Three Weeks Later
The barracks had been quiet these past three weeks, and without her partner, Moxi had effectively been grounded. Luna had been too busy to so much as speak with her, apparently the Empire’s forces were making a renewed push to take back Fillydelphia and General Warhorse needed her full attention to make sure their troops were properly managed, not that Luna had been going out of her way to be friendly to Moxi lately. The princess had been more reclusive than usual since she’d learned of Dreamcatcher’s injuries. The medics had kept him under sedation for most of the time he’d been back at base, their reasoning being that the stubborn earth pony would likely insist on being put back on active duty before he was ready for combat. Recent word had it that Catcher’s wounds were nearly healed, and he would be ready for active duty within the next few days, but for the moment, other matters weighed heavier on the minds of every pony in the 32nd.
Word had spread through the camp that an envoy would be coming to negotiate with the Princess, and while no word of who it was and what their intentions were, the NLR was more than pleased to discover any possibility of ending hostilities, even temporarily. Moxi was ordered to report to the gate and “escort” the envoy to the war room to meet with Princess Luna, but by the time the cart pulled into the camp to drop the representative off, Moxi felt they needn’t have bothered. This pony was not from the Holy Solar Empire.
“Blessings of peace upon you, young pony,” the pink earth pony said, stepping down from the cart with a dignified grace, “I am Priestess Dewdrop, and I am here as a representative of the combined efforts of the Equestrian Peace Corps and the Sugarcube Order.” She wore her hair cropped short, and it was adorned with a golden wrought headband, and her body was draped in majestic robes of white and gold, and she spoke with a civility and grace befitting her position, “You are Agent Moxi, are you not?”
Moxi reeled at the mention of her name, this pony was evidently well informed; maybe there was cause to be concerned about the security of the NLR. “That’s right,” she said, “follow me, I’ll lead you to the High Commander.”
“Wonderful,” the envoy spoke with dignity, but something in her voice betrayed that the elegant tone was ill-fitting on her.
“If you don’t mind my asking,” Moxi said as they passed through the palace corridors, “how did you know who I am?”
“I could see it in your eyes, child,” she said, her tone softening with a tinge of sympathy, “there is a pain there, deep and new, you have suffered much for one so young, but then, war does that to all, I suppose…”
Moxi turned to eye the older mare, she held a sorrowful kind of grace, Moxi thought she understood what the pony meant; some things are easy to read on a pony. “The war room is right up here,” Moxi said, indicating the heavy double doors, flanked by burly earth pony guards, “that is where you will be meeting with the Commander.”
As they approached the doors, they opened of their own accord, revealing a war room different from what Moxi had last seen, the table sized map of Equestria was gone, leaving the tabletop bare, Luna sat at the head of the table, General Warhorse on one side of her, and Melody on the other.
Dewdrop bowed before the princess, not raising her head even as she spoke, “Hail, Princess of the Night, I am Priestesss Dewdrop of the Sugarcube Order, and come representing both my own order and the will of the Equestrian Peace Corps. I thank you for welcoming me to your home.”
Luna eyed the pony with a raised eyebrow and a small smirk. “Dewdrop?” she said, skeptically, “is that what you’re calling yourself these days?”
The pink pony raised her head, giving the princess a small but genuine smile, it barely touched her heavy, mournful eyes, but Moxi could see it there. “My vassals were reticent to allow me to come myself in the first place,” she said jovially, “They insisted that I at least use a pseudonym, so in keeping with their interests, yes, milady, I am Priestess Dewdrop.”
Luna bowed before the mare. “Very well,” she said, “it is an honor to have such a prestigious guest, ‘Priestess Dewdrop,’ the chefs should just be finishing dinner now, would you care to discuss matters over food?”
Moxi couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable, eating with a priestess, a general, and a princess all at the same time, the only pony she felt she could relate to was Melody, and even they came from entirely different worlds. Moxi would’ve simply taken her food with the rest of the troops, but Luna had requested that she stay, and one doesn’t simply deny royalty.
“Surely,” Dewdrop spoke, continuing the discourse which had taken up every moment not spent chewing between the two mares, “there must be a better way than this, war will solve nothing, if you and Celestia could simply meet on neutral ground and negotiate a settlement-”
“Except so far as my sister is concerned,” Luna interrupted the priestess, “there is no neutral ground. No, my dear, I’m afraid any chance of a peaceful resolution has long since evaporated. Most would claim that any chance for peaceful coexistence with my sister ended when Cloudsdale fell.”
“But I have known Princess Celestia for ten years!” the priestess exclaimed, “She was always a reasonable pony!”
“You have not known her for ten years,” Luna retorted, her voice level, despite the fire behind her eyes, “you knew her ten years ago. One wouldn’t ordinarily believe such a period would make a difference to eternal beings such as my sister and myself, but in this case it makes all the diference in Equestria. Celestia has changed, the sister I loved died in Cloudsdale, all that is left now is a tyrant, and one does not simply allow a tyrant to stand unopposed.”
The priestess stood, slamming her hooves on the table in fury, “You spend more time rationalizing your bloodshed than you do trying to end it!”
“Please!” Melody cried out, “Her highness has been appealing for Celestia’s abdication since the beginning of the war, but she refuses to even acknowledge our requests. Worse yet, the last envoy we sent bearing a message was killed, we dare not put more of our people at risk by appealing to a mad mare!”
“Enough, Melody,” Luna spoke calmly, turning back to Dewdrop, “I’m sure you’re aware that Celestia has become more reclusive, she not only refuses to meet with me, but I’m well aware she has denied your appeals for an audience as well. She’s grown paranoid; she won’t stop until the entire New Lunar Republic is either dead or locked away.
“Just because you’re willing to see me,” Dewdrop sighed, “doesn’t mean you’re in the right either. Bloodshed is bloodshed, no matter which side you’re on. I see neither of you will listen to reason. Keep your bloodshed away from my temples, we will continue to take any pony in, Solar Empire or Lunar Republic, but your fighting is not welcome on hallowed ground.”
The pink pony moved to leave the room when the door burst open and Dreamcatcher walked in, a medic pony in tow. “Please,” she called after him, “your wounds aren’t fully healed yet!”
“You’ve kept me on ice for three weeks!” he called back over his shoulder, “My wounds have healed enough!” Dreamcatcher strode into the room, but the moment he caught sight of Dewdrop he stopped dead, his jaw hanging open slightly.
“Dreamcatcher,” the priestess said, her small smile returning again, “It’s good to see you again, I’m glad I was able to see you before I left.”
Dreamcatcher tried for several moments to find the words before stammering, “L-laughter…”
The priestess gave him a slightly warmer smile before shaking her head and speaking to him, “I’m afraid there hasn’t been much call for that for a while.” And with those words, she walked out of the room to be escorted back out of the base camp.