//------------------------------// // Chapter 62: Report // Story: The Centurion Project // by TheEighthDayofNight //------------------------------// Elias snorted awake as someone prodded at his knee. Jolted by the human’s sudden burst of movement, Snowball startled awake as well and rolled in a wiggling ball from Elias’ lap, inspiring giggle from their sleep disturbing assailant. While the dazed and still sleepy loveling picked himself up off the ground, Elias cast his eyes on the sleep disturber, finding it to be Kind Heart. The unicorn smiled as he glared at her. “None of that General,” she teased. “You weren’t supposed to be sleeping anyway.” “He wasn’t hurting anyone,” Snowball grumbled, climbing back into Elias’ lap. As the loveling settled in, Elias rubbed at his eyes. “What time is it?” “It’s a little after three,” Kind Heart replied, “but I found somepony with the magic to diagnose your injuries, so I figured you’d want that taken care of as soon as possible.” Elias nodded and yawned. “Fine, fine. Who?” His mind snapped to full readiness as Steel Scalpel trotted into the shielded lamplight with a soft smile on his muzzle. “Good morning Elias.” He reached out a hoof, but stopped as he bore the full brunt of Elias’ glare. Said glare quickly shifted to Kind Heart. “Find someone else. I can wait.” Scalpel let out a slight sigh, and his hoof fell. His horn charged, with a soft yellow light settling on Elias’ chest. “One broken rib, three cracked ribs, and swelling throughout the chest, not to mention that the broken rib is pushing on your lungs.” Elias glowered as the magic shifted up to his neck. “There’s some swelling in your throat,” Scalpel continued. “I’m assuming that’s caused by coughing. There’s also a few minor tears causing all of the fluids, likely caused by those strangle wounds…” Scalpel’s horn powered down and he met Elias’ eyes. “That’s just what’s inside. You have plenty of bruising, and several quite serious cuts-” “Enough,” Elias rasped. “I know that I’m hurt, but I’m not in any immediate danger of death. I can wait for someone else to heal me.” A pained, but slightly irritated look entered Scalpel’s eyes. “Elias, we are both mature enough to separate personal issues from professional-” “Clearly not all of us are,” Elias said. “You apparently didn’t trust me enough personally to let me know that you would be professionally joining this little venture. You’d think the stallion that wrote ‘trust issues’ in my personnel file would understand how that would negatively impact our friendship.” Scalpel flinched. “Who did you review that file with? I’m your primary-” “Nothing,” Elias hissed. “I said it before, and I meant it. You’re nothing to me, and I don’t need your help, professionally or otherwise.” Emotions warred in Scalpel’s eyes, and he eventually managed to say; “So you’re willing to suffer and potentially die for the sake of pride?” Elias’ lips curled into a snarl. “Is that what you think this is about?” he growled. “You think this is about pride?” “It is!” Scalpel said with a hoof stamp. “I can understand your feelings before the march, and if you want an apology, I will shamelessly provide one, but look at me!” He motioned at his clean, un-scarred body. “There isn’t a scratch on me! I know you can see that, so the only reason you’re still angry is because you can’t admit that you’re wrong!” Kind Heart swatted Steel Scalpel’s head with the clipboard that had been attached to Scarlet’s bed, saving Elias from addressing the yellow unicorn’s words. As Scalpel rubbed the back of his head, the mare got in his face. “That’s enough!” she whispered. “I brought you here to diagnose and maybe heal General Bright, not air your dirty laundry. Ponies are trying to sleep.” Scalpel glanced sheepishly around before mumbling out an apology. “Sorry.” Kind Heart pushed him toward the tent exit. “Shush. Less noise, more making yourself useful. Since General Bright has elected to wait for care, you can go use that magic on some of our lesser cases. The less ponies here, the less chance to spread disease and infection. Now shoo.” Looking much akin to a beaten dog, Scalpel drooped and drudged quietly down the row of beds before exiting the tent. Kind Heart set the clipboard back on the end of Scarlet’s bed before looking to Elias. “You should have just sucked it up and let him heal you,” she said, swapping out his IV bag. “I know you two are going through a rough patch right now, but you’re not helpful when you’re spitting up blood everywhere.” “Leave me alone,” Elias growled. “It isn’t that hard to find another healer again. I already pushed away one friend.” Kind Heart snorted. “Bold of you to assume that we’re friends General, but I like your attitude. Since we’re friends, you can forgive me for being frank, and I will forgive you for causing that poor stallion to break his leg and then stand on it in training.” “I made him stand to prove his loyalty,” Elias said, “And