Kyra glanced around, having not expected to hear a voice so close - and nearly jumped ten feet in the air from shock when she realized that Princess Luna was sitting on the bench beside her, wearing a traveling cloak much like Kyra's, with the hood drawn up to conceal her identity from any pony that might see her.
"Ah, Your Highness!" Kyra said quickly. "I wasn't expecting you." Although she was smiling, Kyra couldn't help feeling unsettled. The only time Luna ever contacted her in person like this was when she had a specific - and more often than not dangerous - job which only Kyra could pull off. Kyra wasn't thrilled. She could only wonder what the Night Princess would ask her this time.
Still, since the princess had taken time to find her, Kyra supposed she should at least hear her out before she declined the job.
"What is it you need done, my lady?" she asked.
Luna smiled. "Straight to the point as always, Blade." She paused, and her smile vanished. "However, this is a delicate matter that should not be spoken of in the open. Let us retreat to a place away from prying eyes."
She stood up, and Kyra did the same. When Luna extended her hoof, Kyra took it without question. Moments later, she opened her eyes to find they were standing in the forgotten castle found within the Everfree Forest in what was once the throne room.
"That's better," said Luna, letting her hood fall down. "Now we can speak freely." Walking to the ancient stone throne, she sat down before addressing her student. "As you have already guessed, Kyra, we have come because we have a task for you. One that only a pony with your particular talents can solve. You are familiar with Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony, yes?"
"Of course, Your Majesty."
Luna grinned. "Please, there is no need for formalities, my friend. Here's what you need to know. a week ago, Twilight Sparkle and her friends departed in search of a mare going by the name Starlight Glimmer. Shortly after arriving in the town where she lived, Twilight and the Elements were taken captive and held hostage for several days. From what Twilight has told me and my sister since then, Starlight then attempted to subjugate them with magic intended to strip them of their Cutie Marks. In essence, she was trying to rob them of their identities and free will - just as she had done with the near dozen individuals who she had imprisoned in her village and brainwashed with her twisted quote on quote 'equality ideology'."
Kyra said nothing, noticing the way Luna's dark eyes flashed with rage when she spoke of Twilight's mistreatment. Whoever this Starlight Glimmer was, she had no idea of the forces she had provoked. Princess Luna would not tolerate threats, especially where Twilight Sparkle was concerned. Kyra suspected that Luna wanted her to capture Starlight - but she did not say so. Her respect for her mentor mandated that she hold her tongue until Luna had finished speaking.
"After Twilight succeeded in freeing herself and the Elements from Starlight's grasp and restored the ponies Starlight had subjugated to their true selves, they chased her up into the mountains. Before they could apprehend her, Starlight escaped into the opening of a cave, which according to the ponies she had taken hostage, led into a network of cave tunnels, which one would have little hope of navigating without a map or previous knowledge." Here Luna paused, a grim smile appearing on her muzzle. "Little do they know, we do have a map of those caves. This one, in fact." Luna's horn glowed, pulling a roll of paper from her cloak, and her expression became solemn. "We realize what we ask of of you is dangerous - possibly more dangerous than any other mission we have sent you on before."
Kyra laughed. "Please. It sounds like fun. You know I enjoy a challenge, Luna."
"Very well," said Luna. She seemed relieved at Kyra's acceptance. "Thank you, Blade."
"I have a couple of questions though."
"Yes?" said Luna.
"What will you and Celestia do with Starlight after I bring her to you?"
"That's not your concern," Luna said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. "Rest assured, we intend to punish her severely for what she has done."
"Fair enough," said Kyra. "Also, how much can I expect from this job?"
"Fifteen thousand bits," Luna answered promptly, and smiled as Kyra's eyes bulged in shock. "Five hundred more shall be yours if you manage to bring the criminal Starlight Glimmer back alive. In addition, we shall not enlist your services again. We know you're eager to hang up your cloak."
Kyra grinned. "Consider it done then. I accept your contract."
"Excellent." Luna stood up. Walking over to Kyra, she handed her the map. "We shall return you to Ponyville. You may use tonight to rest and prepare your strategy for finding this tyrant mare. We depart for the caves at sunrise."
"Yes, Luna. Thank you."
"No. Thank you, Kyra. I have every conviction that you will succeed in your endeavor."
"Hey, since when have I ever let you down?" Kyra answered with a grin.
Luna laughed. "Never, my friend. Absolutely never."
.....
After returning to Ponyville, Kyra bid Princess Luna goodbye. She then went to the local blacksmith to repair her armor, which had become rather worn down. After paying the blacksmith, she left the town at a trot, heading down the path to the Everfree Forest. A close friend of Kyra's lived in these woods - a zebra mare known to the locals as Zecora. While most of them knew her for her fantastic natural brews and potions, few were aware that Zecora also sold her wares to individuals like Kyra. It was in fact thanks to Zecora that Kyra had acquired her dart gun - a gift from the zebra after Kyra had saved her life from a vicious cockatrice a few years back. Since she was nearly out of sleeping darts, now seemed as good a time as any to pay a visit to Zecora's hut and replenish her stock - and see whatever new equipment Zecora may have in stock.
After an hour or so of trotting through the woods, Kyra could see that her destination was in sight. As she drew nearer, she could smell something delicious being cooked. Her stomach growled.
"Oh stop it," Kyra muttered. "I already fed you earlier."
Pausing in front of the door, Kyra raised a hoof and knocked. A moment later, the door opened to reveal Zecora's friendly smile.
"Kyra!" she said, pleasantly surprised.
"Hello, Zecora. Mind if I come in!"
"Yes, of course!" Zecora answered, quickly stepping to the side to let her friend in. "You're in luck, I've just put on some vegetable borscht."
"Is that what it is?" said Kyra, walking over to the bubbling cauldron. "It smells fantastic!"
"Then please, have a seat and we shall eat."
A few minutes later, the two friends were seated side by side in front of Zecora's fire, chatting as they sipped stew from clay bowls. As they talked, the sun sank lower, and by the time Kyra left with a restocked inventory, it was already evening. While most ponies would have been fearful of roaming the Everfree at night, Kyra was an exception. She made it back to Ponyville that night with no trouble at all, and made her way to the inn. After paying for a room, she walked up the stairs and turned into the first room on the top floor's landing. After taking a couple hours to plan her strategy for finding Starlight Glimmer, she opened the window and leaned out, breathing in the cool night air and gazing at the warm lights of the surrounding buildings.
"Wouldn't be bad to live in a place like this after I retire," she muttered. "It's nice here. I think I could get used to this." She closed her eyes. "Once I have that money, I can do whatever I want."
She stood there for some time, feeling the cool breeze on her face and listening to the sounds of the town at night. Nearby, she could hear ponies laughing. Yes. It would be nice to live in a place like this someday. Stifling a yawn, Kyra at last left the window and went to the bed, collapsing onto it with a sleepy grunt. Within seconds, she was asleep.