//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Tribunal // by Carnifaxy //------------------------------// They had enough supplies to last them the time it took traveling over the ocean. Despite the prince's warnings about the Azures the guards were well aware of griffon society's flaws and made for a beeline over the ocean. With the sun high in the sky they kept a look out and neither above or below were their shadows of griffons to be seen. For his part, Spike could do little except assist with whatever minor duties he could, whether they be cooking, cleaning, or mending fabrics. Food and water was rationed out as appropriately for them all, but paper and writing materials were scarce. He couldn't get a message to Princess Celestia since their release, and he could only imagine how worried everyone else could be... He heard a cry of land and he looked over the railing, seeing the Azures for the second time on this trip. A chain of islands, each about the size of Ponyville and connected by sandbars that vanished with high tides. The clear waters allowed them to see schools of fish swimming about, feasting on plankton and fleeing predators. The islands were mainly flat, hills at most, with a smattering of trees serving as homes for singing birds and buzzing insects. The airship slowed enough for them to admire the beauty of the islands. That's when Spike noticed a mound with stones circling around it. “What's that?” He asked as he pointed it out. One of the unicorns looked over and narrowed his eyes. “It's a cairn, for the dead. We've fought a few battles with the griffons for the Azures and neither side's managed to hold it.” The unicorn brought a hoof up to his face as a light flashed in his eye. Spike could see the glinting off of something on the middle island. As soon as he saw it, a griffon sprang out of the brush and shot off toward Griffdonia. “Dammit. Get those engines going double time, we need to get out of here ASAP! The griffons were already scouting the area out!” The three pegasi had been traveling across Mana with the old priest for several days, the villages rather close together. In that time they learned his name was Samuel, a very old name from before Mana's known history. Most of the churches they had seen were dedicated to Celestia, but there was a couple dedicated to Luna. Celestia's churches were rather modest and homely, the priests tending to them welcoming to the ponies and their stories of Equestria and Hearth's Warming. The three did their best to impress that only harmony could drive off the windigoes, and the lesson seemed to take to heart. The rare church to Luna was surprisingly more opulent, in a sense. Celestia's churches were stone and wood, with carvings in both about the solar princess. For Luna however, despite the smaller size of her pool of worship, or perhaps because of, more effort was put into making her churches more decorated, with dark gems and silver and great paintings. The ceilings were even covered in diamonds to emulate the night sky with the same constellations that could be found, with a great skylight in the center for moonlight to illuminate the dais. “In honor of our goddess and her humility, we too are humble in kind. In honor of their goddess and her night sky, they put far more money than they should have. It is perhaps their desire to pour wealth to her that caused her fall...” “It is a possibility we have discussed many times in our history. Far be it from me to refuse a Celestian priest, we both serve our goddesses the best we can.” The Lunarian priest said as he came out from the back, swathed in dark blue robes with a necklace of the crescent moon hanging from his neck. “I cannot say the same for many of my brothers or congregation, but our ladies are sisters, should we not count each other as brothers?” “Brothers, aye, but as the prince has said when he raised Lord Gabriel from poverty-” “'The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb', yes we all know that saying dammit. Will you accept my hospitality or not you incorrigible oaf? I've got dinner for two ready but my brother had official business to attend to.” Windgust let out a cough which drew both priests attention. “Oh, right, ponies yes? We've passed down the stories of your kind. I'm sure I can get you some good greens to have to eat. Sweet Selene knows the grass outside isn't much fit given the chill.” “Selene?” Downdraft asked with a flick of his ear. The lunar priest nodded as he ushered them to the back. “It is just one of her many beautiful names. Luna, Selene, Artemis, and those are but a few. Each name is representative of her different aspects. Selene is the name we invoke for calm and peace. Artemis is invoked by hunters and trappers. Luna of course, is invoked for normal services, and to steel ourselves for challenges both martial and political.” “What about Nightmare Mo-” Downdraft