don’t try to change the subject.” Kind Heart grinned at him. “I’m the healer here, and I say that the subject is changed. Now, would General Bright like to rest for a few more hours, or does he want to keep pouting, because I’m one of the lead healers in here, and I don’t like pouting ponies in my tent.” Elias continued to scowl at her for a moment, then let out a defeated sigh. “Thank you Healer. I would like to sleep more.” “Good,” Kind Heart said. “Now go ahead and snooze some more while I change out your, and Scarlet Shield’s IV bags. Adiutor, could you please resume your position? Believe it or not, we’re short of clean blankets, and you’re making it so we don’t have to give General Bright one.” The loveling chittered with delight. “I can do a blanket!” A flash of blue passed over the loveling, and he morphed into an extra large, and extra fluffy bat-pony. Elias grunted as the loveling’s fluff met his face, but he relaxed as leathery wings embraced him, keeping him nice and warm. Hooves wrapped around his neck and Snowball snuggled in happily. “Nice and warm,” he purred, mirroring Elias’ thoughts. “Just as the doctor ordered.” “Tell anyone and I spike your food,” Elias grumbled, unable to hug the bug-pony back with his stabbed arm. He didn’t know why, but the fact that he couldn’t return the all-embracing cuddle vexed him. He ignored it as Kind Heart let out a slight chuckle. “Good job Adiutor. General, you have until the bag is empty to nap, then we’re getting started with the nasty bits of the day, so you probably want to leave until tonight. I’ll try to save some magic to get you feeling better then, okay?” “I can wait if it means one more pony is closer to being healthy,” Elias mumbled, his mouth filled with fur as soon as it was open. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Kind Heart said, her voice already beginning to fade in the face of a tide of warm, embracing rest. ***** Lionheart wiped the sweat from his brow, and cursed the clear day above. The stupid weather pegasi had reported that the march would largely be cloudy, but that was apparently not the case. While a bright change in weather normally wouldn’t be an issue, the human and his lackeys controlled the camp, and that meant no shelter in a nice, enchanted tent. The unicorn paused his work digging a waste trench and glared as said human came limping from the medical tent. He was still dirty with the previous day’s filth, but that wasn’t too surprising. The beast likely had caretakers that forced him into baths. Mere weeks away from Canterlot and the creature’s hair lengthened. No doubt that he would look like a true ape by the end of the march. If he made it that far at least. Lionheart hissed as an armored hoof shoved into his shoulder. He whirled on the pony that dared lay hoof on him and found one of the human’s lackeys. The tall gray earth pony’s eyes narrowed and flicked up to where the human was limping toward the command tent, joined by a freshly cleaned green mare and a blue pegasus. The earth pony smiled at the trio, then sneered at Lionheart. “Don’t get mad at General Bright for calling you out. You’re just lucky the princesses were there. He might’ve killed you if they hadn’t been.” Lionheart snarled. “Don’t threaten me whelp. I am more than aware of what that creature is capable of. It was my son he beat into a bloody pulp, and while that little newt deserved the lashing he got for getting caught, it doesn’t excuse that ape’s lack of punishment!” The earth pony raised an eyebrow. “You’re not a very good father.” Lionheart stamped a hoof and brandished his shovel. “Don’t pretend to educate me on parenthood! If his weak-willed mother hadn’t-” Lionheart felt his magic slip off of the shovel handle, then felt the wood sweep beneath his feet. He hit the ground with a grunt, then shrank away as the earth pony towered over him. “There goes shovel privileges. Legionnaire!” the earth pony called at a passing pony. “Go put this away would you? The traitor decided he wants to dig with his hooves!” Lionheart was surprised to see a look of discomfort on the passing pony’s face, but she trotted over and took the shovel from the earth pony. “Okay Centurion,” she said, “but could you maybe keep the ‘T’ word down? I don’t think General Bright wants everypony knowing about that until he’s officially said something.” The earth pony paused in thought for a second, then nodded in agreement. He seemed to shrink. “You’re probably right, good point Legionnaire. You, uh, won’t tell him I said that so loud, will you?” The mare’s discomfort broke and she grinned. “Centurion Granite, are you trying to contest First Centurion Night Flash’s spot as General Bright’s best friend?” Gray Granite let out a snort. “No!” he said, all too loud. His voice immediately dropped. “I mean, yes. No. Just, shush! Rumor is that Night Flash is going to be his dad anyway, so it’s between me and Scarlet who his best friend gets