and feather rather than the resin and carapace that protected him whilst he was on the ground. As soon as the weapons struck home they turned and plunged towards the ground, the adamantine chain pulled Veritanu down as well, and pinned him down once their spikes plunged into the earth. I had dimly hoped that the attack might have sufficient force to slice the false god in half, and perhaps that would have been the case if not for his unnatural physiology. As it was, the chain pinning him in place was more than sufficient for my purposes. Veritanu’s eyes widened in shock as he realized his situation, and he let out a mighty roar as he struggled to free himself. He doubtless would given enough time, if only because the enchantments holding the spikes within the earth would eventually lose their strength. But then, I had no intention of giving him that time. In the aftermath of the civil war and facing that horror that was The Avatar of Nightmare Moon, I had put Magus Morning Star to the task of studying the Avatar, how it was made, and how we might prevent such creatures from coming into being. Or failing that, what weaknesses such abominations had that we might exploit. Though my concern at the time had been a new clash with Nightmare cultists, her findings applied just as well to other beings like the false gods of the Golden Path. Or at least, such was my theory. Despite the dull pain coursing through my body and the weariness of the battle, I smiled. I had very much been looking forward to this. “I see thee, false god. Let us pluck thee out of thy shell, so that all the world might see thee as thou truly art.” I cast my spell, targeting not Veritanu’s body, but the connection ‘tween his flesh and spirit that used it as host. ‘Twas not a spell I could have cast at any time, save when that connection was already so mighty that the flesh struggled to contain the power within it. All I needed to do was amplify that one small aspect, and the body began to destroy itself from within. That still left Veritanu’s spirit to contend with, but I had already taken other measures to address that. I smiled down at the thing that had once called itself a god as its flesh crumbled, now too weak to e’en cry out in protest as his long-delayed death claimed him. “Now, my lord, I will teach thee the price for reaching beyond thine ability. I asked thee before if a god can bleed and cry out in pain. Now I ask: Can a god die?” Veritanu gave me no answer. Or rather, he did not speak any words. His silence as his body crumbled into naught but dust was quite a sufficient answer to the question. Dead silence settled o’er the dueling ring, save for a pained groan as Silver Tithe sank to his knees, staring at what was left of his god as the wind scattered his ashes to the wind. Considering the circumstances, I could not resist a small measure of mockery. “Do not despair, ambassador. Thou art blessed. Few indeed are those who can say they were witness to the death of a god.” Doubtless Midnight would complain bitterly that I had denied her the chance to witness it. A shiver ran down Silver’s spine. “I do not ... how can this...” He turned to me, seeming like a lost child. “What do we do now?” I chuckled, though there was no humor or mirth in it. His master’s ashes had not e’en finished scattering, and already he searched for someone else to tell him what to think. Hopefully my answer would be of some use to him. “Thou must do what all who are free do. Decide upon thine own fate.”