froze as the Lunarian priest turned on his heel, eyes wide and face red. “THAT NAME IS NOT SPOKEN IN HIS HOUSE!” he shouted, reaching into his robes and pulling out dried out flowers of moon vine, throwing them in the air. “Sweet Selene grant peace upon this humble abode. Swift Artemis shoot down all shades that threaten this place. Luna, great goddess of the night sky, grant us your blessing, grant us your protection.” The three pegasi huddled together, watching the man's hands tremble as he sat down to collect himself. Samuel looked to the three sympathetically before looking back to the other priest. “Forgive them, they are ignorant of our ways, but they have said that the nightmare had been cleansed from Luna and that she sits along with Celestia in rulership of their realm.” “Truly? The nightmare is gone and our goddess is truly returned?! ...Has she abandoned us, as Sol had abandoned you?” “We haven't been abandoned! They have temporal duties to attend to. They're far more responsible than the wyrm.” “Hah! I cannot argue there. That damn lizard is away more often than not. Good thing it's not my problem to have to deal with him on behalf of the church.” “Surely your prince has done good things for Mana!” Mist spoke out as she and the others took chairs. “Hmph. He did end the violence. And he allows us to be able to farm. And despite the constant snow we do have roads to move about.” Samuel chimed in as he poured himself a glass of wine. “And basic education for all children as well.” “So why aren't the windigoes gone if things are pretty swell otherwise?” Downdraft asked as the Lunarian set bowls full of vegetables in front of the pegasus trio. “Maybe the windigoes aren't here for the humans after all.” Windgust said. “Maybe they're here for your prince. But why not follow after him?” Both priests paused in their motions and looked to each other, thinking things over. “Well,” Samuel started after another sip of wine, “that is quite likely they're here for him. He's old, and no doubt has many secrets that he does not share. As for why they stay instead of follow him, perhaps punishing us is supposed to harm him as well.” The Lunarian priest waved a hand dismissively. “Bah, if that was the case he still doesn't care. He runs off doing Luna knows what whenever he pleases. He's no lord, he's a child playing with toys.” “I've learned in my long years that's all lords, sir.” Windgust said which elicited chuckles from around the table. “Sir, hah! No no, I am no 'sir' in the house of the goddess. I am merely Otto, a servant to Luna.” “A pleasure Otto. I'm Captain Windgust of the Equestrian 8th Scouts. These are my subordinates, Corporals Downdraft and Mist Weaver.” “And what pray, Captain, brings your people here to Mana?” “Well, Princess Celestia was surprised to hear that humans have survived since the Nightmare War and wanted us to see how things were going. It's, not as bad as it could be. That you've endured the windigoes as long as you have is truly remarkable, and I personally hope to try and assist humans as best as we can. First we do have to go back and make a report, we have our own duties after all.” Otto flashed a ghost of a smile. “I for one would appreciate our goddesses coming down to take control from that dragon and teach him some damn manners and how to rule. A toast then, to the sun and moon?” “Aye!” The others all called out, clinking glasses together. After eating Otto had bunks prepared for his guests and as the three pegasi settled in to sleep for the night he found himself looking to Samuel, both priests looking tired. “Do you think your sun will grace us with her presence when they return to her?” Samuel took a moment as his eyes wandered across the table. “I hope so, but I doubt it. Do you think the moon will?” “If what they said is true, she has a thousand years of catching up with her sister. Familial duties seem more important. But if she is back, perhaps a pilgrimage would be in order.” “Hmm. Perhaps... We would need to gather supplies, and with the blizzards growing that would be difficult. The prince would have to return first, then the harvest and rationing finished.” Otto sat back and closed his eyes with a pensive look on his face. “It doesn't need to be a big group. Just a handful, four or five. Enough to not be too sorely missed if misfortune befalls upon them. Perhaps even for the sake of solidarity in the eyes of our goddesses we draw from each other? Tis a thought.” “A thought indeed. I for one would love to see the true power of the sun for myself. Perhaps I shall make the journey.” The Lunarian priest raised the last dregs of his wine. “Moon guard your dreams.” “Sun bless your morrow.” Slaar watched with distaste as Gilda browbeat the poor little griffon. Some lord's son sent to deal with them, but the lord himself was old, blind, and long past his prime while his son was half Gilda's age. She