to be, and I spend more time with him!” The mare chuckled, swinging the shovel between her wings. “I don’t know Centurion, General Bright did sleep next to Strategist Shield in the healing tent last night. Who knows what kind of best friend things they got up to…” As the earth pony sputtered at the thought of his petty relationship with the human, Lionheart tucked away that interesting tidbit of information. He was well versed in medical ward procedure; it was part of the pre-march briefing after all. If the human had spent the night in the tent, but had been allowed to leave in the morning, it had to be because he had some sort of condition that required observation, but not so severe that he needed a bed to himself. Standard procedure was the use of injected fluids on ponies under observation to keep hydration, and if the human was still limping in the morning, clearly he would visit again. The unicorn’s eyes shifted to the tightly packed supply wagons. He knew a few useful spells. A few well cast attraction charms and he could arrange certain meddled with fluid pouches to end up in a certain human’s veins. His planning was interrupted when the earth pony nudged him with a hoof. He glared up to find the earth pony staring at him once more with narrowed eyes. The mare was nowhere to be seen. “Are you going to spend all day in the dirt, or are you going to get back to digging?” Lionheart was in a no-win situation, so he silently got to his feet and dusted off his front. “I will dig,” he said, meeting the stallion’s eyes. Gray Granite snorted and nodded toward the half-dug trench. “Then get at it, and watch your hooves. There’s rocks, and if you hurt yourself, you’re walking to the healing tent.” He continued staring, forcing Lionheart to let out a sigh and begin muddying his hooves in the dirt. After watching for a few more seconds to ensure the unicorn stayed on task, Granite turned to the rest of the detail, quickly bellowing; “Damnit Short Staffed, we learned this in training! You dig with the other end, come on!” Lionheart kept digging as the earth pony scolded his fellow, but his eyes drifted back to the wagons. He needed to get in and out before dark… ***** Elias glowered, his eyes focused on the maps laid out on the planning table. What breakfast he had eaten weighed like a leaden stone in his gut as Book Binder continued to read the casualty reports. “In terms of officer deaths, Midnight Chaser, Everfree, and Starry Skies are the only fatalities among the generals, with General Nightshade making a partial-recovery as of this morning, while the solar generals-” “Have been relieved of command,” Celestia whispered. Book Binder nodded, not looking up from her packet of papers. “That leaves General Bright as the only standing general. The captains fared a little better, with only Solar Comet being a fatality, while Brisk Day is walking wounded and should be fully healed by the end of today. Lunar captains’ Specter and Violet Blossom are alive, but will need constant treatment for weeks. For the records, I have listed them as medical-exempt from combat with intent to discharge. Captain Specter had both wings amputated, as well as a leg, while Violet Blossom has a skull fracture that dislodged her horn’s base. The healers are working hard, but…” “Less details please,” Elias said, closing his eyes, doing his best not to picture the injuries. “Just the numbers are horrifying enough Adiutor.” Book Binder rubbed at her nose with a hoof. “Sorry General. Reading what I recorded… calms me somewhat.” Taking a breath to keep her composure, she continued. “Captains’ Palisade, Lucky Swing, Brisk Day, and Storm Chaser all reported for duty at commanded at seven sharp. I didn’t include any of the lead healers, for obvious reasons.” “Good call, leave them alone until they want to be involved,” Elias said, scratching at his forehead. “They have enough on their plate as it is.” The alicorns looked far more horrified than he did, and they weren’t at the total tally yet. While he did appreciate them finally taking things as serious as he was, he couldn’t help but want to give them each a hug. Luna and Celestia were sitting side by side, their wings wrapped tight around each other and their heads lowered. Tears matted their fur, and their hooves sat idle, the packet copies they had been given long pushed away, as if delaying the news would somehow make it better. Cadence was in a far worse state. She clung to her injured maid, sobbing softly as she hugged the mare protectively in her wings. Soft Touch cooed softly in the pink princess’s ear, offering words of comfort as she tried to avoid contact with her amputated stump. “I thought so too.” Book Binder said, finally glancing up to give him a surprising smile, “especially since Healer Bloody Bandage has been really focused on healing Scarlet. I figured one representative from each guard branch was good enough. We can always fill everyone in