Wind Racer stood tall, though inside he trembled. It was unacceptable for a member of the princess’s personal guard to be so afraid his armour jangled, so he locked his muscles and drew himself up to his full formidable height.
His captain stepped along the row of guards, inspecting their appearance, their stances, staring deep into their eyes in what Wind Racer assumed was meant to intimidate them. It worked, too. Several times stallions flinched away from Captain Diamond’s piercing glower, causing him to snort derisively and move on. Sometimes he made scathing comments, just to see what they would do. Thankfully, nopony buckled to that, at least.
“Thy training hath rendered some modicum of hope for thee,” Captain Diamond said when he had traversed the row four times and Wind Racer’s muscles were protesting very loudly that they didn’t want to be tensed anymore. “We shall see how thy nerve doth fare. Understand that the position of Royal Guard be not one of status alone. Thy will, thy drive, thy purpose and thy life shall evermore be devoted to the princess. Thou art castle guards and in thy standing as such hast thou proven thy worth to even be considered worthy of serving thy princess directly. Though it is not mine honour to choose betwixt thee, I warn thee now that if thou art unwilling to lay down thy lives for the princess, thou art best to depart forthwith, for there shall be no recompense for weak hearts and cowardice after this moment.”
Nearly a minute stretched out following his words. The line of guards, still wearing the combination insignia of the two princesses on their breastplates, shuffled a little but none left. Eventually Captain Diamond snorted and stamped his forehooves on the stone.
“Then ‘tis decided! Stand to attention, stallions! Presenting her Majesty, Princess Luna, Moonlight of Equestria and Its Tempering Light!”
At once, every single one of the shuffling guards became still as a figure walked in. Wind Racer had never seen her up close before, only at a distance, but he would recognise her anywhere. She was smaller than he had expected, and thinner too. Her mane was actual hair, though it flickered like candlelight and smoke when she moved. Her silvery shoes clinked as she walked down the row, peering at the guards with a neutral expression. Unlike Captain Diamond, she didn’t stop or make comments as she passed. Wind Racer shoved aside his muscles’ protests, swelling his chest and arching his neck like he was a thoroughbred instead of a weather pony who had got lucky. His wings struggled to stand on end as Princess Luna went by and he struggled just as valiantly to stop them. He would never live down the embarrassment of that happening in front of the princess. She was beautiful but not even she would forgive something so shameless.
She paused, turning to look at him. He kept his eyes fixed on a point in the middle distance. The princess sniffed the air and tilted her head to one side as if she smelled something she wasn’t quite sure what it was. Sweat trickled down the inside of Wind Racer’s armour but he maintained his position.
“This one,” Princess Luna said, pointing to him.
Captain Diamond nodded. “Private Wind Racer, to me!”
Wind Racer resisted the urge to leap forward, instead marching to stand beside the captain. He couldn’t believe it. He had been chosen – personally selected by the princess herself! He barely noticed as she selected three more stallions and Captain Diamond dismissed the rest. They departed, sagging incrementally that they had not been so blessed.
“Captain, I trust thou art equipped to induct these four?” Princess Luna asked.
Captain Diamond nodded. “By tomorrow’s moonrise shalt they be ready, Majesty.”
“Good.” The princess yawned. “I tire and shall retire to bed. The sun is high and I do not enjoy its sapping effect. Good day to you, Captain.”
Captain Diamond threw a perfect salute, which the four chosen guards copied equally perfectly. They held the pose as the princess left, and held formation as they marched from the room and back to their barracks. Only there did they finally let loose the joyous cries that had been trying to burst out of them since she first looked their way.