didn't hurt the boy in anything but his feelings, shouting and puffing up her feathers to intimidate him. Then he started to cry. Before it could continue the dragon leaned in with his large head and gave Gilda a glare for her to back off which she did so after puffing her feathers out. One eye turned to the little blubbering griffon cub and a deep rumble reverberated through his throat. “There there child, it will be all right. Your father is just more stubborn than he should be. Ermengilda here is the queen now you know. She's just dealing with a lot right now.” The cub trembled as he looked up at the big, blue dragon and struggled to speak. Slaar lowered his voice to a whisper, which was still loud enough for him to be heard by the others. “She has lost her adoptive father recently, the king. Did you know Agathon, child?” “Y-yes sir. He came around every year. He'd tell me stories of him and a big dragon looking in ruins in Zebrica!” “A dragon named Slaar, I assume?” “Yes sir!” He flashed his fangs in a smile, which made the little griffon's eyes grow wide. Not in fear, but in amazement. Griffons were top predators, and so were dragons, and to see those rending teeth up close made him forget all about Gilda yelling at him. “I am Slaar, the very same Agathon talked about!” “Really?!” came the squawk of joy as the griffon buzzed his wings in excitement. “Really! Come, let's talk with your father about giving proper support to the new queen. What's your name, lad?” “Scythe!” “Scythe! A good name. Why don't you sit on my head as we go to your father so he can give a proper audience.” With a cry of happiness and more buzzing of his wings Scythe situated himself on top of Slaar's head, the dragon turning slightly to Gilda. “Shall we, your majesty?” Gilda puffed out a breath of annoyance. This was her kingdom, and this dragon was the one ensuring the griffons lords and merchants bowed to her instead. What did it tell of her own power if a dragon was doing the work for her? Her eyes widened. What did it mean for a dragon of all creatures to be the one doing most of the work for her? For some it could mean that perhaps the dragon had some other plans, but dragons didn't have such plans. Gears clicked in her head as she moved to walk in front of Slaar to take the lead. Yes, she just had to lay down that she was in charge in all things in Griffdonia and things would flow naturally from there. For his part, Slaar was a little surprised that Gilda took the lead finally, and her guards swiftly flanked her sides. His lips curled into a proud smile. The lair of the old lord was sparse, only the bare minimum of decorations on the walls and floors. His guards however, clearly had enchanted arms and armor. The old lord was flanked by guards who looked less enthused about seeing the new queen walking in and her dragon ally peeking in from a window with the lord's son perched on his head. The old lord himself grumbled and squawked in irritation as he sat up and blinked with unseeing eyes, dressed in little but had a mass of rings around his fingers. “Ah, that stench. Smells like that lout Agathon and a hen. Yes yes I've heard what happened, I'll throw my lot in with you but only if you bring the moon princess before me.” Gilda let out a snort. “And why should I do that?” “She's powerful, and my eyes are long gone. I want them restored!” “Why would I do that when I could just push you from that little throne of yours and claim it for myself?” “You'll make his son cry again Gilda.” Slaar said from outside as he peered in. “There should be no trouble in bringing Luna in to see what she can do. But, you are the queen and it is you call.” After a moment Gilda motioned for her guards to fetch the prisoner. As they waited Scythe gently buzzed off of Slaar's head and into the room and waddled up to his father. The old griffon bent down and picked up his son, setting the little cub in his lap and patting him gently. Scythe wriggled a little and let out a pleased squawk from the attention. “Have the queen and prince been good guests to you son?” “Slaar's amazing dad! He's so big and strong, I bet he could take on a hundred griffs at once!” He looked to Gilda and leaned in to whisper. “The queen's mean though. She made me cry!” There was a derisive snort from the queen as she glared at the lord and son. More moments passed in awkward silence until her guards returned with Princess Luna in tow, the alicorn keeping her composure. “Lord Barbstorm. My sister had told me much of your prowess in weather manipulation. It is you the other griffons go to to keep the air of the kingdom clean.” “Princess Luna, welcome to my humble abode. I would ask how you are enjoying your time in Griffdonia but I'm aware it has not been pleasant. I shall make this quick for all our sake. Can you restore my eyesight? Dark winds are blowing, I can feel them, but I have grown too feeble