later.” Elias nodded in agreement, rubbing his eyes. Despite actually having had a night of sleep, he was dead tired. The dark mood of the casualty report wasn’t helping. “Fine,” he said. “Keeping going.” Book Binder cleared her throat. “In terms of big numbers, we officially started this march with approximately ten-thousand-and-six-hundred registered guardponies. That is five-thousand Solar Guards, four-thousand-five-hundred Lunar, eight-hundred Royal, and three-thousand legionaries. The Solar Guard reports over seven-hundred fatalities,” her eyes flicked up to Elias, “with the cause given being the artificial rout. Wounded is approximately double.” The room grew slightly warmer, and everyone looked to Celestia to find her tears steaming away. Her magenta eyes flicked up to Elias, and she bared her teeth. “Say nothing General. They will pay, once all evidence is collected.” “I’m not the guy to say ‘I told you so’,” Elias said. “And even if I was, I don’t need to say it. I have control of your army now. I don’t need to feign power over you.” Snowball prodded his knee and offered a canteen of water, as well as a slightly pleading look, obviously wanting him to keep the peace. Damn manipulative bug pony. “Regardless, we aren’t enemies here Princess. I do my job because it benefits me and mine. As long as you don’t try to challenge that, we don’t have issues.” His eyes flicked up to meet hers. “But once a guilty verdict has been found, I will be sentencing them in accordance with Equestrian military code, no matter how ancient. Rest assured, they will pay the right way.” Celestia continued staring at him for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Good.” She slumped again, and the room cooled. “Please continue Adiutor Binder. I wish to hear the rest of the butchers bill I have wrought.” “We,” Luna corrected. “But yes, please continue Adiutor.” “The Lunar Guard suffered similar numbers to the Solar Guard,” the green unicorn continued. “eight-hundred dead, another thousand wounded seriously. Again the cause given is the chaos of the rout. In terms of legion casualties, we got off light.” She scuffed the ground with her foreleg nervously, then swallowed and continued. “In terms of fatalities, we report only seventeen-” “WHAT?” Celestia bellowed. She immediately shrank, her voice dying to little more than a whisper as harsh eyes focused on her. “Apologies,” she mumbled. “I do not mean to be negative about such an amazing, and beautiful statistic.” She looked to Elias. “General, you are to be commended for keeping your ponies safe, and I can in no words express how grateful I am that so many ponies in your legion survived, but I ask only, how? How is it your legion took so little harm when my sister and I’s forces were so brutalized? It is impossible to believe the centuries of experience did so little to protect our guards. To protect my guards.” “Tia, it is alright,” Luna started. “It is not!” the white alicorn snapped. “I was here Luna! I watched over Equestria for one thousand years, only to find that I can’t even protect the ponies that I call to arms. It is failure of the highest sort and I refuse to be complacent in my ignorance!” She looked back to Elias. “So please General, explain to me, in detail, how badly I have mismanaged my guards. I wish to understand, and you seem uniquely qualified today.” “Harsh training brooks little weakness, and I spared not even a penny of the funding you gave me,” Elias replied. “My ponies are fresh volunteers, most of whom had no experience as guards. As such, the important distinction I can make is that they aren’t guards, they’re soldiers. I trained them to kill as a unit, and then threw in a healthy dose of human war-capability. Yes, you have personally ruled Equestria for over a thousand years, but humans were killing each other for millennia more than that. As I have said before, we are exceptional at the art of war. We thrive on it, progress because of it. Human civilization lived, grew, and then died on war, and frankly, I’m just better at this than you.” He shrugged, shifting to sit more upright. “You’re a princess, a ruler. Yes you may fight the occasional battle, and yes you have a heavy hoof in things when it comes to conflict, but you are, bare-bones, a ruler. I, on the other hand, am a killer. I kill. I am very good at killing,” his eyes took on a savage glean, “because frankly I am willing to do far more to win. I will cheat, lie, murder, antagonize, intimidate, torture…” he chuckled, staring at the ground. “I got very good at torture. If I ever had a special talent, that’d probably be a very good qualifier...” He paused, realizing his words, his tone. His smile faded, and he rubbed at his bad eye, trying to ignore the worried and afraid eyes staring at him. “But I’m willing to dip my hands into the nastiest muck to pull a victory, which isn’t to say there are things I wouldn’t do that I’m sure you would.” “Such as?” “I’m