//------------------------------//
// Raven of Ponyville 
// Story: Inkwells across Equestria 
// by Keyslam 
//------------------------------//

"And you're saying you're sure that I shouldn't check my mail today?" Twilight Sparkle glances over her morning tea. "How did you get in, anyway? Spike's still sleeping upstairs."

"I have my ways, your Highness. I am here on orders from Canterlot to ensure your safety in the upcoming months."

"You didn't answer my first question... Raven? That's your name, right? I've seen you with Celestia before."

"I am deeply sorry, your Highness." Raven Inkwell bows her head. "I shall answer it now. Whilst carrying out my order to inspect your mail for potentially-hazardous substances, my sister informed me of a plan to send deadly substances in the mail in an attempt on your life. We have already intercepted multiple suspicious letters and packages before I arrived."

"Assa...assassination?" Twilight frowns, clearly puzzled. "Why would any creature want me dead?"

"You see yourself as a good pony, your Highness, but every leader will have their foes, whether they know it or not. The faction that wishes for your passing could very well be the former followers of King Sombra, or perhaps the vestigial unreformed changelings of the Badlands. Further investigation is being carried out, as the former appears to be the most likely case. As I am largely uninvolved in such investigations myself, I cannot say for certain what may actually be occurring."

"O...kay then. Is there anything else that you're here to do?"

"I indeed have additional orders, your Highness. I am to be stationed by your side until the Princesses of Equestria deem that my duties are complete."

Twilight pauses. "When would that be? I'm a Princess of Equestria too, aren't I?"

"It is not the individual who decides my duties, but rather the council."

"Council?" confusion grows within Twilight's voice with each passing second. "This is the first time I've ever heard of an entire council of Princesses."

"You have yet to be formally invited, your Highness. I apologize for assuming you were already aware of the council."

"No no no, there's no need to apologize, I'm just surprised I haven't heard of it sooner." Twilight shakes her head. "So, you're going to stay here for a while then, aren't you?"

"Until my duties are complete, your Highness."