here and my son too young to inherit. With Agathon dead and his heir still struggling to get her bearings that miserable old fuck we call Nikola will no doubt seek to expand his own holdings.” Luna stepped close to Barbstorm, her cyan eyes looking over his milky white ones. Long moments passed as she examines the old bird before she stepped back and shook her head. “Your sight is too far gone. Had you gone to someone when they began to fail then they could have been saved. Alas, I can do nothing for you now. Even if I wished they would have to release the magic binder on my horn, and what guard would give their prisoner access to a weapon?” Barbstorm huffed in irritation and sat back. “One more question for you, Princess of the Night.” “Yes?” “Did you have Agathon killed?” Luna stiffened up and glared at the old bird. “No. The king's death is a tragedy that I had no part of, and there is no reason for Equestria to provoke three kingdoms into war.” A moment of silence went by before Luna turned to see Gilda glaring. “There is a reason, princess.” Barbstorm spoke up in a quiet tone. “Each time Equestria and Griffdonia has gone to war there has never been a clear victor, but we have won concessions. Now Equestria does not just have its lunar princess back, but also the Elements of Harmony. Now would indeed be a perfect time to show that your nation is not weak.” Luna turned on the old griffon with a fire in her eyes and Slaar could feel his heart skip a beat at the sight of her. “Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, and Magic. Pray tell what half of them can even be done for war?” She said in an angry hiss. “Winning hearts and minds of course! It is how Agathon took control. And just because one has to kill another does not mean it cannot be done kindly. Do you think we griffons merely eviscerate our prey while they still live and feast on their still beating hearts? No!” Barbstorm shot up in his seat and Scythe hanged on as best he could. “We go for a clean kill, an easy kill! What greater kindness can there be when a life must be taken, hm? We griffons have humiliated you ponies over and over, it is only because the vast expanse of the Fangs is the only land that can truly connect our lands and why we have not bothered to spread out that way. But the Azures, the Azures can change everything for us. Agathon was planning on securing it soon anyways, those plans are still well underway.” Luna flexed her jaw slightly as she frowned and without a word walked out of the room for Gilda's guard to escort her back to the ship. For her part, Gilda stepped up toward Barbstorm and cleared her throat. “So, are you with me Lord Barbstorm, or do I have to go bloody Nikola's beak first to soothe your fears?” Several moments drifted by as Barbstorm 'looked' at Gilda with his dead eyes and gave a solemn nod. “Just teach those damnable ponies their place. That is all I ask.” Underneath the Cathedral of the Sun in Canterlot were the catacombs for the ancient knights that Roland had served alongside so many lifetimes ago. Enchanted lights keep them well lit, the errant pony acolyte keeping the burial chambers clean of dust and dirt. As per tradition the knights were all buried with their arms, armor, and special trinkets carried in their lives. He remembered their names, one and all. Turpin, their grandmaster had been just and kind and taught Roland all he knew. Ogier, who claimed to be from the land of the griffons and was just as fierce, with blood that ran hot even after leechings to temper his humors. Fierabras, who had been a Lunarian until the Nightmare struck and swore allegiance to the Sun. So many and more that he had stood with, drank with, prayed with, and fought along side with. He stopped in front of Turpin's resting place, flanked by two empty spaces. One held his name over it, at Turpin's right side as he belonged. On the left... “Oliver.” The name came out like a curse on the knight's lips as he shook his head in sorrow. “Brother, I ask each day what could have caused you to renounce us and join the Nightmare. Even Fierabras knew the Nightmare was too much!” He knelt in front of Turpin and lowered his head, taking in slow breaths. “Turpin, my captain, I am to go on a long journey at the behest of our goddess. I am to represent her and her people to the great bullmen across the sea, the ones that had raided and traded with our coasts in times long past. I know it is to her I shall pray to but I wish for my brothers in arms to watch over me and to steel my resolve. War comes to our noble lady, though I wish it not. Guide my arms when I must fight, guide my thoughts when I must speak.” Long moments went by as he kept kneeling there in the catacombs, breathing in the stale air and hoping to the sun and stars that his fellow knights were watching over him. Once satisfied he stood up and made his way out of the catacombs, thinking