big on self-sacrifice. I will take as many cuts as it takes to prevent those I care about getting hurt. While you are the same on occasion, you are far more willing to sacrifice others.” Celestia bristled and spoke through gritted teeth. “And how exactly do I do that?” Elias’ eyes flicked up. “You have guards, don’t you? Immortal alicorn, and you have an army of guards. Right now it makes sense, but usually? I could understand a border guard force, but yours stay in the castle, exclusively. Yeah, there’s a point, but let’s be realistic, you could slaughter any assassin you so choose if history is to be believed.” She continued to glare at him, leading Elias to sigh and resume rubbing his eyes. They ached something fierce. “If you don’t want the truth, don’t ask me,” he said. “But quit acting like it’s a weakness. You have to be willing to sacrifice others to rule, otherwise you’re not going to survive as a ruler. It’s why I avoid leadership like a plague.” Celestia continued her death glower, leading Luna to speak up. “Let’s get back to the materialistic aspects of your success General, for while interesting, I doubt that philosophies on leadership strategies are wholly responsible for your success in keeping your ponies safe.” “Fine,” Elias sighed. “I believe I was talking about human war strategy last? Well, the greatest evolution in combat was the use of ranged projectiles. Everyone learned to throw rocks and spears in some way, but two groups really pioneered expansion beyond the bow; the Romans, and the various steppe peoples of the same era. The culture my legion emulates used artillery, javelins, and later in the empire’s history, archers, all in combination with heavily armored infantry; the idea being that the ranged soldiers wear the enemy thin so that the infantry can deliver the killing blow. You do something similar with magic, but it’s not organized, and it’s pitifully under powered, as well as un-supported. Your guards wear what can be best described as ‘medium’ armor but is in truth just very poorly designed heavy armor. I have no doubt that the use of massed projectiles spared many of my ponies from meeting an early death, and thick, well-covering heavy armor no doubt helped the rest.” “And if I may add,” Book Binder said, glancing to Elias for permission. “Our fatalities are low, but our wounded number is far higher, with nearly nineteen-hundred wounded. We were also only able to recover two-thirds of our used ammunition, and some of our artillery was beyond repair and so destroyed. We aren’t exactly ready to go hoof-to-hoof with another army any time soon.” Elias motioned to the unicorn with a hand, meeting Celestia’s eyes. “See? If it’s any comfort to you, my legion got hit just as hard, they just managed to cling to life. Personally, I’m glad for it. You have to be alive to be in pain, and pain is treatable.” Celestia’s glare slipped away, and she shrank in her seat. “As am I General. I just… I know it is no comfort to you, but I wish that I had given you more responsibility. How many could have been saved had you commanded the entire army from the beginning?” She wiped at her eyes with a hoof. “I am a fool.” Elias decidedly did not like watching the white alicorn failing to hide her tears. He looked toward Book Binder as Luna offered her sister an embracing wing. “Please tell me we’re done so we can work on strategies for healing the wounded.” The green mare let out a sigh and turned a page, shaking her head. “Just one more, our worst hit group. The Royal Guard only has fifty-seven able ponies, with two-hundred wounded. In total, we lost just over two-thousand ponies, with almost three-thousand wounded.” “Five and a half thousand,” Elias said. “We’re resting for two days. How many can get healed up in that time?” Book Binder shrugged. “If the healers only focused on the easiest cases, probably three-hundred today, and half-that tomorrow, but that’s also going to drive up our fatalities. Healer Bandage says everypony is stable right now, but if we focus healers elsewhere…” “So three hundred across two days if we’re lucky,” Elias said. “Can the worst cases be stabilized for wagon transport? Staying in one spot invites attack, no matter what Elder Stone Hoof said. Getting to Saddle Arabia gets the portal open, which gets us access to more healers.” “I’ll go talk with Healer Bandage,” Book Binder said. “We’ll make sure everypony is ready to move in two days.” “Get on it, then start getting armor repaired and cleaned. Most ponies are sitting around worrying about their friends. Work will keep them busy.” The green unicorn gave him a nod before turning to depart. Before she left, she paused, and shrank in place. “Something wrong Adiutor?” The mare again scuffed the ground with her hoof, then let out a sigh before turning and straightening. “I know there’s a lot that needs done General, but can Night Flash and I have some time off this afternoon to visit Scarlet in the healing tent? We haven’t gone to see him yet.” “No,” Elias responded, causing the mare to again shrink, this time with a touch of disbelief. The human grinned and shook his head. “Because I refuse to do the paperwork needed to account for docked hours. You will go visit Strategist Shield with First Centurion Flash while on duty. If you stay longer than an hour, just help around the tent, get things organized and clean. Consider the mission improving morale if it makes you feel better.” Relief bled off the mare as she again straightened, her muzzle brightening with a smile. “Thank you General.” She let out a nervous chuckle. “You kind of scared me for a second.” “Good, I should be scary. Now git. Morale needs improved.” Book Binder rolled her eyes while offering him a salute before exiting the tent. Elias let out a long breath as she went, then, bracing his ribs, he rolled to his feet. He braced against the map table and squinted at the carefully made plan they had discussed ad nauseam for weeks. So many changes had been made for nonsensical reasons like pride, or simply because his “fellows” didn’t believe in his ability to strategize a proper march schedule. ‘You’re pushing them too hard.’ ‘We should carry every amenity.’ ‘What if zebras attack? ‘What if changelings attack?’ What if, what if, what if… It had infuriated him at the time, but luckily, he now had the ability to circumvent all of that. “General?” Celestia called, her tone soft and as non-confrontational as he had ever heard. Elias looked up to the alicorn. “Yes Princess?” She sat as tall as she could, doing her best to seem strong despite the streaks in the fur around her eyes. “As with last night, we can again be useful in ‘improving morale’ as you said, but I would like your thoughts on what would help our ponies the most.” Elias stared blankly at the ground for a moment, then as an idea popped into his head, he looked back up. “You won’t like my answer.” “I already don’t like many things about today. If being uncomfortable eases some of the other negative things, I will endure,” Celestia said, her jaw set. “Get dirty then,” Elias said. “The healers started today changing bandages, and they could use help cleaning all of those, as well as the tent itself. Make sure to cover up so you don’t get sick, but get in there. Get nice and dirty where everyone can see. It’ll show them you care as much as you claim.” Celestia’s eyes flashed with irritation. “I do not act General.” “And getting dirty will prove it, because right now Princess Celestia is still pristine and white as a sheet while ‘General Bright’ looks like he’s two steps from the morgue,” Elias said. “One of us looks like he slogged through a battle and has worked constantly after, taking no care for himself, while the other looks pure and pristine, staying aloof of it all in her nice safe tent. It’s not true, but-” “Appearances are important,” Celestia finished. “Exactly,” Elias agreed. “Put some sweat into your caring.” Celestia nodded, remaining silent for a moment before she smiled. “Thank you General, you are very wise.” Luna snorted and rose from her seat, whispering something to Cadance and Soft Touch before stalking down the pillow throne, her head held high. Her eyes glinted as she met Elias’ gaze. “Wise though he may be, General Bright has evidently forgotten what a bath is, and I would ask that he see to his own care some time today. Being covered in blood isn’t healthy.” Her nose wrinkled. “Also he stinks.” Elias wanted to roll his eyes and say something about the alicorn being over-dramatic, but a glance down found the words warranted. Aside from the clean spot on his arm, he was still covered in blood. His nosebleed from the previous night had never been cleaned up after, and had stained his already filthy tunic with yet more crimson. He could feel crust built up between the patches of stubble on his chin, and his tongue still tasted slight flecks of iron. Still, he had so much to do, and he couldn’t help but look back to the map, his mind racing with updated marching and battle formations. “Later Princess. I’ll get there.” “Of course General, but see to it, or we might be cleaning you instead of bandages.” Her words ended with a playful wink and a smile. Elias smiled in return and shook his head. “Don’t get too dirty Princess. You might end up in the mud with me.” He winced slightly at his own words, blunt and way too exposed, but Luna seemed delighted. She beamed and swept Celestia along with her wing, the pair talking about where to find some protective wear for their task. Cadance too rose from her throne, but as Soft Touch escorted her out of the rear of the tent, she shot Elias a curious look. She looked like she wanted to question him, but she was gone before any questions could rise. That left him alone with Snowball. The loveling smacked his lips and purred, nuzzling Elias’ hip. “You’re going to be such a good donator. Should