as his boots thudded against the stone stairs back into the chapel proper. He could hear Cadance having a quiet argument with a voice he was unfamiliar with, and as he rose up from the steps he saw a purple unicorn with a star on her haunch. “-stitous nonsense is-” “May I help you, priestess Cadance?” Roland asked in a quiet voice, loud enough for the two mares to hear. The purple one jumped at the sound of his voice, and looked at him, her front hoof scuffing at the floor nervously. “Y-you're the human Lyra helped out!” “Ah, the harpist. Yes, she was a curious one. Has she been well with that candymaker friend of hers?” “You mean Bon Bon? Yes, they've been well. I don't talk with them much myself, but Bon Bon sometimes helps out Sugarcube Corner with big orders when asked.” “Sir Roland, it seems you're getting along well with my sister-in-law. This is Twilight Sparkle, she is Princess Celestia's personal student.” Cadance said softly, happy to shift the conversation to something more pleasant. “Truly! How blessed you must be to have such a patron! When I was a lad it was every Celestian's dream to catch the eye of our goddess. She was always like the sun, loving, warm, but always at such a distance. Her sister was much the same to our counterparts, the Lunarians. Beautiful, and untouchable.” Twilight listened with rapt attention. Despite her own feelings on the matter, the older human certainly seemed smitten in a sense. “To humans, but not to ponies.” She said, brow furrowed in thought. Roland let out a soft sigh and nodded. “Yes. Come, let us sit and talk for a while. I have business I need to tend to later, but I am always willing to share stories if you have some to give in return.”' “I have a lot of stories, but I suppose you'd want to hear about the princess?” “If you wish, though I hope not all of them are of her.” “Oh no, I have plenty about the adventures of my friends and I!” With a nod Roland took a seat at a pew, sitting as comfortably as he could. “Tales of camaraderie and adventure, yes I think I have one or two of those as well. Do you know of Sir Ogier the Mighty, who laid low a dozen griffon warriors and their war chief in one battle to hold the frostbitten pass of the Fangs?” “But the Fangs are so far, what was he doing up there?” “It was before he and his people traveled south to ours, in the ancient days when mankind was scattered across the world and struggled to survive. He and his people had been living near the griffons in that time...” Hours of storytelling went by as the sun steadily drifted down toward the horizon, unicorn student and human knight wrapped in each other's stories. For Twilight they were just as good (maybe a little better, by a smidge) than Daring Do's adventures, and Roland spoke with such passion and emotion that she was sure if they weren't real then they felt real. On her end, her more quaint stories and the morals she found in them had the older man nod approvingly, especially in how her friends came together to overcome. “...and that's how Fluttershy helped us make the dragon leave the mountain!” “To stare a great creature like a dragon in the eye and make him submit, your friend Fluttershy has great potential in her! Her humbleness and shyness is just proof that such power is safe in her hands. Er, hooves, as it were!” He said with a laugh. “Humility and modesty are two virtues I take to heart. To have great power and to use it wisely, those are lessons that are often ignored.” Roland sat back, pleased. His throat was dry but he could deal with it for now. When he noticed the hour he gently stood up. “Oh, it's gotten late and I totally forgot I was going to meet the princess!” Twilight said as she bolted upright in a panic. “Calm yourself child, the princess will be there in the morning. You have family here, yes?” “Oh, yes. My mother and father live in Canterlot, not too far really.” “Then just take your time, Celestia isn't going anywhere. Ah, but I must! I was supposed to leave earlier, but my trip is going to be a long one I wager.” Twilight looked up at him, one ear perked up. “Where are you going Roland?” “The princess has asked me to speak with the minotaurs, to see about keeping them from joining the griffons in war against us. It will be sometime I suppose before I return, but when I do I hope to share more stories with you Twilight.” Roland bowed low with a smile. Twilight felt a pit open up in her stomach. War, against griffons and minotaurs? “O-of course! Lots of stories, yes. I-I have to get going, it was nice meeting you bye!” As her hooves clapped against the stone floor she knew she had to see the princess immediately. Roland stroked his beard as he watched her run off and noticed Cadance frowning at him from the corner of his eye. “Oh, priestess Cadance.” Realization dawned on him and he frowned. “I said something I wasn't supposed to.” “Yes, Sir Roland.” “Dammit.”