I go draw a bath for you General? Princess Luna would be happy…” Without the beautiful blue alicorn nearby, Elias found his mind shifting to focus purely on the mission at hand. “Later,” he said. “Right now I need all of the guard captains, as many of our officers as can be spared, and Elder Stone Hoof. I still need to ‘treaty’ with him.” “Have you even read the report on what he and Princess Celestia talked about?” “No,” Elias admitted, “but it’s on my to-do list. I can read while you get everyone. And get a quill and some parchment too. I need someone taking a record.” Snowball sighed and again rubbed Elias’ hip. “You’re not going to rest even a little, are you?” Elias smiled, his silence more than an answer. ***** “This is wrong,” Shattered Shield whispered, his eyes flicking nervously around the dark wagon. Lionheart ignored the stallion, focusing on the sealed crate beneath his hooves. With the earth pony needed in the command tent, he, Dragon-Eye, and Shattered Shield had been escorted back to their tent. Some stuffed pillows under his blanket and one shared cloak of invisibility later, he and Shattered Shield were hoof deep in the medical supplies. Lionheart squinted as magic trickled from his horn into the blood bag. Too much magic would prove fatal to ponies, but just enough should kill the human if word about his magic-less state were to be believed. “Did you hear me?” Shattered Shield said, grabbing Lionheart’s shoulder. “I said this is wrong! We shouldn’t be in here.” Lionheart turned on the unicorn, snarling as his magic continued feeding the blood bag. “Shut up,” he hissed. “If you keep interrupting me, I’m going to report that you were the one sabotaging medical supplies.” Shattered Shield recoiled. “T-they wouldn’t believe that. Y-you don’t have witnesses.” “Do you really think Dragon-Eye is going to back you?” Lionheart snapped. “He’s an idiot that will do whatever I tell him to! I don’t need to keep him in line, because he falls in naturally. You, on the other hoof, are starting to become more of a nuisance than a help!” Shattered Shield tried to puff up. “You seem to forget that I’m the one who vouched for you when Princess Luna was helping her sister pick out generals. I was a deciding vote.” Lionheart’s lip curled, but he had to give it to his fellow unicorn, that was true. Then again… “And look where that vote has gotten us,” he snarled. “Creeping around like a changeling because you couldn’t dissuade Princess Celestia from using that stupid human! Now shut up while I fix your mistake.” He turned back around to find the blood bag glowing with perhaps a little bit too much magic. He briefly considered poking a hole in it to let the blood drain away, then decided against it. Most ponies would be strong enough to handle the slight supercharge, and if they didn’t, they weren’t going to survive much longer anyway. He lowered the bag back into the crate and began charging the next one. “You’d better make sure nopony gets hurt,” Shattered Shield muttered. “At worst it’ll give any ponies minor heart palpitations and this spell isn’t infectious, at least according to the book I found it in,” Lionheart said. “Now do your job and keep watch or we’re going to get caught! This needs to look natural, or we will never escape the prison that human has thrown us in! We can’t overpower his lies if he’s still whispering them in the princesses’ ears!” Shattered Shield turned around, keeping an eye on the small hole in the wagon covering. As Lionheart set aside another bag, he heard the unicorn mutter something he could just barely here, something he refused to even consider given all the human had done. “But he hasn’t lied so far.” Lionheart didn’t pause in his task, only baring the comment a mental scoff. ‘He hasn’t lied’. The human’s very existence was a lie, his every move a falsehood, a fluke! It was the same situation as Celestia’s little pet student. An insignificant noble house producing a magical powerhouse of that caliber was unheard of, and he knew that only some kind of direct intervention from the solar princess had let the little snot reclaim the Elements of Harmony. It was another tactically brilliant move from a beautiful princess tainted by some little bug nobody had ever heard of, and now Luna was forced to stoop to far worse. The ugly monkey had been molded for greatness. But that was all it was, a mold, a frail, plaster cast that cracked and broke with each day, showing the human’s true self; a dangerous, rage filled monster that would only continue to spread havoc and pain. That anger was dangerous, especially with three un-powered alicorns nearby. But he was still close to the princesses, would be prepared when that anger shifted their way. Then they would see the brute’s lies for what they were. Then they would see his actions, necessary evils all, as just that; necessary. He set his jaw and set about filling another bag with magic. They would see.